\r\n ………それを受け容れる覚悟が、徐々に出来始めている。 <br>\r\n ......and he had finally begun to build up the resolve he needed to accept that. <br><br>\r\n 戦人は頑固だが、だからこそ脆い部分を突いた時、まるで壊れかけた瀬戸物のように、一気に亀裂を走らせてしまう。 <br>\r\n Battler was stubborn, but that was exactly why fissures would run all through him, like breaking china, when he was struck in a fragile spot. <br><br>\r\n そここそが最高のウィークポイントだったはずなのだが…。 <br>\r\n That itself should have been his greatest weak point, but... <br><br>\r\n 「………くぅぅぅ。……前回、圧勝だったんで、ちょいと油断が過ぎたかなぁ……。」 <br>\r\n \"......Nnnngggg. ...Did I get a little too careless after my complete victory last time...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「えぇ、油断が過ぎましたね。…前回は戦人くんにとって難易度の高いゲームでしたが、どうやら今回は、~ib~あなたにとって~ib~難易度の高いゲームになりそうですよ。」 <br>\r\n \"Yes, you were too careless. ...The last game was a difficult one for Battler-kun, but it seems this game will become a difficult one ~ib~for you~ib~.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……割れた壷は決して元に戻ることはない。…未練がましく欠片を拾うより、他の手を考えた方が建設的というもの。 <br>\r\n \"...A broken vase will never return to its original form. ...So, it would be more constructive to think of a next move, rather than regretfully picking up the pieces.\" <br><br>\r\n ………しかし、すっかり知恵を付けた戦人にどう仕掛ければ良いというのか…。」 <br>\r\n \"......However, now that Battler has figured out as much as he has, how should I plot against him...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「ほっほっほ。ロノウェのクッキーより、あなたが困っている顔の方がお茶菓子にぴったりですよ。」 <br>\r\n \"Hohohoh. Your troubled face is an even better snack than Ronove's cookies.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……うー。戦人もお師匠様もロノウェまでも妾を茶菓扱いだ。…妾は決して甘くはないというのにィ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Uu-. You and Battler...and even Ronove are treating me like sweets now. ...Even though I'm not sweet at all.\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトリーチェは、決して戦人の前では見せないような子ども染みた情けない顔で、テーブルの上にごろごろと頭を転がす。 <br>\r\n With a shameful, childlike face that she would never have shown in front of Battler, Beatrice rolled her head around on top of the table. <br><br>\r\n 「…………お師匠様ぁ。………せめてヒントをー。」 <br>\r\n \"......Teacheeer. ......At least gimme a hi-nt.\" <br><br>\r\n 「おや。何のヒントですか？」 <br>\r\n \"Oh? What kind of hint?\" <br><br>\r\n 「戦人をぎゃふんと言わせて、妾を認めたくなるような上手い指し手を、 <br>\r\n \"If you know some really good move that'll leave Battler speechless and make him wanna accept me... <br><br>\r\n ズバリ教えろとは言わないからその、 <br>\r\n …せめてヒントだけでもぉ。」 <br>\r\n I won't ask you to say it outright, so, umm, <br><br>\r\n ...even if it's just a hint...\" <br><br>\r\n 「ほっほっほ、駄目ですよ。私は今、戦人くんの味方をしていますから、あなたに利することは教えられません。」 <br>\r\n \"Hohohoh, I can't. I am on Battler-kun's side right now, so I couldn't teach you something that would give you an advantage.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…そんな固いこと言わずにさぁ…。弟子が困ってるというのにぃ…。」 <br>\r\n \"...C'mon, don't be so stingy... Your disciple's in trouble, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「師匠を超えたと散々豪語していた気がしますが？」 <br>\r\n \"I seem to remember you brazenly boasting that you had surpassed your teacher.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………うー…。年寄りらしく、老獪な知恵を一発、授けてくれよぉ…。頼むよぉ…。戦人にばっかりずるいってよぉぉ…。」 <br>\r\n \"......Uu-... Please act like an old person and gimme just a bit of your crafty ideas... Pleease... It's mean if you only help Battleeer...\" <br><br>\r\n 「もう。相変わらずの駄々っ子ですねぇ。 <br>\r\n \"My, my. You're still a spoiled child.\" <br><br>\r\n ……でも、確かにちょっと戦人くんにヒントを与えすぎたかもしれませんね。あなたのお灸にはなったけど、フェアなゲームとしては少し肩入れをし過ぎたかもしれない。」 <br>\r\n \"...But, it's true that I may have given Battler-kun a few too many hints. It did serve as a scolding to you, but perhaps it was a little too much support for a fair game.\" <br><br>\r\n 「そうであろう、そうであろう…？ 頼むよお師匠様ぁ、せめて今後のヒントだけでもぉ…。」 <br>\r\n \"Isn't that right, isn't that right...? Please, Teacheeer, at least just a hint now...\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………ヒントだけですよ。意味は自分で考えるのですよ？」 <br>\r\n \".........This is only a hint. Think about what it means by yourself, okay?\" <br><br>\r\n 「うんうん！ <br>\r\n \"Yeah, yeah! <br><br>\r\n 自分で考えるからさぁ、頼むよぉ！ 戦人をけちょんけちょんに出来るヤツを頼むよ、お師匠様ぁ。」 <br>\r\n I'll think about it myself, so please! Please, gimme one that'll leave Battler down in the dumps, Teacher.\" <br><br>\r\n 戦人の前ではさんざん大魔女ぶっているくせに、その戦人の姿がないと実に情けない。 <br>\r\n Considering how she acted like a great and mighty witch in front of Battler, the way she acted when he wasn't around was truly pathetic. <br><br>\r\n ワルギリアは、いつまで経っても子どもなんだからと小声でため息を漏らす。 <br>\r\n Virgilia sighed at how childish Beato still was, despite all the time that had passed. <br><br>\r\n 「ではヒントだけ。……イソップ寓話の、北風と太陽というお話を知っていますか？」 <br>\r\n \"Then just a hint. ...Do you know of Aesop's fable, The North Wind and the Sun?\" <br><br>\r\n 「もちろん。旅人のマントを奪う為に、北風と太陽が勝負する話であろう？」 <br>\r\n \"Of course. It's a story about how the north wind and the sun challenge each other to see who can steal the cloak off a traveler, right?\" <br><br>\r\n 「そうです。乱暴かつ性急な方法が、常に最善の選択肢とは限らないということです。」 <br>\r\n \"That's right. Violent, impatient methods aren't necessarily the best decisions in all cases.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……言われなくてもわかっておるわ。妾が勝ちを焦りすぎたことはすでに反省しておる。」 <br>\r\n \"...You don't have to tell me that. I've already reflected on the mistakes I made when I was too anxious to achieve victory.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………。意味はよく考えることですよ。それから。……戦人くんも少々誤解があったようですが、あなたにも誤解があるようです。 <br>\r\n \"......Think well about what this means. And furthermore, ...there's one point that Battler seems to be misunderstanding a bit, but he isn't the only one.\" <br><br>\r\n あなたは、このゲームの勝利条件を理解していますか？」 <br>\r\n \"Do you understand the victory conditions of this game?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…戦人を屈服させることの他に、何があるというのか。」 <br>\r\n \"...What else is there, other than making Battler surrender?\" <br><br>\r\n 「………ほぅら。その時点でもう間違っていますよ。」 <br>\r\n \"......See? You're already wrong there.\" <br><br>\r\n 「妾が何を間違えたというのか。」 <br>\r\n \"How am I wrong?\" <br><br>\r\n 「あなたの勝利は、戦人くんを屈服させることではありませんよ。……戦人くんに、あなたという存在を認めてもらうことではありませんか。」 <br>\r\n \"Your victory isn't making Battler-kun surrender. ...Isn't it making Battler-kun accept your existence?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……何と。戦人にゴマをすって、妾を魔女と認めて下さい、お願いしますぅと頼み込めというのか！ 愚かなっ！ そこまで妾は落ちぶれてはおらぬ！」 <br>\r\n \"...What's this? You want me to butter him up, begging him to accept me as a witch?! How foolish! I haven't sunk that low!\" <br><br>\r\n がるるるるる…と、まるで機嫌の悪い犬のように、ベアトは唸る。 <br>\r\n Grrrrrrrrrrr... Beato growled like a dog in a bad mood. <br><br>\r\n ワルギリアは肩をすくめ、相変わらず短気な弟子に失笑した…。 <br>\r\n Virgilia shrugged her shoulders, snickering at her disciple, who was as short-tempered as ever... <br><br>\r\n 「ヒントは出しました。あとはあなたがよく考えることですよ。………何れにせよ、戦人くんにこれまでの手は通用しません。相当の戦略転換が必要になるでしょう。」 <br>\r\n \"That is my hint. For the rest, you'll have to consider deeply on your own. ......In any event, your moves up until now will not work on Battler-kun. A significant tactical adjustment will probably be required.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…言われずともわかっておる。……北風と太陽の話は、何が言いたいのかさっぱりだが、とにかく、方針を変えねばならぬことはわかった。……お師匠様もあっと驚くような奇策を披露して見せるぞ…！」 <br>\r\n \"...I don't need you to tell me that. ...I don't have a clue what you mean by the North Wind and the Sun, but at any rate, I realize I'll have to alter my course. ...I'll introduce a scheme clever enough to surprise even you, Teacher...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ほっほっほ…。それは楽しみですね。戦人くんはそれにどう挑むのかしら。……あなたの健闘も祈っていますよ。」 <br>\r\n \"Hohoho... I look forward to it. I wonder how Battler-kun will tackle that. ...I wish you good luck as well.\" <br><br>\r\n 「戦人のついでに、であろう？ ふん…。」 <br>\r\n \"After Battler, you mean? Hmm...\" <br><br>\r\n 「………もう投げ出して降参？ そんなに眠いなら、お布団かぶって眠っちゃえば…？」 <br>\r\n \"......Are you gonna give up and resign already? I guess you are that tired. If only you'd just grab a futon and sleep...\" <br><br>\r\n …意識を朦朧とさせ、睡魔と戦うと称しながら、ソファーに少しずつ沈んでいく自分を、“私”が詰る。 <br>\r\n ...As my mind grew vague and I pretended to fight my drowsiness, while sinking deeper and deeper into the sofa, `I' scolded myself. <br><br>\r\n 「……あんなにも、蔵臼から当主の座を奪ってやりたいって、夢見てきたんでしょう…？ <br>\r\n \"...You also dreamed about stealing the position of Family Head from Krauss, right...? <br><br>\r\n そのチャンスを私の魔法が与えたのに、あなたはもう放り投げちゃうの…？」 <br>\r\n Even though my magic's given you a chance, are you already throwing it away...?\" <br><br>\r\n そうは言うけれど…。 <br>\r\n …………この謎は本当に難解よ。 <br>\r\n 知恵の輪の方がまだマシだわ。 <br>\r\n …解けるってことが絶対に約束されているもの。 <br>\r\n You could say that, but... <br><br>\r\n ......This riddle is really hard. <br><br>\r\n Even a wire puzzle would be better. <br><br>\r\n ...At least in that case, you know for sure that it's solvable. <br><br>\r\n でもこの碑文の謎は、それすらも約束されているかわからない。 <br>\r\n ……私は、挑むだけ無駄な勝負を挑んでるのかもしれない。 <br>\r\n But in the case of this epitaph riddle, we've been given no reason to be sure of that. <br><br>\r\n ...I might just be fighting a useless battle. <br><br>\r\n …私は朦朧としたまま、ずっと持ち続けている手帳を見る。 <br>\r\n ...Still hazy, I looked at the notebook I'd been holding the whole time. <br><br>\r\n そこには、幾百の夜、穴が開くほど見たかわからない、碑文のページが開かれている。 <br>\r\n It was opened to a page with the epitaph, which I must've stared at hard enough to burn holes in it on so many hundreds of nights, I'd lost count. <br><br>\r\n ……それこそ、まさに扉。 <br>\r\n ...That page...is truly a door. <br><br>\r\n その向こうに、私が子どもの頃から辿り着きたいと願い、どんな努力も惜しまず、…そして辿り着けなかった“黄金郷”がある。 <br>\r\n On the other side lies the `Golden Land', the place I've wanted to drag myself to no matter the effort ever since I was a child, ...and the place I was never able to reach. <br><br>\r\n 私は、その扉にこうして両手を掛け、ページ、…いや、扉を開いているというのに、その向こうへ未だ至れないと言うのか。 <br>\r\n Am I touching the door with both hands, with the book...no, the door right there in front of me, ready to be opened, ...and yet still unable to reach the other side? <br><br>\r\n 「…そうよ。あなたは扉に手を掛けている。さぁ、それを力いっぱい開くの。そして、その扉に書かれた文字を読むのよ。」 <br>\r\n \"...That's right. Your hand is already on the door. Come on, open it with all your strength. And read the characters written on the door.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………力いっぱい、 <br>\r\n 開く。…扉に書かれた文字を、 <br>\r\n 読む…。」 <br>\r\n \"......Open it... <br><br>\r\n with all my strength. ...Read... <br><br>\r\n the characters written on the door...\" <br><br>\r\n 目を凝らす。 <br>\r\n ……手帳に書いた碑文の、もっと向こうにあるものを透かし見る…。 <br>\r\n Strain your eyes. <br><br>\r\n ...See through to the thing beyond the epitaph written in the notebook... <br><br>\r\n 「…“懐かしき故郷”は、私たちの想像をきっと裏切らないわ。……お父様が唯一懐かしむ過去は少年時代だけだもの。」 <br>\r\n \"...The `beloved hometown' definitely won't betray our expectations. ...The only past Father held dear happened during his childhood years.\" <br><br>\r\n そうね……。なら、“鮎の川”は？ <br>\r\n それが泳ぐ川は複数あるし、お父様が住んでいた場所のすぐ近くにあったかは怪しい。 <br>\r\n That's right... Then what about the `sweetfish river'? <br><br>\r\n There are several rivers where they swim, and there's reason to doubt that this just refers to one close to the place Father lived. <br><br>\r\n …鮎の生息するどの川が地図上、距離的に近いか…、何て話になると急に曖昧になって特定ができなくなる…。 <br>\r\n ...If we take out a map and start calculating which rivers with sweetfish were closest, ...things will quickly get vague and we won't be able to narrow it down... <br><br>\r\n 「……自分で言ったじゃない。水の流れる川かどうか、わからないって。……鮎という言葉がそんなにもややこしいなら忘れてしまえば…？ <br>\r\n \"...Didn't you say it yourself? You said it didn't have to be a river with water flowing down it. ...If the word sweetfish is too complicated, why not forget it...?\" <br><br>\r\n 川で考えるの。川で。“家系図”という連想は悪くないわ。その要領で川から連想するものを、他にも考えてみて……。」 <br>\r\n \"Think of a river. A river. Linking it with a `family tree' wasn't a bad idea. Try thinking about how to link a river with something else along those lines...\" <br><br>\r\n ……川じゃなくて？ 川じゃなかったら鮎は泳げないのに？ <br>\r\n ...It isn't a river? But where else could sweetfish swim? <br><br>\r\n あぁ、でも、鮎が泳げるってことは海まで繋がってるのかしら……。 <br>\r\n Oh, but if we're talking about places sweetfish can swim, then maybe the ocean has something to do with this... <br><br>\r\n 川魚だけど、海に出るってうちの人も言ってたし…。……………。 <br>\r\n Didn't my husband even say that they go out into the ocean, even though they're river fish...? ......... <br><br>\r\n …………………………………。 <br>\r\n ……………海まで。 <br>\r\n ……………………いえ、 <br>\r\n …でも、 <br>\r\n ………。 <br>\r\n ……え…？ <br>\r\n .................. <br><br>\r\n ......To the ocean. <br><br>\r\n ............No, <br><br>\r\n ...but... <br><br>\r\n ...... <br><br>\r\n ...Huh...? <br><br>\r\n 「……気付いた？ でもうろ覚えなの。ここには書庫があったはず。調べれば確認できるわ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Did you notice? But that's just a faint memory. There's supposed to be a room for storing books in this building, right? If you investigate, you can make sure.\" <br><br>\r\n ……それが“鮎の川”なら、………。 <br>\r\n ………そして鍵は６文字の単語かもしれないなら。 <br>\r\n ...If that's the `sweetfish river'...... <br><br>\r\n ......And if the key might be a six character word... <br><br>\r\n …………………鍵が本当にその川に眠ってるというの？ <br>\r\n .........Then could the key actually be resting in that river? <br><br>\r\n わ、わからないわからない。 <br>\r\n …とにかく地図帳を調べなければ…。 <br>\r\n でも、それがわかったとしても、“何から”６文字を間引くかがわかってないじゃない…。 <br>\r\n I-I don't know, I don't know. <br><br>\r\n ...Anyway, I have to search in an atlas... <br><br>\r\n But, even if I know that, I don't know `from what' I should take the six characters... <br><br>\r\n 「……本当にわからないの？ よく考えて。………私たちは下手に頭がいいから発想が硬いのよ。 <br>\r\n \"...You really don't know? Think deeply. ......We're pretty smart, so our ideas are solid.\" <br><br>\r\n 碑文の謎なんて大層に考えないで、子どものなぞなぞだと思って。……男なんて、いくつになったって子どもなの。お父様が老境に差し掛かったとしても、心の中の本質的な部分は子どもと何も変わらない。 <br>\r\n \"Don't think of it like it's something as massive as the riddle of the epitaph, but like it's a child's riddle. ...Men are always children, no matter how old they get. Even if Father has advanced into old age, that doesn't change the fact that he's essentially a child at heart.\" <br><br>\r\n ………お父様への畏怖を捨てるの。…真里亞が船の中で突然出してくるような、下らなくて低脳ななぞなぞ遊びだと思って。」 <br>\r\n \"......Throw away your awe of Father. ...Think of this like it's a worthless, infantile game with riddles, like the ones Maria suddenly brought out on the boat.\" <br><br>\r\n ……なぞなぞ。……下らない、低脳な。 <br>\r\n ...Riddles. ...Worthless, infantile. <br><br>\r\n ……………………。 <br>\r\n …………………え、………ぁ。 <br>\r\n ............ <br><br>\r\n .........Huh, ......ah. <br><br>\r\n ………あれは確か、…何だっけ、……えっとえっと……。 <br>\r\n ...I'm sure that was...what was it...umm, umm... <br><br>\r\n …確か、私の記憶が違っていないなら、……多分あれはえっと…。 <br>\r\n ...I'm sure, if my memory isn't wrong, ...that it's probably the case, umm... <br><br>\r\n ううん、あやふやな記憶で確かめなくていい。 <br>\r\n それもきっと書庫で調べればすぐにわかる。 <br>\r\n No, I don't have to rely on my vague memory. <br><br>\r\n I should be able to figure that out immediately by searching the library. <br><br>\r\n 「………私たちは多分、もう答えに気付いてるわ。…後はそれが正しいか調べるだけよ。 <br>\r\n \"......We've probably already noticed the answer. ...All that's left is to investigate whether it's correct or not.\" <br><br>\r\n さぁ、絵羽。誰にも気付かれないように、書庫へ。……あそこには、お父様の書斎から溢れ出した硬い本が山積みよ。…きっと、私たちの疑問に答えてくれる本が見付かるわ。………急いで。これが生涯で最初で最後の、私たちの夢の叶うチャンス。」 <br>\r\n \"Come on, Eva. Let's go to the library, making sure no one sees us. ...There, we should find a mountain of thick books that didn't fit in Father's study. ...I'm sure we'll find a book that answers our question. ......Quickly. This is the first and last chance we'll ever get to make our dreams come true.\" <br><br>\r\n 夏妃がブランケットをそっと掛けようとすると、絵羽はがばっと飛び起きた。 <br>\r\n When Natsuhi tried to lay a blanket over her, Eva suddenly jumped up. <br><br>\r\n 「…ごめんなさい。起こしてしまいましたね。」 <br>\r\n \"...I'm sorry. It looks like I woke you.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……絵羽。眠いなら無理をしなくていいぞ。お前から休みなさい。」 <br>\r\n \"...Eva, if you're sleepy, don't overdo it. You rest first.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あ、……ありがとう。ちょっとお化粧室に行って顔を洗ってくるわね。」 <br>\r\n \"...Th-Thank you. I'm just going to the bathroom for a bit to wash my face.\" <br><br>\r\n 「無理をせんと休んだ方がええで。…また体に障るで？」 <br>\r\n \"You should take it easy and rest. ...You're just gonna make yourself feel worse, you know?\" <br><br>\r\n 「本当に大丈夫だってば！ <br>\r\n \"I told you I'm fine! <br><br>\r\n すぐ戻るわね。」 <br>\r\n I'll be right back.\" <br><br>\r\n 私はそれだけを言い残し、足早にロビーを出る。 <br>\r\n After leaving only those words behind, I rapidly left the lobby. <br><br>\r\n 扉で仕切られたロビーだから、廊下に出れば私の姿は彼らから見えなくなる。 <br>\r\n The lobby was partitioned off by a door, so as soon as I went into the corridor, they could no longer see me. <br><br>\r\n ……書庫は使用人室の隣にある。 <br>\r\n ...The library was next to the servant room. <br><br>\r\n お父様は元々、大量の蔵書を持っていたが、オカルト趣味に傾倒するようになってからは、さらにその手の蔵書が増え、一般的な書斎に相応しい真っ当な蔵書を圧迫し書斎から溢れ出させてしまった。 <br>\r\n Father always owned a vast book collection, but ever since he started to become engrossed with his occult hobby, that collection grew even larger, so that the normal books suitable for a normal study had been forced out as his study overflowed. <br><br>\r\n そういう、まともな本を保管しているのがこの書庫なのだ。 <br>\r\n This so-called library was mostly used as a storage room for those normal books. <br><br>\r\n 知識人ぶった百科事典全巻みたいな硬いものばかりだが、調べ物がしたい今の私にはとても好都合だった。 <br>\r\n They were all thick, like complete encyclopedias for intellectuals, but that was very convenient for me, now that I was investigating something. <br><br>\r\n そっと中に入り、……念の為、銃を構えたまま室内を確認し、不審者がいないことを確認する。 <br>\r\n I entered softly, ...and just in case, I checked the room with my gun readied, making sure that there were no suspicious people there. <br><br>\r\n そして内側から鍵を閉めた。 <br>\r\n Then I locked it from the inside. <br><br>\r\n 殺人犯が潜んでいるかもしれないなんて、実はそんなに思ってはいない。 <br>\r\n I actually wasn't thinking that the murderer might be hiding somewhere. <br><br>\r\n …私が恐れたのは、これからする調べ物を、兄弟の誰かに聞かれはしないかという怯えだった。 <br>\r\n ...What scared me was the thought that one of my siblings might hear what I was investigating. <br><br>\r\n 心臓が、いつの間にかバクバクと飛び跳ねている……。 <br>\r\n …私はさっきまで寝惚けていたから、自分がどれほどのことに気付けたかを理解できていなかった。 <br>\r\n My heart had started racing before I realized it... <br><br>\r\n ...I was half-asleep just a moment ago, so I didn't realize how significant this thing I noticed was. <br><br>\r\n しかし、覚醒してくるに従い、……その心臓はもはや爆発寸前となった。 <br>\r\n But as I gradually became aware, ...my heart started to feel like it was about to explode. <br><br>\r\n 「………これ、…他の兄弟たちは誰も気付いてないのかしら……。」 <br>\r\n \"......I...wonder if any of the other siblings have noticed this...\" <br><br>\r\n 蔵臼と留弗夫は気付かないと思うわ。 <br>\r\n ……でも、霧江はわからない。 <br>\r\n あいつ、おかしな勘が鋭いわ。 <br>\r\n I don't think Krauss and Rudolf will notice. <br><br>\r\n ...But I don't know about Kyrie. <br><br>\r\n She has extraordinarily good intuition. <br><br>\r\n ………あとは楼座もわからない。 <br>\r\n ......And I don't know about Rosa either. <br><br>\r\n 「楼座も愚鈍よ。昔っから呆れるくらいにね。」 <br>\r\n \"Rosa's stupid too. She always has been, incredibly so.\" <br><br>\r\n そう…？ あなたに愚鈍と思い込ませて、不必要な恨みを買わない程度には賢いと思ってる。 <br>\r\n Really...? I'd say she was wise enough to make you think she was stupid, so that she didn't earn herself unnecessary malice. <br><br>\r\n 「………あった。…これになら載ってるかしら。」 <br>\r\n \"......Here it is. ...I wonder if we'll find it in this one.\" <br><br>\r\n 私はその本を抜き出すと、ばらばらとページを捲る……。 <br>\r\n I pulled the book out and flipped through the pages... <br><br>\r\n 「……………う。………これ、 <br>\r\n ……… <br>\r\n \"......Nn. ......So this is... <br><br>\r\n ...... <br><br>\r\n “鮎の川”…？」 <br>\r\n a `sweetfish river'...?\" <br><br>\r\n なるほど…。 <br>\r\n 鮎の川とはそういう意味なのね。 <br>\r\n I see... <br><br>\r\n This is what the sweetfish river means. <br><br>\r\n ……もたもたしないで、さらに調べて。 <br>\r\n ...Don't dawdle around, research further. <br><br>\r\n 「え、えぇ、わかってる…。川を下ればやがて里あり…。里って町や村って意味？ 人口密集地だもの、そんなのいくらでもあるわよ…。」 <br>\r\n \"Y-Yes, I understand... As you travel down it, you will see a village... By using the character `里', does he mean a town or something? That's just an area of dense population, so there could be any number of those...\" <br><br>\r\n どうして思考を停止するの！ <br>\r\n Why have you stopped thinking?! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 嫌ならやめちゃえば…？ <br>\r\n 右代宮家の当主は霧江に譲っちゃえばぁ？！ <br>\r\n Oh, is this too much work for you? If only you'd just give up... <br><br>\r\n If only you'd just hand the Ushiromiya Headship over to Kyrie...! <br><br>\r\n 「い、…嫌よ…。私が当主になるの。…これがその、最初で最後のチャンスなのよ…。……里って何？ 里ってどういう意味？！ この“川”を下ると里なんてあるの……？！ …………ぁ、……… <br>\r\n ぁあぁぁぁ……！！」 <br>\r\n \"I-I don't want to... I will become the Head. ...This is...umm, my first and last chance... ...What is this village? What does it mean?! Do you find one if you go down the river...?! ......Ah, ... <br><br>\r\n aaaaaaaahhh...!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n ……その里にて、二人が口にし岸を探れ。 <br>\r\n ……“岸”よ。わかってる？ <br>\r\n ...In the village, look for the shore the two will tell you of. <br><br>\r\n ...岸 means shore. Get it? <br><br>\r\n 「う、…ごくり…。わわ、わかってる…！ 岸、……岸………！」 <br>\r\n \"Uu, ...*gulp*... I-I-I understand...! `Shore', ...`shore'......!\" <br><br>\r\n 全然意味のわからなかったピースが、 <br>\r\n ……目の前で勝手に、 <br>\r\n ……ぱちり、 <br>\r\n ぱちりと組み合わさっていく……。 <br>\r\n Right before my eyes, <br><br>\r\n ...the pieces that I hadn't been able to understand at all... <br><br>\r\n ...began to *snap*... <br><br>\r\n *snap*... <br><br>\r\n into place, all by themselves... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 開いた口を閉じることも思い出せない。 <br>\r\n …喉がからからに渇いていく…。 <br>\r\n I couldn't even remember to close my open mouth. <br><br>\r\n ...My throat grew completely dry... <br><br>\r\n これ、……本当にこれが答えでいいの？ <br>\r\n ほ、本当に？ 本当になのッ…？！ <br>\r\n Is it...really okay for this to be the answer? <br><br>\r\n R-Really? Really...?! <br><br>\r\n 「…でも、これは全然６文字じゃないわ。……これが答えに間違いないって断言できるけど、これは全然６文字に満たない…！」 <br>\r\n \"...But this isn't six characters at all. ...I'm absolutely sure this is the answer, but this doesn't reach six characters at all...!\" <br><br>\r\n また思考停止？ なら、それを６文字で読める方法を考えなさい。 <br>\r\n 思いつかないなら調べなさい。 <br>\r\n ……きっと答えはある。それを疑っては駄目。 <br>\r\n Did you stop thinking again? In that case, think of a way you could read it with six characters. <br><br>\r\n If you can't think of one, then research it. <br><br>\r\n ...There has to be an answer. You must not doubt that. <br><br>\r\n それが信じられないなら、とっとと泣き寝入りでもして、ヘソでも噛んで死んじゃえば…？ <br>\r\n Oh, is believing in that too much for you? If only you'd just cry yourself to sleep, and then you can just give up and die... <br><br>\r\n 「…………１、 <br>\r\n ２、 <br>\r\n ３、 <br>\r\n ４、 <br>\r\n ５、 <br>\r\n ６…。……うぅ、 <br>\r\n …ろ、 <br>\r\n …… <br>\r\n ６文字…。 <br>\r\n \"......1, <br><br>\r\n 2, <br><br>\r\n 3, <br><br>\r\n 4, <br><br>\r\n 5, <br><br>\r\n 6... ...Oooh, <br><br>\r\n ...s <br><br>\r\n - <br><br>\r\n six characters... <br><br>\r\n ……み、 <br>\r\n ……見つけた。…これが、 <br>\r\n ………黄金郷への、 <br>\r\n か、 <br>\r\n ...I- <br><br>\r\n I found it. ...This... <br><br>\r\n is... <br><br>\r\n th- <br><br>\r\n ……鍵………ッ！！」 <br>\r\n the key to the Golden Land...!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n えぇ。それが、黄金郷への。……私たちの子どもの頃からの夢への、鍵。 <br>\r\n Yes. This is...the key to the Golden Land. ...The key...to our childhood dreams. <br><br>\r\n ……その鍵を挿す鍵穴は、あそこしかない。 <br>\r\n 生贄に捧げるのは、きっと、あれ。 <br>\r\n もう、わかるよね……………？ <br>\r\n ...The only keyhole this key can be stuck in...is that place. <br><br>\r\n That...has to be what offering the sacrifices means. <br><br>\r\n I'm sure you get it by now, right......? <br><br>\r\n 「う、…………うううううぅううぅッ…！！！」 <br>\r\n \"...A-Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………こっち？ ……こっちへ回れってことよね…………？ こいつらが、……私をこっちへ回れと、誘ってるもの………。」 <br>\r\n \"......This way? ...Go this way......? They're...inviting me to go this way......\" <br><br>\r\n ……ッ！！！ <br>\r\n ...!!! <br><br>\r\n 心臓が飛び上がる。 <br>\r\n My heart leapt. <br><br>\r\n …そこには、…………ぽっかりと、……不気味な暗黒が口を開けていたからだ。 <br>\r\n ...Because there, ......gaping wide, ...was an opened mouth in the eerie darkness. <br><br>\r\n 「な、………何よこれ…。何なのよこれ……？！」 <br>\r\n \"...Wh-What's this...? What is this...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 暗がりに目を凝らすと、灯りのスイッチを思わせるものがあった。 <br>\r\n ……他にも、開閉と書かれたスイッチもある。 <br>\r\n When I strained my eyes, peering into the darkness, I saw something that looked like a light switch. <br><br>\r\n ...In addition, there was a switch with `open' and `close' written on it. <br><br>\r\n 迷わず、灯りのスイッチを入れると、 <br>\r\n まるで炭鉱か何かを思わせるようなな灯りが点々とつき、地下へ伸びる階段をぼんやりと浮かび上がらせる…。 <br>\r\n When I resolutely pushed the switch, <br><br>\r\n rough lights, like you'd find in a coal mine, turned on sporadically, making a staircase that stretched underground come hazily into view... <br><br>\r\n 灯りがついたはずなのに、むしろその薄暗さを引き立てているようで不気味だった。 <br>\r\n Eerily enough, it looked even more gloomy with the lights turned on. <br><br>\r\n 灯りのスイッチ以外にも、開閉と書かれたスイッチもあった。 <br>\r\n Near the light switch was that `open and close' switch. <br><br>\r\n …これで、多分、開け閉めができるのだろうが、もし万が一、開けるの方が壊れていたら、私はこの不気味な地下に、永遠に閉じ込められてしまうかもしれない…。 <br>\r\n ...It would probably open or close this, but if the open part happened to be broken, I might be shut away in this creepy underground area for all eternity... <br><br>\r\n だから私は、とりあえず、開閉のスイッチには触れず、……銃を構え直して、ゆっくりと階段を下りていく。 <br>\r\n So for the time being, I didn't touch that switch, ...and as I readied my gun again, I slowly went down the stairs. <br><br>\r\n 天井の高さはたっぷりあったため、息苦しさはない。 <br>\r\n むしろ、冷たい風が吹き上げてくるような気がして、その不気味さに霊気さえ感じた…。 <br>\r\n The ceiling was very high, so it didn't feel cramped. <br><br>\r\n On the contrary, it felt as though a cool breeze was blowing upwards, and that creepiness seemed to form a sort of aura... <br><br>\r\n 銃を構え、慎重に先をうかがいながら、……私は階段を下りていく……。 <br>\r\n As I readied my gun and carefully stared forwards, ...I descended the stairs... <br><br>\r\n 壁や階段、灯りは皆、かなり古臭い。 <br>\r\n …この島に屋敷が建てられた当時に作られたものなのは、疑いようもないかもしれない。 <br>\r\n The walls, the stairs, the lights...all of them were very old-fashioned. <br><br>\r\n ...It was easy to suspect that this had been built back when the mansion had been constructed on this island. <br><br>\r\n 天井にはひびが入り、雨水が壁を伝って、さらさらと流れ落ちている。 <br>\r\n There were cracks in the ceiling, and water clung to the walls, constantly dripping down. <br><br>\r\n その水は階段脇に設けられた側溝に落ちて、地下の闇へ静かに早く流れていく。 <br>\r\n 早く先へ進めと私を急かすかのようだった…。 <br>\r\n That water fell into a gutter that had been set up alongside the stairs, then quickly and silently flowed into the underground darkness. <br><br>\r\n As though it was telling me to go faster... <br><br>\r\n 階段は何度か折り返した。 <br>\r\n どの程度を降りたかわからないが、地下１階よりはもっと深く降りたと思う。 <br>\r\n The staircase kept turning back on itself. <br><br>\r\n I don't know how far down I've gone, but I think it's much deeper than one floor. <br><br>\r\n するとやがて、…………無骨な金属製の扉が姿を現した。 <br>\r\n Eventually, ......a rough, metal door showed itself. <br><br>\r\n そしてそこには赤黒い塗料で文字が書かれていた。…書かれたのはだいぶ以前だろう。 <br>\r\n And there, characters had been written in a dark red paint. ...They had probably been written a long time ago. <br><br>\r\n “#ff0001第十の晩に、旅は終わり、黄金の郷に至るだろう。#ffffff” <br>\r\n `#ff0001On the tenth twilight, at journey's end, you shall attain to the power of the Golden Land's treasures, once and for the last time#ffffff' <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 爆発寸前の心臓が、その真っ赤な文字を認めた途端、さらにどきりと跳ねる…。 <br>\r\n My heart, which was already about to explode, jumped about even more as soon as I recognized those deep-red characters... <br><br>\r\n 間違いない…。こここそが終点。 <br>\r\n ………お父様の、……黄金郷…！！ <br>\r\n There's no mistake... This is the last stop. <br><br>\r\n ......Father's...Golden Land...!! <br><br>\r\n 高鳴る心臓を落ち着かせ、何とか冷静さを取り戻し、再び銃を構える。 <br>\r\n I calmed my throbbing heart, somehow regained my composure, and readied my gun again. <br><br>\r\n …でも、両手で銃を構えていては、結局、扉が開けられないので…。 <br>\r\n ……私は銃を下ろし、慎重に息を殺しながら、その扉を開く……。 <br>\r\n ...But since, in the end, I couldn't open the door with my gun held in both hands... <br><br>\r\n ...I lowered the gun, carefully hid my breathing, and opened the door... <br><br>\r\n 「………………こ、……ここ、……は……？！」 <br>\r\n \".........Th-This place...is...?!\" <br><br>\r\n その部屋を見た第一印象は、……屋敷のどれかの部屋に繋がっていたのではないかというものだった。 <br>\r\n My first impression when I saw the room...was that it might be linked to one of the rooms in the mansion. <br><br>\r\n そう、これは２階にある開かずの貴賓室の雰囲気にそっくりだった。 <br>\r\n That's right, it had exactly the same atmosphere about it as the sealed VIP room on the second floor. <br><br>\r\n でもここは地下だから窓はない。 <br>\r\n あるのは、荘厳なシャンデリアの厳かな灯りだけ。 <br>\r\n But this was underground, so there were no windows. <br><br>\r\n There was only the solemn light of a grand chandelier. <br><br>\r\n しかし、そのわずかな灯りによって照らし出されるインテリアの気品は、息を飲ませて余りあるほどのものだった。 <br>\r\n But even though it was dimly lit by the faint light, the quality of the interior was more than enough to take your breath away. <br><br>\r\n 天蓋付きのベッドに、ゆったりと座れそうなロッキングチェア。贅沢なソファーに絨毯。 <br>\r\n 女の子なら誰もが一度は憧れる夢のような部屋…。 <br>\r\n A bed with a canopy, and a rocking chair that looked like it would be comfortable to sit in. An extravagant sofa and carpet. <br><br>\r\n The room was like a dream every girl yearns for at least once... <br><br>\r\n にもかかわらず、窓がなく、地下にある秘密の部屋というイメージは、どちらかというと、魔女の隠れ家とでもいうような雰囲気だった。 <br>\r\n And yet, since it was an underground hidden room with no windows, it felt more like the hidden house of a witch. <br><br>\r\n 森の魔女ベアトリーチェの伝説を鵜呑みにしたことは一度もない。 <br>\r\n I'd never swallowed the legend of Beatrice, witch of the forest. <br><br>\r\n しかし、……この部屋を見せられたなら、……彼女は実在し、そしてこの部屋に住んでいたことを、…何も疑うことが出来なくなってしまうに違いない。 <br>\r\n However, ...after being shown this room, ...it certainly became hard to doubt that she actually had existed......and had lived in this room. <br><br>\r\n 「………誰か、 <br>\r\n ………………いる…？」 <br>\r\n \"......Is someone... <br><br>\r\n ...there...?\" <br><br>\r\n 私はそんな部屋に度肝を抜かれながらも、慎重に、…いや、臆病に銃を構えながら室内を探るのだった。 <br>\r\n Even though I was completely shocked by this room, I carefully...no, timidly searched the interior with my gun raised. <br><br>\r\n そして、……部屋の奥に、それを見つける。 <br>\r\n And, ...at the back of the room, I found it. <br><br>\r\n 「……………ひッ、……………。」 <br>\r\n \"......Eeek......\" <br><br>\r\n 私の息を呑む音は、まるで子ウサギが窒息するような変な声。 <br>\r\n My gasp came out strangely, like a bunny being choked. <br><br>\r\n …だって、……これを見てしまったら、…誰だって、そんな間抜けな声しか出せないに決まってるのだ…。 <br>\r\n ...After all, ...after finding something like this, ...no one would be able to stop that kind of stupid voice from leaking out... <br><br>\r\n 「あった……。……ほ、……本当にあった……ッ…。……お父様の、……黄金……ッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"It's here... ...I-It's really here...... ...Father's...gold...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 天蓋ベッドの向こう側に、それはうず高く積み上げられていた…。 <br>\r\n 山と成す、黄金のインゴットの山ッ！！ <br>\r\n On the opposite side of the canopy bed, it was piled up in a massive heap... <br><br>\r\n It was a mountain, a mountain of gold ingots!! <br><br>\r\n もちろんそれは部屋の気品を損ねるような無様な積み方はされていない。 <br>\r\n Of course, they weren't piled up carelessly in a way that would damage the dignity of this room. <br><br>\r\n その黄金の山には緋色の美しい繻子織りの織物が掛けられ、赤と黄金、そして深き闇の黒の美しき三色で彩られていた…。 <br>\r\n A beautiful scarlet satin weave was laid on the mountain of gold, creating a beautiful three-colored mix between the red, the gold and the black of the deep darkness... <br><br>\r\n それはまるで、魔女がこのベッドで眠る時、さながら黄金はその側にうやうやしく控える侍従か何かのように。 <br>\r\n It was as though, when the witch slept on this bed, the gold would be a respectful chamberlain waiting on her. <br><br>\r\n 気高く、高貴に、優雅に、美しく。 <br>\r\n Nobly, refinedly, gracefully, beautifully. <br><br>\r\n 威風堂々としていながら、それでいて畏まったように積み上げられているのだ…。 <br>\r\n It was attentively piled there with an imposing air... <br><br>\r\n 黄金のインゴットをひとつ取ろうとし、その重さに驚く。 <br>\r\n ……多分、１０ｋｇくらいはあるだろう。 <br>\r\n ……このインゴット１つで多分、一千万以上の価値が余裕であるに違いない。 <br>\r\n When I tried to grab a single gold ingot, I was surprised at its weight. <br><br>\r\n ...It was probably about 10 kilograms. <br><br>\r\n ...Just this ingot would probably be worth more than 10 million. <br><br>\r\n そこには、右代宮家の紋章である片翼の鷲が薄っすらと刻印されていた。 <br>\r\n 磨耗しているのか、そもそもの刻印がいい加減なのか、鮮明とは言い難いが、紛れもなく片翼の鷲の紋章だった。 <br>\r\n The Ushiromiya family crest, the One-Winged Eagle, was lightly imprinted on it. <br><br>\r\n It was hard to tell whether it had worn away, or whether the impression had been made carelessly in the first place, but it was certainly the crest of the One-Winged Eagle. <br><br>\r\n そのインゴットが一体、ここに何本積み上げられているというのか？ <br>\r\n でたらめに辺と辺を掛けて、それに高さを掛けただけでも、きっと数百を超えるだろう。 <br>\r\n Just how many ingots were piled up there? <br><br>\r\n By doing a quick count here and there and judging by the height, there had to be a few hundred at least. <br><br>\r\n もう頭が真っ白でまともな計算も出来ない。 <br>\r\n ……控えめに数えても、十億円を余裕で上回るだろう。 <br>\r\n My mind's already gone blank, so I can't do the math well. <br><br>\r\n ...Even a moderate guess would put it above several billion yen. <br><br>\r\n 「そりゃそうよ…、そうに決まってるわよ…。…だって、１０ｔの黄金よ…？ 時価にして２００億円の黄金よ…？ み、…見つけたわ、……誰よりも早く、………私が見つけたわッ！！ あはは、わははははははは、あっはっはっはっははははははははははははは！！」 <br>\r\n \"That's right, ...of course... ...After all, there's 10 tons of gold, right...? At the current value, that's more than 20 billion yen of gold...! ...I-I found it...before anyone else. ......I found it!! Ahaha, wahahahahahahaha, ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 私は黄金の山を前に、両手を広げて天井を見上げる。 <br>\r\n 品の欠片もない笑い声が、全身から溢れ出してくる。 <br>\r\n In front of the mountain of gold, I spread my arms and looked up at the ceiling. <br><br>\r\n A laugh without a trace of dignity flowed out from my entire body. <br><br>\r\n こんなおかしな笑いなんかするつもりは毛頭ないのに、…でもでも、全身が泡立つほど嬉しい気持ちを抑えられない。 <br>\r\n I had no intention of laughing in a weird way, ...but, but, I couldn't hold back the happy feeling that was flowing through me. <br><br>\r\n ……この黄金の山を見つけたからと言って、すんなりあの兄が負けを認めたりはしないだろう。 <br>\r\n …しかし、私が一番最初に見つけたという事実は、今や動かしようがない…！ <br>\r\n ...My older brother probably wouldn't accept his loss just because I found this gold. <br><br>\r\n ...But from now on, there would be no changing the fact that I had been the one to find it...! <br><br>\r\n 私が右代宮家の当主を奪うには、まだいくつかの繊細な駆け引きが必要になるだろう。 <br>\r\n でも、それはこれまでの日々を考えればまったくにもって些細な問題。 <br>\r\n To steal away the Headship of the family, some more subtle bargaining would probably still be required. <br><br>\r\n But after everything I've gone through until now, that's a completely trivial problem. <br><br>\r\n 仮に右代宮家の家督云々の話を抜きにしたって。 <br>\r\n …今や、２００億円の黄金は私ひとりのものなのだからッ！！ <br>\r\n Even if I lose out on the Ushiromiya Family Headship, ...I already have 20 billion yen worth of gold!! <br><br>\r\n 「はははは、あっはっはっはっはっは！！ お金なんて、何て下らないものだろうって思ったことがあるわ。世の中にはお金で買えないものなんていくらでもあると思ってた。…でも、そんなのは嘘っぱちだって、今、理解したわ！ そんなのは持たざる者の自分への言い訳だったのよ！！ <br>\r\n \"Hahahaha, ahahahahaha!! At times, I've thought that money is such a worthless thing. I thought there were so many things in this world you can't buy with money. ...But now I see that's just a lie! Just an excuse that the have-nots make for themselves!!\" <br><br>\r\n この黄金の山を前にして、私はやっとそんな当り前を理解したわ…！！ この世の全ての幸せは、この黄金を溶かすことで生み出すことができる！ このお金があれば、夫の会社はもう大丈夫。私たち家族はずっと幸せ。そして譲治にも莫大なお金を遺してあげることができる…！！ <br>\r\n \"In front of this mountain of gold, I've finally realized something so obvious...!! By using this money, I can give birth to all the happiness in this world! With this money, my husband's company is already saved. We will always be happy as a family. And I can even leave a vast sum of money to George...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 他の親戚たちなどやがては没落して消えるわ。その時、譲治はこの黄金を使って、失われた右代宮家の威光を、まるでお父様がそうしたように復興させてみせるのよ…！！ その時、誰も異論を挟めないわ。……譲治こそが、右代宮家の本当の跡継ぎなのよッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"The rest of the relatives will eventually be ruined and disappear. At that time, George will use this gold, and just like Grandfather did, he will revive the Ushiromiya family's lost honor. ...George is the true successor to the Ushiromiya family!!\" <br><br>\r\n 成ったッ！！！ 叶ったッ！！ <br>\r\n It happened!!! My wish was granted!! <br><br>\r\n 右代宮絵羽としてこの世に生まれ、願った夢は今この瞬間、全てが叶った…！！ <br>\r\n That dream I have wished for ever since I was born into this world as Ushiromiya Eva...has been granted completely at this very moment...!! <br><br>\r\n 私も夫も、永遠に幸せになれて。 <br>\r\n そして一人息子の譲治にも永遠の幸せを贈ることができる！！ <br>\r\n My husband and I will be happy for all eternity. <br><br>\r\n And I can also give my only son, George, eternal happiness!! <br><br>\r\n 下らない快楽になんか浪費するものか！！ <br>\r\n 兄が食い潰し傾かせた右代宮家は、私と譲治が復興させるのよ！ <br>\r\n There's no way I'll waste it on foolish pleasures!! <br><br>\r\n My older brother has chewed the Ushiromiya family to bits, but George and I will revive it! <br><br>\r\n それこそが、右代宮家の当主を、本当の意味で私たちが継承したという意味なのよッ！！ <br>\r\n And that means I truly have succeeded the Ushiromiya Family Headship!! <br><br>\r\n 「成し遂げたわ…。やったわ、…あなた…、譲治…。……私は、……母さんは、……ついに成し遂げたわよ…。……もうこれで、誰にも脅かされない…。ううぅう、ううううううぅううううぅッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"I was successful... I did it, ...honey...and George... ...I...your mother...finally succeeded... ...No one will be able to threaten us now... Aaaaaaahhh, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!\" <br><br>\r\n そうよ、これでもう私たちは、二度と悲しい夜に咽ぶことはない。 <br>\r\n That's right, after this, never again will we be smothered by sad nights. <br><br>\r\n おめでとう、私。 <br>\r\n おめでとう、右代宮絵羽。 <br>\r\n Congratulations, me. <br><br>\r\n Congratulations, Ushiromiya Eva. <br><br>\r\n …私たちの悲しい半生は、今ここに全ての念願が叶って昇華されたわ。 <br>\r\n ...Right here, right now, the sad half of our life will have its heart's desire granted. <br><br>\r\n 「あなたのお陰よ…。あなたの魔法があったから、このチャンスに恵まれた。このチャンスがあったから、私はここに辿り着くことができた…！」 <br>\r\n \"It's all thanks to you... I was given this chance because of your magic. Because of that chance, I was able to make it here...!\" <br><br>\r\n …ありがとう。 <br>\r\n でも私の魔法は、私たちが互いに信じあわなくちゃ叶えることができなかった。 <br>\r\n ...Thank you. <br><br>\r\n But my magic wouldn't have been granted if we both didn't believe in each other. <br><br>\r\n だから、私の魔法の力だけじゃない。 <br>\r\n 私たちの勝利よ。 <br>\r\n So, it isn't just the power of my magic. <br><br>\r\n This is our victory. <br><br>\r\n だからこそ、おめでとう。“私たち”。 <br>\r\n Because of that, congratulations, `us'. <br><br>\r\n 「ありがとう、私…。ありがとう、右代宮絵羽…。……今日まで挫けなくて良かった。悲しみに溺れ、足掻くことを忘れなくて良かった…。………いいえ、これは私の魔法。私たちの魔法！ あなたの魔法は本物だったわ。森の魔女ベアトリーチェなんてすでに幻想。あなたこそが本当の魔法が使える本当の魔女。……そうよ。あなたこそが今や、黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェなのよッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Thank you, me... Thank you, <NAME>... ...I'm glad I didn't give in before now. I'm glad that I didn't drown in sorrow and forget to keep struggling... ......No, this is my magic. Our magic! Your magic was the real thing. Beatrice, the witch of the forest, is nothing more than an illusion. You are the real witch, a wielder of real magic. ...That's right. Right now, you are the Golden Witch, Beatrice!!\" <br><br>\r\n 絵羽は一度、そこを立ち去ることにした。 <br>\r\n そして再び階段を登り、この秘密の場所を出ようとした時。 <br>\r\n Eva decided to leave for the time being. <br><br>\r\n When she climbed the stairs again, trying to leave this secret place... <br><br>\r\n ……不気味な人影がゆらりと立ちはだかったのが見えて、夢見心地が吹き飛ぶ。 <br>\r\n ...She saw a creepy, swaying human shadow blocking her path, and her dreamlike state was blown away. <br><br>\r\n 「…………………誰ッ？！」 <br>\r\n \".........Who is it?!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n この部屋の真の主、…本当のベアトリーチェが現れたのだと、一瞬信じた。 <br>\r\n For an instant, ...she believed that the true master of this room, the real Beatrice, had appeared. <br><br>\r\n 向こうも銃を持っていたらしい。 <br>\r\n 二人は銃を構えあう。 <br>\r\n It seemed that the other person was also holding a gun. <br><br>\r\n The two of them were pointing guns at each other. <br><br>\r\n そしてようやく、お互いは相手が誰かを知る…。 <br>\r\n And eventually, they each realized who the other was... <br><br>\r\n 「………楼座………？」 <br>\r\n \"......Rosa......?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…姉さん…。………こんなところで何をしているの…？」 <br>\r\n \"...Nee-san, ...what are you doing in a place like this...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「お互い様よ。あなたこそこんなところへ何の御用？」 <br>\r\n \"That's my line. What business do you have in such a place?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……姉さんにヒントをあげるんじゃなかったわ。そうだったなら、ここに辿り着いたのは、きっと私が一番だった。………残念よ。」 <br>\r\n \"...I shouldn't have given you that hint, Nee-san. If I hadn't, I definitely would have been the first to reach this place. ......Too bad.\" <br><br>\r\n 楼座には、この階段がどこに続き、そしてその先に何が待ち構えているのか、理解できているようだった。 <br>\r\n It seemed that Rosa knew where this staircase went......and what was waiting ahead of her. <br><br>\r\n 「言うわね。………私より遅く辿り着いたくせに。」 <br>\r\n \"You should talk. ......Even though I reached this place before you.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………鮎の川に悩みすぎたわ。鮎なんて大した意味、ないじゃない。」 <br>\r\n \"......I worried too much about the sweetfish river. The sweetfish part didn't really matter that much at all, did it?\" <br><br>\r\n 「そんなことないわよ。立派なヒントだったじゃない。 <br>\r\n \"That isn't true. It was an excellent hint, wasn't it? <br><br>\r\n まぁ確かに、鮎である必要はなかったかもね。…でも、鮎が海に出る魚だと聞いて、私はそれで気付いたの。」 <br>\r\n Well, of course, maybe there was no need for it to be sweetfish. ...But when I heard that sweetfish are fish that go out into the sea, I was able to figure it out.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……この奥には何が？」 <br>\r\n \"...What's inside?\" <br><br>\r\n 「自分の目で確かめたら？ あなたの想像をきっと裏切らないわ。」 <br>\r\n \"Why not see with your own eyes? It definitely won't betray your expectations.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………………。……怯えないで、姉さん。私は元々、当主が誰になるかなんて興味ない。右代宮の籍だって興味ないしね。……本音を言うと、自分が当主になるんだってずっと威張り散らしてた蔵臼兄さんから、姉さんがその座を奪うなら、かえって小気味がいいくらいよ。」 <br>\r\n \".........Don't be afraid, Nee-san. I never had any interest in who becomes the Head. I don't even care about the Ushiromiya family name. ...Honestly, I actually feel good about you stealing the Headship from Krauss nii-san, who was always swaggering around because of it.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………本気で言ってるの？」 <br>\r\n \"......Are you serious?\" <br><br>\r\n 「もちろんよ。私は右代宮兄弟のはぐれ者。……仮に私が当主跡継ぎだとお父様に指名されたとしても、それを兄さんたちが認めてくれるわけもない。そこまで甘い夢は見てないつもりよ。」 <br>\r\n 「……………………。」 <br>\r\n \"Of course. I'm the outsider of the Ushiromiya siblings. ...Even if Father had named me as the next Head, there's no way Nii-san would accept it. I try not to have such naive dreams.\" <br><br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n 「私にも見せてよ。姉さんの勝利の証を。……私は、兄弟で取り決めした正当な取り分さえもらえれば、むしろ姉さんがこの“ゲーム”の正当な勝利者だと積極的に認めるつもりよ。」 <br>\r\n \"Let me see too, Nee-san. This proof of your victory. ...As long as I receive the proper portion that the siblings agreed upon, I plan to proactively acknowledge you as the true victor in this `game'.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………私を撃っちゃえば、この黄金は楼座の独り占めになっちゃうわね？」 <br>\r\n \"......If you shoot me, then you'll have this gold all to yourself, won't you?\" <br><br>\r\n 「それは同じよ。姉さんが私を撃てば、この黄金は姉さんの独り占め。」 <br>\r\n \"The same goes for you. If you shoot me, this gold will all be yours.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n 姉妹は互いに銃を向けあったまま、緊迫の時間を過ごした。 <br>\r\n やがて、互いの眼光を充分に値踏みしながら、二人は銃を下ろす。 <br>\r\n For a tense moment, the sisters pointed their guns at each other. <br><br>\r\n Eventually, after they sized up the glint in the other's eyes, they lowered their guns. <br><br>\r\n …絵羽が、引き金から指を外し、銃を逆さに持つ仕草をする。 <br>\r\n ...Eva removed her finger from the trigger and held the gun upside-down. <br><br>\r\n すぐには撃てない持ち方だ。 <br>\r\n それを見て、楼座も同じ持ち方に従う。 <br>\r\n It was a position that she couldn't quickly shoot from. <br><br>\r\n When she saw that, Rosa held hers the same way. <br><br>\r\n 「……そうね。相手を撃って、黄金を独り占めにしようという提案は、お互いにとって魅力的ね。 <br>\r\n \"...That's right. That plan of shooting the other and having all the gold to ourselves is attractive for both of us. <br><br>\r\n …でも、台風で隔絶したこの島から、突然、失踪すれば、絶対に大騒ぎになる。……ここに死体を隠せば、簡単には見付からないだろうけど、それも絶対ではない。」 <br>\r\n ...But if one of us suddenly disappeared on this island while it's isolated by the typhoon, there would be a huge uproar. ...If we hid the corpse here, it probably wouldn't be found easily, but we couldn't be sure.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………何百億円の黄金があろうとも。殺人の罪を犯すリスクには、割が合わないわ。むしろ、それをダシにされて、蔵臼兄さんたちに搾り取られるのがオチね。」 <br>\r\n \"......No matter how many billion yen worth of gold is on the line, it isn't worth the risk of committing murder. On the contrary, that would give Krauss nii-san and the others ammunition to wring us for all we're worth.\" <br><br>\r\n 「同感よ。……ここに現れたのが、兄さんや留弗夫であるくらいなら、……あんたであったことは不幸中の幸いかもしれない。…私は兄弟で、あんたを一番信用してるもの。」 <br>\r\n \"I agree. ...It may have been a blessing in disguise that you're the one who showed up...instead of Nii-san or Rudolf. ...You're the sibling I trust most.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………ありがとう。私も姉さんのこと、兄弟で一番信用してるわよ？」 <br>\r\n \"......Thank you. And you're the sibling I trust most, Nee-san.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………私も黄金が見たいわ。」 <br>\r\n \"......I want to see the gold too.\" <br><br>\r\n 「見る？ 私ももう一度見たくなったわ。この目で見たにもかかわらず、まだ現実感が湧かないの。…あなたと一緒に見て、確かに存在することをもう一度確かめないと、霧になって黄金が消えてしまいそうな気がするわ。」 <br>\r\n \"Wanna have a peek? Now I feel like seeing it again too. Even though I saw it with my own eyes, it still doesn't feel real. ...Unless I see it together with you and confirm once more that it actually exists, it feels like the gold will turn to fog and disappear.\" <br><br>\r\n 絵羽は再び階段を降り出す。 <br>\r\n ……しかし、無用心に楼座に背中を晒したりはしない。 <br>\r\n Eva started descending the staircase once more. <br><br>\r\n ...However, she didn't carelessly expose her back to Rosa. <br><br>\r\n 楼座も、一見は警戒心を解いているように見えるが、決して油断は見せなかった。 <br>\r\n Even though, at a glance, it looked like Rosa had lowered her guard, she definitely didn't show any signs of carelessness. <br><br>\r\n ……そして、再びあの魔女の部屋へ至る。 <br>\r\n 楼座もまた、息を呑み、莫大な黄金に絶句するのだった…。 <br>\r\n ...Then, they reached that room of the witch once more. <br><br>\r\n Rosa also gasped, stunned speechless by the vast amount of gold... <br><br>\r\n ……絵羽たちは薔薇庭園を、放心しながら歩いている。 <br>\r\n ...Rosa and Eva walked absentmindedly through the rose garden. <br><br>\r\n ゲストハウスをこっそりと出てきたのだから、戻る時にも細心の注意が要る。 <br>\r\n そろそろ緊張感を取り戻さなくてはいけない。 <br>\r\n They had left the guesthouse secretly, so they had to be careful when they returned. <br><br>\r\n It was time to snap to it and keep their guards up. <br><br>\r\n 「……おめでとう、姉さん。」 <br>\r\n \"...Congratulations, Nee-san.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ありがと。」 <br>\r\n \"Thank you.\" <br><br>\r\n 「姉さんが決めたのよね？ 右代宮家当主跡継ぎの肩書きに５割って。……ここで効いて来るとはね。今やそれは蔵臼兄さんのことではない。…だから姉さんの取り分が５割とその四分の一で１２５億。 <br>\r\n \"You decided it, didn't you Nee-san? 50% goes to the one bearing the title of Successor to the Headship. ...It certainly worked out well for you. Now, that portion isn't Krauss nii-san's. ...So your share is now 50%, along with a quarter of the rest, for a total of 12.5 billion yen.\" <br><br>\r\n すごい取り分じゃない。…私は２５億で満足よ。留弗夫兄さんだって文句は言わないわ。文句を言うのは蔵臼兄さんだけでしょうね。」 <br>\r\n \"Isn't that incredible? ...2.5 billion is enough for me. Rudolf nii-san won't complain either. Krauss nii-san will probably be the only one to complain.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……えぇ、そうね。…何しろ、六軒島の実質的管理者は兄さんだもの。そしてその敷地内に黄金があった以上、第一発見者が私でも、うまく事を運ばないと、ややこしいことになりそうよ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Yeah, you're right. ...After all, Nii-san is the de-facto manager of Rokkenjima. And since the gold was on these premises, even though I was the first to discover it, things might get complicated if I don't handle it cleverly.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ならないわよ。そこまでをも想定して、私たちは昨夜、さんざん議論を尽くしたんじゃない。」 <br>\r\n \"It won't get complicated. Didn't we give it our all in that discussion last night with that in mind?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………果たしてそううまく行くかしらね。私はもう、すっかり興奮は醒めてるわよ。ここからの調整の方が、むしろ問題ね。」 <br>\r\n \"......I wonder if it will really go that smoothly. I've already completely gotten over my excitement. How we manage everything from here on is the real problem.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…それは、新しき右代宮家当主の問題ね。姉さんが楽しむべき問題よ。私には関係ないわ。」 <br>\r\n \"...That's a problem for the new Head of the Ushiromiya family. A problem for you to enjoy, Nee-san. It has nothing to do with me.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ふん、言うわね…。」 <br>\r\n \"Heh, that's some big talk, coming from you...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……第二発見者として、姉さんに協力するから。どうか例の前払い分。私の１億５千万だけは３月までにお願い。」 <br>\r\n \"...I'll support you as the second discoverer...if you'll at least give me the early payment we decided on. I'd like 150 million yen by March.\" <br><br>\r\n 「えぇ、いいわ。……私に協力するなら、それくらい気前良く払うわ。私は兄さんじゃないもの。」 <br>\r\n \"Yes, that will be fine. ...If you support me, I'll graciously pay you that much. I'm not Nii-san.\" <br><br>\r\n 「とりあえずは兄さんたちを驚かせましょ？ 実際の場所は伏せるにしても、早く蔵臼兄さんの驚く顔が見たいわ。」 <br>\r\n \"Anyway, why don't we go and shock Nii-san and the others? Even if we cover up the actual location, I want to see Krauss nii-san's shocked face as soon as I can.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………。…………ちょっと待ってよ、楼座。それをみんなに伝えるのはまだ待って。」 <br>\r\n 「………………え？ …どうして？」 <br>\r\n \"............Wait a second, Rosa. Wait a while before telling everyone about it.\" <br><br>\r\n \".........Huh? ...Why?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…馬鹿ね、決まってるでしょう。…相手はあの尊大な蔵臼兄さんに、狡賢い留弗夫なのよ。やがては発表するにしても、今はまだ早いわ。 <br>\r\n \"...You idiot, isn't it obvious? ...This is that haughty Krauss nii-san and that sly Rudolf we're talking about. Even if we do announce it eventually, it's certainly too early now.\" <br><br>\r\n どうやって話を進めるか、慎重に検討してからじゃないと、せっかく見つけた黄金を全て兄さんに掠め取られることもありえるわよ。」 <br>\r\n \"Unless we carefully investigate how to make our next move, it's possible that all of the gold we've finally found will be snatched away by Nii-san.\" <br><br>\r\n 絵羽は、至極当然のことを言ったつもりだった。 <br>\r\n Eva thought she was saying something extremely natural. <br><br>\r\n …なのに、急に楼座が不機嫌そうに表情を曇らせるのを見て、少しだけ驚く。 <br>\r\n ...So when she saw Rosa's expression suddenly cloud over, she was a little surprised. <br><br>\r\n 「……何か不満なの？ 蔵臼兄さんたちの性分は、あんただってよく知っているでしょうが。」 <br>\r\n \"...What are you unsatisfied about? You know what kind of a person Krauss nii-san is.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………。姉さん、それはルール違反よ。」 <br>\r\n \"......Nee-san, that's against the rules.\" <br><br>\r\n 「何の話よ。」 <br>\r\n \"What do you mean?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……私たちは、誰が黄金を見つけてもすぐに報告するというルールになっていたはずよ？ それを渋れば、ルールの根底が崩れて、後で何かの火種になるかもしれないわ。…蔵臼兄さんが狡猾であるならばあるほどに。そのルール違反は後で拗れるわ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Didn't we make a rule that whoever found the gold would announce it immediately? If you hesitate, the foundation of the rules will be destroyed, and that could lead to something worse in the future. ...With Krauss nii-san as crafty as he is, that violation of the rules will come back to bite you.\" <br><br>\r\n 「馬鹿言わないで。ここは兄さんの島なのよ。そしてさっきの黄金はキャッシュじゃない。１０ｔもの莫大な換金物の山なのよ？ <br>\r\n \"Don't be stupid. This is Nii-san's island. And that gold just now wasn't cash. We're talking about the liquidation of a vast 10 ton mountain, right?\" <br><br>\r\n 運び出して現金化するには相当の手間を掛けるわ。そしてそれは、この島を実効支配している兄さんに、あらゆる面で有利に働くわ。そんなこともわからないの、あんたは！」 <br>\r\n \"It will take a significant amount of time to carry it off and turn it into cash. And that will only work in Nii-san's favor, since he has practical control over this island. Don't you even realize that?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………そういう腹の探りあい、私は好きじゃないの。私は自分の取り分の２５億をはっきり確定させたいだけ。 <br>\r\n \".........I don't like it when you search out each other's weaknesses like that. All I want is to reach a clear decision regarding my 2.5 billion portion.\" <br><br>\r\n もちろん、姉さんが私に現金２５億を今すぐ渡してくれるなら、後は姉さんがどう交渉しようと勝手よ。でも、私の取り分が手元に入るまでは、私は兄弟のルールを遵守するわ。」 <br>\r\n \"Of course, if you were to give me 2.5 billion in cash right now, you'd be free to continue negotiating however you like. But until I have my share in my own pocket, I will follow the siblings' rules.\" <br><br>\r\n 「何を甘いことを…。あんた、兄さんの狡賢さを何もわかってない！」 <br>\r\n \"How can you be so naive...? You don't understand Nii-san's craftiness at all!\" <br><br>\r\n ……楼座とて、兄たちの狡猾さを理解していないわけではない。 <br>\r\n ...It wasn't that Rosa didn't understand the craftiness of her older siblings. <br><br>\r\n その意味においては、実際のところ、楼座は絵羽の慎重さに一定の理解を示してはいた。 <br>\r\n In that sense, Rosa more or less understood why Eva was being so cautious. <br><br>\r\n しかし、楼座は内心、それ以上に、絵羽が黄金を自分だけの独り占めにしてしまうのではないかという疑いが晴らせなかった。 <br>\r\n But in her heart, she couldn't clear away her suspicion that Eva wanted to keep all of the gold to herself. <br><br>\r\n ……蔵臼たちが狡猾である以上に、絵羽もまた狡猾であることを知っていたからだ。 <br>\r\n ...Because she knew that Eva was at least as crafty as her other siblings. <br><br>\r\n つまり楼座は、早く黄金発見の報を兄弟に知らせることで、絵羽が独り占めする可能性に対し、楔を打ちたいと思っている…。 <br>\r\n In other words, Rosa wanted to put a stop to any chance Eva had to keep the gold all to herself...by quickly informing the siblings of the gold's discovery... <br><br>\r\n 「………………。……楼座。悪いけど、今だけは私の言うことを聞きなさい。」 <br>\r\n \".........Rosa, sorry, but at least listen to me this once.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………言うことを聞かないと、１億５千万は用意できないってこと？」 <br>\r\n \"......Are you saying that if I don't listen to what you say, you won't be able to get me that 150 million?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………………。…そういう言い方をしているつもりはないわ。…でも、あなたが本当にそのお金を必要としているなら、私に協力した方が現実的よ。……兄さんたちに話せば、その当然の取り分すらも、なくなってしまうかもしれない。それは嫌でしょう？」 <br>\r\n \".........That isn't the way I wanted to say it. ...But if you really need that money, supporting me is a more realistic option. ...If you talk to Nii-san and Rudolf, even the portion that's your natural right might disappear. You don't want that, do you?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n 楼座はしばらくの間、姉に一度も見せたことのないような、シビアな表情を浮かべた。 <br>\r\n For a while, a severe expression that she'd never shown to her sister before rose to Rosa's face. <br><br>\r\n そこには妹としての遠慮は微塵ほどもない。 <br>\r\n ……ただただ、莫大な財産をやり取りする、ひとりの人間としての冷酷さ、いや、真剣さがあるだけだった。 <br>\r\n There wasn't even a trace of her restraint as a younger sister. <br><br>\r\n ...There was just the ruthlessness...no, the seriousness of a single human arguing about a vast sum of wealth. <br><br>\r\n 絵羽は、ふっと笑いながら茶化す。 <br>\r\n Eva made light of it, chuckling. <br><br>\r\n 「……やれやれ。物騒な殺人事件が起こったばかりで、その犯人がまだ島の中にいるかもしれないってのに、こんなところで立ち話なんて、私たちもつくづく無用心ね。」 <br>\r\n \"...My, my. How careless we must be to stand around here talking like this, even though a frightful murder case has just taken place, and the culprit might still be on this island.\" <br><br>\r\n 「どうせ使用人たちの茶番でしょ。この島で殺人事件なんて、元々起こってないのよ。」 <br>\r\n \"I'm sure it was just the servants playacting. There were no murders on this island in the first place.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……あら。やっぱりそう思う？」 <br>\r\n \"...Oh? So, you do think that after all.\" <br><br>\r\n 「６人の死亡状況ではっきり説明がつくわ。あの６人の密室は、外部犯行では絶対に作れない。 <br>\r\n \"The circumstances surrounding those six deaths shows us that clearly. A crime from the outside couldn't possibly have created those six closed rooms.\" <br><br>\r\n ……南條先生は、全員死んでるって言ったけど、あれもウソね。これは全て、お父様が仕組んだ手の込んだお芝居よ。使用人たちはみんな、死んだフリをしているだけよ。…元々殺人なんか起こってない。殺人犯なんかうろついてるわけがないのよ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Doctor Nanjo said they were all dead, but that was a lie too. This is all a complicated act that Father cooked up. All of the servants are just playing dead. ...A murder never occurred in the first place. There's no way that there's a murderer prowling around.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…へぇ。あんたがそれに気付くとは意外ね。割と怯えてるように見えたから、そこまでは気付いてないと思ったのに。」 <br>\r\n \"...Hah. I'm surprised you noticed. You looked pretty scared, so I didn't think you'd figured out so much.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……私、そういう場の空気は読む方なの。お陰様で鍛えられたから。」 <br>\r\n \"...I'm good at reading the mood of a situation. I've got you to thank for training me so well.\" <br><br>\r\n そう。気付けば、使用人たちは“死んで”、この島には今、右代宮家の人間しかいないことになっている。 <br>\r\n That's right. Come to think of it, now that the servants are `dead', almost everyone on this island is a member of the Ushiromiya family. <br><br>\r\n そして南條は、使用人たちの“死亡”を宣告した後、親族たちが碑文の謎を議論し始めたら、邪魔をしないとでも言う風に２階へ姿を消した…。 <br>\r\n As for Nanjo, he proclaimed the `deaths' of the servants, but when the relatives began to discuss the riddle of the epitaph, he disappeared off to the second floor as if he didn't want to get in the way... <br><br>\r\n 「全て。私たちに碑文を挑戦してもらおうというお芝居よ。……だからこそ。姉さんが勝利者であるという宣言が必要なのよ。 <br>\r\n \"All of it...was an act to get us to try and solve that epitaph. ...And that's why...you need to announce that you're the victor, Nee-san.\" <br><br>\r\n あの焼死体が本当のお父様のわけがない。……足の指の数が同じ死体をどこかで調達して、わざわざ悪趣味に焼いて見せたのよ。」 <br>\r\n \"There's no way that burnt corpse was really Father. ...He got a corpse with the right number of toes from somewhere...and went to all the trouble of burning it in that creepy way of his, so we would see it.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……きっとどこかに隠れて、私たちがどう振舞うかを監視してるわ。…姉さんが黄金郷に至ったこともきっと、すでに知るところよ。 <br>\r\n \"...I'm sure he's hiding somewhere, watching to see how we'll behave. ...I'll bet he already knows you reached the Golden Land, Nee-san.\" <br><br>\r\n ……だからこそ、早く姉さんが勝利者であると宣言すべき。きっとお父様がどこからともなく現れて、手を叩きながら姉さんこそが跡継ぎだと宣言してくれるわ。」 <br>\r\n \"...That's why you should announce that you're the winner soon. I'm sure Father will appear out of nowhere to applaud you and proclaim that you're his successor.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………………。……………………。」 <br>\r\n \"........................\" <br><br>\r\n 「…まぁ、でも。……私は姉さんから１億５千万を無心しなくてはならない以上、何も逆らうことなんかできないわね。」 <br>\r\n \"...Then again, ...I've still got to pester you for that 150 million, so I can't stand against you in any way.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………私の言うことを聞いて、兄さんたちには黙っている、ということね…？」 <br>\r\n \"......So you'll listen to what I say...and keep quiet about this to Nii-san and the rest...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n 「……そこをはっきりさせなさい。…楼座。」 <br>\r\n \"...Make your position clear, ...Rosa.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………私は話したいわ。ルールを定めたのはつい昨夜よ。それを反故にすべきではないわ。」 <br>\r\n \"......I want to tell them. We made that rule just last night. We shouldn't just throw it away.\" <br><br>\r\n 「もちろん、必ず兄弟の前で発表はするわ。…でも、その前によく状況を確認したいのよ。１０ｔの黄金の運び出し、そして換金。公平な分配。 <br>\r\n \"Of course, I will announce it in front of the siblings. ...However, I want to closely analyze the situation first. We've got to carry out 10 tons of gold, convert it into money, and distribute it fairly.\" <br><br>\r\n ……それを兄さんに出し抜かれずに行なえる裏付けが取れるまで、しばらく考える時間が欲しい。それまで発表を待ちたいというだけの話よ。………決して、独り占めしたくて内緒にするわけじゃないわ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Until I have proof that I can do all that without Nii-san getting in the way, I want some time to think. I only want to postpone my announcement until then. ......I'm certainly not keeping it secret because I want it all for myself.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………。…やがてはきっとみんなに発表するのね？」 <br>\r\n \".........You'll definitely announce it to everyone sooner or later, right?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…えぇ、もちろんよ。私だって、早く兄さんの鼻を明かしてやりたいもの。」 <br>\r\n \"...Yes, of course. Even I want to rub it in Nii-san's face as soon as I can.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………姉さんの言う、考える時間というのはどの程度のものなの？」 <br>\r\n \"......About how much time will you need to think?\" <br><br>\r\n 「そんなの、考えてみなくちゃわからないわ。」 <br>\r\n \"I won't know that until I've thought about it.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………一晩あれば、それは充分？」 <br>\r\n \"......Will one night be enough?\" <br><br>\r\n 「一晩って、そんなの約束できないわよ…！」 <br>\r\n \"I can't promise you that it'll take only one night...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「次期当主の姉さんに敬意を表して、一晩は姉さんに協力するわ。……今年の親族会議は、台風が通り過ぎて船が迎えに来る明日の朝まで。…そうね、うみねこのなく頃には、お開きになる。……そこまでは私も黙ってることにする。 <br>\r\n \"Out of respect for you, the Successor, I'll support you for one night. ...This year's family conference will end tomorrow morning, when the typhoon passes and a boat comes to get us. ...That's right, when the seagulls cry. ...I will remain silent until then.\" <br><br>\r\n それ以上の考える時間が必要だというのなら、…その時に改めて相談しましょう？ <br>\r\n \"If you still feel that you need more time to think after that, ...then we'll cross that bridge when we get there, okay? <br><br>\r\n ………私は姉さんの立場を、 <br>\r\n ......I'll support your position <br><br>\r\n ~ib~最大限汲み取って~ib~協力するわ。」 <br>\r\n ~ib~to the best of my ability~ib~.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………………。 <br>\r\n \"............ <br><br>\r\n ……あんた、……食えないわね。…びっくりよ。それだけの逞しさがあったなんて。」 <br>\r\n ...You...really are cunning, aren't you? ...I'm surprised. Were you always this resilient?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……女は子を持つと強くなるって本当ね。真里亞を産んで、私はそれを強く自覚したわ。」 <br>\r\n \"...I guess it's true that women become stronger when they have a child. I realized that in myself when I had Maria.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………。わかったわ。とりあえずはあんたの協力に感謝するわ。…明日の話は明日すればいいことよ。」 <br>\r\n \"......Understood. For the time being, thanks for your cooperation. ...We can talk about tomorrow when it comes.\" <br><br>\r\n 「えぇ、そうね。……姉さんが黄金を独り占めにするなんて考えない、公平な当主跡継ぎだと信じてるわ。」 <br>\r\n \"Yes, that's right. ...I'm convinced that you'll become a fair-minded successor to the Headship, one who'd never even consider taking all of the gold for herself.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…もちろんでしょ！……ちゃんと黄金は兄弟で山分けするわよ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Isn't that obvious?! ...I will split the gold evenly among the siblings.\" <br><br>\r\n 嫌よ。これは私が見つけた。 <br>\r\n No way. I found it. <br><br>\r\n 私が、私たちが碑文の謎を解いたんだから！ <br>\r\n Because I...because we solved the riddle of the epitaph! <br><br>\r\n だからこの黄金は全て私のモノだってば…！！ <br>\r\n So this gold is all mine...!! <br><br>\r\n 「誰にも譲らないわ！ <br>\r\n \"I won't give it up to anyone! <br><br>\r\n 私が右代宮家の当主なのよ！ <br>\r\n I am the Head of the Ushiromiya family! <br><br>\r\n 私が、“私”がッ！！」 <br>\r\n I am, `I' am!!\" <br><br>\r\n 絵羽の中の魔女が、声高らかに全ての占有を宣言する。 <br>\r\n …もちろんそれは楼座の耳には遥かに届かないし、絵羽の耳にすら届かないだろう。 <br>\r\n The witch inside Eva claimed exclusive possession in a loud voice. <br><br>\r\n ...Of course, that didn't reach even close to Rosa's ears, and it probably didn't reach Eva's either. <br><br>\r\n 「……うむ。妾がそれを認めようぞ。そなたこそ、魔女の碑文に選ばれし、正当なる右代宮家の当主よ。今こそそれを、我が名において認めようぞ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Indeed. I shall acknowledge it. You are the true Head of the Ushiromiya family, chosen by the witch's epitaph. Now, I acknowledge it upon my name.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…あ、 <br>\r\n ………あんたは………？ その格好、 <br>\r\n まさか、 <br>\r\n ……本当に、 <br>\r\n …ベアトリーチェ……？」 <br>\r\n \"...Y- <br><br>\r\n You are......? That outfit... <br><br>\r\n You couldn't... <br><br>\r\n actually be... <br><br>\r\n Beatrice...?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n ベアトリーチェは、絵羽が自分の名を呼んでくれたことが嬉しかったのかもしれない。 <br>\r\n 小気味良くからからと笑う。 <br>\r\n Maybe Beatrice was happy that Eva had called her by her own name. <br><br>\r\n She cackled cheerfully. <br><br>\r\n その笑いに呼応して、室内に金粉の嵐が巻き起こるように、黄金の蝶たちが湧き上がり、室内を黄金色で照らし出した…。 <br>\r\n In concert with that laugh, gold butterflies crept up as though a storm of gold dust was spinning around the room, and the room shone the color of gold... <br><br>\r\n 「如何にも。妾が黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェである。 <br>\r\n \"Indeed. I am the Golden Witch, Beatrice. <br><br>\r\n ……くっくっくく、そう怯えることはないぞ。妾はそなたの偉業を讃えておる。…本当に素晴らしい。あの碑文の謎を、見事解いて見せたとは…。妾を感嘆させるに値する…！」 <br>\r\n ...*cackle*cackle* There is no need to be so frightened. I am praising your exploits. ...Truly excellent. Imagine that you would spectacularly solve that riddle of the epitaph... It is worthy of my admiration...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…あの手紙の差出人はあなた？ なら私は全ての黄金と右代宮家の家督を引き継げるのよね…？ あなたはそう、あの手紙に記したわ。そして私はその挑戦に打ち勝った…！」 <br>\r\n \"...You're the one who sent that letter? So, I'll inherit all of the gold and the Ushiromiya Family Headship, right...? You wrote that in your letter. And I overcame that challenge...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「うむ。妾はそれを認めようぞ。今やこの積み上げられた黄金の全て、右代宮家の全てをどうしようもそなたの自由ぞ。何しろ、今この瞬間より、そなたはもう右代宮家の当主なのだから。」 <br>\r\n \"Indeed. I shall acknowledge it. Right now, all of the gold piled up here...and everything of the Ushiromiya family...is for you to do with as you please. After all, from this moment on, you are already the Ushiromiya Family Head.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ほ、……本当に？ 本当よね？ 本当よね？！」 <br>\r\n \"...R-Really? It's true, right? Right?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「興奮するでない。妾はそなたを率直に褒めておる。その証に、そなたにこれを授けよう。」 <br>\r\n \"Do not be agitated. I am openly praising you. As proof, I shall grant you this.\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトリーチェは自らの指にはめていた指輪を抜き取ると、それを絵羽に突き出す。 <br>\r\n Beatrice took a ring off of her own finger...and held it out to Eva. <br><br>\r\n 恐る恐るそれを受け取ると、 <br>\r\n ……それが指輪であることがわかった。 <br>\r\n She fearfully accepted it... <br><br>\r\n ...and realized that it was a ring. <br><br>\r\n 「……こ、 <br>\r\n ……これ………、 <br>\r\n まさか…………。」 <br>\r\n \"...C- <br><br>\r\n Could...... <br><br>\r\n this be......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「うむ。金蔵より返還された、右代宮家当主の証である黄金の指輪だ。 <br>\r\n \"Indeed. This Golden Ring is proof of the Ushiromiya Family Headship, returned to me from Kinzo. <br><br>\r\n 今よりそれはそなたのもの。それを指にはめ、兄弟たちの前で高々と掲げるが良い。そなたが今や右代宮家の家督を継いだことに、誰も疑いを挟めぬであろうぞ。」 <br>\r\n From now on, it is yours. You may place it on your finger and hold it high before your siblings. No one should doubt that you have now succeeded the Ushiromiya Family Headship.\" <br><br>\r\n 絵羽はその指輪をしげしげと見つめる。 <br>\r\n Eva stared closely at the ring. <br><br>\r\n …断じて贋作などではない。 <br>\r\n …紛れもなく本物。 <br>\r\n ...It certainly wasn't a fake. <br><br>\r\n ...Without a doubt, it was the real thing. <br><br>\r\n その指輪をいつの日にか受け継ぐことを夢見て、 <br>\r\n 何度も何度も凝視してきた自分だからこそ、間違いなく断定できた。 <br>\r\n She'd dreamed of receiving this ring someday, <br><br>\r\n focused on this day over and over again, and it was now finally a certainty. <br><br>\r\n その指輪が、 <br>\r\n 今や新しい主として自分を指名し、 <br>\r\n ……手渡されている……。 <br>\r\n This ring... <br><br>\r\n had now designated her as the Head... <br><br>\r\n and had been handed over to her... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n それを、 <br>\r\n 恐る恐る、…自分の左手の中指に通す…。 <br>\r\n And <br><br>\r\n timidly, ...she put it on the middle finger of her left hand... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n その瞬間、……背中を、それまでに体験したことのない感動が込み上げるのを感じた。 <br>\r\n In that instant, ...she felt a deep emotion welling up inside her that she'd never felt before. <br><br>\r\n 頭が真っ白になる。 <br>\r\n 両目が見開かれる。 <br>\r\n Her mind grew blank. <br><br>\r\n Both eyes were opened. <br><br>\r\n 自分の指に、…あの指輪がはめられている。 <br>\r\n 夢ではなく、現実として…………！ <br>\r\n That ring...was on her own finger. <br><br>\r\n Not in a dream, but in reality......! <br><br>\r\n 「その指輪も喜んでおろう。それほどまでに、指に通すことを夢見ていたそなたの元へ行くことができたのだから。」 <br>\r\n \"That ring is also pleased. After all, it managed to reach you, one who dreamed of putting it on their finger for so long.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……指輪…。……お父様の <br>\r\n ……指輪……………！」 <br>\r\n \"...The ring... ...Father's... <br><br>\r\n ...ring......!\" <br><br>\r\n 「そなたはそれを、そのようにして自らの指に通すことを、どれほどの夜に夢見てきたのか。……その想いの強さがそなたの魔法に通じ、それを実現させたのだ。そなたは今や、立派な魔女を名乗る資格があろうぞ。」 <br>\r\n \"How many nights have you dreamed of putting that on your finger as you have done now? ...The strength of those feelings became your magic and materialized itself. Now, you are worthy of calling yourself a Great Witch.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………あ、…あなたは何者なの。…本当に、……ベアトリーチェなの……。」 <br>\r\n \"......W-Who are you? ...Are you really...Beatrice...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「くっくっくっく。 <br>\r\n \"*cackle*cackle* <br><br>\r\n 我こそは黄金の魔女ベアトリーチェ！ 右代宮家顧問錬金術師！ <br>\r\n I am the Golden Witch, Beatrice! The Ushiromiya family alchemist! <br><br>\r\n 金蔵との契約に従い、そなたに今こそ全てを受け継ごうぞ。…金蔵に託した全ての黄金。そしてそれにより築き上げた全ての財産。そして右代宮家の家督と名誉。そして、我が力と無限の魔女の称号をそなたに引き継ごう。」 <br>\r\n In accordance with my contract with Kinzo, I will now pass everything on to you. ...All of the gold I entrusted Kinzo with. And all of the wealth he built up through that. And the honor and Headship of the Ushiromiya family. And, I will pass on my power and the title of the Endless Witch.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……魔女の、 <br>\r\n ……称号……。」 <br>\r\n \"...The title... <br><br>\r\n of the witch...\" <br><br>\r\n 「妾の全ての魔力と、無限の魔女にして黄金の魔女の称号をそなたに引き継ぐ。……先代に従い、称号と共に妾の名、ベアトリーチェもそなたに譲り渡す。 <br>\r\n \"I will pass on all of my magical power...and the titles of the Golden Witch and the Endless Witch. ...Following my Predecessor's example, I will hand over my name, Beatrice, along with that title. <br><br>\r\n ……今こそそなたが名乗るが良かろう！」 <br>\r\n ...You may now call yourself by that name!\" <br><br>\r\n 絵羽はごくりと喉を鳴らす。 <br>\r\n 薄暗いと思っていたシャンデリアの灯りが、今はむしろ眩しすぎるくらい。 <br>\r\n Eva gulped. <br><br>\r\n The chandelier light, which had seemed dim, now felt too bright. <br><br>\r\n 「我が名において、これより黄金の魔女の継承を執り行おうぞ…！」 <br>\r\n \"By my name, I shall now commence the succession of the Golden Witch...!\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトリーチェがそう宣言した瞬間、黄金の輝きは全てを埋め尽くし、……謁見の間を思わせる荘厳な空間に様変わりさせていた。 <br>\r\n The instant Beatrice made that proclamation, everything was buried by a golden sparkle...and changed into a majestic place that looked like an audience hall. <br><br>\r\n 謁見の間には、千年ぶりの継承式を祝福しようと、無数の黄金蝶たちと、ベアトリーチェの眷属たち、同胞たちが人垣を成していた。 <br>\r\n In the audience hall, there was a crowd of Beatrice's minions and brethren, as well as countless gold butterflies celebrating this first succession ceremony in a thousand years. <br><br>\r\n 見ればベアトリーチェは無限の魔女のみが座すことを許される玉座にて、黄金の杖を持ち、眩しささえ感じさせる貫禄で君臨していた。 <br>\r\n When she looked, she saw Beatrice in the throne that only the Endless Witch was permitted to sit in, holding a golden staff, reigning with a dazzling dignity. <br><br>\r\n 絵羽は誰に命じられるわけでもなく、自然に跪き、頭を垂れた…。 <br>\r\n Without being ordered by anyone, Eva automatically kneeled, hanging her head... <br><br>\r\n 山羊の従者がうやうやしく、片翼の鷲を模った黄金の杖をベアトリーチェに差し出す。 <br>\r\n A goat attendant respectfully handed Beatrice a golden staff in the shape of the One-Winged Eagle. <br><br>\r\n ベアトリーチェは立ち上がってその杖を受け取ると、その先端を絵羽の肩に載せるようにして宣言する。それは千年ぶりの宣言。 <br>\r\n After Beatrice stood up and received that staff, she lay the tip of it on Eva's shoulder and spoke. It was a proclamation one thousand years in coming. <br><br>\r\n 「右代宮絵羽。そなたは魔女の碑文の謎を見事解き、この黄金郷へ辿り着いた。……その偉業を讃え、そなたに無限の魔法の全てと、無限と黄金の両魔女の称号を引き継ぐ。 <br>\r\n \"Ushiromiya Eva. You have spectacularly solved the riddle of the witch's epitaph and reached the Golden Land. ...I praise that accomplishment...and hand over all of the Endless Magic as well as the titles of the Golden Witch and the Endless Witch.\" <br><br>\r\n そなたはこれより、我が名、 <br>\r\n \"From this point forth, you may call yourself by my name, <br><br>\r\n ベアトリーチェを名乗るが良かろう…！ さぁ、面を上げよ。そして立ちてこの杖を受け取れ…！」 <br>\r\n Beatrice...! Come, raise your face. Then stand and accept this staff...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「あ、……有り難き幸せ…。」 <br>\r\n \"...I-I am most grateful...\" <br><br>\r\n 絵羽は立ち眩みのようにふらふらと立ち上がり、ベアトリーチェの手より黄金の杖を受け取る。その手はかすかに震えていた。 <br>\r\n Eva stood up dizzily and took the magic staff from Beatrice's hand. Her hand was trembling slightly. <br><br>\r\n その杖を握った途端。 <br>\r\n ……彼女は眩き黄金の輝きに包まれた。 <br>\r\n 自らの内より黄金の蝶が湧き出すかのよう。 <br>\r\n As soon as she grasped that staff, ...she was wrapped up in the brilliant sparkle of gold. <br><br>\r\n As though gold butterflies were flowing out from inside of her. <br><br>\r\n 黄金の魔女を継承した瞬間に、絵羽は自らの魂の奥底から何かが生まれ変わるのを感じた。 <br>\r\n In the instant she succeeded the Golden Witch, Eva felt something in the depths of her soul be reborn. <br><br>\r\n それは一言で例えるならば、エネルギー。 <br>\r\n 黄金色をしたエネルギー。 <br>\r\n To describe it in a word, it was energy. <br><br>\r\n Energy with a gold color. <br><br>\r\n まるで、それまでの自分が生まれた時からずっと寝惚けていて、……生まれて初めて目を覚ましたかのような覚醒感。 <br>\r\n It felt like she was waking up, ...as though she had been half asleep ever since she had been born and was opening her eyes for the first time. <br><br>\r\n 瞳の奥にある本当の瞳が、生まれて初めて目を覚ますのを感じた。 <br>\r\n It felt as though her true eyes inside her eyes were opened for the first time in her life. <br><br>\r\n 「………うむ。黄金の魔女に相応しき美しき装いよ。 <br>\r\n \"......Indeed. A fitting and beautiful outfit for the Golden Witch. <br><br>\r\n さぁ、一堂の者たちにそなたの姿を見せてやるが良い。そなたこそが今や新しき魔女であることを知らしめてやるが良い…！」 <br>\r\n Come, you may show yourself to all of these people. Let them know that the new witch is indeed you...!\" <br><br>\r\n 絵羽は、……いや、新しきベアトリーチェは恐る恐る振り返る。 <br>\r\n Eva...no, the new Beatrice turned around timidly. <br><br>\r\n すると、広大な謁見の間を埋めていた魔女の眷属たちが、まるで潮騒のようにさえ聞こえる、盛大な拍手で讃えた……。 <br>\r\n When she did, the witch's minions, which filled the vast audience hall, honored her with an applause that sounded like the roaring of the sea... <br><br>\r\n 「さぁ、皆の者。ベアトリーチェの肖像画を、全て新しきベアトリーチェに差し替えよ！ 新しきベアトリーチェに祝いの言葉を奉げよ…！！」 <br>\r\n \"Come, everyone. Replace all of the portraits of Beatrice with the new Beatrice! Lift up words of celebration for the new Beatrice...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「新しきベアトリーチェよ。黄金の魔女の継承、おめでとう。…あなたが一日も早く、誇り高き黄金の魔女として、そして無限の魔女として一人前になることを願っていますよ。」 <br>\r\n \"New Beatrice, congratulations on the succession of the Golden Witch. ...I hope that you will become able to stand on your own as a proud Golden Witch, and as the Endless Witch.\" <br><br>\r\n 「は、………はい、…がんばります…。」 <br>\r\n \"...Y-Yes, ...I will do my best...\" <br><br>\r\n 「やんちゃな先代と違い、あなたには無限の魔女に相応しい落ち着きを期待していますよ。ほっほほほほほ。」 <br>\r\n \"I expect a composure befitting the Endless Witch from you, unlike your naughty predecessor. Hohohohohoho.\" <br><br>\r\n 「お師匠様ぁ、今は真面目な儀式中なんだから、そういうのはナシで頼むよぉ。」 <br>\r\n \"Teacheer, we're in the middle of a serious ceremony, so please, enough of that.\" <br><br>\r\n 「黄金の魔女の継承、おめでとうございます。新しきベアトリーチェさま。 <br>\r\n \"Congratulations on the succession of the Golden Witch, new Beatrice-sama. <br><br>\r\n ……私はロノウェと申します。黄金の魔女さまにお仕えを許されている七十二柱の悪魔でございます。 <br>\r\n ...I am called Ronove. I am one of the 72 demons permitted to serve the Golden Witch.\" <br><br>\r\n これより、常にお側に控えております。何か不自由がございましたら、いつでもお申し付けください。」 <br>\r\n \"If you are ever inconvenienced in the slightest, please let me know at once.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……あ、……ありがとう……。」 <br>\r\n \"...Th-Thank you...\" <br><br>\r\n 「ロノウェは口は悪いが頼れる男だ。魔女としての新しき日々への戸惑いは、その男に相談すれば晴れるであろうぞ。」 <br>\r\n \"Ronove is rude, but reliable. If anything confuses you in your new days as a witch, speak to this man, and he should be able to help you.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………そして、先代ベアトリーチェさま。ようやくこうしてお会いできたのに、これ以上のお仕えを許されずとても残念です。 <br>\r\n \"......Predecessor Beatrice-sama, it is a shame that I was not permitted to serve you further, even though we have finally been reunited like this. <br><br>\r\n ……この千年間、とても楽しく過ごさせていただきました。深く感謝いたします。」 <br>\r\n ...These last thousand years have been very entertaining for me. You have my deepest gratitude.\" <br><br>\r\n 「うむ。……そなたとの千年、退屈はなかったぞ。…新しき魔女の世話、どうかよろしく頼むぞ。」 <br>\r\n \"Indeed. ...One thousand years with you wasn't boring. ...Please, take care of the new witch.\" <br><br>\r\n 「はい。先代ベアトリーチェさまの最後のご命令、 <br>\r\n …このロノウェ、 <br>\r\n しかと聞き届けました。」 <br>\r\n \"Yes. I, Ronove, <br><br>\r\n ...will obey the final order of the former Beatrice.\" <br><br>\r\n 「感謝しなさいよ？ あんたの魔女継承の推薦人にサインしてあげたんだからね？ つまり、私がサインしなかったらあんたは魔女になれなかったってわけぇ。だから少しは感謝なさいよねぇ？！」 <br>\r\n \"You'd better thank me, okay? I gave my signature to recommend you for the succession of the witch, got it? In other words, if I hadn't signed, you wouldn't have been able to become a witch. So thank me a little, okay?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「こちらは絶対の魔女、ラムダデルタ卿。そなたの無限の魔女継承には元老院の魔女の推薦が必要なのだ。ラムダデルタ卿はそなたを推薦され、後見人となって下された。」 <br>\r\n \"This is the Witch of Certainty, <NAME>. The recommendation of a witch from the senate was required for your succession as an Endless Witch. <NAME>ta recommended you and became your guardian.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ど、……どうも……。」 <br>\r\n \"...Th-Thank you...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……ちょっとー、ベアトー！ この子、感謝が足りないわー！ やっぱ推薦やめるー！」 <br>\r\n \"...Heeey, Beatooo! This kid isn't grateful enough! I think I'll take back that recommendation!\" <br><br>\r\n 「推薦人は子どもの使いじゃないでしょ。サインしたなら、きっちり責任取りなさいよ。」 <br>\r\n \"A person making these recommendations shouldn't act like a child, right? If you've signed, make sure you take responsibility.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ラムダデルタ卿は、絶対の魔女でもあられる。……絶対の魔女は、運命を強固にする絶対の運命を好まれる。そなたの今日までの努力を、とても気に入り高く評価して下されたのだ。」 <br>\r\n \"<NAME> is also the Witch of Certainty. ...The Witch of Certainty prefers to make fate firm, to create a fate of Certainty. She really liked and highly valued your efforts until today.\" <br><br>\r\n 「まぁ、不遇の少女時代と、報われない努力にね、ちょーっとだけ同情しただけなんだから。別に可哀想だからとか思ったわけじゃないわよ、自惚れないでよねー！ ツーンだ！」 <br>\r\n \"Well, you had that unfortunate childhood, all that unrewarded effort... I can sympathize juuust a bit with that. It's not like I felt sorry for you or anything, so don't be so full of yourself! Tsu-n!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……私から見ればあなたの継承は、まぁ、奇跡というよりは偶然ね。私が推薦するには値しない。」 <br>\r\n \"...From my point of view, your succession...well, it was more of a coincidence than a miracle. It isn't worthy of my recommendation.\" <br><br>\r\n 「くっくっく。こちらはベルンカステル卿。とても気難しい御仁でな。だが、こうして参列し、祝福してくれただけでも僥倖というものよ。」 <br>\r\n \"*cackle* This is <NAME>. She's quite hard to please. Still, you could say that just having her participate in this celebration makes you exceedingly lucky.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………千年ぶりの珍しいイベントだから来ただけよ。おいしいお酒も出るそうだし。」 <br>\r\n \"......I only came because this is a rare, once-in-a-millennium event. And I heard there'd be some good sake.\" <br><br>\r\n 「新しきベアトリーチェさま。ぜひ私たちにもご挨拶させてくださいっ。」 <br>\r\n \"New Beatrice-sama, please, come greet us as well.\" <br><br>\r\n 「え、…あ、…どうも初めまして…。」 <br>\r\n \"Huh? ...Oh, ...I'm pleased to meet you...\" <br><br>\r\n 煉獄の七姉妹たちが揃って並ぶ。 <br>\r\n 長女のルシファーが一歩、歩み出て跪く。 <br>\r\n The Seven Sisters of Purgatory were gathered in a line. <br><br>\r\n The eldest sister, Lucifer, took a step forward and kneeled. <br><br>\r\n 「こやつらは、妾に仕えし家具たち。継承祝いに、そなたに遣わそう。 <br>\r\n \"This is furniture that serves me. As a gift to celebrate your inheritance, I will send them to you. <br><br>\r\n ……そなたには、黄金の魔女を継承した後、自らの復活の儀式を執り行ってもらわねばならぬ。その儀式において、煉獄の七姉妹たちは欠かせぬ役割を果たす。……曲者揃いだが役には立つぞ。手足とするが良い。」 <br>\r\n ...Once you succeed the position of Golden Witch, you will need to carry out the resurrection ceremony for yourself. The Seven Sisters of Purgatory perform an essential role in that ceremony. ...They're a villainous bunch, but they serve their purpose. Have them do whatever you wish.\" <br><br>\r\n 「常にベアトリーチェさまのお側にっ。何事もお命じください。必ずや遂行してご覧に入れます…！」 <br>\r\n \"We will always be by Beatrice-sama's side. Please order us to do anything you desire. We'll accomplish our tasks without fail...!\" <br><br>\r\n その後も、様々な貴人や眷属たちが訪れては新しき魔女に祝いの言葉を述べた。 <br>\r\n Even after that, many nobles and minions visited and offered words of congratulation for the new witch. <br><br>\r\n それらに、しどろもどりになりながらも返事を返す彼女は、頭の中が酸欠で希薄になってしまったような気持ちだった。 <br>\r\n As she responded to them confusedly, she felt as though she was growing light-headed due to lack of oxygen. <br><br>\r\n ……これが現実のものか、非現実のものなのか、区別もつかない。 <br>\r\n ...She couldn't tell if this was something real or unreal. <br><br>\r\n でもひとつだけわかることがある。 <br>\r\n 今や自分が、黄金の魔女を名乗ることが許されたという達成感。 <br>\r\n …これだけは絶対に理解できる真実だった…。 <br>\r\n But there was just one thing she could understand. <br><br>\r\n A feeling of achievement at being permitted to call herself the Golden Witch. <br><br>\r\n ...That alone was a truth she could definitely understand... <br><br>\r\n 「…………これは、……どういうことなんだ。もちろん鵜呑みにするつもりはねぇが、…一体、どういう意味なんだ？！ <br>\r\n \"......What...is all this? Of course, I'm not gonna swallow this story, ...but what in the world does it mean?! <br><br>\r\n 絵羽伯母さんが新しいベアトリーチェに？ 魔女になっちまったっていうのか？ ……そんな馬鹿な…！！」 <br>\r\n Aunt Eva is the new Beatrice? Are you saying she's turned into a witch? ...What the hell...?!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「妾も驚いておる。まさかあの碑文を解く者が現れるとはな。 <br>\r\n \"I was also surprised. To think that someone would be able to solve that riddle. <br><br>\r\n ……しかし、そういうルールだ。妾はそれに則り、黄金の魔女の座と我が名を引き継がねばならぬ。」 <br>\r\n ...However, that is the rule. I must follow it...and pass on the position of Golden Witch and my name.\" <br><br>\r\n 「驚かれるには値しますまい。お嬢様は元より、そういうルールを手紙に記されて公示されております。 <br>\r\n \"It is hardly something to be surprised about. At the very beginning, you wrote that rule in a letter and announced it. <br><br>\r\n ……絵羽さまがそれを最初に成し遂げた。それだけのことでございます。」 <br>\r\n ...Eva-sama was simply the first to be successful. That is all there is to say.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……ワルギリア、いるか？！」 <br>\r\n \"...Virgilia, are you there?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「はい、おりますとも…。」 <br>\r\n \"Yes, here I am...\" <br><br>\r\n 「この茶番が意味するところは何だ？！ おかしな魔女たちが次々と現れる描写はあいつの戯言だとしても…！ ……これじゃあまるで、絵羽伯母さんが魔女になっちまったみたいじゃないか！」 <br>\r\n \"What does this farce mean?! Even if this depiction of strange witches showing up one after another is some of her bullshit...! ...Isn't this almost like Aunt Eva turned into a witch?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「落ち着いて。“黄金の魔女”という称号が継承され、あるいは以後、自称するだけに過ぎません。……この継承式はそれをあの子の“解釈”で演出したものに過ぎないに違いない。同じ手に何度も掛からないで。」 <br>\r\n \"Calm yourself. She has simply received the title of `Endless Witch'...and might call herself that in the future. ...This succession ceremony is certainly nothing more than an act to promote that child's `explanation'. Don't fall for the same move over and over again.\" <br><br>\r\n 「そ、…そうだな…。この盛大な式典は全てまやかしだ。だが、絵羽伯母さんが碑文の謎を解いたことまでは事実。……そしてそれは同時に、右代宮家の家督を受け継いだことも指す。 <br>\r\n \"Th-That's right... That whole grand ceremony was all phony. But it's at least a fact that Aunt Eva solved the riddle of the epitaph. ...And at the same time, that means she succeeded the Ushiromiya Family Headship.\" <br><br>\r\n ……そして１０ｔの黄金を得たということは、……絵羽伯母さんが“黄金の魔女”を自称してもいい…、ということなのか…？ くそ、相変わらずややこしいことをしやがって…！！」 <br>\r\n \"...And after getting 10 tons of gold, ...Aunt Eva might as well call herself the `Golden Witch'... ...Is that it...? Damn, it's as complicated as ever...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…やれやれ。無粋なるニンゲンには式典の荘厳さを解することもできぬか。……まぁ良い。空気を読めぬのがニンゲンというもの。そなたを憐れには思うが責めはせぬぞ。」 <br>\r\n \"...My, my. Is a boorish Human unable to comprehend the grandeur of this ceremony? ...Oh, well. Being unable to read between the lines is what makes you Human. I pity you, but I do not blame you.\" <br><br>\r\n 「くそ…。可哀想な人を見るような目で見やがって…。………だが、とりあえず確認をする必要はある。 <br>\r\n \"Damn it... Don't look at me like you feel sorry for me... ......Still, for the time being, there's something I need to check.\" <br><br>\r\n それはあの、若返った絵羽伯母さんみたいな分身、…つまり、新しいベアトリーチェとかいうやつの定義についてだ。……あれは何なんだ？！」 <br>\r\n \"And that's regarding this younger version of Aunt Eva...in other words, the definition of this new Beatrice. ...What is that?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「妾がそれを語ろうとも、どうせそなたは、魔法は信じぬ、魔女は信じぬの一点張りであろう？ だから妾から説明することは特にない。そなたが思う通りに信じれば良い。」 <br>\r\n \"Even if I tell of it, you will just persist in your disbelief in magic and witches, correct? So there's nothing in particular for me to explain. Feel free to believe in whatever it seems to be to you.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……俺が思う通りだとぉ…？！ じゃ、じゃあどう解釈すりゃいいんだ…？！」 <br>\r\n \"...What it seems to be to me...?! Then...then how should I interpret this...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「右代宮絵羽の内面的別存在の視覚化、と今は捉えていただき、差し支えないかと思いますよ。」 <br>\r\n \"For now, it might not hurt to view it as a visualization of a separate entity inside Ushiromiya Eva.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…もちろん、鵜呑みにはできませんが、今はそう理解するのが妥当でしょう。」 <br>\r\n \"...Of course, you cannot blindly accept that answer, but it is probably a reasonable theory to hold for the time being.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………つ、つまり、絵羽伯母さんも彼女も、同じ人物だと理解すべきなんだな？ ……くそ、…何だか気持ち悪い展開になったぜ…。」 <br>\r\n \"......I-In other words, I should think of <NAME> and her as the same person, right? ...Damn, ...I don't like where this is going...\" <br><br>\r\n 「そういうわけで、これよりベアトリーチェは妾の名ではないぞ。右代宮絵羽に引き継いだからな。 <br>\r\n \"In any case, from now on, my name is no longer Beatrice. I have passed it on to Ushiromiya Eva. <br><br>\r\n ……というわけで妾は名無しだ！ 戦人ぁ、何か妾に適当な相応しき名はないものか。そなたの推薦を受けるぞ！ 何か上品で気品溢れて、できればちょっぴりキュートな名前はないものか…！」 <br>\r\n ...Which means that I am nameless! Battleer, don't you have some name that'd be fitting for me? I shall accept your recommendation! How about a name that's refined, full of elegance, and a little cute too, if you can...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…お前なんかベアトのまんまで充分だぜ。ベアトとベアトリーチェで充分区別付くだろ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Just `Beato' is good enough for you. There's probably a big enough difference between Beato and Beatrice to keep people from getting confused.\" <br><br>\r\n 「む、…むぅ。ベアトのままか…。違和感はないが、なぜだかつまらぬ。むぅ。」 <br>\r\n \"...N-Nngg. So, the same old Beato, is it? It doesn't feel wrong, but it's boring for some reason. Nggg.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ぷっくっくっくっく…。紅茶の温度と女心はいつの時代も難しゅうございます。」 <br>\r\n \"Pu ku ku ku ku... They say the temperature of black tea and a woman's heart are difficult to gauge in any era.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………戦人くん。とにかく、以後は冷静に。この子がベアトリーチェだった時に比べれば、現在の彼女は、右代宮絵羽と判別が付くだけ、私たちに状況は有利です。」 <br>\r\n \"......Battler-kun, at any rate, stay calm from this point onwards. The fact that we can now tell her and Ushiromiya Eva apart works to our advantage, compared to the time when that child was still Beatrice.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……だからこそ、 <br>\r\n …かえって気に入らねぇんだがな。……何を考えてるんだ？ ベアトのヤツめ………。」 <br>\r\n \"...And that's exactly... <br><br>\r\n ...why I like it even less. ...What's she thinking, that Beato......?\" <br><br>\r\n 向こうでは魔女たちが、今やベアトリーチェの名を持つ若き日の姿をした絵羽伯母さんを祝福し続け、長い行列を作っている。 <br>\r\n Over there, the witches formed a long line to bless <NAME>, who had the figure of her younger days and who now possessed the name Beatrice. <br><br>\r\n それはさながら、魔女の戴冠式。 <br>\r\n It was like a witch's coronation. <br><br>\r\n 黄金の蝶が無数に羽ばたき、黄金色に輝く幻想的な空間を演出している。 <br>\r\n それら全てが彼女を讃えていた。 <br>\r\n The countless gold butterflies flapped their wings, directing this fantastical, gold-sparkling space. <br><br>\r\n They were all praising her. <br><br>\r\n 俺はそれを遠目に見ながら、少しだけ照れたような表情で笑みを浮かべている新生ベアトリーチェを見る。 <br>\r\n As I stared from the distance, I looked at the newly born Beatrice, who had a slightly embarrassed smile on her face. <br><br>\r\n ……初めは戸惑っていた彼女の表情には、ようやく自覚できてきた喜びが溢れているようだった。 <br>\r\n ...Her expression, which had been lost and confused at first, seemed to be full of the happiness that she was finally starting to recognize. <br><br>\r\n その表情には、黄金を前に狂った笑い声を上げたような狂気は一切ない。 <br>\r\n ただただ、喜びを噛み締める初々しさがあるだけだった。 <br>\r\n That expression didn't look at all like someone laughing insanely while standing before the gold. <br><br>\r\n There was just the innocence of a person basking in their own joy. <br><br>\r\n 魔女を否定する俺には、魔女の継承式で喜びの表情を見せる彼女を受け容れることはできない…。 <br>\r\n As a person who denied the existence of witches, I couldn't view this witch succession ceremony with a joyful expression and accept her... <br><br>\r\n ……しかし、あの無邪気な笑顔を見ていると、…今だけは祝福したいような、そんな気持ちにさせられる。 <br>\r\n ...However, when I looked at that innocent smile, I felt like I wanted to offer my blessings, just for that moment. <br><br>\r\n どんなものであれ、努力が達せられて報われた瞬間は美しい。 <br>\r\n It's always beautiful when strong efforts bear fruits and are rewarded. <br><br>\r\n ずっとずっと当主跡継ぎに憧れ、小さい頃から報われない努力を重ねてきた絵羽伯母さんは、……碑文の謎というチャンスを見事に掴み、…そしてその座をとうとう手に入れた。 <br>\r\n <NAME>, who had always yearned to succeed the Headship, and who had worked hard since her youth without reward, ...had spectacularly taken hold of the chance given to her by the riddle of the epitaph...and had finally gained that position. <br><br>\r\n 少女時代からの夢をついに叶えた人間の笑顔の、何と神々しいことか。 <br>\r\n How divine is the smile of a person whose childhood dreams have been granted? <br><br>\r\n 俺は魔女を絶対に認めない。 <br>\r\n でも、……戦人は両手を合わせ、少しだけ音を立てる。 <br>\r\n I definitely won't accept witches. <br><br>\r\n But, ...Battler put his hands together, making a small sound. <br><br>\r\n ぱちり。ぱちり。 <br>\r\n *clap*. *clap*. <br><br>\r\n ……それは彼女の耳には届かないけれど、…祝福するものだった。 <br>\r\n ...It didn't reach her ears, ...but it did bless her. <br><br>\r\n 「………おめでとうよ、絵羽伯母さん。」 <br>\r\n \"......Congratulations, <NAME>.\" <br><br>\r\n あんたは見事、一番乗りで碑文の謎を解いたな。文句なしにあんたの勝ちだ。 <br>\r\n You spectacularly solved the riddle of the epitaph before anyone else. It's your victory without any complaints. <br><br>\r\n …………黄金の魔女云々は認めないが、右代宮家の新しい当主ってのは、俺も認めて素直に祝うぜ。 <br>\r\n ......I won't accept all that about the Golden Witch and so on, but I will accept you as the new Head of the Ushiromiya family, and I'll celebrate that sincerely. <br><br>\r\n 「……………ふ。」 <br>\r\n \"......Hmph.\" <br><br>\r\n 戦人の拍手に釣られるように、ベアトも手を叩く。 <br>\r\n As though urged on by Battler's applause, Beato also clapped. <br><br>\r\n …ちょっぴりだけ不思議な光景。 <br>\r\n 敵対している戦人とベアトが並んで、同じ相手に拍手を送っているのだから。 <br>\r\n ...It was a slightly odd scene. <br><br>\r\n Battler and Beato, who opposed each other, were standing side by side and applauding the same person. <br><br>\r\n 「魔女に拍手してるわけじゃねぇぞ。…絵羽伯母さんのこれまでの努力に拍手してんだぞ。」 <br>\r\n \"I'm not applauding for a witch. ...I'm clapping for all of Aunt Eva's efforts up until now.\" <br><br>\r\n 「妾もだぞ。あの碑文を見事に解いた絵羽に対し、率直に祝福の拍手を送っておる。」 <br>\r\n \"As am I. I offer my sincere applause as a blessing to Eva, who spectacularly solved that epitaph.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………ふむ。…お前と一緒に拍手してるってのが気に入らねぇが。 <br>\r\n \"......Hmm. ...I don't like applauding with you. <br><br>\r\n …ま、今は気にしねぇことにするぜ。…たまにゃ、お前と一緒に拍手してもバチは当たらねぇか。」 <br>\r\n ...But, well, I've decided that I won't worry about it now. ...Divine punishment won't fall on me just because I clap with you every once in a while.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ふむ。たまにはオツであるな。 <br>\r\n \"Hmm. It's not so bad every once in a while. <br><br>\r\n ……しかし、拍手って楽しいなァ。成し遂げたのは妾ではなく絵羽であるというのに、なぜかこっちまで嬉しくなってきおるわ。」 <br>\r\n ...Still, it is fun to applaud. Even though it was Eva who was successful and not me, for some reason, I'm starting to feel happy too.\" <br><br>\r\n 「祝福するってことは、その喜びを共感する、共有するって意味だからな。」 <br>\r\n \"That's because blessing someone means the same thing as sympathizing and sharing with them.\" <br><br>\r\n 「なるほど。では、このわけもなく嬉しい気持ちは、そなたとも共有できているというわけか。……互いを屈服させようとする敵同士でありながら、これは奇異な体験よ。」 <br>\r\n \"I see. Then, I have even shared this irrational happy feeling with you. ...Since we are a pair of enemies trying to make each other surrender, it is an odd experience.\" <br><br>\r\n 「まぁ、……今だけは休戦で手を叩こうじゃねぇか。」 <br>\r\n \"Well, ...just for now, let's have a truce and clap, okay?\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトは悪戯っぽく笑うと、拍手の音で戦人に負けまいと張り切ったのか、より大きな音が出るようはしゃぎながら手を打った。 <br>\r\n Beato laughed impishly, playing around and applauding even louder, as though eagerly trying not to lose to Battler as she clapped. <br><br>\r\n 戦人も付き合い、より大きく手を打つ。 <br>\r\n Battler went along with her and clapped even louder. <br><br>\r\n すると何かの儀式を終えたのか、そこで一堂は大きな拍手で新生ベアトリーチェを大きく讃えた。 <br>\r\n When he did, as though some ceremony had ended, everyone applauded and highly praised the reborn Beatrice. <br><br>\r\n それはまるで戦人たちの拍手が、彼女の承認に必要な最後のものであったかのようだった……。 <br>\r\n It was just as though Battler's and Beato's applause had been the final thing needed for her succession... <br><br>\r\n ロビーに楼座が戻ってくる。 <br>\r\n Rosa returned to the lobby. <br><br>\r\n 彼女はまだ休んでいい事になっていたが、その表情の雰囲気から、緊張して熟睡できないという風に見えた。 <br>\r\n It was still her turn to rest, but her expression made it look as though she couldn't sleep deeply with all this tension. <br><br>\r\n 「……無理してでも横になってろよ。後で堪えるぜ？」 <br>\r\n \"...Take it easy and lie down. Keep this up and you'll have it pretty rough later on.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ありがとう。どうしても寝付けなくて。 <br>\r\n \"Thanks for the concern. I just couldn't fall asleep. <br><br>\r\n ……シャワーだけ浴びさせてもらったから、私はもう充分よ。次の人、休んでもいいわ。」 <br>\r\n ...I've already taken a shower, so I'm good for now. The next person can rest.\" <br><br>\r\n 「霧江さんたちはいかがですか？」 <br>\r\n \"What about you two, Kyrie-san? Rudolf-san?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……どうする、留弗夫さん？ 休ませてもらう？」 <br>\r\n \"...What will we do, Rudolf-san? Shall we rest?\" <br><br>\r\n 「霧江は休んでいいぜ。俺は起きてる。それくらいしか男らしいことが出来ねぇ。」 <br>\r\n \"You can rest. I'll stay awake. That's the only manly thing I can do right now.\" <br><br>\r\n 「じゃあ起きてるわ。夫と一緒に起きてるくらいしか、女らしいことが出来ないから。」 <br>\r\n \"Then I'll stay awake. Staying awake with my husband is the only womanly thing I can do right now.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……くす。本当に仲のおよろしいことで。」 <br>\r\n \"...*giggle* You two truly are close.\" <br><br>\r\n 「夏妃さんこそね。くす。」 <br>\r\n \"You should talk. *giggle*.\" <br><br>\r\n 「絵羽と秀吉さんはぐっすりみたいじゃないか。やはり楼座と違い、歳には勝てんね。」 <br>\r\n \"It seems Eva and Hideyoshi-san are out cold. It appears that, unlike Rosa, they can't fight against their age.\" <br><br>\r\n その言葉に呼応したかのように、ガチャリと廊下の扉が開いた。 <br>\r\n As though in response to those words, the door to the hall clunked open. <br><br>\r\n 絵羽と秀吉が客室から戻ってくる。 <br>\r\n Eva and Hideyoshi returned from the guest room. <br><br>\r\n 「余計なお世話よ。 <br>\r\n \"That's none of your business. <br><br>\r\n …あら楼座、もう休んでなくていいの？」 <br>\r\n ...Oh, Rosa, are you sure you don't need to rest yet?\" <br><br>\r\n 「姉さんこそ。無理しないで休んでたら？」 <br>\r\n \"You should talk, Nee-san. Why not take it easy and sleep?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………何だか寝付けなくてね。シャワーを浴びたら眠気が醒めちゃったわ。留弗夫たち、良かったら休んでいいわよ。」 <br>\r\n \"......I just can't get to sleep. Taking a shower shook my drowsiness off. Rudolf, Kyrie-san, you can rest if you want.\" <br><br>\r\n 「おう、サンキュ。今は気持ちだけでいいぜ。 <br>\r\n \"Sure, thanks. Well, for now, let's say I appreciate the sentiment. <br><br>\r\n 兄貴たち、先に休んだらどうだ？」 <br>\r\n Why don't you go first, Aniki?\" <br><br>\r\n 「ありがたいね。だが先に休むわけにはいかん。それくらいしか長男らしいことが出来ないのでね。」 <br>\r\n \"How kind of you. But I cannot rest first. That is the most I can do as the oldest brother right now.\" <br><br>\r\n 「私たちは最後まで起きていますのでご心配なく。」 <br>\r\n \"Do not worry, the two of us will stay awake until the very end.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……くす。 <br>\r\n \"...*giggle* <br><br>\r\n ………それより絵羽姉さん。大丈夫？ 少し顔色が悪いわ。」 <br>\r\n ......More importantly, Eva nee-san, are you okay? You look a little pale.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……そういやそうやな。 <br>\r\n \"...Come to think of it, you're right. <br><br>\r\n ……んん？ ちょいと熱っぽいで？」 <br>\r\n ...Hmmm? Could it be a bit of a fever?\" <br><br>\r\n 秀吉が絵羽の額に手を当てる。 <br>\r\n …どうも体調を崩しているようだった。 <br>\r\n Hideyoshi put his hand up against Eva's forehead. <br><br>\r\n ...It seemed that Eva wasn't feeling her best. <br><br>\r\n 「言わんこっちゃねぇ。…歳のくせに生活リズムを崩すからだぜ。……風邪か？」 <br>\r\n \"That goes without saying. ...That's what happens you break your sleep cycle at your age. ...Is it a cold?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…夏妃。上の南條先生を呼んできてくれんかね。」 <br>\r\n \"...Natsuhi, could you call Doctor Nanjo down?\" <br><br>\r\n 「は、はい。」 <br>\r\n \"Y-Yes.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…いいわ、そこまで大袈裟じゃない。常備薬は持ってるから大丈夫よ。 <br>\r\n \"...I'm fine, you don't have to make such a fuss over it. I have some medicine, so I'll be okay. <br><br>\r\n ……疲れるとすぐ熱に出るの。心配しないで。」 <br>\r\n ...I tend to get fevers when I'm tired. Don't worry.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……姉さん、無理しないで？」 <br>\r\n \"...Nee-san, take it easy, okay?\" <br><br>\r\n 「………ありがと。…私抜きで兄弟が集まってると、私の陰口でも言われてるような気がしちゃってね。 <br>\r\n \"......Thank you. ...If the siblings gathered without me around, I get the feeling everyone would start talking behind my back. <br><br>\r\n …昔からの被害妄想なの。ごめんね？」 <br>\r\n ...It's a persecution complex from long ago. Sorry, okay?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………私は何も言わないわよ。姉さんのいないところで姉さんの嫌な話なんて。」 <br>\r\n \"......Well, I won't say anything. As if I'd say bad things about you behind your back, Nee-san.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n 「……どうしたの？ 姉さん、さっきから変よ？ もう少し休んだら？」 <br>\r\n \"...What is it? Nee-san, you've been acting strange for a while. Shouldn't you get a little rest now?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………そうね。~ib~３月までの金策~ib~を考えたら頭痛が酷くなって来ちゃったわ。」 <br>\r\n \"......You're right. Just thinking about ~ib~raising money by March~ib~ makes my headache hurt even worse.\" <br><br>\r\n 「それは良くないわね。休んでて。 <br>\r\n \"That isn't good. Rest. <br><br>\r\n …姉さんの頭痛が酷くならないよう、私も自重してるわ。私だって頭痛、さっきから辛いし。」 <br>\r\n ...And I'll hold back too, so that your headache doesn't get worse. I've had a bad headache myself for a while now.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………ありがと。……じゃあ私、お言葉に甘えてもう少し休ませてもらうわね。」 <br>\r\n \"......Thank you. ...Well then, I'll take those words to heart and rest for a while.\" <br><br>\r\n 「どうしたんや、絵羽。急にヘソ曲げて。 <br>\r\n \"What is it, Eva? Why so angry all of a sudden? <br><br>\r\n ……すまんな、わしらもうちょい休ませてもらうわ。すまんな、すまんな…。」 <br>\r\n ...Sorry, please let us rest a bit longer. Sorry, sorry...\" <br><br>\r\n 秀吉は何度も拝んで謝るような仕草を見せてから、絵羽の後を追い、ロビーを出て行った。 <br>\r\n After apologizing several times as though praying, Hideyoshi followed Eva out of the lobby. <br><br>\r\n 「…………空気が悪いな。どうにもギスギスしている。」 <br>\r\n \"......I don't like this atmosphere. It's all so strained.\" <br><br>\r\n 「無理もない。……早朝に殺人事件。それからずっと、ここで銃を抱きながら缶詰ですもの。…ストレスが溜まって当然ね。」 <br>\r\n \"That's no surprise. ...There was a murder early this morning. And since then, we've been eating canned food and carrying guns around. ...It's natural that we'd start to build up stress.\" <br><br>\r\n 「上の子たちも、だいぶストレスが溜まってるんじゃないかしら。……真里亞が心配だわ。こういう時は癇癪を起こしやすいの。」 <br>\r\n \"I wonder if the kids up there are building up stress too. ...I'm worried about Maria. She tends to throw tantrums at times like this.\" <br><br>\r\n するとその時、２階で、どたどたどたっという慌しい足音が聞こえた。 <br>\r\n ゲストハウスは安っぽい建物ではないので、普通の足音なら聞こえるわけもない。 <br>\r\n At that moment, they heard the sound of wild footsteps coming from the second floor. <br><br>\r\n The guesthouse wasn't a cheap building, so they wouldn't normally have heard the sound of footsteps. <br><br>\r\n 踵で地団太を踏むような、そんな音だった。 <br>\r\n It was like the sound of someone stamping their feet in frustration. <br><br>\r\n すると間髪入れずに、２階廊下へ走り出たらしい音と、真里亞のうーうーうーと連呼する不機嫌そうな声が聞こえてきた。 <br>\r\n And an instant later, accompanied by what seemed to be the sound of her running out into the second floor hallway, they could hear Maria calling uu-uu-uu- over and over again, sounding displeased. <br><br>\r\n 楼座は髪を振り乱しながら頭を抱え、声なき声で苦悶の唸りをあげる…。 <br>\r\n Rosa grabbed her head, her hair flying, and she voicelessly moaned in anguish... <br><br>\r\n 大人たちはその仕草にさりげなく背を向け、気付かぬフリをしてやるのだった。 <br>\r\n The adults conscientiously turned their backs to her, pretending not to notice. <br><br>\r\n ドタドタドタと賑やかな音が２階から降りてきてロビーに飛び込んでくる。 <br>\r\n The noisy clamor came down from the second floor and flew into the lobby. <br><br>\r\n 泣きじゃくる真里亞と、それに付いてきた子どもたち、そして南條だった。 <br>\r\n …つまり、真里亞の大騒ぎのせいで、２階の全員が降りてきてしまったというわけだ。 <br>\r\n It was Maria, who was sobbing, along with the other children and Nanjo. <br><br>\r\n ...In other words, they had all come downstairs because of Maria's tantrum. <br><br>\r\n 楼座は自分の娘が掛けている迷惑の規模に、再び眩暈が起こるのを隠せずにいた…。 <br>\r\n Rosa couldn't hide her dizziness at this new annoyance her daughter was bringing to everyone... <br><br>\r\n 「ご、ごめん楼座叔母さん…。私たちもなだめたんだけど、どうしても聞いてくれなくて…。」 <br>\r\n \"S-Sorry, Aunt Rosa... We tried to calm her, but she just wouldn't listen...\" <br><br>\r\n 「うーうーうー！！ <br>\r\n \"Uu-uu-uu-!! <br><br>\r\n うーうーうー！！ <br>\r\n Uu-uu-uu-!! <br><br>\r\n うわあああぁあぁああぁん！！」 <br>\r\n Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「…どうしたの、真里亞。少し静かにしなさい？ みんな見てるわよ？」 <br>\r\n \"...What is it, Maria? Could you be a little more quiet? Everyone's watching.\" <br><br>\r\n 「例の薔薇庭園の真里亞の薔薇…。あれが急に心配だと言い出して。」 <br>\r\n \"It's that rose of hers from the rose garden... She suddenly started saying that she was worried about it.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……寝惚けたみたいなんです。急にがばっと起き出して、薔薇が心配だ薔薇が心配だって言い出して。 <br>\r\n \"...I think she's half asleep. She suddenly woke up and started going on about how worried she was about that rose. <br><br>\r\n ………真里亞ちゃん、落ち着いて。それは夢なんだよ…。」 <br>\r\n ......Maria-chan, calm down. That was just a dream...\" <br><br>\r\n 「うーうーうーうー！！ あれはベアトリーチェと真里亞の薔薇なのー！！ <br>\r\n \"Uu-uu-uu-uu-!! That rose belonged to Beatrice and me!! <br><br>\r\n だから大切にしないとベアトリーチェに怒られちゃうのー！！ また折れちゃってるかもしれない！ うーうーうー！ うーうーうーうー！！」 <br>\r\n So if I don't take care of it, Beatrice is gonna get mad!! It might get snapped off again! Uu-uu-uu-! Uu-uu-uu-uu-!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「……はぁッ。…だから少し静かにしなさいッて言ってるでしょおおおッ？！？！」 <br>\r\n \"...Aaah, ...I'm telling you to quiet down a bit, okay?!?!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 楼座が急に声のトーンを上げたので子どもたちは仰け反るくらいに驚く。 <br>\r\n The sudden rise in the tone of Rosa's voice surprised the children. <br><br>\r\n しかし真里亞はますますに泣き声を大きくして、癇癪を激しくするだけだった。 <br>\r\n But Maria's crying just grew louder, and her tantrum just grew fiercer. <br><br>\r\n 「ろ、…楼座さん。子どもを頭ごなしに叱ってはいけませんぞ…。…こういう時は、温かい牛乳などを与えると良いものです。」 <br>\r\n \"R-Rosa-san, you mustn't scold a child so unsparingly... ...At times like this, it's best to give them some warm milk or something.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……ここにあるかね？」 <br>\r\n \"...Is there any here?\" <br><br>\r\n 「さっき、朝食代わりに出した牛乳で空っぽです…。」 <br>\r\n \"The milk we just had for breakfast is empty now...\" <br><br>\r\n 「誰か子ども用の鎮静剤とか持ってるか…？ ほら、あの銀の粒みてぇなヤツとか。」 <br>\r\n \"Doesn't anyone have a sedative to use on kids...? You know, those silver pill things?\" <br><br>\r\n 「持ってるわよッ！！ <br>\r\n \"I have some!! <br><br>\r\n あぁ、今探して飲ませるからッ！！」 <br>\r\n Yes, I'll search for some now and give them to her!!\" <br><br>\r\n 楼座は不機嫌を隠すことなく、ソファーに置いてあったハンドバッグを取り、中の常備薬を漁る。……真里亞の癇癪用に、小児用の鎮静剤を持ってきているようだった。 <br>\r\n Without hiding her displeasure, Rosa grabbed the handbag that had been set on the sofa and fished around for some medicine. ...It seemed she had brought some child-use sedatives for Maria's tantrums. <br><br>\r\n それを見つけ瓶を傾けるが、どうも空っぽらしい。 <br>\r\n 楼座はイライラしながら瓶を何度も振るが、空である事実は変わらなかった。 <br>\r\n She found it and opened the bottle, but it must have been empty. <br><br>\r\n Irritated, Rosa shook the bottle several times, but that didn't change the fact that nothing was in there. <br><br>\r\n …その間にも、真里亞はますますに泣き声を強めていく…。 <br>\r\n ...As she did that, Maria's crying grew even more intense... <br><br>\r\n その頃、絵羽はベッドに横になり、布団を被っていた。 <br>\r\n At that time, Eva was lying on her bed, covered by the bedding. <br><br>\r\n 水で濡らしたハンカチを畳みながら、秀吉が洗面所から戻ってくる。 <br>\r\n Hideyoshi returned from the washroom, folding a handkerchief soaked in water. <br><br>\r\n 「……こら、ずいぶんひどい熱や…。……きっと、親族会議の毒気にやられてもうたんやな…。 <br>\r\n \"...Whoo, this is one nasty fever... ...I'll bet it's the poisonous air at this family conference that got you... <br><br>\r\n ……今はもう、他の親族たちのことは全部忘れるんや。…な？」 <br>\r\n ...For now, you can forget all about the other relatives. ...Okay?\" <br><br>\r\n 秀吉はやさしい言葉を掛けながら、火照った絵羽の額に濡れハンカチをそっと置いた。 <br>\r\n As Hideyoshi spoke to her kindly, he set the soaked handkerchief on Eva's burning forehead. <br><br>\r\n その手に、絵羽は自らの手を重ねる。 <br>\r\n Eva rested her own hand on top of his. <br><br>\r\n 「………あなたの手。…ひんやりして気持ちいい。」 <br>\r\n \"......Your hand...feels nice and cool.\" <br><br>\r\n 「わしの手が気持ちいいようじゃ、だいぶ熱が出とるな…。安心せい、すぐに薬が効いてくるわ。それにな、わしの手は魔法の手なんや。こうして絵羽の額に手を当てとるとな？ どんな熱もたちどころに治ってしまうんや。」 <br>\r\n \"If my hand feels nice, your fever must be pretty bad. Don't worry, the medicine'll start workin' soon. Plus, my hand is a magic hand. I just put it against your forehead like this, and any fever'll melt right away.\" <br><br>\r\n 「そうね。……あなたの手で、私の熱が引かなかったことは、一度もないものね…。」 <br>\r\n 「そうや。わしの手があれば医者要らずやで。安心して目を瞑るんや。……すぐにわしの魔法でグングン熱が下がるからな…。」 <br>\r\n \"You're right. ...Your hand always makes my fevers fade...\" <br><br>\r\n \"Yep. No need for a doctor when you've got my hand. Don't worry and close your eyes. ...My magic'll make that fever fade away...\" <br><br>\r\n 「うん、知ってる…。……あなたの魔法、感じるもの。」 <br>\r\n \"Yes, I know... ...I can feel your magic.\" <br><br>\r\n 秀吉は、そういうのをプラシーボ効果と言うんやで、と口にしようと思ったが止めた。 <br>\r\n ……絵羽が自分の手から魔法を感じると言ってくれるなら、今はそれでいいのだ…。 <br>\r\n Hideyoshi was about to say it was just a placebo effect, but he stopped. <br><br>\r\n ...If Eva said she could feel magic coming from his hand, then that was fine for now... <br><br>\r\n 「…………魔法って、本当にあるのかしら。」 <br>\r\n 「あぁ。あるでぇ。信じる者にしかわからへんけどな。…そういう魔法は、案外世の中にたくさんあるもんや。」 <br>\r\n \"......I wonder if magic really exists.\" <br><br>\r\n \"Yeah. It does. Only those who believe can tell, though. ...There's actually a lot of magic like that out there in the world.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…魔法が実在するなら、……やっぱり魔女も実在するのかしら。」 <br>\r\n 「うん？ 森の魔女ベアトリーチェのことかいな？ 信じる者にはおるやろな。神様と同じや。信心深い人の前にしか姿を現さんのや。」 <br>\r\n \"...If magic actually exists, ...then I wonder if witches actually exist too.\" <br><br>\r\n \"Oh? You mean that witch of the forest, Beatrice? She probably does exist for those who believe. Just like the gods. They don't show themselves except in front of those with strong faith.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………私もね？ …昔、魔法が使えたの。」 <br>\r\n \"......I did it too, you know? ...Long ago, I was able to use magic.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ほぅ。ほんまかいな。じゃあお前も魔女やったんやな。」 <br>\r\n \"Oh? Really? Then you were a witch too.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……私がね、絶対に叶えたい夢があって。それを強く願って努力すると、それは必ず叶ったの。……私はその魔法で、いつも成績は一番だったし、生徒会長にだってなったし、入りたい大学にも実力で入れたし。……いつだってどんな願いだって叶えてきたわ。」 <br>\r\n \"...I...had dreams that I wanted to come true no matter what. After wishing strongly and trying hard, they always came true without fail. ...With my magic, my grades were always the best, and I even became the student council president...and worked hard to get into the university I wanted. ...Everything I wished for was granted.\" <br><br>\r\n 「そうやな。お前の魔法はいつだって大したもんや…。お前は確かに魔女や。…そして誰にも負けん努力家や。……わしはよーぅ知っとるで。」 <br>\r\n \"That's right. Your magic was always a thing to be reckoned with... You're definitely a witch. ...And you work harder than anyone. ...I know all about it.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………私ね。子どもの頃から、ずっとずっと心の中に、もうひとりの自分がいて、いつも私を励ましてくれたの。…そしてその自分は魔女だったわ。 <br>\r\n \"......When...I was a kid, the whole time, there was another me inside myself, who always supported me. ...And that other self was a witch.\" <br><br>\r\n ………森の魔女ベアトリーチェなんて信じなかった。もし六軒島に魔女がいるとしたら、それは私の心の中の魔女のことだってずっと信じてきた。………その魔女の自分に、私はすごい感謝してる。…あなたに出会わせてくれて良かったなぁって、……いつも感謝してる…。」 <br>\r\n \"......I didn't believe in Beatrice, the witch of the forest. I always believed that if a witch of Rokkenjima did exist, it was the witch inside my heart. ......I was so grateful to that witch inside myself. ...I was always grateful...that she brought me to you...\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………病気の時のお前はいつも気弱過ぎや。 <br>\r\n \"......You get too timid when you're sick. <br><br>\r\n …今は何も言わんでええ。……熱が下がるまで、ずーっとこうしてるからな。」 <br>\r\n ...Don't say anythin' for now. ...I'll stay like this the whole time, until your fever's gone down.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……うん。 <br>\r\n ……絶対に手を、 <br>\r\n ……離さないでね。………何だか私、 <br>\r\n ……自分が自分でなくなるような気がして、 <br>\r\n ……さっきから怖いの。…私の中の魔女が、 <br>\r\n ……ベアトリーチェに触発されて、どんどん強くなるような気がして。…何だか私を飲み込んでしまいそうな気がするの。」 <br>\r\n \"...Yes. <br><br>\r\n ...Don't take your hand away... <br><br>\r\n no matter what. ......Somehow, <br><br>\r\n ...I feel like I'm becoming something that isn't myself, <br><br>\r\n ...and I've been scared for a while now. ...I get the feeling that the witch inside me... <br><br>\r\n was provoked by Beatrice...and is growing stronger and stronger. ...Somehow, it feels like she's going to swallow me whole.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「大丈夫や。わしが一緒にいる限り、なぁんも恐れることなんてあらへん！ ほら、ちょいとヤバめな国に旅行に行った時、バスごと強盗にあったことあったやろ？ わしが撃退したんやで！」 <br>\r\n \"It's okay. As long as I'm with you, there's nooothin' to be afraid of! Remember the time we went to that dangerous country and the whole bus got robbed? I drove 'em off!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…あなた、金時計を渡して拝み倒しただけだったじゃない。……格好悪いけど、…格好良かったわ…。 <br>\r\n \"...Didn't you just hand over your gold watch and beg them to go away? ...It was pretty lame, ...but it was cool...\" <br><br>\r\n …………この手。…絶対に離さないでね…。……眠っても、絶対に離さないでね。……そして何か不気味なものが忍び込んできても、 <br>\r\n …私を守ってね…。」 <br>\r\n \"......Don't move your hand away...no matter what... ...Not even if I fall asleep. ...And if something creepy sneaks in here, <br><br>\r\n ...protect me...\" <br><br>\r\n 「おう、任せとかんかい。……だから今は安心して眠るんやで。すぐに薬と、わしの魔法が効いてくるからな…。」 <br>\r\n \"Yep, leave it to me. ...That's why I'm tellin' you to stop worryin' and get to sleep. Because the medicine and my magic'll start workin' real soon...\" <br><br>\r\n 絵羽はようやく心を安らかにして目を瞑る。 <br>\r\n Eva finally calmed her heart and closed her eyes. <br><br>\r\n ……その時、ロビーの方で、荒々しく扉が開く音がした。 <br>\r\n ...At that time, there was the sound of a door being opened violently from the direction of the lobby. <br><br>\r\n そして、真里亞が癇癪を起こしているらしい、うーうーという叫び声と、それを叱責する楼座の怒鳴り声が聞こえてきた。 <br>\r\n It seemed that Maria was having a tantrum, and screams of uu-uu- could be heard, along with Rosa's rebuking yells. <br><br>\r\n …それがよほど耳障りなのだろう。 <br>\r\n あるいは頭痛に堪えるのかもしれない。 <br>\r\n 絵羽は苦しそうに呻き、布団を被った。 <br>\r\n ...That probably hurt Eva's ears. <br><br>\r\n Or maybe it was giving her a headache. <br><br>\r\n Eva moaned as though in pain and buried herself in the covers. <br><br>\r\n おおよその想像はつく。 <br>\r\n 真里亞が何かの理由で癇癪を起こし、下のロビーに降りてきて、それを叱る楼座と口論になったのだろう。 <br>\r\n It was easy to guess what was happening. <br><br>\r\n Maria had probably had a tantrum for some reason, gone down to the lobby, and started arguing with Rosa, who then scolded her daughter. <br><br>\r\n …そして他の親族たちの目が痛々しかったので、廊下へ真里亞を連れ出した、というところなのか。 <br>\r\n ...And then, maybe that got too embarrassing to be shown in front of the other relatives, so Rosa had taken Maria out into the corridor. <br><br>\r\n ……楼座と真里亞の問題に干渉する気は、秀吉にはまったくない。 <br>\r\n …でも、絵羽が体調を悪くしている今だけは、その騒ぎは他所でやってほしいと思った。 <br>\r\n ...Hideyoshi had no desire to butt in on Rosa and Maria's problem. <br><br>\r\n ...But just for now, since Eva's condition was so bad, he wanted them to take their ruckus somewhere else. <br><br>\r\n 「…ちょいと待っとれや。静かにするよう、お願いしてくるわ。」 <br>\r\n 「………は、早く戻ってきて…。」 <br>\r\n \"...Wait just a sec. I'll ask them to keep it down.\" <br><br>\r\n \"......C-Come back quickly...\" <br><br>\r\n 「大丈夫や、この部屋から出んて。」 <br>\r\n \"Don't worry, I won't leave this room.\" <br><br>\r\n 秀吉はチェーンを外すと扉を開け、廊下に顔を覗かせた。すぐに楼座と目が合う。 <br>\r\n Hideyoshi removed the chain, opened the door, and stuck his face out into the corridor. He immediately met Rosa's gaze. <br><br>\r\n 「…大丈夫かいな、楼座さん。」 <br>\r\n \"...Everythin' okay, Rosa-san?\" <br><br>\r\n 「ごめんなさい、うるさくして起こしちゃったかしら…。」 <br>\r\n 「うーうー！ <br>\r\n \"I'm sorry, did all this noise wake you...?\" <br><br>\r\n \"Uu-uu-! <br><br>\r\n うーうーうーうー！！！」 <br>\r\n Uu-uu-uu-uu-!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「…真里亞ちゃん、ごめんなぁ。絵羽伯母さんな、具合が悪くて寝とるんや。すまんが、ちょいと静かにしてもらえるか…？」 <br>\r\n \"...Maria-chan, sorry. Aunt Eva isn't feelin' well, and she's tryin' to sleep. Could you quiet down a bit...?\" <br><br>\r\n 秀吉が頼んだところで、真里亞が声のトーンを下げるわけもない。 <br>\r\n 繰り返し、うーうーと叫び、真里亞の薔薇、真里亞の薔薇と連呼した。 <br>\r\n Maria's tone didn't change after Hideyoshi's request. <br><br>\r\n She kept crying uu-uu- and repeating `My rose, my rose'. <br><br>\r\n 楼座はその頬をぴしゃりと叩いた後、真里亞の口を塞ぎながら抱え上げ、せめて秀吉たちの部屋から遠ざかるよう、玄関の方へ真里亞を連れて行った。 <br>\r\n Rosa slapped Maria's cheek, lifted her up while covering her mouth, and dragged her towards the entrance, trying to at least put some distance between her and Hideyoshi's room. <br><br>\r\n …まだしばらくは賑やかだろうが、一応の釘は刺した。 <br>\r\n 秀吉は楼座の母親ぶりに期待しつつ扉を閉める。 <br>\r\n ...She would still probably be noisy for a while, but he had warned Rosa for the time being. <br><br>\r\n Relying on Rosa's actions as a mother, Hideyoshi closed the door. <br><br>\r\n 「………また真里亞ちゃんの癇癪なの？」 <br>\r\n \"......Is Maria-chan having a tantrum again?\" <br><br>\r\n 「そうみたいやな。…楼座さんも大変や。 <br>\r\n \"Looks like it. ...It's tough for Rosa-san too. <br><br>\r\n ……それを思えば、うちの譲治は出来過ぎや。親が感謝したいくらいやで。」 <br>\r\n ...Come to think of it, our George is almost too good to be true. We should be grateful.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………そうね。………ん。……手。」 <br>\r\n 「おぉ、すまんすまん。……ほら、魔法の手やで。」 <br>\r\n \"......You're right. ......Nng, ...hand.\" <br><br>\r\n \"Oh, sorry, sorry. ...Look, it's the magic hand.\" <br><br>\r\n 再び絵羽の額に手を載せる。 <br>\r\n He put his hand on Eva's forehead again. <br><br>\r\n ……その手には本当に魔法の力が宿っているのかもしれない。 <br>\r\n 絵羽は、本当に安らいだ表情を浮かべると、少しずつ眠りの世界へ入っていく。 <br>\r\n ...Maybe there really was magical power in that hand. <br><br>\r\n A truly peaceful look rose to Eva's face, and bit by bit, she began to drift off into the land of sleep. <br><br>\r\n 秀吉は約束通り、ずっと手を額に当て続けているのだった……。 <br>\r\n As he had promised, Hideyoshi kept his hand on her forehead... <br><br>\r\n 玄関では、真里亞の口を押さえたまま、楼座は途方に暮れていた。 <br>\r\n By the entrance, with her hand still against Maria's mouth, Rosa was at a loss at what to do next. <br><br>\r\n ロビーでみんなの視線に耐え切れず、子どもたちには２階へ上がれと怒鳴りつけ、ロビーを飛び出してしまった。 <br>\r\n She hadn't been able to withstand everyone's gazes in the lobby, and had yelled at the children to go upstairs, dashing out of the lobby. <br><br>\r\n そして廊下に出れば、秀吉たちにうるさいと言われてしまった。 <br>\r\n Then, she had gone out into the corridor, only to have Hideyoshi say that she was too noisy. <br><br>\r\n 私はどこへ行けばいいというのか。 <br>\r\n ……この癇癪持ちの娘を連れて、どこへ行けばいいというのか。 <br>\r\n Where should I go now? <br><br>\r\n ...Where should I take this child who's having a tantrum? <br><br>\r\n 悔し涙が溢れそうになった…。 <br>\r\n She felt as though tears of frustration were about to come out... <br><br>\r\n 未だ、叫ぼうともがき続ける真里亞の耳元に口を寄せ、楼座はなるべく落ち着いた声で諭すように言う。 <br>\r\n As Maria kept struggling in an attempt to scream, Rosa put her mouth up to Maria's ear...and tried to persuade Maria in a properly calm voice. <br><br>\r\n 「………真里亞は、そんなにも薔薇が見たいのね…？」 <br>\r\n \"......Maria, do you really want to see the rose that much...?\" <br><br>\r\n 真里亞は、うーうー唸りながら、何度も首を縦に振る。 <br>\r\n Maria nodded her head several times, moaning uu-uu-. <br><br>\r\n 「…どうしてそんなに薔薇が見たいの？ お母さんが聞いてあげるから、静かに話して？ 叫んだら殴るわよ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Why do you want to see it so much? I'll listen as your mother, so will you tell me quietly? I'll hit you if you scream.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………真里亞の薔薇…。ベアトリーチェに蘇らせてもらったの。……また折れちゃってるかも…。…真里亞はそれが心配…。確かめないと眠れない…。」 <br>\r\n \"......My rose... Beatrice revived it. ...It might have snapped off again... ...I'm worried about that... I can't sleep until I'm sure...\" <br><br>\r\n どうやら、昨日、目印をつけた薔薇についてまだ騒いでるらしい。 <br>\r\n Apparently, she was still upset about that marked rose from yesterday. <br><br>\r\n 楼座は再び頭痛が疼くのを感じたが、とりあえず真里亞が叫ぶのだけはやめてくれたので、一安心する。 <br>\r\n Rosa felt her headache throbbing again, but she was at least a little relieved that Maria had now stopped her screaming. <br><br>\r\n 「とにかく、今はみんな大変なの。だからママたちに迷惑を掛けないで。……薔薇の話は、明日、雨が上がったら好きにしていいから。だから今は聞き分けなさい…！」 <br>\r\n \"Anyway, everyone is having a hard time right now. So don't bother Mama and everyone else. ...You can worry about that rose all you want tomorrow, when it stops raining. So for now, listen to me...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「やだ。…やだやだやだやだ。真里亞のベアトリーチェの薔薇…。…ううぅ…、うーうー。うわあああぁあああああぁあッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"No. ...No no no no. It's my Beatrice's rose......uuuu, ...uu-uu-. Waaaaaaaaaaahh!!\" <br><br>\r\n 楼座は反射的にその口を塞ぐ。 <br>\r\n 口調を少し厳しくし過ぎたので、また興奮してしまったのだ…。 <br>\r\n Rosa reflexively covered Maria's mouth. <br><br>\r\n She had spoken a little too harshly and gotten her agitated again... <br><br>\r\n それが半ば自分のせいであることを自覚し、楼座は自己嫌悪の意味で舌打ちをする。 <br>\r\n Rosa realized that it was partly her own fault and clicked her tongue in self-hatred. <br><br>\r\n しかし真里亞はそれが自分に対してのものだと思い、ますますに泣き声を荒げた…。 <br>\r\n But Maria thought that was directed at her, and her crying grew even fiercer... <br><br>\r\n 「…お願いだから静かにして…。どうしたらあなたは泣き止むの？ どうしたらあなたはママの言うことを聞いてくれるの？」 <br>\r\n \"...Please, just be quiet... What can I do to make you stop crying? What should I do to make you listen to what your Mama says?\" <br><br>\r\n 「………。」 <br>\r\n \"......\" <br><br>\r\n ぴたりと。真里亞が不自然なくらいに泣き止んだ。 <br>\r\n ……すると振り返り、ぽつりと言った。 <br>\r\n Suddenly. Maria stopped crying so fast that it seemed unnatural. <br><br>\r\n ...Then she turned around...and muttered. <br><br>\r\n 「………… <br>\r\n \"...... <br><br>\r\n 真里亞の薔薇を見たら、ちゃんと明日まで静かにしてるよ。」 <br>\r\n If I get to see my rose, I'll stay quiet until tomorrow.\" <br><br>\r\n 「本当？」 <br>\r\n \"Really?\" <br><br>\r\n 「うん。…薔薇庭園に行って、真里亞の薔薇を見たら、もう大人しくする。」 <br>\r\n \"Yes. ...If we go to the rose garden and see my rose, I'll calm down.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………。」 <br>\r\n \".........\" <br><br>\r\n 「本当だよ、ママ。」 <br>\r\n \"I mean it, Mama.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n 楼座は、この風雨の中に出掛けることさえ、とりあえず真里亞が静かにしてくれるなら、お安い御用だと思った。 <br>\r\n If it would keep Maria quiet for the time being, Rosa thought that even going out into this wind and rain would be a small price to pay. <br><br>\r\n 一応、少しだけ無用心ではないかと考えてみる。 <br>\r\n …………しかし結局、殺人事件など何も起こっていない。 <br>\r\n She thought it might be a bit reckless. <br><br>\r\n ......But in the end, no murder or anything of the sort had actually occurred. <br><br>\r\n 朝から起きているどたばたは全て、金蔵たちが仕組んだ茶番なのだ。 <br>\r\n あの連鎖密室をよく考えれば、彼らの自作自演であることをこれ以上なく物語っている…。 <br>\r\n All of that clamor since this morning had been a farce set up by Kinzo. <br><br>\r\n If you carefully thought about that chain of closed rooms, it clearly had to all be an act... <br><br>\r\n 「……本当に、薔薇を見たらもう大人しくする？」 <br>\r\n \"...Will you really listen if you get to see the rose?\" <br><br>\r\n 「うん。本当だよママ。 <br>\r\n \"Yes. I mean it, Mama. <br><br>\r\n ……きひひ。」 <br>\r\n ...Kihihi.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n 「あ痛。」 <br>\r\n \"Ouch.\" <br><br>\r\n 気持ち悪い笑い声を見逃さず、軽いゲンコツを落とす。 <br>\r\n そして降参するかのように肩をすくめた。 <br>\r\n Rosa didn't overlook that creepy laugh, and lightly hit Maria with her fist. <br><br>\r\n And she shrugged, as though giving up. <br><br>\r\n 「……わかったわ。一目見たら納得するのよ。いいわね？」 <br>\r\n \"...Understood. If it's just one look, then I'll agree. Will that work?\" <br><br>\r\n 「うん、ママ。約束する。……きひひひひひひひひひひひひひひ。」 <br>\r\n \"Yes, Mama. I promise. ...Kihihihihihihihihihihihihihihi.\" <br><br>\r\n 楼座は銃の重みをもう一度確かめる。 <br>\r\n Once again, Rosa tested the weight of her gun. <br><br>\r\n ……大丈夫。どうせ茶番。 <br>\r\n 殺人犯など元からこの島にはいたりしない…。 <br>\r\n ...It'll be okay. It's only an act. <br><br>\r\n There was never a murderer on this island in the first place... <br><br>\r\n 「くそッ、待てよ楼座叔母さん…！！ 楼座叔母さんと真里亞が……、第二の晩の犠牲者なのか？！ くそくそくそッ、誰か気付けよ、呼び止めろ！！ 居間の親父たちや俺たちは何をしてるんだ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Damn it, wait, Aunt Rosa...!! Are Aunt Rosa and Maria...the sacrifices for the second twilight?! Damn it, damn it, damn it, someone, notice them, tell them to stop!! What are those guys in the living room and us kids doing?!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「うむ。楼座親子の痛々しい関係に気を遣って、わざわざ話題を変えておるぞ。そなたらも２階へ上がり、テレビを見ながら話題を変えておる。」 <br>\r\n \"Indeed. They are being considerate of Rosa's pitiful relationship with her daughter...and are forcibly changing the subject. The group that includes you went up to the second floor...and is talking about something else while watching TV.\" <br><br>\r\n 「くそったれぇ！！ <br>\r\n \"You bastards!! <br><br>\r\n 誰か気付けよ！ 一番近くにいるのは誰だよ、秀吉伯父さんか？！ 頼むよ、玄関から二人が出て行くのを気付いてくれよ、うおおおおおおおぉおおお！！」 <br>\r\n Someone, notice them! Who's the closest, is it Uncle Hideyoshi?! Please, notice that those two are leaving through the front door, aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「届かん届かん、くっくっく！ 二人のささやかな時間を邪魔してくれるな。ふっははははははは…！」 <br>\r\n \"It won't reach, it won't reach, *cackle*! Don't disturb their precious time together. Fuhahahahahahaha...!\" <br><br>\r\n 秀吉は絵羽の額に手を当てながら、ずっとやさしく語りかけている。 <br>\r\n 玄関から表へ出る楼座たちの気配になど、気付きもしない。 <br>\r\n Hideyoshi kept talking kindly, his hand on Eva's forehead. <br><br>\r\n He didn't notice at all that Rosa and Maria were going outside through the front door. <br><br>\r\n ならばさらに離れたロビーにいる人間たちにだって気付けるわけもない。 <br>\r\n ２階のいとこ部屋ではとてもとても…！ <br>\r\n In that case, there was no way the others in the lobby, which was even further away, would notice. <br><br>\r\n Much less those in the cousin room on the second floor...! <br><br>\r\n 「そなたは何を慌てておるのか。第一の晩にて、犯人は事故死したとの大胆な指し手にて妾を打ち破ったではないか。 <br>\r\n \"Why are you so panicked? Didn't you defeat me with that bold move, saying that the culprit died in an accident on the first twilight?\" <br><br>\r\n …ならばもうこの島に犯人はおらぬことになるぞ…？ くっくくくくく、何を心配する必要があるというのか…。」 <br>\r\n \"...Doesn't that mean there's no longer a culprit on this island...? *cackle*cackle*cackle* What is there to be so worried about...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「うるせえよ、白々しいんだよッ！！ <br>\r\n \"Shut up, I can see right through you!! <br><br>\r\n 誰か引き止めろ、二人が殺されるんだッ！！ 誰か止めろォおおおおおおぉおおおおおぉ、うっをおおおおおおおおぉおおおッ！！」 <br>\r\n Someone stop them, those two'll be killed!! Someone, stop theeeeeeeeeeeeeeem, aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n ……戦人の声無き叫びが、楼座たちに届くわけもない。 <br>\r\n ...There was no way that Battler's voiceless scream would reach Rosa or Maria. <br><br>\r\n 二人の姿は薔薇庭園にあった。 <br>\r\n The two of them could be seen in the rose garden. <br><br>\r\n 雨は相変わらずひどいが、風は少しだけ収まっているのが幸いだった。 <br>\r\n The rain was still awful, but fortunately, the wind had died down a little. <br><br>\r\n ……いや、幸いだったかはわからない。 <br>\r\n もしも、もっとひどい風だったなら、楼座は表へ出ることを躊躇ったに違いないのだから…。 <br>\r\n ...No, maybe that wasn't fortunate. <br><br>\r\n Because maybe, if the wind had been a little fiercer, Rosa might have hesitated to go outside... <br><br>\r\n 「……うー、うー、うー…。 <br>\r\n \"...Uu-, uu-, uu-... <br><br>\r\n …………あった…！」 <br>\r\n ......Here it is...!\" <br><br>\r\n 真里亞は金モールのついた自分の薔薇を見つけ、愛おしそうに眺める。 <br>\r\n Maria found her rose with the gold lace and stared at it lovingly. <br><br>\r\n 一目見たら納得するという約束ではあったが、下手にケチって後でまた愚図られては堪らないと、楼座は真里亞が満足するまで、付き合うことにするのだった。 <br>\r\n Rosa had accepted the promise under the condition that Maria would only get one look at it, but she didn't want Maria to complain that it hadn't been enough later on, so she decided to go along with Maria until she was satisfied. <br><br>\r\n ……犯人などいないと信じているが、もしもそれが勘違いだとしたら、自分たちは今、非常に危険な場所にいる。 <br>\r\n ...She believed that there wasn't a culprit, but on the off chance that she was mistaken, they were now in an extremely dangerous position. <br><br>\r\n 楼座はそれをわずかながらに自覚する。 <br>\r\n Rosa realized that faintly herself. <br><br>\r\n いざという時は、傘を放り出して銃を構える。 <br>\r\n …楼座は無邪気に喜ぶ真里亞を尻目に、四方を用心深くうかがうのだった。 <br>\r\n If things got bad, she would throw away her umbrella and ready her gun. <br><br>\r\n ...After glancing at Maria's innocent happiness, Rosa gazed warily in all directions. <br><br>\r\n ………………………………？ <br>\r\n ……目が疲れているのだろうか。 <br>\r\n ..................? <br><br>\r\n ...Were her eyes just tired? <br><br>\r\n 誰もいるはずのない風雨の、そして暗黒の薔薇庭園で、何かが煌いたような気がした。 <br>\r\n Even though no one should have been there, she thought she saw something glitter in the dark rose garden. <br><br>\r\n …黄金色……？ <br>\r\n 気のせいに決まっている。 <br>\r\n ...Gold-colored...? <br><br>\r\n It had to be her imagination. <br><br>\r\n 楼座にはそれが、黄金の蝶が薔薇の茂みの間を舞ったように感じられたからだ…。 <br>\r\n Because, to Rosa, it seemed as though gold butterflies were dancing through the rose bushes... <br><br>\r\n 「……大丈夫か、絵羽…。…無理せんで、やっぱり南條先生を呼んで来んか…？！」 <br>\r\n \"...Are you okay, Eva...? ...Just take it easy... Should I call Doctor Nanjo after all...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「だ……、……大丈夫だから…。……この手を離さないで……。…お願いだから、……離さないで……。」 <br>\r\n \"I......I'm fine. ...Don't take your hand away... ...I'm begging you, ...don't take your hand away...\" <br><br>\r\n 絵羽の息は荒い。 <br>\r\n 額にも汗の玉が浮いている。 <br>\r\n Eva was breathing wildly. <br><br>\r\n Beads of sweat were appearing on her forehead. <br><br>\r\n 確かに昨夜は徹夜だし、今朝も早朝から慌しい。体が参ってしまったとしてもおかしくない。 <br>\r\n It certainly was true that she had stayed up all night last night, and that things had been rough since early this morning. It wasn't odd that her body wasn't keeping up. <br><br>\r\n ……そう理屈ではわかっていても、この絵羽の急な発熱は、何か良くない病気の発症ではないかと疑ってしまう。 <br>\r\n ...Even though he understood that, Hideyoshi suspected that this sudden fever was the sign of some serious illness. <br><br>\r\n 秀吉は何度か南條を呼ぼうと提案したが、絵羽はそれを頑なに拒み、…それより、自分の手を離さないでほしいと懇願する…。 <br>\r\n Several times, Hideyoshi decided to call for Doctor Nanjo, but Eva resisted firmly, ...pleading with him and saying that it was even more important that he didn't take his hand away... <br><br>\r\n 「わかった…。でもな、お昼になったら必ず南條先生に診てもらうんやで。それを約束できるなら、ずっとここにいて、お前の手を握ったるからな。こうして、ぎゅっとな。」 <br>\r\n \"I understand... But you've gotta have Doctor Nanjo look at you by lunchtime. If you can promise me that, I'll stay here the whole time, grippin' your hand. Tightly, like this.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……ありがとう…。……大丈夫よ…。あなたの手の魔法で、……必ずこんな熱なんか下がっちゃうから……。」 <br>\r\n \"...Thank you... ...I'm fine... The magic of your hand will definitely take this fever away...\" <br><br>\r\n そうは言いつつも、絵羽の呼吸は荒いままで一向に収まらない。 <br>\r\n Even as she said that, Eva's harsh breathing didn't improve in the slightest. <br><br>\r\n 「……はぁ、 <br>\r\n ……はぁ、 <br>\r\n ……はぁッ…。……離さないで、 <br>\r\n …離さないで……、 <br>\r\n はぁ、 <br>\r\n ……はあッ、…………ぅああああああああああぁああああああッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"...Haah, <br><br>\r\n ...haah, <br><br>\r\n ...haahh... ...Don't let go, <br><br>\r\n ...don't let go, <br><br>\r\n ...haah, <br><br>\r\n ...haahh, ......aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「だ、…………誰…？！」 <br>\r\n \"...Wh-Who is it...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 薔薇の茂みの向こうに、傘が動くのが見えた。 <br>\r\n She saw an umbrella moving from beyond the rose bush. <br><br>\r\n 楼座は傘を投げ出して銃を乱暴に構える…。 <br>\r\n Rosa threw away her umbrella and wildly lifted her gun... <br><br>\r\n すると茂みの向こうの人影が、……姿を現した。 <br>\r\n When she did, the shadow of a person beyond the bush...showed itself. <br><br>\r\n 「………うー？ ……絵羽伯母さん…………。………？」 <br>\r\n \"......Uu-? ...Aunt Eva...... ......?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…びっくりしたわ。姉さんなの？ <br>\r\n \"...You scared me. It's you, Nee-san? <br><br>\r\n …………何か御用？ …さっきの話の続きなの？」 <br>\r\n ......Do you have some business with me? ...Do you want to continue our earlier discussion?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………………。 <br>\r\n \"............ <br><br>\r\n …えぇ、そうよぅ。お父様の黄金の話よ。」 <br>\r\n ...Yes, that's right. Our discussion about Father's gold.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……お願いだから真里亞の前では遠慮して。ちゃんと約束は守ってるわよ？ 姉さんの悪巧みの邪魔はしないわ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Please, restrain yourself in front of Maria. I will keep my promise, okay? I won't get in the way of your conspiracy.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………悪巧み？ 何それ。」 <br>\r\n \"......Conspiracy? What's that?\" <br><br>\r\n 「………姉さんが何を考えていても勝手よ。私は邪魔する気なんてない。だから真里亞の前では許して。私は分け前さえもらえれば充分なの。」 <br>\r\n \"......Whatever you're thinking, that's up to you. I have no desire to get in the way. So please, not in front of Maria. As long as I get my share, that will be enough.\" <br><br>\r\n 「分け前？ <br>\r\n \"Your share? <br><br>\r\n ふふふふふふふ、あっはははははははははははははははは。」 <br>\r\n Heheheheh, ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.\" <br><br>\r\n 絵羽が気色悪い声で笑い始める…。 <br>\r\n 楼座はぎょっとするが、真里亞はきょとんとしている。 <br>\r\n Eva started laughing in a creepy voice... <br><br>\r\n Rosa was startled, but Maria stared blankly. <br><br>\r\n ………そして真里亞は一言、言った。 <br>\r\n ......Then Maria said just one thing. <br><br>\r\n 「………うー……？ …………おばさん、 <br>\r\n …………誰…？」 <br>\r\n \"...Uu-...? ...Auntie, <br><br>\r\n ...who are you...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「はははははは、あっはっははははははははははははははははッ！！ <br>\r\n \"Hahahahahaha, ahhahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!! <br><br>\r\n 分け前ぇ？！ 誰がお前にやるものか…！ あれは全て私のもの！ この黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェのものよッ…！！！」 <br>\r\n Your share?! Who would give that to you...?! All of that is mine! It all belongs to me, the Golden Witch, Beatrice...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「うあああああああぁあああああぁッぁぁぁぁっ…ッ！」 <br>\r\n \"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「絵羽、大丈夫か絵羽！ <br>\r\n \"Eva! Are you okay, Eva?! <br><br>\r\n 絵羽っ！ 絵羽！！」 <br>\r\n Eva! Eva!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「握っていて…！！ 離さないでッ！！ 私が私じゃない誰かに連れ去られないように…！！ 私の手を握っていて…。離さないでぇええええぇ…ッ！！！」 <br>\r\n \"Hold on...!! Don't let go!! Don't let me be dragged away by someone who isn't me...!! Hold onto my hand... Don't let goooooooooooooo...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「お前が何を努力したの？！ 何も努力してない！ いつも私たちの影に隠れてのらりくらり！ いつも戦わずに影から影へと逃げ回っていたお前に、右代宮家の黄金を無心する資格など本当にあると思っているの…？！ <br>\r\n \"When did you ever work hard?! You never worked hard for anything! You were always hiding in our shadows! You always escaped from shadow to shadow without fighting, and yet, you really think yourself qualified to make demands of me over the Ushiromiya family gold...?!\" <br><br>\r\n あれは全て私のもの！ 右代宮家当主にして新しき黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェの名を継承した私だけのものッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"All of that is mine! It's all mine alone, as the Head of the Ushiromiya family and the new Golden Witch, successor to the name of Beatrice!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………ベアトリーチェ。 <br>\r\n \"......Beatrice. <br><br>\r\n ……………ベアトリーチェだ！！ <br>\r\n ......It's Beatrice!! <br><br>\r\n ママっ、ベアトリーチェ！」 <br>\r\n Mama, Beatrice!\" <br><br>\r\n 真里亞が狂喜しながら母親に飛びつく。 <br>\r\n …楼座はそれを邪険にしながら銃を高々と構えた。 <br>\r\n Maria jumped at her mother in ecstasy. <br><br>\r\n ...Rosa treated Maria coldheartedly and raised her gun high. <br><br>\r\n 「……ね、……姉さんよね……？ ……姉さんなのよね……？」 <br>\r\n \"...Hey, you're Nee-san, right...? ...You are Nee-san, aren't you...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「違うわ。…私はもはや、あなたの姉であった存在ではないの。」 <br>\r\n \"Wrong. ...I am no longer the one who was your sister.\" <br><br>\r\n 「じゃああんた、誰なのよッ！！ ベアトリーチェだとでも言うのッ？！ そんなはずはない！ あんたは１９年前に死んだのよッ！！！ <br>\r\n \"Then who are you?!! Are you trying to say that you're Beatrice?! That's impossible! You died 19 years ago!!!\" <br><br>\r\n えぇ、確かに死んでいたわ、だって私、あなたの頭が割れているところをはっきり見たもの。その中身が溢れ出しているのを、昨日のことのように思い出せる！ <br>\r\n \"Yes, you were definitely dead, after all, I clearly saw how your head was split open. I can remember the insides flowing out like it was yesterday! <br><br>\r\n そのあんたがどうして生きててここに居るのよぉおおおおッ？！？！」 <br>\r\n How can you be alive and here right noooooooooow?!?!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「黄金の魔女に死の概念などないの。黄金の魔女とベアトリーチェの名は永遠に受け継がれてゆくわ。 <br>\r\n \"The concept of death does not exist to a Golden Witch. The Golden Witch and the name of Beatrice will be handed down for all eternity.\" <br><br>\r\n お前が知っていたベアトリーチェは死を迎えたかもしれないが、今やそれは私の名である…！ ゆえに無限！ <br>\r\n \"Maybe the Beatrice you knew met with death, but that name is mine now...! And therefore, it's eternal! <br><br>\r\n ベアトリーチェに死の概念はないのッ！！」 <br>\r\n The concept of death does not exist for Beatrice!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「………あの黄金に、気が触れたとしか思えない。……憐れね、姉さん…！」 <br>\r\n \"......All I can see is that the gold has driven you mad. ...How pitiful, Nee-san...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「もはや私はお前の姉ではないというのに。……さて、新しきベアトリーチェとして、自らの復活の儀式を引き継ぐわ。 <br>\r\n \"Come on, you know I'm not your sister anymore. ...Well then, as the new Beatrice, I have been tasked with my own resurrection ceremony.\" <br><br>\r\n ………ロノウェ！ 私はどうすればいいの？！」 <br>\r\n \"......Ronove! What should I do?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ご随意のままに。もはやベアトリーチェさまには、どのような思い通りをも実現できる力がおありです。少し扱えば慣れるでしょう。」 <br>\r\n \"That is up to you. You already have the power to make whatever you think reality. You should grow used to it once you've tried it out a little.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……不甲斐なき元妹よ。私が魔女として初めて奉げる最初の生贄に選ばれたことを、光栄に思うがいい。第二の晩に、寄り添う二人を、私がこの手で引き裂く…！！」 <br>\r\n \"...You worthless former sister. You should consider it an honor to have been selected as the first sacrifice I offer as a witch. On the second twilight, I'll tear the two who are close apart with my own hands...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 新しきベアトリーチェが、最初に願った、……いや、最初に使おうと思った魔法は、人として制約を超えることだった。 <br>\r\n The first thing the new Beatrice wished for...no, the first magic she tried to use, was to surpass the limitations given to humans. <br><br>\r\n …それは重力。 <br>\r\n ...In particular, gravity. <br><br>\r\n その束縛から解放されることで、自らが魔女になった自覚を得たいと思ったのだ。 <br>\r\n She wanted to become fully aware of her transformation into a witch by being released from those shackles. <br><br>\r\n 魔女と楼座の二人をそのままに。 <br>\r\n As the witch and Rosa stayed as they were... <br><br>\r\n ……大地だけが眼下に遠退いていく。 <br>\r\n 今や二人の足は大地に付いてはいない。 <br>\r\n ...The ground retreated all by itself...into the distance below them. <br><br>\r\n By now, their feet were no longer attached to the ground. <br><br>\r\n 楼座はようやく、大地が眼下に遠退いたのではなく、自らと魔女が雨天の空へ吸い上げられたのだと知る。 <br>\r\n Rosa finally realized that the earth wasn't retreating into the distance below them, but that she and the witch were being sucked up into the rainy sky. <br><br>\r\n 「…………ぇ…？ ……………ひッ…？！」 <br>\r\n \"......Huh...? .........Eeeek...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「お、………おおおおおおおおぉ……。すごい……！」 <br>\r\n \"Wh-Whoooooooooaaaa... Awesome...!\" <br><br>\r\n 重力によって束縛された人間にとって、足が大地に付かないことは、この上なく不安なこと。 <br>\r\n For a human shackled to the ground by gravity, there is nothing more unnerving that having their feet stop sticking to the ground. <br><br>\r\n ……しかし、新しき魔女として重力から解放される喜びを知ったベアトリーチェは、歓喜に全身を震わせる。 <br>\r\n ...However, to Beatrice, who, in becoming the new witch, had learned the joy of being released from gravity, it was enough to make her whole body shake with delight. <br><br>\r\n 「……ねぇ、楼座。昔、小さい頃、魔女になって空が飛べたらなって話したことあるの、覚えてる？ <br>\r\n \"...Hey, Rosa. Do you remember, long ago, when we were small, when we used to talk about what it'd be like to become witches and fly around the sky? <br><br>\r\n ……叶ったよ？ 私が本当の魔女になって叶えてあげたわ。」 <br>\r\n ...That dream has been granted, hasn't it? I became a real witch and granted it for you.\" <br><br>\r\n 「や、…………やめてよ、………夢なら醒めて……。」 <br>\r\n \"...S-Stop it, ......if this is a dream, then wake me up...\" <br><br>\r\n 「あなた言ったわ。夢の中で空を飛んだって。そして醒めたくなかったとも言ったわ。起こした私を恨んだともね？ <br>\r\n \"You said it yourself. You said you flew through the sky in your dream. And you also said you didn't want to wake up. You even got mad at me when I woke you up, right? <br><br>\r\n ……安心して。今度は醒めないわよ？ <br>\r\n ...Don't worry. This time, you won't wake up, okay? <br><br>\r\n ふっふふふふふふふふふふふふ！！」 <br>\r\n Heheheheheheheheheheheheh!!\" <br><br>\r\n さぁ、私と雨天の大空を踊ろう。 <br>\r\n Come, dance with me in the vast, rainy sky. <br><br>\r\n 狭くて退屈な六軒島から、うみねこのように飛び立って空に逃れたいと、私たちは共に願ったんじゃなかったっけ…？ <br>\r\n Didn't we both wish we could fly like seagulls in the sky...and escape the cramped and boring island of Rokkenjima...? <br><br>\r\n その夢を、今、私が叶えてあげるの。 <br>\r\n Now, I'll make that dream a reality for you. <br><br>\r\n だからこの喜びを、他の誰でもない、あなたと共有したい…！ <br>\r\n I only want to share this joy with you, and no one else...! <br><br>\r\n 「あっはははッあっはははははッ！！ <br>\r\n \"Ahhahaha, ahhahahahaha!! <br><br>\r\n 楽しいね楼座、楽しいねッ！！ <br>\r\n It's so fun, Rosa, it's so fun!! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 見てご覧、眼下を！ 私たちのお屋敷ってあんなにも小さいわ。あんな小さな場所で、私たちはどれほどの長い時を過ごしたのかしら。…その狭さとちっぽけさに、今こそ本当に呆れるわ。 <br>\r\n Take a look below you! Look at how small our mansion is. I wonder how much time we spent in a place that small. ...Now I'm especially shocked at how cramped and tiny it is.\" <br><br>\r\n だからこそ感じて。楽しんで。喜んで…！ 私たちが憧れた、大空を自由にする力を！ さぁ踊ろうよ楼座！ 雨の中を、風の中を！ 私たちは踊るように飛び回ろう！ <br>\r\n \"So feel. Enjoy. Rejoice...! That power we yearned for, the power to move through the sky at will! Come on, let's dance, Rosa! Through the rain, through the wind! Let's fly around like we're dancing! <br><br>\r\n 稲光が私たちを照らして祝福してくれるわ！！ <br>\r\n The lightning will shine on us and bless us!! <br><br>\r\n あっははははははははははははははははははッ！！」 <br>\r\n Ahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!\" <br><br>\r\n 魔女と楼座は、まるで旋風の中を舞う木の葉のよう。 <br>\r\n 雨粒の拍手を全身に受けながら、時に稲光に照らされ、大地から解放された喜びに打ち震える。 <br>\r\n The witch and Rosa were like leaves fluttering around in a whirlwind. <br><br>\r\n As the rain pounded upon every part of their bodies, as the lightning occasionally shone upon them, they shook with the joy of being released from the ground. <br><br>\r\n …もっともそれは魔女だけの話。 <br>\r\n 楼座は自らの頭を抱え込み、声無き叫びを上げ続けていた。 <br>\r\n ...However, it was only that way for the witch. <br><br>\r\n Rosa was holding onto her head, voicelessly screaming over and over. <br><br>\r\n 「やめてぇえええぇぇえぇ！！ <br>\r\n \"Stop iiiiiiiiiiiiiitt!! <br><br>\r\n 許してぇええぇ、私を下へ下ろしてええぇ！！」 <br>\r\n Forgive meeeeee, let me doooooooown!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「……そうね、ニンゲンは大地を這うのがお似合いね。なら地上にお帰りなさい？」 <br>\r\n \"...You're right, it's more fitting for Humans to crawl on the ground. Then why not go back there?\" <br><br>\r\n 自分と同じ喜びを共有してくれないことに、魔女は少しだけ不愉快の表情を浮かべる。 <br>\r\n そして、元妹の願いを聞いてやることにした。 <br>\r\n A slightly displeased expression rose to the witch's face when she realized that her own joy was not being shared. <br><br>\r\n Then, she decided to listen to her former sister's request. <br><br>\r\n 「…………ッ？！ <br>\r\n \"......?! <br><br>\r\n ………ぁあぁぁぁぁぁぁぁぁあああああああああ！！」 <br>\r\n ......Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n 楼座を舞わせていた旋風が弱まり、そして止む。 <br>\r\n The whirlwind that had been making Rosa dance around grew weaker, then stopped. <br><br>\r\n それはつまり、楼座がニンゲンとしての重力の制約に再び縛られたということ。 <br>\r\n In other words, Rosa was once again bound by the restrictions of gravity, as a Human. <br><br>\r\n ……本来の正しい法則に従い、楼座は真っ逆さまに大地へ降りていく。いや、落ちていく。 <br>\r\n ...Following the laws that were originally correct, Rosa began to descend towards the ground upside-down. No, she began to fall. <br><br>\r\n 「いけない…。 <br>\r\n \"Oops... <br><br>\r\n そうか、ちゃんと下ろしてあげないと、こういうことになるのね！」 <br>\r\n That's right, if I don't take her down the right way, this is what happens!\" <br><br>\r\n 魔女は楼座を墜落させるつもりなどなかった。 <br>\r\n しかし、まだ魔法の使い方に慣れていなかったのだ。 <br>\r\n The witch hadn't intended to send Rosa plummeting. <br><br>\r\n But she still wasn't used to using magic. <br><br>\r\n 薔薇の茂みに１００ｍ近くから墜落した楼座は、とてもとても当然の結果として、即座に絶命した。 <br>\r\n After plummeting about 100 meters into a rose bush, as a very, very natural result, Rosa died instantly. <br><br>\r\n しかし魔女に殺すつもりはなかった。 <br>\r\n だから死ぬなと念じた。 <br>\r\n But the witch hadn't intended to kill her. <br><br>\r\n So she wished that Rosa hadn't died. <br><br>\r\n すると楼座の体に黄金蝶たちが纏わり付いて、その命を望んだ通りに蘇らせる。 <br>\r\n When she did, gold butterflies coiled about Rosa's body, reviving that life just as the witch had wished. <br><br>\r\n 放射状に鮮血の絨毯を敷いたはずの楼座の体が、みるみる元に戻っていく。 <br>\r\n Rosa's body, which should have been spread out like a carpet of fresh blood, rapidly returned to normal. <br><br>\r\n 折れたりひしゃげたりした骨が元に戻っていく。 <br>\r\n The broken and crushed bones returned to normal. <br><br>\r\n 裂けたり潰れたりした肉が元に戻っていく。 <br>\r\n The torn and smashed flesh returned to normal. <br><br>\r\n ……世の中、壊すことがどれほど簡単で、直すことがどれほど困難なことか。 <br>\r\n ...How easy it is to break things in this world, and how difficult it is to fix them... <br><br>\r\n 命を奪うことなんて、誰にでもできる。 <br>\r\n Anyone can take a life. <br><br>\r\n でも、失った命をよみがえらせることなんて、ニンゲンには誰にもできない！ その不可逆を超えたことは即ち、ニンゲンを超えたことの証明。 <br>\r\n But no Human can revive a lost life! By surpassing the irreversable, one proves that they have surpassed Humanity. <br><br>\r\n ……それはきっと、空を飛べたことよりもはるかにはるかに、自身が魔女になったことを彼女に実感させるのだ。 <br>\r\n ...This surely gave her a much, much greater realization of her position as a witch than flying through the sky had. <br><br>\r\n 「………すごい…。 <br>\r\n \"......Awesome... <br><br>\r\n 死んだ命をも、……私は蘇らせられるの……！」 <br>\r\n I can even revive...an ended life...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「もちろんですとも。ベアトリーチェさまはすでに無限の魔女であらせられますよ。 <br>\r\n \"Of course. Beatrice-sama is the Endless Witch. <br><br>\r\n ……生きることも死すことも。生かすことも殺すことも、全ては無限に繰り返される。その輪廻を支配する女王こそが、無限の魔女であられるベアトリーチェさまなのです。」 <br>\r\n ...To live and to die. To bring to life and to kill, all of it repeated endlessly. Beatrice-sama, the Endless Witch, is the queen who controls the cycle of life and death.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あはは、あは。金魚鉢を落としたことがあるわ。涼しげな美しい鉢が割れてしまって、二度と元に戻らなかった。床に叩き付けられた可愛い出目金は二度と泳ぐ姿を見せてくれなかった。 <br>\r\n \"Ahaha, aha. One time, I knocked over a fishbowl. The fragile and beautiful bowl broke, and I couldn't put it back together again. I'd never see that cute pop-eyed goldfish swim again after it landed on the floor.\" <br><br>\r\n ………私がいくら泣いても使用人たちは、壊れたものと死んだものは蘇らせないと首を横に振ったっけ。 <br>\r\n \"......No matter how much I cried, the servants shook their heads, saying that broken things and dead things could never be revived.\" <br><br>\r\n …あの時、学んだのよね。モノは壊しちゃいけない、ヒトは殺しちゃいけないって。 <br>\r\n \"...That's when I learned something. You must not break things, you must not kill people. <br><br>\r\n だって、直せないんだもん！！」 <br>\r\n After all, you can't fix them!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「じゃあ、直せるなら、 <br>\r\n ……壊しても怒られないということでしょ…？ はは、あはははは、………すごい…。すごいすごいすごい…！！ <br>\r\n \"So, if you can fix them, <br><br>\r\n ...then you won't get in trouble for breaking them, right...? Haha, ahahahaha, ......awesome... Awesome, awesome, awesome...!! <br><br>\r\n あっはははははははあははははははあっははっはっはっははッ！！」 <br>\r\n Ahhahahahahahahaahahahahahahaahhahahhahhahhahhaha!!\" <br><br>\r\n 魔女はしばらくの間、自らが受け継いだ力の恐ろしさと素晴らしさに酔いしれた。 <br>\r\n For a while, the witch became intoxicated with how terrible and wonderful the power she had inherited was. <br><br>\r\n その笑いは無垢で無邪気で、そして残酷。 <br>\r\n Her laugh was pure, innocent, and cruel. <br><br>\r\n 「………うううぅ、……ぁぅ……。」 <br>\r\n \"......Uuuuuu...au...\" <br><br>\r\n 楼座は蘇ったとは言え、墜落の痛みに苦悶の声をあげていた。 <br>\r\n そこへ魔女は降り立ち手を差し出す。 <br>\r\n Even though Rosa had been revived, she let out a cry of anguish at the pain from her fall. <br><br>\r\n At that point, the witch landed and held out her hand. <br><br>\r\n 「ははははははは、済まないわね楼座。空を飛ぶのがこんなに楽しいとは思わなかったわ。ごめんなさい、本当にごめんなさい。 <br>\r\n \"Hahahahahahaha, sorry about that, Rosa. I didn't think flying in the sky would be so much fun. Sorry, I'm real sorry.\" <br><br>\r\n そしてニンゲンがこんなに脆く死ぬとも知らなかったの。でも生き返らせてあげたからもう平気。だから起きて？ 私ともっと遊びましょう？ <br>\r\n \"And I didn't know Humans could die so easily. But I've brought you back to life, so we're even. So get up, okay? Play with me some more, okay? <br><br>\r\n くすくす、うふふあははははははははははははははははは！！」 <br>\r\n *giggle*giggle*giggle* Hehehehaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n あなたは子どもの頃、どんな夢を私に語ってくれたっけ…？ 遠慮せずにその全てを教えて御覧なさい。 <br>\r\n What were those dreams you told me about when you were a kid...? Go ahead and tell me all of them without holding back. <br><br>\r\n 今の私には、それがどんなに荒唐無稽なことであっても叶えてあげられる…！ <br>\r\n As I am now, I can make anything come true, no matter how absurd...! <br><br>\r\n あなたをゼリーの海で溺れさせてあげることも！ ケーキの山で飲み込んであげることも！ 蝶の羽を生やしてお庭を散歩させてあげることさえね？！ <br>\r\n Even drowning you in a sea of jelly! Even having you get sucked into a mountain of cake! I can even even make you sprout butterfly wings and flit around the garden, okay?! <br><br>\r\n 順番に叶えてあげるわ、まずはゼリーの海からね…？！ <br>\r\n I'll do them one after another. Let's start with the ocean of jelly, all right...?! <br><br>\r\n 「や、やめて、 <br>\r\n \"S-Stop it, <br><br>\r\n ……………ふぐッ！！！」 <br>\r\n ......urgg!!\" <br><br>\r\n 楼座は再び雨天の空へ高く放り上げられる。 <br>\r\n しかし雨天の空は雨粒ではなく、オレンジジュースの雫で満たされていた。 <br>\r\n Rosa was once again thrown high into the rainy sky. <br><br>\r\n However, the sky wasn't filled with raindrops, but with drops of orange juice. <br><br>\r\n 眼下を見て、楼座は目を疑う。 <br>\r\n 薔薇庭園は消え去り、パステルカラーのジグソーパズルのような大地が広がっていた。 <br>\r\n When she looked down, Rosa had to doubt her eyes. <br><br>\r\n The rose garden had disappeared, and the ground spread out beneath her was like a pastel-colored jigsaw puzzle. <br><br>\r\n ……それは彼女が小さな頃に夢見て話した、ゼリーの海。 <br>\r\n ...It was an ocean of jelly, like the one she had spoken of from her dreams when she was young. <br><br>\r\n 黒はコーヒーゼリー。 <br>\r\n The black part was coffee jelly. <br><br>\r\n 赤はイチゴ、 <br>\r\n The red was strawberry, <br><br>\r\n 黄色はパイン、 <br>\r\n the yellow was pineapple, <br><br>\r\n 緑はメロン。 <br>\r\n and the green was melon. <br><br>\r\n 白は何だろう、リンゴかしら…？ <br>\r\n What was the white part, apple...? <br><br>\r\n ………そんなこと、楼座に思考する余地があったのかどうか。 <br>\r\n ......Did Rosa even have the time to think stuff like that? <br><br>\r\n 楼座はその色とりどりの海に目掛けて墜落していく。 <br>\r\n Rosa fell towards that multi-colored ocean... <br><br>\r\n ……そして紫色のグレープ味の海に深々と沈んだ。 <br>\r\n ...And she sunk deep into a purple grape-flavored sea. <br><br>\r\n それは本当にゼリーの海。底などない。 <br>\r\n It really was an ocean of jelly. It had no bottom. <br><br>\r\n 楼座は沈みながら、グレープゼリーの海の中を泳ぐ透明な魚の群を呆然と見ていた。 <br>\r\n それは多分、葡萄の果肉で出来ているに違いない。 <br>\r\n As Rosa sank, she was shocked to see a school of transparent fish swimming through the grape jelly ocean. <br><br>\r\n They were probably made of grape skin. <br><br>\r\n そしてどこまでもどこまでも深く深く沈んで行き、マリアナ海溝くらい沈んで行き、……ゼリーの海の水圧でぎゅうぎゅうに押し潰されて、 <br>\r\n Then she sunk on and on, deeper and deeper, as deep as the Marianas Trench, ...crushed by the water pressure of the jelly ocean... <br><br>\r\n 肋骨がぱきぽき、背骨がばきぼき。 <br>\r\n as her ribs snapped, as her spine snapped. <br><br>\r\n …最後は小ちゃなぐずぐずの肉団子になってしまった。 <br>\r\n ...In the end, she became a small, frail meatball. <br><br>\r\n 「あっはははははははははッ！ <br>\r\n \"Ahhahahahahahahahaha! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n ゼリーの海で溺れ死ねるなんて、本当に素敵な体験よね…！！ 誰にも真似できない夢！ 私が叶えてあげたッ、あっひゃひゃひゃひゃ！！」 <br>\r\n What a truly wonderful experience, to drown in an ocean of jelly...!! It's a dream no one else can imitate!! I made it come true for you, ahhyahyahyahya!!\" <br><br>\r\n 楼座だった肉団子は、私が指を鳴らすと瞬時に大空へ打ち上げられる。 <br>\r\n The instant I snapped my fingers, the meatball that had been Rosa was launched up into the sky. <br><br>\r\n そして黄金色の輝きに包まれた後は、再び元の姿に戻っていた。 <br>\r\n And after being wrapped up in a golden sparkle, she returned to her original form. <br><br>\r\n 乾燥ワカメを元の姿に戻すのと同じくらいに簡単お手軽、誰でもできる。魔女になら！ <br>\r\n 放心する楼座のその表情は多分、子どもの頃に見た、叶わぬと諦めていた夢が現実となったことへの喜びによるものに違いない。きっと。多分。 <br>\r\n It was as simple and easy as returning dried seaweed to its original form, and anyone could do it. If they were a witch! <br><br>\r\n That absent-minded look on Rosa's face has to be the joy from having that dream she gave up on as a child come true. Definitely. Probably. <br><br>\r\n 次はケーキの山。 <br>\r\n 空が瞬時に覆われ、白と黒のチェス模様になった。 <br>\r\n Next is the mountain of cake. <br><br>\r\n In an instant, the sky was covered...and became black and white in the shape of a chessboard. <br><br>\r\n 透き通るような白は、大好きなレアチーズケーキ。 <br>\r\n 上品な黒は、ほんのりビターなガトーショコラ。 <br>\r\n That almost transparent white part was her favorite rare cheesecake. <br><br>\r\n The elegant black part was a slightly bitter Gateau au chocolat. <br><br>\r\n それが天井となって、山となって、……数億個のケーキが楼座目掛けて振り落ちてくる。 <br>\r\n That became the ceiling, became a mountain, ...and several billion cakes were thrown down towards Rosa. <br><br>\r\n そのケーキの山はきっと、積み上げればエベレストより高い。 <br>\r\n If you piled those cakes up, they would surely be taller than Mount Everest. <br><br>\r\n だから重さは多分、………よくわからないけど、日本中のケーキを全部合わせたよりは重いと思う。 <br>\r\n So they probably weighed......I'm not too sure, but I'll bet it was heavier than all the cakes across Japan put together. <br><br>\r\n それが落ち来る天井として楼座を飲み込んだのだから、 <br>\r\n ……とてもとても当然の結果として、楼座は圧死した。 <br>\r\n It fell down like a ceiling and swallowed Rosa up, <br><br>\r\n ...so as a very, very natural result, Rosa was crushed to death. <br><br>\r\n １秒にも満たないわずかの時間で、全身の骨が砕けて内臓が全て潰れてはみ出して、 <br>\r\n In less than a second, her bones broke throughout her body and her insides were all smashed and forced out, <br><br>\r\n ぷちゃぐちゃぶちゃあ。 <br>\r\n *squish*pop*slop*. <br><br>\r\n それでもなおすごい数のケーキが積み上がるので、…楼座はケーキの間に挟まれたジャムの地層と成り果ててしまった。 <br>\r\n Even so, an even greater number of cakes piled up on top, ...and Rosa ended up as a layer of jam wedged between them. <br><br>\r\n 髪の毛程度の厚みになって、多分、テニスコートくらいの広さに潰れて広がっただろう。 <br>\r\n She became as thin as a single hair...and was probably spread out over the area of a tennis court. <br><br>\r\n そのケーキに飲み込まれた世界が再び黄金色の輝きに飲み込まれる。 <br>\r\n That world swallowed up by cake was once again absorbed by a gold flash. <br><br>\r\n するとそれが夢であったとでも言うように、楼座は再び蘇っていた。 <br>\r\n Then, as though it had all been a dream, Rosa was revived once again. <br><br>\r\n ……もちろん夢では断じてない。 <br>\r\n 死んだ後、再び蘇ったのだ。 <br>\r\n ...Of course, it definitely wasn't a dream. <br><br>\r\n She had been revived after dying. <br><br>\r\n この時点で楼座は、ニンゲンに生まれたなら一度だけしか味わわなくていい死の経験を、すでに二度も味わったわけだ。 <br>\r\n By that point, death, which most Humans only have to experience once after they are born, had already been experienced repeatedly by Rosa. <br><br>\r\n つまり、ニンゲンには味わうこのとできない、二度の死という貴重な経験を味わったのだ。 <br>\r\n In other words, she gone through that which Humans cannot, the precious experience of dying more than once. <br><br>\r\n 「あっはははははははは、きゃっはっはははははははははははははは！！ <br>\r\n \"Ahhahahahahahahaha, kyahhahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!! <br><br>\r\n 楽しいね楼座、楽しいねッ！ 次は蝶々だよ、ほら…！！」 <br>\r\n 「も、もう許して……ッ、………ああああぁあぁッ！！」 <br>\r\n Isn't this fun, Rosa, isn't this fun?! Next is the butterflies, look...!!\" <br><br>\r\n \"P-Please, have mercy, ......aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「駄目ぇ！ もっと遊ぼうよ、もっと遊ぼう…！！ <br>\r\n \"No wa-y! Let's play more, let's play more...!! <br><br>\r\n きゃひひひはははははははははははッ！！」 <br>\r\n Kyahihihihahahahahahahahahaha!!\" <br><br>\r\n 許しを懇願する楼座に、無邪気に笑いながらその黄金の杖を向ける。 <br>\r\n すると楼座は黄金色に輝きながら見る見る縮んでいく。 <br>\r\n Laughing innocently, she pointed her gold staff at Rosa as she begged for mercy. <br><br>\r\n When she did, Rosa glittered gold and rapidly began to shrink. <br><br>\r\n 本当の蝶々くらいの大きさにまで縮んでいく。 <br>\r\n そして背中には黄金の羽が生え…、黄金蝶たちの仲間に加わった。 <br>\r\n She shrank down to the size of a real butterfly. <br><br>\r\n Then, gold wings sprouted from her back, ...and she joined her fellow gold butterflies. <br><br>\r\n でも、人の身には耐えられる風でも、蝶の身には辛いもの。 <br>\r\n However, while a human body could withstand that wind, it was a different matter for a butterfly's body. <br><br>\r\n 黄金蝶となった楼座は、暴風たちに次々とダンスを申し込まれては、薔薇庭園をくるくると舞い踊った。 <br>\r\n The gold butterfly Rosa...was invited to dance by each gale of wind, and she spun in circles around the rose garden. <br><br>\r\n 「もう嫌、…嫌ぁあああああぁああああぁ！！ <br>\r\n \"No, ...nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!! <br><br>\r\n ………ぁッ…、」 <br>\r\n ......Ah...!\" <br><br>\r\n ダンスに疲れた彼女を、やさしいベッドが受け止めてくれた。 <br>\r\n それは東屋の屋根の影に編まれた天空の柔らかなハンモック。 <br>\r\n As her dance wore her out, she was caught by a gentle bed. <br><br>\r\n It was a soft, knit hammock in the shadows beneath the roof of the arbor. <br><br>\r\n …そのハンモックの主が、のっそりと姿を現し、嵐の晩に迷い込んだ珍客を出迎えた…。 <br>\r\n ...The owner of that hammock lumbered into view, welcoming its rare guest who had wandered in on the night of a storm... <br><br>\r\n 手の平で握り潰せるほどの大きさのはずのその主は、今の楼座から見れば、天蓋ベッドの屋根より大きい。 <br>\r\n That owner, which should have been small enough to crush in the palm of your hand, now looked as big as the top of a canopy bed to Rosa. <br><br>\r\n 「ぎやああああああああああああああああああぁああああああああああああああああああああああああああああぁあああああッ！！！」 <br>\r\n \"Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「きゃっはははきゃっはははははは！ <br>\r\n \"Kyahhahahakyahhahahahahaha! <br><br>\r\n ドジね、蜘蛛の巣に引っ掛かってる！ あっははは、あっはははははは！！ <br>\r\n What a klutz, you got caught in a spider's web! Ahhahaha, ahhahahahahaha!!\" <br><br>\r\n 今度は蜘蛛とダンスなのね。懐かしいわね、蜘蛛の巣を見つけては石粒を投げつけて遊んでたの、覚えてる？ 蜘蛛って獲物をかじるんじゃなくて、毒液を挿して、中身をどろどろのスープに溶かしてから啜るんだって聞いたことがあるわ。 <br>\r\n \"This time, it's a dance with a spider. That takes me back. Remember the times we'd find a spider's web and play around by throwing pebbles at it? I've heard that spiders don't chew their prey, but insert their venom, and when the insides melt into a sticky soup, they suck them out.\" <br><br>\r\n ……ねぇ楼座、覚えてる？ わざと蝶々を蜘蛛の巣に放って、どう蜘蛛が襲うか眺めて遊んでた時のこと、覚えてる？ <br>\r\n \"...Hey, Rosa, remember? Remember how we'd throw butterflies into the spider's web on purpose, and play around by seeing how the spider would attack?\" <br><br>\r\n きゃっははははははは、 <br>\r\n \"Kyahhahahahahahaha, <br><br>\r\n 覚えてないわね、あなた小学校に上がる前だったと思うもの…！！ 今度はよく見れるわよ？ しげしげとね。 <br>\r\n I guess you don't remember, do you? This happened before you got into grade school...!! Make sure you watch closely this time, okay? Very closely. <br><br>\r\n きゃひひははははははきゃーははははははははははははははははッ！！」 <br>\r\n Kyahihihahahahahahakya-hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「嫌ぁああああああああああああああぁあああぁあああぁ、 <br>\r\n 許して姉さん、 <br>\r\n 助けて姉さんッ！！ <br>\r\n \"Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, <br><br>\r\n have mercy, Nee-san, <br><br>\r\n help me, Nee-san!! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n ひぃいいいいいいいい <br>\r\n Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekk <br><br>\r\n があああああああ <br>\r\n gaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh <br><br>\r\n ぎげえええ <br>\r\n errrrrrrrrkkk <br><br>\r\n ぐぽぎゃ <br>\r\n bwaagh <br><br>\r\n わがあ <br>\r\n ahggggg <br><br>\r\n チぺるトぴヤわがぎゅギげガが・が、 <br>\r\n ergorblahgehmolgeeaaarg ga, <br><br>\r\n がッ…、 <br>\r\n がッ……、 <br>\r\n ぎゅぼッ！！」 <br>\r\n ga... <br><br>\r\n ga... <br><br>\r\n gyuuboh!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「あいつ、やるなぁ、実に自由に魔法を使いこなす！ <br>\r\n \"This girl's not bad. She truly can use magic at will! <br><br>\r\n ひぃっひゃっはははははッくひひぇひぇひゃひゃひゃッ！！ <br>\r\n Hiihyahhahahahahakkuhihiehiehyahyahya!! <br><br>\r\n 面白い面白い、面白い面白いッ！ 戦人も笑えるだろぉおおぉ？！」 <br>\r\n Amusing, amusing, how truly amusing! You feel like laughing too, right, Battleeeeeeer?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ふざけんなッ！！！ <br>\r\n \"Don't fuck with me!!! <br><br>\r\n もう止めろぉおおおおおおおぉ！！ 何が楽しいんだよ、狂ってるッ、狂ってやがるッ！！！ こんなことをして何が楽しいってんだッ？！？！」 <br>\r\n Stop it alreadyyyyyyyyyy!! What's so fun, you're insane, you're insane!!! What's so fun about doing something like this?!?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「あんなに楽しそうじゃなぃかよォ。無理もない、魔法は楽しいもんなぁ！！ 思い出すよ、私も魔法が使えるようになった時はすっごくはしゃいだもんさ！ …あぁ、わかるぜわかるぜ、あのはしゃぎっぷりが心の底からわかるさ！ <br>\r\n \"Doesn't she look like she's having a blast? What do you expect, magic is fun!! I remember, when I first became able to use magic, I played around a lot! ...Aaah, I understand, I understand, I understand that kind of game from the bottom of my heart!\" <br><br>\r\n ……この喜びや感動、戦人には共感できないんだろうなァ、あぁ残念残念！！ 戦人だって、妾を認めればいつだって魔法を教えてやるぞ？！ ニンゲンの束縛を逃れた瞬間の喜びは筆舌に尽くし難い！ <br>\r\n \"...Looks like I won't be able to share this joy and passion with you, Battler. Aah, what a shame, what a shame!! If you accept me, I'll teach you magic anytime you want, see?! It's hard to describe the joy you receive in the instant you're freed from the shackles of Humanity!\" <br><br>\r\n そなたに教えてやりたいよ、あの喜び、あの感動ッ！ そなたの生み出す魔法の世界も、ぜひ一度見てみたいものだ！ <br>\r\n \"I want to teach you about it, that joy, that passion! I'd deeefinitely like to see the world of magic you'd give birth to, just once! <br><br>\r\n きっひひひっひっひ、ひゃっひゃっはははははははははは！！ <br>\r\n Kihhihihihhihhi, hyahhyahhahahahahahahahahaha!!\" <br><br>\r\n 楽しくなってきただろ？ 魔法が使いたくなってきただろ？！ 魔女もなかなかに楽しいものであるぞ？！ そなたには特別に教えてやる！ 一緒に空を飛ぶ喜びとか、一緒に海を潜る喜びとか！ <br>\r\n \"Isn't this starting to get fun? You've started wanting to use magic, haven't you?! It's pretty fun to be a witch, isn't it?! Just for you, I'll teach everything! About the joy of flying together in the sky, about the joy of diving together through the sea!\" <br><br>\r\n ニンゲンの制約を超えた瞬間に知る、世界がどれほどに広かったのかという感動をそなたにも教えてやる！ そしたら楽しいだろうなぁ、 <br>\r\n \"I want to show you the passion that starts the instant you surpass the bounds of Humans and see how wide your world stretches! Wouldn't that be fun, <br><br>\r\n わっひゃっひゃはっはははははははははははッ！！」 <br>\r\n wahhyahhyahahhahahahahahahahahahaha!!\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトの表情に邪気はなかった。 <br>\r\n There was no malice in Beato's expression. <br><br>\r\n …信じられないことだが、この残酷なショーを、彼女は純粋に楽しんでいるのだ。 <br>\r\n ...It was hard to believe, but she was genuinely enjoying this cruel show. <br><br>\r\n そしてそれを、戦人と一緒に鑑賞しているつもりなのだ。 <br>\r\n ……その異常に、絶望的なまでの価値観の違いに、戦人は驚愕する。 <br>\r\n And she wanted to share that appreciation with Battler. <br><br>\r\n ...Battler was shocked by that hopelessly different sense of values. <br><br>\r\n 「狂ってやがるッ！！ もう止めろ畜生ォオオオォ！！ ワルギリアッ、この狂った茶番を止めさせるんだ！！ どうすりゃいいんだ！！」 <br>\r\n \"You're insane!! Stop it already, damn iiiiiiiiit!! Virgilia, make them stop this insane farce!! What should I do?!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………私たちは盤外の存在です。盤上には触れられません。」 <br>\r\n \"......We exist outside the board. We cannot touch the board itself.\" <br><br>\r\n ワルギリアは申し訳なさそうに首を振る。 <br>\r\n …彼女はすでに“殺された”身だ。 <br>\r\n 何の干渉もできないということなのか…。 <br>\r\n Virgilia shook her head apologetically. <br><br>\r\n ...Her body had already been `killed'. <br><br>\r\n Did that mean she couldn't interfere in any way...? <br><br>\r\n 戦人は、狂ったように面白がり続けるベアトの胸倉を掴みあげて吼えた。 <br>\r\n As Beatrice continued to look amused in an insane sort of way, Battler lifted her up by the collar and yelled at her. <br><br>\r\n 「止めろ止めろ止めろぉおおおおおおぉおぉッ！！！ <br>\r\n \"Stop it stop it stop iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!!! <br><br>\r\n いい加減にしろ魔女めッ！！ あれが絵羽伯母さんだってのか？！ <br>\r\n Quit messing around, witch!! Are you trying to tell me that's Aunt Eva?! <br><br>\r\n 有り得ないッ！！ <br>\r\n That's impossible!! <br><br>\r\n 俺の知ってる絵羽伯母さんは、確かに意地悪なとこも少しはあったけど、こんな残酷なことをする人じゃ、断じてありえないッ！！ <br>\r\n The Aunt Eva I know might be a bit mean at times, but it's completely impossible that she's the kind of person who'd do something this cruel!!\" <br><br>\r\n 全てお前のまやかしだ！！ 楼座叔母さんを弄ぶな！！ 絵羽伯母さんを弄ぶな！！ 今すぐこの茶番を止めさせろぉおおおおおおおおぉ！！」 <br>\r\n \"This is all part of your deception!! Don't toy with Aunt Rosa!! Don't toy with Aunt Eva!! Stop this farce right nooooooooooooooooow!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「だから楼座と遊んでいるのはもう妾ではないと言うに。新しきベアトリーチェだと言うにぃ。 <br>\r\n \"I told you, I'm not the one playing with Rosa anymore. Like I said, that's the new Beatrice.\" <br><br>\r\n そんなにぎゃあぎゃあ喚くほどに残酷かぁ？ そなたもこういうの、実は結構好きだろうが！ 実はちょっぴり魔法に興味を持ってきて、 <br>\r\n \"Is it really so terrible that you have to squeal like that? You're also pretty fond of stuff like this, aren't you?! You actually have just a bit of interest in magic and <br><br>\r\n 0 <br>\r\n 0 <br><br>\r\n ………あ痛っ！ <br>\r\n ......ouch! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n な、何をする…、」 <br>\r\n Wh-What are you doing...?\" <br><br>\r\n 戦人は初めてベアトの頬を叩いた。 <br>\r\n For the first time, Battler slapped Beato's cheek. <br><br>\r\n …なぜそんなことをされるのかわからず、ベアトはきょとんとした表情を浮かべる。 <br>\r\n ...Beatrice didn't know why he had done something like that to her, and a surprised expression rose to her face. <br><br>\r\n その表情がなお許せなくて、戦人は吼え猛った。 <br>\r\n Battler especially couldn't forgive that expression, and he roared. <br><br>\r\n 「あああああぁ？！ <br>\r\n \"Aaaaaaaaaaahh?! <br><br>\r\n これが面白いだああッ？！ お前の頭はどうなってんだ！！ 死ねッ！ <br>\r\n You call this amusing?! What's wrong with your head?!! Die! <br><br>\r\n 頭を輪切りにしててめえで覗いてみろ、絶対ぇに中身がごっそり抜けてるぜッ！！！ 今すぐ止めさせろ、この悪趣味な茶番を止めさせるんだ！！ 俺はお前を許さないッ！！ よくもこんな残酷なことをッ！！ お前のこと、少しでも笑えるヤツだと思ったこともあったが、俺はもう二度と勘違いしないッ！ お前はただ残酷なだけの怪物だッ！！！ 俺の前に現れるなッ！！ 二度とだ！！ お前を認めない、お前と話さない、お前の顔など見たくもないッ！！ 聞こえたかッ！！ 俺の前に現れるな！！ お前なんか消えてしまえええええええええぇえええええぇッ！！！」 <br>\r\n Go slice your head to bits and look inside, you'll see there's nothing there!!! Stop it right now, stop this disgusting farce!! I won't forgive you!! How could you do something so cruel?!! I've sometimes thought you could be a bit funny, but I'll never make that mistake again! You're just a monster who's cruel on all levels!!! Don't show yourself in front of me!! Never again!! I won't accept you, I won't talk with you, I don't even want to look at your face!! Did you hear me?!! Don't show yourself in front of me, DISAPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAARRR!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 戦人が叫んだ刹那、魔女を拒否する力が赤い壁となってベアトを弾き飛ばし、尻餅をつかせた。 <br>\r\n The instant Battler screamed, the power that resisted the witch became a red wall and knocked Beato back onto her butt. <br><br>\r\n 「……痛ててて…。…何だと言うのだ、面白い見物ではないかよぉ…。」 <br>\r\n \"...Owowowow... ...What are you talking about, isn't it an interesting show...?\" <br><br>\r\n 言い訳めいた言葉を口にするが、その言葉の相手である戦人の姿はない。 <br>\r\n いつの間にか、戦人の姿は闇の中に消えていた…。 <br>\r\n She spoke defensively, but the target of those words, Battler, was no longer there. <br><br>\r\n His figure had suddenly disappeared into the darkness... <br><br>\r\n …だがベアトは口を尖らせながら、なおも言い訳するような言葉を続ける。 <br>\r\n ...But Beatrice looked displeased and continued trying to explain herself. <br><br>\r\n 「……そ、そりゃあ、確かにちょっとアレかなとは思うが、…こんなの無邪気な悪戯程度であろう…？ どう殺そうが、結局は生き返らせておるではないか。…ニンゲンは終わりさえ良ければ何でも良い生き物ではなかったのか……？！ <br>\r\n \"...I-It's not as though I'm completely blind to where you're coming from, ...but this is nothing more than an innocent prank, isn't it...? No matter how you kill them, they'll always be brought back to life in the end, right? ...I thought Humans were creatures who say all's well that ends well...?!\" <br><br>\r\n の、のぅ、お師匠様。そこまでヘソを曲げられるものでもあるまいに…！」 <br>\r\n \"H-Hey, Teacher, there was no reason for him to get so angry, right...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 同意を求めるが、ワルギリアは淡白な表情を向けるだけ。 <br>\r\n …むしろ呆れ顔の方が、今のベアトにとっては幾分、マシだったかもしれない。 <br>\r\n She was hoping for approval, but Virgilia simply faced her with an indifferent expression. <br><br>\r\n ...To Beato at that moment, even an exasperated look would probably have been better. <br><br>\r\n 「…………私から特に言うことはありません。あなたが楽しいと思うなら、いつまでも見続けていると良いでしょう。…終わったら呼びなさい。それまで私も姿を消します。」 <br>\r\n \"......I have nothing in particular to say. If you think this is fun, you can keep watching as long as you want. ...Call me when it's over. I will vanish until then.\" <br><br>\r\n 戦人に続きワルギリアも闇に姿を消す…。 <br>\r\n Following Battler's lead, Virgilia vanished into the darkness... <br><br>\r\n ぽつんと残されたベアトは、何が何だかわからず、自分が悪者にされたような気分だった。 <br>\r\n Beato, who was now completely isolated and didn't have a clue what was going on, felt that they were making her out to be the bad guy. <br><br>\r\n 「…………………………。……何だよォ。面白いショーじゃないかよぅ…！ ちょ、ちょっとは悪趣味かもしれないけど、……割と面白いじゃないかよう…！！ なぁロノウェ…？！ あそこまで怒るほどじゃないよなぁ…？！」 <br>\r\n \"...............What's wrooong? Isn't it an amusing show...?! I-It might be a little vulgar, ...but it's quite interesting, isn't it...?!! Hey, Ronove...?! It's nothing to get so mad about, right...?! <br><br>\r\n 「ぷっくっくっく。……お嬢様の面白いが、戦人さまにも面白いとは限りませんよ。」 <br>\r\n \"Pu ku ku ku. ...Something interesting for you, Milady, may not necessarily be interesting for Battler-sama.\" <br><br>\r\n 「妾は、…そんなにも嫌われておるか？ <br>\r\n \"Does he really...hate me that much? <br><br>\r\n ……そりゃあ確かに、対戦相手だから敵同士ではあるが、…座興を笑い合えぬほど、妾たちは不仲だというのかぁ…？！ ………戦人と一緒に拍手できたように、一緒にげらげら笑い合えると思ったのに…。……その程度のことすら、妾は拒絶されるというのかよぉ…。 <br>\r\n ...Well, certainly, we are enemies and opponents in this competition, ...but is our relationship really so bad that we can't laugh together at this display...?! ......Since I applauded together with Battler, I thought I could at least laugh together with him... ...Does he really reject me so much that we can't even do that...?\" <br><br>\r\n …魔女だと認めぬのはいいさ。それを競い合うゲームなんだから。 <br>\r\n \"...He doesn't have to accept that I'm a witch. We're challenging each other in this game, after all. <br><br>\r\n でもよぉ、顔も見ない、話もしないって、……無視はいくらなんでもないだろぉ…。妾はそんなにも嫌われ者なのかよぉおおぉ……！」 <br>\r\n And yet, he won't look at my face, he won't talk to me, ...and he'll probably do all he can to ignore me... Am I really hated that muuuuuch...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「これまで、お嬢様は充分に嫌われるだけの指し手を致しました。悪魔の私でさえ、戦人さまの気持ちが、少しはわかろうというもの。 <br>\r\n \"The moves you've made up to this point have been more than enough to earn his hatred. Even a demon such as myself can understand a bit of Battler-sama's feelings.\" <br><br>\r\n ……それが理解できぬのは、お嬢様が特に鈍感が過ぎるのではないかと。ぷっくくくくく。」 <br>\r\n \"...Perhaps you cannot understand because you are especially thickheaded, Milady. Pukukukukuku.\" <br><br>\r\n 「う、うるさいうるさいうるさいうるさいッ！！ お前も消えてしまえ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Sh-Shut up shut up shut up shut up!! Why don't you disappear too?!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「はい、畏まりました。……それでは失礼いたします。」 <br>\r\n \"Yes, certainly. ...Then, if you would excuse me.\" <br><br>\r\n ロノウェまでもが闇に姿を消し、後にはベアトがたったひとり。 <br>\r\n Even Ronove hid himself in the darkness, and Beatrice was left alone. <br><br>\r\n 雨天の薔薇庭園にたったひとり。 <br>\r\n The only one in the rainy rose garden. <br><br>\r\n ひとりぼっちの魔女は、誰も遊んでくれない。 <br>\r\n No one ever plays with a lonely witch. <br><br>\r\n 誰も遊んでくれないからこそ、ひとりぼっちの魔女。 <br>\r\n And the fact that no one ever does is what makes them a lonely witch. <br><br>\r\n 「…………………。……何だよぉ。…何で妾と誰も遊んでくれないんだよぉ…。 <br>\r\n \".........What's going on? ...Why won't anyone play with me...? <br><br>\r\n ………そんなに妾は変かよぉ、残酷かよぉ…。…………誰か返事しろよぉおおォ！！」 <br>\r\n ......Am I really that weird, that cruel...? ......Someone, answer meeeeeeeeee!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「きゃっははははははは、楽しいね楼座、楽しいねッ！ <br>\r\n \"Kyahhahahahahahaha, isn't this fun, Rosa, isn't this fun?! <br><br>\r\n さぁ、次は何をして遊ぶ？ もちろん、真里亞も一緒に遊んであげるわ？ <br>\r\n Hey, how should we play next? Of course, we should play with Maria too, right? <br><br>\r\n みんなで仲良くお散歩しよう？ 煮えたぎるチョコレートの鍋を泳いで、ケーキ膨らむオーブンの中をピクニックしよう！ <br>\r\n Let's all have a friendly walk together, okay? Let's swim in a pot of boiling chocolate, let's have a picnic in a cake-rising oven! <br><br>\r\n あははは、あきゃきゃきゃきゃきゃきゃッ！！」 <br>\r\n Ahahaha, *giggle*giggle*giggle*giggle*!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………の、のう、新しきベアトリーチェ。」 <br>\r\n \"......H-Hey, new Beatrice.\" <br><br>\r\n 狂乱の宴を続ける魔女の後に、ベアトは姿を現す。 <br>\r\n Behind the witch that was continuing her mad banquet, Beato showed herself. <br><br>\r\n …その表情はとても珍しい。 <br>\r\n 何だか、遠慮するような、何とも頼りない、情けないものだった。 <br>\r\n ...That expression was very rare for her. <br><br>\r\n It was somehow restrained, unreliable, miserable. <br><br>\r\n 「あら、これは先代ベアトリーチェさま。ご覧下さりましたか？ <br>\r\n \"Oh, it's the Predecessor Beatrice-sama. Were you watching? <br><br>\r\n 魔法の力は本当に素晴らしい！ 魔女に生まれ変わることができたことを、今ほど楽しいと思ったことはありません。まるでいつまでも終わらぬお遊戯の時間のよう…！ さぁ、先代さまもご一緒に遊びましょう…！！ <br>\r\n The power of magic is truly wonderful! Until now, I never thought it'd be so fun to be reborn as a witch. It's like playtime that never ends...! Come on, let's play together, Predecessor-sama...!!\" <br><br>\r\n その前にちょっとお待ちになってくださいね！ 二人はオーブンの中で焼け焦げて死んでしまったから、また蘇らさないと！ <br>\r\n \"But first, wait for a second, okay?! I cooked the two of them to death in an oven, so I have to revive them again! <br><br>\r\n まるでイーストで膨れるパンみたいに！ オーブンの中で膨れるクッキーみたいに！ <br>\r\n きゃっきゃっきゃっきゃッ！！」 <br>\r\n They're like bread rising from yeast! Like cookies expanding in an oven! <br><br>\r\n *giggle*giggle*giggle*!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「は、話を聞けというのに…。 <br>\r\n \"L-Listen to what I'm saying... <br><br>\r\n ……そのだな。第二の晩の生贄には、もう充分であろう？ …確かに殺し方については指定がないが、その、……それ以上を弄ぶことはあるまいに…。」 <br>\r\n ...Umm, well, isn't that enough for the sacrifice of the second twilight? ...Of course, there are no rules regarding how you kill them, but, umm, ...maybe you shouldn't toy with them any more than that...\" <br><br>\r\n 「何を仰います先代さま。さっきロノウェから聞きましたよ？ 先代さまの魔法はもっともっと素敵で残酷で狂っていたってッ！ <br>\r\n \"What are you saying, Predecessor-sama? I heard from Ronove a short while ago. Wasn't your magic much, much more wonderful, cruel, and crazy?!\" <br><br>\r\n ６人のお腹からお菓子が溢れ出すハロウィンパーティなんて本当に素敵ッ！ ならば私はアリスのお茶会を演出しようかしら…！ 何でもない日を祝うお茶会にみんなを招待して、私が魔法で次々お持て成しするの！ <br>\r\n \"That Halloween party where candies poured out of six people's stomachs was truly wonderful! So maybe I'll act out Alice's tea party...! I'll invite everyone to a tea party in celebration of a completely pointless day, and entertain them one by one with my magic!\" <br><br>\r\n 先代さまみたいに素敵にできるかしら？ <br>\r\n \"I wonder if I can do it as wonderfully as you? <br><br>\r\n 個性的に残酷にポップにキュートにできるかしら？！ <br>\r\n I wonder if I can be cruel in my own <pop>\r\n , <cute>\r\n style?! <br><br>\r\n 今思うとおとぎ話とかってどれも残酷でしたよね？ そのおとぎ話の魔女に自らがなってみて、ようやく理解しました。 <br>\r\n Now that I think about it, all fairy tales are cruel, aren't they? Now that I'm a witch inside one of those fairy tales, I finally understand. <br><br>\r\n きゃっははははくきゃひゃふひゃはははははッ！！」 <br>\r\n Kyahhahahahakukyahyafuhyahahahahaha!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………わ、妾もその、 <br>\r\n …以前までのは少しやり過ぎたかなァと、 <br>\r\n …少しは思っておるのだ。 <br>\r\n \"......I have also, umm, <br><br>\r\n ...sometimes thought that, in the past, <br><br>\r\n ...I might have gone a little too far. <br><br>\r\n ……まぁ、黄金の魔女たる者、少しは気品があっても良いかと思うてな…。」 <br>\r\n ...Well, I think that as the Golden Witch, it's probably best to show a little elegance...\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………？？？ 先代さまが何を仰ってるのかわかりません。 <br>\r\n \"......??? I don't get what you're saying, Predecessor-sama. <br><br>\r\n でも、ひとつだけわかります。今の私がどれほどを尽くしても、先代さまの残酷さには到底及びません。もっともっとがんばらなくちゃ。もっと残酷になって、立派な黄金の魔女にならなくちゃ…！」 <br>\r\n But there's one thing I do understand. No matter how hard I try now, I'm no match for how cruel you are. I've gotta try much, much harder. I've gotta become more cruel, and become an excellent Golden Witch...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「だ、だからそれはもう充分だと言うに…！ と、とにかく妾の、先代としての命令だ。第二の晩はもう充分だ。 <br>\r\n \"L-Like I said, you've already done enough here...! A-Anyway, this is an order from me as your predecessor. That's enough for the second twilight. <br><br>\r\n 妾が少し手本を見せる。下がって見ておれ…。」 <br>\r\n I'll show you how it's done. Stand back and watch...\" <br><br>\r\n 「はい、先代さま。どんな無惨で残酷でおぞましい殺し方を見せてくれるのか楽しみです。」 <br>\r\n \"Yes, Predecessor-sama. I can't wait to see what brutal, cruel, and disgusting method of killing you use.\" <br><br>\r\n 新しき魔女は、スカートの両脇を摘んで優雅にお辞儀をすると、期待の眼差しを浮かべながら後ろへ下がる。 <br>\r\n The new witch grasped the sides of her skirt and gave a graceful bow, stepping back as an expectant gaze rose to her face. <br><br>\r\n ……自らを超える、より残酷な魔法を期待しているのだ。 <br>\r\n ...She was expecting an even more cruel magic that surpassed even herself. <br><br>\r\n 「…………まぁそのだな…。そういう殺し方しかできない内は半人前なのだ。…妾が上品な、黄金の魔女らしい殺し方を見せようぞ…。」 <br>\r\n \"......Well, speaking of that... You're only half a witch if you can only kill with methods like that. ...I shall show you an elegant way to kill, worthy of the Golden Witch...\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトが煙管を振るうと、七色の煙が噴出し、楼座と真里亞を蘇らせる。 <br>\r\n When Beato waved her pipe, seven colors of smoke poured out, reviving Rosa and Maria. <br><br>\r\n ……先ほどまでの新しきベアトリーチェのそれに比べると、少しだけやさしかった。 <br>\r\n …あるいは、それまでの自らのそれと比べても。 <br>\r\n ...Compared to how the new Beatrice had done it a short while ago, it was slightly gentler. <br><br>\r\n ...It was probably gentler than how Beato had done it herself up until now. <br><br>\r\n 楼座は幾度も繰り返された死の痛みに、すでに意識を朦朧とさせていた。 <br>\r\n …そしてそれでも、娘のために許しを哀願する…。 <br>\r\n Rosa's consciousness had already grown dim from the pain of so many repeated deaths. <br><br>\r\n ...But even so, she pleaded that her daughter be spared... <br><br>\r\n 「……もう……許して……。…せめて、……真里亞だけでも……許して……。」 <br>\r\n 「わぁあああぁああぁん、ママ、ママぁあぁ！！」 <br>\r\n \"...Please...have mercy... ...Even...if it's just Maria, ...have mercy...\" <br><br>\r\n \"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh, Mama, Mamaaaaaa!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………すまぬ。我が弟子がその、…少しハメを外しすぎたようだ。 <br>\r\n \"......Sorry. My disciple just...umm...acted without restraint for a bit. <br><br>\r\n …その、 <br>\r\n ………許せ。」 <br>\r\n ...Umm, <br><br>\r\n ......forgive me.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ベ、ベアトリーチェぇえええぇええぇ！！ <br>\r\n \"B-Beatriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!! <br><br>\r\n わあああああああぁ、わぁああああぁああぁあん！！」 <br>\r\n Waaaaaaaaaahh, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh!!\" <br><br>\r\n 真里亞が、本当のベアトリーチェの姿を認めて飛びつく。 <br>\r\n When Maria realized it was the real Beatrice, she jumped onto her. <br><br>\r\n 「…ベアトは約束したよね？！ 真里亞を黄金郷へ連れてってくれるって約束したよね？！ そこではママとも仲良しになれて、みんなずっと笑い合えるの…！ そこへ連れて行ってくれるって、約束してくれたよねッ？！」 <br>\r\n \"...You promised, right, Beato?! You promised you'd take me to the Golden Land, right?! There, I'll be friendly with Mama, and everyone will laugh together...! You promised you'd take me there, right?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………そ、 <br>\r\n …そのだな。…その約束はもう、 <br>\r\n …守れぬ。………碑文の謎を解く者が現れたから、 <br>\r\n ……妾はもう、黄金の魔女ベアトリーチェではないのだ。 <br>\r\n \"......A- <br><br>\r\n About that. ...I can no longer... <br><br>\r\n keep that promise. ......Because someone appeared who could solve the riddle, <br><br>\r\n ...I am no longer the Golden Witch, Beatrice. <br><br>\r\n ……だからすまぬ。…そなたとの約束はもう守れぬ……。」 <br>\r\n ...So, sorry. ...I can no longer keep my promise with you...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「なんで…？ どうして…？ ベアトは約束してくれた…。」 <br>\r\n \"Why...? Why...? You promised...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……すまぬ。…本当にすまぬ…。………だからせめて、約束を守れなかった詫びに…。」 <br>\r\n \"...I'm sorry. ...I'm truly sorry... ......So at least...in apology for not being able to keep my promise...\" <br><br>\r\n …………本当に静かな。 <br>\r\n ......I'll give you a quiet... <br><br>\r\n そしてもう乱されぬ眠りを与えてやるから…。 <br>\r\n sleep that will never be disturbed again... <br><br>\r\n 真里亞を、ベアトは慈しみの表情で抱き締める…。 <br>\r\n Beato embraced Maria with a loving expression on her face... <br><br>\r\n すると、………すぅっと、赤い痣が真里亞の首に浮いた。 <br>\r\n それはとてもやさしい痣。 <br>\r\n Then, ......softly, a red bruise appeared on Maria's neck. <br><br>\r\n It was a very gentle bruise. <br><br>\r\n …それが少しずつ赤みを増し、…くっきりと手の形を浮かび上がらせた時。 <br>\r\n ...Its redness grew bit by bit, ...and when it distinctly formed itself into the shape of a hand... <br><br>\r\n ……真里亞はコテンと首を傾ぐ。 <br>\r\n …眠ってしまったように、安らかに。 <br>\r\n ...Maria's neck tilted suddenly. <br><br>\r\n ...Peacefully, as though she had fallen asleep. <br><br>\r\n 「ま、真里亞……。 <br>\r\n \"M-Maria... <br><br>\r\n …真里亞ぁああああぁああぁッ！！」 <br>\r\n ...Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「……すまぬ。……そなたが第二の晩の生贄であることは謝らぬ。そういう運命なのだから。 <br>\r\n \"...Sorry. ...I won't apologize that you were the sacrifices for the second twilight. That is simply your fate. <br><br>\r\n しかし、その奉げ方が悪趣味であったことは謝らねばならぬ…。……これが最後の眠りだ。…もう二度と妨げられることはない…。」 <br>\r\n However, I must apologize for the vulgar way in which you were offered as sacrifices... ...This is your final sleep. ...Never again will it be disturbed...\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトが、すっと指をやさしく立てて、虚空の鼻先を触れるような仕草をする。 <br>\r\n Beato softly, gently lifted her finger, as though touching the empty air in front of her nose. <br><br>\r\n …すると、ふわっとした風が湧き上がって、楼座の体を羽毛のようにやさしく舞わせた。 <br>\r\n ...When she did, a light breeze lifted up, making Rosa's body dance lightly like a feather. <br><br>\r\n すると楼座の体はふわっと浮いて、 <br>\r\n ……そこには先端を槍状にしている庭園の柵が。 <br>\r\n Then, Rosa's body floated softly... <br><br>\r\n ...and right there was the garden fence, with its spear-shaped prongs. <br><br>\r\n その柵の槍が、楼座の延髄を貫いた。 <br>\r\n The spear of the fence pierced Rosa's medulla oblongata. <br><br>\r\n ……慈悲深く、弄ぶことなく、一撃で。 <br>\r\n ぷっつりと楼座の生を奪い去る。 <br>\r\n ...Benevolently, without toying with her, in a single blow. <br><br>\r\n Rosa's life was snapped out. <br><br>\r\n それまでの無邪気かつ残酷なそれに比べたら、その最期はあまりに呆気ない。 <br>\r\n Compared to the earlier innocent yet cruel events, it seemed to be over much too fast. <br><br>\r\n …楼座の姿をした人形が柵にもたれかかっているだけにしか見えない。 <br>\r\n …でも、絶命していた。 <br>\r\n ...It just looked like a doll shaped like Rosa was leaning against the fence. <br><br>\r\n ...But, she had passed away. <br><br>\r\n 「………ま、…まぁ、ざっとこんなものよ。」 <br>\r\n \"......W-Well, something like that should do the trick.\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトは得意げ風に装うが、新しき魔女の表情は淡白で、拍子抜けとでも言う風だった。 <br>\r\n そしてそれを、率直に口にする。 <br>\r\n Beato acted proud, but the new witch wore a blank expression, almost as though this was an anticlimax. <br><br>\r\n Then, she said it out loud. <br><br>\r\n 「何だか地味です…。……ロノウェに聞いていた先代さまのそれとはずいぶん違います。」 <br>\r\n \"It's kinda plain... ...Not at all like the Predecessor-sama Ronove told me about.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…そのだな、…魔法は上品に使わねばな…？ あまりその、…品がないのはエレガントではないのだ…。」 <br>\r\n \"...Well, ...you must use magic with dignity, right...? If it's too...umm...undignified, that isn't very elegant...\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………………………………。……せっかく素敵なことが無限にできる魔法なのに。……つまらない。」 <br>\r\n \"...............Even though you're lucky enough to have the magic to do wonderful things endlessly... ...How boring.\" <br><br>\r\n 「これ、愚痴るでない…！ 黄金の魔女の道は一日にしてならずだ。そなたとて、第十の晩を終えるまでは半人前よ…。今は黙って妾の指導に従うのだ。…良いな……？！」 <br>\r\n \"Hey, don't complain...! The path of the Golden Witch cannot be completed in a day. You are still incomplete until you finish the tenth twilight... For now, stay quiet and follow my instructions. ...Got it...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n 「へ、返事はどうした。返事は…！」 <br>\r\n \"Wh-What happened to your answer? Your answer...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………………。 <br>\r\n \"............ <br><br>\r\n ……………はァい。」 <br>\r\n ......Su-re.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…それで良い、それで。……まぁ、まだ復活の儀式の先は長いぞ。あと５人も殺さねばならないからな…。あまり弄ばずに、綺麗に上品に、 <br>\r\n …少しあっさり目でいいからな…？ ロノウェがそなたに教えた妾のやり方はその、……悪い例だ。模範にしてはならぬ。よく心に刻んでおけぃ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Very well, that will do. ...Well, there is still much to do for the resurrection ceremony. You still have to kill five people... You should do it without toying with them too much, with beauty and dignity, <br><br>\r\n ...and with at least a little restraint, okay...? What Ronove told you about how I did it...that was a bad example. You mustn't use that as a model. Engrave that into your heart.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………はい、先代さま。」 <br>\r\n \"......Yes, Predecessor-sama.\" <br><br>\r\n 「良い返事だ。……ロノウェ、煉獄の七姉妹よ、出でよ…！」 <br>\r\n \"A good answer. ...Ronove, the Seven Stakes of Purgatory, arise...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……はい、お嬢様。ロノウェ、ここに。」 <br>\r\n \"...Yes, Milady. I, Ronove, am here.\" <br><br>\r\n 「傲慢のルシファー、ここにっ。」 <br>\r\n \"Lucifer of Pride, right here.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…これまではだな、その、妾も色々派手にやってきたわけだが。……その、 <br>\r\n ……まぁ、黄金の魔女としての威厳も大事であり、 <br>\r\n まぁ、そのだな…、」 <br>\r\n \"...Up until this point, umm, I've been a little flashy, but...umm, <br><br>\r\n ...well, the dignity of the Golden Witch is also important, <br><br>\r\n and about that...\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトが、らしくもなくしどろもどろしながら言うのを、ロノウェはぷっくっくと笑いながら聞き、それを要約した。 <br>\r\n As Ronove laughed at Beato's uncharacteristically flustered speech, he summed it up for her. <br><br>\r\n 「畏まりました。以後は黄金の魔女の名に相応しい、気品に気をつけるように致します。……煉獄の七姉妹も、これまでのような悪ふざけは改め、以後は最短の手順で任務を遂行するように。……ということで、よろしいですか？ お嬢様？」 <br>\r\n \"Certainly. From now on, we will be careful to act in a graceful manner, suitable for the name of the Golden Witch. ...Even the Seven Sisters of Purgatory will reform their bad behavior up until now, and we shall espouse to perform our task in the quickest possible manner. ...Would that be acceptable, Milady?\" <br><br>\r\n 「う、うむ。つまりはそういうことだ。皆、肝に銘じよ！ 良いな…！」 <br>\r\n \"I-Indeed. That's it, more or less. Everyone, take it to heart! Okay...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「はいっ。畏まりましたっ。」 <br>\r\n \"Yes. Certainly.\" <br><br>\r\n 「妾が言いたいのは以上だ。……もう引き上げて良いぞ。」 <br>\r\n \"That is all I wish to say. ...You may leave now.\" <br><br>\r\n 「畏まりました。それでは失礼いたします。」 <br>\r\n \"Certainly. If you would excuse me.\" <br><br>\r\n 「失礼いたしますっ。」 <br>\r\n \"Excuse us.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n 「ま、…妾が言いたいのはそれだけだ。それでは引き続きしっかりな？ 黄金の魔女らしく、貫禄を持って、…その、自重気味にな？ ……頑張るが良いぞ。そなたを見守っておる。」 <br>\r\n \"Well, ...that's all I want to say. So, take care as you move forward, understand? Act with dignity, and...umm, restraint, okay? ...Give it your all. I will be watching over you.\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトは最後まで要領悪そうにしながらそれだけを伝え、黄金の蝶の群となって、虚空に姿を消す。 <br>\r\n Acting awkwardly until the very end, Beato left that message and immediately became a cloud of gold butterflies, hiding her form in the empty air. <br><br>\r\n 間が持たないので、そそくさと消えたという方が相応しいかもしれない。 <br>\r\n Maybe it'd be more accurate to say she vanished in a hurry because she couldn't keep up the conversation. <br><br>\r\n 後には、雨に打たれながら横たわる真里亞の遺体と、柵にもたれかかりながら空を見上げている楼座の遺体。 <br>\r\n ……そして魔女の姿が残るだけだった。 <br>\r\n After that, all that remained was Maria's corpse, lying down and pounded by the rain, Rosa's corpse, propped up by the fence and staring up at the sky... <br><br>\r\n ...And the figure of the witch. <br><br>\r\n 「…………………自重しろ……、………か。」 <br>\r\n \".........Show some restraint, ...you say...?\" <br><br>\r\n その表情は、少しだけ退屈そうだった。 <br>\r\n Her expression looked just a little bored. <br><br>\r\n 爆ぜるような音がする。 <br>\r\n …それは多分、彼女の舌打ち。 <br>\r\n There was a popping sound. <br><br>\r\n ...That was probably her clicking her tongue. <br><br>\r\n 「…………………………………………。 <br>\r\n \".................. <br><br>\r\n ………………………つまんないヤツぅ。」 <br>\r\n ............What a boring person.\" <br><br>\r\n その捨て台詞を残し、彼女もまた、虚空に姿を消すのだった……。 <br>\r\n Leaving that last sentence behind, she once again vanished into the empty air... <br><br>\r\n 「…………………………すぅ…。」 <br>\r\n \".........zzzzz...\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………ふぅ。…ようやく落ち着いてくれたようやな…。」 <br>\r\n \".........Whew. ...Looks like she's finally calmed down...\" <br><br>\r\n 秀吉は自身の額を拭う。 <br>\r\n …一時期、絵羽はだいぶ辛くうなされていたが、ようやく寝付いたようだった。 <br>\r\n Hideyoshi wiped his own forehead. <br><br>\r\n ...For a time, Eva had seemed to be having a very painful nightmare, but it appeared she'd finally fallen asleep. <br><br>\r\n 約束どおり、絵羽と手は握ったままだ。 <br>\r\n …そろそろ離してもいいかと思ったが、彼は律儀に手を握り続ける。 <br>\r\n As promised, he still gripped Eva's hand. <br><br>\r\n ...He'd thought it might be time to let go pretty soon, but he faithfully continued to hold on. <br><br>\r\n 時折、手が疲れ、右手と左手を入れ替えたりはしたが、それでも約束通り、彼女の手を離しはしなかった…。 <br>\r\n Every once in a while, his hand would get tired, and he would switch between his right and his left, but even so, as promised, he didn't let go of her hand... <br><br>\r\n その時、ドンドンとノック。 <br>\r\n やっと絵羽が寝付いてくれたのにと、秀吉は一瞬だけ眉をしかめた。 <br>\r\n At that time, there was a heavy knock. <br><br>\r\n Eva had finally been able to fall asleep, so Hideyoshi grimaced for just an instant. <br><br>\r\n 「……姉貴、秀吉さん、すまねぇ。楼座はそこにいるか…？」 <br>\r\n \"...Aneki, Hideyoshi-san, sorry. Is Rosa there...?\" <br><br>\r\n 留弗夫の声だった。…何事だろう？ <br>\r\n It was Rudolf's voice. ...What could it be? <br><br>\r\n 秀吉は絵羽を起こさぬよう、そっと足音を殺しながら扉へ向かった。 <br>\r\n Hideyoshi headed for the door, hiding his footsteps so that he wouldn't wake Eva. <br><br>\r\n ……留弗夫の声であることは間違いないが、念の為、チェーンをしたまま扉を開ける。 <br>\r\n ...It was definitely Rudolf's voice, but just in case, he opened the door without removing the chain. <br><br>\r\n 「何や。楼座さんがどないかしたんか。」 <br>\r\n \"What is it? Somethin' happen to Rosa-san?\" <br><br>\r\n 「楼座と真里亞ちゃんの姿が見えないんだ。一緒にいるかと思って。」 <br>\r\n \"We can't find Rosa or Maria-chan. I thought they might be with you.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…廊下で叱っとったのは聞こえたで。その後、静かになったから、ロビーに戻ったと思うとったんだが、……ちゃうのか…？」 <br>\r\n \"...I heard her scolding Maria-chan in the corridor. They got quiet after that, so I thought they'd gone back to the lobby, ...but did they...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………あの馬鹿…。」 <br>\r\n \"......That idiot...\" <br><br>\r\n 留弗夫は舌打ちをする。 <br>\r\n Rudolf clicked his tongue. <br><br>\r\n 廊下には他の人間たちの姿もあった。 <br>\r\n 楼座が廊下に出てからずいぶん戻らないので、心配になったのだ。 <br>\r\n Other people could be seen in the corridor. <br><br>\r\n Rosa hadn't returned for a while after going out into the corridor, so they'd begun to worry. <br><br>\r\n 玄関の扉前では、夏妃が外れたチェーンを指差している。 <br>\r\n Near the front door, Natsuhi pointed at the unset chain. <br><br>\r\n 「……チェーンは開いてますし。やっぱり薔薇を見に、表へ行ったのでしょう。」 <br>\r\n \"...The chain isn't set. They must have gone outside to see that rose after all.\" <br><br>\r\n 「鍵を開けっ放して出て行くなど、無用心が過ぎるな。困ったやつだ。」 <br>\r\n \"How extraordinarily careless, to go out and leave the door unlocked. What a troublesome person.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…それより、今は楼座さんと真里亞ちゃんの身が心配よ。」 <br>\r\n \"...I'm more worried about Rosa-san and Maria-chan themselves.\" <br><br>\r\n 「だな。……おいガキども。真里亞ちゃんの薔薇ってのは、どこにあったんだ？！」 <br>\r\n \"Right. ...Hey, brats. Where was this rose of Maria's?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「確かあれは…、薔薇庭園の真ん中の花壇だったと思います…。」 <br>\r\n \"I'm pretty sure...it was in the flower bed right in the middle of the rose garden...\" <br><br>\r\n 「あの二人がそこにいるなら、行けばすぐにわかるはずです。」 <br>\r\n \"If that's where they are, we should be able to spot them pretty quickly if we go.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……親父、すぐに連れ戻した方がいいだろうぜ…？」 <br>\r\n \"...Dad, shouldn't we bring them back here as soon as we can...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「当り前だ。二人とも連れ戻してお尻ペンペンしてやるぜ。俺が一っ走り行って来る。俺が出たらすぐに鍵をしろよ。」 <br>\r\n \"Of course. We'll bring them back and give 'em a good spanking. I'll dash out there and come back. Lock the door as soon as I go out.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…親父、俺も付き合うぜ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Dad, I'll go with you.\" <br><br>\r\n 「馬鹿抜かせ。ガキはママとお留守番って相場が決まってらぁ。」 <br>\r\n \"Don't be stupid. It's obviously a brat's job to watch over the house with Mama.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………どうしたの…。何かあったの……？」 <br>\r\n \"......What is it...? Did something happen...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「すまんな、起こしてしまったか…。…楼座さんが、真里亞ちゃんを連れて表へ出たらしい。…何とも無用心なこっちゃ。」 <br>\r\n \"Sorry, did I wake you up...? ...It seems Rosa-san took Maria-chan outside. ...How reckless of her.\" <br><br>\r\n 「楼座と真里亞ちゃんが、 <br>\r\n ……表へ…？ 薔薇庭園へ……？！」 <br>\r\n \"Rosa and Maria-chan are... <br><br>\r\n ...outside...? In the rose garden...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「そうや。…あぁ、聞こえとったか？ 真里亞ちゃんは薔薇が見たいと騒いどったからな。」 <br>\r\n \"That's right. ...Oh, did you hear? Maria-chan was causin' a ruckus because she wanted to see this rose.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……だ、……駄目よ、 <br>\r\n ……薔薇庭園に行っちゃだめ…！ 楼座を呼び止めて…！」 <br>\r\n 「よ、呼び止めるも何も、もうずいぶん前に出て行っとるようや。……まったく、無用心な話やで。」 <br>\r\n \"...Th-They mustn't... <br><br>\r\n ...They mustn't go to the rose garden...! Tell Rosa to stop...!\" <br><br>\r\n \"Th-There's no tellin' her to stop now, it looks like they left a while ago. ...Seriously, how reckless of them.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………違うの…。…薔薇庭園は駄目…。…あそこには魔女がいる…、 <br>\r\n ……そして生贄を待ってる…！ 楼座、行っちゃ駄目…、 <br>\r\n ……ううぅううぅぅ…。」 <br>\r\n \"......That's not it... ...Not the rose garden... ...There's a witch there, <br><br>\r\n ...and she's waiting for a sacrifice...! Rosa, you mustn't go, <br><br>\r\n ...ooooooooooohhh...\" <br><br>\r\n …絵羽は頭を抱えながら再びうずくまる。 <br>\r\n ……見れば顔色がひどく悪い。 <br>\r\n ...Eva cowered again, holding her head. <br><br>\r\n ...Her complexion looked very bad. <br><br>\r\n 「どうしたんや。熱にうなされて、何か悪い夢でも見たんか。」 <br>\r\n \"What is it? Did the fever make you dream somethin' bad?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………夢、 <br>\r\n ……よね…。…………薔薇庭園で魔女が、楼座たちを……。………そうよね。…夢、 <br>\r\n ……よね…。」 <br>\r\n \"......It's a dream, <br><br>\r\n ...yes... ......In the rose garden, the witch, doing that to Rosa and Maria-chan... ......That's right. ...It's a dream... <br><br>\r\n It must be...\" <br><br>\r\n 「落ち着くんや。この部屋にはわしもおる。チェーンも掛かっとる。窓かて鎧戸が下ろしてあるし、銃まであるんや。この部屋はさながら要塞やで。なーんも恐れることなんかあらへん。」 <br>\r\n \"Calm down. I'm here in this room. And the chain is set. The shutter's closed on the window, and we've even got a gun. This room is just like a fort. There's nothin' to be afraid of.\" <br><br>\r\n 秀吉は安心しろと胸を叩くが、絵羽の不安そうな表情は消えない。 <br>\r\n Hideyoshi beat his chest, trying to calm her, but Eva's insecure expression didn't change. <br><br>\r\n …絵羽はさっきまでのグロテスクな悪夢がただの夢であってほしいと、布団の中でただただ祈り続けていた…。 <br>\r\n ...Under the covers, Eva kept praying that the grotesque nightmare she'd just had was only a dream... <br><br>\r\n 「留弗夫が薔薇庭園中央にて、楼座、真里亞の遺体を確認。その後、ゲストハウスに戻って応援を呼び、両名をゲストハウスに運び込みました。 <br>\r\n \"In the center of the rose garden, Rudolf identified the corpses of Rosa and Maria. After that, he returned to the guesthouse, called for help, and carried both of them into the guesthouse.\" <br><br>\r\n 南條の検死を信頼できるならば、楼座の死因は延髄部への柵の先端部分による刺突。真里亞については素手による絞殺と考えられます。ただし“悪魔の証明”により誤診率は否定できません。」 <br>\r\n \"If we can trust Nanjo's examination, the cause of Rosa's death was a stab to the medulla oblongata with the pointed gate of the fence. It is thought that Maria's death was due to strangling with bare hands. However, due to the `Devil's Proof', we cannot discount a misdiagnosis.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……妾が赤にて語る。 <br>\r\n \"...I will say it in red. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001楼座と真里亞は死亡した#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001Rosa and Maria died#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001死因は南條の見立て通りだ#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001The causes of death were as Nanjo diagnosed#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n ……蜘蛛にも食われておらんし、ケーキの山に潰されたわけでもない。安心せよ。」 <br>\r\n ...She wasn't eaten by a spider, nor was she crushed by a mountain of cake. Don't worry.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………あれだけ死を弄び、死体が綺麗だからいいだろうって論法かよ…。俺は絶対に許さねぇぞ。 <br>\r\n \"......So, you argue that even though you toyed with their deaths so much, it's all fine because the corpse is neat and clean...? I definitely won't forgive you.\" <br><br>\r\n …あの、楼座叔母さんに対する無惨な仕打ちの数々、絶対に忘れねぇし許さねぇからな…。」 <br>\r\n \"...I definitely won't forget all of that brutal treatment you gave Aunt Rosa, so I won't forgive you...\" <br><br>\r\n 「…だ、だからあれは妾ではないと言うに……。…あやつの仕打ちに比べたら、はるかに安らかな死を与えたはず…。」 <br>\r\n \"...L-Like I said, that wasn't me... ...I believe I gave them a much more peaceful death than the way she treated them...\" <br><br>\r\n 「うるさい黙れ。お前とは口を聞かない。 <br>\r\n \"Shut the hell up. I'm not talking to you.\" <br><br>\r\n ………１８人しか島にいないと言い切られ、すでに８人が死んでいる以上、容疑者は１０人に絞られる。その中の誰かが殺したってんだろ。 <br>\r\n \"......It was stated that there are no more than 18 people on this island, and now that eight people are already dead, we can narrow the field of suspects down to ten. One of them probably killed those two.\" <br><br>\r\n …あるいは事故死かもな？ 真里亞が癇癪を起こし、それを泣き止まそうとした楼座叔母さんは力の加減を誤ってつい殺してしまったとか。それで動転して、滑って転んで、柵に倒れて運悪く死んでしまった。 <br>\r\n \"...Or could it also be an accidental death? Like Maria was having a tantrum, and when <NAME> tried to stop her crying, she misjudged how much power she was using and accidentally killed her. Then she was so upset that she slipped and fell, landed on the fence, and unluckily, died.\" <br><br>\r\n ……どうだよ。これで魔女も魔法も出番なしだ。」 <br>\r\n \"...How's that? That way there's no need for a witch or magic.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……あー、そういうわけではないぞ。実はだな、楼座と真里亞は…、」 <br>\r\n \"...Well, that's not quite true. Actually, Rosa and Maria...\" <br><br>\r\n 「うるさい。お前とは口を聞かないと言っている。目障りだから消えろ。バケモノめ。」 <br>\r\n \"Shut up. Didn't I say I wasn't talking to you? You're an eyesore, so disappear. You monster.\" <br><br>\r\n 戦人は激昂せず、…だけれどもひどく冷たい声でそう言い放った。 <br>\r\n Battler said that without rage, ...but with a horribly cold voice. <br><br>\r\n …その違和感を、ベアトも最初から感じていた。 <br>\r\n 喧嘩ならばどちらも遠慮なくできる。 <br>\r\n ...That strange behavior was something Beato had noticed right off the bat. <br><br>\r\n In a fight, both of them could go at each other without restraint. <br><br>\r\n しかし、喧嘩の土俵にすら乗ってくれていない。そんな冷たさを感じていた。 <br>\r\n However, he wouldn't even step into the ring. She could feel that coldness. <br><br>\r\n ベアトはそれが面白くない。 <br>\r\n …それを食って掛かろうかとも思ったが、堪えた。 <br>\r\n Beato didn't find that amusing. <br><br>\r\n ...She thought about flaring up, but she held back. <br><br>\r\n 無邪気なる彼女の幼稚の中にも、喧嘩すべきでないことを悟る程度の理性はあったのかもしれない。 <br>\r\n Maybe even though she was innocent and childish, she had enough sense to realize that she shouldn't pick fights. <br><br>\r\n 「……………………。………………そうかよ。なら姿を消すさ。…ロノウェ、続きを引き継げ。」 <br>\r\n \"............Is that so? Then I'll vanish. ...Ronove, continue for me.\" <br><br>\r\n 「畏まりました。…よろしいですか、戦人さま。」 <br>\r\n \"Certainly. ...Will that be satisfactory, Battler-sama?\" <br><br>\r\n 「………問題のない申し出です。戦人くんがベアトの顔を見たくないと言うなら、それもありかと。」 <br>\r\n \"......There are no problems with her proposal. If Battler-kun doesn't want to see Beato's face, perhaps that will do.\" <br><br>\r\n 「好きにしろよ。…そのバケモノの顔を見なくて済むなら何だって構わないぜ。」 <br>\r\n \"Do what you like. ...If I can live without seeing that monstrous face, I don't care about anything else.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……なぁ、ちょっと待てよォ。…さっきからバケモノバケモノと、妾は酷い言われようではないか。 <br>\r\n \"...Hey, wait a second. ...You keep saying monster, monster, but isn't that a cruel way to speak of me? <br><br>\r\n ……なぜに妾はそこまで戦人に毛嫌いされねばならぬというのか。あれらは全て妾ではなく、妾の弟子の仕業であろうが…。」 <br>\r\n ...Why do you instinctively hate me so much, Battler? Even though none of that was me, even though it was all the work of my disciple...\" <br><br>\r\n 「………別に俺は、さっきのことだけで腹を立ててるわけじゃねぇぜ。一番最初からだ。」 <br>\r\n \"......It's not like I'm only mad about what happened just now. It's been like that from the very beginning.\" <br><br>\r\n 「なぁ、戦人ぁ。誤解するなよ…？ 妾とそなたはゲームを通して対峙し合うプレイヤー同士なだけではないか。…互いに相手を苦しめるために指し手を探るが…、」 <br>\r\n \"Hey, Battleer. Don't misunderstand, okay...? Aren't we just a pair of players confronting each other through a game? ...We look for moves to make things painful for each other, but...\" <br><br>\r\n 「勘違いするな。俺はお前が、魔女を認める認めないのおかしなゲームのライバルだから嫌ってるんじゃない。……お前の無意味に残酷なところが、どうしても許せないだけなんだ。」 <br>\r\n \"Don't get the wrong idea. I don't hate you because you're my rival in this strange game about whether I accept you as a witch or not. ...I just can't forgive how senselessly cruel you are.\" <br><br>\r\n 「そりゃあ、連続殺人を通してのゲームだからな…。多少は残酷になるのは止むを得まいだろうに…。」 <br>\r\n \"Well, serial murders are a part of this game... It's probably impossible to avoid a little cruelty...\" <br><br>\r\n 「さっきのことだけじゃない。前回だって、前々回だって。……みんなの腹を裂いてお菓子を詰め込んだり、顔面を耕したり。それに何の意味があったってんだ。」 <br>\r\n \"I'm not just talking about what just happened. There was the last time, and the time before that too. ...Tearing everyone's stomachs open and stuffing them with sweets, plowing their faces... What was the point of all that?\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………それは、 <br>\r\n …まぁ…、」 <br>\r\n \"......That's... <br><br>\r\n well...\" <br><br>\r\n 「密室殺人だのトリックだのアリバイだの。そこまでは百歩譲ってやる。お前は魔法殺人だと主張したいんだから、そういう手の込んだ事件を起こさざるを得ないことを、百歩譲って理解してやってもいい。 <br>\r\n \"When it comes to closed room murders and tricks and alibis, I'm willing to give you a pass. You want to claim that this is a murder done by magic, so I'll grudgingly accept that those complicated crimes need to occur.\" <br><br>\r\n ……しかし、あれらのグロテスクな殺人に、一体どれほどの意味があるというのか。」 <br>\r\n \"...But what exactly is the point of all those grotesque murders?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………それはその、 <br>\r\n ……………別に…。」 <br>\r\n \"......Well, umm, <br><br>\r\n ......nothing much...\" <br><br>\r\n 「そうさ。何の意味もない。お前はただ悪ふざけで死者を切り刻んで面白がっているだけだ。それは魔女だからとか、魔法じゃなきゃできないからとか、そういうのじゃない。 <br>\r\n \"That's right. They don't mean anything. You're just fooling around by mangling the corpses for fun. That has nothing to do with whether you're a witch, or whether it could or couldn't be done with magic.\" <br><br>\r\n ただお前が面白半分に残酷の限りを尽くしているだけなんだ。それはお前が魔女だからとか、そういうことじゃない。ただただ、人として許せないものがあるからだ。」 <br>\r\n \"You're just exploring the depths of cruelty for fun. This isn't about whether you're a witch, or anything like that. There are just some things I can't forgive as a human.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………な、 <br>\r\n ……何だよ、その人としてってヤツは…。」 <br>\r\n \"......Wh- <br><br>\r\n What do you mean, as a human...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「例えば。……今回のゲームの第一の晩の６人。…まぁ、祖父さまの黒焦げはともかく、他の５人の死体は、不要に死者を辱めない普通の殺し方だった。…凶器が槍だか銃だかははっきりしないが、とにかく、殺しの中じゃ、まだ許容できるマシなものだった。前回、前々回の第一の晩での非常識なグロテスクさ、残酷さに比べれば、はるかにマシだった。」 <br>\r\n \"For example, ...the six people of the first twilight for this game. ...Well, other than Grandfather being burned black, the other corpses were killed in a normal way, without any unnecessary shaming of the dead. ...It wasn't clear whether the weapon was a spear or a gun, but anyway, as far as killing goes, that was acceptable. It was much better than the nonsensical grotesqueness and cruelty from the first twilight last time, or the time before that.\" <br><br>\r\n 「そして今回の６つの密室をつなげた連鎖密室。……まぁまぁ面白かったぜ。 <br>\r\n \"And this time, there were six closed rooms tied together to make a closed room chain. ...That was sort of interesting.\" <br><br>\r\n あれをお前とやり取りしてる時は、今だから白状するが、少しだけ楽しいと思った。 <br>\r\n \"When we were going back and forth with each other that time, to be perfectly honest, I thought it was just a little fun.\" <br><br>\r\n …自分の存在を認めさせようと必死になるお前と、それを否定しようと必死になる俺。……どっちも必死で全力だ。」 <br>\r\n \"...You were frantic to make me accept your existence, and I was frantic trying to deny it. ...We were both frantically doing all we could.\" <br><br>\r\n 「おかしな話だが、俺はお前との間にささやかなスポーツマンシップさえ感じたものさ。 <br>\r\n \"This may sound weird, but I've felt a faint sense of sportsmanship between the two of us. <br><br>\r\n …俺とお前は相容れない存在だが、まったく理解できない存在でもないかもしれないとわずかに思えた。 <br>\r\n ...We exist in conflict, but I faintly thought that we might not be completely unable to understand each other's existence.\" <br><br>\r\n ………だが、その気持ちは、ついさっき、微塵も残らずに吹き飛んだ。」 <br>\r\n \"......But just now, that feeling was blown away without a trace.\" <br><br>\r\n 「だっ、だからそなたは誤解しておる…！ あれは妾ではなくっ、」 <br>\r\n \"Th-That's what you're misunderstanding...! That wasn't me-\" <br><br>\r\n 「違う。俺はそういう話をしてるんじゃない！ <br>\r\n \"That's not it. That's not what I'm talking about! <br><br>\r\n ……お前は楼座叔母さんが酷い殺し方を何度も何度も繰り返されるのを見て、面白い見世物だと嘲笑った。」 <br>\r\n ...You watched Aunt Rosa being killed horribly over and over, and you sneered at it like it was an interesting show.\" <br><br>\r\n ………それを見て、俺は深く失望した。 <br>\r\n ...When I saw that, I was deeply disappointed in you. <br><br>\r\n お前が今回、少しはマシな殺し方を選んだのは、何かのちょっとした気紛れなんであって、…本来の残酷な性分には何の変わりもないんだとわかって、深く失望した。 <br>\r\n When I realized that your decision to kill them in a slightly better way this time was nothing more than a faint whim, ...and that nothing had changed in your cruel character, I was deeply disappointed. <br><br>\r\n それどころか、お前は残酷な死を純粋に楽しんでさえいる。 <br>\r\n 俺に意地悪をするためだけに残酷を尽くしてるんじゃない。 <br>\r\n On the contrary, you were even genuinely enjoying those brutal deaths. <br><br>\r\n You weren't just acting as cruel as you could to bully me. <br><br>\r\n …お前は本当に純粋に、残酷を楽しんでいる。 <br>\r\n 楽しめる性分なんだ。 <br>\r\n ...You truly, genuinely enjoy cruelty. <br><br>\r\n Your character lets you enjoy it. <br><br>\r\n お前は楼座叔母さんが何度も惨たらしく殺されているのを俺に、楽しいだろうと言った。 <br>\r\n You said I'd probably think that Aunt Rosa being brutally killed over and over was fun. <br><br>\r\n 嫌味で言ったんじゃない、心底から楽しくて、それを俺にも共感してほしくて楽しいだろうと言ったんだ。 <br>\r\n You weren't joking. You enjoyed it from the bottom of your heart, wanted me to sympathize, and said that I'd probably think it was fun. <br><br>\r\n ……その瞬間、俺は失望し、悟った。 <br>\r\n ...In that instant, I lost respect for you and realized the truth. <br><br>\r\n 「お前が魔女だとかそうでないとか、そういうことが問題なんじゃない。……俺は、お前のその残酷さが許せない。そして理解できない！ 許すこともできない！ だが、魔女を認めるか否定するかというゲームは続ける。自ら降りて敗北を認めたりはしないさ。」 <br>\r\n \"The problem isn't whether you're a witch or not. ...I will not forgive that cruelty of yours. And I can't understand it! I can't forgive it, either! Still, I'll continue this game of whether to accept or deny witches. I won't step down and accept my own defeat.\" <br><br>\r\n 「だが、そのゲームにお前の無意味な残酷さは何の必要もない。だから俺は、お前を対戦相手として認めないことにする。ロノウェの方が百倍マシだ。お前のような残酷趣味はない。あったとしても、俺の前でそれをひけらかす悪趣味はない。 <br>\r\n \"However, your pointless cruelty is absolutely unnecessary for that game. So I've decided that I won't accept you as my opponent. Ronove is a hundred times better. He doesn't have the same cruel hobby you do. Even if he does, he doesn't have the awful taste to show it off in front of me.\" <br><br>\r\n ……そうさ、お前は悪趣味だ。残酷で心がなく、だから理解することができない。相手として不快だ。だから俺はお前の顔を、二度と見たくない。」 <br>\r\n \"...That's right, you have awful taste. You're heartless and cruel, so you can't understand. That's unpleasant in an opponent. So I don't want to see your face again.\" <br><br>\r\n 一方的に戦人に捲くし立てられ、ベアトはしばらくの間、呆然としていた。 <br>\r\n As Battler went on and on by himself, Beato was shocked into silence for a long time. <br><br>\r\n 何を言われているのか理解できなかったのかもしれないし、懸命に理解しようとする努力の表れだったのかもしれない。 <br>\r\n Maybe she couldn't understand what she was being told, and this was a sign that she was doing all she could in an effort to understand. <br><br>\r\n しばらくの間、怒るような表情や悔しがる表情、不敵な表情をいくつも繰り返し、……自分がどのような態度を取るべきかなのかさえ、わかりかねているようだった。 <br>\r\n For a while, she kept switching between angry expressions, frustrated expressions, bold expressions, ...as though even she herself didn't know what attitude she should take. <br><br>\r\n その末、何だか憑き物の落ちたような淡白な表情を作り、疲れたとでも言いたげに肩をすくめた。 <br>\r\n In the end, she made her face into a candid expression, as though she had come to her senses, and shrugged her shoulders as though she was tired. <br><br>\r\n 「……………………。………なら、好きにすれば良い。妾は以後、ロノウェを通してゲームを続けることにする。……妾が姿を見せないのであれば、文句ないであろう？」 <br>\r\n \"...............In that case, do as you like. From now on, I will continue this game through Ronove. ...You have no complaints as long as I don't show myself, right?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……取り合えずはな。だが、お前の重ねてきた残酷な行為の数々を、俺は絶対に許さない。だから絶対にお前を認めない。その為にも、お前に売られた喧嘩を俺から降りない。そして絶対に負けない。…それだけだ。」 <br>\r\n \"...For the time being. But I definitely won't forgive all of your cruel actions up until now. And I definitely won't accept you. For that reason as well, I won't back down from this fight you've picked. And I definitely won't lose. ...That's all there is to it.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………ベアト。これ以上、言い訳を重ねても彼の心証は変わりませんよ。 <br>\r\n \"......Beato, no matter how many more excuses you give, his impression will not waver. <br><br>\r\n …後で話があります。それまで下がっていなさい。」 <br>\r\n ...I have something to talk about later. Until then, stay back.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………う、…うむ…。…わかった。 <br>\r\n \".........I-Indeed... ...Understood. <br><br>\r\n …それでは呼ばれるまで姿を消している…。」 <br>\r\n ...Then I'll vanish until you call...\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトは寂しそうな背中を向けると、姿を消す。 <br>\r\n Looking lonely, Beato turned her back to them and vanished. <br><br>\r\n …戦人はそれを見て、少し面白くなさそうな表情を浮かべる。 <br>\r\n ...Battler watched, a slightly displeased expression on his face. <br><br>\r\n 正論を言ったつもりなのに、なぜか気分は晴れなかった。 <br>\r\n He thought his argument had been valid, but for some reason, his mood didn't clear up. <br><br>\r\n 「……あいつは、 <br>\r\n …馬鹿だろ。」 <br>\r\n \"...She's... <br><br>\r\n an idiot.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………そうですね。馬鹿で、素直です。」 <br>\r\n \"......That's true. An idiot, and a straightforward one.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あの馬鹿は、楼座叔母さんが残酷に殺されるところを俺と見て、満面の笑みで振り返りやがった。 <br>\r\n \"That idiot watched Aunt Rosa get killed horribly with me, then turned around with a huge smile on her face. <br><br>\r\n ……あの残酷ショーを、本気で俺と笑い合えると信じてやがったんだ。…俺とその感情を共有できると、本気で信じてやがった…。 <br>\r\n ...She really believed that she could laugh with me at that cruel show. ...She really believed that I could sympathize with that emotion...\" <br><br>\r\n あの無邪気な笑顔を見て、俺は最低な気持ちになったぜ。……むしろこれまでのように、意地悪な面で言われた方がずっとマシだった…。…畜生…。」 <br>\r\n \"Looking at that innocent smile, I felt just horrible. ...It would've been much better if she'd said it with her normal bullying face... ...Damn it...\" <br><br>\r\n 「お嬢様は、友達というものを持った試しのない方です。……それどころか、あれほど強く物を言われたことさえなかったでしょう。 <br>\r\n \"Milady has never had the experience of having a friend. ...In addition, she has probably never had something spoken to her that strongly.\" <br><br>\r\n 私もマダムも共に付き人。何を申し上げても、お耳には届きません。お嬢様にはこれも、」 <br>\r\n \"Madam and I are her attendants. No matter what we say, it will not reach her ears. For Milady, this is also-\" <br><br>\r\n 「ふざけるな。俺はあいつの友達になった覚えはないぞ。」 <br>\r\n \"Don't screw with me. I don't remember ever becoming her friend.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……そうでございますね。失礼いたしました。」 <br>\r\n \"...That's true enough. My apologies.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………。 <br>\r\n \"......... <br><br>\r\n ……ひとつだけあなたに感謝を。…あの子のゲームを降りないでくれて、ありがとう。」 <br>\r\n ...There is one thing I would like to thank you for. ...Thank you for not backing down from that child's game.\" <br><br>\r\n その言葉は感謝を述べてはいたが、なぜか戦人は不愉快そうな顔をする。 <br>\r\n それから、そんな自分に嫌悪するように、ふっと笑った。 <br>\r\n She spoke words of gratitude, but for some reason, Battler made a displeased face. <br><br>\r\n Then as though in self-derision, he chuckled. <br><br>\r\n 「魔女やら悪魔やらに礼を言われるようになっちゃ、俺もお仕舞いだな。 <br>\r\n \"Now that I've even got witches and demons thanking me, I'm screwed. <br><br>\r\n ……ゲームを再開しようぜ。もちろん手心を加えるつもりはないからな。」 <br>\r\n ...Let's resume the game. Of course, I don't intend to go easy on you.\" <br><br>\r\n 「望むところです。お嬢様と違い、私は熱くはなりませんよ。」 <br>\r\n \"I wouldn't have it any other way. Unlike Milady, I do not get agitated.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……俺の手はすでに指したぜ。楼座叔母さんが犯人で事故死と仮定すれば魔女は否定できる。……楼座叔母さんを疑いたくはないが、ベアトをぶっ潰すために、今は敢えてそうだと仮定する。」 <br>\r\n \"...I've already made my move. If we suppose that Aunt Rosa is the culprit and died in an accident, I can deny the witch. ...I don't want to suspect Aunt Rosa, but I think I can bear to accept that premise if it'll beat the hell out of Beato.\" <br><br>\r\n 「赤で否定を行います。 <br>\r\n \"I will deny it with red. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001楼座と真里亞の二人は他殺です#ffffff。」 <br>\r\n #ff0001Rosa's and Maria's deaths were homicides#ffffff.\" <br><br>\r\n 「よし。…そこから始めようじゃねぇか。 <br>\r\n \"Okay. ...Let's start from there. <br><br>\r\n ……………クソ、盛り上がらねぇぜ。」 <br>\r\n ......Damn, I'm just not getting fired up.\" <br><br>\r\n 楼座と真里亞が殺されたことにより、殺人犯が今もどこかに潜んでいて、さらに連続殺人を重ねようとしていることが明白となった。 <br>\r\n With Rosa's and Maria's deaths, it was now clear that the culprit was still hiding somewhere, trying to add even more murders to this chain. <br><br>\r\n 留弗夫は涙を零しながら、何度も楼座の遺体に無用心だと罵り続けたが、楼座がそれに応えることは二度とない。 <br>\r\n As he shed tears, Rudolf scolded Rosa's corpse for being reckless several times, but Rosa would never respond to that again. <br><br>\r\n 二人の遺体は客室の一室に安置され、警察が来るまで封印されることになった…。 <br>\r\n They decided to place the two corpses in one of the guest rooms...and to seal it until the police arrived... <br><br>\r\n この第二の殺人、…いや、第二の晩の殺人は、一同に強い衝撃を与えた。 <br>\r\n The second murder...no, the murder of the second twilight had delivered a heavy blow to everyone. <br><br>\r\n それは一部の人間の楽観であるところの、“実は事件は起こっておらず、全ては金蔵と使用人たちの茶番でゲーム”という想像を吹き飛ばしたからだ。 <br>\r\n It had blown away the optimism that some of them had held, the thought that `a crime didn't actually occur, and it was all a game or a farce by Kinzo and the servants'. <br><br>\r\n 譲治と朱志香は、互いの想い人を失った悲しみを紛らわせようと、朝からずっと、あらゆる可能性を話し合ってきた。 <br>\r\n Trying to distract themselves from the loss of the people they liked, George and Jessica had spent the whole time since morning talking about every possibility. <br><br>\r\n ……そして、実はこの殺人は全て芝居なのではないか。紗音も嘉音も死んだフリをしているだけではないのか、と仮定することで、心を紛れさせていたのだ。 <br>\r\n ...And, they had distracted their hearts by supposing that these murders might actually have all been an act, and that Shannon and Kanon were only pretending to be dead. <br><br>\r\n それを、再び起こった殺人は打ち砕き、……二人の想い人は間違いなく殺されたのだということを、もう一度突きつけることとなった…。 <br>\r\n When the next murder occurred, it destroyed that thought, ...and they were once again struck by the fact that the person they liked had most definitely been killed... <br><br>\r\n 一度は枯れ切ったはずの涙を再び零す二人に、戦人は掛ける言葉を思いつくこともできなかった…。 <br>\r\n The tears that they'd thought had died away began to drip down once more, and Battler couldn't think of anything to say to them... <br><br>\r\n その後、念には念を入れて、大人たち全員が全部屋の安全確認と戸締りの確認を行なった。 <br>\r\n After that, all of the adults checked that all of the rooms were safe and locked, just in case. <br><br>\r\n 窓は全て鎧戸が下り施錠されていることを確認し、不審者が潜んでいないことを確認する。 <br>\r\n They made certain that the shutters on all of the windows were down and locked, and they confirmed that no one suspicious was hiding anywhere. <br><br>\r\n その上で改めて武装を再確認し、不審な人影を見掛けた場合、先制射撃を行なうことも辞さないとする心構えを確認し合った。 <br>\r\n On top of that, they checked their weapons once again...and checked with each other to make sure they were mentally prepared, so that they wouldn't hesitate to fire off a preemptive shot if they saw the shadow of a mysterious person. <br><br>\r\n また、現場には楼座が持っていた銃が残されていた。 <br>\r\n Rosa's gun had been found near the scene of the crime. <br><br>\r\n わざわざ残されていたのだから、何かの罠ではないかとみんな疑ったが、秀吉が火掻き棒を器用に使って空撃ちを試してみたところ、問題なく発砲できた。 <br>\r\n Someone had gone out of their way to leave it there, so everyone suspected that it was some kind of trap, but when Hideyoshi delicately used a fire iron to fire off test shots, it was able to discharge without incident. <br><br>\r\n その結果、装填されている５発全てが問題なく発砲できた為、それには再び弾丸が装填され、成人男性で唯一武装していなかった秀吉に渡されることとなった。 <br>\r\n So, since the five shots loaded into it had discharged without any problems, they reloaded it with bullets and handed it over to the only adult male who wasn't armed, Hideyoshi. <br><br>\r\n しかし、５発を発砲できてしまったことは、ある疑心暗鬼を生み出すことになった。 <br>\r\n However, the fact that it had been able to fire off five shots gave rise to a certain paranoia. <br><br>\r\n このショートバレルのウィンチェスター銃の装弾数は５発。 <br>\r\n つまり楼座は、１発も発砲しなかったのだ。 <br>\r\n This short barrel Winchester could hold only five shots. <br><br>\r\n In other words, Rosa hadn't fired even once. <br><br>\r\n にもかかわらず、彼女らの死因はおそらくは素手によるもの。 <br>\r\n And yet, the two had probably been killed by someone with their bare hands. <br><br>\r\n これが意味するところは、顔見知りによる犯行の可能性である…。 <br>\r\n This meant there was a possibility that the crime had been committed by someone whose face they knew... <br><br>\r\n 「……最初の殺人が起きた時。私は内心、これが全て芝居である可能性を考えたの。 <br>\r\n \"...When the first murder occurred, I privately thought of the possibility that it was all an act. <br><br>\r\n …南條先生には悪いけど、実は南條先生もグルで、 <br>\r\n 使用人たちが死んだ、ということにして、何かお父様が凝りに凝った大芝居を打った可能性もあると思った。 <br>\r\n ...My apologies to Doctor Nanjo, but if he had actually been an accomplice, <br><br>\r\n I thought the deaths of all the servants might possibly have been a massive, elaborate act by Father.\" <br><br>\r\n ……だって、彼らの密室状況は彼らの自作自演を想定しない限り、生み出せないのだもの。」 <br>\r\n \"...After all, the closed room situation they were in couldn't have been created unless we suppose that it was all an act.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…僕たちも、 <br>\r\n ……それを疑いました。…いえ、 <br>\r\n …今もそうであって欲しいと信じてます。」 <br>\r\n \"...We also... <br><br>\r\n suspected that. ...No, <br><br>\r\n ...I still want to believe that's the case.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………申し訳ないが、……それはありません。…私も老いぼれです。誤診もあるかもしれない。 <br>\r\n \"......My apologies, ...but that is not so. ...I am quite old. I might possibly make a misdiagnosis. <br><br>\r\n ……しかし、生き死にを間違えるようなことは絶対にない…。」 <br>\r\n ...However, I would never mistake whether they were alive or dead...\" <br><br>\r\n 「わかってるよッ！ <br>\r\n \"I get it! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n わざわざそれを口に出すなよ、南條先生…！」 <br>\r\n Don't go out of your way to say it out loud, Doctor Nanjo...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……すみません…。」 <br>\r\n \"...My apologies...\" <br><br>\r\n 彼らには与り知れないことだが、ベアトは赤で、彼ら６人の、…いや、今回、すでに出ている犠牲者全員の死亡を宣言している。 <br>\r\n They had no way of knowing, but Beato had already used the red to proclaim the deaths of the six...no, the deaths of all victims so far in this game. <br><br>\r\n 全てが茶番で、犠牲者たちは実は生きているという淡い夢は、……気の毒だが、ありえないのだ…。 <br>\r\n That faint dream that it was all a farce, that the victims were actually alive... I'm sorry to say it, but that's impossible... <br><br>\r\n 「……となりゃこの島に、屋敷に精通した何者かが潜んでいて、練りに練った犯行を実行したと考える方が自然だろうよ。つまり、この島には台風が来て外界と途絶された時点で、１８人以上の人間がいたんだ。」 <br>\r\n \"...In that case, it makes more sense to assume it's someone familiar with the mansion, someone hiding around and carrying out a really well-polished crime. So, ever since the typhoon came to this island and sealed it off from the outside world, there's been more than 18 people here.\" <br><br>\r\n そしてこれももちろん与り知れないこと。 <br>\r\n Of course, there was no way for them to know about that either. <br><br>\r\n 留弗夫のこの主張もまた、赤で否定されている。 <br>\r\n この島には１８人を超えた人間は存在しない…。 <br>\r\n That claim of Rudolf's has also been denied in red. <br><br>\r\n There are no more than 18 humans on this island... <br><br>\r\n 「こう考えると少しは辻褄が合うのかしら。……つまり隠れ潜んでいる何者かは、本来は今、島にいるはずのない人物。にもかかわらず、楼座さんが油断するような顔見知りの人物である可能性よ。」 <br>\r\n \"I might have a way to look at it that keeps things consistent, at least a little. ...Simply put, this person in hiding is someone who shouldn't really be on this island right now. And yet, there's a likelihood that they were someone Rosa-san knew, someone she'd let her guard down around.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……そ、 <br>\r\n それは例えば、 <br>\r\n この二日間のシフトに当たっていない使用人など、ですか…？」 <br>\r\n \"...S- <br><br>\r\n So, for example, <br><br>\r\n could it be...a servant who wasn't on this two-day shift...?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「ふむ……。…それを言われると弱いな。我々は勤務を終えた彼らが離島するのを、切符切りのように確認しているわけではない。数日前のシフトの使用人が、離島したフリをして島内に留まっていたかもしれないと仮定したら、否定するのは難しいね…。」 <br>\r\n \"Hmm... ...It's hard to be certain about that one. When our servants finish their work and leave the island, it isn't as though we punch their ticket or something to make sure. If we're supposing that a servant on a shift from a few days ago only pretended to leave the island and actually stayed here, that would be hard to deny...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……楼座さんもアホちゃうと思うで。いるはずのない使用人がひょっこり姿を現したら、普通は警戒バリバリや…。」 <br>\r\n \"...I don't think Rosa-san is such a fool. If a servant who wasn't supposed to be here popped up in front of you, who wouldn't be on their guards...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………顔見知りの犯行と決め付けるのもどうかと思うわ。…暗がりから突然楼座が襲われて、銃を奪われそうになった。そしたら楼座が転んで柵に頭を打ち、動かなくなった。ゲストハウスが近かったので、銃声を嫌い、素手で真里亞ちゃんを殺した…、とか。」 <br>\r\n \"......I'm not even sure we should be assuming that it was someone she recognized. ...Maybe they suddenly attacked Rosa from the darkness and were about to steal her gun. Then Rosa fell, hit her head against the fence, and stopped moving. The guesthouse was nearby and they wanted to avoid the sound of gunfire, so they killed Maria-chan with their bare hands...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……そういう可能性もあるな。…ただ、そうだとしてもだ。 <br>\r\n \"...There's also that possibility. ...Still, even if that is the case, <br><br>\r\n 現場にわざわざ楼座の銃を残していくだろうか。犯人が何を武装しているか知らねぇが、こちらの銃は不安要素のはずだ。…その一丁を間引けるチャンスだったはずだぜ？ なぜわざわざ現場に残したんだ。」 <br>\r\n would they really intentionally leave Rosa's gun at the scene of the crime? We don't know what the culprit's armed with, but they've got to feel insecure about our guns. ...Wasn't that a perfect chance for them to thin out our supply? Why would they intentionally leave it at the scene of the crime?\" <br><br>\r\n 「私は初め、その銃を罠だと思ったの。……チェス盤思考だとそうなる。わざわざ残した以上、私たちの誰かに手に取らせたい。そして引き金を引かせたいに違いない。…てっきり暴発して大怪我を負わせるような、危険な仕掛けがされてるに違いないと思ってたわ。」 <br>\r\n \"At first, I thought that gun was a trap. ...That's what chessboard thinking says it should be. By purposefully leaving it, they wanted to make one of us touch it. And they must have wanted to make us pull the trigger. ...I was sure that something dangerous had been done to it...to make it explode and cause massive injuries.\" <br><br>\r\n 「でも、現に大丈夫や。 <br>\r\n \"But, it was actually okay. <br><br>\r\n ……恐らく、犯人も焦っとったんとちゃうか。今頃、銃を奪うチャンスを逃したことを後悔しとるに決まっとるで…！」 <br>\r\n ...The culprit probably panicked. I'll bet that right now, they're regrettin' that they missed their chance to steal a gun...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………何だか不愉快だな。銃なんか怖くもないって言う、魔女のメッセージみたいでムカつくぜ。」 <br>\r\n \"......I don't like it. It ticks me off, like it's a message from the witch, saying she isn't even scared of guns.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…しかし、いずれにせよ恐ろしい相手ですね。楼座さんが銃を持っていることは傍目にもわかったはず。 <br>\r\n \"...However, in any event, this is truly a fearsome opponent. Even at a glance, they should have been able to tell that Rosa had a gun. <br><br>\r\n にもかかわらず、襲い掛かるとは。……銃を恐れないという点を、私たちは軽視するべきではありません。」 <br>\r\n To think that they attacked her despite that. ...The fact that they are unafraid of guns should not be taken lightly.\" <br><br>\r\n 「うむ…。夏妃の言う通りだ。……これまで以上に用心すべきだろう。」 <br>\r\n \"Indeed... It's as Natsuhi says. ...We should probably be even more cautious than we have been.\" <br><br>\r\n 「念の為なんだけど…。………楼座さんたちが外に出たと思われる頃。みんなはどこにいたのかしら…？」 <br>\r\n \"This is just for peace of mind, but......at the time we think Rosa-san was attacked outside, where was everyone...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「私と夏妃、そして留弗夫と霧江さんはここで一緒だった。私がアリバイを保証する。」 <br>\r\n \"Natsuhi and I were here, along with Rudolf and Kyrie-san. I can guarantee their alibis.\" <br><br>\r\n 「わしと絵羽も一緒だったで。わしが保証するわ。」 <br>\r\n \"Eva and I were together. I can guarantee that.\" <br><br>\r\n 「俺と譲治の兄貴、朱志香も一緒だったぜ。……楼座叔母さんに、２階へ戻ってろと怒鳴られ、すごすごといとこ部屋へ引き返したさ。」 <br>\r\n \"George-aniki, Jessica, and I were together. ...When Aunt Rosa yelled at us to return to the second floor, we retraced our steps back to the cousin room, all dejected.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……あの時、 <br>\r\n …真里亞を行かせなければ…。」 <br>\r\n \"...Back then, <br><br>\r\n ...if we hadn't let Maria go...\" <br><br>\r\n 「それを言っても、もうどうしようもないよ…。」 <br>\r\n \"Saying that isn't going to change anything...\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………南條先生は？」 <br>\r\n \"......Doctor Nanjo?\" <br><br>\r\n 「わ、私は２階の部屋で本を読んでおりました。 <br>\r\n \"I-I was reading a book in a room on the second floor. <br><br>\r\n ……ひとりでおりましたので、誰にもアリバイは証明できませんが、子どもたちと一緒に２階へ戻ったのは、皆さんも見ているはずです。」 <br>\r\n ...I was by myself, so no one can verify my alibi, but I believe everyone saw me return to the second floor with the children.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…これを言い出したら切りがないが、窓から飛び降りて楼座を襲って、雨どいでもよじ登ってまた戻ってきたとかな…？」 <br>\r\n \"...Once I say this, it'll never end, but what if you jumped out the window, attacked Rosa, then climbed back up using a rain gutter or something...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「めめ、滅相もない…。この老体に、２階から飛び降りたり、よじ登ったり等という芸当、できるわけもありません…。」 <br>\r\n \"D-D-Don't be absurd... How could I perform a feat such as jumping down from the second story or climbing up with this old body...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……やめましょう。互いを疑うのは…。 <br>\r\n \"...Let us stop suspecting each other... <br><br>\r\n それよりも、互いを信頼し合って、子どもたちの為にも、ここの安全を死守することの方が先決です。」 <br>\r\n It's more important that we trust each other and, for the children's sakes as well, defend this place until the very end.\" <br><br>\r\n 「そうだな…。…夏妃さんの言う通りだ。………今は、内部を疑い合うのを止めよう。」 <br>\r\n \"You're right... ...It's like Natsuhi-san says. ......For now, let's stop suspecting each other.\" <br><br>\r\n 「そうね。…犯人探しなんて、私たちには無用かもしれないわ。 <br>\r\n \"That's right. We may be useless as far as searching for the culprit is concerned. <br><br>\r\n ……ただ明日まで生き残り、警察に通報してその指示に従うだけ。犯人が誰かなんて、警察が必ず暴き出してくれるのだから。」 <br>\r\n ...We can only stay alive until tomorrow, inform the police, and follow their instructions. Because the police will definitely expose who the culprit is.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………どうしたんや、絵羽。…まだ体調が悪いんとちゃうか…？」 <br>\r\n \"......What is it, Eva? ...Is your body still feelin' bad...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「か、母さん、どうしたの。大丈夫…？」 <br>\r\n \"M-Mother, what's wrong? Are you okay...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…ごめんなさい。…まだ熱が高いみたいなの。大丈夫だから放っておいて…。」 <br>\r\n \"...Sorry. ...It looks like my fever is still strong. I'll be fine, so leave me alone...\" <br><br>\r\n 見れば、絵羽が再び呼吸を荒くして俯いていた。 <br>\r\n …緊急事態ということで一時的に気丈に振舞えたようだが、やはり体の具合は芳しくないらしい…。 <br>\r\n When they looked, they saw Eva staring at the floor, her breathing harsh again. <br><br>\r\n ...She had been able to act firm for a time, due to the urgency of their situation, but it seemed her body wasn't at its best after all... <br><br>\r\n 「えぇ。あの二人は私が殺した。これで黄金のことを知っているのは、私たちだけ。他の兄弟たちには、カケラひとつだって譲りはしないの。」 <br>\r\n \"Yeah. I killed those two. Now, we're the only ones who know about the gold. I won't give up even a scrap to the other siblings.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………何てことを……！ あれだけの莫大な黄金なのよ？！ 楼座たちに分け前をあげたって、まったく問題はなかったでしょうに…！」 <br>\r\n \"......What have you done...?! There was so much of that gold, right?! Giving Rosa and the others their share wouldn't have been a problem at all, right...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「あるわよ。…あれは右代宮家の当主だけが引き継げる黄金なの。だからこそそれは、全て丸ごと当主の栄誉そのものなの。 <br>\r\n \"It would. ...That gold is to be passed on only to the Head of the Ushiromiya family. That's because it, as a whole, represents no more or less than the honor of the Head.\" <br><br>\r\n ……それにわずかほどでも傷をつけることは、この私、新しき黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェが絶対に許さないわ。 <br>\r\n \"...To wound that even a tiny bit...is definitely not something that I, the new Golden Witch, Beatrice, will permit. <br><br>\r\n ……くすくすくすくすくす！」 <br>\r\n ...*giggle*giggle*giggle*giggle*giggle*!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…あなたは魔女の碑文通りに殺人を続けるつもりなの…？ まさか、あと５人も人殺しを続けるつもりなの…？」 <br>\r\n \"...Do you plan to continue these murders according to the witch's epitaph...? Do you actually plan to become a murderer five more times...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「えぇ。その面倒な儀式を終えないと、私の魔女としての力は完全なものにならないらしいの。 <br>\r\n \"Yeah. If I don't finish that annoying ceremony, it seems my power as a witch won't become complete. <br><br>\r\n ……ねぇ“私”。 <br>\r\n ...Hey, `me'. <br><br>\r\n …この魔女の力は本当にすごいわ。私たちが妄想してきた全てが、本当に実現できる。夢が夢でなくなる力なの…！ この力を知ってしまったら、もう魔女はやめられない。儀式を完全に終えて私の力が完全なものになれば、きっとそれをあなたにも教えてあげられるわ。 <br>\r\n ...The power of the witch is really awesome. It really can make all the crazy things we imagine become reality. The power to make dreams more than just dreams...! Now that I've learned of this power, I can no longer stop being a witch. If I can finish the ceremony and make my power complete, I'm sure I'll be able to teach you that feeling too. <br><br>\r\n くすくすくす、くっくくくくくくくくく！」 <br>\r\n *giggle*giggle*giggle*, *cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n 「馬鹿なことは止めて…！ 魔女ごっこはもう充分でしょう？ 私たちは黄金を見つけたわ。そして次期当主の座だって約束されてるわ。ほんの少しの綱渡りは必要だろうけど、もうそれは絶対に叶う夢。……なのにこれ以上、あなたは何を望むというの…？！」 <br>\r\n \"Stop acting like an fool...! Haven't you played at being a witch enough? We found the gold. And we've even been promised the position of the Successor. We'll probably need to tightrope walk just a bit, but by now, that's a dream that will definitely come true. ...Beyond that, what more could you wish for...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「私は魔女になりたかったわ。」 <br>\r\n 「私、そんな夢なんか知らないわよ…！」 <br>\r\n \"I wanted to become a witch.\" <br><br>\r\n \"I don't give a damn about that dream...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「そうよ。その夢を持ち続けてるから、私はこの歳のままで生き永らえているの。……あなたはその夢を、大人になることで捨てたわ。 <br>\r\n \"That's right. Because I kept holding onto that dream, I've lived at this age forever. ...When you became an adult, you threw that dream away.\" <br><br>\r\n ……いくら待てども、時計を持ったウサギなど訪れないし、ハンプティダンプティにも会えはしない。もちろんトランプの国に招かれたりも絶対にない。あなたはそう、諦めてしまったから、大人になったのよ。 <br>\r\n \"...No matter how long you wait, the rabbit holding a clock won't visit you, and you won't be able to meet Humpty Dumpty. Of course, you definitely won't be invited to the land of cards. Because you gave up and accepted all that, you became an adult.\" <br><br>\r\n だからもう、魔女になりたいなんて思わない。…それが本当の自分の夢であったことも忘れてしまったの。」 <br>\r\n \"So you don't want to become a witch or anything like that anymore. ...You've even forgotten that it truly was your own dream at one point.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……とにかくやめて！ 私はもう、２つの夢を手に入れている！ 黄金と当主の座。それでもう充分なの！ だからお願い、あんたの夢なんて知ったことじゃない！ 大人しくしてて…ッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"...Anyway, stop it! I've already gotten my hands on two dreams! The gold and the position of Head. That's more than enough! So please, your dream has nothing to do with me! Stand down...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………嫌ぁよ。魔法、面白いもの。 <br>\r\n \"......No waaay. Magic's too interesting. <br><br>\r\n ………それに、あなたの２つの夢は、私の魔法のお陰で叶ったのよ。なのに私の夢は叶えてはいけないなんて不公平よ。」 <br>\r\n ...Also, those two dreams of yours both came true because of my magic. It wouldn't be fair if my dream didn't come true too.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あなたの魔法には感謝してるし、あなたこそが本当の魔女だと私は認めてるわ。……だからもう、大人しく私の胸の中に帰って！ そして二度と現れないでッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"I'm grateful for your magic, and I acknowledge that you're a real witch. ...So just stand down and return to the inside of my heart! And never appear again!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「嫌ぁ。……私たち、お互いに勘違いしてるわね。そうよ、私はもう、あんたじゃないの。あんたは右代宮絵羽。私は黄金の魔女ベアトリーチェ。 <br>\r\n \"No wa-y. ...We're both misunderstanding each other, aren't we? That's right, I am not you anymore. You are Ushiromiya Eva. I am the Golden Witch, Beatrice. <br><br>\r\n だから、あんたの胸の中に帰る義理はないの。……さながら、あなたという殻を脱皮して蝶になったような気分かしらぁ。」 <br>\r\n So it's not my responsibility to go back inside your heart. ...I guess I feel like a butterfly who's broken out of her cocoon, meaning you.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………はぁ、 <br>\r\n ……はぁ……。…く、 <br>\r\n ……熱で、 <br>\r\n …意識が朦朧とする……。」 <br>\r\n \"......Haah, <br><br>\r\n ...haah......urg, <br><br>\r\n ...the fever... <br><br>\r\n is making my mind cloudy...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「私の魔力が未熟な分を、あなたの生気で補ってるの。私が儀式を終えて完全な魔女になるまで、あなたに負担を掛けるかもね。それくらいは、２つの夢を叶えてあげた対価ってことにしてもらうわよ。 <br>\r\n \"My inexperience with magical power is forcing me support it with your vitality. Until I finish the ceremony and become a full witch, you might have to bear the burden. I'll take that as payment for making two of your dreams come true.\" <br><br>\r\n ……大丈夫、安心して？ 残る５人の生贄については、あんたの家族は外してあげるわ。 <br>\r\n \"...It's fine, don't worry, okay? For the remaining five sacrifices, I'll avoid your family.\" <br><br>\r\n そうね、留弗夫、霧江、蔵臼、夏妃。 <br>\r\n \"Let's see, Rudolf, Kyrie, Krauss, Natsuhi. <br><br>\r\n …あとは老いぼれの南條なんかどう？ ちょうどいいわ、この５人を殺すわね。くすくす、あなただけに明かす殺害予告ってところかしらぁ。くすくすくすくす！！」 <br>\r\n ...After that, what about that old geezer Nanjo? Perfect, I'll kill those five people. *giggle*giggle* Could you call this a murder announcement revealed only to yoouu? *giggle*giggle*giggle*giggle*!!\" <br><br>\r\n とうとう絵羽はしゃがみ込んでしまう。慌てて秀吉が駆け寄り、肩を貸す…。 <br>\r\n Eva finally crouched down. Hideyoshi rushed up to her and lent her his shoulder... <br><br>\r\n 「……大丈夫か。…無理せんと休もう！」 <br>\r\n \"...Are you okay? ...Let's take it easy and rest!\" <br><br>\r\n 「大丈夫かね…。南條先生、絵羽を…！」 <br>\r\n \"Are you all right...? Doctor Nanjo, take a look at Eva...!\" <br><br>\r\n 南條と譲治が近寄ろうとすると、絵羽はそれを制するような仕草をする。 <br>\r\n When Nanjo and George tried to approach, Eva made a gesture to stop them. <br><br>\r\n 「…ありがとう。大丈夫よ、南條先生。薬なら飲んでるの。……こんな非常事態で申し訳ないけど、…もう少しだけ休ませてもらうわ…。」 <br>\r\n \"...Thank you. I'm fine, Doctor Nanjo. I'm taking medicine. ...I apologize for saying this during such an extreme situation, ...but let me rest a little longer...\" <br><br>\r\n 「母さん…、僕も肩を貸すよ…。」 <br>\r\n \"Mom, ...I'll lend a hand too...\" <br><br>\r\n 「ありがとう。お父さんが見ててくれるから平気よ。……あなたは２階のいとこ部屋に戻って、決して出てこないように。…いいわね…。何があってもゲストハウスを出ちゃ駄目よ……。 <br>\r\n \"Thank you, but I'll be fine as long as your father watches over me. ...Go back to the second-story cousin room and don't come out no matter what. ...Understood...? No matter what happens, you must not leave the guesthouse... <br><br>\r\n …外には、 <br>\r\n ……あの、魔女が……、 <br>\r\n ううぅ…。」 <br>\r\n ...Outside, <br><br>\r\n ...that...witch will... <br><br>\r\n uuuu...\" <br><br>\r\n 「もう喋るなや…！ <br>\r\n \"Don't talk anymore...! <br><br>\r\n みんなすまんな、わしは絵羽を部屋で看病しとる。何かあったら呼んでや。」 <br>\r\n Sorry, everyone, but I'll be watching over Eva in our room. Tell us if something happens.\" <br><br>\r\n 秀吉と絵羽はロビーを退出する。 <br>\r\n Hideyoshi and Eva retreated from the lobby. <br><br>\r\n …もっとも、体調が悪いのは絵羽だけではない。 <br>\r\n 昨夜から一睡もしておらず、朝からずっと緊張を強いられている。 <br>\r\n ...However, Eva wasn't the only one who wasn't feeling good. <br><br>\r\n They hadn't gotten a wink of sleep since the previous night...and had been pressed by tension since that morning. <br><br>\r\n …家族を守るために気力を振り絞っているが、わずかでも気を緩めれば、きっと誰もがダウンしてしまうに違いなかった…。 <br>\r\n ...They were mustering their energy to protect their families, but if they relaxed even a little, surely everyone would be down and out... <br><br>\r\n 「……ここまでは順調であるが、ここからが難しいぞ？」 <br>\r\n \"...Everything has gone as planned until now, but from here on out, it will become difficult, you see?\" <br><br>\r\n 「難しい、とは…？」 <br>\r\n \"Difficult, meaning...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「うむ。大抵の場合、儀式が進行するにつれ犠牲者が増えると、彼らは守りを固めるようになり、多くの場合、一所に固まって動かなくなるのだ。それは我らにとって非常に都合が悪い。」 <br>\r\n \"Indeed. Normally, as the ceremony progresses and the victims increase in number, they begin to tighten their guard, and in most cases, they hole up in one place and stop moving. That is extremely inconvenient for us.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…それは、私たち魔女が群れたニンゲンに劣るということですか…？」 <br>\r\n \"...Are you saying that we witches are inferior to a bunch of Humans in a group...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「魔女がニンゲンに劣ることはない…。ただ、時代が変わり、ニンゲンが毒を持つようになったというべきか…。 <br>\r\n \"Witches are never inferior to Humans... However, perhaps you could say that times change, and that Humans have gotten their hands on a poison... <br><br>\r\n ……大昔の、魔法が信じられていた時代は問題なかったのだが、現代人はあの小憎たらしい戦人がそうであるように、基本的に魔法を否定する。 <br>\r\n ...This wasn't a problem long ago, when people believed in witches, but just like that annoyance Battler, people in the current era deny magic on a fundamental level.\" <br><br>\r\n つまり、存在自体が反魔法的なのだ。その結果、彼らはいつの間にか体内に、魔法を否定する毒素を有するようになった。」 <br>\r\n \"In other words, their existence itself is anti-magical. As a result, at some point, they grew to possess a toxin inside their bodies that denies magic.\" <br><br>\r\n 「つまり、ニンゲンの数が多ければ多いほど、その反魔法の毒素が強くなって、私たち魔女には不利だと仰られるのですか。」 <br>\r\n \"In other words, you're saying that the more Humans there are, the stronger that magic-resisting toxin gets, and the greater the disadvantage is for us witches?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……彼らの魔法を否定する心の力、即ち対魔法抵抗力の合計値が、そのまま魔法力の分母となるわけだ…。わかるか？ そなたにはちと難しいか…？」 <br>\r\n \"...The combined amount of power in their hearts that denies magic...in other words, their magic resistance power, becomes the denominator in the equation of your magic's power... Understand? Is that a bit too difficult for you...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「ご冗談を。実に簡単にわかります。…つまり、魔法を信じない人間が多ければ多いほど。そしてその意思が強ければ強いほど、魔法は効果を劇的に除算されると仰っておられるのですね。……なるほど、そのような計算式ならば、攻め方を考え直さなければなりません。」 <br>\r\n \"You're joking. Actually, I understand it easily. ...In other words, you're saying that the more people there are who don't believe in magic, and the stronger their will is, the more the effects of our magic are divided. ...Yeah, if it's so formulaic, I'll have to rethink my method of attack.\" <br><br>\r\n 魔法は本来、絶大な力を持つ。 <br>\r\n Fundamentally, magic possesses a vast power. <br><br>\r\n 天上より火の雨を降らすこともできれば、海を割ることも、失われた命を蘇らせることさえ不可能ではない。 <br>\r\n It can even make a rain of fire fall from the heavens or divide a sea, and reviving a lost life isn't impossible either. <br><br>\r\n しかし、その力を拒絶する毒素に極めて弱いのだ。 <br>\r\n However, that power is extremely weak against the toxin that rejects it. <br><br>\r\n そしてその毒素は、ニンゲンたちが神聖なるものへの敬いを忘れた頃から体内に蓄えられるようになり、…ついにはこの大地を、魔法の奇跡が示せぬほどの毒素で覆い尽くしてしまった。 <br>\r\n And that toxin started piling up in Humans since the time they forgot to respect things sacred, ...until finally, this earth was covered with enough toxin that the miracles of magic could not be displayed. <br><br>\r\n その為、世界中の魔女たちは住処を追われた。 <br>\r\n Thus, witches from across the world were chased from their dwellings. <br><br>\r\n …魔法を捨て、ニンゲンとして生きるか、ニンゲンの毒素の及ばない僻地に隠居するかを選ばなければならなかった。 <br>\r\n ...They had been forced to choose to throw away their magic and live as Humans, or else live in hiding in remote areas where the toxin of Humans didn't reach. <br><br>\r\n その意味においては、魔女たちにとって人口が十数人程度しかいない六軒島は非常に好都合だった。 <br>\r\n In that sense, Rokkenjima, with its population of only a few dozen humans, was extremely favorable for witches. <br><br>\r\n そしてそれ以上に好都合なのは、六軒島の森には魔女が住まうという怪談の存在。 <br>\r\n And even more favorable was the existence of the ghost story about the witch who lived in the Rokkenjima forest. <br><br>\r\n …つまり、魔女が存在するかもしれないという恐れがある程度浸透しており、ニンゲンたちの反魔法の毒素が弱まっていたことだ。 <br>\r\n ...In other words, by permeating the island with the fear that a witch might exist, the magic-resisting toxin from the Humans was weakened. <br><br>\r\n 少ない人口と、魔法的存在を認めうる余地。 <br>\r\n 即ち、低い反魔法的精神。 <br>\r\n A small population...and room for them to acknowledge magical beings. <br><br>\r\n In other words, minds that were only weakly anti-magical. <br><br>\r\n …この２つの狭間だけが、現代の魔女が生きていける場所なのだ…。 <br>\r\n ...Only by existing in the valley where those two converged...could a witch live in modern times... <br><br>\r\n 「なるほど…。……つまりその計算式によるならば、魔女が効率よく力を振るうにはいくつかのルールがあることになりますね。 <br>\r\n \"I see... ...So, using this formula, we can arrive at several rules for how a witch can use her power efficiently.\" <br><br>\r\n １つは演出。ニンゲンの仕業とは思えない殺人を演出し、オカルト的な装飾を施して、彼らに魔女の存在を強くアピールし、浸透させることによって、彼らは魔女の存在を信じるようになり、その結果、反魔法力が減少して魔法力の分母の減少も図られる。……なるほど、第一の晩の不気味な魔法陣の演出などは、これに当たるわけですか。」 <br>\r\n \"The first is presentation. Create a murder scene that couldn't conceivably have been done by Humans, decorate it in an occult way, make it look very much like a witch exists, and permeate people with fear to make them believe that witches exist. As a result, the anti-magic power and the denominator for our magical power will be decreased. ...I see, so this is why the creepy magic circles of the first twilight were created?\" <br><br>\r\n 「そ、そうよ、その通り…！ 毎回の第一の晩のドギツイ演出は全て、その為のものなのだ。 <br>\r\n \"Th-That's right, exactly...! The gaudy scenes for the first twilight in each game are all for that reason. <br><br>\r\n 別に決して、妾が残酷なのが好きで面白半分でやっていたわけではないのだぞ…。」 <br>\r\n It's definitely not as though I like being cruel or am doing it for fun...\" <br><br>\r\n 「…だとしたら先代さま。今回のは失敗ですね。殺し方が非常に地味でした。ただのミステリーにしか見えません。 <br>\r\n \"...In that case, Predecessor-sama, you failed this time around. You killed them in a very plain way. It doesn't look like anything more than a simple mystery.\" <br><br>\r\n ………ロノウェに聞いていますが、前回や前々回のように、遺体をもっとグロテスクに損壊して、ファンタジーに見せ掛け、彼らに恐怖心を植え付けるべきでしたね。」 <br>\r\n \"......I heard about last time and the time before that from Ronove. You should've damaged the corpses more grotesquely, like you did then, making it look more like fantasy and instilling fear in those people.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………ま、…まぁそのだな。…毎回それでは芸がないと思ってな…？ 深く考えるでない、気紛れだ…！」 <br>\r\n \"......W-Well, about that. ...I thought it wouldn't be artful to do that every time, you see...? Don't think too deeply on it, it's just a whim...!\" <br><br>\r\n 実際、それは本当に彼女の気紛れだ。 <br>\r\n 戦人にあのようなことを言われた後ではもはや口にはできないが、ほんの気紛れで決めた殺し方に過ぎない。 <br>\r\n Actually, it really had been her whim. <br><br>\r\n After what Battler had said to her, she couldn't say it out loud anymore, but she really had decided her methods of killing based on mere whims. <br><br>\r\n いや、適当にロノウェに決めさせたと言った方が正しいか。 <br>\r\n 今回の第一の晩の密室は、彼に一任させたのだから。 <br>\r\n No, would it be better to say that she had halfheartedly let Ronove decide? <br><br>\r\n After all, she left the closed rooms of this game's first twilight to him. <br><br>\r\n しかしもしも、ベアトに残酷なアイデアがあったなら、前回をはるかに超えた残虐非道を尽くしていたに違いない…。 <br>\r\n But if she'd had a cruel idea, then she would surely have explored the limits of atrocity even worse than in the previous game... <br><br>\r\n 「………………………。楼座と真里亞の殺し方についても、先代さまは自重するように仰られましたが、それも私たち魔女に利する行為ではありませんね？ <br>\r\n \"............You told me to show some restraint when deciding Rosa's and Maria's deaths too, but that wasn't a course of action beneficial to us witches either, was it?\" <br><br>\r\n 実際、彼らは現時点では、魔女が実在するなんて、これっぽっちも信じてません。ファンタジーでなく、完全にミステリーだと確信しています。私たち魔女にとって失敗した展開です。……先代さまが、どういうわけかヌルいやり方を繰り返したせいです。」 <br>\r\n \"In actuality, by now, none of them believe one bit that a witch actually exists. They're totally sure that it's a mystery, not a fantasy. This turn of events is a failure from a witch perspective. ...For some reason, you keep doing things in a kinda lukewarm way, Predecessor-sama.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あー…、そ、そのだな、若い内の苦労は買ってでもしろというではないか…！ 先代からそなたへの、これは試練である。謹んで挑むが良いぞ。わっはっはっは…！」 <br>\r\n \"Aah, ...l-like they say, things you learn when you're young will definitely help you out in the future...! This is a test passed on from my predecessor to you. Take it on with respect. Wahahaha...!\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトは豪快そうに笑ったつもりだが、何かを誤魔化すための空笑いであることはとっくにバレバレで、新しき魔女はため息混じりに肩を竦める。 <br>\r\n Beato tried to laugh heartily, but it was obviously the fake laugh of someone trying to cover something up, and the new witch shrugged with a sigh. <br><br>\r\n 「……………………。…この段階から、演出によって反魔法力を減ずるのは、多分、手遅れでしょうね。…となれば、もう１つの手。ニンゲンの分散が良いでしょう。」 <br>\r\n \"...............At this stage, it's probably too late to create a scene and reduce the anti-magic power. ...In that case, there's another move. Getting the Humans to split up should work.\" <br><br>\r\n 「うむ、それがもっとも効果的であろうぞ。ニンゲンの人数が少なければ少ないほど、分母の数は減るわけだ。その結果、魔法力は覿面となる。…つまり、この篭城状態を如何に崩して、少人数に分散させるかがここからのポイントとなるわけだな。 <br>\r\n \"Indeed, that is probably the most effective way. The smaller the number of Humans, the more the denominator shrinks. As a result, the magical power functions instantaneously. In other words, it all begins from one point: how to destroy this barricade situation and have them split up into small groups.\" <br><br>\r\n しかし、彼らはもはや用心深い。容易には篭城を崩せぬぞ…？ 前々回の金蔵の書斎での篭城、前回の客間での篭城、何れも手強かった。増してや今回は、老獪な大人勢がほとんど残った状態での篭城となっておる。 <br>\r\n \"However, they are already very cautious. The barricade won't be destroyed easily, right...? Both the barricade in Kinzo's study two games ago and the barricade in the parlor last time were very stubborn. Furthermore, most of the cunning adults still remain this time.\" <br><br>\r\n 状況はこれまで以上に困難であるぞ？ ……そなたが望むなら、特別に助言を与えてやっても良いのだがな…。」 <br>\r\n \"The situation is more difficult than all the ones before it, understand? ...If you wish, I could give you some special advice...\" <br><br>\r\n クローズドサークルで最初の殺人事件が起これば、必ず生存者たちは一堂に集まり、安全確保と相互監視のために篭城する。 <br>\r\n In a closed circle, when the first murder case occurs, the survivors always hole up, gathering together to observe each other and ensure their safety. <br><br>\r\n ……それを崩すのが殺人犯とミステリー作家の悩みなのだろうが、それの対極に位置するはずの魔女が、まったく同じ悩みを共有しているというのは、何とも滑稽な話だった。 <br>\r\n ...Funnily enough, not only do mystery authors and murder culprits worry about how to break that situation apart, but so do witches, who supposedly exist at the other end of the spectrum. <br><br>\r\n 新しき魔女は、しばらくの間、立てた人差し指を頬に当て、思案するような仕草をした後、言った。 <br>\r\n For a while, the new witch poked her cheek with her pointer finger, and after acting as though she was planning something, she spoke. <br><br>\r\n 「………………………。……いいえ、結構です。試練ですから。……先代さまの手は借りません。」 <br>\r\n \"............No, I'm fine. After all, it is a test. ...I won't borrow your moves.\" <br><br>\r\n 「む、…そうか…？ …しかしだな、篭城を崩すのはなかなかに難しいぞ…？」 <br>\r\n \"Nn, ...really...? ...Still, it will be rather difficult to defeat this barricade, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「すでに手は打ってあります。きっと引っ掛かるはずです。頭のいいヤツなら、むしろ必ず。」 <br>\r\n \"I've already made my move. I'm pretty sure it'll work. And it'll definitely work on someone smart.\" <br><br>\r\n 「そ、そうか……。そなたは優秀であるな…。手の掛からぬ弟子で、妾は嬉しいぞ。」 <br>\r\n \"I-Is that so...? You really are excellent... I'm pleased to see that my disciple won't be causing me much trouble.\" <br><br>\r\n 「私、人に聞く前に自分で勉強するがモットーなので。……それでは失礼します。獲物がのこのこと誘い出されるのを、待たねばなりませんので。」 <br>\r\n \"My motto is to study things myself before asking other people. ...Then, if you would excuse me. I have to wait for my prey to get lured out.\" <br><br>\r\n 「うむ。…それではしっかりな。」 <br>\r\n \"Indeed. ...Well then, handle it with care.\" <br><br>\r\n 新しき魔女は淡白に頭を下げると、黄金の蝶になって姿を消した。 <br>\r\n As the new witch lowered her head, her face blank, she turned into gold butterflies and vanished. <br><br>\r\n ……ベアトはどうもちょっぴり面白くない様子。 <br>\r\n 自分がまったく頼られないのが寂しいようだった。 <br>\r\n ...Beato didn't look happy at all. <br><br>\r\n She seemed to be lonely because of how little she was being relied on. <br><br>\r\n 「……………どいつもこいつも、妾のことなど構いもせぬわ。 <br>\r\n \"......Not one of them gives a fig for me. <br><br>\r\n ………ふん。魔女見習いめ、天狗になりおって。…今に手痛いミスをして泣き言を言うに違いないぞ。 <br>\r\n ......Hmm. You witch apprentice, acting so smart... ...I'll bet she makes some painful mistake and starts crying.\" <br><br>\r\n その時こそ、ようやく妾の偉大さを理解し、教えを乞おうとするに違いないのだ！ くっくっく、それまで妾は高みの見物よ。」 <br>\r\n \"Then, without a doubt, she'll finally realize my greatness and beg me to teach her! *cackle* Until then, I shall watch from on high.\" <br><br>\r\n 高笑いを装うが、聞く者のない笑いなど、掘った穴にロバの耳を叫ぶより意味のないことだ。 <br>\r\n She laughed loudly on the outside, but a laugh no one can hear is completely pointless. <br><br>\r\n ベアトは虚しくなり、すぐに笑うのを止める。 <br>\r\n Beato gave up and quickly stopped laughing. <br><br>\r\n …それを見計らった頃に、ロノウェが姿を現した。 <br>\r\n ...Ronove chose that time to show himself. <br><br>\r\n 「失礼いたします、お嬢様。……戦人さまとの第二の晩のゲームが終了いたしました。」 <br>\r\n \"Excuse me, Milady. ...The game of the second twilight with Battler-sama has ended.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……む、…そうか。ご苦労であった。首尾はどうであったか。」 <br>\r\n \"...Nn, I see. Good work. What was the result?\" <br><br>\r\n 「申し訳ございません。リザインさせていただきました。……戦人さまの、“楼座が真里亞を絞殺、その後に事故死”は、赤にて“両名他殺”で切り替えしたのですが。…絵羽を主犯に据えられた一連の指し手を切り返せませんでした。」 <br>\r\n \"My sincere apologies. I was forced to resign. ...By saying in red that `both deaths were homicides', I made Battler-sama revise his claim of `Rosa strangled Maria to death, then died in an accident', ...but I could not repel his chain of moves placing Eva as the principal offender.\" <br><br>\r\n 「絵羽は秀吉にずっと看病されて部屋で寝ていたであろうが。」 <br>\r\n \"Wasn't Eva sleeping in her room the whole time as Hideyoshi cared for her?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…秀吉も共犯で、両名でアリバイを作った可能性を提示されました。」 <br>\r\n \"...He put forth the possibility that Hideyoshi was an accomplice, and that the two worked together to create an alibi.\" <br><br>\r\n 「秀吉まで疑うか…！ 殺害時には客室にいたと赤にて叩き斬ってやれば良いではないか。」 <br>\r\n \"He even suspects Hideyoshi...?! Couldn't you have struck back by saying in red that he was in the guest room at the time of the murder?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……それも考えましたが、何れにせよ、数手先でいくつかの大駒を奪われてしまうかもしれません。…それに、この手が新しきベアトリーチェさまが打たれた布石の可能性もありますので、それを尊重することと致しました。…申し訳ありません。」 <br>\r\n \"...I also thought of that, but multiple important pieces might have been taken several moves later. ...And, because this move might be connected to the new Beatrice-sama's strategy, I acted out of respect to her. ...My apologies.\" <br><br>\r\n 「布石か。………あやつ、頭が切れるようだからのぅ。 <br>\r\n \"Strategy, you say? ......Her mind does seem to be sharp. <br><br>\r\n …ふん、好きにさせておくが良い。どこまでやれるか見物だ。」 <br>\r\n ...Hmph, we can let her do as she pleases. It will be quite a show to see how far she can go.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ぷっくくくく。そう仰ると思いました。……弟子が可愛くないので、ご機嫌斜めとお見受けしますよ。」 <br>\r\n \"Pukukukuku. I thought you would say that. ...I see that the un-cuteness of your disciple has left you in a bad mood.\" <br><br>\r\n 「余計なお世話だ。あやつめ、ここからの篭城をどう崩していくつもりなのか。妾もじっくり拝見させてもらうとするぞ。 <br>\r\n \"That's none of your business. I wonder how that one plans to destroy this barricade going forward. I shall keep a close eye on her. <br><br>\r\n ……………あー、それで…。…ば、…戦人の機嫌の方はどうなのか。」 <br>\r\n ......Oh, and......h-how was Battler's mood?\" <br><br>\r\n 「落ち着いておられるように見えました。やはりお嬢様が相手でないと盛り上がらないと仰っておいででしたよ。」 <br>\r\n \"It appeared as though he had calmed himself down. He did say that he couldn't get fired up after all, without you as his opponent.\" <br><br>\r\n 「そ、そうか、そうであろうそうであろう！ 第四の晩以降は、やはり妾が復帰しないと戦人も寂しかろうな…！」 <br>\r\n \"R-Really, well that's no surprise, no surprise at all! If I don't return for the fourth twilight and after, Battler will probably be lonely himself...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ぷっくっくっく…。それでは私はこれで失礼させていただきます。…美味しいクッキーを焼かねばなりません。せめてお嬢様と戦人さまのお話が弾みますように。」 <br>\r\n \"Pu ku ku ku... And with that, if you would excuse me. ...I need to go bake some delicious cookies. I must at least enliven the discussion between you and Battler-sama, Milady.\" <br><br>\r\n 「うむ！ あいつ、お前のクッキー、ぼりぼり食ってたなぁ。やはり男の子だからお腹が空くのであろう。多めに焼いてやれ…！」 <br>\r\n \"Indeed! That guy really was munching your cookies, wasn't he? It's no surprise that a boy can eat so much. Make a lot of them...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「畏まりました。クッキーでテーブルを埋めてご覧に入れましょう。」 <br>\r\n \"Certainly. I shall make enough cookies to bury the table.\" <br><br>\r\n 「それが良いぞ…！」 <br>\r\n \"That sounds great...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……何だよ、どうした。話って何だ…？」 <br>\r\n \"...What's going on? What did you want to talk about...?\" <br><br>\r\n 霧江が留弗夫を廊下へ呼び出す。 <br>\r\n 他の人間たちに聞かれたくない話をしようとしているのは明白だった。 <br>\r\n Kyrie called Rudolf out into the corridor. <br><br>\r\n It was obvious that she wanted to talk about something that she didn't want the others to hear. <br><br>\r\n 「あのね、私。」 <br>\r\n \"Umm, I...\" <br><br>\r\n 「おう。」 <br>\r\n \"Yeah?\" <br><br>\r\n 「………表へ出たいの。」 <br>\r\n \"......I want to go outside.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……確かに、わずかばかりの朝食では体が持たないが、しかし…。」 <br>\r\n \"...Certainly, the body cannot last with nothing more than a small breakfast, but...\" <br><br>\r\n 「もちろんわかってるさ。 <br>\r\n \"Of course, we understand. <br><br>\r\n だがな、時間を置けばどんどん暗くなってくる。多分、今が一番明るい。今が一番都合がいいんだ。」 <br>\r\n Still, as time passes, it'll get darker and darker out. It's probably at its brightest now. It's the most convenient time.\" <br><br>\r\n 「楼座さんたちが襲われてから、まだ１時間も経ったかどうかですよ。いくら何でも無用心です…！」 <br>\r\n \"Only about an hour has passed since Rosa-san was attacked. This is simply too reckless...!\" <br><br>\r\n 夏妃が無用心だと叫ぶのも無理はない。 <br>\r\n …留弗夫が、屋敷に食料を取りに行くと言い出したからだ。 <br>\r\n It was only natural that Natsuhi was yelling about recklessness. <br><br>\r\n ...After all, Rudolf had said he was going to the mansion to get food. <br><br>\r\n 確かに彼らは疲労に加え、空腹感にも苛まれていた。 <br>\r\n Certainly, on top of their fatigue, their hunger was tormenting them. <br><br>\r\n 初めの内こそ、ほどよい空腹感は眠気と戦えてちょうど良かったが、今は逆に意識を朦朧とさせ、まだ昼だと言うのに、もう体力の限界を感じさせている。 <br>\r\n In the beginning, a mild level of hunger had been just what they needed to fight off drowsiness. However, it now just made their minds hazy, since it was still only midday, and their bodies felt like they were reaching their limits. <br><br>\r\n 屋敷の厨房へ行き、何か食料を持ってこようという話は、確かに魅力的だった。 <br>\r\n The thought of going to the kitchen in the mansion and bringing back some food certainly was attractive. <br><br>\r\n 「私は反対です。多少は辛いでしょうが、断じてここを出るべきではありません。」 <br>\r\n \"I am opposed to this. It may be a little rough, but we definitely shouldn't leave this place.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……私たちはいい。だが子どもたちにひもじい思いをさせるのは心が痛む…。親として責任を負わねばなるまい。」 <br>\r\n \"...Don't worry about us, but it would pain my heart to keep the children hungry... I must be responsible as a parent.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あ、あなた…！ お父様が亡くなられた今、右代宮家の当主はあなたです。そのような危険を冒すことは許されません…！」 <br>\r\n \"D-Dear...! Now that Father is dead, you are the Ushiromiya Family Head. It is not permissible for you to take on such a danger...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………そうね。夏妃さんの言う通りよ。蔵臼さんはリーダーとしてここに残るべきね。」 <br>\r\n \"......You're right. It's like Natsuhi-san says. Krauss-san, you should remain here, as our leader.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……なら、誰が屋敷へ行くんだね？」 <br>\r\n \"...Then who will go to the mansion?\" <br><br>\r\n 「俺と霧江、あと秀吉兄さんの３人で行こうと思う。 <br>\r\n \"I think it should be Kyrie and me, and Hideyoshi-san too. <br><br>\r\n 俺と秀吉兄さんは銃を持ってる。そう簡単に向こうも手出しはできないはずだ。」 <br>\r\n Hideyoshi-san and I have guns. They shouldn't be able to lay a hand on us that easily.\" <br><br>\r\n 「楼座さんも銃を持っていましたが襲われました。…危険ではありませんか？」 <br>\r\n \"Rosa-san also had a gun, but she was attacked. ...Won't it be dangerous?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…楼座たちの様子を確かめに出た時、銃を持っていたが俺はひとりだった。だが襲われなかった。……男が相手なら、向こうも慎重なのかもしれないぜ。」 <br>\r\n \"...When I went out to check on Rosa and Maria-chan, I had a gun, but I was alone. And yet, I wasn't attacked. ...Maybe they'll be cautious if their opponent is a man.\" <br><br>\r\n 「男性が二人。そしてさらに銃も２丁。二人には護衛役に徹してもらって、荷物は台車で私が運ぶわ。楼座さんの時とは状況が明らかに異なるはずよ。」 <br>\r\n \"We'll have two men. And even two guns. Those two will act as guards, and I'll transport our cargo using a cart. I believe the situation will be significantly different than it was for Rosa-san.\" <br><br>\r\n 「わしを男と見込んでの話なら、喜んで協力させてもらうで。 <br>\r\n \"If you're countin' on me 'cause I'm a man, I'd be happy to help. <br><br>\r\n こう見えても、屋台を引いて鍛えた体や。力仕事は任せてな！」 <br>\r\n I may not look it, but I'm built up pretty strong from pushin' food stands around. Leave the heavy liftin' to me!\" <br><br>\r\n 「男性は護衛役に徹してくれていいの。使用人室に折り畳み式の台車があったから、それを使えば私ひとりでも充分に食料が運べるわ。 <br>\r\n \"You men can devote youselves to guarding. There's a folding cart in the servant room, and using that, I should be able to handle carrying the food. <br><br>\r\n ……もちろん用心はする。そして、この冒険を一度だけ成功させれば、もう二度と、私たちはここを出る危険を冒す必要はないの。」 <br>\r\n ...Of course, we'll be careful. And if we can succeed in this adventure just once, there won't be any need for us to take risks again.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………何とか考え直せませんか。皆さんに空腹を強いるのは心苦しいですが、…ですがしかし、今の外は何が起こるかわかりません…。」 <br>\r\n \"......Is there any way I can get you to rethink this? It may be painful for everyone to deal with empty stomachs, ...but even so, we do not know what is happening outside now...\" <br><br>\r\n 「用心するで。……それに絵羽はだいぶ体調が悪いんや。空腹には出来ん。胃袋が空っぽじゃ、飲める薬も飲めんわ。絵羽の為にも、わしは出掛けにゃならんのや。」 <br>\r\n \"We'll take care. ...And Eva's feelin' pretty darn bad right now. We can't let her stay hungry. If her stomach's empty, she can't take her medicine. I have to go out for Eva's sake as well.\" <br><br>\r\n 「絵羽の具合はどうなんだね。」 <br>\r\n \"How is Eva?\" <br><br>\r\n 「ようやく寝入ってくれたとこや。…熱も高い。しばらくそっとしたってや…。」 <br>\r\n \"Looks like she's finally gotten to sleep. ...She has a high fever. If we just leave her be for a while...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……妻の体調があっては、座してもいられんか…。 <br>\r\n \"...You can't just stand still when it comes to your wife's health... <br><br>\r\n ………わかった。外出を許可しよう。」 <br>\r\n ......Understood. I'll give you permission to go outside.\" <br><br>\r\n 「じゃあ、俺たちはさっくりと行って来るぜ。スピード勝負だ。 <br>\r\n \"Then, we'll take a little trip there and back. A speed contest. <br><br>\r\n 缶詰はＯＫだよな？ 缶切りくれぇこっちにあるよな？」 <br>\r\n Canned food's okay, right? You at least have a can opener here, don't you?\" <br><br>\r\n 「は、はい。缶切りと栓抜きはあります…。」 <br>\r\n \"Y-Yes. We have a can opener and a bottle opener...\" <br><br>\r\n 「ゲストハウスに水道があるから、飲み物は不要よね。１０人分もあるんだから、好き嫌いは言わせないわ。」 <br>\r\n \"There's running water in the guesthouse, so we won't need anything to drink. We need to get ten people's worth, so no being picky about what you get.\" <br><br>\r\n 「よっしゃ。ダダッと走ってって、さっさと持って来ようやないか。傘なんて差してる暇、あらへんで…！」 <br>\r\n \"All right! Why don't we dash out and bring it back quickly? There's no time to open umbrellas...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「じゃ、兄貴。留守番を頼むぜ。」 <br>\r\n \"See you, Aniki. I'll trust you to look after this place.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……気をつけてな。…本当ならば自分も行きたい。 <br>\r\n \"...Take care. ...Under normal circumstances, I'd want to go too. <br><br>\r\n …男に生まれながら、このような急場で力を貸せぬ長男の肩書きが恨めしい。」 <br>\r\n ...Being a man, I despise how this title of the oldest brother prevents me from lending a hand in an emergency like this.\" <br><br>\r\n 「こういう時くらいしか俺らには見せ場がないのさ。たまには譲って兄貴はのんびりしてろい。 <br>\r\n \"This is about the only time we get to show off. Sit back and take it easy every once in a while, Aniki. <br><br>\r\n じゃな、夏妃さん。タオルの準備でもして待っててくれ。傘はささねぇから濡れ鼠で帰ってくるぜ。」 <br>\r\n Okay, Natsuhi-san. Wait here and get some towels ready or something. We aren't using umbrellas, so we'll be soaked to the bone when we get back.\" <br><br>\r\n 「わ、わかりました。…お気をつけて。」 <br>\r\n \"U-Understood. ...Take care.\" <br><br>\r\n 留弗夫と霧江、そして秀吉の３人は、それぞれに勇ましい言葉を残し、ロビーを出て行くのだった…。 <br>\r\n Rudolf, Kyrie, and Hideyoshi, each leaving their own brave words behind, left the lobby... <br><br>\r\n 楼座たちが表に出た時に比べると、再び風は強くなっていた。 <br>\r\n Compared to the time Rosa and Maria had gone outside, the winds were much stronger. <br><br>\r\n 留弗夫たち３人は、傘をささず、銃や折り畳んだ台車を抱え、小走りに薔薇庭園を駆け抜けていく。 <br>\r\n Rudolf's group of three people jogged through the rose garden without umbrellas, holding their guns and a folded cart. <br><br>\r\n もしも雨も風の音もしない静寂だったなら、３人は耳を澄まし慎重に行動したかもしれない。 <br>\r\n しかしこの雨では、近くに不審者が潜んでいたとしても、その気配を気取ることは困難だ。 <br>\r\n If everything had been still and quiet, without the wind and the rain, they would probably have kept their ears open and moved with caution. <br><br>\r\n But in this rain, even if some suspicious person was hiding nearby, it would be difficult to notice them. <br><br>\r\n それならばむしろ、危険地帯を駆け抜けた方が良いだろうという留弗夫の提案だった。 <br>\r\n Because of that, it had been Rudolf's plan to instead dash through the dangerous area. <br><br>\r\n ……相手が銃で武装している可能性があるならば、固まってゆっくり歩くのは的にしてくれと言っているようなものだ。 <br>\r\n 迅速な行動はおそらく正しい判断だろう。 <br>\r\n ...If there was a chance that their opponent was equipped with a gun, then walking slowly with their guard up would only make them targets. <br><br>\r\n Taking swift action was probably the correct choice. <br><br>\r\n 「………薔薇庭園や。鴨がネギ背負って来たと思うとるかもしれんで…！」 <br>\r\n \"......The rose garden. It feels like we're just askin' to be attacked...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「頼むぜ、誰も出てきてくれるなよ…。」 <br>\r\n \"Please, let nobody come out of there...\" <br><br>\r\n 留弗夫と秀吉は、走り続けながらも、神経質にきょろきょろしては辺りを警戒した。 <br>\r\n Even as Rudolf and Hideyoshi continued to run, they looked around restlessly, vigilant of their surroundings. <br><br>\r\n 楼座と真里亞の死因は飛び道具ではない。 <br>\r\n ……しかし、使用人たちの死因はそれを疑えるものだった。 <br>\r\n Rosa and Maria's deaths had not been caused by a projectile weapon. <br><br>\r\n ...However, it was easy to suspect that the servants had been killed in such a manner. <br><br>\r\n 暗がりから飛び掛って来るか。 <br>\r\n それとも狙いを済まして闇から狙撃してくるか。 <br>\r\n Will they come flying out of the dark? <br><br>\r\n Or will they take careful aim and snipe from the shadows? <br><br>\r\n ……いずれにせよ、緊張感を解くことは一瞬たりともできない。 <br>\r\n ...Either way, they couldn't relax their tension for even an instant. <br><br>\r\n しかしそうではあっても、屋敷の玄関の軒下に辿り着き、雨粒から逃れられると、ほーっと安堵の息が漏れるのを感じるのだった。 <br>\r\n But even so, when they reached the overhang in front of the entrance to the mansion and escaped the reach of the raindrops, they felt themselves breathing a sigh of relief. <br><br>\r\n 「まずは問題なしやな。……楼座さんの時とは違う。迂闊に手は出せんやろ。」 <br>\r\n \"No problems for the first step. ...Unlike how it was for Rosa-san. Maybe they can't get their hands on us easily.\" <br><br>\r\n 「そう信じたいね。霧江、俺たちが見張ってる間に鍵を開けてくれ。」 <br>\r\n \"I'd like to believe that. Kyrie, unlock the door while we keep a lookout.\" <br><br>\r\n 「えぇ。ＳＰが二人もついてお屋敷に帰宅だなんて、実にエグゼクティブな気分よ。」 <br>\r\n \"Sure. Returning home to the mansion with a pair of SPs makes me feel just like an executive.\" <br><br>\r\n 「わっはっはっは。赤絨毯で召使のお出迎えがあれば完璧や。」 <br>\r\n \"Wahahahaha. If we had a welcoming party of servants with a red carpet, it'd be perfect.\" <br><br>\r\n 「お出迎えか。 <br>\r\n \"A welcoming party, huh? <br><br>\r\n …あるかもな。用心しようぜ。」 <br>\r\n ...You never know. Be careful.\" <br><br>\r\n 二人が用心深く辺りを警戒する中、 <br>\r\n As the two cautiously surveyed their surroundings, <br><br>\r\n 霧江は預かったマスターキーで玄関を開錠する。 <br>\r\n Kyrie unlocked the entrance with the master key she had been given. <br><br>\r\n 「開いたわ。」 <br>\r\n \"It's open.\" <br><br>\r\n 「秀吉兄さん。先頭を頼めるか。俺は背後を警戒するぜ。」 <br>\r\n \"Hideyoshi-san, could you take the front? I'll keep an eye on the rear.\" <br><br>\r\n 「了解や。霧江さん、わしの影から出ないようにな。 <br>\r\n \"Understood. Kyrie-san, try not to move from my shadow. <br><br>\r\n ……ほな、突入するで！」 <br>\r\n ...Okay, let's break in!\" <br><br>\r\n 「後方了解、援護するぜ…！」 <br>\r\n \"Rear guard, roger that. Covering...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……男の人って嫌ぁね。この状況をちょっぴり楽しんでるでしょ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Ah, men. Even in a situation like this, you're just playing around, aren't you?\" <br><br>\r\n 「諦めろよ、それが男ってモンだぜ。 <br>\r\n \"Give it up, that's how men are. <br><br>\r\n ……しかし、相変わらず酷ぇ臭いだな。」 <br>\r\n ...Seriously though, that stench is awful.\" <br><br>\r\n …屋敷内の空気は、重苦しい静寂で澱んでいるように感じられた。 <br>\r\n ...It felt like the air in the mansion was stagnant with a gloomy silence. <br><br>\r\n そしてそれ以上に、ボイラー室からの金蔵の焼死体の異臭は未だに濃厚で、頼まれなくても屋敷を出たい気持ちに駆られた。 <br>\r\n And on top of that, it was still thick with the stench from Kinzo's burnt corpse in the boiler room, and they were struck with an uncontrollable desire to leave the mansion. <br><br>\r\n 「前方、問題ないで。厨房まで一っ走りや。」 <br>\r\n \"No problems in the front. Just a short dash to the kitchen.\" <br><br>\r\n 「とっとと済ませて引き揚げよう。スーツが親父の臭いで燻蒸されちまうぜ。」 <br>\r\n \"Let's finish this quickly and head home. This suit'll get fumigated with Dad's stench.\" <br><br>\r\n ３人は厨房へ向かって駆けて行く…。 <br>\r\n The three of them dashed towards the kitchen... <br><br>\r\n そして彼らが姿を消した後の玄関に、……新しき魔女が姿を現す。 <br>\r\n And after they disappeared from the entrance hall, ...the new witch appeared there. <br><br>\r\n 「まんまと誘い出されたわね。……私の罠に、まんまと引っ掛かってくれた。」 <br>\r\n \"They were lured out just as planned. ...Just as planned, they got caught in my trap.\" <br><br>\r\n 魔女はにやりと笑う。 <br>\r\n The witch grinned. <br><br>\r\n ……今にして考えれば、いくら耐え難い空腹感があったとはいえ、楼座たちが襲われて命を落としてから数時間も経っていない。 <br>\r\n ...Thinking about it now, no matter how unbearable their hunger had grown, it hadn't even been a few hours since Rosa and Maria had been attacked and had lost their lives. <br><br>\r\n にもかかわらず、なぜ彼らは無用心にもゲストハウスを出なければならなかったのだろう…。 <br>\r\n In that case, why had they needed to recklessly leave the guesthouse...? <br><br>\r\n その疑問が埋められない内は、魔女の魔法の力で呼び出されたということにする他ない…。 <br>\r\n Until that question could be dealt with, the only answer was that they had been called out by the witch's magic... <br><br>\r\n 「無用心なヤツら。……もう生きてこの屋敷から出しはしないわ。 <br>\r\n \"What reckless people. ...They'll never leave this mansion alive. <br><br>\r\n 閉じよ、鍵よ。屋敷よ！」 <br>\r\n Seal yourself, lock. Seal yourself, mansion!\" <br><br>\r\n そう宣言した瞬間。 <br>\r\n The instant she proclaimed that... <br><br>\r\n 屋敷は異空間に切り取られた。 <br>\r\n The mansion was sealed off into a separate world. <br><br>\r\n ……もう、彼女が結界を解かない限り、誰も屋敷からは出られない、入れない。 <br>\r\n ...Unless her barrier was undone, no longer would anyone be able to exit this mansion or enter it. <br><br>\r\n 「……お見事です。無限の魔女を継承してから、まだ半日も経たないのに、それほどまでに魔法を使いこなされるとは。 <br>\r\n \"...Spectacular. To think that even though barely half a day has passed since you succeeded the Endless Witch, you can use magic this well. <br><br>\r\n ……その才能に驚きます。まるであなたは、生まれながらにしての魔女のようだ。」 <br>\r\n ...That talent surprises me. It's almost as though you were born a witch.\" <br><br>\r\n 「だって私、生まれた時から魔女だもの。 <br>\r\n \"Well, I have been a witch since the time of my birth. <br><br>\r\n ……あなたは瞬きの仕方を誰かに習うの？ 私が魔法を使えるのは、そういうことよ。」 <br>\r\n ...Who taught you how to blink? That's what using magic is like for me.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………。…恐ろしいお方だ。」 <br>\r\n \"............What a fearsome person.\" <br><br>\r\n 魔女の顔が残忍に歪む。 <br>\r\n ……再び命が弄べるのが楽しみで仕方ないのだ。 <br>\r\n The witch's face twisted with brutality. <br><br>\r\n ...She just couldn't help looking forward to toying with someone's life again. <br><br>\r\n 「さてさて。 <br>\r\n \"Well then... <br><br>\r\n ……くふふふふふふひっひひひひひひゃひゃ！ まずは留弗夫と霧江なわけだけど、どんな残酷な殺し方をしてやろうかしら…！」 <br>\r\n ...Gehehehehhihhihihihihihihyahya! First up is Rudolf and Kyrie, but in what cruel way should I kill them...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……失礼ながら。先代さまより、不必要な残酷なる殺害は控えるようご指示を賜っております。そして、第四の晩以降は、生贄の捧げ方に作法がございます。それには煉獄の七姉妹の力を借りねばなりません。」 <br>\r\n \"...If you don't mind me saying, your Predecessor-sama has left instructions that you are to restrain yourself from committing murders of unnecessary cruelty. And, there is an etiquette for offering the sacrifices from the fourth twilight onwards. For that, you must borrow the power of the Seven Sisters of Purgatory.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……あら、そうだったの？ そういえばそうだったわね。好き勝手に遊べるのはさっきの第二の晩までなのね。………………つまんないわ。また楼座の時みたいに思い切り遊べると思ったのに。 <br>\r\n \"...Oh, really? Now that you mention it, that's right. I could only play as I like with that second twilight. .........Boring. Just when I thought I could play to my heart's content like I did with Rosa.\" <br><br>\r\n ……でも、それは最後の殺し方、という意味でしょう？」 <br>\r\n \"...But, that only counts for how they're killed in the end, right?\" <br><br>\r\n 「と、申しますと…。」 <br>\r\n \"Meaning...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「私が何度、どれほどの殺し方をしようとも、生き返らせて、最後に碑文の殺し方に沿えばいい訳でしょ？ <br>\r\n \"I could just kill them however I want over and over again, revive them, and then follow the epitaph during the last time I kill them, right?\" <br><br>\r\n ……つまり、私がどう遊ぼうと、結局は問題ないってことになるわ。……こんなに面白い力、誰が大人しくなんかするもんか…！ <br>\r\n \"...So, in the end, no matter how I play, it isn't a problem. ...Who'd act well-behaved with an entertaining power like this...?! <br><br>\r\n くっひひひひひひひひ！」 <br>\r\n Kuhhihihihihihihi!\" <br><br>\r\n 彼女の暴論は、無限の魔女としては極めて正論。 <br>\r\n 第四の晩以降の生贄は、“頭を抉れ”に代表されるように殺し方の作法が決まっている。 <br>\r\n Her absurd argument was, for an Endless Witch, an extremely valid one. <br><br>\r\n The etiquette that controlled the manner of killing the sacrifices of the fourth twilight and onward was represented by lines like `gouge the head'. <br><br>\r\n しかし、それは最終的な死に方を示したものだ。 <br>\r\n However, that referred to the way those people died in the end. <br><br>\r\n つまり、……それまでの過程でどう甚振り、どう殺そうとも、自由。 <br>\r\n 何度でも蘇らし、最後の殺し方だけルールに従えばいいのだろうという話なのだ。 <br>\r\n In other words, ...in the process leading up to that, she was free to tease and kill them however she wanted. <br><br>\r\n She just had to keep on reviving them...and follow the rules only when she killed them the final time. <br><br>\r\n その無邪気な残酷さに、ロノウェは魔女の才能の一端を感じつつも、彼女の生来の残忍な一面に気付き始めるのだった。 <br>\r\n Though Ronove felt that her innocent cruelty was part of her talent as a witch, he was beginning to notice a innately brutal side of her. <br><br>\r\n 「……魔女は見習いがもっとも残忍と申しますが、本当のようですね。 <br>\r\n \"...They do say that apprentices are the most brutal of witches, and now I see this may be true. <br><br>\r\n ………ご随意に、と申し上げたいところですが、ここはやはり自重なさった方が賢明でしょう。彼らは銃を持っています。銃のような反魔法力の高い武器は、魔女や悪魔の天敵です。」 <br>\r\n ......Do as you wish...is what I would like to say, but here, it may actually be wiser to show restraint. They have guns. Weapons with a high anti-magic power, such as guns, are the natural enemies of witches and demons.\" <br><br>\r\n 意外にも銃を恐れる悪魔の執事に、魔女はきょとんとした表情を浮かべる。 <br>\r\n The witch stared blankly at this demon butler, who was surprisingly afraid of guns. <br><br>\r\n 「………話が違うわ。魔女は弾丸なんか射掛けられても、へっちゃらじゃないのかしら？」 <br>\r\n \"......That can't be right. Shouldn't witches be able to take a shot from a bullet easily?\" <br><br>\r\n 「いいえ。普通のニンゲンとまったく同じように致命傷となります。…その弱点を気取らせない為に、多くの魔女は厳重に防御結界や家具の守備によって身辺を固めるのです。」 <br>\r\n \"No. It would be just as fatal for a witch as it would be for a normal Human. ...To prevent that weak point from being noticed, most witches rigorously strengthen their guard with a defense of protective barriers and furniture.\" <br><br>\r\n 「私に、その防御結界というのはあるの？」 <br>\r\n \"Do I have any of those protective barrier things?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……銃弾をも無効にする結界の構築には、充分な準備と儀式が必要です。残念ながら、今のベアトリーチェさまにはございません。また、銃弾を防げるほどの家具の召喚も、現在はその準備がありません。」 <br>\r\n \"...Constructing a barrier to make even gun bullets ineffective requires much in the way of preparation and ceremonies. I am afraid to say that Beatrice-sama currently has none of those. Furthermore, you are currently ill prepared to summon furniture strong enough to block a bullet.\" <br><br>\r\n 「これほどの魔力を持つ大魔女になりながら、それでもやはり鉛弾に怯えなければならないのね。 <br>\r\n \"So even though I've become a Great Witch with this much magical power, I really do have to be afraid of lead bullets. <br><br>\r\n ………不愉快だけど、仕方がないわ。となれば、家具を呼び出して私の手足とすればいいわけね？」 <br>\r\n ......It's annoying, but I don't have a choice. So, in that case, should I call some furniture to act as my arms and legs?\" <br><br>\r\n 「はい。危険に身を晒さず、家具に全てを任すのもまた、魔女の優雅なる嗜みでございます。ここは家具に任せ、ベアトリーチェさまは安全なところへお隠れを。」 <br>\r\n \"Yes. Leaving everything to your servants while not exposing yourself to danger is also a part of a witch's refined tastes. Beatrice-sama, leave this to the furniture and hide in a safe place.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………わかったわ。 <br>\r\n \"......I get it. <br><br>\r\n …煉獄の七姉妹。誰でもいいわ、適当に２人…！」 <br>\r\n ...I call on the Seven Sisters of Purgatory. I don't care who, any two...!\" <br><br>\r\n その呼び出しに、レヴィアタンとベルフェゴールが応じる。 <br>\r\n Leviathan and Belphegor responded to that call. <br><br>\r\n 「嫉妬のレヴィアタン、ここに。」 <br>\r\n 「怠惰のベルフェゴール、ここに。」 <br>\r\n \"Leviathan of Envy, right here.\" <br><br>\r\n \"Belphegor of Sloth, right here.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あんたたちの力を見せてもらうわ。標的は留弗夫と霧江。秀吉はダメよ。……さぁ、あなたたちがどれだけ残酷な家具なのか、私に見せてみて。」 <br>\r\n \"Show me your power. Your targets are Rudolf and Kyrie. Don't attack Hideyoshi. ...Come on, show me just how cruel you can be, furniture.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……恐れながら。先代さまより、不要なる残酷行為は控えるようご命令を賜っております。」 <br>\r\n \"...My apologies, but we've received orders from the Predecessor-sama to refrain from unnecessarily cruel actions.\" <br><br>\r\n 「でもぉ、先代さまのご命令の範囲内で、甚振ることはできると思います。それでもよろしいですか？」 <br>\r\n \"Buuut, I think the Predecessor-sama's order does give us some leeway to tease them. Do you still wanna go through with it?\" <br><br>\r\n 「ふん。わかった、それで妥協するわ。 <br>\r\n \"Hmph. I get it, I'll compromise. <br><br>\r\n ……簡単に殺しては駄目よ。徹底的に追い詰めて、死の恐怖を味わわせてから殺すのよ。……それでいいのかしら、ロノウェ？」 <br>\r\n ...Don't let them die easily. Thoroughly corner them and let them taste the fear of death before killing them. ...Will that be okay, Ronove?\" <br><br>\r\n 「はい。程度をお考え頂ければ問題ないかと思います。」 <br>\r\n \"Yes. Depending on the degree, I do not believe there will be a problem.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………なら、お行きなさい！」 <br>\r\n \"......Then, go!\" <br><br>\r\n 「「はいっ、お任せを…！」」 <br>\r\n \"\"Yes, leave it to us...!\"\" <br><br>\r\n 「相手は銃で武装しています。…あなたたちほどの者ならば、かわすことは容易いでしょうが、 <br>\r\n …もしも当たれば致命傷ですよ。くれぐれも用心を。」 <br>\r\n \"Your opponents are armed with guns. ...For those such as you, dodging them should be easy, <br><br>\r\n ...but if you are hit, the wound will be fatal. Proceed with an appropriate level of caution.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ご心配なく。そのような無様は晒しません。」 <br>\r\n \"Don't worry. We aren't that incompetent.\" <br><br>\r\n 煉獄の七姉妹の二人は姿を消す。 <br>\r\n The two Sisters of Purgatory vanished. <br><br>\r\n ロノウェも一礼してから姿を消す。 <br>\r\n Ronove bowed and vanished himself. <br><br>\r\n 「………殺し方にまでルールがね。………何で私が先代さまに気兼ねしなくちゃならないの？ …………窮屈でつまらない。」 <br>\r\n \"......There are even rules on how to kill them. ......Why do I have to be constrained by my Predecessor-sama? ......It's so rigid and boring.\" <br><br>\r\n 魔女はホールに掲げられた先代ベアトリーチェの肖像画を見上げながら、悪態をつくのだった…。 <br>\r\n As the witch looked up at the portrait of the Predecessor Beatrice hung in the hall, she cursed... <br><br>\r\n ３人はすでに厨房に到着し、食料を集めていた。 <br>\r\n 毒が混ぜられているかもしれない可能性も考え、魅力的な野菜や果物の類を諦め、安全な缶詰だけをダンボールまるまる一箱分集めた。 <br>\r\n The three people had already arrived at the kitchen and were gathering food supplies. <br><br>\r\n Considering the possibility of poison, they gave up on the alluring fruits and vegetables...and gathered a whole cardboard box full of only the safe canned foods. <br><br>\r\n かなりの重量だが、台車に積めば何とか運べる。 <br>\r\n It was very heavy, but by piling it on the cart, they could carry it well enough. <br><br>\r\n これだけあれば、１０人なら明日の朝食まで余裕が持てる。船を待つにはそれで充分だ。 <br>\r\n This should be more than enough for ten people to hold out until tomorrow's breakfast. That should carry them until the boat arrives. <br><br>\r\n 男２人は護衛役に専念のはずだったが、この重さの荷物では台車であっても霧江には辛い。 <br>\r\n 力自慢を自称する秀吉が台車役を代わり、護衛役は留弗夫夫妻が勤めた。 <br>\r\n The two men were supposed to be focused solely on guard duty, but the weight of the load was tough on Kyrie even with the cart. <br><br>\r\n Hideyoshi, who wanted to show off his power, switched to be the cart-pusher, and Rudolf and his wife took up the task of guard duty. <br><br>\r\n 「これだけあれば、譲治たちも満腹やろ。 <br>\r\n \"With all this, even George and the kids will be full. <br><br>\r\n 帰るまでが遠足や、行くで…！」 <br>\r\n The trip back'll be a picnic, so let's go...!\" <br><br>\r\n 秀吉が威勢よく出発を宣言した時、霧江が表情をしかめ、遠くを見るような目をした。 <br>\r\n When Hideyoshi vigorously announced their departure, Kyrie frowned and seemed to be gazing into the distance. <br><br>\r\n ……その方向には壁がある。 <br>\r\n …いや、視線が貫けるならば、その向こうにはホールがある…。 <br>\r\n ...There was a wall in that direction. <br><br>\r\n ...No, if her gaze could go through that, there was the main hall beyond it... <br><br>\r\n 「………どうした、霧江。」 <br>\r\n \"......What is it, Kyrie?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…チリチリするの。………嫌な予感がするわ。」 <br>\r\n \"...It's vague, ......but I've got a bad feeling gnawing at me.\" <br><br>\r\n 霧江は足を止め、なおも目を細めるような仕草をする。 <br>\r\n Kyrie stopped walking and narrowed her eyes even further. <br><br>\r\n 「………女の勘か？」 <br>\r\n \"......Women's intuition?\" <br><br>\r\n こういう時の霧江の勘は、理屈抜きに当たる。 <br>\r\n …留弗夫はその勘を信じた。 <br>\r\n At times like this, Kyrie's intuition often rang true, even when she didn't have a logical reason. <br><br>\r\n ...Rudolf believed in that intuition. <br><br>\r\n 「えぇ。多分、私たちは待ち伏せされてる。……さっきまではその気配はなかったの。…でも、たった今、感じたわ。 <br>\r\n \"Yes. Someone's probably waiting to ambush us. ...I didn't sense them before, ...but just now, I felt it. <br><br>\r\n ……たった今、私たちは、 <br>\r\n ...Just now someone... <br><br>\r\n ~ib~待ち伏せられた~ib~。」 <br>\r\n ~ib~set up an ambush for us~ib~.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……なら、来た道を戻る義理はねぇな。 <br>\r\n \"...Then there's no reason to go back the way we came. <br><br>\r\n そこに勝手口があるじゃねぇか。そっちから出よう。」 <br>\r\n There's a back door over there, right? Let's leave that way.\" <br><br>\r\n 留弗夫は勝手口の扉の鍵を開けようとする。 <br>\r\n Rudolf made to unlock the back door. <br><br>\r\n 厨房への荷物の運び込みは、家人たちが出入りする屋敷内を決して通りはしない。 <br>\r\n When goods were carried into the kitchen, they never passed through the part of the mansion that the family came and went from. <br><br>\r\n だから、勝手口の外には搬入用のスロープもあるだろう。きっと台車はここから出られる。 <br>\r\n So outside the back door, there was probably a ramp used to carry things in. Surely, they would be able to leave through there with the cart. <br><br>\r\n 「……何だこりゃ。…固ぇ。…クソ、どうなってんだ。」 <br>\r\n \"...What the heck? ...It's stuck. ...Damn, what's going on?\" <br><br>\r\n 「開かないの？」 <br>\r\n \"Can't you open it?\" <br><br>\r\n 「あぁ。壊れてんのかな。びくともしねぇぜ…。」 <br>\r\n \"Nope. Is it broken? It isn't giving an inch...\" <br><br>\r\n 留弗夫は、力任せにしたり、あるいは宥めすかしたり、色々と試すのだが、鍵は岩のように固まり、びくともしなかった。 <br>\r\n Rudolf tried various things, first using force, then coaxing it, but the lock was as hard as stone and didn't even budge. <br><br>\r\n 「…無理せんと、玄関から出ようや。モタモタ時間を潰す方が、今は惜しいで。」 <br>\r\n \"...Don't force it. Let's leave through the front entrance. Right now, it'll be even worse if we stand around wasting time.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n 「……これが罠だってのか？」 <br>\r\n \"...You think this is a trap?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…わからない。用心して。」 <br>\r\n \"...I don't know. Be careful.\" <br><br>\r\n ３人は緊迫の面持ちで、再びホールへ戻り、玄関を目指す…。 <br>\r\n With strained expressions, the three of them returned to the hall again and headed for the entrance... <br><br>\r\n 「だ、……誰だッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Wh-Who is it?!!\" <br><br>\r\n ホールに出た途端に、留弗夫が真っ先に不審な人影を認めて叫んだ…。 <br>\r\n The instant they exited into the hall, Rudolf noticed a suspicious shadow right in front of them and yelled... <br><br>\r\n その瞬間、金箔の嵐が巻き起こり、黄金の蝶たちが空間を黄金色に染めた。 <br>\r\n In that instant, a storm of gold leaf started blowing, and gold butterflies covered the area with a gold color. <br><br>\r\n 「…………信じられん。ニンゲン如きが、我らの待ち伏せを予見したか。」 <br>\r\n \"......I can't believe it. A lowly Human predicted our ambush?\" <br><br>\r\n 「わ、私のせいじゃないわよ。気配は消してたもん…！」 <br>\r\n \"I-It isn't my fault. I was hiding my presence...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「躊躇しないでッ！！ 撃ってッ！！！」 <br>\r\n \"Don't hesitate!! Fire!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 二人の銃が火を噴く。 <br>\r\n The two guns spouted fire. <br><br>\r\n 鉛の弾丸は二人が持つ魔法防御を、濡れた障子紙のようにあっさり撃ち抜きながら迫るが、……そこにあったはずの二人の姿は掻き消える。 <br>\r\n The lead bullets blasted right through the magical defense of the pair as easily as though it were a wet paper wall, ...but the two figures that should have been there had disappeared. <br><br>\r\n 確かに銃は彼女らにとっても恐れるものかもしれない。 <br>\r\n Certainly, guns were frightening objects for them. <br><br>\r\n …しかし当たらなければ怯える必要はない。 <br>\r\n 彼女らにはそれをかわせるだけの素早さがあった。 <br>\r\n ...But there was no need to fear as long as they weren't hit. <br><br>\r\n They at least had enough speed to dodge those. <br><br>\r\n 「ちょっとぉ！ 名乗りも上げさせないつもりぃ？！ <br>\r\n \"Wait a sec! You won't even give us a chance to say our names?! <br><br>\r\n これだからニンゲンは嫌なのよぅ！」 <br>\r\n This is why I hate Humans!\" <br><br>\r\n レヴィアタンは、本来いたはずの場所から１０ｍ以上も離れた、階段の影の柱からひょっこりと顔をのぞかせて抗議する。 <br>\r\n Leviathan was a full 10 meters from where she had supposedly been, popping her head out from behind the pillars in the shadow of the staircase and protesting. <br><br>\r\n 「ベアトリーチェさまのご命令により、貴様らを討つ！ 時間を掛けて甚振れとのご命令だ。抵抗は自由、されど無駄と知れ…！」 <br>\r\n \"In accordance with Beatrice-sama's orders, we will hunt you down! Our orders tell us to make it take some time and to tease you. You are free to resist, but know that it will be useless...!\" <br><br>\r\n その声は頭上から。 <br>\r\n ベルフェゴールの姿はホールのシャンデリアの上にあった。 <br>\r\n 優雅に見下ろしながら、残酷な笑みで処刑を宣告する。 <br>\r\n That voice came from overhead. <br><br>\r\n Belphegor could be seen on top of the hall chandelier. <br><br>\r\n Elegantly looking down upon them, she proclaimed their execution with a cruel smile. <br><br>\r\n 「……な、 <br>\r\n ……何なんや、この姉ちゃんたちは…？！」 <br>\r\n \"...Wh- <br><br>\r\n What are these girls...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「台車は忘れてッ！！ 相手は二人よ、散開すれば全員を追うことはできないわ！」 <br>\r\n \"Forget the cart!! We have two opponents, so if we split up, they can't chase all of us!\" <br><br>\r\n ３人は全員、屋敷内には精通している。 <br>\r\n それぞれに逃げて、窓を破るなり勝手口を出るなりしてゲストハウスへ逃げ帰ることで、緊急時の打ち合わせは済んでいる。 <br>\r\n All three of them were well acquainted with the inside of the mansion. <br><br>\r\n In case of a crisis, they had planned to run off in separate directions, returning to the guesthouse by breaking windows or leaving through a back door. <br><br>\r\n 戦いは厳禁。……逃げ切れる限り。 <br>\r\n Fighting was forbidden. ...As long as they could fully escape. <br><br>\r\n 「はっははッ、三十六計、逃げるが勝ちだぜ…！！」 <br>\r\n \"Hahaha, in a tight spot, escaping is victory...!\" <br><br>\r\n ３人は屋敷の奥へ一目散に逃げ出す。 <br>\r\n 家具の二人は悠然とその背中を見送る。 <br>\r\n The three of them ran into the depths of the mansion at full tilt. <br><br>\r\n That pair of furniture calmly watched them go. <br><br>\r\n 「……私は女の方を殺るわ。あんたは男を！」 <br>\r\n \"...I'll kill the woman. You take the man!\" <br><br>\r\n 「了解した。」 <br>\r\n \"Understood.\" <br><br>\r\n 柱の影とシャンデリア上の２人の家具は、人の姿を弾けさせ、飛び跳ねる甲虫が壁にぶつかるような音だけを残しながら、各々の標的を追跡する。 <br>\r\n The furniture in the shadows of the pillars and on the chandelier made their figures explode, and, leaving behind only the sound of a hopping beetle knocking against the wall, they pursued their respective targets. <br><br>\r\n その速度は圧倒的で、容易に彼らの退路を断ってしまうのだ。 <br>\r\n Their speed was overwhelming, and they easily blocked the others' paths of retreat. <br><br>\r\n 「…………家具のお手並み、拝見させてもらうわ。楽しませてくれるといいのだけど。」 <br>\r\n \"......Let's see what this furniture's got. I hope they're at least able to amuse me...\" <br><br>\r\n 「ベアトリーチェさま、濫りに姿を現されない方がよろしいかと…。」 <br>\r\n \"Beatrice-sama, it may not be prudent for you to reveal your form unnecessarily...\" <br><br>\r\n 「キングは濫りに中央を動かないものよ。それが王者の、 <br>\r\n …魔女の貫禄よ！」 <br>\r\n \"And you don't unnecessarily move your king away from the center. That's part of a monarch's... <br><br>\r\n ...and a witch's dignity!\" <br><br>\r\n 大胆にも２階へ逃れようとした留弗夫の前には、もうベルフェゴールが立ち塞がっていた。 <br>\r\n Belphegor was already blocking the way in front of Rudolf, who had boldly tried to escape to the second floor. <br><br>\r\n 「抵抗も、そして逃走も無駄だ。……お前は何も考えなくていい。 <br>\r\n \"It's useless to try and resist or escape. ...You don't need to think about anything. <br><br>\r\n ただ目を閉じているだけでいい。私が全て、やさしく終わらせてやる。」 <br>\r\n Just close your eyes. I'll gently end it all for you.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あんた、いい嫁さんになれるな。疲れて帰ってくる旦那はそういうの喜ぶぜ。」 <br>\r\n \"You'd make a good wife. Husbands love to hear that kind of thing when they come home all tired.\" <br><br>\r\n 「この期に及んで不埒な話をする余裕があるとは…！ <br>\r\n \"To think you're still relaxed enough to speak with such insolence at a time like this...! <br><br>\r\n 良き獲物っ、ベアトリーチェさま、感謝します！ 死ねッ！！！」 <br>\r\n Beatrice-sama, thank you for this excellent prey! Die!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 先制射撃は留弗夫。 <br>\r\n Rudolf shot first. <br><br>\r\n しかし、その銃弾が着弾するより、ベルフェゴールが留弗夫の背後を取る方が早い。 <br>\r\n But even before that bullet could hit her, Belphegor had already moved behind Rudolf's back. <br><br>\r\n そこには腕より伸びる紫色の奇跡を振り上げる姿が。 <br>\r\n She then raised a purple curve springing out from her arm... <br><br>\r\n しかし、その腕が留弗夫の首を撥ねるより、信じられないことに、留弗夫が背後に銃を振る方が早い。 <br>\r\n However, incredibly, before that arm could decapitate Rudolf, he had swung his gun behind him. <br><br>\r\n ソードオフ銃を片手でリロードするアクションからそのまま、銃口が背後へ伸びていた。 <br>\r\n The barrel remained pointing behind his back...from the same motion with which he had reloaded the sawed-off gun one-handedly. <br><br>\r\n それはぴったりとベルフェゴールの胸元に突きつけられている…。 <br>\r\n It was pointing right at Belphegor's chest... <br><br>\r\n チン、カランコロン…！ <br>\r\n それはリロードで排莢された空薬莢が今更壁を叩く音だった。 <br>\r\n *click*, *cha-clunk*...! <br><br>\r\n It was the sound of the ejected empty cartridge finally hitting the wall after the reload. <br><br>\r\n つまりそれはすでに次弾装填が終了しているということ。 <br>\r\n In other words, it meant that the next shot was already fully loaded. <br><br>\r\n 振り返りもせず、ベルフェゴールの胸元に完全に銃を突きつけている留弗夫はニヤリと笑う。 <br>\r\n Without turning around, his gun pointing right at Belphegor's chest, Rudolf grinned. <br><br>\r\n 「………やるな………。…中年男の分際で…ッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"......Not bad...... ...For a middle-aged man...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「西部劇世代を舐めるんじゃねぇぜ？ ガキどもにレバーアクションの渋みは語らせねぇ。」 <br>\r\n \"Don't look down on the generation that loves old Westerns, okay? You brats don't know anything about the refinement of a lever-action.\" <br><br>\r\n 留弗夫と同じように霧江もまた、１階廊下にて悪魔の杭と対峙していた。 <br>\r\n Just like Rudolf, Kyrie was also confronting a demon stake in the first floor corridor. <br><br>\r\n 「間抜けなヤツね。夫と一緒に逃げればよかったのに。さっきのが今生の別れになったわよ…？ <br>\r\n \"What a moron. You could've just escaped with your husband. You do know that was your final farewell just now, right...? <br><br>\r\n くすくすくす！」 <br>\r\n *giggle*giggle*giggle*!\" <br><br>\r\n 「大丈夫よ。ウチの人、こういうのとても得意なの。すぐに白馬で迎えに来てくれるわ。 <br>\r\n \"Don't worry. This kind of thing is my husband's specialty. I'm sure he'll come for me on a white horse soon. <br><br>\r\n 私が困った時、彼が助けに来てくれなかったことはないんだから。……明日夢さんがいた頃であってもね？ ふふ。」 <br>\r\n Because he's never failed to come and save me when I'm in trouble. ...Not even when Asumu-san was around. Heheh.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ふっふふふふふふ！ 本当に仲の良い夫婦ね。嫉妬するわ。………私は嫉妬のレヴィアタン…！ 嫉妬こそ我が力。我が怒り、我が源泉！」 <br>\r\n \"Heheheheheheheh! What a happy couple. I'm jealous. ......I am Leviathan of Envy...! Envy itself is my power. My anger, my lifeblood!\" <br><br>\r\n 「同感ね。嫉妬は女の力の原点よ。…それが力だと言うなら、あなた如きお嬢ちゃんになんか負けないんだから。」 <br>\r\n \"I agree. Envy is the source of a woman's power. ...And if that is power, I won't lose to a girl like you.\" <br><br>\r\n 「はっははははははははは！ 嫉妬を司る私によくも言えたわね！ お前たち夫婦を再会などさせるものか…！！ <br>\r\n \"Hahhahahahahahahahaha! Imagine saying that to the one who governs envy! You actually think I'd let you two be reunited...?!! <br><br>\r\n あっははははは、悲劇的な別れを与えてやるわッ！！」 <br>\r\n Ahhahahahaha, I'll give you a tragic farewell!!\" <br><br>\r\n レヴィアタンの振る腕は紫色の軌跡を引く。 <br>\r\n それは悪意で切断する魔法の刃。 <br>\r\n The arm Leviathan swung was trailed by a purple curve. <br><br>\r\n It was a magic blade that cut with the power of malice. <br><br>\r\n 霧江はそれを銃で庇い防ぐ。 <br>\r\n Kyrie blocked it with her gun. <br><br>\r\n ……魔法抵抗力の極めて高い「銃」は、鉄であってもバターのように切断するはずの魔法の刃を、まるで丸めた新聞紙のチャンバラを受け止めるように防ぐことができる。 <br>\r\n ...Even though the magic blade should have cut through the metal like butter, the `gun', with its extremely high magic resistance power, was able to block the blade as easily as if it were a rolled up newspaper. <br><br>\r\n 素早く二度三度。それを全て防ぎ切る。 <br>\r\n Rapidly, two times, three times. It blocked all of them. <br><br>\r\n そしてその紫の軌跡が、大振りに振りあがった隙を逃さず、霧江の踵がレヴィアタンの下腹を蹴り押す。 <br>\r\n And, without missing the opening created when that purple curve took a swing upward, Kyrie kicked Leviathan in the stomach with her heel. <br><br>\r\n レヴィアタンはまるで羽のように軽く、舞うように吹き飛ぶ。 <br>\r\n Leviathan was knocked away like a lightly dancing feather. <br><br>\r\n …悪魔の杭の足が、再び地に着ける前に。 <br>\r\n ...Before the demon stake's feet touched ground again... <br><br>\r\n もう霧江の銃口は空中にてレヴィアタンを完全に捕らえていた。 <br>\r\n Kyrie was already pointing her gun directly at Leviathan in midair. <br><br>\r\n その中空で、嫉妬は力だと言葉を交し合った二人の女の目線が交差する。 <br>\r\n From that position, the two women who had called envy a form of power met each other's gaze. <br><br>\r\n 「……う、撃てるぅ？ その引き金…！！」 <br>\r\n \"...C-Can you do it? Can you pull that trigger...?!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「私、夫のいないところでは残酷よ？」 <br>\r\n \"I can be brutal when my husband isn't around.\" <br><br>\r\n 「うわったたたたたッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Owowowowowowow!!\" <br><br>\r\n 階段をごろごろと留弗夫が転げ落ちてくる。 <br>\r\n ベルフェゴールに徐々に追い詰められ、元のホールへ再び押し戻されたのだ。 <br>\r\n Rudolf tumbled down the staircase. <br><br>\r\n He'd been gradually cornered by Belphegor...and had been pushed back into the main hall they'd started from. <br><br>\r\n 「………先代さまの家具もなかなかやるわね。派手さに欠けるけど！」 <br>\r\n \"......The Predecessor-sama's furniture is pretty good. They aren't very flashy though!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ベアトリーチェさま…！ まだ終わっていませんっ、姿を現されては危険です…！」 <br>\r\n \"Beatrice-sama...! It isn't over yet, and it's dangerous to show yourself...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………………お前、 <br>\r\n ……まさか、絵羽なのか。」 <br>\r\n \".........Don't tell me you're... <br><br>\r\n ...Eva?\" <br><br>\r\n 「それはかつて私の名だった。でも今は違うわよ、留弗夫。」 <br>\r\n \"That used to be my name. But it's different now, Rudolf.\" <br><br>\r\n 「言わなくてもわかってるさ。黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェだって言うんだろ？」 <br>\r\n \"You don't have to tell me. You're gonna say you're the Golden Witch, Beatrice, right?\" <br><br>\r\n 「ふっふふふふふふ、あっははははは！ どうしてわかったの？」 <br>\r\n \"Ehheheheheh, ahhahahahaha! How did you know?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……楼座が殺された時から、想像はついてたさ。 <br>\r\n \"...Since the time Rosa was killed, I had a vague idea. <br><br>\r\n ………楼座、許しな。お前の地獄に、お前の大嫌いな姉を送っちまうことをよ…！！」 <br>\r\n ......Rosa, forgive me. Forgive me for sending the sister you hated down to the hell you're in...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ベアトリーチェさまッ、危ない！！！」 <br>\r\n \"Beatrice-sama, look out!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 留弗夫が容赦なき銃口をかつての姉を名乗る魔女に向ける。 <br>\r\n しかしベルフェゴールはそれを許すまじと猛然と襲い掛かる。 <br>\r\n Rudolf mercilessly pointed the barrel of his gun at the witch who claimed to have once been his sister. <br><br>\r\n But Belphegor would not permit that and attacked savagely. <br><br>\r\n 飛び掛れば消えて留弗夫の背後に。 <br>\r\n She dashed, disappeared, and headed for Rudolf's back... <br><br>\r\n その一撃をかわせば再び留弗夫の背後に。 <br>\r\n ...She dodged that shot and again headed for Rudolf's back... <br><br>\r\n 次々に姿を消しては留弗夫の死角に瞬間移動する。 <br>\r\n ...And vanished over and over, instantly moving into Rudolf's blind spots. <br><br>\r\n それはまるで妖精のよう。 <br>\r\n 瞬くように姿を消しながら、ベルフェゴールは間断なく留弗夫を攻め立てるのだ。 <br>\r\n It was almost like she was a fairy. <br><br>\r\n As she blinked in and out of vision, Belphegor incessantly drove towards Rudolf. <br><br>\r\n 「これはこれで楽しいかもしれない。留弗夫、あなたの健闘がどこまで続くか、ゆっくり見物させてもらうわぁ。 <br>\r\n \"Maybe this is kinda fun. Rudolf, let me sit back and watch to see how long your brave efforts last you. <br><br>\r\n くっくくくくくくくくくくくくく！」 <br>\r\n *cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n その時、鈍い引き裂く音と留弗夫の苦悶の声が混じった。 <br>\r\n At that time, there was a dull tearing sound, along with Rudolf's cry of anguish. <br><br>\r\n 襲い来る紫の軌跡とのダンスに、ついに留弗夫の反応が遅れ、脇腹を薄く裂かせることを許してしまったのだ。 <br>\r\n Rudolf's reaction to the dance of the purple curve that pressed upon him had finally been too slow, and he'd let it lightly cut his flank. <br><br>\r\n ひとつの傷はひとつの行動を遅らせる。 <br>\r\n That single wound slowed him down just once. <br><br>\r\n それは新しい傷を呼び、新しい行動を遅らせる。 <br>\r\n That led to a new wound, which slowed his actions again. <br><br>\r\n ベルフェゴールのダンスが、留弗夫を飲み込み始める…。 <br>\r\n Belphegor's dance began to swallow Rudolf whole... <br><br>\r\n 次第に体を切り刻まれていく留弗夫を見て、かつての姉は高らかに笑うのだった。 <br>\r\n Watching Rudolf's body gradually get carved up, his former sister let out a shrill laugh. <br><br>\r\n レヴィアタンは、一向に致命傷を許そうとしない霧江に苛立ちを隠せなくなっていた。 <br>\r\n Leviathan could no longer hide her irritation that Kyrie hadn't suffered a single fatal wound. <br><br>\r\n 「………私は本当に愚鈍よね。…七姉妹の中で、いつも一番成長が遅かったわ。いつも私が遅くて、弱くて、間抜けだったわ。 <br>\r\n \"......I really am a moron. ...Among the Seven Sisters, I was always the slowest to grow. I was always slow, always weak, always stupid.\" <br><br>\r\n ……その劣等感が嫉妬となり、それを力として変換した時、私は姉妹の誰にも負けない力を得たのよ。」 <br>\r\n \"...That inferiority complex became envy, and when I convert that into power, I gain a strength greater than that of any of the sisters.\" <br><br>\r\n 「少女時代の程よい劣等感は大事よ。女に化粧と努力を教えてくれるわ。」 <br>\r\n \"It's important for young girls to have a moderate inferiority complex. It teaches women about cosmetics and hard work.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ニンゲン如きに、その力の限りを尽くすのは気に入らないけれど。……夫に全幅の信頼を寄せるあなたへの嫉妬を、私は力に変える。 <br>\r\n \"I don't like having to use the limits of my power against mere Humans, ...but I can turn my envy of your ability to trust completely in your husband into power.\" <br><br>\r\n ……気に入らないのよ。何で命のやり取りをしてるのに、あんたはそんなに余裕なの？」 <br>\r\n \"...I don't like it. Why are you so relaxed when you're fighting for your life?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……くす。どうしてかしらね？」 <br>\r\n \"...*giggle* I wonder?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………わかってるのよ。必ず夫が助けに来てくれて自分を助けてくれるって、信じきってるのよ。 <br>\r\n \"......I get it. You're fully convinced that your husband will come to your rescue and save you. <br><br>\r\n ………すごいじゃない、その信頼。嫉妬に値するわ。」 <br>\r\n ......Isn't it incredible, that trust of yours? It's enough to make me jealous.\" <br><br>\r\n 私たち姉妹にどんな信頼が？ <br>\r\n What kind of trust did we sisters have for each other? <br><br>\r\n 弱り目に祟り目を徹底的に扱き下ろしてやろうと、いつも姉妹たちは互いを見下げあっている…！ <br>\r\n The sisters are always looking down on each other, trying to thoroughly lambast each other when things already look bad...! <br><br>\r\n 「いつも姉妹たちに虐められてきたわ。誰かひとりだけでも味方になってほしいとずっと思ってたわ。 <br>\r\n \"I've always been bullied by my sisters. I've always wanted just one person to take my side. <br><br>\r\n ……だから、そのひとりだけの味方がいて、全幅の信頼を寄せることができるあなたに、私は最上の嫉妬を感じるの…。 <br>\r\n ...So when I see you with a single ally who's completely trustworthy, I feel the strongest envy...\" <br><br>\r\n …………あぁ、その夫を信じきった余裕ある表情…！ 嫉妬が力を与えてくれるのを感じるわ…！！ ………これは超えちゃうかもね。 <br>\r\n \"......Aaah, that confident expression of utter belief in your husband...! I can feel it giving me power...!! ......I might even surpass that. <br><br>\r\n 音速ッ！！！」 <br>\r\n The speed of sound!!!\" <br><br>\r\n レヴィアタンが杭に姿を変え、襲い掛かる時の飛翔速度は、その嫉妬の力に比例する。 <br>\r\n Leviathan turned herself into a stake, and the speed of her flight as she attacked was proportional to the strength of her envy. <br><br>\r\n 「姉妹たちに見下されたあの日。私は成長の早い他の６人を心の底から嫉妬した！ 七日七晩をかけて嫉妬したわ！！ その末に得た私の力と速度を見るがいい…！！ 死ねッ、右代宮霧江ええええぇッ！！！」 <br>\r\n \"Since the day my sisters looked down on me, I was jealous from the bottom of my heart of the other six, who grew quickly! I was jealous for seven days and seven nights!! You can see the power I gained as a result in my speed...!! Die, Ushiromiya Kyrieeeeeeeeeeee!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 悪魔の杭がその本来の姿を晒し、凄まじい速度にて跳ね回る。 <br>\r\n 壁を打ち反射する音はまるで機関銃の音にも聞こえた。 <br>\r\n The demon stake exposed her true form, leaping about at a terrible speed. <br><br>\r\n The noise from her bouncing off the walls sounded like a machine gun. <br><br>\r\n 霧江の目にはもはや、それが１本の杭なのか、群れ飛び弾け回る甲虫の群なのか、識別が付かないだろう。 <br>\r\n By now, Kyrie probably couldn't tell if it was a single stake or a swarm of beetles flying and bouncing around. <br><br>\r\n レヴィアタンは１００％を超えた絶対の勝利を心より確信する…！ <br>\r\n Leviathan was over 100% certain of her victory, believing in it from the bottom of her heart...! <br><br>\r\n すると霧江が、信じられないくらいに落ち着いた声で言った。 <br>\r\n Then, Kyrie spoke with an unbelievably calm voice. <br><br>\r\n 「………留弗夫さんと、最初から付き合っていたのは私だったのよ。……明日夢さんが、白々しく間に入り込んできて、…ちゃっかりと懐妊したのよ。 <br>\r\n \"......I was the one who went out with Rudolf-san first. ...Asumu-san blatantly cut in between us...and shrewdly got pregnant.\" <br><br>\r\n ……留弗夫さんは悪くないわ。あの女が、体を武器にして誑し込んで、さらに嫌らしく立ち回って、留弗夫さんに婚約せざるを得ないよう追い詰めたのよ。」 <br>\r\n \"...I don't blame Rudolf-san. That woman used her body as a weapon to seduce him, and then acted even more repulsively, cornering Rudolf-san and forcing him to get engaged to her.\" <br><br>\r\n 明日夢さんは戦人くんを身篭ってたわ。 <br>\r\n Asumu-san had been carrying Battler-kun. <br><br>\r\n そして同じ頃、私もまた男の子を身篭ってた。 <br>\r\n And at the same time, I was also carrying a boy. <br><br>\r\n …運命的なことに、私たちの出産日は共に同じ日だったわ。 <br>\r\n ...As fate would have it, our delivery dates were on the same day. <br><br>\r\n 「そして明日夢さんは戦人くんを出産したわ。…だけれど私は流産したの。………思ったことがあるわ。もし流産したのが明日夢さんで、出産したのが私だったなら。……留弗夫さんは婚約を解消して、私と結婚してくれたかしら？ ……でも私は子どもを産めなかった。だから明日夢さんが死ぬまで。そして縁寿を懐妊するまで、私は明日夢さんを呪ったわ、嫉妬したわ。」 <br>\r\n \"Then, Asumu-san gave birth to Battler-kun. ...But I had a stillbirth. ......I think about it, sometimes. What if Asumu-san had had the stillbirth...and I had been the one to give birth? ...Would Rudolf-san have broken off his engagement and married me? ...But I couldn't give birth to my child. So until Asumu-san died, and until I got pregnant with Ange, I cursed Asumu-san and was jealous.\" <br><br>\r\n 明日夢さんなんか死んでしまえ。 <br>\r\n Let Asumu-san die. <br><br>\r\n そして私と再婚してほしいって、ずっとずっと嫉妬して呪って、そしてやっと明日夢さんが死んだ。 <br>\r\n Then, I want him to marry me. In my envy, I kept cursing like that, over and over, until Asumu-san finally died. <br><br>\r\n 私は確信したわ。 <br>\r\n I was certain. <br><br>\r\n 私には魔法の力があって、それが呪いとなって明日夢さんを殺したんだって確信したわ。 <br>\r\n I was certain that I'd used the power of magic to curse and kill Asumu-san. <br><br>\r\n でも、私の嫉妬の炎は治まらない。 <br>\r\n But that didn't quell the flames of my envy. <br><br>\r\n 内緒よ？ <br>\r\n Don't tell anyone, okay? <br><br>\r\n 戦人くんを見る度にね、あの女を思い出しちゃうの。 <br>\r\n Every time I look at Battler-kun, I remember that woman. <br><br>\r\n そして戦人くんを見る度にね。…もし私の子が生まれていたら、同じ歳だっただろうなって思ってしまうの。 <br>\r\n Every single time I look at him, ...I think that if only my child had been born, he would be the same age. <br><br>\r\n 私は今でも彼女を嫉妬し、苛まれてる。 <br>\r\n 今も、これからも。未来、永劫にね。 <br>\r\n I'm still jealous of her, tormented by her. <br><br>\r\n Even now, and from now on. Into the future, for all eternity. <br><br>\r\n 「七日七晩、姉妹を嫉妬したですって…？」 <br>\r\n \"You say you were jealous of your sisters for seven days and seven nights...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「そ、……そうよ…。」 <br>\r\n \"...Th-That's right...\" <br><br>\r\n 笑わせるなよ小娘が。 <br>\r\n Don't make me laugh, little girl. <br><br>\r\n 「………てめぇに男を寝取られて、 <br>\r\n １８年間嫉妬し続ける女の狂気がわかるかよ…ッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"......How could you understand the madness of a woman whose man was stolen from her, <br><br>\r\n and who's burned with envy for 18 years...?!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「ぅ、……うぉあわああああああぁあああああああああぁああぁッ！！！！」 <br>\r\n \"...U-Uuowaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n レヴィアタンの力が、２４時間×７日で１６８時間分の速度を持つならば。 <br>\r\n If Leviathan had the power of 24 hours x 7 days, or 168 hours of speed... <br><br>\r\n 霧江の積み重ねた力は、 <br>\r\n １日が２４時間で、 <br>\r\n それが３６５日で１年で、 <br>\r\n それがさらに１８年で……。 <br>\r\n Then the power that Kyrie had piled up... <br><br>\r\n was 24 hours in 1 day, <br><br>\r\n 365 days in 1 year, <br><br>\r\n and 18 whole years... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 閏年をカウントしなくても、 <br>\r\n Even without counting leap years, <br><br>\r\n １５７６８０時間。 <br>\r\n that was 157680 hours. <br><br>\r\n …それはレヴィアタンの力と速度の、 <br>\r\n ...Compared to Leviathan's power and speed, <br><br>\r\n ９３８倍を超える。 <br>\r\n it was more than 938 times greater. <br><br>\r\n つまり、レヴィアタンが仮に音速１２２５ｋｍで飛翔していたとしても、……霧江の目にはその <br>\r\n So then, even if Leviathan could soar at the speed of sound, 1225 kmh, ...to Kyrie's eyes, it only looked like <br><br>\r\n ９３８分の１にしか見えない。 <br>\r\n 1938 of that. <br><br>\r\n つまりつまり、１２２５÷９３８は、 <br>\r\n …………時速、 <br>\r\n Which means, which means...1225÷938 is... <br><br>\r\n ...a speed of... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n １．３０ｋｍ。 <br>\r\n 1.30 kmh. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n …人の歩行速度が時速４ｋｍと言われるのだから、その半分すらも下回る。 <br>\r\n これは赤ん坊が床を這うのとほぼ同じ速度。 <br>\r\n ...They say a human's walking speed is 4 kmh, so it was even less than half of that. <br><br>\r\n This is almost the same speed as a baby crawling on the floor. <br><br>\r\n つまりつまりつまり…！ <br>\r\n Which means, which means, which means...! <br><br>\r\n 宙を舞う埃の数を、完全に数え切れるくらいに鈍りきった鈍足の単位時間の中で、霧江は憐れむように悪魔の杭を見る。 <br>\r\n In the time it took the demon stake to move at a pace so slow that you could count all the bits of dust floating through the air, Kyrie looked at it with pity. <br><br>\r\n 自分に向かってくる、その遅さを憐れむ。 <br>\r\n She pitied the slowness at which it came towards her. <br><br>\r\n そして面倒臭そうに銃口を向けた。 <br>\r\n まるで、銃口で悪魔の杭を飲み込もうとするかのように。 <br>\r\n Then, she lazily raised the barrel of her gun. <br><br>\r\n Almost as though she was trying to swallow the demon stake up with the gun barrel. <br><br>\r\n 「恋も嫉妬も、あなた全然足りないわ。 <br>\r\n \"You're completely lacking in both romance and envy. <br><br>\r\n ……出直してらっしゃい、お嬢ちゃん。」 <br>\r\n ...Try harder next time, little girl.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「留弗夫、先ほどまでの威勢はどこへぇ？ 生き造りは魚が跳ねてる内がいいわ。死んだら面白みも何もない。 <br>\r\n \"Rudolf, what happened to all that vigor from a couple seconds ago? You're supposed to slice up a fish while it's still flopping around. After it dies, it isn't interesting anymore. <br><br>\r\n もう充分よ。殺しちゃえばぁ？！」 <br>\r\n That's enough. Why not kill you now?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………く、……畜生……。」 <br>\r\n \"......Nng, ...damn it...\" <br><br>\r\n 「そこまで刻まれて、よくぞここまで堪えた。 <br>\r\n \"I'm surprised you managed to endure this long after being carved up. <br><br>\r\n ……もう充分だ。後は何も考えなくて良い。痛みなく生を奪い去ってやる…！」 <br>\r\n ...That's enough. From now on, you don't need to think about anything. I'll steal away your life painlessly...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「待ってくれ…、頼みがある。最後にアレがやってみてぇ…。」 <br>\r\n \"Wait, ...there's a favor I wanna ask. At the very end, I wanna do one of those...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……アレとは何か。」 <br>\r\n \"...What do you mean, one of those?\" <br><br>\r\n 「西部劇名物のアレだよ。背中を向け合ってから三歩歩いてズドンってヤツ。」 <br>\r\n \"You know, that thing you see in all the Westerns. We start with our backs together, walk three steps, and then *bang*.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………決闘か。 <br>\r\n \"......Ah, a duel. <br><br>\r\n 良かろう。それにて今生の未練が尽きるならば受けてやる。」 <br>\r\n Very well. If that will satisfy your regrets in this world, I'll accept.\" <br><br>\r\n 留弗夫は傷だらけの体を起こし、背中を向ける。 <br>\r\n Rudolf moved his wound-covered body and turned his back to her. <br><br>\r\n ベルフェゴールもそれを受け、背中を向かい合わせる。 <br>\r\n Belphegor responded and turned her back to his. <br><br>\r\n …ベルフェゴールには魔女の家具らしくない律儀さがあった。 <br>\r\n ...Belphegor had an honest nature that was uncommon in a witch's furniture. <br><br>\r\n 「言っておく。例え、私の眉間に銃口を付きつけたとしても。私はお前が引き金を引き、私の頭蓋骨に弾丸が至るよりも早く、瞬間移動することができる。」 <br>\r\n \"Let me warn you. Even if you press the barrel of your gun between my eyebrows, I can move instantaneously, even faster than you could pull the trigger and have the bullet reach my skull.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……あぁ、そいつはもう骨身に染みてるぜ。…お前は銃弾より速い。」 <br>\r\n \"...Yeah, I can feel that already. ...You're faster than a bullet.\" <br><br>\r\n 「それを知りつつ決闘を挑むお前の度胸に敬意を表し、付き合うのだ。感謝せよ。」 <br>\r\n \"I have agreed to this out of respect for your courage in challenging me to a duel despite that knowledge. Thank me.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……お前は律儀なヤツだな。いい女だ。惚れそうだぜ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Well, you're an honest and principled person. And a good woman. You might just steal my heart away.\" <br><br>\r\n 「始めるぞ。３歩で良いのだな？ <br>\r\n \"Let's begin. Three steps will do fine, yes? <br><br>\r\n ………まずは１歩。」 <br>\r\n ......First, one step.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……そして２歩。」 <br>\r\n \"...Two steps.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……３歩だ。これでいいのか？」 <br>\r\n \"...Three steps. Is that okay?\" <br><br>\r\n 「あぁ。……そして、３歩も歩いてまだ気付かねぇなら。……俺の勝ちだな、お嬢ちゃん。」 <br>\r\n \"Yep. ...And, since you still haven't noticed after walking three whole steps, ...it's my victory, miss.\" <br><br>\r\n 「何ぃ……ッ？ <br>\r\n \"What...?! <br><br>\r\n ………………………あ…ッ…！」 <br>\r\n ............Ah...!\" <br><br>\r\n 留弗夫が振り返り、銃弾を放つ。 <br>\r\n Rudolf turned around and fired a bullet. <br><br>\r\n ……もっとも、ベルフェゴールにとって、そんな弾丸など、速度も軌道も全て見切れている。 <br>\r\n ...However, Belphegor could easily see through the speed and trajectory of a bullet like that. <br><br>\r\n かわすことなんて造作もないはずだった。 <br>\r\n It should have been no problem at all to dodge it. <br><br>\r\n しかし鮮血の飛沫が飛び散る。 <br>\r\n But a spray of fresh blood flew about. <br><br>\r\n ……ベルフェゴールにも充分な魔法的防御結界が張られている。 <br>\r\n ...Belphegor had set up an adequate magical defensive barrier. <br><br>\r\n しかし反魔法力の結晶である銃弾の前には何の意味もなかった。 <br>\r\n But before an incarnation of anti-magic power such as that bullet, it was completely meaningless. <br><br>\r\n 「………何やってんのよ。何、当たっちゃってんの…！」 <br>\r\n \"......What are you doing? Why'd you get hit...?!\" <br><br>\r\n ベルフェゴールの胸部に、弾丸は命中していた。 <br>\r\n …その鉛の痛みと、魔法を否定する痛みに、彼女は顔を歪める…。 <br>\r\n The bullet had hit Belphegor right in the chest. <br><br>\r\n ...The pain from the lead caused her to grimace, as did the pain from the denial of magic... <br><br>\r\n 「……許せ。俺は卑怯な男だ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Forgive me. I'm a coward of a man.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………く、 <br>\r\n ……………ぅ…。」 <br>\r\n \"......Nnnggg... <br><br>\r\n ...ggghh...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「きょ、…興醒めだわ。魔女の家具ともあろう者が、ニンゲンに敗れるなんて…！ <br>\r\n \"Wh-What a killjoy. To think that furniture of a witch could be defeated by a Human...! <br><br>\r\n 恥を知りなさいよ。情けない、見っとも無い…！ 勝手に這いつくばって死んじゃえばぁ？！」 <br>\r\n Know your shame. Worthless, pathetic...! If only you'd just grovel and die!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………やめな、姉貴。…こいつはかわせたんだ。だがかわさなかった。 <br>\r\n \"......Quit it, Aneki. ...She could've dodged it. But she didn't.\" <br><br>\r\n ……射線上に姉貴がいることに気付いたのさ。だから律儀なこいつは、かわさずに受けて、姉貴を庇ったんだ。王手飛車取りに、最後に気付いたんだ。」 <br>\r\n \"...She realized that you were in the line of fire, Aneki. So this faithful girl took it without dodging, protecting you. At the very end, she saw that I was pinning the rook and the king.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「み、………見事…………。」 <br>\r\n \"...S-Spectacular......\" <br><br>\r\n 「悪く思うな。…お前が３歩歩く間にそれに気付けたら、俺は観念するつもりだったんだ。」 <br>\r\n \"Don't hate me for it. ...I planned to resign if you noticed it while you were taking those three steps.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………あの３歩は、 <br>\r\n …私への、 <br>\r\n …手心だったか…。 <br>\r\n \"......You added those three steps... <br><br>\r\n out of consideration... <br><br>\r\n ...for me, didn't you...? <br><br>\r\n ………考えようともしなかった。……私は、 <br>\r\n ……怠惰だ、 <br>\r\n …った………。」 <br>\r\n ......I didn't even try to think about it. ...I... <br><br>\r\n was... <br><br>\r\n lazy......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「……お前はいい女だったぜ。先に天国で化粧して待ってろ。きっと口説きに行くからな。」 <br>\r\n \"...You were a good woman. Go to heaven before me and get yourself all made up. I'll definitely come and chat you up.\" <br><br>\r\n ベルフェゴールはゆっくりと倒れると、…人型を形作る力をも失い、砂金のように細かくなって、宙に溶けていく…。 <br>\r\n As Belphegor slowly fell over, ...she lost even the power that kept her in human form, and she grew small, like gold dust, melting into thin air... <br><br>\r\n そこへ霧江が駆け込んでくる。 <br>\r\n どうやら、自身の追っ手を自らの手で倒したらしい。 <br>\r\n At that point, Kyrie dashed in. <br><br>\r\n It seemed that she had somehow defeated her pursuer by her own hands. <br><br>\r\n 銃口を真っ直ぐに魔女に向けながら、傷だらけの留弗夫の元へ駆け寄った。 <br>\r\n As she pointed the barrel of her gun straight at the witch, she ran up to the wound-covered Rudolf. <br><br>\r\n 「……大丈夫？ 今、誰か口説いてなかった？」 <br>\r\n \"...Are you okay? Were you chatting someone up just now?\" <br><br>\r\n 「あぁ、いい女だったぜ。…もちろんお前の次程度にさ。 <br>\r\n \"Yep, a good woman. ...No match for you, of course. <br><br>\r\n …………悪いな、姉貴。 <br>\r\n ......Sorry, Aneki. <br><br>\r\n チェックメイトだぜ。」 <br>\r\n It's checkmate.\" <br><br>\r\n 二人の銃口が魔女を捉える。 <br>\r\n The two of them pinned the witch down the barrels of their guns. <br><br>\r\n 「…………情けない家具たちね。…ニンゲン相手に遅れを取るなんて。…情けない。下らない。…つまらない…！」 <br>\r\n \"......Worthless furniture. ...To think they'd be beaten by Human opponents. ...Worthless. Stupid. ...Boring...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ベアトリーチェさま、ここは退くべきです。……銃弾を防ぐ結界も家具もここにはありませんよ。」 <br>\r\n \"Beatrice-sama, we should retreat for now. ...There is no furniture or barrier to guard against bullets here.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ふっふふふ、 <br>\r\n ……くっくくくくっくっくっく！」 <br>\r\n \"Eheheheh, <br><br>\r\n ...*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n 魔女はくぐもった笑い声を漏らし始める。 <br>\r\n The witch began to let out a muffled laugh. <br><br>\r\n …それは留弗夫や霧江だけでなく、ロノウェをも驚かすものだった。 <br>\r\n ...It surprised not only Rudolf and Kyrie, but Ronove as well. <br><br>\r\n ………２丁の銃を向けられた今の状況は、例え魔女であっても断じて笑い飛ばせるものではないからだ。 <br>\r\n ......Because a situation like this, with two guns pointed at her, was not one that even a witch could just laugh off. <br><br>\r\n しかし魔女は愉快だと笑う。 <br>\r\n But the witch laughed with pleasure. <br><br>\r\n 「………そりゃあ、先代さまの使い古しの家具じゃ無理で当然ね。 <br>\r\n \"......Well, it's only natural that the Predecessor-sama's worn out furniture couldn't do it. <br><br>\r\n ……私には私に相応しい、新しい家具じゃないと駄目よ。私、義理で使ったけど。……元々、お古は嫌いなの。」 <br>\r\n ...I need to get new furniture that's suitable for me. I used them out of obligation, ...but I've always hated second-hand stuff.\" <br><br>\r\n そう言い放ちながら、もはや砂金の山と成り果ててしまったベルフェゴールの遺骸を汚らわしく見下ろす。 <br>\r\n As she said that, she looked down at Belphegor's remains, which had already finished turning into a pile of gold dust, with disgust. <br><br>\r\n 「何の話をしてるかわからねぇぜ。大人しく両手を上げやがれってんだ。」 <br>\r\n \"I don't know what you're talking about. Be a good girl and put your hands up.\" <br><br>\r\n …すると魔女は素直に手を上げた。 <br>\r\n ...Then, the witch obediently raised her hands. <br><br>\r\n しかしそれは銃を突きつけられて両手を挙げるという仕草よりは、まるで指揮者がオーケストラボックスに向けて指揮棒を振り上げる時の仕草によく似ていた。 <br>\r\n But instead of raising her hands because a gun was being pointed a her, it looked more like she was a conductor facing an orchestra, waving her conductor's baton. <br><br>\r\n 「さぁさお出でなさい、私に相応しき家具たち…！！ あんな安っぽい家具じゃなくて、もっともっと強力な！ 残酷なッ！！ <br>\r\n \"Come, arise, furniture suitable for me...!! Not that cheap furniture, much stronger ones! Cruel ones!! <br><br>\r\n あっはははははははははひゃっひゃっっひゃッ！！！」 <br>\r\n Ahhahahahahahahahahahahyahhyahhya!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「妙な真似は止めて…！ 引き金を引くわ…！」 <br>\r\n \"Stop this bizarre act...! I'll pull the trigger...\" <br><br>\r\n 魔女の呼びかけに応じ、再びホールが金色で埋め尽くされる。 <br>\r\n In response to the witch's call, the hall was once again buried with the color of gold. <br><br>\r\n それはあまりにも眩しい黄金蝶たちの乱舞で、…まるで金箔の海に飲み込まれたようにさえ感じた。 <br>\r\n As the brilliantly radiant gold butterflies danced, ...it felt as though they were being sucked into an ocean of gold leaf. <br><br>\r\n その魔力の高まりに、ロノウェは呆然とする…。それはかつての主さえも遥かに超えるからだ。 <br>\r\n Ronove was shocked at that upsurge in magical power... After all, it far surpassed that of his former master. <br><br>\r\n その目も眩む黄金の輝きの中、銃声が聞こえた。留弗夫か霧江のどちらかが発砲したのだ。 <br>\r\n As their eyes were dazzled amidst this golden flash, a gunshot could be heard. Either Rudolf or Kyrie had fired a round. <br><br>\r\n ……そして、その黄金の輝きが収まった後には、少なくとも平然とした魔女の姿があった。 <br>\r\n ...Then, when the golden flash subsided, at the very least the witch was standing there, looking cool and composed. <br><br>\r\n 弾は？ 霧江は確かに撃ち込んだはず。 <br>\r\n The bullet? Kyrie must have fired it into her. <br><br>\r\n しかしそれは魔女の体のどこにも撃ち込まれてはいない。 <br>\r\n But the witch had not been hit anywhere on her body. <br><br>\r\n あった。…弾は魔女の胸の直前で虚空に縫い止められていた。 <br>\r\n There it is. ...The bullet had been fastened in midair right in front of the witch's chest. <br><br>\r\n 「ぼ、……防弾結界ッ………。」 <br>\r\n \"...A-A bullet-proof barrier......!\" <br><br>\r\n 先代ですら充分な準備を必要とした結界を、瞬時に…。ロノウェの顔は今や驚愕に歪む。 <br>\r\n そして、その驚きはそれだけに留まらない……。 <br>\r\n In an instant, a barrier that would require a significant amount of preparation even for the Predecessor had been... Ronove's face was twisted in shock. <br><br>\r\n And, the surprises did not end there... <br><br>\r\n 黄金の蝶たちの群が、２つの人型を生み出す。 <br>\r\n The cloud of gold butterflies had created two humanoid forms. <br><br>\r\n ……それは家具の召喚。 <br>\r\n ...It was a furniture summoning. <br><br>\r\n 蝶たちが剥がれ飛び、その下より、少女たちを模した家具が姿を現す。 <br>\r\n The butterflies peeled off and flew away, and beneath them, furniture in the shape of girls showed themselves. <br><br>\r\n 「………………シエスタの姉妹兵…。………先代さまでも、 <br>\r\n ……おいそれと呼び出せなかった、ペンドラゴンの記念兵を、いとも容易く…！」 <br>\r\n \".........The Chiester Sisters Corps... ......Even the Predecessor... <br><br>\r\n ...wasn't able to summon Pendragon's Memorial Troops on a moment's notice, and to do it so easily...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「シエスタ４１０。ここにぃ。」 <br>\r\n \"Chiester 410. Riiight here.\" <br><br>\r\n 「シエスタ４５。ここに。」 <br>\r\n \"Chiester 45. Right here.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…私に相応しい家具なんでしょうね、あんたたちは？」 <br>\r\n \"...You two are suitable furniture for me, I take it?\" <br><br>\r\n 「絵本の朗読から同伴デートに隕石撃墜まで、幅広くお応えしますよ。にひひ。」 <br>\r\n \"From reading a picture book out aloud, to going on a date, to shooting down meteorites, we'll take care of anything. Nihihi.\" <br><br>\r\n 「おっ、お応えしないと竜王さまに怒られます…！ 何卒ご命令を、大ベアトリーチェ卿！」 <br>\r\n \"I-If we don't take care of it, Pendragon-sama will get mad at us...! Please, your orders, Great Lady Beatrice!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………留弗夫さん。逃げましょう。こいつらは駄目だわ……！」 <br>\r\n \"......Rudolf-san, let's run for it. We're no match for these ones...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「お、………おうッ！」 <br>\r\n \"...S-Sure!\" <br><br>\r\n 煉獄の七姉妹の待ち伏せを予見したのと同じ直感が、悲鳴にも似た警鐘を鳴らすのを霧江は確かに聞いた。 <br>\r\n Kyrie definitely heard warning sirens going off in her head, thanks to the same feeling that had alerted her to the ambush by the Seven Sisters of Purgatory. <br><br>\r\n 霧江たちは躊躇することなく逃げ出す。 <br>\r\n Without hesitation, they escaped. <br><br>\r\n 魔女はその背中を優雅に見送りながら、新しき家具たちに命ずる。 <br>\r\n As the witch elegantly watched them leave, she commanded her new furniture. <br><br>\r\n 「…命令よ。逃げた２人を殺して。 <br>\r\n \"...This is an order. Kill the two who ran away. <br><br>\r\n そして死体をここへ持ち帰りなさい。そしたら生き返らせて、何度も遊ぶのよ。 <br>\r\n Then bring the corpses back here. I'll bring 'em back to life and play with them over and over. <br><br>\r\n …くっくくくくくくくくく！！」 <br>\r\n ...*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*!!\" <br><br>\r\n 魔女の表情が邪悪な笑みで歪む。 <br>\r\n The witch's expression twisted into an evil smile. <br><br>\r\n その表情を恐れながらも、ルシファーが現れて進言する。 <br>\r\n Even though she feared that expression, Lucifer appeared and spoke. <br><br>\r\n 「お、…恐れながらっ。…先代さまよりそのような残酷行為は慎むようにと…、」 <br>\r\n \"F-Forgive my presumption, ...but the Predecessor-sama asked that you avoid brutal actions of that sort...\" <br><br>\r\n 魔女がぎょろりと恐ろしい目で睨みつけると、ルシファーは閉口する。 <br>\r\n When the witch stared at her with those terrifying eyes, Lucifer was struck dumb. <br><br>\r\n …不満なのだ。 <br>\r\n 自らの持つ力と、自らの持つ残酷さを存分に解放できないことが退屈なのだ。 <br>\r\n ...She was frustrated. <br><br>\r\n It was so boring, not being able to let her own power and cruelty run wild. <br><br>\r\n ……それを自重しろという先代の家具は鬱陶しく、彼女の不満は頂点だった。 <br>\r\n ...This annoying furniture of the Predecessor kept telling her to show restraint, bringing her irritation to a peak. <br><br>\r\n 「傲慢のルシファーちゃんじゃない。お久し振りにぇ、元気ぃ？ また今度一緒に遊びましょうね。にっひひひひひひ！」 <br>\r\n \"Oh, it's Lucifer of Pride. Long time no see nyeh, how ya doin'? Let's play together again sometime. Nihhihihihihihi!\" <br><br>\r\n 「よ、４１０、私語は駄目です、怒られます…！ 大ベアトリーチェ卿のご命令を迅速に遂行を…！」 <br>\r\n \"Y-You mustn't whisper, 410, you'll get in trouble...! Let us carry out the Great Lady Beatrice's order at once...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「にひ。お仕事の時間だにぇ。 <br>\r\n \"Nihi. Well, yeah, we are on the job right now nyeh. <br><br>\r\n ……４１０了解。追撃狙撃戦準備。」 <br>\r\n ...410, roger that. Preparing for Sniping Pursuit Combat.\" <br><br>\r\n 「地形データ収集、射撃用データ収集。４１０へデータリンク。」 <br>\r\n \"Accumulating Terrain Data, Accumulating Data for Firing. Data Link with 410.\" <br><br>\r\n 「４１０データ受領。標的を捕捉。地形誤差修正。射撃曲線形成、制御点補正完了。４５へデータリンク。」 <br>\r\n \"410, Data Received. Target Lock Acquired. Commencing Terrain Calculation Error Correction. Formulating Firing Curve, Supplemental Control Point Calculations Complete. Data Link to 45.\" <br><br>\r\n 「４５データ受領。危険区域確認、……あ、そこはダメです！」 <br>\r\n \"45, Data Received. Checking Hazard Zone...ah, that's no good!\" <br><br>\r\n 「後ろ邪魔だよルシファーちゃん、バックファイアで焼けるよ？ にひ！」 <br>\r\n \"Lucifer-chan, better get out from behind us, or you'll get roasted by the backblast. Nihi!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………う…、」 <br>\r\n \"......Nng...\" <br><br>\r\n シエスタの姉妹は相互測量により、瞬時に屋敷内の地形と標的の座標、そしてそこへ至る射撃曲線を計算する。 <br>\r\n Thanks to their paired measurements, the Chiester Sisters were able to instantly calculate the terrain throughout the mansion and the coordinates of their targets, as well as a firing curve to reach them. <br><br>\r\n …そう、彼女らの射撃は曲線を描き誘導できる。 <br>\r\n 如何なる者も逃れることはできない。 <br>\r\n ...That's right, their shots could be guided to follow a curved line. <br><br>\r\n None could escape. <br><br>\r\n 煉獄の七姉妹の精密誘導能力は、彼女たちの能力の廉価版でしかないのだ。 <br>\r\n The precision guidance used by the Seven Sisters of Purgatory was nothing more than a cheap knockoff of the ability these two held. <br><br>\r\n 「４５、射撃準備完了。弾種選定、装填。」 <br>\r\n \"45, Firing Preparations Concluded. Ammo Type Selected and Loaded.\" <br><br>\r\n 彼女たち二人が向かい合うように。そしてまるで、ひとつの弓を互いに引き合うように。 <br>\r\n As the two of them faced each other, it was as though they were both pulling back a bowstring together... <br><br>\r\n …そこに眩い黄金の矢が構えられる。 <br>\r\n ...A dazzling gold arrow was readied there. <br><br>\r\n 「４１０、にひ。射撃。」 <br>\r\n \"410, nihi. Firing.\" <br><br>\r\n 彼女たちが射撃を宣言すると、二人で一本の矢が放たれる。 <br>\r\n After giving that announcement, they released a single arrow together. <br><br>\r\n 黄金色に輝く光の蛇が美しい曲線の軌跡を描きながら、それは留弗夫たちが逃げた方へ高速で追跡していく。 <br>\r\n As the path taken by the gold-sparkling snake of light drew a curve, it followed the direction that Rudolf and Kyrie had escaped to in rapid pursuit. <br><br>\r\n 廊下を曲がり、床を這い、美しい曲線を描きながら追って行く。 <br>\r\n It turned through the corridors, crawled over the floor, chasing them as it drew a beautiful curve. <br><br>\r\n シエスタ姉妹の誘導弾は誰も防げない。 <br>\r\n 逃れられない。 <br>\r\n そして物理的魔法的なあらゆる防御を強力に貫通できる。 <br>\r\n No one could block the guided shots of the Chiester Sisters. <br><br>\r\n No one could escape from them. <br><br>\r\n And their strength could pierce all physical and magical defenses. <br><br>\r\n ……それはあまりに無慈悲な必殺の誘導兵器。 <br>\r\n ...It was quite a merciless guided weapon of certain death. <br><br>\r\n しかし、神話級の兵士ならば、誰もが割りと持つ武器なのだ。 <br>\r\n 彼女らにとってはあまりに平凡で、…そして俗世にある者にとってあまりに非凡。 <br>\r\n However, among mythical-class soldiers, it was a weapon used by pretty much everyone. <br><br>\r\n It was very commonplace for them...and very extraordinary for those of the everyday world. <br><br>\r\n 「な、何だ…！？」 <br>\r\n \"Wh-What the...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 何かが高速で追ってくることに気付き、振り返った時。 <br>\r\n When he noticed something rapidly chasing them and turned around... <br><br>\r\n その黄金の蛇によって、留弗夫は心臓の位置を正確に撃ち抜かれた。一瞬の出来事だった。 <br>\r\n The exact position of Rudolf's heart was pierced by the gold snake. It all happened in an instant. <br><br>\r\n 「る、留弗夫さん……？！」 <br>\r\n \"R-Rudolf-san...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 黄金の蛇は留弗夫を貫いた後、美しい螺旋を描きながら床に舞い降りて、霧江の足に絡みつくようにして胸まで這い登る。 <br>\r\n After the gold snake pierced Rudolf, it swooped down to the floor, drawing a beautiful spiral, coiled itself around Kyrie's legs, and crawled up to her chest. <br><br>\r\n そして留弗夫と同じく心臓の位置を正確に撃ち抜いた。 <br>\r\n And just like Rudolf, it pierced the exact location of her heart. <br><br>\r\n …それは何れも一瞬の出来事。 <br>\r\n 留弗夫を貫き、霧江を貫く。 <br>\r\n ...And all of that happened in an instant. <br><br>\r\n It pierced Rudolf, and then Kyrie. <br><br>\r\n だから二人はほぼ同時に絶命し、同時に膝を落として同時に倒れた。 <br>\r\n So they died, dropped to their knees, and fell over at almost the exact same time. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「……何これぇ？ 圧倒的じゃない、あっははははははははははは！ 馬鹿馬鹿しいくらいにあっさりね。 <br>\r\n \"...What's thiiis? Talk about overwhelming, ahhahahahahahahahahahahaha! Ridiculously easy, isn't it? <br><br>\r\n くっひひひゃひゃひゃひゃひゃ！ 私にはこういう家具が向いてるわ。先代さまの中古家具とは大違い！ <br>\r\n Kuhhihihyahyahyahyahya! This is the kind of furniture I need. Way different from Predecessor-sama's second-hand furniture!\" <br><br>\r\n さぁ、二人の死体をここへ。飽きるまで何度でも蘇らせて、思いつく限りの残虐な殺し方を試してやるの。あぁ、魔女がこんなにも楽しいなんてッ、命を奪うことがこんなにも楽しいなんてッ、あっははははははははははは！」 <br>\r\n \"Come on, bring their corpses here. I'll keep reviving them until I'm bored, and I'll try killing them in as brutal a way as I can think of. Aaah, to think being a witch could be so much fun, that taking a life could be so much fun, ahhahahahahahahahahahaha!\" <br><br>\r\n ……人間として生まれたならもっとも疎まれるべき行為が、人間殺し。 <br>\r\n その禁忌を破ることに、どんな悦楽があるかなど、人の身に理解できなくて当然だ。 <br>\r\n ...From the time humans are born, the most shunned action they can take is the murder of another human. <br><br>\r\n It's only natural that humans can't understand how pleasurable it can be to break this taboo. <br><br>\r\n ……しかし彼女はもはやニンゲンではない。 <br>\r\n 魔女なのだ。 <br>\r\n ...But she was no longer a Human. <br><br>\r\n She was a witch. <br><br>\r\n …だから魔女にしか理解できない悦楽がある。 <br>\r\n ...And there were some pleasures that only witches could understand. <br><br>\r\n 彼女は今やそれを知り、どっぷりと浸りきっていた。 <br>\r\n By now, she had tasted those pleasures...and was totally immersed in them. <br><br>\r\n …禁断の壷の中身が蜜であることを知ってしまったら、もうそれなしには生きていけないのだ。 <br>\r\n ...After learning that the contents of the forbidden pot were honey, she could no longer live without them. <br><br>\r\n ……いや、禁断とされるからこそ中身は蜜となるのか。 <br>\r\n ...No, maybe the contents were honey because they were forbidden. <br><br>\r\n とにかく彼女は、ニンゲンを惨たらしく、そして何度も殺すことに、今や麻薬的な悦びを感じている。 <br>\r\n Anyway, by killing Humans gruesomely, and doing it over and over, she could feel the drug-like pleasure even now. <br><br>\r\n 魔女が笑い転げている間に、先ほど放った黄金の蛇がずるずると手繰り寄せられるように戻ってくる。 <br>\r\n As the witch rolled over laughing, the gold snake that had just been shot returned as though being reeled in. <br><br>\r\n その先端には、二人が縫い止められていて引き摺られていた。 <br>\r\n At the tips, two people were pinned and dragged along. <br><br>\r\n 魔女の命令は遂行された。 <br>\r\n The witch's order had been fulfilled. <br><br>\r\n …留弗夫と霧江は即座に殺され、その遺体は運ばれた。 <br>\r\n ...Rudolf and Kyrie had been killed instantly, and their corpses had been carried back. <br><br>\r\n 「シエスタ４５、４１０、命令遂行を完了しました。大ベアトリーチェ卿の次の命令を待ちます。どうかご命令を…！」 <br>\r\n \"Chiesters 45 and 410, Order Execution Complete. We await your next order, Great Lady Beatrice. Please, your orders...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「赤ん坊のお守りからネトゲのお相手、スペースシャトル撃墜まで何でもお応えしますよ。にひひ！」 <br>\r\n \"From babysitting, to playing online games with you, to shooting down a space shuttle, we'll take care of everything. Nihihi!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………こいつらは第四の晩と第五の晩の生贄らしいの。だから最後には、役立たずの七姉妹、 <br>\r\n …あぁ、もう五姉妹か。こいつらを額と胸に刺して抉らなくちゃならない。 <br>\r\n \"......It looks like these two are the sacrifices for the fourth and fifth twilights. So in the end, I'll need those worthless Seven Sisters... <br><br>\r\n or are they the Five Sisters now? I need those guys to pierce and gouge the forehead and the chest.\" <br><br>\r\n ……でも、それを最後にすればいいんであって、それまでを私がどう遊ぼうと勝手よねぇ？ <br>\r\n \"...But I can do that at the very end, and I'm free to play in any way I want until then, right? <br><br>\r\n うっふふふふふふふふふふ！」 <br>\r\n Heheheheheheheheheh!\" <br><br>\r\n 「待て待て待て待てぃ。…そなたは妾の言っていたことをもう忘れたのか！」 <br>\r\n \"Wait wait wait waait. ...Have you already forgotten what I've told you?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「おや、これは先代さま。何か文句でもおありですか？」 <br>\r\n \"Oh, it's you, Predecessor-sama. Do you have any complaints?\" <br><br>\r\n 「あるに決まっておろうが…！ そなたはやりたい放題ではないか！ なぜに妾の言い付けが聞けぬのか！」 <br>\r\n \"Of course I do...! You're doing whatever you please, aren't you?! Why haven't you followed my directions?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「やりたい放題で何の問題があるのですか、先代さま？ それに私は、儀式のルールを逸脱しようなんて気持ちはこれっぽちもありません。 <br>\r\n \"What's wrong with doing as I please, Predecessor-sama? Anyway, I don't plan on deviating from the rules of the ceremony in the slightest.\" <br><br>\r\n ちゃんとこの二人の死体はあとで綺麗にして、額と胸に杭を打ち込んでおきますから。」 <br>\r\n \"I'll definitely clean these two corpses up later and drive stakes into their forehead and chest.\" <br><br>\r\n 「そ、そういう問題ではないというに…！ あまりに品がなかったり残酷だったりするとだな、 <br>\r\n \"I'm telling you, that is not the problem...! If you act so undignified and cruel... <br><br>\r\n …その、気を悪くする者もおるかもしれぬし…。」 <br>\r\n umm, some people might take it badly...\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………………。……先代さまがどこかで戦っているとかいう、ゲームの相手、ですか？ ロノウェに聞きました。」 <br>\r\n \"...............You mean your opponent in that game, the one you're supposedly fighting against somewhere? Ronove told me.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……あ、あのお喋りめ。 <br>\r\n \"...D-Damn that blabbermouth. <br><br>\r\n ………まぁ、正直に言うとそういうわけだ。ちょっと目に余るとその、 <br>\r\n …抗議を受けてな？」 <br>\r\n ......Well, to be perfectly honest, that's how it is. If you go a little too far...umm, <br><br>\r\n ...that person will object, you see?\" <br><br>\r\n 「先代さまにわざわざ伝言などさせず、直接抗議にいらっしゃればいいのに。…臆病な方です。」 <br>\r\n \"Why can't this person just complain to me directly, instead of making you take a message? ...That coward.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………こことはその、異なる世界の住人だからの。私を介さねばならぬのだ。まぁとにかくだな、」 <br>\r\n \"......Well, this is a resident of a different world from yours. There's no choice but to use me as an intermediary. Well, that's beside the point but-\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………………。 <br>\r\n \"......... <br><br>\r\n ……ということは、その方は私に何か干渉したくても出来ない。そして私も干渉したくても出来ない。それくらいに遠い世界の、無縁な方との認識でよろしいですか？」 <br>\r\n ...Which means that this person couldn't interact with me even if they wanted to. And I can't interact with them even if I want to either. Simply put, this is a completely unrelated person from a world that distant, right?\" <br><br>\r\n 「う、うむ。……例えるならとても近い２本の平行線の世界とでも言おうか。とても身近な世界なのだが、平行線ゆえに２本の線が交わることは決してない。そんな世界と、とりあえずは認識してくれれば良い。」 <br>\r\n \"I-Indeed. ...For example, perhaps you could say these worlds are like very close parallel lines. The distance between them is quite small, but because the lines are parallel, they will never cross. For now, that should be a convenient way for you to view that world.\" <br><br>\r\n 「交わらない。ということは、 <br>\r\n …………私とは関係ない世界のこと、ということです。 <br>\r\n \"They never cross. Which means... <br><br>\r\n ...that world has nothing to do with me. <br><br>\r\n …もしその方の代弁で私に自重しろと仰られてるのでしたら、その方にこうご伝言をお願いします。」 <br>\r\n ...If you're speaking for that person when you tell me to show restraint, please pass this message on to them.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あやつにか？ 何と伝える…。」 <br>\r\n \"To them? What should I say...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「余計なお世話だよ、消えろよババア。 <br>\r\n \"It's none of your business, so disappear, you old hag. <br><br>\r\n ヘソでも噛んで死んじゃえばぁ…？」 <br>\r\n If only you'd just give up and die...\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………んな…、」 <br>\r\n \".........Wha...\" <br><br>\r\n 「…あぁ、失礼しました。先代のお友達でしょうから、多分、女性だろうと想像しただけです。 <br>\r\n \"...Oh, I'm sorry. Since it was a friend of yours, I just assumed she'd be a woman. <br><br>\r\n ババアと言っても、決して先代さまのことではありませんからぁ、どうかご容赦ください。 <br>\r\n By `old hag', I'm definitely not talking about you, Predecessor-sama, so please don't get mad at me. <br><br>\r\n くっくくくくくくく…！」 <br>\r\n *cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*...!\" <br><br>\r\n 明らかに魔女は、ベアトの目を見ながら言い放っていた。 <br>\r\n …それはその場に居合わせた誰が見てもわかることだった。 <br>\r\n When she spoke, the witch was looking straight into Beato's eyes. <br><br>\r\n ...Anyone present would be able to tell what she meant by it. <br><br>\r\n 「…………先代さま。とても不思議に思うことがあります。…どうして先代さまは、その別世界の方とゲームをして、魔女だと認めてもらわなければならないのですか？」 <br>\r\n \"......Predecessor-sama, there's something I find really strange. ...Why do you have to play a game with someone from another world...and have him accept that you're a witch?\" <br><br>\r\n 「それはだな、…全ての人間に魔女の存在を認めさせることが、完全なる支配に繋がるからである。ひとり頑固者がおってな、どうあっても妾を魔女とは認めんのだ。」 <br>\r\n \"Well, as to that, ...it's because making all humans accept the existence of witches is a prerequisite of perfect control. There was a single holdout who simply wouldn't accept me as a witch.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………どうして、そのニンゲンの認可が必要なのですか？ 魔女が魔女であり、魔法を振るうことに、どうしてニンゲンに認められる必要があるのですか？」 <br>\r\n 「…む、………だからな、前にも話した通り、魔法というのは…、」 <br>\r\n \"......Why would you need the approval of a Human? Witches are witches and can use magic, so why should we need to be acknowledged by Humans?\" <br><br>\r\n \"...Nnn...... Well, like I said earlier, magic is...\" <br><br>\r\n 「私は魔女です。別に誰の認可がなくとも魔法が使えますが、何か……？」 <br>\r\n \"I am a witch. I can use magic without anyone's approval in particular, so what's your point...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「この世界ではな？ しかしだな、それをあやつが認めない以上はその、 <br>\r\n …うむむ、何と説明すれば良いのか…。」 <br>\r\n \"In this world, right? However, since that person won't accept it, umm, <br><br>\r\n ...nnnnn, how should I explain it...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……説明、いりません。だって、決して交わることのない別世界の話じゃありませんか。それはつまり、無い世界も同じということです。 <br>\r\n \"...I don't need you to. After all, isn't all this about a different world that never crosses this one? In other words, that world might as well not exist.\" <br><br>\r\n ……………別世界でゲームで戦っていると、先代さまが妄想を語っていることと、なぁんにも変わりません。……重ねて言います。私と関係ない話です。そして、私はもう魔女です。」 <br>\r\n \"......You fighting a game in another world is absolutely no different from you telling me about stuff from your imagination. ...I'll say it again. It has nothing to do with me. And, I am already a witch.\" <br><br>\r\n 「先代さまは、どうやらその何者かに認めてもらえないと魔女になれないようですが、私は違います。誰に認められずとも、もう立派な魔女です。………先代ということで、あなたに形式的な敬意は奉げますが、それは私の好意であって義務ではありません。 <br>\r\n \"Predecessor-sama, somehow or another, it seems that you can't become a witch as long as this person doesn't acknowledge you, but I'm different. Even though no one has acknowledged me, I'm an excellent witch already. ......Since you are my predecessor, I will formally pay you respect, but that's out of kindness, not out of duty.\" <br><br>\r\n ……もう私は、あなたの助言など求めていないし、これからどうすればいいか、どう遊べばいいかはっきりわかってます。 <br>\r\n \"...I won't ask for your advice anymore...because I clearly know what I should do and how I should play from now on.\" <br><br>\r\n ………だから１３人殺しの儀式までは、あなたへの最後の敬意だと割り切って行ないます。しかし、そのやり方や、その後のことについては、あなたに口出しされる謂れはまったくありません。………………そういうことでひとつ、よろしくお願いします。」 <br>\r\n \"......So I will carry out the murder of 13 people as a final act of respect for you. However, there is absolutely no reason for you to interfere with the methods I use...or what I do afterwards. .........Therefore, I'll be counting on you in that regard.\" <br><br>\r\n 言葉は一見大人しいが、それにははっきりとした決別が含まれている。 <br>\r\n At a glance, those words seemed obedient, but they contained within them a clear parting of ways. <br><br>\r\n …もう世話になることは何もない。 <br>\r\n だから遊びの邪魔をするなと、これ以上なくはっきり言っている。 <br>\r\n ...She was no longer under Beato's care in any way. <br><br>\r\n That's why she was clearly saying nothing more than `Don't get in the way of my fun'. <br><br>\r\n ベアトはそれを理解し、 <br>\r\n …これ以上、何を説明しても理解を得られぬだろうと落胆する。 <br>\r\n Beato understood that... <br><br>\r\n and was dejected, realizing that no matter how she explained it, she wouldn't be able to make the witch understand. <br><br>\r\n 「…そ、…………そうか…。ならば妾はもう知らぬぞ…。魔法は敬いの気持ちなくして存在できぬことを、身をもって知るがいい。」 <br>\r\n \"...I......I see... Then it is no longer my problem... Go and learn with your own body how magic ceases to exist when you lose your respect for it.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……あなたがこれまでに縦横無尽に暴れてきたそれが、どう敬いがあったのか教えて欲しいものです。」 <br>\r\n \"...I wish you'd tell me where the respect was in that carefree rampage of yours up until now.\" <br><br>\r\n それを言われるとベアトも言い返せない。 <br>\r\n ……師匠に、まったく同じことを言われた覚えがあるのだから。 <br>\r\n After hearing that, Beato could not respond. <br><br>\r\n ...Because she remembered hearing exactly the same thing from her teacher. <br><br>\r\n 「さ。シエスタの姉妹？ 先代がお帰りよ、お見送りを。」 <br>\r\n \"Okay now. Chiester Sisters? See off my predecessor on her way back.\" <br><br>\r\n 「にひひひひ。先代さま、どうぞこの場はお引取りを。」 <br>\r\n \"Nihihihihi. Predecessor-sama, please leave this place.\" <br><br>\r\n 「で、でないと私たちが叱られます…！」 <br>\r\n \"I-If you don't, we'll be scolded...!\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトは全身に、シエスタの姉妹たちの目に見えぬ何か、形容するなら圧迫感を感じる。 <br>\r\n Throughout her body, Beato felt something unseeable from the Chiester Sisters...which could only be described as an oppressive sensation. <br><br>\r\n ……恐らく、射撃測量を開始しているのだ。 <br>\r\n それは銃を抜き、撃鉄を起こす行為にかなり近い。 <br>\r\n ...Most likely, they were initiating firing calculations. <br><br>\r\n It was an action much like taking out a gun and cocking it. <br><br>\r\n たとえベアトといえども、何の準備もなくシエスタの姉妹の攻撃からは逃れられない。 <br>\r\n Even Beato could not escape from the Chiester Sisters' attacks without any preparation. <br><br>\r\n …かつて、最高の信頼を置いていたからこそ、身に染みてその恐ろしさがわかっている。 <br>\r\n ...In the past, she had placed her greatest trust in them, so she knew how terrifying they were down to her very soul. <br><br>\r\n 「………先代さま、お引取りを。………これ以上、ベアトリーチェさまのご機嫌を損ねられるのはお勧めできません。」 <br>\r\n \"......Predecessor-sama, if you would retire. ......I would not recommend damaging Beatrice-sama's mood any further.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……先代さま…。」 <br>\r\n \"...Predecessor-sama...\" <br><br>\r\n 「わ、………わかった。…妾はこれにて退場する。 <br>\r\n \"...I-I understand. ...I shall leave for now. <br><br>\r\n ……そなたがどのような顛末を辿るか、ゆっくり鑑賞させてもらおうぞ！」 <br>\r\n ...I'll watch over the end you eventually reach at my leisure!\" <br><br>\r\n それは限りなく捨て台詞に近い。 <br>\r\n It was almost infinitely close to a parting shot. <br><br>\r\n …だからベアトが姿を消した後、魔女とその家具は笑い転げた…。 <br>\r\n ...So, after Beato vanished, the witch and her furniture doubled over laughing... <br><br>\r\n 「…………まぁ、わかる。無限の力は楽しい。…有限の極みである命を、自在に弄ぶ快楽は、味わったことのない者には説明できぬ。……その麻薬にも似た快楽に取り憑かれる気持ち、わかろうというものよ。」 <br>\r\n \"......Well, I do understand. The endless power is fun. ...The joy of freely toying with an extremely limited life cannot be explained to those who have not tasted it. ...I can understand that feeling of being possessed with a pleasure similar to drugs.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……さぞや楽しかったでしょうね。かつてのあなたのはしゃぎぶりを見る限り。」 <br>\r\n \"...It must have been quite fun, judging by your antics in the past.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あれが、かつて何度も諭そうとしたお師匠様と、それに耳を貸さぬ妾の姿だというのか…。」 <br>\r\n \"Are you saying...it's just like when you tried to admonish me in the past, over and over, and I did not listen...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「………なぜ、あの子の行為を咎める気になったのですか？」 <br>\r\n \"......Why have you started trying to scold that child for her actions?\" <br><br>\r\n 「む、……それはその。……………………。」 <br>\r\n \"Nnn, ...umm, well. .........\" <br><br>\r\n 「…あなたには、あの子と大きな違いがひとつあります。あの子はすでに魔女かもしれない。もちろんあなたも魔女です。ゲーム盤の上の世界では。 <br>\r\n \"...There's a single large difference between you and that child. That child may already be a witch. Of course, you are also a witch. ...At least, in the world on top of the game board.\" <br><br>\r\n ……しかし、ゲーム盤の外の世界で魔女だと認められるには、ゲームの対戦者である戦人くんに認めてもらわなくてはならない。……あなたはそれを理解してゲームを始めたはずです。」 <br>\r\n \"...However, to be acknowledged as a witch in the world outside the game board, you need to have Battler-kun, your opponent in this game, acknowledge you. ...You must have understood that when you started the game.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……魔女である証拠を暴風のように見せつけ、妾を拒否する気持ちを吹き飛ばし屈服させれば、 <br>\r\n ………妾を魔女と認めると思った。…前回、うまく行き掛けたので、もう一息だと思ったのだ…。」 <br>\r\n \"...I thought that if I could show off a whirlwind of proof that I am a witch, blow away his desire to deny me, and make him surrender, <br><br>\r\n ......he would acknowledge me as a witch. ...It all went my way last time, so I thought I was just a breath away...\" <br><br>\r\n 「実際は逆です。戦人くんはあなたの残忍さに呆れ果てていました。そしてゲームの対戦者として登壇したのは、あなたを対等な対戦相手だと認めたからではない。残忍な魔女の存在を一切認めないという強い敵意に基づいてです。」 <br>\r\n \"It's actually the opposite. Battler-kun was disgusted by your brutality. He did not step up to the plate as a player because he acknowledged you as a worthy opponent. It was based on a strong animosity, his resolve to completely deny the existence of a brutal witch.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………愚かなあなたは、戦人くんが対戦者の自覚を持ってくれたことを、自分を魔女だと認めさせる第一歩のように感じていたのでしょう。でも、実際はまったくの逆。」 <br>\r\n \"......In your foolishness, you probably felt that Battler-kun's acceptance of his role as your opponent was a first step towards making him acknowledge you as a witch. However, it was actually the opposite.\" <br><br>\r\n 「戦人くんは、あなたを魔女だと絶対に認めないために、あなたのゲームに挑んだのです。……浅はかな北風がいくら吹きつけようと、旅人はマントをより深く着込むだけ。あなたは大きな間違いを最初から犯しているのです。」 <br>\r\n \"Battler-kun challenged you in this game because he was absolutely determined not to acknowledge you. ...No matter how hard the thoughtless north wind blows, the traveler only wears his cloak even tighter. You were committing a huge error from the very beginning.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………このゲームは、戦人くんを屈服させる拷問などではない。あなたが戦人くんに認めてもらうために努力する、試練なのです。」 <br>\r\n \"......This game is not torture to make Battler-kun surrender. It is a test, in which you must try to make Battler-kun accept you.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………。…う、 <br>\r\n ……薄々はよゥ、 <br>\r\n …気付いてたさ…。」 <br>\r\n \".........Uu... <br><br>\r\n ...I've vaguely... <br><br>\r\n noticed that...\" <br><br>\r\n 「前回は戦人くんにとって辛いゲームでした。 <br>\r\n \"The last game was a tough one for Battler. <br><br>\r\n しかし、もう気付いたようですね。……今回は、あなたにとって辛いゲームです。」 <br>\r\n But, as it seems you've already noticed, ...this game is a tough one for you.\" <br><br>\r\n 「わ、…妾は、これからどうすればいいのだ。」 <br>\r\n \"Wh-What should I do from now on?\" <br><br>\r\n 「あなたが自分で考えるのです。……幸いにも、あなたはもうゲーム盤の駒を降りて、新しき魔女に委ねました。じっくりと自らについて思案する時間があるでしょう。」 <br>\r\n \"Think about it for yourself. ...Fortunately, you have already given up your pieces on the game board to the new witch. You should have plenty of time to reflect upon your own self.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………戦人はもう敵意の塊じゃねぇかよぅ。魔女は認めない、そして妾も認めない。……それで、どうやって戦人に認めてもらうんだよゥ…。北風で駄目なら、…今からのこのこ太陽で照らせって言うのか…？ この妾が、今更……。」 <br>\r\n \"......But Battler's already a mass of hostility to me. He won't accept witches, so he won't accept me. ...In that case, what can I do to make him accept me...? Are you saying that if the north wind doesn't work, ...then I should shine on him as the sun from now on...? Me, after all this time...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「今は１０月。ハロウィンの季節ですね。………太陽が死に、再び蘇る再生の月です。蘇ったばかりの弱々しい太陽は冬の木枯らしに遠く及ばないでしょう。 <br>\r\n \"It's October now. The Halloween season. ......It's the month of rebirth, when the sun dies and is revived again. When the sun is weak right after reviving, it may not reach far through the cold winter winds.\" <br><br>\r\n しかし、じっくりと成長し、やがては春の訪れを告げることができる。…その時、旅人はマントを畳むこともあるかもしれない。」 <br>\r\n \"However, it slowly grows...and is eventually able to hail the coming of spring. ...At that time, the traveler may even fold up his cloak.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………妾は、 <br>\r\n ……間違っているというのか………。」 <br>\r\n \"......Are you saying... <br><br>\r\n that I've been mistaken......?\" <br><br>\r\n …右代宮家の屋敷の美しきホールは、金箔のような黄金の輝きと、…べったりとした返り血で真っ赤に染まっていた。 <br>\r\n ...The beautiful hall of the Ushiromiya mansion was covered with a golden sparkle like gold leaf...and stained deep red with thick spurts of blood. <br><br>\r\n 留弗夫と霧江に与えた死の数は、とっくに足の指を含めても数えられなくなっている。 <br>\r\n The number of deaths given to Rudolf and Kyrie had long surpassed anything you could count on both your fingers and your toes. <br><br>\r\n 魔女が肩で息をしているのは疲れたからではない。 <br>\r\n …まだ醒めぬ興奮に、荒い呼吸を隠せないだけだ。 <br>\r\n The witch was breathing so hard her shoulders shook, but it wasn't because she was tired. <br><br>\r\n ...She just couldn't hide her ragged breaths caused by her still uncontainable excitement. <br><br>\r\n 「あっはははははははははははははッ！！ 人の生き死にを自由にすることの何と楽しいことか！ 無限の魔女の力の前には、私が思い描く無限の全てが実現するわ！ どんなにぐちゃぐちゃに磨り潰してやったってッ、私は指をひとつ鳴らすだけで元通りにして蘇らせることができる。そして最後に、申し訳程度に碑文に沿った死体に戻せばいいんだからね。 <br>\r\n \"Ahhahahahahahahahahahhahahahaha!! How fun it is to do as I will with people's lives and deaths! With the power of the Endless Witch, the endless everything I paint with my mind becomes reality! No matter how sloppily I mash them, I can revive them, returning them to normal with just a snap of my fingers. Because in the end, I just have to restore the corpses and follow the epitaph as an afterthought. <br><br>\r\n あっははははははははははははははははは！！ <br>\r\n Ahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!\" <br><br>\r\n ……ねぇ、あんたたち、ぬいぐるみのお腹を裂いたことって、ある？」 <br>\r\n \"...Hey, you guys, have you ever sliced a stuffed animal's stomach open?\" <br><br>\r\n 「ないです、にひ。４５は？」 <br>\r\n \"Never, nihi. What about you, 45?\" <br><br>\r\n 「い、いえ…！ やったことありません、申し訳ありません…！」 <br>\r\n \"N-No...! I have never done it, my apologies...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「当然よ。普通ないわ。……増してや、お気に入りのぬいぐるみだったら尚更よね。でも、ずっと思ってた。 <br>\r\n \"That's understandable. Normally, you wouldn't. Especially not if it was a stuffed animal you liked. But I've always thought about it.\" <br><br>\r\n こんなにも大好きでふかふかのぬいぐるみの中には何が詰まってるんだろう、いつか覗いてみたいって、ずっと思ってたわ。」 <br>\r\n \"I always thought about peeking in...and seeing what was packed inside this fluffy stuffed animal I loved.\" <br><br>\r\n 裂いて中身を見たら、その好奇心は収まるかもしれないけど、ぬいぐるみは壊れてしまう。 <br>\r\n If you cut it and looked inside, your curiosity might be quelled, but the stuffed animal would be broken. <br><br>\r\n ……だから見たいけれど見られない。 <br>\r\n そんな気持ちって、わかるでしょう？ <br>\r\n ...So, even though you want to see, you can't. <br><br>\r\n You understand that feeling, right? <br><br>\r\n 「……無限の魔女の力は、まさにそれを叶えてくれる力なの。…今の私は、好きなだけぬいぐるみを裂くことができる。 <br>\r\n \"...The power of the Endless Witch can truly grant that wish. ...As I am now, I can slice the stuffed animal all I want.\" <br><br>\r\n ……なのに、魔法ひとつでそれを元通りに蘇らせることができるわ。…それはつまり、この世のあらゆる制約を打ち破ったということ。……今の私には躊躇することも思い止まることも何もないの。 <br>\r\n \"...And yet, with a bit of magic, I can return it to normal and revive it. ...In other words, it means I've broken all limitations in this world. ...As I am now, I don't have to hesitate or give up an idea or anything.\" <br><br>\r\n その悦び、……あぁ、誰にもわからないでしょうね。無限の魔女の私以外、誰にもわからない！！」 <br>\r\n \"That joy...aah, there's probably no one who can understand it. No one other than me, the Golden Witch!!\" <br><br>\r\n 魔女は狂ったように雄叫びをあげながら、再び留弗夫と霧江を蘇らせ、それを自覚させるより早く、直ちに殺して見せた。 <br>\r\n As the witch let out a mad war cry, she revived Rudolf and Kyrie again, and faster than they could realize it, she killed them right away. <br><br>\r\n ……二人の中には綿でないものが詰まっていることを知らしめながら。 <br>\r\n ...And she made it known that something other than cotton was stuffed inside those two. <br><br>\r\n 「…よ、 <br>\r\n …………よさんか、絵羽……！」 <br>\r\n \"...Q- <br><br>\r\n Quit it, Eva...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「え？ <br>\r\n \"Huh? <br><br>\r\n ……あぁ、あんた。いたの。」 <br>\r\n ...Ah, it's you. How long have you been there?\" <br><br>\r\n 惨劇のホールに、銃を構えた秀吉が姿を現す。 <br>\r\n In that gruesome hall, Hideyoshi appeared with his gun readied. <br><br>\r\n 魔女が屋敷を結界にて閉ざしたのだから、秀吉には逃げ場などどこにもないのだ。 <br>\r\n The witch had sealed the mansion with a barrier, so Hideyoshi had nowhere to run. <br><br>\r\n …留弗夫か霧江の銃を拾い、戻ってきたのだろう。 <br>\r\n ...He'd probably picked up Rudolf's or Kyrie's gun and come back. <br><br>\r\n 本来は恐れるべきその銃も、魔力に満ち溢れた彼女にとっては、もはや取るにも足らないものらしい。 <br>\r\n The gun, which should have been something to be feared, was apparently no longer an object she took seriously now that she was overflowing with magical power. <br><br>\r\n 不敵な表情はわずかほども歪まなかった。 <br>\r\n Her bold expression didn't flinch in the slightest. <br><br>\r\n 「………何で、楼座さんや真里亞ちゃんや、 <br>\r\n ……留弗夫くんや霧江さんまで殺さにゃならんのや……！」 <br>\r\n \"......Why did you have to kill Rosa-san and Maria-chan, <br><br>\r\n ...and Rudolf-kun and Kyrie-san...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「はぁ？ 私は右代宮家の当主にして六軒島の魔女よ。この島では何を起こそうと全ては自由自在。…今だけの一瞬を切り取って、その生き死にを問うなど、私には無意味なこと。」 <br>\r\n \"Huh? I am the Head of the Ushiromiya family, the witch of Rokkenjima. Everything that occurs on this island is all up to me. ...Whether they happen to be alive or dead at any particular moment in time is meaningless to me.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……お父さんの黄金を見つけて、………お前は気が触れてしまったんや…！ どんだけ高く積まれた黄金やったやろな。わしには想像もつかん。お前の正気を失わせるほどのものだったんやろ…。 <br>\r\n \"...You went mad after finding Father's gold...! Just how high must that gold have been piled? I can't even imagine it. It must have been enough to steal away your sanity...\" <br><br>\r\n ……だがな、そんなにもたくさんの黄金やったなら、……なして気前よく分けっこしたろって思わんかったんや…！！」 <br>\r\n \"...But if there was that much gold, ...why didn't you think of graciously splittin' it up...?!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「誤解してるわ。…………あれは全て黄金の魔女のものよ。私以外の誰にも触れる資格はない。くすくすくす、あっははははははははははははははは…！！」 <br>\r\n \"You misunderstand. ......All of that belongs to the Golden Witch. No one is qualified to touch it except me. *giggle*giggle*giggle* Ahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……お前は何や。…昔聞かせてくれた、……少女時代の、魔女だった絵羽だとでも言うんか。」 <br>\r\n \"...What are you? Don't tell me you're that thing Eva told me about long ago, ...the witch Eva from when she was young?\" <br><br>\r\n 「そうよ。あなたの妻の右代宮絵羽の胸の中にずっと住んでいた、少女時代の私。…そして魔女なの。 <br>\r\n \"That's right. I am the `me' from my years as a girl, who's been living in the heart of your wife, Ushiromiya Eva, this whole time. ...And I'm a witch. <br><br>\r\n ………絵羽は私を忘れることによって大人になったわ。だから魔法が使えない。」 <br>\r\n ......Eva became an adult by forgetting me. So she can't use magic.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…誰だって子どもの頃には、無邪気だけれど残酷な妄想に頭を膨らませることはある。わしかて小さい頃、蟻を踏んで回ったり、トンボの羽を毟ったりして遊んだことがあるわ。………しかし、命の大切さを学んで、そんな残酷な幼年時代から卒業するんや。 <br>\r\n \"...All kids get their heads filled with innocent but cruel ideas sometimes. When I was young, I'd sometimes go around steppin' on ants and pullin' the wings off dragonflies. ......However, I learned the importance of life, and graduated from that cruel childhood age.\" <br><br>\r\n ……今のお前は、まさに幼年時代そのものやで！ …絵羽が卒業したはずの人格なんや！ それは絵羽やない。別の人間や！！」 <br>\r\n \"...Right now, you really are a child! ...A personality that I know Eva graduated from! That personality isn't Eva. It's a completely different human!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「そうよ。私、右代宮絵羽じゃない。黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェだもの。 <br>\r\n \"That's right. I am not Ushiromiya Eva. I'm the Golden Witch, Beatrice. <br><br>\r\n 楽しいわよ、何の制約もしがらみもなく、生き死にを自由にできるこの悦楽は本当に素敵…！ 割った金魚鉢を謝らなくていい、そして好きなだけぬいぐるみを裂いていい！ 私は、」 <br>\r\n It's so fun, not being bounded by any limitations, and the pleasure of being able to do as I will with life and death is truly wonderful...! I don't have to apologize for breaking a goldfish bowl, and I can tear stuffed animals up as much as I want! I-\" <br><br>\r\n 乾いた音。 <br>\r\n There was a crisp sound. <br><br>\r\n …それは秀吉が魔女の頬を打った音だった。 <br>\r\n ...It was the sound of Hideyoshi slapping the witch's face. <br><br>\r\n この真っ赤に返り血で染まった鮮血のホールを見れば、魔女の恐ろしさは想像がついたはずだ。 <br>\r\n Looking at the hall stained deep red with fresh blood, he should have been able to imagine how terrible the witch was. <br><br>\r\n でも秀吉は恐れず、躊躇もせず、つかつかと早足に歩み寄って、その頬を打ったのだ。 <br>\r\n But without fear, without even hesitating, Hideyoshi had walked determinedly up to her and hit her on the cheek. <br><br>\r\n 「…………………っ。」 <br>\r\n \"............!\" <br><br>\r\n 「アホぅ！！ <br>\r\n \"You fool!! <br><br>\r\n 残酷ぶるなや、ほんまは臆病者の弱虫のくせにッ！ <br>\r\n Don't act like you're cruel, not when you're really a coward and a weakling! <br><br>\r\n わしがまた更正させたるわ、この性悪が！！ このアホ！ <br>\r\n I'll correct that evil nature of yours again if I have to!! You fool! <br><br>\r\n アホッ！！」 <br>\r\n Fool!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「痛、 <br>\r\n \"Ow, <br><br>\r\n ……痛い、 <br>\r\n ...ouch, <br><br>\r\n …ちょっと…！」 <br>\r\n ...hey...!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「命の大切さとか、儚さとか、そういうのがわかる女やったろが！ わしが思い出させたる…！！ 何が魔女や、アホぬかせ！！ <br>\r\n \"You're a woman who understands how important, how fragile a life is, aren't you?! I'll make you remember...!! What are you calling a `witch', you stupid fool?!! <br><br>\r\n お前はわしの女房の右代宮絵羽や！ <br>\r\n You're my wife, Ushiromiya Eva! <br><br>\r\n 冷蔵庫の残り物でチョイチョイと、気の利いたつまみを作れる台所の魔女が関の山や！！ 目を覚まさんかい、このアホンダラが…ッ！！」 <br>\r\n If anything, you're witch of the kitchen, who can always make the perfect snacks out of refrigerator leftovers in a flash!! Won't you open your eyes, you fool...?!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「だから右代宮絵羽じゃないって、 <br>\r\n …言ってるでしょうが……！」 <br>\r\n \"Didn't I just tell you... <br><br>\r\n that I'm not Ushiromiya Eva...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「アホぬかせ！！ この！ <br>\r\n \"You stupid fool!! You! <br><br>\r\n このっ！！」 <br>\r\n You!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 秀吉は涙をぼろぼろと零しながら魔女の頭を叩き続ける。 <br>\r\n As tears dripped down his face, Hideyoshi kept hitting the witch's head. <br><br>\r\n 銃など、もう突きつけてもいなかった。 <br>\r\n He wasn't even pointing the gun at her anymore. <br><br>\r\n だから。 <br>\r\n その銃声は秀吉の持つ銃のわけもない。 <br>\r\n Therefore. <br><br>\r\n That sound of gunfire couldn't have come from the gun Hideyoshi was holding. <br><br>\r\n ……留弗夫の遺体の脇に落ちていた銃が宙に浮いていて、…その銃口から紫煙をたなびかせている。 <br>\r\n ...The gun, which had fallen in the corner near Rudolf's corpse, was floating in the air, ...and smoke lingered near the barrel. <br><br>\r\n 銃弾は？ <br>\r\n ………秀吉のベストの胸部が、じわりと赤い染みを広げる。 <br>\r\n And the bullet? <br><br>\r\n ......A red stain was slowly spreading across the chest section of Hideyoshi's vest. <br><br>\r\n 銃口に対し背を向けていたのに、…銃弾は秀吉の胸部に打ち込まれていた。 <br>\r\n Even though his back was facing the barrel of the gun, ...the bullet had driven through Hideyoshi's chest. <br><br>\r\n 「………絵、 <br>\r\n …羽…………。…………ぅぅ…。」 <br>\r\n \"......E... <br><br>\r\n va............uu...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「…だから私は絵羽じゃないと言ってるのに。馬鹿でウザイ男ね。 <br>\r\n \"...Like I said, I'm not Eva. What a stupid, annoying man. <br><br>\r\n ……あんたしつこいから、第六の晩の生贄に変更してあげるわ。…どこかのベッドの下に隠れて震えてでもいたなら、見逃してやるつもりだったのに。……わざわざ戻ってきて。本当に馬鹿な男だわ。」 <br>\r\n ...You're a pain, so I'll switch the sacrifice of the sixth twilight to you. ...If only you'd just hidden under some bed shaking or something, I planned on letting you go. ...But no, you went to all the trouble of coming back. You really are a stupid man.\" <br><br>\r\n どすんと…。秀吉が床に倒れる鈍い音がした。 <br>\r\n *thunk*... There was a dull sound as Hideyoshi fell to the floor. <br><br>\r\n 死ねばその苦痛から逃れられるのに、最後の一秒までそれを拒み、魔女の目をじっと見つめ、…息絶えた。 <br>\r\n Even though death would have allowed him to escape from that pain, he resisted until the last second, and staring straight into the witch's eyes, ...he passed away. <br><br>\r\n 目を閉じずに死んだ為、しばらくの間、魔女は絶命したことに気付けずにいて、その眼差しに射抜かれたままでいるのだった。 <br>\r\n Because he had died without closing his eyes, the witch didn't realize that he was dead for a short while...and remained pinned by that gaze. <br><br>\r\n 「こいつも新しい玩具にして遊びます？ にひ。」 <br>\r\n \"Should we make this one a new toy and play? Nihi.\" <br><br>\r\n その言葉で、ようやく魔女は秀吉が死んでいることを察する。 <br>\r\n At those words, the witch finally realized that Hideyoshi was dead. <br><br>\r\n 「………ん、…あぁ。…そうね、どうしようかしら。」 <br>\r\n \"......Nng, ...yeah. ...Right, what'll we do...\" <br><br>\r\n シエスタの姉妹たちが指示を待つ。 <br>\r\n 内心は、主のより残忍な命令を想像していた。 <br>\r\n The Chiester Sisters waited for instructions. <br><br>\r\n On the inside, they imagined the sorts of even more brutal orders their master might give. <br><br>\r\n しかし魔女は興が醒めたというような表情を浮かべる。 <br>\r\n 見下ろす秀吉の死に顔は、涙にまだ濡れていた…。 <br>\r\n But the expression that rose to the witch's face looked as though she'd gotten over her excitement. <br><br>\r\n She looked down at Hideyoshi's face, which still had tears dripping down it... <br><br>\r\n 「……この男のせいですっかり興醒めだわ。もう止ぁめた。………ロノウェ、いる？」 <br>\r\n \"...It's such a killjoy, and it's all this guy's fault. I'm done. ......Ronove, are you there?\" <br><br>\r\n 「はい、ここに。」 <br>\r\n \"Yes, right here.\" <br><br>\r\n 「後片付けをお願い。…先代さまもうるさいしね。あのババアが納得する程度に綺麗にしておいてちょうだい。……一応、先代さまへの義理で儀式のルールには従うわ。この３人の死体を第四の晩から第六の晩ってことでお願いね。 <br>\r\n \"Take care of the cleanup. ...I'll bet the Predecessor-sama makes a fuss over this one. Please make it clean enough for that old hag to accept. ...I guess I'll follow the rules of the ceremony, out of a sense of obligation to my Predecessor-sama. Treat these three corpses as the fourth through sixth twilights. <br><br>\r\n ルシファー、出番よ。」 <br>\r\n Lucifer, it's your turn.\" <br><br>\r\n 「傲慢のルシファー、ここに。」 <br>\r\n \"Lucifer of Pride, right here.\" <br><br>\r\n 「その３人の死体、ほじくって抉っといて。」 <br>\r\n \"Dig into these three corpses and gouge them.\" <br><br>\r\n 「し、…死体をですか。」 <br>\r\n \"...I-Into corpses?\" <br><br>\r\n 「そうよ。何か不満？」 <br>\r\n \"That's right. Got a problem with that?\" <br><br>\r\n 「い、…いえ…。」 <br>\r\n \"N-No...\" <br><br>\r\n 煉獄の七姉妹にはささやかなプライドがある。 <br>\r\n それは、自らの仕留めた獲物を抉るという、狩猟者としてのプライドだった。 <br>\r\n The Seven Sisters of Purgatory had their own sort of pride. <br><br>\r\n It was the pride of a hunter, the pride of gouging prey that they had brought down themselves. <br><br>\r\n …しかし、他者が仕留めた死体を抉れというのはそれに反する。 <br>\r\n もちろん魔女にその意図はなかったが、七姉妹たちにとっては酷く屈辱的なことだった。 <br>\r\n ...However, being told to gouge a corpse that someone else had brought down ran contrary to that sentiment. <br><br>\r\n Of course, the witch didn't mean it that way, but for the Seven Sisters, it was horribly humiliating. <br><br>\r\n …しかし、姉妹の２人が敗れるという失態をすでに犯しており、それを言い返す資格はなかった。 <br>\r\n ...However, they had already screwed this up, with two of the Sisters defeated, so they had no right to question her. <br><br>\r\n ロノウェだけがそれを汲み取り、察するように肩に手を載せる。 <br>\r\n Only Ronove appreciated this, and he rested his hand on her shoulder in understanding. <br><br>\r\n 「……ベアトリーチェさまのご命令ですよ。ルシファーは３人を選び、儀式の作法に従い処理をするように。あと、できましたら私のお片付けにも手を貸してください。」 <br>\r\n \"...This is an order from Beatrice-sama. Lucifer, carry these three and dispose of them in accordance with the etiquette of the ceremony. Then, when you are done, lend me a hand with the cleanup.\" <br><br>\r\n 「畏まりました……。」 <br>\r\n \"Certainly...\" <br><br>\r\n 魔女は、何となく微妙になった空気は、全て秀吉のせいだとでも言いたげにその死体を見下ろす。 <br>\r\n The witch looked down upon Hideyoshi's corpse, as though implying that the now delicate atmosphere was all Hideyoshi's fault. <br><br>\r\n 「………馬鹿な男ね。死なずに済んだのに。」 <br>\r\n \"......Stupid man. And you didn't even have to die.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あなた……ッ！！！ <br>\r\n \"Dear...!!! <br><br>\r\n あああぁあああぁああぁあぁ！！ あなた、どこ？！ いるわよね？ 返事をしてッ！！」 <br>\r\n Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!! Dear, where are you?! You're there, right? Answer me!!\" <br><br>\r\n 大きな落雷の音が、絵羽の悪夢を覚ます。 <br>\r\n The crash of a thunderbolt woke Eva from her nightmare. <br><br>\r\n もしもその時、秀吉が手を握っていてくれたなら、彼女の怯えた心は直ちに癒されただろう。 <br>\r\n If Hideyoshi had been gripping her hand at that time, her fearful heart would probably have been instantly healed. <br><br>\r\n しかし、片時も離れないと誓ってくれたはずの秀吉の姿は室内になかった。 <br>\r\n However, Hideyoshi, who had supposedly sworn that he wouldn't leave even for a moment, was nowhere to be seen in the room. <br><br>\r\n 「あなた、 <br>\r\n …返事をして…、 <br>\r\n ………あなた…！！ ううぅうううううぅう！！」 <br>\r\n \"Dear, <br><br>\r\n ...answer me, <br><br>\r\n ......dear...!! Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n …留弗夫たちがゲストハウスを出てから、すでに３０分は経過していた。 <br>\r\n ...30 minutes had already passed since Rudolf's group had left the guesthouse. <br><br>\r\n いくらなんでも、戻りが遅すぎる。 <br>\r\n …玄関で待ち続ける蔵臼と夏妃の焦燥も限界に来ていた。 <br>\r\n By any measure, their return was too late. <br><br>\r\n ...And Krauss and Natsuhi, who waited by the entrance, were reaching the limits of their patience. <br><br>\r\n 扉にはチェーンが掛けてある。 <br>\r\n それは、留弗夫たちが万一襲われ、マスターキーを奪われた場合に備えたものだ。 <br>\r\n The chain was set on the door. <br><br>\r\n That was a precaution in the event that Rudolf's group was attacked and the master key stolen from them. <br><br>\r\n その為、彼らの帰りをこうして玄関で待つ必要があった…。 <br>\r\n For that reason, they needed to wait by the entrance like this for the others to return... <br><br>\r\n 「……さすがに遅すぎます。彼らの身に何かあったのでは…。」 <br>\r\n \"...They really are too late. Don't you think something might have happened to them...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………うむ…。」 <br>\r\n \"......Indeed...\" <br><br>\r\n 蔵臼は時計と扉を見比べながら、冷静さを装うことに徹していた。 <br>\r\n Krauss glanced between his watch and the door, struggling to keep his composure. <br><br>\r\n 「もし、…彼らが戻らないようなことがあるならば……。」 <br>\r\n \"If...something happened to prevent them from returning...\" <br><br>\r\n 「…辛い想像だが、その覚悟を始めた方が良さそうだ。……やはり、無用心だったのだ。」 <br>\r\n \"...A terrible thought, but it seems we should ready ourselves for that possibility. ...So, it really was too reckless after all.\" <br><br>\r\n 「わ、私はそうだと申し上げました…！ なぜ彼らはこれほどの危険を承知で外に…！ 愚かなことです！ 楼座さんが襲われたばかりだというのに、なぜに外へ…！！」 <br>\r\n \"Th-That is what I said...! Why did they go outside when they knew it was this dangerous...?! How foolish! Why go outside, even though Rosa-san had just been attacked...?!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………それを言っても始まらん。…とにかく、これでゲストハウスに大人は３人。私と夏妃、 <br>\r\n ……そして高熱で寝込んでいる絵羽だけだ。」 <br>\r\n \"......Nothing will come of saying that now. ...At any rate, there are now three adults in the guesthouse. Me, you, <br><br>\r\n ...and Eva, who's asleep with a high fever.\" <br><br>\r\n その時、廊下から勢い良く開く扉の音と、絵羽の金切り声が聞こえてきた。 <br>\r\n At that time, the forceful sound of a door being opened came from the hallway, and they heard Eva's panicked voice. <br><br>\r\n …その声は秀吉の名を呼び続けている。 <br>\r\n ……高熱にうなされた彼女が、何か悪い夢でも見て夫の名を呼んでいるように見えた。 <br>\r\n ...That voice kept calling out Hideyoshi's name. <br><br>\r\n ...It seemed as though she'd had a bad dream or something due to her fever...and was calling for her husband. <br><br>\r\n 「絵羽さん…、 <br>\r\n どうしましたか、大丈夫ですか…？」 <br>\r\n \"Eva-san, <br><br>\r\n ...what is it, are you okay...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「う、…うちの人はどこ？！ うちの人がいないのッ！！ ずっと一緒にいるって約束してくれたのに！ ずっと手を握ってくれてるって約束したのにッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"...Wh-Where is my husband?! My husband isn't here!! Even though he promised that he'd stay with me the whole time! Even though he promised that he'd grasp my hand the whole time!!\" <br><br>\r\n …蔵臼の前で絶対に見せることのないその姿に、蔵臼は呆然としたが、夏妃はその気持ちを理解した。 <br>\r\n ...Krauss was struck dumb by this attitude of hers, which she had never shown in front of him before, but Natsuhi understood her feelings. <br><br>\r\n 「……お、落ち着いて…。秀吉さんは留弗夫さんたちと一緒に、今、表へ出ています。」 <br>\r\n \"...C-Calm down... Hideyoshi-san is with Rudolf-san and Kyrie-san, and they're outside right now.\" <br><br>\r\n 「表へッ？！？！ どど、どうしてよ、 <br>\r\n \"Outside?!?! Wh-Wh-Why, <br><br>\r\n 私とずっと一緒にいてくれるって約束したのに、どうして表になんか行ってるの？！ <br>\r\n why did he go outside, after he promised that he'd stay with me the whole time?! <br><br>\r\n 表へ出ては駄目、表には魔女がいるわ、行っては駄目、殺されてしまうッ！！ わあああああぁあああぁあぁ…！！」 <br>\r\n You mustn't go outside, the witch is outside, you mustn't go, you'll be killed!! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh...!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「…絵羽、落ち着きなさい。……秀吉さんは、留弗夫たちと一緒に屋敷へ戻っているのだ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Eva, calm yourself. ...Hideyoshi-san returned to the mansion with Rudolf and Kyrie-san.\" <br><br>\r\n 「どうして屋敷に行かなくちゃいけないのよ！！ ここなら安全なのに、どうして表になんか出したのよ！！ どうして屋敷なんかに戻ったのよッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Why did he have to go to the mansion?!! Why did he go outside, even though it's safe here?!! Why did he go back to the mansion?!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………。……明日までの食料を取りに行くことになったのだ。…秀吉さんは、お前の体調が悪いことを気にしてて、その為にもと言って…。」 <br>\r\n \"...............They went to get enough food to last until tomorrow. ...Hideyoshi-san was worried about your health...and said that was partly why he wanted to go...\" <br><br>\r\n 「いつ戻ってくるの？！ いつ戻ってくるのよ？！ 表は駄目よ、薔薇庭園は駄目、屋敷は駄目！！ 魔女がいる、黄金の魔女が歩き回ってる！ 見つかったら殺されてしまう、絶対に殺されてしまうッ！！ うちの人はいつ戻ってくるのッ？！」 <br>\r\n \"When will they come back?! When will they come back?! Don't go outside, don't go to the rose garden, don't go to the mansion!! The witch is there, the Golden Witch is walking about! If she finds you, you'll be killed, you'll definitely be killed!! When will my husband come back?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………３０分前にここを出ました。私たちは帰りを待っています。」 <br>\r\n \"......They left here thirty minutes ago. We are waiting for their return.\" <br><br>\r\n 「さ、３０分ッ？！ そんなのおかしいじゃないッ、屋敷に行って食料を取って帰ってくるのに、どうしてそんなに時間が掛かるのよ？！ それであんたたちは何でここでぼんやりしてるのよ？！ 迎えに行かなきゃ！！ 早くあの人のところへ行かなきゃッ！！ ひぃいいいいぃいいいいいいぃ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Th-Thirty minutes ago?! Isn't that strange? Why would it take so much time for them to go to the mansion to get food and come back?! And why are you two just standing around here?! We have to go get them!! We have to hurry to where they are!! Eeeeeeeeeeeekkk!!\" <br><br>\r\n 絵羽は余程の悪夢を見たのだろう。 <br>\r\n …そして目が覚めてもまだそれが続いていることに、とうとう錯乱を隠せなくなってしまう。 <br>\r\n Eva probably had quite a nightmare. <br><br>\r\n ...And, because it had continued even after she woke up, she could no longer hide her panic. <br><br>\r\n 夏妃は落ち着かせようと試みるが、むしろ絵羽の感情をますますに弾けさせるだけだった。 <br>\r\n Natsuhi tried calming her down, but all it did was make Eva's emotions explode even more. <br><br>\r\n ……その騒ぎが聞こえたのだろうか。 <br>\r\n ロビーの扉が細く開き、２階に行っているはずの戦人たちが顔を覗かせる。 <br>\r\n ...Maybe they heard that disturbance. <br><br>\r\n Battler and the kids, who had supposedly been on the second floor, were peeking their faces through the crack of the lobby door. <br><br>\r\n 蔵臼、夏妃、絵羽。そして戦人、譲治、朱志香、南條。 <br>\r\n …ゲストハウスの全ての人間が、玄関に集い、現状を把握した。 <br>\r\n Krauss, Natsuhi, Eva. And Battler, George, Jessica, Nanjo. <br><br>\r\n ...Everyone in the guesthouse had gathered by the entrance...and understood the current situation. <br><br>\r\n 「母さんの意見に同感だよ。父さんたちの様子を確かめに行くべきだ。」 <br>\r\n \"I agree with Mother. We should go to check on Father and the rest.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あぁ、そうだな。荷物が大きくなって手間取ってる可能性だってあるぜ。人手は歓迎のはずさ。」 <br>\r\n \"Yeah, that's right. It's even possible that their load's too heavy and they're having trouble carrying it. They should welcome some extra hands.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……ろ、楼座さんが襲われてすぐですぞ。…二次遭難の可能性もあります。ここはひとつ慎重に…、」 <br>\r\n \"...Th-This happened right after Rosa-san was attacked. ...This may have been a secondary disaster connected to that. We should act with caution here and...\" <br><br>\r\n 「馬鹿を言わないでッ！！ 慎重に何よ？！ 助けを求めてるかもしれない主人を見殺しにしろと言うのッ？！ 私が様子を見に行くわ、臆病者はここで待っていなさい！！」 <br>\r\n \"Don't be a fool!! What do you mean, caution?! Are you saying we should let my husband die, even though he might be begging for help?! I'm going to look, and the cowards can stay here!!\" <br><br>\r\n 絵羽は興奮した様子で、銃を構える。 <br>\r\n その形相を見る限り、もはや誰が引き止めても無駄だろう。 <br>\r\n Looking agitated, Eva raised her gun. <br><br>\r\n Judging by her face, it would be useless for anyone to try and stop her. <br><br>\r\n …それを最初に察した譲治が顔を上げる。 <br>\r\n ...George, who realized that first, raised his head. <br><br>\r\n 「僕も行こう。戦人くんも来るだろう？ 人数が多い方がいい…！」 <br>\r\n \"I'll go as well. You will too, right, Battler-kun? The more people, the better...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「お、おう！！ 絵羽伯母さん、来るなって言ったって付いてくぜ。」 <br>\r\n \"S-Sure!! Aunt Eva, we're coming even if you tell us not to.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…わ、私も行くよ…！ 私だけ安全なところに隠れてなんかいられないぜ…！」 <br>\r\n \"...I-I'm coming too...! I can't be the only one to hide in a safe place...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「朱志香は出てはなりません！！ ここに私と居るのです。良いですね？！」 <br>\r\n \"Jessica, you must not go outside!! Stay here with me. Got it?!\" <br><br>\r\n それは暗に、彼らはどうせもう殺されているから、表に出るのは無意味だと言っているようなもの。 <br>\r\n It was like they were implying that those three had already been killed anyway, so going outside would be pointless. <br><br>\r\n 絵羽の心を大きく抉ったことを夏妃も察するが、朱志香の母としてその言葉を強く言い切った。 <br>\r\n Natsuhi realized that Eva felt like her heart had been gouged out, but she spoke out strongly as Jessica's mother. <br><br>\r\n 「………………そうね。それがいいでしょうね。兄さんたち一家はゲストハウスで留守番してて。 <br>\r\n \".........You're right. That should be fine. Let's have Nii-san's family keep an eye on the guesthouse. <br><br>\r\n これはうちの家族と、戦人くんの家族の問題よ。あと南條先生も来てもらえるかしら。万が一のこともあるかもしれないから。」 <br>\r\n This is a problem for my family and Battler-kun's. And I wonder if Doctor Nanjo would mind coming too. Just in case.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………戦人、絵羽、譲治、南條の４人は屋敷のホールにて、 <br>\r\n \"......In the hall of the mansion, Battler, Eva, George, and Nanjo... <br><br>\r\n 留弗夫、霧江、秀吉の３人の遺体を発見。」 <br>\r\n found the corpses of Rudolf, Kyrie, and Hideyoshi.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………第四から第六の晩ってことか？ なら死体には、額、胸、腹にそれぞれ、例の悪魔の杭が？」 <br>\r\n \"......The fourth through sixth twilights? Then, the corpses were pierced through the forehead, chest, and stomach with those demon stakes?\" <br><br>\r\n 「はい。 <br>\r\n \"Yes. <br><br>\r\n ……留弗夫の額に一本。秀吉の胸に一本。そして霧江の腹部に一本、悪魔の杭が打ち込まれています。 <br>\r\n ...The demon stakes were buried into them: one in Rudolf's forehead, one in Hideyoshi's chest, and one in Kyrie's stomach.\" <br><br>\r\n ３人には争ったか、あるいは逃げ回るかしたと思われる着衣の乱れがあります。３人の遺体は寄り添ってはおらず、犯人と遭遇後、ある程度の抵抗を試みたと推定されます。」 <br>\r\n \"The disorder of the clothing on all three suggests that they were fighting or running away. Since the three corpses were not found right next to each other, it is hypothesized that after coming into contact with the culprit, they attempted some form of resistance.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………杭で、額と胸と、腹をとか。……相変わらず、惨ぇ…。」 <br>\r\n \"......And they had stakes in the forehead, chest, and stomach. ...Horrible, just like usual...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n ロノウェは蛇足と知りつつ、戦人に伝えるべきかと思った。 <br>\r\n Even though Ronove knew it would be superfluous, he contemplated telling Battler the truth. <br><br>\r\n …本当は魔女は、彼らをもっともっと惨たらしく殺したのだ。 <br>\r\n ……ベアトがそれを控えるようにと魔女に進言したから、この程度の死体で済む。 <br>\r\n ...Normally, the witch would have killed them in a much, much more horrible way. <br><br>\r\n ...The corpses had been left in this manner only because Beato had suggested to the witch that she show restraint. <br><br>\r\n あの新しき残忍な魔女は、杭で抉るというのさえ合っていればいいのだろうと、……ニンゲンの形さえ留めない肉塊に杭を立てることさえやったかもしれない。 <br>\r\n The new witch, thinking it would fit well enough as long as she gouged them with stakes, ...would probably have just stuck a stake into a lump of meat that wasn't even shaped like a Human. <br><br>\r\n 特に楼座と真里亞の死体が顕著だろう。 <br>\r\n …黄金の魔女が望んだ通りに殺したならば、どれほどに死体は凄惨な姿を曝したことか。 <br>\r\n Rosa's and Maria's corpses were a particularly striking example. <br><br>\r\n ...If they'd been killed as the Golden Witch had wished, just how gruesome would the corpses have been? <br><br>\r\n それをベアトが戦人の言うところの“まだマシな”殺し方に改めた。 <br>\r\n Beato had changed that into the `still better' kind of killing Battler had mentioned earlier. <br><br>\r\n そのベアトのささやかな気遣いを評価してもらいたくて、戦人にそれを伝えようかとも思った。 <br>\r\n Wanting to have Beato's small bit of thoughtfulness appreciated, he thought of telling Battler about this. <br><br>\r\n …しかし、そんなのは戦人にとっては五十歩百歩でしかないだろう。 <br>\r\n 人間にとっては、生か死かの隔たりはあまりにも大きい。 <br>\r\n ...But judging by Battler's eyes, that might do more harm than good. <br><br>\r\n To humans, the gap between being alive and being dead is very large. <br><br>\r\n マシな死に方に改めたから、お嬢様の気持ちを汲み取ってほしいなど、悪魔には酌量の余地があっても、……ニンゲンにはその余地など、あるわけもない。 <br>\r\n Saying that she'd given them better deaths might have made it possible for a demon to understand her feelings and pardon her, but there was no way a Human would be so accepting. <br><br>\r\n そこまでを理解し、ベアトのささやかな努力を知りつつ、敢えてロノウェは沈黙する…。 <br>\r\n Understanding this, Ronove remained silent despite knowing of Beato's modest efforts... <br><br>\r\n 「いつも通り、死体の死亡確認からさせてもらうぜ。……ロノウェ、赤で宣言を頼む。」 <br>\r\n \"Just like usual, let's start by checking whether the corpses are dead. ...Ronove, please declare it in red.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n 「おい、聞こえないのか？ …赤で宣言を頼む。復唱要求だ。“留弗夫、霧江、秀吉の３名は死亡している”。」 <br>\r\n \"Hey, can't you hear me? ...Please declare it in red. Repeat it. `Rudolf, Kyrie, and Hideyoshi are dead'.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………申し訳ございません。復唱を、拒否させていただきます。」 <br>\r\n \"......My apologies. Allow me to decline from repeating that.\" <br><br>\r\n 「何だと…？ いきなり、どういうつもりだ…。」 <br>\r\n \"The hell...? What are you planning, all of a sudden...?\" <br><br>\r\n もはや、犠牲者の死亡を赤き真実で宣言するのは、彼らの戦いの前提でさえある。 <br>\r\n それを拒否するというのは、まるで不戦敗にも近い行為だ。 <br>\r\n By now, proclaiming that the victims were dead in red was almost a given in this battle. <br><br>\r\n Refusing to do that was almost like losing by default. <br><br>\r\n …だから戦人はこの初手からのロノウェの拒否に、少し唖然とする。 <br>\r\n ...So when Ronove refused as part of his first move, Battler was dumbfounded. <br><br>\r\n 「申し訳ございません。私めの、お嬢様の代行者である資格を、これを以って返上させていただきます。…よって、“私には”、それを赤で復唱することができません。……それを復唱する資格があるのは、…お嬢様ただ一人だけでございます。」 <br>\r\n \"My apologies. As of this moment, I relinquish my position as Milady's representative. ...Accordingly, `I' cannot repeat that in red. ...The only one qualified to repeat that...is Milady.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………………。」 <br>\r\n \".........\" <br><br>\r\n 「…正しい言い分です。ロノウェはベアト側の代行者でしかありません。……ロノウェが代行の役を降り、かつ戦人くんがベアトを相手として認めないならば。…新しい代行者を立てる必要があります。」 <br>\r\n \"...His point is a valid one. Ronove is only a representative for Beato's side. ...If he steps down from that position, and if you will not accept Beato as an opponent, ...a new representative must be named.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……新しき代行者はおりません。……どうか戦人さま。お嬢様を再び対局の相手とお認め下さい。」 <br>\r\n \"...No new representative exists. ...Please, Battler-sama. Please accept Milady as your game partner once more.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………悪ぃが。そいつは聞けねぇ相談だぜ。……あの不愉快な残酷野郎を、俺は絶対に対局者だなどと認めない。…それを認めないために、俺はこのゲームを降りないんだ。」 <br>\r\n \"......Sorry, but that's advice I can't listen to. ...I definitely won't accept that unpleasant, cruel bastard as my opponent. ...My refusal to accept her is why I can't step down from this game.\" <br><br>\r\n 「不愉快な点につきましてはお嬢様に代わりまして謝罪します。また、お嬢様には二度と不愉快な言動を取らぬよう誓約させます。」 <br>\r\n \"As to her being unpleasant, I apologize in Milady's stead. Allow me to pledge that Milady will not undertake such unpleasant actions again.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………………。……どうだかな。」 <br>\r\n \"............I wonder about that.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…戦人くん。…あの子の師匠として私も謝罪します。よく言って聞かせますので、どうか一度だけ許してやってはくれませんか。」 <br>\r\n \"...Battler-kun, I also want to apologize as that child's teacher. I'll give that child a good talking to, so please offer your forgiveness just this once.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……おいおい、よしてくれよ。まるで俺が悪者みてぇだぜ。 <br>\r\n \"...Hey, hey, enough of that. You're making it sound like I'm the bad guy. <br><br>\r\n …それにあんたらにいくら謝罪の言葉を聞かされても、俺の耳には届かない。……そいつを、ベアトが自分の口で言えるってんなら。…………まぁ、耳を貸さねぇこともないぜ。」 <br>\r\n ...And no matter how much you guys apologize, it won't reach my ears. ...If Beato can say that from her own lips, ......well, I might listen to her.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………わかりました。それがあの子を再び認めてもらう唯一の条件ならば、あの子に謝罪をさせましょう。 <br>\r\n \"......Understood. If that is your only condition for acknowledging your opponent again, let us have that child apologize. <br><br>\r\n ………ロノウェ。あの子を呼びなさい。よろしいですね、戦人くん…？」 <br>\r\n ......Ronove, call for that child. Will that be all right, Battler-kun...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………ちぇ。…好きにしろよ。だが、俺が許すと期待するな。……呼べよ、あのムカつく魔女を。」 <br>\r\n \"......Sheesh. ...Do whatever you want. Still, don't expect me to forgive her. ...Go get that irritating witch.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…ありがとうございます、戦人さま。………ただいま、お呼び致します。 <br>\r\n \"...You have my thanks, Battler-sama. ...I shall summon her here. <br><br>\r\n ……お嬢様、戦人さまがお呼びでございます。」 <br>\r\n ...Milady, Battler-sama is calling for you.\" <br><br>\r\n 数心拍を置いてから、虚空に黄金の蝶が群れ集まり、ベアトの姿を形作る。 <br>\r\n After a few heartbeats, gold butterflies gathered together in midair and created Beato's form. <br><br>\r\n …それまでの彼女の登場に比べると、幾分、大人しげなものだった。 <br>\r\n ...It was a much more docile appearance than the one's she'd made before. <br><br>\r\n 「…………呼んだか、ロノウェ。」 <br>\r\n \"......Did you call, Ronove?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…話は聞いていたはずですよ。……あなたの口から、何か言うことはありますか…？」 <br>\r\n \"...I believe you heard. ...Is there something you have to say, from your own lips...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n 戦人の冷たい目つきに、あのベアトが少しだけ萎縮しているように見えた。 <br>\r\n It looked as though Beato shrunk slightly under Battler's cold gaze. <br><br>\r\n ベアトは何度か言葉を口から発そうと努力したが、それはなかなか叶わず、……まるで凍てつく冬に、凍えた指でマッチを擦るかのような不器用さがあった…。 <br>\r\n Several times, Beato made an effort to get the words out of her mouth, but that didn't work so well, ...and she was just as awkward as someone trying to light a match during a freezing winter with icy hands... <br><br>\r\n そうしている間にもゲーム盤は進行する…。 <br>\r\n Even as she did that, the game board was advancing... <br><br>\r\n ホールでは、発見された新しい犠牲者の遺体に、彼らが泣き崩れているところだった…。 <br>\r\n In the hall, they had just found the corpses of the new victims and had broken down crying... <br><br>\r\n 「……親父、 <br>\r\n ……霧江さん…、 <br>\r\n …うぉおおおおぉおおぉ…、 <br>\r\n うおおおぉおおおぉぉぉ…。」 <br>\r\n \"...Dad, <br><br>\r\n ...Kyrie-san, <br><br>\r\n ...oooooooooooooooooohhhh, <br><br>\r\n ...nnngaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「あなた、…あなたぁぁ…、うううううぅううううぅぅうぅぅぅ…！！」 <br>\r\n \"Dear, ...deeeaar, ...whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…母さん、 <br>\r\n ……しっかりして……。……僕だって、 <br>\r\n ……悔しい、 <br>\r\n ……悲しい……！！」 <br>\r\n \"...Mother, <br><br>\r\n ...hang in there... ...Even for me it's... <br><br>\r\n ...so crushing... <br><br>\r\n ...so sad...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………………恐らく、即死だったでしょう。…例え、彼らが倒れた直後に我々がここに訪れたとしてもきっと、手遅れだったに違いありません…。」 <br>\r\n \".........They probably died instantly. ...I'm sure that, even if we had arrived immediately after they fell, it would have been too late...\" <br><br>\r\n 「いいえ、違うわッ！！ きっと生きてたわよ！！ 胸にこんなものを刺されて…！ うちの人はもがき苦しみながら死んでいったに違いないのよ…！！ <br>\r\n \"No, that's wrong!! They were definitely alive!! His chest was stabbed with something like this...! My husband must have died in extreme pain...!! <br><br>\r\n もっと早く来ていれば、…きっと助かった！ きっと助かったのよッ！！ <br>\r\n If we had come faster, ...surely they would've been saved! They would definitely have been saved!! <br><br>\r\n ううううわぁああぁああぁぁぁぁ…。」 <br>\r\n Uuuuuwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……戦人くんも…、辛いだろうけど、………しっかり……。」 <br>\r\n \"...It must be tough...for you too, Battler-kun, ......but stay strong...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………大丈夫だよ、…大丈夫だぜ、兄貴…。…もうちょっとだけ泣かせてくれ…。……俺が一番マシなんだ…。俺が一番悲しくないはずなんだ…！ だからもうちょっとだけ泣いたら、……大丈夫だから…。」 <br>\r\n \"......I'm okay, ...it's okay, Aniki... Let me cry just a little bit longer... ...I've got it the best... I should be the least sad...! So if you let me cry just a little longer, ...I'll be fine...\" <br><br>\r\n 「そんなことないよ…。……両親を失った心の痛みはよくわかる…。…僕には母さんがまだいる。…戦人くんよりはるかにマシだ…。」 <br>\r\n \"That isn't true... ...I can understand how much it must hurt your heart to have lost both parents... ...I still have Mother. ...That's much better than what you're going through, Battler-kun...\" <br><br>\r\n 「いいや、違うぜッ！！ 譲治の兄貴が一番辛いはずなんだ…。……わかってんだよ兄貴…。 <br>\r\n \"No, that's wrong!! It's got to be toughest for you, George-aniki... ...I understand, Aniki... <br><br>\r\n …譲治の兄貴が、…俺たちの中で一番悲しくて辛いんだッ！！ 俺はそれをわかってる…、だからこれ以上、めそめそなんて泣いちゃいけねぇんだ…！！ ううううぅうううぅ！！」 <br>\r\n ...In this group, ...you're the saddest...and the one who has it toughest!! I understand that, ...so I can't keep on sobbing like this...!! Aaaaaaaaaaaggghhhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……どうして、……僕の方が辛いなんて……。」 <br>\r\n \"...Why...do you say it's toughest for me...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「俺にとっちゃ親父も霧江さんも、……成人して独り立ちしたら、いつかは別れる人間さ。親である以上、子どもより先に死ぬのは宿命だ。…それが少し早くなっちまっただけの話だぜ…！ <br>\r\n \"To me, Dad and Kyrie-san...were people I'd eventually split up with when I grew up and became independent. Since they're parents, it was fated that they'd die before their kids. ...It just happened a little early, that's all...!\" <br><br>\r\n ………だが兄貴は違うぜ。いつか別れる親だけじゃない。………これからの人生をずっと一緒に生きていくはずの、…………紗音ちゃんまで失ったんじゃないかよ…！！」 <br>\r\n \"......But it's different for you, Aniki. You didn't just lose your parents, who would've parted ways with you eventually. ...You also lost Shannon-chan, ...someone you should've spent the rest of your life with...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n 「人の命に重さなんかねぇさ。赤ん坊の命だって年寄りの命だって、同じくらいに尊いだろうよ…！ ……だがよ、それからの人生が長ければ長いほど。…一緒に築いてく未来が長ければ長いほど、…………その死ってのは悲しいものなんじゃねぇのかよ……！！ <br>\r\n \"You can't value human lives differently. Whether it's a baby or an old person, they should all be respected the same...! ...But still, the more life that person has ahead of them, ...the longer the future you're building together is, ......the sadder the fact of their death is...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 兄貴は紗音ちゃんと婚約したんだろ？ これからの人生と家庭を、一緒に築いていこうって約束したんだろ？！ ………その未来のデカさが、…幸せのデカさがよ、……俺の痛みなんかとは比べ物にならねぇ…ッ！！ <br>\r\n \"Aniki, you were engaged to Shannon-chan, right? You promised that you'd build a life and a home together in the future, right?! ......Compared to how huge that future was, ...compared to how huge that happiness was, ...stuff like my pain doesn't even come close...!!\" <br><br>\r\n ………だから兄貴はもっともっと泣いても許されるはずなんだ…！！ なのに、…俺たちいとこの兄貴格だからって、………無理に冷静を装って……！！」 <br>\r\n \"......So you should be allowed to cry much, much more, Aniki...!! And yet, ...just because you act like a big brother to us cousins, ......you force yourself to act like you're so calm...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………やめてよ、…戦人くん。」 <br>\r\n \"......Stop it, ...Battler-kun.\" <br><br>\r\n 譲治は落ち着いた笑顔を浮かべているつもりだった。 <br>\r\n George was trying to make a calm smile. <br><br>\r\n ……しかし、もう、………熱い雫が一筋、尾を引くのを止められなくて。 <br>\r\n ...But already, ......he couldn't stop a single hot tear from leaving a streak down his face. <br><br>\r\n 「……悲しくないわけが、 <br>\r\n ………ないじゃないか…。………僕は紗音と一緒に、たくさんの未来を思い描き合ったさ。きっと百年の人生では叶え切れないくらいの夢を語り合ったさ。……その夢の、 <br>\r\n 一番最初の、 <br>\r\n …………籍を入れることさえ叶えられなくて、………悲しくないわけが、 <br>\r\n …………ないじゃないか………。」 <br>\r\n \"...There's no way I wouldn't... <br><br>\r\n ...be sad, right...? ......Together with Shannon, I painted a picture of many futures in my mind. We talked of dreams that couldn't all come true even if we lived a hundred years. ...Of those dreams, <br><br>\r\n even the very first one, <br><br>\r\n ......having her move into my family register, could not be granted, ......so there's no way I wouldn't... <br><br>\r\n ...be sad, right......?\" <br><br>\r\n 「それに比べたら俺なんか、……俺なんか…ッ！！ だから俺にはこれ以上、泣く資格なんかねぇんだ！ 兄貴だって堪えてるのに、俺にこれ以上の涙を流す資格なんてッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Compared to that, I...I...!! Like I said, I have no right to cry any more! When even you're struggling to hold it in, I have no right to shed any more tears!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……同じだよ。…親しい人を失えば悲しいのは僕も戦人くんも同じだよ。………だから戦人くんが僕より涙を流してはいけないなんてルールはない。 <br>\r\n \"...We're the same. ...We both feel the same sadness from losing those close to us. ......So there's no rule that says you can't shed any more tears than me, Battler-kun.\" <br><br>\r\n ………そして。……僕だって、…もうこれ以上、涙を堪えなければならないなんてルールも、…ないんだもんね。」 <br>\r\n \"......And, ...for me too, ...there's no rule...that says I have to hold back my tears any longer, is there?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…兄貴、……兄貴ぃ…！！！ うおおおおおぉおおおおおぉおぉ！！」 <br>\r\n \"...Aniki, ...Anikii...!!! Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「未来を語りあった紗音が死んだ。父さんも死んだ。………悲しいなぁ、……悲しいなぁ…。……ううううぅうううううううぅううう！！」 <br>\r\n \"Shannon, the one who shared my dreams for the future, is dead. Father's dead too. ......It's so sad, ...so sad... ...Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n 戦人と譲治は固く抱き合いながら、互いの肩越しに、それぞれの大切な人への涙を滝のように零した…。 <br>\r\n As Battler and George hugged each other tightly, they cried a waterfall of tears over each other's shoulders for the people who had been so precious to them... <br><br>\r\n 「…………どうして俺が、譲治の兄貴が一番辛いって言ったか、わかるか…？」 <br>\r\n \"......Do you understand why I said that George-aniki has it the toughest...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「き、……聞いていたからわかる。……その後の人生を共にする時間の長さに悲しみは比例するとな…。」 <br>\r\n \"...I-I was listening, so I understand. ...Your sadness is proportional to the length of time you would have been able to spend with that person afterwards...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……もちろん、それだけじゃ量れねぇけどな。………俺たちニンゲンは、お前ら魔女とは違う。……生きてから死ぬまでという、有限の時間を、その力の限り生きている。 <br>\r\n \"...Of course, you can't calculate it just like that though. ......We Humans aren't like you witches. ...From the time we receive life to the moment we die, we live within that limited period as strongly as we can manage.\" <br><br>\r\n ………それを蔑ろにするヤツは許せない。……増してや、嘲笑い弄ぶようなヤツは、絶対に許せない。…お前のような、死の概念も滅茶苦茶なヤツには理解もできねぇだろうがよ。」 <br>\r\n \"......I can't forgive anyone who makes light of that. ...And I definitely can't forgive anyone who sneers at people and toys with them. ...A person like you, whose very concept of death is all screwed up, probably can't understand that.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n 「……これから生きる時間の長さだけじゃない。……一生懸命に生きているヤツの人生を嘲笑うこと。これが一番、…俺には許せねぇんだ。 <br>\r\n \"...I'm not just mad because of the length of time they would've lived afterwards. It's...sneering at the lives of people living with all they've got... That's what I can't forgive the most.\" <br><br>\r\n 譲治の兄貴は、がむしゃらに頑張って人生を生きてた。…紗音ちゃんと結婚するために、悲壮な覚悟をしてこの日に臨んでいたはずなんだ。……俺みたいに、久しぶりにいとこと会えるなんて浮かれてたヤツとは訳が違う。」 <br>\r\n \"George-aniki lived his life by recklessly doing his best. ...He must have approached this day with a grim resolve to marry Shannon-chan no matter the challenges. ...That's completely different from me, since I was happy just to be able to meet my cousins after a long while.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…し、………しかしだな…、」 <br>\r\n \"...B-But still...\" <br><br>\r\n 「ベアト。今は黙って聞きなさい。」 <br>\r\n \"Beato. For now, stay silent and listen.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………う、…うむ。」 <br>\r\n \"......I-Indeed.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………お前の言い分にも、一定の理解はする。…お前には、自分の復活の為に、おかしな碑文に沿った殺人を続ける必要があるってんだろ。 <br>\r\n \"......In a way, I understand your point. ...You say you need to continue murdering according to the epitaph for your own resurrection.\" <br><br>\r\n ……だから、その範囲内でのお前の殺人は、……お前の立場の事情を汲み取る限り、ぎりぎりの理解は出来る。……それがお前にとっては必要な行為だからだ。……なら、それ以上の不要な行為は全て、お前の無意味な残酷趣味ということになる。 <br>\r\n \"...So, considering your circumstances, ...I can just barely bring myself to understand your murders. ...Because to you, it's a necessary course of action. ...But that means all unnecessary actions you take beyond that...are due to your meaningless and brutal tastes.\" <br><br>\r\n ……つまり、第一の晩に６人を殺すことまでがお前にとっての“必要な行為”ならば、…顔を砕くとか、腹を割いてお菓子を詰め込むなんて真似は全て、まったく不必要な、お前の残酷趣味だってことになる。………俺はお前のこの点について、断じて許すことができないんだ。」 <br>\r\n \"...In other words, if killing the six people for the first twilight was a `necessary action' for you, ...then all that show of crushing their faces and splitting their stomachs and stuffing them full of sweets was completely unnecessary, and caused by nothing more than your brutal hobby. ......That's an aspect of you that I definitely cannot forgive.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………………う、…む……。」 <br>\r\n \"......I-Indeed...\" <br><br>\r\n 「お前は楼座叔母さんがひどい殺され方を繰り返された時。……結局は最後には生き返らせるのだから、どう殺したっていいじゃないか、…みたいなことを言ったそうだな。ワルギリアに聞いてるぜ。」 <br>\r\n \"When you saw <NAME> getting repeatedly killed in that horrible way, ...you apparently said something like `If they're going to be brought back to life in the end anyway, it doesn't matter how they're killed.' I heard from Virgilia.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………それは、 <br>\r\n ……まぁ、 <br>\r\n …その………、」 <br>\r\n \"......Well, as to that... <br><br>\r\n ...well, <br><br>\r\n ...umm......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「最後には生き返るなら何度殺してもいいという考えは、命を弄ぶだけのまったく不必要な行為ではないのか。 <br>\r\n \"That idea that you can kill them as many times as you want, as long as you bring them back to life in the end... Isn't that a completely unnecessary action, with no purpose other than to toy around with someone's life?\" <br><br>\r\n ………殺すなら一思いに殺せ！ 弄ぶな！！ 殺さないなら甚振るな！！ お前は人の命を自在に操れるのをいいことに、命の尊厳を忘れてしまった。だから俺は認められないんだ…！ 命の重みを、そして失った時の悲しみを知らないヤツを、俺は対戦相手だと断じて認められないッ！」 <br>\r\n \"......If you're going to kill, do it instantly! Don't toy with them!! If you won't kill them, then don't bully them!! You're taking advantage of the fact that you can do as you will with people's lives, and you've forgotten the sanctity of life. So I can't accept or acknowledge you...! I definitely can't accept as my opponent a person who doesn't know the value of a life...or the sadness felt when lives are lost!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………無限の魔法が邪法と言われる所以です。…無限の魔女に有限の概念はない。……壊す・殺すという、有限と終焉の概念がないのです。 <br>\r\n \"......That is why the Endless Magic is known as a black art. ...The Endless Witch has no concept of limitations. ...She has no concept of the limitations and losses caused by breaking and killing.\" <br><br>\r\n …それゆえに、無限の魔女は時に、生と死の狭間をゴム跳びで遊ぶかのように、その行き来を遊びだすようになります。………それはとてもとても恐ろしいことです。だから私は無限の魔女として自ら望み、 <br>\r\n \"...For that reason, Endless Witches sometimes start playing by jumping over the gap between life and death like it's a game. ......That is a very, very frightening thing. So as an Endless Witch, and by my own choosing, <br><br>\r\n ~ib~あなたの域まで達しなかった~ib~のです。」 <br>\r\n ~ib~I never reached your level~ib~.\" <br><br>\r\n ワルギリアはそれをベアトにずっと伝えてきたつもりだった。 <br>\r\n It was something Virgilia had been trying to tell Beato for a long time. <br><br>\r\n しかし、それに大人しく耳を傾けるには、ベアトは若すぎた。奔放すぎた。 <br>\r\n …その、忌むべき快楽に取り付かれてしまった。 <br>\r\n But Beato had been too young to obediently listen to those words. She had been too wild. <br><br>\r\n ...She had been possessed by that detestable pleasure. <br><br>\r\n 「……壷を割ってはならぬと言われてきた。……でも、だからこそいつか割ってみたいと思っていた。 <br>\r\n \"...I have been told not to break vases. ...But that's why I wanted to break them. <br><br>\r\n ………そして無限の魔法を得て。…いくら壊しても好きなだけ元に直せると知った時。……妾は壷を壊すことがこれほどまでに楽しかったのかと驚いたものだ…。」 <br>\r\n ......Then I gained the Endless Magic. ...When I knew that I could fix them back to normal no matter how badly I broke them, ...I was surprised at how fun it could be to break a vase...\" <br><br>\r\n 「それを禁忌の蜜と呼びます。人はその中身に惹かれるのではない。それを封ずる錠前に惹かれるのです。………実に嘆かわしいことです。」 <br>\r\n \"That is what's known as the forbidden honey. People are not captivated by what's inside. They are captivated by the sealed lock. ......It is truly regrettable.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………ワルギリアに聞きたい。無限の魔法なんてものが、どうしてあるんだ。…それは何の為にこの世にあるんだ。」 <br>\r\n \"......I want to ask you, Virgilia. Why does this thing called the Endless Magic exist? ...For what purpose does it exist in this world?\" <br><br>\r\n 「無限の魔法に限らず。…魔法は全て、人の世に幸福をもたらすために存在するのです。 <br>\r\n \"It is not limited to the Endless Magic. ...All magic exists to bring happiness to the human world. <br><br>\r\n ……今更戦人くんには信じ難いでしょうが、……私たち魔女は、人の世に恵みを与えるために、人と人ならざる者たちとの架け橋になるべく、修行を重ねているのです。」 <br>\r\n ...After everything that has happened, it may be difficult for you to believe, Battler-kun, ...but in order to bring blessings to the human world, we witches are supposed to become bridges between humans and nonhumans, and that is why we train so hard.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……死者を繰り返し蘇らし、何度も虐め殺すことで、どう人の世に役立つってんだ。」 <br>\r\n \"...How does reviving the dead and torturing them to death over and over again help the human world?\" <br><br>\r\n 「大切な形見の壷が割れてしまった時。それを直すことで、誰もが笑顔を取り戻すならば、私は何度でも魔法にて直すでしょう。しかしそれは、壊すために直すのではありません。……人に幸福を与えるために、蘇らすのです。」 <br>\r\n \"When a vase that was an important memento is broken, if by fixing it, everyone will regain their smiles, I would repair it with magic as many times as necessary. However, I would not be fixing it in order to break it again. ...I would be reviving it to give humans happiness.\" <br><br>\r\n 「だとしたら。…………ベアト。お前は無限の魔女、失格だな。」 <br>\r\n \"In that case, ......Beato, you fail as an Endless Witch.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………………う、……む…。」 <br>\r\n \"............I-Indeed...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……今、俺は漠然と思ったことがある。………どうして俺がお前と、こんなおかしなゲームを延々と続けてるのかだ。 <br>\r\n \"...There's this thing I've been vaguely thinking about. ......Why do I keep playing this strange game against you?\" <br><br>\r\n ……これは俺を屈服させるためのゲームじゃない。 <br>\r\n \"...Maybe this game isn't about making me surrender. <br><br>\r\n ……お前が、~ib~本当の意味で~ib~、無限の魔女に認められるための試験ではないのか、ってな。」 <br>\r\n ...Maybe it's a test for you to be accepted as an Endless Witch...~ib~in the truest sense~ib~.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…し、………知らぬわ。…妾がそなたにゲームを申し込んでいるのはその、……単なる暇潰しだ…。誰の思惑でもないわ。」 <br>\r\n \"...I-I don't know about that. ...The reason I proposed this game to you was...umm...simply as a way to kill time... There were no ulterior motives at work.\" <br><br>\r\n 「俺は今、ワルギリアから魔女の定義を聞いた。それによるならばベアト。お前は魔女ですらない。その修行の途中で、自らの力を誤解した見習いってことになる。 <br>\r\n \"Just now, I heard the definition of a witch from Virgilia. By that definition, you, Beato, are not even a witch. You're an apprentice who's still in training...and who misunderstands her own power.\" <br><br>\r\n ……これは魔女と人間の戦いのはず。ならば魔女でないお前に、俺の相手としての資格はない。………わかるな？」 <br>\r\n \"...This was supposed to a fight between a witch and a human. If you aren't a witch, then you aren't qualified to be my opponent. ......Understand?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……妾がまだ、 <br>\r\n …………見習い風情だと、 <br>\r\n ……申すか……。 <br>\r\n \"...You say... <br><br>\r\n ...I am still... <br><br>\r\n ...only an apprentice...? <br><br>\r\n ならば、妾はいつ、そなたの対戦相手だと再び認められるのか。……いつ、このゲームを再開できるというのか。」 <br>\r\n Then, when will I be accepted as your opponent once again? ...When can we resume this game?\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………さぁな。…それは少なくとも、今じゃない。 <br>\r\n \"......Who knows. ...At the very least, it isn't now. <br><br>\r\n ……お前が俺の言った話をちゃんと理解出来て、本当の魔女になった時。…俺はお前を再び、ゲームの対戦相手だと認めるだろうよ。」 <br>\r\n ...When you fully understand what I've said and become a real witch, ...I'll probably accept you as my opponent in this game once more.\" <br><br>\r\n 「そ、そのような抽象的な言い方ではわからぬ…。どうすればお前の許しを乞えるのか、はっきりと聞かせよ…。」 <br>\r\n \"I-I can't understand if you say it so abstractly like that... Clearly tell me what I should do to earn your forgiveness...\" <br><br>\r\n 「いいや、これで十分だ。あとはお前が考えろ。………俺が言いたいのは以上だ。…理解ができないなら、ワルギリアやロノウェに相談してみろ。…お前みたいなガキンチョは、まず大人の言葉に耳を傾けるところから始めやがれ。 <br>\r\n \"No, I've said enough. You think about the rest. ......That's all I want to say. ...If you can't figure it out, try talking with Virgilia and Ronove. ...A brat like you should start off by listening to what the adults say.\" <br><br>\r\n ………ワルギリア。ゲームは一度中断する。ロノウェが代行を降りた以上、あとはベアトが対局者として相応しい資格を持つのを待つしかない。」 <br>\r\n \"......Virgilia, suspend the game for now. Now that Ronove has stepped down as a representative, all we can do is wait for Beato to gain the qualifications of a proper opponent.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……了解しました。……ベアトが、その資格を得たと認められるまで、ゲームを対局者不在のまま進行させます。ベアトもそれでよろしいですね？」 <br>\r\n \"...Understood. ...Until Beato has been acknowledged as having earned those qualifications, the game will proceed without an opponent. Is that all right with you too, Beato?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…い、……異論はない。 <br>\r\n \"...I-I have no objections. <br><br>\r\n ………妾は時間と、ゆっくり考えられる場所が欲しい。…これにて席を外しても良いか。」 <br>\r\n ......I want time...and a place where I can think at a leisurely pace. ...May I leave my seat for that?\" <br><br>\r\n 「………あぁ、いいぜ。」 <br>\r\n \"......Yeah, that's fine.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…それでは、また、な。」 <br>\r\n \"...Well then, see you...later.\" <br><br>\r\n 「待てよ。……そうショボくれた顔をすんな。」 <br>\r\n \"Wait. ...Don't make that dejected face.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………………それは済まぬな。妾は胸の内が全て顔に出る性分。偽れぬ。」 <br>\r\n \"............Sorry about that. Letting everything inside my heart show up on my face is part of my personality. I cannot deceive.\" <br><br>\r\n 「なら、まだ更正の余地はあるってことだぜ。………ひとつだけ約束する。俺はお前とのゲームに、勝つかもしれないし負けるかもしれない。…お前が戻って来なけりゃ不戦勝ってこともあるだろうよ。」 <br>\r\n \"Then maybe there's still some hope for you. ......Let me promise you one thing. In this game with you, I might win, and I might lose. ...If you don't come back, it might be my victory by default.\" <br><br>\r\n そこで戦人は一度言葉を切る。 <br>\r\n …そして、力強く言った。 <br>\r\n At that point, Battler stopped talking for a second. <br><br>\r\n ...Then he spoke forcefully. <br><br>\r\n 「………しかし、絶対に俺からは降りない。お前を不戦勝にだけは、絶対にしない。……お前が再び、俺の好敵手としてそこに座るのを、俺はずっとここで待っているぞ。」 <br>\r\n \"......However, I definitely won't be the one to step down. I definitely won't give you a victory by default. ...I'll keep on waiting here for you to sit there again as my worthy opponent.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……戦人さま…。」 <br>\r\n \"...Battler-sama...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………ありがとうな。戦人。 <br>\r\n \"......Thank you, Battler. <br><br>\r\n …妾はきっと、そなたに認められて戻ってくるぞ。」 <br>\r\n ...I will definitely...come back and be accepted by you.\" <br><br>\r\n ほんの少しだけ望みのある笑顔を見せ、ベアトは姿を消す。 <br>\r\n After showing a hopeful smile for a very short while, Beato vanished. <br><br>\r\n …その表情を見て、彼女は自らの表情にウソをつけぬことを、戦人は固く信じるのだった…。 <br>\r\n ...After seeing her expression as she left, Battler was absolutely convinced that her face could tell no lies... <br><br>\r\n ７人の生存者たちは、再びゲストハウスに戻る。 <br>\r\n 表へ出た者が生きては帰れないことは、今や明白だった。 <br>\r\n The seven survivors returned to the guesthouse once again. <br><br>\r\n By now, it was clear that those who went outside would not return alive. <br><br>\r\n 留弗夫たちは２丁の銃と１つのマスターキーを持って出掛けた。 <br>\r\n しかしそれらは紛失していた。 <br>\r\n Rudolf's group had gone out with two guns and a master key. <br><br>\r\n But those had been lost. <br><br>\r\n 犯人にこれらが奪われたことは、もはや明白だった。 <br>\r\n It was already clear that those had been stolen by the culprit. <br><br>\r\n 窓は鎧戸で閉ざしている為、例えマスターキーがあったとしても開けはしない。 <br>\r\n Because the shutters were closed on the windows, they couldn't be opened even if the culprit had a master key. <br><br>\r\n 玄関や勝手口などの外へ通じる扉は全てチェーンで閉ざし、さらにはソファーやテーブルなどの什器で塞ぐ。 <br>\r\n The front and back doors that led to the outside were all sealed by chains, and they were further blocked with sofas and tables. <br><br>\r\n 万が一、乱暴な方法で突破しようとしても、簡単には行くまい。 <br>\r\n Even if the culprit decided to break in through violent means, it wouldn't be easy for them. <br><br>\r\n 「……台風が、今となってはむしろ幸いかもしれんな。もしも晴れていたなら、ゲストハウスに放火するという手もありえたかもしれん。」 <br>\r\n \"...At this point, the typhoon may actually be fortunate. If it were clear outside, it might have been possible for them to set fire to the guesthouse.\" <br><br>\r\n 「そもそも台風でなかったなら、午前中に船が来てたわ。それを不幸中の幸いと言えるかは微妙ね。」 <br>\r\n \"If there wasn't a typhoon in the first place, the boat would have arrived before noon. That's not much of a silver lining.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……絵羽さん、体の具合はいかがですか？ 無理をされないようにしてください。」 <br>\r\n \"...Eva-san, how do you feel? Please, try to take it easy.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ありがとう。…熱はまだ感じるけど、そんなことを言ってる場合じゃないわ。……子どもの為にも、今は寝込んでる場合じゃない。」 <br>\r\n \"Thank you. ...I still feel like I have a fever, but this is no time to complain about that. ...For the children's sake as well, this is no time to be bedridden.\" <br><br>\r\n あれほどに秀吉の遺体の前で涙を流した絵羽は、今では母の強い自覚を持ち、強い意志を感じさせる表情を浮かべていた。 <br>\r\n After crying so much in front of Hideyoshi's corpse, Eva had felt a strong self-awareness of her position as a mother, and her expression conveyed a strong will. <br><br>\r\n …実際には、彼女の熱はまだ引いてはいない。 <br>\r\n ...In actual fact, her fever still hadn't gone down. <br><br>\r\n それは彼女も自覚している。 <br>\r\n 自らを奮い立たせなければ、熱で再び朦朧としてくるのを感じていた。 <br>\r\n And she was aware of that. <br><br>\r\n If she didn't keep a strong hold on herself, she felt as though the fever would make her mind hazy again. <br><br>\r\n １階はもはや、蔵臼と夏妃と絵羽による最終防衛線だった。 <br>\r\n 子どもたちと客人の南條には、迂闊に１階に降りてきてはいけないと強く言ってある。 <br>\r\n By this point, the first floor formed a final line of defense set up by Krauss, Natsuhi, and Eva. <br><br>\r\n The children and the guest, Nanjo, had been strongly warned not to go downstairs without taking great care. <br><br>\r\n 梯子などを用いれば、２階から襲うことは不可能ではないだろう。 <br>\r\n If the culprit used a ladder or something, it probably wouldn't be impossible for them to attack from the second floor. <br><br>\r\n しかし、厳重な鎧戸をその不安定な足場から打ち破ることは、容易なことではない。 <br>\r\n ２階は１階に比べて安全なのだ。 <br>\r\n But it wouldn't be easy for them to break those sturdy shutters from such an insecure position. <br><br>\r\n The second floor was relatively safe compared to the first. <br><br>\r\n 戦人や譲治は、自分たちも１階にいて、万一の際には戦いたいと希望したが、絵羽が一蹴した。 <br>\r\n Battler and George had also wanted to remain on the first floor so that they could fight if the worst happened, but Eva had put a stop to that. <br><br>\r\n 彼女にとって、譲治はもはや唯一の家族。 <br>\r\n １階に下りるという危険さえ冒させたくないらしい。 <br>\r\n In her mind, George was now the only member of her family. <br><br>\r\n It seemed that she didn't even want to expose him to the danger of coming downstairs to the first floor. <br><br>\r\n その気持ちは、蔵臼夫妻にとっても理解できるものだった。 <br>\r\n Krauss and Natsuhi could understand that feeling. <br><br>\r\n ……そして、その篭城から、短くない時間が経過した。 <br>\r\n ...Also, a great deal of time had passed since the siege began. <br><br>\r\n ２階のいとこ部屋では、戦人と譲治と朱志香の３人が、付けっ放したテレビに耳も傾けず、ぼんやりと放心していた。 <br>\r\n In the second-story cousin room, Battler, George, and Jessica sat dazed...and didn't even listen to the TV that had been left on. <br><br>\r\n しばらくの間、南條も一緒にいてくれて、彼らを励ますような言葉を掛けてくれたのだが、それはむしろ逆効果かもしれないと気付き、同じ２階の自室に姿を消していた。 <br>\r\n For a while, Nanjo had been with them and had tried to lend them words of encouragement, but when he realized that he might actually be having the opposite effect, he hid himself in his own room on the same second floor. <br><br>\r\n 譲治は手帳に挟んでいた写真を、ずっとぼんやりと見続けている。 <br>\r\n George kept looking dazedly at the photographs inserted in his notebook. <br><br>\r\n ……それは以前、紗音と一緒に行った、沖縄旅行の時のもの。 <br>\r\n 紗音の楽しそうな笑顔が写真に収められている。 <br>\r\n ...It was from the time he'd taken a vacation to Okinawa with Shannon. <br><br>\r\n Shannon's happy smile was contained in those photos. <br><br>\r\n ……譲治には、それらの写真を撮った時の、気温や湿度、風の温かさや強さ、そしてどんな会話を彼女としていたかさえ、昨日のことのようにはっきりと思い出せた。 <br>\r\n ...George could remember the temperature and the humidity, the warmth and strength of the wind, and even what he had been talking about with her at the time those photos had been taken...as clearly as though it had been yesterday. <br><br>\r\n だからそれは、単なる写真ではなく、譲治にとって、温かな記憶を蘇らせるための入り口でもある…。 <br>\r\n So to George, they weren't simply photos, but a door to bring back warm memories... <br><br>\r\n 譲治は確かに今、この部屋で台風の音とテレビの音を耳にしているはずなのに、……彼女と過ごした沖縄の風景と彼女の笑い声を、目にし耳にしている…。 <br>\r\n In this room, even though the sound of the typhoon and the TV should have entered George's hearing, ...it was the scenery of Okinawa he had seen with her and her laughing voice that reached his eyes and his ears... <br><br>\r\n 譲治は、紗音と出会ったことで、生まれ変わろうと決意した。 <br>\r\n George had strived to be reborn after meeting Shannon. <br><br>\r\n 雰囲気に押し流されやすくて、頼まれると断れず、都合よく周りに使われてしまう気弱な自分と決別しようと誓った。 <br>\r\n He had sworn to separate himself from the timid person he had once been, easily caught up in the atmosphere, unable to refuse a request, and easily used by those around him. <br><br>\r\n ……彼女の人生を、より幸福にするために、強い男になろうと決心したのだ。 <br>\r\n ...He had resolved himself to become a strong man who could make her life more joyous. <br><br>\r\n だから。…もしも紗音との出会いがなかったなら、……右代宮譲治という男は、もっと別の、異なった人生を送っていただろう。 <br>\r\n Therefore. ...If he hadn't met Shannon, ...the man called <NAME> would probably have lived a very different life. <br><br>\r\n そしてその人生における彼は、今の彼ほど立派な男ではなかったに違いない。 <br>\r\n And the George of that different life surely wouldn't have been as excellent a man as he is now. <br><br>\r\n 紗音のために、今の自分がいるのに。 <br>\r\n ……なのに、その紗音がいなくなったなら、 <br>\r\n …自分はなぜいるのか。 <br>\r\n The person I am now exists for Shannon's sake... <br><br>\r\n ...Now that Shannon is gone, <br><br>\r\n ...why do I exist? <br><br>\r\n 何の意味もないのではないか。 <br>\r\n It's completely meaningless, isn't it? <br><br>\r\n …自分自身が空虚になってしまうような、深い深い悲しみ。 <br>\r\n ...He felt a deep, deep sadness, as though he himself had become empty. <br><br>\r\n その気持ちは、ずっと彼を苛んでいたはずだ。 ……しかし、戦人にさっき言われるまで、自覚できずにいた。 <br>\r\n That feeling must have been tormenting him this whole time. ...However, until Battler mentioned it, he hadn't been aware of the feeling himself. <br><br>\r\n ……自分は、もっともっと泣いても良かったんだって、…やっと思い出せたのだ。 <br>\r\n ...He'd finally managed to remember...that it should have been all right for him to cry much, much more. <br><br>\r\n だから泣いた。 <br>\r\n 彼がそうするように、自分も枯れるまで涙を流した。 <br>\r\n So he cried. <br><br>\r\n Just like Battler had, he cried himself dry. <br><br>\r\n ……今はもう、目が真っ赤に腫れ上がり、それ以上の涙は零せない。 <br>\r\n だから譲治はがんばって思考を変えようと思った。 <br>\r\n ...By now, his eyes were bright red and swollen, and he couldn't cry any more. <br><br>\r\n So George did his best to change his way of thinking. <br><br>\r\n 今の自分は無意味なのではなく、…紗音にこんな自分を与えてくれたことに感謝しようと思った。 <br>\r\n He was not meaningless now, ...and he should be grateful to Shannon for giving him such a character. <br><br>\r\n 死んだ命は蘇らない。 <br>\r\n 最愛の人との別れを、彼は乗り越えなくてはならない。 <br>\r\n The dead don't come back to life. <br><br>\r\n He would have to get over being separated from his most beloved person. <br><br>\r\n 自分が紗音の後を追って自殺するようなことがあったなら、彼女はきっと深く落胆するだろう。 <br>\r\n If he were to chase after Shannon and kill himself, she would surely be deeply dejected. <br><br>\r\n ……逆だって同じだ。 <br>\r\n 自分が死に、それを追って紗音が自ら命を捨てるようなことがあったなら、自分で自分が許せなくなってしまう。 <br>\r\n ...It worked the other way around, too. <br><br>\r\n If he had died, and Shannon had chased after him, throwing away her own life, he wouldn't have been able to forgive himself. <br><br>\r\n ……だから彼は、悲しんだり、怒ったりする感情をはるかに超越して、………感謝することにしたのだ。 <br>\r\n ...So he chose to surpass his sadness and anger......and decided to thank her instead. <br><br>\r\n 紗音と出会え、豊かな日々を与えてくれて、…そして自分に、人のために努力することの意味を教えてくれた。 <br>\r\n After meeting Shannon, she made his days rich and full...and taught him the meaning of working hard for other people's sakes. <br><br>\r\n その結果、自分の憧れた姿の自分を与えてくれた。 <br>\r\n …それに感謝しようと思った。 <br>\r\n As a result, she had shaped him into the kind of person he had wanted to be. <br><br>\r\n ...He wanted to thank her for that. <br><br>\r\n そうすることで、悲しみを和らげようとしたのだ。でもその度に、彼女の笑顔が蘇ってしまう…。 <br>\r\n He tried to quell his sadness in this way, but each time he did, he remembered Shannon's smile... <br><br>\r\n ………理屈ではわかってる。 <br>\r\n ......He understood it logically. <br><br>\r\n これ以上、悲しむことは、むしろ天国の彼女を悲しませてしまうだけだと理解しているのに、……悲しみを止められないのだ…。 <br>\r\n He knew that grieving any more than this would only make her grieve in heaven, ...but that didn't bring a stop to his sadness... <br><br>\r\n 「何で、 <br>\r\n ………人が死ぬってのはよ、 <br>\r\n ……こんなに悲しいんだろうな…。」 <br>\r\n \"Why is it... <br><br>\r\n ...that when people die... <br><br>\r\n it's so sad like this...?\" <br><br>\r\n 戦人がぽつりと呟く。 <br>\r\n …それは、全ての人間を代弁するかのようだった。 <br>\r\n Battler muttered. <br><br>\r\n ...It was as though he was speaking on behalf of all humans. <br><br>\r\n それは誰に問い掛けたものでもなかったろうが、朱志香が答えた。 <br>\r\n His question probably hadn't been directed at anyone, but Jessica answered. <br><br>\r\n 「……別れはどんな形でも、いつも悲しいさ。 <br>\r\n \"...It's always sad when you have to say goodbye. <br><br>\r\n …でもそれが、例えば老いであるとか、何かの時間であるとか、…予め約束されていて、いつか訪れる別れであるとわかっているものは、…その悲しみを、長い時間を掛けて予め薄めておくことができる。……それを許されないから、…突然の不幸は、悲しいんだろうよ…。」 <br>\r\n ...But when the person's old or there's some time, ...when you know beforehand that it's coming, sooner or later, that sadness gets spread out over a long period of time. ...When misfortune comes suddenly, it's sad...because you don't even get that time...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………なるほどな。…そりゃ、病気にでも掛かって、病院で寝たきりになってりゃ、少しずつ心の整理もついてくだろうけど、…ある日突然じゃ、その暇もねぇもんな。」 <br>\r\n \"......I see. So, if they get sick or something and end up bedridden in a hospital, you might be able to ready yourself for it bit by bit, ...but when it happens suddenly someday, you don't get that luxury.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…本来なら、数年を掛けて薄めるべき悲しみが、一度に押し寄せる。………そりゃあ辛いわけさ。……時には、人の生涯に傷を残すほど、深い悲しみを与えることも、あるかもしれない…。」 <br>\r\n \"...The sadness that's usually spread out over several years...closes in on you all at once. ......That's pretty tough. ...Sometimes, it makes you feel a sadness so deep, it can leave scars for life...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……生涯に傷を残すほど、…か。」 <br>\r\n \"...Scars for life, huh?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……祖父さまのオカルト趣味もさ。そう囁かれてたんだよな。……例のベアトリーチェって愛人を大昔に亡くして、それが悲しくて悲しくて立ち直れなくて。……それで死者を蘇らせるためのオカルトの研究に残りの人生を全て捧げるようになったのではないかって。……そう囁かれてた。」 <br>\r\n \"...Like Grandfather's occult hobby. People say that's what caused it. ...That Beatrice, his mistress, died a long time ago, and he was so sad that he couldn't pull himself together. ...Some people whisper...that this is why he started sacrificing the rest of his life to occult research, in order to revive the dead.\" <br><br>\r\n 「だとしたら、祖父さまは最後の土壇場でその奇跡を成し遂げたな。……犯人は蘇ったベアトリーチェで、祖父さまは殺される瞬間に再会できたってことになるぜ。……自分で蘇らせて、それに殺されるとは皮肉な話さ。」 <br>\r\n \"If that's true, Grandfather succeeded in that miracle in his last moments. ...The culprit is the revived Beatrice, and Grandfather was reunited with her at the moment he was killed. Pretty ironic that he revived her, and then got killed by her.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………それでも、お祖父さまは、会えたんだろうね。…人生の半分を賭して、もう一度会いたいと願った女性に、わずかなひと時とはいえ、再会できたんだろうね。」 <br>\r\n \"......Even so, Grandfather probably managed to meet her. ...He gambled half of his life and, even though it was only for a short time, he was reunited with the woman he wished to see once again.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…丸焼きにされちまったけどな。人生の半分を掛けた研究にしては、ちょいと割りの合わない成果だろうぜ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Then he got totally roasted though. Feels like that result doesn't quite add up to the cost of researching for half his life.\" <br><br>\r\n 「そんなことはないよ。………たとえほんのひと時であったとしても。……愛した女性に再会できたお祖父さまは幸せだったはずさ。 <br>\r\n \"That's not true. ......Even if it was only for an instant, ...Grandfather must have been happy to be reunited with the woman he loved.\" <br><br>\r\n ………仮に、生命の摂理に逆らった罪を神に咎められて、その身を焼かれ、地獄に落とされたとしても。…その見返りの再会が、ほんのわずかな時間だったとしても、ね…。」 <br>\r\n \"......And that would be true...even if his crime of going against divine providence was punished by God, and his body was burnt and sent down to hell, ...even if that reunion only lasted a very short time, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「譲治兄さん……。」 <br>\r\n \"<NAME>...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……神の怒りに触れて、この身を焼かれようとも構わない。………わずかな時間でもいいから、 <br>\r\n ……紗音を再び蘇らせてくれるなら。………………僕は残りの人生全てを、お祖父さまと同じ研究に捧げるよ。……５分でいいから、 <br>\r\n ……紗音ともう一度言葉を交わしたい…。……１分でもいいから……。……それと引き換えに、…全ての人生を捧げても、……僕は構わない……！」 <br>\r\n \"...I wouldn't care I met with the wrath of God and had my body burned. ......Even if it was just for a short amount of time, <br><br>\r\n ...if I could revive Shannon again, .........I would sacrifice the rest of my life to the same research as Grandfather. ...I want to talk with Shannon again, <br><br>\r\n ...even if it's only for five minutes... ...Even one minute would be fine... ...In exchange, ...I wouldn't mind...sacrificing the rest of my life...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………兄貴……。」 <br>\r\n \"......Aniki...\" <br><br>\r\n 戦人と朱志香は、自分たちの下らない話が、譲治に辛い思いをさせてしまったことを悟り、口をつぐむ他なかった…。 <br>\r\n When Battler and Jessica realized that their pointless discussion was causing George pain, they could do nothing more than shut their mouths... <br><br>\r\n ……譲治は、金蔵の生涯に思いを馳せる。 <br>\r\n ...George directed his thoughts to Kinzo's life. <br><br>\r\n 彼は誰の理解も得られない研究に半生を捧げた。 <br>\r\n He sacrificed half his life to research that no one understood. <br><br>\r\n ……そして、その人生の最後の日に最愛の人を蘇らせ、……恐らく最後の瞬間に、再会を果たすことができただろう。 <br>\r\n ...And, on the last day of his life, he revived the person he loved most, ...and probably succeeded in his reunion in his final moments. <br><br>\r\n どれだけの時間を共に過ごせたかはわからない。 <br>\r\n …１時間を許されたのか、…それともたったの５分だったのか、…わからない。 <br>\r\n George didn't know how much time they'd had together. <br><br>\r\n ...He didn't know if they'd been given an hour...or just five minutes. <br><br>\r\n しかし、……その瞬間に彼が研究に捧げた月日は、全て報われたはずだ。 <br>\r\n …数十年の月日を掛けて得た、そのわずかな時間で、十分に彼の心は報われたはずだ。 <br>\r\n However, ...that moment must have been enough to reward him for all those months of research. <br><br>\r\n ...Even though he spent dozens of years to achieve it, that small amount of time was probably more than worth it to him. <br><br>\r\n 僕は今日まで、オカルトも魔法も、何も信じなかった。 <br>\r\n お祖父さまの研究だって、 <br>\r\n …道楽だと心のどこかで馬鹿にしていた。 <br>\r\n Until today, I never believed in the occult or magic or anything. <br><br>\r\n Somewhere in my heart, <br><br>\r\n ...I even made fun of Grandfather's research, thinking of it as nothing more than a pastime. <br><br>\r\n しかし、 <br>\r\n ……もう馬鹿にしない。 <br>\r\n …いや、それどころかその存在を強く信じる。 <br>\r\n However, <br><br>\r\n ...I won't make fun of it anymore. <br><br>\r\n ...No, to the contrary, I'll believe strongly that it's real. <br><br>\r\n …その信じる力が奇跡に通じるならば、僕は今日まで習ってきた全ての学問を投げ出し、今日より残り全ての人生を掛けて、魔法を学ぶだろう。 <br>\r\n ...If the power of belief can create miracles, I'll probably throw away all of my studies up until today, spending the rest of my life from today onwards studying magic. <br><br>\r\n ………僕に魔法の力を。 <br>\r\n ......Give me the power of magic. <br><br>\r\n …そして、紗音に再び出会える奇跡を…。 <br>\r\n ...And give me a miracle that'll let me see Shannon again... <br><br>\r\n 「………………………………。……はは、…は。…ごめんよみんな。僕もどうかしてる。……魔法で死者が蘇るくらいだったら、 <br>\r\n ……世界中の人々が魔法を学ぶだろうね。…でも、現実にはそんなことはない。誰も学ばない。………死者が魔法では蘇らないって、…知っているから。…………ごめんよ、妙なことを言い出して。僕のせいで、おかしな空気になっちゃったね。…みんなだって辛いだろうに、気を遣わせてごめん。」 <br>\r\n \"...............Haha, ...ha. ...Sorry, you two. What am I talking about? ...If you could revive the dead with magic, <br><br>\r\n ...people would probably be researching it everywhere around the world. ...But things like that don't exist in reality. No one researches it. ......That's because...they know the dead can't be revived with magic. ......Sorry for saying something so weird. It's my fault that the atmosphere here has gotten so strange. ...Sorry for making you tiptoe around me, even though this is tough for us all.\" <br><br>\r\n …悲しさを紛らわすためとは言え、おかしなことを言ってしまったかもしれない。 <br>\r\n ...Even if I did it to divert myself from my sadness, maybe I did say something strange. <br><br>\r\n 僕がこれ以上おかしな話を続けることは、彼らの悲しみを癒すことに、きっとならないのだから…。 <br>\r\n If I keep talking about stuff that's so weird, I'm sure it won't do anything good for their sadness... <br><br>\r\n でも、だからといって、…僕はこの沈黙には耐えられそうもない。 <br>\r\n But...that doesn't mean I can bear this silence. <br><br>\r\n 「……僕は下に行って、もう一杯、コーヒーをもらってくる。 <br>\r\n \"...I'll go downstairs and get another cup of coffee. <br><br>\r\n ……うちの母さん、コーヒーの淹れ方にはこだわりがあるんだよ。みんなもお代わりはいるかい？」 <br>\r\n ...Mom's very particular about how she likes hers. Does anyone else want a refill?\" <br><br>\r\n 戦人くんと朱志香ちゃんは、軽く首を横に振る。 <br>\r\n 僕はそれ以上をしつこくせず、マグカップを持って部屋を出た。 <br>\r\n Battler-kun and Jessica-chan lightly shook their heads. <br><br>\r\n Without pressing them any further, I took my mug and left the room. <br><br>\r\n 廊下の窓にまで全て鎧戸が下ろされている為、廊下はとても薄暗い。 <br>\r\n The shutters were all closed in the hallway, so the corridor was very dim. <br><br>\r\n 一応、南條先生の部屋も訪れ、コーヒーのお代わりはいるかと聞いたが、こちらもいらないと言われてしまった。 <br>\r\n I tried visiting Doctor Nanjo's room and asking if he wanted more coffee, but he said he didn't need any either. <br><br>\r\n ……母さんの本格的な淹れ方のコーヒーは、どうも一般受けしないらしい。 <br>\r\n ...It seems my mother's orthodox method of making coffee isn't universally appreciated. <br><br>\r\n 一度、紗音にその淹れ方で飲ませてあげたことがあったが、……おいしいけど、少し濃いですね。と言われたことがあったような…。 <br>\r\n One time, I made some for Shannon, ...but she told me that while it was delicious, it was a little strong... <br><br>\r\n …………紗音………。 <br>\r\n ......Shannon...... <br><br>\r\n 駄目だ…。……気分を変えるために部屋を出たのに、…僕の頭の中をいっぱいに満たす紗音の面影は、わずかほども薄れない…。 <br>\r\n That's no good... ...Even though I left the room to change my mood, ...that image of Shannon's face filling my head hasn't faded in the slightest... <br><br>\r\n 彼女との楽しかった日々が、繰り返し鮮明になり、…………未だ、彼女の死に顔すら見させてもらえないことが、悲しかった。 <br>\r\n I keep seeing those fun days with her, more and more vividly, ......and it's saddening that I never even got a chance to see her dead face. <br><br>\r\n 親たちの話によれば、銃か槍のようなもので殺されたらしいという。 <br>\r\n According to our parents, she was apparently killed with something like a gun or a spear. <br><br>\r\n …もちろん慰めだろうが、……とても綺麗で安らかな死に顔だと言っていた。 <br>\r\n ...I'm sure they were just trying to console me, ...but they had said her dead face had been very beautiful and peaceful. <br><br>\r\n 彼女はその指に、…僕が昨夜贈った、あの婚約指輪をしてくれているだろうか。 <br>\r\n I wonder if she had the engagement ring I gave her last night...on her finger. <br><br>\r\n ……僕の婚約を受けてくれたなら、左手の薬指にしているはず…。 <br>\r\n ...If she accepted my engagement, she should have had it on the ring finger of her left hand... <br><br>\r\n 昨夜は僕たちものぼせ上がっていて冷静じゃなかった。 <br>\r\n Last night, we were both on the edge of losing it and not calm at all. <br><br>\r\n 紗音は半ば勇ましく婚約を受けてはくれたけど、頭を冷やしたらそれが勇み足だったと後悔しているかもしれない。指輪を外しているかもしれない。 <br>\r\n Shannon accepted my engagement pretty courageously, but she might have regretted that as a rash action once she cooled her head. She might have taken the ring off. <br><br>\r\n ……彼女は今、指輪をしてくれているだろうか。 <br>\r\n ...I wonder if she has the ring on now. <br><br>\r\n ……せめて、それだけでも確かめたい。 <br>\r\n 紗音の最後の気持ちが、知りたい……。 <br>\r\n ...I want to be sure of at least that much. <br><br>\r\n I want to know how she felt...at the very end... <br><br>\r\n しかし、……それを確かめたからと言って、…彼女が蘇るわけでもない。 <br>\r\n But...even if I do confirm that, ...it doesn't mean she'll come back. <br><br>\r\n ……………彼女の遺体は、どうなるのだろう。 <br>\r\n 多分、検死などを経て、……迅速に火葬されるだろう。 <br>\r\n ......I wonder what will happen to her body. <br><br>\r\n After the autopsy, ...it will probably be immediately cremated. <br><br>\r\n もう、彼女の顔を、…死に顔さえも、永遠に見ることができなくなるのだ…。 <br>\r\n Then, I'll never be able to see her face, ...even her dead face, for all eternity... <br><br>\r\n 「………………。………はは、…僕は、紗音を失ったショックで、 <br>\r\n ……少しおかしくなってるのかな…。」 <br>\r\n \".........Haha, ...has the shock of losing Shannon... <br><br>\r\n made me go a little crazy...?\" <br><br>\r\n 紗音の遺体を、……焼かれたくない。 <br>\r\n 焼かれれば灰になって、……彼女は二度と、~ib~蘇れない~ib~。 <br>\r\n I don't want...her body to be burned. <br><br>\r\n If she's burned and turned to ash, ...never again ~ib~will it be possible for her to revive~ib~. <br><br>\r\n 西洋の習慣では火葬は嫌われているという。 <br>\r\n ……復活の日に、蘇るべき体がなくなってしまうからだ。 <br>\r\n They say cremation is frowned upon in Western tradition. <br><br>\r\n ...Because on the day of resurrection, there would be no body to revive. <br><br>\r\n だから、西洋の歴史的な大罪人は、多くの場合、懲罰的な意味で処刑後に火葬されて、川などに散骨されることが多いらしい…。 <br>\r\n Because of that, it seems that great criminals in Western history were often cremated after execution as a punishment, and their ashes were sometimes scattered in rivers and such... <br><br>\r\n つまり、西洋人にとって、死は復活までの間の眠りでしかない。 <br>\r\n 死後にも体を残しておくことが重要なのだ。 <br>\r\n In other words, to Western people, death is nothing more than a sleep until the resurrection. <br><br>\r\n It is essential that the corpse is left after death. <br><br>\r\n 「つまりそれは、 <br>\r\n ……西洋人は、 <br>\r\n ……死者が蘇る奇跡の存在を、 <br>\r\n …知っていたからなんだ。 <br>\r\n ………でも日本にはその奇跡がなかったから、焼いてしまうんだ。」 <br>\r\n \"In other words, <br><br>\r\n that's because... <br><br>\r\n ...Western people......... <br><br>\r\n knew of a miracle that can revive the dead. <br><br>\r\n ......But because that miracle doesn't exist in Japan, we burn them.\" <br><br>\r\n 今こそわかる。…なぜお祖父さまが西洋のオカルトに傾倒したのか。 <br>\r\n Now I understand. ...I understand why Grandfather idolized the Western occult. <br><br>\r\n 最初から全て、その為だけなのだ。 <br>\r\n …愛しい人を蘇らせるためだけに、…お祖父さまは生涯の残り全てを西洋オカルトの研究に費やした。 <br>\r\n That was his only reason from the very beginning. <br><br>\r\n ...Just to revive the person dear to him, ...Grandfather spent the rest of his remaining life researching the Western occult. <br><br>\r\n ………今、僕たちを取り巻く状況は異常だ。 <br>\r\n ......The situation surrounding us now is abnormal. <br><br>\r\n お祖父さまは愛しいベアトリーチェを蘇らせた。 <br>\r\n Grandfather did revive his beloved Beatrice. <br><br>\r\n …そして、そのベアトリーチェは恐ろしい連続殺人事件を、魔法でも使わなければ考えられない連鎖密室にて行なった。 <br>\r\n ...And, that Beatrice has carried out a terrible serial murder, with linked closed rooms that force us to conclude that magic was used. <br><br>\r\n ……黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェ。 <br>\r\n 西洋オカルトの奇跡を具現した存在。 <br>\r\n ………そして、紗音を殺した犯人でもある……。 <br>\r\n ...The Golden Witch, Beatrice. <br><br>\r\n The incarnation of the miracle of the Western occult. <br><br>\r\n ......And also, the culprit who killed Shannon... <br><br>\r\n 憎い存在のはずなのに、…………なのになぜか、彼女にすがりたい気持ちがある。 <br>\r\n She's an entity I should hate, ......and yet, for some reason, I want to cling to her. <br><br>\r\n お祖父さまが、生涯讃え続けたその奇跡の魔法で、…紗音を蘇らせてはくれないだろうか…。 <br>\r\n I wonder...if Shannon could be revived with the magic of miracles, which Grandfather bet his life on... <br><br>\r\n 右代宮家の伝説によるならば、お祖父さまは昔、彼女に出会い、莫大な黄金を授けられたという。 <br>\r\n According to the legend of the Ushiromiya family, Grandfather met with her long ago and was given a vast quantity of gold. <br><br>\r\n …ならば僕も彼女に出会い、……黄金ではなく、紗音の命を授けてはくれないだろうか。 <br>\r\n ...Then, if I also met with her, ...instead of gold, would she give me Shannon's life? <br><br>\r\n その見返りに、どのような悪魔の契約を課せられてもいい。 <br>\r\n その為に、残りの生涯の全てを奉げることになってもいい…。 <br>\r\n As collateral, I don't care what sort of devil's contract she imposed. <br><br>\r\n I wouldn't mind sacrificing all of my remaining life... <br><br>\r\n その譲治の、…声無き願いを、……彼のすぐ後で、…その当人の魔女が聞いていたなんて、彼には信じることも気付くこともできないだろう。 <br>\r\n George probably couldn't believe or realize that his voiceless wish...was heard by the witch herself, who stood right behind him. <br><br>\r\n ベアトリーチェは、譲治たちの話を、さっきのいとこ部屋からずっと聞いていたのだ。 <br>\r\n Beatrice had been listening to that entire discussion between the children just now in the cousin room. <br><br>\r\n ……戦人に、人の命の重みを知らないと言われ、……彼女なりにそれを理解したくて、こっそりとここへ訪れ、彼らの話に耳を傾けていたのだ。 <br>\r\n ...Battler had told her that she didn't know the value of a human's life, ...and wanting to understand that in her own way, she had stealthily visited, listening in on their discussion. <br><br>\r\n 「……………………。……それが、願いだというのか…？ それを叶えれば、妾は魔女だと、認められるのか…？」 <br>\r\n \"............That is your wish, you say...? If I could grant that, would I be accepted as a witch...?\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトは自分の両手の手の平を見る。 <br>\r\n Beato looked at the palms of both of her hands. <br><br>\r\n …かつての迸るような魔力は、無限の魔女の名を新しき魔女に継承した時に、ほとんどを受け渡してしまった。 <br>\r\n ...She had handed over most of her once-surging magical power when the new witch succeeded the name of the Endless Witch. <br><br>\r\n もちろん、今だって魔女の名に相応しい魔力を持ってはいるが、…それはだいぶ見劣るものだった。 <br>\r\n Of course, her current power still made her worthy of being called a witch, ...but it could not begin to compare to her previous strength. <br><br>\r\n 「……ふん。無限の魔法などなくとも、妾は千年に名を轟かす大魔女であるぞ。死者を蘇らすなど、造作もないことよ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Hmm. Even without the Endless Magic, I am a Great Witch whose name has been thundered for a thousand years. Reviving the dead will be no trouble at all.\" <br><br>\r\n 頭の中で、死者を蘇らすいくつかの魔法的手段を思案する。 <br>\r\n Inside her head, she thought about several magical steps she could take to revive the dead. <br><br>\r\n ……かつては容易に出来たはずの魔法も、今の魔力では難しくなっている。 <br>\r\n ...Even magic that should have been easy in the past would be difficult with her current power. <br><br>\r\n 思いついては舌を打つ、を数度繰り返す。 <br>\r\n She thought of something, then clicked her tongue, then did so again, over and over. <br><br>\r\n その末、……ようやく、ひとつの魔法を思いつく。 <br>\r\n In the end, ...she finally thought of a single spell. <br><br>\r\n しかしそれは、彼女ひとりでは使えない魔法。 <br>\r\n 力の弱い魔女が使う、他者の助けを借りる魔法だ。 <br>\r\n But that was a spell that she couldn't use by herself. <br><br>\r\n It was a spell that witches with weak power used, one that relied on the aid of others. <br><br>\r\n …かつて、ベアトはそういう類の魔法を見下していた。 <br>\r\n ...In the past, Beato had looked down upon that type of magic. <br><br>\r\n なので、それ以外に可能な魔法はないのかと、必死に思案してみたのだが、………結局、思いつかず、肩を落として自嘲する。 <br>\r\n Therefore, she frantically tried to search for any conceivable alternative, ......but in the end, she couldn't think of one and slumped over in self-derision. <br><br>\r\n そして、……なるべく驚かさないように、そっと声を掛けた。譲治の心に、そっと…。 <br>\r\n Then, ...careful not to surprise him, she softly called out. Softly, to George's heart... <br><br>\r\n 「………右代宮譲治よ。…妾の声が聞こえるか…？」 <br>\r\n \"......Ushiromiya George, ...can you hear my voice...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……聞こえるとも。……あなたは誰だい…？ 本当に魔女のベアトリーチェ…？ …それとも、僕の悲しみが生んだ幻想なのか…。 <br>\r\n \"...I can hear you. ...Who are you...? Are you really the witch, Beatrice...? ...Or are you an illusion created by my sorrow...?\" <br><br>\r\n ………もしも前者だったなら、僕の願いを聞いて欲しい。…そして後者なら、僕をそっとしておいてほしい…。」 <br>\r\n \"......If it's the former, please hear my wish. ...And if it's the latter, just leave me alone...\" <br><br>\r\n 精神的な世界での会話は、夢の中でのそれによく似ている。 <br>\r\n Their conversation in a mental world was a lot like having one in a dream. <br><br>\r\n 現実に存在したら荒唐無稽なものでも、夢で見ている時には、さも当り前であるように受け入れているという経験はないだろうか？ <br>\r\n When you dream, haven't you ever had the experience...of casually accepting something that would've been absurd in the real world? <br><br>\r\n ……この世界での会話は、それに似る。 <br>\r\n ...The conversation in this world was like that. <br><br>\r\n だから、魔女が現れて譲治に話し掛けてきたとしても、彼はそれを驚きはしないのだ…。 <br>\r\n So even though a witch appeared and started talking to George, he was not surprised... <br><br>\r\n 「うむ。……妾が、黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェである。………本来、妾とそなたはこうして会話を交わすことなど出来ぬ。…しかし、そなたが妾のことを強く意識し、会話を望むから、…こうして互いのチャンネルを合わせることができる。」 <br>\r\n \"Indeed. ...I am...the Golden Witch, Beatrice. ......Normally, you and I would not be able to talk together in this manner. ...However, you are strongly conscious of me and wish to have a discussion, ...so both of our channels are able to match like this.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………紗音を殺したのが、 <br>\r\n あなたなのか、あなたを名乗る何者かの仕業なのか、……僕はどうでもいい。……ただあなたが本当の魔女として存在しているならば。 <br>\r\n \"......I don't care if the person who killed Shannon was you... <br><br>\r\n or someone else using your name. ...As long as you exist as a real witch...\" <br><br>\r\n …………どんな対価にも応じる。…僕の命を望むなら、今すぐに奉げてもいい。……どうか紗音を、生き返らせて欲しい…。………それが無理ならせめて、わずかの間、話をさせてくれるだけでもいい……。……お願いだ………。」 <br>\r\n \"......I'll pay whatever cost you ask for. If you desire my life, take it right now. ...Please, I want you to bring Shannon back to life... ......If that's impossible, I'd be satisfied if you'd just let me talk to her for a short while... ...Please......\" <br><br>\r\n 「………対価は要らぬ。その願い、叶えて遣わそう。」 <br>\r\n \"......I ask for nothing in return. I shall grant that wish.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…本当に……？ 本当に紗音を………？」 <br>\r\n \"...Really...? Really, you'll revive Shannon......?\" <br><br>\r\n 「うむ。……だが、反魂の魔法を扱うには、今の妾には魔力が足りぬ。…だから、そなたの手を借りねばならぬ。」 <br>\r\n \"Indeed. ...However, my current magical power is not sufficient to use the magic of resurrection. ...Therefore, I must rely on your help.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………僕に出来ることならどんなことでも。…それが、僕の心臓を今すぐこの場で取り出すことであったとしても、僕は躊躇しない…。」 <br>\r\n \"......If there's anything I can do, I'll do it. ...Even if that means taking my heart out right here and now, I will not hesitate...\" <br><br>\r\n 「…そんなもの要らぬというのに。…………妾は魔法を唱える。さすれば冥府の扉に隙間が出来よう。 <br>\r\n \"...I told you, I don't need anything like that. ......I will chant the magic. Then, a gap will open in the door to the Land of the Dead.\" <br><br>\r\n …だが、今の妾にはその隙間より紗音の魂を連れ出せるほどの力はない。………しかし、紗音のことを強く想うそなたなら、その想いを魔力に変えて、彼女の魂を必ずや連れ戻せるだろう。 <br>\r\n \"...But as I am now, I do not have the power to bring Shannon's soul up through that gap. ......However, you have strong feelings for Shannon, and those feelings will surely become magic that can bring her soul out without fail.\" <br><br>\r\n ……どうだ。妾を手伝うか…？」 <br>\r\n \"...What do you say? Will you help me...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…手伝うとも。………紗音の命が蘇るなら、 <br>\r\n ……僕は何を失うことも恐れない……！」 <br>\r\n \"...I will. ......If Shannon's life will be restored, <br><br>\r\n ...there's nothing I'm afraid to lose...!\" <br><br>\r\n 譲治は静かに両の手を握り締め拳を振るわせた。 <br>\r\n George's fists shook in silence. <br><br>\r\n …そして意識がゆっくりと覚醒する。 <br>\r\n ...Then, he slowly came to his senses. <br><br>\r\n 彼は廊下の窓辺でマグカップを持ったまま、ずっと放心していたのだ…。 <br>\r\n He had been absent-mindedly standing near the window in the hall that whole time, his mug still in his hand... <br><br>\r\n すると……、 <br>\r\n …………その夢の中の魔女は、……まだ、そこにいた。 <br>\r\n And... <br><br>\r\n ......the witch from his dream...was still there. <br><br>\r\n 「そ、……そんな、………ゆ、夢じゃ、……ない………。」 <br>\r\n \"Wh...What the... ......I-It isn't...a dream......\" <br><br>\r\n 「……静かにせよ。今の妾はとても脆い。この上、さらに他のニンゲンまで現れたら姿を保ち切れぬ。…そなたの願いは叶えるから、今は沈黙せよ。…良いか？」 <br>\r\n \"...Be quiet. I am very fragile now. If any more Humans appear, I will not be able to preserve this form. ...I shall grant your wish, so stay silent for now. ...Understand?\" <br><br>\r\n 譲治は自らの口を両手で押さえ、何度も力強く頷いた。 <br>\r\n George covered his mouth with both hands, nodding enthusiastically several times. <br><br>\r\n その拍子に、手に持っていたマグカップを落としそうになる。 <br>\r\n In that instant, he almost dropped the mug he was holding. <br><br>\r\n 譲治は慌ててそれをお手玉しながらキャッチする。 <br>\r\n George frantically juggled it around and caught it. <br><br>\r\n …もし、それを床に落として大きな音を立てたなら、シャボン玉が弾けるように魔女の姿も消えてしまうかもしれないと恐れたのだ。 <br>\r\n ...He was afraid that if it fell to the floor and made a loud sound, the witch's form might disappear like a bubble popping. <br><br>\r\n 床にそっとマグカップを置き、…正面の魔女をもう一度凝視する。 <br>\r\n He softly set the mug on the floor...and stared at the witch in front of him again. <br><br>\r\n ………姿は消えない。夢ではないのだ……。 <br>\r\n ......Her form didn't disappear. It wasn't a dream... <br><br>\r\n 「さぁ、紗音が眠る客室へ行くぞ。そなたの想いの力にて、彼女の魂を連れ戻すのだ。」 <br>\r\n \"Come, let us go to the parlor where Shannon sleeps. With the power of your feelings, we will bring back her soul.\" <br><br>\r\n 「い、行くって、どうやって…。下には母さんたちがいる。表へ出るのを許してくれるわけがない。……それに、あなたはさっき、他のニンゲンが現れたら姿を保てないと言わなかったかい？」 <br>\r\n \"Y-You say go, but how...? My mother and the rest are downstairs. There's no way they'd let us go outside. ...And...didn't you just say that you wouldn't be able to preserve your form if another Human appeared?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……そう言えばそうだったな。下には蔵臼たちがおったか。…それでは確かに下へ降りられぬな。 <br>\r\n \"...Come to think of it, that is true. So, Krauss and the rest are downstairs. ...In that case, we definitely cannot go down. <br><br>\r\n ……ならば、１階へ降りずに、屋敷へ行けばいいではないか。簡単な話よ。」 <br>\r\n ...Well then, we just need to go to the mansion without going down to the first floor, right? It's simple.\" <br><br>\r\n まるで、愉快な悪戯でも思いついたかのようにベアトは笑う。 <br>\r\n Beato laughed, as though she had thought of a pleasant prank. <br><br>\r\n ……そして黄金の煙管で、鎧戸が閉ざす窓を軽く叩いた。 <br>\r\n ...And with her golden pipe, she lightly tapped a window with its shutter closed. <br><br>\r\n すると、煙管から３匹の黄金の蝶が現れ、窓の鍵を、溶かすように開けてしまう。 <br>\r\n When she did, three gold butterflies appeared from the pipe and opened the lock on the window as though melting it. <br><br>\r\n そして音もなく窓をすうっと開いた。 <br>\r\n Then, the window opened without a sound. <br><br>\r\n その向こうの鎧戸もまったく同じ。 <br>\r\n 留め金が、同じく音もなく外れて、すぅっと静かに開いた。 <br>\r\n The shutter beyond it was exactly the same. <br><br>\r\n The clasp unset itself, also without making a sound, and it quietly opened. <br><br>\r\n 窓が開き、風雨の屋外が晒される。 <br>\r\n …そこは向きや建物の構造上の関係なのか、風が吹き込まなかった。 <br>\r\n The window opened, exposing the wind and rain outside the mansion. <br><br>\r\n ...Perhaps because of the direction or something related to the construction of the building, the wind did not blow inside. <br><br>\r\n そのせいで譲治は、しばらくの間、外への入り口が開かれたことを夢か幻のように感じてしまい、実感することができなかった。 <br>\r\n Because of that, for a while, George felt as though this entrance that opened to the outside was a dream or an illusion, and he couldn't accept it as real. <br><br>\r\n 「さぁ、行くぞ。ついてまいれ。」 <br>\r\n \"Come, let us go. Come with me.\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトはふわりと浮き上がる。 <br>\r\n それはまるで、ダイバーが水中散歩を楽しむような自然な仕草。 <br>\r\n Beato gently floated upwards. <br><br>\r\n It was a natural action, like that of a diver enjoying an underwater stroll. <br><br>\r\n ……彼女のように振舞ったなら、空中を、まるで水中のように泳ぎ、浮かぶことができるのではないかと信じてしまいそうだった。 <br>\r\n ...It made it easy to believe that if you acted like she did, you too might be able to float in the sky just as though you were swimming through the water. <br><br>\r\n …いや、譲治は信じた。 <br>\r\n ...No, George did believe that. <br><br>\r\n ……だから思わず、彼女がそうしたように、自分も…、 <br>\r\n …ふわりと、 <br>\r\n ……水の中を泳ぐように、足を……。 <br>\r\n ...So without thinking, just as she had done, he also... <br><br>\r\n ...gently, <br><br>\r\n ...as though swimming in the water, lifted his feet... <br><br>\r\n 「……ぁ、…………ああぁ………っ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Ah, ......aaaaaaahh......\" <br><br>\r\n 「ほお。…やるではないか。妾が説明するよりも早く、空を舞うことを覚えたか。」 <br>\r\n \"Hoh. ...Not bad. So, you learned how to dance in the sky faster than I could explain it.\" <br><br>\r\n 譲治は自らが宙を、泳ぐように浮かべることに驚愕する。 <br>\r\n George was shocked to find himself floating in midair like he was swimming. <br><br>\r\n …もちろんベアトも、魔法に通じぬはずの譲治が、直感だけでそれを身につけたことに驚いていた。 <br>\r\n ...Of course, Beato was also shocked that George, who shouldn't have been able to use magic, had figured out how to do that just by instinct. <br><br>\r\n 「………空が、 <br>\r\n ……飛べるなんて、 <br>\r\n ……泳げるなんて……。」 <br>\r\n \"......To be able to... <br><br>\r\n ...fly in the air, <br><br>\r\n ...to swim in the air...\" <br><br>\r\n 「…理屈を考えてはならぬ。それが自然なことであると受け入れよ。……ニュートンとかアインシュタインとか、ニンゲンたちの教義を思い出してはならぬぞ。 <br>\r\n \"...You mustn't be bound by reason. Accept it as a natural thing. ...You mustn't fall back to your Human doctrines, such as those of Newton and Einstein.\" <br><br>\r\n 特に、高き空を飛んでいる時はな。…墜落する未熟な魔女も時におる。」 <br>\r\n \"Especially when flying high in the sky. ...Inexperienced witches sometimes plummet to the earth.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…あ、…あるがままを、受け入れる…。あるがままを、受け入れる……。」 <br>\r\n \"...I-I accept things for what they appear to be... I-I accept things for what they appear to be...\" <br><br>\r\n 譲治はその言葉を何度か繰り返した。 <br>\r\n ……魔法を断じて否定してはならないのだ。 <br>\r\n George repeated those words over and over. <br><br>\r\n ...He must not deny magic, no matter what. <br><br>\r\n それを否定することは、紗音を蘇らせる最初で最後かもしれないこのチャンスを、自ら捨てることと同じなのだから。 <br>\r\n Denying that would be like throwing away what might be his first and last chance to revive Shannon. <br><br>\r\n しかし、煙のように優雅に漂うベアトのそれに比べると、譲治のそれは明らかに水中での動きに似ていた。 <br>\r\n However, compared to Beato, who was elegantly drifting like smoke, George's movements clearly resembled someone underwater. <br><br>\r\n …だから、足で水を蹴るような仕草を時折しないと、少しずつ重力に引かれてしまう。 <br>\r\n ...Therefore, if he didn't act like he was kicking his feet in water every once in a while, he'd be caught by the force of gravity bit by bit. <br><br>\r\n 「妾が初めて空を舞った時よりは、上出来であると褒めておこう。 <br>\r\n \"I must say you're doing better than when I first danced through the sky. <br><br>\r\n ……行くぞ。ついてまいれ。」 <br>\r\n ...Here we go. Come with me.\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトは譲治を誘うと、ふわりと風雨の空へ飛び立つ。 <br>\r\n When Beato beckoned to George, she gently flew into the stormy sky. <br><br>\r\n ……それはまるで、おとぎ話の一幕のよう。 <br>\r\n ...It was just like a scene from a fairy tale. <br><br>\r\n その光景に、譲治は目の前の光景は全て夢の延長のように感じられた。 <br>\r\n The scene unfolding before George's eyes felt entirely like an extension of his dream. <br><br>\r\n 「……空を飛べるのは、……すごいけど、……すごい風と雨だ…。」 <br>\r\n \"...Being able to fly is...incredible, ...but so is the wind and the rain...\" <br><br>\r\n 「何だ、雨と風に苛まれるのか…？ ……それを防ぐ魔法を教えても良いが、今のそなたには早いし、今はそれを習う時間を割くのも惜しかろう。」 <br>\r\n \"What's this? Are the wind and rain tormenting you...? ...I could teach you magic to block against that, but it may be too early for you, and it may be a misuse of time right now.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………………えぇ。…僕が必要としている魔法は、それじゃない。」 <br>\r\n \".........Yes. ...The magic I need...isn't that.\" <br><br>\r\n 譲治は風雨に負けず、強い意志を持った眼差しを見せた。 <br>\r\n George wore a strong-willed gaze, refusing to let the wind and rain get to him. <br><br>\r\n 「見えてきたぞ、屋敷だ。…もう少し頑張れよ。今、落ちれば薔薇の茂みだぞ。」 <br>\r\n \"The mansion is coming into sight. ...Hold out just a little longer. If you fall now, you'll hit the bushes in the rose garden.\" <br><br>\r\n 魔女と譲治の眼下には、風雨に波打つ薔薇庭園が広がっている。 <br>\r\n その幻想のような光景に、もはや譲治は驚かない。 <br>\r\n The undulating rose garden was spread beneath the witch and George's gazes. <br><br>\r\n This illusion-like scene no longer surprised George. <br><br>\r\n その目には、次第に近付きつつある屋敷だけが映っている。 <br>\r\n Only the gradually approaching mansion was reflected in his eyes. <br><br>\r\n 「紗音、………待ってて…。……必ず君を、蘇らせて見せる……！」 <br>\r\n \"Shannon, ......wait for me... ...I will definitely...revive you...!\" <br><br>\r\n その頃。……新しき残酷な魔女の姿は、それとは別の場所にあり、ゲストハウスを凝視していた。 <br>\r\n At that time, ...the cruel new witch could be seen staring at the guesthouse from a different location. <br><br>\r\n 「……………後、残すは第七、第八の晩だけね。あと２人で、先代のババアの義理はおしまいだわ。………蔵臼と夏妃を殺す。夫婦仲良くね。」 <br>\r\n \"......Now, all that's left is the seventh and eighth twilights. Just two more, and my obligation to that old hag Predecessor is finished. ......I'll kill Krauss and Natsuhi. Let them die together like the good couple they are.\" <br><br>\r\n 「にひ。標的はどうかにぇ？」 <br>\r\n \"Nihi. Where's the target nyeh?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……ゲストハウス１階ロビーにて、標的２名と右代宮絵羽を補足。反魔法力測定。４１０へデータリンク。」 <br>\r\n \"...In the lobby on the first floor of the guesthouse, two targets and Ushiromiya Eva identified. Measuring Anti-Magic Power Levels. Data Link to 410.\" <br><br>\r\n 「４１０データ受領。反魔法力は極めて小。絵羽さえ席を外せば、まな板の上のマグロにアワビです。にひひひひ…！」 <br>\r\n \"410, Data Received. Anti-magic power levels are extremely low. If Eva just goes outside, they're tuna and abalone on a chopping board. Nihihihihi...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「いかがしますか、大ベアトリーチェ卿。ご命令を頂ければ、すぐにも狙撃いたします…！ どうかご命令を…！」 <br>\r\n \"What do you think, Great Lady Beatrice? When you give the order, we shall snipe right away...! Please, your orders...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…ほぉんとにあんたたちは便利な家具ね。 <br>\r\n \"...You guys reeeally are convenient furniture. <br><br>\r\n 死体をほじるしか能のない、中古家具どもとは大違いだわ。ねぇ？」 <br>\r\n Not at all like that old, second-hand furniture that's only useful for gouging corpses. Right?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………………く…。」 <br>\r\n \"............Nn...\" <br><br>\r\n 「シエスタ姉妹、またあなたたちの手際を見せて頂戴。…攻撃準備よ！ くすくすくすくすくす！ 死体はまた運び出してね。たっぷり遊んであげるんだから。 <br>\r\n \"Chiester Sisters, please show me your skill once more. ...Prepare to fire! *giggle*giggle*giggle*giggle*giggle*! And carry out the corpses again, got it? 'Cause I'll play with them a lot. <br><br>\r\n 文句はなしよ、ロノウェ？」 <br>\r\n No complaints from you, right, Ronove?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……はい。畏まりました。」 <br>\r\n \"...Correct. As you command.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ん……。」 <br>\r\n \"Nn...\" <br><br>\r\n その時、魔女は何かに気付く。 <br>\r\n ……何かの気配が去っていったかのような、……気のせい……？ <br>\r\n At that moment, the witch noticed something. <br><br>\r\n ...It was as though some presence had disappeared... ...Was it her imagination...? <br><br>\r\n 「………今、何か気配を感じなかった？ 誰か感じた人いる？」 <br>\r\n \"......Was that someone's presence just now? Did anyone feel it?\" <br><br>\r\n 「もッ、…申し訳ありません、私は何も気付きませんでした…、お許しを……！！」 <br>\r\n \"M-My apologies, I haven't noticed anything, ...so please forgive me...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「私たち、ゲストハウスを観測中でしたから、周辺監視はオフにしてます。にひ。 <br>\r\n \"We were in the middle of observing the guesthouse, so our peripheral surveillance was set to off. Nihi. <br><br>\r\n …ルシファーちゃんはぁ？ 何か気配感じた？」 <br>\r\n ...What about you, Lucifer-chaaan? Did you feel any presence?\" <br><br>\r\n 「………ん、」 <br>\r\n \"......Nn-\" <br><br>\r\n ルシファーは一瞬だけ目線をロノウェに送り、正直に答えるべきかどうかを問う。 <br>\r\n For just an instant, Lucifer glanced at Ronove, asking whether she should answer honestly or not. <br><br>\r\n それにロノウェは、小さく頷いて応えた。 <br>\r\n Ronove gave a small nod in response. <br><br>\r\n 「いいえ。…申し訳ございません、ベアトリーチェさま。私たちは何も。 <br>\r\n \"No. ...My apologies, Beatrice-sama. We noticed nothing. <br><br>\r\n ………中古家具ゆえ、愚鈍なことをお許しください。」 <br>\r\n ......Forgive us the stupidity of us second-hand furniture.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………………。……そう。大悪魔のあなたがそう言うなら、きっと私の気のせいなんでしょうね。」 <br>\r\n \"...............I see. If a great demon like you says that, then it must've been my imagination.\" <br><br>\r\n 魔女は、気配の消え去った方角を執念深く凝視する。 <br>\r\n The witch persistently stared in the direction the presence had disappeared to. <br><br>\r\n ……それは薔薇庭園の方角。 <br>\r\n そしてその向こうには、雷光に黒いシルエットを浮かび上がらせる屋敷が見える。 <br>\r\n ...That was where the rose garden lay. <br><br>\r\n And beyond that, she could see the mansion's dark silhouette created by lightning. <br><br>\r\n ……釈然としない気持ちを押さえ、再びゲストハウスに向き直るまで、彼女は短くない時間を掛けるのだった。 <br>\r\n ...It took quite some time before she pushed her unsatisfied feelings aside...and once again faced the guesthouse. <br><br>\r\n ゲストハウスのロビーは静寂に包まれていた。 <br>\r\n The guesthouse lobby was wrapped in silence. <br><br>\r\n 蔵臼、夏妃、絵羽の３人はもはや緊張感の糸も弛み、疲れきって、意識を朦朧とさせている。 <br>\r\n The strings of tension binding Krauss, Natsuhi, and Eva had already loosened, and they were completely worn out, with their minds beginning to waver. <br><br>\r\n 彼らは時折、席を立ち、無意味に歩き回ったりすることで眠気と戦っているようだった。 <br>\r\n Every once in a while, they would stand up and walk around pointlessly, as though fighting their drowsiness. <br><br>\r\n 「………大丈夫ですか、絵羽さん。…やはり無理をせず、休んでいてください。」 <br>\r\n \"......Are you okay, Eva-san? ...Please, do take it easy and rest.\" <br><br>\r\n 「大丈夫だって言ってるわ……。…もう、大人は私たち３人しかいないのよ…。休んでる暇なんかないわ…。石にかじりついてでも、ここを死守するわよ……。……はぁ、……はぁ……。」 <br>\r\n \"I told you, I'm fine... ...The three of us are now the only adults... There's no time to rest... No matter what the cost, we must guard this place until the end... ...Haah, ...haah...\" <br><br>\r\n 勇ましい台詞を口にするが、荒い息は隠せていない。 <br>\r\n …一度は薬で落ち着いた熱だったが、再びぶり返してきたらしい。 <br>\r\n She spoke bravely, but she couldn't hide her rough breathing. <br><br>\r\n ...It seemed that the fever, which had been calmed with medicine for a short time, had returned. <br><br>\r\n 絵羽の体調が悪いのは一目瞭然だった。 <br>\r\n It was very obvious that Eva's health was not good. <br><br>\r\n 「無理はするな。せめて目を閉じていたまえ。もし、起こさねばならぬ時は必ず起こしてやるから。」 <br>\r\n \"Take it easy. At least close your eyes. If something happens that you need to be awake for, we will definitiely wake you.\" <br><br>\r\n 「だから平気だって言ってるわ…！ 放っておいて……！！」 <br>\r\n \"I'm telling you I'm fine...! Leave me alone...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n もはや意地になっているようだった。 <br>\r\n ……今の彼女には、これ以上、何を言っても耳に届かないだろうことを、蔵臼たちも悟る。 <br>\r\n It seemed she was already unwilling to budge. <br><br>\r\n ...Krauss and Natsuhi realized that even if they talked to her any more when she was like this, it wouldn't reach her ears. <br><br>\r\n だからそれ以上は何も言わず、そっとしておくことにした。 <br>\r\n So without saying anything more, they decided to let her be. <br><br>\r\n 今の絵羽には、そんな口論すらも負担になっている。 <br>\r\n 口を閉ざし、ただ静かに座っているだけの方が、まだ体に楽だろう。 <br>\r\n To Eva right now, even having an argument like that would be burdensome. <br><br>\r\n It would probably be better for her body if she just sat there with her mouth closed. <br><br>\r\n 実際、絵羽はもう眠気に挫けようとしている。 <br>\r\n …短気に言い返すのは、自らを鼓舞して眠気を飛ばすためなのかもしれない。 <br>\r\n In truth, Eva was just a step away from being beaten down by drowsiness. <br><br>\r\n ...Perhaps she shot back at them with a temper because she was trying to rouse herself and throw off her sleepiness. <br><br>\r\n 時計は、もうじき午後の６時を指そうとしている。 <br>\r\n The clock would be pointing to 6:00 in the afternoon very soon. <br><br>\r\n 眠気を誤魔化すために、何度も間食を取ったせいで空腹感はなく、むしろ寝不足のせいで、午後どころか明け方の６時のようにさえ感じられた。 <br>\r\n She'd had several snacks to distract herself from her drowsiness, so she didn't feel hungry, but now her lack of sleep made it feel like it was 6:00 in the morning, not the afternoon. <br><br>\r\n ……明日の朝の９時にぴったりに船が来てくれると仮定しても、……まだ１２時間以上たっぷりある。 <br>\r\n ...Even supposing that the boat came at precisely 9:00 in the morning tomorrow, ...they still had more than 12 full hours to go. <br><br>\r\n …気の遠くなるような時間だった。 <br>\r\n ...It was an overwhelmingly long stretch of time. <br><br>\r\n …………長い。 <br>\r\n ………辛い……。 <br>\r\n ……熱い…。 <br>\r\n ......Long. <br><br>\r\n ......Painful... <br><br>\r\n ...Hot... <br><br>\r\n 時計の音さえ、今はこの身を苛む。 <br>\r\n Even the sound of the clock torments my body now. <br><br>\r\n こんな時はいつだって、……あの人が私の額に手を当ててくれれば、たちどころに熱が引いたのに。 <br>\r\n In times like this, ...when that person puts his hand on my forehead, the fever fades at once. <br><br>\r\n …でももう、あの人はいない………。 <br>\r\n ...But that person no longer exists...... <br><br>\r\n 絵羽は朦朧とした意識の中で、再び深い悲しみに囚われていた…。 <br>\r\n As Eva's mind grew foggy, she was once again gripped by a deep sadness... <br><br>\r\n もう涙は枯れ果てた。 <br>\r\n それでも最愛の夫を失った悲しみが、尽き果てない…。 <br>\r\n She had already cried herself dry. <br><br>\r\n Even so, the sadness of losing her beloved husband had not been exhausted... <br><br>\r\n 「……………私は、 <br>\r\n ……間違っていたんだわ…。」 <br>\r\n \"......I... <br><br>\r\n ...was wrong...\" <br><br>\r\n 「…どうして？」 <br>\r\n \"...What do you mean?\" <br><br>\r\n 元々、新しき魔女は絵羽と一なる存在。 <br>\r\n …絵羽が話しかければ、いつだって返事を返す…。 <br>\r\n The new witch and Eva were fundamentally the same being. <br><br>\r\n ...If Eva talked to her, she would always respond... <br><br>\r\n 「……私は右代宮家の当主の座さえ得られれば、…それで満足のはずだった。……それが、あの黄金の山を見た途端に、欲が増えたの。…………あの黄金の山を、独り占めしたい気持ちに駆られた……。」 <br>\r\n \"...I thought that if I could gain the position of the Ushiromiya Family Head, ...that alone would be enough. ...But then, as soon as I saw that mountain of gold, my greed grew. ......I was struck by a desire to have that mountain all to myself...\" <br><br>\r\n 「それは恥じることでも何でもないわ。 <br>\r\n \"That's nothing to be ashamed of. <br><br>\r\n だって、右代宮家の当主として、当然の権利じゃない。他の誰にも、黄金の一欠けらだって譲るものかってのよ。」 <br>\r\n After all, it's your natural right as the Ushiromiya Family Head. How could you give up even a bit of it to anyone else?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………私がその誘惑に囚われたから、…あなたが生まれてしまったんだわ。……あなたは私の少女時代の心であると同時に、……自分勝手でしかない、私の邪まな心でもあった。……そのあなたが、あの黄金の山によって芽生えた、私の愚かな欲望のせいで、……私の胸という卵の殻を破り、…この世に生まれ出てしまった…。………あなたを生んだのは私の責任……！」 <br>\r\n \"......I was gripped by that temptation, ...which is why you were born. ...While you are a young girl version of me, ...at the same time, you are also my self-centered evil heart. ...Because of my foolish greed sprouted by that mountain of gold, ...the shell of the egg that is my heart cracked, ...and you were born into this world... ......I am responsible for your birth...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「なら、私が殺した楼座と真里亞も。そして留弗夫と霧江と秀吉も、あなたの責任ってことになるわ。」 <br>\r\n \"In that case, when I killed Rosa and Maria, and then Rudolf, Kyrie and Hideyoshi, you were responsible for that too.\" <br><br>\r\n 「どうしてうちの人まで殺したのよ…！ どうして……！！ うううぅううぅううぅ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Why did you kill my husband too...?! Why...?!! Aaaaaaaagggghhhhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…秀吉を殺す気はなかったわ。だってうるさくてしつこかったんだもの。 <br>\r\n \"...I didn't want to kill Hideyoshi. He was just so annoying and persistent. <br><br>\r\n …その意味では私たちの、いえ、あなたの責任ね。あんなのを旦那に選んだあなたの責任だわ。」 <br>\r\n ...And that's our...no, your fault. It's your fault for choosing a husband like that.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あなたみたいな子どもに、あの人の良さはわからないわよッ！！ ううぅううぅぅぅうう…、あなた………、うううぅぅ！」 <br>\r\n \"A child like you cannot understand what made that man so wonderful!! Oooooooooooooooohhhh, ...dear, ...aaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………何よ。私たちは魔法で夢を叶えたのよ？ 碑文の謎を解いたわ。そして黄金を見つけ、当主の指輪を手にしたわ。全ての夢を叶えきったわ？ それが何で不満なの…？」 <br>\r\n \"......What the heck? Our dreams were made real with magic, right? We solved the riddle of the epitaph. Then we found the gold and got the Head's Ring. All of our dreams came fully true, right? What more could you want...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「それだけが全ての夢なんかじゃないわ…！！ あの人と素敵な人生を歩んで、譲治に素晴らしい人生を託す…！ 妻として、母として、…私にはまだ叶えなければならない夢がたくさんあるのよ…！！ それなのに、……それなのに……！」 <br>\r\n \"Those weren't all of my dreams...!! What about living a wonderful life with that person and giving George an excellent life...?! I still have many dreams that haven't come true...as a wife, as a mother...!! And yet, ...and yet...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…それは、あなたが大人になってから、勝手に増やした夢だわ。私たちの夢じゃない。」 <br>\r\n \"...Those are just extra dreams you added after becoming an adult. They aren't my dreams.\" <br><br>\r\n 「だからあなたは子どもなのよ…！！ 自分さえよければいいの？！ ……そうよ、全て私が悪いのよ…！！ あの時、楼座の言うことにどうして私は反抗したの？ どうして兄弟みんなに、黄金を見つけたと発表できなかったの…？ ……全て私が醜いから！！ 黄金を独り占めしたくて芽生えさせた邪まな心が、……あなたを孵化させてしまった！！」 <br>\r\n \"That's because you're a child...!! Do you only care about what's best for yourself?! ...That's right, everything is my fault...!! Back then, why did I resist doing what Rosa told me to? Why couldn't I announce to all of the siblings that I'd found the gold...? ...It's all because I'm so hideous!! My evil heart, which sprouted from my desire to have all that gold for myself, ...caused you to hatch!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………ひどい嫌われようだわ。私たちは二人で右代宮絵羽なのに。」 <br>\r\n \"......Looks like you really hate me. Even though we're both Ushiromiya Eva.\" <br><br>\r\n 「いいえ、もう違うわ。そしてそれはあなたが言ったのよ。私は右代宮絵羽。そしてあなたは黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェよ…！！ だからもう消えて！ 魔女なんておとぎ話の中にしか存在できない妄想よ、幻想よ…！！ あなたなんか消えてしまえッ！ 二度と私の前に現れないでッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"No, that isn't true anymore. And it was you who said it. I am Ushiromiya Eva. And you are the Golden Witch, Beatrice...!! So just disappear! Witches are imaginary, illusions that only exist in fairy tales...!! Things like you should just disappear! Never appear in front of me again!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…あぁ、……そう。…わかったわ。あなたの前から消えてあげるわ。 <br>\r\n \"...Yeah, ...you're right. ...I understand. I'll disappear from in front of you. <br><br>\r\n …そして私はもう右代宮絵羽じゃない。これからは黄金の魔女ベアトリーチェよ。…もう好き勝手に遊んでやるんだから。 <br>\r\n ...And I am no longer Ushiromiya Eva. From now on, I'm the Golden Witch, Beatrice. ...So now I can play however I want.\" <br><br>\r\n あんたなんて知らないわ。ヘソでも噛んで、勝手に死んじゃえばぁ？！」 <br>\r\n \"I don't even care about you. If only you'd just give up and die!\" <br><br>\r\n 如何にも子どもらしい癇癪を起こして、かつてもうひとりの自分だった魔女は姿を消した。 <br>\r\n After having a very childlike tantrum, the witch who had once been another Eva vanished. <br><br>\r\n ……闇の中には絵羽だけが取り残される。 <br>\r\n そして自らに問う…。 <br>\r\n ...Only Eva was left behind in the darkness. <br><br>\r\n And she questioned herself... <br><br>\r\n 「私なの……？ 私が、……彼らを殺したの……？ あの人を、殺してしまったの……？ ……私が、……殺して…しまったの…………？」 <br>\r\n \"Me...? I...killed them...? Did I kill...that person...? ...Did I...kill...him......?\" <br><br>\r\n その問い掛けに、もはや自らが答えることはなかった……。 <br>\r\n She could no longer answer that question herself... <br><br>\r\n 「…っ、ごほごほごほッ！！ <br>\r\n \"...! *cough*cough*cough*!! <br><br>\r\n ごほっごほごほッ！！」 <br>\r\n *cough*cough*cough*!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 半分眠りこけて、舟を漕いだ拍子に唾が気管に入ってしまったらしい。 <br>\r\n …唐突に絵羽は咽こんだ。 <br>\r\n It seemed that, half-asleep, she had gotten some saliva caught in her windpipe just as she was dozing off. <br><br>\r\n ...Eva suddenly started coughing. <br><br>\r\n 「大丈夫か、絵羽。 <br>\r\n \"Are you okay, Eva? <br><br>\r\n …夏妃、水を頼む。」 <br>\r\n ...Please Natsuhi, some water.\" <br><br>\r\n 「は、はい…。」 <br>\r\n \"Y-Yes...\" <br><br>\r\n 「だ、……大丈夫だってば…。げほげほげほ！ <br>\r\n \"I-I'm fine, okay...? *cough*cough*cough*! <br><br>\r\n げーっほげほッ！！ <br>\r\n *co-ugh*cough*!! <br><br>\r\n ちょっと、…咽ちゃっただけなんだから……！ げほげほげほんッ！」 <br>\r\n I just...choked a bit...! *cough*cough*cough*!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 絵羽は、背中を擦ろうとする夏妃の手を払い除け、よろよろと立ち上がる。 <br>\r\n Eva pushed away Natsuhi's hand as she tried to rub her back...and unsteadily rose to her feet. <br><br>\r\n 「………顔を洗ってくるわ。…ごめんなさいね、寝ちゃってたわ。……戻ってきたら、またコーヒーを入れるわね。 <br>\r\n \"......I'm going to go wash my face. ...Sorry, I fell asleep. ...When I get back, I'll make some more coffee. <br><br>\r\n ………特に濃い、明日の朝まで眠気が来なくなるようなやつを。」 <br>\r\n ......Extra strong, so that I won't get drowsy until tomorrow morning.\" <br><br>\r\n 「うむ、頼む。……郷田の淹れるコーヒーより、お前が淹れるコーヒーの方が私の好みに合うからな。」 <br>\r\n \"Yes, please do. ...Your coffee's more to my tastes than what Gohda makes.\" <br><br>\r\n 「お世辞でも嬉しいわ…。 <br>\r\n \"I'm glad to hear it, even if it's flattery... <br><br>\r\n ごほごほッ！ <br>\r\n *cough*cough*! <br><br>\r\n ………すぐ戻るわ。」 <br>\r\n ......I'll be back soon.\" <br><br>\r\n 絵羽はロビーを出て、化粧室へ向かった。 <br>\r\n その弱々しい背中を、蔵臼と夏妃が見守る…。 <br>\r\n Eva exited the lobby, heading for the bathroom. <br><br>\r\n Krauss and Natsuhi watched over her frail back... <br><br>\r\n 「……あなたも、あれだけ犬猿の仲だった絵羽さんに気を遣うこともあるのですね。」 <br>\r\n \"...So, you sometimes do show concern for Eva-san, even though you've always been so much at odds with her.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………………。…本来、兄とはこういうものではないのかね…？」 <br>\r\n \"............Isn't this how an older brother is supposed to be...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……えぇ。それで正しいと思います。」 <br>\r\n \"...Yes. I believe you're right.\" <br><br>\r\n 「絵羽に限らん。……留弗夫にも、楼座にも。…私がした兄らしいことと言えば、それを横柄に語り、彼らを苛めただけだ。 <br>\r\n \"It isn't just Eva. ...There's Rudolf and Rosa too. ...Instead of acting like an older brother to them, all I ever did was speak arrogantly and bully them.\" <br><br>\r\n ………父のようになりたくて、私なりに必死だった。…だが、いつもそれは及ばず、そのはけ口を彼らに向けてしまった…。しかし、それは言い訳にならん。…絵羽にも、未だ傷が癒えぬほどに、深い心の傷を負わせてしまっただろう。……悔いているが、今更それを詫びたところで、その傷が癒えるわけもない…。」 <br>\r\n \"......In my own way, I was frantic in my desire to be like Father. ...But I could never match up, and I always vented my feelings on them... But that is no excuse. ...I probably gave Eva scars so deep that they still have not healed. ...I regret it, but even if I apologized after all this time, it would do nothing to heal those wounds...\" <br><br>\r\n 「………あなたがその気持ちを、今だけでなく、持ち続けることで。…その気持ちはきっと、他の兄弟たちにも伝わりますよ。」 <br>\r\n \"......If you can hold onto that feeling, instead of only letting it last for this moment, ...I'm sure your siblings will come to see it sooner or later.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……今となっては、他の兄弟も絵羽を残すのみだがね。」 <br>\r\n \"...Though, by now, Eva is the only sibling I have left.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………もし、あなたとあなたのご兄弟が生まれた家が、右代宮家でさえなかったなら……。……もっともっと普通な、楽しい兄弟の関係であったでしょうに…。」 <br>\r\n \"......If only...you and your siblings hadn't been born into the Ushiromiya family, ...you might have had a more normal, a more fun sibling relationship...\" <br><br>\r\n 「…それを言ってはならん…。………絵羽は生涯、私を憎み続けるだろう。そしてその資格がある。 <br>\r\n \"...You mustn't say that... ......Eva will probably continue to hate me for her whole life. And she has a right to. <br><br>\r\n …私は、それを甘んじて受け止めるつもりだ。」 <br>\r\n ...I...intend to resign myself to that fact and accept it.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………あなた……。」 <br>\r\n \".........Dear...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……絵羽、 <br>\r\n ………すまん。……もちろん、許さなくていい…。」 <br>\r\n \"...Eva, <br><br>\r\n ......I'm sorry. ...Of course, you don't have to forgive me...\" <br><br>\r\n もちろん許さないわ、何を今更。 <br>\r\n Of course I won't forgive you. What are you talking about, after all this time? <br><br>\r\n 「悪いと思ったなら、今すぐヘソでも噛んで死んじゃえばぁ？！ <br>\r\n \"Oh, so now you're feeling guilty? If only you'd just give up and die right now! <br><br>\r\n やっちゃえ、シエスタ姉妹！！」 <br>\r\n Do it, Chiester Sisters!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「４５、射撃許可受領。射撃曲線再確認、気候誤差修正。４１０へデータリンク。」 <br>\r\n \"45, Firing Permission Received. Reconfirming Firing Arc, Correcting for Weather Discrepancies. Data Link to 410.\" <br><br>\r\n 「４１０データ受領、射撃許可確認。 <br>\r\n \"410, Data Received, Firing Permission Confirmed. <br><br>\r\n にひひひひ、射撃！」 <br>\r\n Nihihihihi, Firing!\" <br><br>\r\n 姉妹が二人で引く魔法の弦を放つ。 <br>\r\n 黄金の矢が美しい尾を引き、美しい曲線を描きながら飛んでいく。 <br>\r\n Together, the sisters released the magical bowstring they had readied. <br><br>\r\n A beautiful tail trailed behind the gold arrow, and it drew a lovely curve as it flew. <br><br>\r\n それはさながら、黄金の蛇。 <br>\r\n It was just like a gold snake. <br><br>\r\n それは器用に木立を避けて飛び、ゲストハウスの玄関を目指す。 <br>\r\n It skillfully avoided a grove of trees and flew towards the front door of the guesthouse. <br><br>\r\n そして扉の鍵穴に飛び込むと、何の問題もないかのようにゲストハウス内に侵入した。 <br>\r\n Then it flew into the keyhole of the door and snuck into the guesthouse without any problem at all. <br><br>\r\n 廊下をするすると、だけれども矢の如き素早さで黄金の蛇が疾駆する。 <br>\r\n The gold snake raced down the hall smoothly, yet as fast as an arrow. <br><br>\r\n その正面にはロビーの扉。 <br>\r\n Right before it was the door to the lobby. <br><br>\r\n その鍵穴に飛び込んだなら、そこにはもう蔵臼と夏妃が…。 <br>\r\n When it flew into the key hole, Krauss and Natsuhi were already... <br><br>\r\n 蔵臼は、扉の鍵穴が一瞬、金色に輝いたような気がした。 <br>\r\n For an instant, Krauss thought he saw a gold-colored sparkle in the keyhole on the door. <br><br>\r\n しかし、それが何かと目を細めるのと同時に、その輝きが鞭のようにしなって襲い掛かり、蔵臼の首にぐるぐるっと巻きつく。 <br>\r\n However, at the same time as he strained his eyes to see what it was, that sparkle bent like a whip and attacked, wrapping itself around Krauss's neck. <br><br>\r\n 「……………がッ、………ッ、ッ、」 <br>\r\n \"......Ack, ......ah, nn-\" <br><br>\r\n 見ただけなら、黄金の蛇はとてもしなやかそう。 <br>\r\n しかし、蔵臼の首はまるで、針金で締め上げられるかのようだった。 <br>\r\n Just looking at it, the gold snake seemed very supple. <br><br>\r\n However, it was as though a wire had tightened around Krauss's neck. <br><br>\r\n そしてその蛇は蔵臼を締め上げたまま、さらに伸び、夏妃の首をも締め上げる。 <br>\r\n And while that snake choked Krauss, it extended even more, and also tightened around Natsuhi's neck. <br><br>\r\n 二人は悲鳴すらあげられず、白目を剥いて痙攣し、がくりと脱力する。 <br>\r\n Without even a chance to scream, their eyes bulged as they went into convulsions and then collapsed. <br><br>\r\n 「４５、命中及び死亡確認。牽引曲線形成、補正点修正。４１０へデータリンク。」 <br>\r\n \"45, Hit and Kill Confirmed. Formulating Towing Curve, Revising Capture Points. Data Link to 410.\" <br><br>\r\n 「４１０データ受領。死体牽引開始。 <br>\r\n \"410, Data Received. Initiating Corpse Towing. <br><br>\r\n 二匹も釣れたにぇ、にひ！」 <br>\r\n We got both of 'em nyeh, nihi!\" <br><br>\r\n 黄金の蛇は、蔵臼と夏妃の二人の死体をずるずると引き摺り始める。 <br>\r\n The gold snake began to drag Krauss and Natsuhi's bodies back. <br><br>\r\n ……廊下への扉をすり抜けて死体を引き摺り、次第に速度を上げて、 <br>\r\n ...They slipped through the door to the corridor, dragging the bodies, gradually increasing in speed, <br><br>\r\n あっという間にゲストハウスの外へ引っ張り出していく。 <br>\r\n and rapidly pulled them outside the guesthouse. <br><br>\r\n だからロビーは、まるで何事もなかったかのように静寂だった。 <br>\r\n So, the lobby was silent, as though nothing had happened. <br><br>\r\n …初めから蔵臼も夏妃もいなかったかのよう。 <br>\r\n ...As though Krauss and Natsuhi had not been there since the beginning. <br><br>\r\n 雨と風の音だけが、ここには自分たちだけしかいなかったと、素知らぬ顔をして居座っていた……。 <br>\r\n Only the sound of the wind and the rain remained, as if they were playing dumb and pretending to be the only ones there... <br><br>\r\n 「……ごめんなさい、もう大丈夫よ。…今、コーヒーを淹れるわね。」 <br>\r\n \"...Sorry, I'm fine now. ...I'll go make some coffee.\" <br><br>\r\n 化粧室より絵羽が戻ってくる。 <br>\r\n しかし、ロビーには誰もいない。 <br>\r\n Eva returned from the bathroom. <br><br>\r\n But no one was in the lobby. <br><br>\r\n 咽込んで化粧室に行ったその瞬間まで、彼らはそこのソファーにいたはずなのに、まるでそれが幻であったかのようにいなくなっていた。 <br>\r\n Even though they had supposedly been in that sofa until the moment she had choked and gone to the bathroom, they were gone, as if they'd been an illusion from the very beginning. <br><br>\r\n 「…無用心ね…。……二人揃ってどこに行っちゃったの？」 <br>\r\n \"...How careless of them... ...Where did those two go off to together?\" <br><br>\r\n 探偵小説の真似事っぽく、絵羽はソファーに手を当てる。 <br>\r\n Eva put her hand on the sofa as though acting out a scene from a detective novel. <br><br>\r\n ……ついさっきまで彼らが座っていたことを示す温もりが感じられた。 <br>\r\n ...She felt a warmth that meant that they'd been sitting there until a short while ago. <br><br>\r\n 見回りにでも行っているのかもしれない。 <br>\r\n Maybe they went to do the rounds or something. <br><br>\r\n 絵羽はとりあえず腰を下ろし、彼らの戻りを待つのだった…。 <br>\r\n For the time being, Eva sat down and waited for their return... <br><br>\r\n 屋敷の客室には、ベアトと譲治の姿があった。 <br>\r\n 譲治は紗音の遺体の脇に、祈るように跪いている…。 <br>\r\n その表情は真剣そのもので、額には汗さえ浮いていた。 <br>\r\n Beato and George could be seen in the parlor of the mansion. <br><br>\r\n George was kneeling near Shannon's body as though praying... <br><br>\r\n His face was serious, and there was even sweat on his forehead. <br><br>\r\n しかし、それはベアトも同じだった。 <br>\r\n 自らの名を譲り渡した彼女には、かつての魔力のほとんどが失われている。 <br>\r\n However, Beato was the same. <br><br>\r\n Now that she had handed her name over, most of her previous power had been lost. <br><br>\r\n …もちろん、それでも充分に魔女と呼べる魔力はあるが、かつてを思えば、あまりにささやかなものだ。 <br>\r\n ...Of course, she still had more than enough power to be called a witch, but compared to the past, it was a very faint thing. <br><br>\r\n 「……いいぞ。声を掛けるな、手で触れるな。…心の声で呼べよ、心の手で求めよ。…そなたの強き想いだけが、紗音の失われた魂に妾の魔法を届かせる。」 <br>\r\n \"...Good. Don't talk to her, don't touch her with your hand. ...Call to her with the voice of your heart, and seek her with the hand of your heart. ...Only your strong feelings can make my magic reach Shannon's lost soul.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………………………っ。」 <br>\r\n \"............!\" <br><br>\r\n 譲治はひたすらに念じ続ける。 <br>\r\n 愛しき人の魂を呼び戻そうと、心の中で必死に叫び続ける。 <br>\r\n George kept praying earnestly and silently. <br><br>\r\n He kept frantically yelling inside his heart, trying to call back the soul of the person he loved. <br><br>\r\n …自らの肉体より魂だけが抜け出して、冥府に迷い込んだ彼女を探すところを強くイメージした。 <br>\r\n ...He strongly envisioned his soul leaving his body...and searching for her as she wandered through the Land of the Dead. <br><br>\r\n ……その強い力を、ベアトは魔力に変換し、自らの魔法に加える。 <br>\r\n かつては誰の助けも借りずに、片手間で出来た魔法だ。 <br>\r\n ...Beato turned that strong force into magical power that supplemented her own magic. <br><br>\r\n This was magic that, in the past, she could have performed easily, without anyone's help. <br><br>\r\n …しかし今は、助けを借りなければ、成功は愚か、詠唱を終えるには至らない。 <br>\r\n ...But now, if she didn't rely on someone's assistance, she wouldn't be able to finish the chant, much less succeed. <br><br>\r\n 「………数百年近くも忘れておったわ…。 <br>\r\n \"......I'd forgotten for several centuries... <br><br>\r\n ………魔法とは、 <br>\r\n ……反魂とは、 <br>\r\n …こんなにも辛い魔法であったか……。」 <br>\r\n ......Was magic... <br><br>\r\n was resurrection... <br><br>\r\n always this difficult...?\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトは、譲治以上に辛い表情を浮かべている。 <br>\r\n Beato was wearing an even more strained expression than George. <br><br>\r\n …彼女はまだ失念しているが、本来、命を蘇らせる魔法は究極の秘術だ。 <br>\r\n それを指を鳴らすだけで何度でも扱えたかつての魔力の方が逸脱しているのだ。 <br>\r\n ...It had slipped her mind, but originally, the magic to revive a life was the ultimate hidden art. <br><br>\r\n The abnormal thing was her previous magical power, which could be used over and over with a snap of her fingers. <br><br>\r\n だから、彼女が感じる肉体と精神への強い負担は、本来、極めて正当なもの…。 <br>\r\n So, the heavy burden on her body and mind was, fundamentally speaking, extremely natural... <br><br>\r\n 「……しかし、………こやつめの力、 <br>\r\n …魔法を知らぬと言うのに、かなりのもの。……なるほど、さすがは金蔵の孫といったところか…。」 <br>\r\n \"...However, ......this man's power... <br><br>\r\n ...Even though he doesn't know magic, it's nothing to be laughed at. ...I see, so he truly is Kinzo's grandchild...\" <br><br>\r\n 譲治より注がれる強い力は、魔力としても通じるほどの大きなもの。 <br>\r\n The strong energy pouring from George was large enough to act as magical power. <br><br>\r\n …ベアトは初め、それは魔術師であった金蔵の血によるものだろうと思った。 <br>\r\n ...At first, Beato thought it must be the blood of Kinzo, the sorceror. <br><br>\r\n ……しかし、多分、それは違う。 <br>\r\n …戦人に、それを教えられたような気がする。 <br>\r\n ...However, that probably wasn't it. <br><br>\r\n ...She had a feeling that Battler had already told her what it was. <br><br>\r\n 譲治の、想い人の死を悲しむ力は、……それまでの彼の一生懸命だった人生と、紗音との温かな時間、そして将来を誓い合った夢の大きさから生まれるのだ。 <br>\r\n It had been born from the power of George's sadness at the death of the person he loved, ...and from the way he had tried his hardest throughout his life, from the warm time spent together with Shannon, to the size of the dream they swore to protect in the future. <br><br>\r\n 人は、たったひとつの命に、ここまでも真剣に生きるものなのか。 <br>\r\n Is it really possible for humans to take life so seriously, even though they only have a single one? <br><br>\r\n ……当然だ。 <br>\r\n 自分にとって命というものは、オセロの表と裏程度の意味しかない。 <br>\r\n ...It was only natural. <br><br>\r\n To her, a life didn't mean anything more than the difference between the top and bottom of an Othello piece. <br><br>\r\n 黒が死を示すなら、また裏返して白にすればいいだけのものとしか思わなかった。 <br>\r\n If the black represented death, then she thought all you had to do was flip it over again and make it white. <br><br>\r\n しかし、あの割れた壷と同じ。 <br>\r\n However, it was just like that broken vase. <br><br>\r\n ……二度と元の姿に戻せない、魔法のない世界の人間ならば、……そのたったひとつの命に、全身全霊を賭けるのは、とてもとても当り前なことなのだ。 <br>\r\n ...To humans in a world without magic, where they cannot return things to their original form, ...it is very, very natural for them to bet their life and soul. <br><br>\r\n 「………生死すら自在にする無限の魔女が、……死の山さえ越えられぬ有限のニンゲンに、劣ることもあるというのか……。」 <br>\r\n \"......So, is an Endless Witch, who can do as she pleases even with life and death...inferior to a limited Human who can't even surpass the mountain of death...?\" <br><br>\r\n 魔女は、今こそ認める。 <br>\r\n This time, the witch acknowledged it. <br><br>\r\n 命の価値を理解できない魔女には宿せない魔力を、彼は持ち得ている。 <br>\r\n He was able to hold a magical power that could never reside in witches who didn't understand the value of a life. <br><br>\r\n ……無限の魔法とは、何のためにあるんだったか。 <br>\r\n ...Why does this thing called the Endless Magic exist? <br><br>\r\n …妾は、無限の魔女を名乗りながら、無限の魔法の意味を、…千年間も忘れていたのではないのか………。 <br>\r\n ...Even though I called myself the Endless Witch, did I forget what the Endless Magic means for a thousand years......? <br><br>\r\n 譲治の表情を改めて見る。 <br>\r\n ………迸る真剣さは稲妻のよう。 <br>\r\n She looked at George's expression again. <br><br>\r\n ......His surging earnestness was like a lightning bolt. <br><br>\r\n …今の譲治なら、たとえその身を焼かれようとも、滝に打たれようとも、気にもせず、気付きもせず、愛する者への祈りを続けるだろう。 <br>\r\n ...Right now, even if George's body had been burned or smashed by a waterfall, he would probably continue to pray for his beloved without minding it, without noticing it. <br><br>\r\n 魔女は初めて、…その力に敬意を表した。 <br>\r\n For the first time, ...she showed respect for that power. <br><br>\r\n だからその瞬間、全ての魔法抵抗が失われ、譲治の膨大な想いの力が完全な形で魔力に変換される……。 <br>\r\n So in that instant, all magical resistance was lost, and the enormous power of George's feelings turned into magical energy in its complete form... <br><br>\r\n それは、とてもとても美しくて、価値と歴史のある素晴らしい壷でした。 <br>\r\n The vase was very beautiful, rich with history and value. <br><br>\r\n 幼い私が見ても、その美しさにため息が堪えられないほどに。 <br>\r\n ……でも、だから触れてみたかったのです。 <br>\r\n Even as young as I was, it still forced me to take a deep breath when I witnessed its beauty. <br><br>\r\n ...But that just made me want to touch it. <br><br>\r\n しかし、壷はあっさりと落ちて割れて粉々に。 <br>\r\n But the vase easily fell and smashed into pieces. <br><br>\r\n …割れてしまったシャボン玉がそうであるように、形あった時のそれがまるで幻であったかのように感じてしまう。 <br>\r\n ...Like a bubble that had popped, it felt as though the time it possessed a form had been just an illusion. <br><br>\r\n それくらいにあっさりと儚く、……失われてしまった、命。 <br>\r\n Lives are just that fragile, just that easily...lost. <br><br>\r\n 私は、自らの愚かな好奇心が取り返しのつかないことをしてしまったことを悟りました。 <br>\r\n I realized that my foolish curiosity had led to something that couldn't be undone. <br><br>\r\n いくら後悔しても、いくら謝っても。 <br>\r\n 砕けてしまった壷は元の姿に戻ってはくれません…。 <br>\r\n 失われた命は、どのようなことがあっても、元に戻らない。 <br>\r\n No matter how much I regretted it, no matter how much I apologized. <br><br>\r\n The smashed vase wouldn't return back to its original form... <br><br>\r\n A lost life will not return to normal no matter what happens. <br><br>\r\n 私は自らの軽率な行為が、軽率であるにもかかわらず、…二度と蘇れない形で命を奪ってしまうことに恐怖しました。 <br>\r\n I was frightened that, even though my actions had been thoughtless and careless, ...they had stolen away a life that could never be revived again. <br><br>\r\n そして、失われた命を哀れんで、泣きました。 <br>\r\n 失わせた自らに恐怖して、さらに泣きました。 <br>\r\n Then, I pitied that lost life and cried. <br><br>\r\n I was frightened of myself, the one responsible for its loss, and cried even more. <br><br>\r\n お祖父さまも、大切な壷が失われたことを、きっと泣くでしょう。 <br>\r\n それを見て、お祖父さまを大切に思う人たちもみんな、きっと泣くでしょう。 <br>\r\n I'm sure Grandfather will also cry at the loss of his precious vase. <br><br>\r\n I'm sure that all the people who love Grandfather and see him like that will cry. <br><br>\r\n たったひとつの命が失われただけで、世界中はこんなにも悲しみに染まるのです。 <br>\r\n ……その恐ろしさに、私はさらに泣きました。 <br>\r\n With the loss of a single life, the whole world can be filled with so much sadness. <br><br>\r\n ...I cried even more at how terrible that was. <br><br>\r\n ベアトリーチェが現れて、言いました。 <br>\r\n Beatrice appeared...and spoke. <br><br>\r\n 「ならばお嬢様。この壷を、魔法で蘇らせましょう。それで皆が幸せになれるなら、壷も魔法も精霊たちも、喜んでその為に力を貸し、元の姿を取り戻すでしょう。 <br>\r\n \"Then, Milady, let us revive that vase with magic. If that will make everyone happy, the vase and the magic and the spirits...will happily lend you their power and return it to its original form. <br><br>\r\n さぁさ、お嬢様。目を閉じて、私と一緒にお唄を詠いましょう…。」 <br>\r\n Come, Milady. Close your eyes and chant with me...\" <br><br>\r\n 「さぁさ、目を閉じて御覧なさい。そして思い出して御覧なさい。あなたがどんな姿をしていたのか。それはきっと、とてもとても美しい姿。どうか私に、あの姿をもう一度見せておくれ…。」 <br>\r\n \"Come, try closing your eyes. And try to remember. What form did you have? It was surely a very, very beautiful form. Please, show me that form one more time...\" <br><br>\r\n 力ある言葉が、冥府の扉を力強く叩く。 <br>\r\n かつての彼女の魔法も、同じように冥府の扉を力強く叩いた。 <br>\r\n Those words of power knocked forcefully on the door to the Land of the Dead. <br><br>\r\n The magic of her old self had performed that same forceful knock. <br><br>\r\n ……しかし、それはひどく乱暴で、…安らかに眠る死者たちのひんしゅくを買うものだった…。 <br>\r\n ...However, doing it that way was horribly violent...and earned the displeasure of the peacefully sleeping dead... <br><br>\r\n しかし、今は違う。 <br>\r\n …とても力強いのに、…とてもやさしくて慈しみのあるもの。 <br>\r\n But this time was different. <br><br>\r\n ...It was very forceful...and yet gentle and loving. <br><br>\r\n 扉の近くの死者たちが目を覚まし、……戻ってくることを呼び掛ける声があることを、他の死者たちに呼び掛ける。 <br>\r\n The dead near the door opened their eyes...and called out to the others that there was a voice calling for someone to come back. <br><br>\r\n …死者たちは、外より呼び掛けるその声の悲しさに胸を打たれ、一刻も早く応えてやろうと、紗音の失われた魂を探す…。 <br>\r\n ...The sadness of that voice calling from the outside touched the hearts of the dead, and, trying to respond as quickly as possible, they searched for Shannon's lost soul... <br><br>\r\n そして、 <br>\r\n ………見つける。 <br>\r\n And then, <br><br>\r\n ......they found it. <br><br>\r\n 安らかに眠る紗音の棺を見つける。 <br>\r\n They found the casket in which Shannon was peacefully sleeping. <br><br>\r\n それはまさに、死者の国に眠る紗音の魂そのもの。 <br>\r\n ……霜と凍った薔薇の花で埋められた棺の中で、安らかに眠っている…。 <br>\r\n It truly was Shannon's soul, sleeping in the land of the dead. <br><br>\r\n ...Inside the casket that was covered with rose flowers frozen with frost, she was sleeping in peace... <br><br>\r\n 死者たちはその棺を静かに担ぎ上げる。 <br>\r\n The dead silently lifted that casket up. <br><br>\r\n …それは一見、葬送行列に似ていながら、意味はまったく異なるもの。 <br>\r\n ...While at a glance, it looked like a funeral march, it had the complete opposite meaning. <br><br>\r\n 厳かだけれど、喜びに満ちていて。 <br>\r\n It was solemn, but filled with joy. <br><br>\r\n …忘れ去られて久しい死者たちに、自分たちは死してなお、愛され続けていることを思い出させてくれて、……彼ら全てに温かな安寧を与えるのだ……。 <br>\r\n ...The long-forgotten dead were made to remember that they were loved after their deaths, ...and they were all given a warm sense of peace... <br><br>\r\n そして…、天上よりの温かな光に招かれるように、…棺より紗音の体が、浮かび上がる…。 <br>\r\n Then, ...as though guided by a warm light from the heavens, ...Shannon's body floated up out of the casket... <br><br>\r\n 死者たちはそれを見送る。 <br>\r\n ……その温かな光に目を細め、死者への愛を変わらず持ち続けてくれる、見知らぬ生者に敬意を送るのだった…。 <br>\r\n The dead watched her go. <br><br>\r\n ...They squinted at that warm light, offering their respect to this unknown member of the living...who had not lost his love for a person even after their death... <br><br>\r\n 紗音の体が、天上の光の中に、飲み込まれて消えていく…。 <br>\r\n Shannon's body was enveloped in the light from the heavens and began to disappear... <br><br>\r\n 死者の国の漆黒の闇の中に、わずかに黄金の蝶が瞬いたのが見えた。 <br>\r\n …それは、彼らが忘れて久しい、やさしい夜空の星を思い出させた…。 <br>\r\n In the jet-black darkness of the land of the dead, the faint flickering of gold butterflies could be seen. <br><br>\r\n ...It reminded them of the gentle stars in the night sky, which they had long forgotten... <br><br>\r\n 「……………………っ！」 <br>\r\n \"............!\" <br><br>\r\n 譲治は、声を出してはならないと言われていることを思い出し、慌てて自らの口を塞ぐ。 <br>\r\n George remembered being told that he must not say anything, and he hurriedly covered his mouth. <br><br>\r\n しかし、喉から心臓が飛び出そうだった。 <br>\r\n ……紗音の瞼が、わずかに震えたのを見たからだ。 <br>\r\n However, it felt like his heart was trying to jump into his throat. <br><br>\r\n ...Because he had seen Shannon's eyelids shake slightly. <br><br>\r\n そして、…ゆっくりとその瞼が開く。 <br>\r\n そこには紗音の瞳があったが、まだ死者の国の霜が降りたままだった。 <br>\r\n Then, ...those eyelids slowly opened. <br><br>\r\n Shannon's eyes were there, but they were still wrapped in the fog of the land of the dead. <br><br>\r\n しかし、……人の世の、…いや。 <br>\r\n ……彼女の魂を呼び戻した想い人の温かさで、ゆっくりと溶かされていき、………次第に、輝きを取り戻していく。 <br>\r\n However, ...the human world's warmth... <br><br>\r\n ...No, her lover's warmth, which had called back her soul, slowly dissolved that fog, ......and her eyes gradually regained their sparkle. <br><br>\r\n そして、………その瞳が動き、…譲治の姿を認める。 <br>\r\n Then, ......her eyes moved...and recognized George. <br><br>\r\n 「……譲治……さん……………。」 <br>\r\n \"...George...san......\" <br><br>\r\n 紗音が、弱々しく唇を震わせ、 <br>\r\n ……確かにそう言った。 <br>\r\n As her lips shook weakly, <br><br>\r\n ...Shannon definitely said that. <br><br>\r\n それは言葉としてはあまりに弱々しい。 <br>\r\n 普通なら耳にも届かないほどに。 <br>\r\n The words were very faint. <br><br>\r\n So much so that they normally wouldn't have reached his ears. <br><br>\r\n ……しかし、譲治にははっきりと聞き取れた。 <br>\r\n ...However, George clearly heard them. <br><br>\r\n ………死んだはずの想い人が、婚約者が、もっとも愛しい人が、再び自分の名を呼んでくれたのを聞いた…。 <br>\r\n ......He heard the person he cared for, his fiancée, the one he loved most and who should have been dead, call his name once again... <br><br>\r\n 「紗音、 <br>\r\n ………紗音…………、 <br>\r\n 僕が、 <br>\r\n ……わかるかい………？」 <br>\r\n \"Shannon, <br><br>\r\n ......Shannon, <br><br>\r\n ...do you... <br><br>\r\n ...know who I am......?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「……譲治さ…ん……。……………これは、……夢なの………？」 <br>\r\n \"...George-sa...n, ......is this...a dream......?\" <br><br>\r\n 「いいや。これは夢じゃないよ。……だからほら、……抓っても、醒めないよ。」 <br>\r\n \"No. This isn't a dream. ...C'mon, see here... ...Even if I pinch you, you won't wake up.\" <br><br>\r\n 譲治はそう言い、紗音の頬をやさしく抓るような仕草をする。 <br>\r\n As George said that, he softly pinched Shannon's cheek. <br><br>\r\n ……それはかつて、紗音が何かを驚き、夢かと問う時に必ず譲治が返した仕草。 <br>\r\n ...It was how George had always responded in the past, when Shannon had been surprised by something and had asked if she was dreaming. <br><br>\r\n 紗音は、自分の頬に触れた譲治の指の温かな感触に。 <br>\r\n ……そして譲治は、愛しい人の頬に、すでに生きる者の温もりが戻っていることに。 <br>\r\n ……二人は涙する。 <br>\r\n When Shannon felt the warm touch of George's finger on her cheek... <br><br>\r\n ...And when George realized that the warmth of the living had already returned to his beloved person's cheek... <br><br>\r\n ...They both cried. <br><br>\r\n …死別した愛し合う二人は、その再会をどんな言葉で祝しあうのだろう。 <br>\r\n ……それを祝いあう言葉は、人の世の狭き言葉では足りない。 <br>\r\n ...What words should a pair of lovers separated by death celebrate with when they are reunited? <br><br>\r\n ...The words of the human world are not enough. <br><br>\r\n つまり、人の世の言葉など、二人には何の必要もない…。 <br>\r\n In short, they had no need of the words of this world... <br><br>\r\n 譲治は、上体を起こした紗音と、ただ言葉もなく抱き締め合った。 <br>\r\n George simply hugged Shannon, who was sitting up, without talking. <br><br>\r\n 紗音の力はまだ弱々しくて、譲治の背中に手を回すのが精一杯だったから、……譲治はその分、きつく抱き締めた。 <br>\r\n Shannon's strength was still feeble...and putting her arms around George's back took all she had, ...so George hugged her tightly to make up for that. <br><br>\r\n 彼女が二度と自分の手の届かないところに行ってしまわないように、きつくきつく、だけれどもやさしくやさしく、抱き締めた……。 <br>\r\n To stop each other from going once more to a place the other's hand couldn't reach, they hugged each other so tightly, and yet so gently... <br><br>\r\n 譲治の背中に回す紗音の指には、……その薬指に、譲治が贈った婚約指輪が確かに光っていた。 <br>\r\n As Shannon's fingers curled around George's back, ...on her ring finger, the engagement ring George had given her definitely shone. <br><br>\r\n その強い輝きは、決してダイヤの輝きだけではない。 <br>\r\n ……愛する二人にしか感じ得ない魔力が、確かにあった。 <br>\r\n That strong glint certainly wasn't just the sparkle of diamond. <br><br>\r\n ...There definitely was a magical power that only the two lovers could possibly feel. <br><br>\r\n その強い輝きがあったからこそ、…死者の国で、彼女の棺は見つけてもらえたのだ。 <br>\r\n It was because that strong light existed...that they had been able to find her casket in the land of the dead. <br><br>\r\n ベアトは理解する。 <br>\r\n Beato understood. <br><br>\r\n ……その指輪が、……いや。 <br>\r\n ...That ring, ...no. <br><br>\r\n …………指輪の形をした、二人の想いが、この奇跡を実現させたのだ。 <br>\r\n ......The feelings of the pair, embodied in that ring, were a miracle made real. <br><br>\r\n 譲治はあの瞬間、確かに魔法を使った。 <br>\r\n ベアトはその手助けをしたに過ぎない。 <br>\r\n その魔法には、命の大切さと一生懸命を知る者にしか宿しえない魔力があった。 <br>\r\n In that moment, George definitely used magic. <br><br>\r\n Beato had done nothing more than help him along. <br><br>\r\n That magic had a power that could only reside in those who knew of the importance of life, who knew what it meant to try with all one's might. <br><br>\r\n 無限の魔女には知ることのできない、……有限の力にしか起こせない、奇跡の力。 <br>\r\n It was the power of a miracle, one that the Endless Witch couldn't possibly know of... A miracle that only the power of the finite could give rise to. <br><br>\r\n 今こそ認めざるを得ない。 <br>\r\n ……本当の魔法とは、魔力とは。 <br>\r\n By now, she had no choice but to accept it. <br><br>\r\n ...She had to accept that true magic, true magical power... <br><br>\r\n …大魔女を名乗った彼女と、もっとも遠く離れたところにあったことを、認めなければならない。 <br>\r\n ...Exists in the place furthest away from she who called herself a Great Witch. <br><br>\r\n 「………ベアトリーチェ…さま……。」 <br>\r\n \"......Beatrice...sama...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……彼女が君を生き返らせてくれたんだ…。 <br>\r\n \"...She brought you back to life... <br><br>\r\n ありがとう、ベアトリーチェ…！」 <br>\r\n Thank you, Beatrice...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「いいや。妾は何もできなかった。 <br>\r\n \"No. I did nothing. <br><br>\r\n ……紗音を蘇らせたのは、そなたの魔力。そなたの魔法。…………奇跡を成し遂げる右代宮の血、…確かに見届けさせてもらったぞ。」 <br>\r\n ...What revived Shannon...was your magical power. It was your magic. ......The Ushiromiya blood, which makes miracles come true, ...surely saw you through.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………譲治さんが、……私を……？」 <br>\r\n \"......George-san...revived me...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…うむ。………妾など足元にも及ばぬほどの、凄まじき魔力であったぞ。 <br>\r\n \"...Indeed. ......It was an incredible display of magical power, one that I could not hope to compete with. <br><br>\r\n ……妾など、まだまだ見習いの域を出ぬか。…今こそ身の程を知ろうぞ。」 <br>\r\n ...So, I am still nothing more than an apprentice. ...Now I finally know my place.\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトはふらりと後へよろめく。 <br>\r\n …明らかに体力を消耗しきっていた。 <br>\r\n Beato staggered backwards. <br><br>\r\n ...Her physical strength was clearly exhausted. <br><br>\r\n 譲治の力だけで蘇らせたと謙遜しているが、ベアトも全身の魔力と体力を使い切っていた。 <br>\r\n She had humbly said that George's power alone had revived Shannon, but Beato had also used all of her magical and physical strength. <br><br>\r\n …そして、かつて、自由自在に弄んでいた命を、たったひとつ蘇らせるだけで、これほどの重みがあるのかと、…それを噛み締めている。 <br>\r\n ...And she reflected upon how difficult it was to revive a single life, something she'd been able to play around with however she wanted to in the past. <br><br>\r\n 二人はいつまでも、力強く抱擁を交し合う。 <br>\r\n …百億の言葉でも伝えられない気持ちを、そうして伝え合っていた…。 <br>\r\n The couple kept on embracing each other tightly. <br><br>\r\n ...By doing that, those feelings that couldn't be communicated with a billion words...were shared... <br><br>\r\n 「ありがとう、ベアトリーチェ。…君は僕たちの恩人だ…。」 <br>\r\n \"Thank you, Beatrice. ...We're in your debt...\" <br><br>\r\n 「…ありがとうございます、ベアトリーチェさま。……再び譲治さまに会わせて下さったこのご恩を、…決して忘れません。」 <br>\r\n \"...Thank you very much, Beatrice-sama. ...I'll never forget the debt I owe you for bringing me to George again.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……よせよせ。愛し合う二人に感謝されては、外道の極みと恐れられた妾にはくすぐった過ぎるというものよ。 <br>\r\n \"...Stop that, stop that. Being thanked by a pair of lovers is far too embarrassing for one who has been feared as a monster of a person. <br><br>\r\n ……妾のことは、…気にするな。…存分に、………再会を、祝い合え………。」 <br>\r\n ...Don't worry...about me. ...Celebrate your reunion together......to the fullest......\" <br><br>\r\n 壁に背中をもたれ掛けるベアトは、そのままずるりと壁を背負ったまま、座り込む。 <br>\r\n こんなにも魔法で疲労したのは何百年ぶりなのか。 <br>\r\n Beato, who was leaning with her back against the wall, slid down the wall and sat. <br><br>\r\n How many centuries had it been since she last grew this tired from using magic? <br><br>\r\n ……多分、初めて魔法を成し遂げた時以来。 <br>\r\n ...I probably haven't been this tired since the time I first succeeded in magic. <br><br>\r\n ………その時は、お師匠さまが褒めてくれたっけなぁ。 <br>\r\n ......Didn't Teacher praise me that time? <br><br>\r\n あぁ、でも、褒めてくれるお師匠様は、自分で殺しちまったんだっけ。 <br>\r\n Oh, but didn't I kill that same Teacher who praised me? <br><br>\r\n ……甘えんなよ、ベアトリーチェ。 <br>\r\n ...Don't be so naive, Beatrice. <br><br>\r\n …モノを殺すってのはつまり、そういうことじゃねぇかよォ…。 <br>\r\n ...Isn't that what killing means...? <br><br>\r\n 「……ようやく。…魔法の使い方を、思い出したようですね。」 <br>\r\n \"...Finally. ...It seems you've finally remembered how to use magic.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………頭ン中、酸欠でカラカラで、……思い出すもヘチマもねェぜ…。 <br>\r\n \"......My head...feels parched and suffocated, ...and I can't even remember... <br><br>\r\n …それよりアンタ、…殺したじゃねぇかよ。現れるんじゃねぇよ…。」 <br>\r\n ...More importantly, ...didn't I kill you? You shouldn't be appearing...\" <br><br>\r\n 「あなたが未だに私を生かしていますよ。だからこうして現れられます。……もっとも、あなたの頭を撫でに来たわけでもありませんが。」 <br>\r\n \"You are still allowing me to live even now. That is why I can appear like this. ...However, I did not come just to pat your head.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……無様な妾を、わざわざ嘲笑いに来たかよ。 <br>\r\n \"...Did you come to sneer at how pathetic I am? <br><br>\r\n ……それに、隠居までした魔女が、…今更頭なんか撫でられちゃ、他の魔女の笑い者だぜ……。」 <br>\r\n ...Anyway, ...if I have my head patted by a retired witch after all that's happened, the other witches will laugh at me...\" <br><br>\r\n 「そうですね。……一人前どころか、現役を退いたと豪語するあなたなのに、今頃になって魔法の使い方を覚えたなど、恥ずかしくて誰にも言えませんね。」 <br>\r\n \"That's right. ...According to your bragging, you were not only a full adult, but a retired one, and yet only now have you learned how to use magic. That certainly does sound too embarrassing to tell anyone.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………だなァ。……内緒にしてくれよォ、お師匠様…。」 <br>\r\n \"......Yeah, tell me about it. ...Keep it a secret, okay, Teacheer...?\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトは心地よい虚脱感の中、抱き合う二人を見つめるのだった。 <br>\r\n Beato gazed at the couple hugging each other with a sense of pleasant despondency. <br><br>\r\n 「愛、かァ。 <br>\r\n \"Love, is it? <br><br>\r\n ……………勝てねぇなァ…。」 <br>\r\n ......I'm no match...\" <br><br>\r\n 「４５データ受領。射撃準備完了。弾種選定、装填。」 <br>\r\n \"45, Data Received. Firing Preparations Concluded. Ammo Type Selected and Loaded.\" <br><br>\r\n 「４１０、射撃。にひ！」 <br>\r\n \"410, Firing. Nihi!\" <br><br>\r\n シエスタ姉妹の放つ、黄金の蛇の矢が、 <br>\r\n The gold snake arrow fired by the Chiesters... <br><br>\r\n 薔薇庭園の茂みを縫い、 <br>\r\n weaved its way through the bushes in the rose garden, <br><br>\r\n 垣根を縫い、 <br>\r\n weaved its way through the hedges, <br><br>\r\n 石段を登って屋敷の玄関を、 <br>\r\n and climbed the stone steps towards the mansion's entrance, <br><br>\r\n その鍵穴を目指す。 <br>\r\n aiming for the keyhole. <br><br>\r\n それは廊下を縫い、 <br>\r\n It weaved through the corridors... <br><br>\r\n 客間の扉の鍵穴に飛び込む…！ <br>\r\n and flew into the keyhole on the door to the parlor...! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「……ああああああぁああぁッ？！？！」 <br>\r\n \"...Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh?!?!\" <br><br>\r\n 一瞬の出来事だった。 <br>\r\n It happened in an instant. <br><br>\r\n …疲労しきったベアトに、それを事前に気付けというのは困難な話だった。 <br>\r\n ...One could hardly blame Beato, who was completely worn out, for not noticing it beforehand. <br><br>\r\n ベアトの眼前で、鍵穴より飛び込んできた黄金の蛇が、愛し合う二人をぐるぐるっと取り囲んで、 <br>\r\n 二人の心臓を瞬時に貫通した。 <br>\r\n Right before Beato's eyes, the gold snake flew in through the keyhole, ...surrounded the two lovers, <br><br>\r\n and pierced the two hearts in a blink of an eye. <br><br>\r\n ……しかも律儀に、紗音の胸の穴にもう一度、黄金の蛇を貫かせた…。 <br>\r\n ...Furthermore, the gold snake faithfully pierced a hole through Shannon's chest once more... <br><br>\r\n 二人は黄金の蛇に、…いや、新しき残忍な魔女の家具の、黄金の縫い糸によって、心臓を打ち抜かれて、………蘇らせるのに掛けた手間と、あまりに見合わないほどの一瞬で…！ <br>\r\n The two hearts were pierced by that gold snake...no, by that gold sewing thread of the new brutal witch's furniture, ......and it had happened in an instant, mocking the amount of effort it had taken to revive Shannon...! <br><br>\r\n 呆然とするベアトの目の前で、二人は倒れ、床に横たわる…。 <br>\r\n Before Beato's shocked eyes, the two fell over and landed on the floor... <br><br>\r\n 「………じょ、 <br>\r\n ……譲治……、 <br>\r\n ………紗音……………。」 <br>\r\n \".........G- <br><br>\r\n George, <br><br>\r\n ......Shannon......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「……ありがとう、 <br>\r\n …ベアトリーチェ……。…わずかの間でも、 <br>\r\n …会わせてくれて、 <br>\r\n ……ありがとう………。」 <br>\r\n \"...Thank you, <br><br>\r\n ...Beatrice... ...For letting us meet, <br><br>\r\n ...even just for a short while, <br><br>\r\n ...thank you......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 譲治は最後の息を、ベアトに感謝することに費やし、愛しき人と肩を並べて絶命する。 <br>\r\n George spent his last breath thanking Beato...and died alongside the one he loved. <br><br>\r\n その二人を今尚縫い止めたままの黄金の蛇は、大きく渦を巻くように、ぐるぐるっと客間内を旋回する。 <br>\r\n The gold snake, which still sewed the two in place, spun like a large cyclone, revolving around the inside of the parlor. <br><br>\r\n ………さらなる室内の獲物を探っているのだ。 <br>\r\n ......It was searching for further prey in that room. <br><br>\r\n そしてその蛇の先端とベアトの目が合う…。 <br>\r\n ベアトはその瞬間、死を覚悟した。 <br>\r\n Then, the tip of the snake met Beato's gaze... <br><br>\r\n In that instant, Beato was prepared to die. <br><br>\r\n その時、ワルギリアがその前に立ちはだかり、両手の指で印を描く。 <br>\r\n At that moment, Virgilia stood in front of her, the fingers of both her hands drawing a seal. <br><br>\r\n その瞬間、黄金色の金箔が客間の中を埋め尽くした。 <br>\r\n それはさながら黄金の吹雪…。 <br>\r\n Instantly, gold-colored gold leaf buried the inside of the parlor. <br><br>\r\n It was like a blizzard of gold... <br><br>\r\n 「ベアト、今の内に逃げてッ！！ シエスタの黄 <br>\r\n 金弓からは~ib~誰も逃れられない~ib~ッ！！！」 <br>\r\n \"Beato, run while you can!! <br><br>\r\n ~ib~No one can escape~ib~ from the Chiesters' golden bow!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「４１０、標的失探！！ にひゃっ、魔法欺瞞紙ッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"410, Target Lost!! Nihyah, it's magical chaff!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「４５了解…！ <br>\r\n \"45, roger that...! <br><br>\r\n 索敵変更、対人画像追尾方式。標的再補足、４１０へデータリンク。」 <br>\r\n Modifying Search Algorithm, Switching to Anti-Personnel Image-Based Tracking. Target Lock Reacquired, Data Link to 410.\" <br><br>\r\n 「４１０データ受領。すっトロいにぇ、先代さまぁッ！！ <br>\r\n \"410, Data Received. Too slow, Predecessor-sama! <br><br>\r\n 来た来た来たぁ、 <br>\r\n …着弾ッ！！」 <br>\r\n Coming, coming, coming, <br><br>\r\n ...impact!!\" <br><br>\r\n シエスタ姉妹の黄金弓は、狙った獲物を逃さない。防がせない。 <br>\r\n Prey targeted by the Chiester Sisters' golden bow did not escape. It could not be blocked. <br><br>\r\n …魔法的なあらゆる障壁も、多層でなければ防ぐことを夢見ることさえ許さない。 <br>\r\n ...No magical barrier could even dream of blocking it without being multilayered. <br><br>\r\n ワルギリアが放った欺瞞魔法により、一瞬だけ混乱したその隙だけが、ベアトが逃げ去るチャンス。 <br>\r\n The gap opened during that instant of confusion caused by Virgilia's deception magic was Beato's only chance to escape. <br><br>\r\n そして、姉妹がワルギリアをベアトと誤解する唯一のチャンス。 <br>\r\n And, it was the only chance to make the sisters confuse Virgilia for Beato. <br><br>\r\n 両手を広げて愛弟子を庇うワルギリアの心臓の位置を正確に、黄金の蛇が打ち抜く…。 <br>\r\n As Virgilia spread her arms wide, blocking the way to her beloved disciple, the gold snake pierced straight through her heart... <br><br>\r\n 鍵穴より侵入し、譲治と紗音の二人を撃ち抜き、さらにワルギリアまでも撃ち抜いた黄金の蛇は、その瞬間に逃げ去ったベアトについては完全に気付けなかった…。 <br>\r\n After sneaking in through the keyhole, the snake shot through George, Shannon, and then Virgilia in an instant, completely failing to notice Beato as she used that instant to escape... <br><br>\r\n ワルギリアは、ベアトが逃げ切れたことを見届けると、事切れる。 <br>\r\n As soon as Virgilia saw that Beato had gotten away, she died. <br><br>\r\n ……がくりと脱力し、その姿をさらさらと風に飛ぶ砂金のようにして、姿を消していった…。 <br>\r\n ...The strength left her body, and like gold dust drifting with the wind, her form was erased... <br><br>\r\n ベアトは魔力の痕跡を完全に消し去り、黄金の蝶になって、壁をすり抜けて風雨の戸外へ逃げ去る……。 <br>\r\n Beato completely erased all traces of her magical power, became gold butterflies, and passed through the wall, escaping to the wind and rain outside... <br><br>\r\n 「………………くそ、 <br>\r\n ………くそくそ…。……おのれ、 <br>\r\n ……おのれぇええぇぇぇッ…！！」 <br>\r\n \".........Damn it, <br><br>\r\n ......damn it, damn it... ...You bitch, <br><br>\r\n ...you biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitch...!!\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトは心の底から悔しがる。 <br>\r\n Beato felt regret from the bottom of her heart. <br><br>\r\n 何に？ <br>\r\n 新しき魔女に襲われたから？ <br>\r\n Why? <br><br>\r\n Because she had been attacked by the new witch? <br><br>\r\n 多分、違う。 <br>\r\n Probably not. <br><br>\r\n 師匠を失ったことももちろん悔しい。 <br>\r\n Of course, she hated losing her teacher. <br><br>\r\n そしてそれ以上に、再会できた愛し合う二人の逢瀬を無粋に奪った蛮行に、ベアトは憤った。 <br>\r\n And even more importantly, Beato was enraged at the barbarism that had boorishly stolen away the reunion between two lovers. <br><br>\r\n ……二人を再会させるために、ベアトは魔力のほとんどを注ぎ込んだ。 <br>\r\n …その末に至った奇跡なのに、 <br>\r\n ……それを奪い去る時間はあまりに一瞬…！ <br>\r\n ...Beato had poured out almost all of her magical power to reunite them. <br><br>\r\n ...Even though the result had been a miracle, <br><br>\r\n ...the time it took to steal that away had been so ridiculously short...! <br><br>\r\n その呆気ないまでの蛮行の残酷さに、ベアトは打ち震える。 <br>\r\n Beato trembled at the barbarous cruelty that had brought about such an abrupt end. <br><br>\r\n ……そしてそれは、自らが犯してきた行為の正体でもあるのだ…。 <br>\r\n だからベアトは、新しき魔女を憎むのと同じだけ、かつての自らを嫌悪した。 <br>\r\n ...Besides, ...this was the true form of the acts she herself had committed up until that point... <br><br>\r\n So just as strongly as Beato hated the new witch, she also looked at her previous self with disgust. <br><br>\r\n だが、今は逃げなければ…。 <br>\r\n ……次に狙われれば命を落とすだろう。 <br>\r\n But now, she had to escape... <br><br>\r\n ...If she was targeted next, she would probably lose her life. <br><br>\r\n チェスのプレイヤーが、神様気取りで降臨し、駒に討ち取られたなんて、笑い話にもならないのだから。 <br>\r\n To think that a chess player had descended, thinking they were like a god, ...only to be attacked by the pieces. <br><br>\r\n 「４５、着弾確認、標的四散。……ま、間違いなく、先代さまを撃破しました…！」 <br>\r\n \"45, Impact Confirmed, Target Scattered. ...W-Without a doubt, we crushed the Predecessor-sama...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「まぁた私たちの撃墜記章が増えちまうにぇ。にひ！」 <br>\r\n \"Looks like our pile of kill medals is gonna get bigger again nyeh. Nihi!\" <br><br>\r\n 「愛し合う二人、……何だっけ？ 引き裂いて一度、会わせて二度、もう一度引き裂いて三度楽しめる、だっけ？ <br>\r\n \"What was that about loving couples? You get to enjoy tearing the two apart by death, reuniting them, and then tearing them apart again, right? <br><br>\r\n くっくくひひひひひっひひ！ <br>\r\n *cackle* Hihihihihihhihi!\" <br><br>\r\n そのついでにあのクソ五月蝿いババアまでさよならできて、最高にご機嫌よ。……ロノウェ、文句ないわよね？」 <br>\r\n \"And along with that, I get to say goodbye to that damn fussy old hag. ...Ronove, you don't have any complaints, right?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……ございませんとも。ベアトリーチェさま。」 <br>\r\n \"...I do not, Beatrice-sama.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あいつは、魔女の碑文の儀式を妨害したのよ？ 第一の晩の生贄を勝手に蘇らせて、私の儀式を妨害したわ。文句言われる筋合いなんか、なぁんにもないわよ。 <br>\r\n \"That person interfered with the ceremony of the witch's epitaph, you see? She revived a sacrifice from the first twilight without permission, obstructing my ceremony. She's got no right at all to complain.\" <br><br>\r\n くっひひひっひゃひゃひゃひゃ…！ しかしズルイなぁ、あいつは死体を残さないのね。……あのババァも、思いっきり何度も無限に虐め殺して遊んでやろうと思ったのに。くっひひひゃひゃひゃ…！！」 <br>\r\n \"Kuhhihihihhyahyahyahya...! But it sucks that she didn't leave a corpse behind. ...And I thought I'd be able to torture that old hag to death over and over again endlessly. Kuhhihihyahyahya...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n 「じょ、譲治が…？！ 来てないわよ、いつ降りたのよ？！」 <br>\r\n \"G-George did...?! No, I didn't see him. When did he come down?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……い、いつって…。あれは何時位だったっけ…？」 <br>\r\n \"...Wh-When, you say...? Uh, what hour was that, again...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「確か、…４時か５時くらいだったかなぁ。…最低でも１時間以上は前だよ…。」 <br>\r\n \"I think...it was probably around 4:00 or 5:00. ...At the very least, it was more than an hour ago...\" <br><br>\r\n 「俺たち、眠くなってその後は多分、居眠りしてたし…。 <br>\r\n \"We got sleepy...and probably dozed off after that... <br><br>\r\n でも多分、朱志香の言う通りだと思うぜ。１時間か２時間くらい前だった。」 <br>\r\n But I think it's probably like Jessica says. About one or two hours ago.\" <br><br>\r\n 「わ、私もそのくらいの頃だと記憶しています。コーヒーのお代わりはいるかと聞かれましたからな…。」 <br>\r\n \"I-I also remember something from around that time. I was asked if I wanted more coffee...\" <br><br>\r\n 信じ難いことが起きた…。 <br>\r\n Something hard to believe had happened... <br><br>\r\n 絵羽伯母さんが、ちょっとお手洗いに行っている間に、蔵臼伯父さんと夏妃伯母さんがいなくなってしまったというのだ。 <br>\r\n Apparently, when Aunt Eva had left for a second to wash her hands, Uncle Krauss and Aunt Natsuhi had disappeared. <br><br>\r\n どこかに隠れているわけもない。 <br>\r\n もちろん、戸締りは全て厳重で、内側から鍵が掛けられている。破られているものはひとつもない。 <br>\r\n There's no way they went hiding somewhere. <br><br>\r\n Of course, the doors and windows had all been rigorously checked, and all were locked from the inside. Not one of them was broken. <br><br>\r\n それは１階だけじゃない、２階も同様だ。 <br>\r\n また、全ての扉や窓について、その構造上、外からは掛けられない形の鍵を有している。 <br>\r\n And that wasn't just true for the first floor. The second floor was the same. <br><br>\r\n Again, all the doors and windows had locks built in a way that made it impossible to lock them from the outside. <br><br>\r\n …つまり、蔵臼伯父さんたちが外へ出たわけもないのだ。 <br>\r\n ……にもかかわらず、その姿がない。 <br>\r\n ...In other words, there was no way that Uncle Krauss and Aunt Natsuhi had gone outside. <br><br>\r\n ...And yet, they couldn't be found. <br><br>\r\n そして、姿を消したのは二人だけではなく、……何と譲治の兄貴もだった。 <br>\r\n Furthermore, they weren't the only ones who had disappeared. ...So had George-aniki, of all people. <br><br>\r\n 譲治の兄貴は、コーヒーのお代わりを取りに行くと言い残し、 <br>\r\n George-aniki had left saying he was going to get more coffee... <br><br>\r\n １時間以上は前に、下へ降りていったきりだ。 <br>\r\n and had gone downstairs more than an hour earlier. <br><br>\r\n きっと、絵羽伯母さんたちと会話が弾んでいるのだろうと思い込んでいたのだが、……ずっとロビーにいた絵羽伯母さんは、誰も降りてこなかったと話す。 <br>\r\n We'd assumed that he was having a conversation with Aunt Eva and the rest, ...but Aunt Eva, who had been in the lobby the whole time, said that no one had come down. <br><br>\r\n 全ての扉と窓が内側から施錠されている以上、…彼らが外へ出て行ったとは考えられない。 <br>\r\n Since all the doors and windows were locked from the inside, ...it was unthinkable that they had gone outside. <br><br>\r\n ……しかし、この完全な密室と化した篭城のゲストハウスから、人間が３人も蒸発したのだ……。 <br>\r\n ...However, three humans had evaporated from this barricaded guesthouse, which had become a perfect closed room... <br><br>\r\n このような状況下で、驚かすなんて悪戯のために、彼らが隠れん坊をする理由など考えられない。 <br>\r\n In a situation like this, we couldn't imagine that this was because they were playing hide-and-seek and trying to scare us with a prank. <br><br>\r\n ……事件に巻き込まれたと考えるのが妥当だろう…。 <br>\r\n ...It was probably reasonable to assume that they'd been caught up in this crime... <br><br>\r\n 絵羽伯母さんは、一人息子が失踪していたことを知り、半狂乱になって、部屋から部屋へ大声でその名を呼びながら駆け回っている。 <br>\r\n When Aunt Eva had learned that her only son was missing, she had gone half insane, running from room to room and yelling his name. <br><br>\r\n …そして、唐突に両親を失った朱志香も後に続く。 <br>\r\n ...And Jessica, who had suddenly lost both of her parents, had chased after her. <br><br>\r\n ゲストハウスの中には、譲治譲治という声と、父さん母さんという声が、いつまでも木霊し続けている…。 <br>\r\n Cries of `George, George' and `<NAME>' had continued to echo through the guesthouse for some time... <br><br>\r\n 譲治の兄貴は、紗音ちゃんの死に顔を見たい、というようなことを口にしていたと思う。 <br>\r\n I think George said something about wanting to see Shannon's dead face. <br><br>\r\n ……こっそりとゲストハウスを抜け出して、屋敷へ行ったと考えるのが妥当だった。 <br>\r\n ...It would be reasonable to assume that he snuck out of the guesthouse and went to the mansion. <br><br>\r\n …だが、蔵臼伯父さんたちについてはわからない。 <br>\r\n …それを察して、屋敷へ探しに行ったのだろうか…？ <br>\r\n ...But I didn't have a clue about Uncle Krauss and Aunt Natsuhi. <br><br>\r\n ...Did they see him leave...and then go to the mansion to search for him...? <br><br>\r\n 絵羽伯母さんに声も掛けずに…？ <br>\r\n Without even telling Aunt Eva...? <br><br>\r\n このままでは、ゲストハウスを出て彼らを探しに行こうという話になるのも、時間の問題だろう。 <br>\r\n At this rate, it's only a matter of time before we start planning to leave the guesthouse to go search for them. <br><br>\r\n ………この期に及んでは、俺もそれに賛成だ。 <br>\r\n ......When that time comes, I'll agree. <br><br>\r\n ゲストハウスに閉じ篭ってれば安全だと言って、俺たちは今朝、１２人もの大所帯でここに閉じ篭ったはずなんだ。 <br>\r\n We'd thought staying holed up in the guesthouse would be safe, which was why our big, happy group of 12 people locked themselves up here this morning. <br><br>\r\n なのにそれが、今やここには４人しかいない。 <br>\r\n ……つまり、ここにいることが安全を意味したりはしないのだ…。 <br>\r\n And yet, now there's only four of us left. <br><br>\r\n ...That means staying here is no guarantee of safety... <br><br>\r\n だが、…その前に忘れてはならないことがある。 <br>\r\n 全ての扉と窓が内側から閉ざされているということだ。 <br>\r\n However, ...there's one thing we can't afford to forget. <br><br>\r\n All the doors and windows were locked from the inside. <br><br>\r\n ……ここは密室なのだ。 <br>\r\n ...This is a closed room. <br><br>\r\n どうやって彼らはここから姿を消したというのか。 <br>\r\n How did they manage to vanish from this place? <br><br>\r\n 俺たちは徹底的に探し回った。 <br>\r\n しかし、誰かが隠れている痕跡は見つけられなかった。 <br>\r\n We searched around thoroughly. <br><br>\r\n However, we couldn't find any traces of someone hiding. <br><br>\r\n …ほぼ間違いなく、彼ら３人はゲストハウスの外へは連れ出されている。 <br>\r\n ...The three of them had almost certainly been taken outside the guesthouse. <br><br>\r\n 「………どうやってでしょう…。まさか、……隠し扉とかがあるとか。」 <br>\r\n \"......I wonder how it was done... You don't think...there might be something like a hidden door?\" <br><br>\r\n 「隠し扉…？」 <br>\r\n \"A hidden door...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…扉も窓も、外から閉めることは構造上、不可能です。釣り糸の類を使っても、この構造では無理でしょうな。 <br>\r\n \"...The doors and the windows were built in a way that makes them impossible to lock from the outside. Even using a fish line, it would probably be impossible with the way they're constructed. <br><br>\r\n となれば、扉や窓以外から出たと考えるのが妥当でしょう…。」 <br>\r\n So, it may be reasonable to assume that they left via something other than a door or a window...\" <br><br>\r\n 「………確かに。そういう論法にもなるだろうよ。……隠し扉が存在しないなんて断言は誰にもできない。 <br>\r\n \"......You're right. That does make logical sense. ...No one can be sure that no hidden doors exist.\" <br><br>\r\n …しかし、そういう発想に飛躍する前に、俺はもっとシンプルな可能性も疑ってる。」 <br>\r\n \"...However, before leaping to that conclusion, I suspect a much simpler possibility.\" <br><br>\r\n 「と、…申しますと……？」 <br>\r\n \"And...what would that be...?\" <br><br>\r\n 戦人はさっきから、窓を開け、鎧戸を開けては外を確かめる仕草をして、それを次々に繰り返していた。 <br>\r\n For some time, Battler had been opening windows, opening shutters, and checking outside, repeating this for each window. <br><br>\r\n 「………ん。…この窓は静かだな。 <br>\r\n \"......Hmm. ...This window's pretty quiet. <br><br>\r\n …なるほど、この窓は他と違って建物の構造上、風が吹き込まないわけか。」 <br>\r\n ...I see, unlike the other windows, because of how the building's shaped, the wind doesn't blow into this one.\" <br><br>\r\n 「そのようですな…。こんなにも外は風雨なのに、雨も風も入ってこないとは不思議な気持ちです。」 <br>\r\n \"It appears that way... It feels strange that no wind or rain comes in, even though there is so much of it outside.\" <br><br>\r\n 「南條先生。…今、窓を開けた時、音を感じたかい？」 <br>\r\n \"Doctor Nanjo, ...when I opened the window just now, did you hear a sound?\" <br><br>\r\n 「え？ ……いえ、気にはなりませんでしたな…。よく油が効いてると思います。」 <br>\r\n \"Huh? ...No, I did not notice it... I believe it is well oiled.\" <br><br>\r\n 「つまり。誰も見ていない廊下の窓から、ひょろっと抜け出すことは可能なわけだ。しかも、この窓なら風も吹き込まないから、風圧でカーテンや扉が音を立てることもない。……静かなもんさ。」 <br>\r\n \"In other words, it's possible to slink through a window in the hallway when no one is looking. Furthermore, the wind doesn't blow in through this window, so the air pressure wouldn't cause the curtains or a door to make a sound. It'd be quiet.\" <br><br>\r\n 戦人は身を乗り出し、下の地面を見る。 <br>\r\n …譲治が飛び降りたかもしれない跡を探しているのだ。 <br>\r\n Battler leaned forward and looked at the ground below. <br><br>\r\n ...He was searching for some sign that George had jumped down. <br><br>\r\n ……しかし、降りしきる雨の中の芝生には、一見、そういう痕跡は残っていないように思えた。 <br>\r\n ...But at a glance, he didn't see any mark like that on the grass in the middle of the pouring rain. <br><br>\r\n 「……こういう窓が、１階にもあるのかもしれない。誰にも気付かれずに表へ出ることは可能だぜ。」 <br>\r\n \"...There might also be a window like this on the first floor. It'd be possible to go outside without anyone noticing.\" <br><br>\r\n 「しかし扉は愚か、窓は全て施錠されて鎧戸まで閉まっていましたぞ…？ 出ることは可能でも、閉めることは不可能だ…。」 <br>\r\n \"However, not only the doors, but the windows too are all locked, and the shutters are even down as well, correct...? It may be possible to go out through them, but you couldn't lock them afterwards...\" <br><br>\r\n 「閉められるぜ？ こうやって、カチャンとな。」 <br>\r\n \"Sure you can lock them. Just like this, *click*\" <br><br>\r\n 戦人は、何を当り前なことをという仕草で、開いた窓を閉め、施錠する。 <br>\r\n Battler closed the window and locked it, as though this was perfectly obvious. <br><br>\r\n 「…………ま、……まさか、戦人さんは……………。」 <br>\r\n \"......B-Battler-san, you aren't saying.........\" <br><br>\r\n 「最後に、中の人間が鍵を閉めれば、こんな密室は朝飯前だ。」 <br>\r\n \"If someone inside locked it afterwards, this closed room is as easy as pie.\" <br><br>\r\n 「し、しかしそれでは、………それでは、……おおおぉぉ……。」 <br>\r\n \"B-But that means......that means, ...ooooooohhhh...\" <br><br>\r\n 南條は青ざめながら首を何度も横に振る。 <br>\r\n …戦人が口にしたそれは、想像するのも恐ろしいある事実を突きつけているからだ…。 <br>\r\n Nanjo turned pale and shook his head several times. <br><br>\r\n ...Because the thing Battler had said had forced him to face a fact that was frightening even to imagine... <br><br>\r\n 「……俺の想像したトリックならな？ <br>\r\n \"...That's only if the trick I'm thinking of actually happened, okay? <br><br>\r\n しかし、こんなトリックを使えば、怪しまれる人物は極めて限定される。」 <br>\r\n However, with this trick, only a very limited number of people can be suspected.\" <br><br>\r\n 南條の前でそれを口にしたくないが、…戦人とずっと一緒にいた朱志香を除けば、…それが出来るのは南條と、…絵羽しかいない。 <br>\r\n He didn't want to say it in front of Nanjo, ...but after eliminating Jessica, who had been with him the whole time, only Nanjo...and Eva could have done it. <br><br>\r\n 「わ、…私はそんなことをしませんぞ…！ え、えぇ、誓ってもいい…！！」 <br>\r\n \"I-I did not do anything of the sort...! Y-Yes, I swear it...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……となると、絵羽伯母さんと南條先生のアリバイ合戦ってことになる。…俺たちは、二人とも怪しんで、それぞれを別々に監禁すればいいだけの話。 <br>\r\n \"...In this case, it becomes a battle between Aunt Eva and Doctor Nanjo for an alibi. ...We just have to suspect both of you, and confine the two of you separately.\" <br><br>\r\n ………逆に言えば、このトリックは、もっと生存者が多ければ有効かもしれないが、これだけ人数が減った状況下では、大して有効ではないんだ。」 <br>\r\n \"......To say it the other way around, the more survivors there are, the more effective this trick might be, but since our numbers have shrunk so much, it isn't effective at all.\" <br><br>\r\n …いや、それどころか、自分の首を絞める可能性だってある。 <br>\r\n ...No, on the contrary, there'd be a chance of having your own neck strangled by using it. <br><br>\r\n ……むしろ、外に犯人がいるように見せ掛けるため、わざと鍵を開け放したり、窓を破ったりした方が好都合なはずなのだ…。 <br>\r\n ...It would have been more advantageous to make it look like the culprit was outside, to intentionally leave a door unlocked or break a window... <br><br>\r\n 「…………もしこの失踪劇が、今日の昼にでも起これば、俺は自信満々にこの説を発表しただろうよ。…だが、この段階に至っては全然自信が持てないぜ。…………何なんだ、こいつは。…一体何を意味してやがるんだ。………この“密室”はよ……。」 <br>\r\n \"......If this disappearance drama had taken place midday today, I'd be able to claim this theory with full confidence. ...However, at this stage, I'm not confident at all. ......What's going on here? ...What in the world does it mean? ......This `closed room'...\" <br><br>\r\n 「や、……やはりその………。」 <br>\r\n \"...Y-You don't think, umm......\" <br><br>\r\n 「ん？ 何だい、南條先生。 <br>\r\n \"Hmm? What is it, Doctor Nanjo? <br><br>\r\n …思いつきでもいいから言ってくれよ。」 <br>\r\n ...Even if it's just a thought, please say it.\" <br><br>\r\n 何かを思いついたようなのに、その言葉を飲み込んだように見えた為、俺はそれを促す。 <br>\r\n Nanjo looked like he was trying to swallow his words, even though he'd thought of something, so I urged him on. <br><br>\r\n 南條先生は、いえいえ下らない話ですと何度か断った挙句、ようやく口にした。 <br>\r\n After Doctor Nanjo refused several times, saying that it was just a foolish idea, he finally said it out loud. <br><br>\r\n 「……いえその。…………やはりこれは本当に、 <br>\r\n ……魔女の仕業ではないのか、と…。」 <br>\r\n \"...Well, umm, ......don't you think this might actually be... <br><br>\r\n ...the work of the witch...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「ば、…馬鹿馬鹿しい。 <br>\r\n \"R-Ridiculous. <br><br>\r\n 魔女なんているわけがねぇぜ。」 <br>\r\n There's no way witches exist.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……魔女は、私たちに訴えたいのです。…人間には出来ないことをやってのけるからこそ、…自分を魔女だと認めさせたいに違いないのです。…私はこのゲストハウス全体の密室からの失踪は、……そういう、魔女からのメッセージだと感じています……。…………考えてはならないのです。意味なんてきっとないのです。…おぉ、……わ、…私は恐ろしい……。」 <br>\r\n \"...The witch is trying to make her case to us. ...Specifically because she's doing things that humans cannot do, ...she must be trying to make us accept her as a witch. ...To me, this disappearance from the closed room of the entire guesthouse...feels like that kind of message from the witch... ......It's something I must not think of. Surely, it cannot mean anything. ...Oooh, ...I...I am frightened...\" <br><br>\r\n 南條先生はわなわなと震えながら、沸き起こる恐ろしい想像を次々に掻き消しているようだった。 <br>\r\n As Doctor Nanjo shook with fear, it looked like he was he was trying to erase the fearsome thoughts that he kept imagining one after the other. <br><br>\r\n ……下へ降りると、絵羽伯母さんと朱志香は憤り、それぞれの家族を探すためにここを出ようと気炎を上げていた。 <br>\r\n ...When we went down the stairs, Aunt Eva and Jessica were enraged, and were each persistent in their desire to leave this place and search for their respective families. <br><br>\r\n 家族の姿が見えなくなれば、駆られて当然の欲求だ。 <br>\r\n It was a desire that naturally hits those who can no longer see their family. <br><br>\r\n 絵羽伯母さんは、俺と南條先生にここに残るように言うが、俺は首を横に振り、歩み出た。 <br>\r\n Aunt Eva told Doctor Nanjo and me to stay here, but I shook my head and started walking. <br><br>\r\n 「………もう、引き篭もりはたくさんだぜ。…俺も外の空気を吸いたくなってきた。」 <br>\r\n \"......I've been shut up inside for a long time already. ...I've started wanting to breathe some outside air.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あぁ、行くならさっさと行こうぜ…！！ もうこんなところに閉じこもってるのは真っ平さ…！！ 早く父さんや母さんや、譲治兄さんを探しに行こう…！！」 <br>\r\n \"Yeah, if we're going, let's go quickly...!! There's no way I'm gonna keep myself shut up in a place like this any more...!! Let's go and find Mom, Dad, and George nii-san right now...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 朱志香はすっかり頭に血が上ってしまっている。 <br>\r\n …喘息の発作にならなければいいのだが。 <br>\r\n The blood had all risen to Jessica's head. <br><br>\r\n ...I hope it doesn't set off her asthma. <br><br>\r\n 「残りたい人は勝手に残ってればいいわ。とにかく私たちは表を探してくるわ…！」 <br>\r\n \"If anyone wants to stay, go ahead and stay. We'll be searching outside...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「南條先生はどうする…？ ひとりで留守番してるかい…？」 <br>\r\n \"What about you, <NAME>...? Will you watch the place by yourself...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「い、いえ…。私もご一緒させてください…。」 <br>\r\n \"N-No... Allow me to join you...\" <br><br>\r\n 安全がまったく保証されていないゲストハウスにひとりで篭るくらいなら、危険地帯ではあっても４人一緒の方がまだマシだろう。 <br>\r\n Rather than holing up alone in a guesthouse whose security was by no means guaranteed, it would be better to enter a danger zone as a group of four people. <br><br>\r\n 絵羽伯母さんは銃を持っている。 <br>\r\n 彼女と行動を別にするのは、自分を次の犠牲者にしてくれと名乗り出るようなものだ。 <br>\r\n <NAME> had a gun. <br><br>\r\n Moving separately from her was almost like asking to be made into the next victim. <br><br>\r\n こうして俺たち４人はゲストハウスを出ることになった。 <br>\r\n In this way, the four of us decided to leave the guesthouse. <br><br>\r\n ……ここに篭城すれば安全と言って俺たちは篭り、……そして８人を失った。 <br>\r\n ...Even though it should have been safe to barricade ourselves here, ...we lost eight people after doing so. <br><br>\r\n それはまるで、生贄を順番に殺すための控え室でしかなかったかのようだ。 <br>\r\n It was almost as though it this was a holding cell from which the sacrifices could be killed one after another. <br><br>\r\n チェーンを外し、鍵を開けて玄関の扉を開く。 <br>\r\n We removed the chain, unlocked the front door and opened it. <br><br>\r\n もう辺りは真っ暗だ。 <br>\r\n 表には、一応、外灯があり、足元をそこそこには照らしてくれるが、……不審者が潜んでいそうな暗闇を照らし出すほどの力はない。 <br>\r\n It was already pitch black. <br><br>\r\n While there were some lights outside that dimly lit the pathway, ...they didn't have enough power to pierce the darkness that some suspicious person might be hiding in. <br><br>\r\n 「行くわよ…！ 遅れても知らないんだからね…？！」 <br>\r\n \"I'm going...! If you fall behind, you're on your own, okay...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 絵羽伯母さんが、銃を構えたまま、傘も差さずに飛び出していく。 <br>\r\n Still holding her gun, <NAME> dashed out without an umbrella. <br><br>\r\n 朱志香もその後に続く。 <br>\r\n Jessica followed after her. <br><br>\r\n 俺と南條先生は顔を見合わせてから、二人のあとに続き、駆け出すのだった。 <br>\r\n After glancing at each other, <NAME> and I chased after them. <br><br>\r\n …一体、この屋敷では、この島では、何が起こってるっていうんだ。 <br>\r\n ...What in the world is happening in this mansion, on this island? <br><br>\r\n 俺はいとこみんなで、昨日からずっとゲストハウスのいとこ部屋に篭っているだけだ。 <br>\r\n だからその外のことは何もわからない。 <br>\r\n I've just been shut up in the guesthouse with the rest of the cousins since yesterday. <br><br>\r\n So I don't know anything about what's going on outside. <br><br>\r\n 一体、俺の知らない、部屋の外では、屋敷では、そしてこの島では何が起こっているっていうんだ。 <br>\r\n Just what is happening that I don't know about... <br><br>\r\n outside this room, in the mansion, on this island? <br><br>\r\n ……俺に与り知れないうちに全てが起こり、全てが進み、…そして、全てが終わろうとしている。 <br>\r\n ...Everything is happening, everything is proceeding, ...and everything is ending without my knowing it. <br><br>\r\n 俺は心のどこかで、すでに諦め始めていた。 <br>\r\n Somewhere in my heart, I've already started giving up. <br><br>\r\n …俺たちはおそらく、……誰一人、明日の朝を迎えられはしないだろう。 <br>\r\n ...Most likely, ...not one of us will see tomorrow morning. <br><br>\r\n うみねこのなく頃に、誰も生き残れはしない…。 <br>\r\n When the seagulls cry, nobody will be left alive... <br><br>\r\n 「父さん…、……母さん……！！ 誰がこんなことを…！！ ううあああああぁああぁあぁあ…！！」 <br>\r\n \"Dad, ...Mom...!! Who would do something like this...?!! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 朱志香の悲しい声が、薔薇庭園に木霊した…。 <br>\r\n Jessica's woeful voice echoed throughout the rose garden... <br><br>\r\n やはり、この島に住んでいる人間の勘なのだろう。 <br>\r\n Perhaps it was the intuition of a person who lived on this island. <br><br>\r\n …朱志香は薔薇庭園の、楼座叔母さんたちが倒れていた場所を見て、何もないことを確かめると、次に東屋を見に行った。 <br>\r\n ...After checking the part of the rose garden where Aunt Rosa and Maria had fallen and seeing nothing, Jessica went to look in the arbor next. <br><br>\r\n 東屋は、本来なら天気の良い日に薔薇を愛でながらお茶をするのに最高のロケーションだろう。 <br>\r\n Normally, the arbor was probably a wonderful location to enjoy tea peacefully while appreciating the roses on a good sunny day. <br><br>\r\n ……案外、あの蔵臼伯父さんと夏妃伯母さんにも、そこで二人でお茶を飲んでくつろぐ日もあったのかもしれない。 <br>\r\n ...Maybe even Uncle Krauss and Aunt Natsuhi...had days when they relaxed and enjoyed their tea together here. <br><br>\r\n ……その東屋に、蔵臼伯父さんと夏妃伯母さんの遺体が横たわっていた。 <br>\r\n ...In that arbor lay their corpses. <br><br>\r\n 楼座叔母さんたちの時と違い、せめて雨曝しになっていないのだけが幸いだろうが、そんなこと、今の朱志香に口にできるわけもない…。 <br>\r\n At least they aren't drenched in the rain like Aunt Rosa and Maria had been, but there was no way I could say that out loud to Jessica at the moment... <br><br>\r\n 「……どうなんだ、南條先生。」 <br>\r\n \"...What do you think, Doctor Nanjo?\" <br><br>\r\n 「こ、…絞殺ですな。 <br>\r\n \"...St-Strangulation, I believe. <br><br>\r\n …ほら、御覧なさい。首に、くっきりと何か細いもので絞めた跡が残っている。」 <br>\r\n ...Come, take a look at this. On their necks, there are distinct markings that something thin was used to strangle them.\" <br><br>\r\n 「だな。……まさかこっちが、主たる死因のわけはねぇだろうよ。」 <br>\r\n \"Right. ...I doubt those things were the primary cause for their deaths.\" <br><br>\r\n …そこに転がる２本のオカルト意匠の施された杭状の凶器は、発見時には、蔵臼伯父さんの太股付近に、夏妃伯母さんのふくらはぎ付近に、それぞれ打ち込まれていた。 <br>\r\n Right there...lay two stake-like weapons decorated with an occult design, which had been found driven into Uncle Krauss's thigh area...and near Aunt Natsuhi's calf. <br><br>\r\n 親父たちの額やら胸やらに突き刺さっていた時は、警察が来るまでの現場保全のためにと、抜くことさえ許されなかったが、……もはや朱志香はそんなことは構わず、痛々しい姿の二人のために、すぐに抜き取った。 <br>\r\n When we found these sticking out of my parents' forehead and chest, we decided to preserve the crime scene and leave them for the police, ...but Jessica didn't care about such matters and immediately pulled the stakes out of her parents' forsaken bodies. <br><br>\r\n 「……これで、頭、胸、腹、膝、足の５つを抉られた死体が出たわけね。」 <br>\r\n \"...By now, bodies gouged in the head, chest, stomach, knee, and leg have been found.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ううぅううぅうぅ、くそくそくそ！！ 犯人め、殺してやるッ、殺してやるッ！！ うわああぁあぁぁぁぁ…！！」 <br>\r\n \"Aaaaaaaaahh, damn it, damn it, damn it!! I'll kill that murderer, kill him!! Uwaaaaaaaaaahhh...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……第八の晩まではこれで終わったわ。…続くは第九の晩なの？ ……魔女は蘇り、誰も生き残れはしない。」 <br>\r\n \"...With this, the eighth twilight has been completed. ...Is this going to continue onto the ninth twilight? ...The witch shall be revived, and none shall be left alive.\" <br><br>\r\n 「上等だぜ…。……魔女が蘇るってことは、 <br>\r\n …犯人が堂々と姿を現してくれるってことなんだろ？！ <br>\r\n \"Bring it on... ...If the witch revives, <br><br>\r\n ...that means the culprit is gonna make his grand appearance, right?! <br><br>\r\n 何が誰も生き残れないだ…。……私が殺してやる…！ 父さんと母さんを殺した犯人を、この手で絶対に殺してやる…！！」 <br>\r\n No one's going to be left alive? Bullshit... ...I'll kill him...! I'll definitely kill the culprit who killed Dad and Mom with my own hands...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 朱志香は感情をむき出しにして吼え猛る。 <br>\r\n ……悲しみに押し潰されないためには、怒りでそれに抗う他がないのだ。 <br>\r\n Jessica let her emotions flow out as she howled furiously. <br><br>\r\n ...To avoid being crushed by grief, she could do nothing but resist it with anger. <br><br>\r\n 「………まだ、…譲治が見つかってないわ。…朱志香ちゃんたちは、ここにいたければいるといい。私は屋敷へ行くわ。」 <br>\r\n \"...We still...haven't found George. ...Jessica, you children had better stay here. I'll go into the mansion.\" <br><br>\r\n 「え、絵羽さん、バラバラに行動してはいけない…！！ みんなで一緒に行動しなくては危険です…！」 <br>\r\n \"E-Eva-san, we mustn't split up...!! It's dangerous if we do not all stick together...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「兄さんたちはもうどうしようもないわ。 <br>\r\n \"There's nothing we can do for Nii-san or his wife. <br><br>\r\n でも譲治はまだどこかで生きてるかも知れない…！ ここで時間を潰してる暇はないのよ…！！」 <br>\r\n But George may be still alive somewhere...! I have no time to waste here...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 絵羽伯母さんがそう叫ぶと、朱志香はぎょろりと睨みつける。 <br>\r\n As Aunt Eva screamed this, Jessica glared at her. <br><br>\r\n …彼女にはもはや、死者にこれ以上構う暇はないのだ。 <br>\r\n まだ姿の見えない一人息子の安否の方が気がかりなのだ。 <br>\r\n ...Eva had no more time to bother about the dead. <br><br>\r\n She was more concerned for the safety of her only son, who had yet to be seen. <br><br>\r\n 「朱志香ちゃんはここでお父さんとお母さんの傍にいるといい。私はちょっと屋敷に行ってくるわ。戦人くんも南條先生もここにいてくれていい。」 <br>\r\n \"Jessica-chan, you should stay by your father and mother's side. I'll make a short trip to the mansion. Battler-kun and Doctor Nanjo, you two can stay here as well.\" <br><br>\r\n 絵羽伯母さんは、それだけを一方的に言うと、東屋を飛び出していく。 <br>\r\n After arbitrarily saying this, <NAME> rushed out of the arbor. <br><br>\r\n 俺が、待てよと声を掛けるが、足を止めるわけもなかった。 <br>\r\n I called out to stop her, but there was no way she would listen. <br><br>\r\n …しかし、この状況下でひとり孤立することは、今や死を意味する。 <br>\r\n ...However, being alone in this situation meant nothing short of death. <br><br>\r\n 黙って行かせれば、それは見殺しを意味するのだ。 <br>\r\n 絵羽伯母さんが足を止めない以上、俺たちは彼女を追うしかない。 <br>\r\n If we silently watched her leave, it would be the same as letting her die. <br><br>\r\n Since Aunt Eva was unwilling to stop, we had no choice but to follow her. <br><br>\r\n ……それに、残酷ではあるが、蔵臼伯父さんたちはすでに死んでいて、これ以上できることは何もない…。 <br>\r\n ...And, while it may be cruel to say so, Uncle Krauss and Aunt Natsuhi were already dead, so there was nothing more we could do for them... <br><br>\r\n 結局、俺たちは、朱志香を慰めて、全員で屋敷に行く他なかった。 <br>\r\n In the end, we had no choice but to console Jessica and head for the mansion together. <br><br>\r\n …幸い、朱志香は立ち上がってくれた。 <br>\r\n ...Fortunately, Jessica stood up. <br><br>\r\n 悲しみに一区切りがついたのだろう。 <br>\r\n ……しかし、代わりに浮かべている形相はまるで鬼のそれだ。 <br>\r\n Perhaps she had been able to break free from her grief. <br><br>\r\n ...But...what had surfaced in its place was an expression like a demon's. <br><br>\r\n 「…私がこの手でぶっ殺して、……必ず仇を取ってやる………。 <br>\r\n \"...I'll kill that person with my own hands, ...I'll definitely avenge them...... <br><br>\r\n ……行こうぜ、戦人。犯人を見つけたら邪魔をするなよ。私が絶対に殺す…！！」 <br>\r\n ...Let's go, Battler. If we find the culprit, don't get in my way. I'm definitely gonna kill them...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………俺も親父たちの仇があるんだ。悪ぃが早い者勝ちだぜ。」 <br>\r\n \"......I've got my own parents to avenge. Sorry, but this is first come, first serve.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…あぁ、…そうだな…。 <br>\r\n \"...Yeah, ...that's right... <br><br>\r\n ……ぶっ殺してやろうぜッ！」 <br>\r\n ...Let's kill them!\" <br><br>\r\n 俺の言葉に、ようやく朱志香は自らの気持ちを共感してもらえたことを感じたのだろう。 <br>\r\n 物騒な表情ではあるが、少しだけ朱志香が正気に戻るのを感じた。 <br>\r\n At my words, Jessica finally seemed to feel like we sympathized with her emotions. <br><br>\r\n She still had that dark expression, but I felt that Jessica had regained some of her sanity. <br><br>\r\n 俺たちは駆け出す。 <br>\r\n 絵羽伯母さんの後を追う。 <br>\r\n We took off. <br><br>\r\n Chasing after Aunt Eva. <br><br>\r\n 薔薇庭園を駆け抜け、石段を駆け上がり、……稲光にその大きな黒い影で威圧するような、屋敷をまっしぐらに目指す。 <br>\r\n Through the rose garden, up the stone steps, running at full speed towards the mansion, ...whose large, intimidating shadow flashed in the lightning. <br><br>\r\n ……これで、碑文の殺人は第八の晩を終えた。 <br>\r\n ...With this, the murders of the epitaph have reached the eighth twilight. <br><br>\r\n そして続く第九の晩に、魔女は蘇る。 <br>\r\n And then, on the ninth twilight, the witch shall revive. <br><br>\r\n …誰も生き残れはしない。 <br>\r\n ...None shall be left alive. <br><br>\r\n 俺は命を、恐らく失うだろう。 <br>\r\n I will most likely lose my life. <br><br>\r\n ……だがせめて、真相をこの目に焼き付けたい。 <br>\r\n それだけが、今の自分を動かす原動力だった。 <br>\r\n ...But at the very least, I want to burn the truth into my eyes. <br><br>\r\n That's the only thing motivating me to move right now. <br><br>\r\n 俺たちは、玄関で鍵開けに苦闘している絵羽伯母さんに何とか合流できた。 <br>\r\n We were able to meet up with Aunt Eva, who was having trouble with the lock to the front door. <br><br>\r\n 絵羽伯母さんは相当頭に血が上っているようだ。それが指を不器用にさせてしまっているのだろう。 <br>\r\n ただ鍵穴に鍵を差し込むだけでも、うまく出来ないようだった。 <br>\r\n It seemed that all the blood had risen to Aunt Eva's head. That was probably making her fingers clumsy. <br><br>\r\n It looked like she couldn't even handle the simple task of inserting the key into the lock. <br><br>\r\n …すると軽やかな音。 <br>\r\n ...Then, there was a faint sound. <br><br>\r\n 鍵の開く音がする。 <br>\r\n まるで、全ての生き残りが揃ったのを見計らって開いたかのよう。 <br>\r\n The sound of the door unlocking. <br><br>\r\n Just as though it had waited for all the survivors to unite before opening. <br><br>\r\n ……悪意ある屋敷が、残った人間全てを一度に飲み込もうとしているかのように、俺には見えるのだった…。 <br>\r\n It felt to me as though the malicious mansion...was trying to swallow up all the remaining humans at once... <br><br>\r\n 扉を開けた途端に中より噴出した異臭は、…果たして臭いだけで説明できるものだったのだろうか。 <br>\r\n Perhaps the stench that erupted outwards the instant the door opened...couldn't be described as just a smell. <br><br>\r\n 祖父さまの焼け焦げた臭いだけじゃない。 <br>\r\n It wasn't just the charred smell from Grandfather. <br><br>\r\n ……多分、使用人の人たちや親父たちなどの、何人もの死者たちの無念のようなものも含まれていたのではないかと思う。 <br>\r\n ...I think it also may have contained the regrets of the servants and Dad's group, ...all of the dead. <br><br>\r\n …それがぶわっと溢れ出し、俺たちを仰け反らせたのはどういう意味なのか。 <br>\r\n ...What did it mean as it floated out, overwhelming us? <br><br>\r\n ……入るな、という死者たちの叫びなのか。 <br>\r\n ...Was it the cry of the dead, telling us not to enter? <br><br>\r\n しかし、絵羽伯母さんはそんなものには怯まない。 <br>\r\n However, Aunt Eva didn't even flinch at something like that. <br><br>\r\n ……そして、彼女の背中を追わなければならない俺たちは、そのメッセージを受け取りつつも、屋敷に踏み入らねばならない…。 <br>\r\n ...And we who had to chase after her...were forced to step into the mansion, even after receiving that message... <br><br>\r\n 「譲治？！ 譲治！！ 聞こえたら返事をしなさいッ！ 譲治ぃいいぃ！！」 <br>\r\n \"George?! George!! If you can hear me, answer! Geoooooorge!!\" <br><br>\r\n 絵羽伯母さんはあらん限りの声で叫ぶ。 <br>\r\n Aunt Eva shouted at the top of her lungs. <br><br>\r\n ……状況を考えれば、生きていると考えるのは、あまりに楽観が過ぎるだろう。 <br>\r\n ...Considering the situation, it's probably far too optimistic to imagine that he's alive. <br><br>\r\n 絵羽伯母さんに習って、俺たちも大声で譲治の兄貴の名を呼んだ時。 <br>\r\n …絵羽伯母さんが何かを見つけ、足を止めた。 <br>\r\n When we started following Aunt Eva's example and calling out George's name in loud voices... <br><br>\r\n ...Aunt Eva spotted something...and stopped walking. <br><br>\r\n そこは客間の扉の前だった。 <br>\r\n She was standing in front of the door to the parlor. <br><br>\r\n 「………これは………？ <br>\r\n \"......What is this......? <br><br>\r\n な、南条先生、ちょっと来てもらえるかしら……。」 <br>\r\n D-Doctor Nanjo, could you come here for a second...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「な、何事ですかな……。」 <br>\r\n \"Wh-What is it...?\" <br><br>\r\n 大人たちから、客間の扉などに、不気味な魔法陣が書かれている、という話は聞いていた。 <br>\r\n I'd heard about the eerie magic circles written on doors, like the one on the parlor, from the adults. <br><br>\r\n ……血を想起させる真っ赤な塗料で書きなぐられ、だらりと滴り落ちるように描かれたそれは、不気味という言葉で言い表す他がない。 <br>\r\n ...Eerie is the only word to describe that thing, which was scribbled with a deep-red paint, reminiscent of blood, so that it slowly dripped down. <br><br>\r\n しかし、それは朝から描かれていたはずだ。 <br>\r\n However, that had supposedly been there since this morning. <br><br>\r\n ……すでにそれを見ているはずの絵羽伯母さんが、改めて不審に思う何があるのかと、俺と朱志香は扉を凝視した…。 <br>\r\n ...Wondering why <NAME>, who had supposedly seen it already, would think it odd now, Jessica and I stared at the door... <br><br>\r\n 「……確かに、………こんな数字が、書かれていた記憶はありません。」 <br>\r\n \"...Certainly, ......I have no memory of numbers such as these being written here.\" <br><br>\r\n 「えぇ、なかったわ。……不気味な魔法文字みたいなのは書かれていたけど、数字は書かれていなかった。」 <br>\r\n \"Right, they weren't. ...Eerie magical characters were written here, but not numbers.\" <br><br>\r\n 二人が言うには、朝の時点では、魔法陣だけが描かれていたという。 <br>\r\n しかし、今そこの魔法陣には、その上辺りに、８桁の数字が新たに記されていた。 <br>\r\n From what the two of them said, only the magic circle had been there this morning. <br><br>\r\n However, right now, there were eight digits written near the upper part of the magic circle. <br><br>\r\n ０７１５１１２９。 <br>\r\n 07151129. <br><br>\r\n …何の意味があるのかわからないが、何を思い、この数字を記したのか、想像したくもない。 <br>\r\n ...I didn't know what it meant, but I didn't even want to imagine what someone had been thinking when they wrote it. <br><br>\r\n 魔法陣を描いたのと同じ塗料だろうが、…明らかについ最近、記されたものだ。 <br>\r\n It was drawn with the same paint as the magic circle, ...but it had clearly been written very recently. <br><br>\r\n 魔法陣の部分と乾き方や色の具合がまったく違った。 <br>\r\n The way it had dried and the condition of the color was completely different from the magic circle part. <br><br>\r\n 「………へっ。どうせ、魔法的な意味があるんだろうぜ。深く考えたって、意味なんかあるわけもないさ。」 <br>\r\n \"......Heh. I'm sure it just has some magical meaning. No point wasting time thinking about it.\" <br><br>\r\n 朱志香は、不気味さを一蹴するかのように、わざと吐き捨てて言う。 <br>\r\n Jessica intentionally spat those words out in an attempt to push aside the eerie feel it gave off. <br><br>\r\n 「ま、…魔~ib~方~ib~陣、というものかもしれませんな。……ある種の数字遊びに魔除けが宿るという考え方です。 <br>\r\n \"It...could be a magic~ib~ square~ib~. ...The idea that a ward against magic can reside in a certain sort of number play. <br><br>\r\n どの列を足しても同じ数字になる、みたいなものを、皆さんも見聞きしたことがおありでしょう…。」 <br>\r\n I believe everyone has heard of the one where adding all of the numbers in each row and column leads to the same sum...\" <br><br>\r\n 「あれは、四角形の中に埋めた数字の話じゃなかった？ これは横一列だもの。何の意味があるのかさっぱりだわ。 <br>\r\n \"Wasn't that a group of numbers buried in a rectangle? This is just a single row. I don't have a clue what it could mean. <br><br>\r\n ……多分、朱志香ちゃんの言うのが正解よ。私たちが深く考えたところで、意味なんか何もないわ…。」 <br>\r\n ...What Jessica-chan said is probably correct. There isn't any point in us wasting time thinking about it...\" <br><br>\r\n そうはいいつつも、ひょっとすると何か意味があるかもしれないと訝しがっているのだろう。 <br>\r\n Even though she said that, she probably suspected that it actually meant something. <br><br>\r\n 絵羽伯母さんは、ポケットの中の古レシートか何かに、その数字を短いボールペンで器用に記していた。 <br>\r\n Aunt Eva was deftly writing that number down on an old receipt or something with a short ballpoint pen. <br><br>\r\n ８桁の数字では、何か規則性でもない限り、ちょっと暗記では難しいだろうから。 <br>\r\n Unless it had some obvious pattern, it'd probably be tough to memorize a code made up of an eight-digit number. <br><br>\r\n ……………………………。 <br>\r\n ............ <br><br>\r\n 「……これ、 <br>\r\n ……日にちとか、 <br>\r\n ……な。」 <br>\r\n \"...Could... <br><br>\r\n ...this be a date, <br><br>\r\n ...or something?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「日にち…？ 何の話…？」 <br>\r\n \"A date...? What are you talking about...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「いや、…偶然だろうけどな。俺の誕生日、 <br>\r\n \"Well, ...it's probably a coincidence, but my birthday...... <br><br>\r\n ７月１５日なんだ。 <br>\r\n is July 15. <br><br>\r\n …０７１５が７月１５日を示すのかなって思ったら、１１２９もほらその、１１月２９日って読んだら、ちょうどゴロがいいかなって思ってよ…。」 <br>\r\n ...Once I thought that 0715 might refer to July 15, I figured that if 1129 stood for November 29, maybe that'd fit perfectly...\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………何で戦人の誕生日がこんなとこに書いてあるんだよ。そして１１月２９日って何だよ…。」 <br>\r\n \"......Why would your birthday be written in a place like this? And what's up with November 29...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「俺が知りてぇぜ…。まぁその、…たまたまの偶然だろうけどな。そう考えたら何だか不気味になっちまったぜ。 <br>\r\n \"That's what I wanna know... Still, ...it's probably just a coincidence. When I thought about it, it started to feel a little creepy. <br><br>\r\n ……１１月２９日が、誰かの誕生日だったりとかするのか？ うちの家族は違うぜ、親父も霧江さんも縁寿も違う。もちろん俺のお袋もだ。」 <br>\r\n ...What if someone's birthday was November 29? That's not the birthday of anyone else in my family, not Dad or Kyrie-san or Ange. And of course, it isn't my Mom's either.\" <br><br>\r\n 「心当たりがありませんな…。…金蔵さんの誕生日でも、源次さんの誕生日でもないはずだ。」 <br>\r\n \"Nothing comes to mind... ...I don't believe it's Kinzo-san's or Genji-san's birthday.\" <br><br>\r\n 「うちの家族も違うわよ。楼座や真里亞ちゃんでもないわ。」 <br>\r\n \"It isn't from my family either. And it isn't Rosa's or Maria-chan's.\" <br><br>\r\n 「うちの家族だって違うぜ…。嘉音くんも違うし、紗音も違う。 <br>\r\n \"It can't be anyone in my family... And it isn't Kanon-kun's or Shannon's. <br><br>\r\n ……私、使用人の人の誕生日にはちゃんとプレゼント渡してるから、みんな知ってるけど、１１月２９日に誕生日の人間なんて知らないぜ…。」 <br>\r\n ...I always give the servants presents on their birthdays, so I know it for all of them, but I don't know anyone who was born on November 29...\" <br><br>\r\n 無意味だと思っていた８桁の数字も、日にちが二つ書いてあると思い込めば、そういう風にも見えてくる。 <br>\r\n Once we started imagining that the eight digits weren't meaningless, but actually two dates written together, it really started to look that way. <br><br>\r\n ……しかし、実際の意味は全然違うかもしれないし、意味なんかないかもしれない。 <br>\r\n とにかく、心当たりがない以上、これ以上をここで悩んでも仕方ないだろう。 <br>\r\n ...However, its true meaning may be something completely different, or there may be no meaning at all. <br><br>\r\n Anyway, since we don't have any real clues, it's probably pointless to stand around here worrying about it. <br><br>\r\n ……それよりも重要なのは、この客間の中だ。 <br>\r\n ...The inside of the parlor's much more important. <br><br>\r\n 今朝、魔法陣が描かれた６つの扉の中には、いずれも犠牲者の遺体が横たわっていた。 <br>\r\n This morning, behind each of the doors with a magic circle drawn on them...had been the body of a victim. <br><br>\r\n …そして、新しく数字が書き加えられた客間に <br>\r\n ...So, if something new has been added to this door, <br><br>\r\n は、何が新しく~ib~増えているのか~ib~。 <br>\r\n does that mean something new ~ib~has been added~ib~ inside the parlor? <br><br>\r\n 絵羽伯母さんが開けようとすると施錠の手応え。 <br>\r\n すぐにマスターキーを取り出し、それを鍵穴に当てる。 <br>\r\n When Aunt Eva tried to open it, she felt the resistance of the lock. <br><br>\r\n She immediately took out a master key and put it in the keyhole. <br><br>\r\n 扉を開けると、……すぐに絵羽伯母さんが鋭い悲鳴をあげて、中に駆け込んだ。 <br>\r\n As soon as she opened the door, ...Aunt Eva let out a high-pitched scream and ran inside. <br><br>\r\n もう、それだけで、室内の状況は理解できた…。 <br>\r\n That alone was enough to tell us what had happened inside the room... <br><br>\r\n 俺は南条先生と顔を見合わせ、首を小さく横に振りながら客間に入る…。 <br>\r\n Doctor Nanjo and I looked at each other, and I shook my head slightly as we entered the parlor... <br><br>\r\n 「譲治！！ <br>\r\n \"George!! <br><br>\r\n 譲治ぃ！！ <br>\r\n Geooooorge!! <br><br>\r\n しっかりして…！！ 譲治ぃいいいぃ！！ 南條先生、早くッ！！」 <br>\r\n Hang in there...!! Geoooooooooorge!! <NAME>, quickly!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 譲治の兄貴は、紗音ちゃんの遺体と一緒に倒れていた。 <br>\r\n George-aniki lay there crumpled alongside Shannon-chan's corpse. <br><br>\r\n 胸が真っ赤に染まっている。そして見開いたままの瞳からは、…絵羽伯母さんには悪いが、 <br>\r\n His chest was stained bright red. And judging by his still-opened eyes, ...I'd hate to say it to Aunt Eva, <br><br>\r\n ……生きている気配を感じることはできなかった。 <br>\r\n ...but I couldn't pick up any signs of life. <br><br>\r\n 南條先生は脈を取るような仕草をした後、 <br>\r\n After moving to take George's pulse, <br><br>\r\n …首を横に振り、もはや死んでいることを無言で告げる。 <br>\r\n ...Doctor Nanjo shook his head, wordlessly reporting that George was dead. <br><br>\r\n それを押しのけ、絵羽伯母さんは再び譲治の兄貴にしがみ付くと、あらん限りの声を張り上げて泣き叫んだ…。 <br>\r\n Brushing him aside, <NAME> once again crouched beside George-aniki...and started crying at the top of her lungs... <br><br>\r\n この、…兄貴の死で、ひとつ確実にわかったことがある。 <br>\r\n With Aniki's death, ...one thing is certain. <br><br>\r\n 殺人は、第八の晩まででは終わらない。 <br>\r\n The murders hadn't ended on the eighth twilight. <br><br>\r\n 第九の晩の、“そして誰も生き残れない”までを含めて、全て完全な形で実行されるのだ…。 <br>\r\n The epitaph was being carried out in its complete form, including the ninth twilight, `And none shall be left alive'... <br><br>\r\n 俺はもう何が何やらわからなくなる。 <br>\r\n I was really starting to lose track of things. <br><br>\r\n …絵羽伯母さんの半狂乱な泣き声が、なぜかかえって、俺を冷めさせた…。 <br>\r\n ...For some reason, Aunt Eva's half-crazed cries actually made me cool down... <br><br>\r\n …がっくりと脱力した俺は、どさりとソファーに腰を落とし、どっかりと足をテーブルの上に投げ出した。 <br>\r\n ...Crestfallen and exhausted, I flopped onto the sofa and plunked my feet on top of the table. <br><br>\r\n 何度も繰り返される殺人に、俺の心は麻痺してしまったんだろうか。 <br>\r\n ……恐ろしいというよりも、訳がわからないという気持ちの方が強い。 <br>\r\n Maybe all these murders numbed my heart. <br><br>\r\n Instead of just being frightened, I felt completely confused. <br><br>\r\n 親父も霧江さんも死に、使用人の人たちを皮切りに、次々、次々に殺された。 <br>\r\n …そりゃあもうすげぇ勢いでだ。 <br>\r\n Dad and Kyrie-san are dead, and people have been killed off one by one, starting with the servants. <br><br>\r\n ...And there's been a hell of a lot of them by now. <br><br>\r\n 最初の殺人が何時の時点で始まったか知らねぇが、…それこそ、時速１人くらいのスピードで殺されてるんじゃねぇだろうか。 <br>\r\n I don't know when the first murder happened, ...but they might have been killed at a rate of about one person per hour by now. <br><br>\r\n 明日の９時くらいに、船が迎えに来てくれると俺たちは信じている。 <br>\r\n ……それまで、まだ１２時間以上もたっぷりあるんだぞ。 <br>\r\n We believe that the boat will come for us around 9:00 tomorrow. <br><br>\r\n ...There's still a full 12 hours until then. <br><br>\r\n …あと、魔女の生贄が何人いてくれりゃ、俺たちは生き残れるってんだ…。 <br>\r\n ...How many more sacrifices to the witch will there have to be for us to survive...? <br><br>\r\n 俺たち４人じゃ、１時間に１人で、…４時間しかもたない。今夜の２４時だって、もはや迎えられるかわからないのだ…。 <br>\r\n With the four of us, if one goes each hour, ...we won't last any longer than four hours. We don't even know if we'll last until midnight tonight... <br><br>\r\n ……昨日、この客間には、昼飯の後に入った。 <br>\r\n ...Yesterday, after lunch, we came into this parlor. <br><br>\r\n 楼座叔母さんが買ってきたとかいう紅茶を淹れようという話になった辺りで、ちょうど俺たちは散歩に行こうって話になったんだ。 <br>\r\n Just as they started talking about serving some tea Aunt Rosa had bought, we kids decided to take a walk. <br><br>\r\n ……真里亞がはしゃいでたな。 <br>\r\n ...Maria was jumping around, wasn't she? <br><br>\r\n …紗音ちゃんが、クッキーを持ってきてくれたっけ。 <br>\r\n ...Didn't Shannon-chan bring us some cookies? <br><br>\r\n 熊沢さんが焼いたとか言ってたな。 <br>\r\n She said Kumasawa-san had baked them, or something. <br><br>\r\n ……サバの焼いたのでも本当に入ってりゃあ笑えたのになぁ。 <br>\r\n …………そっか、熊沢の婆ちゃんのサバネタも、もう聞けねぇんだなぁ。 <br>\r\n ...It would've been hilarious if she'd baked some mackerel into them, wouldn't it? <br><br>\r\n ......That's right, I'll never hear Kumasawa baa-chan's mackerel jokes again, will I...? <br><br>\r\n …おっと、熊沢の婆ちゃんのことだけしか思い出さなかったら、他の人たちに申し訳ねぇや…。 <br>\r\n ...Oh, right, if I only remember stuff about Kumasawa baa-chan, that wouldn't be fair to everyone else... <br><br>\r\n …………親父も霧江さんも、…どうして表になんか出たんだ。 <br>\r\n 一日くらいメシを抜いたって死にやしないさ。 <br>\r\n ......Why did Dad and Kyrie-san...even go outside? <br><br>\r\n It's not like going without food for a day would kill us. <br><br>\r\n …なのに、何で食い意地を出して、食料なんか取りに出たんだ。 <br>\r\n ...So why did gluttony get ahold of them and make them go out for food? <br><br>\r\n ……どうせ、怖い者知らずの親父が、腹が減ったと騒いだに決まってるんだ…。 <br>\r\n ...I'll bet that fearless dad of mine just started complaining about being hungry... <br><br>\r\n 霧江さん、あんたは猪突猛進な親父のブレーキ役だったはずだろ…。 <br>\r\n どうして止めてくれなかったんだ。 <br>\r\n Kyrie-san, you were supposed to be the brakes for my reckless dad... <br><br>\r\n Why didn't you stop him? <br><br>\r\n ………それに、あんたらの娘の縁寿はどうするんだよ…。 <br>\r\n …まだ６歳なんだぞ。まさか俺に託すつもりじゃないだろ…？ <br>\r\n ......And...what about your daughter, Ange...? <br><br>\r\n She's still just six years old. Don't tell me you planned to leave her in my care... <br><br>\r\n 今じゃ俺だって、生きて島から出られるか怪しいってのに………。 <br>\r\n After all, it's doubtful now whether even I'll be able to leave this island alive...... <br><br>\r\n 「や、やめなさい…！！ こんな時に争ってどうするんですか…！ <br>\r\n \"S-Stop...!! Why are you fighting at a time like this...?! <br><br>\r\n 朱志香さん、やめなさい…！！」 <br>\r\n Jessica-san, stop...!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n ……何だかさっきから騒がしい。 <br>\r\n ...It's been kinda noisy for a while. <br><br>\r\n 何事かと見ると、いつの間にか朱志香と絵羽伯母さんが取っ組み合いをしていた。 <br>\r\n By the time I looked up to see what it was, Jessica and Aunt Eva had suddenly started fighting each other. <br><br>\r\n ……いや、朱志香が掴みかかっているというべきか。 <br>\r\n ...No, maybe I should say that Jessica was grabbing at Aunt Eva. <br><br>\r\n 「……絵羽叔母さんが父さんたちを殺したんだ！！ 他に説明がつかないッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"...Aunt Eva killed Dad and the rest!! There's no other explanation!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「何を馬鹿なことをッ！！ あんたのお父さんたちなんか知るわけないでしょッ？！」 <br>\r\n \"How foolish!! Why should I know anything about what happened to your parents?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ゲストハウスの１階にいたのは誰だよ？！ 絵羽叔母さんだ！！ １階のロビーには父さんと母さんと、そして絵羽叔母さんがいた！ 生き残ったのは誰だ？！ 絵羽叔母さんだけだ！！ どうして？ <br>\r\n \"Who was on the first floor of the guesthouse?! Aunt Eva!! Dad and Mom were in the first floor lobby, along with her! And who was left alive?! Only Aunt Eva!! Why?\" <br><br>\r\n あんたが犯人だからに決まってるじゃないかッ！！ <br>\r\n \"It's obviously because you're the culprit!! <br><br>\r\n 父さんと母さんを殺して、外へ運び出して白々しく鍵を閉めて、魔女の仕業なんかを装いやがったんだ…ッ！！」 <br>\r\n You killed Mom and Dad, carried them outside, and then shamelessly locked the door, trying to make it seem like it was the witch's doing...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「じゃあ譲治はどうしていなくなったのよッ？！ <br>\r\n \"Then why do you think George disappeared?! <br><br>\r\n １階には降りてきてないのよ？！ じゃあ２階でいなくなったっていうの？！ ２階には誰がいたのよ？！ あなたたちがいたんじゃないッ！！ <br>\r\n He never came down to the first floor! So, did he disappear from the second floor?! And who was on the second floor?! You people were, right?!! <br><br>\r\n あなたは知ってたんでしょう？！ 譲治がこっそりゲストハウスを抜け出すのを！！ それを自分は何も知らないような顔をぬけぬけとッ！！ あんたが譲治を止めててくれれば、譲治は、……譲治はッ！！！」 <br>\r\n You knew, didn't you?! You knew that George slipped out of the guesthouse!! And you brazenly acted as if you didn't know anything!! If you'd stopped George, he'd be...he'd be...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「やめなさいと言うのに…！ 朱志香さんはずっといとこ部屋にいました！ そして絵羽さんもずっと１階のロビーにいました！ そして二人とも何も悪くない！ ただ家族を失って悲しいだけなんです…！！ <br>\r\n \"I said stop...! Jessica-san was in the cousin room the whole time! And Eva-san was in the first floor lobby the whole time! Neither of you is responsible for anything! What we have here is simply the sadness of losing family members...!! <br><br>\r\n 犯人なんか誰もいない、どこにもいない…！！ ただただ、………魔女のせいなだけなんです！！ だから、お二人で憎みあうのは止めなさい…！！」 <br>\r\n The culprit is no one, nowhere...!! It is all......just the witch's fault!! So stop hating each other, you two...!!\" <br><br>\r\n ……魔女のせい、か。 <br>\r\n そういう仲裁が、今は良いのだろうか。 <br>\r\n ...The witch's fault, huh...? <br><br>\r\n I wonder if that's a good way to cool down the situation right now. <br><br>\r\n あぁ、…ゲストハウスから３人もの人間が蒸発 <br>\r\n Yeah, ...I finally understand why three people evaporated from the guesthouse... <br><br>\r\n し、全ての鍵が~ib~内側から閉ざしてあった~ib~意味が、今、ようやくわかった…。 <br>\r\n when all the doors and windows were ~ib~locked from the inside~ib~... <br><br>\r\n これが狙いだったんだ。 <br>\r\n This is what they were after. <br><br>\r\n ……犯人は内部にいると思わせて、…こうして醜い憎みあいにさせることが、……犯人の、……魔女の目的だったに違いないんだ。 <br>\r\n ...Making us think the culprit was inside...and sparking this ugly, mutual hatred...has to be the culprit's...the witch's goal. <br><br>\r\n …………でも、だったなら、どうやって犯人 <br>\r\n ......But if that's the case, how did the culprit <br><br>\r\n は、~ib~外から施錠した~ib~ってんだ…？ <br>\r\n ~ib~lock it from the outside~ib~...? <br><br>\r\n 親父たちが襲われた時点で、確かにマスターキーは奪われている。 <br>\r\n When Dad's group was attacked, their master key was definitely stolen. <br><br>\r\n …しかしゲストハウスの扉や窓は、外部からはどうやっても施錠できない構造になっていた。 <br>\r\n ...But the doors and windows to the guesthouse were built so that you couldn't lock them from the outside, no matter how hard you tried. <br><br>\r\n だからマスターキーはあのゲストハウスの密室に意味をなさないはずなんだ…。 <br>\r\n So that master key should have had nothing to do with the guesthouse closed room... <br><br>\r\n ……肉親を失った悲しみを、目の前の人間に怒りとして押し付けあう、朱志香と絵羽叔母さんたち。 <br>\r\n Jessica and <NAME> were turning their sadness at losing their blood relatives into anger at the person in front of them. <br><br>\r\n それの間に割って入ろうとする南條先生。 <br>\r\n Doctor Nanjo was trying to step between them. <br><br>\r\n ……そして、ソファーに投遣りに座って天井を見上げ、……疲れ切った表情で、今更どうでもいいことを考える俺。 <br>\r\n ......And I sat in the sofa, staring up at the ceiling, ...thinking about things that didn't even matter anymore with a worn out expression... <br><br>\r\n …………昨日の昼の、台風の直前にほんのひと時訪れた、あの温かな客間と、ここが同じ部屋だなんて、…とても信じることができなかった……。 <br>\r\n ......I just couldn't believe that this was the same parlor that had been so warm and pleasant midday yesterday, ...for just a short time before the typhoon hit... <br><br>\r\n 「ぎゃああああぁああぁあ……、 <br>\r\n \"Gyaaaaaaaaaaahhhh, <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n ぅわああぅぅうあうううぅぅぅ…！！」 <br>\r\n ...uwaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh...!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 突然の銃声に、俺の寝惚けた意識は吹っ飛ぶ。 <br>\r\n The sudden sound of a gunshot shook me out of my half-asleep trance. <br><br>\r\n …絵羽伯母さんが抱く銃の銃口から、紫煙が立ち上っている。 <br>\r\n ...Smoke was rising out of the barrel of the gun Aunt Eva held. <br><br>\r\n 朱志香が両目を覆いながら床を転げまわっていた。 <br>\r\n それを、呆然としながら、絵羽叔母さんと南條先生が見下ろしている…。 <br>\r\n Jessica had fallen to the floor and was covering both her eyes. <br><br>\r\n Aunt Eva and Doctor Nanjo were looking down at her in shock... <br><br>\r\n 「だ、大丈夫ですか、朱志香さん…！ 朱志香さん…！！」 <br>\r\n \"A-Are you okay, Jessica-san...?! Jessica-san...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「うぁああぁああぁああ、 <br>\r\n 痛ぃ痛い痛ぃ…、 <br>\r\n \"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh, <br><br>\r\n it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, <br><br>\r\n ううぁああああああああ…ッ。」 <br>\r\n ...rrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaggghhh...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「わ、……私のせいじゃないわよ…。あ、……あんたがよせっていうのに突っ掛かってくるから…ッ！」 <br>\r\n \"...I-It wasn't my fault... ...Th-This happened because you came at me even after I told you to stop...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「お、…おいおい、どうしたってんだ、何事なんだ…！」 <br>\r\n \"H-Hey, wait a sec, what's going on...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 朱志香が、絵羽伯母さんに掴み掛かって、取っ組み合いになって…。 <br>\r\n So, did Jessica grab at Aunt Eva, which turned into a scuffle...? <br><br>\r\n それで絵羽伯母さんが持っていた銃が奪い合いみたいな形になって？ <br>\r\n Did they start fighting over Aunt Eva's gun? <br><br>\r\n それで何かの拍子に引き金が引かれてしまったということなのか…。 <br>\r\n Did some kind of impact cause the trigger to be pulled...? <br><br>\r\n 弾丸がかすったのか、発砲炎で火傷したのか、詳しいことはわからないが、とにかく朱志香は両目を覆って、痛い痛いと叫びながら床を転げ回っている。 <br>\r\n I didn't know if the bullet had grazed her or if she'd been burned by the discharge, but either way, Jessica was covering both of her eyes, screaming `It hurts, it hurts' and rolling around on the floor. <br><br>\r\n 「……大丈夫、落ち着いて…！ 大した怪我ではありませんぞ、気をしっかり…！」 <br>\r\n \"...Don't worry, calm down...! It is not a serious wound, so get ahold of yourself...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「目が痛い、痛い…ッ、 <br>\r\n …見えない、 <br>\r\n …見えない……！！」 <br>\r\n \"My eyes hurt, it hurts, <br><br>\r\n ...I can't see, <br><br>\r\n ...I can't see...!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 南條先生は朱志香に肩を貸し、使用人室で手当てをすると言った。 <br>\r\n Doctor Nanjo let Jessica borrow his shoulder, saying that he would tend to her in the servant room. <br><br>\r\n ……この屋敷の使用人室にはベッドや救急箱があり、保健室的な機能があるとのことだった。 <br>\r\n ...The servant room in this mansion had a bed and a first aid kit and was able to function as an infirmary. <br><br>\r\n 「くそおぉお！！ 父さんと母さんの仇ぃ！！ 殺してやる…、殺してやる……！！」 <br>\r\n 「わ、……私じゃないわよ…、私じゃない……！！」 <br>\r\n \"Damn iiiiiit!! You killed Mom and Dad!! I'll kill you, I'll kill you...!!\" <br><br>\r\n \"...I-It wasn't me, ...it wasn't me...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「朱志香さん、傷に障りますから、それ以上、騒がないで…！ さぁ、使用人室に行きましょう…。」 <br>\r\n \"Jessica-san, you'll aggravate the wound, so don't move about...! Come, let us go to the servant room...\" <br><br>\r\n 朱志香はなおも、絵羽伯母さんを両親の仇だと罵っている。 <br>\r\n 絵羽伯母さんは、過失とはいえ、引き金を引いてしまった事実に、動揺を隠せない様子だった。 <br>\r\n Jessica continued to curse Aunt Eva as her parents' murderer. <br><br>\r\n It seemed that Aunt Eva couldn't conceal her trembling at the fact that she had pulled the trigger, even if it had been an accident. <br><br>\r\n 「…私のせいじゃないわよ…、あの子が掴み掛かって来たからこんなことに……。……私は殺してなんかないわよ…。……それより、…譲治は誰が殺したの？ そうよ、譲治は誰が殺したのよ！！ 譲治、譲治ぃいいいぃッ！！ 私は悪くない、私は悪くない…！！」 <br>\r\n \"...It wasn't my fault, ...it happened because that kid jumped at me... ...I didn't kill anyone... ...More importantly, ...who killed George? That's right, who killed George?!! George, Geooooooooooorge!! It isn't my fault, it isn't my fault...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ま、待てよ絵羽伯母さん…！！ ひとりになるなッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"W-Wait a sec, Aunt Eva...!! Don't go off on your own!!\" <br><br>\r\n 絵羽伯母さんは、自分の過失に耐えられなくなったのか、それとも一人息子を殺した犯人への怒りに身を任せたのか、…それらがぐちゃぐちゃに混ざったのかわからない。 <br>\r\n I didn't know if it was because Aunt Eva couldn't bear her mistake...or if she'd given up control of her body to anger at the person who had killed her only son...or if it was both of those all mixed together. <br><br>\r\n …とにかく、怒鳴りながら恐れながら、喚きながら廊下を駆け出していく。 <br>\r\n ...At any rate, she ran out into the corridor, yelling, fearful, and screaming. <br><br>\r\n 朱志香の容態も気になったが、とにかく今は絵羽伯母さんをひとりにさせてはいけない。 <br>\r\n I was also worried about Jessica's condition, but right then, I couldn't leave Aunt Eva alone. <br><br>\r\n よりにもよって、この屋敷の中でひとりになるなんて、自殺行為もいいとこだ…！ <br>\r\n Why would she go off on her own in this mansion, of all places? Is she suicidal...?! <br><br>\r\n 南條先生は朱志香を伴って使用人室へ。 <br>\r\n Doctor Nanjo took Jessica towards the servant room. <br><br>\r\n …俺は絵羽伯母さんを追って、屋敷の奥へ駆けて行く……。 <br>\r\n ...I chased after Aunt Eva, dashing into the depths of the mansion... <br><br>\r\n 南條は使用人室のベッドに朱志香を座らせると、目を擦ってはいけないと何度も言い聞かせ、患部の様子を診た。 <br>\r\n After sitting Jessica on the servant room bed, Nanjo told her several times not to touch her eyes and examined the affected area. <br><br>\r\n 銃口に目が近かったのだろう。 <br>\r\n 発砲の時の炎で、角膜を傷付けた可能性がある。 <br>\r\n The barrel had probably been near her eyes. <br><br>\r\n There was a possibility that the flames from the discharge had injured her corneas. <br><br>\r\n …命に別状はないだろうが、一刻も早く、然るべき医者に見せる必要があるだろう。 <br>\r\n ...There was no threat to her life, but it would probably be necessary to take her to a doctor as soon as possible. <br><br>\r\n 南條は応急手当を行ない、患部をガーゼで覆って包帯で巻いた。 <br>\r\n その結果、朱志香の視界は完全に失われてしまった…。 <br>\r\n Nanjo applied emergency first aid, covering the affected area with gauze and wrapping it with a bandage. <br><br>\r\n As a result, Jessica completely lost her field of vision... <br><br>\r\n 「いいですかな…？ 傷が痛んだり疼いたりするでしょうが、絶対に掻いたり揉んだりしてはなりませんぞ。明日になったらすぐに、眼科の先生のところへ行きましょう。」 <br>\r\n \"Is that okay...? The wound may hurt or itch, but you mustn't scratch at it or rub it. When tomorrow comes, let us go to an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……あいつめ、…本当は私を殺すつもりだったんだ…。ほんのちょっと角度が悪かったら、今頃殺されてた…。絶対にあいつを警察へ突き出してやる……！」 <br>\r\n \"...That bitch, she really was trying to kill me... If the angle had been just a little bit off, I'd have been killed by now... I'll definitely turn her in to the police...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…絵羽さんはそんなことはしませんぞ。あれは事故です。」 <br>\r\n \"...Eva-san would not do such a thing. That was an accident.\" <br><br>\r\n 「事故なもんか…！ <br>\r\n \"You call that an accident...?! <br><br>\r\n あいつが父さんと母さんを殺したんだ。この島には１９人目も魔女もいるわけがない…！！ あいつが全ての犯人なんだ。ゲストハウスの１階にはあいつだけがいた！ <br>\r\n She killed Dad and Mom. There's no way any 19th person or witch exists on this island...!! She's behind everything. She was the only one on the first floor of the guesthouse!\" <br><br>\r\n 父さんと母さんを殺し、それを見てしまった譲治兄さんも口封じに殺したに違いない！！ 祖父さまや使用人の人たちだってそうさ。きっとあいつは、昨夜の親族会議の途中でこっそり抜け出し、みんなを殺したに違いない…！！」 <br>\r\n \"George nii-san must have seen her kill Mom and Dad, and she killed him to keep him quiet!! It's the same with Grandfather and the servants. I'm sure she snuck out of the family conference last night and killed all of them...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……も、もしそうならば、警察が調べればすぐにわかることです。 <br>\r\n \"...I-If that is indeed the case, then we'll find out about it as soon as the police investigate. <br><br>\r\n 警察はすごいですぞ、鑑識の手に掛かればわからぬことなどありません。……私たちは誰かを疑ったり、恨んだりする必要などないのです。全て警察が解決してくれます。 <br>\r\n The police are incredible, and with their powers of discernment, there is nothing that cannot be understood. ...There is no need for us to suspect or hate anyone. The police will resolve everything.\" <br><br>\r\n だから朱志香さんは、今は体を休め、目を楽にすることに専念するのです。…あまり眉間にしわを寄せては、目にはもちろん、美容にもよくありませんぞ。」 <br>\r\n \"So for now, Jessica-san, you should devote yourself to resting your body and keeping your eyes safe. ...Of course, if you wrinkle your forehead too much, it will do nothing good for your eyes, not to mention your beauty.\" <br><br>\r\n 実際、朱志香が絵羽のことを罵り感情を高ぶらせれば、自然と睨みつけるような仕草になり、目を圧迫するため、傷を痛ませた。 <br>\r\n When Jessica's abuse of Eva had reached a crescendo, she actually had started glaring instinctively, and the pressure on her eyes had hurt her. <br><br>\r\n 朱志香もその内、喋れば喋るほど傷が痛むことに気付き、絵羽への疑いを解いたかどうかは別にして、とりあえず落ち着きを取り戻すのだった…。 <br>\r\n Jessica herself realized that the more she talked, the more the wound would hurt, and regardless of whether she'd overcome her suspicions of Eva, she regained her composure for the time being... <br><br>\r\n 「………あいつが殺したんだ…。……父さんや母さんを。……紗音や、 <br>\r\n …………嘉音くんを…。……………嘉音くん………。」 <br>\r\n \"......She killed them, ...Dad and Mom. ...And Shannon... <br><br>\r\n ...and Kanon-kun... Kanon-kun......\" <br><br>\r\n 嘉音は礼拝堂の中で殺されていたという。 <br>\r\n …朱志香はまだ、死に顔も見ていない。 <br>\r\n She'd heard that Kanon had been killed in the chapel. <br><br>\r\n ...Jessica still hadn't seen his face after he had died. <br><br>\r\n 今の朱志香には、失明するかもしれない恐れよりも、目が見えない内に嘉音の死体が警察に運び出され、その顔を見ることもできず、お別れすることになるかもしれない方を恐れていた。 <br>\r\n Jessica was now less fearful about the fact that she was blinded, and more frightened that the police would carry Kanon's body away while she still couldn't see, and that she would have to say her final farewell without being able to look at his face. <br><br>\r\n 犯人への怒りと、好きだった人の死への悲しみ。 <br>\r\n …その入り混じった感情が、彼女の涙腺を刺激する。 <br>\r\n Her anger at the culprit...and her sadness at the death of the person she'd liked. <br><br>\r\n ...Those mixed emotions started her crying. <br><br>\r\n しかし今の彼女にとって、むしろ涙は痛むものであり、在りし日の彼の面影をのんびり思い出すことさえ許してはもらえなかった…。 <br>\r\n But right now, tears were actually painful for her, so she wasn't even permitted to leisurely remember his face in bygone days... <br><br>\r\n 朱志香は痛みを堪えながら、ベッドに腰掛け、俯くことしかできなかった…。 <br>\r\n Jessica could do nothing but sit on the bed and let her head droop, withstanding the pain... <br><br>\r\n 「………………。…さて、今度は絵羽さんの方が心配です。気に病まれていなければ良いのですが。」 <br>\r\n \".........Well then, now I am worried more about Eva-san. I hope she isn't too shaken by this.\" <br><br>\r\n 南條は、朱志香がとりあえず大人しくなったことに一息つくと、彼らが戻ってくる様子がないかどうか見るために、廊下に顔を出した。 <br>\r\n Realizing that Jessica had calmed down for the time being and letting out a sigh, he stuck his head out into the hallway to look for any sign of the others coming back. <br><br>\r\n 「……………っ。」 <br>\r\n \"......!\" <br><br>\r\n それと、目が合う。 <br>\r\n 南條は、その人物が誰かわからず、一瞬、困惑する。 <br>\r\n Then, their eyes met. <br><br>\r\n Nanjo, unable to understand who this person was, was bewildered for an instant. <br><br>\r\n 「視力を失った人間って、反魔法力も、対魔法抵抗力もゼロになるんですって。 <br>\r\n \"I hear that people who have lost the power of sight have zero anti-magic power and magic resistance power. <br><br>\r\n つまり、今のあんたはアイソレーテッドポーン。意味がわかるかしらぁ？」 <br>\r\n In other words, you're an isolated pawn right now. Understand what that means?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……んな、……何ですと……？」 <br>\r\n \"...Wh-What did you say...?\" <br><br>\r\n 目の前にいる人物が何者なのか、南條には理解できるわけもない。 <br>\r\n …増してや、彼女が何を口にしたのか、さらに理解できるわけもない。 <br>\r\n Nanjo had no way of understanding who the person in front of him was, much less what she had just said. <br><br>\r\n 「………南條先生？ どうしたんです……？」 <br>\r\n \"......Doctor Nanjo? What's going on...?\" <br><br>\r\n 目の見えない朱志香は声だけでしか状況がわからない。 <br>\r\n …でも、南條が、不安そうな声を出したのが聞こえた為、何か良からぬことが起こったのかと身を硬くした。 <br>\r\n Unable to see, Jessica had to rely on voices alone to make out the situation. <br><br>\r\n ...But since she heard Nanjo say something in an uneasy tone, she tightened up, thinking that something bad might have happened. <br><br>\r\n 「や、……やめてくれ……！ 殺さないでくれ…！！ わしには病弱の孫がおる…！ ここでは死ねんのだ…！ 頼む、見逃してくれ…ッ！！ ヒイィ！！！」 <br>\r\n \"...S-Stop, please...! Please don't kill me...!! I have a sick grandchild...! I mustn't die here...! Please, spare me...!! Eeeek!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…南條先生…？ 南條先生ッ？！」 <br>\r\n \"...Doctor Nanjo...? Doctor Nanjo?!\" <br><br>\r\n 朱志香はベッドの上から、呼び掛けるしかない。 <br>\r\n …声の加減を聞く限り、南條は廊下にいて、何者かと対峙しているのだ。 <br>\r\n Jessica couldn't do anything except call out from the bed. <br><br>\r\n ...Judging by the tone of his voice, Nanjo was in the corridor, confronting someone. <br><br>\r\n そして怯えている。 <br>\r\n 彼がたった今、生命を脅かされているのは間違いなかった。 <br>\r\n And he was scared. <br><br>\r\n His life must have been threatened just a second ago. <br><br>\r\n 「よせ、やめろッ！！ ヒィイイイイイィイイ！！！」 <br>\r\n \"No, stop it!! Eeeeeeeeeeeeekkk!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「第九の晩に魔女は蘇り、誰も生き残れはしない。 <br>\r\n \"On the ninth twilight, the witch shall revive, and none shall be left alive. <br><br>\r\n くっひひひひひひひひひひひひひ！！」 <br>\r\n Kihhihihihihihihihihihihihihihi!!\" <br><br>\r\n 魔女は黄金の杖を先を南條に向ける。 <br>\r\n The witch pointed the end of her gold staff at Nanjo. <br><br>\r\n …何をするつもりかわからなくても、南條にはそれが、自分の命を奪おうとしている行為に違いないと想像がついた。 <br>\r\n ...Even though he didn't know what she was planning to do, Nanjo assumed that she must be trying to take his life. <br><br>\r\n 「南條先生！！ <br>\r\n \"Doctor Nanjo!! <br><br>\r\n 南條先生！！ <br>\r\n Doctor Nanjo!! <br><br>\r\n そこに誰がいるんだよ？！ 返事をしろよ！！」 <br>\r\n Is someone there?! Answer me!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「やめてくれええええぇえええぇえ、ぁひぃいいいぃッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Stop iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit, ahiiieeeeeeeeehhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n バンッ！という鋭い音が響いた。 <br>\r\n *bang*! A sharp sound echoed. <br><br>\r\n その音の鋭さに負けないくらいに、黄金の杖の先端が鋭く尖って伸びて、南條の額に突き刺さっていた…。 <br>\r\n And just as sharply, the tip of the golden staff tapered and stretched, slicing into Nanjo's forehead... <br><br>\r\n 耳でしか状況を探れない朱志香には、何が起こったのかまったくわからない。 <br>\r\n Jessica, who could only try to grasp what was happening with her ears, had no clue what was going on. <br><br>\r\n …しかしそれでも、その音によって南條が絶命したことだけは理解できた。 <br>\r\n ...But even so, she was able to realize that with that sound, Nanjo had died. <br><br>\r\n そして、その人物は今や使用人室前の廊下にいるのだ。 <br>\r\n …しかもその上、自分は目が見えず、抵抗どころか逃げることさえ叶わない。 <br>\r\n And, ...she could tell that that person was now in the corridor, right in front of the servant room. <br><br>\r\n ...Furthermore, since she couldn't see, she wouldn't be able to run away, much less resist. <br><br>\r\n …朱志香は自分が絶体絶命の袋の鼠であることを知って戦慄した…。 <br>\r\n ...Knowing that she was a mouse in a trap and in a life or death situation, Jessica shuddered... <br><br>\r\n 「……あぁ、朱志香。可哀想にね、目を怪我しちゃったのね。…なら、あなたは逃げることもできないわね。くすくすくす。…今から、南條の死体でたっぷり遊ぶわ。…それに飽きたら、次はあなたを殺してたっぷり遊んであげる。 <br>\r\n \"...Oh, Jessica. Too bad, your eyes got injured. ...Now you can't even escape. *giggle*giggle*giggle* ...I'm gonna play a whole lot with Nanjo's corpse now. ...When I get bored of that, I'll kill you next and play a bunch more.\" <br><br>\r\n ……いいえ、せっかく目が見えないんだもの。……殺してからだけじゃない。殺す前にも、たっぷり遊んであげるわね。 <br>\r\n \"...No, wait, if I've got you here blind already... ...I won't wait until you're dead. I'll have a lot of fun with you before I kill you too. <br><br>\r\n …くっひひゃひゃひゃひゃ…！！ そこでしばらく、震えながら待ってなさいね？ 南條の死体で、私がどんな風に遊ぶのかをたっぷり想像しながらッ！！」 <br>\r\n ...Kuhhihyahyahyahya...!! So wait there shaking for a while, okay? As you try to imagine all the ways I'm playing with Nanjo's corpse!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ひ、…ひぃいいいいいぃいいいぃッ！！！」 <br>\r\n \"E-Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekk!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 朱志香は恐怖に駆られ、か細い悲鳴をあげる。 <br>\r\n Jessica was struck with fear and let out a frail scream. <br><br>\r\n ……本当は、誰かに助けを求めるためにも、もっと大きな声で悲鳴をあげたかったのだ。 <br>\r\n ...She wanted to scream in a much louder voice, trying to get someone to help her. <br><br>\r\n でも、できなかった。 <br>\r\n But she couldn't. <br><br>\r\n 本当の恐怖に取り付かれた時、人は喉が恐怖で詰まってしまうのだ…。 <br>\r\n 今の朱志香には、自分の呼吸さえ自由に喉を通すことができなくなっていた。 <br>\r\n When faced with true fear, it clogs up a person's throat... <br><br>\r\n Right then, Jessica could barely even breathe. <br><br>\r\n 「た、 <br>\r\n ……助けて…、 <br>\r\n ……助けて………！！ ひぃいいいいぃい！！」 <br>\r\n \"H- <br><br>\r\n Help me, <br><br>\r\n ...help me......!! Eeeeeeeeeekk!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 何とか逃れようと、手探りで辺りを探る。 <br>\r\n しかし、よく知るはずの部屋は、目が見えなくなっただけで、暗黒の密室も同然だ。 <br>\r\n She searched around with her hands, trying to find some way to escape. <br><br>\r\n But even though she should have known this room well, just being unable to see made it like a closed room of darkness. <br><br>\r\n 棚か何かにぶつかってしまい、その上に積んであった菓子缶や瓶のようなものが降ってきて、彼女の頭にぶつかる。 <br>\r\n She ran into a shelf or something, and things like a candy jars and bottles fell down, hitting her on the head. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n …今の彼女には、それを防ぐために頭を守ることすらおぼつかない。 <br>\r\n ...As she was now, it would've been tough for her to even guard her head to block it. <br><br>\r\n …視界を失うだけで、人はここまで無力なのかと痛感する。 <br>\r\n もちろん、そんなことに感心している暇はない。 <br>\r\n ...She was painfully aware of how powerless humans become just by losing their sense of sight. <br><br>\r\n Of course, she had no time to be impressed by this fact. <br><br>\r\n 彼女はとにかく這い回って、その場を逃げ出そうとするのだが、よくわからないモノに次々にぶつかり、色々なモノが降ってきてはぶつかって、まるで部屋全体が生きていて、彼女を逃がすまいと意地悪をしているように感じるのだった。 <br>\r\n She crawled around at random, trying to escape from that place, but she kept bumping into things that she didn't understand, getting hit by various falling objects, and it felt like the entire room was alive, bullying her and refusing to let her escape. <br><br>\r\n すると廊下の気配が足音を立てた。 <br>\r\n そして喋る。 <br>\r\n Then, a footstep could be heard from that presence in the hallway. <br><br>\r\n And then, a voice. <br><br>\r\n ……恐らく、朱志香が賑やかにしているので部屋を覗き込んでいるのだろう。 <br>\r\n ...She'd probably poked her head into the room, since Jessica had been so loud. <br><br>\r\n 「賑やかねぇ。レディなら大人しく、ベッドに座って待っていなさい。令嬢に相応しい、素敵な真っ赤な死に装束を与えてやるんだから。……あなたを見つけた人が、失神してしまいそうになるくらいのを、ね？ <br>\r\n \"You really are noisy. Act like a lady and wait there on the bed. 'Cause I'll give you a wonderful blood-red death outfit fitting for such an honored daughter. ...Something good enough to make the person who finds you faint, okay? <br><br>\r\n くっふふふふふふふふふふふ！！」 <br>\r\n Gehheheheheheheheheheh!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ひぃ、ひぃいいぃいいいぃいいぃ！！」 <br>\r\n \"E-Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkk!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n ついさっきまで、彼女は犯人に会ったらきっと殺してやると胸に誓っていたはずだ。 <br>\r\n …しかし、今の彼女はあまりに無力。 <br>\r\n Until just a second ago, she had sworn that she'd kill the culprit if she found them. <br><br>\r\n ...However, she was now very powerless. <br><br>\r\n 弱々しい悲鳴をあげ、床を這い回ってはベッドや机の脚に頭をぶつけることしかできない。 <br>\r\n She couldn't do anything except let out a scream, crawling around on the floor and bumping her head into the bed and the legs of desks. <br><br>\r\n 「助けて…、助けて……！ 誰か助けて……！！ 父さん、……母さん…！ 戦人ぁあぁ……！ 誰か来てよぉおおぉ…！！ ………助けてよ、……嘉音くん………！！」 <br>\r\n \"Help me, ...help me...! Someone, help me...!! Dad, ...Mom...! Battleeeer...! Someone, coooooooome...!! ......Help me, ...Kanon-kun......!!\" <br><br>\r\n 魔女が廊下にて、南條の命をどう弄ぶか思案している時。 <br>\r\n In the corridor, as the witch thought of how to toy with Nanjo's life... <br><br>\r\n ……その光景を、廊下の角からこっそりうかがう黄金の蝶が１匹いた。 <br>\r\n ...A single gold butterfly secretly watched that scene from the corner of the hallway. <br><br>\r\n …命からがら、一度は逃れたベアトである。 <br>\r\n ...It was Beato, who had barely escaped with her life once before. <br><br>\r\n 黄金の蝶は、すぅっと人の姿に戻る。 <br>\r\n …その姿は薄く、レースのカーテンのように向こうが透けていた。 <br>\r\n The gold butterfly softly returned to human form. <br><br>\r\n ...It was faint and transparent like a lace curtain. <br><br>\r\n 人としての姿を保つだけの魔力も、もはや乏しくなっているのだ。 <br>\r\n By now, her power was so weak that even maintaining this form was difficult for her. <br><br>\r\n そのすぐ隣に、ロノウェも姿を現す。 <br>\r\n Right next to her, Ronove also appeared. <br><br>\r\n 「……朱志香も生き残れはしないでしょう。…元より、誰も生き残れはしませんが。」 <br>\r\n \"...It is unlikely that Jessica will survive. ...Of course, there were to be no survivors from the very beginning.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………あやつは、嘉音に恋心を寄せておった。……妾はそれを弄んだこともある。…………しかしそれは、魔女として恥ずべきことであった。」 <br>\r\n \".........She has grown feelings of love for Kanon. ...I have toyed with them at times. ......However, such behavior was shameful for a witch.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……愛とは一なる元素。恋心はそれ以上に純粋で、尊いものでございます。…なぜかお嬢様はとてもそれを嫌われますが。」 <br>\r\n \"...Love is the single element. Romantic love is even more pure, more sacred. ...Though for some reason, you seem to despise it thoroughly, Milady.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………………………。 <br>\r\n \"............ <br><br>\r\n ……お師匠様は言った。…魔法とは、人を幸せにするためにあるとな。…妾も、かつてはそれを知っていたはずだった。 <br>\r\n ...Teacher told me. ...Magic exists to bring people happiness. ...That's something I myself must have been aware of in the past.\" <br><br>\r\n ……そして、それを忘れた時から、妾は魔女ではなくなっていたのだ。……だから妾は、…戦人の対戦相手の資格を失っていたのだ…。」 <br>\r\n \"...When I forgot that, I stopped being a witch. ...And so, ...I lost the right to be Battler's opponent...\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………まさか、お嬢様。……朱志香を助けるおつもりですか。危険です。」 <br>\r\n \"......I can hardly believe it, Milady. ...Do you actually intend to rescue Jessica? It will be dangerous.\" <br><br>\r\n 「わかっておる…。どうせ助けても、黄金郷の扉が開けば魔女の宴の慰み者よ。 <br>\r\n \"I know... Even if I do save her, she will become a plaything of the witch's banquet when the door to the Golden Land opens. <br><br>\r\n ……しかしそれでも、…あやつの殺し方に比べれば数段慈悲深い。…魔女の宴は恐るべき方法にて命を奪うが、二度は奪わぬ。生死を弄ばぬ。 <br>\r\n ...But even so, ...that death would be far more compassionate than what that person would do to her. ...The witch's banquet steals lives in a terrible way, but it does not do so more than once. It does not toy with life and death.\" <br><br>\r\n …しかし、あやつは違う。何度でも殺す。面白半分で殺す！ そこにはわずかほどの慈悲もない。………妾はせめて朱志香を、そのような残酷な運命から救いたいと思う。」 <br>\r\n \"...However, that person is different. She kills over and over. She kills for fun! There is not even a trace of compassion there. ......I want to at least save Jessica from that kind of cruel fate.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……確かに、それを行なうことは、良き魔女として讃えられることでしょう。 <br>\r\n \"...Certainly, by carrying that out, you would probably be praised as a good witch. <br><br>\r\n ……しかし、新しきベアトリーチェさまは、すでにお嬢様のことを敵視なされています。…もう一度姿を見られることがあったなら、……今度は逃れる術はありませんよ？」 <br>\r\n ...However, the new Beatrice-sama already views you as hostile, Milady. ...If you were to be seen by her again, ...you would not have any method of escape this time, correct?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………………………。……譲治を紗音に会わせた時。………妾はようやく、魔女とはどういうものなのか。そして魔法とはどういうものなのかを理解したのだ。 <br>\r\n \".....................When I reunited George and Shannon, ......I finally understood what a witch is...and what magic is.\" <br><br>\r\n ………妾は魔女だ。魔女であらねばならぬ。そして戦人に対戦相手だと認められ、……今度こそ戦人に魔女だと認めさせなければならぬのだ。 <br>\r\n \"......I am a witch. I must act as a witch. And I must be acknowledged as Battler's opponent, ...and make Battler accept me as a witch this time around.\" <br><br>\r\n ……その為の道は長く険しいかもしれない。…しかし、今ここでその一歩を踏み出さねば、……妾は魔女を名乗れぬのだ。」 <br>\r\n \"...The road to that goal may be long and difficult. ...However, if I do not take a step forward here and now, ...I won't be able to call myself a witch.\" <br><br>\r\n 「お気持ちはわかりますが、どうやってお救いになるつもりです？ 今のお嬢様の身に使える魔法は多くありません。紗音を蘇らせる時ですら、譲治の力を借りたではありませんか。」 <br>\r\n \"I understand your feelings, but how do you plan to rescue her? There are not many forms of magic that your body is capable of now, Milady. Did you not have to borrow George's power even back when you revived Shannon?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……うむ。…だからこそ、朱志香だけは救えるかもしれぬのだ。 <br>\r\n \"...Indeed. ...And for that very reason, I may be able to save Jessica. <br><br>\r\n ……今、あやつは嘉音に助けを求めている。……その想いの力を借りれば、妾の魔力にてもう一度、冥府の扉を叩けるかもしれない。」 <br>\r\n ...Right now, she is begging for Kanon to save her. ...If I can borrow the power of that emotion, my magic may be able to knock on the doors of the Land of the Dead once again.\" <br><br>\r\n 「叩けはするでしょう。しかし、魔力を使い切ります。……新しきベアトリーチェさまにもし見付かったら、本当に逃れる術はありませんよ。 <br>\r\n \"You may be able to knock. However, you would use up all of your magical energy. ...If you were to be spotted by the new Beatrice-sama, you would truly be without a method of escape. <br><br>\r\n …私はすでにお嬢様の執事ではありません。……いざという時、お助けすることはできませんのでご了承を。」 <br>\r\n ...I am no longer your butler, Milady. ...Understand that I cannot assist you if the situation worsens.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…承知しておるわ。………妾はこれまで、数えることも出来ぬほどの命を弄び、奪ってきた。…ならばその罪は、同じ数だけの命を救うことでしか贖えぬのかもしれぬ。 <br>\r\n \"...I know. ......By now, I have toyed with and taken more lives than I can count. ...So, I may not be able to make up for it...except by saving the same number of lives, bringing them through that door.\" <br><br>\r\n ……元より、妾に失うものなどないわ。…名も魔力も引き継ぎ、今や魔女とも認められぬただの黄金の蝶よ。」 <br>\r\n \"...I have had nothing to lose in the first place. ...I am just a gold butterfly who has passed its name and magic power on, and who is no longer acknowledged as a witch.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………戦人さまはどうなさるのですか。ゲームの途中です。彼は、お嬢様がお戻りになるまで待つと仰いました。 <br>\r\n \"......What about Battler-sama? You are partway through a game with him. He has said that he would wait until you returned. <br><br>\r\n …ここで果てるようなことがあっても良いのですか。…お嬢様には、戦人さまの向かいの席に戻る、義務があるのですよ。」 <br>\r\n ...Are you truly satisfied to end it here? ...You have a duty to return to the seat across from Battler-sama, Milady.\" <br><br>\r\n 「だからこそだ…！ 妾にしか救えぬ命があるならば、妾はそれを救う。 <br>\r\n \"For that very reason...! If there's a life that only I can save, I will save it. <br><br>\r\n そして魔女と認められるぞ。……妾は魔女にならねばならぬのだ…！ これが試練であるならば、これまでの悪行に見合わぬ幼稚なものよ。 <br>\r\n And I will be accepted as a witch. ...I must become a witch...! If this is training, it is a very childish thing, nothing that compares with the evils I have committed before now.\" <br><br>\r\n ……さぁ姿を消せ、ロノウェ。かつて黄金の魔女と呼ばれた一匹の蝶の、最後となるかもしれぬ魔法を見るがいい…！」 <br>\r\n \"...Vanish, Ronove. Watch what may be the final magic of a single butterfly who used to be called a witch...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……畏まりました。……黄金の魔女の名に恥じぬ魔法、 <br>\r\n ……拝見させてもらいます。 <br>\r\n \"...Certainly. ...Please show me magic... <br><br>\r\n ...that will not disgrace the name of the Golden Witch. <br><br>\r\n ……願わくば、それが最後の魔法とならぬことを。」 <br>\r\n ...And I pray that it is not your final spell.\" <br><br>\r\n 「行け、我が友よ。…もしインクが足りるなら、我が愚かなる生涯を記して、同じ道を歩もうとする愚か者に手渡せ。 <br>\r\n \"Go, my friend. ...If you can find enough ink, write down the story of my foolish life...and hand it over to some fool who is about to walk down the same path. <br><br>\r\n さらばだ、ロノウェ…！」 <br>\r\n So long, Ronove...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「嘉音くん、 <br>\r\n ……どこにいるの…、 <br>\r\n どこにいるの……。…助けて、 <br>\r\n ……助けてよ…、 <br>\r\n …うううぅううぅぅ…。」 <br>\r\n \"Kanon-kun, <br><br>\r\n ...where are you...? <br><br>\r\n Where are you...? ...Help me, <br><br>\r\n ...help me, <br><br>\r\n ...aaaaaaaaahhh...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n ………お嬢様。僕はいつだって、お嬢様のすぐ側に控えております。 <br>\r\n ......Milady, I am...always there by your side. <br><br>\r\n 「か、……嘉音くん……？ 嘉音くん……？！」 <br>\r\n \"...K-Kanon-kun...? Kanon-kun...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 朱志香は今、嘉音の声を聞いたような気がした。 <br>\r\n そして見えぬ目で周りを見回すが、もちろん何も見えるわけがない。 <br>\r\n …それどころか、その拍子にまた頭を机にぶつける。 <br>\r\n It seemed to Jessica as though she'd heard Kanon's voice just then. <br><br>\r\n She looked around with unseeing eyes, but of course, she saw nothing. <br><br>\r\n ...On the contrary, that action caused her head to hit the desk again. <br><br>\r\n 「……嘉音くん、………嘉音くん……。……助けて、………助けて………。」 <br>\r\n \"...Kanon-kun, ......Kanon-kun... ...Help me, ......help me......\" <br><br>\r\n はい、お嬢様。…僕が、お助けします。 <br>\r\n Yes, Milady. ...I will...help you. <br><br>\r\n 「か、……嘉音くん…？！ い、生きてたの…？！」 <br>\r\n \"...K-Kanon-kun...?! Y-You survived...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 今度ははっきりと彼の声を聞いた気がした。 <br>\r\n 朱志香は飛び上がって驚き、再び机に頭をぶつけた。 <br>\r\n This time, she thought she heard his voice clearly. <br><br>\r\n Jessica jumped up in surprise, banging her head against the desk once again. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n ……お嬢様、どうか心を落ち着けてお聞きください。 <br>\r\n …残念ながら、僕は生きてはいません。 <br>\r\n ...Milady, please, calm your heart and listen. <br><br>\r\n ...Unfortunately, I am not alive. <br><br>\r\n 「………え……、」 <br>\r\n \"......Huh...?\" <br><br>\r\n 僕はすでに、死んでしまっています。 <br>\r\n ……ですが、…あの魔女が、お嬢様の危機を僕に知らせに来ました。 <br>\r\n I have already...died. <br><br>\r\n ...However, ...that witch came to me to tell me of your peril. <br><br>\r\n …そして、わずかの間だけ、お嬢様に手助けできる時間をくれました。 <br>\r\n ...And...she gave me just a little bit of time...so that I could save you, Milady. <br><br>\r\n どうか、心をもっと落ち着けて。 <br>\r\n そうすれば、……お嬢様にも僕の姿が見えるようになります…。 <br>\r\n Please, calm your heart even more. <br><br>\r\n If you do, ...my form will become visible even to you, Milady... <br><br>\r\n 朱志香はその言葉に従う。 <br>\r\n 頭から雑念を全て追い出し、呼吸を落ち着けた。 <br>\r\n Jessica obeyed those words. <br><br>\r\n She chased all idle thoughts from her head and relaxed her breathing. <br><br>\r\n ……本当は、死んだと思っていた想い人の声に心臓が爆発しそうだった。 <br>\r\n それを懸命に抑えた。 <br>\r\n ...Of course, her heart felt like it was going to explode after hearing the voice of the one she'd liked and had thought was dead. <br><br>\r\n She resisted the excitement with all her strength. <br><br>\r\n ……すると、……自分の正面に嘉音くんが確かにいてくれるのを感じた。 <br>\r\n ……目が見えないはずなのに、……はっきりとそれを感じることができた。 <br>\r\n ...When she did, ...she felt as though Kanon-kun really was right in front of her. <br><br>\r\n ...Even though she shouldn't have been able to see him with her eyes, ...she was able to sense him clearly. <br><br>\r\n 「……僕が、見えますか。お嬢様…。」 <br>\r\n 「あぁ…。見えるぜ、……確かに嘉音くんが見えるよ…。」 <br>\r\n \"...Can you...see me? Milady...\" <br><br>\r\n \"Yeah... I can see. ...I can definitely see you, Kanon-kun...\" <br><br>\r\n 「………僕は魂だけの存在です。だから、お嬢様に触れることはできません。こうして言葉を掛けることしかできない。……それだけしかできないか弱い存在ですが、…それでもお嬢様の力になれるはずです。」 <br>\r\n \"......I exist only as as a soul now. So I cannot touch you, Milady. I cannot do anything except talk to you like this. ...With my current weak existence, I can do nothing more than that, ...but I should be able to be of some aid to you, Milady.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……言葉だけ、……なの……？ 嘉音くんに、……触ることはできないの……？」 <br>\r\n \"...So, ...we can only talk...? I can't...touch you, Kanon-kun...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「僕は今、蝋燭の煙よりも儚い存在です。…生者であるお嬢様に触れられれば、たちまち掻き消えてしまうほどに。 <br>\r\n \"I am now more fragile than smoke from a candle. ...So much so that if one of the living such as you were to touch me, I would be wiped away instantly. <br><br>\r\n ……だからどうか、触れようとしないでください。…僕も、……お嬢様に触れたい気持ちを、……抑えているのですから。」 <br>\r\n ...So please, don't try to touch me. ...Because I am also...holding back my desire...to touch you, Milady.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あ、………う、…うん…。」 <br>\r\n \"Ah, ......o-okay...\" <br><br>\r\n 「それよりお嬢様。……よく聞いて下さい。………新しい黄金の魔女は、残酷な心の持ち主です。…必ずやお嬢様を酷い目に遭わせようとするでしょう。……この部屋から逃げ出し、隠れなければなりません。」 <br>\r\n \"More importantly, Milady, ...please listen well. ......The new Golden Witch has a cruel heart. ...She surely plans to make you meet with a horrible fate. ...You must escape from this room and hide.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ど、…どうやって…。私は、目が見えない……！」 <br>\r\n \"...H-How...? I can't...see anything...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「静かに…。……僕がお嬢様の目になります。僕が掛ける言葉に従って動いて下さい。……まず、そのまま３歩を這い出て、それから立ち上がって下さい。今、お嬢様がいるのは机の下です。そのまま立てば頭をぶつけます。」 <br>\r\n \"Quiet... ...I will be your eyes, Milady. Please move in accordance with my instructions. ...First, please crawl three steps from there, then stand up. You are now under the desk, Milady. If you stand there, you'll hit your head.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…つ、机の下だったのか…。わかったよ…、１、２、３…。…立つぜ…。」 <br>\r\n \"...Th-That was under the desk...? Okay, 1, 2, 3... ...I'm gonna stand...\" <br><br>\r\n 「お上手です……。次は時計で言う、９時の方向を向いて下さい。………はい、お上手です。」 <br>\r\n \"Well done... Next, please turn to face towards 9 o'clock. ......Yes, well done.\" <br><br>\r\n 「は、……はは…。何だか、…恥ずかしいぜ…。……あ、…つつつ、…痛ててて…。」 <br>\r\n \"Ha, ...haha... This is pretty...embarrassing... ...Ah, ...ack, ...owowow...\" <br><br>\r\n 「大丈夫ですか、傷が痛みますか…？」 <br>\r\n 「い、いや、…平気だぜ…。次は……？」 <br>\r\n \"Are you okay? Does your wound hurt...?\" <br><br>\r\n \"N-No, ...I'm fine... What next...?\" <br><br>\r\n 朱志香は、これが夢なら醒めないでほしいと思った。 <br>\r\n …そして、もし許されるなら、目を塞いでいる包帯を取ってその姿を見たいと思った。 <br>\r\n Jessica thought that if this was a dream, she didn't want to wake up. <br><br>\r\n ...And, if she were allowed to, she would've wanted to take off the bandage covering her eyes and see him. <br><br>\r\n …しかし、それをしたら、嘉音はきっと本人が自称する通り、蝋燭の煙のように儚く消え去ってしまうだろう…。……それに怯えた。 <br>\r\n ...However, if she did that, Kanon might vanish like frail candle smoke, just like he himself had said... ...She was afraid of that. <br><br>\r\n だから、彼の言葉を再び聞けたというだけで満足し、彼を抱き締めたいとか、その姿を見たいという気持ちをぐっと抑えた。 <br>\r\n So she satisfied herself with just listening to his words once more, repressing her desire to see him, to hold him. <br><br>\r\n だから、今、彼女の目を痛ませているのは、感涙の涙。 <br>\r\n ……この、奇跡のような時間を与えてくれた神様か、…はたまた魔女への、感謝の涙。 <br>\r\n Therefore, what hurt her eyes now were tears of gratitude. <br><br>\r\n ...Tears of gratitude for the god...or maybe the witch...who had given her this miraculous moment. <br><br>\r\n 「…大丈夫なの…？ こんなにしゃべって、あいつに気付かれない？ 声を聞かれない…？」 <br>\r\n \"...Is this okay...? If we keep talking like this, won't we be noticed by her? Won't our voices be heard...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……隠密の結界を張っています。大きな音や声を出さなければ、誰も気付きません。……だから誰も、僕の気配には気付けない。」 <br>\r\n \"...I have erected a secrecy barrier. As long as we don't make any loud sounds or speak noisily, no one will notice us. ...That's why people can't tell when I'm around.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…な、…何だかわからないけど、…とにかく静かにしてれば大丈夫ってことなんだな…。……つ、次はどうするんだ…？」 <br>\r\n \"...I-I don't really get it, ...but anyway, we'll be fine as long as we stay quiet, right...? ...Wh-What should I do next...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「そのままゆっくり１０歩ほどを歩いて下さい。ソファーに触ります。それに沿って進んでください。……ゆっくりと。……落ち着いて。僕の言葉を信じて。」 <br>\r\n \"Please walk 10 steps in that direction. You will touch the sofa. Please continue along that. ...Do it slowly. ...Stay calm. Believe in my words.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あ、……あぁ。…………へへ、…不思議だぜ…。……目が見えないってのはあんなにも怖いものだったのに、………嘉音くんと一緒だと、全然怖くないよ…。」 <br>\r\n \"...S-Sure. ......Heheh, ...it's weird... ...Even though it's so scary not being able to see, ......I'm not scared at all if you're with me, Kanon-kun...\" <br><br>\r\n 「………そう、それがソファーです。左になぞりながらゆっくり進んで…。すぐ左にテーブルがあります。脛をぶつけないように気をつけて…。」 <br>\r\n \"......Yes, that is the sofa. Trace it to the left while advancing slowly... There is a table just to your left. Be careful not to bump into it with your shins...\" <br><br>\r\n ……それは、とてもとても奇妙で不思議な共同作業。 <br>\r\n ...It was a very, very strange and bizarre team effort. <br><br>\r\n 恐ろしい魔女に気取られたなら、たちまちのうちに殺されてしまうのに、……今の朱志香の心に恐れはない。 <br>\r\n Even though she would have been killed in an instant if the terrible witch noticed her, ...there was no fear in Jessica's heart. <br><br>\r\n 二度と会えないと思っていた嘉音が、自分を守ってくれて、先導してくれる。 <br>\r\n She was being protected and guided by Kanon, someone she thought she'd never be reunited with. <br><br>\r\n …それは多分、今だけの奇跡に違いないけれど。 <br>\r\n ……それでも朱志香は、その奇跡に深く感謝した。 <br>\r\n ...It would probably be just a momentary miracle. <br><br>\r\n ...Even so, Jessica was deeply grateful for it. <br><br>\r\n 多くを望めば、きっと消えてしまうに違いない、この儚い奇跡を壊さないように。 <br>\r\n If she hoped for too much, she was sure that he would disappear, so she tried not to ruin this faint miracle. <br><br>\r\n そして、今を永遠に心に刻むように、ゆっくりと、ゆっくりと、…嘉音の声に従って足を進める…。 <br>\r\n And, trying to engrave this moment into her heart for all eternity, she slowly, slowly...continued to walk, obeying Kanon's voice... <br><br>\r\n 「……さぁ、さらに１０歩を歩けば、使用人室から出ます。そしたら９時の方向を向いて、ゆっくりとずっと歩いて下さい。右の壁に手を置き、それに沿って、ずっとずっと。…僕が、安全な部屋までお連れします。」 <br>\r\n \"...Okay, if you walk 10 more steps, you will exit the servant room. Then, please turn to face 9 o'clock, and keep walking very slowly. Put your hand on the wall to your right, and keep on following that. ...I will take you to a safe room.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………そこに行ったら、 <br>\r\n …嘉音くんは、 <br>\r\n ………帰っちゃうの……？」 <br>\r\n \"......If I go there, <br><br>\r\n ...will you... <br><br>\r\n leave, Kanon-kun...?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n 嘉音は答えなかった。 <br>\r\n …しかし、答えずとも、それが事実であることを教えた。 <br>\r\n Kanon didn't answer. <br><br>\r\n ...But his lack of an answer was enough to tell her the truth. <br><br>\r\n 「……なら、……嫌だ。………行きたくないよ…。」 <br>\r\n \"...Then, ...no way. ......I don't want to go...\" <br><br>\r\n 「ここにいれば、魔女に殺されます。」 <br>\r\n \"If you stay here, you will be killed by the witch.\" <br><br>\r\n 「いいよ…。殺されれば嘉音くんのいる世界へ行けるもん…。」 <br>\r\n \"I don't mind... If I'm killed, I can go to the world where you are, Kanon-kun...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……お嬢様。どうか聞き分けてください。……死者である僕には、人の世は眩しくて辛過ぎる…。だから長くは留まれません。 <br>\r\n \"...Milady, please listen to me. ...The human world is too bright and painful for the dead, like me... So I cannot stay for long.\" <br><br>\r\n だからお嬢様、……僕に許された時間で、……お嬢様を安全な場所まで導くことを、どうか許してください。…………そしたら、………時間が尽きるまで、ずっとお嬢様と一緒にいますから。」 <br>\r\n \"So Milady, ...please allow me to use what time I am allowed...to guide you to a safe place. ......Because after that, ......I will stay with you until my time runs out.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………それが、嘉音くんにできる精一杯なの……？」 <br>\r\n \"......Is that...the very best you can manage, Kanon-kun...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…はい。………その代わり、一秒でも長くお嬢様の側にいるようにします。……ずっと、お嬢様といて、……お話をします。」 <br>\r\n \"...Yes. ......In exchange, I will stay by your side as long as possible. ...I will stay with you...and talk with you, Milady.\" <br><br>\r\n 「どんな、…お話…？」 <br>\r\n \"Talk...about what...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………どんなお話がいいですか…？」 <br>\r\n 「…嘉音くんが聞かせてくれるなら、どんな話でもいいよ…。」 <br>\r\n \"......What do you want to talk about...?\" <br><br>\r\n \"...I don't care what, as long as you're willing to tell me, Kanon-kun...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……では…。…………勇気のない、臆病な使用人の少年の話を。………太陽のように眩しいお嬢様に恋心を抱き、…同じ気持ちを打ち明けられながらも、……臆病さに負け、ついに生ある内に、自分に素直になれなかった、愚かで憐れな少年の話を。」 <br>\r\n \"...Well then... ......I will tell you the story of a cowardly servant boy who lacked all courage. ......The story of a foolish and pitiful boy who fell in love with a young lady as radiant as the sun. ...Even when the lady confessed those same feelings to him, ...he lost to his cowardice...and was never able to be honest with his feelings while he still lived.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………うん…。なら、…私もしたいよ。………大好きな男の子にね、……もっともっと大好きだよって、……勇気を振り絞れなかった臆病な女の子の話を。……そして、……その男の子に再会できる奇跡を神様が下さって、…………その勇気を振り絞る機会を、もう一度与えてもらった女の子が、………勇気を振り絞る話を。」 <br>\r\n \"......Yes... Then, ...I want to tell you a story too. ......It's the story of a cowardly girl...who couldn't muster the courage...to tell the boy she loved how she felt...much, much more often. ......The story of how that girl, after being reunited with that boy by a miracle from god, ......used that chance to finally muster up her courage.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………僕も、……その話を聞きたいです。……だから、その為にも行きましょう。……安全な場所まで。」 <br>\r\n \"......I also...want to hear that. ...So, for that reason as well, let us go. ...To a safe place.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……うん…。嘉音くんと一緒なら、いつまでだって、どこまでだって歩くよ…。もう目なんていらない。嘉音くんが踏み出せというなら、崖の先へだって一歩を踏み出すよ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Yeah... If I could be with you, Kanon-kun, I would walk however far, however long it took... I don't need eyes anymore. If you tell me to step forward, I will take that step, even if it leads off a cliff.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ありがとう。…さ、お嬢様。参りますよ。最初の１０歩を。」 <br>\r\n 「ううん、嫌だ。…………朱志香って呼んでくれなきゃ、…嫌だ。」 <br>\r\n \"Thank you. ...Come, Milady. Let us go. The first 10 steps.\" <br><br>\r\n \"No, I don't like it. ......I won't do it...unless you call me Jessica.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……わかりました。…………………では、朱志香。…最初の１０歩を踏み出して。」 <br>\r\n 「うん。嘉音くん……。」 <br>\r\n \"...Understood. .........Well then, Jessica. ...Take the first 10 steps.\" <br><br>\r\n \"Yes, Kanon-kun...\" <br><br>\r\n 朱志香と嘉音が、静かに静かに、ゆっくりと使用人室を抜け出す。 <br>\r\n Very quietly, Jessica and Kanon slowly snuck out of the servant room. <br><br>\r\n そのすぐ脇では、南條の死体を残酷に見下ろす魔女の姿があったが、魔女はその気配に気付きもしない。 <br>\r\n Just around the corner, the witch could be seen cruelly looking down at Nanjo's corpse, but she didn't even notice their presence. <br><br>\r\n しかし、その後に控えるロノウェは、嘉音と目が合った。 <br>\r\n However, Ronove, who stood at the ready by her side, met Kanon's eyes. <br><br>\r\n …嘉音は、しまったと思い、表情を歪めその背中に朱志香を庇う。 <br>\r\n ...Kanon thought `Oh no', grimacing and blocking Jessica with his back. <br><br>\r\n 「……………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n しかし、ロノウェはそれを主に知らせない。 <br>\r\n However, Ronove did not inform his master. <br><br>\r\n 彼の姿を見咎めたこと自体が気のせいであったかのように、素知らぬふりをする。 <br>\r\n ……いや、ふっと笑ったように見えたかもしれない。 <br>\r\n He played dumb, just as though he hadn't spotted Kanon in the first place. <br><br>\r\n ...No, maybe he did appear to chuckle. <br><br>\r\n そのロノウェが後ろ手に組む指から、１匹の小さな黄金蝶が現れ、嘉音の前を先導するように飛んでいく。 <br>\r\n From a finger on Ronove's hands, which were joined behind his back, a single small gold butterfly appeared, flying in front of Kanon as though guiding him. <br><br>\r\n それは、彼の仕える主に気付かれぬものだった。 <br>\r\n It went unnoticed by the master he served. <br><br>\r\n 嘉音は、その蝶の持つ魔法に驚く。 <br>\r\n Kanon was surprised at the magic that butterfly held. <br><br>\r\n それは、嘉音が持つ隠密結界よりも、遥かに強力なそれだったからだ。 <br>\r\n Because it was far more powerful than the secrecy barrier Kanon possessed. <br><br>\r\n …彼は知らないかもしれないが、もともとこの力はロノウェのものなのだ。 <br>\r\n ...He may not have known it, but that power of his had originally been Ronove's. <br><br>\r\n …それを、金蔵が模倣して与えたものが、嘉音の持つそれなのだから。 <br>\r\n ...Kanon's ability was an imitation of that, which Kinzo had made and given to him. <br><br>\r\n その、隠密の魔法の蝶は、金の鱗粉を散らしながら、少しずつ小さくなっている。 <br>\r\n …多分、しばらくしか持たないだろう。 <br>\r\n As that butterfly of secrecy magic scattered gold scales, it grew smaller bit by bit. <br><br>\r\n ...It probably wouldn't last long. <br><br>\r\n ……しかしそれでも、残酷な魔女から遠ざかるだけの時間を充分に与えてくれるに違いない。 <br>\r\n ...But without a doubt, even that would buy them enough time to get them far away from the cruel witch. <br><br>\r\n 「さぁ、お嬢様…。その壁に沿い、ずっと歩いていきましょう。…ずっと。ずっと。」 <br>\r\n 「あぁ。……嘉音くんと一緒なら、……どこまでも、ずっと、ずっと…。」 <br>\r\n \"Okay, Milady... Let's follow that wall and keep walking. ...Keep going. Keep going.\" <br><br>\r\n \"Yeah. ...If I can be with you Kanon-kun, ...I'll keep on going, on and on...\" <br><br>\r\n 小さな黄金蝶に導かれ、守られ、…生と死の壁を挟みあう二人が、ゆっくりと廊下の向こうへ歩み去っていく…。 <br>\r\n Led and protected by the small gold butterfly, ...the pair separated by the wall of life and death slowly walked away, towards the end of the corridor... <br><br>\r\n ……その二人の逃避行に、邪悪なる魔女が気付ける魔法など、あるわけもない。 <br>\r\n ...There was no way that the evil witch could have had magic to notice their flight. <br><br>\r\n 二人の姿が廊下の向こうに消え去るまで、魔女は朱志香が姿を消したことに気付かないのだった…。 <br>\r\n Until they disappeared at the other end of the corridor, the witch didn't realize that Jessica had vanished... <br><br>\r\n ロノウェが飛ばした黄金蝶が完全に消え去ってしまった頃、…朱志香は客間に辿り着いた。 <br>\r\n By the time the gold butterfly Ronove had sent evaporated completely, ...Jessica had reached the parlor. <br><br>\r\n 目が見えていればすぐに辿り着けたはずの場所でも、今の朱志香にとっては、長い長い冒険だった。 <br>\r\n Even though it would have been a quick trip if she'd been able to see, as she was now, it had been a very long adventure. <br><br>\r\n 「……さぁ、お嬢様。客間に辿り着きました。これからお嬢様を、窓際のカーテンの束のところまでお連れします。…その中に隠れれば、きっと安全です。」 <br>\r\n 「カーテンの中か…。うまいな。私も昔、よくそこに隠れたもんだぜ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Come, Milady. We've reached the parlor. I will now take you to the bundle of curtains by the window. If you hide in there, you'll surely be safe.\" <br><br>\r\n \"Inside the curtains... Not bad. I used to hide in there a lot, long ago.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………ベアトリーチェさま…。」 <br>\r\n 「…え？」 <br>\r\n \"......Beatrice-sama...\" <br><br>\r\n \"...Huh?\" <br><br>\r\n 嘉音が魔女の名を呼ぶ。 <br>\r\n 朱志香は驚いて辺りを見回すが、目の見えない彼女にその姿を見つけることは、当然できない…。 <br>\r\n Kanon called out the witch's name. <br><br>\r\n Jessica looked around in surprise, but she obviously couldn't spot the witch when she couldn't see... <br><br>\r\n ベアトは、再び薄っすらとした姿を現していた。 <br>\r\n 嘉音は邪悪なる魔女の姿に身構えるが、ベアトの表情は穏やかで、…むしろ憐れみのあるものだった。 <br>\r\n Beato had appeared once again with a faint form. <br><br>\r\n Kanon squared off against the figure of the evil witch, but Beato's expression was soft, ...or even pitying. <br><br>\r\n 「…………どういう気紛れで僕を蘇らせてくれたのか、…僕にはあなたの気持ちがわからない。」 <br>\r\n \"......I don't know what sort of whim led you to revive me, nor do I understand what you're thinking now.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……気紛れに過ぎぬ。……いや、……魔女とは、こうあるべきなのだ。…妾がそれを気付くのに千年を掛けた。…それだけの、愚かしい話だ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Oh, it was nothing more than a whim. ...No, ...this is how witches should be. ...It took me a thousand years to realize that. ...That is how...foolish it is.\" <br><br>\r\n 「だ、……誰？！ 誰がいるの…？！」 <br>\r\n \"Wh-Who is it?! Who's there...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…お嬢様、お静かに。……彼女は魔女、…ベアトリーチェ…。………僕をお嬢様にもう一度会わせてくれた、……恩人です。」 <br>\r\n 「…………魔女…、……ベアトリーチェ……。」 <br>\r\n \"...Milady, be quiet. ...She is the witch, ...Beatrice... ......I owe her, ...because she let me be with you one more time.\" <br><br>\r\n \"......The witch, ...Beatrice...\" <br><br>\r\n 「…妾のことなどどうでも良い。それより、早くその女をカーテンの陰に隠すが良い。 <br>\r\n \"...Forget about me. More importantly, you should quickly hide that girl in the shadows of the curtains. <br><br>\r\n ………そなたに残された時間も長くないであろう。朱志香と最後の語らいに費やすがいい。 <br>\r\n ......You probably do not have much time left. You may spend it having a final conversation with Jessica.\" <br><br>\r\n …カーテンの束の中で密会とは、…そなたらもなかなか味な真似をする。くっくっくっく…。」 <br>\r\n \"...A secret meeting inside a bunch of curtains? ...How clever you two are. *cackle*cackle*...\" <br><br>\r\n 「あ、あの、…………ありがとう、ベアトリーチェ…！！ 嘉音くんに会わせてくれて、ありがとう……！！」 <br>\r\n \"U-Umm, ......thank you, Beatrice...!! Thank you for letting me be with Kanon-kun...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 朱志香はベアトがどこにいるのかわからないので、見当違いの方向を向いて言った。 <br>\r\n それが滑稽だったのか、ベアトはわずかに失笑する。 <br>\r\n Jessica didn't know where Beato was, so she said that while facing in the wrong direction. <br><br>\r\n Perhaps because she found that funny, Beato snickered. <br><br>\r\n 「あとは愛し合う二人にこの部屋を譲る。邪悪なる魔女に恋話は不要でな。退出させてもらおう。」 <br>\r\n \"I will now leave this room to the pair of lovers. Evil witches have no need for tales of love. Allow me to depart.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……ベアトリーチェさま…。…ありがとうございます。」 <br>\r\n \"...Beatrice-sama, ...thank you very much.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ふ…。………礼など要らぬ。こんなのでは償い切れぬほど、悪行を重ねておることは、そなたがよく知っておろうに。」 <br>\r\n \"Hmph, ......there is no need to thank me. You know that something like this cannot compensate for all of the evil I have done.\" <br><br>\r\n 「良き魔女には感謝を餞別とします。…今までがどうであったか、そしてこれからがどうであるかは知らない。……しかし、今この瞬間。…あなたは間違いなく、良き魔女だ。」 <br>\r\n \"I offer my gratitude to this good witch as a parting gift. ...I don't know what has happened before or what will happen later. ...However, at this very moment, ...you are without a doubt...a good witch.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……おべっかが過ぎるぞ、家具めが。次に会う時は、期待を裏切らぬ悪しき魔女であるかもしれぬぞ。 <br>\r\n \"...You flatter me, furniture. The next time we meet, I may be an evil witch who doesn't betray your expectations. <br><br>\r\n ……それではさらばだ。」 <br>\r\n ...And with that, farewell.\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトは客間を出て、その扉を閉める。 <br>\r\n Beato left the parlor and closed the door. <br><br>\r\n そして、残った最後の魔力の全てを振り絞って、その扉を封印する。 <br>\r\n And, mustering the last of her remaining magical power, she sealed the door. <br><br>\r\n いずれ二人がここに逃げ込んだことは気付かれる。 <br>\r\n The fact that those two had escaped into here would eventually be noticed. <br><br>\r\n …それに、第九の晩を迎えた以上、どう足掻こうとも逃れられぬ運命はもう決まっている。 <br>\r\n ...And now that the ninth twilight had been reached, no matter how much they struggled, their inescapable fate had already been decided. <br><br>\r\n しかし、その最後の瞬間まで、二人には恋を語り合う時間が許されるべきなのだ。 <br>\r\n However, until that final moment, they should be given the chance to speak with each other of their love. <br><br>\r\n 魔女は、その時間を守るために全ての魔力を注ぎ込む。 <br>\r\n The witch poured out all of her magical power to protect their time together. <br><br>\r\n ……最後の瞬間まで、二人きりの時間を誰にも穢せぬよう。 <br>\r\n ...So that no one would be able to defile their time alone until the last possible moment. <br><br>\r\n その時、…ベアトは知覚した。 <br>\r\n At that time, ...Beato noticed something. <br><br>\r\n ……自分の体を魔法的な探索術が探知したことを。 <br>\r\n ...Her body had been detected by a magical searching technique. <br><br>\r\n …残酷な魔女の家具が、ここを嗅ぎつけたのだ。 <br>\r\n ...The evil witch's furniture had sniffed this place out. <br><br>\r\n 「…………無粋なるは魔女の所以か。若き二人に恋を語らせる気もなしとは…。……くっくくくくくくくくくく…！！」 <br>\r\n \"......So, boorishness is the witch's way of doing things after all... To think that she doesn't even intend to let those two young ones speak together of their love.........*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「４５データ受領。標的照合、先代ベアトリーチェ卿と確認。客間防御壁を解析。多層防御壁７２層、攻性防壁及び魔法反応装甲。客間への狙撃は不可能。４１０へデータリンク。」 <br>\r\n \"45, Data Received. Checking Target, Confirmed as the Predecessor Lady Beatrice. Analyzing Parlor Defensive Wall. 72-Layered Multilayered Defensive Wall, Attack-Proof Barrier and Anti-Magic Armor. Sniping into the parlor will be impossible. Data Link to 410.\" <br><br>\r\n 「４１０データ受領。にひ！ <br>\r\n \"410, Data Received. Nihi! <br><br>\r\n じゃあ先代さまを先に＊しちゃえばいいだけの話だにぇ。大ベアトリーチェ卿、攻撃許可を！」 <br>\r\n Then we've just gotta **** the Predecessor-sama first nyeh. Great Lady Beatrice, your Firing Permission please!\" <br><br>\r\n 「撃ってちょうだい。…あぁ、急所は外してね。ババァに聞きたいことがあるの。」 <br>\r\n \"Go ahead and shoot. ...Oh, and avoid her vital areas. There's something I want to ask that old hag.\" <br><br>\r\n 「４１０、射撃。にひ！」 <br>\r\n \"410, Firing. Nihi!\" <br><br>\r\n シエスタ姉妹の黄金弓が、黄金の蛇を放つ。 <br>\r\n The Chiester Sisters' gold bow released a gold snake. <br><br>\r\n ……それは使用人室前から廊下を這って、蛇のような柔らかい曲線の軌道を描きながら客間を目指し、 <br>\r\n ...It crawled down the corridor starting from the front of the servant room, aiming for the parlor as it drew a soft, snake-like curved line trajectory, <br><br>\r\n …ベアトの胸を貫いた。 <br>\r\n ...and pierced Beato's chest. <br><br>\r\n 「………………ぐはッ……！！！」 <br>\r\n \".........Gwaah...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n そこに黄金の蝶たちが集まり、残酷なる魔女とその家具たちが姿を現す。 <br>\r\n Gold butterflies gathered, and the cruel witch appeared along with her furniture. <br><br>\r\n 「……先代さま。二度もの妨害、もはや許されませんぞ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Predecessor-sama, no further obstructions will be permitted.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……ぐ……ぅ………、許されようとも思わぬわ…。……しかしシエスタ姉妹も腕が落ちたものよ。妾を仕留め損なうとはな。…それも二度も…！」 <br>\r\n \"...Ugh...uu...... I didn't think they would be... ...Still, the Chiester Sisters really have gotten rusty. To think that they failed to bring me down. ...And twice, at that...!\" <br><br>\r\n ロノウェは、魔女の執事として相応しい口上を述べる。 <br>\r\n ベアトは苦痛を押し隠しながらニヤリと笑って言い返した。 <br>\r\n Ronove spoke in a manner befitting the witch's butler. <br><br>\r\n As she pushed her pain aside, Beato grinned and spoke back. <br><br>\r\n 「も、申し訳ありません、先代さま…！ 急所を外せとのご命令です…！」 <br>\r\n \"M-My apologies, Predecessor-sama...! We were ordered to avoid vital areas...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ご指示があれば、すぐにでも貫きますとも。ピアスの穴でもおへその穴でも、お好きな穴を。 にひ！」 <br>\r\n \"As soon as we get the order, we can pierce you at any time. We can pierce a hole in your ears, a hole in your belly button, any hole you like. Nihi!\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトを貫いた黄金の蛇は、そのまま伸びて朝顔の蔦が描くような螺旋を描き、次の命令を待っていた。 <br>\r\n The gold snake that had pierced Beatrice grew even longer, drawing a funnel-shaped helix and awaiting its next order. <br><br>\r\n …残酷なる魔女が命じれば、すぐにでも急所を貫く用意があるということだ。 <br>\r\n ...It was prepared to pierce a vital spot as soon as the evil witch told it to. <br><br>\r\n 「………残忍にかけては妾も一歩劣るそなたが、急所を外させるとは、どういう風の吹き回しか。新しきベアトリーチェ…！！」 <br>\r\n \"......For what reason would someone like you, who is no less brutal than I, make them avoid my vital areas? New Beatrice...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「聞きたかったのよ。…どういう術で逃れたのか知らないけど、私たちはあんたを仕留めたつもりでいたのよ？ そのまま隠れていれば逃れられたものを、どうして危険を冒してまた現れたの？ ……まさか若い二人を庇うためだけに戻ってきたわけぇ？」 <br>\r\n \"I wanted to ask you something. ...I don't know what kind of trick you used to escape, but we thought we took you out, right? Why is it that even though you could've escaped by hiding, you took the risk of appearing again? ...It can't be that you came back just to protect those two young people, riight?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……さぁて、…な。……くっくっくっく…！」 <br>\r\n \"...Well, ...who knows? ...*cackle*cackle*...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「さっきだってそうよ。どうして恋人たちを蘇らせて再会なんて、甘い真似を？ …聞けば聞くほどに、あなたは私なんて足元にも及ばない邪悪の権化。そのあなたが、どうして急にそんな生温いことを始めたのかって。……それを聞きたかったのよ。」 <br>\r\n \"And just a second ago. Why'd you do something as soft as reviving the lovers and reuniting them? ...The more I hear about you, the more I learn that I don't even reach up to your feet as an incarnation of evil. If you're like that, why did you suddenly start acting so mildly? ...That's what I wanted to ask.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………くっくっくっく！ 残忍ゆえに妾は気紛れなのよ。それを問うことに意味などあろうか。」 <br>\r\n \"......*cackle*cackle*! I am brutal, therefore I am fickle. What purpose could questioning that possibly serve?\" <br><br>\r\n 「シエスタ姉妹。縫え。」 <br>\r\n \"<NAME>, sew her.\" <br><br>\r\n それを命じると、螺旋を巻いて宙に留まっていた黄金の蛇が、文字通り獲物を狙う蛇のように素早く動き、ベアトの体を何度か前後から貫いて、その黄金の尾で×字を描く。 <br>\r\n When she ordered that, the gold snake that was curled in a helix and suspended in space...moved as fast as a real snake going after its prey...and pierced Beato's body multiple times from both sides, its gold tail drawing a x shape. <br><br>\r\n 残酷なる魔女の命じたそのままに、ベアトの胸にクロスステッチを描く。 <br>\r\n 黄金の縫い糸は、ぎしぎしと音を立ててベアトを苦しめた…。 <br>\r\n As the cruel witch had ordered, it drew a cross-stitch through Beato's chest. <br><br>\r\n The gold thread made a squeaking sound and tormented Beato... <br><br>\r\n 黄金の蛇は、獲物を狙うそれではなく、まるでベアトを縫う縫い針であるかのように、空中に待機する。 <br>\r\n Rather than a gold snake searching for its prey, it waited for orders like a sewing needle ready to sew Beato. <br><br>\r\n 「あんたに限って、気紛れなんてあるわけがない。……あんたのことを聞いたわ。そして知ったわ。あんたは、私ですら足元にも及ばない邪悪の権化よ。私は、そんなあなたに実に相応しい後継者だと思ったの。 <br>\r\n \"If it's you we're talking about, there's no way it could've been a whim. ...I've heard about you. And I've learned. You're such an incarnation of evil that I don't even rise up to your feet. I thought I was truly a fitting successor to you.\" <br><br>\r\n ……なのにあなたは邪魔ばかり。温いことばかり言って私を呆れさせる。……何があなたを変えたの？ 千年間、邪悪の限りを尽くしたあなたに、その千年を翻すような何が起こったのか、それだけを知りたくて生かしたのよ。」 <br>\r\n \"...But you've always been in the way. You always say warm, pleasant things that shock me. ...What changed you? You explored the depths of evil for one thousand years, and I let you live...because I wanted to know what happened to make you change so much.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……知りたくば、そなたも千年を費やすが良いぞ。くっくくくくく！」 <br>\r\n \"...If you really want to know, then I suggest you waste a thousand years as well. *cackle*cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n 「縫え。」 <br>\r\n \"Sew.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ぐおッッ！！！ っくっか、……がッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Gwaahhhh!!! Ackkah, ...gah!!\" <br><br>\r\n 再び、ベアトの胸に黄金のクロスステッチが縫われる。 <br>\r\n Beato's chest was once again sewn with a golden cross-stitch. <br><br>\r\n それは再び引き締められ、ベアトの胸から鮮血を搾り出させた。 <br>\r\n それは見た目の美しさと相容れぬほどの激痛を強いる。 <br>\r\n It tightened once again, squeezing fresh blood from Beato's chest. <br><br>\r\n The intense pain it caused ran in conflict with its beauty to the eye. <br><br>\r\n 「………あんたもひょっとすると、死ぬと消えちゃって死体が残らないタイプかもしれないわね。だから、あなたをゆっくりと殺すわ。 <br>\r\n \"......You might be one of those things that disappear when they die and don't leave a corpse. So I'll kill you slowly. <br><br>\r\n でも、私の質問に正直に答えられたら、楽に殺してあげる。先代さまにぴったりの華麗で豪華でやさしい死を与えてあげる。水を張り、薔薇で埋めた棺桶に沈めてあげるわ。素敵でしょう？ …それでも話せないの？ あなたの心変わりの理由。」 <br>\r\n But if you answer my questions honestly, I'll let you die easy. I'll give you a splendid, gorgeous death, perfect for my Predecessor-sama. I'll sink you in a coffin filled with water and roses. Isn't that wonderful? ...And you still won't talk? About the reason for your change of heart?\" <br><br>\r\n 「くっくっくっく…！！ 聞かれたことを答えぬもまた、邪悪なる魔女の愉悦よ。」 <br>\r\n \"*cackle*cackle*...!! Not answering when she is asked is another one of an evil witch's pleasures.\" <br><br>\r\n 「縫え。二つ。」 <br>\r\n \"Sew. Twice.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ぎゅおッ、ぐはッッ………！！」 <br>\r\n \"Gyoah, gwuaahh......!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「もちろん答えてくれなくていいの。だって、そうやって虐めてるんだもの。 <br>\r\n \"Of course, you don't have to answer. After all, that way I get to torture you. <br><br>\r\n くっくひひひひひひひひひひ！！ <br>\r\n Kuukuhihihihihihihihihihi!!\" <br><br>\r\n 無限の魔法は本当に素晴らしいわ。…思えばこの世はすべからく有限。人の世に無限などありはしない。それは神が無限であるがゆえに、人の世を見下すため、全ての無限を取り上げたからよ。 <br>\r\n \"The Endless Magic truly is wonderful. ...When you think about it, this world is limited in every way. The endless cannot exist in the human world. Because gods are without limits, the human world is deprived of all limitlessness, so that they can be looked down upon.\" <br><br>\r\n …なればつまり、無限の力とは神の力！ 遊べば遊ぶほどにさらに楽しい遊び方を見つけられる素敵な力！ その力を千年も思うがままに使い、暴れまわったあなたが！ なぜ今頃になって心変わりをしたの？ まさか、私に譲ったから惜しくなって、とかじゃないわよねぇ？」 <br>\r\n \"...So, in other words, this endless power is the power of the gods! A wonderful power where, the more you play with it, the more fun ways of playing you find! You used that power as you pleased for one thousand years and went on a rampage! Why are you having a change of heart only now? You aren't gonna say you regret handing it over to me, are you?\" <br><br>\r\n 「惜しいものか。そなたがそうだと信じている無限の魔法など魔法にあらず。 <br>\r\n \"How could I regret it? The Endless Magic you believe in is no magic at all. <br><br>\r\n …真の魔法の力とは、そなたなどでは到底至れぬ深淵にあるのだ。」 <br>\r\n ...True magic lies in a deep abyss that you most certainly cannot reach.\" <br><br>\r\n 「それに気付いたから……？ それは、…何？」 <br>\r\n \"And this is what you realized...? Then what...is it?\" <br><br>\r\n 「くっくくくくく！ それに気付けず千年を彷徨え、愚かな魔女よ。」 <br>\r\n \"*cackle*cackle*cackle*! Wander about for a thousand years without realizing, foolish witch.\" <br><br>\r\n 「縫え。今度は三つ。」 <br>\r\n \"Sew. Three times this time.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ぐおッ、ぎゅおぉ、…ぐッ…！！！」 <br>\r\n \"Gwoah, gyuooh, ...gu...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトの胸に黄金の糸で刺繍が刻まれていく。 <br>\r\n それらはさらにぎちぎちと締め付け、ベアトをさらにさらに痛めつける…。 <br>\r\n Beato's chest had been embroidered with the gold thread. <br><br>\r\n It tightened even more, causing Beato more and more pain... <br><br>\r\n 「……ま、いいわ。死に損ないのババァが何を達観したかなんて、もう興味も何もない。もう飽きたから、あっさり殺してあげるわ。あんたを殺せば、客間の結界は解ける。 <br>\r\n \"...Well, that's fine. I'm no longer curious about what kind of revelations an old hag who refuses to die might've had. I'm bored now, so I'll just kill you. If I do, the barrier around the parlor will dissolve.\" <br><br>\r\n ……そしたら嘉音と朱志香もたっぷり虐め殺してあげるわね。……愛し合う二人を同時に玩具にできるなんて、……これは楽しそうよねぇ？ くっひひっひっひひひっひひひひひ！！ <br>\r\n \"...Then I'll torture Kanon and Jessica to death a whole bunch of times. ...Being able to have two lovers as my toys at the same time...sounds pretty fun, right? Kuhhihihhihhihihihhihihihihi!!\" <br><br>\r\n 殺せ…！！！」 <br>\r\n \"Kill her...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 黄金の縫い糸が、寸分違わずベアトの心臓を打ち抜く…。 <br>\r\n その激痛は、それまでの激痛を全部合わせても足りないほど。 <br>\r\n Without missing by a millimeter, the gold sewing thread shot through Beato's heart... <br><br>\r\n That intense pain was worse than all of the pain before that put together. <br><br>\r\n ベアトは千年もの間、忘れていた、死ぬという実感をようやく思い出す…。 <br>\r\n Beato finally remembered the actual feeling of dying, which she had forgotten over the course of a thousand years... <br><br>\r\n しかし、………死ねない。死んではならない。 <br>\r\n 死ねば、客間の二人を残酷なる魔女に差し出すことになる。 <br>\r\n But......she couldn't die. She must not die. <br><br>\r\n If she died, it would mean handing over the two in the parlor to the cruel witch. <br><br>\r\n だから断じて死ねない。 <br>\r\n 死ぬことを…断固として拒否する…！ <br>\r\n So she definitely couldn't die. <br><br>\r\n She resolutely...refused to die...! <br><br>\r\n 「………新しきベアトリーチェよ…。…頼みがある。………客間の二人の逢瀬は、短い時間のものだ。………砂時計で計れる程度の時間で、…嘉音は冥府へ消えるだろう。…その程度の時間を、どうか許してはくれぬか…。」 <br>\r\n \"......New Beatrice, ...I have a request. ......The lover's meeting between the two in the parlor will not last long. ......In the amount of time an hourglass can measure, Kanon will probably vanish into the Land of the Dead. ...Would you please allow them at least that much time...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「いやぁよ。愛し合う二人を引き裂くのって、楽しいんでしょう？ あなたが言ったわ。だから私、やってみたいの！」 <br>\r\n \"No waay. Isn't tearing apart two who love each other fun? You said it yourself. So I want to try it!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……くっくくくく…。ならばその快楽、貴様に味わわせるわけにはいかぬ…。くっくっくっく、楽しいぞぉ、恋人たちを引き裂くのは。」 <br>\r\n \"...*cackle*cackle*... In that case, I mustn't allow you that pleasure... *cackle*cackle* Yes, it can be fun, tearing apart lovers.\" <br><br>\r\n 「そうよね？ きっと楽しいわよね？ <br>\r\n \"Really? I'm sure it is fun. <br><br>\r\n だから邪魔しないで！！ <br>\r\n So don't get in my way!! <br><br>\r\n もっと縫え！ 縫え縫え縫えッ！！」 <br>\r\n Sew more! Sew, sew, sew!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「にひ！ ４１０了解ぃ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Nihi! 410, Understoood!!\" <br><br>\r\n 無慈悲なる黄金の縫い針が、何度も何度もベアトの心臓に黄金の糸を縫い通す。 <br>\r\n The merciless gold sewing needle sewed the gold thread through Beato's heart over and over again. <br><br>\r\n ……しかし、いくら縛り上げようとも、その心臓は止まろうとしない…。 <br>\r\n ...However, no matter how much it tightened, that heart did not stop... <br><br>\r\n 「く、……ぉおお…、まだまだこの程度では足りぬな…。この程度では死んではやれぬ…！！」 <br>\r\n \"Nng, ...aaaaahhh, ...this isn't nearly enough... I won't die by something like this...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「何をしてるの。このババァのお喋りを止めなさい。早く殺すのよ！」 <br>\r\n \"What are you doing? Make this old hag shut up. Kill her quickly!\" <br><br>\r\n 「こ、…殺してます…！！ 何度も心臓を縫い止めてるのに、……こいつの心臓、…と、止まらないんですぅ…！！」 <br>\r\n \"...W-We're killing her...!! Even though we've sewn her heart in place several times, ...this person's heart...w-won't stop...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……あんた、不死身なの？」 <br>\r\n \"...Are you...immortal?\" <br><br>\r\n 「まさか。……そなたに無限は譲り渡したわ。鼓動を刻める数など、残すところもたかが知れている。 <br>\r\n \"Of course not. ...I've handed the endless over to you. My heart will not beat many more times.\" <br><br>\r\n …だが、それをひとつ余計に刻むことで、この部屋の二人にわずかでも長い時間を与えられるなら、……その程度の抵抗を、永遠に続けようぞッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"...However, if by making it beat just once more, I can give the two in this room a bit more time, ...I'll continue that resistance for all eternity!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「縫え！！ <br>\r\n \"Sew!! <br><br>\r\n こいつの心臓が動きを止めるまで縫い続けよッ！！」 <br>\r\n Keep sewing until her heart stops moving!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ぐうッ、ぐおおおッ、ぐああああぁあああああぁッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Guuh, guooooh, gwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…な、……何でこいつ、死なないの！ ありえない…！！」 <br>\r\n \"...Wh-Why doesn't she die?! It's impossible...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「心臓を、……縫い縛ってるのに…、……何で、止まらないの？！」 <br>\r\n \"Why...isn't her heart stopping...even though it's been sewn in place?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ならいいや、心臓を内側から爆破してやるにぇ…！ <br>\r\n \"Who cares, we'll make the heart explode from the inside nyeh...! <br><br>\r\n 可哀想に、逆らわなければ綺麗に死ねたのにぃ！！」 <br>\r\n How pitiful, and you could've died cleanly if you hadn't resisted us!!\" <br><br>\r\n そう言いながら、何度も何度も黄金の針と糸が往復するのに、ベアトはまだ息絶えない…。 <br>\r\n As they said that, even though the gold needle and thread made round trips over and over again, Beato still didn't die... <br><br>\r\n その異常さに、ようやく残酷なる魔女は表情を青ざめる。 <br>\r\n The cruel witch eventually grew pale at how bizarre that was. <br><br>\r\n 「…………お前、……一体、何者なの…。」 <br>\r\n \"......What in the world...are you...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……くっくくくくく。……そなたにはわからぬだろうなぁ。……妾にもわからなかったさ。……だがな。…どうやら、これが本当の魔法というものらしいぞ。 <br>\r\n ………つまり、 <br>\r\n ……妾は今こそ、 <br>\r\n ……成った。…本当の魔女に、 <br>\r\n ……成ったッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"...*cackle*cackle*cackle* ...You probably cannot understand. ...Even I didn't understand. ...And yet, ...somehow or another, it seems that this is true magic. <br><br>\r\n ......In other words, <br><br>\r\n ...I have now... <br><br>\r\n become it. ...I have become... <br><br>\r\n a true witch!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「心臓内部で爆心固定。信管準備良し！」 <br>\r\n \"Fixing Explosion Center in Heart Interior. Fuse Preparations Ready!\" <br><br>\r\n 「爆破ッ！！！」 <br>\r\n \"Explode!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 凄まじい音がして、………黄金の蝶たちの群と、金箔が辺りに撒き散らされた。 <br>\r\n There was a terrible sound......and gold leaf was scattered around the area, along with a cloud of gold butterflies. <br><br>\r\n ベアトの胸が、…ばっくりと内側から開き、……そこから、黄金の蝶と金箔が噴出して、辺りを金色に染めているのだ…。 <br>\r\n Beato's chest had opened wide from the inside, ...and from that, gold butterflies and gold leaf poured out, staining the surrounding area gold... <br><br>\r\n そして、ベアトの肉体が崩れ落ちる。 <br>\r\n Then, Beato's flesh crumpled. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 操り人形の糸が千切れて、…くたりとしゃがみ込むように、崩れ落ちる。 <br>\r\n Like a puppet whose strings had been cut, ...she crouched down...and crumpled. <br><br>\r\n ……しかし、宙には、黄金の縫い糸に縛られた黄金の心臓が浮き、なおも鼓動を続けている…。 <br>\r\n ...However, a gold heart tied by gold threads floated in the air...and continued to beat... <br><br>\r\n 「………そ、………そんなッ、………ひぃいぃ…。」 <br>\r\n \"......Wh-What the......eeeeeek...\" <br><br>\r\n 「バ、……バケモノだ…、…ひいいいぃいぃ…！」 <br>\r\n \"M-Monster, ...eeeeeeeeep...!\" <br><br>\r\n シエスタ姉妹はそれを見て、驚愕しながら尻餅をつく。 <br>\r\n When the Chiester Sisters saw that, they fell on their butts in shock. <br><br>\r\n ……何とベアトは、……心臓だけになっても、まだ鼓動を続けて、客間の結界を守り続けているのだ。 <br>\r\n ...Somehow, even though Beato had become nothing more than a heart, it still kept beating, continuing to protect the barrier to the parlor. <br><br>\r\n …それは計りきれないほどの莫大な魔力。 <br>\r\n ...It was an immeasurably vast magical power. <br><br>\r\n …測定不能。即ち、無限。 <br>\r\n ...Impossible to measure. In other words, endless. <br><br>\r\n 「………む、無限の魔女は私でしょう…？ ………何でこのババァ、……こんなになっても、……生きてんのよ……！！ <br>\r\n \"......I-I'm the Endless Witch, right...? ......Why is this old hag...still alive...after all this...?!! <br><br>\r\n シエスタ姉妹！！ あの心臓を砕くのよ！！ 早く！！」 <br>\r\n Chiester Sisters!! Smash that heart!! Quickly!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「む、無理です、申し訳ありませんッ！ 私たちには出来ません！！」 <br>\r\n \"I-It's impossible, my apologies! We can't do it!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………無理でしょう。何人たりとも、あの心臓を打ち砕けはしません。…竜王陛下の兵士風情ではとてもとても。」 <br>\r\n \"......Indeed, it probably will be impossible. No number of people could crush that heart. ...And certainly not the soldiers who serve under His Highness the Dragon King.\" <br><br>\r\n 「なら。無限の魔女である私になら打ち砕けるということでしょう？ 私の力は、神の力だものッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"In that case, an Endless Witch like me should be able to crush it, right? My power is that of a god!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「恐れながら。あなた様の力では、 <br>\r\n \"I am afraid to say...that your power cannot <br><br>\r\n ~ib~ベアトリーチェさま~ib~の無限には、傷一つ付けられません。」 <br>\r\n leave a single wound on the Endless of ~ib~Beatrice-sama~ib~.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……それは、…どういう意味よ……。」 <br>\r\n \"...Just what...do you mean by that...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「影を知らずして光がないように。……有限を知らずして無限もまたなし。………ベアトリーチェお嬢様の、真の無限の力の前に、あなた様の脆弱な魔力ではとてもとても及びません。」 <br>\r\n \"Just as there can be no light without knowledge of shadows, ...there can be no infinite without knowledge of the finite. ......Before Milady Beatrice's true endless power, your frail magic is quite, quite lacking.\" <br><br>\r\n 「何よ、………それ……。 <br>\r\n \"What is......that... <br><br>\r\n …うッ、」 <br>\r\n ...aah-\" <br><br>\r\n 残酷なる魔女は驚き、後退る。 <br>\r\n The cruel witch was surprised and stepped back. <br><br>\r\n レースのカーテンよりも薄い姿だけれど…。 <br>\r\n It was thinner than a lace curtain... <br><br>\r\n ……ベアトの姿が、 <br>\r\n ...But Beato's form... <br><br>\r\n …いや、~ib~ベアトリーチェ~ib~の姿が、まだそこに立ちはだかっていた。 <br>\r\n ...no, ~ib~Beatrice~ib~'s form was still standing there. <br><br>\r\n このような無惨な姿を晒してなおも、……邪悪にこの扉を譲ろうとしないのだ。 <br>\r\n Even after being laid bare so tragically like this, ...she refused to let evil through that door. <br><br>\r\n その時、……そのベアトリーチェの後に、同じくらいに薄い人影が立つ。 <br>\r\n At that time, ...a shadow just as thin as Beatrice stood behind her. <br><br>\r\n 嘉音だった。 <br>\r\n It was Kanon. <br><br>\r\n 「………ベアトリーチェさま。 <br>\r\n \"......Beatrice-sama, <br><br>\r\n …ありがとうございました。…このご恩は、忘れません。」 <br>\r\n ...thank you very much. ...I won't forget what you've done for us.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……ふ。…恩の数が、恨みの数を超えたらその言葉をもう一度聞こうぞ。……もう良いのか。」 <br>\r\n \"...Hmph. ...I'll hear those words of yours once the number of my blessings has surpassed the number of grievances I have caused. ...Was that long enough?\" <br><br>\r\n 「はい。………本当にありがとうございました。 <br>\r\n \"Yes. ......Truly, thank you very much. <br><br>\r\n ……そしてベアトリーチェさまも、 <br>\r\n ……もう、…大丈夫です。……どうか、 <br>\r\n ……お楽になさってください…。」 <br>\r\n ...And Beatrice-sama, <br><br>\r\n ...you have also done enough. ...Please, <br><br>\r\n ...be at peace...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……そうか。……もう、…良いのか……。………く、……くっくくくくくく…。」 <br>\r\n \"...Is that so? ...Is this...enough...? ......Ha, ...*cackle*cackle*cackle*...\" <br><br>\r\n 「何よ…。……何であんたたちは、先代のババァをベアトリーチェと呼ぶのよ！ <br>\r\n \"What's going on...? ...Why are you guys calling that old hag Beatrice?! <br><br>\r\n ベアトリーチェは私の名前でしょう？！ 新しき黄金の魔女、そして無限の魔女である私の名前のはずよ？！」 <br>\r\n Beatrice is my name, right?! It's got to be, since I'm the new Golden Witch and Endless Witch, right?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………無礼な。ベアトリーチェさまの名を騙るな。」 <br>\r\n \"......How rude. How dare you claim Beatrice-sama's name.\" <br><br>\r\n 「恐れながら。……ベアトリーチェさまの名は、無限の魔女を冠せられるお方が名乗られるべきもの。今や、先代はあなた様を指すものでございますよ。…ぷっくくくくく。」 <br>\r\n \"I am afraid to say...that the name of Beatrice-sama belongs to the one crowned as the Endless Witch. Right now, you are the Predecessor. ...Pukkukukukuku.\" <br><br>\r\n 「な、……んだと……。」 <br>\r\n \"What...did you say...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「………さらばだ、嘉音。 <br>\r\n \"......Farewell, Kanon. <br><br>\r\n ……どうせすぐに出会うさ。新しき悪夢でな。」 <br>\r\n ...I'm sure I'll see you soon enough. In a new nightmare.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………新しい夜の悪夢にて、再びベアトリーチェさまのお供を…。 <br>\r\n \"......In the nightmare of a new night, I will once again be your companion, Beatrice-sama... <br><br>\r\n ……これで、…失礼いたします……。」 <br>\r\n ...With that, ...if you would excuse me...\" <br><br>\r\n 嘉音の姿が薄れていき、……虚空に消え去った。 <br>\r\n Kanon's form grew faint, ...and he disappeared into thin air. <br><br>\r\n それを見届けてから、…ベアトリーチェの姿も薄れていき、……消え去る前に、床に崩れて倒れる。 <br>\r\n After watching him go, ...Beatrice's form also grew faint, ...and before disappearing, it slumped over onto the floor. <br><br>\r\n すると、……ぼたりと音がした。 <br>\r\n Then, ...there was a *splat*. <br><br>\r\n 宙に浮いていた黄金の心臓は、…輝きを失い、血塗れの肉塊となって床を転がっている。 <br>\r\n The golden heart that had been floating in midair...lost its sparkle, became bloodstained flesh, and fell to the ground. <br><br>\r\n …それの、何と弱々しきことか。 <br>\r\n ずたずたにされて穴だらけにされている。 <br>\r\n ...How frail it was. <br><br>\r\n It was ragged and full of holes. <br><br>\r\n …でも、さっきまで、あんなにも輝いて、力強く鼓動を繰り返していたのだ。 <br>\r\n ...But until a moment ago, it had sparkled so much, had continued to beat so forcefully. <br><br>\r\n その心臓は、まだ辛うじて鼓動を続けている。 <br>\r\n That heart still just barely managed to beat. <br><br>\r\n ……しかし、止まるのは時間の問題だった。 <br>\r\n ...However, it was only a matter of time before it stopped. <br><br>\r\n 線香の煙のように儚く薄い姿となったベアトリーチェは床に倒れ、……自らの心臓をぼんやりと見ている…。 <br>\r\n Beatrice, whose form had become fragile and faint like incense smoke, lay on the floor, ...steadily watching her own heart... <br><br>\r\n そこへ、残酷なる魔女の姿が…。 <br>\r\n There, the cruel witch could be seen... <br><br>\r\n 「…な、…何が無限よ…。現にこうしてぶっ倒れてるじゃない？！ <br>\r\n \"...Wh-What do you mean, endless...? Aren't you actually collapsed in a heap right there?! <br><br>\r\n 有限のある無限なんて、そんな矛盾、存在するわけもない！ これがあんたの魔法の限界なのよ！ 有限は無限に劣る！！」 <br>\r\n How can there be a finite infinity? ...That's a contradiction, it couldn't exist! This is the limit of your magic! The endless is better than the finite!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトリーチェには、すでに言い返す気力も無い。 <br>\r\n …いや、それどころか、残酷なる魔女の言葉が耳に届いているかも怪しかった…。 <br>\r\n Beatrice no longer even had the will to respond. <br><br>\r\n ...No, on the contrary, it was doubtful that the words of the cruel witch even reached her ears... <br><br>\r\n 「あんたが本当に無限の魔女なら立ち上がってみなさいよ！！ どう？ 立てないでしょう？！ <br>\r\n \"If you're a real Endless Witch, try standing up!! How's it going? You can't stand, can you?! <br><br>\r\n どうして立てないと思う？！ あんたが無限の魔女じゃないからよッ！！」 <br>\r\n Why do you think you can't stand?! It's because you aren't the Endless Witch!!\" <br><br>\r\n 残酷なる魔女は、爪先でベアトリーチェの心臓を小突く。 <br>\r\n The cruel witch poked Beatrice's heart with her fingernail. <br><br>\r\n ベアトリーチェはその挑発に返す言葉など何もない。 <br>\r\n Beatrice had no words with which to respond to that provocation. <br><br>\r\n ……だが、…言葉の代わりに、表情をひとつ返した。 <br>\r\n ……それは、残酷なる魔女にとってのみ屈辱的に見えた。 <br>\r\n ...However, ...instead of words, she returned a single expression. <br><br>\r\n ...It felt humiliating only to the cruel witch. <br><br>\r\n 口を緩やかに曲げて、……笑っていたからだ。 <br>\r\n Because she had gently curved her mouth...and smiled. <br><br>\r\n ……そこへ、近付いてくる足音があった。 <br>\r\n ...Footsteps were approaching that place. <br><br>\r\n 聞き違えるわけもない。…この荒々しく踵を鳴らす音は、戦人の足音だ…。 <br>\r\n There was no way she had misheard it. ...That rough squeaking of heels was the sound of Battler's footsteps... <br><br>\r\n 「………戦人か………。………く、……くくくくくく…。…偉そうなことを言っても、…妾はこのザマよ……。」 <br>\r\n \"......Battler, is it......? ......Ha, ...*cackle*cackle*cackle*... ...After talking so tough, ...I ended up like this...\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"..................\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………そなたの言う、 <br>\r\n ……本当の魔女というのを、 <br>\r\n ………妾なりにがんばってみたぞ……。」 <br>\r\n \"......I've been trying to become... <br><br>\r\n ...the true witch you talked about... <br><br>\r\n ...in my own way...\" <br><br>\r\n 「…あぁ。……見てたぜ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Yeah. ...I was watching.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……なァ、 <br>\r\n ……これで私は、 <br>\r\n ………魔女に、 <br>\r\n ……なれたかなぁ……。……そなたの対戦相手の資格、 <br>\r\n ……できたかなぁ……。」 <br>\r\n \"...Hey, <br><br>\r\n ...have I... <br><br>\r\n ...been able to become... <br><br>\r\n ...a witch...? ...Have I earned... <br><br>\r\n ...the right to become your opponent...?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「駄目だな。」 <br>\r\n \"It's useless.\" <br><br>\r\n 戦人は信じられないくらい淡白に言い放つ。 <br>\r\n Battler said it unbelievably bluntly. <br><br>\r\n ベアトリーチェは、苦しい息の中、それを見て、それも当然だと自嘲する。 <br>\r\n As Beatrice breathed painfully, she saw this and sneered at herself, as though she should have expected it. <br><br>\r\n 「…………く、…くっくっく…。…そうか。……本当の魔女への道は、まだまだ険しいなぁ…。 <br>\r\n \"......Ha, ...*cackle*... ...I see. ...Yes, the road to becoming a true witch will be much, much longer than this...\" <br><br>\r\n ……だが、…妾は屈しぬぞ…。……そなたが、妾の拷問に決して屈しなかったように…。………必ず、……本当の魔女になって、……そなたの対戦相手に、…認められて……やる……。」 <br>\r\n \"...However, ...I will not surrender... ...Just like you never surrendered to my torture, ......I will definitely...become a true witch...and be...accepted as your opponent...\" <br><br>\r\n 「あぁ、駄目だな。全然駄目だ。お前は俺の対戦相手じゃない。」 <br>\r\n \"Yeah, it's useless. It's all useless. You aren't my opponent.\" <br><br>\r\n 残酷なる魔女が高々と足を振り上げる…。 <br>\r\n …その下にはベアトリーチェの弱々しい心臓が。 <br>\r\n The cruel witch raised her foot high... <br><br>\r\n ...Below it was Beatrice's frail heart. <br><br>\r\n 「死ねよババァ！！ ぐちゃっと潰れて、それでも無限が示せるってんなら示してごらんなさいよ！！ 魔女は私よ！ 黄金の魔女ベアトリーチェは私なのよッ！！！ 死ねぇえええええええええぇッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Die, you old hag!! Let's see how endless you are when you've been crushed to a pulp!! I'm the witch! I am the Golden Witch, Beatrice!!! Diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieee!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「あああぁ駄目だッ全然駄目だああああああぁああああッ！！！」 <br>\r\n \"Aaaaaaaah, it's useless, it's all useleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessss!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「んな、………何だ、 <br>\r\n ……これは……。…こ、………ここは……。」 <br>\r\n \"Wh-What... <br><br>\r\n ...is this...? ...Wh-Where is this...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「席に着け。俺の対戦相手はベアトじゃない。 <br>\r\n \"Get in your seat. Beato isn't my opponent. <br><br>\r\n ………てめえだ。」 <br>\r\n ......You are.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「……ば、…戦人…？！ これは何の魔法なの？！ <br>\r\n \"...B-Battler...?! What kind of magic is this?! <br><br>\r\n どうでもいいわ、知ったことじゃない！！ シエスタ姉妹ッ！！」 <br>\r\n Who cares, it doesn't matter!! Chiester Sisters!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「４５了解、各個射撃！！」 <br>\r\n \"45, understood, attacking everywhere!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「４１０了解、死ね戦人ッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"410, understood. Die, Battler!!\" <br><br>\r\n シエスタ姉妹がそれぞれバラバラに黄金の弓を構え、黄金の矢を放つ。 <br>\r\n The Chiester Sisters each readied their own golden bows and fired golden arrows. <br><br>\r\n 二人で同時に弓を引くのは精密に誘導する時だけだ。 <br>\r\n 目の前の敵が相手なら、二人は同時に弓を放てる。 <br>\r\n The two only pulled the bowstring together when using precision guidance. <br><br>\r\n If they were fighting against an enemy before their eyes, they fired their bows at the same time. <br><br>\r\n そして威力は普段のそれと変わらないのだ。 <br>\r\n And their might did not suffer in the slightest. <br><br>\r\n 「なッ、………はは、弾かれたッ？！？！ 結界はないよ、抵抗だけで弾いた…。よ、４５、標的測定！！」 <br>\r\n \"Wha, ......i-i-it was deflected?!?! There's no barrier, it was deflected by resistance alone... Uh, 45, Target Analysis!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「４５了解…。 <br>\r\n \"45, understood... <br><br>\r\n …………ぇ、……ええぇ…？！ こ、これは、……私が故障しているの？ 狂っているの……？ <br>\r\n ......Huh, ...whaaaat...?! D-Did I...break down? Am I insane...? <br><br>\r\n た、対魔法抵抗力、エンドレスナイン…。ひょ、標的は神話級魔法攻撃でも通用しませんッ！！」 <br>\r\n A-Anti-Magic Resistance Power, Endless Nine... E-Even mythical-class magical attacks won't be effective against the target!!\" <br><br>\r\n 黄金弓の弾頭は、相互浸食によって如何なる魔法装甲をも貫通する。 <br>\r\n 対魔法抵抗力でそれを防ごうとした場合、８桁あっても貫通は免れない。 <br>\r\n Golden bow warheads could penetrate any magical armor through reciprocal corrosion. <br><br>\r\n When one tried to block them with anti-magic resistance power, even eight digits were not sufficient to prevent their penetration. <br><br>\r\n …ちなみに、神話に出てくる著名な神々の抵抗力でも、９桁に達する者はそう多くない。 <br>\r\n その為、それを計るには９桁あれば常識的に考えほとんどの数値は表示できる。 <br>\r\n ...By the way, even famous gods that appear in myths rarely reach as high as nine digits. <br><br>\r\n For that reason, nine digits were enough to measure pretty much all sensible values. <br><br>\r\n …その９桁を、戦人は全て９で埋めてしまう……。 <br>\r\n ...Battler had buried all 9 of those digits with nines... <br><br>\r\n 「……愚かな。本気の戦人さまの前に、魔法の矢など、髪の毛を揺らすことさえ及ばぬのに。」 <br>\r\n \"...How foolish. When Battler-sama gets serious, magical arrows and the like aren't enough to even make his hair tremble.\" <br><br>\r\n シエスタ姉妹が呆然としながら黄金の弓を落とす…。 <br>\r\n The Chiester Sisters dropped their golden bows in shock... <br><br>\r\n …当の戦人は、トンボが２匹、自分の脇を通り過ぎて行った程度にも思っていない。 <br>\r\n ...To Battler himself, it was as though a pair of dragonflies had flown past his shoulder. <br><br>\r\n 「…………何やってんだ、てめえら。遊んでるのかよ。」 <br>\r\n \"......What are you doing? Is that some kind of game?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…ひぃいいぃ…、 <br>\r\n …バ、……バケモノ……。」 <br>\r\n \"...Eeeeeeek, <br><br>\r\n ...m-monster...\" <br><br>\r\n 「雑魚は下がっていろッ！！ 席に着け、この似非魔女めッ！！ てめえのバケの皮は俺が剥ぐッ！！！」 <br>\r\n \"Stay back, small fries!! Get in your seat, fake witch!! I'll tear off that mask of yours!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「「ひ、…ひいいいいぃいいい！！」」 <br>\r\n \"\"E-Eeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!\"\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 戦人の凄みに、シエスタ姉妹は恐怖を隠せず、弾かれるように後へ下がる。 <br>\r\n The Chiester Sisters couldn't hide their fear at Battler's ferocity, and they backed up as though they'd been struck. <br><br>\r\n その光景を、ベアトリーチェは呆然と見ていた……。 <br>\r\n Beatrice watched this scene in shock... <br><br>\r\n 「こ、……これは戦人、 <br>\r\n ……何の、……真似なのか……。」 <br>\r\n \"...B-Battler, <br><br>\r\n ...what...is this supposed to be...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「見ての通りさ。俺の対戦相手は、お前じゃない。 <br>\r\n \"Just like you see. You aren't my opponent. <br><br>\r\n そいつだッ！！ そこにいる、お前の名前を騙る偽者さッ！！！」 <br>\r\n She is!! That impostor over there, who's using your name!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ぐ…ッ！」 <br>\r\n \"Ack...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……俺は魔女と戦っている。…そして対戦相手に魔女を名乗る者を据え、そいつを打ち破ることで魔女を否定する。……てめえの傍若無人はたっぷり見させてもらったぜ。」 <br>\r\n \"...I'm fighting against a witch. ...I face off against an opponent who claims to be a witch, and I deny witches by defeating them. ...I've seen more than enough of your arrogance.\" <br><br>\r\n そこで戦人は刃物のように鋭い目つきに変わり、残酷なる魔女を見据える。 <br>\r\n Then, Battler's eyes grew as sharp as blades as he stared down the cruel witch. <br><br>\r\n 「……何が魔法だ。何が魔女だ。てめえは魔女じゃないッ！！ 俺がバケの皮を剥いでバラバラにしてやるぜッ！！ ワルギリア、戦闘準備だッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"...What are you calling magic? What are you calling witches?! You're no witch!! I'll rip that mask off and tear it to shreds!! Virgilia, get ready to fight!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「了解しました。準備よし、いつでもどうぞ。 <br>\r\n \"Understood. Preparations are complete, so go whenever you're ready. <br><br>\r\n ……ベアトリーチェ。あなたは下がって休みなさい。」 <br>\r\n ...Beatrice, stay back and rest.\" <br><br>\r\n 「う、…うむ……。」 <br>\r\n \"I-Indeed...\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトは恐る恐る戦人を見る。 <br>\r\n …自分はまだ対戦相手だと認められていない。 <br>\r\n ゲーム盤を観戦する資格があるのかどうか…。 <br>\r\n Beato looked at Battler timidly. <br><br>\r\n ...She still hadn't been acknowledged as his opponent. <br><br>\r\n Was she qualified to watch the game board from the sidelines...? <br><br>\r\n 「ベアト、下がって見てろ！！ 俺が剥ぐッ！！ この似非魔女を徹底的に分解してやるッ！！ <br>\r\n \"Beato, stay back and watch!! I'll tear it off!! I'll thoroughly dismantle this fake witch!! <br><br>\r\n こんなヤツを魔女とは名乗らせられねぇ！！ お前は本当の魔女の名誉を守ったッ！」 <br>\r\n I won't let someone like this call themselves a witch!! You protected the honor of true witches!\" <br><br>\r\n 「わ、…妾は、その……、」 <br>\r\n \"I-I, umm...\" <br><br>\r\n 「何も言う必要はない。 <br>\r\n \"You don't need to say anything. <br><br>\r\n 黄金の魔女の名は決して安っぽくないってことを、お前に代わって教えてやらあッ！！」 <br>\r\n On your behalf, I'll teach her that the name of the Golden Witch definitely isn't that cheap!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………ば、………戦人…。」 <br>\r\n \"......B-Battler...\" <br><br>\r\n 「大まかなルールは以上でございます。」 <br>\r\n \"Those are the general rules.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………ありがと、ロノウェ。大体のルールはわかったわ。 <br>\r\n \"......Thank you, Ronove. I get most of the rules now. <br><br>\r\n …なるほどね。魔法では勝てないから、魔法以外で決着できる世界で、私に一騎討ちを挑んで来たわけね。 <br>\r\n ...I see. You can't win with magic, so you came to face off with me in a world where victory is decided by something other than magic.\" <br><br>\r\n ……愚かな連中。屁理屈で私に勝てると本気で思ってるのねぇ？！」 <br>\r\n \"...Foolish people. Do you really think you can win against me with twisted logic?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「あぁ思ってる。てめえの屁理屈を、俺が全て叩き潰してやるぜ、絵羽伯母さんよぉッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Yeah, I do. I'll crush all of your twisted logic, Aunt Eva!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「わ、私は絵羽ではないわ…！！ それは私の古い抜け殻の名よ。私は彼女の内に生まれた本当の魔女…！！」 <br>\r\n \"I-I am not Eva...!! That is the name of the old shell I shed. I am a true witch, born inside of her...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「誤魔化すなッ、てめえの正体は魔女でも何でもない、生身の人間だ。人間の犯人だ、右代宮絵羽だ！！！ ワルギリア、第二の晩を再構築ッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Don't try to trick me! Your true form isn't a witch or anything like it, but a flesh and blood human. The human culprit, Ushiromiya Eva!!! Virgilia, reconstruct the second twilight!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「了解。 <br>\r\n \"Understood. <br><br>\r\n 第二の晩は、薔薇庭園にて楼座と真里亞が殺されました。当方はそれを絵羽犯人説にて初手。」 <br>\r\n On the second twilight, Rosa and Maria were killed in the rose garden. We begin by applying the `Eva Culprit Theory' for that case.\" <br><br>\r\n 「はぁ？ ばっかばかしい！ さぁさ、お出でなさい、思い出して御覧なさい！ 右代宮秀吉がどんな姿をしていたのかッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Huuh? Ridiculous! Come, arise, try to remember! What form did Ushiromiya Hideyoshi have?!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「何ぃ？ 何の真似をしやがった。」 <br>\r\n \"Whaat? What's this supposed to be?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……死者の召還だ。魔女は証言台に、死者を立たせることも容易い…。」 <br>\r\n \"...It's a summoning of the dead. A witch can easily bring even the dead up to the stand for testimony...\" <br><br>\r\n 向こう側の透けて見える秀吉伯父さんが呼び出される。 <br>\r\n On the opposing side, a transparent Uncle Hideyoshi was summoned. <br><br>\r\n …まったく魔法っての便利なもんだぜ。 <br>\r\n ただ、こちらの状況は見えていないようで、まるでテレビの向こうの人物のようだった。 <br>\r\n ...Talk about convenient. <br><br>\r\n He looked as though he couldn't see what was going on here, almost like a person on the other side of the TV. <br><br>\r\n 「証人喚問。右代宮秀吉の証言よ。さぁさ秀吉、お話なさいな…！」 <br>\r\n \"Witness summons. Ushiromiya Hideyoshi's testimony. Come, Hideyoshi, speak...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……わしは部屋でずっと絵羽の看病をしとったんや。もちろん、絵羽が部屋を出るわけもあらへん。」 <br>\r\n \"...I was taking care of Eva in our room the whole time. Of course, Eva didn't leave the room.\" <br><br>\r\n 「絵羽伯母さん。ここじゃ、赤くねぇ証言は屁の役にも立たねぇぜ。 <br>\r\n \"Aunt Eva. Around here, testimony that isn't red isn't worth crap. <br><br>\r\n 赤で再度の復唱を要求するッ！！」 <br>\r\n I demand that he repeats it again in red!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「あぁ、そうだったわね。いいわよ、赤で言ってあげなさい！」 <br>\r\n \"Oh yeah, that's right. Sure, say it in red!\" <br><br>\r\n 「#ff0001わしはずっと部屋におったで#ffffff。 <br>\r\n \"#ff0001I was in the room the whole time#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001事件の前後の時間帯は全てや#ffffff。」 <br>\r\n #ff0001For the whole stretch of time surrounding the crime#ffffff.\" <br><br>\r\n 「さぁほら。これで絵羽が犯人ってことはありえなくなったわよぅ？！ どう返してくれるのかしら？」 <br>\r\n \"See, look. This makes it impossible for Eva to be the culprit, right?! How will you counter this?\" <br><br>\r\n 「馬鹿馬鹿しい。下らなさ過ぎて、欠伸が出る一手だ。 <br>\r\n \"Ridiculous. That move's so lame, I could yawn. <br><br>\r\n ……ベアトは一度たりとも、こんな子ども騙しな一手を打ったことはない。」 <br>\r\n ...Beato never used such childish tricks, not even once.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………戦人…。」 <br>\r\n \"......Battler...\" <br><br>\r\n 「復唱要求ッ！！ “絵羽伯母さんも、事件前後の時間帯は全て部屋にいた”！！ <br>\r\n \"Repeat it!! `Aunt Eva was also in the room for the whole stretch of time surrounding the crime'!! <br><br>\r\n 秀吉伯父さんはただのアリバイ工作員だ。あんたは伯父さんに留守番をさせて、こっそり部屋を抜け出していたんだ。……そうでないなら、こいつが赤で言えるはずだぜッ！！！」 <br>\r\n Uncle Hideyoshi was just there to create an alibi. You made him stay in the room and stealthily snuck out. ...If that isn't true, this guy should be able to say so in red!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ふ、復唱拒否…！ <br>\r\n \"I-I refuse to repeat it...! <br><br>\r\n 秀吉の証言だけで充分よ！！ それを復唱する必要はないでしょう？！」 <br>\r\n Hideyoshi's evidence is sufficient!! There's no need for me to repeat that, right?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……降りてきましたね。容赦は無用です。これでチェック。」 <br>\r\n \"...She has refused. You need show no mercy. This is check.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あぁ、いただきだぜ、チョロイ相手だッ！！ <br>\r\n \"Yeah, I'll take it. This opponent's slow!! <br><br>\r\n チェック！！ 秀吉伯父さんは終始部屋を出なかったろうさ。しかしあんたを看病していたというのは、真っ赤な嘘だ！ <br>\r\n Check!! Maybe Uncle Hideyoshi didn't leave the room the whole time. But saying he was taking care of you the whole time...is a bright-red lie!\" <br><br>\r\n よって、あんたのアリバイは存在しない！！ あんたには部屋を抜け出して楼座叔母さんたちを殺すチャンスがあった！ かわせるってんなら、赤で“絵羽伯母さんは部屋から一歩も出ていない”と宣言してみろッ！！ 出来ねぇだろ？ チェックメイトだッ！！！」 <br>\r\n \"Therefore, no alibi exists for you!! You had a chance to slip out of the room and kill Aunt Rosa and Maria! If you think you can dodge that, try proclaiming in red that `Aunt Eva didn't take a step outside of her room'!! You can't, right? Checkmate!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「な、………何よそれ……！ わ、……わけがわかんない…！！」 <br>\r\n \"...Wh-What the hell...?! ...I-I don't get it...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「悪いな伯母さん。……例えルールに不慣れであっても、全力で叩き潰すのがこのゲームの流儀だぜ。 <br>\r\n \"Sorry, Aunt Eva. ...Even if you aren't used to the rules, beating your opponent down with all your strength is how this game is played. <br><br>\r\n ……なぁ、ベアト？！」 <br>\r\n ...Right, Beato?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「う、…うむ…。」 <br>\r\n \"I-Indeed...\" <br><br>\r\n 「魔女側、リザインでございます。次のゲームに進みましょう。 <br>\r\n \"The witch side resigns. Let us continue on to the next game. <br><br>\r\n 続きますは、第四から第六の晩でございます。」 <br>\r\n Next is the fourth through sixth twilights.\" <br><br>\r\n 魔女は勝手がまだわからないらしく、イライラと落ち着きなくしている。 <br>\r\n 訳がわからない内に一本取られたことにも、腹を立てているのだろう。 <br>\r\n It seemed that the witch still didn't understand how to make a winning move, and she lost her composure in irritation. <br><br>\r\n She was probably also angry that a shot had been taken at her while she still didn't get what was going on. <br><br>\r\n …だが、俺は一切の手加減をしない。 <br>\r\n ...However, I won't go easy on her at all. <br><br>\r\n ヤツが、犠牲者たちに一切の手加減をしなかったように、俺も一切の手加減をしない…！！ <br>\r\n Just like she didn't go easy on the victims at all, I won't go easy on her...!! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「ワルギリア、次の事件だ！ 親父たちの事件を再構築！！」 <br>\r\n \"Virgilia, next crime! Let's reconstruct the case with Dad and the rest!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「了解。 <br>\r\n \"Understood. <br><br>\r\n 留弗夫、霧江、秀吉の３人は、屋敷へ向かい、そこで殺されました。」 <br>\r\n Three people: Rudolf, Kyrie, and Hideyoshi, went to the mansion and were killed there.\" <br><br>\r\n 「俺からの指し手は変わらない。絵羽伯母さん、あんたが犯人だッ！！ <br>\r\n \"My move won't change. Aunt Eva, you are the culprit!! <br><br>\r\n 今度は秀吉伯父さんのアリバイすらねぇぞ！！ あんたはたったひとりで部屋で寝ていたと主張している。しかしそれは虚偽だッ！！！ 赤で宣言できるものならしてみやがれッ！！」 <br>\r\n This time, you don't even have an alibi from Uncle Hideyoshi!! You claim that you were sleeping in that room all by yourself. But that's not true!! If you can proclaim it in red, just try it!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……拒否するわッ。…なら教えてよ！ 絵羽はただの女よ。そして殺されたのは、銃を２丁も持つ大人が３人よ？ 彼女がたった１人でどうやって殺したというの？ 凶器の杭でどうやって？ 話によく出る、杭の射出機ってどんな構造をしているのよ？！ <br>\r\n \"...I refuse. ...So tell me! Eva is just a woman. And the people who died were three adults with two guns, right? How did she kill them all by herself? How did she do it with those stakes as weapons? Like everyone keeps asking, how is this stake-shooting device constructed?!\" <br><br>\r\n それを説明してよ！！ それが説明できない限り、絵羽にアリバイがないとしても、絵羽に殺人が可能だったことにはならないわよ！」 <br>\r\n \"Explain that!! Unless you can explain it, even if Eva doesn't have an alibi, that doesn't mean that it was possible for her to commit the murders!\" <br><br>\r\n 「説明拒否ッ！！ <br>\r\n \"I refuse to explain!! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n “悪魔の証明”だ！ 説明不能だからといって、未知の殺害方法、もしくは未知の凶器の存在を否定できない！！ <br>\r\n It's a `Devil's Proof'! Just because I can't explain it, that doesn't deny the existence of an unknown murder technique, or maybe an unknown weapon!!\" <br><br>\r\n つまりッ！！ 俺が杭の射出機の構造を説明できなくても、その存在を否定することにはならない！！」 <br>\r\n \"In short!! Even if I can't explain how the stake-shooting device is constructed, that doesn't prove that it doesn't exist!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「なッ、何よそれぇ！！ <br>\r\n \"Wh-What the hell?!! <br><br>\r\n そんな滅茶苦茶って通るの？！」 <br>\r\n Does that ridiculousness even count?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……“悪魔の証明”、有効です。」 <br>\r\n \"...Your `Devil's Proof' is valid.\" <br><br>\r\n 「同じく。“悪魔の証明”、有効です。 <br>\r\n \"Agreed. It's a valid `Devil's Proof'. <br><br>\r\n ……戦人くんは、その射出機の構造を説明する義務を負わずに、その存在を主張できます。魔女側はこの手を反論できません。」 <br>\r\n ...Battler-kun can claim that a stake-shooting device exists without bearing the responsibility of explaining how it is constructed. The witch side cannot object to this move.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……や、やるではないか…。何と強引な…。」 <br>\r\n \"...N-Not bad... How pushy...\" <br><br>\r\n 「へ！ どこぞの性悪魔女に、たっぷり鍛えられたからな。 <br>\r\n \"Heh! Well, there's this ill-natured witch who trained me well. <br><br>\r\n これでチェックだぜ？！ <br>\r\n This is check, okay?! <br><br>\r\n 絵羽伯母さんが、部屋から一歩も出てないと赤で言ってみろ！！ <br>\r\n Try saying in red that Aunt Eva didn't take a step out of that room!!\" <br><br>\r\n そうさ、言えるはずはないのさ！ 言えないならば決まりだぜ、チェックメイトだッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"That's right, you shouldn't be able to say it! If you can't say it, it's over, checkmate!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……な、……何て暴論………！ こんなの、…滅茶苦茶よ…！」 <br>\r\n \"...Th-That's so irrational......! This is...messed up...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「そういうルールのゲームでございますので。 <br>\r\n \"Those are the rules of this game. <br><br>\r\n …まずは紅茶でもいかがですかな？ おいしいクッキーもございますよ。」 <br>\r\n ...How about some black tea first? And some delicious cookies as well.\" <br><br>\r\n 「いらないわよそんなの！！ <br>\r\n \"I don't need all that!! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n あぁ、イライラするわぁ…！ 魔法で勝てないからって、こんな卑怯な戦いで…！！」 <br>\r\n Ah, that pisses me off...! So you fight like a coward just because you can't win with magic...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「イラつくなよ。紅茶でも飲めよ。俺はストレートでもらうぜ。 <br>\r\n \"Don't get irritated. Drink some black tea or something. I'll take mine straight. <br><br>\r\n ベアトは？」 <br>\r\n What about you, Beato?\" <br><br>\r\n 「わ、…妾は良い…。 <br>\r\n \"I-I am fine... <br><br>\r\n ………それより戦人、油断するな。向こうがルールに不慣れなだけだ。…向こうが要領を掴んでからが本番だぞ…。」 <br>\r\n ......More importantly, Battler, don't let your guard down. Your opponent is only unfamiliar with the rules. ...This will only really start once your opponent gets the gist of it...\" <br><br>\r\n 「だが潰す。 <br>\r\n \"But I'll crush her. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 徹底的に潰す。 <br>\r\n I'll thoroughly crush her. <br><br>\r\n なぜならヤツは魔女ではないからだ。 <br>\r\n Because she isn't a witch.\" <br><br>\r\n あいつを魔女だと認めたら、……お前の通した意地が通らない！ 如何なる暴論であろうと屁理屈であろうと、俺が全身全霊で叩き潰すッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"If I accept her as a witch, ...all your stubbornness will count for nothing! I don't care what kind of irrational argument or twisted logic I have to use, I'll crush her with all my heart and soul!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 続けて戦人側は、蔵臼と夏妃の、第七〜第八の晩についても、まったく同様に絵羽犯人説で貫き通す。 <br>\r\n Battler's side then stuck with the `Eva Culprit Theory' to explain Krauss and Natsuhi, the seventh and eighth twilights, in the exact same way. <br><br>\r\n 当時、ゲストハウスの１階には絵羽と犠牲者しかいなかった。 <br>\r\n …例によって、絵羽のアリバイを証言できる人間はいない。 <br>\r\n At the time, there had been no one on the first floor except for Eva and the victims. <br><br>\r\n ...As before, no one could establish an alibi for Eva. <br><br>\r\n 当時の絵羽は、化粧室に行っている間に彼らが失踪したと主張するが、それを裏付けられるものは何もなく、魔女側も赤でそれを復唱できない。 <br>\r\n Back then, Eva had claimed that they'd disappeared while she went to the bathroom, but there was nothing to support that, and the witch side couldn't repeat it in red either. <br><br>\r\n 魔女側は、射出機の構造を聞いてきたのと同じ論法で、単独の絵羽が、如何にして二人を同時に絞殺できたのかとその方法を問い返すが、 <br>\r\n Using the same style of argument as that question regarding the stake shooting machine, the witch side asked once more how Eva could have strangled both of them at the same time all by herself, <br><br>\r\n 戦人はもちろんこれを“悪魔の証明”にて豪快に説明拒否で切り返す。 <br>\r\n but of course, Battler splendidly counterattacked by refusing to explain because of the `Devil's Proof'. <br><br>\r\n 戦人の疾風怒濤の勢いの前に、魔女側は完全に飲み込まれ、ルールを把握しようとするわずかの間に、三度ものリザインを喫してしまう…。 <br>\r\n Under the storm and stress of Battler's spirit, the witch side was completely swallowed up, having to resign three times during the short period of time she had to grasp the rules... <br><br>\r\n 「………くっひひひひひゃっひゃっひゃ…。 <br>\r\n \"......Kuhhihihihihyahhyahhhya... <br><br>\r\n ふん、なるほどねぇ！ ようやくコツがわかってきたわ。もうあんたの思い通りにことは運ばせないわよ！ <br>\r\n Hah, I see! I'm finally starting to get the knack of it. I won't let you have things your own way any more! <br><br>\r\n 今度は私から仕掛けさせてもらうわ。ロノウェ、第四〜第六の晩を再構築！ 右代宮霧江をピックアップ！ ……ここで一度、第四〜第六の晩の、留弗夫、霧江、秀吉の殺人に話を戻させてもらう。」 <br>\r\n This time, let me take the initiative. Ronove, reconstruct the fourth through the sixth twilights! Pick out Ushiromiya Kyrie! ...For now, let me return to the murders of Rudolf, Kyrie and Hideyoshi during the fourth through sixth twilights.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……あ、…あやつめ。一度はリザインした局面をなぜもう一度。」 <br>\r\n \"...Wh-What is she thinking? Why would she return once more to a situation where she's lost?\" <br><br>\r\n 「なるほど…。…あなたが指さない、珍しい攻め手です。注意して。」 <br>\r\n \"I see... ...This is an unusual attack, and one you do not use. Be careful.\" <br><br>\r\n 「当時、生存者たちはゲストハウスへ篭城していたわ。食料がなかったけれど、彼らは安全を考え、翌日まで食事を抜く覚悟さえあった。 <br>\r\n \"At the time, the survivors were barricaded in the guesthouse. They didn't have food, but out of concern for their safety, they were at least prepared to go without eating until the next day. <br><br>\r\n ……けれど、結局、３人は食料を求めて外へ出るわ。」 <br>\r\n ...However, in the end, three of them went out for food.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………そうだな。結局、３人は食料を取りに表へ出る。」 <br>\r\n \"......That's right. In the end, three people went outside to get food.\" <br><br>\r\n 「面倒だから赤を交えて語るわよ。 <br>\r\n \"It's a pain, so I'll add in some red and say it. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001霧江は食料はいらないと考えてた#ffffff。一日くらい食事を抜いても死なないのだからと、 <br>\r\n #ff0001Kyrie didn't think that they needed food#ffffff. Since going without food for about a day wouldn't kill them, <br><br>\r\n #ff0001ゲストハウスを出ないべきだと主張していた#ffffff。にもかかわらず彼女は自ら、 <br>\r\n #ff0001she claimed that they should not leave the guesthouse#ffffff. And yet, she herself <br><br>\r\n #ff0001食料を取りにゲストハウスを出ようと提案する#ffffff。………これは矛盾しない？」 <br>\r\n #ff0001suggested that they leave the guesthouse to get food#ffffff. ......Isn't that a contradiction?\" <br><br>\r\n 「はい、見事に矛盾します。霧江の行動式に矛盾します。」 <br>\r\n \"Yes, a spectacular contradiction. A contradiction exists in Kyrie's pattern of behavior.\" <br><br>\r\n 「その矛盾は、 <br>\r\n \"That contradiction <br><br>\r\n “私が魔法で作り出したの”！ つまり、私が魔法で霧江を操って、そう言い出させて生贄たちが外出するように誘導した！！」 <br>\r\n `was created by me with magic'! In other words, I controlled Kyrie using magic and made her say that to lure the sacrifices outside!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ば、馬鹿馬鹿しいッ！ そんな魔法、あるわけがねぇ！！」 <br>\r\n \"R-Ridiculous! There's no way that kind of magic exists!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「“悪魔の証明”よぅ？！ 戦人くんが知らない魔法だからと言って、存在を否定することにはならない！ そしてその魔法を、私は実演する義務も負わない。それでいて、さらにあなたには反論の余地もない！！ <br>\r\n \"It's a `Devil's Proof', right?! Just because you don't know about that magic doesn't deny its existence! And I don't bear the responsibility of acting out that magic for you. And yet, you have even less room to counter this argument!! <br><br>\r\n ………くすくすくす！ こういう戦い方でよろしいのかしらぁ。」 <br>\r\n ......*giggle*giggle*! I wonder if it's okay to fight this way.\" <br><br>\r\n 「はい。実にお見事な一手です。 <br>\r\n \"Yes. It is truly a spectacular move. <br><br>\r\n ……戦人さま、受け手をお願いいたします。」 <br>\r\n ...Battler-sama, your response, if you please.\" <br><br>\r\n 「おかしな論法に持ち込んで来やがったぜ。…つまりどういうことだ。」 <br>\r\n \"That's a weird strategy she's taking. ...So just what is this?\" <br><br>\r\n 「右代宮霧江の行動式に対して駒を打って来ました。…すでに説明がある通り、霧江は食料を屋敷に取りに外へ出るべきではないという行動式を持っていました。 <br>\r\n \"She has placed a piece attacking Ushiromiya Kyrie's pattern of behavior. ...As has already been explained, Kyrie's pattern of behavior had her saying that they should not go outside or head to the mansion in order to get food. <br><br>\r\n にも、かかわらず、彼女は率先して、食料を取りに行こうという矛盾した行動を取ります。この矛盾が説明できない限り、それを魔法であると主張する暴力的な手です。」 <br>\r\n And yet, she herself took the initiative, taking the contradictory action of going out to get food. Unless you can explain this contradiction, she will use this violent move to claim that magic was the cause.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…そりゃ、最初は霧江さんもそう考えてたんだろうよ。 <br>\r\n \"...Well, that's probably what Kyrie-san thought in the beginning. <br><br>\r\n しかし多分その、…途中で色々と考えて、やっぱり食料は必要だろうと心変わりしたってことなんだろ…。いざという時、空腹で力が出ないってんじゃ意味ないだろうし、…まぁその…。」 <br>\r\n But she probably...uh...thought through a few things midway, then changed her mind and decided that food really was necessary... It'd be bad if, when things got tough, we were so hungry that we had no energy, ...and, well...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……その心変わりが魔法によるものだと主張しているのです。つまり、…非常に困難なことですが、霧江が心変わりした理由を説明しなければならないのです。」 <br>\r\n \"...She is claiming that this change of heart was due to magic. In short, ...while it might be extremely difficult, you must explain the reason for Kyrie's change of heart.\" <br><br>\r\n 「な、……何だって…。…そんなの、霧江さんの頭の中の話だろ…。 <br>\r\n \"...Wh-What are you saying...? ...You're talking about the inside of Kyrie-san's head, right...? <br><br>\r\n こっちにも、霧江さんの霊を召還して質問するとか出来ないのかよ？！ ベアト！ お前、霧江さんを呼び出したりできないのかよ？！」 <br>\r\n Can I also summon Kyrie-san's ghost and question her?! Beato! Can't you call Kyrie-san here or something?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「出来ません。それは魔女側のみに許されている手です。」 <br>\r\n \"She cannot. That is a move permitted only to the witch side.\" <br><br>\r\n 「す、……すまぬ…。」 <br>\r\n \"...S-Sorry...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……ああぁぁ、クソ！！ <br>\r\n \"...Aaaaaaahhh, fuck!! <br><br>\r\n 多分だな、その、……俺たち子どものことを考えてその、…やっぱり食料は必要だろうと総合的に考えて…。」 <br>\r\n She was probably...umm...thinking of us kids and...umm...on the whole, thought that food was necessary and...\" <br><br>\r\n 「それを客観的に主張しなければなりません。…霧江が、ある理由により食料がやはり必要であると心変わりした具体的な証拠が必要です。……例えば、そう証言したのを誰かが聞いたとか、何かに書き残したとか。」 <br>\r\n \"You must present your claim through objective means. ...You'll need concrete proof that Kyrie changed her mind and decided that food really was necessary for some specific reason. ...For example, if someone heard her say that, or if it was written down somewhere.\" <br><br>\r\n 「残念だけど、 <br>\r\n \"Too bad, <br><br>\r\n #ff0001その心変わりの理由は、誰にも語られておらず、また記されてもいない#ffffff！ よって、霧江の頭の中で何があったのか、あんたには憶測することしかできないの！ <br>\r\n #ff0001the reason she changed her mind was not passed on to anyone, nor was it written down#ffffff! Therefore, you can only speculate as to what was inside Kyrie's mind! <br><br>\r\n つまり証明は不能ッ！！ 私の手に対し、あなたは一切の反撃の一手を持たない！ 今度はあんたがリザインする番なのよぅ、戦人くぅん…？！？！」 <br>\r\n So it's impossible to explain!! You don't have a single counter to my move! Isn't it your turn to resign now, Battler-kuuun...?!?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……心変わりの理由など、無限に想定できる。そして、その無限の可能性を全て潰しきることは不可能。」 <br>\r\n \"...It is possible to hypothesize endlessly as to the reason behind her change of heart. And, it is impossible to crush all of those endless possibilities.\" <br><br>\r\n 「憎々しいほどに、見事な一手でございます。………戦人さまにこれを切り返す方法があるとすれば、…多分、あの手だけかと。」 <br>\r\n \"A detestably spectacular move. ......If Battler-sama were to have a method of countering, ...it could probably only be that move.\" <br><br>\r\n 「そ、……その手とは何なのか…？」 <br>\r\n \"...Wh-What move is that...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……さて。どのような手でございましょうね。お嬢様の得意な手だったような気もしますが、私は思い出せません。」 <br>\r\n \"...Well, I wonder what kind of move it could be. I have the feeling that it was Milady's specialty, but I cannot remember.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………く…。ケチケチしないで話せ…！」 <br>\r\n \".........Nnggg... Quit being stingy and tell me...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ベアトリーチェ。自らの思考を停止させる者に与えられる答えはありませんよ。…考えなさい。あなたなりの考えで！」 <br>\r\n \"Beatrice, no answers will be given to those who stop thinking for themselves. ...Think. Think in your own way!\" <br><br>\r\n 「とっととリザインしたらぁ？ <br>\r\n \"Why don't you resign right now? <br><br>\r\n ついでにさらに赤で追い詰めてあげるわ。 <br>\r\n And I'll corner you even more with red. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001霧江はね、死ぬ最後の瞬間まで“食料を取りに行かない＝屋敷に行かない”という行動式を維持していたわ#ffffff！ <br>\r\n #ff0001Until the last instant before she died, Kyrie's behavior pattern of `not going to get food = not going to the mansion' was maintained#ffffff! <br><br>\r\n にもかかわらず、率先して屋敷へ向かったわ。台車を押して食料を運ぼうとしたわ。その矛盾はなぜ？ <br>\r\n And yet, she took the initiative and headed towards the mansion. She was pushing a cart, ready to carry food. Why that contradiction?\" <br><br>\r\n …… <br>\r\n \"... <br><br>\r\n 私が魔法で操ったからッ！！！ これこそが私の魔法が実在し、私が魔女である証拠なの！！」 <br>\r\n Because I controlled her with magic!!! This is proof that my magic exists, and that I am a witch!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………うるせえ黙れ…！！ <br>\r\n \"......Shut the hell up...!! <br><br>\r\n こ、…心変わりでさえないって言うのか？！ ……霧江さんは、死ぬまでずっと、食料はいらない、屋敷には行かないと思ってた？ なら、何で自分から進んで食料を取りに行こう、屋敷に行こうなんて言い出すんだ…！！ <br>\r\n A-Are you saying that she never even changed her mind?! ...That the whole time until she died, Kyrie-san thought `we don't need food', and `we won't go to the mansion'? Then why did she step forward herself and say that they should go to get food, and go to the mansion...?!!\" <br><br>\r\n 魔法で霧江さんが操られていたって言うのか？！ そんな馬鹿な…！！ どうやって、…どうやってこの魔法を打ち破ればいいんだッ？！ <br>\r\n \"Are you saying that Kyrie-san was being controlled with magic?! That's stupid...!! How...how should I break through this magic?!\" <br><br>\r\n …霧江さんがここにいてくれて、一言、心変わりの理由を言ってくれれば…。いや、心変わりすらしてないと、ヤツに赤で言われちまった…！ どうすりゃいいんだ…！！ 人間側には反撃できる一手がねぇ！！」 <br>\r\n \"...If only Kyrie were here, and just told us the reason behind her change of heart... No, I've already been told in red that she never even changed her mind...! What should I do...?!! There's no move that the human side can counter with!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「このゲームって、知れば知るほどに魔女に有利なルールよねぇ？ たとえ、いくつの局面で負けたとしても、たったひとつだけ勝てれば、それだけで魔女は存在を誇示できる。」 <br>\r\n \"The more I learn about this game, the more advantageous the rules seem for the witch, right? Even if I lose in a lot of areas, if I can win in just one, that alone can display the existence of a witch.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……つまり、戦人くんには完全勝利以外に魔女を否定する方法はないの！ ここまで私のことをさんざん絵羽呼ばわりして追い詰めてきたつもりのようだけど、あなたの尊敬する霧江さんひとりの頭の中の話だけで、全てが引っ繰り返っちゃうなんて、実に滑稽よねぇ？！ <br>\r\n \"...In other words, Battler-kun has no way of denying witches other than a complete victory! How truly funny that even though you thought you could corner me and call me Eva, it's all been spun around by nothing more than the inside of your respected Kyrie-san's head, right?!\" <br><br>\r\n くっくくくくくくくく、あっはははははははははは！！ しちゃいなさいよぅ、リザイン！！ 認めちゃえば？ 負けちゃえばぁ？！」 <br>\r\n \"*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*, ahhahahahahahahahahaha!! Just do it, resign!! If only you'd just accept it! If only you'd just lose!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………くそぉおおおぉおぉぉ…。 <br>\r\n \"......Damn iiiiiiiiiiiiiit... <br><br>\r\n 人間には証明不能だ…。死者が何を思って行動したのか、なんて推測の域を出ない。しかも、推測程度じゃ魔法を否定できない。…魔法を打ち破るためには、霧江さんがどうして心変わりしたのか客観的な証拠を…。 <br>\r\n It's impossible for a human to prove... I can't do anything but guess at what the dead were thinking when they acted. Furthermore, I can't deny the magic based on conjecture alone. ...To break through it, I need objective proof as to why Kyrie-san had a change of heart...\" <br><br>\r\n ……でも畜生、どうして食料が欲しいと心変わりしたのか、その証拠は存在しないと赤で言われちまってる…。……どうすりゃいいんだ、畜生畜生…！！！」 <br>\r\n \"...But damn it, it's been said in red that no proof exists as to why she changed her mind and wanted food... ...What should I do, damn it, damn it...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………戦人さま。リザインで、よろしいですか？」 <br>\r\n \"......Battler-sama, is this...your resignation?\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………………く………ッ。“食料を取りに行かない＝屋敷に行かない”。でも実際には矛盾したこの霧江さんの考えを、どう理解すればいいんだ……！」 <br>\r\n \"............Nggg...! `Not going to get food = not going to the mansion'. But then how should I understand Kyrie-san's thoughts, which actually do contradict each other...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「理解なんかできないわよ！！ 理解不能、解釈不能！！ その闇は全て魔女のものだもの！ <br>\r\n \"You can't understand!! It's impossible to understand, and impossible to interpret!! That darkness is all of the witch! <br><br>\r\n さぁさ、考えても無駄よ、おやめなさい？！ あなたに魔女を否定することなんて出来やしない！ だって私はこうして存在するんだもの。 <br>\r\n Come on, it's useless to think, so quit, okay?! You just can't deny witches! After all, I exist right here.\" <br><br>\r\n 私こそは黄金の魔女！！ そこにいる元の魔女から、名前を奪い取った！！ あなたに私がベアトリーチェであることを否定など出来ないのよッ！！！」 <br>\r\n \"I am the Golden Witch!! I stole that name from the former witch over there!! You can't deny that I am Beatrice!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「くそっぉおおおおおおおぉおぉぉぉ…！！！ その名を語る資格は貴様にねぇ…！ <br>\r\n \"Damn iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit...!!! You have no right to use that name...! <br><br>\r\n ……なのに、……それを否定する手が思いつかねぇ………！！！」 <br>\r\n ...And yet, ...I can't think of a move to deny it......!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 勝ち誇ったような、狂った笑い声をあげる魔女に、もはや戦人は反撃が出来ない…。 <br>\r\n 諦めたくないが、手が出ないのだ。 <br>\r\n Battler could no longer counter this witch, who was laughing insanely in triumph... <br><br>\r\n He didn't want to give up, but no move appeared. <br><br>\r\n ばりばりと歯軋りしながら、両の拳を握り締める。 <br>\r\n ……だが、それでもなお反撃の妙案は出ない…！ <br>\r\n He ground his teeth, making fists with both hands. <br><br>\r\n ...But even so, he couldn't think of a brilliant counterattack...! <br><br>\r\n 「戦人さま。……制限時間を切りますが、リザインでよろしいですか……？」 <br>\r\n \"Battler-sama, your time limit is over, so will you resign...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「くっ、……うおおおおおおぉおおおおぉぉぉ……！！！」 <br>\r\n \"Nng, ...aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「………人間側、受け手がありません。リザインをしま <br>\r\n \"......The human side has no move in response. It will resi <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「待て！ <br>\r\n \"Wait! <br><br>\r\n ……は、反撃の手は、……ある。」 <br>\r\n ...Th-There is...a counter.\" <br><br>\r\n 「な、……何だって…。」 <br>\r\n \"Wh-What did you say...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「へぇ？！ どんな手があるっていうのよ、先代さまぁ？！ このベアトリーチェの魔法を、どんな手で否定できるのか、教えてくださるぅ？ <br>\r\n \"Huh?! What kind of move could possibly exist, Predecessor-sama?! Won't you tell me what kind of move could deny this magic of Beatrice's? <br><br>\r\n できないわ、そんなこと不可能よ！！」 <br>\r\n You can't, it's impossible!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……“食料を取りに行かない＝屋敷に行かない”という命題を、それ単体で説明できないなら、……妾はそれを対偶で説明する。 <br>\r\n \"...If the proposition that `not going to get food = not going to the mansion' cannot be explained by itself, ...I will explain it with the contrapositive. <br><br>\r\n つまり、“それでも屋敷に行った＝食料以外の目的で”とも説明できるのではないか。 <br>\r\n In short, you can also explain it with `she still went to the mansion = she had a goal other than food'.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n ……こ、これは妾の得意手の“ヘンペルのカラス”というよりは、……戦人の得意手の“チェス盤思考術”よ。……霧江が食料を目的に屋敷に行くことがありえないなら、それでもなお霧江が外へ出る、他の目的があったと説明するしかない。つまり、その目的が証明できれば、魔法は否定できる…！」 <br>\r\n \"...Th-This is less my specialty, `Hempel's Raven', ...than it is Battler's specialty, `chessboard thinking'. ...If it was impossible for Kyrie to have gone to the mansion with food as a goal, then we can only explain it by saying she had another reason that got her to go outside despite that. In other words, if we can prove that she had such a goal, we can defeat this magic...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「な、なるほど…。食料を目的に屋敷には行かないが、他の目的があって、それを偽るために、食料を取りに行こうと言い出したわけか…。 <br>\r\n \"I-I see... So, she didn't go to the mansion with food as a goal, but she had a different goal, and she said she wanted to go and get food in order to disguise her real goal...\" <br><br>\r\n ……た、…確かにそれなら説明がまだ可能かもしれない。……しかし、……どうやって？！」 <br>\r\n \"...T-True enough, it might be possible to find an explanation that way. ...But...how?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「お師匠様、霧江の死亡現場の再構築を…！ 霊の召還は出来ぬが、死体の検証は人間側の権利のはず…。」 <br>\r\n \"Teacher, reconstruct the scene of Kyrie's death...! We cannot summon a ghost, but inspecting the corpse ought to be a right allowed to the human side...\" <br><br>\r\n 「えぇ、問題ありませんよ。右代宮霧江の死亡現場を再構築します。 <br>\r\n \"Yes, there is no problem. I shall reconstruct the scene where Ushiromiya Kyrie died. <br><br>\r\n 私たちは霧江の霊を呼び出すことはできないけれど、霧江が何を残したかを知ることで、それを武器にできるかもしれない。」 <br>\r\n We cannot call Kyrie's ghost here, but by finding out what Kyrie left behind, we may be able to use that as a weapon.\" <br><br>\r\n 「は、ははははははははは！！ いいわよぅ、好きなだけお調べなさいよ！！ <br>\r\n \"Ha, hahahahahahahahaha!! Fine, search as much as you want!! <br><br>\r\n 何もわかるわけがない！ さっきも赤で言ったわよ。 <br>\r\n There's no way you'll learn anything! I just said it in red a short while ago. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001霧江は何も書き残してはいない#ffffff！ 何を見つけたところで、何もわかるものか！！」 <br>\r\n #ff0001Kyrie did not leave anything written down#ffffff! No matter what you find, how could you possibly figure anything out?!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………何も見付からないかもしれない…。 <br>\r\n \"......We may find nothing... <br><br>\r\n ……でも、……戦人は歯を食いしばって、そなたを打ち破る一手を思いつこうと戦っておる。………妾に出来ることは、こんな程度しかない……。」 <br>\r\n ...But, ...Battler is grinding his teeth, fighting to think of a move to break through you. ......This is all that I can do...\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトは再構築されたホールに降り立ち、倒れている霧江の遺体に近付き、うろうろと観察する。 <br>\r\n Beatrice landed on her feet in the reconstructed hall, approached Kyrie's corpse, and wandered around, observing. <br><br>\r\n 「ニ、ニンゲン側の戦い方は今ひとつ勝手がわからぬ…。………確か、物証が必要だったか…。……なれば、何を探せばいいのか。」 <br>\r\n \"I-I am completely clueless when it comes to fighting on the Human side... ......We need to find evidence, right...? ...Then what should I search for?\" <br><br>\r\n 「大ベアトリーチェ卿ともあろうお方が、床に膝を付けて、這い回って！ みっともなく死体漁りとはねぇ？ <br>\r\n \"The Great Lady Beatrice is getting down on her knees and crawling around! And she's even indecently searching a corpse? <br><br>\r\n くっくくくくくお似合いな姿だこと…！！」 <br>\r\n *cackle*cackle*cackle* That look suits you...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…何とでも言うが良い…。……妾にはこれくらいしか出来ぬ…。……何を蔑まれようと構わぬ…。 <br>\r\n \"...Say whatever you wish... ...I cannot do any more than this... ...I care not how I am despised... <br><br>\r\n ………だが、妾の名誉のために戦うと言った戦人を、妾は捨て置けぬ…。……地を這い、死肉を漁ることになろうとも、……その義理に応えねばならぬのだ…。」 <br>\r\n ......However, I cannot throw Battler away, as he is fighting for my honor... ...Even if I must crawl on the ground and search through dead flesh, ...I must answer to that responsibility...\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトは魔女の嘲笑を浴びながら、霧江の屍を漁る。 <br>\r\n ……ポケットを漁り、中の物を取り出して床に並べていく…。 <br>\r\n Bathed in the witch's sneers, Beato searched through Kyrie's corpse. <br><br>\r\n ...She fished through the pockets, taking what was inside out and laying it on the floor... <br><br>\r\n 床に並んだのは、……ハンカチ。化粧紙。自宅の鍵。航空券の半券。ライター。煙草の吸殻。百円玉が１枚…。 <br>\r\n Laid on the floor...was a handkerchief, tissue, a key to her house, the stub of a boat ticket, a lighter, a cigarette butt, and a single hundred yen coin... <br><br>\r\n 特別、不審なものはない…。 <br>\r\n ベアトが四つん這いになって、嘲笑われながら見つけたものはそれで全てだった。 <br>\r\n There was no special, suspicious object... <br><br>\r\n Although Beato was down on all fours and being sneered at, that was all she could find. <br><br>\r\n 「あっはははははははははははは！！ なぁにその貧相なガラクタはぁ？！ それでどうやって私の魔法を打ち破るって言うの？！ <br>\r\n \"Ahhahahahahahahahahahahaha!! What's with that seedy looking trash?! How do you think you can break my magic with that stuff?! <br><br>\r\n 下らない下らない馬ッ鹿みたぁい！！ 勇ましいことを言って割り込んでおきながら、その体たらくは何なのぉ？！ あぁ情けない恥ずかしい！！ ヘソ噛んで死んじゃえばぁ？！」 <br>\r\n Worthless, worthless, are you a moron?!! How can you be so lame, and right after you cut in between us, talking so tough?! Aaah, how pathetic, how embarrassing!! If only you'd just give up and die!\" <br><br>\r\n 魔女はげらげらと笑い転げてベアトを詰る。 <br>\r\n …ベアトは屈辱に耐えるように俯く。 <br>\r\n The witch fell over laughing, lambasting Beato. <br><br>\r\n ...Beato hung her head, trying to withstand this shame. <br><br>\r\n 「…お嬢様。検証は充分ですか？」 <br>\r\n \"...Milady, are you finished with your inspection?\" <br><br>\r\n 「………う、……うむ…。…これ以上、……何も見付からぬ…。」 <br>\r\n \"......I-Indeed... ...I will not find any more than this...\" <br><br>\r\n 「以上の物証から、何か反論の一手は出ますか？ 出なければ、人間側、リザインせざるを得ません。」 <br>\r\n \"Can you make any counter from this evidence? If not, then the human side must resign.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………………くぅ………。」 <br>\r\n \"............Nnnnn......\" <br><br>\r\n 「当り前でしょ、何も反論の余地なんてないのよ！！ 私は魔女だもの。私の魔法は打ち破れない！！ <br>\r\n \"Obviously, you don't have any room to argue back!! I am a witch. You cannot break through my magic!! <br><br>\r\n あんたはもはや元魔女でしかないのよ。ベアトリーチェを名乗ることも許されなくなったただの負け犬なのよ！！ さぁ、そのゴミやガラクタを好きに積み重ねて、私の魔法を打ち破って御覧なさい！！ <br>\r\n You're no longer anything but a former witch. A loser who isn't even allowed to take the name Beatrice anymore!! Come on, pile up as much trash and rubbish as you like, and just try to break my magic!!\" <br><br>\r\n …出来ないでしょう？ 出来ないわよねぇ？ くっひひひひひッ、それはなぜ？ 私が魔女だからよ。…あんたは名前さえ持たない負け犬だからよ！！ <br>\r\n \"...You can't, right? You can't, can you? Kuhhihihihihi, and why's that? It's because I'm a witch. ...It's because you're just a loser without a name!! <br><br>\r\n くっひっひゃっひゃっひゃっひゃっひゃッ！！！」 <br>\r\n Kuhhihhyahhyahhyahhyahhyah!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………何か、…………何かあるはずなのだ……。 <br>\r\n \"......Something, ......something should be here... <br><br>\r\n ………挫けぬ…。……挫けぬぞ……。どれほど嘲笑われようとも……、妾の名誉のために戦う戦人の、……戦人の名誉のために、…挫けるものか………。」 <br>\r\n ......I won't lose heart... ...I will not lose heart... No matter how much I am sneered at, ...Battler is fighting for my honor, ...so for the sake of his honor, ...I must not lose heart......\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトは浴びせ掛けられる屈辱の言葉に、涙を堪えながら、他にも何か霧江が持っていないか、……戦人の窮地が救える何かが見付からないか、……懸命に探す。 <br>\r\n As Beato held back tears at the words of humiliation she was being showered with, she tried to find if Kyrie was holding something else, ...to find something that could save Battler from his plight, ...searching earnestly. <br><br>\r\n …しかし、もう何も出てこない……。 <br>\r\n ...However, nothing more came up... <br><br>\r\n 「……………くそぉ……。……頼む、……右代宮霧江……。そなたの息子の窮地を、そなたが救わぬわけがない……。………頼む、……死してなお、あやつのために力を貸してくれ……。」 <br>\r\n \"......Damn it... ...Please, ...Ushiromiya Kyrie... You must save your son from his plight... ......Please, ...after death, lend me power for his sake...\" <br><br>\r\n だが、霧江の遺体がそれに応えることはない。 <br>\r\n ……死体が黙して語らぬのは当り前。 <br>\r\n However, Kyrie's body did not answer. <br><br>\r\n ...It was only natural that a corpse would remain silent. <br><br>\r\n 無限の魔法を失ったベアトに答える死者など存在したりはしないのだ…。 <br>\r\n No dead person existed that would answer Beato, who had lost the Endless Magic... <br><br>\r\n 「無駄よ、無駄無駄あぁ〜。 死者を弄べるのは魔女だけの特権よ。魔女でもなく、そしてニンゲンですらないあんたに、力を貸してくれる者なんて、どこにも存在しないッ！！ <br>\r\n \"It's pointless, pointless, pointleeess. Toying with the dead is a privilege only for witches. For you, who is neither a witch nor even a Human, no one exists who will lend a hand!!\" <br><br>\r\n あんたは永遠にひとりぼっち！！ 魔女にもニンゲンにも味方はなく、誰もあんたを助けてなんてくれないの！ 悔しければ泣いちゃえばぁ？！ 役に立てなくてごめんなさいって、詫びちゃえばぁ？！ <br>\r\n \"You'll be alone for all eternity!! You have no witch or Human allies, and no one will save you!! If that's frustrating, why don't you cry?! If only you'd just apologize, saying `I'm sorry I'm so useless'?! <br><br>\r\n あっはははははははははははッ！！」 <br>\r\n Ahhahahahahahahahahahaha!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………すまぬ、…戦人………。…妾では、……何もそなたの力に、…なれぬ……。」 <br>\r\n \"......Sorry, ...Battler...... ...I...couldn't help you...at all...\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………………。 <br>\r\n \"............ <br><br>\r\n ……いいや、充分だ。……ありがとうベアト。お前の努力を、俺は無駄にしない…。」 <br>\r\n ...No, that's enough. ...Thanks, Beato. I won't waste your efforts...\" <br><br>\r\n 「な、慰めなどいらぬわ…！ このガラクタの山で一体、何を反論できるというのか…！！ <br>\r\n \"I-I don't need consoling...! Just how could you possibly argue back with this pile of rubbish...?!! <br><br>\r\n あやつに嘲笑われてまで掻き集めたこのガラクタが、どうやって一矢報いれるというのか…！」 <br>\r\n Just how could you possibly strike back with this rubbish I scraped together while she sneered at me...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 戦人は床に四つん這いになったまま、霧江の遺品の山を握り拳で叩き付けるベアトの前に、自らも屈む。 <br>\r\n In front of Beato, who was still crawling on all fours and hitting the pile of objects Kyrie had left behind with her fist, Battler also crouched. <br><br>\r\n そして、……労うようにその肩を叩いた後、……その手を、床に向け、煙草の吸殻を摘み、空にかざすように突き上げる。 <br>\r\n And, ...after patting her on the shoulder in thanks, ...he moved that hand to the ground, picked up the cigarette butt, and held it up over his head. <br><br>\r\n 「………その、ゴミが何だと言うのか…。」 <br>\r\n \"......What are you trying to say with that trash...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「霧江さんは煙草を吸わない。」 <br>\r\n \"Kyrie-san doesn't smoke.\" <br><br>\r\n しかし霧江はライターまでも持っている。 <br>\r\n But Kyrie also had a lighter on her. <br><br>\r\n 確かに煙草の箱自体を持ってはいないが、それはとても自然で、一見すれば霧江に喫煙の習慣があるように見える…。 <br>\r\n True, she didn't have an actual box of cigarettes, but at a glance, it naturally looked as though Kyrie had a smoking habit... <br><br>\r\n 「…親父は吸ったが、霧江さんは吸わなかった。…でも、親父の煙草に火をつけるために、ライターだけは持ち歩いてたんだ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Dad smoked, but Kyrie didn't. ...But she did walk around with just a lighter to light Dad's cigarettes.\" <br><br>\r\n 「はッ！ だから何だと言うのぉ？ 夫が煙草を吸うんなら、たとえ吸わなくても妻が煙草を持ってたとしても不思議はないわぁ。 <br>\r\n \"Ha! So what? If the husband smoked, then even if the wife didn't, it wouldn't be strange for her to be holding a cigarette. <br><br>\r\n あるいは、喫煙マナーの悪い夫の捨てた吸殻を拾っただけかもねぇ？ それが何だって言うの？ 私の魔法とどう関係があるっていうの？ 何もありゃしないッ！！！」 <br>\r\n Maybe she just picked up the cigarette butt of her husband, who had bad smoking manners? What are you trying to say? What does this have to do with my magic? Nothing at all!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「さらに言おう。…こいつは、親父の吸ってる煙草の銘柄と異なる。……すまないがベアト。親父の遺体の懐を見てくれるか。」 <br>\r\n \"I'll say more. ...This is a different brand of cigarette than what Dad smokes. ...Sorry, Beato. Could you look in the pockets of Dad's corpse too?\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………う、…うむ。……これか…？」 <br>\r\n \"......I-Indeed. ...You mean this...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……銘柄を確認。吸殻と銘柄が異なります。…霧江が持っていた吸殻は、留弗夫の吸う煙草の銘柄ではありません。」 <br>\r\n \"...Checking the brand. The brand is different from the cigarette butt. ...The cigarette butt Kyrie is holding is not of the same brand that Rudolf smokes.\" <br><br>\r\n 「だからどうしたというの？ 霧江は綺麗好きのいい子だから、落ちてる吸殻を許せず拾っただけかもしれないじゃないぃ？ 私は嫌だけど！！」 <br>\r\n \"And so what? Maybe Kyrie is just a good girl who likes things to be clean, so she couldn't leave a fallen cigarette butt alone and picked it up? I wouldn't though!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……ベアト、すまんがもう一人頼む。…秀吉伯父さんの懐だ。………親族で煙草を吸うのは親父と秀吉伯父さんだけなんだ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Beato, sorry, but one more time please. ...Uncle Hideyoshi's pockets. ......In this family, only Dad and Hideyoshi smoke cigarettes.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あ、……あったぞ…！ これか……？」 <br>\r\n \"...I-It's here...! Is this it...? <br><br>\r\n ベアトが秀吉の懐より煙草の箱を見つけ、その中身の一本を抜いて差し出す。 <br>\r\n Beato found a cigarette box in Hideyoshi's pocket, took a single one out, and held it up. <br><br>\r\n 「……銘柄を確認。吸殻は秀吉の吸う煙草の銘柄と認めます。」 <br>\r\n \"...Checking the brand. We acknowledge that the cigarette butt is of the same brand that Hideyoshi smokes.\" <br><br>\r\n 「だッ、だから何だと言うの！！ 秀吉の吸殻が霧江のポケットから見付かると、私の魔法がどう破られるっていうのよぉおおおおおぉお！！」 <br>\r\n \"A-And so what?!! How can you break my magic because you found Hideyoshi's cigarette butt in Kyrie's pocket?!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………そうさ。この吸殻が霧江さんのメッセージだ。いや、……この吸殻こそが、霧江さんがゲストハウスを離れた理由なんだ。 <br>\r\n \"......That's right. This cigarette butt is a message from Kyrie-san. No, ...this cigarette butt itself is the reason that Kyrie-san left the guesthouse. <br><br>\r\n ベアト、ありがとう。……お前がこいつを見つけてくれなかったら、俺はここで屈していた。 <br>\r\n Beato, thank you. ...If you hadn't found this, I would've given up here.\" <br><br>\r\n …………ワルギリア！！ 状況を再構築！ 第二の晩、楼座叔母さんたちが殺されたことが発覚した後のゲストハウスだ！！」 <br>\r\n \"......Virgilia!! Reconstruct the situation! The guesthouse after it came to light that Aunt Rosa and Maria had been killed on the second twilight!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「了解。 <br>\r\n \"Understood. <br><br>\r\n 再構築します。……楼座、真里亞の死亡後、残った生存者はゲストハウス内全ての戸締りを再確認。バリケードを構築。篭城の結束を再確認。」 <br>\r\n Reconstructing now. ...After Rosa and Maria's deaths, the remaining survivors rechecked all of the doors and windows in the mansion. They constructed a barricade. They re-confirmed that their defenses were solid.\" <br><br>\r\n 「何も不審なところなんかないじゃなぁい。何が言いたいの。第四の晩以降の話をしているのに、何で第二の晩の直後を蒸し返すのよ…！」 <br>\r\n \"There's nothing suspicious about that at all. What are you trying to say? Why are you bringing up the second twilight when we're talking about the fourth twilight and after...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「親父は携帯吸殻入れを持ち歩いてる。 <br>\r\n \"Dad carried a portable cigarette butt holder with him. <br><br>\r\n 霧江さんが、わざわざ自分のポケットに吸殻を入れる理由が、ようやく見えてきた。 <br>\r\n I'm finally starting to see why Kyrie-san went out of her way to put a cigarette butt in her own pocket.\" <br><br>\r\n …………その吸殻に意味があるからさ。その吸殻こそが、霧江さんが俺たちに残したメッセージだ…！！」 <br>\r\n \"......It was because that cigarette butt meant something. That cigarette butt was itself a message left by Kyrie-san for us...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「き、聞こうじゃない！！ その吸殻１本で！ どうやって私を否定してみせるというの！！」 <br>\r\n \"Th-Then let's hear it!! How do you plan to deny me with that single cigarette butt?!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……聞いての通りだ。第二の晩以降、ゲストハウスでは全ての部屋の点検が行なわれた。………この時、霧江さんは、あってはいけない場所に、あってはいけないものを見つけたんだ。」 <br>\r\n \"...As we've heard, after the second twilight, an inspection was done of all the rooms in the guesthouse. ......At that time, Kyrie-san found something that shouldn't exist, in a place where it shouldn't be.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あ、……あってはいけないもの…？ ……とは、何なのか。」 <br>\r\n \"...S-Something that shouldn't exist...? ...What do you mean by that?\" <br><br>\r\n 「こいつさ。この吸殻さ。 <br>\r\n \"It's this. This cigarette butt. <br><br>\r\n こいつが、秀吉伯父さんのいた客室の灰皿に置かれていたんだ。」 <br>\r\n This was set in the ashtray of the guest room that Uncle Hideyoshi was in.\" <br><br>\r\n 「はぁッ？！？！ 灰皿に吸殻があって、どうおかしいってのよぅ！！ おかしいのはあんたの頭の方じゃないのぅ？！」 <br>\r\n \"Whaah?!?! What's wrong with there being a cigarette butt in an ashtray?!! Are you sure there isn't something wrong with your head?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「絵羽伯母さんは大の煙草嫌いだッ！！ <br>\r\n その伯母さんが体調を崩して寝込んでるのに、吸殻があるわけがないんだッ！！！ <br>\r\n \"Aunt Eva hated smoking!! <br><br>\r\n There's no way there'd be a cigarette butt there while Aunt Eva was sick and sleeping!!!\" <br><br>\r\n しかし、灰皿には吸殻があった。それを見た霧江さんはすぐに気付いたんだ。……秀吉伯父さんは嘘をついている。本当は絵羽伯母さんは寝込んでなんかいなかった、…部屋を抜け出していたんだと気付いたんだッ！！ <br>\r\n \"However, there was a cigarette butt in the ashtray. When she saw that, Kyrie-san noticed immediately. ...Uncle Hideyoshi was lying. She realized that Aunt Eva hadn't really been sleeping, ...and that she'd snuck out of the room!!\" <br><br>\r\n 復唱要求ッ！！ <br>\r\n \"Repeat it!! <br><br>\r\n “この吸殻は絵羽伯母さんたちが休んだ部屋の灰皿で揉み消された！”」 <br>\r\n `This cigarette butt was crushed out in the ashtray of the room where Aunt Eva and Uncle Hideyoshi were resting!'\" <br><br>\r\n 「………きょ、……拒否するわ…！」 <br>\r\n \"......I-I refuse...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ようやく掴んだぜ………。ありがとうよ、ベアト。」 <br>\r\n \"I've finally got it...... Thank you, Beato.\" <br><br>\r\n 「わ、 <br>\r\n ……妾は、 <br>\r\n ……役に、 <br>\r\n …立てたのか…？」 <br>\r\n \"...W- <br><br>\r\n Was I... <br><br>\r\n ...of some... <br><br>\r\n use...?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「ああ、そうさッ！！ <br>\r\n \"Yeah, you were!! <br><br>\r\n 剥ぐぞッ、俺たちで似非魔女のバケの皮を剥いでやるッ！！！」 <br>\r\n Tear it, we'll tear the mask off of the fake witch!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 霧江はその吸殻から、秀吉が絵羽の偽のアリバイを作っていることに気付いた。 <br>\r\n From that cigarette butt, Kyrie realized that Hideyoshi was creating an alibi for Eva's sake. <br><br>\r\n 秀吉はアリバイ作りを頼まれて留守番をし、…その間、その緊張感に耐えかねて、煙草を吸ったのだ。 <br>\r\n Hideyoshi had been tasked with watching over the room to create an alibi, ...and during that time, he was unable to withstand the tension and smoked. <br><br>\r\n そして霧江はそれを留弗夫に打ち明けた。 <br>\r\n 絵羽が犯人で、秀吉がその片棒を担いでる可能性が高いと打ち明けた。 <br>\r\n Then, Kyrie had confessed that to Rudolf. <br><br>\r\n She confessed that there was a good chance Eva was the culprit, and Hideyoshi was an accomplice. <br><br>\r\n 「………そして霧江さんは、食料を取りに行こうと提案する。 <br>\r\n \"......Next, Kyrie-san proposed that they go to get food. <br><br>\r\n そして秀吉伯父さんにその手助けを頼むッ！！ これが意味するところはただひとつだ。 <br>\r\n She then asked Uncle Hideyoshi to lend a hand!! This could only mean one thing.\" <br><br>\r\n 霧江さんは、秀吉伯父さんを隔離して、真相を問い詰めるつもりだったんだッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Kyrie-san planned to isolate Uncle Hideyoshi and question him about the truth!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「“ヘンペルのカラス”、有効です。魔女側は、この一手を迎え撃てない限り、霧江を操ったと称する魔法の存在が否定されます。」 <br>\r\n \"Your `Hempel's Raven' is valid. Unless the witch side counters this move, the existence of the magic that supposedly controlled Kyrie has been denied.\" <br><br>\r\n 「なッ、何ですってぇえええぇええぇ？！？！ <br>\r\n \"Wh-What did you saaaaaaaaaaaayy?!?! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n ひ、否定するわよ、とにかく否定するわよ…！！ 私じゃないわ、ううぅん！ 右代宮絵羽じゃないわ、絵羽は部屋で寝てたのよぅッ！！！」 <br>\r\n I-I deny it, anyway, I deny it...!! It wasn't me, noooo! It wasn't Ushiromiya Eva, Eva was sleeping in her room!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ならば言ってみろ。あぁ言えやしないさ！ 今度だって言えやしないさッ！！ <br>\r\n \"Then try saying it. Yeah, you can't say it! You can't say it this time either!! <br><br>\r\n 復唱要求ッ！！ “右代宮絵羽は、その時、部屋から一歩も出ていない”！！」 <br>\r\n Repeat it!! `At that time, Ushiromiya Eva did not take a step outside her room'!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「何なのよこれぇえぇ？！ <br>\r\n \"What the hell is thaaaaaaaat?! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 攻めていたのは私でしょう？！ 何で私が攻められる側になってるの？！ いつの間に攻守が逆転してるのよ？！ <br>\r\n I'm the one who was attacking, right?! Why am I the one being attacked now?! When did offense and defense get reversed?! <br><br>\r\n 問い詰めてるのは私なのよッ？！ この魔女である私が、なぜにぃいいいいぃッ！！！」 <br>\r\n I'm the one questioning you, right?! The witch, me, so whyyyyyyyyyy!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「繰り返すッ！！！！ 復唱要求ッ！！ <br>\r\n \"Again!!!! Repeat it!! <br><br>\r\n “右代宮絵羽は、部屋を出ていない”！！ <br>\r\n 言えるわけがねぇんだ、 <br>\r\n チェックメイトだああああぁあああぁあッ！！」 <br>\r\n `Ushiromiya Eva did not leave the room'!! <br><br>\r\n There's no way you can say it, <br><br>\r\n it's checkmaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「魔女側、受け手、ありませんか？」 <br>\r\n \"Does the witch side have a move in response?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……あるわけがない。虚実にて着飾った偽の魔女に、受けられる真実など、ありはしない。」 <br>\r\n \"...There cannot be one. There is no truth that can be accepted from a false witch dressed up with truths and falsehoods.\" <br><br>\r\n 「本当の魔女を、貴様に名乗る資格はないッ！！ <br>\r\n \"You aren't qualified to call yourself a real witch!! <br><br>\r\n 貴様は黄金の魔女じゃない！ <br>\r\n You aren't the Golden Witch! <br><br>\r\n 貴様は人間！ <br>\r\n You're a human! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 右代宮絵羽だぁああああああぁあああ！！」 <br>\r\n Ushiromiya Evaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「ううおおおおおおおおおおおおぉおおおおぉおおぉぉぉぉ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 魔女は咆哮する。 <br>\r\n 己の魔術と存在を否定する凄まじき熱量に全身を焼かれ、竜の如き咆哮で吼え猛った…。 <br>\r\n The witch howled. <br><br>\r\n Her entire body was burned with the tremendous heat that denied her own magic and existence, and she let out a howl like a dragon... <br><br>\r\n その体は明滅を繰り返し、時折、絵羽の姿と魔女の姿を重なるようにちらつかせた。 <br>\r\n Her body flickered repeatedly, flashing as though Eva's figure and the witch's figure overlapped. <br><br>\r\n しかし、咆哮はその明滅を飲み込み、…再び元の、残酷なる魔女の姿を取り戻させる。 <br>\r\n However, that yell was sucked into the flicker, ...making it return to the original form of the cruel witch. <br><br>\r\n 「……くっくくくく、…くっひっはっははははは…。…いいわぁ。…私のことを、右代宮絵羽と呼びたければ呼べばいいのよぅ…。 <br>\r\n \"...*cackle*cackle*cackle*, ...kuhhihhahhahahahaha... ...Sure. ...If you want to call me Ushiromiya Eva, then go ahead and do that...\" <br><br>\r\n ……そうよ、確かに私は右代宮絵羽が犯人であることに対する指し手の全てを、撃退することができない。……私は黄金の魔女を引き摺り下ろされ、…今や、右代宮絵羽と呼ばれているかもしれない…。 <br>\r\n \"...That's right, I actually can't repulse all moves related to Ushiromiya Eva being the culprit. ...I may have been dragged down from the position of Golden Witch, ...and you might call me Ushiromiya Eva now... <br><br>\r\n ……でもね、だからって魔法と魔女の存在が否定されたわけじゃない！！ …私が今から教えてやるわ…。私が右代宮絵羽などではなく、ニンゲンなどではなく、 <br>\r\n ...But you know what? That by itself doesn't mean that witches and magic have been denied!! ...I'll teach you starting now... I'll teach you that I am not Ushiromiya Eva, nor a Human, <br><br>\r\n ……本当の魔女であることを、今から教えてやるわ…！！！ <br>\r\n ...but a real witch...!!! <br><br>\r\n 見なさい、この赤き事実を！！」 <br>\r\n Take a look at this red truth!!\" <br><br>\r\n 魔女が手を打つと、ゲーム盤の世界の時が進行する。 <br>\r\n When the witch clapped her hands, time advanced in the world of the game board. <br><br>\r\n 朱志香の名前を呼びながら、戦人と絵羽が客間の前に駆けてくる。 <br>\r\n Battler and Eva dashed to the front of the parlor, calling out Jessica's name. <br><br>\r\n …彼らは使用人室へ行き、南條の死体を見つけたため、姿の見えなくなった朱志香を探していたのだ。 <br>\r\n ...They were searching for Jessica because they had gone to the servant room, found Nanjo's corpse, and didn't know where Jessica was. <br><br>\r\n 「………それが、どうしたってんだ。……何が言いたい。」 <br>\r\n \"......So, what's your point? ...What are you trying to say?\" <br><br>\r\n 「ま、………まさか…。……まずい……。」 <br>\r\n \"...Y-You couldn't be... ...Oh no...\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトが青ざめる。 <br>\r\n …邪悪なる魔女が打とうとしている一手が、ベアトをして青ざめるほどのものであることを物語る…。 <br>\r\n Beato went pale. <br><br>\r\n ...In other words, the move the evil witch was about to make was bad enough to make even Beato go pale... <br><br>\r\n 「今度こそ。……言い逃れの出来ぬ、致命的な一手をあなたに。…いえ、あなたを応援する全てのニンゲンどもにくれてやるわ。心して聞きなさい、私の一手を。」 <br>\r\n \"This time, ...I'll give you a fatal move that you won't be able to talk yourself out of. ...No, I'll make this move against all Humans who support you. Listen carefully to my move.\" <br><br>\r\n 「や、……やめよ…、その一手は………！」 <br>\r\n \"...St-Stop it, ...that move is......!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ベアト、下がれ…！！ 俺は受けるぞ！ 来い、似非魔女めッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Beato, stay back...!! I'll take it! Come on, you fake witch!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「#ff0001朱志香負傷後。絵羽は常に戦人の監視下にあった。戦人は犯人でもなく共犯者でもない。よって、絵羽の完全なアリバイを証明できる#ffffff。」 <br>\r\n \"#ff0001After Jessica was injured, Eva was constantly under Battler's supervision. Battler is neither the culprit nor an accomplice. By this, we can establish a perfect alibi for Eva#ffffff.\" <br><br>\r\n 「な、……何ぃ……………。」 <br>\r\n \"...Wh-Whaat......?\" <br><br>\r\n 「あんたを。ニンゲンを。……絶対に逃れられぬ赤き結界にて封じて殺す。さらばだニンゲンどもよ。出口なき絶対の魔法密室にて、永遠に眠るがいいわ。……さぁ、心して聞きなさい。赤き真実を。」 <br>\r\n \"I'll seal you, and Humans as well, ...in a red barrier that most certainly cannot be escaped from. Farewell, lowly Humans. Sleep for all eternity in a absolute closed room of magic with no exits. ...Come on, listen carefully. Listen to the red truth.\" <br><br>\r\n #ff0001この島には１９人以上の人間はいない#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001There are no more than 18 humans on this island#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 謎の怪人物が隠れていて犯行を、等という愚かしい考えは捨てなさい。 <br>\r\n Throw away your foolish thoughts of mysterious people hiding and committing crimes. <br><br>\r\n …でも、こういう言い方をすると、動物の犯人も疑えるわね。 <br>\r\n 殺人を仕込んだオランウータンは人間にはカウントされてないなんて屁理屈を言われちゃ敵わない。 <br>\r\n ...But if I say it that way, you might also suspect animal culprits. <br><br>\r\n I couldn't stand to hear some irrational theory about how an orangutan trained to commit murder wouldn't count as a human. <br><br>\r\n なら、こう言い換えるわ。 <br>\r\n So, I'll change it like this. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001人間以外の生命は一切、このゲームに関係がない#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001No life forms other than humans have any connection to this game#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n というわけで。次に、この島に存在する１８人の状況を全て説明するわ。 <br>\r\n That's how it is. Next, I'll explain the situation of all 18 people who exist on this island. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001金蔵は死亡している#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001Kinzo is dead#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001蔵臼は死亡している#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001Krauss is dead#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001夏妃は死亡している#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001Natsuhi is dead#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001秀吉は死亡している#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001Hideyoshi is dead#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001譲治は死亡している#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001George is dead#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001留弗夫は死亡している#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001Rudolf is dead#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001霧江は死亡している#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001Kyrie is dead#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001楼座は死亡している#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001Rosa is dead#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001真里亞は死亡している#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001Maria is dead#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001源次は死亡している#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001Genji is dead#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001紗音は死亡している#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001Shannon is dead#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001嘉音は死亡している#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001Kanon is dead#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001郷田は死亡している#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001Gohda is dead#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001熊沢は死亡している#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001Kumasawa is dead#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001南條は死亡している#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001Nanjo is dead#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001以上、１５人は死亡#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001Those 15 are all dead#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n そして。 <br>\r\n And. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001戦人は生存している#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001Battler is alive#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001絵羽は生存している#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001Eva is alive#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001朱志香は生存している#ffffff。 <br>\r\n #ff0001Jessica is alive#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n これで１８人全員！ <br>\r\n That's everyone, all 18 of them! <br><br>\r\n 「よって、最後の犠牲者である南條の死亡時、戦人と絵羽と朱志香の３人だけが生きていたことはわかるわよね？」 <br>\r\n \"Which means that when the last victim, Nanjo, died, only three people, Battler, Eva, and Jessica, were alive, right?\" <br><br>\r\n 「………な、……何だと…。……き、……貴様、…まさか…………。」 <br>\r\n \"......Wh-What did you say...? ...D-Dammit, ...you don't mean......\" <br><br>\r\n 「#ff0001絵羽はあなたとずっと一緒にいたわ。 <br>\r\n \"#ff0001Eva was with you the whole time. <br><br>\r\n だから犯行は不可能。 <br>\r\n So committing a crime was impossible for her. <br><br>\r\n もちろん戦人くんは犯人じゃないわ。 <br>\r\n Of course, Battler-kun isn't the culprit. <br><br>\r\n アリバイ偽装なんてしてないし、彼女が犯人の可能性も考慮していたから、その行動は用心深く見張ってた。 <br>\r\n He wasn't forging an alibi for her, and he took the possibility that she was the culprit into account, watching over her actions carefully. <br><br>\r\n 彼女には、不審なことをできるあらゆる可能性が存在しなかった！ <br>\r\n No chance existed for her to do anything suspicious! <br><br>\r\n つまり、犯行時の使用人室には、南條と朱志香しかいなかったのよ#ffffff。」 <br>\r\n In short, at the time of the crime, only Nanjo and Jessica were in the servant room#ffffff.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……となると、読めてるわよ。あなたの一手はこうよね？ <br>\r\n \"...And I know what you're thinking. Your next move will be this, right? <br><br>\r\n 朱志香が犯人の可能性もあると！ しかし残念ねぇ、先に赤で叩き斬ってあげるわよぅ！！」 <br>\r\n There's also a chance that Jessica is the culprit! But too bad, I'll slice it up in red before you try!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「#ff0001右代宮朱志香は殺人を犯していない#ffffff！ <br>\r\n \"#ff0001Ushiromiya Jessica has not committed murder#ffffff! <br><br>\r\n #ff0001南條殺しにかかわっていない#ffffff！！ <br>\r\n #ff0001She was not involved with Nanjo's murder#ffffff!! <br><br>\r\n #ff0001彼女の目は完全に塞がれている。 <br>\r\n #ff0001Her eyes were completely covered. <br><br>\r\n その彼女に殺人を行なうことは不可能よ#ffffff！ さらにオマケしてあげるわ。 <br>\r\n It'd be impossible for her to carry out a murder like that#ffffff! And here's a bonus. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001絵羽と戦人も南條を殺していないし、かかわってもいない#ffffffッ！！」 <br>\r\n #ff0001 Neither Eva nor Battler killed Nanjo, nor were they involved#ffffff!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ちょ、ちょっと待ちやがれ！！ それじゃあおかしいじゃねぇか！！ ３人しか人間がいなくて、それで殺人が起こって、……その３人がかかわってないなんて、そんなのおかしいッ！！」 <br>\r\n \"W-Wait a second!! That doesn't make sense!! There were only three humans, then a murder occurs, ...and none of those three were involved?! That's insane!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「はっきり断言してあげるわぁ。 <br>\r\n \"I'll state it clearly. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001南條を殺した犯人は、戦人でも絵羽でも朱志香でもない#ffffff！！ つまり、生存者の中にはいないということよね。おわかりぃ？」 <br>\r\n #ff0001The culprit who killed Nanjo was neither Battler nor Eva nor Jessica#ffffff!! In other words, it wasn't one of the survivors. Get iiit?\" <br><br>\r\n 「いやその、………そ、そうだ！ 二重人格とかはどうだ…！ 元々お前が絵羽伯母さんのもうひとつの人格であったように、……例えば、朱志香にもうひとつの、魔女的人格があって、それが“朱志香以外”を名乗って南條先生を殺したとか…！！」 <br>\r\n \"No, umm, ......th-that's right! What about multiple personalities...?! Just like how you were originally another personality of <NAME>'s, ...let's say Jessica had another, witch-like personality, which took the name of `someone other than Jessica' and killed <NAME>...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「愚かね。すでに赤で語っているわ。 <br>\r\n \"Moron. I've already said it in red. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001朱志香の目は完全に塞がれていて、彼女に殺人は不可能#ffffff！ <br>\r\n #ff0001Jessica's eyes were completely covered, and murder was impossible for her#ffffff! <br><br>\r\n 彼女にどんな人格が憑依しようとも、彼女の肉体では殺人を行なえないの！ それともこう言えば満足するかしら？ <br>\r\n No matter what kind of personality she was possessed by, murder could not be carried out with her body! I wonder if you'll be satisfied if I say it this way? <br><br>\r\n #ff0001朱志香の身体が起こした如何なる動作も、南條の殺人には関係・影響しない#ffffff！ <br>\r\n #ff0001No actions caused by Jessica's body had any relation to or influence on the murder of Nanjo#ffffff! <br><br>\r\n #ff0001この適用を戦人と絵羽にも広げるわ#ffffff。つまり、どう足掻こうが解釈しようが！ <br>\r\n #ff0001This also applies to Battler and Eva#ffffff. In other words, no matter how much you try to struggle and interpret it, <br><br>\r\n #ff0001朱志香と戦人と絵羽は、南條を殺した犯人ではない#ffffff！」 <br>\r\n #ff0001neither Jessica nor Battler nor Eva is the culprit who killed Nanjo#ffffff!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ふ、…ふざけるなッ！！！ だって、他はもう全員、確実に死んでるじゃねぇかよ！！ <br>\r\n \"Y-You've got to be kidding me!!! I mean, everyone else is definitely dead, right?!! <br><br>\r\n なら……あとは残るのは、……南條先生の自殺説だけじゃねぇか！ あとトラップ説！ 犯人はすでに死亡しているが、過去に仕掛けておいたトラップが発動して…。」 <br>\r\n Then...all that's left...is the `Doctor Nanjo Suicide Theory', right?! And the trap theory! The culprit was already dead, but a trap that they had already prepared went off...\" <br><br>\r\n 「#ff0001南條は他殺よ#ffffff。 <br>\r\n \"#ff0001Nanjo's death was a homicide#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n …#ff0001もちろん、トラップではなく、直接的な殺害方法よ#ffffff。 <br>\r\n ...#ff0001Of course, it was with a direct method of murder, not a trap#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001凶器を構え、それにて真正面の至近距離から殺した！ <br>\r\n #ff0001A weapon was readied, and he was killed with it from point-blank range in front of him! <br><br>\r\n 犯人は、南條の目の前に堂々と現れ、そして互いに顔を見合わせながら、殺害したのだ#ffffff…！！」 <br>\r\n The culprit appeared openly before Nanjo's eyes, and as they both looked at each other's faces, the culprit killed him#ffffff...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「だから待てよッ！！ <br>\r\n \"But wait!! <br><br>\r\n 生存者は３人しかいない！ それ以外は全員死んでることはお前が赤で語ってる！ つまり、１８人全員の生死が確定してる。しかも１９人目は存在しないと予め赤で否定済みだ…！！」 <br>\r\n There are only three survivors! You said in red that everyone else is dead! You basically confirmed the life or death status of all 18 people. Furthermore, the existence of a 19th person has already been denied in red...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「つまり、生存者３人以外には存在できないッ！！ なのに、その３人以外の４人目が、南條先生の前に現れてる！！ １９人目は存在しないのに、どうして俺たち以外の人間が現れて、南條先生を殺害できるんだッ？！？！ おかしい！！ お前は嘘をついている！！ 赤字で嘘をついているッ！！！」 <br>\r\n \"In other words, no one can exist except the three survivors!! And yet, a fourth person other than those three appeared before Doctor Nanjo!! How could a person other than us appear and murder Doctor Nanjo when no 19th person exists?!?! Insane!! You're lying!! You're lying with the red!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「#ff0001赤は真実のみを語る#ffffffッ！！！ それを疑うことは即ち、貴様の後で妾に怯え萎縮しその背に隠れる、その魔女の名誉を裏切ることになるわよぅ？！」 <br>\r\n \"#ff0001The red only tells the truth#ffffff!!! Isn't doubting that the same as betraying the honor of that witch who's behind you, shriveling up in fear of me and hiding behind your back?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「く、………くそ…………！！！」 <br>\r\n \"D-Damn it......!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「はっきりと。今こそ、言い切るわ。……南條の前に現れし私こそ。魔女なのよ。 <br>\r\n \"Right now, I'll state it clearly. ...The one who appeared in front of Nanjo was me. A witch. <br><br>\r\n ……１８人の人間では説明できない、黄金の魔女なのよッ！！」 <br>\r\n ...The Golden Witch, who can't be explained away with the 18 humans!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ワ、ワルギリア！ ロノウェ…！！ 状況は矛盾していないのか？！ やつは本当に赤で真実を語っているのかッ？！」 <br>\r\n \"V-Virgilia! Ronove...!! Isn't there a contradiction in this situation?! Is she really telling the truth with red?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……はい。“赤き真実”、有効です。」 <br>\r\n \"...Yes. Her `red truth' is valid.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………何という、……緻密かつ精密な詰め……。」 <br>\r\n \"......What an...elaborate and precise cornering...\" <br><br>\r\n 「こ、……こいつを、どう手を打ちゃいいんだ…。ワルギリア…！ 何か手はないのか……？！」 <br>\r\n \"H-How should I make a move against her...? Virgilia...! Aren't there any moves...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………私には、…何も思いつきません…。」 <br>\r\n \".........I...cannot think of anything...\" <br><br>\r\n 「…ロノウェは？！」 <br>\r\n \"...And you, Ronove?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………………。………申し訳ありません。……しかし、この千年。…これほどまでに、……精密なる美しい盤面を見たのは、…初めてです。」 <br>\r\n \"..................My apologies. ...However, in these last thousand years, ...I have never seen...such an elaborately beautiful game board layout.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………悔しいですが、 <br>\r\n ……………美しい………。……何て、 <br>\r\n ……美しい赤による、 <br>\r\n ……チェックメイト……………。」 <br>\r\n \"......I hate to admit it, <br><br>\r\n ......but it's beautiful...... ...What a... <br><br>\r\n beautiful... <br><br>\r\n checkmate made in red......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 魔女の師匠と悪魔の執事は、ともに呆然とした、…それでいてどこか恍惚とした表情を浮かべる…。 <br>\r\n The witch's teacher and the demon butler were both stunned, ...and an expression of ecstasy rose to their faces... <br><br>\r\n ………降参どころか、 <br>\r\n …感服する他ない、完璧なチェックメイトだと、 <br>\r\n …感嘆しているのだ…。 <br>\r\n ......Forget surrendering, <br><br>\r\n ...they were impressed at this perfect checkmate, <br><br>\r\n ...which simply had to be admired... <br><br>\r\n 人は、心の底から敗北を認める時…。 <br>\r\n そこには未練も屈辱も生まれない。 <br>\r\n ……ただただ尊敬の念しか生まれない…。 <br>\r\n When people accept defeat from the bottom of their hearts... <br><br>\r\n ...It gives rise to neither regrets nor humiliation. <br><br>\r\n ...Nothing is born except feelings of respect... <br><br>\r\n 俺には、………もう、何が何だか、……わからない。 <br>\r\n I......no longer knew...what was what anymore. <br><br>\r\n ヤツの赤には、一切の隙がない。 <br>\r\n There were absolutely no weak points in her red. <br><br>\r\n １５人全員の死亡を赤で語った。 <br>\r\n １８人以外に存在しないと赤で語った。 <br>\r\n She had said in red that all of 15 people had died. <br><br>\r\n She had said in red that no people existed other than the 18. <br><br>\r\n つまり、俺と朱志香と絵羽伯母さんの３人しか、存在しない。 <br>\r\n In other words, no more than three people: me, Jessica, and <NAME>, existed. <br><br>\r\n そしてその３人全員が犯人ではないのに、南條先生が殺された。 <br>\r\n And even though none of those three people were the culprit, Doctor Nanjo was killed. <br><br>\r\n そして南條先生は間違いなく他殺で、真正面から堂々と“そいつ”に殺害された…！ <br>\r\n And without a doubt, Doctor Nanjo's death was a homicide, he was murdered by `that person' openly from in front of him...! <br><br>\r\n そして“そいつ”が、魔女だと、……言うのか………！！ <br>\r\n And she's saying that `that person'...is a witch......?!! <br><br>\r\n 「南條を殺した犯人は、動物などの類ではないわよ。それはすでに赤で宣言済みよ？ 人間以外は一切、考慮から外しなさい。ロボットなんかも駄目よ。 <br>\r\n \"The culprit who killed Nanjo was not an animal or anything of the sort. That has already been dealt with in red, right? Everything other than humans has been completely removed from consideration. Even things like robots don't work.\" <br><br>\r\n #ff0001人間以外の一切の要素は、このゲーム盤に関与しない#ffffff！ <br>\r\n \"#ff0001Absolutely no factors other than humans participated in this game board#ffffff! <br><br>\r\n ゆえにこうも言えるわね。 <br>\r\n Therefore, I can also say this. <br><br>\r\n #ff0001南條を殺したのは、確かに人間である#ffffff！ <br>\r\n #ff0001The one who killed Nanjo was definitely a human#ffffff!\" <br><br>\r\n #ff0001地に足の付いた人間が、凶器をかざし、それにて殺した！ 眼前にて！#ffffff ただし、その人間は魔法が使えたかもしれないわ。……それは即ち、魔女だったということ。 <br>\r\n \"#ff0001A human, with their feet on the ground, held up a weapon and killed with it! Right before his eyes!#ffffff However, the human may have been able to use magic. ...In other words, it was a witch.\" <br><br>\r\n ……それがつまり、この私。黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェ！！」 <br>\r\n \"...In other words, it was me. The Golden Witch, Beatrice!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n ……戦人は、 <br>\r\n …歯軋りをしながらも、 <br>\r\n ………がくりと、膝をつく。 <br>\r\n ...Even as Battler... <br><br>\r\n ground his teeth, <br><br>\r\n ...his knees hit the floor with a thunk. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 魂はまだ屈服を拒否している…。 <br>\r\n His soul still refused to surrender... <br><br>\r\n ……しかし、…膝はもう、 <br>\r\n ……屈服を受け入れ始めているのだ……。 <br>\r\n ...However, ...his knees had already... <br><br>\r\n started to accept surrender... <br><br>\r\n 「くっひっひひひひひひひひひ！ 跪いたわね…？ <br>\r\n \"Kuhhihhihihihihihihihihi! Oh, did you kneel...? <br><br>\r\n そうよ、あなたはもう理解し始めている。……黄金の魔女が存在することを。………そして、その黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェが、私であることを…！！ <br>\r\n That's right, you're already starting to understand. ...The Golden Witch does exist. ......And that Golden Witch, Beatrice, is me...!!\" <br><br>\r\n さぁ、讃えなさい。本当の魔女の復活を、今こそ讃えなさい。黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェの復活を、今こそ讃えなさいッ！！ 第九の晩に魔女は蘇り、誰も生き残れはしない……！！！」 <br>\r\n \"Come on, praise me. Now, praise the resurrection of a true witch. Now, praise the resurrection of the Golden Witch, Beatrice!! On the ninth twilight, the witch shall revive, and none shall be left alive...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「くっそぉおおぉぉぉ………。……俺には、……わからねぇ……！ <br>\r\n \"Daaamn iiiiiiiitt...... ...I don't...understand...! <br><br>\r\n ここまで、…徹底的に赤でがんじがらめにされたら、……俺にはもう、……さっぱりだ……！」 <br>\r\n After...being so thoroughly immobilized by the red, ...I don't...have a clue anymore...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ば、……戦人……。く、挫けるな……。…妾とそなたは、再び戦いあう約束を交わしたではないか……。ここで、そなたは屈服するのか…？！ 妾と再び戦う前に、このようなところで消え去るのか……？！」 <br>\r\n \"...B-Battler... D-Don't lose heart... ...You and I...promised that we would fight each other again, right...? Will you surrender here...?! Will you disappear in a place like this before fighting with me again...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「その約束を破りたくはねぇ……。…………しかし、……俺には、ヤツを否定する手が、まったく思いつかねぇ…！！ <br>\r\n \"I don't want to break that promise... ......However, ...I can't think of any move to deny her...!! <br><br>\r\n これはそもそも、…問題にさえなってない！ 容疑者以外は存在せず、その容疑者は全員シロ！ 赤でシロだって言われてんだぜ？！ それでいて、しっかり他殺で、犯人は人間で、ちゃんと目の前に現れて南條先生を殺したという！ もうお手上げだ、どうにもならねぇ…ッ！！！」 <br>\r\n In the first place, ...this isn't even a puzzle! Nothing exists outside the suspects, and all of the suspects are innocent! I was told that they were innocent in red, right?! And also that it was a real homicide, and that the culprit was human, and that they did appear before Doctor Nanjo's eyes and kill him! I give up, ...there's nothing I can do...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「頼む戦人、諦めるな挫けるな……！ ……思考を止めれば自動的にそなたの負けとなる。…頼むから挫けるな…。……妾も応援しておる、……負けたりするな……！」 <br>\r\n \"Please, Battler, don't give up, don't lose heart...! ...If you stop thinking, it automatically becomes your loss. ...I'm begging you, don't lose heart... ...I'm also cheering you on, ...so don't lose...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「もう、何も思い付かねぇんだ…！！ どうせあいつは魔女だから、魔法とかでやったに違いない、考えるだけ無駄だぜって思っちまう…！ <br>\r\n \"I can't think of anything anymore...!! I find myself thinking she's gotta be a witch, who must've done it with magic, which makes all thinking pointless...! <br><br>\r\n 駄目だ、頭が痛い、脳が疲れる…。考えたって無駄だから止めちまえって、考えちまう…！！」 <br>\r\n It's useless, my head hurts, my brain's tired... I'm starting to think that thinking's pointless, so I should just stop...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「戦人、聞け…。………チェスというゲームは、相手を負かそうと互いが尽くすから、一回のゲームに長い時間を掛ける。……しかし、どちらかが最初から勝ちを捨て、自分に損な手を進んで指せば、あっという間にゲームを終えるのだ。……これを、フールズメイトという。」 <br>\r\n \"Battler, listen... ......In the game of chess, both sides do all they can to make the other lose, so a single game takes a long period of time. ...However, if one side throws away victory from the beginning and makes moves harmful to themselves, the game can end in the blink of an eye. ...That is called a fool's mate.\" <br><br>\r\n フールズメイトは、つまり、如何に早く負けるかということを念頭に置いた、おかしなチェスの指し方。 <br>\r\n A fool's mate is, simply put, a strange way of playing chess, in which the fastest methods of losing are considered. <br><br>\r\n …自らのキングの前を開け、相手のクイーンを誘い受ける。 <br>\r\n ...Opening the area in front of your own king and inviting the opponent's queen in. <br><br>\r\n 一回の平均対戦時間が数時間にも及ぶチェスが、わずか４手で決着してしまうのだ。 <br>\r\n Even though the average game time in chess is several hours, a game can be resolved in a scant four moves. <br><br>\r\n ……つまり、戦いとは、互いが勝とうとすれば苦しく、長い時間を強いられるが、…片方が負けようと思ったなら、いつでも、呆気ないくらい簡単にゲームを終えられるのだ…。 <br>\r\n ...In other words, if both sides try to win in a fight, they are compelled to take a painfully long period of time, ...but if one side decides to lose, the game can be ended far too easily, at any time... <br><br>\r\n 「……人間側は、思考を停止させることによって、目の前の問題を魔女に譲り渡し、木からリンゴが落ちることさえ、直ちに魔法の仕業ということで決着できてしまう。 <br>\r\n \"...When the human side stops thinking, it hands the problem before its eyes over to the witch, and even an apple falling from a tree can be immediately resolved as the work of magic.\" <br><br>\r\n ………そしてそれは魔女側も同じことだ。…魔女は赤き真実を使う。……それにて、魔法の正体が人間で説明できてしまうことを示せば、直ちに敗北することができる。」 <br>\r\n \"......It is the same for the witch's side. ...Witches use the red truth. ...By using that, they can explain the true form of magic with humans...and immediately lose.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………言われなくてもわかってるさ…。……考えを止めるなって言うんだろ…？ しかし、 <br>\r\n ………あいつのあの完璧な真っ赤な手に、どうやって反撃すればいいんだ…。俺には、 <br>\r\n ……人間には、 <br>\r\n ………もう無理だ…………。」 <br>\r\n \"......You don't have to tell me that... ...You're telling me to not stop thinking, right...? However, <br><br>\r\n ......how should I counterattack that person's perfect bright-red move...? For me, <br><br>\r\n ...for humans, <br><br>\r\n ......it's no longer possible......\" <br><br>\r\n 「………無理、 <br>\r\n ………か…？ ……戦人には、 <br>\r\n ……無理なのか……？ ……頼む…、挫けるな………。」 <br>\r\n \"......Is it... <br><br>\r\n ...impossible...? ...Is it really... <br><br>\r\n ...impossible for you, Battler...? ...Please, ...don't lose heart......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「………………すまん………。…俺にはもう、 <br>\r\n ………無理だ………。」 <br>\r\n \".........Sorry...... ...I've... <br><br>\r\n ...reached my limit......\" <br><br>\r\n 戦人は床を掻き毟りながらぼたぼたと涙を零す。 <br>\r\n Battler scratched at the floor, crying heavily. <br><br>\r\n ……ベアトはそれを苦渋の面持ちで見つめる…。 <br>\r\n ...Beato watched that with a distressed face... <br><br>\r\n そして立ち上がり、魔女に言った。 <br>\r\n Then she stood up and spoke to the witch. <br><br>\r\n 「…………妾が、そなたの手に、反撃の一手を指そうぞ。」 <br>\r\n \"......I will make a move as a counter to yours.\" <br><br>\r\n 「へぇ？ この完璧なるチェックメイトに、あなたはどう切り込んでくれるというのかしらぁ？ <br>\r\n \"Huh? I wonder just how you plan to cut up this perfect checkmate. <br><br>\r\n ニンゲンには決して破ることのできないこのチェックメイトを、あなた如きがどう破るというのぅ？！」 <br>\r\n How can this checkmate, one totally impossible for Humans to break, be defeated by the likes of you?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………ベ、ベアトリーチェ、あなたまさか…。」 <br>\r\n \"......B-Beatrice, you don't mean to...\" <br><br>\r\n 「うむ。…ニンゲンに指せぬ一手なら。……妾が、魔女であるがゆえに指せる一手で、そなたを迎え撃ってやる…。」 <br>\r\n \"Indeed. ...If a Human cannot make a move, ...I will assault you with a move I can use precisely because I am a witch...\" <br><br>\r\n 「魔女であるがゆえに指せる一手……？ <br>\r\n \"A move you can use because you're a witch...? <br><br>\r\n ……お、…お前、何をする気だ…。」 <br>\r\n ...Wh-What are you planning to do...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「妾が、赤にて。 <br>\r\n 魔女を否定する。」 <br>\r\n \"I will use the red... <br><br>\r\n to deny witches.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「ベアトリーチェ…！！」「お、お嬢様…！！」 <br>\r\n \"Beatrice...!!\" \"M-Milady...!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 師匠と執事が、ともにぎょっとする。 <br>\r\n The teacher and the butler were both startled. <br><br>\r\n ……すぐにその意味は俺にもわかる。 <br>\r\n ...I also immediately understood what it meant. <br><br>\r\n 魔女だけが使える赤で。 <br>\r\n To use the red that only witches could use. <br><br>\r\n …~ib~赤で魔女を否定する~ib~。 <br>\r\n ...~ib~To use the red to deny witches~ib~. <br><br>\r\n それは、自らの剣で、自らの喉を掻き切るも同じことだ。 <br>\r\n It was like using her own sword to slit her own throat. <br><br>\r\n 「は、…………はぁ…？！ あ、……あんた、何を言ってるの？ 赤で魔女を否定…？ <br>\r\n \"......Wh-Whaaat...?! ...H-Hey, what are you saying? Deny witches with red...? <br><br>\r\n ………ば、…馬鹿言ってんじゃないわよ。そんなことしたら、…あんたも無事じゃ済まないわよ……！！」 <br>\r\n ......Q-Quit talking like an idiot. If you do that, ...you won't get away unscathed either...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………そなたは魔女にあらず。そして妾もまた魔女ではない。…真の魔女への道は険しく、まだまだ長い…。 <br>\r\n \"......You are not a witch. And I am not a witch either. ...The road to becoming a true witch is difficult, and I have much, much farther to go...\" <br><br>\r\n ………なれば好都合。今この場に、元より魔女など存在はしないのだ。妾が自ら、そのまやかしを剥ぎ取ってやろうぞ。」 <br>\r\n \"......Very well then. Right here, right now, there have never been any witches in the first place. I will strip this deception away myself.\" <br><br>\r\n 「私もあんたも、しっかり堂々とした魔女でしょうがッ！！ 赤が使えることこそ魔女の証！ <br>\r\n \"Aren't both of us real, obvious witches?!! Being able to use red is itself proof of witches! <br><br>\r\n あんたにとって魔女の定義がどういうものか知らないけど、あんただけは無傷で済むなんて勘違いをしているなら今すぐ、」 <br>\r\n I don't know what the definition of a witch is to you, but if you think that you alone will be able to get away unscathed, then-\" <br><br>\r\n 「勘違いなどしているものか。それで良いのだ。」 <br>\r\n \"How could I make such a mistake? I care not.\" <br><br>\r\n 「な、………んですってぇ……。」 <br>\r\n \"Wh......What did you say...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「妾は元より魔女になどなれていなかった。……真の魔女になるために、ようやくその道のりを歩き始めたに過ぎん。 <br>\r\n \"I never did manage to become a witch. ...I've done nothing more than finally begin walking down the road to becoming a true witch. <br><br>\r\n …もし今の妾が魔女だというのなら。…それは力に溺れただけの、そなたに同じ、偽りの魔女に過ぎぬ。 <br>\r\n ...If what I am right now is a witch, ...then I'm a false witch like you, one who is merely drunk on power.\" <br><br>\r\n ……そのようなみすぼらしい姿なら。未練などない。そなた諸共、妾のこの姿も消し去ってくれようぞ…！」 <br>\r\n \"...Rather than existing in that shabby form, I shall erase this form of mine along with you, without any regrets...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「しょッ、…正気ッ？！？！ や、やめなさい…！ 私はまだ魔女でいたいのよ、ニンゲンは嫌なのよ…！！」 <br>\r\n \"...A-Are you insane?!?! S-Stop it...! I still wanna be a witch! I hate being Human...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………魔女様、どうかご着席を。人間側の受け手を、どうかご着席の上、お受けください。」 <br>\r\n \"......Witch-sama, please return to your seat. Please, receive the human side's counter from your seat.\" <br><br>\r\n 「なッ、何をするの？！ <br>\r\n \"Wh-What are you doing?! <br><br>\r\n は、離してッ！！ <br>\r\n L-Let go of me!! <br><br>\r\n その女に赤を使わせないでッ！！ <br>\r\n Don't let that woman use the red!! <br><br>\r\n 止めさせて！！ 離せぇええええええぇえええぇッ！！」 <br>\r\n Make her stop!! Let gooooooooooooooooooo!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 席を立ち上がり、ベアトに飛び掛ろうとした魔女を、ロノウェは両肩を押さえつけて無理やり着席させる。 <br>\r\n As the witch stood from her seat and tried to spring upon Beato, Ronove pressed down on both of her shoulders, forcing her back into her seat. <br><br>\r\n そして、それでもなお、その両肩から手を離さなかった。 <br>\r\n And, even after that, he didn't remove his hands from those shoulders. <br><br>\r\n 魔女を否定することは即ち魔法を否定するということ。 <br>\r\n Denying witches was the same thing as denying magic. <br><br>\r\n ……それは悪魔であるロノウェも含む。 <br>\r\n ...That included demons such as Ronove. <br><br>\r\n しかしロノウェは逃げず、ただゲームの進行役として、…そして、主のためにその責務を全うすることを選んだ。 <br>\r\n However, instead of running away, Ronove chose to act as the facilitator for the game, ...and to carry out that duty for his master's sake. <br><br>\r\n 「……ベアトリーチェ。………後悔は、ないのですね。」 <br>\r\n \"...Beatrice, ......you have...no regrets, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「お師匠様こそ。 <br>\r\n \"That's my line. <br><br>\r\n ……ごめん。……いっぱい楽しい魔法や、幸せな魔法を教えてもらったのに、 <br>\r\n ………全然、上手に使えなかった。………だから、ゼロから修行、 <br>\r\n …やり直してくる。…その馬鹿弟子の不始末に巻き込んで、………本当にすまなかった。」 <br>\r\n ...Sorry, Teacher. ...Even though you taught me so much about fun magic and magic that brings happiness, <br><br>\r\n ......I wasn't able to use it well at all. ......So I'll study from square one... <br><br>\r\n and start over again. ...I am truly sorry......that you had to suffer for your stupid disciple's misconduct.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……良き弟子を最後に持てました。……あなたの信じるままに、お行きなさい。」 <br>\r\n \"...I had a good disciple in the very end. ...Go, do what you believe in.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………お、お前らが何の話をしてるのか、俺にはさっぱりだ…。 <br>\r\n \"......I-I don't have a clue what you guys are talking about... <br><br>\r\n …だが、これだけはわかる。そして言える…。……ベアト、何をしようとしてるのか知らねぇが、…これからやろうとしてることを止めろ…！」 <br>\r\n ...But I do understand one thing. And I can say this... ...Beato, I don't know what you're trying to do, ...but stop trying to do it...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「そなたに手はない。しかし妾に手はある。 <br>\r\n \"You have no moves. But I have one. <br><br>\r\n ……この一手、逃せばあやつは魔女として真の意味で復活し、今度こそこの島の全てを支配する。…全ての悪夢はあの女の自由自在となり、この島は永遠に、邪悪なる魔女の妄想を繰り返す無間地獄に落ちるだろう。 <br>\r\n ...If we let that move get away, she will be revived as a witch in the truest sense, and this time, she will control this whole island. ...All nightmares will be hers to do with as she pleases, and this island will fall into the deepest hell of the evil witch's repeating delusions, for all eternity.\" <br><br>\r\n ………そなたは、それを許せるというのか。…親しい家族たちが、永遠にあの魔女の悪夢に弄ばれても良いと、そういうのか。」 <br>\r\n \"......Can you permit that? ...Don't you care if your dear relatives are toyed with for all eternity in that witch's nightmare?\" <br><br>\r\n 「だ、だが、……お前が犠牲になることなんてないだろ…。こ、これは俺とやつのゲームだ。 <br>\r\n \"S-Still, ...you shouldn't have to sacrifice yourself... Th-This is a game between me and her. <br><br>\r\n お前が身を犠牲にして手を指すことなんてないッ！ お、俺が考える！ 起死回生の一手を必ず考えるから…！！ <br>\r\n You shouldn't have to make your move and sacrifice yourself! I-I'll think of something! I'll surely think of a miraculous move...!!\" <br><br>\r\n だから早まるなッ！！ <br>\r\n \"So don't rush into it!! <br><br>\r\n うおぉおおおおおおお、畜生ぉおおおおおおおおお、絶対に思いつくから、……だから早まるんじゃねぇええええぇえぇえ！！」 <br>\r\n Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhh, damn iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit, I'll definitely think of one, ...so don't rush into iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………このゲームは残酷であるぞ。すでにそなたの長考に制限時間を使い切っておるわ。………もはや妾しかおらぬ。 <br>\r\n \"......This game is cruel. The time limit for your consideration has already run out. ......I am now the only one who can do it. <br><br>\r\n …安心せよ、戦人。………妾が討つ。 <br>\r\n ...Calm yourself, Battler. ......I'll defeat her. <br><br>\r\n ……あの残酷なる魔女を、妾が自らの手で討つ…。」 <br>\r\n ...I'll defeat that cruel witch with my own hands...\" <br><br>\r\n 「ま、待て、ベアト！！ やめろッ、よせ！！ お前が自分を犠牲にする必要なんて、何もない！！」 <br>\r\n \"W-Wait, Beato!! Stop it, quit it!! There's absolutely no need for you to sacrifice yourself!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「妾を否定するために、そなたは戦っていたのだろうが。……おかしなヤツだ。はははははははは。」 <br>\r\n \"Weren't you fighting to deny me? ...What a strange person. Hahahahahahahaha.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……あの子の好きに、させてあげて下さい。そしてどうか、見届けてやって下さい。」 <br>\r\n \"...Let that child do as she likes. And please, watch her until the end.\" <br><br>\r\n 「し、…しかし……、」 <br>\r\n \"...B-But...\" <br><br>\r\n 「戦人。……ひとつだけ、頼みがある。 <br>\r\n \"Battler, ...there's only one thing I ask. <br><br>\r\n ……耳を、塞いでくれぬか。」 <br>\r\n ...Would you...cover your ears?\" <br><br>\r\n 「耳を……？ どうして…？」 <br>\r\n \"My ears...? Why...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「………妾はこれより、赤にて魔女を否定する。あやつの赤で敷き詰めた盤面を切り裂いて見せる。 <br>\r\n \"......Starting now, I will deny witches in red. I will slice up the game board that she has laid out with her red. <br><br>\r\n ……さすれば、 <br>\r\n ………妾もまた魔女の姿を失うだろう。……そなたも妾が語る赤き真実を聞けば、妾の正体を、理解することになる。 <br>\r\n ...By doing that, <br><br>\r\n ......I will probably lose my form as a witch as well. ...If you also hear the red truth I speak, you will understand my true form.\" <br><br>\r\n ………そなたひとりが耳を塞いだところで、真実は何も変わらぬ。……だが、 <br>\r\n …それでもそなたにだけは、耳を塞いでほしい。………………そなたの前だけでは、…魔女で、いたいのだ。……頼む。」 <br>\r\n \"......If you alone cover your ears, that truth will not change at all. ...However, <br><br>\r\n ...even so, I want you alone to cover your ears. .........I at least want to be a witch...in your eyes. ...Please.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……ベアトリーチェさま。…魔女側、問題ありません。どうぞ、指し手を。」 <br>\r\n \"...Beatrice-sama, ...there are no problems on the witch side. Please, your move.\" <br><br>\r\n 「離せぇええええええぇえぇえッ！！ <br>\r\n \"Let gooooooooooooooooooo!! <br><br>\r\n あんたもただじゃ済まないのよ？！ <br>\r\n I won't let you get away with this either, okay?! <br><br>\r\n あいつは狂ってる！！ 私たちを巻き込んで自分も死ぬ気よ？！ やめて、否定しないで！！ <br>\r\n She's insane!! Do you plan on dying and taking us with you?! Stop it, don't deny it!! <br><br>\r\n やめてぇえええええぇえええええぇッ！！！」 <br>\r\n Stop iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「……仮にも黄金の魔女が見苦しいぞ。…………さぁ良いか。 <br>\r\n \"...How unsightly for a Golden Witch. ......Okay, are you ready? <br><br>\r\n …戦人に代わり、そなたのチェックメイトを外す。１５人が死に、３人しか残らぬチェス盤にて、何が起こったのか。…妾がこれより赤にて暴く。その赤き真実にて、……偽りの魔女二人を、共に貫いて殺す！」 <br>\r\n ...I will remove your check in Battler's stead. What happened on the chessboard where 15 died and only three remained? ...Starting now, I will expose it in red. With that red truth, ...I will pierce and kill both fake witches!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n ベアトが振り返り、戦人に笑みを見せる。 <br>\r\n Beato turned around and smiled at Battler. <br><br>\r\n ……あれだけ残酷の限りを尽くした魔女が、最後に戦人に見せて残そうとした表情が笑顔だったなんて、誰も信じないだろう。 <br>\r\n ...Most likely, no one would believe that the witch who had gone to the limits of cruelty...would try to leave a smile as the last expression she showed Battler. <br><br>\r\n そしてその笑みは、耳を塞いでほしいという最後の願い…。 <br>\r\n And that smile signified her last wish, that she wanted him to cover his ears... <br><br>\r\n 赤で魔女を否定することは即ち、……彼女のみすぼらしい姿を知ることになるということ。 <br>\r\n Denying witches in red...was the same as knowing her shabby form. <br><br>\r\n 戦人は、両の手を自分の耳に当てる…。 <br>\r\n Battler put both of his hands against his ears... <br><br>\r\n ……彼女の最後の、…魔女としての名誉を守るため、自らの耳に手を当て、…真実を拒否する。 <br>\r\n ...To protect her final...bit of honor as a witch, he put his hands against his ears, ...rejecting the truth. <br><br>\r\n そして、吼えた。 <br>\r\n 彼女が語ろうとすることが、わずかほども耳に染み込まぬように。 <br>\r\n And he howled. <br><br>\r\n So that not even a bit of what she was saying would slip into his ears. <br><br>\r\n あとは、戦人にとっては何も聞こえぬ世界。 <br>\r\n ベアトが赤にて、何かを語っている。 <br>\r\n After that...was a world where Battler could hear nothing. <br><br>\r\n Beato was saying something in red. <br><br>\r\n その辛辣な内容に、邪悪なる魔女までもが耳を塞ごうとする。 <br>\r\n Even the evil witch covered her ears at those bitter contents. <br><br>\r\n ……それは、赤き真実。力ある言葉。 <br>\r\n ……自らの存在を否定する言葉。 <br>\r\n ...That was...the red truth. Words of power. <br><br>\r\n ...Words that denied her own existence. <br><br>\r\n 魔女にしか使えぬ、魔女を否定する唯一の言葉。 <br>\r\n Unique words that only witches could use, which denied witches. <br><br>\r\n ベアトは語る。 <br>\r\n 赤き真実にて、魔女が放った真っ赤な盤面を切り裂く。 <br>\r\n Beato spoke. <br><br>\r\n With the red truth, she cut up the bright-red game board that the witch had released. <br><br>\r\n 人間には解けぬ難題を、魔女にしか解けぬ一手で、説明し、追い詰めていく。 <br>\r\n She explained difficult problems that could not be solved by humans, with moves that could only be solved by witches, and began cornering the witch. <br><br>\r\n 戦人には聞くことを許されない“真実”。 <br>\r\n The `truth' that Battler was not permitted to hear. <br><br>\r\n もしも戦人が約束を破り、それをこっそり盗み聞いたなら。 <br>\r\n ……たちまちの内に戦人は、ベアトとのゲームの勝者となり得るだろう。 <br>\r\n If Battler had broken his promise and sneakily eavesdropped... <br><br>\r\n ...In an instant, Battler would probably have been able to become the victor in his game with Beato. <br><br>\r\n ……この島の全ての謎を理解し、全ての魔法とトリックと、密室と呪いと祟りと伝説と、…怒りと悲しみの物語を全て理解するだろう。 <br>\r\n ...He would probably have understood all the riddles on the island, all of the magic and tricks, closed rooms, spells, curses, legends, ...and this entire tale of anger and sadness. <br><br>\r\n しかし、……それを知るのは、戦人が自らの手で真相に至った時だけなのだ。 <br>\r\n However, ...Battler would only learn what that was when he reached the truth by himself. <br><br>\r\n そう。…ベアトリーチェは、……その真相に、戦人が自ら至ってくれることを、最初から願っている。 <br>\r\n Yes. ...From the beginning, ...Beatrice had wished that Battler would reach that truth by himself. <br><br>\r\n それは、教えられて至るのではない。 <br>\r\n 戦人が自らの力で、辿り着かなくてはならない、真実。 <br>\r\n It was something one shouldn't reach by being told it. <br><br>\r\n It was a truth that Battler would have to drag himself to by his own power. <br><br>\r\n ベアトと邪悪な魔女の中央に、眩い光が集まり、どんどんと強くなっていく…。 <br>\r\n A brilliant light gathered with Beato and the evil witch at the center...and grew gradually stronger... <br><br>\r\n それは…、真実の力。 <br>\r\n It was...the power of truth. <br><br>\r\n ………太陽のような眩しさと熱が、闇に隠れて誤魔化そうとするまやかしを、全て照らし出して、……焼き尽くす。 <br>\r\n ......Its heat and brilliance like the sun...shone on all the falsehoods that hid in the darkness, trying to deceive, ...and burnt them to nothing. <br><br>\r\n 「ぐぉおおおおあああああぁああぁあああぁあああッ！！ <br>\r\n \"Gwoooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!! <br><br>\r\n なぜッ？！ なぜあんたは死ねるの？！ こんなすごい力を持ちえながら、…どうして命を捨てられるの？！ 黄金も、魔法も、全てを自在に操れる力を持つあんたが、……どうしてそれをあっさりと投げ出せるの？！」 <br>\r\n Why?! Why can you die?! Why can you throw away your life...when you have such incredible power?! You who hold the power to control gold, magic, and everything at will, why can you so readily throw that away?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……山を成す黄金であろうと。海を割く魔法であろうと。手に入らぬものがあることを知れ。 <br>\r\n \"...Learn that even with a mountain of gold, even with magic to split the sea, there are some things you can never obtain. <br><br>\r\n ………さぁ、姿を現すがいいぞ。その正体を現せ、……右代宮絵羽ッ！！！」 <br>\r\n ......Come, show yourself. Show your true form, ...Ushiromiya Eva!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 太陽が破裂し、全てが吹き飛ばされた時…。 <br>\r\n ……そこには銃を持った絵羽の姿があった。 <br>\r\n When the sun exploded and blew everything away... <br><br>\r\n ...Eva could be seen there, holding a gun. <br><br>\r\n 「あ、………あんたが犯人なんだ…。絵羽伯母さん……ッ！！！」 <br>\r\n \"...Y-You're the culprit, Aunt Eva...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「くっくくくくくく……、あっははははははははははッ！！ <br>\r\n \"*cackle*cackle*cackle* ...Ahhahahahahahahahaha!! <br><br>\r\n 気付くのが遅いわよぅ、戦人くぅんッ！！」 <br>\r\n Took you long enough to notice, Battler-kuun!!\" <br><br>\r\n 絵羽は何の容赦も躊躇もなく、銃を構えるとその引き金を引く。 <br>\r\n …破裂した音が聞こえ、戦人は心臓を撃ち抜かれて、床に倒れる。 <br>\r\n Without any hesitation or mercy, Eva raised her gun and pulled the trigger. <br><br>\r\n ...As an explosive sound rang out, Battler's heart was shot through, and he fell to the floor. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 少しの間だけ痙攣し、 <br>\r\n …口から血を垂らして、 <br>\r\n …戦人は絶命した…。 <br>\r\n After going into convulsions for a short time, <br><br>\r\n ...with blood dripping from his mouth, <br><br>\r\n ...Battler died... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n でも、最後の瞬間に、…紛れもなく彼女が殺人犯であることを理解した。自分を殺したことだけでなく…。 <br>\r\n But in his last moments, he realized without a doubt that she was a murderer. And not just for killing him... <br><br>\r\n ………一体、どうやって行なったのかわからぬ殺人も、いくつかはある。 <br>\r\n ......There have been many murders, and I don't have a clue how they were carried out. <br><br>\r\n しかし、……それらの全てを、俺が耳を塞いでいる間に、……ベアトが赤で暴き、全ての魔法を打ち破って見せた。 <br>\r\n However, ...while my ears were covered, ...Beato exposed all of them with the red, blasting away all magic. <br><br>\r\n …それはつまり、………俺にはわからなくとも、……魔法は全て人間で説明できるという証拠に他ならないのか。 <br>\r\n ...In other words, ......even though I didn't understand it, ...was that nothing more or less than proof that magic can all be explained with humans? <br><br>\r\n ………ベアトは俺に耳を塞がせた。 <br>\r\n …だから、俺自体は全ての真相を、一応は知らない。 <br>\r\n ......Beato made me cover my ears. <br><br>\r\n ...So I myself don't know the whole truth. <br><br>\r\n …しかし、………赤で否定できた以上、“全ての魔法は否定可能である”という、あまりに俺たちにとって、アンフェアな事実を、……知ってしまう。 <br>\r\n ...However, ......now that it's been denied in red, I can see one fact which is extremely unfair for us, ...that `It is possible to deny all magic'. <br><br>\r\n それはつまり、…………………。 <br>\r\n So, in other words, ......... <br><br>\r\n ……いや、……それを考えてはいけない。 <br>\r\n ...No, ...I must not think of that. <br><br>\r\n ………それを考えたら、…俺は耳を塞いだことにならないのだ。 <br>\r\n ......If I do, ...then the time I spent covered my ears would be made pointless. <br><br>\r\n 悔やむなら、自分を悔やむしかない。 <br>\r\n …もし俺があの時、魔女の最後の一手に、何か逆転の一手を思いついていたなら、ベアトは自らを犠牲にする必要など、なかったのだ。 <br>\r\n If I'm going to regret, I can only regret my own actions. <br><br>\r\n ...If, at that time, I'd thought of some move to spin things around and counter the witch's final move, there would have been no need for Beato to sacrifice herself. <br><br>\r\n 俺が、……不甲斐なかったから、……招いた結末…。 <br>\r\n It was...my own worthlessness...that brought about this conclusion... <br><br>\r\n …真っ暗で、何も見えない世界なのに、……なぜかすぐ近くに、ベアトがいるような気配を感じた。 <br>\r\n ...Even though it was a pitch-black world where nothing could be seen, ...for some reason, I felt Beato's presence right next to me. <br><br>\r\n ……だから呼び掛けてみる。 <br>\r\n …言葉を交わすことは、魔女でも人間でもできる。 <br>\r\n ...So I tried calling out to her. <br><br>\r\n ...You can exchange words with someone whether they're a human or a witch. <br><br>\r\n ……だから、魔女が否定された世界でも、……言葉をかけることは許されるはずなんだ…。 <br>\r\n ...So even in a world where witches have been denied, ...I should be allowed to talk to her... <br><br>\r\n 「……………ベアト……。」 <br>\r\n 「……戦人か…。……………やったぞ。……妾は、…やった。」 <br>\r\n \"......Beato...\" <br><br>\r\n \"...Battler, is it...? .........It is done. ...I...did it.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…あぁ。……聞こえはしなかったが、 <br>\r\n ………俺はお前の姿を、…最後まで見ていたぜ…。お前が、邪悪な魔女に毅然と立ち向かうところを、……ちゃんと見てたぜ…。」 <br>\r\n \"Yeah. ...I didn't hear it, <br><br>\r\n ......but I watched you until the very end... I definitely saw you...boldly stand up to that evil witch...\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………これでもう、…妾は魔女ではない。……………だが、必ず、妾は再び魔女になるぞ…。……そして、 <br>\r\n ……再び黄金の魔女と呼ばれるに至って、………再び、 <br>\r\n ……そなたの対戦相手だと認められに、 <br>\r\n …………帰ってくるから………。」 <br>\r\n \"......With this, ...I am no longer a witch. .........But I will definitely...become a witch again... ...And then, <br><br>\r\n ...I will make it so that I can be called the Golden Witch again, ......and once again, <br><br>\r\n ......return... <br><br>\r\n so that I can be accepted as your opponent......\" <br><br>\r\n 「いや。………お前は、魔女だったぜ。」 <br>\r\n \"No. ......You...were a witch.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……………え……。」 <br>\r\n \"......Huh...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…俺は、見てたぜ。………お前が、あの邪悪な魔女を、……すっげえ魔法で吹き飛ばして、その正体を暴き出すところを、 <br>\r\n …俺はちゃんとこの目で見ていたぜ…。」 <br>\r\n 「あ、…あれは魔法ではなく、 <br>\r\n ……赤き、」 <br>\r\n \"...I...saw it. ......When you took that evil witch, ...and blew her away with that awesome magic, exposing her true form, <br><br>\r\n ...I saw it with my own eyes...\" <br><br>\r\n \"Th-That wasn't magic, <br><br>\r\n ...but the red-\" <br><br>\r\n 「いいや、魔法だったぜ。………お前は確かに、黄金の魔女だった。………お前自らが否定しようとも。………俺が認めてやるよ。 <br>\r\n … <br>\r\n … <br>\r\n … <br>\r\n … <br>\r\n “お前は確かに、 <br>\r\n …黄金の魔女だ”。」 <br>\r\n \"No, it was magic. ......You were definitely...the Golden Witch. ......Even if you deny it yourself, ......I'll acknowledge it. <br><br>\r\n ... <br><br>\r\n ... <br><br>\r\n ... <br><br>\r\n ... <br><br>\r\n `You are definitely... <br><br>\r\n the Golden Witch'.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n ………戦人がその言葉を口にした時。 <br>\r\n ...When Battler said those words... <br><br>\r\n 真っ暗だった世界に、…ぽっと一粒。 <br>\r\n In the world that had been dark, ...there was suddenly a single grain. <br><br>\r\n …小麦の種のように小さな黄金の一粒が眩く光った。 <br>\r\n それは…小さいけれど力強く黄金色に輝く。 <br>\r\n ...A small grain of gold, like a wheat seed, shone brightly. <br><br>\r\n And...even though it was small, it had a strong, gold-colored sparkle. <br><br>\r\n そして、……背中を寄せ合って座っていた二人を照らし出す…。 <br>\r\n だから、二人は互いに自分の姿を自覚する。 <br>\r\n Then, ...it shone on the two of them, sitting with their backs together... <br><br>\r\n So, they each became aware of their own form. <br><br>\r\n …自分たちは、意識だけの存在ではない。 <br>\r\n ...They did not exist only as consciousness. <br><br>\r\n ……体を持った、ちゃんとした存在であることを自覚する。 <br>\r\n ...They became aware that they had bodies and definitely existed. <br><br>\r\n …いや、体という存在が、与えられたというべきか。 <br>\r\n ...No, perhaps we should say that they each had been given an existence called a body. <br><br>\r\n 戦人は自分の姿を見ても、そう驚かなかった。 <br>\r\n When Battler looked at his own form, he wasn't that surprised. <br><br>\r\n …しかしベアトは、自分の姿を見て、少し驚く。 <br>\r\n ...But when Beato looked at her own form, she was a little startled. <br><br>\r\n ……戦人が見ても、いつもの彼女の姿だと思うのだが、……彼女はその姿をしばらくの間、驚いていた…。 <br>\r\n ...From Battler's perspective, she looked just like normal, ...but for a short while, she was surprised by that form... <br><br>\r\n 「………これは…………。……どういうことなのか………。」 <br>\r\n \"...What......is going on......?\" <br><br>\r\n 「あの光粒の輝きが、……どんどん強くなる…。」 <br>\r\n \"The sparkle from that grain of light...is slowly getting stronger...\" <br><br>\r\n その麦粒はもう黄金色どころか、太陽の光のよう。 <br>\r\n That grain of wheat was no longer simply gold-colored, but was like the light of the sun. <br><br>\r\n そして、それがすぅっと、………ベアトの胸に近付いていく。 <br>\r\n Then, it softly......began to approach Beato's chest. <br><br>\r\n その太陽の粒が、……その胸の中に飲み込まれた時。 <br>\r\n When that grain of the sun...was sucked inside her chest- <br><br>\r\n ……世界は真っ青な大空に包まれ、次に眼下は真っ青な海で敷き詰められた。 <br>\r\n ...The world was wrapped in a deep blue sky, and then a deep blue ocean was spread out below them. <br><br>\r\n 島が隆起し、木々が生えて森を成し、塀が俺たちを囲んで屋根が俺たちを飲み込んだ。 <br>\r\n An island rose up, trees sprouted and created a forest, walls surrounded us and a ceiling swallowed us. <br><br>\r\n それはどんどんと装飾されていき、 <br>\r\n ……右代宮家の屋敷の、…ホールであることを気付かせる。 <br>\r\n And was adorned with more and more things, <br><br>\r\n ...made to be like the hall in the Ushiromiya mansion. <br><br>\r\n 黄金の蝶たちがたくさん羽ばたく幻想的なホールの中、…パーティー会場のように、白いクロスを掛けたテーブルがたくさん並び、美しい料理や果物が飾られた。 <br>\r\n In the middle of the fantastical hall where many gold butterflies beat their wings, ...many tables were set up with white tablecloths, like it was a party, and beautiful cooking and fruits were set out. <br><br>\r\n …そしてそこには、……大勢の姿が。笑顔で談笑するみんなの姿が。 <br>\r\n ...And over there...were a great many shapes. It was everyone talking together and smiling. <br><br>\r\n 「み、…………みんな………。」 <br>\r\n \"...E-Everyone......\" <br><br>\r\n それは、親父に霧江さんに、蔵臼伯父さんたちに楼座叔母さんに、もちろん絵羽伯母さんたちまで。 <br>\r\n There was Dad and Kyrie-san, Uncle Krauss, Aunt Natsuhi and Aunt Rosa, and of course, even Aunt Eva and Uncle Hideyoshi. <br><br>\r\n ……譲治の兄貴に朱志香に真里亞に、…いやいや、紗音ちゃんに嘉音くんに、郷田さんも熊沢さんもいる。 <br>\r\n ...George-aniki, Jessica, Maria, ...wait, wait, even Shannon-chan, Kanon-kun, Gohda-san and Kumasawa-san are here. <br><br>\r\n みんなみんなパーティー会場にいて、手を叩きながら、俺たちが帰ってきたのを祝福してくれた…。 <br>\r\n Everyone, everyone was at the party, clapping their hands and celebrating our return... <br><br>\r\n 「ど、…どうしてだ…。みんな死んだのに…！ どうして生きてるんだ…？！」 <br>\r\n \"Wh-Why...? Even though everyone was dead...! Why are they alive...?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……黄金郷では、全ての死者の魂を蘇らせることができるのです。……お帰りなさい、ベアトリーチェ。 <br>\r\n \"...In the Golden Land, the souls of all the dead can be revived. ...Welcome back, Beatrice. <br><br>\r\n そしてようこそ、戦人くん。黄金郷へようこそ。」 <br>\r\n And welcome, Battler-kun. Welcome to the Golden Land.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………妾は、…至ったのか。…黄金郷への扉に、 <br>\r\n …至ったのか。」 <br>\r\n \"......I...made it? ...I made it... <br><br>\r\n to the door of the Golden Land?\" <br><br>\r\n 「はい。……お嬢様はついに、全員を黄金郷へお招きできたのです。…ようこそ戦人さま、黄金郷へ。」 <br>\r\n \"Yes. ...Milady, you have finally managed to invite everyone here. Welcome, Battler-sama, to the Golden Land.\" <br><br>\r\n 「戦人。………ようやくここへ辿り着いたか。」 <br>\r\n \"Battler. ......So, you have finally made it this far.\" <br><br>\r\n 「じ、祖父さま…。………俺は、…一体…。」 <br>\r\n \"G-Grandfather, ......where in the world...am I...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…お前はわしの、…魔法と相容れぬ血を、もっとも濃く受け継いでしまったのだ。…ゆえに、この黄金郷にお前だけが辿り着けず、ずっとベアトリーチェはそなたを探していたのだ。…そなたをここへ連れて来るために、あらゆる手を尽くしておった。」 <br>\r\n \"My...blood, which is incompatible with magic, runs most deeply in your veins. ...Therefore, you were the only one who could not reach the Golden Land, and Beatrice has been searching for you this whole time. ...She tried everything to bring you here.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………何だって……。」 <br>\r\n \"......What did you say...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「さぁ、戦人さまもお席へ。今宵の料理はこの郷田めの最高傑作を尽くしました。どうかぜひご賞味ください。」 <br>\r\n \"Battler-sama, if you would take your seat. Tonight's dinner is my very best work. If you would, please relish it.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あんた光栄に思いなさいよね！！ 本当は私が全部食べるところを、お情けであんたらの分も残してあげてるんだからね！」 <br>\r\n \"You should be honored!! Normally, I would've eaten all of it, but I left you some out of gratitude!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……七杭の、姉ちゃんたち…。」 <br>\r\n \"...The Seven Stakes nee-chans...\" <br><br>\r\n 「黄金郷では、意思ある者全てが公平だ。……ここで我ら家具とて、ニンゲンとて魔女とて区別はない。」 <br>\r\n \"In the Golden Land, all of those with minds are equal. ...Here, there is no distinction between us furniture, Humans, and witches.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…戦人さま。お待ちしておりました。 <br>\r\n \"...Battler-sama, we were waiting for you. <br><br>\r\n そしてようこそ、黄金郷へ…。」 <br>\r\n Welcome to the Golden Land...\" <br><br>\r\n 「紗音ちゃん、……譲治の兄貴…！！」 <br>\r\n \"Shannon-chan, ...George-aniki...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……僕もまだ、これが夢じゃないかと疑ってるよ…。僕たちは死んだはず。 <br>\r\n \"...I still feel like this might be a dream... We should have died. <br><br>\r\n ……でも、…生きてる。そして全員が全員、ここにいて、……幸せなんだ。…信じられない。」 <br>\r\n ...But...I'm alive. And everyone...everyone is here...and happy. ...I can't believe it.\" <br><br>\r\n 「そうよ、どうせここは夢の中の世界なのよー！ だから譲治がメイドの女と仲良くしてたって、どうせ夢なんだからぁ！ <br>\r\n \"That's right, this place must be a dream wooorld! So it must be a dream that George is acting so friendly with a maid girl! <br><br>\r\n うわぁん！」 <br>\r\n Whaaaaaah!\" <br><br>\r\n 「よさんか絵羽。今は黙って若い二人を祝福せなあかん。 <br>\r\n \"Could you give it a rest, Eva? For now, you gotta stay quiet and bless the two young'uns. <br><br>\r\n 黄金郷は至福の都や。ここではいがみ合いは一切なしやで…！」 <br>\r\n The Golden Land is a city of bliss. We should never quarrel here...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ここでは、愛し合う者たちは全てが自由。…誰にもはばかられることはない。」 <br>\r\n \"Here, any people are free to love each other. ...No one needs to hesitate over it.\" <br><br>\r\n 「朱志香ちゃん、嘉音くん、素敵ぃ！ 妬けちゃうわー！」 <br>\r\n \"Jessica-chan, Kanon-kun, you look so wonderfuul! I'm jealo-us!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……い、いよう、戦人…。何だかその、わははははは…。」 <br>\r\n \"...H-Hey, Battler... I'm a little, umm, wahahahaha...\" <br><br>\r\n 「戦人さま、ようこそ。そしてお帰りなさいませ…。」 <br>\r\n \"Battler-sama, welcome. And welcome home...\" <br><br>\r\n 朱志香は多分、嘉音くんと手をつないでいることを恥ずかしがっているのだろう。 <br>\r\n Jessica was probably embarrassed because she was holding hands with Kanon-kun. <br><br>\r\n そして嘉音くんは使用人らしく畏まって頭を下げたいのだが、二人は互いに手を離さないので、うまく頭が下げられず、何だかちょっぴり滑稽な光景だ。 <br>\r\n Kanon-kun wanted to act humbly like a servant and bow, but since neither of them could let go of the other's hand, he couldn't do it so well, and the whole scene looked fairly comical. <br><br>\r\n 「使用人の子となんて…！！ 駄目です、うちの朱志香がやれるわけありません…！！」 <br>\r\n \"With a servant child...?!! You can't, our Jessica cannot do such a thing...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「いいじゃないかね。好きな相手くらい、自由に選ばせてやるといい。」 <br>\r\n \"It's hardly a big deal, correct? Let her at least choose the person she likes.\" <br><br>\r\n 「駄目です駄目です、あああぁあぁ、朱志香ぁああぁあぁ！」 <br>\r\n \"She can't, she can't, aaaaaaaaaahhh, Jessicaaaaaaaaa!\" <br><br>\r\n 「うちも駄目なのよぉおおぉ、譲治ぃいいいぃいぃ！」 <br>\r\n \"You can't eitheeeeeer, Geooooooooorge!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n …夏妃伯母さんと絵羽伯母さんが抱き合いながら、可愛い子どもに未練の涙を流し合っている。 <br>\r\n ...As Aunt Natsuhi and Aunt Eva hugged each other, they cried tears of regret for their adorable children. <br><br>\r\n ……犬猿の仲の二人がだ。 <br>\r\n …何とも不思議な光景。 <br>\r\n ...Even though they had always been at odds. <br><br>\r\n ...It was a very bizarre scene. <br><br>\r\n 「……いいじゃないですか。誰が誰を好きになったって。」 <br>\r\n \"...It isn't really a problem, right? It doesn't matter who likes who.\" <br><br>\r\n 「そうよ。親が子離れしてない証拠ね。」 <br>\r\n \"That's right. It's proof that a parent's too attached to their child.\" <br><br>\r\n 「戦人ぁ。俺はお前が、どんな女を連れ帰っても、生温かぁく受け入れてやるからな？」 <br>\r\n \"Battleer, no matter what kind of woman you bring home, I'll give her a warm welcome, okay?\" <br><br>\r\n 「この人に紹介しちゃ駄目よ？ すぐ手を出すから。とっとと駆け落ちしちゃうのよ。」 <br>\r\n \"Don't you dare introduce her to this man, okay? He'll get his hands on her immediately. They'll run off together right away.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………戦人。やっとここへ来た。きっひひひひひひひひ。」 <br>\r\n \"......Battler. You finally came here. Kihhihihihihihihihi.\" <br><br>\r\n 「真里亞…。………お前は最初から、 <br>\r\n ………ここへ来ることになると、…知っていたのか……？」 <br>\r\n \"Maria, ......from the very beginning, <br><br>\r\n ...you knew we'd be coming here...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「うー！ だから真里亞は何も怖くなかった。みんなは臆病でびくびく。面白かった！」 <br>\r\n \"Uu-! That's why I wasn't scared at all. Everyone was being a coward and trembling. It was funny!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……何てこった。…一番ズレてると思ってたお前が、 <br>\r\n …実は最初から真相を知ってたなんてな。」 <br>\r\n \"...What the hell. ...Even though I thought you were the most screwed up, <br><br>\r\n ...you actually knew the truth from the beginning.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ぶっ、無礼です…！ <br>\r\n \"H-How rude...! <br><br>\r\n マリア卿に対してそのような口の聞き方、とても許せません！」 <br>\r\n I simply cannot forgive you for speaking of Lady MARIA in that way!\" <br><br>\r\n 「射撃曲線形成、攻撃準備よし。 <br>\r\n \"Formulating Firing Curve, Attack Preparations Ready. <br><br>\r\n マリア卿、いつでも攻撃できます。にひ！」 <br>\r\n Lady MARIA, we can attack at any time. Nihi!\" <br><br>\r\n 「きっひひひひひひひひひひひひひひひひひひ…！ <br>\r\n \"Kihhihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihi...! <br><br>\r\n あ痛！」 <br>\r\n Ouch!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「…お静かに。ベアトリーチェさまの御前です。」 <br>\r\n \"...Be quiet. You are in the presence of Beatrice-sama.\" <br><br>\r\n 「まぁ、硬いことを言わずに。今ははしゃいで喜び合いたい気持ちを察しましょう。 <br>\r\n \"Come now, no need to be so stiff. Let's be considerate of their desire to joke around and have fun. <br><br>\r\n それより、乾杯の準備を始めようではありませんか。」 <br>\r\n More importantly, why don't we begin preparing for the toast?\" <br><br>\r\n 「さぁさ、自慢の鯖料理の準備は充分ですよ。いつでも配膳できますよ。」 <br>\r\n \"Yes, preparations for my excellent mackerel cooking are complete. I can serve it at any time.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ほら！！ みんな！ 少しは家具らしく働きなさいよ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Hey!! You people! Work a little more like furniture!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「やーだー！！ もっとつまみ食いするのー！ うーあー！」 <br>\r\n \"Nooooo!! I'm gonna stuff myself some mo-re! Uu-aaah!\" <br><br>\r\n 「さぁ働こう。お客人方を待たせるな。私たちはあくせく働き、奉仕をしよう。 <br>\r\n \"Come on, let's work. Don't keep the guests waiting. Let's work studiously and attend to them. <br><br>\r\n お客人たちに何もさせるな。不精にさせて怠惰にさせて、ころころと豚のように肥えさせろ。 <br>\r\n Don't let the guests do anything. Make them lazy, make them slothful, fatten them like pigs. <br><br>\r\n あっははは！」 <br>\r\n Ahhahaha!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……ベアトリーチェ。戦人くん。こちらへ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Beatrice. Battler-kun. This way.\" <br><br>\r\n 階段の踊り場の上に、祖父さまとワルギリアがいて、手招きをしている。 <br>\r\n Grandfather and Virgilia were standing on the landing at the top of the staircase, beckoning to us. <br><br>\r\n 俺とベアトは何事かと顔を見合わせてから、二人で階段を登った。 <br>\r\n Beato and I turned our heads to see what was going on, then climbed the stairs together. <br><br>\r\n そこは、ホールから見るとまるで、とても高いステージの上のようだった。 <br>\r\n From the hall, it looked like a very high stage. <br><br>\r\n そこには小さなテーブルが用意され、そこに羊皮紙と、古風な羽ペンが用意されていた。 <br>\r\n A small table had been set up there, as well as a piece of parchment and an old-fashioned quill pen. <br><br>\r\n 見れば、怪しげな魔法文字と日本語が併記されている。 <br>\r\n …そしてその下には、大勢の名前が書かれている。 <br>\r\n I saw that strange magical characters and Japanese were written side by side. <br><br>\r\n ...And below it, many names were written. <br><br>\r\n その数は１７。 <br>\r\n ……筆頭は祖父さまで、みんなの名前がそれぞれにぞろりと自署されている。 <br>\r\n There were 17 of them. <br><br>\r\n ...Grandfather was the first, and everyone's names had been signed all over it. <br><br>\r\n 多分、黄金郷に辿り着いた人間たちが、順々にそれをサインしていったのだろう。 <br>\r\n The people who arrived at the Golden Land probably signed this one after another. <br><br>\r\n 「戦人。お前で全てが揃う。心して聞くが良い。」 <br>\r\n \"Battler, now that you are here, everyone is gathered. Listen carefully.\" <br><br>\r\n 「黄金郷は、魔女の力だけで保たれている世界ではありません。そこで幸福を享受する全ての人間による協力と承認が必要なのです。その為に、ここには全員のサインが揃わねばならないのです。」 <br>\r\n \"The Golden Land is not a world supported by the power of magic alone. The cooperation and approval of all humans who receive happiness here is required. For that sake, we must gather the signatures of everyone here.\" <br><br>\r\n 「前回。黄金郷の扉がようやく開いたが、お前はサインを拒んだ。……記憶にはないだろうがな。お前がサインを拒んだ為、この世界を再び闇に閉ざしてしまったのだ。」 <br>\r\n \"Last time, the door to the Golden Land was finally opened, but you refused to sign. ...Although you probably don't remember it. Because you refused to sign, this world was once again sealed in darkness.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……それだけを聞いてると、…何だか俺ひとりが頑固で、みんなに色々と迷惑を掛けたように聞こえるな…。」 <br>\r\n \"...Just hearing it like that, ...it kinda sounds like I'm the only stubborn one, and that I've been a bother to everyone in various ways...\" <br><br>\r\n 「そなたの頑固は折り紙つきであるからな。金蔵から受け継いでいるのは血だけではないらしいぞ。」 <br>\r\n \"That's because your stubbornness is the real deal. It seems you received more than just blood from Kinzo.\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトが人懐っこそうに笑う。 <br>\r\n 一応、俺が馬鹿にされているはずなのだが、思わず釣られて笑ってしまうような笑顔だった。 <br>\r\n Beato laughed amiably. <br><br>\r\n I should've felt like she was making fun of me, but without thinking, I went along with her, laughing and smiling. <br><br>\r\n 「魔法とは即ち、奇跡。……奇跡は全員が信じあわねば完成せぬ。……そして、最後のそなたが信じてくれることで、この奇跡は、…黄金郷は完成するのだ。」 <br>\r\n \"Magic is a miracle. ...Miracles cannot be made complete unless everyone believes. ...And, when you believed in the end, this miracle, ...the Golden Land, was completed.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………何だか、色々迷惑を掛けちまったみたいだなぁ。 <br>\r\n \".........It looks like I've been a real pain. <br><br>\r\n …それで、俺はどうすりゃいいんだ…？」 <br>\r\n ...So, what should I do...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「まず、ここにあなたのサインを。次に、ベアトリーチェはここにサインを。」 <br>\r\n \"First, sign here. Then, Beatrice, you sign here.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……羽ペンって使い辛いな。 <br>\r\n \"...Quill pens are pretty hard to use, huh? <br><br>\r\n …うわ、弾いた。」 <br>\r\n ...Whoa, it shot.\" <br><br>\r\n 「下手くそめ。インク弾きは縁起が悪いのだぞ。自分の名前くらいとっとと書け。ミミズがのたくるようにな。くっくくくくくくくくく…！」 <br>\r\n \"You klutz. Shooting ink is a bad omen. Can't you at least write your name quickly? Your pen's wriggling all over the place like a worm. *cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「お前こそ、何だよ…！ カタカナで書くなよ！ ベアトリーチェなんて洒落た名前なんだから、ちゃんと筆記体で書けよ！ 羽ペンと名前が泣いてるぜー！」 <br>\r\n \"You should talk...! Don't write it in #fefefekatakana#ffffff! <br><br>\r\n Beatrice is a stylish name, so write it in cursive! You're making the quill and your name cry!\" <br><br>\r\n 「う、うるさいな、筆記体はテストの時は使うなと、授業で言われなかったか。」 <br>\r\n \"Sh-Shut up, in school, didn't they tell you not to use cursive on tests?\" <br><br>\r\n 「これ、厳かな儀式であるぞ、沈黙せよ。」 <br>\r\n \"Hey, this is a solemn ceremony. Be silent.\" <br><br>\r\n 「結構。二人のサインが揃い、誓約書の書式が揃いました。……二人には宣誓を。まずはベアトリーチェから。誓約書に手を添え、誓約を。 <br>\r\n \"Very well. We have gathered the two signatures, as well as the form for the covenant. ...Both of you, your oath please. We'll start with Beatrice. Put your hand on the covenant and take the oath.\" <br><br>\r\n ……“ベアトリーチェは良き魔女として、人々の幸福のために今後も修行を続けることを誓います”。…さぁ。」 <br>\r\n \"...`As a good witch, Beatrice swears to continue her studies from this point forth to bring happiness to the people'. ...Say it.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……う、……うむ…。……な、何だか恥ずかしいぞ。 <br>\r\n \"...I-Indeed... ...I-It's a little embarrassing. <br><br>\r\n ……ベ、ベアトリーチェは良き魔女として、 <br>\r\n 人々の幸福のために今後も修行を続けることを誓います。……これで良いか。」 <br>\r\n ...As a good witch, <br><br>\r\n Beatrice swears to continue her studies from this point forth to bring happiness to the people. ...Will that do?\" <br><br>\r\n 「よろしい。次は戦人だ。」 <br>\r\n \"Acceptable. Battler is next.\" <br><br>\r\n 「戦人くんも同様に。誓約書に手を添え、誓約を。……“右代宮戦人は黄金郷の一員として、自身と隣人の幸福のために奉仕することを誓います”。」 <br>\r\n \"In the same way, Battler-kun, put your hand on the covenant and take the oath. ...`As a member of the Golden Land, Ushiromiya Battler swears to serve for the sake of his own happiness and that of his neighbor'.\" <br><br>\r\n 「うー、 <br>\r\n …右代宮戦人は、 <br>\r\n 黄金郷の一員として、自身と隣人の幸福のために奉仕することを誓います。 <br>\r\n \"Ah, <br><br>\r\n ...as a member of the Golden Land, <br><br>\r\n Ushiromiya Battler swears to serve for the sake of his own happiness and that of his neighbor. <br><br>\r\n ……俺も恥ずかしいぜ…。」 <br>\r\n ...I'm embarrassed too...\" <br><br>\r\n 「聞け、皆の者…！！ 今ここに、黄金郷を認める、１８人の人間全員の誓約が揃った…！！」 <br>\r\n \"Listen, everyone...!! Here and now, we have gathered the oaths of all 18 humans who accept the Golden Land...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 金蔵がそう宣言すると、一堂は一斉に拍手で俺たちを讃えた。 <br>\r\n When Kinzo proclaimed that, everyone applauded at once, praising us. <br><br>\r\n ……俺ひとりが頑固なだけで迷惑を掛けたのに、一番祝福されてるようでむしろ申し訳ない。 <br>\r\n ...Since I had been the only stubborn one and had just been a pain, I felt a little bad about being the most celebrated one. <br><br>\r\n 「それでは、古式に則り、最後に誓約した戦人くんに、黄金郷への招待状のサインを求めます。……これは、黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェを黄金郷へ招くためのもの。黄金郷は、それを認めた人間たちの総意によって黄金の魔女を招き、そして完成するのです。」 <br>\r\n \"And with that, in accordance with the ancient rites, we ask Battler-kun, the last to make the oath, to sign the invitation to the Golden Land. ...This is something that invites the Golden Witch, Beatrice, to the Golden Land. The Golden Land welcomes the Golden Witch through a consensus of those who have acknowledged it...and becomes complete.\" <br><br>\r\n 「戦人、読み上げるぞ。しっかり聞け。…………“我々１８人は、黄金の魔女をベアトリーチェと認め、黄金郷へ招きます”。」 <br>\r\n \"Battler, I will read it out loud. Listen carefully. ......`The 18 of us accept Beatrice as the Golden Witch and welcome her to the Golden Land'.\" <br><br>\r\n 「何だよお前、俺が招待状を送らないと招かれないのかよ。」 <br>\r\n \"What's going on with you? You won't be invited unless I send an invitation?\" <br><br>\r\n 「そういう儀式らしい。妾とて肩が凝るぞ。 <br>\r\n \"That does seem to be the ceremony. It feels stiff even to me. <br><br>\r\n さっさと終わらせようではないか。妾はさっきから腹が減ってかなわぬのだ。」 <br>\r\n Why don't we end it quickly? I've been so hungry for a while now.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……そういや俺も、缶詰をちょいと突っついただけでロクなもんを食ってないぜ。さっさとサインを済ませちまおう。 <br>\r\n \"...Come to think of it, I've only been pecking at canned food and haven't eaten anything good. Let's quickly finish this signing.\" <br><br>\r\n 何々？ “あなたを魔女と認めます”。 <br>\r\n \"What's this? `I acknowledge you as a witch'. <br><br>\r\n ………あれ？ ずいぶんシンプルだな。祖父さまめ、誇張して読みやがったな。」 <br>\r\n ......Huh? That's pretty simple. Damn you Grandfather, exaggerating it so much.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ほらほら早く。」 <br>\r\n \"Come on, come on, quickly.\" <br><br>\r\n 「そこに、サインを。」 <br>\r\n \"Sign, right here.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………ぇ…？」 <br>\r\n \"......Huh...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「早く。」「サインを。」 <br>\r\n \"Quickly.\" \"Sign.\" <br><br>\r\n ……何だか二人が、妙に気持ち悪い笑顔で、俺にサインを強請って来て…。 <br>\r\n ...With slightly weird and uncomfortable smiles, the two of them started demanding that I sign... <br><br>\r\n その時、ホールにガラス窓をぶち割ったようなものすごい音が響き渡り、賑やかな喧騒がシンと静まり返った。 <br>\r\n At that time, an incredible sound like that of a glass window breaking reverberated through the hall, and the bustling tumult faded back into complete silence. <br><br>\r\n 何事かと、俺は羽ペンを落とし振り返る。 <br>\r\n I dropped the quill pen and turned around, trying to see what had happened. <br><br>\r\n すると、 <br>\r\n ……………どこから現れたのだろう。 <br>\r\n When I did, <br><br>\r\n ......where had she come from? <br><br>\r\n …さっきまで、明らかにいなかった人間が、ホールの真ん中にいて、…俺たちを見上げていた。 <br>\r\n ...A human who clearly hadn't been there a short while ago was in the very center of the hall, ...looking up at us. <br><br>\r\n 誰だ……。……女？ <br>\r\n 俺や朱志香と同じくらいの年頃だろう。 <br>\r\n Who's that...? ...A girl? <br><br>\r\n She's probably about the same age as Jessica and me. <br><br>\r\n ……しかし、知らない顔だった。 <br>\r\n 俺以外の全員にとっても知らない顔だった。 <br>\r\n ...But I didn't know that face. <br><br>\r\n None of the other people here knew that face either. <br><br>\r\n 「……なッ、……何だ貴様は？！ 何者だ？！ どこから現れた？！ <br>\r\n \"...Wh-Who are you?! Who is this?! Where did you come from?! <br><br>\r\n 妾のパーティーに招待状なき客は必要ない。家具ども、摘み出せッ！！」 <br>\r\n Those without invitations are not needed at my party. Servants, kick her out!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「仰せのままにっ！！ <br>\r\n \"As you command!! <br><br>\r\n 囲め！！」 <br>\r\n Surround her!!\" <br><br>\r\n 煉獄の七姉妹は七方向から取り囲み、紫色の軌跡を描く魔法の刃を出して牽制する。 <br>\r\n The Seven Sisters of Purgatory surrounded her from seven directions, taking out magic blades that drew purple curves and blocking her. <br><br>\r\n さらにどこからともなく、わらわらと山羊頭の使用人たちが大挙して現れ、その女を取り囲んでしまう。 <br>\r\n And from out of nowhere, shuffling goat-head servants appeared in great numbers, surrounding that girl. <br><br>\r\n その上、シエスタ姉妹はベアトの前に壁のように立ち、黄金弓を構え、弦を引き絞る…。 <br>\r\n On top of that, the Chiester Sisters stood in front of Beato like a wall, readying a golden bow and pulling back the bowstring... <br><br>\r\n 「…………………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n しかし女はまったく動じない。 <br>\r\n But the girl didn't move at all. <br><br>\r\n …それどころか、まったく気にもせず、相変わらず踊り場の俺たちを凝視している。 <br>\r\n ...On the contrary, she was still staring at us on the landing, as though she didn't mind at all. <br><br>\r\n ……誰を見ているんだ…？ ベアト？ 祖父さま？ <br>\r\n ...Who is she looking at...? Beato? Grandfather? <br><br>\r\n …………まさか、……俺………？ <br>\r\n ......Could it be...me......? <br><br>\r\n そうだ。…女は、俺の目をじっと見つめ、…睨んでいる。 <br>\r\n そして、俺と目が完全に合ってから、叫んだ。 <br>\r\n Yes. ...The girl was staring straight into my eyes, ...glaring. <br><br>\r\n Then, after our eyes met perfectly, she yelled. <br><br>\r\n 「それにサインしては駄目ッ！！！ 自ら敗北を認めるの？！ 魔女に騙されないで！！！」 <br>\r\n \"You mustn't sign that!!! Are you going to accept your own defeat?! Don't be tricked by the witch!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……え？ 魔女に、 <br>\r\n ……え？！」 <br>\r\n \"...Huh? By the witch, <br><br>\r\n ...huh?!\" <br><br>\r\n その時、俺の襟首がものすごい力で掴みあげられる。 <br>\r\n At that time, something incredibly strong lifted me by the nape of my neck. <br><br>\r\n …な、何事…？！ <br>\r\n ...Wh-What's going on...?! <br><br>\r\n そして後に振り返させられると、……そこに、不気味な笑顔を浮かべたワルギリアと、そして屈強な山羊のバケモノたちの姿が…。 <br>\r\n And after being made to turn around behind me, ...I saw Virgilia, with an eerie smile on her face, and the muscular forms of goat monsters... <br><br>\r\n 俺は、身長が２ｍはありそうな山羊のバケモノの、丸太のように太い腕で掴み上げられている…！ <br>\r\n A goat monster that looked about 2 meters tall was grabbing me with an arm as thick as a log...! <br><br>\r\n 「ほっほほほほほほほほほほほ…。招かれざる来客に耳を貸す必要などありませんよ。さぁ、あなたはサインをするのです。この宣誓書に。“右代宮戦人は、魔女の存在を認める”と。 <br>\r\n \"Hohhohohohohohohohohohoho... There is no need to listen to an uninvited guest. Come, offer your signature as well. On this written oath. `Ushiromiya Battler acknowledges the existence of witches'. <br><br>\r\n さぁ、この宣誓書にサインを…！！」 <br>\r\n Come now, sign the written oath...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「い、…いでででででででででででッ！！ <br>\r\n \"Ow, ...owowowowowowowowowowowow!! <br><br>\r\n ち、畜生、離せッ！！！」 <br>\r\n D-Damn it, let go!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 山羊のバケモノたちが、万力のような力で俺を締め上げながら、無理やり俺に羽ペンを握らせる。 <br>\r\n …俺は抵抗は愚か、床に足を付けることさえ出来やしない…！ <br>\r\n As the goat monsters held me down with the power of a vise, they forced me to grab the quill pen. <br><br>\r\n ...I couldn't even touch the floor with my feet, much less resist...! <br><br>\r\n 「戦人ぁ、何で抵抗するんだよぉ？ さっきは、ころっとサインしてくれそうだったじゃないかよォおぉ…？ 今更心変わりなんてするなよォおおぉ。魔女を認めてもいいかなァ…って、一瞬思っただろ？ 思ったんだろォおおおぉ？ <br>\r\n \"Battleer, why are you resisting? Weren't you just about to sign willingly...? Don't change your mind now, after all that, okaaay? Didn't you think for an instant...that it might be okay to acknowledge witches? You thought that, riiiiiight? <br><br>\r\n くっきききっかっかかかかかかかかかかッ！！」 <br>\r\n Kukkikikikkakkakakakakakakakakaka!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………お、 <br>\r\n ……俺は、 <br>\r\n ……だ、 <br>\r\n ……騙されてたっての…か……？ そんな馬鹿な………、 <br>\r\n ベアトは、そんなヤツじゃ…、」 <br>\r\n \"......I- <br><br>\r\n I was... <br><br>\r\n t- <br><br>\r\n tricked...? That's insane...... <br><br>\r\n Beato isn't that kind of...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「…………………………。」 <br>\r\n \"............\" <br><br>\r\n 「……ひ、……ひっひはっはっははぁあああぁあァア！！ <br>\r\n \"...H-Hihhihahhahhahaaaaaaaaah!! <br><br>\r\n 悪ィなぁ戦人ァ、こんなヤツでよぉおおおおぉ！！ あぁもう駄目だ、甘ったるい浪花節はやっぱ妾の肌にゃ合わねぇやああぁあぁ！！ お師匠様ァ、力尽くで頼むぜぇ！！ 地味ィな役回りだったんで、すっかり退屈してたんだッ！ <br>\r\n Sorry, Battleer, I am that kind of persooooooooooon!! Aah, it's useless now, it looks like sentimental sob stories don't suit meeeeeeeeeee!! <br><br>\r\n Teacher, I'm counting on you to use all your strength!! That was such a plain role to play, and I got so bored!\" <br><br>\r\n 何者か知らねぇが、女ァ！！ たっぷりグチャグチャのネチャネチャに、糸が引くほどぶっ殺してやるぜぇえええぇええ？！ 女に生まれてきたことを後悔させてやるよォオオォ、 <br>\r\n \"I don't know who you are, girl, but I'll beat you to death, mash you and crush you until threads start trailing, okaaaaaaaaaaaayy?! I'll make you regret being born a womaaaaaaaaaaaan, <br><br>\r\n ひゃっはあああああぁああぁああぁッ！！」 <br>\r\n hyahhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh!!\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトが黄金の煙管を振り上げると、ホールの天上の巨大なシャンデリアがバリバリと帯電して、そこから凄まじい紫の落雷が落ちる…！ <br>\r\n As Beato waved her gold pipe, the massive chandelier hanging in the hall was electrocuted, and from that, a terrible purple thunderbolt fell...! <br><br>\r\n それは、真下の女に直撃し、消し炭にしてしまうはずだった。 <br>\r\n It should have been a direct hit on the girl right below it, turning her to ash. <br><br>\r\n しかし、……髪の毛一本、焦がせていない。 <br>\r\n However, ...not a single hair was singed. <br><br>\r\n 「ほぉ…！！ 飛び入りするだけのことはある…！！ 聞こう！ 名を名乗れ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Hoh...!! So, your sudden appearance here wasn't just a fluke...!! Tell me! State your name!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「あんたに名乗る名前なんてないわ。………それより。 <br>\r\n \"I don't have any name to give you. ......More importantly, <br><br>\r\n ……馬鹿ッ！！！ <br>\r\n ...you idiot!!! <br><br>\r\n いつまで騙されてるのよ！！ このお人好し！！ 早く気付いて！！ これが全て全て魔女の罠であることに！！」 <br>\r\n How long are you going to be tricked?!! You softy!! Figure it out already!! This is all the witch's trap!!\" <br><br>\r\n その言葉は俺に掛けられているものだ。 <br>\r\n Those words were aimed at me. <br><br>\r\n ……これらが全て、 <br>\r\n …魔女の罠だって…？ <br>\r\n ...This is all... <br><br>\r\n the witch's trap, she says...? <br><br>\r\n そんなはずはない…。 <br>\r\n ベアトは、改心して良い魔女になろうと誓って……。 <br>\r\n That can't be... <br><br>\r\n Beato reformed and swore to become a good witch... <br><br>\r\n 「…………………ベアト……………。…罠なんて、 <br>\r\n ……嘘だよな……？ 嘘だと………、言ってくれ……。」 <br>\r\n \"......Beato......... ...All this about traps... <br><br>\r\n ...It's a lie, right...? Please, ......tell me it's a lie...\" <br><br>\r\n 「……悪いなァ、戦人ァ。結構面白かったぜぇ。 <br>\r\n \"...Sorry, Battleer. It was pretty fun. <br><br>\r\n …しかしお師匠様の言う通りにしてみたんだが、本当に結構、いいとこまでイケたなぁ！ <br>\r\n ...Sure, I just did what Teacher told me, but look how great it turned out!\" <br><br>\r\n 何でも、ツンツンと残虐を尽くした後に程よくヘタれてデレて見せると、好感度ってヤツが大幅アップするんだろー？ <br>\r\n \"Apparently, if you start out all hostile and needlessly brutal, then turn incompetent and soft at just the right moment, you can spark a huge bump on your affection meter, riiight?\" <br><br>\r\n デレてヤンでる悪役が最近はイケてるって聞いたぜええぇ？ これでもよォ、最近流行りの漫画とかアニメとかギャルゲーで結構、勉強したんだぜー？ <br>\r\n \"I've heard villains who start all lovey-dovey and then freak the shit out are all the rage these days, riiiiiight? Even I've studied a bunch of those manga, anime, and galge that've been so popular lately, you seeee?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n そうしたらお前、案の定、お涙頂戴でコロリだよ！！ <br>\r\n \"And for you, just as expected, it was `tears please', and you're down!! <br><br>\r\n ひっひゃっはっははははははははははははは、バーカ、本当に単純なヤツぅ！！ これぞ名付けて“北風と太陽作戦”というわけよ。くーっくっくっくっく！！」 <br>\r\n Hihhyahhahhahahahahahahahahahahahaha, i-diot, what a truly simple person!! I'll call this `the North Wind and the Sun Strategy'. *cackle*cackle*cackle*!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……そんな、…………。 <br>\r\n \"...That's not...... <br><br>\r\n …………く、 <br>\r\n …………くそ……、 <br>\r\n てめぇ……。 <br>\r\n .........D- <br><br>\r\n Damn you, <br><br>\r\n ...you bastard... <br><br>\r\n よくも騙しやがったな…！！」 <br>\r\n How could you trick me...?!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………………………。 <br>\r\n \"............... <br><br>\r\n ……あぁ、その表情が一番お前には似合ってるさ。お前の気遣うようなあの表情な、妾にはやはり合わぬわ。背中が痒くなって、それを堪えるので必死であったぞ。 <br>\r\n ...Yes, that expression suits you the most. That caring expression of yours really doesn't suit me after all. It made my back itch, and I was frantically trying not to let it get to me. <br><br>\r\n くーっくっくっくっくっくっく！！ <br>\r\n *cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*!!\" <br><br>\r\n 残念でしたァ、魔女はァ、改心なんてしませェん☆ <br>\r\n \"Too bad, witches never refooorm☆ <br><br>\r\n ひゃあっはっはっはっはぁああぁあああああああ！！！ サインを頼むぜお師匠様！ 飛び入り客は妾の獲物よッ！！」 <br>\r\n Hyaahhahhahhahhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh!!! You take care of the signature, Teacher! This uninvited guest is my prey!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「さぁ、あなたはもう、このサインを拒めませんよ。……さぁ、ほら。サインをして、身も心も魂も、奉げてしまいなさい…！！」 <br>\r\n \"Come, you can no longer refuse to sign. ...Come on, look. Sign it and offer your body, your mind, and your soul...!!\" <br><br>\r\n ワルギリアが顎を上げて合図すると、山羊のバケモノがさらに万力のような力で、俺の腕を無理やり羊皮紙に近付けようとする……！ <br>\r\n When Virgilia lifted her chin as a signal, the goat monsters, with an even more vise-like power, forced my arm to approach the parchment...! <br><br>\r\n 痛ててて…、こいつら、俺の腕をへし折ってでも、無理やりサインさせる気だ……。 <br>\r\n Owowowow, ...these guys are trying to make me sign, even if it breaks my arm... <br><br>\r\n その時、真っ赤な光が俺を中心に弾けて、魔女たちと山羊のバケモノを弾き飛ばす。 <br>\r\n Then, a bright red light burst open with me at the center, knocking the witches and the goat monsters away. <br><br>\r\n あの女が、俺を助けたのか……？！ し、しかし一体誰なんだ、心当たりがない！ <br>\r\n Did that girl save me...?! B-But who in the world is that? I don't have a clue! <br><br>\r\n 「こんなところで、いつまで遊んでいるつもりなの…？ いい加減にして。あなたが羨ましいわ、私は。」 <br>\r\n \"How long do you plan to keep playing in a place like this...? Give it a rest. I'm jealous of you.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………た、助けてもらって何だが、酷ぇ言われ様だぜ。 <br>\r\n \"......I-I'm glad you saved me, but that's a pretty cruel way to say it. <br><br>\r\n …すまねぇがあんた、どちらさんだ…？」 <br>\r\n ...Sorry, but who are you...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………………。 <br>\r\n \"......... <br><br>\r\n ……………六軒島の魔女ッ！！ 彼は返してもらうわよ！！」 <br>\r\n ......Witch of Rokkenjima!! Give him back!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「くっははははははははッ！！ 誰が返すか愚か者ッ！！ 戦人は妾の玩具だ。妾のお気に入りの、世界で一番の玩具だ…！！ <br>\r\n \"Kuhhahahahahahahahah!! Who would do that, you fool?!! Battler is my toy. My most favorite toy in the world...!! <br><br>\r\n 飽きぬぞ捨てぬぞ、誰にも渡さぬぞ！！ 戦人とて、今を精一杯楽しんでおる。妾と一緒に、こんなにも楽しく遊んでおるのだ。そなたが何者であろうとも、それを邪魔立てはさせぬ…！！」 <br>\r\n I won't get tired of him, I won't throw him away, and I won't hand him over to anyone!! Even Battler is enjoying this to the fullest. Together with me, he is having so much fun playing. No matter who you are, I won't let you get in the way...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ええ、本当に楽しそうね、腹立たしいくらいに羨ましいわッ！！ こんな素敵なところで、みんなでわいわい楽しく賑やかにげらげらと！ <br>\r\n \"Yeah, it looks like you're having a lot of fun. It makes me so jealous, it ticks me off!! Here you are, in a place like this, guffawing and having a loud, noisy time with everyone!\" <br><br>\r\n たくさんの美人の魔女たちに囲まれてちやほやされて、さぞや楽しくて帰りたくないでしょうよ！！」 <br>\r\n \"With all these beautiful witches around to pamper you, you must be having so much fun that you don't even want to go back!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「……お、…俺に言ってるのか…？ おいおい、そりゃ誤解だ…！ 俺だって迷惑してる！ 何が楽しいもんか、俺の苦労を知りやがれってんだ…！」 <br>\r\n \"...A-Are you talking to me...? Wait, wait, you've got the wrong idea...! This is a pain for me too! What do you mean, fun? You don't know what I've been through...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「何が苦労よッ！！！ <br>\r\n \"What you've been through?!!! <br><br>\r\n お父さんお母さんと楽しく過ごして、いとこみんなできゃっきゃと遊んで。愉快な魔女たちといつまでも永遠に遊んで過ごせる！ なんてあなたは幸せなの？！ あなたたちが羨ましいわよ、わかってる？！ 私も混ぜてほしいくらいッ！！」 <br>\r\n You had fun living with Mom and Dad, you played around with all of the cousins, and you get to play with these wacky witches for all eternity! Don't you recognize the happiness you have?! Can't you see how jealous I am of you all?! So much that I wish I could join in too!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「くっくくくくくく！！ 生憎だがそれは断るぞ。妾は手持ちの玩具で満足しておる。そなたのような粗野な玩具は、妾の玩具箱に相応しくない！」 <br>\r\n \"*cackle*cackle*cackle*!! I'm sorry, but I'll have to turn you down there. I am satisfied with the toy I have. A rude toy like you is not fitting for my toy box!\" <br><br>\r\n 「えぇ、わかってるわ。誰があんたなんかと遊ぶものですか。 <br>\r\n \"Yes, I understand. Who would ever play with someone like you? <br><br>\r\n ……でも少しだけ感謝するわ。……こうして、みんなに会わせてくれて。」 <br>\r\n ...But I will thank you just a little. ...For letting me meet everyone like this.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……お前、 <br>\r\n ………誰なんだ…。…………………まさか…、」 <br>\r\n \"...Who... <br><br>\r\n ...are you...? ............You couldn't be...\" <br><br>\r\n 「なるほどそうか…。………あぁ、わかったぞ、そなたの正体が！ <br>\r\n \"I see, is that it...? ......Yes, I understand, I know who you are! <br><br>\r\n …なるほどな、 <br>\r\n ...I see, <br><br>\r\n ベルンカステル卿の送り込んだ駒とはそなたなのか。気に入ったッ！！ <br>\r\n so you are the piece <NAME> threw in. How amusing!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 改めてそなたを妾のパーティーに招こうではないか！！ たっぷり歓迎してやるぞ…！！ 戦人共々、仲良く遊んで、壊して殺して潰して灰にしてパン生地に混ぜてふっくらと焼き上げてくれるわッ！！ <br>\r\n \"Why don't I formally invite you to my party?!! I'll welcome you fully...!! Along with Battler, I'll play nicely, break you, kill you, crush you, turn you to ash, mix you with bread dough and bake you until you're fluffy!! <br><br>\r\n ふっはははははははははははっぁああああぁ！！」 <br>\r\n Fuhhahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaahh!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………あぁ、駄目ね、全然駄目だわ！ あんたにそれは出来やしない！ １９８６年の六軒島で。…何があったのか、私が全て白日の下に晒してやるわ！ <br>\r\n \"......Aaah, it's useless, it's all useless! You can't do that! On the Rokkenjima of 1986, ...I'll expose everything that happened to the light of day!\" <br><br>\r\n あんたなんて、真実という春に怯える霜柱でしかないことを教えてやるッ！ 覚悟なさい、黄金の魔女ッ！ ベアトリーチェ！！！」 <br>\r\n \"I'll show you that before the truth, you're like an icicle scared of the coming spring! Prepare yourself, Golden Witch! Beatrice!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「わっはっはっは、大丈夫か、戦人くん…！ もう地上やで、これ以上は落ちへんでぇ、わっはっはっは…！」 <br>\r\n \"Wahahahaha, you all right, Battler-kun...?! We're already on the ground, and you can't fall any further than that, wahahahaha...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「うーっきゃっきゃっきゃ！ <br>\r\n \"Uu-, hahahahahaha! <br><br>\r\n 落ちるー落ちるー、きゃっきゃっきゃ！」 <br>\r\n Faaall, faaall, hahahahaha!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 新島空港のロビーを、興奮した真里亞が駆け回る。 <br>\r\n 機内での戦人の騒ぎがよっぽど面白かったのだろう。 <br>\r\n In the lobby of the Niijima airport, Maria dashed around in excitement. <br><br>\r\n Battler's uproar on the plane must have been hilarious. <br><br>\r\n 「こら、真里亞！ いい加減にしなさい！ <br>\r\n \"Hey, Maria! Cut that out! <br><br>\r\n …ごめんね、戦人くん。気を悪くしないでね。」 <br>\r\n ...I'm sorry, Battler-kun. Please don't take it badly.\" <br><br>\r\n 「なっさけねぇ男だなぁ、お前はぁ。でけぇ図体して、相変わらず乗り物はダメなのかよ？」 <br>\r\n \"What a pathetic guy you are. Even with that huge body, you still can't handle vehicles?\" <br><br>\r\n 「うるへー…。人間誰しも苦手なモンの一つや二つ、あるもんだぜ…。」 <br>\r\n \"Ah, shut up... All humans have one or two things they can't handle...\" <br><br>\r\n 「戦人くん、今度伯母さんと一緒に海外旅行に行きましょうよ。ヨーロッパとか行かない？ 半日も飛行機に乗ってればきっと克服できるわよぅ。くすくすくす！」 <br>\r\n \"Battler-kun, why don't you come with your aunt on an overseas trip sometime soon? How about Europe? I'm sure you could manage a half-day trip on a plane. *giggle*giggle*giggle*!\" <br><br>\r\n 「…お母さんもよしなよ。戦人くんの乗り物嫌いはきっと遺伝だよ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Stop it, Mother. Battler-kun's dislike for vehicles is probably genetic.\" <br><br>\r\n 「あぁ、明日夢さんの？」 <br>\r\n \"Oh, you mean Asumu-san?\" <br><br>\r\n 「……あいつ、どーいうわけか乗り物系がダメでなぁ。自転車と車以外はほぼダメだったぜ。 <br>\r\n \"...For some reason, she just couldn't handle vehicles. Pretty much anything other than a bicycle or a car. <br><br>\r\n どこか遠出しようとすると、アレはダメだコレはダメだ、怖い怖い落ちる落ちるぎゃーぎゃーとうるせぇ女だったさ。」 <br>\r\n Whenever we tried to go far away, that woman was so annoying with the `not this, not that, I'm scared, I'm scared, fall, fall, gyaah, gyaah'.\" <br><br>\r\n 「子どもは、親が苦手がるモノを危険だと学ぶものです。 <br>\r\n \"Children tend to learn that things their parents can't handle are dangerous. <br><br>\r\n きっと戦人くんは、明日夢さんのそういうところを見て、乗り物は怖いものだと覚えてしまったんでしょうね。」 <br>\r\n I'm sure Battler-kun saw Asumu-san doing something like that and learned that vehicles are scary.\" <br><br>\r\n 「くすくす。明日夢さんの遺伝子ってわけかしら？」 <br>\r\n \"*giggle*giggle* So it's Asumu-san's genes then, is it?\" <br><br>\r\n 「さぁな。だとしたら迷惑な遺伝子だな。 <br>\r\n \"Who knows. Those would be some pretty annoying genes. <br><br>\r\n ………明日夢の話はよせ。今、ここにいるのはお前だ。そうだろ？」 <br>\r\n ......That's enough talking about Asumu. Right now, you're the one who's here. Right?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…そうね、ごめんなさい。」 <br>\r\n \"...You're right, sorry.\" <br><br>\r\n 「おーい、ハイヤーが来たでぇ！ ちょうど３台や。乗るで乗るで！」 <br>\r\n \"Heeey, the cars are here! Exactly three of them. Get in, get in!\" <br><br>\r\n 「落ちる落ちるー！！ パラシュートどこーパラシュートどこー！！ <br>\r\n \"Fall, faaall!! Where's the parachuuute, where's the parachuuute?!! <br><br>\r\n うーうーきゃっきゃっ！！」 <br>\r\n Uu-uu-, *giggle*!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「こんにゃろ〜！！ 待て待て待ちやがれー！ <br>\r\n \"Why you little!! Hold on, hold on, stop right there! <br><br>\r\n 幼女くすぐりの刑に処してやる〜！！」 <br>\r\n I'll sentence you to the little girl tickle punishmeeent!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「うっふふふふ。元気でいいわ。戦人くんと真里亞ちゃんがいてくれなかったら、機内の空気はさぞや硬かったでしょうねぇ。」 <br>\r\n \"Heheheheheh. Being in high spirits is such a wonderful thing. Without Battler-kun and Maria-chan, the atmosphere in that plane would have been pretty grim.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ありがとよ。言葉通りの意味で受け取っとくぜ。 <br>\r\n \"Thanks. I'll assume you mean that literally. <br><br>\r\n ……おら、ガキども！ タクシー来てるぞ！ お遊びは後にしろぃ。」 <br>\r\n ...Hey, brats! The taxis are here! You can play around later.\" <br><br>\r\n 「うーうー！！ タクシータクシー！！ 真里亞一番乗りー！ きゃっきゃ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Uu-uu-!! Taxiii, taxiii!! I'm getting in fiiirst! *giggle*!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「コラ！ 真里亞も戦人くんも、もうはしゃがない！ 人にぶつかるわよ！」 <br>\r\n \"Hey! Maria, and you too, Battler-kun, stop fooling around! You'll bump into someone!\" <br><br>\r\n 楼座叔母さんの声色が、ちょっぴり怖くなる。 <br>\r\n The tone of Aunt Rosa's voice grew a little frightening. <br><br>\r\n 戦人も、さすがにはしゃぎ過ぎたかなと思ったら、案の定、人に肩をぶつけた。 <br>\r\n When even Battler realized they were fooling around a bit too much, ...just as expected, he bumped into someone. <br><br>\r\n 「あ、すんません…。」 <br>\r\n \"Oh, sorry...\" <br><br>\r\n 「戦人くんたちはあっちの車だよ。待たせちゃってるよー。」 <br>\r\n \"Battler-kun, you guys are going in that car. You're keeping them waiting.\" <br><br>\r\n 譲治に急かされ、戦人はぶつかった人に拝む仕草を送りながら、早く来いと呼ぶ両親のもとへ駆けていく。 <br>\r\n After George urged him to hurry on, Battler apologized to the person he had bumped into and ran up to his parents, who were telling him to come quickly. <br><br>\r\n ３台のタクシーは、次々にバンバンっと扉を閉め、港へ向けて出発していった……。 <br>\r\n With a clunking sound, the doors on the three taxis were shut one after another, and they departed for the harbor... <br><br>\r\n ……彼らのタクシーが走り去ると。 <br>\r\n ...As their taxis dashed away... <br><br>\r\n 世界の全てが急に鈍りだし、 <br>\r\n ……緩やかに停止した。 <br>\r\n The entire world grew suddenly dull... <br><br>\r\n and slowed to a halt. <br><br>\r\n 声も風も、音も。……何もかもが止み、動き動こうとする者すべてが、写真に撮られた瞬間でそのまま凍りついたかのように、……停止する。 <br>\r\n Voices, the wind, and even sound... All of it stopped, and all the people who were trying to move froze like the instant someone takes a photo, ...coming to a halt. <br><br>\r\n 人も機械も時計の針も、風に舞う砂埃も、凍り付いている。 <br>\r\n People and machines and clock hands, even the dust dancing in the wind, ...were frozen. <br><br>\r\n 歩いてる途中の人が、片足を上げたまま、凍り付いている。 <br>\r\n Some people who were walking froze with one leg still in the air. <br><br>\r\n 風に舞う紙くずが、空中に縫い止められ、凍り付いている。 <br>\r\n Scraps of paper dancing in the wind were pinned in midair, frozen in place. <br><br>\r\n ……その、止まってしまった世界に立ち尽くすはずの人影がひとつ、動く。 <br>\r\n ...Then, among the shadows standing still in this unmoving world, a single one stirred. <br><br>\r\n それは女。 <br>\r\n It was a girl. <br><br>\r\n さっき、戦人が肩をぶつけた女だった…。 <br>\r\n The girl Battler had just bumped into... <br><br>\r\n 動いたといっても、それは本当にわずか。 <br>\r\n Though she had moved, it was a truly subtle thing. <br><br>\r\n 目線を落とし、ほんの少し肩を下げてため息をつく。…それだけ。 <br>\r\n Her gaze dropped, her shoulders lowered a miniscule amount, and she sighed. ...That was all. <br><br>\r\n 普通の世界でだったら、動いた内にも入らないだろうそれも、この静寂の世界では大いなる違和感を見せた。 <br>\r\n In a normal world, that probably wouldn't even be taken as movement, but in this still world, it looked very out of place. <br><br>\r\n …すると、今度は別のものが動く。 <br>\r\n ...Then, something else moved. <br><br>\r\n タクシー乗り場の近くの影でまどろんでいた黒猫だった。 <br>\r\n It was a black cat wandering around the shadows near the taxi rank. <br><br>\r\n それは女のすぐ後までやってくると、……ゆるりと、ニンゲンの姿を模して形を変えた。 <br>\r\n It came up right behind the girl...and leisurely...changed its form into that of a Human. <br><br>\r\n 猫ではない。魔女だった。 <br>\r\n もちろん、女の方だって、魔女なのだ。 <br>\r\n This was no cat. It was a witch. <br><br>\r\n Of course, the girl was also a witch. <br><br>\r\n 立ち尽くす魔女は、目線を落としたまま、呟く…。 <br>\r\n As the witch stood still, her gaze still downwards, she muttered... <br><br>\r\n 「………みんなが六軒島へ行くのを、 <br>\r\n ……私は、止められないのね。」 <br>\r\n \"......I can't... <br><br>\r\n stop everyone from going to Rokkenjima, can I...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「止められないわ。１９８６年１０月４日に、あなたはここにいない。」 <br>\r\n \"You cannot. On October 4, 1986, you are not here.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……私がここにいたなら、みんなを止めることも、不可能ではなかったの…？」 <br>\r\n \"...If I were, would stopping everyone really have been possible...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「６歳の女の子が、どう立ち回れば彼らを引き返させることが出来るのか、私には想像もつかないけれど。……そうね。もしこの場に居たなら、確率はゼロではなかったわ。ゼロでない確率ならば、私は奇跡を探し出せる。」 <br>\r\n \"Well, I can't imagine what a six-year-old girl could do to make them turn back. ...Still, that's right. If you were in this place, the probability wouldn't have been zero. Whenever there's a probability greater than zero, I can seek out a miracle.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………私が体調を崩して、 <br>\r\n …置いて行かれなければ………。」 <br>\r\n \"...If I hadn't been sick, <br><br>\r\n ...and they hadn't left me behind...\" <br><br>\r\n 俯いた魔女は、両手の握り拳を固くする…。 <br>\r\n …それは少しだけ震えていた。 <br>\r\n With her head facing downwards, the witch tightened her fists... <br><br>\r\n ...They were trembling very slightly. <br><br>\r\n 「あなたが寝込んだのは１９８６年１０月３日。そしてベアトのゲーム盤は１０月４日から切り取られている。……あなたには体調を崩さない可能性が与えられていない。…つまり、あなたは本来、絶対にゲーム盤に上がれない存在なのよ。」 <br>\r\n \"You were sick in bed starting October 3, 1986. And Beato's game board is sealed off starting October 4. ...You are not given a chance to avoid getting sick. ...In other words, it would normally be absolutely impossible for you to enter her game board.\" <br><br>\r\n 「恩着せがましくてありがとう。……わかってるわ。……こうして、お父さんやお母さんや、 <br>\r\n ………お兄ちゃんの元気そうな姿を、 <br>\r\n ……見られただけでも、……これはとても素敵な奇跡なんだって、 <br>\r\n ………わかってるもの…。」 <br>\r\n \"Thanks for being patronizing. ...I know that. ...I know that just seeing Father, Mother, <br><br>\r\n ......and Onii-chan healthy like this... <br><br>\r\n ...even that alone...is a spectacular miracle...\" <br><br>\r\n 縁寿は、家族の前に立ち塞がり、空港の外へ、……六軒島へ行かせまいとしたはずだった。 <br>\r\n Ange had tried to stand in the way of her family, attempting to stop them from leaving the airport...and heading towards Rokkenjima. <br><br>\r\n …しかし、１９８６年１０月４日に存在し得ない彼女に、それは出来ないこと。 <br>\r\n ...However, it was impossible for her to exist in October 4, 1986, so she couldn't do it. <br><br>\r\n 兄に肩をぶつけられ、謝罪の言葉をもらえただけでも。 <br>\r\n Even though her brother had only bumped into her and apologized... <br><br>\r\n …そして自分が妹だとわかってもらえなくても、 <br>\r\n ……涙が溢れるほどの、 <br>\r\n ……奇跡……。 <br>\r\n ...Even though he hadn't realized she was his own little sister, <br><br>\r\n ...it had been such a miracle... <br><br>\r\n that she could cry... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「…………嫌味を言ってごめんなさい。私はあなたにもらった奇跡を、無駄になんかしないわ。」 <br>\r\n \"......Sorry about the sarcasm. I won't waste the miracle you've given me.\" <br><br>\r\n 「頼もしいわね。……さぁ、彼らと一緒に行きましょう。六軒島へ。駒たちがもうすぐ全て揃う。……第４のゲームが幕を開けるわ。ベアトも戦人も、もう席についてる頃よ。」 <br>\r\n \"I'm glad to hear it. ...Come, let us go with them. To Rokkenjima. All of the pieces are already gathered. ...The curtain will open on the fourth game. By this time, Beato and Battler will already be seated.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……六軒島へ……。 <br>\r\n …………私の、 <br>\r\n …いや、 <br>\r\n ……みんなの運命を変えた、１９８６年１０月４日の、 <br>\r\n …六軒島へ………。」 <br>\r\n \"...To Rokkenjima... <br><br>\r\n ......To where my... <br><br>\r\n ...no, <br><br>\r\n ...to where everyone's fates changed, ...the Rokkenjima... <br><br>\r\n of October 4, 1986......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n …あの日に、何があったというの？ <br>\r\n ...What happened on that day? <br><br>\r\n 私はそれを暴く。知る。そして取り戻す…！ <br>\r\n I'll expose it. I'll learn what it is. And I'll bring them back...! <br><br>\r\n 縁寿は両拳を握り締めたまま、きっと天を仰ぐ。 <br>\r\n 瞳の淵に溜まった涙の雫が一粒、宙に零れ落ちる。 <br>\r\n As she stood there with her fists still clenched, she surely turned her face up to the heavens. <br><br>\r\n A single teardrop from the depths of her eyes dripped down into the air. <br><br>\r\n そして二人の魔女の姿は、時が動き出す時に吹く暴風に飲み込まれて瞬時に消え去った。 <br>\r\n And when time started moving again, the two witches' figures were swallowed up by a blowing gale and erased in an instant. <br><br>\r\n 「おはようございます、お嬢様。 <br>\r\n \"Good morning, Milady. <br><br>\r\n これはこれは、上機嫌なご様子。快適なお目覚めのようですな。」 <br>\r\n My, my, you do appear to be in a good mood. What a pleasant awakening you seem to have had.\" <br><br>\r\n 「快適な目覚めどころか…！ ワクワクして一睡も出来なかったぞ。 <br>\r\n \"What do you mean, pleasant awakening...?! I was so excited, I couldn't sleep a wink. <br><br>\r\n 何しろ、楽しい楽しい第４のゲームの幕開けだからな…！」 <br>\r\n After all, the curtain is rising on the fun, fun fourth game...!\" <br><br>\r\n 興奮して一睡も出来なかったのは、どうやら本当らしい。 <br>\r\n It seemed that she truly had been so excited that she hadn't gotten any sleep. <br><br>\r\n にもかかわらず寝不足そうな様子もないのは、若さゆえにか、精神年齢が幼いゆえにか。 <br>\r\n Did she show absolutely no signs of lacking sleep because she was young, or because she had the mind of a little kid? <br><br>\r\n ロノウェはそれを口には出さず、かわりに、ぷっくっくと笑う。 <br>\r\n Ronove chose not to say that aloud, and laughed `pu ku ku' instead. <br><br>\r\n 「前回は戦人のヤツを徹底的にケチョンケチョンにしてやった！ あの、まんまとダマサレターという、戦人の顔！ 実にザマぁなかったぞ！ <br>\r\n \"I really ran that Battler into the ground last time! Ah, the look on his face when he was like `You tricked me'! That was so patheeetic! <br><br>\r\n それにしてもあやつめ、まだヘコんでるのではあるまいなぁ？」 <br>\r\n Even so, is that guy still feeling down?\" <br><br>\r\n 「ヘコんでいる、と申しますと…？」 <br>\r\n \"Feeling down, you say...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「ん、まぁ、そのだな。…あやつめ、いい年してちょっと素直過ぎるトコとかあるだろう？」 <br>\r\n \"Hmm, well, that's right. ...That man's a bit too trusting for his age, isn't he?\" <br><br>\r\n 「ございますな。そこが魅力とも申しますが。ぷっくっく…。」 <br>\r\n \"Indeed. Although you could call that his charm. Pu ku ku...\" <br><br>\r\n 「くっくくくくく！ そうであろう、そうであろう？ <br>\r\n \"*cackle*cackle*cackle*! Ain't it the truth, ain't it the truth? <br><br>\r\n まぁ、それでだ。前回のアレ、あやつめ、コロっと引っ掛かってくれたであろう？」 <br>\r\n Well, speaking of which. Didn't he totally fall for that one last time?\" <br><br>\r\n 「えぇ、コロっと豪快に。…生まれてから、ただの一度も人に騙されたことのない無垢な、薔薇の蕾にも似た純粋さを、お嬢様が存分に蹂躙を。…………冬の朝、美しき新雪の平原を存分に駆け回って、踏みにじり尽くす喜びにも換えがたいでしょうな。 <br>\r\n \"Yes, totally and splendidly. ...You violated the purity of one never deceived since the time of his birth, as well as his rosebud-like innocence, all to your heart's content. ......Even the joy of dashing across a field covered with beautiful new snow on a winter morning and trampling it completely wouldn't even begin to compare.\" <br><br>\r\n お嬢様は戦人さまの純粋な心を、実に痛快に、豪快に、無残に無慈悲に無教養に実はちょっぴりやり過ぎちゃったんじゃないかなァ…？ なあんて不安になってしまうくらいに、陵辱の限りを尽くされましたとも。普通ならヘコむでしょうなぁ。ぷっくくくく、それはもう、二度とお嬢様の顔も見たくないくらいに。」 <br>\r\n \"Didn't you take Battler-sama's innocent heart, and quite thrillingly, splendidly, atrociously, mercilessly, and unculturedly go just a little too far...? And you insulted him to the highest degree, enough to make one uneasy. Most people would be crushed after something like that. Pukukukuku, so much so that they wouldn't want to see your face ever again.\" <br><br>\r\n 「わ、わかっておるではないか…！ <br>\r\n \"I-I know that much...! <br><br>\r\n 妾はそのだな、いよいよ第４のゲームが始まるというのに、もしもあやつが意気消沈していて卓に着かないというようなことがあったら、また面倒だなァと思い、そうならば先に対策を準備した方が良いかと思い、お前に先にそれを問うたわけだ…！」 <br>\r\n I also...umm...thought that if he was too disheartened to join us at the table, even though the fourth game is finally starting, that would be such a pain, so I came to you, thinking that it'd be better to prepare a counter-measure for that case beforehand...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ふぅむ…。でしたらやはり、対策をご用意された方がよろしいでしょうな。 <br>\r\n \"Hmmmm... In that case, perhaps it really would be best to prepare such a counter-measure. <br><br>\r\n 残念ながら、戦人さまはお嬢様の例の『北風と太陽作戦』でかなりショックをお受けになったようです。」 <br>\r\n I am sad to say that your `North Wind and the Sun Strategy' gave Battler-sama quite a shock.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ほ、ほぅ…。……ショックというと、どのくらい…？」 <br>\r\n \"H-Hoh... ...A shock, you say? How bad of one...?\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトは声を少し潜め、恐る恐る聞く。 <br>\r\n ロノウェもそれに調子を合わせ、同じように声を潜めた。 <br>\r\n Beato lowered her voice slightly, asking timidly. <br><br>\r\n Ronove followed suit...and lowered his voice in the same way. <br><br>\r\n 「……実は、膝を抱いてうずくまられて、もうだいぶになります。何度かお声をお掛けしたのですが、お返事をされません。お食事もお運びしたのですが、手を触れた様子もありません。」 <br>\r\n \"...In truth, he has been crouching and clutching at his knees for some time now. I spoke to him several times, but he did not answer. I also brought him some food, but he never even touched it.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…そ、それは…難儀だな……。あやつ、そこまでヘコんでおったか……。」 <br>\r\n \"...Th-That is...troublesome... Is he really feeling that down...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「ぷっくくくく。無理もありますまい。…何しろお嬢様が、 <br>\r\n \"Pukukukuku. It is only natural. <br><br>\r\n ...After all, you <br><br>\r\n 徹・ <br>\r\n tho・ <br><br>\r\n 底・ <br>\r\n rough・ <br><br>\r\n 的ッ <br>\r\n ly <br><br>\r\n におやりになられましたからな。普通なら人間不信になりましょうな。」 <br>\r\n beat him down, Milady. That would make most people start to distrust humans.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ほぉ、ニンゲン不信なら好都合！ ニンゲンなど見限って魔女を信じると良いぞ、わっはっはっは……。 <br>\r\n \"Hoh, distrust of Humans? How convenient! Let him give up on Humans and trust witches, wahahaha... <br><br>\r\n ……………あ、…あぁ、 <br>\r\n コホン。済まぬ、ふざけが過ぎた。」 <br>\r\n ......O-Oh, <br><br>\r\n *cough*. Sorry, I shouldn't fool around too much.\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトは茶化したつもりだったが、どうやら状況はかなり深刻らしく、さすがに空気を読んで笑いを潜める。 <br>\r\n Beato had tried to joke about it, but the situation seemed to be quite serious, so that even she took the hint and hid her laughter. <br><br>\r\n 「……そんなにも深刻なのか…？ だ、第４のゲームの開始はもう少し待ってやった方が良いか…？」 <br>\r\n \"...Is it really that serious...? Sh-Should we wait just a little longer before beginning the fourth game...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「ベルンカステル卿のお客人もお出でになっておりますので、第４のゲームは速やかに開始された方がよろしいでしょう。 <br>\r\n \"<NAME>'s guest will be arriving, so it may be best to open the fourth game quickly. <br><br>\r\n ただ、お嬢様は戦人さまに多少、気を遣われても良いかもしれませんな。」 <br>\r\n However, perhaps you ought to show a little concern for Battler's feelings, Milady.\" <br><br>\r\n 「気！ 気とな？！ どう遣えば良いのか…！ <br>\r\n \"Concern! Show concern, you say?! How should I do that...?! <br><br>\r\n あやつは落ち込んでいるのだから、 <br>\r\n …そ、そうだな、元気付けてやるとか？！」 <br>\r\n He is feeling down, so... <br><br>\r\n th-that's right, shall I cheer him up?!\" <br><br>\r\n 「心を暗く閉ざした者に、暗く接しても無駄なこと。その暗闇に負けないほどの明るさで照らし出す他ないでしょうな。」 <br>\r\n \"When a person's heart is dark and closed off, interacting with them in a dark manner gains you nothing. Your only option is to shine with a brightness stronger than the dark.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ちっくしょおおおおおお、いい加減にしやがれぇえええぇ…！！！」 <br>\r\n \"Damn iiiiiiiiiiiiiit, quit messing arooooooooouund...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「きゃーっはっはっは！！ 戦人くぅん、こ〜ちらー！ あんた如きにロノウェさまが焼いてくれたクロワッサンなんて勿体無いもーん！ <br>\r\n \"Kya-hhahaha!! Battler-kuuun, over heeere! A croissant baked by Ronove-sama would be wasted on the likes of yooou! <br><br>\r\n 私が美味しく食べちゃおっかなぁ？」 <br>\r\n Why don't I enjoy it myself?\" <br><br>\r\n 香ばしいクロワッサンの香りに思わず空腹の音を鳴らせてしまう戦人。 <br>\r\n Battler's stomach involuntarily growled at the fragrant smell of the croissant. <br><br>\r\n 朝食の皿は空っぽだが、戦人が平らげたわけではない。 <br>\r\n …煉獄の七姉妹で一番の食いしん坊、ベルゼブブがロノウェが立ち去るのを待って、食事を摘み食いしに来ていたのだ。 <br>\r\n His breakfast plate was empty, but Battler hadn't eaten any of it. <br><br>\r\n ...The biggest glutton of the Seven Sisters of Purgatory, Beelzebub, had waited for Ronove to leave, and had then come to snatch the food away. <br><br>\r\n 戦人にそれを見つかってしまい、さっきからドタバタと実に賑やかだった。 <br>\r\n Battler had noticed, and they'd been really noisy ever since. <br><br>\r\n ベルゼブブも、さっさと返すか、さもなくば自分の口に放り込んでしまうかすればいいのに、わざと戦人をからかってクルクルと逃げ回っている。 <br>\r\n Even though Beelzebub only had to give it back immediately or else throw it into her own mouth right away, she intentionally ran around in circles, making fun of Battler. <br><br>\r\n 「俺の朝飯、返しやがれぇええぇ！！ 今返したらデコピン１発で許してやる。もしも食ったりしてみろぉ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Give my breakfast back, dammiiiit!! If you give it back now, I'll let you off with a single flick to the forehead. But just you try eating it!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「代わりにオマエを食べてやるぞ〜って？！ <br>\r\n \"What, are you gonna eat me up insteeead?! <br><br>\r\n きゃっはァ！ 私が食べられるものなら食べてごらんなさいよ、きっとパンケーキのハチミツのように甘いから。 <br>\r\n Kyaha! If you think you can, just try it! I'll bet I'll be as sweet as honey pancakes. <br><br>\r\n ッきゃ！」 <br>\r\n Kya!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「捕まえたぁ！！ 今はてめえの太腿よりそのパンが食いてぇんだ。大人しくそいつを返しやがれぇええええ、 <br>\r\n \"Gotcha!! Right now, I want to eat that bread even more than your thighs. Be a good girl and give it heeeeeeeeere, <br><br>\r\n フガギギギギ…！！ こいつ、最後まで抵抗をおおおお…！！」 <br>\r\n fugagigigigi...!! So, you resist until the eeeeeeeeeend...!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「うぐぐぐぐ！！ <br>\r\n \"Ugugugugu!! <br><br>\r\n ダメよダメよあげないもん〜！！ クロワッサンも、私に食べて欲しいって思ってるもん〜〜！！！」 <br>\r\n No way, no way, I won't give it to yooou!! Even the croissant wants me to eat iiit!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 「イ、イェ〜イ、やっほおおおおはよおおお戦人あああ〜っ！！ こいつ、朝っぱらからまだクヨクヨしてるのかあ〜？！？！ 新しい一日とゲームの始まりであるぞォ、元気出してイってみよおおぉおおおぉぉぉおぉ！！」 <br>\r\n \"Y-Yaay, yahooooooooo, g'moooooorning, Battleeeer!! Are you still moping so early in the morniiing?!?! It's the beginning of a new day, and a new game, so let's get our spirits uuuuuuuuuup!!\" <br><br>\r\n …威勢良く扉が開き。 <br>\r\n ...She flung the door open. <br><br>\r\n 某キャラメルの箱に書かれたマラソンの人みたいに、両手を高々と上げて、馬鹿みたいに明るそうに振る舞いながら、 <br>\r\n ……ベアトが登場する。 <br>\r\n Like a marathon runner drawn on a certain caramel box, with her hands held high and an idiotic cheeriness, <br><br>\r\n ...Beato appeared. <br><br>\r\n なぜだか、万国旗やら紅白の紙吹雪が舞い散り、実におめでたい雰囲気満点だった。 <br>\r\n For some reason, flags from around the world and confetti scattered about, perfectly completing this magnificent entrance. <br><br>\r\n ……クロワッサンを取り合って床で取っ組み合いをしていた戦人たちは、争いも忘れて絶句してしまう。 <br>\r\n ...Battler and Beelzebub, who had been fighting over the croissant, completely forgot about their argument, speechless. <br><br>\r\n 「きゃ、…きゃはははは！ おはようございます、ベアトリーチェさまぁ！ それでは私はこれで！ <br>\r\n \"K...Kyahahahaha! Good morning, Beatrice-sama! I'll just be on my way now! <br><br>\r\n ハイ、戦人くん、あ〜んしてぇ！」 <br>\r\n Here, Battler-kun, say aaah!\" <br><br>\r\n 「むがッ！！ <br>\r\n \"Mmnng!! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n ふがふが、もぐもぐ、…ごくん。…………………。 <br>\r\n Mmm mmm, *chomp*, ...*gulp*. ... <br><br>\r\n ……い、いよお、おはようベアト…。……朝から絶好調なようで何よりだ。」 <br>\r\n ...H-Hey, morning, Beato... ...Glad to see you're cheery this morning.\" <br><br>\r\n ………………………………。 <br>\r\n ............ <br><br>\r\n ベアトと戦人の目が合う。 <br>\r\n …互いに相手の状況が理解できていないようだ。 <br>\r\n Beato and Battler looked at each other. <br><br>\r\n ...It seemed neither had a clue what was going on with the other. <br><br>\r\n 「ば、……戦人ぁ……？ <br>\r\n どど、どういうことだロノウェぇええぇ、 <br>\r\n \"B-Battleer...? <br><br>\r\n Wh-Wh-What's going on, Ronoveeeee, <br><br>\r\n 元気そうじゃねェかよォおおおおぉおぉ！！ <br>\r\n he looks totally fine, doesn't heeeeeeeeeeeee?!! <br><br>\r\n 膝抱いてないしッ！ <br>\r\n He isn't clutching his knees! <br><br>\r\n 返事してるしッ！ <br>\r\n And he's answering! <br><br>\r\n というか食事中だったしッ！！」 <br>\r\n Wait a sec, he was even in the middle of eating!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「ぷっくくくくく！！ いえいえ、毛布の中で、膝を抱くようにぐっすりお休みでございまして。お目覚めの時間をお知らせしたのですが、まるでお起きになられず。食事をしようにも、悪戯猫が迷い込んでそれどころではなかったようで。ぷっくっく、ぷーっくっくっくっく！」 <br>\r\n \"Pukukukukuku!! No, no, he was sleeping like a baby in his futon, clutching his knees. I informed him that it was time to wake up, but he just wouldn't rise. I tried to feed him, but it seems that a naughty cat wandered in and prevented that. Pu ku ku, pu ku ku ku ku!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ふ、 <br>\r\n ………ふがあああああぁああぁぁ…！！！ 騙されたああぁあぁあぁ…！！」 <br>\r\n \"...G- <br><br>\r\n Gwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh...!!! You tricked meeeeeeeeeee...!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 「ちぇ、よく言うぜ。てめぇこそ、前回はでっかく騙してくれやがったじゃねぇか。事情はさっぱりだが、朝からいい気味だぜ。 <br>\r\n \"Tch, you should talk. Weren't you the one who played that massive trick last time? I don't have a clue what's going on, but it looks like you got what you deserved.\" <br><br>\r\n …とりあえずロノウェ、朝からナイス。」 <br>\r\n \"...By the way, Ronove, nice one.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ぷっくくく、恐れ入ります戦人さま。」 <br>\r\n \"Pukukuku, thank you very much, Battler-sama.\" <br><br>\r\n 男同士で勝手に何かが通じ合ったみたいに親指を立て合い、二人はくすくすげらげらと笑う。 <br>\r\n The two men stuck up their thumbs as though they understood each other, chuckling together. <br><br>\r\n ベアトはしばらくの間、恥ずかしさを誤魔化すために大層賑やかに騒ぎ立てているのだった……。 <br>\r\n For a while, Beato was very energetic, trying to hide her embarrassment... <br><br>\r\n 「へっ。俺をあんまり舐めるんじゃねぇ。まさか俺が膝を抱いて、まぁだいじけてるとでも思ってたのかよ？」 <br>\r\n \"Heh. Don't take me so lightly. Did you really think I'd still be hiding in a corner, holding my knees?\" <br><br>\r\n 「くっくっく。前回、あれだけ悔し涙を流しておったのはどこの誰だと言うのか。あの涙をたっぷりと小瓶にでも集め、化粧水にすれば良かったわ。」 <br>\r\n \"*cackle* Then who was that person crying their eyes out in frustration last time? You could've gathered your tears in a jar and called it face lotion.\" <br><br>\r\n 「う、うるせぇや。あれはその、てめぇの下手くそな芝居の超展開にちょいと驚かされちまっただけだ。見っとも無えトコを見せちまったが、二度と同じ手が通用すると思うなってんだ。」 <br>\r\n \"Sh-Shut up. That was, um, just because I was a little surprised by your crappy act. I might've looked a little lame, but don't think the same move'll work twice.\" <br><br>\r\n 「無論よ。同じ手に何度も引っ掛かって妾を失望させるなぁ？ くっくっくっく！」 <br>\r\n \"Of course not. And don't disappoint me by falling for the same move over and over again, okay? *cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n 「いっひっひ、あぁ、見てろよ。俺は挫ける度に強くなる男だってことを教えてやるぜ。 <br>\r\n \"Ihihi, yeah, just you watch. I'll show you that I'm a guy who gets stronger every time he's beaten down.\" <br><br>\r\n …………だがな、ベアト。」 <br>\r\n \"......But Beato.\" <br><br>\r\n 「うむ、何だ？」 <br>\r\n \"Yes, what?\" <br><br>\r\n 「二度とするな。」 <br>\r\n \"Don't do it again.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ほぉ？ 何でだぁ？ やはり搦め手は苦手かぁ？」 <br>\r\n \"Hoh? Why's that? So you really are weak against a rear attack?\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………俺とお前は敵同士で、絶対に手を取り合うことはないってことを、 <br>\r\n …俺はもう、はっきりと理解した。 <br>\r\n \"......You and I are enemies, and we'll certainly never join forces... <br><br>\r\n I now understand that clearly. <br><br>\r\n ……だからもう二度と、それを勘違いさせるような、不愉快な真似をするな。」 <br>\r\n ...So don't you ever try to trick me about that fact again.\" <br><br>\r\n 「くっくくく！ そうは言うがな、そなたの弱点と知って、………。」 <br>\r\n \"*cackle*cackle*! You say that, but knowing your weaknesses, I'll......\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトはまだ茶化しているつもりだったが、…戦人の表情からはそういうものはいつの間にか消え去っていた。 <br>\r\n Beato thought they were still joking around, ...but that tone had disappeared from Battler's expression some time ago. <br><br>\r\n その瞳は、冷めてしまった紅茶の液面にも似ているとベアトは感じる…。 <br>\r\n Beato felt as though his eyes were like the surface of black tea that had cooled down... <br><br>\r\n 「いいな。二度とするな。」 <br>\r\n \"You hear me? Don't do it again.\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………。……わからんぞォ？ 忘れた頃にまたやるかもなァ…？」 <br>\r\n \".........I don't get it. I might do it again when you've forgotten, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n 「二度とするな。」 <br>\r\n \"Don't do it again.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…………ん、……………。」 <br>\r\n \"......Nnn.........\" <br><br>\r\n 有無を言わせない強い眼光に射抜かれ、ベアトは軽口を噤む。 <br>\r\n Pierced by his strong and forceful gaze, Beato held her tongue. <br><br>\r\n しばしの沈黙を、きっと戦人が笑って破ってくれると彼女は思っていたかもしれない。 <br>\r\n …でも、戦人の真面目な表情はわずかほども変わらない。 <br>\r\n Maybe she was certain that Battler would break that silence with laughter. <br><br>\r\n ...However, Battler's serious expression didn't change in the slightest. <br><br>\r\n だから、その沈黙を破るために、ベアトは自ら笑い出さなければならなかった。 <br>\r\n So to break that silence, Beato had no choice but to start laughing herself. <br><br>\r\n 「くっくっく、はっはははははははははははははは…！！ それで良い。そなたと妾は好敵手。どのように良好な関係になろうとも、敵同士であることの一線を越えることはない。そなたがそれを勘違いしなかったなら、妾はそれで十分だ。」 <br>\r\n \"*cackle*cackle* Hahhahahahahah, hahahahahahahahaha...!! Very well. You and I are worthy opponents. No matter how friendly our relationship, we'll never be anything more than a pair of enemies. If you have not mistaken this, that is enough for me.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…そうだな。お前が敵であることを、一瞬だけ忘れかけた。 <br>\r\n \"...That's right. I almost forgot you were my enemy for a second there. <br><br>\r\n 二度と同じ醜態は晒さない。……お前の搦め手に掛かることは二度とない。二度と…！」 <br>\r\n I won't embarrass myself like that again. ...I won't fall for your rear attack again. Never again...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………………………。 <br>\r\n \"............ <br><br>\r\n …ふっ！ はっははひゃっはっは！！ 第４のゲームが待ちきれないのは、どうやら妾だけではなかったらしい。嬉しいぞ、戦人。さあ席に着け。」 <br>\r\n ...Hmph! Hahhahahyahhahha!! It seems I'm not the only one who cannot wait for the fourth game. I am pleased, Battler. Come, take your seat.\" <br><br>\r\n 「…おう。望むところだぜ。……もう小手先の騙しは効かねえぞ。」 <br>\r\n \"...Yep. Just how I like it. ...Clever little tricks won't work anymore.\" <br><br>\r\n 「粋がるな。前回のゲームの最後の謎、南條殺しの謎も降参したままのくせに…！」 <br>\r\n \"Stop acting so tough. You remain in a state of surrender for the last mystery in the previous game, the mystery of Nanjo's murder...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「………今はまだ答えを保留するさ。だがな、挫けたわけじゃねぇぞ。必ずお前の“真っ赤な真実”を破り、魔女を否定して見せる…！」 <br>\r\n \"......My answer for that one's still on hold for now. But that doesn't mean that I've lost heart. I'll definitely break your `red truth'...and show that I can deny witches...!\" <br><br>\r\n 「ふ。良い心意気だ。やはりそなたは不死鳥の如き男よ。妾の見込みを裏切らぬ！ それでは第４のゲームの幕を開けよう。 <br>\r\n \"Hmph. A commendable attitude. You truly are a man like a phoenix. Don't betray my expectations! With that, let us raise the curtains on the fourth game. <br><br>\r\n だが、その前に。我らは新しい客人を迎えなければならないようだ。」 <br>\r\n But before that, it seems we must welcome a new guest.\" <br><br>\r\n 「客人……。」 <br>\r\n \"A guest...\" <br><br>\r\n 「そなたも覚えておろう？ 前回のゲームの最後で、招待状もなく現れ、余興を台無しにした謎の女よ。」 <br>\r\n 「……あいつか………。」 <br>\r\n \"You remember as well, correct? That mystery girl, who appeared at the very end of the last game without an invitation, ruining my fun.\" <br><br>\r\n \"...That person......\" <br><br>\r\n 「妾たちのゲームに加わりたいというのでな。正式に招待状を送り、この席へ招かせていただいた。 <br>\r\n \"She says she wants to join our game. I sent her an official invitation, inviting her to join this match. <br><br>\r\n ロノウェ、客人を呼べ。」 <br>\r\n Ronove, summon our guest.\" <br><br>\r\n 「……その必要はないわ。もういるわよ。」 <br>\r\n \"...There's no need. I'm already here.\" <br><br>\r\n ベアトの呼び掛けに応える声が、部屋の隅の暗がりからする。 <br>\r\n The voice that answered Beato's call came from the darkness in a corner of the room. <br><br>\r\n 戦人が驚き振り返ると、いつの間にかそこに謎の女の姿があった。 <br>\r\n When Battler turned around in surprise, he could now see that mystery girl there. <br><br>\r\n 「おやおや。そなたも人が悪い。来ていたならば挨拶のひとつもすれば良いものを。」 <br>\r\n \"My, my. How rude. All you had to do is greet us as soon as you arrived.\" <br><br>\r\n 「私、殴る前に挨拶する習慣ないの。でも殴り終わったならするわ。」 <br>\r\n \"I don't make a habit of talking to people before punching them. After I punch is a different story though.\" <br><br>\r\n 「ほお、何とする？」 <br>\r\n \"Hoh, and what would you say?\" <br><br>\r\n 「グンナイト、 <br>\r\n ハバナイスドリーム。」 <br>\r\n \"#fefefe<Good night, <br><br>\r\nhave a nice dream>#ffffff.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「くっくくくはっはっははははははは！ 笑える、実に笑える…！」 <br>\r\nベアトは手を打ちながらゲラゲラと笑う。 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle* Hahhahhahahahahahaha! How amusing, how truly amusing...!\" <br><br>\r\nBeato cackled and clapped her hands. <br><br>\r\nだが、それはベアトだけで、戦人の表情には苦笑いしか浮かばなかった。 <br>\r\nBut that was only Beato, and nothing rose to Battler's face except a bitter smile. <br><br>\r\n「……ひゅう。あんた、武闘派だな。」 <br>\r\n\"...Whew. You sure are a fighter.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n戦人は女と目が合い、肩を竦めながらそう言う。 <br>\r\nだが、女の返事はなく、代わりに冷めた眼差しを与えられるだけだった。 <br>\r\nBattler and the girl's eyes met, and he shrugged his shoulders as he spoke. <br><br>\r\nBut the girl didn't answer, giving only a cold stare in return. <br><br>\r\n「……前回は土壇場で世話になったな。礼を言うぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"...You helped me out at the end of the last game. Thanks for that.\" <br><br>\r\n「礼なんていらない。あなたがブッ弛んでただけよ。私は目を覚ませと言っただけ。」 <br>\r\n\"I don't need your gratitude. You were just slacking off. I only told you to open your eyes.\" <br><br>\r\n「くっひゃっひゃっひゃ！ そうだなァ、戦人はブッ弛んでるなァ、ひゃっひゃっは！」 <br>\r\n\"Kuhhyahhyahhya! That's so true, stop slacking off, Battler, hyahhyahha!\" <br><br>\r\nベアトは同調するように笑うが、女の耳には届いていない。 <br>\r\nBeato tried to laugh as though sympathizing with her, but it didn't reach the girl's ears. <br><br>\r\nただただ、冷め切った瞳で戦人を凝視するのみだった。 <br>\r\nShe did absolutely nothing except stare at Battler with ice-cold eyes. <br><br>\r\n「……………どうやら、俺は嫌われてるみてぇだな。」 <br>\r\n\"......Well, it looks like someone hates me.\" <br><br>\r\n「あなたが本気で戦ってないからイラついてるだけよ。」 <br>\r\n\"I'm just annoyed that you aren't taking this fight seriously.\" <br><br>\r\n「俺が本気じゃないだと……？」 <br>\r\n\"Are you saying I'm not serious about this...?\" <br><br>\r\n「まさか、あの体たらくが本気だったとでも？ <br>\r\n\"Don't tell me that travesty earlier was you being serious. <br><br>\r\n……馬鹿にしないで。いつまで、こんな魔女の茶番に付き合ってるつもりなの。」 <br>\r\n...Don't take me for a fool. How long do you intend to play along with the witch's farce like this?\" <br><br>\r\n「…俺は俺なりにベアトと戦ってる。もちろん本気でだ。」 <br>\r\n\"...I'm fighting Beato in my own way. And doing it seriously, of course.\" <br><br>\r\n「本気で？ ………笑わせないで。魔女といつまでも永遠にお茶を飲んで談笑しているだけのあなたが、本気で戦っている？ 冗談は髪型だけにして。」 <br>\r\n\"Seriously? ......Don't make me laugh. You keep on drinking tea and chatting with a witch for all eternity and call that fighting seriously? Keep the jokes to just your hairdo.\" <br><br>\r\n「……そりゃあ、俺も最初はこの魔女のゲームに不慣れで、散々な目に遭わされてきたさ。だがな、ようやく戦い方やそのコツが見えてきたところだ。…俺のこれまでの無様さが、あんたには本気でないように見えたのなら、それは誤りだぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Well, that's because I wasn't used to this witch's game in the beginning, and I've been through a lot of harsh stuff. Still, I'm finally starting to see how to fight, and I'm getting the knack of doing it. ...If the pathetic way I've been acting makes it look like I haven't been serious to you, you're just wrong.\" <br><br>\r\n「………そう？」 <br>\r\n\"......Is that so?\" <br><br>\r\n「確かに、俺がベアトの胸倉を掴みあげるのに必要な距離は、まだかなりあるだろうと思う。 <br>\r\n\"Of course, I know I've gotta close in a lot more before I can grab Beato by the collar. <br><br>\r\nしかしその距離はどれほど長大であろうとも有限だ。そして俺はゲームを重ねる毎に、一歩一歩確実にその距離を詰めている！ <br>\r\nBut no matter how long that distance may be, it's still finite. And in each game that passes, I'm steadily closing that distance step by step!\" <br><br>\r\n時間は掛かろうとも、あの魔女を追い詰め、必ずチェックメイトする。……それにはヤツがよく口にするように、千年をかけるかも知れねぇ。…だが、それでもいつか必ず打ち勝つ。 <br>\r\n\"No matter how long it takes, I'll close in on that witch, and I'll definitely checkmate her. ...It might take a thousand years, to use her phrase. ...But even so, I'll definitely win sooner or later. <br><br>\r\nなぜか？ 俺が絶対に負けを認めないからだ。絶対に立ち止まらない、追い詰め続ける！ だからつまり、言えることはただひとつ。 <br>\r\nWhy? Because I definitely won't accept losing. I definitely won't stop moving forward, closing in on her! In other words, there's just one thing I can say for sure.\" <br><br>\r\n ……俺はいつか必ず、あの魔女に勝つ！ <br>\r\n\"...I will definitely win against that witch someday! <br><br>\r\nってことだ。」 <br>\r\nThat's how it is.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「気の長い話ね。あなた勝つ気あるの？ 有限も、その扱いを間違えれば無限と化す。今のあなたはすでに、亀すら追い越せないアキレスなのよ。 <br>\r\n\"You really don't sound like you're in a hurry. Are you even trying to win? Even the finite can become endless if you treat it the wrong way. By now, you've become an Achilles who couldn't even outstrip a turtle. <br><br>\r\n………なるほどね、私が必要なわけだわ。こんなザマじゃ、何億年を掛けようとも、無限の魔女に勝てるわけがない。」 <br>\r\n......I get it. So this is why I'm needed. At this rate, there's no way you could win against the Endless Witch even after a billion years.\" <br><br>\r\n「……お前は何者なんだ。名前くらい聞かせてくれたってバチは当たらねぇだろ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Who are you? It's not like you'll be struck by lightning if you just tell me your name.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n女はそこで沈黙し、戦人の目を真正面から見据える。 <br>\r\nAt that point, the girl fell silent, gazing straight into Battler's eyes. <br><br>\r\n戦人は初め、その眼力に負け少しだけ目線を泳がせたが、なおも自分の目を見つめ続けるその瞳に次第に飲み込まれる。 <br>\r\nAt first, Battler faltered under the firmness of that look, and his gaze wavered slightly, but then his eyes gradually began to be sucked into the pupils that were staring at him. <br><br>\r\n……そしてその奥に、いつか見た輝きを見る…。 <br>\r\n...Then, inside those eyes, he saw a light that he'd seen sometime before... <br><br>\r\n戦人は、この場に決しているはずがない少女のそれにとてもよく似ていると直感したが、……それは断じてありえないことだった。 <br>\r\nBattler was struck by how strongly they resembled the eyes of a girl who definitely couldn't be here, ...even though that was completely impossible. <br><br>\r\n「…そんな馬鹿なとは思うんだが、 <br>\r\n……なぜかそんな気がするんだ。 <br>\r\n\"...I know it's stupid, <br><br>\r\n...but for some reason, it feels true to me. <br><br>\r\nでも、そんなことあるわけがない。……まだ、あいつは６歳のはずだ。 <br>\r\n…………お前、まさか、 <br>\r\n…………縁寿、なのか…………？」 <br>\r\nBut that can't be right. ...That person's supposed to still be six years old. <br><br>\r\n ......You couldn't possibly be... <br><br>\r\n...Ange, could you......?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「……………………。 <br>\r\n\"......... <br><br>\r\nそうだ、…と言ったら、あなたは信じるの？」 <br>\r\nIf I were to say `That's right', ...would you believe me?\" <br><br>\r\n「ん……………。」 <br>\r\n\"Nn......\" <br><br>\r\n「言い方を変えるわ。“私はあなたの味方よ、だから信用して”、と言ったら。あなたは信じるの？ 初対面の正体不明の女が、自分の知人に何となく似ているからという理由だけで、あなたは無条件に信用してしまうの？ <br>\r\n\"I'll put it another way. If I said `I am your ally, so trust me', would you believe it? Would you unconditionally trust some unknown girl you're meeting for the first time just because she looks a little like someone you know?\" <br><br>\r\n……そんなお人好しだから、前回のゲームであっさり騙されて、悔し涙をぼろぼろ零すことになるのよ。……あなた、自分で言ったわ。その子は６歳なんでしょ？ 私が６歳に見える？ にもかかわらず、私がその子だと自称したなら、それを鵜呑みにするの？」 <br>\r\n\"...It's because you're such a softy that you got tricked so easily in the last game and cried so bitterly. ...You said it yourself. That kid is six, right? Do I look like I'm six? If I were to claim that I'm that kid despite that, would you just swallow that story?\" <br><br>\r\n「……それを言われると、 <br>\r\n…弱ぇな。 <br>\r\n\"...If you say it like that, <br><br>\r\n...there's no way I can argue back. <br><br>\r\n…すまん。そうだな、俺はお人好しだ。そいつを、前回のゲームで思い知らされたはずなのにな。……お前が言う、俺が本気じゃないってのは、そういう意味か？」 <br>\r\n...Sorry. That's right, I am a softy. And that should've been made clear to me after the last game. ...Is that what you meant when you said I wasn't being serious?\" <br><br>\r\n「そうよ。あなたは魔女と戦っているつもりでしょうけど、ただ馴れ合って遊んでいるだけ。……チェスで仲良く戦って遊んでいるだけなのよ。 <br>\r\n\"Yes. You may think you're fighting against a witch, but you're just getting along with her and playing. ...You're just playing at fighting in a friendly game of chess.\" <br><br>\r\nあなたたちにとってそれは真剣勝負でしょうけれど、それを離れて見ている私には、仲良くルールに守られて、ただ遊んでいるようにしか見えない。」 <br>\r\n\"That may be a serious contest for you two, but looking at it from far away, I only see you playing around and following the rules like you're good friends.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。……いっひっひっひ。キツイな。」 <br>\r\n\".........Ihihihi. That's harsh.\" <br><br>\r\n「でも、そのお遊びに勝てない限り、あなたはここから解放されない。……だから私が来たのよ。このゲームに決着をつけるためにね。 <br>\r\n\"But as long as you're unable to win at this game, you won't be released from this place. ...That's why I came. I came to bring this game to its conclusion. <br><br>\r\n……今のあなたは、魔女を追い詰めていると称しながら、車輪の中を延々と走り続けるハムスターみたいなもの。」 <br>\r\n...You claim that you're closing in on the witch, but you're just like a hamster running around in a wheel.\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくっくっく！ アレか、夜な夜なくるくると車輪の中を走り続けるアレか。」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*! Oh, one of those? Those things that run around and around in place, night after night?\" <br><br>\r\n「車輪の中を走り続けることは一見、無限のように思えるかもしれない。……無限の魔女ベアトリーチェ。まるであなたのことね。そして、その車輪の中で、戦ってるつもりで滑稽にいつまでも走り続けているのが彼。 <br>\r\n\"At a glance, you might think that running around in a wheel is endless. ...The Endless Witch Beatrice. It's just like you. He thinks he's fighting, but he's actually just running around in a wheel while making a fool of himself.\" <br><br>\r\n……これはゲームじゃない。彼を永遠に閉じ込めているだけの籠でしかない。」 <br>\r\n\"...This isn't a game. This is nothing more than a cage to shut him up in...for all eternity.\" <br><br>\r\n「ほう。……妾の無限を、ネズミが遊ぶ車輪風情に呼ばわるか。面白い面白い、くっくっく…。」 <br>\r\n\"Hoh. ...You liken my Endless to something like a wheel that a mouse plays in? Interesting, interesting, *cackle*...\" <br><br>\r\n「ある次元における無限は、より高次元において無限を成さないものよ。メンガーのスポンジが無限の表面積を持つのは三次元未満の世界での話。 <br>\r\n\"Something that's endless in a certain dimension can be less than endless in a higher one. The fact that a Menger sponge has infinite surface area only matters in a world of less than three dimensions. <br><br>\r\n三次元の現実においては、質量ゼロ。無限どころか、存在さえ出来ない。」 <br>\r\nIn the three-dimensional world of reality, it has zero mass. Not only is it not endless, it doesn't even exist.\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくくくく…！ 威勢のいい女よ。妾の敵を名乗る程度の資格はあるらしい。」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*cackle*...! What an assertive woman. It seems you are worthy of being called my enemy.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………あんた、何者なんだ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Who...are you?\" <br><br>\r\n「私はあなたの味方。そして魔女の敵よ。………もちろん、信じなくていい。 <br>\r\n\"I am your ally. And an enemy of witches. ......Of course, you don't have to believe it. <br><br>\r\n私が本当にあなたの味方であるかなんて、誰にも証明できない。むしろ、私のことを胡散臭いと思うくらいの警戒心の方が望ましいわ。」 <br>\r\nNo one can prove that I really am your ally. On the contrary, it's more desirable that you keep your guard up strongly enough to find me very suspicious.\" <br><br>\r\n「………そうだな。前回、酷ぇ目に遭わされたんだ。そのくらいの用心深さは必要だな。 <br>\r\n\"......That's right. Last time ended up pretty bad. I've got to be at least that careful. <br><br>\r\n…俺も、もう二度と騙されるのはごめんだぜ。」 <br>\r\n...I don't plan on getting tricked twice.\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくくくくくくくくくくくく……！」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*...!\" <br><br>\r\nベアトは実に小気味よく、そして戦人にとってのみ屈辱的であるように笑う。 <br>\r\nBeato laughed in a truly pleased way, which was humiliating only to Battler. <br><br>\r\n「人はいきなり騙されたりはしない。自らの確認を怠り、それを他人に委ねた時、騙される。……他の人が渡り始めたからもう信号は青になったと思った、じゃ、事故の言い訳にはならないってこと。わかる…？」 <br>\r\n\"People don't just get tricked out of the blue. That only happens when they fail to check things for themselves and leave it to other people. ...Saying that you thought the light had turned green just because you saw other people start crossing doesn't count as an excuse for getting into an accident. Get it...?\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ…、わかるぜ。……与えられた情報を鵜呑みにするんじゃなく、自分の頭で考えろ、ってことだろ。 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, ...I get it. ...You're telling me not to swallow information given to me by others, but to think for myself. <br><br>\r\n………俺はベアトに見せられた魔法を鵜呑みにしていた。 <br>\r\n......In the past, I swallowed all the magic Beato showed me. <br><br>\r\n~ib~考えることを止めていた~ib~。だから、駄目だったんだ。」 <br>\r\n~ib~I stopped thinking~ib~. So I was useless.\" <br><br>\r\n戦人は自分の苦々しい敗北の数々を思い出して表情を歪める。 <br>\r\n…それを見て不敵そうに魔女は再び笑う。 <br>\r\nBattler grimaced as he remembered his many painful losses. <br><br>\r\n...The witch watched and laughed again, putting on a bold appearance. <br><br>\r\n「私はあなたが有利になるように助言する。もちろん、あなたは私のそれを鵜呑みにすべきではない。私が味方であることの絶対の保証なんて、誰にも出来ないのだから。」 <br>\r\n\"I'll offer you advice in a way that works to your advantage. Of course, you shouldn't swallow everything I say. Because no one can provide certain proof that I'm your ally.\" <br><br>\r\n前回、味方だと信じたワルギリアは、やはり魔女の仲間だった。 <br>\r\nIn the last game, Virgilia, who I thought was an ally, was actually on the witch's side. <br><br>\r\n……頼もしいとさえ思った彼女が最後に見せた、不気味な笑い顔が今も戦人の脳裏を離れない。 <br>\r\n...Battler couldn't rid his head of that eerie smile worn by Virgilia, a person he'd once even thought of as trustworthy and reliable. <br><br>\r\n「だから私を無条件で信用なんてしなくていい。ゆえに私の助言も参考意見程度に留めてもらって大いに結構。 <br>\r\n\"So I don't need you to unconditionally trust me. You might as well take my advice as nothing more than an opinion to be considered. <br><br>\r\nだって、……魔女とのゲームを戦っ <br>\r\nAfter all, ...the player who's fighting in a game against the witch <br><br>\r\nているプレイヤーは、~ib~あなたなんだから~ib~。」 <br>\r\n~ib~is you~ib~.\" <br><br>\r\n「…そうだな。外野の指し手に従って打ったから負けた、なんて情けねぇ言い訳だもんな。」 <br>\r\n\"...That's right. Saying I lost because I followed the moves of an outsider would be just too pathetic of an excuse.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうとも！ 妾の相手は戦人よ。そなたなど外野に過ぎぬわ。それを弁えているとは良いことだ。くっくっく！」 <br>\r\n\"Oh yes! My opponent is Battler. You are nothing more than an outsider. You should bear that in mind. *cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n「いいえ、外野じゃないわ。ベアトリーチェと右代宮戦人。…そしてそれを俯瞰する私が、まるで三角形のような形になって戦うのよ。一見、これは共闘ではないけれど、一緒に戦うばかりが共闘ではない。」 <br>\r\n\"No, I'm not an outsider. With Beatrice and Ushiromiya Battler...and I who gaze down from above, it's almost like a fight in the shape of a triangle. At a glance, it might not look like a united front, but having a united front doesn't necessarily mean fighting together.\" <br><br>\r\n「ほぅ。珍妙なことを言い出す。」 <br>\r\n\"Hoh. What an odd thing to say.\" <br><br>\r\n「さっき彼は戦うことを、あなたとの距離を詰めると表現した。でも、ひとつの目では距離は測れない。ふたつの目があって初めて物事は立体的に見え、その距離も測れる。……そして二つの視点があっても、同じ場所からでは意味がない。離れている方が、魔女を正確に測ることが出来る。」 <br>\r\n\"Just now, he described fighting with you as closing the distance. But you can't measure distance with a single eye. Only with two eyes are things visible in three dimensions, and only then can distance be judged. ...And even when you have two fields of vision, it's pointless if they're in the same place. You can pin down witches more accurately when they're far apart.\" <br><br>\r\n「……異なる立場から異なる角度で討つ。 <br>\r\n\"...Shooting from different positions and different angles. <br><br>\r\n…十字砲火ってことだな。へへ、面白いぜ。」 <br>\r\n...So, basically, it's crossfire. Heheh, interesting.\" <br><br>\r\n「異なる立場から、異なる角度で、討つ。……だから私は誰とも馴れ合わない。自分の立ち位置をずらし、魔女を挟み撃ちにするために。」 <br>\r\n\"We're shooting...from different positions...and different angles. ...So I won't get along with anybody. That's how I'll keep my own position separate and catch the witch in a pincer attack.\" <br><br>\r\n「………いいのか、戦人ぁ？ その女は実は、妾が差し向けた伏兵かも知れぬぞ？ もっともらしいことを言って、そなたを信用させようとしているだけかも知れぬぞ…？」 <br>\r\n\"......Are you okay with this, Battleer? This girl may actually be an ambush I set up, right? She might just be saying something plausible to gain your trust, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……かもな。こいつは、さっきからそれをずっと重ねて言っている。…だからこいつの助言は、もちろん鵜呑みになんか出来ないだろうさ。 <br>\r\n\"...Maybe. She's been saying that over and over again herself. ...So of course, I can't blindly accept her advice. <br><br>\r\nだが、それが信用に値するものか否か、俺は自ら考えて、取捨することが出来る。俺が自ら考えることを止めない限り、俺はもう誰にも騙されない…！」 <br>\r\nBut as to whether she's worthy of trust or not, I can think for myself and make a decision. As long as I don't stop thinking for myself, I won't be tricked by anyone again...!\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくくくくく！！ 大した自信だぞ、右代宮戦人ァ！ そこまで言い切ったそなたを、コロリと！ また騙してみたいぞ…？ そして再び騙されたことを知った時のそなたがどんな顔を浮かべるのか、妾は見てみたい！ 気に入った、くっははははははは！！」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*cackle*!! What confidence, Ushiromiya Battleer! After you've said so much, it makes me want to trick you all over again, you see......? I can't wait to see what kind of face you'll make when you realize you've been duped once more! How pleasant, kuhhahahahahahahaha!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………あんたは俺の名を知ってるようだが、俺はあんたの名を知らない。…名前を聞かせてくれ。」 <br>\r\n\"......It looks like you know my name, but I don't know yours. ...Tell me.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n女はしばらくの間、表情ひとつ変えずに沈黙する。 <br>\r\nFor a while, the girl remained silent, without changing her expression even once. <br><br>\r\n…まるで、名乗るべきかどうか迷っているような、あるいは、名乗る名前をこの場で決めているかのように見えた。 <br>\r\n...She looked as though she couldn't decide whether to say her name or not...or possibly, as though she was deciding on the name she'd say on the spot. <br><br>\r\n「……グレーテル。」 <br>\r\n\"...Gretel.\" <br><br>\r\n「グレてる？ お前がか？」 <br>\r\n\"Ghetto? You are?\" <br><br>\r\n「馬鹿ね、名前よ。私のことはグレーテルと呼んで。」 <br>\r\n\"That's my name, dumbass. Call me Gretel.\" <br><br>\r\n「じゃあ、俺はヘンゼルとでも名乗った方がいいか？ <br>\r\n\"Then should I call myself Hansel? <br><br>\r\nいっひひひ、冗談さ、俺は右代宮戦人！ 戦人と呼んでくれ。」 <br>\r\nIhihihi, just kidding, I'm Ushiromiya Battler! Call me Battler.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………よろしく。…握手は嫌い。気を悪くしないでね。」 <br>\r\n\"......Nice to meet you. ...I hate handshakes. Don't take it personally.\" <br><br>\r\n「…そうだな、悪い。お前が味方と決まったわけじゃないしな。……警戒心を持てって言われたばかりなのにな。」 <br>\r\n\"...Ah, really? Sorry. After all, it isn't certain that you're my ally. ...And you just told me to keep my guard up too.\" <br><br>\r\n戦人は差し伸べた右腕を引っ込める。 <br>\r\nBattler drew back his right hand, which he had stuck out. <br><br>\r\n苦笑いはすぐに消え、四度目を数える新たなゲームへの強い決意を表情に浮かべた。 <br>\r\nHis bitter smile disappeared...and was replaced with a strong resolve directed at this new fourth game. <br><br>\r\n「戦人。……あなたはどうして魔女に勝たなければならないのか、よく考えて。……気に入らないからやっつけるなんて、抽象的なものでは駄目。……絶対に魔女を打ち倒してこの世界から抜け出すという、強い信念を持って。 <br>\r\n\"Battler, ...think deeply about why you must win against this witch. ...You can't stop with something abstract, like `I'll beat her because I don't like it'. ...Have a deep conviction that you'll definitely defeat the witch and escape from this world.\" <br><br>\r\n………あなたの帰りを待っている人が、 <br>\r\n………必ずいるから。……その子のためにも、 <br>\r\n…………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Because there is definitely... <br><br>\r\n...someone waiting for you to come back. ...For that kid's sake as well, <br><br>\r\n.........\" <br><br>\r\n何か思うことでもあるのだろうか。 <br>\r\nグレーテルは胸元に握り拳を作ると俯き、しばらくの間、言葉を失い沈黙した。 <br>\r\nMaybe there was something she wanted to say. <br><br>\r\nGretel clenched her fists in front of her chest and hung her head in silence, at a loss for words for a short while. <br><br>\r\nその沈黙を打ち破るように、ベアトが威勢のいい声で宣言する。 <br>\r\nAs though smashing through that silence, Beato spoke up in a forceful voice. <br><br>\r\n「よし、これにてグレーテルとやらの自己紹介も十分であろう！ さぁさ思い出して御覧なさい、１０月４日に何があったのか！ <br>\r\n\"Good, that should be enough of an introduction for Gretel or whoever! Come, try to remember, what happened on October 4! <br><br>\r\nくっひひひひひひひ、第４のゲームの幕開けであるぞ！！」 <br>\r\nKuhhihihihihihihi, let the curtain open on the fourth game!!\" <br><br>\r\nその声と同時に、１９８６年１０月４日に巻き戻された時計が、どっと吹く突然の暴風のように、……動き出す。 <br>\r\nAt the same time, as though it had been blown by a sudden gust of wind, the clock that had been turned back to October 4, 1986...started to move. <br><br>\r\n魔女のお茶室にいながら、私たちは眼下に青く灰色な海と、緑色の六軒島、……そして航跡を引きながらそこへ向かう船を見る。 <br>\r\nWhile we remained in the witch's tea room, the blue-gray sea and the green Rokkenjima spread out beneath us, ...and we could see a boat heading there, its wake trailing behind it. <br><br>\r\n大空はすでに曇り、台風の結界がもうじき島を閉ざそうとしている。 <br>\r\nThe sky was already cloudy, and it seemed that the barrier of the typhoon would soon shut the island away. <br><br>\r\n船が船着場に接岸し、 <br>\r\n………待っていた郷田が、下船の介添えをしているのが見える。 <br>\r\nThere was the boat docked in the harbor... <br><br>\r\n...and Gohda, helping to unload it. <br><br>\r\nそして、 <br>\r\n……船は全ての客を降ろし、 <br>\r\n………島を離れていく。 <br>\r\nThen, <br><br>\r\n...once all of its passengers had disembarked, <br><br>\r\n...the boat began to separate from the shoreline. <br><br>\r\n島に、親族たちが飲み込まれていく。 <br>\r\nThe relatives were gradually swallowed up by the island. <br><br>\r\n「あっはははは！ 真里亞は相変わらず元気だなぁ。」 <br>\r\n\"Ahhahahaha! Looks like you're as cheery as ever, Maria.\" <br><br>\r\n「真里亞ちゃん、気をつけないと転ぶよ。気をつけて…！」 <br>\r\n\"Maria-chan, you'll trip if you aren't careful. Look out...!\" <br><br>\r\n「うーうーうー！！ 落ちるー落ちるー沈むー沈むー、きゃっきゃ！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-uu-uu-!! Gonna faaall, faaall, siiink, siiink, *giggle*!\" <br><br>\r\n…懐かしく、そして大好きだったいとこたちが、浜辺を駆け抜け、……屋敷へと続く森の小道に飲み込まれて消えていく。 <br>\r\n...The long-missed cousins I had loved dashed across the beach, ...getting swallowed by the forest path that led to the mansion, and disappeared. <br><br>\r\nそしてその中には無論、お兄ちゃんの姿も。 <br>\r\nAnd of course, Onii-chan could be seen among them too. <br><br>\r\n「……くっそ〜！！ 待て待て真里亞ぁあぁ！！ こンの、すばしっこいヤツめ！」 <br>\r\n\"...Daaamn it!! Stop right there, Maria!! You nimble little brat!\" <br><br>\r\n「きゃっきゃ！ うーうーうー！ <br>\r\n\"*giggle*! Uu-uu-uu-! <br><br>\r\nきゃっきゃっきゃ！」 <br>\r\n*giggle*giggle*!\" <br><br>\r\n大好きだった真里亞お姉ちゃんが駆け抜け、その後をお兄ちゃんが追っていく。 <br>\r\nMaria onee-chan, whom I'd loved, started dashing, and Onii-chan chased after her. <br><br>\r\n森の中に飲み込まれていく。 <br>\r\nThey were swallowed up by the forest. <br><br>\r\nその後を追って、お父さんもお母さんも飲み込まれていく。 <br>\r\nFollowing them, Father and Mother were also swallowed up. <br><br>\r\n親族のみんなも飲み込まれていく…。 <br>\r\nThe rest of the parents were swallowed up... <br><br>\r\n……私だけを置いて、飲み込まれていく…。 <br>\r\n...They were swallowed up, leaving only me behind... <br><br>\r\n馬鹿……。 <br>\r\nDumbass... <br><br>\r\nいつまでこんなところで魔女と戯れて遊んでいるのよ……。 <br>\r\nHow long are you gonna joke around and play with a witch in a place like this...? <br><br>\r\n早く帰ってきてよ、……お兄ちゃん……！ <br>\r\n私をひとりぼっちにしないで…！ <br>\r\nCome back quickly, ...Onii-chan...! <br><br>\r\nDon't leave me all alone...! <br><br>\r\nそして気がついて。 <br>\r\nAnd realize. <br><br>\r\n残された私がどれだけ辛く寂しい世界で孤独を強いられるかを…。 <br>\r\nRealize how cruel and lonely the world I'm isolated in is... <br><br>\r\n「御機嫌よう。」 <br>\r\n\"Good day to you.\" <br><br>\r\n「………ご、…御機嫌よう。」 <br>\r\n\"......G-Good day to you.\" <br><br>\r\n“御機嫌よう”は、ここでは標準的な挨拶言葉。 <br>\r\n`Good day to you' is the standard greeting used here. <br><br>\r\n何年をこの挨拶で過ごしても、未だに強い違和感を覚える…。 <br>\r\nNo matter how many years pass by, this style of greeting still feels very awkward... <br><br>\r\nそんな違和感を噛み殺して返した挨拶なのに、挨拶してきたクラスメートは、きょとんとしたような表情を見せる。 <br>\r\nEven though I'd responded to the greeting in order to stifle that awkward feeling, the classmate who had spoken looked at me blankly. <br><br>\r\n「……え？ くすくすくすくす。」 <br>\r\n「えー、何なにぃ？ 違うわよねぇ、くすくす…。」 <br>\r\n\"...Huh? *giggle*giggle*giggle*\" <br><br>\r\n\"Huuuh, what's that? It seems you're mistaken, *giggle*giggle*...\" <br><br>\r\n彼女らの言葉遣いや振る舞いなどは、確かにお嬢様学校らしいものだが、本質的な部分はみんな歳相応に無邪気で残酷だ。 <br>\r\nTheir choice of words and manner were certainly what you'd expect from a school for rich girls, but the actual meaning was as innocent and cruel as you'd expect from kids of that age. <br><br>\r\n……私が、自分に掛けられた挨拶だと誤解したことが面白かったらしい。いや、その逆かもしれない。 <br>\r\n...It seems they found it funny that I'd mistakenly thought the greeting was directed at me. No, it might be the opposite. <br><br>\r\n…私みたいな根暗な子に突然挨拶をされて、対応に困った、というべきか。 <br>\r\n...Maybe they didn't know how to react after being suddenly greeted by a gloomy, quiet kid like me. <br><br>\r\nいや、クラスメートたちが肩越しにこちらをうかがいながらヒソヒソと囁きあう眼差しを見る限り、爽やかな朝が台無しになったとでも言わんばかりの子もいる。 <br>\r\nNo, judging by the gazes of my classmates, who were looking this way over their shoulders and whispering to each other, it looked as though some of them considered this refreshing morning ruined. <br><br>\r\n……私は、暗い。嫌われてるから。 <br>\r\n...I was...dark. Because I was disliked. <br><br>\r\nだからこれ以上、クラスメートたちの朝の爽やかさに迷惑を掛けないよう、身を屈めて教室に入った。 <br>\r\nSo, trying not to get in the way of everyone's refreshing morning any more, I stooped lower and entered the classroom. <br><br>\r\n……まるで、上映中の映画館で通路を横切る時みたいに。 <br>\r\n...Almost like I was cutting through the aisle in a movie theater while the movie was running. <br><br>\r\nここは、全寮制の学園、聖ルチーア学園。 <br>\r\nThis is an all-dorm school, Saint Lucia Academy. <br><br>\r\n試験を受ければ誰でも入れるという学校ではない。 <br>\r\n…知る人ぞ知る、各界の著名人の一部の間だけでその存在が知られる、隠れたお嬢様学校だ。 <br>\r\nIt's not a school that anyone can get into by taking a test. <br><br>\r\n...It's a hidden rich girls' school, known of only by a select group of celebrities from various fields. <br><br>\r\nそれは、自分の娘を聖女のように育てたいと本気で願う、雲上の貴人たちにとって、世俗の穢れから娘を守れる理想的な学園だろう。 <br>\r\nFor lofty nobles who truly wish their daughters could be raised like saints, this is probably the ideal school in which to protect them from the impurities of the common world. <br><br>\r\n……しかしそれは同時に、貴人にとって表沙汰にしたくない娘を幽閉するにも都合がよかっただろう。 <br>\r\n...But at the same time, it was probably also convenient for nobles who wanted to confine daughters they didn't want out in public. <br><br>\r\n世俗の穢れから隔離するこの学園は同時に、監獄学校としても優秀な機能を持っていたのだから。 <br>\r\nAs well as an academy isolated from the impurities of the common world, it also held excellent potential as a prison school. <br><br>\r\n私はまさにその後者として、聖ルチーア学園に幽閉され、………気の遠くなるような月日を経ることになる。 <br>\r\nI was truly among the latter...and was confined in Saint Lucia Academy, ...forced to live my life in dreariness. <br><br>\r\nもちろん、私のような生徒はそう多くないし、それは一見しただけでは区別できない。 <br>\r\nOf course, there weren't that many students like me, and you couldn't tell us apart at a glance. <br><br>\r\nでも、そうだと名乗らなくても、大抵はその様子で想像がついた。 <br>\r\nHowever, even if we never fessed up about it, you could usually figure out who we were by watching how we acted. <br><br>\r\n…彼女らは決まって、いつも俯き、この世の全てに見捨てられたような表情を浮かべていたから。 <br>\r\n...After all, we were always hanging our heads, with an expression on our faces as though the whole world had abandoned us. <br><br>\r\nそして、そういう子はどのクラスにも１人か２人はいて、彼女らが打ち明けなくても、そうであることが想像できた。 <br>\r\nAnyway, every class had one or two kids like that, so even if they didn't speak up about it, you could guess who they were. <br><br>\r\nだから。 <br>\r\nTherefore. <br><br>\r\n私がそうであることは、私が打ち明けずとも、いつの間にかクラスの誰もが知っていた……。 <br>\r\nEven though I never confessed that I was one of those kids, at some point, everyone in my class knew about it... <br><br>\r\n病室では自分の掛かった病の重さがステータスになるように、ここでは生まれの高潔さがステータスとなる。 <br>\r\nJust like how the seriousness of an injury becomes a sign of status in a hospital room, how noble a birth one had became a sign of status here. <br><br>\r\n公の場に出ることが許されない存在など、汚らわしいものでしかないのだろう。 <br>\r\nそういう生徒にかかわると、自分までもが穢れてしまうとでも思っているに違いない。 <br>\r\nThose girls who couldn't be acknowledged in public were probably nothing more than filth to the others. <br><br>\r\nThey must've thought that getting involved with such students would dirty them as well. <br><br>\r\nある生徒についてそういう噂が立つと、潔癖な彼女らは手の平を返したようによそよそしくなり、あらゆるコミュニティから追放した。 <br>\r\nWhen a rumor sprang up about a particular student, those fastidious girls would grow cold and distant, chasing that student out of all social groups. <br><br>\r\nお陰で私は、こうしてひとりで静かに学園生活を送れている…。 <br>\r\nThanks to that, I led a quiet school life like this, all by myself... <br><br>\r\nもっとも、ひそひそと聞こえる陰口や、私の私物がいつの間にかなくなっていたり、壊されていたりしても、誰もが知らん振りをする日常を、静かな学園生活だと呼べるならの話だが。 <br>\r\nWell, that's only if hearing people whisper behind my back, finding my things lost or broken all the time, and having everyone pretend like they didn't know anything...can be called a quiet school life. <br><br>\r\n朝から私は疲れ切った表情を浮かべているに違いない。 <br>\r\n……清々しい朝を迎えた他のクラスメートがそんな私の顔を見て舌打ちのひとつもしたくなる気分もわかろうというもの。 <br>\r\nEven this early in the morning, I must look worn out. <br><br>\r\n...I can almost understand why my other classmates, who had a refreshing morning, looked at my face and wanted to click their tongues. <br><br>\r\n私はなるべく、クラスメートのそんな朝を汚さないように意識しながら、そっと着席する。 <br>\r\nConsciously trying to do as I should and avoid tainting my classmates' morning, I quietly took my seat. <br><br>\r\n……すると珍しく誰かが話し掛けてきた。クラスリーダーの子だった。 <br>\r\n...Then, unusually, someone came to talk to me. It was the class leader. <br><br>\r\n「御機嫌よう、右代宮さん。……朝からご機嫌斜めなご様子ね。ちゃんと睡眠は取られてる？」 <br>\r\n\"Good day to you, Ushiromiya-san. ...You seem to be in a bad mood this morning. Were you able to get enough sleep?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………何か御用ですか。」 <br>\r\n\"......Is there some business you have with me?\" <br><br>\r\n「学年発表会のアンケート、まだ提出してないの、右代宮さんだけよ？ 昨日までが提出日だったの、お忘れ？」 <br>\r\n\"You're the only one who has not submitted her questionnaire for the class presentation, Ushiromiya-san. Did you forget that the deadline was yesterday?\" <br><br>\r\n…確かそんなものがあるという話は先週辺りに聞いた気がする。 <br>\r\n...I'm pretty sure I heard something about that last week. <br><br>\r\nでも、そのアンケート用紙の配布はまだだった気がする。 <br>\r\n詳細はそれに記されているから、配られてから思い出せば充分な程度の話だったはず…。 <br>\r\nBut I'd thought that the questionnaire hadn't been passed out yet. <br><br>\r\nThe details would be written there, so there shouldn't have been any need to remember them beforehand... <br><br>\r\n「……アンケート用紙、もらってないですけど…。」 <br>\r\n\"...I wasn't given a questionnaire...\" <br><br>\r\n「そんなはずありませんよ。寮長から全員にちゃんと配布されてるはずです。なくしてしまったならそうと素直に仰ればいいのに。」 <br>\r\n\"That can't be. I believe the dormitory leader handed them out to everyone. If you lost it, all you have to do is honestly say so.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………なくしました。今すぐ書きますから、用紙をいただけますか。」 <br>\r\n\"......I lost it. I'll fill it in right now, so could you give me a sheet?\" <br><br>\r\nまただ。……誰かが私の分を紛失したか、わざと私に知らせなかったかのどちらかだ。 <br>\r\nAgain. ...Either someone lost my sheet, or they intentionally didn't tell me about it. <br><br>\r\nでも、それが誰の仕業なのかなんて、わかりようもない。 <br>\r\nBut I have no way of knowing who was behind that. <br><br>\r\n結局のところ、私がぼんやりしていたことにしてしまう方が、丸く収まるし話も早い…。 <br>\r\nIn the end, treating it as though it was my own carelessness would settle everything more quickly... <br><br>\r\n「書いたらご自身で生徒会室のアンケートポストに投函されるように。うちのクラスだけですよ、昨夜までに全員のが揃わなかったのは。」 <br>\r\n\"Once you've filled it out, drop it in the questionnaire box in the student council room yourself. Our class is the only one that didn't get everyone's in by yesterday.\" <br><br>\r\nクラスリーダーの小言に頭を垂れていると、その様子を見てくすくすという笑い声と陰口の囁きがどこからともなく聞こえる…。 <br>\r\nAs I hung my head at the class leader's scolding, I could hear the giggles and whispers of people watching, coming from no direction in particular... <br><br>\r\nまた右代宮さんが。 <br>\r\nあの人、ぼんやりしているから。 <br>\r\nこの学校に相応しくない人。 <br>\r\n品格がない、マナーもなっていない。 <br>\r\nUshiromiya-san did it again. <br><br>\r\nShe's just so careless. <br><br>\r\nShe doesn't deserve to be in this school. <br><br>\r\nShe has no dignity, and no manners either. <br><br>\r\n……人格への理不尽な攻撃に対しては、彼女らには悪いけど鍛えが違う。 <br>\r\n...Sorry girls, but I've dealt with much worse when it comes to unfair personal attacks. <br><br>\r\n私は心を凍らせて、そんな嘲りの矢をやり過ごしながら、急ぎアンケートを記すのだった…。 <br>\r\nAs I froze my heart and let those arrows of ridicule pass by, I quickly filled out the questionnaire... <br><br>\r\nお父さんとお母さんとお兄ちゃんと、そして親族たちがみんな死んでしまったとの報せを、私は当時、預けられていた母方のお祖父ちゃんの家で知った。 <br>\r\nWhen I learned that Father and Mother and Onii-chan...and all the rest of my family had died, I was at the house of my Grandpa on my mother's side. <br><br>\r\n事故の唯一の生存者は、右代宮絵羽。……絵羽伯母さんだけだった。 <br>\r\nThe only survivor of the accident was...Ushiromiya Eva. ...Only Aunt Eva. <br><br>\r\n当時から、絵羽伯母さんのことはあまり好きではなかった。 <br>\r\nEven at the time, I hadn't really liked Aunt Eva. <br><br>\r\n一見、やさしくしてくれるけど、お父さんたちのことをどこか馬鹿にしてるような雰囲気が幼い私にも透けて見えていて、それが苦手だった。 <br>\r\nAt a glance, she would act kindly, but even as young as I was, I could see that she was somehow making fun of Father and the rest, and I hadn't liked it. <br><br>\r\nだから、絵羽伯母さんが私を引き取ることになると決まった時、何となく嫌だった。 <br>\r\nSo when it was decided that Aunt Eva would take care of me, I was pretty miserable. <br><br>\r\nやさしかった秀吉伯父さんや譲治お兄ちゃんも一緒ならともかく、絵羽伯母さんと二人きりで暮らすことになるなんて、嫌だった。 <br>\r\nMaybe it wouldn't have mattered if that gentle Uncle Hideyoshi and George onii-chan had been with me, but I hated the thought of living all alone with Aunt Eva. <br><br>\r\n私はお祖父ちゃんに率直にそれを話し、祖父宅に身を寄せることを望んだ。 <br>\r\nI'd frankly said that to Grandpa, hoping to live together in his house. <br><br>\r\nしかし、絵羽伯母さんは私を引き取ることに強く固執した。 <br>\r\nHowever, Aunt Eva had been very insistent that she should be the one to look after me. <br><br>\r\n絵羽伯母さんには再婚の意思はなく、右代宮家存続のためには跡継ぎの私が不可欠だというのだ。 <br>\r\nShe had no desire to remarry, so as her successor, I was essential if the Ushiromiya family was to continue. <br><br>\r\n絵羽伯母さんは、右代宮の家をとても重んじる人。 <br>\r\nAunt Eva felt very strongly about the family. <br><br>\r\n私に、跡継ぎに相応しい教育と生活を与えるためにも、直ちに引き取りたいと強く要求してきたそうだ。 <br>\r\nShe insisted that she take charge of me right away, so that she could give me an education and lifestyle fitting for a successor. <br><br>\r\n弁護士を立てての難しい交渉も行なわれたようだった。 <br>\r\n…でも結局、私は絵羽伯母さんのところへ行かなくてはならなくなった。 <br>\r\nAfter that, it seems that confusing negotiations with lawyers took place. <br><br>\r\n...But in the end, I was forced to go live with Aunt Eva. <br><br>\r\n私を引き取った絵羽伯母さんは言った。 <br>\r\nAfter doing that, Aunt Eva told me something. <br><br>\r\nあなたは右代宮家の栄光と歴史の全てを背負わなければならない。 <br>\r\nYou must bear all of the glory and history of the Ushiromiya family. <br><br>\r\nそしてそれを背負うに相応しい次期当主となるために、死に物狂いで勉強に励むのがこれからの人生となる。右代宮家のために、残り全ての人生を捧げなさい。 <br>\r\nAnd in order to make you a fitting successor to bear that, the rest of your life will be dedicated to frantic studying. Sacrifice the rest of your life for the Ushiromiya family. <br><br>\r\n……そう言い切った。 <br>\r\n...That's what she said. <br><br>\r\n初めの内、私はそれを言葉通りの意味だろうと思った。 <br>\r\nAt first, I thought she meant that literally. <br><br>\r\nしかし、すぐにそれは違うと気がついた。 <br>\r\nBut I quickly realized that wasn't the case. <br><br>\r\n絵羽伯母さんにとって今なお。もっとも次期当主に相応しいのは、亡くなった譲治お兄ちゃんだったからだ。 <br>\r\nBecause even now, in Aunt Eva's eyes, the one most fitting to succeed her was the late George onii-chan. <br><br>\r\n私は初めての食事でテーブルマナーについて、厳しい指導と詰問を受け、その躾を怠ったとしてお父さんとお母さんへの悪口まで聞かされなければならなかった。 <br>\r\nAt our first meal together, I received strict instructions and questioning about table manners...and was forced to listen to her abuse Mom and Dad as though they'd been neglectful in their discipline. <br><br>\r\n初めてのパーティでのマナーについても、同じように厳しい指導を受け、その無様さを公衆の面前で罵倒され、お父さんとお母さんへの侮辱にも耐えなければならなかった。 <br>\r\nI also received the same strict instructions regarding manners at my first party, and my clumsiness had been disparaged in front of everybody, forcing me to endure insults to Mom and Dad as well. <br><br>\r\nそういうことが何度か繰り返されて、私はようやく理解した。 <br>\r\n絵羽伯母さんは私を次期当主にしたいのではない。 <br>\r\nAfter that repeated over and over, I eventually began to understand. <br><br>\r\n<NAME> didn't really want to make me her successor. <br><br>\r\n本当に次期当主に相応しいのは譲治お兄ちゃんであり、……にもかかわらず、私が次期当主に決まっていることが、許せないのだ。 <br>\r\nShe thought George onii-chan was the only one truly suited to be her successor, ...and she couldn't forgive the fact that it was to be me instead. <br><br>\r\nだから、大勢の前で私を罵倒する。辱める。 <br>\r\nSo she insulted me in front of lots of people. She humiliated me. <br><br>\r\nそして、私が如何に譲治お兄ちゃんに劣っているかを、内外に知らしめて、……亡き息子のことを供養、いや、…未だに亡くなったことを悔やみ続けているに違いない。 <br>\r\nAnd she made it known exactly how I was inferior to George onii-chan to both acquaintances and strangers, ...surely in place of a memorial service for her dead son... ...Or rather, ...she must still be mourning his death. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、それは私にとってはたまったものではない。 <br>\r\n私は絵羽伯母さんとは到底一緒に生活をすることは出来ない。 <br>\r\n...However, that wasn't something I could endure. <br><br>\r\nI couldn't possibly live together with Aunt Eva. <br><br>\r\n……私は生涯を亡き息子に当てつけられながら、飼い殺される。 <br>\r\n...I was kept like a pet, my life continually compared with her dead son's. <br><br>\r\nそれを、まだ小学生の私ですら、理解した。 <br>\r\nI understood that even when I was still in elementary school. <br><br>\r\n私は右代宮の家を逃げ出し、母方のお祖父ちゃんの家へ行こうとした。 <br>\r\nI tried to escape the Ushiromiya house and run off to the house of my Grandpa on my mother's side. <br><br>\r\nしかし、それはとっくに絵羽伯母さんに見透かされていた。 <br>\r\nHowever, Aunt Eva had already foreseen that. <br><br>\r\n…いや、今になって思えば、私が逃げ出すよう、誘導されていたのかもしれない。 <br>\r\n...No, thinking back on it, she might've lured me into escaping. <br><br>\r\n私は護衛たちに捕らえられて連れ戻され、………右代宮の家紋に泥を塗り、その名を捨て去ろうとした卑怯者として、………思い出すだけでも未だに全身が震えて悪寒が走るほどの、 <br>\r\n………罰を受けた。 <br>\r\nI was caught by the guards and brought back, ......and for being a coward who had smeared the Ushiromiya family crest with mud and tried to throw it away, ......in a way that makes my whole body shake and shiver just remembering it, <br><br>\r\n......I was punished. <br><br>\r\n私を罰する絵羽伯母さんを何という言葉で例えればいいだろう。 <br>\r\nHow should I describe what Aunt Eva was like when she punished me? <br><br>\r\n狂乱？ 嬉々として？ <br>\r\nIn a frenzy? Gleeful? <br><br>\r\n……最愛の息子を失った怒りと悲しみと、息子が継ぐはずだった家督を私に奪われることになる恨み辛み。そしてそんな感情を私にぶつけて発散できる黒い喜び。 <br>\r\n...I saw the anger and sadness of losing her beloved son, and well as the hatred and pain from me stealing that inheritance from the son who should've received it. And the dark pleasure at being able to let those feelings out on me. <br><br>\r\n……そんな、負の感情のありったけをぶつけられた。 <br>\r\n...I was hit with all those negative emotions at once. <br><br>\r\nそして私は自由な行動と時間の全てを奪われ、四六時中を監視下に置かれた。 <br>\r\nThen, all of my free time and freedom to act was stolen, and I was put under surveillance around the clock. <br><br>\r\n豪華な屋敷に住み、高価な衣服に身を纏っていたかもしれないけれど、…私は心と尊厳を踏み躙られる、右代宮家の奴隷、 <br>\r\n…家畜だった。 <br>\r\nI may have lived in a gorgeous mansion, dressed in expensive clothes, ...but my heart and my dignity had been trampled upon, and I was the Ushiromiya family's slave, <br><br>\r\n...its cattle. <br><br>\r\nそんな生活に比べれば、ここでのクラスメートの冷笑など涼やかなもの。……私の心に、堪えるわけもない…。 <br>\r\nCompared to that lifestyle, the derisive laughter of my classmates here was calm and pleasant. ...It caused my heart no trouble... <br><br>\r\n私はアンケートのほとんどの欄を、特になしと書いて埋めると、折り畳んで自分のポケットに入れた。 <br>\r\nAfter burying almost all of the fields of the questionnaire with `nothing in particular', I folded it and put it in my pocket. <br><br>\r\n……机の中だと、また“紛失”するかもしれないから。 <br>\r\n...Because if I left it in my desk, it might `disappear' again. <br><br>\r\n昼休みにそれを生徒会室のポストに投函すると、いつものように一人で昼食を済ませ、ひと気のない校舎裏に向かった。 <br>\r\nDuring lunch break, after dropping it off at the postbox in the student council room, I finished lunch by myself, as usual, and headed behind the school building, where no one could be seen. <br><br>\r\n……ひとりきりの時間だけが、私を冷笑と陰口から守ってくれる。 <br>\r\n...Only my time by myself could protect me from the derisive laughter and gossip. <br><br>\r\n嫌われていて、友達などただの一人もいない私には、ひとりきりの時間が、一番自分にやさしい。 <br>\r\nSince I was hated and didn't have a single friend, my time alone was the most kind to me. <br><br>\r\n私は周囲の茂みに、陰湿なクラスメートが潜んでいて、私の静かな時間を脅かすことがないかどうか調べて回り、本当の静寂を手に入れたことを知ってようやく全身の緊張を弛緩させた。 <br>\r\nAfter checking the surrounding bushes to see whether some malicious classmates were hiding and threatening my time of quiet, I finally relaxed the tension from my entire body, knowing that I had gained some true peace. <br><br>\r\nそして、はぁ…っと零れるため息。 <br>\r\n…まるで、今日初めて吐き出す息であるかのように澱み、重かった。 <br>\r\nThen, ...I let out a sigh. <br><br>\r\n...It faltered, heavy, as though it was the first time I had breathed out today. <br><br>\r\n前にお気に入りの場所だった菜園倉庫の裏は、クラスメートにバレて悪戯されるようになってしまったので、ここが新しい私の昼休みの隠れ場所だった…。 <br>\r\nMy old favorite place behind the vegetable garden storehouse...had been found out by my classmates, and I'd been teased, so this was my new lunchtime hideaway... <br><br>\r\n校舎裏には座れるところなどない。 <br>\r\nThere was nowhere to sit behind the school building. <br><br>\r\n私は茂みの影の壁に寄りかかるようにしてしゃがみ込みながら、鞄を開き、一冊の凝った古めかしい装丁の本を取り出す…。 <br>\r\nAs I crouched near the wall in the shadow of the bushes, I opened my bag and took out a book with an elaborate, old-fashioned binding... <br><br>\r\n一見したならそれは、まるで中世頃に書かれた宗教書か何かにでも見えるだろう。 <br>\r\nJust glancing at it, you'd probably think it was a religious book or something written in the Middle Ages. <br><br>\r\nしかしこれは本ではない。日記だ。 <br>\r\nBut this wasn't a book. It was a diary. <br><br>\r\nもちろん、私の日記ではない。 <br>\r\n………私の日常に、記すべき特別なことなど何もない。 <br>\r\nOf course, it wasn't my diary. <br><br>\r\n......There weren't any special things worth writing about in my daily life. <br><br>\r\nただただ毎日が灰色で、…冷たく乾いているだけ。 <br>\r\n何も変わらない日々に、記すべき変化など何もない。 <br>\r\nEvery single day was just gray, ...cold and dry. <br><br>\r\nIn those completely unchanging days, there aren't any changes worth writing down. <br><br>\r\nこれは、……大の仲良しだった真里亞お姉ちゃんの日記。 <br>\r\nThis was...the diary of Maria onee-chan, a girl I'd been very close to. <br><br>\r\n３つ年上の、ちょっぴり不思議な人だけど、とても温かい、素敵ないとこのお姉ちゃんだった。 <br>\r\nShe'd been a bit strange and three years older than me, but Onee-chan was always a warm, wonderful cousin. <br><br>\r\nいつも私の手を引っ張って楽しい遊びに加えてくれた。 <br>\r\nShe would always grab me by the hand and let me join in on some fun game. <br><br>\r\n……親族の集まりで一番楽しいのは彼女に会えることだったことを思い出す…。 <br>\r\n...I remembered that being able to see her was the most fun part of our family gatherings... <br><br>\r\n日記を開けばそこには、小学生にしてはという前置きをすれば、なかなか達筆な文字が、一行飛ばしではありながらもびっしりと書かれている。 <br>\r\nWhen I opened the diary, the characters, which were made fairly skillfully considering that this was an elementary schooler, were packed close together, though they were written on every other line. <br><br>\r\n彼女はメモ魔ならぬ日記魔だったのだろうか。……多分、違う。 <br>\r\nWas she just hopelessly obsessed with jotting everything down in her diary? ...Probably not. <br><br>\r\n日々を日記にして書き記すことが、彼女にとってはもうひとりの自分との対話みたいなものだったのだろう。 <br>\r\nTo her, writing her daily life down in a diary was probably like having a conversation with another part of herself. <br><br>\r\nだから真里亞お姉ちゃんの日記は、日々の出来事を書き残したというよりは、もうひとりの自分に今日の出来事を手紙で伝えるような、そんな文体で記されている。 <br>\r\nSo rather than an object on which the events of her day were written down, Maria onee-chan's diary was written like a letter to another part of herself, telling of the events of that day. <br><br>\r\nこの日記帳は、彼女の遺品の中から見つけて私が密かに持ち帰ったもの。 <br>\r\nI found this diary among her belongings after her death and secretly took it home. <br><br>\r\n最初は人の日記を読むなんて無粋だろうと思い、ただ身近に置いておくだけで満足していたが、……ついついページをめくり、少しずつ読み進めてしまった。 <br>\r\nAt first, I'd felt that reading someone else's diary might be boorish...and satisfied myself with just keeping it by my side, ...but I couldn't help flipping through the pages and reading through it bit by bit. <br><br>\r\nそして、………彼女は今や、 <br>\r\nAnd by now, she had <br><br>\r\n~ib~私の唯一の友達となった~ib~。 <br>\r\n~ib~become my only friend~ib~. <br><br>\r\n私はしおりを挟んだページをやさしく開く。 <br>\r\nI gently opened to the page with the bookmark. <br><br>\r\n「……真里亞お姉ちゃん、お待たせ。……また、お姉ちゃんのお話を聞かせて…？」 <br>\r\n\"...Sorry to keep you waiting, Maria onee-chan. ...Could you let me hear your story again...?\" <br><br>\r\nするとその時、 <br>\r\n……とてもとてもやさしいそよ風が吹いて、ページをくすぐった。 <br>\r\nAt the same time, <br><br>\r\n...a very, very soft breeze blew, tickling the paper. <br><br>\r\nそして、開かれた日記帳が、ほのかに輝いた気がする。 <br>\r\nI thought the open diary might have sparkled faintly. <br><br>\r\n……今日は天気がいい。 <br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんは素敵な日差しが大好きだ。 <br>\r\n...The weather's good today. <br><br>\r\nMaria onee-chan loves the wonderful rays of sunlight. <br><br>\r\nだからきっと、機嫌がいいのだろう。 <br>\r\nSo I'm sure she's in a good mood. <br><br>\r\n開かれた日記の上に、…いや、日記の世界に、真里亞お姉ちゃんが姿を現す…。 <br>\r\nOn the pages of the open diary...no, in the world of the diary, Maria onee-chan showed herself... <br><br>\r\n彼女の享年は確か９歳。……だからその姿はすでに私よりも幼い。 <br>\r\nI'm pretty sure she was nine when she died. ...So her form was already younger than me. <br><br>\r\nでも、私は彼女をお姉ちゃんと呼ぶし、彼女も私を縁寿と親しみを込めて呼んでくれる。 <br>\r\nBut I call her Onee-chan, so she affectionately calls me Ange. <br><br>\r\n「うー。縁寿、今日は来るのが遅かった。お昼、混んでた……？」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-. Ange, you were slow getting here today. Was it packed at lunch...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……うん。いつも混んでるわ。仲良しグループたちが席を陣取ってる上に、食事を終えた後も席を塞ぎ続けてるから。食堂に行くのが遅くなると致命的ね。……今日は片付けの当番だったから。」 <br>\r\n\"...Yes. It's always packed. Groups of friends set up camp in the seats, and they stay there even after they've finished eating. It's pretty fatal if you get to the dining hall late. ...I was on cleanup duty today.\" <br><br>\r\n「……うー！ 真里亞、ご飯食べるの速い！ 早く食べ終わるとその分、いっぱい遊べるの！ うー！」 <br>\r\n\"...Uu-! I eat fast! The faster you eat, the more you can play! Uu-!\" <br><br>\r\n押し付けられた当番のせいで、昼休みが少し短くなってしまったことを、私が根に持っているのを察してくれたのだろう。 <br>\r\nMaybe she realized I was holding a grudge because that duty had been forced upon me and shortened my lunch break by a bit. <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんは、話を明るくはぐらかしてくれる。 <br>\r\nMaria onee-chan brightly changed the subject. <br><br>\r\n私はその気遣いに感謝しながら、自分は食べるのは遅い方だと返事する。 <br>\r\nGrateful for that act of kindness, I responded by saying I was a slow eater. <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんは、早食いのコツを伝授する、みたいなことを言って私を和ませてくれた。 <br>\r\nMaria calmed me down, saying something about teaching me the trick to eating fast. <br><br>\r\n日記で読んだ。いや、真里亞お姉ちゃんに聞いた。 <br>\r\nI read about it in her diary. No, I heard it from Maria onee-chan. <br><br>\r\n学級新聞の早食いランキングで女子で一番だったことがあるらしいのだ。 <br>\r\nShe was ranked number 1 among the girls in the speed-eating ranking for her grade's newspaper. <br><br>\r\n彼女はそれを誇らしく思ったが、それを母親の楼座叔母さんはあまり褒めてくれなかったのがちょっぴり残念だったらしい。 <br>\r\nShe was apparently very proud of that, but a little disappointed that her mother, <NAME>, hadn't praised her very much for it. <br><br>\r\n「うー！ じゃあ、今日のお話を始めるね。 <br>\r\n\"Uu-! Then, let's start our story for today. <br><br>\r\n昨日はどこまでお話をしたかな？ うー？」 <br>\r\nHow far did we get yesterday? Uu-?\" <br><br>\r\n「えっと……。ここまでよ。真里亞お姉ちゃんが、さくたろをプレゼントしてもらったところまで。……さくたろの話を聞かせてくれる約束になってたわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Umm... This far. Until you got Sakutaro as a present, Maria onee-chan. ...You promised that you'd tell me about Sakutaro.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー！ さくたろのこと話すよ！ さくたろはね、とっても可愛いぬいぐるみなの！ 縁寿もきっと気に入るよ！ うー！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-! Let's talk about Sakutaro! You know, Sakutaro is a reeeally cute stuffed animal! I'm sure you'd like him too, Ange! Uu-!\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。そのお話を聞かせて。……真里亞お姉ちゃんにお話を聞かせてもらえる昼休みだけが、学校で一番心を許せる時間だもの。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah. Tell me that story. ...The only time I can relax at school...is when I'm listening to your stories during lunch break.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー！ 真里亞、話す！ さくたろはね、えーっとえーっと！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-! I'll tell you about it! Sakutaro was really, umm, umm!\" <br><br>\r\nいつも上機嫌な真里亞お姉ちゃんを見ていると、こっちまで心が温かくなってくる。 <br>\r\nWhen I looked at Maria onee-chan, who was always in a good mood, it made my heart feel warm as well. <br><br>\r\n私は彼女の物語に耳を傾けながら、彼女の世界に没入していくのだった……。 <br>\r\nAs I listened to her tale, I began to get absorbed into her world... <br><br>\r\n「ハッピーバースデー、真里亞。ごめんね、帰りが遅くなって。」 <br>\r\n\"Happy Birthday, Maria. Sorry I got back so late.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー！ ママもお仕事お疲れ様ー！ 真里亞、ママが忙しいの知ってるから、遅くなっても泣かないで待ってた。大人しくテレビ見て待ってた！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-! Good job with your work, Mama! I know you're busy, so even though you were late, I waited without crying. I was good and waited, watching TV!\" <br><br>\r\n「うん、真里亞は偉いわね。お行儀良く待ってたご褒美に、今日は何でも好きなものを注文していいわよ。もちろん、食べきれる分だけだけどね？」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, you're such a good girl, Maria. As a present for waiting politely, you can order anything you want today. Of course, only as much as you can eat, okay?\" <br><br>\r\n「うーうー！ 今日はコーンスープをオニオングラタンスープに変えてもいい？！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-uu-! Today, can I change my corn soup to onion gratin soup?!\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、いいわよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, that's fine.\" <br><br>\r\n「うーうー！ ２００円高くなるけど、プロシュートピッツァに変えてもいい？！」 <br>\r\n「えぇ、いいわよ。本当に食べられるならね。……でもいっか。誕生日だしね。ちゃんとお行儀良く待ってたいい子の真里亞にご褒美もないとね。」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-uu-! It's 200 yen more expensive, but can I change it to prosciutto pizza?!\" <br><br>\r\n\"Yes, that's fine. If you really can eat it. ...But that's okay. It's your birthday, after all. There must be a reward for the good girl who waited so patiently.\" <br><br>\r\n「うーうーうー！ じゃあじゃあデザートにエンチェラーダチーズケーキも付けていい！？ あとねあとね、シェフの気まぐれフルーツサラダにキッズフライドポテト！ メロンソーダも飲みたい！ うーうーうー！ 真里亞はいい子、真里亞はいい子！ ママに褒められた、うーうーうー♪」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-uu-uu-! Then, then, can I have enchilada cheesecake for dessert?! And then, and then, the chef's choice fruit salad and kids' french fries! I want to drink melon soda too! Uu-uu-uu-! I'm a good girl, I'm a good girl! Mama praised me, uu-uu-uu-♪\" <br><br>\r\n「くす。ちょっとはしゃぎ過ぎよ。もう少し静かにしないと他のお客さんに迷惑よ。」 <br>\r\n\"*giggle* You're getting a little too excited. If you don't quiet down a bit, you'll disturb the other customers.\" <br><br>\r\n楼座がやさしく諭すと、真里亞はぺろりと舌を出してテンションを少し抑える。…でも、久しぶりの母との外食で興奮はなかなか抑えられないようだった。 <br>\r\nWhen Rosa gently admonished her, Maria stuck her tongue out and eased up a little. ...But it seemed that she was having a hard time repressing her excitement at being able to eat out with her mother after such a long time. <br><br>\r\n今日は真里亞の誕生日。 <br>\r\nToday was Maria's birthday. <br><br>\r\n楼座は彼女の誕生日を、必ず素敵なレストランで過ごすようにしていた。 <br>\r\nRosa always tried to let Maria spend her birthdays at great restaurants. <br><br>\r\n真里亞がまだ幼稚園の頃は、近所のお友達を招いてホームパーティーをしたこともある。 <br>\r\nWhen Maria had been in kindergarten, they sometimes invited other kids from the neighborhood over and had a party at home. <br><br>\r\n楼座が腕によりを掛けた、手作りの素敵なケーキやお菓子、室内のレイアウトなどをして、とても盛大に祝ったものだ。 <br>\r\nRosa would make a wonderful cake and snacks and decorate the house herself, making it a huge celebration. <br><br>\r\nただ、引越しの関係で、近所に友人を持たなくなってからは奮発した高級レストランがそれに変わるようになった。 <br>\r\nBut when they moved and Maria no longer had friends in the neighborhood, Rosa had started splurging at expensive restaurants instead. <br><br>\r\nしかし、今日、彼女らがいるのは普通のファミリーレストランだった。 <br>\r\n時間も、真里亞のような子どもが訪れるには親と同伴だとしても少し遅い。 <br>\r\nHowever, today, they were in a normal family restaurant. <br><br>\r\nIt was also a little late in the day for a kid like Maria to eat there, even with a parent. <br><br>\r\n本当は、真里亞もきっと喜んだに違いない、ファンタジックなお店が予約してあった。もちろん、真里亞の名前が書かれた素敵なケーキの準備もあった。 <br>\r\nActually, she had gotten reservations at a fantastic place that would surely have pleased Maria. Of course, she had also prepared a wonderful cake with Maria's name written on it. <br><br>\r\n……でも、楼座の仕事がどうしても片付かず、キャンセルせざるを得なくなってしまったのだ。 <br>\r\n...But Rosa just hadn't been able to finish up her business...and had been forced to cancel. <br><br>\r\nそれで近所のファミレスということになったので、楼座はちょっぴりの負い目を持っていた。 <br>\r\nSince that plan had been traded for a local family restaurant, Rosa felt a little indebted to Maria. <br><br>\r\nなので、何を頼んでも許そうと今夜は少し甘いのだ…。 <br>\r\nSo she was prepared to spoil Maria a bit and let her have whatever she wanted tonight... <br><br>\r\n「……真里亞お姉ちゃんってあんまり食べないんじゃなかった？ こんなに頼んで大丈夫なの？」 <br>\r\n\"...You never used to eat much, did you, Maria onee-chan? Was it really all right to order that much?\" <br><br>\r\n「うー。あんまり食べられないけど、いっぱい並ぶのが好きなの。お誕生日のテーブルはね？ 赤、青、緑に黄色、いっぱい色とりどりだと幸せになれるの！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-. I can't eat very much, but I like to have a lot lined up. You know, like on a birthday table? If it's colored all over with red and blue and green and yellow, it makes you really happy!\" <br><br>\r\n「…そうね。お誕生日のテーブルって、カラフルだと幸せな気持ちになれるわね。……うちの誕生日は真里亞お姉ちゃんのところにはだいぶ負けるけど、駅前の不三家で買ってくるケーキがいつもとても華やかだったっけ…。」 <br>\r\n\"...You're right. Having your birthday table be colorful can make you feel happy. ...Birthdays at my place were no match for yours, Maria onee-chan, but the cakes we bought at the Fumiya store in front of the station were always gorgeous...\" <br><br>\r\n縁寿は自分の誕生日を思い出し、懐かしむ。 <br>\r\nAnge thought back to her own birthdays nostalgically. <br><br>\r\nお父さんは多忙なのに、私の誕生会のためだけに帰宅してくれて、そのまま会社にとんぼ返りすることもあった。 <br>\r\nEven though Dad was busy, he sometimes came home just to show up at my birthday party...and then went right back to his company. <br><br>\r\nその当時は悲しかったけれど、お父さんは私のことを大切に思ってくれていたんだなと、今ならわかる。 <br>\r\nAt the time, I was sad, but now I understand how important I was to Dad. <br><br>\r\nもちろん、お母さんも私をすごく大切にしてくれたっけ。 <br>\r\nOf course, Mom also took very good care of me. <br><br>\r\n特に誕生日のプレゼントにはいつもすごくセンスを使ってくれていて、私のために何ヶ月も前から手配してくれているようなこともあった。 <br>\r\nIn particular, her birthday presents were always in excellent taste, and she sometimes arranged for them several months in advance. <br><br>\r\n戦人お兄ちゃんにはいつも招待状を送るのに、お父さんが苦手とかでいつも来てくれない。 <br>\r\nEven though we always sent an invitation to Battler onii-chan, he didn't get along with Dad or something, so he kept not coming. <br><br>\r\n……だから来てくれた時はすごい嬉しかったっけ。 <br>\r\n...So when he did come, I was really happy... <br><br>\r\n…四人家族が全員揃った時のお誕生会は生涯忘れられない楽しい思い出だ…。 <br>\r\n...The birthday parties when the whole four-person family gathered made for fun memories that I'll never forget... <br><br>\r\n「う〜。縁寿のお誕生日もとても楽しそうだね。戦人と留弗夫伯父さんがすごく賑やか。 <br>\r\n\"Uu-. Ange's birthdays sound like a lot of fun too. Battler and Uncle Rudolf are really lively. <br><br>\r\nわいわい、きゃっきゃ。 <br>\r\nYay, yay, *giggle*. <br><br>\r\n戦人、コーラ掛けられてる、あはははは。」 <br>\r\nBattler got covered in cola, ahahahaha.\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんに、私の幸せな記憶を覗かれる。 <br>\r\nMaria onee-chan peeked into my happy memory. <br><br>\r\nお父さんが余興で折ってくれた折り紙の兜を被ってちょこんと座る私が、何だか恥ずかしい。 <br>\r\n手には、戦人お兄ちゃんが折ってくれた紙鉄砲。 <br>\r\n…そしてそれを記念撮影してくれるお母さん。私の一番幸せだった瞬間だ。 <br>\r\nAs I sat quietly, wearing the origami helmet that Dad had made for fun, I was a little embarrassed. <br><br>\r\nIn my hand was a paper gun that Battler onii-chan had folded for me. <br><br>\r\n...And Mom was taking a commemorative photo. It was the happiest moment of my life. <br><br>\r\n「でも、真里亞お姉ちゃんの誕生日だって負けてないよ。それで、今日もらえるんでしょう？ さくたろは。」 <br>\r\n\"But your birthday's no worse, Maria onee-chan. And this is the day you get him, right? Sakutaro.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー！ すっごく楽しみだった。ママの鞄の脇にあるプレゼントの包みを、早く見せてもらえないかなと、ずっとわくわくしてた。」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-! I was reeeally looking forward to it. I got so excited, wondering when Mama would show me the wrapped present in the corner of her bag.\" <br><br>\r\n“さくたろ”とは、真里亞お姉ちゃんが今日プレゼントしてもらえることになっているぬいぐるみの名前。 <br>\r\n`Sakutaro' is the name of a stuffed animal that Maria was to receive that day. <br><br>\r\n楼座叔母さんは、今日の誕生日のプレゼントに、ずいぶん前からぬいぐるみを作っているとのことだった。 <br>\r\nFor quite some time before then, Aunt Rosa had been making a stuffed animal to give Maria as a present today. <br><br>\r\nそれは可愛らしいライオンのぬいぐるみだそうで、真里亞お姉ちゃんは、まだもらってもいないにもかかわらず、もう、さくたろという名前を付けていたのだ。 <br>\r\nHearing that it was a cute lion stuffed animal, Maria onee-chan had already given it the name Sakutaro, even though she hadn't received it yet. <br><br>\r\n彼女にとって今日の誕生日は、自分の誕生日よりもさくたろと会えることの方が楽しみだった。 <br>\r\nToday, she was looking forward to meeting Sakutaro even more than her own birthday. <br><br>\r\n楼座叔母さんは洋服のデザイン会社をやっている。 <br>\r\n<NAME> ran a clothing design company. <br><br>\r\n一応、ブランド名もあるらしい。……何だっけ、アンチローザだったっけ…？ <br>\r\nIt seemed to be some kind of brand name. ...What was it, Anti-Rosa...? <br><br>\r\n“昨日までの自分が、許せない”、がキャッチコピーらしい。 <br>\r\nIt seems their catch phrase was `I can't forgive the me of yesterday'. <br><br>\r\n…残念ながら、そのブランド名を知っている人間には会った事がない。 <br>\r\nあまり有名ではないのだろう。 <br>\r\n...Unfortunately, I've never met someone who knew of that brand name. <br><br>\r\nMaybe it wasn't that famous. <br><br>\r\nだから叔母さんはかなり手先が器用。 <br>\r\n彼女の着る洋服の中には、自ら作ったものもあるそうだ。 <br>\r\nSo <NAME> was pretty skilled with her hands. <br><br>\r\nI heard that she made some of the clothing she wore herself. <br><br>\r\nだからぬいぐるみを作るくらい、きっとお手の物だったに違いない。 <br>\r\nSo making a stuffed animal had to be well within her capabilities. <br><br>\r\n「……手作りのぬいぐるみなんて、ちょっと素敵。ところで、さくたろって名前、どういう意味で付けたの？」 <br>\r\n\"...A hand-made stuffed animal... That's pretty amazing. By the way, why did you call it Sakutaro?\" <br><br>\r\n「うー。本当は“さくら”って付けたかった。でもオスライオンのぬいぐるみだから、男の子の名前にしなさいって言われたの。 <br>\r\n\"Uu-. Actually wanted to call it `Sakura'. But it's a male lion, so she told me to give it a boy's name. <br><br>\r\nだから、男の子っぽく太郎を加えて“さくたろう”。最後の“う”は、いつの間にかなくなっちゃった！」 <br>\r\nSo I added a boy-like `tarou' and called him `Sakutarou'. Eventually, the last `u' disappeared!\" <br><br>\r\n「何で“さくら”なの？」 <br>\r\n\"Why `Sakura'?\" <br><br>\r\n「うー！ カードマスターさくらの主人公〜！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-! The main character in Card Master Sakura!\" <br><br>\r\n当時、テレビで大人気だったアニメの主人公の名前だ。 <br>\r\nIt was the name of the main character in a TV anime that was popular at the time. <br><br>\r\n……好きなキャラクターの名前をそのまま拝借する辺りが、何と言うか、歳相応に素直で可愛らしい。 <br>\r\n...The fact that she'd simply borrowed the name of a character she liked was...how should I say it...as innocent and cute as you'd expect from someone that age. <br><br>\r\n「うー！ ママ、ママ！ さくたろまだ？ さくたろも一緒にお誕生日混ぜてあげたい。」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-! Mama, Mama! Still no Sakutaro? I wanna let Sakutaro join in on my birthday too.\" <br><br>\r\n「プレゼントはいつも最後でしょう？ 今広げると汚しちゃうわよ。食事が終わるまで我慢しなさい。」 <br>\r\n\"Presents always come at the end, right? If you open it now, it'll get dirty. Hold on until the meal is over.\" <br><br>\r\n「じゃあ早く食事を終わらす！ うーうーうー！」 <br>\r\n\"Then I'll finish eating quickly! Uu-uu-uu-!\" <br><br>\r\nそう宣言すると、がっつくように食事を急ぎ始める。 <br>\r\nAs soon as she proclaimed that, she started tearing into her meal. <br><br>\r\nみっともない真似をしないようにと楼座叔母さんが怒る。 <br>\r\nすぐに想定できた事態らしい。 <br>\r\n<NAME> got mad at her, saying that was rude. <br><br>\r\nIt seemed that she'd expected this would happen right away. <br><br>\r\n私も、真里亞お姉ちゃんの単純さなら、きっとそうするだろうと思ったので、予想を裏切られなくて何だか微笑ましくなった。 <br>\r\nI also thought that, given how straightforward Maria was, that was probably what she'd do, so it was kind of pleasant when my expectations weren't betrayed. <br><br>\r\n結局、期待できらきらさせている娘の瞳に負けて、楼座叔母さんは、机の上を片付けさせて、お待ちかねのプレゼントの包みを出してくれた。 <br>\r\nIn the end, <NAME> lost to her daughter's eyes, which were sparkling with anticipation, cleaned up the table, and took out the long-awaited wrapped present. <br><br>\r\n「ハッピーバースデー、真里亞。……なかなか時間が取れなくて、あまり上手に作れなかったんだけど…。」 <br>\r\n\"Happy birthday, Maria. ...I wasn't able to spend much time on it, so I couldn't make it very well...\" <br><br>\r\n「うー！ ママの手作りなら何でも嬉しい！ うーうーうー！ さくたろ〜、さくたろ〜うーうー！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-! If you made it, I'll be happy with anything! Uu-uu-uu-! Sakutaro-, Sakutaro-uu-uu-!\" <br><br>\r\n楼座叔母さんはちょっぴり謙虚そうにそう言うが、真里亞お姉ちゃんは包装を開ける前から大喜びだった。 <br>\r\nAunt Rosa spoke a bit humbly, but Maria onee-chan was happy even before opening the wrapping. <br><br>\r\n……その気持ち、よくわかる。 <br>\r\n出来の問題じゃない。 <br>\r\n手作りのプレゼントというのは、それだけで何よりも嬉しいのだ。 <br>\r\n...I could really understand that feeling. <br><br>\r\nIt's not a problem of quality. <br><br>\r\nJust the fact that it was a handmade present was more pleasing than anything. <br><br>\r\n「開けてもいい？ 開けてもいい？！」 <br>\r\n\"Can I open it? Can I open it?!\" <br><br>\r\n「本当はお家に帰ってからにしてほしいんだけど、 <br>\r\n……ちょっとだけよ？ ちょっと見て挨拶したら、一度しまうのよ？ ちゃんと挨拶するのはお家に帰ってからにするのよ？ ここはお外なんだからはしゃいじゃ駄目よ？ 約束できる？」 <br>\r\n\"I wanted to wait until we got back home before doing it, <br><br>\r\n...but...just for a bit, okay? We'll just take a look and say hello, then put it back. You can give him a proper greeting once we get home. We're in public, so you can't fool around, okay? Can you promise?\" <br><br>\r\n「うー！ 約束するする！ <br>\r\n\"Uu-! Promise, promise! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nだから開けてもいい？ 開けてもい〜い？ ママぁ。」 <br>\r\nSo can I open it? Can I open iiit? Mamaaa.\" <br><br>\r\n「はいはい、ちょっとだけよ？」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, yes, just for a bit, okay?\" <br><br>\r\n「わああああぁぁぁぁ…☆」 <br>\r\n\"Yaaaaaaaaaaayy...☆\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n楼座叔母さんが言い終わらない内に、さっそく包装を開き始める。 <br>\r\nBefore <NAME> finished talking, Maria started unwrapping it. <br><br>\r\nするとすぐに、……黄色と橙色がのぞく。 <br>\r\nAs soon as she did, ...yellow and orange peeked out. <br><br>\r\nそこに現れたのは、つぶらな瞳と白いお腹が可愛らしい、ちょっとのっぺりとしたライオンのぬいぐるみだった。 <br>\r\nWhat appeared was a slightly blank-looking lion stuffed animal, with cute round eyes and a white chest. <br><br>\r\n大きさは小さな枕くらい。 <br>\r\n背の低い真里亞お姉ちゃんが持つとそこそこの大きさに見えるけど、多分、そう大きくはないだろう。 <br>\r\nIt was about the size of a small pillow. <br><br>\r\nIt looked pretty big next to someone as short as Maria onee-chan, but it probably wasn't that large. <br><br>\r\n何も知らない人が見れば、百貨店か何かで売っている安物だと思うだろう。 <br>\r\nFrom the perspective of someone who didn't know better, it would probably look like something cheap bought from a department store or something. <br><br>\r\nでも、真里亞お姉ちゃんにとっては、世界でただひとつの、何物にも変えられない母親の手作りのぬいぐるみなのだ。 <br>\r\nBut to Maria onee-chan, it was her mother's handmade stuffed animal, the only one of its kind in the world and irreplaceable. <br><br>\r\n「さくたろ〜、さくたろ〜！！ きゃっきゃっきゃ！！ 可愛い可愛い、すっごく可愛い…！ <br>\r\n\"Sakutaro, Sakutaro!! *giggle*giggle*!! Cute, cute, sooo cute...! <br><br>\r\nママありがとう、ママありがとう、お仕事で忙しいのに、こんなに可愛いぬいぐるみを作ってくれて本当にありがとう…！！」 <br>\r\nThank you Mama, thank you Mama, thank you so much for making such a cute stuffed animal, even though you're so busy with work...!\" <br><br>\r\n「…そんなに褒められるとかえって恥ずかしいわ。 <br>\r\n\"...If you praise me that much, it's actually embarrassing. <br><br>\r\n全然時間が取れなくて、大したものを作れなかったの。本当は、抱えきれないくらい大きなのを作るつもりだったのにね…。」 <br>\r\nI couldn't take much time, so I couldn't make anything that good. I actually wanted to make one so big that you couldn't wrap your arms around it...\" <br><br>\r\n「うぅん、これでいい！ このくらいの大きさなら、いつも一緒にいられるもん。一緒にお出掛けできるもん。 <br>\r\n\"No, this is good! With this size, we can always be together. We can go out together. <br><br>\r\nさくたろ〜、お姉ちゃんだよ〜、うりゅ〜☆」 <br>\r\nSakutaro, I'm your Onee-chaaan, uryu-☆\" <br><br>\r\n「本当に可愛らしいぬいぐるみね。この子が、真里亞お姉ちゃんの一番のお友達のさくたろなのね。」 <br>\r\n\"It really is an adorable stuffed animal. So this kid is Sakutaro, your best friend.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー！ 学校には一緒に行けないけど、お家ではいつもいつも一緒にいる一番のお友達なの。 <br>\r\n\"Uu-! We can't go to school together, but me and my best friend are always, always together at home. <br><br>\r\nさくたろはね、とっても無垢で可愛らしくて、そしていつも真里亞にやさしくしてくれるの。真里亞に元気がない時には励ましてくれて、真里亞が元気な時は一緒にいっぱい遊んでくれるの！ <br>\r\nYou know, Sakutaro is reeeally innocent and cute, and always nice to me. He supports me when I'm feeling down, and plays a lot with me when I'm feeling good!\" <br><br>\r\nだから真里亞はもう寂しくなんかない。ママが仕事で忙しくてひとりぼっちでも寂しくないし、学校で誰も遊んでくれなくても全然寂しくないの。ねー、さくたろ〜、うりゅ〜☆」 <br>\r\n\"So I'm never lonely anymore. Not lonely when Mama's busy with work and I'm all alone, not even when no one plays with me at school. Isn't that right, Sakutaro, uryu-☆\" <br><br>\r\n……学校における真里亞お姉ちゃんは、今の私と同じような境遇だった。 <br>\r\n...At school, Maria onee-chan had lived in the same kind of environment as I did. <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんは、クラスの子たちと比べて、いつもテンポがひとつ遅かった。 <br>\r\nCompared to the other kids in her class, Maria onee-chan's tempo was always a little slow. <br><br>\r\n感受性も、ものの考え方も少し特徴的で、……彼らに溶け込むには、少し個性的過ぎた。 <br>\r\nHer sensibilities and ways of viewing things were a little peculiar...and a little too idiosyncratic for her to blend in. <br><br>\r\n成績もかなり低く、それでいて得意とするオカルト分野には饒舌だったものだから、クラス中から奇人扱いを受けていた。 <br>\r\nHer grades were low as well, and since she was talkative about everything related to the occult, her specialty, she was treated like a weirdo by everyone else in class. <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんに触られると呪われる、みたいな話になって。 <br>\r\nクラスのみんなが彼女を気持ち悪がったり、馬鹿にしたりして避けているらしかった。 <br>\r\nIf you were touched by Maria onee-chan, you'd be cursed... Stuff like that. <br><br>\r\nApparently, everyone in her class acted like she was disgusting, made fun of her, and avoided her. <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんと肩をぶつけた男子は、その部分を他の男子に擦り付け合ったりして、穢れ扱いしたり。 <br>\r\nIf a boy bumped into Maria onee-chan, he'd start rubbing that part against the other boys, as if he'd gotten some scum on him. <br><br>\r\n彼女の私物をまるで汚物みたいに摘み上げて、それを避けようとする男子を追い掛け回してみたり。 <br>\r\nThey'd pick up her stuff like it was something filthy and chase the other boys around with it. <br><br>\r\n女子は彼女と口を利くのも嫌だという雰囲気らしく、徹底的に無視をしては、彼女が何かをミスする度にくすくすと嘲笑するという有様だった。 <br>\r\nIt seems the girls thought even speaking to her was unpleasant, so they ignored her all the time, only giggling and sneering at her whenever she made a mistake. <br><br>\r\n「…………いじめって、いつの時代も似たようなものなのね。人間って本当、進化しないの。滅べばいいのに。」 <br>\r\n\"......It looks like bullying is the same in all eras. Humans really don't advance at all, do they? If only they'd just get wiped out.\" <br><br>\r\n「……真里亞はいじめられて悲しいけど、でも仕方ないと思うの。」 <br>\r\n\"...I'm sad when I'm bullied, but I think it can't be helped.\" <br><br>\r\n「仕方ない…？ どうして…？」 <br>\r\n\"It can't be helped...? Why not...?\" <br><br>\r\n「だって、クラスにはひとり、いじめられっこがいないといけないって、ルールなんだもん。」 <br>\r\n\"After all, there's a rule that says every class has to have a single bullied kid.\" <br><br>\r\n「……最低なルールね。それを作ったヤツの後頭部を煉瓦で殴ってやりたいわ。もちろん角で。」 <br>\r\n\"...That's a horrible rule. I'd like to find the person who made it and hit them over the head with a brick. Using the corner, of course.\" <br><br>\r\n「もしも真里亞がいなくなったら、きっと真里亞のかわりに、新しい誰かが新しいいじめられっこに選ばれる。 <br>\r\n\"If I wasn't there, then there'd surely be a new bullied kid chosen in my place. <br><br>\r\n真里亞が我慢することで、真里亞はその子を庇ってあげられるの。」 <br>\r\nBy staying strong, I can protect that kid.\" <br><br>\r\nそう言って、薄っすらと微笑んで見せた。 <br>\r\nAs she said that, she smiled faintly. <br><br>\r\n…………真里亞お姉ちゃんの考え方は、本当に変わっている。 <br>\r\n......Maria onee-chan's way of thinking really is unusual. <br><br>\r\n彼女が言うには、学校という場所には元々、魔女が住み着いているのだという。 <br>\r\nいや、人が集う場所には必ず魔女がひとり住み着いているのだという。 <br>\r\nAccording to her, from the beginning, a witch had resided in that place called a school. <br><br>\r\nNo, she says that any place where a lot of people gather will have a witch residing there. <br><br>\r\n魔女は生徒たちの魂を、病死や事故死の形で奪い取ろうとする。 <br>\r\nあるいは魂を堕落させたり、悪の道に引き込んだりするという。 <br>\r\nThe witch tries to steal the students' souls through death by disease or accidents. <br><br>\r\nApparently, she sometimes also corrupts those souls, leading them down that path of evil. <br><br>\r\nそれを見過ごせず、天使様がやって来たという。 <br>\r\nShe says that an angel came, not content to let that continue. <br><br>\r\n「……天使様はね、魔女をやっつけようとした。でも魔女は強大で、戦いは七日七晩に及んだけど、それでも決着しなかった。疲れきった魔女は休戦しようと言って、こう提案したの。」 <br>\r\n\"...And the angel...tried to finish off that witch. The witch was powerful, and the fight took seven days and seven nights, but even then, it still wasn't over. The tired-out witch asked for a truce and proposed this.\" <br><br>\r\n「前に聞いたわ。……“私はこれまで、クラスの生徒の半分を、病気にしたり怪我をさせたりしてきました。でも、その代わりに、残りの半分の生徒は病気と怪我から守ってきました。だから、もしもクラスの１人を私への生贄に、『いじめられっこ』にしてくれるなら、その他全員の生徒を、病気や怪我から守りましょう”、 <br>\r\n………だったっけ。」 <br>\r\n\"I heard about that one before. ...`Until now, I've made half of the students in the class become sick or injured. But in exchange, I've protected the remaining half of the students from sickness and injury. Therefore, if one member of the class becomes a sacrifice to me and is made into the `bullied kid', I shall protect all of the other students from sickness and injury', <br><br>\r\n......right?\" <br><br>\r\n「うー。天使様は考えたの。クラスの半分が不幸になることに比べたら、クラスの１人だけが不幸になることの方がずっと良い。それに、魔女はその強力な力で他全員の生徒の安全を守ってくれると言う。」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-. The angel thought about it. Compared to half the class meeting with misfortune, having only one person be unfortunate would be much better. Then, the witch said that she'd protect the safety of all the other students, using her powerful magic.\" <br><br>\r\n「クラスに４０人の生徒がいるとして。……２０人の犠牲者が１人に減って、１９人が助かるというわけね。……実に合理的な提案。」 <br>\r\n\"If there are 40 students in a class...and the 20 victims are reduced to 1, then 19 people are saved. ...It's actually a reasonable proposal.\" <br><br>\r\nこのおとぎ話は、何かモチーフでもあるのだろうか。 <br>\r\n９歳の少女に過ぎない真里亞お姉ちゃんの創作だとしたら、なかなかの出来だった。 <br>\r\nI wonder if there's some theme behind this fairy tale. <br><br>\r\nIf it's a creation by Maria onee-chan, a nine-year-old girl, that'd be pretty impressive. <br><br>\r\n「天使様はその提案を飲むことにした。だから、１人の生贄によって、１９人は救われた。 <br>\r\n\"The angel decided to accept that proposal. So, through that single sacrifice, 19 people were saved. <br><br>\r\n……だから真里亞の役割は大切なの。魔女は１９人を、守ってる。」 <br>\r\n...That's why my role's important. The witch is protecting 19 people.\" <br><br>\r\n「……私たちが生贄になることによって？ ………その１９人に、感謝された覚えはないけれど。」 <br>\r\n\"...Because we become sacrifices? ......Well, I don't remember ever being thanked by those 19 people.\" <br><br>\r\n…真里亞お姉ちゃんの考えは、慈悲深過ぎる。 <br>\r\n...Maria onee-chan's idea was too compassionate. <br><br>\r\n私と彼女の境遇の不幸さはとても近い。……にもかかわらず、ものの考え方ひとつで、心の安らぎは違うというのだろうか。 <br>\r\nBoth of us are suffering from a very similar type of misfortune. ...And yet, maybe a small difference in our way of thinking changes how peaceful our hearts are. <br><br>\r\n「それで、真里亞お姉ちゃんは悲しくないの…？」 <br>\r\n\"So, you aren't sad, Maria onee-chan...?\" <br><br>\r\n「うー。悲しくなんかないよ。 <br>\r\n\"Uu-. I'm not sad at all. <br><br>\r\nだって、これからはさくたろが一緒だもん。ね？ さくたろ？」 <br>\r\n『うりゅー！ 真里亞と一緒ならボクも元気〜！』 <br>\r\nAfter all, I'll be together with Sakutaro from now on. Right, Sakutaro?\" <br><br>\r\n『Uryu-! If I can be with Maria, I'll be happy too!』 <br><br>\r\n「ほら、さくたろも元気って言ってるよ。うー☆」 <br>\r\n\"Look, Sakutaro says he's happy too. Uu-☆\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんは、さくたろのぬいぐるみを抱え上げ、一人二役でそう会話してみせる。 <br>\r\nMaria onee-chan hugged the Sakutaro stuffed animal, playing both sides of the conversation herself. <br><br>\r\n私にはわからない。 <br>\r\n……でも、だからこそ、真里亞お姉ちゃんの境地に達したいと思う。 <br>\r\nI don't understand it. <br><br>\r\n...But that's exactly why I want to reach Maria onee-chan's level. <br><br>\r\n…だから、彼女の物語と言葉に、私は強い関心を持ってしまうのだ。 <br>\r\n...So I was intensely drawn to her tale and her words. <br><br>\r\n「縁寿は、ひとりぼっちだから辛い……？」 <br>\r\n\"Ange, is it tough because you're all alone...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……辛いわ。でも、真里亞お姉ちゃんとこうしていられる時間だけは別。ひとりぼっちじゃ、ないから。」 <br>\r\n\"...It is tough. But...just the time I can be like this with you is different. Because I'm not...all alone.\" <br><br>\r\n「なら、さくたろもお友達になれば、もっと楽しくなるよ。 <br>\r\n\"Then, if Sakutaro also becomes your friend, it'll be even more fun. <br><br>\r\nうー！ じゃあ今日から、さくたろも縁寿の新しいお友達だよ！ ね、さくたろ〜？」 <br>\r\nUu-! Then starting today, Sakutaro is Ange's new friend! Right, Sakutaro?\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ？ ボク、縁寿のお友達…？ うりゅー、縁寿〜！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu? I am...Ange's friend...? Uryu-, Ange-!』 <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんは、まるでパペットのようにぬいぐるみを器用に動かし、さくたろの感情表現をしてみせる。 <br>\r\nSkillfully moving the stuffed animal like it was a puppet, Maria onee-chan expressed Sakutaro's emotions. <br><br>\r\n彼女が操っているわけだが、愛くるしく短い手を振ったり小首を捻ったりする仕草は、確かにそこにさくたろという新しい友達の存在を感じさせた。 <br>\r\nShe was controlling him, but the charming way he waved his short hand and cocked his head to the side...made it feel like he really was a new friend called Sakutaro. <br><br>\r\nもちろん、冷めた目で見ればそれは、ぐずる私を真里亞お姉ちゃんが、ぬいぐるみであやしているだけの光景だ。 <br>\r\nOf course, looking at it with cold eyes, it would only appear that Maria onee-chan was comforting me when I was grumpy. <br><br>\r\n……でも、そのぬいぐるみには、確かに魂が吹き込まれている。 <br>\r\n...But a soul had definitely been sent into that stuffed animal. <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんの、愛という魂が。 <br>\r\nThe soul of Maria onee-chan's love. <br><br>\r\nだから私はそのぬいぐるみの中に、さくたろという存在を認める。 <br>\r\nSo I acknowledged the existence of a being called Sakutaro inside that stuffed animal. <br><br>\r\n「ほら、縁寿もさくたろに挨拶して。ほら、さくたろもご挨拶〜☆」 <br>\r\n\"Come on, say hi to Sakutaro too, Ange. Come on, you say hi too, Sakutaro-☆\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ……？ 縁寿、 <br>\r\n……怖い人……？』 <br>\r\n『Uryu...? Is Ange... <br><br>\r\na scary person...?』 <br><br>\r\nさくたろは、私をおずおずと見るような仕草をしながら、私と不意に目が合い、驚いて真里亞お姉ちゃんの背中に隠れるような仕草をする。 <br>\r\nAs Sakutaro timidly looked at me, he unexpectedly met my gaze...and hid behind Maria onee-chan's back in surprise. <br><br>\r\n……真里亞お姉ちゃんって、本当にぬいぐるみ遊びが上手だ。 <br>\r\n...Maria onee-chan really is good at playing with stuffed animals. <br><br>\r\n「大丈夫だよ、さくたろ。縁寿は怖くないよ、とってもやさしい女の子だよ〜。うー☆」 <br>\r\n『…ど、どうも。さくたろうです…。……うりゅ……。』 <br>\r\n\"It's okay, Sakutaro. Ange isn't scary, she's a really nice girl. Uu-☆\" <br><br>\r\n『...H-Hello. I'm Sakutarou... ...Uryu...』 <br><br>\r\n「くす。……初めまして、さくたろう。縁寿よ。新しいお友達になれて嬉しいわ。」 <br>\r\n\"*giggle* ...Pleased to meet you, Sakutarou. I'm Ange. I'm glad to have a new friend.\" <br><br>\r\n私が握手を求めるように右腕を出すと、さくたろの短い手がこちらに出され、私の人差し指にちょこんと触れる。 <br>\r\nI held out my hand as though asking for a handshake, and Sakutaro's short hand was stuck out towards me, lightly touching my index finger. <br><br>\r\n何しろ人間とぬいぐるみの握手だからサイズが違う。 <br>\r\nこの、指で触れ合うような挨拶が、私たちの握手なのだ。 <br>\r\nAfter all, when a human and a stuffed animal shake hands, their sizes are too different. <br><br>\r\nThis greeting by touching each other's fingers was our handshake. <br><br>\r\n「うー☆ これでもう、縁寿とさくたろはお友達だよ！ 一人よりは二人、二人よりは三人の方がもっと楽しいよ。うー！」 <br>\r\n『うりゅ〜！』 <br>\r\n\"Uu-☆ Now, Ange and Sakutaro are already friends! Two people are more fun than one, and three people are more fun than two. Uu-!\" <br><br>\r\n『Uryu-!』 <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんは、誕生日にもらえることになっていたこのぬいぐるみに「さくたろう」という名前を与え、ずっとずっと心の中でその存在を温めて膨らませてきたのだ。 <br>\r\nMaria onee-chan had given the name `Sakutarou' to the stuffed animal she was to receive on her birthday...and had warmed and expanded his existence in her heart for a long, long time. <br><br>\r\nだから、出会う前からその存在は人格にまで昇華されていた。 <br>\r\n出会ったその時からもう、彼女と彼はお友達だった。 <br>\r\nTherefore, even before she met him, his existence was sublimated into a personality. <br><br>\r\nEven at the first moment they met, they were already friends. <br><br>\r\n確かに、さくたろうほどにまで人格化されて愛された存在はないだろうが、真里亞お姉ちゃんにとってそれは特別なことではない。 <br>\r\nOf course, that wasn't anything extraordinary in Maria onee-chan's eyes, although I don't think she'd personified and loved anything quite as much as Sakutarou. <br><br>\r\n彼女は自分の持ち物をとてもよく愛し、まるで友人やよく懐いたペットのように扱った。 <br>\r\nShe loved the things she owned very much, treating them just like friends or beloved pets. <br><br>\r\n楼座叔母さんにペットを飼うことを許してもらえなかったこともあるかもしれないし、物を大切にするという気持ちもあったかもしれない。 <br>\r\nMaybe <NAME> hadn't let her keep a pet at some point in time, so she felt like treasuring objects instead. <br><br>\r\n……身近に友人を見つけなければならないほど、彼女が孤立していたこともあったかもしれない。 <br>\r\n...And maybe she was so isolated that she'd been forced to find a friend nearby. <br><br>\r\nそんな様々な事情から、彼女にとってこのようなことは特別なことではなかったのだ。 <br>\r\nBecause of all that, what happened that day wasn't anything extraordinary from her perspective. <br><br>\r\nそれでも、さくたろうは、……いや、真里亞お姉ちゃん風にさくたろと呼ぶべきか。 <br>\r\nEven so, Sakutarou...no, maybe I should call it `Sakutaro' like Maria onee-chan. <br><br>\r\nさくたろは何よりも、いや、誰よりも愛されたぬいぐるみ、…いや、友達であったことは確かだ。 <br>\r\nThere's no doubt that Sakutaro was a stuffed animal...no, a friend...whom she loved more than anything...or anyone. <br><br>\r\n「もしもし…、ママよ。上機嫌ね、お友達が来てるの？」 <br>\r\n「うー！ さくたろと遊んでるの！ さくたろったらね、きゃっきゃっきゃ！」 <br>\r\n\"Hello, ...it's Mama. You're in a good mood. Is a friend over?\" <br><br>\r\n\"Uu-! Playing with Sakutaro! Sakutaro, knock it off, *giggle*giggle*!\" <br><br>\r\nもう夜の９時を回っている。 <br>\r\nIt was already about 9:00 at night. <br><br>\r\nお友達がいてもいい時間ではないので驚いて聞いたのだが、考えてみれば、遊びに来てくれるような友達なんていなかったっけ…。 <br>\r\nRosa had asked because this wasn't a good time to have a friend over, and she'd been just a little surprised, but when she thought about it, Maria didn't have any friends who would come over to play, did she...? <br><br>\r\nそれにしても、ぬいぐるみとここまで楽しそうに遊んでくれるなんて。 <br>\r\n楼座は、誕生日プレゼントがとても気に入ってもらえてよかったと思うのだった。 <br>\r\nEven so, to think that she'd have so much fun playing with that stuffed animal. <br><br>\r\nRosa was very pleased that Maria had liked her birthday present so much. <br><br>\r\n「ごめんね。ママ、どうしても仕事が片付かなくて…。来期のラインナップが難航してるの。ようやく少しずつ注目され始めたみたいで、何とかここで期待に応えられるインパクトを与えたいのよ…。」 <br>\r\n\"Sorry. Mama just can't get her work finished tonight... The next season's lineup is having a tough time. It looks like we're finally starting to get orders bit by bit, and I want to somehow give it a bit more impact so we can answer to their expectations...\" <br><br>\r\n「今夜もお泊まり？ うん、いいよ。頑張って、ママ！」 <br>\r\n\"So, you're spending the night? Sure, okay. Do your best, Mama!\" <br><br>\r\n「そ、そう？ ありがとうね、真里亞…。ママのお仕事のことをわかってくれてありがとう…。」 <br>\r\n\"R-Really? Thank you, Maria... Thanks for being understanding about Mama's work...\" <br><br>\r\nあまりにあっけらかんと、家に帰れないことを納得してくれたので、楼座はとても驚く。 <br>\r\nRosa was surprised that Maria had accepted so easily that she wouldn't be able to come home from work. <br><br>\r\n楼座にとって、帰宅が遅くなったり、泊まりになったりすることを真里亞に伝えるのは大きな負担だった。 <br>\r\nTo Rosa, having to tell Maria that she'd be coming home late or staying overnight was a huge burden. <br><br>\r\n真里亞が電話先で寂しい寂しいと泣き出し、なだめるのに大きな時間と労力を払うことになるからだ。 <br>\r\nMaria would start crying about how lonely she was on the other end of the phone, and it took a lot of time and effort to calm her down. <br><br>\r\nその真里亞が、こんなにも上機嫌に納得してくれるなんて…。 <br>\r\nこれも、さくたろうのお陰だろうか。 <br>\r\nTo think that Maria would accept it in such high spirits... <br><br>\r\nIs this also thanks to Sakutarou? <br><br>\r\n…楼座は重ねて、良いプレゼントをしたと喜ぶ。 <br>\r\n...Rosa was once again pleased that she'd given her daughter such a good present. <br><br>\r\n「明日のこの時間には帰れるようにするわ。明日は一緒に夕食を取りましょう。真里亞は夕食はまだよね？ コンビニでお弁当を買ってきて食べてね。お菓子は駄目よ、ジュースも駄目よ。お釣りと一緒にレシートも入れておくのよ、わかった？」 <br>\r\n\"I'll make sure I come back this time tomorrow. Let's eat dinner together then. You haven't eaten dinner yet, have you Maria? Buy a bento at the convenience store and eat it. No sweets, and no soda. I'll check the receipt and the change, understand?\" <br><br>\r\n「うー！ さくたろとお買い物、さくたろとお買い物…！」 <br>\r\n「こ、こら！ さくたろは駄目よ、お留守番させなさい！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-! Shopping with Sakutaro, shopping with Sakutaro...!\" <br><br>\r\n\"H-Hey! Not Sakutaro, have him watch over the house!\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞の口調から、自分の与り知れない内に、あのぬいぐるみと一緒に買い物に出たことでもありそうな気配を察する。 <br>\r\nFrom Maria's manner of speech, Rosa got the feeling that Maria might've gone shopping with that stuffed animal without her knowing about it. <br><br>\r\n楼座は眉間にしわをよせながら、それだけは絶対駄目だと口をすっぱくして伝え、電話を切るのだった。 <br>\r\nRosa's forehead creased, and after sourly saying that Maria definitely mustn't do that, she hung up. <br><br>\r\n「うー…。さくたろとお買い物、駄目だってママに言われた…。」 <br>\r\n『うりゅー…。真里亞とお買い物にいけない…。ひとりでお留守番、寂しい…。』 <br>\r\n\"Uu-... Mama said I mustn't go shopping with Sakutaro...\" <br><br>\r\n『Uryu-... Can't go shopping with Maria... Staying home alone...will be lonely...』 <br><br>\r\n「何でママ、さくたろとお買い物行っちゃ駄目なんて言うんだろ…。うー…。」 <br>\r\n\"Why did Mama say not to go shopping with Sakutaro...? Uu-...\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ…。……きっと、ボクが真里亞と一緒にいるのを見られると、恥ずかしいんだよ…。』 <br>\r\n「……恥ずかしい？ 何で？」 <br>\r\n『Uryu... ...I'm sure that if Maria was seen with me, it would be embarrassing...』 <br><br>\r\n\"...Embarrassing? Why?\" <br><br>\r\n『ママはよく、ボクをお外に連れて行っちゃいけないって言うし。真里亞のことをよく、もう何歳になったんだから駄目とか、そういう言い方をするし…。』 <br>\r\n「うー？ 真里亞はさくたろと一緒で全然恥ずかしくないよ？」 <br>\r\n『Mama says not to take me outside a lot. And she usually says Maria can't do it because she's too old...』 <br><br>\r\n\"Uu-? But I'm not embarrassed at all to be with Sakutaro, right?\" <br><br>\r\n『ボクはライオンだけど、…ぬいぐるみだし。』 <br>\r\n『I'm a lion, ...but I'm a stuffed animal.』 <br><br>\r\n「ライオンでぬいぐるみだけど、真里亞のお友達だよ。だから一緒にお出掛けしよ☆ ママがいない時だけ内緒で。うー？ ひょっとしてさくたろも恥ずかしい？」 <br>\r\n\"You're a lion and a stuffed animal, but you're my friend. So let's go out together☆ Just when Mama isn't around, as a secret. Uu-? You aren't saying that you're embarrassed, are you?\" <br><br>\r\n『ボクは恥ずかしくないけど……。…うりゅ、…ちょっとお外の人が怖い…。』 <br>\r\n『I'm not embarrassed, but......uryu, ...the people outside are a little scary...』 <br><br>\r\n「そっか！ じゃあさくたろが怖くなくて一緒にお出掛けできるようにする！ 真里亞に任せて、便利なのあるの…！」 <br>\r\n\"Is that it?! Then, I'll make it so that you can go outside without being scared! Leave it to me, I've got something that's really useful...!\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞はごちゃごちゃの部屋の中を漁り始める。 <br>\r\nMaria started fishing around her messy room. <br><br>\r\n楼座によく片付けるようにと言われるのだが、どうにもお部屋の片付けは苦手だ。 <br>\r\nRosa often told her to clean it up, but Maria apparently didn't like doing it. <br><br>\r\nでも、真里亞自身には何がどこにあるのか大よそわかっている。 <br>\r\nHowever, Maria herself knew more or less where everything was. <br><br>\r\nむしろ、勝手に片付けられてしまうと、所在がわからなくなってしまうので困るくらいだ。 <br>\r\nSo much so that if it were to be cleaned up, she would have trouble finding where anything was. <br><br>\r\n「あった！ <br>\r\n\"Here it is! <br><br>\r\nほら見て、さくたろ。 <br>\r\nHey, look, Sakutaro. <br><br>\r\nナップザック〜！」 <br>\r\nA knapsaaack!\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞は、それを高々と威張るように掲げる。 <br>\r\nMaria proudly held it up high. <br><br>\r\nさくたろは、ぱっくりと開かれたナップザックを見て、まさか…と身じろぎする。 <br>\r\nSakutaro looked at the knapsack, which was gaping open, squirming as though saying `Are you serious...?' <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ……、真里亞、もしかして……、』 <br>\r\n『Uryu, ...Maria, you aren't saying...』 <br><br>\r\n「うー！ これなら一緒にお買い物に行けるし、さくたろも怖くないよ！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-! This way, we can go shopping together, and Sakutaro won't be scared!\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞はさくたろを抱え上げると、ぎゅうぎゅうとナップザックに詰め込み始める。 <br>\r\nMaria held Sakutaro up and started stuffing him into the knapsack. <br><br>\r\n最初は頭から突っ込もうとしたが、それでは逆さまで窒息してしまう。 <br>\r\nなので引っ繰り返して足からもう一度押し込む。 <br>\r\nAt first, she tried to stick him in head-first, but then he'd be upside-down and suffocate. <br><br>\r\nSo she pulled him out and tried pushing him in again, feet-first. <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー…！ きついー、狭いー、暗いー。うりゅー！ もがっ。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu-...! Tiiight, craaamped, daaark. Uryu-! Urk.』 <br><br>\r\n「ほら、大丈夫だよ。頭を出せば、狭くないし、暗くないから怖くないよ。景色もいいよ。うー！」 <br>\r\n\"Look, it's all right. If you stick your head out, it isn't cramped, it isn't dark, and it isn't scary. And it's a good view. Uu-!\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ、本当だ。……これなら、真里亞と一緒にお買い物に行っても大丈夫…？』 <br>\r\n『Uryu, you're right. ...Is it okay for me to go shopping with Maria like this...?』 <br><br>\r\n「うん、大丈夫だよ！ 今日のお夕食は何がいいかな！ さぁさ、お出掛けしよう、さくたろ！ うー！」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, it'll be fine! What should we get for dinner tonight?! Come on, let's go out, Sakutaro! Uu-!\" <br><br>\r\n「くす。真里亞お姉ちゃん、楽しそう。」 <br>\r\n\"*giggle* Looks like you're having fun, Maria onee-chan.\"; <br><br>\r\n「うん、とっても楽しい。ひとりだったら寂しくてつまらないことでも、さくたろが一緒なら何でも楽しい。どんなニンゲンのお友達だって、夕方になったらお家へ帰らなきゃならない。 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, it's a lot of fun. Even things that would be lonely and boring alone all become fun with Sakutaro. Any Human friend would have to go home when it gets late.\" <br><br>\r\nでも、さくたろは帰らないし、いつまでも一緒にいてくれる。一緒にテレビも見るし、お布団の中だって一緒だし、雷が怖い夜には手だって握っていてくれる。 <br>\r\n\"But Sakutaro doesn't go home, so we can be together all the time. He'll watch TV with me, be together even in the futon, and even hold my hand on scary nights when there's thunder. <br><br>\r\nクローゼットやベッドの下のオバケだって追っ払ってくれるんだよ。さくたろ、頼もしい！」 <br>\r\nHe'll chase away the monsters in the closet and under the bed. Sakutaro is reliable!\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ。真里亞を怖がらせるオバケは、ボク、ライオンだから勇気を出して追い払っちゃうよ。うりゅー、がおー。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu. Since I'm a lion, I'll show my courage and chase away any monsters that scare Maria. Uryu-, rooar.』 <br><br>\r\nそれは、ちょっと嫉妬するくらいの仲の良さ。 <br>\r\nThey were so close that it made me a little envious. <br><br>\r\n年齢的には、私は真里亞お姉ちゃんよりも上になったつもりでいる。 <br>\r\nI'm supposedly older now than Maria onee-chan was then. <br><br>\r\nでも、やっぱり真里亞お姉ちゃんはお姉ちゃんで、私は未だにお姉ちゃんの境地には辿り着いていない。 <br>\r\nBut Maria onee-chan really is my onee-chan, and I still haven't reached her level. <br><br>\r\n…私にも、さくたろのような身近な友達がいればいいのに。 <br>\r\n...If only I had a friend close by like Sakutaro. <br><br>\r\n「真里亞もさくたろも、縁寿の身近なお友達だよ？ いっつも真里亞たちは縁寿のすぐ側にいる。 <br>\r\n\"Sakutaro and I are your close friends, right? We're aaalways by your side. <br><br>\r\nでも、縁寿の魔法が弱いから、こうして真里亞の日記を開かないと知覚できないだけ。」 <br>\r\nIt's just that your magic is weak, so you can't perceive us unless you open my diary like this.\" <br><br>\r\n「……知覚？ 真里亞お姉ちゃんは難しい言葉を知ってるね。」 <br>\r\n\"...Perceive? You know some pretty difficult words, Maria onee-chan.\" <br><br>\r\n彼女に言わせれば、この世は魔法や霊でいっぱいらしい。 <br>\r\nAccording to her, this world is full of magic and spirits. <br><br>\r\nたとえばそれは、ちょっとしたそよ風くらいに自然で身近なものだとか。 <br>\r\nAnd they're as natural and nearby as a light breeze. <br><br>\r\n「風って、普段は気にもしないし見えもしないけれど、お線香の煙とかが棚引くと、それを見ることが出来るんじゃない？」 <br>\r\n\"You don't normally notice or see the wind, but when incense smoke or something draws trails, you can see it, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「……そうね。そしてそれは、見えなくても普段から私たちの身近にあるものだわ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Right. And even if you can't see it, it's always nearby.\" <br><br>\r\n「そういうこと。真里亞もさくたろも、いつだって縁寿のすぐ近くで一緒なんだよ。神様や精霊、守護霊も、私たちのすぐ身近にいるの。 <br>\r\n\"That's it. We're always really close by to you, Ange. Gods and spirits and guardian spirits...are always right next to us. <br><br>\r\nでも、意識しないと存在を感じられない。目では見えない風のように。でも、それは確実に私たちの身近にあって、魔力という煙が棚引けば、誰にだって見えるものなの。」 <br>\r\nBut if you aren't conscious of them, you can't feel their existence. Like wind that can't be seen with the eyes. But they certainly are near us, and if they draw trails in the smoke called magic, anyone can see them.\" <br><br>\r\n私は、この日記を開いた時にだけ真里亞お姉ちゃんに会えると思っている。 <br>\r\nI thought I'd only be able to meet Maria onee-chan while this diary was open. <br><br>\r\nしかし、彼女が言うにはいつも一緒にいて、私が真に望むならいつだって会えるというのだ。 <br>\r\nBut from what she says, she's always with me, and I can meet her at any time if I truly desire to. <br><br>\r\n「真里亞は自分の日記に、日々の記録と一緒に、自分の魂のカケラを残しておいたの。だからこの日記には、真里亞の魔法の力が宿ってるの。でもそれはとても微弱なもので、縁寿以外の人には誰も感じ取れない。」 <br>\r\n\"Along with a record of my life, I left a Fragment of my own soul in my diary. So the power of my magic resides in this diary. But it's very faint, so only you can feel it.\" <br><br>\r\n「……私にだけは、わかるの？」 <br>\r\n\"...Only I...can tell it's there?\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。だって、縁寿は真里亞と同じで、魔女の力を宿しているもの！ 縁寿だって、ちゃんとお勉強すれば、きっと将来、立派な魔女になれるんだよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes. After all, the power of a witch resides in you, just like me! If you study hard, you too will definitely become a great witch in the future.\" <br><br>\r\n「………魔女。それは楽しいのかしら。」 <br>\r\n\"......A witch. I wonder if that'd be fun.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー！ 楽しいよ。そうすれば、日記を開かなくても、真里亞やさくたろが、いつも身近にいるのがわかるようになるよ。そしたら毎日がとっても楽しくなる！ そしたら縁寿に、真里亞は他にもたくさんのお友達を紹介できるよ。そしたら毎日が忙しくて、とっても賑やかになるよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-! It is fun. If you do that, you'll be able to know that Sakutaro and I are always by your side, even without opening the diary. If you do that, every day will become fun! If you do that, I'll introduce you to many other friends. If you do that, every day will get busy and very lively.\" <br><br>\r\n「それは楽しいかもしれない。……真里亞お姉ちゃんが残した魔導書も持ってるわ。今度、真面目に読んでみるわね。……そしたら、私もひとりぼっちじゃなくなる、 <br>\r\nかな。」 <br>\r\n\"That might be fun. ...I do have the grimoire you left behind, Maria onee-chan. I'll try reading it seriously sometime soon. ...If I do that, I won't be all alone anymore, <br><br>\r\nright?\" <br><br>\r\n「うー！」『うりゅー！』 <br>\r\n\"Uu-!\" 『Uryu-!』 <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんとさくたろは同時にそう言って、私が魔女の世界に関心を持ってくれたことを喜んだ。 <br>\r\nMaria onee-chan and Sakutaro said that at the same time, happy that I had developed an interest in the world of witches. <br><br>\r\n真里亞は、さくたろが半分顔をのぞかせたナップザックを背負って、深夜の商店街を意気揚々と歩いている。 <br>\r\nWith her knapsack on her back and half of Sakutaro's face peeking out of it, she triumphantly walked through the shopping district late at night. <br><br>\r\n何しろこの時間だ。商店街には、シャッターを下ろすお店の店主や、家路を急いだり、あるいは千鳥足だったりする会社員ばかりだ。 <br>\r\nWell, it was that time of day, after all. Everyone in the shopping district was either a shop owner lowering the shutters on their shops, or an employee rushing, or else staggering, on their way home. <br><br>\r\nそんな中、まるでハイキングのように上機嫌な真里亞はとても浮いて見えただろう。 <br>\r\nAmidst all that, Maria, who was in a good mood like someone on a hike, probably looked quite merry. <br><br>\r\n時折すれ違う会社員が、場違いなものを見たような目で彼女の後姿をちらりと見る。 <br>\r\nＯＬは、ナップザックから顔をのぞかせる可愛いぬいぐるみにくすりと笑っていた。 <br>\r\nEvery once in a while, passing employees would glance at her back with the eyes of someone seeing something out of place. <br><br>\r\nOffice ladies giggled at the cute stuffed animal poking its head out of the knapsack. <br><br>\r\nこの時間にはスーパーはとっくに閉まっている。 <br>\r\nしかし、最近、流行のコンビニエンスストアは深夜まで営業している。 <br>\r\nThe supermarket had been closed for a while by this time. <br><br>\r\nHowever, convenience stores, which had been growing in popularity lately, stayed open until midnight. <br><br>\r\n母の帰宅が深夜を越えることも多い真里亞にとってはとても便利だった。 <br>\r\nIt was very convenient for Maria, whose mother's return was often late. <br><br>\r\n真里亞はナップザックを背中から降ろし、抱っこで抱えるようにしながら、菓子パンのコーナーにいる。 <br>\r\nMaria lowered the knapsack from her back and, carrying it like a child in her arms, she headed over to the sweet buns corner. <br><br>\r\n彼女が食べたことのある菓子パンを指しては、さくたろに、これが美味しかった、これもなかなかと説明している。さくたろはとても楽しそうだった。 <br>\r\nShe pointed to a sweet bun she had eaten before, explaining to Sakutaro that this one was delicious, and that one was pretty good too. Sakutaro seemed to be enjoying it a lot. <br><br>\r\n「真里亞は三色パンにするー！ これひとつでね、餡子とクリームとイチゴジャムが食べられるの！ でも、たまにうぐいす餡だったり白餡だったりするの。餡子は一種類でいいー。」 <br>\r\n『うりゅー！ 色々入ってて面白そう。うりゅ〜！』 <br>\r\n\"I'm gonna have the three-colored one! With just this one, you can eat bean jam and cream and strawberry jam! But there's sometimes greenish-brown bean jam or white bean jam. There should be one kind of bean jam.\" <br><br>\r\n『Uryu-! Looks like having different things inside makes them interesting. Uryu-!』 <br><br>\r\n「あとは真里亞はフルーツヨーグルトにするー！ フルーツ入ってるけど、お菓子じゃないよね？ うん、きっとママも大丈夫。さくたろもどれかほしい？」 <br>\r\n『うりゅ？ いいの……？ お金は大丈夫？』 <br>\r\n\"Next, I'll have a fruit yogurt! There's fruit in it, but it isn't a sweet, right? Yeah, I'm sure Mama will be fine with it. Do you want one too, Sakutaro?\" <br><br>\r\n『Uryu? Is that really okay...? What about the money?』 <br><br>\r\n「うー、全然平気〜！ ほら、聖徳太子なのー、うー！ だからさくたろにも好きなものを買ってあげられるよ。一緒に食べよう！ <br>\r\n\"Uu-, no problem! Look, it's #fefefeShotoku Taishi-#ffffff, uu-! <br><br>\r\nSo I can buy you whatever you want too, Sakutaro. Let's eat together! <br><br>\r\nさくたろもヨーグルト食べる？」 <br>\r\nWould you like some yogurt too, Sakutaro?\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞が同じフルーツヨーグルトをもう１つ取ろうとすると、さくたろはちょっぴりだけ困ったように小首を傾げる。 <br>\r\nWhen Maria made to grab another one of the same fruit yogurt, Sakutaro bent his head slightly, worried. <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ…。でも、ボク、大きいのは食べられないから小さいのでいい。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu... But...I can't eat a big one, so a small one will be fine.』 <br><br>\r\n「うー。じゃあ、この小さいお菓子ヨーグルトは？ ３０円だね。安い。」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-. Then how about a small yogurt? It's 30 yen. That's cheap.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ！ ボクはそれでいい。真里亞と一緒にヨーグルト！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu! That's good enough for me. Yogurt with Maria!』 <br><br>\r\n「さくたろと一緒にヨーグルト！ うー！」 <br>\r\n\"Yogurt with Sakutaro! Uu-!\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞は、買い物籠に三色パンと大小のヨーグルトを入れてレジに持っていく。 <br>\r\n昨年までこの場所にあったタバコ屋のおじさんが、レジを打ってくれる。 <br>\r\nMaria put the three-colored bread and the two yogurts into a shopping basket and brought them to the register. <br><br>\r\nThe man running the register had been in charge of the tobacco shop that had been here until last year. <br><br>\r\n「お嬢ちゃん、この時間によく見掛けるね？ 偉いけど、今度からこの時間のお買い物にはお母さんと一緒においでね？」 <br>\r\n\"I seem to be seeing you a lot at this time of day, little lady. You're a good girl, but maybe you'd better come with your mother if you're going to go shopping at this time in the future, okay?\" <br><br>\r\n「ママがいいって言ったから大丈夫！ ママはいつもお仕事で帰りが遅いけど、真里亞たちは寂しくなんかないの。ね、さくたろ？」 <br>\r\n『うりゅー！』 <br>\r\n\"Mama said it's okay, so it's fine! Mama always comes home late because of her work, but we aren't lonely. Right, Sakutaro?\" <br><br>\r\n『Uryu-!』 <br><br>\r\n「そっか、そりゃ大変だね。ほら、ジュースを一本、オマケしてあげるよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Really? That sounds tough. Here, I'll give you some free soda.\" <br><br>\r\nお店のおじさんは、売れ残りか何かのジュースを一本、レジ裏から持ってくると、一緒に袋に詰めてくれた。 <br>\r\nThe man working at the store took a can of leftover soda or something from behind the register and packed it into the bag with everything else. <br><br>\r\n「おじさん、ありがとー！ うー！ よかったね、さくたろ！」『うりゅー！』 <br>\r\n\"Thank you mister! Uu-! Isn't that great, Sakutaro?!\" 『Uryu-!』 <br><br>\r\nジュースを買っては駄目だと言われているので、家に持っては帰れない。 <br>\r\nだから飲みながら帰って、空き缶を持ち帰らないことにする。 <br>\r\nSince she had been told not to buy soda, she couldn't take it back home. <br><br>\r\nSo she decided to drink it on her way back and not bring the empty can back home. <br><br>\r\n菓子パンの入ったビニール袋を肘に掛け、その腕でさくたろの入ったナップザックを抱きながら、ジュースを飲みながらの家路を歩く二人…。 <br>\r\nWith the vinyl bag with the sweet bun in it around her elbow, holding the knapsack with Sakutaro in it with that same arm and drinking her soda, the two of them walked home... <br><br>\r\n「……うー。柚子胡椒ソーダって微妙…。さくたろも飲んでみる…？」 <br>\r\n\"...Uu-. Yuzukoshou soda isn't really good... You wanna try too, Sakutaro...?\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ？ ………うりゅうりゅうりゅ、うりゅー！！ ぷあっ。…うりゅぅぅ、真里亞ひどいぃ…。まじゅい……。』 <br>\r\n「だよねぇ、うーうー。」 <br>\r\n『Uryu? ......Uryuuryuuryu, uryu-!! Gaah. ...Uryuuuu, you're mean, Maria... Nasssty...』 <br><br>\r\n\"It sure is, uu-uu-.\" <br><br>\r\nもちろん、本当にぬいぐるみにジュースを飲ませたわけもない。 <br>\r\nさくたろの口に缶を付け、ちょっと傾けた真似をしただけだ。 <br>\r\nOf course, it's not like she could actually make a stuffed animal drink soda. <br><br>\r\nShe just put the can to Sakutaro's mouth and pretended to tilt it. <br><br>\r\nでも、真里亞はタダでもらえたけど微妙なジュースだったその味をさくたろと共有できてとても楽しかった…。 <br>\r\nBut it was fun for Maria to share the taste of this weird drink that she had gotten for free with Sakutaro... <br><br>\r\n空には大きなお月様。 <br>\r\nThere was a huge moon in the sky. <br><br>\r\n時にはその月を、楼座が会社に泊まることに駄々をこね、母親に叱られた涙に曇らせたこともあったはず。 <br>\r\nAt times, that moon had been clouded by tears when she'd been unmanageable during Rosa's overnight stays...and when she'd been scolded by her mother. <br><br>\r\nでも、その月はとても温かで、二人きりの楽しい家路をそっと見守るかのようだった…。 <br>\r\nBut this moon was very warm, and it seemed to watch over the two of them as they enjoyed their trip home by themselves... <br><br>\r\n真里亞とさくたろ。……縁寿は二人の後姿を見送る。 <br>\r\nMaria and Sakutaro. ...Ange watched the two of them go from behind. <br><br>\r\n「……………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n何て、…温かい後姿だろう。 <br>\r\nShe looked so...warm from behind. <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんとさくたろの二人の背中からは、母が帰ってきてくれなくて涙を零す長い夜が何度もあったことを思い出すのは、とても難しい…。 <br>\r\nAfter looking at the backs of Maria onee-chan and Sakutaro together, it became very hard to remember all of those long nights when she'd cried because her mother hadn't come home... <br><br>\r\n……真里亞お姉ちゃんには言えないけれど、…私が同じ立場だったなら、ぬいぐるみにさくたろうという名前を与えたとしても、…それはぬいぐるみ以上でも以下でもないだろう。 <br>\r\n...I couldn't say it to Maria onee-chan, ...but if I'd been in the same position, I may have given a stuffed animal the name Sakutarou, ...but it wouldn't have been anything more or less than a stuffed animal. <br><br>\r\n寂しさを紛らわすだけの関係なら、誰だって出来る。 <br>\r\nAnyone can make a relationship that only distracts you from your loneliness. <br><br>\r\nでも真里亞お姉ちゃんのそれは違う。 <br>\r\nさくたろうはぬいぐるみという玩具なんかじゃない。 <br>\r\nBut Maria onee-chan was different. <br><br>\r\nSakutaro isn't a stuffed animal or a toy. <br><br>\r\n……ちゃんとした友達で、寂しさを紛らわせるどころか、母の帰らぬ夜を、むしろ二人きりでいつまでも遊んでいられる楽しい時間に変えてしまった…。 <br>\r\n...He was a real friend, and far from just distracting Maria from her loneliness, he changed the nights without her mother into a fun time where they could play all by themselves... <br><br>\r\nさくたろうが特別なぬいぐるみだから？ <br>\r\n母の手作りだから？ <br>\r\nそれともとても可愛らしいから？ <br>\r\nWas it because Sakutarou was a special stuffed animal? <br><br>\r\nBecause her mother had made it herself? <br><br>\r\nBecause it was very, very cute? <br><br>\r\n……多分、違う。 <br>\r\n...Probably not. <br><br>\r\nもしも秘密があるのなら、それはさくたろうの方ではない。 <br>\r\n…多分、真里亞お姉ちゃんの方にその秘密があるのだと思う。 <br>\r\nIf there's a secret here, it doesn't lie within Sakutarou. <br><br>\r\n...I think it probably lies within Maria onee-chan. <br><br>\r\n「………これが、真里亞お姉ちゃんの言う、魔法の力、なの…？」 <br>\r\n\"......This is the power of magic you were talking about, Maria onee-chan...?\" <br><br>\r\n「うー。魔法を知るということは、今まですぐ側にいたのに気付けなかった、たくさんの友達に気付けるということ。まるで、新しい玩具屋さんが近所にたくさん出来るみたいに楽しいことー！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-. Knowing magic means that you notice a lot of friends right beside you that you didn't notice before. It's as fun as having a bunch of new toy shops pop up all over the neighborhood!\" <br><br>\r\n……誰も友達がいない学園に閉じ込められた私にも、…真里亞お姉ちゃんのような力があれば、日々にわずかでも潤いを与えることが出来るだろうか。 <br>\r\n...If even I, locked up in an academy without a single friend, ...had power like Maria onee-chan, I wonder if I could make my days just a bit richer. <br><br>\r\n泣きたい夜に素直に涙を零し、灰色の夜に笑みを浮かべることも出来るようになるだろうか。 <br>\r\nI wonder if I'll be able to honestly shed tears on nights I feel like crying, to smile on gray nights. <br><br>\r\n「うん。出来るよ。縁寿は出来る。だって、縁寿にだって魔女になれる資格があるもん。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes. You can. You can do it. After all, you also have what it takes to become a witch.\" <br><br>\r\n「………魔女になる、資格。」 <br>\r\n\"......What it takes...to become a witch.\" <br><br>\r\n「真里亞も魔女になれる資格、あるんだよ。だからまだまだ勉強中の修行中なの。 <br>\r\n\"I have what it takes to become a witch too. So I've still got a lot more studying and training to do. <br><br>\r\nきっと素敵な魔女になって、箒でお空を駆けて、ケーンで虹を描いて飴玉を空から降らせるの。真里亞はきっと出来るよ。そしたら縁寿にも見せてあげるね。きっとそれは素敵な夢の中のような光景だから。」 <br>\r\nI'll definitely become a wonderful witch, flying in the sky on a broom, drawing rainbows with my cane, making candy fall from the sky. I can definitely do it. Then, I'll show you too. It'll definitely be like a scene from a wonderful dream.\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんはそう言い、その笑顔で絶対だよと約束してくれる。 <br>\r\nMaria onee-chan said that, making an absolute promise with her smile. <br><br>\r\n……魔女になんか、なれるわけがない。 <br>\r\nなのに、真里亞お姉ちゃんがそう言うと、本当に魔女になっちゃうかもしれないと、信じられる。 <br>\r\n...There's no way I can become a witch. <br><br>\r\nBut if Maria onee-chan says that, it makes me feel that maybe, I really can become a witch. <br><br>\r\nだって現に、……笑顔の花なんて一輪も咲きようのない荒んだこの夜に、彼女の魔法は確かに笑顔を生み出して見せた。 <br>\r\nBecause, in reality, ...on that desolate night, when no flower of a smile could possibly have bloomed, her magic surely gave birth to a smile. <br><br>\r\n「……魔女に、 <br>\r\n…………なれるかな。」 <br>\r\n\"...I wonder if... <br><br>\r\n...I can become a witch.\" <br><br>\r\n「なれるよ。……縁寿は少し年齢を重ねちゃったから、魂が少し重力に引かれちゃってる。だから真里亞よりも修行は大変かもしれないけど。 <br>\r\n\"You can. ...You're a bit older, so your soul is bound a bit more by gravity. That might make training tougher than it is for me. <br><br>\r\nでも、きっとなれるよ。だってもう、縁寿は魔法の一端に触れてるもの。」 <br>\r\nBut you definitely can. After all, you're already touching a small piece of magic.\" <br><br>\r\n「私が？ ……魔法を…？」 <br>\r\n\"I am? ...Magic...?\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。だってほら、もうこの世にはいない私をこうして呼び出して、語らっているよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah. Come on, look. In a world where I don't exist, you summoned me, and you're talking with me.\" <br><br>\r\n「………これは、魔法なの…？」 <br>\r\n\"......This is...magic...?\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。私が日記に残した魂のカケラを、縁寿は魔法で膨らませて私を蘇らせてる。さっきも言ったよね？ こうして私と再会して会話が出来て、時に笑顔を見せられるんだから、縁寿は魔法の才能がきっとあるんだよ。真里亞お姉ちゃんが保証する。うー！」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah. You've expanded the Fragment of my soul that I left in my diary, and you're reviving me right now. I also said it a short while ago, right? Since you managed to reunite with me and have a conversation, since you're able to smile every once in a while, you must have some magical talent, Ange. Your Maria onee-chan guarantees it. Uu-!\" <br><br>\r\n「…お姉ちゃんはさっき言ったわ。私は日記を開いた時にしか会えないと思ってるけど、本当はいつも身近にいるって。……私に魔法の力がもっとあれば、それを見て、…今こうしているように、……お姉ちゃんと会話が出来る…？ いつでも…？」 <br>\r\n\"...You said it a second ago, Onee-chan. I thought I could only meet you while the diary was open, but you're really nearby all the time, right? ...If I had more of the power of magic, would I be able to see you...? And, just like now, ...would I be able to talk with you, Onee-chan...? At any time...?\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。いつでもお話出来るよ。朝のおはようの時だっていつも側にいるし、授業中だって側にいる。退屈な授業は私とお話して気を紛らわせようよ。食事の時には話し相手になれるし、お昼休みだってこれまでのようにいつも一緒にいようよ。 <br>\r\n\"Yeah. We can talk at any time. I'm there by your side to say good morning, and even during class. Let's talk together during dull classes to distract you from your boredom. I'll also be there to talk to you during meals, so let's always be together like this during lunch break.\" <br><br>\r\n放課後だって一緒にいるし、もちろん寮に帰ってからだって私はいつも側にいる。……日記を広 <br>\r\n\"We're with you after school too, and of course, I'm always by your side even after you return to the dormitory. ...It's just that you don't <br><br>\r\nげた時にしか、~ib~私を視てくれないだけ~ib~。」 <br>\r\n~ib~ `see' me except when the diary is opened~ib~.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………日記を閉じても、 <br>\r\n…真里亞お姉ちゃんは私の側に、 <br>\r\n…いてくれるんだよね？」 <br>\r\n\"......Even when I close the diary, <br><br>\r\n...Maria onee-chan, <br><br>\r\n...you'll be by my side, right?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「うん。いるよ。だから縁寿が私を視ようとして、そして話そうとしてくれれば、私はきっと応えられるよ。 <br>\r\n\"Yes. I'll be there. So if you try to `see' me and try to talk to me, I'll definitely be able to answer. <br><br>\r\n……しっかりと視て、話そうとしてくれれば。」 <br>\r\n...If you `look' strongly and try to talk, that is.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………私、 <br>\r\n………やってみる。」 <br>\r\n\"......I'll... <br><br>\r\n...give it a try.\" <br><br>\r\n「簡単じゃないよ？ いきなりうまくなんて、きっと行かないよ？」 <br>\r\n\"It isn't easy, okay? It isn't going to go well all of a sudden, got it?\" <br><br>\r\n「………わかってる。きっと簡単じゃないと思う。 <br>\r\n\"......I understand. I'm sure it won't be easy. <br><br>\r\n……でも私、 <br>\r\n………真里亞お姉ちゃんみたいになりたい………。」 <br>\r\n...But I... <br><br>\r\n...want to be like you, Maria onee-chan......\" <br><br>\r\n「うー。わかった。………じゃあ、私を、よく見て。しっかり見て。」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-. I understand. ......Then, look at me well. Look closely.\" <br><br>\r\n「……うん。」 <br>\r\n\"...Okay.\" <br><br>\r\n「ゆっくり目を閉じたり、開いたりして。…いきなり長く瞑っちゃ駄目。私の姿を瞳に焼き付けては、それを瞼の裏に染み込ませて行くつもりで…。」 <br>\r\n\"Slowly open and close your eyes. ...You can't shut them for a long time all of a sudden. After burning my form into your eyes, try to make it blend into the inside of your eyelids...\" <br><br>\r\n「………うん、 <br>\r\n……やってる。」 <br>\r\n\"......Yeah, <br><br>\r\n...I'm doing it.\" <br><br>\r\n「瞼を閉じても私をイメージできるようになったら、………そのまま、ゆっくり柔らかく目を閉じていて。………どう？ まだ私が視えている？」 <br>\r\n\"Once you can visualize me even when your eyes are closed, ......without changing anything, slowly and softly close your eyes again. ......How is it? Can you still `see' me?\" <br><br>\r\n「う、……うん。…多分、見えてると思う…。」 <br>\r\n\"...Y-Yes. ...I think...I can probably see you...\" <br><br>\r\n「じゃあ一度目を開いて。 <br>\r\n\"Then try opening your eyes for a second. <br><br>\r\n………いよいよ本番。心を落ち着けたら、日記を閉じて。……その時、一度、真里亞の姿は消えてしまうかもしれない。 <br>\r\n......Now for the real thing. Calm your heart, and close the diary. ...At that time, my form may disappear for a second. <br><br>\r\nでも焦らずに心を落ち着けて。……そして、瞼の裏に染み込ませた私を、逆に瞳に染み込ませて行くつもりで。 <br>\r\nBut calm your heart, and don't get anxious. ...And then, try to make the me that's blended into the inside of your eyelids blend back into your eyes. <br><br>\r\n…ゆっくりと虚空に私をイメージして。……私を虚空に、視て。」 <br>\r\n...Slowly visualize me in the empty air. ...In the empty air, ...`see' me.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。……うん、大丈夫。 <br>\r\n\"............Yeah, I'm okay. <br><br>\r\n…………じゃあ、 <br>\r\n………閉じるね、 <br>\r\n日記。」 <br>\r\n ......Then, <br><br>\r\n...I'll close... <br><br>\r\n...the diary.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「うー。」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-.\" <br><br>\r\nゆっくりと………、 <br>\r\n…日記を閉じる。 <br>\r\nSlowly, <br><br>\r\n...I closed it. <br><br>\r\n日記を閉じれば、……無味の空気に満たされた灰色の現実が広がっている。 <br>\r\nもちろん、真里亞お姉ちゃんの姿は、消え去る。 <br>\r\nWhen I did so, ...a gray reality filled with dull air unfolded. <br><br>\r\nOf course, Maria onee-chan's form disappeared. <br><br>\r\n……がんばって、勇気を持って。…魔女の世界への第一歩を踏み出して。 <br>\r\n...Give it all you've got, have courage. ...Take the first step into the world of witches. <br><br>\r\n心の中で真里亞お姉ちゃんが応援してくれてるような気がした。 <br>\r\nI felt like Maria onee-chan was cheering me on inside my heart. <br><br>\r\n応援？ 本当に？ <br>\r\n私がそう思い込んでるだけじゃないの…？ <br>\r\nShe's cheering me on? Really? <br><br>\r\nOr do I just think that she is...? <br><br>\r\nいや、違う。 <br>\r\nNo, that's wrong. <br><br>\r\nそう思い込んでしまうから、~ib~視えないんだ~ib~。 <br>\r\nIt's because I think this that ~ib~I cannot `see' her~ib~. <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんはいつだって私の側にいる。 <br>\r\nそして今だってきっと側にいて、私にがんばれとエールを送ってくれている…。 <br>\r\nMaria onee-chan is always by my side. <br><br>\r\nAnd even now, she's definitely there, cheering me on to do my best... <br><br>\r\nそれは私の耳に、届いているのだ。 <br>\r\nだから気のせいだとか、私の内なる心の声だとかで無視してはいけない……。 <br>\r\nThat...reached my ears. <br><br>\r\nSo I mustn't ignore it like it's my imagination or the voice of my own heart... <br><br>\r\n……そこに、真里亞お姉ちゃんがいると、 <br>\r\n…信じるんだ。 <br>\r\n...I believe... <br><br>\r\nthat Maria onee-chan is there. <br><br>\r\n疑っちゃ駄目。…信じてる。 <br>\r\nお姉ちゃんはいつも側にいると言ってくれた。それを疑っちゃいけない…。 <br>\r\nI mustn't doubt. ...I believe. <br><br>\r\nOnee-chan said she'd always be by my side. I must not doubt that... <br><br>\r\nでも、何もない虚空に、何もない校舎裏の外壁に、この無情なまでに退屈な日差しの中で、彼女の名を呼び掛けるのは、簡単なようで難しい…。 <br>\r\nBut looking at that empty space, by the empty back wall of the school building, amidst those almost heartlessly boring rays of sunlight, calling out her name was unexpectedly difficult... <br><br>\r\n今日まで私にこびり付いてきた常識なる鎖が、虚空に声を掛ける行為など馬鹿馬鹿しいと嘲笑するのだ…。 <br>\r\nThe chains of common sense that had clung to me until today sneered at me, telling me that calling out to the empty air was ridiculous... <br><br>\r\nまるでそれは、眼下に光の海を見下ろす高層ビルの屋上から、一歩を踏み出せと言われているようなもの。 <br>\r\nIt was almost like being told to take a step forward off the roof of a skyscraper overlooking a sea of lights. <br><br>\r\n……真里亞お姉ちゃんは言ってくれてる。 <br>\r\n……大丈夫、縁寿なら出来るよと言ってくれてる。 <br>\r\n...It's Maria onee-chan saying it. <br><br>\r\n...It's all right, she's saying that I'm someone who can do it. <br><br>\r\n落ちるかもしれないとか、屋上から足を踏み出すなんて愚かしいことだとか、そんな常識の鎖から自分を、……解き放て……………。 <br>\r\nStop thinking that you might fall, or that it'd be foolish to take a step off a roof, ...and free yourself from those chains of common sense......... <br><br>\r\n「………………すぅ………。………はぁ、……………。…………………うん…。」 <br>\r\n\".........Whew............haaah, ..................okay...\" <br><br>\r\n呼吸を整える。 <br>\r\n精神を集中する。 <br>\r\nI steadied my breathing. <br><br>\r\nI concentrated my mind. <br><br>\r\n目の前の虚空に、瞼の裏に鮮明に見えている真里亞お姉ちゃんの姿を、浮かび上がらせろ。 <br>\r\nMake the vivid form of Maria onee-chan in the empty space before you...rise to the surface. <br><br>\r\n………魔法を理解し、 <br>\r\n……お姉ちゃんを、視るんだ……。 <br>\r\n......Understand magic, <br><br>\r\n...and `see' Maria onee-chan... <br><br>\r\n「…………真里亞、…お姉ちゃん………っ！」 <br>\r\n\"......Maria...onee-chan......!\" <br><br>\r\n「え？！ <br>\r\n 誰かいるのぉー？！」 <br>\r\n\"Huh?! <br><br>\r\n Is someone there?!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nその時、茂みががさつく音と頓狂な声に応えられ、私は我に返る。 <br>\r\nAt that time, I was answered by a rustle in the bushes and a wild cry, and I came to my senses. <br><br>\r\nどうも校舎裏にいたのは私だけじゃなかったらしい。 <br>\r\nいや、日記の世界に没頭していたので、人が来たのに気付かなかったのだ。 <br>\r\nIt looked like I wasn't the only one behind the school building. <br><br>\r\nNo, since I'd been so immersed in the world of the diary, I hadn't noticed someone coming. <br><br>\r\n茂みの向こうに三人組の姿を認める。…うちのクラスの子たちだ。 <br>\r\nI recognized a group of three beyond the bushes. ...They were kids from my class. <br><br>\r\n雰囲気から見て、誰かの陰口か、内緒話かをするために校舎裏へやって来たという感じだった。 <br>\r\nFrom their appearance, it felt as though they'd come behind the school building to gossip about someone or talk in secret. <br><br>\r\n私はそそくさとその場を立ち去る。 <br>\r\nI hurried out of that place. <br><br>\r\n私がこんなところにひとりでいて、ブツブツと独り言を言っていた、なんて知られたら、また面倒だろうから…。 <br>\r\nBecause if it became known that I'd been alone in a place like this, mumbling to myself, it'd become a pain again... <br><br>\r\n「……言ったよね？言ったよね？ マリアお姉ちゃんとか言ったよね？！」 <br>\r\n「ヤバくない？ 心霊とか見えちゃってンじゃないの、あれぇ。」 <br>\r\n「ぷーくすくすくすくすくす！ 右代宮さんって、おッもしろ〜い…！」 <br>\r\n\"...She said it, right? She said it, right? She said Maria onee-chan or something, right?!\" <br><br>\r\n\"Isn't that creepy? She isn't seeing spirits or something, is she?\" <br><br>\r\n\"*giggle*giggle*giggle*giggle*! Ushiromiya-san's so funny...!\" <br><br>\r\n黄色い哄笑が後から聞こえてくる。 <br>\r\nI could hear the shrill, loud laughter from behind. <br><br>\r\n私は、真里亞お姉ちゃんを馬鹿にされたような気持ちにイラつきながら、早足で、そして角を曲がってからは小走りでその場を立ち去る。 <br>\r\nIrritated and feeling that Maria onee-chan had been made fun of, I left that place at a quick pace, and then a jog once I turned the corner. <br><br>\r\n……もう少しで、お姉ちゃんの世界へ辿り着けたかもしれないのに……。 <br>\r\n...And I might've made it to Onee-chan's world with just a little more time... <br><br>\r\n悔しい、腹立たしい…、何でみんな私を邪魔するの…。 <br>\r\n私はみんなを邪魔したことなんて一度もないのに……！ <br>\r\nIt was frustrating, aggravating... Why does everyone get in my way...? <br><br>\r\nI haven't gotten in anyone else's way, not even once...! <br><br>\r\n走っても走っても、彼女らの黄色い笑い声が聞こえてくるような気がした……。 <br>\r\nI ran and ran, but it still felt as though I could hear their shrill laughter... <br><br>\r\n「噂じゃ、縁寿ちゃん。あんた、ビルの天辺から飛び降りたんだって？」 <br>\r\n\"Rumor has it, Ange-chan, that you jumped off the top of a skyscraper?\" <br><br>\r\n「追っ掛けがウザかったんで、ちょっと撒こうと思って。」 <br>\r\n\"The groupies were getting annoying, so I thought I'd give them the slip.\" <br><br>\r\n広大で近代的な会議室に、縁寿と、上等なスーツを着た老紳士が二人きりでいた。 <br>\r\nAnge and an old gentleman wearing an expensive suit were alone in a massive, modern conference room. <br><br>\r\nプレゼンテーション用のあらゆる最新機材が準備され、それでいて上品で落ち着いた雰囲気を損なっていないその会議室は、ただそれだけで、この会議室の主である企業の格を知らしめ威圧している。 <br>\r\nAll of the newest machines for presentations were installed there, but they didn't upset its refined and composed atmosphere, and that alone was enough to make the business-like theme of the room abundantly clear. <br><br>\r\nもっとも、縁寿にはどうでもいいことだ。 <br>\r\nHowever, that didn't matter at all to Ange. <br><br>\r\n何千万もの年収を取るだろう役員たちが座る高級椅子にぞんざいに座り、飄々とした様子だった。 <br>\r\nShe carelessly sat on a high-class chair that executives making a salary of several ten million yen probably sat in, looking aloof from the world. <br><br>\r\n「下の方の階で、改装工事してて転落防止ネットがあるの、知ってましたし。」 <br>\r\n\"It's because I knew they were remodeling on a lower floor and had a safety net out.\" <br><br>\r\n縁寿はあっけらかんとした様子でそう言い放つが、実際には奇跡中の“奇跡”だ。 <br>\r\nAnge talked about it like it was no big deal, but in reality, it had been a `miracle' among miracles. <br><br>\r\n改装工事中の転落防止ネットを何層も突き抜け、アトリウムの宙を飾っていた色とりどりの横断幕に受け止められては滑り落とされ、…最後の横断幕１枚にふわりと受け止められて無傷で地上に降り立ち、すたすたとその場を後にしたなんて…、香港映画顔負けだ。 <br>\r\nTo think that she'd shot through several layers of safety netting for the remodeling project, been caught in a multi-colored banner adorning the atrium and slipped off, ...only to be softly caught by a final banner, land on the ground without a scratch, and then briskly leave that place... It put Hong Kong movies to shame. <br><br>\r\n「いくらネットがあるの知ってた、たってぇ、高さ２００ｍの超高層だよ？ もしも思い通りにならなかったら、今頃、大変なことになってただろうよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Whether you knew there was a net or not, this is a 200-meter tall super-skyscraper we're talking about, right? If things hadn't gone as you planned, there'd be a mess to deal with now.\" <br><br>\r\n「……死んだら死んだで、それまでってことでもいいかなって思いまして。 <br>\r\n\"...I figured that if I died, then I'd be dead and that would be that, more or less. <br><br>\r\nまぁその、ちょっとした運試しです。若気の至りってことで。」 <br>\r\nWell, still, I was testing my luck a bit. Call it youthful zeal.\" <br><br>\r\n縁寿は、その話はもういいとでも言うように、素っ気無く肩をすくめる。 <br>\r\nAs though saying that she'd had enough of that topic, Ange shrugged coldly. <br><br>\r\nその様子に、ブラインドの隙間から眼下の下界を見下ろす老紳士はからからと笑った。 <br>\r\nSeeing that, the old gentleman, who was looking at the world below through a crack in the blinds, cackled. <br><br>\r\n「運試しと来たか…！ <br>\r\n\"So, you were testing your luck, is that it...? <br><br>\r\nいやはや、やっぱり金蔵さんのお孫さんだねぇ。運否天賦に命を預けてもけろりとしてる、その度胸。…会長も博打に平気で命を賭けられる人だったが、これも右代宮の血なのかねぇ。……やっぱりあんた、将来大物になるよ。悪いことは言わない。家出ごっこはこの辺で切り上げて、須磨寺の家に戻ったらどうだい。」 <br>\r\nMy, my, you truly are Kinzo-san's grandchild. The nerve to trust your life to chance. ...The Chairman was also a woman who could stake her life on a bet like it was nothing, so maybe this really is the Ushiromiya blood at work. ...You really will make it big in the future. Please, let me be blunt. Why not give up this running away from home act and return to the Sumadera family?\" <br><br>\r\n「お母さん、実家と仲が悪かったって聞いてます。お葬式で初対面の人の家になんて、行きたくないです。」 <br>\r\n\"I heard that Mom had a bad relationship with her family. I don't want to go to the house of people I first met at a funeral.\" <br><br>\r\n須磨寺家は母の実家だ。 <br>\r\nThe Sumaderas are Mom's family. <br><br>\r\n京都のちょっとした旧家で、お母さんのフランクな様子からは想像もつかないくらいに厳格な一族だ。 <br>\r\nThey're an old family from Kyoto, and compared to Mom's frank attitude, unbelievably strict. <br><br>\r\n私が唯一、須磨寺家で仲が良かったのは、隠居という名の別居をしているお祖父ちゃんだけだった。 <br>\r\nThe only Sumadera I'd been on good terms with was Grandpa, who was living apart from his family under the guise of retirement. <br><br>\r\n母も、お祖父ちゃんとだけは交流を持っていたが、他の親族には険悪なまでに一切、関わり合わなかった。 <br>\r\n私も、須磨寺家で遊びに行ったのはお祖父ちゃんの家だけだ。 <br>\r\nMom kept in touch with him too, but she avoided the rest of the family completely, almost hostilely so. <br><br>\r\nSo when I went out to play with the Sumadera family, it was always Grandpa's house I visited. <br><br>\r\n幼い私は、当時はよくわからなかったが、お祖父ちゃんは入り婿で立場も非常に弱く、お祖母ちゃんとの仲も悪かったという。 <br>\r\nWhen I was young, I didn't really understand it, but I hear that Grandpa was in an extremely weak position, as a man who'd moved into his wife's family register, and his relationship with Grandma was also bad. <br><br>\r\n…むしろ、お祖母ちゃんに嫌われ、蟄居させられていたとすら、言い切れたかもしれない。 <br>\r\n...You might even say that Grandma hated him and confined him to the house. <br><br>\r\nそんなお祖父ちゃんにだけ心を許していたということは、恐らく、母も、須磨寺家には嫌われていただろうことは、想像に難くない。 <br>\r\nIt isn't hard to imagine that, because she had a soft spot for Grandpa alone, Mom was also hated by the Sumaderas. <br><br>\r\nその娘である私も、さぞや嫌われていたことだろう。 <br>\r\nSince I was her daughter, they probably hated me quite a bit too. <br><br>\r\nにもかかわらず、お母さんたちのお葬式の時に初めて現れて、大きくなったわね、何てしゃあしゃあとのたまって、よくも今さら親族面が出来るものだ…。 <br>\r\nAnd yet, they appeared for the first time at Mom's funeral, shamelessly going on about how big I'd gotten, like they could actually act like family after all this time... <br><br>\r\n絵羽伯母さんが死んだ後、右代宮家の全ての財産は私が相続している。 <br>\r\nそれが目当てでなかったら、あんな虫唾が走るような言葉を口になんか出来るものか。 <br>\r\nWhen Aunt Eva died, I would inherit all the wealth of the Ushiromiya family. <br><br>\r\nIf that wasn't what they were after, there's no way they would've been able to say such disgusting words. <br><br>\r\n「……まぁ、ひとりぼっちになっちまって、自暴自棄になりたい縁寿ちゃんの気持ちも、わからなくもないなぁ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Well, it's not as though I can't understand your desire for self-abandonment, now that you're all alone.\" <br><br>\r\n「自暴自棄とかじゃないです。小うるさい絵羽伯母さんもやっとくたばったんで、久し振りに伸び伸びと散歩してるだけじゃないですか。……周りが大袈裟に騒ぎ過ぎなだけです。」 <br>\r\n\"This isn't self-abandonment. I'm just taking a carefree stroll now that that annoying Aunt Eva has finally kicked the bucket. ...Everyone else is just making too big a deal out of it.\" <br><br>\r\nどうせみんなの目当ては、私が背負ってる莫大な右代宮家の財産なのだ。 <br>\r\nOf course, everyone's after the vast Ushiromiya wealth I bear. <br><br>\r\n私の後見人になれば、財産を自由に出来ると思ってるに違いない。 <br>\r\n私の親代わりになろうと言って近付いてくる連中がどれだけ大勢いることか。 <br>\r\nThey must think that becoming my guardian means they'll be able to do as they please with that wealth. <br><br>\r\nJust how many people have tried to get close to me, acting like they want to be a substitute parent? <br><br>\r\n「縁寿ちゃんも、辛いことがあったら、俺で良かったらいつでも相談してな？ 縁寿ちゃんのこと、実の孫みたいに思ってるんだからさ。」 <br>\r\n\"If you ever find that you're hurting, please talk with me if it will help, okay? After all, I think of you as my own grandchild, Ange-chan.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………はぁ。…当面はノーサンキューということで。 <br>\r\n\"............Haah. ...I'll say <no, thank you> for now. <br><br>\r\n…それより、話を戻して下さい。」 <br>\r\n...More importantly, let's return to what we were talking about.\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿ちゃん。何度聞かれたって、俺が隠してることは何もないよ。あの日の六軒島の唯一の生き残りが会長なんだ。その会長が、何も語らずに逝っちまった。 <br>\r\n\"Ange-chan, no matter how many times you ask, I am hiding nothing. The Chairman was the only survivor on Rokkenjima that day. And she passed away without saying anything. <br><br>\r\n俺だって何もわからないよ。全ては闇の中、だ。」 <br>\r\nI myself know nothing. Everything is wrapped in darkness, you see.\" <br><br>\r\n老紳士は、絵羽亡き後、彼女が築き上げた企業グループを任された重鎮の一人だった。 <br>\r\nThis old gentleman was one of those leaders who had been entrusted with the business group Eva had built up after she passed away. <br><br>\r\n彼が会長と呼ぶのは、前会長、右代宮絵羽のことだ。 <br>\r\nThe one he called Chairman was the former Chairman, Ushiromiya Eva. <br><br>\r\n彼の会社はかつて、秀吉の会社と友好的な関係にあり、秀吉や絵羽とも親密な交流があった。 <br>\r\nHis company once had friendly ties with Hideyoshi's business, and he'd had a close relationship with both Hideyoshi and Eva. <br><br>\r\nその為、秀吉を失った後の絵羽が、唯一本音を漏らせる人物だったともされる。 <br>\r\nFor that reason, when Eva lost Hideyoshi, he became the only person to whom Eva might have let her true intentions slip. <br><br>\r\n家族を失った絵羽が心を病み、縁寿に辛く当たるようになると、彼はその間の緩衝材的な役割も担ってくれたため、心が許せるほどではないが、縁寿にとっても訪ねやすい人物だった…。 <br>\r\nWhenever Eva's heart was torn by the loss of her family, whenever she took it out on Ange, he had acted as a buffer between the two, so although Ange didn't trust him, she found him a very easy person to question... <br><br>\r\n「あの事件は、 <br>\r\n…いや、事故か。事件なんて言っちまったら怒られちまうなぁ。…そりゃ俺も世間やワイドショーと同じ程度の疑問は持ったさ。」 <br>\r\n\"That crime was... <br><br>\r\nno, that accident. If I call it a crime, I'll get in trouble. ...I had the same questions about it as the public and the talk shows.\" <br><br>\r\n「……どうして絵羽伯母さんは事故当時、屋敷から２ｋｍも離れたところに、たったひとりで？ それも嵐の晩に。」 <br>\r\n\"...At the time of the accident, why was <NAME> in a place 2 kilometers away from the mansion, all alone? And on the night of a storm.\" <br><br>\r\n「当時、金蔵さんは次の跡継ぎに誰を選ぶかで迷われていた。……表向きは長男の蔵臼さんってことになってたんだが、蔵臼さんはあまり信頼されていなかったんだ。」 <br>\r\n\"Back then, Kinzo-san was unsure as to whom he should select to be his successor. ...Officially, he'd decided on his son, Krauss-san, but he didn't have much trust in that man.\" <br><br>\r\n「……それで、親兄弟４人の中から公平に跡継ぎを決めるため、碑文の謎というゲーム染みた試練を課した…？」 <br>\r\n\"...So, to fairly determine a successor from among the four siblings, he made this game-like test called the riddle of the epitaph...?\" <br><br>\r\n「それは表向きだなぁ。……恐らく金蔵さんは、初めから絵羽さんを当主跡継ぎにするつもりだったんだ。長男が跡継ぎだという自らのルールを撤回してでも、蔵臼さんと違い、非常に勤勉で優秀だった絵羽さんに家を任せたかったんだ。 <br>\r\n\"Ostensibly, yes. ...Kinzo-san probably planned to make Eva-san the Successor from the beginning. He wanted to withdraw his own rule that the eldest son be the Successor, and instead of Krauss-san, leave the family to the extremely diligent and brilliant Eva-san.\" <br><br>\r\n…碑文の謎を解いた者に家督を引き継ぐなどという新ルールは、蔵臼さんから次期当主の肩書きを奪うためだけの茶番だったんだろうな。」 <br>\r\n\"...The new rule about giving the inheritance to the one who solved the epitaph...was probably nothing more than a farce to snatch the position of Successor away from Krauss-san.\" <br><br>\r\n「茶番って、どういう意味ですか？」 <br>\r\n\"What do you mean...by farce?\" <br><br>\r\n「あの碑文は誰にも解ける必要はなかったのさ。適当に掲示期間を経た後、本当に金蔵さんが跡を継がせたかった絵羽さんを呼び出し、 <br>\r\n\"There was no need for anyone to solve that epitaph. Once it had been displayed for an appropriate amount of time, Kinzo-san could just call Eva-san, whom he truly wanted to succeed him, <br><br>\r\n~ib~その答えを与える~ib~だけでいい。つまり、それこそが当主継承の証ってわけさ。」 <br>\r\n~ib~and give her the answer~ib~. In other words, that itself would provide proof of her succession to the Headship.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………それはワイドショーでは言われていない話ですね？」 <br>\r\n\".........This isn't something they've brought up on the talk shows, is it?\" <br><br>\r\n「まぁ、当主継承が云々なんて話をしたら、余計、陰謀説が優勢になっちゃうからねぇ。俺も馬鹿じゃないからさ。誤解を招くようなことはわざわざ口にしないよ？」 <br>\r\n\"Well, once you bring up the succession of the Headship, conspiracy theories tend to rise to the surface. I'm no fool myself. I won't go out of my way to say things that could invite misunderstandings, you see?\" <br><br>\r\n彼の話はこうだった。 <br>\r\nThis was his theory. <br><br>\r\n当時の右代宮家では、余命わずかと宣告された当主の金蔵が、跡継ぎ問題に頭を悩ませていた。 <br>\r\nAt that time, the Ushiromiya Family Head, Kinzo, whose remaining life was announced to be short, was troubled by the problem of who was to succeed him. <br><br>\r\n本来なら跡継ぎは、自らが定めた長男の蔵臼に決まる。 <br>\r\nNormally, the Successor would be fixed as the oldest son, Krauss, whom Kinzo had chosen himself. <br><br>\r\n…しかし、晩年の金蔵は、絵羽の方が当主に相応しいと思い始めていたというのだ。 <br>\r\n...But in his later years, Kinzo began to think that Eva would make a more fitting Family Head. <br><br>\r\nしかし自らにも頑固な金蔵は、自ら蔵臼に与えた次期当主という肩書きが邪魔で、蔵臼を飛び越えて絵羽を次期当主に選ぶことの出来る~ib~建前~ib~を探していた。 <br>\r\nHowever, Kinzo, who was stubborn even against himself, was stymied by the title of Successor that he'd already given to Krauss, and he'd searched for an ~ib~official stance~ib~ by which he could skip over Krauss and select Eva as his successor. <br><br>\r\nその建前が、碑文の謎。 <br>\r\nThat official stance was the riddle of the epitaph. <br><br>\r\n本来の当主跡継ぎは蔵臼だが、もしもその謎を解く者が現れたなら、そちらを当主跡継ぎに選ぶという新たなルール。 <br>\r\nThe primary successor was still Krauss, but there was a new rule, saying that if someone appeared who could solve the riddle, they would be chosen as the Successor to the Headship. <br><br>\r\nそして金蔵は、恐らく自分にとって最後になるであろう親族会議の日に、その謎を自ら絵羽に伝えた。 <br>\r\nThen, on what would probably be his final family conference, Kinzo told Eva the answer to that riddle himself. <br><br>\r\n……それはつまり、絵羽こそが次期当主であるという宣言にも等しいわけだ。 <br>\r\n...In short, it was the same as proclaiming that Eva herself was the Successor. <br><br>\r\n「絵羽さんは、あの日、金蔵さんに呼ばれ、それを打ち明けられたんだ。そして、当主を引き継ぐため、当主だけが知る隠し館である九羽鳥庵に絵羽さんを呼びつけたのだ。」 <br>\r\n\"On that day, Eva-san was summoned by Kinzo-san, who revealed the answer to her. And, so that she could succeed the Headship, he called Eva-san to the hidden mansion Kuwadorian, which only the Head knew about.\" <br><br>\r\n「………で、一足早くその隠し館で待っていた絵羽伯母さんは、そのお陰で事故の難を逃れた、と？ 絵羽伯母さんが、全ての財産を奪うために、事故を装ってみんなを殺し、自分だけ難を逃れただけかもしれない。」 <br>\r\n\"......And because Aunt Eva arrived at the hidden mansion one step ahead, she escaped harm in that accident, you say? Maybe Aunt Eva just killed everyone and made it look like an accident, so she could steal all of the wealth for herself, and maybe that's why only she escaped unharmed.\" <br><br>\r\n「大衆紙はそう騒いでるなぁ。 <br>\r\n\"Well, that's what the papers are shouting about. <br><br>\r\nだが、俺は絵羽さんを信じてるよ。……信ずるに足るポイントが、いくつかあると思ってる。」 <br>\r\nHowever, I believe Eva-san. ...I'd say there are several points that justify trusting her.\" <br><br>\r\n「例えば…？」 <br>\r\n\"For example...?\" <br><br>\r\n「今、縁寿ちゃんが指に通してるその、右代宮家当主の指輪だよ。その指輪は金蔵さんが特別に作らせた世界に１つしかない指輪だ。そして、今、縁寿ちゃんが指にしているものは、間違いなくそれだと、作った細工師も認めてる。」 <br>\r\n\"That ring of the Ushiromiya Family Head, which is on your finger now, Ange-chan. That ring is the only one of its kind in the world, which Kinzo-san had made specially. And the artisan who made it acknowledges that the object on your finger is, without a doubt, that ring.\" <br><br>\r\n右代宮家、当主の指輪。 <br>\r\nThe Ushiromiya Family...Head's Ring. <br><br>\r\n黄金の重みがあり、片翼の紋章の入ったその指輪には、台座の部分にダイヤがあしらわれ、重厚感と金持ち的な悪趣味さを兼ね備えている。 <br>\r\nThat ring, with the heft of gold and the one-winged seal on it, had a diamond arranged on a pedestal, and felt both sturdy and reminiscent of the dark hobbies of the rich. <br><br>\r\nそれは、金蔵が一時も外すことなく指にはめていたものだ。 <br>\r\nKinzo had worn that on his finger without removing it even for a moment. <br><br>\r\nそれを絵羽が持つということは、金蔵が当主跡継ぎと認めた証に他ならない、というのだ。 <br>\r\nThis man was saying that the fact Eva had it proved that Kinzo had acknowledged her as the Successor. <br><br>\r\n「その指輪を確かに絵羽さんが持つからこそ。そして、実際に絵羽さんが優秀で、蔵臼さんにはビジネスシーンでの数々の醜態が知られていたことを加味すると、絵羽さんの話はまったくの作り話とは思えないんだ。」 <br>\r\n\"After all, Eva-san certainly did have that ring. And, if you take into consideration that Eva-san actually was talented, and that Krauss-san had made a fool of himself several times on the business scene, I cannot imagine that Eva-san's story is completely made up.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………その指輪を奪うために、お祖父さまを殺害した可能性だってあるけれど。そして絵羽伯母さんは、何らかの細工をして、事故に見せ掛けて一族を皆殺しにした。」 <br>\r\n\"......Although there's the possibility that she murdered Grandfather in order to steal that ring. Then Aunt Eva, using some kind of trick, massacred everyone and made it look like an accident.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうだなぁ。大衆紙は財産の独り占めが目当てで一族を皆殺しにした、なんて言ってるようだなぁ。 <br>\r\n\"Ah, yes. It seems the papers were saying something about her massacring everyone, with keeping all the wealth to herself as a goal. <br><br>\r\n確かに、絵羽さんはここ一番ではずいぶん思い切ったこともしちゃう人だよ。あるいは、……右代宮家の財産を独り占めできるチャンスに、生涯でただ一度の殺人を犯したかもしれない。…………だがね、俺はそうは思わない。」 <br>\r\nTrue, Eva-san was a person capable of holding back nothing when she was determined to accomplish something. Or, ...she may have committed murder just once in her life...if a chance for keeping all the Ushiromiya family wealth for herself presented itself. ......However, I don't think that happened.\" <br><br>\r\n「そう信ずるに足るポイントの２つ目は？」 <br>\r\n\"So, what's the second point that justifies your trust in her?\" <br><br>\r\n「絵羽さんのご家族だよ。秀吉さんに譲治くん。……縁寿ちゃんはにわかには信じ難いだろうけど、絵羽さんはあれでかなり家族を大事にする人だったんだ。」 <br>\r\n\"Eva-san's family. Hideyoshi-san and George-kun. ...It might be difficult for you to believe all of a sudden, Ange-chan, but Eva-san was a person who treasured family greatly.\" <br><br>\r\n……確かににわかには信じたくないし、認めたくはない。 <br>\r\nでも、薄々はわかっている。 <br>\r\n...True, part of me didn't want to believe it or acknowledge it. <br><br>\r\nBut I did understand vaguely. <br><br>\r\n確かに絵羽伯母さんは、家族をとても大切にしている人だった。 <br>\r\n彼女の歪んだ人格の根底にあるのは、最愛の夫と息子を失った悲しみがあるだけなのだ。 <br>\r\nAunt Eva certainly had been a person who highly treasured her family. <br><br>\r\nAfter all, the root of her twisted personality had been nothing more than the sadness of losing her beloved husband and son. <br><br>\r\nそれを紛らわせるために八つ当たりされてきた私には、まったく同情する気持ちはないが、……それでも、彼女の人格を変容させるほどのショックを、家族全滅が与えたことは想像できなくもない。 <br>\r\nAfter getting hit with her angry outbursts as she tried to distract herself from that pain, I have no feelings of sympathy at all, ...but it's not like I can't imagine how the incredible shock of losing her whole family must've changed her character. <br><br>\r\n「……家族を愛した絵羽伯母さんが、夫と息子を見捨てるわけがないと？」 <br>\r\n\"...You're saying there's no way <NAME>, who loved her family, would throw away her husband and her son?\" <br><br>\r\n「そうだ。もし本当に絵羽さんが犯人で、一族を事故に見せ掛けて皆殺しにしたならば。……夫と息子が、絶対に生き残ってるはずなんだ。 <br>\r\n\"That's right. Even if Eva-san really was the culprit and massacred the entire family, making it look like an accident, ...she most certainly would have spared her husband and her son.\" <br><br>\r\n偶然、自分の家族だけが隠し館にいたと、屁理屈をこねてね。もし、秀吉さんと譲治くんも無事だったなら、さすがの俺でも、絵羽さんの陰謀を疑ったろうよ。 <br>\r\n\"She would quibble that, by coincidence, only her family had been in the hidden mansion. If Hideyoshi-san and George-kun had been safe, even I would probably suspect Eva-san.\" <br><br>\r\n……俺は、秀吉さんの葬儀で見せた、絵羽さんのあの号泣を演技だなんて到底思えんねぇ。」 <br>\r\n\"...I truly cannot imagine that Eva-san's wailing at Hideyoshi-san's funeral was an act.\" <br><br>\r\n「………どっちも状況証拠的ですね。絵羽伯母さんの潔白を、物理的に示すには至らない。」 <br>\r\n\"......Sounds like both points so far are just circumstantial evidence. That isn't the same as physically proving Aunt Eva's innocence.\" <br><br>\r\n「はっはっはっは。それを言っちゃおしまいだよ。生き残ったのは絵羽さんのみ。その彼女がそれが真実だ、と言うんだからさ。」 <br>\r\n\"Hahahaha. If you say that, then you're stuck right away. Eva-san was the only survivor. And she says that this is the truth.\" <br><br>\r\n「でも、彼女の潔白は誰にも証明できない。」 <br>\r\n\"But no one can prove her innocence.\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ、そうさ。そして彼女の犯行も、誰にも証明できない。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, that's right. And no one can prove that she committed a crime either.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「そして信ずるべきポイントの最後が、警察だ。 <br>\r\n\"And the final point that justifies trusting her...is the police. <br><br>\r\n何しろ、派手な事件だったからね。陰謀説を騒ぐ世論に後押しされて、警察がずいぶんと絵羽さんを調べたはずさ。」 <br>\r\nAfter all, it was such a flashy crime. The police were being pushed forward by a public in an uproar over conspiracy theories, so they must have investigated Eva-san thoroughly.\" <br><br>\r\n絵羽だけが隠し館に逃れていたために、偶然、事故を逃れた、とする点に不自然さを感じることも出来るだろう。 <br>\r\nIt was easy to feel something unnatural about the claim that Eva had avoided the accident by coincidence...because she alone had escaped to a hidden mansion. <br><br>\r\nまた、当時、秀吉の会社は乗っ取り騒ぎの真っ最中にあり、大株主の買収のために、多額の現金を欲しがっていた。 <br>\r\nFurthermore, at the time, Hideyoshi's company had been right in the middle of a takeover struggle, and in order to buy off the big stockholders, she'd wanted a large sum of cash. <br><br>\r\nその点に動機を見出すことも、難しくはないはずだ。 <br>\r\nIt shouldn't be too hard to find a motive there. <br><br>\r\nしかし、親族会議に向かう絵羽の身辺は、まったくにもって普通だった。 <br>\r\n一族を事故に見せ掛けて虐殺するような、あらゆる不自然な準備が見つけられなかったのだ。 <br>\r\nBut as a matter of fact, there had been nothing at all that implicated Eva as she went to the family conference. <br><br>\r\nNothing unnatural was found on her that could've been used to brutally murder her family and make it look like an accident. <br><br>\r\n当日は非番で難を逃れた使用人たちも、彼女を含め、全ての関係者について不自然な様子が見られなかったと証言した。 <br>\r\nThe servants who escaped harm by being off-duty on that day also stated that they hadn't seen anything strange regarding anyone related to the event, Eva included. <br><br>\r\nそれらを総合的に判断する限り、右代宮絵羽は普段の親族会議と何ら変わることなく、六軒島に向かい、事故に遭遇したと結論するしかないのだ…。 <br>\r\nPutting all of that together, it could only be concluded that Ushiromiya Eva had headed to Rokkenjima for a normal family conference, without any change, and had encountered an accident... <br><br>\r\n「警察が、あれだけ散々調べて、事件性を見出すことが出来なかった。 <br>\r\n\"The police looked so intensely, and they still couldn't find evidence that it was a crime. <br><br>\r\n……警察がそう断じた。それで六軒島疑惑は決着じゃないのかなぁ。」 <br>\r\n...They reached that conclusion themselves. Doesn't this resolve the Rokkenjima Suspicion?\" <br><br>\r\n「……それは単に、警察は事件性を~ib~発見できなかった~ib~、ってだけの話じゃないんですか？」 <br>\r\n\"...That just means that the police ~ib~couldn't find~ib~ evidence that it was a crime, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「それを言い出したらキリがないなぁ。悪魔の証明になっちまうよ。犯罪を暴くには証拠を見つければいい。でも、無実を示すには何を見つけりゃいいんだい？ 消極的事実の証明は不可能だ。」 <br>\r\n\"There's nothing I can say to counter that. It becomes a Devil's Proof. To expose it as her crime, you would simply need to find evidence. But what could you possibly find to prove her innocence? It's impossible to prove a negative fact.\" <br><br>\r\n「……絵羽伯母さんが、犯罪を犯したか、否か。それを判断する材料が見付からないから、そのまま真相は迷宮入り、ということですね。」 <br>\r\n\"...Did Aunt Eva commit a crime, or did she not...? Because we can't find any materials that'll let us say for sure, the truth will remain a mystery... That's what you're saying, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「………そうだな。縁寿ちゃんの期待する言い方にするとそうなるな。絵羽さん自身にだって、自分の無実は証明不能なのさ。 <br>\r\n\"......That's it. Phrased in a manner you would prefer, that's what it amounts to. It was impossible even for Eva-san to prove her own innocence. <br><br>\r\nあの島で不幸な事故があった。そしてたまたま絵羽さんが生き残った。しかもそれ以上のことは何もわからない！ <br>\r\nOn that island, an unfortunate accident occurred. And Eva-san survived by chance. And we don't know any more than that!\" <br><br>\r\nつまるところ、唯一の生存者である、絵羽さんの話を、信じられるか否か、ってことになるわけさ。 <br>\r\n\"In short, it all comes down to whether you believe the story of the only survivor, Eva-san, or not. <br><br>\r\n……俺は信じたよ。指輪の話や、彼女の尊敬できる家族愛。そして葬儀で見せた涙。それらを加味して考えて、彼女の話を信じようと思ったんだ。」 <br>\r\n...I believed. The ring and her praiseworthy love for her family. And the tears she shed at the funeral. Taking all of that into consideration, I decided to believe her story.\" <br><br>\r\n「……でも、私は信じない。指輪なんて奪う気なら方法はいくらでもあるだろうし、家族仲が本当に良かったかなんて誰にもわからない。葬儀の涙が本物かなんて証明不能。 <br>\r\n\"...But I don't believe. If she wanted to steal the ring, there were probably many ways for her to do it, and no one knows if her relationship with her family really was that good. No one can prove that tears at a funeral are real.\" <br><br>\r\n……というか、私はそもそも絵羽伯母さんなんて大嫌い。だから私は彼女の話を信じようなんて思わない。」 <br>\r\n\"...Anyway, I hated Aunt Eva from the very beginning. So I don't even want to believe her.\" <br><br>\r\n「はっはっはっは…。事件の真相をどう見るか。俺と縁寿ちゃんで真っ向から対立しちまったなぁ。俺たちに与えられてる情報はまったく同じなのに、まったく異なる見解を持っちまう。 <br>\r\n\"Hahahaha... How does one view the truth of the crime? You and I are on completely opposing sides. Even though the information we are given is exactly the same, we interpret it in completely different ways.\" <br><br>\r\n………こういうこと、政治や経済でもよくあるんだ。同じ事業をやっても、必ず評価は分かれちまう。どうしてかわかるかい？」 <br>\r\n\"......This happens often in politics and business. The exact same enterprise will always be assessed in multiple, differing ways. Do you know why?\" <br><br>\r\n「………いいえ？」 <br>\r\n\"......Why?\" <br><br>\r\n「愛があるかどうか、さ。……相手に愛を感じてるかどうかで、ものの見え方はまったく違うってことなんだ。好きな人が貧しい人に施しをすれば、尊敬できるだろ？ でも嫌いなヤツが施しなんて始めたら、売名行為だとかバラ撒き行政だとか、非難轟々さ。 <br>\r\n\"It's a question of whether one has love. ...Whether you feel love for someone or not completely changes how you view them. If a person you like gives to the poor, you respect them for it, right? But if someone you hate starts donating, you fiercely protest that it's a publicity stunt or that they're handing out favors.\" <br><br>\r\n何をしてもしなくても、愛があれば感謝し、愛がなければ非難する。それが世の中ってもんなんだ。」 <br>\r\n\"No matter what they do or don't do, you thank them if you have love and criticize them if you don't. That's how the world works.\" <br><br>\r\n「絵羽伯母さんのことを、信じられるか信じられないか、……それだけの違いってことですか？」 <br>\r\n\"Can <NAME> be trusted, or can't she...? ...You're saying that's all that really matters?\" <br><br>\r\n「彼女を疑う人間には、彼女が何をしてもしなくても、それは実に不自然に見えるだろうさ。逆も然り。……俺はね。世の中には真実なんてものは、よっぽどのことがない限り、存在しないんじゃないかと思うね。 <br>\r\n\"Those who suspect her will probably take anything she does or doesn't do and truly see it as something unnatural. And it works in reverse. ...As for me, I think that, barring certain extreme cases, truth might not exist in this world at all.\" <br><br>\r\nいや、仮にもし。真実が存在したとしても、それを信じるか信じないかは、愛があるか否かで決められちまう。……絶対性の宿らない真実なんて、真実と呼べるのかい？ 絵羽さんが物理的なアリバイを示したとしても、君はそれを信じられたかい？」 <br>\r\n\"No, even if truth does exist, whether you believe it or not is determined by whether you have love or not. ...Can you really call truth without certainty truth? Even if Eva-san had been able to show physical proof that she had an alibi, would you have been able to believe it?\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。」 <br>\r\n\".........\" <br><br>\r\nそれを言われると弱い。 <br>\r\nIt's hard to counter that. <br><br>\r\n…私は絵羽伯母さんが大嫌いだから、彼女に利するあらゆる情報は否定するし、中立的なあらゆる情報は悪意を以って解釈するだろう。 <br>\r\n...I hate Aunt Eva, so I'll probably deny any information beneficial to her...and interpret any neutral information in a negative way. <br><br>\r\n……つまり、私の中で、もう真実は決め付けられているのだ。 <br>\r\nにもかかわらず、なおも満たされずに探す“真実”とは一体、何物なのか…。 <br>\r\n...In other words, the truth is already decided inside me. <br><br>\r\nSo just what in the world is this `truth' that I'm still searching for, unsatisfied...? <br><br>\r\n「そういうことさ。つまり、俺から何を聞こうとも、縁寿ちゃんが絵羽さんを未だ疑っている以上、何を聞いても今さら何も変わらないってことなのさ。少なくとも、今の縁寿ちゃんじゃ、仮に未知の新事実を掴んだとしても、真相に至ることは出来んと思うねぇ。」 <br>\r\n\"That's how it is. So, no matter what you hear from me, since you still suspect Eva-san after all this time, nothing will change. At the very least, even if you were to grasp a piece of hitherto unknown information, I don't think you'd be able to reach the truth the way you are now.\" <br><br>\r\n「………私では真相に、 <br>\r\n…至れませんか。」 <br>\r\n\"......So I can't... <br><br>\r\nreach the truth?\" <br><br>\r\n「だって。縁寿ちゃんは、どんな新情報や新証拠が見付かったって、絵羽さんが犯人だってスタンスは変えないんだろ？ <br>\r\n\"After all, no matter what kind of new information or proof you find, Ange-chan, it won't change your stance that Eva-san is the culprit, right? <br><br>\r\nなら、これ以上、何を調べたって意味はないじゃないか。 <br>\r\nSo it's pointless to investigate anything more. Because <br><br>\r\n~ib~君の中の真相はすでに決まっている~ib~わけさ。」 <br>\r\n~ib~the truth inside of you is already decided~ib~.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「だが、もし。縁寿ちゃんがそれを真相と思わずに、さらに奥深くの本当の真相に辿り着きたいと願うなら、一個だけ方法があるよ。 <br>\r\n\"However... If you stop assuming that to be the truth, if you wish to struggle further towards the deeper, real truth, there is a single way. <br><br>\r\nもう話したつもりなんだけどな。何だかわかるかい。」 <br>\r\nI believe I already mentioned it, but do you know what it is?\" <br><br>\r\n「……愛、ですか？ よく意味がわからないです。」 <br>\r\n\"...Is it...love? I don't really know what you mean.\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿ちゃんは今、絵羽さんを犯人だと仮定し、物を考えている。でも、それじゃ片目で物を見てるようなものなんだ。片目じゃ、どんなに目を凝らしても物を立体的に見ることは出来ないだろ？ だから、もうひとつ目がいるんだ。もちろん、今の目とは別の立場での。」 <br>\r\n\"Right now, you're considering this under the assumption that Eva-san is the culprit. But that's no different from looking at something with a single eye. With one eye, no matter how much you squint, you cannot see an object in three dimensions, right? That's why we have another eye. And of course, it's in a different position from the first eye.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………絵羽伯母さんが、犯人ではない、…あるいは、本当に事故であるという仮定にも基づいて、物事を見ろと…？」 <br>\r\n\"......You're telling me to look at things based on the supposition that Aunt Eva isn't the culprit, ...or else, that it was a real accident...?\" <br><br>\r\n「そうそう、その通り。物事を考える時には、異なる立ち位置から見るようにするんだ。そうじゃないと、本当のことは何もわからない。 <br>\r\n\"Yes, yes, that's correct. When thinking about anything, you should always try to look at it from different perspectives. If you don't, you won't understand anything about what is real.\" <br><br>\r\n新聞だってそうさ。ひとつの新聞だけじゃ、その記事を書いた記者の目線ひとつでしかものが見られない。複数の新聞を読むことで初めて、立体的かつ冷静に分析が出来ることもある。 <br>\r\n\"It's the same with newspapers. You can't see anything from the single viewpoint of a writer who wrote an article in a single newspaper. Sometimes you can only process information composedly and in three dimensions when you read multiple newspapers.\" <br><br>\r\n……愛がなければ真実は視えない。………ん〜、いいねぇ、わっはっはっは。」 <br>\r\n\"...Without love, the truth cannot be seen. ......Hmm, sounds nice, wahahaha.\" <br><br>\r\nキザったらしい言葉が口を出たのが面白かったのだろう。しばらくの間、楽しそうに笑っていた。 <br>\r\nMaybe he thought it interesting that such a flashy phrase would pop out of his mouth. For a while, he laughed, looking pleased. <br><br>\r\n……それは同時に、知っていることは全て話した、この辺で引き上げてくれないかという意思表示でもある。私はそれを理解し、腰を上げた。 <br>\r\n...At the same time, he was telling me that he'd said everything he knew...and that it was about time to leave. I understood that and got to my feet. <br><br>\r\n「俺にも縁寿ちゃんの気持ちがわかったよ。あんたが納得するように、しばらく好きにしたらいい。 <br>\r\n\"I do understand your feelings, Ange-chan. You should do as you like for a while, until you're satisfied.\" <br><br>\r\n……当時、君は６歳だった。わけがわからない内に家族を失い、未だに心の整理がつかない気持ち、よくわかるんだ。」 <br>\r\n\"...You were six years old at the time. I understand how you must feel after losing your family before you could even understand what that meant...and how you must still be unable to sort out your heart.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「真相はわかるかもしれない、わからないかもしれない。絵羽さんは犯人かもしれないし、犠牲者かもしれない。 <br>\r\n\"You may learn the truth, and you may not. Eva-san may be the culprit, and she may be a victim. <br><br>\r\n……縁寿ちゃんが信じる“真実”が見つけられるのを、祈ってるよ。若い内の旅も、貴重な経験かもしれない。」 <br>\r\n...I pray that you find the `truth' you believe in, Ange-chan. A journey at such a young age may prove to be a valuable experience.\" <br><br>\r\n「ありがとうございます…。……お忙しいところ、お邪魔して本当に済みませんでした、小此木さん。」 <br>\r\n\"Thank you very much... ...I'm truly sorry to be such a bother when you're so busy, Okonogi-san.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「いいって、いいって。これからどうするんだ？」 <br>\r\n\"No trouble, no trouble. What are you going to do now?\" <br><br>\r\n「まぁ、適当に。……事件関係者や、その道の専門家ってやつに何人かアポを入れてるので、そちらを当たるつもりです。」 <br>\r\n\"Well, whatever works. ...I've made appointments with several specialists and people related to the crime, and I plan to go visit them.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうか。納得のいく答えが見つかるといいな。」 <br>\r\n\"I see. I hope you find an answer you can accept.\" <br><br>\r\nその時、小此木社長の秘書が入ってきて、メモを一枚、肩越しに手渡した。 <br>\r\nAt that time, company president Okonogi's secretary came in, handing him a memo over his shoulder. <br><br>\r\nそれを読み、私の顔と見比べる。 <br>\r\nHe read it, then looked between it and my face. <br><br>\r\n「……縁寿ちゃん。旅に出てごらんと言った矢先で申し訳ないんだが、耳に入れといた方がいい情報だ。……君、今だいぶヤバイらしいね？」 <br>\r\n\"...Ange-chan, my apologies that this comes right after telling you to try going on a journey, but I have some information you should lend an ear to. ...It looks like you're in a bit of a nasty fix right now.\" <br><br>\r\n「私のカネを狙ってる連中ですか？ だからお金なんて下らない。」 <br>\r\n\"People after my money? This is why money's stupid.\" <br><br>\r\n「だからって、財産丸ごと売っ払って、全額を福祉に寄付しようなんてしたら、縁寿ちゃんの財産で皮算用してる連中が、目ン玉、飛び出しちまうよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, but if you sell off all of the wealth, trying to donate the whole sum to the public welfare, you'll make the eyes pop out of those people optimistic about their chances with your fortune.\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ、須磨寺の家ですか。あいつら、何を偉そうに保護者面して。」 <br>\r\n\"Oh, the Sumadera family? Those guys act so proud, like they're my guards or something.\" <br><br>\r\n絵羽伯母さんの前例がある。 <br>\r\n誰が須磨寺の家に世話になんかなるもんか。 <br>\r\nI haven't forgotten Aunt Eva. <br><br>\r\nThere's no way I'll put myself in the care of the Sumadera family. <br><br>\r\nそれこそ、絵羽伯母さんがよく脅していたように、両手両足をブツ切りにされて、蔵か何かに放り込まれて、右代宮の財産をしゃぶり尽くすつもりだろう。 <br>\r\nThey probably want to, as Aunt Eva often threatened in the past, cut off my arms and legs, throw me in a warehouse, and suck the Ushiromiya family's wealth dry. <br><br>\r\n「須磨寺家の使いがここに来るそうだ。 <br>\r\n\"Apparently, a messenger from the Sumadera family is coming here. <br><br>\r\n君を引き渡せと、いやいや、保護したいと言ってるな。」 <br>\r\nThey're saying to hand you over...no, no, that they want to protect you.\" <br><br>\r\n「使いって？」 <br>\r\n\"A messenger, you say?\" <br><br>\r\n「君の叔母だよ。霧江さんの妹さんだ。君の事を妹のように思っていると前に話してたな。」 <br>\r\n\"It's your aunt. Kyrie-san's younger sister. I believe she told me earlier that she thinks of you as a little sister.\" <br><br>\r\n「ご冗談。せめて孫と言ってよ、あのババア。」 <br>\r\n\"She's gotta be joking. At least call me a granddaughter, you old hag.\" <br><br>\r\n「文脈から見るに、君の意思は聞く気がないようだ。地下２階の駐車場に車が待たせてある。行きなさい。」 <br>\r\n\"Judging from the context, it seems they have no wish to listen to your desires. I have a car waiting in the parking lot two stories underground. Go.\" <br><br>\r\n「……須磨寺の家から引き渡せって言われてるんでしょ。いいの、私を行かせて？」 <br>\r\n\"...The Sumadera family is telling you to hand me over. Is it really okay to let me go?\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿ちゃんはきっと将来大物になるよ。この貸しは、その時の出世払いってことにしとこう。 <br>\r\n\"You will definitely become something big in the future, Ange-chan. Let us call this a favor to be repaid upon your success. <br><br>\r\n…行きな、早く…！」 <br>\r\n...Go, quickly...!\" <br><br>\r\n縁寿は無言で深く会釈をしてから、早歩きにその場を退出した。 <br>\r\nAfter bowing silently and deeply, Ange left that place at a dash. <br><br>\r\n彼女が出て行ったのを見届けてから、秘書の女性が眼鏡を直しながら囁く。 <br>\r\nAfter watching her leave, the female secretary straightened her glasses and whispered. <br><br>\r\n「須磨寺家からは足止めをしておくように言われていますが…。行かせてよろしいのですか？」 <br>\r\n\"The Sumadera family told us to stall her... Is it really all right to let her go?\" <br><br>\r\n「足止めならしたよ、充分に。それに間に合わないのは須磨寺の過失だね。……縁寿ちゃんには逃げろと言ったし。須磨寺には縁寿ちゃんが来てるよと通報したし。捕まっても捕まらなくても双方に恨まれない。 <br>\r\n\"We did stall her, more than enough. If they still don't make it in time, that's their own fault. ...I told Ange-chan to run for it. I informed the Sumaderas that Ange-chan would be coming. Whether she's caught or not, I will not be blamed.\" <br><br>\r\n……世の中はすべからく、愛、だねぇ…。大丈夫、逃げ果せるよ。何しろ、追っ手撒くためにビルから飛び降りられる子だからねぇ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Everything in this world...is love, you see... Don't worry, she'll escape. After all, that child's capable of leaping off a building to shake pursuers.\" <br><br>\r\n……小此木はブラインドの隙間から再び下界を見下ろし、さすがに俺には無理だなぁと呟くのだった。 <br>\r\n...Okonogi looked down again through a crack in the blinds, muttering `Nope, definitely couldn't do it...' <br><br>\r\n縁寿も馬鹿ではない。 <br>\r\nAnge wasn't a fool herself. <br><br>\r\nエレベーターから降りる彼女だが、そこは地上の３階だった。 <br>\r\nShe got off the elevator, but on the third floor. <br><br>\r\n地下２階にタクシー？ <br>\r\nA taxi in the second level of the basement? <br><br>\r\nご丁寧すぎて気持ち悪い。ここは辞退した方がいいだろう。 <br>\r\nThat's so neat and clean that I don't like it. It's probably better to refuse for now. <br><br>\r\nだが、敵も馬鹿じゃない。 <br>\r\n地下駐車場だけでなく、１階ロビーも抑えられているだろう。 <br>\r\nBut my enemies aren't fools either. <br><br>\r\nThey're probably waiting in the first floor lobby, as well as the underground parking lot. <br><br>\r\nこれだけの巨大なビルなのだ。 <br>\r\n焦って外へ脱出せず、中でやり過ごした方がいいだろうか。 <br>\r\nIt's such a massive building. <br><br>\r\nInstead of getting anxious and escaping outside, maybe it's better to stay inside and wait it out. <br><br>\r\nいや、駄目だ。 <br>\r\nこの近代的なビルは彼らがセキュリティルームを掌握してしまえば、私の逃げ場などなくなる。 <br>\r\nNo, that's useless. <br><br>\r\nIf they get their hands on a security room in a modern building like this, I'll have nowhere to run to. <br><br>\r\nこのビル全体が、巨大な袋小路も同じなのだ。 <br>\r\nThis entire building is like a massive dead end. <br><br>\r\n３階は業務フロア。小娘の私は、明らかに目立つ存在だ。 <br>\r\nThe third floor is the business floor. A young girl like me will clearly stick out. <br><br>\r\nこれ以上、不要に目立たぬよう、早足で歩きながら非常階段を探す。 <br>\r\n……できればその階段が、外階段であれば理想的。 <br>\r\nTrying not to stand out any more than I had to, I walked at a brisk pace, searching for an emergency exit. <br><br>\r\n...It'd be perfect if that staircase was an outside one. <br><br>\r\n非常階段の扉を見つける。 <br>\r\nI found the door to the emergency exit. <br><br>\r\nその重い扉を開けると、期待通りの外階段だった。 <br>\r\nAfter opening that heavy door, I found the outside staircase I'd hoped for. <br><br>\r\nサボリで煙草を吸ってた社員風の男とばったり出くわす。 <br>\r\nぎろりと睨みつけると、そそくさと煙草を揉み消して姿を消す。 <br>\r\nI bumped into a man who looked like an employee skipping work and smoking a cigarette. <br><br>\r\nAfter glaring at me, he quickly crushed out his cigarette and went away. <br><br>\r\n下には誰もいないように見える。…逃げ出すなら今しかない…！ <br>\r\nIt looked like there was no one below. ...If I'm gonna escape, now's my only chance...! <br><br>\r\nそう思った時、タイヤをすごい音で鳴かせながら、黒い乗用車が真下に滑り込んで急停車する。 <br>\r\nJust when I thought that, a black car slid right under me and came to a sudden stop with an incredible squealing of the tires. <br><br>\r\n……タイヤの音から、他にも数台お仲間がいて、ここを塞ぎに１台来た、という感じだった。 <br>\r\n...Judging by the sound of tires, it seemed they had several other allies, and that one of them had come here to block this path. <br><br>\r\n「……霞叔母さん、やるじゃない。非常口から出てくる妹にまで送迎車を送るなんて。」 <br>\r\n\"...Not bad, <NAME>. To think you'd even send a car to pick up your little sister when she's trying to get out through the emergency exit.\" <br><br>\r\nバンバン！と威勢良く車の扉が開き、３人の黒服が飛び出してきて、この非常階段を見上げる。 <br>\r\n*bam*bam*! The doors of the car were forcefully opened and three black-suited men jumped out, looking up at the emergency staircase. <br><br>\r\n……いっけない、目が合った。 <br>\r\n...Crap, our eyes met. <br><br>\r\n「１２、マル対発見。北西側非常階段３階、応援送れ。」 <br>\r\n「縁寿さま！ そこを動かれませんように！ ご無礼を失礼します…！！」 <br>\r\n\"12, target found. Northwest side emergency stairs, third floor, send support.\" <br><br>\r\n\"Ange-sama! Try not to move from there! Forgive our roughness...!!\" <br><br>\r\n３人がどかどかと非常階段を駆け上がってくる。 <br>\r\nThe three of them began to clamor up the emergency exit. <br><br>\r\n……無礼を働くと予告済みだ。かなりまずい。 <br>\r\n...They've already announced that they plan to be rough. This is pretty bad. <br><br>\r\n息さえしてれば、腕の一本くらい引っこ抜けても構わないくらいに命じられてるのだろう。 <br>\r\nAs long as I don't stop breathing, they've probably been ordered to grab me no matter what, even if they've gotta rip out one of my arms. <br><br>\r\nどかどかどかどか！！ <br>\r\n彼らの重く激しい足音が螺旋になって階下から昇って来る、近付いてくる…！ <br>\r\n*clank*clank*clank*clank*!! <br><br>\r\nTheir heavy, wild footsteps became a helix and began to rise from the lower floors, getting closer...! <br><br>\r\nビルの玄関ロビーには、黒服の護衛を７人も従えた婦人が、悠々と歩みを進めていた。 <br>\r\nIn the entrance lobby of the building, a woman with seven black-suited guards behind her advanced at a leisurely pace. <br><br>\r\nその物々しい様子に、ビルの警備員が駆けつけ、アポイントはおありでしょうかと尋ねる。 <br>\r\nSeeing this ostentatious entrance, the security guards for the building ran up to them, asking if they had an appointment. <br><br>\r\n「………これだから東京人は。名乗らせなければ相手の格もわからない…？」 <br>\r\n\"......How typical of Tokyo people. Don't you understand the status of the person you are talking to without her having to say her name...?\" <br><br>\r\n「し、失礼いたしました…。当社ではご来賓の皆様にはフロントにてセキュリ、」 <br>\r\n\"M-My apologies... At our company, guests are to take a securi-\" <br><br>\r\n「……下がれ下賎が。私はお前たちの社長に呼ばれて来たんだよ。小此木鉄郎を呼んでおいで。呼びつけておいて出迎えもないとはね、これだから東京人は…。」 <br>\r\n\"...Back down, scum. I came because I was called by your president. Call <NAME> here. To think he would call me here and then not welcome me... How typical of Tokyo people...\" <br><br>\r\n「これは失礼。ようこそ右代宮グループへ、須磨寺霞さん。」 <br>\r\n\"My apologies. Welcome to the Ushiromiya Group, Sumadera Kasumi-san.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n小此木が秘書を従え、エレベーターから颯爽と現れる。 <br>\r\nWith his secretary behind him, Okonogi dashingly appeared from the elevator. <br><br>\r\n双方に不敵な笑みがありながらも、火薬の臭いを連想させる緊張感が張り詰めていた…。 <br>\r\nEven though both of them wore bold smiles, they were wrapped in a tension reminiscent of the smell of gunpowder... <br><br>\r\n「………縁寿はどこ？ 姉さんの可愛い可愛い姪を、迎えに来たのよ私は。」 <br>\r\n\"......Where is Ange? I came to greet that adorable daughter of my big sister's.\" <br><br>\r\n「右代宮グループでは時間厳守がモットーでしてなぁ。時間を守れない人間は契約も守れないってのが先代会長のお言葉でして。」 <br>\r\n\"Strict observance of time is our motto here at the Ushiromiya group. The former Chairman herself said that those who can't keep time can't keep contracts.\" <br><br>\r\n「……東京まで呼びつけて、何てザマなの？ 逃がしたわね。」 <br>\r\n\"...You call me all the way to Tokyo, and this is all you have to show for it? You let her go, didn't you.\" <br><br>\r\n「逃げられた、と言ってもらいたいですなぁ。これでもずいぶん足止めはしたんです。さすがに気取られましてね。須磨寺さんが、時間通りに来てくれれば問題はなかったのですが。 <br>\r\n\"Please, she escaped from us. We did stall her for quite some time, but unsurprisingly, she did eventually smell a rat. Of course, this wouldn't have been a problem at all if you had arrived on time, Sumadera-san.\" <br><br>\r\nこれだから地方人はルーズで困るんです。 <br>\r\n\"Ah, these provicials and their loose concept of time. <br><br>\r\nわっはははははははは！」 <br>\r\nWahhahahahahahahaha!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………今何と……？ この私に何と…？」 <br>\r\n\"......What was that...? What did you say to me...?\" <br><br>\r\n霧江の妹、霞の面影に霧江の気さくさはまったく感じられない。 <br>\r\nYou couldn't sense any of Kyrie's open frankness in Kasumi's face. <br><br>\r\n表情に浮かぶのは、没落した右代宮家に対する歴史ある須磨寺家の嘲りと、……にもかかわらず、右代宮家の財産を無視出来ない程度に斜陽を迎えていることを気取られたくないプライド。 <br>\r\nShe wore the arrogance of the ancient Sumadera family towards the ruined Ushiromiya family, ...as well as pride, because she didn't want anyone to notice that her family was declining so much that they couldn't ignore the Ushiromiya family's wealth. <br><br>\r\n縁寿が、この叔母を毛嫌いする理由が、一見しただけで納得できるというものだった…。 <br>\r\nEven at a glance, it was easy to understand why Ange hated her aunt so deeply... <br><br>\r\nわずかの侮辱にも耐えられない彼女は、笑顔のまま眉を引きつらせる。 <br>\r\nその時、後の黒服が霞に囁く。 <br>\r\nShe couldn't stand even a slight insult, and though she still smiled, her eyebrow twitched. <br><br>\r\nAt that time, the black-suited man behind Kasumi whispered to her. <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さまを発見しました。対応中です。」 <br>\r\n\"Ange-sama has been found. We are currently dealing with her.\" <br><br>\r\n「……あら、間に合って良かった。……ありがとうね、小此木。ようやくやんちゃな姪を連れて帰れそうだわ。……私、あの子と一緒に、ゆっくりとお茶室で語らいたくてお道具まで準備して待ってたんだから。うっふふふふふふふ…！」 <br>\r\n\"...Oh, I'm glad we made it in time. ...Thank you, Okonogi. It seems I can finally take my mischievous niece home. ...I've waited so long to talk with that girl in my tea room, with all of the tools prepared. Heheheheheheh...!\" <br><br>\r\nどかどかどかどか……！！ <br>\r\n*clank*clank*clank*clank*...!! <br><br>\r\n音の暴力が螺旋を描きながら、私を階下から飲み込もうと迫ってくる。 <br>\r\nAs the violent sound drew a helix, it rushed up at me from below, threatening to swallow me up. <br><br>\r\n無論、戦っても勝ち目はない。 <br>\r\nさりとてビル内に逃げ込んだところで、自ら袋小路に飛び込むようなものだ。 <br>\r\nOf course, even if I fight, there's no way I'll be able to win. <br><br>\r\nAnd yet, running into the building would be like jumping into a dead end of my own accord. <br><br>\r\n時間と共に敵の応援は増える。 <br>\r\nこの場をどうにか出来ないなら、もう私に逃げるチャンスはない。 <br>\r\nMy enemies will increase in number with time. <br><br>\r\nIf I don't do something here and now, I won't have any more chances to escape. <br><br>\r\nそして３人の屈強な黒服たちが階段下に姿を現す。 <br>\r\nThen, three muscular black-suited men came into view below me. <br><br>\r\n１、２、３。３人だ。つまりそれは車から降りてきた全員。 <br>\r\n1, 2, 3. Three people. In other words, everyone who had gotten out of the car. <br><br>\r\nせめて１人だったなら、出会い頭に思い切り飛び蹴りでもブチかませば、何とか出来たかもしれない。……でも、さすがに３人じゃ無理だ。 <br>\r\nIf there had been just one of them, I might've been able to dropkick them or something and smash them in the head, which might work out. ...But it really would be impossible with three of them. <br><br>\r\nいや、３か…。……３くらいなら何とかなる…。……やれる……！ <br>\r\nWait, ...three...? ...If there's just three, I should be able to make it... ...I can do it...! <br><br>\r\n「すぅ………。 <br>\r\n\"Take a deep breath...... <br><br>\r\n…………はぁああああああ！！」 <br>\r\n......Haaaaaaaaaaaaahh!!\" <br><br>\r\n「んなッ？！ ば、馬鹿やめろ！！ 危ないいいい！！ うわあああああああ…！！」 <br>\r\n\"What?! Y-You idiot, stop!! Look ooooooout!! Waaaaaaaaahhh...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「０１より１２、確保したか、応答されたし。……どうした？！ 応答しろ！」 <br>\r\n\"01 calling 12, is the package secure, we received a response. ...What happened?! Respond!\" <br><br>\r\n「な、……何てヤツだ…、くそ……。」 <br>\r\n\"...Sh-She's crazy... Damn it...\" <br><br>\r\n………つつつ…。……痛たた…。 <br>\r\nほらね、…何とかなったでしょ。たった３だもんね。 <br>\r\n......Nnnggg... ...Owow... <br><br>\r\nSee, ...that worked out perfectly, didn't it? There was just the three of them, after all. <br><br>\r\nもっと高いところを経験してるもの。３階くらいなら飛び降りられると思った…！ <br>\r\nI've already tried that once from a higher place. I knew I'd be able to jump down just three floors...! <br><br>\r\nやつらが乗り付けてきた車が真下にあったのが幸いした。 <br>\r\n快適なトランポリンとは行かないまでにも、私をそこそこにやさしく、そこそこに厳しく受け止めてくれた。 <br>\r\nIt's a good thing the car they came in was right beneath me. <br><br>\r\nEven if it wasn't as pleasant as a trampoline, it broke my fall...a little gently, a little roughly. <br><br>\r\n「……失礼しちゃうわ。ここまでへこむこともないだろうに。」 <br>\r\n\"...How rude. You didn't have to dent that much.\" <br><br>\r\n車の屋根は私を受け止めて、私の体に沿ってべっこりとへこみを残している。 <br>\r\n案外、車の屋根って華奢なのね。私の体重のせいじゃないと思うわ。 <br>\r\nThe roof of the car broke my fall, leaving a massive dent around my body. <br><br>\r\nCar roofs are surprisingly delicate. I don't think it's because of my weight. <br><br>\r\n階段の上の３人は、私が飛び降りるなんて想定はなかったらしい。 <br>\r\n出し抜かれたと知り、大慌てで階段を駆け下りてくるようだ。 <br>\r\nApparently, the three people on the stairs hadn't planned on me jumping down. <br><br>\r\nIt seemed they now realized that they'd been outwitted, and they were rushing down the stairs. <br><br>\r\n今のうちに走って逃げなければ。 <br>\r\n私が体を起こすと、屋根がベコンボコンと音を立てた。 <br>\r\nI've gotta run and escape while I have the chance. <br><br>\r\nI moved my body, making clunking sounds on the car roof. <br><br>\r\nしかし、甘かった。彼らが、この場所に１人も残さずに全員が階段を駆け上るはずはなかったのだ。 <br>\r\nBut I'd been naive. Of course they wouldn't all rush up the stairs without leaving one person behind. <br><br>\r\n私を受け止めた車の運転席には黒服が１人残っていた。 <br>\r\n扉より顔を出し、落下物の正体が私だとわかると飛び出して来る。 <br>\r\nThere was one black-suited man left in the driver's seat of the car that had broken my fall. <br><br>\r\nHe stuck his head out the window, and when he realized what had fallen on him, he jumped out. <br><br>\r\n慌てて屋根から飛び降りるが、黒服の対応はあまりに素早い。……よほど私に賞金が掛かってるのか、取り逃がした際のお仕置きが苛烈なのかのどちらかだ。 <br>\r\nIn a rush, I jumped off the roof, but the black-suited man's reaction was really fast. ...Either there was a massive reward for capturing me, or there'd be some harsh punishment in store for them if they let me get away. <br><br>\r\n「１５、確保、確保…！」 <br>\r\n\"15, secured, secured...!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「痛たたたた……！！ くっ、気安く触らないで、離してッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Owowowow...!! Ack, don't touch me like that, let go!!\" <br><br>\r\nアスファルトの上に容赦なく組み伏せられる。 <br>\r\n私はうつ伏せに潰され、上から覆い被さるように圧し掛かられた。 <br>\r\nI was mercilessly held down against the asphalt. <br><br>\r\nI was being crushed face-down, covered and pressed upon from above. <br><br>\r\nエレガントさの欠片もない捕まえ方だが、実に合理的で抵抗の余地はまったくない。 <br>\r\nIt was a hold without a trace of elegance, but it was extremely practical and left me no room for resistance. <br><br>\r\n私は何かの抵抗手段を求めて両手で抗おうとするが、がっちりと押さえ付けられ、自分の体をアスファルトから引き剥がすことさえ出来なかった。 <br>\r\nI tried to push back with both hands, searching for a way to resist, but I was being pushed down solidly, and I couldn't even tear myself off the asphalt. <br><br>\r\nそこへさらに一台の車がタイヤを鳴かせながら滑り込んできて急停車する。 <br>\r\n万事休すか。 <br>\r\nThen another car came, squealing its tires as it slid to a sudden stop. <br><br>\r\nIs it all over now? <br><br>\r\n「ぎゃッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Gyah!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n私を押し潰していた男が鋭い悲鳴をあげる。 <br>\r\n……私の耳の近くで叫ばれたものだから、左耳がキーンとする。一体何事？！ <br>\r\nThe man that had been crushing me let out a sharp cry. <br><br>\r\n...He was yelling straight into my ear, making my left ear ring. What in the world?! <br><br>\r\nその黒服ごと、私たちはごろんと転がされる。 <br>\r\nAlong with the black-suit guy, I fell with a *thunk*. <br><br>\r\n仰向けにされて最初に目に入ったのは、私の目の前にずいっと突き出された腕だった。 <br>\r\nAfter landing face up, the first thing I saw...was an arm stuck out right in front of my eyes. <br><br>\r\n「………天草…？ あんた、どうしてここに…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Amakusa...? What are you doing here...?\" <br><br>\r\n「その話は撒いてからにしましょうぜ。お嬢、車へ早く…！」 <br>\r\n\"Let's talk about that after we've lost them. To the car, quickly, lady...!\" <br><br>\r\n天草は私の腕を掴むと、軽々と引き起こし、自身を重心に私をグルリと振り回す。 <br>\r\nAmakusa grabbed my arm, easily pulled me up, spinning me around with himself as the center of gravity. <br><br>\r\nちょっぴりだけダンスみたいと思ったのも束の間、開け放たれた運転席へ私を放り込んだ。 <br>\r\nJust when I thought it was a little like a dance, he flung me through the open door into the driver's seat. <br><br>\r\n私はサイドブレーキを乗り越え、助手席へ潜り込む。 <br>\r\n天草も私を押し込むようにして運転席へ乗り込んでくる。 <br>\r\nI climbed over the hand brake and slid into the passenger's seat. <br><br>\r\nPushing me in, Amakusa also got into the driver's seat. <br><br>\r\n四つん這い状態のままで急発進されたので、私は椅子の上でしばらくの間、引っ繰り返された亀のようにジタバタしなくてはならなかった…。 <br>\r\nSince we suddenly accelerated while I was still on all fours, I had to kick and struggle around on the chair for a while, like a turtle that's been flipped over... <br><br>\r\n天草はバックミラーに追跡車両がないことを確認するが、わずかもスピードを落とさずに、大都会の動脈に飛び込んでいく。 <br>\r\nAmakusa checked the rear-view mirror for cars in pursuit, but he flew into the artery of the big city without lowering his speed in the slightest. <br><br>\r\nすいすいと縫うように、次々車両を追い越していく。 <br>\r\nまるっきり、アクション映画そのままのカーアクションだ。 <br>\r\nWe sewed our way between cars one after another. <br><br>\r\nJust like a chase scene in some action movie. <br><br>\r\n……ひどい運転に揺らされ、私はなかなか座り直すことが出来なかった。 <br>\r\n...I was shaken by this horrible driving and had trouble sitting back down. <br><br>\r\n「お嬢、お怪我は？」 <br>\r\n\"Are you hurt, lady?\" <br><br>\r\n「問題ないわ。人間って案外頑丈よ。 <br>\r\n\"I'm fine. Humans are surprisingly durable. <br><br>\r\n私、次からは降りのエレベーターを逃したら、窓から飛び降りることにするわ。」 <br>\r\nNext time I try to a escape a downward moving elevator, I'll jump out a window instead.\" <br><br>\r\n「ひゃっははは、お嬢の趣味はエアダイブらしいや。ただ、次からは落下傘をつけることをお勧めしますぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"Hyahhahaha, I guess air dives are a hobby of yours, lady. Still, I'd recommend you grab a parachute next time.\" <br><br>\r\n「飛び降りた後に思い出せたらね。」 <br>\r\n\"Sure, if I remember to do it after leaping.\" <br><br>\r\n「ひゃっははははは、クールッ！」 <br>\r\n\"Hyahhahahahaha, <cool>!\" <br><br>\r\nげらげら笑いながら、ハンドルを叩く。 <br>\r\nHe smacked the steering wheel, guffawing. <br><br>\r\nこの軽薄そうな喋り方をする男について説明がいる？ <br>\r\nNeed an explanation for this flippantly-talking man? <br><br>\r\n彼の名は天草十三（あまくさじゅうざ）。 <br>\r\nHis name is <NAME> (天草十三). <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n元々は絵羽伯母さんの護衛の一人。軽口とお喋りが過ぎて伯母さんには嫌われてたっけ。 <br>\r\nHe was originally one of Aunt Eva's guards. Didn't she start to hate him because he chatted too much? <br><br>\r\n護衛たちの中では一際若いが、見掛けの軽薄さとは裏腹に、自衛隊第一空挺からフランス外人部隊をハシゴして、海外の民間軍事会社や高級警備会社に次々身を置くなど、なかなか優れたユニークな経歴を持つ。 <br>\r\nHe was much younger than the rest of the guards, but contrary to his outward flippancy, he'd hopped from the First Airborne of the JSDF to the French Foreign Legion, placing himself in overseas private military companies and high-class security companies one after another, making for a pretty incredible and unique career. <br><br>\r\n……ただ、自衛隊とフランス外人部隊はいずれも脱走だそうで、彼はフランスに入国すると逮捕されるんだとか。これもまた彼らしい軽薄なエピソードだ。 <br>\r\n...But I heard he deserted both the JSDF and the French Foreign Legion, and that he'll be arrested if he enters France again. Both of these flippant episodes were very typical of him. <br><br>\r\n護衛たちは私に対し、余計なお喋りをしないように強く言われていたらしいが、彼はそんなのお構いなしに私にちょっかいを出してきたっけ。 <br>\r\nThe guards were sternly told not to chat with me unnecessarily, but he came and took a pass at me, didn't he? <br><br>\r\nその辺を特に嫌われて、絵羽伯母さんが死ぬ直前頃に解雇されたはずだ。 <br>\r\nAunt Eva was apparently particularly put off by that...and had supposedly dismissed him shortly before she died. <br><br>\r\n「その軽口が懐かしいわ。クビになった後はどうしてたの？」 <br>\r\n「ブラックウォーターでエクササイズの指導を。休暇で帰国したら小此木社長に高給を提示されまして。」 <br>\r\n「……んで、また脱走？ こんな男、何の役に立つのかしら。」 <br>\r\n\"It's been a while since I've heard that carefree tone. What happened after you got fired?\" <br><br>\r\n\"I was coaching some people at Blackwater. When I came back to the country during my time off, President Okonogi offered me a high wage.\" <br><br>\r\n\"...So, you deserted again? I wonder how a man like that can be useful for anything.\" <br><br>\r\n「来週までに帰りゃ脱走にはなりませんので。話があったのは昨日です。お嬢が厄介な連中を呼び込むかもしれないと言われまして。」 <br>\r\n「まさにその通りで申し訳ないわね。」 <br>\r\n\"Doesn't count as desertion as long as I come back by next week. I talked with him yesterday. I was told that some troublesome people might come to call on you, lady.\" <br><br>\r\n\"Sorry that turned out to be exactly right.\" <br><br>\r\n「お嬢と面識があって、ドタバタの経験も豊富ってことでご指名が来たんでしょうぜ。お嬢のお陰で、ハッピーな休暇と小遣い稼ぎになりそうです。」 <br>\r\n\"My name probably came up since I know you, and I've got lots of crazy experience. Thanks to you, it looks I'm in for a happy vacation plus some pocket money.\" <br><br>\r\n「……小此木さんがあんたを、私の護衛に雇ったってこと？」 <br>\r\n\"...So, Okonogi-san employed you as my guard?\" <br><br>\r\n「お嬢に恩を売りたいんでしょうぜ。……クビの後、小此木の社長には色々と世話になってましてね。色々と弱みを握られてンで、逆らえんのですわ。ヒャッハ！」 <br>\r\n\"He probably wants to buy some gratitude from you, lady. ...After I got fired, I was indebted to President Okonogi in various ways. He's got some dirt on me here and there, and now I can't say no to him. Hyahha!\" <br><br>\r\n「……小此木さんの世話になると、後々で高く付きそうね。 <br>\r\n\"...Seems that getting indebted to Okonogi-san can be pretty costly later on. <br><br>\r\n……で、あんたは私をどこに連れて行くつもりなの？」 <br>\r\n...So, where are you planning on taking me?\" <br><br>\r\n「どちらへでも。週末までは雇われてます。それ以降は別料金で。」 <br>\r\n\"Anywhere. I'm employed until the weekend. Anything after that'll cost you extra.\" <br><br>\r\n「一日いくら？」 <br>\r\n\"How much per day?\" <br><br>\r\n「５万で手を打ちます。経費は別ですぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"I'll take 50 thousand. Plus expenses.\" <br><br>\r\n「軽口を叩かないなら倍払うわ。雇用期間は未定。何週間かになるかも。」 <br>\r\n\"If you stop cracking jokes, I'll double it. The period of employment isn't fixed yet. It might take several weeks.\" <br><br>\r\n「…そりゃ大変だ。ボスに休暇の延長を電話しねぇとなりませんぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"...That'll be tough. I'll have to call my boss to get an extension on my vacation.\" <br><br>\r\n「私、どうしてもあの日のことが調べたいの。」 <br>\r\n「……あぁ、例の六軒島の？」 <br>\r\n\"More than anything, I want to investigate that day.\" <br><br>\r\n\"...Oh, is this about Rokkenjima?\" <br><br>\r\n「そうよ。１２年前にあの島で何があったのか。……私の手で、納得が行くように調べたいの。」 <br>\r\n「そんな昔のことを今さら調べて、今さら新しい発見がありますかねぇ…？」 <br>\r\n\"Exactly. What happened on that island 12 years ago? ...I want to investigate it with my own hands to my satisfaction.\" <br><br>\r\n\"Do you really expect to find anything new investigating something that old...?\" <br><br>\r\n「そうね。だからこれは、私の自己満足のための旅なのよ。……それを終えたら、ネギでも背負って須磨寺の家に行くわ。……霞叔母さん、私にお抹茶をご馳走したいとか言ってたっけ。角材の上に正座させられて、石でも抱かされながらのお茶かしら。」 <br>\r\n「そりゃおっかねぇや、ひゃっはははは…！」 <br>\r\n\"True. But this is a journey for my own self-satisfaction. ...Once that's over, I'll just throw my hands up and go over to the Sumadera family. ...Didn't Aunt Kasumi say something about how she wanted to serve me some matcha? Maybe she'll serve me tea as I kneel on sharp wooden blocks, clutching stones or something.\" <br><br>\r\n\"Damn that sounds freaky, hyahhahahaha...!\" <br><br>\r\n「申し訳ございません、見失いました…。仲間と思われる男が１人、脱出を援護。スタンガン所持、運転技術その他から見て、素人ではありません。」 <br>\r\n\"My apologies, we lost sight of them... A single man thought to be an associate assisted in her escape. Judging by his possession of a stun gun and his driving skills, he's no amateur.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………そう、ありがとう。 <br>\r\n\"......I see, thank you. <br><br>\r\n………残念よ、小此木。これがあなたのお返事だということでよろしいかしら…？」 <br>\r\n......What a shame, Okonogi. Shall I take this as your answer...?\" <br><br>\r\n「逃がしたのはあんたのヘマだ。俺の知ったこっちゃないねぇ。」 <br>\r\n\"Letting her get away was your blunder. It has nothing to do with me.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………あなたにもぜひ今度、お抹茶をご馳走したいわね。京都にお出での際には、ぜひお立ち寄りなさいな。………行くわよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......I do wish to prepare some matcha for you as well in the near future. The next time you're in Kyoto, please stop by. ......I'm going.\" <br><br>\r\n「あれ、もう帰っちまうのかい。 <br>\r\n\"Oh, are you leaving already? <br><br>\r\nお茶漬けでも食ってけばいいのに。」 <br>\r\nI could offer you some chazuke first.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………くっくっくっく。…ほっほっほっほっほ…！！」 <br>\r\n\".........*cackle*cackle* ...Hohohohoho...!!\" <br><br>\r\n霞は小此木に背を向けたまま、軽やかに、そして徐々に甲高く憎々しく声色を変えて笑い、それを捨て台詞の代わりとする。 <br>\r\nWith her back still facing Okonogi, she laughed softly, but with an increasingly shrill and hateful tone, using that as a substitute for a sharp parting remark. <br><br>\r\n笑い終えると同時に、その形相は般若のように豹変するが、背を向けられた小此木にその表情が見えることはなかった。 <br>\r\nJust as she stopped laughing, her features suddenly changed to look like a demon's, <br><br>\r\nbut because her back was facing him, Okonogi couldn't see that expression. <br><br>\r\n小此木はそれを涼しげに笑いながら見送る。 <br>\r\nその肩越しに、彼の秘書が囁きかける。 <br>\r\nOkonogi watched her go, laughing cooly. <br><br>\r\nHis secretary whispered over his shoulder. <br><br>\r\n「……よろしいのですか？ 縁寿お嬢様は我が社の筆頭株主です。須磨寺家が後見人になれば…。」 <br>\r\n\"...Are you sure about this? <NAME> is our company's primary stockholder. If the Sumadera family becomes her guardian...\" <br><br>\r\n「知ってらぁ。だがな、ウチも天下の右代宮だ。舐められてたまるかってんだ。 <br>\r\n\"I get it. But you know, we're the world-famous Ushiromiyas. We can't let them take us lightly. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、あいつ、うまく立ち回ってくれたようだな。……あとは縁寿ちゃんの好きにさせるさ。頼むぜぇ、天草ぁ。」 <br>\r\n...Still, it looks like that guy managed it pretty well. ...All that's left is to let Ange-chan do as she pleases. I'm counting on you, Amakusa.\" <br><br>\r\n「……霞さま。逃走車両はレンタル。提示した免許証は偽装とのこと。明らかにプロです。恐らく車両は放棄するでしょう。追跡は困難です。……警察に追わせますか。」 <br>\r\n\"...Kasumi-sama, the escaping car was a rental. The license plate they displayed was a fake. We're clearly dealing with a pro. They'll probably abandon the car. Pursuit will be difficult. ...Should we have the police chase them?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………そうね。家出娘の捜索願でも出そうかしら？ 税金納めてるんだもの、警察にもたまには役に立ってもらわなきゃ。ほっほっほっほ…………。 <br>\r\n\"......Hmm, yes. Shall we have them search for our runaway daughter? They are getting paid with our taxes, so the police must be of some use every once in a while. Hohohoho......\" <br><br>\r\n母上に、私にお任せをと啖呵を切ってお屋敷を出て来たんですよ？ あなた、私にさらに恥をかかせるおつもり……？ あんたらまとめて、お抹茶を振舞った方が良さそうねぇ？ ……地下のお茶室は狭いから、順番待ちの行列になっちゃうかしら……？」 <br>\r\n\"When I left the mansion, I boldly told mother to leave it to me, didn't I? Do you intend to embarrass me further...? It looks like it might be better for me to serve some matcha for everyone at once, doesn't it? ...Our underground tea room is cramped, so you'll have to wait in line...\" <br><br>\r\n「い、いえ…。全力で捜索します。」 <br>\r\n\"N-No... We will search with everything we have.\" <br><br>\r\n「……あぁ、本当に可愛い子ねぇ、姉さんに本当にそっくり。……自分勝手で自由奔放な辺りが本当にそっくり。……あぁ、もう姉さんにしか見えなくなってきたわ。あぁ、本当に楽しみよ。姉さんの娘をお茶室にお招きできるなんてね……？ ほっほっほっほっほ……！！」 <br>\r\n\"...Ah, she really is a cute kid, just like Nee-san. ...Especially that way she freewheels and does as she pleases. ...Ah, now I can't see anything but Nee-san. Ah, I'm truly looking forward to it. If only I could invite Nee-san's daughter to my tea room, right...? Hohohohoho...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……須磨寺家、動きが早かったわね。私、小此木さんに売られた…？」 <br>\r\n\"...The Sumadera family sure moved quickly. Did Okonogi-san sell me out...?\" <br><br>\r\n「ご冗談を。俺のクライアントですぜ。お嬢を売ったなら、俺を雇ったりはしませんぜ…？」 <br>\r\n\"You're joking. He's my client. If he'd sold you out, he wouldn't have hired me, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。…それもそうね。」 <br>\r\n\"............I guess that's true.\" <br><br>\r\n「……あぁ、だから３階でエレベーターを降りたんですか。」 <br>\r\n\"...Ah, so that's why you got off the elevator at the third floor.\" <br><br>\r\n「地下駐車場に車が待ってるなんて、手際が妙に良過ぎたから。小此木さんに売られたかもしれないって思って。……駐車場に待ち伏せがいたかどうかは、今となっては証明不能だけどね。」 <br>\r\n\"Him having a car waiting in the underground parking lot was just too convenient. I figured Okonogi-san sold me out. ...Though I guess by now, it's impossible to prove whether there was an ambush set up in the parking lot or not.\" <br><br>\r\n「なるほどねぇ、社長め、気の毒に。お嬢に信用されてないらしい。 <br>\r\n\"I see, that poor president guy. Looks like you don't trust him a bit, lady. <br><br>\r\nその地下の車って、俺のことです。」 <br>\r\nThat car in the basement...was mine.\" <br><br>\r\n「え……？ 天草のことだったの…？」 <br>\r\n\"Huh...? He was talking about you, Amakusa...?\" <br><br>\r\n「着いたエレベーターが空だったんで焦りましたぜ。連中の無線を盗聴できてなきゃ、今頃どうなってたやら。」 <br>\r\n\"I freaked when the elevator came and was empty. I wonder what would've happened by now if I hadn't been listening in on their radio.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………つまり何？ 私が素直に小此木さんを信じて、駐車場に行ってれば、私は３階から飛び降りるなんて真似、する必要もなかったってこと…？」 <br>\r\n\"......So what's going on? If I'd obediently believed Okonogi-san and gone to the parking lot, there would've been no need for me to do that jump off the third floor...?\" <br><br>\r\n「そうなりますなぁ。まぁ、結果オーライですがね。」 <br>\r\n\"Pretty much, yeah. Well, it turned out okay in the end.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n………何てことだろう。 <br>\r\n......What the hell. <br><br>\r\nもしも私が小此木社長を疑わなかったなら、……窮地に陥ることもなく、のんびりと脱出できていたのだ。 <br>\r\nIf I hadn't suspected President Okonogi, ...I could've easily escaped without getting caught in a tough spot. <br><br>\r\n“小此木社長は私を売ったかもしれない”。 <br>\r\n`President Okonogi might have sold me out'. <br><br>\r\nいや、売ったことを想定した方がいい、という疑心暗鬼が、“彼は私を売った”と仮定し~ib~決め付けた~ib~。 <br>\r\nNo, since paranoia told me that it was better to assume that he'd sold me out, I supposed and ~ib~concluded~ib~ that `He sold me out'. <br><br>\r\n彼を信じられなかったから、彼の真実にもかかわらず、私の真実は“彼が私を売った”となった……。 <br>\r\nBecause of my inability to believe in him, regardless of his truth, my truth became `He sold me out'... <br><br>\r\n小此木社長の言葉が蘇る。 <br>\r\nI thought back on President Okonogi's words. <br><br>\r\n絶対性のない真実なんて、それを真実と呼べるのかい…？ <br>\r\nCan you really call truth without certainty truth...? <br><br>\r\n真実なんて、愛があるかないかでいくらでも変わる。 <br>\r\nTruth can change completely depending on whether you have love or not. <br><br>\r\n結局のところ、……真実などというものは存在しないのかもしれない。 <br>\r\nIn the end, ...perhaps truth itself doesn't exist. <br><br>\r\nそれを語る人の人数分だけ、各々の解釈の真実が生み出されるだけなのだ。 <br>\r\nThere are as many interpreted truths as there are people who speak of the truth. <br><br>\r\nそんな不定形なものを真実だと認められないのなら、……私が本当に見つけたいと思う真実は、どこに存在するというのか。……そしてそれは、目で見えるものなのか。 <br>\r\nIf I can't accept something that fluid as truth, ...where does the truth that I really want to find exist? ...And is it something I'll be able to see with my eyes? <br><br>\r\n案外、…目の前にこれが真実だと突きつけられても、……私には視えないモノなのかも知れない…。 <br>\r\n...Even if someone sticks the truth right there in front of me and says it's the truth, I might not be able to `see' it... <br><br>\r\n「……愛がなければ視えない、か。」 <br>\r\n\"...Without love, it cannot be `seen', huh?\" <br><br>\r\n「………あなたのカケラはずいぶんと賑やかね。退屈しないわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......This Fragment of yours is very lively. It doesn't bore me.\" <br><br>\r\n「あなたは言ったわ。１２年前の真実を探れと私に命じた。……でも、何だかわからなくなってしまった。」 <br>\r\n\"You told me something. You commanded me to search for the truth of 12 years ago. ...But there's something I'm not getting.\" <br><br>\r\n「何が？」 <br>\r\n\"What's that?\" <br><br>\r\n「……真実って何？ 人の数だけ真実がある。人の数だけ解釈がある。そしてそれは主観によって歪められ、いくらでも姿を変える。……真実ってものは、そんなにも不定形であやふやなものなの？」 <br>\r\n\"...What is truth? There are as many truths as there are people. There are as many interpretations as there are people. And those can be twisted by opinions and changed indefinitely. ...Is truth really that unfixed and vague?\" <br><br>\r\n「そうよ。……真実は不定形。粒子のようであり、波のようでもあり、相反する形状を同時に持つ。箱の中の猫が、生きていると思おうが死んでいると思おうが自由。……でも、真実はとても繊細。それは観測されただけで姿を変えてしまうわ。」 <br>\r\n\"That's right. ...Truth is unfixed. It can be like a particle, or like a wave, and it can hold conflicting forms at the same time. You are free to believe that the cat in the box is alive or dead. ...But the truth is very delicate. It can change its appearance just by being observed.\" <br><br>\r\n「シュレディンガーの猫箱とかいう話？ ………寝言よ。箱を開ければ真実はわかる。開ける前の議論なんて、机上の空論もいいところ。」 <br>\r\n\"You're talking about stuff like Schrodinger's cat box? ......Nonsense. If you open the box, you learn the truth. Discussion about what happens before you open it is just an armchair theory.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうね。にもかかわらず、その空論を否定するには箱を開ける必要がある。……開けられない箱の中身についてのあらゆる想像は否定不能。つまりは真実ということ。」 <br>\r\n\"That's right. And yet, in order to deny that abstract theory, you need to open the box. ...It is impossible to negate any idea about the contents of a box that cannot be opened. This is what truth is.\" <br><br>\r\n「………真実は、否定されない限り、その形状を維持する。」 <br>\r\n「そう。真実は、観測されない限り、その形状を維持する。」 <br>\r\n\"......As long as truth isn't denied, it keeps its form.\" <br><br>\r\n\"That's right. As long as truth isn't observed, it keeps its form.\" <br><br>\r\n「つまり、暴けなきゃどんな妄言も真実たりえるわけね。」 <br>\r\n\"In other words, if it isn't exposed, any reckless statement can suffice as truth.\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ。……無限の想像は、それらが互いに矛盾していたとしても否定されず同時に真実として存在できる。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes. ...Even if they contradict each other, endless ideas can exist as truth at the same time without being negated.\" <br><br>\r\n「………家族みんなが、六軒島の魔女に捕らわれて、永遠に１２年前に閉じ込められているという、滅茶苦茶な話すら、１２年前に何があったかわからない限り、真実として存在できる…。」 <br>\r\n\"......So even something as screwed up as my family being captured by the Rokkenjima witch and shut up 12 years ago for all eternity...can exist as truth as long as we don't know what happened 12 years ago...\" <br><br>\r\n「ベアトリーチェという魔女は、１２年前の六軒島に“無限”の想像の余地を抉じ開け、そこを猫箱として全てを飲み込んだ。……開かれぬ箱の中の全ては真実。」 <br>\r\n\"This witch called Beatrice...forcibly made room for `Endless' imaginings in the Rokkenjima of 12 years ago, enveloping all of it inside a cat box. Everything inside the unopenable box is truth.\" <br><br>\r\nそう。 <br>\r\nThat's right. <br><br>\r\n~ib~あの島で何があったかわからないから~ib~、無限になる。 <br>\r\n~ib~We don't know what happened on that island~ib~, so it becomes endless. <br><br>\r\n「……閉まったままならね。私が抉じ開ければいいだけの話。 <br>\r\n\"...That's assuming no one opens it up. I just have to wrench it open. <br><br>\r\n………でも、その箱は１２年前に閉じられ、どこにあるのかもわからない。……仮に六軒島に訪れたとしても、私は荒れ果てた島で、１２年前の何を知ることができるというの？」 <br>\r\n......But that box was closed up 12 years ago, and I don't even know where it is. ...Even if I visit Rokkenjima, just what can I learn about what happened 12 years ago on that desolated island?\" <br><br>\r\n「さぁ。何を知ることができるのかしら。………いずれにせよそれは、１９９８年という１２年後の未来を自由に闊歩できる、最後の魔女、エンジェ・ベアトリーチェにしかできないことよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Who knows? I wonder what you could learn. ......This is something that can only be done by the person who is able to walk around freely in the world of 1998, 12 years in the future: the final witch, ANGE Beatrice.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。」 <br>\r\n\".........\" <br><br>\r\n「ベアトリーチェのゲーム盤は１９８６年１０月４日から５日の２日間。つまりそれは、あなたが彼女のゲーム盤の外へ自在に動ける駒だということ。……そして、ベアトリーチェですらこのゲーム盤を超えた未来へは干渉できない。」 <br>\r\n\"Beatrice's game board lasts two days, from October 4, 1986 to the 5th. In other words, you're a piece who can move freely outside her game board. ...And even Beatrice cannot influence this future that lies outside the game board.\" <br><br>\r\n「……そうやって言われると、私って、かなり優秀でズルイ駒だわ。」 <br>\r\n\"...If you say it like that, it sounds like I'm a pretty overpowered piece.\" <br><br>\r\n「あなたが身を置く１２年後という未来は確かに遠いわ。しかし、駒は未来に位置すれば位置するほど、強い力を持つの。……言ったでしょう？ 真実は、観測されると姿を変えると。」 <br>\r\n\"The future of 12 years later in which you are placed certainly is distant. However, the further a piece is placed in the future, the stronger power it holds. ...I told you, didn't I? The truth changes its appearance when it is observed.\" <br><br>\r\n「そう言えば、こんな話を聞いたことがあるわ。……ある日、突然、ケンタウルス座の恒星が爆発してしまっても、その爆発の光が地球に届くには、４．４光年だから４年半の月日が必要になる。」 <br>\r\n\"Come to think of it, I heard something like that once. ...Even if one day, all of a sudden, a star in the constellation Centaurus were to explode, the light from that explosion would have to cross 4.4 light years, so it would take it four and a half years to reach the Earth.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうね。つまり、ケンタウルスの太陽がすでになくなっているとしても、地球人は４年半の間、その事実を知覚できない。……光より早く知覚する手段は存在しないのだから。」 <br>\r\n\"That's right. In other words, even if the sun in Centaurus has already died, people on Earth won't be able to perceive that fact for four and a half years. ...Because no method of perception exists that is faster than the speed of light.\" <br><br>\r\nケンタウルスの太陽の爆発を知った時。 <br>\r\nWhen we learn that the sun in Centaurus has exploded... <br><br>\r\n私たち地球人は４年半前の歴史を新しい真実で塗り替える。 <br>\r\n４年半前に爆発していたと、歴史を新しい真実で修正する。 <br>\r\nWe Earth people will paint over our history of four and a half years ago with a new truth. <br><br>\r\nWe will revise history with a new fact: that it exploded four and a half years ago. <br><br>\r\nしかし、４年半を経てそれを知るまでの間、すでになくなっているにもかかわらず、ケンタウルスの太陽がまだ存在しているという誤った真実は、真実として存在できた。 <br>\r\nHowever, for the four and a half year period until we learn that, despite the fact that it has already died, the mistaken truth that the sun of Centaurus still exists will be able to exist as truth. <br><br>\r\n未来の真実は、過去の真実に、勝る。 <br>\r\nThe truth of the future wins against the truth of the past. <br><br>\r\n「………そうよ。元々、六軒島の事故は、ただそれだけならば、絵羽伯母さんと右代宮家の財産を巡る陰謀疑惑でしかなかった。 <br>\r\n\"......That's right. By itself, the Rokkenjima accident gave rise to nothing but suspicion of a conspiracy involving Aunt Eva and the Ushiromiya family assets. <br><br>\r\n……しかしそれが、後年。オカルトによって脚色され、陰謀は魔女伝説として塗り替えられる。」 <br>\r\n...But later on, ...it was dramatized and linked to the occult, and the conspiracy was painted over by the Legend of the Witch.\" <br><br>\r\n事件当時は陰謀として騒がれたのに、後年、それらは魔女の仕業だったとするおかしなオカルト説が蔓延し、１９８６年１０月５日の真実を塗り替え始めた…。 <br>\r\nEven though it was clambered over as a conspiracy at the time of the crime, later on, strange occult theories, which claimed that it was the work of the witch, ran rampant and began to paint over the truth of October 5, 1986... <br><br>\r\n陰謀説は時間と共に忘れられていくだろう。 <br>\r\nThe conspiracy theories will probably be forgotten over time. <br><br>\r\n……そして、奇異で印象深い魔女説だけが、迷信的に残り続け、最後には陰謀説を、塗り潰す。 <br>\r\n...And only the more bizarre, impressive witch theory will continue to remain as superstition, eventually covering up the conspiracies. <br><br>\r\n「そう。恒星爆発の光が地球に届くまでの間の虚偽の真実が、陰謀説という人間説だったかのよう。………数年後に漂着した手紙入りのワインボトル、『メッセージボトル』が、それをオカルト説という魔女説に遡って塗り替え始めた。 <br>\r\n\"That's right. The false truth that exists before the light from an exploding star reaches Earth is almost like the conspiracy theory, which is a human theory. ......The wine bottle with a letter in it that drifted ashore several years later, the `message bottle', painted over that theory and made things return to the occult theory, which is a witch's theory.\" <br><br>\r\n……そうよ。魔女なんて、１９８６年の時点では存在しなかった。その数年後に、メッセージボトルによって私たち未来の人間に“観測”されたから、魔女が六軒島を支配した…！」 <br>\r\n\"...That's right. A witch didn't exist during 1986. The witch took control of Rokkenjima because she was `observed' several years later by us humans of the future, thanks to that message bottle...!\" <br><br>\r\n「……少し修正が必要よ。１９８６年の時点でも魔女は存在出来たわ。無限に存在できる数多の可能性の中のひとつとしてね。」 <br>\r\n\"...A small revision is necessary. The witch could have existed even during 1986. As one of many endless possibilities that can exist.\" <br><br>\r\n「確かに。観測されたら消えてしまう、猫箱の中に縮こまってね。……だからメッセージボトルは悪質なのよ。 <br>\r\n\"Certainly. She'd disappear if she were observed, so she curls up inside the cat box. ...That's what makes the message bottle so nasty.\" <br><br>\r\n…魔女は、箱の外に出ようとした。自らを観測させて、魔女説以外の可能性を淘汰した。……つまり、自らを否定できないように、魔女説以外の全ての可能性を否定したということ。 <br>\r\n\"...The witch tried to get out of the box. She made it so that she'd be observed, weeding out possibilities that conflicted with the witch theory. ...In other words, to make it impossible to negate her, she negated all possibilities other than the witch theory.\" <br><br>\r\n………何てこと。つまりベアトリーチェは、悪魔の証明を正攻法で成し遂げたのよ。そして、それは初めから魔女の計画に組み込まれていた。」 <br>\r\n\"......What the hell. So in other words, Beatrice satisfied the Devil's Proof with a frontal attack. And, that was part of the witch's plan from the beginning.\" <br><br>\r\n「メッセージボトルは１９８６年より未来に観測される情報ね。………ベアトリーチェにも戦人にも観測できない。…エンジェ・ベアトリーチェにしか観測できない。」 <br>\r\n\"The message bottle is information observed in the future after 1986. ......It cannot be observed by Beatrice or Battler. ...It can only be observed by ANGE Beatrice.\" <br><br>\r\n「……本当はメッセージボトルのことなんて調べたくなかった。…だってそれを読むことは、魔女の言い分を聞くのに同じ。魔女説なんて妄言を無視してる私には、時間の無駄でしかないと思ってた。 <br>\r\n\"...I really didn't want to investigate the message bottle. ...After all, reading that would be like listening to the witch's say. I thought the witch theory was just a crazy fantasy, so I thought of it as nothing more than a waste of time.\" <br><br>\r\n……でも、小此木さんに言われたわ。片方の目だけじゃ、物事を立体的に見られないって。」 <br>\r\n\"...But Okonogi-san told me. You can't see things in three dimensions with only one eye.\" <br><br>\r\n「魔女否定の視点と同時に、魔女肯定の視点も必要ということ？ ……それは正しい考え方よ。視点の数は分母に同じ。視点の数が１では、分子である謎はわずかほども減らない。しかし、視点の数が増えれば増えるほど、謎は割り算されていく。」 <br>\r\n\"You mean that while looking at it from the viewpoint of denying witches, you must also look at it from the viewpoint of accepting witches? ...That's a correct way of thinking. The number of viewpoints is like a denominator. If you have one viewpoint, the mystery in the numerator doesn't decrease in the slightest. However, the more your number of viewpoints increases, the more the mystery begins to be divided.\" <br><br>\r\n「わかってるわ。……事件の数年後、近隣の島に流れ着いたメッセージボトル。それは好事家の手に渡った。アポイントは、一応取ってあるの。」 <br>\r\n\"I understand. ...There was a message bottle that washed up on a neighboring island several years after the crime. That passed into the hands of a dilettante. I made an appointment with him, just in case.\" <br><br>\r\n…小此木さんから、絵羽伯母さんの言い分は聞き取ることが出来た。 <br>\r\n...I was able to hear Aunt Eva's say from Okonogi-san. <br><br>\r\n次は、魔女の言い分。 <br>\r\n聞いてやろうじゃないの。ベアトリーチェの言い分を…！ <br>\r\nNext up is...the witch's say. <br><br>\r\nWhy don't I listen? To Beatrice's say...! <br><br>\r\n「余命３ヶ月。南條先生がそう仰ったのは去年の話よぅ？」 <br>\r\n\"3 months left to live. It was last year when you said that, right, Doctor Nanjo?\" <br><br>\r\n「……わ、私は、その時の健康状態から総合的に判断してお話しているだけです。その結果、今年もたまたま、」 <br>\r\n\"...I-I only spoke of what I could comprehensively determine from his physical condition at the time. As a result, this year too, it just so happens-\" <br><br>\r\n「年を越せるかも怪しいってことになってる親父殿は、今も意気軒昂でオカルト研究に没頭されてるというわけだ。それでも余命３ヶ月ってわけかい、先生？」 <br>\r\n\"So, even though it's doubtful whether Dad'll last until the end of the year, he's still totally focused on his occult research. And you still say he has only three months left, Doctor?\" <br><br>\r\n「で、ですから、金蔵さんの、」 <br>\r\n\"L-Like I said, Kinzo-san's-\" <br><br>\r\n「敬愛する親父殿が、未だお元気でおられるなら素晴らしいことじゃないか。親孝行なお前たちは、親父殿に挨拶がしたくてしたくて仕方がない。なので会ってもらえないので納得が行かないと、そういうわけだ。」 <br>\r\n\"Shouldn't you be happy that our respected father is still in high spirits? Out of a sense of parental respect, each one of you is so eager to greet Father. I can see how upset you are that he's unwilling to meet with you.\" <br><br>\r\n「…日も沈まぬ内から、遺産分配の皮算用を始める皆さんのことを思えば、お父様の会いたくないという気持ちもわかろうというものです。」 <br>\r\n\"...Considering that everyone has started aiming for the inheritance while the sun is still in the sky, I can understand why Father wouldn't want to see you.\" <br><br>\r\n「そ、それは誤解よ、夏妃姉さん。……ただ、私たちはその、」 <br>\r\n\"Y-You've got it wrong, Natsuhi nee-san. ...We just, umm-\" <br><br>\r\n「親父とて不死身じゃねぇ、いつかは死ぬさ。死ねと言ってるんじゃない。いつかは死ぬと言ってるだけさ。それに備えての話し合いだってだけの話じゃねぇか。」 <br>\r\n\"Dad isn't immortal, and he'll die someday. We aren't telling him to die. We're just saying that he will die sooner or later. We're just talking together about how to prepare for that.\" <br><br>\r\n「それが不敬だと言っているのです！！」 <br>\r\n\"And that is precisely what is so disrespectful!!\" <br><br>\r\n「よしなさい。また君の頭痛に障る。」 <br>\r\n\"Stop it. You'll make your headache worse.\" <br><br>\r\n興奮して席を立ち上がってしまった夏妃に、蔵臼は座れと制する。 <br>\r\nKrauss told Natsuhi, who had risen from her chair in agitation, to sit down. <br><br>\r\n一気にキナ臭くなった空気を、取り繕うように秀吉が愛想笑いを浮かべ、まままま…、と全員をなだめるような仕草をする。 <br>\r\nTrying to smooth over the atmosphere, which had suddenly become filled with suspicion, Hideyoshi put on a forced smile and motioned for everyone to calm down. <br><br>\r\n「……夏妃さん、誤解せんといてや。立つ鳥跡を濁さずっちゅう諺があるやろ？ これはその見送る側の話や。やがては必ず旅立つお父さんを、綺麗に見送るための相談なんやで。」 <br>\r\n\"...Natsuhi-san, don't misunderstand. People say you should always clean up after yourself, right? We're just talkin' about seein' him off. We're discussin' this so we can see Father off neatly when he takes off on the journey he's eventually gonna make.\" <br><br>\r\n「はっはっは…。さすが秀吉さんだ。同じ話をするにしても、実に知性的だ。」 <br>\r\n\"Hahaha... That's just like you, Hideyoshi-san. Even though you're saying the same thing, you make it sound so intellectual.\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、そうよ。兄さんと違ってね。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, that's right. Unlike you, Nii-san.\" <br><br>\r\n「よせやい。話が進まねぇ。 <br>\r\n\"Quit it. We aren't getting anywhere. <br><br>\r\n………それでだな、兄貴。俺たちは遺産の話云々は抜きにしてもだ。たとえ親父に殴られても構わねぇ。 <br>\r\n......So like we're saying, Aniki, forget all this about the inheritance. I don't even care if Dad hits us.\" <br><br>\r\n早い話が、親父に直接会って、挨拶がしてぇんだ。親父が嫌だと言ってもだ。書斎に閉じ篭ってるなら、源次さんに鍵を借りてでもな。 <br>\r\n\"To make a long story short, we wanna meet Dad directly and say hello. Even if he says he doesn't want to. If he's locked up in his study, we don't care if we have to borrow a key from Genji-san. <br><br>\r\nなぁ、楼座？」 <br>\r\nRight, Rosa?\" <br><br>\r\n「…え、…まぁその、…無理やりってわけじゃないけれど…。……だって、かなり長い間、私たちはお父様にご挨拶していない。 <br>\r\n\"...Oh, ...well, umm...it's not like we're forcing you... ...It's just...we haven't said hello to Father in such a long time. <br><br>\r\n余命わずかだと言うなら、もう二度と会えなくなる可能性だってある…。……今日がお父様と言葉が交わせるかもしれない最後の機会だし…。」 <br>\r\nIf his remaining life really is short, then there's a chance we might never be able to see him again... ...Today might be our final opportunity to exchange words with Father...\" <br><br>\r\n「そうそう、楼座の言う通りよぅ。余命３ヶ月ってことは、いつ亡くなってもおかしくないってことなのよ？ <br>\r\n\"That's right, just like Rosa says. If he only has three months left, it wouldn't be odd for him to pass away any time now, right? <br><br>\r\nそれなのに私たちに最後のお話をする権利さえないと言うの？ ……それはいくらなんでも、あんまりな話じゃないのかしらぁ…？」 <br>\r\nAre you saying that despite that, we don't even have the right to talk with him one last time? ...Regardless of the circumstances, isn't that just a bit too much...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……あなたたちのしたい話というのが、本当に挨拶ならお父様も喜んでお会いになられるでしょう。 <br>\r\n\"...If greeting Father were truly what you wished to do, I'm sure he'd happily allow you to meet with him.\" <br><br>\r\nしかしお父様は皆さんがどのような不敬な話に及んでいるか、すでに聞き及んでおいでです！ お父様でなくとも、会いたい気持ちになるわけがない。お父様がお会いになられないのは他でもない、皆さん自身のせいではありませんか？」 <br>\r\n\"But Father has already heard about the disrespectful topic you hope to raise! No one would want to meet with you under those conditions. The reason you cannot meet with Father is because of your own doing and nothing else, is it not?\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくっく。まったくだな。どうして親父殿がお前たちの顔を見るのも嫌か、自分の胸に手を当てずともわかるのではないかね？ 親父殿は、諸君らの逼迫している経済状況も全てお見通しだ。」 <br>\r\n\"Heheh. Exactly. You shouldn't have to rack your brains to understand why Father doesn't wish to see your faces, right? Father has seen through all of your tight financial situations.\" <br><br>\r\n「………それ、何の話よ。…兄さんが何の話をしてるのかさっぱりだわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......What are you talking about? ...I don't have a clue what you're going on about, Nii-san.\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくっくくく！ 私が諸君らの内情を知らないとでも思っているのかね…？」 <br>\r\n\"Heheheheh! Did you really think I didn't know about the state you're in...?\" <br><br>\r\n絵羽たちは、自分たちが火の車であることを見抜かれていると気付き、最初は虚勢を張り、最後には論点を戻して反論し、金蔵に会わせろ会わせろと押し問答になった。 <br>\r\nEva and the rest realized that he had seen through to their current lack of funds, and alternating between bluffing and returning to the point at hand and arguing back, they repeatedly pressed Krauss to let them meet with Kinzo. <br><br>\r\n…せっかく楼座が買ってきた紅茶の良い香りは、もはや台無しだ。 <br>\r\n...The sweet smell of the black tea Rosa had gone out of her way to buy had been completely wasted. <br><br>\r\n彼女がせめて良かったと思うことは、この場に子どもたちがいないでいてくれたことだけ。 <br>\r\nThe only thing she was glad about now was that the children weren't here for this. <br><br>\r\n……彼らが昼食後すぐに、浜辺へ遊びに行ってくれたのが唯一の救いだった。 <br>\r\n...The fact that they'd gone to play at the beach right after lunch had been their only salvation. <br><br>\r\n絵羽は蔵臼に取っ組みかかろうとしていて、その間に秀吉と霧江が入り、双方をなだめている。 <br>\r\nEva made as though to tackle Krauss, and Hideyoshi and Kyrie cut in between them, trying to calm both sides. <br><br>\r\n……すると霧江が大きくため息をつきながら言った。 <br>\r\n...Then, Kyrie took a deep breath and spoke. <br><br>\r\n「…………ごめんなさいね、蔵臼兄さん。部外者だけれど、一言いいかしら。提案があるの。」 <br>\r\n\"......I'm sorry, Krauss nii-san. I know I'm an outsider, but I wonder if you'd let me say one thing. I have a proposition.\" <br><br>\r\n「何だね、霧江さん。」 <br>\r\n\"What is it, Kyrie-san?\" <br><br>\r\n「……まず、うちの人も含めてなんだけれど、私たちは長年、お父さんと一緒に暮らして、そのお世話をしてきた蔵臼兄さんの苦労を、あまりにも軽んじているわ。 <br>\r\n\"...First, and this includes my husband as well, for many years, we have belittled the efforts you've made by living with Father and taking care of him. <br><br>\r\n…そうでしょう？」 <br>\r\n...Isn't that right?\" <br><br>\r\n「………そりゃ、まぁ。…俺たちは外に出て気楽でいいが、何十年もお守りをしてきた兄貴は、そりゃ苦労はしたろうな。 <br>\r\n\"......That's...well... ...We've got it easy since we get to go outside, but Aniki's been babysitting Dad for decades now, and that must've been a lot of work. <br><br>\r\n……それは認めるが、それが何だってんだ、霧江。」 <br>\r\n...I'll accept that, but what's your point, Kyrie?\" <br><br>\r\n「私たちは、蔵臼兄さんがお父さんの世話人であることを認めざるを得ないのよ。……だってそうでしょう？ 私たちはお父さんをずっと恐れてきて、その世話を蔵臼兄さんに押し付けてきたわ。その苦労は誰もが認めるはず。 <br>\r\n\"We must acknowledge that Krauss nii-san is Father's caretaker. ...Isn't that right? We've always feared Father...and have pushed the task of caring for him onto Krauss nii-san. Everyone should acknowledge his efforts. <br><br>\r\nですよね？ 絵羽姉さん？」 <br>\r\nIsn't that right, Eva nee-san?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。……だからそれが何？ 兄さんがお父様の世話人？ あんた、部外者のくせに勝手なこと決めないでよ！」 <br>\r\n\".........And so what? Nii-san is Father's caretaker? Don't decide things on your own, outsider!\" <br><br>\r\n「ま、…まぁまぁ。……霧江さん、あんた、何の話をしてるんだ？」 <br>\r\n\"H-Hey now, ...calm down. ...Kyrie-san, what are you talking about?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。……霧江、続けてくれ。」 <br>\r\n\"...............Kyrie, please continue.\" <br><br>\r\n「私たちは蔵臼兄さんと夏妃姉さんに、もっと感謝すべきなのよ。……いつもお父さんの世話をしてくれてありがとうって。 <br>\r\n\"We should be more grateful towards Krauss nii-san and Natsuhi nee-san. ...We should thank them for always taking care of Father. <br><br>\r\n私たちにその感謝の気持ちがないから、こんな不毛なすれ違いになるの。……そうでしょう、蔵臼兄さん。」 <br>\r\nIt's our lack of gratitude that's to blame for these wasteful conflicts we keep having. ...Isn't that right, Krauss nii-san?\" <br><br>\r\n「………これは驚いたね。実の兄弟たちにも顧みられなかった私たちの苦労が、まさか霧江さんに理解してもらえるとは思わなかったよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......I'm surprised. I did not think you, Kyrie-san, would be able to understand our efforts, which even my true siblings have not stopped to consider.\" <br><br>\r\n「……右代宮家当主跡継ぎとして、当然の務めです。」 <br>\r\n\"...It's a natural duty for the Successor to the Ushiromiya Family Headship.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうね。当主跡継ぎとしての、責任よね。……お父様を世話しているからこそ、当主跡継ぎとして、私たちは認めざるを得ない。」 <br>\r\n\"That's right. It's your responsibility as the Successor to the Headship, isn't it? ...It's because you take care of Father that we must acknowledge you as the Successor.\" <br><br>\r\n「あんたッ！！ 何を勝手に話を進めてんのよ！！ あんた部外者の分際で、」 <br>\r\n\"Hey!! Why are you bringing this up all by yourself?!! You're just an outsider-\" <br><br>\r\n「待て姉貴ッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Wait, Aneki!! <br><br>\r\n………そうだな。霧江の言う通りだ。親父の世話をしているからこそ、兄貴は跡継ぎなんだ。お前の言う通りだ。」 <br>\r\n......That's right. It's just like Kyrie says. Because you take care of Dad, you're the Successor, Aniki. It's just like you said.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………あ、」 <br>\r\n\"......Oh-\" <br><br>\r\n「……………ん、」 <br>\r\n\"......Nn-\" <br><br>\r\n楼座が気付き、それに続いて絵羽も気付く。 <br>\r\nRosa noticed, and then Eva did. <br><br>\r\n絵羽の、勝手に話を進める霧江に対して吼え猛る様子はぴたりとなくなり、代わって蔵臼たちを凝視するようになる。 <br>\r\nEva's barking demeanor towards Kyrie for advancing the discussion on her own disappeared in a flash, and she instead stared at Krauss and Natsuhi. <br><br>\r\n……夏妃はその突然の変化が理解できず、わずかにうろたえた。 <br>\r\n...Natsuhi couldn't understand that sudden change and was slightly flustered. <br><br>\r\n「蔵臼兄さん。……ほんのいくつかの条件さえ飲んでくれれば、私たちはお父さんが亡くなるまで、二度と会わせろとは言わないわ。 <br>\r\n\"Krauss nii-san, ...if you'll accept just a few conditions, we won't ask you to let us meet Father again until he dies. <br><br>\r\nもちろん、死に目に会わせろとも言わない。……何ならお葬式にさえ欠席してもいいわ。」 <br>\r\nOf course, we won't demand to be present at his deathbed. ...We wouldn't even mind being absent at the funeral.\" <br><br>\r\n「……ほぅ？ ………何の話やら。だが、一応は聞こうじゃないか。その条件を言ってみたまえ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Oh? ......Where are you going with this? But I may as well listen for now. Let's hear your terms.\" <br><br>\r\n「一つ。……当主跡継ぎとは、現当主、右代宮金蔵の世話人を指す。」 <br>\r\n\"First. ...The term Successor to the Headship refers to the caretaker of the current Head, Ushiromiya Kinzo.\" <br><br>\r\n「………ふむ。それから？」 <br>\r\n\"......Hmm. And then?\" <br><br>\r\n「一つ。世話人の責務は、右代宮金蔵の終生の世話をすること。……早い話が、最期を看取るまでが仕事ってことね。蔵臼兄さんには、元よりその覚悟はあるから問題はない。」 <br>\r\n\"Second. The duty of the caretaker is to look after Ushiromiya Kinzo for the rest of his life. ...To make things simple, the caretaker's job is to care for him until his final moments. You were prepared to do that from the beginning, Krauss nii-san, so that won't cause any problems.\" <br><br>\r\n「当然だ。そこまでの条件には何の異存もないね。元より、私が実行していることだ。」 <br>\r\n\"Naturally. I have no objections to either of those terms. I am already carrying them out.\" <br><br>\r\n「一つ。世話人が、万一、その監督責任を怠った場合、世話人の権利は剥奪される。」 <br>\r\n\"Third. On the off-chance that the caretaker is neglectful in his responsibilities of supervision, he shall be deprived of his rights as a caretaker.\" <br><br>\r\nその一言に、蔵臼の表情から余裕が消える。 <br>\r\n…夏妃だけはまだ、その意味がわかりかねていた。 <br>\r\nWith that sentence, all slack disappeared from Krauss's face. <br><br>\r\n...Natsuhi alone was still having trouble figuring out what it meant. <br><br>\r\n「……ほぅ。世話人の監督責任とは、 <br>\r\n……どんなものかね？」 <br>\r\n\"...Hoh. And just what are these... <br><br>\r\nresponsibilities of supervision that the caretaker bears?\" <br><br>\r\n「お父さんが、寿命の限りを健やかに過ごせるよう監督するということよ。……もっと詳細に言うわ。お父さんが自然死以外の理由で死亡した場合、世話人の権利は剥奪され、当主跡継ぎの権利を失う。その際の当主跡継ぎには、次の序列である絵羽姉さんを選ぶこと。」 <br>\r\n\"It means supervision so that Father can live the rest of his life in the best possible health. ...I'll be more detailed than that. In the case that Father dies anything other than a natural death, the caretaker will be deprived of his rights as caretaker, and his status as the Successor to the Headship will be lost. If that happens, the next highest in rank, Eva nee-san, will be selected as the Successor.\" <br><br>\r\n「………な、んですって……。そ、そんな世迷言、よくもしゃあしゃあと！！」 <br>\r\n\"......Wh-What did you say...? How can you shamelessly speak such nonsense?!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ほぅほぅ。これはこれは、世話人は責任重大だ…。 <br>\r\n\"Hohoh. My, my, the caretaker certainly has a heavy responsibility... <br><br>\r\nしかし、人の死因は数多ある。例えば、老衰した老人が食事を喉に詰まらせて亡くなることもあるだろう。本来ならそれもまた広義の意味での老死となるに違いない。 <br>\r\nHowever, people can die in many ways. For example, senile old people sometimes die when food gets caught in their throats. Normally, this is called death by old age in its broadest sense.\" <br><br>\r\nしかし、その論法で行くと、これは事故死になり、私は監督責任を負わされることになる。……これは私にとって不当に不利な話だ。」 <br>\r\n\"But with your argument, that becomes a death by accident, and I bear the responsibility of supervision. ...This is unjustly disadvantageous to me.\" <br><br>\r\n「そんな屁理屈をつけるつもりは毛頭ないの。私が想定しているのは、世話人がしっかり世話をして見張っていれば未然に防げた程度のレベル。 <br>\r\n\"I have no intention of forcing such an unfair argument on you. I'm referring to the kind of thing that the caretaker could have prevented beforehand by taking good care of and keeping his eyes on Father.\" <br><br>\r\n食事を口に運ぶところまでは世話人の仕事でしょうけれど、飲み込むことにかんしてはさすがに責任外。蔵臼兄さんのケースでは、私はまったく問題にしないわ。」 <br>\r\n\"It may be the caretaker's job to carry food to Father's mouth, but whether he swallows it or not is clearly outside the caretaker's responsibility. I would have absolutely no problems with the example you raise, Krauss nii-san.\" <br><br>\r\n「………ほぅ。ならば、霧江さんが想定する、世話人が過失を問われるケースとはどのようなものなのか。」 <br>\r\n\"......Hoh. So, what kind of case are you referring to that might cause the caretaker to be blamed for making a blunder?\" <br><br>\r\n「例えば、 <br>\r\n……失踪よ。」 <br>\r\n\"For example, <br><br>\r\n...if he disappeared.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「…………………。 <br>\r\n\"...... <br><br>\r\n……………ほぅ？」 <br>\r\n......Oh?\" <br><br>\r\n「お父さんは、今はお心もしっかりしているようだけれど、ひょっとすると痴呆が始まるかもしれない。 <br>\r\n\"It seems that right now, Father is in firm control of himself, but dementia might begin to set in.\" <br><br>\r\n……目を離した隙に徘徊して、何か事故を起こしたり、……あるいはふらりと森に迷い込んで、そのまま行方不明になってしまうこともあるかもしれないわ。 <br>\r\n\"...He might wander around when you aren't looking and get into some kind of accident, ...or he might get lost in the forest and go missing. <br><br>\r\n……こういうケースは、明らかに世話人の責任じゃないかしら…？」 <br>\r\n...Wouldn't this type of case clearly be the responsibility of the caretaker...?\" <br><br>\r\n「お父様はお心も健康でいらっしゃいます！ 痴呆などと、言うに事欠いて…！」 <br>\r\n\"Father's mind is perfectly healthy! There is no need to bring up dementia...!\" <br><br>\r\n「お父さんがある日突然、森の中に入っていくのを見た。後を追ったけれど、姿が見えない。警察も呼んで探したけれど、その後、７年間探しても見つからなくて失踪宣告。それを以って死亡扱い、というのは認められない、って言いたいの。」 <br>\r\n\"`One day, suddenly, I saw Father go into the forest. I chased after him, but I couldn't find him. I called the police and searched, but after being unable to find him after seven whole years, I had him declared legally dead.' My point is that we won't accept it if you use a story like that to treat him as dead.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「お父さんが亡くなられた際には必ず検死を行ない、常識の範囲内で想定される一般的な老死であることを確認すること。……それ以外のあらゆる理由によっての死は、世話人の責任とすること。 <br>\r\n\"When Father passes away, an autopsy will certainly be carried out, and we will confirm that he died of old age in the most general meaning, within the bounds of common sense. ...A death of any other cause will be held as the caretaker's responsibility. <br><br>\r\n……………ね？ 今日まで蔵臼兄さんがご苦労なされてきたことの範囲内。おかしな条件でも何でもないでしょう…？」 <br>\r\n.........See? These are all things you have toiled away at all this time, Krauss nii-san. These aren't strange conditions or anything of the sort, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「ば、馬鹿にしています、屈辱的です！！ なぜ主人がこのような辱めを受けるようなルールを強要されなければならないのか、理解に苦しみます！！」 <br>\r\n\"Y-You are mocking us, disgracefully so!! I find it hard to imagine why my husband must be coerced into a rule that disgraces him in this way!!\" <br><br>\r\n「………私、実は去年から疑ってるわ。いえ、多分、ここにいるみんなもそう。絵羽姉さんも、秀吉兄さんも。留弗夫さんも楼座さんも。みんなずっと疑ってるけど、あまりに恐れ多い想像で口にしなかっただけ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Actually, I've been suspecting it since last year. No, everyone here probably suspects it as well. Eva nee-san and Hideyoshi nii-san. Rudolf-san and Rosa-san too. Everyone has suspected it the whole time, but it was so frightening to imagine that no one actually said it.\" <br><br>\r\n「ふ。……ふっふっふっふ、はっはっはっはっは…！！ なるほど、お前たちはこう言いたいのかね？ <br>\r\n\"Hmph. ...Heheheheh, hahahahaha...!! I see, so this is what you're trying to say? <br><br>\r\n……親父殿はもうすでに死んでいて、私がそれを隠しているのだと！」 <br>\r\n...That Father is already dead, and that I have been hiding it!\" <br><br>\r\n「……あぁ、そうなんだ。これは、前回のゲームの最後の謎を解く鍵として考えた、俺のひとつの仮説なんだ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Ah, that's right. That's one of the theories I thought of as a key to solve the last mystery in the previous game.\" <br><br>\r\n「………前回最後の、南條先生を殺したのは誰か、という謎のこと？」 <br>\r\n\"......You mean the very last bit, the mystery of who killed <NAME>?\" <br><br>\r\n「そうだ。……確かに魔女は赤で宣言したさ。…１８人全員の名前を挙げて生死を宣言し、それ以上の人間は存在しないと言い切ってみせた。……だが、この仮説なら、その間隙を縫える…！」 <br>\r\n\"That's right. ...The witch definitely said a lot in red. ...She mentioned the names of all 18 people and announced whether they were alive or dead, and then she claimed that there were no humans besides them. ...But with this theory, I can weave my way through that gap...!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。……なるほど。その２つを矛盾させない解答のひとつというわけね。………なるほど。」 <br>\r\n\".........I see. So, this is one of the answers that doesn't cause those two to contradict. ......Makes sense.\" <br><br>\r\n「俺の言ってる意味がわかるのか？ …お前、なかなか察しがいいじゃねぇか。説明が省けて助かるぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"See what I'm saying? ...You catch on pretty quick. It's nice that I don't have to explain.\" <br><br>\r\n「この島に１９人目は存在しない。にもかかわらず、未知の新人物Ｘが混じりうるカラクリ。 <br>\r\n\"No 19th person exists on this island. And yet this trick lets us mix in an unknown new character. <br><br>\r\n……つまり、“１８名全員の名前”と“在島者１８人”が一致しなければいい。」 <br>\r\n...In other words, `the names of all 18 people' don't necessarily correspond to `the 18 people on the island'.\" <br><br>\r\n「そういうことさ…！ 魔女は赤で１８人の名前を次々に挙げ、生死を宣言した。さらにその上、島には１８人を超える人間はいないとも宣言したわけだ。……ここにはひとつの錯覚があった。」 <br>\r\n\"That's it...! The witch mentioned the names of 18 people one after another, and announced whether they were alive or dead. And on top of that, she announced that there were no humans other than the 18. ...There was a single illusion in there.\" <br><br>\r\nそれは、~ib~１８人分の名前＝在島者１８人~ib~、とは保証されていないこと。 <br>\r\nIt wasn't guaranteed that ~ib~the 18 names of people = the 18 people on the island~ib~. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「１８人の名前を全て挙げてその生死を宣言する時。犯人Ｘの名を伏せ、代わりにこの島にいない人間の名前を混ぜる…！ そうすれば犯人は、島にいるにもかかわらず、１８人の生死リストからは零れることが出来る！ 混ぜられた人物は、在島しないのだから在島者の足し算には加わらない。 <br>\r\n\"When she named off all 18 people and announced who was alive and who was dead, she hid the name of culprit X, and instead mixed in someone who wasn't on this island...! By doing that, even though the culprit was on the island, she was able to leave him out of the list of living or dead people! The person who was mixed in wasn't actually on the island, so he didn't count towards the total number of people on the island.\" <br><br>\r\nよって、在島者１８人の人数の中に加わりながらも、名前が登場しないことが可能！ ２つの赤字宣言はそれぞれが単独なんだから、この仮説は矛盾しないんだ……！」 <br>\r\n\"By this, even though the culprit counted towards the total of 18 people on the island, it was possible for his name not to be listed! The two statements in red are completely independent, so this theory creates no contradictions...!\" <br><br>\r\n「その、犯人の名を誤魔化すために使う人物名には、いくつかの条件があるわ。……まず、在島していないにもかかわらず、私たちが在島していると信じている人物。……そうでなくては騙せない。 <br>\r\n\"If someone's name was used to hide the existence of the culprit, that name must satisfy several conditions. ...First of all, even though this person isn't on the island, they've got to be someone we think is on the island. ...Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to trick us.\" <br><br>\r\nそして、その人物は死んでいることが好ましい。……なぜなら、死ほど完璧なアリバイは存在しない。あの時点での謎は、１８人全員が犯行不能であることに立脚しているのだから。 <br>\r\n\"And it's best if this person happens to be dead. ...No alibi is more perfect than death. After all, at that point, the mystery was based on the fact that the crime was impossible for all 18 people. <br><br>\r\n…………そんなところ？」 <br>\r\n......Is it something like that?\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ、そうさ…！ そして、その人物が、 <br>\r\n……… <br>\r\n\"Yeah, that's it...! And, that person was... <br><br>\r\n... <br><br>\r\n祖父さまなんだ。……今、霧江さんが言わんとしていることはただひとつ。……実は、部屋に閉じ篭ってて誰にも会わないと言っていることになっているが、……祖父さまはすでに死んでいて、蔵臼伯父さんが、それを生きてると嘘をついてる可能性があるってことなんだ…！」 <br>\r\nGrandfather. ...Right now, there's only one thing Kyrie-san can be about to say. ...We thought Grandfather was locked up in his study, saying that he didn't want to meet anyone, ...but there's a possibility that he's actually dead already, and that Uncle Krauss is lying when he claims that Grandfather's alive...!\" <br><br>\r\nそうさ。祖父さまはずっと部屋に閉じ篭っていて誰もその顔を見ていない！ <br>\r\nThat's right. Grandfather was closed up in his room the whole time, and no one saw his face! <br><br>\r\nすでに死んでいるのに、まるで生きているかのように、蔵臼伯父さんたちが口裏を合わせて騙そうとしているだけかもしれないんだ…！！ <br>\r\nMaybe he was already dead, and Uncle Krauss and the others were conspiring together, trying to trick everyone...!! <br><br>\r\n「………………金蔵が死ねば遺産分配が発生する。…しかし、金蔵が死ななければ、……いえ、 <br>\r\n\"......If Kinzo dies, the distribution of the inheritance occurs. However, if Kinzo doesn't die...no, <br><br>\r\n金蔵が死んでも、それを <br>\r\nif he dies, but <br><br>\r\n~ib~告知しなければ~ib~、遺産分配は発生しない。」 <br>\r\n~ib~it isn't announced~ib~, the distribution of the inheritance won't take place.\" <br><br>\r\n「つまり、蔵臼伯父さんは祖父さまの財産を全て独占できる…！ そうさ、動機は充分なんだ！」 <br>\r\n\"In other words, Uncle Krauss could have all of Grandfather's wealth to himself...! That's right, he's got more than enough motive!\" <br><br>\r\nこの島に１９人目の人物Ｘは、確かに存在しないだろう。 <br>\r\nMaybe a 19th person X really doesn't exist on this island. <br><br>\r\nしかし、人物Ｘは存在した。 <br>\r\n……そしてそいつは１８人目だったんだ！ <br>\r\nBut a person X existed. <br><br>\r\n...And that person was the 18th person! <br><br>\r\n「つまり、この島の本来の人数は１８人じゃなく１７人だったんだ。そこに未知の人物Ｘが隠れ潜んでいて、犯行を行なったんだ。 <br>\r\n\"In other words, there were originally 17 people on this island, not 18. Then, an unknown person X snuck in and committed the crime. <br><br>\r\n……どうだベアトッ？！ 出て来い、前回の最後の、最大の謎は今、解けたぞ！！」 <br>\r\n...How's that, Beato?! Come out, I've just solved the final, biggest mystery from last time!!\" <br><br>\r\n戦人が力強くそれを言い切ると、どこからともなく乾いた拍手の音が聞こえてきて、周りが明るくなり、いつもの魔女の喫茶室になった。 <br>\r\nAs Battler claimed that forcefully, the crisp sound of clapping came out of nowhere, and their surroundings turned bright, becoming the usual witch's tea room. <br><br>\r\n「くっくっく、くっはははははは…！ ブラヴォー、ブラヴォー。そなた如き無能にしては、ようやくの感は否めぬが、兎にも角にも、ひとつの解答を出してみせた。 <br>\r\n\"*cackle* Hahahahahahaha...! Bravo, bravo. I wish I could deny that someone as incompetent as you has finally gotten a feel for it, but somehow or another, you've managed to come up with a single answer. <br><br>\r\n思考停止ならコンクリートの塊でも出来る！ つまり、そなたはようやく今、ようやく知性ある存在に進化できたわけだ。 <br>\r\nEven a lump of concrete can stop thinking! So, you have now finally evolved into a being with intelligence.\" <br><br>\r\n……ただ涙を流し、歯噛みしながら妾の靴を舐めるだけの存在から、ようやく一歩を踏み出したと言えようぞ。くっくっくっく！」 <br>\r\n\"...You might say you've finally taken a step forward from the crying creature you were before, just licking my shoes and grinding your teeth. *cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n「……こんな下らない言葉遊びで前回は翻弄されてたとはな。俺も自分の情けなさに腹が立つ！ <br>\r\n\"...I can't believe that stupid wordplay threw me for so many loops last time. My lameness pisses even me off!\" <br><br>\r\nさぁベアト、復唱要求だ！！ 在島者１８人の中に祖父さまは含まれてると、宣言できるものならやってみろおおおおぉ！！ あぁ、出来やしねぇさ。すでに死んでるんだからな。てめぇのまやかしはこれで終わりだあぁあああああぁ！！」 <br>\r\n\"All right, Beato, repeat it!! If you can announce that the 18 people on the island included Grandfather, just try and do iiiiiiiit!! Yeah, you can't. Because he was already dead. This is the end of your deceptiooooooooooon!!\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくくくくくくく、あっはははははははははは…！！ さぁてどうしたものか。………赤き真実にて一刀両断に叩き割ってやろうか？ <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle* Ahhahahahahahahahahaha...!! Well now, what have we here? ......Shall I slice that in two with the red truth? <br><br>\r\nいやいや、わざとここは焦らして保留するのも良いかもしれぬ。突き落とすならより高みに誘ってからの方が面白いというもの。くっくっく！」 <br>\r\nNo, no, it might also be good to hold back for now and let you get all excited. If I'm going to push you off a cliff anyway, it would be more interesting to lure you to a higher place first. *cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\nベアトはいらいらするような嘲笑を漏らしながら、より俺をイラつかせる表情を探しているようにさえ見える。 <br>\r\nAs Beato sneered obnoxiously, she looked like she was searching for an expression that would tick me off even more. <br><br>\r\nまるで、俺がようやく至った答えが、あまりにも馬鹿馬鹿しいとでも言うかのように。 <br>\r\n...As though she was saying that the answer I'd reached was impossibly ridiculous. <br><br>\r\n魔女のそんな様子に苛立つ俺に比べ、グレーテルは淡白かつ冷静な表情を浮かべている。 <br>\r\nCompared to me, annoyed as I was with the witch's attitude, Gretel had a blank and composed expression on her face. <br><br>\r\n…まるで、魔女がそういう態度に出てくることを予想できていたかのようだった。 <br>\r\n...Almost as though she'd expected the witch to act that way. <br><br>\r\n「……………………。なるほど。…戦人が学んで成長するように、魔女も学んで成長するのね。」 <br>\r\n\".........I see. ...Just like how Battler has learned and grown, so has the witch.\" <br><br>\r\n「どうしたよベアト！ もったいぶるんじゃねぇ！！ 復唱できるってのかよ！ 答えろ！！」 <br>\r\n\"What's wrong, Beato?! Don't act so tough!! I asked if you can repeat it! Answer!!\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくっくっくっく…。」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*cackle*...\" <br><br>\r\n「……よしなさい、戦人。魔女は安易に答えないわ。……自らが利すると思わない限りね。」 <br>\r\n\"...Stop it, Battler. The witch won't answer so easily. ...She won't do it until she thinks it'll benefit her.\" <br><br>\r\n「何？！ どういうことだ……。」 <br>\r\n\"What?! What do you mean...?\" <br><br>\r\n「これまでのゲームで、あなたが赤き真実とやらで翻弄されていたから、魔女は何度もそれを繰り出してきた。 <br>\r\n\"You've been toyed with by this red truth in the games up until now, so the witch has used it many times. <br><br>\r\nでも、今や状況は違う。あなたは赤き真実を誘い出し、むしろそれを武器に使っているわ。そんな状況で、魔女が濫りに赤を連発するわけもない。………でしょう？」 <br>\r\nBut now, the situation is different. You're trying to draw the red truth out of her...and are instead using it as your weapon. In this situation, there's no way the witch will keep firing off the red without reason. ......Right?\" <br><br>\r\n「グレーテルとやら。…そなたは戦人と違い、なかなかに頭が冴えるようだ。妾も恐ろしい敵を迎えたものよ。 <br>\r\n\"Gretel, or whoever you are. ...It seems your mind is quite sharp, unlike Battler's. What a fearsome enemy I've welcomed in. <br><br>\r\nその通り！ 戦人が妾の赤き真実を期待する場面で、なぜに期待に応えてやらねばならぬ義理があるというのか？！ <br>\r\nThat is correct! When Battler hopes I'll use the red truth, do I have any responsibility to do so?!\" <br><br>\r\nないッ！ 妾にはそなたが喜ぶことをする義理など、今朝食ったクロワッサンのパン屑の一欠けらほどもないぃぃ！！」 <br>\r\n\"No! I don't even have a crumb from that croissant you ate this morning's worth of responsibility to please yooooooou!!\" <br><br>\r\n「こ、この野郎……ッ…！！」 <br>\r\n\"Y-You bastard......!!\" <br><br>\r\n「そうそうそうそう、その顔ォおおぉ！ 妾が赤き真実などという遊びを始めたのは、そなたのその顔を見たかったからこそよ！ その表情が拝めぬというなら、妾にはこんな遊びをする理由がない…！」 <br>\r\n\"Yes yes yes yes, that's the faaaaace! I started playing with the red truth just because I wanted to see that face! I have no reason to play around if it won't give me a chance to see you look like that...!\" <br><br>\r\n「……へへ。負け惜しみだろ？ <br>\r\n\"...Heheh. You just don't like losing, right? <br><br>\r\n俺の復唱要求に応えられないからって、適当なこと言って誤魔化そうたってそうは行かねぇぞ！！」 <br>\r\nJust saying whatever you can to trick me because you can't answer my demand won't work!!\" <br><br>\r\n「自惚れるな！！ その程度の答え、造作もなく斬り捨てられるッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Don't be so full of yourself!! An answer like that could be cut to pieces without any effort!! <br><br>\r\nだが、それを妾はわざわざ赤で言わぬ。そなたが求めるから言わぬ。なぜだかわかるか？」 <br>\r\nBut I won't go out of my way to speak in red. I won't say it because that's what you're asking me to do. Do you know why?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………さっき言ったわ。一番美味しいところで突き落としたいって。その性悪な魔女はね、あなたが求めるところではもう赤は使わないって言ってる。 <br>\r\n\"......You just said it. You want to push him off at the sweetest spot. This ill-natured witch is saying she won't use the red anymore, because that's what you want. <br><br>\r\nつまり、復唱要求なんていうお遊びにはもう付き合わないってことよ。」 <br>\r\nIn other words, she won't go along with this game of telling her to repeat things anymore.\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくくくく！ その通りその通り！ 戦人と違い、この女は話が早い、説明が要らぬ！ 妾は妾の望む時、妾が好むように赤き真実を語る！」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*! Exactly, exactly! Unlike Battler, everything goes quickly with this girl, with no need for explanations! I will say what I please with the red truth, at the time that I desire!\" <br><br>\r\n「そうね。赤き真実とはつまり、魔女が自由に行使できる権利。人間側が望んだ時に行使しなければならない義務ではない。 <br>\r\n\"That's it. Basically, it's the witch's right to use the red truth as she pleases. She doesn't have to use it at whatever time the human side desires. <br><br>\r\n……………ただし、内容によるわ。」 <br>\r\n......But even that depends on the sitution.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「……内容……？ どういうことだ…。」 <br>\r\n\"...The situation...? What do you mean...?\" <br><br>\r\n「魔女はあなたの復唱要求に応える義務はない。ただし、あなたの主張によって、魔女説が打ち破られてしまう時のみ、義務が生じる。なぜなら、この裁判官なき法廷では、反論されないことは即ち“真実”だから。 <br>\r\n\"The witch has no responsibility to respond when you tell her to repeat something. But it does become her responsibility if and only if your claim can destroy the witch theory. After all, in this trial court without a judge, that which is not refuted becomes the truth.\" <br><br>\r\n……あなたが思考停止に陥り、魔女の主張する魔女説を反論できなければそれが直ちに真実となって来たように。」 <br>\r\n\"...Just like how the witch theory made by the witch......will instantly become truth if you collapse and stop thinking.\" <br><br>\r\n「じゃあ、…俺の今の推理に反論がない以上、正解だということでいいわけか？！ 犯人は１８人目の謎の人物Ｘで、祖父さまはすでに死んでいるという推理で正解だというわけか？！」 <br>\r\n\"Then, ...since she doesn't have a counterargument for my guess, that means it's right?! It's right that the culprit is the mysterious 18th person X, and Grandfather is already dead?!\" <br><br>\r\n「……少なくとも、魔女が反論するまではね。真実は、より未来の新しい真実に負ける。……厄介なのは、その反論のタイミングすらも魔女に委ねられているという点よ。 <br>\r\n\"...At least, until the witch argues back. Truth always loses to new truths farther in the future. ...The tricky part is that even the timing of the counterargument is up to the witch.\" <br><br>\r\n…つまり、今のあなたの推理が正解しているのか、それとも間違っているにもかかわらず魔女がその反論を保留しているのか。……さもなくば、そもそもその推理自体が魔女説を揺るがすことにならないため、魔女が無視しているかの何れかか、現時点では判断がつかないということよ。………そんなところ？」 <br>\r\n\"...In other words, maybe your reasoning just now was correct, or maybe the witch is refraining from arguing back even though you're wrong. ...Or, the witch may be ignoring it because it doesn't shake the basis of the witch theory in the first place, but either way, we can't tell the difference at the current time. ......Is that more or less it?\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくっくっく、くーっくっくっくっく！ ベルンカステル卿め、つくづく厄介な駒を送り込んでくれたものよ。お陰で妾の出番がさっぱりない！」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*, *cackle*cackle*cackle*! Damn you, <NAME>, for throwing in such a troublesome piece. Thanks to that, I'm losing all my lines!\" <br><br>\r\n「魔女はあなたの復唱要求に対し、タイミングをずらして答えることを覚えたのよ。……ディレイとでも呼べばいいのかしら。」 <br>\r\n\"The witch has learned that she can respond to your demands to repeat phrases at a later time. ...Maybe you could even call it a delayed move.\" <br><br>\r\n「……ふ、ふざけた真似を……。…じゃあ俺は、間違った推理を掲げたとしても、ベアトはわざと否定せずに俺を泳がせ、さらに壮大に推理を広げた最後の最後に、その根元をチョンと断ち切って、全てを引っ繰り返してくる可能性さえあるってわけなのか……！」 <br>\r\n\"...Sh-She's messing with me... ...So, even if I announce some mistaken reasoning, there's a possibility that Beato will intentionally let me flounder about without denying that guess, and at the very end, when I propose an even more massive line of reasoning, she can cut it off at the base, and spin everything around...?!\" <br><br>\r\nひとつの推理が次なる推理を結ぶ架け橋となる。 <br>\r\n俺は復唱要求によって、着実に足場を固め少しずつ前進してきた。 <br>\r\nA single piece of reasoning becomes a bridge to the next piece. <br><br>\r\nBy demanding that she repeat lines, I've been able to strengthen my position and advance bit by bit. <br><br>\r\nところがベアトのヤツが、ディレイなんておかしなことを覚えたせいで、……俺の推理は確証が取れなくなってしまった。 <br>\r\nBut since that bastard Beato learned this strange delay tactic, ...I can no longer confirm or deny my reasoning. <br><br>\r\nこれじゃまるで、真っ暗闇を探るためにようやく手に入れた杖を取り上げられたようなもの。……もう、お手上げじゃないか……！！ <br>\r\nThis is like finally finding a staff that'll let me search around in the darkness, only to lose it right away. ...I'm just stuck now, right...?!! <br><br>\r\n「こらこら戦人、そんなに絶望的な顔をしちゃア、妾の涎が止まらなくなっちまうじゃあなィかい♪ その杖は元々、不甲斐ないそなたに妾が与えたものに過ぎぬではないか。 <br>\r\n\"Hey, hey, Battler, if you make a despairing face like that, I won't be able to stop drooling, you see♪ From the beginning, that staff was nothing more than something I gave you because you were so worthless. <br><br>\r\nようやくこれでハンデなしの対決になるだけだぜぇ？ くっひひひひひひひ！」 <br>\r\nAll this means is that you can finally challenge me without a handicap, right? Kuhihihihihihihihi!\" <br><br>\r\n「……でも、だからと言って、復唱要求が戦人の反撃手段の一つであることに変わりはないわ。すでに言ってる通り、魔女は、魔女説を打ち破る致命的なものに限り、反論の義務、即ち、赤き真実を語ることが義務となる。 <br>\r\n\"...But that alone doesn't change the fact that demanding that you repeat things is one of Battler's ways to fight back. As I already said, as long as it's something fatal that'll destroy the witch theory, the witch is obligated to argue back, and therefore, to speak with the red truth. <br><br>\r\n……反論のタイミングこそ魔女の自由ではあるけれども、それは必ず履行されなければならない。………そうよね？」 <br>\r\n...While the timing of that counterargument is up to the witch, it must be performed eventually. ......Isn't that right?\" <br><br>\r\n「ふむ、そうなるであろうな。ゲームの終了時までに妾が戦人の提唱する“人間によるトリック”を否定出来なかった場合、戦人はそれを理由に妾を否定し、勝利を宣言することが可能となろう。」 <br>\r\n\"Hmm, that may be so. If I cannot deny the `tricks done by humans' theory Battler lays out by the time the game ends, Battler will use that as a reason to deny me, and it will be possible for him to proclaim his victory.\" <br><br>\r\n「………それは、人間側が提示する“トリック説”、即ち復唱要求は必ず、そのゲーム内（エピソード内）に反論されなければならないという、魔女側の制約という認識でいいのかしら？」 <br>\r\n\"...So, should we view this as a restriction on the witch's side...? That the `trick theory' laid out by the human side, in other words, what he tells you to repeat, must be countered during the game (during the episode)?\" <br><br>\r\n「そうなろう。……戦人の目的は、妾がこの島で繰り広げる愉快なゲームの全てを、人間で説明し妾を否定して見せることだ。それを戦人が成し遂げたなら、その時点で戦人はゲームの勝者となるであろうぞ。」 <br>\r\n\"That is so. ...Battler's goal is to show that he can explain the entire pleasant game I have laid out on this island with humans and deny me. If Battler succeeds in that, at that time, he will become the victor of this game.\" <br><br>\r\n「ルール確認。……ゲーム終了時とは、ゲーム内の六軒島時間で１９８６年１０月５日２４時００分という認識でいい？」 <br>\r\n\"Let me confirm the rules. ...Should we view the time the game ends as referring to 24:00 on October 5, 1986, going by the time of the Rokkenjima in the game?\" <br><br>\r\n「問題ないぞ。」 <br>\r\n\"I have no problems with that.\" <br><br>\r\n「そのゲーム終了時に人間側が、全ての謎についてトリック説を主張できていて且つ、魔女側から反論がない場合、人間側は勝利を宣言できるものとする。……問題ない？」 <br>\r\n\"At the time the game ends, the human side must state a theory using tricks for all of the mysteries, and if the witch side cannot argue back, the human side can proclaim its victory. ...Does that work?\" <br><br>\r\n「………もう少し詳細としよう。ゲーム終了時に、魔女側には反論の機会が与えられるものとする。」 <br>\r\n\"......Let us be more specific. When the game ends, the witch side will be given a chance to argue back.\" <br><br>\r\n「時間を切ってもらうわ。１分よ。１分以内に反論が行なわれない場合、勝利は宣言されるものとする。」 <br>\r\n\"Let's decide on an amount of time. One minute. If you cannot carry out your counterargument within one minute, victory will be proclaimed.\" <br><br>\r\n「ならば同じルールをそちらにも課させてもらおうぞ。ゲーム終了時に、人間側は与えられた謎に対し１分間の反論時間が与えられる。その時間内にたった１つであっても反論されない謎が残った場合、魔女側の勝利となり、そのゲームは終了する。 <br>\r\n\"Then allow me to impose the same rule on you. At the time the game ends, the human side will be granted one minute to counter the mysteries it has been given. If even a single mystery has not been countered within that time, it becomes the witch's victory, and that game is over. <br><br>\r\n……長考を理由にゲームを止められては興を削ぐのでな？」 <br>\r\n...It would be such a killjoy to have the game stopped for lengthy consideration, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………くそったれ。俺を抜きで話が進んでやがるぜ…。 <br>\r\n\"......You asshole. Moving things along without me... <br><br>\r\nだが、話は大体わかった。俺の復唱要求は、即座でなくとも、必ず反論されなくてはならないわけだ。」 <br>\r\nBut I more or less get what's going on. Even if the lines I demand that you repeat aren't countered instantly, they've gotta be countered eventually.\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、そうよ。……そしてそれは、１０月６日００時０１分までに必ずなされる。 <br>\r\n\"Yes, that's right. ...And that must happen before 00:01 on October 6. <br><br>\r\n……ただ、注意して。魔女はあなたの復唱要求を、たったひとつ斬り捨てるだけでいい。全ての謎を解き明かさない限り、あなたに勝利は宣言できないのだから。」 <br>\r\n...But be careful. She only has to cut up one of the things you tell her to repeat. You can't proclaim your victory unless you solve all the puzzles.\" <br><br>\r\n「妾が赤を使えるように。戦人、今よりそなたには青を使うことを許そう。 <br>\r\n\"Just as I can use the red, from now on, I will allow you to use the blue, Battler.\" <br><br>\r\nそなたは、妾の魔法殺人を人間とトリックで説明する際に、青で宣言することが出来る。妾はゲーム終了までの間に、そなたの青を赤にて反論する義務を持つ。」 <br>\r\n\"When explaining my magical murders with humans and tricks, you may state your claims in blue. I am responsible for countering your blue with the red by the end of the game.\" <br><br>\r\n「青……。……つまり俺は、復唱要求を“青”で語るということか…。」 <br>\r\n\"Blue... ...So I'll talk in blue when I tell you to repeat things...?\" <br><br>\r\n「少し違うぞ。復唱要求はどんな些細なことでも可能だった。 <br>\r\n\"Not quite. When you told me to repeat lines, you were able to do it for any trivial thing. <br><br>\r\nしかし青はもう少し厳しいぞ。それ自体が魔女を否定しない限り、成立しない。」 <br>\r\nBut the blue is a little more restrictive. Unless it by itself denies witches, it will not be valid.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n難しい話になってきたが、…つまりこういうことだ。 <br>\r\nIt's starting to get confusing, ...but it's more or less something like this. <br><br>\r\n例えば、過去の謎で俺が復唱要求してきたことの１つ。 <br>\r\nFor example, let's take one of the riddles in the past where I asked her to repeat something. <br><br>\r\n「マスターキーの本数は５本である」。 <br>\r\n\"The actual number of master keys is 5.\" <br><br>\r\nこれは、５本しかないと主張するマスターキーが、本当に５本であることを確認するためのものだ。 <br>\r\nThat had been to confirm that there really were 5 master keys, when she claimed there were no more than 5. <br><br>\r\nしかしこれだけでは、魔女の否定にはならないから青で宣言は出来ないのだ。 <br>\r\nだから、青で語るにはこう言わなくてはならない。 <br>\r\nBut since that by itself wouldn't deny witches, I can't say it in blue. <br><br>\r\nSo, in order to speak in blue, I'd need to say something like this... <br><br>\r\n“実はマスターキーの本数が５本を越えていた。犯人はその余剰の鍵で密室を出入りした！” <br>\r\n`The actual number of master keys was greater than 5. The culprit entered or exited the room with that extra key!' <br><br>\r\n……と、こうなって初めて、魔法で密室殺人を行なったと主張する魔女に、反論する義務が生まれるわけだ。 <br>\r\nつまり、推理の前提を確認するような復唱の要求には使えない。 <br>\r\n...Only then would the witch, who claimed that this was a closed room murder made with magic, be responsible for making a counterargument. <br><br>\r\nIn other words, I can't demand that she repeat something that merely confirms the premises of my reasoning. <br><br>\r\n………それは、俺に相当の不利を強いることになるだろう。 <br>\r\n......That'll probably be a significant disadvantage for me. <br><br>\r\n畜生…。これまでのゲームでベアトが俺を弄るように宣言してきた赤が、今じゃどれほど慈悲深いものだったのかと誤解しちまうほどだぜ……。 <br>\r\nCrap... It's enough to make the red Beato used to toy with me until now look extremely merciful... <br><br>\r\n「…くそ。仮に俺がある密室について仮説を立て、それを青で語ったとしても、ベアトがそれを最後の最後で否定してきやがったら、俺には次の仮説を立てる時間すらもねえってことじゃねぇか…！ このルールは最悪だ、俺にばかり不利だ…。」 <br>\r\n\"...Damn it. So even if I create a theory for a particular closed room and speak it in blue, if Beato denies it at the very, very end, I won't even have time to create my next theory...?! This rule's awful, horribly bad for me...\" <br><br>\r\n「………また戦う前から屈服？ <br>\r\n\"......Are you gonna surrender before the fight begins again? <br><br>\r\n落ち着きなさい。ひとつの謎に対して、青は一度しか使えないとは言われてないわ。それがどういう意味かわかる？」 <br>\r\nCalm down. No one said you could only use the blue once for each mystery. Do you know what that means?\" <br><br>\r\n「い、いや。……どういう意味だ…？」 <br>\r\n\"N-No. ...What does it mean...?\" <br><br>\r\n「これまでのあなたは、仮説をひとつ立てては魔女の顔色をうかがい、それが駄目だったらその時、改めて別の仮説を立てるという情けない戦い方だった。それじゃ魔女は追い詰められない。」 <br>\r\n\"In the pitiful way you've been fighting up until now, you've made a single theory, glanced at the witch's complexion, and if that one didn't work, you'd then start making another theory. You won't corner a witch like that.\" <br><br>\r\n「じゃあ、どうやって戦うんだ……。 <br>\r\n\"Then how should I fight...? <br><br>\r\n……………まさか…、」 <br>\r\n......You don't mean...\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、そうよ。 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, that's right. <br><br>\r\n……謎に点で挑むんじゃない。 <br>\r\n...You don't attack her riddles with a point. <br><br>\r\n~ib~面で襲い掛かるのよ~ib~。あなた、以前のゲームで、推理の姿勢はそうあるべきだと自ら言ったわ。」 <br>\r\n~ib~You assault them with a wall~ib~. You said so yourself in an earlier game, that the force of your reasoning should be like that.\" <br><br>\r\n面で、襲い掛かる。 <br>\r\nそうさ、前に俺は自らそう言った。 <br>\r\nAssault...with a wall. <br><br>\r\nThat's right, I said so myself earlier. <br><br>\r\n推理し謎を暴く行為は、遠くの的に矢を射るのに似ている。 <br>\r\nGuessing and trying to expose the mystery is like trying to shoot a distant target with an arrow. <br><br>\r\nこれまでの俺の戦い方は、矢を一本へろへろと放っては、当たったかどうか魔女に尋ね、外れていると言われては改めて弓を構え、再びへろへろと放つようなものだった。 <br>\r\nUntil now, I've just been shooting off arrow after arrow, asking the witch if I scored a hit, and then preparing my bow again once I'm told that I've missed. <br><br>\r\nそんなんじゃ、当たるわけはねぇんだ…。 <br>\r\n矢と例えるより、弾丸と例えた方がいいかもしれない。 <br>\r\nThere's no way I'll hit at that rate... <br><br>\r\nBullets might be a better example than arrows. <br><br>\r\n遠くの的に拳銃をパンパン撃っても、簡単には当たらないだろうさ。 <br>\r\nIf you take one shot after another at a distant target with a handgun, you probably won't hit it easily. <br><br>\r\n……なら、どうやって当てる？ <br>\r\n...So how can you hit it? <br><br>\r\n拳銃で駄目なら、……散弾銃さ！ <br>\r\n単発の弾丸じゃなく、無数の弾丸を一度にぶっ放す“散弾”でブチかましてやるんだ…！ <br>\r\nIf a handgun doesn't work, ...use a shotgun! <br><br>\r\nInstead of a single bullet, beat her down with `shot' comprised of countless projectiles at once...! <br><br>\r\n散弾は散るから広範囲に着弾する。 <br>\r\nだから、鳥のような素早く小さい標的を撃つにはとても最適なんだ。 <br>\r\nShot scatters, so it impacts a wide area. <br><br>\r\nThat makes it optimal for shooting small, fast targets like birds. <br><br>\r\nそうさ、推理はピストルを単発で撃つかのように、１つずつしかしてはいけないなんてルールはない。 <br>\r\nThat's right, there's no rule that says I have to guess like a pistol, shooting one shot off at a time. <br><br>\r\n……１つの仮説を立てたからといって、それだけで命中を期待するのは思考停止もいいところなんだ。 <br>\r\n...Making a single theory and just hoping that it hits is no better than stopping your own thinking. <br><br>\r\n大量の弾丸を、推理を一度にぶっ放し、面で着弾させ、それが一発でも的にブチ当たれば充分。 <br>\r\nBlast away with a massive number of bullets, of guesses, and make them impact like a wall, so that only one of them hitting the target is enough. <br><br>\r\n「…………青、か。……なるほどな。お前の赤き真実が切れ味鋭い日本刀みたいなもんだとしたら、俺の青はどうやら、散弾銃。いや、……火力で魔女を蜂の巣にする機関銃だぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Blue, huh...? ...I get it. If your red truth is a razor-sharp katana, then it looks like my blue is a shotgun. No, ...a machine gun whose firepower'll turn the witch into a honeycomb.\" <br><br>\r\n「下手な鉄砲、数撃ちゃ何とやらか。くっくっくっく！ そなたらしい、粗野な例えよ。」 <br>\r\n\"I see, so it's an awkward gun that fires many shots. *cackle*cackle*! That sort of crude analogy is just like you.\" <br><br>\r\n「推理小説なんかのクライマックスはいつもこうだった。……名探偵が容疑者を一堂に集め、たったひとつの推理を披露して、それを華麗に当てて見せるんだ。まるで、一本の矢で見事にリンゴを射抜くウィリアム・テルのようにだ。だからこそ、それが美徳みたいに誤解しちまってた。」 <br>\r\n\"The climax of a detective novel is always the same. ...The famous detective gathers all the suspects at once and displays a single trail of logic that works splendidly. Almost like William Tell spectacularly shooting through an apple with a single arrow. That's why I mistakenly took that to be a virtue.\" <br><br>\r\n……そりゃあ華麗だろうさ。 <br>\r\n一本の推理だけで華麗に真相を射抜けたら。 <br>\r\n...It probably would be splendid. <br><br>\r\nIf I could shoot through the truth with a single guess. <br><br>\r\nだが、そんなのは現実的じゃない。 <br>\r\nBut, that isn't realistic. <br><br>\r\n現実の戦争を見てみろ。 <br>\r\nまさか、みんな塹壕から長い銃を出して、よーく狙って一発ずつ応酬してるとでも？ <br>\r\nLook at real wars. <br><br>\r\nDo they really have everyone pull long guns out of the trench, aim reeeally well, and take shots at each other one at a time? <br><br>\r\n違うだろ？！ <br>\r\n連射する、撃ちまくる、弾幕で圧倒する！ <br>\r\nThey don't, right?! <br><br>\r\nThey fire rapidly, they fire all over the place, they pin down the enemy with a barrage! <br><br>\r\n推理だってそうだったんだ。 <br>\r\nReasoning is the same way. <br><br>\r\nおかしな美徳のせいで、一つしか推理しちゃいけないような価値観に捕らわれていたんだ。 <br>\r\nBecause of that weird virtue, I've been stuck thinking it's better to take one line of reasoning at a time. <br><br>\r\n俺たち人間には、あらゆる推理を、可能性を、無数にぶっ放すことが出来る！ <br>\r\nWe humans can fire off countless guesses and possibilities! <br><br>\r\n弾丸は想像力。思考停止は弾詰まりも同然だ…！ <br>\r\nこれまでの俺の情けない推理っぷりはまるで豆鉄砲。 <br>\r\nThe bullet is the power of imagination. Suspension of thought is a clogged barrel...! <br><br>\r\nThe pathetic way I've been reasoning up until now is like a peashooter. <br><br>\r\nひょろひょろと撃ってはベアトに赤で否定してもらい、次の弾をもらって込め直すような無様さだ。 <br>\r\nI've been so lame, weakly firing off shots, getting them denied in red, and then taking the next bullet and reloading. <br><br>\r\n魔女が語る幻想の的を、……人間とトリックこそが真相であるとする、俺の“青き真実”が、想像力と火力で圧倒する…！ <br>\r\nMy `blue truth', which claims that humans and tricks are what's real, will overpower its target, the illusion told by the witch, with its firepower and the force of what I can imagine...! <br><br>\r\n それが俺の、 <br>\r\n右代宮戦人の戦い方…！！ <br>\r\nThis is my... <br><br>\r\nUshiromiya Battler's fighting style...!! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「………お前のお陰で、俺の本当の戦い方がわかってきたぜ。ありがとうよ、グレーテル！！」 <br>\r\n\"......Thanks to you, I've figured out my true fighting style. Thanks, Gretel!!\" <br><br>\r\n「どういたしまして。」 <br>\r\n\"You're welcome.\" <br><br>\r\n「これまでの俺が情けなく思えてくらぁ。 <br>\r\n\"Makes me think of how pathetic I was before. <br><br>\r\n……あぁ、ベアトの言う通りだぜ。これまでの俺はハンデをもらって来た。そいつを認めるぜ…！！ 新ルール、了解した！！ 俺には俺の戦い方があるッ！ そいつを見せてやるッ！！」 <br>\r\n...Yeah, it's like Beato said. I've had a handicap up until now. I'll acknowledge that...!! New rule, understood!! I have my own way of fighting! I'll show you it!!\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくくくくくく！！ <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*!! <br><br>\r\nその意気や良し、気に入ったぞッ！ ならばさっそく使ってみるがいい、そなたの青き真実とやらを…！！」 <br>\r\nThat willpower is good, I like it! Then, try using it right away, this blue truth of yours...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……ああ、使ってやるぜ。この青き真実でお前が主張する、全員にアリバイがあるから魔女の犯行しかありえないという魔女説は打ち砕けるッ！！ <br>\r\n\"...Yeah, I'll use it. With this blue truth, I'll break apart your witch theory, which states that only a witch culprit was possible because everyone had alibis!!\" <br><br>\r\nこれが俺の真実だ！ <br>\r\n\"This is my truth! <br><br>\r\n#5decff 右代宮金蔵はすでに死亡している。 <br>\r\n #5decffUshiromiya Kinzo is already dead. <br><br>\r\nよって島の本当の人数は１７人！ <br>\r\nTherefore, the true number of people on the island is 17! <br><br>\r\nそこに未知の人物Ｘが加わることで１８人となっている。 <br>\r\nBy adding an unknown person X to that, it becomes 18 people. <br><br>\r\nこの人物Ｘの存在の仮定によって、１７人全員にアリバイがあっても犯行は可能になるッ！！」 <br>\r\nBy supposing that this person X exists, the crimes will be possible even if all 17 people have alibis!!\" <br><br>\r\n#ffffff <br>\r\n#ffffff <br><br>\r\n「……つまり、私たちはこれ以上、お父様への面会を拒まれるならば、以下の仮説を立てなければならないの。 <br>\r\n\"...In short, if you keep preventing us from meeting with Father, we will have to accept the following theory. <br><br>\r\nつまり、お父様はすでに亡くなっている。しかし、遺産を分配したくない蔵臼兄さんがそれを隠してる、ってね？」 <br>\r\nSimply put, Father is already dead. But you're hiding that because you don't want the inheritance to be distributed.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………………。 <br>\r\n\"......... <br><br>\r\n…馬鹿馬鹿しい。」 <br>\r\n...Ridiculous.\" <br><br>\r\n「そ、そうです、馬鹿馬鹿しいにも程があります！！ これほどの侮辱は初めてですッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Th-That is correct, this is worse than ridiculous!! I have never heard such an insult!!\" <br><br>\r\n「私たちは、警官立会いの下で強制的にその生死を確かめることさえ可能よ。 <br>\r\n\"It'd even be possible for us to check by force whether he's alive or dead, with the police there to witness it. <br><br>\r\nねぇ、絵羽姉さん…？」 <br>\r\nIsn't that right, Eva nee-san...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……え、……えぇ…。 <br>\r\n\"...Y-Yes... <br><br>\r\nそうよ、兄さん。話は何とでもでっち上げられるわ。兄さんが、第三者の立会いの下にお父様を面会させなければならない状況になんて、簡単にお膳立てが出来るわ…！」 <br>\r\nThat's right, Nii-san. There are all sorts of ways we could set you up. We could easily arrange for a situation where you'd have to hold a meeting with Father under the supervision of a third party...!\" <br><br>\r\n「でも。それは右代宮家にとってとても不名誉なことだと思うの。 <br>\r\n\"Still, I think that would bring a lot of shame to the Ushiromiya family. <br><br>\r\nだから私はこの提案をしている。世話人の義務と責任。万一の際のペナルティ。これを承諾してくれれば、私たちはお父様を無理やり引き摺り出すなんて真似は控えることができる。」 <br>\r\nThat's why I'm making this proposal. Here we have the responsibilities and duties of the caretaker. And a penalty in the worst-case scenario. If you consent to those terms, we'll be able to refrain from doing something like dragging Father outside.\" <br><br>\r\n「…あぁ、そうだぜ、兄貴…。さっき言ったじゃねぇか…。兄貴は世話人として当然の義務を果たしてる、ってな。霧江の条件は大したことじゃねぇはずだぜ？ なぜ過剰反応する？ <br>\r\n\"...Yeah, that's right, Aniki... Didn't you just say it yourself...? You're carrying out your natural duties as Dad's caretaker. Kyrie's conditions shouldn't be anything to worry about, right? Why this overreaction?\" <br><br>\r\n……親父が自然死以外の理由で死んだ場合、次期当主から引き摺り下ろされるってのが、そんなにも気になるのかよ？」 <br>\r\n\"...Are you really that worried about having the position of Successor dragged out from under you if Dad dies something other than a natural death?\" <br><br>\r\n「それともなぁに？ お父様が自然死以外の理由で亡くなるような心当たりでもあるのかしら…？」 <br>\r\n\"Or else, what? Do you have some reason to think Father might die something other than a natural death...?\" <br><br>\r\n「そんな心当たりなどあるわけもない。 <br>\r\n\"How could I? <br><br>\r\n……なるほど、私にも親父殿の気持ちがわかってきたよ。死に方ひとつ自由にさせてもらえないとは、実に気の毒な晩年だよ。」 <br>\r\n...I see, now I too understand how Father feels. How pitiful his later years have been for him, unable even to die as he pleases.\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、本当に気の毒な晩年ね。……その晩年が、実はもう過去のことじゃないのかと、私たちは疑っているの。 <br>\r\n\"Yes, his later years truly have been pitiful. ...And the thought that these `later years' are already something of the past is exactly what we're suspecting.\" <br><br>\r\n……この疑惑は、私たちをお父様に面会させてもらえるだけで、あっさりと解けるわ。…ここまで私たちに侮辱されても、…それでも面会は許されないんですか、蔵臼兄さん………？」 <br>\r\n\"...You could completely clear this suspicion away just by letting us meet with Father. ...So, even after being humiliated by us this much, you still won't allow us to meet with him, Krauss nii-san......?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「お父様は多分、すでに亡くなっているわ。恐らく遺体は極秘の内にどこかに処分したでしょう。……そして、お父様の代理ということで財産を独占した後、失踪したことにして７年掛けて、お父様を死体なき死者にする。 <br>\r\n\"Father is probably already dead. The corpse may have been disposed of in absolute secrecy. ...And after taking all of the wealth for yourself as Father's agent, you will make it seem that he `disappeared' until seven years pass, making Father a corpseless member of the deceased.\" <br><br>\r\n…………ごめんなさいね、気を悪くしないで？ これはあくまでも私の推理ごっこだから。」 <br>\r\n\"......I'm sorry, but please don't take it badly, okay? I'm just playing detective here.\" <br><br>\r\n「ぶ、……無礼極まりないッ！！ <br>\r\n\"...H-How rude can one be?!! <br><br>\r\nあなたにこの屋敷に留まる資格はありませんッ！！ 即刻退場なさい！！ 二度と当家の敷居をまたぐことを許しません！！」 <br>\r\nYou have no right to stay in this mansion!! Leave immediately!! I won't permit you to cross the threshold of this house again!!\" <br><br>\r\n「去年通用した手が、今年もまた通用すると思ったのが運の尽きね。 <br>\r\n\"It worked last year, but you've used up your luck if you thought it'd work this year too. <br><br>\r\n……お父様はご機嫌斜めだから面会できない？ 去年の時点で充分不審だったのに、今年もだなんて。 <br>\r\n...Father is in a bad mood, so he can't meet with us? That was plenty suspicious last year, and yet you're doing it again.\" <br><br>\r\nお父様の代理を騙り財産を乗っ取るなら、もっとスピーディーにやって、今日の親族会議を待たずに失踪させるべきだったわね。さすがに甘いわよ、蔵臼お兄様……？」 <br>\r\n\"If you really wanted to fake being Father's agent and grab up all his assets, you should've done it a little more speedily, making him disappear without waiting for today's family conference. You really are naive, Krauss onii-sama...\" <br><br>\r\n「…………君が何のことを言っているのか私にはさっ、」 <br>\r\n\"......I have no idea what you are-\" <br><br>\r\n「でも！ ……お父様がご機嫌斜めなのは事実で、蔵臼兄さんが世話人としての責務として、私たちの面会を拒んでるのだとしたら、それはとても立派なことよね。なら、私の出した条件を飲んでくれれば、この場は収まるわ。 <br>\r\n\"However! ...If it's a fact that Father's in a bad mood, and you're preventing us from meeting him as part of your responsibilities as his caretaker, then it's a very wonderful thing you're doing. In that case, if you just accept our conditions, everything will be settled here and now.\" <br><br>\r\n………何しろ、お父様のことをこんなにも大切にする蔵臼兄さんですもの。お父様に、検死されて困るような死に方が、あるわけがない。 <br>\r\n\"......After all, you care so greatly for Father, Krauss nii-san. There's no way Father will die in a manner that leads to trouble during the autopsy.\" <br><br>\r\nいずれにせよ、お父様は病院嫌いなんだから書斎で亡くなるでしょうね？ いずれにせよ必ず検死は行なわれるわ。 <br>\r\n\"After all, Father hates hospitals, so he'll pass away in his study, right? An autopsy will certainly be carried out no matter what happens. <br><br>\r\n……~ib~検死を逃れて殺す~ib~には、失踪しかない。」 <br>\r\n...The only way to ~ib~kill him without an autopsy~ib~ would be for him to disappear.\" <br><br>\r\n「………霧江さん。兄さんをいじめるのは、それくらいにして下さらないかしら…？」 <br>\r\n\"......Enough, Kyrie-san. I think you've bullied Nii-san enough.\" <br><br>\r\n絵羽が、気色悪いくらいにやさしい声で霧江をたしなめる。 <br>\r\nEva rebuked Kyrie in an sickeningly kind voice. <br><br>\r\n…それは状況的に考えてありえないこと。 <br>\r\nだからこそ、あまりに気色悪かった…。 <br>\r\n...Considering the situation, that was impossible. <br><br>\r\n...Which is why it was sickening... <br><br>\r\n「兄さんにも色々と都合やプライドもあるはず。兄さんにとって当然の義務であっても、それを文書化して、その上、ペナルティまで課せられたんじゃ、 <br>\r\n…そりゃ不愉快なはずよ。 <br>\r\n\"I'm sure Nii-san has his own difficulties to worry about, as well as his pride. True, Nii-san might consider that one of his natural duties, but if you force him to put it on paper and assign penalties, <br><br>\r\n...I could hardly blame him for getting upset. <br><br>\r\nねぇ、楼座……？」 <br>\r\nDon't you agree, Rosa...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……えぇ、そうね。………蔵臼兄さんの長男としてのプライドを軽んじ過ぎたかもしれないわ。……霧江さんの言うような、世話人の責務についての覚書にサインというのは、さすがに気の毒かもしれない。」 <br>\r\n\"...Yes, that's right. ......She might have made light of Krauss nii-san's pride as the eldest son a little too much. ...I'd feel bad for him if we were to force him to sign a statement regarding the duties of the caretaker as Kyrie-san has laid them out.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうだな。兄貴はよくやってくれてる。そこを汲み取り、おかしな書類にサインとか、万一の時はペナルティとか、そういう話を抜きにして兄貴に全部一任することを、考えてもいいかもしれねぇな。」 <br>\r\n\"That's right. You're doing a good job, Aniki. Taking that into account, we might consider avoiding all that about signing strange papers and worst-case penalties...and leave everything to you.\" <br><br>\r\n「お、…………お前ら…………、」 <br>\r\n\"...Y-You people......\" <br><br>\r\n絵羽だけでなく、留弗夫や楼座までもが、示し合わせたかのような薄気味悪い笑顔を浮かべて蔵臼を追い詰める。 <br>\r\nNot just Eva, but Rudolf and Rosa as well, with unnerving smiles on their faces as though they'd planned this beforehand, began closing in on Krauss. <br><br>\r\n彼らは今や、霧江がどうやって追い詰め、どこを落とし所にしているか完全に理解していた…。 <br>\r\nThey now understood perfectly how Kyrie had cornered Krauss...and exactly where she was prepared to compromise... <br><br>\r\n「……世話人の責務についての覚書。これにサインすることなく、私たちがお父様への面会を生涯求めないことにも出来るわ。……覚書などなくとも、蔵臼兄さんが世話人に相応しいという保証をしてくれれば。」 <br>\r\n\"...We were talking about a signed statement regarding the responsibilities of the caretaker. But, even without signing such a thing, you can make it so that we'll never demand a meeting with Father again. ...If you can prove your fitness as Father's caretaker with a form of guarantee other than a signed statement, that is.\" <br><br>\r\n「私に、………その保証金を支払えというのかね？ <br>\r\n\"Are you telling me......to pay security money? <br><br>\r\nふっふふふふ、はっははははははは…！ これはおかしい！ わっはははははははははは！」 <br>\r\nHehheheheh, hahhahahahahaha...! Hilarious! Wahhahahahahahahahaha!\" <br><br>\r\n「保証金は、絵羽さん、留弗夫さん、そして楼座さんの３人に、１人、３０億円ずつ。手付金として、その１割の３億円ずつを、今年度中に振り込んでもらうわ。」 <br>\r\n\"The security money will be paid to Eva-san, Rudolf-san, and Rosa-san, 3 billion yen each. As a deposit, you will transfer ten percent of that, 300 million yen, before the year is out.\" <br><br>\r\n「９０億だと？！ そんなカネはないッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"9 billion?! I don't have that kind of money!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「お父様がお亡くなりになった後なら捻出できるはずよ。私たちも、その程度には下調べは済んでる。手付金の９億円だって、蔵臼さんの財産状況なら何とかなるはず。 <br>\r\n\"After Father passes away, you should be able to work it out. We've managed to investigate at least that far. You should be able to handle the deposit of 900 million yen in your current financial situation.\" <br><br>\r\nそれこそ、~ib~お父様に借りることだって~ib~可能でしょう？ …白々しい演技は不要よ。」 <br>\r\n\"And it should even be possible for you to ~ib~borrow it from Father~ib~, right? ...There's no need for obvious charades anymore.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………ふ、不愉快だ。実に不愉快な話だ…！！」 <br>\r\n\"......H-How unpleasant. Truly unpleasant...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ま、まったくです！！ お父様の遺産の話だけでも充分、不敬だというのに！ お父様はもう死んでいる？ 主人がそれを隠していて財産を独占している？！ もううんざりです！！ あなたたち全員に、もはや右代宮を名乗る資格などありませんッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"I-It is at that!! Even just the discussion of Father's inheritance was far too disrespectful! Father is already dead? My husband is hiding that and keeping all the money for himself?! I have had enough of this!! None of you are qualified to bear the name Ushiromiya any longer!!\" <br><br>\r\n「落ち着いてや、夏妃さん…！ みんなももう話はこれまでや！ <br>\r\n\"Calm down, Natsuhi-san...! We've all said all we need to! <br><br>\r\nどうや、この場の話は一旦、ここまでにせんか…？！ 規模がデカイ上に唐突な話や。わしらも興奮してるところがあるかもしれん！ <br>\r\nWhy don't we leave it at that for now...?! This is happinin' all of a sudden and on a massive scale. We might even be gettin' agitated ourselves!\" <br><br>\r\nここは一旦、休憩を挟んで頭を冷やさんか？ 蔵臼兄さんにも、ちょいと時間が必要やろ。な、蔵臼さん？」 <br>\r\n\"Why don't we take a break for a while and cool our heads? Krauss nii-san probably needs a little time himself. Right, Krauss nii-san?\" <br><br>\r\n「………………時間…？ そんなものが、なぜ私に必要なのかね。」 <br>\r\n\".........Time...? And why would I need something like that?\" <br><br>\r\n「まままま！ わしらかて、本音じゃ物騒なことなんぞ考えとらん！ どうしてもお父さんに会わせてもらえんから、ちょいと嫌味が言いたくなっただけなんや…！ それに蔵臼さんが、売り言葉に買い言葉で頭に血が上ってしまったのも、よーぅわかっとる…！ <br>\r\n\"Don't worry, don't worry! We aren't thinkin' of anythin' shady! We're just so eager to see Father that we've started grumblin' a bit...! And Krauss nii-san, I know reeeal well how you're dyin' to get back at us for the things we've said...!\" <br><br>\r\n蔵臼兄さんかて、本当はそこまで言うんなら、会わせてやってもいいと思っとるんや！ な？ そうやろ？ ただ、ついつい意地になってもうたんで、今さら会ってもいいなんて言えなくなってしまっただけや。そうやろ？ な？な？」 <br>\r\n\"If you're willin' to go so far, then you just need to let us meet with him! Right? Isn't that right? You just got a bit stubborn, and it felt awkward to say you'd let us see him after sayin' we couldn't all those times. Isn't that it? Right? Right?\" <br><br>\r\n「……た、…確かに主人も皆さん同様、少々冷静を欠いてしまったところもあるでしょう。 <br>\r\n\"...I-It certainly does seem that my husband has lost his composure slightly, just like the rest of you have. <br><br>\r\n……私たちはお父様の、皆さんに会いたくないという意志を尊重して頑なに断っていたに過ぎません。」 <br>\r\n...We were only refusing stubbornly out of respect for Father's desire not to meet with everyone.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。……うむ、そうだな。つい、昔のような兄弟喧嘩になってしまい、私も意地になってしまった。………頭を冷やそう。 <br>\r\n\"............Indeed, that's right. It was turning into another sibling fight like the old days, and I started feeling stubborn as well. ......Let us cool our heads. <br><br>\r\n…お前たちが親父殿にどうしても会いたいという強い気持ちはよくわかった。…私もそれを伝える。………何とか面会してもらえるよう、親父を説得しよう。………それでどうかね。」 <br>\r\n...I understand how much you all want to meet with Father. ...I will pass that on to him. ......I'll find some way to convince Father to meet with you. ......Will that do?\" <br><br>\r\n「……そうね。蔵臼兄さんに、説得の時間を与えてもいいと思うわ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Yeah. I think it'd be okay to give Krauss nii-san some time to persuade Father.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうだな。……頼むぜ、兄貴。俺たちに会ってくれるよう、よく説得してくれ。何しろ、親父の世話人なんだからよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Yep. ...We're counting on you, Aniki. Please persuade him to meet with us. After all, you're Dad's caretaker.\" <br><br>\r\n「その説得だけど、今夜中って制限を設けさせてもらうわよ？ 明日になったら、私たちは書斎の扉を打ち破ってでも、お父様の安否を確認するわ。 <br>\r\n\"And as for persuading him, ...let's set a limit on it to sometime tonight, okay? When tomorrow comes, we'll confirm Father's well-being, even if we have to break down the door to his study. <br><br>\r\n………それでいいわよね？ 兄さん…？」 <br>\r\n......You have no problems with that, I take it? Nii-san...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……好きにするがいい。なるほど、説得すらも大して時間は掛けられないようだ。 <br>\r\n\"...Do as you like. I see, it seems even the time I've been given to persuade him is short. <br><br>\r\n……夏妃、行こう。せめて晩餐にはご一緒していただくよう、お願い申し上げよう。」 <br>\r\n...Let us go, Natsuhi. We shall ask him to join us for dinner at least.\" <br><br>\r\n「は、はい…！」 <br>\r\n\"R-Right...!\" <br><br>\r\n蔵臼は夏妃を伴うと客室を出て行く。 <br>\r\nKrauss left the parlor with Natsuhi. <br><br>\r\n二人の足音が聞こえなくなると、秀吉が深いため息を漏らして、にやっと笑いながらソファーにどかっと腰を下ろした…。 <br>\r\nOnce their footsteps disappeared, Hideyoshi took a deep breath, smirking and flopping onto the sofa... <br><br>\r\n「…………霧江さん。…あんた、恐ろしい人やな。」 <br>\r\n\"......Kyrie-san, ...you're...a frightenin' person.\" <br><br>\r\n「勝手な口出しをしてごめんなさい。謝るわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Sorry for speaking out of turn. I apologize.\" <br><br>\r\n「……いやいや、当初の計画にはなかった追い詰め方だが、結果は上々だ。…相変わらず、お前ってヤツには頭が下がるぜ…。」 <br>\r\n\"...No, no. You didn't corner him like we'd originally planned, but in the end, this was even better. ...Just like always, I've gotta bow my head to you...\" <br><br>\r\n「でも、…９億円も用意できるのかしら……？ 蔵臼兄さんの財政状況ギリギリで、７．５億が限界と私たちは計算したはず…。……９億はさすがに吹っ掛け過ぎじゃない…？」 <br>\r\n\"But...can he really prepare 900 million...? I believe we estimated that 750 million would be the most Krauss nii-san could afford with his current financial situation... ...Isn't 900 million gouging him too much...?\" <br><br>\r\n「無理なら無理でいいのよ。蔵臼兄さんの顔を立てて７．５億に減額、とかやれば譲歩したっぽく見えて収まりやすいでしょう？ 本当に９億出てきたなら大成功だし。」 <br>\r\n\"If he can't do it, that's fine too. If we do something like lowering it to 750 million so Krauss nii-san can save face, it'll look like we're compromising and it'll be easier to settle, right? And if he really does come out with 900 million, that's even better.\" <br><br>\r\n「兄さん、今頃、夏妃さんと作戦会議中でしょうね。……あのプライドの高い兄さんが、どんな言い訳をしながら屁理屈をこねてくるか、本当に見物だわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Nii-san is probably having a strategy meeting with Natsuhi-san about now. ...It really will be interesting to see what kind of twisted logic our proud Nii-san comes up with as an excuse.\" <br><br>\r\n「お父さんを説得……？ 出来るわけがない。」 <br>\r\n\"Convince Father...? There's no way he can.\" <br><br>\r\n居もしない人物の説得なんて、出来るわけがない…！ <br>\r\nThere's no way to convince someone who isn't even there...! <br><br>\r\n「………………兄弟たちも、年に一度の親族会議に、それぞれの都合を合わせてやって来ています。」 <br>\r\n\"......The siblings have all come, despite their various circumstances, for this annual family conference.\" <br><br>\r\n蔵臼と夏妃の姿は、薄暗い金蔵の書斎にあった。 <br>\r\nKrauss and Natsuhi could be seen in Kinzo's dimly lit study. <br><br>\r\n時折、雷鳴が聞こえ、薄暗い部屋を明滅させるかのように照らし出す。 <br>\r\n……嵐が島を閉ざすのはもうじきのようだった。 <br>\r\nEvery once in a while, thunder could be heard, and the dimly lit room flickered with light. <br><br>\r\n...It seemed that the island would be closed off by the storm very soon. <br><br>\r\n「……お父様…！ どうか今一度、不敬な彼らに、当主様の威厳をお示し下さい…！」 <br>\r\n\"...Father...! Please, just this once, show those disrespectful people the majesty of the Head...!\" <br><br>\r\n「駄目だな………。」 <br>\r\n\"It's useless......\" <br><br>\r\n窓辺に立ち、威厳ある背中を向ける大柄な人影が、静かだけれど力強く、…そう答えた。 <br>\r\nThe large shadow of a person standing by the window, his majestic back facing them, ...answered quietly and forcefully. <br><br>\r\n少しだけ俯き、震える仕草を見せる。 <br>\r\n…やがてその肩越しに聞こえてきたのはくぐもった笑い声であった。 <br>\r\nHe hung his head and shook. <br><br>\r\n...Eventually, they could hear a mumbling laugh over his shoulder. <br><br>\r\n「くっくくくくくくくくくく、はっはっはっはっはっはッ！！ <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle* Hahahahahaha!! <br><br>\r\n駄目だな、全然駄目だ…！！ <br>\r\nIt's useless, it's all useless...!! <br><br>\r\nわっははははははははははッ！！」 <br>\r\nWahhahahahahahahahahaha!!\" <br><br>\r\n………余命３ヶ月…？ 後先短い老いぼれ…？ <br>\r\nそれは誰のことを指して言ったのか。 <br>\r\n......Three months left to live...? An almost finished geezer...? <br><br>\r\nTo whom exactly are you referring? <br><br>\r\n「愚か者がァ！！ <br>\r\n\"You foooools!! <br><br>\r\n弟たちに恫喝されてノコノコやって来たか。恥を知れいッ！！」 <br>\r\nDid you wander over here because your siblings threatened you? Know your shame!!\" <br><br>\r\n金蔵が振り返りながら払ったマントは、澱んだ部屋の空気を力強く一閃する。 <br>\r\nその風圧は、まさに右代宮金蔵の威厳と気迫をそのままに表していた。 <br>\r\nAs Kinzo turned and brushed his cape, it flashed forcefully through the room's stale air. <br><br>\r\nThat air pressure truly signified Ushiromiya Kinzo's majesty and willpower itself. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nその風圧に吹き飛ばされるかのように、蔵臼が尻餅をついてしまったとしても、何の不思議もなかった。 <br>\r\nAfter being blown back by that wind, it wasn't strange that Krauss landed on his butt. <br><br>\r\n半ば腰を抜かしたようにも見える蔵臼に気遣うように夏妃も腰を落とす。 <br>\r\nAs though showing consideration for Krauss, who looked as though his legs had been swept out from under him, Natsuhi also crouched down. <br><br>\r\n そこに金蔵の、 <br>\r\n……ずしり、 <br>\r\n……ずしりと、 <br>\r\n貫禄を示す重みある足音が近付く。 <br>\r\nThen, <br><br>\r\n...with a *thunk*, <br><br>\r\n...*thunk*, <br><br>\r\nKinzo's footsteps approached with a heft that signified his dignity. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「お、……お父さん………、」 <br>\r\n\"...F-Father......\" <br><br>\r\n「馬ァ鹿があぁあぁぁ……！！ 嘉音に聞いておるわ、貴様が弟たちに、どれほど情けなく手玉に取られたかをなぁ？！？！」 <br>\r\n\"Yoou fooooooooool...!! I heard from Kanon. Just how far did you pathetically let your siblings lead you around by the nose?!?!\" <br><br>\r\n「お、お父様…！ 夫はお父様の名誉を守るために懸命に…、」 <br>\r\n\"F-Father...! My husband is doing his best to protect your honor...\" <br><br>\r\n夏妃の言葉に耳も貸さず、金蔵は尻餅をついている蔵臼の襟元に手の平を差し伸べる。 <br>\r\nWithout lending an ear to Natsuhi's words, Kinzo extended his palm to Krauss's collar, as the latter sat on the floor. <br><br>\r\n…いや、人差し指を残してぎゅっと握り、その人差し指一本を………、 <br>\r\n蔵臼の襟元にぐぃぃと押し当て、 <br>\r\n……ねじり、 <br>\r\n………………ゆっくりと、 <br>\r\n高々と、 <br>\r\n……蔵臼を指一本で持ち上げる。 <br>\r\n...No, he curled his fingers, leaving only his pointer finger out, then took that finger and... <br><br>\r\npressed it up against Krauss's collar, <br><br>\r\n...twisted it, <br><br>\r\n.........and slowly, <br><br>\r\nwith just one finger, <br><br>\r\n...picked Krauss up into the air. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「…情けないヤツだなお前はァぁあぁ。……妻に自分の弁解をさせるのか？ 言い訳くらい自分でして見せよッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"...You really are a pathetic fooooooool. ...You let your wife speak in your defense? If you have an excuse, give it yourself!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ぐくく、…………………っがはッ……！！」 <br>\r\n\"Gaggahh, .........gwah...!!\" <br><br>\r\n蔵臼の爪先は宙をもがく。 <br>\r\nKrauss clawed at the air. <br><br>\r\n金蔵の隆々とした指が喉を締め上げているのだ。 <br>\r\n喋るどころか、口を聞くことさえ出来はしまい。 <br>\r\nKinzo's brawny finger was choking him. <br><br>\r\nHe couldn't even open his mouth, much less talk. <br><br>\r\nもっとも、口を開くことが許されたとしても、今の蔵臼に、金蔵を納得させられるような言い訳など、思いつくわけもないのだが…。 <br>\r\nHowever, even if he had been able to open his mouth, as he was now, there was no way he'd be able to think up an excuse that Kinzo would accept... <br><br>\r\nしかし、……何という力なのか…。 <br>\r\n金蔵のこの怪力を見て、誰が老人だなどと呼べたものか…。 <br>\r\nStill, ...how could this power be described...? <br><br>\r\nNo one would call Kinzo an old man after seeing this superhuman strength... <br><br>\r\n「……お父様…！！ 夫は夫なりに戦いました…！！ どうかお許し下さい…！！」 <br>\r\n\"...Father...!! My husband is fighting in his own way...!! Please, forgive him...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………夏妃ィ。……戦いというのはな、勝つまでの過程を言うのだ。……負けるまでの過程は、戦うとは言わぬ。 <br>\r\n\"......Natsuhii. ...Fighting is a process you go through before winning. ...The process you go through before losing isn't called fighting.\" <br><br>\r\nそれはただ一言、見っとも無いと言うのだああぁッ！！ わっはははははははは、これが私の跡継ぎだと言うのか、わっははははははは、わっはっはっはははははははっはぁああああ！！」 <br>\r\n\"That's called being pathetic!! Wahhahahahahahahaha, you call this my successor? Wahhahahahahahaha, wahhahhahhahahahahahahahhaaaaaaah!!\" <br><br>\r\n金蔵は雷鳴と共に、これほど愉快なことはあろうかとでも言うように豪快に笑う。 <br>\r\nAs thunder roared, Kinzo laughed heartily as though nothing could be more pleasant. <br><br>\r\nそして笑いの最後に、不甲斐ない息子をまるで紙くずのように放り投げ、壁に叩き付ける…。 <br>\r\nAnd when he finished laughing, he threw his son away like he was scrap paper, slamming him against the wall... <br><br>\r\n「ぐはッ、……ううううぅぅ……。」 <br>\r\n\"Gwah, ...uuuuuuuuu...\" <br><br>\r\n「あなた、あなた…！！ しっかり……。」 <br>\r\n\"Dear, dear...!! Are you okay...\" <br><br>\r\n壁からずり落ち、苦しそうに喉を擦る蔵臼…。夏妃は駆け寄り介抱する…。 <br>\r\nKrauss slid down the wall, rubbing his throat as though in pain... Natsuhi ran up to him and looked after him... <br><br>\r\nしかし金蔵はそんな二人には何の興味も示さず、最初からそうだったかのように、再び窓辺に戻り、不吉な雷雲を見上げる。 <br>\r\nBut without showing any interest in the two of them, Kinzo returned to the space near the window, as though he had been there the whole time, and looked up at the thunderclouds of misfortune. <br><br>\r\n「…………ベアトリーチェにさえ会えれば、我が人生には何の悔いもないと思っていたが、どうやらそういうわけにも行かぬらしい。……魔女より得たものは何も残せぬのが初めからの約束。しかし、右代宮の名は魔女のものではない。……その名を継ぐのが誰に相応しいか。どうやらそれだけは、わしが自らの手で解決せねばならぬようだ。……喜べ蔵臼！！ 気が変わったぞ。」 <br>\r\n\"......I thought I would have no regrets in my life, if only I could meet Beatrice, but it seems it won't go so smoothly. ...It was promised from the beginning that nothing received from the witch would remain. However, the Ushiromiya name is not the property of the witch. ...Who is fit to succeed that name? It seems that this alone must be resolved by my own hand. ...Rejoice, Krauss!! I have changed my mind.\" <br><br>\r\n「………お、お父さん…。………では……？」 <br>\r\n\"......F-Father... ......So...?\" <br><br>\r\n「貴様ら腑抜けどもと食事をする気など起きぬ。だが、その後の親族会議には出席する！」 <br>\r\n\"I have no desire to have dinner with you cowards. However, I will attend the family conference afterwards!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「お、お父様…。ありがとうございます……！」 <br>\r\n\"F-Father... Thank you very much...!\" <br><br>\r\n「私はその席上で、当主継承についての重大な発表をするであろう。お前たちの下らない争いは、私自らが解決してやるッ！！ うっははははははは、わーっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっはッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"There, I shall make a great announcement regarding the succession of the Head. I will resolve your foolish quarrel myself!! Uuhhahahahahahaha, waaahhahhahhahhahhahhahhahhahhahah!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nバタンと勢いよく扉が開けられると、真里亞を連れた楼座が飛び込んでくる。 <br>\r\nForcefully opening the door with a clunk, Rosa flew in with Maria. <br><br>\r\n「源次さんか誰かいない…？！ 誰でもいいの、バスタオルを持ってきて…！！」 <br>\r\n\"Is Genji-san or anyone there...?! It doesn't matter who, bring us a bath towel...!!\" <br><br>\r\n外はもうすっかり台風で、大雨が降り始めている。 <br>\r\nそんな中、傘を差していたとはいえ、真里亞はずっと薔薇庭園で風雨の中にいた。 <br>\r\nThere was already a full-blown typhoon outside, and it was starting to pour down hard. <br><br>\r\nEven though she'd had an umbrella, Maria had been in the rose garden amid all that wind and rain the whole time. <br><br>\r\n肩はすっかり冷えてしまっていた。 <br>\r\nShe had grown ice cold. <br><br>\r\n真里亞は楼座と薔薇庭園で些細な喧嘩をし、ずっとそこにいなさいと言われたのだ。 <br>\r\nMaria had gotten into a minor fight with Rosa in the rose garden and had been told to stay there. <br><br>\r\n……真里亞はその言いつけ通り、雨が降り出してもずっとその場に留まり続けていたのである。 <br>\r\n...She had done as she was told and had continued to wait in that spot, even though rain was pouring down. <br><br>\r\n確かに楼座も少し感情的に怒ってしまったが、真里亞の頑固なわがままの方が確かに悪いだろう。 <br>\r\nRosa certainly had gotten a little emotional and angry, but Maria's stubborn whim was probably more to blame. <br><br>\r\n……そのやり取りを見てしまったいとこたちは、親子が寄り添う姿を見て、ほっと胸を撫で下ろすのだった。 <br>\r\n...The cousins, who had seen that exchange, were relieved to see that mother and child were close to each other again. <br><br>\r\n楼座はタオルで真里亞の頭をごしごしと拭く。 <br>\r\n娘が風邪を引かないかと心配でならないようだが、当の真里亞はケロリとしていた。 <br>\r\nRosa scrubbed Maria's head with a towel. <br><br>\r\nShe seemed overcome with worry that Maria had caught a cold, but Maria herself was nonchalant. <br><br>\r\n「大丈夫？ 寒気とかしない？ やっぱり一度戻って着替えさせた方がいいかしら…。」 <br>\r\n\"Are you okay? You didn't catch a cold, did you? Maybe we really should go back for now and get a change of clothes...\" <br><br>\r\n「うー、全然平気ー！ それよりお腹空いたから、着替えよりご飯がいいー、うー！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-, I'm just fine! More importantly, I'm hungry, so food's better than changing clothes, uu-!\" <br><br>\r\n「はっはっはっは。大丈夫そうだぜ、楼座叔母さん。こんだけ元気ならきっと大丈夫だよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Hahahaha. She looks okay, <NAME>. She's gotta be if she's this spirited.\" <br><br>\r\n「傘があって本当に良かったよ。……ひょっとしたらずぶ濡れかもしれないと思ってたからね。 <br>\r\n\"It's a really good thing she had an umbrella. ...I was thinking she might be soaked to the bone. <br><br>\r\n傘を持ってたのは、不幸中の幸いだったよ。」 <br>\r\nThe fact that she had an umbrella certainly is a silver lining.\" <br><br>\r\n「でもよ、真里亞！ いくら傘があっても、こんな大雨になったらちゃんと雨宿りしなきゃ駄目だぜ？ 女の子は体を冷やしちゃ、絶対にいけない。」 <br>\r\n\"But Maria! Even if you have an umbrella, you've gotta get to shelter when it starts raining so hard, okay? Little girls definitely shouldn't let their bodies get cold.\" <br><br>\r\n「………うー。」 <br>\r\n\"......Uu-.\" <br><br>\r\n「いいのよ、朱志香ちゃん。 <br>\r\n\"It's okay, Jessica-chan. <br><br>\r\n……ママがそこにずっといなさいと言ったのが悪いの。本当にごめんね、本当にごめんね…！！」 <br>\r\n...It's Mama's fault for telling her to stay there. I'm really sorry, I'm really sorry...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「うー！ 真里亞いい子？ ママの言う通りにしてたからいい子？ 寒くてもずっといた、ママが来るまでずっといた！ うーうー！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-! I'm a good girl? I'm a good girl for doing what Mama said? I stayed there even though it was cold, stayed there until Mama came! Uu-uu-!\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、真里亞は本当にいい子よ。ママの言いつけをちゃんと守ったわね…。本当に偉いわ。 <br>\r\n\"Yes, you really are a good girl, Maria. You did exactly what Mama said... Very well done. <br><br>\r\nでも、次からはママの言いつけであっても、あんな大雨になったらちゃんと雨宿りをするのよ。いいわね…？ ママと約束よ。」 <br>\r\nBut next time, even if Mama tells you to do something, find some shelter if it starts raining like that. Okay...? Promise Mama.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー。ママと約束。……うー☆」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-. Promise Mama. ...Uu-☆\" <br><br>\r\n楼座は、真里亞をやさしく抱きながら、小指を絡めあってそれを約束し合う。 <br>\r\n一本の小指を通しての親子の触れ合いで、真里亞の体に温もりが戻っていくのが、見守る戦人たちにもよくわかるのだった。 <br>\r\nAs Rosa gently held Maria, they joined their pinkies together and promised. <br><br>\r\nBattler and the others realized that by touching her mother's pinky, the warmth had started to return to Maria's body. <br><br>\r\n「嘉音くん、タオルをありがとう。助かったわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Kanon-kun, thanks for the towel. That really helped.\" <br><br>\r\n「……それでは失礼いたします。」 <br>\r\n\"...Then, if you would excuse me.\" <br><br>\r\n嘉音は、礼を言われるほどのことはしていないという淡白な表情で頭を下げると、客間を出て行った。 <br>\r\nAs Kanon bowed with a blank expression, as though he'd done nothing that required gratitude, he left the parlor. <br><br>\r\n「……さ、もうお夕飯よ。みんなも行きましょう。……偉い真里亞には、あとでママの分のデザートも分けてあげるわ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Okay, it's already dinnertime. Let's all go together. ...I'll even give Maria my dessert for being so good.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー！ 本当、ママ？！ <br>\r\n\"Uu-! Really Mama?! <br><br>\r\nうーうー、デザートもらえる、うーうーうー♪ ママ大好き、ママ大好き！」 <br>\r\nUu-uu-, get dessert, uu-uu-uu-♪ Love Mama, love Mama!\" <br><br>\r\n「こら、真里亞、はしゃがないの。 <br>\r\n\"Hey, Maria, don't jump around. <br><br>\r\nママも真里亞が大好きよ。真里亞大好き、真里亞大好き。」 <br>\r\nMama loves you too, Maria. Love Maria, love Maria.\" <br><br>\r\n「真里亞もママ大好き、ママ大好き！ うーうーうーうー！」 <br>\r\n\"I love Mama too, love Mama! Uu-uu-uu-uu-!\" <br><br>\r\n「うーうーうーうー♪」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-uu-uu-uu-♪\" <br><br>\r\n楼座と真里亞は、仲睦まじい姿を見せる。それを見て戦人たちも、何だか懐かしいような温かみが胸に込み上げてくるのを感じる。 <br>\r\nRosa and Maria looked really close. Even the cousins who watched started to feel a long-forgotten warmth fill up their chests. <br><br>\r\n「……このくらいの年頃が、親と一番仲がいいのかもしれねぇな。」 <br>\r\n\"...You know, that might be the age when you're on your best terms with your parents.\" <br><br>\r\n「うちはそうでもなかったぜー。母さんとか、いっつも勉強勉強とうるさかったなー。」 <br>\r\n\"It wasn't like that for me. Mom was always yelling at me to study, study, study.\" <br><br>\r\n「子どもを愛していればこそだよ。親の愛はやさしさや甘やかしだけじゃないんだよ。 <br>\r\n\"That's because they love their children. A parent's love isn't always gentle and indulgent. <br><br>\r\n僕の母さんも厳しかったけど、僕を大事に思ってくれたからこそだって、今ならわかるよ。」 <br>\r\nMy mother was strict with me too, but now I realize that it was because she treasured me so.\" <br><br>\r\n「うーうーうー！ ママ大好き、ママ大好き！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-uu-uu-! Love Mama, love Mama!\" <br><br>\r\n「真里亞大好き、真里亞大好き♪ さ、食事に行きましょう？ お手々つないで仲良くね。」 <br>\r\n\"Love Maria, love Maria♪ So, shall we get some food? Let's be friends and hold hands.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー！ お手々つないで仲良く！ ママと真里亞、仲良し仲良し♪」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-! Be friends and hold hands! Mama and me, friends, friends♪\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、そうよ。ママと真里亞は仲良しよ。いつまでもずーっとね。愛してるわ、真里亞…。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, that's right. Mama and Maria are friends. We'll aaalways be like this. I love you, Maria...\" <br><br>\r\n「……………何だよ突然。…どうした？」 <br>\r\n\"......What's going on, all of a sudden? ...What's up?\" <br><br>\r\n突然の音は、グレーテルが手にしていたティーカップが落ちて割れた音だった。 <br>\r\nThe sudden sound had come from the teacup Gretel had been holding, which had fallen and smashed. <br><br>\r\n「………ごめんなさい。ぼんやりしてたわ。落としちゃってごめんなさい。」 <br>\r\n\"......Sorry. I got careless. Sorry for dropping it.\" <br><br>\r\n床のカップは粉々に砕けていた。 <br>\r\nThe cup on the floor had smashed to pieces. <br><br>\r\n……手から落としたくらいで、あそこまでの音を立てて、しかも粉々に砕けるだろうか。 <br>\r\n...Would it really have made such a sound and smashed to pieces just by being dropped from that height? <br><br>\r\n鈍感な戦人でも、それが何かの不機嫌を表すものだろうと察したが、なぜ突然、彼女が機嫌を悪くしたのか理解できなかった。 <br>\r\nEven someone as thick-headed as Battler could realize that she was in a bad mood over something, but he couldn't understand why she had suddenly grown so displeased. <br><br>\r\n屈んでカップの欠片を拾おうとすると、どこからともなく現れたロノウェが、それを制する。 <br>\r\nWhen she made to bend over and pick up the fragments of the cup, Ronove appeared out of nowhere and stopped her. <br><br>\r\n「お怪我をなさいますよ。お片付けは私どもにお任せを。紅茶のお代わりをお持ちしましょうか…？」 <br>\r\n\"You will injure yourself. Leave the cleaning up to me. Shall I bring you another cup of black tea...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……いらないわ。………どうも悪魔の紅茶は口に合わないみたい。」 <br>\r\n\"...I don't need it. ......I guess a demon's black tea just doesn't match my tastes.\" <br><br>\r\n「ほぉ。ロノウェの紅茶でも口に合わぬ者がおったとは。そなたの肥えた舌には敬意を表するぞ。」 <br>\r\n\"Hoh. To think there's someone whose tastes aren't satisfied even by Ronove's tea. I must respect your discerning palate.\" <br><br>\r\n「………退屈してきたんで、ちょっと席を外すわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......I'm getting bored, so I'll go out for a second.\" <br><br>\r\n「退屈ぅ？ おいおい、いよいよこれからだろうが。 <br>\r\n\"Bored? Wait a sec, this is where things start to get interesting. <br><br>\r\n多分、この時点で真里亞はまた、傘と手紙をベアトリーチェから受け取ってるって言い出すんだぜ？ ここからが重要だってのに…、」 <br>\r\nAbout now, Maria is probably going to say that she got an umbrella and a letter from Beatrice again, right? This is the essential part...\" <br><br>\r\n「失礼するわ。ごめんなさいね、後片付けをお願い。」 <br>\r\n\"Excuse me. Sorry, I'm counting on you to clean this up.\" <br><br>\r\n「お任せを。」 <br>\r\n\"Leave it to me.\" <br><br>\r\nそれだけを言い残し、グレーテルは一方的に姿を消す。文字通り、虚空に姿を溶かして消えた…。 <br>\r\nWithout saying anything else, Gretel disappeared of her own accord. Her form literally melted and disappeared into thin air... <br><br>\r\n彼女の表情には、確かに不機嫌が浮かんでいた。 <br>\r\nThere was definitely a displeased expression on her face. <br><br>\r\nしかし、戦人もロノウェも、もちろんベアトも含めて、なぜ突然に機嫌を悪くしたのか理解できない。 <br>\r\nBut neither Battler nor Ronove, and of course, not Beato either, could understand why her mood had so suddenly worsened. <br><br>\r\n後には、彼女が零した紅茶の香りだけが残っていた…。 <br>\r\nAll that remained was the scent of the black tea she'd spilled... <br><br>\r\n………不愉快だった。 <br>\r\n......I don't like it. <br><br>\r\nいや、さらに言葉を選ばないなら、虫唾が走ったとさえ言っても良かった。 <br>\r\nNo, to be more blunt, it disgusts me. <br><br>\r\n「うー…？ ……何で縁寿はイラついてるの……？」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-...? ...Why are you so irritated, Ange...?\" <br><br>\r\n「何でって！ 決まってるでしょ…？」 <br>\r\n\"Why, you say?! Isn't it obvious...?\" <br><br>\r\n「うー。…真里亞にはわからないよ……？」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-. ...I don't understand...\" <br><br>\r\nきょとんとした表情を見せる真里亞お姉ちゃんにも、…イラつく。 <br>\r\nEven Maria onee-chan, with that blank expression on her face, ...irritated me. <br><br>\r\n私が虚空に、手の平を上にしてかざすと、そこにどこからともなくストンと、一冊の本が乗っかる。 <br>\r\nAs I held my hands palms up in the empty air, from out of nowhere, a single book landed on them. <br><br>\r\n………真里亞お姉ちゃんの日記だ。 <br>\r\n......It was Maria onee-chan's diary. <br><br>\r\n私がページをめくらずとも、風もないのにページがばらばらとめくれ、真里亞お姉ちゃんの世界への扉を開いていく。 <br>\r\nEven though I didn't turn the pages, the pages were flipped through, despite there being no wind, and the door to Maria onee-chan's world opened. <br><br>\r\n「……どうして縁寿は、真里亞が幸せじゃないと思うの？」 <br>\r\n\"...Why do you think I'm not happy, Ange?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………客観的に判断してよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Think about it objectively.\" <br><br>\r\n「客観的に、縁寿の主観で、だね？」 <br>\r\n\"By objectively, you mean from your viewpoint, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。 <br>\r\n\"......... <br><br>\r\n……真実は、私にとってと真里亞お姉ちゃんにとってで、異なると言いたいの？」 <br>\r\n...Are you trying to say that the truth is different for me and you, Maria onee-chan?\" <br><br>\r\n「真実は、観測者によって形を変えるよ。そして、未来の観測者が常に、その形状を上書きする。………縁寿は、真里亞の幸せを、どうしたいの…？」 <br>\r\n\"Truth can change its form depending on the observer. And observers from the future always overwrite that form. ......Ange, what are you trying to do to my happiness...?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n日記のページがますますにすごい速度でめくれていく…。そして日記の奥深くより眩い光が溢れ出し……、全てを飲み込んで白で塗り潰した。 <br>\r\nThe pages of the diary were flipped through at greater and greater speeds... Then, a brilliant light poured out from the depths of the diary, ...swallowing everything up and painting over everything with white. <br><br>\r\n「………ごめんね、真里亞。ママね、緊急に片付けなきゃならない仕事が山積みで、ちょっと会社に缶詰にならなきゃならないの。……多分、明後日の深夜まで家に帰れないわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Sorry, Maria. Mama has to take care of some urgent business that's piled up, so I need to stay holed up at the company for a while. ...I probably won't be able to come back home until late at night the day after tomorrow.\" <br><br>\r\n「……うー。……じゃあ、日曜日の一緒に映画を見に行く約束は……？」 <br>\r\n\"...Uu-. ...Then, what about your promise to go to the movies with me on Sunday...?\" <br><br>\r\n「映画…？ えっと、」 <br>\r\n\"The movies...? Umm-\" <br><br>\r\n楼座の口調からは、明らかにその約束を忘れていた様子がうかがえた。 <br>\r\nしかし、それに対する真里亞の返事は、それを聞いたことを詫びるものだった…。 <br>\r\nJudging by Rosa's tone, she had clearly forgotten that promise. <br><br>\r\nBut Maria's response to that was an apology for asking... <br><br>\r\n…………ごめんなさい。 <br>\r\n......I'm sorry. <br><br>\r\nそれを聞いて母を困らせてしまったことを、真里亞は謝る……。 <br>\r\nMaria apologized for troubling her mother by asking that question... <br><br>\r\n「………真里亞、お留守番してる。ちゃんとお行儀良く待ってる。……毎日お風呂に入って新しい肌着にするよ。…お金の場所もわかってる。………毎日違うお店に行くようにする。あんまり遅い時間に出掛けないようにする。お巡りさんに聞かれたら、ママのお使いですって言うようにする。……ちゃんとママに言われた通りに言うようにする。」 <br>\r\n\"......I'll stay home. I'll definitely wait patiently. ...I'll take a bath every day and change my underwear. ...And I know where the money is. ......I'll go to a different store every day. I'll try not to go out too late. If a policeman asks, I'll say I'm running errands for Mama. ...I'll do what Mama says, like Mama says.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。……そうね。ちゃんといい子にしてるのよ。そしたら、お土産を買ってきてあげるわ。いい？ 夜は９時までに寝るのよ。ママが帰ってこないなんて、先生にも大人にも言っちゃ駄目よ。いいわね……？」 <br>\r\n\"...............That's right. You really are being a good girl. If you do that, I'll buy you a present. Okay? Go to bed by 9:00. You mustn't tell the teacher or any adults that Mama isn't coming home. Okay...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………………うん。……だからママ、お仕事がんばってね。……がんばってお仕事終わらせて……、少しでも早く帰ってきてね…。真里亞、……もう夜中に泣いて、近所の人に迷惑なんか掛けたりしないから……。……だから、早く帰ってきてね………。」 <br>\r\n\".........Yes. ...So Mama, do your best at work. ...Do your best, finish your work, ...and come back as soon as you can... I...won't cry all night and annoy the neighbors anymore... ...So come back quickly......\" <br><br>\r\n「………………。……じゃ、忙しいので切るわよ。……いい子にして待ってるのよ。余計なことはしちゃ駄目よ。じゃあね。」 <br>\r\n\".........Well then, I'm busy, so I'll hang up. ...Be a good girl and wait. Don't do anything you shouldn't. Goodbye.\" <br><br>\r\nブツリ。……楼座は、切り上げるような口調で、真里亞の返事を待たずに電話を切った。 <br>\r\n*click*. ...With a tone of finality in her voice, Rosa hung up the phone without waiting for Maria's answer. <br><br>\r\n真里亞は受話器を行儀良く戻すと、ソファーに戻る。 <br>\r\nそこには、さっきまで一緒にテレビを見ていた、さくたろのぬいぐるみがあった。 <br>\r\nMaria politely set down the receiver and returned to the sofa. <br><br>\r\nThere sat the stuffed animal Sakutaro, with whom she'd been watching TV until a second ago. <br><br>\r\nさくたろはテレビのリモコンを抱いている。 <br>\r\n……電話だからテレビを一度切ったのだ。 <br>\r\nSakutaro was holding the remote control to the TV. <br><br>\r\n...The TV had been turned off because of the phone call. <br><br>\r\n早くテレビが見たいからまたスイッチを入れてくれという仕草だろう。 <br>\r\nHe looked like he was telling her to push the switch because he wanted to watch TV again quickly. <br><br>\r\n「……………さくたろ。……テレビ、…見たい？」 <br>\r\n『……うりゅ？ 真里亞はもう見たくないの…？ 芸人チーム、全問正解したら逆転かもしれない。うりゅ〜！』 <br>\r\n\"......Sakutaro, ...wanna watch...TV?\" <br><br>\r\n『...Uryu? You don't want to watch anymore, Maria...? If the actors' team gets all the questions right, they can still make a huge comeback. Uryu-!』 <br><br>\r\n「………うん。………もうテレビ、いいや。」 <br>\r\n\"......No. ......That's enough...TV.\" <br><br>\r\nまた、……ママは仕事が忙しくて、帰ってこない。 <br>\r\nAgain, ...Mama was busy with her work and didn't come home. <br><br>\r\n普段から残業の多いママは、深夜まで帰ってこない。 <br>\r\nMama works so much overtime that she doesn't come home until late. <br><br>\r\n……お付き合いがあるとかで、強くないのにお酒をいっぱい飲んで帰ってきて、真っ青な顔をしながら、そのままシャワーを浴びて床に入ってしまうのがいつもだ。 <br>\r\n...Because she has `dates' or something, she always comes home after drinking a lot of alcohol, even though she's not good at drinking, and with a pale face, she'll go straight into the shower and then to bed. <br><br>\r\nそして週末も残業だとかお泊まりだとか言って、ほとんど帰ってきてくれない。 <br>\r\nAnd because she has overtime even on the weekends or something, she says she has to spend the night there, and almost never comes home. <br><br>\r\n……最近は大きな仕事を控えてるとか言って、頻繁にそういうことがある…。 <br>\r\n...Recently, she started saying something about how she's got a big job she's working on, so this sort of thing happens a lot... <br><br>\r\n……図工の時間にがんばって描いて、みんなに笑われたけど、ママにだけはちゃんと見て欲しかった絵が、また見てもらえない。 <br>\r\n...The pictures I did my best on during drawing time were laughed at by everyone, but even so, I wanted to show them just to Mama, ...and once again, she won't be able to look at them for me. <br><br>\r\nみんなに押し付けられた掃除だけど、ひとりでちゃんとがんばって、先生に褒められた話とか。 <br>\r\nAnd I could talk about the time everyone pushed the job of cleaning up onto me, but I did my best by myself and was praised by the teacher. <br><br>\r\nお買い物に行ったら、お店のおじさんがいつも感心だねって言って、缶コーヒーをオマケしてくれた話とか。 <br>\r\nOr the time I went shopping, and the man at the shop said I'm always such a good kid and gave me a free canned coffee. <br><br>\r\nいっぱいお仕事がんばって帰ってくるママを励ましたくて、書いておいたメッセージカードが、こっそりママの枕の下に隠してあるとか。 <br>\r\nThen there was the time I wanted to encourage Mama because she worked so hard on her job...and hid a card for her under her pillow. <br><br>\r\n「……………他にも、…いっぱい、……お話したかった。」 <br>\r\n\"......And there's a lot...of other things...I wanted to talk about.\" <br><br>\r\n『………ママは、お仕事をいっぱい頑張ってくれてるんだよ。毎日のご飯のために、一生懸命働いてくれてるんだよ。』 <br>\r\n『......Mama's working really hard at her job. She's working with all of her strength so that we can eat every day.』 <br><br>\r\n「……お仕事、やだ。……ママ、お仕事なんかやめちゃえ。」 <br>\r\n\"...I hate her job. ...If only she'd just quit.\" <br><br>\r\n『お仕事は、大人の大切な仕事なんだよ。……真里亞にご飯を食べさせて、お洋服を買って、学校の給食費を払って、サマーキャンプの積立金を払って。……それはみんなママが働いてお金を稼いでくれるからなんだよ。』 <br>\r\n『A job is an important thing for adults to do. ...It lets Maria eat, buys clothes, pays for school lunches, and pays the deposit for summer camp. ...All that happens because Mama works and earns money.』 <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。…ご飯いらない。お洋服もいらない。給食もいらないしサマーキャンプなんか行きたくない。…どうせ真里亞をどこの班も混ぜてくれないもん。」 <br>\r\n\"............I don't need food. Don't need clothes. Don't need school lunches and don't want to go to summer camp. ...It's not like any of the groups will let me join in.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ……。……ママはさっき電話で、お仕事から帰ってきたら、お土産を買ってきてくれるって約束してくれたよ？ ママは真里亞のことが大事で、寂しくさせてることを申し訳ないと思ってるから、そういう約束をしてくれたんだと思うよ。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu... ...Just now, on the phone, Mama promised that she'd buy a present when she comes back from work, right? I think she made that promise because you're important to her, Maria, and she'd feel bad if she made you lonely.』 <br><br>\r\n「………そうかな。」 <br>\r\n\"...You think so?\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ！ 面倒臭かったり、嫌だったりしたら、そんなことはしないもん！ ……ママだって、真里亞の側にいつだっていたいんだよ。…それが出来なくて、ママも辛くて悲しい。…………ママが泣きながら、ずっと真里亞の隣にいて夜を過ごしてくれた日を、ボクは覚えてるよ。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu! It definitely isn't a pain for her, or annoying, or anything! ...Mama also wants to be by your side all the time, Maria. ...It's also painful and sad for her, since she can't do that. ......I remember when she spent the whole night by your side, crying.』 <br><br>\r\n「………うん。…何でママが泣いてるのかわからなかったけど、……悲しむママが悲しくて、…ただ真里亞は黙ってママの側にいることしか出来なかった。」 <br>\r\n\"......Yeah. ...I didn't understand why she was crying, ...but she was so sad, ...and I couldn't do anything but stay silent by her side.\" <br><br>\r\n『あの時、最後にママが言ったのを、ボクは覚えてるよ。……真里亞に、ありがとうって言った。………ただ側に居てくれるだけで、真里亞だけが世界でただ１人の味方なんだよって、ママは言ってくれた。……うりゅ、覚えてる？』 <br>\r\n『I remember the last thing Mama said then. ...She said `Thank you, Maria'. ......She said that just by being by her side, you were her only ally in the world. ...Uryu, do you remember?』 <br><br>\r\n「うん…。………真里亞が世界でただ１人の味方なんだよって、 <br>\r\n……ママ言った。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah... ......I'm her only ally in the world, <br><br>\r\n...she said.\" <br><br>\r\nさくたろは、リモコンをテーブルに置くと、よちよちとソファーを這い上がって、私の膝に乗って、…私の瞳を見ながら言った。 <br>\r\nSakutaro set the remote control on the table, crawled up onto the sofa, sat on my lap, ...and spoke to me, gazing into my eyes. <br><br>\r\n『……ママも、きっと真里亞と同じなんだよ。………ママの描いたデザインだけが、クライアントに笑われて。……ママの会社だけが、他の会社から面倒な仕事を押し付けられて。ママは社長だから、自分ひとりで片付けなくちゃならなくて。……ママの会社だけが、いつも他の会社の仕事に混ぜてもらえない。………ママの味方は、真里亞だけなんだよ。……その真里亞が、ママにお仕事なんかやめちゃえなんて言ったら、……ママの味方は、世界中の、どこにいるの………？』 <br>\r\n『...I'm sure Mama feels the same way you do, Maria. ......The designs Mama draws are the only ones laughed at by her clients. ...Only Mama's company has troublesome jobs pushed onto it by other companies. Mama is the president, so she has to take care of everything by herself. ...Only Mama's company never gets included in the business of other companies. ......Mama's only ally is Maria. ...If you tell her to stop doing her job, ...where in the world could she find an ally......?』 <br><br>\r\n「……………ぅぅ…。………さくたろ……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Nnng, ......Sakutaro...\" <br><br>\r\n『ボクには、世界中でただひとり、真里亞がいる。……ママには、世界中でただひとり、真里亞がいる。………真里亞には？』 <br>\r\n『The only person I have in the whole world is Maria. ...The only person Mama has in the whole world is Maria. ......What about you, Maria?』 <br><br>\r\n「……ママもいるし、さくたろもいる…。」 <br>\r\n\"...I've got Mama, and I've got you too, Sakutaro...\" <br><br>\r\n『だから真里亞は寂しくなんか、ない！ うりゅ！』 <br>\r\n『So, Maria, you aren't lonely at all! Uryu!』 <br><br>\r\n「………うー。」 <br>\r\n\"......Uu-.\" <br><br>\r\n『ママはお仕事が忙しいから、なかなか真里亞と一緒にいられないけど、真里亞はどうかそれを責めないで。……その代わり、ボクはいつも一緒に、そしていつまでも一緒に真里亞の側にいるから。……………だから泣かないで…？ ………うりゅ…。ボクが一緒じゃ、………悲しみを止められない……？』 <br>\r\n『Since Mama's busy with her work, she can't be together with you very often, but please, don't blame her for that, Maria. ...In exchange, I'll always be here, will be by your side forever. ......So don't cry, okay...? ......Uryu... Can't your sadness be stopped......if I'm with you...?』 <br><br>\r\n「…………ぅぅ、……うううぅううぅ、さくたろ…。……うううぅううぅぅ！！ うわああああぁああああぁあう、わぁあああああぁあぅ…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Uuu, ...uuuuuuuuuuu, Sakutaro... ...Uuuuuuuuu!! Uwaaaaaaaahhh, waaaaaaaaaaaahhh...\" <br><br>\r\n………真里亞は、がんばって塞ぎ続けてきた心の隙間から、…悲しみの雫をとうとう、零してしまう。……ぽたりぽたり。……ぽたぽた。 <br>\r\n……しくしくぽたぽた、ぽろぽろぽろ。 <br>\r\n......From the corner of Maria's heart, which she had been doing her best to seal up, ...drops of sadness finally dripped down. ...*drip*drip*. *drop*drop*. <br><br>\r\n...*drip*drop*drip*drop*. <br><br>\r\nママが帰って来れない週末なんて、珍しいものじゃないはずなのに。 <br>\r\n……この夜が、普段の夜に比べて、特別、辛くて悲しかったわけじゃないのに。 <br>\r\n...Even though weekends when Mama didn't come home weren't that rare a thing. <br><br>\r\n...It wasn't as though that night was particularly painful or sad compared to other nights. <br><br>\r\n……真里亞は涙をぽろぽろと零す。 <br>\r\n...And yet, Maria's tears poured down. <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー…！ 真里亞、泣かないで…。ボクがずっと一緒にいるから…。真里亞が泣いても、ボクは泣かない。ボクはライオンの子だから寂しくても泣かないよ。……ボクだって泣きたいけど、ボクは泣かないんだもん…！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu-...! Maria, don't cry... I'll always be with you... Even if you cry, Maria, I won't. I'm a lion cub, so I won't cry even if I'm lonely. ...Even though I want to cry too, I won't...!』 <br><br>\r\n「どうして、さくたろは泣かないの…？ こんなに寂しくて涙が堪えられなくても泣かないの…？」 <br>\r\n\"Why won't you cry, Sakutaro...? Even though you're so sad that you can't hold back the tears, you won't cry...?\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ。だってボクが泣いたら、誰が真里亞を慰めるの…？ だからボクは泣かないよ。だって、真里亞に元気を出してもらいたいから。』 <br>\r\n「元気を出したら、……ママは帰ってくるの……？」 <br>\r\n『Uryu. But if I cry, who will make you feel better...? So I won't. After all, I want to get your spirits up.』 <br><br>\r\n\"If I get my spirits up, ...will Mama come back...?\" <br><br>\r\n『ママが帰ってきた時、元気な真里亞で迎えてあげたら、……ママはきっと喜ぶと思うな。うりゅ。』 <br>\r\n「……ママは、喜ぶ……？」 <br>\r\n『When Mama comes back, if she's welcomed by a happy Maria, ...I'm sure she'll be happy. Uryu.』 <br><br>\r\n\"...Mama...will be happy...?\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ。そしたらきっと、お仕事の疲れもきっと癒されると思うよ。そしたらきっと、いつもより早く元気になってくれて、真里亞ともいっぱい遊んでくれると思うな。』 <br>\r\n「…………………………。」 <br>\r\n『Uryu. If you do that, then I'm sure her fatigue from work will also be healed. Then, I'm sure she'll start feeling better sooner and will play with you a lot.』 <br><br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n『真里亞がママの待ってるお家へ帰ってきた時、ママが上機嫌で台所にいたら、すごく幸せな気持ちになるでしょ？ ママもきっと同じだよ。』 <br>\r\n「……真里亞がご機嫌でお留守番してたら、……ママも幸せになるかな。」 <br>\r\n『When you come home and Mama's waiting for you there, and she's in the kitchen in high spirits, don't you feel really happy? I'm sure Mama feels the same way.』 <br><br>\r\n\"...So if I watch over the house in high spirits, ...Mama will be happy too?\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu!』 <br><br>\r\nさくたろは、その大きな頭で深々と頷いた。 <br>\r\n真里亞の目からは、もう新しい涙は零れない。 <br>\r\nSakutaro nodded deeply with his big head. <br><br>\r\nThe tears couldn't keep falling from Maria's eyes. <br><br>\r\n……泣きはらした顔でママを迎えたら、きっとママも悲しむだろうから。 <br>\r\n...If she greeted Mama with a tear-stained face, Mama would probably get sad too. <br><br>\r\n『真里亞は知ってるよ。笑顔を呼ぶ魔法は、自分も笑わなきゃ出来ないってこと。』 <br>\r\n『You know about it, Maria. You can't use the magic that creates smiles if you aren't smiling too.』 <br><br>\r\n「……うん。……真里亞は知ってるよ。だからもう、泣かない。」 <br>\r\n\"...Yeah. ...I know. So, I won't cry anymore.\" <br><br>\r\n『ねぇ、真里亞。ボクから楽しく過ごす提案があるよ。……うりゅ、聞いてくれる？』 <br>\r\n『Hey, Maria. I have an idea for how to have a fun time. ...Uryu, wanna hear it?』 <br><br>\r\n「……なぁに？」 <br>\r\n\"...What?\" <br><br>\r\n『ママが日曜日の深夜まで帰って来ないから。 <br>\r\n『Mama won't come back until late night Sunday. <br><br>\r\nだから、ママに内緒のパジャマパーティをして遊ぼうよ。』 <br>\r\nSo let's have a pajama party and keep it a secret from Mama.』 <br><br>\r\n「パジャマパーティ…？」 <br>\r\n\"A pajama party...?\" <br><br>\r\n『今夜は眠くなるまで、ベッドの中でお菓子を食べたりジュースを飲んだりしながら、ボクと遊ぶの。』 <br>\r\n『Until you get tired late tonight, eat candy and drink soda in bed, and play with me.』 <br><br>\r\n「パジャマパーティ。……うん、楽しそう。…９時に寝なくていいの？ 寝ないとママに怒られない？」 <br>\r\n\"A pajama party. ...Yeah, sounds fun. ...I don't have to go to bed at 9:00, right? Mama won't get mad if I don't sleep?\" <br><br>\r\n『ママがいない時だけの、ボクと真里亞の秘密。だから今夜は、真里亞が眠くなるまで、ずっとボクたちで楽しく過ごそう。ジェリービーンズを食べながら、次は何の色を引くか当てっこして遊ぼう。ピーナッツを割って、どっちがお爺さんか当てて遊ぼう。クローゼットの中を宝探ししよう。他にも他にも！ コーラとメロンジュースを合わせたらどんな味になるかな。』 <br>\r\n『This is a secret between me and you, only for when Mama isn't around. So tonight, until you get sleepy, let's have fun the whole time. Let's eat jellybeans and try to guess what color we'll get next. Let's split open peanuts and try to guess which half is the Grandpa. Let's search for treasure in the closet. And more, and more! I wonder what it'll taste like if we mix cola and melon soda.』 <br><br>\r\n「うー。いっぺんやってみたかったけど、ママにやっていい？って聞いたら駄目って怒られた。」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-. I wanted to try it once, but asked Mama if it was okay and she got mad.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー！ ママに内緒で実験してみよう♪ 今夜はいっぱい遊んでいっぱい笑って、涙を元気で吹き飛ばしちゃおう。大丈夫、ボクと一緒だから絶対に楽しいよ！ ボクが絶対に真里亞を幸せにしてあげるから。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu-! Let's keep it a secret from Mama and try it out♪ Tonight, let's play a lot, laugh a lot, and blow away our tears with happiness. Don't worry, it'll definitely be fun if I'm here! I'll definitely make you happy, Maria.』 <br><br>\r\n「うん、うん。さくたろと一緒なら絶対に楽しいよ。絶対に幸せになれるよ。ありがとう、さくたろう。もう泣かないね。飛び切り楽しく二人で過ごして、思い切り元気になってママをお帰りなさいって迎えちゃおう。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, yeah! It'll definitely be fun if Sakutaro's there. I'll definitely be happy. Thank you, Sakutaro. I won't cry anymore. Let's play all we can, get happy all we can, and say welcome back when Mama gets home.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー！ 今夜はいっぱい遊んでいっぱいご機嫌になっちゃおう♪ ママがいない夜にしか遊べない、秘密のパーティでいっぱい遊ぼう。ボクたちが賑やかにしてたらきっと、鏡の国や不思議の国から、たくさんの友達が遊びに来るよ。そしたらもう、ボクたちはお友達でいっぱいで、退屈なんか出来なくなっちゃう。うりゅー！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu-! Tonight, let's play a lot and feel a lot better♪ Let's have the kind of secret party we can only have when Mama isn't here. If we're noisy enough, I'm sure plenty of friends will come to play from the land of the looking glass and wonderland. Then, we'll have so many friends that we won't be able to get bored. Uryu-!』 <br><br>\r\n「うりゅー！！」 <br>\r\n\"Uryu-!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n……そして真里亞は、さくたろと二人きりのパジャマパーティを開いて、深夜まで楽しく遊んだ。 <br>\r\n...Then, Maria began her pajama party all alone with Sakutaro, having fun until late into the night. <br><br>\r\nジェリービーンズを、袋を見ないで手を突っ込んで、何色を引くか当てて遊んだ。 <br>\r\n……さくたろは勘がよく、結構正解した。 <br>\r\n真里亞も途中、４連続で当てるという快挙を見せた。 <br>\r\nShe played by sticking her hand into the bag of jellybeans without looking, trying to guess which color she'd pull out next. <br><br>\r\n...Sakutaro had good intuition and got it right a lot. <br><br>\r\nMaria also had a brilliant streak where she guessed right four times in a row. <br><br>\r\nピーナッツを割ってどっちがお爺さんになるかを当てる遊びは、ジェリービーンズの色当てよりも簡単でいっぱい正解できた。 <br>\r\nThe game where she split peanuts open and tried to guess which was the Grandpa...was easier than guessing the color of the jellybeans, so she got it right a lot. <br><br>\r\n塩まみれになった指をしゃぶるのが、お行儀は悪いけど一番美味しかった。 <br>\r\nSucking her salt-covered fingers was impolite, but that was the yummiest part. <br><br>\r\nコーラもメロンジュースもそれぞれ大好き。 <br>\r\nShe liked both cola and melon soda on their own. <br><br>\r\nそんな大好きなジュースを混ぜたなら、まるで錬金術みたいにピカーっと光って、誰も味わったことのない新しいジュースが生まれるんじゃないかと期待した。 <br>\r\nShe hoped that by mixing her two favorite drinks, there might be a flash of light like alchemy, and a new drink that no one had ever tasted before would be created. <br><br>\r\nすごく美味しく出来たなら、それをさくたろジュースと名付けて販売しようと盛り上がった。 <br>\r\nShe got excited about how, if it turned out really delicious, she'd call it Sakutaro Soda and sell it. <br><br>\r\nでも、案外期待外れの微妙な味だった。 <br>\r\n色も何だかくすんで冴えない。 <br>\r\nBut, unexpectedly, it had a weird taste that she hadn't hoped for. <br><br>\r\nAnd the color was somewhat dull and thick. <br><br>\r\n…黒いのと緑のを混ぜたらやっぱりこんな色になってしまうか。 <br>\r\n……ピカピカ光るパイナップル色を想像していただけに、残念。 <br>\r\n...Maybe I shouldn't have been surprised that black and green mixed together would make this. <br><br>\r\n...Too bad. I imagined that it'd become a sparkling pineapple color. <br><br>\r\nでも、すごいすごい楽しい夜だった。 <br>\r\nBut, it was an awesome, incredible, fun night. <br><br>\r\nこれだけ楽しくしていたなら、ママも思わず帰って来たくなって、ひょっこりと帰宅してくれるかもしれない。 <br>\r\nIf it's this fun here, maybe Mama will feel like coming home and drop by out of the blue. <br><br>\r\n……だから、急にママが帰ってくるような気がして、何度か玄関を見に行ったけど、仕事で忙しいママが帰ってこられるわけもなかった。 <br>\r\n...So, I got the feeling that Mama might suddenly come home and went to the front door many times to check, but there was no way Mama would be able to come home when she was this busy with work. <br><br>\r\nでも、それは寂しいという気持ちじゃなく、こんなにも楽しい真夜中のパーティにママを加えてあげられなかったという、残念な気持ちだった。 <br>\r\nBut rather than a feeling of loneliness, it felt just a little disappointing that Mama couldn't join in on this fun late-night party. <br><br>\r\n今度はママがいる時に開催して、ママも混ぜてあげよう。 <br>\r\nSometime soon, I'll do this when Mama is around and let her join in. <br><br>\r\nママは真里亞にとって美味しくないものでも美味しいというから、さくたろジュースもすっごく美味しいと言ってくれるかもしれない。 <br>\r\nMama likes some things I don't think are yummy, so she maybe she'll really like Sakutaro Soda. <br><br>\r\nママが疲れて帰ってきたらご馳走してあげよう。 <br>\r\nWhen Mama comes back tired, I'll serve her some. <br><br>\r\nそして何よりも。 <br>\r\nAnd more than anything. <br><br>\r\n……この楽しい夜をせめて手紙に書いて、ママに伝えたいと思った。 <br>\r\n...I want to at least write about this fun night in a letter and tell Mama about it. <br><br>\r\nこんなにも幸せな気持ちが、ママにも届きますように。 <br>\r\nSo that these feelings of happiness will reach Mama too. <br><br>\r\nいつもお仕事で大変で、疲れてぐったりして帰ってくるママに、この幸せがお裾分けできますように。 <br>\r\nHer work is always so tough and she comes home so tired, so I hope I can share this happiness with her. <br><br>\r\n日曜日の深夜にぐったりして帰ってくるに違いないママが、この幸せのお裾分けで、ちょっぴりでも元気になってくれますように……。 <br>\r\nMama will almost certainly come home tired late Sunday night, and I hope I can brighten her day even just a little by sharing this happiness... <br><br>\r\nその手紙を、ママの机の上にそっと置く。 <br>\r\nI gently placed that letter on Mama's desk. <br><br>\r\n“ママへ。今日もお仕事お疲れさま☆ 幸せのおすそわけ。——真里亞より” <br>\r\n`To Mama. Good job with your work again today☆ Let me share my happiness with you. ——From Maria' <br><br>\r\nそして、こんな素敵な夜を提案してくれたさくたろに、真里亞は贈り物をすることにした。 <br>\r\nThen, I decided to give a present to Sakutaro for proposing this wonderful party. <br><br>\r\nクローゼットの宝探しの時に見つけた、小さな赤いマフラー。 <br>\r\nIt was a small, red muffler I found when searching for treasure in the closet. <br><br>\r\nまだ真里亞がものすごく小さかった頃、ママが編んでくれた小さな小さな赤いマフラー。 <br>\r\n毛糸の刺繍でマリアと書いてある。 <br>\r\nWhen I was still very young, Mama knitted this tiny thing. <br><br>\r\n`Maria' was embroidered on it with knitting wool. <br><br>\r\n……そのマフラーをさくたろにそっと巻いてあげる。 <br>\r\nそれは黄色い彼に、とてもよい赤いアクセントとなって似合った。 <br>\r\n...I softly wrapped that muffler around Sakutaro. <br><br>\r\nIt really suited him, accenting his yellow with red very well. <br><br>\r\n『………うりゅ。…似合う……？』 <br>\r\n『......Uryu. ...Does it look good on me...?』 <br><br>\r\nさくたろは、生まれて初めてもらったプレゼントをつけて、恥ずかしそうにしている。 <br>\r\n……うん。とってもよく似合ってる。 <br>\r\nSakutaro looked embarrassed as he wore his first present ever. <br><br>\r\n...Yeah. It really looks good on him. <br><br>\r\n「うー。さくたろ、いつもいつも本当にありがとう。こんなにも楽しい夜になったよ。 <br>\r\n\"Uu-. Sakutaro, thank you so much for everything. It was so fun tonight. <br><br>\r\nどうして真里亞は泣いてたのか、もう思い出せないくらい。……これからも一緒にいようね。そしていつも楽しく遊んで笑っていようね。」 <br>\r\nI can't even remember why I was crying. ...Let's be together from now on. And let's always play and laugh together.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー！ 真里亞、大好き！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu-! Love you, Maria!』 <br><br>\r\n「真里亞もだよ。さくたろ、大好き。」 <br>\r\n\"Me too. Love you, Sakutaro.\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞のお部屋は、こんなにも賑やかに遊んだので、しっちゃかめっちゃか。 <br>\r\nちょっと楽しく遊び過ぎたかも。 <br>\r\nAfter playing so wildly, Maria's room was a mess. <br><br>\r\nMaybe she played a little too much. <br><br>\r\n……でも、今日は眠いから一緒に寝よう。 <br>\r\nそして明日、一緒にお片付けして、綺麗なお部屋でママをお迎えしよう。……ね？ さくたろ？ <br>\r\n...But I'm tired for today, so let's sleep together. <br><br>\r\nAnd tomorrow, we'll clean up together and welcome Mama with a clean room. ...All right, Sakutaro? <br><br>\r\nうりゅー♪ <br>\r\nUryu-♪ <br><br>\r\n「……ね？ 真里亞は、うぅん、真里亞とさくたろは、こんなにも幸せだよ？」 <br>\r\n\"...See? I am...no, we are so happy, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。これが、真里亞お姉ちゃんの幸せなの…？」 <br>\r\n\"......Is this your happiness, Maria onee-chan...?\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。真里亞は、幸せ。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah. I'm happy.\" <br><br>\r\n「……楼座叔母さんは、あんなにも楽しみにして、絶対だよと約束した映画の約束を完全に忘れてた。」 <br>\r\n\"...Even though you were looking forward to that movie so much, and <NAME> promised that she'd definitely take you, she completely forgot.\" <br><br>\r\n「お仕事で忙しかったから、たまたま忘れちゃったんだよ。……仮に覚えてたとしても、お仕事じゃどうしようもない。覚えてても覚えてなくても、どちらにせよ、ママはお仕事でお泊り。映画には行けなかった。………約束を覚えてたかどうかなんて、些細な問題だよ。」 <br>\r\n\"She just happened to forget because she was so busy with work. ...Even if she remembered, with her work, there'd be nothing she could do. Whether she remembered or not, Mama would've spent the night at work. She couldn't go to the movies. ......Whether she remembered or not is a minor issue.\" <br><br>\r\n……些細な問題のわけはない。 <br>\r\n...There's no way that's a minor issue. <br><br>\r\nだって、……楼座叔母さんが電話の向こうで「映画？」と応え、完全に約束を忘れていたことは明白だった。 <br>\r\nAfter all, ...when Aunt Rosa answered `Movie?' on the phone, it was obvious that she'd completely forgotten her promise. <br><br>\r\nそして、それを聞いた時、真里亞お姉ちゃんは、間違いなく表情を曇らせたのだから。 <br>\r\nAnd when she heard that, Maria onee-chan's mood definitely darkened. <br><br>\r\n「確かに、……真里亞お姉ちゃんの言うとおり、楼座叔母さんが約束を覚えていたとしても、結局、映画には行けなかった。 <br>\r\n\"Well, ...like you say, even if <NAME> had remembered her promise, you wouldn't have been able to go to the movies in the end. <br><br>\r\n……でも、それでも。……お母さんとのささやかな休日を過ごす約束を、一方的に忘れられていたなんて、…悲しい。私なら怒る。」 <br>\r\n...But even so. ...To think that your mother just forgot her promise to spend one of her few days off with you, ...it's sad. I'd be mad.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。…うん。悲しかったよ。たとえ覚えててくれたとしても、映画には行けなかったわけだから。 <br>\r\n\"...............Yeah. It was sad. Because even if she had remembered, we wouldn't have been able to go to the movies. <br><br>\r\n……でも、私はその後、さくたろととてもとても楽しく夜を過ごした。縁寿も、パジャマパーティがすっごく楽しそうだって、思ったはず。」 <br>\r\n...But after that, I had a very, very fun night with Sakutaro. You must've thought that pajama party looked really fun too, Ange.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。楽しいわけなんかない。 <br>\r\n\".........There's no way that would be fun. <br><br>\r\n…だって、この夜の真里亞お姉ちゃんのはしゃぎぶりは、……お母さんが帰ってこなくて寂しくて、それを忘れるために、わざと空騒ぎをしただけじゃない。」 <br>\r\n...I mean, all that messing around you did that night...was just intentionally making a big fuss about nothing, all so you could forget that you were lonely and that your mother wasn't coming home.\" <br><br>\r\n「違うよ。さくたろと、本当に楽しくパーティをしたんだよ。」 <br>\r\n\"That's not true. I really did have a fun party with Sakutaro.\" <br><br>\r\n「いいえ、違う！ お姉ちゃんは悲しくて悲しくて、約束を忘れてたお母さんが憎くて憎くて、部屋で暴れただけじゃない…！！」 <br>\r\n\"No, that's wrong! You were just so sad, and you hated your mother so much for forgetting her promise, that you made a mess of your room...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………そんなこと、真里亞の日記のどこに書いてあったの？」 <br>\r\n\"......Where was something like that ever written in my diary?\" <br><br>\r\n「書いてはいない！ でも、……この一行飛ばしで書いてある行間から、お姉ちゃんの気持ちがわかるの！ お姉ちゃんはこの夜を楽しくなんか過ごさなかった！ それで、言いつけを破って夜更かしをし、おやつの時間以外には食べてはいけないと厳しく言われていたルールを破ってお菓子を食べ、……それでも悲しみが埋められなくて、部屋の中で暴れて、………散らかしただけじゃない…！！ そして部屋中を散らかして、疲れ切って、………そのままベッドのシーツを掻き毟りながら泣き疲れて眠っただけ…！」 <br>\r\n\"It isn't written anywhere! But...by reading in the gaps between every line, I can understand your feelings! You didn't have a good time at all that evening! And you stayed up late when you were told not to, broke the strict rule about eating sweets outside of snack time, ...and when even that didn't bury your sadness, you went wild in your room......and made a mess of it, right...?!! And after you made a mess of your room and were all tired out, ......all you did was claw at the bed sheets and cry yourself to sleep, right...?!\" <br><br>\r\n「………日記には確かに、ママが映画の約束を忘れてたらしいこと、そして私が夜更かしをしてさくたろとパジャマパーティをして、……宝探しで部屋を散らかしてしまったと書かれてるね。」 <br>\r\n\"......The diary does say that Mama probably forgot her promise about the movie...and that I stayed up late having a pajama party with Sakutaro...and made a mess of my room searching for treasure.\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ。それはつまり、………そういうことじゃない！ 真里亞お姉ちゃんは、楼座叔母さんの愛に飢えていた…！ そして楼座叔母さんは自分の仕事や世間体ばかりを優先して、いつもお姉ちゃんを後回しにしていた…！ <br>\r\n\"Yes. And......this is what it means! You were starving for Aunt Rosa's love, Maria onee-chan...! And Aunt Rosa always put her work and her public image first, always keeping you on the back-burner...!\" <br><br>\r\nだから虫唾が走るのよ！ 楼座叔母さんの、お姉ちゃんのことを愛しているという言葉が、どれほど上辺だけのものか、知っているから！！ お姉ちゃんだって知ってるはず！ <br>\r\n\"That's what disgusts me! Because I know just how superficial Aunt Rosa's words of love for you were!! You should realize this yourself!\" <br><br>\r\nなのに、……何で自分は幸せだなんて言えるの？！ 真里亞お姉ちゃんの、……その辺りが私にはわからない！！ この歳になっても、さっぱり理解できない…！！ <br>\r\n\"So, ...how can you say you're happy despite that?! I don't understand...that part of you, Maria onee-chan!! Even at my age, I can't understand it at all...!! <br><br>\r\nどうして悲しくないの？ どうして不幸な現実を知りながら、自分は幸せだなんて言えるの？！ 私には出来ない、わからないッ…！！」 <br>\r\nWhy aren't you sad? Why is it that you can experience a reality filled with misfortune and can call yourself happy?! I can't do it, I can't understand it...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………縁寿は、悲しい子だね。」 <br>\r\n\"......You're a sad kid, Ange.\" <br><br>\r\n「わけわかんないッ！！ どうして私が憐れまなければならないの？！」 <br>\r\n\"I don't get it!! Why are you pitying me?!\" <br><br>\r\n「………私の日記には、こんなにも楽しくパジャマパーティの“事実”が記されているのに。………同じ“事実”も、異なる人間が観測すると、異なる姿になってしまうんだね。」 <br>\r\n\"......Even though a `fact' about a really fun pajama party is written about in my diary, ......if the same `fact' is observed by different people, it has a different form.\" <br><br>\r\nベルンカステルと、そんな話をしたことを思い出す。 <br>\r\nI remembered talking about something like this with Bernkastel. <br><br>\r\n真実は不定形なもので、観測される度に姿を変えるもの。 <br>\r\n一つの真実は、その捉え方によって、…つまり人によって異なる真実となる。 <br>\r\nそして過去の真実は、未来の真実で塗りつぶされる……。 <br>\r\nTruth is unfixed and changes its form every time it's witnessed. <br><br>\r\nBy the way it's perceived...in other words, depending on the person who perceives it, a single truth becomes different truths. <br><br>\r\nAnd truths of the past are painted over by truths of the future... <br><br>\r\n「真里亞はこの日記で、この夜の出来事を、とてもとても楽しかったと記した。」 <br>\r\n\"In this diary, I wrote that what happened that night was very, very fun.\" <br><br>\r\n「……真里亞お姉ちゃんはこの夜の出来事を、とても幸せだったと記述した。」 <br>\r\n\"...You described the events of that night as something very happy.\" <br><br>\r\n「なのに、日記を読んだ縁寿は、この夜の出来事を、とてもとても悲しかったと読んだ。」 <br>\r\n\"And yet, when you read the diary, the events of that night sound very, very sad.\" <br><br>\r\n「……真里亞お姉ちゃんは幸せだと記述したのに、私はそうではないと読み解いた。」 <br>\r\n\"...Even though you describe it as a happy scene, I read between the lines and realized that that wasn't true.\" <br><br>\r\n「やめて。」 <br>\r\n\"Stop it.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「これは、幸せな夜を記したものなの。………これが、この夜の“真実”。お願いだから、その幸せな真実を、 <br>\r\n…………新しい、そして異なった真実で塗り潰さないで。」 <br>\r\n\"This...tells of a happy night. ......This is...the `truth' of that night. Please, don't take this happy truth... <br><br>\r\n...and paint over it with a new, different truth.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………真里亞お姉ちゃんにはこれで、……幸せなの？」 <br>\r\n\"......Are you...happy with this, Maria onee-chan?\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。幸せ。………だから、同じ境遇の時、幸せに感じられない縁寿が、可哀想。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes. I'm happy. ......That's why I feel sad for you, since you wouldn't be able to feel happiness in a similar situation.\" <br><br>\r\n………友達もなく、孤独な境遇は、今の私も当時の彼女も同じ。 <br>\r\n......Right now, I'm like she was then... Just as isolated, with no friends. <br><br>\r\nそして縁寿は、……孤独な真実を、孤独な真実のままに受け入れる。 <br>\r\nしかし彼女は、……孤独な真実を、幸せな真実に塗り替えた。 <br>\r\nAnge...had accepted her isolated reality for what it was. <br><br>\r\nBut Maria...painted over her isolated reality with a reality of happiness. <br><br>\r\n右代宮真里亞は、悲しい真実を、 <br>\r\n……幸せに変えたのだ。 <br>\r\nUshiromiya Maria took a sad truth... <br><br>\r\nand changed it into happiness. <br><br>\r\nそここそが、 <br>\r\n……私と真里亞お姉ちゃんの、唯一にしてあまりに大きな、…違い。 <br>\r\nそして、それを受け容れられないと思いつつ、 <br>\r\n……その力を羨む自分もいる。 <br>\r\nThat was... <br><br>\r\nthe only, and yet very large, ...difference between me and Maria onee-chan. <br><br>\r\nAnd, even though I'm unable to accept it, <br><br>\r\n...I'm also jealous of that power. <br><br>\r\n「うん。……そうなの。それは“力”なの。……その力がある真里亞は幸せになれて。その力がない縁寿は、幸せになれない。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes. ...That's right. This is `power'. ...I was able to find happiness with that power. Because you don't have that power, you can't find happiness, Ange.\" <br><br>\r\n「その………力は、 <br>\r\n…………何なの…………？」 <br>\r\n\"What......is... <br><br>\r\n...that power......?\" <br><br>\r\n「真里亞も、その力を何と呼ぶか、わからなかった。……この時点ではね。…やがて、その正体を教えてもらうの。 <br>\r\n\"I didn't know what to call that power either. ...Not at this point in time, at least. ...Eventually, I was taught its true form. <br><br>\r\n……後に話すよ。後のページで。………そしてそして、日曜日の深夜。ママは約束どおりお土産を持って、帰ってきた……。」 <br>\r\n...I'll talk about it later. On the next page. ......So then, so then, late Sunday night, Mama came back with a present, just like she'd promised...\" <br><br>\r\n「………ただいま。」 <br>\r\n\"......I'm back.\" <br><br>\r\n「ママー、お帰りぃいいぃ！！」 <br>\r\n『うりゅー！！ ママ帰ってきた、ママ帰ってきた！』 <br>\r\n\"Mama, welcome hoooooooome!!\" <br><br>\r\n『Uryu-!! Mama came back, Mama came back!』 <br><br>\r\n疲れ切っての帰宅となった楼座を出迎えたのは、さくたろを抱きながら、信じられないくらいに上機嫌の真里亞だった。 <br>\r\nWaiting to greet Rosa as she returned home all tired out...was Maria, in an unbelievably good mood, holding Sakutaro. <br><br>\r\n楼座の疲れ切った表情は、実際の疲れもあっただろうが、……数日間の留守を経て愚図る真里亞に、ぶーぶーわーわーと泣きつかれるのがウンザリだというものも含まれていただろう。 <br>\r\nMost likely, Rosa's worn-out expression was partly because she really was tired, ...but partly because it would be a pain when Maria, who should've been grumbling after staying home alone for several days, would cling to her, sobbing. <br><br>\r\nしかし、それが信じられないくらいに杞憂で、……信じられないくらいに元気な真里亞に迎えられ、楼座は驚きを隠せなかった。 <br>\r\nHowever, when she was welcomed by an unbelievably happy Maria...and found that her fears were unbelievably needless, Rosa couldn't hide her surprise. <br><br>\r\n「ど、……どうしたの真里亞…。とてもご機嫌ね…？！ 誰か来ているの…？！」 <br>\r\n\"Wh-What's going on, Maria...? You're in a great mood...?! Is someone here...?!\" <br><br>\r\nまるで、お友達が上がっていて、楽しく遊んでる最中に自分が帰ってきたのではないかと思ってしまうくらい。 <br>\r\nIt was strange enough to make Rosa think that a friend had come over, and that she'd come home right when they were having a good time playing together. <br><br>\r\nしかし玄関に他の靴はない。 <br>\r\nBut there were no other shoes by the entrance. <br><br>\r\n……真里亞はこんなにも上機嫌だけど、たったひとりで留守番をしていたのだ。 <br>\r\n...Even though Maria was in such high spirits, she had been home alone. <br><br>\r\n楼座は初めこそ、理由のわからない上機嫌に、何かロクでもない理由があるのではないかと訝しがったが、それは本当に杞憂で、……とにかく本当に上機嫌で留守番をしてくれていたのだ。 <br>\r\nAt first, Rosa was suspicious that the cause of this unexpected good mood could be nothing good, but that really was a needless fear, ...and in any event, Maria really had been in a good mood while she watched over the house. <br><br>\r\n………岩のように冷え切り、硬くなった心であっても、…こんな笑顔で迎えられたら。 <br>\r\n......Even if Rosa's heart had been as cold and hard as a rock, ...after being welcomed with a smile like this... <br><br>\r\n楼座はその笑顔を素直に受け止められるようになり、自然と自分の顔も笑顔になっていった。 <br>\r\nRosa started to honestly accept that smile, and a smile rose to her own face automatically. <br><br>\r\n……そこには数日の間、帰宅できなかったという疲労感はまったくなくなっていた。 <br>\r\n...In that smile, you could no longer see any of the weariness of someone who'd been unable to return home for several days. <br><br>\r\n真里亞は、ぬいぐるみのさくたろと、如何に楽しく遊んで留守番をしていたかをいつまでも話し続ける。 <br>\r\nMaria kept talking about what a fun time she'd had playing with her stuffed animal, Sakutaro. <br><br>\r\n楼座は自分の贈ったぬいぐるみが、ここまで気に入ってもらえるとは思わず、嬉しい驚きを隠せずにいた。 <br>\r\nRosa really hadn't imagined that the stuffed animal she herself had given would be so appreciated, and she couldn't hide her pleased surprise. <br><br>\r\n「そう。さくたろうと一緒に仲良くお留守番していたのね。偉いわ真里亞。そんな偉い真里亞とさくたろうにお土産があるわよ。」 <br>\r\n\"I see. So you spent the time together with Sakutaro. Well done, Maria. Here's a present for Maria and Sakutaro for being so good.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー！ お土産！お土産！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu-! A present! A present!』 <br><br>\r\n「うー！ 何だろうね、何だろうね！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-! What is it, what is it?!\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞はさくたろと二人してはしゃぎ合う。 <br>\r\nBoth Maria and Sakutaro started jumping around. <br><br>\r\nお土産は２つあった。 <br>\r\n片方は洋菓子の詰め合わせ。 <br>\r\nThere were two presents. <br><br>\r\nOne contained an assortment of Western sweets. <br><br>\r\n中身はスコッチケーキ。 <br>\r\n上等な品らしかった。 <br>\r\nInside was a Scotch cake. <br><br>\r\nIt looked to be of very high quality. <br><br>\r\nでも、真里亞の興味はもう片方に寄せられる。 <br>\r\nもう片方はさらに大きな箱で、重みも結構あった。 <br>\r\nBut Maria was more interested in the other one. <br><br>\r\nThe other one was an even bigger box, and it was pretty heavy. <br><br>\r\n「開けてご覧。真里亞とさくたろうの、新しいお友達になれるかもね？」 <br>\r\n\"Go ahead and open it. They might become new friends for you and Sakutaro, okay?\" <br><br>\r\n「わああああああ…！ 何これ！ 何これ？！」 <br>\r\n\"Waaaaaaaaaahhh...! What's this?! What's this?!!\" <br><br>\r\n中には、チェスの駒が収められるような感じで、陶製の小さな動物の人形が２０体くらい入っていた。 <br>\r\nInside, laid there like chess pieces, were about 20 small ceramic figures shaped like animals. <br><br>\r\nりす、うさぎ、小鳥、犬や猫。 <br>\r\nそれらはみんな楽器を持っている。 <br>\r\nSquirrels, rabbits, small birds, dogs and cats. <br><br>\r\nAnd they were all holding musical instruments. <br><br>\r\nそれらに加えて、パノラマ状の背景板も入っていた。 <br>\r\nそこに描かれているのは、森の中の風景。 <br>\r\n開けた広場を森の小動物たちが囲んで楽しそうにしている。 <br>\r\nIn addition to them, there was also a panorama-style background. <br><br>\r\nA forest scene was drawn on it. <br><br>\r\nThe small forest animals were gathered in a plaza and looked like they were having a good time. <br><br>\r\n楼座がテーブルの上にそれを広げて立てる。 <br>\r\nRosa set it up on the table. <br><br>\r\n……そして駒のような陶製の人形たちをその前に並べていくと、………それは、森の動物たちの音楽隊になった。 <br>\r\n...And when she then lined up the ceramic figures like chess pieces in front of it, ......it became a band of forest animals. <br><br>\r\n「素敵でしょ？ お店のショーウィンドで見て、一目惚れしちゃったの。これを、良い子でお留守番してた真里亞にプレゼントするわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Isn't it wonderful? I saw it in a store window, and I was taken with it at a glance. This is a present for you for being such a good girl home alone, Maria.\" <br><br>\r\n「うーーー！！！ ありがとう、ママー！！！ <br>\r\n\"Uuuu---!!! Thank you, Mama!!! <br><br>\r\nすごいね、さくたろ！ お友達がこんなに増えちゃったね…！ さくたろの言う通りだった！ 楽しく賑やかに過ごしてたら、お友達が増えちゃうって本当だった…！」 <br>\r\n『ね、言ったとおりでしょ？ ほらね、お友達が増えた、ほらね、お友達が増えた！ うりゅ〜♪』 <br>\r\nAwesome, Sakutaro! Look how much our friends have grown...! It's just like you said, Sakutaro. It was true that if we had a fun, noisy time, we'd get more friends...!\" <br><br>\r\n『Right, didn't I tell you? Look, we have more friends, look, we have more friends! Uryu-♪』 <br><br>\r\n楼座は、お土産を気に入ってくれたことに安堵すると、数日間の疲れがどっと溢れ出してくるのを思い出すのだった…。 <br>\r\nRelieved that her gift had been appreciated, Rosa remembered that she'd been filled with several days of weariness... <br><br>\r\n「ママ、本当にお疲れ様…！ シャワー浴びてくるといいよ。あったかいの浴びると、きっと疲れが取れるよ。湯船にする？ 真里亞が今日は入浴剤を選んであげるね！」 <br>\r\n\"Mama, you really worked hard...! Go take a shower. If you take a hot one, I'm sure your weariness will go away. Wanna take a bath? I'll choose what to put in the bath today!\" <br><br>\r\n「ありがとう。でも、もう遅いから真里亞は寝る支度をなさい。 <br>\r\n\"Thank you. But it's already late, so get ready to go to bed. <br><br>\r\nママも疲れたから、シャワーだけ浴びてすぐ寝るわ。明日も早いし。」 <br>\r\nMama is tired, so I'll just take a shower and go to sleep. I have to get up early tomorrow.\" <br><br>\r\n「うん、わかった！ はい、ママ、コート脱がしてあげるー。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, got it! Here, Mama, I'll take your coat off.\" <br><br>\r\n「大丈夫だってば…。 <br>\r\n\"I can do it myself... <br><br>\r\n…あぁ、ありがとう。」 <br>\r\n...Oh, thank you.\" <br><br>\r\n「ママのコート、お外の匂いがいっぱいする。 <br>\r\n\"Mama, your coat is full of smells from outside. <br><br>\r\n……うー？ あ、ごめん、何か落とした。拾うね？」 <br>\r\n...Uu-? Oh, sorry, something fell out. I'll pick it up, okay?\" <br><br>\r\n楼座のコートを抱え込んだ時、ポケットからレシートか半券のようなものが、ぽとりと落ちる。 <br>\r\nWhen she took Rosa's coat, a receipt or ticket stub or something fell out. <br><br>\r\n…ママのポケットに入っているものだから大事なものだろう。 <br>\r\n真里亞は慌ててそれを拾う…。 <br>\r\n...It had been in Mama's pocket, so it was probably important. <br><br>\r\nMaria hurriedly picked it up... <br><br>\r\nそれは、新幹線かグリーン車か何かの切符に見えた。 <br>\r\nIt looked like a ticket for the Green Car or the Shinkansen or something. <br><br>\r\n…………熱海？ <br>\r\n温泉とかで有名なとこかな…？ <br>\r\n......Atami? <br><br>\r\nWasn't that a place famous for its hot springs...? <br><br>\r\nその時。…剃刀のように鋭い音がして、温かな空気を割った。 <br>\r\nAt that moment, ...with a razor-sharp sound, the warm atmosphere shattered. <br><br>\r\nついさっきまでいた、娘とお土産を楽しみ、数日振りの帰宅で疲れの溜まった楼座ではなく、………容姿はそっくりだけど、まったく別の、恐ろしい形相を浮かべた人物がそこにいた。 <br>\r\nInstead of the Rosa who had been there just a second ago, enjoying the gift with her daughter and recovering from her weariness with a long-awaited return home, ......there stood a person who looked exactly the same, but who had a completely different, terrifying expression on her face. <br><br>\r\n…その手には、真里亞が拾いかけた半券がある。 <br>\r\n…真里亞の手から瞬時に奪い取ったものだ。 <br>\r\n...In her hand was the ticket stub that Maria had picked up. <br><br>\r\n...She had stolen it from Maria's hand in an instant. <br><br>\r\n真里亞は数瞬だけ遅れてから、 <br>\r\n…手を叩かれた痛みと、 <br>\r\n母の形相から、 <br>\r\n自分がいけないことをしたに違いないと悟った。 <br>\r\nJust a few seconds too late, <br><br>\r\n...by the pain of her hand that had been hit... <br><br>\r\nand her mother's expression, <br><br>\r\nMaria realized that she must have done something wrong. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nただ、自分が何をして怒られているのかだけがわからない。 <br>\r\nBut she didn't know what she had done that had gotten her in trouble. <br><br>\r\n……多分、あの半券みたいなもののせい。 <br>\r\n...It was probably because of that ticket stub-like thing. <br><br>\r\n触っちゃ、……いけなかった………？ <br>\r\nWas she not supposed...to touch it......? <br><br>\r\nせっかく、楽しく幸せにママをお迎えしてあげたのに、…ママの大切なものに勝手に手を触れて、その空気を台無しにしてしまった…。 <br>\r\nEven though she had tried so hard to welcome Mama with fun and happiness, ...she had touched something important to Mama without asking, and had ruined that pleasant atmosphere... <br><br>\r\n……だから真里亞はすぐに謝る。 <br>\r\n...So Maria apologized immediately. <br><br>\r\n「ご、………ごめんなさい………。」 <br>\r\n\"...S-Sorry......\" <br><br>\r\n「…………っ。………………。」 <br>\r\n\"......! ......\" <br><br>\r\n謝罪の言葉は届いたはずなのに、むしろ楼座は、表情を歪ませる。 <br>\r\n…望まぬ言葉だったのだろうか。 <br>\r\nEven though she must have heard those words of apology, Rosa's expression actually darkened. <br><br>\r\n...Maybe those weren't the words she had been hoping for. <br><br>\r\n真里亞はどうすればいいかわからなくて、母の出方をじっとうかがう…。 <br>\r\nMaria didn't know what to do...and stared at her mother's reaction... <br><br>\r\nすると、そんなにも大事な半券のはずなのに、 <br>\r\nぐしゃっと握り潰しながら、自室の方へ足早に去っていった…。 <br>\r\nThen, even though it should've been such an important ticket stub, <br><br>\r\nRosa crushed it up and hurried off to her room... <br><br>\r\n真里亞には、……何がいけなかったのか、よくわからない……。 <br>\r\nMaria...didn't really understand what she had done wrong... <br><br>\r\n「………うー……。……真里亞きっと、 <br>\r\n………余計なことをしたんだね……。…あの紙はきっと、ママのお仕事の大切なものだったんだね。それに勝手に触っちゃったから…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Uu-... ...I must've... <br><br>\r\n...done something I shouldn't have... ...That paper must've been something important for Mama's work. And I touched it without asking...\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ……。…真里亞は悪くないよ………。…だから、今夜だってこんなにも幸せ。』 <br>\r\n「うん。…幸せ。」 <br>\r\n『Uryu... ...You didn't do anything wrong, Maria...... ...That's why tonight was so very happy.』 <br><br>\r\n\"Yeah. ...Happy.\" <br><br>\r\n『ママだって、お風呂に入ってすっきりしたら、いつものやさしいママに戻ってくれるよ。だから、気にしちゃだめ。うりゅ。』 <br>\r\n『And when Mama takes a bath and clears her head, she'll go back to being the normal, nice Mama. So you mustn't worry about it. Uryu.』 <br><br>\r\n「そうだね……。ママだって疲れてるんだもんね。……うー、気にしちゃだめだね。今夜だって、真里亞たちはこんなにも幸せ。」 <br>\r\n『うりゅ。』 <br>\r\n\"You're right... Mama's tired too. ...Uu-, mustn't worry about it. After all, we were so happy tonight.\" <br><br>\r\n『Uryu.』 <br><br>\r\n「………………もうやめてよ。…見てられない。」 <br>\r\n\"......Just stop it. ...I can't watch this.\" <br><br>\r\n「……縁寿は、幸せの見つけ方が間違ってると思うよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Ange, I think you're looking for happiness in the wrong way.\" <br><br>\r\n「間違ってるのはお姉ちゃんでしょ！！ これのどこが幸せだってのよ…！！ もう…、痛々しくて見てられないッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"You're the one who's wrong, Onee-chan!! How can you call this happiness...?!! It's so...pitiful that I can't watch anymore!!\" <br><br>\r\n「何が…？ ママが急に怒り出したこと？ ………人間、疲れてれば、そういうこともあるものだよ。……一時の感情のすれ違いだけで相手を全否定するのって、縁寿は大人じゃないと思うよ。」 <br>\r\n\"What is...? That Mama suddenly got mad? ......That happens sometimes when humans get tired. ...Condemning a person because of a momentary misplaced emotion isn't very adult of you, Ange.\" <br><br>\r\n「……９歳の真里亞お姉ちゃんに言われるとはね…。 <br>\r\n\"...I can't believe I'm hearing this from a nine year old... <br><br>\r\nでも、そんなことじゃないでしょ、問題なのは！ お姉ちゃんが拾ったあの半券、明らかにおかしいじゃない！」 <br>\r\nBut that's not the problem! That ticket stub you picked up was clearly strange!\" <br><br>\r\n「何が？ 何もおかしくないし、今夜の幸せと何も関係ないよ…？」 <br>\r\n\"What was? There was nothing strange about it, and it has nothing to do with the happiness of that night, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「楼座叔母さんは仕事で会社に泊まり込むって電話してきたんでしょ？！ 何で熱海？！ <br>\r\n\"<NAME> called because she'd be staying over at her company because of work, right?! Why Atami?! <br><br>\r\nそれって旅行でしょ？！ 真里亞お姉ちゃんを置き去りにして、旅行に行ってたってことでしょ？！ しかも普通、旅行って言ったら一人では、」 <br>\r\nIsn't that what you call a vacation?! It means she left you and went on a vacation, right?! And you normally don't go on a vacation by yourse-\" <br><br>\r\n「あれが仮に熱海行きの券だったとしても。だからって、ママが嘘をついて旅行にいった証拠にはならないよ…？」 <br>\r\n\"Even if that was a ticket for Atami, that alone doesn't make it proof that Mama lied and went on a vacation, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「電話で嘘をついて、あんなにも形相変えて奪い取って！ 何よりの証拠じゃない…！！」 <br>\r\n\"She lied on the phone, and then she changed her expression so drastically and grabbed it from you! What more proof could you want...?!!\" <br><br>\r\n「………昔の仕事で出張した時のものかもしれないよ？ あるいはゴミか何かをたまたまポケットに入れちゃっただけかも。部下の人が出張した時の領収書かもしれないね。 <br>\r\n\"......It might have been from a business trip long ago, right? Or maybe she just happened to pick up some trash and put it in her pocket. It might've been a receipt from someone who worked for her, who went on a business trip. <br><br>\r\n…だったら仕事の大切なもの。玩具じゃないんだから、ママが取り上げたのも頷けるよ。……縁寿の言う証拠なんて、単なる状況証拠。想像と妄想。 <br>\r\n...In that case, it would be important for her work. It wasn't a toy, so I can understand why Mama took it away. ...This evidence you're talking about is only circumstantial. Imagination and delusions. <br><br>\r\n………どうして、真里亞とママの仲が悪くなるように解釈するのか、わからないよ。」 <br>\r\n......I don't know why you're interpreting it in a way that makes our relationship worse.\" <br><br>\r\n「どうしてお姉ちゃんが、そこまで楼座叔母さんの都合がいいように解釈できるのかの方がわからない！！」 <br>\r\n\"I'm the one who doesn't understand why you're interpreting it in a way that's so convenient for Aunt Rosa!!\" <br><br>\r\n「………やっぱり、縁寿は可哀想な子。………君を幸せにしてくれるカケラは、こんなにもたくさん、身の回りに落ちているのに、それを見つけられない。 <br>\r\n\"......As I thought, you're a pitiable child, Ange. ......Even though there are so many Fragments lying about you that could make you happy, you can't find them.\" <br><br>\r\n……なのに、不幸せなカケラばかり見つけてしまって、傷付き続けている。……だから縁寿は傷付くことに怯え、……傷付けるものが身の回りにないかどうか、それを確かめ終わるまで、幸せ探しすら始められない。」 <br>\r\n\"...Instead, you only look at unhappy Fragments and continue to get hurt. ...That's why you're scared of being hurt...and only start looking for happiness after you check to make sure there's nothing around you that could hurt you.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………お姉ちゃんと話をしてると、おかしいのがどっちかわからなくなってくるわ。」 <br>\r\n\".........When I talk with you, Onee-chan, it gets hard to tell which one of us isn't making sense.\" <br><br>\r\n「あのね？ 幸せのカケラも、不幸せのカケラも、どちらもいっぱいあって、世界を満たしてるの。だから、身近の幸せが見つけられない人は、どこまで探しに行っても見つけられない。……チルチルとミチルが青い鳥を探したみたいに。」 <br>\r\n\"You know what? There are lots of happy and unhappy Fragments, and they fill the world up. So people who can't find happiness right beside them won't be able to find it no matter how hard they look. ...Like Tyltyl and Mytyl searching for the blue bird.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………そうね。そういう教訓の話だった。」 <br>\r\n\"......Oh yeah. That story with a moral.\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿はその正反対。……不幸せなカケラがまったくない世界を探してる。でも、それだって青い鳥と同じなんだよ。だから、永遠に縁寿は自分の幸せを、見つけられない。 <br>\r\n\"You're the complete opposite, Ange. You're searching for a world without a Fragment of unhappiness. But that's the same as the blue bird. So you'll be unable to find your happiness for all eternity. <br><br>\r\n…………戦人はヘンゼルなの？ 青い鳥なんじゃないの……？」 <br>\r\n......Is <NAME>sel? Or is he the blue bird...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……もういい加減にして。………何れにせよ、幸せな夜が、コートから落ちた一枚の紙切れで台無しになったことはよくわかったわ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Give it a rest already. ......In any event, I understand that a night of happiness was wasted because of a single scrap of paper.\" <br><br>\r\n「怖いね。一枚の紙切れで。 <br>\r\n\"It sure is scary. That a single scrap of paper could do that. <br><br>\r\n……なら、幸せを取り戻す力も、一枚の紙切れに宿れるかもしれないよね？」 <br>\r\n...In that case, maybe the power to get your happiness back can also lie in a single scrap of paper, right?\" <br><br>\r\nせっかく、真里亞と久し振りに心を通わせることが出来たのに……。 <br>\r\nJust when she'd finally been able to communicate with Maria after so long... <br><br>\r\n楼座は怒りと悲しみと激しい自己嫌悪で、顔をくしゃくしゃにしながら、自分の部屋に飛び込み、扉を閉める。 <br>\r\nRosa's face twisted with a mixture of anger, sadness, and a fierce self-hatred as she flew into her room and closed the door. <br><br>\r\n………真里亞のごめんなさいという言葉が、どんな刃物よりも鋭利に、胸に突き刺さっている。 <br>\r\n......Maria's `sorry' had sliced into her chest sharper than a knife. <br><br>\r\nその時、 <br>\r\n……書斎机の上に、可愛らしい封筒が置かれているのに気付く。 <br>\r\nAt that time, <br><br>\r\n...she noticed a cute envelope placed on her study table. <br><br>\r\n少女雑誌の付録か何かの封筒だろう。 <br>\r\nIt was probably something that had come with a girls' magazine. <br><br>\r\n………ママへ。 <br>\r\n......To Mama: <br><br>\r\n幸せのお裾分け、とある。 <br>\r\nLet me share my happiness with you, ...it said. <br><br>\r\nそれを手に取り、………躊躇ってから開封し、…中身を読む。 <br>\r\nShe took it, ......and after hesitating, opened it...and read what was inside. <br><br>\r\n………………………………。 <br>\r\n............ <br><br>\r\n そして、大粒の涙を２つ、 <br>\r\n紙面に記した後、 <br>\r\n………部屋を飛び出し、 <br>\r\n洗面所に向かっていた真里亞に後からしがみ付いて、 <br>\r\n………娘の背中に顔を埋めて、 <br>\r\n……泣いた。 <br>\r\nThen, after letting two large tears... <br><br>\r\ndrip down the paper, <br><br>\r\n...she flew out of the room, <br><br>\r\nhugged Maria from behind as she headed for the bathroom, <br><br>\r\n......buried her face into her daughter's back... <br><br>\r\nand cried. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n そして、真に謝るのは自分の方であることを自覚し、 <br>\r\n… <br>\r\n… <br>\r\n… <br>\r\n… <br>\r\n謝罪した。 <br>\r\nThen, realizing that she was the one who should be apologizing, <br><br>\r\n... <br><br>\r\n... <br><br>\r\n... <br><br>\r\n... <br><br>\r\nshe apologized. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nどうしてママが謝るの…？ という問い掛けには、答えずに……。 <br>\r\nWhy is Mama apologizing...? There was no answer to that question... <br><br>\r\n「………ほら。もう、仲直り。………あんなの、ママと真里亞の仲良しの前には、全然気にすること、ないんだよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Look. We already made up. ......Something like that was absolutely nothing to worry about, because of the friendship Mama and I share.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。 <br>\r\n\"......... <br><br>\r\n………私には、真里亞お姉ちゃんの幸せは、…辛すぎる。」 <br>\r\n......To me, your happiness is...too painful, Maria onee-chan.\" <br><br>\r\n「……縁寿の気持ちも、一応は理解するよ。 <br>\r\n\"...I understand how you feel, more or less. <br><br>\r\n……真里亞だって、この“力”に気付くまでは、…今の縁寿と同じで、不幸なカケラしか見つけられない気の毒な子だったから。」 <br>\r\n...Before I realized I had that `power', ...even I was a pitiful child who could only find Fragments filled with misfortune, just like you are now.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………その“力”って、何？ 私になくてお姉ちゃんにはある。…そして、それがないから私は不幸で、お姉ちゃんは幸福だと言うの？ ………“力”という抽象的な表現でしか理解できない“それ”は、一体どんな力なの……？」 <br>\r\n\"......What is that `power'? This power that I don't have, but you do... ...Are you saying that I'm unfortunate and you're blessed because I don't have that? ......Just what is this thing you can't describe except with an abstract word like `power'...?\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。縁寿はそれが知りたいんだよね。……だから、私の物語を、ここまで読み進めてきたんだもんね。…………もちろんだよ。教えてあげる。この力の秘密を。 <br>\r\n\"Yeah. You do want to know that, Ange. ...That's why you've been reading my story so far. ......Of course, I'll teach you. I'll show you the secret to that power. <br><br>\r\n……そして私は昔、幼い縁寿にちゃんと教えてあげたんだよ…？ 忘れちゃってる…？ <br>\r\n...And it's something I taught you about long ago, when you were little, right...? Did you forget...?\" <br><br>\r\n大丈夫、思い出せるよ。……今から私が、 <br>\r\n……ううん、彼女が。教えてあげる。」 <br>\r\n\"It's okay, I remember. ...Now I... <br><br>\r\n...no, she. She will teach you.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………彼女……？ って、誰。」 <br>\r\n\"......She...? Who's that?\" <br><br>\r\n「妾がそれを、マリアに代わって教えよう。」 <br>\r\n\"I shall teach you in MARIA's place.\" <br><br>\r\n「………ベ、 <br>\r\n…………ベアトリーチェ……………。」 <br>\r\n\"......B- <br><br>\r\nBeatrice.........\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「マリアにはあって、そなたにはない“力”。」 <br>\r\n\"The `power' MARIA has, but you do not.\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。真里亞にあって、縁寿にない“力”。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah. The `power' I have, but Ange doesn't.\" <br><br>\r\n——それが、魔法。 <br>\r\n——It's...magic. <br><br>\r\n真里亞とベアトは、口を揃えて言った。 <br>\r\nそして綺麗に揃ってしまったことを、互いにくすくすと笑い合う。 <br>\r\nMaria and Beato said it together. <br><br>\r\nAnd then they started giggling because they'd said it at the same time. <br><br>\r\n……何だかベアトらしくない、無邪気な仕草だった。 <br>\r\n...It was an innocent reaction, one that didn't seem like Beato at all. <br><br>\r\nのんびりとした庭園のテーブルには紅茶が並び、ベアトと真里亞と、そして膝の上にはさくたろうがいて、楽しく談笑している…。 <br>\r\nBlack tea was arranged on a table in a peaceful garden, and Beato, Maria, and Sakutarou, who was sitting on Maria's lap, were having fun chatting... <br><br>\r\n「…………ほぉ。そうか、さくたろうと申すか。 <br>\r\n\"......Hoh. I see, he is called Sakutarou. <br><br>\r\nそなたの一番の友人とな！」 <br>\r\nSo this is your best friend!\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ…。初めまして、さくたろうと申します…。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu... Nice to meet you, I'm Sakutarou...』 <br><br>\r\n「うー、さくたろは人見知りするから緊張してるの。大丈夫だよ、ベアトリーチェも、真里亞の素敵なお友達なんだよ…！」 <br>\r\n『うりゅ。真里亞の友達は、ボクも友達…？』 <br>\r\n\"Uu-, Sakutaro's shy, so he's nervous. It's okay, Beatrice is also a great friend of mine...!\" <br><br>\r\n『Uryu. Are Maria's friends...my friends...?』 <br><br>\r\n「うん！」 <br>\r\n『うりゅ。……じゃあ、ボクもベアトリーチェの友達？』 <br>\r\n「うん！」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah!\" <br><br>\r\n『Uryu. ...Then, am I Beatrice's friend too?』 <br><br>\r\n\"Yeah!\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu-!』 <br><br>\r\n「……真里亞にとっては、このようなことは日常においてよくあることなのか？」 <br>\r\n\"...Maria, does something like this happen frequently for you in your everyday life?\" <br><br>\r\n「うー？ 何が？」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-? What?\" <br><br>\r\n「このように、無機物に魔法の魂を込め、生を宿らせることは、そなたの日常においては茶飯事なのか？」 <br>\r\n\"Is breathing a spirit of magic into inorganic matter and giving it life like this...commonplace in your everyday life?\" <br><br>\r\n「……うー。さくたろは無機物じゃないよ、ライオンの子だよ。」 <br>\r\n『うりゅー！』 <br>\r\n\"...Uu-. Sakutaro isn't inorganic matter, he's a lion cub.\" <br><br>\r\n『Uryu-!』 <br><br>\r\n「ふむ……。……ぬいぐるみは依り代として優秀だ。ゆえに、毒を持たぬ無垢な子どもが話し掛けることによって、それに応えようとする精霊が宿ることが少なくない。」 <br>\r\n\"Hmm... ...A stuffed animal makes for an excellent vessel. <br><br>\r\nIt is not uncommon for spirits to be made to reside in them...when they are spoken to by innocent children with no toxin.\" <br><br>\r\nベアトリーチェが言うには、いわゆる子どもの頃のお人形遊びなどは、本当に人形が意思を持って対話をし、自らの意思で動くことさえあるという。 <br>\r\nAccording to Beatrice, every time a child plays with dolls, the dolls actually gain a will and converse with them, sometimes even moving by their own will. <br><br>\r\nしかし、その依り代に宿らせる力は、無垢ゆえにとても弱い。 <br>\r\n人形が喋るわけがない、動くわけがない、というニンゲンの常識の毒がわずかでも入り込むと、たちどころにそれは、物言わぬただの人形に逆戻りする……。 <br>\r\nHowever, because of their innocence, the power imbued into such a vessel is very weak. <br><br>\r\nIf they get struck with even a tiny bit of the toxin from a Human's common sense, which says that there's no way a doll can talk or move, they instantly revert to being non-speaking dolls... <br><br>\r\n「しかし、……そなたのその、さくたろうというぬいぐるみは違う。」 <br>\r\n\"However, ...this Sakutarou stuffed animal of yours is different.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー！ さくたろはぬいぐるみだけど、ぬいぐるみじゃないー！」 <br>\r\n『うりゅー！ ライオンの子ー！ が、が、……うりゅー！』 <br>\r\n\"Uu-! Sakutaro is a stuffed animal, but he isn't ooone!\" <br><br>\r\n『Uryu-! I'm a lion cub! Ro-, ro-, ...uryu-!』 <br><br>\r\n「さくたろはライオンの子だけど、まだ子どもだから、時々、がおーって言えないの。うりゅうりゅうりゅ♪」 <br>\r\n『うりゅうりゅうりゅー！』 <br>\r\n\"Sakutaro is a lion cub, but he's still a kid, so he can't roar sometimes. Uryuuryuuryu♪\" <br><br>\r\n『Uryuuryuuryu-!』 <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nさくたろと、お茶の乗ったテーブルではしゃぎ合う真里亞を眺めながら、ベアトリーチェは感嘆のため息を漏らす。 <br>\r\nGazing at Maria, who was playing around with Sakutaro by the table loaded with tea, Beatrice let out a sigh of admiration. <br><br>\r\n「………何と言うことか。…さくたろうとやらは、その布地と綿の依り代を核に、完全に人間界に顕現している。自らの人格を持ち、召喚者と自在に対話をし、 <br>\r\n\"......How incredible. This Sakutarou, with a cloth and cotton vessel as a shell, has completely materialized into the human world. He has his own personality, talks with the summoner freely, <br><br>\r\n~ib~しかも自らの意思で動いている~ib~。 <br>\r\n~ib~and even moves by his own will~ib~.\" <br><br>\r\n……しかもさらに驚くべきは、それが異界の人物を名指しして呼び寄せたものではなく、真里亞がゼロの海から生み出したものという点だ。」 <br>\r\n\"...And even more surprising...is that Maria did not summon him using the name of a person from another world, but created him out of the sea of zero.\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞はその後、自分の友達はさくたろうだけでなく、家に帰れば他にもたくさんいるとベアトに自慢した。 <br>\r\nAfter that, Maria boasted to Beato that Sakutarou wasn't her only friend, and that she had many more of them back at home. <br><br>\r\n他にも、同様のぬいぐるみや人形が、さくたろう同様、自らの意思で話せ、動けるというのだ。 <br>\r\nIt seemed there were other similar stuffed animals and dolls who could talk and move of their own will like Sakutarou. <br><br>\r\nそれは真里亞にとっては当然のこと。 <br>\r\nぬいぐるみが自らの意思で話し、動き、友達になってくれるのは当然のことなのだ。 <br>\r\nIt was something natural for Maria. <br><br>\r\nIt was natural for stuffed animals to talk, move, and become her friends of their own will. <br><br>\r\n……それを、当然のことと言ってのける真里亞に、ベアトリーチェは魔女として、畏怖に似た敬意すら覚えるのだった。 <br>\r\n...When she saw that Maria accepted this as something natural, as a witch, Beatrice felt a respect bordering on awe. <br><br>\r\n「…………真里亞。そなたのその力は紛れもなく、魔法である。」 <br>\r\n\"......Maria, without a doubt, that power of yours is magic.\" <br><br>\r\n「魔法なの……？ 真里亞はまだ魔女見習いだから、魔法なんて使えないよ…？」 <br>\r\n\"It's magic...? I'm still a witch apprentice, so I can't use magic yet, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「いいや、魔法だ。………それを自覚して使えぬから未だ見習いなのであろうが、 <br>\r\n\"No, it is magic. ......Because you cannot use it consciously, you are still an apprentice, <br><br>\r\n……それにしても大した魔力！ そなたの友人、さくたろうの顕現こそが、その立派な証であるぞ。」 <br>\r\n...but even so, what magical power it is! The materialization of your friend, Sakutarou, is excellent proof of that.\" <br><br>\r\n「顕現って…？」 <br>\r\n\"Materialization...?\" <br><br>\r\n「うむ。そなたの場合は、創造と呼んでも良いであろうな。……他人の手にあっては何の魂も持たぬ無機物が、そなたの魔法によって魂を吹き込まれている。 <br>\r\n\"Indeed. In your case, it may even be fitting to call it creation. ...A piece of inorganic matter that would have no soul at all in another's hands can have a soul sent into it through your magic.\" <br><br>\r\nしかも、それを強力な力で人間界に留めている。……これほどまでに魔法を否定する毒気に満たされた現代において、一個の生命体たりえるほどに顕現できる魔力は、妾とて容易なことではないわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Furthermore, that strong magical power lies in the human world. ...In this era so filled with the toxin that denies magic, summoning a magical power that can materialize a single life-form is not easy even for me.\" <br><br>\r\n魂のない存在なら、いくらでも生み出すことは難しくない。 <br>\r\nしかし、魂ある存在を生み出すのは、とても難しいこと。…ベアトはそう言い切る。 <br>\r\nIt isn't hard to give birth to any number of soulless beings. <br><br>\r\nHowever, giving birth to a being with a soul is very difficult. ...This is what Beato asserted. <br><br>\r\n「………ベアトが言うのがよくわかんない。さくたろがすごいってこと…？」 <br>\r\n\"......I don't really understand what you're saying, Beato. You're saying Sakutaro is amazing...?\" <br><br>\r\n「さくたろうとそなたが、共に素晴らしいということだ。……誇ってよい。…なるほど、金蔵のもっとも欲したものは、そなたに一番濃く宿っているらしい。」 <br>\r\n\"Both you and Sakutarou are incredible. ...You should be proud. ...I see, that which Kinzo desired above all else seems to dwell most strongly within you.\" <br><br>\r\n「何でベアトにそんなに褒められるのかさっぱり。ね〜、さくたろ。」 <br>\r\n『うりゅ〜！』 <br>\r\n\"I don't have a clue why Beato is praising Maria so much. Right, Sakutaro?\" <br><br>\r\n『Uryu-!』 <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「……真に驚嘆すべきは、ぬいぐるみに魂を宿したことだけではないのだ。それにより、自己の世界観まで変化させた。……そなたは無より有を生じる力が群を抜いている。 <br>\r\n\"...What should be truly admired is not only that a soul has been made to reside in a stuffed animal. Even more significant is the fact that you have changed your own worldview. ...When it comes to giving birth to something from nothing, you stand out from the crowd.\" <br><br>\r\n……１を１００にすることは容易い。しかし、０から１を生じることは容易くはない。…そなたが一人前の魔女になったなら、妾と双璧どころか、妾とて一目置かざるを得ない大魔女に成長するであろう。 <br>\r\n\"...It is easy to make 100 from 1. However, giving birth to 1 from 0 is not. ...When you do become a full witch, beyond just becoming a match for me, you might grow into a Great Witch that even I must acknowledge as superior.\" <br><br>\r\n原初の魔女、か。………そなたの将来が、妾にとっても楽しみだ。」 <br>\r\n\"A Witch of Origins, perhaps. ......I'm really looking forward to your future.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー！ ベアトに魔女の才能あるって褒められた〜！」 <br>\r\n『良かったね真里亞！ うりゅ、ベアト…、真里亞を褒めてくれて、ありがとう。』 <br>\r\n\"Uu-! Beato said I have talent as a witch!\" <br><br>\r\n『Isn't that great, Maria?! Uryu, Beato, ...thank you for praising Maria.』 <br><br>\r\n「くっくっくっく！ 礼には及ばぬぞ、さくたろう。その赤いマフラーは実に似合っているぞ。そして、そなたのような友人を生み出せる、そなたの主人の才能に嫉妬する。」 <br>\r\n『うりゅ〜！ マフラー褒めてくれてありがとう。これ、真里亞にプレゼントしてもらったの。ボクのお気に入り。』 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*! No need to thank me, Sakutarou. That red muffler truly suits you. And I am envious of the talent of your master, who was able to give birth to a friend like you.\" <br><br>\r\n『Uryu-! Thanks for complimenting my muffler. This is a present I got from Maria. It's my favorite.』 <br><br>\r\n「まさに、そなた専用のマフラーになるために生まれてきたようなサイズであるな。 <br>\r\n\"And its size is truly like a muffler that was created just for you. <br><br>\r\n……これは、妾も新しき友人に何かプレゼントを贈らねばなるまい。」 <br>\r\n...I see, I must also give my new friend some kind of present.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー？ ベアトがさくたろにプレゼント……？」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-? Beato is giving Sakutaro a present...?\" <br><br>\r\n「魔女の贈り物は魔力あるものと決まっておる。ならば、そなたの友人がいつまでもそなたの友人でいられるよう、そして、そなたともっと楽しく遊べるように。さくたろうに妾の魔力を贈ろう。それにより、さらに強く顕現することが出来るだろう。」 <br>\r\n\"Of course, a gift from a witch must be something with magical power. In that case, so that he can be your friend for all time, and so that you can have even more fun playing with him, I shall give Sakutarou my magic power. With that, he should be able to materialize even more strongly.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー？ さくたろともっともっと楽しく遊べるようになるの…？ どうやって？」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-? I'll be able to have much more fun playing with Sakutaro...? How's that?\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ……？ 何だろ、真里亞…。それって怖いこと……？』 <br>\r\n『Uryu...? What could it be, Maria...? Is it something scary...?』 <br><br>\r\n「大丈夫だよ。ベアトは怖いことなんて何もしないよー。ね、ベアトリーチェー！」 <br>\r\n\"Don't worry. Beato won't do anything scary. Right, Beatrice?!\" <br><br>\r\n「うむ。必ず気に入ってもらえるはずだ。 <br>\r\n\"Indeed. I believe you will like it. <br><br>\r\n………さて、より強く顕現するには、より強いイメージが必要であるな。………さてさて、どうしたものか。うむむむむ…。」 <br>\r\n......So, to make him materialize even more strongly, a stronger image will be necessary. ......Well, well, what to do. Hmmmmmmmmmm...\" <br><br>\r\nベアトは、どうすればより喜んでもらえるか、腕を組んで思案する。 <br>\r\nBeato crossed her arms and thought about what she could do to please them even more. <br><br>\r\nするとそこへ、 <br>\r\n………もうひとりの魔女の姿が。 <br>\r\nベアトの師匠、ワルギリアだった。 <br>\r\nThen, right there, <br><br>\r\n......was the form of yet another witch. <br><br>\r\nIt was Beato's teacher, Virgilia. <br><br>\r\nワルギリアはまさに大魔女。 <br>\r\nVirgilia truly was a Great Witch. <br><br>\r\n…真里亞が大魔女だと思っているベアトが、さらに大魔女と呼ぶのだから、大々魔女に違いない。 <br>\r\nベアトの話によると、その魔法の力はベアトですら未だに足元にも及ばないという。 <br>\r\n...Since Maria already thought of Beato as a Great Witch, this person Beato called a Great Witch must've been a Great Great Witch. <br><br>\r\nAccording to Beato, she still didn't even rise up to this witch's feet when it came to magical power. <br><br>\r\n「おやおや。賑やかな声が聞こえてくると思ったら。楽しそうなお茶会ですこと…。」 <br>\r\n\"My, my. I thought I heard some cheery voices. What a fun tea party this seems to be...\" <br><br>\r\n「おお、お師匠様。ちょうどいいところへ。 <br>\r\n\"Oh, Teacher. Perfect timing. <br><br>\r\nこのライオンの子を見てほしい。真里亞の新しい友人だそうだ。」 <br>\r\nI want you to look at this lion cub. I hear he's Maria's new friend.\" <br><br>\r\n「ほっほっほ。可愛らしいライオンさんですね。 <br>\r\n\"Ho ho ho. What a lovely lion-san. <br><br>\r\n……ご挨拶は出来るのかしら？ 初めまして、こんにちは…？」 <br>\r\n...I wonder if he can greet me? Hello, nice to meet you...?\" <br><br>\r\n『う、うりゅー！ さ、さくたろうと申します。』 <br>\r\n『U-Uryu-! I-I'm Sakutarou.』 <br><br>\r\nさくたろは、真里亞の膝に降り、テーブルの縁から顔を半分だけのぞかせて挨拶をする。 <br>\r\n…ベアトがお師匠と呼ぶほどの魔女なので、かなり緊張しているようだ。 <br>\r\nSakutaro fell to Maria's lap, greeting Virgilia with half of his face poking out over the edge of the table. <br><br>\r\n...It seemed he was very nervous, since this was a witch that even Beato called Teacher. <br><br>\r\n「ほっほっほ。可愛らしい名前だこと。……上手な挨拶が出来たご褒美に、お菓子をあげましょうね。」 <br>\r\n\"Ho ho ho. What an adorable name. ...As a reward for giving such a good greeting, here's a sweet for you.\" <br><br>\r\nワルギリアは、手をひらひらさせてから、手の平を上に向け、空気を軽く掴み取るような仕草をする。 <br>\r\nAfter waving her hands about, Virgilia held the palm of her hand upwards, as though she was lightly grabbing at the empty air. <br><br>\r\nそしてその握り拳をさくたろの前に差し出す。 <br>\r\nThen, she held her fist out in front of Sakutaro. <br><br>\r\n…………そして拳を開くと、そこには一粒だけパックされたタイプののど飴があった。 <br>\r\n......When she opened her fist, there was one of those individually wrapped cough drops. <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー？！ 飴だよ、真里亞、すごいすごい…！！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu-?! Maria, it's candy, awesome, awesome...!!』 <br><br>\r\n「うー！ 良かったねさくたろ！ ちゃんとお礼を言ってね。」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-! Isn't that great, Sakutaro! Make sure to thank her.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ。飴をどうもありがとうございます。…ぺこり。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu. Thank you very much for the candy. ...*gulp*.』 <br><br>\r\nワルギリアは、大々魔女であるにもかかわらず、ぬいぐるみのさくたろうに対しても上品に挨拶を返して見せるのだった。 <br>\r\nEven though Virgilia was a Great Great Witch, she still treated a stuffed animal like Sakutarou to an elegant greeting. <br><br>\r\n「しかしお師匠様ァ、のど飴とはまぁたババ臭い…！ <br>\r\n\"Still, Teacher. Cough drops? Are you someone's granny or something...?! <br><br>\r\nせめてイチゴミルクのキャンディーとか出ないのかよ〜。」 <br>\r\nCan't you at least pull out some strawberry-milk candy?\" <br><br>\r\n「これはひどい。もうあなたには飴をあげませんよ？」 <br>\r\n\"How rude. In that case, I won't be giving you any more.\" <br><br>\r\n「くっひゃっひゃっひゃ、悪ィ悪ィ。 <br>\r\n\"Kuhhyahhyahhya, sorry, sorry. <br><br>\r\n………さて、真里亞。そなたの魔導書を出すがよい。もちろん筆記用具もな。」 <br>\r\n......Well then, Maria. Take out your grimoire. And, of course, your writing tools.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー？ うん、出すよ。何か書くの？」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-? Yeah, I'll take it out. What should I write?\" <br><br>\r\n「……おや、何を始めるのですか？」 <br>\r\n\"...Oh, what are you starting?\" <br><br>\r\n「お師匠様に習った魔法を使うのだ。 <br>\r\n\"I will use a magic I learned from you, Teacher. <br><br>\r\n………依り代に異界の住人を顕現させる魔法。あれの応用で、この真里亞の友人を顕現させる力を、より強めることが出来るのではないかと思ってな。……それを、真里亞と真里亞の友人への贈り物としたい。」 <br>\r\n...Magic to make a resident of another world materialize into a vessel. I think that by applying that, we may be able to further strengthen the power that makes this friend of Maria's materialize. ...I wanted to give that as a gift to Maria and her friend.\" <br><br>\r\n「なるほど。…すでに顕現している存在なら、そう難しいことではないでしょう。それは素敵な贈り物になりそうですね。 <br>\r\n\"I see. ...For a being that has already materialized, it shouldn't be that difficult. That could become a wonderful gift. <br><br>\r\nでは、私もささやかですが協力しましょう。」 <br>\r\nWell then, I shall help too, if only a little.\" <br><br>\r\n「お師匠様が立会人にサインしてくれる魔法なら、心強い…！ 喜べ真里亞。これは素晴らしい贈り物になるぞ…！」 <br>\r\n\"It would be very reassuring if you would sign for this magic as a witness, Teacher...! Be glad, Maria. This will be a wonderful gift...!\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ…？ 何が始まるの…？ 怖くない？怖くない…？』 <br>\r\n『Uryu...? What's happening...? It isn't scary, is it? Is it...?』 <br><br>\r\n「わかんない。でも怖くないと思う。……何だろうね、楽しみだね。」 <br>\r\n\"Don't know. But I don't think it's scary. ...What could it be? I can't wait.\" <br><br>\r\nベアトは真里亞の手提げから、魔導書を借りると、バラバラバラッとページを華麗にめくる。 <br>\r\nBeato borrowed the grimoire from Maria's handbag and majestically flipped through the pages. <br><br>\r\n……そして様々な魔法陣が記されたページの途中に空きページを見つけ、そこを押し広げる。 <br>\r\n...Then, she found an empty page among those with magic circles drawn on them...and flattened it out. <br><br>\r\nそして、ニヤリと笑ってさくたろうを凝視してから、一気にペンを走らせた。 <br>\r\nAfter gazing at Sakutarou with a grin, she suddenly started moving her pen. <br><br>\r\n……それは、魔女が高位世界に対して記す宣言書のようなもの。 <br>\r\nベアトリーチェが記し、ワルギリアが立会人にサインすることで効力を発揮する、魔法。 <br>\r\n...It was something like a written declaration made by witches to a high-order world. <br><br>\r\nIt was magic whose effect could be controlled if Beatrice wrote and Virgilia signed. <br><br>\r\n最初は何を書いているのか理解できなかった真里亞も、途中からその書面の素晴らしき魔力を理解し、瞳を輝かせ始める…。 <br>\r\nMaria didn't understand what Beato was writing at first, but partway through, she figured out the wonderful magical power of this document, and her eyes began to sparkle... <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ？！ うりゅ？！ どうしたの真里亞、何を描いてるの？！ うりゅうりゅ？！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu?! Uryu?! What is it, Maria, what's she drawing?! Uryuuryu?!』 <br><br>\r\nさくたろうは膝の上なので、テーブルの上で何が書かれているのかわからないのだ。 <br>\r\n……もっとも見たところで、さくたろうにはわからないだろうが。 <br>\r\nSakutarou was on her lap, so he didn't know what was being written on the table. <br><br>\r\n...But even if he had seen, Sakutarou probably wouldn't have understood. <br><br>\r\n「すごいよさくたろ！！ 待ってて、もうすぐだよ、もうすぐだよ！ ベアトすごいベアトすごい！！」 <br>\r\n\"Awesome, Sakutaro!! Wait a bit, almost done, almost done! It's amazing, Beato, amazing!!\" <br><br>\r\n「………力ある書面の筆記において、この子の才能は素晴らしい。あなたになら魔界の書記官すら務まりそうですよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......When it comes to writing documents of power, this child's talent is magnificent. You might even serve well as a Secretary in the spirit world.\" <br><br>\r\n「これでどうか…！ まずまずであろう…！」 <br>\r\n\"How's this...?! Not so bad, right...?!\" <br><br>\r\nものすごい集中力で書かれていたそれが完成し、ベアトは書面を遠目に改めて見直す。 <br>\r\n……まんざらでもない出来らしい。 <br>\r\nAfter finishing her writing with an intense amount of concentration, Beato looked over the document again from a distance. <br><br>\r\n...It seemed she was fairly satisfied with her work. <br><br>\r\nそしてそれを覗き込んだ真里亞も感嘆の声をあげる。 <br>\r\nAnd Maria, who was also peeking in at it, let out a cry of wonder. <br><br>\r\n「……すごいよベアト！！ 可愛いー！！ うーうーうー！！」 <br>\r\n\"...Awesome, Beato!! Cuuute!! Uu-uu-uu-!!\" <br><br>\r\n「黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェの名において、マリアの子、さくたろうをここに認める。 <br>\r\n\"By the name of the Golden Witch, Beatrice, I now acknowledge Sakutarou, MARIA's child. <br><br>\r\n………お師匠様、立会人にサインを頼むぜ！」 <br>\r\n......Teacher, if you would sign as a witness!\" <br><br>\r\n「はいはい。……我が名において、この宣誓に立ち会い認めるものなり。………出来ましたよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, yes. ...By my name, I witness and acknowledge this oath. ......It is done.\" <br><br>\r\nワルギリアがサインし、その宣言書は完成した。 <br>\r\nVirgilia signed, completing the written declaration. <br><br>\r\nそれは、さくたろうが人間界に確かに顕現することを、上位世界の存在に宣言する力ある書面。 <br>\r\nIt was a document with the power to proclaim to the beings of a higher world that Sakutarou had most certainly materialized in the human world. <br><br>\r\n真里亞より生まれたさくたろうは、ベアトリーチェとワルギリアの２人の魔女に推薦され、たった今、上位世界にその存在を認められたのだ。 <br>\r\nSakutarou, who had been born from Maria, was nominated by the two witches, Beatrice and Virgilia, and just now, his existence had been acknowledged by the higher world. <br><br>\r\n……それこそが、大いなる顕現の魔法。 <br>\r\n...That itself was the great magic of materialization. <br><br>\r\nベアトの話によると、ワルギリアがこの場にいてくれたのはとても僥倖なことらしい。 <br>\r\nAccording to Beato, it was apparently quite fortunate that Virgilia was there. <br><br>\r\n上位世界への宣言書は、サインしてくれた魔女の人数や格によって、宿る力がまったく変わるからだ。 <br>\r\nAfter all, depending on the number and quality of witches that signed proclamations to the higher world, the power that resided in them could change drastically. <br><br>\r\n特にワルギリアは、上位世界に友人がとても多いので、彼女のサインは宣言書において、ベアトのそれとは比べ物にならないほどの力を持つ。 <br>\r\nVirgilia in particular had many friends in that higher plane, so her signature gave the proclamation a power with which Beato's couldn't even compare. <br><br>\r\n「この宣言書により、汝、さくたろうを自我ある一個人と認める。 <br>\r\n\"By this proclamation, I accept you, Sakutarou, as an individual with his own ego. <br><br>\r\nそしてその存在をマリアージュ・ソルシエールの条約に従い、友人として迎える。今よりさくたろうは、我ら共通の友人だ。 <br>\r\nAnd I welcome you as a friend in accordance with the contract of Mariage Sorcière. From now on, Sakutarou is our common friend.\" <br><br>\r\nそれに相応しき姿を、贈り物としてそなたに贈ろう。受け取るが良い。」 <br>\r\n\"And for that, I shall bestow upon you a fitting form as a gift. Accept it.\" <br><br>\r\nその宣言書の書かれたページを開いたまま、向きを変えて真里亞に手渡す。 <br>\r\n真里亞はそれを膝の上のさくたろうに見せる。 <br>\r\nWith the grimoire still opened to the page with the proclamation, she turned it around and handed it to Maria. <br><br>\r\nMaria showed it to Sakutarou on her lap. <br><br>\r\nさくたろうがその宣言書を認めた時、…………布地と綿で出来た体に、 <br>\r\n熱くて眩しい何かが宿り始めるのを感じた。 <br>\r\nWhen Sakutarou beheld that proclamation, ......he felt something hot and bright begin to dwell... <br><br>\r\nin his body made of cloth and cotton. <br><br>\r\n生まれて初めて経験するそれに戸惑い、おろおろする間にもその力は強まり、……やがて眩しい光が完全に彼を飲み込んだ…。 <br>\r\nEven as he looked around, nervous at this sensation he'd never felt before, that power strengthened, ...and eventually, a bright light completely swallowed him up... <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ……？ うりゅうりゅうりゅうりゅ……！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu...? Uryuuryuuryuuryu...!』 <br><br>\r\nそしてその光が消え去った時。 <br>\r\nThen, when that light disappeared... <br><br>\r\n…………そこには、真里亞の友人さくたろうが、新しい姿を持って、~ib~存在していた~ib~。 <br>\r\n......There, Maria's friend Sakutarou held a new form and ~ib~existed~ib~. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「うーうーうー！ 可愛いよ、さくたろ！ すっごい可愛いよ！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-uu-uu-! You're cute, Sakutaro! Reeeally cute!\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ…？ うりゅー…。本当に似合ってる？ 恥ずかしくない……？』 <br>\r\n『Uryu...? Uryu-... Does it really look good on me? It isn't embarrassing...?』 <br><br>\r\n「ほっほっほっほ。とても可愛らしい姿ですよ、さくたろうちゃん。」 <br>\r\n\"Ho ho ho ho. It is a very lovely form, Sakutarou-chan.\" <br><br>\r\n「マフラーがチャームポイントだと思ってな。あとは耳だ！ <br>\r\n\"I figured the muffler was his charm point. And the ears! <br><br>\r\n獣耳はいいぞォ、実に可愛い！ あとで妾にもかじらせよ。くっくっく！」 <br>\r\nAnimal ears sure are nice, truly cute! Let me nibble 'em later. *cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n「ありがとう、ベアトリーチェー！！ 素敵なプレゼントを本当にありがとう！！」 <br>\r\n\"Thank you, Beatrice!! Thank you very much for the wonderful present!!\" <br><br>\r\n「礼には及ばぬ。そなたの素晴らしき魔法と友人に敬意を表したまでよ。 <br>\r\n\"There is no need for thanks. This is out of respect for your wonderful magic and your friend. <br><br>\r\n………そして、この域にまで達したそなたは、もはや見習いをいつ卒業してもおかしくない。今日より、さらに新しく楽しい魔法を伝授してやろう。 <br>\r\n......And, now that you have reached this level, it would not be odd for you to graduate from being an apprentice at any time. From now on, I shall instruct you on even more new and fun magic. <br><br>\r\n……これより、原初の魔女見習いのマリアと名乗るが良い。」 <br>\r\n...From this point forward, you may call yourself MARIA, an Apprentice Witch of Origins.\" <br><br>\r\n「原初の魔女って…？」 <br>\r\n\"A Witch of Origins...?\" <br><br>\r\n「うむ。造物主の道を求める魔女の称号よ。今は身の回りの小物に魔力を吹き込む力しか持たぬ、エンチャンター（付与魔術師）でしかない。 <br>\r\n\"Indeed. It is the title of a witch who seeks to become a Creator. Right now, you are just an Enchanter (a magician specializing in forms of magical enhancement) who has only enough strength to breathe magical power into the small objects around her. <br><br>\r\n……しかし千年の修行を経たならば、その胸の内より魔法大系はおろか、銀河を生み出すことも夢ではあるまい。」 <br>\r\n...But after one thousand years of training, you could conceivably use the magical compendium that resides inside your heart to create a galaxy.\" <br><br>\r\n「……原初の魔女の才能はとても稀少。幼き日には誰もが持つのに、誰も持ち続けることが出来ない。 <br>\r\n\"...The talent of a Witch of Origins is very rare. Even though everyone has it when they are young, no one can continue to hold onto it. <br><br>\r\n……この称号は、あなたが穢れなき心を失わなかったことの証でもありますね。」 <br>\r\n...This title is also proof that you have not lost your untainted heart.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー！！ 原初の魔女、すごい！ なる！ 真里亞、原初の魔女見習いー！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-!! A Witch of Origins, awesome! I'll become one! I'm Maria, an Apprentice Witch of Origins!\" <br><br>\r\n「真里亞、すごいねすごいね…！ 原初の魔女、すごいすごい、うりゅー！」 <br>\r\n\"Maria, that's so incredible...! A Witch of Origins, incredible, amazing, uryu-!\" <br><br>\r\n「やがては一人前の原初の魔女、マリア卿を名乗ることになろう。……さくたろうだけでなく、そろそろそなたも、その格に相応しい身なりをしても良い頃であろうな。 <br>\r\n\"Eventually, you will be able to call yourself a full witch: <NAME>, Witch of Origins. ...It may be a good time now to give not only Sakutarou, but you as well, an appearance fitting for your rank. <br><br>\r\n………それ。見習いとはいえ、魔女の名を語るに相応しき服装を与えよう。」 <br>\r\n...Here. I shall give a proper outfit for one who, while still an apprentice, is worthy of using the title of a witch.\" <br><br>\r\nベアトがケーンである煙管を振るうと、どこからともなく現れたたくさんの黄金の蝶たちが真里亞に群がり、素敵なドレスを与えた。 <br>\r\nWhen Beato waved the pipe that was her cane, many gold butterflies that had appeared out of nowhere grouped around Maria, giving her a wonderful dress. <br><br>\r\nそれは確かに、原初の魔女をやがて名乗る彼女に相応しい、可愛らしさと荘厳さを併せ持ったものだった…。 <br>\r\nIt certainly was fitting for the girl who would eventually take the name of the Witch of Origins, combining both cuteness and dignity... <br><br>\r\n「すごい…！！ すごいすごいすごいすごい！！ 可愛い可愛い！ このお洋服、ママにも見せたい…！！ だめ？」 <br>\r\n\"Amazing...!! Awesome awesome awesome awesome!! Cute, cute! I wanna show these clothes to Mama too...!! Can I?\" <br><br>\r\n「魔女の正装は濫りに見せてはならぬぞ。 <br>\r\n\"The full dress of a witch must not be shown indiscriminately. <br><br>\r\nもったいぶった方が価値が出るというもの。くっくっく！」 <br>\r\nIt's value increases if you're stingy with it. *cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\nそして、大魔女と魔女と魔女見習いと新しき友人さくたろうは、賑やかにお茶を楽しむのだった……。 <br>\r\nThen, the Great Witch, the witch, the witch's apprentice, and their new friend, Sakutarou, enjoyed a lively tea party... <br><br>\r\n「………ね？ 私はこんなにも、幸せだよ。そしてこんなにも楽しい。」 <br>\r\n\"......See? Look how happy I am. And look how fun this is.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「幸せになることを、どうか恐れないで。幸せになるというのは、今の不幸を受け容れるという意味じゃないの。 <br>\r\n\"Please, don't be afraid of being happy. Becoming happy isn't the same thing as accepting your current misfortune. <br><br>\r\n今の不幸の中に、幸せを新しく生み出すということなの。それが、原初の魔法。」 <br>\r\nIt means creating a new happiness out of your current misfortune. That is the Magic of Origins.\" <br><br>\r\n「……私は、今の自分の世界を、認めたくなかった。……こんなにも孤独で辛い世界を肯定するのが許せなかった。 <br>\r\n\"...I...didn't want to acknowledge my current world. ...I couldn't bear to accept such an isolated and painful world. <br><br>\r\n…だから、真里亞お姉ちゃんの世界に惹かれながらも、 <br>\r\n……最後の一線で、受け容れられなかった。」 <br>\r\n...That's why, even though I was entranced by your world, Maria onee-chan, <br><br>\r\n...I couldn't cross the final line.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………教えてあげる。真里亞の、原初の魔法を。いいえ、教えたことがあったはず。そしてあなたにも使えたはずなんだよ。忘れちゃった……？」 <br>\r\n\"......I'll teach you. About my Magic of Origins. No, I taught you before, right? And you used it before. Did you forget...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿だって、マリアージュ・ソルシエールに名を連ねる、魔女の見習いだったでしょう？」 <br>\r\n\"You were also a witch apprentice, Ange, with your name entered into Mariage Sorcière, weren't you?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………えぇ。そうだったわね。………マリアージュ・ソルシエール、 <br>\r\n…懐かしいわね。……私も、そこに名を連ねていることがあったっけ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Yeah. That was true. ......Mariage Sorcière... <br><br>\r\n ...That takes me back. ...I also had my name entered in there at one point, didn't I...?\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、あれは忘れもしない。１９８７年４月のことです。私は友人から、ある奇妙な依頼を受けました。……とある大富豪の遺品である蔵書が大量に競売に掛けられていて、その一部に、民俗学的にも考古学的にも、あるいはオカルト的な意味でも極めて価値の高いものが含まれていると思われる、その価値を内密に見て欲しいというのです。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, I will never forget that. It happened in April of 1987. I received a certain strange request from a friend. ...There was a large collection of books, the former possessions of a very rich man, that were being sold at auction, and it was thought that some of them might've been extremely valuable to the study of archeology and folklore, as well as in an occult sense, so this friend wanted to witness their worth confidentially.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………８７年。六軒島での事件の半年後。」 <br>\r\n\"......That was '87. Half a year after the crime on Rokkenjima.\" <br><br>\r\n「左様です。それらの蔵書は、六軒島での難を逃れたものと説明されていました。それを、島の所有者である右代宮絵羽氏が競売に出したというのです。」 <br>\r\n\"Correct. It was explained that those books had escaped the disaster at Rokkenjima. The owner of the island, Ms. <NAME>, had put them up for auction.\" <br><br>\r\nそこは高級なレストランのようだった。 <br>\r\n奥まって離れた静かな席に、初老の男と縁寿は向かい合って座っていた。 <br>\r\nThis was apparently a high-class restaurant. <br><br>\r\nA middle-aged man was sitting across from Ange in a secluded and quiet seat. <br><br>\r\n天草の姿はレストランの入り口にある。 <br>\r\n須磨寺家の追っ手が来ないか見張っているのだろう。 <br>\r\nAmakusa could be seen by the entrance. <br><br>\r\nHe was probably keeping a lookout for pursuers from the Sumadera family. <br><br>\r\n縁寿の向かいの、学識ありそうな男は、丁寧な口調ながら熱っぽく語っていた。 <br>\r\n手元の料理には一切手をつけておらず、どれほどの熱弁を奮っているか想像できる。 <br>\r\nThe scholarly man across from Ange spoke politely, but with enthusiasm. <br><br>\r\nHe didn't lay a finger on the food in front of him, so you could tell how excited he was as he spoke fervently. <br><br>\r\n彼は某大学の教授で、特に西洋の民俗学の権威として知られていた。 <br>\r\nしかし、それは彼のライフワークの中で、もっとも外面の良いものに過ぎない。 <br>\r\nHe was a professor at a certain college, and particularly well-known as an authority on Western folklore. <br><br>\r\nHowever, among his life works, that was only a convenient exterior. <br><br>\r\n彼の本当のライフワークは、神秘学、西洋魔法、錬金術、それら全てを内包するオカルト、そして悪魔学。 <br>\r\nHis true life work was...the study of occultism, Western magic, alchemy, and everything else to do with the occult, as well as demonology. <br><br>\r\nつまり、金蔵の研究内容をもっとも理解できる立場にある人間のひとりであった…。 <br>\r\nIn short, he was the person in the best position to understand the details of Kinzo's research... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「まず、蔵書を鑑定してわかったことは、右代宮絵羽氏には民俗学的な教養はまったくなく、そしてその蔵書の本来の持ち主である右代宮金蔵氏は、日本で五指に入る悪魔学の権威であったことは、間違いないということです。」 <br>\r\n\"First, what I learned by appraising those books was that Ms. <NAME> had absolutely no education in the study of folklore...and that the original owner of the books, <NAME>, was certainly one of the top five authorities on demonology in Japan.\" <br><br>\r\n１９８７年４月。 <br>\r\nApril, 1987. <br><br>\r\n都内の大手古物商が、歴史的価値が高いと思われる大量の古文書を入手する。 <br>\r\nこれは、右代宮絵羽が競売に掛けるよう依頼して預けたものであった。 <br>\r\nA major city antique shop obtained a large quantity of ancient documents that were thought to have a high historical value. <br><br>\r\nThey were entrusted with them by Ushiromiya Eva, who wanted them to be sold at auction. <br><br>\r\n当時、絵羽は唯一の生き残りとして右代宮家の家督を継承し、全ての財産を独占したかに思われていた。 <br>\r\nAt the time, it was thought that Eva would succeed the Ushiromiya family and have all the wealth to herself, as the only survivor. <br><br>\r\nしかし、当時は事故から半年しか経ておらず、危難失踪が成立していなかった。 <br>\r\nHowever, at that point, not even half a year had passed since the accident, and the others had not been missing long enough to be presumed dead, even under extraordinary circumstances. <br><br>\r\nその為、絵羽は家族の生命保険さえ降りず、経済的にかなり困窮していたと思われる。 <br>\r\nBecause of that, Eva had supposedly been in a very tight spot financially, unable even to collect on her family's life insurance. <br><br>\r\n絵羽は金目のものは何でも売り払おうとしたらしく、彼女が難を逃れた時に所在していた九羽鳥庵に収められていた蔵書も、この対象となったのだ。 <br>\r\nIt seems she tried to sell everything of value, and even the books kept in the place where she'd escaped harm in, Kuwadorian, were used for this purpose. <br><br>\r\nそして、後に「右代宮蔵書」と呼ばれるそれら古文書は、古物商によって鑑定のために集められた権威たちの度肝を抜いた。 <br>\r\nThese old books, which would eventually be called `the Ushiromiya Library', were later gathered from antique shops by authorities in the field so that they could be appraised, ...and those authorities were astounded. <br><br>\r\n「少なくとも神秘学の見地から言えば、その発見が世界に与えた衝撃は死海文書発見にも匹敵するものでした。 <br>\r\n\"At least speaking from the perspective of occultism, the impact of that discovery on the world was comparable to the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls.\" <br><br>\r\n『右代宮蔵書』には、なんと千年以上にも亘る間、その存在だけが知られているにもかかわらず、発見されていなかった数々の極めて重要な文献さえ含まれていたからです。」 <br>\r\n\"This is because...contained within `the Ushiromiya Library' were many extremely vital documents that had never been found, though their existence had been known of for more than a millenium.\" <br><br>\r\n錬金術に代表されるような、いわゆる夢のあるオカルトは、常に好事家を魅了して止まない。 <br>\r\nThe many dreams of the occult, such as those represented by alchemy, always stirred an intense fascination in dilettantes. <br><br>\r\n未だに全世界には、未公表の歴史価値ある「魔法書」が大量に残されていて、オカルトを愛する大富豪たちが秘密に所持しているのではないかと囁かれているのである。 <br>\r\nIt is whispered that many `magic books' of great historical value, currently unknown to the public, might be in the secret possession of extremely wealthy lovers of the occult. <br><br>\r\n好事家の中でもとりわけ人気の高い、レオナルド・ダ・ヴィンチの手稿などがその最たるものと言われる。 <br>\r\nItems such as <NAME>'s notebooks, which are particularly popular among dilettantes, are said to be prime examples of this. <br><br>\r\n手稿は約五千枚が現存し、一万枚以上が紛失していると言われるが、この紛失分の数割が、特定の大富豪や好事家によって独占されている可能性があると一部の研究者は見ている。 <br>\r\nIt is said that approximately 5,000 pages of these notebooks currently exist, and that over 10,000 have been lost, but some researchers believe that a large part of this lost portion may be monopolized by certain enthusiasts and members of the extremely rich. <br><br>\r\nその為、今もなお、求めて止まない好事家が、死蔵されて眠っている未公開手稿を求め、金に糸目をつけずに探し回っているという…。 <br>\r\nIt is said that because of this, even now, dilettantes who can't help but seek these spare no expense to search around for quietly hoarded away and unannounced notebooks... <br><br>\r\n右代宮金蔵もまた、そんな類の好事家であったことは、疑いようもないだろう。 <br>\r\nThere is probably no doubting that Ushiromiya Kinzo was himself one of those dilettantes. <br><br>\r\n金蔵がどのようにしてそれらを収集したかはわかっていないが、その莫大な富を湯水のように使い、同じ趣味を持つ同士の大富豪から買い取ったことは間違いあるまい。 <br>\r\nNo one knows what Kinzo went through to obtain those, but there can be no mistake that he used his vast wealth freely, buying them off of other rich people with the same hobby as him. <br><br>\r\nそんな、好事家たちが死蔵して独占欲を満たしたくなるほどに価値ある蔵書が２０世紀末に大量に発見、公開されたことは、全世界に大きな衝撃を与えた…。 <br>\r\nThose books, which were so valuable that enthusiasts could never satisfy their desire to hoard them away, were discovered in large numbers at the end of the 20th century, and their release to the public had given the entire world a massive shock... <br><br>\r\n「この一件により、Rokkenjimaの名は全世界に知れ渡ることになります。そして同時に、六軒島の事故によって、未発見のさらに価値ある蔵書が大量に失われた可能性が高いことも、全世界に衝撃を与えました。 <br>\r\n\"Because of this case, the name <Rokkenjima> became known across the world. The world was also shocked to learn that, in all likelihood, a large number of even more valuable undiscovered books were lost during the accident on Rokkenjima.\" <br><br>\r\n…これにより、六軒島と右代宮蔵書の名は、我々にとって生涯忘れ得ないものとなったのです。」 <br>\r\n\"...Because of this, the names of Rokkenjima and the Ushiromiya Library will remain in our memories for all time.\" <br><br>\r\n……我々にとって。 <br>\r\n...Our memories. <br><br>\r\nその我々とはつまり、金蔵と同じ趣味のオカルト界隈のことだろう。 <br>\r\nThat `our' probably meant the occult neck of the woods with the same hobby as Kinzo. <br><br>\r\nこの一件により、六軒島の名は、オカルトの世界で重要な意味を持っていくことになる。 <br>\r\nBecause of that incident, the name of Rokkenjima had taken on a vital meaning in the world of the occult. <br><br>\r\n六軒島の事故は、確かに大きく報道されたが国際的なものではなかった。 <br>\r\nThere certainly had been a lot of reporting about the accident on Rokkenjima itself, but not on an international level. <br><br>\r\nしかし、この一件は世界を駆け巡り、 <br>\r\nHowever, this one part had spread across the world, <br><br>\r\n六軒島のイメージを、伊豆諸島の小さな島から、謎と疑惑とミステリーとオカルトの入り混じった悪魔的な島へと塗り替えていった。 <br>\r\ntaking the image of Rokkenjima as a small island in the Izu archipelago...and painting it over as a demonic island where riddles, suspicion, mystery and the occult met. <br><br>\r\nつまり、絵羽によって金蔵の蔵書が世間に流出されるまでは、六軒島は、誰の記憶にも留まらない無名の島に過ぎず、……そこは断じて、魔女の島ではなかったのである。 <br>\r\nIn other words, until Kinzo's library was leaked to the public by Eva, Rokkenjima had been merely a nameless island that no one could remember, ...and certainly not the island of a witch. <br><br>\r\nしかし、右代宮蔵書が世界的に知れ渡り、六軒島のイメージは一気にオカルト的になる。 <br>\r\nHowever, when knowledge of the Ushiromiya Library spread all over the planet, Rokkenjima's image immediately took on an occult twist. <br><br>\r\n「そして、そこへ起こるのが例のメッセージボトル事件です。これがあの島を、魔女の島に変えた。伊豆諸島の無名の小島が、オカルトの島へ、そして謎の魔女、ベアトリーチェの島へと変遷していったのです。 <br>\r\n\"What happened next was the discovery of that message bottle. That's what turned that island into a witch's island. A nameless island in the Izu archipelago began to transition into an island of the occult, the island of the mysterious witch, Beatrice.\" <br><br>\r\n右代宮蔵書とメッセージボトル、このどちらが欠けても、六軒島魔女伝説は成り立たなかったと言えます。」 <br>\r\n\"You might say that, lacking either the Ushiromiya Library or the message bottle, the Rokkenjima Witch Legend would never have been established.\" <br><br>\r\n「……メッセージボトル。」 <br>\r\n\"...The message bottle.\" <br><br>\r\n「はい。空の瓶に手紙を封印し海に投じるという、不特定対象への通信方法です。 <br>\r\n\"Yes. A form of communication to an unspecified target by throwing an empty bottle with a letter sealed inside it into the sea.\" <br><br>\r\n無人島からＳＯＳを発信する、というのが有名ですが、海外の有名推理小説の影響で、自らの死後に真実を告白するという、時間差的な遺書としても知られるようになりました。六軒島メッセージボトル事件は、まさにこの後者だったのです。」 <br>\r\n\"It was once famous as a way of sending an SOS from a deserted island, but because of the influence of a certain prominent foreign detective novel, it has also become known as a method of confessing the truth after one's own death, like a time-delayed will. The case of the Rokkenjima message bottle was certainly one of the latter.\" <br><br>\r\n「……近くの島の漁師が拾っていた、というやつですね？」 <br>\r\n\"...This is the thing everyone says a fisherman on a nearby island picked up?\" <br><br>\r\n「左様です。式根島の若い漁師が、手紙入りのワインボトルを拾っていたことがわかったのです。この若い漁師は興味本位からそれをたまたま保管していました。それが、右代宮蔵書で六軒島が世界的注目を浴びた為、公表したというのです。」 <br>\r\n\"Correct. We learned that a young fisherman on Shikinejima picked up a wine bottle with a letter in it. This young fisherman kept it just out of curiosity. Then, because Rokkenjima had fallen under the world's attention due to the Ushiromiya Library, he announced his discovery.\" <br><br>\r\n「その漁師による捏造の可能性は？」 <br>\r\n\"Is there any chance that it was a fabrication made by the fisherman?\" <br><br>\r\n「もちろんその可能性も否定できませんでした。ワインボトル内のノート片には、右代宮家のとある人物の署名がされていました。右代宮真里亞という少女です。しかし、彼女の遺品の肉筆から、別人の筆跡であることが確認されました。」 <br>\r\n\"Of course, we weren't able to deny that possibility. The scraps of paper in the wine bottle were signed by a certain member of the Ushiromiya family. A girl named <NAME>. However, after looking at the writing left on her former belongings, it was confirmed that this message was written in a different person's handwriting.\" <br><br>\r\n「………別人の筆跡……？」 <br>\r\n\"......A different person's handwriting...?\" <br><br>\r\n「左様です。少なくとも、少女より達筆で年齢のある人物によって書かれたことは疑いようがないでしょう。彼女の名を騙った、何者かが執筆した可能性が極めて高かったのです。よって、この時点ではノート片の内容の信憑性は薄いと考えられました。」 <br>\r\n\"Correct. At the very least, I believe there can be no doubt that it was written by a person more skilled at writing and of a greater age than her. There's a very high likelihood that someone faked her name when they wrote it. Therefore, at that point in time, the contents of those scraps of paper were thought to have a very low credibility.\" <br><br>\r\nところが。 <br>\r\nHowever. <br><br>\r\n後に、同様のメッセージボトルが、事故当日に警察による遺留品捜索で周辺海域から回収されていたことが判明し、センセーションを巻き起こす。 <br>\r\nLater on, it was confirmed that a similar message bottle had been recovered from the nearby ocean on the day of the accident by the police in their search for lost articles, and this caused a sensation. <br><br>\r\n「警察は現場の状況とボトルの封印状況から、捏造の可能性は低く、事故直前の数日以内に投棄したものと判断したようです。 また双方の筆跡は一致しました。これにより、漁師の発見したノート片の信憑性が増すこととなりました。 <br>\r\n\"It seems that, due to evidence from the surrounding area and the fact that the bottle had been sealed, the police had decided that its likelihood of being a fabrication was low and that it had been abandoned no earlier than a few days before the accident. And the handwriting for both matched. This caused the credibility of the scraps of paper discovered by the fisherman to rise.\" <br><br>\r\nメッセージボトルの内容については、週刊誌などが繰り返し報道しているようですが、説明がいりますかな？」 <br>\r\n\"It seems magazines and the like have reported on the contents of that message bottle repeatedly, but would you like an explanation?\" <br><br>\r\n「……いいえ。一応、知っていますので。」 <br>\r\n\"...No. I know about it, more or less.\" <br><br>\r\n２つのワインボトルの中には、ノート片が何枚もぎっしり詰められていた。 <br>\r\nMany scraps of paper had been stuffed into both of the wine bottles. <br><br>\r\nそれは、右代宮真里亞を名乗る本人以外の何者かによる、事故前日から当日を日記風に記した膨大な手記だった。 <br>\r\nIt was an extensive notebook written by someone calling themselves Ushiromiya Maria, but who wasn't Maria, and which told of the events starting the day before the accident and up until the day of the accident in a diary-like way. <br><br>\r\nそしてこの内容こそが、「魔女伝説連続殺人事件」、そして「黄金の魔女ベアトリーチェの謎」の始まりだったのである。 <br>\r\nAnd its contents had been the beginning of `The Witch's Legend Serial Murder Incident', as well as `The Golden Witch Beatrice's Puzzle'. <br><br>\r\n「この奇妙な日記風手記には、台風で島に釘付けにされた右代宮家の親族たちが、魔女復活の儀式に巻き込まれ、次々に不可解な方法で殺されていく様子が記されていました。 <br>\r\n\"This bizarre, diary-style notebook described how the Ushiromiya family members, nailed down on the island by the typhoon, were caught up in a ceremony for the resurrection of a witch...and killed one by one in inexplicable ways.\" <br><br>\r\nそして最後に黄金の魔女ベアトリーチェが蘇り、全てを黄金郷に飲み込む。……まるで、それこそが当日の全容であるかのように記されていました。 <br>\r\n\"And, in the end, the Golden Witch Beatrice revived, and everything was flung into the Golden Land. ...It was written almost as though it was a complete account of the events on those days.\" <br><br>\r\nまた、当時の島の状況についても非常に詳しく描写されており、右代宮家に勤務したことがある元の使用人たちは、間違いなく内部に詳しい人間が書いたに違いないと証言しました。」 <br>\r\n\"Also, it depicted the current situation on the island at the time in great detail, and the former servants who used to work for the Ushiromiya family gave testimony that it had definitely been written by a human who knew the inside details of the island.\" <br><br>\r\n「……その、おかしな幻想小説と右代宮蔵書以降のオカルトブーム、そして、結局は真相は闇の中という３つが合わさり、六軒島の魔女伝説を生み出したと…？」 <br>\r\n\"...So, because of a combination of the occult boom from that strange fantasy novel and the Ushiromiya Library, and well as the fact that the truth remained shrouded in darkness, the legend of the Rokkenjima witch was born...?\" <br><br>\r\n「左様です。すでに１０年以上が経過した事件ですが、未だに世界のオカルトマニアの関心を集めています。 <br>\r\n\"Correct. More than 10 years have already passed since that case, and it is still the focus of interest for occult enthusiasts across the world.\" <br><br>\r\nいや、むしろ時間を経て、ますますに神格化されたと言っていい。上陸禁止になっている六軒島に、密かに上陸しようというマニアも未だに多いとか。……未だ未発見のメッセージボトルがあるのではないか。そしてあの日、あの島で本当は何があったのか。未だに議論は尽きませんとも。」 <br>\r\n\"No, to the contrary, you could say that it has become increasingly deified as time passes. There are still many enthusiasts who try to secretly land on Rokkenjima, even though it's prohibited. ...Could there be another message bottle that has still not been discovered? And on that day, what really happened on that island? There is still much to be discussed.\" <br><br>\r\n男はそこまでを一気に捲くし立ててから、ようやく思い出したように水を一口飲む。 <br>\r\n……ポタージュは冷めているが、男の食欲はすでに吹き飛んでいるようだった。 <br>\r\nAs though he had finally remembered that he'd been going on and on for some time, the man took a gulp of water. <br><br>\r\n...His potage was getting cold, but it seemed that the man's hunger had already been blown away. <br><br>\r\n「……確か、漁師のノート片と、警察のノート片で、内容がまったく違うと聞きましたが。」 <br>\r\n\"...I'm pretty sure I heard that the fisherman's scraps of paper and the police's scraps of paper had completely different contents.\" <br><br>\r\n「左様です。このせいで、六軒島ミステリーはさらに面白みが増したのです。２つのボトルの中身は、どちらも事故前日から当日までを記した日記風の手記です。しかし、その内容は、ともに前日から当日を記した内容であり、にもかかわらず、内容はまったく異なったのです。 <br>\r\n\"Correct. Due to that, interest in the Rokkenjima mystery increased even further. Inside both bottles were diary-style notebooks on which was written an account from the day before the accident until the day of the accident. However, while both of their contents described the same two-day period, they were completely different.\" <br><br>\r\nまるで、どちらかが真実で、どちらかが虚偽のように。あるいは両方とも虚偽なのかもしれない。…しかし、始まりと終わりだけは一致するのです。始まりは、親族たち１８人は台風で島に閉じ込められた。そして終わりは、全員が死に、黄金の魔女が蘇り、全ては黄金郷に飲み込まれる。」 <br>\r\n\"It was as though one was the truth and one was a lie. Or perhaps both were lies. In any event, the beginnings and endings alone matched each other. In the beginning, the 18 people including the relatives are sealed up on the island by the typhoon. And in the ending, everyone dies, the Golden Witch is revived, and everything is flung into the Golden Land.\" <br><br>\r\n２つのメッセージボトルの中身は、共に事故前日から当日を記したものだった。 <br>\r\nThe contents of both message bottles wrote about the events of the day before the accident and the day of the accident. <br><br>\r\nしかし、その内容がまったく異なったのである。 <br>\r\nBut the details were completely different. <br><br>\r\n２つの日記は、どちらも魔女の碑文に沿った連続殺人を描いているのだが、犠牲者の順番も死に方も、“二日間の物語”さえも違う。 <br>\r\nBoth diaries outline a serial murder following the epitaph of the witch, but the order of the sacrifices, the ways they died, and even `the tale of the two days' were different. <br><br>\r\nしかし、どちらも最後は全員が死亡し、魔女が復活するという同じ顛末を描いている。 <br>\r\nHowever, in both, everyone died in the end and the witch revived, making for the same general plot. <br><br>\r\n「あの島で何があったのか、唯一の生存者である右代宮絵羽氏が沈黙していた以上、あの２日間の出来事は全てが闇の中です。 <br>\r\n\"Because the only survivor, Ms. <NAME>, has remained silent about what actually happened on that island, the events of that entire two-day period are shrouded in darkness.\" <br><br>\r\nこの２つの日記は、その闇を埋める仮説を、こともあろうか、２つも提示して見せたのです。どちらの日記でも、二日間を説明できる。しかし、どちらが正しいのか、あるいは正しいことが含まれているのかさえわからないのです。」 <br>\r\n\"These two diaries presented a full two theories to wipe away that darkness. Those two days could be explained with either of those two diaries. However, we don't know which is correct, or even if there's anything correct contained within them.\" <br><br>\r\n——シュレディンガーの、猫箱。 <br>\r\n——Schrodinger's...cat box. <br><br>\r\n否定されなければ、虚実すらも、真実。 <br>\r\nIf it isn't denied, even a mixture of truth and fiction can be the truth. <br><br>\r\nそのノート片はマスコミによって、もちろん絵羽にも見せられたが、彼女が沈黙を破ることはついになかった……。 <br>\r\nThrough the media, these scraps of paper had of course been shown to Eva as well, but in the end, she never broke her silence... <br><br>\r\n「誰が、何のためにメッセージボトルを？」 <br>\r\n\"Who sent the message bottles...and why?\" <br><br>\r\n「事件１０周年特集を組んだ雑誌が、以前、大々的に取り上げたでしょう。あの仮説が、今日ではもっとも支持を集めているようです。 <br>\r\n\"Earlier, in their special issue for the crime's 10th anniversary, a certain magazine took that topic up for discussion in a grand manner, didn't they? That theory seems to be the one garnering the most support lately. <br><br>\r\nしかし面白みには欠ける。 <br>\r\n……あの島であの日、何が起こったのか。それを考えるのが、ウィッチハントの醍醐味なのですな。」 <br>\r\nBut it is rather dull. <br><br>\r\n...What happened on that island, on that day? Considering this question is the true charm of the Witch Hunt.\" <br><br>\r\n「ウィッチハント…？」 <br>\r\n\"The Witch Hunt...?\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ、六軒島ウィッチハントとは、この事件の真相をオカルトの側面から説明しようと試みるマニアの集いのことです。 <br>\r\n\"Yes, the Rokkenjima Witch Hunt is the name of a group of enthusiasts who try to explain the truth of that crime from an occult perspective. <br><br>\r\n右代宮蔵書から謎の２日間、そして黄金の魔女の伝説など、六軒島にかかわる謎は今でもマニアの間で盛んに議論されているのです。 <br>\r\nDiscussion of the mysteries that surround Rokkenjima, from the Ushiromiya Library to the mysterious two-day period to the Legend of the Golden Witch, is flourishing even today among enthusiasts.\" <br><br>\r\n１０周年の時には、ニューヨークで国際コンベンションも開かれました。私も日本の代表として参加してきましてね！ 海外の熱心なウィッチハンターと様々な交流をしてきましたよ。海外では魔女はとても人気のあるカテゴリーでしてね。参加者の年齢幅も下は小学生から、上は著名な文化人まで実に幅広い！ 日本でも近年ようやく、」 <br>\r\n\"For the 10 year anniversary, an international convention was held in New York. I also participated as a representative of Japan! I was able to intermingle with zealous overseas Witch Hunters in many ways. Witches are a very popular category overseas. The age span of the participants stretched from elementary schoolers at the bottom, all the way to famous cultural figures at the top! Even in Japan, in recent years, there was finally-\" <br><br>\r\n……もう説明はいらないだろうが、彼は、日本でもっとも有名な六軒島ウィッチハンターのひとりだ。 <br>\r\n...You probably don't need any more explanation, but he's one of the most famous Rokkenjima Witch Hunters in Japan. <br><br>\r\nあとは聞いてもないのに、興奮しながら話を勝手に続ける。 <br>\r\nEven though I didn't ask anything more, he kept continuing on excitedly all by himself. <br><br>\r\n私は、ポタージュに張った薄膜をスプーンでぐちゃぐちゃにしながら、肩を竦めてため息を漏らすのだった。 <br>\r\nAs I swirled the thin film on my potage with my spoon, I shrugged my shoulders and sighed. <br><br>\r\n……やはり、メッセージボトルのことを調べても時間の無駄だったろうか。 <br>\r\n...Looks like researching about the message bottle really was a waste of time. <br><br>\r\nいや、ひとつ収穫があったとすれば、真里亞お姉ちゃんが記したとされるそれは、彼女の名を騙る別の人物が書いたらしいこと。 <br>\r\nNo, if there's one thing I've found, it's that the notebook supposedly written by Maria onee-chan was actually written by a different person faking her name. <br><br>\r\nそして、オカルトな物語を勝手に書き上げ、それが真相だと言わんばかりに瓶詰めにして海に放り込んだこと。 <br>\r\nAnd, that person wrote up an occult legend on their own, put it into the bottle as though it was the truth, and threw it into the sea. <br><br>\r\n…疑問はある。 <br>\r\n...I have a question. <br><br>\r\nなぜ、わざわざ大量の文章を記す手間を掛けてまで、そのような怪文書を用意したのか。 <br>\r\nWhy would they go to all the trouble of writing so much in order to prepare a suspicious letter like that? <br><br>\r\nメッセージボトルでは、それが確実に人の手に渡る保証がない。 <br>\r\nWith a message bottle, there'd be no guarantee that it'd ever pass into anyone's hands. <br><br>\r\n下手をすれば、海に沈んで誰の目にもつかないかもしれない。 <br>\r\nIf their luck had been bad, it could've sunk in the ocean, never to be seen by anyone. <br><br>\r\nあるいは、誰かが拾ったとしても、気にも留めずに捨ててしまうことだってあるかもしれない。 <br>\r\nAnd even if someone had picked it up, they might've not cared about it and thrown it away. <br><br>\r\n……このような不確かな方法で、なぜ真相の告白を海に託したのか。 <br>\r\nそして、なぜ異なる物語を複数、書き上げたのか。 <br>\r\n...Why would they entrust their confession of the truth to the sea with such an uncertain method? <br><br>\r\nAnd why would they write up multiple, differing tales? <br><br>\r\nもしもメッセージボトルが１つだったなら、それこそが真相だと言い切ることも、乱暴であるが不可能ではないだろう。 <br>\r\nIf there'd been one message bottle, claiming that its story was the truth might be reckless, but not impossible. <br><br>\r\nしかし、２つあるせいで、そのどちらもが疑わしくなってしまっている。 <br>\r\nHowever, because there were two, that made both of them doubtful. <br><br>\r\n謎の二日間を、魔女の仕業にしたい何者かの仕組んだこととするならば、まさに蛇足なのだ。 <br>\r\nIf someone was plotting to make out those two days to be the work of a witch, then they really did go one step too far. <br><br>\r\nそして、２つ存在するということは、未発見の３つ目、あるいはそれ以上がある可能性すら示唆する。 <br>\r\nAnd because there were two, it suggests that an undiscovered third one, or possibly even more might exist. <br><br>\r\n……つまり、２つの内容をますますに鵜呑みに出来なくしているわけだ。 <br>\r\n...In other words, the two differing contents makes both of them harder and harder to swallow. <br><br>\r\nしかし、にもかかわらず、２つの内容は魔女を語る物語という点で一致する。 <br>\r\nつまりは、そここそが、筆者の伝えたいことだというのだろうか………？ <br>\r\nBut despite that, the contents of both matched in that they told of a witch in a tale. <br><br>\r\nSo, is that the main point the writer wanted to get across to us......? <br><br>\r\n……魔女幻想を生み出したい何者かの、愉快犯的犯行としか思えない。 <br>\r\n...It seems to me that the only possible explanation...is that someone who wanted to give rise to an illusion of a witch carried out this crime for their own enjoyment. <br><br>\r\nしかし、絵羽伯母さんを除く１７人もの人命が失われ、莫大な遺産と、あるいは１０ｔもの黄金さえもが闇で動いたのだ。 <br>\r\nHowever, the 17 people other than <NAME> lost their lives, and a vast wealth or maybe even 10 tons of gold had moved around secretly in the darkness. <br><br>\r\nその結末の告白が、こんな魔女の幻想だなんて、どうしても腑に落ちない。 <br>\r\nIt doesn't feel right...for a confession occurring after all that to bring up this illusion of the witch. <br><br>\r\n週刊誌の推理を待たず、メッセージボトルが本当に日記であるかは大いに疑わしい。 <br>\r\nEven if we ignore the magazines' theories, it's very doubtful that the message bottle really was a diary. <br><br>\r\n……何しろ、文章量が膨大だ。 <br>\r\n実際に連続殺人の渦中にあった人物が、冷静にそれらを記せたとは考え難い。 <br>\r\n...After all, the amount of writing was massive. <br><br>\r\nIt's hard to imagine that someone actually caught up in the middle of a serial murder like that would be able to calmly write it down. <br><br>\r\nだとすると、この日記は、事故前日までにゆっくり時間を掛けて執筆されたという方が現実的だろう。 <br>\r\nIn that case, it's probably more realistic that this diary was written slowly over a long period of time, up until the day prior to the accident. <br><br>\r\nだとしたら、………六軒島の全ては、長い時間を掛けて準備された「計画的犯行」ということになるのだろうか…？ <br>\r\nIn that case, ......would it mean that everything on Rokkenjima was a `planned crime', with everything prepared for over a long stretch of time...? <br><br>\r\n…絵羽伯母さんが、何も語らずにこの世を去ったことが、恨めしい。 <br>\r\n...The fact that Aunt Eva left this world without saying anything is...infuriating. <br><br>\r\n死の床で彼女は確かに言った。 <br>\r\nShe definitely said it on her death bed. <br><br>\r\n私に真相を語らないことが、最大の嫌がらせである旨、確かに言った。 <br>\r\nShe definitely said that her reason for not telling me the truth was because it was her best way of harassing me. <br><br>\r\n……あぁ、今になって痛感する。 <br>\r\n...Yeah, by now, it's painfully obvious. <br><br>\r\n絵羽伯母さんが私にしたあらゆる嫌がらせの中で、これが最後にして最たるものだったろう。 <br>\r\nOf all the things Aunt Eva did to harass me, this was probably the last and the greatest. <br><br>\r\n……………しかし、こう考えると、絵羽伯母さんが本当に犯人なのかは、疑わしい。 <br>\r\nもちろん、メッセージボトルの筆跡が絵羽伯母さんと違うから、などというわけではない。 <br>\r\n......But thinking of it this way, it's pretty doubtful that Aunt Eva is the true culprit. <br><br>\r\nOf course, that's not because the handwriting on the message bottle was different from Aunt Eva's, or anything like that. <br><br>\r\n……発見された２つの物語は、どちらも絵羽伯母さんが犠牲者の中に含まれているからだ。 <br>\r\n...It's because in both tales that were discovered, Aunt Eva was included among the victims. <br><br>\r\nもし、この日記の筆者が犯人であるならば。 <br>\r\nIf the writer of that diary was the culprit... <br><br>\r\n……絵羽伯母さんもまた、殺される標的のひとりだったのではないか。 <br>\r\n...Maybe Aunt Eva was also one of the targets to be killed. <br><br>\r\nそれが、~ib~どこかで狂い~ib~、絵羽伯母さんは生き残った。 <br>\r\nMaybe Aunt Eva survived because ~ib~something went wrong~ib~. <br><br>\r\n………私は絵羽伯母さんを憎悪していたから、彼女こそが犯人に違いないと信じてきた。 <br>\r\n......Because I hated Aunt Eva, I came to believe that she had to be the culprit. <br><br>\r\nしかし、メッセージボトルの存在は、………彼女よりさらに深遠の、未知なる人物こそが黒幕なのではないかと疑わせるのだ…。 <br>\r\nBut the existence of the message bottle......makes me suspect that the mastermind is a far more profound and unknown person than her... <br><br>\r\n私は時計を見る。 <br>\r\n聞きたいことは十分に聞いた。もう潮時だ。 <br>\r\nI looked at the clock. <br><br>\r\nI've heard more than enough. It's time. <br><br>\r\nまだ熱弁を振るっている彼に、これでお開きにしたい旨を申し出る。 <br>\r\nAs he continued to speak fervently, I suggested that I wanted to bring this discussion to a close. <br><br>\r\n男も、自分が興奮してしゃべり過ぎたことは自覚しているようだったので、あっさりとそれを受け入れてくれた。 <br>\r\nHe seemed to be aware that he'd gotten excited and talked too much, so he quickly accepted this. <br><br>\r\n「今日は本当にありがとうございました。貴重なお話が聞けたと思います。」 <br>\r\n\"Thank you very much for today. I believe I've heard something truly valuable.\" <br><br>\r\n「……いえいえ。ウィッチハントの新しい仲間に、若いお嬢さんをお迎えできて、本当に楽しかったです。今日は河岸を変えてしまったのでお見せできなかった、貴重な資料がいくつもあります。次の機会の時には、ぜひそれをお見せしましょう。」 <br>\r\n\"...No, no. It was truly fun to be able to welcome a young lady as a new friend of the Witch Hunt. I have many precious materials that I couldn't show you because of this change to a different venue from the usual. I would be glad to show you them at the next chance we get.\" <br><br>\r\n「ありがとう、先生。 <br>\r\n\"Thank you, Professor. <br><br>\r\n…………最後に、聞いてもいいですか？」 <br>\r\n......Could I ask one more thing?\" <br><br>\r\n「はい、何でしょうか？」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, what is it?\" <br><br>\r\n「先生は、どうして魔女に、いえ、神秘学や悪魔学に興味を？」 <br>\r\n\"Professor, why are you interested in witches...no, in occultism and demonology?\" <br><br>\r\n「それを言われるとお恥ずかしい。……不思議な力が使えたなら、意地悪なガキ大将にも負けないのに、という子どもの頃の妄想が、そのままライフワークになってしまっただけです。未知なる力への憧れというプリミティブな願望は、今も昔も普遍的ですからな。」 <br>\r\n\"Well, that is somewhat embarrassing. ...A daydream I had in my childhood, that if I could use a mysterious power, I could take on even the biggest of bullies, went on to become my life's work. After all, the primitive desire of admiring unknown power is as universal today as it ever was in the past.\" <br><br>\r\n「先生は、なれるものなら、魔女になりたいですか？ 思うがままに魔法を使ってみたいという夢を、今も？」 <br>\r\n\"Professor, if you could do it, would you want to become a witch? Do you still dream of being able to use magic at will?\" <br><br>\r\n「もちろんですとも。この歳になり、そういうものが実在しないと理屈ではわかっていても、それでもなお、空を飛んでみたい、鉄屑を黄金に変えてみたいという子どものような夢は、忘れられずにいます。……ははは、学生たちにはどうか内密に。」 <br>\r\n\"But of course. Even though, at this age, I understand logically that such a thing couldn't exist, I cannot forget my child-like dreams, such as flying in the sky and turning scrap iron into gold. ...Hahaha, if you would, please keep this a secret from my students.\" <br><br>\r\n「………私が、実は魔女だと言ったら。お信じになります？」 <br>\r\n\"......If I told you that I was a real witch, would you believe it?\" <br><br>\r\n「はっはっはっは。女は魔女である、というのが、私のささやかな女性経験からの持論です。」 <br>\r\n\"Hahhahhahha. My pet theory from my few experiences with women is that they are all witches.\" <br><br>\r\n縁寿は、女性経験と無縁そうな、学問一筋だったに違いない老教授をふっと笑う。 <br>\r\nAnge snorted at the old professor, who must've been an earnest scholar with barely any experience with women. <br><br>\r\n「そうそう。最後にもうひとつだけ質問を。……先生は、メッセージボトルの実物をご覧になったことは？」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, yeah. And one final question. ...Professor, have you seen the original message bottle itself?\" <br><br>\r\n「ありますとも。」 <br>\r\n\"I have indeed.\" <br><br>\r\n「では、その筆跡についてもお詳しいですか？」 <br>\r\n\"In that case, do you know that handwriting well?\" <br><br>\r\n「もちろん。その道の専門家ではありませんが、メッセージボトルの筆跡に関してだけは、日本でもっとも詳しいと自負していますとも。」 <br>\r\n\"Of course. I am not a specialist in that area, but at least when it comes to the handwriting of the message bottle, I am proud to be the most knowledgeable in Japan.\" <br><br>\r\n縁寿はそこで、机の上にずしりと本を置く。 <br>\r\nAt that point, Ange set a book on the desk with a thud. <br><br>\r\n「…………これは？ 初めて見るものです。」 <br>\r\n\"......And this is? I have never seen it before.\" <br><br>\r\n六軒島に関する全ての文献を知り尽くすと自負する彼は、初めて見る装丁に目を白黒させる…。 <br>\r\nHe prided himself on his thorough knowledge of all literature related to Rokkenjima, and he looked bewildered at this binding that he hadn't seen before... <br><br>\r\n縁寿はそれに構わず、無言でページをめくり、その内の１ページを開いて示した。 <br>\r\nIgnoring him, Ange silently flipped through the pages, opened to one of them, and showed him. <br><br>\r\nそのページには、“親愛なる見習い魔女へ”から始まる手書きの文書が記されていた。 <br>\r\nOn that page was a handwritten paragraph beginning with `To my beloved witch apprentice'. <br><br>\r\n……そして末尾には、カタカナでベアトリーチェとのサインが。 <br>\r\n...And at the end, there was a signature in katakana that said...Beatrice. <br><br>\r\n「そっ、それは…………？」 <br>\r\n\"Th-This is......?\" <br><br>\r\n一目見た瞬間。男の顔面は蒼白になる。 <br>\r\n……聞かずとも、もう答えはわかっていたが、縁寿は口に出して問う。 <br>\r\nThe instant he glanced at it, his face went pale. <br><br>\r\n...She knew the answer before asking, but Ange asked it aloud anyway. <br><br>\r\n「このページに記されている文章の筆跡は、メッセージボトルの筆跡と一致しますか…？」 <br>\r\n\"Does the handwriting in the paragraph on this page match the handwriting in the message bottle...?\" <br><br>\r\n「い、いやその、……も、持ち帰って詳しく調べないことには…。…し、失礼だが、この本は一体？！ どこで？！」 <br>\r\n\"W-Well, umm...I-I must take this home and investigate more... ...P-Pardon me for asking, but what in the world is this book?! Where did you get it?!\" <br><br>\r\n男は手を伸ばすが、縁寿はひょいとそれを引っ込める。 <br>\r\n…汚い手で触るなとでも言う風に。 <br>\r\nThe man stretched out his hand, but Ange pulled it back. <br><br>\r\n...As though telling him not to touch it with his filthy hands. <br><br>\r\n「ありがとう。その反応だけで結構です。今日はありがとうございました。……これ、お約束の謝礼です。」 <br>\r\n\"Thank you. Just that reaction is all I need. Thank you very much for today. ...Here's the reward I promised.\" <br><br>\r\n縁寿は、真里亞の日記を抱え立ち上がると、テーブルの上に帯封のされた壱万円札の束をひとつ、無造作に放り出した。 <br>\r\nAs she stood up, clutching Maria's diary, Ange carelessly tossed a wad of 10 thousand yen notes wrapped with a strip of paper onto the table. <br><br>\r\n背を向けて立ち去ろうとする縁寿に、男はすがり付く様に声を張り上げる。 <br>\r\nしかし縁寿が足を止めることはない。 <br>\r\nAs Ange turned her back to him and made to leave, the man raised his voice as though clinging to her. <br><br>\r\nBut Ange didn't stop walking. <br><br>\r\n「お、お願いだ…！！ その本は一体ッ？！ 謝礼はいらない、その本を見せてくれ…！！」 <br>\r\n\"I-I beg you...!! What in the world is that book?! I don't need a reward, show me that book...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……私とあなたはウィッチハントの同士だけど、求める深さが違うみたい。あなたが楽しんでるのは、猫箱の外側。そして私が知りたいのは猫箱の内側。 <br>\r\n\"...Both you and I are in the Witch Hunt, but it looks like we aren't pursuing it at the same level. You're entertaining yourself with the outside of the cat box. And what I want to know about is the inside of the cat box. <br><br>\r\n……そしてこの一冊は、その猫箱を開く鍵ね。あなたには過ぎてるわ。 <br>\r\n...And this book is the key to opening it. It's too good for you. <br><br>\r\nじゃね。グッバイ、ジェントルメン。ハバナイスディ。」 <br>\r\nWell then. <Goodbye, gentlemen>. <Have a nice day>.\" <br><br>\r\n「ま、待ってくれ…！！ ~ib~須磨寺さん~ib~…！！！」 <br>\r\n\"P-Please wait, ~ib~Sumadera-san~ib~...!!!\" <br><br>\r\nその声は届かない。もう、天草と合流し、車に乗り込んでいた……。 <br>\r\nHis voice didn't reach her. She had already joined up with Amakusa and gone into the car... <br><br>\r\n「収穫はありましたか？」 <br>\r\n\"Did you find anything?\" <br><br>\r\n「……最後の最後にね。やっぱりそうだった。…メッセージボトルを記したのは、ベアトリーチェ本人だった。」 <br>\r\n\"...Only at the very end. I was right. The one who wrote the message bottles was Beatrice herself.\" <br><br>\r\n「そいつぁクールだ。魔女は実在するで決着で？」 <br>\r\n\"<Cool>. So, you've concluded that the witch actually exists?\" <br><br>\r\n「さぁね。………寝ていい？ あのお喋り教授、きっと講義では自分の世界に入っちゃって、寝ちゃう子、続出だと思うわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Who knows. ......Mind if I sleep? I'll bet that talkative professor gets lost in his own little world in lectures and makes a lot of kids fall asleep.\" <br><br>\r\n「どうぞどうぞ、お休みを。」 <br>\r\n\"Please, go ahead, take a rest.\" <br><br>\r\n「………しかし、うまく行くもんね。あいつ、私のこと、須磨寺だと最後まで信じてたわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Still, that went really well. That guy believed I was a Sumadera until the very end.\" <br><br>\r\n須磨寺家は、縁寿がコンタクトを取りそうな人物に予め網を張っていた。 <br>\r\nもしも右代宮縁寿が現れたら身柄を確保してほしい、謝礼を払うと。 <br>\r\nThe Sumadera family had set up a web beforehand around any people Ange might try to contact. <br><br>\r\nThey had offered a reward to anyone who could take Ushiromiya Ange into custody if she appeared. <br><br>\r\nそれを先読みして、~ib~掻っ攫った~ib~。 <br>\r\nAnge had foreseen that and had ~ib~snatched it away~ib~. <br><br>\r\n自分が須磨寺だと名乗り、自分の部下が待ち伏せるからとまんまと騙し、男を連れ出したのだ。 <br>\r\nShe had called herself Sumadera, and after cleverly tricking the man by saying her own subordinates would set up an ambush, so he didn't need to worry about it, she had taken him outside. <br><br>\r\nだから、須磨寺家の追っ手たちが教授宅に出向いた時には、すでに誰もいなかった…。 <br>\r\nSo, when the Sumadera family pursuers reached the professor's house, there was no longer anyone there... <br><br>\r\n「家人の話では、午前中に須磨寺を名乗る若い男女が訪れ、教授を連れ出したきりまだ帰宅しないそうです。……裏をかかれた可能性が。」 <br>\r\n\"According to the family, a young man and woman calling themselves Sumadera visited this morning, took the professor out with them and still have not returned. ...There's a chance we were outmaneuvered.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………いけない子ねぇ、縁寿ちゃんは。……そういう悪知恵、姉さんの血なのかしらねぇ。……あんなに名乗るのは嫌だと言ってた須磨寺の名を、気安く名乗ってくれちゃうなんて…。 <br>\r\n\".........What a bad child, Ange-chan. ...I wonder if that craftiness is from Nee-san's blood. ...To think she'd casually take on the name Sumadera after saying she'd hate to go by it so often...\" <br><br>\r\n……………ほっほっほっほっほ。…その内、教授もお戻りになるだろうさ。そしたら、粗茶でも振舞わないとね…。」 <br>\r\n「…は、…はっ。了解しました。」 <br>\r\n\"......Hohohohohoh. ...The professor should be returning soon. When he does, we must serve him some tea...\" <br><br>\r\n\"...Y-Yes. Understood.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………私を手玉に取ったつもりかしら。やんちゃな子なんだから。 <br>\r\n\"......I wonder if she thinks she's leading me around by the nose. What a naughty child. <br><br>\r\n…………くすくすくす、……ほっほっほほほほほほほ！！」 <br>\r\n......*giggle*giggle*, ...hohhohhohohohohohoho!!\" <br><br>\r\n霞は、般若のような形相をしながら踵を乱暴に踏み鳴らす。 <br>\r\nWith a demonic look on her face, Kasumi violently stamped her heel. <br><br>\r\n教えてあげる。 <br>\r\nI'll teach you. <br><br>\r\n真里亞の、原初の魔法を。 <br>\r\nAbout my Magic of Origins. <br><br>\r\nいいえ、教えたことがあったはず。 <br>\r\nそしてあなたにも使えたはずなんだよ。 <br>\r\n忘れちゃった……？ <br>\r\nNo, I taught you before, right? <br><br>\r\nAnd you used it before. <br><br>\r\nDid you forget...? <br><br>\r\n縁寿だって、マリアージュ・ソルシエールに名を連ねる、魔女の見習いでしょう……？ <br>\r\nYou were also a witch apprentice, Ange, with your name entered into Mariage Sorcière, weren't you...? <br><br>\r\n「………私も、魔女に、加えてもらったんだっけ。」 <br>\r\n\"......I was also...included among the witches, wasn't I...?\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんの日記を閉じ、ごろりと高級感溢れるベッドに身を横たえる。 <br>\r\nI closed Maria's diary and flopped down on a very high-class-looking bed. <br><br>\r\n車中でずいぶんと深く眠ってしまった為、普段よりも眠気が訪れるのが遅く、それを待とうと、ずっと日記を読んでいたのだ。 <br>\r\nI'd slept deeply for a long time in the car, so it took longer than usual for drowsiness to set in, and I read the diary as I waited. <br><br>\r\nここは都内の超高級ホテル。 <br>\r\n…著名人や富豪が使用することも多いような高級ホテルは、彼らの事情に配慮し、非常に守秘義務が強い。 <br>\r\nThis was a super expensive hotel in the city. <br><br>\r\n...Since it was often used by the rich and the famous, they were very big on confidentiality. <br><br>\r\nその為、追っ手から逃亡している縁寿にとってはとても都合が良かった。 <br>\r\nThat made it very convenient for Ange to escape her pursuers. <br><br>\r\n逃亡者は隠れるように安宿に泊まる、というのは庶民の考えだ。 <br>\r\nThe idea that renegades should spend their nights hiding in cheap hotels is a commoner's way of thinking. <br><br>\r\n……右代宮家の財産の全てを持つ縁寿にとっては、実に快適な逃亡生活だった。 <br>\r\n...To Ange, who possessed all the wealth of the Ushiromiya family, renegade life was comfortable indeed. <br><br>\r\nもちろん、護衛とはいえ、男の天草は別室。 <br>\r\nスイートルームの寝室を縁寿が使い、居間のソファーに天草は横になっている。 <br>\r\nOf course, even though he was a guard, Amakusa was a man and therefore in a separate room. <br><br>\r\nAnge used the bedroom of the suite, and Amakusa lay on the sofa in the living room. <br><br>\r\n…天草曰く、今の自分のベッドより、ここのソファーの方が快適だとか。 <br>\r\n気の毒な話だ。 <br>\r\n...According to Amakusa, the sofas here were more pleasant than his own beds had been recently. <br><br>\r\nPoor guy. <br><br>\r\n時計を見ると、 <br>\r\n……深夜の２時を間近にしている。 <br>\r\nWhen I looked at the clock, <br><br>\r\n...I saw that it was almost 2:00 in the middle of the night. <br><br>\r\nまだ眠くならない。 <br>\r\n…………はぁ、っとため息を漏らす。 <br>\r\nI'm still not getting sleepy. <br><br>\r\n......I sighed deeply. <br><br>\r\nその時、風もないのに、真里亞お姉ちゃんの日記が、ぱらりと捲れた気がした。 <br>\r\nAt that time, even though there was no wind, I had the feeling that Maria onee-chan's diary fluttered. <br><br>\r\n……そして、お姉ちゃんが姿を現す。 <br>\r\nその姿はもう、私が知るいつもの姿ではない。 <br>\r\n...Then, Onee-chan appeared. <br><br>\r\nHer form was no longer the normal one I'd known. <br><br>\r\n…ベアトリーチェに、魔女としての格を認められて与えられたドレスを身に纏っている。 <br>\r\n...She was wearing the dress that Beatrice had given her after acknowledging her as a witch. <br><br>\r\n「………もう寝ないと、明日が辛いよ？」 <br>\r\n\"......If you don't get some sleep, it'll be tough tomorrow, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「私も、魔女なら。……魔法が使えるのよね。」 <br>\r\n\"If I were a witch too, ...I'd be able to use magic, wouldn't I?\" <br><br>\r\n「…うん。使えるよ。教えてあげたでしょ？ 使い方。……昔は使えたはずだよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Yeah. You can use it. I taught you, didn't I? Taught you how to use it. ...And you were able to use it in the past, weren't you?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………覚えてる。……使いたくなった。」 <br>\r\n\"......I remember. ...I've started wanting to use it.\" <br><br>\r\n「寂しくなった…？」 <br>\r\n\"Are you starting to feel lonely...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………………別に。……毎日、枕が違うくらいのことで辛くなんてならないわ。」 <br>\r\n\".........Not really. ...It's not like having a different pillow every night is that tough.\" <br><br>\r\n「………魔法の最初の一歩は、寂しいからとか、退屈だからとか、そのくらいのささやかな理由でいいの。」 <br>\r\n\"......The first step to magic can be loneliness or boredom, ...even small reasons like that.\" <br><br>\r\n「眠くなるまでの暇潰しだとしても？」 <br>\r\n\"Even if it's just trying to kill time until you can fall asleep?\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。縁寿がもう一度魔法のことを思い出してくれて、真里亞は嬉しい。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah. I'm glad you remembered about magic one more time.\" <br><br>\r\n…………………………。 <br>\r\n............ <br><br>\r\n……魔法を使うのは、ずいぶん久し振り。 <br>\r\n...It's been quite a long time since I last used magic. <br><br>\r\n一時、真里亞お姉ちゃんの手解きで、……その一端に触れ、扉をわずかに開けたことがある。 <br>\r\nAt one point, with Maria onee-chan's introduction, ...I touched a corner of it...and opened the door a tiny bit. <br><br>\r\nだから、……まだあの感覚は覚えているはず。 <br>\r\nSo, ...I should still remember that sensation. <br><br>\r\n「……今の縁寿は、かなり魔法の力は衰えてる。…基本に忠実じゃないと、難しいよ？」 <br>\r\n\"...Right now, your magical power has declined significantly, Ange. ...If you don't devote yourself to the basics, it'll be hard, okay?\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。……………四方を確認。静かな空間を確保。」 <br>\r\n\"Sure. ......Checking all directions. Securing a quiet space.\" <br><br>\r\n「天草さんは？」 <br>\r\n\"What about Amakusa-san?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。…………寝てるわ。」 <br>\r\n\"............He's sleeping.\" <br><br>\r\n居間の扉を細く開けると、ソファーで毛布の芋虫が、ごろりと寝返りを打つのが見えた。 <br>\r\nAfter opening the door to the living room a crack, I could see the blanket caterpillar on the sofa roll over in its sleep. <br><br>\r\n「……今の縁寿の弱い魔力では、反魔法力の影響を受け過ぎる。……人の姿だけじゃない。声も音も気配さえも、縁寿の魔法の邪魔をする。 <br>\r\n\"...With your magical strength as weak as it is now, the anti-magic power is affecting you too much. ...Not just the sight of people, but voices, sounds, and even the presence of people will get in the way of your magic. <br><br>\r\n……それらを完璧に絶って。古代魔術師たちが、アトリエを閉ざして孤独を守ったように。」 <br>\r\n...Sever those completely. Like how ancient magicians shut themselves up in ateliers to preserve their isolation.\" <br><br>\r\n「覚えてるわ。……ニンゲンの存在自体が、魔法を妨げる。…ゆえに、人に魔法を見せるということそのものが、とても高位な魔女の証だったわね…。」 <br>\r\n\"I remember. ...The very existence of Humans blocks magic. ...Therefore, the very act of showing magic to people is the sign of a high-level witch...\" <br><br>\r\n静かな、自分だけの空間を得る。 <br>\r\n……魔法を使うための場の準備は、これで充分だろう。 <br>\r\nObtain a quiet space for yourself alone. <br><br>\r\n...That should be enough to prepare a space to use magic. <br><br>\r\n「………次に、依り代。…今の縁寿には自転車の補助輪、…いえ、チェーンくらい大事。」 <br>\r\n\"......Next is the vessel. ...Right now, it's important for your bike to at least have training wheels...no, a chain.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。………これは、 <br>\r\n…………当然、 <br>\r\n無理よね…。」 <br>\r\n\"...............This is... <br><br>\r\n...of course... <br><br>\r\nimpossible...\" <br><br>\r\n縁寿は、自分の頭を撫でる。 <br>\r\nAnge rubbed her own head. <br><br>\r\n…そこには、ピンクの珠のついたヘアアクセサリーがあった。 <br>\r\n...She wore hair accessories there, with pink gems attached. <br><br>\r\n縁寿のセンスにしては、少々幼過ぎるように感じるそれを、彼女は一日たりとも外したことはない。 <br>\r\nThey felt a little childish for Ange, but she never took them off, not even for a single day. <br><br>\r\n「………………うん。………今の縁寿にはとても無理。…あの日から、一日も休むことなく修行していたなら、あるいは今頃は、呼び出すことが出来たかもしれないね。」 <br>\r\n\"......Yeah. ......It really will be impossible for you now, Ange. ...If you'd practiced every single day since then, you might've gained the ability to summon with that by now.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。今から修行したら、どのくらい掛かるの？」 <br>\r\n\".........If I were to start training now, how long would it take?\" <br><br>\r\n「………魔女の修行は、幼き日の１年が、老いの１０年と同じ価値があると言われてる。相当の覚悟がいるよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......It's said that a year of magical training for a child is worth ten years for an old person. You need a lot of determination.\" <br><br>\r\n「それこそ、右代宮金蔵くらいに？ ……………ピアノもバイオリンも魔法も、幼い頃からの英才教育が大事なのね。」 <br>\r\n\"You mean like Ushiromiya Kinzo? ......So, just like the piano and the violin, getting a special education from a young age is huge when it comes to magic.\" <br><br>\r\n「今の縁寿は、初めて魔法を使えた時よりも、その力が落ちている。 <br>\r\n\"As you are now, your power has weakened since the time you were first able to use magic, Ange. <br><br>\r\n…無理をしないで、基本に忠実に。」 <br>\r\n...Don't overdo it, ...and devote yourself to the basics.\" <br><br>\r\n私は未練がましくもう一度、頭のそれを撫でてから、諦める。 <br>\r\nAfter stubbornly rubbing those things on my head one more time, I gave up. <br><br>\r\nそして、ごそごそとナップザックの中身を漁る。 <br>\r\n…何か適当な、依り代になりそうなものはないか。 <br>\r\nThen I started fishing through the knapsack. <br><br>\r\n...Looking for anything that might make a good vessel. <br><br>\r\n「…………これなら、依り代にはぴったりじゃない？」 <br>\r\n\"......Shouldn't this be a perfect vessel?\" <br><br>\r\n「懐かしい。……うん。それならば、今の縁寿でも召喚できると思うよ。…それには今、主がいない。縁寿が新しい主になるのも可能なはず。」 <br>\r\n\"It's been a long time. ...Yes. With this, I think even you should be able to perform a summons as you are now. ...And they have no master now. It should be possible for you to become their new master, Ange.\" <br><br>\r\n依り代になりそうなものの中で、もっとも強い魔力を有するだろうと思うそれを、ゴトリと、ベッド脇のサイドテーブルに置く。 <br>\r\nAmong the things that looked like good vessels, I took the one I thought might possess the strongest magical power...and set it on the side table near the bed with a clatter. <br><br>\r\nそれは、……オカルト的な装飾を施された、物騒な杭状の武器。 <br>\r\n“煉獄の七杭”と呼ばれる、魔女が生贄を捧げるための杭だ。 <br>\r\nIt was...a shady-looking, stake-shaped weapon with an occult design inscribed on it. <br><br>\r\nIt was one of the `Seven Stakes of Purgatory', which the witch used to offer sacrifices. <br><br>\r\n警察は遺留品捜索の際、大量のガラクタを収集。 <br>\r\nそれらは律儀にも捜査終了後、右代宮家に返却された。 <br>\r\nWhen the police had been searching the family's possessions, they had collected a large amount of junk. <br><br>\r\nAfter the investigation had finished, these had been politely returned to the Ushiromiya family. <br><br>\r\n……その中に、真里亞の日記に記されていた挿絵で見たことのあるものを見つけ、持ち帰ったのだ。 <br>\r\n...Finding something that I'd seen in the pictures of Maria's diary, I took it home with me. <br><br>\r\n「………煉獄の七杭は、元々、７本で一揃いだった。……気の毒にね。今はもう、彼女１本だけ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Originally, there were Seven Stakes of Purgatory. ...How pitiful. Now, she's the only one left.\" <br><br>\r\nお姉ちゃんは寂しそうに微笑む…。 <br>\r\nOnee-chan smiled, looking lonely... <br><br>\r\n私はナップザックから、もう一冊の本を取り出す。 <br>\r\nI pulled another book out of the knapsack. <br><br>\r\n……これまた古めかしい、見るからにオカルト的な本。 <br>\r\n...This was also old-fashioned, and you could tell that it was an occult book just by looking. <br><br>\r\nしかしこれも中身は無地のもの。 <br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんの凝ったノートの内の一冊だ。 <br>\r\nBut its contents were plain. <br><br>\r\nIt was one of Maria onee-chan's elaborate notebooks. <br><br>\r\nこちらは日記ではない。 <br>\r\n……彼女が魔女として記した、魔導書。 <br>\r\nThis wasn't a diary. <br><br>\r\n...This was a grimoire, which she had written as a witch. <br><br>\r\n煉獄の七杭は、ベアトリーチェの家具。 <br>\r\n彼女が生み出し、彼女のためだけに使役される。 <br>\r\nThe Seven Stakes of Purgatory are Beatrice's furniture. <br><br>\r\nCreated by her and employed only for her sake. <br><br>\r\nでも、ベアトリーチェは、マリアージュ・ソルシエールの魔女でもあるから、同盟の魔女であるマリアにも使役できる。 <br>\r\nBut since Beatrice is also a witch of Mariage Sorcière, they could be employed by MARIA, a witch of the same alliance. <br><br>\r\nその為、真里亞お姉ちゃんの魔導書に、煉獄の七杭たちの召喚方法や、その取り扱いなどが事細かに記されているのだ…。 <br>\r\nFor that reason, the method of summoning the Seven Stakes of Purgatory and how to handle them was written about in great detail in Maria onee-chan's grimoire... <br><br>\r\nそして。 <br>\r\n…同じ同盟に名を連ねる私にも、使役は許されているのだ。 <br>\r\nAnd... <br><br>\r\n...As another person with their name registered in that alliance, I was also permitted to employ them. <br><br>\r\n「………この杭は、 <br>\r\n…………七姉妹の誰？」 <br>\r\n\"......Which... <br><br>\r\n...of the Seven Sisters is this stake?\" <br><br>\r\n「真里亞の魔導書に、彼女らの特徴がよく記されてるよ。…七杭の姉妹は、名前を間違えられることをとても嫌う。召喚する前に、よく彼女らの名前を思い出して。」 <br>\r\n\"Their characteristics are written about well in my grimoire. ...The Sisters of the Seven Stakes really hate it when you get their names wrong. Remember their names well before summoning them.\" <br><br>\r\n煉獄の七杭のことを記した膨大なページ。 <br>\r\n…七人の姉妹のことを事細かに記述してある。 <br>\r\nA packed page told of the Seven Stakes of Purgatory. <br><br>\r\n...It described the Seven Sisters in great detail. <br><br>\r\n……そう。 <br>\r\nずいぶん昔には、このページのことをほとんど丸暗記していたような気がする。 <br>\r\n...Yes. <br><br>\r\nI think I memorized almost this entire page once in the past. <br><br>\r\n読めば読むほどに、思い出されていく…。 <br>\r\nThe more I read it, the more I start to remember... <br><br>\r\n魔導書に記された挿絵と特徴から、私の手元にある杭は、「マモンの杭」であることがわかる。 <br>\r\nかつての私は、杭を持ったことがないから、彼女らを依り代なしで呼び出していた。 <br>\r\nBy the pictures and characteristics written on the grimoire, I could tell that the stake in my hand was `Mammon's stake'. <br><br>\r\nIn the past, I hadn't had any stakes, so I'd summoned them without any vessel. <br><br>\r\n……だから、マモンに限らず、しっかりと七杭を見るのは初めてなのだ。 <br>\r\n...So, this was the first time I'd clearly seen any of the Seven Stakes, let alone Mammon. <br><br>\r\n「マモン。５女。七つの大罪の強欲を司る。……凄い子よね。」 <br>\r\n\"Mammon. The fifth sister. Controls the deadly sin of greed. ...An incredible kid.\" <br><br>\r\n「強欲は、向上心、上昇志向、生きる強さなども司る。決して悪い意味だけではないんだよ。……口は悪いけど、とてもがんばり屋さんな子だし。」 <br>\r\n\"Greed also controls aspirations, the desire to improve oneself, and the strength to live. It definitely doesn't mean only bad things. ...She's rude, but she's a girl who tries really hard.\" <br><br>\r\n「……そうね。欲がないってことはつまり、生きてる理由がないってことだし。」 <br>\r\n\"...I see. You could say that without desire, there's no reason to live.\" <br><br>\r\nしばらくの間、集中力を高めて、マモンについて記された情報を読み取る。 <br>\r\nFor a while, I heightened my concentration and digested the information that was written about Mammon. <br><br>\r\n……召喚者は、呼び出す対象について詳しく知れば知るほどに良い…。 <br>\r\n知識は魔力に結びつく。 <br>\r\n...The more the summoner knows about the target that's being summoned, the better... <br><br>\r\nKnowledge is connected to magical power. <br><br>\r\n……マモンの知識を頭に満たし、召喚に必要な魔力を高めていく。 <br>\r\n...I began to fill my head with knowledge about Mammon, raising a necessary amount of magical power for a summoning. <br><br>\r\n「……魔導書って、ちょっとだけ面白いわね。下手くそな小説を読むより、よっぽど面白いかもしれない。……何だか懐かしい気持ちになるわ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Grimoires can be a bit interesting. This might be a much better read than some lame novel. ...It really takes me back.\" <br><br>\r\n「魔導書は、ただ文字を読み取るだけじゃなく、行間から世界を膨らませたり、挿絵から世界を生み出したりと、様々な創造を要求されるの。 <br>\r\n\"For a grimoire, it is demanded not only that you understand the letters, but that you fill up the world of the space between the lines, giving birth to a world from the pictures and creating things in various ways. <br><br>\r\n……生み出す力。これを持つ縁寿になら、どんな本よりも魔導書は面白いはずだよ。…縁寿になら理解できるって、真里亞はずっと知ってたもの。」 <br>\r\n...The power to give birth to something. For someone who has that, such as you, a grimoire should be more interesting than any book. ...I've always known that you'd be able to understand that.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………マモンの知識、これで十分だと思うわ。………うん。 <br>\r\n\"......That should be...enough knowledge of Mammon for now. ......Yes. <br><br>\r\n大体、蘇った。…やってみる。」 <br>\r\nI've remembered it, more or less. ...I'll give it a try.\" <br><br>\r\n「しっかりね。……いざという時に備えて、私の護符を。……今の君は同盟の条約に守られてない。マモンは少し喧嘩っ早いところがある子。 <br>\r\n\"Take care. ...In case the worst happens, here is my talisman. ...The treaty of the alliance won't protect you right now. That Mammon is a bit of a quick trigger. <br><br>\r\n…あるいは~ib~まだ恨んでるかも~ib~。注意して。」 <br>\r\n...And...she may still ~ib~bear a grudge~ib~. Be careful.\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。…身に着けることにする。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes. ...I'll wear it.\" <br><br>\r\n煉獄の七杭は、生贄の儀式用の家具で、武具よりは劣る存在とされている。 <br>\r\nしかしそれは、悪魔たちの間での話。ニンゲンにとっては、家具とて恐ろしい存在だ。 <br>\r\nThe Seven Stakes of Purgatory, as furniture used to make sacrifices for a ceremony, were treated as beings inferior even to weapons. <br><br>\r\nBut that was only when compared to other demons. To Humans, furniture is something to be feared. <br><br>\r\n私は再びナップザックを漁り、真里亞お姉ちゃんに昔もらった、サソリのメダルのついたブレスレットのお守りを取り出し、それを腕に付ける。 <br>\r\nI fished through the knapsack again, took out a bracelet charm with a scorpion medal that I'd gotten from Maria onee-chan long ago, and put it on my arm. <br><br>\r\n……昔はこんなもの、必要なかった。 <br>\r\nでも、保険は必要だ…。 <br>\r\n...In the past, I hadn't needed something like this. <br><br>\r\nBut I need insurance... <br><br>\r\n「………大丈夫。それには、まだ十分な魔法防御が備わってる。それを身に着けている限り、絶対に大丈夫。」 <br>\r\n\"......It's okay. That has already been fitted with the required amount of magical defense. As long as you wear that, you'll definitely be fine.\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんの、特にお守りに込められる魔力はベアトリーチェが感嘆するほど。 <br>\r\nMaria onee-chan's magic power, which had been specially put into this charm, had been enough to earn even Beatrice's admiration. <br><br>\r\n……魔法のことが理解できない人間が見たなら、安っぽいものにしか見えないに違いないそれの魔法的価値は、計り知れない。 <br>\r\n...While it may have looked like something cheap to a human who couldn't understand magic, its magical worth was incalculable. <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。 <br>\r\n\"............ <br><br>\r\nさぁさ、お出でなさい。罪を赦しなさい。…煉獄の七杭が一つ。強欲のマモン。」 <br>\r\nCome, arise. Forgive the sin. ...One of the Seven Stakes of Purgatory, Mammon of Greed.\" <br><br>\r\n…………………。 <br>\r\n......... <br><br>\r\n精神を集中する。 <br>\r\n自分の体内に満たされた反魔力の毒素をゼロにする。 <br>\r\nI focused my mind. <br><br>\r\nI made the magic-repelling toxin that filled my body zero. <br><br>\r\n穢れなき広大な空間をイメージ。 <br>\r\n……疑いと常識は全て魔法抵抗。 <br>\r\nImagine an untainted, vast space. <br><br>\r\n...Doubts and common sense all resist magic. <br><br>\r\n抵抗をゼロにし、魔力に対する負荷を消し去る……。 <br>\r\nMake the resistance zero...and erase the burden on the magical power... <br><br>\r\n…………………………。 <br>\r\n……頭の中に、広大な空間のイメージが。 <br>\r\n............ <br><br>\r\n...Inside my head was the image of a vast space. <br><br>\r\nそれは、自分が宙に浮いていて、地上のネオンの星々が輝く夜景の世界。 <br>\r\nIt was a nighttime world where I floated in the air and the neon stars over the ground sparkled. <br><br>\r\n天を覆うべき星は地上の明かりに掻き消され、大地を覆っている世界。 <br>\r\nA world where the stars that should have covered the sky were wiped away by the light from below that covered the ground. <br><br>\r\n遮られるもののない広大な夜景の世界の空で、 <br>\r\n……自由に吹き抜ける風をイメージ。 <br>\r\nIn the world of a vast night sky with no obstructions, <br><br>\r\n...I imagined the wind blowing through at will. <br><br>\r\nその時、 <br>\r\n……風が吹くはずのない室内に、 <br>\r\n……自由なる夜景の風が、渦を巻く。 <br>\r\nAt that time, <br><br>\r\n...in a room where there shouldn't have been any wind, <br><br>\r\n...the free nighttime wind kicked up a cyclone. <br><br>\r\n久しぶりの感触が、全身を駆け巡る。 <br>\r\n…………魔法を行使する時の、独特の高揚感。 <br>\r\nThe long forgotten sensation raced through my entire body. <br><br>\r\n......It was the unique feeling of exultation that comes from using magic. <br><br>\r\n私の手にかざされるマモンの杭が、次第に青白い光を感じさせていく。 <br>\r\nMammon's stake, which I held out in my hand, gradually began to make me feel a pale light. <br><br>\r\n杭を中心に渦巻く旋風。 <br>\r\n……重みのある杭が、わずかに宙に浮く。 <br>\r\nA twisting cyclone with the stake at the center. <br><br>\r\n...The hefty stake floated a bit into the air. <br><br>\r\n「…………見事だよ。…ブランクは君から才能を奪わなかったね。」 <br>\r\n\"......Wonderful. ...Looks like the gap in your training hasn't stolen your talent.\" <br><br>\r\n「……さぁさお出でなさい。罪を赦しなさい。煉獄の七杭が一つ、強欲のマモン。……その姿を私に見せなさい……。」 <br>\r\n\"...Come, arise. Forgive the sin. ...One of the Seven Stakes of Purgatory, Mammon of Greed. ...Show yourself to me...\" <br><br>\r\n私がかざす手を徐々に高め、頭より高く掲げると、まるでそれに吸い寄せられるように、マモンの杭もまた、宙高く浮かび上がり、……徐々に震え始める。 <br>\r\nAfter I raised my hands bit by bit, lifting them higher than my head, as though it was being attracted upwards, Mammon's stake once again floated up high into the air...and gradually began to shake. <br><br>\r\nその振るえが次第に早くなり、 <br>\r\n………弾けた。 <br>\r\nThat shaking began to grow faster, <br><br>\r\n......and it burst. <br><br>\r\n 目にも留まらぬ速度で室内の壁を乱反射しながら飛び回る。 <br>\r\n……跳ね回る凄まじい音が、私を怯ませようと威圧する。 <br>\r\nWith a speed faster than the eye could follow, it flew around, violently rebounding off the walls of the room. <br><br>\r\n...The terrible sound of it dancing around threatened to make me flinch. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、精神の集中を乱してはならない。 <br>\r\n...However, I must not lose my mental concentration. <br><br>\r\nそして、ものすごい速度で飛び回っていた杭は、ようやく制止して私と対面してくれた。 <br>\r\nThen, the stake, which had been flying around at an incredible speed, finally stopped and faced me... <br><br>\r\n……私の眉間のほんの数センチ直前の空中で、サソリのお守りによる防御結界に食い止められながら。 <br>\r\n...It was in the air, just a few centimeters away from my forehead, ...and held back by the defensive barrier created by the scorpion charm. <br><br>\r\n防御結界を破ろうと、ものすごい力で食い込んでくるが、真里亞お姉ちゃんの結界はこんな簡単には破れない。 <br>\r\nIt had tried to break the defensive barrier, eating into it with an incredible power, but Maria onee-chan's barrier wouldn't be broken so easily. <br><br>\r\n「……………無理か…、 <br>\r\n食い破れない……。」 <br>\r\n\"......It's no use, <br><br>\r\n...I can't break it...\" <br><br>\r\n杭が憎々しげに呟く。 <br>\r\nThe stake muttered hatefully. <br><br>\r\n……サソリのお守りのお陰で助かったと言えるだろう。 <br>\r\n...It was probably safe to say that the scorpion charm saved me. <br><br>\r\nこれがなかったら今頃、眠気が訪れるまでの暇潰しが、永遠の暇潰しに変わるところだった。 <br>\r\nWithout that, my attempt at killing time until I got sleepy would've killed my time for all eternity. <br><br>\r\nマモンの杭は、私をえぐることが出来ないと悟ると、素直に降参し、杭から人に姿を変えた。 <br>\r\nWhen Mammon's stake realized that it was unable to gouge me, it gave up and grew docile, changing its form from that of a stake into a human. <br><br>\r\n相変わらずの、私じゃとても表を歩けないすごい格好で。 <br>\r\n悪魔的という意味では、らしくて良いのかもしれないが。 <br>\r\n...In that same old outfit that I'd never be able to walk around outside in. <br><br>\r\nAlthough you could say it suited her, in a demonic sort of way. <br><br>\r\n「………………縁寿さまなの？ …………ずいぶんとみすぼらしい魔力だけど。…本当に縁寿さま？」 <br>\r\n\"......Is that Ange-sama? ......But that magical power's pretty shabby. ...Are you really Ange-sama?\" <br><br>\r\n「お久しぶりね、マモン。……元気にしてた？」 <br>\r\n\"It's been a long time, Mammon. ...Have you been well?\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。…てっきり、もうお役御免の家具は、納戸で朽ち果てるだけだと思ってました。 <br>\r\n\".........And here I was convinced that furniture that's already fulfilled its function just gets left to rust away in a closet. <br><br>\r\n……それで、これはどういう余興で？ まさか、私の所有者が縁寿さまだとでも仰るつもりで…？」 <br>\r\n...So, what kind of side show is this? You aren't gonna say that you're my owner, are you...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………うん。縁寿が君の主人だよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Yes. Ange is your master.\" <br><br>\r\n「マリア卿…。………これはお見苦しいところを。先ほどの結界はマリア卿の？」 <br>\r\n\"<NAME>, ......how unsightly of me. Was that barrier just now yours?\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。今の縁寿じゃ、ひょっとしたら君にやられてしまうかもしれないって思ったから。護符を貸したの。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes. I thought that as she is now, Ange might just have gotten finished off by you. I lent her a talisman.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。……マリア卿に、私の主人が縁寿さまだと言われたんじゃ、断りようもありません。 <br>\r\n\"............If <NAME> says Ange-sama is my master, I cannot refuse. <br><br>\r\n………縁寿さま、何なりとご命令を。私が必要とされるということは、新しい儀式を？ 新しい生贄を…？ <br>\r\n......Ange-sama, please, your orders. If it's me you need, are you going to perform a new ceremony? With new sacrifices...? <br><br>\r\nもっとも、私を使いこなし、自らの手を汚す程度の覚悟がおありならの話ですが。」 <br>\r\nOf course, that's only if you're willing to handle me yourself and get your own hands dirty.\" <br><br>\r\n「………その役割は、私はもう求めてないわ。………昔同様に、ただ話し相手になってくれるだけで十分よ。」 <br>\r\n\"......That role isn't something I'm asking for anymore. ......All you have to do is talk with me like you used to.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。」 <br>\r\n\".........\" <br><br>\r\n「………ふふ。…えぇ、それがお望みでしたら。家具は使われてこそ家具。お呼び出しいただいただけで光栄ですとも。縁寿さま。」 <br>\r\n\"......Heheh. ...Yes, if that is what you desire. Furniture is furniture because it is used. It is an honor just to be summoned, Ange-sama.\" <br><br>\r\nマモンはわずかに複雑そうな笑いを浮かべる。 <br>\r\nMammon had a slightly complicated smile on her face. <br><br>\r\n……真里亞に言われたので新しい主人と認めたが、魔力の脆弱な縁寿に仕えるのに、まだ不服が抜けないように見えた。 <br>\r\n...She accepted her new master because Maria had told her to, but it looked like she hadn't gotten over her discontent at working for Ange, with her frail magical power. <br><br>\r\nあるいは、それ以外にも縁寿を嫌う理由があるのかもしれないが、……とりあえず、不服はありながらも縁寿には逆らえないようだった。 <br>\r\n...Perhaps she had some other reason for hating Ange, but for now, it seemed that she couldn't disobey, even if she wasn't happy about it. <br><br>\r\n「………それで？ 私は何をすれば？」 <br>\r\n\"......So? What should I do?\" <br><br>\r\n「わからない。………適当に賑やかにしてくれればいいわ。昔みたいに。」 <br>\r\n\"I don't know. ......Just do something lively. Like old times.\" <br><br>\r\n「お言葉ですが。多分、縁寿さまが仰る賑やかさとは、私たち姉妹の騒ぎのことだと思います。私ひとりでは難しいかと。……お忘れで？」 <br>\r\n\"Well now. This liveliness you're talking about is probably from when we sisters were all together. It may be difficult by myself. ...Did you forget?\" <br><br>\r\n「……そうだね。七姉妹は、みんなが揃うと本当に賑やかだったもんね。 <br>\r\n\"...That's right. The Seven Sisters were really lively when they got together. <br><br>\r\n……でも、今の縁寿の魔力じゃ、マモンを呼び出すのが精一杯だと思う。他の６人の杭も紛失してる。」 <br>\r\n...But with Ange's magical power now, I think summoning just Mammon is the best we can hope for. The stakes for the other six have been lost.\" <br><br>\r\n「恐れながらマリア卿。私の杭を経由し、七姉妹に語りかけ呼び出すことは不可能ではないかと。 <br>\r\n\"My apologies, <NAME>, but maybe it would be possible to summon the Seven Sisters via my own stake. <br><br>\r\n……私を使役されるのでしたら、その程度の力は、縁寿さまにはお持ちいただきたいところですが……？」 <br>\r\n...If I am to be used, I'd hope Ange-sama has at least that much power, right...?\" <br><br>\r\nマモンはにやりと笑う。 <br>\r\nMammon grinned. <br><br>\r\n……どうやら、依り代なしで他の姉妹も呼び出して欲しいらしい。 <br>\r\n...Apparently, she wanted me to summon the other sisters without a vessel. <br><br>\r\nなるほど。 <br>\r\n自分だけが呼び出されただけでは満足できず、他の姉妹の召喚までも願うわけか。 <br>\r\n…なるほど、強欲だ。そう、確かに彼女はそうだったっけ……。 <br>\r\nI see. <br><br>\r\nSince she's unable to satisfy herself with being summoned alone, she's asking for the other sisters to be summoned as well. <br><br>\r\n...I get it, greed. Yes, she was like this back then, wasn't she...? <br><br>\r\n………家具にとって、使役される時こそが至福。 <br>\r\nどんなに酷使されようとも、使役されることは家具の喜びなのだ。 <br>\r\n......To furniture, the times during which they are used are bliss. <br><br>\r\nNo matter how badly they are exploited, being used is furniture's joy. <br><br>\r\nむしろ逆に、どんなに丁寧であろうとも、仕事を与えられないことの方が、彼女らには苦痛。 <br>\r\nOn the contrary, regardless of how nice you are to them, not being given a job is more painful than anything in their eyes. <br><br>\r\nマモンは、挑発するような口ぶりでいるが、他の姉妹を何とか呼び出し、虚無の世界から救ってやりたいと思っているのだ。 <br>\r\nMammon spoke in a challenging way, but she wanted me to summon the other sisters somehow and rescue them from the world of nothingness. <br><br>\r\n………なら、素直にそうして下さいと言えりゃいいのに。 <br>\r\n悪魔って連中は本当に素直じゃない。 <br>\r\n......If that's the case, all she's gotta do is say so. <br><br>\r\nThese demon people can never just say what they mean. <br><br>\r\n「………縁寿。無理しないで。マモンを呼び出せただけで、リハビリには十分だよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Ange, don't overdo it. You'll need plenty of rehabilitation just from summoning Mammon.\" <br><br>\r\n「あら、１人だけでリハビリになっちゃうの？ どうせ暇潰しよ。 <br>\r\n\"Oh, I'll need to rehabilitate after just one? Well, I'm just killing time anyway. <br><br>\r\n………いいわ、マモン。乗りかかった船だわ。呼べるところまで呼んであげる。」 <br>\r\n......Okay, Mammon. I've gone this far. I'll call as many as I can.\" <br><br>\r\n「本当に……？！ <br>\r\n\"Really...?! <br><br>\r\nさっすが縁寿さまぁ！ さぁさ、早くっ、早くっ！」 <br>\r\nNot bad, Ange-sama! Okay, quickly, quickly!\" <br><br>\r\nマモンは、言ってはみたものの、本当に頼めるとは思ってなかったらしい。 <br>\r\nぴょんぴょん飛び跳ねながら、縁寿に他の姉妹たちの召喚をせがむ。 <br>\r\nApparently, even though she'd asked, Mammon hadn't really expected Ange to do this. <br><br>\r\nShe hopped around, badgering Ange to summon the other sisters. <br><br>\r\n……マモンを呼ぶだけで、体力と魔力の消耗は著しい。 <br>\r\n…さらに６人は、かなり難しいだろう。 <br>\r\n...Summoning Mammon alone consumed a considerable amount of physical and magical power. <br><br>\r\n...It'll probably be pretty tough to do six more. <br><br>\r\n……こんな姉妹を、指一つ鳴らすだけで自在に呼び出せるのだから、魔女と呼ばれる域の連中の魔力は恐れ入る。 <br>\r\n...I'm awed by the magical power of those who can summon sisters like this at will with a snap of their fingers...and who therefore reach the level where they can be called witches. <br><br>\r\n「マモン、縁寿に無理をさせないで。縁寿はまだ本調子じゃないから…。」 <br>\r\n\"Mammon, don't make Ange overdo it. She still isn't at her best...\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇー？！ 縁寿さまはみんなを召喚してくれるって言いましたぁ！」 <br>\r\n\"Whaaat?! Ange-sama said she'd summon everyone!\" <br><br>\r\n呼べるところまで呼ぶとしか言ってないのに。 <br>\r\n……やっぱり強欲ね。 <br>\r\nActually, I only said I'd call as many as I could. <br><br>\r\n...I guess that's greed for you. <br><br>\r\n「無理しないで、縁寿。もう今日は休んだ方がいい。君は十分疲れてるよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Don't overdo it, Ange. You should rest for today. You're tired enough.\" <br><br>\r\n「いいわよ。どうせ暇潰し。ばったり寝込めるくらいに疲れさせてもらうわ。」 <br>\r\n\"It's okay. I'm just killing time anyway. Let me get tired enough that I can just fall over asleep.\" <br><br>\r\n……今度は依り代はない。 <br>\r\n...This time, there's no vessel. <br><br>\r\n魔導書の知識だけからイメージを強め、それだけで顕現しなくてはならない。 <br>\r\nI'll have to strengthen the image from my knowledge of the grimoire...and materialize them with just that. <br><br>\r\n虚空に両手をかざし、マモンを呼び出した時の感触を再び頭の中に再現する……。 <br>\r\nI held my hands out into the air, replaying in my head the sensation from when I'd summoned Mammon... <br><br>\r\n七姉妹とは全員と面識があるじゃないか。 <br>\r\n……かつて、言葉を交わした時のことを、 <br>\r\n……思い出せ………。 <br>\r\nI'm acquainted with all of the Seven Sisters, right? <br><br>\r\n...I've gotta remember that time, long ago, <br><br>\r\n...when I talked with them...... <br><br>\r\n再び、……魔法の力が満ち始める。 <br>\r\nそれは両手からほのかに、そしてはっきりと青白い光となって放たれる……。 <br>\r\nOnce again, ...the power of magic began to fill me up. <br><br>\r\nIt let off a faint...and yet distinct pale light from both of my hands... <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さまっ…！ しっかりしっかり、がんばって…！ <br>\r\n\"Ange-sama...! Hold on, hold on, good luck...! <br><br>\r\nねぇ、マリア卿。縁寿さまは必ずみんなを呼び出して下さいますよね？ また七姉妹は再会できますよね？ ね？！」 <br>\r\nHey, <NAME>. Ange-sama's definitely gonna summon everyone, right? The Seven Sisters will get to be reunited again, right? Right?!\" <br><br>\r\n「うん、きっとね。 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, definitely. <br><br>\r\n……でも、それが今夜という保証はないよ。」 <br>\r\n...But there's no guarantee that it'll happen tonight.\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さまなら出来ますって…！ 縁寿さま、お願い…！ 末っ子の、アスモから…！」 <br>\r\n\"Ange-sama can do it...! Please, Ange-sama...! Start with the youngest sister, Asmo...!\" <br><br>\r\n「………アスモデウス。７女。……………わかった。末っ子から順番に呼ぶわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Asmodeus. The seventh sister. ......Got it. I'll call them in order starting from the youngest.\" <br><br>\r\n額から、熱い汗がどろりと一筋、零れ落ちる。 <br>\r\n……やはり、かなりの負担が掛かる。 <br>\r\nA strand of hot sweat dripped down from my forehead. <br><br>\r\n...This really is gonna be one hell of a burden to carry. <br><br>\r\n空間の青白い光が、……ぼんやりと少女の輪郭を形作り始める…。 <br>\r\nThe pale light in this space...began to slowly form into the outline of a girl... <br><br>\r\n「………さぁさ、お出でなさい。煉獄の七杭が一つ、色欲のアスモデウス…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Come, arise. One of the Seven Stakes of Purgatory, Asmodeus of Lust...\" <br><br>\r\n依り代はない。 <br>\r\n……しかし、そこに間違いなく存在するのだという、強い信念を核とし、……そこに姿を結晶させる…。 <br>\r\nThere was no vessel. <br><br>\r\n...However, as I held a strong conviction that she definitely did exist there as a core, ...her form began to crystallize... <br><br>\r\n輪郭がはっきりとし、………七姉妹の末っ子、アスモデウスの姿をついに生み出す。 <br>\r\nHer outline became distinct, ......and the form of the youngest of the Seven Sisters, Asmodeus, was finally created. <br><br>\r\n「色欲のアスモデウス、ここに……。 <br>\r\n\"Asmodeus of Lust, right here... <br><br>\r\n………ここはどこ？ 私は生きてるの……？」 <br>\r\n......Where is this? Am I alive...?\" <br><br>\r\n「アスモ…！！ 良かったぁ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Asmo...!! I'm so glad!!\" <br><br>\r\n「マモン姉さん！ ……ここは一体？ 私を呼び出したのは誰なの？」 <br>\r\n\"Mammon nee-san! ...Where in the world is this? Who summoned me?\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さまが…！ 縁寿さまが私たちをみんな蘇らせてくれるって…！」 <br>\r\n\"Ange-sama did...! Ange-sama said she'd revive all of us...!\" <br><br>\r\n…言ってない。 <br>\r\n...No, I didn't. <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さま、ありがとう！ 次はベルゼを…！！ ベルゼをお願いします…！」 <br>\r\n\"Ange-sama, thank you! Do Belz next...!! Please...!\" <br><br>\r\n「……ベルゼブブ。６女。 <br>\r\n\"...Beelzebub. The sixth sister. <br><br>\r\n……暴食のベルゼブブ。さぁさ、お出でなさい…。」 <br>\r\n...Beelzebub of Gluttony. Come, arise...\" <br><br>\r\nこの流れで、……どこまで呼び出せるか。 <br>\r\n集中を欠いたら、 <br>\r\n…多分もう無理。 <br>\r\nAt this rate, ...I wonder how many I'll be able to summon. <br><br>\r\nIf I can't focus, <br><br>\r\n...this is probably it. <br><br>\r\n青白い光が輪郭を作り、………ベルゼブブを形作る。 <br>\r\nThe pale light made an outline......and formed into Beelzebub. <br><br>\r\n「暴食のベルゼブブ、ここに……。」 <br>\r\n\"Beelzebub of Gluttony, right here...\" <br><br>\r\n「ベルゼー！！」「縁寿さま、すごいすごい！！」 <br>\r\n\"Be-lz!!\" \"Ange-sama, you're amazing, incredible!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nベルゼブブにマモンたちが飛びつき、再会を喜び合う。 <br>\r\nMammon and Asmodeus jumped onto Beelzebub, celebrating their reunion. <br><br>\r\n……３人同時召喚。 <br>\r\n…ずきりと頭が痛む。 <br>\r\n...I'd summoned three people at once. <br><br>\r\n...My head was throbbing. <br><br>\r\n休まず、次を呼び出す。 <br>\r\nGotta summon the next one, without stopping for a break. <br><br>\r\n「……さぁさ、お出でなさい。煉獄の七杭が一つ、怠惰のベルフェゴール…。」 <br>\r\n\"...Come, arise. One of the Seven Stakes, Belphegor of Sloth...\" <br><br>\r\n「怠惰のベルフェゴール、ここに。 <br>\r\n\"Belphegor of Sloth, right here. <br><br>\r\n………何と、…私がまだ必要とされるとは…。」 <br>\r\n......To think...that I would be needed again...\" <br><br>\r\n「ベルフェ姉ぇえぇ！ <br>\r\n\"Belpha-neeeeee! <br><br>\r\n お腹空いたぁ！ <br>\r\n I'm huuungry! <br><br>\r\nじゃなくて、また会えて嬉しいぃ！！」 <br>\r\nI mean, I'm so glad to see you again!!\" <br><br>\r\n「また七姉妹みんなが再会できるなんて…。縁寿さま、本当にありがとうございます！」 <br>\r\n\"To think that the Seven Sisters would be able to meet again... Ange-sama, thank you so much!\" <br><br>\r\n「この調子で次はサタン姉を！ レヴィア姉もルシ姉も…！！」 <br>\r\n\"Keep it up and do Satan-nee next! And Levia-nee and Luci-nee...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「………えぇ、 <br>\r\n…わかってるわ。……だからお願い、あまりうるさくしないで。……４人同時は、 <br>\r\n……結構、きつい…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Yeah, <br><br>\r\n...I get it. ...So please, try not to be so loud. ...Doing four people at the same time... <br><br>\r\nis pretty...tough...\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿、もうそれ以上、無理をしないで。これだけ久し振りなのに、よく４人も召喚できたよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Ange, don't overdo it any more than this. You did a good job summoning even four of them after such a long time.\" <br><br>\r\n「…よせ、マモン。今の縁寿さまには我らの召喚は負担を強いている。 <br>\r\n\"...Stop it, Mammon. Right now, Ange-sama is being pressured with the burden of summoning us. <br><br>\r\n縁寿さま、どうかご無理をなされませんよう…。」 <br>\r\nAnge-sama, I beg that you do not strain yourself too much...\" <br><br>\r\n「私は嫌！ <br>\r\n\"No way! <br><br>\r\n 縁寿さまは約束したもん！ また私たちみんなと遊んでくれるって！」 <br>\r\n Ange-sama promised! She said we'd all play together again!\" <br><br>\r\n…言ってな、…。 <br>\r\n...No, I... <br><br>\r\n「ね！ 縁寿さま！ みんなとまた会えるって！ すぐに会えるって約束した！」 <br>\r\n\"Right?! Ange-sama?! You said everyone would meet again! You promised that we could meet again right away!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。 <br>\r\n\"......... <br><br>\r\n………そうね、………約束したわ。 <br>\r\n......That's right, ......I promised. <br><br>\r\n……すぐにが、いつのこととは約束しなかったけど、……確かに私は、約束したわ。」 <br>\r\n...I didn't promise anything about when, ...but I certainly did...promise.\" <br><br>\r\n「だから守って！ じゃないと、私は今日までそれを忘れていた縁寿さまを許さない…！」 <br>\r\n\"So keep that promise! If you don't, I'll never forgive you for forgetting it until today, Ange-sama...!\" <br><br>\r\n「………………。……さぁさ、お出でなさい。煉獄の七杭が一つ、憤怒のサタン…。」 <br>\r\n\"............Come, arise. One of the Seven Stakes of Purgatory, Satan of Wrath...\" <br><br>\r\n意識が白濁してくる…。……でも、呼ぼう。 <br>\r\n忘れてしまった日々だけど。 <br>\r\n悲しさと寂しさしかないと思ってた日々だけど。 <br>\r\nMy mind's getting hazy... ...But...I'll call. <br><br>\r\nEven though I'd forgotten about those days. <br><br>\r\nEven though I've never thought of that time as anything but sad and lonely. <br><br>\r\n……確かに、彼女らと過ごしたわずかな時間は、……紛れもなく、楽しい時間だったのだから。 <br>\r\n...Because the short time I spent with them......was fun, without a doubt. <br><br>\r\n「憤怒のサタン、ここに。 <br>\r\n\"Satan of Wrath, right here. <br><br>\r\n…………何やってるのよあんたたちッ！！ <br>\r\n......What the hell are you people doing?!! <br><br>\r\n私たちが井戸端会議をするだけで、どれだけ縁寿さまに負担を掛けてるかわかってんの？！」 <br>\r\nDon't you realize how much it's burdening Ange-sama just to let us have an idle chat?!\" <br><br>\r\n現れてすぐ、状況を察しているらしいサタンが大声を張り上げ、妹たちを叱り飛ばす。 <br>\r\n……その大声に私の意識は再び遠退きかける。 <br>\r\nSatan, who had apparently figured out the situation immediately after being summoned, cried out in a loud voice, telling her sisters off. <br><br>\r\n...That loud voice made my consciousness hazy again. <br><br>\r\n「私たちはベアトリーチェさまより休むことを許された、役目を終えた家具なのよ！ 再びお役に立てる機会を賜るどころか、新しい主人の負担になるなんて、そんなの家具の名折れッ！！ 早く姿を消しなさいッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"We are furniture who have been granted rest by Beatrice and whose duty has been finished! Not only are you not honored at being given another chance to be of some use, but you're putting a burden on our new master, you disgrace to all furniture!! Erase yourselves right away!!\" <br><br>\r\n「うん、サタン姉の言う通りだ。姿を消す。お前たちも姿を消せ。それがこの瞬間、一番、縁寿さまのお役に立てる。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, it's like Satan-nee says. I'll erase myself. You all erase yourselves too. In this moment, that's the best way for us to be of use to Ange-sama.\" <br><br>\r\n「私は嫌よ。みんなを呼び出してもらえるまでは嫌！」 <br>\r\n\"No way. Not until everyone's summoned!\" <br><br>\r\n「私も嫌ー！ お腹空いたー！ <br>\r\n\"Same heeere! I'm huuungry! <br><br>\r\nじゃなくて、やっと再会したばかりなのに、もう帰るなんて嫌あ！」 <br>\r\nI mean, I'd hate to leave again so soon after being reunited with you all!\" <br><br>\r\n「わがまま言ってんじゃないわよ！！ <br>\r\n\"Don't be so selfish!! <br><br>\r\nほら、とっとと姿を消す！！ ほら、アスモ！ さっさと消えなさい！！」 <br>\r\nCome on, erase yourself quickly!! Come on, Asmo! Disappear right now!!\" <br><br>\r\n「わぁん、サタン姉さんがいじめたあ…！ いつも末っ子からなんてずるぅい！」 <br>\r\n\"Waaaah, Satan-nee's bullying me...! It's not fair if you always bully the youngest one!\" <br><br>\r\n「………あぁ、実に賑やかね。……退屈………しない……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Yes, they really are lively. ...It doesn't......bore me...\" <br><br>\r\n「もう充分だよ。今の縁寿には限界を超えてる。」 <br>\r\n\"That's enough. You've surpassed your limits for now, Ange.\" <br><br>\r\n「……そう、 <br>\r\n……ね…。 <br>\r\n……………………。 <br>\r\n\"...You're... <br><br>\r\nright... <br><br>\r\n.........\" <br><br>\r\n５人も召喚し、彼女らが好き勝手に騒ぎ合うという状況は、貧弱な魔力しか持たない今の私には、あまりに負荷が重過ぎる……。 <br>\r\nWith five of them summoned...and messing around as they pleased, the load was far too heavy for me, with the meager magical power I had at that moment... <br><br>\r\n……もう、……………駄目……。 <br>\r\n...This is.........it... <br><br>\r\n私は意識を遠退かせながら、ベッドに倒れこむ。 <br>\r\nAs my consciousness went hazy, I fell over onto the bed. <br><br>\r\n……ベッドって、こんなにも柔らかかったっけ……。 <br>\r\n……………………。 <br>\r\n...Have beds always felt this soft...? <br><br>\r\n......... <br><br>\r\n姉妹たちは、まだ好き放題に罵り合っているようだ。 <br>\r\nIt seemed that the sisters were still squabbling together as much as they liked. <br><br>\r\n……睡魔が迎えに来てくれるまでの暇潰しには、 <br>\r\n……充分…………。 <br>\r\n...For a way to kill time until drowsiness comes to get me, <br><br>\r\n...this is enough...... <br><br>\r\n私は、姉妹たちの賑やかさに、どこか懐かしい温かさを感じながら、深い眠りの世界へ沈んでいく………。 <br>\r\nFeeling something warm and nostalgic in the sisters' liveliness, I sank into a world of deep sleep...... <br><br>\r\nそんな私を夢の世界の入り口で、真里亞お姉ちゃんと、 <br>\r\n……さくたろうが受け止めてくれた気がした。 <br>\r\nAt the entrance to my dream world, I felt Maria onee-chan... <br><br>\r\n...and Sakutarou waiting to receive me. <br><br>\r\n「……………。 <br>\r\n\"...... <br><br>\r\nお疲れ様。……そして、がんばったね。」 <br>\r\nYou worked hard. ...And...good job.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ。…お帰り、縁寿…。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu. ...Welcome back, Ange...』 <br><br>\r\n……お帰り、か。 <br>\r\nじゃあ返事はこうだわ。 <br>\r\n...Welcome back, huh? <br><br>\r\nThen, I should respond like this... <br><br>\r\n…………ただいま………。 <br>\r\n......I'm home...... <br><br>\r\nそう。私はかつて一度だけ、魔女の世界に足を踏み入れるべく、修行をしたことがある。 <br>\r\nThat's right. Just once in the past, I underwent training in order to step into the world of witches. <br><br>\r\n聖ルチーア学園での辛く悲しい日々から私を救ってくれる力が、魔法だけだということを受け入れ、真里亞お姉ちゃんにその手解きを受けたのだ……。 <br>\r\nI accepted that the only power that could save me from those sad, painful days at Saint Lucia Academy...was the thing called magic, and I received Maria's introduction to the basics... <br><br>\r\n「……………広大な空間を、イメージ……。……峠のドライブインから麓を見下ろした時の風景……。 <br>\r\n\"......Imagine...a vast space... ...The scene from when I looked down at the mountain's base from a rest stop at the peak... <br><br>\r\n………こう……？」 <br>\r\n......Like this...?\" <br><br>\r\n私はその思い出の中の風景を、心象世界に投影した。 <br>\r\nI projected that scene from a memory into my mental world. <br><br>\r\n……魔法少女に憧れるなんて、普通の女の子なら小学校で卒業する。 <br>\r\nだから、こんな歳にもなって、大真面目に魔法の修行をしてるなんて、……我ながら恥ずかしい。 <br>\r\n...Normal girls get over their fascination with magical girls when they leave elementary school. <br><br>\r\nSo seriously training to use magic at this age...was embarrassing even for me. <br><br>\r\nでも、その恥ずかしいという感情すらも、今の私には微笑ましいものだった。 <br>\r\nBut even that embarrassed feeling felt pleasant to me now. <br><br>\r\n私は今、真里亞お姉ちゃんに魔法を使うための精神集中を習っている。 <br>\r\nRight then, I was learning mental concentration from Maria onee-chan, in order to use magic. <br><br>\r\nだが、なかなかうまく出来ない。 <br>\r\n……まるで、耳を動かせる人に、こうやって動かすんだよと実演されても、どうしようもないのによく似てる…。 <br>\r\nBut it wasn't going very well. <br><br>\r\n...It was about as hopeless as teaching a person to wiggle their ears by showing them... <br><br>\r\n魔法を使うための精神集中には、広大な空間のイメージが欠かせないらしい。 <br>\r\nIt seems that you need to imagine a vast space to gain the mental concentration for using magic. <br><br>\r\nなので私は、幼い頃に家族で出掛けた小旅行で、峠のドライブインの展望台から麓を見下ろした時のことを思い出し、その光景で心象世界を描いてみたのだ。 <br>\r\nSo I remembered the time from my younger days when my family had gone on a small vacation, when I had looked down towards the base from a viewing platform at a rest stop on a peak, and I tried painting this scene in my mental world. <br><br>\r\n「うぅん、まだまだ狭い。もっともっと広い空間をイメージして。そして、縁寿だけの心象世界を作り上げるの。 <br>\r\n\"No, still far too small. Imagine a much, much wider space. And create your own mental world. <br><br>\r\nまだまだイメージが霞んでる。空気に温度もないし、風もない。匂いもない。まだまだ世界が希薄。……それらは後でもいいから、今はとにかく、もっと広い世界をイメージして。」 <br>\r\nYour image is still way too foggy. There's no temperature in the air, and there's no wind. No smells either. The world is still very faint. ...You can leave those for later, so for now, imagine an even wider space.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ。……どうして広い空間のイメージが必要なの？』 <br>\r\n『Uryu. ...Why do you have to imagine a vast space?』 <br><br>\r\n「ニンゲンの体内には、生まれながらにして魔法を妨げる毒素があるんだよ。その毒素を浄化しないと、魔法はうまく使えないの。 <br>\r\n\"From the time of their birth, Humans have inside of them a toxin that blocks magic. If that toxin isn't purified, you can't use magic well. <br><br>\r\n…その為に有効な方法の一つが、広大な空間をイメージすることなんだよ。」 <br>\r\n...One effective method of achieving this is to imagine a vast space.\" <br><br>\r\n「………さっきは、飛行機の窓から見た世界を思い描いたけど、それも駄目だったわ。……もっと広大な世界なんて、 <br>\r\n……見当もつかない。」 <br>\r\n\"......Just now, I thought of the world as seen from the window of an airplane, but that didn't work. ...I can't even think of... <br><br>\r\na world more vast than that.\" <br><br>\r\n『なら、真里亞の持つ広大な世界を縁寿にも教えてあげればいいよ…！ そしたら縁寿にもイメージがしやすくなるんじゃない？ うりゅ！』 <br>\r\n『In that case, Maria just has to teach Ange about the vast world Maria has...! Won't that make it easy for Ange to imagine as well? Uryu!』 <br><br>\r\n「……そうね。私も、お姉ちゃんはどんな世界をイメージして魔法を使ってるのか、興味があるわ。 <br>\r\n\"...That's right. And, I'm interested in the kind of world Onee-chan imagines when she uses magic. <br><br>\r\n…私もそれを参考にする。」 <br>\r\n...I'll use it for reference.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー、駄目だよ。心象世界は広大で、そして孤独じゃないといけないの。自分以外に一切遮るものがない世界。 <br>\r\n\"Uu-, that won't work. The mental world must be vast and isolated. A world with no obstructions other than yourself. <br><br>\r\n……だから、その世界を人に教えたら、その世界は孤独ではなくなってしまう。だから心象世界は誰にも明かしちゃ駄目なの。だから縁寿も、上手に心象世界を描けたら、それは自分だけの秘密の世界にするんだよ。」 <br>\r\n...So, if you teach someone about that world, it won't be isolated anymore. That's why you mustn't reveal your mental world to anyone. And if you draw up a good mental world, you too must keep it as a secret only for yourself.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ…。真里亞けちんぼ…。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu... So stingy, Maria...』 <br><br>\r\n「ありがと、さくたろ。修行に近道なしってわけだわ。 <br>\r\n\"Thanks, Sakutaro. I guess there are no shortcuts in training. <br><br>\r\n……努力してみる。大丈夫、ヒントは充分もらえてるわ。」 <br>\r\n...I'll make an effort. It's okay, I've been given plenty of hints.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ…！ 縁寿、がんばれ…！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu...! Do your best, Ange...!』 <br><br>\r\n魔法なんかで救われるわけがないと、思ってきた。 <br>\r\nだって、この世には魔法なんて存在しない。 <br>\r\nそんなものは、幻想、妄想、白昼夢に過ぎないはず。 <br>\r\nUntil recently, I thought there was no way something like magic could save me. <br><br>\r\nAfter all, magic doesn't exist in this world. <br><br>\r\nThat kind of thing's supposedly nothing more than an illusion, a delusion, a daydream. <br><br>\r\n……でも、真里亞お姉ちゃんは、私には持ち得ない力で、自らの世界を幸せで満たして見せた。 <br>\r\n...However, Maria onee-chan showed me that she could fill her own world with happiness using a power that's impossible for me. <br><br>\r\n私はその幸せを、虚しい幸せだと見下してきた。 <br>\r\nI used to look down on that happiness as something empty. <br><br>\r\n……魔法なんて認めないから、そこから生まれた幸せも認めないと、全てを否定してきた。 <br>\r\n...Because I didn't believe in magic, I also denied everything else, refusing to believe in the happiness that magic gave birth to. <br><br>\r\nでも、真里亞お姉ちゃんの世界はどんどん、どんどん、幸せになっていく。 <br>\r\nBut slowly, bit by bit, Maria onee-chan's world grew happier. <br><br>\r\nかつて私はそれを、痛々しくて見てられないと扱き下ろした。 <br>\r\nしかし、……それは妬みに過ぎなかったのかもしれない。 <br>\r\n私は、それを認めなければならなかった。 <br>\r\nIn the past, I'd disparaged it, thinking it too pitiful to look at. <br><br>\r\nBut...that might've been nothing more than jealousy. <br><br>\r\nI was forced to admit that. <br><br>\r\nそしてそれこそが、私の幸せ探しの第一歩だったのだ…。 <br>\r\nAnd now, this was my first step in my search for happiness... <br><br>\r\n広大な空間。 <br>\r\n何物にも遮られずに吹き抜ける乾いた風。 <br>\r\n……その風が自分の髪を散らすのを感じよう。 <br>\r\nA vast space. <br><br>\r\nA dry wind that could blow without being blocked by anything. <br><br>\r\n...Let me feel that wind blowing through my own hair. <br><br>\r\n……そうか、大地さえも、今の私には妨げるものなのかもしれない。 <br>\r\nじゃあ、大地なんていらないや。 <br>\r\n...I see, ...even the ground might get in my way as I am now. <br><br>\r\nThen, I don't need a ground. <br><br>\r\n…………大地を押しのけて、下方の彼方へ、彼方へ。 <br>\r\n......Brush the ground away, downwards, downwards. <br><br>\r\nそれはつまり、………私が大地から遠く離れて、浮かび上がったのと同じこと。 <br>\r\nIn other words, ...it was as though I had floated up, leaving the ground far behind. <br><br>\r\nどんどん大地を下方に押しのけると、…地上が霞んで淡くなり、……初めて大空を感じるようになる。 <br>\r\nAfter pushing the ground further and further downwards, ...the ground grew foggy and faint, ...and for the first time, it began to feel like the sky. <br><br>\r\n………そして私は広大さを知る。 <br>\r\n......Then, I understood its vastness. <br><br>\r\nその瞬間、鮮烈な風が、自分の体すらも突き抜けて、つまり妨げられずに吹き抜けるのを感じた。 <br>\r\nIn that instant, I felt the vivid wind go right through even my body...in other words, blowing through me without any resistance. <br><br>\r\n「………………………………。……そう。その感覚を、維持して。」 <br>\r\n\"...............Yes. Maintain that sensation.\" <br><br>\r\n「……えぇ、わかる。……全ての妨げから、解放されてるのが、……わかる。」 <br>\r\n\"...Yeah, I get it. ...I get that I've been...released from all hinderances.\" <br><br>\r\n『やった縁寿、やった縁寿…！ 魔女の世界への、最初の第一歩を踏み出した…！』 <br>\r\n『You did it, Ange, you did it...! You've taken your first step into the world of witches...!』 <br><br>\r\n「………………これが、…魔女の世界……？」 <br>\r\n\"......This is...the world of witches...?\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。じゃあ、縁寿がずっと望んできた魔法を、練習してみよう。 <br>\r\n\"Yeah. So, let's try practicing the magic that you've always wished for, Ange. <br><br>\r\n………お友達を、呼び出す魔法。……縁寿を寂しさから救い出してくれる味方をつくり、それによって幸せになる魔法を。」 <br>\r\n......Magic that'll summon friends. ...A magic that'll create allies who'll save you from your loneliness, and thereby bring you happiness.\" <br><br>\r\n『縁寿にも、ボクみたいなお友達が呼び出せるの？！ うりゅうりゅ！』 <br>\r\n『Will Ange also be able to summon friends like me?! Uryuuryu!』 <br><br>\r\n「……今の縁寿には、ゼロの海からさくたろほどの友達を呼び出すには、まだまだ早いね。……最初は、呼び出しやすい友達から練習しよう。」 <br>\r\n\"...As she is now, it's still far to early for Ange to summon friends like Sakutaro from the sea of zero. ...To begin, let's start by practicing with friends that are easy to summon.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。…最初は何を…？」 <br>\r\n\".........What will we start with...?\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿はマリアージュ・ソルシエールの魔女だから、同盟の魔女が使役する存在は、縁寿もまた使役することが許されてる。 <br>\r\n\"Because you're a witch of Mariage Sorcière, you are also permitted to use those employed by other witches in the alliance. <br><br>\r\n……例えば、さくたろは私の友達だけど、同じ同盟の縁寿にだって友達で、そして召喚することが出来る。……今度、試しにさくたろを呼び出してみて？ 寂しくて寂しくて辛い時、さくたろがきっと元気付けてくれるよ。」 <br>\r\n...For example, Sakutaro is my friend, but since you're in the same alliance, he's your friend too, and you can summon him. ...You wanna try summoning Sakutaro one of these days? When you're so lonely it gets tough, I'm sure Sakutaro will cheer you up.\" <br><br>\r\nそっか。さくたろはお姉ちゃんが使役する存在とも言える。 <br>\r\nI see. You could call Sakutaro a being employed by Onee-chan. <br><br>\r\nそして、お姉ちゃんと同じ同盟に属する魔女の私は、さくたろを召喚することも可能なわけだ……。 <br>\r\nSo, as a witch in the same alliance as her, it's possible for me to summon Sakutaro too... <br><br>\r\nさくたろと目が合う。 <br>\r\nI met Sakutaro's gaze. <br><br>\r\n……寂しい夜に、ちょっと話し相手になってほしい時に、彼が私の枕の脇にちょこんといてくれたら、どれだけ嬉しいことか。 <br>\r\n...How pleasant it would be to have him just be there by my pillow, so he could talk to me a bit on lonely nights. <br><br>\r\n「……私が呼び掛けたら、あなたは現れて、 <br>\r\n……話し相手になってくれる……？」 <br>\r\n\"...If I call out, will you appear... <br><br>\r\nand talk to me...?\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー！ 縁寿が呼び出してくれるのを、楽しみにしてる！ うりゅうりゅうりゅ！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu-! I can't wait to be summoned by you, Ange! Uryuuryuuryu!』 <br><br>\r\nさくたろは嬉しそうにしながら、猫のように、私にその頭を押し付けてくりくりしてじゃれ付いてくる。 <br>\r\nLooking happy, Sakutaro pressed his head against me like a cat. <br><br>\r\nこんな可愛らしい弟が突然出来てしまって、……困惑するような恥ずかしいような嬉しいような。 <br>\r\n………なんでこの気持ちに素直になれなかったのか、わからなくて、目頭が熱くなるのを感じた。 <br>\r\nSuddenly getting a cute younger brother...felt a bit confusing, a bit embarrassing, and a bit nice. <br><br>\r\n......Unable to understand why I couldn't honestly accept this feeling, I felt tears well up in my eyes. <br><br>\r\n「うん。……お姉ちゃん、私がんばるわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Right. ...I'll give it all I've got, Onee-chan.\" <br><br>\r\n「じゃあ、練習をしてみよう。………同じ、同盟の魔女、ベアトリーチェの家具を、呼び出してみよう。」 <br>\r\n\"Then let's practice. ......Let's try summoning the furniture of Beatrice, a witch from the same alliance.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………ベアトリーチェの、…家具。」 <br>\r\n\"......Beatrice's...furniture.\" <br><br>\r\nベアトリーチェの名を出されると、少しだけ微妙な気持ちになる。 <br>\r\n六軒島の事件は世間では、魔女が生贄の儀式で云々かんぬんと騒がれていた。 <br>\r\nHearing Beatrice's name gave me a slightly strange feeling. <br><br>\r\nWhen it came to the crime on Rokkenjima, the public kept going on and on in a frenzy about how it was a sacrifice ceremony performed by a witch. <br><br>\r\n……そして、その魔女がベアトリーチェなのだ。 <br>\r\n...And that witch was Beatrice. <br><br>\r\nだから、もしあの事件の犯人が魔女であるならば、……つまり、家族を奪った犯人は彼女、ということになるのだから。 <br>\r\nSo, if the witch did commit that crime, ...that would make her the culprit who stole my family from me. <br><br>\r\nしかし、真里亞お姉ちゃんはベアトリーチェは良い魔女だという。 <br>\r\nHowever, Maria onee-chan said that Beatrice was a good witch. <br><br>\r\nベアトリーチェに対しネガティブな感情を私が持つと、へそを曲げてしまうし、ひどいと喧嘩になって、しばらく口も聞いてくれなくなる。 <br>\r\nIf I held negative emotions towards Beatrice, she'd get mad, leading to a nasty fight, and refuse to talk for a while. <br><br>\r\n……今の私には、お姉ちゃんがたったひとりの親友だ。 <br>\r\n...At this moment, Onee-chan was my only close friend. <br><br>\r\n…だから、親友の機嫌を損ねないためにも、ベアトリーチェのことは、お姉ちゃんの魔法の師匠以上には考えないことにしていた…。 <br>\r\n...So to avoid worsening her mood, I'd decided to think of Beatrice as nothing more than Onee-chan's magic teacher... <br><br>\r\n……それに、私はあの事件は、絵羽伯母さんの仕組んだ陰謀だったと信じている。 <br>\r\n...Also, I believed that the crime was a conspiracy cooked up by Aunt Eva. <br><br>\r\n……いつか絶対にそれを暴いてやる………。 <br>\r\n...I would definitely expose the truth about that someday...... <br><br>\r\n「縁寿。また体内に妨げが混じってるよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Ange, obstructions are entering your body again.\" <br><br>\r\n「………ごめんなさい、集中を欠いたわ。…もう一度…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Sorry, I lost my concentration. ...One more time...\" <br><br>\r\nさすがはお姉ちゃん…。 <br>\r\n私が雑念に囚われたことをすぐに察する。 <br>\r\nI'd expect no less from you, Onee-chan... <br><br>\r\nYou instantly noticed that I was being overcome with idle thoughts. <br><br>\r\n私は一度だけ頭を振ってから、再び広大な大空の吹きぬける風をイメージし直した…。 <br>\r\nAfter shaking my head just once, I re-imagined the wind blowing through a vast space... <br><br>\r\n「…………煉獄の七姉妹？ 何だか物騒な名前ね。」 <br>\r\n\"......The Seven Sisters of Purgatory? That's a pretty creepy name.\" <br><br>\r\n「でも、とっても賑やかで楽しい子たちだよ。縁寿の新しいお友達になってくれるかもしれない。 <br>\r\n\"But they're very energetic and fun kids. They might become your new friends, Ange. <br><br>\r\n……まずは私が呼び出してみせるね。見てて。」 <br>\r\n...First, I'll show you how to summon them. Watch.\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんが、両手を顔の高さに掲げ、静かに精神を統一する。 <br>\r\nMaria onee-chan lifted both hands up to the level of her head...and quietly unified her mind. <br><br>\r\n……私が、長い時間を掛けて瞑想しなくては至れない境地に、わずか数回の低い呼吸で至ってしまう。 <br>\r\n...The state I wasn't able to reach except by meditating for a long period of time, she reached in the span of a few quick breaths. <br><br>\r\nすると青白い光が手の平に集い始め、………次々に、少女たちが姿を現していく。 <br>\r\nThen, a pale light began to gather in her palms, ......and one by one, the girls began to show themselves. <br><br>\r\n１人、２人、３人。４人、５人、６人、７人…。 <br>\r\n1, 2, 3 people. 4, 5, 6, 7 people... <br><br>\r\n次々に召喚されて並んでいくその様子は圧巻だ。 <br>\r\nThe way they were summoned one after another in a line was a masterpiece. <br><br>\r\n……すごい。 <br>\r\nお姉ちゃんの魔導書の挿絵そのままの、……煉獄の七姉妹だ…。 <br>\r\n...Incredible. <br><br>\r\nJust like the illustrations in Onee-chan's grimoire, ...the Seven Sisters of Purgatory... <br><br>\r\n長女のルシファーが、妹たちを従え、お姉ちゃんに敬礼する。 <br>\r\nThe younger sisters were behind the eldest, Lucifer, who saluted Onee-chan. <br><br>\r\n「煉獄の七姉妹、ここにっ…！ マリア卿、ご無沙汰を申し上げております。」 <br>\r\n\"The Seven Sisters of Purgatory, right here...! Lady MARIA, it has been quite some time.\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。久し振りだね。みんなも元気…？」 <br>\r\n\"Yes. Long time, no see. Is everyone well...?\" <br><br>\r\n「我ら家具は、使役されてこそ家具。久し振りのお呼び出しを、心より光栄に思いますっ！」 <br>\r\n\"We furniture are what we are because we are used. To us, being summoned after so long is truly an honor!\" <br><br>\r\n「きゃー♪ さくたろー！ お久し振りー！」 <br>\r\n\"Kya-♪ Sakutaro-! It's been so loong!\" <br><br>\r\n「相変わらず美味し、じゃなかった、可愛い〜！！」 <br>\r\n\"You look as delici-, I mean, cuuute as ever!!\" <br><br>\r\n「私が一番〜！！ <br>\r\n\"Me fiiirst!! <br><br>\r\nきゃー、今日もふかふかプニプニしててかーわいい〜！」 <br>\r\nKya-, today he's so fluffy, squishy, and cuuute!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「あ〜ん！！ <br>\r\n\"Aaah!! <br><br>\r\n私にも抱かせて私にも抱かせてぇええぇ〜！」 <br>\r\nLet me hug him too, let me hug him too!\" <br><br>\r\n『う、うりゅー！ 苦しい〜！ ボクは逃げないから離してみんな〜！』 <br>\r\n『U-Uryu-! Can't breathe! I won't run away, so let go of me, everyooone!』 <br><br>\r\n「こらアンタたちッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Hey, you all!! <br><br>\r\n マリア卿の家具を壊す気？！ とにかく離れなさいよッ、抱き締めるの禁止！！」 <br>\r\n Are you trying to break Lady MARIA's furniture?! Anyway, get away from him, hugging is prohibited!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……そう言ってる、サタン姉が、一番抱き締めたがってるよ。くすくす。」 <br>\r\n\"...Even though you're saying that, it looks like you want to hug him the most, Satan-nee. *giggle*.\" <br><br>\r\n「んなッ！！ わ、私は別に、あんなふかふかのプニプニのわふわふなんて、きょ、興味ないんだからあ！」 <br>\r\n\"Ack!! I-It's not like I have any i-interest in something so fluffy, squishy and cuddly!\" <br><br>\r\n「こら！！ <br>\r\n\"Hey!! <br><br>\r\nマリア卿と縁寿さまの御前よ、静かになさい、この愚妹ども！！」 <br>\r\nBe silent in the presence of Lady MARIA and Ange-sama, you foolish sisters!!\" <br><br>\r\n何と賑やかなことか…。 <br>\r\n現れて早々の大騒ぎに、私は唖然としてしまう。 <br>\r\nThey were so energetic... <br><br>\r\nI was shocked by their sudden burst of activity right after they appeared. <br><br>\r\nそしてそれ以上に、無垢なさくたろが、七姉妹たちと仲がいいのに驚いた。 <br>\r\nAnd on top of that, I was surprised that the innocent Sakutaro was on such good terms with the Seven Sisters. <br><br>\r\n「……意外。さくたろが、あんな物騒な連中にこんなに可愛がられてるなんて。」 <br>\r\n\"...That's unexpected. To think that Sakutaro would be so loved by such shady people.\" <br><br>\r\n「同じ同盟の仲間たちだもん。怖くなんかないよ？」 <br>\r\n\"They're fellow members of the same alliance. There's nothing to be scared of, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「でも、万が一、彼女らの機嫌を損ねちゃったら、さくたろ、あっという間にやられちゃいそう…。」 <br>\r\n\"But on the off-chance that their mood worsens, it looks like they could finish Sakutaro off in an instant...\" <br><br>\r\n「大丈夫。同盟の魔女とその家具は、みんな仲良しなの。 <br>\r\n\"It's all right. The witches of the alliance and their furniture are all friends. <br><br>\r\nだから、さくたろも安心して遊べるの。……それはもちろん、私や縁寿も同じだよ。」 <br>\r\nSo Sakutaro can play without worrying. ...Of course, that goes for you and me too, Ange.\" <br><br>\r\nマリアージュ・ソルシエールの条約の一つ。 <br>\r\nIt was one of the pacts of Mariage Sorcière. <br><br>\r\n「相互不可侵、不干渉」。 <br>\r\n\"Mutual nonaggression and noninterference\". <br><br>\r\n所属の魔女は、互いの魔法とその創造物を尊重し合わなくてはならない。 <br>\r\nMember witches must respect each other's magic and creations. <br><br>\r\n本来は、とても好戦的で物騒な彼女らも、同盟の仲間には友人として接するのだ。 <br>\r\nEven the sisters, who were normally shady and belligerent, treated fellow alliance members as friends. <br><br>\r\nだから、七姉妹にとって、さくたろうは共通の友人。 <br>\r\nSo, to the Seven Sisters, Sakutarou was a mutual friend. <br><br>\r\n七姉妹の誰からも愛され、むしろ奪い合いさえされている。 <br>\r\nHe was loved by all of them, and they were even trying to steal him away from each other. <br><br>\r\nもみくちゃにされて可愛がられるその光景は、ちょっぴり微笑ましいくらいだ。 <br>\r\nThis scene as they squeezed him and loved him was a bit charming. <br><br>\r\n「……なるほど。マリアージュ・ソルシエールの仲間同士なのね。」 <br>\r\n\"...I see. They're fellow members of Mariage Sorcière, after all.\" <br><br>\r\nさくたろののんびりした雰囲気と、七姉妹の物騒な雰囲気は、一見しただけなら水と油。 <br>\r\n絶対に相容れないように見える。 <br>\r\nAt a glance, you'd think that Sakutaro's casual atmosphere and the Seven Sisters' shady one would be like water and oil. <br><br>\r\nIt looked like they definitely wouldn't be compatible. <br><br>\r\nなのに、こんなにも当たり前のように仲良く交流している……。 <br>\r\nこの素敵な同盟で、世界の全ての人々を結んだなら、……世界中はすぐに友達になれるのかな。 <br>\r\nAnd yet, they were interacting in a friendly way like it was completely natural... <br><br>\r\nIf this wonderful alliance could join all the peoples of the world together, ...I wonder if everyone in the world would be able to become friends right away. <br><br>\r\n「七姉妹のみんな、聞いて。今、縁寿は魔法の修行中なの。だから、みんなの力を貸して欲しいの。」 <br>\r\n\"All you Seven Sisters, listen. Right now, Ange is in the middle of magic training. So I want everyone to lend their power.\" <br><br>\r\n「畏まりました、マリア卿っ。 <br>\r\n\"Certainly, Lady MARIA. <br><br>\r\n…しかし、具体的には何を？」 <br>\r\n...But what specifically?\" <br><br>\r\n「君たちを顕現させる魔力を、私から縁寿に移すの。 <br>\r\n\"The magical power materializing you will move from me to Ange. <br><br>\r\nその状態で、いつも彼女の身近にいてあげてほしいの。彼女の話し相手になったりしてあげるだけでいい。」 <br>\r\nIn that state, I want you to be by her side all the time. You just have to talk with her.\" <br><br>\r\n「………恐れながら。縁寿さまの魔力では、私たち七姉妹全てを、四六時中、呼び出し続けるのは容易なことではないかと…。」 <br>\r\n\"......My apologies, but I wonder if Ange-sama's magical power will be able to easily summon all seven of us around the clock...\" <br><br>\r\n長女のルシファーが、遠慮がちな様子で私の顔色をうかがいながら進言する。 <br>\r\nThe oldest sister, Lucifer, gazed at my complexion as she advised this, speaking reservedly. <br><br>\r\n…つまり、今の私には荷が重いだろうと言っているのだ。 <br>\r\n...In other words, she was saying that the burden might be heavy for me at this point in time. <br><br>\r\n「そういう修行なの。縁寿は、みんなが想像しているより才能と魔力があるよ。ちょっぴり辛いかなとは思うけど、今の縁寿なら挑戦する価値はあると思う。 <br>\r\n\"That's the kind of training it is. Ange has more talent and magic than everyone imagines. It'll be pretty tough, but I think it's worth it for Ange to take this challenge as she is now.\" <br><br>\r\n……縁寿。今から彼女たちを顕現させる魔力を、君に切り替える。……つまり、縁寿が呼び出したのと同じ状態になるの。」 <br>\r\n\"...Ange, starting now, I'll move the magic power materializing them over to you. ...In other words, it will become as though you had summoned them.\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんが言いたいのは、つまりこういうことだ。 <br>\r\nSo, what Maria onee-chan was trying to say was something like this. <br><br>\r\n七姉妹を顕現させ続けるには、かなりの魔力を継続的に強いられ続ける。 <br>\r\n……重りの入ったリストバンドを身につけてのトレーニングみたいなもの、とでも言えばいいのだろう。 <br>\r\nTo keep the Seven Sisters materialized, you are continuously burdened with a significant amount of magical power. <br><br>\r\n...Maybe you could say it was like training while wearing a weighted wristband. <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ……。七姉妹、全員はかなり大変……。縁寿、いきなりは厳しくない…？』 <br>\r\n『Uryu... Doing all of the Seven Sisters would be pretty tough... Isn't that asking a lot of Ange all of a sudden...?』 <br><br>\r\n「ありがと、さくたろ。でも、魔女になるための修行だしね。やれるところまでやってみるわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Thank you, Sakutaro. But this is training to become a witch. I want to see how far I can go.\" <br><br>\r\n……確かに騒がしそうな７人ではある。 <br>\r\nでも、彼女らが修行のためとはいえ、私と一緒にいてくれるのは、ちょっぴりだけ私の寂しさを紛らわせてくれるに違いない。 <br>\r\n...The seven of them certainly do seem boisterous. <br><br>\r\nBut even if this is for training, having them with me will surely distract me from my loneliness, at least a little. <br><br>\r\n試練は承知で、まずは挑戦してみたかった。 <br>\r\nI understood it would be an ordeal, but wanted to give it a shot. <br><br>\r\n「もしも辛かったら無理をしないでね。 <br>\r\n\"Don't overdo it if it gets tough, okay? <br><br>\r\nみんなも、縁寿が辛そうだったら加減してあげて。」 <br>\r\nAnd everyone, if it looks tough for Ange, take it easy.\" <br><br>\r\n「畏まりましたっ。 <br>\r\n\"Certainly. <br><br>\r\nわかったね、あんたたち？！」 <br>\r\nGet it, everyone?!\" <br><br>\r\n「「「「「「はーい、お姉様ぁ！」」」」」」 <br>\r\n\"\"\"\"\"\"Yeees, Onee-samaa!\"\"\"\"\"\" <br><br>\r\n「それでは縁寿さまっ。これより我ら煉獄の七姉妹は縁寿さまの家具となります。………マリア卿、お願いいたしますっ。」 <br>\r\n\"Well then, Ange-sama. For now, we, the Seven Sisters of Purgatory, will become your furniture. ......Lady MARIA, if you would.\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。……じゃ、縁寿。始めてもいい？」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah. ...So, Ange, can we start?\" <br><br>\r\n「……いいわ。…ちょっと緊張する。」 <br>\r\n\"...Sure. ...I'm a little nervous.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ…。いきなりは辛いかも…。頭痛になりそうだったら、すぐに魔力を減らしてね……。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu... This might be tough all of a sudden... If you feel like you're getting a headache, lower your magic power immediately...』 <br><br>\r\n「じゃ、魔力ソースを縁寿に移すよ…………。 <br>\r\n\"Okay, I'll move the source of magic power over to Ange...... <br><br>\r\n…………………。」 <br>\r\n.........\" <br><br>\r\n「……………ぅ…、」 <br>\r\n\"......Nnn...\" <br><br>\r\n途端に、頭の中がずしりと重くなる。 <br>\r\nIn an instant, the inside of my head felt very heavy. <br><br>\r\n ……これは……、 <br>\r\nなるほど、 <br>\r\n………辛い…。 <br>\r\n...This is... <br><br>\r\n Yeah, <br><br>\r\n......it's tough... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n私の頭は、私ひとりのためだけに使われてきた。 <br>\r\nそれがまるで、さらに七人分のためにも使われるよう。 <br>\r\nUntil then, the inside of my head had only been used for myself. <br><br>\r\nIt was almost like it was now being used for seven other people. <br><br>\r\n……彼女らがただそこにいて、瞬きをして、あるいは吐息をひとつ漏らすだけでも、それは私の頭に重圧となって圧し掛かる…。 <br>\r\n...If they just stood there and blinked once or let out a single sigh, that would put a strong pressure on my head... <br><br>\r\n「……マリア卿。恐れながら、やはり、一度に七姉妹全員の負荷は重過ぎるかと。」 <br>\r\n\"...<NAME>, my apologies, but perhaps the burden from all Seven Sisters at once might be too great after all.\" <br><br>\r\n「だ、……大丈夫………、 <br>\r\n……く………。」 <br>\r\n\"...I-I'm okay...... <br><br>\r\n...ack......\" <br><br>\r\n「…うーん…。 <br>\r\n\"...No... <br><br>\r\nやっぱり駄目かな。顕現に全精力を使っちゃってる。日常生活と両立できないほどの負荷じゃ意味がない。 <br>\r\nIt won't work after all. You're using all of your energy to materialize them. There's no point if the burden is such that you can't balance it with your everyday life. <br><br>\r\n何しろ、魔女としてこれじゃ、ちょっと優雅じゃないね。」 <br>\r\nAnd anyway, this is a bit unrefined for a witch.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ…。だからいきなりこんなに大勢は無理だって言った…。みんな、少し姿を消してあげて…。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu... That's why I said doing so many suddenly was impossible... Everyone, erase yourselves for a bit...』 <br><br>\r\n「そうね。人数を減らした方が良さそう。 <br>\r\n\"Right. It seems it'd be better to lower the number of people. <br><br>\r\n……アスモ、姿を消しなさい。」 <br>\r\nAsmo, erase yourself.\" <br><br>\r\n「また私ぃ？ <br>\r\n\"Me agaain? <br><br>\r\n末っ子イジメ反対〜！！ たまには上から消えてよ〜！」 <br>\r\nI'm opposed to youngest-sister-bullyiiing!! Disappear starting from the top every once in a whiiile!\" <br><br>\r\n「それじゃあ、私が２番目に消えなきゃならないじゃない！ やだやだやだー！」 <br>\r\n\"That would mean I'd have to disappear second, right?! No, no, nooo!\" <br><br>\r\n「アスモもレヴィア姉も騒がないの！！ そういう騒ぎが余計、縁寿さまの負担になるのよ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Don't make a ruckus, Asmo and Levia-nee!! That kind of disturbance will become a burden to Ange-sama!!\" <br><br>\r\n「あんたが騒ぐのも負担になるのよ、馬鹿サタン！！」 <br>\r\n\"The noise you're making is also a burden, stupid Satan!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ひぅッ！」 <br>\r\n\"Eek!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「………ぁつ、…………く……。……ぐ………、」 <br>\r\n\"......Aah, ......ack......gah......\" <br><br>\r\n誰が先に姿を消すかで、七姉妹が口喧嘩を始める。 <br>\r\n……その喧嘩のエネルギーは全て負荷となって、縁寿にさらなる頭痛を強いる…。 <br>\r\nThe Seven Sisters started arguing over who should erase themselves first. <br><br>\r\n...The energy from that fight all became a burden, forcing Ange to bear an even greater headache... <br><br>\r\n彼女らは結局、ジャンケンで順番を決め、１人、２人、３人と姿を消していった。 <br>\r\nIn the end, they decided the order with rock, paper, scissors, and 1, 2, 3 of them disappeared. <br><br>\r\nしかし、その程度ではまだまだ縁寿は楽にならない。 <br>\r\nBut even at that level, Ange was still far from comfortable. <br><br>\r\n結局のところ、６人が姿を消したところで、ようやく呼吸を落ち着けることが出来たのだった。 <br>\r\nIn the end, once six of them had erased themselves, I was finally able to calm my breathing. <br><br>\r\n私の魔力では、七姉妹どころか、１人が限界なのだ…。 <br>\r\nWith my magical power, forget the Seven Sisters, just one person is my limit... <br><br>\r\n「……あ〜あ、これじゃあ七姉妹じゃなくて私ひとりじゃないですか。縁寿さま、ちょっと頼りないです。」 <br>\r\n\"...Sheesh, this way it's not the Seven Sisters, but just me, right? You're a bit unreliable, Ange-sama.\" <br><br>\r\nジャンケンを勝ち抜き、最後まで残ることを許されたマモンが悪態をつく。 <br>\r\nMammon, who had won all of the rock, paper, scissors matches and was permitted to remain until the end, grumbled. <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ…。マモン、そんなこと言っちゃだめ…。 <br>\r\n『Uryu... Mammon, you shouldn't say things like that... <br><br>\r\n縁寿はまだまだ修行中。……大丈夫、縁寿？ 頭痛大丈夫…？』 <br>\r\nAnge is still just starting her training. ...Are you all right, Ange? Is your headache okay...?』 <br><br>\r\nさくたろがぴょこぴょこと背伸びしながら、縁寿の頭を撫でようとねだる。 <br>\r\nSakutaro stretched up on his tiptoes, trying to pat Ange's head. <br><br>\r\nその様子を見て、真里亞はぽりぽりと頭を掻き、いきなりの修行には厳しすぎたことを認める。 <br>\r\nWatching this, Maria scratched her head, acknowledging that this sudden training had been too difficult. <br><br>\r\n「うー。ちょっと荒行過ぎたかな。 <br>\r\n\"Uu-. Maybe that was a little too much. <br><br>\r\n真里亞、これくらいじゃ全然平気だけどな。友達、いっぱいいればいるほど楽しいし。」 <br>\r\nI'd be perfectly fine with this much though. The more friends you have, the more fun it is.\" <br><br>\r\n「………お姉ちゃんの凄さを改めて思い知るわ…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Now I'm even more aware of how incredible you are, Onee-chan...\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんクラスになると、オーケストラが演奏できるくらいの人数を一度に呼び出すことさえ出来るという。 <br>\r\nApparently, when one reaches Maria onee-chan's class, one can summon enough people to perform in an orchestra. <br><br>\r\nそれで、魔女見習いというのだから恐れ入る…。 <br>\r\nFor a witch apprentice, that's awe-inspiring... <br><br>\r\n「大丈夫ですか？ 縁寿さまぁ？」 <br>\r\n\"Are you okay? Ange-samaa?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………ごめんなさいね…。私にはあなたひとりを呼び出すのがやっとみたい。」 <br>\r\n\"......I'm sorry... It looks like summoning you is the most I can do.\" <br><br>\r\n「ま、私はこれでもいいかな。だって、七姉妹で私だけが縁寿さまの家具を独り占めだし。 <br>\r\n\"Well, I guess I'm okay with that. After all, of all the Seven Sisters, I get Ange-sama all to myself. <br><br>\r\n……いかがですか、縁寿さま。私ひとりなら負荷にはなりませんか？」 <br>\r\n...What do you think, Ange-sama? If it's just me, will it be a burden for you?\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、あなた一人なら何とかね…。」 <br>\r\n\"No, I think I'll be able to manage you alone somehow...\" <br><br>\r\n「良かったぁ！ なら、いっぱい修行して、いっぱい魔力を養って下さい。 <br>\r\n\"Great! Then please train a lot and cultivate your magic power a bunch. <br><br>\r\nそして、いつかきっと七姉妹で揃ってお仕えさせて下さい。約束ですよ？」 <br>\r\nThen someday, for sure, please bring the Seven Sisters together and let us serve you. Promise?\" <br><br>\r\nマモンは、とりあえず自分の顕現だけは問題ないことを確かめると、すぐに上機嫌に戻り、私にさらなる努力を約束させようとした。 <br>\r\nAfter confirming that, for the time being, her own materialization wasn't causing any issues, Mammon immediately became cheery again and tried to make me promise to work harder. <br><br>\r\nなるほど、確かに強欲だ。 <br>\r\n…でも、前向きとも言えるかもしれない。 <br>\r\nI see, that definitely fits with her being Greed. <br><br>\r\n...But maybe you could also call it having a positive attitude. <br><br>\r\n「……えぇ。約束するわ。…そのくらいは、いつか出来なくちゃね。」 <br>\r\n\"...Yes. I promise. ...I have to be able to do at least that much someday.\" <br><br>\r\n「ありがとう、縁寿さま！ この強欲のマモン、その日まで必ず縁寿さまにお仕えします…！」 <br>\r\n\"Thank you, Ange-sama! I, Mammon of Greed, will surely serve you until that day...!\" <br><br>\r\nようやく頭痛が治まり、私は頭を抱えていた両手を解く。 <br>\r\nするとマモンが手を差し出し、立ち上がるのを手伝ってくれた…。 <br>\r\nMy headache finally abated, and I relaxed both hands, which had been clutching at my head. <br><br>\r\nThen Mammon stuck out her hand, helping me stand back up... <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ？ <br>\r\n『Uryu? <br><br>\r\n……あ。……真里亞、縁寿、もうこんな時間だよ。もうお部屋に戻らないと、叱られる。』 <br>\r\n...Ah. ...Maria, Ange, it's about that time. If we don't return to the room, you'll be scolded.』 <br><br>\r\n「………え？ …………あ…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Huh? ......Oh...\" <br><br>\r\nさくたろが時間の話なんかするものだから。 <br>\r\n……私は現実に引き戻される。 <br>\r\nI hadn't expected Sakutaro to talk about the time. <br><br>\r\n...I was brought back into reality. <br><br>\r\n広大な世界は、明かりが消えてしまうかのように、ふっと闇に沈み、………私は狭い狭い、トイレの個室に、便座に座っている…。 <br>\r\nAs though the light had disappeared, the vast world sunk into the darkness, ......and I was in a tiny, tiny bathroom stall, sitting on a toilet... <br><br>\r\n膝の上には、お姉ちゃんの魔導書が開かれていた。 <br>\r\nOnee-chan's grimoire was open on my lap. <br><br>\r\n時計を見る。 <br>\r\nI looked at the clock. <br><br>\r\n……消灯時間の２０時は間近だった。 <br>\r\n...It was almost 20:00, time for lights out. <br><br>\r\n消灯前点呼に遅刻すると、色々うるさいだけでなく、ルームメイトやフロアメイトにも迷惑を掛ける。 <br>\r\nIf I show up late for the roll call before lights out, not only will things get pretty annoying, but it'll cause trouble for my roommates and floormates. <br><br>\r\n……迷惑を掛けること自体はどうでもいいが、彼女らにうるさく干渉されるのはごめんだ…。 <br>\r\n...I couldn't care less about causing them trouble, but I don't want them messing with me later... <br><br>\r\nはぁ…………。 <br>\r\n私だけの、今日の自由な時間は、もうおしまい。 <br>\r\n寝て、起きれば、明日が始まり、長い長い灰色の一日が再び繰り返される。 <br>\r\n*sigh*...... <br><br>\r\nMy free time by myself is already over for today. <br><br>\r\nI'll sleep, wake up, tomorrow will begin, and another long, long gray-colored day will repeat again. <br><br>\r\n私は魔導書を閉じ、のろのろと便座から立ち上がる…。 <br>\r\nI closed the grimoire and rose from the toilet seat... <br><br>\r\nその時、お姉ちゃんがもう一度現れ、言う。 <br>\r\nAt that time, Onee-chan appeared again and spoke. <br><br>\r\n「……ほら、縁寿。修行を忘れてるよ。…………マモンを連れて行って。」 <br>\r\n\"...Hey, Ange. You're forgetting your training. ......Take Mammon with you.\" <br><br>\r\n忘れてた。 <br>\r\n…現実に戻った拍子に、マモンの顕現を止めてしまった…。 <br>\r\nI'd forgotten. <br><br>\r\n...The moment I'd returned to reality, Mammon's materialization had stopped... <br><br>\r\nもう一度、マモンの存在を強くイメージする…。 <br>\r\nOne more time, I created a strong image of the existence of Mammon in my mind... <br><br>\r\n「もう、縁寿さまったらひどいです。いきなり私を消すなんて…！ そんなんじゃ、七姉妹を全員呼ぶなんて、なかなか出来ませんよー！」 <br>\r\n\"Sheesh, you're so mean, Ange-sama. Why'd you erase me so suddenly...?! At this rate, you won't be able to call all Seven Sisters easily!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………ごめんなさい。うっかりしてたわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......I'm sorry. I got careless.\" <br><br>\r\n「人間界に顕現するのはすごい久し振りなので、何から何まで興味深いです。ちょっぴりわくわくしてます。ここはどこですか？」 <br>\r\n\"It's been incredibly long since I've materialized in the human world, so I'm interested in absolutely everything. I'm getting a bit excited. Where is this?\" <br><br>\r\n「………聖ルチーア学園の寮。ここはその共用トイレの個室。……各部屋にトイレはあるから、ここには誰も来ない。静かで、本を読むにはちょうどいいの。」 <br>\r\n\"......The Saint Lucia Academy dormitory. This is a stall in the shared bathroom. ...Each room has its own bathroom, so no one comes here. It's quiet, and perfect for reading books.\" <br><br>\r\n「ここの寮は、本を読むにも、トイレの個室に隠れなきゃならないの？ 焚書でもやってるんですか？」 <br>\r\n\"So in this dorm, you have to hide in a toilet stall even to read a book? Do they burn books or something?\" <br><br>\r\n………………。 <br>\r\n...... <br><br>\r\n部屋は２人部屋だから、ルームメイトが常にいる。 <br>\r\n関係は険悪で常に無視されている感じ。 <br>\r\n……空気が悪いから、とても落ち着けたものじゃない。 <br>\r\nI have a two-person room, so my roommate is always there. <br><br>\r\nOur relationship is gloomy and it feels like I'm always getting ignored. <br><br>\r\n...The atmosphere's bad, so I really can't relax there. <br><br>\r\n彼女だって、私さえいなければ、大手を振って友人を呼んでおしゃべり大会が出来るのだ。 <br>\r\n消灯直前まで私が戻らない方が、向こうにだって都合がいい。 <br>\r\nAnd, as long as I'm not there, she can do what she likes, call her friends over and chat away. <br><br>\r\nIt's more convenient for them too if I don't return until just before lights out. <br><br>\r\n図書室もあるけど、そこを溜まり場にしてるグループは私のことをいつも陰口ばかり言ってる。 <br>\r\nThere's also a library, but there's a group that uses it as a meeting place, and they're always talking behind my back. <br><br>\r\nだから図書室にも行きたくない。 <br>\r\nSo I don't like to go there. <br><br>\r\n……昼休みは校舎裏の茂みの中。 <br>\r\n夜は寮の共用トイレの個室の中。 <br>\r\n...During lunch, it's the bushes behind the school building. <br><br>\r\nDuring the night, it's the stall in the shared bathroom in the dorms. <br><br>\r\nそこだけが、私に安らぎを与えてくれる、唯一の隠れ家なのだ…。 <br>\r\nThose are the only hideaways where I can find peace... <br><br>\r\n私は個室の扉を開け、……出る。 <br>\r\nI opened the door to the stall...and went out. <br><br>\r\n振り返り、マモンにもついておいでと目で合図する。 <br>\r\nI turned around, signaling with my eyes for Mammon to come with me. <br><br>\r\n「…………よくわからないけれど、縁寿さまにとって、とても快適とは言い難い場所だってことがわかったわ。 <br>\r\n\"......I don't really get it, but I realize it'd be hard to call this place pleasant for you, Ange-sama. <br><br>\r\n早く表に出ましょ。ここの空気、嫌い。」 <br>\r\nLet's go out quickly. I hate the air here.\" <br><br>\r\n「そう？ ………ここの空気が、一番まともなんだけどね。」 <br>\r\n\"Really? ......I think the air here is the most decent.\" <br><br>\r\nトイレを出て廊下に出ると、消灯時間が近いため、他の部屋に遊びに行っていた子たちが、ぱたぱたと自室に駆け戻っている。 <br>\r\nWhen I left the bathroom and entered the corridor, because it was near lights out time, several kids who had gone to play in other rooms were dashing back to their own. <br><br>\r\n消灯時間には、私たちが囚人服と呼んで嫌う、規定の寝巻きに着替えて、廊下で整列して寮長先生の点呼を受けなければならないのだ。 <br>\r\nWhen it came time for lights out, we had to change into uniform pajamas that we hated and called prison clothes, line up in the hallway, and go through the dorm leader's roll call. <br><br>\r\n……これに万一遅れるようなことがあると、連帯責任を取らされ、フロアメイト全体に奉仕活動という名の懲罰が課せられてしまう…。 <br>\r\n...On the off-chance that someone was late, we would take collective responsibility, and all of the floormates would have to undergo punishment in the form of volunteer work... <br><br>\r\nこれさえ気をつければ、彼女たちは冷酷に私を無視はするけれども、干渉だけはしない。 <br>\r\nAs long as I avoided this, the girls would look at me coldly, but they wouldn't get in my way. <br><br>\r\n……私にはそれだけで充分なのだ。 <br>\r\n...That alone was enough for me. <br><br>\r\nマモンは、すれ違う子たちや寮内の設備などを興味深そうに見ている。 <br>\r\nMammon looked at the passing kids and the furnishings of the dorm with interest. <br><br>\r\n……私はそんな彼女には特別の関心を払わず、自分の部屋への帰りを急ぐ。 <br>\r\n...Without paying her any particular attention, I hurried back to my room. <br><br>\r\n私の部屋の前では、すでに囚人服に着替えたルームメイトと隣室の子たちが談笑していた。 <br>\r\nIn front of my room was my roommate, who had already changed into her prison clothes, chatting with some kids from the room next door. <br><br>\r\n私が早足で戻ってきたのに気付くと、あからさまに話題を変える。 <br>\r\n私を盗み見ながら、ひそひそと声を潜めた。 <br>\r\nWhen they noticed me hurrying back, the topic of their conversation noticibly changed. <br><br>\r\nThey lowered their voices, stealing glances at me. <br><br>\r\n私はそれに気付かぬふりをして、部屋に入り、着替える。 <br>\r\nそして大急ぎで廊下に出る。 <br>\r\nI acted like I didn't notice, went into my room, and changed. <br><br>\r\nThen I hastily went out into the corridor. <br><br>\r\nすでにみんなは整列をしていた。 <br>\r\nEveryone was already lined up. <br><br>\r\n「………何これ、おっかしい。ここって、お嬢様学校じゃないの？ 刑務所みたい。馬鹿みたい。」 <br>\r\n\"......Hey, this is weird. I thought this was a school for rich girls. It's like a prison. It's stupid.\" <br><br>\r\n「やっぱりそうよね。私もそう思ってるわ。刑務所よりさらに厳しい点は、素行が良くても刑期が短くならない点かしら。」 <br>\r\n\"You think so too? That's what I think. And unlike prison, you don't get out early for good behavior.\" <br><br>\r\n……悪態をついてから、気付く。 <br>\r\n...After bad-mouthing the place, I noticed something. <br><br>\r\n悪態を聞いてくれる相手がいることは、 <br>\r\n……案外、気持ちがいい。 <br>\r\nHaving someone to listen to your complaints... <br><br>\r\nfeels surprisingly good. <br><br>\r\nマモンの姿は幸いにして、召喚者である私にしか見えない。 <br>\r\nもちろん、その会話も、口に出す必要はない。 <br>\r\n心の中で会話をすればいいのだから、他の誰にも聞かれない。 <br>\r\nFortunately, Mammon's form can only be seen by her summoner, me. <br><br>\r\nAnd of course, there was no need to speak out loud for this conversation. <br><br>\r\nAll I had to do was speak inside my mind, so no one could listen in. <br><br>\r\n………魔法と、それによって生み出された友人も、 <br>\r\n……案外、悪くないものかもしれない。 <br>\r\n......Magic...and the friends it creates... <br><br>\r\nmight actually not be so bad. <br><br>\r\n「こいつら、揃いも揃ってモヤシみたい。 <br>\r\n\"All of these people are sheltered brats. <br><br>\r\n生きてないって感じ。きゃははは。」 <br>\r\n「やめなさいよ。万一、姿を見られたら大変よ…？」 <br>\r\nFeels like they aren't even alive. Kyahahaha.\" <br><br>\r\n\"Stop it. If you're seen by some chance, it'll be pretty bad, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「夢も希望もカケラほどもないニンゲンなんて、反魔法の塊だもの。私の姿なんて、絶対に見えるわけがない。 <br>\r\n\"Humans without a fragment of hopes or dreams are like a lump of anti-magic. There's no way they'll be able to see me. <br><br>\r\n見ることも出来ない、下等生物どもが。くすくすくす！」 <br>\r\n「………あなたは、その反魔法の毒素を持つニンゲンたちがこれほどいる中でも平気なの？」 <br>\r\nHah, you lower life-forms can't even see. *giggle*giggle*!\" <br><br>\r\n\"......Are you okay being around so many Humans with that magic-resisting toxin?\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さまが私を顕現させて下さる限りは平気です。 <br>\r\n\"I'm fine as long as you continue to make me materialize, Ange-sama. <br><br>\r\n……ただ、私を顕現するために常に集中しなければならないでしょうから、日常生活が疎かになる可能性がありますよ。……ほら、同室の子に呼ばれてません？」 <br>\r\n...Although, since you'll probably have to keep concentrating to materialize me, there's a chance you'll neglect your daily life. ...Look, that girl you're sharing a room with is calling you, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「……え？ ………あ、」 <br>\r\n\"...Huh? ......Oh-\" <br><br>\r\n「右代宮さん、聞こえてる？ 来週からの週番なんだけどさ、ちょっと相談があってェ。」 <br>\r\n\"Ushiromiya-san, are you listening? About our weekly duties starting next week...\" <br><br>\r\n……また、私にいくつかの労務を押し付ける話だろう。 <br>\r\n普段は私に目など一切合わせもしないルームメイトが、気色悪く微笑みかけてくる。 <br>\r\n...She's probably trying to push a few more chores onto me. <br><br>\r\nMy roommate, who never even looked me in the eye normally, was smiling at me unpleasantly. <br><br>\r\nしかし、二人で週番をやらされるよりは、押し付けられて一人で作業をする方が気楽でいい。 <br>\r\nBut it'll be easier to have the weekly duty pushed onto me alone, rather than doing it together with her. <br><br>\r\nそれを引き受けることで、引き続き私を無視してくれるなら、お安い御用…。 <br>\r\nThat's a small price to pay to have her continue to ignore me non-stop... <br><br>\r\nなのに彼女は、白々しい言い訳から、なぜか論点が摩り替わって、私が率先してそれをやるべきであるというような、立場の逆転に固執している。 <br>\r\nEven so, with a completely shameless excuse, she sidestepped the issue for some reason and insisted on flipping the situation around, as though I should've come forward and done it of my own initiative. <br><br>\r\n……ものの頼み方を知らない子が多いのが、この学園の特徴だ。 <br>\r\n...One of the special traits of this academy is that it's full of girls who don't know how to ask a favor. <br><br>\r\n「……何この子。ムカつくー。眉間に思いっきり私の杭をねじ込んでやりたい。」 <br>\r\n「そうね。ぜひ今度、お願いするわ。」 <br>\r\n\"...That kid. She pisses me off. I'd love to just gouge her right in the forehead.\" <br><br>\r\n\"Yeah. I hope you do, one of these days.\" <br><br>\r\n</body>\n</html>","size_bytes":2142428,"file_path":"html/ja/umineko3.html","file_timestamp":1753279312,"language":"HTML","is_vendor":false,"license_type":"no_license","detected_licenses":[]},{"content_id":"3e10cb05be468b2ac4f066c840d8fbadbbaa4861","content":"var t1 = new Array()\n$.get(\"../../../txt/arrayEn1.txt\", function (data) {\n t1 = data.split('; ')\n $(\"#total\").html(\"All words: \" + t1.length)\n})\nvar t2 = new Array()\n$.get(\"../../../txt/arrayEn2.txt\", function (data) { t2 = data.split('; ') })\nvar correct = 0 \nvar correctText = \"Correct words: \"\n$(\"#guessed\").html(correctText + correct)","size_bytes":349,"file_path":"mobile/js/vocabInitEn.js","file_timestamp":1753279312,"language":"JavaScript","is_vendor":false,"license_type":"no_license","detected_licenses":[]},{"content_id":"0eddbfd42e0fffce4106a2d48720728b4e56c724","content":"<!DOCTYPE html>\r\n<html>\r\n<head>\r\n <meta charset=\"utf-8\" />\r\n</head>\r\n<body>\r\n <a href=\"umineko3.html\">< part 3</a><br>\r\n\r\n ………………………。 <br>\r\n……うん。 <br>\r\nやっぱり、悪態を聞いてくれる友達が常に身近に居てくれるのは、……思った以上に、嬉しい。 <br>\r\n......... <br><br>\r\n...Yeah. <br><br>\r\nHaving a friend nearby all the time to complain to...makes me happier than I thought it would. <br><br>\r\n七姉妹はみんな揃うと本当に賑やかだった。 <br>\r\nIt really was lively with all the Seven Sisters gathered together. <br><br>\r\n……きっと、ただ彼女らがじゃれ合っているのを見るだけでも、とても楽しいだろう。 <br>\r\n...I'm sure just watching them mess around will be a lot of fun. <br><br>\r\n……早く、七姉妹を全て召喚できるだけの魔力を身に付けよう。 <br>\r\n...I want to gain enough magical power to summon all the Seven Sisters at once, and soon. <br><br>\r\n そしてもっともっと修行して、 <br>\r\n………私が本当に呼び出したいものを、 <br>\r\n……召喚する。 <br>\r\nSo I'll train much, much more, <br><br>\r\n......and finally summon... <br><br>\r\nthe thing I really want to find. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「………？ 縁寿さまが本当に召喚したいものって、何ですか？」 <br>\r\n\"......? What is it you really want to summon, Ange-sama?\" <br><br>\r\nマモンが、私の心の中の独り言を察し、きょとんと問い掛けてくる。 <br>\r\n私は話そうか迷ったが、隠すことでもないと思い、それを告げた。 <br>\r\nMammon noticed my conversation with myself inside my head and asked about it blankly. <br><br>\r\nI hesitated to talk about it, but then figured that there was no reason to hide it and told her. <br><br>\r\n「………………家族よ。………お父さん。お母さん。お兄ちゃん。」 <br>\r\n\".........My family. ......Dad. Mom. Onii-chan.\" <br><br>\r\n「それってつまり、死者の魂…？ 異界の住人を呼び出すのは召喚だけど、死者の魂を呼び戻すのは反魂で、それはまったくの別物。……反魂はかなりの大魔法のはずですよ。」 <br>\r\n\"So you mean...the souls of the dead...? Calling a resident of another world is summoning, but calling back the souls of the dead is called resurrection, and they're completely different. ...Resurrection is supposed to be a very high-level magic.\" <br><br>\r\n知ってる。 <br>\r\n……真里亞お姉ちゃんでも、まったく出来ないほどに。 <br>\r\nでも、それが私が魔法で呼び出したい、一番のもの。 <br>\r\nI know. <br><br>\r\n...So much so that even Maria onee-chan can't do it at all. <br><br>\r\nBut that's the thing I want to find with magic...the most. <br><br>\r\n……それがとても難しい大魔法であるとは脅されてる。 <br>\r\n…下手をすれば、生涯を掛けての修行で、辿り着けるかどうかの保証も出来ないとさえ。 <br>\r\n...I've been warned that it's a very difficult, high-level magic. <br><br>\r\n...So great that, in the worst case, I might not necessarily reach that point even after training for my whole life. <br><br>\r\nしかも、依り代もない。 <br>\r\n依り代は、召喚でも反魂でも、魔法を成功させる重要なものとなる。 <br>\r\nFurthermore, I have no vessel. <br><br>\r\nA vessel is vital for making magic succeed, whether it's summoning or resurrection. <br><br>\r\nそれがないのだから、………ただでさえ難しい魔法は絶望的になる。 <br>\r\nBecause I don't have that, ......a magic that would already have been difficult is now hopeless. <br><br>\r\nそう。私には、お父さんを偲ぶものも、お母さんを偲ぶものも、何もない。 <br>\r\nThat's right. I have nothing to remember Dad or Mom by. <br><br>\r\nでも、……何という偶然。 <br>\r\nお兄ちゃんを偲ぶものだけは、私は持っていた。 <br>\r\nHowever, ...by an extraordinary coincidence... <br><br>\r\nI do have something to remember just Onii-chan by. <br><br>\r\nそれが、………これ。 <br>\r\nAnd that's......this. <br><br>\r\n「……そのピンクの珠の頭飾り？ <br>\r\n\"...That hair accessory with the pink jewel? <br><br>\r\n何それぇ、言っちゃ悪いけど、縁寿さまにはちょっと安物っぽい。」 <br>\r\nWhat the hell... I hate to say it, but it looks a little cheap for you, Ange-sama.\" <br><br>\r\n「昔、お父さんに内緒で、お母さんと一緒にお兄ちゃんに会って、遊園地に遊びに行ったことがあるの。……そこのクレーンゲームの景品。」 <br>\r\n\"Long ago, without telling Dad, I went with Mom to meet Onii-chan, and we went to play at an amusement park. ...This is a prize from the crane game there.\" <br><br>\r\n安物であることなんて知ってるし、私の雰囲気に合わないことも、子どもっぽ過ぎることも知ってる。 <br>\r\nI know it's cheap, I realize that it doesn't match my style, and I get that it's too childish. <br><br>\r\n……でも、このヘアアクセサリーは、私が戦人お兄ちゃんを身近に感じられる、唯一の品なのだ。 <br>\r\n...But this hair accessory is the only thing that makes me feel as though Battler onii-chan is by my side. <br><br>\r\nガラスケースの中には、楽しそうな小物のいっぱい詰まった、プラスチックのカプセルがいっぱい満たされている。 <br>\r\nそれらカプセルの中には、それぞれに可愛らしい小物が入っているようだった。 <br>\r\nThe glass case had been filled with plastic capsules packed with fun-looking things. <br><br>\r\nIt seemed that each capsule had some cute accessory in it. <br><br>\r\nそれをクレーンで取るゲームなのだが、……幼い私には難し過ぎて。 <br>\r\n何度挑戦しても全然駄目だった。 <br>\r\nThe game was to grab those with the crane, ...but I was young and it was too hard for me. <br><br>\r\nI tried it several times, but I didn't even get close. <br><br>\r\nお母さんは、どうせ中身は安物だし、何が入ってるかわからないんだから、あまり意地になっても意味がないわよと言った。 <br>\r\nMom said that whatever was inside was probably cheap anyway, and we didn't even know what we'd get, so there was no point in getting all upset over it. <br><br>\r\nでも、安物かどうかが問題なんじゃなくて、……幸せを、自らの手で掴み取るという、そのプロセスが、私にはとても大切で、神聖なものに感じられたのだ。 <br>\r\nBut whether it was something cheap or not wasn't the problem. ...The process of grabbing happiness with my own hands felt really important and sacred to me. <br><br>\r\nだから、その安物の何かが入っているそれが、どうしても欲しかった。 <br>\r\nSo I wanted the cheap thing inside more than anything. <br><br>\r\nそしたら鉄砲で兵隊をやっつけるゲームを終えた戦人お兄ちゃんがやって来て、 <br>\r\n……私の代わりに挑戦してくれた。 <br>\r\nThen, Battler onii-chan came over after finishing a game of shooting soldiers with a gun... <br><br>\r\nand tried to do it for me. <br><br>\r\n…私には届かない幸せに、お兄ちゃんが私より長い手を伸ばして、掴み取ってくれたのだ。 <br>\r\n...With his arms that were longer than mine, Onii-chan grasped the happiness that I couldn't reach. <br><br>\r\n……お兄ちゃんは本当に器用だった。 <br>\r\n...Onii-chan really was coordinated. <br><br>\r\nよくお友達とゲームセンターで遊んでいたらしい。 <br>\r\nほんの１〜２回の挑戦で、私には触れることもできない、ガラスケースの向こう側のそれをクレーンで掴み、………取り出し口に放り込んでくれたのだ。 <br>\r\nIt seems he often played with his friends at the arcades. <br><br>\r\nAfter only one or two attempts, he grasped that thing on the other side of the glass with the crane that I hadn't even been able to touch......and threw it into the exit chute. <br><br>\r\nそのカプセルを、ぽんと私に放り投げてくれたお兄ちゃんの姿が、とてもとても頼もしいものだったことを覚えている。 <br>\r\nWhen Onii-chan tossed me that capsule, I remember that he looked very, very reliable. <br><br>\r\n数日の間、そのカプセルを開けるのも勿体無い気がした。 <br>\r\nFor several days, I felt like opening the capsule would be a waste. <br><br>\r\nそして、ある日、ようやくその中身を開く。 <br>\r\nThen, one day, I finally opened it up. <br><br>\r\n……すると中から現れたのが、このピンクの珠のヘアアクセサリーだったのだ。 <br>\r\n...And what revealed itself inside...was this pink-jeweled hair accessory. <br><br>\r\nその日以来。 <br>\r\nこれは、お兄ちゃんの象徴。 <br>\r\nSince that day... <br><br>\r\nIt's been a symbol for Onii-chan. <br><br>\r\n私は、戦人お兄ちゃんを含めた４人の家族が集まれることが、幸せな家族の前提だと、幼いながらに考えていた。 <br>\r\nSince I was young, I felt that having all four of us gathered, including Battler onii-chan, was a precondition for a happy family. <br><br>\r\nだから、早くお兄ちゃんとお父さんが仲直りしてほしいと考えていた。 <br>\r\nSo I wanted Onii-chan and Dad to make up quickly. <br><br>\r\n……このヘアアクセサリーは、私なりの、家族全員を揃えるおまじないだった。 <br>\r\nだからいつも身に付けていた。 <br>\r\n...In my own way, I'd treated this hair accessory as a charm for bringing my whole family together. <br><br>\r\nSo I always used to wear it. <br><br>\r\n頼もしくて面白い、素敵なお兄ちゃんを、いつも身近に感じて、お家に居させてあげたかったから。 <br>\r\nI wanted to feel my reliable, fun, and wonderful Onii-chan by my side all the time...and let him live in our house. <br><br>\r\n「でも、……お兄ちゃんの記憶は、あまりに遠い。……真里亞お姉ちゃんが、ライオンのぬいぐるみからさくたろうを生み出したようには、簡単に出来ない。……私は、死者の魂を蘇らせる大魔法をいつか必ず身に付ける。そして、それを成功させられる唯一の鍵が、依り代が、これなの。」 <br>\r\n\"But...my memories of Onii-chan...are very distant. ...I can't do it as easily as Maria onee-chan created Sakutarou from a lion stuffed animal. ...One day, I'll surely possess the high-level magic to revive the souls of the dead. And the only key...the only vessel...that can make that successful is this.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。 <br>\r\n\"............ <br><br>\r\n……なるほど。その頭飾りに、ものすごい魔力を感じてたけど、そういうわけなのね。」 <br>\r\n「魔力…？ お兄ちゃんのこれに、魔力が宿ってるの…？」 <br>\r\n...I see. I did feel an incredible magical power from that hair accessory. So that's what it was.\" <br><br>\r\n\"Magical power...? There's magical power in this thing Onii-chan gave me...?\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さまが宿らせている、というべきかもね。……縁寿さまの、兄を呼び出したいという強い想いが魔力を与えている。 <br>\r\n\"Maybe I should say that it resides in you, Ange-sama. ...Your strong desire to call your brother gives you magical power. <br><br>\r\n……確かに反魂は大魔法だけど。縁寿さまはその魔法のために、無意識の内に、着実に階段を登っているのは間違いない。」 <br>\r\n...Resurrection certainly is a high-level magic, but there can be no mistake that you're steadily and unconsciously climbing the stairs towards it.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………嬉しいわ。私以外の人に、それを認めてもらえるのは。」 <br>\r\n\"......I'm glad. It's nice to hear someone other than myself acknowledge that.\" <br><br>\r\n自らの努力というものは、自らには観測できない。 <br>\r\nYour own effort isn't something that you can observe by yourself. <br><br>\r\nその意味において、……この、七つの大罪のうちの一つを司るという物騒な悪魔少女であっても、……私に掛けてくれたその言葉はとても嬉しいものだ。 <br>\r\nIn that sense, ...even though these words came from a shady demon girl who controls one of the seven deadly sins, ...they made me very happy. <br><br>\r\n「反魂の魔法に至るのと、寿命を全うするのとどっちが早いかだけは、私には保証できないけれども。 <br>\r\n\"Well, I can't guarantee that you'll obtain the resurrection magic before your life is over. <br><br>\r\n……でも、挑む山の高さが高ければ高いほど、魔女としての力も比例していく。縁寿さまは挫けることがなかったなら、きっといつか、私たちの元の主、ベアトリーチェさまに匹敵するほどの大魔女になれると思います。」 <br>\r\n...However, your power as a witch is proportional to the height of the mountain you dare to climb. If you don't lose heart, I'm sure you'll rival even our former master, Beatrice, as a Great Witch someday.\" <br><br>\r\n「……なれるかしら。大魔女になって、お兄ちゃんを、 <br>\r\n……ううん、家族を蘇らせることが出来るかしら。」 <br>\r\n\"...I wonder if I can. I wonder if I can become a Great Witch and revive Onii-chan... <br><br>\r\nno, my family.\" <br><br>\r\n「反魂の魔女、エンジェ卿…！ <br>\r\n\"The Witch of Resurrection, Lady ANGE...! <br><br>\r\nきゃー、素敵！ 反魂の魔女はかなりレアな魔女です。そんな魔女がご主人様なんて、ちょっと鼻が高いです。っていうか、むしろそうなって欲しいものです。家具の価値も、主の格に比例しますので！ <br>\r\nKyaah, wonderful! A Witch of Resurrection is a very rare kind of witch. Having a master like that would make me pretty proud. Actually, I'd love for that to happen. Because furniture's worth is also proportional to the class of its master!\" <br><br>\r\nもうベアトリーチェさまさえ抜いちゃって、天下無双の大魔女になって下さいね！ 煉獄の七姉妹を代表して、心より応援申し上げまーす！ きゃは！」 <br>\r\n\"Please pass Beatrice-sama up and become a peerless Great Witch! As a representative of the Seven Sisters of Purgatory, I'll support you from the bottom of my heart! Kyaha!\" <br><br>\r\n……………私にも魔法の友達が現れるなら、さくたろうみたいな可愛い子がいいと思ってたけど。 <br>\r\n......I'd thought that if a magical friend were to appear for me too, a cute kid like Sakutarou would be best. <br><br>\r\nこの七つの大罪を司る、物騒な七姉妹の五女ひとりだけでも、私の心はこんなにも安らぐ。 <br>\r\nBut even this fifth sister of the shady Seven Sisters who controlled the seven deadly sins...was enough to calm my heart so much all by herself. <br><br>\r\n……真里亞お姉ちゃんは多分、こんなことはとっくに知っていた。 <br>\r\nだからこそ私に、あんなにも繰り返し繰り返し、魔女の世界を勧めてくれたのだ。 <br>\r\n...Maria onee-chan has probably known that since long ago. <br><br>\r\nThat's why she recommended the world of witches to me over and over and over again. <br><br>\r\nそれを私が頑固に拒否し続けたから……。 <br>\r\nAnd I kept on stubbornly rejecting her... <br><br>\r\nもっと早く素直になって、魔女の修行を始めれば良かった。 <br>\r\nI should've given in and started my training as a witch sooner. <br><br>\r\n幼き日の一年が、老いの十年に匹敵する、だっけ…。 <br>\r\nA year for a child is worth ten years for an old person, ...right...? <br><br>\r\nぐだぐだと不満だけを口にして、その貴重な時間を無駄にしたかつての自分が、今となっては憎らしい。 <br>\r\nNow I find my past self, which only ever complained, deplorable for wasting my precious time. <br><br>\r\nマモンは、消灯しベッドに潜り込んだ私の枕元でも、ずっとお喋りをしていてくれた。 <br>\r\nLong after I turned off the lights and slipped into bed, Mammon continued to talk to me alongside my pillow. <br><br>\r\n……約束する。 <br>\r\n...I promise. <br><br>\r\nいつか必ず、七姉妹を呼び出せる魔力を養おう。 <br>\r\nそして姉妹を賑やかに楽しく過ごさせてやろう。 <br>\r\nOne day, for sure, I'll develop a magical power that can summon the Seven Sisters. <br><br>\r\nAnd I'll let them have a lively and fun time. <br><br>\r\n彼女らは７人で１組。 <br>\r\n……欠けさせてはいけない。 <br>\r\nThe seven of them make a single whole. <br><br>\r\n...None can be left out. <br><br>\r\n家族は、一緒でなきゃ。 <br>\r\n必ず、……揃えてあげなくちゃ………。 <br>\r\nFamily must be together. <br><br>\r\nI must...bring them together...... <br><br>\r\n「………………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n私の意識が、ゆっくりと戻ってくる。 <br>\r\nMy awareness began to return slowly. <br><br>\r\n楼座叔母さんと真里亞お姉ちゃんの関係が見るに耐えなくて、……ベアトとお兄ちゃんのゲームから、私は逃げ出したんだっけ。 <br>\r\nUnable to stand watching <NAME> and Maria onee-chan's relationship, ...I ran away from Beato's and Onii-chan's game, didn't I...? <br><br>\r\n……戻らなくちゃ。 <br>\r\n...I've got to go back. <br><br>\r\n戻って、お兄ちゃんをサポートして、早くこんなおかしな魔女のゲームの世界から、連れ戻さなくちゃ。 <br>\r\nI've got to go back, support Onii-chan, and quickly bring him back from this strange world of the witch's game. <br><br>\r\nここにいる限り、……私は縁寿だと名乗ることが許されないのだから。 <br>\r\nAfter all, as long as I'm here, ...I'm not allowed to call myself Ange. <br><br>\r\n……その時、ふと、人の気配が。 <br>\r\n...At that time, I felt someone's presence. <br><br>\r\n振り返ると、………そこには、マモンの姿が。 <br>\r\nWhen I turned around, ......I could see Mammon there. <br><br>\r\n「グレーテルさま。そろそろお戻りになられないと、ゲームの進行に差し支えるとベアトリーチェさまが仰せです。速やかにお戻りになられますようにお願い申し上げます。」 <br>\r\n\"Gretel-sama, Beatrice-sama said that if you do not return soon, it will become a hindrance to the progression of the game. I beg that you return swiftly.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………ありがと。…もう戻るわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Thank you. ...I'll go back now.\" <br><br>\r\n「良かったじゃないですか。」 <br>\r\n\"Isn't it great?\" <br><br>\r\n「何が…？」 <br>\r\n\"What is...?\" <br><br>\r\n「戦人お兄ちゃんに、出会えて。」 <br>\r\n\"That you were able to meet Battler onii-chan.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………皮肉？」 <br>\r\n\"......Is that sarcasm?\" <br><br>\r\n「そう聞こえるなら、そういうことにしてもらってもいいですけど？」 <br>\r\n\"Well, if that's how it sounds, feel free to call it that.\" <br><br>\r\n「………ごめんなさい。言葉通りに受け取るべきね。 <br>\r\n\"......I'm sorry. I should've taken it literally. <br><br>\r\n…えぇ、そうよ。こんな狂った世界であっても、お兄ちゃんに出会えて、心底に嬉しいわ。」 <br>\r\n...Yeah, you're right. Even in this screwed up world, being able to meet Onii-chan makes me happy from the bottom of my heart.\" <br><br>\r\n「そして、お兄ちゃんのために、ベアトリーチェさまに打ち勝つ…？」 <br>\r\n\"And you'll win against Beatrice, for your Onii-chan's sake...?\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ。……いつまでもこんな世界で遊ばれてちゃ困るもの。……そろそろお家へ帰る時間なのよ。だから私が呼びに来たわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes. ...Can't have him playing around in a world like this forever. ...It's about time for him to return home. That's why I came to call him.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………せいぜい頑張ってください。私、今の主は、ベアトリーチェさまですので、応援は出来ませんが。」 <br>\r\n\"......Please do the best you can. Although I can't support you, since my current master is Beatrice-sama.\" <br><br>\r\n「知ってるわ。１９８６年１０月５日までは、…あなたはベアトリーチェの家具よ。そしてやがては、私の友人になるわ。」 <br>\r\n\"I know. Until October 5, 1986, ...you are Beatrice's furniture. And eventually, you'll become my friend.\" <br><br>\r\n「そしてやがては、その友人を捨てるわけですが。何しろ、……ッ、………ぐ…、」 <br>\r\n\"But eventually, you'll throw that friend away. After all, ...ng, ......gah...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nマモンが舌を噛んだように呻き、胸を押さえながらよろめく。 <br>\r\nルールはどうやら、私以外にも適用されてるようだ。 <br>\r\nMammon moaned as if she'd bit her tongue, staggering as she clutched her chest. <br><br>\r\nApparently, the rules apply to people other than me as well. <br><br>\r\n「大丈夫？ それ、結構、辛いわよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Are you okay? It's pretty...painful.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。……失礼しました。グ、…グレーテルさま。」 <br>\r\n\"............Excuse me, G-Gretel-sama.\" <br><br>\r\n「いいえ。ありがと。」 <br>\r\n\"No. Thank you.\" <br><br>\r\n「………？」 <br>\r\n\"......?\" <br><br>\r\n「嬉しいわ。お兄ちゃんに出会えて。あなたの最初の問いへの答えよ。 <br>\r\n\"I'm glad. Glad I was able to meet Onii-chan. That's my answer to your first question. <br><br>\r\n………じゃ、戻りましょ。私があまり愚図ると、あなたが今の主人に怒られるわ。」 <br>\r\n......Well, let's go back. If I grumble too much, you'll get in trouble with your current master.\" <br><br>\r\n「はい。ご理解いただけて助かります。それではこち <br>\r\n\"Yes. I'm glad you understand. Well then, thi <br><br>\r\n「………………マモン？ …………え？」 <br>\r\n\".........Mammon? ......Huh?\" <br><br>\r\nマモンはきっと、「それではこちらへ…」、と言い掛けたはずなのだ。 <br>\r\nI'm sure Mammon was about to say \"Well then, this way...\" <br><br>\r\nそれが、……そこでフィルムが千切れてしまったように、ぴたりと止まってしまう。 <br>\r\n彼女が突然凍りついたように見えた。 <br>\r\nBut then, ...she stopped, as though the film had been torn off at that point. <br><br>\r\nIt looked like she'd suddenly frozen. <br><br>\r\n…そして気付く。 <br>\r\n凍りついたのは彼女だけではない。 <br>\r\n……空気や、舞っていた埃までが虚空に凍り付いている。 <br>\r\n...Then, I noticed. <br><br>\r\nShe wasn't the only thing that had frozen. <br><br>\r\n...Even the air and floating bits of dust had frozen in place in empty space. <br><br>\r\nまるで、時間すらも凍りついたような世界。 <br>\r\nA world where it seemed even time had frozen. <br><br>\r\n……そう。それは、ベルンカステルが現れる時の前兆に見えた。 <br>\r\n...Yes. This looks like a portent that Bernkastel will appear. <br><br>\r\nしかし、どこか空気が違う。 <br>\r\nそして理解する。 <br>\r\nBut the atmosphere was different somehow. <br><br>\r\nThen, I understood. <br><br>\r\n………ベルンカステルじゃない。 <br>\r\n…もう１人の魔女の方だ。 <br>\r\n......It wasn't Bernkastel. <br><br>\r\n...It was the other witch. <br><br>\r\n「調子はどうかしら、縁寿…？」 <br>\r\n\"How are you feeling, Ange...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………ラムダデルタ。……あなたにはルールの適用はないのね。」 <br>\r\n\"......Lambdadelta. ...The rules don't apply to you, do they?\" <br><br>\r\n「当り前でしょ？ ルールは他人を縛るためにあるのよ。自分をそれで縛る馬鹿はいないわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Of course not. Rules exist to bind others. What kind of idiot would bind themselves with them?\" <br><br>\r\nベルンカステルは私に肩入れしてくれる魔女だが、……彼女は違う。 <br>\r\nベアトリーチェに肩入れする魔女。…つまりは、私の敵方の存在だ。 <br>\r\nBernkastel is a witch who supports me, ...but this girl is different. <br><br>\r\nThis witch supports Beatrice. ...In other words, she's a being on the opposing side. <br><br>\r\nしかし、ベアトリーチェとは何かが違う。 <br>\r\nBut there's some kind of difference between her and Beatrice. <br><br>\r\nベルンカステルも含め、ラムダデルタの存在はどこか掴み所がない。 <br>\r\n……何と言うか、…自分より次元の高い存在とでも言うべきなのか…。 <br>\r\nEven compared to Bernkastel, there's something strange about Lambdadelta's existence. <br><br>\r\n...It's...how should I put it... Maybe like she's a being from a higher dimension... <br><br>\r\nいずれにせよ、私は彼女にどう接していいか、未だに戸惑っている。 <br>\r\nIn any event, I was still unsure about how to deal with her. <br><br>\r\n……ただひとつ確実なのは、私の敵であるという一点だけだ。 <br>\r\n…いや、それだけわかっていれば十分かもしれないのだが…。 <br>\r\n...The only thing that was certain was that she was my enemy. <br><br>\r\n...No, just knowing that might be enough, but... <br><br>\r\n「それで、……私に何か御用？」 <br>\r\n\"So, ...do you have some business with me?\" <br><br>\r\n「まぁね。あなたたちの会話に耳を傾けてたら、ちょっと面白い話になったんでね。あなたにちょっと、良い話を聞かせてあげようと思って。」 <br>\r\n\"Not really. When I listened in on your conversation, it started to get a bit interesting. I thought I'd let you hear something good.\" <br><br>\r\n「あなたは私の敵のはず。そのあなたが私に得する話を聞かせる理由が思いつかないわ。……つまり、耳を傾けた時点で負けということだわ。 <br>\r\n\"You're supposed to be my enemy. I can't think of a reason for you to tell me something that'd help me. So the moment I start listening to you, I lose. <br><br>\r\nじゃあね、シーユーネクストタイム。」 <br>\r\nBye, <see you next time>.\" <br><br>\r\n「誤解しないで。私の相手はベルンであって、あなたじゃないわ。……つまり、私とあなたが共に得をする話は有り得るということよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Don't misunderstand. My opponent is Bern, not you. ...In other words, it's possible for there to be a topic that benefits both you and me.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………悪いけど。私には聞く気がないわ。」 <br>\r\n\".........Sorry, but I don't feel like listening.\" <br><br>\r\n……そうは言ったものの、ラムダデルタが納得しない限り、この凍った時間からは解放されないだろう。 <br>\r\n...Although I said that, I probably won't be released from this frozen time until Lambdadelta is satisfied. <br><br>\r\n……それこそが、私より高次の存在である証かもしれない。 <br>\r\n私には、彼女の話を聞かないという選択肢が与えられていないのだ。 <br>\r\n...This itself might be proof that she's in a higher dimension than me. <br><br>\r\nI haven't been given the option of not listening to her. <br><br>\r\n出来るのは、何を言われても動揺しないように、心理面での防御を固めるくらい。 <br>\r\nAll I can do is try not to be shaken by anything she says...and strengthen my mental guard. <br><br>\r\n恐らく彼女は、私が不利になるような何かを吹き込んでくるか、脅迫してくるに違いないのだ…。 <br>\r\nShe'll probably try to make me believe something disadvantageous to me, threatening me... <br><br>\r\n「くすくすくす。そんなに身構えなくてもいいってば。私は、あなたの誤解を解きに来ただけよ。 <br>\r\n\"*giggle*giggle* There's no need to square off like that. I just came to resolve your misunderstanding. <br><br>\r\n……いいえ、ちょっと違う。ベルンカステルがあなたに吐いた嘘を、教えてあげようと思ってやって来たのよ。」 <br>\r\n...No, that's not quite it. I came to let you know about the lie Bernkastel told you.\" <br><br>\r\n「………ベルンカステルが、………嘘？」 <br>\r\n\"......Bernkastel......lied?\" <br><br>\r\n「あなたはベルンに、ベアトを倒せば兄が帰ってくるような、そんな言い方をされたんじゃないの？」 <br>\r\n「………………。さぁ。…あなたに話す気はないけど。」 <br>\r\n\"Didn't Bern make it sound like your big brother would come back if you defeated Beato?\" <br><br>\r\n\"......Who knows. ...I don't feel like talking with you.\" <br><br>\r\n兄が帰ってくる、なんて。そこまで夢のある約束はされていない。 <br>\r\nMy brother coming home... I hadn't been promised anything that dream-like. <br><br>\r\n運が良ければ１人くらいは…、なんていう、かなり望みの低い約束だった。 <br>\r\nGetting just one person only if I was lucky...had been a promise without very high hopes. <br><br>\r\nでも、私にとってはそれで充分。 <br>\r\nBut that's enough for me. <br><br>\r\n……永遠の孤独が約束された私には、わずかではあってもゼロでない確率は、それだけで眩しいくらいに光り輝いているのだから。 <br>\r\n...After being promised an eternity of isolation, having a faint but still non-zero chance was like a shining beacon. <br><br>\r\n「ある意味、ベルンのその約束は嘘ではないわ。……ベルンがそう約束したのならきっと、あなたがベアトを倒せば、戦人も両親も解放されてあなたのところへ帰ってくる。」 <br>\r\n\"In a way, that promise of Bern's wasn't a lie. ...If Bern promised, then I'm sure that if you defeat Beato, Battler and your parents will be released and will come back to you.\" <br><br>\r\n「何の問題もないじゃない。」 <br>\r\n\"Then there's no problem.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………本気で？ <br>\r\n\"......Seriously? <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n………あの子は案外、残酷よね。 <br>\r\n......That kid is surprisingly cruel. <br><br>\r\n~ib~わかってて、騙すなんて~ib~。」 <br>\r\n~ib~To think she'd deceive you, even though she knows~ib~.\" <br><br>\r\n「………私がどう騙されてるというの。」 <br>\r\n\"......How are you saying I was deceived?\" <br><br>\r\nまずい…。 <br>\r\n向こうのペースに乗せられた。 <br>\r\nDamn... <br><br>\r\nI'm letting her take the initiative. <br><br>\r\n…しかし私は、彼女の話に耳を傾けない限り解放されないのだ。 <br>\r\n…ならば、いずれは聞かねばならぬ話…。 <br>\r\n...But I won't be released until I lend an ear to her. <br><br>\r\n...So it's something I'll have to hear anyway... <br><br>\r\n私は罠に落ちかけているかもしれないと自覚しながらも、その先を促してしまう。 <br>\r\nEven though I realized I was falling into a trap, I urged her forwards. <br><br>\r\n「今は何年？」 <br>\r\n\"What year is it now?\" <br><br>\r\n「……このゲーム盤の世界のこと？ …ならば、１９８６年１０月４日よ。」 <br>\r\n\"...You're talking about the world of the game board? ...In that case, it's October 4, 1986.\" <br><br>\r\n「その通り。ならば、あなたがベアトに打ち勝ったなら、台風が去った１０月６日に、島に囚われていた人々は帰還する。 <br>\r\n\"That's right. So if you win against Beato, then on October 6, when the typhoon has passed, the people who were trapped on the island will return. <br><br>\r\n……１９８６年の１０月６日にね？」 <br>\r\n...On October 6, 1986, that is, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………だから何。」 <br>\r\n\"......So what?\" <br><br>\r\n「あなたの１９８６年の１０月６日はどうだった？ …………親戚の家に居たんじゃなかったかしら？」 <br>\r\n\"How was your October 6, 1986? ......You were at your relatives' house, right?\" <br><br>\r\n……母が唯一心を許していた、須磨寺の、お祖父ちゃんの家にいて。 <br>\r\n...I'd been at the house of the only Sumadera my mother trusted, Grandpa. <br><br>\r\n………連絡を受けた。 <br>\r\n......We got a call. <br><br>\r\n畳の部屋で積み木遊びをしている時に、その連絡を受けた…。 <br>\r\nWhen I was playing with building blocks in the tatami room, we got that call... <br><br>\r\n 私がそれを思い出したらしい様子を見届けてから、 <br>\r\n……ラムダデルタは、嫌らしく笑いながら、 <br>\r\n……言う。 <br>\r\nAfter watching to make sure that I'd remembered, <br><br>\r\n...Lambdadelta laughed unpleasantly... <br><br>\r\nand spoke. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「ネェ。アナタノ１９８６年１０月６日ニ、戦人オ兄チャン、帰ッテキタァ？」 <br>\r\n「………………………………っ。」 <br>\r\n\"HEY. ON YOUR OCTOBER 6, 1986, DID BATTLER ONII-CHAN COME HOME?\" <br><br>\r\n\"...............\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n何を言われてるのかわからないのに、顔中から嫌な汗がじわりと滲み出すのがわかる…。 <br>\r\nEven though I didn't understand what she was saying, I noticed an unpleasant sweat seeping out all over my face... <br><br>\r\n……あぁあぁ、わからない。ワカラナイ。 <br>\r\n……この魔女は、……何を言ってるの………？ <br>\r\n...Aaah, I don't get it. I DON'T GET IT. <br><br>\r\n...What is...this witch saying......? <br><br>\r\n「いい？ あなたがベアトを倒せば、戦人は確かに解放されるわ。そしてお家へ帰るでしょうね。１９８６年のお家に。だってそうでしょう？ 戦人は１９８６年の１０月４日から５日に閉じ込められてるんだもの。解放されたらその翌日に帰るのは当然でしょ？ <br>\r\n\"See? If you defeat Beato, Battler will certainly be released. And he'll probably return home. To his home in 1986. After all, that's how it is, right? Battler was locked up from the 4th to the 5th of October in 1986. It's only natural that he'd return the next day if he were to be released, right? <br><br>\r\n……そしてあなたは？ １９９８年の人間。 <br>\r\n...And you? You're a person from the year 1998. <br><br>\r\n~ib~戦人が帰ってこなかった~ib~１９９８年の右代宮縁寿。意味、わかるゥ？」 <br>\r\nYou're Ushiromiya Ange of the year 1998 where ~ib~Battler did not return~ib~. Know what that means?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………何、言ってるのあんたは。………１０月６日に家族が家に帰ってくるなら、…素敵じゃない。私はすぐにお祖父ちゃんの家から帰るわ。そして私たちは出会う。……めでたしめでたし…。」 <br>\r\n\"......What...are you talking about? ......If my family came back home on October 6, ...wouldn't that be wonderful? I'd come home from Grandpa's house right away. And then we'd meet. ...Everyone would be happy...\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ。右代宮縁寿は家族に再会できるでしょうね。 <br>\r\n\"Yes. Ushiromiya Ange probably would be reunited with her family. <br><br>\r\n……~ib~１９８６年に６歳の右代宮縁寿~ib~はねぇ……？」 <br>\r\n...~ib~The six-year-old Ushiromiya Ange from 1986~ib~ would, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………私って誰。」 <br>\r\n\"......Who am I?\" <br><br>\r\n「右代宮縁寿よ。１８歳の。 <br>\r\n\"Ushiromiya Ange. An eighteen-year-old one. <br><br>\r\n………いいえ、違うわ。右代宮縁寿じゃない。……そういう名前の、魔女の駒なのよ。 <br>\r\n......No, that's not it. You aren't Ushiromiya Ange. You're a witch's piece with that name. <br><br>\r\n厳密には、エンジェ・ベアトリーチェという名の、まったくの別人。……意味、わかるゥ？」 <br>\r\nStrictly speaking, the name ANGE Beatrice belongs to a completely different person. ...Know what that means?\" <br><br>\r\nよく、わからなくなってくる……。 <br>\r\nI don't...really get it anymore... <br><br>\r\n………え？ ……え？ ……私って、 <br>\r\n………誰？ …………え？ <br>\r\n......Huh? ...Huh? ...Who... <br><br>\r\n...am I? ......Huh? <br><br>\r\n「……だぁから、ベルンは残酷だなぁって思うの。いいえ、意地悪だなぁって思うのよね。そういう経験、なくもないくせにね。」 <br>\r\n\"...And thaaat's why I think Bern's cruel. No, I think she's a meanie. Especially since it's not like she hasn't gone through the same thing herself.\" <br><br>\r\n「………私…………、 <br>\r\n……何か、 <br>\r\n………騙されてる………？」 <br>\r\n\"......Am I... <br><br>\r\n...being tricked... <br><br>\r\n......somehow......?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「あぁ、でもどうかベルンを責めないでね？ だって、考えようによっては、あの子は嘘を吐いてない。 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, but please don't blame Bern, okay? After all, depending on how you look at it, that kid isn't lying. <br><br>\r\n……ベアトを倒せば家族が帰ってくる。右代宮縁寿のところへ。……でも、その右代宮縁寿が、あなたのことだとは言ってないだろうけどね…？」 <br>\r\n...If Beato is defeated, your family will be returned. Returned to Ushiromiya Ange. ...But she probably didn't say that this Ushiromiya Ange would be you, right...?\" <br><br>\r\nそうだっけ、そうだっけ……。 <br>\r\n私、ベルンカステルに、何て言われたんだっけ……。 <br>\r\nWas it like that...was it like that...? <br><br>\r\nWhat did Bernkastel say to me, again...? <br><br>\r\nあなたの助けが必要よ。 <br>\r\n……あなたの家族が。 <br>\r\nYour assistance is required. <br><br>\r\n...Your family needs it. <br><br>\r\nベルンカステルはそう言いながら語り始めた。 <br>\r\nBernkastel started by saying that. <br><br>\r\nそして私は言った。 <br>\r\nそれを救えば、私の家族は帰ってくるの？ <br>\r\n……それに、ベルンカステルは何と答えたっけ……？ <br>\r\nThen I spoke. <br><br>\r\nIf I save them, does that mean my family will come home? <br><br>\r\n...And how did Bernkastel answer that, again...? <br><br>\r\nえぇと、えぇと……。 <br>\r\nUmm, umm... <br><br>\r\n“……それは約束できないわ。” <br>\r\n`...I cannot promise that.' <br><br>\r\nえ、えぇと……！ <br>\r\nあの子は私に約束してくれたわ。 <br>\r\nこの戦いに挑む見返りを…！ <br>\r\nそうよ、こう言った！ <br>\r\nU-Umm...! <br><br>\r\nShe did make me a promise. <br><br>\r\nIn exchange for accepting this fight...! <br><br>\r\nYes, this is what she said! <br><br>\r\n“見返りに、あなたの望むもっとも理想的な世界、家族の帰ってくる世界のカケラを探してあげるわ。” <br>\r\n`In exchange, I will search for a Fragment with the ideal world that you wish for, a world where your family comes home.' <br><br>\r\n…………えぇ、そうよ。 <br>\r\n……探すとしか言ってない。 <br>\r\n見つかるとは言ってない。 <br>\r\n……でもそれは、…初めから覚悟の上。 <br>\r\n......Yeah, that's right. <br><br>\r\n...She didn't say any more than that she'd look for it. <br><br>\r\nShe didn't say she'd find it. <br><br>\r\n...But...I was prepared for that from the beginning. <br><br>\r\nでもそれでも、……諦めない限り、わずかの可能性があるとあの子は約束してくれた……。 <br>\r\nBut even so, ...that child promised that as long as I didn't give up, there was a faint chance of it happening... <br><br>\r\nそして、……最後にこう言ったわ。 <br>\r\nAnd, ...in the end, she said this. <br><br>\r\n“あなたに、復讐のチャンスを。…見返りに、あなたが享受できる可能性の中で、もっとも幸せな結末を探して持ってくることを約束するわ。” <br>\r\n`I'm giving you a chance for revenge. ...In exchange, I promise to search for and bring you the happiest resolution among the possibilities you're capable of accepting.' <br><br>\r\n「…………………。……初めから、辛い賭けになることは承知よ。……だって、私の１９９８年には家族はいない。絶対のゼロが揺らぐわずかの可能性と引き換えなら、 <br>\r\n……私にはそれだけで価値がある。仮に復讐を成し遂げても、徒労になるかもしれないと事前に脅されてるわ。……だから、………その…………、」 <br>\r\n\"............I've known it was a tough bet from the very beginning. ...After all, I have no family in my 1998. Even just a small chance of shaking that absolute zero... <br><br>\r\nwould be worth it. I was warned beforehand that even if I succeeded in my revenge, it might be a wasted effort. ...So, ......umm......\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、その部分に嘘はないわね。ベアトのゲーム盤は完璧よ。あんたが立ち回ったところで、ベアトが敗北する可能性なんて、生涯に一度のみ夢見ることを許されるかどうかくらい、ほんのわずか。 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, there's no lie in that part. Beato's game board is perfect. Even having you around makes the chances of Beato losing so slim that it's doubtful you could even dream of it happening once in your life.\" <br><br>\r\nつまり、限りなくゼロと見なせるほどに絶対に、その勝率はほとんどゼロ。だからベルンがそういうお茶を濁した言い方になるのは仕方がない。」 <br>\r\n\"In other words, your chance of winning is almost zero, so absolutely that it could be regarded as infinitely close to zero. So, Bern can be forgiven for saying that part in such an evasive way.\" <br><br>\r\n「……でも、あなたに夢を持たせた点についてだけは、騙してると言い切れるわ。だって、天文学的な確率を乗り越えてあんたが勝利できたとしても。 <br>\r\n\"...But I can say for sure that she was tricking you when she let you get your hopes up. After all, even if you could overcome astronomical odds and win, <br><br>\r\n家族が帰ってくるのあんたのところじゃない。この１９８６年に存在する６歳の、正しい右代宮縁寿のところへよ。アンタのところにじゃない。 <br>\r\nthe person your family will come back to isn't you. It's the six-year-old Ange that exists in this 1986, the true Ushiromiya Ange. Not YOU.\" <br><br>\r\n……ベルンはそれでも百億のカケラを巡り、あんたに一番マシな世界を探すでしょうねぇ。そしてその彼女が言ったんじゃないの？ 手土産に持参するつもりだが、見つけられなかったと。」 <br>\r\n\"...Bern will still probably go around the billions of Fragments, searching for the best world for you. But didn't she tell you? That she planned on bringing it to you as a present, but wasn't able to find it?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………言ったわ……。」 <br>\r\n\"......She did...\" <br><br>\r\n「うっふふふふふ、くすくすくすくす…！！ そろそろ気付いてきた…？ あんた、この戦いにご褒美が用意されてないのよ。いえ、それどころか、ベアトを打ち破ればゲーム盤は消え去る。 <br>\r\n\"Hehheheheheh, *giggle*giggle*giggle*...!! You're finally starting to notice, aren't you...? No reward has been prepared for you in this battle. No, to the contrary, when smashed, Beato's game board will disappear. <br><br>\r\nそして~ib~その駒であるあんたも消え去る~ib~。 <br>\r\nThen ~ib~you, as a piece, will disappear~ib~.\" <br><br>\r\n………あんたに享受できるゴールは、完ッ全に、 <br>\r\n………いいえ。私の名において宣言するわ。この絶対の魔女、ラムダデルタの名において！ “絶対”にないと宣言する…！」 <br>\r\n\"......The sort of goal you'd be capable of accepting is completely... <br><br>\r\n......no. I'll proclaim it upon my name. Upon the name of the Witch of Certainty, Lambdadelta! I proclaim that it `certainly' doesn't exist...!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………そんな………、」 <br>\r\n\".........That can't be......\" <br><br>\r\n「それがベルンの嘘よ。……煙に撒いたというべきぃ？ あんたに救いがあるかのように、誤解させた。私はそれを解きに来たのよ。」 <br>\r\n\"That's what Bern lied about. ...Or should I call it speaking in riddllles? She made you misunderstand and think you could be saved. I came to clear that up.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………つまり、 <br>\r\n……私はどう戦い、 <br>\r\nどう勝利を収めようとも。……私のところに、家族は帰ってこないの………？」 <br>\r\n\"......In other words, <br><br>\r\n...no matter how hard I fight, <br><br>\r\nno matter how hard I pursue victory, ...my family won't come back to me......?\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、帰ってこない！ “絶対”にィ！ をっほっほっほっほっほ！！ 絶対の魔女が絶対にィって言ってるの！ <br>\r\n\"Right, they won't come back! With `certainty'! Ohohohohohoh!! The Witch of Certainty says it with certainty! <br><br>\r\nこれって凄いことよ？ 私に絶対が与えられたくて、歴史的建造物を捧げた古代の王たちが何人もいたのに！ 私はそれを気前良くあんたにはプレゼントしちゃうの。 <br>\r\nIsn't this incredible? Several ancient kings have dedicated historical buildings to me because they wanted me to give them certainty! And here I am, graciously giving it to you as a present. <br><br>\r\nこれってばとってもステキでキュートでマーベラスなことなのよ？ をーっほっほっほっほっほ！！ でもォ！ ひとつだけ良い提案があるの。」 <br>\r\nIsn't this reeally incredible, cute and marvelous? Ohohohohohh!! Buut! I have a single good proposition for you.\" <br><br>\r\n………いけない。 <br>\r\n…もう完全に、私は飲み込まれている……。 <br>\r\n......Damn. <br><br>\r\n...I'm getting completely overwhelmed... <br><br>\r\n耳を貸しちゃ駄目なのに、……魔女ラムダデルタに、飲み込まれ始めている……！ <br>\r\nI knew I shouldn't have listened, ...and now I'm starting to be overwhelmed by this witch, Lambdadelta...! <br><br>\r\n「私の相手はベルンであって、あんたじゃない。私とあなたが共に得をする話は有り得ると、さっき言ったはずよ。 <br>\r\n\"My opponent is Bern, not you. Didn't I just say it's possible for the two of us to talk about something that benefits us both? <br><br>\r\n最初から、私はそういう話をすると言っているわ。だから耳を貸しなさい。貸すしかないのよ、あんたには…！」 <br>\r\nI've said that from the beginning. So listen to me. You have no choice...!\" <br><br>\r\n「………………聞くわよ…、 <br>\r\n聞いてやるわよ……。 <br>\r\n……聞けばいいんでしょおッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"......Okay, okay, <br><br>\r\n...I'll listen... <br><br>\r\n ...I've just gotta listen, right?!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n私の感情は、とうとう堪えきれなくなって内側より爆ぜる。 <br>\r\nI finally lost control over my emotions and exploded from the inside. <br><br>\r\nもう、何が何だかわからない。 <br>\r\n……私は、自分が縁寿だと信じてた。 <br>\r\nI don't have a clue anymore. <br><br>\r\n...I believed that I was Ange. <br><br>\r\nなのに、私はいつの間にか縁寿じゃなくなっていた。 <br>\r\nBut at some point, I stopped being Ange. <br><br>\r\nそう、私はエンジェ。縁寿じゃない…！ <br>\r\nThat's right, I'm ANGE. Not Ange...! <br><br>\r\n私は誰？ <br>\r\nお父さんたちの娘でも、お兄ちゃんの妹でもない。 <br>\r\n………ただの魔女のお遊戯の、……駒…！ <br>\r\nWho am I? <br><br>\r\nI'm not my parents' child, nor my brother's little sister. <br><br>\r\n...I'm just a piece...in a witch's game...! <br><br>\r\n「そこまで悲観することはないわ。……だってよく考えて？ 今、あんたは戦人お兄ちゃんに出会えているわ。 <br>\r\n\"There's no need to be so pessimistic. ...I mean, think about it, okay? Right now, you're together with Battler onii-chan. <br><br>\r\n確かに、自らの名を名乗ることは出来ないけれど、それでも少なくとも、魔女と戦うゲームの味方同士という位置にいて、 <br>\r\n……いつまでも永遠に一緒にいることが出来る。 <br>\r\nWhile it's true that you can't tell him your name, at least you're positioned as his ally in a game where he battles a witch, <br><br>\r\n...and you're able to be with him for all eternity. <br><br>\r\n……意味、わかるゥ……？？」 <br>\r\n...Know what it meeeans...??\" <br><br>\r\n………悔しいが、 <br>\r\n………わかる…。 <br>\r\n......I can't stand it, <br><br>\r\n......but I understand... <br><br>\r\nつまり、………このゲームは、お兄ちゃんが引き分け続ける限り、永久に繰り返される。 <br>\r\nIn other words, ......as long as Onii-chan keeps getting a tie in this game, it will continue forever. <br><br>\r\n引き分け続けるということは、永久にゲームが続き、私という駒は、お兄ちゃんと一緒にいられるということ。 <br>\r\nContinuing to tie means continuing the game for eternity, and it means that I can remain with Onii-chan as a piece. <br><br>\r\n……でももし、お兄ちゃんが勝ったり、あるいは負けたりして、ゲームが幕を下ろしたなら。 <br>\r\n...But if Onii-chan wins...or loses, and the curtain closes on the game... <br><br>\r\n「駒である、あんたは消える。」 <br>\r\n\"You, as a piece, will disappear.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「ゲームの駒の幸せは何？ ……ゲームで遊んでもらうことだけよ。押入れに仕舞われて埃を被ることじゃないわ、そうでしょう？」 <br>\r\n\"How do you define happiness for a game piece? ...Getting used by someone playing the game, nothing more. You won't find it when the game's shut in a closet, gathering dust, right?\" <br><br>\r\n……かつて、煉獄の七姉妹が言っていた。 <br>\r\n家具の幸せは使役されることで、仕舞われることじゃないと。 <br>\r\n...In the past, the Seven Sisters of Purgatory said it as well. <br><br>\r\nFurniture's happiness comes from being used, not being stored away. <br><br>\r\n そう。……私は今やもう、 <br>\r\n…………魔女の、 <br>\r\n………家具。 <br>\r\nThat's right. I am now... <br><br>\r\n...the witch's... <br><br>\r\n...furniture. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「話を少し変えるわね？ ……実は私、このゲーム、永遠に引き分け続けてほしいと思ってるの。終わらないゲームは永遠の檻。……ベルンを今度こそ屈服させる未来永劫に開かれることのない絶対密室よ。 <br>\r\n\"Let's change things around a bit. ...To be honest, I want this game to continue in a tie for all eternity. An unending game is an eternal cage. ...An absolute closed room that never opens for all time and that'll finally make Bern surrender.\" <br><br>\r\n……ベアトはね、一応は勝つ気があるの。戦人を屈服させるという勝利ね。でもね、実はそれも私には困るのよ。 <br>\r\n\"...You know, Beato does want to win a bit. Victory by making Battler surrender. But that's actually a problem for me.\" <br><br>\r\nだって、ゲームが終わっちゃったら、密室が崩れてしまうもの。……だから私、戦人が屈服することだけはないように、ある程度の手心は加えてるの。 <br>\r\n\"After all, if the game ends, the closed room'll fall apart. ...So I'll go easy on Battler a bit, to stop him from surrendering. <br><br>\r\n安心して？ 戦人が屈服し掛けると、私は彼の味方になったりもしてるのよ。」 <br>\r\nDon't worry, okay? When Battler's about to surrender, I'll become his ally.\" <br><br>\r\n「………ただね。どうもベアトのやつ、それに薄々気付き出してる気がする。……このゲームに、自分の勝ちは永遠にないんじゃないかって、気付き始めてる気がする。 <br>\r\n\"......But you know? I get the feeling that Beato is faintly starting to realize. ...I think she's starting to realize that her victory won't come for all eternity in this game.\" <br><br>\r\nでもそこはさすが、無限の魔女。ベアトは馬鹿だから、それでもいつかきっと勝てる、それまで延々と無限にゲームを繰り返せばいいと楽観してるわ。 <br>\r\n\"But she is, of course, the Endless Witch. Beato's stupid, so she optimistically thinks that even so, she'll surely win eventually, like she just has to repeat this game on and on endlessly. <br><br>\r\n金髪の女は大抵バカと決まってるものよ、くすくすくす！」 <br>\r\nOf course, pretty much all blondes are morons, *giggle*giggle*!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「………この魔女のゲームには、 <br>\r\n………勝利も敗北も、 <br>\r\nないってことなの……。」 <br>\r\n\"......In this game of witches, <br><br>\r\n......there will never be... <br><br>\r\na victory or a loss...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「私が勝たせない。そして負かせない。絶対に！ <br>\r\n\"I won't let her win. And I won't let her lose. With certainty! <br><br>\r\n……ベルンはそれに気付いてる。そして、それを破るためにもっとも強力な駒としてあんたを見つけ、送り込んできた。このゲームを終わらせるためにね？」 <br>\r\n...Bern noticed that. So, she looked for the most powerful piece for breaking that deadlock, found you, and threw you in. To make this game end, you see?\" <br><br>\r\n「………このゲームを、終わらせる……。」 <br>\r\n\"......To make this game...end...\" <br><br>\r\n「終われば駒の役目は？ ………はっきり断言する。あんたは、存在が矛盾してるのよ。 <br>\r\n\"What's a piece's role when the game ends? ......I'll state it clearly. Your existence is a contradiction. <br><br>\r\n……自らの存在理由が、自らを闇に葬り絶望するため…！」 <br>\r\n...Your reason for existing is to bury yourself in the darkness and despair...!\" <br><br>\r\n私の目的は、ベアトを倒し、囚われている家族を解放すること。 <br>\r\n……なのに、それが成し遂げられても、私は報われない。 <br>\r\nMy goal is to defeat Beato and release my captive family. <br><br>\r\n...And yet, even if I succeed, I won't be rewarded. <br><br>\r\n「負けられない。そして勝っても報われない。 <br>\r\n\"You cannot lose. And you won't be rewarded if you win. <br><br>\r\n……だから私は第３の選択肢をあなたに持ってきたの。そしてその選択肢は、私とあなたの利害を一致させるわ。」 <br>\r\n...So, I've brought you a third choice. And that choice will make our interests coincide.\" <br><br>\r\n…………永遠に、引き分け続けること………。 <br>\r\n......Continuing the tie...for all eternity...... <br><br>\r\n「そう。……永遠に引き分け続ける限り、この世界は崩壊しない。 <br>\r\n\"Yes. ...As long as the tie continues forever, this world will not crumble. <br><br>\r\n……この世界は何？ ………魔女とのゲームの世界。ベアトと戦人が永遠に戦い続ける世界。 <br>\r\n...What is this world? ......It's the world of the game with the witch. A world where Beato and Battler fight for all eternity. <br><br>\r\n……そして同時に。あなたが永遠に戦人と一緒にいられる世界なのよ……！！」 <br>\r\n...And at the same time, it's a world where you get to be with Battler for all eternity...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………う、 <br>\r\n…………う <br>\r\n……ぁ <br>\r\n…………。」 <br>\r\n\".........Nng, <br><br>\r\n......aaaah <br><br>\r\n...ah <br><br>\r\n......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n頭がぐちゃぐちゃになる。 <br>\r\nMy head was spinning. <br><br>\r\nその混沌が熱い汁になって、目から溢れ出すのがわかる…。 <br>\r\nその熱さで……、顔を火傷してしまいそうなくらい…。 <br>\r\nThat confusion became a hot liquid, and I felt it pouring from my eyes... <br><br>\r\nIt was so hot...that it felt like it'd burn my face... <br><br>\r\n「ねぇ……？ エンジェ・ベアトリーチェぇえぇ…？？ ゲームを終わらせ、あなたと戦人の交流できる世界を終わらせようとするのが目的のベルンカステルに、味方する理由がどこにあんのォ…？ <br>\r\n\"Riight...? ANGE Beatriiiiice...?? Since Bernkastel's goal is to end the game and end the world where you and Battler can interact, why should you be her ally...?\" <br><br>\r\n……あの子はあんたを騙してたのよ？ 自分の駒になれば、あんたが救われるかのように誤魔化してね。でも、私はそこを誤魔化さない！ <br>\r\n\"...That kid tricked you, you see? She made it look like you might be saved if you became her piece. But I won't deceive you there!\" <br><br>\r\n……だから言うわ、エンジェ。私の駒になりなさい。私はベルンのように、絶対にもらえない嘘のご褒美なんてちらつかせないわ。私の駒となり、このゲームが“絶対”に終わらないように私に協力する限り。 <br>\r\n\"...So I'll say it, ANGE. Become my chess piece. Unlike Bern, I won't offer you rewards based on lies that certainly will never be granted. As long as you become my piece and help me so that this world `certainly' never ends... <br><br>\r\n私はあんたに、この世界が“絶対”に続くことを我が名において“絶対”に約束する！ <br>\r\nThen with `certainty', I'll swear upon my name that this world will `certainly' continue!\" <br><br>\r\nそれだけじゃないわ。ボーナスも付けてあげる。あなたに課せられている、ルール。………それを取り払ってあげるわ。 <br>\r\n\"That's not all. I'll add on a bonus. This rule that binds you. ...I'll clear it away for you. <br><br>\r\nまぁもちろん、私の駒になると誓ってもらった後にだけどね？」 <br>\r\nWell, of course, I'll only do it after you've sworn to become my piece, okay?\" <br><br>\r\n自分の喉が、……ごくりと、重くて大きな音を立てる……。 <br>\r\nIn my own throat, ...there was a thick, loud gulping sound... <br><br>\r\nあぁ、聞かなきゃ良かった……。 <br>\r\n聞かなければ、私は兄の勝利を祈る、純粋な妹でいられたのだ。 <br>\r\nAah, I shouldn't have listened... <br><br>\r\nIf I hadn't listened, I could've remained an innocent little sister, praying for my brother's victory. <br><br>\r\n……でも、もう私は違うかもしれない。 <br>\r\n...But I might be different now. <br><br>\r\n…お兄ちゃんの側にいられればいいだけの、………魔女の家具に、成り下がっているのかもしれない……。 <br>\r\n...I might've been degraded into a witch's furniture, ......one that cares about nothing but being by Onii-chan's side... <br><br>\r\n「……兄を裏切れと言ってるわけじゃないんだからね？ 戦人が負けそうになったら、全力で助ければいい。……逆に、戦人がベアトを追い詰めすぎたら、少し加減を変えてあげてほしいと、……その程度のお願いをしてるのよ？ <br>\r\n\"...I'm not telling you to betray your brother, okay? If it looks like Battler's gonna lose, you can save him with all you've got. ...On the other hand, when Battler closes in on Beato too much, I want you to hold back a little. ...That's all I'm asking, all right?\" <br><br>\r\n大丈夫、戦人を裏切るほどの必要はないわ。……戦人ひとりじゃ、ベアトには勝てない。だからベルンはあんたを送り込んだんでしょ？ ……あんたが手を貸さない限り、戦人は永遠にベアトには勝てない。 <br>\r\n\"Don't worry, there's no need to actually betray Battler. ...Battler can't win against Beato alone. That's why Bern threw you in, you see? ...As long as you don't lend a hand, Battler will be unable to win against Beato for all eternity.\" <br><br>\r\nね？ とってもカンタンでしょォ？ ……くすくすくす、ほっほほほほ、あっはははははははっはっはっはっはっはッ！ かっはっはっはっはっは、きゃーっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっは！！」 <br>\r\n\"See? It's really simple, isn't it? ...*giggle*giggle*, hohhohohoho, ahhahahahahahah, ahhahhahhahhahhahha! Kahhahhahhahha, kyaaahhahahahahaha, hahhhahahahahahahha!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ちょっとー！！ それ、私のー！ かーえーしーてぇー！！」 <br>\r\n\"Hey!! That's miiine! Giiive iiit baaack!!\" <br><br>\r\n「やだやだ、私が食べるの〜！ アスモ、アスモ、パース！」 <br>\r\n\"No, no, I'll eat iiit! Asmo, Asmo, pass!\" <br><br>\r\n「きゃーはははは！ レヴィアお姉様、こっちこっちぃ〜！」 <br>\r\n\"Kya-hahahaha! Over here, Levia onee-samaaa!\" <br><br>\r\nどこからくすねて来たのだろう。 <br>\r\nドーナツか何かを争って、実に賑やかに戯れている。 <br>\r\nI wonder where they swiped it from. <br><br>\r\nThey were fighting over a donut or something, playing around really loudly. <br><br>\r\n「こらあああ！！ <br>\r\n\"Heeeeey!! <br><br>\r\n 縁寿さまは読書をなさってるのよ、少しは静かに出来ないのッ？！」 <br>\r\n Ange-sama is reading, so can't you be a little more quiet?!\" <br><br>\r\n「そう言ってるサタンが一番うるさいのよ、沈黙なさい！！ この愚妹が！」 <br>\r\n\"Yelling stuff like that makes you the loudest one, Satan! Be silent!! You foolish little sister!\" <br><br>\r\n「ル、ルシファーお姉様の方がうるさいです！！ も、文句がおあり？！」 <br>\r\n\"Y-You're the loud one, Lucifer onee-sama!! I-Is there something you'd like to say to me?!\" <br><br>\r\n長女と三女の口喧嘩ももうお馴染みだ。 <br>\r\n二人とも怒りんぼのくせに、少し腰が引けているっぽいところが何だか面白い。 <br>\r\nI was already used to the oldest and the third oldest sister arguing with each other. <br><br>\r\nEven though they're both so quick to anger, it's a bit funny how they're both having to hold back a little. <br><br>\r\n案外、似た者同士なのかもしれない。 <br>\r\nThey might be surprisingly like each other. <br><br>\r\n「くっくくく。賑やかにしていろとの仰せでしたが、これではさすがに。 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle* You were told to be noisy, but this is a bit too much. <br><br>\r\n少しボリュームを下げさせますか？」 <br>\r\nShould I make them lower the volume a little?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………気にしないで騒いでてくれていいわ。教室の黄色い笑い声より百倍心地良いもの。」 <br>\r\n\"......They can mess around all they want. It's a hundred times more pleasant than that shrill laughter in the classroom.\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さまぁ、早く次のページぃ！ 縁寿さまは読むのが遅いぃ！」 <br>\r\n\"Ange-samaa, go to the next page quickly! You read really sloow!\" <br><br>\r\n「マモンは読書が好きなの？ 地味なことが一番苦手そうに見えるのにね。」 <br>\r\n\"You like to read, Mammon? You looked like you'd be the worst at doing boring things.\" <br><br>\r\n「マモンが司るのは強欲。……知識欲にもそれは通じます。 <br>\r\n\"Mammon controls greed. ...That also includes a thirst for knowledge. <br><br>\r\nただし、独占したがるので、本を与えると人に読ませまいと、読書後に焼いてしまうこともあるのでご注意を。」 <br>\r\nStill, she wants to keep that knowledge all for herself, so be warned that she refuses to let people read any book you give her, and sometimes burns them after reading them.\" <br><br>\r\n「私は、誰も知らないことを、私だけが知っているのが好き。誰も出来ないことを、私だけが出来るのが好き。だから勉強は好き、練習は好き。私だけが、誰も知らない英知を、独り占めしたいから。」 <br>\r\n\"I like knowing things that no one else knows. I like being able to do things that no one else can do. So I like studying and practicing. Because I want to keep wisdom that no one else knows about all to myself.\" <br><br>\r\nマモンはそう言い、目を輝かせながら、今開かれているページをもう一度読み直すように凝視する。 <br>\r\n同じページを、私以上に貪り尽くしてやろうという強欲さが現れていた。 <br>\r\nAs Mammon said that, her eyes sparkling, she peered down at the page that was open and read through it again. <br><br>\r\nYou could see the greed that made her covet that page even more thoroughly than I did. <br><br>\r\n見ての通り、私の魔力は初めて彼女らを呼び出した日に比べ、ずっと強くなっていた。 <br>\r\n今では、煉獄の七姉妹を同時に呼び出しながら、こうしてのんびり読書が出来るまでになっている。 <br>\r\nAs you can see, my magical power has grown much stronger than it was on the first day I summoned them. <br><br>\r\nBy now, I've gotten so that I can summon all of the Seven Sisters of Purgatory at once and still calmly read a book like this. <br><br>\r\nここは、どこだか思い出せないけれど、のんびりとした静かな街並のベンチ。 <br>\r\n私は幼かったから、ここがどこなのか、覚えていないのだ。 <br>\r\nThis place, although I can't recall exactly where it is, is a quiet and calm street-side bench. <br><br>\r\nI'd been young back then, so I don't remember the details of its location. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、ここを歩いた日が、とても楽しかったことは覚えてる。 <br>\r\n...Still, I remember that my days walking here were a lot of fun. <br><br>\r\nお父さんとお母さんと、…そしてお兄ちゃんも揃った、本当に全員が揃ったとても珍しくてとても幸せな日の記憶…。 <br>\r\nTogether with Dad, Mom, ...and even Onii-chan, it was a memory of a very rare and very happy day when everyone had been together... <br><br>\r\n時折、道往く人々は私たちの姿には気付かない。 <br>\r\nただ、心地良く無視して、普通に通り過ぎてくれるだけだ。 <br>\r\nThe people who walked by every once in a while didn't notice me. <br><br>\r\nThey just pleasantly ignored me and passed by as though everything was normal. <br><br>\r\n七姉妹たちのすごい格好も、別に誰かに見られているわけでもないのだから、恥ずかしくも何ともない。 <br>\r\nEven the Seven Sisters' incredible outfits weren't embarrassing or anything, because it wasn't like anyone was actually watching. <br><br>\r\nというか、割と慣れた。私が着させられるわけでない限り。 <br>\r\nCome to think of it, I'm getting pretty used to it. As long as they don't make me wear those. <br><br>\r\n私はお洒落なベンチに腰掛け、世界史の年表を暗記中だ。 <br>\r\nI was sitting on a stylish bench, memorizing a timeline for world history. <br><br>\r\n……何でも連帯責任になる学園の校風は、落ち零れをやさしく許容なんてしてくれない。 <br>\r\n...In an academy system where everything is based on collective responsibility, there's no tolerance for dunces. <br><br>\r\n何でも、私がクラスの平均点を著しく下げているらしい。 <br>\r\nIt seemed that I was considerably below the average grade for the class. <br><br>\r\n極めて理知的な彼女らの話によると、私ひとりが改善されるだけで、大幅に平均点が上がるらしい。 <br>\r\nAccording to those extremely intellectual girls, if I alone improved my grade, the average would rise drastically. <br><br>\r\n……ご丁寧にも、Ｂ４の画用紙にカラフルなペンでそれをグラフにしてまで示してくれた。 <br>\r\n…その書く手間を考えるだけでも、おぞましい。 <br>\r\n...They had been kind enough to show me with a graph drawn by colorful pens on a B4 sheet of drawing paper. <br><br>\r\n...Just thinking of the effort it had taken to draw that was repulsive. <br><br>\r\nでも、そういう愚痴はもう全て吐き出した。 <br>\r\n……腸が煮えくり返るような怒りや悲しみは全て彼女らに吐き出した。 <br>\r\nBut I've already spat out all those complaints. <br><br>\r\n...I've already voiced my constant and furious anger and sadness to these girls here. <br><br>\r\n七姉妹たちは、 <br>\r\nThe Sisters <br><br>\r\nある時は憤り、 <br>\r\nwere sometimes indignant, <br><br>\r\nある時は同情し、 <br>\r\nsometimes sympathetic, <br><br>\r\nある時は私と一緒に悲しんでくれた。 <br>\r\nand sometimes mourned along with me. <br><br>\r\n……そういう感情を共有してくれる友人がいてくれることが、本当に嬉しかった。 <br>\r\n...I was truly happy to be able to share emotions like that with friends. <br><br>\r\n彼女らは本来は、ベアトリーチェの残酷な生贄の儀式を行なうための家具だったという。 <br>\r\nIt's said that they were originally furniture that existed to carry out Beatrice's cruel sacrifice ceremony. <br><br>\r\n……私を不快にさせる、オカルトメッセージボトルによるならば、…彼女らの何人かは、私の家族を手に掛けてさえいるらしい。 <br>\r\n...According to the occult message bottle I hated, ...it seems that several of them even attacked my family. <br><br>\r\nしかし、私はそれを信じないし、彼女らにそれを詰問しても無駄なことだ。 <br>\r\n彼女らは家具なのだから、主のリクエストに応えるだけなのだ。 <br>\r\nBut I don't believe that, and it's pointless to question them about it. <br><br>\r\nThey are furniture, so they only respond to their master's requests. <br><br>\r\nもし本当に彼女らが私の家族に手を掛けていたとしても、彼女らを憎むことは出来ない。 <br>\r\nEven if they really did attack my family, I can't hate them. <br><br>\r\n ……私が本当に憎むのは、 <br>\r\n……黄金の魔女ベアトリーチェ。 <br>\r\n………もしくは、六軒島疑惑の張本人、 <br>\r\n絵羽伯母さん。 <br>\r\n...What I really hated... <br><br>\r\nwas the Golden Witch, Beatrice. <br><br>\r\n......Or else that ringleader of the Ushiromiya Suspicion, <br><br>\r\nAunt Eva. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「……縁寿さまぁ、早くっ、次のページっ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Ange-sama, quickly, the next page.\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ、ごめん。 <br>\r\n\"Oh, sorry. <br><br>\r\n………疲れたわ。少し休憩させて？」 <br>\r\n......I'm tired. Mind if I take a break?\" <br><br>\r\n「きゃはは！ 縁寿さま、休憩だって！」 <br>\r\n\"Kyahaha! Ange-sama said break!\" <br><br>\r\n「遊ぼ遊ぼ！ 縁寿さま、遊ぼー！！」 <br>\r\n\"Let's play, let's play! Ange-sama, let's plaaay!!\" <br><br>\r\n私が勉強を中断したことに気付くと、一番賑やかな末っ子たちが群がってくる。 <br>\r\nWhen they noticed that I had interrupted my studying, the most energetic youngest sisters gathered around me. <br><br>\r\nそれだけではない。 <br>\r\nAnd that wasn't all. <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんにさくたろまで姿を現す。 <br>\r\nEven Maria onee-chan and Sakutaro showed themselves. <br><br>\r\n私のすぐ近くにいたのだろうが、勉強の邪魔にならないように姿を消していてくれていたに違いない。 <br>\r\nThey had probably been very close by, but they must've hid themselves so that they wouldn't interrupt my studying. <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー！ 縁寿〜！ お勉強どう？お勉強どう？』 <br>\r\n『Uryu-! Ange! How's studying? How's studying?』 <br><br>\r\n「きゃー！！ さくたろー！！ 元気ぃいいぃ？！」 <br>\r\n\"Kyaaah!! Sakutaro-!! How are yooooouu?!\" <br><br>\r\n「ちょっとお！ 私にもモフモフさせてええ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Wait a second! Let me squeeze him tooooooooooo!!\" <br><br>\r\n「早い者勝ちだっていつも言ってるでしょう？！ <br>\r\n\"Don't we always say that the first one to get there wins?! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nきゃー、可愛い可愛い！」 <br>\r\nKyaa, cute, cute!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n『うきゅーー、潰れちゃうよー！ うりゅーー！』 <br>\r\n『Ukyuu--, you're crushing meee! Uryuu--!』 <br><br>\r\n「七姉妹が揃ってる時に現れたのが運の尽きだ。 <br>\r\n\"Your luck ran out when you showed up while all the Seven Sisters were gathered. <br><br>\r\n大人しく、モフモフされてもらおう。」 <br>\r\nGive up and let us hug you.\" <br><br>\r\n「もう！ いっつもこんなにしてしまって！！ <br>\r\n\"Come on! It always turns out this way!! <br><br>\r\n愚昧な姉と妹どもが申し訳ありません…！」 <br>\r\nI apologize for my stupid older and younger sisters...!\" <br><br>\r\n「あははははは。さくたろもみんなに会えて喜んでるよ。 <br>\r\n\"Ahahahahaha. Sakutaro's happy to meet everyone, too. <br><br>\r\n……どう、縁寿？ お勉強の調子は。」 <br>\r\n...How's it going, Ange? How's the studying going?\" <br><br>\r\n「ありがと。まぁ、そこそこには。 <br>\r\n\"Thanks. Well, not bad. <br><br>\r\nご丁寧にも、他のクラスで先にあった小テストのプリントが回してもらえたの。麗しい連帯感に涙が出るわ。……とりあえず、年表を頭に入れるだけでも、まぁ、多少はマシかしら。」 <br>\r\nThey were nice enough to pass around printouts from a quiz that another class took earlier. Their beautiful sense of solidarity is enough to bring tears to my eyes. ...Well, at least it's probably better to put a timeline into my head.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ。縁寿お勉強偉い。いっぱい点数取れるよ、うりゅ〜〜。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu. You sure are good at studying, Ange. You'll be able to get a lot of points, uryu-.』 <br><br>\r\n「お疲れ様。真里亞、お勉強は全然駄目だったから、ちゃんと勉強すれば点数が取れる縁寿が羨ましいよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Good work. I was terrible at studying, so I'm jealous of you for being able to get a good score when you study hard.\" <br><br>\r\n「ご冗談を。英語、ラテン語、オカルトの知識。そんなのを丸暗記出来てるお姉ちゃんの方がよっぽどすごいわ。」 <br>\r\n\"You're joking. When it comes to English, Latin, and knowledge of the occult, you're much more amazing for being able to remember so much.\" <br><br>\r\n「真里亞は魔法のお勉強は何でも覚えられるけど、つまんないお勉強は何も覚えられない。だからテストでも何も役に立たない。」 <br>\r\n\"I can remember anything when studying magic, but I can't remember anything boring. So that didn't help at all for tests.\" <br><br>\r\n「確かにオカルトの知識はどうかと思うけど、英語なんかは成績に結びつくんじゃない？」 <br>\r\n\"Well, it's true that occult knowledge would be like that, but your grades must've been pretty good in English, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「小学１年生の時、国語のテストで、鉄砲のイラストの脇に四角が４マスあって、そこに名前を書きなさいって問題があった。ライフルって書いたらバツだった。」 <br>\r\n「どうして？ 合ってるじゃない。」 <br>\r\n\"In the first year of elementary school, on a Japanese language test, there was a problem when I was given a picture of a gun and was told to write its name in four squares. It got marked wrong because I wrote the English word `rifle' in katakana (ライフル).\" <br><br>\r\n\"Why? Doesn't that fit?\" <br><br>\r\n「“てっぽう”が正解だって。カタカナは小学１年生では習わないから駄目だと言われた。……真里亞はよくわからないから、その日以来、テストでは全てひらがなで書くようにしたよ。でも、なぜかママには怒られる。先生にも怒られる。」 <br>\r\n\"It was supposed to be the Japanese word for gun in hiragana, ~ib~てっぽう~ib~. <br><br>\r\nI was told that's wrong, because you don't learn katakana in first grade. ...I didn't really get it, so from that day on, on tests, I wrote everything in hiragana. But I got in trouble with Mama for some reason. Got in trouble with the teachers too.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。 <br>\r\n\"......... <br><br>\r\n…お姉ちゃんは多分、生まれる国を間違えたわ。」 <br>\r\n...You were probably born in the wrong country, Onee-chan.\" <br><br>\r\n「なら真里亞、魔女の国に生まれて、魔法学校に入りたかった。うー。」 <br>\r\n\"Then I'd rather have been born in a country of witches, so I could enter a witch school. Uu-.\" <br><br>\r\n『そしたら、もっともっと素敵な魔法の友達がいっぱいいたかもね！ うりゅー！』 <br>\r\n『If that happened, you might've had much, much more wonderful magical friends! Uryu-!』 <br><br>\r\n「うー♪ でも、別に今は何も気にしてないよ。 <br>\r\n\"Uu-♪ But it's not like I mind it now. <br><br>\r\nだって、魔法はいっぱい使えるし、魔法のお友達もたくさんいる。真里亞には、さくたろがいれば充分だもの。」 <br>\r\nAfter all, I can use lots of magic, and I've got a lot of magic friends. Sakutaro is all I need.\" <br><br>\r\n『ボクだけじゃないよ！ さくすけもさくきちも、動物の音楽隊も、アザラシの下田くんもウサギの早苗さんも子豚のピグ夫くんも、他にもいっぱい！』 <br>\r\n『I'm not the only one! There's also Sakusuke and Sakukichi, the animal band, Shimoda-kun the seal, Sanae-san the rabbit, Mr Pig-kun, and plenty more!』 <br><br>\r\n……すごいな。 <br>\r\nお姉ちゃんの友達は増える一方だ。 <br>\r\n...Incredible. <br><br>\r\nThe number of Onee-chan's friends keeps increasing. <br><br>\r\n聞く度に友達の名前が増えていく。 <br>\r\nでも、さくたろが一番の友達であることは間違いない。 <br>\r\nEvery time I ask, the number of names for her friends grows. <br><br>\r\nBut there's no doubt that Sakutaro is her best friend. <br><br>\r\n…そんな親友がちょっぴり羨ましい。 <br>\r\n...I'm a little jealous of all those close friends. <br><br>\r\n「……どう？ 七姉妹は。仲良くやれてる？」 <br>\r\n\"...What do you think? How are the Seven Sisters? Do you get along with them?\" <br><br>\r\n「本当に賑やかな姉妹たちよ。……たまに物騒なことを言い出すけど、悪くないわ。 <br>\r\n\"Those sisters are really energetic. They sometimes say shady stuff, but they aren't bad. <br><br>\r\n…本当はさくたろみたいな、可愛い子が良かったんだけど、今は彼女たちと一緒でも、充分いいかなって思ってる。」 <br>\r\n...I'd wanted to get a cute kid like Sakutaro, but I think being with them now is more than enough.\" <br><br>\r\n「くす。もっと私の原初の魔法を学んだなら、きっと縁寿の好みの友達を生み出せるようにもなるよ。今の縁寿に創造はまだちょっと難しいね。」 <br>\r\n\"*giggle* If you learn more of my Magic of Origins, I'm sure you'll be able to give birth to friends you'll like, Ange. Creation is still a bit too hard for you now.\" <br><br>\r\n「創造と召喚は違う。……そして、反魂もまた違う。」 <br>\r\n\"There's a difference between creation and summoning. ...And, resurrection is also different.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………。やっぱり、一番の願いは、家族を蘇らせること…？」 <br>\r\n\"......So, your greatest wish really is to revive your family...?\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。…………依り代は持ってるよ。これ。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes. ......I have a vessel for it. This.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうだね。…その頭飾りなら、いつかきっと、戦人を呼び出す鍵になるよ。……あとは縁寿の修行次第だね。」 <br>\r\n\"That's right. ...I'm sure that hair accessory will eventually become the key to summoning Battler. ...The rest is up to your training, Ange.\" <br><br>\r\n「それが、いつまで掛かるのかわからないのが泣けるけれども。」 <br>\r\n\"Although not knowing how long it'll take is enough to make me cry.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ…。辛くてもしっかり…。縁寿が諦めなければ、絶対に絶対にいつか叶うよ…。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu... Stay strong, even if it's tough... If you don't give up, Ange, it will definitely, definitely come true someday...』 <br><br>\r\n「絶対に叶うという保証を、誰かがくれたなら、きっと心も休まるでしょうにね。」 <br>\r\n\"If someone gave me some proof that it'd definitely be granted, at least that would calm my heart.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ！ ならボクが保証するー！ 縁寿はいつかきっと、必ず願いを叶えられるよ！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu! Then I guarantee it! Without a doubt, Ange will surely have her wish granted someday!』 <br><br>\r\n「……ありがと。気休めでも嬉しいわ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Thanks. I'm glad to hear it, even if you're just saying it to console me.\" <br><br>\r\n『気休めじゃないよぅ、うりゅー。』 <br>\r\n『It's not like that, uryu-.』 <br><br>\r\n「駄目だよ、縁寿。そういう感情は反魔法の毒素になるよ。 <br>\r\n\"Stop it, Ange. That kind of emotion will turn into the magic-resisting toxin. <br><br>\r\n夢は必ず叶うって気持ちが、一番よく芽吹く魔力の種なんだよ。」 <br>\r\nThe feeling that your dreams will definitely come true is the best seed that buds into magic power.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………。……そうね、ごめんなさいお師匠様。」 <br>\r\n\".........That's right, sorry, Teacher.\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さまは少し強欲さが足りないのよ。 <br>\r\n\"You need to be a bit greedier, Ange-sama. <br><br>\r\n欲しい物のためにはどこまでも！ 手に入れるまで絶対に諦めないという、根性が足りない！」 <br>\r\nGo however far it takes to get the thing you desire! You're lacking the willpower to never give up until you get it!\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー！ そんなことないよ、縁寿はがんばってるよ…！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu-! That isn't true, Ange's doing her best...!』 <br><br>\r\n「ありがとう、さくたろ、マモン。泣き言なんて何の足しにもならないもんね。 <br>\r\n\"Thanks, Sakutaro, Mammon. Crying about it won't help anything. <br><br>\r\n私にはただがんばるしか道はないのよ。努力するわ。歯を食いしばってね。そして必ず夢を叶えるわ。絶対に。」 <br>\r\nThere's nothing I can do except hang in there. I'll try hard. I'll grit my teeth. I'll definitely make my dreams come true. With certainty.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ！ 縁寿偉いよ、がんばろう！ ボクもマモンも応援するー！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu! You're awesome, Ange, do your best! Mammon and I will support you!』 <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、応援します。主が強欲であればあるほど、私たちの価値も上がるというもの。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, we'll support you. The greedier our master is, the more our worth will increase.\" <br><br>\r\n「それより縁寿さまぁ！ せっかく１０人も集まったんだしー！」 <br>\r\n\"More importantly, Ange-samaa! We've finally got 10 people gathered heeere!\" <br><br>\r\n「みんなでしりとりでもして遊ぼうって提案がありましてぇ！」 <br>\r\n\"We planned to have everyone play shiritori or something!\" <br><br>\r\n「負けたら罰ゲーム！ 私に耳をかじらせて〜！」 <br>\r\n\"If you lose, there's a punishment game! Let me nibble your eeears!\" <br><br>\r\n「もうッ、あんたの頭には食欲以外ないの？！」 <br>\r\n\"Come on, is hunger the only thing inside that head of yours?!\" <br><br>\r\n「愚妹どもの愚かな提案をお許しください…。 <br>\r\n\"Please forgive my foolish sisters' stupid proposals... <br><br>\r\nそろそろ勉強に戻られなくても大丈夫ですか？」 <br>\r\nAre you sure it isn't about time you returned to your studying?\" <br><br>\r\n「やだやだやだぁあああ！！ ずっとお勉強終わるの待ってたのに、遊んでもらえないなんてやだぁああぁ！」 <br>\r\n\"No, no, nooooooo!! I waited so long for you to finish studying, so I can't stand it if you don't play with us!\" <br><br>\r\n「悪くない提案と思います。たまには遊ぶのも、良い頭の柔軟になるかと。」 <br>\r\n\"I don't think it's a bad idea. Perhaps playing every once in a while is good for softening the mind.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………ベルフェが司るのは怠惰だっけ？ もっともらしいことを言ってるけど、うまいことを言ってるわね。」 <br>\r\n\"......You govern Sloth, right, Belpha? What you're saying sounds reasonable, but you're actually being sneaky, aren't you?\" <br><br>\r\n「ふ。失礼しました。……縁寿さまは勤勉でおられる。」 <br>\r\n\"Hmph. My apologies. ...You are diligent, Ange-sama.\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さえ良ければ、私もみんなで遊びたいな。みんなでわいわい。きっと楽しい。」 <br>\r\n\"If it's okay with Ange, I'd also like to play with everyone. Let's make some noise. It'll definitely be fun.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー！ 縁寿縁寿、遊ぼう遊ぼう！ みんなでしりとりをやろー！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu-! Ange, Ange, let's play, let's play! Let's all do shiritori!』 <br><br>\r\n「では、さくたろの“うりゅー”からスタートで。 <br>\r\n\"In that case, let's start from Sakutaro's `uryu-'. <br><br>\r\n………この場合、何からになるの？ “りゅ”？ “ゆ”？」 <br>\r\n......In that case, which sound should we start the next word from? `Ryu'? Or `yu'?\" <br><br>\r\n「“うりゅー”から？ ……………何だろね。やっぱり、“りゅ”？」 <br>\r\n\"From `uryu-'? ......I wonder. Maybe it really should be `ryu'?\" <br><br>\r\n「……こんなおかしな語尾の単語が出てくるなんて滅多にないし。」 <br>\r\n\"...It's rare for a word that ends like that to come up.\" <br><br>\r\n「じゃあ私が一番！！ “りゅ”から行くね！ 時計のネジの“竜頭”〜！」 <br>\r\n\"Then I'm first!! I'll do a word starting with `ryu'! Ryuuzu (watch crown)!\" <br><br>\r\n「私が一番に言いたかったのにぃ！ “リュート”の方が素敵ぃ！」 <br>\r\n\"I wanted to go first! `Ryuuto' (lute) would've been wonderful!\" <br><br>\r\n「“ず”？ 何だかさっきから難しいのばっかりね。 <br>\r\n\"`Zu'? Feels like we keep getting tough ones. <br><br>\r\n…というか、順番どうなってるの？ 次は誰？」 <br>\r\n...Wait a sec, what order are we going in? Who's next?\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ。誰でもいいと思うよ。思いついた人順でいいよ。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu. I don't think it matters who. Whoever thinks of a matching word first.』 <br><br>\r\n「何それ、面白いね。いっぱい言えた人が勝ち？ 早口しりとりだね！」 <br>\r\n\"What's that? Sounds interesting. How about the person who can say the most wins? It's fast-talking shiritori!\" <br><br>\r\n「じゃあ私行くね！ <br>\r\n\"Then I'll go! <br><br>\r\n“ズッキーニ”！ <br>\r\n`Zucchini'! <br><br>\r\n“ニンニク炒め”！ <br>\r\n`Ninniku itame' (garlic stir-fry)! <br><br>\r\n“芽かぶのパスタ”〜！ <br>\r\n`Mekabu with pasta'! <br><br>\r\nどれも美味しそう！ きゃは、３つも言っちゃったぁ！」 <br>\r\nAll of them delicious! Kyaha, I said three of them!\" <br><br>\r\n「ベルゼ、３点獲得っと。 <br>\r\n\"Belz takes three points. <br><br>\r\n……接続詞はありなのか？」 <br>\r\n...Can you use conjunctions?\" <br><br>\r\n「“の”がありになったら、何でもありになっちゃうわ！！ <br>\r\n\"If you could use `with', then anything would work!! <br><br>\r\n最後のは駄目よ！ １点減点！！ “め”からよ。」 <br>\r\nThat last one doesn't count! Minus one point!! Let's start from `me'.\" <br><br>\r\n「じゃあ真里亞ね。“メレンゲ”〜！」 <br>\r\n\"Then I'll go. `Meringue'-!\" <br><br>\r\n『“げ”？？ …う、…う、……うりゅー！』 <br>\r\n『`Ge'?? ...U-U-Uryu-!』 <br><br>\r\n「“下水道”、 <br>\r\n\"`Gesuidou' (Drainage system), <br><br>\r\n“埋立地”、 <br>\r\n`umetatechi' (reclaimed land), <br><br>\r\n“地下室”。 <br>\r\n`chikashitsu' (basement). <br><br>\r\nざっとこんな感じ？」 <br>\r\nHow'd you like them apples?\" <br><br>\r\n「お姉様、何だか品のない単語ばっかりー、くすくす！」 <br>\r\n\"Onee-sama, those are all pretty crummy words, *giggle*!\" <br><br>\r\n「な、何よ、じゃあ品のいい単語で続けてみなさいよっ！！ <br>\r\n\"S-So what? Then why don't you try following up with something refined!! <br><br>\r\nとにかく私、３点ね。次は“つ”よ、“つ”！」 <br>\r\nAnyway, that's three points for me. The next one's `tsu', okay, `tsu'!\" <br><br>\r\n「こんな変なしりとり初めて。 <br>\r\n\"I've never played such a weird shiritori before. <br><br>\r\nうーうー！ 面白い！」 <br>\r\nUu-uu-! It's fun!\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー！ 全然わかんないけど面白い。うりゅー！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu-! I don't get it at all, but it's fun. Uryu-!』 <br><br>\r\n普通のしりとりをしたことはあるけれど、こんなおかしなしりとりは始めての経験だ。 <br>\r\nI've played normal shiritori before, but I've never experienced a shiritori this weird. <br><br>\r\nただでさえ賑やかな七姉妹に、真里亞お姉ちゃんにさくたろに、私。 <br>\r\nこんな楽しい仲間たちに、私は今や囲まれている。 <br>\r\nThere's only the lively Seven Sisters, Maria onee-chan, Sakutaro, and me. <br><br>\r\nI'm now surrounded by friends that are so fun to be with. <br><br>\r\n……魔法の世界、魔女の世界を受け容れる勇気。 <br>\r\n...The courage to accept a world of magic, a world of witches... <br><br>\r\n…それを持つだけで、私は相変わらず学園に閉じ込められていて、クラスにはたったひとりの友達もいないことに変わりはない。 <br>\r\n...That alone didn't change the fact that I was still locked up in an academy, without a single friend in my class. <br><br>\r\nにもかかわらず、こんなにも楽しく賑やかに過ごせている。 <br>\r\nBut despite that, I'm able to have such a fun and lively time. <br><br>\r\n………私も、真里亞お姉ちゃんのような、魔女になろう。 <br>\r\n......I'll also become a witch, like Maria onee-chan. <br><br>\r\nそしていつの日にか、この楽しい輪に、家族も加えよう。 <br>\r\nAnd someday, I'll add my family to this fun circle. <br><br>\r\nお父さん、お母さん。そしてお兄ちゃん。 <br>\r\nDad, Mom. And Onii-chan. <br><br>\r\n……もし許されるなら、譲治お兄ちゃんや朱志香お姉ちゃんも。他の親戚たちも。 <br>\r\nみんなみんなここに呼んで、誰一人欠けることなく、…みんなで集まろう。 <br>\r\n...And if possible, George onii-chan and Jessica onee-chan. And the other relatives. <br><br>\r\nI'll call everyone, everyone here without a single person missing, ...and we'll all gather together. <br><br>\r\n「……それが私の、夢。 <br>\r\n\"...This is my...dream. <br><br>\r\n……そうよ。私はそれを叶えるまで、絶対に挫けない。」 <br>\r\n...That's right. Until I make that come true, I definitely won't lose heart.\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さまはきっと大魔女になられます。あなたがそうだと信じるだけで。 <br>\r\n\"I'm sure you'll become a Great Witch, Ange-sama. As long as you believe in that. <br><br>\r\n我ら煉獄の七姉妹は、その日まで常にお側にお仕えするでしょう。」 <br>\r\nWe Seven Stakes of Purgatory will always serve by your side until that day comes.\" <br><br>\r\n「いてくれる…？ いつまでも。……私の力になってくれる？」 <br>\r\n「当然。だって私、縁寿さまの友達じゃないですか？」 <br>\r\n\"You'll be there for me...? No matter how long, ...you'll lend me your strength?\" <br><br>\r\n\"Of course. After all, I'm your friend. Right, Ange-sama?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。……えぇ、そうね。常に全員揃って、みんなで遊びましょう。今も、これからも、ずっと、ずっと。」 <br>\r\n「縁寿さまが夢を叶えられる日まで。」 <br>\r\n\"............Yes, that's right. Let's all stick together and play together. Today, and in the future, always, ...always.\" <br><br>\r\n\"Until the day your dream comes true, Ange-sama.\" <br><br>\r\n１０人での賑やかなしりとりが、いつまでも温かな日差しの時間のまま切り取られた明るい街並みの中で、いつまでも続けられるのだった……。 <br>\r\nThe lively, ten-person game of shiritori, alongside a street cut off from time, under the constantly bright rays of the sun, could have continued forever... <br><br>\r\n「………マジ、本当、どーゆうわけぇ、右代宮さぁん？」 <br>\r\n\"......Wait, seriously? What's going on, Ushiromiya-saan?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n……結局。私はテストで、大した成績を取ることは出来なかった。 <br>\r\n...In the end, I wasn't able to get a very good grade on my test. <br><br>\r\n私なりに暗記をしたつもりだったが、そんな一夜漬け程度でどうにかなるなら、誰だってテストで悩んだりしない。 <br>\r\nI tried memorizing things in my own way, but if you could manage anything by cramming the night before a test, no one would ever worry about tests. <br><br>\r\n「予め問題がわかってたら、普通、楽勝じゃない？ 楽勝ぉ！」 <br>\r\n「さすがの私たちも、空欄に答えまでは書き込みませんでしたわ。その程度はお勉強してくれると信じてましたからぁ。」 <br>\r\n「何これ？！ ちょっとマジこれ、信じらんなぁい！ ほとんど駄目じゃない？ あんた本当にちゃんと予習したわけぇ？！」 <br>\r\n\"Normally, when you know the problems beforehand, you should be able to pass easily, right? Easily!\" <br><br>\r\n\"It's true that we didn't go so far as to write the answers into the blanks for you. We thought you'd studied at least that much.\" <br><br>\r\n\"What the hell? Come on, are you serious? I can't believe it! They're almost all wrong, aren't they? Did you really study properly?!\" <br><br>\r\n「………………一応…。」 <br>\r\n\".........More or less...\" <br><br>\r\n「一応ってレベルじゃありませんことよ、右代宮さん。……ここまでひどいと私、眩暈すらしそうですわよ？」 <br>\r\n「おぉ、神よ。こんなカンタンなテストすら無残な成績を残し、クラス全体の平均点をガタ落ちさせる彼女をどうかお許しください…！」 <br>\r\n\"This isn't what you call more or less, Ushiromiya-san. ...It's so horrible that it makes me dizzy, okay?\" <br><br>\r\n\"Oh, God. Please forgive her for getting a miserable grade on such an easy test...and for making the average score for the entire class plummet...!\" <br><br>\r\n「くすくすくすくす、けらけらけらけら、 <br>\r\n\"*giggle*giggle*giggle*, *cackle*cackle*cackle*, <br><br>\r\nあははははははは。」 <br>\r\nahahahahahahaha.\" <br><br>\r\n……同じテストが、先に他のクラスで行なわれた。 <br>\r\nそのテスト用紙が入手されていたので、今回のテストの平均点は非常に高かった。 <br>\r\n...The same test had been given in another class first. <br><br>\r\nThat test paper had been obtained, so the average score for our class had been unusually high. <br><br>\r\n私のささやかな点数アップなど霞む位に。 <br>\r\nEnough to obscure my slight improvement. <br><br>\r\nしかし、……言い訳の余地のない部分も、若干はある。 <br>\r\nHowever, ...there were some things I had no excuse for. <br><br>\r\nあの日一日を、死に物狂いで勉強していたなら、あるいはもうちょっとは点数が取れていたかもしれない。 <br>\r\nIf I'd spent that entire day studying like mad, I might've been able to get a slightly higher score. <br><br>\r\n……しかし私はそこまではしなかった。 <br>\r\n...But I hadn't gone that far. <br><br>\r\nだってあの日はあの後、…七姉妹とさくたろとお姉ちゃんと、……楽しくしりとりをして過ごしてしまったのだから。 <br>\r\nAfter that on that day, ...I spent the whole time having fun playing shiritori with the Seven Sisters, Sakutaro and Onee-chan. <br><br>\r\n優勝したのはやっぱり真里亞お姉ちゃん。 <br>\r\n色々な雑学知識を持っているから強かった。 <br>\r\nAs expected, the winner had been Maria onee-chan. <br><br>\r\nShe was a strong player thanks to her wide knowledge of trivia. <br><br>\r\n罰ゲームはさくたろだった。 <br>\r\nSakutaro had gotten the punishment game. <br><br>\r\nみんなの解答を、きゃっきゃと褒めてるばっかりで、自分が解答するのをすっかり忘れてたから。 <br>\r\nHe spent the whole time cheering for everyone else's answers, completely forgotting to think of any himself. <br><br>\r\n……そんなわけで七姉妹に揉みくちゃにされて、耳をはむはむされまくっていたっけ。 <br>\r\n...Because of that, he'd been squished by the Seven Sisters and had his ears thoroughly nibbled, hadn't he? <br><br>\r\n「ねぇっ、聞いてる右代宮さん？！」 <br>\r\n\"Heey, are you listening, Ushiromiya-san?!\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。」 <br>\r\n\".........\" <br><br>\r\n彼女らは私を取り囲んだまま、小鳥のように囀る。うるさくて、臭い。 <br>\r\nThey were surrounding me, twittering like small birds. They were annoying, smelly. <br><br>\r\nその輪の外にマモンがいて、呆れた表情を浮かべている…。 <br>\r\nOn the outside of that circle was Mammon, an exasperated expression on her face... <br><br>\r\n「相変わらずおかしな学校ね。自分の成績が良かったなら万々歳じゃないの？」 <br>\r\n\"This is a messed up school, just like usual. Shouldn't you be more than happy as long as your own grades are good?\" <br><br>\r\n「………連帯責任とやらのせいでしょ。彼女らにとって、自分の成績がどうこうじゃなくて、クラスの平均点が低くて恥ずかしい方が問題なのよ。 <br>\r\n\"......It's probably because of that collective responsibility thing. Instead of worrying about their own grades, they're more concerned about how embarrassing it is for the class average to be low. <br><br>\r\nあるいは、その結果、罰則として与えられる奉仕活動が嫌で嫌で仕方ないのかもしれない。」 <br>\r\nOr maybe it's because they really hate the volunteer work they're forced to do as punishment.\" <br><br>\r\n「それってつまり、成績を良くしたいから勉強してるとかじゃなくて、連帯責任や奉仕活動が嫌だから勉強してるって意味？」 <br>\r\n\"So in other words, they aren't studying because they want their grades to be good, but because of collective responsibility and since they hate volunteer work?\" <br><br>\r\n「……妬ましくて恥ずかしいのよ。誰かより劣りたくない、辱められたくない。そんな気持ちだけが、彼女らを勉強に駆り立ててる。」 <br>\r\n\"...They're jealous and embarrassed. They don't want to be inferior to anyone, and they don't want to be humiliated. That's the only feeling that drives them to study.\" <br><br>\r\n「勉強がしたければ勝手にすればいいのに、騒がしいやつら。」 <br>\r\n\"What noisy people. If they want to study, why can't they just do it themselves?\" <br><br>\r\n「つまるところ。連帯責任も奉仕活動もなければ、彼女らは勉強などする気もないわけだ。 <br>\r\n\"In the end, without collective responsibility and volunteer work, they'd have no desire to study. <br><br>\r\n……勉強の意味も知らず勉強することの、何と愚かしいことか。」 <br>\r\n...How foolish it is to study without knowing the meaning of studying.\" <br><br>\r\n「しかし、本当にこいつらはうるさくて馬鹿馬鹿しいッ！ 縁寿さまの貴重な昼の一時を邪魔するなというのに！」 <br>\r\n\"Still, these guys really are annoying and stupid! Don't you dare disturb Ange-sama's precious day for even a minute!\" <br><br>\r\n「わあん、こいつら嫌いー！！ 早くどっか行っちゃえー！！」 <br>\r\n\"Waaah, I hate those people!! Just get lost!!\" <br><br>\r\n「お腹空いたぁあぁ！！ 早く消えちゃえぇ、わあああん！！」 <br>\r\n\"I'm hungryyyyyy!! Go away noooooow, waaaah!!\" <br><br>\r\n「………………。………ごめんね、みんな。ニンゲンってのはどうしてここまで浅ましいのかしらね。」 <br>\r\n\"............Sorry, everyone. I wonder why Humans are so shameful.\" <br><br>\r\n「自分で努力するより、縁寿さまに努力させる方が、楽で強欲に平均点を稼げるってことでしょう。 <br>\r\n\"It's probably because, instead of working hard themselves, it's easier to make you work hard and earn them a higher class average to satisfy their greed. <br><br>\r\n……ニンゲンなんて、みんな強欲。そしてより楽なようにそれを強いる。 <br>\r\n...Humans are all greedy. And they'll burden others with their greed to make things easier for themselves.\" <br><br>\r\n…こいつらとはやがて、煉獄の山で再会するわ。第五冠を抜ける時は、せいぜい己が足元に注意することね…。」 <br>\r\n\"...We'll eventually be reunited with them on the mountain of Purgatory. When they get to the fifth terrace, they'd better watch their step...\" <br><br>\r\nマモンは、天国へ至る山、煉獄山の第五冠を司る。 <br>\r\nMammon controls the fifth terrace of the mountain that reaches to heaven, Mount Purgatory. <br><br>\r\n……彼女がこう約束してくれた以上、彼女らの死後、のんびりと天国へ旅立てることは断じてないだろう。 <br>\r\n...Since she's saying this, you can probably be sure that after those girls die, their journey to heaven won't be an easy one. <br><br>\r\n…いや、むしろ、地獄へ堕ちろ。 <br>\r\n...No, on the contrary, let them just fall into hell. <br><br>\r\nクラス委員会は生徒会に対し、昼休みと放課後の教室使用を申請した。 <br>\r\nThe class committee went to the student council and applied to use a classroom during lunch and after school. <br><br>\r\n使用目的は、クラス勉強会。 <br>\r\n私ひとりを囲んで勉強させるための、ありがたくて涙が出る催しだった。 <br>\r\nThe purpose of use was for a class study group. <br><br>\r\nA wonderful little gathering so that they could all surround me and make me study. I'm so grateful I could cry. <br><br>\r\n私は毎日、昼休みの全てと放課後の３時間を、奪われることになったわけだ。 <br>\r\nWhich meant that every day, all of my lunch and three hours of my afternoon would be stolen. <br><br>\r\n生徒自治をモットーとする学園と生徒会は、生徒による自主的なこの微笑ましい活動を、二つ返事で承認した…。 <br>\r\nThe academy and its student council, with its theme of student self-government, instantly approved of this pleasant activity that the students were taking up of their own initiative... <br><br>\r\nつまり私は、放課後に逃げるように教室を後にすることが、出来なくなったわけだ…。 <br>\r\nIn other words, I was no longer able to escape after school by leaving the classroom... <br><br>\r\n放課後に、さっそく第１回のクラス勉強会が開かれた。 <br>\r\nAfter school, the first class study group meeting started right away. <br><br>\r\n教科書を開いて、私にもわかるように懇切丁寧に教えてくれる？ そんな甘い幻想はさすがにない。 <br>\r\nWould they open a textbook, then kindly and carefully explain so that even I could understand it? Of course it didn't turn out like such a naive illusion. <br><br>\r\n放課後の教室に、私の席を取り囲むように十数人のクラスメートがいた。 <br>\r\nAfter school in the classroom, dozens of my classmates crowded around my desk. <br><br>\r\nまず、勉強を始める前に。 <br>\r\nFirst, before we started studying... <br><br>\r\nなぜ私の成績が悪いのか。 <br>\r\nその理由は何なのか。 <br>\r\nそれをはっきりさせて、自覚、反省をしてもらわないことには始まらない、ということになった。 <br>\r\nWhy were my grades so bad? <br><br>\r\nWhat was the reason? <br><br>\r\nIt was decided that we couldn't start until I could clearly answer those questions, become aware of the problem, and show regret for my actions. <br><br>\r\n……もちろん、そんなことを聞かれても、私には答えられるわけもない。 <br>\r\n...Of course, there's no way for me to respond when asked a question like that. <br><br>\r\n彼女らは私を忌み嫌ってきた。 <br>\r\nそしてコミュニティに私を加えないよう、拒絶して遠ざけてきた。 <br>\r\nThey've loathed me all this time. <br><br>\r\nAnd they've rejected me and kept me at a distance, preventing me from joining in on their community. <br><br>\r\nだから私も、彼女らのコミュニティを避けるようにしてきた。 <br>\r\nそこに、両者の衝突はないはずだ。 <br>\r\nSo, I've avoided their community myself. <br><br>\r\nThere shouldn't have been any conflict for either of us that way. <br><br>\r\nだから、彼女らがクラスの平均点を上げようと意気込むそのコミュニティにも、当然、私は足を遠ざけた。 <br>\r\nSo even in this group that was enthusiastic about raising the class average, they obviously kept me at a distance. <br><br>\r\n私がそのコミュニティに加わろうとしても、彼女らはそれまで常にそうしてきたように、私を無視しただろう。 <br>\r\nEven if I tried to join in, they would probably ignore me, like they always did in the past. <br><br>\r\n「言ってくれれば私たち、いくらでも教えてあげたよ？ ねーーー？！」 <br>\r\n「「「ねえーーーーッ！！！」」」 <br>\r\n\"If you'd just asked, we would've taught you whatever you wanted. Riiiiiiiight?!\" <br><br>\r\n\"\"\"Riiiiiiiigght!!!\"\"\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n彼女たちはそう息巻く。 <br>\r\n……彼女たちの後付けの偽善はもううんざりだった。 <br>\r\nThey were getting themselves all worked up. <br><br>\r\n...I've already had enough of the hypocrisy of their tacked-on excuses. <br><br>\r\n「右代宮さんの悪いところはね、協調性がないところなのよ。自分さえ良ければいいって思ってるその考えがいけないのよ。」 <br>\r\n「聖ルチーアの学び舎に集う者は協調の心を持つように。ちゃんと生徒手帳にも明記されてましてよ？」 <br>\r\n「協調性があれば、クラス全体に貢献するために一緒にお勉強しようという意思も生まれると思うの。そここそが右代宮さんに、お勉強以前に欠けている部分だと思うんだけど、どう思うかしらぁ？！」 <br>\r\n\"Ushiromiya-san, your problem is that you're lacking a cooperative personality. You mustn't be satisfied as long as everything's good for you alone.\" <br><br>\r\n\"Those who gather in Saint Lucia's place of learning shall have a cooperative heart. It's written right there in the student handbook, right?\" <br><br>\r\n\"I think having a cooperative heart is what gives birth to the desire to study together and contribute to the entire class. I believe that itself is the thing you lack before you even start studying, Ushiromiya-san, but what do you say?!\" <br><br>\r\n「ねーぇ、さっきから私たちの話を聞いてるゥ？！ <br>\r\n\"Heeey, have you even been listening to us?! <br><br>\r\n~ib~貴女のため~ib~に私たちはわざわざ放課後に残ってこうしてお話しているのよー？！」 <br>\r\nWe went to all the trouble of staying after school to say this ~ib~for your sake~ib~, right?!\" <br><br>\r\n…………………。ありがたくて、涙が出る。 <br>\r\n.........I'm so grateful I could cry. <br><br>\r\nもちろん、それを咎められた。 <br>\r\nOf course, they didn't like that. <br><br>\r\n“これではまるで、私たちが虐めてるみたいじゃない”と、さらに叱責された。 <br>\r\n`This way, it almost makes it look like we're bullying you', they reprimanded me. <br><br>\r\n幸い、涙なんて普段から絞り尽くしてる。 <br>\r\n泣くなと言われたなら、堪えることだって出来るさ。 <br>\r\nFortunately, I'm normally all cried out anyway. <br><br>\r\nIf I'm told not to cry, I can hold it back. <br><br>\r\n私はまず、反省文を書かされて、発表させられることになった。 <br>\r\nもちろん、今日の話だ。 <br>\r\nFirst, I was made to write a letter of remorse and read it out loud. <br><br>\r\nOf course, this was to be done by today. <br><br>\r\nクラス委員長が律儀に生徒会と職員室に、教室使用の延長を申請してくれた。 <br>\r\n……あっさり受理されたらしい。 <br>\r\nThe class committee politely applied to the student council and the staff room for an extension on the use of this classroom. <br><br>\r\n...It seems it was accepted right away. <br><br>\r\nつまりこれで、私は今からたっぷり５時間以上もここで自己批判を強いられるわけだ……。 <br>\r\nWhich means that starting now, I'll be forced into self-criticism for at least a full five hours here... <br><br>\r\n——右代宮縁寿は、テストの成績が低くて、クラスメートに迷惑を掛けました。 <br>\r\n——Ushiromiya Ange got a low score on her test and caused trouble for her classmates. <br><br>\r\n「違うでしょぉーッ？！？！」 <br>\r\n\"That's not it, riiight?!?!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「成績が低くて迷惑を掛けたってのは、根本じゃないでしょお？！」 <br>\r\n「協調性でしょ、協調性！！」 <br>\r\n「もーッ！！ 何で右代宮さんの反省文の書き方まで私たちが指導しなくちゃならないのよー！」 <br>\r\n\"You getting low grades and causing us trouble isn't the root of the problem, is it?!\" <br><br>\r\n\"It's a cooperative attitude, right? A cooperative attitude!!\" <br><br>\r\n\"Come ooon!! Why do we even have to direct Ushiromiya-san on how to write a letter of regret?!\" <br><br>\r\n彼女らの口汚い罵声が次々飛び交う。 <br>\r\nTheir abusive jeers flew about one after another. <br><br>\r\n私は彼女らの“指導”に従い消しゴムを入れた。 <br>\r\nI followed their `directions' and erased it. <br><br>\r\n——右代宮縁寿は、協調性がなくて、クラスメートに迷惑を掛けました。 <br>\r\n——Ushiromiya Ange didn't have a cooperative attitude and caused trouble for her classmates. <br><br>\r\n「ねぇ、ちょっとお、私たちが言ったのをそのまま書いても意味ないのよ？！」 <br>\r\n「あんた、反省って意味、わかってんのー？！」 <br>\r\n「自分の言葉で書かなくちゃ意味がないじゃない、自分の言葉で書かなくちゃッ！」 <br>\r\n「右代宮さんって、ちょっと不思議な子だなって思ってたけど、やっぱり変わってるよねー！ くすくすくすくす！」 <br>\r\n\"Hey, wait a sec, it's pointless if you just write whatever we say, right?!\" <br><br>\r\n\"Do you really know what `regret' means?!\" <br><br>\r\n\"It's pointless if you don't write it in your own words, pointless!\" <br><br>\r\n\"I always thought you were a bit strange, Ushiromiya-san, but you really are weird! *giggle*giggle*giggle*!\" <br><br>\r\n彼女らの指導に従っても、あまり罵声は変わらず、むしろ嘲りも増えた感じだった…。 <br>\r\nEven following their directions didn't change the jeers much, and now it felt like they were mocking me even more... <br><br>\r\n私はそうして数時間もの間、休むことも、お手洗いに行くことも許されず、当然、夕食さえも許されずに、延々と罵倒されながら。 <br>\r\nSo for several more hours, without rest, without even being allowed to go to the bathroom, much less dinner, I was continuously abused... <br><br>\r\n……自らを辱める文章を書き上げることを強要され続けた……。 <br>\r\n...I was coerced into writing a paragraph that humiliated myself... <br><br>\r\nそして夜も９時を回り、……私はそれを起立して読み上げるように言われた。 <br>\r\nAt about 9:00 that night, ...I was told to stand up and read it aloud. <br><br>\r\nその文面は、 <br>\r\n……涙の跡と消しゴムの跡で真っ黒にくすんでいた。 <br>\r\nThe contents... <br><br>\r\nwere smeared black with tears and eraser marks. <br><br>\r\n 確かに私の筆跡だけれど、 <br>\r\n……まるで内容に覚えのない、 <br>\r\n魂の篭らぬ文字が列挙されている。 <br>\r\nIt certainly was my handwriting, <br><br>\r\n...but it was like a list of soulless letters, <br><br>\r\nwhose contents I couldn't even remember. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nそれらは全て彼女らが指導したものを書き写したものだ。 <br>\r\nEverything had been copied down according to their orders. <br><br>\r\nだから、たとえ私の文字で書かれたとしても、私の言葉ではない。 <br>\r\nSo while I had been the one to write the letters, they weren't my words. <br><br>\r\nそれを書き取ることを強要され、さらに発表することを強要される。 <br>\r\nI'd been coerced into writing them down...and even coerced into reading them aloud. <br><br>\r\n………私は、人の虐め方には、無視や、物を隠すだけでなく、こういうものもあるのかと今さらながら驚かされる……。 <br>\r\n......Even after all this time, I was surprised to learn that, beyond just ignoring people and hiding their things, there are other ways to bully people... <br><br>\r\n「ほらあ！ 早く読み上げなさいよー！！」 <br>\r\n「右代宮さんのために、これだけの人間がこんなに遅くまで付き合ってるのよ？ 少しは感謝したら？」 <br>\r\n「そこで感謝の気持ちがわかないという時点で、もう協調性が欠片ほどもないのよね？」 <br>\r\n「大丈夫よ、右代宮さん。これからは私たちがいつも一緒にいてあげるから。一緒にお勉強して、生まれ変わりましょう？ ね？」 <br>\r\n\"Heey! Read it aloud quickly!!\" <br><br>\r\n\"Look how many people are staying this late just for you, Ushiromiya-san. Why not thank us a little?\" <br><br>\r\n\"Isn't the fact that she doesn't feel gratitude a sign that she doesn't have a scrap of a cooperative attitude?\" <br><br>\r\n\"It's okay, Ushiromiya-san. We'll always be with you from now on. Why not study with us and remake yourself? Okay?\" <br><br>\r\n「くすくすくす「あははははは「きゃっひゃひゃひゃひゃひゃ！！」」」 <br>\r\n\"*giggle*giggle* \"Ahahahahaha \"Kyahhhyahyahyahya!!\"\"\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n私は彼女らに囲まれたまま、席を起立し、……その黒ずんだページに目を落とす。 <br>\r\nAs I stood by my seat, surrounded by them, ...I dropped my gaze towards the blackened page. <br><br>\r\nそして……その辱めの言葉を口にするが、すぐに、よく聞こえない、もっと大きな声でと罵声が飛んだ。 <br>\r\nAnd then...I spoke those humiliating words, but right away, jeers flew at me saying that they couldn't hear and to speak up. <br><br>\r\n……………読めない。 <br>\r\n......I can't read it. <br><br>\r\n自らの口で、自らを辱める文章を読まされることが、こんなにも辛いことだなんて、知らなかった。 <br>\r\nI had no idea...that being forced to read a paragraph humiliating me would be so painful. <br><br>\r\n喉が震える。指先も震える。 <br>\r\n……自らの筆跡で書かれた屈辱的な文章が、瞳の奥を熱い液体が焼く。 <br>\r\nMy throat shook. My fingertips shook. <br><br>\r\n...The paragraph of humiliation written in my own handwriting made my eyes burn with a hot liquid. <br><br>\r\nだから世界が潤んで歪んだ。 <br>\r\nSo my world blurred and twisted. <br><br>\r\n私を取り囲む彼女らがみんな歪んで見えた。 <br>\r\nI saw the girls surrounding me twist and bend. <br><br>\r\n……私が彼女たちに持っていた印象そのままの姿に歪んで見えた。 <br>\r\nだからそれはつまり、……正しい視界だった。 <br>\r\n...I saw them twist and bend into the impression I had of them. <br><br>\r\nIn other words, ...that was my true field of vision. <br><br>\r\nその歪んだ人垣の向こうに、……私の友人たちの姿が見える。 <br>\r\n皆、瞳には同情を浮かべていた。 <br>\r\nBeyond that twisted crowd of people, ...I could see my friends. <br><br>\r\nCompassion could be seen in all of their eyes. <br><br>\r\n「………縁寿、………しっかり…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Ange, ......stay strong...\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー………。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu-......』 <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんとさくたろが、悲しい目で私を見ている。 <br>\r\n安っぽい同情の言葉すらも、私を傷つけると知っているからだろうか。 <br>\r\nMaria onee-chan and Sakutaro were looking at me with sad eyes. <br><br>\r\nProbably because they realized that even cheap words of compassion would hurt me. <br><br>\r\n……何かを口にしようとしては俯くことを、繰り返す。 <br>\r\n...They kept alternating between trying to say something...and hanging their heads. <br><br>\r\n「何なのよ、こいつら…！！」 <br>\r\n\"What the hell's wrong with these people...?!!\" <br><br>\r\n「最低のヤツら！ 腸が煮えくり返るわよ！ 縁寿さまを寄って集って嬲り者にして、何が楽しいわけッ？！」 <br>\r\n\"They're just the worst! Really pisses me off! What's so fun about gathering around Ange-sama and torturing her?!\" <br><br>\r\n「妬ましくても吐き出せない怨嗟。誰でもいいのよ、吐き出せればね。最低のヤツら。」 <br>\r\n\"It's a resentment they can't voice despite their jealousy. They don't care who it hurts, as long as they can let it out. What horrible people.\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さまッ！ ここはご自身の名誉のために怒り狂うことが許される場面です！！ 怒りは正当な感情で正当な反応！ ここで怒らなかったら、どこで怒るんですかッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Ange-sama! In this kind of situation, it's okay to go mad with rage for your own honor's sake!! Anger is an appropriate emotion and an appropriate reaction! If you don't get mad now, when will you get mad?!!\" <br><br>\r\n「やめなさいよ、安っぽく縁寿さまを怒らせないでっ！！ それが出来たらもうやってるわよ縁寿さまはっ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Stop it, don't stir Ange-sama up with cheap anger!! If Ange-sama could do that, she would've done it already!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………怒って状況が改善できるならそうすべきだ。だが、客観的に判断して、それはますますに状況を悪化させるだけだろう。……屈辱的だが、今は耐えるのが賢明だ。」 <br>\r\n\"......You should only get angry if doing so will improve the situation. However, from a objective standpoint, doing that now would probably only aggravate the situation further. It may be humiliating, but the wisest thing to do now is to withstand it.\" <br><br>\r\n「あっは！ さっすがベルフェ姉は怠惰やってます！ <br>\r\n\"Ahha! You really are a sloth, Belpha! <br><br>\r\nふざけないでよ、私は耐えられない！！ こいつらが許せないッ！！」 <br>\r\nQuit fooling around, I can't stand this!! I can't forgive them!!\" <br><br>\r\n『…み、みんな騒がないで…。縁寿の負担になっちゃうよ…。』 <br>\r\n『...E-Everyone, calm down... It'll become a burden for Ange...』 <br><br>\r\n「負担？！ なに言ってんのよ、ここは騒ぐところでしょ？！ 私たち家具は、主が侮辱されているのを見て冷静で居られるほど残酷じゃないッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"A burden?! What are you talking about? Is this the time or place to be calm?! We furniture are not so cruel as to cooly watch when our master is humiliated!!\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さまッ！！ そんな侮辱の文章を読む義務はありません！ 怒りの声を上げられないなら、せめてその屈辱の文面を床に叩きつけて！！」 <br>\r\n\"Ange-sama!! You have no obligation to read such a humiliating letter! If you can't let out a cry of rage, then at least throw it onto the floor!!\" <br><br>\r\n「口汚く罵らなくていい、仰け反らせるほどの大声をあげなくていい！ <br>\r\n\"You don't need to trash talk them, you don't need to yell so loud that they bend over backwards! <br><br>\r\nただ渾身の力でそのノートを床に叩きつけて…！！ それだけのことで、縁寿さまは強い意思を示すことが出来る！！」 <br>\r\nJust throw the notebook on the floor with all your might...!! By doing just that, you'll be able to show your strong will!!\" <br><br>\r\n「勝手なことを言わないでっ！！ 言ってるでしょ？！ それが出来るもんなら縁寿さまだってとっくにやってる！！」 <br>\r\n\"Don't start running on by yourself, Mammon!! I told you, right?! If Ange-sama could do it, she would've done so long ago!!\" <br><br>\r\n「一時の感情の爆発は何も解決しない。 <br>\r\n\"Nothing will be resolved by the eruption of momentary emotions. <br><br>\r\nむしろ、縁寿さまに対する風当たりを悪くするだけだとなぜわからん！」 <br>\r\nCan't you see that doing that will only make their treatment of Ange-sama even more severe?!\" <br><br>\r\n「わああああああん！！ <br>\r\n\"Waaaaaaaaaaaaahh!! <br><br>\r\n 縁寿さまは悪くないのに何でこんな目に遭うのお？！」 <br>\r\n Why is this happening to Ange-sama when she didn't do anything wrong?!\" <br><br>\r\n「夕飯も食べさせてもらえないで、放課後からずっとこんななんて嫌ぁああああ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Not letting her eat dinner...and making her stay so long after school! I hate iiiiiiiiiiiiit!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「今夜だけじゃないわ、今日も明日も明後日も！！ いい加減にして、こんな屈辱耐えられないッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"And it's not just tonight, but tomorrow and the day after too!! That's enough, you can't simply sit there bearing this humiliation!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ねえ！！ 私たちの話、本当に聞こえてるッ？！」 <br>\r\n\"Hey!! Are you really listening to us?!\" <br><br>\r\n私の髪が、ぐいっと引っ張られる。 <br>\r\n……私は無惨な現実に引き戻された。 <br>\r\nSomeone tugged at my hair. <br><br>\r\n...I was torn back into my tragic reality. <br><br>\r\n…七姉妹たちが私の胸中を代弁してくれるその言葉に耳を傾けることさえ、もはや許されなかった。 <br>\r\n...I was no longer even permitted to listen to the Seven Sisters speaking on my behalf in my heart. <br><br>\r\n掴み上げられ、片方の髪飾りが取れ、床にコツンコツンと落ちて転がる音が聞こえた。 <br>\r\nMy hair was lifted upwards, one of my hair ornaments came off, and I could hear the sound of it rolling on the ground. <br><br>\r\n……誰も拾わない。 <br>\r\n...No one picked it up. <br><br>\r\nむしろ、何か汚いものでも転がってきたかのように、さりげなく避けた。 <br>\r\n私がそれを目で追おうとすると、再び髪が掴み上げられた。 <br>\r\nTo the contrary, they casually avoided it as though something filthy was rolling towards them. <br><br>\r\nI tried to follow it with my eyes, but my hair was tugged upwards again. <br><br>\r\n「何で私たちがこんなに真剣に話してるのに、いっつも聞いてないわけ？！」 <br>\r\n「右の耳から左の耳ってヤツぅ？ それとも馬の耳に念仏かしらぁ？！ あんた、いい加減にしてよね？！」 <br>\r\n\"Why do you neeever listen to us, even though we're talking about something so serious?!\" <br><br>\r\n\"In one ear and out the other, is it? Does anything get into that thick skull of yours?! Get a grip, okay?!\" <br><br>\r\n「私たち全員に迷惑掛けてるって自覚、本気であるの？ 私たちに言われてるから嫌々、書いたとか言い出すんじゃないでしょうね？！」 <br>\r\n「あんたが本当に自分の意思で反省できるまで、マジで終わんないからね？ 今日だけじゃないよ。明日も明後日もマジで続くからね？ あんまり舐めてんじゃないわよッ？！？！」 <br>\r\n\"Are you really conscious of the trouble you're causing us? You aren't going to start saying that you just wrote it grudgingly because we told you to, right?!\" <br><br>\r\n\"Until you really show regret of your own will, this seriously isn't gonna end, okay?! It's not just for today. It'll seriously keep on going tomorrow and the day after, you see? Don't you play us for fools, okay?!?!\" <br><br>\r\n「つーかさぁ、何でまだ生きてんの？ 生きてられる普通？ 私なら死んじゃうね！」 <br>\r\n「生きてられないよねー？！ だってさ、生きてるだけで迷惑掛けてるだけでしょ？ 私だったら絶対に生きてられない！」 <br>\r\n「うんうん、私だったら死ぬね。その方が世の中のためになるなら、すぐにでも死んじゃうよー！ ねええー！！」 <br>\r\n\"I mean, why are you still even alive? Is it normal to go on living like this? If it were me, I'd just die!\" <br><br>\r\n\"You can't live like this, can you?! 'Cause you being alive just means getting in other people's way all the time, right? If it were me, I definitely couldn't live on!\" <br><br>\r\n\"Yeah, yeah, I'd die too. If doing that's better for the world, then I'd die right away! Riiiiiiiiight?!!\" <br><br>\r\n……じゃあ死んでよ。 <br>\r\n...Then die. <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さま……。」 <br>\r\n\"Ange-sama...\" <br><br>\r\n「こいつら全員、今すぐ殺してよあんたたちッ！！ ルシファー、聞こえたッ？！」 <br>\r\n\"Kill all of them now!! Lucifer, can you hear me?!\" <br><br>\r\n「えっ、……あ…。」 <br>\r\n\"Uh, ...ah...\" <br><br>\r\n「あんたたち煉獄の七姉妹は、ニンゲンなんかあっという間に皆殺しに出来るすごい家具なんでしょ？！ あんたらいつも私にそう自慢していたわッ！！ ならやって！ 今すぐこいつらを皆殺しにしてッ！！ 今すぐこの場でッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"You Seven Sisters of Purgatory are incredible furniture that can massacre mere Humans in a flash, right?! You're always boasting about it to me!! Then do it! Massacre them right now!! Right here, right now!!\" <br><br>\r\n「………それは……………、」 <br>\r\n\"......Well.........\" <br><br>\r\nルシファーはなぜか口篭る。 <br>\r\nFor some reason, Lucifer hesitated. <br><br>\r\n……何で？ どうしてよッ？！ <br>\r\n目にも留まらぬ速度で飛び回って、魔女の敵の心臓を即座に貫く、必殺の家具でしょう？ <br>\r\nそしてそれを主である私が命じてる！！ <br>\r\n...Why? What's wrong?! <br><br>\r\nYou're certain-kill furniture that can fly around faster than the eye can see and instantly pierce the hearts of a witch's enemies, right? <br><br>\r\nAnd I'm giving you an order as your master!! <br><br>\r\n今すぐ実行しなさい！ 殺して！！ こいつらをみんな殺せええええぇええぇえぇッ！！ <br>\r\nCarry it out right away! Kill!! Kill them aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall!! <br><br>\r\n「……………………え、縁寿さま……。…どうか、落ち着いて……、」 <br>\r\n\".........A-Ange-sama... ...Please, calm down...\" <br><br>\r\nもしも彼女らが私の残酷な命令に直ちに従い、私を中心に屍を累々と並べて見せたなら。 <br>\r\nIf they had immediately followed my brutal order, making heaps of corpses with me at the center... <br><br>\r\n……私は人の命をあっさりと奪ってしまった自分の暴挙を、悔いて後悔し、彼女らが望んだように自ら反省するつもりでいた。 <br>\r\nその覚悟があった。 <br>\r\n...I was ready to reflect on my own reckless actions of stealing human lives so readily, ...ready to regret and repent, just as they had wanted me to. <br><br>\r\nI was prepared to do that. <br><br>\r\nなのに、ルシファーは戸惑いの表情を見せるだけで、私の命令を実行しようとはしなかった。 <br>\r\nAnd yet, Lucifer just let an unsure expression rise to her face...and didn't move to carry out my order. <br><br>\r\n………………わかってた。 <br>\r\n.........I knew it. <br><br>\r\nわかってたさ。……薄々は。 <br>\r\nいや、違う。……最初っから知ってたんだ。 <br>\r\nYeah, I knew it. ...Vaguely. <br><br>\r\nNo, that's not right. ...I've known from the beginning. <br><br>\r\nだから私は……、……魔法なんて虚しいって、わかってたんじゃないか……。 <br>\r\nI've......known that magic was all empty this whole time, haven't I...? <br><br>\r\n「……何が煉獄の七姉妹よ…。……下らない、下らない…。…………私、最初っから知ってたんだから……。」 <br>\r\n\"...The Seven Sisters of Purgatory? Yeah, right... ...Stupid, so pointless... ......I've known it the whole time...\" <br><br>\r\n「…………え、……縁寿さま…。 <br>\r\n\"......A-Ange-sama, <br><br>\r\n…………ッ、ッッッッ……！！！」 <br>\r\n......a-aaaaaahhh...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n不甲斐ないルシファーの瞳をぎょろりと睨みつける。 <br>\r\nI glared into the worthless Lucifer's eyes. <br><br>\r\n…するとその凝視は、どうやら痛みを伴ったらしい。 <br>\r\nルシファーは凄まじい頭痛に襲われたかのように、自らの頭を両腕で抱え込む。 <br>\r\n...And pain seemed to accompany that gaze. <br><br>\r\nAs though she was being assaulted with a violent headache, Lucifer grasped her head with both arms. <br><br>\r\nしかし、私の凝視から目は剥がせないらしい。 <br>\r\n……だからますますに激痛が彼女を襲う。 <br>\r\nBut it looked like she couldn't tear her eyes off my gaze. <br><br>\r\n...So she was assaulted with a pain that grew more and more violent. <br><br>\r\n「…………………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「ぐぐぐ、あ……がが、が………ッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Guhguhguh, ah...gahgaaa, agaa......!! <br><br>\r\nはがッ！！！」 <br>\r\nGyack!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n役立たずが役立たずが……！！ <br>\r\nあんたなんて大嫌いッ！！ 消えてしまえ…！！ <br>\r\nUseless, useless...!! <br><br>\r\nI hate you!! Disappear...!! <br><br>\r\n~ib~あんたなんて所詮、私の中の妄想じゃない~ib~…！！！ <br>\r\n~ib~You're nothing but a delusion inside my head~ib~...!!! <br><br>\r\n絶望と失望。 <br>\r\n諦めと夢の終わり。 <br>\r\n厳冬の湖で、氷結した湖面が立てるような亀裂音が一度だけ響く。 <br>\r\nHopelessness and disappointment. <br><br>\r\nResignation and a dream's end. <br><br>\r\nA cracking sound, like you'd hear from a frozen lake's surface during a fierce winter, rang out just once. <br><br>\r\nその音と同時に、激痛に苦しむルシファーの姿が、そのままの姿で硬直し、白濁した。 <br>\r\nAt the same time, Lucifer's form, which was being tormented by a violent pain, stiffened in place and grew cloudy. <br><br>\r\n……まるで、美しく磨かれた窓ガラスが、無残に叩き割られ、無数のひびによって真っ白になってしまうのに、よく似ていた。 <br>\r\n...It was almost as though a beautifully polished glass window had been heartlessly smashed and turned white from the countless fissures. <br><br>\r\nそしてそれは、正しい表現だった。 <br>\r\nルシファーの姿は、ルシファーの姿をしたガラス製の置物に、いつの間にか代わっている。 <br>\r\nAnd that was an accurate analogy. <br><br>\r\nAt some point, Lucifer's form had turned into a glass ornament of the same shape. <br><br>\r\nそれは内側より無数の亀裂を走らせて、頭や腕などを瓦解させながら崩れ落ちた。 <br>\r\nCountless fissures ran through it from the inside, and as the head and arms collapsed, it crumbled to the floor. <br><br>\r\n「ひいィッ？！！」 <br>\r\n\"Eeeek?!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ル、ルシ姉…ッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"L-Luci-nee...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………次女は誰…？ レヴィアタン？ <br>\r\n\"......Who's the second sister...? Leviathan? <br><br>\r\n私の命令を実行して。今すぐにこいつらを皆殺しにしてッ！！」 <br>\r\nCarry out my order. Massacre them right now!!\" <br><br>\r\n「い、いえあのッ！ ……そ、その縁寿さま…。……どうかお気を静めてお聞き下さい…。 <br>\r\n私たちはその、 <br>\r\n\"N-No, um! ...Err, Ange-sama... ...Please calm your heart and listen... <br><br>\r\n We, umm, <br><br>\r\n………ッッッ、 <br>\r\n......aaah, <br><br>\r\nんぐグぐぐぐがッッ、 <br>\r\ngwaagahhgguguggah, <br><br>\r\nがはッ！！！」 <br>\r\nkyaaggghh!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n私が聞きたいのは言い訳でも口答えでも返事でもない。 <br>\r\n……ただ迅速に、私を辱める彼女らを抹殺する命令を受領する言葉だけだ。 <br>\r\nI'm not looking for excuses or back talk or an answer. <br><br>\r\n...I want nothing more than a swift confirmation of my order to eradicate the girls who are humiliating me. <br><br>\r\nそれ以外を口にするならば、最後までを聞く必要はない。 <br>\r\nIf you're going to say anything else, there's no need for me to listen until the end. <br><br>\r\nレヴィアタンもまた、全身を大量のひびで白濁させると、仰け反るような姿のまま倒れて、首や腕、腰などの華奢な部分を分断させた。 <br>\r\nAfter Leviathan also turned white due to countless cracks throughout her whole body, she fell over backwards, splitting into separate parts along her neck, hips and arms. <br><br>\r\n粉々に砕けて原形を留めない方が、むしろ残酷さは感じさせなかっただろう。 <br>\r\nIf she'd been smashed to bits and lost her original form, it probably wouldn't have seemed so brutal. <br><br>\r\nだから、しっかりと彼女らの姿を中途半端に残したところが、大いに残りの妹たちを震え上がらせた…。 <br>\r\nSo seeing the two of them halfway left over made the remaining younger sisters shake even harder... <br><br>\r\n「……どうして私の命令を聞いてくれないの…？ どうして？ どうしてよッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"...Why won't you listen to my orders...? Why? Why?!!\" <br><br>\r\n「おッ、畏れながら…！！ <br>\r\n\"M-My apologies...!! <br><br>\r\nげ、現在のこの場は、反魔法力が、ひ、非常に強く…ッ、」 <br>\r\nH-Here, under the current conditions, the anti-magic power is...e-extremely strong and...\" <br><br>\r\n「何よそれ。ニンゲンがいるから駄目って、どういう理屈？ <br>\r\n\"What's that? You can't do it because Humans are here? That's your logic? <br><br>\r\nニンゲンを殺すのがあんたたちの役目でしょ？！ それが出来ないなら、あんたたちは何の為の家具なのよッ！！ 死ねッ！！！」 <br>\r\nIsn't killing Humans what you do?! If you can't do that, then what use are you as furniture?!! Die!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ひぃッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Eeeeek!! <br><br>\r\n お、お許し下さい縁寿さまぁぁ……ッ、 <br>\r\nッッッ、 <br>\r\nくぐ、ぎ、かッ！！」 <br>\r\n P-Please spare me, Ange-samaaaaa...ah, <br><br>\r\naaaah, <br><br>\r\nkhhagah, gihh, ack!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nサタンも両腕で頭を抱えながら、白濁してうつ伏せに倒れた。 <br>\r\nAs she clutched her head with both arms, Satan also turned white and fell down face first. <br><br>\r\nやはり首が一番華奢らしい。 <br>\r\n頭がごろりともげて、ベルフェゴールの足元に転がる。 <br>\r\nApparently the neck is the most slender part after all. <br><br>\r\nHer head slid off and rolled over to Belphegor's feet. <br><br>\r\n「ニンゲンが多いから駄目なの？ <br>\r\n\"You can't do it because there are too many Humans? <br><br>\r\nじゃあ私が、後でこいつらを一人ずつ物陰に呼び出せたなら、あんたたちはきっちり全員を血祭りに出来るというの？」 <br>\r\nThen later on, I'll call them into the shadows one by one, and you can make a bloodbath of all of them, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「……現在の縁寿さまの魔力では、私たちと会話する程度は容易いでしょう。しかし、この場にいる全てのニンゲンの前で顕現するには、まだまだ魔力の錬成が足りません…！ <br>\r\n\"...With your current magical power, it may be easy for you to converse with us. However, you still lack the training to materialize us in front of all of the Humans here...!\" <br><br>\r\nお怒りは深く理解できますが、例え我らを攻撃に使えたとしても、この場の全員を殺害することは、かえって状況を悪くするだけです…！ 屈辱的とは思いますが、どうかこの場は怒りを納められて…、 <br>\r\n\"I deeply understand your anger, but even if you could use us to attack...and murdered everyone here, that would only make your situation worse...! I know it's humiliating, but please control your anger for the time being... <br><br>\r\n……ッッ、あが、 <br>\r\n......ahgah, <br><br>\r\n……くぐぐぐッ、がッッッッ！！」 <br>\r\n...gaaaahaahh, kwaaaagghhgh!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「……………あとの３人も同じ答えなの…？ 反魔法力が高いから出来ないって言う？ 私に魔力が足りないから出来ないって言う？ <br>\r\n\"......Will I get the same answer from the next three...? Are you gonna tell me you can't do it because the anti-magic power is too great? Are you gonna tell me you can't do it because my magical power is too weak? <br><br>\r\n……なら全員を殺せとは言わないわ。たった１人でいいから殺してみなさいよ。今すぐこの場で…！！」 <br>\r\n...Then I won't ask you to kill all of them. Just one person's fine, so try and kill them. Right here, right now...!!\" <br><br>\r\n睨み付けられたアスモデウスとベルゼブブは、抱き合いながら竦み上がってしゃがみ込む。 <br>\r\nAs Asmodeus and Beelzebub held each other, they crouched down, cringing in fear under my glare. <br><br>\r\n……もしも私の命令に従えたなら、直ちに実行しただろう。 <br>\r\nにもかかわらず、彼女らはしゃがみ込む。 <br>\r\n...If they'd been able to obey my order, they probably would've carried it out immediately. <br><br>\r\nAnd yet here they were, crouching down. <br><br>\r\n……虚しい。悲しい。そして情けない……。 <br>\r\n...Empty. Sad. And pathetic... <br><br>\r\nそうさ、わかっていたさ。 <br>\r\n彼女らには、現実に指一本だって触れることなんか出来やしない……。 <br>\r\nThat's right, I've known. <br><br>\r\nThese girls can't even touch reality with one of their fingers... <br><br>\r\n「ぃ、…嫌だぁ嫌だぁ…！！ ベルゼ怖いよベルゼー！！」 <br>\r\n\"N-No, no...!! Belz, I'm scared, Beeelz!!\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さまぁ、許して下さい、許して下さい…！！ 死にたくないぃいいぃ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Ange-sama, spare us, spare us...!! I don't wanna diiiiiiiieee!!\" <br><br>\r\n「死になさいよ、使えない家具ッ！ どうして生きてるの、あんたたち？ 生きてる価値がないのに、何で生きてるわけ？ 死ねばいいじゃん。死になさいよ。というかむしろ死ねッ！！ 使い道のない家具を置いとく馬鹿がいると思うッ？！」 <br>\r\n\"Die, useless furniture! Why are you guys even alive? Why are you alive when your lives are worthless? It doesn't matter if you die, right? Die. I'm telling you to die!! Do you think any idiot would leave furniture that has no use lying around?!\" <br><br>\r\n「「ひィイイィ！！ ッッッッ、がッ！！！」」 <br>\r\n\"\"Eeeeeeekkk!! !!!! Gah!!!\"\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「や、やめてください、縁寿さまッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"P-Please stop, Ange-sama!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……なぁに、マモン。あなただけは私の命令を遂行してくれるの？ <br>\r\n\"...What is it, Mammon? Are you gonna be only one to fulfill my order? <br><br>\r\nそうよね。私の一番のお友達だもんね。…………あなただけは、やってくれるわよね。こいつらを！」 <br>\r\nThat's right. You're my best friend. ......You alone will do it for me. Get them!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………い、今の縁寿さまには、……私たちを使役しても、人殺しは出来ません！！ <br>\r\n\"......A-As you are now, Ange-sama, ...even if you use us, you aren't capable of committing murder!! <br><br>\r\n主に出来ることを手伝うのが家具の役目…！ 主にすら出来ないことを、私たちにはすることが出来ない…！！ 縁寿さまはこいつらが憎いですか？ 憎いですよね？ <br>\r\nIt's furniture's duty to help with things their master can do...! Things that even the master can't do, we can't do...!! Do you hate them, Ange-sama? You do hate them, right?\" <br><br>\r\n殺したくなる気持ち、よくわかりますッ！！ えぇ、どうぞ、ならば殺しましょうよ、縁寿さま！ 縁寿さま自らがその手を血に染めるならば、我ら煉獄の七姉妹、どこまでもお供しましょうとも！ どこまでもッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"I totally understand why you want to kill them!! Okay, in that case, go ahead and kill them, Ange-sama! If you stain your own hands with blood, then we, the Seven Sisters of Purgatory, will go along with you however far! However far you go!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……私に、……出来ないから、………あんたたちに頼んでるんでしょう……。……私に出来ないことを出来るから、あんたたちは家具なんでしょお！！」 <br>\r\n\"...I'm...asking you all......because I can't do it myself, aren't I...? ...Isn't being able to do things I can't the thing that makes you furniture?!!\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、家具です。使われてこそ家具です…！！ <br>\r\n\"Yes, we are furniture. Furniture to be used...!! <br><br>\r\nどうぞ我らを使って殺して下さい！ 殺すのは貴女です、縁寿さまッ！！ 縁寿さまが殺したいというならどうぞご自由に！ 躊躇うことはありません、どうぞ今すぐにそれを実行を！！ <br>\r\nPlease, go ahead and use us to kill! You'll be the one killing, Ange-sama!! If you're saying that you want to kill, then go ahead, be my guest! No need to hesitate, go and carry it out right now!!\" <br><br>\r\nそこまでの覚悟が伴って初めて！ 自らの手を汚す覚悟があって初めて、我らはそれをお手伝いいたしましょう！ でも縁寿さまはそれに至っていないんです！！」 <br>\r\n\"And once you've prepared yourself mentally, once you're prepared to dirty your own hands, then we'll help you! But you haven't done that, Ange-sama!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ふっ、………くっくっくっく、あっはっはっはっはっは…。あっはっはっはっはっはっはっは、語るな家具が。妄想がッ！！ もうわかってるわよ、皆まで言わせないでよ。…あんたたちには何も出来ない。あんたたちは所詮、私の妄想、幻想、白昼夢…！ 私には初めから友達なんて一人もいないわ。孤独な私が心の中に生み出した、お友達ごっこの幻影でしょう？ 知ってたのよ、最初ッから！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Pft, ......*cackle*cackle*, ahhahhahhahhahha... Ahhahhahhahhahhahhahhahha, don't speak, furniture. You delusion!! I get it already, you don't all have to tell me. ...You people can't do anything. You're nothing more than my delusions, illusions, daydreams...! I haven't had a single friend from the very beginning. You're just a phantom, a pretend friend I created in my heart, in my isolation, right? I've known from the very beginning!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「あっはははははははははははッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Ahhahahahahahahahahahaha!! <br><br>\r\nえぇ、そうですよゥ！ 縁寿さまの頭の中の幻想ですけど何かァ？ ハイ、そうですゥ！ 私たちは友達のただ一人もいやしない、寂しい寂しい縁寿さまの心を慰めるためだけに生み出されたお友達ごっこの脳内妄想ですが何かァ？ <br>\r\nYeah, that's right! We're an illusion inside your head, Ange-sama, but so what? Yes, that's truue! We're just imaginary friends created to soothe lonely, lonely Ange-sama's heart because she doesn't have a single friend, but so what? <br><br>\r\n見たければ現実を見るといい、私たちなんか見ないで、あそこで囲まれて罵声を浴びせられてるあなたに戻るといい！！ <br>\r\nIf you want to look at reality, just look at it. You can stop looking at us and return to being surrounded and bathed with jeering over there!!\" <br><br>\r\nほらほら戻りなさいよ、お帰りなさいな現実にッ！！ 都合のいい時だけ私たちを呼び出してお友達ごっこで、自分の手を汚す覚悟もないくせにそれをけしかけ、駄目とわかったら否定して消し去る！ <br>\r\n\"C'mon, c'mon, go back, welcome home to reality!! Just call on us only when it's convenient for you and pretend you have friends, then spur us on even though you don't have the guts to dirty your own hands, then deny and erase us once you realize that it's hopeless! <br><br>\r\nえぇ、どうぞお楽しみ下さいよ、縁寿さまが期待されるような苦悶の声と悲鳴をあげて退場しますとも！！ <br>\r\nYes, please enjoy it, I'll leave with a shriek of anguish just like you want, Ange-sama!!\" <br><br>\r\n縁寿さまがたった今、浴びせられている罵声を、私たちにも同じように浴びせ掛けて胸の内をスゥっとさせるがいいです。 <br>\r\n\"Just copy the jeering that you're being showered with right now, and do the same to us to get it off your chest. <br><br>\r\nそれもまた家具の役目！！ ムカついて床に叩き付けられることもまた、椅子の大事なお役目ですからァ！！ <br>\r\nThat's also furniture's duty!! Getting slammed against the floor when someone's pissed off is also a chair's important duty!! <br><br>\r\nその程度のことで主の不機嫌を一時でも受け止められたなら、家具としてこれほどの栄誉はありません。殺しなさいよッ、否定しなさいよ、あなたの最初で最後の友達をぉおおおッ…！！！」 <br>\r\nIf that alone can absorb their master's bad mood even for an instant, there can be no greater honor for furniture. Kill me, deny me, your first and final friend...!!!\" <br><br>\r\nマモンは最後に、嘲り笑いの表情を浮かべたけれど、……なぜか涙の粒を散らしたように見えた。 <br>\r\nAt the end, Mammon had a mocking expression on her face, ...but for some reason, it looked splashed with tears. <br><br>\r\nマモンと、ベルゼブブとアスモデウスの３人は砕け散り、床に転げた……。 <br>\r\nMammon, Beelzebub and Asmodeus were smashed and fell to the floor... <br><br>\r\n『………う、……うりゅ………………。』 <br>\r\n『......U-Uryu.........』 <br><br>\r\n「………………。こっちへおいで、さくたろ。 <br>\r\n\"......Come over here, Sakutaro. <br><br>\r\n今の縁寿は、少し冷静じゃないだけ。……だから、近寄っちゃ駄目だよ。」 <br>\r\nAnge is a little agitated right now. ...So you mustn't get close.\" <br><br>\r\n『みんなは？ 七姉妹のみんなは生きてるの？ 死んじゃったの…？』 <br>\r\n『What about everyone else? Are all the Seven Sisters alive? Did they die...?』 <br><br>\r\n「……大丈夫だよ。とても無残な姿だけど、あれは人間界を強制退去させられて残された、依り代の残滓。抜け殻だよ。 <br>\r\n\"...It's okay. It looks gruesome, but those are the remains of their vessels after being deported from the human world. Shells that have been shed. <br><br>\r\n……だから大丈夫。とても傷ついただろうけど、無事だよ。みんな生きてるよ。きっといつか、また会えるよ。」 <br>\r\n...So it's all right. They're probably deeply hurt, but they're okay. Everyone is alive. I'm sure we'll be able to meet them again someday.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ…。……良かった………良かった…………。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu... ...Thank goodness, ......thank goodness......』 <br><br>\r\n「……縁寿はマリアージュ・ソルシエールの条約に違反した。……同盟の魔女は、互いを敬い認め合わなくちゃならないのに、……こんな酷いことを……。みんな縁寿の大切な、お友達だったのに……。」 <br>\r\n\"...Ange has violated the contract of Mariage Sorcière. ...To do such a horrible thing, ...even though witches of the alliance must respect and accept one another... Even though they were all important friends to you, Ange...\" <br><br>\r\n「そんな魔女の同盟なんて関係ない。魔法のお友達？ いい加減にして。 <br>\r\n\"No witches' alliance has anything to do with this. Magic friends? Give me a break. <br><br>\r\n………私が殺したわ、消し去った。私が七姉妹を、砕け散らせた！」 <br>\r\n......I killed them, erased them. I smashed the Seven Sisters!\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ……、そんなの酷いよ……、酷いよ………。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu, ...that's so cruel, ...so cruel......』 <br><br>\r\n「……もう、魔女ごっこはいい加減にして。……お願いだから。真里亞お姉ちゃんもさくたろも、自ら消えてほしい。………私が殺して消したなんて、……妄想の中ですら、したくないから。」 <br>\r\n\"...Just give it a rest with this playing witches thing. ...I'm begging you. Maria onee-chan and Sakutaro, I want you to disappear by yourselves. ......Even in my imagination, ...I don't want to kill and erase you.\" <br><br>\r\n『ボ、…ボクたちは妄想なんかじゃないよ……。縁寿のお友達だよ…、うりゅ………！』 <br>\r\n『...W-We aren't your imagination... We're your friends, Ange, ...uryu......!』 <br><br>\r\nさくたろは真里亞お姉ちゃんの背中に身を隠しながら、そう言って涙ぐむ。 <br>\r\nSakutaro said that as he hid behind Maria onee-chan, sobbing. <br><br>\r\n………さくたろなんて存在しない。 <br>\r\n......Sakutaro doesn't exist. <br><br>\r\nさくたろもまた、お姉ちゃんが寂しさを紛らわすために生み出した、妄想なんだ………。 <br>\r\nSakutaro is also...an imaginary creature Onee-chan created to distract herself from her loneliness...... <br><br>\r\n『う、……うりゅ、………痛い、……痛いよ、真里亞……。……何で？何で…？ うりゅ………うりゅ………。』 <br>\r\n『...U-Uryu, ......it hurts, ...it hurts, Maria... ...Why? Why...? Uryu......uryu......』 <br><br>\r\n「やめて。私のお友達を否定することだけは、許さない。」 <br>\r\n\"Stop it. Denying my friend is the one thing I will not permit.\" <br><br>\r\n七姉妹たちを砕いたのと同じ力が、さくたろをも蝕もうとしているのだろう。 <br>\r\nThe same power that had smashed the Seven Sisters was probably eating into Sakutaro as well. <br><br>\r\n……だが、真里亞お姉ちゃんが何らかの力でそれを庇っているらしい。 <br>\r\nだから、さくたろの姿は砕け散らない。 <br>\r\n...But Maria onee-chan was apparently protecting him with some other power. <br><br>\r\nSo Sakutaro's form didn't break and scatter. <br><br>\r\nお姉ちゃんは鋭い目で私を睨みつける。 <br>\r\n……初めて見せる厳しい表情だった。 <br>\r\nOnee-chan glared at me sharply. <br><br>\r\n...It was a serious expression that I'd never seen before. <br><br>\r\n「さくたろは私の家具。縁寿には消せないよ。……なのに、否定しようとするのは魔女にとって最大級の侮蔑も同じだよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Sakutaro is my furniture. You cannot erase him, Ange. ...However, trying to deny someone is the greatest form of scorn for a witch.\" <br><br>\r\n「さくたろなんて、最初から存在しないわ。 <br>\r\n\"Sakutaro didn't exist from the very beginning. <br><br>\r\nただのライオンのぬいぐるみ。それをお姉ちゃんが、あたかも存在するかのように脳内で妄想して、人格化した、ただの幻なのよ！」 <br>\r\nHe's just a lion stuffed animal. A phantom you personified with the delusions inside your own mind!\" <br><br>\r\n「うーッ！！！ <br>\r\n\"Uu-!!! <br><br>\r\nそんなことないよッ！！ <br>\r\nThat's not true!! <br><br>\r\nさくたろは真里亞のお友達なの！！ 元はぬいぐるみだけど、今はぬいぐるみじゃないのー！！」 <br>\r\nSakutaro is my friend!! He was a stuffed animal once, but now he isn't!!\" <br><br>\r\n「いいえ、ぬいぐるみだわ。布と綿で出来たぬいぐるみ！ 自ら喋れも動きもしない！ お姉ちゃんはそれを、腹話術みたいにして喋ってるだけじゃない！ <br>\r\n\"No, he's a stuffed animal. A stuffed animal made of cloth and cotton! He can't move or talk by himself! You're just talking for him like a ventriloquist, right?! <br><br>\r\nそれが魔法？ それが魔女？！ それが、……友達？！ そんなの、私は認めないわ！！」 <br>\r\nYou call that magic? You call that a witch?! You call that...a friend?! I can't accept that!!\" <br><br>\r\n『……………………うりゅ……。 <br>\r\n『............Uryu... <br><br>\r\n………ボクは、 <br>\r\n………ボクじゃないの……？ <br>\r\n......Am I... <br><br>\r\n...not me...? <br><br>\r\n……ボクは……ただのぬいぐるみで、 <br>\r\n…本当は喋れなくて…、 <br>\r\n………真里亞の、 <br>\r\n……お友達じゃ、 <br>\r\n……………ないの…………？ <br>\r\n...Am I... <br><br>\r\n...just a stuffed animal that... <br><br>\r\n...can't really talk... <br><br>\r\n...and not Maria's... <br><br>\r\n...friend...? <br><br>\r\nう……りゅ………、』 <br>\r\nU...ryu......』 <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nさくたろが、高熱にうなされるかのように、少しずつ衰弱していく。 <br>\r\nお姉ちゃんの体にすがり付きながら、何とか立ち続けようと頑張るが、……少しずつ体がずり落ちていく…。 <br>\r\nAs though struck with a high fever, Sakutaro weakened bit by bit. <br><br>\r\nAs he clung to Onee-chan's body, he did all he could to continue standing, ...but his body began to gradually slip down... <br><br>\r\nお姉ちゃんはそんなさくたろを抱き、涙を零しながら私に叫んだ…。 <br>\r\nAs he did, Onee-chan held him, yelling at me as tears streamed down her face... <br><br>\r\n「うーーッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Uuu--!! <br><br>\r\nやめてェ！！ 反魔法の毒でさくたろを焼かないでッ！！ 虐めないで！！ 侮辱しないでッ！ 否定しないでぇええ！！」 <br>\r\nStop iit!! Don't burn Sakutaro with the magic-resisting toxin!! Don't bully him!! Don't insult him! Don't deny him!!\" <br><br>\r\n「きゃっきゃっきゃ！！ <br>\r\n\"*giggle*giggle*giggle*!! <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃん、変なのー！！ さくたろなんかいないよー！ ぬいぐるみはぬいぐるみだもんー！ <br>\r\nMaria onee-chan, you're so weeeird!! There is no Sakutaro! Stuffed animals are stuffed animals! <br><br>\r\n布と綿で出来てるってママに習ったもんー！！ 歩いたり喋ったりなんか出来るわけないよー！！ きゃっきゃっきゃっきゃ、きゃーっきゃっきゃっきゃっきゃ！！！」 <br>\r\nI learned from Mama that they're made of cloth and cotton!! There's no way they can walk or talk!! *giggle*giggle*, *giggle*giggle*giggle*!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n『………うりゅ………………、………ぅ…ゅ………………、』 <br>\r\n『......Uryu, ............u...yu......』 <br><br>\r\n「さくたろ！！ さくたろー！！！ ぬいぐるみじゃないもん、ぬいぐるみじゃないもん、友達だもん！！ うーー！！！ わぁああぁあああああああーーー！！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Sakutaro!! Sakutaro-!!! You aren't a stuffed animal, you aren't a stuffed animal, you're a friend!! Uuu--!!! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「きゃっきゃっきゃっきゃ！！ <br>\r\n\"*giggle*giggle*giggle*giggle*!! <br><br>\r\nきゃーッきゃっきゃっきゃっきゃっきゃ！！ ぬいぐるみ遊びなんかより、みんなでお外で遊ぶ方がいいー！！ <br>\r\n*giggle*giggle*giggle*giggle*!! Instead of playing with stuffed animals, it's better to play outside with everyone!! <br><br>\r\nぬいぐるみもう飽きたー！！ きゃっきゃっきゃっきゃ！！」 <br>\r\nI'm bored with stuffed animals already!! *giggle*giggle*!!\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿なんかもう知らない！！ うー！！ 何でそんなこと言うの、嫌い嫌い嫌い嫌い！！ 大っ嫌い！！」 <br>\r\n\"I hate you, Ange!! Uu-!! Why say something like that, hatehatehatehate!! I hate you!!\" <br><br>\r\n絶交だ、絶交だ！！ もう魔女の仲間になんか入れてあげないッ…！！ <br>\r\nYou're not my friend!! I won't let you be one of us witches anymore...!! <br><br>\r\n原初の魔女見習い、マリアの名において、魔女見習いエンジェをマリアージュ・ソルシエール魔女同盟より除名とする……！！ <br>\r\nUpon my name, the Apprentice Witch of Origins, MARIA, I hereby expel the Apprentice Witch ANGE from the Mariage Sorcière Alliance of Witches...!! <br><br>\r\n………それで。 <br>\r\n......And then. <br><br>\r\n…私の穏やかだった日々は、白昼夢ということになって、終わった。 <br>\r\n...What had been peaceful days to me became a daydream and ended. <br><br>\r\n今となっては検証不能だ。 <br>\r\nBy now, it's impossible to prove. <br><br>\r\nあれが本当に魔法で、そして私の友人たちだったのか、それとも白昼夢に過ぎなかったのかは、誰にも検証できない。 <br>\r\nNo one can verify whether that really was magic or whether those really were my friends, or else nothing more than a daydream. <br><br>\r\n……唯一の観測者である私が彼女らを、白昼夢だと断じたから。 <br>\r\n……それが真実となった。 <br>\r\n...I, the sole observer, concluded that they were a daydream. <br><br>\r\n...So that became the truth. <br><br>\r\n私は後の未来に再びこれを観測し、その時はこれを夢ではなく、……七姉妹たちは本当に友人で、真里亞お姉ちゃんもさくたろも、孤独な私のために尽力してくれていたと、認めるのだろうか。 <br>\r\nPerhaps, in the farther future, I'll observe it again, and when that happens, maybe I'll acknowledge that it wasn't a dream, ...that the Seven Sisters really were my friends, and that along with Maria onee-chan and Sakutaro, they did everything they could for me in my isolation. <br><br>\r\n………………そんなあやふやなの、真実でも幻でも、何でもない。 <br>\r\n今、ここにある現実だけが、本当の私の世界なんじゃないか。 <br>\r\n......Something so vague is neither the truth nor an illusion. <br><br>\r\nMaybe the reality here and now is the only world with the real me. <br><br>\r\n本当の私はどこにいるの？ <br>\r\nWhere is the real me? <br><br>\r\n壊れたガラスの彫像のような残骸を晒している彼女らの中央に立ち、荒い息で肩を上下させているのは私ではない。 <br>\r\nThe person standing amidst the girls' exposed wreckage that resembles broken glass sculptures, that girl who's breathing harshly, her shoulders heaving, ...isn't me. <br><br>\r\n私がいるのは、……あそこ。 <br>\r\nI'm...over there. <br><br>\r\n人垣に囲まれ、罵倒を浴びせられ続け、…目を真っ赤にしながら俯く、私………。 <br>\r\nThe me that's surrounded by a crowd and being showered by jeers...and who's hanging her head, her eyes red...... <br><br>\r\n……あそこにいる私こそが、 <br>\r\n………本当の私じゃないか……。 <br>\r\n...Isn't the me over there... <br><br>\r\n...the real me...? <br><br>\r\nもう、夢なんか、見ない。 <br>\r\n逃げる場所なんか、どこにもないのだから。 <br>\r\nI won't dream anymore. <br><br>\r\nBecause there's nowhere left to run. <br><br>\r\n私は、帰る。 <br>\r\n……肉で出来た檻に、自ら戻る……。 <br>\r\nI'm...going back. <br><br>\r\n...I'll return myself to the cage made of flesh... <br><br>\r\n「ねぇ！！ 話、聞こえてますかしらぁ？！ いつまでも俯いていても、何の解決にもなりませんわよー？！」 <br>\r\n\"Hey!! Are you listening to us?! It's not like anything'll be resolved if you just stand there hanging your head, right?!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。……聞こえてるわ。」 <br>\r\n\"...............I hear you.\" <br><br>\r\n「あ、やっと返事した。このまま黙ってれば終わるとか、泣けば許してもらえるとか、そういうこと考えてるんじゃないのー？！ あんた、自覚あるかって聞いてるのよ！ 自分が周りに迷惑掛けてるって自覚があるのかって聞いてんのよ…！！」 <br>\r\n\"Ah, you finally answered. You aren't thinking that this'll end if you stay silent, or that we'll forgive you if you cry, right?! We're asking if you're aware! We're asking if you're aware of the trouble you're causing those around you...!!\" <br><br>\r\n………私は、…ゆっくりと頷く。 <br>\r\n…それを認めた。 <br>\r\n......I...slowly nodded. <br><br>\r\n...I acknowledged it. <br><br>\r\n私は白昼夢の世界に入り浸り、クラスから疎遠であろうとしたことを認める。 <br>\r\nI acknowledged that I had slipped into the world of my daydream, trying to remain separate from the others in my class. <br><br>\r\n……それを認めることによって、あれだけ頼もしい言葉や優しい言葉を掛けてくれたのに、この、本当に助けて欲しい今になって、何も助けてくれなかった彼女らを穢すために、決別するために、……それを、認める。 <br>\r\n...To separate myself from and disgrace those Sisters who spoke to me with reliable and kind words, despite being totally unable to help when I really wanted them to, ...I acknowledged that. <br><br>\r\n「……私、右代宮縁寿は、協調性がなくて、クラスメートに迷惑を掛けました。それは、勉強が出来ないため、クラスメート全体に対し、過度の劣等感を持っていたからに他なりません。私は、…………………………。 <br>\r\n\"...I, Ushiromiya Ange, do not have a cooperative attitude and caused trouble for my classmates. There is nothing to blame for that except my excessive inferiority complex towards all of my classmates because of my inability to study. And, ............\" <br><br>\r\n…………生きてても仕方ありません。」 <br>\r\n\"......It's a shame that I'm alive.\" <br><br>\r\nそこからは、彼女らが書けと言った文章にはない。 <br>\r\nStarting there, I was no longer reading the paragraph they'd made me write. <br><br>\r\n……私の、即興。そして、胸の内。 <br>\r\n...It was me...improvising. And...it was what was in my heart. <br><br>\r\n彼女らも、それが予定されていないものであることに気付くが、眉をひそめながらも、口出しはしなかった。 <br>\r\nだから私は続ける。 <br>\r\nThey noticed that it wasn't what they'd anticipated, but while they did frown, no one spoke. <br><br>\r\nSo I continued. <br><br>\r\n「……そうです。私は生きてても仕方がなかった。……１９８６年のあの日に、私も連れて行ってもらうはずだったんです。……なのに、私だけが連れて行ってもらえなかった。 <br>\r\n\"...That's right. It's a shame that I lived. ...I should've had them take me with them on that day in 1986. ...And yet, I was the only one who wasn't taken.\" <br><br>\r\n……どうして、私はここにいるのでしょう。…ここは、…私のいる世界じゃない。…………誰も助けてくれません。…一時、……私の中に生まれた架空の友人たちだけが、私を助けてくれるような気がしていました。でも、友人たちは所詮は妄想で、……助けてなどくれなかった。だってここは妄想の世界じゃなくて、現実の世界だから。 <br>\r\n\"...Why am I here? ...This isn't the world I'm supposed to be in. ......No one will save me. ...For a time, ...I felt as though only the fictional friends I created inside myself could save me. But those friends were nothing more than a delusion, ...and they didn't save me at all. After all, this isn't a world of imagination, but a world of reality.\" <br><br>\r\n………だからつまり、……私は今日までずっと、……白昼夢を見続けてきたわけです。…現実のクラスメートを嫌い、妄想の友人たちとの交流の中だけに生きた。………その友人たちとは、さっき決別しました。だから私がここにいます。 <br>\r\n\"......So, in short, ...up until today, ...I've been having the same daydream. ...I hated my real classmates and only lived by interacting with the friends in my mind. ......Just now, I split up with those friends. So I am here.\" <br><br>\r\n…………家族もいません。友人も捨てました。……もう私には、何も残っていません。……どうして死なないの？ さっきそう聞いた人がいました。…その通りだと思います。どうして私は、………生きてるんでしょう。………………１９８６年に私は、…………死んでいるはずだったんです。…いえ、きっと死んだんです。 <br>\r\n\"......I have no family. I've thrown my friends away too. ...There's no longer anything left for me. ...Why haven't I died? Someone asked that a short while ago. ...I think they're right. Why......am I alive? ......I should've died......in the year 1986. ...No, I must really have died.\" <br><br>\r\nなのに、…………私の殺された魂は、未だにこの肉の檻に閉じ込められている。 <br>\r\nだから、誰かに求めよう。それに誰も応えてくれないなら、……自分でしよう。 <br>\r\n\"And yet, ......my dead soul is still locked up inside this cage of flesh. <br><br>\r\nSo I'll ask someone. If no one answers, ...I'll do it myself.\" <br><br>\r\n「誰か私を、 <br>\r\n…………………死なせて下さい。」 <br>\r\n\"Please, <br><br>\r\n.........let me die.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nその一言を口にし、周りを見渡す。 <br>\r\nI spoke that sentence...and looked around. <br><br>\r\n唖然とした子。 <br>\r\n呆然とした子。 <br>\r\n何を言ってるのこの子、という顔の子。 <br>\r\nDumbfounded girls. <br><br>\r\nShocked girls. <br><br>\r\nGirls whose faces seemed to be saying `What the heck is this kid talking about?' <br><br>\r\nそして、やや遅れてから、この子大丈夫〜？ という顔の子が増えていく。 <br>\r\nAnd, a bit late, more and more girls with faces that said `Is this girl all right?' <br><br>\r\nひそひそ。ざわざわ。 <br>\r\nそして、くすくす。 <br>\r\n*whisper*. *chatter*. <br><br>\r\nAnd then, *giggle*. <br><br>\r\n…………殺せと命じて、白昼夢の友人たちには出来なかった。 <br>\r\n......When I ordered the friends in my daydream to kill, they couldn't do it. <br><br>\r\nならばと。 <br>\r\n現実のニンゲンたちに殺せと頼んだが、 <br>\r\n……やはり彼女たちにも出来ない。 <br>\r\nAnd so. <br><br>\r\nI asked real Humans to kill me, <br><br>\r\n...but of course, these girls can't do it either. <br><br>\r\n……ということはつまり、白昼夢も現実も、どちらも同じ。 <br>\r\n...In other words, both daydreams and reality are the same. <br><br>\r\nこの世界も含めて、全てが全てが。 <br>\r\n…………白昼夢だということじゃないのか。 <br>\r\nDoesn't this mean that, including this world... <br><br>\r\n......Absolutely everything is a daydream? <br><br>\r\nなら、……それでいいじゃないか。 <br>\r\nThen, ...there's no problem, right? <br><br>\r\nだって私は、……家族を全て失ったあの日に、もう死んでるのだから。 <br>\r\n……その後に続く全ての日々が、……死に損なった私の、走馬灯のような妄想だったのだ。 <br>\r\nAfter all, ...on that day when I lost my family, I was already dead. <br><br>\r\n...Everything that happened afterwards is going on in my head, my life flashing before my eyes after I failed to die. <br><br>\r\nそれを理解したら、……………周りの全ての景色が、わずかに歪み始めた気がした。 <br>\r\nOnce I understood that, ......it felt like the scenery surrounding me began to twist and bend slightly. <br><br>\r\n………あぁ。 <br>\r\n…やっと私は、………覚めるんだな。 <br>\r\n…この白昼夢の世界から、解放されるんだな。 <br>\r\n......Yeah. <br><br>\r\n...I'll finally......wake up. <br><br>\r\n...I'll be released from this daydream world. <br><br>\r\nふぅっと、気が遠のいていく気がする。 <br>\r\nI feel my consciousness sliding away. <br><br>\r\n……それでいい。 <br>\r\nどこまでもどこまでも遠のいて、…………私を家族のところまで連れて行って……。 <br>\r\n...That's all right. <br><br>\r\nFade farther and farther away......and take me to my family... <br><br>\r\nだから、歪んで色褪せた世界で何が起こっても、まったく気にならなかった。 <br>\r\nThen, no matter what happens in this twisted, stale world, I won't mind it at all. <br><br>\r\n人垣が押しのけられて、教師が割り込んでくるのが見える。 <br>\r\nI saw the crowd get pushed aside as a teacher stepped in. <br><br>\r\nおかしな騒ぎになっているのを、たまたま見回りの教師が見つけた、ということかもしれない。 <br>\r\nPerhaps a teacher doing the rounds happened to notice a strange disturbance. <br><br>\r\n教師は盛んに何かを怒鳴りながら、私を庇うような仕草をしていた。 <br>\r\nThe teacher was vigorously shouting something, moving to protect me. <br><br>\r\n……それを見て、私はたった１人とはいえ、味方が現れてくれたことを知り、少しだけ意識が戻るのを感じる。 <br>\r\n...Watching that, I knew that an ally had appeared for me, even if there was only one, and I felt my awareness return very slightly. <br><br>\r\n………………。 <br>\r\n......... <br><br>\r\n……現実の世界で私を助けてくれるのは、…現実のニンゲンだけなんだ。 <br>\r\n...The only ones who can save me in the world of reality...are real Humans. <br><br>\r\nもう二度と。……白昼夢などに救いを、求めるものか。 <br>\r\nNever again. ...Never again will I seek rescue from daydreams. <br><br>\r\n………ここはニンゲンの世界。 <br>\r\n......This is the world of Humans. <br><br>\r\nニンゲンを助けてくれるのは、ニンゲンだけなんだ……。 <br>\r\nNothing can save a Human...except other Humans... <br><br>\r\n「………………………。 <br>\r\n\"......... <br><br>\r\n……そうだね。縁寿がそう思ったなら、それが縁寿の世界。」 <br>\r\n...I see. If that's what you think, then that's your world, Ange.\" <br><br>\r\n『……縁寿は、 <br>\r\n……これで幸せになれる………？』 <br>\r\n『...Can Ange... <br><br>\r\nfind happiness this way......?』 <br><br>\r\n「………縁寿が、それでしか幸せになれないと信じたなら、もうそれしかない。…籠の中にいる青い鳥を、そうだと認められないなら、 <br>\r\n…どこまでも探しに行かざるを得ない。」 <br>\r\n\"......If Ange believes that's the only way to find happiness, then it is the only way. ...If she can't accept the blue bird in the cage for what it is, <br><br>\r\n...then she must go and search forever.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ……。…真里亞と縁寿はもう、……絶交なの………？』 <br>\r\n『Uryu... ...Maria, are you...breaking off relations with Ange......?』 <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。 <br>\r\n\"......... <br><br>\r\n……絶交なんかじゃないよ。縁寿がそれを求めたから、そうしただけ。……私たち魔女は、時に迫害を受けるけれども。でも、常にみんなの身近にある。……そしてきっとその助けを求められる。」 <br>\r\n...No, nothing like that. I only did that because that's what Ange wanted. ...We witches are sometimes persecuted. However, we always remain by everyone's sides. ...And our aid can always be asked for.\" <br><br>\r\n『……縁寿も、………またボクたちと遊んでくれる日が来る……？』 <br>\r\n『...Will the day come......when Ange will play with us once again...?』 <br><br>\r\n「来ないで、そのまま忘れてしまうこともあるかもしれない。 <br>\r\n\"Maybe. Or, she might forget, and it'll never come. <br><br>\r\n…人の世ではそれを、成長や決別と呼ぶから。…………でも。」 <br>\r\n...In the human world, we call that growing up and saying goodbye to your childhood self. ......Still.\" <br><br>\r\n縁寿さえ思い出してくれれば、私たちはいつでも、側にいられるよ。 <br>\r\nIf Ange just remembers, we'll always be by her side. <br><br>\r\n……それまで私たちは、……待ってるから。 <br>\r\n...And until then, ...we'll be waiting. <br><br>\r\n……………………………………。 <br>\r\n............... <br><br>\r\n『……………………うりゅ…。………真里亞、…返事して……？』 <br>\r\n『.........Uryu... ......Maria, ...answer me...』 <br><br>\r\n「………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n『………うりゅ…。 <br>\r\n……やっぱりボクは、 <br>\r\n……ぬいぐるみなの…？ ……布と綿で出来てるから、 <br>\r\n……しゃべれるわけ… <br>\r\nないの……？ ……だから、 <br>\r\n……真里亞とはおしゃべりできないの………？』 <br>\r\n『......Uryu... <br><br>\r\n ...So I really am... <br><br>\r\na stuffed animal...? ...I'm made of cloth and cotton, <br><br>\r\n...so there's no way I can... <br><br>\r\ntalk...? ...So, <br><br>\r\n...I can't talk to Maria......?』 <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nさくたろが悲しそうに真里亞を見上げる。 <br>\r\nSakutaro looked up at Maria sadly. <br><br>\r\n真里亞の表情は、泣き腫らし、悲しみの感情さえ失ったように見えた…。 <br>\r\nMaria's face was covered with tears, and it looked as though it had even lost all traces of sadness... <br><br>\r\n「…………うー。……聞こえてるよ、さくたろ。 <br>\r\n\"......Uu-. ...I hear you, Sakutaro. <br><br>\r\n……さくたろは、布と綿で出来たぬいぐるみなんかじゃないよ。………真里亞の、お友達だよ。 <br>\r\n...You aren't a stuffed animal made of cloth and cotton. ......You are...my friend. <br><br>\r\n………………縁寿なんか嫌い。……うううぅううぅぅぅ……。」 <br>\r\n......I hate Ange. ...Uuuuuuuuuuuu...\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ…、真里亞ごめんね、真里亞ごめんね……！ うりゅ……！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu... Sorry, Maria. Sorry, Maria...! Uryu...!』 <br><br>\r\nさくたろは後悔する。 <br>\r\n真里亞は心を凍らせることで、ようやく悲しみから逃れられていたのだ。 <br>\r\nSakutaro regretted doing that. <br><br>\r\nBy freezing her heart, Maria had finally been able to escape from her sadness. <br><br>\r\n…それを、声を掛けて呼び戻してしまったから、また悲しみに囚われてしまった…。 <br>\r\n...By speaking up and calling her back, he'd caused her to be overwhelmed with sadness again... <br><br>\r\nさくたろは、よちよちとした仕草で、真里亞にしがみついては離れてみたり、様子を見てはうろうろしてみたりと、どうすれば真里亞を元気付けられるか戸惑っている。 <br>\r\nSakutaro tried hugging Maria, letting go of her, and gazing at her uneasily, lost as to how he could bring Maria's spirits up. <br><br>\r\n……その様子がどこかちょっぴりユーモラスだったのかもしれない。 <br>\r\n結果的にそれは、真里亞の気持ちを悲しみから逸らすことが出来た……。 <br>\r\n...He might've looked a little humorous doing that. <br><br>\r\nIn the end, that was enough to distract Maria from her sadness... <br><br>\r\n「ごめんね。………もう泣いても仕方ないもんね。」 <br>\r\n\"Sorry. ......Crying won't help anything anymore.\" <br><br>\r\n『縁寿とは喧嘩しちゃったけど、真里亞にはまだたくさん友達がいるよ…。ボクだけじゃない。………みんなもいるよ。さくすけもさくきちも、動物の音楽隊も、他にも他にも……。』 <br>\r\n『You got in a fight with Ange, but you still have lots of friends, Maria... I'm not the only one. ......Everyone's here. Sakusuke and Sakukichi, the animal band, and many, many more...』 <br><br>\r\n真里亞は枕の周りで井戸端会議でもしているかのように集まっている、たくさんのぬいぐるみたちを見る。 <br>\r\nMaria looked at the many stuffed animals around her pillow, which were gathered together as though they were having an idle chat. <br><br>\r\n『……みんな、真里亞のこと、心配してるよ？ どうしたら真里亞が元気になってくれるかなって、ずっとずっと相談しているよ……？』 <br>\r\n『...Everyone...is worried about you, Maria. They're all talking over and over about how to cheer you up, okay...?』 <br><br>\r\n「………………………………。……みんなは、……縁寿みたいに、いなくならない…？」 <br>\r\n\"...............Everyone won't...go away...like Ange...?\" <br><br>\r\n『ならないよ。ボクたちはいつだって一緒だよ。』 <br>\r\n『They won't. We'll always be together.』 <br><br>\r\n「………本当に？ さくたろたちは、家でしか一緒じゃないよ。ママと一緒にお出掛け出来ないし、学校にも一緒にいけないよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Really? All of you are only with me at home. We can't go out together when Mama's around, and we can't go to school.\" <br><br>\r\n『ボクたちは学校に行っちゃいけないから、先生に見つかったら怒られちゃうもん。 <br>\r\n『You aren't supposed to take us to school, so you'll get in trouble if the teacher finds out. <br><br>\r\nでも、見つからないなら、いつだって一緒にいていいんだよ。』 <br>\r\nBut if no one finds out, we can be together at any time.』 <br><br>\r\n「……さくたろ、大きいから見つかっちゃうね。」 <br>\r\n\"...Sakutaro, you're big, so you'd be found.\" <br><br>\r\n『だったら、小さくて持ち歩ける子と一緒に行けばいいよ。 <br>\r\n『Then you can take one of the kids that are small enough to walk around with. <br><br>\r\n……例えば、ほら。森の音楽隊の仲間たちなら、 <br>\r\n……ほら、小さいから真里亞のポケットに隠れて一緒に学校に行けるよ。』 <br>\r\n...For example, ...what about them? If you take the friends in the forest band, <br><br>\r\n...look, they're small, so you can hide them in your pocket and go to school together.』 <br><br>\r\n「………音楽隊いっぱいいるよ。ポケットに入りきらないよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......There's a lot of them in the band. I can't fit them all in my pocket.\" <br><br>\r\nベッドの上に、ごちゃっと散らばる森の音楽隊の駒たちをかき集める。 <br>\r\nチェスの駒くらいの数があるそれを全てポケットに入れていくのは無理だろう…。 <br>\r\nShe collected all of the forest band pieces that were scattered across her bed. <br><br>\r\nThere were about as many of them as pieces in a chess set, so it'd probably be impossible to fit them all in her pocket... <br><br>\r\n『なら、特に仲良しのお友達だけを連れて行くといいよ。……森の音楽隊の中で、一番、真里亞と仲良しの、うさぎの四人組を連れてくといいよ。』 <br>\r\n『In that case, you can just take friends that you're especially close with. ...You can take the four rabbits, your best friends in the forest band.』 <br><br>\r\n「……４つならポケットに入る。 <br>\r\n\"...I could fit four in my pockets. <br><br>\r\n……うん。これなら見つからないね。」 <br>\r\n...Yeah. This way, they won't be found.\" <br><br>\r\n『だから真里亞はこれで、学校でもひとりぼっちじゃないよ。ボクが一緒に行けないところでも、この子たちなら一緒にいてくれるよ。』 <br>\r\n『Now, you won't be alone even at school, Maria. Those kids will be with you even where I can't go.』 <br><br>\r\n「……………うん。……なら、…寂しくないかも。……お家に帰ってくるまで、……我慢できるかも…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Yeah. ...Maybe...I won't be lonely that way. ...Maybe I can hold out...until coming home from school...\" <br><br>\r\n『ママと先生にさえ見つからなければ、ボクたちはいつだって一緒にいられるんだよ。そしていつまでも一緒にいよう、遊んでいよう。 <br>\r\n『As long as we aren't found by the teacher and Mama, we can be with you at any time. So let's be together, play together forever. <br><br>\r\nボクたちは真里亞を、絶対にひとりぼっちになんか、させないから。うりゅ！』 <br>\r\nWe definitely won't leave you all alone, Maria. Uryu!』 <br><br>\r\n真里亞の表情がようやく、わずかに明るさを取り戻す。 <br>\r\nMaria's expression finally regained a little of its brightness. <br><br>\r\n……そう。 <br>\r\n元々考えてみれば、真里亞の世界に縁寿はいなかったのだ。 <br>\r\n...That's right. <br><br>\r\nIn the beginning, Maria's world didn't have Ange in it. <br><br>\r\n縁寿がいなくても、みんなが一緒で楽しかった。 <br>\r\nEven without Ange, it was fun with everyone. <br><br>\r\nなのに、最後に入ってきた縁寿が抜けただけで、急に悲しくなるのはおかしい。 <br>\r\nAnd yet, strangely enough, it suddenly became sad without Ange, who had come in at the end. <br><br>\r\n…縁寿が入る直前の世界に戻っただけじゃないか。 <br>\r\n……なら、悲しいわけなんかないんだ。 <br>\r\n...All that's happened is that I've returned to the world right before Ange entered it. <br><br>\r\n...So there's nothing to be sad about. <br><br>\r\n「……うん。寂しくないよ。さくたろも、みんなも一緒だもん。」 <br>\r\n\"...Yeah. I'm not lonely. Sakutaro and the others are with me.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー！ <br>\r\n『Uryu-! <br><br>\r\n 真里亞、だーい好き…！』 <br>\r\n I looove you, Maria...!』 <br><br>\r\n「もうニンゲンなんかに、真里亞の世界には、誰も立ち入らせないよ。……マリアージュ・ソルシエールは、真里亞とベアトリーチェだけの二人きりの同盟。 <br>\r\n\"I won't let any more Humans come into my world. ...Mariage Sorcière is an alliance between me and Beatrice only. <br><br>\r\n……元々、ベアトも、縁寿を加えるのには反対してたし。………これでいいんだもんね。縁寿はまだ幼過ぎたんだよ。」 <br>\r\n...From the start, even Beatrice didn't want to let Ange join. ......It's all right this way. Ange was still too young.\" <br><br>\r\n『……縁寿のことは、また仲良しになれるまで、当分は忘れていていいと思うよ。真里亞がまた元気を取り戻せたら、一緒に遊べばいいよ。それまで、ボクたちみんなが、ずっと側にいるからね。』 <br>\r\n『...For now, until you can be friends with Ange again, I think it's okay to forget about it. You can play together once you've regained your high spirits, Maria. Until then, all of us will be by your side.』 <br><br>\r\n「………ありがと。……さくたろ、……みんな。」 <br>\r\n\"......Thank you. ...Sakutaro, ...everyone.\" <br><br>\r\nそして、真里亞は再び元の世界を取り戻す。 <br>\r\n大勢の友達に囲まれた、寂しくない世界を取り戻す。 <br>\r\nThen, Maria once again regained her former world. <br><br>\r\nShe regained the world that wasn't lonely, where she was surrounded by many friends. <br><br>\r\n学校では相変わらず、ニンゲンの友達はいないけれど、魔法の友達はいつも一緒にいる。 <br>\r\nJust like usual, she didn't have any Human friends at school, but her magic friends were always with her. <br><br>\r\nポケットに忍ばせたうさぎの音楽隊は、授業中にもポケットの中でくすくすと楽しそうにお話をしている。 <br>\r\nThe rabbit band she hid in her pockets talked with her during class, sounding like they were having fun. <br><br>\r\nそれに耳を傾けるだけで、寂しい授業時間がとても彩られた。 <br>\r\nJust listening to that greatly embellished the time she spent in class. <br><br>\r\nママと先生にさえ見つからないなら、他の友達とも常に一緒にいるようにした。 <br>\r\nMaria made it so that, as long as Mama and the teacher didn't find out, her other friends could always be with her. <br><br>\r\nママに、お外で遊んできなさいと言われた時は、こっそりカバンにさくたろやさくすけたちを詰めて行って、図書館とかで一緒に遊んだ。 <br>\r\nWhen Mama told Maria to go play outside, Maria would secretly pack Sakutaro and Sakusuke and the rest into her bag and play together at the library or somewhere. <br><br>\r\nママの帰りが遅くて、お夕飯のお買い物なんかに行く時も、常にさくたろたちと一緒に行った。 <br>\r\nEven when Mama was late coming home and Maria went shopping for dinner, she always went with Sakutaro. <br><br>\r\nコンビニのおじさんたちも、さくたろに優しくしてくれた。 <br>\r\n真里亞とさくたろにって、２つ分のオマケをくれたこともあった。 <br>\r\nThe man at the convenience store and the other people were nice to Sakutaro. <br><br>\r\nHe sometimes gave a second portion free for Maria and Sakutaro. <br><br>\r\nママにそれを見つかると、さくたろたちを連れてきちゃ駄目と怒られる。 <br>\r\n先生にそれを見つかると、おもちゃを学校に持ってきちゃ駄目と怒られる。 <br>\r\nWhen Mama found out, Maria would get in trouble for bringing Sakutaro and the rest outside. <br><br>\r\nWhen the teacher found out, Maria would get in trouble for bringing toys to school. <br><br>\r\nきっと、ママと先生は毒素が強いんだ。 <br>\r\nだからさくたろたちが、ただのぬいぐるみに見えちゃうんだ。 <br>\r\nThe toxin must be strong in Mama and the teacher. <br><br>\r\nThat's why Sakutaro looks like a normal stuffed animal to them. <br><br>\r\nだって、コンビニのおじさんたちは、さくたろにも挨拶してくれるよ。 <br>\r\nAfter all, the convenience store man and the others say hello to Sakutaro. <br><br>\r\n………ニンゲンみんなが駄目なんじゃない。 <br>\r\n縁寿やママや先生と違って、私みたいに魔法の友達と挨拶が出来る人だって大勢いるんだ……。 <br>\r\n......Not all Humans are hopeless. <br><br>\r\nThere are tons of people who, unlike Ange and Mama and teacher, can say hello to magic friends like I can... <br><br>\r\n「真里亞ちゃんかい。いらっしゃい。今夜もママは帰りが遅いのかい…？」 <br>\r\n\"Oh, Maria-chan. Welcome. Was your Mama late coming home tonight too...?\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。……でも、さくたろたちも一緒だから、寂しくないの。 <br>\r\n\"Yeah. ...But I've got Sakutaro, so I'm not lonely. <br><br>\r\nね、さくたろ？」 <br>\r\nRight, Sakutaro?\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー。今日はね、さくたろだけじゃないんだよ。他のお友達も一緒なんだよ。』 <br>\r\n「おや、他のお友達かい。今日はどんなお友達が一緒なんだい？」 <br>\r\n『Uryu. It's not just Sakutaro today. Some other friends came too.』 <br><br>\r\n\"Oh, other friends, is it? What kind of friends did you bring today?\" <br><br>\r\n「今日はね、森の音楽隊のうさぎさんたちも一緒。……ほら、ポケットに入ってるの。」 <br>\r\n\"Today, the rabbits from the forest band are also with me. ...Look, in my pocket.\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞は、陶製のうさぎの人形を４つ、レジの上に並べ始める。 <br>\r\nMaria began to line up four ceramic rabbit dolls on the register. <br><br>\r\n店長のおじさんはそれを微笑ましそうに見ると、アルバイトに顎で合図を送る。 <br>\r\nAs the owner of the shop looked at it, smiling, he sent a signal to a part-timer with his chin. <br><br>\r\nすると、もうひとつのレジの、準備中という札が下げられ、お待ちの方こちらにどうぞーと声が掛けられた。 <br>\r\nThen, the sign on the other register that said `closed' was taken down, and a voice called out for everyone to move over there. <br><br>\r\n真里亞の後に並んでいた人たちは全員、そちらに並び直す…。 <br>\r\nAll of the people in line behind Maria lined up behind that one... <br><br>\r\n「そうかそうか。真里亞ちゃんにはお友達がいっぱいだねぇ。ママも早く帰ってきてくれればいいのに。」 <br>\r\n\"I see, I see. You do have a lot of friends, Maria-chan. But I hope your Mama comes home soon.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー。ママはまたお仕事が忙しくて、会社にお泊りなの。最近はよく忙しくなるの。……真里亞と電話でお話しする時間も全然取れない。 <br>\r\n\"Uu-. Mama's busy with work again, so she's spending the night at the company. It's been very busy lately. ...She hasn't even been able to get much time to talk to me on the telephone. <br><br>\r\nでも寂しくないよ！ 真里亞にはさくたろたちがいるもん！ ねー！」 <br>\r\nBut I'm not lonely! I've got Sakutaro and the rest! Right?\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー！！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu-!!』 <br><br>\r\n「うさぎの音楽隊のみんなも一緒だもん。ほら。きゅーきゅー♪」 <br>\r\n「うさぎの鳴き声って、きゅーきゅーだったっけ？ はて、そういや聞いたことないなあ。」 <br>\r\n\"I've even got all the rabbits from the band. Look. Kyu-kyu-♪\" <br><br>\r\n\"Is kyu-kyu- the sound a rabbit makes? My, I've never heard that.\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞は、ナップザックから顔をのぞかせるさくたろに微笑みかけながら、レジの上のうさぎの音楽隊を、戯れあうようにいじって遊ぶのだった。 <br>\r\nAfter smiling at Sakutaro, who was poking his head out of her knapsack, she played around with the rabbit band on the register, making them frolic around. <br><br>\r\n店長はその様子を微笑ましく眺めながらも、少しだけ気の毒そうな表情を浮かべる。 <br>\r\nAlthough the shop manager gazed at this pleasantly, he had slightly pitying look on his face. <br><br>\r\n……どうも母子家庭らしく、母親が激務でなかなか家に帰れないらしい。 <br>\r\nその上、友達もいる様子がない。 <br>\r\n...This was apparently a single mother household, where the mother had to work hard and couldn't come home very often. <br><br>\r\nOn top of that, it looked like this girl didn't even have any friends. <br><br>\r\nなのに、こうしてぬいぐるみたちと楽しく遊んで、寂しくないと言い張る少女に、ささやかな同情を感じずにはいられなかった。 <br>\r\nAs he watched her play around happily with her dolls and claim that she wasn't lonely despite everything, he couldn't help but feel a kind of compassion. <br><br>\r\n実はこれは、彼に限ったことではない。 <br>\r\nこの商店街では、真里亞のことはとても有名になっていたのだ…。 <br>\r\nAnd actually, this wasn't limited to him alone. <br><br>\r\nMaria had become quite famous in this shopping district... <br><br>\r\n「真里亞ちゃん、たまにはおでんも食べなさい。卵とか練り物とか食べないと、大きくなれないよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Maria-chan, you should eat some oden every once in a while. If you don't eat your eggs and fish paste, you won't get big.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー？ クリームパンじゃ駄目…？」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-? Can't get a cream roll...?\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ。いろいろ食べないと大きくなれないよ。今日はおでんにしよ？』 <br>\r\n『Uryu. If you don't eat certain things, you won't get big. How about oden for today?』 <br><br>\r\n「うー。……じゃあおでんにする。」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-. ...Then I'll have some oden.\" <br><br>\r\n「うんうん、そうしなさい。おじさんが多めに入れておくよ。カラシいる？」 <br>\r\n\"Yep, yep, that's the ticket. Why don't I stick a whole bunch in there? Want mustard?\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー。辛いのは苦手……。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu. I can't handle spicy things...』 <br><br>\r\n「そうかそうか。じゃ、零さないように持って帰りな。温かい内がおいしいよ。」 <br>\r\n\"I see, I see. Then, you make sure you don't let it spill on the way home. It'll sure be delicious while it's hot.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー。ありがとう。」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-. Thank you.\" <br><br>\r\nいつものように菓子パンの夕食にするつもりだったが、おでんを勧められたため、今夜はおでんになった。 <br>\r\nShe had planned on getting some sweet pastries for dinner, but since oden had been recommended to her, she would be having that tonight instead. <br><br>\r\nメニューを人に決めてもらうと、意外な食事になって、面白い。 <br>\r\nLetting someone else determine the menu makes for an unexpected and interesting meal. <br><br>\r\n……真里亞は自分ひとりで夕食を決めなければならないことが多かったので、メニューも偏りやすい。だから、そういう予期せぬ食事に楽しさを感じるのだった…。 <br>\r\n...Very often, Maria had to decide what her dinner would be on her own, so it was easy for the menus to get a little one-sided. So, it felt fun to have a meal she hadn't anticipated... <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー！ おじさん、オマケしてくれてありがとう！』 <br>\r\n「お家にいる他のお友達たちにもよろしくねー。途中で摘み食いしちゃ駄目だよ。まっすぐお家へ帰ってから食べるんだよ。」 <br>\r\n『Uryu-! Thanks for giving us extra, Mister!』 <br><br>\r\n\"Send my regards to your other friends at home. No stuffing yourself on your way back. Go straight home and eat it there.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー！ おじさん、ありがとー！！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-! Thanks Mister!!\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞は、おでんの容器の入ったレジ袋を高々と上げるのだった……。 <br>\r\nMaria raised the bag with the oden container high... <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。 <br>\r\n\"............ <br><br>\r\n………あれ……？」 <br>\r\n......Huh...?\" <br><br>\r\n『……うりゅ？ どうしたの、真里亞？』 <br>\r\n『...Uryu? What is it, Maria?』 <br><br>\r\n「………ポケットに鍵がない。」 <br>\r\n\"......The key isn't in my pocket.\" <br><br>\r\n自宅の扉の前で、真里亞はぱたぱたと全身を探る。 <br>\r\n……家の鍵がないのだ。 <br>\r\nStanding in front of the door to her house, Maria searched all over her body. <br><br>\r\n...The key to the house wasn't there. <br><br>\r\nいつも几帳面に同じポケットに入れる。 <br>\r\nだから他のポケットに入れてしまったわけはないのだが、念のため全身を探る。 <br>\r\nShe always methodically put it in the same pocket. <br><br>\r\nSo there was no way she had put it in another pocket, but she searched her whole body just in case. <br><br>\r\n……やっぱりなかった。 <br>\r\n...Unsurprisingly, it wasn't there. <br><br>\r\n『お財布を出した時に落とした……？』 <br>\r\n『Did you drop it when you took your wallet out...?』 <br><br>\r\n「うぅん。お財布を出してしまう時には、ちゃんと手応えがあったもん。途中でポケットを探った時にもちゃんと手応えがあった。 <br>\r\n\"No. When I took my wallet out, I definitely felt it. I also felt it when I searched my pocket partway here. <br><br>\r\n……途中まではあったの。落としてなんかいない！ うーうーうー…！」 <br>\r\n...It was there until partway. I didn't drop it! Uu-uu-uu-...!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n家に帰れば暖房があると思えばこそ耐えられる晩秋の外気も、鍵をなくし、途方に暮れる真里亞には堪えるものだった。 <br>\r\nEven though the late autumn wind had been bearable when Maria had been thinking of returning home, where the heater was, now that she was confused and had lost her key, that wind tormented her. <br><br>\r\nしかし、いくら探しても鍵は見つからない。 <br>\r\n全てのポケットを引っ繰り返し、着ていた上着を脱いで叩いてもみたが駄目だった。 <br>\r\nBut no matter how hard she searched, she couldn't find her key. <br><br>\r\nShe turned out all her pockets and even tried taking off her jacket and hitting it, but to no avail. <br><br>\r\n……もちろん、さくたろの入っているナップザックだって引っ繰り返してみたが、鍵が出てくることはなかった。 <br>\r\n...Of course, she also turned the knapsack Sakutaro was in upside down, but the key didn't come out. <br><br>\r\n「………うー。………うーうーうー！！！」 <br>\r\n\"......Uu-. ......Uu-uu-uu-!!!\" <br><br>\r\nあるはずのものが、あるべきところにない。 <br>\r\n自分は悪くないのに、なぜか鍵がない。 <br>\r\nSomething that should have been there...wasn't where it was supposed to be. <br><br>\r\nWhy isn't the key there, when I didn't do anything wrong? <br><br>\r\n……何でないの？！ <br>\r\nどうしてッ！ どうして…ッ！！！ <br>\r\n...Why isn't it?! <br><br>\r\nWhy?! Why...?!!! <br><br>\r\n真里亞は寒くて悔しくて腹立たしくて、地団太を踏む…。 <br>\r\n足の裏がジンジンするが、それでも悔しいのが収まることはない。 <br>\r\nMaria was cold and frustrated and angry, and she stamped on the ground... <br><br>\r\nThe bottom of her foot throbbed, but that didn't lessen her frustration. <br><br>\r\n……その内、ぽろぽろと悔し涙まで零れ出す。 <br>\r\n...At the same time, her tears poured out. <br><br>\r\n「……うー。……うー！！ <br>\r\n\"...Uu-. ...Uu-!! <br><br>\r\nうーーー！！」 <br>\r\nUuuu---!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n自分は悪くない。 <br>\r\nだから誰かが悪い。 <br>\r\nIt wasn't her fault. <br><br>\r\nSo, it was someone else's fault. <br><br>\r\nでも、その誰かが誰かわからなくて、真里亞は怒りの唸り声を上げ続ける他なかった。 <br>\r\nBut Maria didn't know who that someone was...and could do nothing but continue to let out a moan of anger. <br><br>\r\n『……うりゅ……。きっと途中で落としたんだよ…。探そう？ 来た道を戻って探そ…？』 <br>\r\n『...Uryu... I'm sure you dropped it partway... Let's look for it, okay? Let's return on the road we came by and search, okay...?』 <br><br>\r\n「……うー…。せっかくおでん買ったのに、……卵とかオマケしてもらったのに……。温かいうちに食べられない……。 <br>\r\n\"...Uu-... Even though I went to all the trouble of buying oden...and got eggs and stuff for free... I won't be able to eat it while it's hot... <br><br>\r\n………うーーーー！！！」 <br>\r\n......Uuuu----!!!\" <br><br>\r\n『…真里亞……、悔しいけど探そ…？ 誰も悪くないよ…、探そ…。』 <br>\r\n『...Maria, ...I know it's frustrating, but let's search, okay...? It's no one's fault, so let's search...』 <br><br>\r\n真里亞はさくたろの言葉にようやく耳を貸し、来た道をとぼとぼと戻り始める。 <br>\r\nMaria finally lent an ear to Sakutaro's words and began to trod back down the road she had come on. <br><br>\r\n……さっきまでより、風が冷たく、意地悪に上着の隙間から入り込んでくるように感じた…。 <br>\r\n...The wind was colder than before, and it felt like it was blowing in through the corners of her jacket in a mean way... <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ…。しっかり足元を見て探そ…？ そして早くお家に帰って、暖房で温まりながら、おでんを食べよ？ きっとおいしいよ。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu... Let's watch our feet closely and search, okay...? Then let's get home quickly, let the heater warm us up, and eat oden, all right? I'm sure it'll be delicious.』 <br><br>\r\n「………うー。……ない。……うー。……ない…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Uu-. ...Gone. ...Uu-. ...It's gone...\" <br><br>\r\nさくたろに励まされながら、鍵を探す真里亞…。 <br>\r\nAs Sakutaro encouraged her, Maria searched for the key... <br><br>\r\nしかし、おでんを買ったコンビニまで戻ってきてしまう。 <br>\r\n……見つからなかったのだ。 <br>\r\nBut she made it all the way back to the convenience store where she'd bought the oden. <br><br>\r\n...She hadn't found it. <br><br>\r\n念のため、コンビニのおじさんに、鍵の落し物がなかったか聞くが、見つかっていないとのことだった。 <br>\r\nJust in case, she asked the man at the convenience store whether they had found a dropped key, but they hadn't found anything. <br><br>\r\n……もう一度、足元に注意しながら、家へ戻る。 <br>\r\nしかし、やはり見つからなかった。 <br>\r\n...One more time, she returned home, paying close attention to the area around her feet. <br><br>\r\nBut, unsurprisingly, she didn't find it. <br><br>\r\nもう地団太を踏みたくなるような悔しさはない。 <br>\r\n……でも、熱い涙がぽろぽろ零れた。 <br>\r\nShe was no longer frustrated enough to stomp her feet. <br><br>\r\n...But hot tears dripped down her face. <br><br>\r\nおでんはすっかり冷めてしまっている。 <br>\r\nThe oden had cooled down completely. <br><br>\r\n…温かいうちがおいしいよと言ってくれたのに、食べられなかった。 <br>\r\n……おじさんに色々オマケしてもらったのに……。 <br>\r\n...Even though she had been told it would be delicious when warm, she hadn't been able to eat it. <br><br>\r\n...Even though that man had given her so much free stuff... <br><br>\r\n『……うりゅ……。泣かないで……。……ママは今夜、帰ってこないんだよ。……頑張って探そ……。』 <br>\r\n『...Uryu... Don't cry... ...Mama isn't coming back tonight. ...Let's do our best and search...』 <br><br>\r\n「………何で見つからないの…。……ううぅ……、……うううぅぅッ！」 <br>\r\n\"......Why can't I find it...? ...Uuuu, ...uuuuuuuu!\" <br><br>\r\n『真里亞、泣かないで…！ 頑張って探そ…！ ………真里亞……。』 <br>\r\n『Maria, don't cry...! Let's do our best and search...! ......Maria...』 <br><br>\r\n真里亞はもう、涙を堪えることは出来なかった。 <br>\r\nMaria was no longer able to hold back her tears. <br><br>\r\nしくしくと泣きながら、さくたろを抱いて、おでんの袋を持って、もう一度来た道を戻る。 <br>\r\nSobbing, she clutched Sakutaro and held the bag of oden, returning once more down the road she had come by. <br><br>\r\n深夜になり、灯りを消した家や店が増えたせいか、より暗くなり、探しにくかった。 <br>\r\n……そして、また鍵を見つけられないまま、コンビニに戻ってきてしまう。 <br>\r\nPerhaps because more and more houses and stores had turned their lights off by now, it was even darker and harder to search than before. <br><br>\r\n...And, once again without finding the key, she returned to the convenience store. <br><br>\r\n「真里亞ちゃん、 <br>\r\n……鍵、まだ見つからないのかい…？」 <br>\r\n\"Maria-chan, <br><br>\r\n...still can't find your key...?\" <br><br>\r\n「…うー…。……鍵、……ない…。」 <br>\r\n\"...Uu-... ...My key... It's gone...\" <br><br>\r\n「お母さん、今日は泊まりだっけ？ 鍵ないとお家入れないの？」 <br>\r\n\"Wasn't your mother away for the night? So, you can't get into your house without a key?\" <br><br>\r\n「うー……。……入れない……。」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-... ...Can't get in...\" <br><br>\r\n「そりゃ困ったねぇ…。交番には行ってみた？ 届いてるかもしれないよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Well, that's not good... Did you try going to the police? They might be able to help you.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………ママが、お巡りさんに話し掛けられても、お話しちゃ駄目って言った。」 <br>\r\n\"......Mama said not to talk to policemen, even if they start talking to me.\" <br><br>\r\n「ええ？ そりゃまた、どうして？」 <br>\r\n\"Oh? Well, why is that?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n楼座には、真里亞のような幼い子を、ひとりで留守番させていることに負い目があったし、社会的にそれが許容されるものではないことを知っていたのだろう。 <br>\r\nIt was probably because Rosa would be liable for making such a young girl like Maria watch over the house by herself, and because she knew that this wasn't something that would be permitted by society. <br><br>\r\nだから真里亞に、大人に目を付けられないよう、買い物をする店をなるべく変えろとか、お巡りさんに話し掛けられても、挨拶以上のことはするなと吹き込んできたのだ。 <br>\r\nSo, Maria was indoctrinated into changing the stores she bought things at, so that she didn't catch the eyes of adults, and into saying no more than a greeting to policemen, even if they talked to her. <br><br>\r\n真里亞は、それらに素直に従った。 <br>\r\nMaria had obediently done as she was told. <br><br>\r\nどうしてそうしなくてはならないかを考えるよりは、母がそう言うのだから従わねばならないという素直さの方がはるかに上回った。 <br>\r\nInstead of considering why she must do that, she was much more concerned with meekly obeying because her mother had told her so. <br><br>\r\nだが、それを聞いたコンビニの店長はそうは思わなかっただろう。 <br>\r\nBut the manager of the convenience store probably didn't think of it that way. <br><br>\r\n……元々、このような幼い子が、ひとりで留守番を強いられ、しかもそれが頻繁にあることが気になるのは、当然のことだった……。 <br>\r\n...In the first place, seeing such a young girl being forced to watch over the house alone, and so frequently, ...would make anyone worry... <br><br>\r\n……そして。 <br>\r\n...And then. <br><br>\r\n再び家とコンビニを往復し、三度目にコンビニに訪れた時。 <br>\r\n…そこにはお巡りさんが来ていた。 <br>\r\nAfter making the round trip between her home and the store once more...and arriving at the convenience store for a third time... <br><br>\r\n...A policeman was there. <br><br>\r\n「あの子です。……真里亞ちゃん、鍵、見つかったかい？」 <br>\r\n\"It's that child. ...Maria-chan, did you find your key?\" <br><br>\r\n「………うー…。……見つからない……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Uu-... ...Didn't find it...\" <br><br>\r\n「お嬢ちゃん、お名前は？」 <br>\r\n\"What's your name, miss?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。」 <br>\r\n\".........\" <br><br>\r\nお巡りさんが名前を聞くが、真里亞は答えない。 <br>\r\nThe policeman asked her name, but Maria didn't answer. <br><br>\r\n「お母さんに、お巡りさんとお話しちゃいけないって言われてるの？ んっふっふー！ 大丈夫だよ、おじさんは怖くないよ。お嬢ちゃんは晩御飯は食べた？」 <br>\r\n\"Did your mother tell you not to talk to policemen? Heheheh! Don't worry, no need to be scared of me. Have you eaten dinner yet, miss?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………買ったけど、お家に入れないから、食べられない。」 <br>\r\n\"......I bought some, but I couldn't get into my house, so I couldn't eat it.\" <br><br>\r\n「お母さんはどうしてるの？ 今日は帰ってこないの？ お仕事？」 <br>\r\n\"What's your mother doing? Is she not coming home tonight? Is it her work?\" <br><br>\r\n「………………うー。」 <br>\r\n\"......Uu-.\" <br><br>\r\n「お母さんの会社の連絡先、わかるかな？」 <br>\r\n\"Do you know how we can contact your mother at work?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。」 <br>\r\n\".........\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞は力なく俯く。 <br>\r\nMaria hung her head limply. <br><br>\r\n……自分がどうしてお巡りさんに怒られているのかわからない。 <br>\r\n...She didn't understand why the policeman was getting mad at her. <br><br>\r\nいや、怒られているわけではないだろうが、母の耳に入ればきっと怒られるに違いないのだ。 <br>\r\nNo, he probably wasn't getting mad at her, but if this reached her mother's ears, then she would definitely be in trouble. <br><br>\r\nどうして怒られるのかという理由はわからなくても、それだけは理解できた。 <br>\r\nEven if she didn't understand the reason why she would be in trouble, she at least understood that much. <br><br>\r\nしかし、お巡りさんは真里亞を解放してはくれなかった。 <br>\r\nそれに空腹で頭もくらくらしてきた。 <br>\r\nBut the policeman wouldn't let Maria go. <br><br>\r\nAnd her head was swimming from hunger. <br><br>\r\nそれにお巡りさんも気付き、交番で食事をしながら話を聞こうということになった。 <br>\r\nThe policeman noticed that, and it was decided that he'd listen to her story as they ate in the police box. <br><br>\r\n……真里亞は交番に連れて行かれた。 <br>\r\n電子レンジでおでんを温めてもらい、熱いお茶と塩大福まで出してもらった。 <br>\r\n...Maria was taken to the police box. <br><br>\r\nShe had her oden heated in a microwave oven, and even salty rice cakes and hot tea were brought out for her. <br><br>\r\nお巡りさんとは話をしちゃいけないと言われていたけど、……さくたろのことを聞かれて、答えているうちに、悪い人じゃない気がしてきて。 <br>\r\nShe had been told not to talk to policemen, ...but after being asked about Sakutaro, she responded, starting to feel that this wasn't a bad person. <br><br>\r\n…それに、このままじゃお家に帰れないし、どうすればいいかわからなくて。 <br>\r\n...And anyway, she wouldn't be able to return home now, so she didn't know what to do. <br><br>\r\n………誰にも教えちゃいけなくて、本当の本当に大変な時にしか掛けちゃ駄目だよと言われた、……ママの仕事先の電話番号を教えてしまう。 <br>\r\n......She told him Mama's work phone number, ...which she had been told to tell no one of and to use only in a very, very serious situation. <br><br>\r\n交番の奥の畳の部屋で、火傷しそうなくらい熱くなったおでんを食べながら、お巡りさんが電話するのを見て、……あぁ、私は怒られるだろうなとぼんやり考えていた。 <br>\r\nIn the tatami room inside the police box, as she ate the oden that was so hot it felt like it would burn her, she watched the policeman making the phone call, lazily thinking, ...`Aah, I'm probably gonna get in trouble'. <br><br>\r\n「…………真里亞、…ママに怒られるかな………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Will Mama...get mad at me......?\" <br><br>\r\n『……うりゅ………。』 <br>\r\n『...Uryu......』 <br><br>\r\nだいぶ長くコール音を聞いているのだろうか。 <br>\r\nお巡りさんは受話器に耳を当てたまま、時計を見上げてぼやく。 <br>\r\nHe must have been listening to the phone ringing for a very long time. <br><br>\r\nWith the receiver up to his ear, the policeman looked up at the clock, grumbling. <br><br>\r\n「…………営業時間終えちゃってるから出ないのかなぁ。……んーー。 <br>\r\n\"......Maybe they aren't picking up because their business hours are over. ...Hmmmmmm. <br><br>\r\n……あ？ もしもし？ もしもし？ 有限会社アンチローザさんで？ こちら、小松川警察署千本桜駅前交番でございます。えぇっと、ウダイカン、…じゃないや、右代宮社長さんはいらっしゃいますか？ …………はい。……えぇ？ 休暇中ぅ？」 <br>\r\n...Huh? Hello? Hello? Is this Anti-Rosa Ltd.? This is the Komatsugawa Police Department police box in front of Senbonzakura Station. Is President...umm...Udaikan...no, wait, President Ushiromiya available? ......Yes. ...What? She's on vacation?\" <br><br>\r\n「はいー。社長は昨日から３日間、休暇になってますー。あの、どういったご用件で…？」 <br>\r\n「あいやいやいや。それで、どちらにおられるかわかりますかねぇ？ 連絡先とか聞いてたりしませんかねぇ。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes. Starting yesterday, the president has been on a three-day vacation. Umm, is there some business you have with her...?\" <br><br>\r\n\"Oh no, no, no, never mind. So, do you know where she might be? You haven't heard where to contact her, have you?\" <br><br>\r\n「あー、……ちょっとお待ちいただいてよろしいですか？ ……………ねー、誰か社長の旅行先、聞いてるー？ 連絡先ー。」 <br>\r\n「彼氏と札幌カニ食い放題って聞きましたァ。いいなァ、寒いとこだと、自然と二人の距離も縮まるのよねェ〜。連絡先は聞いてないよォ。」 <br>\r\n\"Sure, ...could you hold on for a second? ......Hey, anyone heard where the president went for her vacation? Or how to contact her?\" <br><br>\r\n\"I heard she was going for all-you-can eat crabs in Sapporo with her boyfriend. Aaaw, I'm sure such a cold place will do wonders for shrinking the distance between them, don't you? I haven't heard how to contact them.\" <br><br>\r\n「うん、了解ー。……あー、もしもしー。札幌に行ってるそうですけど、連絡先まではちょっとわかりません。……ご伝言しますかー？」 <br>\r\n\"Yep, understood. ...Um, hello. I hear she went to Sapporo, but I'm not sure about how to reach her. ...Should I take a message?\" <br><br>\r\n「んー、そうですかぁ、参ったなぁ。じゃあ、もし連絡がつきましたら、こちらから電話があったとお伝えできますか。えぇ、はい。」 <br>\r\n\"Hmm, I see, what a shame. Well then, if you manage to get in touch with her again, could you tell her that we called? Sure, yes.\" <br><br>\r\n……その後、私は、もっと大きい警察署に連れて行かれ、そこで一晩を過ごすことになった。 <br>\r\n...After that, I was taken to the police department, which was even bigger, and ended up spending the night there. <br><br>\r\nそして、私のことを色々と聞かれた。 <br>\r\nThen, they asked me various things about myself. <br><br>\r\n民生委員のおばさんと名乗る人がやって来て、色々と話を聞かれた。 <br>\r\nA lady who called herself the district welfare officer came by and asked about a lot of things. <br><br>\r\nそして、可哀想にね、と言われた。 <br>\r\nそれを聞いて初めて、私は知った。 <br>\r\nAnd I was told `You poor thing'. <br><br>\r\nWhen I heard that, I learned for the first time. <br><br>\r\n「…………真里亞って、………可哀想だったの……？」 <br>\r\n\"......Am I......a poor thing...?\" <br><br>\r\n『……うりゅ……。そんなことないよ…、真里亞は幸せ……。』 <br>\r\n『...Uryu... That's not true, ...you're happy, Maria...』 <br><br>\r\n「……………うー…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Uu-...\" <br><br>\r\nそして、……楼座は帰ってきた。 <br>\r\nThen, ...Rosa came back. <br><br>\r\n真里亞は部屋にいなさいと言われていたが、……トイレに行った帰りに、居間の入り口の脇に隠れ、そのやり取りに耳を傾けていた。 <br>\r\nMaria was told to go to her room, ...but on her way back from the bathroom, she hid by the entrance to the living room and listened in on the exchange. <br><br>\r\n訪れたのは、あの日、真里亞から色々と話を聞いた民生委員の婦人だった。 <br>\r\nThe person who had come to visit...was the female district welfare officer who had asked Maria various questions on that other day. <br><br>\r\n「そういう押し付けは困りますッ！！ <br>\r\n\"You can't be so pushy!! <br><br>\r\n真里亞は心が純粋過ぎて繊細だから、無神経な子がいたら、傷つけられてしまうんです！！ 余計なお節介は止めてください！！」 <br>\r\nMaria's heart is too innocent and delicate, so if there was an insensitive kid there, she could be hurt!! Please stop your pointless meddling!!\" <br><br>\r\n「でもね、お母さん。そんなに繊細な子なら、何でひとりで家に放置しておくの？ お母さんが一緒にいてあげるべきなんじゃないですか？」 <br>\r\n\"But in that case, Miss, if the child is so delicate, why leave her home all alone? Shouldn't a mother be together with her child?\" <br><br>\r\n「なるべく一緒にいるようにしています！！ そんなこと、あなたに指図される覚えはありません…！！」 <br>\r\n\"I am together with her as much as I should be!! I don't need to take instructions from you for something like that...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「そうですか？ この辺のご近所ではとても有名ですよ。お宅のお嬢さんが夜、頻繁に買い物や食事に来るって。みんな気にしてて気を遣ってくれてたんですよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Oh, really? She's very well known in this area. They say your daughter frequently goes out at night to buy things and eat. Everyone was worried and looking out for her.\" <br><br>\r\n「どうしてうちの子だとわかるんですか！！ <br>\r\n\"How do you know that was my child?!! <br><br>\r\n子どもなんて町中にいくらでもいるじゃないですか！！ 勝手にうちの真里亞だと決め付けないで下さい！！ 夜に出歩く子どもだってたまにはいるでしょ！ それらが全てうちの子だという証拠でもあるんですか？！」 <br>\r\nThere's got to be plenty of children around this town, right?!! Don't just suddenly decide that it's my Maria!! Kids sometimes walk around outside at night, right?! How can you prove that they were all my child?!\" <br><br>\r\n「ライオンのぬいぐるみを抱いた女の子が、よく夕食を食べに来る、買いに来るって、商店街でもとても有名だったんですよ。みんな真里亞ちゃんのことを思って大切にしてくれてました。時には、夜道は危ないからと、自宅まで送ってくれる方もいたんですよ？」 <br>\r\n\"It's well-known around the shopping center...that a girl holding a lion stuffed animal often stops by to eat dinner and buy things. Everyone treated Maria-chan with care out of concern for her. Sometimes, people even escorted her home, thinking the night roads might be dangerous, you see?\" <br><br>\r\n「ラ、ライオンのぬいぐるみなんてどこにでもあります！！ 自宅まで送るなんて余計なお世話ですッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Y-You can find lion stuffed animals anywhere!! It was none of their business, escorting her home!! <br><br>\r\n真里亞を誘拐するつもり？！ 真里亞に構わないで！！ 真里亞は私の子です。私が育ててます！ おかしな施設に入れるつもりもまるでありません！！ 余計なお節介は止めて！！」 <br>\r\nAre they thinking of kidnapping Maria?! Don't bother her!! Maria is my child. I am raising her! I have no intention of putting her in some strange institution!! Stop your needless meddling!!\" <br><br>\r\n『う、……うりゅ……。ライオンのぬいぐるみって、 <br>\r\n……ボクのこと……？』 <br>\r\n『U-Uryu... Does that lion stuffed animal... <br><br>\r\nmean me...?』 <br><br>\r\n「……大丈夫だよ。怒られるのは真里亞だよ…。さくたろは関係ないよ……。」 <br>\r\n\"...It's okay. I'm the one in trouble... It has nothing to do with you, Sakutaro...\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞はさくたろを抱き締め、怯えながら母の様子をうかがい続ける…。 <br>\r\nMaria hugged Sakutaro, continuing to watch her mother fearfully... <br><br>\r\n「わ、私も真里亞と毎日一緒にいられたらと思います！ <br>\r\n\"I-I also wish I could be with Maria every day! <br><br>\r\nでも、シングルマザーですから働かなくちゃならない！ 私はこう見えても会社の社長ですから、社員の生活も背負っている！！ 一年中仕事で忙しいんですよ、休む暇だってないんですッ！！」 <br>\r\nBut I'm a single mother, so I have to work! I may not look it, but I'm a president of a company, and I bear responsibility for my employees' well-being!! I'm busy with my work all year round, so there's no time for me to rest!!\" <br><br>\r\n「そうぉ？ でも、この三日間、お休みだったんでしょ？」 <br>\r\n\"Reeally? But you've been on vacation these last three days, haven't you?\" <br><br>\r\n「や、休みなんかじゃありません！ 私はずっと会社で泊り掛けで仕事をしていました！！ 他の頼りない社員では片付けられない案件が私には山積みなんです！！」 <br>\r\n\"I-I have not been on vacation! I've stayed at my company all night, working!! There's a mountain of matters to be taken care of that the other unreliable employees can't handle!!\" <br><br>\r\n「どうしてそんなウソ吐くの。あなたの会社の人が、三日間お休みを取ってますって言ってるのよ？ 彼氏さんと北海道に行ってきたんでしょう？ 娘さんを三日間も置いて…！」 <br>\r\n\"Why are you lying like that? Someone from your company said that you were taking a three-day vacation, you see? You went to Hokkaido with your boyfriend, right? Leaving your daughter by herself for three whole days...!\" <br><br>\r\n「かッ、彼氏なんて知りませんッ北海道なんて知りませんッ！！！ どうしてそんなデタラメ言うの？！ <br>\r\n\"I-I don't know anything about this boyfriend I don't know anything about Hokkaido!!! Where are you getting this nonsense?! <br><br>\r\nどうしてどうしてッ？！ <br>\r\nWhy, why?! <br><br>\r\nなんか証拠でもあるの？！ <br>\r\nDo you have any proof?! <br><br>\r\n何よあんた勝手に人の家のことに口を出さないでよ！！私は真里亞を愛してるのよ私には私なりの愛し方があるのよ勝手に口出さないでよ！！私は旅行になんて行ってないわよ仕事してたのよずっと！！ <br>\r\nWhat the hell, don't just start butting in on someone else's family matters!! I love Maria I have my own way of loving her so just keep your mouth shut!! I didn't go on a vacation I was just working the whole time!!\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞に一秒でも早く会いたくて仕事を少しでも早く片付けようと一生懸命一生懸命！！ <br>\r\n\"I was trying to finish things up at work with all my strength, all my strength because I wanted to see Maria as soon as I could!! <br><br>\r\n会社に泊まりこんでずっとずっとずっとずっと、ずっとずっとずっとずっと！！知らない知らない北海道なんて知らないわよ勝手なこと言わないでうあああああああああああぁああああぁああッ！！！ <br>\r\nI stayed at the company the whole whole whole whole, whole whole whole whole time!! I don't know I don't know I don't know anything about Hokkaido don't just go ahead and say something like thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!!! <br><br>\r\nもう帰ってッ！！帰ってよおおおおおお！！ <br>\r\nJust get out!! Get ooooooooout!! <br><br>\r\n何なのよあんたはああああ！！帰ってッ！！帰ってええええええええッ！！！」 <br>\r\nWhat's wrong with yoooooouuu?!! Get out!! Get ooooooooouuuut!!!\" <br><br>\r\n楼座は髪を振り乱しながら激高する。 <br>\r\nRosa raged, her hair flying wildly. <br><br>\r\n立ち上がった時の勢いでティーカップが倒れ、その音よりも遥かに大きい音で何度もテーブルを両手で叩いた。 <br>\r\nA teacup was knocked over from the force of her standing up, but far louder than that was the sound of her beating the table with both hands. <br><br>\r\n白目を剥いて錯乱している、という表現すらも充分に妥当と思えるその激高ぶりに、民生委員の女性は仰け反らずにはいられない。 <br>\r\nWhen faced with this rage that could accurately be described as wide-eyed derangement, the district welfare officer couldn't help but be taken aback. <br><br>\r\n……それは、廊下からこっそり様子をうかがっていた真里亞でさえも。 <br>\r\n...And the same went for Maria, who was secretly watching this from the hallway. <br><br>\r\n母が激高するところを何度も見てきた。 <br>\r\nでも、こんな怒り狂う様を見るのは初めてだった。 <br>\r\nShe had already seen her mother in a rage several times before this. <br><br>\r\nBut she had never seen her this crazed with anger. <br><br>\r\nそれを見て真里亞は確信する。 <br>\r\n……それはもはや、母親ではない。 <br>\r\nWhen she saw this, Maria was sure. <br><br>\r\n...This was no longer her mother. <br><br>\r\n母親の体に憑依した、邪悪なる別の存在だ…。 <br>\r\nIt was some other evil being that was possessing her mother's body... <br><br>\r\nそして、その邪悪なる存在が、自分の姿を見つけてしまう。 <br>\r\n真里亞は邪悪な存在の瞳に、自分が映っていることを知った。 <br>\r\nAnd then, she herself was discovered by the evil being. <br><br>\r\nMaria knew that she was being reflected in the evil being's eyes. <br><br>\r\n頭が真っ白になり、視界が遥か彼方に遠退いてしまうような錯覚を感じる……。 <br>\r\nHer mind went blank, and she felt as though her field of vision was racing off into the distance... <br><br>\r\n楼座は、猛然と真里亞に迫ると、その小さな両肩を容赦ない力で叩き、……真里亞が抱いている、さくたろのぬいぐるみに目を落とした。 <br>\r\nAfter fiercely closing in on Maria, Rosa mercilessly slapped her on her small shoulders...and dropped her gaze towards the stuffed animal Maria was holding, Sakutaro. <br><br>\r\n「………真里亞。あなた、あれだけお外にそれを持って行っちゃ駄目って言ったのに、 <br>\r\n\"......Maria, even though I told you so many times not to take that outside, <br><br>\r\n……持って行ったのね？」 <br>\r\n...you brought it with you, didn't you?\" <br><br>\r\n『う……、うりゅ………。ま、真里亞は悪くないよ……。ボクが付いて行くって言ったの……。』 <br>\r\n『...U-Uryu...... I-It isn't Maria's fault... I told her to take me...』 <br><br>\r\n「ち、違うよ……！ 真里亞が寂しいから勝手にさくたろを連れてったの…！ だからママ、さくたろは悪くないの…！！」 <br>\r\n\"Th-That's not true...! I brought Sakutaro on my own because I was lonely...! So Mama, it isn't Sakutaro's fault...!!\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ……、真里亞………。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu, ...Maria......』 <br><br>\r\n「さくたろは悪くないよ！！ さくたろは悪くないよ！！」 <br>\r\n\"It's not Sakutaro's fault!! It's not Sakutaro's fault!!\" <br><br>\r\n楼座の怒りは真里亞より先に、その抱いているライオンのぬいぐるみに向けられていた。 <br>\r\nInstead of Maria, the brunt of Rosa's anger was aimed at the lion stuffed animal Maria was holding. <br><br>\r\n……ライオンのぬいぐるみをいつも持ち歩く子が、深夜に買い物に来る。 <br>\r\nそのせいで、商店街では有名だったのだ…。 <br>\r\n...A girl went shopping in the middle of the night, always clutching a lion stuffed animal. <br><br>\r\nBecause of that, she had become well known in the shopping center... <br><br>\r\n「ぬ、 <br>\r\n……ぬ、 <br>\r\n…ぬいぐるみ持ってっちゃ駄目って言ったでしょおおぉおおぉッ！！！ <br>\r\n\"D... <br><br>\r\n...D... <br><br>\r\nDidn't I tell you not to take stuffed animals with yooooooooouuu?!!! <br><br>\r\nどうして！！ <br>\r\nWhy... <br><br>\r\nあんたはッ！！ <br>\r\ncan't you... <br><br>\r\nママの言うことが聞けないのよ！！ <br>\r\nlisten to what Mama says?!! <br><br>\r\nどうしてッ？！ どうしてどうしてよ？！ どうしてママの言いつけがちゃんと守れないのよあんたはあああああッ！！」 <br>\r\nWhy?! Why, why?! Why can't you follow Mama's ruuuuuuules?!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nそれらの一言一言の度に踵を踏み鳴らし、壁をバンバンと激しく打ち付ける。 <br>\r\nWith every single word, she stamped her heel and banged furiously on the wall. <br><br>\r\n……確かにそれは、真里亞に対し直接は振るわれなかったろう。 <br>\r\nしかし、激しい音は、確実に音の暴力となって真里亞を打ち付けた。 <br>\r\n...Of course, she didn't make direct contact with Maria. <br><br>\r\nHowever, the violence of the harsh sound certainly beat against her. <br><br>\r\n「お、お母さん……、お止めなさい……！！」 <br>\r\n\"M-Miss, ...stop that...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「離してよ！！ 離せって言ってんでしょおおおおぉおおぉッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Let go!! I said let go, damn iiiiiiiiiiiit!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n我に返った民生委員の女性が楼座を羽交い絞めにする。 <br>\r\nThe district welfare officer had come back to her senses and was pinning Rosa's arms behind her back. <br><br>\r\nしかし、触れられた途端、電気が走ったかのように楼座は暴れ、彼女を激しく突き飛ばす。 <br>\r\nBut the instant Rosa was touched, she went wild, furiously throwing the welfare officer off. <br><br>\r\n……テーブルにぶつかり、床に転げた。 <br>\r\nテーブルの上のティーカップが激しい音を立てて床に散らばった…。 <br>\r\n...She hit the table and fell to the ground. <br><br>\r\nA teacup on the table smashed on the floor, making a violent sound... <br><br>\r\n『ま、……真里亞は悪くないよ……！ ボクが悪いの！ だから真里亞を叱らないで……！！』 <br>\r\n『...M-Maria didn't do anything wrong...! It's my fault! So don't scold Maria...!!』 <br><br>\r\n「さくたろ連れてったのは真里亞…！！ さくたろは悪くないの！！ <br>\r\n\"I'm the one who brought Sakutaro...!! It's not Sakutaro's fault!! <br><br>\r\nさくたろは悪くないの！！ だからさくたろをそんな怖い目で見ないで！！ 見ないでええええぇえぇえぇ！！」 <br>\r\nIt's not Sakutaro's fault!! So don't look at Sakutaro with those scary eyes!! Don't look at hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiim!!\" <br><br>\r\n『真里亞を叱らないで…！ 真里亞を叱らないで…！！ うりゅーー！！！』 <br>\r\n『Don't scold Maria...! Don't scold Maria...!! Uryuu--!!!』 <br><br>\r\n「……………………あ、………あんた…。さっきから何をやってるの？ <br>\r\n\".........Y-You... What were you doing just now, and a minute ago too? <br><br>\r\nあんた、そのお人形さんごっこ、……外でもやってたの？ お店の人の前でもやってたの……？ <br>\r\nDo you also play with dolls like that...outside? Did you do it in front of the people in the store...? <br><br>\r\n ……………………。 <br>\r\n ......... <br><br>\r\nだから覚えられちゃうんでしょおおおぉお、 <br>\r\nSo that's why they remembered yoooooooou, <br><br>\r\n馬鹿ッ死ねッ知能ゼロッ！！ 何であんたは馬鹿なのよおおおおおぉおおおおおッ！！！ <br>\r\ndie you brainless moron!! Why are you such a dumbaaaaaaaaaaaassss?!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n正直に仰いな。お外でお買い物をする時、ママに内緒でいつもそのぬいぐるみを持ち歩いてたのね？」 <br>\r\n\"Answer me honestly. When you went out, you always walked around with that stuffed animal without telling Mama, right?\" <br><br>\r\n『………う、……うりゅ………。』 <br>\r\n『......U-Uryu......』 <br><br>\r\n「その変なぬいぐるみ語をやめなさいッ！！！ <br>\r\n\"Stop using that weird stuffed animal talk!!! <br><br>\r\nぬいぐるみじゃなく、あなたの言葉でしゃべりなさいッ！！！」 <br>\r\nSpeak with your own words, not a stuffed animal's!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「さ、さくたろはぬいぐるみじゃないよ！！ 真里亞の友達だよ！！ ぬいぐるみって言わないで……。言わないでぇえええぇええ！！」 <br>\r\n\"S-Sakutaro isn't a stuffed animal!! He's my friend!! Don't call him a stuffed animal... Doooooooooooooooooooon't!!\" <br><br>\r\n「はいはいわかったわ、さくたろうだったわね、名前！ ママに内緒で、そのさくたろう人形を持って、いつもお買い物に行っていたのね？」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, yeah, I get it, it was called Sakutarou, was it?! You took him with you all the time when you went shopping, without telling Mama, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「う、……うん……………。」 <br>\r\n\"...Y-Yeah......\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞は正直にそれを認める。 <br>\r\nMaria admitted it honestly. <br><br>\r\n自分が認めなければ、さくたろが罪を被るようなことを口にしてしまうから、真っ先に自らが認めることで、小さな友人を庇おうとした。 <br>\r\nIf she hadn't admitted it, then Sakutaro would have said something to take the blame, so by admitting it right away, she was protecting her small friend. <br><br>\r\n「さくたろうだけ？ 他には？ ……まさか、学校にも何か変なのを持っていってるんじゃないでしょうね…？」 <br>\r\n\"Only Sakutarou? Any others? ...You haven't been bringing weird things to school too, have you...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……お、お母さん！！ お嬢さんは悪くないでしょう！ その詰問をお止めなさい！」 <br>\r\n\"...M-Miss!! Surely your daughter has done nothing wrong! Stop this interrogation at once!\" <br><br>\r\n「あンたは黙ってなさいッ！！！ <br>\r\n\"You, stay quiet!!! <br><br>\r\n私と娘の話でしょおお！！！ <br>\r\nI'm talking with my daughter, aren't I?!!! <br><br>\r\n……ほら真里亞、ママの目を見て話をしなさい。ママの質問にお返事は？」 <br>\r\n...Come on, Maria, look at Mama when you talk. What's the answer to Mama's question?\" <br><br>\r\n「う、……うー……。 <br>\r\n\"...U-Uu-... <br><br>\r\n……さくたろだけじゃないの。……うさぎのみんなも一緒……。」 <br>\r\n...It wasn't just Sakutaro. ...All the rabbits were with me too...\" <br><br>\r\n「………今も持ってるの……？」 <br>\r\n\"......Do you have them with you now...?\" <br><br>\r\n「うー………。」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-......\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞はポケットをごそごそと漁り、……あの、陶製のうさぎたちを４匹、その小さな手で掴み出して見せる…。 <br>\r\nMaria fished around in her pockets, ...pulling out four ceramic rabbits with her tiny hand... <br><br>\r\nうさぎたちは、さくたろの代わりに学校にも一緒について来てくれる、大切な友達だった。 <br>\r\nThe rabbits were her close friends, who could be together with her at school in Sakutaro's place. <br><br>\r\nしかし、それを見て楼座は、眩暈を覚えたかのように首を浅く振る…。 <br>\r\nBut when Rosa saw that, she shook her head slightly as though dizzy... <br><br>\r\n学校の連絡帳で、真里亞が玩具を持ってきて遊んでいるらしいので、そうしないよう家庭で指導してほしいと書かれていたのだ。 <br>\r\nOn a school notice, it had been written that Maria was apparently bringing toys to school and playing with them, and her family was instructed to try and prevent this. <br><br>\r\nしかし楼座は、それは教師の難癖だと一蹴し、むしろ逆に学校に抗議の電話をしていた。 <br>\r\nBut Rosa had rejected that, blaming the teacher and phoning in a protest of her own to the school. <br><br>\r\n自分の娘が玩具など学校に持っていくわけがないと。 <br>\r\n...Saying that there was no way her child would bring toys to school. <br><br>\r\n自分の娘に言い掛かりをつけるのは止めてくれと小一時間にもわたり、教頭を怒鳴りつけたのだ。 <br>\r\nFor nearly an hour, she had shouted at the vice principal to stop making false accusations about her daughter. <br><br>\r\n……学校側は、真里亞が不憫な子であることを、ある程度、把握していた。 <br>\r\n...To a certain degree, those at the school had grasped that Maria was a pitiful girl. <br><br>\r\n持ち込んでいる、その小さな玩具だけが友人であることを知っていた。 <br>\r\n……だからこそ、あえて見て見ぬふりをするつもりだった。 <br>\r\nThey knew that the small toys she brought in were her only friends. <br><br>\r\n...So they had done their best to overlook it. <br><br>\r\nしかし、他の生徒の目に触れてしまったため、玩具を持ち込んでずるいずるいと一部の男子が騒ぎ始め、収拾に苦慮していたのだ……。 <br>\r\nBut when the other students caught sight of them, some of the boys had started complaining that only she could bring toys, and the school had racked their brains on how to cope with this... <br><br>\r\nそれをやんわりと母親経由で注意したつもりだったが、楼座が過剰に反応したため、それ以後は先生も見て見ぬふりをしていたのだ。 <br>\r\nThey had tried to gently send a warning by way of the mother, but after Rosa's overreaction, even Maria's teacher decided to overlook it. <br><br>\r\n………しかし楼座は知ってしまう。 <br>\r\n......But now Rosa knew. <br><br>\r\n間違っていたのは自分の方で、…娘は本当に玩具を学校に持ち込んでいたのだ。 <br>\r\nShe had been the one who was wrong, ...and her daughter really had been bringing toys to school. <br><br>\r\n………学校に玩具を持ち込んで、それだけを唯一の友人として寂しく一人遊びする醜態を、学校側に知られてしまっていたのだ。 <br>\r\n......And those at the school...had known that she was a disgrace who brought toys to school and played with them as though they were her only friends. <br><br>\r\n楼座にとって、一般の子たちと少し違う自分の娘が、その特異な面を晒し、それを見咎められることが何よりも耐えられなかった。 <br>\r\nTo Rosa, who thought her daughter was just a little different from normal children, having this peculiar side of her daughter exposed and found fault with was, more than anything else, something she couldn't bear. <br><br>\r\n………だから吼える。 <br>\r\n......So she howled. <br><br>\r\n激高する。 <br>\r\nShe raged. <br><br>\r\n再び民生委員の女性が、真里亞と楼座の間に割って入ろうとするが、楼座の逆鱗に再び触れるだけのこと。 <br>\r\nThe district welfare officer tried to cut between Rosa and Maria again, but she only met with Rosa's wrath once more. <br><br>\r\n 楼座は再び、般若のような形相で女性を突き飛ばし、 <br>\r\nRosa once again threw the woman off with a face like a demon, <br><br>\r\nそれだけではまだ怒りが収まらないと、床を踏み抜かんばかりの勢いで何度も地団太を踏んだ。 <br>\r\nand when even that failed to curb her anger, she stomped on the ground over and over again so forcefully that it seemed she might break through the floor. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nそして、一瞬だけ我に返った表情をしてから、 <br>\r\n………荒い息を急に凍らせて、真里亞に聞いた。 <br>\r\nThen, after seeming to come back to her senses for a second, <br><br>\r\n......she immediately froze her harsh breathing...and asked Maria. <br><br>\r\n「……………………。……真里亞。そのうさぎの音楽隊は、真里亞の大切なお友達？」 <br>\r\n\"............Maria. Those rabbits in the band, are they your close friends?\" <br><br>\r\n「う、………うー………。」 <br>\r\n\"......U-Uu-......\" <br><br>\r\n「そう。４人もお友達がいて良かったわ。」 <br>\r\n\"I see. Isn't it great that you have a full four friends?\" <br><br>\r\n楼座はそう言いながら、真里亞の手からうさぎの１つを摘み取る。 <br>\r\nそして、よく見せ付けるように真里亞の眼前に突き出した。 <br>\r\nAs she said that, Rosa grabbed one of the rabbits from Maria's hand. <br><br>\r\nThen, she shoved it in front of Maria's eyes so she could see it very well. <br><br>\r\n……可愛らしい、トランペットを持ったうさぎの、駒のような小さな人形。 <br>\r\nそれがゆっくりと、掲げるように高く上げられる。 <br>\r\n...The cute rabbit holding a trumpet was a small doll like a chess piece. <br><br>\r\nShe slowly lifted it into the air. <br><br>\r\n……もちろん、真里亞とさくたろの目はそれを追う……。 <br>\r\n...Of course, Maria's and Sakutaro's eyes also followed it... <br><br>\r\nそしてそれは、目で追えない速度で壁に叩き付けられた。 <br>\r\nAnd then, with a speed that the eye couldn't follow, she smashed it against the wall. <br><br>\r\n「ひいッ！！！！」 <br>\r\n『……………！！！』 <br>\r\n\"Eeek!!!!\" <br><br>\r\n『......!!!』 <br><br>\r\n半ば、その最悪の想像はしていた。 <br>\r\nだから、何をされたのかすぐに理解できた。 <br>\r\nShe had half imagined that this worst possible thing might happen. <br><br>\r\nSo she instantly realized what had been done. <br><br>\r\n……だから真里亞は短く、絶望の悲鳴を上げた…。 <br>\r\n...So, Maria let out a short, despairing scream... <br><br>\r\n粉々だった。 <br>\r\nIt was in pieces. <br><br>\r\n小さく頑丈だったそれは、激高する母の怒りを受け止められるほどではなかった。 <br>\r\nIt had been small and sturdy, but that hadn't been enough to withstand her mother's fierce rage. <br><br>\r\n「………ママの言うことをちゃんと聞かないから、ひとつ壊れちゃったわ。今後、ママの言うことを守らない度にまたひとつ、壊すからね。 <br>\r\n\"......Because you didn't listen to what Mama told you, I broke one of them. From now on, every time you disobey something Mama says, I'll break another one. <br><br>\r\n……覚えておきなさいッ！！！」 <br>\r\n...Remember that!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「あなた……、そんなことするなんて、母親ですか！！ そんなことして、お嬢さんが傷つかないと思ってるんですか？！」 <br>\r\n\"Miss, ...you think to call yourself a mother after doing something like that?!! You think you can do something like that and not hurt your daughter?!\" <br><br>\r\n「真里亞が傷つく？！ 私も傷ついているのよ？！ 私の傷は誰が責任取ってくれるのよ？！ <br>\r\n\"Hurt Maria?! I'm also hurting, right?! Who's gonna take responsibility for my wounds?! <br><br>\r\nえええ？！ <br>\r\nWeeeell?! <br><br>\r\n誰があああぁあぁッ！！！ あんたは黙っててって言ってるでしょおおお！！！」 <br>\r\nWho iiiiiiiiiis?!!! Didn't I tell you to shut uuuuup!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「や、やめてママ……！ 悪いのは真里亞…！ おばさんを怒らないで……！」 <br>\r\n\"S-Stop it, Mama...! It's my fault...! Don't get mad at this lady...!\" <br><br>\r\n『真里亞は悪くないよ…、ボクが悪いの……！ 真里亞を怒らないで…！ うりゅ、うりゅうりゅうりゅ、うりゅーー！』 <br>\r\n『It isn't Maria's fault, ...it's mine...! Don't get mad at Maria...! Uryu, uryuuryuuryu, uryuu--!』 <br><br>\r\n「そ………、そのぬいぐるみごっこを止めろって言ったでしょおおおおぉおおぉ！！ <br>\r\n\"......D-Didn't I tell you to stop playing with stuffed animals like thaaaaaaaaaatt?!! <br><br>\r\n 大体ね、気持ち悪いのよ、ぬいぐるみがお友達ってあんた今年でいくつよ？！ 何歳よ？！ ええぇえッ？！ <br>\r\n In the first place, it's disgusting, you say a stuffed animal is your friend just how old are you?! How old?! Weeeeeelll?!\" <br><br>\r\nこんなの布と綿の気持ち悪いヘタクソなぬいぐるみじゃない！！ <br>\r\n\"This is just a gross, crappy stuffed animal made of cloth and cotton, right?!! <br><br>\r\nこんなのしか友達いないのあんた？！ こんなバケモノのぬいぐるみとお友達ごっこしてる暇があったら、ちゃんとした人間の友達を作りなさいよ！！ <br>\r\nIs this the only kind of friend you have?! If you have enough spare time to pretend this monstrous stuffed animal is your friend, go out and make some real human friends!!\" <br><br>\r\n何であなたにはいつまでもお友達が出来ないのよ！！ そんなだからいつまでもクラスで変わり者扱いされて馬鹿にされてッ！！ もう本当しっかりしていい加減にしてッ！！ こんなぬいぐるみ遊び、もう卒業しちゃってよ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Why can you never make any friends?!! That's why your class always treats you like a weirdo and makes fun of you!! Give it a rest and get ahold of yourself already!! Grow up from this stuffed animal play!!\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ……、 <br>\r\nうりゅ………。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu, <br><br>\r\n...uryu......』 <br><br>\r\n「だからそのぬいぐるみごっこを止めろって言ってるでしょおおおおおぉおおぉ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Like I said, stop playing with that stuffed animaaaaaaaaaall!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ああッ！！ ママ、ママ！！ 返して！ さくたろ、返してええぇええぇ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Aaah!! Mama, Mama!! Give him back! Give Sakutaro baaaaaaaaaaack!!\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー！！ <br>\r\n『Uryu-!! <br><br>\r\nうりゅーー！ うりゅうりゅー！』 <br>\r\nUryuu--! Uryuuryu-!』 <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nママがさくたろの頭を鷲掴みにして、私から奪い取る…。 <br>\r\nそして………、何度も何度も、壁に打ち付けて。 <br>\r\nMama grabbed hold of Sakutaro's head...and took him from me... <br><br>\r\nThen, ......she smashed him against the wall, over and over. <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー！！ 痛いよ痛いよ、痛い痛い痛い痛い…！！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu-!! It hurts, it hurts, hurts hurts hurts hurts...!!』 <br><br>\r\n「やめろっつってんのよッ！！ <br>\r\n\"I said stop, damn it!! <br><br>\r\nそのぬいぐるみごっこを止めろっつってんでしょおおおお！！ <br>\r\nI told you to stop that stuffed animal aaaaaaaaaaact!! <br><br>\r\nこんなぬいぐるみがあるからッ！！ だからあんたはいつまでも友達を作らないのよ！ だから一人だけクラスで浮いてて、おかしな子扱いされるんでしょうが！！ こんなぬいぐるみあげなきゃ良かった！！ こんな気持ち悪いぬいぐるみあげなきゃ良かったッ！！」 <br>\r\nIt's because of this stuffed animal!! That's why you can never make any friends! That's why you alone are pushed off to the side in your class and treated like a freak!! I should never have given you a stuffed animal like this!! I should never have given you such a disgusting stuffed animal!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「やめてええええぇええ！！ <br>\r\n\"Stop iiiiiiiiiiiiit!! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nさくたろ返してッ、さくたろ返してッ！！ わあああああぁああああぁあぁぁあ！！ さくたろは真里亞のお友達なの！！ 親友なの！！ さくたろさえいれば、他には何もいらないッ！ だから返して！！ 返してえええぇえぇぇ！！」 <br>\r\nGive Sakutaro back, give Sakutaro back!! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!! Sakutaro is my friend!! My best friend!! As long as Sakutaro's there, I don't need anything else! So give him back!! Give him baaaaaaaack!!\" <br><br>\r\n……その、私の必死の頼みは、なぜかむしろ、ママの怒りに油を注いだ……。 <br>\r\n...For some reason, my frantic request just added oil to the fire of Mama's anger... <br><br>\r\nママは、さくたろを奪い返そうとさくたろを引っ張る私の腕を振り払い、異様な感じで両手の爪を立ててさくたろをぐしゃぐしゃに捻りあげる……。 <br>\r\nMama pushed my arm aside as I tried to grab Sakutaro and snatch him back, and in a bizarre way, she stuck her fingernails on both hands deep into Sakutaro, twisting him... <br><br>\r\n毎日、丁寧に巻きなおしてあげていた赤いマフラーが解けて床に落ちる…。 <br>\r\nThe red muffler, which I had carefully wrapped for him every day, came off and fell to the floor... <br><br>\r\n……大切に大切にしてきたさくたろう……。 <br>\r\n...Sakutarou, who had been so, so precious to me... <br><br>\r\nそれが、あんなにぐしゃぐしゃに歪んで、捻られて、爪を立てて引っ張られて……。 <br>\r\n...Was twisted, smashed, torn at with fingernails so much... <br><br>\r\n 痛そうに歪んでる…、 <br>\r\n表情を歪めて、 <br>\r\n悲しんでる………。 <br>\r\nHe was twisted painfully, <br><br>\r\nhis face curving... <br><br>\r\nin sadness...... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n そしてママの爪が、 <br>\r\n……首の縫い目の部分を <br>\r\n……裂いて…。 <br>\r\n……両手の爪で <br>\r\n……引き裂いて…………。 <br>\r\nThen Mama's fingernails... <br><br>\r\nfound a stitch on the neck...... <br><br>\r\nand tore it... <br><br>\r\n...With the fingernails of both hands, <br><br>\r\n...she tore it apart...... <br><br>\r\nその一瞬で、 <br>\r\n………さくたろが、黄色い布地と、 <br>\r\n………内側の綿が弾けるように飛び出す……。 <br>\r\nIn that instant, <br><br>\r\n......Sakutaro's yellow cloth... <br><br>\r\nand the cotton inside...burst apart... <br><br>\r\nそれはまるで、湿気った綿飴みたいに見えた……。 <br>\r\nIt looked almost like moist cotton candy... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n『……う、……………りゅ…………………、』 <br>\r\n『...U......ryu.........』 <br><br>\r\n「…くたろ…………？」 <br>\r\n\"...kutaro......?\" <br><br>\r\n『……ま……りあ………。』 <br>\r\n『...Ma...ria......』 <br><br>\r\n「………さくたろ…………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Sakutaro......\" <br><br>\r\n『う……りゅ……———』 <br>\r\n『U...ryu...———』 <br><br>\r\n「……………くたろ…………。」 <br>\r\n\"......kutaro......\" <br><br>\r\n『——……‥‥・ 」 <br>\r\n『——... .. .・ \" <br><br>\r\n「………た…ろ………、」 <br>\r\n\"......ta...ro......\" <br><br>\r\n『』 <br>\r\n『』 <br><br>\r\nずい、っと。 <br>\r\n... <br><br>\r\n………黄色いぐしゃぐしゃの布地と溢れ出た綿飴が、私の眼前いっぱいに突きつけられる。 <br>\r\n......The crumpled yellow cloth and the cotton candy flowing out were thrust right in front of my eyes. <br><br>\r\nそして、……ママの表情を通して、邪悪な存在が、はっきりと断言した。 <br>\r\nThen, ...through Mama's face, the evil being...stated it clearly. <br><br>\r\n「~ib~さくたろうは、死んでしまいました~ib~。」 <br>\r\n\"~ib~Sakutarou is dead~ib~.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nまばがぎゅりいを、ゆがべだ。 <br>\r\nMabagagyurui, gyugo. <br><br>\r\n ぎくぐきぃ <br>\r\n……くたろ <br>\r\n……さくた <br>\r\n…ぉ <br>\r\n…ぐびぢった………。 <br>\r\nGikuguki <br><br>\r\n...kutaro <br><br>\r\n...sakuta <br><br>\r\n...o <br><br>\r\n...gubijitta...... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n……ううぅ。 <br>\r\n...Uuuuu. <br><br>\r\nうわあああああううぅうぅうぅ……。うわああああぁああぅうううぅうぅうぅ……。 <br>\r\nぐだろ……、さぐだろ……、……うわああぁああああぁあうううぅうぅぅぅ……………。 <br>\r\nUwaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuu... Waaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuuuu... <br><br>\r\ngudaro...sagudaro... ...Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuu...... <br><br>\r\n「マリア……、……マリア………。…泣くんでない……。」 <br>\r\n\"MARIA, ...MARIA...... ...Do not cry...\" <br><br>\r\n「ベアトリーチェ、ベアトリーチェ…！！ うわああああぁあああぁあぁう！！ うわああああぁあぁうう！！」 <br>\r\n\"Beatrice, Beatrice...!! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n「さくたろうは良き友人であった…。そなたがそれを忘れぬ限り、常にそなたと共にある…。だから泣くんでない…。」 <br>\r\n\"Sakutaro was a good friend... As long as you do not forget that, he will always be with you... So do not cry...\" <br><br>\r\n「生き返らせて！！ ベアトはいろんな魔法が使えるんだもんね！！ さくたろだって生き返らせられるよね？！」 <br>\r\n\"Bring him back to life!! You can use a lot of magic, Beato!! You can even bring Sakutaro back to life, right?!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………そ、それは……。…無論、さくたろが妾の家具だったなら、それも容易い。 <br>\r\n\"......A-About that... ...Of course, if Sakutaro had been my furniture, it would be easy. <br><br>\r\nしかし、さくたろはそなたの家具だ。……妾にそれは難しい。」 <br>\r\nHowever, Sakutaro is your furniture. ...That makes it difficult for me.\" <br><br>\r\n「難しいってことは無理じゃないんだよね？！ 生き返らせて！！ 無限の魔法で生き返らせてええぇえぇ！」 <br>\r\n\"If you say it's difficult, that means it isn't impossible, right?! Bring him back to life!! Bring him back to life with the Endless Magiiiiiic!\" <br><br>\r\n「………んむ…。……実はな…。さくたろうの依り代は、楼座の手作りのぬいぐるみであったろう…？ <br>\r\n\"......Hmm... ...To tell the truth... Sakutarou's vessel was a stuffed animal Rosa made herself, correct...? <br><br>\r\nその楼座が、さくたろうを否定した。……母にその生を許されなかった命は、存在できぬのだ…。」 <br>\r\nThat Rosa has denied Sakutarou. ...A life that is not permitted by its own mother cannot exist...\" <br><br>\r\nベアトリーチェのその言葉は弱々しい。 <br>\r\nBeatrice's words were feeble. <br><br>\r\n…どんな言い訳であったとしても、真里亞を慰め、納得させることなど出来ないとわかっていたからだ。 <br>\r\n...Because she knew that, no matter what the excuse, it wouldn't be enough to calm Maria and make her accept it. <br><br>\r\nでも彼女は、弟子であり親友である真里亞に、辛い真実を伝えなければならない。 <br>\r\nBut she had to communicate the painful truth to her disciple and close friend. <br><br>\r\n………自らの魔法を尽くそうとも、……さくたろうを蘇らせることが出来ないという、その事実を。 <br>\r\n......She had to tell her the fact......that even with all of her own power, even she could not revive Sakutarou. <br><br>\r\n「そなたがさくたろうの存在を強く信じる限り、その魂が消え去ることはない……。だからマリア…、どうか悲しむな…。 <br>\r\n\"As long as you continue to strongly believe in Sakutarou's existence, that soul will not disappear... So, MARIA, ...please, do not be sad...\" <br><br>\r\n今もほら、…すぐそこでさくたろうが微笑んでいると信じるのだ……。」 <br>\r\n\"Even now, look, ...believe that Sakutarou is smiling right over there...\" <br><br>\r\n「嫌だ！！！ <br>\r\n\"No!!! <br><br>\r\n嫌だ <br>\r\nNo <br><br>\r\n嫌だ <br>\r\nno <br><br>\r\n嫌だ！！ <br>\r\nno!! <br><br>\r\n さくたろを生き返らせてくれなきゃ嫌だ！！ 嫌だ嫌だ嫌だ！ <br>\r\n You have to bring Sakutaro back to life!! No no no! <br><br>\r\nうわあああぁああぁあぁあぁああう！！」 <br>\r\nWaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n「諦めよ…！！ さくたろうを蘇らせる魔法はない…！ <br>\r\n\"Give it up...!! There is no magic to revive Sakutarou...! <br><br>\r\nそして、それでもなおさくたろうがそなたの親友であり続けることを強く信じよ…！！ その力が魔法となる…！」 <br>\r\nDespite that, you must strongly believe that Sakutarou will continue to exist as your close friend...!! That power will become magic...!\" <br><br>\r\n「そんなの魔法じゃない魔法じゃない！！ <br>\r\n\"That's not magic, that's not magic!! <br><br>\r\nさくたろが生き返らなきゃ嫌だ…！！ <br>\r\nYou have to bring Sakutaro back to life...!! <br><br>\r\nママの手作りだから駄目なの？ どうしてママはさくたろを作ったの？ 真里亞にプレゼントするためじゃないの？ 真里亞のお友達にするためじゃないの？ <br>\r\nYou can't do it because Mama made him herself? Why did Mama make Sakutaro? It was to give him to me as a present, right? It was to make him my friend, right? <br><br>\r\nなのに何で、ママは自分で作って、自分で壊したの？ どうしてママは、自分で生んで、自分で壊そうとするの？ わかんないわかんない！！」 <br>\r\nSo why...did Mama make it herself...and break it herself? Why did Mama give birth to it by herself, and try to break it herself? I don't understand, I don't understand!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ママが憎いよ、ママが憎い…！！ 悔しい悔しい悲しい悲しい…！！ さくたろがそうされたように、ママをねじり上げてやりたい…！ 爪を立てて引き裂いて、布地と綿にしてやりたい！！ わあああああああああぁあああぁあん！！ 悔しいよ、悔しいよベアトリーチェええぇ！！ わあああああああああぁあああん、さくたろおおぉおおおおお！！！！」 <br>\r\n\"I hate Mama, hate Mama...!! Can't stand it can't stand it too sad too sad...!! Wanna smash Mama up like she did to Sakutaro...! Wanna stick my fingernails in and tear her, turn her into cloth and cotton!! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!! I can't stand it, I can't stand it, Beatriiice!! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh, Sakutaroooooooo!!!!\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞の背後の暗闇より、巨大な漆黒の二本の腕がぬうっと現れ、怒りに泣きじゃくる真里亞に絡みつく。 <br>\r\nFrom the darkness behind Maria's back, two massive jet-black arms crept out, twisting around Maria as she sobbed in anger. <br><br>\r\nそして巨大な爪を真里亞の胸と腹に突き立てる……。 <br>\r\nThen, massive fingernails stuck into Maria's chest and stomach... <br><br>\r\nそれは真里亞には見えていない。 <br>\r\n……しかしベアトには見えていた。 <br>\r\nMaria could not see that. <br><br>\r\n...But Beato could. <br><br>\r\nぶつけ方を知らぬ怒りと悲しみは、自らを引き裂く。 <br>\r\nAnger and sadness without any place to go will tear you apart. <br><br>\r\n……ベアトはそれを知っていた。 <br>\r\n見えていた。 <br>\r\n...Beato knew that. <br><br>\r\nShe could see that. <br><br>\r\nそう。……つまりはその巨大な腕は、真里亞自身のものなのだ。 <br>\r\nYes. ...In the end, those massive arms were Maria's own. <br><br>\r\nその爪が、めりりと彼女の胸と腹に食い込んでいく……。 <br>\r\nThose fingernails slowly started to eat into her chest and stomach... <br><br>\r\n……その腕のあまりの大きさと強さは、真里亞を容易に引き千切り、ばらばらにしてしまうだろう……。 <br>\r\n...With their immense size and strength, those arms could probably tear Maria into bits easily... <br><br>\r\nしかし、当の真里亞はそれに気付けない。 <br>\r\nBut Maria herself couldn't notice. <br><br>\r\n自らの涙の海に溺れ、……自らの腕が自らの胸を引き裂こうとしていることに、気付けない……。 <br>\r\nDrowning in a sea of her own tears, ...she couldn't notice that her own arms were trying to tear apart her own chest... <br><br>\r\n「悔しい悔しい…！！！ さくたろがどうしても生き返らせられないなら、……真里亞は復讐したいッ！！ ママを同じ目に遭わせてやりたい！！ さくたろと同じ目に遭わせてやりたいの…！ <br>\r\n\"I can't stand it, can't stand it...!!! If Sakutaro can't be brought back to life no matter what, ...I want revenge!! Want to make Mama meet the same end!! Want her to meet the same end as Sakutaro...! <br><br>\r\nベアトリーチェ！！ そのための魔法を教えて！！ ママをやっつける魔法を教えて…！！」 <br>\r\nBeatrice!! Teach me magic for that!! Teach me magic to beat Mama...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。 <br>\r\n\"............ <br><br>\r\n……その言葉は本心か。」 <br>\r\n...Is that truly how you feel?\" <br><br>\r\n「ママを殺す！！ 殺してやる！！ ううん、あれはママじゃないよ！ ママに取り憑いた悪い魔女だ！ <br>\r\n\"Kill Mama!! I'll kill her!! No, that isn't Mama! It's the bad witch possessing Mama! <br><br>\r\nママの魔女を殺してやる！！ ううううぅうぅううううぅう！！」 <br>\r\nI'll kill the witch Mama!! Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。 <br>\r\n\"......... <br><br>\r\n……良かろう。その力を、そなたに与えよう。……心美しきそなたが自らに引き裂かれるくらいならば。……そなたにその苦しみを与えた、心無き母こそがよほど引き裂かれるに値する。 <br>\r\n...Very well. I shall give you that power. ...For tearing you and your beautiful heart apart, ...for giving you that pain, it is fitting that your heartless mother be torn apart considerably.\" <br><br>\r\n……………教えようぞ、そなたに。……魔女の世界の、光差すことなき深淵の奥底を……。」 <br>\r\n\"......I shall teach it to you. ...I shall teach you of the abyss in the world of witches, of the depths where no light reaches...\" <br><br>\r\n「ううぅううぅ、さくたろさくたろ…！！ みんな嫌い嫌い大ッ嫌い！！ ママも嫌い、縁寿も嫌い！！ みんなみんな大ッ嫌い！！ うぅううぅううわああああぁああああぁあああぁ……！！」 <br>\r\n\"Uuuuuuuu, Sakutaro, Sakutaro...!! Hate, hate, I haaaate everyone!! I hate Mama too, Ange too!! I hate everyone, everyooone!! Uuuuuuwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh...!!\" <br><br>\r\n転寝しているつもりだったが、……やはり船の揺れが酷い。 <br>\r\nI had planned on taking a nap, ...but the boat really was shaking bad. <br><br>\r\n私は寝ることを諦め、上の甲板に上がった。 <br>\r\n眩しい太陽と、強い潮風が私を迎える…。 <br>\r\nI gave up on sleeping and went up onto the deck. <br><br>\r\nThere, I was welcomed by the shining sun and a strong sea breeze... <br><br>\r\n甲板では、天草が柔軟運動をしていた。 <br>\r\nAmakusa had been doing some stretches on the deck. <br><br>\r\n……彼も多分、暇なのだろう。 <br>\r\n新島まではまだ数時間掛かるのだから。 <br>\r\n...He must have a lot of time on his hands too. <br><br>\r\nAfter all, it'll be several more hours before we reach Niijima. <br><br>\r\n飛行機で行けばものの数十分でつけるが、須磨寺家が新島空港に網を張っている可能性がある。 <br>\r\nIt would only have taken a couple dozen minutes by airplane, but there was the chance that the Niijima airport was under the Sumadera family's web. <br><br>\r\n多分、港も同じだろう。 <br>\r\nその為、事情を一切聞かないで、港を避けて上陸させてもらえるよう、船を手配した。 <br>\r\nThe harbor would probably be the same. <br><br>\r\nFor that reason, I had obtained a boat that would let me land while avoiding the harbor, no questions asked. <br><br>\r\nたまたま陽気な船長が見つかり、気前良く弾んだら、面白がって協力してもらえることになったのだ……。 <br>\r\nI'd bumped into a cheery boat captain, plied him generously, and he had decided to help me out, amused... <br><br>\r\n「まだだいぶ掛かるの？」 <br>\r\n\"Still gonna be a while?\" <br><br>\r\n「さっき船長に聞いたら、あと２時間はたっぷり掛かるそうです。まぁ、贅沢は言えねぇですな。」 <br>\r\n\"I just asked the captain, and it sounds like it'll take a full two hours more. Well, beggars can't be choosers.\" <br><br>\r\n「………いいお天気ね。焼けちゃいそう。」 <br>\r\n\"......The weather sure is nice. Feels like I'll burn.\" <br><br>\r\n「甲板で読書ですか？ 本が痛みますよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Going to read on the deck? You'll damage your book.\" <br><br>\r\n私が小脇に、真里亞お姉ちゃんの日記を抱えていたので、天草はそう思ったらしい。 <br>\r\n寝入りばなに読んでいたので、そのまま抱えて上がってきてしまったのだ。 <br>\r\nAmakusa apparently thought this because I was clutching Maria onee-chan's diary under my arm. <br><br>\r\nI'd been reading it half asleep, which was why I'd come back up still clutching it. <br><br>\r\n「どうですか。真里亞さんの日記から、六軒島の真相は探れそうですかい？」 <br>\r\n\"How's it going? Think you'll be able to find the truth of Rokkenjima from Maria-san's diary?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………さぁ。あの島で何があったかなんて、どこまで調べても仮説でしかない。メッセージボトルもお姉ちゃんの日記も、魔女が闊歩するおとぎ話が記されているだけで、何も真実を語らない。……お手上げよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Who knows. No matter how much I investigate what happened on that island, it won't make for anything more than a theory. There's no truth written in the message bottle or Onee-chan's diary, just a fairy tale with a witch walking around. ...I'm stuck.\" <br><br>\r\n「新島での、関係者からの聞き込みに期待するしかないですな。」 <br>\r\n\"Looks like you've got nothing to look forward to except questioning those involved on Niijima.\" <br><br>\r\n「ウィッチハンターどもが、さんざん質問攻めにしてるでしょうから、きっと新事実なんて見つからないわよ。」 <br>\r\n\"I imagine the Witch Hunters have showered them with questions over and over, so I'm pretty sure I won't find any new facts.\" <br><br>\r\n「へっはは…！ そこまで期待してないのに、半日も船旅をして新島に行こうなんて、実に気まぐれなことです。」 <br>\r\n\"Hehhaha...! So even though your hopes are that low, you're willing to spend a half-day trip on a boat to go to Niijima anyway! Talk about fickle.\" <br><br>\r\n「………調べた、っていう自己満足のための旅みたいなものよ。本気で１２年前の真実が解き明かせるなんて、私も甘えてるつもりはないわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......It's like a journey of self-satisfaction, so that I can say `I investigated'. I'm not so naive as to seriously think that the truth of 12 years ago will be revealed.\" <br><br>\r\n「その自己満足が終わったら、どうするつもりで？」 <br>\r\n\"And when you're done with your self-satisfaction trip, what'll you do next?\" <br><br>\r\n「さぁ。考えてないわ。………新島に行って、関係者に話を聞いて。 <br>\r\n\"Who knows. I haven't thought about it. ......I'll go to Niijima, ask some people who were involved. <br><br>\r\n…最後に六軒島に行って花でも捧げたら、私の旅はおしまいね。」 <br>\r\n...Then, after going to Rokkenjima in the end and leaving some flowers, my journey will be over.\" <br><br>\r\n………この旅も、すでに始まってから数日を経ている。 <br>\r\n......Several days have already passed since this journey began. <br><br>\r\nあのビルの屋上でベルンカステルに、１２年前の真実を探れと言われ、雲を掴むような旅に出た。 <br>\r\nAfter being told by Bernkastel on the roof of that building to search for the truth of 12 years ago, I'd left on a journey like trying to grasp a cloud. <br><br>\r\nあの時は神秘的な何かを感じ、この旅の果てには、何かの奇跡を掴み取れそうな気がしていた。 <br>\r\nAt the time, I felt as though I'd experienced something mystical...and had the feeling that I might be able to grasp some kind of miracle at the end of this journey. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、数日を経れば興奮も収まる。 <br>\r\n...But after several days passed, my excitement died down. <br><br>\r\nあの日、ビルの屋上に立った私は、完全に心が追い詰められ、死んでいた。 <br>\r\nOn that day, when I stood on the roof of that skyscraper, my heart was completely cornered and dead. <br><br>\r\n……だから、体の檻から解放されて、空へ上りたいと心の底から思い、……死ぬためにフェンスを越えたのだ。 <br>\r\n...So I'd wanted from the bottom of my heart to be released from the cage of my body and rise into the sky...and had crossed the fence in order to die. <br><br>\r\nその、死のうという気持ちと、実際に足を踏み出して身を投げた体験が、私の頭に何かの神秘体験を起こし、魔女からお告げをもらったような、そんな気にさせたのかもしれない。 <br>\r\nMaybe experiencing the desire to die and actually stepping forwards, throwing my body down...caused some kind of mystical experience inside my head, making me think I had received a message from a witch. <br><br>\r\n………飛び降りの興奮が薄れ、正気に戻れば戻るほどに、この旅の意味は、失われていった。 <br>\r\n......The excitement from my jump lessened over time, and the more I came back to my senses, the more this journey lost its meaning. <br><br>\r\nでも、だからといって、私はこの旅を中断しようとも思わなかった。 <br>\r\nBut I didn't even consider suspending this journey just because of that. <br><br>\r\nもし旅を止めたら、あの魔女のお告げを、幻だと認めたことになる。 <br>\r\nIf I stop this journey, it'll mean acknowledging that the message from that witch was an illusion. <br><br>\r\nそれは即ち、魔女がしてくれた約束、家族が誰か帰ってくるかもしれない可能性すらも、捨て去ってしまうことのように思えたからだ。 <br>\r\nAnd I felt as though that meant throwing away the promise the witch made...and any chance that someone from my family might come back. <br><br>\r\nだから、あの時の幻を信じたいがために、旅を続けている。 <br>\r\nSo, because it was hard to believe that those events were an illusion, I've continued on my journey. <br><br>\r\nこの旅で何かを変えられるなんて、本気で信じちゃいない。 <br>\r\n……いつ旅を終わりにするかも自由。どこを終着点とするかも、自由なのだ。 <br>\r\nI don't seriously believe that this journey will change anything. <br><br>\r\n...It's even up to me when to end this journey. It's up to me to choose where the final destination is. <br><br>\r\n結局、この旅は、私の自己満足のためでしかない……。 <br>\r\nIn the end, this journey is only for my self-satisfaction... <br><br>\r\n「…………自己満足か。聞こえは悪いですが、そいつが実は、人生ってヤツではないかと思ってます。」 <br>\r\n\"......Self-satisfaction, huh? It sounds bad when you say it, but I think that's actually what life is all about.\" <br><br>\r\n「……へぇ。傭兵稼業で死線を潜った末に至った答えだったなら、なかなか味わい深いじゃない。」 <br>\r\n\"...Oh? If that's the answer you've reached after hovering over the line between life and death in the mercenary business, that's probably pretty deep.\" <br><br>\r\n「茶化さんでください。 <br>\r\n\"Don't take it so lightly. <br><br>\r\n俺が言いたいのは、自己も何も、自分を認められるのは世の中で自分だけしかいないってことです。」 <br>\r\nWhat I'm trying to say...is that the only one who can acknowledge you in this world is you yourself.\" <br><br>\r\n天草は柔軟運動を続けながら言う。 <br>\r\n悔しいぐらいに爽やかに。 <br>\r\nAmakusa continued stretching as he spoke. <br><br>\r\nIn an irritatingly fresh way. <br><br>\r\n教師みたいな言われ方をされると、ついつい反抗したくなるが、彼が言っていることは至極まともだった。 <br>\r\nHearing it told to me as though from a teacher made me instinctively want to resist, but what he was saying was extremely sensible. <br><br>\r\n「…………………。 <br>\r\n\"......... <br><br>\r\n……そうかもね。 <br>\r\n...That may be true. <br><br>\r\n人は、誰かに認められたくて努力をするわ。……多くの場合、それは親ね。親に褒められたくて、子どもは努力を覚える。………だから私は、覚えなかったわけだけど。」 <br>\r\nPeople work hard when they want to be acknowledged by someone. ...In most cases, that someone is their parents. Children learn how to work hard because they want to be praised by their parents. ......Although that's why I never learned.\" <br><br>\r\n「すんません、そういうつもりで言ったんじゃないです。 <br>\r\n\"Sorry, that's not how I meant it. <br><br>\r\n……俺が言いたいのは、自己満足、大いに結構ってことなんです。誰に褒められたって、それを納得できなきゃ意味がない。……逆を返しゃ、誰に褒められなくったって、自分が納得できりゃそれでいいってことです。」 <br>\r\n...What I'm trying to say is that there's nothing wrong with self-satisfaction. No matter who praises you, it's meaningless unless you can accept it. ...Turning it around, even if no one praises you, that doesn't matter as long as you can accept it.\" <br><br>\r\n「………自己満足と向上心って矛盾するから、普通は悪いことって教えられるわよね。天草の論法は何だか新鮮よ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Self-satisfaction tends to contradict a desire to improve oneself, so we're usually taught that it's bad. Somehow, your argument seems like a pretty fresh take on it, Amakusa.\" <br><br>\r\n「誰かに認めて欲しくて、だけれど何を努力すればいいのかわからないのが、人の世の苦しみです。俺にもそういう頃があった。誰かに認められたくて、でも何を認められればいいかわからなくて。そして、何をどこまで努力すれば、誰に認めてもらえるかわからなくて、ずいぶんと無茶苦茶をやってきたもんです。」 <br>\r\n\"The anguish of the human world comes when you want someone to acknowledge you, but you don't know what it is you should be striving for. I had a time like that too. I wanted to be acknowledged by someone, but I didn't know what I wanted them to acknowledge about me. And since I didn't know what to strive for or how far I should go to be acknowledged, I did a lot of crazy things.\" <br><br>\r\n「それで天草が至った答えが、……自己満足だっていうの？」 <br>\r\n\"And the answer you reached...was self-satisfaction?\" <br><br>\r\n「聞こえは悪いがそういうことです。吾唯（われただ）足るを知る、っていうヤツですわ。 <br>\r\n\"It sounds bad, but that's how it is. Rich is the one who is content with what they are, they say.\" <br><br>\r\n………俺がこれでいいと思った人生なら、それはとやかく言われてどうこうってもんじゃない。縁寿さんの人生も、この旅も同じです。縁寿さん以外の誰にも、とやかく言う権利なんてない。 <br>\r\n\"......If I'm satisfied with my life, it doesn't matter what other people say. It's the same for your life, and for this journey. No one has any right to criticize you other than you yourself, Ange-san.\" <br><br>\r\n旅の意味と成果は、縁寿さんだけが決める。縁寿さんにとって有意義な旅になったなら、それで充分なんですよ。」 <br>\r\n\"You're the only one who determines the meaning and results of your journey. If it's been a meaningful journey for you, then that's more than enough.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。………あんたってチャラけてる男だと思ってたけど、たまに変なこと言い出すのね。そういうこと、たまに言うとモテると思ってるでしょ。」 <br>\r\n\"...............I always did take you for a flippant ladies man, but you really do say weird things every once in a while. I'll bet you think saying stuff like that will make you popular.\" <br><br>\r\n「まさかまさか。そんなつもりで言ったんじゃありません。 <br>\r\n\"Of course not, of course not. That's not how I meant it at all. <br><br>\r\n………どうやら、お一人になりたいようだ。私は船長のところへ行っていますぜ。どうぞごゆっくり。」 <br>\r\n......Looks like you want to be alone. I'll head over to see the boat captain. Please, take it easy.\" <br><br>\r\n天草は私の機嫌が悪いと判断したらしい。 <br>\r\n……そういうつもりはなかったのだけれど。 <br>\r\nAmakusa apparently decided I was in a bad mood. <br><br>\r\n...Although I didn't feel that way myself. <br><br>\r\nあるいは、一通りの柔軟を終えて、日陰で涼みたくなったのかもしれない。 <br>\r\n潮風は強いけれど、日差しを和らげてくれるほどではなかったから。 <br>\r\nOr, he might have finished a set of stretches and wanted to cool off in the shade. <br><br>\r\nThe sea winds were strong, but not enough to cool the rays of the sun. <br><br>\r\n天草は姿を消す。 <br>\r\n後には私だけが残った。 <br>\r\nAmakusa disappeared. <br><br>\r\nOnly I remained. <br><br>\r\n「………自己満足こそが人生、か。」 <br>\r\n\"......Self-satisfaction is life itself, huh?\" <br><br>\r\n「そんなのつまらないです。 <br>\r\n\"That's just boring. <br><br>\r\n人生はどこまでも強欲でなくっちゃ。」 <br>\r\nLife is nothing without greed.\" <br><br>\r\n気付けば、いつの間にかマモンがいて、舳先で豊かな髪をなびかせていた。 <br>\r\nI noticed that Mammon had suddenly appeared, her abundant hair fluttering over by the prow of the ship. <br><br>\r\n「強欲な人生は確かに楽しいわ。でも、あなたと違ってニンゲンには寿命がある。 <br>\r\n\"It's true that a life of greed would be fun. But unlike you, Humans have a limited life-span. <br><br>\r\n永遠に強欲のままだったなら、人は死ぬ最後の瞬間にも欲があることになる。欲があるということはつまり、欲しいということ。持っていないということ、満たされていないということ。 <br>\r\nIf greed is eternal, that means a person will have desires even in the last moment before they die. Having desires means there's something that you want. Something you don't have, some way you aren't complete.\" <br><br>\r\n……自分が満たされていると思えないまま死ぬのはきっと辛いことよ。だからきっと、自己満足って必要なんだわ。」 <br>\r\n\"...I'm sure it's tough to die when you can't think of your life as being a full one. So I'm sure self-satisfaction is necessary.\" <br><br>\r\n「………なるほど。寿命ある存在には、そういう妥協点も必要ってことですか。 <br>\r\n\"......I see. Because of the existence of a life span, you have to compromise like that? <br><br>\r\n私たちの主は、やたらと寿命の長いお方ばかりだったんで、考えたこともなかったです。」 <br>\r\nAll of my masters had very long life spans, so I've never thought of it.\" <br><br>\r\n「ニンゲンってのは、満たされるために生きてるのかしら。……だとしたら、無欲が一番、人生にやさしいことになるわ。 <br>\r\n\"I wonder if Humans live for the purpose of becoming satisfied. ...If so, it's probably easiest to live without desires. <br><br>\r\n…なるほど、七つの大罪のひとつが強欲になるのも納得ね。」 <br>\r\n...I see, so that's why greed is one of the seven deadly sins.\" <br><br>\r\n「くすくす。お褒めに預かり光栄です。」 <br>\r\n\"*giggle* Your praise honors me.\" <br><br>\r\nマモンにとっては褒め言葉になったらしい。 <br>\r\n彼女は身を翻し、優雅にお辞儀をして見せた。 <br>\r\nApparently that counted as a compliment in Mammon's eyes. <br><br>\r\nShe turned and gave a graceful bow. <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さま。ニンゲンは、死の瞬間に満足であるために生きてるんですか？」 <br>\r\n\"Ange-sama, do Humans live so that they can find satisfaction at the moment of their deaths?\" <br><br>\r\n「……死の瞬間に何かが満たされていないのは、きっと辛いんじゃない？」 <br>\r\n\"...Wouldn't it be pretty tough if you felt you were lacking something when you died?\" <br><br>\r\n「だとしたらニンゲンは、満足な死を迎えるためだけに、生きてるわけですね。より良い死のために生きてる。死ぬために、生きてる。」 <br>\r\n\"If so, then Humans live only so that they can meet a satisfying death. They live so that they can have a better death. They live so that they can die.\" <br><br>\r\n…………この子はすごいことを言い出す。 <br>\r\n…なるほど、さすがは悪魔の杭。 <br>\r\n......This kid's saying something pretty incredible. <br><br>\r\n...I see, as I'd expect from a demon stake. <br><br>\r\nしかし、それは真実かもしれない。 <br>\r\n人は、満たされないからこそ苦しみ、満たされるためだけに生きている。 <br>\r\nHowever, it might be the truth. <br><br>\r\nHumans suffer because they aren't satisfied...and live only to find satisfaction. <br><br>\r\nそれはつまり、満たされながら死にたいという願望も同然なのかもしれない。 <br>\r\nIn other words, that might be the same as a desire to die satisfied. <br><br>\r\n「言い返せないわ。 <br>\r\n\"I can't counter that. <br><br>\r\n……人は満たされるために生きてる。そして満たされたまま死にたいと願ってる。 <br>\r\n...People live in order to be satisfied. And they hope to die that way. <br><br>\r\nだから、その満たされ方がわからないのは、とても辛いことだわ。」 <br>\r\nSo, it's really painful when you don't know how to find that satisfaction.\" <br><br>\r\n「どうやれば満たされるんです？ ニンゲンの人生は。」 <br>\r\n\"Just how can you find something like that? In a Human's life.\" <br><br>\r\n「………認めてもらうことよ。お前は幸せだ、ってね。」 <br>\r\n\"......By being acknowledged. By hearing someone say `You are happy'.\" <br><br>\r\n「誰が認めてもいいものでしたら、私が認めてあげますよ。」 <br>\r\n\"If it doesn't matter who acknowledges them, then I'll do it.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうよ、そこなのよ。………誰に認めてもらえばいいのか、わからないのよ、人は。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, that's the problem. ......People don't know who needs to acknowledge them.\" <br><br>\r\n「その認めてくれる人を探すのが、人生の旅なんですか？ へぇー。」 <br>\r\n\"So, searching for this person who can acknowledge them is the journey of their life? Hmmmm.\" <br><br>\r\n「おかしな話ね。認めてもらおうと認めてもらわなかろうと、自分の境遇に変化はないはず。……にもかかわらず、認められれば満たされ、認められないから満たされない。…まるで青い鳥だわ。……籠の中にもう青い鳥はいるのに、それに気付けないから、どこまでも探しに旅立たなければならない。」 <br>\r\n\"It sounds strange. Whether you're acknowledged or not, it supposedly doesn't change your circumstances. ...And yet, if you are acknowledged, you will be satisfied, while if you aren't, then you won't. ...It's almost like the blue bird. ...Because you can't notice the blue bird even though it's already in the cage, you have to go out on a journey searching everywhere.\" <br><br>\r\n「何ですか、それ。 <br>\r\n\"What the heck. <br><br>\r\nきゃっははは。ニンゲンの人生って馬鹿ですね。」 <br>\r\nKyahhahaha. Human lives sure are stupid.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうね。天草は本当にいいことを言ったわ。 <br>\r\n\"That's right. Amakusa said something really good. <br><br>\r\n……吾唯足るを知る、か。何の諺か知らないけど、味わい深いわ。……つまるところ、誰かに認めてもらわなければ満ち足りないとは即ち、自らを認められないということ。……究極の自己実現は、まず、自分を自分で認めることだったのよ。」 <br>\r\n...Rich is the one who is content with what they are, ...was it? I don't know where that proverb came from, but it's deep. ...Basically, if you can't find enough satisfaction unless someone else acknowledges you, that's the same as not acknowledging yourself. ...The ultimate in self-fulfillment is acknowledging yourself.\" <br><br>\r\n「そりゃそうです。自分が満ち足りてるって自覚できるなら、誰にも認めてもらう必要なんかないですから。その小さなことに気付くだけで、ニンゲンの下らない人生の旅は簡単に終了ですね。 <br>\r\n\"That's right. Because, if you can `know' that you're fully satisfied, there's no need to be acknowledged by anyone. Just by taking notice of the small things, the Humans' foolish journey of life can be ended easily. <br><br>\r\n残った時間を有意義に遊んで過ごせます。ニンゲンの人生って馬鹿馬鹿しー、きゃっはははは！」 <br>\r\nYou can spend the rest of your life playing and having a good time. A Human's life is so ridiculous, kyahhahahaha!\" <br><br>\r\nマモンの言葉は悪いが、それがきっと真実なのだ。 <br>\r\nMammon's choice of words was bad, but it was surely the truth. <br><br>\r\nもし、ニンゲンの人生のほとんどが、満ち足りた死を迎えるために、誰かに自分を認めて欲しいと願う旅ならば。 <br>\r\nIf most of a Human's life is a journey with the hopes that someone will acknowledge them, so that they can achieve a satisfied death... <br><br>\r\n………それを認めるのは誰かではなく、自分自身なのだと気付く時点で、その無駄な旅を終えられる。 <br>\r\n......Then when they realize that the person doing the acknowledging isn't someone else, but they themselves, that pointless journey can end. <br><br>\r\nその旅を終えた人間は、残りの人生を胸を張って自由に生きていくだろう。 <br>\r\nHumans who have ended that journey can probably spend the rest of their lives as they wish, with their heads held high. <br><br>\r\n……それの何と気高く、誇り高いことか。 <br>\r\nHow noble, how praiseworthy would that be... <br><br>\r\n「天草ってさ。親とはかなり仲が悪いらしいのよ。 <br>\r\n\"You know, it seems Amakusa's on pretty bad terms with his parents. <br><br>\r\n……そりゃそうよね。真っ当な親なら、足を洗わせたいと願うような商売だもの。」 <br>\r\n...That makes sense. Any decent parents would want him to get the hell out of the trade he's in.\" <br><br>\r\n「別にいいんじゃない？ 本人が楽しいなら。」 <br>\r\n\"Does that really matter though? As long as it's fun for the person in question.\" <br><br>\r\n「………まったくよね。結局はそういうことなのよ。他人が観測した自分の評価なんかどうでもいいこと。自分の存在を、自分自身がしっかり認められたなら、それで十分なのよ。……自分に自信を持って生きられるなら、どんな生活だって受け容れて納得できるに違いない。 <br>\r\n\"......Exactly. That's what it comes down to in the end. Criticism formed by the observations of other people doesn't matter. If your existence is firmly acknowledged by you yourself, that's enough. ...If you can live with confidence in yourself, you'll surely be able to accept and be satisfied with any kind of lifestyle.\" <br><br>\r\n天草はきっといつか、戦場で流れ弾を食らって大怪我をするでしょうよ。…あるいは死ぬことさえあるかもしれない。 <br>\r\n\"I'm sure Amakusa will eventually eat a stray bullet on the battlefield and get seriously injured. ...He might even die. <br><br>\r\nでも、天草はそれを理不尽とは思わないと思う。それも人生と、あいつはけらけら笑ってるような気がするの。」 <br>\r\nBut I don't think he'd view that as something unfair. I'm sure he'd cackle about how that's also part of life.\" <br><br>\r\n「いい生き様じゃない。惚れるわ。」 <br>\r\n\"What a great way to live. I could fall for the guy.\" <br><br>\r\n「……自分で自分を認められない哀れなニンゲンは、生涯それを求めて彷徨い、何も受け容れられず、不平不満だけを口にし、満たされないまま死んでいく。……哀れだわ。何の目的もなくだらだらと生きてる連中に比べたら、やがて野垂れ死にするかもしれないけれど、自分の人生に胸を張っている天草の方がよっぽど高潔なのよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Pitiful Humans who can't acknowledge themselves...wander about searching for that their whole lives, and without anything being accepted, they do nothing but grumble and die while still unsatisfied. ...How pitiful. Compared to people whose lives drag on without any purpose, Amakusa is more likely to eventually die by the roadside, but I think he's much more noble for living his life with his head held high.\" <br><br>\r\n「人生、悟った者の勝ちってことじゃない？ 少しでも早く悟れれば、その分、有効に残りの人生が過ごせておトクよね。」 <br>\r\n\"Aren't the winners in life those who achieve enlightenment? If they can do that even a little sooner, they'll be able to live that much more of their life effectively.\" <br><br>\r\n………そのマモンの言葉に、 <br>\r\n……私はようやく、ある事実を受け容れる。 <br>\r\n......With Mammon's words, <br><br>\r\n...I finally accepted a certain fact. <br><br>\r\n私は、……変わっている子、ちょっとおかしな子などと、それを形容してきた。 <br>\r\nIn the past, ...I've called that girl unusual, a little strange. <br><br>\r\nしかし、 <br>\r\n……違ったのだ。 <br>\r\nHowever, <br><br>\r\n...that wasn't true. <br><br>\r\n彼女はその旅を、 <br>\r\n………誰よりも早く終えて、自らに胸を張っただけなのだ。 <br>\r\nAll she did was keep her head held high... <br><br>\r\n...and finish that journey faster than anyone else. <br><br>\r\n「…………………だから真里亞お姉ちゃんは、…凄かったのかもしれない。 <br>\r\n\".........Maybe that's what made Maria onee-chan...so amazing. <br><br>\r\n彼女は、小学校低学年になるかならないかという年齢のうちに、それに至ったのよ。」 <br>\r\nWhen she was at the age where she might or might not enter the first year of elementary school, she had already reached that point.\" <br><br>\r\n彼女の人生は、私たち他者の目から見て、お世辞にも幸福だったとは言えない。 <br>\r\nFor people like us, looking at her life from the outside, it wasn't something we'd call blessed. <br><br>\r\nしかし、彼女の日記帳には、そんな日々が刻まれながらも、……常に楽しい一日だったと締めくくられていた。 <br>\r\nBut even though days like that were engraved in her diary, ...they always finished up by saying that it was a happy day. <br><br>\r\n娘を愛していない片鱗が見え隠れするのに、彼女はそれでも、母は自分を愛してくれていると信じた。 <br>\r\nEven though the part of her mother that didn't love her daughter came and went, she believed that her mother loved her. <br><br>\r\n存在しない母の愛を自ら生み出し、世界を愛で満たしたのだ。 <br>\r\nThe mother's love that didn't exist, she created herself, filling her world with love. <br><br>\r\n他者は彼女を、満たされない可哀想な子として観測したが、……彼女は自らは満たされていると、自らを認めていたのだ。 <br>\r\nOthers might observe her as an unsatisfied, pitiful girl, ...but she herself acknowledged that she was satisfied. <br><br>\r\nだから、それで幸せだったのだ。 <br>\r\nAnd so, she was happy that way. <br><br>\r\nそれを、哀れで悲しいことと観測するのは容易い。 <br>\r\nしかし彼女にとってはそんなのは他人の評価で、どうでもいいことなのだ。 <br>\r\nIt's easy to observe that as something pitiable and sad. <br><br>\r\nBut to her, that was an outsider's opinion, so it didn't matter. <br><br>\r\n“自分にとって幸せかどうか”、それだけが大事だったのだ。 <br>\r\n`Whether or not it was happy for her'...was the only important thing. <br><br>\r\n都会に住む人たちが、田舎の人の暮らしを指して、勝手に不便さを嘆き同情を寄せるのは、実に余計なお世話だというのと同じこと。 <br>\r\nIt's just like how, when people who live in the city point to the lifestyles of those in rural areas, and mourn their inconvenience and feel sympathy for them, it's really none of their business. <br><br>\r\nそこに住まう彼らがそれで満たされているならば、それで充分なのだ。 <br>\r\nIf those who live there are satisfied with what they have, that's more than enough. <br><br>\r\n「………私、ようやく気付いたわ。…今、気付いた。 <br>\r\n\"......I've finally noticed something. I noticed it just now. <br><br>\r\n……真里亞お姉ちゃんに、酷いことをしたのよ。………あの日に、あなたたちにも、さくたろうにも。」 <br>\r\n...I did something horrible to Maria onee-chan. ......And to you all and Sakutarou as well, on that day.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「魔法があるか、ないか。……それを決めるのは他人じゃないわ。 <br>\r\n\"Whether magic exists...or not. ...That's not up to other people to decide. <br><br>\r\n自分よ。真里亞お姉ちゃんにとって魔法があるかないかは、真里亞お姉ちゃんが決めるべき問題で、私が決めることじゃない。 <br>\r\nIt's up to you yourself. Whether magic exists to Maria onee-chan is a problem for Maria onee-chan to decide, not me.\" <br><br>\r\n……なのに私は幼いあの日、口にしてしまった。魔法なんてあるわけないって、……彼女を傷つけてしまった。」 <br>\r\n\"...And yet, when I was young, on that day, I said it. By saying there was no way magic exists, ...I hurt her.\" <br><br>\r\n私にとって魔法が存在しないのは、私の世界の話。 <br>\r\nだからといって、お姉ちゃんの世界までを否定するのは、まったくのお門違いなのだ。 <br>\r\nThe fact that magic doesn't exist in my eyes...matters in my world. <br><br>\r\nBut denying it even in Onee-chan's world for that reason was totally misguided. <br><br>\r\n「マリアージュ・ソルシエールは、真里亞お姉ちゃんの作った魔女同盟。私はそれに誘われて、一緒に魔女になろうと言われたの。 <br>\r\n\"Mariage Sorcière is the Witches' Alliance Maria onee-chan created. I was invited into it...and told to become a witch with them.\" <br><br>\r\n新しい面白い遊びだと思って、私はしばらくの間、それに付き合ったわ。……でも、幼さゆえの残酷さ。途中で飽きてしまった。そして、……鋭利な言葉で彼女の、純粋無垢な心を切り裂いてしまったの。 <br>\r\n\"Thinking it a new, interesting game, I went along with that for a while. ...But, because of the cruelty of youth, I got tired of it half-way through. And, ...I tore her pure heart apart with sharp words.\" <br><br>\r\n……あの時、大喧嘩をしたはず。私はすぐに忘れてしまったけれど、彼女には忘れられないものだった。……なぜなら、彼女にとって魔法は、確かに存在する自然な力で、それは私とも共有できると信じていたから。 <br>\r\n\"...At that time, we must've gotten into a huge fight. I forgot about it right away, but she couldn't forget about it. ...After all, to her, magic was a natural power that really existed, and she believed that she'd be able to share it with me.\" <br><br>\r\n……真里亞お姉ちゃんにとって魔法は、世界を幸福に解釈できる、……いえ、全てを幸福に出来るまさに魔法の力だった。それを私にもお裾分けしたかっただけ。その気持ちを、幼い私が引き裂いた。……だから彼女は、誰とも魔法は分かり合えないと、殻の中に閉じ篭ってしまったのよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...To Maria onee-chan, magic is a power that can interpret the world as blessed...no, which can truly make everything blessed. She just wanted to share that with me too. The young me tore that feeling apart. ...So, she closed herself up in a shell, assuming that she wouldn't be able to share her magic with anyone.\" <br><br>\r\n「………だとしたら、マリア卿もやはり、人生の旅は終わってないわけね。自分に納得出来てるなら、縁寿さまに否定されたくらいでへこむ必要なんてないわけだし。」 <br>\r\n\"......If that's true, then <NAME>'s journey through life wasn't over after all. If she'd been able to accept herself, then there'd be no need to collapse just because you denied her, Ange-sama.\" <br><br>\r\n「お姉ちゃんは幼かった。天草みたいな達観にはまだ至ってなかったのよ。……あぁ、だからこそわかるわ。マリアージュ・ソルシエールという魔女同盟がなぜ必要なのか。」 <br>\r\n\"Onee-chan was young. She still hadn't reached a philosophical viewpoint like Amakusa. ...Yeah, now I understand... That's why the witches' alliance called Mariage Sorcière was necessary.\" <br><br>\r\n——お互いが魔女であることを、互いに認め合う同盟。 <br>\r\n——An alliance where each acknowledges that the other is a witch. <br><br>\r\n「…そうよ、それが確か、マリアージュ・ソルシエールの取り決めの第一条だった気がする。……同盟の魔女は、互いを魔女と認め、尊敬し合うこと、って。それこそが、魔女同盟の一番の、そして唯一の意味なのよ……。」 <br>\r\n\"...That's right, I'm pretty sure that was the first article in the agreement of Mariage Sorcière. ...Witches of the alliance would acknowledge each other and respect each other. That's the deepest and only meaning of the witches' alliance...\" <br><br>\r\n魔法という、世界を幸せにする秘密の法則を、私と共有したかった真里亞お姉ちゃん。 <br>\r\nMaria onee-chan wanted to share with me the secret laws to make the world happy, called magic. <br><br>\r\nしかし私は幼くて。 <br>\r\nそして彼女も幼くて。 <br>\r\nBut I was young. <br><br>\r\nAnd she was too. <br><br>\r\n……無垢な残酷さが傷つけてしまい。 <br>\r\n...I hurt her with innocent cruelty. <br><br>\r\n「………私はあの日に言ったわ、暴言を。あなたたちや、さくたろうに。存在するわけがない、って。」 <br>\r\n\"......On that day, I said...cruel things. To you all and Sakutarou. I said there was no way you exist.\" <br><br>\r\n「失礼しちゃうわ。私たちは私たちが存在するって、自らを認めてる。 <br>\r\n\"How rude. We acknowledge that we exist ourselves. <br><br>\r\n魂が寝ぼけてるニンゲンどもとは訳が違うのよ。……“我思うゆえに我あり”。魔法を認めようと否定しようと、私たち煉獄の七姉妹という魔法が存在することは、ゆえに事実。……縁寿さまの言葉を借りるなら、私たちが自らをそう認めている限り。」 <br>\r\nWe're not like Humans, with their souls half-asleep. ...`I think, therefore I am'. Whether you acknowledge or deny magic, the existence of the magic called the Seven Stakes of Purgatory...is a fact. ...As long as we acknowledge it ourselves, to borrow your words.\" <br><br>\r\n「それを、他者である私が否定するのはまさに暴力だわ。 <br>\r\n\"It truly would be violence for another person like me to deny it. <br><br>\r\n………それはきっと、実の母に、お前なんか生まれてこなければ良かったと、いいえ、消えてしまえと怒鳴りつけられるくらいにね。」 <br>\r\n......I'm sure that'd be like having your true mother yell `I wish you had never been born'...no, `Disappear'.\" <br><br>\r\n……それらの言葉をぶつけられてもなお、……真里亞お姉ちゃんの魔法は、 <br>\r\n………母の愛を信じさせたのだ。 <br>\r\n...Even after being slammed by all those words, ...Maria onee-chan's magic... <br><br>\r\n...made her believe in her mother's love. <br><br>\r\n魔法の友人であるさくたろうは常に彼女を励まし続けた。 <br>\r\nSakutarou, her magic friend, always encouraged her. <br><br>\r\n……母は愛してくれている、帰りが遅いのは仕事のせいだ、きっとお土産を買って帰ってくる…、そう励まし続けた。 <br>\r\n...He kept saying that her mother loved her, that she was coming home late because of her work, and that she would definitely bring back a present... <br><br>\r\n本当は仕事ではないという事実を知ってしまっても、なお、そう信じさせ続けた。 <br>\r\nEven after Maria learned that her mother's work wasn't really the cause, magic allowed her to continue believing. <br><br>\r\nそして母は自分を愛していると信じることで、自ら認めることで、自分の世界を、平和に、穏やかに、愛で満たして、……完全に確立し切ったのだ。 <br>\r\nAnd by believing that her mother loved her, by acknowledging herself, she filled her world with love and peace and serenity, ...establishing it completely. <br><br>\r\n「１２年前に何があったのか、…私の家族がどうなったのか。 <br>\r\n\"What happened 12 years ago, ...what happened to my family... <br><br>\r\n……それを探る旅じゃ、なかったのよこれは。」 <br>\r\n...This was never...a journey to search for that.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………なら、この旅は何なの？」 <br>\r\n\"......Then what kind of journey is this?\" <br><br>\r\n「真里亞お姉ちゃんに、……あの日のことを、謝る旅だったのよ。」 <br>\r\n\"It was a journey...to apologize to Maria onee-chan for what happened that day.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「どうしてかわからないけど、そう思うの。……あの日、彼女を傷つけなければ。………１２年前の事件は起こらなかったんじゃないか、って。……そう思うの。」 <br>\r\n\"I don't know why, but that's what I think. ...If I hadn't hurt her, ......the incident 12 years ago might not have occurred. ...That's what I think.\" <br><br>\r\n根拠はない。 <br>\r\nお姉ちゃんが傷ついたら、それがどう、その数年後の怪事件に結びつくのか、見当もつかない。 <br>\r\nI have no basis for it. <br><br>\r\nI don't have a clue how hurting Onee-chan could be connected with that mysterious incident several years later. <br><br>\r\nでも、なぜか、私は無関係に思えなかった。 <br>\r\nBut, for some reason, I can't imagine that there's no connection. <br><br>\r\nこの事件は魔女が起こした。 <br>\r\nA witch caused that incident. <br><br>\r\nそして犯人は、黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェ。 <br>\r\nAnd the culprit is the Golden Witch, Beatrice. <br><br>\r\nそしてベアトリーチェは、マリアージュ・ソルシエール魔女同盟に所属していた。 <br>\r\nAnd Beatrice was part of the Mariage Sorcière Alliance of Witches. <br><br>\r\nその同盟の、もうひとりの魔女を、私は酷く傷つけた。 <br>\r\nI horribly hurt the other witch of that alliance. <br><br>\r\n魔法なんて存在しないと傷つけた。 <br>\r\nI hurt her with the thought that magic doesn't exist. <br><br>\r\n………だからその数年後、魔女による怪事件が起こり、魔法以外で説明の出来ない二日間が、メッセージボトルによって、私に突きつけられる。 <br>\r\n......So, several years later, a crime caused by a witch occurred, and a two-day period that couldn't be explained with anything but magic was thrust in my face, thanks to the message bottle. <br><br>\r\n「……きっと、私は無関係じゃないのよ。 <br>\r\n\"...There's no way I wasn't involved somehow. <br><br>\r\n………わからない。偶然かもしれないし、運命かもしれない。………なぜか、この旅で私はそう思うようになったわ。」 <br>\r\n......I don't get it. It could be coincidence, or it could be fate. ......For some reason, I've starting thinking like that on this journey.\" <br><br>\r\n「根拠は？」 <br>\r\n\"And what's your basis for it?\" <br><br>\r\n「ないわ。勝手にそう思ってるだけ。」 <br>\r\n\"I have none. I just think it's true.\" <br><br>\r\n「ふーん……。日本人って面白いわね。被害者であっても、自分に非があったように感じて、勝手に謝り出す。 <br>\r\n\"Hmmmm... The Japanese sure are interesting. Even when they're the victim, they feel as though they did something wrong and apologize for no reason. <br><br>\r\n……家族を奪った、ベアトリーチェさま憎し！っていうなら理解も出来るけど、勝手に非を感じて謝りたくなってくるなんて、本当に変わってるわ。」 <br>\r\n...I could understand if you said `I hate Beatrice for stealing my family!' or something, but you really are weird, feeling guilty for no reason and apologizing.\" <br><br>\r\n「もちろんベアトリーチェは憎いわよ。その気持ちがなければこの旅は続かないわ。 <br>\r\n\"Of course I hate Beatrice. I couldn't continue this journey without that feeling. <br><br>\r\nでも、旅にもう一つ目的を見出してもいい。１２年前の魔女に復讐する旅に、さらに昔の罪を謝罪する目的を加えたっていいんだわ。六軒島に行って、あの日の暴言を詫び、花を手向けることくらいは出来る。 <br>\r\nBut it's okay to choose yet another purpose for this journey. There's nothing wrong with adding on a goal of apologizing for past sins, in addition to getting revenge on a witch for what happened 12 years ago. I can at least go to Rokkenjima, apologize for my reckless remarks, and offer flowers.\" <br><br>\r\n……いえ、………花よりもっといいものがあるわ。そしてその方が、お姉ちゃんには相応しいと思う。」 <br>\r\n\"...No, ......there's something better than flowers. And I think that would be more fitting for Onee-chan.\" <br><br>\r\n私は立ち上がり、潮風に散らされる髪の毛を気にせず、精神を集中する……。 <br>\r\n手の平を顔の高さに掲げ、……広大な空間をイメージする……。 <br>\r\nI stood up, not minding that the sea breeze scattered my hair, and concentrated my mind... <br><br>\r\nI lifted my palm up to the height of my head...and imagined a vast space... <br><br>\r\n「…………縁寿さま、……………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Ange-sama, .........\" <br><br>\r\n「……静かに。 <br>\r\n\"...Be quiet. <br><br>\r\n……………………。 <br>\r\n......... <br><br>\r\n……さぁさ、お出でなさい。……我こそは魔女見習い、エンジェ・ベアトリーチェ。……破門にされてはしまったけれど、かつて同じ同盟に所属し、私と遊んでくれた懐かしき家具よ。我が呼び掛けに応じよ………。」 <br>\r\n...Come, arise. ...I am the witch apprentice, ANGE Beatrice. ...I was excommunicated, but I was once a member of the same alliance, and you are the dearly-missed furniture who played with me. Answer to my call......\" <br><br>\r\n日中だからわかりにくいけれど、私の手の平に薄っすらとした青い光が集まる。 <br>\r\nIt was hard to tell in the middle of the day, but a faint blue light gathered around the palm of my hand. <br><br>\r\n………そして、 <br>\r\n………さくたろうの姿を蘇らせる。 <br>\r\n......Then, <br><br>\r\n......Sakutarou's form was revived. <br><br>\r\nそれは本当に懐かしい、あの姿。 <br>\r\nIt truly did bring back memories, that figure. <br><br>\r\n可愛らしい耳に、真っ赤なマフラー。 <br>\r\nHis cute ears, his bright-red muffler. <br><br>\r\n……すぐ解けるので、お姉ちゃんはいつもマメに巻き直してたっけ…。 <br>\r\n...It came off easily, so Onee-chan faithfully re-wrapped it all the time, didn't she...? <br><br>\r\n「……さくたろ……。……わかる？ 私たちがわかる…？」 <br>\r\n\"...Sakutaro, ...do you recognize us? Do you know who we are...?\" <br><br>\r\n『…うりゅ……？ <br>\r\n『...Uryu...? <br><br>\r\nうりゅ……？ マモン…？ 縁寿………？』 <br>\r\nUryu...? Mammon...? Ange......?』 <br><br>\r\nさくたろうは、長い眠りから覚めたような寝ぼけた声で、周りをきょろきょろしながらそう答える。 <br>\r\nWith a sleepy face, as though waking up from a long slumber, Sakutarou looked all around him as he spoke. <br><br>\r\n「お久しぶりね、……さくたろう。あなたを私の力で呼び出すのは、きっとこれが初めてだわ。……そして今や、私にしか呼び出せない。」 <br>\r\n\"It's been a long time, ...Sakutarou. I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've summoned you with my own power. ...And now, I'm the only one who can summon you.\" <br><br>\r\n『………………うりゅ……。』 <br>\r\n『.........Uryu...』 <br><br>\r\nそれは少しだけ残酷な言葉だったかもしれない。 <br>\r\nさくたろうは表情を曇らせる…。 <br>\r\nThose words might have been a bit cruel. <br><br>\r\nSakutarou's face clouded over... <br><br>\r\n「かつての私は、あなたを否定した。 <br>\r\n\"In the past, I denied you. <br><br>\r\n………その私があなたを呼び出したということは、 <br>\r\n……あなたの存在を、私が認めたということ。」 <br>\r\n......Now that I've summoned you, <br><br>\r\n...it means I've accepted your existence.\" <br><br>\r\n『………いいの……？ ボクは…縁寿の世界に呼び出されてもいいの……？』 <br>\r\n『......Are you sure...? Is it really all right...for me to be summoned into Ange's world...?』 <br><br>\r\nその瞳はわずかに怯えている。 <br>\r\nHis eyes were a bit frightened. <br><br>\r\n……無理もない。 <br>\r\n今まで仲良く遊んでいた私が、ある日、突然否定して、反魔法の毒で焼き尽くそうとしたのだ。 <br>\r\n...It was only natural. <br><br>\r\nI, who had played with him like a friend before, had suddenly denied him and tried to burn him with the magic-resisting toxin. <br><br>\r\n怯えるのも無理はない……。 <br>\r\nIt was only natural that he was scared... <br><br>\r\n「謝るわ。あの日のことを。………マモンにも。そしてみんなにも。」 <br>\r\n\"I apologize...for that day. ......To you too, Mammon. And to the rest of you.\" <br><br>\r\n甲板の上に、……他の七姉妹たちも、いつの間にか揃っていた。 <br>\r\nAt some point, ...the rest of the Seven Sisters had gathered on the deck. <br><br>\r\nいや、いつだっている。 <br>\r\nいつも側にいるのだ。 <br>\r\nNo, they're always there. <br><br>\r\nAlways by my side. <br><br>\r\nそこに居て良いと認めさえすれば、いつだって姿を現すのだ。 <br>\r\nAs long as I acknowledge that it's okay for them to be there, they'll always appear. <br><br>\r\n「あなたたちは確かに存在するわ。ルシファーも。レヴィアタンも。サタンも。ベルフェゴールも。マモンも。ベルゼブブも。アスモデウスも。……そしてさくたろうも。」 <br>\r\n\"You certainly do exist. Lucifer. And Leviathan. And Satan. And Belphegor. And Mammon. And Beelzebub. And Asmodeus. ...And Sakutarou too.\" <br><br>\r\n「……よろしいのですか？ 縁寿さまはベアトリーチェさまに挑もうというお方。…魔女を否定される立場にあられるお方が、我らを認めてもよろしいのですか？」 <br>\r\n\"...Are you sure? You're one challenging Beatrice-sama, Ange-sama. ...Is it okay for one in a position of denying witches to acknowledge us?\" <br><br>\r\n「私の世界にとって、魔法が存在するかどうかは、悪いけど保留させてもらうわ。 <br>\r\n\"As to whether magic exists or not in my world, sorry, but let me put that on hold. <br><br>\r\n私自身が魔法の存在を認めたわけじゃない。」 <br>\r\nIt's not like I myself acknowledged the existence of magic.\" <br><br>\r\n「……なのに、我らを認めるという矛盾は、どういうことです？」 <br>\r\n\"...But then, doesn't that contradict the fact...that you're acknowledging us?\" <br><br>\r\n「魔法は、信じる人には存在する、ってことよ。私が信じなくても。誰かが信じたなら、その人の世界には魔法が存在するわ。 <br>\r\n\"It's because magic exists for people who believe. Even if I don't. If someone believes, then magic will exist in the human world.\" <br><br>\r\nそれは、私が魔法を信じたって信じなくたって、何の干渉も受けない。いいえ、受けてはいけないのよ。 <br>\r\n\"That fact won't change in the slightest whether I believe in magic or not. No, it mustn't change. <br><br>\r\nその誰かは、胸を張って自らの魔法を信じればいいのよ。そして私はそれを認める。だから、あなたたちが存在しても、全然おかしくはないのよ。」 <br>\r\nThat person just had to hold their head up high and believe in their own magic. I acknowledge that. So, it wouldn't be strange at all for all of you to exist.\" <br><br>\r\n「………なかなかの詭弁ですが、面白い解釈かと。」 <br>\r\n\"......Quite a play on words, ...but it's an interesting interpretation.\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さまのそれは、悪魔の証明そのものでしょう。」 <br>\r\n\"What you're saying, Ange-sama, is probably a Devil's Proof.\" <br><br>\r\n「悪魔の証明……？」 <br>\r\n\"A Devil's Proof...?\" <br><br>\r\n「だって！ 悪魔の存在を証明するには悪魔を連れて来れば良いけれどォ。」 <br>\r\n\"Right?! To prove the existence of demons, you just need to find one.\" <br><br>\r\n「悪魔の存在を否定することだけは不可能だからァ。」 <br>\r\n\"But it's impossible to deny the existence of demons.\" <br><br>\r\n「きゃっは！ そして私たちはここにいる。つまりそれは、縁寿さまが魔法を信じようと信じまいと、私たちの存在は揺るがないということ。」 <br>\r\n\"Kyahha! And we're here. That means that whether Ange-sama believes in magic or not, our existence is unshakable.\" <br><br>\r\n『……うりゅ？ <br>\r\n『...Uryu? <br><br>\r\n縁寿から、 <br>\r\n…………反魔法の毒が、 <br>\r\n……消えていく……。』 <br>\r\nThe magic-resisting toxin... <br><br>\r\n...is disappearing... <br><br>\r\n...from Ange...』 <br><br>\r\n「ほ、本当だわ……。……魔法を否定する立場なのに、……どうして……。」 <br>\r\n\"Y-You're right... ...Even though you're in a position of denying magic, ...why...?\" <br><br>\r\n「それは多分……。……尊重し、認めるという心を知ったからだわ。 <br>\r\n\"That's probably......because I learned what it means to respect and acknowledge. <br><br>\r\n今の私になら、……真里亞お姉ちゃんの、……そしてベアトリーチェの魔法の深遠も、理解できるかもしれない。」 <br>\r\nRight now, ...I might be able...to understand the depths of Maria onee-chan's...and Beatrice's magic.\" <br><br>\r\nかつての私は、魔法など信じない、あるはずがないと、まるで硬く目を瞑って何も見えないかのように振舞っているだけだった。 <br>\r\nIn the past, I didn't believe in things like magic. Thinking something like that couldn't exist, I acted like I was closing my eyes tightly and couldn't see anything. <br><br>\r\nしかし、今の私は違う。 <br>\r\n魔法というものをしっかりと見据えて、その本質に迫ることが出来る気がする……。 <br>\r\nBut now, I'm different. <br><br>\r\nI get the feeling I can look right at the thing called magic...and close in on its true nature... <br><br>\r\n「……惜しいわ。この現代に、これだけ反魔法の毒素の抜けたニンゲンなんて本当に稀よ。魔女に向いた、稀有な才能なのに。」 <br>\r\n\"...How frustrating. It's truly rare to find a Human so free of the magic-resisting toxin in this day and age. And she has such an uncommon genius for being a witch...\" <br><br>\r\n「そうね。……今の縁寿さまが魔女を目指して下さったなら、……ベアトリーチェさまに及ぶかもしれない大魔女に成長されたかもしれないのに。」 <br>\r\n\"That's right. ...If Ange-sama tried to become a witch right now, ...she could grow to be a Great Witch, maybe even at Beatrice-sama's level.\" <br><br>\r\n「それでも、我らの存在を認めて下さった、我らの主である。……恐らく、縁寿さまが我らの最後の主となるだろう。最後の奉公と思い、尽力しようではないか。」 <br>\r\n\"Even so, she has acknowledged our existence and is our master. ...Most likely, Ange-sama will be our final master. Let us think of this as our final service, and apply ourselves to the fullest.\" <br><br>\r\n「……ぶー。なのに、縁寿さま自身がまだ魔法を信じてくれないのが納得いかない〜。」 <br>\r\n\"...Ble-ah. But I just can't staaand that Ange-sama still doesn't believe in magic herself.\" <br><br>\r\n「……縁寿さまぁ、ついでに魔法も認めてくださいよ〜。せっかくの主なのに魔女じゃないなんて、何だかもったいない〜。」 <br>\r\n\"...Ange-sama, please believe in magic toooo. It feels like a waste to finally have a master and have it not be a wiiitch.\" <br><br>\r\n「最高の魔女になれる逸材なのに、その目的が魔女を討つことだなんて。惜しいです。 <br>\r\n\"Even though you have outstanding talent that could make you one of the greatest of witches, your goal is to attack witches. It's so frustrating. <br><br>\r\n……ま、それも縁寿さまの人生で、生き方で、そうと決めた世界ならば、それは私たちにとやかく口出し出来ることではないわけですが。」 <br>\r\n...Well, even so, that's your life, the way you live, and in the world where you've decided that, there's nothing we can do to complain.\" <br><br>\r\n「私を理解してくれて、ありがとう。 <br>\r\n\"Thanks for understanding me. <br><br>\r\nそうね、魔法が~ib~私にとって~ib~存在するかどうか。それは私が決めることだわ。世界のどこかに魔法が実在したとしても、しなかったとしても、ね。」 <br>\r\nYeah, whether magic exists ~ib~to me~ib~ or not, that's up to me to decide. Regardless of whether magic actually does exist somewhere in the world or not.\" <br><br>\r\n思えば、世界というのは、何て広く、……そして狭いのか。 <br>\r\nWhen I think about it, this world is so vast...and yet so small. <br><br>\r\n地球には何十億人もの人間が住んでいる。 <br>\r\nでも私は、その内の１％の人とも出会うことはないだろう。 <br>\r\nBillions of people live on the earth. <br><br>\r\nBut I probably won't meet even 1% of those people. <br><br>\r\nにもかかわらず、私は世界を語るだろう。 <br>\r\n世界の１％すら知らずに、“私の世界”を。 <br>\r\nEven so, I will speak of a world. <br><br>\r\n`My world', which doesn't know even 1% of the world. <br><br>\r\n「私が知らない世界の法則を、私に否定する資格なんてない。……だから私の世界に魔法が存在しないからといって、私の知らない世界に魔法が存在することまでを否定することは出来ない。まさに悪魔の証明というわけだわ。いえ、郷に入りては郷に従え、というべきかしら。」 <br>\r\n\"I'm not qualified to deny the laws of a world I don't know. ...So just because magic doesn't exist in my world, I can't deny that magic exists in a world I don't know. That makes it a true Devil's Proof. No, maybe it's more like `When in Rome, do as the Romans do'.\" <br><br>\r\n自分の知る世界に自信を持っていい。 <br>\r\nだから、自分の世界を知るはずもない赤の他人に否定されても、何も気にすることはない。 <br>\r\nI can be confident in the world I know. <br><br>\r\nSo even if that's denied by a complete stranger who doesn't know a thing about my world, that's nothing to worry about. <br><br>\r\nそして同じように、自分が知らないからといって、自分の知らない世界を否定する資格もないのだ。 <br>\r\nAnd in the same way, I've got no right to deny a world I don't know...just because I don't know about it. <br><br>\r\n「だから。私は、自分の世界に魔法があるかないかを問わずに。……真里亞お姉ちゃんが教えてくれた魔法を、否定することなんて出来やしない。」 <br>\r\n\"Therefore, regardless of whether there's magic in my world or not, ...I can't deny the magic Maria onee-chan taught me.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ！ だって、見たことがなくても。……魔法は存在するんだもん！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu! After all, even if you've never seen it, ...magic exists!』 <br><br>\r\n「えぇ。だから、すでに言っているとおり。……魔女同盟、マリアージュ・ソルシエールの友人であるあなたたちの存在もまた、私にも、そして誰にも否定することなんて出来ないわけ。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes. That's why, as I've already said, ...you friends of the witches' alliance, Mariage Sorcière, can't be denied by me or anyone else.\" <br><br>\r\n一番重要なその一言を、私は重ねて宣言する。 <br>\r\nI proclaimed that most important part again. <br><br>\r\n…………潮風と波を砕く音が賑やかなのに、静寂な時間。 <br>\r\n......Even though the sea breeze and the crashing of the waves were noisy, it was a time of silence. <br><br>\r\nさくたろうも、煉獄の七姉妹たちも、……私の言葉を噛み締めている。 <br>\r\nBoth Sakutarou and the Seven Sisters of Purgatory...reflected upon my words. <br><br>\r\nそして、多分、私も。 <br>\r\nAnd, probably, I did too. <br><br>\r\n魔法が存在するかどうか。 <br>\r\n魔女が存在するかどうか。 <br>\r\nDoes magic exist? <br><br>\r\nDo witches exist? <br><br>\r\n私の世界における答えを不問にしながら、……私はその存在を認めるという矛盾を、これだけ堂々と宣言したのだから。 <br>\r\nWhile ignoring what the answer would be for my own world, ...I acknowledged their existence. That contradiction was what I'd proclaimed so boldly. <br><br>\r\n『ありがとう、……縁寿。』 <br>\r\n『Thank you, ...Ange.』 <br><br>\r\n「そこまでお認めになったなら、魔女もお認めになって……。 <br>\r\n\"If you'll acknowledge that much, can't you acknowledge witches too...? <br><br>\r\n…いえ、愚問でした。その問いに対する答えを、すでに縁寿さまは明確にお持ちだ。」 <br>\r\n...No, that was a foolish question. You already have a clear answer to it.\" <br><br>\r\n「ごめんね。魔女がこの世界のどこかにいるかもしれないことを、私は認めるけれど。 <br>\r\n\"Sorry. Though, I do acknowledge that witches might exist somewhere in this world. <br><br>\r\nでも私の世界は揺るがない。」 <br>\r\nBut that doesn't shake my world.\" <br><br>\r\n「……魔女も魔法も、認めない。六軒島の真実は、必ず暴いてみせる。 <br>\r\n\"...You won't acknowledge witches or magic. You'll definitely expose the truth of Rokkenjima. <br><br>\r\n……でしょ？」 <br>\r\n...Right?\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ。それが私の世界よ。 <br>\r\n\"Yes. That's my world. <br><br>\r\n仮に本当に魔女が存在したとしても、私の世界では認めないわ。当の魔女に、どれだけ言い寄られたとしてもね。」 <br>\r\nEven if a real witch exists, I won't acknowledge it in my world. No matter how much that witch tries to convince me.\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さまのお立場は魔女を討つこと。 <br>\r\n\"Your position is to attack witches, Ange-sama. <br><br>\r\n……そしてそのお気持ちに些かの揺るぎもないこと、よくわかりましたっ。我らは縁寿さまの家具、煉獄の七姉妹…！ いつでもお側に。お役に立てる日が来るのを、いつまでもお待ち申し上げております…！」 <br>\r\n...And I understand well that you haven't the slightest wavering in that feeling. We are your furniture, the Seven Sisters of Purgatory...! We will always be by your side. We'll always be waiting for the day that we can be useful...!\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さまが魔法を信じてくれない以上、話し相手くらいにしかなれないけれど。」 <br>\r\n\"Although, since you don't believe in magic, we can never be anything more than people to talk to.\" <br><br>\r\n「今は十分よ。私たちに存在できる余地を残してくださった。それだけで、私たちは縁寿さまに感謝し、認めるべきだわ。」 <br>\r\n\"That's enough for now. We've been left room to exist. For that alone, we should thank and acknowledge Ange-sama.\" <br><br>\r\n「つまり！ 私たちはァ！」 <br>\r\n\"In short! All of us!\" <br><br>\r\n『また、みんなといられるんだね……。 <br>\r\n『Are all together again... <br><br>\r\nうりゅー！！』 <br>\r\nUryu-!!』 <br><br>\r\n「きゃーッ！！ さくたろー！ モフモフさせてぇえええぇ〜！！」 <br>\r\n\"Kya-h!! Sakutaro-! Let me squeeze youuuuuuuuu-!!\" <br><br>\r\n感極まってさくたろうが涙を零すと、七姉妹たちがどっと押し寄せて彼を揉みくちゃにした。 <br>\r\nWhen Sakutarou was overcome with emotion and tears came to his eyes, the Seven Sisters closed in and mobbed him. <br><br>\r\n……彼女らも、久しぶりの再会を喜び合っているのだ。 <br>\r\n...They were also celebrating a long-missed reunion. <br><br>\r\nその存在を許されたから、彼女らは確かにここに存在することが出来る。 <br>\r\nIf their existence is permitted, they're definitely capable of existing here. <br><br>\r\nいや、私が許さなくたって、彼女らは存在出来るのだ。 <br>\r\nNo, even if I don't permit it, they can exist. <br><br>\r\n私が認めたから、彼女らは再会の喜びを、 <br>\r\nBecause I acknowledged them, they <br><br>\r\n~ib~私にも見せてくれた~ib~のだ。 <br>\r\n~ib~showed their reunion's joy to me as well.~ib~. <br><br>\r\n私はその光景を見守りながら、………私の旅にどんな意味があるのか、噛み締めていた。 <br>\r\nAs I watched over that scene, ......I reflected over what this journey of mine meant. <br><br>\r\n「………これで、みんなには許してもらえたかしら。」 <br>\r\n\"......I wonder if everyone will forgive me this way.\" <br><br>\r\n「充分ですよ。私たちは家具。呼び出してもらえるだけで。お傍にいることを許されるだけで、嬉しいのですから。」 <br>\r\n\"You've done enough. We are furniture. Just being summoned, just being allowed to be by your side makes us happy.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ…！ 縁寿、本当にありがとう……！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu...! Ange, thank you very much...!』 <br><br>\r\n「……そう言えば、どうして私にはさくたろうが呼び出せたのかしら。 <br>\r\n\"...Come to think of it, why was I able to summon Sakutarou? <br><br>\r\n……いいえ、逆ね。…どうしてお姉ちゃんには、さくたろうが呼び出せなかったのかしら。」 <br>\r\n...No, it's the other way around. Why wasn't Onee-chan able to summon Sakutarou?\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんは、さくたろうは死んでしまったと思い、絶望した。 <br>\r\nそれはつまり、もうこうして召喚できなかったという意味だ。 <br>\r\nMaria onee-chan had despaired, thinking that Sakutarou had died. <br><br>\r\nWhich meant she hadn't been able to summon him like this anymore. <br><br>\r\n召喚には依り代がある方が有利だと、かつてお姉ちゃんは言っていた。 <br>\r\nしかし、依り代は補助輪のようなもので、絶対必要なものではないはず。 <br>\r\nIn the past, Onee-chan said it was more advantageous in a summoning to have a vessel. <br><br>\r\nHowever, a vessel is like training wheels, and it shouldn't be absolutely necessary. <br><br>\r\n……つまり、さくたろうの依り代であるライオンのぬいぐるみが存在しなくても、召喚は可能のはず。 <br>\r\n...In other words, even if the stuffed animal lion that was Sakutarou's vessel didn't exist, it should've be possible to summon him. <br><br>\r\n……いや、それを言ったら、そもそも召喚物に、生死という概念があるのかさえ、少々怪しい。 <br>\r\n...No, when you put it like that, it's even a little doubtful whether summoned things can be limited by life and death. <br><br>\r\n増してや、真里亞お姉ちゃんにとってさくたろうは特に大切な友達のはず。 <br>\r\nもう一度呼び出そうと努力できたはずだ。 <br>\r\nMoreover, Sakutarou should have been an especially important friend to Maria onee-chan. <br><br>\r\nShe should've been able to strive hard to summon him one more time. <br><br>\r\n確かに依り代であるぬいぐるみ本体を引き裂かれたのは悲しいことだろうが、なぜ“死んでしまっていて”、再召喚が出来ないのか……。 <br>\r\nIt certainly was sad that the original stuffed animal vessel had been torn apart, but why did he `die' and become impossible to summon again...? <br><br>\r\n『…それは、 <br>\r\n…真里亞があの時、ボクのぬいぐるみが破れたのを見て、ボクが死んでしまったと <br>\r\n『...That's because... <br><br>\r\n...at that time, Maria saw my stuffed animal torn...and <br><br>\r\n、~ib~決めてしまった~ib~から。』 <br>\r\n~ib~decided~ib~ that I'd died.』 <br><br>\r\n「魔法の存在と同じなんです。……マリア卿の世界で、さくたろうが死んでしまったことになったなら、彼女の世界ではさくたろうは存在できない。」 <br>\r\n\"It's the same as the existence of magic. ...If Sakutarou has died in Lady MARIA's world, then he can't exist in her world.\" <br><br>\r\n『…………うりゅ……。』 <br>\r\n『......Uryu...』 <br><br>\r\n大好きだったぬいぐるみを引き裂かれたショックは、無二の親友を二度と呼び出せないくらいの傷を、心に残してしまったのだ。 <br>\r\nThe shock of having her beloved stuffed animal torn apart...had left a wound in her heart serious enough to prevent her from summoning her irreplaceable close friend. <br><br>\r\n~ib~真里亞お姉ちゃんにとって~ib~、さくたろうは死んだ。 <br>\r\n~ib~In Maria onee-chan's eyes~ib~, Sakutarou died. <br><br>\r\nだから、私にとってさくたろうがこうして存在出来ても、彼女の前では存在できない。 <br>\r\nSo even if Sakutarou can exist like this to me, he cannot exist before her. <br><br>\r\n『ボクは……いつも真里亞と一緒にいたんだよ……。……泣いてる真里亞のすぐ近くで、泣かないでって、ずっと言ってたんだよ……。……でも、真里亞にはボクの姿も、声も、……何も届かなくて……。』 <br>\r\n『I...was always with Maria... ...When Maria cried, I was always right beside her, telling her not to cry... ...But my form, my voice, ...nothing of me will reach Maria now...』 <br><br>\r\nさくたろうは悲しそうに俯く。 <br>\r\nSakutarou hung his head, looking sad. <br><br>\r\n「……マリアージュ・ソルシエールは、あの事件の後、急に性格を変えていくの。それまでの同盟は和やかなものだった。 <br>\r\n\"...After that incident, the nature of Mariage Sorcière rapidly began to change. Before then, the alliance was a peaceful thing. <br><br>\r\nでも、事件後は、憎い誰かを如何にして呪うかという物騒なものばかり。……お姉ちゃんの日記はあからさまに様変わりしていくの。」 <br>\r\nBut after that incident, it grew full of shadier things, focusing on how to curse people you hate. ...Onee-chan's diary began to show a clear change.\" <br><br>\r\n日記はそのまま、自らの心を映し出す鏡。 <br>\r\nA diary is a mirror that reflects one's heart as it is. <br><br>\r\nそれは、真里亞という一人格が死に、邪悪なる魔女としてのマリアという人格に生まれ変わったことを示すだろう。 <br>\r\nIt probably showed the personality called Maria die......and be reborn as the evil witch personality, MARIA. <br><br>\r\n憎しみと悲しみで日記を埋める彼女の心は、……きっと、満たされていなかっただろう。 <br>\r\nWhen she buried that diary in hatred and sadness, ...her heart surely wasn't satisfied. <br><br>\r\n満たされていなかったから、憎しみと悲しみで埋めざるを得なかったのだ。 <br>\r\nそして満たされないまま、彼女は死を迎えた。 <br>\r\nBecause it wasn't satisfied, she had to bury it with hatred and sadness. <br><br>\r\nAnd while still unsatisfied, she met with death. <br><br>\r\n……満たされない彼女の魂は、今も悲しみで胸に穴を空け、涙を零して、さくたろうの名を呼びながら彷徨い続けているのだろうか……。 <br>\r\n...I wonder if her unsatisfied soul has a hole opened in its chest from sadness even now...and continually wanders, dripping tears down and calling Sakutarou's name... <br><br>\r\n……………………………。 <br>\r\n............ <br><br>\r\n「……………あなたが、……お姉ちゃんには必要なのよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Onee-chan...needs you.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ………。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu......』 <br><br>\r\n「どうしたらあなたを、真里亞お姉ちゃんの世界で蘇らせられるの？ その方法がわかれば、私はお姉ちゃんを救うことが出来る。 <br>\r\n\"What can I do to revive you in Maria onee-chan's world? If I can learn that method, I'll be able to save Onee-chan. <br><br>\r\n……それが、私に課せられた贖罪の方法なのよ。どうすればさくたろうは蘇るの？」 <br>\r\n...That's the method of atonement I've been given. What can be done to revive Sakutarou?\" <br><br>\r\n『……真里亞にとって、ボクの依り代は特に重要な意味を持ってたから……。』 <br>\r\n『...To Maria, my vessel had a very important meaning...』 <br><br>\r\n「依り代。……つまり、ライオンのぬいぐるみを、蘇らせることが出来れば。」 <br>\r\n\"The vessel. ...In other words, if we could revive the lion stuffed animal...\" <br><br>\r\n『でも……。……ボクのぬいぐるみは、楼座ママの手作りだから、楼座ママにしか作れない……。』 <br>\r\n『But......<NAME> made my stuffed animal herself, so only she could make it...』 <br><br>\r\n日記の中でも、真里亞お姉ちゃんはベアトリーチェにそれを求め、それを理由に断られている。 <br>\r\nEven inside the diary, Maria onee-chan had asked this of Beatrice...and was refused for that reason. <br><br>\r\nたった一つの、手作りのぬいぐるみであることの、魔法的意味はとても大きいのだ。 <br>\r\nThe magical significance of a stuffed animal being unique and handmade is very large. <br><br>\r\nなら、同じものをもう一度作れば……。 <br>\r\nThen, if we could make the same thing once more... <br><br>\r\nしかし、楼座叔母さんはすでに他界している。 <br>\r\n二度と同じものは作れない。 <br>\r\nBut Aunt Rosa is already gone from this world. <br><br>\r\nWe can't make the same thing again. <br><br>\r\n「……同じぬいぐるみをもう一つ作ってあったとか、そういうことはないの？」 <br>\r\n\"...Was there ever another identical stuffed animal made, or anything like that?\" <br><br>\r\n「彼は、マリア卿の誕生日プレゼントのために作られた、世界でたった一つのぬいぐるみ。……手作りで、たった一つの依り代なんです。だから、大きな魔力を秘めているんです。 <br>\r\n\"He's a stuffed animal made to be Lady MARIA's birthday present...and is the only one of his kind in the world. ...A handmade and unique vessel. That's why it conceals a great magical power. <br><br>\r\nそして、……失われたら、もう二度と手に入らない。蘇らない…。」 <br>\r\nAnd, ...if lost, it cannot be obtained again. It won't revive...\" <br><br>\r\n『………うりゅ………。』 <br>\r\n『......Uryu......』 <br><br>\r\n……それを知っていたから、真里亞お姉ちゃんは、その世界でたった一つのぬいぐるみを引き裂かれるのを見て、 <br>\r\n………絶望したんだ。 <br>\r\n...Because she knew that, Maria onee-chan watched that stuffed animal, which was unique in that world, get torn apart, <br><br>\r\n......and despaired. <br><br>\r\n買い直せばいいとか、そんな妥協を許さない、世界でたった一つのぬいぐるみだからこそ、……心の底から絶望したんだ……。 <br>\r\nBecause it was the only one of its kind in the world, and she couldn't permit a compromise such as buying another one, ...she had despaired from the bottom of her heart... <br><br>\r\n「……でも、さくたろうはここにいるわ。依り代なんかなくてもここにいる。私がそれを認めているから、私の世界では確かに存在する。 <br>\r\n\"...But Sakutarou is right here. Even without a vessel, he's here. Because I acknowledge that, he certainly exists in my world. <br><br>\r\n………真里亞お姉ちゃんが認めなくても、それは否定できない。そうよね…？」 <br>\r\n......Even if Maria onee-chan doesn't acknowledge him, that cannot be denied. Right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「理屈ではそうですが。……同じ理屈で、マリア卿にそれを認めさせることも、また困難かと思います。」 <br>\r\n\"Logically, that's true, ...but I think using the same logic to make Lady MARIA accept him could be difficult.\" <br><br>\r\n『……真里亞………。……ボクは死んでないよ…。ここにいるのに………。……うりゅ……。』 <br>\r\n『...Maria, ...I'm not dead... I'm right here...... ...Uryu...』 <br><br>\r\n「きっと六軒島で。……真里亞お姉ちゃんに私は再会できると思うの。そして私は、……何が何でも、お姉ちゃんの中のあなたを蘇らせて、再会させるわ。」 <br>\r\n\"I'm sure that on Rokkenjima, ...I'll be able to be reunited with Maria onee-chan. And, ...no matter what, I'll revive the you that's inside Onee-chan...and let you be reunited.\" <br><br>\r\n『出来るの……？』 <br>\r\n『Can you do it...?』 <br><br>\r\n「難しいでしょうね。……魔女同盟に誘われた私が、意味を理解できず拒絶してしまったのと同じように。彼女もまた、あなたの存在を拒絶するかもしれない。 <br>\r\n\"It'll probably be hard. ...Just like how, after being invited into the witches' alliance, I rejected it without understanding what it meant, she might also reject your existence.\" <br><br>\r\n………でも、やるしかないわ。それが私に出来る、唯一の罪滅ぼしなのよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......But, I've got to do it. That's the only way I can atone for my sins.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………縁寿さま……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Ange-sama...\" <br><br>\r\n「六軒島で何が待つのか。そして何が起こるのか、何が出来るのか。……あるいは何も起こらないのかもしれないけれど。」 <br>\r\n\"What's waiting on Rokkenjima? And what will happen, what will be created? ...Or maybe nothing will happen.\" <br><br>\r\n『……………………。』 <br>\r\n『............』 <br><br>\r\n「全ての始まりであるあの島こそが、この旅の終着点なのよ。………私はあなたたちを連れて、魔女の家具であるあなたたちの主として、 <br>\r\n\"That island, which was the beginning of everything, is the final destination of this journey. ......You all are the furniture of a witch, so as your master, <br><br>\r\n……魔女の島へ、六軒島へ <br>\r\n...~ib~I have to take you home~ib~... <br><br>\r\n~ib~帰らなければならない~ib~。」 <br>\r\nto the witch's island, to Rokkenjima.\" <br><br>\r\nあんなに日差しが強かったのに、いつの間にか雲が垂れ込めている。 <br>\r\n頬に当たる飛沫は、波を砕いたものだけではないかもしれない。 <br>\r\nEven though the rays of the sun had been so strong, at some point clouds had started to hang down. <br><br>\r\nThe spray that hit my cheek might not all have come from crashing waves. <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さん。軽く一雨来そうですぜ。下へ降りた方がいいんじゃないですか？」 <br>\r\n\"Ange-san, looks like we're gonna get a bit of a shower. Maybe you'd better go below deck.\" <br><br>\r\n天草が、まだいたんですかという表情で声を掛けてくる。 <br>\r\nAmakusa called out to me with an expression that said `Oh, you're still here?' <br><br>\r\n気付けば、島影がだいぶ大きくなってきていた。 <br>\r\nもうじき到着なのかもしれない。 <br>\r\nWhen I looked up, I saw that the island's silhouette had gotten much larger. <br><br>\r\nWe might reach land very soon. <br><br>\r\n天気予報で、時折雨粒が混じると言っていたのを思い出す。 <br>\r\nI remembered that the weather report had mentioned scattered rains. <br><br>\r\n空も、雨雲というほどは暗くない。 <br>\r\nひと時だけのものだろう。 <br>\r\nThe sky wasn't dark enough for rain clouds. <br><br>\r\nIt'll probably be just for a short time. <br><br>\r\n気にするほどでない小雨であっても。 <br>\r\n……島に近付いたら雨が降り出したというのに、何か運命を感じずにはいられない。 <br>\r\nEven though the rain was light enough not to be a pain... <br><br>\r\n...Having rain start to fall as we approached the island felt like some kind of fate. <br><br>\r\n１９８６年１０月４日も、雨が降っていただろう。 <br>\r\n私は距離的な意味だけでなく、……あの日の六軒島に近付きつつあるのだ……。 <br>\r\nIt was raining on October 4, 1986 as well. <br><br>\r\nI'm approaching the Rokkenjima of that day...and not just in distance... <br><br>\r\n私は天草と一緒に下に戻る。 <br>\r\nI went back down with Amakusa. <br><br>\r\n天草は、やたらと大きくて重そうなゴルフバッグみたいなものを担いでいた。 <br>\r\nHe was carrying what looked like a really large and heavy golf bag. <br><br>\r\n天草と別行動した日に、どこぞから持ってきたものだ。 <br>\r\n……中身を詮索はしないが、平和的なものであるとは想像し難い。 <br>\r\nIt was something Amakusa had brought back with him on a day when we'd split up. <br><br>\r\n...I didn't inquire as to its contents, but it was hard to imagine that they were anything peaceful. <br><br>\r\n「………中身は敢えて聞かないけど、重そうね。」 <br>\r\n\"......I won't go so far as to ask what's inside, but it looks heavy.\" <br><br>\r\n「どうしてこう、こいつらは重くて敵わないのか。フランス人の教官が面白いことを教えてくれました。 <br>\r\n\"Why are these things so darn heavy all the time? A French instructor taught me something interesting about that once. <br><br>\r\n何でも、こいつらは重くあるべきだそうなんです。………何しろ、人の命は地球より重いんですから。こいつらはもっと重くて然るべきなんだとか。」 <br>\r\nHe said they should always be heavy. ......After all, a human life is heavier than the world. So these should be even heavier.\" <br><br>\r\n「………使う機会がないといいわね。」 <br>\r\n\"......It'd be nice if you didn't need to use them.\" <br><br>\r\n「ないといいですなぁ。」 <br>\r\n\"That would be nice.\" <br><br>\r\nズシリと、天草はゴルフバッグ風の荷物を傍らに置くのだった。 <br>\r\nAmakusa set the golf bag-like luggage down beside him. <br><br>\r\n滑走路に双発プロペラ機が降り立つ。 <br>\r\n天候の都合上、快適な空の旅とは言えなかったに違いない。 <br>\r\nこの便以降は、天候調整中になっていた。 <br>\r\nA two-propeller aircraft touched down on the runway. <br><br>\r\nConsidering the weather, it couldn't have been a pleasant flight. <br><br>\r\nEverything after this flight had been suspended due to weather. <br><br>\r\n小雨を肩で切り裂きながら滑走路を横断し、黒服２人を護衛に連れた須磨寺霞がロビーに入る。 <br>\r\nCutting through the drizzle as she traversed the runway, Sumadera Kasumi entered the lobby with two black-suits as guards. <br><br>\r\nロビー内で待機していた黒服４人が立ち上がり、うやうやしく頭を垂れて迎えた。 <br>\r\nThe four black-suits who had been waiting inside the lobby stood up and respectfully lowered their heads in salute. <br><br>\r\n「「「お疲れ様です…！」」」 <br>\r\n\"\"\"Kasumi-sama...!!\"\"\" <br><br>\r\n「プロペラ機ってのは揺れるわねぇ……。二度と乗りたくないわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Propeller planes certainly do shake... I wouldn't want to ride one again.\" <br><br>\r\n「お車を用意しております！ どうぞこちらへ。」 <br>\r\n\"We have a car prepared! Please, this way.\" <br><br>\r\nレンタルした高級車２台に、彼らは分乗していく…。 <br>\r\nThey got into two luxury cars that had been rented... <br><br>\r\n「……縁寿は六軒島へ向かうはずよ。無人島とは、実に都合が良いわね。………お道具は、用意できてるんでしょうね？」 <br>\r\n「は……！」 <br>\r\n\"...Ange should be heading for Rokkenjima. A deserted island... How convenient. ......You've arranged for some tools, I take it?\" <br><br>\r\n\"Yes Ma'am...!\" <br><br>\r\n助手席の黒服が、足元に置いていたずっしりと重いバッグを膝に上げ、そのチャックをがばっと開き、中身を霞に見せる。 <br>\r\nThe black-suit in the passenger seat put a heavy bag that had been set by his feet onto his lap, opened the catch with a *click*, and showed Kasumi what was inside. <br><br>\r\n中には、アルミホイルで厳重に包まれた銀色の塊がごろごろと入っていた。 <br>\r\nInside were several silver lumps of carefully wrapped aluminum foil. <br><br>\r\n……そのひとつを剥いて見せる。 <br>\r\n...He peeled one open to show her. <br><br>\r\n黒く無骨な自動拳銃が、顔を覗かせた……。 <br>\r\nA black, blunt automatic pistol peeked its face out... <br><br>\r\n時間は、もう夜の１０時を間近としている。 <br>\r\nすでに台風は六軒島を包み込んでいた。 <br>\r\nIt was already approaching 10:00 at night. <br><br>\r\nBy now, the typhoon had wrapped itself around Rokkenjima. <br><br>\r\n昼間、あれだけの美しさを見せてくれた薔薇庭園も、今は暴風に耐え、その花を飛ばされまいとうねり、必死の抵抗を続けている…。 <br>\r\nEven the rose garden that had looked so beautiful midday...was beaten down upon by the fierce winds and resisted with all its might, undulating and trying to keep the flowers from blowing away... <br><br>\r\nそんな薔薇庭園を、紗音を先頭に、傘を差した戦人、朱志香、眠っている真里亞を背負う譲治がゲストハウスへ向かっていた。 <br>\r\nIn that rose garden...was Shannon in the lead, Battler holding up an umbrella, Jessica, and George carrying the sleeping Maria on his back, all heading for the guesthouse. <br><br>\r\n「ゲストハウスくらい、俺たちだけでも行けるってのに。いいんだぜ、紗音ちゃん、戻って休んでてくれよ。」 <br>\r\n\"We can at least make it to the guesthouse from here. Shannon-chan, it's fine, you should go back and rest.\" <br><br>\r\n「いいえ、お送りするのも仕事ですので…。」 <br>\r\n\"Don't worry, seeing you off is also part of my duty...\" <br><br>\r\n「親族会議中は、うちの母さんとか源次さんもぴりぴりしてるからなー。下手に私たちが気を利かせると、紗音がサボってると勘違いされちゃう。」 <br>\r\n\"The family conference is going on inside, and Mom and Genji-san are probably getting stressed. If we keep you, they'll misunderstand and think you were being lazy.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうだね。素直にお世話になった方が、むしろ迷惑を掛けないだろうね。 <br>\r\n\"That's right. Just graciously accepting our offer might be the best way to avoid burdening people. <br><br>\r\n…ありがと、紗音。」 <br>\r\n...Thank you, Shannon.\" <br><br>\r\n「いいえ。……確かにお嬢様の仰られますとおり、今日のお屋敷はぴりぴりしています。 <br>\r\n\"Not at all. ...Certainly, as Milady has said, it is very tense inside the mansion today. <br><br>\r\nだから、私も皆さんとご一緒して外の空気が吸えるので、ちょっと肩が楽です。」 <br>\r\nTherefore, coming with all of you allowed me a breath of fresh air, and I've been able to relax a bit.\" <br><br>\r\n「親族会議、か。………わざわざ俺たち子どもを追い出すくらいだから、相当、性質の悪い話をするんだろうぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"The family conference, huh? ......They went to all the trouble of chasing us kids out, so they're probably talking about something shady.\" <br><br>\r\n「だろうね。僕たちはきっと、何の力にもなれない。せめて邪魔をしないようにするのが、一番の協力だと思うよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Probably. I'm sure there's nothing we can do to help out. Just trying to stay out of their way is probably the best way for us to be useful.\" <br><br>\r\n「へ……！ どうせまた、カネカネカネ！って話だろうぜ。 <br>\r\n\"Heh...! I'm sure it's all just `Money money money!'. <br><br>\r\n…普段、さんざん金持ちだと吹聴してるくせに、いざとなったらもったいぶりやがる。ぱーっと気前良く、みんなで山分けすりゃあいいのによ。」 <br>\r\n...Even though they act like they're so rich most of the time, when it gets tough, they all start getting pushy. Why don't they just be graceful and split it evenly between everyone?\" <br><br>\r\n「いっひっひ。そりゃあ豪快な話だぜ。俺にも分け前がもらえりゃいいのによ。 <br>\r\n\"Ihihi. That'd be awesome. It'd be nice if I got a share too. <br><br>\r\nもし俺にももらえたら、そん時ゃ紗音ちゃんにも分けてやるからなー。」 <br>\r\nIf I got some too, I'd split it with Shannon-chan right away.\" <br><br>\r\n「ど、どうもありがとうございます…。お気持ちだけで嬉しいです。」 <br>\r\n\"Th-Thank you very much... Well, I appreciate the sentiment.\" <br><br>\r\n「紗音は欲がないね。年頃の女の子なら、買いたいものがいっぱいあるだろうに。」 <br>\r\n\"Shannon isn't greedy at all. Normally, girls of your age would have tons of things they'd want to buy.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうですね。でも私、欲しいものの中に、お金で買えるものがありませんので。」 <br>\r\n\"I guess. But none of the things I want can be bought with money.\" <br><br>\r\n「ひゅう！ 無欲だな！ <br>\r\n\"Ooh! How unselfish! <br><br>\r\n俺なんか、欲しいモン全部並べたら、金がいくらあっても足りねえぜ。」 <br>\r\nIf you lined up all the things I wanted, all the gold in the world wouldn't be enough.\" <br><br>\r\n「お金で買えるものには、だぜ。 <br>\r\n\"That's if you're talking about things that can be bought with money. <br><br>\r\n紗音の言う、金で買えない欲しいモノって何かなぁ〜。譲治兄さんは心当たりあるぅ？」 <br>\r\nI wonder what these `things that can't be bought with money' that Shannon wants are. Do you have any idea, George nii-san?\" <br><br>\r\n「さ、さぁ、何だろうねぇ？ 紗音じゃないとわからないねぇ。」 <br>\r\n\"W-Well, I wonder. I'm not Shannon, so how could I know?\" <br><br>\r\n「わ、…私にもわかりませんっ。」 <br>\r\n\"I-I don't know either.\" <br><br>\r\n譲治と紗音は顔を赤くして俯く。 <br>\r\nGeorge and Shannon looked down, their faces red. <br><br>\r\n戦人も事情は聞いていたので、朱志香が何を言ってからかっているのか理解できた。 <br>\r\nBattler had also heard about what was going on with them, so he knew what Jessica was teasing them about. <br><br>\r\n「譲治の兄貴は、俺にとっても尊敬できるお人だ。紗音ちゃんは、本当にいい人と巡り会えたと思うぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"George-aniki is a person I respect. I think you've met up with a really great person, Shannon-chan.\" <br><br>\r\n「だな。私も、譲治兄さんなら安心して紗音を任せられるぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah. I also feel relieved that we can leave Shannon to George nii-san.\" <br><br>\r\n「か、からかうのは止してくれよ。僕たちにとっては真面目な問題なんだ。 <br>\r\n\"St-Stop teasing. It's a serious issue for us. <br><br>\r\nそれより、朱志香ちゃんの方だってどうなんだい？ 嘉音くんと、少しは仲良くなれたのかい？」 <br>\r\nMore importantly, what about you, Jessica-chan? Have you been able to get a little closer to Kanon-kun?\" <br><br>\r\n「えええぇええぇ！ お前、嘉音くんとそういう仲なのかよー？！」 <br>\r\n\"Whaaaaaaaaat?! So, you and Kanon-kun are like that?!\" <br><br>\r\n「え、たっ、とっと！！ き、汚いぜ、譲治兄さん、そういう話の切り返し方は汚いぜー！」 <br>\r\n\"Ah, um, well!! Th-That's dirty, George, twisting the conversation around like that's dirty!\" <br><br>\r\nそんな甘酸っぱい話に花を咲かせながら、戦人たち子ども４人は、ゲストハウスに向かっていくのだった……。 <br>\r\nAs they had an animated discussion with ups and downs, the four kids headed for the guesthouse... <br><br>\r\n年に一度の親族会議は、右代宮家にとってとても重要なものだが、今年の親族会議は特に重要なものらしかった。 <br>\r\nThe annual family conference was extremely important to the Ushiromiya family, and this year seemed like it was going to be especially important. <br><br>\r\n何でも、当主の金蔵から直々に、極めて重大な発表があるらしく、大人以外は全員、屋敷から出て行くように厳命されたのだ。 <br>\r\nApparently, the Family Head, Kinzo, was personally going to be making a very serious announcement, and everyone other than the adults had been strictly ordered to leave. <br><br>\r\n戦人は６年間、親族会議にかかわらなかったからピンと来なかったが、朱志香に言わせると、今夜はかなり緊張した空気があるらしく、例年のそれとはまるで違う様子だという。 <br>\r\nBattler hadn't attended the family conference in six years, so he didn't really notice, but according to Jessica, there seemed to be a very tense atmosphere tonight, completely different from a normal year. <br><br>\r\n……常識的に考えて、余命幾ばくの金蔵が、当主の継承や財産の相続などについて、何か重大な発表をしようとしていることは明白だった……。 <br>\r\n...Common sense made it clear that Kinzo, whose remaining life was short, was going to make some big announcement about the succession of the Headship and the distribution of his fortune... <br><br>\r\n「しかし驚いたな。………まさか、本当に祖父さまが登場するとは……。」 <br>\r\n\"But I'm suprised. ......To think that Grandfather's actually gonna make an appearance...\" <br><br>\r\n「……なるほど。これが魔女の反撃というわけね。」 <br>\r\n\"...I see. So, this is the witch's counterattack.\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくくくく！ <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*cackle*! <br><br>\r\n金蔵というジョーカーはもう少し伏せていたかったところだが、そろそろ切るのが頃合であろう。切り札は切るためにある。くっくっくっく！」 <br>\r\nI wanted to leave the Joker called Kinzo face-down a little longer, but it's probably about time to turn it over. Trump cards exist to be used. *cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n「くそ。祖父さまは最初から死んでて、その代わりに謎の１８人目が紛れ込んでるっていう俺の推理は、……ここに来ていきなりバッサリってわけか。」 <br>\r\n\"Damn. My theory that Grandfather was dead since the beginning, and a different 18th person had snuck in, ...is now suddenly torn apart.\" <br><br>\r\n「いつかはそなたが金蔵を疑いに来ることは読めておったわ…！ さぁさぁ、これでそなたの推理は再びゼロに戻ったぞ？ <br>\r\n\"I had foreseen that you'd begin to doubt Kinzo eventually...! Yes, now your reasoning has all gone back to square one again, right?\" <br><br>\r\n金蔵は最初から死んでいて、その代わりに妾が１８人目として紛れ込んでいたという推理は、これでパーだ！ くーっくっくっくっく！！」 <br>\r\n\"With this, your theory that Kinzo was dead at the very beginning and I was hiding as the 18th person goes poof! *cackle*cackle*cackle*!!\" <br><br>\r\n「………くっそう…。だが挫けねぇぞ。 <br>\r\n\"......Fuck... But no way I'll lose heart. <br><br>\r\nひとつの推理が外れただけだ。嵐のように、暴風のように襲い掛かってやる……。」 <br>\r\nThat's only one theory gone. I'll attack you like a storm, like a tornado...\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくっくっく！ そうでなくてはな、そうでなくてはな！ <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*! I'd have it no other way! <br><br>\r\nまだまだ第一の晩さえ始まっていないぞ。屈服にはあまりに早過ぎる。」 <br>\r\nEven the first twilight has not yet begun. It is far too early to give up.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうね。そして、赤い真実で否定されたわけでもない。………今この瞬間の時点で、まだ戦人の説は破られたわけではない。勝ったつもりになるのも、早過ぎるわよ。」 <br>\r\n\"That's right. And, it's not like it was denied with the red truth. ......At this point in time, Battler's theory hasn't been defeated. It's too early to say that you've won.\" <br><br>\r\n「ん、そうだな。……確かにあっさり鵜呑みにするにはまだ早いな。…祖父さまがいよいよ登場する、ということにはなってるが、やっぱり体調が悪くなった云々言って、現れない可能性だってある。 <br>\r\n\"Nn, yeah, that's right. ...It's still too early for me to just swallow her story. ...Grandfather is supposed to finally appear, but there's a chance that they'll talk about how his health has gotten worse, and he won't appear after all.\" <br><br>\r\n……祖父さまは本当は死んでいるという事実を、蔵臼伯父さんがぎりぎりまで苦し紛れで引き伸ばしているだけかもしれない。」 <br>\r\n\"...Uncle Krauss might be trying desperately to hide the fact that Grandfather really is dead until the last second.\" <br><br>\r\n「は…！ なるほどなるほど、そういう考え方もあるか。 <br>\r\n\"Ha...! I see, I see, you could also think of it that way. <br><br>\r\n好きにするが良い。すぐに決着する。すぐにな…。くっくっくっく……！」 <br>\r\nDo as you please. It will be resolved soon. Very soon... *cackle*cackle*...!\" <br><br>\r\n食堂には、親族たち全員と南條の姿があった。 <br>\r\nAll of the relatives and Nanjo could be seen in the dining hall. <br><br>\r\n南條はひとり、窓から静かに外の風雨を眺めていた。 <br>\r\nNanjo sat alone, quietly watching the wind and rain outside. <br><br>\r\n蔵臼は自分の序列の席に座り、夏妃がその脇にじっとしている。 <br>\r\nKrauss sat down in the seat of his own rank, with Natsuhi standing motionlessly at his side. <br><br>\r\nそれ以外の兄弟たちは、長いテーブルの反対側辺りに集まり、ひそひそと囁き合っていた……。 <br>\r\nThe other siblings were gathered at the opposite end of the long table, whispering to each other... <br><br>\r\n「……そりゃ、本当か。」 <br>\r\n\"...Is that true?\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ。……真里亞は、傘をくれた人物を、 <br>\r\n\"Yes. ...Maria said...the person who gave her the umbrella... <br><br>\r\n……お父様だと言うのよ。」 <br>\r\nwas Father.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「何ちゅうことや…。ということはつまり、わしらの作戦は根底から崩れたっちゅうわけか…！」 <br>\r\n\"What in the world...? In other words, our strategy has collapsed from the roots...!\" <br><br>\r\n「作戦も何も。お父様が健在で、自ら発表があると言った以上、もう兄さんとの下らない駆け引きは一切不要だわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Not just our strategy. Since Father is healthy and has said that he'll make an announcement himself, our trivial bargaining with Nii-san was completely pointless.\" <br><br>\r\n「だな。 <br>\r\n\"Yep. <br><br>\r\n……クソ親父め。もったいぶらずにとっとと現れてくれりゃ良かったんだ。お陰で俺たちは兄貴と無駄に揉めただけだ。」 <br>\r\n...That old bastard. Why couldn't he have just shown himself right away without making a show of it? Thanks to that, we've just been quarreling with Aniki uselessly.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………それを試したかったのかもね？ <br>\r\n\"......Or maybe he wanted to test us on that point. <br><br>\r\n血のつながってない私が言うのも何だけど、あなたたちのお父様、かなり頭はいいわよ？」 <br>\r\nI might not be one to talk, since we aren't related by blood, but your Father is very intelligent, correct?\" <br><br>\r\n「日中のやりとりは多分、使用人の誰かに聞かれて、お父様に報告されてたのよ。………何てこと。お父様の遺産が目当てで騒いでることは、もうバレバレってことじゃない…。………あぁ、何てことよ…。」 <br>\r\n\"Our arguments during the day were probably overheard by one of the servants and reported to Father. ......Incredible. The fact that we were making a fuss with Father's inheritance as our goal is now right in the open... ......Ah, just incredible...\" <br><br>\r\n絵羽は頭を抱えて、らしくもなく消沈する。 <br>\r\nEva uncharacteristically held her head, dejected. <br><br>\r\n霧江の言うとおり、これが最初から金蔵の目論見どおりで、自分たちの本心を探り出すための、一年以上を掛けた大仕掛けだったとしたならば、自分たちはまんまと引っ掛かったことになる…。 <br>\r\nIf, as Kyrie had said, everything had been going according to Kinzo's plans from the beginning, and if this was a huge setup that had been kept up for over a year, trying to find the siblings' true intentions, then they had fallen for it completely... <br><br>\r\n「……お父さんの耳に入ったと、まだ決まったわけやない。」 <br>\r\n\"...We still don't know for sure that it's reached Father's ears.\" <br><br>\r\n「いいえ、入ってるに決まってるわ！ ……兄さん以外の全員が、お父様は死んでいると言い切り、お父様の健在を信じなかった…！ <br>\r\n\"No, it definitely has! ...Everyone but Nii-san claimed that Father was dead, and none of us believed in Father's good health...! <br><br>\r\nあぁ、もう終わりだわ……。……お父様は宣言するのよ。兄さんこそが跡継ぎで、私たちには片翼を身にまとう資格もないと宣告するのよ……。 <br>\r\nAaah, it's already over... ...Father will make an announcement. Nii-san will become the Successor, and he'll say we aren't even qualified to wear the One Wing... <br><br>\r\n……あぁ、私は…………。」 <br>\r\n ...Oooh, I......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「姉さん……、しっかり……。」 <br>\r\n\"Nee-san, ...get ahold of yourself...\" <br><br>\r\n「……楼座さん。真里亞ちゃんは本当に、お父様に傘をもらったのかしら？」 <br>\r\n\"...Rosa-san, I wonder if Maria really received that umbrella from Father.\" <br><br>\r\n「え？ どういう意味……？」 <br>\r\n\"Huh? What do you mean...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……真里亞ちゃんはお父様に会ったかもしれない。でも、私たちは会ってないわ。 <br>\r\n\"...Maria-chan might have seen Father. However, we haven't seen him. <br><br>\r\n真里亞ちゃんがそうだと主張しているだけよ。」 <br>\r\nMaria-chan only claims to have seen him.\" <br><br>\r\n「そんな……。……真里亞が嘘を吐いているというの？！」 <br>\r\n\"What are you saying...? ...Are you saying Maria's lying?!\" <br><br>\r\n「落ち着けよ、楼座。……真里亞ちゃんが嘘を吐くとは言ってねぇ。だが、真里亞ちゃんは素直な子だろ？ <br>\r\n\"Calm down, Rosa. ...Maria-chan didn't necessarily lie. Still, she's an innocent kid, right?\" <br><br>\r\n……例えばだが、源次さん辺りが、“この傘はお祖父さまから真里亞さまに渡すように言われました”みたいなことを言ったら、真里亞ちゃんは親父に会ったわけでなくても、お祖父さまに傘をもらったーって言うかも知れねぇぜ？」 <br>\r\n\"...For example, if Genji-san came up to her and said something like `I was told by your Grandfather to hand this to you, Maria-sama', then even if Maria-chan hadn't met Dad, she still might say that she got an umbrella from him, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「そ、……そうね。その手が考えられるわ…！」 <br>\r\n\"...Th-That's right. That trick could work...!\" <br><br>\r\n「だがな、真里亞ちゃんはこう言ったんやろ？ お祖父さまがやって来て、傘を渡してくれた、と。」 <br>\r\n\"But what was it Maria-chan said? `Grandfather came and handed me the umbrella'.\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、そう言ったわ。お祖父さまから直接受け取ったとはっきり言ったわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, that's what she said. She clearly said that she received an umbrella directly from Grandfather.\" <br><br>\r\n「……直接、か。お手上げだな。」 <br>\r\n\"...Directly, huh? Then we're stuck.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。 <br>\r\n\"............... <br><br>\r\n下手な考え、休むに似たりとはよく言ったものだわ。ちょっと考えてみたら、傘がどうこうなんて、どうでもいい問題だわ。」 <br>\r\nThey often say that bad thinking is no better than sleeping. If you think about it a bit, all of this about the umbrella is a trivial problem.\" <br><br>\r\n「どうしてよ？ 真里亞ちゃんが兄さんに買収されて、あたかもお父様が健在であるかのように、嘘を頼まれたかもしれないでしょ？！ 傘が確かにお父様から渡されたなんて証拠、どこにもありはしない…！」 <br>\r\n\"Why's that? Couldn't Maria-chan have been bribed by Nii-san to lie and say something that made it seem like Father was in good health?! There is no evidence that Father actually handed the umbrella to her...!\" <br><br>\r\n「真里亞ちゃんが誰から傘をもらっていようとも。あるいは傘なんかそもそももらっていなかったとしても。お父様はもうじき現れる。現れたお父様の前に、傘の問題なんてまったくどうでもいいこと。 <br>\r\n\"Regardless of whom Maria-chan received the umbrella from, assuming she was even given an umbrella in the first place, Father will appear very soon. Once Father's in front of us, the problem with the umbrella will become completely trivial.\" <br><br>\r\n………つまり、傘の問題が取り沙汰されるのは、そうでない場合ということよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......In other words, this is not the time to gossip about the umbrella issue.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうでない場合ってのは何のことだ？」 <br>\r\n\"What do you mean, this isn't the time?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………そうか、…わかったで。……霧江さんが言いたいのはこういうことやろ。 <br>\r\n\"......I see, ...I got it. ...This is probably what Kyrie-san's sayin'. <br><br>\r\n………お父さん、もうすぐでやって来ることになっとるが、また難癖をつけて、結局、現れん可能性がまだ残ってる、っちゅうことやろ……？」 <br>\r\n......Father is supposed to come here very soon, but the chance still remains that he'll get mad again and won't show up, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「そ、………そうか。そうよね…。 <br>\r\n\"...I-I see. That's true... <br><br>\r\n私たちの追及に、兄さんが苦し紛れの時間稼ぎで、お父様が現れると出任せを言ったのかもしれない。やっぱりお父様はすでに亡くなっていて、兄さんは今なお、まだ健在であると嘘を吐き続けている…！」 <br>\r\nMaybe Nii-san just said Father was going to appear at random in a desperate bid to buy time against our investigation. Father really is dead already, and Nii-san is still lying and saying he's healthy...!\" <br><br>\r\n「つまり、お父様が現れれば、全ての策は通用しない。考える必要もない。私たちは俎上の鯉。運を天に任せて、お父様との直接交渉に臨むしかないわ。 <br>\r\n\"In short, if Father appears, then no schemes will be effective. There's no need to even think about that case. We're fish on the chopping board. We'd have no choice but to leave fate to the heavens and negotiate directly with Father. <br><br>\r\nそれこそ、土下座とゲンコツを覚悟して、お金を無心するしかない。 <br>\r\nThat means we'd have no choice but to let him clobber us with his fist, then prostrate ourselves and beg for money.\" <br><br>\r\n……でも逆に、お父様が現れなければ、私たちの当初の作戦は何も揺るがない。」 <br>\r\n\"...But on the other hand, if Father doesn't appear, then our primary strategy isn't hampered in the least.\" <br><br>\r\n「………なるほど。つまり、どっちに転ぼうとも、今さらあたふたする必要は何もないってことね。」 <br>\r\n\"......I see. In short, no matter which way it goes, there's absolutely no need to get flustered now.\" <br><br>\r\n「そういうこと。お父様が現れれば、本来の親族会議が行なわれるだけの話。 <br>\r\n\"That's it. If Father shows up, we just have to carry out the normal family conference. <br><br>\r\n………現れなければ、私たちは引き続き蔵臼兄さんを追及すればいいだけの話なのよ。」 <br>\r\n......If he doesn't, we just have to keep on investigating Krauss-san.\" <br><br>\r\n「お父さんの機嫌が急に悪くなって…、みたいな、蔵臼さんの言い逃れを、決して許さんようにせんとな。」 <br>\r\n\"We can't let him talk his way out of it, ...like if he says Father's mood has suddenly gotten worse.\" <br><br>\r\n「……どうやら、私たちが本当に検討すべきは、兄さんがどんな策を弄して、この場を誤魔化そうとしてくるかよ。往生際の悪さは私が一番よく知っているわ。」 <br>\r\n\"...It seems what we really should be trying to figure out...is what scheme Nii-san is going to try and trick us with. The way he just doesn't know how to give up is something I know better than anyone.\" <br><br>\r\n「お父様がお元気なら、……私たちは土下座してお金を無心し。……蔵臼兄さんの茶番だったなら、私たちは醜い兄弟喧嘩を再開し。 <br>\r\n\"If Father is well, ...we'll prostrate ourselves and beg for money. ...If it's a farce of Krauss-san's, then we'll continue our ugly sibling fight. <br><br>\r\n………今年も素敵な親族会議になりそうね。」 <br>\r\n......It sounds like this year's family conference is going to be just wonderful.\" <br><br>\r\n「だな。下手な考え、休むに似たりってわけか。 <br>\r\n\"Yep. So, bad thinking is no better than sleeping, huh? <br><br>\r\nもうじき２２時だな。……兄貴に催促してみるか。」 <br>\r\nIt's almost 22:00. ...Should we press Aniki?\" <br><br>\r\n留弗夫たちは、蔵臼の様子をうかがう。 <br>\r\nRudolf and the rest looked at Krauss. <br><br>\r\nどっかりと腰を下ろし、悠然と、金蔵が来臨するのを待っているように見える。 <br>\r\nHe was sitting down firmly...and looked like he was awaiting Kinzo's arrival with an air of composure. <br><br>\r\n……それが、悠然となのか、自らの嘘をどのように帳尻を合わせようと策を巡らしているのかは、わからない。 <br>\r\n...They couldn't tell if he really was composed, ...or if he was scheming about how to tie together his lie. <br><br>\r\n「……………あなた……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Dear...\" <br><br>\r\n「……落ち着きなさい。もう今さらじたばたしても始まらん。………源次さんに任せよう。」 <br>\r\n\"...Calm yourself. We won't get anywhere by making a fuss after all this. ......Let's leave it to Genji-san.\" <br><br>\r\n「もうじき、……１０時ですね。」 <br>\r\n\"It's almost...10:00, isn't it?\" <br><br>\r\nそれは、今夜の親族会議の開催として定められた時刻だった。 <br>\r\nそして同時に、右代宮家当主が現れなければならない時刻でもある……。 <br>\r\nThat was the time that had been set for tonight's family conference to open. <br><br>\r\nAnd, it was the time that the Ushiromiya Family Head needed to appear... <br><br>\r\nその時、廊下から足音が近付いてくるのが聞こえた。 <br>\r\nそれも複数。 <br>\r\nRight then, they heard the sound of footsteps approaching from the hall. <br><br>\r\nThere were multiple sets. <br><br>\r\n夏妃は、はっとして顔を上げる……。 <br>\r\nNatsuhi raised her head, relieved... <br><br>\r\nしかし、ノックの音だったため、その表情には失望が浮かぶのだった。 <br>\r\nなぜなら、金蔵だったなら、ノックなどしないだろうからだ。 <br>\r\nBut because of the sound of a knock, her expression was filled with disappointment. <br><br>\r\nBecause Kinzo probably wouldn't have knocked. <br><br>\r\n「……失礼いたします。戸締りの見回りが終わりました。」 <br>\r\n\"...Please excuse us. I have finished closing up the mansion for the night.\" <br><br>\r\n郷田と熊沢だった。 <br>\r\nIt was Gohda and Kumasawa. <br><br>\r\n体力のある郷田ならともかく、老体の熊沢がこの時間にまだ勤務を強いられているのはとても珍しいことだった。 <br>\r\nUnlike the powerful Gohda, it was rare for Kumasawa, with her old body, to be forced to work this late. <br><br>\r\nもちろん、それを蔵臼もわかっているようだった。 <br>\r\nOf course, Krauss also seemed to know that. <br><br>\r\n「うむ。ご苦労だった。………こんな時間まで申し訳ないね、熊沢さん。」 <br>\r\n\"Indeed. Good work. ......My apologies for making you work at such a time, Kumasawa-san.\" <br><br>\r\n「いいえぇ。こう見えても、まだまだ夜更かしは得意でございますので。ほっほっほっほ…！」 <br>\r\n\"Oh, it's nothing. I may not look it, but staying up late is still one of my specialties. Hohohohoh...!\" <br><br>\r\n「……熊沢についてだけは、立会いを外させてもよいのでは。さすがに体に堪えるでしょう。」 <br>\r\n\"...Wouldn't it be okay to at least let Kumasawa leave without being an observer? It really will be difficult on her body, I imagine.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………使用人も全員揃えろとの命令だ。逆らえん。」 <br>\r\n\"......The order was to gather all of the servants as well. I cannot disobey.\" <br><br>\r\n今夜の親族会議は、例年の親族会議とは明らかに違った。 <br>\r\nTonight's family conference was clearly different from normal. <br><br>\r\n例年ならば、親族会議は親族以外、出席できない。 <br>\r\n使用人が居合わせるなど、ありえないことだ。 <br>\r\nOn a normal year, no one was allowed to attend except family members. <br><br>\r\nTo have the servants present for such a thing...was unthinkable. <br><br>\r\nだが今年は違った。 <br>\r\nBut this year was different. <br><br>\r\n使用人全員を親族会議に出席させろというのだ。 <br>\r\nもちろん発言権はない。 <br>\r\n………立会人としてである。 <br>\r\nAll of the servants were told to attend. <br><br>\r\nOf course, they were not allowed to talk. <br><br>\r\n......They were there as observers. <br><br>\r\n使用人５人に立ち合わせてまで、一体、何があるというのか。 <br>\r\n……蔵臼にも、わかっていなかった。 <br>\r\nJust what in the world was happening that needed to be observed by five servants? <br><br>\r\n...Even Krauss didn't know. <br><br>\r\n「ほっほっほ。徹夜はこう見えても強いんですよ。 <br>\r\n\"Hohohoh. I don't look it, but I'm good at staying up late. <br><br>\r\n旦那様も鯖をもりもり食べれば、夜ももっとたくましくなれますよ。」 <br>\r\nIf you stuff yourself with mackerel too, Krauss-sama, you'll be more manly at night.\" <br><br>\r\n「はははは。なるほど、まだまだお元気でおられる。百歳になっても元気でお勤めに違いない。」 <br>\r\n\"Hahahaha. I see you're still in high spirits. I'm sure you'll be working in such high spirits until you're a hundred.\" <br><br>\r\n「奥様。勝手ながら、軽食の準備をさせていただきました。 <br>\r\n\"Madam, forgive my arrogance, but I have prepared a light snack. <br><br>\r\nいつでも配膳できますので、ご指示を頂戴できればと思います。」 <br>\r\nI can serve it at any time, so feel free to order it.\" <br><br>\r\n「ありがとう。やはりあなたは気が利きますね。……他の皆さんにコーヒーのお代わりを勧めて下さい。」 <br>\r\n\"Thank you. You really are considerate. ...Please offer refills of coffee to the others.\" <br><br>\r\n「かしこまりました。」 <br>\r\n\"Certainly.\" <br><br>\r\n郷田は会釈してから、テーブルの向こうでたむろしている親族たちの方へポットを持っていくのだった。 <br>\r\nAfter nodding, Gohda took the pot towards the relatives gathered at the other end of the table. <br><br>\r\nするとまた廊下から足音が近付いてくる。 <br>\r\nAs he did, more footsteps approached from the hallway. <br><br>\r\n……ひとりの足音。 <br>\r\nそれは軽い。 <br>\r\n...It was a single set. <br><br>\r\nAnd it was light. <br><br>\r\nノックを待たずに、誰か想像がついた。 <br>\r\nEven before the knock, they could imagine who it was. <br><br>\r\n「失礼いたします……。 <br>\r\n\"Excuse me... <br><br>\r\nお子様方をゲストハウスへお送りいたしました。」 <br>\r\nI've taken the children to the guesthouse.\" <br><br>\r\n「ご苦労でした。今夜は特別な晩です。緊張感を欠かさないように。」 <br>\r\n\"Good work. Tonight is a special evening. Make sure you stay alert.\" <br><br>\r\n「は、はい。かしこまりました、奥様……。」 <br>\r\n\"Y-Yes. Certainly, Madam...\" <br><br>\r\n源次は嘉音を伴い、金蔵を迎えに行っている。 <br>\r\nGenji had gone with Kanon to meet Kinzo. <br><br>\r\n……まだ戻ってくる様子はない。 <br>\r\n...There was still no sign of their return. <br><br>\r\n時計の針は、２２時を少し過ぎようとしていた。 <br>\r\nそれを確認した上で、絵羽が蔵臼に言った。 <br>\r\nThe hand of the clock passed 22:00 slightly. <br><br>\r\nOnce sure of that, Eva spoke to Krauss. <br><br>\r\n「……兄さぁん？ もう時間だけれども。親族会議、まだ始まらないのかしらぁ？」 <br>\r\n\"...Nii-saaan? It's time. Are you still not going to start the family conference?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………主賓の到着が遅れている。しばらく待ちたまえ。」 <br>\r\n\"......The arrival of the guest of honor has been delayed. Wait a short while.\" <br><br>\r\n「いつまで？ 悪いけど、時間を切ってもらうわよ。お父様がなかなか来ない、何てのを延々と続けて、夜明けまで待たされたら堪らないわ。」 <br>\r\n\"How long? Sorry, but time's up. I won't have you saying `Father hasn't quite shown up yet' over and over until dawn.\" <br><br>\r\n「親父殿のお越しになる時間を、私が約束など出来るものか。何を焦っているのだね。まずはコーヒーでも飲んで落ち着かんかね…？」 <br>\r\n\"How could I make a promise about the time Father shows up? Why are you in such a rush? Why not drink some tea and calm down for now...?\" <br><br>\r\n「兄貴、俺たちは親族会議のために集まってるんだ。茶番じゃない。 <br>\r\n\"Aniki, we're gathered here for a family conference. Not a farce. <br><br>\r\nあと３０分は待つ。だが、それで駄目なら書斎に押し掛けさせてもらうぜ？」 <br>\r\nWe'll wait 30 more minutes. But if that doesn't work, you'll let us break into the study, okay?\" <br><br>\r\n「お、押し掛けるとは物騒な……。当主様への敬いに、あまりにも欠ける行為です！」 <br>\r\n\"B-Break into... Such an action would be quite lacking in respect for the Head!\" <br><br>\r\n「そうよねぇ、ごめんなさい？ あと３０分は大人しくしてるわ。うっふっふっふ……。」 <br>\r\n\"Oh, right, our apologies. We'll be good for 30 more minutes. Hehheheheh...\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………ふっ。」 <br>\r\n\".........Hmph.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。３０分後にも、同じ笑いが浮かべられるか、楽しみだわ。」 <br>\r\n\".........I look forward to seeing if you can keep that same smile up 30 minutes from now.\" <br><br>\r\n「……親父殿が死んでいると、本気で信じているのかね？」 <br>\r\n\"...So, you honestly believe that Father is dead?\" <br><br>\r\n「それを今さら議論する気はないわ。お父様がここにやってくればいいだけの話。 <br>\r\n\"I have no desire to discuss that now. We can wait until Father comes here. <br><br>\r\n兄さんを言い負かす必要なんて、何もないもの。」 <br>\r\nThere's absolutely no need for me to argue you down, Nii-san.\" <br><br>\r\n「右代宮家当主は、正当なる人間へ、正当なる手続きを以って継承される。 <br>\r\n\"The Ushiromiya Headship will be passed on to the proper person in the proper manner. <br><br>\r\n……お前が何の策を弄したところで、何も抗えんよ。もちろん、私もな。」 <br>\r\n...No matter what you may scheme, you cannot resist. Of course, the same goes for me.\" <br><br>\r\n「何をわけのわかんないことを。……今までさんざん、自分こそが次期当主だと威張ってきたくせに…！」 <br>\r\n\"What are you trying to say? ...And after bragging all these years about being the Successor yourself...!\" <br><br>\r\n「お前の言葉をそのまま返そう。それを今さら議論する気はないね。親父殿がやって来て、自らの口でそれを宣言すればいいだけの話だ。 <br>\r\n\"I'll turn your own words back on you. I have no desire to discuss that now. All that matters is for Father to come here and proclaim it with his own mouth. <br><br>\r\nお前を言い負かす必要など、どこにもない。……だったかな？ くっくっくっく！」 <br>\r\nThere's absolutely no need for me to argue you down. ...Right? Heheheh!\" <br><br>\r\n蔵臼は、流暢に絵羽の言葉をお返しする。 <br>\r\nもちろんそれは絵羽の怒りに油を注いだ。 <br>\r\nしかし発火はしなかった。 <br>\r\nKrauss casually turned Eva's words back on her. <br><br>\r\nOf course, that added oil to Eva's anger. <br><br>\r\nBut it didn't ignite. <br><br>\r\nなぜならその瞬間、とても大きなノックの音が響き渡ったからだ。 <br>\r\nBecause, in that instant, the sound of a very loud knock rang out. <br><br>\r\n源次も嘉音も、ノックをする時はとても控えめだ。 <br>\r\nこんな乱暴なまでの強さでは叩かない。 <br>\r\n……まるで、静粛にと言いながら打ち鳴らされる裁判官の槌のようだった。 <br>\r\nBoth Genji and Kanon were usually very reserved when they knocked. <br><br>\r\nThey wouldn't hit the door with such a violent strength. <br><br>\r\n...It was like a judge's gavel slamming down in a call for silence. <br><br>\r\nだから、一同はシンと静まり返った……。 <br>\r\nSo, everyone went quiet... <br><br>\r\n扉が細く開き、……源次が姿を見せる。 <br>\r\nThe door opened slightly, ...and Genji showed himself. <br><br>\r\nそして、普段とは違う厳かな口調で言った。 <br>\r\nThen, he spoke with a serious tone different from his usual one. <br><br>\r\nそれは彼が職務を遂行する時の口調ではない。 <br>\r\n……彼が、金蔵の言葉を代弁する時の口調だ。 <br>\r\nIt wasn't the tone he used when carrying out his duties. <br><br>\r\n...It was the tone he used when speaking for Kinzo himself. <br><br>\r\nだから源次がその口調をしただけで、兄弟たちには緊張感が走るのだ。 <br>\r\nSo just by hearing Genji speak like that, the siblings were struck with a sudden tension. <br><br>\r\n「皆様、ご着席を。」 <br>\r\n\"Take your seats, everyone.\" <br><br>\r\nその言葉に、食堂は完全に沈黙し、みんな慌てて自分の序列の席に戻る。 <br>\r\nAt those words, the dining hall was wrapped in total silence, and everyone hurriedly returned to their designated seats. <br><br>\r\nまるで、ホームルーム直前まで騒いでいた生徒たちが、先生が来て大急ぎで席に戻るような、そんな滑稽さも感じられたかもしれない。 <br>\r\nIt was as though students who had been bustling around just before homeroom had suddenly returned to their seats when the teacher came, and it might even have looked humorous. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、そうだと茶化せる人間など、いるはずもなかった。 <br>\r\n...But there was no way anyone would joke about it. <br><br>\r\n全員が整然と着席し、紗音、郷田、熊沢も壁際に整列し背筋を伸ばす。 <br>\r\nEveryone sat in order, and Shannon, Gohda, and Kumasawa stood up straight in a row by the wall. <br><br>\r\n「……栄光ある右代宮家の当主にして、金色に輝ける六軒島の領主。右代宮金蔵卿の、御成りであります。」 <br>\r\n\"...The Head of the glorious Ushiromiya family and lord of Rokkenjima, the island that sparkles gold, ...Lord Ushiromiya Kinzo has arrived.\" <br><br>\r\n食堂への観音開きの扉を、源次が内側から右の扉を、そして左の扉を外側から嘉音が開く。 <br>\r\nOf the double doors that led to the dining hall, Genji opened the right door from the inside, and Kanon opened the left door from the outside. <br><br>\r\n……そしてその二人の最敬礼に迎えられながら、威圧感でローブをなびかせながら、…………金蔵が姿を現す……。 <br>\r\n...And, welcomed by a respectful bow from those two, majestically fluttering his cape, ......Kinzo appeared... <br><br>\r\n金蔵の足取りは貫禄ある重みがあり、とても余命幾ばくを宣告されたとは思えないものだった。 <br>\r\nKinzo's gait had a dignified weight to it, and it was hard to believe that he had reportedly been at the end of his life. <br><br>\r\n源次が金蔵の席を引き、着席を促す。 <br>\r\nGenji pulled back Kinzo's seat and motioned for him to sit. <br><br>\r\nしかし金蔵は座らず、源次に下がれという風に顎で合図する。 <br>\r\nBut Kinzo stayed standing, signaling with his chin for Genji to move back. <br><br>\r\n「くっくくくくくくくくく、ふっはははははははははは…！！ ようこそ諸君、六軒島へ。何を怯えた顔をしておるのか、絵羽ァ。」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle* Fuhhahahahahahahahahaha...!! Welcome to Rokkenjima, ladies and gentlemen. Why the frightened face, Evaa?\" <br><br>\r\n「い、いえ、そんな怯えてるなんて…！ お、お父様が大変お元気そうなので、ほっとしただけで……。」 <br>\r\n\"N-No, why would I be frightened...! I'm just relieved to find you in excellent spirits, Father...\" <br><br>\r\n「わっはっはっはっはっは…！！ <br>\r\n\"Wahhahhahhahhahhahha...!! <br><br>\r\n絵羽ァ、お前は相変わらず面白いなぁ？ 蔵臼との賭けに負けて悔しいと素直に言えばよいのに。……くっくくくく、言えないよなァ。くっくっくっく！！」 <br>\r\nEvaa, you're as amusing as ever, aren't yoou? Why don't you just honestly say how frustrated you are at losing your bet with Krauss? ...*cackle*cackle* You can't say it, can you? *cackle*cackle*!!\" <br><br>\r\n絵羽は、やはり金蔵に日中のやりとりが筒抜けであることを理解し、赤くなりながら俯く。 <br>\r\nEva realized that their conversation during the day had indeed been leaked to Kinzo, and she hung her head, turning red. <br><br>\r\n「さぁってと、我が息子たち娘たち、そしてその伴侶の諸君！ お前たちの執心している我が財産と当主の継承について、今宵は重要な発表をしようと思う。 <br>\r\n\"Well then, my sons and daughters and their companions! Tonight, I shall make an important announcement regarding my inheritance and the succession that you all seem so keen on.\" <br><br>\r\nまず最初に！ <br>\r\n\"But first! <br><br>\r\n私はひどく失望していることを伝えようと思う。それは、今日まで誰にもあの碑文の謎を解くことが出来なかったということだ。」 <br>\r\nI must tell you how incredibly disappointed I am. After all, until this very day, no one has been able to solve the riddle of the epitaph.\" <br><br>\r\n金蔵は失望という言葉を口にはしながらも、貴様ら如きに解けるものかとでも言うような見下した笑みを浮かべ、ぎょろりと一同を見渡す。 <br>\r\nEven though Kinzo said he was disappointed, a condescending smile rose to his face, as though there was no way the likes of these could've solved it, and his gaze passed through all of them. <br><br>\r\n「………私は、あれを解けた者に、全てを譲り渡すつもりでいた。しかし、今日までに誰も解くことが出来ず、我が全ては誰にも継承されることなく、ここに至っているわけだ。 <br>\r\n\"...I had planned to hand over everything to the one who could solve it. But none have been able to solve it before today, and here we stand, with nothing of mine passed down to anyone.\" <br><br>\r\n情けない…！！ お前たちの中に、それを受け継ぐ資格を持つ人間が現れなかったことが、私は心底残念であり、そして情けなく、ザマぁないと思っている！！ わっはっはっはっはっはっは！！」 <br>\r\n\"How shameful...!! To think that not one among you has come forward with the qualifications to succeed me! How truly disappointing, and shameful, and patheetic!! Wahhahhahhahhahhahha!!\" <br><br>\r\n兄弟たちは黙って俯く。 <br>\r\nThe siblings hung their heads in silence. <br><br>\r\nもちろん、解けるものなら解いていた。 <br>\r\nチャンスを棒に振ったと言われればそれまでだが、しかしそれでも、あまりに難解だった…。 <br>\r\nOf course, they would have solved it if they could. <br><br>\r\nTrue, they couldn't deny that they'd wasted a golden opportunity, but it was just so hard... <br><br>\r\n「よって。私は碑文の謎にて我が継承者を選ぶことを、ここに中止することを宣言する。 <br>\r\n\"Therefore, I am proclaiming here and now that I will suspend the use of the epitaph's riddle as a method of choosing my successor. <br><br>\r\nつまりはタイムオーバー！ <br>\r\nIn short, time's up! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nゲイムオーバーというわけだ。……残念だったなぁ、お前たち。お前たちには、等しく公平にチャンスがあったはずなのに、それが今、ここに潰えた！ ………んっふっふっふっふっふ！！」 <br>\r\nThis is game over. ...And what a shame for you all. Even though it should have given you all an equal and fair chance, that's gone now! ......Gehhahahahah!!\" <br><br>\r\nそれはまさに、金蔵の勝利宣言のように聞こえた。 <br>\r\nIt truly sounded like Kinzo was making a victory proclamation. <br><br>\r\n「ならば、当主は長男の蔵臼に継承されるのか…？ くっくっくっく！ 答えはノーである！！」 <br>\r\n\"In that case, will my oldest son Krauss succeed the Headship...? *cackle*cackle*! The answer is <no>!!\" <br><br>\r\n「え…？！」 <br>\r\n\"Wha...?!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。」 <br>\r\n\"......\" <br><br>\r\n「……わかっているよなぁ、蔵臼ぅ？ お前には確かに次期当主という肩書きを与えた。だが、お前はそれに溺れただけだ…。次期当主というのは、どういう意味かわかるかぁ……？」 <br>\r\n\"...You understand, right, Krauuss? I certainly gave you the title of Successor. But all you did was let it go to your head... Do you know what a Successor is...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………お父さんの後を継ぐ、という意味です…。」 <br>\r\n\"......It means...the person who will inherit your position after you, Father...\" <br><br>\r\n「違あああぁうッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Wrooooooooooooooooonnnng!! <br><br>\r\n次期当主というのは、当主が約束されたものではなぁああいい！ <br>\r\nThe position of Successor isn't something that's guaranteed by the current Head at aaaaaaaaaaall!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n………いいか、蔵臼ゥ。二度と教えないからよく聞けよ。次期当主というのはな？ 自分以外にも当主を狙うヤツがいたら、その鼻を徹底的にへし折って、二度と逆らえないようにしてやるヤツのことを言うのだ。 <br>\r\n\"......Listen up, Krauuss. I won't tell you this again. A Successor...is what you call someone who finds everyone else who's after the Headship, thoroughly breaks their noses, and makes it so they can never disobey him again.\" <br><br>\r\nこれは何も、当主だけのことではない。カネについても言える！ 金持ちというのは、カネを持っているヤツのことではない。 <br>\r\n\"This is not only something that can be said of the Headship. It's the same with money! A `rich person' doesn't mean someone who has money. <br><br>\r\n自分よりカネを持っているヤツ全てを叩き潰し、そして誰よりもカネを掻き集められるヤツのことを言うのだ。」 <br>\r\nIt means someone who crushes everyone who had more money than himself, and who scrabbles together more money than anyone else.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「才能も同じ。天才とは才能に秀でたヤツのことではない！ <br>\r\n\"It's the same with talent. A genius is not what you call a person blessed with talent! <br><br>\r\n自分より秀でたヤツ全てを叩き潰し！ 自分を天才と全ての人間に呼ばせることを力とカリスマで強要できるヤツを指して言う！！ お前はその全てにおいて勘違いしているのだよ。……だから次期当主の器ではないのだよゥ。くっくくくっくくくくくく！！」 <br>\r\nIt means a person who crushes everyone with more talent than themselves! A person who can coerce geniuses and all other people to call them that using strength and charisma!! You have a mistaken impression when it comes to all of these things. ...So, you aren't of the right caliber to be my Successor. *cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………べ、勉強になります…。」 <br>\r\n\"...I-I'll take your words to heart...\" <br><br>\r\nそれはまさに、金蔵の哲学なのかもしれない。 <br>\r\nPerhaps that truly was Kinzo's philosophy. <br><br>\r\n金蔵は今日まで、その暴言とも聞こえる自らの哲学を忠実に実行した結果、右代宮家をここまで繁栄させてきたのだ……。 <br>\r\nAs a result of faithfully carrying out that rant-like philosophy of his, Kinzo had glorified the Ushiromiya family to the state it was in today... <br><br>\r\n近年のオカルト被れの金蔵からは想像もつかないだろうが、この凶暴なる強引さこそが、右代宮金蔵のカリスマであり、オーラでもある…。 <br>\r\nIt may be hard to imagine after his immersion in the occult in recent years, but that brutally overbearing outlook was no more or less than Ushiromiya Kinzo's charisma and aura... <br><br>\r\n「このような不甲斐ない蔵臼に、右代宮家の全てを継承する資格などない。ならば、絵羽、留弗夫、楼座の３人にはあるのか？ <br>\r\n\"Such an unsatisfactory person is not qualified to inherit everything of the Ushiromiya family. In that case, is Eva, Rudolf, or Rosa qualified?\" <br><br>\r\nこれもノーである！！ <br>\r\n\"Again, <no>!! <br><br>\r\n碑文の謎を解けず、さりとて蔵臼を引き摺り下ろす策も弄せず！ お前たちに出来たのは３人寄せ集めで共同戦線を張って、蔵臼からカネをせびろうとしたことだけ。しかもその策も浅はかそのもの！ 蔵臼一人を追い詰めることさえ出来やしない！ ………情けないことこの上なしッ！ <br>\r\nYou were unable to solve the riddle, and you were also unable to use a scheme to drag Krauss down! All the three of you managed to do was gather together in a united front to try and extort money from Krauss. And even that scheme was thoughtless! You can't even corner Krauss all by himself! ......There could be nothing more shameful!\" <br><br>\r\n次期当主の座をどんなことをしてでも奪い取ろうという貪欲さが足りぬ！！ 欲しいもののためには如何なる犠牲も払い、どこまでも貪欲となるべし、強欲となるべし…！！ 幸運の女神は貪欲なる者にこそ微笑む！！ その野生の精神がないお前たち３人に、蔵臼同様に継承の資格などありはしないッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"You lack the avarice to steal away the position of Successor by any means!! In order to get what you want, you should sacrifice everything, becoming as covetous and greedy as possible...!! The goddess of luck smiles upon the greedy!! You three, who don't have that wild spirit, are as unfit for the succession as Krauss is!!\" <br><br>\r\n絵羽たちに返せる言葉はない。 <br>\r\nそして、金蔵が何を語ろうとしているのか、計りかねている…。 <br>\r\nEva and the rest had no words to respond with. <br><br>\r\nAnd they couldn't calculate what it was Kinzo was about to say... <br><br>\r\n金蔵はまさか、誰にも当主を継がないとでも宣言するつもりだろうか？ <br>\r\nもしそうならば、それは絵羽たちにとって利することになる。 <br>\r\nWas Kinzo actually planning to proclaim that no one would succeed the Headship? <br><br>\r\nIf so, that would work to Eva, Rosa, and Rudolf's advantage. <br><br>\r\n結局のところ、金蔵の死後に兄弟で改めて調整し、遺産を山分けすればいいだけの話だからだ。 <br>\r\nAfter all, in the end, they'd just have to renegotiate everything among the siblings after Kinzo's death, splitting the inheritance evenly. <br><br>\r\nむしろ、具体的に個人名を挙げて、誰かに継承を宣言される方が厄介に違いなかった。 <br>\r\nIt would surely be more troublesome if a specific person's name was raised and proclaimed to be the Successor. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、ここまで四兄弟を扱き下ろした金蔵が、その誰かが得をするようなことを言うだろうか。 <br>\r\n...But would Kinzo really say something to benefit any of the four siblings after demeaning them so much? <br><br>\r\n「……まさか、誰にも引き継がないからと、財産を全て慈善団体にでも寄付するとか言い出すつもりじゃないでしょうね……。」 <br>\r\n\"...You don't think...he's going to say that because no one will succeed him, he'll donate all of his fortune to charity or something, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………お父様ならやりかねないという恐怖はあるわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......I'm afraid I wouldn't put it past Father.\" <br><br>\r\n「頭に血が上ってるだけさ……。しばらくは聞き流すしかねぇ。」 <br>\r\n\"The blood's just risen to his head... We can't do anything but let him talk for now.\" <br><br>\r\n「で、…ではお父さん。次期当主については、どういうお考えをお持ちですか。」 <br>\r\n\"...W-Well then, Father. What thoughts do you have regarding the Succession of the Headship?\" <br><br>\r\n「ふ………。お前たちに完全に失望した以上、私は誰に引き継ぐ気も失った。 <br>\r\n\"Hmph...... Since I am so utterly disappointed in all of you, I've lost the desire to hand it over to anyone. <br><br>\r\nよって、右代宮家はこれで終わる。私の代で終わりだ。」 <br>\r\nTherefore, the Ushiromiya family will end here. It ends with my generation.\" <br><br>\r\n「……そ、そういうわけには……。」 <br>\r\n\"...Th-That cannot...\" <br><br>\r\n「右代宮家など、あの震災の時にとっくに滅んでおるわ。今の右代宮家など、私が束の間だけ見ている黄金の幻想に過ぎぬのだ。……私が夢より覚めれば、終わる程度のもの。ふっふっふ！ この世など全ては夢、幻。…生など、死という目覚めの前には白昼夢と同じよ。あぁ、そうだ、元よりそうだったのだ！！ 私が死ぬ時に全てを失うのが、ベアトリーチェとの契約、そして呪い！ ふっはっはっは！！ そうは行くか、ベアトリーチェ！ お前を捕らえるのはこの私だ！！ 今宵、それは現実となるだろう。くっくくくくく！ わっははははははははは！！」 <br>\r\n\"The Ushiromiya family was crushed long ago in that earthquake. The current Ushiromiya family is nothing but an illusion of gold I'm glimpsing for an instant. ...The likes of which will end when I awaken from my slumber. Hehheheh! Everything in this world is a dream, an illusion. ...Life is but a daydream before the awakening called death. Aaah, yes, that's how it was from the beginning!! That I should lose everything when I die was part of Beatrice's contract, and her curse! Fuhahaha!! As if I'd let you, Beatrice! I will be the one who captures you!! Tonight, that goal will be realized. *cackle*cackle*! Wahhahahahahaha!!\" <br><br>\r\n金蔵はしばらくの間、白目を剥きながらげらげらと笑い転げる。 <br>\r\nベアトリーチェのことを語る時はいつも、彼は雄弁でそして狂気的だった……。 <br>\r\nFor a while, Kinzo was overcome with cackling, and his eyes bulged. <br><br>\r\nWhenever he talked about Beatrice, it was always both eloquent and insane... <br><br>\r\n「お前たちのような愚かなる息子たちなど、まさに白昼夢！！ 初めからいなかったも同然よッ！！ 消えろ！覚めろ！！ 真実の私のまどろみと共に消え去ってしまえ…！！ 私を継承するに値する何物も築き上げてこなかった出来損ないどもめッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Foolish children such as yourselves truly are daydreams!! It's as though you were never there from the beginning!! Disappear! Wake up!! Disappear from the doze of the truth that I am...!! You failures that have not built up anything that makes you worthy to succeed me!!\" <br><br>\r\n「き、金蔵さん。よろしいかな……。」 <br>\r\n\"K-Kinzo-san. If I may...\" <br><br>\r\n「何か。我が友よ。」 <br>\r\n\"What is it, my friend?\" <br><br>\r\n南條がおずおずと挙手し、発言を求める。金蔵はそれを認めた。 <br>\r\nNanjo nervously raised his hand, asking to speak. Kinzo allowed him to. <br><br>\r\n「金蔵さんの気持ちもわかる。子どもたちを愛するがゆえに、大きな期待を寄せ、それゆえに期待を裏切られたような気持ちになる親心、同じく子どもや孫を持つ身として、よーくわかります。 <br>\r\n\"I understand how you feel, Kinzo-san. Because you love your children, you expect a lot of them, and as a parent and grandparent myself, I understand how parental affection can make you feel as though your expectations were betrayed.\" <br><br>\r\n……しかし、金蔵さんは非凡だ。天才だ。そんな金蔵さんに追い付いて当然と言うんでは、ちょいと酷過ぎるんじゃないかね…？ <br>\r\n\"...However, you are extraordinary, Kinzo-san. A genius. Isn't saying that it's only natural for them to catch up to you a little too harsh...? <br><br>\r\nそれでも、そんな金蔵さんに追い付こうと、蔵臼さんも絵羽さんも、留弗夫さんも楼座さんも、そしてその伴侶の皆さんも、よーく頑張っています…。」 <br>\r\nDespite that, Krauss-san, Eva-san, Rudolf-san, Rosa-san, and all of their partners have done their very best to catch up with you...\" <br><br>\r\n「ほほぉおおおぉ？？？ よォく頑張って、どの程度のカネを稼ぎ上げたというのかァ。事業にことごとく失敗して借金を抱え、未だに私のすねをかじろうという間抜けどものどこがよォく頑張っていると言えるのかぁあああ…！！ <br>\r\n\"Hohoooooooooohhh??? And just how much money have they built up with this `Doing their best'? After these cowards fail completely in ventures and gain debt, and still try to sponge off me, how can you say that they did their very best...?!!\" <br><br>\r\nこの世の全てはカネとして結晶しているのだ。それが掴めぬということは、この世を掴んでおらぬということ！ 魂がこの世をしっかり掴んでおらぬということは、生きるに値せぬということだッ！！ 消えろ！！ 我が生と現実から消え去ってしまえ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Money is the crystallization of everything in this world. If you cannot grasp that, then you cannot grasp the world! If a life cannot strongly grasp this world, it doesn't deserve to live!! Disappear!! Disappear from my life and reality!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……それは暴論です。その理論から言ったら、私だって生きていてはいけないことになる。 <br>\r\n\"...That's a reckless argument. With that logic, even I must not live. <br><br>\r\n……そんな私でも、金蔵さんと過ごしたチェスの時間は、共に価値あるものだったと信じていますぞ…。……世の中、お金で買えないものもたくさんあることを、金蔵さん自身が誰よりもご存知のはずだ。」 <br>\r\n...Even so, I believe the time I spend playing chess with you was worthwhile for both of us, Kinzo-san... ...You should know better than anyone else that there are many things in this world that cannot be bought with money.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………む。……ふむ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Hmm. ...Hmph.\" <br><br>\r\n兄弟たちはじっと頭を垂れながら、南條に心の中で声援を送る。 <br>\r\nAs the siblings motionlessly hung their heads, they cheered Nanjo on inside their hearts. <br><br>\r\n激高した金蔵に意見できる兄弟はいないが、親友である南條にだけはそれが許されていた…。 <br>\r\nNot one of the siblings could offer their opinion in front of Kinzo in a rage, but Kinzo's close friend Nanjo alone was allowed to... <br><br>\r\n金蔵はあれだけ激高していたのに、南條に諭され、納得したかのように小さく何度も頷く。 <br>\r\nEven though Kinzo had raged so fiercely, after being admonished by Nanjo, he nodded several times as though in agreement. <br><br>\r\n……案外素直な一面を可愛らしくも思うが、それを笑える者はいなかった。 <br>\r\n...This surprisingly obedient side of him might have seemed cute, but there was no one here who could laugh. <br><br>\r\n「確かに息子さんたちは、金蔵さんほどの財は築き上げられなかったかもしれない。……まぁ、それでも私から見れば羨ましいほどのお金持ちではありますがな。 <br>\r\n\"It may be true that your children haven't built up as great a fortune as you have, Kinzo-san. ...Though, even so, they're rich enough to make me jealous.\" <br><br>\r\nしかし、お金だけでなく、お金では買えないたくさんのものを築き上げました。それについて言えば、金蔵さんにも負けないくらいです。」 <br>\r\n\"But besides money, they have also built up many things that cannot be bought with money. When it comes to that, they are in no way inferior to you, Kinzo-san.\" <br><br>\r\n「ほぅ。金で買えぬ何を積み上げたというのか。」 <br>\r\n\"Hoh. And what do you claim they have built up that cannot be bought with money?\" <br><br>\r\n「幸せです。家族です。……彼らは素晴らしい伴侶を見つけ、子を産み、それぞれの幸せな家庭を築かれています。あなたの一族を繁栄させ、そして孫を連れ帰ってきてくれました。 <br>\r\n\"Happiness. Family. ...They have found wonderful partners, had children, and each has built up their own happy homes. They have glorified your family name...and have brought back grandchildren.\" <br><br>\r\n孫は良いですぞ。私たち年寄りは、私たちには見ることもかなわぬ新しき時代を生きるだろう若き孫に、無限の未来を想像するのです。……それは、老境の唯一の楽しみではありませんか。 <br>\r\n\"Grandchildren are wonderful. We older people can look at these young grandchildren, who will live on into a new era that we will not even be given a chance to see, and in them, we can imagine an endless future. ...Isn't that the sole entertainment we have in our old age?\" <br><br>\r\n思い出しなさい、金蔵さん。彼らが初めて孫を連れて帰ってくれた時の喜びを…！ 息子さんたちは、そして孫たちは、金蔵さんの偉業を後の世まで伝え、模範としてくれることでしょう。それは、お金がいくらあろうとも、孤独なる身には成せぬことです。」 <br>\r\n\"Remember, Kinzo-san. Remember your joy when they first brought back their grandchildren...! Your children and your grandchildren...will carry your great works on to future generations, setting an example. That is something that an individual cannot accomplish no matter how much money they have.\" <br><br>\r\nウンウンと同意の頷きをする兄弟たち…。 <br>\r\nThe siblings all nodded in agreement... <br><br>\r\n確かに、金蔵とても生まれたばかりの孫に、目尻を下げた日もあったのだ。 <br>\r\n……まだ多少は正常な心が残っていた頃には。 <br>\r\nCertainly, Kinzo had looked happy when his grandchildren had just been born. <br><br>\r\n...Back when he still had some sanity in his heart. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、金蔵の心に、ニンゲンとしての温かみなど、今もまだ残っているだろうか……。 <br>\r\n...However, did Kinzo's heart still contain a Human's warmth...? <br><br>\r\n「それはつまり。私が成した巨万の富の代わりに！ カネを儲ける代わりに、孫を儲けたと、そういうわけか。」 <br>\r\n\"In other words, in exchange for the vast riches I created, instead of gaining money, I have gained my grandchildren?!\" <br><br>\r\n「い、いえいえ、そういう意味では…、」 <br>\r\n\"N-No, no, that's not what I...\" <br><br>\r\n「私が稼ぎ上げた数百億という財産の代わりに、息子たちは１人ずつ孫を儲けたというわけか！！ <br>\r\n\"So, in exchange for the several tens of billions in wealth that I have built up, I have gained a single grandchild from each of my children!!\" <br><br>\r\nはっはははははははははは！！ それは素晴らしい！ つまりは百億を投じて命をひとつ生み出したと！ そういうわけだ！ これは面白い、錬金術的に考えて実に面白い例えではないかァ…？！ <br>\r\n\"Hahhahahahahahahahahaha!! This is wonderful! So, I have created a single life using ten billion yen! That's how it is! Interesting, truly an interesting example in the alchemical sense, riight...?!\" <br><br>\r\nほぉう、何と価値ある孫たちなのかッ！ 素晴らしい、……素晴らしい！！ わっはっはっはっはっは！！ そうなのか、蔵臼？ ……お前の娘には百億の価値があるというのか……？」 <br>\r\n\"Hooh, what valuable grandchildren! Wonderful, ...wonderful!! Wahhahhahhahhahha!! Is that right, Krauss? ...Is your daughter worth ten billion yen...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"......\" <br><br>\r\n蔵臼は即答出来ない。 <br>\r\n……娘に自信がないという意味ではなく、金蔵が何を試したくて問い掛けているのか、まったく見えないからだ。 <br>\r\nKrauss couldn't answer instantly. <br><br>\r\n...It wasn't that he didn't have confidence in his daughter. It was because he didn't have a clue what Kinzo was trying to test him with in this question. <br><br>\r\nしかし、続いて返事を求められた夏妃は、それを自分なりに解釈し、蔵臼の沈黙を破って答える。 <br>\r\nBut when Natsuhi was then pressed for an answer, she responded, breaking Krauss's silence with an answer of her own interpretation. <br><br>\r\n「……は、はい。朱志香は百億のお金を積まれても手放せない娘です。その意味において、お金では数えられない価値があると信じてます。」 <br>\r\n\"...Y-Yes. Jessica is a daughter I wouldn't let go of even for ten billion yen. In that sense, I believe she has a value that can't be measured with money.\" <br><br>\r\n「ほぉ。百億の価値があると言い切るか。ほぅほぅ！ <br>\r\n\"Hoh. So, you can state for certain that she's worth ten billion. Hoh hoh! <br><br>\r\n絵羽はどうか？ お前のところの譲治はどうだ……？」 <br>\r\nWhat about you, Eva? What about your George...?\" <br><br>\r\n夏妃がそう答えたなら、絵羽の答えも自ずと決まっている。 <br>\r\nSince Natsuhi had answered that way, Eva naturally came up with her own answer as well. <br><br>\r\n……このような挑発的な問いには、答えるべきではないと知っているはずの絵羽も、同じく返事をする。 <br>\r\n...Even though Eva should have known better than to respond to a provocative question like this, she answered as well. <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、お父様。譲治には百億の、……いいえ、それ以上の価値があります。 <br>\r\n\"Yes, Father. George is worth ten billion...no, even more than that. <br><br>\r\nそれはお金で買えないという抽象的な意味ではありません。譲治は必ずや、自らの価値に等しいだけの財産を築き上げるでしょう。お父様の偉業を継ぐに相応しい孫となるはずです…！」 <br>\r\nAnd that's not in the abstract sense of things money can't buy. George will certainly build up a fortune equal to his worth. He'll become a grandson worthy of carrying on your great works, Father...!\" <br><br>\r\nしてやったりとでもいうかの表情で秀吉と夏妃をちらりと見る絵羽。 <br>\r\nEva sent a glance at Hideyoshi and Natsuhi as if she'd scored a point. <br><br>\r\n……それを聞き、夏妃も我が娘にさらに評価を加えようかと思ったが、蔵臼に睨まれそれを飲み込む。 <br>\r\n...When she heard what Eva had said, Natsuhi was about to add more praise for her daughter, but stopped at a glare from Krauss. <br><br>\r\n「ふむ、なるほど。 <br>\r\n\"Hmm, I see. <br><br>\r\n………ならば留弗夫はどうか？ お前のところの戦人はどうだというのか。」 <br>\r\n......Then what about you, Rudolf? What about your Battler?\" <br><br>\r\n「ウチの戦人は、……譲治くんに比べられちゃ、威張れることは何もねぇ。 <br>\r\n\"Compared to George-kun, ...there's nothing about Battler I can brag about. <br><br>\r\n誘拐されて身代金を百億よこせと脅されたら、ノシをつけて進呈したい程度のヤツではある。」 <br>\r\nIf he was kidnapped and we were threatened with a ransom of ten billion, I'd feel like sticking a bow on the guy and letting them have him.\" <br><br>\r\n「くすくすくす……。」 <br>\r\n\"*giggle*giggle*...\" <br><br>\r\n「さらに、馬鹿で無鉄砲だ。偉そうな夢や、出来るわけもねぇことを語り出す。……その一点においては、馬鹿百億人分に匹敵する大馬鹿だろうさ。 <br>\r\n\"On top of that, he's an idiot and reckless. He talks about grand dreams and things that couldn't be done. ...I guess in that way, he's a super idiot worth the equivalent of ten billion normal idiots.\" <br><br>\r\nだが、馬鹿も出来ねぇ凡人どもが、百億人束になっても出来ねぇことを、きっとあいつはやり出すだろうよ。まぁ、俺はどうせコケるだろうとは思ってる。世の中は甘くねぇ。 <br>\r\n\"But I'm sure that guy could do things that even a group of ten billion average people couldn't do. Well, I'm pretty sure he'll fall flat on his face. The world isn't easy.\" <br><br>\r\n……しかし、百億の凡人を眺めるよりは、ヤツの人生は観賞して愉快なものになるだろうことだけは、疑ってねぇぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"...But at the very least, there's no doubt that watching over his life will be more fun than looking at ten billion average people.\" <br><br>\r\n金蔵の好みそうなうまい言い方をすると、絵羽は舌打ちする。 <br>\r\nEva clicked her tongue at that clever style of speech, which would probably match Kinzo's tastes. <br><br>\r\n留弗夫自身も狙って言ったらしく、にやりと笑い返した。 <br>\r\nApparently, Rudolf had done that on purpose, so he grinned back at her. <br><br>\r\n「……真里亞はどうか？」 <br>\r\n\"...What of Maria?\" <br><br>\r\n「ま、……真里亞は私の可愛い、たったひとりの娘です。お金の価値で量れるものではありません。……それだけです。」 <br>\r\n\"...M-Maria is my adorable and only daughter. Her value cannot be measured with money. ...That is all.\" <br><br>\r\n「ふむ。…………なるほど。夢と未来、奇跡と可能性は我が魔力の源泉だ。希望なくして如何なる魔法も力を持ちはしない。 <br>\r\n\"Hmm. ......I see. Dreams and the future, miracles and possibilities are the source of my magical power. No magic without hopes holds any strength.\" <br><br>\r\n……ふっ、すでに凡百であることを証明してしまったお前たちには何を期待することも叶わないが。なるほど、孫たちには未来の可能性があり、魔法的奇跡を期待する価値はあり得るというわけか。 <br>\r\n\"...Heh, I cannot expect any more from you who have proven to be average, but I see, my grandchildren hold future possibilities, and expecting a magical miracle from them may be worthwhile.\" <br><br>\r\nそれを以って、百億以上の価値と言ってみせるなら、ふむ、わからぬでもない。……ふむ、ふむ……。」 <br>\r\n\"If you're saying that, in this way, they are worth more than ten billion...hmm, yes, I can see where you're coming from. ...Hmmm, hmmmm...\" <br><br>\r\n金蔵は激高すれば誰にも口答えを許さないが、にもかかわらず、自分でひとり怒鳴り続けながら、勝手に何かに納得して、自分の意見を翻す時もある。 <br>\r\nWhen Kinzo got in a rage, he wouldn't let anyone speak up, but even so, he would sometimes accept something on his own while yelling by himself...and change his own opinion. <br><br>\r\n……兄弟たちはそんな気配を感じ取っていた。 <br>\r\n...That's what this felt like to the siblings. <br><br>\r\nどうやら金蔵は、出来の悪い息子たちに呆れ果て、家督も遺産を譲る価値はないと切り捨てていたが、孫についてはどうだろうと考えているらしい。 <br>\r\nApparently, even though Kinzo had been disgusted by his unsuccessful children and had cast them away as being unfit for the inheritance of his title or his fortune, he wasn't sure about his grandchildren. <br><br>\r\n……この流れだと、遺産は、兄弟ではなく、孫たちに与えると言い出すかもしれない。 <br>\r\n...At this rate, he might soon say that the inheritance would go to his grandchildren instead of the siblings. <br><br>\r\n兄弟たちは、気まぐれで短気なる父が、突然何を思いついて何を言い出すのかに怯えながら、その一挙手一投足を慎重に見守った…。 <br>\r\nAs the siblings sat in fear of what their fickle and short-tempered father might suddenly think of next, they carefully watched his every move... <br><br>\r\n「……ふむ。……考えを少し改めよう。お前たちに我が全てを継承する気はまったくない。 <br>\r\n\"...Hmm. ...Let me change my thinking a little. I have absolutely no desire to hand over all I have to any of you.\" <br><br>\r\nしかし、孫たちの誰かにその資格があるかどうかを問うのは、なかなかに面白いことだ……。いつまでも子どもだと思っておったが、ひょっとすると、私を驚かせるような原石の煌きを見せてくれるかもしれぬ。 <br>\r\n\"However, it will be quite interesting to question the grandchildren to see if one of them is qualified... I've always thought of them as mere kids, but there's a chance I'll find a shining gem amongst them that will catch me off guard.\" <br><br>\r\nそしてそれを期待し試すのは、 <br>\r\n……なるほど、我が余生最後の道楽としても捨てがたい。……ふぅむ、 <br>\r\n……さて、これはどうしたものか…。」 <br>\r\n\"And testing them for that would be... <br><br>\r\n...yes, it would be a shame to abandon that final side-trip in my remaining life. ...Hmmmmm, <br><br>\r\n...well then, what shall I do...?\" <br><br>\r\n「じょ、…譲治なら、お父様の後を継ぐに相応しいと、私は自信を持って推薦できます！」 <br>\r\n\"...I-I can, with confidence, recommend George as someone fitting to follow after you!\" <br><br>\r\n絵羽が直ちにそう主張する。 <br>\r\nEva claimed that right away. <br><br>\r\n夏妃もそれに釣られそうになるが、蔵臼が堪えろという風に目配せしたので、それを飲み込んだ。 <br>\r\nNatsuhi looked like she was about to follow along, but Krauss gave her a look telling her to restrain herself, so she swallowed her words. <br><br>\r\n「ふっふふふふふ！ 勇ましいではないか。 <br>\r\n\"Hehheheheheheh! How bold. <br><br>\r\n……では、こうしよう。 <br>\r\n...Then, let us do this. <br><br>\r\n右代宮家の家督と財産の全てを受け継ぐ資格があるかどうか、孫たちに個別に問おうではないか。」 <br>\r\nI will individually question the grandchildren to see if they are qualified to succeed the Ushiromiya family inheritance and wealth.\" <br><br>\r\n「…お父様……、」 <br>\r\n\"...Father...\" <br><br>\r\n「しかァしッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Howeeever!! <br><br>\r\n ………それはお前たちの誰かに間接的に家督を引き継ぐという意味ではない。お前たちにはすでに失望しているのだ。お前たちに与えるものは、今や何もない。何もな！ 私が問うのは孫たちだ。そして引き継ぐかもしれないのも孫たちだ。……それを決して勘違いするな……？」 <br>\r\n ......That does not mean that one of you will indirectly receive the inheritance. I am already disappointed in you all. There is no longer anything I have to give you. Not a thing! The ones I will question are my grandchildren. And the ones who might succeed me are my grandchildren. ...Make absolutely sure that you do not mistake this, understood...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………お父さんの判断に従います。」 <br>\r\n\"......I shall obey Father's decision.\" <br><br>\r\n「同じくだ。親父の決定に従うぜ。……なぁ、姉貴？」 <br>\r\n\"Same here. I'll go along with what he decides. ...What about you, Aneki?\" <br><br>\r\n「も、もちろんよ。……お父様が賢明な判断をされると信じています。」 <br>\r\n\"O-Of course. ...I believe Father will make a wise judgement.\" <br><br>\r\n「わ、私もお父様の判断に従います……。」 <br>\r\n\"I-I will also obey Father's decision...\" <br><br>\r\n「孫たちをどのように試すかは考えよう。そしてそれは、お前たちには今さら関係のない話だ。当主継承とお前たちは、もはや何の関係もないのだから。 <br>\r\n\"I shall think of how to test my grandchildren. Which means this is no longer any business of yours. After all, none of you are involved with the succession in any way now. <br><br>\r\n……だからこの場では、お前たちに関係のある、もうひとつの話をしようではないか。」 <br>\r\n...So right here, right now, perhaps we should discuss a different matter that does involve you.\" <br><br>\r\n「もうひとつの話、とは……？」 <br>\r\n\"A different matter...?\" <br><br>\r\n「うむ。それこそが今宵の、そして右代宮家最後の親族会議の本当の理由だ。 <br>\r\n\"Indeed. That is tonight's true purpose, and the true purpose for this final Ushiromiya family conference as well. <br><br>\r\n……くっくっくっくっく！！ お前たちに求めるのは、議論でも意見でもない。 <br>\r\n...Heheheheheheh!! I have no desire to hear your thoughts and opinions. <br><br>\r\n我が儀式にッ！ 協力を求めるためだ。」 <br>\r\nI demand only your assistance! Assistance in my ceremony!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………儀式ぃ…？」 <br>\r\n\"...Your ceremony...?\" <br><br>\r\n「静かに…！ お父様がお話をなさっている最中よ…！」 <br>\r\n\"Quiet...! Father's talking now...!\" <br><br>\r\n儀式というオカルト的な言葉に、思わず留弗夫たちは眉をひそめてしまう。 <br>\r\nRudolf and the rest had automatically narrowed their brows at the occult-like word. <br><br>\r\nまた何か、ベアトリーチェ復活を巡る、怪しげな儀式でも始めようというのだろうか……？ <br>\r\nCould he be planning to start some strange ceremony involving Beatrice's resurrection again...? <br><br>\r\nそれに協力を求める…？ <br>\r\n一体、何を始めるつもりだというのか。 <br>\r\nAnd he wanted their assistance...? <br><br>\r\nWhat in the world was he planning to do? <br><br>\r\n過去にも、そうだと称して、おかしな香を焚き始めて、屋敷中に異臭を漂わせたりと、数々の奇行を行なったことがある。 <br>\r\nIn the past, he had carried out many eccentricities that he called by the same name, such as starting to burn a strange incense and filling the whole mansion with the stench. <br><br>\r\n兄弟たちにとって、儀式は、老いた金蔵の迷惑な趣味のひとつでしかない。 <br>\r\nTo the siblings, a ceremony was nothing more than one of the aged Kinzo's obnoxious hobbies. <br><br>\r\n「お父さん…。儀式とは一体………？」 <br>\r\n\"Father, just what do you mean by that......?\" <br><br>\r\n「私たちに協力できることなら、何でもご協力します。ねぇ、楼座。」 <br>\r\n\"If we can assist you, we'll do anything. Right, Rosa?\" <br><br>\r\n「え、えぇ……。でも、一体、何を…？」 <br>\r\n\"Y-Yes... But...what in the world...is it...?\" <br><br>\r\n「私が碑文に刻んだとおりの儀式だ。……ベアトリーチェを蘇らせ、黄金郷の扉を開く儀式である。肉体の檻を逃れ、私の指の隙間を嘲笑うようにすり抜けるあの魔女を、今度こそ捕らえ、屈服させる、私の最大の秘術だ。………そのために、１３人もの命を生贄に捧げねばならぬがな。 <br>\r\n\"A ceremony as inscribed in my epitaph. ...A ceremony to revive Beatrice and open the door to the Golden Land. That witch, who escaped her cage of flesh and sneeringly slipped through my fingers, I shall now capture...and force into submission with my greatest hidden art. ......For that purpose, I must offer 13 people as sacrifices.\" <br><br>\r\n……ふっふふふふふ！ １３人もの生贄は容易には集まらぬ。しかし、今宵は親族会議！ これだけの大人数が六軒島に集まった。この儀式が行なえるのは、今日をおいて他にないのだ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Hehheheheheh! Gathering 13 people's worth of sacrifices is no easy feat. But tonight is the family conference! Many adults have gathered on Rokkenjima. There could be no other day on which to carry out this ceremony.\" <br><br>\r\nそれは、言葉通りに受け取ったなら、物騒な儀式の生贄になって死んでくれと言っているようにしか聞こえない。 <br>\r\nTaken literally, it sounded like he was telling them to become human sacrifices for his dark ceremony and die. <br><br>\r\nそんな馬鹿な。 <br>\r\nこれは何かの比喩表現…？ <br>\r\nRidiculous. <br><br>\r\nWas it some kind of metaphor...? <br><br>\r\nしかし何の話を喩えて言っているのかさっぱり見当がつかない。 <br>\r\nBut they didn't even have a clue what he was trying to illustrate. <br><br>\r\n兄弟たちはひそひそと、金蔵が何を言い出しているのかと囁き合う……。 <br>\r\nThe siblings whispered together about what Kinzo was saying... <br><br>\r\n「……親父は何を言ってるんだ？ いつもの悪い病気か…？」 <br>\r\n\"...What's Dad going on about? Is this his usual sickness...?\" <br><br>\r\n「だろうな。しばらく黙って聞いてやれ。」 <br>\r\n\"Probably. Listen silently for now.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。」 <br>\r\n\".........\" <br><br>\r\n「ごめんなさい、お父様…。どういう意味で仰られているのか、わかりかねます。」 <br>\r\n\"I'm sorry, Father... I don't understand what you mean by that.\" <br><br>\r\n「何がわかりかねるというのか。私は至極単純に話している。ベアトリーチェを蘇らせる儀式のために、この島にいる人間から１３人を選び、生贄に捧げようと言っている。 <br>\r\n\"What is it you don't understand? I am making this extremely simple. I told you that I'll choose 13 of the humans on this island and offer them as sacrifices in a ceremony to revive Beatrice. <br><br>\r\n何の価値もないお前たちも、我が儀式の生贄としてなら大いに役に立てるというわけだ。わっはっはっはっは！！ <br>\r\nEven worthless people like you can be very useful as sacrifices in my ceremony. Wahhahhahhahha!!\" <br><br>\r\n……聞けッ！！ これは冗談でも何でもない。私が人生の最後に欲する、最後の賭け、最後の儀式である！ この島には今、１３人を超える人間がいる。つまり、この膨大な数の生贄を容易に満たせるだけの頭数が存在するというわけだ！ お前たちは我が儀式の生贄となれッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"...Listen!! This is not a joke nor anything of the sort. This is my final bet, my final ceremony, the last one I will desire in my life! There are now more than 13 humans on this island. In short, that's a head count that can easily satisfy the massive number of sacrifices I require! Become the sacrifices for my ceremony!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……金蔵さん、……あんた、まさか……。あの話は本気だったのかね…？！ 冗談ではなく……！！」 <br>\r\n\"...Kinzo-san, ...you weren't...serious about what you said back then, were you...?! It wasn't a joke...?!!\" <br><br>\r\n南條が、珍しく血相を変えて立ち上がり叫ぶ。 <br>\r\nUnusually for him, Nanjo's face changed color as he stood up and shouted. <br><br>\r\n１３人を生贄に、などという物騒な話は、南條にとって初耳ではなかったらしい。 <br>\r\nIt seemed this wasn't the first time Nanjo had heard all this dark talk about 13 sacrifices. <br><br>\r\n「すまんな、我が友よ。あれは冗談でも何でもない。我が生涯を賭して、最後に挑む儀式であり、ゲームなのだよ。 <br>\r\n\"Sorry, my friend. That was no joke nor anything of the sort. It is what I bet my life on, the final ceremony, the final game that I will attempt.\" <br><br>\r\nそう、これはゲームだ！ お前たちにとって、我が財産を得て島を出ることがゴールならば、それを達する方法は２つしかない！ １３人の生贄から逃れ見事生き残り、今さらながら碑文の謎を解いて儀式を止めてみせるか、 <br>\r\n\"Yes, this is a game! If gaining my fortune and leaving the island is your goal, then there are only two ways to achieve it! Will you escape being chosen as one of the 13 sacrifices and spectacularly survive, by finally solving the riddle of the epitaph and stopping the ceremony, <br><br>\r\n……私を殺しッ！ この儀式を止めてみせるか。この２つしかない！！」 <br>\r\n...or will you kill me?! ...And thereby stop this ceremony. Those are your only two options!!\" <br><br>\r\nもはや一同は、ひそひそという囁きではなく、ざわざわという賑わいになっていた。 <br>\r\nさすがの兄弟たちも、金蔵が常軌を逸し始めていることに気付いている…。 <br>\r\nBy now, everyone wasn't just whispering, but chattering and muttering away. <br><br>\r\nEven the siblings had noticed that Kinzo was beginning to act abnormally... <br><br>\r\n「……お父さん、少しお疲れなのでは？ 源次さん、お父さんは少し酒を？」 <br>\r\n\"...Father, are you a little tired? Genji-san, has Father been drinking?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………いいえ。お館様は聡明であらせられます。」 <br>\r\n\"......No. The Master is sensible.\" <br><br>\r\n「悪ィけど、親父。何を言い出すのかさっぱりだぜ……。 <br>\r\n\"Sorry, Dad. I don't have a clue what you're talking about... <br><br>\r\n親父が、愛する魔女を蘇らせるために、どんな怪しげな儀式をおっ始めてもそりゃ自由だぜ。親父の趣味なんだからな。 <br>\r\nDad's free to start up any weird ceremony he wants to revive the witch he loves. That's his hobby. <br><br>\r\nだが、そいつに巻き込まれて、……たはは、生贄にされるのはまっぴら御免だぜ。」 <br>\r\nBut getting wrapped up in that...ahaha...and being made into a human sacrifice is a little more than I can handle.\" <br><br>\r\n「留弗夫、お父様の話に口を挟む気？！」 <br>\r\n\"Rudolf, are you trying to interrupt Father?!\" <br><br>\r\n「何言ってんだ、姉貴！ こんな物騒な話に、はいそうですかで頷けるわけねぇだろ？！」 <br>\r\n\"What are you talking about, Aneki?! You expect me to listen to something that shady and say `Oh, really?'?!\" <br><br>\r\n金蔵の口にする“儀式”が、言葉通りの物騒なものなのか、次期当主を選ぶための何らかの試練なのか。 <br>\r\nWas the `ceremony' Kinzo had mentioned literally something disturbing, or was it some kind of test to choose the Successor? <br><br>\r\n留弗夫は言葉通りの物騒なものとして受け取ったようだが、絵羽はそれでも、これは次期当主を見極めるための、試練や審査のようなものだと信じているようだった。 <br>\r\nIt seemed that Rudolf had taken it literally, but Eva apparently still believed that it was something like a test or examination to find a proper Successor. <br><br>\r\nしかし金蔵はそれに対し、明快な答えを返す。 <br>\r\nBut Kinzo responded with a clear smile. <br><br>\r\n「さて、私からの話は以上だ。異議も意見もなァんにも必要はなぁい…！！ ４人の不出来なる息子たちがいたという私の夢が覚めるだけの話なのだ。お前たちにとって、これより目の前で起こることはまさに夢、幻、あるいはこの世のものと思えぬ理解に及ばぬ世界だろう。 <br>\r\n\"Well then, that is all I have to say. Nooo objections or opinions are necessary from you...!! I will simply awaken from my dream of having four unsuccessful children. To all of you, what will occur now before your very eyes may seem like a dream, an illusion, something that couldn't conceivably be of this world, and a world that defies understanding.\" <br><br>\r\nしかしそれこそが我が現実！！ お前たちという出来の悪き浅い夢は今こそようやく覚めるのだッ！！ <br>\r\n\"But that itself is my reality!! Now, I will finally awaken from the shallow, useless dream that all of you are!!\" <br><br>\r\nさぁ、もうゲームは始まっているぞ？ これだけいては、誰から命を奪えばいいものやら…！！ <br>\r\n\"Come, the game has already begun, see? With this many of you here, I can take lives starting with anyone...!! <br><br>\r\nさらばだ、出来の悪き息子たちよ。そして生涯でただ一度、そして最後に、私の儀式のために役に立て…！！ <br>\r\nSo long, my unsuccessful children. And for the final and only time in your lives, be useful...for my ceremony...!! <br><br>\r\n出でよ、ペンドラゴンの記念兵たちよ…！！」 <br>\r\nArise, Pendragon's Memorial Troops...!!\" <br><br>\r\n金蔵がオペラ歌手のように両手を高く掲げて、まるで満場の観客にそう叫ぶように言うと、 <br>\r\nWhen Kinzo raised his arms high like an opera singer and yelled as though towards a packed audience, <br><br>\r\n空間がガラスのように割れ、………この島に招かれていないはずの人影が、３人もそこに姿を現す……。 <br>\r\nthe air shattered like glass, ......and the outlines of three people who supposedly hadn't been invited to this island appeared... <br><br>\r\n「シエスタ４５、ここに…！」 <br>\r\n\"Chiester 45, right here...!\" <br><br>\r\n「シエスタ４１０、ここにぃ！」 <br>\r\n\"Chiester 410, riiiight here!\" <br><br>\r\n「シエスタ００、ここにであります。」 <br>\r\n\"Chiester 00, right here, sir.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n３人の奇怪なる姿の少女たちが金蔵の後に突如、現れる。 <br>\r\nThree girls with strange forms suddenly appeared behind Kinzo. <br><br>\r\nどこから？ いつの間に？ 誰？ どちら様？？ <br>\r\nWhere from? When? Who? Who were they?? <br><br>\r\n……ニンゲンたちは目を白黒させて頭を真っ白にする。 <br>\r\nそんな思考に時間を費やしたため、彼らは生き残る最後のチャンスを失った。 <br>\r\n...The Humans were thrown off balance, and their minds went blank. <br><br>\r\nBecause they spent all that time thinking, they lost their last chance to survive. <br><br>\r\n「お前たちには６人の射殺を許可する。 <br>\r\n\"You have permission to shoot six to death. <br><br>\r\n標的は自由だ。攻撃開始。」 <br>\r\nI leave the choice of targets up to you. Begin your attack.\" <br><br>\r\n「自由射撃了解であります。良き標的に感謝。各個、自由射撃開始。」 <br>\r\n\"Unrestricted Firing, understood, sir. Thank you for granting us such excellent targets. Everyone, Commence Unrestricted Firing.\" <br><br>\r\n「にひ！ 一番乗りだにぇ！！ ヒャッハッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Nihi! First one in, nyeh!! Hyahhah!!\" <br><br>\r\n４１０が宙を指で掻くと、虚空に黄金の弓が現れ、その弦を引く。 <br>\r\nWhen 410 scratched the air with her finger, a golden bow appeared in empty space, and she pulled its string. <br><br>\r\nそこに構えられた黄金の矢は何の躊躇いもなく放たれ、室内をでたらめな黄金の軌跡を残しながら飛び回り、 <br>\r\n………親族会議のテーブルに座した一同の中から、夏妃を選び、その顔面の左半分を粉砕した。 <br>\r\nThe golden arrow that had been readied there was fired off without any hesitation, flew around the room leaving haphazard gold curves everywhere, <br><br>\r\n......and chose Natsuhi from among those sitting at the table of the family conference, pulverizing the left half of her face. <br><br>\r\n肉片と真っ赤な血飛沫が辺りに撒き散らされ、親族たちの顔と真っ白なテーブルクロスに真っ赤な飛沫を大量に残す。 <br>\r\nFlesh and deep-red blood scattered around, leaving massive red spatter marks on the relatives' faces and the pure white tablecloth. <br><br>\r\nシン、……としていた。 <br>\r\n...Silence fell. <br><br>\r\n一同は、テーブルクロスに真っ赤な斑が大量に残されても、なお、この異常な、………夏妃が頭部を半壊させて、腰掛けたまま居眠りをするように頭を垂れるのを、………何が起こったのか理解できずに、沈黙して見守っていた。 <br>\r\nDespite the massive number of deep-red spots left on the tablecloth, ......no one could understand why Natsuhi's head was half smashed, nor why she was hanging her head as though dozing while still sitting, ......and they watched on in silence. <br><br>\r\n……夏妃より右側に座っていた者たちは比較的長く沈黙していたが、左側に座っていた者たちはそうはいかなかった。 <br>\r\n...Those sitting on Natsuhi's right-hand side were silent for a relatively long time, but those sitting to her left were not. <br><br>\r\n……そちら側に座っていた人々は、彼女の頭部が叩き割られた西瓜か石榴のようになっている、その内側まで見せ付けられていたからだ……。 <br>\r\n...Because the people sitting on that side had been shown how her head had been smashed open like a watermelon or a pomegranate...and could even see inside her... <br><br>\r\n「な、……つひ…………、」 <br>\r\n\"Na...tsuhi......\" <br><br>\r\n「……まずは１人。夏妃か、最後まで運のない女だ。 <br>\r\n\"...One down. Natsuhi, is it? A luckless woman to the end. <br><br>\r\n……次ッ！」 <br>\r\n...Next!\" <br><br>\r\n「００、射撃。」 <br>\r\n\"00, Firing.\" <br><br>\r\n００も同じように虚空を掻いて黄金の弓を構えると、放つ。 <br>\r\nAfter scratching the empty air in the same way and readying her bow, 00 fired as well. <br><br>\r\n４１０の放った黄金の矢同様、でたらめな軌跡を描いて室内をぐるぐると高速で飛びまわった後、……夏妃を呆然と見ていた、留弗夫を、同じように頭部を半壊させて即死させた。 <br>\r\nAfter it flew around and around at high speeds like the golden arrow 410 had released, drawing a convoluted curve in the same manner, ...it smashed half of Rudolf's head in the same way as he looked at Natsuhi in shock, killing him instantly. <br><br>\r\n今度はみんな、思考停止には陥らなかった。恐るべき殺人が、金蔵の言葉通りに目の前で実行され出したことを理解する。 <br>\r\nThis time, everyone managed to avoid freezing up mentally. They realized that a fearsome murder had started playing out right in front of them, just as Kinzo had said. <br><br>\r\nそして、金蔵はさらに殺すだろうことを理解する……！ <br>\r\nAnd they realized that Kinzo would probably kill even more...! <br><br>\r\n「「うわああああああぁあああ！！」」 <br>\r\n\"\"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!\"\" <br><br>\r\n「「きゃああぁああああああぁあああッ！！！」」 <br>\r\n\"\"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!\"\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n鋭い悲鳴が沸き起こる。 <br>\r\nShrill screams burst out. <br><br>\r\nそれでもなお、彼らはどうすればいいかわからなかった。 <br>\r\nだから、悲鳴をほとばしらせたままに口を大きく開けて、金魚のようにぱくぱくとさせ続けるしかなかった……。 <br>\r\nEven so, they didn't know what to do. <br><br>\r\nSo they could only keep screaming and flapping their wide-open mouths like goldfish... <br><br>\r\n「お、……お父様……、 <br>\r\nこれは何の真似です……？」 <br>\r\n\"...F-Father, <br><br>\r\n...what do you think you're doing...?\" <br><br>\r\n「…あ、阿呆ぅ！！ はよ逃げるんやッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"...Y-You fool!! Run now!!\" <br><br>\r\n呆然としながら、金蔵にそう問い掛ける絵羽を、誰よりもいち早く正気に戻って立ち上がった秀吉が、後から腕を掴み引っ張る。 <br>\r\nAs Eva asked Kinzo that in total shock, Hideyoshi, who had come to his senses faster than anyone else and risen to his feet, pulled at her arm from behind. <br><br>\r\nしかし、無慈悲なる運命は３人目の生贄に、 <br>\r\n………秀吉を選ぶ。 <br>\r\nHowever, merciless fate's choice for the third sacrifice... <br><br>\r\n...was Hideyoshi. <br><br>\r\n秀吉の頭部もまた、それまでの２人と同じく綺麗に半分、……その時、たまたま向けていた右側側頭部が、……西瓜か石榴のように中身をぶちまけて吹き飛ばされた。 <br>\r\nJust like the two before him, half of Hideyoshi's head was neatly smashed, ...and the right side of his head, which had happened to be facing that direction at the time, ...had been blown away with its contents exposed like a watermelon or a pomegranate. <br><br>\r\nだから秀吉は、絵羽を掴んだまま、……ぐらりと後へ仰け反って倒れる。 <br>\r\n絵羽は最愛の夫に抱かれたまま、一緒に後へ転げて倒れる。 <br>\r\nSo, still holding Eva, ...Hideyoshi slumped backwards and fell down. <br><br>\r\nStill held by her beloved husband, Eva fell over backwards with him. <br><br>\r\n「あなた……？ あなた…？！ ひいいいぃいいいいいいぃいッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Dear...? Dear...?! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkk!!!\" <br><br>\r\n絵羽は絶叫する。 <br>\r\nEva screamed. <br><br>\r\n…無理もない。 <br>\r\n...It was only natural. <br><br>\r\nそこに求めたはずの秀吉の面影が、……半分失われていて、砕けた頭蓋骨、ぐちゃぐちゃになってはみ出た脳髄、砕けた歯茎を剥き出しにしているのだから……。 <br>\r\nThe face she had been looking for...had been half lost, and the crushed skull, the mashed brains, and the crushed jaw all lay bare... <br><br>\r\n「４５、着弾、命中…！」 <br>\r\n\"45, Impact, it's a hit...!\" <br><br>\r\n「見事だ。続けて撃て。残りは３人であるぞ。」 <br>\r\n\"Spectacular. Fire again. Three more remain.\" <br><br>\r\n「おッ、お父さん…！！ こここここッ、これはこれはッ、何の真似です？！？！」 <br>\r\n\"F-Father...!! Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-What...what...is this supposed to be?!?!\" <br><br>\r\n蔵臼が威勢良く立ち上がり、金蔵に食って掛かろうとすると、それを００に制止される。 <br>\r\nWhen Krauss stood up forcefully and was about to rush Kinzo, 00 blocked him. <br><br>\r\n……華奢そうな体をしながら、右腕の手の平だけで蔵臼の体躯を押し留める。 <br>\r\n...With her slender-looking body, she held back Krauss with just the palm of her right hand. <br><br>\r\nそれでもなお、抗い、金蔵に組みかかろうとするので、００は蔵臼の襟首を掴み上げ、親指を喉仏に捻りこむ。 <br>\r\nHe still tried to resist and attack Kinzo, so 00 lifted Krauss by the nape of the neck and twisted into his Adam's apple with her thumb. <br><br>\r\nそれはとても堪えたらしく、蔵臼は悶絶して苦しがった。 <br>\r\nIt seemed to be very painful, and Krauss was overcome with agony. <br><br>\r\n「ぐ、おぉおおおおお……！！！ みんな、…逃げろ…！！ 警察を……！ 救急を…！！ 早く……ッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Gghh, oooooooohhhh...!!! Everyone, ...run...!! Get the police...! An ambulance...!! Quickly...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「皆さん、逃げましょう！！ <br>\r\n\"Everyone, let's escape!! <br><br>\r\n逃げるんだ！！」 <br>\r\nEscape!!\" <br><br>\r\n南條の鋭い一言に、ようやく一同の、腰が椅子から剥がせない呪縛が解けた。 <br>\r\nNanjo's sharp words finally dissolved the spell that had been holding them down in their chairs. <br><br>\r\n郷田と熊沢が、我先にと食堂から逃げ出そうとすると、 <br>\r\nWhen Gohda and Kumasawa each tried to escape from the dining hall first, <br><br>\r\n４１０がそこに瞬間移動して現われ、退路を塞ぐ。 <br>\r\n410 moved in an instant and appeared there, blocking the way. <br><br>\r\n「にひ！ すっトロいにぇ〜。逃ィがすと思ったかにぇ〜♪」 <br>\r\n\"Nihi! You sure are slow nyeeh. Did you think I'd let you escape nyeeh♪\" <br><br>\r\n「ひィえええぇえぇえ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Hiieeeeeeeeeehhhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n「おッ、お助けぇえええええぇ！！」 <br>\r\n\"H-Help meeeeeeeeeeeee!!\" <br><br>\r\n「郷田さん、伏せてッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Gohda-san, duck!!\" <br><br>\r\n霧江の鋭い声に、郷田はわけもわからずにとにかくしゃがむ。 <br>\r\nEven though Gohda didn't understand, he crouched when he heard Kyrie's sharp voice. <br><br>\r\n……するとその頭上を重い風が切る。 <br>\r\n...Then, a burst of air rushed above his head. <br><br>\r\n霧江が、椅子を大きく横振りにして薙ぎ払ったのだ。 <br>\r\nKyrie had taken a big swing with a chair to mow 410 down. <br><br>\r\nしかし、４１０は人を馬鹿にしたような笑みのまま、その大振りの椅子をぱしりと片手で容易に受け止める。 <br>\r\nBut 410, still with a mocking expression, easily caught that widely swung chair with a single hand. <br><br>\r\n「……ち！」 <br>\r\n\"...Tch!\" <br><br>\r\n「おっかない女だにぇ。旦那の後がそんなに追いたいぃ？」 <br>\r\n\"What a scary woman nyeh. You really wanna go the same way as your husband that muuch?\" <br><br>\r\n椅子を受け止めている腕の袖口から、光る黄金の蛇のようなものが現れて、……椅子にぐるぐるっと絡みつくと、それをバリンッ！！っと爆ぜさせてしまう。 <br>\r\nFrom the cuff of her arm where she had caught the chair, something like a shining golden snake appeared, ...wrapped itself around the chair, and burst open. <br><br>\r\n万力どころではない、恐ろしい力だった。 <br>\r\nIt was a fearsome power, like a vice. <br><br>\r\n霧江は目の前の一見少女に見える存在が、ニンゲンには到底、太刀打ち出来ない人知を越えた存在だと知り、内より湧き出す壮絶な警鐘で頭を満たされる…。 <br>\r\nWhen Kyrie realized that the being in front of her, which looked like a girl, was actually something that surpassed Human knowledge and that a Human could not even begin to oppose, her head was filled with a fierce alarm bell that welled up from deep inside her... <br><br>\r\nそんな光景を目前にしても、冷静に壁際に直立不動で立ち続ける、源次、紗音、嘉音の、片翼の鷲を許された使用人たちの姿はとても異様で不気味だった。 <br>\r\nGenji, Shannon, and Kanon, all of the servants permitted to wear the One-Winged Eagle, continued to stand calmly at attention by the wall, even with a scene like this before their eyes, making them look very bizarre and eerie. <br><br>\r\n霧江は一瞬、彼らのその余裕は、彼らが敵側であり、自分たちは殺されないという保証によって成り立っていると考えた。 <br>\r\nFor an instant, Kyrie thought that they'd managed to stay calm because they were with the enemy...and had been given a guarantee that they wouldn't be killed. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、そう考えた瞬間に源次の側頭部が吹き飛ばされるのを目の当たりにする。 <br>\r\n...But as soon as she thought that, the side of Genji's face was blown away before her eyes. <br><br>\r\n「げ、源次さん……。」 <br>\r\n\"G-Genji-san...\" <br><br>\r\n「４５、着弾、命中…！」 <br>\r\n\"45, Impact, it's a hit...!\" <br><br>\r\n「……ほほぅ、源次め、これは運が悪い。……安らかに眠れ、我が友よ。 <br>\r\n\"...Hohoh, Genji, how unfortunate. ...Rest in peace, my friend. <br><br>\r\nくっくくくくくく、そなたの死は無駄にはならぬぞ。我が愛しき魔女復活の重要なる１３の鍵のひとつとなるのだから。ふっはははははははは……。」 <br>\r\n*cackle*cackle*cackle* Your death will not be wasted. You will become one of the 13 keys essential to the resurrection of my beloved witch. Fuhhahahahahahahaha...\" <br><br>\r\n源次に半分だけ残された表情は、 <br>\r\n……いつもと同じように淡白なものだった。 <br>\r\nThe half of Genji's expression that remained... <br><br>\r\nwas as indifferent as ever. <br><br>\r\nぐらりと傾き、……どさりと倒れて、真っ赤な飛沫を床に飛び散らせた……。 <br>\r\nHe tilted, ...fell over, and sent a blood-red splatter out across the floor... <br><br>\r\n「………源次さま……………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Genji-sama.........\" <br><br>\r\n「…………僕たちなんて、…所詮は魔女の駒なんだ。………所詮…、………所詮……。」 <br>\r\n\"......We're nothing more...than the witch's pieces. ......Nothing more, ......nothing more...\" <br><br>\r\n紗音と嘉音の、神妙そうな、…そして悔しそうな、いや、……諦観さえ漂う表情には、自分たちは助かるなどという甘い期待は感じられない。 <br>\r\nFrom the meek and frustrated...no, ...resigned expressions on Shannon and Kanon's faces, one couldn't sense any naive hopes that they'd be rescued. <br><br>\r\nそう。金蔵は本当の本当に、………ランダムに殺人を行なっているのだ。 <br>\r\n誰が助かり、誰が殺されるか、……本当の本当に、ゲームのように殺しているのだ。 <br>\r\nThat's right. Kinzo was, in the truest sense, ......carrying out these murders at random. <br><br>\r\nIn the truest sense, ...he was killing like it was a game to see who would be saved and who would be killed. <br><br>\r\n「さァて、つゥぎは誰を狙おうっかにぇ〜。にっひひ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Weeell then, whoo'll we go for next nyeh? Nihhihi!!\" <br><br>\r\n４１０は一瞬だけ霧江を見た。 <br>\r\nだからその瞬間、……霧江は自らの死を覚悟した。 <br>\r\n410 looked at Kyrie for a second. <br><br>\r\nIn that second, ...Kyrie was prepared for her own death. <br><br>\r\nだが宙に黄金の弓を構えた時、４１０は霧江の頭越しに別の誰かを見た。 <br>\r\n……だから霧江は不謹慎にも、自分は助かったと直感する……。 <br>\r\nBut when she readied her golden bow in midair, 410 was looking at someone else over Kyrie's shoulder. <br><br>\r\n...So, as imprudent as it was, Kyrie felt as though she had been saved... <br><br>\r\n再び、室内に砕けて爆ぜる醜い音が響き渡る。 <br>\r\nAgain, an ugly, exploding, popping sound rang throughout the room. <br><br>\r\n……今度は誰が？ <br>\r\n...Who was it this time? <br><br>\r\n霧江が音をした方向を振り返ると、 <br>\r\nWhen Kyrie turned to face the direction of the sound, <br><br>\r\n………そこには、血を噴水のように迸らせながら、夫の胸元に倒れる絵羽の姿があった。 <br>\r\n......she saw blood gushing like a fountain, and Eva lying on her husband's chest. <br><br>\r\n…もちろんその顔は、夫と同じく半分を砕かれたものだった……。 <br>\r\n...Of course, her face had been half smashed just like her husband's... <br><br>\r\n４１０は無慈悲にも、夫の遺体にすがり付いて泣きじゃくっていた絵羽を標的としたのだ。 <br>\r\n410 had mercilessly targeted Eva as she'd clung to her husband's corpse, sobbing. <br><br>\r\n「に、兄さんを離して…！！ 兄さんを離しなさい…！！ <br>\r\n\"L-Let go of Nii-san...!! Let go of Nii-san...!! <br><br>\r\nもう止めてお父様！！ こんな残酷なことはもう止めてッ！！」 <br>\r\nJust stop it, Father!! Just stop this brutality!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……逃げろ楼座……。ぐ、く、………！」 <br>\r\n\"...Run away, Rosa... Ggh, ack......!\" <br><br>\r\n楼座の抗議は、血飛沫に染まる食堂で高笑いを続ける金蔵には届かないし、００に襟首を掴み上げられている蔵臼の苦痛を和らげることも出来ない。 <br>\r\nRosa's objection didn't reach Kinzo as he continued to laugh loudly in the blood-spattered dining hall, and she wasn't able to lessen Krauss's pain at being lifted up by the nape of the neck by 00. <br><br>\r\nだから楼座は実力を行使するしかない。傍らの椅子を振り上げ、警告する。 <br>\r\nSo, Rosa had no choice but to use force. She lifted up a chair beside her and gave a warning. <br><br>\r\n「お父様…！！ 兄さんを離すように命令して！ もうこんなことを止めさせて！！」 <br>\r\n\"Father...!! Order her to let go of Nii-san! Just stop them from doing this!!\" <br><br>\r\n「出来ぬな。それを望むならば、お前の自らの力で阻止するが良い。……自らの運命は自らの手で切り開け。 <br>\r\n\"I cannot. If that is what you desire, then prevent it using your own power. ...Cut a path through to your own fate with your own hands. <br><br>\r\n常に誰かの背に隠れ、怯えてきたお前に宿る、人生最後の克己を見せてみよ…！！ ふっははははははははは！！！」 <br>\r\nYou who have always hid behind the backs of others in fear, let me see you overcome your weakness one last time in your life...!! Fuhhahahahahahahahaha!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「お、……お父様……。 <br>\r\n\"...F-Father... <br><br>\r\n………うわああああああああぁあああ！！」 <br>\r\n......Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n 楼座はその振り上げた椅子を、 <br>\r\n………自分の生涯に、畏怖の対象として君臨し続けた父親に対し、振り下ろす。 <br>\r\nThe chair that Rosa had lifted up... <br><br>\r\n...swung down at the father who had reigned as a symbol of terror for her entire life. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nそれは楼座の人生で最大の、そして最後の勇気、そして克己。 <br>\r\nIt was the greatest...and final...act of bravery and self-control in Rosa's life. <br><br>\r\n金蔵の言う通りかもしれない。 <br>\r\nWhat Kinzo had said might have been true. <br><br>\r\n……その勇気をもっともっと早くに持てたなら、彼女の人生はもっと自由で、何者にも束縛されなかったかもしれない。 <br>\r\n...If she had grasped that courage much sooner, her life might have become more free, unrestrained by anyone else. <br><br>\r\nそして、バンッと爆ぜる音。 <br>\r\nThen, there was a bursting sound. <br><br>\r\n……楼座の椅子が激しく金蔵を打ち付ける音であるはずは、 <br>\r\n…なかった。 <br>\r\nThe sound of Rosa's chair fiercely hitting Kinzo... <br><br>\r\ncould not have been this. <br><br>\r\n椅子を振り上げたまま、 <br>\r\n………頭部を綺麗に半分失い、ばたりと倒れる。 <br>\r\nWith the chair still lifted up, <br><br>\r\n......she neatly lost half of her head...and slumped over. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n蔵臼を片手で掴み上げたまま、……００がもう片手を楼座に突き出していた。 <br>\r\nStill holding Krauss up with one hand, ...00 had stuck her other hand out towards Rosa. <br><br>\r\n その腕より放たれた黄金の蛇が、 <br>\r\n楼座を螺旋状に締め上げ、 <br>\r\n……頭部を食い破ったのだ。 <br>\r\nThe golden snake released from that arm... <br><br>\r\nhad constricted Rosa in a helix... <br><br>\r\nand had smashed into her head. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「……防衛射撃。至近弾の無礼をお詫びするであります。」 <br>\r\n\"...Defensive Firing. I apologize for the discourtesy of shooting so close to you, sir.\" <br><br>\r\n「構わぬ。む、これで６人であるか。」 <br>\r\n\"I care not. Hmm, so this makes six people.\" <br><br>\r\n「はい、ゴールドスミス卿。これで６人であります。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, <NAME>. This makes six people.\" <br><br>\r\nそれを淡白に告げると、００はずっと掴み上げていた蔵臼を放り投げる。 <br>\r\nWhen she indifferently communicated that, 00 let go of Krauss, whom she had been lifting up this whole time. <br><br>\r\n「うむ。第一の晩の生贄は、絵羽に留弗夫に、楼座、夏妃、秀吉、そして源次であるか。くっくくくくくく！！」 <br>\r\n\"Indeed. So, the sacrifices of the first twilight were Eva, Rudolf, Rosa, Natsuhi, Hideyoshi, and Genji. *cackle*cackle*cackle*!!\" <br><br>\r\nそれは、あっという間の虐殺。 <br>\r\nIt was a massacre that happened in an instant. <br><br>\r\n食堂内は血飛沫によって汚され、……６人の不運なる犠牲者が、無残な頭部を晒して転がっている。 <br>\r\nThe interior of the dining hall had been dirtied by blood spatter, ...and the six unlucky victims lay with their heads brutally exposed. <br><br>\r\nその異常な空間に相応しい、金蔵の異常な笑い声だけが木霊していた……。 <br>\r\nIn a way that was fitting for that abnormal space, Kinzo's abnormal laugh alone echoed out... <br><br>\r\n「はっはははははは、わっはははははははははははッ！！ いよいよに幕を開けたぞ！ ベアトリーチェを蘇らせる儀式の始まりだ…！！ <br>\r\n\"Hahhahahahahaha, wahhahahahahahahahahahahaha!! The curtain has finally risen! The ceremony to revive Beatrice has begun...!!\" <br><br>\r\n運良く第一の晩を逃れた者たちに、我が友人たちを紹介しようではないか。 <br>\r\n\"You lucky ones who have managed to escape the first twilight, allow me to introduce you to my friends. <br><br>\r\n出でよ、我が友よ！ ロノウェ…！！」 <br>\r\nArise, my friend! Ronove...!!\" <br><br>\r\n金蔵がロノウェの名を呼ぶと、うやうやしく最敬礼をしながら、虚空に悪魔の執事が姿を現す……。 <br>\r\nWhen Kinzo called Ronove's name, the demon butler showed himself in midair, bowing respectfully... <br><br>\r\n「皆様方、初めまして。そしてご無沙汰の皆様におかれましては御機嫌よう。 <br>\r\n\"Pleased to meet you, everyone. And good day to those of you I haven't seen for a long time. <br><br>\r\nぷっくっくっく…！ これはまた派手に散らかされましたようで。」 <br>\r\nPu ku ku ku...! It seems this place is once again spectacularly untidy.\" <br><br>\r\n「良いわ。我が白昼夢の如き日々を覚ますには、この程度の刺激が必要だ。 <br>\r\n\"Pay it no mind. It takes a stimulant of this level to wake me from my daydream-like days.\" <br><br>\r\n紹介しよう、我が友人であり、頼れる執事であり７２柱の大悪魔である、ロノウェだ。」 <br>\r\n\"Allow me to introduce my friend, a reliable butler and one of the 72 Great Demons, Ronove.\" <br><br>\r\n「以後、お見知りおきを。」 <br>\r\n\"I am pleased to make your acquaintance.\" <br><br>\r\nそれは誰に対しての紹介なのか。 <br>\r\nJust who was he making that introduction to? <br><br>\r\n……尻餅を付いたままの蔵臼も霧江も、南條も郷田も熊沢も、呆然としながら初対面の中年紳士を見上げる他なかった……。 <br>\r\n...Krauss and Kyrie, who were still down on their backsides, and Nanjo, Gohda and Kumasawa...could only look up at this middle-aged gentlemen they didn't know in shock... <br><br>\r\n紗音と嘉音だけは面識があるようで、深々と頭を下げる…。 <br>\r\nOnly Shannon and Kanon seemed to recognize him, and they bowed deeply... <br><br>\r\n「……源次には挨拶が叶いませんでしたか。せめて、苦痛なく役目を終えられたなら良いのですが。」 <br>\r\n\"...So, I wasn't able to greet Genji. I hope he was at least able to fulfill his purpose painlessly.\" <br><br>\r\n「頭部直撃弾にて即死でした…！ 苦痛を味わう暇もありません。」 <br>\r\n\"It was an instant death from a direct hit to the head...! He didn't have time to feel the pain.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうですか。結構です。」 <br>\r\n\"Is that so? Very well.\" <br><br>\r\n「続けて友を紹介しよう。出でよ、我が友、ワルギリア…！！」 <br>\r\n\"Allow me to introduce another friend. Arise, my friend, Virgilia...!!\" <br><br>\r\n再び虚空に、親族たちにとって未知なる人影が現れる。 <br>\r\nそれは優雅なドレス姿で上品に挨拶をしながら現れる。 <br>\r\nOnce again, a silhouette of someone the relatives didn't know appeared from empty space. <br><br>\r\nShe appeared in a refined dress while making an elegant greeting. <br><br>\r\n「………召喚を感謝します、お館様。 <br>\r\n\"......Thank you for summoning me, Master. <br><br>\r\n許されるならば、このような血生臭き場に呼び出されたくはありませんでしたが。」 <br>\r\nAlthough I would rather not have been summoned into a bloody place such as this.\" <br><br>\r\n「こやつも紹介しよう。我が友であり頼れる相談役でもある、ワルギリアだ。 <br>\r\n\"Allow me to introduce her too. This is both my friend and a reliable counselor, Virgilia. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n……偉大なる有限の魔女であるお前の力を我が儀式に借りたい。その力を貸せぃ！」 <br>\r\n...I desire to borrow your great power as the Witch of the Finite. Lend it to me!\" <br><br>\r\n「……お断りしようにも、あなたの強力な召喚隷属下にある身ではそれも叶いません。御意に、お館様。」 <br>\r\n\"...Even if I tried to refuse, such a thing wouldn't be permitted for one subordinated by the power of your summonings. As you wish, Master.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………それにしても、恐ろしいお方だ。シエスタの姉妹兵を３人も召喚し、私に加え、さらにワルギリアさままでも召喚せしめるとは…。 <br>\r\n\"......Still, what a fearsome fellow. To think he summoned three of the Chiester Sisters Corps, then me, and even Virgilia... <br><br>\r\n……召喚という能力においてのみとはいえ、お嬢様をも遥かに上回るとは、……恐ろしい。右代宮の血に戦慄を覚えます。」 <br>\r\n...Even though it's only in the area of summoning, to think that he surpasses Milady so thoroughly... How frightening. I can't help but shudder at the Ushiromiya blood.\" <br><br>\r\n「ベアトリーチェ復活の儀式を執り行うために、私は召喚師としての全てを尽くすだろう。まだ足りぬな。この度の儀式の完璧なる遂行のために、さらに召喚しよう。 <br>\r\n\"In order to carry out Beatrice's resurrection ceremony, I shall give it my all as a summoner. This still isn't enough. In order to perfectly succeed in the ceremony this time, I shall summon more.\" <br><br>\r\nペンドラゴンの記念兵にロノウェにワルギリア…。……まだ呼べるぞ…、我が魔力なら、まだまだ呼べる……！！ <br>\r\n\"The Pendragon Memorial Troops and Ronove and Virgilia... ...I can still call more... With my magical power, I can still call many more...!! <br><br>\r\n 我が召喚に応えよ……、 <br>\r\n７２柱が１人、ガァプよ！！」 <br>\r\n Answer to my summons, <br><br>\r\n...one of the 72 demons, Gaap!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「ガァプを…？ あれまでも顕現できるというのですか……。」 <br>\r\n\"Gaap...? You can even materialize her...?\" <br><br>\r\n「さらにこの島の侵食が進んだということでしょう。……私たちが顕現できているほどです。今さら、どんな大悪魔が呼び出せたとしても、驚くには値しますまい。」 <br>\r\n\"It probably means that the corrosion has advanced even more on this island. ...It had already proceeded far enough to materialize us. By now, we shouldn't be surprised no matter how great a demon he summons.\" <br><br>\r\n「もはや六軒島は完全に、異世界に飲み込まれているということですか。…………彼が屈服しないと良いのですが。」 <br>\r\n\"Has Rokkenjima already been completely sucked into a parallel world then? ......I hope he does not surrender.\" <br><br>\r\n「………前回、たっぷり入れ知恵をなされたでしょう？ この程度では今さら屈服しますまい。恐らく、ですがね？ ぷっくっく！ <br>\r\n\"......He learned a lot last time, correct? After all this time, he won't surrender over this much. Probably, I should say. Pu ku ku! <br><br>\r\n………さて、私たちはこの舞台を楽しもうではありませんか。今回の主人公はどうやらお館様のようだ。お嬢様とは一味違った脚本に期待しましょう。」 <br>\r\n......Well then, shall we enjoy the stage we now stand upon? It seems the main character is the Master this time. Let us expect a script of a different flavor than Milady's.\" <br><br>\r\n金蔵が魔力を強く集中すると、……空間に青白い光が集まり、歪み、……真っ赤な光で魔法陣が描かれていく。 <br>\r\nWhen Kinzo strongly concentrated his magical power, ...a pale light gathered in the empty air, twisted, ...and a magic circle was drawn there with a deep-red glow. <br><br>\r\nそしてそれがガラスのように砕け散った時、………そこには新しき悪魔の姿があった。 <br>\r\nAnd with a sound like glass breaking, ......a new demon could be seen there. <br><br>\r\n「……よくぞ我が呼び掛けに応えた。……７２柱の大悪魔が一つ、ガァプよ…！」 <br>\r\n\"...You did well to answer to my call. ...Gaap, one of the 72 Great Demons...!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「…………すごいところに呼び出されたものね。 <br>\r\n\"......This is one hell of a place you've summoned me to. <br><br>\r\nこの血まみれの部屋を掃除するために、私は呼び出されたのかしら？ ゴールドスミス…？」 <br>\r\nDid you call me to clean up this bloodstained room, Goldsmith...?\" <br><br>\r\n毒々しく、禍々しい装束に身を包んだ、文字通りに悪魔的な女が、凄惨で目を覆うべきはず光景に、にやりと口元を歪めてみせる……。 <br>\r\nThe literally devilish woman, wrapped in a gaudy, ominous costume, looked at the scene which should have made her cover her eyes, and twisted her mouth in a grin... <br><br>\r\n「そのためだけにあなたを呼び出すとしたら、それはまるで、カシミアのマフラーで雑巾掛けをするようなものですよ。」 <br>\r\n\"To summon you for such a reason...would be like using a cashmere muffler to mop the floor.\" <br><br>\r\n「お久しぶりですね、ガァプ。 <br>\r\n\"It's been a long time, Gaap. <br><br>\r\n……あなたのような大悪魔が、とうとうこの島に現れてしまうなんて。……いよいよこの島も幻想に沈むのでしょうか。」 <br>\r\n...To think that a Great Demon such as yourself has finally appeared on this island. ...Perhaps this island is finally submerging completely into fantasy.\" <br><br>\r\n「部屋の惨状よりも、この豪華キャストの方が驚くべきね。………シエスタ姉妹が３人もいて、大悪魔ロノウェに大魔女ワルギリアに私まで。 <br>\r\n\"This all-star cast is even more surprising than the gruesome state of the room. ......A full three Chiester Sisters, the Great Demon Ronove, the Great Witch Virgilia, and even me.\" <br><br>\r\nこれは何事？ ここはパンデモニウム？ 地獄の演奏会でも始めるつもりかしら。………なるほど、そこで指揮棒が振るえるのは、あなたぐらいしか思いつかないわ、ゴールドスミス。」 <br>\r\n\"What's going on? Is this Pandemonium? Are you trying to start a concert from hell or something? ......I see, as a conductor for that, I couldn't think of anyone better than you, Goldsmith.\" <br><br>\r\n「そなたには、ベアトリーチェを蘇らせる我が儀式遂行のための進行役として協力してもらう。我が召喚契約に異存はないな…？」 <br>\r\n\"I will have your assistance as facilitator in the completion of my ceremony to resurrect Beatrice. You have no objections to my summoning contract, correct...?\" <br><br>\r\n「異存も何も。天下の大魔女、ベアトリーチェを使役した伝説の大召喚師、ゴールドスミス卿の召喚隷属に、私が抗えるわけもない。 <br>\r\n\"Of course not. There's no way I could resist the subordinating power of the legendary Great Summoner, <NAME>, who forced the famous Great Witch Beatrice to do his bidding.\" <br><br>\r\n……協力はするわよ。もちろん見合ったお代もいただくけどね。……で？ 最初の仕事は？」 <br>\r\n\"...I'll assist you. Although I will of course ask a fitting price. ...So? What's my first job?\" <br><br>\r\n「第一の晩を免れた間抜けどもを捕らえよ。幸いにも、ここにはまだ７人いるではないか。南條に紗音に嘉音、郷田に熊沢、霧江に蔵臼…！ <br>\r\n\"Capture the cowards who made it through the first twilight. Fortunately, there are still seven here, aren't there? Nanjo, Shannon, Kanon, Gohda, Kumasawa, Kyrie, and Krauss...!\" <br><br>\r\nほぉ、この７人を丸々生贄に捧げればちょうど１３人だ！ 第二の晩以降を実行するタイミングが訪れるまで、生贄の檻に放り込んでおくが良かろう、くっくっく！！」 <br>\r\n\"Hoh, if these seven are all offered as sacrifices, that's exactly 13 people! Until it's time for the second and later twilights to be carried out, throw them into the cage of sacrifices, *cackle*!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………カシミアの雑巾掛けね。了解したわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......A cashmere mop, huh? Understood.\" <br><br>\r\nガァプは肩を竦めながら、未だに尻餅を付いたままの蔵臼を見る。 <br>\r\nAs Gaap shrugged her shoulders, she looked at Krauss, who was still down on his butt. <br><br>\r\n睨む。 <br>\r\nShe glared. <br><br>\r\nそして指をパチンと鳴らすと、……まるで床に丸く落とし穴でも開いたかのように、蔵臼が床に飲み込まれる。 <br>\r\nThen, when she snapped her fingers, ...Krauss was swallowed up by the floor, as though a round pitfall had opened up beneath him. <br><br>\r\n「う、わああぁぁ………、」 <br>\r\n\"Uu, waaaaahhh......\" <br><br>\r\n「一丁上がり。」 <br>\r\n\"One down.\" <br><br>\r\n床に穴などない。 <br>\r\nしかし確かに蔵臼は穴に飲み込まれて消えたように見えた……。 <br>\r\nThere was no hole in the floor. <br><br>\r\nBut it had certainly looked as though Krauss had been swallowed up by a hole and disappeared... <br><br>\r\n「…………ッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"......!!\" <br><br>\r\n次の獲物を狙い、ガァプの目線が霧江と交差する。 <br>\r\nパチンと指が鳴る。 <br>\r\nSearching for her next prey, Gaap's gaze crossed Kyrie's. <br><br>\r\nShe snapped her fingers. <br><br>\r\n霧江は、弾かれたように床を飛び退く。 <br>\r\nKyrie jumped back as though repelled. <br><br>\r\n直感は当たった。 <br>\r\n直前まで自分がいた場所に、蔵臼を飲み込んだのと同じ、丸い漆黒の落とし穴が現れたからだ。 <br>\r\nHer instincts had been right. <br><br>\r\nAfter all, in the place where she'd been until a second ago, a round, jet-black hole had appeared, the same kind that had swallowed up Krauss. <br><br>\r\nしかし、姿勢を直す前に、さらに現れた落とし穴が彼女を飲み込んでしまった。 <br>\r\nHowever, before she could catch her balance, another pitfall appeared and swallowed her up. <br><br>\r\n……いくら霧江でも、ガァプの捕縛から逃れる術はないのだ。 <br>\r\n...Even Kyrie had no way of eluding Gaap's capture. <br><br>\r\n「うわぁ……！！」 <br>\r\n\"Waahh...!!\" <br><br>\r\n再び指がパチンと鳴らされ、呆然としてた南條が床に飲み込まれて消えた。 <br>\r\nWhen she snapped her fingers again, a shocked Nanjo was swallowed up by the floor and disappeared. <br><br>\r\nさらに指が鳴らされると、４１０が、ひゃっと短い悲鳴を上げて飛び退く。 <br>\r\nWhen she did it again, 410 let out a short yell and jumped back. <br><br>\r\n今度は少し大きな落とし穴が開き、扉の脇に整列していた紗音と嘉音の二人を飲み込んだ。 <br>\r\nThis time, a slightly larger pitfall had opened, swallowing both Shannon and Kanon, who had been standing in a line by the door. <br><br>\r\nしかし、４１０が扉の前を飛び退いたお陰で、退路が開かれた。 <br>\r\nBut because 410 had jumped away from the door, the way was no longer blocked. <br><br>\r\n次は自分たちの番だと直感した郷田がその扉から外へ飛び出す。 <br>\r\nInstinctively aware that he would be next, Gohda dashed out through that door. <br><br>\r\nもちろん熊沢も、脱兎の如く逃げ出し、郷田の後を追う。 <br>\r\nOf course, Kumasawa also escaped with lightning speed, chasing after Gohda. <br><br>\r\nガァプの指がパチンパチンパチンと数度鳴らされ、彼らの逃げるすぐ後を、丸い漆黒の落とし穴が次々開いて追い掛けた。 <br>\r\nAs Gaap snapped her fingers over and over, round, jet-black pitfalls opened one after another behind them, chasing them. <br><br>\r\nしかし、形振り構わずに逃げ出す二人を追い立てるに留まり、うまく飲み込むことは出来なかった。 <br>\r\nHowever, they did nothing but drive the recklessly fleeing pair away...and couldn't swallow them up. <br><br>\r\n郷田たちはあっという間に逃げ出していってしまう……。 <br>\r\nGohda and Kumasawa had escaped in a matter of seconds... <br><br>\r\n「………鈍ったわ。二人逃した。」 <br>\r\n\"......I've gotten slow. I let two get away.\" <br><br>\r\n「ご安心を、逃走目標を捕捉中であります。」 <br>\r\n\"Don't worry, we are currently locking onto the escapee targets.\" <br><br>\r\n「データリンクよし。 <br>\r\n\"Data Link ready. <br><br>\r\nにひ！ 狙撃しますか？」 <br>\r\nNihi! Shall we snipe?\" <br><br>\r\n「いいえ、それは許可できませんよ。貴重な生贄です。お館様の許可を待つように。」 <br>\r\n\"No, I cannot authorize that. They are precious sacrifices. Wait for the Master's authorization.\" <br><br>\r\n「大ゴールドスミス卿…！ 指示を待ちます…！」 <br>\r\n\"Great Lord Goldsmith...! We await your orders...!\" <br><br>\r\n「第二の晩の訪れにはまだ早いと、……我が魔力の源泉が囁いておるわ。今はならぬ。 <br>\r\n\"It is still too soon for the coming of the second twilight...is what the source of my magical power is whispering to me. It must not be now. <br><br>\r\n好きにさせてやれ。どうせこの島からは逃げられぬわ。」 <br>\r\nLet them do as they please. It isn't as though they can escape from this island.\" <br><br>\r\n「お館様の魔力の源泉とは即ち、ノイズとリスクと運試し。 <br>\r\n\"The source of the Master's magical power is noise and risk and tests of luck. <br><br>\r\n……ほっほっほ、つまりは気まぐれ、というわけですか。」 <br>\r\n...Hohohoh, in other words, it means being fickle, it would seem.\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくっく、そうとも言うかも知れぬ。ガァプ、ご苦労であった。儀式はこのまま着実に進めよう。 <br>\r\n\"*cackle* Perhaps you could also put it that way. Good work, Gaap. Let us steadily advance the ceremony from here on.\" <br><br>\r\n………さて、それはそれとして。次は我が孫たちだ。………次期当主たる資格があるかどうかを試す。 <br>\r\n\"......Well then, that is that. Next are my grandchildren. ......I will test them to see whether they are qualified to become my successor. <br><br>\r\nはてさて、どうやってその資質を確かめたものか。くっくっくっく…！！」 <br>\r\nLet's see, how shall I test their qualifications? *cackle*cackle*...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「その資格があると判断されたなら、 <br>\r\n……ベアトの復活を断念されるおつもりで？」 <br>\r\n\"If you decide that they're qualified, <br><br>\r\n...do you intend to abandon Beato's resurrection?\" <br><br>\r\n「無論だ。にもかかわらず試す。……ふっ、女の身にはわからぬであろうな、この矛盾、我が狂気など。くっくっくっく…。」 <br>\r\n\"Of course. And despite that, I will test them. ...Hmph, perhaps a woman cannot understand that contradiction, nor my madness. *cackle*cackle*...\" <br><br>\r\n「………相変わらず、男ってどこか変ね。リスクを遊ぶという概念、わかりかねるわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Well apparently, men are as weird as ever. I don't get the very concept of playing around with risk.\" <br><br>\r\n「おやおや、あなたはそういうのが大好きかと思っておりましたが？」 <br>\r\n\"Oh my, and I thought you loved that sort of thing.\" <br><br>\r\n「もちろんよ。男に、危険なリスクと一緒に恋を囁かれたらキュンキュンしちゃうわ。 <br>\r\n\"Of course. If a man whispers to me about dangerous risks and love, I go head over heels. <br><br>\r\n…ただしイケメンに限る！」 <br>\r\n...But only if he's hot!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「ぷーっくっくっくっくっく…！」 <br>\r\n\"Pu ku ku ku ku ku...!\" <br><br>\r\n「お静かに。私語は慎むようにっ。」 <br>\r\n\"Be quiet. Try to refrain from whispering.\" <br><br>\r\n「ふっ、実に姦しいヤツらだ。だが少なくとも退屈はせぬ。……これだから召喚は愉快なのだ。そなたらには、我が儀式のノイズとリスクの天秤の片側を担ってもらうぞ。その働きに期待している…！」 <br>\r\n\"Hmph, truly noisy women. But at least they aren't boring. ...This is what makes summoning so pleasant. All of you will bear one side of the scales of noise and risk in my ceremony. That is the work I expect of you...!\" <br><br>\r\n食堂内には６人の惨殺死体が転がり、凄惨な装飾で赤く汚されている……。 <br>\r\nSix brutally murdered corpses lay in the dining hall, and it was contaminated with red, gruesome decorations... <br><br>\r\nそこについさっきまで、１３人もの人間が整然と座っていたなど、もはや想像することも出来ない。 <br>\r\nIt was now unimaginable that, until just a second ago, 13 humans had been arranged here in a well-organized manner. <br><br>\r\n金蔵は、名だたる悪魔とその配下たちを並べ、圧倒的なる虐殺の夜の幕開けを高らかに宣言し、必ずやベアトリーチェを蘇らせ、黄金郷の扉を開くことを自らに誓うのだった……。 <br>\r\nKinzo lined up the famous demons and their subordinates, loudly declared the beginning of a night of overwhelming mass murders, and swore to himself that he would certainly revive Beatrice and open the door to the Golden Land... <br><br>\r\n「待たせたなァ！！ これにて第一の晩、いよいよ開幕、開幕ゥ！！ <br>\r\n\"Sorry to keep you waiting!! Now the curtain finally rises on the first twilight!! <br><br>\r\nくっくっく！ 金蔵め、相変わらず派手を好む男よ。付きまとわれればしつこいことこの上なき男も、舞台の上ではこれほどまでに映えるというのか。」 <br>\r\n*cackle*! That Kinzo, I see he loves being flashy as usual. So, even that man who can be more persistent than anything when he follows you around...can shine so when on the stage.\" <br><br>\r\n「くそ……。相変わらずグロい殺し方ばかりしやがって……。 <br>\r\n\"Damn... Always killing in a grotesque way, as usual... <br><br>\r\n頭部半壊だぁ？！ てめぇら魔女ども悪魔どもの悪趣味には相変わらずウンザリさせられるぜ…！」 <br>\r\nSmashing half of their heads?! The bad taste you witches and demons have always pisses me off...!\" <br><br>\r\n「頭部半壊……、なるほど。これまでのゲームで、一番理想的な殺し方がこれだと気付いたわけね。」 <br>\r\n\"Smashing half of their heads... I see. So, she's realized that, in the games up until now, that's been the most ideal method of killing.\" <br><br>\r\n「理想的？ このグロい殺し方がどう理想的だってんだ？！」 <br>\r\n\"Ideal? How is such a grotesque way of killing ideal?!\" <br><br>\r\n「……実に理想的じゃない。一番最初のゲームを思い出してみるといい。」 <br>\r\n\"...Isn't it though? Try and remember the very first game.\" <br><br>\r\n「お前は……！ さっき登場しやがった、新しい悪魔とかいうヤツか…。 <br>\r\n\"You...! So, you're that new demon or whatever that just appeared... <br><br>\r\nくそ、また魔女の侵食が進んで、ロクでもないヤツが増えたというわけなのか…？！」 <br>\r\nDamn, so does this mean that the witch's corrosion continued, and there are now even more creeps wandering around...?!\" <br><br>\r\n……魔女の侵食が進めば進むほどに、六軒島は異界側に傾いていく。 <br>\r\n...The more the witch's corrosion advances, the more Rokkenjima tilts towards the spirit world. <br><br>\r\n次々とおかしな、そして狂ったヤツらが増えていくというわけだ。 <br>\r\nThat's why strange, insane people keep appearing one by one. <br><br>\r\nこの島は台風に閉ざされ、ニンゲンは島から出ることはもちろん、新しく増えて登場することも出来ない。 <br>\r\nThis island has been closed off by the typhoon, so no Human can leave it, much less appear as a new character to increase their numbers. <br><br>\r\nしかし魔女や悪魔どもは、侵食されればされるほどに、いくらでも登場できる。次々に増えていく。 <br>\r\nBut the more the corrosion advances, the more witches and demons can appear, without limit. Increasing one by one. <br><br>\r\n今やこの狂った物語の登場人物は、ニンゲンより悪魔の方が多いのではないだろうか。……ヤツらの人数こそが、その狂いの侵食を示す数字そのものかもしれない。 <br>\r\nBy now, there might be more demons than Humans among the characters appearing in this insane tale. ...Their numbers might be the thing that represents this mad corrosion. <br><br>\r\nあぁ、きっとそうだろうな。そしてどうやら、侵食されてるのは人数だけじゃなく、服装センスもらしいぜ。 <br>\r\nYeah, I'm sure that's true. And the corrosion hasn't just affected the number of people, but apparently their fashion sense as well. <br><br>\r\nこれ以上、侵食が進んでさらにおかしいヤツらが登場したなら、一体、どんな格好になるんだろうな。………俺ぁ、おっかなくて想像も出来ねぇぜ…。 <br>\r\nIf the corrosion advances any further and even more weird people appear, just what in the world will they be wearing? ......It's so scary I can't imagine... <br><br>\r\n……あぁ、マジで勘弁してくれ…。 <br>\r\nこれ以上、おかしな連中を増やさないでくれ…！！ <br>\r\n...Aaaah, seriously, give me a break... <br><br>\r\nDon't make these weird guys increase in number anymore...!! <br><br>\r\n「くっくくくく！ そうはいかんぞ、まだまだ増やすぞォ！！ <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*cackle*! I can't do that, they'll keep increasing more and more!! <br><br>\r\nニンゲンどもの語る、クローズドサークルなる間抜けなルールを妾がいくらでも汚してやろうぞ…！ <br>\r\nI'll defile the foolish `closed circle' rule Humans speak of, over and over again...! <br><br>\r\nよく来たな、我が優雅なるゲームへ！ ガァプよ！」 <br>\r\nWelcome to my elegant game, Gaap!\" <br><br>\r\n「………お久しぶりね、リーチェ。お元気だった？ <br>\r\n\"......It's been a long time, Riiche. Have you been well? <br><br>\r\n…というかずいぶん元気そうじゃない。あなた、若返った？ 私が知ってる頃より、２、３００歳は若々しいわ。…………あぁ、なるほど。」 <br>\r\n...Why do I ask, you look great! Have you gotten younger? You look two or three hundred years younger than when I last saw you. ......Ah, I see.\" <br><br>\r\n祖父さまにガァプと紹介されて呼び出された悪魔は、俺を一瞥してから、勝手に何かを納得したかのようににやっと笑う。 <br>\r\nThe demon Grandfather had summoned and introduced as Gaap...took a glance at me, and then grinned as though she'd figured something out on her own. <br><br>\r\n……率直に、嫌らしい笑いだと感じた。 <br>\r\n...That smile felt openly obscene. <br><br>\r\n「ベアトの友人らしいな。……ってことは輪を掛けてロクでもねぇヤツってわけだ。 <br>\r\n\"I guess she's Beato's friend. ...Which means she's gotta be a creep among creeps. <br><br>\r\nしかし、クローズドサークルが何とかって言ってやがったが、どういう意味だ？」 <br>\r\nBy the way, they were saying something about a closed circle or whatever, but what does that mean?\" <br><br>\r\n「今の六軒島のような、外界から途絶された場所で起こる連続殺人ミステリーは、クローズドサークルとも呼ばれるわ。外界からの途絶、つまりは閉じられた輪の世界というわけ。……ゆえに、登場人物と容疑者は限定されるのが一般的。 <br>\r\n\"Serial murder mystery novels that occur in places isolated from the outside world, like Rokkenjima is now, are sometimes called closed circles. Since such a place is isolated from the outside, it's like a circle that's closed. ...Therefore, in general, the characters and suspects are limited in number.\" <br><br>\r\nにもかかわらず、新しい容疑者候補が次々に輪の外から追加されていくのは、ミステリーの作法に反する。……つまり、ニンゲンとミステリーに対する、魔女の冒涜ってつもりなんでしょうよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Having new suspect candidates added on one after another from outside the circle goes against the etiquette of mystery novels. ...In other words, the witch is probably trying to desecrate Humans and the mystery genre itself.\" <br><br>\r\n「………あなたがグレーテル？ <br>\r\n\"......You're Gretel? <br><br>\r\nなるほど、賢い子みたいね、……くす。そういう子は好きよ。……舌が甘くてとろけるから。」 <br>\r\nI see, you look like a wise kid. ...*giggle* I love kids like you. ...You taste so sweet and tantalizing.\" <br><br>\r\n「気色悪い。……冗談は服だけにしておいて。」 <br>\r\n\"Gross. ...Keep the jokes to your clothing.\" <br><br>\r\n「デヴィリッシュプリティの最新作、ジャックザリッパー・クリスマスブラッド。……ニンゲン界の田舎娘には理解できないセンスでごめんね？」 <br>\r\n\"It's <Devilish Pretty>'s newest, <Jack the Ripper, Christmas Blood>. Sorry for having a style that a country bumpkin from the Human world couldn't understand, okay?\" <br><br>\r\n「……通気性がいいのだけは理解できたわ。ついでに頭にも切れ目をいれたら？ 脳みその通気性もよくなるかもね。」 <br>\r\n\"...At least we know it's well-ventilated. Why don't you add a gap to the head part as well? Let a little air into your brain.\" <br><br>\r\n「ガァプは魔界の流行にいつも敏感でな！ しかし今年の流行りも実に大胆だ。妾も一度ぜひ取り寄せてみるとしよう…！」 <br>\r\n\"Gaap is always sensitive to the fashions of the spirit world! But this year's fad truly is bold. I think I'll order one sometime...!\" <br><br>\r\n「リーチェにはアリグレがお勧めね、アリスアンドザグレイブヤード。今度一緒に６６６にお洋服見に行きましょうよ。たまには魔界にもいらっしゃいな。」 <br>\r\n\"For you, Riiche, I'd recommend Ali-Gray, <Alice and the Graveyard>. Let's go to 666 sometime soon to look at the clothes. You really should drop by the spirit world every now and then.\" <br><br>\r\n「このゲームを終えたら、ぜひそうしようぞ。くっくっくっく！」 <br>\r\n\"When this game is over, I'll be sure to do that. *cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n「………それにしても。リーチェの対戦相手のお二人はなかなか可愛いわ。 <br>\r\n\"......Still, your two opponents are pretty cute, Riiche.\" <br><br>\r\nこの子なら、頭部半壊死体にどういう意味があるか、察しが付きそうね。 <br>\r\n\"It looks like this kid has figured out the meaning of the corpses with their heads half smashed. <br><br>\r\n………わかるぅ、お嬢ちゃん……？」 <br>\r\n......Know what that is, girl...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……さっきこいつは、一番最初のゲームを思い出せと言ったな。……どういう意味だ…？」 <br>\r\n\"...Just now, she told me to remember the first game. ...What did that mean...?\" <br><br>\r\n「言葉通りの意味よ。……一番最初のゲームの第一の晩を思い出して。 <br>\r\n\"Just what it sounds like. ...Remember the first twilight of the very first game. <br><br>\r\n……大人たちの死体が魔法陣の描かれた園芸倉庫の中で発見された時のことよ。覚えてる？」 <br>\r\n...When the adults' corpses were found in the gardening shed with the magic circle drawn on it. Remember?\" <br><br>\r\nエピソード１。第一の晩。 <br>\r\nEpisode 1. The first twilight. <br><br>\r\n蔵臼、留弗夫、霧江、楼座、紗音、郷田の６人が、それぞれに頭部を粉砕されて死亡していた………。 <br>\r\nKrauss, Rudolf, Kyrie, Rosa, Shannon, and Gohda... All six of them had their heads pulverized and died...... <br><br>\r\n「あの時、あそこには２種類の死体があったわ。それは、顔面を粉砕された死体と、側面を粉砕された死体の２種類。」 <br>\r\n\"At that time, there were two types of corpses. Some had their faces pulverized, and some had half of their faces pulverized.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうだ。顔面粉砕は、留弗夫、霧江、楼座、郷田の４人。側頭部粉砕は、蔵臼、紗音の２人だった。 <br>\r\n\"That's right. The ones with their faces smashed were Rudolf, Kyrie, Rosa, and Gohda. The ones with the sides of their heads smashed were Krauss and Shannon. <br><br>\r\n……妾も、あの時点では気まぐれに生み出した２種類の死体であったが、より残忍な死体である前者の方が、妾にとってむしろ不利であることに気付いたのだ。」 <br>\r\n...At the time, I fickly created two types of corpses, but I realized that the former, more atrocious type was actually disadvantageous for me.\" <br><br>\r\n「……ベアトにとって不利……？ <br>\r\n\"...Disadvantageous for you...? <br><br>\r\n…………そうか。そういうことか。」 <br>\r\n......I see. So that's what this is.\" <br><br>\r\nそうなんだ。 <br>\r\n一見残酷な顔面粉砕。 <br>\r\nThat's right. <br><br>\r\nThe smashed faces might look atrocious. <br><br>\r\n……しかしそれは、本人確認を難しくしているのだ。 <br>\r\n...But that made it hard to confirm the identity of each person. <br><br>\r\n例えば、あの時の蔵臼伯父さんと紗音ちゃんは、頭部は半壊だった。 <br>\r\nFor example, at that time, Uncle Krauss and Shannon-chan had their heads half smashed. <br><br>\r\nそれ自体も、もちろん残酷ではあるが、顔が半分残っていたため、容易に本人確認が出来た。 <br>\r\nThat alone was atrocious enough, but because half of their faces remained, it was easy to confirm their identities. <br><br>\r\nしかし、親父たち４人は違った。 <br>\r\nBut Dad and the other three were different. <br><br>\r\n顔面が全壊だったため、実の息子の俺でさえ、服装などから親父に違いないと類推するしかなかった。 <br>\r\nBecause his face had been completely destroyed, even I, as his son, could only guess by inference that it had to be Dad because of his clothes and the like. <br><br>\r\n……つまり、本当にあれが親父の死体だったのか、ついにはうやむやのままだったわけだ。 <br>\r\n...In short, it remained vague until the end whether that really had been Dad's corpse. <br><br>\r\n「第一のゲームの時にも、もしも推理バトルが行なわれてたなら、俺は多分、親父たちの死体を、本人確認不能のため、偽装死体の可能性もあると主張していたかもしれない。 <br>\r\n\"If this reasoning battle had taken place during the first game as well, I would probably have claimed that, since the identities of Dad and the rests' bodies were impossible to confirm, there was a possibility that one was a fake corpse. <br><br>\r\n……何しろ、あのゲームの時にはベアトは一切、赤での発言もしていない。」 <br>\r\n...After all, Beato didn't state anything in red during that game.\" <br><br>\r\n「お上手よ。それで正解。………偽装死はミステリーの基本の一つ。たとえ医者に検死をさせたとしても、犯人とグルを疑われればその結果は信用できない。 <br>\r\n\"Well done. Correct. ......A faked death is one of the basics of the mystery genre. Even if you make a doctor examine the corpse, you can't trust the results if you suspect him of being the culprit's accomplice. <br><br>\r\nつまり、確実な死を保証できない死体は常に、魔女サイドを不利にするということ。」 <br>\r\nTherefore, corpses that can't guarantee a death for certain are always disadvantageous for the witch's side.\" <br><br>\r\n「あらゆる死体について偽装死を疑い、その後の事件の犯人に想定することが出来る。 <br>\r\n\"You can suspect faked deaths for all corpses, hypothesizing that one or more of them is the culprit for the crimes that follow. <br><br>\r\n……戦人の嫌う手だけど、魔女に対するもっとも初歩的な一手ね。」 <br>\r\n...It's a move Battler doesn't like, but it's the most elementary move to use against a witch.\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ、そうだ。だからベアトは赤を使い出した。……赤き真実で、完璧な検死を行なうようになったんだ。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, that's right. That's why Beato started using the red. ...With the red truth, she can carry out a perfect autopsy.\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくくくくく！ そういうことだ。本来ならば、この第一の晩の惨劇に対し、妾はすぐにでも赤き真実にて、この度の６人の死亡を確定させるところである。しかし、知ってのとおり、今回の妾の戦法はこれまでとは正反対の、赤き真実の兵糧攻めと言ったところ…！ <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*! That's how it is. Normally, for the first twilight, I would use the red truth right away, confirming the deaths of these six. However, as you know, my battle strategy this time is the complete opposite of previous games, and I'll now use red truth starvation tactics...!\" <br><br>\r\nそなたが反撃の拠り所にしようとする以上、妾は容易には赤を使わぬ。必要最低限の赤にて、たった一箇所だけ綻びさせればいい！ つまり、妾は究極的に言えば、そなたのあらゆる密室の推理について、あらゆる暴言を許せども、その内のひとつを、たった一回の赤き真実にて打ち破るだけで良いわけだ。」 <br>\r\n\"Since you use it as a grounding from which to counterattack, I will not use the red easily. I'll make you come apart at the seams by using red in just a single place, as rarely as possible! In the end, it means I will permit all rants regarding your guesswork for all the closed rooms, and I only have to smash one of those once with the red truth.\" <br><br>\r\n「いっひっひ！ さんざん俺をいたぶってきやがったくせに、俺が反撃に使い出したら、今度は引っ込めやがったってわけだ。 <br>\r\n\"Ihihi! Even though you've always teased me, once I start counterattacking, you now hole up back inside your shell. <br><br>\r\nふざけやがってよ。」 <br>\r\nQuit kidding around.\" <br><br>\r\n「とにかく赤を使いたくない、ケチりたい！ 戦人をいじめてやりたァい！！ <br>\r\n\"At any rate, I do not want to use the red, I want to be stingy! I want to bully Battleeer!! <br><br>\r\nしかし、赤を使わずに確実なる死を保証するにはどうすれば良いのか。妾は悩みに悩んだわけだ。……そのアイデアをガァプがくれた！ 実に簡単な方法だったのだ。くっくくく！」 <br>\r\nBut how could I guarantee a death for certain without using red? I worried and worried over it. ...Then, Gaap gave me an idea! It truly is a simple method. *cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n「……当たり前なことを言ったらリーチェが閃いただけよ。私は、誰にでも容易に、身元の判別と完全なる死が理解できる死体を用意すればいいと言っただけ。」 <br>\r\n\"...I just pointed out something obvious and you hit upon the idea, Riiche. I simply said that you only had to create corpses whose identity could be distinguished and whose complete death would be understood.\" <br><br>\r\n「くっひひひひ！ つまりはその２つを合体させたわけよォ！ 身元の判別に必要な顔と、完全なる死の象徴である、魂の器たる頭部の粉砕！ <br>\r\n\"Kuhhihihihi! In short, I put those two things together! The face, which is necessary to distinguish their identity, and the pulverization of the head, the vessel for the soul, which is the perfect symbol of death! <br><br>\r\nこの２つを左右ぴったり綺麗に合体させたら、アラ不思議！ この頭部半壊死体がパーフェクトであるという答えが出たわけだ！」 <br>\r\nWhen I put those two parts neatly together, aah, wonderful! I came up with the perfect answer of corpses with their heads half-smashed!\" <br><br>\r\n「お前、絶対、二色パンとか二色アイスが好きだろ。欲張りな子ども趣味丸出しだぜ…。」 <br>\r\n\"I'll bet you love two-colored bread and two-colored ice cream. You're just like a greedy kid...\" <br><br>\r\n「………いずれにせよ。たとえ頭部が半壊していたとしても、現時点では彼らが死んだと見なすべきではないわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......At any rate, even if half of their heads are smashed, we shouldn't assume that they're dead at this point in time.\" <br><br>\r\n「わかってる。……ベアトがもったいぶって赤での宣言を拒む以上、全ては疑って掛かるべきだな。 <br>\r\n\"I get it. ...Since Beato is trying to act tough and is refusing to say anything in red, we've gotta suspect everything. <br><br>\r\n……もちろん、シエスタの太もも姉ちゃんたちの魔法虐殺だって鵜呑みになんか絶対ぇしねぇぜ。」 <br>\r\n...Of course, I'm definitely not gonna swallow the theory of magical mass murder by the Chiester ass nee-chans.\" <br><br>\r\n「くす。本当に慎重になったこと。……最初のゲームの頃だったなら、何でもかんでも鵜呑みにしてくれていたのにね。」 <br>\r\n\"*giggle* You sure have gotten prudent. ...If this were the first game, you would've swallowed everything.\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくっくっく！ 好敵手は、こうでなくては面白くないというものよ。 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*! I wouldn't have anything less from a rival. <br><br>\r\n今は赤がないことを幸いに、自由な想像を広げ好きに推理を重ねるがいい。一番最後の、一番美味しいところで、バッサリと赤き真実にて叩き切ってくれようぞ…！」 <br>\r\nSince there is fortunately no red now, he can imagine whatever he wants and reason over and over again as he likes. At the very end, at the very sweetest spot, I'll cut him down at once with the red truth...!\" <br><br>\r\n「………………あ、……………ぅ………、」 <br>\r\n\"......Ah, ......uu......\" <br><br>\r\n静寂。真っ暗。 <br>\r\n冷たい。痛い。 <br>\r\nSilent. Black. <br><br>\r\nCold. Painful. <br><br>\r\n楼座は少しずつ意識を取り戻す……。 <br>\r\nRosa regained consciousness bit by bit... <br><br>\r\nそして最初に考えたことは、意識を取り戻さなければ良かった、だった。 <br>\r\nAnd the first thing she thought...was that it would have been better if she hadn't. <br><br>\r\nだって、こんなにも体が冷えていて痛くて、……意識が戻れば戻るほどに辛くなるから。 <br>\r\nAfter all, with her body this cold and hurting, ...the pain grew the more her consciousness returned. <br><br>\r\n暗闇の中、冷え切った大理石の上でずっとうつ伏せになって寝ていたような感じ。 <br>\r\nIt felt like she'd been sleeping on ice-cold marble in the darkness, lying face-down for a long time. <br><br>\r\n……あぁ、だからいつも自分に言い聞かせてるのよ。 <br>\r\nたとえ仮眠であっても、せめてソファーの上へ行こうって。 <br>\r\n...Aaah, this is why I always tell myself. <br><br>\r\nEven if its just for a nap, I've got to at least grab a sofa. <br><br>\r\nちょっと目を閉じるだけ、なんて甘えて、フローリングの上や書斎机の上に突っ伏して眠ってしまうと、後で体が痛くなって辛い思いをするって、いつも知ってるのに……。 <br>\r\nI know that, if I naively try to close my eyes for just a second...and end up sleeping on the floor or in the study chair, it'll hurt my body later and make things difficult... <br><br>\r\nこんなにも冷たくて硬い床で眠っていたから、骨まで冷え切ってしまった。 <br>\r\nSince I slept on such a cold and hard floor, even my bones are ice-cold. <br><br>\r\nこんなにも硬くて冷たい床で眠っていたから、押し付けていた顔半分がとても痛い。 <br>\r\nSince I slept on such a hard and cold floor, the half of my face pressed down against it hurts a lot. <br><br>\r\n……今、鏡を見たら、きっとみっともなく跡になっているだろう。 <br>\r\n...If I were to look in a mirror right now, I'm sure I'd see an embarrassing mark. <br><br>\r\n撫でたくらいでその跡が消えるとは思わないが、とりあえず、取り繕うように痛む顔半分をさすった…。 <br>\r\nI didn't think that just rubbing it would make that mark disappear, but I stroked the hurting side of my face anyway, trying to smooth it over... <br><br>\r\n……ここは、………どこだろう。 <br>\r\n...I wonder......where this is. <br><br>\r\n真っ暗闇だと思っていたが、そうではないようだった。 <br>\r\nなぜなら、薄っすらと自分の体を見ることは出来るからだ。 <br>\r\nI thought it was pitch black, but it looks like it isn't. <br><br>\r\nAfter all, I can faintly see my own body. <br><br>\r\n……光源があるに違いないのだが、天井を、……あるいは空を見上げても、真っ暗闇が広がるだけで、それらしい灯りは見えない。 <br>\r\n...Without a doubt, there was some source of light, but even if I looked up at the ceiling...or else the sky, there was only an expanse of blackness, and I couldn't see a proper light. <br><br>\r\n自分の体がほんのりと照らされているだけで、それ以外の物は全てが暗闇に沈んでいる、……そんな世界。 <br>\r\nMy body alone was slightly lit, whereas everything else was sunk in darkness... That's what this world was like. <br><br>\r\nそれはまるで、楼座だけが、忘れられた世界に置き去りにされてしまったかのようだった。 <br>\r\nIt was almost as though Rosa alone had been abandoned in a forgotten world. <br><br>\r\n意識がはっきりしてくると、どうしてこんな寂しいところに独りぼっちでいるのか不安になってきた。 <br>\r\nAs her mind grew clearer, she started getting nervous about why she was all alone in a lonely place like this. <br><br>\r\n ……誰かいませんかと、声を張り上げようとした時、 <br>\r\n……ぺた、 <br>\r\n…ぺた、 <br>\r\nと足音が近付いてくるのが聞こえた。 <br>\r\n...When she was about to call out, asking if anyone was there, she heard the <br><br>\r\n...*patter*... <br><br>\r\n*patter*... <br><br>\r\nof footsteps coming towards her. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nか弱い足音だったので、子どもだろうと思った。不気味な気配はなかったので怯えはしなかった。 <br>\r\nThey were light footsteps, so she thought it was probably a kid. She didn't sense anything disturbing, so she wasn't afraid. <br><br>\r\nしかし、真里亞の足音でもないので、一体、このような暗闇で誰だろうと、足音の聞こえてくる方向をじっと見た。 <br>\r\nBut they also weren't Maria's footsteps, so, wondering who in the world would be in a darkness like this, she stared in the direction the footsteps were coming from. <br><br>\r\n………すると、……薄っすらと近付いてくる人影が見えてくる。 <br>\r\n......As she did, ...a faint, approaching silhouette came into view. <br><br>\r\nそれは、……真里亞よりずっと幼い子どもに見えた。 <br>\r\nIt looked...like a child much younger than Maria. <br><br>\r\n……誰だろう。 <br>\r\n知らない子だった。 <br>\r\n...Who is it? <br><br>\r\nI don't know this kid. <br><br>\r\nでも、浮かべている表情はまるで、親とはぐれてしまった迷子の子のよう。 <br>\r\n…娘を持つ親として、胸が掻き毟られる感情を覚える…。 <br>\r\nBut, the expression on his face was like a lost child separated from his parents. <br><br>\r\n...As a parent with a daughter herself, Rosa felt as though her chest had been torn apart... <br><br>\r\n『……………………うりゅ。』 <br>\r\n『............Uryu.』 <br><br>\r\n「……あツ、…………、」 <br>\r\n\"...Ah! ......\" <br><br>\r\nその子が幼児言葉のようなものを呟いた瞬間、……冷たい床で痛んだ顔の左半分が、細くて硬くて長い針でぷすりと貫かれたような痛みを感じた。 <br>\r\nThe instant the kid muttered that infantile word, ...she felt pain in the half of her face that had started hurting from the cold floor, as though it had been pierced by long, thin, hard needles. <br><br>\r\n思わず手で、痛んだ側の顔を押さえてしまう。 <br>\r\nWithout thinking, she pressed her hand against that side of her face. <br><br>\r\n『……大丈夫……？ まだ痛い……？』 <br>\r\n『...Are you all right...? Does it still hurt...?』 <br><br>\r\n「…ありがとう、僕。………ここはどこ…？ すごく、……寒いわ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Thanks, I'm fine, little guy. ......Where are we...? It's really...cold.\" <br><br>\r\n『……こっちへ来て……。ここにいちゃいけない……。』 <br>\r\n『...Come this way... You mustn't stay here...』 <br><br>\r\nその子は私のもう片方の手を取ると、悲壮な表情で引っ張った。 <br>\r\nThat child took my other hand and pulled with a grim expression on his face. <br><br>\r\n……何が何だかわからない。 <br>\r\nでも、子どもの素直な表情はそれ一つで、大人の口先だけの百の言葉よりも、真実を語ることが多い。 <br>\r\n...Rosa didn't have a clue what was going on. <br><br>\r\nHowever, a single honest expression on a child...can often tell the truth better than a hundred words from an adult. <br><br>\r\n事情はわからないが、とにかく楼座は手を引かれるままに一緒に駆け出す…。 <br>\r\nShe didn't know the situation, but even so, she dashed along with him, still being pulled... <br><br>\r\nしかし、自分たちの姿以外は真っ暗で何も見えない世界。 <br>\r\n本当に自分が走って前へ進んでいるのかさえ、実感できない。 <br>\r\nBut this was a world where nothing could be seen in the darkness except for their own forms. <br><br>\r\nIt didn't even really feel like she was moving forwards. <br><br>\r\n……走っているのに風すら感じられない。 <br>\r\nまるで、まだ悪夢の中にいるかのような、そんな非現実感…。 <br>\r\n...Even though she was running, she couldn't even feel any wind. <br><br>\r\nIt was as though she was still inside a nightmare, ...that kind of unreal sensation... <br><br>\r\nだから、走っているにもかかわらず平衡感覚が保てず、私は足をもつれさせて転んでしまう。 <br>\r\nSo even though I ran, I couldn't maintain my sense of balance, and my legs got tangled and I fell. <br><br>\r\n……現実感のない世界ではあっても、硬く冷たい床に顔をこすり付ける痛みは現実そのものだった。 <br>\r\n...Even in a world that didn't feel real, the pain of smashing my face against the cold, hard floor was reality itself. <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ……、大丈夫……？』 <br>\r\n『Uryu, ...are you okay...?』 <br><br>\r\n「うっ、………ッ…。……ごめんなさいね、頭が痛むの。」 <br>\r\n\"Ah, ......nn... ...I'm sorry, my head hurts.\" <br><br>\r\n……その子が、その、……“うりゅ”とかいう幼児言葉を口にしたら、また頭に針を刺す痛みが走った。 <br>\r\n...When the kid said that...infantile word `uryu', pain like being stuck with needles ran though my head again. <br><br>\r\n二度起こっただけなのに、その子のその言葉が私の痛みを起こす切っ掛けになっているとなぜか理解できた。 <br>\r\nEven though it had only happened twice, I was somehow able to understand that the child's word was the cause of my pain. <br><br>\r\n……だから率直にそれを口に出す。 <br>\r\n...So I said so frankly. <br><br>\r\n「ごめんなさい。その、“うりゅ”という口癖を止めてもらえる…？」 <br>\r\n\"I'm sorry. Could you stop saying `uryu'...?\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ……。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu...』 <br><br>\r\n「ツ、……ちょっと、止めてって言ってるでしょ…。」 <br>\r\n\"Nng, ...wait a second, didn't I tell you to stop...?\" <br><br>\r\n『う、…ぁう、…うー！ ごめんなさい……。』 <br>\r\n『U, ...au, ...uu-! Sorry...』 <br><br>\r\nその子の謝罪の言葉で、今度は眉間に鋭い痛みを感じた気がした。 <br>\r\nI had the feeling that this child's apology caused a sharp pain in my forehead this time. <br><br>\r\n………何なの、この子は……？ <br>\r\n......What is...this child...? <br><br>\r\n 悪意がないのはわかってるんだけど、 <br>\r\n……この子にかかわると、 <br>\r\n……頭が辛い……。 <br>\r\nI know there's no malice in him, <br><br>\r\n...but when I'm around this child, <br><br>\r\n...my head hurts... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n『……大丈夫……？ 早く行こ……。 <br>\r\n『...Are you okay...? Let's go, quickly... <br><br>\r\nここはいちゃ駄目……。』 <br>\r\nYou mustn't stay here...』 <br><br>\r\n「どうしてここにいちゃ駄目なの…？ ねぇ、ここはどこ……？ あなたは誰？ あなたのママはどこ…？」 <br>\r\n\"Why shouldn't I be here...? Hey, where is this...? Who are you? Where is your Mama...?\" <br><br>\r\n『………ボクを作ってくれたのは、 <br>\r\n……ママだよ…？』 <br>\r\n『......The one who made me... <br><br>\r\n...is you, Mama...』 <br><br>\r\n「……え……？」 <br>\r\n\"...Huh...?\" <br><br>\r\nその子は、つぶらな瞳で、私をじっと見る。 <br>\r\nThat child stared at me with round eyes. <br><br>\r\n……この子のママが、………私……？ <br>\r\n……誰？ 誰、この子。 <br>\r\n...This kid's Mama......is me...? <br><br>\r\n...Who? Who is...this kid? <br><br>\r\n全然記憶にない。 <br>\r\nI don't remember at all. <br><br>\r\n『ボクのこと、……忘れちゃった……？ ママがボクを作ったんだよ……？』 <br>\r\n『Did you...forget about me...? You made me, right...?』 <br><br>\r\n「……ちょっと、冗談は止めて。…私の子どもは真里亞だけよ。………そう、真里亞はどこ？ 真里亞はどこなの？！ 真里亞……？！」 <br>\r\n\"...Wait a second, stop kidding around. ...Maria is my only child. ......That's right, where is Maria? Where is she?! Maria...?!\" <br><br>\r\n私は急に、真里亞がいないことが不安になる。 <br>\r\nどうして私はこんなところに独りぼっちでいるの？ <br>\r\nI suddenly grew nervous about Maria not being there. <br><br>\r\nWhy am I all alone in a place like this? <br><br>\r\n真里亞はどこなの？！ <br>\r\n真里亞がいてくれるから、私は私でいられるというのに…！ <br>\r\nWhere is Maria?! <br><br>\r\nI'm only able to be me because Maria's there for me...! <br><br>\r\n『…真里亞はいるけど、……今は真里亞じゃない。今は会わない方がいいの。その方がママのためだし、真里亞のためなの。………真里亞のためにも、逃げて。』 <br>\r\n『...Maria is here, ...but she's not Maria now. It's better if you don't meet with her now. That's better for your sake, and Maria's as well. ......For Maria's sake as well, escape.』 <br><br>\r\n「え……？ 何を言ってるの？ 真里亞はどこ？ 真里亞？！ 返事をしてー！！」 <br>\r\n\"Huh...? What are you saying? Where is Maria? Maria?! Answer me!!\" <br><br>\r\n『真里亞に見つかっちゃう…！ 早くこっちに来て、ママ…！』 <br>\r\n『Maria's gonna find you...! Come this way, quickly, Mama...!』 <br><br>\r\nその子は再び私の手を引っ張る。 <br>\r\n……恐らく、引っ張る方向は真里亞と逆の方向だ。 <br>\r\nだから私は踏み止まる。 <br>\r\nThat child pulled on my hand again. <br><br>\r\n...He was probably pulling me in the opposite direction from Maria. <br><br>\r\nSo I stopped walking. <br><br>\r\n「離してよ…！ <br>\r\n\"Let go...! <br><br>\r\n大体、あなたは誰よ…！ あなたにママなんて言われる覚えはないわよ…！」 <br>\r\nJust who are you...?! What gives you the right to call me Mama...?!\" <br><br>\r\n『……ボクを作ってくれたのはママだよ…。忘れちゃったの……？ 真里亞のバースデープレゼントにするために、 <br>\r\n……ボクを手作りしてくれたの、忘れちゃったの……？』 <br>\r\n『...Mama is the one who made me... Did you forget...? For Maria's birthday present, <br><br>\r\n...you made me with your own hands, ...did you forget...?』 <br><br>\r\n「……………………あなた、……まさか……。………真里亞の、……さくたろう…………？！」 <br>\r\n\".........You...couldn't be... ......Maria's...Sakutarou......?!\" <br><br>\r\n『うん………。ママに作ってもらった、ライオンのぬいぐるみだよ…！』 <br>\r\n『Yes...... The lion stuffed animal Mama made...!』 <br><br>\r\n「ぎゃッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Gyah!!\" <br><br>\r\n鋭い激痛が走る。 <br>\r\nそれは、彼に手を握られている手の平からだった。 <br>\r\nA fierce, sharp pain struck me. <br><br>\r\nIt came from the palm he had grasped with his hand. <br><br>\r\n思わず手を弾いて、手の平を見ると、 <br>\r\nWhen I knocked his hand away without thinking...and looked at my palm, <br><br>\r\n………そこには親指大の穴がぽっかりと開き、どろどろの真っ赤な血を噴出していた。 <br>\r\n......a hole the size of a thumb had opened there, and deep-red blood gushed out. <br><br>\r\n…向こう側が覗けるくらいの、大きな穴だった……。 <br>\r\n...It was a hole so big that I could see through to the other side... <br><br>\r\n『う、うりゅ……！ <br>\r\n『U-Uryu...! <br><br>\r\n大丈夫？！ 大丈夫？！ どうしたの…？！』 <br>\r\nAre you okay?! Are you okay?! What's wrong...?!』 <br><br>\r\nさくたろうも私の傷に気付き、慌てる。 <br>\r\nSakutarou noticed my wound and panicked. <br><br>\r\n……その様子を見る限り、なぜ私の手が大怪我を負ったのか理解できないようだった。 <br>\r\n...As far as I could tell by looking at him, he couldn't understand why my hand had sustained a serious injury. <br><br>\r\nしかし、私の目には、彼が私の手を握ったから、このような怪我を負ったように感じられた。 <br>\r\nBut in my eyes, it felt like I'd been injured because he'd grabbed my hand. <br><br>\r\n悪気があろうとなかろうとも、 <br>\r\n……この子は私に害を与える存在だと理解し、急に不気味になる……。 <br>\r\nRegardless of whether there was malice in him, <br><br>\r\n...I understood that this child was something that would do harm to me, and he instantly seemed eerie... <br><br>\r\n「あっちへ行って……！！ あなたなんか知らないわ…！ さくたろうは、気持ち悪い下手くそなぬいぐるみでしょ…！！ <br>\r\n\"Go away...!! You have nothing to do with me...! Sakutarou was just a disgusting, crappy stuffed animal, right...?!! <br><br>\r\n私は知らないわよ、ママなんかじゃないわよ…！！ あっちへ行って…！ 消えてッ！！」 <br>\r\nI don't know you, I'm not your Mama...!! Go away...! Disappear!!\" <br><br>\r\n『………う、………………ゅ………。』 <br>\r\n『......U......yu......』 <br><br>\r\nゆっくりと、……さくたろうの首元が、…一文字に裂けていく。 <br>\r\nSlowly, ...the base of Sakutarou's neck...was sliced in a horizontal line. <br><br>\r\nばっくりと開き、漆黒の内側が覗ける。 <br>\r\n……血は噴出さなかった。 <br>\r\nただただ、虚無の漆黒が覗けるだけだった。 <br>\r\nIt gaped open, and pitch-black insides peeked out. <br><br>\r\n...No blood poured from it. <br><br>\r\nOnly an empty blackness peeked out. <br><br>\r\nそして、………その裂け口の内側から…、綿雪をぶわっと噴出し、……綿埃を散らしながら、くしゃりと倒れた。 <br>\r\nThen, ......from the insides of the gash, ...cotton snow poured out, ...and as bits of cotton scattered, he slumped over. <br><br>\r\nそこには、……黄色いくしゃくしゃの布地と、湿気って潰れた綿飴のような綿の塊の残骸があるだけだった。 <br>\r\nThen, ...all that remained was a crumpled yellow cloth...and bits of cotton that looked like sticky, crushed cotton candy. <br><br>\r\n………ライオンの、ぬいぐるみ。 <br>\r\n......A lion...stuffed animal. <br><br>\r\n間違いない。 <br>\r\nあの日に私が感情に任せて引き裂いた、さくたろうのぬいぐるみの、残骸だった。 <br>\r\nWithout a doubt. <br><br>\r\nThese were the remains of the Sakutarou stuffed animal I tore apart on that day, while overcome by my emotions. <br><br>\r\nそれを私が認めた時、…………鋭く長く、そして鼓膜を破るほどに大きな金切り声が、世界を切り裂いた……。 <br>\r\nThe instant I realized that, ......a long, sharp shriek that could rupture an eardrum tore the world apart... <br><br>\r\n「うわあああああぁああああああああああぁああぁああぁぁッ！！！ さくたろぉおおおお、さくたろおぉおおおおおお、うわああああぁああああああああう！！ わあああぁああああああぁあああう！！」 <br>\r\n\"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!! Sakutaroooooooo, Sakutaroooooooooo, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuhhhh!! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuhhhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n堰を切った洪水のように、あるいは壊れたテレビのように。 <br>\r\n……真里亞は甲高い声で泣き叫ぶ。 <br>\r\nLike a flood from a broken dam, or like a broken TV... <br><br>\r\n...Maria cried out in a high-pitched voice. <br><br>\r\n………その、耳をわんわんと苛む真里亞の声に、二つの感情が揺さぶられた…。 <br>\r\n......Her voice, which made the ears throb, brought up two emotions in me... <br><br>\r\n一つは、あぁ、感情に任せてとんでもないことをしてしまった…、という後悔。 <br>\r\n今すぐ跪いて真里亞の頭を抱いて、一緒に泣き喚いて謝罪したいという母の気持ち。 <br>\r\nOne was regret, `Yeah, I was overcome by my emotions and went overboard'. <br><br>\r\nIt was a mother's desire to kneel down right away, hold Maria's head, cry with her and apologize. <br><br>\r\n……実際、私はすぐにそうした。 <br>\r\n真里亞の頭を抱いて、私も泣きながらそれを謝った。 <br>\r\n...In actual fact, I did that right away. <br><br>\r\nI held Maria's head and apologized, crying. <br><br>\r\nしかし真里亞は泣き止まない。 <br>\r\nそれどころか、一番の仲良しの友人を引き裂いた私を拒絶し、両手で強く押しのけた。 <br>\r\nBut Maria didn't stop crying. <br><br>\r\nOn the contrary, she rejected me, the one who had torn her closest friend apart, and pushed me away forcefully with both hands. <br><br>\r\n不自然な格好で膝を付いていた私は、呆気なく後へ転ぶ。 <br>\r\nI had been on my knees in an unnatural position, so I fell backwards easily. <br><br>\r\n真里亞は黄色い布切れと綿屑を掻き集め、……それに顔を埋めて、さらに泣いた…。 <br>\r\nMaria scraped together the yellow scraps of cloth and cotton bits, ...buried her face in them, and cried even more... <br><br>\r\nそれを見て、もう一つの感情が膨らむ。 <br>\r\nWatching that, another emotion welled up. <br><br>\r\nみるみる膨らむ。 <br>\r\n……そしてはち切れる。 <br>\r\nIt welled up rapidly. <br><br>\r\n...And then, it burst. <br><br>\r\nだって、謝っても機嫌直さないし、もうどうしようもないし、そもそも真里亞が悪いし…！！ <br>\r\nAfter all, she refused to make up with me even though I'd apologized, and there was nothing else I could do now anyway, and it was all Maria's fault in the first place...!! <br><br>\r\nいつまでもこんなぬいぐるみ遊びにかまけているから友達が出来ないわけで、変人扱いをされてるわけで…！！ <br>\r\nSince she's too busy playing with stuffed animals all the time like this, she can't make any friends, and that's why people treat her like a freak...!! <br><br>\r\nこれはいい機会、教育的指導！ <br>\r\n私だって甘やかしてばかりいるわけじゃないんだから…ッ！！ <br>\r\nThis is a perfect opportunity to give her some instructive guidance! <br><br>\r\nAfter all, it's not like I was pampered all the time...!! <br><br>\r\n物はやがて壊れる、奪われる、壊される！ <br>\r\nEverything eventually breaks, is stolen, is destroyed by someone! <br><br>\r\n私だって玩具や宝物を、兄さんや姉さんやお父様やお母様にたくさん取られた、壊された、馬鹿にされた、捨てられた…！！ <br>\r\nEven I had lots of toys and treasures stolen, broken, mocked, and thrown away by my brothers and sister and Father and Mother...!! <br><br>\r\nでも私、それに対し泣いたことも、……ちょっぴり涙を零したことはあったかもしれないけど……、ここまでわんわん泣いて親を困らせたり、駄々を捏ねたり、機嫌を損ねたり、床をどんどん叩いてばんばん蹴って騒がしくしたことなんて一度もない…！！ <br>\r\nBut when I cried about that, ...while I might have shed a few tears, ...not once did I sob like this and trouble my parents, throw a tantrum, get mad, hit the floor and kick and make a racket...!! <br><br>\r\nそうしたいといつも思ってたけど、したらもっと怒られると思って、ずっとずっと我慢してきた。 <br>\r\nEven though I always wanted to, I thought I'd get in more trouble if I did, so I always, always held it back. <br><br>\r\n我慢してきたからコンナニ立派ナ大人ニナレタノニっ！！！ <br>\r\nIt's because I held it back THAT I WAS ABLE TO BECOME THE WONDERFUL ADULT I AM NOW!!! <br><br>\r\nその時、ぼろっと変な手応えがした。 <br>\r\nAt that moment, I felt something strange. <br><br>\r\n乱暴に道具を扱っていたら、とうとう壊れて、根元からぽっきり逝ってしまった時のような手応え。 <br>\r\nThe same feeling as when you use a tool recklessly, and it finally breaks, so that only the base is left. <br><br>\r\nしかし、私は道具なんか何も使ってない。 <br>\r\n自分の両手で真里亞の頭を叩き続けていただけだ。 <br>\r\nBut I wasn't using a tool. <br><br>\r\nI'd just been repeatedly hitting Maria's head with both hands. <br><br>\r\nだから、……自分の手を見る。 <br>\r\nSo, ...I looked at my hands. <br><br>\r\n……私の両手の手首から先が、折れて、欠けて、……なくなっていた。 <br>\r\n...From my wrists onwards, my hands had broken off, splintered, ...and disappeared. <br><br>\r\nまるで私の腕の、その部分だけが、陶製になってしまったかのよう。 <br>\r\n……いや、まさに私の手首から先がいつの間にか陶製になっていて、壊れて落ちているのだ。 <br>\r\nAs though only that part of my arms had become ceramic. <br><br>\r\n...No, as though all of me from the wrists onwards had suddenly become ceramic, and had broken and fallen. <br><br>\r\n真里亞を叩き過ぎたから、ひびが入って割れて落ちてしまったのだ。 <br>\r\n……だからほら、…私の両手首は、足元に砕けて落ちてるじゃないか……。 <br>\r\nThey must have gotten filled with cracks because I hit Maria too much...before falling off. <br><br>\r\n...After all, look, ...aren't both of my wrists lying smashed by my feet...? <br><br>\r\n「ひ………？ ひいいいぃいいいいいいぃいぃぃ…！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Ee......? Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkk...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n痛みはない。 <br>\r\nしかし、自らの両手首から先が欠けてなくなってしまうという衝撃的な光景が、私に絶叫を強いらせる……。 <br>\r\nThere was no pain. <br><br>\r\nBut the shocking sight of my hands breaking off from the wrists onwards made me scream... <br><br>\r\n「な、何これ？！ 何これッ？！ <br>\r\n\"Wh-What is this?! What is this?! <br><br>\r\n私の手、……手、手…！！ ひぃいいいいいぃいぃぃいッ！！！」 <br>\r\nMy hands, ...my hands, my hands...!! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkk!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「…………………………。………これでもう、……真里亞を叩けないね。」 <br>\r\n\"...............This way, ...you won't be able to hit me anymore.\" <br><br>\r\n私の混乱を他所に、……真里亞はとても冷たい声で、そう言いながら、……私の乱暴から頭を被っていた両手をゆっくりと解く……。 <br>\r\nIgnoring my confusion, ...Maria spoke with an icy voice, ...slowly moving her hands away from her head, where they had been defending against my barrage... <br><br>\r\n「……何よこれ？！ 私の手、私の手…！！ <br>\r\n\"...What's happening?! My hands, my hands...!! <br><br>\r\n何をしたのよ真里亞、これは何なのよ、何これ何これッ…？！」 <br>\r\nWhat did you do, Maria, what is this, what on earth is this...?!\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞の後に、いつの間にか黒い人影が立っている。 <br>\r\n……大人の人影だった。 <br>\r\nBehind Maria's back, a black silhouette had appeared. <br><br>\r\n...It was the silhouette of an adult. <br><br>\r\n…………誰？！ <br>\r\n......Who?! <br><br>\r\n「………娘の頭を撫で、絵本をめくり、温かい食事を作ることの出来る腕ならば、……残しても良いかと考えた。」 <br>\r\n\"...If she'd used those hands for patting her daughter's head, flipping through picture books, or making warm meals, ...it may have been worth leaving them on.\" <br><br>\r\n「ママは真里亞の頭を撫でるより、叩く方が多いよ。……絵本なんかめくってくれない。ご飯だって作ってくれない。……真里亞が自分で買いに行くの。 <br>\r\n\"Mama hit my head more than she patted it. ...She never opens picture books. She doesn't even make me food. ...I go to buy it myself.\" <br><br>\r\n……でも、同じお店に何度も行っちゃいけないし、顔を覚えられてもいけない、お巡りさんに話しかけてもいけない…。………何で？ どうして？ 真里亞が悪いの？ <br>\r\n\"...But I mustn't go to the same store more than once, mustn't have my face remembered, mustn't talk to the policeman... ......Why? Why is that? Is it my fault?\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞はママに撫でてもらったり、絵本を読んでもらったり、一緒にご飯を食べたりしちゃいけないの…？ どうして？ どうして？！ <br>\r\n\"Am I not allowed to have Mama pat my head, have picture books read to me, or eat dinner with Mama...? Why not? Why not?! <br><br>\r\n真里亞、悪くないよッ！！ 真里亞悪くない、ママが悪い！！ ママが悪いッ！！」 <br>\r\nI didn't do anything wrong!! It isn't my fault, it's Mama's!! Mama's fault!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ママは一緒に遊んでくれないけど、さくたろは一緒に遊んでくれた！ <br>\r\n\"Mama wouldn't play with me, but Sakutaro did! <br><br>\r\n本も読んでくれた、テレビも見てくれた、一緒にご飯も食べてくれた！！ ママよりッ、もっともっと大切な友達だったのにッ！！！」 <br>\r\nHe even read books, watched TV and ate meals with me!! He was a much, much better friend than Mama was!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…わ、……悪かったと思ってるわ…！ <br>\r\n\"...I-I'm not proud of it...! <br><br>\r\nでッ、でも仕方ないでしょ？！ ママは仕事で忙しいのよ、仕事で！！ ママの仕事が忙しいのは知ってるでしょ？！ 仕方ないのよ！！ 仕方ないッ！！」 <br>\r\nB-But what am I supposed to do?! I'm busy with work, work I tell you!! You know that, right?! It was unavoidable!! There's nothing I can do!!\" <br><br>\r\n「そうだ。これは仕方なきこと。 <br>\r\n\"True enough. It was unavoidable. <br><br>\r\nそなたの娘が傷つき、心を引き裂かれ、涙に血を浮かべることさえ、これは仕方なきこと…！ なれば今この場にてこのようなることになるもまた、全ては仕方なきこと…！！ <br>\r\nUnavoidable that you'd injure your daughter, tearing her heart apart and making her tears run with blood...! In that case, there's no avoiding the same thing happening again, right here, right now...!!\" <br><br>\r\nさぁ、マリア…！ 母を名乗った女の言い分は以上だぞ。許せるか、否か…？！ 無罪か、はたまた有罪かッ？！？！」 <br>\r\n\"Come, MARIA...! Enough of the excuses from a woman who calls herself a mother. Can you forgive her, or not...?! Is she innocent...or guilty?!?!\" <br><br>\r\n「許せないッ！！ ママは有罪だッ！！ さくたろにママがしたのと、同じ目に遭わせてやる…！！ ママを、……首の縫い目のところから、 <br>\r\n……引き裂いて、中の綿をぶちまけてやるッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"I won't forgive her!! Mama's guilty!! I'll make Mama meet the same fate she gave to Sakutaro...!! Take Mama...from the seam at the neck... <br><br>\r\nand tear her apart, so we can see the cotton inside her!!\" <br><br>\r\n……真里亞の瞳が、青く、禍々しく光った。 <br>\r\n...Maria's eyes ominously flashed blue. <br><br>\r\nその瞬間、目に見えぬ巨大な腕が爪を立てて楼座の全身を強く握り締めた。 <br>\r\n全身の骨がポキポキと小枝を踏み折るような音を立てながら、簡単にひびが入り、折れていく。 <br>\r\nIn that instant, invisible, massive arms stuck their fingernails out and tightly grasped Rosa's entire body. <br><br>\r\nAs the bones all over her body made a sound like twigs being stepped on, they cracked readily and broke apart. <br><br>\r\n………楼座は薄っすら理解していた。 <br>\r\nその巨大な腕は多分、……さくたろうを引き裂いた時の、自分の腕なのだ。 <br>\r\n......Rosa had understood vaguely. <br><br>\r\nThe massive arms were probably...her own arms, from the time she'd torn Sakutarou apart. <br><br>\r\nぬいぐるみから見れば、自分の腕はきっと、これくらいに巨大だったに違いない。 <br>\r\nFrom a stuffed animal's perspective, her arms certainly would have been this massive. <br><br>\r\nだから、後は想像が付いた。 <br>\r\nSo she could imagine what would happen next. <br><br>\r\n……鋭い爪が私の首の根元に強く立てられ、……びりびりと皮膚が裂けていく音を自らの耳で聞く。 <br>\r\n...The sharp nails stuck deep into the base of her neck, ...and she heard the skin tearing with her own ears. <br><br>\r\nそして、二人の魔女が見守る前で、楼座の肉体は首から上と下に、分けられた。 <br>\r\nThen, as the two witches watched over her, Rosa's flesh was split in two, top and bottom. <br><br>\r\nさくたろうが引き裂かれた時には、綿埃がまるで粉雪のように舞い散った。 <br>\r\nWhen Sakutarou had been torn apart, bits of cotton had flown about like snowflakes. <br><br>\r\nしかし楼座の時には、黒く粘度のあるコールタールのようなものがぶちまけられ、辺りに汚らしく飛び散った。 <br>\r\nBut in Rosa's case, something like black, thick tar came out, filthily flying all over the place. <br><br>\r\n血の赤など、わずかほどもない。 <br>\r\n……ドス黒くて汚らしい、どろどろの何かだった。 <br>\r\nThere wasn't even a trace of the red of blood. <br><br>\r\n...It was something black, filthy and thick. <br><br>\r\nそれは多分、血も涙もない人間が、その代わりに体内に溜め込んでいる何かに違いなかった。 <br>\r\nIt was probably what a bloodless, tearless human kept inside their body. <br><br>\r\n「これは凄い。醜いッ！ 何と汚らわしき中身か…！ <br>\r\n\"This is incredible. Hideous! What filthy insides...! <br><br>\r\n見事であったぞマリア。さぁどうか、そなたの復讐はこれにて充分か？ <br>\r\nSplendidly done, MARIA. Well then, is this enough for your revenge? <br><br>\r\nそなたは母を許せるか、否か？ 無罪か、有罪か…！！」 <br>\r\nCan you forgive your mother, or not? Innocent...or guilty...?!!\" <br><br>\r\n「許せないッ！！ <br>\r\n\"I can't forgive her!! <br><br>\r\nまだまだ許せない、有罪だッ…！！！」 <br>\r\nStill can't forgive her, she's guilty...!!!\" <br><br>\r\nベアトリーチェが煙管のケーンを振るうと、黄金の蝶たちが湧き出して、楼座の砕けた肉体をあっという間に再生してしまう…。 <br>\r\nWhen Beatrice brandished her pipe cane, gold butterflies seeped up and restored Rosa's broken flesh in an instant... <br><br>\r\n「………く、……がはッ！ <br>\r\n\"......Ack, ...gwah! <br><br>\r\nげほげほッ……！！」 <br>\r\n*cough*cough*...!\" <br><br>\r\n「ひとつの命で償えぬほどのそなたの大罪、身をもって知れ。そして、自らの深き罪を思い出せ…！ <br>\r\n\"Feel the depths of your sin, which cannot be repaid by a single human life. And remember your own great sin...! <br><br>\r\nさぁさ、思い出して御覧なさい…！！ そなたがどれほどの罪を犯したのか…！！」 <br>\r\nCome, try and remember...!! Remember the scale of your sin...!!\" <br><br>\r\n………もしもし。……ママなの？ ……ママは何時に帰ってくるの？ <br>\r\n......Hello. ...Is it Mama? ...When will you get home? <br><br>\r\n「ごめんなさいね。今日も仕事が忙しくて、泊まりになってしまうの。」 <br>\r\n\"I'm sorry. I'm busy with work today, so I'm staying over.\" <br><br>\r\n……また、お仕事でお泊り………？ ……ママのお仕事、今日も大変だね…。 <br>\r\n...Staying over for work again......? ...Looks like work is tough for you again today, Mama... <br><br>\r\n「うん、ごめんね。本当に忙しいの。もうずっと会社に缶詰よ。外の空気も吸えやしないわ。ママの仕事は早く終わらすだけじゃ駄目なの。より良いデザインをあげないと、次から仕事をもらえない、大変な仕事なのよ。だからどうしても時間が掛かっちゃうの。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, sorry. I really am busy. I'll be holed up in the company the whole time. I can't even get a breath of outside air. Mama just can't finish her job quickly this time. Unless I give them a better design, I won't be given another job, ...that's how tough this work is. So it'll just have to take some time.\" <br><br>\r\n…うん。わかってるよ。………真里亞、いい子でお留守番してるから、お仕事いっぱいがんばって、早く終わらせて、お家に帰ってきてね……。 <br>\r\n...Yeah. I understand. ......I'll be a good girl and watch over the house, so do your best at work, finish it quickly, and come back, okay...? <br><br>\r\n「ママのお仕事をわかってくれて、ありがとう……。明日、美味しいケーキを買って帰ることを約束するわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Thank you for understanding about Mama's work... I promise I'll buy a delicious cake tomorrow and take it home.\" <br><br>\r\nケーキいらないよ。……ケーキ屋さんに寄って遅くなるより、その分、ちょっとでも早くママが帰ってくる方が嬉しい。 <br>\r\nI don't need cake. ...Instead of taking time to go to the cake store, I'd be happier if you came home that much sooner. <br><br>\r\n「大丈夫よ。早く帰ってくるわ、約束する。だから美味しいケーキを二人で食べて。美味しい紅茶を二人で飲んで。一緒に新しい絵本を読みましょう。この間、買った、狼と羊のパズルで遊びましょうね。二人で一緒に。……約束よ。」 <br>\r\n\"Don't worry. I'll come back quickly, I promise. So let's have some delicious cake together. Let's drink delicious tea together. Let's read a new picture book together. Let's play with that Wolves and Sheep Puzzle I bought the other day. Both of us together. ...I promise.\" <br><br>\r\n………うん、約束。待ってるね。…………お仕事、頑張ってね、ママ……。 <br>\r\n......Yeah, promise. I'll be waiting. ......Do your best at work, Mama... <br><br>\r\n「ほほぅ。寂しい話ではあるが、互いを思い合う、良き親子愛ではないか。 <br>\r\n\"Hohoh. It's a lonely story, but isn't this mother-daughter love wonderful, with both looking out for the other? <br><br>\r\n何か問題があるというのか、真里亞。そして楼座よ。」 <br>\r\nDo you see any problem with it, Maria? Rosa?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。 <br>\r\n\"............ <br><br>\r\n……そ、その約束は、……私はちゃんと守ったはずよ。次の日の夕方に、約束通り、ケーキを買っていつもより早い帰宅をしたはずよ。」 <br>\r\n...I-I...kept that promise, didn't I? The next evening, didn't I do as I promised, buying a cake and returning earlier than usual?\" <br><br>\r\n「うぅん、真里亞は知ってたよ……。 <br>\r\n\"That's not it. I knew... <br><br>\r\n………あの日の夕方ね。ママ宛てに着払いの荷物が来たけど、お財布の中のお金が足りなかったから、ママにどうしようって相談したくて会社に電話したの。 <br>\r\n......That evening, a pay-on-delivery package came for Mama, but there wasn't enough money in the wallet, so I called Mama's company to ask what to do. <br><br>\r\n……特別な時以外は掛けちゃ駄目って言われてたけど、 <br>\r\n……ママのお仕事の大切なものだったら悪いしと思って…。電話したの。」 <br>\r\n...I was told only to call at special times, <br><br>\r\n...but I thought it'd be bad if the package was something important for Mama's work... So I called.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「………そしたら、ママはお休みだって言われた。…その日はずっと前からお休みに決まってて、………遠くへ遊びに行っているって言われたの。…………真里亞は知ってたよ。ママが嘘を吐いてるって、………ずっとずっと知ってた…！」 <br>\r\n\"......Then, I was told that Mama had the day off. ...I was told that it had been decided long ago that Mama would have that day off, ......and that she'd gone far away to play. ......I knew. The whole, whole time, ......I knew Mama was lying...!\" <br><br>\r\nでもね、……さくたろがそうじゃないって真里亞を叱ってくれたの。 <br>\r\nBut you know what? ...Sakutarou scolded me, saying that it wasn't true. <br><br>\r\nママは毎日、お仕事でとても大変。 <br>\r\n真里亞を放っておいて遊んでるはずなんてないって。 <br>\r\nEvery day, Mama was very busy with work. <br><br>\r\nThere was no way she'd abandon Maria and play. <br><br>\r\nママはお休みって言った人は、きっと何か勘違いして言ってしまったんだよって…！ <br>\r\nHe said that the person who told us Mama had the day off must've made some kind of mistake...! <br><br>\r\nさくたろがそう言うんだもん。 <br>\r\nThat's what Sakutaro said. <br><br>\r\n真里亞は信じたよ。 <br>\r\n……真里亞は信じた！ <br>\r\nSo I believed it. <br><br>\r\n...I believed it! <br><br>\r\nママ大好き、ママ大好き…！ <br>\r\nI love Mama, love her...! <br><br>\r\nもちろんママだって真里亞を愛してる、愛してるって！！ <br>\r\nOf course, Mama says that she loves me, loves me!! <br><br>\r\n「……………えぇ。私もよ。愛してるわ、真里亞……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Yes. Me too. I love you, Maria...\" <br><br>\r\n楼座はふぅっと深いため息を漏らす。 <br>\r\n……自らの言葉に重みを感じてるのだろうか。 <br>\r\nRosa let out a deep sigh. <br><br>\r\n...Maybe she felt the weight of her words. <br><br>\r\nそして、ベッドサイドの電話機に受話器を置く。 <br>\r\nThen, she set the receiver on the bedside phone down. <br><br>\r\n薄暗い室内は、窓際からの地上の星空をより美しく際立たせてくれていた。 <br>\r\nThe dark room made the starry sky on the ground below the window stand out even more beautifully. <br><br>\r\nそのテラス前のテーブルには、よく冷えたワインクーラーが置かれ、グラスを交わした相手が、眼下の光景を眺めていた…。 <br>\r\nOn the table in front of the terrace was a very cold wine cooler, and the one she shared a glass with was gazing at the scene below... <br><br>\r\n「………娘さんに、旅行って話してないんですか？」 <br>\r\n\"......You didn't tell your daughter you were on vacation?\" <br><br>\r\n「行くって言って、前にうるさかったんで、以来、言わないことにしてるんです。その方が面倒がなくていいんで。」 <br>\r\n\"I told her once, but she was so noisy that I decided not to tell her anymore. It's less work that way.\" <br><br>\r\n「……娘さんが気になるなら、無理に日程を組まなくても良かったじゃありませんか。」 <br>\r\n「でもそれじゃ、いつまで経っても予定が合わないし…。それは気にしないでって言ったでしょう。」 <br>\r\n\"...If you were worried about your daughter, you didn't have to force yourself to put this in your schedule, right?\" <br><br>\r\n\"But that way, we'd never get our schedules to match... Didn't I say not to worry about that?\" <br><br>\r\n純白のガウンをまとった細身の中年男性は、小さくため息を漏らす。 <br>\r\nそのわずかな仕草に楼座は敏感に反応した……。 <br>\r\nThe slender, middle-aged man clad in a white robe gave a small sigh. <br><br>\r\nRosa reacted instantly to that slight action... <br><br>\r\n「もう！ 娘の話はなしにして。せっかくの上等なワインが台無しよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Come on! Let's not talk about my daughter. It'd be a waste of this precious wine.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………私はあなたに、一人の人間としても女性としても魅力を感じています。ですが、だからこそ、あなたの親子の事情に無理を強いてまで、こうして時間を割くのは申し訳ないと感じています。」 <br>\r\n\"......I find you fascinating as both a woman and a human being. But for that very reason, I feel bad about taking so much of your time that it strains your relationship with your daughter.\" <br><br>\r\n「私と娘の事情は気にしないで下さいっていつも言ってるじゃないですか…！ あなたと二人きりの時に、娘の話はしないようにしてるでしょう？ 電話だって、下のロビーでうるさい酔っ払いが馬鹿笑いしてなければここでは掛けなかった…！」 <br>\r\n\"Don't I always tell you not to worry about my relationship with my daughter...?! I try not to talk about her when I'm alone with you, okay? I wouldn't even have phoned from here if it weren't for the noisy drunk laughing stupidly in the lobby downstairs...!\" <br><br>\r\n「楼座さん。こういう唐突な日程での旅行は、娘さんのためにも、今後は少し考えませんか…？ 互いの日程が合った時だけでいいじゃありませんか。」 <br>\r\n\"Rosa-san, can't you reconsider taking sudden vacations like this in the future, for your daughter's sake...? Isn't it enough if we only meet when our schedules match?\" <br><br>\r\n「それじゃ全然日程が合わないじゃないですか……！ 私はっ、……いつだって一緒にいたいのに……！」 <br>\r\n\"Our schedules will never match up that way, right...?! And I...always want to be with you...!\" <br><br>\r\n「それは子どもの恋愛の仕方です。大人同士の恋愛は、もう少しストイックであるべきですよ。……楼座さんと一緒にいられる時間が長く取れないことは、僕も寂しいです。ですが、その限られた時間と機会で、僕たちは充分に大人の恋愛を楽しめていると思いますよ。」 <br>\r\n\"That's a child's way of loving. Loving between adults should be a little more stoic. ...Not being able to be with you for long periods of time makes me lonely too. However, I think we can enjoy more than enough adult loving during that limited time.\" <br><br>\r\n「それは、もっと娘と一緒にいろと。……女でなく、母でいろ、ということですか。」 <br>\r\n\"So you're telling me to go be with my daughter more. ...Be a mother, not a woman?\" <br><br>\r\n「……あなただって望んでいることでしょう？ 娘さんと一緒にゆっくり過ごしたいとあなただって思っているはずだ。僕は逃げません。僕との時間を優先するために、娘さんを犠牲にするのは気の毒だと申し上げたいのです。」 <br>\r\n\"...That's what you want too, right? You must also want to spend lots of time with your daughter. I won't run away. I'm trying to say that I think it's sad for you to sacrifice your daughter so you can prioritize your time with me.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………………。……奥さんとの寄り、戻したんですか。………別れるのが嫌になったんですね。」 <br>\r\n「妻の話はしたくない。あなたが娘さんの話をしたくないのと同じです。」 <br>\r\n\"...............Did you get back on good terms with your wife? ......Looks like you've had about enough of being separated from her.\" <br><br>\r\n\"I don't want to talk about my wife. Just like you don't want to talk about your daughter.\" <br><br>\r\n「……子連れの女は面倒だって、思ったんでしょう。」 <br>\r\n「そんなこと、今までに一度も言ったことはありませんよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...I'm sure you think single women with children are a pain.\" <br><br>\r\n\"I've never said anything of the sort before.\" <br><br>\r\n「………みんな、子連れだとわかると手の平を返す。……あの子の養育費は気にしなくていいからと言っても、みんな手の平を返す…。………あなたは、…娘のことを理解してくれてると思ったのに、………やっぱり子連れだと嫌なんですね……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Whenever someone finds out I have a child, they desert me. ...Even if I tell them not to worry about paying that child's living expenses, they all desert me... ...I...thought you understood about my daughter, ......but I guess you don't like single women with children after all...\" <br><br>\r\n「そうは言っていません。楼座さんのことを嫌いになってなどいませんよ。私が言いたいのは、娘さんをもっと大事にしなさい、あなた自身もそれを望んでいるはずだ、だから娘さんに嘘を吐いて自らを傷つけて欲しくない。そう言ってるだけなんです。」 <br>\r\n\"That's not what I'm saying. I haven't started to dislike you, Rosa-san. I'm just trying to tell you to take better care of our daughter, something I know you wish for yourself, and I don't want you to hurt yourself by lying to her. That's all I'm saying.\" <br><br>\r\n「嘘吐きッ！！！ <br>\r\n\"Liar!!! <br><br>\r\n私のことが面倒になっただけ、そうでしょうッ？！」 <br>\r\n「そんなことは言っていない…！」 <br>\r\nI've just become a burden for you, right?!\" <br><br>\r\n\"That's not what I'm saying...!\" <br><br>\r\n「いいえ、わかるの、私にはわかるわ。あの子を理由に何度も捨てられた私だからわかるの、雰囲気でわかるわ、そうよ、あなたもそう、他の男たちと一緒！！ <br>\r\n\"No, I know, I understand. After being abandoned so many times because of that child, I know, I can tell by your mood, yes, you're already like those other men!! <br><br>\r\n子連れの女は嫌なのよ、バツイチは嫌なのよ、面倒なのよッ！！ <br>\r\nYou don't want a woman with a child, you don't want a divorcee, because that's a pain!!\" <br><br>\r\n知らない男と作った子どもの親になんかなりたくないんでしょう？ えぇ、そうよね、その気持ち、すっごいわかるわ！！ 子連れの男と付き合ったことがあるけど、その気持ち、すっごいわかったの…！！ だから、……娘を理解してくれるあなたとなら、一緒になれるって信じたのにッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"You don't want to become the parent of a child made with another man, right? Yes, that's right, I totally get it!! I once went out with a man with children, so I really get how you feel...!! That's why...I believed I'd be able to be together with you, a person who understood about my daughter!!\" <br><br>\r\n「がはッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Gwah!! <br><br>\r\nげほっ、……げほんッ……。……そうよ……。あんたなんて、……邪魔だったのよ……。」 <br>\r\n*cough*, ...*cough*... ...That's right... You were...always in the way...\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………っ。」 <br>\r\n\"............!\" <br><br>\r\n「……あんたさえいなければ、……私はとっくに、女としての幸せを掴めたのよ……。あんたの存在が、……私の幸せをいつも邪魔するのよ……。」 <br>\r\n\"...If only you didn't exist, ...I would've been able to grasp my happiness as a woman long ago... Because you exist, ...you were always in the way of my happiness...\" <br><br>\r\n「…………マ…マ………、」 <br>\r\n\"......Ma...ma......\" <br><br>\r\n「………私だってあんたなんか生みたくなかったわよ…。 <br>\r\n\"......Even I didn't want you to be born... <br><br>\r\nいいえ違うわ。……あんたと一緒に幸せな家庭を築けたらと思ったわよ…。……でも、あんたが生まれる直前にあいつは蒸発したわ。 <br>\r\nNo, that's not it. ...I thought I might be able to build a happy family together with you... ...But that man disappeared right before your birth. <br><br>\r\n私と温かい家庭を築くと言って私を騙し、永遠に私の前から消え去ったわ…！！ <br>\r\nHe said he'd build a warm family with me, ...tricked me, ...and disappeared from my sight for all eternity...!!\" <br><br>\r\n残ったのはあんただけ。 <br>\r\n\"Only you were left. <br><br>\r\n愛も思い出も何もない！！ あの男は今どこへ？ 私との日々を温かな思い出に勝手に変えて、新しい恋に出会ったかもしれない。 <br>\r\nNo love or memories or anything remained!! Where did that man go? He probably just turned my days with him into a warm memory...and met with a new love. <br><br>\r\nそして今度こそ幸せな家庭を築けたかもしれない…！！ <br>\r\nAnd this time, he might have been able to create a happy family...!! <br><br>\r\nそして私は？！ あんたがいるッ！！ 恋も探せない！！ <br>\r\nAnd as for me?! I have you!! I can't even look for a new love!!\" <br><br>\r\n男は好きに女を渡り歩いて武勇伝気取りッ！ なのに女には、私にはッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Men can go between women as they like and brag about it! But for a woman, for me...!! <br><br>\r\nあんたがいる！！ <br>\r\nI have you!! <br><br>\r\nあんたという重石がいるのよ、あんたのせいで私は恋を探せない、愛が得られない、一人で生きていくしかない！！ <br>\r\nI had you as a stone weight, and because of you, I can't search for romance, I can't find love, and I can only live alone!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nいいえ、それさえも許されてないわ、私には一人で酔い潰れたい夜さえ許されていないッ！！ <br>\r\n\"No, I wasn't even allowed that, I wasn't even allowed a night to drink myself drunk all alone!! <br><br>\r\nあんたは誰？！ <br>\r\nWho are you?! <br><br>\r\n何者ッ？！ <br>\r\nWho?! <br><br>\r\n私の人生を台無しにして、私の新しい人生さえ許してくれないあんたは、私の人生の何者なのよ？！ <br>\r\nYou wasted my life...and won't even let me have a new life... Just who are you to my life?! <br><br>\r\n死ねッ消えろッ、あんたなんか生まれて来た時から大嫌いッ！！ <br>\r\nDie, disappear, I've hated you since the time you were born!! <br><br>\r\nあんたがお腹の中にいた頃から、大ッ嫌いだったッ！！！ それを前向きに受け容れようと、頑張って良き母を演じてきたわ。えぇ、私は頑張った！！ <br>\r\nI've hated you since the time you were in my womb!!! I've been doing my best to act like a good mother so that I'd be accepted by the outside world. Yes, I've done my best!!\" <br><br>\r\n同世代の女性たちが、独身を謳歌し、時に恋に遊び、あるいは愛に結ばれるのを横目に見ながら、私は女と母の二足のわらじを履き続けたわ…！！ その私の苦労を、誰がねぎらったの？！ <br>\r\n\"As I watched other women of my generation praise being single, sometimes playing with passion or even being joined with someone in love, I was stuck being both a mother and a woman...!! Who ever showed appreciation for my efforts?! <br><br>\r\n誰も褒めない、讃えないッ！！ <br>\r\nNo one admired me, no one praised me!!\" <br><br>\r\n自業自得？ <br>\r\n\"I got what I deserved? <br><br>\r\n中古品？ <br>\r\nSecondhand goods? <br><br>\r\nバツイチは死ね？ <br>\r\nDivorcees should die? <br><br>\r\n処女じゃなきゃ嫌ぁ？！ こっちから願い下げよ、ケツの青い童貞のクソガキどもがッ！！！ 必死だった私はさぞかし簡単に抱ける女に見えたろうさ、えぇ、必死だったわよッ！！ <br>\r\nYou don't want anyone who's not a virgin?! I'm the one who doesn't want anything to do with you, you damn inexperienced virgin brats!!! I was so desperate, I probably looked like a easy woman to you...yes, I was desperate!! <br><br>\r\nまだまだ恋をしたい年頃の私が、日々を仕事と育児で忙殺されていき、このまま老いてこのまま人生を終えるだろうと悟った時、どれほど必死だったか想像もつかないでしょうよッ！！ <br>\r\nYou probably couldn't imagine how desperate a woman like me, who's still at the age where she wants to know love, was...when I realized that my time was being filled with work and caring for my child so that I'd probably grow old and end my life still like this!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nあんたの本当の父親ももちろん憎いわよ！ でも、破局を迎えた責任は私と彼に半々だわ。私にも、逃げられるだけのしつこさがあったのかもしれない！ でも、その後の破局は全部あんたのせいッ！！ 私はあんたにそれを詰ったことはあった？！ ないでしょおおおぉッ？！ <br>\r\n\"Of course I hate your real father too! But we both share the blame for bringing about that catastrophe. I myself might have been persistent enough to make him run away! But the catastrophes after that were all your fault! When did I ever scold you for that?! Never, riiiiiiiight?!\" <br><br>\r\n男に逃げられて酔い潰れたいその次の日があんたの授業参観ッ！！ 泣き腫らした目を厚化粧で誤魔化して、あんたが的外れな発言をしてクラス中から失笑されてた時の私の気持ちなんて、あんたどころか、世界中の誰にもわからないでしょうよッ！！ あんたが嫌い、大ッ嫌い…！！！ <br>\r\n\"The day after one man left me, when I wanted to drink myself dead drunk, was Parent's Day at your school!! When I tried to hide my tear-stained eyes with heavy makeup, the way I felt when you said something off the mark and the whole class laughed at you...is something that not only you, but probably everyone in the world couldn't understand!! I hate you, loathe you...!!! <br><br>\r\nそしてこれまでにあんたを本当に愛したことなんて、ただの一度もないッ！！！ <br>\r\nAnd until now, I've never really loved you even once!!! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nうおああああああぁああああああああぁおおおあああああぁあああぁああああああああああぁあぁあぁぁぁぁああぁッ！！！」 <br>\r\nWhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n真里亞の顔は、引きつったままだった……。 <br>\r\nMaria's face was still stiff... <br><br>\r\n言葉が本当に刃だったなら、…真里亞は今頃、噴出した血で全身を真っ赤に染めていただろう。 <br>\r\nIf the words really had been blades, ...Maria's whole body would probably be stained red with fresh blood by now. <br><br>\r\n魔女としての力を手に入れ、さくたろの復讐を目論む決意をしたはずの彼女ですら、……母の口から出る、自分を呪う言葉には抗えなかった…。 <br>\r\nEven after gaining the power of a witch and resolving herself to take revenge for Sakutaro, ...she couldn't stand these curses coming out of her mother's mouth... <br><br>\r\n「…………マ………マ………………、 <br>\r\n……ううぅわぅ……、 <br>\r\nうううううううぅ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"......Ma......ma......... <br><br>\r\n ...Uuuwau... <br><br>\r\n Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「醜い。あぁあああぁ、肉欲に溺れた女のなんと醜きことか…！！ <br>\r\n\"Ugly. Aaaaaaaahh, how ugly is a woman drowning in lust...!! <br><br>\r\nこれがこの女の本性よッ！！ 邪悪を極めし千年の魔女の妾とて、見るに耐えぬことこの上なし！！ <br>\r\nNow you see this woman's true nature!! Even I, as a witch who has explored the depths of evil, find this most difficult to watch!!\" <br><br>\r\nあぁ、マリアよ、今こそ決別の時！！ そなたの母を名乗った醜き肉の塊を打ち砕け…！！ そなたの無垢なる魂が、親子なる鎖にてこれ以上束縛される意味はなし！ 自らの魂を自らの手で！ 今こそ解放せよッ！！ そなたは自らを守る牙と爪を、今こそ手に入れたのだッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Aaah, MARIA, now is the time to part from her!! Smash the ugly lump of meat that calls herself your mother...!! It would be pointless for your pure soul to be bound by the chains between mother and daughter any longer! With your own hand! Release your own soul now!! You have now gained the tooth and claw to protect yourself!!\" <br><br>\r\n「うううぅううううぅッ！！ 真里亞を苦しめてきた日々を、今こそ思い知らせてやる…！ 苦しみの日々を、今こそ復讐してやる…！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!! Now you'll taste the pain I had to go through...! Now I'll take revenge for those days of suffering...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「あっはははははははははッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Ahhahahahahahahahaha!! <br><br>\r\nその私を苦しめてきたのはあんたじゃない？！ 私が復讐したいくらいよ…！！ あんたが生まれる前にそうすればよかった！！ あんたなんか生まなければよかったッ！！ 消えてしまええええぇええ、うおおおおああああああぁあああぁぁああああぁッ！！ <br>\r\nAren't you the one who's been hurting me?! I'm the one who wants revenge...!! I should have done that before you were born!! If only you hadn't been born!! Disappeeeeeeeeeeeaaaar, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!! <br><br>\r\n ……がぎゃッ。」 <br>\r\n ...Gagyah!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n咆哮する楼座の上半身が、ぐしゃりという表現でしか説明できないほどに、ひしゃげ、あっという間に絞られた血塗れ雑巾のようにしてしまう。 <br>\r\nAs Rosa howled, in a way that can only be described by the word *splat*, her upper body was crushed, and in an instant, became something similar to a wrung, bloodstained towel. <br><br>\r\n「潰れてしまえ。許せない、……許せない…！！」 <br>\r\n\"Be crushed. I can't forgive you, ...can't forgive you...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「くっはっはっは……！！ 屑が。相応しい姿よ…！」 <br>\r\n\"Kuhhahhahha...!! What filth. That form suits you...!\" <br><br>\r\n……楼座の腰から下は普通に直立しているのに、上半身だけが捻り潰され、その極端な差があまりに異様だった。 <br>\r\n...Even though Rosa's waist and below was standing normally, just the upper half of her body had been pinched, and that extreme contrast was bizarre. <br><br>\r\nそしてばたりと倒れるが、倒れた途端にすぐに肉体は再生された。 <br>\r\nThen, she fell over, but the instant she fell, her body was restored. <br><br>\r\n「ごほごほッ！ <br>\r\n\"*cough*cough*! <br><br>\r\nげほッ！！ <br>\r\n*cough*!! <br><br>\r\n………死になさいよ、あんたが。……くっひひっひっひっひ……！」 <br>\r\n......YOU die. ...Kuhhihihhihhihhi...!\" <br><br>\r\n「さぁ、真里亞。そなたの怒りと悲しみはこの程度のものなのか？ 今こそ復讐の時！ 怒りと悲しみの清算の時…！！ <br>\r\n\"Come, Maria. Is this the limit of your anger and sadness? Now is the time for revenge! Time for the settlement of anger and sadness...!! <br><br>\r\nぶつけろ、吐き出せッ！！ そなたの胸に打ち込まれた楔を全て、押し出し、跳ね返せッ！！！」 <br>\r\nHit her, spit it out!! Push out all of the wedges driven into your chest...and fling them back at her!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「うがあああああぁあおおおおおっぉおおおおおおッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Uugaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhoooooooooooooohhhh!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n真里亞の咆哮が、肉と骨を同時に砕く醜い破砕音で彩られる…。 <br>\r\nMaria's howl was adorned with the ugly sound of flesh and bone being crushed at the same time... <br><br>\r\n大の字に倒れたまま、口汚く罵っていた楼座の胸部が、まるで透明な象にでも踏み潰されたように、綺麗に真円に切り抜かれて潰された。 <br>\r\nAs Rosa, who had foully insulted Maria, lay spread-eagled, a neat, perfect circle was cut out of her chest and crushed, as though her chest had been trampled by an invisible elephant. <br><br>\r\n心臓も肺も肋骨も、まったく区別がつかないほどに、無慈悲に踏み躙られている。 <br>\r\nHer heart and her lungs and her ribs were trampled so mercilessly that they were completely indistinguishable. <br><br>\r\n……それは真里亞の今日までの心の痛みをそのまま示したものかもしれない。 <br>\r\n...It might have symbolized the pain in Maria's heart up until today. <br><br>\r\n「さぁ、真里亞。そなたの気はこれで晴れたのか？ 母の罪が許せるか？ 否か？ 無罪か？ 有罪かッ？！」 <br>\r\n\"So, Maria, are you satisfied now? Can you forgive your mother for her sin? Or not? Innocent? Or guilty?!\" <br><br>\r\n「許せないッ！！ まだまだ全然許せないッ！！ ママは有罪だ、有罪有罪有罪、許せないッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"I can't forgive her!! Not yet, not yet!! Mama is guilty, guilty guilty guilty, can't forgive her!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「無論だとも、そなたの苦渋の日々がこの程度の処刑で見合ってなるものかッ！！ 思い知るがいい、楼座！ さぁさ、思い出して御覧なさい、そなたがどんな姿をしていたのか！ 殺されるために蘇れ！！ 己が罪を禊ぐために殺されよ、何度でもッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Indeed, how could this level of punishment compare to the bitter days you suffered through?!! Know it, Rosa! Come, try to remember, what form did you have?! Revive in order to be killed!! Be killed over and over, so that your sins can be purified!!!\" <br><br>\r\nベアトがケーンを振るうと、再び肉体は再生し、楼座は苦しそうに咳き込みながら上体を起こす…。 <br>\r\nWhen Beato waved her cane, the body was restored again, and Rosa sat up, coughing violently in apparent pain... <br><br>\r\nそして再び、真里亞を拒絶する呪いの言葉を吐き出す。 <br>\r\nAnd once again, she spat out curses rejecting Maria. <br><br>\r\n「………お前はママなんかじゃない。 <br>\r\n\"......You aren't Mama. <br><br>\r\n魔女だ、真里亞とママを苦しめる魔女だッ！！ ママの姿をしているからって許さない！ 許さないッ！！」 <br>\r\nYou're a witch, a witch tormenting me and Mama!! I won't forgive you just because you look like Mama! I won't forgive you!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……魔女はあんたでしょ……。気持ち悪い本ばかり読んで、魔女ごっこにかぶれて…！！ 消えるのはあんたの方よぉおおおおおぉッ！！ あんたのせいで私まで変わり者扱い！ あんたのせいで、あんたのせいでぇえええええええええええッ！！！ お前なんか生まなければよかったッ！！ お前なんか生まれてくるな…！！ 生まれてくる前から、大ッ嫌いだったのよぉおおおおおおおおおぉ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"...You're the witch, aren't you...? Always reading creepy books and pretending to play with witches...!! You're the one who should disappeeeeeeeeeeeear!! Because of you, even I'm treated like a freak! Because of you, because of yooooooooooooouuuuuuu!!! If only you hadn't been born!! Don't be born...!! I've hated you since before you were boooooooooooorn!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「うわああああああああああぁああああああああああ…！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n………真里亞は絶叫する。 <br>\r\n......Maria screamed. <br><br>\r\n怒りと悲しみに堪えきれなくて？ <br>\r\nあるいは、形容できぬ感情に捕らわれて……？ <br>\r\nWas she unable to bear her anger and sadness? <br><br>\r\nOr else, had she been taken over by an indescribable emotion...? <br><br>\r\nそれはきっと、絶望の咆哮。 <br>\r\nIt was surely...a cry of hopelessness. <br><br>\r\nにもかかわらず、受けいれなければならない現実。 <br>\r\nAnd yet, it was a reality that had to be accepted. <br><br>\r\n真里亞だって知っていた。 <br>\r\n自分が邪魔に思われていることを知っていた。 <br>\r\nMaria knew. <br><br>\r\nShe knew that she was thought of as a burden. <br><br>\r\nでも、それを自ら知りつつ、自ら信じなかった。 <br>\r\nBut even though she herself had known that, she didn't believe it. <br><br>\r\n自分は母に愛されていると信じ、それを疑わせるに足る様々な出来事を、精一杯、好意的に解釈して、母の愛を信じ、すがって来たのだ。 <br>\r\nShe'd believed that her mother loved her...and had done her best to positively interpret several events that could have made her doubt this, ...trusting and clinging to her mother's love. <br><br>\r\nでも、………自分にはママしかいない。 <br>\r\nBut, ......she had no one except Mama. <br><br>\r\nそれでもやはりママが好きで、………ママが自分を愛してくれていると信じていられた日々に、戻りたいのだ……。 <br>\r\nEven so, she really did like Mama...and wanted to return to the days when she'd believed that Mama loved her... <br><br>\r\nだから吼える…。 <br>\r\nSo I howled... <br><br>\r\n全てをなしにする。 <br>\r\n認めない。否定する。 <br>\r\nI'll erase all of it. <br><br>\r\nI won't accept it. I'll deny it. <br><br>\r\nこんなことを言う母を、言わせる黒き魔女を、そして、………そんな母を許せない自分を、否定する……！！！ <br>\r\nI'll deny the mother who says these things, the black witch who makes her say them, and......the part of myself that can't forgive my mother...!!! <br><br>\r\nでも否定できない！ <br>\r\nBut I can't deny it! <br><br>\r\nこれが現実、真実、真相、解答。 <br>\r\nThis is reality, fact, the truth, the answer. <br><br>\r\n見紛うことなき、絶対の、……現実！！ <br>\r\nWithout any mistake, this is absolute...reality!! <br><br>\r\n真里亞は楼座を、何度も肉塊に変える。 <br>\r\nMaria turned Rosa into a lump of meat over and over. <br><br>\r\n何度も何度も、彼女の胸中を投影した暗闇の世界に、耳を覆いたくなるような肉と骨を砕き割る醜い音が響き渡る……。 <br>\r\nOver and over, in the dark world that reflected her heart, rang the ugly sound of flesh and bone being torn apart, which would make anyone want to cover their ears... <br><br>\r\nその度にベアトリーチェは楼座を蘇らせる。 <br>\r\nEach time, Beatrice revived Rosa. <br><br>\r\n死してなお逃さぬ、無限の拷問の世界に、彼女を引き摺り戻す。 <br>\r\nShe dragged her back into the world of endless torture, which could not be escaped from even by death. <br><br>\r\nこれこそ、無限の魔女ベアトリーチェの生み出せる、まさに無間地獄。 <br>\r\nThis was the true, deepest hell that the Endless Witch Beatrice could create. <br><br>\r\nしかしベアトリーチェの意思では、この世界を無限にしてはいない。 <br>\r\n……なぜなら、楼座が肉塊に変わる度に、真里亞に同じ問いを繰り返していたからだ。 <br>\r\nHowever, this world was not made endless by Beatrice's will. <br><br>\r\n...Because every time Rosa turned into a lump of meat, she asked the same question to Maria. <br><br>\r\n「くっくくくく！ 気は晴れたか、マリア！ そなたの怒りは母を許せるか！」 <br>\r\n*cackle*cackle*! Are you satisfied, MARIA?! Can your anger forgive your mother yet?!\" <br><br>\r\n「許せるものか、許せるものかッ！！ 許さない許さない！！ <br>\r\n\"How could I forgive her, how could I forgive her?!! I won't forgive, won't forgive her!! <br><br>\r\n真里亞の苦しみの全てを教えてやる…！！ もっともっと教えてやる…！！ まだまだ足りない、全然足りない…！！ 生まれた時から、生まれる前から…ッ！！ 蔑まれてきたこの怒りと悲しみが、どうしても消せないの……！！」 <br>\r\nI'll teach you all of my pain...!! Teach you much, much more...!! It's still not enough, not close to enough...!! Since I was born, since before I was born...!! I can't get rid of the anger and sadness of being neglected so long...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「………ふひ、ははは……。……あんたなんか大嫌い、大ッ嫌い…。ふひひは、はは……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Fuhi, hahaha... ...I hate you, haaate you... Fuhihiha, haha...\" <br><br>\r\n「うがああああぁあああああぁあああああッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Ugaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!!\" <br><br>\r\n何度でも蘇らせる。 <br>\r\n何度でも肉塊に戻す。 <br>\r\nRevive over and over again. <br><br>\r\nReturn to a meat lump over and over again. <br><br>\r\n様々な方法で、砕き、潰し、叩き付けて、引き千切る。 <br>\r\n飛び散る血飛沫と肉片で、真っ暗闇だった世界は、今や黒と赤の入り混じった世界となっている。 <br>\r\nIn various ways, she crushed, smashed, beat, and tore to bits. <br><br>\r\nFlying blood spatter and flesh turned the once pitch-black world into a world with mixed red and black. <br><br>\r\n真里亞の怒りは、まだまだ収まらない。 <br>\r\nMaria's anger still hadn't calmed down. <br><br>\r\nそれはまるで、生まれて来てから今日までの、抑圧された怒りの全てを吐き出すかのよう。 <br>\r\nIt was as though she was spitting out all of the suppressed rage from the time of her birth until today. <br><br>\r\nそれらが心にとって毒なるものならば。 <br>\r\nIf that all became poison to her heart... <br><br>\r\nこの何度も繰り返される母の虐殺は、彼女の魂を浄化することになるのだろうか…。 <br>\r\nThen would the repeated murder of her mother purify her soul...? <br><br>\r\nこの、不毛なる虐殺でも、わずかほどに彼女の魂は救われるのだろうか……。 <br>\r\nWould even this wasteful murder save her soul, at least a little bit...? <br><br>\r\n彼女の報われぬ悲しき生に、…この無限の拷問は、わずかの慰みになったかもしれない。 <br>\r\nThis endless torture...might have become a slight diversion from her sad, unrewarded life. <br><br>\r\nなぜなら、……彼女はようやく、笑みを取り戻せるようになってきたから。 <br>\r\nAfter all, ...it seemed that she'd finally been able to regain her smile. <br><br>\r\n「思い知れ！！ 真里亞の不幸の根源めッ！！ 思い知れ！！ 私の痛みがこの程度ではないことをッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Learn it!! You, the source of my unhappiness!! Learn it!! Learn that what you're feeling is nothing compared to my pain!! <br><br>\r\nきっひひはっはははは！！ <br>\r\nKihhihihahhahahaha!! <br><br>\r\nどうしたの？ もう笑わないの？！ 笑って見せろよぉおおおおお！！」 <br>\r\nWhat's wrong? Why'd you stop laughing?! Try and laaaaaaauuugh!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……ふひ、ふひひひ……。ぎゃぼッ…！！！」 <br>\r\n\"...Fuhi, fuhihihi... Gyack...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n頭蓋骨を頭の半分ほども陥没させる。 <br>\r\n飛び出る目玉、噴出すドス黒い脳漿。 <br>\r\n飛び散る歯の欠片。 <br>\r\nHalf of her skull collapsed. <br><br>\r\nEyeballs flew out and black cranial fluid gushed. <br><br>\r\nFragments of teeth scattered. <br><br>\r\n「ほら、蘇りなよ…！！ 笑って見せなよ…！！ ほら、ほらあああ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Come on, revive...!! Try and laugh...!! Come on, come oooooon!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………ひ、……ひ。……がぎょッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"......Ihi, ...ihi. ...Gyaggh!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n胸が内側から肋骨ごとめくれ上がり、汚らわしい臓物をあたり一面にぶちまける。 <br>\r\nそれらは個々にのたうち、不浄な生き物にさえ見えた。 <br>\r\nHer whole chest along with her ribs turned inside out, exposing her filthy innards. <br><br>\r\nAll of them writhed, like some kind of impure creature. <br><br>\r\n「ほらほらほら！！ 蘇って！！ まだ笑える？ まだ笑える？！ きっひひひひひ？！」 <br>\r\n「…………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"Come on, come on, come on!! Revive!! Can you still laugh? Can you still laugh?! Kihhihihihihi?!\" <br><br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\nもう楼座は笑い声はあげられない。 <br>\r\n……でも、表情は笑っていた。 <br>\r\nRosa couldn't laugh anymore. <br><br>\r\n...But her face was laughing. <br><br>\r\n望まぬ娘を拒絶する悪意に満ちた歪んだ笑いで、いっぱいだった。 <br>\r\nIt was filled with a twisted laugh...and covered with a malice that rejected her unwanted daughter. <br><br>\r\n笑い声は消し去った。 <br>\r\n次はその笑い顔を消してやる。 <br>\r\nI erased that laughing voice. <br><br>\r\nNext, I'll erase that laughing face. <br><br>\r\n消してやる、潰してやる、引き千切ってやる…ッ！！ <br>\r\nI'll erase it, I'll crush it, I'll tear it to bits...!! <br><br>\r\n「笑えよ、笑って見せてよママ…！！ <br>\r\n\"Laugh, try and laugh, Mama...!! <br><br>\r\nきっひひひひっははははははははは？！ どうしたのママ、起きてよ、絵本を読んでよ、お散歩に行こうよ…！！ 愛してるって言ってよ、次の日曜日の約束をしようよ、お買い物に行こう、映画に行こう…！！ そしてその約束をどうせ破るんだよッ！！ <br>\r\nKihhihihihihhahahahahahahahaha?! What's wrong, Mama, let's wake up, read a picture book, and go take a walk...!! Let's say we love each other, make a promise for next Sunday, let's go shopping, let's go to the movies...!! And of course you'll break that promise!!\" <br><br>\r\nきっひひひひひひひひひひひひひ、楽しいねママ、楽しいねママ、真里亞は今、ママと遊んでるんだねッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Kihhihihihihihihihihihihihihi, isn't it fun, Mama? Isn't it fun, Mama? I'm playing with Mama now, right?!! <br><br>\r\nきっひっはっははははははははははははははははははははははははははははははッ！！！」 <br>\r\nKihhihhahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「そうだ、そなたは今、母と遊んでいるのだ、じゃれているのだ…！！ どうか、今の感情は！ 怒りでも悲しみでも苦しみでもないはず…！」 <br>\r\n\"That's right, you are now playing with your mother, having fun with her...!! Tell me how you feel right now! I don't believe it's anger or sadness or pain...!\" <br><br>\r\n「うん、そうだね、わかるよベアトリーチェ…！！ 私は今、すっごく楽しいよ…、ママと遊んでるんだもん、すっごく楽しいッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Yeah, that's right, I get it, Beatrice...!! I'm having a lot of fun now... I'm playing with Mama, so it's tons of fun!! <br><br>\r\nそしてママを何度も何度も殺してるのに、魔法ひとつで好きなだけ生き返らせられるッ！！ 玩具は壊したら直せないから大事にした…！！ でも、直る玩具なら何度でも壊したいッ！！ きっひひひひひひひひひひひひ！！ ひひひひひひ、ひひ………。」 <br>\r\nAnd even though I'm killing Mama over and over again, she can be revived with just a single bit of magic!! I took care of my toys because I couldn't fix them if they broke...!! But if the toy could be fixed, I'd want to break it over and over again!! Kihhihihihihihihihihihihi!! Hihihihihihi, hihi......\" <br><br>\r\n「……でも、…………さくたろは直らないんだね。…直せないんだね………。………作ったママが、 <br>\r\n……生んだママが、 <br>\r\n……認めないから。」 <br>\r\n\"...But......Sakutaro won't be fixed. ...He can't be fixed...... ......Because Mama, who made him, <br><br>\r\n...Mama, who gave birth to him, <br><br>\r\n...won't acknowledge him.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「私もママに、認められてないんだね。………だから壊れた真里亞も、…もう直らないんだね。…………………………。 <br>\r\n\"I wasn't acknowledged by Mama either, was I...? ...So the broken Maria won't be fixed either. ............ <br><br>\r\n………きひひひ。 <br>\r\n......Kihihihi. <br><br>\r\nきっひひひひひひひひひひひッ！！ <br>\r\nKihhihihihihihihihihihihi!! <br><br>\r\nきっははははひゃっひゃっひゃっひゃッ！！ あああぁああぁ楽しいな、楽しいよママ…！！ こんなにも楽しくなったら、なぜかママが許せる気がしてきたの…！ <br>\r\nKyahhahahahahyahhyahhyahhyah!! Aaaaaaaaaaahhh, it's fun, it's fun, Mama...!! Since it's gotten so fun, I'm somehow starting to feel that I could forgive you...! <br><br>\r\nねぇ、ベアト、これはとっても不思議な感情…！ どうして？ どうして真里亞はママを許せる気持ちになってきたの？！」 <br>\r\nHey, Beato, this is a veeery strange feeling...! Why? Why am I starting to feel like I can forgive Mama?!\" <br><br>\r\n「それは生き死にを自由に出来る力を得た魔女のみが辿り着く、達観の境地よ。……いつでも殺せる。必要なら蘇らせる。面倒ならまた殺せばいい…！ それをいつでも指一本鳴らすだけで出来ることを知ったなら、人の世の戯言など、その全ては聞き流すに等しい虫の声以下よ…！ <br>\r\n\"That enlightened state is only reached by witches who have gained the power to control life and death at will. ...You can kill at any time. You can revive her if needed. If that's a pain, then it's all right to kill her again...! Once you've learned that you can do this at any time by simply snapping your fingers, all nonsense spoken in the world of humans becomes a chirping of insects that isn't worth listening to...!\" <br><br>\r\nそなたに母を許そうという感情が芽生えたのは、そなたが母の愛に目覚めたからではない。そなたが今こそ！ 真の魔女の世界の入り口に立ったからだ…！！ ようこそ真里亞、深遠なる、そして甘美なる魔女の世界へッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"You didn't begin to think about forgiving your mother because your eyes were opened to your mother's love. It was because now, you stand at the entrance to the world of true witches...!! Welcome, Maria, to the profound and sweet world of witches!!\" <br><br>\r\n「成ったんだ…！！ <br>\r\n\"I've done it...!! <br><br>\r\n真里亞はもう、真里亞じゃない…！！ まだ見習いかもしれないけれど、ニンゲンの世界を超えた…！ <br>\r\nMaria is no longer Maria...!! I may still be an apprentice, but I've surpassed the Human world...! <br><br>\r\n私はもう、原初の魔女見習い、マリアなんだ……ッ！！！ もう私は、何も悔しくない、悲しくない！ <br>\r\nI am now...the apprentice Witch of Origins, MARIA...!!! There's nothing to frustrate me, nothing to make me sad!\" <br><br>\r\nママ、許してあげるよ。きっと私はママを許せる！ もうちょっとしたら許せると思うのッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Mama, I'll forgive you. I'm sure I can forgive you! I think I'll be able to forgive you after doing just a bit more!! <br><br>\r\nだって魔女だからッ！！ き、……ひっひひっひっひっひっひっひ！ <br>\r\nAfter all, I'm a witch!! Ki, ...hihhihihhihhihhihhihhihhi! <br><br>\r\n きっ <br>\r\n Kih <br><br>\r\nひ <br>\r\nhi <br><br>\r\nひ <br>\r\nhi <br><br>\r\nひ <br>\r\nhi <br><br>\r\nッ <br>\r\nh <br><br>\r\n！！！」 <br>\r\n!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nやがて真里亞は、母を許すだろう。 <br>\r\nMaria would probably forgive her mother eventually. <br><br>\r\n……数え切れない虐殺の末に。寛大に。 <br>\r\n...After brutally murdering her countless times. Graciously. <br><br>\r\n「………お、でけぇな今の落雷は。近いんじゃねぇか？」 <br>\r\n\"......Whoa, that last thunder was loud. Must've been pretty close, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「みたいだね。いくつになっても、落雷にはびくっとさせられるね。」 <br>\r\n\"Looks like it. No matter how old you get, thunder still makes you jump.\" <br><br>\r\n戦人がカーテンの隙間から闇夜をうかがっている。 <br>\r\n時折、青白い稲光が照らし出し、それを面白がっているようだった。 <br>\r\nBattler was looking at the dark night through a crack in the curtains. <br><br>\r\nEvery once in a while, a pale, white lightning bolt would shine, and he seemed to be enjoying it. <br><br>\r\n「…………………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「……お？ 何だよ、戦人が騒がしくしてるから、真里亞が起きちゃったじゃねぇか。 <br>\r\n\"...Oh? Look, you were so noisy, you woke Maria up. <br><br>\r\nごめんな、真里亞。戦人が騒がしくて…！」 <br>\r\nSorry, Maria. Sorry Battler's so freaking loud...!\" <br><br>\r\n「何だよ、俺のせいかよ。 <br>\r\n\"What the hell, so it's my fault? <br><br>\r\n悪ぃな、真里亞。寝てていいぞ。お休みな。」 <br>\r\nSorry, Maria. It's okay to go back to sleep. Good night.\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞は、とろんとした目でぼんやりとしている。 <br>\r\n……まだ寝ぼけていて、思考もはっきりしないのかもしれない。 <br>\r\nMaria was a bit hazy, with drowsy eyes. <br><br>\r\n...She was probably half-asleep and couldn't think straight. <br><br>\r\n「…………………うー。……もういい。寝ない。」 <br>\r\n\".........Uu-. ...That's okay. I won't sleep.\" <br><br>\r\n「いいから寝てろって。まだ寝ぼけてるぜー。いっひっひ。」 <br>\r\n\"Nah, go ahead and sleep. You're still half-asleep, aren't you? Ihihi.\" <br><br>\r\n「……寝ぼけてない！ …………うー！！」 <br>\r\n\"...I'm not half-asleep! ......Uu-!!\" <br><br>\r\n「何だよ、もろに寝ぼけてるじゃねぇか。寝てろ寝てろぃ。」 <br>\r\n\"Come on, you're totally half-asleep, aren't you? Sleep, sleeeep.\" <br><br>\r\n「寝ぼけてない！ 寝ぼけてない！！ <br>\r\n\"I'm not half-asleep! Not half-asleep!! <br><br>\r\nうーうー！！ うーうーうーうー！！」 <br>\r\nUu-uu-!! Uu-uu-uu-uu-!!\" <br><br>\r\n「よせって、馬鹿戦人…！ あー、もー、寝起きの子の機嫌を悪くするなんて、馬鹿だなぁ…！」 <br>\r\n\"Quit it, stupid Battler...! Aah, sheesh, what are you thinking, getting a kid who's just woken up into a bad mood...?!\" <br><br>\r\n「寝ぼけてない！ <br>\r\n\"I'm not half-asleep! <br><br>\r\n寝ぼけてないもん！ うーうーうーうーうーうーうーうーうー！！！」 <br>\r\nNot half-asleep! Uu-uu-uu-uu-uu-uu-uu-uu-uu-!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「わかってるよ、真里亞ちゃん…。寝ぼけてなんかないよ。だから落ち着いて……。」 <br>\r\n\"I understand, Maria-chan... You aren't half-asleep. So calm down...\" <br><br>\r\n「寝ぼけてないもん寝ぼけてないもん！！ うーッ！！ うーうーうーうーうーうー！！」 <br>\r\n\"Not half-asleep, not half-asleep!! Uu-!! Uu-uu-uu-uu-uu-uu-!!\" <br><br>\r\n寝起きの、微妙な精神状態のせいなのか、突然、真里亞が癇癪を起こしてしまう。 <br>\r\nMaybe it was because of her delicate mental state after waking up, but Maria suddenly threw a tantrum. <br><br>\r\n戦人もちょっとからかっただけのつもりだったが、あまりに過剰に反応されたので、面食らってしまう。 <br>\r\nBattler had only been trying to tease her a bit, so he was confused by this extreme overreaction. <br><br>\r\n譲治は慰めるように頭を抱くが、真里亞の癇癪はなかなか収まらなかった。 <br>\r\n戦人と朱志香は、お前が悪い、お前も悪いと責任を擦り付け合っている。 <br>\r\nGeorge held her head, trying to calm her down, but Maria's tantrum wasn't going to be quelled easily. <br><br>\r\nBattler and Jessica were trying to push the blame on each other, saying `It's your fault' `It's your fault too'. <br><br>\r\n「こら、二人とも静かにして…！ 朱志香ちゃん、ポットにまだお湯があったよね？ お茶でも入れてあげてくれる？ <br>\r\n\"Hey, be quiet, you two...! Jessica-chan, there was still some hot water in the pot, right? Could you make some tea for her? <br><br>\r\n………落ち着いた？ 真里亞ちゃん。」 <br>\r\n......Did you calm down, Maria-chan?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………うーーー。」 <br>\r\n\"......Uuuu---.\" <br><br>\r\n少しずつ癇癪は収まってきたようだが、自分を馬鹿にした戦人に対し、相変わらず険しい目で睨みつけている。 <br>\r\nIt looked like her tantrum was dying down bit by bit, but she still glared at Battler, who had made fun of her, with sharp eyes. <br><br>\r\n「戦人くんも、ふざけて言っただけなんだよ。真里亞ちゃんが寝ぼけてるなんて思ってないよ。だから落ち着いて。ね？ ……………………？」 <br>\r\n\"Battler-kun was just kidding around. He doesn't really think you're half-asleep. So calm down. Okay? ............?\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n譲治は気付く。 <br>\r\n……真里亞が、凄い目で戦人を凝視していることに。 <br>\r\nGeorge noticed. <br><br>\r\n...Maria was staring at Battler with incredible eyes. <br><br>\r\nそして、……このような感情を示した後にはとても不釣合いに、……小声で笑った。 <br>\r\nAnd, ...despite having just displayed all that emotion, ...she laughed in a small voice. <br><br>\r\nきひひひひひひひひひひひひひ。 <br>\r\nKihihihihihihihihihihihihihi. <br><br>\r\n笑い声、というよりは、“ひ”を一文字ずつ吟味しながら呟いている、もしくは数えているというような印象だった。 <br>\r\nInstead of a laugh, it seemed more like she was muttering while thinking about, or else counting, each `hi'. <br><br>\r\n“ひ”を一文字、口にする度に、残酷な何かを繰り返しているように。 <br>\r\nAs though each time she said `hi', something brutal would happen over and over. <br><br>\r\n譲治は、何か不気味なものを一瞬だけ感じたが、……少女の瞳の奥にわずかの間だけのぞいた狂気にまでは、気付けない。 <br>\r\nGeorge felt something creepy for just an instant, ...but he couldn't spot the madness that peeked out of the depths of the girl's eyes for just a moment. <br><br>\r\nわずかの間だけ呆然としていると、真里亞は奇怪な小声の笑いを止め、離せというように譲治の腕を振り解いた。 <br>\r\nAfter a short period of stunned silence on George's part, Maria stopped her bizarre, quiet laugh and pushed George's arm aside, as though telling him to let go. <br><br>\r\n「………うー。許す。」 <br>\r\n\"......Uu-. I'll forgive him.\" <br><br>\r\n「そ、そう？ 真里亞ちゃんは偉いなぁ。……戦人くん、真里亞ちゃんが許してくれたよ。仲直りして。」 <br>\r\n\"R-Really? You're such a good girl, Maria. ...Battler-kun, Maria-chan forgave you. Make up.\" <br><br>\r\n「あー、悪いな、からかって。許してくれ…。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, sorry for teasing you. Forgive me...\" <br><br>\r\n「ほら、真里亞…。仲直りの印に、カフェオレ作ってやったぜ。砂糖いっぱい入ってるから甘いぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"Hey, Maria... Let's make some cafe au lait as a sign that you've made up. I'll put in lots of sugar, so it'll be sweet.\" <br><br>\r\n「いらない。でも許すよ。 <br>\r\n\"I don't need it. But I'll forgive you. <br><br>\r\n…………魔女だからね。…きひひひ。」 <br>\r\n......Because I'm a witch. ...Kihihihi.\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞はもう一度、薄気味悪く小声で笑う。 <br>\r\nOne more time, Maria laughed in a creepy, quiet voice. <br><br>\r\nでも、それは本当にわずかの間だったので、戦人も朱志香も深く気には留めなかった。 <br>\r\nBut it was only for a very short time, so Battler and Jessica didn't think much of it. <br><br>\r\n……多分、稲光が一瞬、彼女の頬を青白く照らした時、そう見えてしまったのだろうと、そう思うことにしたのだった。 <br>\r\n...They decided to think that...it had probably only looked that way when the lightning lit her cheek with a pale, white light for an instant. <br><br>\r\nその時、ばたばたばたばたばたっ、と騒々しい足音が廊下から聞こえてきた。 <br>\r\nAt that time, they could hear the sound of loud footsteps coming from the hall. <br><br>\r\n時間は、もう深夜の１０時半くらい。 <br>\r\n深夜といって差し支えない時間だ。 <br>\r\nIt was already about 10:30, late at night. <br><br>\r\nLate at night is usually a time when you aren't supposed to be disturbed. <br><br>\r\nそんな時間にこのような足音は、あまり穏やかではない…。 <br>\r\nHearing footsteps like that at this time was far from calming... <br><br>\r\nそして、明らかに不穏なる激しい連続のノック音を伴って、郷田と熊沢の声が聞こえてくる。 <br>\r\nThen, along with a clearly ominous knock that repeated fiercely, they could hear Gohda and Kumasawa's voices. <br><br>\r\n……それは明らかに異常事態を告げていた。 <br>\r\n...That clearly told them that this was an abnormal situation. <br><br>\r\n「お子様方…！！ いらっしゃいますか？いらっしゃいますか？！ 郷田でございます！」 <br>\r\n\"Children...!! Are you there? Are you there?! It's Gohda!\" <br><br>\r\n「熊沢でございますよ、ご無事でございますか、皆さん？！ ああぁあぁ、どうしたものやらどうしたものやら…！」 <br>\r\n\"It's Kumasawa, is everyone okay?! Aaaaaaah, what has happened, what has happened...?!\" <br><br>\r\n譲治が扉を開けると、全身びしょ濡れの二人が転がり込んできた。 <br>\r\n傘も差さずに屋敷から駆け込んできたという風だった。 <br>\r\nWhen George opened the door, the two of them tumbled in, sopping wet. <br><br>\r\nIt looked like they had dashed here from the mansion without an umbrella. <br><br>\r\n「ど、どうしたんだよ、二人とも……。何があったんだ……？！」 <br>\r\n\"Wh-What's wrong, you two...? Did something happen...?!\" <br><br>\r\n「そっ、それがそれが…！！ おッおッお館様が旦那様が、皆様方がッ、あわあわあわあわあわあわあわあわ <br>\r\n\"I-It was, it was...!! Th-Th-The Master and Krauss-sama, and everyone, awawawawawawa <br><br>\r\n……そこは……、真っ暗な部屋だった。 <br>\r\n...It was...a pitch-black room. <br><br>\r\n窓はなく、弱々しい電球によって、辛うじて様子がわかるだけ。 <br>\r\nThere were no windows, and with the weak light bulb, one could just barely make out the state of things around them. <br><br>\r\n埃臭く、ごたごたと何かの家具が粗雑に押し込まれた、忘れられた地下倉庫のように見えた……。 <br>\r\nIt appeared to be an old forgotten underground storage room, with some kind of dusty furniture haphazardly thrown into it... <br><br>\r\nしかし、わずかな灯りでも、そこが多分倉庫ではないことだけは理解できる。 <br>\r\nHowever, even with just a little light, one could at least make out that it probably wasn't a storage room. <br><br>\r\n……なぜなら、その部屋は鉄格子によって閉じられていたからだ。 <br>\r\n...After all, that room was sealed off with iron bars. <br><br>\r\n「……ここは、どこなの………？」 <br>\r\n\"...Where...is this......?\" <br><br>\r\n「わからん…。……ここは、屋敷の地下なのか……？ 食堂の真下に、……こんな部屋があったのか……？」 <br>\r\n\"I don't know... ...Could this be underneath the mansion...? Has there always been a room like this...directly underneath the dining hall...?\" <br><br>\r\n彼らは落とし穴のようなものに落とされ、この <br>\r\nThey had dropped into what had appeared to be a pit, <br><br>\r\n部屋に~ib~落ちてきた~ib~。 <br>\r\n~ib~falling~ib~ into this room. <br><br>\r\nならばこの部屋は、食堂の真下にあると考えるのが妥当だろう。 <br>\r\nTherefore, it was natural to assume that this room was directly under the dining hall. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、長年、食事を楽しみ、親しんできた食堂に落とし穴の仕掛けがあり、その真下に、こんな地下牢のような部屋があるなんて、………蔵臼にも信じられないことだった。 <br>\r\n...However, not even Krauss could bring himself to believe that there were pitfalls rigged in his beloved dining hall, where he had enjoyed his meals for years, ...and that this dungeon-like room lay directly beneath it. <br><br>\r\nしかし、見上げた天井は無骨な石造りで、………そこのどこから落ちてきたのかも、理解できない。 <br>\r\nBut the ceiling above was of crude stone craftsmanship, ...and they couldn't understand how they could've fallen from somewhere up there. <br><br>\r\nいや、ここに落とされた５人は、誰もが思っていた。 <br>\r\nNo, all five people who had been dropped here thought the same thing. <br><br>\r\n落とし穴に落とされた、という自覚がありながらも、……食堂に落とし穴があるわけがない、その食堂の真下にこんな地下牢があるわけがない。 <br>\r\nAlthough they'd had the sensation of falling into a pit, ...there was no way there could be pitfalls in the dining hall, nor could this dungeon-like place be directly under it. <br><br>\r\n……でも、現にここに落とされて閉じ込められている。 <br>\r\n……と、…混乱していたのだ。 <br>\r\n...But, the truth was that they actually had fallen into this place and were locked in. <br><br>\r\n...So, ...they were confused. <br><br>\r\n「……あの高さから落ちて、誰も怪我をしなかったのは幸運かもしれませんな…。」 <br>\r\n\"...It is lucky that no one was hurt after falling from such a height...\" <br><br>\r\n「………紗音、嘉音。君たちはこんな部屋の存在は知っていたかね…？」 <br>\r\n\"......Shannon, Kanon. Did either of you two know about this room...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……いいえ。僕たちも、このような部屋のことは存じかねます。」 <br>\r\n\"...No. We did not know of this room either.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………本当に…？」 <br>\r\n\".........Really...?\" <br><br>\r\n「ほ、本当です……。本当にこんな部屋、……知りません……。」 <br>\r\n\"R-Really... We really...don't know about a room like this...\" <br><br>\r\n霧江は、屋敷の秘密の仕掛けについて、若いとはいえ、片翼の紋章を許された使用人の彼らが知っていてもおかしくないと考えていたようだった。 <br>\r\nDespite their age, Kyrie apparently wouldn't have found it odd if they, as servants allowed to wear the One-Winged Eagle, might know of the mansion's secret tricks. <br><br>\r\n彼らの返事を値踏みするかのような沈黙が、しばらくの間、続いた…。 <br>\r\nThere was a long silence, as if Krauss was evaluating their answer... <br><br>\r\n「……いや、紗音たちが知らないのは事実だろう。何しろ、綺麗好きの紗音だ。 <br>\r\n\"...No, it's probably true that you don't know. After all, this is the clean-freak Shannon we're talking about. <br><br>\r\n彼女がこの部屋を知っていたなら、もっとピカピカに磨き上げているだろう。この部屋の汚さが、君たちがこの部屋を知らないことの証だ。 <br>\r\nIf she knew about this room, she'd probably scrub this place until it was sparkling. The filth of this room is proof that you two don't know of it. <br><br>\r\n……今はそんなことより、これからどうするかの方が先決だと思わんかね。」 <br>\r\n...More importantly, I think we should worry about what to do next.\" <br><br>\r\n「そ、その通りです……。警察に、い、いえいえ、それから救急にも早く電話をしなければ……。」 <br>\r\n\"E-Exactly... We need to call the police, ...o-or rather administer first aid as soon as possible...\" <br><br>\r\n南條の言葉は弱々しい。 <br>\r\nNanjo's words were hollow. <br><br>\r\n…無理もない。 <br>\r\n...Obviously. <br><br>\r\n 食堂で６人が殺された。 <br>\r\n 殺される瞬間を、全員が目撃した。 <br>\r\nSix people had been killed in the dining hall. <br><br>\r\nEverybody had seen the exact moment when they'd been killed. <br><br>\r\nそれも、頭部を半壊されるという、誰が見ても一目で即死が理解できる致命的な損傷によってだ。 <br>\r\n救急に電話することが、もはや何の意味もないことを誰もが理解している……。 <br>\r\nAnd since half of their heads had been destroyed, anyone could tell that the deaths had been instant with just a single glance. <br><br>\r\nEveryone understood that first aid no longer held any meaning... <br><br>\r\n「ありがとう、南條先生。……私たちは、伴侶がもう生きてはいないことを理解できてる。………気休めでも、救急と言い添えてくれて、ありがとう。」 <br>\r\n\"Thank you, <NAME>. ...We already understand that our partners are no longer alive. ......Thanks for trying to console us by mentioning first aid.\" <br><br>\r\n「………夏妃……。…………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Natsuhi.....................\" <br><br>\r\n重苦しい沈黙が再び支配する。 <br>\r\nOnce again, a gloomy silence dominated the atmosphere. <br><br>\r\nしかし蔵臼は首を大きく何度も横に振り、妻を失った悲しみを今だけ忘れ、自分たちの置かれている立場を理解することに専念した。 <br>\r\nBut Krauss shook his head harshly over and over and, for the time being, decided to forget the pain of losing his wife, and to dedicate himself to figuring out where they were. <br><br>\r\n「みんな、聞きたまえ。……………親父は、 <br>\r\n………もう駄目だ。…口で言って、理解や説明が求められる段階に、 <br>\r\n…もうない。」 <br>\r\n\"Everyone, listen to me. .........Father is... <br><br>\r\n...hopeless now. We've passed the point... <br><br>\r\nof searching for a reason or an explanation that can be expressed in words.\" <br><br>\r\n誰も返事はしない。 <br>\r\nNobody answered. <br><br>\r\n……何の問答も容赦もなく、６人が瞬く間に殺されたのだ。 <br>\r\n...Without any kind of discussion or mercy, six people had been killed in an instant. <br><br>\r\nそして、１３人殺しの儀式のための生贄になれと、あれほど盛大に宣言したのだ。 <br>\r\nAnd, Kinzo had even been so bold as to proclaim that we'd become sacrifices for a ceremony involving 13 murders. <br><br>\r\n……ここに閉じ込められている以上、自分たちもやがて、次なる儀式の生贄とされるだろう。 <br>\r\n...Since we've been locked up in this place, we too will probably become the ceremony's next sacrifices soon. <br><br>\r\nこの頃には、暗さにもわずかに目が慣れ、この地下牢の中の様子が少しずつわかるようになっていた。 <br>\r\nAround this time, our eyes became used to the darkness...and, bit by bit, we were able to understand more about the dungeon's interior. <br><br>\r\n……この地下牢の中に、ごたごたと置かれていると思った家具は、家具ではなかった。 <br>\r\n...What we thought was furniture haphazardly left in the dungeon turned out not to be furniture at all. <br><br>\r\nそれは、……人間ひとりを閉じ込める小型の檻や、拘束台、あるいは、……拷問台。 <br>\r\nThey were...things like small cages to lock people in, restraints, or else...torture racks. <br><br>\r\n……いずれにせよ、ただの牢屋以上の不気味さで満たされていることは明白だった。 <br>\r\n...At any rate, it was obvious that it was eerier than a mere jail cell. <br><br>\r\nそれらは錆付き、埃にまみれているため、忘れられたものであることは間違いない。 <br>\r\nSince the objects were rusted together and coated in thick dust, there was no doubt that they had been forgotten. <br><br>\r\n……例えるなら、封印されて忘れられた金蔵の狂気とも言えるかもしれない。 <br>\r\n...Maybe you could even call these things Kinzo's sealed and forgotten madness. <br><br>\r\nしかし、その部屋に、今や自分たちは閉じ込められている。 <br>\r\nHowever, we had been locked away in this room. <br><br>\r\n………ここに閉じ込められた人間が、無傷で解放されることを期待するには、それらはあまりに穏便ではないのである…。 <br>\r\n...Those objects weren't exactly comforting to people who were locked up, hoping to be released without harm... <br><br>\r\n「……とにかく、ここを抜け出そう。私たちは伴侶や友人を失い、涙を流すことに時間を費やしたいが、 <br>\r\n\"...At any rate, let's get out of here. We've lost loved ones and friends and would like to spend some time shedding tears, <br><br>\r\n今はそれ以上に、……子どもたちの身が心配だ。」 <br>\r\nbut more than that, ...I'm worried about the children.\" <br><br>\r\n「………お、…お子様方はご無事でしょうか……。」 <br>\r\n\"......I-I wonder if the children are safe...\" <br><br>\r\n「祈るしかない…。 <br>\r\n\"All we can do is pray... <br><br>\r\n……そう言えば、熊沢さんと郷田さんはここにはいないな。」 <br>\r\n...Come to think of it, Kumasawa and Gohda aren't here.\" <br><br>\r\n「ひょっとすると、…無事に逃げ延びられたのかも…。」 <br>\r\n\"Perhaps...they were able to get away safely...\" <br><br>\r\n「かもしれませんな。子どもたちと合流しててくれれば心強いのですが…。」 <br>\r\n\"You never know. It would be a relief if they were able to meet up with the children...\" <br><br>\r\n「郷田さんはいざという時、頼りになるし、熊沢さんは経験豊富で落ち着いてるし…。きっと力になってくれると思います…。」 <br>\r\n\"When the going gets tough, Gohda-san is reliable, and Kumasawa-san is knowledgeable and calm... I'm sure they'll be able to help the children...\" <br><br>\r\n「……はははは。そうだと良いがな。」 <br>\r\n\"...Hahahaha. Yes, that certainly would be comforting.\" <br><br>\r\n紗音と蔵臼は、ちょっぴりだけ苦笑いする。 <br>\r\nしかし、すぐに不謹慎と気付き、咳払いをしてそれを止めた。 <br>\r\nShannon and Krauss smiled bitterly a little. <br><br>\r\nBut they quickly realized how improper that was and stopped, clearing their throats. <br><br>\r\n「………楽観は出来ないよ、姉さん。僕らに続いて、もう襲われてしまってる可能性だってある。」 <br>\r\n\"......We can't be optimistic, Nee-san. There's a chance they've already been attacked after we were.\" <br><br>\r\n「同感ね。お父様が食堂で執行したのは、 <br>\r\n……魔女の碑文の第一の晩の６人殺しなんでしょう？ <br>\r\n\"I agree. What Father carried out in the dining hall was... <br><br>\r\nthe six murders of the first twilight from the witch's epitaph, right?\" <br><br>\r\nなら、第二の晩は“寄り添いし２人を引き裂け”。……逃げ隠れて寄り添っている郷田さんと熊沢さんが、もう殺されている可能性だって否定できないわ。………きっとゲストハウスに合流してて、子どもたちを守ってくれているなんて楽観、現時点ではまったく出来ないわよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Then, the second twilight is to `Tear apart the two who are close'. ...We can't deny the possibility that Gohda-san and Kumasawa-san may have been killed after escaping together. ...We can't cling to the optimistic idea that they must've gotten to the guesthouse and are protecting the children.\" <br><br>\r\n霧江は冷酷に、最悪のケースを分析する。 <br>\r\nKyrie coldly analyzed the worst-case scenario. <br><br>\r\n彼女にとっても、最愛の夫を失ったのは悲しいことだ。 <br>\r\n……しかし今は、その夫の息子である戦人と、他の子どもたちを狂気の当主の生贄から守ることが大事だ。 <br>\r\nFor her, it was heartbreaking to have lost her beloved husband. <br><br>\r\n...But right now, the most important thing was protecting that husband's son, along with the other children, from becoming the insane Family Head's sacrifices. <br><br>\r\n悲しみを、子を守る親としての使命感で乗り越える。 <br>\r\nShe overcame her sadness with the parental urge to protect children from sorrow. <br><br>\r\n……霧江も蔵臼も、ともに悲しみを今だけは忘れる強さを持っているようだった…。 <br>\r\n...It seemed that both Kyrie and Krauss were strong enough to forget about their grief, if only for the time being... <br><br>\r\n涙は後でも流せる。 <br>\r\nThey would let their tears flow later. <br><br>\r\n……今は子どもたちを守るためにも、まずは行動を起こさなければならない。 <br>\r\n...In order to protect the children, they had to act. <br><br>\r\n「とにかく、ここを脱出しよう…。相当古い牢屋のようだ。何とか鉄格子を破れないだろうか？ 室内をくまなく探して、脱出手段を探してみよう。」 <br>\r\n\"Anyway, let's get out of here... It seems to be a rather old cell. Couldn't we break the bars with something? Let's try searching the entire room for some way to escape.\" <br><br>\r\n「おかしな拷問用の檻に混じって、拷問道具とかも落ちてないかしら。武器にもなるし、鉄格子を破る道具にもなるかもしれない。」 <br>\r\n\"I wonder if there are any torture tools lying around all these torture cages. They might be useful as weapons, or to break the bars.\" <br><br>\r\n霧江はポケットからライターを取り出す。 <br>\r\nKyrie pulled a lighter from her pocket. <br><br>\r\n自分は煙草を吸わないが、留弗夫の煙草に火を付けるために懐に忍ばせていたのだ。 <br>\r\n……この薄暗い地下牢を探索するには、極めて重要な光源だった。 <br>\r\nShe herself didn't smoke, but she kept one tucked away in her pocket to light Rudolf's cigarettes. <br><br>\r\n...It was an extremely valuable source of light for searching in this dim dungeon. <br><br>\r\n「紗音は霧江さんを手伝い、室内を探索してくれ。嘉音は私と一緒に鉄格子の具合を確かめてみよう。これだけ古い牢屋だ。ひょっとするとガタが来ているかもしれない。」 <br>\r\n\"Shannon, help Kyrie-san search the room. Kanon, you help me check out the bars. This is a very old cell. The bars could be loose.\" <br><br>\r\n「わ、私は何をお手伝いしましょうかな……。」 <br>\r\n\"...W-What should I help with...?\" <br><br>\r\n「体力を温存していて下さい。……やがてここに親父殿が現れるだろう。親父殿に言葉が届くのは南條先生だけです。ある意味、南條先生に我々の命は握られているかもしれない。」 <br>\r\n\"Please just keep up your strength. ...Father will probably come soon. You're the only one whose words will reach him. In a way, you might be holding our lives in your hands.\" <br><br>\r\n「……私の言葉など、…もう届きはせんでしょう。申し訳ないが、そのお役には立てそうにない……。」 <br>\r\n\"...My words...will no longer reach him, I think. I'm sorry, but I don't believe I will be of any use...\" <br><br>\r\n「なら、南條先生のお医者としての知識を貸してください。………人間を即座に昏倒させるような毒って、存在するのかしら。」 <br>\r\n\"Then lend us your expertise as a doctor. ......I wonder if there exists a drug that can make people instantly faint.\" <br><br>\r\n「……人間を即座に昏倒させる毒……？ どういうことですか……？」 <br>\r\n\"...A drug that makes people instantly faint...? What are you talking about...?\" <br><br>\r\n「私たちは落とし穴に落とされて、この地下牢に落ちてきたと信じている。……あの混乱している場で、私たちはそうだったろうと信じたわ。 <br>\r\n\"We believe we fell through a pit and landed in this dungeon. ...In that panic-stricken moment, that's what we believed happened.\" <br><br>\r\n……でも、この地下牢の広さを測ってみてわかった。この地下牢が、あの食堂の地下というのはありえないことなのよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...But I measured the breadth of this room and came to a realization. This dungeon can't be underneath the dining hall.\" <br><br>\r\n「どうして、ありえないってわかるんですか…？」 <br>\r\n\"Why do you say that...?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………姉さんは馬鹿だな。この地下牢は、食堂に比べて狭過ぎる。」 <br>\r\n\"......You're an idiot, Nee-san. Compared to the dining hall, this dungeon is too cramped.\" <br><br>\r\n「その通り。１番目に落とされたのは蔵臼兄さん。２番目が私。蔵臼兄さんはこの部屋に落ちてきた時、その場を動いたかしら？」 <br>\r\n\"Exactly. The first person to fall was Krauss nii-san. The second was myself. When you fell into this room, did you move from that spot, Krauss nii-san?\" <br><br>\r\n「……お恥ずかしいながら、落下の痛みで呻いていたよ。そのすぐ傍らに霧江さんが、すぐに落ちてきたんだ。」 <br>\r\n\"...It's embarrassing to say, but the landing hurt, and I lay there groaning in pain. Immediately after that, Kyrie-san came crashing down next to me.\" <br><br>\r\n「食堂での蔵臼兄さんと私の立ち位置と、落下時の落下場所の距離が、明らかにおかしいのよ。」 <br>\r\n\"The distance between where we were standing and the places where we landed is clearly off.\" <br><br>\r\n「た、…確かに言われてみればその通りです。……その次に落ちたのは私だから、お二人の位置関係はよく覚えている。……食堂でのお二人の間の距離は、この部屋よりもあったかもしれない。」 <br>\r\n\"C-Certainly, when you put it that way. ...I was the next to fall, so I remember fairly well where you two were standing. ...The distance between you two in the dining hall might have been greater than this entire room.\" <br><br>\r\n「私たちは、落とし穴に落ちて、ダイレクトにここに落下したわ。……集合する下水道管みたいに、一度集められてから、ここに落ちたわけじゃない。 <br>\r\n\"We fell into a pit and directly dropped down here. ...It's not like we fell into multiple interlocking pipes and were all collected here. <br><br>\r\n落下は一瞬だったでしょう？ そんな凝った配水管みたいな穴を転がされた覚えはないわ。」 <br>\r\nThe fall was instant, wasn't it? I don't remember rolling around in some sort of elaborate water pipe system.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………確かに、落とし穴では説明がつかんな。…おかしな話だ。」 <br>\r\n\"......True, we can't explain it with a pitfall. ...What a strange tale.\" <br><br>\r\n「それと、……霧江さまの仰る、人間を即座に昏倒させる毒というのは、どう関係があるんですか…？」 <br>\r\n\"What does that have to do...with a drug that makes people instantly faint, like Kyrie-sama was talking about...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。 <br>\r\n\"............... <br><br>\r\n……霧江さまは多分、食堂に落とし穴なんかなかったとお考えなんじゃないかな。」 <br>\r\n...Kyrie-sama is probably thinking that there were no pitfalls in the dining hall, correct?\" <br><br>\r\n「しかし、現に私たちは落ちたぞ。」 <br>\r\n\"But in reality, we did fall.\" <br><br>\r\n「落とし穴に落ちたような気がする、が正解よ。……無理もないわ。そうとしか例えられない体験だったから。」 <br>\r\n\"More accurately, we felt as though we fell into pits. ...That was only natural. After all, we experienced something that couldn't be described any other way.\" <br><br>\r\n「な、なるほど……。つまり、こう仰いたいわけですな…。……私たちは落とし穴に落とされたのではなく、 <br>\r\n\"I-I see... In other words, this is what you want to say... ...We did not fall into pits... <br><br>\r\n……例えば、毒矢のようなもので撃たれ、瞬時に意識を失い、…その倒れて床に突っ伏す瞬間の記憶を、まるで落とし穴に落ちたようと、思い込んでしまっているのかもしれない、と……。」 <br>\r\n...We were attacked with something like a blowdart, for example, and lost consciousness instantly. It could be that we just remember the instant we fell to the floor as though it were falling through a pit...\" <br><br>\r\n「…………なるほど。食堂に無数の落とし穴が仕掛けられていて、我々がそれに何十年も気付かず食事をしていたとするよりは、よほど説得力のある話だ。」 <br>\r\n\"......I see. That's a much more persuasive argument than there being numerous pitfall traps in the dining hall that we've never noticed, even after decades eating there.\" <br><br>\r\n「……姉さん。時計はある？」 <br>\r\n\"...Nee-san, do you have a watch?\" <br><br>\r\n「え？ ………う、うん。 <br>\r\n\"Huh? ......Y-Yes. <br><br>\r\n懐中時計があるわよ。………えっと、２２時４０分くらいね。」 <br>\r\nI have a pocket watch. ......Umm, it's about 22:40.\" <br><br>\r\n「………うん。僕の時計もそうなってる。 <br>\r\n\"......Yes. My watch says the same. <br><br>\r\n…つまり僕たちは、食堂での大騒ぎから、十数分も時間を経過させてないってことになる。」 <br>\r\n...In short, it's only been a bit more than ten minutes since that uproar in the dining hall, at most.\" <br><br>\r\n「私の時計も同様だ。…………我々が昏倒させられて、どこかへ担ぎ込まれたと仮定するには、時間の経過が短過ぎる。………時間だけを見るなら、やはり我々は食堂の真下へ、落とし穴で落とされたと考えるのが妥当だ。」 <br>\r\n\"My watch has the same time. ......That's much too short a time to knock us out and carry us somewhere. ......Judging only from the time, it's reasonable to assume that we did fall through a hole leading directly underneath the dining hall.\" <br><br>\r\n「時計の針なんていくらでも弄れるわ。……私たちが気絶している間に、全員の時計を巻き戻したのかもしれない。その可能性がなかったことは、証明不能よ。」 <br>\r\n\"They could've tampered with the watch hands as much as they wanted. ...While we were passed out, they may have wound everyone's watches back. We're incapable of proving that this possibility doesn't exist.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。落とし穴にせよ、昏倒させる毒にせよ、 <br>\r\n……私たちは用心するに越したことはないというわけですな…。」 <br>\r\n\"...............Whether it was a pitfall or a drug that induces fainting, <br><br>\r\n...it does not change the fact that we need to be on guard...\" <br><br>\r\n「……それで、南條先生？ 昏倒させる毒は存在するんですか？」 <br>\r\n\"...Well then, <NAME>, is there a drug that can do that?\" <br><br>\r\n「それは、…………。……霧江さんの論法と同じですな。…私の知らない未知の毒物に、そういう効用のものがないとは証明できません。」 <br>\r\n\"Well...... ...It's the same as your reasoning, Kyrie-san. ...I cannot prove that there isn't a drug with that effect that I don't know about.\" <br><br>\r\n「……用心に越したことはない、ということね。…ごめんなさい、無駄な質問だったわ。 <br>\r\n\"...As they say, you can never be too careful. ...Sorry, it was a useless question. <br><br>\r\nただ、私の仮説により、この地下牢が食堂の真下とは限らないという可能性は、示唆できたと思う。」 <br>\r\nI just thought that with my hypothesis, I could suggest that this dungeon might not necessarily be directly underneath the dining hall.\" <br><br>\r\n「なるほど…。………広大な森の中のどこかに隠されていると噂される、親父殿の隠し屋敷の地下牢に運び込まれている可能性もある、ということか。……ここを脱出して外へ出ればそれもわかる。それを詮索するのは、ここから出てからでもいいだろうな。」 <br>\r\n\"I see... ...There's always the possibility that we were carried off to the hidden mansion they say Father built in the middle of the forest. ...If we can escape from here and get outside, then we'll know. We'll save worrying about that until after we get out.\" <br><br>\r\n「その通りね。本当にごめんなさい。さっきから無駄な質問と詮索ばかりだわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Exactly. I'm truly sorry. I've only been asking about and prying into useless things.\" <br><br>\r\n「いいや、とても頼もしいよ。今後も何かに気付いたら教えてくれたまえ。ここを脱出する何かのヒントになるかもしれない。 <br>\r\n\"No, it's quite promising. If you notice anything else, please tell us. It might become a hint to escaping from here.\" <br><br>\r\n………留弗夫からいつも聞かされていたよ。君の発想にはいつも驚かされ、時には重要なヒントにもなるとね。……君がここにいてくれたのは、不幸中の幸いだ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Rudolf was always talking about you. He said he was always surprised by your ideas, and they would sometimes give him valuable hints. ...The fact that you're here is a blessing within a tragedy.\" <br><br>\r\n「……ありがとう。私も留弗夫さんに聞いてるわ。蔵臼兄さんは、普段は威張っているけれど、いざという時は責任感に溢れる、頼り甲斐のある兄だ、って。」 <br>\r\n\"...Thank you. I heard something from Rudolf-san as well. He said that you usually just swagger about, but when things get serious, you overflow with a sense of responsibility and can be a very dependable older brother.\" <br><br>\r\n「はははは…、さすがにそれは世辞が過ぎるね。 <br>\r\n\"Hahaha, ...that's too kind. <br><br>\r\n………くそ、それにしても頑丈な鉄格子だ。嘉音の方はどうだね。」 <br>\r\n......Dammit, at any rate, these iron bars won't even budge. How are things on your end, Kanon?\" <br><br>\r\n「………いいえ、こちらもまったく。」 <br>\r\n\"......No, this side is no better.\" <br><br>\r\n蔵臼と嘉音は、全ての鉄格子を色々と弄ってみる。 <br>\r\nKrauss and Kanon tried wiggling the bars in various ways. <br><br>\r\n……何本かの鉄格子は、ねじれたり、あるいはわずかにガタガタと揺らせる程度の隙間を感じられたが、それでも人力で破壊できるようなものではなかった。 <br>\r\n...There were a few bars that could be twisted...and a few had enough space to rattle a little bit around in, but they couldn't be broken with human strength alone. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、何かの道具を梃子のように利用すれば、まだ望みもあるかもしれない。 <br>\r\n諦めるにはまだ早かった。 <br>\r\n...However, there was still hope if they could use some kind of lever-like tool. <br><br>\r\nIt was still far too early to give up yet. <br><br>\r\n子どもの命が掛かっているのだ。 <br>\r\n……望みがなくても、彼らは足掻くことを止めはしないだろう。 <br>\r\nThe children's lives were hanging in the balance. <br><br>\r\n...Even if there was no hope, they couldn't stop their struggle. <br><br>\r\nそして、彼らもそうしている方が良いのだ。 <br>\r\nAnd, it was better for them to act this way. <br><br>\r\n……それを止めたなら、…伴侶を失った悲しみに再び囚われ、膝を抱いてしまうに違いないから……。 <br>\r\n...If they were to stop, ...there's no doubt they'd once again be overcome by the grief of losing their loved ones and curl up, clutching their knees... <br><br>\r\n「霧江さんたちの方はどうかね。何か見つかったかね？」 <br>\r\n\"How are you doing, Kyrie-san? Find anything?\" <br><br>\r\n「………握って隠せる程度の石ころは見つかるわ。こんなものでも、武器にはなるかも。さすがに、鉄格子を削り取ることは無理でしょうね。紗音ちゃんはどう…？」 <br>\r\n\"...I've found some small stones that we could hold onto and hide. Something like this could probably be used as a weapon. Though, it'd probably be impossible to whittle down those iron bars with them. How about you, Shannon-chan...?\" <br><br>\r\n「いいえ、何も。 <br>\r\n\"No, nothing. <br><br>\r\n………あ、これ、 <br>\r\n......Ah, this is... <br><br>\r\n…………電話です。」 <br>\r\n...a phone.\" <br><br>\r\n「繋がってるわけもないわ。 <br>\r\n\"I doubt it's connected. <br><br>\r\n……でも、コードは何かを縛ったり武器にも使えるかも。壊して分解すれば金属部品を取り出せるわ。蔵臼兄さん、鉄格子を開ける鍵穴は、もちろんあるわよね？」 <br>\r\n...But, we might be able to use the cord as some form of string-based weapon. If we break it, we could take out the metal parts. Krauss Nii-san, there's a keyhole for opening the bars, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ。だいぶ鍵穴の大きい、大時代的なものだがね。……針金のようなもので弄れば、騙せるかもしれないな。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes. It's a pretty large hole, quite old fashioned. ...If we twist some wire into it, we just might be able to pick it.\" <br><br>\r\n「電話の金属部品で、何か代用できるかもしれない。……その電話、武器になるわね。」 <br>\r\n\"We might be able to use the metal parts of the phone as a substitute for something. ...This phone will become our weapon.\" <br><br>\r\n「投資と同じだよ。情報は武器だ。」 <br>\r\n\"It's just like investing. Our weapon is information.\" <br><br>\r\n電話をまったく通信手段として考えない用途に、蔵臼たちはくすりと笑い合う。 <br>\r\nKrauss and Kyrie laughed together at how they hadn't even thought of using the phone as a means of communication. <br><br>\r\n「…………何やってんの、姉さん。」 <br>\r\n\"......What are you doing, Nee-san?\" <br><br>\r\n「あ、……その、…電話、つ、繋がってるかなって思って……。」 <br>\r\n\"Ah, ...um, ...I just wondered if maybe the phone was w-working...\" <br><br>\r\n「…………馬鹿だな、姉さんは。（ぼそり）」 <br>\r\n\"......You dummy, Nee-san. (*whisper*)\" <br><br>\r\n「え…？ ………あれ？」 <br>\r\n\"Huh...? ......What?\" <br><br>\r\nすると紗音が突然、驚きの声を上げる。 <br>\r\nAt that point, Shannon let out a small, surprised cry. <br><br>\r\n「き、霧江さま……！ ……この電話、繋がってます。」 <br>\r\n\"K-Kyrie-sama...! ...This phone, it's connected.\" <br><br>\r\n「何ですって…。」 <br>\r\n\"What did you say...?\" <br><br>\r\nその電話は、まるで引っ越して何もかも空っぽになった無人のオフィスに、電話機だけが取り残されているような、そんな感じで牢の片隅に置かれていたのだ。 <br>\r\nIt was like when people move out of an office, taking everything with them, leaving only the telephone behind... That's the feeling the phone gave off, having been left in the corner of the cell. <br><br>\r\nコードはとぐろを巻き、その先は壁に飲み込まれていて、一見すると通じてもおかしくないようには見えていた。 <br>\r\nThe cord was wound into a coil, the tip of it being swallowed by the wall, and just looking at it, there was no reason to assume that it wasn't hooked up. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、本当に繋がっていたとは…。 <br>\r\n...But, to think that it was actually was... <br><br>\r\n霧江が紗音から受話器を奪い、耳に当てる。 <br>\r\n確かに、ツーという電子音は耳慣れたもの。 <br>\r\n……この電話は、確かに生きていた。 <br>\r\nKyrie took the receiver from Shannon and pressed it to her ear. <br><br>\r\nCertainly, the electric hum of a phone was a familiar sound. <br><br>\r\n...And this phone was certainly live. <br><br>\r\n「な、何という幸運…！ 警察へ連絡しましょう…！」 <br>\r\n\"Wh-What good luck...! Let's contact the police...!\" <br><br>\r\n「待ちたまえ…！ 話が上手過ぎる。盗聴されてるんじゃないのかね…？！」 <br>\r\n\"Hold on...! This is too good to be true. Could it be bugged...?!\" <br><br>\r\n「そんな細工するくらいなら、普通は電話線を切断するわ。……連中が本気で見落とした可能性が高い。 <br>\r\n\"If they were planning a trick like that, normally they would cut the telephone line. ...There's actually a good possibility that they overlooked this. <br><br>\r\n気付かれたら今度こそ電話線を切断されるかもしれないわ。警察への通報を盗聴されて、何も困ることはないのだし。」 <br>\r\nIf they notice, they might actually cut the line this time. There's nothing we could tell the police that would be problematic for us if they overheard.\" <br><br>\r\n……確かにそれもそうだ。 <br>\r\n盗聴は、何か重要な情報を聞き出すために行なうが、今の彼らが外部とするだろう会話の中に、聞かれてまずいことは何も考えられない。 <br>\r\n...Surely, that was true. <br><br>\r\nThe point of a wiretap is to overhear some important piece of information, but the way things were right then, she couldn't think of a single thing that would come up in a conversation to the outside world that might be troublesome to have overheard. <br><br>\r\n霧江は即座に、これは罠であるよりも、金蔵のミスである可能性が高いと判断したのだ……。 <br>\r\nKyrie instantly concluded that it was more likely to be a mistake on Kinzo's part than a trap... <br><br>\r\n「た、確かに一理あります……。 <br>\r\n\"Y-You do have a point... <br><br>\r\n外線は確か、０番からだ……。」 <br>\r\nI believe you start with 0 to make calls through the external line...\" <br><br>\r\n「嘉音くん、私は電話するから、あなたは外の様子をうかがってくれる？ 誰かが近付いてくる気配があったら知らせて。」 <br>\r\n\"Kanon-kun, I'm going to make a phone call, so will you watch how things are out there for me? If you sense somebody coming, let me know.\" <br><br>\r\n「は、はい……！」 <br>\r\n\"Y-Yes...!\" <br><br>\r\n嘉音は鉄格子へ駆けて行き、息を殺し耳を澄ます……。 <br>\r\n霧江は一同に見守られながら、１１０番をダイヤルする…。 <br>\r\nKanon raced off towards the iron bars, silenced his breathing, and strained his ears... <br><br>\r\nAs everyone present watched her, Kyrie dialed 110... <br><br>\r\nしかし、何度かフックボタンを押し直し、ダイヤルをやり直す。 <br>\r\nHowever, she pushed the hook down and re-dialed many times. <br><br>\r\n……うまく行かないようだった。 <br>\r\n...It didn't seem to be working very well. <br><br>\r\n「………外線は０番から？ <br>\r\n\"...The outside line begins with 0? <br><br>\r\n１１０番は０１１０じゃないの？ うまく掛からない…。」 <br>\r\n110 would be 0110 then, right? It doesn't seem to want to go through...\" <br><br>\r\n「貸したまえ、私が掛けよう……。……………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"Hand it over here, I'll try to call..................\" <br><br>\r\n蔵臼が受話器を代わり、色々と試す……。 <br>\r\nKrauss took the receiver in Kyrie's place and tested various things... <br><br>\r\nだが結局、警察に通報することは出来なかった……。 <br>\r\nBut in the end, they were unable to notify the police... <br><br>\r\n確かに電話自体は生きているのだが、やはりどこかの回線が切断されているのだろう。 <br>\r\nThe phone itself was definitely live, but the circuit was apparently cut somewhere. <br><br>\r\n……そう甘くはないということなのか。 <br>\r\n...Did this mean that `they' were not so naive? <br><br>\r\n「……やっぱり、無理ですか……。」 <br>\r\n\"...So it's useless after all...\" <br><br>\r\n「敵も甘くはないってことね…。……………………。」 <br>\r\n\"It means our enemies aren't naive either............\" <br><br>\r\n霧江は、はぁっと深い息を吐き出すと、壁にもたれ掛かって、しばらくの間、俯いた。 <br>\r\nKyrie let out a deep sigh, leaned against the wall, and hung her head for a while. <br><br>\r\nシビアな彼女であっても、一瞬、電話が繋がるという甘い期待を持ったのかもしれない。 <br>\r\nAs cool-thinking as she was, for a brief moment, she may actually have had the naive hope that the phone might actually work. <br><br>\r\n……そんな甘えを一瞬でも持ったことを、自嘲気味に苦笑いする。 <br>\r\n...She sneered at herself mockingly for holding onto that naive hope for even a single moment. <br><br>\r\nそしてそれから、……一体、今、ここで何が起こっているのか、思い起こした。 <br>\r\nThen, ...she remembered just what was happening here. <br><br>\r\n……正直なところ、…あれだけ、眼前で見せ付けられたにもかかわらず、……いや、だからこそ……。 <br>\r\n...Truth be told, ...even after being shown a scene like that right before her eyes...or rather, exactly because of that... <br><br>\r\n……あの凄惨な虐殺を、未だ現実のものとは思えない…。 <br>\r\n信じられないというより、信じたくなかった。 <br>\r\n...She still couldn't think of that gruesome mass murder as something real... <br><br>\r\nIt was less that she couldn't believe it...and more that she didn't want to. <br><br>\r\n右代宮金蔵が、親族たちを６人も殺した。 <br>\r\n<NAME> killed six family members. <br><br>\r\nおかしな、魔女のような、悪魔のような者たちを、 <br>\r\n……何人も空中から呼び出して……、………魔法のようなもので、 <br>\r\n……次々に殺し………。 <br>\r\nHe summoned strange, witch-like, demon-like people... <br><br>\r\n...right out of thin air, ......and with something like magic, <br><br>\r\n...began to kill people one after another...... <br><br>\r\n………………………。 <br>\r\n............ <br><br>\r\nめちゃくちゃだ。 <br>\r\n……確かに見たのに、その光景を、到底受け容れられない……。 <br>\r\nIt's just all so screwed up. <br><br>\r\n...Even though she definitely saw it, there was no way she could accept that spectacle... <br><br>\r\n「………そんなこと、あるわけがない。………あれはきっと、お父様の友人か何か。…それが、予め食堂のどこかに隠れていて、手品的に突然姿を現して私たちを驚かせただけなんだわ。………そう考えなくちゃ、あのめちゃくちゃを説明できない。」 <br>\r\n\"......There's no way that's what happened. ......Those were obviously Father's friends or something. ...They just hid somewhere in the dining hall beforehand and used some tricks to appear suddenly and fool us. ...There's no other way to explain something as screwed up as that.\" <br><br>\r\nしかし、６人の頭を砕く時に、黄金の矢が室内をぐるぐると飛び回った。 <br>\r\nBut when those six had had their heads blown apart, a golden arrow had flown around and around the room. <br><br>\r\n……あれはまるでまさに、 <br>\r\n……魔法に見えた。 <br>\r\n...That had truly looked like... <br><br>\r\n...magic. <br><br>\r\nあれも何かの見間違いだというのだろうか。 <br>\r\n魔法のわけがない。きっと仕掛けがあるのだ。 <br>\r\nWas that another thing we just saw wrong? <br><br>\r\nThere's no way it was magic. It was definitely some kind of setup. <br><br>\r\n……頭を砕くくらいだから、きっと爆発物に違いない。 <br>\r\n...Since those heads were smashed, there's no doubt it was some kind of explosive. <br><br>\r\n例えば、駄菓子屋で売っているようなスチレン製の飛行機の玩具を金色に塗り、その先端に強力な爆発物を搭載してあったとか。 <br>\r\nFor example, a styrene toy plane like they sell at candy stores, painted gold, ...and with a powerful explosive loaded onto the end of it. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、一見、ランダムに飛んで見せたが、６回それを放ち、それらが完璧に犠牲者の頭部に次々命中するなんて、考えられない。 <br>\r\n...However, though it had seemed to be flying about at random, Kyrie couldn't imagine that after being fired six times, each time had perfectly hit the victims square in the head, one after the other. <br><br>\r\nまさか、コンピューター制御で獲物を探して飛翔し命中する、それこそ誘導ミサイル並のハイテクスチレン飛行機だったとか……？ <br>\r\nIt couldn't be that there was a computer control system for finding and hitting targets, making it a high-tech styrene plane on the same level as a guided missile, right...? <br><br>\r\n「………そんな馬鹿馬鹿しい仕掛けを、膨大な私費を投じて作らせたと？ ……あの、狂った余興のために……？ “お父様ならやりかねない”って……？」 <br>\r\n\"......Would he invest such a large amount of money into developing some stupid trick like that? ...For that insane sideshow...? Does this take us back to the old `I wouldn't put it past Father'...?\" <br><br>\r\n謎の人物が何人も突然に虚空から姿を現し、……６人が謎の金色の飛行物体によって頭を粉砕され、……私たち５人は、謎の落とし穴か、さもなくば昏倒する毒矢か何かで眠らされ、謎の地下牢に閉じ込められている……。 <br>\r\nA number of mysterious people appeared out of thin air, ...six people had their heads demolished by a mysterious golden flying object, ...and the five of us were locked away in a mysterious dungeon by a mysterious set of pitfalls, or else put to sleep by some fainting poison dart... <br><br>\r\n親族会議が始まったのは２２時ちょっと過ぎから。 <br>\r\n……それから３０分ちょっとが経過したに過ぎない。 <br>\r\nThe family conference started a bit after 22:00. <br><br>\r\n...It's only been a bit more than 30 minutes since then. <br><br>\r\n多分。そのわずかの間に起こった出来事が、……自らが目撃したにもかかわらず、理解できず、整理も出来ない。 <br>\r\nMost likely, even though I witnessed it myself, ...that event took place in such a short period of time, so I still can't understand it, and I still can't come to grips with it. <br><br>\r\n仮に警察に電話が繋がったとしても、自分たちが見たことを正確に伝えることは、誰にも不可能だろう……。 <br>\r\nFor argument's sake, even if we did get ahold of the police, it would probably be impossible for anybody to accurately explain what we saw... <br><br>\r\nついさっき見た光景にもかかわらず、……もう頭の中はぐちゃぐちゃで、自分が何を見たのかさえ、自信がない…。 <br>\r\nEven though I saw it just now, ...my brain's fried, and I have no confidence in what I saw myself... <br><br>\r\n霧江は混乱に飲み込まれそうな自分を何とか奮い立たせ、正気を保つのに精一杯だった……。 <br>\r\nKyrie tried her hardest to cheer herself out of her overwhelming confusion, to just hold onto her sanity... <br><br>\r\n「くそ、……どうなってるんだ、 <br>\r\n……くそ、…くそ…！」 <br>\r\n\"Dammit, ...what's going on here, <br><br>\r\n...dammit, ...dammit...!\" <br><br>\r\n蔵臼は自棄になって、フックボタンを何度も押してはダイヤルをし直す。 <br>\r\nKrauss started to become desperate, hitting the hook multiple times and resetting the dial. <br><br>\r\n……蔵臼も、一見冷静を装っているが、混乱は隠せていない。 <br>\r\nダイヤルを繰り返せば繰り返すほどに、冷静さのメッキは剥がれていった…。 <br>\r\n...Krauss had also been feigning composure, but he was unable to hide his panic. <br><br>\r\nThe more he retried the dial, the more the pretense of serenity peeled away... <br><br>\r\n何が何だか、わからない……。 <br>\r\nI don't know what's going on anymore... <br><br>\r\n 霧江は、さっきの出来事が夢であってほしいと、祈らずにはいられなかった…。 <br>\r\nKyrie couldn't help but pray that the events that had just occurred were a dream... <br><br>\r\n………その時、蔵臼の様子が突然変わった。 <br>\r\n......At that time, the look on Krauss's face changed. <br><br>\r\n「う、お、……お…！ <br>\r\n\"Nn, ...o-oh...! <br><br>\r\n呼び出してる、呼び出してるぞ…！ コール音がする…！」 <br>\r\nI got through, I got through...! It's ringing...!\" <br><br>\r\n「ほ、本当ですかっ、蔵臼さん…！」 <br>\r\n\"R-Really, Krauss-san...?!\" <br><br>\r\n「なるほどな、親父め、浅はかな…！ 警察に連絡されまいと外部への電話線は切断したらしいが、内線は切断し損ねている…！」 <br>\r\n\"I see, how shallow, old man...! Since we can't contact the police, the external line has probably been cut, but he failed to sever the internal line...!\" <br><br>\r\n「内線？ 蔵臼さんはどこに掛けているの…？！」 <br>\r\n\"The internal line? Krauss-san, where did you call...?!\" <br><br>\r\n「ゲストハウスだ。朱志香たちの部屋の内線番号に掛けている…！ <br>\r\n\"The guesthouse. I'm calling the room where Jessica and the rest are staying...! <br><br>\r\n……あッ？！ もしもし！ もしもし？！ 私だ…！ お前は誰か…！ 郷田か？！ 朱志香はいるか、無事か…！！」 <br>\r\n...Ah?! Hello! Hello?! It's me...! You're...! Gohda?! Is Jessica there, is she safe...?!!\" <br><br>\r\n「だ、旦那様……！！ <br>\r\n\"K-Krauss-sama...!! <br><br>\r\nご無事で良かった…！！ はい！ 朱志香お嬢様たちも皆さんご無事です…！」 <br>\r\nI'm so glad you're safe!! Yes! Lady Jessica and the other children are here as well, safe and unharmed...!\" <br><br>\r\n「父さん！！ 父さんなの？！ <br>\r\n\"Dad!! Is it Dad?! <br><br>\r\n無事で良かった……！！ 母さんは無事なの？！ そこにいるのッ？！」 <br>\r\nI'm so glad you're okay...!! Is Mom okay?! Is she there?!\" <br><br>\r\n「………か、……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Your......\" <br><br>\r\n蔵臼はそこで言葉に詰まる。 <br>\r\nKrauss choked on his words. <br><br>\r\n……夏妃が目の前で頭部を粉砕され、殺されるのをまざまざと見せ付けられた……。 <br>\r\nいつかは朱志香にもそれを話さなければならないだろう。 <br>\r\n...Krauss had clearly seen Natushi's head crushed, had seen her killed right before his eyes... <br><br>\r\nEventually, he was going to have to tell that to Jessica. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、今この瞬間、それを伝えるべきか、蔵臼は悩み、言葉を失った。 <br>\r\n...However, Krauss began to fret over whether he should tell her now or not...and lost his words. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、それすらも、この場合は答えのひとつとなった……。 <br>\r\n...But even that was an answer under these circumstances... <br><br>\r\n「……母さんはわからない……。……無事を祈ろう。…今はお前だけでも無事でよかった。」 <br>\r\n\"...I don't know about your mother... ...Let's pray for her safety. ...For now, I'm just glad you're safe. <br><br>\r\n「………………………うん。……わかってるよ。………聞いて、……ごめん。」 <br>\r\n\"............Yeah. ...I understand. ......I'm sorry...for asking.\" <br><br>\r\n朱志香の声が涙ぐむ…。 <br>\r\n……蔵臼は確信した。 <br>\r\nゲストハウスに合流した郷田たちから、一部始終は聞かされているのだ…。 <br>\r\nJessica's voice was filled with tears... <br><br>\r\n...Krauss was certain now. <br><br>\r\nJessica and the rest had heard everything, start to finish, after meeting up with Gohda and Kumasawa at the guesthouse... <br><br>\r\n恐らく、朱志香たちは６人もの人間が殺されたことを教えられ、食堂に行こうと息巻いていたに違いない。 <br>\r\nWhen they learned that six people had been killed, they must have been anxious to rush over to the dining hall. <br><br>\r\n………彼らが屋敷に向かう前に電話できてよかった。 <br>\r\n蔵臼は不幸中の幸いのタイミングに胸を撫で下ろす…。 <br>\r\n......Luckily, he'd been able to call before they'd stormed off towards the mansion. <br><br>\r\nKrauss was relieved at this good timing during such a tragedy... <br><br>\r\n「ここには今、霧江さんと南條先生、それに紗音と嘉音がいる。地下牢のようなところに閉じ込められているが、心配するな。こっちは父さんたちで何とかする。」 <br>\r\n\"We have Kyrie-san and Doctor Nanjo, as well as Shannon and Kanon here. We've been locked in a place that's like a dungeon, but don't worry. We'll figure something out.\" <br><br>\r\n「地下牢？ どこ？！ 助けに行く…！！」 <br>\r\n\"A dungeon? Where?! We'll come and save you...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「生憎、私たちにもここがどこだか検討もつかん。食堂の真下だと思っているが、そうでないかもしれない。 <br>\r\n\"Unfortunately, we can't figure out where this is either. We think it may be under the dining hall, but that might not be true. <br><br>\r\n………とにかく朱志香。そこを出てはならん。郷田たちから経緯は聞いているか？」 <br>\r\n......Anyway, Jessica, you must stay where you are. You've heard about what happened from Gohda and Kumasawa, yes?\" <br><br>\r\n「うん……。……祖父さまが、 <br>\r\n\"Yeah... ...Grandfather... <br><br>\r\n………みんなを、 <br>\r\n...-ed... <br><br>\r\n……ッたって……。」 <br>\r\n...everyone...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「お祖父さまは今、正常な状態にない。出くわせば危険だ。殺されるかもしれない…！ 私たちを助けに来ようなどと、絶対に思ってはならんぞ…！ こっちはこっちで何とかする。」 <br>\r\n\"Grandfather isn't in a sane state of mind right now. If you encounter him, you'll be in danger. You might be killed...! You mustn't even think about trying to come and save us...! We'll take care of ourselves.\" <br><br>\r\n「じゃ、じゃあ私たちはどうすればいいの？！ 祖父さまめ、よくも母さんたちをッ……！ あの死に損ない、ぶっ殺してやる…！！」 <br>\r\n\"Th-Then what should we do?! Damn you, Grandfather, how dare you do that to Mom and the rest...?! I'm gonna kill that undying bastard...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「朱志香、そんな言葉を使ったら母さんが悲しむぞ。レディはそんな言葉を使うもんじゃない。」 <br>\r\n「ううぅうぅ……、ううぅぅ……！！」 <br>\r\n\"Jessica, if you talk like that, you'll sadden your mother. Those aren't the words of a lady.\" <br><br>\r\n\"Uuuuuuu, ...uuuuuu...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「とにかく、お前たちは身の安全を最優先にしろ。ゲストハウスを戸締りするんだ。……しかし過信は出来ない。１階のラウンジの大窓は破られるかもしれない。その部屋に留まり、ベッドを立てかけてバリケードにするんだ。その部屋にはトイレも冷蔵庫もあるな？ 明日の朝までは篭城できるはずだ。……いいな、くれぐれも物騒なことは考えるな。母さんの仇を取ろうなんて絶対に考えるんじゃないぞ！ 相手を刺激せず、隠れてやり過ごすことだけを考えるんだ。」 <br>\r\n\"Anyway, put your own safety first. Lock all the guesthouse doors. ...But you mustn't overestimate how safe that will make you. The large window in the first floor lounge might get broken. Stay in your room, and use a bed to make a barricade. There's a toilet and fridge in there too, right? You should be able to stay holed up until tomorrow morning. ...Listen up, I'll say it again. ...Don't think of doing anything violent. Don't even think about trying to take revenge for Mom! Only think of hiding, of getting through this without provoking our enemies.\" <br><br>\r\n「うん……、うん……！！ わかったよ、……父さん……！ ううぅううぅ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, ......yeah...!! I understand, ...Dad...! Uuuuuuuuuu!!\" <br><br>\r\nその後、受話器は郷田が代わり、大人として子どもたちをよく監督してほしいと念を押される。 <br>\r\nAfter that, Gohda took the phone...and was firmly told to supervise the kids well, as an adult. <br><br>\r\n……郷田は、顔いっぱいに脂汗を浮かべながら、ハイ！ハイ！と過剰に緊張した返事を連呼するのだった。 <br>\r\n...Gohda, with his face covered in a cold sweat, repeatedly replied \"Yes sir, yes sir!\" in an excessively tense voice. <br><br>\r\nそれから受話器は霧江に代わり、戦人も話し、紗音や嘉音が出れば、譲治や朱志香が出て、ならついでに南條も熊沢も、と双方全員が代わる代わる受話器に出て、所在不明ではあっても、とにかく現在は無事であることを確認し合い、励まし合い、双方の置かれている状況を完全に疎通し合った。 <br>\r\nFrom there, Kyrie took the receiver and spoke with Battler, and when Shannon and Kanon got their turns, George and Jessica answered. Following that pattern, Nanjo and Kumasawa picked up as well, so that all members of both sides took the receiver in turn, confirming that everyone was safe for now, even if their location was unknown, and encouraging each other, coming to an understanding on the current situation for both sides. <br><br>\r\nいつまでもずっと話をしていたかったが、今は無駄話に花を咲かせている場合ではない。 <br>\r\n蔵臼は一度電話を切ることを伝え、ゲストハウス側も了解した。 <br>\r\nThey wanted to talk forever, but now was not the time to chat. <br><br>\r\nKrauss explained that they would be hanging up for now, and those in the guesthouse consented. <br><br>\r\n「また何かあったら連絡する。すぐに受話器を取れるように待機していてくれ。くれぐれも用心してな。無茶なことは絶対にするんじゃないぞ…！」 <br>\r\n\"If anything happens, we'll call. Wait by the phone so you can pick it up quickly. Again, be careful. You mustn't do anything rash...!\" <br><br>\r\n「う……、うん、わかったよ……。父さんや、……嘉音くんたちが無事だっただけでも、……儲けモンってヤツさ……。…私たちもがんばる。父さんたちもどうか無事で…！」 <br>\r\n\"...Y-Yeah, I understand... As long as you and...Kanon-kun and the others are okay, ...then that's good enough for me... ...We'll do our best. Stay safe...!\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ、もちろんだ。それでは一度切る。用心しろ。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, of course. Well then, I'm hanging up for now. Be on your guard.\" <br><br>\r\nそれで電話は終わった。 <br>\r\nWith that, the phone call ended. <br><br>\r\n郷田以下の男子は、迅速に階下に降り、鎧戸を閉め、厳重な戸締りを行なった。 <br>\r\nGohda and the rest of the men quickly descended to the first floor, closed the shutters, and secured the sturdy locks on the doors. <br><br>\r\nしかし、蔵臼が心配したとおり、１階ラウンジの見晴らしの良い広大な窓はどうしようもなかった。 <br>\r\nHowever, just as Krauss had worried, there was nothing that could be done about the beautiful wide window in the first floor lounge. <br><br>\r\nここを破られたら、簡単に中に入られてしまう。 <br>\r\nIf someone broke that, it would be easy to get inside. <br><br>\r\n殺人をもはや躊躇しない金蔵ならば、１階部分に侵入することは難しいことではないのだ。 <br>\r\nIt wouldn't be hard for someone like Kinzo, who hadn't hesitated at committing murder, to invade the first floor. <br><br>\r\n「……お祖父さまたちは武装している可能性が高い。部屋に閉じ篭るのが最善かつ、唯一の篭城方法になるね。……自ら密室に閉じ篭らざるを得ないのは苦しいところだけど、相手が銃を持っていたら、それしか方法がない。」 <br>\r\n\"...It's likely that Grandfather and his followers will be armed. Locking ourselves in our room is our best bet, and moreover our only method of forming a barricade. ...It's painful that we have no choice but to hole up in a sealed room, but if our enemies are carrying guns, then that's the only method we have left to us.\" <br><br>\r\n「お、お館様は実銃のコレクションをお持ちとの話です。………そう、…あれは銃だ、銃だったんだ…。 <br>\r\n\"I-I have heard that the Master has a collection of working guns. ...That's right, guns, that was a gun... <br><br>\r\nだとしたら、……恐ろしい威力の銃だ…！ と、とても太刀打ちは出来ません…！」 <br>\r\nIf so, ...it must have been a horribly powerful gun...! W-We can't contend with that at all...!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………頭を砕くなんて、すげえ威力だぜ？ マグナム弾とか、そういう類のヤツかもな。下手な扉なら平気で貫通するかもしれねぇな。」 <br>\r\n\"......It takes a lot of force to smash someone's head open, right? So it might be a magnum bullet or something like that. That'd probably go through a flimsy door like it was nothing.\" <br><br>\r\n「だとすれば、ますますに部屋に篭城するべきだね…。ベッドを立てかけて、窓も塞ごう。……そこまですれば、いくら銃を持っていても、踏み込むことはできないはず。」 <br>\r\n\"If so, then that's even more of a reason to hold out in our room... Let's slide a bed in place, and block the window too. ...If we do that much, then no matter how many guns they've got, they shouldn't be able to raid us.\" <br><br>\r\n「くそ、……そんな受け身な防戦一方しかねぇのかよ。…畜生、うちの親父に上等キメてくれて、霧江さんまで捕まえたなんて、 <br>\r\n……こいつは高くつくぞ、クソジジイめ…！」 <br>\r\n\"Crap, ...all we can do is this passive, one-sided defense. ...Dammit, dealing a finishing blow to Dad, and even capturing Kyrie, <br><br>\r\n...that's gonna cost you, you damn geezer...!\" <br><br>\r\n「むむむ、無理です、あんな連中に太刀打ちできるわけがありません…！！ しかもお館様だけでなく手下も何人も！ あ、あるいはあんな連中がもっといるかも…！ ………あいつらは一体……、何なんだ……。」 <br>\r\n\"I-I-I-Impossible, there's no way we can compete with them...!! Besides, it's not just the Master, he has his underlings too! Th-There might even be more of them...! ......Just what...are they...?\" <br><br>\r\n戦人は留弗夫の仇を取りたいし、霧江を救い出すためにもここを飛び出したい気持ちでいっぱいだった。 <br>\r\nBattler was filled to the brim with the urge to get revenge for Rudolf...and to rush out of here to save Kyrie. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、郷田の怯えようを見るだけでも、それが蛮勇であるに違いないと思わされる…。 <br>\r\n...But just by looking at how terrified Gohda was, there was no doubt in him that this would be reckless... <br><br>\r\n「……兄貴だって、……悔しいだろ。 <br>\r\n\"...It's gotta be hard on you too, ...right, Aniki? <br><br>\r\nなのにここで篭城なんて、……畜生……。」 <br>\r\nAnd yet, you've got to stay holed up here, ...dammit...\" <br><br>\r\n「もちろんさ、僕だって悔しいよ。……両親を殺されて冷静でいられるわけがない。 <br>\r\n\"Of course, I'm torn up about it too. It's not like I can remain calm with both of my parents murdered. <br><br>\r\nでも、だからこそ冷静にならなくちゃいけない！ 僕たちが無駄に命を落とすようなことを、殺された親たちが望むと思うかい？ 思うわけがない！ せめて子どもだけは逃げ延びてほしいと願ってるはずだ。 <br>\r\nBut specifically because of that, I have to remain calm! Do you think our dead parents would want us to die in vain? There's no way they would! They'd want for at least their children to escape.\" <br><br>\r\nだから僕は生き残るよ。そして警察に通報し、全てを暴く。仇は法廷が取る。それが僕の復讐だ。……刺し違えてでも仇を取ってほしいなんて、…親たちが望んでいるわけもない。そうだろ…？」 <br>\r\n\"So I will survive. And I'll report this to the police and uncover everything. I'll leave my enemies to the courts. That is my revenge. ...There's no way our parents would want us to die taking revenge for them. Right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。……そうだな…。兄貴の言うとおりだぜ…。 <br>\r\n\"............... ...You're right... It's just as you say... <br><br>\r\n……畜生、クソジジイめ、何が儀式だ…！ 俺たちがそのための生贄だって言うなら、意地でも逃げ切って、その儀式を台無しにしてやるぜ……。」 <br>\r\n...Dammit, you old bastard, what's this about a ceremony...?! If we're supposed to be sacrifices for something like that, then we'll escape no matter what it takes, ruining this precious ritual of yours...\" <br><br>\r\n「それでいいよ。……それに、戦人くんにはまだ霧江さんがいる。僕にだって紗音がいる。とにかく慎重に行動して、チャンスを待とう。僕たちの不用意な行動は、捕らわれの彼らに不利益を与える可能性だってあるんだから。」 <br>\r\n\"That's right. ...Besides, you still have Kyrie-san, Battler-kun. And I still have Shannon. Anyway, let's be cautious and wait for our chance. Any careless actions on our part might just end up causing harm to those who have been captured.\" <br><br>\r\n「……人質、……か。………でも、祖父さまはきっと、霧江さんたちを生贄にするために捕らえたわけだろ？！ 俺たちが助けなきゃ、殺されるのを待つだけじゃないのか？！」 <br>\r\n\"......Hostages, huh? ......But Grandfather captured them so he could use them as sacrifices, right?! If we don't go and save them, then are we just waiting for them to get killed?!\" <br><br>\r\n「彼らが捕らえられている地下牢がどこにあるかもわからない…！ 紗音も嘉音くんも、もちろん、郷田さんも熊沢さんも知らなかった。お祖父さまだけしか知らない秘密の場所にある可能性が極めて高い。…そんな状況下で、うろうろと歩き回るのは自殺行為だよ！」 <br>\r\n\"We don't even know where the dungeon they're being held in is...! Shannon and Kanon-kun didn't know about it, and of course Gohda-san and Kumasawa-san didn't know either. The possibility that they're in a secret location that only Grandfather knows of is incredibly high. ...Under these circumstances, aimlessly wandering about would be practically suicidal!\" <br><br>\r\n「……わ、……わかってるよ…。 <br>\r\n\"...I-I understand... <br><br>\r\n………それでも、……クソ……、俺たちはここで何かが起こるまで引き篭もってるしかねぇってのかよ……。」 <br>\r\n...But still, ...dammit, ...are you saying the only thing we can do is stay confined here until something happens...?\" <br><br>\r\n「ば、……戦人さまのお気持ちはわかりますが…。……ここは安全第一で参りましょう…。 <br>\r\n\"......B-Battler-sama, I understand how you feel, but......let's put safety first... <br><br>\r\n……旦那様の話では、相当古い牢屋らしいので、何とか鉄格子を破れるかもしれないとのことでした。……今は信じて待つ方が賢明です。」 <br>\r\n...From what Krauss-sama said, they seem to be in a fairly old cell, and they may be able to break the bars somehow. ...The wise choice of action now is to believe in them and wait.\" <br><br>\r\n「お祖父さまの手下が何人もいて、みんな武装しているんだよね…？」 <br>\r\n\"Grandfather has a number of subordinates, and they're all armed, correct...?\" <br><br>\r\n「え、……えぇ、そうです。………そして多分、 <br>\r\n…みんな武装を……。」 <br>\r\n\"...Y-Yes, he does. ......And they're probably... <br><br>\r\nall armed...\" <br><br>\r\n郷田は、金蔵に仲間がいたとは話せたが、……若い女性ばかりで、魔女みたいで、おかしな魔法で殺人を行った、……とまでは言えなかった。 <br>\r\nGohda had been able to say that Kinzo had comrades with him, ...but he hadn't been able to mention that they were mostly young women, like witches, ...who had used strange magic to murder. <br><br>\r\nそんなことを話せば、正気を疑われるのがオチだ。 <br>\r\nIf he had said that, it would only have cast doubt on his sanity. <br><br>\r\n…いや、それどころか、自分自身でだって、自分は何を見たのか未だに理解できず、自らの正気を疑っているのだから。 <br>\r\n...No, not only that, he himself still couldn't understand what he had seen, and was doubting his own sanity. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、性別がどうであれ容姿がどうであれ、……魔法であれ銃であれ。 <br>\r\n...But, regardless of sex or appearance, ...regardless of whether it was done with magic or a gun. <br><br>\r\n彼女らが金蔵の命令に従い、６人を瞬く間に殺したことだけは、動かしようのない事実なのだ……。 <br>\r\nThe fact that those girls had followed Kinzo's orders......and killed six people in an instant...was an unshakable truth... <br><br>\r\nあの連中がゲストハウスにまで襲ってきたなら、……どうなるのだろうか。 <br>\r\nこの程度の戸締りなど、きっと何の意味もないだろう……。 <br>\r\nIf that group came to attack the guesthouse as well, ...what would happen? <br><br>\r\nJust closing the doors and windows like this was surely meaningless... <br><br>\r\n郷田も、……そして熊沢も。 <br>\r\nGohda...and Kumasawa... <br><br>\r\nあの食堂の大虐殺を目の当たりにした二人は、自分が見たものをどう受け止めて良いかさえわからず、頭を抱えるより他なかった…。 <br>\r\nThe only thing left for those two, who had witnessed that massacre in the dining hall, was to cradle their heads without knowing how to interpret what they had seen... <br><br>\r\n「………熊沢さん、大丈夫……？ お茶飲む……？」 <br>\r\n\"......Kumasawa-san, are you okay...? Want some tea...?\" <br><br>\r\n「ほ、ほほほほほ…。ありがとうございますね、えぇ、ありがとうございます…。…申し訳ございませんが、しばらくそっとしていただけますか………。」 <br>\r\n\"H-Hohohohohoh... Thank you very much, thank you... ...I'm sorry, but may I be left with my thoughts for a little while......?\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞が気遣うが、熊沢は未だ混乱を拭えないようだった。 <br>\r\nMaria tried to be nice, but it seemed that Kumasawa still hadn't been able to clear away her confusion. <br><br>\r\n「……真里亞、気を遣ってくれてありがとうだぜ。熊沢さんは休ませてやってくれ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Maria, thanks for being so considerate. Let's let Kumasawa-san rest for now.\" <br><br>\r\n「……うー。」 <br>\r\n\"...Uu-.\" <br><br>\r\n朱志香も、惨劇の目撃にショックを受けているに違いないと熊沢を気遣うが、……熊沢が見てきた信じ難い光景にまでは、想像が及ぶわけもない…。 <br>\r\nJessica was also worried about the shock those two must have received after witnessing such a tragedy, ...but her wildest dreams couldn't even come close to the unbelievable scene Kumasawa had witnessed... <br><br>\r\nしかしそれでも、母を殺され、父が捕らわれの身になっている現状に、朱志香も落ち着けるわけがない。 <br>\r\nNevertheless, with her mother murdered and her father captured, it wasn't as though Jessica could stay calm either. <br><br>\r\n不安や悲しみを、金蔵に対する怒りで蓋をし、室内をいらいらと歩き回るのだった。 <br>\r\nShe sealed her anxiety and sadness using her anger towards Kinzo...and walked irritatedly around the room. <br><br>\r\n「…………熊沢さん。 <br>\r\n\"......Kumasawa-san, <br><br>\r\n母さんは本当に、………死んじゃったの？」 <br>\r\nis Mom really......dead?\" <br><br>\r\n「……え、えぇ……。……あんな酷い死に方を私は…、見たことがありませんとも……。」 <br>\r\n\"...Y-Yes... ...I've never seen such a...horrible way to die before...\" <br><br>\r\n「ひょっとするとまだ生きてて、 <br>\r\n………手当てをすれば助かるなんてことは、 <br>\r\n……ないんだよな……？」 <br>\r\n\"Is it possible that she's still alive... <br><br>\r\n...and that if we fix her up, <br><br>\r\n...we could save her...?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「………………………。……あ、………頭が、あんなことになって生きていられるわけが、………ありません……。」 <br>\r\n\"..................I-It's not possible for a person to have something like that done to their head......and live...\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。……そりゃそうだぜ…。……頭が砕けちまったら、 <br>\r\n……手当てなんて必要ねぇよな、普通……。」 <br>\r\n\".....................Yeah, you're right... ...There's no need for first aid... <br><br>\r\nonce your head's smashed, usually...\" <br><br>\r\nゲストハウスに飛び込んできた郷田は、興奮のあまり、食堂の虐殺を、包み隠さず全て話してしまった。 <br>\r\nWhen Gohda had come flying into the guesthouse, he had, overcome with agitation, told about the massacre in the dining hall without concealing anything. <br><br>\r\n……彼ら自身が未だ信じきれない、魔女や魔法の話だけは除いて。 <br>\r\n...Except for the part about witches and magic, which they themselves still couldn't believe. <br><br>\r\nそれはつまり、夏妃たちの無残な死に様さえ包み隠さず話してしまったということだ。 <br>\r\nIn other words, he hadn't even sugarcoated the cold-blooded way in which Natushi and the others had died. <br><br>\r\n……今さらではあるが、熊沢は、きっと自分たちは失言したに違いないと後悔していた……。 <br>\r\n...It was too late now, but Kumasawa regretted the fact that they'd obviously said too much... <br><br>\r\nしかし朱志香は、軽く小首を振りながら、苦々しくはあっても笑いながら言った。 <br>\r\nHowever, while lightly shaking her head and with a slightly painful laugh, Jessica spoke. <br><br>\r\n「……いや、むしろ話してくれたお陰で冷静になれたぜ。 <br>\r\n\"...Actually, thanks to what you told us, I was able to stay level-headed. <br><br>\r\n………頭を砕かれちまった、ってところを伏せられてたら、…私はひょっとすると生きてるかもしれないって言って、屋敷へ向かい祖父さまに出くわして、……ひょっとすると殺されてたかもしれない。……一抹の希望が、命取りになった可能性だってあるわけさ。………その意味では、感謝してるよ。」 <br>\r\n......If you'd avoided mentioning the part about her head being smashed, ...I would've thought she might still be alive. Then I would've run off towards the mansion, met Grandfather, ...and I might've gotten killed. ...That sliver of hope could've been fatal in the end. ......So I'm grateful.\" <br><br>\r\n「……本当に申し訳ございません……。言葉をあまりに選ばなかったことはお詫びします…。」 <br>\r\n\"...I'm truly sorry... I'm so sorry we didn't choose our words more carefully...\" <br><br>\r\n「今はいいよ。母さんはもうどうしようもないけど、……父さんはまだ生きてる。嘉音くんも紗音も、霧江叔母さんも南條先生もね。……何とか彼らを助けたいし、彼らに負担を掛けないためにも、余計なことをするべきではない。……電話の前で待機してることが、今は一番の協力になるかもしれないし。」 <br>\r\n\"Don't worry about that now. There's nothing we can do for Mom, ...but Dad's still alive. Kanon-kun and Shannon, and <NAME> and <NAME> too. ...I want to save them somehow, so we shouldn't do anything unnecessary that might make things worse for them. The most helpful thing we can do right now might be to wait by the phone.\" <br><br>\r\nひょっとすると、脱出のために陽動を掛けてくれ、という電話があるかもしれない。 <br>\r\nもしくは、所在がわかり、救出に来てくれという電話もあるかもしれない。 <br>\r\nThey might receive a phone call asking them to create a diversion while the others escaped. <br><br>\r\nOr, the others might discover their location and call for rescue. <br><br>\r\n……その時、迅速に行動するためにも、朱志香はここで待つことが、今できる唯一のことだと理解していた…。 <br>\r\n...Jessica understood that in order to act promptly when that time came, the only thing they could do for the time being was to wait in this room... <br><br>\r\n下の戸締りと確認を終えた、譲治、戦人、郷田の３人が戻ってくる。 <br>\r\n３人とも、手には色々と荷物を抱えていた。 <br>\r\nOnce they had finished inspecting the downstairs area and locking up, George, Battler, and Gohda returned. <br><br>\r\nEach was holding various objects. <br><br>\r\n譲治はラウンジや倉庫から見つけてきた、飲み物や缶詰、クラッカーなどの軽食、そして救急箱。 <br>\r\nGeorge had things like drinks, canned food, crackers, and other types of snacks he had found in the lounge and a storage room, as well as a first aid kit. <br><br>\r\n篭城する上で欠かせない消耗品ばかりだった。 <br>\r\nThey were all consumables that would be essential during a seige. <br><br>\r\n郷田は、大きな折りたたみ式の梯子と大工道具。 <br>\r\nGohda had a large folding ladder and carpentry tools. <br><br>\r\n万一の時は、扉を内側から打ち付けて封印するためだ。 <br>\r\n梯子は、その際に窓から脱出するためのものだ。 <br>\r\nThose were to seal the door from the inside, just in case. <br><br>\r\nIf it came to it, the ladder was for escaping out the window. <br><br>\r\n戦人は、刃物や棒物などの武器になるものを持ち込んだ。 <br>\r\nBattler had brought up objects that could be used as edged weapons or poles. <br><br>\r\n包丁は言うに及ばず、分解したテーブルの足は棍棒に使えるし、帽子スタンドを分解して作ったという身の丈ほどもありそうな棒は、穂先がないとはいえ、槍のように使えるに違いなかった。 <br>\r\nIn addition to the obvious kitchen knife, there was a dissembled table leg that could be used as a club...and a pole roughly the size of a person, which he'd apparently made by taking apart a hat stand. Even though the pole had no point, it could surely be used like a spear. <br><br>\r\n……相手が銃などで武装している可能性が高いため、役に立つかどうかは怪しい。 <br>\r\n...There was a good chance that their enemies had guns, so it was dubious whether these would be of any use. <br><br>\r\nしかしそれでもないよりはマシだし、それによって少しでも安心できるなら、精神安定効果も期待できるだろう。 <br>\r\nBut it was still better than not having them, and if having these could give them at least a little peace of mind, then they'd be useful for their calming effect. <br><br>\r\nそして、室内のベッドやソファーを立て掛け、扉を封鎖する。 <br>\r\nThen, the bed and sofa were placed up against the door, barricading it. <br><br>\r\n釘で打ちつけてまでは封印しない。 <br>\r\n……蔵臼たちが脱出し、合流してくる可能性も残っているからだ。 <br>\r\nThey didn't go so far as to seal it up with nails. <br><br>\r\n...There was still a chance that Krauss and the others would escape and come to meet up with them. <br><br>\r\n彼らは階段上にもバリケードを設けてきたらしい。 <br>\r\n賑やかに音がするように仕掛けをしたので、警報代わりにもなるという。 <br>\r\n戦人の発案らしかった。 <br>\r\nThey had apparently set up a barricade at top of the stairs as well. <br><br>\r\nIt had been set up in a way that would create a racket, so it would serve as a warning alarm as well. <br><br>\r\nThat had apparently been Battler's idea. <br><br>\r\nその為、テレビは消す。 <br>\r\n………１階のガラスを破られた時、その音がわかるように。 <br>\r\nFor that reason, they turned the TV off. <br><br>\r\n......This way, if the first floor window were to be broken, they would hear. <br><br>\r\nスイッチを切れば、あとは不気味な静寂。 <br>\r\nOnce the switch had been turned, all that was left was an eerie silence. <br><br>\r\n……暴れる雨と風の音。 <br>\r\nこんな、不安感で押し潰されそうな中で、今夜を過ごさねばならないというのだろうか。 <br>\r\n...The sound of violent wind and rain. <br><br>\r\nWere they going to have to spend the whole night being crushed by such suspense? <br><br>\r\n船が迎えに来るのは、明日の朝ということになっている。 <br>\r\nThe boat would come tomorrow morning. <br><br>\r\nしかし、天気予報を見る限り、明日いっぱいは台風で船は出せないだろう。 <br>\r\nHowever, judging by the weather report, most of tomorrow was going to be covered in the typhoon, and the boat probably wouldn't come. <br><br>\r\n……明後日の朝には台風は通過するとしている。 <br>\r\n...The typhoon was set to pass by in the morning of the day after tomorrow. <br><br>\r\nつまり、船がやってくるのは明後日の朝、……即ち、１０月６日の朝。 <br>\r\nIn other words, the boat would be arriving in the morning after next, ...the morning of October 6th. <br><br>\r\nそして今は、１０月４日の深夜。 <br>\r\nAnd right now, it was late at night on October 4th. <br><br>\r\n………殺人鬼と化した金蔵が、不気味な仲間を連れて徘徊するこの島で、彼らは３０時間以上を過ごさねばならないのだ……。 <br>\r\n......They would have to spend more than 30 hours on this island, with Kinzo turned cold-blooded murderer and his weird companions prowling about... <br><br>\r\n窓の鎧戸を閉めていても、きっと灯りはわずかに漏れている。 <br>\r\nここに隠れていると知らせているようなものかもしれない。 <br>\r\nEven with the shutters closed, there would definitely be a little bit of light seeping out. <br><br>\r\nIt might let the enemy know that they were hiding here. <br><br>\r\n……灯りも消すべきではないかと戦人は提案した。 <br>\r\n...Battler suggested that it might be best to turn off the lights. <br><br>\r\nしかし、テレビを切っただけで、これだけ不気味な気配に支配されてしまったのだ。 <br>\r\nBut they had already been overwhelmed by a ghastly feeling just from turning the TV off. <br><br>\r\n……その提案を真っ向から反対する者こそいなかったが、同意する者もまた、ひとりもいなかった………。 <br>\r\n...There wasn't anyone who directly challenged his proposal, but then again, there wasn't a single other person who agreed with it...... <br><br>\r\n「……うー。テレビ駄目なの？」 <br>\r\n\"...Uu-. We can't watch TV?\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ、悪いが我慢してくれ。……敵の侵入の音を聞き逃すわけにはいかない。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, sorry, but you'll have to bear with it. ...We can't just let the sound of the enemy breaking in slip by.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。……つまんない。」 <br>\r\n\"...............Boring.\" <br><br>\r\n母親が死んだことを伝えられているにもかかわらず、真里亞だけは、どこか危機感がない。 <br>\r\nテレビを消され、それを不満に思っているようだった。 <br>\r\nEven though she had been told of her mother's death, Maria alone didn't feel an approaching sense of danger. <br><br>\r\nShe just seemed to be upset that the TV had been turned off. <br><br>\r\n………このような異常事態を目の当たりにしていても、危機感を共有できないのだろうか？ <br>\r\n……幼いゆえに？ <br>\r\n......Even though she's in such a bizarre situation, can she not share in our sense of danger? <br><br>\r\n...Is it because she's so young? <br><br>\r\n幼子の、そんなわずかの違和感にさえ、今の戦人には、真里亞がとても不気味な存在に感じるのだった……。 <br>\r\nTo Battler, even this faintly unsettling feeling from such a young girl made him sense that there was something very eerie about Maria... <br><br>\r\n「とは言ったものの。………万策、尽きたわね。鉄格子は何とかなりそう？」 <br>\r\n\"That said, ......we've already done all we can. Do you think you'll be able to do anything about the bars?\" <br><br>\r\n「……残念だが、想像以上に堅牢だ。 <br>\r\n\"...Unfortunately, they're tougher than expected. <br><br>\r\nいつ頃に作られたものか知らんが、耐用年数も文句なし。実に優良な物件だよ。」 <br>\r\nI don't know when these were made, but there's no problem with their lifetime guarantee. These truly were built rather well.\" <br><br>\r\nくすくすと霧江は笑う。 <br>\r\n……打つ手なしの状況下ではあるが、少しだけ和んだ。 <br>\r\nKyrie chuckled softly. <br><br>\r\n...They had no moves they could make, but she had calmed just a little. <br><br>\r\n「……さながらここは、取られた駒を置く、駒置き場ですな。……打つ手は、もはやありませんか……。」 <br>\r\n\"...This place is just like the capture pile of a chess game. ...So, are there no remaining moves left to us...?\" <br><br>\r\n「まだよ。諦めるには早いわ。思考の停止は鼓動の停止に同じよ？」 <br>\r\n\"Not yet. It's still too early to give up. If we stop thinking, we might as well stop breathing, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「だな。……チェスの駒置き場に意味はないが、将棋ならば大きな意味を持つこともある。 <br>\r\n\"Exactly. ...Chess pieces in the capture pile may serve no purpose, but in shogi, they can be quite significant. <br><br>\r\n駒置き場の一枚の歩が、相手にプレッシャーを与えることだってあるはずだ。」 <br>\r\nJust one captured pawn should be able to put pressure on the opponent.\" <br><br>\r\n「なるほど…。しかし、この鉄格子はどうしようも……。」 <br>\r\n\"I see... But still, there's nothing that can be done about these bars...\" <br><br>\r\n「私たちにはね。………でも、ここの場所を特定し、郷田さんに連絡することが出来れば、助けに来てもらうことは出来るかも。」 <br>\r\n\"For us, maybe. ......But, if we can figure out where this is and contact Gohda-san, he might be able to come and save us.\" <br><br>\r\n「なるほど…。しかし、郷田さんに、危険を強いることになりますな……。 <br>\r\n\"I see... But that would mean putting Gohda-san in danger... <br><br>\r\nその場合、成人男性が不在になるゲストハウスのお子さんたちも不安です…。」 <br>\r\nAnd if that happens, I would also be worried about the children in the guesthouse, alone without a full-grown adult male...\" <br><br>\r\n「リスクを恐れるなら、事態が好転するまで塩漬けにするのも悪くない。 <br>\r\n\"When you're afraid of risk, it's all right to bide your time until the price starts to go up. <br><br>\r\n……もっとも、損切りを恐れれば、紙切れ同然になるかもしれんがね。……我々の命がだが。」 <br>\r\n...However, if you're too afraid to cut your losses, you might end up with just a scrap of paper. ...Though in this case, that represents our lives.\" <br><br>\r\n「親の沽券もね。……私たちで何とかするから大人しくしなさいって、偉そうに電話して、その舌の根も乾かない内に、助けを求めるなんて。実に格好悪いわね。くすくす。」 <br>\r\n\"And our dignity as parents, right? After talking big like that during the telephone call, telling them that they should behave because we'll manage something on our own, we can't just start asking for help right away. That would be very uncool. *giggle*.\" <br><br>\r\n「この期に及んでは、下らんプライドなどとっくに紙切れだ。 <br>\r\n\"By this point, I've long since thrown out such useless pride. <br><br>\r\n………知恵を絞ろうじゃないか。ここはどこなんだ？ 本当に食堂の真下なのだろうか？ それとも、屋敷とは異なる別の場所だろうか…？」 <br>\r\n......Why don't we put our heads together? Where is this? Is it really underneath the dining hall? Or else, is it a different place, separate from the mansion...?\" <br><br>\r\n蔵臼は、霧江と南條の３人で、今後のことを話し合うのだった。 <br>\r\nKrauss, Kyrie, and Nanjo began to discuss this further. <br><br>\r\n嘉音は鉄格子の前にしゃがみ、じっと気配をうかがっている。 <br>\r\nKanon was squatting by the bars, silently trying to sense anyone's presence. <br><br>\r\n……それを命じられたままだからだ。 <br>\r\n...Just as he had been ordered. <br><br>\r\n紗音もその傍らに来て、一緒にしゃがみ込むのだった。 <br>\r\nShannon came close to him, and they both squatted down together. <br><br>\r\n「…………気配は感じるの？」 <br>\r\n\"......Do you sense anyone?\" <br><br>\r\n「………うん。……こちらに意識は向けていないけれど、比較的近くに、誰かいる。」 <br>\r\n\"......Yes. ...They haven't focused their attention in this direction, but there's somebody relatively close by.\" <br><br>\r\n「それはニンゲン…？」 <br>\r\n\"Is it Human...?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………山羊たちだと思う。あいつらの吐息は、実に賑やかだよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......I think it's the goats. Their breathing is rather noisy.\" <br><br>\r\n嘉音の気配を察する力は、ニンゲンのそれをはるかに上回っている。 <br>\r\n嘉音は賑やかと称するが、蔵臼たちにはわずかほども気取れないだろう。 <br>\r\nKanon's ability to sense the presence of others was several levels above that of a Human. <br><br>\r\nHe said that their breathing was noisy, but Krauss and the rest couldn't even pick up the slightest hint of it. <br><br>\r\n……だからこそ、それを素直に報告したところで、彼らは嘉音の耳を疑うだけに違いない。 <br>\r\n...Therefore, if he had obediently reported it, they would have merely doubted Kanon's ears. <br><br>\r\n「……………捕まっちゃったね。」 <br>\r\n\".........They got us, didn't they?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。……珍しいよ。殺されないで、捕まるなんて。」 <br>\r\n\"...............It's rare. To think that they captured us without killing us.\" <br><br>\r\n「今回はベアトリーチェさまがお越しにならないし。お館様が書斎を出られるし。……何が何だかわかんないね…。」 <br>\r\n\"This time, Beatrice-sama didn't make an appearance. And the Master left his study. ...I don't have a clue what's going on...\" <br><br>\r\n「わかるさ。………何が起ころうと変わろうと、全てあの魔女の気まぐれと余興。結果は何も変わらないのさ。」 <br>\r\n\"I know. ......Whatever happens or changes, it's all for that witch's fickle entertainment. In the end, nothing will change.\" <br><br>\r\n「今回は黄金郷に、………行けるかな。」 <br>\r\n\"I wonder if we'll be able to......go to the Golden Land this time.\" <br><br>\r\n「さぁね。僕たちは脱落率が高いから。」 <br>\r\n\"Who knows. We have a high rate of losing.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………そう言えば、二人で第一の晩を生き延びたのって、ずいぶん珍しいね。……儀式が始まってるのに、こうして二人でお話できるなんて、何だかすごく珍しい気がする。」 <br>\r\n\"......Come to think of it, it's very rare for us to survive the first twilight together. ...I get the feeling that it's incredibly unusual for us to be able to talk together like this even though the ceremony has already begun.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうかもね。……でも、それもまた、魔女の余興だろうさ。僕たちがいつもすぐに脱落するから、今度は少し生き延びさせて、からかってやろうくらいにしか思ってないよ。」 <br>\r\n\"That may be. ...But even that's just for the witch's entertainment, I'll bet. I can't think of it as anything other than her letting us live just a little longer to ridicule us, since we usually drop out right in the beginning.\" <br><br>\r\n「また、………黄金郷には、辿り着けないのかな。」 <br>\r\n\"I wonder......if we'll be unable to reach the Golden Land again.\" <br><br>\r\n「どうせそうさ。……下手な期待を持つと、また付け込まれる。」 <br>\r\n\"I'm sure we won't make it there. ...If we hold onto any foolish hope, we'll get taken advantage of again.\" <br><br>\r\n「くす。そうだね。前回は嘉音くんが付け込まれたもんね。」 <br>\r\n\"*giggle* That's right. Last time, you got taken advantage of, didn't you?\" <br><br>\r\n「……僕は馬鹿だ。」 <br>\r\n\"...I'm an idiot.\" <br><br>\r\n嘉音は口を尖らせてそっぽを向く。 <br>\r\n紗音はくすりと笑い、謝るように肩を寄せた。 <br>\r\nKanon made a sour look and turned his head. <br><br>\r\nShannon laughed softly and apologetically leaned towards his shoulder. <br><br>\r\n「でも、……お嬢様が無事でよかったね。」 <br>\r\n\"But...I'm glad Milady is safe.\" <br><br>\r\n「……第一の晩を逃れただけさ。……それ以降の晩に、より無残な方法で殺されるのを待たされているだけかもしれない。 <br>\r\n\"...She's only escaped from the first twilight. ...She might just be waiting for an even crueler death later on. <br><br>\r\nそれを言ったら姉さんこそ。……譲治さまが無事でよかったじゃないか。二人で黄金郷に辿りつけるといいね。」 <br>\r\nWhat about you, Nee-san? ...Aren't you glad George-sama's safe? It'd be nice if you two could reach the Golden Land together.\" <br><br>\r\n「………ありがと。同じことを嘉音くんとお嬢様にも。」 <br>\r\n\"......Thank you. I wish the same for you and Milady as well.\" <br><br>\r\n「ぼ、僕は期待はしてないよ。………姉さんの言うとおりだ。あの魔女は、ご褒美をぶらさげて、相手が右往左往するのを見て楽しんでるだけなんだ。………どうせ誰も黄金郷に行けやしない。……僕がお嬢様と黄金郷に辿り着きたいと願ってしまったなら。………あいつはそれこそ面白がって、絶対に僕たちを辿り着かせたりはしないさ。」 <br>\r\n\"I-I wasn't hoping for anything like that. ...It's just as you say. That witch is only having fun, dangling prizes in front of people and watching them vainly try to get them. ......I'm sure no one will be able to go to the Golden Land. ...If I wish to reach the Golden Land with Milady, ...then that person will find it funny...and will certainly never let us reach that place.\" <br><br>\r\n「……そうだね。………ベアトリーチェさまは、より面白くなるように、生贄の順番を考えてる。」 <br>\r\n\"...You're right. ......Beatrice-sama is thinking about which order of sacrifices will be the most interesting.\" <br><br>\r\n「無作為に選んでるなんて、大嘘だ。あのペテン師魔女め…。……どうせ、黄金郷に辿り着けばあらゆる願いが叶うなんてのも、嘘っぱちに決まってる。」 <br>\r\n\"The whole thing about them being chosen at random is just a blatant lie. That swindling witch... ...All that about having any wish you want granted in the Golden Land is probably just a lie too.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………そんなことはないよ。黄金郷は、……素晴らしいところだよ。」 <br>\r\n\".........That's not true. The Golden Land is...a wonderful place.\" <br><br>\r\n「行ったことあるの？」 <br>\r\n\"Have you been there?\" <br><br>\r\n「………ちょっぴりだけね。それすらも、ベアトリーチェさまの戯れだったのだろうけど。」 <br>\r\n\"......Only for a little bit. Though, even that was probably just a joke of Beatrice-sama's.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………どんなとこなの、そこ。」 <br>\r\n\".........What's it like there?\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。………素晴らしいところだよ。…うまく説明できない。安らかな夢の中みたいな世界。」 <br>\r\n\"Well, ......it's a wonderful place. ...I can't really explain it well. It's like a world from a pleasant dream.\" <br><br>\r\n「薔薇が咲き乱れてて、美しい蝶が舞ってるような、極楽みたいな感じ？」 <br>\r\n\"A paradise-like place, with roses blooming all over and beautiful butterflies dancing about, or something like that?\" <br><br>\r\n「……そういう具体的なイメージのところじゃないの。本当に、夢の中みたいなところなの。そこにいる時は、とても穏やかで安らかで、……いつまでも眠ってることを許されてる、まるで休日の早朝のお布団の中みたいな感じ。 <br>\r\n\"...It's not a place with a tangible image like that. It's really like the inside of a dream. When you're there, it's very gentle, very peaceful, ...and you're allowed to sleep as long as you want, like when you wake up early on a day off, lying on a futon.\" <br><br>\r\n……カーテンの隙間から日が差してきて、そろそろ起きないと、と思うんだけど、今日は休日だから起きなくてもいいんだって気付いて、もう一回お布団の中に潜り込む時みたいな、そんな気持ちになれる場所。」 <br>\r\n\"...Sunlight comes in through the cracks in the curtains, and you think you'll have to wake up soon, but then you realize it's your day off, and you can go back to sleep... It's a place where you can feel like that.\" <br><br>\r\n「僕なら損したと思うな。休日なのに勘違いして起き出すなんて、姉さんくらいだ。………それで？」 <br>\r\n\"I think it'd be wasted on me. Waking up on accident even though it's your day off is something only you would do, Nee-san. ......So?\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。そこにいた時はね、満たされてて、とても穏やかだった。でも、元の世界に戻ってくると、つい直前までそこにいたはずなのに、うまく思い出すことが出来ないの。 <br>\r\n\"Well, when I was there, it was very satisfying and very calm. When I returned to this world, even though I had just been there a second ago, I couldn't remember it well. <br><br>\r\nついさっきまで見ていた夢が思い出せないのに良く似てる。…でも、とっても穏やかで静かな世界だったことだけは覚えてるの。」 <br>\r\nIt's like when you can't remember a dream you were just having. ...But I still remember that it was a very calm and quiet world.\" <br><br>\r\n「………それだけ？ 何だ、あいつが偉そうに言う黄金郷なんて、大したことないな。……何でも願いが叶う場所だと思ってたのに。」 <br>\r\n\"......That's it? What the heck, that Golden Land she's always bragging about isn't anything great at all. ...I thought it was a place where all your wishes come true.\" <br><br>\r\n「その通りだよ。何でも願いが叶う場所。………少し違うかもしれない。何も願わなくてもいい場所、が正解かもしれないね。 <br>\r\n\"That's right. It's a place where all your wishes will be granted. ......Well, maybe that's not quite it. It might be better to say it's a place where you won't wish for anything.\" <br><br>\r\n……例えば嘉音くんが、寒くて上着が欲しいと願った時、上着をもらえればとても幸せなことだけど、そもそも温かい部屋にいられたなら、上着が欲しいなんて願う必要さえもないでしょ？ <br>\r\n\"...For example, Kanon-kun, if you were cold and wished you had a jacket, you'd be happy to be given one, but if you were in a warm room to begin with, there wouldn't even be a reason to want a jacket, right?\" <br><br>\r\n……黄金郷はそういうところなの。大抵の願いは、願う必要さえなくなる。全てから解放された、何もかもが穏やかな世界なの。 <br>\r\n\"...That's what the Golden Land is like. There's no need to even wish for most wishes. It's a world where everything is calm.\" <br><br>\r\n与えられて幸せ、という概念さえも超越した、全てから解放された世界とでも言えばいいのかな。」 <br>\r\n\"You could even say it's a place that transcends the concept that having your wishes granted will bring happiness, ...a world released from everything.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。……何だか宗教っぽい世界だな。」 <br>\r\n\"...............It sounds somewhat like a religious world.\" <br><br>\r\n「そして、そこでは全てが平等なの。意思ある存在は全てが平等。……ニンゲンも家具も魔女もない。……そこでの私は誰とも対等で公平。もう家具だからと、何も自分を恥じる必要がない。 <br>\r\n\"And there, everything is equal. Anything that can think is equal. ...There are no Humans, furniture, nor witches. ...There, I was equal to everyone. There was no longer any need to feel ashamed that I was furniture.\" <br><br>\r\n………全てのニンゲンとも、そして魔女とさえ対等な、本当に幸せな世界だったの。うまく思い出せないけど、そこでは私、ベアトリーチェさまとさえ対等な関係で、良い友達でいられた気がする。」 <br>\r\n\"......It was honestly a happy world where all Humans, and even witches, were equal. I can't really remember it well, but I have the feeling that when I was there, I was equal even to Beatrice-sama, and we were good friends.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………あの魔女がいるなら、ろくな理想郷じゃないよ。 <br>\r\n\"......If that witch is there, it can't be much of a paradise. <br><br>\r\n………で、その幸せな黄金郷に、姉さんは譲治さまと一緒に行きたいわけだ。おかしな話だね。黄金郷は全てが満ち足りた理想郷なわけでしょ？ 譲治さまがいなくても、充分に満たされてそうだけど？」 <br>\r\n......So, you want to go to that Golden Land with George-sama. How strange. The Golden Land is a utopia where you can be pleased with everything, right? Wouldn't you be content even if George-sama wasn't there?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。…黄金郷はね、とても穏やかで安らかで全てが対等で公平だけれど。……幸せだけ、実は抜けてるの。」 <br>\r\n\"...............The Golden Land is very calm, peaceful, and everything is equal. ...But actually, happiness alone is left out.\" <br><br>\r\n「幸せな世界じゃないの？」 <br>\r\n\"It isn't a happy world?\" <br><br>\r\n「もちろん、安らかで穏やかで公平というだけですごい幸せな世界だよ。……でも、それは例えるなら、全ての悩みというマイナスから解放されたゼロの世界なの。人の世はマイナスで満ちてるから、もちろんゼロというのはものすごい幸福なわけだけど、……それでもゼロなの。くす、贅沢だよね。 <br>\r\n\"Of course, just by being peaceful, calm, and equal, it's an incredibly happy world. ...But I guess you could say that it's a world of zero, where you're released from all negative worries. The human world is filled with negatives, so of course a zero world is incredibly happy, ...but it's still zero. *giggle* What a luxurious problem to have.\" <br><br>\r\n……それはこういう感じ。穏やかな休日の朝のまどろみの時。……最愛の人も隣にいてくれて、手を握っててくれたなら、もっともっと、素敵な幸せになれる、………みたいな。…ごめん、姉さんは例えが下手くそだね、馬鹿だから。」 <br>\r\n\"...It's something like this. When you're nodding off on your quiet holiday morning, ...if the person you love the most is next to you and holding your hand, then it can become an even greater, more wonderful happiness, ...something like that. ...Sorry, your Nee-san is too dumb to be any good at analogies.\" <br><br>\r\n「……つまり。姉さんにとっての最高の幸せとは、譲治さまと一緒にその世界に辿り着くこと、ってわけだ。」 <br>\r\n\"...In other words, to you, the greatest happiness would be reaching that world together with George-sama.\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。そしてきっと、嘉音くんにとっては、お嬢様と一緒にその世界に辿り着くことだよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes. And surely, for you, it would be reaching that world together with Milady.\" <br><br>\r\n「公平な世界で、二人は悩みから解放され…？ ………何だかおかしな宗教を吹き込まれてるみたいだ。 <br>\r\n\"We'll be released from our worries in a fair world...? ......It's like some kind of strange religion. <br><br>\r\n僕はもっとこう、俗物的な。……魔法の薬を与えられると、ニンゲンに生まれ変われるとか、そういう感じの世界を想像してたよ。」 <br>\r\nI'm more worldly-minded. I imagined a world where we would be given some magic medicine, and we could be reborn as Humans, or something more like that.\" <br><br>\r\n「………行けばわかるよ。ベアトリーチェさまが本当に気まぐれな方なら、いつかきっと、嘉音くんにも垣間見させてくれるに違いない。……そうすれば、姉さんの例えがよくわかるようになるから。」 <br>\r\n\"......If you go, you'll understand. If Beatrice-sama really is a fickle person, then surely some day, she'll let you get a glimpse of it too. ...If so, then you'll be able to understand my analogy.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………………。ま、過剰な期待はしないことにしとくよ。……いずれにせよ、今回の僕たちはこれでゲームオーバーみたいだし。別の機会に期待するさ。」 <br>\r\n\"..................Well, I'm not holding my breath. ...At any rate, it seems like game over for us this time already. I'll hope for another chance.\" <br><br>\r\n「……そうだね。おかしな期待を持つと、ベアトリーチェさまにまた付け込まれる。………何も考えず、ただ運命に身を任せるのが、私たちには一番かもしれない。」 <br>\r\n\"...You're right. If we cling to any overambitious hopes, Beatrice-sama will take advantage of us. ...It might be best to just stop thinking...and let fate take care of us.\" <br><br>\r\n「………僕たちはただ、チェスの駒であればいいんだ。……何を考えても考えなくても、どうせ魔女のチェス盤からは逃れられない。後のお役目は、どういびり殺されるか、ただ待つことだけさ。……そんな僕らに、黄金郷の夢なんて虚しすぎる。」 <br>\r\n\"......We can just be simple chess pieces. ...No matter what we think or don't think, we can't escape from the witch's chessboard. Our role is now just to wait and see how we'll be tortured to death. ...For us, the dream of the Golden Land is too empty.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………そう、…だね。……ごめん……。」 <br>\r\n\".........You're...right. ...Sorry...\" <br><br>\r\n嘉音は肩を竦め、お役目の邪魔だからそっとしておいてくれと言い放ち、紗音を遠ざける。 <br>\r\nKanon shrugged his shoulders, then told Shannon to leave him alone because she was in the way of his duty, distancing himself from her. <br><br>\r\n紗音は、不適当な話題を口にして、かえって嘉音を傷つけてしまった自分の浅はかさに気付き、俯いて下唇を噛むのだった…。 <br>\r\nRealizing her thoughtlessness in bringing up such an inappropriate topic and instead hurting Kanon, Shannon bit her lower lip and stared at the ground... <br><br>\r\n紗音もそれ以上はしつこくしない。 <br>\r\nひとり壁際に行き、しゃがみ込んだ。 <br>\r\nShannon wouldn't bother him any more. <br><br>\r\nShe went off and crouched down in a corner by herself. <br><br>\r\n「…………………ん、」 <br>\r\n\"............Nn-\" <br><br>\r\nその時、嘉音がぴくりと反応する。 <br>\r\n微かな物音に反応する猫の耳みたいだった。 <br>\r\nAt that moment, Kanon perked up. <br><br>\r\nIt was like the ears of a cat when it reacts to a strange sound. <br><br>\r\n「どうしたの。」 <br>\r\n\"What's wrong?\" <br><br>\r\n「……しっ。 <br>\r\n\"...Shh. <br><br>\r\n………旦那様、誰か来ます。」 <br>\r\n......Krauss-sama, someone's coming.\" <br><br>\r\n「何！」 <br>\r\n\"What?!\" <br><br>\r\n蔵臼たちは会話を止め、耳を澄ます。 <br>\r\nThey ended their conversation and strained their ears. <br><br>\r\n……しばらくの間、何も聞こえなかったが、やがて、ぞろぞろという複数の人間が歩く気配が聞こえるようになる…。 <br>\r\n...For a while, they couldn't hear anything, but eventually, they were able to hear the shuffling sounds of a large group of people walking... <br><br>\r\n「……おいでなすったわね。」 <br>\r\n\"...So they've come.\" <br><br>\r\n「年貢の納め時か、さもなくば、最初で最後のチャンスか。」 <br>\r\n\"Time to pay the piper, or perhaps this is our first and last chance.\" <br><br>\r\n「………私が金蔵さんと話しましょう。…何とか、ここの場所を聞き出してみます。」 <br>\r\n\"......I shall talk to Kinzo-san. ...I will try to somehow find out where this place is.\" <br><br>\r\n「期待してるわ。 <br>\r\n\"We're counting on you. <br><br>\r\n………………………。」 <br>\r\n...............\" <br><br>\r\n霧江は、さっきのゲストハウスの電話で、向こうの時間を聞いていた。 <br>\r\nDuring the last phone call, Kyrie had asked what the time over at the guesthouse was. <br><br>\r\n……すると、霧江の時計と同じで、その結果、彼女らの時計は巻き戻されていないことがわかったのだ。 <br>\r\n...By doing that, Kyrie had learned that it was the same as her watch, and she had learned that their watches hadn't been set back. <br><br>\r\nゲストハウスの壁掛け時計だけではない。 <br>\r\n譲治や郷田などの複数人の時計とも一致した。 <br>\r\nIt wasn't just the clocks on the walls in the guesthouse. <br><br>\r\nSeveral people's watches, including George's and Gohda's, had matched. <br><br>\r\n……だとすると自分たちは、食堂での虐殺から、ほんの数分ほどでこの地下牢に移されていることになる。 <br>\r\n...If that was the case, then it had only been a few minutes between the time of the massacre in the dining hall and the time they had been transported to the dungeon. <br><br>\r\n昏倒させてから運び出すほどの時間は経過していない。 <br>\r\nNot enough time had passed for them to be knocked out and carried away. <br><br>\r\nならばやはり、あれは落とし穴で、ここは食堂の真下なのだろうか……？ <br>\r\n南條がうまくこの場所を聞き出せることを祈るしかない…。 <br>\r\nThen were those really pitfalls, meaning that this was the area directly under the dining hall...? <br><br>\r\nAll that they could do was pray that Nanjo could find out where this was... <br><br>\r\n「……来ます。多分、人数は４人。……お館様、並びに食堂に姿を現したうちの３人かと。」 <br>\r\n\"...They're coming. There's probably...four people. ...The Master...and three of those who appeared in the dining hall.\" <br><br>\r\n「もう充分だ。君も後に下がりたまえ。あとは私たちで応対する。」 <br>\r\n\"That's enough. You come back here as well. We'll deal with the rest.\" <br><br>\r\n「紗音ちゃん、申し訳ないけど、電話のところに座ってもらえる？ スカートで電話を隠して。」 <br>\r\n\"Shannon-chan, sorry, but can I have you sit by the phone? Hide it with your skirt.\" <br><br>\r\n「あ、……はい…！」 <br>\r\n\"Ah, ...yes...!\" <br><br>\r\nぞろぞろとした気配が近付き、……廊下の向こうで重い扉が開けられる音がする。 <br>\r\nThe shuffling came close, ...and there was the sound of a large door being opened in the hallway. <br><br>\r\nそして彼らが持つらしい光源が、薄暗い廊下を照らし出し、カミソリのように鋭い影で壁を撫で回した。 <br>\r\nThe light they were apparently carrying illuminated the hall, stroking the walls with sharp, razor-like shadows. <br><br>\r\nそして、彼らの持つランタンの灯りが、鉄格子越しに蔵臼たちを照らし出す。 <br>\r\n……鉄格子の鋭い影が彼らを縦に微塵切りにする。 <br>\r\nAnd then, the light from the lantern they held illuminated the prisoners through the bars. <br><br>\r\n...The bars' sharp shadows divided them up lengthwise. <br><br>\r\n人影は４人。 <br>\r\n………金蔵と、…………ロノウェ、ワルギリア、ガァプだった。 <br>\r\nThere were four silhouettes. <br><br>\r\n......It was Kinzo, ......Ronove, Virgilia, and Gaap. <br><br>\r\n「右代宮家当主、ゴールドスミス卿の御成りでございます。皆様、ご静粛に。」 <br>\r\n\"Silence, everyone. Please welcome the Head of the Ushiromiya family, Lord Goldsmith.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………ゴールドスミス？」 <br>\r\n\"......Goldsmith?\" <br><br>\r\n「親父殿のペンネームだ。怪しげな魔導書を書く時、そういう名を署名しているようだ。」 <br>\r\n\"It's Father's pen name. It seems he always signs with it when writing those bizarre grimoires.\" <br><br>\r\n「金蔵を英語風に？ それならゴールドウェアハウスが正しいんじゃないの？」 <br>\r\n\"`Kinzo' made English-style? Shouldn't that be Gold Warehouse?\" <br><br>\r\n「………はっははははははははは。ウェアハウスは倉庫、ただ溜め込むに過ぎぬ。しかし私は金を生み出し、細工し、さらに価値を高めるのだ。スミスの方がより相応しいと思わんかね？」 <br>\r\n\"......Hahhahahahahahahahahaha. What more is a warehouse than a place to keep things in? However, I give birth to gold and use my craftsmanship to further increase its worth. Don't you think `smith' is much more fitting?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………確かに。無駄口を失礼しました。」 <br>\r\n\"......True enough. I apologize for butting in.\" <br><br>\r\n「金蔵さん……。……これは、どういうことなんだね？ ここは一体どこなんだ…。」 <br>\r\n\"Kinzo-san, ...just what is going on? Where in the world is this...?\" <br><br>\r\n「おや、我が友よ。思い出せんかね？ <br>\r\n\"Oh, my friend, can't you remember? <br><br>\r\nさすがにその牢の中に入った経験はないだろうが、この廊下を歩いた記憶はあるはずだ。」 <br>\r\nTrue, you may have never entered the prison, but you should remember walking through this corridor.\" <br><br>\r\n「………え、 <br>\r\n…………え？ ……………ま、まさか………、」 <br>\r\n\"......Huh, <br><br>\r\n......huh? ......Y-You don't mean......\" <br><br>\r\n「……心当たりがあるの？」 <br>\r\n\"...Do you have an idea?\" <br><br>\r\n「いやしかし、………考えられない。 <br>\r\n\"But, well, ......it is unthinkable. <br><br>\r\n……第一、私たちは落とし穴に落ち、しかも、ほんの数分でここに閉じ込められたのですぞ…。……そんなことは、物理的に、距離的にありえない……。」 <br>\r\n...Firstly, we fell through a pitfall and were locked up in here after only a few minutes... ...Not only is the distance too great, that's physically impossible...\" <br><br>\r\n「ニンゲンにはね？ くすり。」 <br>\r\n\"For a Human, right? *giggle*.\" <br><br>\r\n「お父さん…、ここは屋敷ですか？ 屋敷にこんな地下があったとは……。」 <br>\r\n\"Father, ...is this the mansion? To think that the mansion had a basement like this...\" <br><br>\r\n「蔵臼ぅ。お前たちがその存在を囁き、何度か私の後を付け回して探ろうともしたではないか。 <br>\r\n\"Krauuss, wasn't there a place whose existence you all whispered of, and which you followed after me several times trying to find? <br><br>\r\n………それがここだよ。いや、正確には、そこの地下、というべきか。くっくっくっく…！」 <br>\r\n......This is that place. No, to be correct, this is its basement. *cackle*cackle*...!\" <br><br>\r\n「まさかここは、…………九羽鳥庵の、 <br>\r\n……地下ですか……！」 <br>\r\n\"Could this place be......the basement... <br><br>\r\n...of Kuwadorian...?!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「……ご賢察のとおりです。こちらは九羽鳥庵の地下でございます。」 <br>\r\n\"...A splendid observation. This is indeed the basement of Kuwadorian.\" <br><br>\r\n「九羽鳥庵……。……まさか、…噂の、親父殿の隠し屋敷なのか……。本当に実在したのか……。」 <br>\r\n\"Kuwadorian... ...You don't mean...Father's rumored hidden mansion...? It really exists...?\" <br><br>\r\n「我が最愛の魔女、ベアトリーチェのためだけに建立した屋敷である。地上部分は美しき上品な屋敷なのであるが、そこを案内できず、実に残念に思うぞ。」 <br>\r\n\"This mansion was constructed for the sole use of my beloved witch, Beatrice. It's truly a shame that I cannot guide you to the above-ground sections, as it is such a beautiful and elegant mansion.\" <br><br>\r\n「………こんな牢屋があるお屋敷で二人きりなんて素敵ね。 <br>\r\n\"......How lovely, just the two of them alone in a mansion with a prison like this. <br><br>\r\nどうもお父様とは性癖が合わないみたいよ。」 <br>\r\nI guess Father's tastes are a bit more than I can stomach.\" <br><br>\r\n「……霧江さん。……無礼な発言はお控えになった方が賢明ですよ？」 <br>\r\n\"...Kyrie-san, ...perhaps it would be wiser to refrain from such rude comments.\" <br><br>\r\n「くすくす。でも同感よ。……私も、贈られた屋敷にこんな地下牢があったら、百年の恋も醒めて、金目の物だけ頂いてトンズラするわ。」 <br>\r\n\"*giggle* But I agree. ...If a mansion I was given had this kind of dungeon in it, that'd shake me out of even a century-long love, and I'd take anything of value and run.\" <br><br>\r\n「ぷっくっく。おや、そういうご趣味はございませんか。 <br>\r\n\"Pu ku ku. Oh my, so you don't have an interest in this kind of thing? <br><br>\r\nてっきりキュンキュンしちゃうとばかり。」 <br>\r\nAnd here I was thinking you went head over heels for it.\" <br><br>\r\n「うふふ。………もちろんキュンキュンしちゃうわよ。誕生日のプレゼントに首輪なんかもらっちゃったりしたらね。 <br>\r\n\"Heheh. ......Of course I go head over heels. Like if I get a collar or something for a birthday present. <br><br>\r\n……ただしイケメンに限るっ。」 <br>\r\n...But only if he's hot.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「ぷーっくっくっくっく！」 <br>\r\n\"Pu ku ku ku ku!\" <br><br>\r\n「お静かに！ ……首輪より猿ぐつわが必要ですか？」 <br>\r\n\"Silence! ...Perhaps you could use a gag more than a collar right now.\" <br><br>\r\n「あら、あなたはそっちもイケちゃうの？ リーアって好き嫌い無いのね。くすくす……。」 <br>\r\n\"Oh, you have an interest in that too? You sure aren't picky, Lia. *giggle*...\" <br><br>\r\n「か、勝手に人の名前を略さないで下さい…！」 <br>\r\n\"D-Don't just go around shortening people's names on your own...!\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇい、やかましいぞ、女たち！ お前たちも同じ牢に閉じ込められたいと言うのか？」 <br>\r\n\"Enough, you noisy women! Are you telling me you'd like to be locked up in the same cell?\" <br><br>\r\n「こ、これは失礼いたしました、お館様…。この老体に、このような寒い牢獄では身が持ちませぬ…。」 <br>\r\n\"I-I apologize, Master... This old body of mine would not be able to stand such a cold prison...\" <br><br>\r\nワルギリアはすぐに謝罪するが、ガァプはロノウェと一緒にそれをくすくす笑う。 <br>\r\nVirgilia quickly apologized, but Gaap and Ronove merely laughed together. <br><br>\r\nまるで、自分だけは捕らわれない、あるいは、捕らえられようとも無意味であるとでも言わんばかりだった……。 <br>\r\nIt was like they thought they alone couldn't be imprisoned, or else, that even if someone tried to imprison them, it would be pointless... <br><br>\r\n「牢とは、捕らえ逃がさぬこと。それは即ち、生涯手放さぬとの強い意志と愛である。逃げても諦められる程度の女ならば、愛を語るに値しない。 <br>\r\n\"A prison is a place from which the captured cannot escape. That implies a strong will and love to not let them go for a lifetime. It's not even worth speaking of love to a woman you could give up on if she ran away.\" <br><br>\r\n鎖で縛ってでも逃したくないと思うほどに狂おしくなる女。そこまでに至ってこそ、我が生涯を捧げるに値する愛である。………お前にそれをわかれとは言わぬよ。」 <br>\r\n\"A woman who makes you so insane that you don't want to let her escape, to the point of binding her in chains... Because she was worthy of that, she was a love worth sacrificing my life for. ......I will not ask you to understand.\" <br><br>\r\n「………私は誰にも縛れない、縛られない。愛されたいんじゃないの、愛したいの。 <br>\r\n\"......No one can bind me, I will not be bound. I don't want to be loved, I want to love. <br><br>\r\n私もゴールドスミスと同じよ。だからよくわかるわ、あなたの愛の狂気。」 <br>\r\nI feel the same as Goldsmith. That's why I understand the madness of your love.\" <br><br>\r\n「愛と狂気は紙一重、というわけかね。実に傍迷惑な話だ。」 <br>\r\n\"Love and madness are two sides of the same coin, or so they say. How bothersome.\" <br><br>\r\n「………しかし、あっさり所在地がわかったのは大きいわ。 <br>\r\n\"......But learning where we are so easily was a big step. <br><br>\r\n詳しい経緯は後で聞くけど、南條先生はここをご存知なのね？」 <br>\r\nWe'll ask the details later, but it seems you know about this place, ...right, Doctor Nanjo?\" <br><br>\r\n「は、はい……。……そこの廊下が九羽鳥庵の地下通路ならば、………あの先をまっすぐ行けば、長い地下道になり、 <br>\r\n……それをずっと歩けば屋敷に戻れるはずだ。」 <br>\r\n\"Y-Yes... ...If that hallway is the underground passage beneath Kuwadorian, ...then if we go straight down it, it will become a long tunnel, <br><br>\r\n...and if we stay on that, we should be able to return to the mansion.\" <br><br>\r\n「……この鉄格子さえ何とかできれば、屋敷に帰れるってことね。」 <br>\r\n\"...Then if we could just do something about these bars, we could go home.\" <br><br>\r\n「お父さん…。私たちをどうするつもりですか。」 <br>\r\n\"Father... What are you planning to do with us?\" <br><br>\r\n「すでに宣告したとおり、お前たちは後の晩のための生贄である。都合よく人数も５人。抉りて殺す５人の人質にぴったりであろう。」 <br>\r\n\"As I have already declared, you will become sacrifices for the later twilights. There are conveniently five people here. Exactly enough hostages for the five gougings.\" <br><br>\r\n「……なるほど。…私たちも、年貢の納め時というわけですか。」 <br>\r\n\"...I see. ...Then it's time for us to pay the piper?\" <br><br>\r\n「やがてはな。だが今はそのために訪れたのではない、安心せよ。 <br>\r\n\"Eventually. That's not why I've come to visit you this time, so relax. <br><br>\r\nそれに、言ったはずだ。……もしも孫たちの誰かが、我が全てを継承するに相応しいと認められたなら、この儀式は中断する。つまり、お前たちは命拾いをするというわけだ。」 <br>\r\nBesides, I believe I have said it already. ...If one of my grandchildren is deemed suitable to inherent everything from me, then the ceremony will be called off. In other words, your lives will be spared.\" <br><br>\r\n「……お、お子さんたちに、何をするつもりですか。」 <br>\r\n\"...Wh-What are you planning to do to the children?\" <br><br>\r\n「次期当主に相応しいかどうか。テストを与える。その結果、私を唸らせる者が一人でもいたならば、儀式は中断する。」 <br>\r\n\"I shall give them a test. A test to see if they are suitable to be the Successor or not. If even one of them can surprise me, I'll call the ceremony off.\" <br><br>\r\n「………相応しい者がいなかったら、 <br>\r\n……子どもたちはどうするつもりですか。」 <br>\r\n\"......And if there isn't anyone suitable, <br><br>\r\n...what are you planning on doing with the children?\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくくくくく！ それを心配する必要はない。どうせ先に生贄とされるのはお前たちだ。その後のことなど、知ったことではなかろうに。お前たちは、自らの命運を自らの子どもたちに委ねるのだ。……お前たちが生み、教え、育ててきた結晶が子どもたちだ。お前たちの命運を委ねるに実に相応しい存在のはず…！ くっくくくく！ そう心配そうな顔をするなよ蔵臼ぅ…。お前の自慢の、百億の価値のある娘を信じろよぉ。ふっふふふ、ふっははははははははは…！！」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*cackle*! There's no need to worry about that. After all, you all will be sacrificed first. How could anything that happens after that concern you? Entrust your fates to your own children. ...Your children, the embodiment of what you've born, taught and raised. They should be the most suitable ones for you to entrust with your fate...! *cackle*cackle*! Don't look so worried, Kraaauss... Believe in the daughter that you brag is worth ten billion yen. Hehheheh, hehhahahahahaha...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「………まったくね。 <br>\r\n\"......Exactly. <br><br>\r\n子どもは親の結晶よ。親の命運を預けるに相応しいわ。お父様にとってもね？」 <br>\r\nChildren are the embodiment of their parents. It's fitting that we put our fates in their hands. That applies even to you, Father, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「……ふっ、はっははははははは！ 肝の据わった女だ、留弗夫にはもったいない！ わっははははははは…！！」 <br>\r\n\"...Hmph, hahhahahaha! This girl has guts, what a waste on Rudolf! Wahhahahahaha...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…霧江さん、……あまり挑発しない方がいい。」 <br>\r\n\"...Kyrie-san, ...it would be best not to aggravate him too much.\" <br><br>\r\n「同感だ。今は耐えよう……。」 <br>\r\n\"I agree. Let's bear with it for now...\" <br><br>\r\n「そうね…。……どうせ私たちはまな板の上の鯉よ。今さら、何も出来やしない。」 <br>\r\n\"That's right... ...After all, we're just fish on the chopping board. There's nothing we can do now.\" <br><br>\r\n「私に対し威勢のいい口を叩くことは出来るがな。嫌いではないぞ、そういう女はァ？ ベアトリーチェも初めはそういう女だった。くっくっくくくくくく！！」 <br>\r\n\"Hah, though you can insult me with such vigor. I don't dislike that kind of woman, see? Beatrice was like that too, in the beginning. *cackle*cackle*cackle*!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………お館様。そろそろ本題を。さっきから脱線しまくりです。」 <br>\r\n\"......Master, perhaps we should get back to the main topic. We've been off track for a while now.\" <br><br>\r\n「おお、そうであったな、すまぬすまぬ我が友よ。それでは本題に入ろう。その為に電話を用意しておいたのだ。 <br>\r\n\"Ah yes, there was that. Sorry, sorry, my friend. Well then, back to the main event. For that, I've prepared a phone. <br><br>\r\n……紗音、知恵が回るな。もう隠さなくても良いぞ。それは私が用意させたのだ。くっくっくっく…！」 <br>\r\n...Shannon, how clever of you. You don't have to hide it any longer. That's something I arranged for. *cackle*cackle*...!\" <br><br>\r\n「し、失礼いたしました……。」 <br>\r\n\"M-My apologies...\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n紗音がそそくさと退くと、電話機が照らし出される…。 <br>\r\nShannon quickly withdrew herself, and the telephone was revealed... <br><br>\r\n「蔵臼よ。ゲストハウスの孫たちに電話を掛けるが良い。そして我がテストを、試練の始まりを彼らに告げるのだ。」 <br>\r\n\"Krauss, call the grandchildren in the guesthouse. Tell them of the test...and of the start of my trial.\" <br><br>\r\nロノウェが、どうぞとでも言うような仕草で、蔵臼に受話器を取るよう促す。 <br>\r\nRonove motioned for Krauss to pick up the receiver. <br><br>\r\n「……………嫌だと言ったら？」 <br>\r\n\".........And if I say no?\" <br><br>\r\n「ほほぅ、取引の余地がどこにあるというのか。お前が電話をせぬというなら、孫たちにはチャンスさえも与えぬ。 <br>\r\n\"Hohoh, and why do you think you're in a position to negotiate? If you don't make the call, then the grandchildren won't even be given a chance. <br><br>\r\n右代宮家はこれにて終わり。お前たちは直ちに生贄だッ！！」 <br>\r\nThe Ushiromiya family will end here. And I'll sacrifice you all right away!!\" <br><br>\r\n「直ちに生贄なら幸運よ。 <br>\r\n\"You'd be lucky to become sacrifices right away. <br><br>\r\n……あなたたちの眼前で、子どもたちを先に生贄にされた方が辛いと思うけれど…？」 <br>\r\n...Don't you think it'd be more painful to watch the children get sacrificed first, before your very eyes...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……ガ、ァプ。生贄の順番はお館様が決めます。勝手なことを言わないように。」 <br>\r\n\"...Ga...ap. The Master is the one who decides the sacrifice order. Don't say things on your own.\" <br><br>\r\n「リーア、今、私の名前を縮めようとして詰まったでしょ。」 <br>\r\n\"Lia, you just tried to shorten my name, didn't you?\" <br><br>\r\n「しっ、してません！ <br>\r\n\"I-I did not! <br><br>\r\nだから勝手に人の名前を略さないようにっ…！」 <br>\r\nAnd I told you not to shorten other people's names on your own...!\" <br><br>\r\n「……女は実に。」 <br>\r\n\"...Women truly are...\" <br><br>\r\n「姦しいですな。ぷっくっく！」 <br>\r\n\"Noisy. Pu ku ku!\" <br><br>\r\nかつて、南條が開業し、その息子に引き継いだ診療所は、今も新島に存在している。 <br>\r\nThe clinic that Nanjo had opened and later passed on to his son still existed on Niijima. <br><br>\r\n高齢の医師は、南條の息子ではあったが、その雰囲気はあまり似つかなかった。 <br>\r\nThis aged doctor was Nanjo's son, but the atmosphere about him was very different. <br><br>\r\n「わざわざお越し下さり、誠に申し訳ないのですが、特にお話することはありません。」 <br>\r\n\"I am truly sorry to say this after you have come all this way, but I have nothing in particular to tell you.\" <br><br>\r\n南條の息子は、とても淡白にそう言い放った。 <br>\r\nNanjo's son said that very indifferently. <br><br>\r\n「……あの島の事故が、民放で非常に不謹慎に取り上げられて以来、右代宮氏の主治医であり、友人でもあった父にも、大変心外な関心が多数寄せられました。そのいずれもが何の根拠もなく、また、父のそれまでの業績を汚すものでした。私はそれら全てについて、未だに強く憤慨しています。」 <br>\r\n\"...After the accident on that island was taken up by the broadcasts in a most indiscreet manner, even my father, who was Mr. Ushiromiya's doctor and friend, was focused upon by many with a wholly regrettable interest. All of it was without proof, and they even managed to defile all of my father's previous achievements. I still feel a great deal of resentment because of that.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………無理もないことと思います。私も同じようなものですので。私など、６つの時から延々です。」 <br>\r\n\"......I think that's understandable. The same thing happened to me. I had to put up with it constantly since I was six.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうでしたね。これは失礼。」 <br>\r\n\"True. My apologies.\" <br><br>\r\n医師はようやく、縁寿もまたそういった好奇の目に晒されてきた犠牲者であることを思い出す。 <br>\r\nThe doctor finally remembered that Ange was also a victim who had been exposed to the same curious eyes as he had been. <br><br>\r\n「そんなあなたなら、当時の件にもうかかわりたくないという私どもの気持ちもおわかりでしょう。……あれは不幸な事故でした。それを事件だと騒ぎ立てたがるのは、無責任なテレビと雑誌だけです。彼らの態度には心底、うんざりさせられますよ。」 <br>\r\n\"In that case, you can probably understand why I don't want to have anything to do with that incident. ...That was an unfortunate accident. The only ones who want to make a fuss about it being a crime are those irresponsible TV shows and magazines. I am more than fed up with their attitude.\" <br><br>\r\n………右代宮金蔵の数少ない友人ということで、南條は注目を浴びた。 <br>\r\n......Nanjo had been bathed with attention for being one of Ushiromiya Kinzo's few friends. <br><br>\r\nその為、その遺族である息子にもウィッチハンターやマスコミの執拗な取材攻勢があったのだろう。 <br>\r\nBecause of that, there was probably an aggressive and persistent rush among the Witch Hunters and the press to use Nanjo's son as well, a surviving relative, as a source of information. <br><br>\r\n……医師は、延々とマスコミ批判を口にし、ひとり憤慨するのだった。 <br>\r\n...The doctor went on and on, criticizing the press indignantly. <br><br>\r\n「お気持ち、よくわかります。私生活に至るまで監視を受け、プライバシーも肖像権も、果ては人権さえも認められてたかわからない私ですから、そのやり場のないお怒り、よーくお察しできます。 <br>\r\n\"I really understand how you feel. For a person like me, who was observed even in her personal life, and whose privacy, likeness, and even human rights might have been violated, it's really easy to pick up on the anger of someone in your position.\" <br><br>\r\n………だからこそ、私の人生をここまで台無しにしたあの事件は一体何だったのか、どうしても知りたいのです。それでここへ来ました。 <br>\r\n\"......And for that very reason, I want to know, more than anything else, what in the world happened in the incident that so thoroughly ruined my life. So I came here. <br><br>\r\n………私も、あなたと同じ当事者です。雑誌記者でもインタビュアーでもありません。そこを誤解しないで下さい。 <br>\r\n......I'm a related party just like you. Not a magazine columnist or an interviewer. Please, don't get the wrong idea.\" <br><br>\r\n私は道楽でこんなところまで来たんじゃない。……私を見下すのもいい加減にして下さい。あの事件で狂わされた人生の傷跡比べをするならば、私とあなたでは比べ物にもならない。」 <br>\r\n\"I didn't come to do this for fun. ...Quit looking down on me. If we're gonna argue over whose life was most screwed up by that incident, you're no match for me.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………ん、……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Nng, ...\" <br><br>\r\n縁寿はぴしゃりと言い切る。 <br>\r\nAnge spoke sharply. <br><br>\r\nまさか、これほどの強い口調で言い返されるとは思わず、医師は閉口せざるを得なかった。 <br>\r\nThe doctor, who hadn't imagined that he would be talked back to in such a forceful manner, couldn't help but fall silent. <br><br>\r\n……縁寿からすれば、医師の泣き言など実に下らないのだ。 <br>\r\n...From Ange's perspective, the doctor really was whining over nothing. <br><br>\r\nいい加減、自分を見下して欲しくない。 <br>\r\nどれだけの日々を経て、この島まで来たのか、そろそろ理解してもらってもいい。 <br>\r\nShe really didn't want to be looked down upon. <br><br>\r\nIt was about time to let him understand how many days had passed for her before arriving on this island. <br><br>\r\n医師は失言を理解し、しばらくの間、気まずそうに閉口するのだった。 <br>\r\nThe doctor realized that he'd said something wrong and remained silent for a while, looking uncomfortable. <br><br>\r\n「当時のことを思い出すのは苦痛でしょうが、ご存知のことがあったら、何でも教えて下さい。もちろん口外はしません。 <br>\r\n\"I know it's probably painful to remember what happened at the time, but if there's anything you do know, please tell me no matter what it is. Of course, I'll keep quiet about it.\" <br><br>\r\n私は、私の人生に決着をつけるために、今日、ここへ訪れています。……私は１８です。あの事件は、私の人生の１２年を奪った。そしてこれからも奪い続けるでしょう。 <br>\r\n\"I visited here today to bring some resolution to my life. ...I'm 18. That incident took away 12 years of my life. And it'll probably keep on taking. <br><br>\r\n……私は６歳のあの日から、ずっと暗闇に放り込まれたままなんです。そんな私でも、知る権利がないと仰るんですか…？」 <br>\r\n...Since that day when I was six years old, I've remained shut away in darkness. Are you saying that despite that, I still don't have a right to know...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………いや、…失敬。性質の悪い連中ばかりが来ていたので、私もつい身構えてしまったようです。失敬したのをお詫びします。 <br>\r\n\"......No, ...how rude of me. It seems that since all the others who came were ill-natured folk, I instinctively put up my guard. I apologize for my rudeness. <br><br>\r\n……わかりました。他言無用を誓っていただけるなら、何でもお話します。」 <br>\r\n...I understand. If you'll swear not to breathe a word of this to anyone, I'll tell you everything.\" <br><br>\r\n「ありがとう、先生。……ではお願いします。何でも結構です、話して下さい。」 <br>\r\n\"Thanks, Doctor. ...Then if you would. Please tell me anything you can.\" <br><br>\r\n「……知ってのとおり、父は右代宮氏の主治医であると同時に、チェスを通じた友人同士でもありました。その親交は、右代宮氏が六軒島に移り住んできた当時からの、とても長いものでした。」 <br>\r\n\"...As you know, my father was not only Mr. Ushiromiya's head physician, but his friend through the game of chess. That relationship was very long, stretching back to the time Mr. Ushiromiya moved to Rokkenjima.\" <br><br>\r\n「どのくらい仲が良かったのですか？」 <br>\r\n\"Just how close were they?\" <br><br>\r\n「相当、だったようです。チェスの縁で、先方の屋敷に厄介になることも少なくなかったようです。……私の口から言うのも何だが、右代宮氏は非常に気難しい方でした。そして父はそんな人間と付き合うのに長けた、非常に大らかな人だった。孤独な右代宮氏にとって、稀な友人であったことは想像に難しくないでしょう。」 <br>\r\n\"Very close, it seems. It seems that their connection through chess led my father to stay at Mr. Ushiromiya's mansion quite often. ...Although I may not be one to talk, Mr. Ushiromiya was extremely moody. And my father was an exceedingly magnanimous man, who excelled at interacting with humans like him. It's not hard to imagine that he was a rare friend for the isolated Mr. Ushiromiya.\" <br><br>\r\n「当日は親族会議でした。……右代宮家の親族会議は、資産やその運用などについて厳しく問われる、さながら経営会議のようなものだったとされています。そのような席にまで出席を求められるほどに、南條先生は信頼を得ていたわけですね…？」 <br>\r\n\"That day was the day of the family conference. ...At the Ushiromiya family conference, the family's wealth and its management were rigorously scrutinized, making it almost like a financial conference. Which means Doctor Nanjo must have gained a trust so great that he was asked to attend even that, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「父は純朴な医師であり、右代宮家のような富豪の財産運用について助言できるような立場にあったとは思えません。恐らく、当時の右代宮氏は健康状況が優れられなかったでしょうから、その介添えとして呼ばれていたのでしょう。……親友の父なら、おそらく口も硬く、親族会議上の秘密もきっと漏らさないと信頼されていたに違いない。」 <br>\r\n\"My father was a simple doctor, so I cannot imagine that he was in a position to advise on the management of financial resources for a massively rich family like the Ushiromiya family. He was most likely called there to assist with Mr. Ushiromiya's health, because it was not at its best at the time. ...As Kinzo's close friend, I'm sure my father would have kept his mouth shut, and that he was trusted not to leak the secrets of the family conference.\" <br><br>\r\n「……当時の右代宮金蔵はかなり健康状態が悪かったのでしょうか？ カルテが残っていたりはしますか？」 <br>\r\n\"...Wasn't Ushiromiya Kinzo in very bad health at the time? Were there any medical charts left behind?\" <br><br>\r\n「事故の当日はカルテを持参していたのでしょう。右代宮氏のカルテは、残念ながらフォルダごと失われています。父のクランケですし、私も詳しいことはわかりません。」 <br>\r\n\"Perhaps he brought the medical charts with him on the day of the accident. I'm afraid to say that the entire folder of Mr. Ushiromiya's medical charts has been lost. He was my father's patient, so I do not know the details.\" <br><br>\r\n「事件の前後。何か気になるようなことはありました？」 <br>\r\n\"Around the time of the incident, did anything strange happen?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。……あるにはあります。……ですが、非常に誤解を招きそうなので、あまり言いたくはありません。」 <br>\r\n\".........Yes, there was one thing. ...However, it seems exceedingly likely to invite misunderstandings, so I very much do not wish to discuss it.\" <br><br>\r\n「……何ですか？ それを教えて下さい。」 <br>\r\n\"...What is it? Please tell me.\" <br><br>\r\n医師はしばらくの間、もったいぶったが、そこまで口にしてしまった以上、縁寿はどんなはぐらかしにも誤魔化されない。 <br>\r\nFor a while, the doctor beat around the bush, but after saying that much, he wouldn't be able to fool Ange by dodging the subject. <br><br>\r\nやがて根負けし、他言無用をもう一度誓わせた後、それを教えてくれた……。 <br>\r\nHe eventually gave in, and after making Ange swear herself to secrecy again, told her... <br><br>\r\n「実は、あの事故の数日後に、私の自宅に郵便が届いたのです。」 <br>\r\n\"The truth is, several days after that accident, I received something by mail at my home.\" <br><br>\r\n「………郵便？」 <br>\r\n\"......By mail?\" <br><br>\r\n「それはとても奇妙な郵便でした。差出人が私になっているのですが、それは身に覚えのないものでした。何者かが、私の名を騙って出したということです。 <br>\r\n\"It was very curious. The sender was made out to be me, but I had no memory of it. Someone had faked my name and sent it.\" <br><br>\r\n宛て先は北海道の礼文島。……北方領土の話を抜きにすれば、日本の最北端の島です。その宛て先人が何と、礼文島の住所ではありますが………、 <br>\r\n\"The destination was Rebun Island in Hokkaido. ...Excluding the Northern Territories, it is at the northernmost tip of Japan. The recipient was apparently a residence on Rebun Island, but...... <br><br>\r\n父の名前だったのです。 <br>\r\nthe name was my father's.\" <br><br>\r\n……しかし、送付先住所が間違っているらしく、住所不明の付箋が貼られて、差出人である“私”のところへ戻ってきたわけです。」 <br>\r\n\"...However, it seemed that there was a problem with the destination address, so it was stamped as Address Unknown...and returned to the sender, `me'.\" <br><br>\r\nそれは、本当に奇妙な話だった。 <br>\r\nIt was...truly a strange tale. <br><br>\r\n差出人は、南條の息子である彼の名が記されている。 <br>\r\n……しかしそれは彼が出した郵便物ではないというのだ。 <br>\r\nNanjo's son's name was written as the sender. <br><br>\r\n...However, he said that he hadn't mailed the letter. <br><br>\r\nつまり、何者かが彼の名を騙って郵送したことになる。 <br>\r\nIn short, that meant someone had faked his name and sent it. <br><br>\r\nそして宛て先は、北海道礼文島の“南條輝正”。 <br>\r\nThe destination was `<NAME>', on Hokkaido's Rebun Island. <br><br>\r\nしかし存在しない地番が記されており、現地の郵便局は配達できず郵便物を“差出人である南條の息子”に返送してきたわけだ……。 <br>\r\nBut the lot number written on it didn't exist, so the local post office had been unable to deliver it and instead sent it back to `the sender, Nanjo's son'... <br><br>\r\n「……中身は何だったんですか？」 <br>\r\n\"...What was inside?\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。……本当に他言無用でお願いします。私も、非常に迷惑しているんです。かといって、捨てるわけにも行かず……。」 <br>\r\n\"...............I do ask that you keep silent about this. It is extremely troublesome to me as well. And even so, I cannot throw it away...\" <br><br>\r\n医師は立ち上がると本棚に向かう。 <br>\r\nThe doctor stood up and faced a bookshelf. <br><br>\r\nそこには何十巻もの、観賞用だとしか思えない辞典群がずらりと並び、自分はインテリであるとこれ以上なく主張していた。 <br>\r\nThere was packed a group of dictionaries that could only have been ornamental, meant to make it very clear that the owner was an intellectual. <br><br>\r\nその内の中ほどから何冊かを抜き出すと、その奥に大判の茶封筒が隠されていた。 <br>\r\nWhen he pulled several volumes out from there, a large, brown envelope peeked out from behind them. <br><br>\r\nそれを取り出し、机の上に放る。 <br>\r\nHe took that out and tossed it onto the desk. <br><br>\r\nセロテープで厳重に封印されており、その変色と乾き具合から、１２年間封印されてきたことをうかがわせた……。 <br>\r\nIt had been been carefully sealed with cellophane tape, and its faded color and dryness made it clear that it had been sealed 12 years ago... <br><br>\r\n「くれぐれも、………他言無用でお願いします。」 <br>\r\n\"I ask most solemnly for your silence on this matter.\" <br><br>\r\nしつこいくらいに念を押しながら、医師は高級なペーパーナイフで封印を解く。 <br>\r\nBeing so persistent that it was annoying, the doctor removed the seal with a paper knife. <br><br>\r\n……そして封筒を傾けると、なかから開封済みの郵便封筒が滑り出してきた。 <br>\r\n...Then, when he tilted the envelope, an already opened mail envelope spilled out. <br><br>\r\n封筒には重みがあり、手紙以外のものが入っていることを想像させた。 <br>\r\nThe envelope had a weight to it, hinting that there was something other than a letter inside. <br><br>\r\n………宛て先人は、確かに南條輝正。 <br>\r\n......The recipient...was certainly <NAME>. <br><br>\r\nこれだけを見ると、……あまりに衝撃的だ。 <br>\r\nJust seeing that...was a huge shock. <br><br>\r\nあの事件で、南條は死体が発見されず、危難失踪によって死亡の扱いになっている。 <br>\r\nFollowing that incident, Nanjo's corpse had not been found, and he had eventually been treated as dead after going missing under extraordinary circumstances. <br><br>\r\n……にもかかわらず存在する、北海道の南條に宛てた手紙。 <br>\r\nそれはまるで彼が、自らを死んだと偽って、北海道に逃亡したという風にさえ読み取れる。 <br>\r\n...And despite that, this letter addressed to a Nanjo in Hokkaido existed. <br><br>\r\nOne could almost take this as a sign that he had faked his own death and escaped to Hokkaido. <br><br>\r\n「……南條先生は、本当に北海道に存在を？ あるいは、同姓同名の人物が北海道に？」 <br>\r\n\"...Was Doctor Nanjo really in Hokkaido? Or else, was there another person with the same first and last names in Hokkaido?\" <br><br>\r\n「父が、何かの事情で事故を逃れ、北海道で存命していたのだとしたら、私たち家族にとっては、事情にかかわらず嬉しいことです。 <br>\r\n\"If my father had somehow escaped from the accident and lived on in Hokkaido, that would have made us of his family very happy, regardless of the circumstances. <br><br>\r\n私も初めはその可能性を考えました。……しかし、この封筒の送付先住所は存在しないのです。つまりこの封筒は、届くはずのない郵便なのです。」 <br>\r\nI also thought of that possibility at first. ...However, the envelope's destination address does not exist. In short, this envelope was mail that had no way of reaching him.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………送付者が、正しい住所を書き損じた可能性は？」 <br>\r\n\"......Is there a possibility that the sender miswrote the correct address?\" <br><br>\r\n「もちろん否定はできません。ですが、住所の番地を見る限り、どうもそうは思えないのです。」 <br>\r\n\"Of course, I cannot deny it. However, judging from the residence's house number, I find that hard to believe.\" <br><br>\r\n「……… <br>\r\n北海道 <br>\r\n礼文島 <br>\r\n礼文郡 <br>\r\n礼文町、 <br>\r\n１−２−３４−５６７。…………………。」 <br>\r\n\"...... <br><br>\r\nHokkaido, <br><br>\r\nRebun Island, <br><br>\r\nRebun County, <br><br>\r\nRebun City, <br><br>\r\n1-2-34-567. .........\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n礼文町まではいい。 <br>\r\nUp until Rebun City, it's fine. <br><br>\r\n…しかしその後の数字は、１２３４５６７と連番で、少々の不真面目感は拭えない。 <br>\r\nまるで、子どもがでたらめな住所をでっちあげたかのような、そんな印象を持った。 <br>\r\n...But I just couldn't wipe away the feeling that the sequential number after it, 1234567, was a little insincere. <br><br>\r\nIt felt like a fake number that some kid had made up. <br><br>\r\n「恐らく、明らかに存在しない住所をでたらめに書いたのでしょう。この封筒は初めから、存在せ <br>\r\n\"They probably wrote a nonsense number that clearly didn't exist. I think it's natural to assume that, from the very beginning, this envelope was sent to a nonexistent residence to which <br><br>\r\nず~ib~届くはずのない住所~ib~に送付されたと考えるのが自然だと思います。」 <br>\r\n~ib~it had no chance of being delivered~ib~.\" <br><br>\r\n送付先住所が存在しなければ、郵便物は通常、差出人に返送される。 <br>\r\nIf the destination address doesn't exist, mail is generally returned to the sender. <br><br>\r\nただ、不完全な住所ではあっても、現地の郵便局の好意的努力により、可能な限り、差出人が意図した送付先が存在しないか調査されることが多い。 <br>\r\nBut even in the case of an incomplete address, the local post office will often courteously, and to the best of its ability, research to find whether the sender's intended destination exists. <br><br>\r\nそれでも見つからない場合、数日の調査を経て返送されるケースもある。 <br>\r\nWhen they still can't find it, the mail is sometimes returned after an investigation of several days. <br><br>\r\nこの封筒もそうだったらしく、切手の消印は、１０月３日になっていた。 <br>\r\nIt seemed that the same thing had happened with this envelope, and the stamp was postmarked on October 3. <br><br>\r\n消印は新島内だ。 <br>\r\nIt was postmarked on Niijima. <br><br>\r\n新島から礼文島は遠く離れている。 <br>\r\nNiijima was a long way away from Rebun Island. <br><br>\r\nその上、住所もでたらめ。 <br>\r\n……返送には１週間以上の期間を経ていた。 <br>\r\nOn top of that, the destination was also nonsensical. <br><br>\r\n...It had taken more than a week for the mail to be returned. <br><br>\r\n……つまりこの封筒は、不定期間を経て差出人に返送されることを、初めから目論んでいた可能性が極めて高いということだろう。 <br>\r\n...In other words, there was probably a high chance that having the envelope returned to the sender after an unfixed amount of time...had been the goal from the very beginning. <br><br>\r\n何のためにそんなことを………？ <br>\r\nWhy do something like that......? <br><br>\r\n何が送られてきたのかを問う以前の段階でさえ、この封筒は謎に包まれている……。 <br>\r\nEven before asking what it was that had been sent, this envelope was already wrapped in mystery... <br><br>\r\n「………………中身は？」 <br>\r\n\".........And inside it?\" <br><br>\r\n「どうぞ。」 <br>\r\n\"Go ahead.\" <br><br>\r\n医師に許可をもらい、すでに口の開いている封筒を傾ける。 <br>\r\nAfter getting the doctor's permission, I tilted the already opened envelope. <br><br>\r\nすると中から、畳まれた小さな手紙と、ナンバープレートの付いた小さな鍵。それと磁気カードが溢れ出てきた。 <br>\r\nFrom the inside came a small, folded letter, and a small key with a number plate attached. Then, a magnetic card slid out. <br><br>\r\n鍵のナンバープレートにはＡ１１２と刻印されている。 <br>\r\n……何を指すのかはわからない。 <br>\r\nA112 was engraved on the key's number plate. <br><br>\r\n...I didn't know what it meant. <br><br>\r\n磁気カードは真っ黒で、金文字が刻印されている。 <br>\r\nThe magnetic card was pitch black and had gold characters engraved in it. <br><br>\r\n英語で、メンバーズと記されていた。 <br>\r\n漆黒に金文字のカードデザインは、かなりの高級感を感じさせる。 <br>\r\n`Members' was written in English. <br><br>\r\nThe jet-black, gold-lettered card design made it feel like something very high-class. <br><br>\r\n……しかしもちろん、それだけでは何のカードなのか見当もつかない。 <br>\r\n...But of course, I didn't have a clue what kind of card it was just from that. <br><br>\r\n……折り畳まれた手紙を広げる。 <br>\r\n...I unfolded the letter. <br><br>\r\nそこには非常に簡潔に、以下のことだけが記されていた。 <br>\r\nIts contents were extremely brief, and only the following was written: <br><br>\r\n０７１５１１２９。 <br>\r\n07151129. <br><br>\r\nそして、誰もが知る日本の某巨大銀行の名が記され、本店とも書かれていた。 <br>\r\nAlso written was the name of a certain massive bank known throughout Japan, as well as the words `Central Branch'. <br><br>\r\n……それだけだ。 <br>\r\n...That was all. <br><br>\r\n「これは………？」 <br>\r\n\"And this is......?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………。………貸し金庫のカードと鍵、そして暗証番号でした。それも普通の貸し金庫ではない。特別な顧客のみに許されているらしい、不気味な貸し金庫でした。」 <br>\r\n\"............It's a card, a key, and a PIN for a safe-deposit box. And it wasn't a normal safe-deposit box either. It was an unsettling one, which was apparently reserved only for special clients.\" <br><br>\r\n医師は、父の葬式後の身辺整理を終えた後、銀行本店を訪れた。 <br>\r\nAfter he finished putting his affairs in order following his father's funeral, he had visited the bank. <br><br>\r\n……暗証番号と鍵と磁気カード。 <br>\r\n何か重要なものが預けられていることは間違いなく、それが何であるか、関心を持ったのは当然のことだった。 <br>\r\n...PIN and key and card. <br><br>\r\nThere was no doubt that something of great importance was kept there, and he had been naturally curious about what it might be. <br><br>\r\n初めはどうすればいいかわからなかった。 <br>\r\nAt first, he hadn't known what to do. <br><br>\r\n……本来、自分の所有するものではないカードだ。 <br>\r\n...The card wasn't something he'd owned in the first place. <br><br>\r\n勇気を出して行員にカードを見せると、明らかに格のある行員に対応が変わり、地下４階の大金庫室に案内された。 <br>\r\nWhen he mustered up his courage and showed the card to a bank clerk, he was then switched to a clerk of clearly high status...and was guided to a large vault on the fourth basement. <br><br>\r\nそこに至るまでのセキュリティは厳重。 <br>\r\nThe security on the way there was strict. <br><br>\r\n医師も、不動産の謄本などの重要なものを貸し金庫に預けた経験があるが、ここのそれはまったく格が違っていた……。 <br>\r\nThe doctor had himself stored valuable items such as real estate transcripts in safe-deposit boxes before, but this was something on a whole different level... <br><br>\r\n「……私の使っている貸し金庫の手続きと違い、カードと暗証番号、そして鍵を持っているならば、本人確認は行なわれないというシステムでした。……ですが、とにかく厳重な金庫室で、その物々しさに怯えました。……こんなところに預けざるを得ない、どんな物騒なものが待ち受けているのか、と。」 <br>\r\n\"...Unlike the procedure at the deposit box I had been using, with this system, as long as you had a card, a PIN, and a key, you didn't need to have your identity confirmed. ...But, anyway, I was frightened at how imposing that secure vault was. ...And I wondered what kind of shady objects might await me that had to be stored in a place like this.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………それで？」 <br>\r\n\"......And then?\" <br><br>\r\n「カードをリーダーに通すと、暗証番号の入力を求められました。そして、そこにある８桁の数字を入力すると認証され、金庫室への入室が認められました。……すごい光景でしたよ。まるでＳＦ映画のような世界だった。薄暗い銀色の広大な部屋に、びっしりと金庫の扉が埋め尽くされているのです。」 <br>\r\n\"When I passed the card through the reader, I was asked to input the PIN. And, after that eight-digit number was input and authenticated, I was permitted access to the vault. ...It was an incredible scene. A world like something from a sci-fi movie. The massive, dimly-lit silver room was covered with doors to safes.\" <br><br>\r\nその部屋に、行員を伴い入場した。 <br>\r\nHe had entered that room along with the clerk. <br><br>\r\nカード認証の時点で、権利のある金庫は確定しているらしく、開けられる金庫には緑ランプ、開けられない金庫には赤ランプが点灯していた。 <br>\r\nIt seems that as soon as the card was read, the vaults he had a right to were determined, so that safes he could open were lit with a green light, while those he couldn't open were lit with a red one. <br><br>\r\n「Ａ１１２は、それらの金庫のうちの１つを示すものでした。……ちなみに、それ以外の金庫にもずらりと緑ランプが点灯していました。２０個以上はあったと思います。あるいは他の一角にももっとあったのかも。 <br>\r\n\"A112 was one of those safes that were marked. ...By the way, there were several other safes marked with a green lamp besides that one. I think there were at least 20. There might even have been more in the other corner. <br><br>\r\n……いずれにせよ、私の鍵はＡ１１２のみ。他の金庫の中身を確かめる術はありませんでしたが。」 <br>\r\n...In any event, I only had the key to A112. I had no way of checking the contents of the other safes.\" <br><br>\r\n医師は行員が立ち会う中、開錠し扉を開く。 <br>\r\nAs the clerk watched, the doctor had unlocked and opened the safe. <br><br>\r\nすると大き目のキャビネットのような金庫の引き出しが開き、……中から高級感あるジュラルミンケースが姿を現した…。 <br>\r\nWhen he did, a safe drawer like a large cabinet had opened, ...and an expensive-looking duralumin case peeked out... <br><br>\r\nそれは別室に運び込まれ、そこで初めて行員は退室し、その中身と対面することとなった……。 <br>\r\nThat was carried into a separate room, where for the first time, the clerk left, and he was introduced to the contents... <br><br>\r\n「中身は………？」 <br>\r\n\"And the contents were......?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。 <br>\r\n\"......... <br><br>\r\n…………現金でした。」 <br>\r\n......Cash.\" <br><br>\r\n「現金？ どれほど？」 <br>\r\n\"Cash? How much?\" <br><br>\r\n「新札の百万円の束はちょうど厚みが１ｃｍになると聞いたことがあります。それが、………これだけのジュラルミンケースの中に、びっしり詰められていたのですから…。……多分、１億はあったでしょう。 <br>\r\n\"I have heard that a pack of one million yen in fresh banknotes is precisely one centimeter thick. Since those were packed tightly into a duralumin case of such a size, ...there was probably 100 million in total. <br><br>\r\n数えたわけではないからわかりません。手すら触れませんでしたから。私はすぐに直感しました。これは危険な金だと。」 <br>\r\nI don't know, because I didn't count. I didn't even touch it with my hands. I realized at once. This was dangerous money.\" <br><br>\r\n１億ものかさばる現金を、そのままカバンごと金庫に預けることは普通しない。 <br>\r\n……口座に入金して、数字に変えてしまった方がはるかに取り扱いが楽だ。 <br>\r\nIt isn't normal to store a whole hundred million yen in cash in a case in a safe like that. <br><br>\r\n...It's much easier to deal with if you put it into an account and turn it into numbers. <br><br>\r\nそれが出来ない時点で、何か良からぬ事情のある現金であることは明白だった……。 <br>\r\nWhen someone is unable to do that, then it's clear that there's something wrong with that cash... <br><br>\r\n「……私は頭が真っ白になり、すぐに関わり合ってはならないと直感しました。」 <br>\r\n\"...My mind went blank, and I instantly realized that I mustn't get involved.\" <br><br>\r\n「それで一切、手を付けなかった？」 <br>\r\n\"So, you didn't use it at all?\" <br><br>\r\n「はい。そのまま施錠し直し、元の金庫に預けて立ち去りました。……この鍵やカードも捨てようと思いましたが、何が起こるかわからない。その為、誰にも内緒で１２年もの間、本棚の裏に隠し続けてきたのです。………あれが何の金だったのか、私にも未だにわかりません。」 <br>\r\n\"Correct. I locked it back up just as I'd found it, returned it to the original safe, and left. ...I have thought about throwing away that key and card, but I don't know what will happen. For that reason, I have been hiding it in the back of this bookcase for a full 12 years. ......I still do not know what kind of money that was.\" <br><br>\r\n「……この封筒をお借りすることは出来ますか？」 <br>\r\n\"...Could I borrow this envelope?\" <br><br>\r\n「いいえ。この場で見るだけにして下さい。」 <br>\r\n\"No. Please just view it here.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。 <br>\r\n\"...... <br><br>\r\n……わかりました。ではちょっと失礼します。調べ物を。」 <br>\r\n...Understood. Then, if you'll excuse me. There's something I want to investigate.\" <br><br>\r\n私は下ろしていたナップザックからお姉ちゃんの魔導書を取り出す。 <br>\r\nI took Onee-chan's grimoire from the knapsack I had set down. <br><br>\r\n……そしてベアトリーチェがお姉ちゃんに記した文章のページを開き、その筆跡と照らし合わせる……。 <br>\r\n...Then I opened to the page with the paragraph Beatrice had written to Onee-chan...and compared the handwriting on both... <br><br>\r\n「……………………………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n…………特長ある筆跡は、間違いない。 <br>\r\n......There was no mistake about the characteristic handwriting. <br><br>\r\nこの一億円の現金を送りつけたのは、…………ベアトリーチェ自身だ……。 <br>\r\nThe one who had sent this hundred million yen in cash......was Beatrice herself... <br><br>\r\nでも、………何だろう。 <br>\r\n何かが引っ掛かる……。何だろう………。何だろう………。 <br>\r\nBut, ......what is it...? <br><br>\r\nSomething's bugging me... What is it......? What could it be......? <br><br>\r\n「………え、……えぇ。そんな郵便物が確か、届いた気がしますわ。 <br>\r\n\"......Y-Yeah. I'm pretty sure I got something like that in the mail. <br><br>\r\nかーちゃん、あれはどこにしまったっけなぁ？！」 <br>\r\nHey Ma, where'd you put that?!\" <br><br>\r\n同じ封筒と内容物は、かつて熊沢と同居していた息子にも届けられていた。 <br>\r\nThe same envelope and contents had been sent to Kumasawa's son, who had once lived with her. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nただ、日々が忙しく、ばたばたとしているうちに、そのまま忘れてしまっていたようだった。 <br>\r\nBut he had been very busy in the days since, and seemed to have forgotten about it while running around all over the place. <br><br>\r\nしかし、その奇妙な中身は記憶に留まっていたらしく、縁寿がそれを告げるとすぐに思い出してくれた……。 <br>\r\nHowever, its strange contents had apparently stayed in his memory, and he remembered as soon as Ange mentioned it to him... <br><br>\r\nしばらく待っていると、お前さんはすぐにしまった場所を忘れる、と愚痴を言いながらへの字口の奥さんが、例の封筒を探し出してきてくれた……。 <br>\r\nAfter a bit of a wait, his thin-lipped wife found the envelope, complaining that he always forgot where he put things right away... <br><br>\r\n差出人と宛先人の手口は南條の息子のものとまったく同じ。 <br>\r\nThe modus operandi for the sender and recipient was the same as Nanjo's son's. <br><br>\r\n差出人が熊沢の息子になっており、宛先人は熊沢チヨ。 <br>\r\nThe sender was made out to be Kumasawa's son, and the recipient was <NAME>. <br><br>\r\nそして送付先住所は沖縄県。 <br>\r\n沖縄県八重山郡与那国町、１−２−３４−５６７。 <br>\r\nAnd the destination address was in the Okinawa Prefecture. <br><br>\r\nOkinawa Prefecture, Yaeyama County, Yonaguni City, 1-2-34-567. <br><br>\r\n与那国島は日本の最西端。 <br>\r\nそして地番はまったく同じ、適当そうな連番。 <br>\r\nYonaguni Island was at the western-most tip of Japan. <br><br>\r\nAnd the lot name was the exact same sequential number that had apparently been chosen without much care. <br><br>\r\n……これで確信する。 <br>\r\n確実にこの封筒は、差出人に返送されることを目論んでいるのだ。 <br>\r\n...Now it was certain. <br><br>\r\nThis envelope was definitely sent with the goal of having it be returned to the sender. <br><br>\r\n中身もまったく同じ。 <br>\r\nIts contents were exactly the same. <br><br>\r\n暗証番号と銀行の本店を記した手紙。 <br>\r\n磁気カード。ナンバープレート付きの鍵。 <br>\r\nA letter with the PIN and the bank's main branch written on it. <br><br>\r\nA magnetic card. A key with an attached number plate. <br><br>\r\nナンバープレートの刻印はＡ１１３。 <br>\r\nThe inscription on the number plate was A113. <br><br>\r\n……南條の息子に送られた鍵と連番になる。 <br>\r\n...The number right after the one on the key that had been sent to Nanjo. <br><br>\r\n恐らく、金庫の中には同じようにジュラルミンケースがあり、１億円の現金が詰められているのだろう……。 <br>\r\nMost likely, inside the vault was the same kind of duralumin case, packed with a hundred million yen in cash... <br><br>\r\n「……死んだお袋が冥土から送ってきたような気がしてねぇ。中身もよくわからんし、薄気味悪いんで、ずっと放ったらかしにしてて、今日まですっかり忘れてたんですわ。 <br>\r\n\"...I get the feeling my dead mother sent it to me from beyond the grave. Don't really get what's inside, and it's creepy, so I just left it alone all this time, and totally forgot about it until today.\" <br><br>\r\n……お嬢さんはこれが何か、ご存知なんですかね？ <br>\r\n\"...So, you know what this is, girl? <br><br>\r\nひょっとして、あんたんとこにも同じものが…？」 <br>\r\nCould it be that the same kind of thing came to your place...?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………………ぅ。」 <br>\r\n\"............Ah.\" <br><br>\r\n「……どうしたんです、縁寿さま。」 <br>\r\n\"...What is it, Ange-sama?\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ…、頭痛？頭痛…？！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu, ...is it a headache? A headache...?!』 <br><br>\r\n「…………ごめん、頭が痛い……。 <br>\r\n\"......Sorry, my head hurts... <br><br>\r\n……刺さってる…、………知っている……。」 <br>\r\n...I've got it... ......I know...\" <br><br>\r\n『知ってるって、何を……？』 <br>\r\n『What do you mean, you know...?』 <br><br>\r\n「まさか、 <br>\r\n……この封筒、……縁寿さまのところにも…？」 <br>\r\n\"You don't mean... <br><br>\r\n...this envelope...came to your place too, Ange-sama...?\" <br><br>\r\n………思い出した……。 <br>\r\n......I've remembered... <br><br>\r\n……思い出した……！！ <br>\r\n...I've remembered...!! <br><br>\r\n私のところにもおかしな封筒が届いたんだ…、１２年前に…！！ <br>\r\nA strange envelope was also sent to me...12 years ago...!! <br><br>\r\n家族を全て失い、塞ぎこんでいた。 <br>\r\n…でも、本当におかしな郵便物だったので、わずかに記憶に残っていたのだ。 <br>\r\nAfter losing my entire family, I was depressed. <br><br>\r\n...But it was a really strange thing to come in the mail, so I still had a faint memory of it. <br><br>\r\nそれは、出した覚えもないのに、自分が差出人になっているおかしな郵便。 <br>\r\nIt was a strange letter, which I had no memory of sending, but which had me as the sender. <br><br>\r\n宛先の住所は忘れたが、宛先人は右代宮留弗夫。 <br>\r\n私のお父さんになっていた。 <br>\r\nI forget the destination address, but the named recipient had been Ushiromiya Rudolf. <br><br>\r\nMy father. <br><br>\r\n死んでしまったお父さんからの手紙だと思って、中を開けたら、よくわからない鍵とかカードが出てきて、困惑したのを覚えてる。 <br>\r\nI remember how disturbed I was when I got a letter I thought was from Father, opened it up, and found a key and a card that I didn't really understand. <br><br>\r\n私はがっかりし、それをどこかに放り出してしまったはず…。 <br>\r\nI felt let down and threw it away somewhere, I think... <br><br>\r\nあの封筒はどこにやってしまっただろう？ <br>\r\nあの後のゴタゴタでどこかに紛失してしまっているだろう。 <br>\r\nWhere did I put that envelope? <br><br>\r\nI probably lost it somewhere in the chaos that followed. <br><br>\r\n今となっては、その内容を確かめる術もない。 <br>\r\nBy now, I have no way of checking its contents. <br><br>\r\nしかし、何となく察しはつく。 <br>\r\nHowever, I have a general idea. <br><br>\r\n……きっと中身は同じ。 <br>\r\n暗証番号のメモと鍵とカードが入っていたに違いないのだ……。 <br>\r\n...I'm sure the contents were the same. <br><br>\r\nWithout a doubt, there had been a key, a card, and a note with a PIN inside the envelope... <br><br>\r\n「……ベアトリーチェ……。……これは何のつもりよ…？ あいつは、全ての遺族にこんなふざけたカネをばら蒔いたというの？ ………死んだ後も愚弄するなんて、……許せない………。」 <br>\r\n\"...Beatrice... ...What was she trying to do here...? So, did she hand out this stupid money to all the surviving relatives? ......I won't forgive her...for mocking them even after their deaths......\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ…、うりゅ……、縁寿………。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu, ...uryu, ...Ange......』 <br><br>\r\nさくたろがおろおろする。 <br>\r\n……その心配そうな顔を見ているうちに、少しずつ興奮は冷めて行った…。 <br>\r\nSakutarou acted nervously. <br><br>\r\n...As I looked at his worrying face, my agitation began to cool off bit by bit... <br><br>\r\n「ごめんなさい…。ベアトリーチェ憎しは今に始まったことじゃないわ。 <br>\r\n\"I'm sorry... My hatred of Beatrice isn't anything new. <br><br>\r\n……あの６歳の日に、もうすでにあの魔女と縁があったことに、驚きと怒りを感じただけよ…。」 <br>\r\n...I was just surprised and angry to find out that I had a connection with the witch already...at the age of six on that day...\" <br><br>\r\n「………この１２年間。縁寿さまはずっとベアトリーチェさまの呪縛に捕らわれてきた。…これがその、まさに呪縛の証となるのかもしれません。 <br>\r\n\"......For the past 12 years, you've been constantly enslaved by Beatrice-sama's curse. ...This might be proof of that a curse. <br><br>\r\nですが、どうかしっかり。それを打ち破るための旅でもあるはずです。」 <br>\r\nBut please, hang in there. Breaking through that was supposed to be part of the goal of this journey.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうね……。頭に血を上らせたって、何の役にも立たないわ。冷静に考えなくちゃ。 <br>\r\n\"That's right... Just letting the blood rise to my head won't get me anywhere. Got to think calmly. <br><br>\r\n………これはどういうことなの？ 遺族に１億円をばら蒔く意味は何？ <br>\r\n......What's going on? What's the meaning of handing out a hundred million yen to the relatives? <br><br>\r\n挑発だとでも言うの……？ ベアトリーチェめ………。」 <br>\r\nIs she trying to provoke us...? Damn that Beatrice......\" <br><br>\r\n『縁寿……、落ち着いて……。……うりゅ……。』 <br>\r\n『Ange, ...calm down... ...Uryu...』 <br><br>\r\nさくたろが、私のお腹に顔を埋めながら、冷静になるよう促す。 <br>\r\n……私はもう一度深く深呼吸し、思考を働かせた。 <br>\r\nAs Sakutaro buried his head in my stomach, he urged me to stay calm. <br><br>\r\n...I took another deep breath...and started thinking. <br><br>\r\n「………この封筒の送付はつまり、ベアトリーチェによる事件の、計画性を裏付けるものかしら。」 <br>\r\n\"......I wonder if this envelope was sent to support the theory that Beatrice was behind that crime.\" <br><br>\r\n「消印は親族会議の直前。そして、わざと時間を掛けて返送されてくるように仕組まれている。」 <br>\r\n\"It was postmarked right before the family conference. And it was intentionally set up so that it would be sent back after some time.\" <br><br>\r\n『……事件の後に届くようにしたかった、ということかな……？』 <br>\r\n『...They wanted it to arrive after the incident, is that it...?』 <br><br>\r\n「うん。そうなるわ。 <br>\r\n\"Yeah. That's what it implies. <br><br>\r\n………でも、少し疑問もあるの。なぜこんな不確実な方法で？」 <br>\r\n......But it raises a few questions. Why use such an uncertain method?\" <br><br>\r\n「不確実？」 <br>\r\n\"Uncertain?\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ。だって、何日で郵便が戻ってくるかなんて、事前には想像もできないじゃない。……郵送先の郵便局が調査し、送付先不明と判断し返送するまでの期間なんて、普通は想像も出来ない。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes. After all, no one could even guess at how many days it would take for the mail to return before you used this trick. ...Normally, you couldn't even guess at the amount of time it would take for the receiving post office to do their research, determine that the recipient was unknown, and return it.\" <br><br>\r\n『そう言えばそうだね……。ちゃんと到着の期日を決めて、そういう郵便で出した方が確実なのにね……。うりゅ…。』 <br>\r\n『Yeah, now that you mention it... It'd be more dependable if they just set an arrival date and mailed it that way... Uryu...』 <br><br>\r\n「……まぁ、でも。前日に投函したんなら、どんなに早く戻ってきても、きっと月曜日以降の到着になったでしょうし。死者からの手紙を気取りたかったんじゃないかしら。」 <br>\r\n\"...Maybe, but still, if they mailed it the day before, then no matter how quickly it returned, it would probably arrive Monday or later. I wonder if they wanted to make it seem like a letter from the dead.\" <br><br>\r\n「……死者からの手紙、か。 <br>\r\n\"...A letter from the dead, you say? <br><br>\r\n……確かにね。あれは驚くし、嫌な気持ちになるわよ。……死んだ家族の名前が表に大きく書かれている郵便物が、物々しい付箋付きで郵便受けに放り込まれているんだから。……でも、私は何か腑に落ちないわ。私だったら期日指定郵便にする。ひょっとしたら、想定しない日に届くかもしれないという不安定さが、私にはどうしても理解できないの。」 <br>\r\n...You're right. It surprised me, and it made me feel bad. ...Some mail with my dead family's name written on the outside in large letters...was thrown into the mailbox with an ominous label attached. ...However, it doesn't really make sense to me. I would've mailed it to arrive on a specified day. I just can't understand why someone would allow the uncertainty of it arriving on a day other than the one they imagined.\" <br><br>\r\n『…………………うりゅ。……でも、確かにそういうの、ベアトらしいかなって思う。』 <br>\r\n『.........Uryu. ...But it really does sound like Beato to me.』 <br><br>\r\n「え？ あなた、ベアトのことわかるの？」 <br>\r\n\"Huh? You...know about Beato?\" <br><br>\r\n『……ちょっとしかお話したことないけど。……でも、ベアトならこういうことをするかなぁってのが、何となくわかるの。 <br>\r\n『...Well, I only talked with her a little. ...Still, I can pretty much accept that Beato would do something like this. <br><br>\r\n………マモンも、何となく想像がつかない？ ベアトって、こういう悪戯、好きだよね？』 <br>\r\n......Can't you imagine that happening too, Mammon? Beato likes pranks like this, right?』 <br><br>\r\n「………………。 <br>\r\n\"...... <br><br>\r\n………確かにそうかも。……ベアトリーチェさまなら、死者からの手紙、みたいな悪質な悪戯は、やりかねないと思います。」 <br>\r\n......Yeah, that might be true. ...I wouldn't put it past Beatrice-sama to try a vicious prank like a letter from the dead.\" <br><br>\r\n『うぅん、それだけじゃなくて。………絶対確実な方法じゃなくて、ちょっぴり不確実な方法の方を、ベアトリーチェは面白がるの。』 <br>\r\n『No, that's not all. ......Beatrice would find it more interesting to do it through an uncertain method, instead of one that was absolutely certain.』 <br><br>\r\n「………不確実な方法を、面白がる…？」 <br>\r\n\"......She would find an uncertain method...interesting...?\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんの日記を思い出す…。……ベアトリーチェと遊んだ記述も結構ある。 <br>\r\nI remembered Maria onee-chan's diary... ...It had described playing with Beatrice very often. <br><br>\r\nその中でベアトは真里亞と一緒に、親族の大人たちに何かの悪戯を仕掛けることがたまにあった。 <br>\r\nDuring those times, Beato sometimes played pranks on the adult relatives with Maria. <br><br>\r\nしかしその悪戯は、いつもちょっとした魔女の美学があった。 <br>\r\nBut those pranks always had a touch of witch aesthetics. <br><br>\r\nそれは、………不確実である方が面白い、というものだ。 <br>\r\nWhich was......that they were more interesting when they were uncertain. <br><br>\r\nある日、真里亞お姉ちゃんたちは、持参したゼンマイ式の小さなミニカーを悪戯に使うことにした。 <br>\r\nOne day, Maria onee-chan and Beato decided use a wind-up minicar she had brought for a prank. <br><br>\r\nミニカーをバックさせると車輪のゼンマイが巻かれ、放すと勢い良く走り出すという、当時流行った玩具だ。 <br>\r\nIt was a popular toy at the time, and if you made the minicar back up, it would wind up the spring in the tires, and when you let go, it would race forwards. <br><br>\r\nそのミニカーを、ゼンマイを巻いた状態でミルクポットの影に置いた。 <br>\r\nThey had wound up that minicar and set it behind a milk jug. <br><br>\r\n……つまり、ミルクポットを持ち上げると、勢い良くミニカーが走って飛び出し、相手は驚くという悪戯だ。 <br>\r\n...In other words, the prank was that, if you lifted the milk jug, the minicar would jump forwards and surprise whoever did it. <br><br>\r\nこの悪戯に誰かが引っ掛かって欲しいと、お姉ちゃんとベアトは、物陰からずっと大人たちのティータイムを見守っていた。 <br>\r\nHoping that someone would get caught in this prank, Onee-chan and Beato had watched the adults from the shadows for their whole teatime. <br><br>\r\n誰が引っ掛かるかと楽しみにしていたが、とうとう誰も罠のミルクポットを手に取らず、悪戯は不発に終わってしまった……。 <br>\r\nThey were looking forward to seeing someone get caught by it, but no one moved the trap milk jug, and the trap ended in a misfire... <br><br>\r\nその時、「絶対に誰かが引っ掛かる場所に仕掛ければ良かった」とぼやくお姉ちゃんに、ベアトはこう言ったらしい。 <br>\r\nWhen Onee-chan had then muttered `We should've put it somewhere where it would've definitely caught someone', Beato apparently said this: <br><br>\r\n「誰が引っ掛かるかわからず、引っ掛かるかどうかさえわからない罠の方が、ハラハラして面白い」と言うのだ。 <br>\r\n\"The most interesting and thrilling traps...are those where you don't know who'll get caught, or even if anyone will get caught at all.\" <br><br>\r\n……絶対に引っ掛かる罠では、確かにそういう興奮はないかもしれない。 <br>\r\n...It's probably true that you wouldn't get this kind of excitement from a trap that would certainly go off. <br><br>\r\n……そういう記述は複数箇所あり、ベアトリーチェという魔女は、わりとランダムなスリルを好む気まぐれな性分があることが推察できた……。 <br>\r\n...Similar accounts occurred in multiple places, making it possible to guess that the witch called Beatrice had a fickle character and loved a random thrill... <br><br>\r\n気まぐれとは、何とやりにくい相手なのか。 <br>\r\nA fickle person is very hard to deal with. <br><br>\r\n１２年前の魔女が何を企んでいたのか、……チェス盤が引っ繰り返せない。 <br>\r\nI can't spin the chessboard around...to find out what that witch from 12 years ago was planning. <br><br>\r\n縁寿は、それらを吟味しながら、そわそわと視線を躍らせた。 <br>\r\nAs Ange examined these, her gaze darted from place to place. <br><br>\r\nすると、ふと壁に興味を示す。 <br>\r\nThen, she suddenly showed interest in the wall. <br><br>\r\nそこには、写真の入った額がたくさん掛けられていた。 <br>\r\nThere, several framed pictures were hung. <br><br>\r\nそれらは熊沢家が親族で集まったり、遊びに行ったりした時の記念写真が多く、熊沢を写したものも多かった。 <br>\r\nMany of them were commemorative photos from when the relatives of the Kumasawa family gathered or went somewhere to play, and Kumasawa was in several. <br><br>\r\n今にも、ほっほっほ…、と快活な笑い声が聞こえてきそうになるその笑顔。 <br>\r\n...And she still wore a smile that made it so you could almost hear her lighthearted `hohohoh' laugh. <br><br>\r\n……遠い記憶だが、確かにこんな雰囲気の元気のいいおばあちゃんだったことを覚えてる…。 <br>\r\n...It's part of my distant memory, but I definitely remember that she was this sort of cheerful old lady... <br><br>\r\n「熊沢さんは、事件の直前に変わった様子はありましたか…？」 <br>\r\n\"Did you notice anything different about Kumasawa-san in the days leading up to the incident...?\" <br><br>\r\n「いいやぁ。いつも通りに見えたなぁ。……親族会議はぴりぴりするから、辛い辛いと漏らすのはいつものことでしたし。」 <br>\r\n\"Nope. She looked the same as ever. ...The family conference put her on edge, so she was always grumbling about how tough it was.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………？ ……これは？」 <br>\r\n\"......? ...What's this?\" <br><br>\r\nたくさんの額の中に、人物写真ではないものが含まれていた。 <br>\r\nAmong the several frames, there was one that had something other than a picture of people in it. <br><br>\r\nそれは洋館か何かの扉かレリーフを拡大して撮影したものだった。 <br>\r\nIt was a picture of an enlarged relief of a door from a Western-style house or something. <br><br>\r\n……特に面白い被写体にも見えず、むしろなぜわざわざ撮影したのかが気になった。 <br>\r\n...You couldn't see any interesting subject in particular, which actually bugged me a bit as I wondered why anyone had gone to all the trouble of taking it. <br><br>\r\n近付いてみると、ペンで何か文字が記されているのに気付く。 <br>\r\nAs I got closer, I realized that some characters had been written with a pen. <br><br>\r\n「……あぁ、それはお袋の形見分けでもらってきた写真ですわ。多分、例の黄金伝説に関係したヤツではないかと。」 <br>\r\n\"...Oh yeah, that's a photo I got when Mother's belongings were distributed. I think it probably has something to do with that `Legend of the Gold' thing.\" <br><br>\r\n「魔女の碑文ですか？ １０ｔの黄金の隠し場所を示すと噂される…。……熊沢さんも挑んでおられたんですね。でも、これは碑文じゃない。……初めて見るものです。」 <br>\r\n\"The witch's epitaph, you mean? It was whispered that it pointed out the location of the hidden 10 tons of gold... ...So, Kumasawa-san tried to solve it too. But this isn't the epitaph. It's the first time I've seen it.\" <br><br>\r\n洋館風の扉の上にアーチがあり、そこにレリーフがある。そこに英文が刻まれていて、写真はそれを捉えたものらしい。 <br>\r\nペン書きは、それを訳したもののようだった。 <br>\r\nThere was an arch above the Western-style door, and that's where the relief was. English words were engraved there, and that seemed to be what the picture was focused on. <br><br>\r\nThe pen writing appeared to be a translation into Japanese. <br><br>\r\n「…………………。“この扉は千兆分の一の確率でしか開かない。あなたは千兆分の一の確率でしか祝福されない”。………知らないわ。こんな文章、碑文にもお姉ちゃんの日記にも出てこない。」 <br>\r\n\".........`This door is opened only at a probability of a quadrillion to one. You will be blessed only at a probability of a quadrillion to one'. ...I don't recognize it. Nothing like this ever showed up in the epitaph or Onee-chan's diary.\" <br><br>\r\n「お袋の遺品の中に、碑文の謎解きに挑戦してると思われる写真やノートが、結構出てきたんですわ。 <br>\r\n\"In Mother's belongings, there were quite a few photos and notes that looked like her trying to solve the riddle of the epitaph. <br><br>\r\nお袋も案外、そういうのが好きだったんだなぁ。何でも１０ｔの金塊が隠されてたって噂だ。そりゃあ、お袋も夢中になるはずですわ。」 <br>\r\nMother was actually surprisingly fond of that kind of thing. And there was that rumor that 10 tons of gold bars were hidden somewhere. It's no surprise she got so absorbed by it.\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんの日記帳にも魔導書にも、魔女の碑文についての記載はある。 <br>\r\nIn both Maria onee-chan's diary and in her grimoire, there was a description of the witch's epitaph. <br><br>\r\n曰く、黄金郷の扉を開く儀式であり、ベアトリーチェ復活の儀式であり、ベアトリーチェ継承の儀式であり。云々。 <br>\r\nIt had talked about how it was a ceremony to open the door to the Golden Land, Beatrice's resurrection ceremony, Beatrice's succession ceremony. On and on. <br><br>\r\n興味深いのは最後の、継承の儀式、という行だったろうか。 <br>\r\nMaybe the most interesting one was the last part, about it being a succession ceremony. <br><br>\r\nベアトリーチェが言うには、もし魔女の碑文を解き明かすことが出来たなら、１０ｔの黄金と右代宮家の家督だけでなく、自らの魔法の力と名前、黄金の魔女の称号までもを引き継ぐという。 <br>\r\nAccording to Beatrice, if you were able to solve the witch's epitaph, you would receive not only the 10 tons of gold and the Ushiromiya family inheritance, but her own magical power and name, as well as the title of Golden Witch. <br><br>\r\n魔女の碑文は、当時の右代宮家では、解けた者を次期当主に選ぶために当主金蔵が用意した難解なクイズ、という認識だった。 <br>\r\nAmong the Ushiromiya family household at the time, the witch's epitaph was thought of as a difficult quiz, which the Family Head, Kinzo, had arranged for to choose his successor. <br><br>\r\nしかしマリアージュ・ソルシエールの解釈では、その出題者はベアトリーチェ自身で、自らの後継者を選び出すための出題でもあったという。 <br>\r\nBut with the Mariage Sorcière interpretation, the questioner was Beatrice herself, and she had posed the question in part to choose her successor. <br><br>\r\n……両者の解釈は細部で微妙に食い違っている。 <br>\r\n...There were slight discrepancies in the details of the two interpretations. <br><br>\r\nいずれにせよ、その物騒な内容は血生臭い連続殺人を想起させ、２本のボトルメッセージは双方ともそれに沿った事件を描いている。 <br>\r\nEither way, its ominous contents brought to mind a bloody serial murder, and both of the message bottles drew a tale of a crime following that pattern. <br><br>\r\n魔女の碑文を、１２年後の今であっても解くことが出来たなら、当時の何かの陰謀を解き明かすことが、出来るのだろうか……。 <br>\r\nIf I could solve the witch's epitaph now, 12 years later, I wonder if I could expose some plot made back then... <br><br>\r\n私も何度か挑戦したが、さっぱり意味がわからなかった。 <br>\r\nウィッチハンターたちも大勢が挑戦しているらしい。 <br>\r\nI tried to solve it many times myself, but I never did have a clue what it meant. <br><br>\r\nIt seems that many Witch Hunters tried as well. <br><br>\r\n私の読んだ本にも、江之浦漁港説とか、ラプラタ川説とかが登場する。 <br>\r\nしかし、いずれの説も決定的ではない……。 <br>\r\nI also found theories like the La Plata theory and the Enoura theory in certain books. <br><br>\r\nHowever, neither of these theories were conclusive... <br><br>\r\n「他にも資料が？」 <br>\r\n\"Are there any other materials?\" <br><br>\r\n「あると思うけど、兄弟で適当に分けたからなぁ。誰が何を持ってるやら、さっぱりですわ。申し訳ない。」 <br>\r\n\"I think so, but they were all split up between my siblings. I don't have a clue who has what. Sorry.\" <br><br>\r\n「………この、熊沢さんが撮影した英文だけ読むと、滅多に開かれない開かずの扉という印象を受ける。 <br>\r\n\"......Just reading this English text that Kumasawa-san took a picture of, it gives the impression that this was a forbidden door that was rarely opened. <br><br>\r\n……でもこれは屋敷の何処かしら。光の具合から、屋外みたいだけど。……熊沢さんは、この中にその黄金が隠されていると睨んでたのかしら。」 <br>\r\n...But where in the mansion is it, I wonder? Judging by the lighting, it looks like it's outside. ...I wonder if Kumasawa-san thought that the gold might be hidden in there.\" <br><br>\r\n「さぁ。いずれにせよ、六軒島の屋敷のどこかでしょうな。……お袋の預金口座には、残念だが、黄金を発見したと思えるようなお金は入ってませんでしたよ。うはははは、さすがに見つからんかったんでしょうなぁ。」 <br>\r\n\"Who knows. Either way, I do wonder where in the Rokkenjima mansion it was. ...I hate to say it, but there wasn't enough money in Mother's bank account to make me think she found the gold. Uhahahaha, she probably didn't find it after all.\" <br><br>\r\n……１０ｔの黄金を金蔵に授けた、黄金の魔女ベアトリーチェ。 <br>\r\n...The Golden Witch, Beatrice, gave 10 tons of gold to Kinzo. <br><br>\r\n即ち、魔女こそが黄金の真の所有者。 <br>\r\nWhich meant that the witch was the true owner of the gold. <br><br>\r\n右代宮家の莫大な財産の全ては、ベアトリーチェこそが所有者なのだ。 <br>\r\nBeatrice was the owner of all the vast fortune of the Ushiromiya family. <br><br>\r\nその莫大な富を持つ魔女が、あの日の六軒島の人間を皆殺しにし、…戯れかのように遺族に大金を送りつける。 <br>\r\nThe witch holding this vast wealth had massacred the humans on Rokkenjima on that day, ...sending large amounts of money to the surviving relatives like it was a game. <br><br>\r\n……何が死者からの手紙だ。 <br>\r\nこれは、死者への冒涜。 <br>\r\n...Like hell it's a letter from the dead. <br><br>\r\nThis is a desecration of the dead. <br><br>\r\n私は再び確信する。 <br>\r\n……あの日に島で死んだ家族は、死んで成仏などしていない。 <br>\r\nI was once again convinced. <br><br>\r\n...When my family died on that island that day, they didn't go to heaven. <br><br>\r\n今も魔女に捕らわれ、永遠に冒涜されながら苛まれ続けているのだ……。 <br>\r\nThey're being trapped by the witch even now...and are being desecrated and tormented for all eternity... <br><br>\r\n縁寿が最後に訪れたのは、住宅地と小売店が混在する地域の、マルフク寝具店というを掲げた一軒の店だった……。 <br>\r\nThe last place Ange visited...was a store in the region between the housing district and the retail stores, with a signboard saying `Marufuku Sleep Shop'... <br><br>\r\nそこには、当時、六軒島への連絡船の船長をしていた男が住んでいた。 <br>\r\nThere lived the man who had been the boat captain of the ferryboat to Rokkenjima at the time. <br><br>\r\n……かつては海の男として活躍した彼も、大きな病気をして体調を崩してからは引退し、息子夫婦の家で世話になっていた…。 <br>\r\n...Even he, who had once lived as a man of the sea, had retired after contracting a serious illness, and was now taken care of at the house of his son and his son's wife... <br><br>\r\n「よーく覚えてる…！ あんた、まだこんなに小さかった。立派になったな…！ <br>\r\n\"I remember it veeery well...! You were still about this small. Look how you've grown...! <br><br>\r\nそして、さぞや辛かっただろう。お前さんの気持ち、よくわかるぞ…！」 <br>\r\nAnd...it must have been very tough on you. I know very well how you must feel...!\" <br><br>\r\n元船長は、引退の理由が何だったかよくわからないくらいに元気だった。 <br>\r\nThe former boat captain was in such high spirits that you couldn't really tell why he had retired in the first place. <br><br>\r\n記憶も鮮明らしく、１０年以上前のことをよく覚えており、当時の縁寿のことさえも記憶しているようだった。 <br>\r\nHis memory seemed clear too, and he could remember the events of more than a decade ago well, apparently even about how Ange had been at the time. <br><br>\r\n話が弾み、縁寿としてはとても助かったが、……同時に、最後の親族会議のこともよく覚えていて、船上の戦人の“落ちる落ちる騒ぎ”のことまでも詳細に記憶していたことは、逆に縁寿には辛かった。 <br>\r\nThe way he chatted on was very helpful for Ange, ...but at the same time, he also remembered the final family conference very well, and the fact that he remembered even details like Battler's `fall fall madness' on the boat was actually painful for her. <br><br>\r\n当時もだが、現在も六軒島に渡る公的移動手段は存在しない。 <br>\r\n渡航には、船の所有者に個人的に頼む必要があった。 <br>\r\nIt had been so back then as well, but even now, there was no public way to cross to Rokkenjima. <br><br>\r\nIt was necessary to make an individual request to an owner of a boat to make the voyage. <br><br>\r\n六軒島への船は今だ手配が出来ず、彼に断られたら、六軒島への渡航はもはや絶望的と思われた……。 <br>\r\nI'd been unable to arrange for a boat to Rokkenjima, so if he refused me, such a voyage would probably become hopeless... <br><br>\r\n「わかってる。今、あの島に行きたがる船なんぞ、簡単には見つからんだろ。 <br>\r\n\"I getcha. It won't be easy to find a boat eager to go to that island. <br><br>\r\n……今じゃ六軒島と呼ばず、古い名前の悪食島と呼ぶ者までおる。この辺りの船乗りじゃ、首を縦には振るまいな。」 <br>\r\n...By now, there are even some who call it by its old name, Akujikishima, instead of Rokkenjima. It's understandable why the sailors around here would turn down your request.\" <br><br>\r\n元々、漁民たちの間では六軒島は不吉の島と恐れられていた。 <br>\r\nそして、１２年前のあの事件で、それは頂点に達した……。 <br>\r\nFrom the start, fishermen had feared Rokkenjima as an island of misfortune. <br><br>\r\nAnd because of that incident 12 years ago, this fear had reached a peak... <br><br>\r\n彼らは海を尊敬し、畏怖し、そして信心深い。 <br>\r\n呪われた島に船を出そうとする船乗りはほとんどいなかった。 <br>\r\nThey respected the sea, feared it, and revered it. <br><br>\r\nThere were almost no sailors who would try to take a boat to the cursed island. <br><br>\r\nその為、ウィッチハンターの多くは六軒島へ渡ることが出来ず、せいぜい、島の周りを周遊するのが限界だった。 <br>\r\nBecause of that, most of the Witch Hunters were unable to cross over to Rokkenjima...and were limited to taking a trip around the island. <br><br>\r\n……皮肉にも、そのせいでますますに六軒島の神秘性が増し、彼らが喜ぶようなおかしな魔女話が増殖する結果となるのだが…。 <br>\r\n...Ironically, this had caused the sense of mystery surrounding Rokkenjima to increase even more, which had resulted in the propagation of the bizarre witch stories they loved so much... <br><br>\r\n「………船は、出してもらえるでしょうか。」 <br>\r\n\"......Would you take me in your boat?\" <br><br>\r\n「うむ。 <br>\r\n\"Yep. <br><br>\r\n明日だけ返してもらう約束になっとる。最近はエンジンがだいぶご機嫌斜めらしいがな。かっ飛ばしてやるわい！」 <br>\r\nThey're supposed to give it back to me just for tomorrow. Though it seems its engine has been in a pretty bad mood lately. I'll knock it into shape!\" <br><br>\r\n元船長は、明日、前職に復帰し、六軒島まで船を出してくれることを約束してくれた。 <br>\r\nThe former boat captain promised that tomorrow, he would go back to his previous job and take his boat out to Rokkenjima. <br><br>\r\nこれで、六軒島への渡航手段は確保できた。 <br>\r\n新島で出来ることは、これで全てだろう。 <br>\r\nNow, my method of transport to Rokkenjima is ensured. <br><br>\r\nThis is probably all I can do on Niijima. <br><br>\r\nあとは、明日。 <br>\r\nAll that's left...is tomorrow. <br><br>\r\n六軒島で、……１２年前に遡る旅は、終点を迎える。 <br>\r\nOn Rokkenjima, ...I'll reach the final destination of a journey that stretches back 12 years. <br><br>\r\n『よかったね…。これで島へ行けるようになったね…。』 <br>\r\n『Isn't that great...? This way, it looks like you'll be able to go to the island...』 <br><br>\r\n「そうね。……船を見つけるのは難しいと聞いていたから、船長が協力的で助かったわ。」 <br>\r\n\"It sure does. ...I'd heard that it would be hard to find a boat, so the boat captain's helpfulness really saved me.\" <br><br>\r\n「………縁寿さまほどではないにしても。船長にとっても１２年前の事件は、未だ抜けない棘なんでしょうね。」 <br>\r\n\"......Although it may not be the same as it was for you, Ange-sama, I'm sure the incident 12 years ago has been a thorn for the boat captain as well, one that he still hasn't been able to pull out.\" <br><br>\r\n『……うりゅ。……船長さんも、心の整理がつかなかったんだね。ずっと。』 <br>\r\n『...Uryu. ...Even the boat captain wasn't able to sort out his feelings. This whole time...』 <br><br>\r\n「そりゃそうでしょ。……約束通り１０月５日に、あのじいさんが船を出してくれれば、大勢が助かった可能性がある。 <br>\r\n\"That's probably true. ...If that guy had taken his boat out on October 5 as promised, there's a chance that he could've saved a lot of people. <br><br>\r\nちょっと風が強いからといって、船を渋らなければ…。」 <br>\r\nIf he hadn't been hesitant to go out just because of a little wind...\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ…、そんなこと言っちゃ駄目だよ…。船長さんもそれを今日まで、ずっと苦しんできたはずだよ……。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu, ...you shouldn't say things like that... I'm sure that's pained the boat captain constantly until today...』 <br><br>\r\n１０月５日は、まさに台風の真っ只中だったそうだ。 <br>\r\nApparently, they truly had been right in the middle of a typhoon on October 5. <br><br>\r\n船長に言わせると、１０月４日に六軒島へ向かえば、確実に台風に閉じ込められることはわかっていたという。 <br>\r\nAccording to the boat captain, he had known for certain that they'd be trapped by the typhoon if they headed to Rokkenjima on October 4. <br><br>\r\nしかし彼らは、予め決定された親族会議の日付に強く固執した。 <br>\r\nBut the family had been very persistent about the date of their conference, which had been determined beforehand. <br><br>\r\n……無理もない。親族の誰もが過密なスケジュールを持ち、予め日程を調整した上で親族会議に訪れている。 <br>\r\n...It was only natural. All of the relatives had been very busy at the time, and they came to the family conference only after arranging their schedules beforehand. <br><br>\r\n台風が近付いているから翌週に変更、と簡単には言えない事情もあっただろう。 <br>\r\nIt was probably a situation where they couldn't easily push it back to the next week just because a typhoon was approaching. <br><br>\r\n……船長の責任ではない。 <br>\r\n...It wasn't the boat captain's fault. <br><br>\r\nしかし、台風のせいにしてしまえるほど、彼は無責任ではなかった、ということかもしれない。 <br>\r\nBut perhaps you could say that he wasn't so irresponsible that he could place the blame wholly on the typhoon. <br><br>\r\n確かに船長はマモンたちの言うとおり、ずっと１２年前を引き摺ってきたに違いない。 <br>\r\nCertainly, just as these two said, there's no doubt that the boat captain has been dragging the events of 12 years ago along with him this whole time. <br><br>\r\n……そして、最後の右代宮一族である私を島に送り届け、それを無事に連れ帰ることで、過去に決着をつけようとしているのかもしれない…。 <br>\r\n...And, by taking me, the last member of the Ushiromiya line, to the island, and bringing me back safely, he might be trying to find some resolution for his past... <br><br>\r\n「船は昼過ぎに帰ってくることになってる。それからあんたを六軒島へ案内するから、到着は夕方前になるだろう。 <br>\r\n\"The boat is supposed to return just after noon. I'll guide you to Rokkenjima after that, so we should arrive before evening. <br><br>\r\n電気も灯りもない島だ。あまり長居は出来んぞ。……その程度の上陸で、あんたの気は済むかね？」 <br>\r\nIt's an island without electricity or lights. You won't be able to stay long. ...Will you be satisfied with a landing that short?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。 <br>\r\n\"...... <br><br>\r\n長居したから何かの気が済む、というものでもありませんし。船を出してもらえるだけでも感謝します。」 <br>\r\nThere's nothing that would make me more satisfied by staying longer. I'm grateful just to have you take me there.\" <br><br>\r\n「うむ、すまんな。わしが船を手放していなければ、ケチなことを言わず、好きなだけ島へ案内してやれるんだが…。」 <br>\r\n\"Yep, don't mention it. If I hadn't parted with my boat, I'd be able to guide you to the island as much as you liked, without being stingy...\" <br><br>\r\n六軒島で何かをしたいという目的があるわけじゃない。 <br>\r\nIt's not like I have a goal of doing something in particular on Rokkenjima. <br><br>\r\n滞在する時間帯は、夕方頃か…。 <br>\r\nSo, I'll be there during the evening... <br><br>\r\n……昼と夜という異なる世界を跨ぐ夕方は、まるでこの世とあの世、もしくは、１９９８年と１９８６年の境目のような気がして、六軒島を訪れる時間としてもっとも相応しいようにも感じられた。 <br>\r\n...The evening, which straddles the two different worlds of day and night, seemed almost like a borderline between this world and the next...or possibly, 1998 and 1986, and it felt like the most fitting time to visit Rokkenjima. <br><br>\r\n……島で何かをするわけじゃない。 <br>\r\n...It's not like I have anything in particular to do there. <br><br>\r\nほんの数時間の滞在でも、私の心の整理がつくならば充分だろう。 <br>\r\nJust staying there for a few hours should be enough for me to find some closure. <br><br>\r\nその時、障子が小さくノックされ、天草が顔を出し、腕時計を叩くような仕草をする。 <br>\r\n私も頷き返し、明日の船は確保できたことを教えた。 <br>\r\nAt that time, there was a small knock on the paper sliding door, and Amakusa stuck his head in, tapping his watch. <br><br>\r\nI nodded back and told him about how I had succeeded in reserving a boat for tomorrow. <br><br>\r\n「それは良かった。……そろそろ参りましょう。 <br>\r\n\"That's great. ...It's about time for us to go. <br><br>\r\n船長、明日はよろしくお願いします。」 <br>\r\nWe'll be counting on you tomorrow, Captain.\" <br><br>\r\n「おう、任せておけ！ お前さんたちの難儀な事情も聞いとる。わしも、当時のワイドショーを見ていて、面白半分に事件を掻き回す連中に虫唾が走っとったもんだ。協力は惜しまんよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Sure, leave it to me! I've heard all about what you guys've gone through. I also watched the talk shows at the time...and was disgusted by the people who stirred up that incident just for fun. I'll help out any way I can.\" <br><br>\r\n「ありがとうございます。……それでは明日、お昼に。 <br>\r\n\"Thank you very much. ...Then we'll see you noon tomorrow. <br><br>\r\nあの、これ。船代に。」 <br>\r\nUmm, here. The fare for the boat.\" <br><br>\r\n縁寿は懐より帯封付きの壱万円札の束を取り出す。 <br>\r\nAnge took a wrapped wad of ten-thousand yen bills from her pocket. <br><br>\r\nその厚みは、確かに船長にも見えたはずだ。しかし船長はまったく興味を示さず、首を横に振った。 <br>\r\nThe boat captain should have noticed its thickness as well, but he paid it absolutely no interest and shook his head. <br><br>\r\n「……わしはお前さんに感謝しとるよ。これは天のお導きだ。あんたを、六軒島へ連れて行き、そして無事に連れ帰る最後のチャンスを下さったんだ。わしは金蔵さんに任されていた最後の仕事を、今、ようやく終えることが出来る。だからあんたには感謝してる。カネは、当時の金蔵さんからたらふくもらってる。あんたから取れんよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...I'm grateful to you. This is a sign from the heavens. I've been given a final chance to take you to Rokkenjima and bring you back safely. Now, I'll finally be able to finish the final job Kinzo-san entrusted me with. So I'm grateful to you. I got more than enough money from Kinzo-san back then. I can't accept yours.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………ありがとうございます。」 <br>\r\n\".........Thank you very much.\" <br><br>\r\n「階段、足元に気をつけてな。急だぞ。」 <br>\r\n\"Watch your step on the stairs. It's steep.\" <br><br>\r\n……バリアフリーという言葉と確実に対極にある、急勾配の階段を下る。 <br>\r\n...I went down the steep staircase that was the exact opposite of `accessible'. <br><br>\r\n上の部屋にあった、テレビやタンスの存在が信じられなくなる。 <br>\r\nIt was getting hard to believe that there was actually a chest of drawers and a TV in the room upstairs. <br><br>\r\n一階の大部分は寝具店の店舗となっていて、たくさんの布団が山と積み上げられていた。 <br>\r\nその狭い布団売り場を抜け、見送ってもらう。 <br>\r\nMost of the first floor was a bedding store, with many futons piled up on each other. <br><br>\r\nWe weaved our way through the cramped futon shop. <br><br>\r\n天草は用心深く表の様子をうかがってから先に飛び出し、車を回してくる。 <br>\r\nAfter cautiously checking around outside, Amakusa dashed out first and started up the car. <br><br>\r\n「孫の部屋が空いとる。泊まっていっても構わんのに。見ての通り、布団なら有り余っとるぞ。」 <br>\r\n\"My grandchild's room is empty. I really wouldn't mind if you stayed there. As you see, we've got plenty of extra futons.\" <br><br>\r\n「ありがとうございます。 <br>\r\n\"Thanks a lot for the offer. <br><br>\r\n……万一の時、ご迷惑は掛けられませんので。」 <br>\r\n...But this way, even if the unexpected happens, you won't be bothered.\" <br><br>\r\n「………事情は知らんが、相当な厄介に巻き込まれてるようだな。胡散臭い連中が、人探しをしていると噂になっとる。あんたのことじゃないのかね？」 <br>\r\n\"......I don't know the details, but it seems you've been caught up in a lot of trouble. There's a rumor that some suspicious people are searching for someone. That wouldn't happen to be you, would it?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。……さぁ。」 <br>\r\n\"............Who knows.\" <br><br>\r\n縁寿はとぼけるが、船長は察してくれているようだった。 <br>\r\nAnge played dumb, but it looked as though the boat captain had guessed. <br><br>\r\n「わしは、六軒島を目指す客人を送り届け、……そして迎えに行き、連れ帰ることが仕事だった。 <br>\r\n\"My job is to take guests to Rokkenjima...and bring them back again. <br><br>\r\n……その仕事を１２年前に中断したまま、まだ終えていない。だからわしは、あんたのお陰でその仕事を、ようやく終えることが出来るんだ。」 <br>\r\n...That job was put on hold 12 years ago, and it still hasn't ended. So, thanks to you, I'll finally be able to finish it.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。」 <br>\r\n\".........\" <br><br>\r\n「だから。………わしにその仕事を終えさせてくれよ？ わかってるな？」 <br>\r\n\"So listen. ......Let me finish this job, okay? Do you understand me?\" <br><br>\r\n「………………。 <br>\r\n\"......... <br><br>\r\n……えぇ。別に私は、死にに行くんじゃない。」 <br>\r\n...Yeah. It's not like I'm going there to die.\" <br><br>\r\nでも、あの島で死ねたなら、きっと家族のところへ行けるだろうという気持ちは、ある……。 <br>\r\nBut part of me does feel that, if I could die on that island, I'd surely be able to go to where my family is... <br><br>\r\n私もようやく自覚した。 <br>\r\n……私はひょっとしたら、あの島で、……死ぬつもりだったのかもしれない。 <br>\r\nI've finally become aware of it. <br><br>\r\n...I might have been planning...to die on that island. <br><br>\r\n死に場所を求めて遥々と、六軒島を目指して来たのかもしれないのだ。 <br>\r\nI might have come all this way, heading towards Rokkenjima, in search of a place to die. <br><br>\r\nそれを船長も察している。 <br>\r\nだからこそ、死ぬなと重ねて言う。 <br>\r\nThe boat captain had guessed that as well. <br><br>\r\nThat's why he repeatedly told me not to die. <br><br>\r\n「………えぇ、死にません。約束します。 <br>\r\n\"......Yeah, I won't die. I promise. <br><br>\r\n………そもそも私。どうして六軒島に行かなくてはならないかの目的さえ、未だにあやふやなんですから。」 <br>\r\n......After all, I'm still not sure if there's any reason why I need to go to Rokkenjima.\" <br><br>\r\n「いいや、目的はきっとある。 <br>\r\n\"No, I'm sure there's a reason. <br><br>\r\nあんたにないなら、…それは~ib~彼ら~ib~にあるんだ。 <br>\r\nEven if there isn't one for you, ...there is one for ~ib~them~ib~. <br><br>\r\n島があんたを呼んだ。だからあんたはここまで来たんだ。」 <br>\r\nThe island called you. That's why you came here.\" <br><br>\r\n「………そうかも、知れませんね。…私は、……呼ばれたのかもしれない。」 <br>\r\n\"......That might...be true. ...I might...have been called.\" <br><br>\r\n呼ばれた。何のために？ 彼らのために。 <br>\r\nお父さん。お母さん。戦人お兄ちゃん。 <br>\r\nI was called. For what reason? For them. <br><br>\r\nFather. Mother. Battler onii-chan. <br><br>\r\n……そして、真里亞お姉ちゃん。 <br>\r\n...And, Maria onee-chan. <br><br>\r\n………あるいは、黄金の魔女。 <br>\r\nベアトリーチェ。 <br>\r\n......Or maybe, the Golden Witch. <br><br>\r\nBeatrice. <br><br>\r\n六軒島で、何があるんだろう。 <br>\r\nそして私は何を成すんだろう。 <br>\r\nWhat is on Rokkenjima? <br><br>\r\nAnd what will I achieve? <br><br>\r\nいよいよ明日を控えているのに、私は未だに自らの使命を理解できていなかった……。 <br>\r\nEven though tomorrow is finally almost here, I still haven't been able to understand my own mission... <br><br>\r\n店の前に車が止まる音がして、短いクラクションが聞こえた。 <br>\r\nThere was the sound of a car stopping in front of the store, and a short honk could be heard. <br><br>\r\n「それでは明日。失礼します…。」 <br>\r\n\"Then I'll see you tomorrow. If you'll excuse me...\" <br><br>\r\n「うむ。」 <br>\r\n\"Yep.\" <br><br>\r\n狭い店内の布団の山を抜け、私は店を出ようとする。 <br>\r\nWinding between the stacks of futons in the cramped store, I was about to go outside. <br><br>\r\n…………その時、足が止まった。 <br>\r\n......Then, my feet stopped. <br><br>\r\n「……どうしたね？」 <br>\r\n\"...What is it?\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………あ、 <br>\r\n……………あの、 <br>\r\nあれは……？」 <br>\r\n\".........U- <br><br>\r\nUmm, <br><br>\r\n...what is that...?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「うん？ あれ？ はて？ 何の話だね？」 <br>\r\n\"Hmm? That? What? What are you talking about?\" <br><br>\r\n私はわなわなと震えながら、………それを指差す。 <br>\r\nTrembling all over, ......I pointed at it. <br><br>\r\nしかし船長はいくら目を凝らしても、私が驚くような何が指の先にあるのか、さっぱり理解できなかった。 <br>\r\nBut no matter how much the boat captain squinted, he noticed absolutely nothing in that direction that should have surprised me. <br><br>\r\n……そんなことって、…………そ、……そんなことって…………。 <br>\r\n...That must mean, ......th-that must mean...... <br><br>\r\n「…………あ、ありえない……。…ど、どうして…………？」 <br>\r\n\"......I-Impossible... ...Wh-Why......?\" <br><br>\r\n『う、………うりゅ………。……縁寿、 <br>\r\n……どうして？ どういうことなのこれは……？！』 <br>\r\n『...U-Uryu...... ...Ange, <br><br>\r\n...what does it mean? What's going on here...?!』 <br><br>\r\n「……わ、………私にだってさっぱりだわ……。そんな馬鹿なことってあるの……。 <br>\r\n\"...I-I don't have a clue either... There's no way something that ridiculous... <br><br>\r\nこれは魔法なの？ 奇跡なの……？ <br>\r\nIs this magic? A miracle...?\" <br><br>\r\n………えぇ、多分これは運命よ。……私は今、……理解したわ。…………これが、……私の使命だったのよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Yes, this is probably fate. ...Now, ...I understand. ......This was...my mission.\" <br><br>\r\n『…………うりゅ……………。』 <br>\r\n『......Uryu.........』 <br><br>\r\n「私には、………何が何だか…………。」 <br>\r\n\"I......don't have a clue what......\" <br><br>\r\n私は震えながら、店内の薄暗がりを指差し、固まっている……。 <br>\r\nShaking, I pointed into the thin darkness inside the store...and froze up... <br><br>\r\n「ど、どうしたんだね？ 何があるんだね？！ わからん、…わしにはわからん…。あ、あんたには何が見えてるのかね…？！」 <br>\r\n\"Wh-What is it? You see something there, don't you?! I don't...I don't see anything... Wh-What is it you see...?!\" <br><br>\r\n「ありがとう、船長。 <br>\r\n\"Thank you, Captain. <br><br>\r\n……全部全部、 <br>\r\n……これは運命だったんです。ここに私が訪れることさえ、 <br>\r\n……運命だった。…………これが、 <br>\r\n………私が六軒島へ行く、目的で、使命なんです………。」 <br>\r\n ...Everything, everything... <br><br>\r\n...was fate. Even me visiting this place... <br><br>\r\n...was fate. ......This is... <br><br>\r\n...the mission...and the purpose...that I'm going to Rokkenjima for......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「…………縁寿さん？ <br>\r\n\"......Ange-san? <br><br>\r\nどうしました、トラブルですか？」 <br>\r\nWhat is it, is something wrong?\" <br><br>\r\n「わ、わしにもさっぱりわからん…！ お嬢ちゃんが暗がりを指差したまま、固まっちまったんだ…！」 <br>\r\n\"I-I don't have a clue either...! This girl just froze up while pointing into the darkness...!\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さん……？ 大丈夫ですか？ 何が見えるんですか……？」 <br>\r\n\"Ange-san...? Are you okay? What can you see...?\" <br><br>\r\n「あなたたちには見えないの？ それよ、それ。 <br>\r\n\"Can't you two see it? It's that, right there. <br><br>\r\n……見えないの？！」 <br>\r\n...Can't you see it?!\" <br><br>\r\n「見えるのは、ただの陳列棚です。誰もいやしませんぜ…？」 <br>\r\n\"All I can see is a normal display case. There's no one there, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ……、……縁寿……。……ボクには何が何だかわからないよ……。 <br>\r\n『Uryu , ...Ange, ...I don't know what's going on... <br><br>\r\n……これは、……夢なの？ 魔法なの……？ どういうことなの……？ ……………？ …………縁寿……………？』 <br>\r\n...Is this...a dream? Magic...? What is it...? ......? ......Ange......?』 <br><br>\r\nさくたろうが、縁寿の顔を見上げる……。 <br>\r\nSakutarou lifted his face towards Ange... <br><br>\r\n その瞳から、 <br>\r\n……ぼろりと、 <br>\r\n……一筋の涙が零れ落ちる。 <br>\r\nFrom his eyes, <br><br>\r\n...slid a single tear. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「………縁寿さま………………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Ange-sama.........\" <br><br>\r\n「……理解したわ。お姉ちゃん。 <br>\r\n\"...I understand, Onee-chan. <br><br>\r\n……そして、 <br>\r\n……………ベアトリーチェ。」 <br>\r\n...And, <br><br>\r\n......Beatrice.\" <br><br>\r\n『………うりゅ………。』 <br>\r\n『......Uryu......』 <br><br>\r\nこれが、…………魔法なのね…………。 <br>\r\nThis is......magic, isn't it......? <br><br>\r\n「………テストって……？」 <br>\r\n\"......A test...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……う、うむ。よく聞きなさい……。」 <br>\r\n\"...Y-Yes. Listen well...\" <br><br>\r\n 再びゲストハウスに蔵臼たちから電話が掛かってきた。 <br>\r\nOnce again, there was a call from Krauss to the guesthouse. <br><br>\r\n ……そして告げられたのは、……金蔵が孫たちに、次期当主の資格を問うテストを行ないたい、とするものだった。 <br>\r\n...And the message was...that Kinzo wanted to hold a test to see if the grandchildren had the qualifications to become his successor. <br><br>\r\n「………当主様は次期当主を、お父さんたちの兄弟からではなく、孫たちの中から選びたいと、そう、……仰っている…。」 <br>\r\n\"......The Head has said that his successor will not be one of us siblings... That he wants...to pick from among his grandchildren...\" <br><br>\r\n 蔵臼の抑圧されたしゃべり方から、娘である朱志香は、そう話すよう強要されていることを理解する。 <br>\r\nFrom Krauss's restrained style of speech, Jessica realized as his daughter that he was being forced to speak. <br><br>\r\nそして、父親たち人質は今も危険に晒されていて、テストとやらを断れば、人質に危害が加えられる可能性があることまでも理解せざるを得なかった。 <br>\r\nAnd she was forced to realize that the hostages were being exposed to danger even now, and that if they refused this test, there was a possibility that the hostages would be harmed. <br><br>\r\n「そ、……それで……。私たちは、どうすればいいの。」 <br>\r\n\"Th-Then, ......what should we do?\" <br><br>\r\n「……う、…うむ。待て…。」 <br>\r\n\"...I-Indeed. Hold on...\" <br><br>\r\n 蔵臼は受話器を離し、鉄格子の向こうでにやにやと見ている金蔵を見る。 <br>\r\n そして金蔵は次なる連絡を命じた。 <br>\r\nKrauss put down the receiver, then looked at the grinning Kinzo on the other side of the bars. <br><br>\r\nKinzo gave his next order. <br><br>\r\n「テストの前に、無関係な者を排除しなくてはならない。 <br>\r\n\"Before the test, those not involved must be removed. <br><br>\r\n………郷田と熊沢がそこにいるのであろう？ テストに干渉されては邪魔なのでな。彼らをゲストハウスより追放せよ。」 <br>\r\n......Gohda and Kumasawa are there, I believe? It will be a problem if they interfere with the test. Banish them from the guesthouse.\" <br><br>\r\n「………追放、…ですか……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Banish, ...you say...?\" <br><br>\r\n「薔薇庭園に園芸倉庫があったはず。そこへ郷田と熊沢を閉じ込めて施錠せよ。 <br>\r\n\"There should be a gardening storehouse in the rose garden. Lock Gohda and Kumasawa in there. <br><br>\r\nふむ、まずはそれからだ。直ちに遂行するように伝えよ。………我が武具たちが監視する。疑わしい行為に及べば、テストは直ちに中止し、お前たち全てを生贄として処刑する！」 <br>\r\nHmm, we'll begin from there. Tell them to do it immediately. ......My weapons will be watching. If they happen to do anything questionable, I'll instantly stop the test and execute all of you as sacrifices!\" <br><br>\r\n「……わ、……わかりました……。 <br>\r\n\"...I-I understand... <br><br>\r\n……もしもし朱志香…。今から父さんの言うことをよく聞きなさい……。」 <br>\r\n...Hello, Jessica...? Listen closely to what I say...\" <br><br>\r\n蔵臼は朱志香に、郷田と熊沢を閉じ込めるようにとの指示を伝える……。 <br>\r\nKrauss relayed the orders to lock up Gohda and Kumasawa... <br><br>\r\n「……どんなテストを、なさるつもりですか。」 <br>\r\n\"...What kind of test are you planning?\" <br><br>\r\n「んん？ あぁ、実に簡単なテストだとも。孫たちの覚悟を見せてもらうだけだ。さて、どんな結果を見せてくれるのか。……くっくっくっく。」 <br>\r\n\"Hmm? Aah, it truly is a simple test. I only want my grandchildren to show me their resolve. Well then, I wonder what kind of results they'll show me. ...*cackle*.\" <br><br>\r\n霧江は、子どもたちに電話している蔵臼を苦々しそうに見ている。 <br>\r\nLooking disgusted, Kyrie watched Krauss, who was talking with the children. <br><br>\r\n……悔しいが、今は命令を拒むことが出来ない。 <br>\r\n...I hate it, but for now, we cannot refuse orders. <br><br>\r\nこの地下牢での小さな反抗は何の意味も持たない。 <br>\r\nIn this dungeon, a feeble resistance won't amount to anything. <br><br>\r\n下手に挑発し、自分たちを殺させるような事態に追い込んでしまったら、もう殺人鬼に歯止めなど効かない。 <br>\r\nIf we provoke him too much and drive him into a position where he might kill us, there will no longer be any way to stop this murderer. <br><br>\r\n……彼のルールにとりあえず従い、興奮させないようにしながら、チャンスを待つしかないのだ……。 <br>\r\n...For now, the only choice left is to obey his rules without agitating him, ...all the while waiting for an opportunity... <br><br>\r\nしかし、金蔵の命令に従順に従い続ければ、テストと称する何かに子どもたちは襲われ、命を失うことさえあるかもしれない。 <br>\r\nHowever, if we continue to obediently follow his commands, the children might be attacked in this so-called test, and they might even lose their lives. <br><br>\r\n………従順を装おうとも、反抗しようとも、……状況を改善できないのだ。 <br>\r\n......Whether we feign obedience or try to resist, ...nothing will cause the situation to improve. <br><br>\r\nとにかく、最後の一瞬までチャンスを見逃さないよう、目を凝らしていることだけが、今できる抵抗なのだ。 <br>\r\nAnyway, straining our eyes so that we don't let a single chance escape until the very end...is the only resistance possible now. <br><br>\r\n……霧江はそう自らに言い聞かしながら、金蔵の命令を伝えている蔵臼を見守るのだった……。 <br>\r\n...While telling herself this, Kyrie watched over Krauss as he delivered Kinzo's orders... <br><br>\r\n「………霧江さん。ここは、辛抱しましょう……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Kyrie-san, let us be patient...\" <br><br>\r\n「わかってるわ。……悔しいけれど、今は待つしかない。 <br>\r\n\"I understand. ...It's unfortunate, but all we can do right now is wait. <br><br>\r\nこの鉄格子さえ何とかできれば、私たちは屋敷へ戻ることができるんだから……。」 <br>\r\nIf only we could do something about these bars, we'd be able to return to the mansion...\" <br><br>\r\n「……何とかここを出られれば……。……た、試して見ましょう。 <br>\r\n\"...If only we could somehow get out of here... ...I-I'll try something. <br><br>\r\n……………金蔵さん、頼みがある。」 <br>\r\n.........Kinzo-san, I have a request.\" <br><br>\r\n「む、何か、我が友よ。」 <br>\r\n\"Hmm, what is it, my friend?\" <br><br>\r\n「金蔵さんが子どもたちを試したいというのはよくわかった…。……金蔵さんの納得の行くようにするといい。 <br>\r\n\"We understand well that you want to test the children... ...It is fine for you to do as you desire.\" <br><br>\r\n金蔵さんの力がなければ、とっくに潰れていたかもしれない右代宮家だ。その担い手を慎重に選びたい気持ち、よぉくわかる…。それに、その為の親族会議だ。私らは邪魔はせんよ…。」 <br>\r\n\"Without your power, the Ushiromiya family might have been destroyed long ago. We truly understand why you want to carefully select the person who will take charge. Besides, that is what the family conference is all about. We won't get in your way...\" <br><br>\r\n「ふむ。お前の理解が得られて助かる。そうだ、これは親族会議なのだ。私が次期当主を選び決定する、最後の親族会議なのだよ。ふっはっはっははははは…！」 <br>\r\n\"Hmm. Your insight is useful. That's right, this is the family conference. The final family conference, where I will select my successor. Fuhahahaha...!\" <br><br>\r\n「それでだが金蔵さん…。……ここはあまりに冷え過ぎる。あんたのテストの邪魔はせんから、もう少し温かい場所に移してもらうことは出来んかね……。」 <br>\r\n\"And yet, Kinzo-san, ...it is far too cold here. Since we won't interfere with your test, couldn't you take us to a slightly warmer place...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………………。」 <br>\r\n\".........\" <br><br>\r\n南條のその一言で、金蔵のわずかにだけ機嫌を良くしたかに感じられた気配が、吹き飛ぶ。 <br>\r\nAt Nanjo's words, the slight signs that Kinzo's mood had been improving were blown away. <br><br>\r\n値踏みするような険しい目で睨みつける沈黙が、南條にぶつけられる……。 <br>\r\nNanjo was struck with a moment of silence as Kinzo gazed at him with dangerous eyes, as though appraising him... <br><br>\r\n「……確かにここは冷えますね。老体にはお辛いでしょう。 <br>\r\n\"...Certainly, this place is cold. It's tough on an old body. <br><br>\r\n……お館様。上の部屋に移し変えても良いのでは……。」 <br>\r\n...Master, wouldn't it be all right if we moved them upstairs...?\" <br><br>\r\n「それは出来ぬッ！！ 甘いぞ、南條ぉおおおぉ…？ お前は一手猶予を与えるような素振りで、実に華麗に布石を打つではないか。その手には乗らんぞぉぉお…？ 凍えるというなら、真っ赤に焼けた石炭でも敷き詰めてやればよいッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"I cannot do that!! Are you naive, Nanjoooooo...? So, by acting as though you'll skip this turn, you truly and splendidly advance your strategy? I'm not falling for that, you seeeee...? If you're freezing, then why don't I line the floor with red hot coals!!\" <br><br>\r\n「も、申し訳ございません……。」 <br>\r\n\"M-My apologies...\" <br><br>\r\nワルギリアも助け舟を出してくれたが、結局、金蔵が聞き入れることはなかった…。 <br>\r\nVirgilia had tried to help out, but in the end, Kinzo would not comply... <br><br>\r\n「……………あなたたちは大人しいのね。…その気になれば、こんな鉄格子、簡単に破れるでしょうに。」 <br>\r\n\".........You two sure are obedient. ...If you felt like it, you could easily break these bars.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"...............\" <br><br>\r\n「……ここを破ったとて、何もなりません。」 <br>\r\n\"...Even if we break them, nothing will come of it.\" <br><br>\r\n「確かに。……ここを破ったなら、ゴールドスミスのゲームが終わることを意味する。……あなたたちも、そしてゲストハウスの人間たちも即座に、金蔵の儀式の生贄となるでしょうね。 <br>\r\n\"Of course. ...If you were to break these, it would mean the end of Goldsmith's game. ...All of you, as well as those humans in the guesthouse, would immediately become sacrifices for Kinzo's ceremony.\" <br><br>\r\n……でも、案外、あなたたちだけかもしれないわよ？ この状況を打開できる力を持っているのは、……ね？ <br>\r\n\"...But, surprisingly, you two might be the only ones, yes? Perhaps only you two hold the power to break out of this situation, ...right?\" <br><br>\r\n………黄金郷に辿り着きたいんでしょう？ 叶えたい夢がいっぱいあるんでしょう…？ くすくす……。」 <br>\r\n\"......You want to reach the Golden Land, don't you? You must have many dreams you want granted, right...? *cackle*cackle*...\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"...............\" <br><br>\r\n「ガァプ。挑発はいけませんよ。 <br>\r\n\"Gaap, you musn't provoke them. <br><br>\r\n……これはあなたのゲームではない。お館様の、そしてお嬢様のゲームです。」 <br>\r\n...This is not your game. It is the Master's, as well as Milady's game.\" <br><br>\r\n「………どうした、ロノウェ？」 <br>\r\n\"......What is it, Ronove?\" <br><br>\r\n「いえいえ、何も。 <br>\r\n\"Oh, no, nothing. <br><br>\r\n……捕虜とおしゃべりをしていました。お許しを。」 <br>\r\n...We were talking to the prisoners. Forgive us.\" <br><br>\r\nガァプは最後に、挑発的な笑みを嘉音に送ると、背を向けた。 <br>\r\n嘉音は下唇を噛みながら、両拳を震わせるしかない……。 <br>\r\nGaap sent one final sneering smile at Kanon, then turned away. <br><br>\r\nKanon could only bite his lower lip and shake his fists... <br><br>\r\n「…………………。……くそ………。」 <br>\r\n\"............ ...Dammit......\" <br><br>\r\n「……よくがんばったね……。よく我慢したよ……。」 <br>\r\n\"...You did well... Good job hanging in there...\" <br><br>\r\n「僕たちは、無力だ……。家具だから……。」 <br>\r\n\"We're powerless... Because we're furniture...\" <br><br>\r\n「そうだね、……私たちは無力。 <br>\r\n\"That's right, ...we're powerless. <br><br>\r\n……でも、家具は、必要とされることだって、…そして愛されることだってあるよ。……今の私たちは、暗い地下室にしまわれているだけ。 <br>\r\n...However, furniture is sometimes relied upon...and even loved. ...Right now, we've only been stored away in the basement. <br><br>\r\n……きっといつか、誰かが愛してくれる。必要としてくれるから。……だから今は挑発に乗らないで、堪えよう…。……ね？」 <br>\r\n...Surely, one day, somebody will love us. Because they'll rely on us. ...That's why, for now, let's ignore their provocation and bear with it... ...Okay?\" <br><br>\r\n「……お父さん。郷田たちを倉庫に閉じ込めるよう、指示をしました。」 <br>\r\n\"...Father, I've ordered them to lock up Gohda and Kumasawa in the storehouse.\" <br><br>\r\n「良かろう。電話を切って良い。 <br>\r\n\"Very well. Hang up now. <br><br>\r\n……シエスタ姉妹。孫たちが郷田と熊沢を閉じ込めるのを監視せよ。もしも不審な動きがあるようならば、……その時点で次期当主を選ぶテストは終了だ。」 <br>\r\n...Chiester Sisters, observe the grandchildren as they lock Gohda and Kumasawa away. If they do anything suspicious, ...then in that moment, the selection test for my successor will be over.\" <br><br>\r\n金蔵が命じると、シエスタ姉妹が背後に整列して現れる。 <br>\r\nWhen Kinzo made his order, the Chiester Sisters appeared behind him in a line. <br><br>\r\n「了解であります。……斥候は私がやる。５５６と４１０は両翼支援。４５は全周警戒。」 <br>\r\n\"Understood, sir. ...I will scout. 556 and 410 will cover both flanks. 45, you're on wide-area surveillance.\" <br><br>\r\n「００…。５５６は……。」 <br>\r\n\"00, 556 is...\" <br><br>\r\n「ん、…………そうだった。すまない。」 <br>\r\n\"Ah, ......that's right. Sorry.\" <br><br>\r\n「いい子でした……。」 <br>\r\n\"She was a good kid...\" <br><br>\r\n「……だから私は嫌いにぇ。…いいヤツは。」 <br>\r\n\"...That's why I don't like them nyeh. ...Good people.\" <br><br>\r\n「何をしているか、シエスタ姉妹！ 我が命令を遂行せよ！」 <br>\r\n\"What are you doing, Chiester Sisters?! Follow my orders!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………失礼しました。では、監視に向かうであります。……出撃！」 <br>\r\n\"......My apologies, sir. Then, let us go observe. ...Move out!\" <br><br>\r\nシエスタ姉妹たちは一斉に姿を消す。 <br>\r\nThe Chiester Sisters erased their forms simultaneously. <br><br>\r\nその、瞬間移動のように姿を現し、そして姿を消す瞬間を南條と霧江は目撃していたが、暗がりより現れ、暗がりに姿を消したため、瞬間移動のように見えてしまったのだろうと解釈し、目をごしごしと擦ることしか出来なかった…。 <br>\r\nNanjo and Kyrie had witnessed the instants they appeared and disappeared as if by teleportation, but they interpreted this as moving in and out of the darkness in a way that only looked like teleportation, and the two could do nothing but rub their eyes... <br><br>\r\n「……さて。私はテストの準備をしよう。ロノウェ、ガァプ。お前たちには試験官を頼む。 <br>\r\n\"...Well then, I shall begin the preparations for the test. Ronove, Gaap, I'm asking you to be the examiners. <br><br>\r\nワルギリアはこやつらを監視するように。………何しろ我が家具が２人いる。一応は警戒せよ。」 <br>\r\nVirgilia, you'll watch these rats. ......After all, two of my furniture are here. Just in case, be on your guard.\" <br><br>\r\nじろりと紗音と嘉音を見る。 <br>\r\n紗音は硬く目を瞑りながら黙礼し、余計なことはしませんと無言で答えた……。 <br>\r\nHe glanced at Shannon and Kanon. <br><br>\r\nTightly closing her eyes, Shannon gave a silent bow and answered wordlessly, avoiding any unnecessary actions... <br><br>\r\n「……かしこまりました。注意します。」 <br>\r\n\"...Certainly. I'll be careful.\" <br><br>\r\n「リーアの老体には寒くて辛くない？ 湯たんぽでも持ってくる…？」 <br>\r\n\"Isn't this cold hard on your old body, Lia? Should I bring you a hot water bottle...?\" <br><br>\r\n「うるさいです。早くお行きなさい。ガプっ。」 <br>\r\n\"Shut up. Go quickly. Gap!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「ぷっくっくっく…！ さてさて、テストとは、そして試験官とは、今回のゲームは変わった試みですね。 <br>\r\n\"Pukukuku...! Well now, what a strange experience this game is, to have a test and examiners. <br><br>\r\n………お嬢様を楽しませる展開になると良いのですが。」 <br>\r\n......I do hope this development entertains Milady.\" <br><br>\r\n「……さぁさお出でなさい、山羊の従者たち。」 <br>\r\n\"...Come, arise, goat attendants.\" <br><br>\r\nワルギリアが暗がりに呼び掛けると、そこより、ぬうっと、山羊頭の大柄な従者が３人現れる。 <br>\r\nVirgilia began to call out into the darkness, and from that spot, three massive goat-headed attendants suddenly appeared. <br><br>\r\n「ベアトの眷属ね。便利だわ。しかも温かそうだし。 <br>\r\n\"Ah, Beato's minions. How convenient. Plus, they seem so warm. <br><br>\r\nあぁ、湯たんぽの代わりね。なら山羊より羊の方がいいんじゃない？」 <br>\r\nI see, so you'll use them instead of a hot water bottle. In that case, wouldn't sheep have been better than goats?\" <br><br>\r\n「カシミア雑巾のくせにうるさいですよ。……彼らは賢くはありませんが、命令に忠実で強靭な頼れる従者たちです。」 <br>\r\n\"You're the one wearing cashmere. ...They aren't very bright, but they faithfully follow orders and are quite dependable.\" <br><br>\r\n「うむ、任せるぞ。我が友、ワルギリアよ。 <br>\r\n\"Indeed, I leave it to you, my friend, Virgilia. <br><br>\r\n……残りの者は私と来い。」 <br>\r\n...The rest of you, follow me.\" <br><br>\r\n金蔵は貫禄ある仕草でマントを翻す。 <br>\r\nWith a dignified gesture, Kinzo fluttered his cloak. <br><br>\r\nその後に、ロノウェとガァプも続き、 <br>\r\nFollowing him were Ronove and Gaap, <br><br>\r\n……召喚されたばかりの３人の山羊の従者までも続いていこうとする。 <br>\r\n...as well as the three recently summoned goat attendants. <br><br>\r\n「……あなたたちは私と残るのですよ。ついていかないように。」 <br>\r\n\"...Hey, you three are supposed to wait here with me. Don't follow them.\" <br><br>\r\nビクっと驚いて立ち止まり、とぼとぼと戻ってくる山羊たち。 <br>\r\nThe goats jumped in surprise and then came tottering back. <br><br>\r\nそのやり取りに、呆然と見ていた霧江もさすがに噴出す。 <br>\r\nKyrie, who had been watching stunned as all of this played out, couldn't help but snort. <br><br>\r\n「くっくっく……。愉快な部下ね。」 <br>\r\n\"Heheh... What entertaining underlings.\" <br><br>\r\n「ゴ、ゴールドスミス卿より、私語の許可は与えられていませんよ。」 <br>\r\n\"L-L<NAME> did not give you permission to speak.\" <br><br>\r\n…多少は恥ずかしかったのだろう。 <br>\r\n...She was probably embarrassed. <br><br>\r\nワルギリアは冷たそうにそう言い放つが、霧江にはそれが見え見えで、しばらくの間、くぐもった笑いを抑えられずにいるのだった。 <br>\r\nVirgilia had spoken cooly, but Kyrie saw through that, and for a little while, she couldn't restrain her muffled laughter. <br><br>\r\nしかし内心は、一体、金蔵には何人の仲間がいるのかと驚いていた。 <br>\r\nHowever, on the inside, Kyrie was surprised at the number of people Kinzo had with him. <br><br>\r\n少なくとも、金蔵を含めて、すでに１０人もの敵を目撃しているのだから…。 <br>\r\nAfter all, including Kinzo himself, at least 10 enemies had already been spotted... <br><br>\r\n……今、自分たちが閉じ込められている地下牢は、九羽鳥庵という秘密の屋敷の地下だという。 <br>\r\n...The dungeon they were currently locked in was supposedly underneath the hidden mansion called Kuwadorian. <br><br>\r\nこの屋敷の存在は、囁かれながらも、今日まで蔵臼さえも知らなかった。 <br>\r\nAlthough this mansion had been whispered of, not even Krauss had known of its existence until today. <br><br>\r\nそんな風な、金蔵以外に知らない施設がいくつも六軒島には存在し、金蔵しか知らない、未知の手下が何人も潜んでいたというのだろうか…？ <br>\r\nAre there actually several facilities like this on Rokkenjima, where many unknown henchmen that only Kinzo knows of hide...? <br><br>\r\n一体、この台風で閉ざされた六軒島には、今、何人の人間がいるというのか…？ <br>\r\nJust how many humans are on Rokkenjima, locked away by the typhoon...? <br><br>\r\nいや、むしろ。 <br>\r\nこの島にいる人数は１８人なんて思い込んでいるのは、自分たちだけなのではないか……？ <br>\r\nNo, on the contrary... <br><br>\r\nWere we the only ones under the impression that there were only 18 people on this island...? <br><br>\r\nベアトリーチェはいるのか、いないのか、などと悩み、１９人目の存在程度で頭を悩ませていた自分たちは、この島ではまさに井の中の蛙ではないのか…？ <br>\r\nWere we, who bickered over whether Beatrice existed or not and worried about whether a 19 person existed or not, nothing more than the frogs in a well on this island...? <br><br>\r\nいやいや、それどころか…。今や、敵の方がこちらよりも人数が多いのではないか…？ <br>\r\nNo wait, not only that... By now, are there actually more people on the enemy's side than on ours...? <br><br>\r\n「…………何が起こってるの、一体……。魔女？ 悪魔？ 魔法？ ……それを信じろというの？ おかしいのは私の目？ それとも頭なの？ …頭がどうにかなりそうよ………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Just what the hell is going on...? Witches? Demons? Magic? ...Are you telling us to believe in those? Are my eyes screwed up? Or is it my head? ...I think I'm losing it......\" <br><br>\r\n魔法にて繰り広げる大虐殺。 <br>\r\n宙より姿を現し、宙に消える悪魔たち。 <br>\r\nA mass murder by magic. <br><br>\r\nDemons forming and disappearing into thin air. <br><br>\r\n敵の人数がどうこうよりも、目の当たりにさせられている数々の、この世の常識では説明できない現象を、どう解釈すればいいというのか。 <br>\r\nSetting aside the enemy's numbers, how should we interpret the various things thrust before our eyes that cannot be explained with the common sense of our world? <br><br>\r\n……霧江は何が何だかわからなくなり、全てを投げ出して降参したくなる気持ちと必死に戦いながら、正気を保とうと歯を食いしばるのだった…。 <br>\r\n...Kyrie started to feel like she didn't know what was going on anymore, and while desperately battling the urge to abandon everything and give up, she grit her teeth and tried to hold onto her sanity... <br><br>\r\n当然だが、郷田も熊沢も、薔薇庭園の園芸倉庫に閉じ込められるなど、まっぴらごめんだった。 <br>\r\nObviously, Gohda and Kumasawa were quite unwilling to be locked in the rose garden shed. <br><br>\r\n……しかし逆らえば、人質たちの安全は保証されないと脅されている…。 <br>\r\n...But they were threatened that, if they resisted, the hostages' safety could not be guaranteed... <br><br>\r\n彼らはなかなか納得してくれなかったが、園芸倉庫に閉じ込めた後、窓の隙間からその鍵を彼らに託すことによって、むしろ彼らの安全が保証できるのではないかと考えるに至り、……毛布、食料を運び込むことでようやく納得してもらえたのだった。 <br>\r\nIt was fairly hard to get them to agree, but once they started thinking that their safety might actually be guaranteed if the key to the gardening storehouse was to be handed to them after being shut inside, ...and when it was decided that blankets and food would be carried in for them, they were finally convinced. <br><br>\r\n「………ここは寒々しいですねぇ…。私たちはいつまでここに閉じ込められていればいいのでしょうか……。」 <br>\r\n\"......This place is pretty chilly... I wonder how long we'll have to stay locked in here...\" <br><br>\r\n「……下手をすると、月曜の朝まで、丸々一昼夜はいてもらうことになるかもしれない。……本当にお二人には申し訳なく思うよ…。」 <br>\r\n\"...It could be as late as Monday morning at the worst, so a full day and night. ...I really feel bad about doing this to you two...\" <br><br>\r\n譲治は戦人と一緒に床の一部を片付け、そこに毛布を敷く。 <br>\r\nそしてそこに、運び込んだ缶詰やクラッカーなどの軽食を置いた。 <br>\r\nGeorge and Battler cleared a space on the floor, then spread the blankets there. <br><br>\r\nThey also left the canned food, crackers, and other light snacks they had brought. <br><br>\r\n「月曜の朝までを二人でこの量じゃ、辛いな…。せめて厨房に寄れたなら…。」 <br>\r\n\"It'll be hard for you guys to go until Monday with just this... If only we could make a trip to the kitchen...\" <br><br>\r\n「余計な場所には行くなと言われてる。 <br>\r\n\"They said not to go anywhere we weren't told to. <br><br>\r\n……私たちは監視されてるらしいしな。………クソ。」 <br>\r\n...Sounds like we're being watched. ...Damn.\" <br><br>\r\n「……何もお力になれないことを、申し訳なく思います……。こんな時に皆さんのお側にいてこその、私どもなのに………。」 <br>\r\n\"...I am honestly sorry that we cannot be of any use... And these are the times that we are truly supposed to be at your sides...\" <br><br>\r\n「仕方ないです。……それより、熊沢さんをよろしく頼みますね。…何が起こるかわからない。 <br>\r\n\"It can't be helped. ...More importantly, take care of Kumasawa-san. We don't know what might happen. <br><br>\r\nいざという時は臨機応変に助けて欲しい。そして何よりも、無事でいて欲しい…。」 <br>\r\nIf the going gets tough, I'd like you to play it by ear and come to the rescue. And more than anything, I want you to be safe...\" <br><br>\r\n「…えぇ、わかっています。……皆さんこそ気をつけてくださいね。今のお館様は、……まるで人の命を、チェスの駒のように奪います。…気をつけて下さい。」 <br>\r\n\"...Yes, I understand. ...Please be careful, everyone. Right now, the Master...is taking human lives like they're pieces on a chessboard. ...Please look out for yourselves.\" <br><br>\r\n郷田は俯き、未だに何が起こったのか信じられない、あの食堂での虐殺を思い出し、その恐ろしさを伝えきれずにいる自分の不甲斐なさに俯く。 <br>\r\nGohda stared at the floor, even now unable to believe what had happened as he remembered that atrocity in the dining hall, and he hung his head in shame at his failure to fully describe that terror. <br><br>\r\n「ありがとう。………くれぐれも注意して下さいね。熊沢さんも。」 <br>\r\n\"Thank you. ...Make sure you stay on your guard. You too, Kumasawa-san.\" <br><br>\r\n「……譲治さんたちも、くれぐれもご用心なさって下さいね……。もう、私には何が何やら、さっぱりわかりませんとも……。」 <br>\r\n\"...And you all please take care as well... I don't have any idea what's going on anymore...\" <br><br>\r\n「それじゃ、……僕たちは行きます。行こう、戦人くん。朱志香ちゃん。……ほら、真里亞ちゃんも。」 <br>\r\n\"Well then, ...we'll be off. Let's go, Battler-kun, Jessica-chan. ...Come on, you too, Maria-chan.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………うー。」 <br>\r\n\"......Uu-.\" <br><br>\r\n閉じ込められる二人の痛々しい表情を見ていると、シャッターを下ろすのが辛くなる。 <br>\r\nLooking at the pitiful expressions on the imprisoned pair's faces, it got really hard to close the shutter. <br><br>\r\nしかし、逆らえない。 <br>\r\n……自分たちは監視されているのだ。 <br>\r\nBut we can't disobey. <br><br>\r\n...We're being watched. <br><br>\r\nシャッターを下ろし、施錠する。 <br>\r\nそして譲治は、倉庫の脇の小さな窓へ向かう。 <br>\r\nThe shutter was brought down and locked. <br><br>\r\nThen, George walked toward the small window on the side of the storehouse. <br><br>\r\nそれは格子が入った小さな窓で、明かり取りと換気くらいしか出来ないものだった。 <br>\r\nAt that side, there was a small latticed window that could only admit light and ventilation. <br><br>\r\nまるで牢屋を思わせ、ますますに不憫な気持ちになるが、……逆に彼らを、金蔵とその手下たちから守ってもいると考えたい…。 <br>\r\nその窓を開け、呼び掛ける。 <br>\r\nIt looked like something from a jail, making the two of them seem even more pitiable, ...but on the other hand, it would hopefully protect them from Kinzo and his subordinates... <br><br>\r\nHe opened the window and called out. <br><br>\r\n「……大丈夫ですか、寒くないですか。」 <br>\r\n\"...Are you okay? You aren't cold, are you?\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ。毛布をこんなにいただきましたからねぇ。……包まっていればきっと平気ですよ。」 <br>\r\n\"We're okay. You've given us so many blankets, after all. ...If we wrap ourselves up, we'll be just fine.\" <br><br>\r\n「石油ストーブとかを持ってくれば良かったな……。」 <br>\r\n\"I wish we could've brought them a kerosene stove or something...\" <br><br>\r\n「……ここじゃ換気できないからね。辛いだろうけど、今は仕方がない。……僕たちは人質を取られている。逆らえない…。」 <br>\r\n\"...But it wouldn't have ventilation here. It'll probably be tough for them, but there's nothing we can do now. ...Hostages are being held against us. We can't disobey...\" <br><br>\r\n「………畜生…。……何とか、霧江さんたちを救出することが出来れば……。」 <br>\r\n\"...Dammit... ...If we manage to save Kyrie and the rest somehow...\" <br><br>\r\n「しっ。……聞かれてるかもしれないよ。………郷田さん、これ。そのシャッターの鍵です。」 <br>\r\n\"Shh. ...They might be listening. ...Gohda-san, here. It's the key to the shutter.\" <br><br>\r\n「……確かに。お預かりします。」 <br>\r\n\"...Indeed. I'll hold on to it.\" <br><br>\r\n郷田は鍵を受け取り、熊沢にもそれを見せた後、自らのポケットにしまう。 <br>\r\nGohda took the key, showed it to Kumasawa, and placed it in his own pocket. <br><br>\r\n園芸倉庫のシャッターの鍵はひとつしかない。 <br>\r\nそれを、閉じ込められた彼らに持たせるわけだ。 <br>\r\nThere's only one key to the gardening shed's shutter. <br><br>\r\nThat key was being held by the ones locked up inside it. <br><br>\r\n鍵を子どもたちが持てば、万一の時、奪われでもしたら、倉庫の彼らの命をも危険に晒しかねないのだから。 <br>\r\nIf the children had kept it...and had it stolen from them by some chance, that would do nothing but expose the lives of those in the shed to danger. <br><br>\r\nそれに、郷田たちに鍵が与えられても、内側から開くことは出来ない。金蔵の要求は満たす。 <br>\r\nAnd even with the key, the shutter could not be opened from the inside. Kinzo's demands were fulfilled this way. <br><br>\r\nだが、外側からももはや如何なる方法でも開けることが出来ない。これは彼らの安全を守る。 <br>\r\nHowever, there was now no longer any way to open the shed from the outside either. This protected them. <br><br>\r\n金蔵に命令されての監禁だが、……この寒々しい密室が、この二人を守ってくれると信じるしかない。 <br>\r\nKinzo had ordered that they be confined, ...and we could do nothing but trust that this cold closed room would protect them. <br><br>\r\n真里亞の手を握りながら、それを見守る朱志香は、真っ暗な薔薇庭園の茂みを見渡す。 <br>\r\nJessica watched this while holding Maria's hand, then looked over the thickets in the pitch-black rose garden. <br><br>\r\n……この暗がりのどこかに何者かが潜んでいて、自分たちが命令に従っているかどうか監視しているのだ。 <br>\r\n...Somewhere in this darkness, somebody was hiding, watching to see whether we obeyed orders or not. <br><br>\r\nもちろん、懐中電灯を向けたところで、そこに不審な人影が浮かび上がることはない。 <br>\r\nOf course, when we pointed our flashlights out there, no suspicious silhouettes appeared. <br><br>\r\nでも、きっと何者かが潜み、監視しているのだ。 <br>\r\nBut somebody was surely out there, ...hiding and watching. <br><br>\r\nその何者かに怒鳴りつけたい衝動に何度も駆られる。 <br>\r\n……しかしそれを理性でぐっと抑え付けるのだった。 <br>\r\nI was hit many times with an urge to scream at them. <br><br>\r\n...But I was able to hold that urge back through reason. <br><br>\r\n子どもたち４人は、何度も振り返りながら、その場を後にする。 <br>\r\nThe four children left the area, repeatedly looking back over their shoulders. <br><br>\r\n園芸倉庫内の頼りない電球の灯りが、わずかに漏れている。 <br>\r\nThe light from the faint lightbulb in the gardening storehouse was seeping out slightly. <br><br>\r\n……この狂った事件が何らかの形で決着し、……あの二人と再会することは、あるのだろうか。 <br>\r\n...I wonder if this insane incident will come to an end somehow...so that we can meet those two again. <br><br>\r\n……譲治は、自ら閉めたあのシャッターの手応えが、…二人を自らの手で殺してしまったかのような、そんな風に感じられるのだった。 <br>\r\n...To George, who had closed the shutter himself, ...the resistance of the lock had made it feel as though he'd killed them with his own hands. <br><br>\r\n「………それでも、……俺たちは逆らえないんだよな……。」 <br>\r\n\"...But even so, ...we can't defy them...\" <br><br>\r\n「テストだと…。……クソジジイめ、ふざけやがって……！ それで母さんたちが殺されて、父さんたちが捕まって……。理解できねぇぜ、ぶっ殺してやる…！」 <br>\r\n\"What's with this test...? ...Damn geezer, don't screw with us...! Killing Mom, capturing Dad for that... I don't get it, I'll kill him...!\" <br><br>\r\n「……大丈夫だよ、朱志香お姉ちゃん。悲しくなんかないよ……。」 <br>\r\n\"...It's okay, Jessica onee-chan. There's nothing to be sad about...\" <br><br>\r\n「………真里亞……。」 <br>\r\n\"...Maria...\" <br><br>\r\n「もうすぐ魔女は蘇る。 <br>\r\n\"Soon, the witch will be revived. <br><br>\r\n………すぐに黄金郷で会えるよ。…きひひひひひひひひひひひ…………。 <br>\r\n...Soon, we'll be able to meet in the Golden Land. ...Kihihihihihihihihi... <br><br>\r\nあ痛。」 <br>\r\nOuch.\" <br><br>\r\n「不謹慎なことで笑うんじゃねぇぜ。……何が魔女復活の儀式だ。 <br>\r\n\"Don't laugh indiscreetly like that. ...Seriously, a resurrection ceremony for a witch? <br><br>\r\n……妄想は祖父さまの頭の中だけにしときゃいいものを、 <br>\r\n ……大勢巻き込みやがって。………こいつは高くつくぜ、…畜生め……。」 <br>\r\n...Getting so many people involved... <br><br>\r\nin delusions he should've just kept inside his head. ...That's gonna cost you, ...bastard...\" <br><br>\r\n「………ゲストハウスに戻ろう。…お祖父さまから電話があった際に不在だったらまずい。」 <br>\r\n\"...Let's return to the guesthouse. ...It'll be bad if we aren't there when Grandfather calls.\" <br><br>\r\n譲治に促され、一同はゲストハウスへと歩き出す……。 <br>\r\nUrged on by George, everyone began walking towards the guesthouse... <br><br>\r\nその時、グルッと朱志香は振り返り、暗闇の薔薇庭園に向かって吼え猛った。 <br>\r\nAt that moment, Jessica turned in a circle, facing towards the darkness of the rose garden, and roared. <br><br>\r\n「………………おいッ！！ 誰か見てんだろ？！ ジジイに伝えとけ…！！ 絶対にブチ殺してやるってなッ！！ <br>\r\n\".........HEY!! Someone's watching, right?! Tell the old man...!! Tell him I'm gonna fuckin' kill him!! <br><br>\r\n 行こう…！！」 <br>\r\nLet's go...!!\" <br><br>\r\nもちろん、誰かが返事を返すことはなく、風雨の唸り声があるだけだった……。 <br>\r\nOf course, there was no reply, only the howl of the wind and rain... <br><br>\r\n子どもたちはゲストハウスへ戻る…。 <br>\r\nこれから自分たちを何が待ち受けるのか、怯えながら。 <br>\r\nThe children returned to the guesthouse... <br><br>\r\n...While fearing what was waiting for them up ahead... <br><br>\r\n彼らが立ち去った後、………まさに朱志香が吼え猛った暗闇から、ぴょこっとうさぎの耳が生える…。 <br>\r\nAfter they left, ...from the exact point in the darkness that Jessica had yelled at, two rabbit ears sprung up... <br><br>\r\n「……ごめっ、ごめごめごめんなさぁいい…！ <br>\r\n\"...S-Sorsorsorry...! <br><br>\r\nバレてましたぁあぁ…！！」 <br>\r\nThey found me ouuuut...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「４５がすっトロいからバレたにぇ〜。に〜ひひひ〜、竜王さまに怒られるぅ〜♪」 <br>\r\n\"It's because you're too slow nyeh. Ni-hihihi-, Pendragon-sama's going to scold youuu♪\" <br><br>\r\n「ごめんなさいごめんなさい、竜王さまに言い付けるのは許してくださいいいぃい！」 <br>\r\n\"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please don't tell Pendragon-samaaaaaaaaaa!\" <br><br>\r\n「黙れ静かに。どうせハッタリだ。 <br>\r\n\"Be quiet. It was obviously just a bluff. <br><br>\r\n…郷田と熊沢の監禁は確認した。任務完了。報告に戻るぞ。」 <br>\r\n...Gohda and Kumasawa's imprisonment confirmed. Mission complete. We'll report back.\" <br><br>\r\n「や〜い、や〜い にひひひひひひひひひひひひひひ！ <br>\r\n\"Ya-i, ya-i. Nihihihihihihihihi! <br><br>\r\n あ痛。」 <br>\r\nOuch.\" <br><br>\r\n「連帯責任でニンジンと水だけの刑になりたいか。……行くぞ。」 <br>\r\n\"Do you want us all stuck on nothing but carrots and water because of collective responsibility? ...Let's go.\" <br><br>\r\n彼らが監視を受けているのは、確かに事実のようだった。 <br>\r\nThe fact that they were being watched certainly seemed to be true. <br><br>\r\nいとこ部屋に戻り灯りをつけて、ベッドの上に横になったらもう電話が鳴ったからだ。 <br>\r\nBecause, when they returned to the cousin room, turned the lights on, and laid down on their beds, the phone rang again. <br><br>\r\nこれまでは、朱志香の家ということもあり、朱志香が受話器を取っていたが、今度は最年長者ということで譲治が受話器を取った。 <br>\r\nEarlier, Jessica had been answering the phone, seeing as this was her house, but now it was the eldest, George, who picked it up. <br><br>\r\n電話の相手は、今度は霧江さんだった。 <br>\r\nThis time, Kyrie-san was on the other end of the line. <br><br>\r\n気を遣い、その受話器を戦人に譲る…。 <br>\r\nGeorge handed it to Battler out of consideration... <br><br>\r\n「………もしもし。霧江さんか？ そっちは大丈夫なのか…？！」 <br>\r\n\"......Hello. Kyrie-san? Is everything all right over there...?!\" <br><br>\r\n「心配をありがとう。…今のところは快適よ。…………………ごめんなさい、私語は慎めと命令されてる。今から伝えることをよく聞いて。」 <br>\r\n\"Thanks for worrying. ...At the moment, we're all doing great here. ...............Sorry, I've been ordered to refrain from idle chatter. Listen to what I'm about to tell you.\" <br><br>\r\n彼らが人質であるという事実は、何も変わらない。 <br>\r\nこの電話だって、金蔵かその手下に聞かれているだろう。 <br>\r\nThe fact that they were hostages still hadn't changed. <br><br>\r\nKinzo or one of his subordinates was listening to the conversation. <br><br>\r\n戦人は、色々と話したい気持ちをぐっと抑えて、霧江の話を促す。 <br>\r\nBattler restrained the urge to talk about other things...and focused on what Kyrie had to say. <br><br>\r\n「テストは、朱志香ちゃん、譲治くん、戦人くん。そして真里亞ちゃんの順で行なわれるそうよ。………順番に呼び出すから、それまでその部屋を出ないこと。呼び出された者は、ひとりで指定された場所に向かうこと。」 <br>\r\n\"The test will be carried out by Jessica-chan, George-kun, Battler-kun, and Maria-chan, in that order. ...You'll each be summoned in turn, so until then, do not leave the room. When someone's called out, they'll head to their designated location, alone.\" <br><br>\r\n戦人はそれを復唱し、周りで聞いているいとこたちにもわかるようにした。 <br>\r\nBattler repeated it out loud, so that the cousins listening in around him could hear. <br><br>\r\n「……朱志香、兄貴、俺、真里亞の順で、呼び出しがあるまで部屋にいろ、だな。……わかった…。 <br>\r\n\"...So it'll be Jessica, Aniki, me, and Maria, in that order, and we've gotta stay in the room until we're called, right? ...Got it. <br><br>\r\n……真里亞もなのかよ？ ９歳の子にまで、クソジジイは何を強いる気なんだ、畜生め…。」 <br>\r\n...Maria too? Even a nine-year-old girl... What's the damn geezer trying to force us to do, that bastard...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………右代宮家の命運は、あなたたちに握られてるわ。……頑張って。」 <br>\r\n\"......The fate of the Ushiromiya family rests in all of your hands. ...Do your best.\" <br><br>\r\n「……ん。……………あぁ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Nng. ......Sure.\" <br><br>\r\n戦人は、霧江の言葉の微妙なニュアンスに気付く。 <br>\r\n血が繋がっていないとはいえ、短くない縁から理解できるものだった。 <br>\r\nBattler noticed the strange nuance in Kyrie's words. <br><br>\r\nEven without any blood connection, he could still understand thanks to the long-lasting bond they shared. <br><br>\r\nこの期に及んで、右代宮家の心配など場違いだ。 <br>\r\n……霧江が伝えたいのはそういうことではないだろう。 <br>\r\nAt this point, it doesn't make sense to worry about the Ushiromiya family itself. <br><br>\r\n...That probably wasn't the message Kyrie wanted to send. <br><br>\r\n恐らく、“自分たちには地下牢から脱出する方法がなく、救出を待つ他ない。命は預けた”。 <br>\r\nShe probably meant `There's no way for us to escape from this dungeon, and we can only wait to be rescued. Our lives are in your hands.' <br><br>\r\n……そういう意味なのだ。 <br>\r\n...Something like that. <br><br>\r\n「あぁ、任せてくれ。どんなテストか知らねぇが上等だぜ。受けてたってやらぁ。 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, leave it to me. We don't know what kind of test it is, but no problem. I'll take it gladly. <br><br>\r\n………本気のテストなんだよな？ …マジにやっちまって、 <br>\r\n......It's gonna be a serious test, right? ...Should we really... <br><br>\r\n……いいんだよな？」 <br>\r\ngo all out?\" <br><br>\r\n「……えぇ。本気のテストよ。お祖父さまも本気で試すつもりでいるわ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Yes. It's a serious test. Grandfather truly does intend to test you all.\" <br><br>\r\n「駄目だな、全然駄目だぜ。……死に掛けの老いぼれが、俺と本気？ <br>\r\n\"It's useless, it's all useless. ...Some old fart on death's door is gonna give me a serious challenge? <br><br>\r\n寝言は棺に入ってから言いやがれ。そこにいる、ジジィに言っとけ。次期当主は俺だ。その最初の仕事は、てめぇの面に鉄拳ブチ込んでやることだってな…！」 <br>\r\nLet him spout nonsense after he gets in the coffin. I know he's there, so tell him this for me: I'll be your successor. And my first action will be to shove my fist into your face...!\" <br><br>\r\nその戦人の力強い宣戦布告は、霧江が復唱せずとも、金蔵の耳に届く…。 <br>\r\nEven without Kyrie having to repeat it, Battler's powerful declaration of war reached Kinzo's ears... <br><br>\r\n「ふっはははははははは！！ 戦人ぁあぁ、それは実に楽しみであるぞぉ！ <br>\r\n\"Fuhahahahahahahaha!! Battleeeeer, I am truly looking forward to thaaat! <br><br>\r\n一度は右代宮の名を捨てた男が、何を身に付け、何の境地に至って我が前に現れるというのか、楽しみにしているッ！！ そう伝えよ…！」 <br>\r\nI can't wait to see just what a man who once threw away the Ushiromiya name has attained, just what lot in life he's reached when he appears before me!! Tell him...!\" <br><br>\r\n残念ながら、金蔵のその声は受話器には拾われなかった。だから霧江が代弁する。 <br>\r\nUnfortunately, Kinzo's voice was not picked up by the reciever. Therefore, Kyrie spoke for him. <br><br>\r\n「大いに上等だそうよ。……いい、戦人くん。手加減は不要よ。 <br>\r\n\"It sounds like he's more than up for the challenge. ...Got that, Battler-kun? There's no need to hold back. <br><br>\r\n………あなたは留弗夫さんの息子。 <br>\r\n......You are Rudolf's son. <br><br>\r\n……いいえ、私の息子よ。誰に自慢しても恥ずかしくないところを、私にも見せて頂戴。………あなたに全てを託すわ……。」 <br>\r\n...No, you are my son. Show me something I can brag about to anyone. ......I leave everything in your hands.\" <br><br>\r\n「了解だぜ、カーチャン。………後は任せておけ…！」 <br>\r\n\"Understood, Mom. ......Leave the rest to me...!\" <br><br>\r\n「………私たち全員は当主跡継ぎの資格を失っている。……もう私たちは、取られてゲーム盤から外された駒も同然よ。だからあなたたちだけで、戦って。」 <br>\r\n\"......All of us here have lost the right to inherit the position of Successor. ...Now, we're just the same as pieces taken off the game board looking on from the outside. So you'll have to fight by yourselves.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………霧江さん………。」 <br>\r\n\".........Kyrie-san......\" <br><br>\r\n その言葉のニュアンスは………、 <br>\r\nThe nuance of those words meant...... <br><br>\r\n“私たちはもう、諦めている。 …私たちのことは気にしなくてもいいから”。 <br>\r\n`We've already given up, ...so forget about us.' <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n……だが、………だからこそ、俺は諦めない……。 <br>\r\n絶対にテストとやら、ブチ壊しにしてみんなを救ってやる…！ <br>\r\n...But...for that very reason, I won't give up... <br><br>\r\nI'll definitely crush this test or whatever...and save everyone...! <br><br>\r\n「それでは、……一番最初の、朱志香ちゃんへのテストの指示よ。……自分の部屋へ行け、ですって。」 <br>\r\n\"In that case, here are his instructions for the first test, Jessica-chan's: ...Go to your room.\" <br><br>\r\n「自分の部屋？」 <br>\r\n\"Really, go to your room? What's your game, you damn geezer...\" <br><br>\r\n「お屋敷の、朱志香ちゃんの自室って意味のようね。」 <br>\r\n\"It seems he means Jessica-chan's personal room, the one in the mansion.\" <br><br>\r\n「………朱志香に代わる。直接伝えてやってくれ。 <br>\r\n\"...I'll hand it over to Jessica. Tell her directly for me. <br><br>\r\n……朱志香。」 <br>\r\n...Jessica, here.\" <br><br>\r\n「も、もしもし……。…………はい、…わかりました…。」 <br>\r\n\"H-Hello... ......Yes, I understand...\" <br><br>\r\n「…………私からか…。 <br>\r\n\"......Starting with me, huh...? <br><br>\r\n……もう覚悟決めたぜ。行ってくるぜ！」 <br>\r\n...Well, I've been ready. See ya later!\" <br><br>\r\n朱志香だって、本当は年頃の少女として怯えたい気持ちもあるはず。 <br>\r\n……しかし、彼女はその気持ちを押し殺し、覚悟を決めた。 <br>\r\nEven Jessica was probably tempted to succumb to the fear of a girl her age. <br><br>\r\n...But she crushed those feelings and strengthened her resolve. <br><br>\r\n「用心、……してね。」 <br>\r\n\"Be careful, ...okay?\" <br><br>\r\n「……私たちは監視されてんだろ。余計なことも出来ない。言いなりになるしかないさ。」 <br>\r\n\"...We're probably being watched, right? We can't do anything we aren't told. All we can do is exactly what they say.\" <br><br>\r\n「………食堂で、ジジイは何の躊躇いもなく、瞬く間に６人を殺したという。……それは、俺たちに対しても同じかもな。」 <br>\r\n\"...They say that old geezer killed those six in the dining hall instantly, with no hesitation. ...So, if we try to fight back, we might end up the same way.\" <br><br>\r\n「わかってる。…………返り討ちにしてやるぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"I know. ......I'll beat them at their own game.\" <br><br>\r\n「無茶は駄目だよ。………危険だと思ったら、自分を最優先にして。……蔵臼伯父さんが、自分のために娘が犠牲になったことを知ったら、胸が張り裂けてしまうに違いないから。」 <br>\r\n\"Don't do anything reckless. ...If you think you're in any danger, your own safety comes first. ...If Uncle Krauss finds out that his daughter sacrificed herself for him, there's no doubt it'll tear his heart apart.\" <br><br>\r\n「逆も同じだぜ。………父さんと母さんが殺されて、私だけが生き残ったら。私の胸だって張り裂けるぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"It goes the other way too. ......If Mom and Dad are both killed, and I'm the only one left, my heart will rip itself to pieces.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。……戦人くん。さっきの話は、本当だよね……？」 <br>\r\n\"..................Battler-kun, what you said earlier is true, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ。 <br>\r\n\"Yeah. <br><br>\r\n………霧江さんたちはもう、……覚悟を決めている。」 <br>\r\n......Kyrie-san and the others are already...prepared for what will happen.\" <br><br>\r\n「なら、…なおのこと上等だぜ。……みんなの命は私たちの双肩に掛かってるってことだ。 <br>\r\n\"Then, ...the way things are now is just perfect. ...Everyone's lives rest on our shoulders. <br><br>\r\n人質みんなは、囚われの身で何も出来ない。なら、私たちが何とかするしかねぇんだぜ。」 <br>\r\nThe hostages can't do anything while they're locked up. That means we'll have to manage something ourselves.\" <br><br>\r\n「………もし、何かあったらゲストハウスに逃げ戻って。その時点で、僕たちがお祖父さまのゲームに付き合うのは終了だ。」 <br>\r\n\"......If something happens, run back to the guesthouse. At that time, we'll be done playing along with Grandfather's game.\" <br><br>\r\n「兄貴………。」 <br>\r\n\"Aniki......\" <br><br>\r\n「その時点で僕たちは宣戦布告。………どこかに閉じ込められている彼らを救い出し、お祖父さまには然るべき処遇を与える。」 <br>\r\n\"At that time, we'll declare war. ......Wherever they're locked up, we'll save them, and we'll deal with Grandfather accordingly.\" <br><br>\r\n「……いいのか、兄貴。……紗音ちゃんもいるんだろ。」 <br>\r\n\"... Are you sure, Aniki? ...Shannon-chan's there too.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。 <br>\r\n\"............ <br><br>\r\n……だからと言って、僕は座して、婚約者が殺されるのを待ちはしないよ。 <br>\r\n...That's why I'm saying it. I'm not sitting around and waiting for my fiancée to be killed. <br><br>\r\n………僕が恐ろしいのは、お祖父さまに紗音が殺されるかもしれないことに怯えることじゃない。 <br>\r\n......What scares me is not that Shannon might be killed by Grandfather.\" <br><br>\r\n~ib~僕の婚約者に恐怖を味わわせたクソジジイを、君らが僕より先にブン殴っちまうことだけ~ib~さ。」 <br>\r\n\"~ib~I'm just worried you guys'll get there first and clobber the damn geezer who made my fiancée experience terror before I do~ib~.\" <br><br>\r\n「なるほどな…。……確かにこいつは、次期当主を誰が決めるかってテストらしいぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"I see... ...This really does sound like a test to see who'll be the Successor.\" <br><br>\r\n「だな。 <br>\r\n\"Yep. <br><br>\r\n……クソジジイの顔面に、一番最初に拳をお見舞いしたヤツが、次の当主だぜ。」 <br>\r\n...The first one to bury a fist into that old face will be the next Head.\" <br><br>\r\n譲治、戦人、朱志香の３人は力強く頷き合い、拳をぶつけ合う。 <br>\r\nGeorge, Battler, and Jessica each forcefully nodded their heads and put their fists together. <br><br>\r\nそして朱志香は、指定された自分の部屋へ、ひとり向かっていく……。 <br>\r\nThen, Jessica headed off to her own room, as designated... <br><br>\r\n彼女の姿が、暴風に揺れる暗闇の薔薇庭園に消えていく。 <br>\r\nHer form disappeared into the darkness of the rose garden waving in the strong winds. <br><br>\r\n……それを見送り、譲治と戦人は握り拳をさらに硬くし、震わせるのだった……。 <br>\r\n...Watching her go, George and Battler gripped their fists even tighter, making them quiver... <br><br>\r\n２階に残った真里亞は、窓から朱志香の背中を見送っている。 <br>\r\nその表情はきょとんとしたもの……。 <br>\r\nLeft on the second floor, Maria watched Jessica's back through the window. <br><br>\r\nShe wore a blank expression... <br><br>\r\n「……みんなは何を息巻いてるのかな。………ベアトリーチェが蘇れば、みんな生き返らせてもらえるのにね。」 <br>\r\n\"...I wonder what everyone's getting so upset about. ......Even though when Beatrice is revived, everyone will be brought back to life.\" <br><br>\r\nもう、朱志香の姿は闇に完全に飲み込まれてしまっている。 <br>\r\nJessica's form was already being completely swallowed up by the darkness. <br><br>\r\n……その時、再び電話が鳴る。 <br>\r\n...At that time, the phone began to ring again. <br><br>\r\n戦人たちにも聞こえ、どたばたと大急ぎで戻ってくるが、それを待たずに真里亞が受話器を取る。 <br>\r\nBattler and George heard it and came clamoring back, but Maria picked up the receiver right away. <br><br>\r\n「……………もしもし。」 <br>\r\n\".........Hello.\" <br><br>\r\n「ま、……真里亞さまですか…？ 紗音です。……譲治さまに代わっていただけますか。」 <br>\r\n\"...I-Is that Maria-sama...? It's me, Shannon. ...Would you please hand the phone to George-sama?\" <br><br>\r\n今度の電話は紗音からだった。 <br>\r\nThis time, it was Shannon on the phone. <br><br>\r\nそしてその電話は、次の順番である譲治に、向かうべき場所を伝えるものだった……。 <br>\r\nAnd this time, the message was to tell the next person, George, where he was to go... <br><br>\r\n朱志香は生まれてからずっと、……当たり前だが、この屋敷で育ってきた。 <br>\r\nOf course, since the time of her birth, ...Jessica had been raised in this mansion. <br><br>\r\nいとこたちがお屋敷と呼んで萎縮するその洋館が、自分の家だった。 <br>\r\nThe atrophied, Western-style house that the cousins called a mansion was her home. <br><br>\r\nなのに、今日ほどそのいとこたちの気持ちがわかったことはない。 <br>\r\nAnd yet, she had never understood her cousins' feelings as much as she did today. <br><br>\r\n……そして同時に、自分がよく見知った自宅が、これほど別の場所に感じたことはなかった……。 <br>\r\n...At the same time, she had never felt her own home, which she knew well, to be as alien as it seemed now... <br><br>\r\n自分の、………部屋。 <br>\r\nHer own......room. <br><br>\r\nそこはかつて、この広大な屋敷で唯一心を許せる、自分だけの隠れ家だった。 <br>\r\nThis had once been her hideaway, the only place in this vast mansion where she could feel at peace. <br><br>\r\nしかし、……今ほど、その扉に威圧感を感じることはない。 <br>\r\nHowever, ...she had never felt as much pressure coming from that door as she did now. <br><br>\r\n「………テストだって…？ ちぇ、一体、何が待ち受けてやがるんだ……。まさか、私の机とか、引っ掻き回してねぇだろうな……。」 <br>\r\n\"......A test, you say...? Tch, what the hell could be waiting in there... I'm not gonna find my desk and stuff dragged around all over the place, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n自らを騙すために、悪態をつく。 <br>\r\n……自分は何も恐れていないのだと、信じさせるために。 <br>\r\nShe acted tough, trying to deceive herself. <br><br>\r\n...Trying make herself believe that she wasn't scared of anything. <br><br>\r\n覚悟を決め、自分の部屋の扉を開く。 <br>\r\nReadying herself, she opened the door to her room. <br><br>\r\n「………………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n……幸いなことに、部屋が荒らされてるようには見えず、ほっとする。 <br>\r\n...When she saw that, fortunately, the room didn't appear to be messed up, she relaxed. <br><br>\r\n誰も、……いない。……もちろんだ。 <br>\r\n人が隠れられる場所など、あるわけもない。 <br>\r\nNo one...was there. ...Of course. <br><br>\r\nThere was nowhere for anyone to hide here. <br><br>\r\n朱志香は咄嗟に、後手で施錠してしまう。 <br>\r\n……これで、この部屋は安全だ。 <br>\r\nRight away, Jessica locked the door behind her. <br><br>\r\n...This way, the room was safe. <br><br>\r\nベッドの下もクローゼットも覗くが、もちろん誰も隠れていない。 <br>\r\nShe peeked under the bed and in the closet, but of course, no one was hiding. <br><br>\r\n「……な、……何だってんだ。……はは、…はは…！」 <br>\r\n\"...Wh-What the hell. ...Haha, ...haha...!\" <br><br>\r\n時計を見る。……２３時１０分、ちょっと過ぎ。 <br>\r\nShe looked at the clock. ...It was just past 23:10. <br><br>\r\n緊張が抜けて、全身に疲労感が蘇ると共に、今日一日がどれほど狂っているかを知った。 <br>\r\nAs her tension lessened and fatigue came back to her entire body, she realized how messed up this whole day had been. <br><br>\r\nまだ、２３時なのだ。 <br>\r\nIt was still about 23:00. <br><br>\r\n……いとこのみんなが集まって、楽しく遊んで、夜はみんなで色々な話に花を咲かせるつもりだった。 <br>\r\n...The plan had been for all the cousins to gather, have fun playing around, and talk animatedly about various things together into the night. <br><br>\r\n本当だったなら、今頃まさにそうしていただろう。 <br>\r\nそれが、……どうしてこんなことに……？ <br>\r\nNormally, we would've been doing that kind of thing right now. <br><br>\r\nWhy...has that turned into this...? <br><br>\r\n「………全部、あのクソジジイのせいだ……。……よくも、母さんを……。みんなを………。」 <br>\r\n\"......It's all that damn geezer's fault... ...How could he do that...to Mom...to everyone......\" <br><br>\r\n怒りと悲しみで、頭がぐるぐる回る……。 <br>\r\nしかし、その矛先を向けるべき相手は、ここにはいないのだ。 <br>\r\nShe shook her head back and forth with anger and sadness... <br><br>\r\nBut there was no one here to direct those emotions at. <br><br>\r\n……施錠によって、この部屋の安全は確保された。 <br>\r\nそれをもう一度思い出すことにより、朱志香は何とか冷静を取り戻す……。 <br>\r\n...Because of the lock, this room's security was guaranteed. <br><br>\r\nRemembering that one more time, Jessica somehow regained her calm... <br><br>\r\nもし、このまま何も起こらないなら。 <br>\r\n食堂に行き、母の死に顔を見たいと思った。 <br>\r\nIf it keeps up like this and nothing happens... <br><br>\r\n...I want to go to the dining hall and see Mom's dead face. <br><br>\r\n……郷田から絶対に見るべきではない惨いものだと、あれほど念を押されていても、それでもなお、最後に母の顔が見たかった…。 <br>\r\n...Even though Gohda emphasized so strongly that it was gruesome and that I definitely shouldn't go to look at it, even so, I wanted to see her face at the end... <br><br>\r\nだが、余計なことをすれば人質に危害が及ぶと重ねて警告されている。 <br>\r\nBut we were warned repeatedly that stepping out of line even a little would put the hostages in danger. <br><br>\r\n……ひょっとして、鍵を掛けるのもルール違反に入るだろうか……？ <br>\r\n...Could it be that locking the door was also against the rules...? <br><br>\r\nここに閉じ篭っていれば、自分だけは助かるかもしれない。 <br>\r\nIf I close myself up in here, I alone might be saved. <br><br>\r\n……でも、開けなければきっとルール違反で、父さんや嘉音くん、紗音、霧江叔母さんに南條先生が、…殺される。 <br>\r\n...But if I don't open it, it'll surely be against the rules, and Dad, Kanon-kun, Shannon, <NAME> and Doctor Nanjo...will be killed. <br><br>\r\n…………５人の命と自分１人の命なんて、天秤が釣り合うわけもない。 <br>\r\n......There's no way the scales will balance out between five lives and my own one life. <br><br>\r\n朱志香は、自分だけ生き残れれば良いではないかと囁く、もう一人の自分の声を硬く目を瞑って耐え、……扉に向かい、鍵を外そうとした。 <br>\r\nJessica tightly shut her eyes, resisting the other part of herself that said `Isn't it okay as long as I stay alive?', ...faced the door, and made to unlock it. <br><br>\r\n……その時。 <br>\r\n...At that time. <br><br>\r\nパチ、パチ、パチ……。 <br>\r\n*clap* *clap* *clap*... <br><br>\r\n乾いた拍手が響き渡り、朱志香の心臓を飛び上がらせた…。 <br>\r\nA crisp applause rang out, making Jessica's heart leap... <br><br>\r\n「鍵を掛けたままなら、ルール違反ということになり、人質たちにも危害が及ぶかもしれません。……しかしそれでも、自分の命だけは助かるかもしれない。 <br>\r\n\"If the door had remained locked, it might have been in violation of the rules, and harm could have come to the hostages. ...But despite that, your own life might be saved.\" <br><br>\r\nしかしあなたはその誘惑に耐え、自ら鍵を開けようとした。そのあなたの勇気は賞賛に値しますよ。」 <br>\r\n\"However, you resisted that temptation and were about to unlock the door yourself. That bravery of yours is worthy of admiration.\" <br><br>\r\n「だ、誰……………、」 <br>\r\n\"Wh-Who......\" <br><br>\r\n この部屋に、人間が隠れられる場所など、ないって、 <br>\r\n……この部屋の主である私が調べたはずなのに、 <br>\r\n………この、男は、どこから。 <br>\r\nIf I, the owner of this room, <br><br>\r\n...searched everywhere a human could've been hiding, <br><br>\r\n......where did this man...come from...? <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n………ニンゲンが隠れられる場所はないけど、……ニンゲンじゃない存在なら、隠れられたのかな………。 <br>\r\n......There was nowhere for a Human to hide, ...but could something non-Human have managed it......? <br><br>\r\nその、大柄な中年の男は初対面のはず。 <br>\r\nThis was supposedly my first meeting with this largely-built, middle-aged man. <br><br>\r\n……片翼の鷲の紋章があしらわれた、執事のような姿をするその男に、面識はなかった。 <br>\r\n...I didn't recognize this guy, who looked like a butler and bore the crest of the One-Winged Eagle. <br><br>\r\n「初めまして、朱志香さま。………私はお館様より家具頭を任されております、７２柱の２７位。ロノウェと申します。」 <br>\r\n\"A pleasure to meet you, Jessica-sama. ......I serve as head furniture for the Master, the 27th of the 72. I am called Ronove.\" <br><br>\r\n「……ろの、うえ……？ …………源次、さん…………？」 <br>\r\n\"...Rono...ue...? ......Genji...san......?\" <br><br>\r\n「……あぁ、…源次は、私の弟のような存在。あるいはこの世界における、私の正しい姿だったのかもしれません。……依り代だった、と言ってもよいでしょうな。」 <br>\r\n\"...Ah yes, ...Genji is like my little brother. Or perhaps he was my true form while in this world. ...You might even say he was my vessel.\" <br><br>\r\n「………何を、言ってんだ、こいつ…………？」 <br>\r\n\"......What's...this guy...saying......?\" <br><br>\r\n「おっと、これは失礼しました。ニンゲンには話しても理解できぬ話。………それでは本題に移りましょう。」 <br>\r\n\"Oh, my apologies. This is not something a Human would be able to understand. ......Well then, let us move on to the main event.\" <br><br>\r\n「クソジジイの言う、 <br>\r\n……テスト、とかいうヤツだな………。」 <br>\r\n\"So this is... <br><br>\r\n...that test or whatever the damn geezer talked about......?\" <br><br>\r\n「左様でございます。こちらが、お館様が朱志香さまに賜れました、テストでございます。」 <br>\r\n\"Correct. This is the test that the Master has granted you, Jessica-sama.\" <br><br>\r\nロノウェが優雅に、まるで、料理の配膳を命じる執事のような仕草をすると、どこからともなく、たくさんの黄金の蝶が舞い上がる……。 <br>\r\nAt Ronove's elegant gesture, like that of a butler ordering for a meal to be set out, many gold butterflies flew up out of nowhere... <br><br>\r\n「んなッ？！ 何だよ、これ……？！」 <br>\r\n\"Gwah?! What the...hell...?!\" <br><br>\r\n黄金の蝶の群は、小さな渦を作るようにぐるぐると回りながら一箇所に集まる。 <br>\r\nAs the cloud of gold butterflies spun around in a small swirl, they gathered in one place. <br><br>\r\n……するとその蝶の小山は、木枯らしに吹かれて消え去る枯葉の山のように消え、……そこには片翼の鷲の紋章が箔押しされた、洋形封筒が置かれていた……。 <br>\r\n...Then, that golden mound disappeared like a pile of leaves blown away by a cold wintry wind, ...and there lay a Western envelope with the One-Winged Eagle crest done on it in gold leaf... <br><br>\r\nロノウェは、どうぞという仕草で、それを拾うよう促す。 <br>\r\n朱志香はおずおずと、それを拾い上げ、中の手紙を開いた……。 <br>\r\nWith a gesture, Ronove urged her to pick it up. <br><br>\r\n<NAME>idly did so...and opened the letter inside... <br><br>\r\n「…………………何だ、これ……。」 <br>\r\n\".........What's...this...?\" <br><br>\r\n「非常にシンプルな、次期当主の資格を探るテストでございます。……そこに記されている問いに、どうか右代宮家を担う次期当主としての心構えで臨んでいただき、答えと、それに至ったお考えをお聞かせ下さい。」 <br>\r\n\"It is an exceedingly simple test to determine whether one is qualified to become the Successor. ...Please attend to the question written there with a fitting attitude for the Successor who is to support the Ushiromiya family...and tell me your answer, as well as the thoughts that led you to it.\" <br><br>\r\n「……ば、…………ばっかやろう……………、」 <br>\r\n\".........D-Dumbass......\" <br><br>\r\n朱志香はわなわなと震えながら、文面とロノウェの顔を何度も比べるのだった……。 <br>\r\nShaking, Jessica looked between the paper and Ronove's face several times... <br><br>\r\n……その頃、朱志香に続いて呼び出された譲治の姿は、薔薇庭園の東屋にあった。 <br>\r\n...At that time, George, who had been called out after Jessica, could be seen in the arbor of the rose garden. <br><br>\r\n本当なら、今夜の今頃、ここで紗音に婚約の証である指輪を渡すつもりだったのだ。 <br>\r\nIf things had gone normally, ...he had planned to give Shannon the ring that would be proof of their engagement...here, at this time, on this day. <br><br>\r\n…しかし、今、譲治の前にいる女は、紗音ではない。 <br>\r\n...But the woman in front of George now was not Shannon. <br><br>\r\n「……読みなさい。それがゴールドスミスからあなたに与えられるテストよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Read it. That is Goldsmith's test for you.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n譲治は、かつて紗音と紅茶を飲んだこともある、そのテーブルに置かれた、洋形封筒を拾い、その中身を読む……。 <br>\r\nGeorge picked up the Western envelope, which was on the table where he'd once had tea with Shannon, and read its contents... <br><br>\r\n内容は短いのだろう。一目見て、すぐに譲治の目が厳しくなる。 <br>\r\nPerhaps its message was short. After glancing at it, George's eyes grew sharp. <br><br>\r\n「…………何だい。これは。」 <br>\r\n\"......What's this supposed to be?\" <br><br>\r\n「うっふふふふ。……見ての通りよ。それがあなたに与えられる、次期当主の資格を探るテスト。……次期当主としての資格を自らに問いながら、その問いに答えなさい。」 <br>\r\n\"Ehheheheheh. ...It is as you see. This is the test given to you, to see if you're qualified to be the Successor. ...As you ask yourself whether you truly are so qualified, answer that question.\" <br><br>\r\n「………何て、馬鹿な問題だ。」 <br>\r\n\"......What a...stupid question.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうね。本当に馬鹿な問題ね。 <br>\r\n\"That's right. It really is a stupid question. <br><br>\r\n………なら、ゴールドスミスにとっての右代宮家の家督なんて、その程度のものなんじゃない？ ……ふふふ。」 <br>\r\n......Doesn't that mean the Ushiromiya family inheritance is also something on that level in Goldsmith's eyes? ...Heheheh.\" <br><br>\r\n譲治は再び手紙の文面に目を落とし、その内容を検める……。 <br>\r\nGeorge lowered his eyes to the surface of the letter once again, examining its contents... <br><br>\r\n譲治と朱志香。……二人に与えられたテストは、わずかの違いはあるものの、限りなく同じものだった。 <br>\r\nGeorge and Jessica. ...While the tests given to them were slightly different, they were almost exactly the same. <br><br>\r\n「……“以下に掲げる三つの内。二つを得るために、一つを生贄に捧げよ”。」 <br>\r\n\"...`Among the three mentioned below, in order to gain two, sacrifice one'.\" <br><br>\r\n「簡単な三択じゃない。………どれを見殺しに選ぶか、自ら決めなさい。 <br>\r\n\"It's a simple three choices. ......Decide for yourself which one you will choose to abandon.\" <br><br>\r\n選択を拒めば、テストは中断。私の手で、あなたをこの場で殺してしまってもいいって許可をもらってるわ。………それさえも選択肢に含めるなら四択ね。 <br>\r\n\"If you refuse to choose, the test will be suspended. I've been given permission to kill you right here by my own hands. ......If you want to include even that as a choice, then there are four options. <br><br>\r\n私、君みたいな子と遊ぶのはずいぶん久しぶりだから、それも嫌いじゃないわよ。」 <br>\r\nIt's been an awful long time since I've gotten to play with a kid like you, so I can't say I'd be disappointed.\" <br><br>\r\n「………この三択は、あくまでもテストなのか。それとも、選択は結果を伴うのか。」 <br>\r\n\"......Are these three choices only a test? Or will the consequence of my choice be carried out?\" <br><br>\r\n「何を甘えてるの。……君が選択した者は、必ず命を落とす。」 <br>\r\n\"Don't be so naive. ...The one you choose will definitely lose their life.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n以下に掲げる三つの内。 <br>\r\n二つを得るために、一つを生贄に捧げよ。 <br>\r\nAmong the three mentioned below... <br><br>\r\nIn order to gain two, sacrifice one. <br><br>\r\n一．自分の命 <br>\r\n二．紗音の命 <br>\r\n三．それ以外の全員の命 <br>\r\n1. Your life <br><br>\r\n2. Shannon's life <br><br>\r\n3. Everyone else's lives <br><br>\r\n何れも選ばねば、上記の全てを失う。 <br>\r\nIf you do not choose one, all of the above will be lost. <br><br>\r\n「……………どうして、紗音の名がここにあるんだ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Why is Shannon's name here?\" <br><br>\r\n「二番目の選択肢には、その者がもっとも必要とする、愛する者の名が。 <br>\r\n\"The second choice has the name of the one most needed and most loved by the test-taker. <br><br>\r\n……朱志香へのテストの二番には、嘉音って書かれているはずだわ。」 <br>\r\n...I believe Kanon's name is written second on Jessica's test.\" <br><br>\r\n「………この馬鹿な問題を、朱志香にも出したのかい…。」 <br>\r\n\"......You gave this stupid question to Jessica too...?\" <br><br>\r\n「くすくすくす。……朱志香のことなんかどうでもいいでしょう。今、試されているのはあなたよ。 <br>\r\n\"*giggle*giggle* ...You shouldn't be worrying about Jessica, right? Right now, you are the one being tested. <br><br>\r\n実に簡単な三択だわ。他の二つのために、どれを捨てられるかということよ。……簡単でしょう？ それでも決まらないなら、コインでも貸してあげようかしら……？」 <br>\r\nIt really is a simple three-choice test. Which can you throw away for the sake of the other two? ...Isn't that simple? If you still can't decide, would you like me to lend you a coin...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……コイン？ 二面しかないものでどうやって三択を？」 <br>\r\n\"...A coin? How would you choose between three options with something that only has two sides?\" <br><br>\r\n「自分の命を捨てられる者が、いるわけがない。 <br>\r\n\"No one would throw away their own life. <br><br>\r\n……となれば自ずと残る選択肢は２つになる。愛する者のために、全ての人間を諦めるか。ひとりでも多くを救うために、愛する者一人を諦めるか。 <br>\r\n...So, there remain two choices that will leave you standing. Will you give up on everyone for the sake of the one you love? Or will you give up on the one person you love so that you can save as many people as possible?\" <br><br>\r\nどっちにも、もっともらしい大義名分が付けられるわ。だって、今やこの六軒島は悪魔の島ですもの。 <br>\r\n\"Either way, you should be able to find a fitting just cause. After all, this Rokkenjima is now a demon island.\" <br><br>\r\n……ニンゲンの世界の、甘ったるい馴れ合いなんて必要ないの。誰も責めないわ。あなたの心の趣くままに。……右代宮家の家督を継ぐに相応しい資格が自らにあるかを問いながら、 <br>\r\n\"...The sentimental relationships of the Human world aren't necessary here. No one will blame you. Do as your heart desires. ...And ask yourself whether you're qualified to succeed the Ushiromiya family Headship...\" <br><br>\r\nいいえ、自らが右代宮家当主であると思って選択なさい？ うっふふふふふふふふ……。」 <br>\r\n\"Or rather, make your decision as if you truly were the Ushiromiya Family Head, okay? Hehheheheheh...\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「………馬鹿に………しやがってッ…………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Fuck you guys, ...mocking me like this......!\" <br><br>\r\n朱志香は手紙をぐしゃぐしゃにすると床に叩き付ける。 <br>\r\nJessica crumpled the letter up and threw it on the floor. <br><br>\r\n「お怒りはごもっともと思いますよ。……私も、非常にお気の毒で、それでいて実に滑稽な出題だと思います。……ぷっくっくっく。」 <br>\r\n\"I believe your anger is quite appropriate. ...I also find it an exceedingly pitiful...and yet truly humorous question. ...Pu ku ku ku.\" <br><br>\r\n「自分から死にたいと願う人間なんて、いるもんか。 <br>\r\n\"How could anyone wish to die themselves? <br><br>\r\nそして、あ、…愛する人の命を見捨てて生き残りたいと思う人間なんて、いるもんか。 <br>\r\nAnd how could anyone want to remain alive after abandoning the life of the one they...l-love. <br><br>\r\n……そして、……自分たちだけ良ければ、他の人間全てを見殺しに出来る人間なんて、……いるもんか…ッ…！」 <br>\r\n...And...how could anyone massacre everyone else, ...as long as it's good for the two of them...?!\" <br><br>\r\n「いいえ、朱志香さま。居ても良いのでございますよ。 <br>\r\n\"No, Jessica-sama. Such a person could exist. <br><br>\r\nここは六軒島、悪魔の島！ 今やニンゲンの世界から完全に切り取られ魔界にどっぷり、チーズフォンデュのように沈んでおります。人の世の価値観など、次の燃えないゴミの日に出してしまいますとも。 <br>\r\nThis is Rokkenjima, the demon island! It is now completely cut off from the Human world and fully immersed in the spirit world like cheese fondue. Values of the human world get taken out with the trash.\" <br><br>\r\nぷっくっく！ ですからどうか。朱志香さまが心より欲するものを、順にお選び下さい。その結果、残ったものが、この狂った今宵に相応しき朱志香さまの回答となりましょう。」 <br>\r\n\"Pu ku ku! So please. Rank the things you desire from the bottom of your heart. Whatever remains will become a fitting answer for you in this insane evening.\" <br><br>\r\n「ふざけるなッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Don't fuck with me!! <br><br>\r\n こんなの、……どれも選べるものかよ！！」 <br>\r\n How could I...choose any of these?!!\" <br><br>\r\n「“何れも選ばねば、上記の全てを失う”、も、立派な第四の選択肢でございます。それを選ばれるのもまた、一興でございましょう。 <br>\r\n\"`If you do not choose one, all of the above will be lost'...also makes for a fine fourth option. Even choosing that should give us an amusing show.\" <br><br>\r\nただ、それを選び結局自らの命を落とされるなら、潔く一番の“自分の命”を選び、他の２つを救われた方が賢明かと思いますよ。……全ては朱志香さまの選択に委ねられます。 <br>\r\n\"But since that choice will result in the loss of your own life in the end, I believe it would be more wise to be pure and choose the first one, `your life', so that the other two will be saved. ...Everything has been entrusted to your decision, Jessica-sama.\" <br><br>\r\nどうぞ、右代宮家の跡継ぎに相応しい回答と、その信念をお聞かせ下さいませ……！！ このロノウェ、お館様の血を引きし末裔に相応しき、素晴らしい回答を心より期待いたしておりますッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Please, let me hear an answer and conviction fitting for the Successor to the Ushiromiya Family Headship...!! I, Ronove, am sincerely hoping for a wonderful answer, fitting for the Master's descendant who shares his blood!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ち、……畜生ぉおおおおぉおおおおお……。」 <br>\r\n\"...D-Damn iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiittt...\" <br><br>\r\nその光景は、金蔵の持つ魔法の水晶玉で観察されていた。 <br>\r\nThat scene was observed through the magic crystal ball Kinzo held. <br><br>\r\n金蔵はとうとう堪え切れなくなり、両手を広げて天を仰ぎながら、割れんばかりの声で大笑いし始める……。 <br>\r\nKinzo finally couldn't hold it back and, spreading his arms and facing the heavens, began laughing in an explosive voice... <br><br>\r\n「ふははははははは、わあっはっはははははははははッ！！ 何を迷うか、愚かなる孫たちよ、我が末裔たちよッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Fuhahahahahahaha, waahhahhahahahahahahahahaha!! What are you wavering for, foolish grandchildren, my descendants?!!\" <br><br>\r\n即答できる簡単な問題ではないか。朝のトーストに、バターを塗るかジャムを塗るかより迷わぬ選択であるというのに！！ <br>\r\n\"Isn't this problem so easy that you could answer right away? Isn't this a question that should cause you to waver less than whether to put butter or jam on your morning toast?!! <br><br>\r\n……お前たちには正しい答えがわかるか？」 <br>\r\n...Do you people know the correct answer?\" <br><br>\r\nその後で控えていたシエスタ姉妹にぎょろりと振り返る。 <br>\r\nHe turned to face the Chiester Sisters, who had been waiting on him. <br><br>\r\n「い、いいえいいえッ、申し訳ございません、私にはわかりません、ゴールドスミス卿！」 <br>\r\n\"N-N-No, my apologies, I don't know, <NAME>!\" <br><br>\r\n「愚か者めッ、選べもせぬとはな、ゲームオーバーああぁあッ！！！ 自らの生きる理由も目的も見出せん愚かなうさぎめッ…！！ <br>\r\n\"Fool, not choosing at all means game oveeeeeeeeeeeer!!! You foolish rabbit, who cannot even choose a reason or a goal for your own life...!!\" <br><br>\r\n貴様など誰にも気付かれずに踏み潰されて生を終えるアリ１匹ほどの価値もないわ！！ 死ね！潰れろ！！私が瞬きしている間に消えてなくなれッ！！ <br>\r\n\"You aren't worth a single ant that anyone might step upon without even noticing!! Die! Be crushed!! Disappear faster than I can blink!! <br><br>\r\n……お前はどうか。」 <br>\r\n...And what of you?\" <br><br>\r\n「……私は１番の、“自分の命”を生贄とするであります。武具は戦い、散ってこそであります。そして武具は、敵を打ち滅ぼし、味方を守るためにある。愛する者たちを守って死ねるなら本望であります。」 <br>\r\n\"...I would sacrifice the first one, `your own life', sir. Weapons fight and die in battle. And weapons exist to destroy enemies and protect allies. Being able to protect those we love and then die is our satisfaction, sir.\" <br><br>\r\n「ほお。武具らしい実に見事な模範解答よ。即答、大いに結構。 <br>\r\n\"Hoh. A truly splendid model answer for a weapon. The immediate reply is very nice. <br><br>\r\n……そう答えればニンジンが１本余計にもらえると教えられてきたのか？ ふっふふふふ違うよなぁああぁ？ それすらも違うよなぁあああぁあ…？ <br>\r\n...So, have you been raised to think you'll be given an extra carrot for answering that way? Heheheheh, that's wrong, seeeeeeeee? Even that is wrong, seeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...?\" <br><br>\r\nそう聞かれたらそう答えよと、お前はただ吹き込まれた通りに答えたに過ぎなぁあい！！ お前も今のうさぎと同じだ。自分の生きる理由と目的を、未だに見出せずに生きている…！！ 生きる価値なきクズめッ…！ 貴様など潰されて他の家畜の餌にでもなるのがお似合いよッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Answering that way when you are asked is nothing more than giving the answer you have been indoctrinated with!! You are the same as that other rabbit a second ago. You still live without having chosen a purpose or goal to strive for...!! You filth that doesn't deserve to live...! It would suit you well to be crushed and used as fodder for the other livestock!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………ッ。 <br>\r\n\".........! <br><br>\r\n…はっ！ か、家畜の餌、光栄であります……！」 <br>\r\n...Yes sir! Animal fodder...would be an honor...!\" <br><br>\r\n「違うだろぉおおおぉ？ <br>\r\n\"That's wrong, riiiiiiight? <br><br>\r\nもう誰も死ぬところを見たくないんだろぉおお？ それがなぜ認められぬのか。認めろよ、お前の古傷の奥の奥が未だに膿んで腐っていることを…！ あぁ、腐臭にて鼻が曲がりそうであるわ、愚かなる腐れうさぎめッ！！ お前にはこれが褒め言葉であるッ！！」 <br>\r\nYou don't want to see anyone else die anymore, riiiiiiight? Why can't you accept that? Accept that the depths of the depths of your old wound are still festering and rotting...! Yes, the rotting stench would make the nose wrinkle, you foolish rotten rabbit!! These are words of praise for you!!\" <br><br>\r\n「………あ、ありがとうございます、であります……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Th-Thank you very much, ...sir...\" <br><br>\r\n「さぁて、最後のお前はどうか。この三択から何を選ぶ…？」 <br>\r\n\"Well then, what about you, the last one? Which of the three choices would you choose...?\" <br><br>\r\n「にひ。迷うことなく当然、２番であります。」 <br>\r\n\"Nihi. Without wavering, I'd chose the second one.\" <br><br>\r\n「ほぉ…。２番か。“愛する者”を生贄に捧げることを胸を張って選べる者は多くない。訳を聞かせよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Hoh... The second. There are not many who could stick their chest out and choose to offer `the one they love' as a sacrifice. Tell me your reason.\" <br><br>\r\n「愛する者は、いつかいなくなるからです。愛する者がいなければ、傷つかないし、いなくてもいつか、また誰かを愛せるかもしれない。 <br>\r\n\"Because the one you love will be lost eventually. If you don't love anyone, you won't get hurt, and if you lose someone, you still might be able to love again. <br><br>\r\nだから。今、愛してる者なんて、大した価値はないのですにぇ。……にひ！」 <br>\r\nSo, the person you love right now isn't worth that much at all nyeh. ...Nihi!\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくくくくくく。なるほど、それでそういう回答になるわけか、愛に傷ついたがゆえに臆病になったうさぎよ……。うさぎは寂しさで死ぬと聞いたが、お前の心は一体いつ殺されたというのか…？ <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*cackle* I see, so that is why you reach such an answer, you rabbit who has become cowardly from pain caused by love... I have heard that rabbits can die from loneliness, but just when was it that your heart was killed...?\" <br><br>\r\nならばうさぎよ、問いを変えよう。２番の選択肢を、“愛する者”ではなく、“そなたが愛した者の思い出”に変えようではないか。 <br>\r\n\"Then, rabbit, I shall alter the question. Why don't I change the second option to, not `the one you love', but `the memories of the one you loved'?\" <br><br>\r\n……どうか。これでももう一度選べるかぁ？ 何が愛してる者に大した価値はないだ、愚かなうさぎよ…！ <br>\r\n\"...How is that? Can you still select that one? What's this about the one you love not being worth much at all, foolish rabbit...?! <br><br>\r\n自らの愛の深さにも向かい合えぬクズめッ！！ <br>\r\nFilth who cannot even face up to the depths of her own love!! <br><br>\r\n選んでみよッ、愛した者を忘れられると、選んでみよぉおおおおおッ！！ <br>\r\nTry and choose it, try and choose to have the one you loved forgotten!!\" <br><br>\r\n選べるだろ？選べるものなぁあああぁ？ほおおら選べるって言ってみろよおおぉおおおおッ？！？！」 <br>\r\n\"You can do it, right? I'll bet you can, riiiiiiiight? Cooooome on, try saying that you can, okaaaaaaaaaaaayy?!?!\" <br><br>\r\n「え、…え、選べるであります…。選べるであります…！！ にひ、………にひひひひひひひひひいひぃ……。」 <br>\r\n\"Y-Yes, I can choose it... I can choose it...!! Nihi, ......nihihihihihihihihihiiihii...\" <br><br>\r\n「ゴ、ゴールドスミス卿…！ それくらいでどうかお許しを……！！」 <br>\r\n\"L-Lord Goldsmith...! Please, stop this...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ひひぃひぃ…。……ひぃいいいいぃいいぃん…！！」 <br>\r\n\"Hihiiihiii... ...Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnggg...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「もう良いわッ、クズうさぎどもめッ！！ お前たちはワルギリアのところへ行き、地下牢の見張りを手伝うのだ。消えよ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Enough, rabbit filth!! Go to Virgilia and help keep watch on the dungeon. Disappear!!\" <br><br>\r\nシエスタ姉妹たちは、それぞれの心の古傷を抉られ、逃げ出すように姿を消す。 <br>\r\nThe Chiester Sisters, with their respective old wounds of the heart gouged out, escaped by disappearing. <br><br>\r\n後には、誰も聞く者はないのに金蔵がひとり、演劇を続けるかのように話を続ける…。 <br>\r\nAfter that, even though there was no one to hear, Kinzo continued talking by himself as though in a play... <br><br>\r\n「……と、このように愉快なテストなわけだ。実のところを言えば、これが正解という選択肢はない。 <br>\r\n\"...Indeed, that is the nature of this charming test. In truth, no choice can be said to be correct. <br><br>\r\nむしろ、どの答えであろうとも、 <br>\r\n澱みなく、 <br>\r\n素早くッ、 <br>\r\nそして確固たる信念と揺るがぬ強き自らの意志で選べるかどうかッ！！ <br>\r\n Instead, regardless of which answer they choose, it is about whether they can choose <br><br>\r\nwithout hesitation, <br><br>\r\nquickly, <br><br>\r\nand with a resolute conviction and their own strong, unshakable will!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nその理由と意思の方が重要なのだ。………私はそれを知りたいのだよ。 <br>\r\n\"It's their reason and their willpower that are most essential. That is what I want to learn. <br><br>\r\nあぁ、我が末裔たちよ、お前たちはどのような答えを見せてくれるのか、実に楽しみだッ！！ <br>\r\nYes, my descendants, I am truly looking forward to what kind of answer you will show me!!\" <br><br>\r\n…………んん？ 私か？ くっくくくくくくく！ あぁ、もちろん同じ問いを突きつけられたことがあったとも。その悪魔の問いに見事答えたからこそ、私は黄金と名誉と、あの魔女を我が物とすることが出来たのだよ。私が選んだ答えはどれかぁあぁ？ ………言うまでもないよなぁ。わっはっははははははははははははははははははははは…ッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"......Hmmmm? Me? *cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*! Yes, of course I once had the same question thrust upon me. Because I splendidly answered that devil's question, I was able to obtain gold and honor, and that witch as my possession. Which answer did I chooooooooooose? ......Do you really need me to say it out loud? Wahhahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「さて。そろそろ答えは決まりましたでしょうか……？」 <br>\r\n\"Well then, have you nearly decided on your answer...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n朱志香は、握り潰されて床に転がる手紙をじっと見ながら、……ずっと俯いて黙っていた。 <br>\r\nAs Jessica stared at the letter that had been crushed and lay on the floor, ...she hung her head in constant silence. <br><br>\r\n部屋を満たすのは、風雨の音と梢の擦れるざわめきだけ。 <br>\r\nそれはどれだけ賑やかであっても、むしろ静寂を引き立てるのだった。 <br>\r\nAll that filled the room was the stir from wind and rain shaking the treetops. <br><br>\r\nRegardless of how noisy that was, it actually made the stillness more apparent. <br><br>\r\nロノウェは朱志香の答えを待つ。 <br>\r\n……しかし、朱志香は答えない。 <br>\r\nRonove waited for Jessica's answer. <br><br>\r\n...However, Jessica didn't answer. <br><br>\r\nそれが沈思黙考なのか、思考停止なのか、ロノウェには区別がつかない。 <br>\r\nWhether she was lost in deep thought or had stopped thinking, Ronove couldn't tell. <br><br>\r\n……いや、…本当はわかっているのかもしれない。 <br>\r\n...No, ...he might actually have known. <br><br>\r\nだが、ロノウェは、悪魔らしく意地悪に、……それを朱志香に口にするよう促す。 <br>\r\nBut cruelly, like a demon, ...Ronove urged Jessica to voice it. <br><br>\r\n「………どれも選べないというなら。……そのお命、せめて痛みがないよう、安らかに頂戴させていただきますが、…さて……？」 <br>\r\n\"......If you cannot choose any, ...I can at least bring you peace without pain, ...but...\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。………せよ。」 <br>\r\n\"..................me.\" <br><br>\r\n「……はい？ 聞こえかねました。もう一度、お願いできますかな……？」 <br>\r\n\"...Yes? I had trouble hearing. Could you say it again please...?\" <br><br>\r\n朱志香はゆっくり顔を上げて、……ロノウェの目をまっすぐ見る。 <br>\r\n……どうやら答えは、決まっているようだった。 <br>\r\nJessica lifted her face...and looked straight into Ronove's eyes. <br><br>\r\n...It seemed that she had decided on her answer. <br><br>\r\n「…………殺せよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Kill me.\" <br><br>\r\n朱志香はもう一度、……はっきりとそう言った。 <br>\r\nJessica said it one more time, ...clearly. <br><br>\r\nロノウェは、その答えを初めから想像していたのかもしれない。 <br>\r\n……驚くことなく、薄く笑って頷く。 <br>\r\nPerhaps Ronove had imagined that this would be her answer from the very beginning. <br><br>\r\n...Without any surprise, he smiled lightly and nodded. <br><br>\r\n「……朱志香さまなら、そのお答えを選ぶと思っておりました。 <br>\r\n\"...I thought you would choose that answer, Jessica-sama. <br><br>\r\n……さて、このテストは、どの選択肢が正解・不正解というものではありません。重要なのは、どのような考えを経てその答えに至ったか、という部分です。 <br>\r\n...Well then, there is no right or wrong answer to this test. The essential part is what thoughts led you to that answer.\" <br><br>\r\nさぁ。朱志香さまの、そして次期当主としての心構えをもって、それをお答え下さい。」 <br>\r\n\"Come now. Please answer with a fitting attitude for the Successor.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………別に、死にたくて一番目を選んだわけじゃないさ。……二番の、嘉音くんを死なせること。こんなの、もちろん論外。だから除外。……三番の、その他みんなの命。こんなのも、もちろん論外。だから除外。……そしたら、一番目の選択肢しか、残らなかった。」 <br>\r\n\"......It's not like I chose the first one 'cause I wanna die. ...The second one was letting Kanon-kun die. Of course, that was out of the question. So I excluded it. ...The third one was everyone else's lives. Of course, that was also out of the question. So I excluded it. ...After that, only the first choice remained.\" <br><br>\r\n「消去法、……ですか。積極的にお選びになったわけではない、と……。」 <br>\r\n\"Process of elimination, ...is it? So, it was not something you chose proactively...\" <br><br>\r\nロノウェは、薄く、ふっと笑ってから目線を落とす。 <br>\r\nAfter chuckling slightly, Ronove dropped his gaze. <br><br>\r\n……悪魔が期待した答えがどのようなものなのか、ニンゲンには想像もつかない。 <br>\r\n...A Human couldn't even imagine what answer a demon would have been expecting. <br><br>\r\n……少なくともわかるのは、ロノウェの期待するものよりは少し劣るものだったらしい、ということだ。 <br>\r\n...All she could understand was that this was apparently slightly below Ronove's expectations. <br><br>\r\n「……悪くはありませんが、良くもない回答です。……６０点、というところでしょうか。……少し、失望しましたよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...That answer is neither bad nor good. ...60 percent, I believe you could call it. ...I'm a little disappointed.\" <br><br>\r\n「自信を持って選べと言っておいて、そうしてやったら失望とは、自分勝手な野郎だぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"You're a pretty selfish bastard, telling me to answer with self-confidence and then being disappointed when I do.\" <br><br>\r\n「………消去法、というだけではないようですね。…いずれにせよ、落第点ですが、……もう少しお考えがあるようだ。うかがいましょう。」 <br>\r\n\"......Apparently there was more to it than process of elimination. ...It's a failing grade either way, ...but there seems to be a little more to your thoughts. Allow me to ask.\" <br><br>\r\n「死にたくないさ。……だから一番なんて、誰だって選びたくない。 <br>\r\n\"People don't want to die. ...So no one would want to choose the first option. <br><br>\r\n……人は、幸せに生きたくて、生の限りを足掻いてるんだぜ。だから本当は、まず一番目なんてありえないはずなんだ。」 <br>\r\n...People want to live in happiness...and struggle as much as life will let them. So normally, the first choice should be impossible from the beginning.\" <br><br>\r\n「………しかし、あなたは一番目の選択肢。自分の命を捨てることを選んだ。その選択肢しか、残らなかった。」 <br>\r\n\"......However, you took that first choice. You chose to throw away your own life. Only that choice remained for you.\" <br><br>\r\n「一応、……それぞれの選択肢を選んだ後の未来のことを、考えてみたぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"I tried...thinking of the future that would come after choosing each one.\" <br><br>\r\n「……ほぅ。いかがでしたか…？」 <br>\r\n\"...Hoh. And what did you see...?\" <br><br>\r\n「まず、………嘉音くんを、死なせてみた。………私は、自分の大好きな人を見捨ててまで生きる残りの生涯を想像してみた。」 <br>\r\n\"First, ......I tried letting Kanon-kun die. ......I tried to imagine the rest of my life after having abandoned the one I love.\" <br><br>\r\n「それはどんな生涯でしたか…？」 <br>\r\n\"What kind of life was it...?\" <br><br>\r\n「生きるにも値しない、最低の女だった。いつまでも自らの選択を悔やみ、ただ後悔だけのために生きるみすぼらしい女だった。……大好きな人を見捨てて生きることを選んだ、最低の女なんて、私には許せない。……私が自ら引導を渡してやる。」 <br>\r\n\"It was a horrible woman, who didn't deserve to live. A shabby woman who always lamented her own decision and lived only to regret. ...I could never forgive a horrible woman who'd choose to live and abandon the person she loved. ...I put an end to her myself.\" <br><br>\r\n「ふふ、勇ましい。………では、三番目の選択肢も考えられたのでは？」 <br>\r\n\"Heheh, how brave. ......So, did you also consider the third option?\" <br><br>\r\n「……あぁ。私と嘉音くん以外の全員を死なせてもみた。……嘉音くんは、そんな私を好きになるはずはない。 <br>\r\n\"...Yeah. I tried letting everyone but me and Kanon-kun die. ...There's no way Kanon-kun would like me if I did that.\" <br><br>\r\nそして私もまた、いくら嘉音くんがいても、そのために見捨てた大勢の命が、生涯十字架となって圧し掛かってきた。……そしてその十字架は、嘉音くんにまで圧し掛かった。 <br>\r\n\"So again, even with Kanon-kun, I was forced to bear the cross of abandoning so many people. ...And even Kanon-kun was forced to bear it.\" <br><br>\r\n………私は、嘉音くんに十字架を背負わせるために、愚かな選択肢を選んだりは、しない。もしそんなことをする私がいたなら、………私はその未来の私を許さない。…その女にも、私が引導を渡してやる。」 <br>\r\n\"......I'm not gonna make a foolish choice that leaves Kanon-kun bearing that cross. I wouldn't be able to forgive a future me who did something like that. ...I put an end to that woman myself too.\" <br><br>\r\n朱志香は思い描いたのだ。 <br>\r\nJessica had pictured it in her mind. <br><br>\r\n三つの選択肢それぞれの向こうにいる未来の自分を。 <br>\r\nThe future her beyond each of the three choices. <br><br>\r\n三人の朱志香がいた。 <br>\r\nThere were three Jessicas. <br><br>\r\n……三人の内、二人は後悔していた。 <br>\r\n...Of the three, two had regrets. <br><br>\r\n一人だけが、胸を張って、嘉音に微笑むことが出来た。 <br>\r\nOnly one could hold her head high and smile at Kanon. <br><br>\r\n「……私さ、生意気にも、嘉音くんに説教をしたことがあるぜ。……自分の人生を、思い切り生きてみろ、みたいなことを。」 <br>\r\n\"...You know, I once had the nerve to preach something to Kanon-kun. ...Something about trying to live life to the fullest.\" <br><br>\r\n「自分の人生を思い切り生きる。 <br>\r\n\"Live your life to the fullest. <br><br>\r\n……味わいある言葉ですね。それは意外に、とても難しいものです。」 <br>\r\n...Meaningful words. And a surprisingly difficult thing to do.\" <br><br>\r\n「だからさ。私が胸を張って、嘉音くんに見せなきゃならないんだよ。 <br>\r\n\"So yeah. I've gotta stand proud and show Kanon-kun. <br><br>\r\n………胸を張って、お天道様を真正面から見て、思い切り笑顔でいられる生き方ってやつを。」 <br>\r\n......Show him how to live by holding your head high and looking straight at the sun, with a full smile.\" <br><br>\r\n「……あなたの自己犠牲を、嘉音は受け容れられるでしょうか？ あなたの身勝手な選択が、余計に彼を傷つけてしまうことには、思いが至りませんか…？」 <br>\r\n\"...Will Kanon be able to accept your self-sacrifice? Haven't you thought that your selfish decision might hurt him more than is necessary...?\" <br><br>\r\n「だから、伝言を頼みたい…。」 <br>\r\n\"That's why...I want to leave a message...\" <br><br>\r\n「ほぅ。……お聞きはしますが、何しろ私は悪魔です。…約束は守らないかもしれませんよ？」 <br>\r\n\"Hoh. ...I will listen, but I am after all a demon. ...I may not keep my promises, you see?\" <br><br>\r\n「………守って！ 約束！」 <br>\r\n\"......Keep it! Your promise!\" <br><br>\r\n朱志香はあっけらかんと、そう言う。 <br>\r\nJessica spoke that looking quite unconcerned. <br><br>\r\nこれから命を奪おうとする悪魔に伝言を頼み、それが裏切られると、微塵も思っていないのだ。 <br>\r\nShe had asked the demon who was about to take her life to pass on a message, and she didn't think at all that she would be betrayed. <br><br>\r\n……その、あまりに無垢な笑顔に、ロノウェは薄く目を閉じ、肩を竦めた。 <br>\r\n...At that extremely innocent smile, Ronove closed his eyes lightly and shrugged his shoulders. <br><br>\r\n「ふっ……。………いいでしょう。それで？ 彼に何と伝えればよろしいですか…？」 <br>\r\n\"Hmph... ...I see nothing wrong with that. So? What shall I tell him...?\" <br><br>\r\n『……嘉音くんの、思い切りの人生を、生きて。 <br>\r\n『...Tell Kanon-kun...to live his life to the fullest. <br><br>\r\n……うぅん、ちょっと違う。嘉音くんの、じゃない。……本当の名前は未だに教えてもらえないけど。本当の嘉音くんの人生を、思い切り生きて。………そう伝えて。』 <br>\r\n...No, that's not quite it. Not...Kanon-kun. ...He still hasn't told me his real name yet. Tell the real Kanon-kun to live his life to the fullest. ...Tell him that.』 <br><br>\r\n「……………お嬢…様……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Mi...lady...\" <br><br>\r\n「……朱志香……、 <br>\r\n……お前というやつは…………。」 <br>\r\n\"...Jessica, <br><br>\r\n...you really are......\" <br><br>\r\n「ロノウェは気まぐれですから、伝言をしなかった可能性もありました。……幸運でしたね。私がこの光景を見せていて。」 <br>\r\n\"Ronove is fickle, so he might not have passed the message on. ...You certainly are fortunate to have me here showing you this scene.\" <br><br>\r\n鉄格子の向こうには、古ぼけた三面鏡が置かれ、……朱志香の光景が映し出されていた。 <br>\r\nA musty three-sided mirror was set beyond the bars, ...and the scene with Jessica was reflected on it. <br><br>\r\n隣の鏡には、同様に譲治の光景も映し出されている。 <br>\r\nOn the next mirror, ...the scene with George was reflected in the same way. <br><br>\r\n黄金の蝶が群れ集まって三面鏡が現れたとか、なぜ鏡に朱志香や譲治の光景が映し出されているのか、彼らはいちいち疑問には思わなかった。 <br>\r\nNone of them questioned how a three-sided mirror had appeared from a group of butterflies, nor did they wonder why these scenes with Jessica and George were reflected on it. <br><br>\r\n……大切なのは、映っている光景だったからだ。 <br>\r\n...Because the reflected scenes themselves were more important. <br><br>\r\n「…………そこまで…。……こいつのために、 <br>\r\n……命をも投げ出せるというのか………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Are you so prepared......to throw your life away...... <br><br>\r\n...for his sake......?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。……申し訳、……ありません…。」 <br>\r\n\"............My...apologies...\" <br><br>\r\n蔵臼は苦笑いの混じる複雑な表情で嘉音を見る。……嘉音は目を合わせられなかった。 <br>\r\nKrauss looked at Kanon with a complicated expression mixed in with a bitter smile. ...Kanon wouldn't meet his eyes. <br><br>\r\n「……ワルギリアさま。……お嬢様が命を落とされることはありません。……僕を殺して下さい。二番目の選択肢に、変えて下さい。……それで、全ては丸く収まるはずです。」 <br>\r\n\"...Virgilia-sama, ...there is no reason for Milady to throw away her life. ...Please kill me. Please change it to the second choice. ...That way, everything should resolve itself.\" <br><br>\r\n「ほっほほほほほ…。その願いを、私に叶えることは出来ませんよ。……これは朱志香の選んだ自らの選択なのですから。」 <br>\r\n\"Hohhohohohohoho... I am not capable of granting that wish. ...After all, this is Jessica's own decision, which she herself chose.\" <br><br>\r\nその時、突然、空間が割れて、シエスタ姉妹が出現し、ワルギリアの胸に飛び込んだ。 <br>\r\nAt that time, suddenly, the air split and the Chiester Sisters appeared, flying into Virgilia's chest. <br><br>\r\n「ワルギリアさまぁああぁあぁっ！ <br>\r\n\"Virgilia-samaaaaaaaaaaaa! <br><br>\r\n ひいいぃいいいぃん！！」 <br>\r\n Aaaaaaaaaahhhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ひどいんですひどいんです、ゴールドスミス卿がひどいんですぅうぅ、うわあぁああん！」 <br>\r\n\"So mean, so mean, L<NAME> is so meeeeeeeeaan, waaaaaaaaahhhh!\" <br><br>\r\n「私だって……、がんばってるのであります……。潰して家畜の餌とか、あんまりであります。……ううううううううぅうぅ！！」 <br>\r\n\"I'm...doing the best I can... Crushing me for animal fodder, ...that's just too much. ...Uuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!\" <br><br>\r\n泣きじゃくるシエスタ姉妹に揉みくちゃにされ、ワルギリアは何が何だかさっぱりわからない。 <br>\r\nVirgilia, who still didn't have a clue what was going on, was mobbed by the sobbing Chiester Sisters. <br><br>\r\n「は、はいはい、大丈夫ですよ大丈夫ですよ、泣かないで泣かないで……。美味しいお紅茶を淹れてあげますからね……。 <br>\r\n\"Th-There, there. Everything's all right, don't cry... I'll make you some delicious tea... <br><br>\r\n……お前たち、ここの見張りを任せます。不審な真似をしたら、すぐに知らせるのですよ…！」 <br>\r\n...I'm leaving it up to you all to guard this place. If they do anything suspicious, inform me immediately...!\" <br><br>\r\n山羊の従者たちは、互いに顔を向き合わせ、ウンウンと頷いた。 <br>\r\nThe goat attendants all faced each other, nodding their heads. <br><br>\r\nワルギリアはシエスタ姉妹を伴い、立ち去っていく。 <br>\r\nVirgilia took the Chiester Sisters and left. <br><br>\r\n階段を上がる音が聞こえたから、上の階へ行ったのだろう。 <br>\r\nThe sound of them going up stairs could be heard, so they had probably gone to an upper floor. <br><br>\r\n「………チャンスだわ。……この山羊頭どもは頭が悪いみたい。……うまく騙せないかしら…。」 <br>\r\n\"......This is our chance. ...It looks like these goat heads are morons. ...I wonder if we can trick them...\" <br><br>\r\n霧江はチャンスの到来を悟るが、それでも鉄格子を破る方法は思いつかなかった……。 <br>\r\nKyrie realized that an opportunity had arrived, but even so, she hadn't thought of a way to break the metal bars... <br><br>\r\n三面鏡に映る朱志香は、観念するかのように、目を閉じる。 <br>\r\nThe Jessica reflected on the three-sided mirror had her eyes closed, as though in contemplation. <br><br>\r\n……両手をポケットに突っ込むその姿は、最後くらいは突っ張っていたいという、彼女なりの美学かもしれない。 <br>\r\n...The way she had both hands stuck into her pockets, wanting to be defiant until the very end, might have been her own aesthetic stance. <br><br>\r\n「…………私の言い分は以上だ。………殺せよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......That's all I have to say. ......Kill me.\" <br><br>\r\n「……わかりました。…………それでは。……ご安心をあなたへの死は、どんな眠りよりもやさしく、慈悲深いものにいたしますよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Understood. ......Well then, ...fear not, for I shall make your death more gentle and merciful than any sleep.\" <br><br>\r\nロノウェは手の平を掲げながら、……ゆっくりと朱志香に近付く……。 <br>\r\nAs Ronove raised his palm, ...he slowly approached Jessica... <br><br>\r\n「くそおぉおおおぉ！！ うお！！ うが！！」 <br>\r\n\"Damn iiiiiiiiiiittt!! Aah!! Gah!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n蔵臼は娘が殺されることを察し、半狂乱になりながら鉄格子に体当たりを繰り返す。 <br>\r\nRealizing that his daughter was about to be killed, Krauss went half-mad and repeatedly body-slammed the metal bars. <br><br>\r\n山羊たちは、ニンゲン風情に鉄格子が破れるはずがないと嘲笑っているように見えた。 <br>\r\nThe goats looked like they were sneering at how a mere Human didn't stand a chance at breaking those bars. <br><br>\r\n確かに、蔵臼のその無駄な努力は滑稽だっただろう。 <br>\r\nKrauss's pointless efforts certainly may have been comical. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、蔵臼は、思い切りだった。 <br>\r\n朱志香の父として、彼女を救うために、思い切り、今を生きていた。 <br>\r\n...But Krauss was giving it everything he had. <br><br>\r\nHe was now living with all he had as Jessica's father, so that he could save her. <br><br>\r\n………嘉音は両手をぐっと握り締める。 <br>\r\n......Kanon made tight fists with both hands. <br><br>\r\n自分の呪われた力を使えば、鉄格子を切り裂くことも出来るかもしれない。 <br>\r\nIf he used his cursed power, he might be able to cut through even metal bars. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、山羊が３人もいる。 <br>\r\n…瞬時に３人を倒すなど出来ない。 <br>\r\nすぐに通報され、ワルギリアにシエスタ姉妹までもが駆けつけるだろう。 <br>\r\n...But there were a full three goats. <br><br>\r\n...There was no way he could defeat three of them in an instant. <br><br>\r\nIt would instantly be reported, and then even Virgilia and the Chiester Sisters would probably dash in. <br><br>\r\n鉄格子を破ることは出来ても、……そこまでなのだ。……無駄なのだ。 <br>\r\nEven if he could break the bars, ...that would be the end of it. ...It was useless. <br><br>\r\n……そういう無駄な努力を、あの魔女は嘲笑っているのをもう知っているから、……嘉音は蔵臼の繰り返す体当たりを、ただじっと見ているしか出来ない…。 <br>\r\n...Kanon already knew that the witch sneered at useless efforts like that, ...so he could do nothing but stare at Krauss's repeated body-slams... <br><br>\r\n「……あ、…………譲治さま……。」 <br>\r\n\"...Ah, ......George-sama...\" <br><br>\r\n三面鏡を見ていた紗音が声をあげる。 <br>\r\nShannon, who had been looking at the three-sided mirror, raised her voice. <br><br>\r\n…見れば、ずっと沈黙していた譲治が顔を上げている。 <br>\r\n……譲治もどうやら、答えを決めたらしい…。 <br>\r\n...When they looked, they could see George, who had been silent the whole time, lift his face. <br><br>\r\n...It seemed that George had also decided on an answer... <br><br>\r\n「…………決まった？ 君の答え。」 <br>\r\n\"......Have you decided? On your answer?\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ。………決まったよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah. ......I've decided.\" <br><br>\r\n「それは揺るぎ無い答え…？」 <br>\r\n\"Is it an unwavering answer...?\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ。揺るぎ無いね。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah. It's unwavering.\" <br><br>\r\n「なら、聞かせてもらうわ。 <br>\r\n\"Then let me hear it. <br><br>\r\n………あぁ、ちなみに。朱志香はどうも“自分の命”を差し出すことを選んだようよ。まさか、優柔不断な君も、同じ答えを選んだって言うんじゃないでしょうね……？」 <br>\r\n......Oh, by the way, it seems Jessica decided to take the `your life' option. Surely, such an indecisive person as you isn't going to choose the same answer, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……朱志香は、朱志香の答えを出したのさ。 <br>\r\n\"...Jessica gave her own answer. <br><br>\r\n……それがどの選択であろうとも、それは朱志香の答えだ。僕の答えに何も干渉しないよ。」 <br>\r\n...No matter which choice that was, it was Jessica's answer. It doesn't influence my answer in any way.\" <br><br>\r\n「そう。なら改めて聞くわ。 <br>\r\n\"I see. Then let me ask again. <br><br>\r\n…………以下に掲げる三つの内。二つを得るために、一つを生贄に捧げよ。 <br>\r\n......Among the three mentioned below, in order to gain two, sacrifice one. <br><br>\r\n一．自分の命。二．紗音の命。三．それ以外の全員の命。………あなたが選んだのはどれ？ <br>\r\n1. Your life. 2. Shannon's life. <br><br>\r\n3. Everyone else's lives. ......Which one will you choose? <br><br>\r\nまさか朱志香と同じ一番？」 <br>\r\nCould it be the first one, like Jessica?\" <br><br>\r\n「………違うね。」 <br>\r\n\"......Wrong.\" <br><br>\r\n「へぇ……。」 <br>\r\n\"Oh...?\" <br><br>\r\nガァプは少しだけ驚く。 <br>\r\n……気弱そうな男がどうせ選ぶ選択肢はそれしかないだろうと思っていたからだ。 <br>\r\nGaap looked a little surprised. <br><br>\r\n...Because she had thought this timid-looking man would obviously choose that option. <br><br>\r\n「…………………。……なら良かったわ。私にとって一番退屈な選択肢が外れてくれて良かった。 <br>\r\n\"............Very well then. I'm glad the most boring option for me has been removed. <br><br>\r\n……じゃあ、まさかとは思うけど、……二番？ 紗音の命を、見捨ててみせる……？」 <br>\r\n...Then, as crazy as it sounds, ...could it be the second option? Can you abandon Shannon's life...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………まさか。今夜まさに婚約指輪を贈ろうという相手を、どうして僕が？」 <br>\r\n\"......You must be joking. Why would I do that to the person I was going to give an engagement ring to tonight?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。………これは大胆だわ。それが君の答えなの……？」 <br>\r\n\"...............How bold. Is that your answer...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………そうさ。 <br>\r\n\"......That's it. <br><br>\r\n……僕の答えは、 <br>\r\n…… <br>\r\n...My answer is... <br><br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n三番さ。」 <br>\r\nthe third option.\" <br><br>\r\n譲治が選んだのは、………三番目の選択肢。 <br>\r\n……“それ以外の全員の、命”。 <br>\r\nGeorge took......the third option. <br><br>\r\n...`Everyone else's...lives'. <br><br>\r\nその答えを、さすがのガァプも想像できなかった。 <br>\r\nUnsurprisingly, Gaap hadn't imagined that he'd give an answer like that. <br><br>\r\n……どうせ朱志香と同じで一番だろうと思っていたのに……。 <br>\r\nだからこそ、なぜその答えに至ったのか、興味を持った。 <br>\r\n...She had been sure that he'd choose the same one as Jessica... <br><br>\r\nSo, she was interested in how he had reached that answer. <br><br>\r\n……７２柱の３３位の悪魔である自分の想像を裏切る答えに、どう至ったのか。 <br>\r\n...How he had reached an answer that had surpassed the imagination of the 33rd ranked of the 72 demons? <br><br>\r\n「聞かせてほしいわ。………自分と愛する婚約者だけが無事で、それ以外の全てを犠牲に出来る境地というのを、聞かせて欲しいわ。……あなたも朱志香と同じで、消去法というやつ？」 <br>\r\n\"I want you to tell me. ......I want you to tell me the circumstances that made it possible for you to sacrifice the lives of everyone else so that you and the fiancée you love would be safe. ...Did you use the process of elimination, like Jessica?\" <br><br>\r\n「違うね。はっきりこれしか、僕には選択肢がないのさ。」 <br>\r\n\"Wrong. I clearly have no choice except this one.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………自分さえ良ければいいと？ 愛する女と引き換えに、世界を犠牲に出来ると…？」 <br>\r\n\"......So, you don't care what happens, as long as it's good for you? So, you can sacrifice the world for the woman you love...?\" <br><br>\r\n「君は、何を言っているんだい。」 <br>\r\n\"What are you even talking about?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………何………。」 <br>\r\n\"......What......?\" <br><br>\r\n悪魔に向かって、まるで呆れるかのように、譲治はそう言い放つ。 <br>\r\nGeorge faced the demon as he spoke, almost as though he was disgusted. <br><br>\r\n「……僕は今夜、ここに。紗音を呼び出し、婚約の証である指輪を渡すつもりだった。 <br>\r\n\"...Tonight, I planned on calling Shannon right here and giving her this ring as proof of our engagement. <br><br>\r\n………僕と紗音の婚約を祝福しない者も、きっと多いだろう。僕は彼女との婚約を宣言することで、親族全てを敵に回すと、覚悟していた。 <br>\r\n......There probably are quite a few people who wouldn't celebrate an engagement between me and Shannon. I was prepared to make enemies of the entire family by announcing my engagement to her.\" <br><br>\r\n僕にはあるんだよ。この島に訪れたその時から、………いや、違う。………彼女に婚約したいと打ち明けたその時からね。」 <br>\r\n\"I have been prepared. Since the time I came to this island......no, that's not it. ......Since the time I confessed that I wanted to engage her.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………結婚さえ出来れば、他の何もかも犠牲に出来る、と……？」 <br>\r\n\"......So, you can sacrifice everything else as long as you can get married...?\" <br><br>\r\n「結婚とは。……自分は生涯、妻の味方であり続けるということだ。 <br>\r\n\"Marriage means......continuing to be your wife's ally for your whole life. <br><br>\r\n………僕にはその時点で。……彼女のために、世界の全てを敵に回す覚悟があるんだ。」 <br>\r\n......At that point, ...I was prepared to have the entire world as my enemy for her sake.\" <br><br>\r\nその言葉を、三面鏡越しに、……紗音も耳にする。 <br>\r\nそしてその決意を、目にする。 <br>\r\nThose words, through the three-sided mirror, ...also reached Shannon's ears. <br><br>\r\nAnd that determination reached her eyes. <br><br>\r\n………紗音は確かに今夜、婚約指輪を渡される約束をしていた。 <br>\r\n...Shannon certainly had promised to be given an engagement ring tonight. <br><br>\r\nそしてこのような事件が起こってしまい、指輪を受け取ることが出来なかった。 <br>\r\nThen, this incident had occurred, and she hadn't been able to receive the ring. <br><br>\r\nしかし、今。 <br>\r\nBut now... <br><br>\r\n………指輪の形を成さないだけで、 <br>\r\n……それ以上の何かを、紗音は受け取る。 <br>\r\n...Even though it wasn't in the form of a ring, <br><br>\r\nShannon had received something even greater. <br><br>\r\n……その証拠に、 <br>\r\n……ダイヤと同じ輝きの涙が一粒、 <br>\r\n…零れたから。 <br>\r\n...And as proof of that, <br><br>\r\n...a single tear with the same sparkle as a diamond... <br><br>\r\ndripped down. <br><br>\r\n「ふ、……うふふふふふふ……！ それは何とも奮った答えだことね。………なるほど、よく考えたら、君にこれは気楽な選択肢だわ。 <br>\r\n\"Heh, ...heheheheheheh...! What a courageous answer. I see, if I really think about it, this was an easy decision for you.\" <br><br>\r\nだって、君の両親は、第一の晩に、すでに殺されちゃってるんだもんね？ 今さら君にとって、死んで困る人間は誰もいない。 <br>\r\n\"After all, your parents were already killed on the first twilight, right? By now, there's no one whose death would trouble you.\" <br><br>\r\nはっははははははは、なるほどね、これは簡単な選択だったわ。あはははははははは……。」 <br>\r\n\"Hahhahahahahahaha, I see, truly an easy choice. Ahahahahahahahaha...\" <br><br>\r\n「何とでも言うがいい。 <br>\r\n\"Say whatever you want. <br><br>\r\nこれが僕の、……そして、僕の次期当主としての覚悟と、選択だ。」 <br>\r\nThis determination and choice are mine, ...and mine as the Successor.\" <br><br>\r\n譲治の目に光る輝きは眩しく鋭い。 <br>\r\nThe sparkle in George's eyes was brilliantly sharp. <br><br>\r\n…その中に、一瞬だけ金蔵と同じ凄みを感じ、ガァプはわずかに気圧される。 <br>\r\n...For just an instant, Gaap felt the same sense of threat as Kinzo's...and was slightly overwhelmed. <br><br>\r\n「………なるほど。……ゴールドスミスと同じ答え、というわけ……。 <br>\r\n\"......I see. ...Yes, the same decision as Goldsmith... <br><br>\r\n……君も、あどけなさそうな顔して、……将来はとんだ悪魔になるわけね。……何だ、私たち、とてもうまくやれそうじゃない。 <br>\r\n...So even with your innocent face, ...you will also become a terrible demon in the future. ...What do you know, we might get along pretty well.\" <br><br>\r\n君がゴールドスミスの後を継ぐ。そしてやがては私は召喚され、君に仕えることもあるかもしれない。……それも案外、面白いかもしれないわね。………ふふ。」 <br>\r\n\"You will succeed Goldsmith. Eventually, I may even be summoned and serve you. ...That could be surprisingly interesting. ......Heheh.\" <br><br>\r\nガァプは譲治に対する認識を改める必要があった。 <br>\r\nGaap had needed to change her opinion of George. <br><br>\r\n……この男には、外見からは想像もつかない決意と覚悟を、今この場でなく、 <br>\r\n……すでに最初から背負っているのだ。 <br>\r\n...This man bore a determination and resolve unimaginable from his outward appearance... <br><br>\r\nand not just now, but since the very beginning. <br><br>\r\n「僕には、今すぐ当主を継承する覚悟がある。 <br>\r\n\"I am prepared to inherit the Headship right away. <br><br>\r\n………いや、違うね。君はこのテストを、当主として考えろと言った。だから僕は自分が当主であると前提して答えたんだ。 <br>\r\n......No, that's not it. You told me to think as the Head in this test. So I answered based on the premise that I am the Head.\" <br><br>\r\n………いや、それすら違う。当主そのものとして考えた。……僕は今、右代宮家の当主なんだ。」 <br>\r\n\"......No, even that's not it. I thought as the Head himself. ...I am now...the Head of the Ushiromiya family.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………………。うっふふふふふ……。見事だわ、そこまで言えるなんてね。 <br>\r\n\"............Hehheheheheh... Splendid, to think that you'd be able to go so far. <br><br>\r\n君はどうやら、かなりの大物だわ。……戦人と真里亞のテストはまだだけど、私は君が合格でいい気がする。 <br>\r\nIt seems you truly are one to be reckoned with. ...Battler's and Maria's tests remain, but I've got a good feeling that you'll pass.\" <br><br>\r\n…………でも、その答えが、掛け値なしの本当のものならね？」 <br>\r\n\"......But only if that is your true, unexaggerated answer, you see?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………僕の覚悟を、疑うというのか。」 <br>\r\n\"......Do you doubt my resolve?\" <br><br>\r\n「君が選んだ選択肢を、実行できる？ 今すぐ自らの手で、この島に存在する全ての命を生贄に捧げることが出来る……？ 自らの手でよ…？」 <br>\r\n\"Can you carry out the option you chose? Can you, right now, with your own hands, offer all the lives that exist on this island as sacrifices...? By your own hand...?\" <br><br>\r\n「出来るね。その覚悟はあると、僕は何度も言っている。」 <br>\r\n\"I can. I've said I was prepared to do so several times.\" <br><br>\r\n「は、…………はははははは！ ならば今すぐゲストハウスに戻り、戦人と真里亞を殺しなさい！ <br>\r\n\"Ha, ......hahahahahaha! Then return to the guesthouse right away...and kill Battler and Maria! <br><br>\r\nそれが終わったら他の人質たちも連れてきてあげる。君の手で紗音以外の全員を、その目の前で処刑して見せるのよ！ 出来るんでしょう？！」 <br>\r\nWhen that's done, I'll bring you the other hostages. Execute each of them except Shannon before her eyes! You can do it, right?!\" <br><br>\r\n「~ib~出来るね~ib~。僕の覚悟は、君程度のそれとは、レベルが違う。」 <br>\r\n\"~ib~I can~ib~. My resolve is on a whole different level from yours.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………くっ。ならば実行しなさい！ 全てに死を！ 新しき右代宮家の当主として、この血塗られた儀式の遂行を…！！」 <br>\r\n\"............Nn. Then carry it out! Death for them all! Complete this bloodstained ceremony as the new Ushiromiya Family Head...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……了解したよ。実行する。僕は今やもう、右代宮家の当主だ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Understood. I'll carry it out. I'm already the Ushiromiya Family Head.\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、そうよ！ 自らの手でその玉座を赤く染めなさい…！ 君は悪魔たちを統べる魔界の王となる…！！」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, that's right! Stain that throne red by your own hands...! You will become the king of the spirit world who controls the demons...!!\" <br><br>\r\nガァプは確信する。 <br>\r\nGaap was convinced. <br><br>\r\nこの男こそ金蔵の狂気を受け継ぐに相応しい…！ <br>\r\nThis man truly was fitting to succeed Kinzo's madness...! <br><br>\r\n「吹けよ嵐、鳴らせよ雷鳴！！ 新しき魔王の誕生を祝うがいい！！ 悪魔の島は今っ、新しい王を迎えた…！！」 <br>\r\n\"Blow wind, cry thunder!! Celebrate the birth of the new demon king!! The demon island has now welcomed its new lord...!!\" <br><br>\r\n悪魔の呼び掛けに応え、ますますに暴風は荒れ狂う。 <br>\r\nIn response to the demon's call, a tempest raged more and more. <br><br>\r\nそして巨大な稲妻が落ち、そのつんざく轟音と眩い光で一瞬だけの静寂を感じさせた……。 <br>\r\nThen, a massive lightning bolt fell, its tearing thunder and brilliant light giving the sensation of a moment of silence... <br><br>\r\n「でさ。…………その殺害の順番だけど。僕が決めていいわけだよね。」 <br>\r\n\"So, ......about the order of the murders. I get to choose that, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「どうぞご自由に、新しき六軒島の魔王陛下。あなたの御心の趣くままに…！」 <br>\r\n\"Please, as you wish, your Majesty, the new demon king of Rokkenjima. As your heart desires...!\" <br><br>\r\n「………とりあえずさ。 <br>\r\n\"......Well then, to start, <br><br>\r\nその一番目が、君になるわけだけど、いいかな。」 <br>\r\nthat means the first one's gonna be you. Got a problem with that?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………え？」 <br>\r\n\"............Huh?\" <br><br>\r\n一陣の風が吹き、……譲治のジャケットを、まるでマントのように煽る。 <br>\r\nA gust of wind blew, ...stirring up George's jacket as if it was a cloak. <br><br>\r\nそれはまさに当主が羽織るマントのよう。その貫禄を、確かに感じさせた……。 <br>\r\nIt was very much like the cloak worn by the Head. It definitely carried that impression of dignity... <br><br>\r\n……その時、……ガァプは確かに嵐が掻き消え、真っ白で巨大な満月が空を覆ったのを見た。 <br>\r\n...At that time, ...Gaap truly did see the storm wiped away, and the sky covered with a pure-white and vast full moon. <br><br>\r\n 満月を背負う、 <br>\r\n新しき当主を名乗る男が、 <br>\r\n悪魔を嘲笑う。 <br>\r\nThe man who called himself the new Head... <br><br>\r\nbore the full moon on his back... <br><br>\r\nand sneered at the demon. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「右代宮家親族の全ての命さえも、……今や僕の財産だ。それに損害を出してくれた賠償。安くは済まないよ。 <br>\r\n\"Even the lives of the entire Ushiromiya family...are now part of my fortune. Reparations will be made for the damage that's been done. And it won't come cheap.\" <br><br>\r\n……まさか、僕の両親に、夏妃伯母さん、留弗夫叔父さん、楼座叔母さん。そして源次さんの命を奪っておいて、この僕が見逃すと本気で思ってるのかい。」 <br>\r\n\"...You didn't seriously think you could take my parents, Aunt Natsuhi, Uncle Rudolf, Aunt Rosa, and Genji-san's lives and expect me to overlook it, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「ほ、 <br>\r\n………ほほォ <br>\r\n…………生意気を……。」 <br>\r\n\"Ho, <br><br>\r\n......hohoh, <br><br>\r\n......impertinence...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nロノウェは、その手の平を朱志香の胸に当て、心臓を停止させるつもりだった。 <br>\r\nRonove was trying to press his palm against Jessica's chest and stop her heart. <br><br>\r\nしかし、その直前で、手は止まっていた……。 <br>\r\nBut right before he could, his hand stopped... <br><br>\r\n ……二人の足元の絨毯に、 <br>\r\n……小さな赤い花が、ぽとりぽとりと、一輪、二輪と花開く。 <br>\r\n...On the carpet at their feet, <br><br>\r\n...one...two small red flowers bloomed with a *plop* *plop*. <br><br>\r\nその花の種子は、 <br>\r\n……高く高く、 <br>\r\n…天を突くかのように高く突き上げられた、 <br>\r\n………朱志香の拳から。 <br>\r\nThe seed of those flowers... <br><br>\r\nwas way up high, <br><br>\r\npiercing into the heavens... <br><br>\r\n...on Jessica's fist. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nロノウェの鼻が、噴出した血で真っ赤に染まり、……その雫が絨毯に零れていたのだ。 <br>\r\nRonove's nose was stained red with spewing blood......and those drops had been dripping onto the carpet. <br><br>\r\n「………ちなみに、さっきのは乙女としての回答な。……次期当主としての回答は、別だぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"......By the way, that just now was my answer as a maiden. ...My answer as the Successor is different.\" <br><br>\r\n「お伺いしますよ……。」 <br>\r\n\"Allow me to ask...\" <br><br>\r\n「……大好きな人も、家族も親族もみんなみんな！！ 私が守る。私が当主なら、それは私の責務だッ！ <br>\r\n\"...The person I love, my family and my relatives, everyone, everyone!! I'll protect them. If I'm the Head, then that's my duty! <br><br>\r\nお父さんは威張ってるだけじゃない。私や母さんを守ってた！！ ……右代宮家を受け継ぐ重圧ってヤツと、……何十年も戦ってたッ！！ <br>\r\nDad wasn't just swaggering around. He protected me and Mom!! ...He fought the pressure of succeeding the Ushiromiya family...for decades!!\" <br><br>\r\nだからわかるぜ。……次期当主ってのはな、軽くねぇんだよ。……だからさ。捨てられるんだよ。 <br>\r\n\"That's why I know. ...Being the Successor is nothing trivial. ...So you know what? I can give it up. <br><br>\r\n……自分の命くらい、簡単に賭けられちまうんだよッ！！」 <br>\r\n...Betting my own life is something I can do easily!!\" <br><br>\r\n朱志香は知っている。 <br>\r\nJessica knew. <br><br>\r\n家族を守るために、父親が虚勢を張りながら孤独に戦い続けていることを知っている。 <br>\r\nShe knew that in order to protect her family, her father had bluffed and fought alone continuously. <br><br>\r\nその背中が物語ってきた何かを、朱志香は理解している！ <br>\r\nJessica understood something that his back had been telling her! <br><br>\r\n左ストレートが再びロノウェの顔面に打ち込まれる。 <br>\r\n……その凄まじき一撃はメリケンサック使用によるものだけではない。 <br>\r\nAnother left straight was buried into Ronove's face. <br><br>\r\n...That terrifying strike wasn't due just to the brass knuckles she was using. <br><br>\r\nそれこそが、守るために何もかもを捨てられる者の、当主たるものの、 <br>\r\n一撃。 <br>\r\nIt was a strike... <br><br>\r\nof a person, a Family Head, who could throw away everything in order to protect. <br><br>\r\n「父さんが次期当主の資格を失ったなら。順当に次の当主は私が継承するぜ。 <br>\r\n\"If Dad's lost his qualifications to be the Successor, then I, the next in line, will succeed the Headship. <br><br>\r\n……右代宮家当主、右代宮朱志香ッ！！ <br>\r\n...Head of the Ushiromiya family, Ushiromiya Jessica!! <br><br>\r\nこれ以上を好きにさせるほど腑抜けちゃいねえぜッ！！」 <br>\r\nI'm not the kind of coward who'd let you do whatever you like any more!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………素晴らしい回答です。先ほどの点数を改めましょう。その回答に１０点プラス。……見事な左ストレートに１０点プラス。」 <br>\r\n\"......A wonderful answer. I shall change your score from earlier. Plus 10 for that answer. ...Plus 10 for that splendid left straight.\" <br><br>\r\n「ってことは、あと２０点プラスで１００点満点だな？」 <br>\r\n\"Which means that...plus 20 more would make for a perfect 100, yeah?\" <br><br>\r\nロノウェは後方に宙返りして飛び退くと、鼻より噴出している血を、乱暴に拭い捨てる。 <br>\r\n……それは血ではなく、赤い薔薇の花びらになっていた。 <br>\r\nAs Ronove jumped backwards, somersaulting in midair, he violently wiped away the blood pouring from his nose. <br><br>\r\n...It had become, not blood, but petals of a red rose. <br><br>\r\n顔の血は拭われ、……代わって、何百年ぶりに感じたかも思い出せない歓喜に、にやりと笑う表情が現れる。 <br>\r\nThe blood on his face was wiped off, ...and in its place...was a grin filled with a delight he hadn't felt in so many centuries that he couldn't remember. <br><br>\r\n「朱志香さまの覚悟。満点に値するかどうか、このロノウェ、試させて頂きますよ……？」 <br>\r\n\"I, Ronove, will test to see whether your resolve is worth full marks, understand...?\" <br><br>\r\n「うぜえぜッ！！ 掛かって来やがれえええぇえぇぇッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Shut up, shut up!! Come at meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「おいで、奈落へ…！」 <br>\r\n\"Come, into the Abyss...!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「うッわ？！」 <br>\r\n\"Whaaa?!\" <br><br>\r\n譲治の足元に突然、漆黒の落とし穴が大口を開ける。もちろん譲治に抗えるわけもない。 <br>\r\nSuddenly, beneath George's feet, a pitch-black pitfall opened its mouth wide. Of course, George had no way of resisting. <br><br>\r\nそれに飲み込まれた譲治は、東屋の天井に開いた漆黒の穴から落ちてくる。 <br>\r\nAfter being swallowed up by that, George fell out of a pitch-black hole that had opened up in the ceiling of the arbor. <br><br>\r\nその落下してくる譲治の下腹部に、狙い澄まされた蜂の一撃のような鋭いピンヒールによる後回し蹴りが打ち込まれる…！ <br>\r\nAs George fell down, he was hit by a reverse roundhouse kick from a sharp stiletto heel, like a strike from a carefully aimed bee...! <br><br>\r\n東屋から吹き飛ばされた譲治は、薔薇の茂みに飲み込まれるかと思った瞬間。 <br>\r\nThe instant George, after being blown out of the arbor, thought that he'd be swallowed up by a rose bush... <br><br>\r\nそこに再び漆黒の穴が開き譲治を飲み込む。 <br>\r\nAnother pitch-black hole opened there and swallowed George up. <br><br>\r\nすると今度はガァプの目の前の足元に漆黒の穴が開き、そこから無防備な譲治を吐き出す。 <br>\r\nAnd this time, a pitch-black hole opened at Gaap's feet before her eyes, spitting a defenseless George out of it. <br><br>\r\n……その時にはガァプはすでに次の後回し蹴りの予備動作を終えている。 <br>\r\n...At that time, Gaap had already finished the preparatory motions for the next reverse roundhouse kick. <br><br>\r\n「ぐッ、……これ……は…、」 <br>\r\n\"Ghh, ...what is...this...?\" <br><br>\r\n「お帰りなさい。くす！」 <br>\r\n\"Welcome back. *giggle*!\" <br><br>\r\n右側頭部。右脇の下。右膝側面。 <br>\r\nRight side of the head. Below the right armpit. Side of the right knee. <br><br>\r\nまるで小さな竜巻のようにガァプはくるくると舞い踊りながら、右足左足右足左足で連続回し蹴りを次々に叩き込む。 <br>\r\nAs Gaap danced and spun like a small cyclone, she kept hitting him, left foot right foot left foot right foot, with successive roundhouse kicks. <br><br>\r\n四連撃目は足払いとなって譲治の足を刈り取り転倒させるが、もちろんそこに床はなく、漆黒の穴が開いていて、またしても譲治を飲み込んでしまう。 <br>\r\nThe fourth one became a sweep, cutting George's feet out from under him and making him fall down, but of course, there was no floor there, but a pitch-black hole, and George was swallowed up once again. <br><br>\r\nガァプは再び小さい竜巻のように舞い踊る。 <br>\r\n譲治もまた、再び東屋の天井より吐き出された。 <br>\r\nGaap once again spun around like a small cyclone. <br><br>\r\nGeorge was once again spat out from the ceiling of the arbor. <br><br>\r\n「………食らって噛み締めなさい、奈落の終点が一撃。……死ね……！！」 <br>\r\n\"......Take this and reflect. The Abyss ends with a single strike. ...Die...!\" <br><br>\r\n鋭き女王蜂の一撃は、昇る竜巻のように、天を刺す。 <br>\r\nThe sharp strike of the queen bee pierced the heavens like a rising cyclone. <br><br>\r\nそれは天井より落下する譲治の腹部を蹴り抜いた……。 <br>\r\nIt kicked through George's lower chest as he fell from the ceiling... <br><br>\r\nそのまま、……時間が凍る。 <br>\r\nAnd then, ...time froze. <br><br>\r\n譲治はガァプの蹴り上げた足一本で、宙に打ち止められていた……。 <br>\r\nGeorge was pinned in midair by Gaap's raised leg... <br><br>\r\n「が、………ふッ………。」 <br>\r\n\"Gah, ......mmph......\" <br><br>\r\n譲治は宙に縫い止められたまま、呻く……。 <br>\r\nStill pinned in midair, George moaned... <br><br>\r\nそしてガァプは、譲治を足一本で吊り上げたまま、……にやりと笑う。 <br>\r\nThen Gaap, with George still hung up on her foot, ...grinned. <br><br>\r\n「………認めてあげるわ。君の態度だけは一人前よ。でも、力が伴わなきゃ駄目だわ。 <br>\r\n\"......I'll admit it. At least your attitude is that of an adult. But that's no good unless you have power to go with it. <br><br>\r\n……知ってる？ この世を統べるには３つの力が必要だそうよ。ひとつは権力。ひとつは財力。最後は何か知ってる？」 <br>\r\n...Did you know? They say you need three kinds of power to rule this world. The first one is influence. The second is wealth. Do you know what the last one is?\" <br><br>\r\n「本で読んだよ。……暴力、だろ……？」 <br>\r\n\"I read it in a book. ...Force, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「正解。君にはそれが足りないわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Correct. And that's where you're lacking.\" <br><br>\r\nガァプはようやく譲治を解放する。 <br>\r\nGaap finally released George. <br><br>\r\nそのまま再び上へ蹴り上げ、もう一度回し蹴りを加えて柱に打ち付けることによって。 <br>\r\nShe kicked upwards one more time, changing into another roundhouse kick and knocking him into a pillar. <br><br>\r\n「権力を伴わない王者にも、財力を伴わない王者にも、そして暴力を伴わない王者にも、人は誰も恐れない。 <br>\r\n\"No one will fear a monarch without influence, without wealth, or without force. <br><br>\r\n金蔵はその３つを兼ね備えたわ。だからこそ暴君として君臨した！ ……君も金蔵の後継者を名乗るならば、その貫禄を見せて御覧なさい？ <br>\r\nKinzo possessed all three of those. That's why he reigned as a tyrant! ...If you're going to call yourself Kinzo's successor, try showing me a bit of that majesty, okay?\" <br><br>\r\n……ほぉら、いつまで寝ているの？ 立ちなさい？ <br>\r\n\"...Come ooon, how long are you gonna sleep there? Stand up, okay? <br><br>\r\nじゃないとまた、~ib~落ちるわよ~ib~？」 <br>\r\nIf you don't, you'll ~ib~fall~ib~ again, see?\" <br><br>\r\n「ぷっくっくっく。悪くない動きですよ。しかし、レディには少々相応しくないかと存じますよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Pu ku ku ku. Not bad movements. But I feel they are slightly unfitting for a lady.\" <br><br>\r\n「ぃ野郎ぉおおおおおぉ！！ ひょろひょろと、ちょこまかと！！ 反撃して来ねぇのかよ……、舐めてんのかッ、うぜぇヤツッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Bastaaaaaaaaaaaaaard!! Swaying around all over the place!! Aren't you gonna strike back...? Don't take me lightly, you fuckin' bastard!!\" <br><br>\r\nロノウェは、巧みに身をかわし、飛び退り、朱志香の鉄拳をかわしているが、自らはまだ反撃していない。 <br>\r\nRonove dodged skillfully, jumped back, and avoided Jessica's fist, but he still didn't strike back himself. <br><br>\r\nまるで、強風になびく旗のような素早い身のこなしに、朱志香の拳は触れることさえ叶わないのだ。 <br>\r\nBecause of his dodge that was as rapid as a fluttering flag blown by strong winds, Jessica's fist wasn't even able to touch him. <br><br>\r\n朱志香は血の燃えたぎるような感覚の中に、攻撃的冷静さを取り戻す。 <br>\r\nAmidst the sensation that her own blood was boiling, Jessica regained her offensive composure. <br><br>\r\n個室としては広いこの部屋も、いつまでもそんな大袈裟にかわし続けるには狭い。 <br>\r\n……それを冷静に理解し、拳だけでなく、足を使い始める。 <br>\r\nEven though this room was large for a bedroom, it was a very cramped place to keep up such exaggerated dodges in for long. <br><br>\r\n...She calmly realized that and started using not just her fists, but her legs as well. <br><br>\r\n「……ほう。……ボクシングは腕でやるだけの内は半人前です。腕は熱く吼え猛る獅子のように。そして足は冷たく獲物を狙って追い詰める蛇のように。」 <br>\r\n\"...Hoh. Boxing with just your arms makes you but half a fighter. Your arms must be like the hot roar of a lion. And your legs must be like the cold snake closing in on its prey.\" <br><br>\r\n「蛇に足はねーぜ！」 <br>\r\n\"Snakes don't have legs!\" <br><br>\r\n「ぷっくっく、確かに。」 <br>\r\n\"Pu ku ku, true.\" <br><br>\r\n朱志香はロノウェを正確なフットワークで壁際に追い詰めていく。回り込ませない。 <br>\r\nJessica began cornering Ronove towards the wall with perfect footwork. She didn't let him get around her. <br><br>\r\n……ロノウェの華麗な回避は、見た目には派手だが、充分な足場がいる。 <br>\r\n追い詰めればもうかわせはしない…！ <br>\r\n...Ronove's magnificent dodges looked flashy, but they needed a large footing. <br><br>\r\nOnce cornered, he wouldn't be able to dodge anymore...! <br><br>\r\n朱志香は自分の装備するメリケンサックという武器の特性をよく理解していた。 <br>\r\nJessica knew the characteristics of her weapon, the brass knuckle, very well. <br><br>\r\nその強力な武器の特筆すべき特長は、相手に防御さえ許さない点だ。 <br>\r\nThis powerful weapon's most notable characteristic was how it didn't give the opponent a chance to defend. <br><br>\r\n腕で防ごうとも、その腕に直にダメージを与える。 <br>\r\n……下手な受け方をすれば骨だって折れるだろう。 <br>\r\nEven if they blocked with their arm, that arm would receive direct damage. <br><br>\r\n...If it hit the wrong way, it might even break the bone. <br><br>\r\nだから追い詰める。 <br>\r\nSo she cornered him. <br><br>\r\n逃げ場をなくし、……この悪魔を、この拳で、削り取るッ！！ <br>\r\nWith this fist, ...she'd whittle away at this demon who'd lost any way to escape!! <br><br>\r\n「おっと…！ <br>\r\n\"Whoops...! <br><br>\r\nおや、いつの間に。」 <br>\r\nOh, when did...?\" <br><br>\r\n「ようやく追い詰めたぜ……？ みんなを捕らえている場所はどこだ。クソジジイのいる場所はどこだ。洗いざらい喋ったら、そのヒゲを毟り取るだけで勘弁してやるぜ？」 <br>\r\n\"Looks like I've finally cornered you, right...? Where is everyone being held? Where's that damn geezer? You tell me everything, and I'll let you off with nothing more than plucking that mustache off, got it?\" <br><br>\r\n「それは困ります。これでもセットに毎朝、１時間を掛けているのですから。」 <br>\r\n\"That would be a problem. It does take me an hour every morning to set this.\" <br><br>\r\n「ギプスの世話になったら、それも出来ねえなッ？！」 <br>\r\n\"Once you're in a cast, you won't even be able to do that, right?!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………おっと。…………………ぐッ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Whoops. .........Gggh.\" <br><br>\r\n朱志香が繰り出した拳を、ロノウェは初めて腕で防ぐ。 <br>\r\n余裕を装ってはいるが、かなり痛いはずだ。 <br>\r\nRonove had blocked Jessica's fist with his arm. <br><br>\r\nHe tried to act as though it was no big deal, but it must have hurt a lot. <br><br>\r\n……朱志香はニヤリと笑う。 <br>\r\n...Jessica grinned. <br><br>\r\nロノウェも同じように笑うが、わずかに引きつっている。 <br>\r\nRonove smiled the same way, but twitched slightly. <br><br>\r\n「……なるほど。これは確かに痛いですね。」 <br>\r\n\"...I see. This certainly does hurt.\" <br><br>\r\n「最終勧告。 <br>\r\n\"Here's my last bit of advice. <br><br>\r\n泣いて詫びろ。」 <br>\r\nCry and apologize.\" <br><br>\r\n「それは出来ませんね。キャラが崩れます。」 <br>\r\n\"That, I cannot do. It would ruin my image.\" <br><br>\r\n「なら、お前が崩れ落ちるといいぜ。釣瓶打ちだああああああぁあああッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Then just crumple. Rapid fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiire!!!\" <br><br>\r\n朱志香の左右の鉄拳がロノウェに打ち込まれる。 <br>\r\nJessica's fists were buried into Ronove. <br><br>\r\nしかし、そうとは思えぬ手応えとガラスを割るような音に朱志香はぎょっとする。 <br>\r\nBut there was a resistance that seemed too hard...and the sound of breaking glass, which startled Jessica. <br><br>\r\n朱志香の拳を、ロノウェは一見、手の平で受け止めたように見えた。……少し違う。 <br>\r\nAt a glance, it looked like Ronove had caught Jessica's fist with his palm. ...That wasn't quite true. <br><br>\r\nロノウェが手の平を開くと、そこに紫色に薄く光る、ガラスの楯のような障壁が現れ、紙一重のところで攻撃を止めてしまうのだ。 <br>\r\nWhen Ronove opened his hand, a faint, purple, glowing barrier like a glass shield appeared, stopping the attack by a hair's breadth. <br><br>\r\n気を取り直し、朱志香は再び左右の鉄拳を繰り出すが、ロノウェは実に華麗な仕草で、それを全て、受け止めてしまう……。 <br>\r\nPulling herself together, Jessica let her fists fly again, but with a truly magnificent gesture, Ronove caught all of them... <br><br>\r\n「悪魔ですので。この程度の魔法くらいは。 <br>\r\n\"I am, after all, a demon. This level of magic is nothing. <br><br>\r\n………それにしても、なかなかやりますね。ニンゲンだったら、私はここで降参だったでしょう。悪魔だから、まだ戦い続けることが出来る。」 <br>\r\n......Even so, you aren't bad at all. If I were a Human, I would probably resign right here. Because I am a demon, I can still continue to fight.\" <br><br>\r\n「お、……おかしな真似を………！」 <br>\r\n\"...Wh-What are you trying to pull......?!\" <br><br>\r\n「それで終わりですか？ <br>\r\n\"Is this the end? <br><br>\r\n……攻撃を繰り出すばかりで、ご自身の防御が疎かではありませんか？」 <br>\r\n...Are you simply going to attack all the time, while neglecting your defense?\" <br><br>\r\n「え？！ <br>\r\n\"Huh?! <br><br>\r\n……うわッ！！」 <br>\r\n...Waaah!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nロノウェは手の平を朱志香の下腹部に、寸止めのように打ち込む。 <br>\r\n朱志香は紫の楯に弾き飛ばされ、後に転がり、ベッドに頭をぶつける。 <br>\r\nRonove's palm shot to within a hair's breadth of Jessica's stomach. <br><br>\r\nJessica was knocked away by the purple shield, rolled backwards, and smashed her head on the bed. <br><br>\r\n「ニンゲン如きに、私のシールドは破れませんよ。もう二度と、私の体に触れることが出来ると思わぬことです。」 <br>\r\n\"My shield cannot be broken by a mere Human. Don't think that you'll ever be able to touch my body again.\" <br><br>\r\n「……ならよ、……そのシールドごとブチ抜いてやるぜ……！！」 <br>\r\n\"...In that case, ...I'll just burst through that shield...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「不屈な方だ。その根性、なるほど、次期当主として実に相応しい。 <br>\r\n\"Persistent, I see. Yes, a truly fitting spirit for the Successor. <br><br>\r\n……もう少しお相手させていただきましょうかね。これも試験官の役得です。………ぷっくくくくくく！」 <br>\r\n...Perhaps I'll be your opponent for just a while longer. This is also part of an examiner's role. ......Pukkukukukukuku!\" <br><br>\r\n「砕けろおおおおぉおおお、うおおおおおおおおおおぉおおッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Breeeeeeeeeeeaaaak, aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!\" <br><br>\r\nガァプが譲治を見下ろし、嘲笑う。 <br>\r\n譲治は薔薇庭園の園路で、水溜りに突っ伏していた。 <br>\r\nGaap looked down on George, sneering. <br><br>\r\nGeorge was on a path in the rose garden, lying face-down in a puddle. <br><br>\r\n容赦なく雨は打ちつけ、天すらも嘲笑っているように見える…。 <br>\r\nThe merciless rain beat down on him, so that it looked as though even the heavens were mocking him... <br><br>\r\n「………あっははははははは。立ちなさい？ また落ちるわよ？」 <br>\r\n\"......Ahhahahahahahaha. Stand up, okay? You'll fall again, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n譲治はよろよろと立ち上がる。 <br>\r\nGeorge stood up shakily. <br><br>\r\n……精神は挫けていないようだが、肉体のダメージはかなりのもののようだった。 <br>\r\n...It seemed his spirit hadn't given in, but the damage done to his body was fairly significant. <br><br>\r\n「命乞いなさい。君のしていることは、何も選ばない四番目の選択肢に同じ。 <br>\r\n\"Beg for your life. What you're doing now is the same as the fourth option of choosing nothing. <br><br>\r\n……君が選んだのは三番目の選択肢でしょう？ 両手両膝を付いて詫びれば、私への非礼を許してあげるわ。 <br>\r\n...You chose the third option, right? If you get down on your hands and knees and apologize, I'll forgive your rudeness towards me.\" <br><br>\r\nそしたら、君を地下牢へ案内してあげる。そこで君は、愛する紗音と非力な自分のために、他の人質たちを一人ずつ殺していくの。 <br>\r\n\"Then, I'll guide you down to the dungeon. There, for your beloved Shannon and your own powerless life, you will kill the other hostages one by one. <br><br>\r\n……出来るわよね？ その覚悟はあると、君は豪語したわ。……くすくすくすくす。」 <br>\r\n...You can do it, right? You did boast about having that resolve. ...*giggle*giggle*giggle*.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n譲治は返事をしない。 <br>\r\n……しかしその眼差しは未だに強情に、屈服を拒んでいた。 <br>\r\nGeorge didn't answer. <br><br>\r\n...But his gaze was still obstinately resisting surrender. <br><br>\r\n「……あまり強情が過ぎると、今度こそ奈落の底の底まで、落ちるわよ…？ くっくくくくく。」 <br>\r\n\"...If you are too obstinate, then this time you really will fall to the deepest depths of the Abyss, okay...? *cackle*cackle*cackle*.\" <br><br>\r\nガァプの強さは歴然としていた。 <br>\r\nGaap's strength was evident. <br><br>\r\n……それは多分、当の譲治よりも、それを三面鏡越しに見守っている紗音たちの方が理解しているに違いなかった…。 <br>\r\n...That was probably clear, even more than it was to George himself, to Shannon's group watching through the three-sided mirror... <br><br>\r\n「………譲治さま……。……もう、 <br>\r\n………止めて………。…私なんかのために……。」 <br>\r\n\"......George-sama... ...That's... <br><br>\r\n......enough...... ...For someone like me...\" <br><br>\r\n「姉さん……。」 <br>\r\n\"Nee-san...\" <br><br>\r\n「……私のことなんて、好きにならなければ、 <br>\r\n……譲治さまは誰とも戦わなくていいんでしょ…？ なら私なんて捨てて下さい……。忘れて下さい……。」 <br>\r\n\"...If you didn't like me, <br><br>\r\n...you wouldn't have to fight with anyone, right, George-sama...? Then please, abandon me... Please forget me...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nその声が譲治に届くはずもない。 <br>\r\nThere was no way that voice could have reached George. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、なのに。……譲治はそれに答えた。 <br>\r\n...But, even so, ...George answered. <br><br>\r\n「嫌だね。 <br>\r\n\"No way. <br><br>\r\n…………僕は、屈服しない。」 <br>\r\n......I won't...surrender.\" <br><br>\r\n「……へぇ。どうして……？」 <br>\r\n\"...Oh? Why not...?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………それが、僕の、覚悟だからだ。……僕は紗音のために、全てと戦う。そして全てに認めさせ、 <br>\r\n……全てに僕たちを祝福させる。」 <br>\r\n\"......Because that's...my resolve. ...I'll fight everything for Shannon's sake. And I'll make everything accept us... <br><br>\r\n...and bless us.\" <br><br>\r\n「ねぇ、聞かせて？ どうしてあの紗音とかいう家具のためにそこまで言えるの？ <br>\r\n\"Hey, could you tell me something? Why are you willing to go so far for that furniture called Shannon? <br><br>\r\n………あんなの、ただの出来損ないじゃない。給仕ひとつ満足に出来ない、ガラクタ家具だわ。」 <br>\r\n......She's just a washout, isn't she? Rubbish furniture that couldn't even make a satisfactory waitress.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………愛する女性への暴言を、僕はそれ以上許さない。」 <br>\r\n\"......I won't permit any more insults against the woman I love.\" <br><br>\r\n「だったら何？ ひ弱なボクちゃんが、私にどう抗うというのかしら…？」 <br>\r\n\"So what are you going to do about it? How could a weak kid like you resist me...?\" <br><br>\r\n「人を愛するとは強さだ。……それを知ったから、僕は強くなれた。 <br>\r\n\"Loving someone is strength. ...Because I learned that, I was able to become strong. <br><br>\r\n………“紗音、僕は君を愛している”。その言葉だけで、僕は何度でも立ち上がれるんだ。」 <br>\r\n......`Shannon, I love you'. With just those words, I can stand back up, over and over again.\" <br><br>\r\n「紗音は地下牢よ？ 私に愛を語られても。」 <br>\r\n\"Shannon's in the dungeon, right? Professing your love to me won't-\" <br><br>\r\n「いいや。伝わった。 <br>\r\n\"No. She heard. <br><br>\r\n……それが愛だからだ。紗音には今、僕の言葉が聞こえているよ。そうだと信じられることこそが、愛だ。」 <br>\r\n...That's because it's love. Shannon can hear my words right now. The reason I can believe that...is because of love.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………こいつ…、……。」 <br>\r\n\".........You......\" <br><br>\r\n『紗音。君は家具なんかじゃない。……家具だったとしても、世界でただひとつの、僕だけの家具だ。生涯、僕と寄り添って欲しい。……僕には君が、永遠に必要だ。』 <br>\r\n『Shannon, you aren't furniture. ...Even if you are furniture, you're mine alone, the only one for me in the world. I want you to be close to me as long as we live. ...I need you for all eternity.』 <br><br>\r\n「………じょ、……譲治さま……………。」 <br>\r\n\"......G-George-sama.........\" <br><br>\r\n「……妬けるわ。口説きならウチの人を越えたわね。」 <br>\r\n\"...I'm jealous. He's surpassed my husband in smooth talking.\" <br><br>\r\n「わ、……若さですな。」 <br>\r\n\"...Th-That's youth for you.\" <br><br>\r\n「あっはははははははははは…！！ 愛が強さ？ なら坊やはどうしてそんなにひ弱なの？ その弱さがつまり、君の愛の程度なわけね？ くすくすくす！ 婚約者への愛もひ弱。両親の呆気ない死に様もひ弱。君の人生は何から何までひ弱だわぁ。」 <br>\r\n\"Ahhahahahahahahahahaha...!! The strength of love? Then why are you so weak, boy? Does that weakness mean your love is also that weak? *giggle*giggle*! Even your love for your fiancée is weak. The way your parents died so quickly was weak. Everything about your life is weak.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………紗音は僕に愛と強さを教えてくれた。 <br>\r\n\"......Shannon taught me about love and strength. <br><br>\r\nもし君が、僕の強さだけで紗音への愛を確かめようというのなら、 <br>\r\n……僕の愛を、教えよう。」 <br>\r\nIf you're trying to measure my love towards Shannon by my strength alone, <br><br>\r\n...let me teach you about my love.\" <br><br>\r\n「くす、言うわね。……なぁるほど。何度も蹴り倒されて転がされ、それでも立ち上がるのが紗音からもらった強さだと。 <br>\r\n\"*giggle* So you say. ...I get it now. You're saying that the way you can still stand up after being kicked down so many times is the strength you received from Shannon.\" <br><br>\r\nなら、呆気なく殺されたあんたのお父さんとお母さんからは何をもらったの？ ………？」 <br>\r\n\"In that case, what did you receive from your parents, who got killed way too easily? ......?\" <br><br>\r\nその時、停電した。……屋外で？ <br>\r\nAt that time, there was a blackout. ...Even though they were outside? <br><br>\r\n「………ち、……違う。………こ、れは…………。」 <br>\r\n\"......N-No. ......Th-This is......\" <br><br>\r\n ガァプの視界を遮るのは、 <br>\r\n……………譲治の、 <br>\r\n靴の、 <br>\r\n… <br>\r\nThe thing blocking Gaap's vision... <br><br>\r\n......was the bottom... <br><br>\r\nof George's... <br><br>\r\n... <br><br>\r\n裏…。 <br>\r\nshoe... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「…………足刀蹴り。鼻骨骨折。」 <br>\r\n\"......Side kick. Nasal bone fractured.\" <br><br>\r\nそれはガァプの鼻先で完全に寸止めされていた。 <br>\r\nIt had stopped right in front of the tip of Gaap's nose. <br><br>\r\n「母さんにもらったものはこの蹴りだ。」 <br>\r\n\"The thing I got from Mom was this kick.\" <br><br>\r\nガァプは数瞬遅れて飛び退く。 <br>\r\nもちろん遅過ぎる。 <br>\r\nSeveral moments after, Gaap jumped back. <br><br>\r\nOf course, that was too late. <br><br>\r\n譲治が止めなければ、宣言したとおりのダメージが与えられただろう。 <br>\r\nIf George hadn't stopped, he would probably have caused the damage he'd announced. <br><br>\r\n「そして父さんにもらったのが、 <br>\r\n……忍耐力。」 <br>\r\n\"And what I got from Dad... <br><br>\r\n...is fortitude.\" <br><br>\r\n低い沸点の怒りは真に恐れるべきものではない。 <br>\r\n……本当の怒りは、忍耐によって練り上げられる。 <br>\r\nAnger with a low boiling point isn't something to be truly feared. <br><br>\r\n...True anger is disciplined by fortitude. <br><br>\r\n「………君の暴力的意思表示は理解した。……また、婚約者と両親への名誉毀損も理解した。そして、それを撤回する気がないんだね……？」 <br>\r\n\"......I recognize your violent method of declaring your intentions. ...I also see that you've slandered my fiancée and my parents' honor. And you have no intention of taking back what you said, yes...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……こ、いつ……。」 <br>\r\n\"...Y-You...\" <br><br>\r\n「君の攻撃は、もう充分に理解したから。 <br>\r\n\"I now understand your attacks more than enough, <br><br>\r\n…………そろそろ、いいかな。反撃しても。」 <br>\r\n......so maybe it's about time. Time to start fighting back.\" <br><br>\r\n「ほっ、ほざくな、坊やの分際で……！！」 <br>\r\n\"Q-Quit prattling, foolish boy...!!\" <br><br>\r\n譲治の足元に漆黒の落とし穴が口を開く。 <br>\r\nA pitch-black hole opened its mouth at George's feet. <br><br>\r\nしかし、譲治は素早く足を開き、その穴を跨ぐように立つ。同じ手は、通用しない…！ <br>\r\n上半身は微動だにしない、あまりに軽やかな身のこなしだった。 <br>\r\nBut George rapidly opened his legs, straddling the hole. The same move won't work again...! <br><br>\r\nIt was an extremely smooth dodge, and the upper part of his body didn't even quiver. <br><br>\r\n「忍耐とは、熱くならず、冷静に相手の出方を研究することだ。………何のために？ 決まってるじゃないか。わかるかい？」 <br>\r\n\"Fortitude means calmly analyzing how your opponent will act, instead of losing your cool. ......Why? Isn't it obvious? Can't you guess?\" <br><br>\r\n「わ、わ、わかんないわよ……。」 <br>\r\n\"N-N-No, I can't...\" <br><br>\r\n「反撃して、きっちり借りを返し、二度とちょっかいを出したくないと思わせ、涙と鼻水で顔面をぐちゃぐちゃにしてそれを拭うのを忘れて額を地面に擦り付けて何度も謝りたくなるほどに完膚なきまでに完璧に徹ッ底的にッッ！！！ <br>\r\n\"It's to counter, to give back exactly what you got, to make them not want to take another pass at you, to make them cover their face in tears and snot and forget to wash it off, to make them want to rub their forehead on the ground and apologize over and over, to completely, perfectly, and thoroughly...!!! <br><br>\r\n……叩きのめすためだよ。」 <br>\r\n...Beat them until they can't get up.\" <br><br>\r\n譲治が駆ける。 <br>\r\nGeorge dashed. <br><br>\r\n次々に漆黒の穴が開くが、譲治は二度とそれを踏みはしない。 <br>\r\nPitfalls opened one after another, but George didn't step in them again. <br><br>\r\nそして、それに固執したから、ガァプは二度捉えられる…。 <br>\r\nAnd, because he was persistent, he was able to reach Gaap a second time... <br><br>\r\n「………後回し蹴り。顎部骨折。」 <br>\r\n\"......Reverse roundhouse. Jaw fractured.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………ッッッ！」 <br>\r\n\".........!\" <br><br>\r\nそれは、ガァプの繰り出したそれよりも美しく、力強く伸びる。 <br>\r\nそしてもちろん、ガァプの顔面を完全に捉えつつも寸止めだった。 <br>\r\nIt was stretched out more forcefully and beautifully than Gaap's had been. <br><br>\r\nOf course, while it centered directly on Gaap's face, it stopped a hair's breadth away. <br><br>\r\nこの至近では落とし穴にも頼れないのだろうか。 <br>\r\nPerhaps she couldn't rely on pitfalls at this close range. <br><br>\r\nガァプは譲治の脛を牽制のように蹴り、譲治がそれに対応しようとした一瞬の隙を突いて、その腹部に蹴りを狙う。 <br>\r\nGaap kicked at George's shins as a diversion, and in the instant of weakness when he tried to deal with that, she aimed a kick at his stomach. <br><br>\r\nそれはピンヒールによる蜂の如き一撃。 <br>\r\nIt was a bee-like stab by her stiletto heel. <br><br>\r\n……しかしそこにはもう譲治がいなくて空を切る。 <br>\r\n...But it sliced through the air where George no longer was. <br><br>\r\n「………上段踵落とし。鎖骨骨折。」 <br>\r\n\"......High axe kick. Collarbone fractured.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………んなッ、」 <br>\r\n\"......Gah-\" <br><br>\r\nガァプの側面で。譲治を足を振り上げたまま、冷酷にそう伝える。 <br>\r\nその王者の踵が振り下ろされていたなら、鎖骨骨折では控えめが過ぎるだろう。 <br>\r\nBy Gaap's side, George calmly announced that, his foot still raised. <br><br>\r\nIf that monarch's heel had swung down, a collarbone fracture would probably have been the least of her worries. <br><br>\r\n「こッいつ、 <br>\r\n………至近じゃ、私より強いの……？！ 距離を……ッ、」 <br>\r\n\"This guy's... <br><br>\r\n...stronger than me...at close range...?! I need distance...!\" <br><br>\r\n大きく距離を取るように飛び退く。 <br>\r\nShe jumped backwards to open a large gap between them. <br><br>\r\n後ろへ飛んで飛んで跳ねて後方宙返りまでして距離を離す。 <br>\r\nShe jumped and jumped and leapt and even flipped in midair, increasing that distance. <br><br>\r\n華麗なはずなのに、なぜかそれは怯えている小動物のそれによく似ていた。 <br>\r\nIt should have been magnificent, but for some reason, it was very similar to the movements of a small, scared animal. <br><br>\r\n距離を開けば、得意の落とし穴と蹴り技を混ぜての、自分の得意な間合いで戦える…！ <br>\r\nIf she opened the distance between them, she'd be able to fight at the range that was her specialty, using a mixture of pitfalls and kicking techniques...! <br><br>\r\n「馬鹿が…、私を倒せるチャンスを三度も逃した傲慢、奈落の底で後悔なさいッ！！ <br>\r\n\"You fool, ...you'll regret the pride that made you let three chances of defeating me slide...as you fall into the depths of the Abyss!! <br><br>\r\n………………えッ？」 <br>\r\n.........Huh?\" <br><br>\r\n華麗に後方に着地し、落とし穴を狙おうとした時、かまいたちのような鋭い風が、ガァプの前髪を斬った。…そう、斬った。 <br>\r\nWhen she magnificently landed and tried to aim a pitfall, a razor-sharp wind cut Gaap's bangs. ...Yes, it cut them. <br><br>\r\nそれは二度。……今度は寸止めではなく、その風圧で彼女の前髪を散らす……。 <br>\r\nIt happened twice. ...This time, it didn't just stop a hair's breadth away, but scattered her bangs with its air pressure... <br><br>\r\n「………アルマーダ・コン・マルテーロゥ。 <br>\r\n\"......Armada com martelo. <br><br>\r\n……第一撃で眼底骨折。第二撃で脳挫傷。」 <br>\r\n...The fundus of the eye fractured with the first strike. Cerebral contusion with the second strike.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………ッッッ…！！！」 <br>\r\n\"............!!!\" <br><br>\r\nガァプは呆然として言葉も出せない。 <br>\r\nGaap was too shocked to speak. <br><br>\r\nあれだけの間合いを譲治は瞬時に詰め、恐るべき身軽さで空中二段蹴りを放ったのだ。 <br>\r\nGeorge had closed in over all that distance in an instant, letting off a fearsomely nimble midair double-kick. <br><br>\r\n……しかもそれは剃刀の如き切れ味と正確さで、彼女の前髪数本だけを斬って見せた。 <br>\r\n...Furthermore, with the accuracy and edge of a razor, it had cut nothing more than several of her bangs. <br><br>\r\n「空手で蹴りの威力を。 <br>\r\n\"I learned the power of kicks from karate, <br><br>\r\nテコンドーで速度を。 <br>\r\nspeed from tae kwon do, <br><br>\r\nカポエイラでは自在の間合いを学んだ。 <br>\r\nand freedom of range from capoeira. <br><br>\r\n……母さんが色々と移り気でね。でも色々と特長を学べて勉強になったよ。」 <br>\r\n...Mom was pretty fickle. But I've learned from studying various merits.\" <br><br>\r\n「な、……なぜ当てない……？ <br>\r\n\"...Wh-Why don't you hit me...? <br><br>\r\n……私が女だからだとでも言うのかッ！！」 <br>\r\n...You aren't going to say it's because I'm a woman, right?!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……君は、王者の力として３つ目に暴力と言ったね。 <br>\r\n\"...You spoke of force as a monarch's third power. <br><br>\r\n君はどうやらまだ、その暴力の意味を誤解しているようだ。……この場合の暴力とはね、短絡的に振るわれる乱暴のことを言うんじゃない。………敵対すれば、無傷では済まないという、抑止のことを指すんだよ。」 <br>\r\nIt looks like you still misunderstand the meaning of that force. ...In this situation, force doesn't mean hastily wielded violence. ......It refers to a deterrent, knowledge that if someone opposes the monarch, that person won't get away unharmed.\" <br><br>\r\n「抑止……、だと……。」 <br>\r\n\"A deterrent, ...you say...?\" <br><br>\r\nつまりはそういうこと。 <br>\r\nIn short, this is what it meant. <br><br>\r\nこれまでの譲治の攻撃が全て寸止めなのは、そういうことなのだ。 <br>\r\nThis was why all of George's attacks up until then had stopped a hair's breadth away. <br><br>\r\n直撃させるよりも困難とされる寸止めを、これほどまでに華麗に披露した。 <br>\r\nThese bare misses, which were more difficult than hitting directly, had all been performed so splendidly. <br><br>\r\n…また、その何れも譲治が望んだなら、一撃でガァプを撃破しただろう。 <br>\r\n...Also, if George had wished it, any one of those would probably have crushed Gaap. <br><br>\r\nそれを、敢えて、やらない。 <br>\r\nHe had, daringly, not done that. <br><br>\r\n「君も言ったろ？ 暴力は統べる力だと。………暴力で相手を破壊してしまったら、統べられないじゃないか。 <br>\r\n\"You said it yourself, right? Force is the power to control. ......If you crush your opponent with force, you won't be able control them, right? <br><br>\r\n王者の暴力とはね、見せるだけなんだよ。破壊しない。……屈服させて、自らの財産とするんだからね。 <br>\r\nA monarch's force is something that is only shown. He does not crush. He makes others surrender and adds them to his own fortune.\" <br><br>\r\n君に泡でも吹かれたら、みんなの捕らわれてる場所に案内させられないよ。」 <br>\r\n\"If you start blowing bubbles, I won't be able to make you guide me to where the hostages are.\" <br><br>\r\nガァプは認めざるを得ない。 <br>\r\nGaap had to admit it. <br><br>\r\n譲治が完璧な意味で、暴力を理解していることを認めざるを得ない…！ <br>\r\nShe had to admit that George understood force in its truest sense...! <br><br>\r\n「みんなのところへ案内してもらうよ。抵抗はお奨めしない。………もう寸止めはしないよ。」 <br>\r\n\"You'll take me to where everyone is. I would advise against resisting. ...I won't stop short next time.\" <br><br>\r\n「…くッ！！ <br>\r\n\"...Ack!! <br><br>\r\n………ごめんねリーア、あんたの兵隊、借りさせて。 <br>\r\n......Sorry, Lia. Lemme borrow your troops. <br><br>\r\n私ひとりじゃ手に負えないわ、こいつッ！！」 <br>\r\nThis guy's too much for me alone to handle!!\" <br><br>\r\n空中に大きな漆黒の穴を開くと、ドン、ズン、ドスンと、３人の屈強な山羊の従者が落ちてくる。それらは譲治を囲んでいた。 <br>\r\nAs a large, pitch-black hole opened in the sky, *thunk* *thunk* *thunk*, three muscular goat attendants fell out. They surrounded George. <br><br>\r\n「………増援かい？ それは僕がひ弱であることを撤回したと受け止めていいのかな。」 <br>\r\n\"......Reinforcements? Should I take this to mean that you take back all that about me being weak?\" <br><br>\r\n「み、……認めるわ。……あんたの、…ニンゲンの力を侮ってたわ……。」 <br>\r\n\"...I-I admit it. ...I made light of your...Human power...\" <br><br>\r\n「違うね。これが、愛を覚えた男の強さなのさ。」 <br>\r\n\"That's wrong. This is the strength of a man who's experienced love.\" <br><br>\r\n「ほ、ほざけ…、臭いことをしゃあしゃあとッ！！ さぁ、山羊たち！ その男を潰して肉団子にしてやりなさい！ <br>\r\n\"H-How can you say stuff like that with a straight face?!! Come, goats! Crush this man and turn him into meatballs!\" <br><br>\r\nくすくす、この山羊たちは馬鹿だけど、パワーだけはあるみたいよ。あんたの死体、婚約者にも見分けがつかなくしてあげるわ！」 <br>\r\n\"*giggle* These goats are stupid, but it looks like they at least have power. I'll turn you into a corpse that even your fiancée won't be able to recognize!\" <br><br>\r\n「降伏拒否、並びに継戦の意思、了解したよ。……以後は、君の攻撃に等しい分だけ、君に実害が及ぶことを宣言する。 <br>\r\n\"You refuse to surrender and intend to continue fighting. Understood. ...Know that from now on, you will receive real harm proportional to your own attacks.\" <br><br>\r\n僕をまだ攻撃するつもりなら、相応の損害を受けることになると、覚悟するがいいよ。」 <br>\r\n\"If you still plan on attacking me, prepare to sustain a great deal of damage.\" <br><br>\r\n譲治がそれを宣言した時、 <br>\r\n……譲治の回りに、薄っすらと赤い魔法陣が浮かび上がる。 <br>\r\nWhen George proclaimed that, <br><br>\r\n...a faint, red magic circle rose up around him. <br><br>\r\nしかしそれは譲治には見えていないらしい。 <br>\r\nしかし悪魔であるガァプには見えた。 <br>\r\nIt seemed that George couldn't see it. <br><br>\r\nHowever, Gaap, being a demon, could. <br><br>\r\n「ま、……魔法？！ どうしてこいつが防御結界を…？！ しかもそれ、……反撃特化…ッ？！ <br>\r\n\"...M-Magic?! Why does this guy have a defensive barrier...?! And that's also...a counterattacking type...?! <br><br>\r\nそれが、……あ、あんたの抑止という意味ッ……？！」 <br>\r\nIs this...wh-what you meant by a deterrent...?!\" <br><br>\r\n悪魔たちから見れば、そういう魔法だったかもしれない。 <br>\r\nFrom a demon's perspective, that may have been magic. <br><br>\r\nしかし譲治にしてみればそれは、決意。 <br>\r\nBut in George's eyes, it was...determination. <br><br>\r\nこれ以上の戦いを望むならば、誰であろうとも容赦しない、そして相応の反撃を覚悟してもらうという絶対の決意。 <br>\r\nIt was a determination filled with certainty, ...which would be merciless to anyone who wished to fight anymore...and which would force them to prepare for a significant counterattack. <br><br>\r\n絶対の決意が、魔法になる。 <br>\r\nDetermination with certainty...becomes magic. <br><br>\r\nロノウェは的確に、シールドで朱志香の鉄拳を防いでいた。……しかし、違和感。 <br>\r\nRonove had been accurately blocking Jessica's fists with his shield. ...But something felt odd. <br><br>\r\n確実にシールドで受け止めているはずなのに、腕が軋み、痛むのを感じる。 <br>\r\nEven though he was certainly catching them on the shield, he felt his arm get jarred, and it hurt. <br><br>\r\n物理ダメージは断絶されているはず。 <br>\r\nIt should have prevented all physical damage. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、鉄拳のダメージがわずかずつ腕に伝わり、蓄積しているのだ。 <br>\r\n...However, the damage from her fists was gradually being transmitted to his arm, piling up. <br><br>\r\nロノウェはそれを気取られまいと平静を装う…。 <br>\r\nRonove tried to act like he was composed, so that this wouldn't be noticed... <br><br>\r\n「へ、へへ…！！ 私はバテねぇぜ。 <br>\r\n\"H-Heheh...!! I'm not gonna get worn out. <br><br>\r\nどうしたよオッサン。ちっとは堪えて来たかよ…！」 <br>\r\nWhat's wrong, old guy? Starting to get a little tough...?!\" <br><br>\r\n「……いくら攻撃しようとも無駄ですよ。私のシールドはあなたには砕けないと、どうしてわからないのです？」 <br>\r\n\"...No matter how much you attack, it is useless. Why can't you understand that you cannot break my shield?\" <br><br>\r\n「砕けないからってよ、殴るのを止めはしないぜ。 <br>\r\n\"I'm not gonna stop hitting you just because it won't break. <br><br>\r\n………どんな硬い心にだって、言葉はわずかずつ響き、やがてはひびを入れることだって出来るんだ…！ 私は信じてる！！ この世に無駄な努力なんて存在しないってなッ！！ <br>\r\n......No matter how hard someone's heart is, if you keep on talking to them little by little, it'll eventually start to crack...! I believe it!! I believe that useless effort doesn't exist in this world!!\" <br><br>\r\nだから生きるんだろ、思いっきりッ！！ 言葉だっていつか通じるなら、拳だって同じってことだぜ…！！ 私の辞書には、諦めるって文字は書いちゃいねえんだぜッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"That's why I can live...to the fullest!! If words will eventually make it through, then the same goes for fists...!! `Give up' isn't written anywhere in my dictionary!!\" <br><br>\r\nそれは多分、嘉音に語り掛ける言葉…。 <br>\r\nThose words were probably aimed at Kanon... <br><br>\r\n朱志香の言葉を一見拒絶する嘉音。 <br>\r\nKanon, who had seemed to reject Jessica's words. <br><br>\r\n……だが、その頑なな心に、少しずつ染み透っているのを、朱志香は知っている。 <br>\r\n...But Jessica knew that, no matter how stubborn his heart was, those words would eventually soak through. <br><br>\r\nそしてきっと、心が通じて、彼が自らを家具と呼んで卑下しなくなる日が来て、……彼の新しい人生を踏み出してくれることを信じている。 <br>\r\nShe believed that they would surely reach his heart, that the day would come when he would stop calling himself furniture and disparaging himself, ...and that he'd step out into a new life. <br><br>\r\nだから朱志香は諦めない。へこたれない…！ <br>\r\nSo Jessica didn't give up. She didn't lose heart...! <br><br>\r\n「馬鹿みてえだろ？ 男には理解できねえだろ？ <br>\r\n\"It's stupid, right? I'll bet a guy couldn't understand, right? <br><br>\r\n恋する乙女ってのはな、無駄だから諦めるって考えがねぇんだぜッ！！」 <br>\r\nA girl in love doesn't even think about giving up just because it's useless!!\" <br><br>\r\nその時、ロノウェは確かに見る。 <br>\r\n朱志香の両拳が赤く熱のような光を帯びるのを。 <br>\r\nAt that time, Ronove certainly saw. <br><br>\r\nHe saw the reddish glow of light that encircled Jessica's fists. <br><br>\r\n「………これは、……参りました。……エンチャントですか。…浸透付与とは、……厄介な。」 <br>\r\n\"......This is...not good. ...An enchantment, is it? ...This permeating upgrade...will be troublesome.\" <br><br>\r\n諦めない拳と決意には、必ず成し遂げる力が宿る。 <br>\r\nInside her unrelenting fists and determination...dwelled the power to succeed no matter what. <br><br>\r\nそれは悪魔から見れば、魔法。 <br>\r\n絶対の決意が、魔法になる。 <br>\r\nFrom a demon's perspective, that was magic. <br><br>\r\nDetermination with certainty...becomes magic. <br><br>\r\n「な？ 無駄なんてことはねぇだろ？ <br>\r\n\"See? Nothing useless about it. <br><br>\r\n…通ってんだろ、私の拳。腕を庇ってるぜ、オッサン。」 <br>\r\n...Looks like my fists are making it through. Guard your arm, old guy.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………もう少し本気を出さざるを得ないようですね。 <br>\r\n\"......It seems I will have to get a little more serious. <br><br>\r\n…仰るとおりのようです。……この世に、無駄なことなど、ない。」 <br>\r\n...It appears it is as you said. ...In this world, nothing is useless.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうさ…！ 無駄なんて諦めたら、そこで人生が終わっちまうぜ…！ 通じるんだよ。……絶対に…！！」 <br>\r\n\"That's right...! If you give up because something's useless, that's when your life ends...! You'll get through. ...You can be sure of that...!!\" <br><br>\r\n私は馬鹿だからこんな生き方しか出来ないけど、それでもきっと、嘉音くんの人生に、新しい世界を教えてあげるくらいのことはいつか出来ると、……信じてる！！ <br>\r\nI'm an idiot, so this is the only way I can live, but even so, ...I'm sure I'll be able to teach Kanon-kun...about a new world someday!! <br><br>\r\nだからこんなところで挫けない…！！ <br>\r\nSo I'm not gonna lose heart in a place like this...!! <br><br>\r\n絶対にお前を打ち倒しッ、みんなを救い出してみせる！！ <br>\r\nI'll definitely defeat you...and save everyone!! <br><br>\r\n「くそッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Damn!! <br><br>\r\n何とか、隙間を……、うおおおおおぉおおおお！！」 <br>\r\nGot to somehow...open a hole... Aaaaaaaaaaaaargghhh!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n蔵臼は、何とか鉄格子の間に隙間を開けようと、無駄な努力を繰り返している。 <br>\r\nKrauss was repeating his useless effort to somehow open a hole between the metal bars. <br><br>\r\n……無駄。………無駄なことなどないんだ。 無駄なことなど。 <br>\r\n...Useless. ......Nothing is useless. There's nothing... <br><br>\r\n見張りの山羊たちが、例の黒い落とし穴に飲み込まれて消えてしまった。 <br>\r\nThe lookout goats had been swallowed up by those black pitfalls and disappeared. <br><br>\r\n……今は千載一遇のチャンスなのだ。 <br>\r\n...Now was their once-in-a-lifetime chance. <br><br>\r\n今だけが鉄格子を破るチャンス……。 <br>\r\nThis was their only chance to break the bars... <br><br>\r\n「よ、よせ、無茶だ、蔵臼さん！ 素手でどうにかなるもんじゃない！ <br>\r\n\"S-Stop it, it's impossible, Krauss-san! There's nothing we can do with our bare hands! <br><br>\r\n道具を探しましょう、無茶をするんじゃない…！」 <br>\r\nLet's look for a tool, don't waste time on the impossible...!\" <br><br>\r\n「無駄と諦めたらそれまでと、娘に言われてしまった。 <br>\r\n\"If you give up because it's useless, then it's all over. That's what my daughter said. <br><br>\r\n……私の体は無理でも、小柄な紗音か嘉音が抜けられれば……！！」 <br>\r\n...Even if my body won't fit, as long as a small person like Shannon or Kanon can make it through...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……この段階に至っては、出ない知恵を絞るより行動あるのみね。力を合わせましょ、私もやるわ…！ ……嘉音くん、男の子でしょ、手を貸して…！ <br>\r\n\"...Now that we've reached this point, action is more important than racking our brains. Let's work together, I'll do it too...! ...Kanon-kun, you're a boy, aren't you? Lend a hand...! <br><br>\r\n……嘉音くん？！」 <br>\r\n...Kanon-kun?!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………旦那様。下がってください。」 <br>\r\n\"......Krauss-sama, please stand back.\" <br><br>\r\n「何？ 何をする気だ……？」 <br>\r\n\"What? What are you planning...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……いいよね、姉さん。………もう一度だけ、足掻いても。」 <br>\r\n\"...Okay, Nee-san? ......Just one more time, let's try struggling.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………うん。……私も、…もう一度だけ足掻くよ。 <br>\r\n\"......Yes. ...I too...will struggle one more time. <br><br>\r\n……ううん、一度だけじゃない。…何度でも。」 <br>\r\n...No, not just one more time. ...Over and over again.\" <br><br>\r\n朱志香の声は、嘉音に届いた。 <br>\r\n冷たい岩のような彼の心に、確かに浸透したのだ。 <br>\r\nJessica's voice had reached Kanon. <br><br>\r\nIt certainly had permeated into his cold, rock-like heart. <br><br>\r\nそして譲治の声も、紗音に届いた。 <br>\r\n彼が示す愛が強さで体現されるなら、自分も同じ形で応えなければならない。 <br>\r\nAnd George's voice had reached Shannon. <br><br>\r\nIf the love he had shown was embodied by strength, she would have to respond in the same way. <br><br>\r\nものすごい金属音が鳴り響いた。 <br>\r\nAn incredible metal sound rang out. <br><br>\r\n………最初の一閃は鉄格子数本を横一文字に切断し、次の一閃でさらに横一文字に切断され、鉄格子数本が刀で切られた竹の子のようにばたばたと倒れる。 <br>\r\n......In the first flash, several metal bars were severed horizontally, and in the next flash, they were severed horizontally again, causing many metal bars to clatter to the ground like bamboo shoots cut by a sword. <br><br>\r\n蔵臼も霧江も南條も、一体何が起こったのか、さっぱりわからない……。 <br>\r\nKrauss, Kyrie, and Nanjo didn't even have a clue what had just happened... <br><br>\r\n「……南條先生。お屋敷へは廊下をどっちに……？」 <br>\r\n\"...Doctor Nanjo, which way down the corridor goes to the mansion...?\" <br><br>\r\n「あ、………あぁ！ 左奥だ…、左奥……！」 <br>\r\n\"......O-Oh, of course! In and to the left, ...in and to the left...!\" <br><br>\r\n「参りましょう、旦那様方。……すぐにワルギリアさまに気付かれます。」 <br>\r\n\"Let's go, Krauss-sama. ...Virgilia-sama will notice us at any moment now.\" <br><br>\r\n「あんたたちは、 <br>\r\n………一体何なの……。」 <br>\r\n\"What in the world... <br><br>\r\n...are you guys...?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………僕たちは……。」 <br>\r\n\"......We are...\" <br><br>\r\n 嘉音が少し俯き口ごもると、紗音がその肩を叩き、にっこり笑い、そして言った。 <br>\r\nWhen Kanon hung his head a little and faltered, Shannon slapped his shoulder, smiled, and spoke. <br><br>\r\n「私たちは、ニンゲンです。」 <br>\r\n\"We're Human.\" <br><br>\r\n「ワ、ワルギリアさまぁ！！ 警戒網に反応ッ、脱獄です！ なぜか見張りの山羊がいません…！！」 <br>\r\n\"V-Virgilia-sama!! Response from the lookout web, it's a jailbreak! The goat guards aren't there for some reason...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……えぇ？！ どうしてです？！ <br>\r\n\"...Whaaat?! Why?! <br><br>\r\n……………ガァプですね。 <br>\r\n......It's Gaap, isn't it? <br><br>\r\n人の召喚物を勝手にィ！！ ……ガプ！ <br>\r\nTaking someone else's summonings without asking!! ...Gap! <br><br>\r\nガプガプ！！ <br>\r\nGapgap!! <br><br>\r\n」 <br>\r\n\" <br><br>\r\n「……交戦規定確認。脱走者への射殺許可を申請であります。」 <br>\r\n\"...Confirming Battle Regulations. Requesting permission to fire at the escapees.\" <br><br>\r\n「おやりなさい…！ 殺っちゃいなさいっ、きぃー！！ <br>\r\n\"Do it...! Kill them, kiii-!! <br><br>\r\nガプガプガプ、 <br>\r\nガブッ、 <br>\r\nGapgapgap, <br><br>\r\ngap, <br><br>\r\nぎゃ！！！」 <br>\r\ngya!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「了解であります。４５、４１０、追撃狙撃戦準備。弾種、集束誘導弾。 <br>\r\n\"Understood. 45, 410, Prepare for Sniping Pursuit Combat. Ammo Type, Guided Cluster Rounds. <br><br>\r\n……ワルギリアさま、逃亡阻止結界を。」 <br>\r\n...Virgilia-sama, an escape prevention barrier, if you would.\" <br><br>\r\n「痛たたたた……。そ、そうでしたね。 <br>\r\n\"Owowowow... Y-Yes, you're right. <br><br>\r\nほっほほ、ここから逃がしはしませんよ。 <br>\r\nHohhoho, I won't let you escape from here. <br><br>\r\n……痛たた、ガプガプ言ってたら舌噛みました…。」 <br>\r\n...Owow, bit my tongue saying Gapgap...\" <br><br>\r\n地下道を走る一行の前方が、再び鉄格子で遮られている。扉は無論、施錠されていた。 <br>\r\nThe underground passage in front of them was once again blocked by metal bars. The door was, of course, locked. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、今の彼らには問題はない。 <br>\r\n...However, that was no problem for them now. <br><br>\r\n「嘉音、また鉄格子だ！ 頼む…！」 <br>\r\n\"Kanon, it's those metal bars again! We're counting on you...!\" <br><br>\r\n「ハイ、旦那様…！」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, Krauss-sama...!\" <br><br>\r\n「……しかしすごいわ。…一体、どういう原理なのかしら。」 <br>\r\n\"...Still, that's incredible. ...I wonder what kind of principle it works on.\" <br><br>\r\n「原理なぞ興味ないね。大事なのは、彼に鉄格子が切断出来て、ここから脱出できることだけだ…！ <br>\r\n\"I'm not interested in principles. All that matters is that he can sever the metal bars...and that we can escape from here...!\" <br><br>\r\n気にするな嘉音、やれ！」 <br>\r\n\"Don't worry, Kanon, do it!\" <br><br>\r\n「お任せを……！」 <br>\r\n\"Leave it to me...!\" <br><br>\r\n再び嘉音が赤い軌跡で鉄格子を斬る。 <br>\r\nKanon sliced the metal bars again with his red curved blade. <br><br>\r\nしかし、激しい異音がするだけで、鉄格子にはわずかの傷がつくだけだった。 <br>\r\nBut there was a harsh, strange noise, and the metal bars only had a slight scratch. <br><br>\r\n「な、何と、 <br>\r\n……これは頑丈な……。」 <br>\r\n\"Wh-What's this? <br><br>\r\n ...These are sturdy...\" <br><br>\r\n「違う。……エンチャントされてる！ ワルギリアさまの魔法錠だッ。」 <br>\r\n\"Wrong. ...They're enchanted! It's one of Virgilia-sama's magic locks.\" <br><br>\r\n「切断できる？」 <br>\r\n\"Can you cut through it?\" <br><br>\r\n「もちろん。でも時間を掛けるよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Of course. But it will take time.\" <br><br>\r\n「３分間、待ってやる…！」 <br>\r\n\"We'll wait three minutes...!\" <br><br>\r\n嘉音は大きく息を吸い、精神を集中させてから、再び赤い軌跡の剣を伸ばす。 <br>\r\nAfter taking a deep breath and concentrating his mind, Kanon extended a red curved sword again. <br><br>\r\nそれを鉄格子に力強く押し当てると、まるでバーナーで焼き切っているかのように火花が迸った。 <br>\r\nWhen he pressed it hard against the metal bars, sparks sprayed, almost as though he was melting through it with a burner. <br><br>\r\n「切断は出来そうだが、……てこずりそうだな。」 <br>\r\n\"It looks like we'll be able to cut it, ...but it'll be tough.\" <br><br>\r\n「………旦那様。敵に捕捉されました。下がってください。」 <br>\r\n\"......Krauss-sama, you've been targeted by the enemy. Please move back.\" <br><br>\r\n「え？ 追っ手？ 誰も来てないわよ！」 <br>\r\n\"Huh? Pursuers? There's no one coming!\" <br><br>\r\n「私の後に下がってください。狙われてます…！！」 <br>\r\n\"Please get behind me. They're aiming for you...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「４５データ受領。標的を捕捉。地形誤差修正。射撃曲線形成、制御点補正完了。４１０へデータリンク。」 <br>\r\n\"45, Data Received. Target Lock Acquired. Commencing Terrain Calculation Error Correction. Formulating Firing Curve, Supplemental Control Point Calculations Complete. Data Link to 410.\" <br><br>\r\n「４１０データ受領。危険区域確認、問題なし。」 <br>\r\n\"410, Data Received. Checking Hazard Zone, no problems.\" <br><br>\r\n「００、子弾装填４８発、個別誘導Ｆ＆Ｆ。集束誘導弾、準備完了。」 <br>\r\n\"00, Loading 48 Sub-rounds, Individual Homing F&F. Guided Cluster Rounds, Preparations Complete.\" <br><br>\r\n「４５、射撃準備完了。集束誘導弾、装填っ。」 <br>\r\n\"45, Firing Preparations Concluded. Loading Guided Cluster Rounds.\" <br><br>\r\n「４１０、にっひひひひ！ 射撃いッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"410, nihhihihihi! Firiiing!!\" <br><br>\r\n金色に輝く黄金の矢が、黄金の尾を引いて放たれる。 <br>\r\nそれは弧を描き、扉を抜けて鍵穴を抜けて、階段を降りて、地下道へまっしぐら……！ <br>\r\nA golden arrow that sparkled gold was fired, leaving a gold tail streaming behind. <br><br>\r\nIt drew a curve, went through the door, through the keyhole, down the stairs, towards the underground path at full speed...! <br><br>\r\n「な、何か光りましたぞッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"S-Something shone!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……黄金の矢はシールドで防げない。嘉音くん、迎撃体制。リンクしよう。」 <br>\r\n\"...You can't block the golden arrow with a shield. Kanon-kun, Interception Stance. Let's link.\" <br><br>\r\n「ゲートキーパー了解。………姉さんと一緒に戦うのは久しぶりだ。ドジらないでよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Gatekeeper, understood. ......It's been a long time since I've fought with you, Nee-san. Don't screw up.\" <br><br>\r\n「うん。本気でやる。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah. I'll be serious.\" <br><br>\r\n「なら、問題ない！」 <br>\r\n\"Then there's no problem!\" <br><br>\r\n嘉音は鉄格子切断を止め、紗音の前に立つ。 <br>\r\nKanon stopped cutting the bars and stood in front of Shannon. <br><br>\r\n紗音はその後で目を閉じ、暗黒の地下道の先の先へ精神を集中する……。 <br>\r\nBehind him, Shannon closed her eyes, concentrating her mind deep, deep into the darkness of the underground path... <br><br>\r\n集束誘導弾は子弾を束ねた特別な矢。 <br>\r\nそれは途中で炸裂し、４８発の小型の矢に分裂する。 <br>\r\nA Guided Cluster Round is a special kind of arrow made up of 48 sub-rounds bound together. <br><br>\r\nIt explodes mid-flight and divides into 48 mini-arrows. <br><br>\r\nそれぞれの威力は低いが、あらゆるシールドを貫通し、対人なら完全な殺傷力を有する。 <br>\r\nThe strength of each individual one is low, but they pierce through all shields and possess a perfect wounding and killing power against personnel. <br><br>\r\nしかもその上、４８発の全てが個別目標に自律誘導する。 <br>\r\nAnd on top of that, each one of the 48 possesses autonomous guidance towards their individual targets. <br><br>\r\n「………光った。…分裂した…。」 <br>\r\n\"......It shone. ...It's divided...\" <br><br>\r\n「集束誘導弾、分裂確認。子弾４６、７、８、…４８、全弾捕捉。迎撃管制。嘉音へデータリンク。」 <br>\r\n\"Confirming Guided Cluster Round Division. 46...7...8... ...48 Sub-rounds, All Rounds Locked Onto. Interception Control. Data Link to Kanon.\" <br><br>\r\n「嘉音データ受領。……姉さんの能力はすごいな。４８発全部、視える。」 <br>\r\n\"Kanon, Data Received. ...You're incredible, Nee-san. You can actually `see' all 48.\" <br><br>\r\n「迎撃優先順位に注意。 <br>\r\n\"Concentrate on Interception Prioritization. <br><br>\r\n姉さんを信じて。」 <br>\r\nTrust your Nee-san.\" <br><br>\r\n「もちろんさ。僕は目を開ける必要さえない。」 <br>\r\n\"Of course. I don't even need to open my eyes.\" <br><br>\r\n「迎撃開始。」 <br>\r\n\"Commencing Interception.\" <br><br>\r\n「も、目標健在！！ げっ、迎撃されました…！！」 <br>\r\n\"T-Target Unharmed!! I-It was intercepted...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「にひゃあッ？！ ４８発全部？！」 <br>\r\n\"Nihyah?! All 48 of them?!\" <br><br>\r\n「ほっほっほ……。紗音と嘉音は元々一組の家具ですからね。揃うと手強いこと。 <br>\r\n\"Hohohoh... After all, Shannon and Kanon were originally a furniture pair. They're strong when they're together. <br><br>\r\n…あ痛たたた。…これ、口内炎になっちゃうかしら…。」 <br>\r\n...Owowow. ...Is this gonna become a mouth ulcer or something...?\" <br><br>\r\n「落ち着け、再装填。……弾種を変更。精密光速狙撃弾。精密狙撃戦準備。」 <br>\r\n\"Calm down, Reload. ...Updating Ammo Type. Precision Light-Speed Sniper Rounds. Preparing for Precision Sniping.\" <br><br>\r\n「そりゃいいにぇ！、迎撃不能の超高速弾！ ゲートキーパー如きじゃ防御不能だにぇ！」 <br>\r\n\"Sounds good nyeh, impossible to intercept super high-speed rounds! Impossible for a mere Gatekeeper to defend against nyeh!\" <br><br>\r\n「精密狙撃戦了解。精密射撃用データ収集開始っ………。」 <br>\r\n\"Precision Sniping, roger that. Commencing Collection of Precision Firing-use Data......\" <br><br>\r\n「い、一体、今のは何なんだ……。」 <br>\r\n\"Wh-What in the world was that just now...?\" <br><br>\r\n「安心して、私にもさっぱりよ…。 <br>\r\n\"Don't worry, I don't have a clue either... <br><br>\r\nひとつわかるのは、二人に頼らなきゃ死んでたってことね…。」 <br>\r\nAll I know is that we would've died if not for these two...\" <br><br>\r\n「嘉音くん、ありがとう。鉄格子に戻って。多分、次のは迎撃できない弾が来る。」 <br>\r\n\"Kanon-kun, thanks. Go back to the metal bars. The next shot will probably be one we can't intercept.\" <br><br>\r\n「そんな攻撃をどう防ぐんだ…？！」 <br>\r\n\"How can we defend against such an attack...?!\" <br><br>\r\n「撃たせません。……嘉音くん、霊子戦防備。」 <br>\r\n\"We don't let them shoot. ...Kanon-kun, Initiate Spirit Particle Combat Countermeasures.\" <br><br>\r\nその言葉に、嘉音は目を硬く閉じて歯を食い縛る。 <br>\r\n……紗音を中心に、人ならざる者にしか感知出来ない重圧と衝撃が襲い掛かる。 <br>\r\nAt those words, Kanon closed his eyes tightly and ground his teeth. <br><br>\r\n...With Shannon at the center, a pressure and impact that only nonhumans could perceive struck. <br><br>\r\n「……あれッ？！ <br>\r\n\"...Huh?! <br><br>\r\n射撃システム、エラー！！ 駄目だ、再起動…。あれあれ？！」 <br>\r\nFiring System Error!! No good, Rebooting... Huh huh?!\" <br><br>\r\n「霊波妨害ッ！ 霊子防護、急げ！ 何をしてるか、早く耳を塞げ４５！！！」 <br>\r\n\"It's Spirit Wave Jamming! Activate Spirit Particle Safeguards, hurry! What are you doing?! Cover your ears quickly, 45!!!\" <br><br>\r\n見えず聞こえずの衝撃がシエスタ姉妹に襲い掛かる。 <br>\r\nAn unseen, unheard impact had struck the Chiester Sisters. <br><br>\r\n００と４１０は両耳を塞いでしゃがんだが…、４５は間に合わない。 <br>\r\n……棒立ちのまま、目を白黒させている。 <br>\r\n00 and 410 crouched down, covering their ears, ...but 45 didn't make it in time. <br><br>\r\n...As she stood bolt upright, her eyes rolled. <br><br>\r\n「うきゅッ…？！？！ <br>\r\n\"Ukyu...?!?! <br><br>\r\n…きゅぅ？ きゅー！ <br>\r\n...Kyuu? Kyu-! <br><br>\r\nきゅー <br>\r\nKyu- <br><br>\r\nきゅー <br>\r\nkyu- <br><br>\r\nきゅ〜ッ！！」 <br>\r\nkyu-!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「４５、損傷…！ ＩＭＥがイッちゃったよ…！！ ……う、ぎゃ、……私も、ノイズがひどい、にぇ……。」 <br>\r\n\"45 got damaged...! Her IME's busted...!! ...Nn, gya, ...the noise...is also horrible for me nyeh...\" <br><br>\r\n「４５、 <br>\r\n４１０、 <br>\r\n\"45, <br><br>\r\n410, <br><br>\r\n……そして００、 <br>\r\n損傷…。狙撃戦を断念。 <br>\r\n...and 00, <br><br>\r\nDamaged... Abandoning Sniping Posture. <br><br>\r\n……く、リンクで、もろに来た……。さ、再起動しないと…。」 <br>\r\n...Ack, it came straight through the link... I-If we don't reboot...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n精密射撃のために霊子の感受性を高めていたのが裏目に出る。 <br>\r\nRaising their spirit particle sensitivity for precision sniping had backfired. <br><br>\r\n紗音の放った霊子の衝撃波をまともに全て受けてしまい、直撃を受けた４５は愚か、リンク中だった００と４１０までもダウンしてしまう。 <br>\r\nThey had taken the full brunt of the spirit particle shock wave Shannon had released, and not only 45, who had been hit directly, but also 00 and 410, who had been linked with her, were taken down. <br><br>\r\n「大丈夫ですか？！ ……後でまた美味しい紅茶を淹れてあげますからね、しっかり！」 <br>\r\n\"Are you okay?! ...I'll make you some more delicious black tea later, so get ahold of yourselves!\" <br><br>\r\n「も、……申し訳ございませんであります……。再起動を掛けます。数百秒ほどお待ちを……。」 <br>\r\n\"...M-My apologies, sir... Rebooting. Please wait several hundred seconds...\" <br><br>\r\nシエスタ姉妹は全員が倒れてしまう。 <br>\r\nやがて立ち直るだろうが、しばらくの間、戦線復帰は難しいようだった。 <br>\r\nAll of the Chiester Sisters had fallen over. <br><br>\r\nThey would probably get back up eventually, but it looked like it would be hard for them to return to the battle lines for a while. <br><br>\r\n「家具が武具を、一時的にとはいえ退けますか。 <br>\r\n\"So, furniture was able to repel weapons, if only for a moment. <br><br>\r\n………なるほど、あの子の面白がる筋書きは、実に大番狂わせが多いこと！」 <br>\r\n......I see, a plot to entertain that child truly will be filled with unexpected turns!\" <br><br>\r\nワルギリアは大きな身振りで虚空を裂き、扉を開けるような仕草をする。 <br>\r\nVirgilia tore the air with a large gesture, motioning as though opening a door. <br><br>\r\n「さぁさ、お出でなさい、山羊の従者たち…！ お仕事の時間ですよ。 <br>\r\n\"Come, arise, goat attendants...! It's time to work. <br><br>\r\n脱走者たちを殺して捕らえなさい。死体でいいのですよ、どうせ蘇生できるし！」 <br>\r\nCatch and kill the escapees. Corpses are fine, we can just revive them anyway!\" <br><br>\r\n空間に金色の扉が開き、筋骨隆々の肉体を持つ巨漢の山羊たちが無数に顔をのぞかせる…。 <br>\r\nA gold-colored door opened in the air...and countless giant goats with muscular bodies peeked their faces out... <br><br>\r\n「さぁさ、急ぎなさい。脱走者は５人いるから五等賞までの早い者勝ち！ <br>\r\n\"Come now, hurry. There are five escapees, so the fastest five of you win! <br><br>\r\n素敵なご褒美がありますよ、さぁさ頑張って頑張って！」 <br>\r\nThere will be a wonderful prize, so give it your all, give it your all!\" <br><br>\r\nワルギリアは促すようにパンパン！と手を叩く。 <br>\r\nVirgilia clapped her hands, urging them on. <br><br>\r\nご褒美？！ その言葉に顔を見合わせた後、山羊たちは一斉に扉から出ようと殺到し、その出入り口はまるで朝の山手線か東西線くらいギュウギュウになる。 <br>\r\nA prize?! After facing each other at those words, the goats all rushed to the door at once, trying to get out, making the exit as packed as the Touzai or the Yamanote rail lines in the morning. <br><br>\r\n我先に出ようとするから誰も出られないのだ。 <br>\r\nEach wanted to get out first, so none of them could get out. <br><br>\r\n……ワルギリアは、あーもう…と頭を抱える。 <br>\r\n...Virgilia held her head in frustration. <br><br>\r\nその頃、嘉音はどうにか隙間を抜けられる程度に、鉄格子を切断して隙間を作る。 <br>\r\nBy that time, Kanon had managed to cut enough bars to make a crack that could be slipped through. <br><br>\r\n大柄な蔵臼とウェストが致命的な南條がかなり苦労したが、それでも何とか全員抜けられた。 <br>\r\nIt had been a bit of work for Krauss, large as he was, and Nanjo, with his lethal waist, but even so, they all managed to make it through. <br><br>\r\nしかし、抜けてほっとしたのも束の間。 <br>\r\nBut after they did, they only had a couple seconds to be relieved. <br><br>\r\nすぐに同じような鉄格子が再び目の前を阻んでいる。 <br>\r\nImmediately, another set of metal bars blocked the way in front of them. <br><br>\r\n「厳重ね。……よっぽどここの人を逃がしたくなかったんでしょうね。」 <br>\r\n\"This certainly is secure. ...I'll bet they really didn't want the people in here to escape.\" <br><br>\r\n「嘉音、すまんがもう一度頼む。……辛いだろうが、頼む…！」 <br>\r\n\"Kanon, sorry, but I'll have to ask you again. ...It may be tough, but please...!\" <br><br>\r\n嘉音の額には汗が浮かんでいる。 <br>\r\nThere was sweat on Kanon's forehead. <br><br>\r\n魔法で堅牢さを増した鉄格子の切断に、かなりの体力消耗を強いられているのは一目でわかった。 <br>\r\nYou could tell at a glance that cutting the metal bars, which had been made even more solid by magic, had physically exhausted him. <br><br>\r\n「……ハイ、お任せを旦那様。」 <br>\r\n\"...Yes, leave it to me, Krauss-sama.\" <br><br>\r\n「お前にしか出来ん！ どうか頼む…！」 <br>\r\n\"Only you can do it! Please, we're counting on you...!\" <br><br>\r\n自分にしか、出来ない。 <br>\r\nOnly he...could do it. <br><br>\r\n……その言葉を強く飲み込み、嘉音はもう一度、精神を集中して再び鉄格子の切断に臨む。 <br>\r\n...Holding tightly onto those words, Kanon concentrated his mind once again and set himself to the task of cutting metal bars again. <br><br>\r\n「………後方、敵が来ます。複数。」 <br>\r\n\"......Enemies are coming from behind. Multiple targets.\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、今度は私たちにもわかるわ。 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, this time even we can tell. <br><br>\r\n……すごい地響きね。とんでもないバケモノが殺到してくるのがわかるわ。」 <br>\r\n...The ground's really shaking. I can tell that some ridiculous monsters are rushing at us.\" <br><br>\r\n「ご安心を。今抜けた鉄格子を、私が魔法錠で封鎖します。山羊たち如きには破れません。」 <br>\r\n\"Don't worry. I'll use a magic lock to make a blockade of the metal bars we just came through. Mere goats won't be able to break it.\" <br><br>\r\n紗音は抜けてきた鉄格子に手をかざす。 <br>\r\nShannon held her hand out towards the metal bars they had gone through. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、すぐにそれを止めた。 <br>\r\n...But she stopped right away. <br><br>\r\n「ど、どうしましたか…。」 <br>\r\n\"Wh-What is it...?\" <br><br>\r\n「ワルギリアさまが、霊波妨害の中和を開始…。 <br>\r\n\"Virgilia-sama has started neutralizing the Spirit Wave Jamming... <br><br>\r\n破られるとまずい、シエスタ姉妹の再起動後のイニシアチブを奪われます…！」 <br>\r\nIt'll be bad if it's broken, and we'll lose the initiative once the Chiester Sisters are rebooted...!\" <br><br>\r\n「可愛いうさぎたちをいじめてくれたお返しは、たっぷりとさせていただきますよ。 <br>\r\n\"I'll make you pay in full for bullying these cute bunnies.\" <br><br>\r\nこの、小賢しい霊子で優位に立とうというなら、それを丸ごと剥ぎ取って、私が奪ってあげます。」 <br>\r\n\"If you're trying to gain the advantage with those clever spirit particles of yours, I'll tear all that away and rob you of them.\" <br><br>\r\n「姉さんは霊波妨害に集中して！ あの山羊たちにその鉄格子の隙間は狭過ぎる。しばらくは食い止めてくれるはず…！」 <br>\r\n\"Nee-san, concentrate on the Spirit Wave Jamming! The gap in those metal bars is too narrow for those goats. It should hold them back for a while...!\" <br><br>\r\n「何を言っているかさっぱりだが、」 <br>\r\n\"I don't have a clue what you're saying, but-\" <br><br>\r\n「だいぶヤバイってことだけは理解できたわ。」 <br>\r\n\"We know it's something pretty bad.\" <br><br>\r\n霧江は、さっき嘉音が切断した鉄格子を拾い上げる。 <br>\r\n蔵臼に武器はないが握り拳を揉んで、二人は地響きの迫ってくる地下道の奥を睨む。 <br>\r\nKyrie picked up a metal bar that Kanon had just cut. <br><br>\r\nKrauss had no weapon, but he rubbed his fists, and the two of them glared into the depths of the underground passage where the shaking was coming from. <br><br>\r\n「……この鉄格子で遮るものはおしまいのはずだ。」 <br>\r\n\"...I believe these are the final metal bars blocking the way.\" <br><br>\r\n「ここから屋敷までどのくらいあるんです？」 <br>\r\n\"How far is it to the mansion from here?\" <br><br>\r\n「かなり歩く…。道は平坦だが、３０分は歩いた記憶が……。」 <br>\r\n\"Quite a walk... The path is even, but I seem to remember walking for 30 minutes...\" <br><br>\r\n「全力疾走ならその半分ってことだわ。」 <br>\r\n\"So if we run all out, it'll be half that time.\" <br><br>\r\n三面鏡はないからわからないが、それだけの時間、譲治や朱志香たちが悪魔相手に無事でいられる保証はない。 <br>\r\nThey couldn't tell for sure, since they didn't have the three-sided mirror, but there was no guarantee that George and Jessica would still be all right against demon opponents after all this time. <br><br>\r\n「……歩く２倍の速度で走れば１５分。さらにその２倍で走れば８分を切るわ。」 <br>\r\n\"...If we run at twice the speed of walking, it'll be 15 minutes. And twice that speed would make it eight minutes.\" <br><br>\r\n「さらにその倍の全力疾走なら５分掛からん。問題ない。」 <br>\r\n\"And if we sprint all out at double that speed, it won't even take 5. No problem.\" <br><br>\r\n「む、無茶苦茶な計算ですな…。ですが、火事場の計算式はそういうものです…！」 <br>\r\n\"Wh-What an unreasonable calculation... But that's how you calculate in a fire...!\" <br><br>\r\n「……申し訳ございません、旦那様方。後を頼みます…！」 <br>\r\n\"...My sincere apologies, everyone. Please watch my back...!\" <br><br>\r\n「任せたまえ。嘉音は一秒でも早く鉄格子を。紗音はワルギリアとかいう魔女への妨害に専念したまえ。 <br>\r\n\"Leave it to us. Kanon, you cut the bars as fast as you can. Shannon, you concentrate on jamming this witch called Virgilia or whatever. <br><br>\r\n追っ手は私と霧江さんで防ぐ…！」 <br>\r\nKyrie-san and I will defend against our pursuers...!\" <br><br>\r\nそして闇の向こうから獣たちの咆哮が轟き、爛々と輝く真っ赤な目がいくつも浮かび上がる。 <br>\r\nThen, the roars of beasts rang out from the darkness, and several fiery, glowing, bright-red eyes appeared. <br><br>\r\n見張りをしていた山羊たちよりも、さらに数段巨漢の山羊たちが、ものすごい勢いで殺到してくるのだ。 <br>\r\nGoats that were several levels more massive than the guards were rushing with an incredible force. <br><br>\r\n彼らの立てる地響きはまるで地震。 <br>\r\nそれは凄まじい迫力と恐怖だが、むしろ霧江は安堵に笑う。 <br>\r\n……その巨体では鉄格子の隙間は抜けられない！ <br>\r\nThe tremors they created were almost like an earthquake. <br><br>\r\nThey brought a frightening intensity and terror, but Kyrie actually laughed with relief. <br><br>\r\n...Those massive bodies wouldn't be able to go through the crack in the bars! <br><br>\r\n山羊たちの群は、まるで電車が行き止まりに衝突したような激しい音を立てて鉄格子に激突した。 <br>\r\nThe group of goats crashed into the metal bars with a fierce sound like that of a train colliding with a dead end. <br><br>\r\n天井からばらばらと土くれが落ち、鉄格子がへこむように歪んでいるのがわかる。 <br>\r\nClumps of dirt fell here and there from the ceiling, and you could tell that the metal bars had bent as if collapsing. <br><br>\r\n……その突進力はまさに電車そのものだったろう。 <br>\r\n鉄格子がなかったら、５人を丸呑みにして一瞬で押し潰していたはずだ。 <br>\r\n...Their charging power probably was on par with a train. <br><br>\r\nIf the metal bars hadn't been there, they would likely have overwhelmed the five of them and crushed them in an instant. <br><br>\r\n鉄格子に押し付けられた山羊の群は、５人がすぐそこにいるのを認めると、凄まじい唸り声を上げながら威嚇する。 <br>\r\nWhen the group of goats pressing up against the metal bars noticed the five people right in front of them, they let out a terrible howl, trying to intimidate the five. <br><br>\r\n……威嚇なのか、押しくら饅頭で苦しいのかわかりかねるが。 <br>\r\n...Or maybe that was out of pain from their game of push and shove. <br><br>\r\nその中の冷静な一匹が、鉄格子をどうにかすればいいんだと気付き、その豪腕で二本を掴み、観音開きにするようにたわませ始める。 <br>\r\nOne calm goat among them figured out what should be done about the metal bars, then grabbed two of them with its massive arms and began bending them as though opening double doors. <br><br>\r\n その一匹の急所に、霧江の鉄棒が鋭く突き立てられる…！ <br>\r\nKyrie sharply jabbed her metal pole at that goat's vitals...! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n山羊の苦悶の咆哮。 <br>\r\nThe goat let out a roar of anguish. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nさぞ痛かったろうが、でもそこまで。 <br>\r\nダウンさせるほどではない…。 <br>\r\nIt probably hurt a lot, but that was all. <br><br>\r\nIt wasn't enough to bring it down... <br><br>\r\n「蔵臼さん…！！」 <br>\r\n\"Krauss-san...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「うおおおおおああああああぁああッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Whoooaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n霧江は突き立てた鉄棒を持ったまま、その反対側の先端を蔵臼に譲る。 <br>\r\nStill holding the metal pole she had stuck out, Kyrie relinquished the opposite tip to Krauss. <br><br>\r\nそこに蔵臼は渾身の力で走り込み、飛び上がって全体重と全脚力で蹴り込む…！ <br>\r\n全ての破壊力が鉄棒一本に集められ、穿つッ！！ <br>\r\nKrauss ran there with all his might, jumped up and kicked down with all his weight and kicking power combined...! <br><br>\r\nAll of that destructive power was focused on a single pole, drilling it in!! <br><br>\r\n「……だ、大丈夫ですかな。患部は揉まないように。お薬はあとで処方しましょう。お大事に…。」 <br>\r\n\"...A-Are you okay? Please don't rub the affected area. I'll prescribe some medicine later. Take care...\" <br><br>\r\n急所にパイルバンカーを食らった山羊は、涙目でのた打ち回りながら、こくこくと頷く。 <br>\r\nAs the goat who'd taken a pile bunker to its vitals writhed with teary eyes, it nodded its head. <br><br>\r\n「私たちのリンクも結構イケるじゃない。紗音ちゃんたちには負けられないわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Looks like our link isn't that bad either. We won't lose to Shannon-chan and Kanon-kun.\" <br><br>\r\n「当然じゃないか、私たちは仲良し一族だからね。」 <br>\r\n\"Naturally, for a loving family like us.\" <br><br>\r\n「二人掛かりでならイケるわ！ 次ッ、右側のアイツ！」 <br>\r\n\"We can do it if we take them together! Next, that one on the right!\" <br><br>\r\n「了解だ…！ <br>\r\n\"Understood...! <br><br>\r\nいい嫁さんじゃないか、留弗夫め、少し愚痴が多かったんじゃないか？」 <br>\r\nYou really are a good wife. That Rudolf must have grumbled a little too much.\" <br><br>\r\n「へー、後で聞かせてもらうわ。留弗夫さん、天国で青くなっても手遅れよ？」 <br>\r\n\"Ooh, tell me about it later. Rudolf-san, suddenly turning pale in heaven won't do you any good, okay?\" <br><br>\r\n山羊の巨体が薔薇の茂みに沈む。 <br>\r\nいくら脚力が腕の３倍あると言ったって、その威力は常識を超えている。 <br>\r\nThe goats' massive bodies were buried in rose bushes. <br><br>\r\nEven taking into account that a leg's power is three times that of an arm's, this strength surpassed common sense. <br><br>\r\nあの巨体が顎を蹴り上げられて、宙を舞うなんて、壮絶過ぎる！ <br>\r\n譲治も少しは驚いているようだった。 <br>\r\nTo think that those massive bodies had been kicked in the chin and flown through the air... It was too fierce! <br><br>\r\nEven George seemed a little surprised. <br><br>\r\n「……僕の蹴りがバケモノにも通用したとはね。驚きだよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...To think that my kick works on monsters too. Now there's a shock.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………あんたの反撃特化結界のせいよ。……グレイズした攻撃力をそのまま自らに上乗せしてる。……あんたの蹴りには、そのバケモノどもの怪力が加算されてるのよ…。」 <br>\r\n\"......It's because of your counterattack-style barrier. ...The attacking power that grazes you is added on to your own. ...Your kick has been supplemented by those monsters' superhuman strength...\" <br><br>\r\n「へぇ……。…よくわからないけど、僕にぴったりじゃないか。 <br>\r\n\"Oh...? ...I don't really get it, but isn't that just perfect for me? <br><br>\r\n……誰であろうとも、攻撃してくるなら、等しい反撃を覚悟してもらう。専守防衛。僕のポリシーそのものだ。」 <br>\r\n...No matter who attacks me, they should be prepared for a counterattack of equal measure. Nonaggressive defense. That's my policy.\" <br><br>\r\nだからガァプは容易に手出しが出来ない。 <br>\r\nThat's why Gaap couldn't easily touch him. <br><br>\r\n反撃特化結界に防御力はない。 <br>\r\nしかし、その反撃的特性のため、攻撃を躊躇させることで防御能力を発揮する。 <br>\r\nThe counterattack-style barrier had no defensive power. <br><br>\r\nHowever, because of its countering ability, it could be useful in defense by making the opponent hesitate to attack. <br><br>\r\n山羊たちは愚かだから気にせずに攻撃してしまうが、ガァプにその効果は充分発揮されていた。 <br>\r\nThe goats had been foolish and so had attacked without worrying, but this second effect had worked in full against Gaap. <br><br>\r\n「こいつらは単調だね。パワーが互角であるならば、小柄な方が有利だ。」 <br>\r\n\"These guys really are dull. When your power's even, it's always an advantage to have a smaller build.\" <br><br>\r\n丸太のような豪腕を軽々とかわす。 <br>\r\nHe lightly dodged the log-like arms. <br><br>\r\nその豪腕が譲治を守る結界に触れると強く赤く光る。 <br>\r\nWhen those arms touched the barrier that protected George, they let off a strong, red light. <br><br>\r\n……そして反撃の足刀の先端が同じ輝きを宿し、山羊自身の怪力が上乗せされる。 <br>\r\n...The tip of the counterattacking foot would then gain the same sparkle...and the superhuman power of the goat added to its own. <br><br>\r\n２匹目の山羊が前のめりになってわずかに宙に浮く。 <br>\r\nさらに続いて繰り出された譲治の回し蹴りは、つんのめった山羊の頭上を空振りした。 <br>\r\nThe second goat fell forward and floated in the air for a second. <br><br>\r\nThen, George's next roundhouse kick missed right over the falling goat's head. <br><br>\r\n……一瞬、命拾いしたと山羊は期待する。 <br>\r\n...For an instant, the goat hoped it might get away with its life. <br><br>\r\nでも、ダメ！！ そのまま後頭部に踵が落とされ、地面にキスを強要される。 <br>\r\nBut no!! A heel was dropped onto the back of its head, and it was forced to kiss the ground. <br><br>\r\n「……上段回し蹴りからのネリチャギは基本だろ？ たまにやると結構当たるよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Going from a high roundhouse kick into a neri chagi is pretty basic, right? Works pretty well every now and then.\" <br><br>\r\n「こいつ、……厄介だわ、 <br>\r\n…マジで厄介だわ……！！」 <br>\r\n\"This guy's...a problem, <br><br>\r\n...seriously, a problem...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「何が悪魔だ。何が魔女だ。………六軒島の主人は、この右代宮家だよ。 <br>\r\n\"What do you mean, demons? What do you mean, witches? ......The rulers of Rokkenjima are the Ushiromiya family. <br><br>\r\nそれを、体で教えてやるよ。」 <br>\r\nI'll make you physically aware of that.\" <br><br>\r\n「………こいつぅうぅ………！！」 <br>\r\n\"......Yoooooooooooouuuuuu......!!\" <br><br>\r\n反撃特化結界に身を包んだ譲治を葬るには、反撃を許さないことしかない。 <br>\r\nThe only way to finish off George, now that his body was wrapped up in a counterattack-style barrier, ...was to deny him a chance to counterattack. <br><br>\r\n……次に奈落に飲み込んだら、蹴って落として蹴って落として蹴って落として、そのまんま蹴り殺すしかッ！！！ <br>\r\n...Nothing to do but suck him into the Abyss next, then kick and drop him, kick and drop him, kick and drop him...until she kicked him to death!!! <br><br>\r\nしかし、譲治はガァプの落とし穴の出現の軽微な前兆を、もはや完璧に読みきっている。 <br>\r\nBut George had already completely seen through the faint warning signs that told of the appearance of Gaap's pitfalls. <br><br>\r\n……もし、その落とし穴を飛び越えられたなら、……今度こそ、暴風のようなその蹴りは、わずかほどの手加減もなく、ガァプの頭部を、……彼の両親に強いたように粉砕するだろう。 <br>\r\n...If he could jump over that next pitfall, ...then this time, he would probably pulverize Gaap's head with his whirlwind-like kick, without holding back in the slightest, ...just as had been done to his parents. <br><br>\r\n彼女にはその光景をありありと想像できた。 <br>\r\nShe was able to envision that scene vividly. <br><br>\r\nガァプはとんでもない島に呼び出されてしまったものだと、金蔵を今さら恨む…！ <br>\r\nGaap hated Kinzo more than ever for calling her out to this ridiculous island...! <br><br>\r\nロノウェはシールドを張るのに、とうとう両手を使うようになる。 <br>\r\nより強力なシールドでないと、もう朱志香の鉄拳を防ぎ切れないのだ。 <br>\r\nEven though Ronove held out a shield, he had finally started using his hands. <br><br>\r\nWithout a more powerful shield, he wouldn't be able to block Jessica's fists anymore. <br><br>\r\n朱志香の鉄拳へのエンチャントは、戦えば戦うほどに付与されていく。 <br>\r\nThe enchantment on Jessica's fists grew the more she fought. <br><br>\r\n浸透付与はすでに幾重ともなり、他にも衝撃付与、貫通付与、速度付与が与えられ、悪魔と互角に戦うに相応しい拳となっている…。 <br>\r\nThe permeating upgrade had already grown several times, and those fists had also been given an impact upgrade, a piercing upgrade, and a speed upgrade, making them fists worthy to fight on par with a demon... <br><br>\r\n「………どうしたよ！ へばって来たんじゃねぇのかよ？！ 動きが鈍ってきてるぜ！！」 <br>\r\n\"......What's wrong?! Starting to get tired?! You're getting all slow!!\" <br><br>\r\n「いいえ。朱志香さまの動きと思考、動体視力が飛躍的にエンチャントされているのです。………私の動きは最初から変わっていませんよ。……あなたの動きが、私を捉えつつあるのです。」 <br>\r\n\"No. Your movements and thoughts and kinetic vision have been rapidly enchanted. ......My movements have not changed from the beginning. ...Your movements are beginning to catch up to me.\" <br><br>\r\n「それでも反撃はしねぇわけか…！！」 <br>\r\n\"And you still won't fight back...?!!\" <br><br>\r\n「これが私のこだわりですので。……しかし、このままというわけにも行きますまい。 <br>\r\n\"This is my style. ...However, I cannot allow it to continue at this rate. <br><br>\r\nそろそろ本気で終わりにさせてもらいますよ……ッ！！」 <br>\r\nIt's about time for me to get serious and end this...!!\" <br><br>\r\nロノウェの顔が始めてみせる形相になる。 <br>\r\nそれは実に悪魔的で、朱志香にとって敬意溢れるもの。 <br>\r\nRonove's face turned into an expression he hadn't shown before. <br><br>\r\nIt was full of respect for Jessica in a truly demonic way. <br><br>\r\n彼を本気にさせるほどの敵にだけ与えられる表情なのだから。 <br>\r\nBecause it was an expression he only showed for enemies who made him get serious. <br><br>\r\n「うおあッ？！？！ 何だこれッ？！」 <br>\r\n\"Whooaa?!?! What the?!\" <br><br>\r\nロノウェは、優雅とは言えない全身の仕草で壁ほどの大きさと厚みを持つシールドを全力で張る。 <br>\r\nWith a gesture of his whole body that you couldn't call elegant, Ronove held out a shield with all his strength, a shield the size and thickness of a wall. <br><br>\r\nその頑強さは楯ではない。 <br>\r\n文字通り壁そのもの。 <br>\r\nIt was more tenacious than a simple shield. <br><br>\r\nIt literally was a wall. <br><br>\r\nしかもそれはロノウェの渾身の魔力で、わずかずつ朱志香を押し戻していく。 <br>\r\n……壁まで押し込み圧殺しようというつもりか。 <br>\r\nAnd on top of that, with all of Ronove's magical power, it pushed Jessica back bit by bit. <br><br>\r\n...Did he plan on pushing her back against the wall and crushing her to death? <br><br>\r\n朱志香は左右の鉄拳で壁を打ち破ろうとするが、硬い。……掛け値なく、硬い！ <br>\r\nJessica tried to break through the wall with both fists, but it was solid. ...Without any exaggeration, it was solid! <br><br>\r\n「これがお前の本気かよ…！！ <br>\r\n\"Is this what you call serious...?!! <br><br>\r\n上等だぜッ、打ち砕いてやらぁああああ！！」 <br>\r\nNo problem, I'll break right through iiiiiiiiiiitt!!\" <br><br>\r\n「今度はそうはさせませんよ。この壁は一味違います。……どれ、私もエンチャントさせていただきましょう。」 <br>\r\n\"I will not let you this time. This wall is somewhat different. ...Here, allow me to enchant it as well.\" <br><br>\r\nロノウェが、まるで忍者のように魔法の印を結ぶと、壁は一瞬だけ赤く光り、何かの禍々しい力を宿す。 <br>\r\nWhen Ronove made a magic sign almost like a ninja, the wall glowed red for just an instant...and some kind of ominous power dwelt within it. <br><br>\r\nそれはすぐに朱志香にも身をもって理解できた。 <br>\r\nJessica was able to recognize that almost immediately with her body. <br><br>\r\n拳を壁に打ち付ける度に、ガラスの破片が飛び散って全身に当たるような痛みが跳ね返るのだ。 <br>\r\nEvery time her fists hit the wall, pain as though glass fragments had scattered and hit all over her body rebounded against her. <br><br>\r\n「攻撃反応装甲を付与させていただきました。朱志香さまの攻撃を相殺することで威力を減退させ、のみならず反応破片で反撃まで出来る優れ物です。 <br>\r\n\"I upgraded it with attack-reactive armor. An exceptional item that will decrease the force of your attacks by counterbalancing them...and which can even counterattack with reactive fragments.\" <br><br>\r\n……殴り続けるのは大いに結構ですが、それは自らにも及びますよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...It's perfectly fine to keep punching it, but doing so will damage you as well.\" <br><br>\r\n「へ、…へへ！ つまり、お前の壁と私の我慢比べってことかよッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Heh, ...heheh!! In short, it's an endurance test between me and your wall?!! <br><br>\r\n上等だッ！！」 <br>\r\nNo problem!!\" <br><br>\r\n「朱志香様が膝を付くのが先か、壁に押し込まれるのが先か。……見物させていただきましょう。」 <br>\r\n\"Will you fall to your knees first, or be pushed into the wall first? ...Allow me to observe.\" <br><br>\r\n「打ち破って、この壁ごとお前の横っ面をブッ飛ばす方が先かもな？！ 見てやがれええぇええええぇえ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Except I might break through it and smash that whole wall along with your face, right?! Watch iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!!\" <br><br>\r\n朱志香は構わず、左右の鉄拳を打ち付ける。 その度に大量の破片が飛び散り、全身を苛んだ。 <br>\r\nWithout hesitation, Jessica punched using both fists. Each time she did, a large amount of shards scattered, torturing her entire body. <br><br>\r\nすぐに幾筋もの赤い切り傷が全身に浮かび上がる…。 <br>\r\nInstantly, several red gashes appeared all over her... <br><br>\r\nその激痛に表情は歪むが、目は闘志に燃え上がり、唇は痛みとは真逆にニヤリと笑っていく…！ <br>\r\nShe grimaced at the intense agony, but her eyes were burning with fighting spirit, and her lips curved in a grin that stood in sharp contrast to the pain...! <br><br>\r\n「嘉音、まだかね？！ 私たちは平気だが、 <br>\r\n……ヤツらを防ぐ鉄格子が平気ではなさそうだ…！」 <br>\r\n\"Kanon, are you done yet?! We're fine, <br><br>\r\n...but the metal bars blocking them don't seem to be...!\" <br><br>\r\n「もう、……少しです……！」 <br>\r\n\"Just...a little more...!\" <br><br>\r\n「こいつら、きりがないわ…。押しくら饅頭だけで、鉄格子を破りかねない！」 <br>\r\n\"There's no stopping these guys... These metal bars might break just from them shoving each other!\" <br><br>\r\n鉄格子が山羊たちの群にぎしぎしと泣く。 <br>\r\nThe group of goats made the metal bars creak. <br><br>\r\n何本もの腕が鉄格子を掴み、その怪力で歪める。 <br>\r\nSeveral arms grabbed the bars, twisting them with superhuman strength. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、同じ格子を別々の手が逆方向に引っ張り合っているのもある。 <br>\r\nやっぱり頭は悪いらしい。 <br>\r\n...However, some bars were being pulled in opposite directions by different hands. <br><br>\r\nApparently, they really were stupid. <br><br>\r\nそんな無数の腕の鉄格子の掴み方が、……たまたま噛み合う。 <br>\r\nThe way those countless hands grabbed the metal bars...sometimes happened to match up by chance. <br><br>\r\n２本の鉄格子を掴む何本もの手が、それぞれに左右に開くように綺麗に力を合わせてしまう。 <br>\r\nSeveral hands grasping two metal bars neatly put their power together and pulled the bars to the left and right. <br><br>\r\n金属のひしゃげるすごい音が聞こえ、その隙間を、少しずつ広げていってしまう…！ <br>\r\nThe incredible sound of metal bending could be heard, and that crack was getting larger bit by bit...! <br><br>\r\nその山羊たちの腕を一本一本攻撃するが、埒が明かない。 <br>\r\n左右に広がる隙間を止められない…！ <br>\r\nThey attacked the arms of those goats one by one, but they weren't getting anywhere. <br><br>\r\nThey couldn't stop the gap from spreading left and right...! <br><br>\r\nその時、背後でも大きな金属音。 <br>\r\n嘉音がようやく切断を終えたのだ。 <br>\r\nAt that time, there was a loud metal sound behind them. <br><br>\r\nKanon had finally finished cutting. <br><br>\r\n「早く！！」 <br>\r\n\"Quickly!!\" <br><br>\r\n「霧江さん、レディーファーストだ。南條先生も続いて！」 <br>\r\n\"Kyrie-san, ladies first. You go next, Doctor Nanjo!\" <br><br>\r\n「旦那様、ここは僕に任せてください…！ <br>\r\n\"Krauss-sama, please leave this place to me...! <br><br>\r\nん、……これは？！」 <br>\r\nNng, ...this is?!\" <br><br>\r\n鉄格子を切断してきた嘉音の赤い刀が消える。 <br>\r\nKanon's red sword that had cut the metal bars disappeared. <br><br>\r\n「……ごめん！ ワルギリアさまの霊子戦影響下に入った！！ 私たちの魔力が中和されてる！」 <br>\r\n\"...Sorry! We've entered Virgilia-sama's Spirit Particle Area of Influence!! Our magic power has been neutralized!\" <br><br>\r\n「ほっほっほ。よくも、大魔女と呼ばれた私にここまで抗ったものです。もはや、その地下道ではあなたたちの魔法は使えませんよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Hohhohhoh. How dare you resist me this far... I, who was called a Great Witch. You can no longer use your magic in that underground passage.\" <br><br>\r\nワルギリアを中心に、魔法陣の円柱が複雑な魔法方程式を描く。 <br>\r\nA magic circle column drew a complex magical formula with Virgilia at the center. <br><br>\r\n……ここまで本格的な魔法を使われては、紗音の力は到底及ばない。 <br>\r\nむしろ、よく耐えたというべきだった。 <br>\r\n...With such genuine magic being used, Shannon's power couldn't even compete. <br><br>\r\nOn the contrary, it was surprising that she had withstood as long as she had. <br><br>\r\n「霊子優勢を確保。さぁ、シエスタ姉妹。今度こそあなたたちの出番ですよ？ <br>\r\n\"Spirit Particle Supremacy Ensured. Come, Chiester Sisters. It's your turn now, right? <br><br>\r\nって、まだ再起動してるんですか？！ 何で最近の子は寝起きが悪いの…！」 <br>\r\nWait, are you still rebooting?! Why are kids these days so bad at waking up...?!\" <br><br>\r\n「も、申し訳ありませんであります…！！ 私たち全員、バージョンが違ってて…。」 <br>\r\n\"M-My apologies...!! We're all different versions...\" <br><br>\r\n「何でバージョン変わる度に、ショートカットとプルダウンがしっちゃかめっちゃかになるにぇ…！ 前回、不正な終了がありました？ <br>\r\n\"Why do the shortcuts and pulldown menus get all screwed up every time you change versions nyeh...?! You did not shut down correctly last time? <br><br>\r\n管理者権限？？ <br>\r\nAdministrator privileges?? <br><br>\r\n何これワケわかんないいいい！！」 <br>\r\nWhat's going on I don't knooooooow!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「うきゅ〜〜！！ <br>\r\n\"Ukyu-!! <br><br>\r\nうきゅ〜〜！！ <br>\r\nUkyu-!! <br><br>\r\n（早く直して〜！！ わぁん！）」 <br>\r\n(Fix me quickly-!! Waaaah!)\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「近衛隊トラブルシュートにコール！ 何？ <br>\r\n\"Call the Imperial Guards Troubleshooting Team! What? <br><br>\r\nユーザーコードがないと教えないッ？！」 <br>\r\nYou can't help us without a user code?!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「ユーザーコードは４５が管理してるにぇ。」 <br>\r\n\"45 had the user code nyeh.\" <br><br>\r\n「うきゅー！！ <br>\r\n うっ、 <br>\r\n\"Ukyu-!! <br><br>\r\n U, <br><br>\r\nきゅっ、 <br>\r\nkyu, <br><br>\r\nきゅっ、 <br>\r\nkyu, <br><br>\r\nきょ、 <br>\r\nkyo, <br><br>\r\nうきゅっ、 <br>\r\nukyu, <br><br>\r\nきゅー！！！」 <br>\r\nkyu-!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「きゅ、９９９９にしか聞こえん……。 <br>\r\n紙に書かせろ。」 <br>\r\n\"I-It just sounds like 9999 in Japanese to me... <br><br>\r\nHave her write it on some paper.\" <br><br>\r\n「ＩＭＥ再インスコ出来ないから文字も書けないにぇ。」 <br>\r\n\"She can't reinstall her IME, so she can't write characters nyeh.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。 <br>\r\n\"......... <br><br>\r\nお、お前たちはゆっくり修理していなさい…。私が行って来ます…。」 <br>\r\nY-You take your time fixing yourselves... I'm going...\" <br><br>\r\n「「ごめんなさいいい〜！！」」 <br>\r\n\"\"Sorryyyyyyyyy-!!\"\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n細い地下道は、ぎゅうぎゅうの山羊たちで、まさに朝の通勤列車状態だった。 <br>\r\nThe narrow underground passage was packed with goats, truly like a commuter train in the morning. <br><br>\r\nその渋滞ぶりにワルギリアは二度呆れる。 <br>\r\nVirgilia was again shocked by this congestion. <br><br>\r\n「何をやってるんですか…！！ <br>\r\n\"What are you doing...?!! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nえ？ ご褒美が欲しいから一番乗りがしたい？ 他の山羊にご褒美を奪われたくないから邪魔をし合っている？ <br>\r\nHuh? You want to go first because you want the prize? You're getting in each other's way because you don't want the other goats to steal the prize from you? <br><br>\r\nこのお馬鹿山羊たちがぁああぁーーー！！！ 私が行きますから道を開けなさい！！ <br>\r\nYou stupid goooooooooooooaaaats!!! I'm going, so make way!!\" <br><br>\r\n何？！ 嫌ですって？！ ワルギリアさまがご褒美を奪うつもりだ？！ <br>\r\n\"What?! You don't want to?! Virgilia-sama is trying to steal your prize?!\" <br><br>\r\n何でスクラム組んでるんですか！！ <br>\r\n\"Why are you all standing arm in arm?!! <br><br>\r\nえぇいキツイ狭い！！ いつからここは山羊専用車両に？！ <br>\r\nAaah, tight, cramped!! When did this become a goats-only car?! <br><br>\r\nうぎゅ〜〜！！ <br>\r\nUgyu-!! <br><br>\r\n今、お尻触った子、次の駅で降りなさぁ〜〜いッ！！！ <br>\r\nYou, that kid who just touched my butt, get off at the next statioooon!!!\" <br><br>\r\n………ん？ 何、あなた。コッチへ来いって？？」 <br>\r\n\"......Hmm? What's with you? Come this way, you say??\" <br><br>\r\n蔵臼たち５人は全力で地下道を駆け抜ける！ <br>\r\nこんな地下でもたもたは出来ないのだ。 <br>\r\nThe five in Krauss's group dashed through the passageway with all their strength! <br><br>\r\nThey couldn't dawdle around in an underground place like this. <br><br>\r\n早く、地上の子どもたちと合流しなくては！ <br>\r\n全員が揃えば、もう何も憂いはない！ <br>\r\nThey had to quickly join up with the children on the surface! <br><br>\r\nIf they could meet up, there would no longer be any more sorrow! <br><br>\r\nその時、凄まじい地鳴りが追い上げてくる。 <br>\r\n追っ手がとうとう鉄格子を抜けたのか？！ <br>\r\nAt that time, a terrible rumble started chasing them. <br><br>\r\nHad their pursuers finally made it through the metal bars?! <br><br>\r\nしかし振り返るがその姿は見えない。 <br>\r\nBut they couldn't see anyone when they turned around. <br><br>\r\nしかし地鳴りと、天井からばらばらと土埃が落ちるのはどんどんと追い上げ、とうとう、彼らを追い抜いてその先まで行ってしまった。 <br>\r\nHowever, that rumble and the dirt that fell here and there from the ceiling grew closer and closer, finally catching up with them and even going past them. <br><br>\r\nまるで幽霊にでも追い抜かれた気分だ。 <br>\r\nIt felt almost like being chased by ghosts. <br><br>\r\n拍子抜けしたと思った次の瞬間、前方の天井がドスンと抜けて、一匹の山羊が立ちはだかった。 <br>\r\nFor a second, they thought they'd gotten away, until the ceiling in front of them fell in...and a single goat stood in their path. <br><br>\r\n……その肩にはワルギリアが座っている。 <br>\r\n...Virgilia was sitting on its shoulder. <br><br>\r\n「賢い子が近道を知っていました。偉い子ですね、一等賞ですよ。あとで手作りの鯖のカレー煮をご馳走してあげますよ。」 <br>\r\n\"This wise child knew a shortcut. What a good kid, you get first prize. Later, you can have some handmade mackerel curry.\" <br><br>\r\nその微妙なご褒美でもやはり嬉しいのだろうか。巨漢の山羊は、両手を組んでクネクネと身悶えして喜びを表現した。 <br>\r\nMaybe it really was happy about that dubious prize. The massive goat showed its joy by putting its hands together and writhing. <br><br>\r\nワルギリアは飛び降り、今度こそチェックメイトだと笑う。 <br>\r\nVirgilia leapt down, laughing that this time, it was finally checkmate. <br><br>\r\n「……くそ……、駄目だ…。……魔力が完全に殺されてる…。」 <br>\r\n\"...Damn, ...it's no use... ...Our magic has been completely killed...\" <br><br>\r\n「…まだよ…。……魔法がなくても、私たちにはまだこの体がある…。」 <br>\r\n\"...Not yet... ...Even without magic, we still have these bodies...\" <br><br>\r\n「む、無茶だ…！ あんなバケモノに、あの不思議な力がなくて戦えるわけがない…！」 <br>\r\n\"D-Don't be ridiculous...! There's no way you could fight a monster like that without that strange power...!\" <br><br>\r\n「……こ、子どもたちは下がっていたまえ…。 <br>\r\n\"...St-Stay back, children... <br><br>\r\n私が何とかするから、その隙にあのバケモノの両脇を駆け抜けるんだ…！」 <br>\r\nI'll do something about this, so escape past the sides of that monster while I distract them...!\" <br><br>\r\n「させませんよ。ほっほほほほほ！」 <br>\r\n\"I won't let you. Hohhohohohohoho!\" <br><br>\r\nワルギリアが手をパンと打つと、その背後に紫色の魔法障壁が現れ、蔵臼の賭けたわずかの望みさえ奪ってしまう。 <br>\r\nWhen Virgilia clapped her hands, a purple magic circle wall appeared behind her, stealing even the faint hope that Krauss had been betting on. <br><br>\r\n「万事、休すか……。 <br>\r\n\"Is there...nothing more to be done...? <br><br>\r\n…い、いや、まだだ。……朱志香も戦った。私が戦わんわけにはいかん…。」 <br>\r\n...N-No, not yet. ...Even Jessica fought. I must do so as well...\" <br><br>\r\n「ほ、本気なの？！ 無理よ、あんな巨大なバケモノに…！」 <br>\r\n\"A-Are you serious?! It's not possible, not against that massive monster...!\" <br><br>\r\n「無茶苦茶だ…！ 蔵臼さん、他の方法を考えましょう……。」 <br>\r\n\"Don't be absurd...! Krauss-san, let us think of another way...\" <br><br>\r\n「思いついたら提案してくれたまえ。それまでは、私が何とかするしかないようだ…。 <br>\r\n\"If you think of something, say it. Until then, it looks like I'll have to manage something... <br><br>\r\n……さぁ、下がりたまえ。」 <br>\r\n...Come on, get back.\" <br><br>\r\n「……気をつけて。」 <br>\r\n\"...Take care.\" <br><br>\r\n「ほほほほ…、ほっほほほほほほほほ！ <br>\r\n\"Hohohoho, ...hohhohohohohohohoho! <br><br>\r\nおやおや、蔵臼。あなたひとりでこの子と戦うつもりですか？」 <br>\r\nMy, my, Krauss. You intend to fight this child alone?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………く…。 <br>\r\n\".........Nngg... <br><br>\r\nわ、わからんぞ。戦いには、まぐれ当たりの一発だってありうる…。」 <br>\r\nY-You never know. In a fight, it's always possible to get in a lucky shot...\" <br><br>\r\n「ほっほほほほ。まぐれでも勝てるつもりとお思いですか…？ <br>\r\n\"Hohhohohoho. You think you can win even with a fluke...? <br><br>\r\n身の程知らずのあなたのために、私が状況を整理して差し上げましょう。」 <br>\r\nAllow me to explain so that even one who so blissfully unaware of his place can understand.\" <br><br>\r\n「何ぃ……。」 <br>\r\n\"What...?\" <br><br>\r\n「ほほほほ…。あなたが１００％の力を発揮したとして、あなたの戦闘力はせいぜい６。対してこの子の戦闘力は１０００。つまり、あなたが１００人束になっても、絶対に勝てないということです。 <br>\r\n\"Hohohoho... If you were to wield 100% of your strength, your power level is at most 6. In comparison, this child has a power level of 1000. In short, even if there were 100 of you, you definitely couldn't win. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nまぁ、確かに戦いには不確定要素もあります。その戦闘力に多少の倍率が掛かることも認めましょう。 <br>\r\nWell, it's true that there are uncertain elements in a fight. Let us admit that your power level has a slight scaling factor to it. <br><br>\r\nしかしそれでも、あなたがこの子を倒せる確率は、０．００００１％というところでしょうか。 <br>\r\nBut even so, your chances of defeating this child are at perhaps 0.00001%. <br><br>\r\nおわかりかしら？ あなたには万に一つの勝ち目もないということです。 <br>\r\nDo you understand? You don't even have a one in ten thousand chance of victory. <br><br>\r\nほっほっほっほ…！」 <br>\r\nHohohohoh...!\" <br><br>\r\nワルギリアと山羊は一緒にげらげらと笑う。 <br>\r\nVirgilia and the goat guffawed together. <br><br>\r\n「く、…くそ……。万一ということは、配当は一万倍ということではないかね。 <br>\r\n\"D-Damn it... If I've got a one-in-ten-thousand chance, that means the payoff will be ten thousand times greater, right? <br><br>\r\n……良い大穴だ。そういう馬券は好きだよ、買いたくなる…。」 <br>\r\n...A splendid dark horse. Seeing a ticket like that makes me want to buy it right away...\" <br><br>\r\n「ほっほっほっほ！ それを買うコインはあなたの命、１枚しかありませんよ？ しかし、それでもその奇跡に運命を託したいというあなたの気持ち、よくわかります。 <br>\r\n\"Hohohohoh! But the coin to buy it is your life, and you've only one of those, yes? However, I can understand why you'd still want to entrust that miracle to fate.\" <br><br>\r\n……ですので、恐れずに立ち向かうあなたの勇気を讃え、ひとつハンデを差し上げましょう。 <br>\r\n\"...Therefore, I shall praise your courage for standing against us without fear...and give you a bit of a handicap. <br><br>\r\nこの子は左腕一本で戦います。 <br>\r\nThis child will fight with only his left arm. <br><br>\r\nまぁ、それでもあなたに負ける気はまったくしませんが。 <br>\r\nWell, even so, I have absolutely no intention of losing to you.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n…………それにしても何かしら、さっきからピンポンピンポンと。」 <br>\r\n\"......Come to think of it, what's that *bing*bong*bing*bong* noise I keep hearing?\" <br><br>\r\n「よ、……よかろう。その勝負、受けて立ってやる……。左腕だろうと何だろうと、どうせ私は一撃で殺されるだろう。……私のチャンスもまた、一撃しかないのだ。それに全て賭けるしかあるまい。」 <br>\r\n\"...V-Very well. I'll take that challenge... Whether it uses its left arm or not, I'm sure I'd be killed with a single strike. ...I also only have a single chance at a strike. I can only bet everything on that.\" <br><br>\r\n「無茶苦茶だ、蔵臼さん…！ あ、あんたがボクシングをやってたことは知っているが、それでも大学時代のはず…。 <br>\r\n\"That's absurd, Krauss-san...! I know you used to do boxing, but wasn't that as far back as your college days...? <br><br>\r\nいやいや、仮にプロのボクサーがいたとしても、あんなバケモノ、一撃で倒せるはずもない…！」 <br>\r\nNo, no, even if you were a pro boxer, there's no way you could defeat a monster like that with one strike...!\" <br><br>\r\n「……リングの上での試合なら確かにね。でも、蔵臼兄さんが望みを賭けるチャンスが、わずかだけどあるわ。……彼は、それに全て望みを賭けている…。」 <br>\r\n\"...That would be true if it were a match in the ring. But while Krauss nii-san's chance to bet on this hope is faint, it does exist. ...He's betting everything on that hope...\" <br><br>\r\n「ま、まさか……。しかし、そんなの、うまく行くわけがない…。」 <br>\r\n\"Y-You aren't saying... But there's no way that would work out...\" <br><br>\r\n「……旦那様………。」 <br>\r\n\"...Krauss-sama......\" <br><br>\r\n「み、見ていろ…。一撃で決めてやる……。」 <br>\r\n\"W-Watch me... I'll settle this with a single strike...\" <br><br>\r\nほっほっほっほ…。浅はかな。 <br>\r\nお前たちの狙いはわかっていますよ。 <br>\r\n二人の距離は、１０ｍ以上は離れている。 <br>\r\nHohohohoh... How shallow. <br><br>\r\nI know what you're after. <br><br>\r\nThe distance between the two of them is more than 10 meters. <br><br>\r\n山羊も蔵臼も、一撃で勝負を決めるために全力で踏み込めば、その威力は普段の２倍。 <br>\r\nそれが激突するのだから、相対的に４倍となる。 <br>\r\nIf the goat and Krauss both step in with all their strength to settle the fight with a single blow, their power will be double what is normal. <br><br>\r\nBoth will crash together, so it's a relative four times normal. <br><br>\r\nさらに、奇跡的に急所に命中しクリティカルヒットとなったとしても、その威力は２倍止まり。 <br>\r\n………つまり、蔵臼の最大戦闘力は６の８倍で４８がせいぜいというところ。 <br>\r\nEven if, on top of that, the strike lands on a weak point for a critical hit, that will only double the power again. <br><br>\r\n......In short, Krauss's maximum power level of 6 times 8 would be 48 at the most. <br><br>\r\nそのまぐれ当たりの一撃を２０回繰り返してようやく勝てるかどうかというところ。 <br>\r\nHe might or might not be able to win if he repeated that lucky shot a full 20 times. <br><br>\r\nほっほほほほほ、一撃食らわす度にあなたは殺されて、それでもダメージを累積させて、……そうね、エピソード２４くらいまで行ったらようやく勝てるのかしら？ <br>\r\nHohhohohohoho, if you're killed every time you take a hit and your damage still accumulates, ...let's see, perhaps you might finally win when we get to Episode 24, yes? <br><br>\r\nほっほっほっほ、そこまでこの連載、長引いてると良いのですけれど…！！ いずれにせよ、万に一つの勝ちもない！ <br>\r\nHohohohoh, if only this series could stretch on so long...!! Either way, you don't even have a slight chance at victory! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n……もう、さっきから何なのよ、このピンポン？ <br>\r\n...Hey, seriously, what is that *bing*bong* sound? <br><br>\r\n「私も、一撃に全てを賭けさせていただく…。 <br>\r\n\"Let me bet everything on a single strike... <br><br>\r\n山羊くんも、遠慮することはない。本気で来たまえ…。」 <br>\r\nYou have no reason to hold back either, goat-kun. Come at me seriously...\" <br><br>\r\n「ほほほほ、全力を要望ですよ。本気の一撃で粉砕し、肉片に変えてやりなさいな。」 <br>\r\n\"Hohohoho, he's requesting that you go all out. Smash him with a single serious strike...and turn him into chunks of meat.\" <br><br>\r\n山羊は興奮して胸を何度も叩きながら、短距離走のような構えを取る。 <br>\r\nAs the goat got excited and beat its chest over and over, it took a position as though preparing for a sprint. <br><br>\r\nほっほっほっほ、これでお望みどおりかしら？ <br>\r\nHohohohoh, is this what you wanted? <br><br>\r\nあなたの最大の戦闘力に望みを賭けて、それでもまったく届かないことに絶望なさい！ <br>\r\nBet your hopes on the greatest limits of your power level...and despair when even that gets you nowhere! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nまた鳴った！ イライラする、何ですかこれ？！ <br>\r\nIt rang again! What the heck?! It's really starting to get on my nerves! <br><br>\r\n「行くぞ……。いいかね？」 <br>\r\n\"Here I go... Ready?\" <br><br>\r\n山羊も吼えて応える。 <br>\r\nThe goat howled in response. <br><br>\r\nそして、対峙した男たちにしか分かり合えぬタイミングの一致を見て、……二人は撃ち出された砲弾のように飛び出す。 <br>\r\nThen, with a matched timing that only the men confronting each other could comprehend, ...the two leapt forward like bullets shot out of a gun. <br><br>\r\n男たちの咆哮、全身の肉体の力がそれぞれの腕一本に集約される。 <br>\r\nThe men howled, collecting the strength from all over their bodies into one arm each. <br><br>\r\n山羊の爛々と光る瞳には、はっきりと蔵臼の顔面が捉えられている。 <br>\r\nThe goat's fiery glowing eyes clearly locked onto Krauss's face. <br><br>\r\n……どのタイミングまで踏み込み、どのタイミングで殴り抜き、吹き飛ばし、完全に勝利するか、そのビジョンが完全に見えていた。 <br>\r\n...He could perfectly see a vision of when he would step forwards, when he would punch through Krauss and blow him away, and when he would win perfectly. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n山羊の脳裏に、今日までの辛く長かった日々が蘇る……。 <br>\r\nThe long, painful days up to that point drifted through the goat's mind... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n先輩たちにいびられながらの鍛錬の辛い日々…。 <br>\r\nThose painful days of training when his senpais had picked on him... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nそんな日々に、わずかに垣間見えた先輩たちの温かな気遣い。 <br>\r\nThose faint glimpses of the warm concern his senpais felt for him. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nそして初めて実力を認められ、仲間として認めてもらえた日の喜び…！ <br>\r\nAnd the joy of that day his power had been acknowledged, when he had been accepted as one of the comrades...! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nずっと親不孝だった。 <br>\r\nI never showed proper respect to my parents. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n……そうさ、実は俺、今回の仕事を終えたら足を洗って、故郷に帰るつもりだったんだ。 <br>\r\n...That's right, didn't I plan to wash my hands of this business when this job was over...and return to my hometown? <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nごめんな、妹の山羊子、お兄ちゃん、迷惑ばかりかけてたな。 <br>\r\nI'm sorry, little goat sister... Your Onii-chan always caused you so much trouble. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nそれに俺、…じ、実は幼馴染がいて、帰ったら結婚することになってるっすーーー！！！ <br>\r\nAnd I...a-actually have a childhood friend, ...and I'm gonna marry her when I got hooooome!!! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「ぎゃーーーッ！！！ ダメぇえええぇえ！！ 負けフラグ立て過ぎちゃらめええぇええええぇえ！！ <br>\r\n\"Gyaaaaaaaaahh!!! Nooooooooooo!! Stop tripping all those loser flaaaaaaaaaaags!! <br><br>\r\nそのパンチは駄目よ、避けてえええぇええ！！」 <br>\r\nYou can't handle that punch, dodge iiiiiiiiiit!!\" <br><br>\r\nそれはまさに二人が激突し、互いのパンチが交差する直前の瞬間だった。 <br>\r\nIt happened the instant before the two crashed and their punches crossed. <br><br>\r\n「愚かね、ワルギリア。冷静な判断を欠いたようよ。」 <br>\r\n\"You fool, Virgilia. Looks like you failed to make a calm and rational decision.\" <br><br>\r\n「そのパンチを受けてはなりませんッ！！ 弾きなさい！！」 <br>\r\n\"You mustn't take that punch!! Knock it aside!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ッ？！？！」 <br>\r\n\"?!?!\" <br><br>\r\n山羊の左ストレートと蔵臼の右ストレートが交差するその瞬間！ 山羊は超反射神経でワルギリアの命令に従い、ストレートを引き戻して蔵臼のパンチを弾く！ <br>\r\nThe very instant the goat's left straight and Krauss's right straight crossed...! The goat obeyed Virgilia's order with super-fast reflexes and pulled his straight back, repelling Krauss's punch! <br><br>\r\n「………むッ、」 <br>\r\n\"......Nng-\" <br><br>\r\nそう、ワルギリアの判断は賢明だっただろう。 <br>\r\nThat's right, Virgilia's decision probably had been wise. <br><br>\r\n何しろ負けフラグの数は、相手の戦闘力にそのまま倍率となって掛かる！ <br>\r\nAfter all, the number of loser flags amplifies the power level of one's opponent! <br><br>\r\n「危ないところでした、こんな負けフラグ立てまくりの状態で食らっていたら、どれほどの威力に倍率が掛かっていたことか…！！ <br>\r\n\"That was close, if you had taken that punch after tripping so many loser flags, imagine just how great a force it would have been amplified to...!!\" <br><br>\r\nさぁ、そこでがら空きの右側面に右ストレートを叩き込んでやりなさい！！ <br>\r\n\"Come on, from there, smash the completely open right side of his face with a right straight!! <br><br>\r\n何？ 左腕一本で戦う約束？ <br>\r\nWhat? That promise about fighting with only your left arm? <br><br>\r\nほっほっほ！！ 約束は破るためにあるのでしょうがー！！ <br>\r\nHohohoh!! Aren't promises made to be broken?!! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nぎゃー、また立ったあああぁ！！」 <br>\r\nGyaah, tripped another ooooooone!!\" <br><br>\r\n「失望よ、ワルギリア。あなたはやはり冷静を欠いていたわ。」 <br>\r\n\"I'm disappointed, Virgilia. You really have lost your composure.\" <br><br>\r\n「何ですって……？！ 直前に気付いて避けさせた私のどこが冷静でないと…！」 <br>\r\n\"What's that...?! How was I not composed by noticing it beforehand and making him avoid it...?!\" <br><br>\r\n「ど、…どうしてですか霧江さま…？ あのまま激突していたら、旦那様の勝ちだったのでは……。」 <br>\r\n\"Wh-Why is that, Kyrie-sama...? If they had crashed like that, wouldn't it have been Krauss's...\" <br><br>\r\n「………はッ、そ、そうか…、 <br>\r\n負けフラグの数が２０でも、 <br>\r\n……まだ足りないんだ！」 <br>\r\n\"......Ah, I-I see, <br><br>\r\n...even with 20 loser flags, <br><br>\r\n...that's not enough!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n蔵臼と山羊の２倍の踏み込みで４倍。 <br>\r\n奇跡が味方してクリティカル確約でさらに２倍で８倍。 <br>\r\nKrauss's and the goat's double rush made for times 4. <br><br>\r\nWith a miracle as an ally, the firm promise of a critical hit doubled it again for times 8. <br><br>\r\nその上、立てた負けフラグの数だけ倍率が掛かって２０倍で１６０倍。 <br>\r\nOn top of that, there was an amplification of times 20, equal to the number of loser flags, making for x160. <br><br>\r\n一見、すごい倍率だが、それでも蔵臼の戦闘力は６。 <br>\r\n１６０倍しても、戦闘力９６０。 <br>\r\nAt a glance, that was an incredible amplification, but even so, Krauss's power level was 6. <br><br>\r\nEven multiplied by 160, it only made for a power level of 960. <br><br>\r\n山羊の１０００にはギリギリ届かない…！ <br>\r\nJust barely below the goat's 1000...! <br><br>\r\n「だから冷静じゃないと言ったのよ。あなた失敗したわ。 <br>\r\n\"That's why I said you weren't composed. It's your blunder. <br><br>\r\nそのまま激突していれば、あなたの勝ちだったのよ。」 <br>\r\nIf they had crashed like that, you would have won.\" <br><br>\r\n「ほ、ほっほっほっほ！！ たとえそうだったとしても、この右ストレートで蔵臼の頭を砕けば同じこと！！ <br>\r\n\"H-Hohohohoh!! Even if that were so, it all comes to the same thing if this right straight smashes Krauss's head!! <br><br>\r\n死ねッ、右代宮蔵臼ッ！！！」 <br>\r\nDie, Ushiromiya Krauss!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……食らいたまえ、ボクシング界、最強の一撃を。」 <br>\r\n\"...Take this, the strongest strike of the boxing world.\" <br><br>\r\n蔵臼の右ストレートを弾き、がら空きになった蔵臼の右側面に山羊の右ストレートが襲い掛かる…。 <br>\r\nAfter repelling Krauss's right straight, the goat's right straight attacked the right side of Krauss's face, which had been left open... <br><br>\r\nしかしそこに、蔵臼の左ストレートが交差する…。 <br>\r\nBut there, it crossed Krauss's left straight... <br><br>\r\n二人のパンチが交差し、互いに相手の顔面を捉えたまま時間が制止した……。 <br>\r\nThe two punches crossed, and time stopped as each aimed for the face of the other... <br><br>\r\n「ほ、………ほほほほ。まさかこのタイミングで相打ちに持ってくるとは！ <br>\r\n\"Ho, ......hohohoho. To think that it would be timed for a simultaneous strike! <br><br>\r\nしかし、戦闘力は１６０倍止まりで９６０！！ うちの子の１０００には及びませんでしたよ…！」 <br>\r\nBut his power level stops at x160, making it 960!! It doesn't reach up to my child's 1000...!\" <br><br>\r\n「………いいや。ワルギリアさん。 <br>\r\n\"......No. Virgilia-san, <br><br>\r\n……あんたの負けだ。」 <br>\r\n...it's your loss.\" <br><br>\r\n「どうして？！」 <br>\r\n\"Why?!\" <br><br>\r\n「あんた、最初のクロスカウンターを弾かせちまった。……確かに、その次に繰り出した右ストレートが当たれば、蔵臼さんは粉々にされていただろう。 <br>\r\n\"You made him repel the first cross-counter. ...Certainly, if another right straight after that were to hit, Krauss-san would probably be in pieces.\" <br><br>\r\n…しかし、そいつをクロスされてしまった…。……こりゃあ、駄目だ。悪いが、あんたんとこの山羊さんの完敗だよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...However, that was crossed... ...That's no good. Sorry, but this is a complete loss for you and this goat.\" <br><br>\r\nクロスカウンターは４倍の破壊力。 <br>\r\nA cross-counter has four times the destructive power of a normal punch. <br><br>\r\nこれはボクシングの常識だ。 <br>\r\nThis is common knowledge in the boxing world. <br><br>\r\nそしてそれを弾き、右ストレートが叩き込めたならダブルクロスカウンターで８倍の破壊力。 <br>\r\nAnd if it's blocked and the right straight hits, then it's a double cross-counter, with 8 times the destructive power. <br><br>\r\nこれもボクシングの常識だ。 <br>\r\nThis is also common knowledge in the boxing world. <br><br>\r\nそれをクロスされてしまったら……。 <br>\r\nトリプルクロスは、てこの原理で破壊力１２倍！ <br>\r\nAnd if that is crossed... <br><br>\r\nThen, by the principle of leverage, the triple cross would multiply the destructive power by 12! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nこれもまた、どうしようもないくらいにボクシング界の常識！！ <br>\r\nThis is also painfully common knowledge in the boxing world!! <br><br>\r\n民明書房の本にだって載っているッ！ <br>\r\nIt's even written in a Minmeishobou book! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「………蔵臼さんの戦闘力は６。」 <br>\r\n\"......Krauss-san's power level is 6.\" <br><br>\r\n「双方２倍の踏み込みで４倍。」 <br>\r\n\"The rushing from both sides is times 4.\" <br><br>\r\n「ク、クリティカルヒットで８倍。」 <br>\r\n\"Th-The critical hit is times 8.\" <br><br>\r\n「負けフラグの立て過ぎで１６０倍。」 <br>\r\n\"And times 160 for tripping too many loser flags.\" <br><br>\r\n「……そして、トリプルクロスカウンターでさらに１２倍。」 <br>\r\n\"...And times 12 again for the triple cross-counter.\" <br><br>\r\n「せ、……１９２０倍……。」 <br>\r\n\"...T-Times 1920...\" <br><br>\r\n戦闘力、１１５２０…！！ <br>\r\nHis power level is 11520...!! <br><br>\r\n今の蔵臼のパンチなら、最初の頃の天下一武道会なら余裕で優勝できる威力…！！！ <br>\r\nKrauss's punch now had the power to easily win the first Tenkaichi Budokai...!!! <br><br>\r\n「……これは、勝利を最後まで諦めなかった蔵臼さんの執念と、……あんたの慢心が招いた結果だ。どちらが欠けても、この威力にはならなかった…。 <br>\r\n\"...This result was brought about by Krauss-san's persistence in not giving up on victory until the end...and your pride. Without either, this strength would not exist...\" <br><br>\r\n……あんた、よく戦ったよ。………もう、倒れてもいいんだぞ…。」 <br>\r\n\"...You fought well. ...You may now fall...\" <br><br>\r\n南條が、ポンと山羊の肩を叩く…。 <br>\r\nNanjo clapped the goat on the shoulder... <br><br>\r\n……お、……お兄ちゃん、がんばったよ……。 <br>\r\n...Y-Your Onii-chan...gave it his all... <br><br>\r\n山羊は目からキラキラする粒を撒き散らしながら、ふわぁっと仰け反り、ワルギリアを下敷きにして倒れた。 <br>\r\nAs the sparkling drops from the goat's eyes scattered, he bent backwards, and fell on Virgilia. <br><br>\r\n「うぎゃー！！ <br>\r\n\"Ugyu-!! <br><br>\r\n重いぃいいぃ、退きなさいぃ！」 <br>\r\nHeavyyyyyyy, get off meeeeee!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n華奢なワルギリアにとって、山羊の巨体は重すぎる。 <br>\r\n下敷きになったままじたばたするが、逃れられそうにない。 <br>\r\nThe goat's massive body was too heavy for the slender Virgilia. <br><br>\r\nShe wriggled around with it on top of her, but it didn't look like she'd be able to escape. <br><br>\r\nその拍子に、ワルギリアが閉ざしていた結界が破れる。 <br>\r\nIn that instant, the barrier Virgilia had sealed broke. <br><br>\r\n「悪く思うな。てこの原理を侮ったのが君の敗因だ。」 <br>\r\n\"Don't take it personally. It was the principle of leverage that led to your defeat.\" <br><br>\r\n「……どうしてあのカウンターでてこの原理が働くのかしらねぇ。永遠の謎だわ。」 <br>\r\n\"...I wonder how the principle of leverage applied to that counter. It's an eternal mystery.\" <br><br>\r\n「今のうちに逃げましょう…！！ 山羊さんも、お大事に…！」 <br>\r\n\"Let's escape while we can...!! You take care too, goat-san...!\" <br><br>\r\n「そ、それでは失礼します、ワルギリアさま！」 <br>\r\n\"W-Well then, excuse us, Virgilia-sama!\" <br><br>\r\n「………ぺこり。」 <br>\r\n\"......*bow*.\" <br><br>\r\n「待ってぇええぇー！！ 待ちなさぁい！！ これ退けてぇええぇ！！ <br>\r\n\"Waaaaaaaaiiit!! Wait uup!! Get this off meeeeee!! <br><br>\r\nきーーー！！ ガプガプガプガプー！！！」 <br>\r\nKiiii---!! Gapgapgapgap!!!\" <br><br>\r\nあとは、彼らを遮るものは何もない。 <br>\r\nAfter that, there was nothing to block their way. <br><br>\r\n……地下道をひたすらに駆け抜ける…！ <br>\r\n...They ran intently through the underground passage...! <br><br>\r\n朱志香はとうとう、壁を背に追い詰められてしまう。 <br>\r\n……ロノウェの魔法障壁はじわじわと迫り、やがては壁に押し潰すだろう。 <br>\r\nJessica had finally been cornered, with the wall at her back. <br><br>\r\n...Ronove advanced with his magic circle wall bit by bit...and would probably crush her against the other wall eventually. <br><br>\r\n間合いから考えて、鉄拳を繰り出す、これが最後の一撃だった。 <br>\r\nConsidering the distance, she threw out her fists... This would be her final strike. <br><br>\r\n朱志香は何発もの鉄拳を食らわしてきた。 <br>\r\nJessica had dealt out many punches so far. <br><br>\r\n……壁は無敵じゃない。 <br>\r\nもはやひびが入り、いつ砕けてもおかしくない。 <br>\r\n...The wall wasn't invincible. <br><br>\r\nIt had already started to crack, and it wouldn't be strange for it to smash at any moment. <br><br>\r\nしかし、朱志香もまた、その反射するダメージにより、全身を切り刻まれ、ぼろぼろにされていた…。 <br>\r\nHowever, due to the rebounding damage, Jessica also had cuts all over her body...and was all worn out. <br><br>\r\n「……もうおよしなさい。あなたを押し潰すつもりはありません。あなたの処遇はお館様が決めますからね。……しかし、朱志香様のナイスファイトは、私からも特に申し上げるつもりですよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Please put a stop to this. I don't intend to crush you. It is up to the Master to decide how to deal with you. ...However, I also intend to congratulate you specially for your good fight.\" <br><br>\r\n「ふ、 <br>\r\n………ふざけるんじゃ、 <br>\r\n……ねえぜ…。……まだだ……。まだ、……終わっちゃいねえぜ………。」 <br>\r\n\"...Q- <br><br>\r\nQuit fucking a- <br><br>\r\naround... ...Not yet... It isn't...over yet......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「……あなたは満身創痍。立っているのもやっとではありませんか。……あなたは最後の一撃に、全ての力を込めるつもりでいるようだ。しかし、その最後の一撃は、むしろあなたにとって命取りになりますよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...You have wounds all over your body. It's all you can manage just to stand, is it not? ...It seems you plan on putting all your strength into this final strike. However, that final strike will be fatal for you.\" <br><br>\r\nロノウェの魔法障壁のダメージ反射は攻撃力に比例する。 <br>\r\n朱志香の渾身の一撃は、そのまま自らにも跳ね返るのだ。 <br>\r\nThe damage reflected by Ronove's magic circle wall was proportional to the strength of the attack. <br><br>\r\nJessica's all-out punch would be bounced back onto her. <br><br>\r\n……渾身であればあるほど、朱志香には自殺的になってしまう。 <br>\r\n...The more all-out she went, the more suicidal it would be for Jessica. <br><br>\r\n「わ、わかってるぜ……、 <br>\r\nそんなことはよ………。」 <br>\r\n\"I-I get it, <br><br>\r\n...I know that......\" <br><br>\r\n「警告します。もうお止めなさい。それがあなたのためです。」 <br>\r\n\"I am warning you. Stop this now. This is for your own good.\" <br><br>\r\n「強がるなよ。お前の壁が、もう破れかかってるんだろ…？ <br>\r\n\"Stop bluffing. Your wall is already about to break, right...? <br><br>\r\n殴ってきた私には、手応えでわかってるんだぜ………？」 <br>\r\nI can tell by the feel of it after punching it so much, okay......?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\nそれは、事実。 <br>\r\nロノウェの壁は確かにもう壊れかかっていた。 <br>\r\nThat was...a fact. <br><br>\r\nRonove's wall was already on the verge of breaking. <br><br>\r\nしかもその上、朱志香の鉄拳には、もはや想像もつかないくらいの魔法攻撃力が付与されていて、その破壊力は想像を絶する。 <br>\r\nAnd on top of that, Jessica's fists had been imbued with an unimaginable magical attack power by now, and their destructive strength defied the imagination. <br><br>\r\n……下手をすると、障壁を貫き、さらにロノウェを打ち砕いて、この部屋と隣の部屋を繋げる拡張工事になりかねない破壊力を持つだろう。 <br>\r\n...In the worst case, that destructive power might even pierce the defensive wall, smash Ronove as well, and create an expansion connecting this room to the next. <br><br>\r\n……だが、そのダメージは朱志香にも跳ね返る。無事では済まない！ <br>\r\n...However, that damage would rebound on Jessica as well. She wouldn't escape unharmed! <br><br>\r\n「もう一度だけ言います。お止めなさい。あなたのためを思って言っています！」 <br>\r\n\"I will say it just one more time. Stop. I say this out of consideration for you!\" <br><br>\r\n「やかましいぜ……。 <br>\r\n\"Shut the fuck up... <br><br>\r\n………覚悟しやがれ。」 <br>\r\n......Prepare yourself.\" <br><br>\r\n朱志香が吼える。 <br>\r\nJessica howled. <br><br>\r\n……全ての力を込めた最強最後の破壊力が拳に込められて、咆哮する……。 <br>\r\n...Putting all the strength of her greatest and final destructive power into her fist, she roared... <br><br>\r\nとっくの昔に山羊３人は打ち倒されている。 <br>\r\n譲治は呼吸一つ乱さずに、慎重にガァプとの距離を詰めている。 <br>\r\nThe three goats had been beaten down long ago. <br><br>\r\nWithout straining to breathe in the slightest, George cautiously closed the distance between him and Gaap. <br><br>\r\n……狙っている。 <br>\r\n一撃で仕留めるつもりだ…。 <br>\r\n...He was after her. <br><br>\r\nHe was planning on bringing her down with a single strike... <br><br>\r\nガァプもまた、一撃を狙っている。 <br>\r\nGaap was also aiming for a single strike. <br><br>\r\n………そのチャンスを逃せば、今度こそ殺される……。 <br>\r\n......If she let that chance slide, she would be killed this time... <br><br>\r\n「……落とし穴は、使わないのかい。」 <br>\r\n\"...Aren't you going to use your pitfalls?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………く……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Ack...\" <br><br>\r\n落とし穴を開ける時のわずかの隙でさえ、今の譲治相手には命取りになる。 <br>\r\nEven the tiny opening during the time it took to open the hole would prove fatal with George as an opponent right now. <br><br>\r\n……ガァプは慎重に間合いとタイミングを測るが、その間にも譲治は間合いを詰めてくる…。 <br>\r\n...Gaap cautiously calculated the distance and timing, but even as she did, George closed the gap between them... <br><br>\r\n「………来ないなら、行くよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......If you won't come, I will.\" <br><br>\r\n「……き、……来なさいよ…。今さら小細工も何もないわ。 <br>\r\n\"...G-Go ahead... There's no point in cheap tricks anymore. <br><br>\r\n……私のこの蹴りで、 <br>\r\n……決着をつけてやる！」 <br>\r\n...I'll settle it... <br><br>\r\nwith this kick of mine!\" <br><br>\r\n譲治の体がぶれたと思った瞬間、……その虚空には譲治のジャケットだけが漂っていた。 <br>\r\nFor an instant, she thought George's body blurred, ...and then only his jacket was floating in the air. <br><br>\r\nあッ、と思った瞬間には、薄暗闇がガァプを覆っていた。 <br>\r\nThe moment she thought `Ah-', darkness covered Gaap. <br><br>\r\n踵を大きく振り上げた譲治が、天空から襲い来る巨大な龍の姿にさえ見えた。 <br>\r\nGeorge, with his heel swung up high, was attacking from the sky like a massive dragon. <br><br>\r\n「か、掛かったわね……。………これで私の勝ちよ、右代宮譲治ッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"I-It worked... ...This is my victory, Ushiromiya George!!\" <br><br>\r\n「何。」 <br>\r\n\"What?\" <br><br>\r\nガァプは自分を中心に巨大な落とし穴を開き、自らごと譲治を飲み込む…！！ <br>\r\nGaap opened a vast pitfall with her in the center, swallowing up George along with herself...!! <br><br>\r\n二人は落とし穴に飲み込まれ、東屋の天井より吐き出される。 <br>\r\nThe two were swallowed up by the pitfall...and spat out from the ceiling of the arbor. <br><br>\r\nしかしそれは狙い通りだから、ガァプだけは軽やかに着地する。 <br>\r\nBut that was what Gaap had been after, so she alone landed lightly. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、譲治の着地点には再び落とし穴が。 <br>\r\n...However, there was another pitfall in George's landing spot. <br><br>\r\n「うっふふふふふふ、あぁっはははははははははははッ！！！ もらったわ、右代宮譲治ぃいいいいぃ！！ <br>\r\n\"Ehheheheheheheh, aaaahhahahahahahahahahaha!!! Gotcha, Ushiromiya Geoooooooooorge!!\" <br><br>\r\n面白かったわよ死になさい、あんたみたいな上等、右代宮家の当主なんてもったいないわ、今この場で私が喰ってあげるッ！！！ うううぅうぅおおおおおおおおおおおおッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"It was fun, so die. The Ushiromiya Family Headship would be wasted on the likes of you, so I'll finish you right here, right now!!! Aaaaaahhhhh, nngaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n譲治は再び東屋天井から落下する。 <br>\r\n多分、二階建ての屋根くらいから落とされたのと同じはずだ。 <br>\r\nGeorge once again fell from the ceiling of the arbor. <br><br>\r\nHe had probably been dropped the same distance as falling off the roof of a two story building. <br><br>\r\n空中では如何なる姿勢制御も出来ない。 <br>\r\n抵抗も防御も回避も不能ッ！！ <br>\r\nIn the sky, he couldn't control his posture in any way. <br><br>\r\nIt was impossible to resist or defend or avoid!! <br><br>\r\nガァプは竜巻のように舞い踊りながら鋭いピンヒールの先端に全ての気を集中させる。 <br>\r\nAs Gaap spun like a whirlwind, she concentrated all of her energy on the sharp tip of her stiletto heel. <br><br>\r\n……これが引導を渡す、最後の一撃。 <br>\r\n...This was the final strike...to perform his requiem. <br><br>\r\n本当の奈落へ叩き落す、天を穿つ女王蜂の最後の一撃ッ！！ <br>\r\nThe final strike of the queen bee that would bore into heaven, knocking him down into the true Abyss!! <br><br>\r\n「ようこそ奈落へッ！！ ここがあんたの終着点よッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Welcome to the Abyss!! This is the end of the line for you!!!\" <br><br>\r\n獲物を捉え、天空へ足を打ち出す。 <br>\r\nShe closed in on her prey...and stuck her foot up into the sky. <br><br>\r\n……その時、譲治の顔を見た。 <br>\r\n...At that time, she saw George's face. <br><br>\r\n………空中であるにもかかわらず、右手の中指で眼鏡を、直す余裕を浮かべていた。 <br>\r\n......Even though he was in midair, he was calmly adjusting his glasses with the middle finger of his right hand. <br><br>\r\nそして、その姿勢は踵落としのまま維持されている。 <br>\r\nAnd his posture was still preserved as that of an axe kick. <br><br>\r\nいささかの狂いもなく、ガァプの額目掛けて……。 <br>\r\nWithout the faintest deviation, he aimed for Gaap's forehead... <br><br>\r\n「………君がその手に出ることは、想定済みだったよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......I had already hypothesized that this move would come up.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………な、にぃ………、」 <br>\r\n\"......Wh...at......?\" <br><br>\r\n「僕が、~ib~地上~ib~の君に飛び踵を食らわせるために飛んでいたなら、僕の姿勢はとっくに崩れていただろうさ。 <br>\r\n\"If I'd jumped to make the person ~ib~on the ground~ib~ taste my heel, my posture would have collapsed long ago. <br><br>\r\n………しかし、僕の姿勢はいささかも崩れない。なぜかわかるかい。」 <br>\r\n......However, my posture hasn't collapsed in the slightest. Do you know why?\" <br><br>\r\n「……ま、 <br>\r\n……さ、 <br>\r\n…か……、」 <br>\r\n\"...You... <br><br>\r\ndon't... <br><br>\r\nmean...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「僕は初めから、 <br>\r\n……２フロア下の君に踵を食らわせるつもりで、飛んでいるッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"From the very beginning, <br><br>\r\n...I aimed to make a person two stories below taste my heel!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「う、……ううぅううううをおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおぉおぉおおおおおおッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu, ...oooooooooooooohhh, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「君の負けだ、お嬢さんッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"It's your loss, Miss!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ピンポーン。」 <br>\r\n\"Ding dong.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「うッおおおぉおおおおお、食らえぇええええええええええぇッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Whooooooaaaaaaahhh, take thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiss!!!\" <br><br>\r\n 朱志香の振り上げた最後最強の一撃が、 <br>\r\n壁に、 <br>\r\n……飲み込まれる。 <br>\r\nThe final, strongest punch that Jessica had raised......... <br><br>\r\nreached the wall... <br><br>\r\nand was sucked in. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n壁に突如開いた黒い大穴に飲み込まれてしまったのだ。 <br>\r\nIt was sucked into a black, large hole that had suddenly opened on the wall. <br><br>\r\n「だから、………お止めなさいと忠告したのに。」 <br>\r\n\"Well, ......I did tell you to stop.\" <br><br>\r\n「こ、………れは…………、」 <br>\r\n\"This......is......\" <br><br>\r\n「……ぐ、…………ぁ……、」 <br>\r\n\"...Gu, ......ah...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「実は。………ぜぇんぜん、ピンチでも何でもなかったの。ごめんなさいねェ…。」 <br>\r\n\"Actually, ......I wasn't even close to being in a pinch. Sooorry...\" <br><br>\r\n……朱志香の鉄拳は、譲治の腹部を捉え、……譲治の踵落としは、朱志香の頭部を捉えている。 <br>\r\n...Jessica's fist had gone for George's stomach, ...and George's axe kick had lined up on Jessica's head. <br><br>\r\n朱志香の鉄拳に込められた驚愕の破壊力は、譲治の内臓を砕き、腹部を飛び散らせる。 <br>\r\nThe shocking destructive power imbued in Jessica's fist crushed George's organs and scattered his abdomen. <br><br>\r\n譲治の踵落としの同じ位に驚愕の破壊力は、朱志香の頭部を半壊し、その中身を同じように飛び散らせた……。 <br>\r\nThe same destructive power in George's axe kick smashed half of Jessica's head...and scattered its contents in the same manner... <br><br>\r\n「ぷっ、…あっはははははははははは…！！ だぁってぇ。魔女は演技力なんでしょぉぉおお？ <br>\r\n\"Pfft, ...ahhahahahahahahahahahaha...!! Didn't I tell yooou? About a witch's acting proweeeeeeess? <br><br>\r\nねぇねぇ、ベアト、どうよ、見ててくれたかしら…？」 <br>\r\nHey, hey, Beato, what do you think, were you watching...?\" <br><br>\r\n「わっはっはっは、わああっひゃっひゃっひゃ、あーっきゃっきゃっきゃ！！ <br>\r\n\"Wahahaha, waaaahhyahhyahhya, *giggle*giggle*giggle*!! <br><br>\r\nやるなァ、筋書き通り！ やっぱガァプはわかってるじゃアん！！ いえーい！！」 <br>\r\nNot bad, just as planned! You really do get it, Gaap!! Woohoo!!\" <br><br>\r\nベアトとガァプは軽やかにハイタッチを決める。 <br>\r\nBeato and Gaap casually high-fived each other. <br><br>\r\n「……う、 <br>\r\n……ぉ、 <br>\r\n…………うをおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおッッッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"...Nng, <br><br>\r\n...aaah, <br><br>\r\n......whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「ありがと、ロノウェ。こっちで美味しくいただけた。朱志香の死体はそっちに返すわ。 <br>\r\n\"Thanks, Ronove. Thanks for the gift. I'll return Jessica's corpse. <br><br>\r\n……二人で寄り添う死体を、引き離す。……これで第二の晩は出来上がり？」 <br>\r\n...Separate the corpses of the two who are close. ...Does this mean the second twilight is over?\" <br><br>\r\nガァプは落とし穴に朱志香の死体を落とし、朱志香の部屋に肉片ごとばらばらと、まるでゴミ捨て場に放り込むかのように無造作に放り込む…。 <br>\r\nGaap dropped Jessica's corpse through a pitfall...and all the chunks were thrown into Jessica's room, as carelessly as throwing something into the trash... <br><br>\r\n朱志香の死体と肉片が、天井から朱志香の部屋にどさどさぐちゃぐちゃと降り注ぐ。 <br>\r\nJessica's corpse and lumps of flesh fell from the ceiling and poured out all over her room. <br><br>\r\nそのあまりに惨い変わり様に、ロノウェは小さく首を横に振った。 <br>\r\nRonove shook his head slightly at this gruesome change of scenery. <br><br>\r\n「…………申し訳ございませんね、朱志香さま。ご忠告は申し上げたのですよ。 <br>\r\n\"......My apologies, Jessica-sama. I did warn you.\" <br><br>\r\nもっとも。…この結末を予見し、聞き入れないとわかっている忠告を重ねる悪魔の醍醐味は、ニンゲンにはわからないでしょうがね。……ぷっくくくくくくくくくく！」 <br>\r\n\"However, ...the true art of us demons...that is, foreseeing this conclusion and giving you advice I knew you wouldn't listen to, really isn't something a Human could understand. ...Pukkukukukukukukukukuku!\" <br><br>\r\n「本当に面白かったわ、坊や。……でもあんた、ちょっと言葉遊びが過ぎるわよ。 <br>\r\n\"It really was fun, kid. ...But you play with words a bit too much. <br><br>\r\n……“そろそろ反撃してもいいかな”、が最高傑作？ <br>\r\n...Is `Maybe it's about time I started fighting back?' really the best you've got? <br><br>\r\nうふふ、あなたどこかのラノベか何かにかぶれ過ぎよ？ <br>\r\nHeheheh, are you trying to be someone from a light novel or something? <br><br>\r\nくすくすくすくす！」 <br>\r\n*giggle*giggle*giggle*!\" <br><br>\r\nガァプは、譲治と朱志香の肉片と血が飛び散った凄惨な装飾の東屋で、しばらくの間、高笑いを楽しむのだった…。 <br>\r\nIn the arbor brutally decorated by George's and Jessica's scattered blood and guts, Gaap enjoyed a loud laugh for a while... <br><br>\r\nだがすぐに、いくら何でもちょっと汚し過ぎで品がないと気付くと、指を鳴らす。 <br>\r\n...But she quickly realized that, in all seriousness, this was a little too filthy and undignified, and she snapped her fingers. <br><br>\r\nすると、辺り一面から黄金の蝶の群が湧き上がり、肉片や血の汚れに張り付いて、それを落としていった。 <br>\r\nAs she did, a cloud of gold butterflies rose up around her, stuck to each of the bits and blood stains, and dropped them. <br><br>\r\n……そして、それらはどんどん譲治の死体に戻り、内臓をブチまけた無残な死体を、眠っているような綺麗な死体に直してしまう。 <br>\r\n...Then, George's corpse returned bit by bit, and the brutal corpse with its guts torn out was repaired into a clean corpse that looked like it was sleeping. <br><br>\r\n一応なりとも、好敵手に対する死後の礼儀…………？ <br>\r\nWas this some act of sportsmanship towards a dead rival......? <br><br>\r\nぬぅっと、天が割られる。 <br>\r\nThe heavens were split. <br><br>\r\n……ガァプがその足を、天に向かって高々と突き上げたからだ。 <br>\r\n...Because Gaap had lifted her leg high, pointing at the sky. <br><br>\r\n「じゃあね、色男。これが本当の、ゲームオーバー。」 <br>\r\n\"See you, lover boy. This is Game Over for real.\" <br><br>\r\nぐしゃりと。 <br>\r\n……容赦の欠片もなく、その足が踏み下ろされ、……譲治の額に打ち込まれる。 <br>\r\n*splat*. <br><br>\r\n......Without a trace of mercy, that foot stepped down...and was buried into George's forehead. <br><br>\r\n凶器のように鋭いピンヒールの踵が、譲治の額を貫いていた。 <br>\r\nThe stiletto heel that was sharp as a weapon pierced George's forehead. <br><br>\r\nそれを、……ごぽりと音を立てて、引き抜く……。 <br>\r\nWith a *bloop*, ...it was pulled out... <br><br>\r\nそれは、確かにガァプが自らの手で仕留めたという、証の刻印のようでさえあった……。 <br>\r\nIt was like a mark proving that Gaap certainly had finished him by her own hand... <br><br>\r\nロノウェも、朱志香の死体をもとの姿に戻していた。 <br>\r\nRonove also returned Jessica's corpse to its original form. <br><br>\r\n……しかも譲治と違い、その命まで蘇らせていた……。 <br>\r\n...And unlike how it had been with George, he restored Jessica's life... <br><br>\r\n「…う、………ぐほ、げほっ……、 <br>\r\n\"...Uu, ......*cough*, *cough*... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n……これは、………一体……。……夢……？」 <br>\r\n...What in the world...is this...? ...A dream...?\" <br><br>\r\n「いいえ、違います。……朱志香さまは確かにお亡くなりになりました。最期の瞬間の記憶を、よくご存知のはずだ。」 <br>\r\n\"No, that is wrong. ...You certainly did pass away, Jessica-sama. You should be well aware of the memory of your final moments.\" <br><br>\r\n朱志香の脳裏に焼き付いている。 <br>\r\nJessica's mind was burning. <br><br>\r\n……なぜかどこかへ飛ばされ、譲治の踵に頭部を砕かれたことを、……覚えてる……。 <br>\r\n...For some reason, she remembered being thrown somewhere...and having George's heel smash her head... <br><br>\r\n「私は、……生きてるのか……。」 <br>\r\n\"Am I...alive...?\" <br><br>\r\n「いいえ、死んでいます。私の魔法でほんの３分ほど、それを先送りにしているに過ぎません。３分が過ぎれば魔法が終わり、あなたは無残な頭部半壊の死体に戻ります。」 <br>\r\n\"No, you are dead. With my magic, that will only be postponed for a scant three minutes. After three minutes, the magic will end, and you will return to being a tragic corpse with half of its head crushed.\" <br><br>\r\n「な、……んだと………。 <br>\r\n\"...Wh-What'd you say......? <br><br>\r\n……へ、………へへへへ……。」 <br>\r\n...Heh, ......heheheheh...\" <br><br>\r\n「死は残酷です。多くの場合、心の整理さえ与えない。……しかし私は、ここまで健闘したあなたを讃え、その時間を与えることにしました。その３分間で、この世の未練を、よく整理されるといいでしょう。」 <br>\r\n\"Death is brutal. In most cases, you aren't even given the time to ready your heart. ...But to praise you for fighting so bravely, I've decided to give you this time. Perhaps you should sort out your regrets from this world in those three minutes.\" <br><br>\r\n「その３分で、……お前を道連れにするという手もあるぜ……。」 <br>\r\n\"I can also...decide to take you along with me during those three minutes...\" <br><br>\r\nしかし、朱志香の体からは、さっきまで燃え盛っていたあの力は完全に失われている。 <br>\r\nBut the power that had burned through Jessica's body until a second ago had been completely lost. <br><br>\r\n……朱志香も、自覚していた。 <br>\r\n...Jessica was aware of that herself. <br><br>\r\n自分はもう、死んでいるのだ。 <br>\r\nShe was already dead. <br><br>\r\n「それでは私はこれにて。失礼いたします。 <br>\r\n\"And that is all for me. If you would excuse me. <br><br>\r\n……楽しかったですよ、朱志香さま。」 <br>\r\n...It was fun, Jessica-sama.\" <br><br>\r\nロノウェはその姿を黄金の蝶の群に変え、消え去る。 <br>\r\nRonove turned his form into a cloud of gold butterflies and disappeared. <br><br>\r\n後には、風雨の音と壁に寄りかかりながらしゃがみ込む朱志香の姿だけが残されていた……。 <br>\r\nAll that remained was the sound of the wind and rain, and the figure of Jessica as she crouched down, leaning against the wall... <br><br>\r\n朱志香は悟る。 <br>\r\n多分、本当に３分で自分は元の死体に戻るだろう。 <br>\r\nJessica could tell. <br><br>\r\nShe probably really would revert to the corpse she had been after three minutes. <br><br>\r\n……その３分で、何か自分に出来ることは………。 <br>\r\n...Was there anything she could do in those three minutes......? <br><br>\r\n立ち上がり、ふらふらとした足取りで、 <br>\r\n……机の上の、電話を取る…。 <br>\r\nShe stood up, and with a shaky gait, <br><br>\r\n...took the phone that was on the desk... <br><br>\r\n「も、……もしもし。 <br>\r\n\"...H-Hello? <br><br>\r\n……朱志香か？ 朱志香？！ どうしたッ、無事かッ？！？！」 <br>\r\n...Is that Jessica? Jessica?! What is it, are you okay?!?!\" <br><br>\r\n「………へ、……へっへへへ…。……やられ、ちまったぜ……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Heh, ...heheheheh... ...They...got me...\" <br><br>\r\n「大丈夫か？！ 怪我をしてるのか？！ 今助けに行く！！」 <br>\r\n\"Are you okay?! Did you get injured?! I'll come to save you right now!!\" <br><br>\r\n「いや、……もう遅いぜ。私さ、……もう死んでるんだと…。あははは、戦人が来た時にゃ、私は頭を半分ブチまけた死体だよ。」 <br>\r\n\"No, ...it's already too late. I'm...already dead, or so I hear... Ahahaha, by the time you got here, Battler, I'd be a corpse with half its head split open.\" <br><br>\r\n「畜生おおおぉ、クソジジイめ！！ 待ってろ、今そこに行くからなッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Craaaaaaap, that damn geezer!! Wait there, I'm coming right now!!\" <br><br>\r\n「聞けよ戦人ッ！！！ いいかよく聞け…。………郷田さんたちが、どうして食堂で６人が殺された時のこと、歯切れが悪いのか、よくわかった。 <br>\r\n\"Listen to me, Battler!! Listen closely, okay...? ......Now I totally see why Gohda-san and Kumasawa-san were evasive about the time the six in the dining hall got killed. <br><br>\r\n………あいつらな、 <br>\r\n………ニンゲンじゃ、 <br>\r\n…ねえんだぜ。」 <br>\r\n ......Those guys... <br><br>\r\n......aren't... <br><br>\r\n...Human.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「は、…はあ？！ 何を言ってんだ………、」 <br>\r\n\"Wh-Whaat?! What are you talking about......?\" <br><br>\r\n「見ちまったんだ、仕方ねえだろッ！！ <br>\r\n\"I saw it, so what am I supposed to do?!! <br><br>\r\n あいつらさ、ワープしたりバリヤー張ったり、あっはは、やりたい放題だぜ…？ どこの漫画だよ、アニメだよ、……いや、マジでかなわねぇぜ。 <br>\r\n Those guys warp and set up barriers, ahhaha, and do whatever they want, okay...? It's like some kind of manga, an anime...hell, and we seriously can't keep up.\" <br><br>\r\n……あっはっはっは……。…最初っからさ、戦うとか、無理なんだよ……。戦人が自慢してた、帽子掛けの槍程度で、とてもどうにかなる相手じゃねぇぜ…。」 <br>\r\n\"...Ahhahhahhah... ...From the very beginning, fighting was useless... They really aren't opponents that you'll be able to fight with that hat-stand spear you're so proud of...\" <br><br>\r\n朱志香の額から、すうっと、血が一筋、零れ出す……。 <br>\r\nA line of blood dripped down from Jessica's forehead... <br><br>\r\n「譲治兄さんも駄目だった。ありゃあ、即死だ…。 <br>\r\n\"George nii-san's done for too. That was...an instant death... <br><br>\r\n………へへ、次のテストは戦人だなぁ。………お前のテストも私たちと同じになるのかなぁ……。 <br>\r\n......Heheh, the next test is yours, Battler. ......I wonder if your test will go the same way as ours... <br><br>\r\n………用心しろよ、……そして、間違えるな。」 <br>\r\n......Be careful...and don't misunderstand.\" <br><br>\r\n「テ、テストをか…？」 <br>\r\n\"Y-You mean about the test...?\" <br><br>\r\n「違う。………敵はどうせニンゲンだと、 <br>\r\n……間違えるなよ。 <br>\r\n\"No. ......Don't misunderstand... <br><br>\r\nand assume that your enemy's Human. <br><br>\r\n………敵は、ニンゲンじゃない。…おっそろしい魔法を自在に扱える、……悪魔なんだ。 <br>\r\n......The enemy...isn't Human. ...They're demons...that can freely wield a terrifying magic. <br><br>\r\nそこを絶対に、……間違えるんじゃねぇぜ……。 <br>\r\nNo matter what, ...don't get the wrong idea about that... <br><br>\r\nげほッ、げほげほ！！、用心、しろ……よ……。」 <br>\r\n*cough*, *cough*cough*!! Be...careful...\" <br><br>\r\n朱志香の口元からも血が一筋、零れ出す。 <br>\r\nA line of blood dripped down from Jessica's mouth as well. <br><br>\r\n……頭の左半分がきりきりと痛み出す。 <br>\r\n...The left half of her head started hurting. <br><br>\r\n朱志香は、自分が元の死体に戻るのが近いことを悟る。 <br>\r\nJessica realized that she was about to return to the corpse she had been. <br><br>\r\n「……………１３人死ねば、黄金の魔女が、蘇る。母さんたちが殺されて６人。これで第一の晩。……そして私と譲治兄さんが死んで、第二の晩。……あと５人殺されれば、儀式は完成で、……魔女が蘇るってわけだ。 <br>\r\n\".........When 13 people die, the Golden Witch...will revive. Six were killed including Mom. That's the first twilight. ...Then George nii-san and I were killed...for the second twilight. ...So once five more people are killed, the ceremony will be complete, ...and the witch will revive.\" <br><br>\r\n………父さんたち、無事だといいなぁ…。……もし無事じゃなかったら、………お前をテストするのは、復活したての、ベアトリーチェ自身ってことになるかもしれねぇぜ…。」 <br>\r\n\"......I hope Dad and the rest are safe... ...If they aren't, ......the one to test you...might be the resurrected Beatrice herself...\" <br><br>\r\n戦人にはもはや、朱志香が何を言っているのかわからない。 <br>\r\nしかし、その声色から、死期を悟っていることは理解できる。 <br>\r\nBattler already didn't understand what Jessica was saying. <br><br>\r\nBut from her tone, he realized that she knew she was about to die. <br><br>\r\nだから事情はわからずとも、頑張れと励ます。 <br>\r\nSo even though he didn't understand the situation, he urged her to give it her all. <br><br>\r\n「……はは、私はもう死んでるんだって。………じゃあな。もう時間みたいだ。 <br>\r\n\"...Haha, I said I'm already dead. ......See ya. It looks like it's time. <br><br>\r\n……テスト、がんばれよ。お前が当主に、なれるといいな。 <br>\r\n...Good luck on your test. I hope you...can become the Head. <br><br>\r\n………………………。」 <br>\r\n............\" <br><br>\r\n「朱志香？ 朱志香？！ おい、返事をしろッ！！ 朱志香ぁあああああぁあああ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Jessica? Jessica?! Hey, answer me!! Jessicaaaaaaaaaaa!!\" <br><br>\r\n宙ぶらりんとなった受話器から、戦人の悲痛な声が聞こえてくる。 <br>\r\nBattler's sorrowful voice could be heard from the dangling receiver. <br><br>\r\n……その脇の壁に寄りかかるようにしゃがみ込んで。 <br>\r\n……朱志香の頭部は、半分砕けていた………。 <br>\r\n...As she leaned against the wall in that corner, crouched down... <br><br>\r\n...Jessica's head had been half smashed...... <br><br>\r\n「ここは……？」 <br>\r\n\"This place is...?\" <br><br>\r\n「…これは、井戸なのか……？ ここはどこなんだ…。」 <br>\r\n\"...Is this...a well...? Where is this...?\" <br><br>\r\n霧江が井戸から顔を出し、続いて蔵臼も姿を現す。 <br>\r\n木立の向こうに屋敷の裏手が見えることに気付き、蔵臼は大体の場所を理解した。 <br>\r\nKyrie stuck her face out of the well, and then Krauss showed himself too. <br><br>\r\nWhen he realized that they could see the back of the mansion from beyond a grove of trees, Krauss knew more or less where they were. <br><br>\r\n……まさかこんなところにある井戸に、秘密の地下道が隠されていて、隠し屋敷につながっていたとは……。 <br>\r\n...To think that here, in a certain well, there had been a hidden underground passage, which led to a hidden mansion... <br><br>\r\n「ろ、老体にはやはりこれは辛いですな……。……普段は別の場所から、ちゃんと階段で上がれるのです。鍵さえ開けば…。」 <br>\r\n\"Th-This really is tough on this old body... ...I usually came up from a different spot, with real stairs. If you just unlock it...\" <br><br>\r\n「……南條先生には、後で色々とここの構造についてお教え願いたいものだ。……紗音、大丈夫かね？ 掴まりたまえ。」 <br>\r\n\"...I will ask you to tell me about the layout of this place in detail later, Doctor Nanjo. ...Shannon, are you okay? Grab hold.\" <br><br>\r\n「だ、……大丈夫です。 <br>\r\n\"...I-I'm fine. <br><br>\r\n嘉音くん、早く。」 <br>\r\nKanon-kun, quickly.\" <br><br>\r\n井戸を偽装した竪穴から、嘉音が梯子を登ってくる。……相当深いのだろう。 <br>\r\n下を見下ろして初めて、ずいぶんと昇ったことに気付く。 <br>\r\nKanon climbed up a ladder out of the shaft that was disguised as a well. ...It was probably quite deep. <br><br>\r\nWhen he looked down, for the first time, he realized how far he'd come up. <br><br>\r\n「にひ。射撃。」 <br>\r\n\"Nihi, Firing.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nボンッ、と。 <br>\r\n*bang*. <br><br>\r\n…………ようやく井戸から這い出そうとした嘉音の胸に、バスケットボール大の大穴が開く。 <br>\r\n......As Kanon was about to finally crawl out of the well, a hole the size of a basketball opened up in his chest. <br><br>\r\n……その場にいる全員が、嘉音の胸に空いた大穴越しに、その向こうの景色を見てしまう……。 <br>\r\n...Everyone there looked through the hole in Kanon's chest to the scenery beyond... <br><br>\r\n「か、………嘉音くんッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"......K-Kanon-kun!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……ね、 <br>\r\n……えさ、 <br>\r\n……………。」 <br>\r\n\"...Ne... <br><br>\r\n...e-sa... <br><br>\r\n......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n嘉音はぐらりと後へ仰け反り、 <br>\r\n……井戸の奥深くへ飲み込まれていった……。 <br>\r\nKanon slumped backwards... <br><br>\r\nand was swallowed up into the depths of the well... <br><br>\r\n「み、みんな逃げてッ！！ シエスタ姉妹！！ 捕捉されてます、回避できない！！ 走ってッ！！ ひとりでも生き残って…！！！」 <br>\r\n\"E-Everyone, run!! The Chiester Sisters!! They've locked on, we can't avoid them!! Run!! Let at least one of us remain alive...!!!\" <br><br>\r\nその時、蔵臼も霧江も南條も、井戸から黄金の曲線が現れて、 <br>\r\n……紗音の頭を真横に縫ったのを確かに見た………。 <br>\r\nAt that time, Krauss and Kyrie and Nanjo...certainly saw a golden curved line appear from the well... <br><br>\r\nand sew itself through the side of Shannon's head...... <br><br>\r\n「紗音ッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Shannon!!!\" <br><br>\r\n頭部貫通。 <br>\r\n打ち抜かれた反対側が、ぐしゃっと吹き飛ぶのまで、完璧に３人は目撃した。 <br>\r\nHer head had been pierced. <br><br>\r\nThe three had witnessed it perfectly until it had shot out the opposite side, blowing it away. <br><br>\r\n 紗音は膝を付き、 <br>\r\n………頭の両端から血を噴出して、 <br>\r\nどさりと倒れる。 <br>\r\nShannon fell to her knees, <br><br>\r\n......blood gushing from both sides of her head, <br><br>\r\nand flopped to the ground. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「う、うわああああぁああぁひゃああああぁあ！！」 <br>\r\n\"W-Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhyaaaaaaaaaahhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n「私たちは狙われてる！！ 走ってッ！！ 殺されるわよ！！」 <br>\r\n\"They're after us!! Run!! We'll be killed!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…は、走れ…、走れ走れ走れッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"...R-Run, ...runrunrun!!!\" <br><br>\r\n紗音の死に様に驚き、腰を抜かしてしまった南條を、シエスタ姉妹は逃さない。 <br>\r\nAs Nanjo doubled over in shock, stunned by how Shannon had died, the Chiester Sisters did not allow him to escape. <br><br>\r\n井戸より再び黄金の曲線が現れ、それは瞬時に南條の額から後頭部にかけてを貫き、縫ってしまう。 <br>\r\nA curved line again appeared from the well...and pierced from Nanjo's forehead to the back of his head in an instant, sewing through him. <br><br>\r\n……どさり。 <br>\r\n...*thump*. <br><br>\r\nそれで南條は、絶命した。 <br>\r\nAnd so, Nanjo passed away. <br><br>\r\n「何なんだ、どうしてなんだ…！！ 敵はどこからッ？！」 <br>\r\n\"What the, why...?!! Where's the enemy coming from?!\" <br><br>\r\n「狙撃されてるのよ！！ どこか知らないけど、私たちを完全に捉えてる！！ 屋敷へ逃げ込むのよ、視界を遮るのよ！！」 <br>\r\n\"We're being sniped!! I don't know where from, but they've honed in on us perfectly!! Let's escape into the mansion, block their field of vision!!\" <br><br>\r\n二人は屋敷の裏口に駆け込む。 <br>\r\nThe two dashed towards the back door of the mansion. <br><br>\r\nそして蔵臼が後ろ手にドアを閉めようとした瞬間、 <br>\r\nThen, right as Krauss was about to shut the door behind him, <br><br>\r\n……黄金の曲線が四度現れ、蔵臼の後頭部から額にかけてを貫き、額をも砕いてしまう…。 <br>\r\n...a golden curved line appeared for the fourth time, piercing Krauss from the back of his head to his forehead and smashing that forehead... <br><br>\r\n「…………ぐ、 <br>\r\n………おお…………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Gu, <br><br>\r\n......oooh......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「ひいい！！ ひぃいいいいいいい！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Eeek!! Eeeeeeeeeeeekkk!!!\" <br><br>\r\nぐらりと蔵臼の体が傾き、ばったりと倒れて、頭の中身で綺麗な放射線を描いた…。 <br>\r\nKrauss's body leaned over, fell down, and drew a neat radial pattern with the insides of his head... <br><br>\r\n霧江は廊下を滅茶苦茶に走り、どこかの部屋に飛び込み鍵を掛ける。 <br>\r\nKyrie ran wildly through the hallway, flew into some room, and locked the door. <br><br>\r\n………しかし、それで自分の命が助かるなどと、到底思えなかった。 <br>\r\n自分は多分、もう死ぬ！ <br>\r\n......But even so, she wasn't even remotely convinced that this had saved her life. <br><br>\r\nShe would probably die soon! <br><br>\r\nそこは客室のひとつのようだった。 <br>\r\nThis was apparently one of the guest rooms. <br><br>\r\n……その時、霧江の目に、サイドテーブルの電話が映る…。 <br>\r\n...At that moment, Kyrie's eyes fell on a phone on a side table... <br><br>\r\n朱志香からの電話を切り、まさに戦人は駆け出そうというところだった。 <br>\r\nAfter hanging up the call from Jessica, Batter had been about to dash out. <br><br>\r\nその瞬間に再び電話が鳴った。 <br>\r\nIn that instant, the phone rang again. <br><br>\r\n「も、もしもしッ！！！ <br>\r\n\"H-Hello!!! <br><br>\r\n……………え？ <br>\r\n......Huh? <br><br>\r\n霧江さん？！」 <br>\r\nKyrie-san?!\" <br><br>\r\n「……ハイ、戦人くん。……ラッキーだったわ。何とか地下牢を脱出できたの。本当についてた。」 <br>\r\n\"...Yes, Battler-kun. ...I got lucky. I managed to escape the dungeon somehow. I really did have luck on my side.\" <br><br>\r\n「そこはどこだ？！ みんな無事なのかよ？！ こっちは朱志香と譲治の兄貴がどうやら、」 <br>\r\n\"Where are you?! Is everyone okay?! Over here, it looks like Jessica and George-aniki are-\" <br><br>\r\n「聞いてッ！！！ 私の命は多分、もう長くは持たないわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Listen!!! I probably won't be alive for long.\" <br><br>\r\nその時、施錠した扉の鍵穴が黄金色に光ったかと思うと、そこから螺旋を描いた黄金の曲線、……いや、黄金の縫い糸がものすごい速度で侵入してきて、霧江の足元の床に穴を穿った。 <br>\r\nAt that time, right after she thought the keyhole of the locked door might have glowed gold, a gold, curved line drawing a helix...no, a golden sewing thread penetrated in from there at an incredible speed and bored a hole into the floor by Kyrie's feet. <br><br>\r\n……おや、珍しい。 <br>\r\n...Oh, that's unusual. <br><br>\r\n４人を次々と見事な腕前で狙撃した敵も、さすがに部屋に篭って隠れた私の眉間を、一撃で貫くのは難しかったらしい。 <br>\r\nThe enemy, who sniped the other four one after another with extraordinary skill, apparently really does have trouble shooting me between the eyes with a single shot while I'm holed up in this room. <br><br>\r\nしかし、次の一撃は当ててくるだろう……。 <br>\r\nBut the next strike will probably hit... <br><br>\r\n霧江は、今になってようやく、最初の食堂の虐殺を思い出す……。 <br>\r\nAt this point, Kyrie finally remembered the first massive killing in the dining hall... <br><br>\r\n……そうだ……。……留弗夫たち６人を殺したのは、コレなのだ……。 <br>\r\n...That's right... ...This is what killed Rudolf and the rest, all six of them... <br><br>\r\n「……聞いて、戦人くん。私が見たことを、ありのまま話す。…戦人くんは、きっと私の頭がどうにかなってしまったんだろうと思うに違いない。 <br>\r\n\"...Listen, Battler-kun. I'm going to tell you everything exactly as I saw it. ...I'm sure you'll think there's something wrong with my head. <br><br>\r\n……えぇ、思ってくれていいわ。私だって、何を見たのか、未だに整理がつかない。 <br>\r\n...Yes, it's okay for you think that. Even I still haven't sorted out what it was I saw.\" <br><br>\r\n………今日。戦人くんたちがゲストハウスに帰ってから、食堂で親族会議が始まって、 <br>\r\n……そして何が起こったかを、全て話すわ。 <br>\r\n\"......Today, after you all returned to the guesthouse, the family conference began in the dining hall, <br><br>\r\n...and I'll tell you everything that happened next. <br><br>\r\n口を挟まないで最後まで聞いて。…………途中で急に電話が切れるかもしれない。そしたらその時は、私が殺された時よ。」 <br>\r\nListen until the end without butting in. ......The call might be suddenly cut off partway through. If it does, at that time, I'll be dead.\" <br><br>\r\n「………霧江……さん……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Kyrie...san...\" <br><br>\r\n そして霧江は、 <br>\r\n………金蔵が来て、親族会議が始まり、 <br>\r\n……６人が殺され、自分たち５人は監禁され。 <br>\r\nThen, Kyrie spoke... <br><br>\r\n...about Kinzo appearing and the family conference starting, <br><br>\r\n...about the six being killed and the five of them being confined... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n……何とか脱走し、ここまで逃げてきたが、とうとうみんな殺されてしまったことを、淡々と見たままに、脚色なしに語った。 <br>\r\n...About how she had escaped somehow...and ran away to where she was now, and how everyone had finally been killed... It was all spoken dispassionately, with no dramatization, just as she'd seen it. <br><br>\r\n……自分を除く全員が殺され、その全ての死ぬ瞬間に立会い、……今まさに、自らも殺されようとしていることまでも。 <br>\r\n...She even spoke about how everyone except her had been killed, and how she had observed the moments of all their deaths, ...and how even now, someone was trying to kill her. <br><br>\r\n「…………実は。 <br>\r\n\"......Actually, <br><br>\r\nこの話をしている間にも、…もう三度、攻撃を受けている。鍵穴からおかしな黄金の糸みたいなのが飛び込んできて、くるくる回りながら私を狙ってくるの。最初は足元。……次は、肩の近く。……さっきのは、耳をかすったわ。……狙いがだんだん正確になってくる。そろそろ、私の眉間にズドンと来そうね……。」 <br>\r\neven while we've been talking, ...I've been attacked three times. Something like a strange gold thread keeps flying in through the keyhole, spinning around and aiming for me. First it was by my feet. ...Next, it was close to my shoulders. ...Just now, it grazed my ear. ...Its aim is getting more and more accurate. Looks like it'll go right between my eyes pretty soon...\" <br><br>\r\n「に、逃げろ、霧江さん…！！ <br>\r\n\"R-Run, Kyrie-san...!! <br><br>\r\n逃げてくれぇええええぇ！！！」 <br>\r\nRun awaaaaaaaaaaay!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「どこへよ。……私、 <br>\r\n…ここまで逃げ延びてきて、 <br>\r\n……部屋に閉じ篭って、鍵まで掛けてるのよ……？ ………それでもなお狙われてる私が、 <br>\r\n………どこに隠れるのよ、 <br>\r\n……ねぇ……。」 <br>\r\n\"Where to? ...I've... <br><br>\r\nrun this far, <br><br>\r\n...shut myself into a room, and even locked the door, right...? ......Now that I'm still being pursued, <br><br>\r\n......just where should I hide, <br><br>\r\n...hey...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「き…… <br>\r\nり… <br>\r\nえ、 <br>\r\n……さん………。」 <br>\r\n\"Ky... <br><br>\r\nri... <br><br>\r\ne... <br><br>\r\n...san......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「ねぇ、戦人くん…。朱志香ちゃんと譲治くん、……まだ生きてる？」 <br>\r\n\"Hey, Battler-kun... Are Jessica-chan and George-kun...still alive?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。……さっき、…朱志香から電話が…。………何か、……駄目みたい…だった……。」 <br>\r\n\".........Not long ago, ...I got a phone call from Jessica... ......It kinda...sounded like they were...done for...\" <br><br>\r\n「………やっぱり。……うん、私たち５人が次々殺される時、何か予感していたの。……ひょっとして、１３人殺しの儀式は、第二の晩を終えて、私たちの晩にまで至ったのかなぁって。………つまり、私が死ねば、１３人。これで儀式は完成。……黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェが復活する。 <br>\r\n\"......Thought so. ...Yeah, when we were being killed one after another, I had a kind of premonition. I thought that perhaps the second twilight had been finished in the ceremony of killing 13 people...before our twilights had been reached. ......In short, when I die, that's 13 people. This way, the ceremony is complete. ...The Golden Witch, Beatrice, will resurrect.\" <br><br>\r\n………一体、どういうことになるのかしら。……こんな、悪魔だらけの魔女だらけ、山羊のバケモノがうじゃうじゃいるこの島に、 <br>\r\n……さらにそいつらの親玉である黄金の魔女まで現れて、 <br>\r\n………一体どうなっちゃうというのかしら…。……もう、 <br>\r\n私には、 <br>\r\n………何が何だかわからない。」 <br>\r\n\"......I wonder what in the world will happen. ...On this island filled with demons and witches...and swarming with goat monsters, <br><br>\r\n...I wonder just what will happen... <br><br>\r\n...when even the leader of them all, the Golden Witch, appears... ...By now, <br><br>\r\nI don't... <br><br>\r\n...have a clue what's going on anymore.\" <br><br>\r\n霧江さんの声は、……完全に、自らの命を諦めきっていた。 <br>\r\nKyrie-san's voice...had completely given up on her own life. <br><br>\r\n戦人にはそれがわかるからこそ、 <br>\r\n……涙が止められない……。 <br>\r\nBecause Battler understood that, <br><br>\r\n...he couldn't stop the tears... <br><br>\r\n「……ひとつだけ、助言できることがあったわ。」 <br>\r\n\"...There's just one thing...I can advise you on.\" <br><br>\r\n「何…？」 <br>\r\n\"What...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………もし。あなたの前に悪魔やら魔女が現れても。」 <br>\r\n\"......If...a demon or a witch does appear in front of you...\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ…。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah...\" <br><br>\r\n「その正体を、疑う必要は何もないわ。……そういうものだと、理解して。」 <br>\r\n\"There's no need whatsoever to doubt whether it's real or not. ...Understand that it is what it seems to be.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「何か仕掛けがあるはずだとか、正体があるはずだとか。……そんなことを考える余裕があったら、 <br>\r\n……相手の機嫌を損ねないことを考えた方が、よっぽどに建設的。……間違っても、…なら魔法を見せてみろなんて言っちゃ駄目よ…。……その証拠を、彼らはこの上なく残酷な方法で、 <br>\r\n……見せるでしょうから。」 <br>\r\n\"You might think there must be some trick, or that there's some true nature hidden behind it. ...If you have the time to think of something like that, <br><br>\r\n...it'd be much more constructive to plan out how not to damage the mood of whatever you're facing. ...Even mistakenly, ...you must not say `In that case, try showing me magic'... ...Because to prove that, they'll probably use an even crueler way than before... <br><br>\r\n...to show you.\" <br><br>\r\n「……信じ、 <br>\r\n……らんねぇよ……。……霧江さんの口から、 <br>\r\n……そんなこと言われるなんて、 <br>\r\n……信じらんねぇよ………。」 <br>\r\n\"...I can't... <br><br>\r\n...believe it... ...Even if I hear... <br><br>\r\n...something like that coming from your mouth, <br><br>\r\n...I can't believe it......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「わかってる。信じられないのは。……だから、それこそが私に出来る助言。 <br>\r\n\"I understand. I understand why you can't believe. ...So, that's why I can give this advice. <br><br>\r\n……~ib~信じて~ib~。」 <br>\r\n...~ib~Believe~ib~.\" <br><br>\r\n「………ベアトリーチェと、悪魔と魔女とバケモノどもを、信じろ、と……？」 <br>\r\n\"......You're telling me to believe in Beatrice...and demons and witches and monsters...?\" <br><br>\r\n「私たちは多分。……あれほどまでに、この世ならざるものをありありと見せ付けられても、 <br>\r\n……多分、何も信じることが出来なかったと思うの。……今の私もそう。…さっきから襲ってきて、私の額を撃ち抜こうとするものの正体さえ、 <br>\r\n……私には理解できず、 <br>\r\n………信じられない。 <br>\r\n\"...Even after being shown things not of this world so clearly, <br><br>\r\n...I think we still weren't able to believe any of it. I'm still like that now. ...The true form of this thing that keeps attacking me, trying to shoot through my forehead, <br><br>\r\n...is something I don't understand, <br><br>\r\n......and I can't believe it.\" <br><br>\r\nだから、 <br>\r\n……あなただけは信じ、理解して、 <br>\r\n………私たちに受け止め切れなかった存在を、 <br>\r\n……受け止めてほしいの。そうしてくれたなら、私たちの死は、無駄にならない。………私も、こうして電話をした甲斐があったというものだわ…。……あツ…！」 <br>\r\n\"So, <br><br>\r\n...I want you alone to believe, to understand, <br><br>\r\n......to accept the existence... <br><br>\r\n...of what we couldn't accept. If you do that for me, our deaths won't be wasted. ......It'll also have been worth it for me to make this phone call... ...Ah...!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「き、霧江さん？！？！」 <br>\r\n\"K-Kyrie-san?!?!\" <br><br>\r\n「……まだ大丈夫よ。かすったけど、また外したわ。……さすがに、 <br>\r\n………今度はもう、駄目かもね。………ありがと。そしてさよなら、戦人くん。……あなたのこと、明日夢さんの息子だからと、冷たくしたこともあったの。……その日のことを、許して。」 <br>\r\n\"...I'm still okay. It scratched me, but it missed again. ...It looks like... <br><br>\r\n...I probably won't get another chance. ......Thank you. And goodbye, Battler-kun. I treated you coldly sometimes because you were Asumu-san's son. ...Forgive me...for those days.\" <br><br>\r\n「許すも何も、今は霧江さんが俺にとって、の母親だろうが！！」 <br>\r\n\"What do you mean, forgive you? Right now, you are a mother to me, Kyrie-san!!\" <br><br>\r\n受話器の向こうで、凄い音が聞こえた気がした。 <br>\r\nそして、ガラガラゴトゴトと賑やかな音。 <br>\r\nI felt as though I'd heard an incredible sound at the other end of the receiver. <br><br>\r\nThen, a noisy clacking sound. <br><br>\r\n……まるで受話器が落ちて転がったような。 <br>\r\n...As though the receiver had fallen to the floor. <br><br>\r\n「霧江さんッ？！？！ 霧江さん！！！ <br>\r\n\"Kyrie-san?!?! Kyrie-san!!! <br><br>\r\nうおおおおおぉおおおおおおおおおぉ！！」 <br>\r\nAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n ………霧江さんは二度と、 <br>\r\n……電話には、 <br>\r\n………応えなかった………。 <br>\r\n......Kyrie-san did not... <br><br>\r\n......answer through the phone...... <br><br>\r\n...again...... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「……どうして戦人が怒ってるのか、わかんないよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...I don't know why you're mad, Battler.\" <br><br>\r\n「わかるだろ？！ みんな殺されたんだぞ！！ あのクソジジイに！ ベアトリーチェ復活の儀式とかわけのわかんないことを言って！！」 <br>\r\n\"You don't?! Everyone was killed!! By that damn geezer! Who was saying something crazy about Beatrice's resurrection ceremony or whatever!!\" <br><br>\r\n「なら、これで１３人が生贄に捧げられて、……もうベアトリーチェは蘇った頃だよ？」 <br>\r\n\"So, by now, 13 people have been offered as sacrifices, ...and it's already time for Beatrice to revive, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ、なら上等だ！！ ベアトリーチェもまとめて一緒に、ブチ殺してやるッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Sure, that sounds great!! I'll find Beatrice too and kill them both!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………真里亞たちは儀式を生き残った。だからベアトリーチェに、黄金郷に招待してもらえるんだよ……？ <br>\r\n\"......We've survived the ceremony. So, we'll receive an invitation to the Golden Land from Beatrice. <br><br>\r\nそこでは願いは何でも叶う。家族を殺されたのが辛いなら、生き返らせてもらえばいいのに。……真里亞はそうするつもりだよ。黒い魔女に取り憑かれていない、本当にやさしい本当のママを蘇らせてもらうの。 <br>\r\nOver there, all wishes will be granted. If having your family killed is painful, then you just have to resurrect them. ...That's what I plan to do. I'll revive the really nice real Mama, the one that isn't possessed by the black witch.\" <br><br>\r\n……だからママは、もうずっと真里亞と一緒。………お仕事とかで残業も休日出勤も何もないの。…ずっと真里亞と一緒にいてくれて、真里亞のことだけを考えてくれて、きっひひひ、真里亞のために恐ろしい敵といつも戦ってくれるの。きっひひひひひひ…！」 <br>\r\n\"...So Mama will always be with me. ...There won't be any more overtime or working on days off. ...She'll always be with me, and think only of me, kihhihihi, and she'll always fight against fearsome enemies for my sake. Kihhihihihihihi...!\" <br><br>\r\n「……お前、どうかしてるぜ。……何でこの状況で、そんなワケわかんねえことを言ってられるんだ…！」 <br>\r\n\"...There's something wrong with you. ...Why are you saying something so incomprehensible in a situation like this...?!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………戦人は今、霧江に言われたはずだよ…？ <br>\r\n ……魔女を、 <br>\r\n信じろと、 <br>\r\n……言われたはずなのに。」 <br>\r\n\"......Didn't Kyrie just tell you, Battler...? <br><br>\r\n ...Didn't she tell you... <br><br>\r\nto believe... <br><br>\r\nin the witch?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「…………………く、くそ。こんなとこで真里亞と口喧嘩してる場合じゃねぇぜ…！！ <br>\r\n\".........F-Fuck. This is no time to get in an argument with you over something like this...!! <br><br>\r\nもう人質も何も誰も生き残っちゃいねぇんだ！ もうクソ下らねぇ、おかしな儀式もゲームもおしまいだぜ…！！ <br>\r\nNow, there are no hostages or anything...anyone left alive! This weird, shitty ceremony game is already over...!!\" <br><br>\r\nここからは俺の好きにさせてもらう。まだ生きてるヤツがいるかもしれない。あるいは隠れてるヤツがいるかもしれない！ 片っ端から調べて、見つけ出し、ブチのめしてやるぜッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Let me do what I want now. Someone might still be alive. Or someone might be hiding! I'll search everywhere, find them, and beat the shit out of them!!\" <br><br>\r\n戦人は息巻いて、帽子掛けの槍を持つと、部屋を飛び出していく。 <br>\r\nそれを、真里亞は退屈そうに見送る…。 <br>\r\nIn a rage, Battler grabbed his hat stand spear and flew out of the room. <br><br>\r\nMaria watched him go, looking bored... <br><br>\r\n「………ベアトリーチェがすぐに願いを叶えてくれるのに。……戦人はばか。……きっひひひひ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Even though Beatrice will grant our wishes soon anyway. ...Stupid Battler. ...Kihhihihihi.\" <br><br>\r\nその時、再び電話が鳴り響いた……。 <br>\r\nAt that time, the phone rang out again... <br><br>\r\n真里亞は立ち上がり、受話器を取る。 <br>\r\nMaria stood up and grabbed the receiver. <br><br>\r\n「うー。もしもし。……うー？ <br>\r\n\"Uu-. Hello. ...Uu-? <br><br>\r\nうー！！！」 <br>\r\nUu-!!!\" <br><br>\r\nもちろんその電話の音は、ゲストハウスを飛び出そうとしていた戦人の耳にも届いていた。 <br>\r\nOf course, the sound of the phone also reached Battler's ears as he was about to dash out of the house. <br><br>\r\n猛烈な勢いで引き返し、いとこ部屋に飛び込んでくる…。 <br>\r\nWith a violent forcefulness, he turned around and dashed into the cousin room... <br><br>\r\n「ま、真里亞……！ 電話って、……誰からだッ…？！」 <br>\r\n\"M-Maria...! Who...was the phone call from...?!\" <br><br>\r\n戦人は凄まじい形相で、電話をしている真里亞に叫ぶ。 <br>\r\nWith a terrifying look on his face, Battler yelled at Maria, who was on the phone. <br><br>\r\nそれも当然のこと……。 <br>\r\n今のこの島で生き残っている人間は、自分と真里亞と、郷田と熊沢。 <br>\r\nYou couldn't blame him... <br><br>\r\nRight now, the only humans left alive on the island were himself, Maria, Gohda, and Kumasawa. <br><br>\r\nしかし２人は園芸倉庫に閉じ込められているから電話を出来るはずもない。 <br>\r\nBut there was no way those two could call after being locked up in the gardening storehouse. <br><br>\r\n……となると、………もう１人。 <br>\r\n...Which meant......there was only one person left. <br><br>\r\n金蔵しかいない。 <br>\r\nIt had to be Kinzo. <br><br>\r\n真里亞は電話の相手と楽しそうに談笑しながら、そのままゆっくりと戦人に振り返る。 <br>\r\nAfter continuing her pleasant chat with the person on the other end of the phone for a while, Maria slowly turned to face Battler. <br><br>\r\n………そして、薄気味悪い顔で、きひひひひひひひと笑う。 <br>\r\n……まるで、電話の相手と、戦人のことについて談笑しているような、そんな感じだった。 <br>\r\n......Then, with an unsettling expression on her face, she laughed `Kihihihihihihihihihi'. <br><br>\r\n...It felt almost as though the person on the other end of the line was chatting about Battler. <br><br>\r\n「真里亞…、電話の相手は誰だ。……祖父さまか……？！」 <br>\r\n\"Maria, ...who's on the phone? ...Grandfather...?!\" <br><br>\r\n戦人はそうとは思えなかった。 <br>\r\nBattler couldn't imagine that this was the case. <br><br>\r\n…なぜなら、真里亞と金蔵が親しげに話をし、……そんな不気味な笑顔で、戦人のことについて談笑するなど、考えられなかったからだ。 <br>\r\n...After all, it was inconceivable that Maria would talk intimately with Kinzo, ...and that she would be chatting about Battler with that eerie smile on her face. <br><br>\r\n真里亞にそんな顔で談笑させるような、………どんな相手が受話器の向こうにいるというのか。 <br>\r\nSo just what kind of person could be on the phone......who could make Maria chat with a smile like that? <br><br>\r\n………その時、脳裏に、霧江の言っていた言葉が蘇る。 <br>\r\n......At that time, in the back of his mind, the words Kyrie had spoken to him drifted up. <br><br>\r\nたとえ魔女が現れたとしても、疑う必要はない。……ただ、………その存在を、信じろと……。 <br>\r\nIf a witch does appear, there's no need to doubt it. ...Just......believe that it exists... <br><br>\r\n「うん。戦人、今、帰ってきたよ。せっかちだよね。 <br>\r\n\"Yeah. Battler just came back. He sure is jumpy. <br><br>\r\nきひひひひひひひひひひ……。」 <br>\r\nKihihihihihihihihihihi...\" <br><br>\r\n「真里亞ッ！！ その電話の相手は誰だ？！ 誰なんだッ？！？！」 <br>\r\n\"Maria!! Who's on the phone?! Who?!?!\" <br><br>\r\n「……代わる？ うん。 <br>\r\n\"...Hand it over? Sure. <br><br>\r\n…………ハイ、戦人。」 <br>\r\n......Here, Battler.\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞は電話の相手の同意を得て、受話器を戦人に差し出した…。 <br>\r\nAfter getting the consent of the person on the other end, she held the receiver out to Battler... <br><br>\r\n「………………ぅ。」 <br>\r\n\".........Nng.\" <br><br>\r\n「ハイ。」 <br>\r\n\"Here.\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞はほら、と、……当たり前のように受話器を差し出す。 <br>\r\nMaria held the receiver out for him to take, ...as though it was perfectly normal. <br><br>\r\nその受話器を取ることに、戦人はほんのわずかだけ躊躇を覚える。 <br>\r\nBattler hesitated just a little bit before taking the receiver. <br><br>\r\n……なぜなら、………電話の相手の存在を認めることで、…………自分は、認めざるを得なくなってしまうからだ。 <br>\r\n...After all, ......by accepting the existence of the person at the other end, ......he'd have no choice but to acknowledge them. <br><br>\r\n………霧江は言った。 <br>\r\n......As Kyrie said... <br><br>\r\n ……その存在を疑う必要は、 <br>\r\n……もはや、 <br>\r\n……ない、と。 <br>\r\n...There is no longer... <br><br>\r\n...any need... <br><br>\r\n...to doubt that they exist. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n戦人は受話器を受け取る。 <br>\r\nBattler took the receiver. <br><br>\r\nすると真里亞はすたすたと部屋を出て行く。 <br>\r\nAs he did, Maria briskly left the room. <br><br>\r\n受話器の相手が誰かを確かめることにわずかの恐怖を覚えていた戦人は、電話に出る前に、真里亞に問い掛ける。 <br>\r\nBattler, who was a bit scared to find out for sure who was at the other end of the receiver, questioned Maria before taking the call. <br><br>\r\n「お、おい！ どこへ行くんだよ…？！」 <br>\r\n\"H-Hey! Where are you going...?!\" <br><br>\r\n「真里亞のテストの場所だよ。……右代宮家の当主は戦人か真里亞か、どっちだろうね。きひひひひひひひひひひひひ。」 <br>\r\n\"To where my test is. ...I wonder who the next Ushiromiya Family Head will be, Battler or me. Kihihihihihihihihihihihihi.\" <br><br>\r\n「………い、行くな！！ 殺されるぞ！！」 <br>\r\n\"......D-Don't go!! You'll be killed!!\" <br><br>\r\n「殺されないよ。儀式はもう、終わってるもの。…それに殺されても、蘇らせてもらえるし。 <br>\r\n\"I won't be killed. The ceremony is already over. ...And even if I'm killed, I'll be revived. <br><br>\r\n……当主になってもなれなくても、もう私たちは黄金郷に招いてもらえる。じゃあね、お先に。」 <br>\r\n...Whether one of us becomes the Head or not, we've already been invited to the Golden Land. See you.\" <br><br>\r\n「待てよ！！ 真里亞…ッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Wait!! Maria...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n戦人は去っていく真里亞の背中に手を伸ばすが、……握り締めている受話器のコードが、まるで鎖のように戦人を引き止めるのだった。 <br>\r\nBattler stretched his hand out to Maria's back as she left, ...but the cord of the receiver that he was gripping stopped him, just like a chain. <br><br>\r\n……覚悟を決める。 <br>\r\n…戦人は受話器を耳に当てた……。 <br>\r\n...He readied himself. <br><br>\r\n...Battler put the receiver to his ear... <br><br>\r\n「……………も、……もしもし……。」 <br>\r\n\"......H-Hello...?\" <br><br>\r\n「コングラッチュレーショーーンズッ！！ <br>\r\n\"<Congratulaatioooooooons>!! <br><br>\r\nアぁンド、アイムファィ〜ン！！ エーンドユぅううううぅッ？！ あああぁッひゃっひゃっひゃっひゃああああぁッ！！！」 <br>\r\n<And I'm fiiine>!! <And yooooooooooouuuuu>?! Aaaaahhhhyahhyahhyahhyaaaaa!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n狂った、ふざけた英語が耳をつんざく。 <br>\r\nScrewed up, mocking English filled his ears. <br><br>\r\n……知らない女の声。 <br>\r\n...It was the voice of a woman he didn't know. <br><br>\r\n……誰……、頭の中が、霜柱でいっぱいになっていく……、…………誰……………。 <br>\r\n...Who was it...? The inside of his head was starting to freeze up... ......Who was it......? <br><br>\r\n「誰ぇ…は、ないであろう、右代宮戦人ァぁあぁ…。返事は普通、イエ〜ス、アイムファイン！ であろぉ？？ 懐かしいなぁ、中学でやっただろ？ 二人一組になってやるヤツゥ！ <br>\r\n\"What do you mean `Who is it?', Ushiromiya Battleeeeer...? Normally, you'd answer <yeees, I'm fine>! Right?? That takes me back, ...you do that one in middle school, right? That thing you do in pairs! <br><br>\r\nうっひゃひゃひゃひゃひゃひゃあああぁ！！！」 <br>\r\nUhhyahyahyahyahyahyaaaaahh!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「イ、…イカれてやがる……。 <br>\r\n\"Y-You're insane... <br><br>\r\nてめえは誰だッ！！ 答えやがれッ！！！」 <br>\r\n「英語で言えよォ。お前、そういうの得意だったろぉおぉおお？」 <br>\r\nWho are you?!! Answer me!!!\" <br><br>\r\n\"Say it in Engliiish. Isn't that your specialtyyyyy?\" <br><br>\r\n「……ふ、ふざけんじゃねえよ……。 <br>\r\n\"...D-Don't fuck with me... <br><br>\r\nてめえは誰だッ！！ クソジジイの手先か？！」 <br>\r\nWho are you?!! An underling of that damn geezer?!\" <br><br>\r\n「手先とは酷い言い様ではないか。むしろ虜と言ってやれ。……金蔵こそ妾の虜ォ！ だろ〜〜？ わっははははははははは…。」 <br>\r\n\"Underling is a mean way to say it, is it not? At least say prisoner. ...And Kinzo is my prisoner! Riiight? Wahhahahahahahahahaha...\" <br><br>\r\n最後の笑い方は戦人に向けたものではない。 <br>\r\nThat last laugh didn't sound like it was aimed at Battler. <br><br>\r\n……まるで、電話のすぐ側に金蔵がいて、ゲラゲラと大笑いしているかのようだった…。 <br>\r\n...It was almost as though Kinzo was right next to the phone, cackling as well... <br><br>\r\n「……な、……名を名乗りやがれッ！！！ てめえは誰だ！ 何者だッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"...S-Say your name!! Who are you?! Who?!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「当ててみろよォ、ハワイへご招待するぜぇ？ あっひゃっひゃっっひゃああぁッ！！ ぃやっとだ。やっとッ！！ んんんん、長かったぜええぇええぇ、本ッ当ぉおおぉに今日まで長い日々だった…！！ マジで千年は待ったぜ、今日という日をよおおぉおお？？ お陰様を持ちましてッ！ 私、大復活ッ！！ サンキュー金蔵ォ！ 特別に、さっきの“待った”、聞いてやってもいいぜ〜！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Guess right, and you could win a free trip to Hawaii! Ahhyahhyahhhyaaaah!! Fffinally. Finally!! Mmmmmmm, it was so looooooong, the days leading up to today were reeeeeeally long...!! I seriously waited a thousand years for today, get it?? I owe it to you! My big resurrection!! <Thank you>, Kinzo! Just for you, I'll lend an ear to that last `I'll take that move back' of yoours!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……やれやれ、上機嫌にも程があろうが。もう少しは淑女らしく振舞わんか。」 <br>\r\n\"...My, my, aren't you getting a tad too excited? Couldn't you act a bit more ladylike?\" <br><br>\r\n金蔵とベアトリーチェは、応接席のチェスに向かい合い座っていた。 <br>\r\nKinzo and Beatrice sat facing each other over the chessboard on the reception table. <br><br>\r\nテーブルの上には、高級なチーズなどの酒の肴。 <br>\r\nそして、数本のワインの空瓶が並んでいた。 <br>\r\nThere was expensive cheese and snacks to go with drinks. <br><br>\r\nAnd there were several empty wine bottles lined up. <br><br>\r\nベアトリーチェはみっともなくソファに転げ回りながら、ワイングラス片手に、上機嫌に、……あるいは大層酔っ払っていた。 <br>\r\nAs Beatrice rolled around on the sofa in an unseemly way, she happily held a wine glass in one hand...and was probably completely drunk. <br><br>\r\n「今日は最ッ高にご機嫌だから、大サービスだ！！ おいおい金蔵、シャトー・ペトリュスなんか飾ってんなよォ！ １９４７年ものかよッ？！ 今日開けなくていつ開けるつもりだ！ それを浴びせっこして遊ぼうぜぇええぇ！ 空き瓶で殴りっこもしよう！ うっひゃっひゃっひゃ！！」 <br>\r\n\"I'm in the beeest mood today, so here's a huge bonus for you!! Hey, hey, Kinzo, don't use Chateau Petrus as a decoration! It's from 1947, right?! If you don't open it today, just when do you plan on opening it?! Let's drown ourselves in it and plaaaaaaaaay! Then let's whack each other with the empty bottles! Uhhyahhyahhyahhya!!\" <br><br>\r\n「はっはは、それは愉快だ。浮かれ過ぎであるぞ。ハメの外し過ぎだ。」 <br>\r\n\"Hahhaha, how amusing. You're too excited. And you're letting loose too much.\" <br><br>\r\n「金蔵だってぇええぇ！ 妾に再会出来て嬉しいだろぉおお？ <br>\r\n\"And what about you, Kinzoooooo?! Aren't you happy to be reunited with meee? <br><br>\r\nあぁ、シャバだ！現世だ！！ 妾の肉体万歳ッ！！」 <br>\r\nAh, it's the living world! The earthly world!! Long live my flesh!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……お前、……さっきから何を騒いでるんだ………。…お前が、……ベ、…ベアトリーチェだとでも言うのかよ…。」 <br>\r\n\"...What...are you going on about......? ...Are you saying that you're...B-Beatrice or something...?\" <br><br>\r\n「イ〜エぇええええぇス、アイアぁああぁムッ！！ 金蔵の１３人殺しの儀式のお陰で、ようやく妾は復活したぞ…！！ 口があるといい、舌があるといいッ！ こうしてそなたと話せることの何と楽しいことかッ！ そう言えば、お前とはあれだけ何度も何度も憎まれ口を叩き合ってきたのに、こうしてゲーム中に盤上で会話をしたのは初めてだなァ。 <br>\r\n\"<Ye-eeeeeeeeeeeeeeess, I aaaaaaaaaamm>!! Thanks to Kinzo's 13-person murder ceremony, I've finally been resurrected...!! It's nice having a mouth, it's nice having a tongue! How fun it is to be able to talk to you like this! Come to think of it, even though we slapped each other with abuse so many times, over and over again, this is the first time we've had a conversation like this on the board during the game, isn't it? <br><br>\r\n何やらとても新鮮だッ！！ <br>\r\nHow very fresh!!\" <br><br>\r\nお、今のポンッって音、聞こえたか？！ あいつ、開けたぞ、マジでシャトー・ペトリュスを開けやがった！！ １本いくらするか知ってるか？！ １０ｋｇのインゴット丸々と同じくらいするんだぜぇえええぇ？！？！ <br>\r\n\"Oh, did you hear that *pop* sound just now?! He opened it, he seriously opened that Chateau Petrus!! Do you know how much a single bottle costs?! Almost as much as a whole 10 kilogram ingot, you seeeeeeeeeeee?!?! <br><br>\r\nひぃーっはっはっはっはっは！！」 <br>\r\nHii-hhahhahhahhahha!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ふ、ふざけるな…！！ 何がベアトリーチェだ…ッ！！ 黄金の魔女だと？！ いい加減にしろ！！ <br>\r\n\"C-Cut the crap...!! Beatrice...?!! The Golden Witch, you say?! Give it a rest!! <br><br>\r\nどこに居やがる！ そこにクソジジイも一緒にいるのか？！ てめえらまとめてぶっ飛ばしてやるッ！！ 今どこに居やがるんだ？！ 答えやがれッ！！」 <br>\r\nWhere are you?! Is that damn geezer with you too?! I'll beat the shit out of both of you!! Where are you now?! Answer me!!\" <br><br>\r\n「なぁんだ、妾に会いたいのかァ？ うっひひひ、モテる女は辛ぇやぁ！ でもよ、金蔵がいる時に口説くのはよせよぉ？ こいつ、マジで妬くから性質悪いぜー？ ………金蔵のいない二人きりの時なら、こっそり内緒で愛してやるからよ…？ <br>\r\n\"Oh, so you want to meet me? Uhhihihihi, it's tough being such a popular woman! But please, don't try to chat me up when Kinzo's around, okaay? This guy gets seriously jealous, so he has a bad temper, you see? ......But when Kinzo isn't around and we're all alone, I'll love you all ya want in secret, okay...? <br><br>\r\nうひゃーっひゃっひゃっひゃっひゃ あーっきゃっきゃっきゃっきゃっきゃ！！！」 <br>\r\nUhyaaahhahhahhahha *giggle*giggle*giggle*giggle*!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「く、狂ってやがるぜ………。」 <br>\r\n\"Y-You're insane......\" <br><br>\r\n「金蔵ォ、気が変わった。真里亞のテストに妾は行かない。そなたが行け。」 <br>\r\n\"Kinzoo, I've changed my mind. I won't do Maria's test. You go.\" <br><br>\r\n「何と気まぐれな。ではお前が戦人をテストするというのか。」 <br>\r\n\"How fickle. So, are you saying you'll do Battler's test?\" <br><br>\r\n「いいだろ〜？！ あいつさ、お前の若い時に似てるからさ、キュンと来ちゃうんだよぉ。 <br>\r\n\"Nothing wrong with that, riiight?! That guy's so much like a younger you that it makes my heart race. <br><br>\r\n安心しろよ、浮気なんかしないってぇえぇ。あいつと二人きりになるのは今だけ。……ベッドの中ではいつだってお前と二人きりだろぉぉ…？ <br>\r\nDon't worry, I won't cheat on yooooou. This'll be the only time I'll be alone with him. ...I'm always alone with you in bed, riiight...? <br><br>\r\nだがもうベッドに首輪で縛るのは勘弁しろよ？ <br>\r\nBut no more tying me to the bed with a collar, 'kay? <br><br>\r\nくっひゃっはっはははははは…！！！」 <br>\r\nKuhhyahhahhahahahahaha...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「というわけだ、戦人ァ！ そなたのテストは妾、黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェが自ら執り行ってやろう！ 場所は、そうだな。この屋敷の正面玄関にてだ！ 戦人ぁ、次期当主のテスト、マジで頑張ってくれよぉ？ ……どうせ金蔵なんてすぐに寿命でポックリ逝っちまう。戦人が次期当主になってくれりゃ、お前がこの島の全ての新しい主だ。……お前になら、……妾を独り占めにさせてもいいんだぜ……？ 金蔵がしたみたいに、……妾を支配しておくれよォ……？ くっひひひひひひひひ、うっひゃっはっははははははは！」 <br>\r\n\"Well then, Battleer! I, the Golden Witch Beatrice, will be conducting your test myself! As for the place, ...yes. Let's make it the front entrance to this mansion! Battleer, make sure you try seriously hard in this test to become the Successor, okaay? ...I mean, Kinzo's practically dead on his feet. If you become his successor, you'll be the new owner of everything on this island. ...If it's you, ...I wouldn't mind becoming all yours, see...? Rule over me just like Kinzo did, 'kay...? Kuhhihihihihihihihi, uhhyahhahhahahahahahaha!\" <br><br>\r\n「や、屋敷の玄関だな……。上等だ…！！ <br>\r\n\"Th-The front entrance of the mansion... Perfect...!! <br><br>\r\nこのクソッタレな酔っ払いめ！！ 俺がてめえの酔いを醒ましてやるぜ。迎え酒には俺の熱いパンチをくれてやる！！ <br>\r\nYou drunk bastard!! I'll sober you up. I'll fix that hangover with a burning punch!! <br><br>\r\n 首を洗って待ってやがれ！！」 <br>\r\n Prepare yourself!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n衝動で戦人は受話器を叩きつけてしまう。 <br>\r\nあとは受話器越しに話す必要はない。 <br>\r\nBattler impulsively slammed the receiver down. <br><br>\r\nThere was no need to talk through it anymore. <br><br>\r\n……直接会って、決着をつけてやるッ！！ <br>\r\n...I'll meet her face to face and settle this!! <br><br>\r\n俺は帽子掛けを分解して作った槍を持ち、傘も差さずに表へ出る。 <br>\r\n……ベアトリーチェを名乗る若い女が、ひとりで待ち受けているとは思い難い。 <br>\r\nI took the spear I'd made from the hat stand...and went outside without even an umbrella. <br><br>\r\n...It's hard to imagine that the young woman calling herself Beatrice is waiting for me alone. <br><br>\r\n…郷田さんたちの言っていた、手勢を引き連れて待ち受けていると見ていいだろう。 <br>\r\nひとりで行くのは、無謀が過ぎる…。 <br>\r\n...I should probably assume that, as Gohda-san and the rest said, she'll be waiting with supporting troops. <br><br>\r\nGoing alone would be too reckless... <br><br>\r\n「郷田さん、熊沢さん…！ 俺だ、戦人だ…！」 <br>\r\n\"Gohda-san, Kumasawa-san...! It's me, Battler...!\" <br><br>\r\n俺は先に園芸倉庫に向かった。 <br>\r\nI headed for the gardening storehouse first. <br><br>\r\n今の俺にはわずかでも味方が必要だ。 <br>\r\nI need all the help I can get. <br><br>\r\n郷田さんは体格もいいし、戦力として期待できる。熊沢さんは古参の使用人としての知識や土地勘が大きな武器になるだろう。 <br>\r\nGohda-san is big, so I can probably count on him for some firepower. Kumasawa's knowledge and familiarity with the terrain as a senior servant might become a huge weapon. <br><br>\r\n二人ともマスターキーを持っているし、屋敷についても自分より詳しい。……かなり頼もしい味方だった。 <br>\r\nBoth of them have master keys, and they know more about the mansion than I do. They'll be pretty reliable allies. <br><br>\r\nシャッターを叩きながら開けてくれと呼び掛け、中の彼らにはどうしようもないのだということを思い出す。 <br>\r\nAs I banged on the shutter and called out for them to open it, I remembered that there was nothing they could do from the inside. <br><br>\r\n彼らに鍵を返してもらい、開けてやらねばならない。 <br>\r\nI would have to get the key back from them before opening the door. <br><br>\r\n脇に回り、小さな格子窓をノックし、そこを開ける。 <br>\r\nI rounded the corner, knocked on the small latticed window there, and opened it. <br><br>\r\n「郷田さん、熊沢さんのばあちゃん…！ 戦人だ…！！ おい、起きろって………、……お…い………。」 <br>\r\n\"Gohda-san, Kumasawa baa-chan...! It's Battler...!! Hey, come on, get up, ...h...ey......\" <br><br>\r\n薄暗い電球に照らし出された倉庫内の光景は、………あまりに、……奇怪……。 <br>\r\nThe scene in the shed, lit by a dim lightbulb, ...was very...strange... <br><br>\r\n「……郷田…、 <br>\r\nさ…ん……。……熊沢……さ、 <br>\r\n………ん………、」 <br>\r\n\"...Gohda... <br><br>\r\nsa...n... ...Kumasawa...sa... <br><br>\r\nn...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n 天井の低い梁に、 <br>\r\n………太いロープが２本吊るされ、 <br>\r\n……それぞれに、 <br>\r\n……郷田さんと熊沢さんが、 <br>\r\nFrom a low ceiling beam... <br><br>\r\n...hung two thick ropes, <br><br>\r\n...and at the ends, <br><br>\r\n...Gohda-san and Kumasawa-san... <br><br>\r\n…………首を、…吊るされているのだ……。 <br>\r\n...were hanging...by their necks... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n薄暗いし、色々と荷物がごちゃごちゃ置かれている狭間からなので、その様子はそれ以上詳しくはわからない。 <br>\r\nIt was dim and cramped because of the various pieces of equipment strewn about, so I couldn't make out the situation clearly. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、声を掛けてもぴくりとも反応せず、完全に首のロープに全ての体重を預けきっている様子から、生きている気配を感じ取ることは出来なかった……。 <br>\r\n...But when they showed not even a tremor after I called out to them, and because of the way the loops around their necks seemed to carry the full weight of their bodies, I could sense no trace of life from them... <br><br>\r\n「そんな……、………嘘……だろ…………。……どうして………。」 <br>\r\n\"You've gotta be......kidding me, ...right......? ...Why......?\" <br><br>\r\nシャッターは閉まったままなのだ。 <br>\r\nThe shutter was still closed. <br><br>\r\n……そして鍵はひとつしかなく、郷田さんが預かったはず。 <br>\r\n...And there was only a single key, which had supposedly been given to Gohda-san. <br><br>\r\nなのにどうやって犯人は、……シャッターを開けて、中の二人を殺したんだよ……？ <br>\r\nSo how had the culprit...opened the shutter and killed both of them inside...? <br><br>\r\nいいや、殺されたとは限らない…。 <br>\r\nこれは自殺なんだとしたら……。 <br>\r\nNo, wait, they weren't necessarily killed... <br><br>\r\nIf this is a suicide... <br><br>\r\n……密室のつじつまは合うけど、二人が首を吊って自殺する意味がわからない…！！ <br>\r\n...That way, this closed room makes sense, but I don't know why they would hang themselves and commit suicide...!! <br><br>\r\n俺は力なく、…その場にへたり込む。 <br>\r\nFeebly, ...I slumped down on the spot. <br><br>\r\n これで、この島に生きてる人間は、 <br>\r\n……俺と真里亞と、 <br>\r\n……クソジジイだけ。 <br>\r\nNow, the only humans alive on this island... <br><br>\r\n...are me, Maria, <br><br>\r\n...and that damn geezer. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n………じゃないや、あのイカれた、ベアトリーチェとか名乗る女もだ…。 <br>\r\n......No, there's also that insane woman calling herself Beatrice... <br><br>\r\n真里亞は初めから魔女の味方のような素振り。 <br>\r\nそしてジジイは魔女を蘇らせた張本人。 <br>\r\nそして、魔女本人。 <br>\r\nThere's Maria, who had acted like the witch's ally from the beginning. <br><br>\r\nAnd that geezer, the ringleader who revived the witch. <br><br>\r\nAnd...the witch herself. <br><br>\r\n……何だよ、………もう、この島には、…………俺ひとりしかいないも、……同然じゃないかよ…………。 <br>\r\n...What the hell. ......By now, I might as well be......the only one on this island...... <br><br>\r\n俺は棒切れを杖代わりに、力なく立ち上がる。 <br>\r\nUsing my pole as a cane, I feebly rose. <br><br>\r\n……クソ、こんなのじゃ駄目だ…。 <br>\r\nみんなの仇を、俺が取らないと……。 <br>\r\n...Damn, I can't do it like this... <br><br>\r\nI've got to avenge...everyone... <br><br>\r\n「畜生ぉおおぉぉ……、こんなんじゃ駄目だ…。あぁ、駄目だぜ、全然駄目だ…。畜生おおおおぉぉ………。」 <br>\r\n\"Damn iiiiiiiit, ...it's useless this way... Aaah, it's useless, it's all useless... Damn iiiiiiiiiiiiitt......\" <br><br>\r\n今の内に、泣いておく…。 <br>\r\n弱々しい気持ちを全て涙と一緒に、搾り出しておくために…。 <br>\r\nMight as well cry while I can... <br><br>\r\n...So that my frail emotions will be squeezed out with my tears... <br><br>\r\nそれから俺は、……背筋を伸ばし、屋敷のある方角の暗闇を見た。 <br>\r\nThen, ...I straightened up and gazed into the darkness in the direction of the mansion. <br><br>\r\n………屋敷の玄関に、魔女が待ち受ける。 <br>\r\n......At the entrance to the mansion, the witch is waiting. <br><br>\r\n行って、……ケリをつけてやる。 <br>\r\nI'll go...and settle this. <br><br>\r\nこのおかしなおかしな、狂った夜の元凶を、……俺の手で、ぶっ潰してやる…！ <br>\r\nI'll find the source of this weird, insane night...and crush her with my own hands...! <br><br>\r\n土砂降りの雨の中、……俺は傘もなく、濡れるに任せて、薔薇庭園を歩く。 <br>\r\nAmidst the pouring rain, ...I walked through the rose garden without an umbrella, letting myself get soaked. <br><br>\r\n……向こうに東屋が見えた。 <br>\r\n...I could see the arbor on the other side. <br><br>\r\n朱志香の話では、譲治の兄貴も殺されたらしい…。 <br>\r\nAccording to Jessica, it seemed that George-aniki had also been killed... <br><br>\r\nどうせ、今さら人質の命も何もない。 <br>\r\n……俺は、道を外れ、東屋を目指す。 <br>\r\nWell, by this point, there's no need to worry about the lives of any hostages. <br><br>\r\n...I left the path, aiming for the arbor. <br><br>\r\nそして、…………譲治の兄貴の死体が、雨曝しになっているのを見た…。 <br>\r\nThen, ......I saw George-aniki's weather-beaten corpse... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「……………兄貴……。…………畜生…………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Aniki... ......Damn......\" <br><br>\r\n死体は、東屋の前にあった。 <br>\r\nThe corpse was in front of the arbor. <br><br>\r\nせめて東屋の中で死ねたなら、雨曝しにだけはならずに済んだろうに…。 <br>\r\nIf he had died under the arbor, he might have at least been spared being beaten down upon by the rain... <br><br>\r\n兄貴の額には、まるで銃で撃たれたかのような穴がぽっかりと開いていた。 <br>\r\nIn Aniki's forehead was a gaping hole, as though he'd been shot with a gun. <br><br>\r\n雨が全て洗い流してしまったせいか、顔面が血塗れということはなく、……そのせいで、眠っているようにさえ見える。 <br>\r\nPerhaps because the rain had washed everything away, his face wasn't covered with blood, ...so he looked almost like he was sleeping. <br><br>\r\n…しかし、服は真っ赤に染まり、大量の血が流れた痕跡を未だに残していた…。 <br>\r\n...However, his clothes were stained a deep red, and there were still signs that a large amount of blood had flowed out... <br><br>\r\n眠っていたり、あるいは死んでいるフリをしていたなら、どんなに嬉しいことか…。 <br>\r\nHow happy I'd be if he were sleeping, or else pretending to be dead... <br><br>\r\n……しかし、雨が吹き付けるにもかかわらず、兄貴の目は見開いたまま。 <br>\r\n...But even though the rain sprayed against Aniki's eyes, they remained open. <br><br>\r\n……そして、……額の穴は、冗談抜きで、 <br>\r\n……本物だった…。 <br>\r\n...And...the hole in his forehead was no joke, <br><br>\r\n...but absolutely real... <br><br>\r\nさっきの園芸倉庫の首吊りは、……ひょっとすると郷田さんたちの悪趣味な冗談かもしれない可能性も、わずかにはあった。 <br>\r\nThere had been a faint chance that even Gohda-san and Kumasawa-san hanging by their necks in the gardening shed had been them playing a bad joke. <br><br>\r\nしかし、その甘えた可能性は、完全に否定される。 <br>\r\nBut that naive possibility had now been completely denied. <br><br>\r\nそして、この死体を見て、完全に確信する。 <br>\r\nAnd, as I looked at this corpse, I became completely sure. <br><br>\r\nかつて郷田さんは言っていた。 <br>\r\n……敵は、チェスの駒を奪うかのように、命を奪ってくると。 <br>\r\nJust as Gohda-san had once said. <br><br>\r\n...The enemy had come to take lives like pieces on a chessboard. <br><br>\r\n「………あぁ、……間違いない。……クソジジイと魔女は、 <br>\r\n………俺たちの命なんて、本当にその程度にしか思ってないらしい……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Aaaah, ...there's no mistake. ...It seems that old geezer and the witch... <br><br>\r\n...really don't view our lives as anything more than that...\" <br><br>\r\n…あの魔女め、電話でこう言いやがったな…。 <br>\r\n俺たちのことを、“ゲーム盤の上”で、みたいに……。 <br>\r\n...That damn witch said something over the phone... <br><br>\r\nSomething about us being `on the game board'... <br><br>\r\n「…上等だぜ……。……そうかよ、こいつはゲームのつもりかよ……。なら、…お前らがみんなをゲームみたいに殺したように、 <br>\r\n………俺がお前らをゲームのように殺してもいいわけだよな……？ <br>\r\n\"...Perfect... ...I see, she thinks this is a game... Then, ...if you killed everyone like it was a game, <br><br>\r\n......it's okay if I kill you all like it's a game, right...? <br><br>\r\n…………首を洗ってやがれ……。……ベアトリーチェ………。」 <br>\r\n......Prepare yourself, ...Beatrice......\" <br><br>\r\n稲光に屋敷の巨大な影が浮かび上がる。 <br>\r\nThe lightning caused the mansion's vast shadow to rise up. <br><br>\r\n……いよいよ、屋敷、……だ。 <br>\r\n...Finally, ...the mansion. <br><br>\r\n見えてくるその巨大な姿に、人影はない。 <br>\r\n俺の歓迎のために、手下どもがぞろりと待ち受けている、ということはないようだった。 <br>\r\nAs the massive shape came into view, there was no silhouette of any person. <br><br>\r\nIt seemed that there weren't any underlings waiting for me in a pack, or anything like that. <br><br>\r\n………霧江さんの話によると、山羊の頭をした従者、という連中が相当大勢いるらしい。 <br>\r\n......According to Kyrie-san, there were massive amounts of attendants with goat heads. <br><br>\r\nそんな大勢が、ぞろぞろと隠れていて俺をうかがっている、というような気配は、とりあえず今のところ、感じられない…。 <br>\r\nAt least for now, I couldn't sense a large group of them hiding and staring at me... <br><br>\r\n何だ……？ <br>\r\nWhat's this...? <br><br>\r\n玄関の屋根の下に、 <br>\r\n………何か置かれている。 <br>\r\nBeneath the roof of the entrance, <br><br>\r\n......there's something set down. <br><br>\r\n「……何だよ、これは。………箱…か？」 <br>\r\n\"...What is this? ......A...box?\" <br><br>\r\nそれは女の子なんかがよく、小物を収めていそうな感じの小箱に見えた。 <br>\r\n……あるいは応接室なんかにある、ご大層なシガーケースの類かもしれない。 <br>\r\nIt looked like the kind of small box that girls often keep trinkets in. <br><br>\r\n...Or maybe it was the same kind of extravagant cigar case you'd find in a reception room. <br><br>\r\n何れにせよ、ここにあるべきものには見えない…。 <br>\r\nそれはあからさまに、……俺に開けろと言われているように見えた。 <br>\r\nEither way, it didn't look like something that should be here... <br><br>\r\nIt clearly looked...as though I was being told to open it. <br><br>\r\nしかし、ハイどうぞと開けるのはなぜか癪に障る。 <br>\r\n……しかし、開けないことには話が進みそうもない。 <br>\r\nBut for some reason, opening something being offered to me was irritating. <br><br>\r\n...However, it didn't look like we'd get anywhere if I didn't open it. <br><br>\r\nまさかひょっとして、開けると爆発するような罠でも仕掛けられているのではないか……？ <br>\r\nCould it be that it's set up with some trap to make it explode when opened...? <br><br>\r\nそんなことを考えながら、屋根の下に入ることも忘れ、俺は雨に打たれるまま、その小箱を睨み続けていた。 <br>\r\nThinking things like that, forgetting even to come under the overhang, I continued to glare at the box, still beaten down upon by the rain. <br><br>\r\nすると、………雷鳴に混じり、何か、……音楽？ …のようなものが聞こえてきた。 <br>\r\nThen, ......mixed in with the thunder...was some kind of...music? ...It sounded like that. <br><br>\r\n……それは、２４時を報せるホールの大時計の音色。 <br>\r\n...It was the tone of the big clock in the hall announcing 24:00. <br><br>\r\n１０月４日という、狂った一日がようやく終わりを告げ、……そして１０月５日という、もっともっと、最高に狂った一日の始まりを告げる音でもある。 <br>\r\nIt was also a sound announcing that this insane day, October 4, had finally ended, ...and that the much more incredibly insane day of October 5 had begun. <br><br>\r\nその音が静まり、…………薄気味悪い笑い声が、どこからともなく聞こえてくる……。 <br>\r\nThat sound quieted, ......and I could hear an eerie laugh coming out of nowhere... <br><br>\r\nその声が、天より聞こえた気がして、……俺は空を見上げた。 <br>\r\nI got the feeling that the voice was coming from the heavens, ...and I looked up at the sky. <br><br>\r\n……するとそこには、………、見たことのない女が。 <br>\r\n...What I saw there......was a woman I'd never seen before. <br><br>\r\nいいや、見たことがないわけじゃない。 <br>\r\n……今日、一度見ている。 <br>\r\nNo, it's not true that I never saw her before. <br><br>\r\n...I saw her once today. <br><br>\r\nそう、屋敷の中での、肖像画で……。 <br>\r\nYes, in the portrait inside the mansion... <br><br>\r\n服は違うが、……その顔は、あの肖像画の魔女にそっくり……。 <br>\r\nThe clothes were different, ...but that face was just like the witch of the portrait... <br><br>\r\nあぁ、白々しいぜ、俺はヤツが誰か、もうわかってる…！！ <br>\r\nAaah, who am I kidding, ...I already know who this person is...!! <br><br>\r\n「……て、……てめえがベアトリーチェかッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"...A-Are you Beatrice?!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「やっほおおぉおい、戦人ぁあああぁあああぁああぁ…！！」 <br>\r\n\"Yahhoooooooooi, Battleeeeeeeeeeeeer...!!\" <br><br>\r\n２階のバルコニーから、……傘を差しながら身を乗り出し上機嫌に手を振っているのは、……紛れもなく、……肖像画の魔女、…ベアトリーチェ………！！ <br>\r\nFrom the second floor balcony, ...leaning out under an umbrella and waving high-spiritedly, ...was, without a doubt, the witch of the portrait, ...Beatrice......!! <br><br>\r\n親玉は高みの見物で、俺は山羊の手下どもに嬲り殺しって寸法か…？！ <br>\r\nWas the plan for the boss to take a birds-eye view and let the goat underlings torture me to death...?! <br><br>\r\n俺は槍を構え直し、周囲の物陰や玄関の扉から、どどっと山羊どもが溢れ出して俺を取り囲むのを想像しながら、全方向に身構えた…。 <br>\r\nI adjusted my grip on the spear, and, imagining goats creeping out of the nearby shadows and the entrance and surrounding me, I raised my guard in all directions... <br><br>\r\n「あっははッ、安心しろよ、ここには私とお前以外の誰もいねぇぜ？ 山羊の家具どももいなければ、悪魔の執事もお師匠様も、我が親友の悪魔もいない。 <br>\r\n\"Ahhaha, be at ease, there's no one here but you and me, see? No goat furniture, no demon butlers or Teacher, not even the demon who's my close friend.\" <br><br>\r\nそして、我が肉体の組成を手伝う黄金の蝶たちもいなければ、魔法陣もない、召喚者の立会いもないッ！！ ……その意味が、そなたにわかるかなぁ？」 <br>\r\n\"And, there's none of the gold butterflies that compose my flesh, no magic circles, and no summoners as witnesses!! ...Do you know what that means?\" <br><br>\r\n「さっぱりだぜ。寝言言ってろ…。」 <br>\r\n\"No clue. Quit babbling...\" <br><br>\r\n「そなたとは確かにこの世界でも何度か会えては来たのだ。まるですれ違うかのようにな。……知ってのとおり、このニンゲンどもの世界は、ただ貴様らが存在し、妾を疑うだけで、それは膨大な毒素となる。 <br>\r\n\"It is true that I have met you several times even in this world. Almost as though we just missed each other. ...As you know, this world of Humans is filled with a toxin just by your existence and your doubting of me.\" <br><br>\r\nまるで、そなたというキングに対して守りを固める堅牢な城壁のようよ！ それを私は、何度もゲームを重ね、駒をひとつずつ進め、切り崩し、追い込み、じわじわとそなたの城壁を切り崩して行った。 <br>\r\n\"Almost like solid ramparts strengthening the guard around you, the king! And through multiple games, I have advanced pieces one by one, split them apart, and cornered them, leveling your ramparts bit by bit.\" <br><br>\r\nそしてようやくわずかの隙間を開き、そこから妾はビショップを送り込み、そなたのすぐ近くに近付けるようになった。………しかし知っての通り、ビショップは死角ある駒だ。黒のビショップは、そなたが黒きマスに留まる限り絶大な影響力を発揮するが、そなたがひょいと白きマスに一歩逃れれば、妾はそなたの隣に隣接することは出来ても、接触することは叶わぬのだ。 <br>\r\n\"Then, a faint crack finally opened, and I sent a bishop in, so that it could approach right up next to you. ......But as you know, bishops are pieces with blind spots. As long as you stay on the black squares, a bishop on black can wield a massive influence, but if you escape just one step to a white square, even if I close in right next to you, I will not be able to touch you.\" <br><br>\r\nだから妾は、そなたが白きマスに留まれぬよう、様々な駒を送り込み、そなたの隣の黒きマスを支配する妾の前に弾き出されるようにゲームを進めてきたのだ。 <br>\r\n\"That is why I have progressed through this game by sending in various pieces to prevent you from staying on a white square, forcing you out in front of me, the one who controls the black squares next to you.\" <br><br>\r\nしかァし！！ <br>\r\n\"Howeeever!! <br><br>\r\n今やそなたの城壁はぽっかりと穴を空け、妾はビショップではなく、とうとうクイーンを送り込むことが出来たッ！！ クイーンがどういう駒か、知っているか？」 <br>\r\nThere are now holes opened all over your ramparts, and I was able to send in not a bishop, but a full queen!! Do you know what kind of piece a queen is?\" <br><br>\r\n「飛車＋角だろ。……言いてぇことはこうかよ。 <br>\r\n\"A rook+bishop. ...Is this what you're trying to say? <br><br>\r\n…今やお前は、黒い魔女幻想のマスだけでなく、白い人間世界のマスにまで自由に侵食できるようになったと…！」 <br>\r\n...That now, you not only control the black squares that are part of the illusion of the witch, but have been able to eat into the white squares of the human world at will...?!\" <br><br>\r\n「その通りッ！！ そなたは妾の眷属である黄金の蝶たちが存在するマスのことを、魔女幻想と呼び、観測者なき非現実と仮定して否定してきたのだろうォ…？ くっくくくく、知っておるぞぉ……！！ <br>\r\n\"That is correct!! You have been calling the squares with the gold butterflies that are my minions `the Illusion of the Witch', and you have denied them as unobserved unrealities, right...? *cackle*cackle* I know...!!\" <br><br>\r\nだからこそ、妾はこうしてとうとう白きマスへ降臨したッ！！ 安心しろよ、黄金の蝶も山羊たちも、悪魔も魔女もあとでいっぱい呼んでやるぜ！ そなたが望むなら妾の黄金郷へ招待してやる！！ そこで何でも願いを叶えてやろうぞ…！！ わっはははははははははは…！！」 <br>\r\n\"For that very reason, I have openly descended to the white squares like this!! Do not worry, I'll call plenty of gold butterflies and goats, demons and witches later! If you wish, I'll invite you to the Golden Land!! There, any wish can be granted...!! Wahhahahahahahahahahahahahaha...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……どうやら、この島のチェス盤は、インク壷でもぶっかけちまったみたいだな。」 <br>\r\n\"...It's starting to look like someone knocked an ink bottle over the chessboard of this island.\" <br><br>\r\n「なるほど、それも愉快な表現よ…！ くっくくくく、すぐにそなたもそのインクに染まるぞ。やがては真っ黒に染まり、必ず黒きキングになる…！ そなたは今や、インクの海に溺れる哀れな存在であるなぁ？」 <br>\r\n\"I see, a pleasant phrasing...! *cackle*cackle* Soon, you will be covered in ink as well. You will finally become covered with pitch black...and will surely become a black king...! You really are pitiful, drowning in a sea of ink right now, aren't you?\" <br><br>\r\n「いいや、違う。島がてめえのインク壷で、全て真っ黒に染まっちまったことは認めるが。……白いマスはまだ、残ってるぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"No, that's wrong. I'll admit that the island has been stained completely black from your ink bottle, ...but there's still a white square left.\" <br><br>\r\n「ほう、どこに…！！」 <br>\r\n\"Hoh, where...?!!\" <br><br>\r\n「俺の、足の裏にだぜ。………お前の魔法のインクが島中を覆い尽くそうと、俺が踏みしめる足の裏までは覆えない。…一見、この島が真っ黒に染まろうと、俺は俺だ。白いマスを、こうして踏みしめて立っている！！」 <br>\r\n\"Right under my feet. ......Your ink of magic tried to cover the entire island, but it can't cover the ground my feet are standing on. ...Even if this island seems to be stained pitch-black at a glance, I am me. I'm here, stepping on a white square!!\" <br><br>\r\n不思議なもんだ…。 <br>\r\nさっきまではびくびくしていた。 <br>\r\nIt's strange... <br><br>\r\nUntil a second ago, I was shivering all over. <br><br>\r\n……だが、こうして目の前に堂々と現れてくれたお陰で、むしろ恐怖が薄れた。 <br>\r\n...But now that she's appeared openly right before my eyes like this, my terror has actually lessened. <br><br>\r\n面白いもんだ。幽霊ってヤツは、気配しかない内の方が恐ろしい。 <br>\r\nInteresting. Ghosts are most terrifying when you can only sense them. <br><br>\r\n姿が見えて、ぶん殴れる横っ面があるってんなら、何も怖くはねぇ…！！ <br>\r\nWhen you can see them, and they have a face you can plant your fist into, there's nothing scary about it...!! <br><br>\r\n……しかし、あいつは決して、面白いヤツでもフレンドリーなヤツでもない。 <br>\r\n...However, she definitely isn't an interesting or a friendly person. <br><br>\r\n……きゃっきゃと笑い転げながら、指をひとつ鳴らすだけで、俺をすぐに殺してしまえるのだ。 <br>\r\n...She can kill me instantly by snapping her fingers while rolling around giggling. <br><br>\r\n指を鳴らすと、魔法が飛んでくるのか、部下が現れて俺を撃ち殺すのか、どちらの解釈でも関係ない。 <br>\r\nWhether we interpret the result of her snapping her fingers as magic flying at me or underlings showing up to shoot me, it doesn't matter. <br><br>\r\n……とにかく、ファンタジーであろうとミステリーであろうと、俺を指一つ鳴らせば殺せるポジションに、あのクイーンはいる……！ <br>\r\n...Anyway, whether this is fantasy or mystery, that queen is in a position where she can kill me by just snapping her fingers...! <br><br>\r\n …なるほどな、……それこそが、 <br>\r\n………白と黒の二つのマスに君臨したる、 <br>\r\n…この島の女王という意味なのか……？！ <br>\r\n...I see. ...So does this mean... <br><br>\r\n...she's the queen of this island, <br><br>\r\n...who reigns over both the white and black squares...?! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「さぁて。この雨の中、そなたが風邪を引くまで待つのも面白いが、そろそろ本題に入ろう。………そこに箱があるのがわかろう？ そなたへのテストはその中に入っている。」 <br>\r\n\"Well then, it might be amusing to wait until you catch a cold in all that rain, but it's about time to move to the matter at hand. ......Can you see the box down there? Your test is inside it.\" <br><br>\r\n「待ちな。……俺はもう今さら次期当主が誰かなんて下らねえゲームには興味ねえぜ。 <br>\r\n\"Wait. ...After all that's happened, I'm not interested in some stupid game about who'll become the Successor.\" <br><br>\r\n俺のゲームは、クソジジイとお前と、……みんなを殺したヤツら全員にそれぞれジャイアンパンチをブチ込むことだ。顔面が陥没するアレな。」 <br>\r\n\"My game is to take you and that damn geezer...and all of you guys who killed everyone...and smack 'em with a Gian punch. One of those face-crushers.\" <br><br>\r\n「ほう。妾のこのバルコニーまで、空を飛び上がってくるというのか。それは良いそれは良い、くっくっく！ ならばほら、早く来いよォ、ほらほら、パンパン！」 <br>\r\n\"Hoh. So, you will fly through the air up to my balcony? Very well, very well, *cackle*! Then, look, come on right now, here here, up up!\" <br><br>\r\n「……絶対安全な場所にいやがるからって余裕ぶっこきやがって…。 <br>\r\n\"...Damn you, acting so carefree just because you're in a completely safe place... <br><br>\r\n今からそこに行くぞ、首を洗って待ってやがれッ！！」 <br>\r\nI'm coming over there right now, so prepare yourself and wait for me!!\" <br><br>\r\n「あー、ダメダメ。鍵が掛かっているぞォ。もちろん窓も全て鎧戸を下ろしてある。そなたが単騎で切り込めるほど、妾の城はもろくはない！」 <br>\r\n\"Aah, no, no. The door is locked. Of course, the shutters are down for all the windows. My castle isn't so fragile that a single knight like you could break in!\" <br><br>\r\n試しに玄関の扉を開こうとするが、……なるほど施錠されていた。 <br>\r\n周りを見ると、確かに窓に鎧戸が閉められている。 <br>\r\nI tried opening the door to the entrance anyway, ...but it really was locked. <br><br>\r\nWhen I looked around, I noticed that the shutters were closed on the windows after all. <br><br>\r\n……普段はあんなもの閉められていないはずだ。 <br>\r\n...Normally, those wouldn't be closed. <br><br>\r\n「……ち。用意周到なヤツだぜ。 <br>\r\n\"...Tch. Looks like you've prepared for everything. <br><br>\r\n……鍵はどこだ？！」 <br>\r\n...Where's the key?!\" <br><br>\r\n郷田さんと熊沢さんがマスターキーを持っているだろうが、彼らは園芸倉庫という密室内。 <br>\r\n……今はお手上げだ…！ <br>\r\nGohda-san and Kumsawa-san probably had master keys, but they were in the closed room of the gardening shed. <br><br>\r\n...I can only give up for now...! <br><br>\r\n「くそ……。……ヤツも馬鹿じゃねぇってか。」 <br>\r\n\"Damn... ...Guess she's no fool herself.\" <br><br>\r\n「そんなに妾のすぐ隣に来たいのかぁ？ いいぞ、そなたがテストに見事合格できたら、謁見を許そうではないか。合格ということはそなたこそが次期当主、そして妾の次なる主。……妾の肉体も魂も、どう扱おうとそなたの自由よ。妾は所詮は、右代宮家の家具なのだから！ あっはっはっはっはっは！！」 <br>\r\n\"Do you really want to be right beside me so muuch? All right, if you impressively pass your test, why don't I grant you an audience? If you pass, then you'll become the Successor and my new master. ...My flesh and soul will be yours to do with as you please. For I am no more than the Ushiromiya family's furniture! Ahhahhahhahhahha!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………どうやら。テストってヤツを、どうしてもやらせたいらしいな。 <br>\r\n\"......Well, it looks like you want to make me take this test no matter what. <br><br>\r\n……いいぜ。受けて立ってやらあ。…合格したら、最初のご褒美はてめえに顔面パンチだぜ。」 <br>\r\n...Okay. I'll give it a shot. ...If I pass, my first prize will be a punch to your face.\" <br><br>\r\n「それは怖い怖い…。だが暴力に支配されるのも嫌いではないぞぉ？ 妾の頭をこう、鷲掴みにして！ 苦痛に表情を歪めさせ、鷹がその爪で獲物を引き裂き、掻き毟るように妾を蹂躙してくれよ…！！ <br>\r\n\"Scary, scaary... But it's not like I mind being controlled by violence, you see? Grab onto my head! Make my face twist in pain, tear me apart like a hawk does with its talons to its prey, scratch at me and trample upon me...!!\" <br><br>\r\nあぁ、若き日の金蔵を、もう一度思い出させておくれ…！！ 妾にこの千年の生涯でただ一度！ 支配され屈服し家具に落ちる悦びを教えてくれたあの日のことを思い出させてくれよぉおおおおおぉ！！ <br>\r\n\"Aaah, remind me of Kinzo in his younger days once more...!! That single time in my thousand-year life! Remind me of that day I was taught the joy of being controlled, surrendering and being reduced to furniture!! <br><br>\r\nうひゃーっひゃっひゃっひゃっひゃ！！」 <br>\r\nUhyaaahhyahhyahhyahhya!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……酔っ払いめ、埒が明かねぇ。」 <br>\r\n\"...You damn drunk, we aren't getting anywhere.\" <br><br>\r\n馬鹿笑いする魔女を無視し、俺は小箱を拾い上げる。 <br>\r\nIgnoring the stupidly smiling witch, I picked up the box. <br><br>\r\n「そうだ。それを開け。中に手紙がある。それを読むのだ。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes. Open it. Inside is a letter. Read it.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。」 <br>\r\n\".........\" <br><br>\r\n開く。……薄っすらと煙草の匂いが香る。 <br>\r\nI opened it. ...There was a faint smell of cigarettes. <br><br>\r\nどうやら本当に元はシガーケースらしい。 <br>\r\nApparently, it really had originally been a cigar case. <br><br>\r\nしかし中には煙草も葉巻もない。 <br>\r\nBut there were no cigarettes or cigars inside. <br><br>\r\n代わりに、片翼の鷲の紋章が描かれた洋形封筒が。 <br>\r\nさらにそれを開くと、……手紙が入っていた。 <br>\r\nInstead, there was a Western envelope with the One-Winged Eagle crest. <br><br>\r\nAnd when I opened that too, ...there was a letter inside. <br><br>\r\n魔女を見上げる。 <br>\r\nニヤニヤと見下ろしていた。 <br>\r\nI looked up at the witch. <br><br>\r\nShe was grinning down at me. <br><br>\r\n……俺が、その内容にどういう反応を示すか、楽しみに待っているという風だ。 <br>\r\n...It seemed she was looking forward to seeing what kind of reaction I'd have to the contents. <br><br>\r\n……クソ、上等だ。 <br>\r\n...Damn, just perfect. <br><br>\r\nその内容は、こんな感じだった…。 <br>\r\nIts contents were something like this... <br><br>\r\n以下に掲げる三つの内。 <br>\r\n二つを得るために、一つを生贄に捧げよ。 <br>\r\nAmong the three mentioned below... <br><br>\r\nIn order to gain two, sacrifice one. <br><br>\r\n一．自分の命 <br>\r\n二．＿＿の命 <br>\r\n三．それ以外の全員の命 <br>\r\n1. Your life <br><br>\r\n2. ＿＿'s life <br><br>\r\n3. Everyone else's lives <br><br>\r\n何れも選ばねば、上記の全てを失う。 <br>\r\nIf you do not choose one, all of the above will be lost. <br><br>\r\n「………何だこりゃ。ずいぶんと物騒なことが書かれてるぞ。 <br>\r\n\"......What's this? Some pretty creepy stuff's written here. <br><br>\r\nそれより、二番目が空欄になってて、誰の命かわかりゃしねぇ。」 <br>\r\nMore importantly, the second one's blank, so I don't even know whose life it's supposed to be.\" <br><br>\r\n「うむ。その二番には、その者のもっとも愛する者の名が入る。朱志香のテストには嘉音の名が、譲治のテストには紗音の名が入った。……彼らについては、想い人がはっきりしていたから予め名前を記入してやれもしたが、そなたの想い人を、妾は知らぬ。だから誰の名を書けばいいやらわからず、空欄とさせてもらった。」 <br>\r\n\"Indeed. That second one is where you put the name of the one the test-taker loves the most. For Jessica's test, it was Kanon's name, and for George's test, it was Shannon's. ...Since they had obvious feelings for certain people, those names were written in beforehand, but I don't know whom you have feelings for. So I didn't know whose name to write and left it blank.\" <br><br>\r\n「そいつぁ丁度いいや。 <br>\r\n\"That's perfect. <br><br>\r\n愛してるぜ、ベアトリーチェ。お前の名前をここに突っ込んでやる。だから俺が選ぶ選択肢は二番だ。これでいいか？」 <br>\r\nI love you, Beatrice. I'll stick your name in here. In that case, I'll choose the second choice. Happy now?\" <br><br>\r\n「おいおい、茶化すな茶化すな。なぁ頼むよ戦人。お前の想い人の名を妾に教えてくれよぉ。じゃないとテストにならぬではないか。」 <br>\r\n\"Hey hey, quit joking, quit joking. Heey, please, Battler. Tell me the name of the person you have feelings for. If you don't, then this won't be a test, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「悪ぃな。俺に特定の女はいねぇぜ。仮に居たって、誰がお前なんぞに話すもんか。」 <br>\r\n\"Sorry. I don't have any girl in particular. Even if I did, why the hell would I tell you?\" <br><br>\r\n「そういうことでは、このテストはそなたに成立せぬ。ふぅむ、残念残念。そなたの想い人がどのような女か、好みくらいは気になったのだがな！ くっくくく！」 <br>\r\n\"In that case, this test will not work for you. Hmmm, what a shame, what a shame. And I was really wondering what kind of woman was your cup of tea! *cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n「………俺が黒髪長髪のロリ貧乳がいいって言ったら、どうするよ。お前とはひとつも一致しねぇぜ？」 <br>\r\n\"......What would you do if I said I liked flat-chested lolis with long, black hair? That wouldn't match you at all, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「嘘を吐け、このおっぱいソムリエがー！ 金髪のボインボインがいいんだろぉ？ 妾がまさに理想の体現ではないか、くっくっくっく！」 <br>\r\n\"Lies, you breast sommelier! Blonde and bouncy is best, right? Am I not truly the embodiment of your ideal, *cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n「お前のバストを当てるのが次期当主のテストだってんなら、喜んで挑戦してやるぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"If guessing your bust size is the test to become the Successor, I'll take it gladly.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうそう。次期当主のテストであったな。そなたと喋るのが楽しくて、ついついさっきから脱線してしまうわ。 <br>\r\n\"Ah, yes. This was the test to choose the Successor, wasn't it? It was so fun chatting with you that I've been getting a bit off topic.\" <br><br>\r\n………それでは次期当主のテストを始める。そなたに、右代宮家次期当主としての資格があるかどうかを問う。心して答えるが良い。」 <br>\r\n\"...Then let us begin the test. I will question you to see whether you are qualified to be the Successor to the Ushiromiya Family Headship. Answer with care.\" <br><br>\r\nさっきまで、酔っ払いのようにふざけていた魔女が、その威厳を取り戻す。 <br>\r\nThe witch, who had been joking around like she was drunk until a second ago, suddenly regained her dignity. <br><br>\r\n……その姿はまさに、あの貫禄ある肖像画から抜け出してきたかのようだった…。 <br>\r\n...She looked as though she truly had stepped out of that majestic portrait... <br><br>\r\n「………我こそは右代宮家顧問錬金術師、黄金の魔女にして無限の魔女、ベアトリーチェ。 <br>\r\n\"......I am the Ushiromiya family alchemist, the Golden Witch and the Endless Witch, Beatrice. <br><br>\r\n……右代宮家の家督と我が黄金の全てを継承する資格があるかどうか。それを妾が問う。………そなたの名を名乗るが良い。」 <br>\r\n...Do you have the qualifications to inherit the Ushiromiya family and all of my gold? That is what I will test. ......State your name.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………右代宮、戦人だ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Ushiromiya...Battler.\" <br><br>\r\n先ほどまでの様子からは想像もつかないその貫禄に、俺は何の迷いもなく、返事をしてしまう。 <br>\r\nWhen faced with a dignity you wouldn't have imagined from her appearance a short while ago, I answered without any hesitation. <br><br>\r\n……それくらいに、……その姿はなるほど、……本当の意味で、この島の女王と名乗るに相応しかった。 <br>\r\n...And from that...yes, I see, ...I can tell why she's worthy of calling herself the true queen of this island. <br><br>\r\n「よろしい、右代宮戦人よ。………しかしそなたはその右代宮の名をこの６年、捨てたであろう…？ それはなぜか…？」 <br>\r\n\"Very well, <NAME>. ......However, for these six years, you have thrown away that Ushiromiya name, have you not...? Why was that...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………ん、…………。……クソ親父に愛想が尽きたからさ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Nn...... ...Because I ran out of love for that old bastard.\" <br><br>\r\n「知っている。父親の再婚が、そなたの敬愛する母親の死を冒涜したように感じたからであろう…？ <br>\r\n\"I know. It was because you felt that your father's remarriage disgraced the death of your mother, whom you respected, yes...?\" <br><br>\r\nなるほど、新しき母はそなたと何の血の繋がりもない。そなたがその母を受け容れられぬ気持ちはわからでもない。……しかし、父親が誰と再婚しようとも、そなたとの血の繋がりは変わらぬのではないか？」 <br>\r\n\"I see, you have no blood relation to your new mother whatsoever. It's not as though I can't understand why you'd be unable to accept that mother. ...However, no matter whom your father remarried, that wouldn't change the fact that his blood runs in your veins, correct?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………何が言いてぇ。」 <br>\r\n\"......What are you trying to say?\" <br><br>\r\n「父親の再婚に反対するという、父親を独占したいがゆえのそなたの幼稚も、多少の理解はしよう。 <br>\r\n\"I can somewhat understand the childishness that led you to resist your father's remarriage, since you wanted him all to yourself.\" <br><br>\r\nしかし、それに反抗するために、右代宮の名を捨てるは、家と血に対する冒涜ではないのか。………そなたは右代宮に生まれ、育まれてきたのではないか。その恩を忘れ、右代宮の名を捨てる資格が、そなたにあったというのか。」 <br>\r\n\"However, was throwing away the Ushiromiya name as a means of resistance not a disgrace to your family and blood? ......You were born and raised Ushiromiya, were you not? Do you think you had the right to forget that debt and throw away the Ushiromiya name?\" <br><br>\r\n「……お前には関係ねぇ。俺と親父の問題だ…！」 <br>\r\n\"...It's got nothing to do with you. This is between me and Dad...!\" <br><br>\r\n「右代宮の名はお前と父親だけのものではない。お前は知らぬ女に父親を奪われることを許せず反抗しただけの幼稚だ。……右代宮家の籍を捨て去ったこの６年間は、そなたが右代宮家に泥を塗りし短からぬ年月。その罪深きを知るがいい。」 <br>\r\n\"The Ushiromiya name does not belong to you and your father alone. That was your childishness, nothing more than your inability to forgive the fact that your father was stolen away by an unknown woman. ...Those six years during which you threw away the Ushiromiya family register were a significant period during which you covered the Ushiromiya family in mud. Know the depths of that sin.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………幼稚で悪かったな…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Well, sorry I'm so childish...\" <br><br>\r\n「しかし。祖父母の死を境とは言え、よくぞ右代宮に籍を戻した。よって、その罪を自ら禊ぐ機会をそなたに与えよう。今こそそなたの、６年前の罪を贖う時。 <br>\r\n\"However, even though it occurred around the time of the deaths of your grandparents, you did well to return to the Ushiromiya register. For that, let us give you a chance to purify that sin yourself. Now is the time to compensate for your sin of six years ago.\" <br><br>\r\nさぁさ、思い出して御覧なさい、自らの罪を。それを思い出し、告白し、懺悔せよ。…………それこそが、妾がそなたに与えるテストである。」 <br>\r\n\"Come, try to remember, remember your own sin. Remember that, confess, and repent. ......That is the test I shall give you.\" <br><br>\r\n……その時、大きな落雷が轟き、俺の頭を真っ白にした。 <br>\r\n...At that time, a massive thunderclap rang out, making my mind go blank. <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。……懺悔せよって、…何だよ。………謝れって言いたいのかよ。」 <br>\r\n\"............What do you mean, ...repent? ......Are you trying to tell me to apologize?\" <br><br>\r\n「………もうテストは始まっているぞ。そなたの好きに考えるが良い。」 <br>\r\n\"......The test has already begun. You may think as you wish.\" <br><br>\r\n魔女の表情に、難問を突きつけ嘲笑うような様子はない。 <br>\r\nThe witch's expression did not look like a person forcing a tough question on someone and sneering at them. <br><br>\r\n……真剣に何かを問う、静かな気迫さえ感じられた。 <br>\r\n...She was asking seriously, and he could even sense a quiet determination. <br><br>\r\n戦人は雨に打たれながらも、その眼差しから目を離せずにいる。 <br>\r\nEven though the rain fell on Battler, he did not shift his eyes from that gaze. <br><br>\r\n……魔女は傘を、捨てる。 <br>\r\n雨に打たれるのに任せる。 <br>\r\n...The witch threw her umbrella away. <br><br>\r\nShe abandoned herself to the falling rain. <br><br>\r\n戦人が、その問いに答えるまでの間、雨に打たれているように。 <br>\r\nSo that the rain would fall on her until Battler answered that question. <br><br>\r\n……彼女もまた、彼がその答えに至るまでの間、一緒に雨に打たれることを選んだのだ。 <br>\r\n...She had chosen to let the rain fall on her as well until he reached an answer. <br><br>\r\nそれを、戦人はなぜか理解する。 <br>\r\n……しかし、でも、……わからない。 <br>\r\nFor some reason, Battler understood that. <br><br>\r\n...And yet, ...he didn't understand. <br><br>\r\n「い、……いや、…まぁ。……それを言われりゃ、幼稚だったとは思うぜ…。何のかんの言ったって、親父に育ててもらった恩は、親父が再婚したからってチャラになるもんじゃねぇ。 <br>\r\n\"...W-Well, ...if you put it that way, I do think I was being childish... All things considered, even Dad getting remarried didn't cancel out the debt I owed for him raising me.\" <br><br>\r\n……親父は、養育費は常に送り続けてくれたそうだし、……学校の行事にも参加したいと言っててくれたそうだ。 <br>\r\n\"...I hear that Dad always kept on paying for my living expenses...and that he even said he wanted to participate in school events. <br><br>\r\n………それを俺が、絶対に来させるなと祖父ちゃんたちに言ってたから、……来させなかっただけで……。」 <br>\r\n......The only reason he couldn't come...was because I told Grandpa and Grandma not to let him come, no matter what...\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"...............\" <br><br>\r\n「……た、確かにそりゃあ、……俺の幼稚な反抗だったと、バッサリ言われりゃそれまでだぜ。 <br>\r\n\"...I-It's true that...I can't argue back if you wanna call that my childish resistance. <br><br>\r\n………でもよ、…ならよ。……お袋の、……右代宮明日夢の無念は、誰が晴らすんだ…？！ お袋はあんなにも献身的に俺たち家族に尽くし、頑張ってくれたんだぜ…？！ <br>\r\n......But you know, ...in that case, ...who would clear away Mom's...Ushiromiya Asumu's regrets...?! Even though Mom was so devoted to our family and did the very best she could...?!\" <br><br>\r\nなのに親父は霧江さんと浮気もしていた。縁寿を身篭らせてさえいた…！ それで出産に合わせて、駆け込むかのように籍を入れたんだ。 <br>\r\n\"Despite that, Dad was cheating with Kyrie-san. He even got her pregnant with Ange...! And then, along with her birth, he rushed to move them into his register. <br><br>\r\n……それがお袋への裏切りでなくて何なんだよ？！ お袋の、無念はッ！ 誰が！！ 晴らすんだよ？！ <br>\r\n...If that wasn't a betrayal of Mom, then what was it?! Who...will clear up...Mom's regrets?!!\" <br><br>\r\n……だが、お前の言うとおりでもあるさ。浮気は事実でも、俺を育ててくれた恩は確かにあった。 <br>\r\n\"...But what you're saying is also right. Even though the cheating was a fact, the debt I owed for being raised was real too.\" <br><br>\r\nなら、それを相殺して、俺が家を出て行くというので、充分問題ねぇじゃねえかよ！！ そうさ、俺にはお袋の代わりに親父をブン殴る権利が、……いや、義務があったはずなんだぜッ？！ <br>\r\n\"In that case, they cancel each other out, so there's absolutely nothing wrong with me leaving the family, is there?!! That's right, I had the right...no, the duty to smack Dad in Mom's place, didn't I?!\" <br><br>\r\nそれを俺は許した！ 何も言わずに出て行って、初めから俺なんていなかったことにしてやった！！ 親父も俺のことなんか忘れて、霧江さんや縁寿と新しい家族を始めた！ それで丸く収まってるじゃねえか！！」 <br>\r\n\"But I didn't do that! I left without saying anything, as though I hadn't been there in the first place!! And Dad forgot all about me and started a new family with Kyrie-san and Ange! Doesn't that settle everything?!!\" <br><br>\r\nでもそれから６年を経た。 <br>\r\n……時間は怒りを癒した。 <br>\r\nBut since then, six years have passed. <br><br>\r\n...Time healed the anger. <br><br>\r\n霧江さんも、俺の怒りを理解していて、それでもなお交流しようと、心を砕いてくれた。 <br>\r\nKyrie-san understood my anger, and even so, she tried to interact with me, even if it meant tearing her heart apart. <br><br>\r\n縁寿は何も事情を知らず、俺のことを別居してはいるけど、本当の兄だと信じて慕ってくれた。 <br>\r\nAnge didn't know anything about the situation, and even though I lived in a separate house, she was raised believing that I was her real big brother and loved me as if it were true. <br><br>\r\n……親父はけろっとして、いつでも帰って来いなんて言ってやがる。 <br>\r\n...Dad casually said to come home any time I wanted. <br><br>\r\n「だんだん馬鹿らしくなってきたんだよ！！ そろそろ俺も頭を冷やしてもいいかなって思ったんだ。だから俺は、親父が謝ったら全部水に流すと言ってやったんだ。祖父ちゃんの葬式の日に！ そしたらあいつ、本当に畳に両手をついて詫びやがったよ…！！ 信じらんねぇくらいに情けない格好だった…！ あの格好つけた親父が、本気で頭を下げやがったんだぜ…？！ ……それを見たら、何だかもう、馬鹿らしくなっちまった。 <br>\r\n\"It started to feel more and more ridiculous!! I thought it was about time for me to cool my head as well. So I said I'd put it all behind me as long as Dad apologized. Then came the day of Grandpa's funeral! Then, he really did put his hands on the floor and apologize...!! Looking unbelievably pathetic...! Dad did that and seriously bowed his head to me, you see...?! ...When I saw that, it felt like it'd be stupid to keep it up any longer.\" <br><br>\r\nきっと、お袋もそう思っただろうぜ？！ お袋は、俺と親父が喧嘩をするといつも笑いながら仲裁してくれて、何だそんな下らないことで喧嘩をしていたの？と笑ってくれた。……俺はお袋が、そう言って笑っているのを感じたんだよ…！！ <br>\r\n\"I'm sure Mom thought the same thing! Every time Dad and I fought, Mom would always laugh and mediate for us. `Oh, were you fighting over something that silly?' is what she'd say. ...I could feel Mom saying that and laughing...!!\" <br><br>\r\nだから、 <br>\r\n……許すとまでは言えなかったけど、 <br>\r\n………もう一度、ゼロから始めてもいいかなって思ったんだよ。それで、６年前に全てを巻き戻すことにした。………それで右代宮家に籍を戻したんだよ…！！ 俺も６年間、泣き、怒り、悩みぬいた！ <br>\r\n\"So, <br><br>\r\n...though I couldn't actually say I'd forgive him, <br><br>\r\n......I thought it might be okay to start over again from square one. So I decided to wind everything back to how it was six years ago. ......Then, I returned to the Ushiromiya family register...!! I'd also cried, raged, and worried for a whole six years!\" <br><br>\r\nひょっとするとそれは親父もそうだったろうし、死んだお袋もそうだったかもしれない。あるいは霧江さんや縁寿もそうだったかもしれない。……だからゼロに戻し、右代宮戦人に戻ったんだッ！！！ それは俺たち家族の問題であって、 <br>\r\n……右代宮家とかそんなのは何も関係ねえッ！！ <br>\r\n\"It might've been the same for Dad...and for my dead Mom. Maybe even for Kyrie-san and Ange. ...So we went back to square one, and I returned to being Ushiromiya Battler!!! That's my immediate family's problem... <br><br>\r\nand has nothing to do with the Ushiromiya family!!\" <br><br>\r\nそれを罪だと断じる資格はお前にないし、それをお前に懺悔する義務も俺にはないッ！ もし、それを本当にすべき相手がいたとしたら、それはお前がもう全員殺したッ！！ だから俺は何も謝らない！ 懺悔しないッ！！！ それが俺の、このテストへの答えだッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"You have no right to judge that as a sin, and I have no obligation to show repentance to you! If there was anyone I should've done that for, you've already killed them!! So I won't apologize for anything! I won't repent!! That's my answer for this test!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………………。 <br>\r\n\"............... <br><br>\r\n……それだけか…？」 <br>\r\n...Is that all...?\" <br><br>\r\n「何………？ ………………。」 <br>\r\n\"What......? .........\" <br><br>\r\n俺は、半ばヤツの挑発に完全に乗り、胸の内の、誰にも見せたくなかった部分を、全て吐き出してしまったはずだ。 <br>\r\nPart of me had fully responded to her provocation, and I'd supposedly vented out all the stuff I'd kept inside my chest, stuff I hadn't wanted to show anyone. <br><br>\r\n魔女も、それを期待していたはず。 <br>\r\n……なのに、魔女は淡白な表情をわずかほども変えることはない。 <br>\r\nThat was what the witch had supposedly been expecting. <br><br>\r\n...And yet, the witch's blank expression didn't change in the slightest. <br><br>\r\n俺の、幼稚で愚かしく、情けない過去を、げらげらへらへらと、嘲笑うに違いないと思っていた。 <br>\r\nI'd been sure she'd start cackling and guffawing, sneering at my childish, foolish, and shameful past. <br><br>\r\nなのにそれどころか、まるで期待外れだとでも言うような、……そんな呆れさえ感じられた。 <br>\r\nBut to the contrary, I could feel a sense of disgust about her, ...something you could almost call disappointment. <br><br>\r\n「………それだけも何も、……俺は洗いざらいをブチまけたぜ？ 何が不満なんだよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......What do you mean `Is that all?', ...I've exposed everything about me, right? What more could you want?\" <br><br>\r\n「まだ、罪の清算が足りぬ。」 <br>\r\n\"That still isn't enough to clear away your sins.\" <br><br>\r\n「清算？ ……何だよ、親父みたいに、ここに土下座して謝れってのかよ…？！」 <br>\r\n\"Clear away? ...What the hell, are you asking me to prostrate myself right here and apologize like Dad did...?!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………違う。お前たち家族の、お前の家での話になど興味はない。ここはどこだ？ 六軒島だ。右代宮本家の本宅である。……この場所に相応しい、そなたの思い出すべき罪が、あるのではないか……？」 <br>\r\n\"......That's not it. I have no interest in matters concerning your immediate family or your home. Where are we? Rokkenjima. The main residence of the Ushiromiya Head Family. ...Isn't there a sin you ought to remember, fitting for this place...?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………他に、……俺に罪が、あるってのかよ……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Are you...saying that I have...another sin...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……思い出せ、右代宮戦人。………そして、それを思い出せぬことがそなたの罪。だからこそ、許そう。それを思い出せたなら許そう。………それを思い出すことが、そなたへの、贖罪のテストである。」 <br>\r\n\"...Remember, <NAME>. ......Not being able to remember that is your sin. For that reason, I shall forgive you. If you can remember it, I shall forgive you. ......Remembering that is my test of atonement for you.\" <br><br>\r\n「………思い出せ、……って言われてもよぅ……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Even if you...tell me to remember...\" <br><br>\r\n「…………思い出せ。……だからこそ罪なのだ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Remember. ...That's what makes it a sin.\" <br><br>\r\n「…悪ぃがベアト。……俺には身に覚えがさっぱりだ。 <br>\r\n\"Sorry, Beato. ...I have absolutely no memory of it.\" <br><br>\r\n……何だか６年前の俺が、お前に迷惑を掛けたみたいな雰囲気だが、俺はお前とは今回の親族会議が初対面のはず。確かにお前の伝説は６年前の当時にも存在していたが、俺との面識は当時にはなかったはずだ。」 <br>\r\n\"...You make it sound like I caused you trouble six years ago or something, but I supposedly met you for the first time at this family conference. It's true that your legend also existed six years ago, but I shouldn't have been acquainted with you.\" <br><br>\r\n「……無論である。６年前の六軒島において妾はまだ顕現していない。」 <br>\r\n\"...Naturally. On the Rokkenjima of six years ago, I had not yet materialized.\" <br><br>\r\n「なら、俺に何の罪があるってんだ。……俺に、……お前に対する罪が何かあるってのか…？」 <br>\r\n\"Then what kind of sin are you saying I have? ...Are you saying...I've sinned against you somehow...?\" <br><br>\r\n「同じことを二度言わせるな。妾は６年前には顕現しておらぬ。そなたと面識など、あろうはずもない。そなたという世界において、存在しないも同じだ。」 <br>\r\n\"Don't make me say the same thing twice. I had not materialized six years ago. There was no way for me to become acquainted with you. In the world that you are, it was as though I didn't exist.\" <br><br>\r\n……ベアトの冷めた目は、……何かの罪を追求しているように感じる。 <br>\r\n...Beato's cold eyes...felt as though they were pursuing some kind of sin. <br><br>\r\n俺がした何かの仕打ちを未だに恨んでおり、それを責めているように、一見、感じられるのだ。 <br>\r\nAt a glance, it felt as though she still hated me for something I'd done to her...and that she blamed me for it. <br><br>\r\nしかし、……俺には当然、何の心当たりもないし、それはベアト自身だって言ってる。 <br>\r\nHowever, ...I naturally didn't have a clue, and Beato had said it herself. <br><br>\r\n６年前の俺たちには何の縁もない。 <br>\r\nSix years ago, there was no link between us. <br><br>\r\n俺の６年前に、ベアトリーチェなどという人物は存在しないのだ。 <br>\r\nSix years ago, no person called Beatrice existed for me. <br><br>\r\n「………ヒントくらい出せよ。……その罪とやらは、俺とお前に、 <br>\r\n……関係がある……？」 <br>\r\n\"......At least give me a hint. ...Does this sin... <br><br>\r\nhave anything to do with you and me...?\" <br><br>\r\n「妾は６年前にはそなたと縁がない。妾のことは、いい加減に考えから外せというのだ。 <br>\r\n\"I had no connection to you six years ago. Remove me from your thoughts already. <br><br>\r\n……なぜ、妾への罪だと思うのか？」 <br>\r\n...Why...do you think it is a sin against me?\" <br><br>\r\n「………お前の、……目さ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Your...eyes.\" <br><br>\r\n「目…？ …………ほぅ。」 <br>\r\n\"My eyes...? ......Hoh.\" <br><br>\r\n「お前の目がさ、……詫びろって、俺に囁いてくるんだよ。……だが、俺はお前なんか６年前に縁はねぇし、それはお前も認めたはずだ。 <br>\r\n\"Because...your eyes are whispering at me to apologize. ...But I had no connection with you six years ago, and it looks like you acknowledge that too.\" <br><br>\r\n…………本当なのか？ ……本当に俺とお前の問題ではないのか……？」 <br>\r\n\"......Is that true? ...Is it really not a problem between me and you...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………違うというのに。妾とそなたの問題などまったく関係ないわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......I already said it wasn't. No problem between me and you has anything to do with this.\" <br><br>\r\n「だがよ、……お前の目が、そうだと言ってるんだよ。…………だから俺にはさっぱりわからねぇ。 <br>\r\n\"But still, ...your eyes are telling me differently. ......So I don't even have a clue.\" <br><br>\r\n………赤で言えるか？ お前が思い出せと言っている罪が、俺とお前の間のものではないと宣言できるか？」 <br>\r\n\"......Can you say it in red? Can you proclaim that the sin you're telling me to remember isn't something between you and me?\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。……よかろう。」 <br>\r\n\"...............Very well.\" <br><br>\r\n#ff0001妾が今、そなたに思い出すことを要求している罪は、右代宮戦人とベアトリーチェの間のものではない。#ffffff <br>\r\n#ff0001The sin I am now demanding that you remember is not between Ushiromiya Battler and Beatrice.#ffffff <br><br>\r\n「………なら、なぜそんな目で俺を見る……？」 <br>\r\n\"......Then...why are you looking at me with those eyes...?\" <br><br>\r\n「わからぬ。………妾はそなたを、こうして淡々と見つめているだけだ。それをそなたがそう感じるというのならば、 <br>\r\n……それはそなたに、そう感じる何かがあるのではないか。」 <br>\r\n\"I don't know. ......I am simply gazing at you blankly. If it feels that way to you, <br><br>\r\n...perhaps there's something making you feel that way.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。………俺に、何の罪があるってんだ。」 <br>\r\n\"...............What kind of sin are you saying I have?\" <br><br>\r\n「#ff0001右代宮戦人には、罪がある#ffffff。」 <br>\r\n\"#ff0001Ushiromiya Battler has a sin#ffffff.\" <br><br>\r\n「……どんな罪だってんだ。どうせ、叩いたとか誤魔化したとか、下らねぇ罪だろ。」 <br>\r\n\"...And I'm asking you what kind. I'll bet it's just some trivial sin, like hitting someone or tricking someone.\" <br><br>\r\n「#ff0001そなたの罪で、人が死ぬ。#ffffff」 <br>\r\n\"#ff0001Because of your sin, people die.#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「う、嘘吐け…！ 俺は誰も殺してなんかいない…！！ <br>\r\n\"L-Liar...! I've never killed anyone...!! <br><br>\r\nじゃあ言えよ！ 俺が誰を殺した？！ いつ？ 誰を？ どうやって？！」 <br>\r\nThen say it! Who did I kill?! When? Who? How?!\" <br><br>\r\n「#ff0001そなたの罪により、この島の人間が、大勢死ぬ。 <br>\r\n\"#ff0001Due to your sin, a great many humans of this island die. <br><br>\r\n誰も逃さぬ、全て死ぬ。#ffffff」 <br>\r\nNo one escapes, all die.#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「は、………はぁッ？！？！ な、何をワケわかんねぇこと言ってんだッ？！ 俺がみんなを殺したっていうのかよ？！ 俺は殺人鬼かッ？！」 <br>\r\n\"...Wh-Whaaaaat?!?! Wh-What kind of incomprehensible thing are you saying?! Are you saying I killed everyone?! I'm a killer?!\" <br><br>\r\n「そなたが直接手を下すわけではない。………しかし、そなたが罪を犯したからこそ、６年にもわたる歯車の狂いにて、歪みが生じ、……今夜、これだけの人命が失われるのだ。 <br>\r\n\"It doesn't mean you carried it out directly. ......However, because you committed a sin, from an imperfection in the cogs that stretch back a full six years, a distortion was created, ...and tonight, this many lives are lost. <br><br>\r\n~ib~そなたは、この惨劇の原因の一つである~ib~。」 <br>\r\n~ib~You are one of the causes of this tragedy~ib~.\" <br><br>\r\n「……い、……いい加減にしろ！！ 俺が原因だ？！ じゃあ何だ？！ 俺が６年前に右代宮の籍を捨てたから、１３人が死んだってのか？！ 俺が６年ぶりに右代宮家に帰ってきたから、１３人が死んだってのか？！ <br>\r\n\"...Qu-Quit messing around!! I'm the cause?! Then what?! Are you saying 13 people died because I abandoned the Ushiromiya register six years ago?! Are you saying that 13 people died because I came back to the Ushiromiya family after six years?!\" <br><br>\r\nふざけるな、いい加減にしろッ！！！ 俺はこの６年間、もっとも右代宮家から遠ざかっていた男だぜ？！ その俺が、何に、何の、どんな影響を与えたってんだ？！ <br>\r\n\"Don't fuck with me, give it a rest!!! For these six years, I've been the man farthest from the Ushiromiya family, right?! How could I have influenced anything in any way?!\" <br><br>\r\n俺だって好きで親族会議に来たわけじゃねぇぞ？！ ６年ぶりに寄りを戻したから、これまでの期間のケジメってことで、渋々と六軒島まで来たんじゃねぇか…！！ 別に俺は今日ここへ来る義理なんてなかったんだ！ <br>\r\n\"It's not like I came to the family conference because I wanted to, right?! I'd returned to my family after six years, so to make up for that lost time, I came to Rokkenjima reluctantly...!! It's not like I had some duty to come here today!\" <br><br>\r\nその俺が帰ってきて、それが理由で虐殺が起こった？ じゃあ何だ？！ 俺が帰ってこなけりゃ、誰も死なずに済んだってのか？！ <br>\r\n\"I came back, and because of that, a massacre occurred? Then what?! Are you saying that if I hadn't come back, no one would've had to die?! <br><br>\r\n赤で言えよ！！ 俺がもし帰ってこなかったら、この虐殺事件は起こらなかったと、赤で言えるのかよ？！ ……言えるわけねぇさ、お前が全ての犯人なんだからな！！ <br>\r\nSay it in red!! Can you say in red that, if I hadn't come back, this massacre crime wouldn't have occurred?! ...There's no way you can say it, because you're the culprit for everything!!\" <br><br>\r\n復唱要求ッ！！ “右代宮戦人がもしも六軒島に戻ってこなかったら、事件は起こらなかった”。言えるものなら言ってみろ…！！ <br>\r\n\"Repeat it!! `If Ushiromiya Battler hadn't returned to Rokkenjima, this crime wouldn't have occurred'. If you can say it, try saying it...!! <br><br>\r\n……言えねぇだろ？ 言えやしないのさッ、犯人はお前なんだ、俺じゃないッ！！ 勝手にその責任を俺に擦り付けるんじゃねぇええええぇ！！！」 <br>\r\n...Can't do it, can you? You can't say it! The culprit is you, not me!! Don't try to rub that responsibility off onto meeeeeeee!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「……答えろよ、赤で！！ 復唱してみろってんだ…！！ 出来やしない！ 事件に俺の存在なんか関係ないのさ。 <br>\r\n\"...Answer in red!! Try to repeat it...!! You can't! My existence has nothing to do with the crime.\" <br><br>\r\nワケのわかんねぇことを言って、俺を混乱させるんじゃねぇぇええぇえぇぇッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Quit saying incomprehensible stuff and trying to confuse meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!\" <br><br>\r\n叩き付ける雨粒が、冷たかったことを、思い出し始める。 <br>\r\nI began to remember the coldness of the raindrops that kept pounding down. <br><br>\r\n……それまでの雨は、ただ痛いだけだったが、……今や俺はその雨粒に、苛むような冷たさを感じている……。 <br>\r\n...The rain earlier had just hurt, ...but now I felt a tormenting cold from those raindrops... <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。……何も、思い出すことはないのか。」 <br>\r\n「………悪いが。俺にはさっぱり心当たりがねぇ。」 <br>\r\n\"...............Is there nothing that you remember?\" <br><br>\r\n\"......Sorry. I don't even have a clue.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「……おい。……俺は少しイラつき始めてんだぜ。……言いたいことがあるなら言えよ。俺に恨みがあるなら、堂々と言えばいい。……思い出せなんていやらしい言い方をするんじゃねぇ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Hey. ...I'm starting to get a little pissed off. ...If there's something you wanna say, then say it. If you have a grudge against me. you just have to say it out loud. ...Don't do it in such a dirty way, forcing me to remember.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………もう一度聞く。……何も、罪を、思い出せぬか。」 <br>\r\n\"......I'll ask one more time. ...Can you remember any sin?\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ！！ 何にも思い出せねぇな…！！」 <br>\r\n\"No!! I can't remember anything...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「………何も、 <br>\r\n……思い出せぬと、言うか。」 <br>\r\n\"......So, <br><br>\r\n...he says that he can remember...nothing.\" <br><br>\r\nこれにて、未練は尽きたか……？ <br>\r\nWith this, are your regrets at an end...? <br><br>\r\n「………………………。……………う、む…。」 <br>\r\n\"..................I-Indeed...\" <br><br>\r\n望み無き賭けも、賭けねば未練が残ろう。 <br>\r\n……それで良いのだ。 <br>\r\nEven a hopeless bet can leave behind regrets if you do not take it. <br><br>\r\n...That's enough. <br><br>\r\n賭けることに意味がある。 <br>\r\nThe betting itself has meaning. <br><br>\r\n「………そうかも知れぬな。…ならば、これにて。妾の未練も、ゲームも、終わりだ。」 <br>\r\n\"......That may be true. ...In that case, this is...the end of my regrets...and my game.\" <br><br>\r\nそなたはどうする…？ <br>\r\nWhat will you do...? <br><br>\r\n「…さぁな。………妾はもう、何の興味もない。……すまぬが、妾はこれにて、ゲーム盤を降りさせてもらいたい。」 <br>\r\n\"...Who knows. ......I'm not interested at all anymore. ...Sorry, but I wish to leave the game board now.\" <br><br>\r\n…………………………。 <br>\r\n……そうか。……わかった。 <br>\r\n............ <br><br>\r\n...I see. ...I understand. <br><br>\r\n「あとのゲームは妾が引き継ぐ。………そなたは休め。」 <br>\r\n\"I will take over for the rest of the game. ......You may rest.\" <br><br>\r\n「……うむ。……………。」 <br>\r\n\"...Indeed. .........\" <br><br>\r\n「後のことは、全て妾が終わらせる。 <br>\r\n\"All that remains, I will finish. <br><br>\r\n………そなたは全てを忘れて枕に顔を埋めよ。羽の布団は、そなたを全てからやさしく守ってくれるだろう。」 <br>\r\n......You may forget everything and bury your head in your pillow. A feather futon should gently protect you from everything.\" <br><br>\r\n「………後片付けを、……頼む。」 <br>\r\n\"......I'll be counting on you...to finish up the rest.\" <br><br>\r\n「任せよ。……あとのことは全て任せ、眠れ。」 <br>\r\n\"Leave it to me. ...Leave everything else to me...and sleep.\" <br><br>\r\n戦人に問い掛けをしていた魔女は姿を消し、後より現れたもうひとりの魔女が、残る。 <br>\r\nThe witch who had questioned Battler hid herself, and the other witch, who had appeared from behind, remained. <br><br>\r\n確かに瓜二つの、同じ魔女だったが、………その表情はどこかとても淡白で冷め切っていて、……それまでの悪酔いした風とはいえ、元気のよかった彼女からはかけ離れていた。 <br>\r\nShe certainly was identical, the same witch, ......but her expression was somehow indifferent and ice-cold, ...completely removed from the one who, despite seeming drunk up until then, had been in high spirits. <br><br>\r\n「……………おいッ！！ 聞いてるのかッ？！ テストとやらはもう充分だろう？！ 合格だろうと不合格だろうと、どうでもいいぜ！ お前の横っ面をブン殴ってやらなきゃ気が済まねぇ！！ 降りてきやがれ！！ さもなきゃここの扉を開けやがれ…！！」 <br>\r\n\"......Hey!! Are you listening?! Isn't this enough for that test thing?! I don't care whether I passed or failed! I won't be satisfied until I can bash your face!! Come down here!! Or else open this door...!!\" <br><br>\r\n魔女は何も答えない。 <br>\r\nThe witch did not answer. <br><br>\r\n冷え切った戦人の肩と同じくらいに、彼女の瞳も、冷め切ってしまっている。 <br>\r\nHer eyes were as ice-cold as Battler's shoulders. <br><br>\r\n……あのバルコニーから姿を現した時とは、明らかに別人だった。 <br>\r\n...She was now clearly a different person since the time she'd first appeared on that balcony. <br><br>\r\n魔女は俺の目をじっと見据えて、……小さく首を二度振った。 <br>\r\nThe witch gazed into my eyes...and gave two small shakes of the head. <br><br>\r\n言葉はなくとも、それは何かへの失望を示すものに見て取れた…。 <br>\r\nEven without words, I was able to gather that she was expressing some kind of disappointment... <br><br>\r\n魔女は何も言わずに踵を返す。 <br>\r\nWithout saying anything, the witch turned on her heels. <br><br>\r\nあとには、冷たい雨に打たれるままの、戦人が残るだけだった………。 <br>\r\nAfter that, only Battler remained, the cold rain still beating down on him...... <br><br>\r\n書斎は賑やかなパーティの真っ最中だった。 <br>\r\nThe study was in the middle of a lively party. <br><br>\r\n何か下らないことの揚げ足を取って、ガァプがワルギリアをからかっているらしい。 <br>\r\nIt seemed that Gaap was making fun of Virgilia, having tripped her up in some stupid way. <br><br>\r\n…リアリアリア、ガプガプガプ、と互いに唾を飛ばし合っている。 <br>\r\nそれを肴に、金蔵とロノウェが新しいボトルを開けていた。 <br>\r\n...They were spitting `Lialialia' and `Gapgapgap' at each other. <br><br>\r\nWith this as a sideshow, Kinzo and Ronove had opened a new bottle. <br><br>\r\n「おぉ、戻ったか。どうであったか、戦人のテストの結果は！ <br>\r\n\"Oh, you're back. How were the results of Battler's test?! <br><br>\r\n真里亞のテストは文句なしに合格点であったぞ？ あやつを小娘小娘と、わしは長いこと侮っていたが、これはこれはどうしてどうして、いやはやいやはやなかなかなかなか！ わっはっはっはっはっは！！」 <br>\r\nMaria's test got passing marks with no complaints, you see? I've despised her as a little girl, little girl, but see, but see, why, why, oh my, oh my, not bad, not bad! Wahhahhahhahhahha!!\" <br><br>\r\nどうやら、金蔵もすっかり出来上がっているようだった。 <br>\r\nIt seemed like Kinzo was dead drunk. <br><br>\r\n戻ってきたベアトに対し、テストに出掛けて行った時と同じテンションで笑い掛ける。 <br>\r\nFacing Beato, who had returned, he laughed with the same level of tension as the time they'd left for the tests. <br><br>\r\n…しかし、ロノウェやワルギリアはすぐにその温度差に気付く。 <br>\r\nガァプも表情を凍らせ沈黙した。 <br>\r\n...However, Ronove and Virgilia instantly noticed the change in enthusiasm. <br><br>\r\nGaap also froze her expression and went silent. <br><br>\r\n「わっはははははっはっは、どうしたベアトリーチェよ、我が最愛の魔女よ。酒が足りぬか？肴が足りぬか？ 土砂降りを浴びながら牛でも丸焼きにしようか、おお、悪くないッ！ <br>\r\n\"Wahhahahahahahhahha, what is it, Beatrice, my beloved witch? Not enough to drink? Not enough on the side? Let's pour it all over a cow or something and roast it whole, ooh, not bad!\" <br><br>\r\nロノウェ、さっそく準備をせよ！ ベアトリーチェよ、戦人のテスト結果は後だ。まずはスペアリブで乾杯と行こうではないか、うわっはっはっはっはっはっはッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Ronove, prepare one right away! Beatrice, let's leave the results of Battler's test for later. Why don't we have a toast with spare rib first, uwahhahhahhahhahha!!\" <br><br>\r\n「………………お前が丸焼きになるが良い。」 <br>\r\n「っはっはっはっは、 <br>\r\n……何？」 <br>\r\n\".........Roast yourself whole.\" <br><br>\r\n\"-hahhahhahha, <br><br>\r\n...what?\" <br><br>\r\n素っ気無く言い放った魔女は、上機嫌に笑い転げている金蔵の脇を、冷たく通り過ぎる。 <br>\r\nThe witch, who had spoken bluntly, coldly passed by Kinzo's side as he doubled over laughing in a great mood. <br><br>\r\n……すると魔女の背後で、 <br>\r\n………老いた召喚師の体が突如、燃え上がった…。 <br>\r\n...Then, behind the witch's back, <br><br>\r\n......the old summoner's body suddenly went up in flames... <br><br>\r\n「ぎゅおおおぉッ！！！！ ぐお、が、……ぎゃ………、な、ぜ、か…………ッ？！」 <br>\r\n\"Gyaaaaaahhh!!!! Gwohh, gah, ...gyah, ......w...h...y......?!\" <br><br>\r\n目、口、鼻などの全身のあらゆる穴から紅蓮の炎を噴出しながら、金蔵は転げ回る。 <br>\r\nAs crimson flames spat from his eyes, mouth, nose, ...every hole on his body, Kinzo rolled around. <br><br>\r\n……それは恐ろしい業火であるにもかかわらず、金蔵以外の何物も焦がすことはなかった。 <br>\r\n...Even though it was a terrible hellfire, it didn't burn anything except Kinzo. <br><br>\r\n金蔵は何が何やらわからない。 <br>\r\nKinzo didn't have a clue what was going on. <br><br>\r\n……あれほど上機嫌だったベアトリーチェが突然に、なぜにこれほど冷酷になったのか理解できず、転げ回る……。 <br>\r\n...Unable to understand why Beatrice, who had been in such a good mood, had suddenly turned so cold, he rolled around... <br><br>\r\nその転げ回る巨大な松明が生み出す、魔女と悪魔たちの踊るような影絵は、その火炙り刑に興奮する観衆にも見えた。 <br>\r\nThe dancing silhouettes of the witch and demons created by that massive rolling torch...looked like a group of excited spectators around a burning at the stake. <br><br>\r\nしかし、それを見守る悪魔たちの瞳は冷ややかなものだった……。 <br>\r\nHowever, the eyes of the demons who watched over it were indifferent... <br><br>\r\nやがて金蔵が動かなくなると、火は消え、そこには真っ黒な死体が残る。 <br>\r\nWhen Kinzo finally stopped moving, the fire disappeared, leaving a pitch-black corpse. <br><br>\r\n室内は静寂という名の、雨音に支配されるのだった……。 <br>\r\nThe inside of the room was commanded by the stillness of the sound of the rain... <br><br>\r\n「……どうなさいましたか、お嬢様。」 <br>\r\n\"...What has happened, Milady?\" <br><br>\r\n「興が、醒めた。………その邪魔な燃えカスを片付けよ。」 <br>\r\n\"I've gotten over...my excitement. ......Clean up those bothersome cinders.\" <br><br>\r\nベアトリーチェの表情は、……信じられないくらいに冷淡。 <br>\r\nBeatrice's expression...was unbelievably indifferent. <br><br>\r\n…機嫌を損ねれば、自分たちも金蔵と同じ末路を辿らされかねない冷たさがあった。 <br>\r\n...There was an iciness that might easily bring the others to the same fate as Kinzo if they annoyed her. <br><br>\r\n「…………え、えぇ。私が片付けるわ…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Y-Yes. I will clean it up...\" <br><br>\r\nガァプは漆黒の落とし穴に金蔵の燃えカスを飲み込ませる。 <br>\r\nGaap made a jet-black pitfall swallow up Kinzo's cinders. <br><br>\r\n…それを早く実行しなければ、ガァプもまた燃やされるかもしれない。そんな殺気さえ感じた。 <br>\r\n...If she hadn't carried that out quickly, Gaap might also have been burned. You could even feel that thirst for blood. <br><br>\r\nいや、殺気という表現さえ妥当ではない。 <br>\r\nNo, a thirst for blood probably isn't the best way to describe it. <br><br>\r\n……人が歩く時、アリを踏み潰すことに特別な感情など抱かないように。 <br>\r\n...Just like humans don't have any particular emotion when they step on an ant while they're walking... <br><br>\r\n……それくらい、無意識に無慈悲に、今のベアトには行きずりの何者かを葬りかねない残忍なる空虚さで満ちていた…。 <br>\r\n...That was how much, unconsciously and mercilessly, Beato was now filled with a brutal emptiness that wouldn't hesitate at burying a passerby... <br><br>\r\n「……ど、どうしたのです、ベアト。」 <br>\r\n\"...Wh-What is it, Beato?\" <br><br>\r\n「答えたくない。 <br>\r\n\"I don't want to answer. <br><br>\r\n……………いや、答えるのも、もはや面倒臭い。」 <br>\r\n.........No, even answering is too much of a pain to do now.\" <br><br>\r\n「………どうしたのよ、らしくもなく。 <br>\r\n\"...What is it? This isn't like you. <br><br>\r\n……何かあったの？ 戦人が何か言っ、 <br>\r\n...Did something happen? Did Battler say someth- <br><br>\r\n…………く、が、ギュ、」 <br>\r\n......ack, gah, gyah-\" <br><br>\r\nベアトリーチェは、返事もしていない。無視さえしたはずだ。 <br>\r\nBeatrice didn't even answer. It seemed that she even ignored it. <br><br>\r\nしかし、ガァプに変化が起こる。 <br>\r\nBut there was a change in Gaap. <br><br>\r\n足元から、メリメリパキパキと、薄氷を割るような音が上り、……瞬く間に、ガァプをガラスの彫像に変えてしまう。 <br>\r\nFrom her feet, a creaking, cracking sound rose, like thin ice breaking, ...and in an instant, turned Gaap into a glass sculpture. <br><br>\r\n「ガ、……ガァプ…、」 <br>\r\n\"...G-Gaap...\" <br><br>\r\n「…………しばらく、消えろ。大変に不機嫌だ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Disappear for a while. I'm in a very bad mood.\" <br><br>\r\nベアトリーチェは、本当に冷たい、……聞くだけで心までも凍えさせてしまうような声で、そう言い放った。 <br>\r\nBeatrice spoke that...in a truly cold voice, which could freeze the heart just by hearing it. <br><br>\r\n「……かしこまりました。それでは私どもは、これでお暇させていただきます。 <br>\r\n\"...Certainly. Then, please allow us to retire. <br><br>\r\n………何かございましたら、いつでもお呼びを。」 <br>\r\n......If you need anything, call at any time.\" <br><br>\r\nロノウェは一礼してから、黄金の蝶の群に変わり、姿を消す。 <br>\r\nAfter bowing, Ronove turned into a cloud of gold butterflies and hid himself. <br><br>\r\nワルギリアは、彫像に変えられてしまったガァプを黄金の蝶の群にして消し去ってから、自らも蝶の群になり、それに混じり合って姿を消した。 <br>\r\nAfter turning Gaap, who had become a sculpture, into a cloud of gold butterflies, Virgilia also turned into a cloud, which mixed in with the others and disappeared. <br><br>\r\n…………飲み散らかされた、書斎に、……ベアトリーチェはひとり、立ち尽くしている。 <br>\r\nその表情は、戻ってきた時から、わずかほども変わらない…。 <br>\r\n......In the study made untidy by drinking, ...Beatrice stood still, alone. <br><br>\r\nSince the time she had returned, her expression hadn't changed in the slightest... <br><br>\r\n……しかし、転がったワインの空き瓶や散らかったチーズの皿などに気付くと、少しだけ不快そうに眉をひそめた。 <br>\r\n...However, when she saw the fallen empty wine bottles and scattered cheese plates, her brow furrowed, and she looked a bit displeased. <br><br>\r\nそして一言、消えろと呟くと、その瞬間、部屋は瞬き、何事もなかったかのように片付いた。 <br>\r\nAnd when she whispered `disappear', in that instant, the room was cleaned up in a flash, as though nothing had happened. <br><br>\r\n応接席は綺麗に整い、ワインもチーズもない。 <br>\r\n零した汚れも、散らかしたゴミもない。 <br>\r\nThe reception chairs were neatly arranged, and there was no wine or cheese. <br><br>\r\nThere were no stains or scattered trash either. <br><br>\r\n……それどころか、空気さえも冷え切り、この部屋についさっきまで、あれだけの人数が賑やかにしていたことさえも疑わせるほどに、………静かな書斎に戻った。 <br>\r\n...To the contrary, even the air had frozen over, and, enough to make one doubt whether a large number of noisy people really had been in this room until a short while ago, ......the study had returned to silence. <br><br>\r\n………その、沈黙の、……空気さえも凍ってしまった寒々しい書斎に、ベアトリーチェは立ち尽くしていた…。 <br>\r\n......In that silent, ...frigid study where even the air had frozen, Beatrice stood still... <br><br>\r\nそして、呟くように呼ぶ。 <br>\r\nThen, she called, muttering. <br><br>\r\n「………………戦人。いるか。」 <br>\r\n\".........Battler, are you there?\" <br><br>\r\n「……さっきからいるぜ。 <br>\r\n\"...I've been here for a while. <br><br>\r\n………何なんだ、一体お前は。さっきから変だぜ。」 <br>\r\n......What the hell's going on with you? You've been strange since a short while ago.\" <br><br>\r\n「変に見えるか。それは済まぬな。」 <br>\r\n\"Do I seem strange? My apologies.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………あれだけ上機嫌に酒を酌み交わしていたクソジジイをいきなり焼き捨て、お前の友人の悪魔女もガラスの彫像。……悪魔の執事もお師匠も、消えろの一言でさっさと出てけだ。……お前、どんだけ気まぐれでわがままなんだか。」 <br>\r\n\"......Even though you were drinking so happily with that damn geezer, you suddenly burned him up, and your demoness friend is a glass sculpture. ...When you told the demon butler and your teacher to leave, they disappeared right away at your words. ...Just how fickle and selfish are you?\" <br><br>\r\n「戦人。もう止めた。」 <br>\r\n\"Battler, I'm done.\" <br><br>\r\n「何を。」 <br>\r\n\"Done with what?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………妾はもう、飽きた。」 <br>\r\n\"......I've grown bored of this.\" <br><br>\r\n「はぁ？ ………そりゃまぁ、お前がおっ始めたゲームだぜ。 <br>\r\n\"Huh? ......That's...well...you were the one who started this game. <br><br>\r\nへっ、飽きてくれて助かるってもんさ。つまるところ、投了ってわけだな？」 <br>\r\nHeh, if you've had enough, that's great for me. So basically, you're giving up?\" <br><br>\r\n「投了などではない。ただ、終わるだけだ。いや、終わりもしない。このまま、ゲームが永遠に放棄されるだけだ。」 <br>\r\n\"I am not giving up. I am simply ending it. No, I won't even end it. I am just abandoning this game for all eternity.\" <br><br>\r\n「そういうのを投了って言うんじゃねぇのかよ。……いや、飽きて放り出すって言葉が、お前にはぴったりだな。」 <br>\r\n\"Doesn't that mean you're giving up? ...Nah, the words `got bored of it and threw it away' fit you perfectly.\" <br><br>\r\n「その通りだ。飽きたから、放り出す。 <br>\r\n\"That is correct. I grew bored of it...and am throwing it away. <br><br>\r\n後は知らぬ。そのまま放置されて、好きに埃でも被ればいい。」 <br>\r\nI don't care what happens next. It can remain abandoned and gather dust as much as you like.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。……お前どうしたんだ。何だかさっきからやりにくいぜ。 <br>\r\n\"............What's going on with you? You've been kinda hard to deal with since a short while ago.\" <br><br>\r\n……まださっきのワケのわかんねぇテストのことで尾を引いてるのかよ？ 俺に恨みがあるなら、はっきり言えばいいじゃねぇか。お前は赤で、自分とは関係ないなんて言ってみせたが、どうせ言葉遊びだろ？ お前の顔に書いてあるぜ。俺を恨んでるってな。」 <br>\r\n\"...Are these still the aftereffects of that incomprehensible test from earlier? If you've got a grudge, all you have to do is say so clearly. You said in red that it has nothing to do with you, but that's gotta be a play on words, right? It's written all over your face. You have a grudge against me.\" <br><br>\r\n「お前に恨みなどないと、何度言えばわかるのか。妾はそなたが罪を残したその当時に、存在しておらぬ。」 <br>\r\n\"How many times will I have to say I have no grudge against you before you'll understand? At the time you committed your sin, I did not exist.\" <br><br>\r\nベアトはカチンと来たような表情で、さらに不愉快そうに表情を歪めてそう言い放つ。 <br>\r\nAs Beato spoke with an offended expression, her face twisted to look even more displeased. <br><br>\r\n気まぐれ。移り気。気分屋。天気屋。……わがままで無邪気で、残酷。 <br>\r\nFickle. Inconsistent. Moody. Temperamental. ...Selfish and simple-minded and cruel. <br><br>\r\nしかしそれでも、こんなおかしな表情を見せたことは今まで一度もなかった…。 <br>\r\nBut even so, she hadn't shown an expression as strange as this even once until now... <br><br>\r\n「…………ま、お前が吹っ掛けてきたゲームだ。俺も決着がつかねぇのは残念だが、気が向いたらぜひまた誘ってくれよな。 <br>\r\n\"......Well, you were the one who provoked me into this game. I'm a bit let down that it wasn't resolved, but feel free to invite me again if you feel like it.\" <br><br>\r\nそん時ゃ、謹んでご辞退させてもらうけどよ？ へっへっへ。」 <br>\r\n\"But when that happens, allow me to politely refuse, okay? Heheheh.\" <br><br>\r\nわざとおちょくるような口調で話し掛けるが、ベアトがそれに反応を示すことはない。 <br>\r\nHe intentionally spoke in a mocking tone, but Beato showed no reaction. <br><br>\r\n……戦人は俯き、舌打ちをする…。 <br>\r\n...Battler hung his head and clicked his tongue... <br><br>\r\n「何度も何度も１０月４日と５日をぐるぐる過ごしたわけだが、ようやくこれでお役御免だな。……これで明後日には船が来る。 <br>\r\n\"We've circled around October 4 and 5 over and over again, but I've finally had just about enough of this role. ...This way, the boat will come tomorrow.\" <br><br>\r\n…そうさ、そして船着場にはうみねこも戻ってくる。……俺はようやく、六軒島名物の、あのニャーニャーいう鳴き声を聞けるわけだ。何しろ、島に来た時は天気のせいか、全然いなかったからな。 <br>\r\n\"...That's right, and then the seagulls will return to the harbor. ...I'll finally be able to hear Rokkenjima's signature nya-nya- cries. After all, maybe because of the weather, they weren't there at all when I came to the island.\" <br><br>\r\n………うみねこのなく頃に、全ては終わる、ってわけだ。……終わり終わり、おしまいおしまい。清々すらぁ。」 <br>\r\n\"......When the seagulls cry, everything will end, I guess. All done, the end. What a relief.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………何を、そなたは勘違いしておるのか。」 <br>\r\n\"......Exactly what is it that you're misunderstanding?\" <br><br>\r\n「ん？ 何をだって？」 <br>\r\n\"Hmm? What'd you say?\" <br><br>\r\n「………何も終わらぬと、妾は言ったぞ。これにて全ては放置される。ゲームは忘れられ、盤上の駒はそのままに放置される。 <br>\r\n\"......I said that nothing would end. With this, everything will be abandoned. The game will be forgotten, and the pieces on the board will be abandoned as they lay. <br><br>\r\n進みも戻りも、取りも取られもしない。勝ちもなく、負けもなく、引き分けすらもない。ただ、放置されるのだ。」 <br>\r\nThere will be no advancing or returning, no taking and being taken. No victory, no defeat, not even a tie. Just abandoned.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………つまりはおしまいってことだろ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Doesn't that mean it's over?\" <br><br>\r\n「違う。妾の手番にて永遠にゲームが止まる。そなたの番は来ない。だから勝ちも負けも引き分けもない。 <br>\r\n\"Wrong. On my turn, the game will stop for all eternity. Your turn will not come. So there will be no victory nor defeat nor a tie.\" <br><br>\r\n………かつての妾は、そなたにそうされるわけには行かなかった。そなたに勝つという目的があったからだ。 <br>\r\n\"......In the past, I couldn't let you do that. After all, one of my goals was winning against you. <br><br>\r\nしかし、それに興味を失った。だから、これ以上、手番を進める意味が、もう何もない。」 <br>\r\nHowever, I've lost interest. So there is no longer any point in making moves any longer.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………俺に手番が来ないというのは、どういう意味なんだ…。」 <br>\r\n\"......What do you mean...by my turn not coming...?\" <br><br>\r\n俺は、ベアトがゲームに飽きることで解放され、六軒島を脱出できるつもりでいる。 <br>\r\nI'd thought that Beato getting tired of the game meant I'd be released...and that I'd be able to escape Rokkenjima. <br><br>\r\nしかし、ベアトが繰り返し言う、ゲームの放棄とゲームの勝敗は違うという意味が、……なぜか頭に引っ掛かる…。 <br>\r\nBut for some reason, Beato's repeated words...about the difference between abandoning the game and settling it...caught my attention... <br><br>\r\n………こいつはさっきから何に不機嫌で、…何を言っているんだ……？ <br>\r\n......Just what is it she's been saying, ...and why the bad mood...? <br><br>\r\nその時、俺の後から突然、声が聞こえた。 <br>\r\nAt that time, I suddenly heard a voice from behind me. <br><br>\r\n振り返ると、……どこかであった記憶があるような、ないような…。 <br>\r\nWhen I turned around, ...there was someone I thought I might, or might not, remember from somewhere... <br><br>\r\n……瞳に光を宿さない、謎の少女が立っていた。 <br>\r\n...A mysterious girl, with no light in her eyes, was standing there. <br><br>\r\n「………その子が言っているのは、こういう意味よ。……このゲームが、駒をそのままに、蓋を閉じられるということ。ゲームは終わらないまま、永遠に留め置かれる。」 <br>\r\n\"......What this kid's saying goes something like this. ...She means putting the lid on this game and leaving the pieces as they are. The game will be locked away for all eternity, without ending.\" <br><br>\r\n「あんたが元の世界へ戻ることの出来る唯一の方法は、ベアトに勝利することだけ。 <br>\r\n\"The only way for you to return to your original world is to win against Beato. <br><br>\r\n………つまり、ベアトがゲームを放棄しちゃうってことは。……わかるぅ？」 <br>\r\n......So, if Beato abandons the game, ...get it?\" <br><br>\r\nいつの間にか、別の場所にも、真っピンクのドレスを来た少女がいた。 <br>\r\n……彼女にもどこかで会ったような気がするが、思い出せない。 <br>\r\nSuddenly, in a different place...was a girl wearing a bright pink dress. <br><br>\r\n...I had a feeling I'd met her somewhere too, but I couldn't remember. <br><br>\r\nそれより、彼女の言った言葉の意味。 <br>\r\nMore important was the meaning of her words. <br><br>\r\n……ゲームが放棄されるということは、……え？ <br>\r\n...If the game is abandoned, then...huh? <br><br>\r\n「………そういうことよ。勝負は敵味方が揃わなきゃ決着しないわ。………あなたには、もう永遠に、勝利してこの世界から抜け出すことが、出来ないということよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......That's right. A match won't be resolved unless enemies and allies meet. ......It would mean that you'd never be able to win and escape from this world for all eternity.\" <br><br>\r\n「差し詰め、……あなたを閉じ込めた檻の鍵を、ハトの首輪にでも括り付けて飛ばしてしまうようなものかしら。 <br>\r\n\"What it comes down to, I guess, ...is something like taking the key to the cage that you're locked in, fastening it to the collar of a pigeon or something, and letting it fly.\" <br><br>\r\n…………冗談じゃないわ、ベアト。そんなつまらないゲームを見に、私たちは遥々ここまで来たわけじゃないのよ。これでゲームはお開きなんて、冗談じゃないわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......This isn't funny, Beato. We didn't come this far to watch such a boring game. Calling it a day like this is no joke.\" <br><br>\r\n「………ラムダに同じよ。私は戦人を勝利させ、あなたを敗北させてのた打ち回らせるためにやって来たのよ。まだその目的を達していない。……こんなところでゲーム放棄されて、逃げ出されたんじゃ堪らないわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......I agree with Lambda. I came here to make Battler win and to make you writhe in defeat. I still haven't achieved that goal. ...I won't stand for you abandoning the game at a time like this and running away.\" <br><br>\r\n「卿らを失望させるゲームの幕切れとなったことは認めよう。 <br>\r\n\"I acknowledge that it would mean the curtain call for a game that disappoints you Ladies. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、この茶会のホストたる妾は何しろ気まぐれ。興が醒めれば、持て成す術など知らぬ。……元より、それが妾の、魔女たる所以のはず。何も問題はなかろう…？」 <br>\r\n...However, I, the host of this tea party, am fickle. Once it's lost its fun, I know no way of entertaining. ...I believe that's been my witch-like way of doing things from the very beginning. There are no problems, yes...?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。……確かに。あなたの教義には反しないわ。」 <br>\r\n\"............Certainly. I won't go against your creed.\" <br><br>\r\n「私は認めないわよ…。……ふざけんじゃないわよ、あんたにどんだけ肩入れしたと思ってんのよ…。 <br>\r\n\"I won't accept it... ...Quit fooling around, how much do you think I've supported you...? <br><br>\r\nここまでお膳立てさせて、これでハイおしまい？ ふざけんじゃないわよ…！！」 <br>\r\nYou think I'd be okay with that after all this preparation? Don't mess with me...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「妾は飽きたと、そう言っている。それ以上も以下もない。」 <br>\r\n\"I am saying that I have tired of it. Nothing more, nothing less.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうは行かないわよ…。あんたにはこのゲームを続けてもらうわ。戦人に勝利したいんでしょう？ <br>\r\n\"That's not gonna fly... We'll have you continue this game. You wanna win against Battler, right? <br><br>\r\n勝って屈服させたいんでしょう？！ もう一息じゃない！ ね〜？！」 <br>\r\nYou wanna win and make him surrender, right?! You're almost there, aren't you?! Am I right?!\" <br><br>\r\n「………そ、そこで俺に振るんじゃねぇ。 <br>\r\n\"......D-Don't ask me that. <br><br>\r\n……ただ、俺にも意見はある。言わせてくれ。」 <br>\r\n...But...I have an opinion too. Let me say it.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………何か。」 <br>\r\n\"......What?\" <br><br>\r\n「こいつは、お前に売られた喧嘩だ。俺はお前とはっきり白黒をつける覚悟がある。……何度か屈服しかけたが、途中で逃げ出して、勝負をうやむやにして逃げるつもりだけはさらさらねぇ。 <br>\r\n\"This is a fight you picked. I'm prepared to settle this once and for all. ...I've come close to surrendering many times, but I've never had any intention of escaping partway through, leaving the match undecided.\" <br><br>\r\n……俺がここにいて、戦う意思を見せている以上。……逃げるんじゃねぇ、ベアトリーチェ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Since I'm here, showing the will to fight, ...you'd better not run away, Beatrice.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………同感だわ。戦人を巻き込んでおいて、勝ちも負けも与えずに立ち去るなんて、無責任にも程がある。」 <br>\r\n\"......I agree. Getting Battler involved and then leaving without giving him victory or defeat is just too irresponsible.\" <br><br>\r\nいつの間にか、グレーテルまでもがいた。 <br>\r\nSuddenly, even Gretel was there. <br><br>\r\n……そして誰もが、ベアトのことを無責任だと罵った。 <br>\r\n...And everyone was calling Beato irresponsible. <br><br>\r\n「ほう。………どうやら妾が無責任だと罵られる最大の理由は、戦人が対戦相手として留まっているからということらしい。 <br>\r\n\"Hoh. ...It seems I'm mostly being called irresponsible because Battler will, as my opponent, be stuck. <br><br>\r\n………ならば戦人。お前もまた、私と同様に対戦相手を降りてくれぬか？ それでなら、妾は批判されることもない。」 <br>\r\n......In that case, Battler, will you step down from being an opponent, as I shall? That way, I will have done nothing worthy of criticism.\" <br><br>\r\n「俺が降りると、六軒島を出られるのか…？」 <br>\r\n\"If I step down, will I be able to leave Rokkenjima...?\" <br><br>\r\n「出られるわけもなかろうが。勝手に埃を浴びて肩にでも積もらせよ。」 <br>\r\n\"There's no chance you'll be able to leave. Just be covered in dust and let it pile up on your shoulders.\" <br><br>\r\n「………ふざけないで。なんて無責任な人なの。あんたはこれだけ大勢の人間を殺した。 <br>\r\n\"......Quit fooling around. What an irresponsible person. You've killed such a large number of people. <br><br>\r\nしかも、魔女の力によって、何度も何度も。惨たらしい殺し方で！ ………その責任を取らず、逃げ出すなんて、絶対に許せない…！」 <br>\r\nOn top of that, using a witch's power, you've done it over and over. Killing in gruesome ways! ......I definitely won't let you escape without taking responsibility...!\" <br><br>\r\n「責任。……ほぅ、妾はどのようにして、その責任とやらを取ればいいのか。」 <br>\r\n\"Responsibility. ...Hoh, what is it I should do to take this so-called responsibility?\" <br><br>\r\n「決着をつけるまで戦いなさい。戦人は正面の席に座り、あなたに打ち勝つまで決して諦めずに戦う。だからあなたも、負かされるまで戦いなさい。それが嫌なら、戦人を負かせてみせなさい…！！ <br>\r\n\"Fight until a resolution is reached. Battler will sit in the chair across from you, never giving up and fighting until he beats you. So you too, fight until you're defeated. If you don't like that, try and defeat Battler...!!\" <br><br>\r\n許さない、全てをうやむやにして、戦人をこの席に放り出して、 <br>\r\n……永遠に閉じ込めて帰さないなんて、 <br>\r\n………許さない……！！」 <br>\r\n\"I won't forgive you...if you leave everything unresolved and abandon Battler in this chair, <br><br>\r\n...locking him up and never letting him return... <br><br>\r\n ......I won't forgive you...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……グレーテル。」 <br>\r\n\"...Gretel.\" <br><br>\r\n正直なところ、グレーテルがどういう立ち位置で俺を助けてくれているのか、よくはわからない。 <br>\r\nTo be perfectly honest, I didn't really understand from what standpoint Gretel was trying to save me. <br><br>\r\n……しかし彼女の言葉には、俺をこの狂ったゲームの世界から、何としても救い出したいという、強い意志が感じられた。 <br>\r\n...But in her words, I could feel a strong determination to save me from this insane game world no matter what. <br><br>\r\nだから、俺もそれに応えた。 <br>\r\nSo, I responded in kind. <br><br>\r\n「ベアト。こっちを向け。」 <br>\r\n\"Beato, face me.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。」 <br>\r\n\".........\" <br><br>\r\n「俺は、ここにいる。お前の正面の、ライバルの席だ。……わかるな？ 俺がここに座り続ける限り。お前に逃げは、許さない。……だから逃げるな。戦え。 <br>\r\n\"I am here. Across from you, in the seat of your rival. ...Get it? As long as I continue to sit here, I won't allow you to escape. ...So don't escape. Fight.\" <br><br>\r\nお前が始めた戦いだろうが。これだけ何度も何度も上等を決めやがって、しっちゃかめっちゃかにやってくれたんだッ！ <br>\r\n\"Isn't this a fight you started? You did all that crap over and over, making a complete mess of things! <br><br>\r\n今さら飽きたで終わらせられるかよ！！ 俺はお前の対戦相手だ！！ 俺がここにある限り！！ 逃げるなんて許さねえぞッ！！ <br>\r\nHow could I let you end it because you're tired, after all this time?!! I am your opponent!! As long as I'm here, I won't let you escape!!\" <br><br>\r\n聞いてるのかこの無責任魔女めッ！ 何とか言ってみろってんだぁあああああああぁあぁぁあぁぁ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Are you listening, you irresponsible witch?! Try saying somethiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!!!\" <br><br>\r\n俺が怒鳴りつけると、……しばらくの間、ベアトは沈黙していた。 <br>\r\nAfter I yelled at her, ...Beato went silent for a while. <br><br>\r\n俺の言葉が届いたのか、それともまったく別のことを考えているのかは、わからない。 <br>\r\nWhether my words had reached her, or whether she was thinking about something completely different, ...I couldn't tell. <br><br>\r\nでもしばらくの間、沈黙し、……何とも感情の読めない表情で俺を凝視し、……それに気付かれたと知って、目線を逸らせた。 <br>\r\nBut for a while, she was silent, ...gazing at me with an expression I could read no emotion from, ...and when she realized that I'd noticed, she averted her gaze. <br><br>\r\nそして背を向け、……こう言った。 <br>\r\nThen, she turned her back to me...and said this... <br><br>\r\n「戦人が対戦相手を辞めてくれぬ以上、このゲームを放棄することは認められぬと、……卿らは仰るわけか。 <br>\r\n\"So, since Battler will not quit as my opponent, ...the Ladies are saying that my abandonment of this game will not be acknowledged. <br><br>\r\n…………ならば、問おう。そもそも、そこにいる男に、妾の対戦相手たる資格があるのかどうかを。」 <br>\r\n......In that case, let's ask. Let's see if the man over there was qualified to be my opponent in the first place.\" <br><br>\r\n「………資格？」 <br>\r\n\"......Qualified?\" <br><br>\r\n「…どうせ、さっきのテストとやらのことだぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Probably has something to do with that test or whatever just now.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………何をする気…？」 <br>\r\n\"......What are you planning to do...?\" <br><br>\r\n「…あ、…あんたまさか…、」 <br>\r\n\"...D-Don't tell me you're...\" <br><br>\r\n「これより、そなたに妾の対戦相手たる資格があるかどうか、それを問う。 <br>\r\n\"I will now determine whether or not you are qualified to be my opponent. <br><br>\r\n………良いか、戦人。その資格が認められれば、妾は席に留まり、ゲームを続けよう。そして、勝敗の決着がつくまで、永遠に戦い続けることを約束しよう。」 <br>\r\n......Ready, Battler? If those qualifications are acknowledged, I will stay in my seat and continue the game. And I shall promise to fight for all eternity until the outcome is decided.\" <br><br>\r\n「へ！ 俺には元よりその覚悟はあるぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"Heh! I was ready for that from the beginning.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………しかし。その資格がなかったなら。……そなたは消えよ。対戦相手が消えれば、ゲームもない。妾は堂々とここを立ち去れる。 <br>\r\n\"......However, if you are not qualified, ...you must disappear. If the opponent disappears, there is no game. I can leave this place openly. <br><br>\r\n………卿らもよろしいか。口出しは無用。」 <br>\r\n......Are the Ladies satisfied? Interruptions will not be necessary.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。 <br>\r\n\"............ <br><br>\r\n……どうぞ、お好きなように。」 <br>\r\n...Go ahead, do as you like.\" <br><br>\r\n「………ば、…戦人…。あんた、……しっかり答えるのよ…。」 <br>\r\n\"......B-Battler... You...make sure you answer well...\" <br><br>\r\n「資格があるからこそ、俺はここにいるんだろ？ へっ、何も怯えることなんざねぇぜ…！」 <br>\r\n\"The very reason I'm here is because I'm qualified, right? Heh, there's nothing to be scared of...!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。………ま、……まさか……。」 <br>\r\n\"............Y-You couldn't be...\" <br><br>\r\nグレーテルが突然青ざめる。 <br>\r\n……冷静沈着なヤツだと思ってただけに、その表情は俺を驚かせた。 <br>\r\nGretel grew suddenly pale. <br><br>\r\n...I'd thought her to be the calm, collected type, so that expression surprised me. <br><br>\r\n「……それでは戦人。赤で復唱してもらおう。」 <br>\r\n\"...Well then, Battler. I shall have you repeat it in red.\" <br><br>\r\n「お、俺に復唱要求ってか？ <br>\r\n\"Y-You're telling me to repeat something? <br><br>\r\nへへ…、俺の十八番を奪いやがって。……しかし、赤き真実って俺でも出来るのか？ どうやるんだ…？」 <br>\r\nHeheh, ...damn you, stealing my signature move. ...But can I use the red truth too? How...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………そ、そうだと念じれば出来るわよ。簡単よ。」 <br>\r\n\"......I-If you wish for it to be that way, you can do it. It's easy.\" <br><br>\r\n「#ff0001俺の名は右代宮戦人#ffffff。 <br>\r\n\"#ff0001My name is <NAME>#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n……お、……おお、こりゃ面白ぇや。」 <br>\r\n...W-Whoa, pretty cool.\" <br><br>\r\n「やめてッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Stop it!! <br><br>\r\nあんたの狙いは読めてるわ…！！ でもそれは止めて！ 彼は……！！」 <br>\r\nI know what you're after...!! But stop that! He's...!!\" <br><br>\r\nグレーテルが叫んだ時、キッとベアトが睨む。 <br>\r\nするとその姿が瞬時に掻き消された。 <br>\r\nWhen Gretel yelled, Beato glared at her. <br><br>\r\nThen, her form was wiped away in an instant. <br><br>\r\n「うるさい。そなたはしばらく席を外せ。 <br>\r\n\"Shut up. Leave your seat for a while. <br><br>\r\n卿らもであるぞ。口出しをするならば容赦せぬ。」 <br>\r\nYou too, Ladies. If you interfere, I will not hold back.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………邪魔はしないわ。どうぞご自由に。」 <br>\r\n\"......We won't get in the way. Go ahead, do as you like.\" <br><br>\r\n「ベ、ベルン、まずいでしょうが！！ あいつ、消す気よ、戦人をッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"B-Bern, this is bad!! She's trying to erase Battler!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……何だと……？ あいつ、……何を企んでやがる……。」 <br>\r\n\"...What's that...? What's...she planning...?\" <br><br>\r\n「それでは、資格を問うぞ。 <br>\r\n\"Well then, I shall question your qualifications. <br><br>\r\n…………面白いな。普段のゲームが、攻守が逆になった。これは最後の最後で、とても貴重な体験だ。 <br>\r\n......Interesting. Attack and defense are reversed from a normal game. This is a very precious experience, coming at the very, very end. <br><br>\r\n………良いか、心してまずは聞け。まずは妾が赤で語る。」 <br>\r\n......Ready? Listen carefully. I will speak with the red first.\" <br><br>\r\n #ff0001妾は黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェ。#ffffff <br>\r\n#ff0001I am the Golden Witch, Beatrice.#ffffff <br><br>\r\n#ff0001そして右代宮金蔵の孫、右代宮戦人と戦うためにこのゲームを開催した。#ffffff <br>\r\n#ff0001And I opened this game in order to fight Ushiromiya Kinzo's grandchild, Ushiromiya Battler.#ffffff <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「……そんなことは知ってるぜ。だから何だ。」 <br>\r\n\"...I know that. So what?\" <br><br>\r\n「復唱要求。………“右代宮戦人の母は、右代宮明日夢である”。」 <br>\r\n\"Repeat it. ......`Ushiromiya Battler's mother is Ushiromiya Asumu'.\" <br><br>\r\n「はあ？！ …そこで何でお袋の名が出てくるんだよ……？」 <br>\r\n\"What?! ...Why's Mom's name popping up all of a sudden...?\" <br><br>\r\n「無駄口は要らぬ。ただ、赤で復唱せよ。」 <br>\r\n\"I do not require chatter. Just repeat it in red.\" <br><br>\r\nベアトは相変わらずの冷淡な口調で、それを俺に強いる。 <br>\r\nBeato urged me with the same indifferent tone. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、ヤツが何をしたいのかがさっぱりわからない。 <br>\r\n……俺には突っ込まれて困るようなやましいことも、隠し事も一切ない。 <br>\r\n...But I don't have a clue what she's trying to do. <br><br>\r\n...I have absolutely nothing to feel guilty for that would trouble me if thrown in my face, and there's nothing that I'm hiding. <br><br>\r\n復唱を要求されて困るようなことなんて何もない。 <br>\r\n……なのに、なぜこんなことを…？ <br>\r\nThere's nothing that could trouble me by demanding that I repeat it. <br><br>\r\n...So, why do something like this...? <br><br>\r\n「いいぜ、復唱する。 <br>\r\n\"Sure, I'll repeat it. <br><br>\r\n#ff0001右代宮戦人の母は、右代宮明日夢である。#ffffff <br>\r\n#ff0001Ushiromiya Battler's mother is Ushiromiya Asumu.#ffffff <br><br>\r\n……赤は便利だな。戸籍抄本を持ってくる面倒もねぇ。」 <br>\r\n...The red sure is convenient. No need to bother myself with bringing a copy of the family register.\" <br><br>\r\n「無駄口は要らぬ。続けるぞ。“そなたの名は、右代宮戦人である”。」 <br>\r\n\"Idle chatter is unnecessary. Let's continue. `Your name is <NAME>'.\" <br><br>\r\n「……おう。 <br>\r\n\"...Sure. <br><br>\r\n#ff0001俺の名は右代宮戦人#ffffffだ。」 <br>\r\n#ff0001My name is Ushiromiya Battler#ffffff.\" <br><br>\r\n「右代宮戦人は、右代宮明日夢から生まれた。」 <br>\r\n\"It was from Ushiromiya Asumu that Ushiromiya Battler was born.\" <br><br>\r\n「#ff0001右代宮戦人は、右代宮明日夢から生まれた。#ffffff」 <br>\r\n\"#ff0001It was from Ushiromiya Asumu that Ushiromiya Battler was born.#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「そなたは、右代宮明日夢から生まれた。」 <br>\r\n\"It was from Ushiromiya Asumu that you were born.\" <br><br>\r\n「#ff0001俺は、右代宮#ffffff、 <br>\r\n\"#ff0001It was from Ushiromiya#ffffff <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n……、 <br>\r\n……ふぐ、 <br>\r\n…………っ？！ ……？！？！」 <br>\r\n... <br><br>\r\n...nguh, <br><br>\r\n......?! ...?!?!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nその時、突然、息が詰まる…。 <br>\r\n急に窒息したような息苦しさに襲われた。 <br>\r\nAt that time, my throat suddenly closed... <br><br>\r\nI was rapidly assaulted with a choking suffocation. <br><br>\r\nど、………どういうことだ……？ も、……もう一度……。 <br>\r\n......Wh-What's going on...? ...O-One more time... <br><br>\r\n「俺は、右代宮明日夢から生まれた…。…クソ、 <br>\r\n\"It was from Ushiromiya Asumu that I was born... ...Damn, <br><br>\r\n俺は右代宮明日夢から生まれた…。 <br>\r\nit was from Ushiromiya Asumu that I was born... <br><br>\r\n…………な、何だ？ さっきまでは簡単に出来てたのに、急に赤がうまく出来なくなったぞ…？！」 <br>\r\n......Wh-What the hell? Even though I was doing it so easily a second ago, I suddenly stopped being able to get the red to work...?!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………復唱を拒否するのか？」 <br>\r\n\".........Do you refuse to repeat it?\" <br><br>\r\n「拒否なんかじゃねぇ…！！ なぜかうまく行かねぇんだ…！！ <br>\r\n\"I'm not refusing anything...!! It's not working for some reason...!! <br><br>\r\n俺は右代宮明日夢から生まれた…！！ 何でだッ？！ 畜生、何で赤が使えないんだ？！ そんな馬鹿なッ？！？！」 <br>\r\nIt was from Ushiromiya Asumu that I was born...!! Why?! Dammit, why can't I use the red?! What the hell?!?!\" <br><br>\r\n「………………く…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Nngg...\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。」 <br>\r\n\".........\" <br><br>\r\n俺のお袋は右代宮明日夢だぜ？！ 何でその真実が、赤で言えないんだッ？！ どういうことだよ…？！ こ、れは……ぐッ、！！ <br>\r\nMy Mom is Ushiromiya Asumu, right?! Why can't I say that fact in red?! What's going on...?! Th-This is...gghh-!! <br><br>\r\n「語れぬ赤を無理に語ろうとすると窒息するぞ。無理をしなくて良い。………以上の事実から、妾はそなたを青で追及させてもらう。 <br>\r\n\"If you try to forcefully speak red that cannot be spoken, you choke. There is no need to strain yourself. ......Allow me to use the aforementioned fact to press you in blue. <br><br>\r\n……覚えているな？ 青は相手を否定する仮説を宣言するのに用いる。それは赤での否定が義務付けられ、それがない場合、勝利となる。………では参るぞ。」 <br>\r\n...Do you remember? The blue is used to proclaim a theory for the opponent to deny. They are then burdened with the responsibility of denying that in red, and if they do not, it becomes your victory. ......Then let us begin.\" <br><br>\r\n#5decff 以上の復唱要求、並びに復唱拒否から、 <br>\r\n#5decffDue to my previous demand to repeat and your subsequent refusal, <br><br>\r\n妾はそなたに対戦相手の資格がないことを宣言する。#ffffff <br>\r\nI proclaim that you are not qualified to be my opponent.#ffffff <br><br>\r\n#5decff なぜなら、ベアトリーチェは、 <br>\r\n#5decffAfter all, Beatrice opened this game... <br><br>\r\n“右代宮金蔵の孫である右代宮戦人”と戦うために、ゲームを開催したからだ。#ffffff <br>\r\nin order to fight with `Ushiromiya Kinzo's grandchild, Ushiromiya Battler'.#ffffff <br><br>\r\n#5decff よって対戦相手であるそなたには、 <br>\r\n#5decffThis gave you the responsibility, as my opponent, <br><br>\r\n“右代宮金蔵の孫である右代宮戦人”であることを赤で宣言する義務が生じる。#ffffff <br>\r\nto declare in red that you are `Ushiromiya Kinzo's grandchild, Ushiromiya Battler'.#ffffff <br><br>\r\n#5decff それに対する復唱を、そなたは拒否した。#ffffff <br>\r\n#5decffYou have refused to repeat that.#ffffff <br><br>\r\n#5decff これは資格の喪失を意味するものである。#ffffff <br>\r\n#5decffThis means the loss of your qualifications.#ffffff <br><br>\r\n「……あ、……赤でそれの何かを否定するのよ…。…早く！！」 <br>\r\n\"...D-Deny something about that in red... ...Quickly!!\" <br><br>\r\n「あ、あぁ…。 <br>\r\n\"S-Sure... <br><br>\r\nお、 <br>\r\nI- <br><br>\r\n#ff0001俺は右代宮戦人だ#ffffff…！ それを赤で復唱できている以上、俺はお前の対戦相手のはずだぜ！！」 <br>\r\n#ff0001I am Ushiromiya Battler#ffffff...! Because I can say that in red, I should be your opponent!!\" <br><br>\r\n「そなたが右代宮戦人の名を持つことは事実であろう。 <br>\r\n\"It may be a fact that you have the name Ushiromiya Battler. <br><br>\r\nしかし、 <br>\r\nHowever, <br><br>\r\n#5decff人名は独占されたものではない。#ffffff <br>\r\n#5decffpeople's names are not exclusive.#ffffff <br><br>\r\n#5decff複数の人間が、右代宮戦人を名に持つことは可能である。#ffffff <br>\r\n#5decffThere is a possibility that multiple humans have the name Ushiromiya Battler.#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n#5decff 即ち、こういうことだ。#ffffff <br>\r\n\"#5decffIn short, this is what it means.#ffffff <br><br>\r\n#5decff……そなたは右代宮明日夢の息子、右代宮戦人と同姓同名の別人である。#ffffff」 <br>\r\n#5decff...You are a different person with the same first and last names as Ushiromiya Asumu's son, Ushiromiya Battler.#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「なッ、……何だと……！！ 馬鹿なことを言うんじゃねぇええええ！！ 俺はお袋の子だぞ！！ 右代宮明日夢の子だ！！ <br>\r\n\"...Wh-What'd you say...?!! Don't be so stupiiiiiiiiid!! I'm Mom's child!! Ushiromiya Asumu's child!! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n#ff0001俺は右代 <br>\r\n#ff0001It was from Ushiro <br><br>\r\n#ffffff宮明日夢から、 <br>\r\nッ、 <br>\r\nふぐ、 <br>\r\n……んんんぐ……！！！ <br>\r\n ……………ぐはッ！ <br>\r\n#ffffffmiya Asumu that... <br><br>\r\nah, <br><br>\r\nngagh, <br><br>\r\n...nnnggghh...!!! <br><br>\r\n ......Gwah!\" <br><br>\r\n畜生！！ なぜだ？！ なぜ、俺がお袋から生まれたと言えないんだ？！ こんな馬鹿なことがあるというのか？！」 <br>\r\n\"Damn!! Why?! Why can't I say that I was born from my Mom?! How could something so stupid be true?\" <br><br>\r\n「苦しむことはない。妾は遊ばぬ。 <br>\r\n\"No need to suffer. I will not toy with you. <br><br>\r\n……これにてチェックメイトだ。 <br>\r\n...This is checkmate. <br><br>\r\n#ff0001そなたは、右代宮明日夢の息子ではない#ffffff。」 <br>\r\n#ff0001You are not Ushiromiya Asumu's son#ffffff.\" <br><br>\r\n……………んな、……………、 <br>\r\n......Wha...... <br><br>\r\n「そんな………、 <br>\r\n馬鹿……な……………。」 <br>\r\n\"You're... <br><br>\r\nkidding...me......\" <br><br>\r\n「そなたは誰か。右代宮戦人を名乗る、何者なのか。」 <br>\r\n\"Who are you? What person calling themselves Ushiromiya Battler?\" <br><br>\r\n「ちょ、…ちょっと待てよ…。……俺は、…右代宮戦人だ……。俺は右代宮明日夢から生まれた、親父とお袋の息子だ…！」 <br>\r\n\"W-Wait a second... ...I am...Ushiromiya Battler... It was from Ushiromiya Asumu that I was born, and I'm Dad and Mom's son...!\" <br><br>\r\n「いいや。妾の対戦相手たる右代宮戦人であるはずが、ない。その証拠に。」 <br>\r\n\"No. There is no way that you're my opponent, <NAME>. With this as proof.\" <br><br>\r\n「証拠だと？！」 <br>\r\n\"Proof, you say?!\" <br><br>\r\n「そなたは、６年前の罪を、知らない。」 <br>\r\n\"You do not know of that sin six years ago.\" <br><br>\r\n「………う、 <br>\r\n………そ、それは…………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Uh, <br><br>\r\n......th-that's......\" <br><br>\r\n「いいや、真の右代宮戦人ならば、罪など犯さない。 <br>\r\n\"No, the true Ushiromiya Battler would not have committed a sin. <br><br>\r\nだが、結果的に罪は起こり、６年の月日が空白となって、当時を何も知らぬ男が、右代宮戦人を名乗って六軒島へ姿を現した。…………その真相は、こうだ。」 <br>\r\nBut a sin did occur in the end, that span of six years became a blank space, and a man who knew nothing of that time took on the name Ushiromiya Battler and appeared on Rokkenjima. ......That truth...goes like this.\" <br><br>\r\n６年前に、……妾の対戦相手たる本当の右代宮戦人は、すでに死んでいたのだ。 <br>\r\nSix years ago, ...my opponent, the true Ushiromiya Battler, was already dead. <br><br>\r\nそなたは、遺産分配を巡る何らかの事情で留弗夫が陰謀を巡らせ、成り代わらせた、右代宮戦人の替え玉なのだ。 <br>\r\nYou were part of a plot by Rudolf having something to do with distribution of the inheritance, ...a body double set up in Ushiromiya Battler's place. <br><br>\r\n「そ、……そんな馬鹿なことがあるもんか………。 <br>\r\n\"...H-How could something that stupid be true......? <br><br>\r\n………そんな……馬鹿な、……ことが……………。」 <br>\r\n......That's...so...ridiculous......\" <br><br>\r\n「……ば、戦人……！ しっかりしなさい…！！」 <br>\r\n\"...B-Battler...! Get ahold of yourself...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………ま。…言い返せないなら、仕方がないわ。 <br>\r\n\"............Well, ...if he can't counter back, there's nothing more to do. <br><br>\r\n…戦人にその資格はなかった。そういうことよ。」 <br>\r\n...Battler did not possess that qualification. That's how it is.\" <br><br>\r\n「ベ、ベルンそれでいいの？！ それを認めちゃったら、あんたも負けちゃうのよ？！」 <br>\r\n\"A-Are you okay with that, Bern?! If you accept that, you'll lose too, right?!\" <br><br>\r\n「あんたは勝っちゃうんでしょうが。……なんで戦人の肩を持ってるの……？」 <br>\r\n\"Won't you win? ...Why are you taking Battler's side...?\" <br><br>\r\n「ん、…………んん…。」 <br>\r\n\"...N-Nnnn...\" <br><br>\r\n「残念よ、戦人。………あなたに、ベアトリーチェの対戦相手たる資格がなかったなんて、とても残念。 <br>\r\n\"What a shame, Battler. ......What a real shame that you didn't have the qualifications to be Beatrice's opponent. <br><br>\r\n私も迂闊だったわ。資格のない駒に張ってたなんてね。…………私の完敗だわ、ベアトリーチェ。」 <br>\r\nI was careless myself, betting on an unqualified piece. ......It's my utter defeat, Beatrice.\" <br><br>\r\n「……負けも勝ちもない。ただ、対戦相手が消えるだけだ。 <br>\r\n\"...There is no victory or defeat. The opponent will simply disappear. <br><br>\r\n元からいなかったと言うべきか。」 <br>\r\nOr perhaps I should say that he was never there to begin with.\" <br><br>\r\n「じゃあよ……、俺は、………誰なんだよ……。俺は、……親父やお袋の子じゃ、ないのかよ……？！ <br>\r\n\"But then, ...who......am I...? Am I...not Dad and Mom's kid...?! <br><br>\r\n俺は誰なんだ……、何なんだ……。…………お袋の子じゃないってんなら、……何だよ、捨て猫みたいに、どこかから拾われてきた子だとか、そう言い出すのかよ？！」 <br>\r\nWho am I...? What am I...? ......If I'm not Mom's kid, ...then what, are you saying I'm a kid they picked up somewhere, like a stray cat?!\" <br><br>\r\n「それならば、金蔵の血は引いていないことになるな。いずれにせよ、そなたにこのゲームの対戦資格はない。」 <br>\r\n\"If that is the case, it would mean that you do not share Kinzo's blood. Either way, you are not qualified to compete in this game.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………馬鹿な………、 <br>\r\n………馬鹿な……………。」 <br>\r\n\".........You're kidding me, <br><br>\r\n......you're kidding me......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「もう良い。……元々そなたが右代宮戦人でない可能性も、多少は承知していたのだ。 <br>\r\n\"Enough. ...From the very beginning, I was faintly aware of the possibility that you weren't Ushiromiya Battler. <br><br>\r\n……だから、問わねばならなかった。本当の戦人なら知っていることを、聞かねばならなかった。 <br>\r\n...So, I had to question you. I had to ask about something the real Battler would have known.\" <br><br>\r\n…………残念だ。そなたがひょっとしたら本当に右代宮戦人であるかもしれないと、妾も千兆分の一の奇跡に、賭けたのだ。だが、やはりそなたは同姓同名の、別人だった。」 <br>\r\n\"......What a shame. I even bet on the one-in-a-quadrillion chance of a miracle...that you might really be Ushiromiya Battler. But it seems you really are a different person with the same first and last names.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………く、……ぅぅ…………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Nnng, ...nnnnn......\" <br><br>\r\n戦人の姿が、……少しずつ、闇に霞んでいく…。 <br>\r\nBit by bit, ...Battler's form began to be clouded in darkness... <br><br>\r\nいや、むしろ逆かもしれない。 <br>\r\n……戦人だけを残して、全ての世界が闇に霞んでいくのだ…。 <br>\r\nNo, maybe it was the other way around. <br><br>\r\n...The whole world was clouded in darkness, leaving only Battler... <br><br>\r\n戦人は床に両手両膝を付け、うなだれて自問を繰り返している。 <br>\r\n……しかし、それに答えが与えられることはない……。 <br>\r\nBattler was down on all fours, hanging his head and repeatedly questioning himself. <br><br>\r\n...However, he was not given an answer... <br><br>\r\n闇に染まる世界で、ベアトが何かを語り、ラムダデルタが駆け寄り、何かを早口に叫ぶが、もうそれはとても遠くのことのようで、戦人の耳には届かない…。 <br>\r\nIn the world stained with darkness, Beato spoke something and Lambdadelta ran up to him, yelling something very quickly, but it already seemed very far away, and it didn't reach Battler's ears... <br><br>\r\n …………そして“彼”は、 <br>\r\n………自分が誰かわからなくなって、 <br>\r\n…………姿を、 <br>\r\n…消した…………。 <br>\r\n......Then `he', <br><br>\r\n...not knowing who he himself was, <br><br>\r\n...erased... <br><br>\r\nhimself...... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「戦人ぁあああああぁああぁ……ッ、……ぅ、く………。」 <br>\r\n\"Battleeeeeeeeeeeeer, ...aahhh......\" <br><br>\r\n「これで対戦相手は消えたな。……それではこれで妾は失礼する。 <br>\r\n\"Now my opponent has disappeared. ...Well then, if you'll excuse me. <br><br>\r\n卿らも、旅支度を整えられるが良い。我が領地にて、もう何も催しは予定されていない。それでは御機嫌よう。……さらばだ。」 <br>\r\nAnd Ladies, you should get ready for your journey. No more festivities have been prepared for in my territory. It was good seeing you. ...Goodbye.\" <br><br>\r\nベアトはそれだけを言い残し、自らの姿も闇に霞ませ、その姿を消してしまう……。 <br>\r\nWithout saying anything more, she clouded her own form in darkness as well...and disappeared... <br><br>\r\n「あ、………あんた、……これでいいわけぇ？！ 戦人、……き、消えちゃったわよぅ？！ 負けず嫌いのあんたが、この結末でいいわけぇ？！」 <br>\r\n\"......A-Are you...okay with this?! Battler...d-disappeared, right?! I know how much you hate losing. Are you really okay with this?!\" <br><br>\r\n「………………あんたは私の負けに張ってたんでしょう？ なら万々歳じゃない。おめでとラムダ。じゃあ、またどこかの世界で会いましょう？ <br>\r\n\".........Weren't you betting on my defeat? Good for you then. Congratulations, Lambda. Let's meet again in some other world, okay?\" <br><br>\r\nまぁ、無限のカケラ世界のこと。どこかでまたご縁がある確率は、それこそ千兆分の一よりも少ないでしょうけれど。…………じゃあね、楽しかったわ。バイバイ。」 <br>\r\n\"Well, this is a world of endless Fragments. The chances of us having some connection again somewhere are probably less than one in a quadrillion. ......Anyway, it was fun. Bye-bye.\" <br><br>\r\n「あっ、…待ってよ、ベルン…！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Ah, ...wait up, Bern...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n先に消えたベルンカステルを追うように、ラムダデルタもまた、姿を消す…。 <br>\r\nChasing after Bernkastel, who had disappeared first, Lambdadelta disappeared as well... <br><br>\r\nそして誰もが消え去って、………書斎には誰もいなくなった。 <br>\r\nAfter that, everyone was gone, ......and the study was now completely empty. <br><br>\r\nまるで、初めから誰もいなかったかのように、静まり返る。 <br>\r\nIt returned to silence, almost as though no one had been there from the outset. <br><br>\r\n……誰も、元々ここにいなかったのだ。 <br>\r\n...No one was here in the first place. <br><br>\r\n沈黙の書斎は無言でそれを語り、雨と風の音で、少しずつ部屋を満たしていくのだった……。 <br>\r\nThe silent study spoke that wordlessly, and the sound of the wind and rain began to fill the room bit by bit... <br><br>\r\n何もかもが闇に沈んだ世界で、ベアトは自問する。 <br>\r\nIn a world where everything had sunk into darkness, Beato questioned herself. <br><br>\r\n「……やはり、…………魔法は初めから、マリアージュ・ソルシエールの中だけで、使うべきであったな。」 <br>\r\n\"...As I thought, ......from the very beginning, magic should only have been used within Mariage Sorcière.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………そうだね。…真里亞も、 <br>\r\n……縁寿の時に、そう思ったよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Seems so. ...I also... <br><br>\r\n...thought that with Ange.\" <br><br>\r\n「魔女同盟は、妾とそなた。その二人で始めた。……他の者を混ぜようというのが、そもそもの間違いであったのだ…。」 <br>\r\n\"The witches' alliance is you and I. It started with those two. ...Including other people was our first mistake...\" <br><br>\r\n「………こんなにも楽しいから。…真里亞たちはその輪に、親しい誰かを加えたかったよね。 <br>\r\n\"......It's just so fun. ...We wanted to add someone close to us into that circle.\" <br><br>\r\nそうして、魔女同盟がどこまでも大きくなって、みんなで楽しく魔法が使えて、幸せになれたらと願った。」 <br>\r\n\"And we wished that the witches' alliance would get really large, that everyone would be able to use fun magic together, and that we'd all be happy.\" <br><br>\r\n「だが、………魔法を理解できるのは、やはり妾とそなたの二人だけだった。」 <br>\r\n\"However, ......only you and I were able to understand magic after all.\" <br><br>\r\n「私たちは、奇跡が巡り合わせた、……この世界でたった二人しかいない魔女なんだよ。 <br>\r\n\"We are...the only two witches in this world, who were brought together by a miracle. <br><br>\r\n………真里亞はもう、ベアトさえいれば、他には誰もいらないよ。」 <br>\r\n......And now, as long as I have Beato, I don't need anyone else.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………妾もだ。そなたさえいれば、もう誰もいらぬ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Me too. As long as you are here, I don't need anyone else anymore.\" <br><br>\r\n「マリアージュ・ソルシエールは、結成したその一番最初の時点で、 <br>\r\n……もう、完成していたんだよ。」 <br>\r\n\"In the very first moment that Mariage Sorcière was formed, <br><br>\r\n...it was already complete.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………そうで、あるな。まさに、そうであるな……。」 <br>\r\n\".........That is...so. That is truly so...\" <br><br>\r\nみんなで、魔法で幸せになるための、魔女同盟だった。 <br>\r\n……それが、どこでこんな滅茶苦茶になってしまったんだろう。 <br>\r\nIt was once a witches' alliance to make everyone happy together with magic. <br><br>\r\n...I wonder when it got this screwed up? <br><br>\r\n自分が何をしたくて、このゲームを始めたのか。……それさえも、何だか思い出せない。 <br>\r\nWhat did I want to do when I started this game? ...I can't really remember even that. <br><br>\r\nいや、覚えてるのかもしれないけれど、…今やそれは忘却の彼方に、自ら投げ込みたい気持ちだ。 <br>\r\nNo, I may remember, ...but that's a feeling I now wish to throw away to the far side of oblivion. <br><br>\r\n「………いいよ。何もかも、忘れてしまおう？ 二人だけの、マリアージュ・ソルシエール。……私たちは互いを認め合う。そして、誰にも傷つけられない。だからもう傷つかない。泣かない。全て、忘れよう。…………ね、ベアト。……私たちは、永遠だよ……。」 <br>\r\n\"......It's okay. Why not forget everything? Let's have a Mariage Sorcière for just the two of us. ...We'll acknowledge each other. And no one will hurt us. So we won't be hurt. We won't cry. Let's forget everything. ......Hey, Beato. ...We are...eternal...\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………真里亞……。…………ううぅ、………ううぅうぅッ…！！」 <br>\r\n\"............Maria.........uuuuuuuu, ......uuuuuuuuuuuuu...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「天草、それ切ってくれる？」 <br>\r\n\"Amakusa, could you turn that off?\" <br><br>\r\n「おっと、そりゃ失礼。Ｍ・ザッキーはお嫌いで？」 <br>\r\n\"Whoops, my bad. You don't like <NAME>?\" <br><br>\r\n「今が気分じゃないだけ。」 <br>\r\n\"I'm just not in the mood.\" <br><br>\r\n天草がラジオを切る。 <br>\r\nAmakusa turned the radio off. <br><br>\r\n陽気な音の世界はたちまち潮騒に飲み込まれ、海の灰色で塗り潰してしまった……。 <br>\r\nThe world of cheery sounds was immediately swallowed up by the roar of the sea...and blotted out by the ocean's gray... <br><br>\r\n「………見えるかい。あの辺が当時の船着場だ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Can you see it? Over there's where the harbor was at the time.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n船長が指差すが、１２年も前の光景は、なかなか蘇らない。 <br>\r\nThe boat captain pointed, but I couldn't really recall that scene of 12 years ago. <br><br>\r\n……てっきり、こういうものは見る見る溢れるように当時のことを思い出せるに違いないと信じていたが、…一向に当時の記憶は戻らない。 <br>\r\n...I thought I'd surely be able to immediately remember how things had been at the time, ...but no memories came back to me. <br><br>\r\nあの事件以来、島は封印され荒れるに任されている。 <br>\r\nAfter that incident, the island was sealed off and left to the wild. <br><br>\r\n……それも無理からぬことだろうと、自分を納得させないと、…なぜか悲しくて辛かった。 <br>\r\n...I couldn't satisfy myself with the thought that this was just inevitable, and it felt sad and painful for some reason. <br><br>\r\n………あぁ、でも、これだけは覚えてる。 <br>\r\n......Ah, but I at least remember one thing. <br><br>\r\n海ならどこでも同じだろうと言われればそれまでだが、……これだけは覚えてる。 <br>\r\nYou might say that it'd probably be the same anywhere on the sea, ...but I remember at least one thing. <br><br>\r\nうみねこの、鳴き声。 <br>\r\nこれだけは、覚えている。 <br>\r\nThe cries...of the seagulls. <br><br>\r\nI do remember...those. <br><br>\r\n……幼かった私にとって、海は滅多に行かない場所。 <br>\r\n...When I was young, I rarely went to the ocean. <br><br>\r\n…だから、海にかかわる記号の全ては、六軒島と親族の集まりを意味した。 <br>\r\n...So everything that symbolized the ocean meant Rokkenjima and a family gathering to me. <br><br>\r\n早い話が、……家族でお出掛けという幸せの記号だったわけだ。 <br>\r\nIn short, ...it was a symbol for the happiness of going out with my family. <br><br>\r\nもっとも、今となっては、その幸せ、というのも疑わしい。 <br>\r\nHowever, at this point in time, it seems doubtful whether that even was happiness. <br><br>\r\n幼い私には気楽な家族旅行気分だったが、両親たちの当時の都合から想像するならば、遺産分配で火薬の臭いが立ち込める、さぞや世知辛い旅行だったに違いない。 <br>\r\nIn my younger days, the trip had felt like a relaxed family vacation, but considering my parents' situation at the time, it was surely a very difficult trip to handle, with the distribution of the inheritance filling the place with the smell of gunpowder. <br><br>\r\n親の気持ちなど知りもせず、きゃっきゃと浮かれていた当時を、思い出す…。 <br>\r\nI can remember giggling all over the place, completely ignorant of my parents' feelings... <br><br>\r\n「六軒島、……ですかい。全ての始まりで、全ての旅の終着駅ってわけだ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Rokkenjima, huh? The place of all beginnings, and the end of the line for all journeys.\" <br><br>\r\n天草は、私の胸中を代弁したつもりになって、格好付けた言い方をする。 <br>\r\nAmakusa, in an attempt to speak for my innermost feelings, tried to sound cool. <br><br>\r\n船はゆっくりと島を回りこんでいく。 <br>\r\n……角度が変われば、当時の島影の記憶が少しは戻るだろうかと期待したが、結局、その入り江が完全に崖に隠れても、何も思い出すことは出来なかった…。 <br>\r\nThe boat slowly rounded the island. <br><br>\r\n...I hoped that viewing it at a different angle might bring back my memories of the island's silhouette at the time just a little, but in the end, even when that inlet was hidden completely by cliffs, I wasn't able to remember anything... <br><br>\r\n「……船長、さっきの。もう一つの船着場の話を聞かせてください。」 <br>\r\n\"...Captain, please tell me...about that other harbor you mentioned.\" <br><br>\r\n「うむ。………六軒島には、船着場は一つしかないことになっとる。だがそれは表向きだ。」 <br>\r\n\"Sure. ......Rokkenjima supposedly has only one harbor. But that's only for public appearances.\" <br><br>\r\n「島裏の、もうひとつの隠された船着場。………六軒島そのものね。誰も知らない２つ目の、もう一つの顔がある…。」 <br>\r\n\"On the back of the island, there's another hidden harbor. ......Like Rokkenjima itself. It has a second face, which no one knows about...\" <br><br>\r\n「…………六軒島は、右代宮家の領有する島だ。だが、金蔵さん個人が所有する島、というもうひとつの顔がある……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Rokkenjima is an island owned by the Ushiromiya family. But it has another face, as an island owned by Kinzo-san personally...\" <br><br>\r\n「一つの島、二つの船着場、二つの屋敷、……ですかい。愛人を囲うためだけに、ずいぶんとカネを掛けたもんだ。」 <br>\r\n\"So this island...has two harbors and two mansions. He sure spent a lot just to keep a mistress.\" <br><br>\r\n「もう一つの船着場のことを知る人間は…？」 <br>\r\n\"Who knew about this other harbor...?\" <br><br>\r\n「限られとる。 <br>\r\n\"Very few. <br><br>\r\n金蔵さん、執事の源次さん。わしら、船の関係者、高齢の使用人がほんの数人だ。……南條診療所の先代先生も熊沢のバアさんも知っとった。 <br>\r\nKinzo-san, the butler Genji-san. Those of us involved with the boats, and a very small number of the oldest servants. ...Both the previous owner of the Nanjo clinic and that Kumasawa baa-san knew. <br><br>\r\n数えりゃ結構いるような気がするが、とにかく知っている人間はわずかだった。」 <br>\r\nNaming them off like this makes it sound like there were quite a few, but basically, there was a small number of people who knew.\" <br><br>\r\n「その、もう一つの屋敷について教えて下さい。」 <br>\r\n\"Please...tell me about that other mansion.\" <br><br>\r\n「……九羽鳥庵、っちゅう名前のお屋敷があるとだけは聞かされとった。わしは船を離れることを許されんかったから、一度も見たことはないが。」 <br>\r\n\"...I was only told that there was a mansion called Kuwadorian. Since I wasn't allowed to leave the boat, I never saw it, not even once.\" <br><br>\r\n「船着場からは見えないくらいに遠いということですかい？」 <br>\r\n\"So it was far enough away that you couldn't see it from the harbor?\" <br><br>\r\n「わからん。……ただ、隠し屋敷だからな。外からは見えん場所に建ててあったろうな。…とにかく、九羽鳥庵については、あの島の最高の秘密だった。」 <br>\r\n\"I don't know. ...But it was a hidden mansion, after all. It was probably built where you couldn't see it from the outside. ...Anyway, Kuwadorian was the biggest secret of that island.\" <br><br>\r\n「九羽鳥庵に、ベアトリーチェが住まわされていた、あるいは幽閉されていた、という説がありますが、船長はどう考えますか。」 <br>\r\n\"There's a theory that Beatrice lived in Kuwadorian, or else was confined there. What do you think, Captain?\" <br><br>\r\n「……わしは九羽鳥庵への雑貨も運んでおった。その中に、女しか使わんような、それも高級なもんが含まれることも多かった。 <br>\r\n\"...I did sometimes carry miscellaneous goods to Kuwadorian. And that included a lot of stuff that only women would use, and expensive stuff at that. <br><br>\r\n……わしもその説を確信しとる。」 <br>\r\n...I'm also convinced that theory is true.\" <br><br>\r\n「では、船長はベアトリーチェって女を、直接見たことはないわけですかい。」 <br>\r\n\"So does that mean you never saw Beatrice directly, Captain?\" <br><br>\r\n「ない。二十年近く出入りをしたが、一度も見たことはない。」 <br>\r\n\"Nope. Came and went for about 20 years, and I never saw her once.\" <br><br>\r\n「二十年…！ ひゅう、ってことは最低でも年齢プラス２０ってわけだ。こりゃあ、マドモアゼルは期待できねぇな。」 <br>\r\n\"Twenty years...! Whew, that means she was at least 20+. Look's like she wasn't some mademoiselle.\" <br><br>\r\n「だが、九羽鳥庵への出入りは、ある日を境に、ぷっつりとなくなっちまった。 <br>\r\n\"But one day, *bang*, all coming and going to and from Kuwadorian suddenly stopped. <br><br>\r\n今から大体３０年前だから、 <br>\r\n……昭和４３年頃だったと思う。」 <br>\r\nThat was about 30 years ago, <br><br>\r\n...so around Showa 43 (1968), I think.\" <br><br>\r\n「ぷっつりと？ 突然？」 <br>\r\n\"*bang*? You mean suddenly?\" <br><br>\r\n「……食料やゴミなどの運搬往来で、わしらは決められた日程で裏に行っとった。 <br>\r\n\"...We came to the Hidden Side on a set schedule to carry food and trash back and forth. <br><br>\r\n……あぁ、裏っちゅうのは、九羽鳥庵側の船着場のことだ。」 <br>\r\n...Ah, right, the Hidden Side's what we called the harbor linked to Kuwadorian.\" <br><br>\r\n「わかります。…それで？」 <br>\r\n\"I get it. ...So then?\" <br><br>\r\n「ある日、源次さんから急な連絡があった。別の指示があるまで、裏には行かなくていいって言うんだ。」 <br>\r\n\"One day, we got an urgent message from Genji-san. He said that until we heard differently, there was no need for us to ……紗音ちゃんなら、朱志香ちゃんも部屋に入れてくれるかもしれない。 <br>\r\n\"......Yeah, isn't that right? ...Jessica-chan might also let Shannon-chan into her room.今後、定期便はいらない、食料も届けなくていいと言われたわけだ。……わしは最初、クビにされたのかと思ったよ。だが、すぐに気付いた。……それに、九羽鳥庵のことを知る使用人たちの様子からも、何となく察しが付いた。」 <br>\r\n\"Not really. Long story short, one day, I was suddenly told that they wouldn't need regular service to the Hidden Side anymore...and that I didn't have to take food there either. ...At first, I thought I was being fired. But I quickly figured it out. ...Going by the reactions of the servants who knew of Kuwadorian, I managed to guess somehow.\" <br><br>\r\n「………ベアトリーチェが死んで、食料を届ける必要も、世話人を送る必要も、なくなった？」 <br>\r\n\"......Beatrice died, and there was no longer any need to take food or people to care for her?\" <br><br>\r\n「わしはそう考えとる。それっきり、裏へ船を出せという指示は受けてない。しかし、裏については死ぬまで何も喋るなと、その後、源次さんが直接わしのところへ来て、偉く強く念を押した。」 <br>\r\n\"That's what I think. From that point on, I was never told to take a boat to the Hidden Side. However, after that, Genji-san came to see me face to face and got pushy, strongly urging me never to speak of anything related to the Hidden Side until I died.\" <br><br>\r\n「その、２０年間も放置されていた隠し屋敷に、 <br>\r\n………どうして絵羽伯母さんが？」 <br>\r\n\"So, if that hidden mansion was abandoned for 20 whole years, <br><br>\r\n......why was Aunt Eva there?\" <br><br>\r\n右代宮絵羽は、１２年前のあの日。 <br>\r\n……なぜかひとり、屋敷から２ｋｍも離れた隠し屋敷にいて、難を逃れた。 <br>\r\nOn that day 12 years ago... <br><br>\r\n...Ushiromiya Eva somehow escaped harm alone in a hidden mansion 2 kilometers away from the mansion. <br><br>\r\n２０年間も忘れられていた隠し屋敷に、どうして彼女が………。 <br>\r\nWhy was she in a hidden mansion that had been forgotten for 20 years......? <br><br>\r\n「ワイドショーで見たよ。わしにも何が何だかさっぱりわからん。絵羽さんを裏へ案内したことは一度もない。 <br>\r\n\"I saw on the talk shows. Even I don't have a clue what happened. Not once did I guide Eva-san to the Hidden Side. <br><br>\r\nどうして、どうやって九羽鳥庵を知り、辿り着いたのか、わしにはさっぱり見当もつかない。」 <br>\r\nI have no idea how or why she knew about or reached Kuwadorian.\" <br><br>\r\n「裏の九羽鳥庵に、陸路で行くことは不可能だったのかしら。」 <br>\r\n\"I wonder if it was possible to reach this Hidden Kuwadorian by land.\" <br><br>\r\n「……もしも話どおりに、未開の密林だとしたら。おめかしした奥様風情に踏破できるもんじゃありませんぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"...If, as we heard, the forest was dense and uncultivated, I seriously doubt a well-dressed lady person'd be able to bush-crash it.\" <br><br>\r\n「じゃあ海路？ モーターボートみたいなものがあったとか。」 <br>\r\n\"So what about by sea? Maybe there was a motorboat or something.\" <br><br>\r\n「まさか。あの二晩の台風は、そりゃあ酷いもんだった。船なんぞ使えるわけもない。」 <br>\r\n\"Are you kidding? That two-nighter typhoon was awful. No way you could'a used a boat.\" <br><br>\r\n「じゃあ、屋敷と九羽鳥庵を直通する、……例えば地下通路のようなものがあったとか。愛人の家へ出入りするのに、毎回、船の用立てが必要なんて、面倒でしょう…？」 <br>\r\n\"So what if...there was an underground passage or something between the mansion and Kuwadorian. Wouldn't it have been a pain to have to charter a boat each time he wanted to visit his mistress's house...?\" <br><br>\r\n「全長２ｋｍの六軒島の、対角線上に存在する屋敷を繋ぐために、そんだけの長い地下トンネルを…？ <br>\r\n\"You mean a tunnel long enough to connect mansions on opposite sides of a 2 kilometer island like Rokkenjima...?\" <br><br>\r\n…と、馬鹿にしてえところだが、愛人のために隠し屋敷まで作っちまう大富豪だ。それも否定できんところですな。……どうなんですか、船長。」 <br>\r\n\"...Well, I'd like to laugh at the thought, but this rich guy made a whole hidden mansion for his mistress. Guess I can't deny the possibility. ...What do you think, Captain?\" <br><br>\r\n「わしは海の人間だ。穴のことはわからん。 <br>\r\n\"I'm a man of the sea. I don't know about holes. <br><br>\r\nだが、硫黄島で日本軍は２５ｋｍのトンネルを掘ってみせたぞ。あの金蔵さんなら２ｋｍくらい掘ってみせても、わしゃ何も驚かん。」 <br>\r\nBut the Japanese military dug a 25 kilometer tunnel on Iwo Jima. Wouldn't surprise me if `that' Kinzo-san could dig at least 2 kilometers.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………やっぱり、狂った島ね。私たちはこの島のことを、未だ誰一人、何も知らない。」 <br>\r\n\".........There really is something wrong with this island. Even now, not one of us really knows a thing about it.\" <br><br>\r\n船が接岸する。 <br>\r\nお屋敷へは少し歩かなければならない。 <br>\r\nThe boat reached the shore. <br><br>\r\nThey would have to walk a short ways to reach the mansion. <br><br>\r\n「……わしはここで待っている。屋敷は向こうだ。当時の道が残っているだろうが、草木で覆われてしまってるはずだ。迷わんように気をつけてな。」 <br>\r\n\"...I'll wait here. The mansion's that way. The path from back then's probably still there, but I'll bet it's covered with plants. Make sure you don't get lost.\" <br><br>\r\n「ほんじゃ、行きましょうかね。」 <br>\r\n\"Right, let's go.\" <br><br>\r\n「ありがとう、天草。あんたもここで待ってて。」 <br>\r\n\"Thanks for everything, Amakusa. You wait here too.\" <br><br>\r\n「………まぁ、そう言い出すんじゃないかと思ってましたぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Well, I had a feeling you'd say that.\" <br><br>\r\n「届け物をするだけよ。あなたが一緒だと向こうが迷惑するの。あんたの毒素、強そうだから。」 <br>\r\n\"I'm just delivering something. It'll be troublesome for them if you come too. I imagine your toxin is strong.\" <br><br>\r\n「毒素？ はて。」 <br>\r\n\"Toxin? Oho.\" <br><br>\r\n「すぐに戻るわ。今日の本命は九羽鳥庵の方だもの。……届け物をしたら、すぐに戻ってくるわ。」 <br>\r\n\"I'll be back soon. Today, our main goal is Kuwadorian. ...After I deliver this, I'll come right back.\" <br><br>\r\n縁寿はナップザックを背負い、手向けの花束を持つ。 <br>\r\nAnge put on her knapsack, holding the flowers she would offer. <br><br>\r\n「察してやれ、若いの。 <br>\r\n\"Give her some space, young'un. <br><br>\r\n……行ってこい、お嬢ちゃん。あんたの家族が待っている。」 <br>\r\n...See you soon, little lady. Your family's waiting for you.\" <br><br>\r\nこんな道は初めてだったが、方角的に問題ない。 <br>\r\nこのまま真っ直ぐ歩けば、私を全ての終着点へ導いてくれるだろう。 <br>\r\nI had never been on a road like this, but I had no trouble finding my way. <br><br>\r\nIf I walked straight ahead, it would probably guide me to the final destination for everything. <br><br>\r\n確かに草木がものすごく、ぼんやりしているとどこが道なのかわからなくなる。 <br>\r\nIt was true that the vegetation was incredibly thick, and if I didn't pay attention, I would lose track of the path. <br><br>\r\n……でも想像していたよりは、遥かにマシな道が残されていた。 <br>\r\n...But the road that was left was much clearer than I'd guessed it would be. <br><br>\r\nそれでも悪路であることに変わりはない。 <br>\r\nStill, that didn't change the fact that it was a bad road. <br><br>\r\n……私は地図上の距離とは裏腹に、だいぶ歩かなくてはならなかった……。 <br>\r\n...Contrary to the distance shown on the map, I was forced to walk a long way... <br><br>\r\n……森は深く、暗い。 <br>\r\n...The forest was deep and dark. <br><br>\r\n当時の私は、この森には魔女が住んでいるから近付くなと脅されていた。 <br>\r\nAt the time, I had been threatened into staying away from the forest because a witch lived there. <br><br>\r\nその怯えはさすがに今はないが、………でも、感じる。 <br>\r\nOf course, that fear is gone now, ......but...I feel it. <br><br>\r\n黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェの気配、……霊気のようなもの、私だから感じることが出来る…。 <br>\r\nBecause I was me, ...I could feel the presence, like an aura, of the Golden Witch, Beatrice... <br><br>\r\nあちこちに奇岩となって転がる巨大な岩塊と生い茂った木々と蔦。……鳥たちと虫たちの声。 <br>\r\nHere and there were massive fallen lumps of rock along with overgrown trees and ivy. ...And the voices of birds and bugs. <br><br>\r\nあぁ、感じるわ。 <br>\r\nYeah, I feel it. <br><br>\r\n………魔女が、いるのを、感じる……。 <br>\r\n......I feel...that the witch...is here... <br><br>\r\n前方に、蔦に絡まった工事現場の柵と警告板みたいなものが立っている。 <br>\r\nAhead, an ivy-covered construction site fence and warning sign stood. <br><br>\r\n“立入禁止、東京都”。 <br>\r\n`No entry, Tokyo Metropolis'. <br><br>\r\nそう書かれていた。 <br>\r\nThat was written on it. <br><br>\r\nあぁ、そうか。東京というとついつい都会みたいなイメージがあるけれど、六軒島も住所上は立派な東京都だ。 <br>\r\nYeah, that's right. When you think `Tokyo', you tend to think of a city, but Rokkenjima is also located within the Tokyo Metropolis. <br><br>\r\n……失礼な誤解だったと看板に謝りながら、私は柵を越える。 <br>\r\n...Apologizing to the sign for my rude mistake, I climbed the fence. <br><br>\r\nその先の急斜面を越えると、…………急に視界が開けて、鮮烈な海の風が、ざあっと私の髪を散らした……。 <br>\r\nWhen I crossed the steep slope beyond that, ......my field of vision rapidly expanded, and a fresh sea breeze blew through my hair... <br><br>\r\nそこはさながら、ちょっとした丘の上だった。 <br>\r\nIt was like the top of a little hill. <br><br>\r\n……眼下には、島の広大な眺望が。 <br>\r\n...Below me was a vast view of the island. <br><br>\r\n私には荒れ果てた森と岩場が広がっているようにしか見えない。 <br>\r\n……でも、何となく、あの辺りが屋敷だろうと察しが付いた。 <br>\r\nI could only see desolated forest and rock walls spread out below me. <br><br>\r\n...But I realized that the mansion was probably somewhere around there. <br><br>\r\nその丘からの急な下り坂は、１２年間の風雨で土砂が崩れてしまったのかもしれない。 <br>\r\nThe steep downward slope beyond this hill had probably been caused by earth and rocks collapsing from 12 years of wind and rain. <br><br>\r\n緩やかな崖といってもいいような岩だらけの斜面になっており、転げ落ちるのは簡単だが、登るのはかなり難しくなっているようだった。 <br>\r\nIt had become a slant filled with crags that you might even call gentle cliffs, and it would be easy to tumble down, though it looked like climbing back would be pretty difficult. <br><br>\r\n………どうやら、これ以上を進むのは、無理なようだった。 <br>\r\n......In any event, it seemed that proceeding any further would be impossible. <br><br>\r\nこれ以上を進めば、戻れなくなる。 <br>\r\nIf I continued any further, I wouldn't be able to return. <br><br>\r\nつまりは、………ここが、境。 <br>\r\nIn other words, ......this is...the border. <br><br>\r\nここが１９８６年と１９９８年。 <br>\r\nそして、あの日と今日。 <br>\r\nThis place is 1986 and 1998. <br><br>\r\nAnd, it is that day and today. <br><br>\r\n彼岸と此岸の、境目。 <br>\r\nThe boundary between this world and nirvana. <br><br>\r\n「…………ここが、 <br>\r\n……この旅の、終着点みたいね。」 <br>\r\n\"......This spot is... <br><br>\r\nthis journey's final destination, it seems.\" <br><br>\r\nマモンもさくたろも、強い風に髪を散らしながら、丘から眼下を見下ろしている…。 <br>\r\nAs the strong winds blew Mammon's and Sakutaro's hair, they looked down from the hilltop... <br><br>\r\n「……ここからじゃ、さっぱりわからないわ。お屋敷はどこ？ もっと近付きましょうよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...From here, I can't really tell. Where's the mansion? Let's get closer.\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ、…無理だよ。戻って来れなくなっちゃうよ。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu, ...that's impossible. We won't be able to come back.』 <br><br>\r\n……戻って来れなく、なる。…か。 <br>\r\n...We won't be able...to come back. ...Is that it? <br><br>\r\nそうね。……ここは１９９８年で、 <br>\r\n……私はたったひとり取り残された右代宮縁寿。 <br>\r\nI see. ...This is 1998, <br><br>\r\n...and I am the Ushiromiya Ange who has been left all alone. <br><br>\r\n初めは死ぬための旅だった。 <br>\r\nでも、今は違う。 <br>\r\nAt first, this was a journey to die. <br><br>\r\nBut not anymore. <br><br>\r\n何かを成し遂げる旅に変わっている……。 <br>\r\nIt's become a journey to accomplish something... <br><br>\r\n「うん。……だからごめんね、二人とも。あの日の私なら、何も躊躇わずにこの崖を降りるだろうけれど。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah. ...So, I'm sorry, you two. Although, as I was back then on that day, I would've gone down that cliff without any hesitation.\" <br><br>\r\n「ビルの屋上から飛び降りた右代宮縁寿が、情けなァい。」 <br>\r\n\"Come on, this is pretty lame for the skyscraper-jumping Ushiromiya Ange.\" <br><br>\r\n「ごめんね。」 <br>\r\n\"Sorry.\" <br><br>\r\n『ここでも同じだよ。………あの日の風が、感じられるから。』 <br>\r\n『This place is as good as any. ......After all, you can feel the wind of that day.』 <br><br>\r\n「………………。……こんな、風だったっけ。」 <br>\r\n\".........Was the wind...really like this?\" <br><br>\r\n『うん。もうすぐ、来てくれるよ。………………みんな。』 <br>\r\n『Yeah. Very soon, they will come. .........Everyone.』 <br><br>\r\nさくたろが、さも当たり前のようにそう言う。 <br>\r\n……そして、私はそれを信じた。 <br>\r\nSakutaro said it as though it was completely natural. <br><br>\r\n...And...I believed it. <br><br>\r\nお父さん。 <br>\r\nお母さん。 <br>\r\nお兄ちゃん。 <br>\r\n親族のみんなに、楽しい使用人の人たち。 <br>\r\nDad. <br><br>\r\nMom. <br><br>\r\nOnii-chan. <br><br>\r\nAll of my relatives, and those fun servants. <br><br>\r\nそして、…………真里亞お姉ちゃん。 <br>\r\nAnd......Maria onee-chan. <br><br>\r\n「私よ。……縁寿よ。……………私は、帰ってきたわ。」 <br>\r\n\"It's me. ...It's Ange. ......I've...come back.\" <br><br>\r\n１２年前を暴く私の最後の旅は、初めはその目的も抽象的で、わからなかった。 <br>\r\nWhen I started my journey to expose the past of 12 years ago, my goal had been abstract, and I hadn't understood. <br><br>\r\nしかし、……今は私は、疑わない。 <br>\r\nBut now, ...I have no doubts. <br><br>\r\nこの旅は、…………１２年を経て、様々な思いや運命によって誘われたもの。 <br>\r\nThis journey...was induced by several thoughts and fates over 12 years. <br><br>\r\n私、右代宮縁寿にとっての、終わらせる旅。 <br>\r\nA journey to reach an end for me, Ushiromiya Ange. <br><br>\r\nそして、マリアージュ・ソルシエールの最後の魔女としての、終わらせる旅。 <br>\r\nAnd, a journey reach an end as the last witch of Mariage Sorcière. <br><br>\r\n私は右代宮家の最後の娘として、そして、最後の魔女として、ここへやって来た……。 <br>\r\nI came here as the last daughter of the Ushiromiya family...and as the last witch... <br><br>\r\n「……お父さん、お母さん、お兄ちゃん。…ごめんね。先に、真里亞お姉ちゃんとの挨拶をさせてね。」 <br>\r\n\"...Dad, Mom, Onii-chan. ...Sorry. Let me greet Maria onee-chan first.\" <br><br>\r\n強い追い風が相槌を打つ。 <br>\r\nA strong tailwind urged me on. <br><br>\r\nその追い風が、私の体の中から魂だけを抜き出して、……眼下の広大な森林へ。 <br>\r\nThat tailwind took just my soul out from inside my body...to the vast forest beneath me. <br><br>\r\nそしてここからは見えないけれど、あの日のお屋敷へ、みんなへ、真里亞お姉ちゃんのもとへ飛ばしてくれると信じる。 <br>\r\nAnd, though from here on I couldn't see, I believed that it flew me to the mansion on that day, to where everyone was, ...to where Maria onee-chan was. <br><br>\r\nだから私は、……体は丘の上にいて強い風に吹かれながらも、………魂は今、確かに、その空を舞っていた……。 <br>\r\nAnd so, ...even though my body was on the top of a hill, a strong wind blowing against me, ...my soul was now certainly dancing through that sky... <br><br>\r\nそれはとてもとても広大な六軒島の空。 <br>\r\n………眼下にいっぱいの木々の緑。 <br>\r\nThe vast, vast sky of Rokkenjima. <br><br>\r\n...Below me was the green of many trees. <br><br>\r\nでも、わかる。 <br>\r\n家族や親族、使用人のみんなの気配を、理解できる。 <br>\r\n………そして、真里亞お姉ちゃんも。 <br>\r\nBut...I understand. <br><br>\r\nI can comprehend the presences of my family and relatives...and all the servants. <br><br>\r\n......And...Maria onee-chan too. <br><br>\r\n魔女としての真里亞お姉ちゃんも、……理解できる。 <br>\r\nI could even comprehend...Maria onee-chan as a witch. <br><br>\r\nそれは私が今までイメージしてきた、どんな広大な空間よりも、広大なもの。 <br>\r\nIt was vast, more so than any vast space I had imagined up until now. <br><br>\r\n「………真里亞お姉ちゃん。聞こえる……？ 聞いて……！！」 <br>\r\n\"......Maria onee-chan, can you hear me...? Listen...!!\" <br><br>\r\n縁寿はあの日の真里亞に叫ぶ。 <br>\r\nAnge called to the Maria of that day. <br><br>\r\n長い旅を経たこと。 <br>\r\nShe told her of the long journey she'd undergone. <br><br>\r\nそしてようやく、あの幼い日に彼女を、どれだけ傷つけたかを知ったこと。 <br>\r\nOf her long-delayed realization of just how much she'd wounded Maria in her youth. <br><br>\r\n魔法を理解し、今なら真里亞が見せたかった世界が全てわかる。 <br>\r\nShe understood magic...and now understood everything about the world Maria had wanted to show her. <br><br>\r\nそれはとても温かくて、慈しみと幸せに溢れていて。 <br>\r\nIt was very warm, overflowing with love and happiness. <br><br>\r\n……そんな世界を共有することで、もっと幸せになりたかった彼女の気持ちを、なのに私は、踏み躙った。 <br>\r\n...She wanted to become even happier by sharing that world, but I trampled it. <br><br>\r\n「だから私、今こそ全部理解したの。………魔法を、理解した…！ 私たちの魔法はきっと、とてもささやかで身近に溢れてる。……でも、それは誰の目にも見えるものではないのよ。……………魔法とは。……えぇ、はっきり言えるわ。」 <br>\r\n\"So now, I finally understand everything. ......I understand magic...! Our magic is surely very faint and fills the space beside us. ...But it isn't something that anyone can see with their eyes. ......Magic is......yes, I can say it clearly.\" <br><br>\r\n——愛がなければ、視えない <br>\r\n——Without love, it cannot be `seen'. <br><br>\r\nごめんね、お姉ちゃん。 <br>\r\nSorry, Onee-chan. <br><br>\r\n……もう私は魔女同盟を破門になった身だけれど。今になって、その素晴らしさを理解してる。 <br>\r\n...I've already been excommunicated from the alliance of witches, but now, I understand how wonderful it is. <br><br>\r\nそして、………私が傷つけてしまったあの日から、マリアージュ・ソルシエールが、……お姉ちゃんが本当の意味で望んでいたものとは違うものに変貌してしまったことを知っている。 <br>\r\nAnd......I know that, after the day I wounded you, Mariage Sorcière...was transfigured into something different from what you truly desired. <br><br>\r\n………あの日々のお姉ちゃんには、人を呪うことで怒りを吐き出す魔法も、大切だったかもしれない。 <br>\r\n......Even the magic that spat anger by cursing people was probably important to Onee-chan in those days. <br><br>\r\nお姉ちゃんの境遇は、それが許されるだけの悲しいものだった。 <br>\r\nOnee-chan's environment was sad enough to permit that. <br><br>\r\n「でも。………もう、そんな悲しい日々は、終わったよ。 <br>\r\n……だから、 <br>\r\n……お姉ちゃんの魔女同盟を、 <br>\r\n………元の、やさしいマリアージュ・ソルシエールに、戻そう。」 <br>\r\n\"But now, ......those sad days...are over. <br><br>\r\n ...So, <br><br>\r\n...let's return Onee-chan's alliance of witches... <br><br>\r\n...back to the original Mariage Sorcière.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nいつの間にか手に持っていた魔導書。 <br>\r\nThe grimoire was in my hands before I realized it. <br><br>\r\n……それが強い風で次々と素早くページが捲られていく……。 <br>\r\n...The strong winds were rapidly blowing its pages one after another... <br><br>\r\n最初はやさしい世界だった。 <br>\r\nThat world had been kind in the beginning. <br><br>\r\nどうやったら、空からお菓子が降ってくる魔法が生まれるか。 <br>\r\nHow could you give birth to magic that would make candy fall from the sky? <br><br>\r\nどうやったら、明日の晩御飯がクリームコロッケになる魔法が生まれるか。 <br>\r\nHow could you give birth to magic that would make tomorrow's dinner creme croquette? <br><br>\r\nどうやったら、明日のお出掛けがお天気になって、楽しい一日になる魔法が生まれるか。 <br>\r\nHow could you give birth to magic that would make the weather good when you went out the next day, making your whole day fun? <br><br>\r\n新しい幸せな魔法が次々に生まれて、彼女の世界をやさしく彩っていった…。 <br>\r\nNew spells of happiness were created one after another, coloring her world with kindness... <br><br>\r\nそんな日々が次々に捲られていき、………どんどんと月日が、走馬灯のように駆け巡っていく…。 <br>\r\nThose days were flipped through one after another, ......and months began to flash by... <br><br>\r\nカラフルだったイラストのページは、次第に黒いインク一色のページに様変わりしていく……。 <br>\r\nThe pages with drawings that had once been colorful...gradually began to change into the color of black ink... <br><br>\r\n……不気味な魔法陣や、悪魔の召喚術。 <br>\r\n...Eerie magic circles and demon summonings. <br><br>\r\n人に害を為すための邪悪なる魔法。 <br>\r\nEvil magic for harming people. <br><br>\r\nどうやったら、クラスのいじめっこが風邪を引く魔法が生まれるか。 <br>\r\nHow could you give birth to magic that would cause the class bully to catch a cold? <br><br>\r\nどうやったら、クラスの誰それが大怪我をして死んでしまう魔法が生まれるか。 <br>\r\nHow could you give birth to magic that would seriously injure someone in class so that they died? <br><br>\r\nどうやったら、いじめっこ全員の乗ったバスが崖から落っこちる魔法が生まれるか。 <br>\r\nHow could you give birth to magic that would cause a bus loaded with all the bullies to fall off a cliff? <br><br>\r\n陰湿な魔法が次々に生まれて、 <br>\r\n……ページと彼女の心を、埋め尽くしていく…。 <br>\r\nMalicious spells were created one after another, <br><br>\r\n...burying the pages and her heart... <br><br>\r\n「私が、お姉ちゃんを傷つけたから。マリアージュ・ソルシエールは、こんなになってしまった。 <br>\r\n\"Because I hurt Onee-chan, Mariage Sorcière ended up like this. <br><br>\r\n………お姉ちゃんは黒き邪悪な魔女じゃない。……白き、……無垢で無邪気な、 <br>\r\n……やさしい魔女だったのよ……。 <br>\r\n......Onee-chan isn't a black, evil witch. ...She was a white, ...pure, innocent, <br><br>\r\n...kind witch...\" <br><br>\r\n……私が、元に戻してあげる。 <br>\r\n元の、みんなを幸せにする魔法を世界中に振りまいていた、 <br>\r\n……真里亞お姉ちゃんに戻してあげる。……その為に、私はここへ来た。運命に導かれてきた。…………お姉ちゃん、聞こえてる……？ その姿を、………私の前に見せて………！！」 <br>\r\n\"...I'll...return it to how it was. <br><br>\r\nI'll bring back the original Maria onee-chan, <br><br>\r\n...the one who scattered magic to make people happy across the entire world. ...That's the reason I came here. I was guided by fate. ......Maria onee-chan, can you hear me...? ......Show yourself before me......!!\" <br><br>\r\nその声は、さらに強い風に乗って、１２年前に届けられる……。 <br>\r\nThat voice rode an even stronger wind and was sent 12 years into the past... <br><br>\r\n そして、 <br>\r\n……ゆっくりと風は止み、 <br>\r\n………沈黙が訪れた……。 <br>\r\nThen, <br><br>\r\n...the wind gradually ceased, <br><br>\r\n......and silence fell... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nじゃり、じゃりりと。……小石を踏みしめる音が、聞こえた。 <br>\r\n*crunch*, *crunch*. ...I could hear the sound of gravel being stepped on. <br><br>\r\n私はその足音を聞き、その奇跡に驚く。 <br>\r\nI listened to those footsteps, surprised at this miracle. <br><br>\r\n……それは紛れもなく、真里亞お姉ちゃんの足音だった。 <br>\r\n...Without a doubt, those were Maria onee-chan's footsteps. <br><br>\r\n「…………ま、……真里亞お姉ちゃん………。」 <br>\r\n\"......M-Maria onee-chan......\" <br><br>\r\n「霞よ。………ようやく見つけたわよ、縁寿ちゃん………？」 <br>\r\n\"It's Kasumi. ......Looks like I finally found you, eh, Ange-chan......?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n……真里亞お姉ちゃんとは、似ても似つかない霞叔母さんと黒服たちが、いつの間にか７人も、私を取り囲むように、そこにいた。 <br>\r\n...Before I knew it, <NAME> and her black-suits, a total of seven people who didn't resemble Maria onee-chan in the slightest, were standing there, surrounding me. <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんに、もう少しで声が届きそうだったのに……。 <br>\r\n…こいつらの毒素のせいで、………魔法が途切れてしまった…。 <br>\r\nAnd it felt like my voice had been just about to reach Maria onee-chan, too... <br><br>\r\n...Because of these guys' toxin, ......that magic was cut off... <br><br>\r\n縁寿はそれを舌打ちするが、霞にはそういう意味には聞こえなかったろう。 <br>\r\nAnge clicked her tongue at that, but Kasumi probably didn't hear it that way. <br><br>\r\n「…………ふぅん。そのお花は、亡くなった家族への？ <br>\r\n\"......Hmmmm. Are those flowers for your deceased family? <br><br>\r\n……偉いわぁ。それ、投げるんでしょ？ いいわよ、それまで待ってあげる。」 <br>\r\n...How admirable. You're going to throw them, right? Go ahead, we'll wait that long.\" <br><br>\r\n……何を待つというのか。 <br>\r\n…だが、縁寿には大体察しがついていた。 <br>\r\n...Just what are you waiting for...? <br><br>\r\n...But Ange could more or less guess. <br><br>\r\n黒服たちの、不自然にポケットに突っ込んだ手などは、明らかな拳銃の所持を想起させる。 <br>\r\nThe way the black-suits unnaturally stuck their hands into their pockets clearly brought to mind the likelihood that they had handguns. <br><br>\r\n………ここは無人島。 <br>\r\nこれほど都合のいい処理の場所はあるまい。 <br>\r\n......This is a deserted island. <br><br>\r\nThere could be no more convenient place to dispose of someone. <br><br>\r\n須磨寺家のお家事情などまったく興味はない。 <br>\r\nI have absolutely no interest in the family matters of the Sumadera family. <br><br>\r\n…しかし、私が死ねば、ごろりと全ての財産は須磨寺家に転がり込むのだ。 <br>\r\n...But if I die, all that wealth will go to them. <br><br>\r\n私と違い、大いに興味も関心もあるだろう。 <br>\r\nUnlike me, they're probably very interested and concerned about this matter. <br><br>\r\nもちろん、一方の右代宮グループも、私の保有する大量の株が、ごろりとそちらに行ってしまうのは色々とまずいらしく、私を奪い合って、勝手に暗闘を繰り広げているらしい。 <br>\r\nOf course, it seems that if the massive amounts of stock I own suddenly go to them, it'll be pretty bad for the Ushiromiya Group as well, and they're apparently having a secret feud, fighting over me all by themselves. <br><br>\r\n……小此木社長が私に天草という護衛を付けてくれたのも、そういう意味のはず。 <br>\r\n...That's probably why President Okonogi gave me Amakusa as a guard. <br><br>\r\n…………天草を船に待たせてしまったのは、痛恨のミス…。 <br>\r\n......Having Amakusa wait on the boat was a regrettable mistake... <br><br>\r\n「叔母さん、いつからここで待ち伏せを……？」 <br>\r\n\"Aunt Kasumi, how long have you been waiting for this ambush...?\" <br><br>\r\n「早朝からよ。お陰で、すっかり待ちくたびれちゃったわ。何しろ喫茶店もお化粧室もないからねぇ。」 <br>\r\n\"Since early morning. Thanks to that, I'm completely tired of waiting. After all, there are no cafes or dressing rooms here.\" <br><br>\r\n「トイレもないから、お上品に木陰でひり出してたわけね。 <br>\r\n\"No toilets either, so I guess you had to elegantly drop a load behind a tree. <br><br>\r\n………ぐッ、」 <br>\r\n......ack-\" <br><br>\r\n「仮にも、須磨寺家の血を半分引いてる淑女が、そんな汚らしい言葉を使うんじゃないわ。 <br>\r\n\"A lady with half Sumadera blood flowing through her veins will not use such filthy words. <br><br>\r\n………やっぱり須磨寺霧江の子ねぇ？ 気品の欠片もありゃしない。」 <br>\r\n......You really are <NAME>'s child. Not a trace of grace.\" <br><br>\r\n私は髪を掴み上げられ、無理やり顔を寄せられる。そして唾を吐きかけられた。 <br>\r\nShe grabbed me by the hair and forced my face up to hers. And then spat at me. <br><br>\r\n……私の言葉も汚いが、こいつの唾も負けていない。 <br>\r\n...My words might be filthy, but they're no worse than her spit. <br><br>\r\n「………叔母さんが私のことを話すと、いつも母さんのことばかり。 <br>\r\n\"......Every time you talk to me, <NAME>, it's always about Mom. <br><br>\r\n…私、そんなにも母さんに似てますか。」 <br>\r\n...Am I really that much like my mother?\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、似ているわ。 <br>\r\n\"Yes, you are. <br><br>\r\n……………その生意気そうな目つき。鼻も口もそっくりよ。……自由奔放で無責任。……歴史と伝統ある須磨寺家の重みなど何も考えず、自分勝手に家を飛び出したわ。お陰で私の人生はずっと、その尻拭い…！」 <br>\r\n......That impertinent gaze. Your mouth and nose are the same too. ...Freewheeling and irresponsible. ...She thought nothing of the long history and tradition of the Sumadera family...and selfishly flew out of the house. My entire life has been devoted to cleaning up that mess...!\" <br><br>\r\n「まさにあんたの人生、クソまみれね。」 <br>\r\n\"I guess your life really has been covered with crap.\" <br><br>\r\n頬を打たれた時、耳を強打され、一瞬、頭がキーンとなった…。 <br>\r\nWhen I was slapped on the cheek, my ear was smashed, and for an instant, my head rang... <br><br>\r\n………そして、髪を引っ張って振り回され、私は地面に転がされる。 <br>\r\nそれから間髪を入れず地面を蹴られて砂を掛けられた。 <br>\r\n......My hair was pulled, spinning me around, and I fell to the ground. <br><br>\r\nAnd in a flash, the ground was kicked and I was struck with sand. <br><br>\r\n「あぁ、本当に姉さんに似てきたわぁ。その目つき！ その、どこか小馬鹿にした目つきよ。あぁ、思い出すわ、色々と！」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, you truly are like Nee-san. That gaze! That gaze like you're mocking me somehow. Yes, I remember so many things!\" <br><br>\r\n「………哀れな人ね。きっと幼い頃から、何かにつけて母さんに比較されて蔑まれてきたんでしょうに。 <br>\r\n\"......You're a sad person. I'll bet that since you were young, you always got compared to Mom and scorned. <br><br>\r\n……そしてあんたは一生、その惨めさから解放されやしないわ。」 <br>\r\n...And for your entire life, you'll never be released from that wretchedness.\" <br><br>\r\n「お前みたいな小娘にはわからないわよ。……あんたのお母さんはね、何もかもを投げ出して須磨寺家を逃げ出した負け犬なのよ…？ <br>\r\n\"A little girl like you couldn't possibly understand. ...You see, your mother is a loser who threw everything away and ran away from the Sumadera family, right...? <br><br>\r\n その負け犬のせいで、私がどれほど…、 <br>\r\nどれほど迷惑したことかッ！！」 <br>\r\n Do you know how much... <br><br>\r\nhow much trouble I went through because of that loser?!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「あんたの迷惑なんか私の知ったこっちゃないわ。私の生まれる前の話をされても困るわよ。 <br>\r\n\"Any trouble you went through has nothing to do with me. Sorry, but what am I supposed to do about something that happened before I was born? <br><br>\r\n………あんたの人生は、いつ始まるの？ ……始まりゃしないわ。いつまでもいつまでも永久に、死んだ母さんに嘲笑われ続け、そのまま死ぬのよ。……というか死ねば？ 何で生きてるの？」 <br>\r\n......When will your life begin? ...It never will. For all eternity, you'll always, always continue to be sneered at by my dead mother until you die. ...If only you'd just die. Why are you living?\" <br><br>\r\n「このションベンガキが…！！ <br>\r\n\"You little piss...!! <br><br>\r\nあんたたち…！ ちょいとお茶をしてやりなさいな。」 <br>\r\nYou all...! Make her some tea.\" <br><br>\r\n「へっへっへ…。お任せを…。」 <br>\r\n「口の聞き方も知らねぇ、クソガキが。少し勉強させてやるぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"Heheheh... Leave it to us...\" <br><br>\r\n\"You big-mouthed shitty brat. Let us teach you a little lesson.\" <br><br>\r\n黒服が、ささっと駆けて来て、私の襟首を乱暴に掴み、引き摺り倒す。 <br>\r\nThe black-suits dashed up to me, violently grabbed me by the nape of the neck, and dragged me down. <br><br>\r\n「私が一服終えるまでに適当に。可愛い姪にちょいと身の程を教えてあげなさい。」 <br>\r\n\"Do whatever you want to her until my break is over. Teach my cute niece her place.\" <br><br>\r\n須磨寺霞か。 <br>\r\n<NAME>. <br><br>\r\n思えば可哀想な人だった。 <br>\r\nWhen I think about it, she was a pitiable person. <br><br>\r\n須磨寺家の女は、表向きは男を立てて一歩引いた位置にいるように躾けられている。 <br>\r\nTo the outside world, women of the Sumadera family were trained to be in a position that supported and deferred to men. <br><br>\r\n……しかし実際は、下々の全てを取り仕切る強い指導力が求められる。 <br>\r\n文字通り、女将のような役割を求められるのだ。 <br>\r\n...But in actuality, strong leadership was required from them, so that they could manage all the common people. <br><br>\r\nThe role demanded of them really was that of a `female commander', like a literal reading of the word `okami' (女将). <br><br>\r\n伝統ある須磨寺家を取り仕切るのは、並大抵の貫禄では出来ない。 <br>\r\nそれは想像を絶する重責だ。 <br>\r\nManaging the Sumadera family with all its traditions was not something that could be accomplished with just an ordinary level of dignity. <br><br>\r\nIt was an unimaginably heavy responsibility. <br><br>\r\nそれは本来ならば、霧江に求められるものだった。 <br>\r\nNormally, this would have been demanded of Kyrie. <br><br>\r\n霧江にはその厳しい修行が。 <br>\r\nそして霞は妹としてのんびりしていれば良かった。 <br>\r\nKyrie had undergone that harsh training. <br><br>\r\nAnd Kasumi, as the younger sister, should have been able to take it easy. <br><br>\r\nいやむしろ、重責を課せられた霧江を嘲笑い、のんびりと裕福でわがままなお姫様生活をしていた。 <br>\r\nNo, on the contrary, she had lived like a lazy, selfish and affluent princess, sneering at Kyrie, who had been given the heavy responsibility. <br><br>\r\n……ところが。突然、霧江が勘当されることになった。 <br>\r\n...However, Kyrie had suddenly been disinherited. <br><br>\r\n親の設定した許婚を蹴り、右代宮留弗夫の愛人として妊娠していたのだ。 <br>\r\nShe had refused the fiancé her parents had arranged...and had gotten pregnant by her lover, <NAME>. <br><br>\r\n須磨寺家から見た右代宮家は、莫大な財産は持っていても、すでに没落した格下の家と見られていた。 <br>\r\nFrom the Sumaderas' perspective, even though the Ushiromiya family held a vast fortune, it was a low-level family that had already collapsed. <br><br>\r\nしかもその家の次男坊の、正妻ならまだしも愛人とは…。 <br>\r\nAnd to become not even a legal wife, but a mistress to the second son of that family... <br><br>\r\n本来なら、これほどの不名誉ならば、本家の娘とて容赦はされない。 <br>\r\nNormally, a daughter of the main family would be shown no mercy for such dishonor. <br><br>\r\n棒を立てて、右に倒れれば太平洋、左に倒れれば日本海に、簀巻きにされて放り込まれているところだ。 <br>\r\nThey would wrap her up in a mat, place a pole on end, and throw her either into the Pacific Ocean if the pole fell to the right or the Sea of Japan if it fell to the left. <br><br>\r\n………しかし、霧江への処分は勘当のみで、信じられないくらいの温情判決だった。 <br>\r\n......But Kyrie's punishment ended with disinheritance, an unbelievably warm-hearted decision. <br><br>\r\nその後、須磨寺家は右代宮グループの一部において、優遇的な措置を受けるようになる。……何らかの裏取引があったのは間違いない。 <br>\r\nAfter that, the Sumadera family began receiving favorable treatment from a section of the Ushiromiya group. ...There must've been some kind of backroom deal. <br><br>\r\nつまり霧江は、右代宮家からの経済支援をダシに、堂々と須磨寺家を出て行ったわけだ。 <br>\r\nIn other words, Kyrie openly left the Sumadera family under the pretense of gaining financial support from the Ushiromiya family. <br><br>\r\n霞は呆然とそれを見送った。 <br>\r\nいや、不名誉な姉を負け犬と罵りさえした。 <br>\r\nKasumi had watched it happen in shock. <br><br>\r\nNo, she even disparaged her dishonorable sister as a loser. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、やがて。 <br>\r\n...But, eventually... <br><br>\r\n霧江が背負っていた重責の全てが、自分に引き継がれることを知り、その時、初めて、出し抜かれたことに気付いたのだ……。 <br>\r\nShe realized that the heavy responsibilities Kyrie had borne would be passed on to her, and then, for the first time, she saw that she'd been outwitted... <br><br>\r\n「あんたの母親のせいで、私の人生はめちゃめちゃにされたわ。 <br>\r\n\"Because of your mother, my life was ruined. <br><br>\r\n……いいえ、一度殺されたと言ってもいい。あの日に私は一度殺されて、地獄のような日々に突き落とされたのよ…。」 <br>\r\n...No, you could even say she killed me once. On that day, I was killed once and thrown into a hellish life...\" <br><br>\r\n「…………それまで人生舐めてきたツケじゃない？ <br>\r\n\"......Isn't that what you get for making light of life until then? <br><br>\r\n……ぎゃふッ！ <br>\r\n...Gyack! <br><br>\r\n………ごほっ、ごほ……。」 <br>\r\n......Gah...gah...\" <br><br>\r\n「口の減らねぇ小娘だぜッ！ うぉら！」 <br>\r\n\"Don't you ever stop talking, girl?! Hyaah!\" <br><br>\r\n黒服に下腹を殴られ、うずくまる。 <br>\r\nしかしすぐに襟首を掴まれ、立ち上がらせられた。 <br>\r\nThe black-suit punched me in the gut, and I doubled over. <br><br>\r\nBut I was quickly grabbed by the nape of the neck and made to stand up again. <br><br>\r\n霞はそれを冷酷に見下ろしながら、煙草を吹かす……。 <br>\r\nKasumi cold-heartedly looked down at me, smoking a cigarette... <br><br>\r\n彼女の脳裏に蘇るのは、霧江が出て行った後の辛い日々。 <br>\r\nThe painful days after Kyrie had left were floating through her mind. <br><br>\r\nそれまでは自由奔放、天真爛漫なただのお嬢様でいられた。 <br>\r\nUntil then, she had been allowed to be a simple lady, freewheeling and naive. <br><br>\r\n……厳しく躾けられるのは長女の霧江だけで、次女の自分はただのお姫様でいられたのだ。 <br>\r\n...Only the older sister, Kyrie, had been harshly trained, and she, the younger sister, had been able to live as nothing more than a princess. <br><br>\r\nそれが、突然、人生が転落するほどに全てが引っ繰り返って……。 <br>\r\nThen, suddenly, everything got flipped over...and her life came crashing down... <br><br>\r\n「私の人生も、生活も、生き方も、……何もかもを奪われたわ。………事情を知らない親類からは、姉さんの不名誉を理由にどれだけ蔑まれたことか…。……呪ったわ。あなたのお母さんを血を吐くほどに呪ったわよ…。」 <br>\r\n\"My life, lifestyle, and the way I lived...were all stolen from me. ......Do you know how much I was derided by those relatives who didn't know the details, all because of my sister's dishonor...? I detested her. I detested your mother enough to make me spit blood...\" <br><br>\r\n「そりゃ嬉しいわ。これからもよろしく。 <br>\r\n\"Glad to hear it. Keep up the good work. <br><br>\r\n………がふッ！！」 <br>\r\n......Graggghh!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n這いつくばった縁寿の脇腹に、蹴りが入る。 <br>\r\n縁寿はもう立ち上がらなかった。 <br>\r\nA kick landed in Ange's side as she crawled on the ground. <br><br>\r\nAnge didn't stand up again. <br><br>\r\n……だから芋虫のように転がされたまま、減らず口を叩く度に、蹴られる。 <br>\r\n...So, she continued to lie there like a caterpillar as she was kicked each time she spoke up. <br><br>\r\n「……姉さんを、右代宮グループのパーティで見かけたわ。 <br>\r\n\"...I saw Nee-san at an Ushiromiya Group party once. <br><br>\r\n……あいつ、旦那と一緒で、 <br>\r\n………とても幸せそうに、 <br>\r\n……笑ってやがったわ。……私に、 <br>\r\n……全部を押し付けて、 <br>\r\n……自分だけ、 <br>\r\n………幸せに………。」 <br>\r\n ...She was with her husband, <br><br>\r\n......looking very happy...... <br><br>\r\nand laughing. ...She... <br><br>\r\npushed everything onto me... <br><br>\r\nand found happiness... <br><br>\r\n...only for herself......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「………だから何？ 私に八つ当たりすると、どうあんたが幸せになるってわけ？ <br>\r\n\"......So what? How is taking it out on me going to make you happy? <br><br>\r\n私に八つ当たりすると、時間が巻き戻って歴史が変わったりしてくれるわけ？ <br>\r\nWill taking it out on me turn back time and change history or something? <br><br>\r\n ………うぐぐぐ、 <br>\r\n………がッ、 <br>\r\n………ごほッ……！！」 <br>\r\n ......Uguhguhguh, <br><br>\r\n......gah, <br><br>\r\n......ghackk...!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「あんた、さっき言ったわねぇ…。私の人生はいつ始まるの？って。………いくら恨んでも八つ当たりしても、時間を巻き戻すことなんて出来ない。……じゃあ私は死ぬまでこうして、死んでもなお姉さんを恨み続けて？ <br>\r\n\"You said something a short while ago... When will my life start? ......No matter how much I despise you or take out my frustrations on you, I can't turn back time. ...So, must I keep hating my sister even though she's gone, until I die?\" <br><br>\r\n冗談じゃないわ。……いつまで私は姉さんの亡霊に苛まれてなきゃならないのよ。だから考えたのよ。…………これを成し遂げたら、全ての恨みを忘れて、やり直せるってね。」 <br>\r\n\"You've got to be kidding me. ...How long will I have to be tormented by my sister's ghost? So I thought of something. ......If I could accomplish one thing, I'd be able to forget all of my hatred and start over.\" <br><br>\r\n縁寿は憎まれ口を叩いて、それに答えようとしたが止めた。 <br>\r\nAnge was about to lash back out at her, but stopped. <br><br>\r\n…答えればまた蹴られるからだ。 <br>\r\n...Because she'd be kicked again if she responded. <br><br>\r\n……霞がそれ以上を語らなくても、どうせ想像はつく。 <br>\r\n...Even if Kasumi didn't say any more, Ange had a pretty good idea what she meant. <br><br>\r\n霞は、霧江の娘の縁寿に復讐することで、その恨みに終止符を打とうと考えているわけだ。 <br>\r\nKasumi thought that by taking revenge against Kyrie's daughter, Ange, she'd be able to put an end to her hatred. <br><br>\r\n………何と傍迷惑な。 <br>\r\n......Talk about pushing your problems onto other people. <br><br>\r\n「ほら、立ちなさいよ。そんなにこの島が大好きなら、しっかり深く埋めてあげるわよ。 <br>\r\n\"Come on, stand up. If you like this island that much, I'll bury you deep in it. <br><br>\r\n………その若さで死にたくないでしょ？ 母が迷惑を掛けてすみませんでしたとか、言ってみたくはならない？」 <br>\r\n......You don't want to die at your age, right? Don't you feel like saying `Sorry my mother caused you so much trouble', or something?\" <br><br>\r\n「………誰が、 <br>\r\n……言うもんか。 <br>\r\n\"......Who'd... <br><br>\r\nsay something like that? <br><br>\r\n………ぐはッ、 <br>\r\n………ぐッ、……！！」 <br>\r\n......Gwah, <br><br>\r\n......ghhh...!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n『うりゅー！！ 縁寿ッ、縁寿ぇえぇ…！！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu-!! Ange, Angeeeeee...!!』 <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さま、ダメ…！ こいつらを挑発しちゃ駄目です…！！ <br>\r\n\"Ange-sama, no...! You mustn't provoke them...!! <br><br>\r\nここは表向きだけでも、調子を合わせて時間を稼ぐべきです…！」 <br>\r\nYou should at least make it seem like you're going along with them, so you can buy some time...!\" <br><br>\r\n「………下らないプライドは、 <br>\r\n…燃えないゴミの日に出しとけって、 <br>\r\n…よく言うわね……。」 <br>\r\n\"......They often say that... <br><br>\r\nyou should throw your foolish pride... <br><br>\r\nout with the garbage...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n『あ、天草さんは…？！ <br>\r\n『Oh, what about Amakusa-san...?! <br><br>\r\n天草さんが来てくれれば、きっと……！』 <br>\r\nIf Amakusa-san comes, I'm sure...!』 <br><br>\r\n「……駄目、あいつの姿は見えないわ…。 <br>\r\n\"...It's no use, I can't see him... <br><br>\r\n……縁寿さまの馬鹿…！ どうして天草を置いて来たんです…！」 <br>\r\n...You idiot, Ange-sama...! Why did you leave Amakusa behind...?!\" <br><br>\r\nマモンに言われるまでもない。 <br>\r\n……今、まさに後悔の真っ最中だ。 <br>\r\nI didn't need Mammon to tell me. <br><br>\r\n...I was seriously regretting it already. <br><br>\r\nだいぶ歩いた。森もかなり深かった。 <br>\r\nI walked a long way. The forest was very thick. <br><br>\r\n……ここでの騒ぎは絶対に船まで届かないだろう……。 <br>\r\n...I've got no doubts that signs of activity here won't reach the boat... <br><br>\r\n私は、霞が煙草一本を、のんびり丸々吸い終えるまでの間、いいように黒服どもにいたぶられ続ける。 <br>\r\nDuring the time it took for Kasumi to finish casually smoking a whole cigarette, I was continuously tormented by the black-suits, as she had told them to. <br><br>\r\n頭を抱えた拍子に、悪い形で誰かに頭の天辺を蹴られ、頭の中に星がいっぱいに広がった……。この灰色に歪んだぐにゃぐにゃの世界に星がちらつく感じ、……私はよく覚えてる。 <br>\r\nThe moment I grabbed at my head, my scalp was kicked by someone at a bad angle, and my head was filled with stars... The feeling of stars flickering in this gray, twisted world...was one I remembered clearly. <br><br>\r\n私も、須磨寺霞と辿った人生はよく似ていた。 <br>\r\nMy life was very similar to the one Sumadera Kasumi led. <br><br>\r\n右代宮家の跡継ぎらしくあれと、教育や躾と称した様々ないじめに、ずっと苛まれてきたからだ。 <br>\r\n...After all, as the Successor to the Ushiromiya family, I was tormented constantly with various kinds of bullying...under the guise of education and training. <br><br>\r\nそう。こんな感じで頭の中に星がいっぱい散らばる感じを、よく覚えてる。 <br>\r\nYes. Having the inside of my head filled with stars like this...is a feeling I know well. <br><br>\r\n私が間違えたらしい何かのマナーについての叱責は、いつものように、右代宮家の次期当主として相応しいだの相応しくないだのという話になり。 <br>\r\nWhen being reprimanded for some error in manners I seemed to have made, the discussion always turned to whether I was fitting to be the Successor or not. <br><br>\r\n……右代宮家の名誉だの何だの、その重みがどうこうどうこう。 <br>\r\n...On and on about the honor of the Ushiromiya family, and how deep that was. <br><br>\r\n……そういう話にまで至るころには、そもそも私が、何の失敗をして咎められているのか、それすらもわからなくなってしまう。 <br>\r\n...By the time the conversation reached that point, I'd forget what mistake I was being blamed for in the first place. <br><br>\r\nいや、実際、絵羽伯母さんもそうだった。 <br>\r\nNo, in fact, it was the same for Aunt Eva. <br><br>\r\nだって時折、「えぇと、それで何だったっけ？」と、自問していたから。 <br>\r\nAfter all, sometimes she'd ask herself \"Umm, what was it again?\" <br><br>\r\n…でも結局、それは思いだせず、 <br>\r\n...But in the end, she wouldn't be able to remember, and would say something like... <br><br>\r\n「私が怒っているということは、きっと縁寿が何か悪いことをしたのだろう。なら、その悪いことが問題なのであって、何をしたかなんて、今さら思い出せなくても問題ない。」 <br>\r\n\"If I'm angry, it must be your fault, Ange. The fact that you're at fault is what matters, so who cares if I can't remember what it was you did.\" <br><br>\r\n…みたいなすごい理論になって、私への罰は続けられたから。 <br>\r\n...There'd be some ridiculous reasoning like that, and then she'd keep on punishing me. <br><br>\r\nそう。絵羽伯母さんの罰は、私が何かを学ぶか、誤りを認めるか、謝罪するかまで続けられるのではない。 <br>\r\nYes. Aunt Eva's punishment wasn't something that would continue until I learned something, or acknowledged my mistake, or apologized. <br><br>\r\n………絵羽伯母さんが、止めたいと思うまで続くのだ。 <br>\r\n......It would continue until Aunt Eva wanted to stop. <br><br>\r\nだから、こんな暴力だって、反吐が出る意味で、懐かしい。 <br>\r\nSo this violence was a bit nostalgic, in a way that made me want to vomit. <br><br>\r\n……目を開ければ、……ほら、そこに絵羽伯母さんがいる。 <br>\r\n...I opened my eyes...and look, there's Aunt Eva. <br><br>\r\n煙草を吸いながら、私を嘲笑う霞のすぐ隣に、まるで一緒に笑っているかのように、絵羽伯母さんの姿が見えた。 <br>\r\nRight next to Kasumi, who's smoking a cigarette, I can see Aunt Eva, almost as though the two of them are laughing together. <br><br>\r\n思えば、絵羽伯母さんの人生も、同情に値するものなのかもしれない。 <br>\r\nWhen I think about it, even Aunt Eva's life might be a thing worthy of my sympathy. <br><br>\r\n……あいつが私に口にしてきた、右代宮家の人間としての責任や重圧は、全て自らが苦しんできたことなのだ。 <br>\r\n...The responsibility and pressure of being a member of the Ushiromiya family, which she often mentioned to me, had probably caused her great pain. <br><br>\r\n人は、自らに浴びせられた悪口しか、口に出来ないのだから……。 <br>\r\nAfter all, people can't make insults that they've never been the targets of themselves... <br><br>\r\nそれは多分、楼座叔母さんも同じだったろう。 <br>\r\nIt was probably the same for Aunt Rosa as well. <br><br>\r\n……栄光ある右代宮家の末っ子として、色々と辛い目にあってきたに違いない。 <br>\r\n...As the youngest child of the honorable Ushiromiya family, she must've gone through many tough times. <br><br>\r\nだから、絵羽伯母さんが私に対してそうであったように。 <br>\r\nそしてまさに今、須磨寺霞がそうであるように。 <br>\r\nSo, it was just like what Aunt Eva did to me... <br><br>\r\nJust like what Sumadera Kasumi is doing now... <br><br>\r\n……楼座叔母さんもまた、…そうであったに違いない。 <br>\r\n...Aunt Rosa...must have been the same. <br><br>\r\n人は、背負わされた苦しみを誰かに押し付ける。 <br>\r\nそうしなければ、いつまでもその苦しみから逃れられないのだ。 <br>\r\nPeople tend to push the pain they're burdened with onto other people. <br><br>\r\nOtherwise, they can never escape from that pain. <br><br>\r\n……そうして延々と、永久に永遠に、苦しみと悲しみの連鎖が、終わらない。 <br>\r\n...So on and on, in eternity and perpetuity, the chain of pain and sadness does not end. <br><br>\r\n だからこそ、 <br>\r\n…………真里亞お姉ちゃんの魔法は、……すごかったのだ。 <br>\r\nThat's why... <br><br>\r\n...Maria onee-chan's magic was...so incredible. <br><br>\r\n彼女はその魔法で、……楼座叔母さんからの苦しみを、背負わなかった。 <br>\r\nWith her magic, ...she didn't have to bear the pain caused by Aunt Rosa. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n押し付けられはしただろう。 <br>\r\n彼女をその重みで苦しめはしただろう。 <br>\r\nThe pain probably was pushed onto her. <br><br>\r\nIts weight probably tormented her. <br><br>\r\n……でも、お姉ちゃんはそれを自らの肩には背負わなかった。 <br>\r\n...But Onee-chan didn't carry that burden on her own shoulders. <br><br>\r\n………それを綺麗に祓い、世界を幸せで満たした。 <br>\r\n......She purified it...and filled her world with happiness. <br><br>\r\nだからきっと。 <br>\r\n……真里亞お姉ちゃんが将来、子どもを持っても。 <br>\r\nSo I'm sure... <br><br>\r\n...If Maria onee-chan had had children in the future... <br><br>\r\nその子どもに代々押し付けられてきた苦しみを押し付けることはないだろう。 <br>\r\nShe probably wouldn't have pushed the pain that had been forced on her onto her children. <br><br>\r\n……一体、どれほどの長きにわたって受け継がれ、押し付けられてきたかわからない苦しみと悲しみの連鎖を、………真里亞お姉ちゃんの魔法は、断ち切ったのだ。 <br>\r\n...That chain of pain and sadness that stretched back for who knows how long, which she couldn't understand and which she had inherited, which had been forced onto her... ......Maria onee-chan cut it with her magic. <br><br>\r\n「…………なぁに？ 私に何か文句でもあるのぅ？」 <br>\r\n\"......Whaaat's wrong? Got a bone to pick with me?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\nかつての私なら、その売り言葉に買い言葉を返した。 <br>\r\nIn the past, I would have snapped back. <br><br>\r\n……そして彼女の憎しみに対し、私も憎しみをぶつけて相殺してきた。 <br>\r\n...I would've met her hatred with hatred, so that they'd cancel each other out. <br><br>\r\n…いや、相殺はしていない。 <br>\r\nしっかりと、私の肩にも、その押し付けられたものは背負わされている。 <br>\r\n...No, nothing got cancelled out. <br><br>\r\nThe thing being forced on me ended up right there on my shoulders. <br><br>\r\n未だにこうして、……彼女を憎んでいるように。 <br>\r\nJust like how even now, ...I hate her. <br><br>\r\nだから、私は、 <br>\r\n…………魔法を知り、……右代宮絵羽という人間を、もう一度見る。 <br>\r\nSo, now that I... <br><br>\r\n...know of magic, ...I'll look at the human called Ushiromiya Eva again. <br><br>\r\n………そこに透けて見えたのは、……私と何も変わらない、家族を失い、心に深い傷を負った悲しい人間の姿だった。 <br>\r\n......What I could see through to......was a sad human form, no different from me, who had lost her family and who bore deep wounds in her heart. <br><br>\r\nその裂けた心の傷の痛みに耐えかね、まるで苦痛に泣く獅子のように、子どものように、悲しい声で吼え猛っているだけなのだ。 <br>\r\nUnable to withstand the pain of that torn heart, she was doing nothing more than howl sadly, like a lion crying in pain, ...like a child. <br><br>\r\n……右代宮絵羽も、同情されるべき存在だったのだ。 <br>\r\n...Even Ushiromiya Eva was someone I should have felt compassion for. <br><br>\r\nその辛く悲しい少女時代を誰かに理解され、………六軒島の事件をたった一人生き残り、世間の全てから好奇の目を向けられ、公然と中傷され、傷に塩を塗られ続けた彼女にも、……誰かの同情が必要だったのだ。 <br>\r\nShe needed someone to understand the difficulties and pain of her childhood years. ......Even she, who was the only survivor of the Rokkenjima crime, who was faced with the curiosity of all of society, who was publicly slandered and forced to have salt continually flung into the wound, had needed someone's compassion. <br><br>\r\nその彼女の痛みと悲しみをわずかの間だけ忘れさせるために、…………楼座叔母さんに取り憑いたのと同じ、黒き魔女が、……魔法を教えたのだ。 <br>\r\nIn order to let Eva forget her pain and sadness at least a little, ......the black witch...taught her magic, just like the times it had possessed Aunt Rosa. <br><br>\r\nそれは、さくたろうを引き裂かれて嘆き悲しんだ真里亞お姉ちゃんに、ベアトリーチェが教えたのと同じ、怒りと悲しみの魔法。 <br>\r\nIt was the same magic of anger and sadness...that Beatrice had taught Maria onee-chan when she was mourning for her torn-apart friend, Sakutarou. <br><br>\r\n……同じ魔法は、魔女は、きっと楼座叔母さんにも宿っていただろう。 <br>\r\n...That same magic...that witch...had probably dwelled inside Aunt Rosa too. <br><br>\r\n…………だから、右代宮絵羽を憎んではいけなかったのだ。 <br>\r\n......So I mustn't hate Ushiromiya Eva. <br><br>\r\n…ひょっとすると、………私だけは世界でただ一人理解して、味方になってあげなくてはいけなかったのだ。 <br>\r\n...Maybe......I should've become her ally, as the only person in the world who could understand her. <br><br>\r\n……幼かった私は、たった一人生還した彼女に、どんな言葉を掛けたのだろう…？ <br>\r\n...What did I say to her when I was young, when she returned alive all alone...? <br><br>\r\nひょっとして、 <br>\r\n………まるで彼女が私の家族を殺し、一人だけ帰ってきたかのような、………そんな態度を、取ってしまったのではないだろうか……？ <br>\r\nCould it be... <br><br>\r\n...that I acted......as though she'd killed my family and returned on her own...? <br><br>\r\n………………………。 <br>\r\n............ <br><br>\r\n……信じられない。 <br>\r\n...I can't believe it. <br><br>\r\n…私の人生において、憎悪の対象と代名詞でしかなかった絵羽伯母さんが、………理解できる「人間」に、…変わっていく……。 <br>\r\n...Aunt Eva, who has never been more than a object of and a synonym for hatred throughout my life, ......is turning into...a `human' I can understand... <br><br>\r\nだから。………絵羽伯母さんのすぐ隣に、……彼女に黒き魔法を教えた、黒き魔女の姿を視る……。 <br>\r\nSo, ......I can see, right next to Aunt Eva, ...the form of the black witch, who taught her the black magic... <br><br>\r\n絵羽伯母さんは、…泣いていた。 <br>\r\nAunt Eva...was crying. <br><br>\r\n無理もない。 <br>\r\nIt was only natural. <br><br>\r\n………夫と息子を一度に亡くしたその悲しみを誰にも理解してもらえず、……唯一の親族である私にまで、お父さんとお母さんを返してと、……罵られたのだ。 <br>\r\n......Not only was no one willing to understand the pain of losing her husband and son at once, ...but her only relative had insulted her, ...saying `Give me back my Dad and Mom'. <br><br>\r\n………私はそれを、幼さゆえの無慈悲だったと言い訳することも出来る。 <br>\r\n......I can make the excuse that I was merciless because of my youth. <br><br>\r\n…しかし、……あの時の彼女にそれは、最後の心の糸を断ち切るほどの、残酷さがあっただろう。 <br>\r\n...However, ...to her at the time, it had probably been cruel enough to sever the last thread in her heart. <br><br>\r\n………………連日、ワイドショーや週刊誌が、彼女を公然と中傷した。 <br>\r\n亡父の事業も人格も、最愛の息子のことまで、否定された。 <br>\r\n.........In the following days, the talk shows and magazines publicly slandered her. <br><br>\r\nThe truth of her husband's business and character...and even her beloved son were negated. <br><br>\r\n彼女には、もう、何も残らなかった。 <br>\r\nShe no longer had anything left. <br><br>\r\n痛みと悲しみを、わずかの間でも忘れるために、……泣きながら吼えるしかなかった。 <br>\r\nShe could do nothing but cry and howl, ...trying to forget the pain and sadness at least for a while. <br><br>\r\n吼えている間だけは、わずかに解放されたからだ。 <br>\r\nAfter all, she could only feel a tiny bit of release, and only during the time that she howled. <br><br>\r\nだから、………黒き魔女が吼え方を教えた。 <br>\r\nAnd so, ......the black witch taught her how to howl. <br><br>\r\n私が憎むのは、その黒き魔女。 <br>\r\n黒き魔法は、ひと時の間だけ、確かに苦しみから解放はしただろう。 <br>\r\nThe one I hated...was the black witch. <br><br>\r\nBlack magic can probably release one from that pain for an instant. <br><br>\r\n……しかし。その重みを肩から下ろしてやることは決してない。 <br>\r\n...However, it never lifts that weight from a person's shoulders. <br><br>\r\nそれどころか、その重みを次なる犠牲者にも強いて、………世界を憎しみの重みで、いっぱいにしてしまう。 <br>\r\nOn the contrary, it forces that weight onto further victims, ......filling the world with hatred. <br><br>\r\n……………もしも絵羽伯母さんに、白き魔法を知る、正しい魔女が近くにいてくれたなら。 <br>\r\n......If only Aunt Eva knew of white magic...and had a true witch nearby... <br><br>\r\n……それ、…………私のはずじゃ、 <br>\r\n……ないか………。 <br>\r\n...Shouldn't that......have been... <br><br>\r\n...me......? <br><br>\r\n私は真里亞お姉ちゃんから、幸せにする魔法を習っていたはずなんだ。 <br>\r\nDidn't I learn the magic to create happiness from Maria onee-chan? <br><br>\r\n………その魔法で、……彼女を救えていたら、……………私たちは、まったく違う関係の未来を、 <br>\r\n……築けていたのではないか。 <br>\r\n......If I'd taught her...with that magic, ......could we have... <br><br>\r\n...built a future with a completely different relationship? <br><br>\r\n私は今までずっと、 <br>\r\n………絵羽伯母さんを憎み続けてきた。 <br>\r\nUp until now, <br><br>\r\n......I've hated Aunt Eva constantly. <br><br>\r\n…だから、その隣にいる、黒き魔女に、気付けなかった。 <br>\r\n...So I didn't notice the black witch beside her. <br><br>\r\n……愛がなかったから、視えなかった。 <br>\r\n...Without love, it could not be `seen'. <br><br>\r\n私は彼女に対し、……愛が、なかったのだ……。 <br>\r\nI didn't......have any love for her... <br><br>\r\nだから今こそ。 <br>\r\n………本当に憎むべき魔女を、 <br>\r\n……睨む。 <br>\r\nSo now, finally... <br><br>\r\n......I'll glare at the black witch, <br><br>\r\n...the one I truly should hate. <br><br>\r\n「……あら。………なぁに。 <br>\r\n\"...Oh. ......Whaat's this? <br><br>\r\n私のことが視えるの？ うっふふふふふ…！」 <br>\r\nYou can `see' me? Hehheheheheh...!\" <br><br>\r\n「………………視えるわ。 <br>\r\n\".........I `see' you. <br><br>\r\n……私が憎むべきは、絵羽伯母さんじゃなかった。……あんたよ。」 <br>\r\n...The one I should've hated wasn't Aunt Eva. ...It's you.\" <br><br>\r\n「すごいじゃない。ニンゲンの分際で、魔女の私が視えるなんてね。 <br>\r\n\"Whoa, awesome. To think that a lowly Human could `see' a witch like me. <br><br>\r\n……それで？ その目つきは何だと言いたいわけぇ？ 私が憎い？」 <br>\r\n...So? Are you trying to say something with that glare? Do you hate me?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………憎い？ ……えぇ、憎いわ。 <br>\r\n\"......Hate? ...Yes, I do. <br><br>\r\n……でも、少し違う。……ただ、悲しく思える。」 <br>\r\n...But...that's not quite it. ...I just think you're sad.\" <br><br>\r\n「悲しい？ <br>\r\n\"Sad? <br><br>\r\n……くすくす、あっはははははは！ 何言ってんのッ、いいじゃない、怒れば！ 思いっきり憎んじゃえばぁッ？！」 <br>\r\n...*giggle*giggle* Ahhahahahahaha! What're you saying?! Come on, go ahead! Why not hate me as much as you waant?!\" <br><br>\r\n「……憎まないわ。……あんたを憎むことは、 <br>\r\n………絵羽伯母さんの憎しみをそのまま受け継ぐだけ。 <br>\r\n\"...I won't hate. Hating you... <br><br>\r\n...means I'm doing nothing more than inheriting Aunt Eva's hatred. <br><br>\r\n……私は、憎しみを断ち切る。……絵羽伯母さんの苦しみを受け止め、………それを、祓って、捨てるの。」 <br>\r\n...I'll put a stop to hatred. ...I'll accept Aunt Eva's pain, ......purify it, and throw it away.\" <br><br>\r\n「あっはははははははは！！ 何、悟ったようなこと言ってるわけぇ？ こいつ頭大丈夫ぅ？ っていうかヘソでも噛んで死んじゃえばぁ？！ <br>\r\n\"Ahhahahahahahahaha!! What kind of epiphany do you think you've had? Is your head all right? Seriously, if only you'd just give up and diie! <br><br>\r\nきゃっはっはっはははははは！ あんたら、もっともっと蹴ってやりなさい？ 顔とかはダメよ。気の毒な顔がマシになっちゃったらつまんないから！」 <br>\r\nKyaahhahhahahahahahaha! You guys, kick her more and more, okay? Not her face, though. 'Cause it'd be boring if her pitiful face got any better!\" <br><br>\r\n「ぐふッ！ <br>\r\n\"Gwurgh! <br><br>\r\n…………がはッ！！ ……………ぐ、……。」 <br>\r\n......Gwah!! ......Nngg...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n黒服たちは執拗に私の腹や背中を蹴る。 <br>\r\n……黒き魔女に命じられたかのように。 <br>\r\nThe black-suits persistently kicked my stomach and back. <br><br>\r\n...As though they had been ordered to by the black witch. <br><br>\r\n「……やれやれ、堪えないねぇ……？ …………私をじーっと見ちゃって。 <br>\r\n\"...My, my, are you still not suffering after all that...? ......You keep staring right at me. <br><br>\r\n私が憎い？ 憎いでしょう。私もよ。くすくすくす……。」 <br>\r\nDo you hate me? I'll bet you do. Same here. *giggle*giggle*giggle*...\" <br><br>\r\n霞は私を嘲笑う。 <br>\r\nKasumi sneered at me. <br><br>\r\n……でも、なぜかその表情の裏では、泣いているような気がした。 <br>\r\n...But for some reason, I had the feeling that she was crying behind that expression. <br><br>\r\n私と同じに、理不尽な人生に強いられた痛みが、いつまでもいつまでも癒えない。 <br>\r\n……抜けぬ棘の痛みに喘ぐ悲しみの獅子が、吼え続けている…。 <br>\r\nJust like me, the pain of being forced into an unreasonable life would never, ever heal. <br><br>\r\n...The sad lion gasping in pain from the thorn he can't get out continues to howl... <br><br>\r\n「ほら、須磨寺霞、見て御覧なさい？ かつてのあんたがそこにいるわぁ。 <br>\r\n\"Hey, <NAME>, take a look. Over there, it's you as you used to be. <br><br>\r\n……気分が晴れるでしょう？ かつてそこにいたあなたが、今度はこっち側にいるのよ？ <br>\r\n...Don't you feel better now? You used to be standing there, but now you're on this side, right? <br><br>\r\nうふふふ、愉快でしょう？ 立場が逆になるのは！」 <br>\r\nHeheheh, isn't it great? Don't you like having the roles switched?!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………えぇ、本当に、 <br>\r\n………愉快だわ………。あっははははは、何でそんな顔が出来るのよ、縁寿…！ 泣きなさいよ、泣きたいんでしょう？！」 <br>\r\n\"......Yes, it really is... <br><br>\r\n...great...... Ahhahahahaha, how can you make that kind of face, Ange...?! Go on and cry, you want to, right?!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「きゃっははははははは！！ そうそう、泣きたいに決まってる！ 泣かせちゃいなさいって。 <br>\r\n\"Kyahhahahahahahaha!! Yes, yes, of course she wants to cry! Make her cry. <br><br>\r\nあの時のあんたは泣かされちゃったじゃない。だからこいつも泣かせてやりなさいよ。 <br>\r\nDidn't someone make you cry back then? So make her cry too. <br><br>\r\nくすくす、縁寿もいいのよ？ 泣いちゃえばぁあぁ？！ きゃーっはっはっはっはっは！！」 <br>\r\n*giggle* You too, Ange. If only you'd just break down and cry! Kyaaahhahhahhahhahha!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…あは、…あははははははは！！ 泣きなさいよ、縁寿ぇ！ あんたの泣き顔が見たいのよ！ 泣いて、ごめんなさい霞叔母さんって言ってごらんなさいよ…！！」 <br>\r\n\"...Aha, ...ahahahahahahaha!! Cry, Angee! I want to see your crying face! Cry, and try saying `I'm sorry, Aunt Kasumi'...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「そう、その言葉を言わせるのよ。……あの言葉、辛いでしょ？ 自分のせいじゃないことを謝らせられるのって、……本当に辛かったでしょう……？ <br>\r\n\"Yes, make her say those words. ...Aren't those words painful? Isn't being made to apologize for something that isn't your fault...just the worst pain...? <br><br>\r\n同じ思いをさせてやるのよ…。そうすることで、あなたの痛みは和らげることが出来るの。 <br>\r\nMake her feel the same way... By doing that, you can relieve your pain. <br><br>\r\n……うっふふふ、そうよ、それでいいのよ。もっと自分に素直になりなさい？ もっともっといっぱいに、自分の感情を吐き出しちゃえばぁあああぁあ？！」 <br>\r\n...Hehheheheh, yeah, that's it. Be a little more honest with yourself, okay? If only you'd just let your emotions run free more, and more, and mooooooooooore!\" <br><br>\r\n……黒き魔女は霞を煽る。 <br>\r\n霞も、その黒き感情に身を委ねていく。 <br>\r\n...The black witch provoked Kasumi. <br><br>\r\nAnd Kasumi began to give herself over to that dark emotion. <br><br>\r\n……深い悲しみを悪い酒にして無理やり溺れ、束の間だけ忘れようとしているのと、何も変わらない。 <br>\r\n...By turning deep sadness into an evil alcohol and forcing it down, trying to forget it for just an instant, nothing would change. <br><br>\r\n 霞が私を罵る言葉が、 <br>\r\n………そのまま、 <br>\r\n……悲しい。 <br>\r\nThe words Kasumi insulted me with... <br><br>\r\n...were themselves... <br><br>\r\nsad. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nそして、その霞の悲しみに付け込む、黒き魔女が、許せない………。 <br>\r\nAnd, I couldn't forgive the black witch who had imposed that sadness on Kasumi...... <br><br>\r\n………私がぐったりとしたので、黒服たちも私を蹴る張り合いがなくなったらしい。 <br>\r\n…あるいは、蹴る方もそろそろ疲れたのかもしれない。 <br>\r\n......I had gone limp, which seemed to have stopped the black-suits' kicking competition. <br><br>\r\n...Or maybe the kickers were getting tired too. <br><br>\r\n霞が止めろと命令したわけでもないが、いつの間にか、暴行は中断されていた。 <br>\r\nKasumi didn't order them to stop, but at some point, they did. <br><br>\r\nしかし、霞の瞳には私が映り、その私を憎悪の炎で焼いている。 <br>\r\n……そうすれば痛みが和らぐと、黒き魔女にそそのかされて。 <br>\r\nHowever, I was reflected in Kasumi's eyes, and they burned me with flames of hatred. <br><br>\r\n...She had been tempted by the witch to do that in order to relieve her own pain. <br><br>\r\n「………須磨寺霞。まだよ。まだまだ踏み躙りなさい？ あなたの人生は、こんなほんのちょっとの乱暴で許せるのぉ？」 <br>\r\n\"......Sumadera Kasumi, you aren't done yet. You've got much more trampling to do, right? Can you forgive what happened to your entire life with just a little violence?\" <br><br>\r\n「…許せないわよ。……まだ、これくらいでは許せないんだから。」 <br>\r\n\"...I can't. ...I still can't forgive her with just this.\" <br><br>\r\n「でしょう？ 許せるわけがない！ もっとよ！ もっと憎悪の炎を！ 憎しみの炎でしかあなたは暖を取れないの。怒りと悲しみの雪原で凍えるあなたを温められる炎は、憎しみだけなのよ…！！ <br>\r\n\"Right? There's no way you can forgive her! Do it more! More of the flames of hatred! Nothing can warm you except the fires of hate. After being frozen in the snow fields of anger and sadness, the only flame that can warm you is hatred...!! <br><br>\r\nほら、言って？ 叫んで？！ 憎しみの咆哮で、自分を燃やし尽くしちゃえばぁあああああッ？！」 <br>\r\nSay it, okay? Scream it!! If only you'd just burn yourself to ashes with a roar of haaaaaaaaaate!\" <br><br>\r\n「う、……右代宮縁寿ぇえええぇええぇッ！！ <br>\r\n\"...U-Ushiromiya Angeeeeeeeee!! <br><br>\r\nあんたを憎まなくちゃ、……私は生きてられないの！！ <br>\r\nI cannot live...without hating you!! <br><br>\r\nうっふふふっはっはははははははははははッ！！」 <br>\r\nHehhehehehahhahahahahahahahahahaha!!\" <br><br>\r\n「須磨寺霞、あの花束を。………これぇ、死んだ家族への花でしょ、縁寿？」 <br>\r\n\"Sumadera Kasumi, look at that bundle of flowers. ......These flowers are for your dead family, right, Ange?\" <br><br>\r\n黒き魔女は、ニヤリといやらしく私に笑うと、顎で霞にそれを拾えと指示する。 <br>\r\nThe black witch grinned at me unpleasantly, using her chin to signal Kasumi to pick it up. <br><br>\r\n霞は私が落とした手向けの花束を拾い、………わざわざ持ってきて、私の前に落とし、これ見よがしに踏み躙ってみせる…。 <br>\r\nKasumi picked up the flowers I was going to offer, ......brought them all the way over to me, dropped them, and made a show of trampling them... <br><br>\r\nその表情は、憎しみと、……それだけでは説明できない、必死な形相でいっぱいだった。 <br>\r\nHer expression was filled with hatred...and a frantic quality that couldn't be explained with hatred alone. <br><br>\r\n…それを何度も踏み躙らねば、自分の悲しみがこみ上げて来てしまうとでも言わんばかりに。 <br>\r\n...She trampled them over and over again as though her sadness was reaching the bursting point. <br><br>\r\nだから踏み躙るその音が、ただただ悲しかった。 <br>\r\nSo the sound of her trampling it was just sad. <br><br>\r\n「………あら、この程度じゃ堪えない？ ならこっちは堪えるかしら。 <br>\r\n\"......Oh, still not suffering yet? Then what about this? <br><br>\r\n須磨寺霞！ こっちを使いなさい。」 <br>\r\nSumadera Kasumi! Use this.\" <br><br>\r\n「……だ、………だめ……。…それは………、」 <br>\r\n\"...N-No, ...not that......\" <br><br>\r\n黒き魔女が指し示したそれは、………真里亞お姉ちゃんの魔導書。 <br>\r\nThe object the black witch pointed at......was Maria onee-chan's grimoire. <br><br>\r\n霞もそれに気付き、見掛けよりも重いその本を拾いあげる…。 <br>\r\nKasumi also noticed it...and picked up that book, which was heavier than it looked... <br><br>\r\n「なぁに、これ？」 <br>\r\n\"Whaat's this?\" <br><br>\r\n「くすくす。……読んじゃえばぁ？ うっふふ、お腹が捩れちゃうかもねぇ？」 <br>\r\n\"*giggle* ...Why not read it? Eheheh, you might fall over laughing, okay?\" <br><br>\r\n霞は魔導書を開き、……その内容を斜め読みし、鼻で嘲笑った。 <br>\r\nKasumi opened the grimoire, ...skimmed over the contents, and snorted derisively. <br><br>\r\n「返して……、 <br>\r\nそれは……、お姉ちゃんの…………。」 <br>\r\n\"Give it back... <br><br>\r\n ...That's...Onee-chan's......\" <br><br>\r\nもちろん、手が届くわけもない。 <br>\r\nOf course, my hand couldn't reach. <br><br>\r\n……私は再び黒服に下腹を蹴られ、うずくまる…。 <br>\r\n...My stomach was once again kicked by the black-suits, and I doubled over... <br><br>\r\n「ほらね？ この本は縁寿にとっての大切なものでしょう？ 大切なものを貶してやりなさい？ こういう子には、殴る蹴るよりもそっちの方が効くんだから。……あなたがそれを、一番よく知っているでしょう…？」 <br>\r\n\"See? This book's really important to Ange, right? Gotta belittle the things that are important to her, okay? That'll work better than punching or kicking for a girl like her. ...You know that better than anyone, don't you...?\" <br><br>\r\n霞は何か辛いことでも思い出したのか、一瞬だけ表情を歪ませる。 <br>\r\nAs though remembering something painful, Kasumi's face twisted for an instant. <br><br>\r\n……しかしすぐにそれは消え、私を冷笑するものに変わる。 <br>\r\n...But that quickly disappeared, changing into a scornful smile directed at me. <br><br>\r\n「くすくす。なぁに、この気持ち悪い本。……あんたが書いたのぉ………？」 <br>\r\n\"*giggle*giggle* Whew, what a creepy book. ...Did you write this......?\" <br><br>\r\n「……やめて……、返して………。」 <br>\r\n\"...Stop it, ...give it back......\" <br><br>\r\n「くすくすくすくす、ぷーっくすくすくす！！ 見てよあの顔…！ もっと貶してやりなさい、貶めてやりなさい…！ 尊厳を踏み躙られる苦痛を教えてやるのよ、そうすることでしか、あなたの苦痛は和らがないの…！」 <br>\r\n\"*giggle*giggle*giggle*, *giggle*giggle*!! Look at that face...! Belittle it more, belittle it more...! Teach her the pain of having your dignity trampled, that's the only way to soften your own pain...!\" <br><br>\r\n「う、うふふふふふ、何これ、恥ずかしい本…。…………少女の時代に、多少は占いの真似事に興味を持つこともあるけれど。 <br>\r\n\"Heh, heheheheh, what's with this embarrassing book...? ......I'll admit I did have a little interest in fortune telling as a girl.\" <br><br>\r\nこれはちょっと行き過ぎじゃない？ やだ、魔法だって。……あんた、アレでしょ。アニメとかの、何とか何とか〜って呪文を言いながら魔女に変身するやつ。あぁいうの、好きなんでしょ？ ………痛々しいわぁ。くすくすくす。」 <br>\r\n\"But isn't this going a bit too far? Magic? Ew. ...You're one of those, aren't you? It's like in those cartoons, where a girl says that something-somethiiiing spell and transforms into a witch, right? You like those, don't you? ......How pathetic. *giggle*giggle*.\" <br><br>\r\n霞はへらへらと笑いながら、適当なページを開いて、黒服たちに見せる。 <br>\r\n黒服たちもそれを見て、げらげらと笑った。 <br>\r\nCackling, Kasumi opened to a random page and showed it to the black-suits. <br><br>\r\nThe black-suits looked too and guffawed. <br><br>\r\nその嘲笑に、私は傷つかない。 <br>\r\nThat sneer didn't wound me. <br><br>\r\n……でも、許せなかった。 <br>\r\n…だってその嘲笑は、真里亞お姉ちゃんを嘲笑うものだから。 <br>\r\n...But I couldn't forgive it. <br><br>\r\n...After all, that sneer was ridiculing Maria onee-chan. <br><br>\r\n霞は憎くない。 <br>\r\n……霞の癒えぬ怒りと悲しみに付け込む、……黒き魔女が、許せない…。 <br>\r\nI don't hate Kasumi. <br><br>\r\n...But for forcing that unhealing anger and sadness on Kasumi, ...I cannot forgive the black witch... <br><br>\r\nその黒き魔女は絵羽伯母さんを、須磨寺霞を、そして楼座叔母さんを蝕み、……傷を癒すことを許さず、永遠に苛み続ける。 <br>\r\nThat black witch ate into Aunt Eva, Sumadera Kasumi, and Aunt Rosa, ...tormenting them for an eternity without letting their wounds be healed. <br><br>\r\n………許せない……。 <br>\r\n......I can't forgive her... <br><br>\r\n……黒き魔女が、………許せない……。 <br>\r\n...I can't forgive......the black witch... <br><br>\r\n「何これ、傑作…！ ………お空から、飴玉を降らせる魔法、……ですって！！ <br>\r\n\"Wow, this is just great...! ...Magic for making candy fall from the sky, ...you say?!! <br><br>\r\nあっははははは…！ 何々？ お日様で清めたお水に、お砂糖を溶いて…？ 魔法の杖を浸して、呪文を、………うっくくくくく、あっはははははははッ！！ 何これぇ？！ あっはははははははは…！！ 痛ァああぁいッ！！」 <br>\r\nAhhahahahaha...! What's this? Sprinkle water cleansed by the sun with sugar...? Stick the magic staff in, and then an incantation, ......*cackle*cackle*cackle*, ahhahahahahahahahaha!! What the hell?! Ahhahahahahahahaha...!! It huuuuuuuurts!!\" <br><br>\r\n黒服たちもげらげらと笑い転げる。 <br>\r\nThe black-suits were also rolling around, guffawing. <br><br>\r\nすると、黒き魔女が霞にニヤニヤと何かを耳打ちする。 <br>\r\nThen, grinning, the black witch whispered something into Kasumi's ear. <br><br>\r\n……すると、霞は私をニヤリと睨んでから、……そのページを、 <br>\r\n...After glaring at me with a grin, ...Kasumi took that page- <br><br>\r\n「……あッ…、」 <br>\r\n\"...Ah...\" <br><br>\r\n霞はそのページを鷲掴みにし、破り取るとぐしゃぐしゃに潰して……放り捨てる……。 <br>\r\nKasumi grabbed hold of that page, tore it off, crumpled it up, ...and threw it away... <br><br>\r\n『ひ、……ひどいよ、……それは、真里亞の魔法………。』 <br>\r\n『...S-So cruel. ...That was...Maria's magic......』 <br><br>\r\n「あらそうなのぉ？ うっふふふ、それはお気の毒。」 <br>\r\n\"Oh, really? Heheh, how sad.\" <br><br>\r\n……それは、さくたろうと一緒に真里亞が作った、……幸せを呼ぶ魔法のひとつ。 <br>\r\n...It was one of the spells to summon happiness...that Maria had made with Sakutarou. <br><br>\r\n砂糖水を作って絵の具で染めて、窓際にお供えしたって、……飴が降るわけがないと、誰だって知ってる。 <br>\r\nAnyone knows that making sugar water, coloring it, and leaving it by the window...isn't going to make candy fall from the sky. <br><br>\r\nでも、それを毎日繰り返していたら、……学校から帰ってきたある日。 <br>\r\nBut after repeating that every day, ...one time on her way home from school... <br><br>\r\nそこに、飴玉が数粒、ばらまかれていたのだ…。 <br>\r\nShe had found several pieces of candy scattered around... <br><br>\r\n………どんなに、真里亞お姉ちゃんがその奇跡を喜んだことか。 <br>\r\n......How happy must that miracle have made Maria onee-chan? <br><br>\r\n……その飴を大切にして、さくたろうと二人きりの夜に味わって食べて、寂しさを紛らわせたことか。 <br>\r\n...Didn't she treasure that candy, eating it during her night alone with Sakutarou to distract herself from her loneliness? <br><br>\r\n その、……お姉ちゃんが生み出した魔法が、 <br>\r\n…………破り捨てられて、 <br>\r\n…消えた……。 <br>\r\nThat...magic that Onee-chan had given birth to... <br><br>\r\n...had been torn and thrown away... <br><br>\r\nand had disappeared... <br><br>\r\nその魔法が生み出した幸せの奇跡ごと、 <br>\r\n……破り捨てた……。 <br>\r\nThe whole miracle of happiness that magic had given birth to... <br><br>\r\nhad been torn and thrown away... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「これも傑作だわ…！ 晩御飯をクリームコロッケにする魔法？ あっはははははは！！ <br>\r\n\"Oh, this part's great too...! Magic to make tonight's dinner cream croquette? Ahhahahahahaha!! <br><br>\r\n……次は何？ ピーマンが美味しく食べられる魔法？ これもイカすわ、馬鹿馬鹿しい！ あっはっはっはっはっは…！！」 <br>\r\n...What's next? Magic to make bell peppers taste good? Heh, that's not bad either, so stupid! Ahhahhahhahha...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「それも破いちゃいなさいよ。うっふふ！！ <br>\r\n\"Tear that too. Eheheh!! <br><br>\r\nどんどん破いちゃえばぁああぁあッ？！？！」 <br>\r\nIf only you'd just tear it more and moooooooore!!\" <br><br>\r\n黒き魔女は残忍に高笑いしながら、 <br>\r\n……真里亞お姉ちゃんの魔法を、次々に破かせていく……。 <br>\r\nWith a brutal, loud laugh, <br><br>\r\n...the black witch made Maria onee-chan's spells get torn out one after another... <br><br>\r\n 幸せの魔法を、嘲笑っては、 <br>\r\n……破り、 <br>\r\n……捨てていく……。 <br>\r\nMagic of happiness was...sneered at, <br><br>\r\n...torn, <br><br>\r\n...and thrown away... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「やめろ…、やめろ……！！ マリア卿の魔法を、……汚すな…！！ 汚い毒素で、……汚すんじゃない…！！」 <br>\r\n\"Stop it, ...stop it...!! Don't...defile Lady MARIA's magic...!! Don't defile it...with your filthy toxin...!!\" <br><br>\r\nマモンが泣きながら叫ぶが、……霞に届くわけもない。 <br>\r\nMammon cried and yelled, ...but she had no way of reaching Kasumi. <br><br>\r\n「いいじゃない、汚されちゃえばあぁ？！ 魔法の奇跡？ 幸せにする魔法？ ないない、そんなのないってばぁ！ <br>\r\n\"Come on, why not defile it?! Miracles of magic? Magic to bring happiness? No way, nothing like that exists! <br><br>\r\n痛みと苦しみはね、他人に押し付けてしか癒せないのよぅ。……あんたは確か、魔法のお友達とかいうヤツだったわよねぇ？ <br>\r\nDon't you know that you can't heal pain and sadness without pushing it onto someone else? ...Hey, you also had those magic friend things, right?\" <br><br>\r\nくっくくくくく！ 須磨寺霞、こいつのページを開きなさい。」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*cackle*! Sumadera Kasumi, open to that page.\" <br><br>\r\n「これは何？ 魔法のお友達ですって。…………煉獄の七姉妹？ <br>\r\n\"What's this? Magic friends? ......The Seven Sisters of Purgatory? <br><br>\r\nあっは、物騒な名前ぇ！ くすくす、すごい速さで飛んで、敵をやっつけてくれるんですって。あっははッ、縁寿、あなたこんな魔法が使えるなら、今すぐ使った方がいいんじゃない？ ………あっはははははは。 <br>\r\nAha, what a creepy name! *giggle* It says they can fly at awesome speeds and finish off the enemy. Ahhaha, Ange, if you can use this kind of magic, shouldn't you use it right now? ......Ahhahahahaha. <br><br>\r\n下らない！」 <br>\r\nFoolish!\" <br><br>\r\n煉獄の七姉妹のことを記されたページも、無残に破かれる。 <br>\r\nThe page that wrote of the Seven Sisters of Purgatory was also heartlessly torn away. <br><br>\r\n……ページ自体はただの紙。 <br>\r\nマモンの依り代というわけではない。 <br>\r\n...The page itself was just paper. <br><br>\r\nIt wasn't Mammon's vessel or anything. <br><br>\r\nでも、破き否定するという毒素が、マモンを内から焼く……。 <br>\r\nBut the tearing, denying toxin burned Mammon from the inside... <br><br>\r\nその熱さと痛みにマモンの表情が歪む…。 <br>\r\nMammon's face twisted from that heat and pain... <br><br>\r\n「………ぐ、……………くッ、………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Gah, .........ack, ......\" <br><br>\r\n『大丈夫、マモン？！ しっかり……！！』 <br>\r\n『Are you okay, Mammon?! Hold on...!!』 <br><br>\r\n「……これくらい、……平気…。……私より、……縁寿さまの方が、………辛い………。」 <br>\r\n\"...This much is...no problem... ...It's not me, ...but Ange-sama......who's in pain......\" <br><br>\r\nしかし、マモンの表情は耐え難い苦痛と屈辱に、歪んでいる……。 <br>\r\nHowever, Mammon's expression was twisted with unbearable anguish and humiliation... <br><br>\r\n『やめろ、黒き魔女……！！ どうして君はそんなことをするんだよ？！ どうして、……魔法を幸せのために使えないんだよッ！！』 <br>\r\n『Stop it, black witch...!! Why are you doing something like this?! Why...can't you use magic for happiness?!!』 <br><br>\r\n「……あぁ、あんたも、魔法のお友達ね？ くすくす、あんたも汚してあげるわ。須磨寺霞、こいつのページも探しなさい？」 <br>\r\n\"...Oh, you're a magic friend too, right? *giggle* I'll defile you too. Sumadera Kasumi, look for this guy's page too, okay?\" <br><br>\r\n「こっちは何？ 何このへたくそなライオンの落書き。……さくたろう？ <br>\r\n\"What's this one? What's with this crappy scribble of a lion? ...Sakutarou? <br><br>\r\n変な名前！ 一番大好きなお友達だって。そうなの？ これがあんたの友達？ 親友？ このライオンが？ ねぇねぇ？」 <br>\r\nWhat a weird name! My best friend, it says. Really? This is your friend? A close friend? This lion is? Is it, is it?\" <br><br>\r\n「あっはははははは！！ 本ッ当にヘタクソな落書きぃ。こんなブサイクなライオンがあんたなのね。 <br>\r\n\"Ahhahahahahahaha!! It really is a crappy scribble. This ugly lion is totally you.\" <br><br>\r\nこんなのを友達にしてるなんて、右代宮真里亞って子の、頭の可哀想さに呆れて、ヘソでお茶が沸いちゃうわ〜。………バッカみたいぃ。ヘソ噛んで、死んじゃえばァぁああぁ……？」 <br>\r\n\"To think she had something like this as a friend... That Ushiromiya Maria kid's mind is so pathetic it's embarassing, what a joooke. ......She's like, a moron. If only she'd just give up...and diiiiiiiieee...!\" <br><br>\r\n『う…りゅ……。………真里亞を……ばかにするな……。』 <br>\r\n『U...ryu... ......Don't make fun...of Maria...』 <br><br>\r\n「………………や……め……て………。…破かないで………。」 <br>\r\n\".........St...op...it...... ...Don't break it......\" <br><br>\r\n「「だめえ。」」 <br>\r\n\"\"No waay.\"\" <br><br>\r\n絹を裂くような音がして。………そのページが、汚く破り取られる…。 <br>\r\nThere was a shrill sound. ......The page had been filthily ripped out... <br><br>\r\n お姉ちゃんが書いた、 <br>\r\n……さくたろうの絵が、乱暴に、 <br>\r\n……真っ二つに………。 <br>\r\nThe picture of Sakutarou... <br><br>\r\nthat Onee-chan had drawn... <br><br>\r\nwas violently ripped in half...... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「ヘッタクソな絵ぇ〜。きゃっははははははははははは…！」 <br>\r\n\"What a crappy pictuuuure. Kyahhahahahahahahahahahaha...!\" <br><br>\r\n「お前たちも笑いなさい？ <br>\r\n\"You all laugh too, okay? <br><br>\r\nあぁっははははははははは…！」 <br>\r\nAhhahahahahahahaha...!\" <br><br>\r\n黒服たちも二人に従い、下品に笑い、……破り捨てられたそれを、無残に踏みつけた……。 <br>\r\nA pair of the black-suits laughed vulgarly...and heartlessly trampled the two halves that had been torn and thrown away... <br><br>\r\n『うううぅぅううぅッ、……ひっく！ ……うううぅうぅぅぅっ……。』 <br>\r\n『Uuuuuuuuuuuu, ...hic! ...Uuuuuuuuuuu...』 <br><br>\r\n「……さくたろ、……しっかり………。」 <br>\r\n\"...Sakutaro, ...hang in there......\" <br><br>\r\n『ボクは…悲しくなんかないよ……。…ただ、……悔しい……。……真里亞のことを馬鹿にされて、 <br>\r\n………何も言えない自分が、 <br>\r\n……悔しいっ……。』 <br>\r\n『I'm...not sad... ...I just...can't stand it... ...I can't stand that... <br><br>\r\n...Maria's being made fun of, <br><br>\r\nand I can't do anything about it...』 <br><br>\r\n「……………………。……私たちは、……視えないニンゲンには、……いないも同然…。……私たちは、必要としてくれるニンゲンとしか、交流できない。…………だから、………家具………。」 <br>\r\n\"............To Humans who can't `see' us, ......it's as though we don't exist... ...We can only interact with Humans that need us. ......That's why......we're furniture......\" <br><br>\r\nさくたろうとマモンは、……互いに支えあうようにしながら、……すすり泣き、…崩れるようにしゃがみ込む…。 <br>\r\nAs Sakutarou and Mammon...supported each other, ...they crouched down, ...sobbing... <br><br>\r\n悔しいのは私も同じだった……。 <br>\r\nI couldn't stand it either... <br><br>\r\n……魔法の世界の素晴らしさは、視える人間にしか、理解できない。 <br>\r\n...Those who can't `see' how wonderful the world of magic is...can't understand it. <br><br>\r\n理解できない人間に説明できない。 <br>\r\nだから貶される。 <br>\r\n………見せることが出来れば…。 <br>\r\nYou can't explain to humans who can't understand. <br><br>\r\nSo it gets belittled. <br><br>\r\n......If you could show them it... <br><br>\r\n……でも、出来ない……。 <br>\r\n...But you can't... <br><br>\r\n魔法は、反魔法の毒素で満たされた、魔法を理解できないニンゲンたちの前では、………使えないのだから……。 <br>\r\nBecause, in front of Humans who are filled with the magic-resisting toxin and who can't understand magic, magic cannot be used... <br><br>\r\n「本当にワケがわかんないわ。この妄想日記、頭がおかしいとしか思えない。……あんたのお花畑な頭の中が垣間見えて本当に面白いわぁ。キモチワルイ子ぉ。」 <br>\r\n\"I really don't get it. From this delusional diary, I've got to assume that something's wrong with your head. ...It really is fun to take a peek into your mind. You creepy child.\" <br><br>\r\n「あんたも、真里亞も。……そこのぬいぐるみと家具もね？ ぷーっくすくすくすくす！！ あっはははははははははは！」 <br>\r\n\"Both you and Maria. ...And that stuffed animal and the furniture over there too, right? *giggle*giggle*giggle*!! Ahhahahahahahahahahaha!\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ、可笑しいわぁ。あんた、友達、いないんでしょ？ いっつもひとりぼっちで、ぬいぐるみがお友達なんでしょ？ 可哀想な子ぉ。 <br>\r\n\"Aah, I could laugh. You don't have any friends, do you? You're aaalways all alone, so stuffed animals are your friends? What a pitiable child. <br><br>\r\nうっふふふふふふふふふ…！ 大丈夫、私にもわかるわよ。そういう生活、わかるもの。………だから私が認めてあげるわ。あんた、本当に可哀想な子よ？ うっふふふはははははははははは！」 <br>\r\nHeheheheheheheheh...! Don't worry, I understand. I know what it's like to live that way. ......So I'll accept it. You really are a pitiable child, right? Ehhehehhahahahahahahaha!\" <br><br>\r\n……………あんたには、可哀想な子に、……見えるのね。 <br>\r\n......To you, it probably would look......like something made by a pitiful child. <br><br>\r\nそうでしょうよ。 <br>\r\nThat's right. <br><br>\r\nお姉ちゃんの日記と魔導書は、百人が読めば、百人がきっとそういう感想を持つでしょう。 <br>\r\nIf a hundred people were to read Onee-chan's diary, a hundred people would probably think the same thing. <br><br>\r\n……かつての私もそうだった。 <br>\r\n...I used to be like that too. <br><br>\r\n でもね、 <br>\r\n………真里亞お姉ちゃんは、 <br>\r\n……それでもそれを、 <br>\r\n……幸せな世界と呼んだの。 <br>\r\nBut you know, <br><br>\r\n......despite all of that, <br><br>\r\n...Maria onee-chan... <br><br>\r\n...summoned a world of happiness. <br><br>\r\n………その魔法と、幸せを、 <br>\r\n………否定しないで……。 <br>\r\n......Don't deny... <br><br>\r\n...that magic, ...that happiness... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「頑固な子ね、あんたは。……いいわ。これで最後よ。あんたと真里亞の信じた、本当に下らない魔法の根源を、引き裂いてあげるわよ。 <br>\r\n\"Such a stubborn child, you are. ...Very well. This is the last one. I'll tear apart the source of the truly foolish magic that you and Maria believed in. <br><br>\r\n須磨寺霞、そのページを読みなさい？」 <br>\r\nSumadera Kasumi, read this page, okay?\" <br><br>\r\n「なぁに、このカラフルなページは……？ …何々？ <br>\r\n\"Hmmm, what's this colorful page...? ...What's this? <br><br>\r\n………大好きなママと、 <br>\r\n……いつまでも仲良しでいられる魔法ぉ…？」 <br>\r\n......Magic to... <br><br>\r\n...always be friends with my beloved mother...?\" <br><br>\r\n『やッ、やめてぇええええぇ！！ そのページだけは……！！』 <br>\r\n『St-Stop iiiiiiiiiiit!! Not that page...!!』 <br><br>\r\n「へー。この魔法、すっごく簡単じゃない。私でもすぐ出来そうだわ。 <br>\r\n\"Aha. This magic's really simple, isn't it? It looks like even I could do it. <br><br>\r\n………こんなに短い呪文なら、私にだって覚えられちゃう。やってみようかしら。」 <br>\r\n......Even I could remember an incantation this short. Shall I give it a whirl?\" <br><br>\r\n「くすくす、本当に簡単な呪文よねぇ？ いいわよ、やってあげなさい、みんなも噴出しちゃうからぁ！」 <br>\r\n\"*giggle*giggle* It really is a short incantation, isn't it? Okay, give it a try, let's have everyone spit it out!\" <br><br>\r\n黒き魔女と霞は、心の底から馬鹿にした表情で、……口を、ひょっとこのように、尖らせ。…………それを口にした……。 <br>\r\nWith expressions that ridiculed it from the bottom of their hearts, the black witch and Kasumi...tapered their mouths. ......And they said it aloud... <br><br>\r\n「うーうー。」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-uu-.\" <br><br>\r\n黒服たちがきょとんとして、それは何の真似ですかと聞く。 <br>\r\nすると霞はげらげらと笑いながら答えた。 <br>\r\nThe black-suits stared blankly, asking what the hell that was supposed to be. <br><br>\r\nThen Kasumi answered, cackling. <br><br>\r\n「これがね、呪文なんだって。おっかしい…！ あっははははははは…！！！」 <br>\r\n\"This is supposed to be an incantation. Are you kidding me...?! Ahhahahahahahaha...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ほら、あんたたちもやってみればぁ？ うーうーうー。」 <br>\r\n\"Come on, why don't you guys try it too? Uu-uu-uu-.\" <br><br>\r\n黒服たちもふざけた様子で、その唸り声を真似る……。 <br>\r\nThe black-suits imitated that moaning voice, making fun of it... <br><br>\r\n————“うーうー。” <br>\r\n————`Uu-uu-.' <br><br>\r\nそれが、大好きなママと、いつまでも仲良しでいられる魔法の、呪文。 <br>\r\nThat was the incantation...for the magic that would let her always be friends with her beloved mother. <br><br>\r\n「何この、馬鹿みたいなの…！！ うーうー言うだけで家族仲がよくなるなら、世界はずっと平和だわ。 <br>\r\n\"What the hell, how stupid...!! If you could make family relationships better just by saying uu-uu-, the world would always be peaceful. <br><br>\r\nあっはっはっはっはっは！！」 <br>\r\nAhahahahaha!!\" <br><br>\r\n「うーうーうー！ 馬鹿な唸り声ぇ！ こんなの連呼してたら頭の可哀想な子と思われるのがオチよォ！ <br>\r\n\"Uu-uu-uu-! A stupid moaning voice! Too bad that if you do this over and over again, people'll think you're a pathetic, stupid kid! <br><br>\r\nばぁッかじゃない？！ <br>\r\nAre you a moron?! <br><br>\r\nうあっはっはっはっはっは、わーっはっはっはっはっは！！」 <br>\r\nWahhahahahahaha, waaahahahahahahha!!\" <br><br>\r\n『やめろぉおぉ……、その魔法だけは……、貶さないでぇえぇぇぇ……。』 <br>\r\n『Stop iiiit... At least don't belittle...that magiiiiiiiic...』 <br><br>\r\n…………真里亞お姉ちゃんと楼座叔母さんの二人きりのピクニックの日。 <br>\r\n......It was the day of a picnic, when Maria onee-chan and Aunt Rosa were alone... <br><br>\r\nそれは彼女の人生の中でも五本の指に入るほどの幸せな日だったと記されている。 <br>\r\nIt was written that this was one of the top five happiest days of her life. <br><br>\r\nそしてお姉ちゃんは、ママに習ったばかりのお歌を歌って聞かせた。 <br>\r\nOnee-chan was singing a song she'd just learned from her Mama. <br><br>\r\n……とても喜んでくれた。 <br>\r\nでも、途中で歌詞がわからなくなって。 <br>\r\n...Her mother had been delighted. <br><br>\r\nBut partway through, Maria forgot the lyrics. <br><br>\r\nでも、こんなにもママが喜んでくれてるから、最後まで歌い続けたくて。 <br>\r\nBut, since she saw that her mother was so happy, she tried to sing until the very end. <br><br>\r\nうーうーうー、と。 <br>\r\nWith `uu-uu-uu-'. <br><br>\r\n……歌詞を誤魔化して歌ったんだけど、それをママはとても喜んでくれて……。 <br>\r\n...Even though she'd only pretended to know the lyrics, her mother had enjoyed it a lot... <br><br>\r\nそれ以来、“うー”は彼女にとって、ママと楽しく幸せに過ごした日の、思い出の呪文となって残った。 <br>\r\nAfter that, `uu-' remained as an incantation to remember that day she'd spent in fun and happiness with her mother. <br><br>\r\n最初は面白がってくれたその呪文も、さすがに聞き飽き、楼座叔母さんは後にそれを言うと叱るようになるが、……お姉ちゃんにとって、それはいつまでも忘れられない、楽しい日の思い出なのだ……。 <br>\r\nOf course, even though she seemed to find it funny at first, <NAME> eventually tired of hearing it, and eventually started scolding Onee-chan when she said it, ...but to Onee-chan, it was a memory of a fun day that she'd never forget... <br><br>\r\nだからそれは、多分、真里亞が生み出した魔法の中で、もっとも古い、一番最初の魔法……。 <br>\r\nSo among the spells that Maria had created, it was the oldest and the first... <br><br>\r\n霞はそのページにも爪を立てる……。 <br>\r\nKasumi stuck her fingernails into that page too... <br><br>\r\n「……やめて、 <br>\r\n…………破かないで……。そのページだけは、 <br>\r\n………許して………。」 <br>\r\n\"...Stop it, <br><br>\r\n......don't tear it... At least spare... <br><br>\r\n...that page......\" <br><br>\r\n「うっふふふふふふふふ！ <br>\r\n\"Hahahahahahahahaha! <br><br>\r\nだめえッ！！」 <br>\r\nNo waay!!\" <br><br>\r\n …………絹を裂く音が、少女の幸せな世界を、 <br>\r\n消し、 <br>\r\nた。 <br>\r\n......With a shrill sound, a girl's world of happiness... <br><br>\r\nwas... <br><br>\r\nerased. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「うーうーうー！ ああっはっはっはっはっは、あーっはっはっはっは！！ これがあんたらの、幸せな魔法なわけぇ？ 笑っちゃう笑っちゃう…！！ <br>\r\n\"Uu-uu-uu-! Aaaahhahhahhahhahha, aaaaahahahhahahah!! Is this your magic of happiness? Hilarious, hilarious...!!\" <br><br>\r\n幸せになる魔法なんてね、あるわけないでしょお？！ 魔法はね、怒りとね、憎しみで出来てるのよぅ？ <br>\r\n\"There's no way there could be magic to make you happy, right?! Magic is made out of anger and hatred, right?\" <br><br>\r\n幸せってのはね、自分の背負わされた憎悪を人に全て押し付けた時にのみ与えられる開放感を言うのよ。あんたたちの言う幸せなんて、絵本の中にしか出てこないまやかしなのよッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Happiness is what you call the feeling of release you get only when you've pushed all the hatred you bear onto other people. The happiness you all are talking about is a phantom that doesn't show up outside picture books!!\" <br><br>\r\n霞は笑い転げながら、魔導書を地面に叩きつけ、踏み躙る。 <br>\r\nAs Kasumi laughed her head off, she slammed the grimoire against the ground and stepped on it. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「悔しい？ ねぇ、悔しい？！ 幸せの白き魔女さんたちぃ？ そんなに悔しかったら、見せてみればぁ？！ あんたたちの魔法！！ <br>\r\n\"Can't stand it? Hey, you can't stand it, right?! You white witches of happiness? If you can't stand it that much, why don't you show us?! Show us your magic!! <br><br>\r\nあるなら使って見せればいいじゃないぃ？ ………魔法が使えない魔女なんて魔女じゃない！！ つまり本当の魔女は私たち。あんたたちなんて、魔法の夢で現実から逃避しているだけの、クソガキどもなのよッ！！」 <br>\r\nIf it exists, then you just have to show us, riiiiight? ......A witch who can't use magic isn't a witch!! That's why we're the real witches. You're just brats trying to escape reality with a dream!!\" <br><br>\r\n ……………じゃあ、 <br>\r\n………魔法を私が見せることが出来たなら、……お姉ちゃんの魔法を、 <br>\r\n………信じてくれるの………？ <br>\r\n......Then, <br><br>\r\n...if I can show you magic, ...will you... <br><br>\r\nbelieve in Onee-chan's magic......? <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「え？ きゃっははははは、ええ、えぇ！！ 信じるわよぉ？ 魔法を使って見せることが出来たならねぇ〜！！ <br>\r\n\"Huh? Kyahhahahaha, yeah, sure!! I'll believe! If you can use magic and show me, that is!! <br><br>\r\nならやって見ろよこのクソボケガキャぁあああぁッ！！」 <br>\r\nLet's see it, you stupid braaaaaaaaaaaat!!\" <br><br>\r\n………………………。………。 <br>\r\n.................. <br><br>\r\n私は、……音もなく、ゆっくりと立ち上がる。 <br>\r\n……体の痛みという、狭い世界の感覚は、実に下らなく感じられた……。 <br>\r\nSilently, slowly, ...I stood up. <br><br>\r\n...Sensations of this cramped world, such as the pain in my body, felt truly trifling... <br><br>\r\n「あら、まだ立てる元気はあったのねぇ、大魔女さん？ くすくすくす！」 <br>\r\n\"Oh, looks like you've still got enough energy to stand up, Miss Great Witch. *giggle*giggle*!\" <br><br>\r\n「立ち上がって、何をして見せるの？ 見せてみなさいよ、魔法ォ…！」 <br>\r\n\"Now that you've stood up, what are you going to show us? Show us some magiic...!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………魔法は、あるわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Magic...exists.\" <br><br>\r\n「はぁ？ この子、何を言い出すかと思えば…！ あんたたち、今の聞いたぁ？！」 <br>\r\n\"Whaat? What's this kid saying...?! Did you guys hear that?!\" <br><br>\r\n「静かにッ！！！ <br>\r\n\"Silence!!! <br><br>\r\n…………へぇ、面白いじゃない。…反魔法の毒素を理由に、あんたたちはいつも奇跡の力を拒んできた。………白き魔女マリアの弟子。見せてみなさいよ、魔法を…！！」 <br>\r\n......Heh, isn't that interesting. ...You people always refuse to show this power of miracles because of the magic-resisting toxin. ......Disciple of the white witch, MARIA, let's see some magic...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。」 <br>\r\n\".........\" <br><br>\r\n「……一体、どれだけの人間が、その奇跡を信じて、裏切られていったか知っている？ <br>\r\n\"...Do you have any clue how many humans have believed in that miracle before being betrayed? <br><br>\r\n………くすくす。誰もが信じ！ 誰もが裏切られて絶望した！ そして、本当の魔法は、私たち黒き魔女の力でしか得られないことを知るのよ…！！」 <br>\r\n......*giggle* Everyone believes! Everyone is betrayed and despairs! And they learn that true magic can only be gained by the power of black witches, like me...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………憎しみを誰かにぶつけるのは、ただの罪。そんなのは魔法じゃないわ。 <br>\r\n\"......Hitting someone with your hatred is nothing more than a sin. That isn't magic. <br><br>\r\n………本当の魔法を、私が見せてやる。」 <br>\r\n......I'll show you real magic.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「……………こ、いつ……………、」 <br>\r\n\"......Y-You.........\" <br><br>\r\n黒き魔女はわずかにたじろぐ。 <br>\r\nしかし、霞はなおも私を嘲笑った。 <br>\r\nThe black witch winced slightly. <br><br>\r\nHowever, Kasumi sneered at me even more. <br><br>\r\n「なら、見せて御覧なさいよ。それで、あんたはどの魔法を見せてくれるの？ <br>\r\n\"Then let's have a look. So, what kind of magic will you show us? <br><br>\r\n飴玉を降らせる魔法？ それともクッキーを増やす魔法？ <br>\r\nMagic to make candy fall from the sky? Or else magic to make cookies multiply? <br><br>\r\n…………うわッ？！」 <br>\r\n......Whaaat?!\" <br><br>\r\n私が目を見開くと同時に、凄まじい風が巻き起こった。 <br>\r\nThe instant I opened my eyes, a tremendous wind arose. <br><br>\r\n「なッ、……何、突然………？！」 <br>\r\n\"...Wh-What is this, all of a sudden......?!\" <br><br>\r\n「さぁさ、お出でなさい、煉獄の七姉妹。」 <br>\r\n\"Come, arise, the Seven Sisters of Purgatory.\" <br><br>\r\n「………何ぃ……、」 <br>\r\n\"......Whaaat...?\" <br><br>\r\n私の背後に閃光が走り、瞬時に上級家具７人が揃う。 <br>\r\nThere was a flash behind me, and in an instant, seven pieces of high-level furniture were gathered there. <br><br>\r\nそれは私の全盛期の魔力をはるかに超える力。 <br>\r\nIt was a power that far surpassed the magical strength I'd had in my prime. <br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんや、ベアトリーチェにさえも及ぶほどの力。 <br>\r\nIt was a power that matched even Maria onee-chan and Beatrice. <br><br>\r\n「煉獄の七姉妹、ここに…！！」 <br>\r\n\"The Seven Sisters of Purgatory, right here...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……え、縁寿さま……！」 <br>\r\n\"...A-Ange-sama...!\" <br><br>\r\n「あなたはかつて言ったわ。……私に魔力と、その覚悟がないから、 <br>\r\n……あなたたちを使役できなかったのだと。 <br>\r\n\"You said it once. ...Because I lacked magical power and resolve, <br><br>\r\n...I couldn't use you or your sisters. <br><br>\r\n…………私をいじめるクラスメートに仕返しがしたいなんて、そんな安っぽい感情じゃない。 <br>\r\n...This isn't some cheap emotion, like wanting to get back at my bullying classmates.\" <br><br>\r\n…私は、真里亞お姉ちゃんの、………マリアージュ・ソルシエールの世界を守るために、……今こそ、魔法の奇跡を見せることを命令するわ。」 <br>\r\n\"...In order to protect Maria onee-chan's......Mariage Sorcière's world, ...I now order you to show me the miracle of magic.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「む、無理です…。いくら何でも、これだけ大勢の毒素の前では………、」 <br>\r\n\"I-It's impossible... No matter what you try, before such a mass of toxin......\" <br><br>\r\n七姉妹たちも、かつてのあの教室のことを覚えてる。 <br>\r\nThe Seven Sisters also remembered what had happened in that classroom. <br><br>\r\n……もしも、縁寿の命令に従えるものなら、従っていた。 <br>\r\n...If they could have obeyed Ange's order, they would have. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、……ニンゲンの濃厚な毒素の中で、魔法の奇跡を見せることは出来なかった。 <br>\r\n...However, ...surrounded by the toxin that runs thick in Humans, they hadn't been able to display the miracle of magic. <br><br>\r\n……そしてそれが、縁寿をひどく傷つけたことを、よく覚えているのだ……。 <br>\r\n...And they remembered very well how deeply that had hurt Ange... <br><br>\r\nでも縁寿は、とても静かに言った。 <br>\r\nBut Ange spoke very quietly. <br><br>\r\n「なら。あなたたちも信じて。」 <br>\r\n\"In that case, you all believe too.\" <br><br>\r\n「……え？」 <br>\r\n\"...Huh?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………マリアージュ・ソルシエールは人を幸せにするために生まれた。…そしてそれは、黒き魔女と戦うためでもあった。 <br>\r\n\"......Mariage Sorcière was created to bring people happiness. ...And also to fight the black witch.\" <br><br>\r\nその創立者のひとり、原初の魔女、マリア卿が生み出した世界を否定する愚かなる黒き魔女に、……その奇跡を見せ、 <br>\r\n……その世界を守るために、 <br>\r\n………信じて。魔法を。魔女を。今こそ、奇跡を…！」 <br>\r\n\"In order to show that miracle to the foolish black witch, ...who denies the world that one of the founders, the Witch of Origins Lady Maria, gave birth to, <br><br>\r\n...and in order to protect that world, <br><br>\r\n......believe. In magic. In witches. In miracles, right now...!\" <br><br>\r\n霞が黒服に指示を出すと、一人が銃を抜き、縁寿に向けて構える。 <br>\r\nWhen Kasumi gave an order to the black-suits, one of them took out a gun and pointed it at Ange. <br><br>\r\n「魔法を見せてくれるんでしょう？ なら見せて頂戴。魔法で、火の玉でも稲妻でも撃ち出して、この男を倒して見せなさいよ。 <br>\r\n\"You'll show us magic, right? Then let's have it. Use magic to shoot this man down with a fireball or lightning or something. <br><br>\r\nチャンスは一度。………３つ数える内にやってお見せなさい？ 出来なければ、覚悟してもらうわよ？ うっふふふふふふ！」 <br>\r\nYou get one chance. ......Show us before I count to three, got it? If you can't, then you'd best prepare yourself, okay? Ehheheheheh!\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。………………撃ちなさいよ。」 <br>\r\n\".....................Shoot.\" <br><br>\r\n「何だ、このガキ。へっへへ、狂ってやがるぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"What's with this kid? Hehheheh, she's lost it.\" <br><br>\r\n銃を向けた黒服が、縁寿の達観を笑う。 <br>\r\nThe black-suit pointing the gun laughed at Ange's detached attitude. <br><br>\r\n「あっはははははは！！ 本気？！ こいつ、頭の中までお花が咲いてやがるゥ！ なら撃たれなさいよ、死んじゃえばぁあああぁ？！」 <br>\r\n\"Ahhahahahahaha!! Are you serious?! This girl's lost her mind! In that case, get yourself shot! If only you'd just diiiiiiiiiiiiie!\" <br><br>\r\n『縁寿…！！ ……む、無理！ 銃弾は魔法では防げないよ……！！』 <br>\r\n『Ange...!! ...I-It's impossible! You can't block bullets with magic...!!』 <br><br>\r\n「いいえ。何も恐れることはないわ。…………私の魔法は、煉獄の七姉妹は、銃弾など、物ともしない。」 <br>\r\n\"No. There's nothing to be afraid of. ......Compared to my magic, to the Seven Sisters of Purgatory, bullets are nothing.\" <br><br>\r\n「え、縁寿さま………。」 <br>\r\n\"A-Ange-sama......\" <br><br>\r\nマモンは縁寿の絶対の信頼に、戸惑う。 <br>\r\nMammon was perplexed by Ange's absolute trust. <br><br>\r\n……応えられるものなら応えたかった。あの日にも。 <br>\r\n...If she could comply, she would have. On that day as well. <br><br>\r\nでも、……何も出来なかったから、縁寿を傷つけて………。 <br>\r\nBut, ...because she had been unable to do anything, she had hurt Ange...... <br><br>\r\n「へっへへ、ガキめ。魔法が使えるってんなら、早く見せてみやがれってんだ。」 <br>\r\n「どうしたよ？ 早く魔法を見せてみろってんだ！！」 <br>\r\n「ほら、遠慮はいらねぇぜ？ 俺にバビョーンと！ 魔法ってヤツをお見舞いしてくれよぉ！！ ひっへっへっへ！」 <br>\r\n\"Hehheheh, you brat. If you can use magic, let us have a look right now.\" <br><br>\r\n\"What's wrong? We're tellin' you to show us magic, right?!!\" <br><br>\r\n\"Come on, no need to hold back, okay? *booom*! Show me some magic!! Hihhehhehheh!\" <br><br>\r\n黒服たちが囃す。 <br>\r\nしかし縁寿はただ静かに、精神を集中していく……。 <br>\r\nThe black-suits jeered at her. <br><br>\r\nBut Ange simply concentrated her mind in silence... <br><br>\r\n「撃っちゃえばぁ？！ 撃ってみろって言ってるのよ向こうは！」 <br>\r\n\"If only you'd just shoot! She's even telling you to try and shoot, you guys!\" <br><br>\r\n「……この子、恐怖でもう、頭がどうかしてるんだわ。バイバイ、縁寿ちゃん。……天国で好きなだけ魔女ごっこをしてなさい。 <br>\r\n\"...This kid's already lost her mind from fear. Bye-bye, Ange-chan. ...Go and pretend to be a witch as much as you want in heaven. <br><br>\r\n……撃て。」 <br>\r\n...Fire.\" <br><br>\r\n「へへ、いいんですか？」 <br>\r\n\"Heheh, you sure?\" <br><br>\r\n「お撃ち！ 死ね、縁寿ッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Fire! Die, Ange!!\" <br><br>\r\n「やれるもんならやってみなさいよッ、あんたの魔法をッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"If you can do it, then give this magic of yours a try!!!\" <br><br>\r\n黒服は撃鉄を起こし、嘲笑しながら引き金を、引く。 <br>\r\nThe black-suit cocked the gun, and sneering...pulled the trigger. <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n銃声が鳴り響き、 <br>\r\n………世界が、停止した。 <br>\r\nThe sound of gunfire rang out, <br><br>\r\n...and the world...stopped. <br><br>\r\n赤い飛沫が飛び散り、 <br>\r\n………肉片が飛んだ。 <br>\r\nA red spray scattered out... <br><br>\r\n...and chunks of flesh flew. <br><br>\r\n「…ぇ、……………あ……。」 <br>\r\n\"...Huh, ......ah...\" <br><br>\r\n「何をしてるの、マモン。……銃弾如き無粋な石ころを、縁寿さまに許すつもり？」 <br>\r\n\"What are you doing, Mammon? ...Don't tell me you'd let a boorish pebble of a bullet like this reach Ange-sama.\" <br><br>\r\nルシファーは、完全に銃弾を捉え、一刀のもとに、……切断していた……。 <br>\r\nLucifer lined up the bullet perfectly, and with a single swing, ...sliced it... <br><br>\r\nそして、……銃を撃ったはずの黒服の胸に、……握り拳大の、大穴が…。 <br>\r\nAnd, ...in the chest of the black-suit who had apparently fired the gun, ...was a hole as big as a fist... <br><br>\r\n「………たまには。私が一番乗りでもいいわよねぇ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Every now and then, I get to go first.\" <br><br>\r\n半身を血に染めたレヴィアタンが、冷笑を浮かべる。 <br>\r\nHalf of Leviathan's body was covered with blood, and a cold smile was on her face. <br><br>\r\n……そして、ゆっくりと………、彼女が仕留めた哀れな獲物が、倒れる。 <br>\r\n...Then, slowly, ......the pitiful prey that she had brought down...fell over. <br><br>\r\n「つ、……貫いた、ニンゲンを……ッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"...Y-You pierced...a Human...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「馬鹿ねッ！ まだあんた信じてないの？！ 私たちの主の魔力を…！！」 <br>\r\n\"Idiot! Do you still not believe?! In our master's magic power...?!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ば、……か、…な………ッ？！？！ これだけのニンゲンの前で、…け、顕現したって言うのッ？！？！」 <br>\r\n\"Are...you...kidding me......?!?! Y-You materialized...in front of this many Humans?!?!\" <br><br>\r\n「な、………何よ、…何？！」 <br>\r\n\"...Wh-What is this? ...What?!\" <br><br>\r\n霞たちはうろたえる…。 <br>\r\nKasumi and the rest were flustered... <br><br>\r\n確かに銃を撃ったはず……。 <br>\r\nHe certainly seemed to have fired his gun... <br><br>\r\n しかし、 <br>\r\n……それは縁寿には当たらず、 <br>\r\n………どうして、 <br>\r\n……撃った本人が、 <br>\r\n…逆に……？！ <br>\r\nHowever, <br><br>\r\n...it hadn't hit Ange, <br><br>\r\n......and why... <br><br>\r\n...was the person who fired... <br><br>\r\nhurt instead...?! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「……これが、魔法。 <br>\r\n\"...This is...magic. <br><br>\r\n……見事よ、レヴィアタン。」 <br>\r\n...Great job, Leviathan.\" <br><br>\r\n「光栄の至り…！！ <br>\r\n\"I'm most honored...!! <br><br>\r\n我らが主に逆らう愚かなるニンゲンどもよ！ 今こそ平伏せ、審判の時ッ！！」 <br>\r\nYou foolish Humans who dare oppose our master! Now is the time of judgement! Prostrate yourselves!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ど、どうして……！！！ ニンゲンの世界に魔法は持ちこめないはずなのに…ッ！！ 魔法は視えないはずなのに、触れられないはずなのに！！ ……どうしてッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Wh-Why...?!!! You shouldn't be able to bring magic into the world of Humans...!! They shouldn't be able to `see' magic, and they shouldn't be able to be touched by magic!! ...Why?!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………これが、本当の魔法だからよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Because this...is true magic.\" <br><br>\r\n「……ぅ、……ぅおおおおおぉおおおおおおおお…！！」 <br>\r\n\"...Gah, ...aaaaaaaaaaarrrggggg...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「な、何をしてるのよお前たち？！ こッ、殺せ殺せッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Wh-What are you people doing?! K-Kill, kill!!!\" <br><br>\r\n ようやく正気に戻った黒服のひとりが銃を抜き、構、 <br>\r\nOne of the black-suits, who had finally come to his senses, took out his gun, readied it, <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「我らが主に、銃口を覗かせる無礼を、私が許すと思ったか……。 <br>\r\n\"Like I'd allow you the disrespect of pointing a gun barrel at our master...! <br><br>\r\n死ねっ。」 <br>\r\nDie.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nその言葉が、引導。 <br>\r\nThose words were a requiem. <br><br>\r\n……男はすでに、瞬時に傲慢の杭となったルシファーにその胸板を貫かれていたのだ。 <br>\r\n...The man's chest had already been pierced by Lucifer, who had become the Stake of Pride in an instant. <br><br>\r\nどさり！ <br>\r\n*thump*! <br><br>\r\n二人目が倒れる音は、黒服たちに、自分たちが今確かに、命を脅かされていることを理解させる…！！ <br>\r\nWith the sound of the second person falling, the black-suits now realized for certain that their lives were in peril...!! <br><br>\r\n「う、うわあああッたたッ、助けて……！！！」 <br>\r\n\"W-Waaaaaaaah, s-s-save me...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n腰を抜かした黒服が、その場から逃げ出そうと踵を返した瞬間に、……怠惰の杭が……、 <br>\r\nThe instant one of the black suits doubled over in shock...and turned on his heels to escape from that place, ...the Stake of Sloth... <br><br>\r\n「…………我が主への狼藉に対する報い、これしきで済んだことに感謝せよ。死ねッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"......Be thankful that your violence against our master will be repaid with this alone. Die!!\" <br><br>\r\n右目に胡桃大の大きさの風穴が開き、頭部を砕く。 <br>\r\nIn his right eye, a hole as big as a walnut opened, and his head split. <br><br>\r\n返り血を浴びるベルフェゴールは、その真の力を振るえる喜びに、その表情を悪魔的に歪める…！ <br>\r\nBelphegor was sprayed with blood, and her face twisted demonically with the joy at being able to use her full power...! <br><br>\r\n「う、わぁあああ？！ <br>\r\n\"Ooh, waaaaaaahhh?! <br><br>\r\n誰だ？！ 誰がいるんだッ？！ どこにいやがるッ？！」 <br>\r\nWho's that?! Who's there?! Where are you?!\" <br><br>\r\n黒服たちはうろたえ、四方八方に銃を向ける。 <br>\r\nしかし何が起こっているのかわからない。 <br>\r\nThe black-suits were flustered, pointing their guns in every direction. <br><br>\r\nBut they didn't understand what was happening. <br><br>\r\n恐ろしい存在がどこかから自分たちを狙っていることだけはわかるのだが、それがどこからかわからない…！！ <br>\r\nThey knew that something terrifying was coming for them from somewhere, but they didn't know where...!! <br><br>\r\n「馬鹿！！ て、敵はあんたたちのすぐ目の前にいるわよッ！ 魔女の家具があんたたちを狙ってるッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Dumbass! Th-The enemy is right before your eyes! The witch's furniture is after you!!!\" <br><br>\r\nしかし視えない…！！ <br>\r\n魔法を信じられないから、視えない…！！ <br>\r\nBut they couldn't `see'...!! <br><br>\r\nBecause they didn't believe in magic, they could not `see'...!! <br><br>\r\n黒き魔女が言うとおり、サタンは黒服の真正面に、不敵にも立ちはだかっている。 <br>\r\nJust as the black witch said, Satan was standing boldly right in front of a black-suit. <br><br>\r\nしかし黒服にはそれがまったく視えない…！ <br>\r\nHowever, the black-suit couldn't `see' her at all...! <br><br>\r\n「くすくす…！ ニンゲンに私たちの姿が見えるとでも？ 捉えられるとでも？ <br>\r\n\"*giggle*...! Did you think Humans could see our forms? That they could follow us? <br><br>\r\nあっはははははは、間抜けなニンゲンが！！ 魔法に対する畏怖を忘れたる愚かの代償を払うがいいッ！！」 <br>\r\nAhhahahahahahaha, stupid Humans!! Time to pay a fool's price for forgetting your awe of magic!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ひ、ひいいいぃッ！！！ <br>\r\n\"Eee, eeeeeeeeeeeekk!!! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n何よこれ？！ 何が起こってるの？！」 <br>\r\nWhat is this?! What's going on?!\" <br><br>\r\n「………あなたには視えない。愛がないから。」 <br>\r\n\"......You can't `see' it. Because you have no love.\" <br><br>\r\n「……ありえないッ！！ これだけのニンゲンがいて、反魔法の毒素をばらまいてるってのに、……どうして魔法が顕現できるの？！ あんた、…何者なのッ？！？！」 <br>\r\n\"...Impossible!! Even though there are so many Humans here, even though the magic-resisting toxin is everywhere, ...why can you manifest your magic?! Who...are you?!?!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………魔女よ。あんたと違って本物の。」 <br>\r\n\"......A witch. And unlike you, a real one.\" <br><br>\r\n「う、うおおぉおおおおお、畜生ぉおおお、このアマぁあああぁああ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Wh-Whaaaaaaaaaaat, damn iiiiiiit, you biiiiiiiitch!!\" <br><br>\r\n四人目の犠牲者を立候補するかのように、黒服の一人が縁寿に銃を向ける。 <br>\r\nAs though announcing his candidacy for becoming the fourth victim, one of the black-suits pointed his gun at Ange. <br><br>\r\n……そして引き金を……。 <br>\r\n...And the trigger was... <br><br>\r\n縁寿は冷酷に睨み、ただ、命じる。 <br>\r\nAnge glared at him coldly...and simply ordered. <br><br>\r\n「しッ、死に晒せぇえええええええぇッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"D-Diiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeee!!\" <br><br>\r\n「次。サタン。」 <br>\r\n\"Next one. Satan.\" <br><br>\r\n「憤怒のサタン、すでにここにッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Satan of Wrath, already right here!! <br><br>\r\nのろまがッ！！ 今の縁寿さまと私たちに、銃弾如きが当たると思うかッ！！！」 <br>\r\nBlockhead!! You think a simple bullet could hit Ange-sama or us now?!!!\" <br><br>\r\n憤怒の杭が、……黒服の放った銃弾を貫いて砕き、 <br>\r\nそのまま真っ直ぐ、男の顔面を、 <br>\r\nThe Stake of Anger...pierced and smashed the bullet fired by the black-suit... <br><br>\r\nand continued straight on, towards the man's face- <br><br>\r\n「………己が愚かさを知り、地獄で後悔せよッ！！ <br>\r\n\"......Know your foolishness...and regret in hell!! <br><br>\r\n死ねっ！！」 <br>\r\nDie!!\" <br><br>\r\n凄まじい破裂音と共に、男の頭部の上半分が砕け散る。 <br>\r\nWith a terrible explosive sound, the upper half of the man's head was smashed. <br><br>\r\nばらばらと飛び散る肉片と血を浴びながら、縁寿は静かに、もう一度問う。 <br>\r\nBathed in scattered flesh and blood, Ange quietly asked one more question. <br><br>\r\n「…ねぇ、霞叔母さん。 <br>\r\n\"...Hey, Aunt Kasumi. <br><br>\r\n………まだ、魔法。信じる気にならないの？」 <br>\r\n......Do you still...not feel like believing in magic?\" <br><br>\r\n「こっ、 <br>\r\nこんな、馬鹿なこと、 <br>\r\n……あるわけないでしょ…！！ <br>\r\n\"Th- <br><br>\r\nThere's no way...something so ridiculous... <br><br>\r\ncould exist...!! <br><br>\r\nみ、認めないわ…！！ 魔法なんて、あるわけがない……！！！」 <br>\r\nI-I won't accept it...!! There's no way magic exists...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、そうよ…。魔法なんてあるわけがない…！！ 魔女なんているわけがない！！」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, that's right... There's no way magic exists...!! There's no way witches exist!!\" <br><br>\r\n『ま、……魔法はあるよ！！ 魔女はいるよ……！！ うりゅー！！』 <br>\r\n『...M-Magic exists!! Witches exist...!! Uryu-!!』 <br><br>\r\n「………そうよ。魔法はあるのよ。魔女はいるのよ。 <br>\r\n\"......That's right. Magic exists. Witches exist. <br><br>\r\n……そして、この怒りと悲しみで満ちた世界に、幸せの世界への扉を開く鍵に出来るの…！！ あんたなんかに、……それを否定させないッ！！」 <br>\r\n...And, in this world filled with anger and sadness, it can become the key that opens the door to the world of happiness...!! I won't let...someone like you deny that!!\" <br><br>\r\n『幸せな世界への鍵は、みんなの手に握られてるんだ…！ それを、……奪う資格は誰にもないんだ……ッ！！』 <br>\r\n『The key to a world of happiness lies in every person's hands...! No one...has any right to steal that away...!!』 <br><br>\r\n「それを理解できぬ哀れなニンゲンよ。………そなたの人生に魔法の力があったなら、もっと違った、穏やかなものになっていただろうに。 <br>\r\n\"You pitiful Human who cannot understand this. ......If there had been magic in your life, it would probably have turned out differently, becoming much more peaceful.\" <br><br>\r\nそなたがその生涯において、本当の魔女と出会えなかったことを、 <br>\r\n……私は哀れむ。」 <br>\r\n\"When I think that in your entire life, you were never able to meet with a true witch, <br><br>\r\n...I pity you.\" <br><br>\r\n「ひぃ、……ひぃいいいいいいいいいいいぃいいいッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Eee, ...eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkk!!!\" <br><br>\r\n霞が金切り声のような悲鳴を上げる。 <br>\r\nKasumi let out a piercing scream. <br><br>\r\nそれと同時に黒服の二人が私に組みかかり、銃を私の頭に突きつけた。 <br>\r\nAt the same time, two of the black-suits came for me at once, thrusting their guns at my head. <br><br>\r\n……目に視えぬ何者かに対し、人質にでもしているつもりなのだ。 <br>\r\n...Like they were trying to use me as a hostage against something their eyes couldn't `see'. <br><br>\r\n………こんなことは、今や武具の域にまで達した上級家具、煉獄の七姉妹に対して、まったく何の意味もない。 <br>\r\n...Against the Seven Sisters of Purgatory, who had now reached the level of weapons, this was completely pointless. <br><br>\r\n「畜生、どこにいやがるんだ？！ 攻撃をやめねえと、このアマの命はねえぞッ！！ 姿を現しやがれ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Damn, where are you?! Keep on attacking, and this bitch is dead!! Show yourself!!\" <br><br>\r\n「きゃっははははははは！！ 何言ってんの、こいつぅ！ おいしそうな腸をしてるくせにィ。 <br>\r\n\"Kyahhahahahahahaha!!! What the hell's he sayin'?! And his guts look so tasty too. <br><br>\r\n………縁寿さま、次は私にお任せをッ！」 <br>\r\n......Ange-sama, leave the next one to me!\" <br><br>\r\n「許す。殺せ。」 <br>\r\n\"Go ahead. Kill him.\" <br><br>\r\n「ありがたきッ！！ しッあわせぇえ！！ <br>\r\n\"Thank you so much!! I'm so happyyyyyy!! <br><br>\r\n死ねえッ！！！」 <br>\r\nDiiiiiee!!!\" <br><br>\r\n男の腹部が砕け、内臓を溢れ出させる。 <br>\r\n……その凄まじい死に方に、もう一人の男は完全にパニックを起こす。 <br>\r\nThe man's chest split, and his guts poured out. <br><br>\r\n...This terrible way of dying threw the other man into a total panic. <br><br>\r\nしかし、その背中にはもう、アスモデウスの姿があって、後から首を抱き締めて、……淫靡に微笑んでいるのだ……。 <br>\r\nHowever, Asmodeus's form was already at his back, grasping his neck...and smiling obscenely... <br><br>\r\n「可愛い子。……ねぇねぇ、どこを貫いてほしい？ <br>\r\n\"What a cutie. ...Hey, hey, where do you wanna get pierced? <br><br>\r\nくっくくくくくく、縁寿さま、ご希望はございますかァッ！！！」 <br>\r\n*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle* Ange-sama, got any ideas?!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「頭。」 <br>\r\n\"The head.\" <br><br>\r\n「かしこまりました、我が主ィ！！ <br>\r\n\"Certainly, my masteer!! <br><br>\r\n死ねッ！！」 <br>\r\nDie!!\" <br><br>\r\n最後の黒服は色欲の杭に頭部を砕かれ、その中身を散らしながら、捻れるように倒れる。 <br>\r\nThe final black-suit had his head smashed by the Stake of Lust, and as his insides scattered, he twisted and fell. <br><br>\r\n６人が血の海に倒れる凄惨なる世界に、 <br>\r\n………魔女と、ニンゲンが対峙する。 <br>\r\nIn the gruesome world where six people lay in a sea of blood, <br><br>\r\n......witch and Human confronted each other. <br><br>\r\n「………須磨寺霞。そなたの哀れなる人生に、私は心の底より同情する。 <br>\r\n\"......Sumadera Kasumi. I sympathize with your sad life from the bottom of my soul. <br><br>\r\n……その埋め得ぬ心の穴を、塞げる魔法を授けても良い。そなたがその魔法を信じるならば。」 <br>\r\n...I'm willing to grant you magic that can seal up that unfillable hole in your heart. If you can believe, that is.\" <br><br>\r\n「ば、馬鹿なこと、……言わないで……！！ <br>\r\n\"D-Don't be...ridiculous...!! <br><br>\r\nこんなッ、こんなの、…私は認めないッ！！ ひいいぃいいいいいいいぃいい！！」 <br>\r\nI-I...will never accept something like this!! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekk!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n腰が抜けた霞は、じりじりと後退りしながら、……誰かが落とした拳銃を拾う。 <br>\r\nAs Kasumi, who was scared out of her wits, stepped backwards, ...she picked up a handgun that someone had dropped. <br><br>\r\nそして、震えながらそれを縁寿に向ける…。 <br>\r\nThen, shaking, she pointed it at Ange... <br><br>\r\n「そうよ、霞…！ その銃で撃ちなさい…！！ あんたの憎しみを、銃弾に変えて放ちなさい…！！」 <br>\r\n\"That's right, Kasumi...! Shoot with that gun...!! Turn your hatred into a bullet and shoot...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ひい、ひい…！！ 殺してやる…、殺してやる…ッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Eeek, eeek...!! I'll kill you... I'll kill you...!! <br><br>\r\nあんたを殺さなきゃ、私の人生は報われないのよ……！！」 <br>\r\nIf I don't kill you, I'll never be paid back for the life I've lived...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「そうよ、殺して！ 引き金を引いてぇ！！ あいつにあんたのみすぼらしい今日までの全ての怒りを、悲しみを！！ 全部叩きつけてやるの！ <br>\r\n\"Yes, kill! Pull the trigger!! Take all of the anger and pain from your shabby life until now! Use it all against her!\" <br><br>\r\nそうでなきゃ、あんたは痛みと苦しみから解放されないのよぉう！！」 <br>\r\n\"If you don't, you won't be released from your pain and anguish!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………やめて、霞叔母さん。……黒き魔女に耳を貸しては駄目。」 <br>\r\n\"......Stop it, Aunt Kasumi. ...You mustn't listen to the black witch.\" <br><br>\r\n「殺してやる……、殺してやる……！ あんたの母親のせいで、 <br>\r\n……私の人生は、 <br>\r\n……滅茶苦茶……！！」 <br>\r\n\"I'll kill you, ...I'll kill you...! Because of your mother, <br><br>\r\n...my entire life... <br><br>\r\n...has been a wreck...!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「なら、私の魔法でその人生をこれから、少しずつ明るく穏やかなものにも出来るかもしれない。あなたが魔法を信じ、心を入れ替えさえすれば、あなたに新しい世界への扉を開いて上げられるの。」 <br>\r\n\"In that case, my magic might be able to turn that life into something bright and peaceful, bit by bit, starting now. If you can believe in magic...and just have a change of heart, I'll be able to open the door to a new world for you.\" <br><br>\r\n「そんなものはないわッ！！ あいつの言う救いなんて、どうせおとぎ話の中だけよ！ <br>\r\n\"There's no such thing!! The salvation she speaks of is obviously just some fairy tale! <br><br>\r\nあんたの人生はもはや死ぬまで棘まみれ…！！ その苦痛の叫びをあいつに聞かせてやりなさい！！ 失ったものは何も取り返せないのよ…、そうでしょう？須磨寺霞ぃいいいぃ？！？！」 <br>\r\nYour life is gonna be covered with thorns until you die anyway...!! Let her hear that cry of agony!! You can't regain anything that was lost, ...right? Sumadera Kasumiiiiiiiiii?!?!\" <br><br>\r\n「そうね、何も取り返せないかもしれない。 <br>\r\n\"That's right, you might not be able to regain anything. <br><br>\r\nでも、きっと新しく何かを生み出すことが出来る。だから霞叔母さん。その銃を捨てて。………霞叔母さんにも、幸せな世界を、教えてあげられるかもしれない。」 <br>\r\nHowever, I know you'll be able to create something new. So, Aunt Kasumi, throw that gun away. ......I might be able to teach you too...about a world of happiness.\" <br><br>\r\n「ひぃ、 <br>\r\n……ひぃいいい……！！ <br>\r\n\"Eeek, <br><br>\r\n...eeeeeeeeeekk...!! <br><br>\r\nわ、 <br>\r\n………私はね、……！！ あんたの母親が逃げたせいで、 <br>\r\n………あんたの母親の許婚と、身代わりに結婚させられたのよッ…！！ <br>\r\nY <br><br>\r\n......You know, because your mother ran away, <br><br>\r\n......I was forced to marry her fiancé in her place...!!\" <br><br>\r\n将来を誓い合った男がいたのよ？！ 別れさせられたのよ？！ あんたの母親の代わりに嫁がされて、 <br>\r\n……話もろくにしたことがない男に抱かれた私の気持ちがわかるってのッ？！？！ <br>\r\n\"There was a man I swore I'd spend my life with! And I was forced to break up with him! You think you understand how I felt when I was forced to be wed in your mother's place... <br><br>\r\nand was held by a man I had barely even talked to?!?!\" <br><br>\r\n殺してやりたかった！！ なのに姉さんは勝手に死んだわ！ だからあんたを殺すの！！ そうでなきゃ、私の棘まみれの人生は、終わらないのよぉおおおおぉ！！」 <br>\r\n\"I wanted to kill her!! But Nee-san just went and died on her own! That's why I'll kill you!! Otherwise, my thorn-filled life will never eeeeeeeeeeeeeeend!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n……霞の瞳から、激情の涙が零れる。 <br>\r\n...From Kasumi's eyes, tears of passion dripped down. <br><br>\r\n可哀想に…。 <br>\r\nSo pitiable... <br><br>\r\n……この人の涙だって、こんなにも澄んでいて綺麗だったのだ。 <br>\r\n...This person's tears were so clear and beautiful. <br><br>\r\nでも、だからこそ、……悲しい痛みに耐え切れず、黒き魔女の誘惑に耳を貸さざるを得なかった…。 <br>\r\nBut for that very reason, ...she hadn't been able to fully withstand her sad pain, and had been given no choice but to listen to the black witch's temptation... <br><br>\r\n「………………可哀想に。……ならばせめてあなたを、…あなたの魂を永遠に解放し、怨嗟の鎖から解き放ってあげるわ。 <br>\r\n\".........So sad. ...In that case, I'll at least release you...your soul...for all eternity, and free you from the bonds of resentment. <br><br>\r\n………それが、今の私に出来る、唯一の施しかもしれない。」 <br>\r\n......That might be the only bit of charity I can give right now.\" <br><br>\r\n「死ィねぇえええ、右代宮縁寿ぇえええええぇ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Diiiiiiiiiiiee, Ushiromiya Angeeeeeeeeeee!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「さようなら、霞叔母さん。………静かな世界で、ゆっくりと休んで。」 <br>\r\n\"Goodbye, <NAME>. ......Take a long rest in a quiet world.\" <br><br>\r\nもはや、あなたには怒りも憎しみも感じない。 <br>\r\nただただ、静かに、魂を休ませてあげたい。 <br>\r\nI no longer feel anger or hatred for you. <br><br>\r\nI just want to let your soul rest in peace. <br><br>\r\n霞の拳銃が火を噴く。 <br>\r\nKasumi's handgun spat fire. <br><br>\r\nその銃弾が、極限まで凍った世界でゆっくりと……、エンジェの額目指して進む。 <br>\r\nSlowly, that bullet continued through a world frozen to the utmost limit, ...aiming for ANGE's forehead. <br><br>\r\n「マモン。」 <br>\r\n\"Mammon.\" <br><br>\r\n「……は、……は！！ 強欲のマモン、ここに…！！」 <br>\r\n\"...Y-Yeah!! Mammon of Greed, right here...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ありがとう。」 <br>\r\n\"Thanks.\" <br><br>\r\n「……え？」 <br>\r\n\"...Huh?\" <br><br>\r\n「あなたたちとさくたろうに出会えたから、私は全てを理解できた。」 <br>\r\n\"Because I met you and Sakutarou, I was able to understand everything.\" <br><br>\r\n『……縁寿……。』 <br>\r\n『...Ange...』 <br><br>\r\n「さくたろうは後を向いていなさい。 <br>\r\n\"Look away, Sakutarou. <br><br>\r\n………マモン。その女を解放してあげて。そして、マリアージュ・ソルシエールの名誉を守れ…！！」 <br>\r\n......Mammon, release that woman. And protect the honor of Mariage Sorcière...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「は、………はい！！ <br>\r\n\"Y......Yes!! <br><br>\r\n……覚悟せよ須磨寺霞ッ！！」 <br>\r\n...Prepare yourself, Sumadera Kasumi!!\" <br><br>\r\n凍った世界にもかかわらず、強欲の杭は稲妻のように閃き、………霞の背後に、もう抜けている…。 <br>\r\nEven though the world was frozen, the Stake of Greed flashed like lightning......and had already gotten behind Kasumi... <br><br>\r\n「貴様に多少の徳があるならば、再び煉獄の山で会いまみえようぞッ！！ <br>\r\n\"If there's any virtue in you, we'll meet again on the mountain of Purgatory!! <br><br>\r\n………死ねぇえええええぇッ！！！」 <br>\r\n......Diiiiiiiieee!!!\" <br><br>\r\n須磨寺霞の頭部、上半分が、砕け散る。 <br>\r\nThe upper half of Sumadera Kasumi's head was smashed. <br><br>\r\n……彼女の肉の檻が破られ、 <br>\r\n……ようやく彼女は、解放されたのだった……。 <br>\r\n...Her cage of flesh was shattered, <br><br>\r\n...and she was finally released... <br><br>\r\n「………あとは、あんたね。…………黒き魔女。……今となっては、あなたに絵羽伯母さんの面影を見ていることさえ、彼女に申し訳なく思うわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Next is you. ......The black witch. ...By now, I think even the fact that you look like Aunt Eva is inexcusable to her.\" <br><br>\r\n「ふ、……ふっふふふふふ。…私の姿が、未だに右代宮絵羽に見えているなら、それはあんたの中で、未だに“私”が許せてないということだわぁ。 <br>\r\n\"Heh, ...heheheheheh. ...If my form still looks like Ushiromiya Eva, that means you still haven't been able to forgive `me' inside yourself.\" <br><br>\r\nわかっているのよ、縁寿。…………あんただって棘まみれの人生から解放されたくて、仕方がないのを。」 <br>\r\n\"I understand, Ange. ......Even you want to be released from your thorn-filled life more than anything.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「なら、……面白いことを思いついたわ。私も、あんたに魔法を見せてあげる。 <br>\r\n\"In that case, ...I thought of something interesting. I'll show you magic as well. <br><br>\r\n………あんたを殺すのは私じゃないわ。」 <br>\r\n......I won't be the one to kill you.\" <br><br>\r\n黒き魔女は最悪の笑顔を浮かべると、その姿を、黒い霧のように、…あるいは大量の黒い羽虫の群に変えると、私を中心に渦を巻き始める。 <br>\r\nWith the worst of smiles on her face, the black witch changed her form into something like a black mist, ...or else a vast swarm of black flying insects, which began to swirl around me. <br><br>\r\nそしてその黒い霧は少しずつ集まり、……人の姿を模っていく。 <br>\r\nThen, that black mist began to gather bit by bit, ...shaping itself into the form of a human. <br><br>\r\n「…………………何の真似……。」 <br>\r\n\".........What's this supposed to be...?\" <br><br>\r\nうっふふふふふ！ <br>\r\nHehheheheheh! <br><br>\r\n薄々は想像がついてるくせに！ <br>\r\nYou've got at least a vague idea, don't you?! <br><br>\r\nあんたが、もっとも憎み、恨んだ、あの女よ！ <br>\r\nIt's the woman you hated and despised the most! <br><br>\r\nそして女もあなたをもっとも恨み、憎んだ…！ <br>\r\nThe woman who hated and despised you the most...! <br><br>\r\n 黒い霧が晴れると、 <br>\r\n………そこには、 <br>\r\n…………在りし日の、 <br>\r\n……絵羽伯母さんの姿が。 <br>\r\nWhen the black mist cleared, <br><br>\r\n......over there was... <br><br>\r\nAunt Eva's form, <br><br>\r\n...as she had been during her life. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n……その手には、銃を持っていた。 <br>\r\n...Her hands...were holding a gun. <br><br>\r\n「……………絵羽伯母さんは、 <br>\r\n……死んだわよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Aunt Eva... <br><br>\r\ndied.\" <br><br>\r\n「くすくす、お久し振りねぇ、縁寿ぇえぇ。……あんたを殺すために、地獄から戻ってきたわよぅ！ くっくっくっく！！」 <br>\r\n\"*giggle* Long time no see, Angeeee. ...I've come back from hell to kill youu! *cackle*cackle*!!\" <br><br>\r\n絵羽伯母さんは狂った笑いで私を睨む。 <br>\r\nAunt Eva glared at me with a mad laugh. <br><br>\r\n「でも、……あまり驚かないわ。絵羽伯母さん、そういう人だったし。」 <br>\r\n\"But...I'm not that surprised. Aunt Eva was that kind of person.\" <br><br>\r\n「私のお葬式はさぞや気分が晴れ晴れしたでしょう？ 私も晴れ晴れしていたわよぅ、あんたの面を二度と見なくて済むようになるんだからねぇ…！ でもたったひとつだけ心残りがあったわ。 <br>\r\n\"I imagine my funeral came as quite a relief to you, right? I feel the same, since I'll never have to see your face again...! But I had just one regret.\" <br><br>\r\nそれがこれよッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"And this is it!!\" <br><br>\r\n「………私を、殺すこと？ …………それが最後の遺言だったの？」 <br>\r\n\"......Killing me? ......Was that your last request?\" <br><br>\r\n哀れね。 <br>\r\nHow pitiful. <br><br>\r\n……死んでもなお、……伯母さんは苦しみから、解放されなかったのね……。 <br>\r\n...Even after death, ...my aunt wasn't released from her pain... <br><br>\r\n「黒き魔女の力こそが私の魔法の源泉だったわ。 <br>\r\n\"The black witch's power is itself the source of my magic. <br><br>\r\n怒りと憎しみが、私に努力と不屈を教えてくれた。それはあんたの言う、現実逃避の魔法とはまったく違うの！」 <br>\r\nAnger and hatred taught me how to work hard and persist. Completely different from this magic to escape reality that you speak of!\" <br><br>\r\n「……あんたの言う魔法なんて、ただの八つ当たりによるストレス解消だわ。……私たちの魔法は違う。世界そのものを作り変えるの。………あんたの性悪魔法とは、まったく格が違う。」 <br>\r\n\"...The magic you speak of is nothing more than stress reduction through outbursts of anger. ...Our magic is different. It can remake the entire world. ......It's in a totally different class than your wicked magic.\" <br><br>\r\n「くすくす！！ なら、黒と白のどちらが勝つか、この場で決着をつけてあげる…！！ <br>\r\n\"*giggle*!! In that case, let's settle which is the victor right now, black or white...!! <br><br>\r\n死してなお、黒き魔法で復活してあんたをこうして銃口で狙える私の奇跡に、あんたの白き魔法はどんな奇跡で対抗を？ <br>\r\nYou see my black magic miracle, reviving even after death and pointing a gun at you like this. How exactly do you intend to stop that with a miracle of white magic?\" <br><br>\r\n反魔法の毒素であなたを取り込んだわ。七姉妹はもう二度と呼べないわよ。さっきの奇跡はもう起こらない…！！」 <br>\r\n\"I've surrounded you with the magic-resisting toxin. You can't call the Seven Sisters anymore. That miracle just now won't occur again...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………それでも起こるから、魔法って言うんだわ。 <br>\r\n\"......Having it occur despite all that is why it's called magic. <br><br>\r\n……いいわよ。マモン。私に力を貸して。」 <br>\r\n...Okay. Mammon, lend me your power.\" <br><br>\r\n……しかしマモンは応えない。現れない。 <br>\r\n...But Mammon didn't respond. She didn't appear. <br><br>\r\n確かに彼女が言うように、灼熱の太陽に干上がる荒地と例えられるくらいに、反魔法の毒素が、全てを焼き尽くしている…。 <br>\r\nCertainly, as she'd said, the magic-resisting toxin had burned everything up like a wasteland parched by a blazing sun... <br><br>\r\n………少し、辛いかもしれない。 <br>\r\n......This...might be a little tough. <br><br>\r\n「呼び掛けても無駄よぅ。もう二度と！ 煉獄の七姉妹は応えない！」 <br>\r\n\"It's useless to call out. Never again! The Seven Sisters of Purgatory will never answer!\" <br><br>\r\n「だから。それでも呼べるから、魔法なのよね？」 <br>\r\n\"And...being able to call them even so is what makes it magic, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。……哀れね、縁寿。さようなら。あんたとのささやかな日々は、そこそこに楽しかったわ。これでお別れよ。 <br>\r\n\"............How pitiful. So long, Ange. The few days we spent together were fun in their own way. This is goodbye. <br><br>\r\n……良かったわね、あんたの終着駅がここで。」 <br>\r\n...Aren't you glad...that the end of the line for you turned out to be this place?\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、まったくよ。気が利くわね。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, seriously. How thoughtful of you.\" <br><br>\r\n「ありがと。それじゃ、お別れね。」 <br>\r\n\"Thanks. Then this is farewell.\" <br><br>\r\n銃口がゆっくりと上がって、 <br>\r\nThe barrel of the gun rose slowly, <br><br>\r\n……その奥底が覗ける。 <br>\r\n...so that you could see all the way down it. <br><br>\r\nそして、 <br>\r\n………引き金がゆっくりと………。 <br>\r\nThen, <br><br>\r\n......the trigger was slowly...... <br><br>\r\nその時、……銃が、爆ぜた。 <br>\r\nAt that moment, ...the gun exploded. <br><br>\r\n…発砲したという意味ではない。 <br>\r\n……破裂したのだ。 <br>\r\n...It wasn't that it fired. <br><br>\r\n...It burst. <br><br>\r\n…………馬鹿、な……。 <br>\r\n......You're...kidding me... <br><br>\r\n……絵羽は呆然と、凍った空間で、 <br>\r\n……破裂した銃を見ている。 <br>\r\n時間が溶ければ、それらの破片は一斉に、彼女の顔面を打ちつけるだろう…。 <br>\r\n...In shock, inside a frozen space, <br><br>\r\n...Eva looked at the ruptured gun. <br><br>\r\nWhen time melted, the fragments would probably smash into her face all at once... <br><br>\r\n「……強欲のマモン。ここに。」 <br>\r\n\"...Mammon of Greed, right here.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………ばか、な…、」 <br>\r\n\"............You're...kidding me...\" <br><br>\r\n絵羽の背後に、マモンは立つ。 <br>\r\nBehind Eva's back, Mammon stood. <br><br>\r\n………すでに、私が与えた標的は、貫通している。 <br>\r\n......She had already penetrated the target I had given her. <br><br>\r\n……それが、銃だった。 <br>\r\n...Which was...the gun. <br><br>\r\n「これで、……魔法は充分？ …………絵羽伯母さん。」 <br>\r\n\"Is this...enough magic for you, ......Aunt Eva?\" <br><br>\r\n「……え、 <br>\r\n………縁寿ぇぇ………。」 <br>\r\n\"...A- <br><br>\r\nAngeee......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nそして、時間が溶ける。 <br>\r\n破裂した銃の破片と火薬ガスが、彼女の顔を焼いた。 <br>\r\n鋭い悲鳴が上がり、彼女は顔を覆って転げ回る……。 <br>\r\nThen, time melted. <br><br>\r\nThe fragments of the burst gun and exploding gunpowder burned her face. <br><br>\r\nLetting out a shrill scream, she covered her face and rolled around... <br><br>\r\n……哀れだった。 <br>\r\n...It was pitiful. <br><br>\r\n「……運がなかったわね。……これでゲームオーバーよ。絵羽伯母さん。」 <br>\r\n\"...Your luck was bad. ...This is game over, Aunt Eva.\" <br><br>\r\n私はマモンに合図する。 <br>\r\n顔を焼かれてのた打ち回る苦しみから、すぐに解放してやるために。 <br>\r\nI signaled to Mammon. <br><br>\r\n...So that Eva would be freed quickly from the pain of her burnt face as she writhed around. <br><br>\r\n「…………ありがとう、マモン。…あの日の教室で、あなたたちの無力を罵ったことを、今こそ心の底より、そして再び謝るわ。あなたたちは魔女を守るための、優秀な家具だった。」 <br>\r\n\"......Thank you, Mammon. ...This time, I want to apologize again, and from the bottom of my heart, for calling all of you powerless on that day in the classroom. You were excellent furniture for protecting witches.\" <br><br>\r\n「………こちらこそ、感謝します。 <br>\r\n\"......I'm the one that's grateful. <br><br>\r\n……良き魔女に、良き主に最後に出会え、家具の本分を尽くせたことを、心より光栄に思います…！」 <br>\r\n...I feel truly honored at being able to meet a good witch...a good master in the end, and at being able to fulfill my duty as furniture...!\" <br><br>\r\nマモンは理解していた。 <br>\r\nこれが、私が彼女に与える最後の仕事であることを。 <br>\r\nMammon had understood. <br><br>\r\nThis would be the final job I'd give her. <br><br>\r\nマモンが静かに、歩み寄る。 <br>\r\nそして、彼女を見下ろす。 <br>\r\nMammon quietly walked up to me. <br><br>\r\nThen, she looked down at Eva. <br><br>\r\n「……絵羽伯母さん。今日まで付き合ってくれてありがとう。これでお別れよ。ハバナイスドリーム。シーユーヘル。」 <br>\r\n\"...Aunt Eva, thanks for sticking with me for so long. This is farewell. <Have a nice dream>. <See you in hell>.\" <br><br>\r\n「クール。」 <br>\r\n\"<Cool>.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nそして、……その額を穿つ、軽い音が轟き渡る。 <br>\r\nThen, ...the light sound of her forehead being bored into rang out. <br><br>\r\n……硝煙と狂乱と、……白と黒の魔法の戦いが、終わる。 <br>\r\n...The battle of gunpowder smoke and fury...of white and black magic...ended. <br><br>\r\n長い、………本当に長い旅だった気がする。 <br>\r\nI get the feeling it was a long......truly a long journey. <br><br>\r\nそして、ゆっくりと世界が……闇に沈んでいった………。 <br>\r\nAnd the world slowly...sank into darkness...... <br><br>\r\n瞬くはずの星が、………空でなく、眼下に散らばっている。 <br>\r\nThe stars that should've been sparkling......lay not in the sky, but were scattered beneath me. <br><br>\r\n……真珠とルビーが白と赤の河を作っているのを認めた時。それは、眼下に広がる広大な夜景であったと気付く…。 <br>\r\n...When I realized that the pearl and ruby made a red and white stream, I noticed that it was a vast nighttime scene spread out below... <br><br>\r\n私はその夜景の空に、立つでも飛ぶでもなく、……ただ漂うように、浮かんでいた。 <br>\r\nI was in the sky of that nighttime scene, neither standing nor flying, ...but simply floating. <br><br>\r\n……どこからともなく、ぱちぱちぱちと、実に味気ない拍手が聞こえてきた。 <br>\r\n...From nowhere in particular, I could hear a *clap*clap*clap*, a truly dull applause. <br><br>\r\nわかってる。 <br>\r\n……私に旅立てと命じた、 <br>\r\n……ベルンカステルだ。 <br>\r\nI know. <br><br>\r\n...It's the one who ordered me to go on a journey, <br><br>\r\n...Bernkastel. <br><br>\r\n「……………おめでとう。無限の魔女、エンジェ・ベアトリーチェ。あなたは旅路の末に、魔法の全てを理解したわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Congratulations, Endless Witch, ANGE Beatrice. At the end of your travels, you understood everything about magic.\" <br><br>\r\n「……えぇ。………私は今や、…魔法の全てを、理解した。 <br>\r\n\"...Yes. ......I now...understand everything about magic. <br><br>\r\n………私は、魔女よ。……マリアージュ・ソルシエールが生み出した魔法世界を継承した、最後の魔女。」 <br>\r\n......I am...a witch. ...The last witch who inherited the magical world created by Mariage Sorcière.\" <br><br>\r\n「………あなたにしか、ベアトリーチェの世界を、切り裂けない。」 <br>\r\n\"......No one besides you...can tear Beatrice's world to pieces.\" <br><br>\r\n「魔法を知るからこそ、………それに抵抗も覚えるわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Because I know witches, ......I learned how to resist them.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「……魔法は、愛と悲しみと怒りで出来ている。……ベアトリーチェが、どんなに残酷な魔女であったとしても。その魔法の源泉はまったく同じ。 <br>\r\n\"...Magic is made of love and sadness and anger. ...No matter how cruel a witch Beatrice might have been, the source of her magic is exactly the same.\" <br><br>\r\n………だからこそ、彼女のその世界を、本当はそっとしてあげたい。……少なくとも、彼女にとってその世界は、完成しているのだから。」 <br>\r\n\"......And that's why I wish I could leave that world of hers alone. ...After all, in her eyes at least, that world is complete.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………あなたが家族を諦められるならね。」 <br>\r\n\"......But then you'd have to give up on your family.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。……そう。だから申し訳ないけれど、私は戦わなければならない。………家族を取り戻せるかもしれない、わずかの確率に賭けて、……魔女となる旅に出たのだから。」 <br>\r\n\"...............That's right. So, I don't like doing it, but I have to fight. ......The very reason I left on this journey to become a witch......was so I could bet on the faint chance that I'd be able to take my family back someday.\" <br><br>\r\n「ベアトリーチェを殺さない限り、あなたには孤独な世界しか存在しない。……それを、百億のカケラを旅した私が保証するわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Unless you kill Beatrice, only worlds of isolation can exist for you. ...As one who has traveled to billions of Fragments, I guarantee it.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………わかってるわ。……同情してる余地なんて、私にはないのよ。……心を鬼にして、 <br>\r\n………彼女の心を、切り裂かなくてはならない。」 <br>\r\n\"......I understand. ...I can't afford to have compassion. ...I must make my heart a demon... <br><br>\r\n...and tear her heart to pieces.\" <br><br>\r\n「……その気持ちが揺るぎ無いならよかったわ。同じ魔女同士、情が移って、志を挫くんじゃないかと心配したわ。」 <br>\r\n\"...It's good that you're steady in that resolve. I was worried that, as another witch like her, you might grow attached and lose your will to continue.\" <br><br>\r\nおよそ表情を浮かべたことのない彼女に言われると、ちょっぴり白々しい。 <br>\r\nIt felt a bit hollow hearing that from a person whose face was almost always expressionless. <br><br>\r\nベルンカステル。 <br>\r\n……私をこの旅に誘った、謎の魔女。………………………………。 <br>\r\nBernkastel. <br><br>\r\n...The mysterious witch who invited me on this journey. ............ <br><br>\r\n「私、あなたが嘘をついてたんじゃないかと、疑ってたことがあったわ。」 <br>\r\n\"At times, I've suspected that you might've lied to me.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………どうして？」 <br>\r\n\".........Why?\" <br><br>\r\n「……私は１９９８年の縁寿だから、家族を救っても、それは１９８６年の縁寿が救われるだけ。……この私が救われるわけじゃない。だから騙されていると思っていたことがあるの。」 <br>\r\n\"...I am the Ange of 1998, so even if I save my family, they will only be saved for the Ange of 1986. ...They won't be saved for me. So I've sometimes felt like I was being deceived.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。……そのとおりよ。私はあなたを騙したわ。」 <br>\r\n\"............That is correct. I deceived you.\" <br><br>\r\n「……でも、今は感謝してる。 <br>\r\n\"...But now I'm grateful. <br><br>\r\n………だって。あなたは私に、家族の取り戻し方を、結局は教えてくれたもの。」 <br>\r\n......After all, in the end, you did teach me how to get my family back.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………私は何も教えてないわ。……それを知ったのだとしたら、それはあなたが魔女として自ら至った境地だわ。それは私のそれとは違う境地。………私に理解は出来ないけれど、もしもそうならば、おめでとう。」 <br>\r\n\"......I didn't teach you anything. ...If you know something, it's because you've reached that mental state by yourself, as a witch. That mental state is different from my own. ......I personally cannot understand it, but if that's the truth, then congratulations.\" <br><br>\r\n「私はこのゲームのプレイヤーではなく、駒だと。あなたは私に言ったわよね？」 <br>\r\n\"I'm not a player in this game, but a piece. You said that to me, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………えぇ、言ったわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Yes, I said it.\" <br><br>\r\n「その役割を、今こそ完全に理解した。……………駒に、感情はいらない。ただ、勝利のために、最善を尽くせばいい。」 <br>\r\n\"Now, I fully understand that role. ......A piece doesn't need emotions. It just has to give its all for victory's sake.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………えぇ。そのとおりよ。ゲームは最善手を指し合うものでしょう？ 躊躇や戸惑いで指し手をおかしくしてたら、対戦相手も混乱するわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Yes. That is correct. A game requires that you each make the best possible moves, right? If your moves get distorted by hesitation and confusion, your opponent will be confused as well.\" <br><br>\r\n………………ごめんね、ベアトリーチェ。 <br>\r\n......Sorry, Beatrice. <br><br>\r\nでも、恨まないで。 <br>\r\n……“右代宮縁寿”には、まだ家族が必要なの。 <br>\r\nBut...don't hate me. <br><br>\r\n...`Ushiromiya Ange' still needs her family. <br><br>\r\nだから私にはそれを取り返すために、あなたと戦う権利がある。 <br>\r\nそして、あなたは私に戦いを挑まれる義務がある。 <br>\r\nSo, I have the right to fight you, ...so that I can take them back. <br><br>\r\nAnd, you have the responsibility to be challenged by me to a fight. <br><br>\r\n………だから、恨まないでね。 <br>\r\n......So...don't hate me. <br><br>\r\nその代わり。 <br>\r\nもしもこのゲームに、あなたが勝ったなら。私もそれを祝福してあげるから。 <br>\r\nIn exchange... <br><br>\r\nIf you do win in this game, I'll give you my blessing as well. <br><br>\r\nさぁ、行こう。 <br>\r\n………私という駒の、いよいよ本当の出番。 <br>\r\nCome on, let's go. <br><br>\r\n......As the piece I am, it's finally time for my true turn. <br><br>\r\nごめんね、ベアトリーチェ。 <br>\r\nSorry, Beatrice. <br><br>\r\nあんたにお兄ちゃんは、譲れないのッ…！！！ <br>\r\nI won't hand Onii-chan over to you...!!! <br><br>\r\n世界が真っ白に染まる……。 <br>\r\nThe world whitened... <br><br>\r\nそれは白ではない。 <br>\r\n…極限まで眩い黄金の色。 <br>\r\nIt wasn't white. <br><br>\r\n...It was a gold color as bright as can be. <br><br>\r\nそこは、……右代宮家の美しき薔薇庭園だった。 <br>\r\nThere...was the beautiful Ushiromiya family rose garden. <br><br>\r\nしかし、薔薇の花は全て黄金。 <br>\r\nHowever, the flowers on the roses were all gold. <br><br>\r\n……蜜も黄金色。それに集まる蝶たちも、また黄金。 <br>\r\n...The nectar was also gold-colored. The butterflies gathered there were gold as well. <br><br>\r\n…………ここが、黄金郷…………。 <br>\r\n......This is...the Golden Land...... <br><br>\r\nマリアージュ・ソルシエールの魔女たちが、やがて導かれる約束の地…。 <br>\r\nThe promised land that the witches of Mariage Sorcière had finally been guided to... <br><br>\r\nそこでは全ての願いが叶い、全ての魔法と夢が生まれ出す。 <br>\r\nThere, all wishes are granted, and all magic and dreams are born. <br><br>\r\n…………その、黄金の薔薇の園に、……………二人の、そして二人だけの魔女がいた。 <br>\r\n......In that garden of gold roses...were two...and only two...witches. <br><br>\r\n私という招かれざる客人が現れ、その不穏に天気が揺らぐ。 <br>\r\nI appeared as an uninvited guest, making that atmosphere tremble with unrest. <br><br>\r\n………ざぁっと、彼女らにとって不吉な風が、黄金の薔薇をうねらせた。 <br>\r\n......What was to them a wind of misfortune shook the golden roses. <br><br>\r\nその風が散らす黄金の花びらによる、あまりに美し過ぎる光景は、紛れもなくこの世ならざるものだった……。 <br>\r\nThe incredibly beautiful scene formed by the golden rose petals scattered by the wind...was clearly something not of this world... <br><br>\r\n黄金の薔薇の小道を散策していた二人は私の姿に気付き、驚く。 <br>\r\nThe two who had been taking a walk on a path of golden roses noticed me and were surprised. <br><br>\r\n「……縁寿……？ <br>\r\n\"...Ange...? <br><br>\r\n………ベアト、縁寿だ……！！」 <br>\r\n......Beato, it's Ange...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………どうやってここへ…？ <br>\r\n\"......How did you get here...? <br><br>\r\n………引き取られよ。妾はもはや、ここへは誰も招かぬのだ。」 <br>\r\n......Leave us alone. I shall no longer invite anyone here.\" <br><br>\r\nベアトは冷たく言い放つ。 <br>\r\n………かつて不敵に嘲笑って見せた彼女とはまるで別人のよう。 <br>\r\nBeato spoke coldly. <br><br>\r\n......She seemed like a completely different person from the boldly sneering woman she had once been. <br><br>\r\n心を閉ざし、真里亞お姉ちゃんと二人だけの世界に閉じ篭っているのだ。 <br>\r\nShe had closed off her heart...and shut herself up in a world where she was alone with Maria onee-chan. <br><br>\r\n仲良しの真里亞お姉ちゃんといつまでも二人きりで、魔法談義をしながらお茶を飲んでいられる世界。 <br>\r\nA world where she could always be alone with a friendly Maria onee-chan, lecturing about magic while drinking tea. <br><br>\r\n……誰にも急かされず、何にも拒まれない。 <br>\r\n...With no one to hurry them...and nothing to hold them back. <br><br>\r\n傷つけるかもしれないような誰一人すらも、彼女ら以外に存在しない世界。 <br>\r\nA world where not a single person who might hurt them existed. <br><br>\r\nそう、それは二人にとって完成された、もはや小さな宇宙……。 <br>\r\nYes, to the two of them, it was a small, perfect universe... <br><br>\r\n「………悪いわね。……あんたに、ここに引き篭もられちゃ困るのよ。 <br>\r\n\"......Sorry. ...I can't have you shutting yourself up in here. <br><br>\r\n………私たちは、あんたが戻ってこなきゃ、ゲームが進まないの。」 <br>\r\n...We can't continue the game unless you come back.\" <br><br>\r\n「妾は飽きたから止めたと言った。もうゲームには戻らぬ。」 <br>\r\n\"I said I stopped because I'd tired of it. I will not return to the game again.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………ベアトはね、ずっとここで真里亞と一緒にいるの。ここで一緒にお茶を飲んでね、色々な遊びを考えるの…！ <br>\r\n\"......Beato will always be here with me. Here, we'll drink tea together and think of lots of ways to play...! <br><br>\r\n縁寿も一緒に遊んでいいんだよ。」 <br>\r\nYou can play with us too, Ange.\" <br><br>\r\n「……マリア。それはならぬと言ったはず。妾にはそなただけがいれば良い。 <br>\r\n\"...MARIA, I believe I said that mustn't happen. I am satisfied as long as I have you alone.\" <br><br>\r\nだからそなたも、妾だけがいれば良いと、言っておくれ。」 <br>\r\n\"Say that you too are satisfied as long as you have me.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………。 <br>\r\n\"......... <br><br>\r\n……うん。……ありがとう。真里亞を、そこまで必要としてくれる人は、ベアトだけだよ。なら、ベアトと一緒にいる。二人きりでいい。」 <br>\r\n...Yeah. ...Thank you. The only person who needs me that much is you, Beato. So, I'll be with you. Just us is enough.\" <br><br>\r\n「………マリア……、……すまぬ……。…………ありがとう………。」 <br>\r\n\"......MARIA, ...thanks... ......I am grateful......\" <br><br>\r\nベアトは真里亞を深く抱き、その組み合った腕の中に温かな宇宙さえ生み出していた…。 <br>\r\nBeato held Maria tight, even creating a small, warm universe between their joined arms... <br><br>\r\n………多分それは、世界でもっとも小さい宇宙の誕生。 <br>\r\n…互いを必要とし合う二人が生み出せる、世界でもっとも小さい宇宙…。 <br>\r\n......It was probably the birth of the smallest universe in the world. <br><br>\r\n...The smallest universe in the world, which a pair who needed each other could give birth to... <br><br>\r\nそれはどんなに小さくても、完成された世界。 <br>\r\n…………でも、私は切り裂かなくてはならない。…………………。 <br>\r\nNo matter how small it was, it was a complete world. <br><br>\r\n......But, I had to tear it apart. ............ <br><br>\r\n「……悪いけど。………そういうわけにはいかないの。 <br>\r\n\"...Sorry, ......but I can't let it go like that. <br><br>\r\n私はこの、マリアージュ・ソルシエールの黄金郷を、ぶっ壊しにやって来たわ。」 <br>\r\nI came to smash this Golden Land of Mariage Sorcière.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………なぜ、 <br>\r\n……妾の世界を、 <br>\r\n……壊すのか………。 <br>\r\n\"......Why... <br><br>\r\n...are you going to break... <br><br>\r\n...my world......? <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nこ、この世界が妾と真里亞以外の誰に迷惑を掛けたというのか……？！」 <br>\r\nA-Are you saying that this world is causing anyone other than Maria and me trouble...?!\" <br><br>\r\n「あんたが始めて、終わらせずに放ったらかしたゲームで、お兄ちゃんがずっと待たされてるッ！ あんたが席に戻らなくちゃ、勝負は永遠に終わらないのよ…！！」 <br>\r\n\"You've left Onii-chan waiting all this time...in a game you started and then abandoned without finishing! If you don't return to your seat, the contest won't end for all eternity...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「………ははははは、は…！ <br>\r\n\"......Hahahahaha, ha...! <br><br>\r\nあのゲームに、もはやプレイヤーはひとりもおらぬわ。戦人は消え去り、妾もまた消え去りここにいる。あのゲームはもはや終わったのだ。」 <br>\r\nThere is no longer a single player in that game. Battler vanished, and I did as well, coming here. That game is already over.\" <br><br>\r\n「終わってないッ！ <br>\r\n\"It isn't over! <br><br>\r\n あんたの始めたゲームでしょう！！ 最後まできっちり責任を持って終わらせなさい！ <br>\r\n You started the game, right?!! Take responsibility and see it through to the very end! <br><br>\r\n戦人を打ち負かし、あなたが本当に望んだ世界を生み出すか！ あなたが打ち負かされ、あなたの魔法に飲み込まれた全てを解放するか！！ しっかり最後まで責任を取りなさいッ！！」 <br>\r\nWill you defeat Battler and give birth to the world you truly wished for?! Or will you be defeated and everything swallowed up by your magic released?!! Take responsibility until the very end!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………駄目だよ、縁寿。ベアトはこの世界で、真里亞と永遠に二人きりで過ごすの。 <br>\r\n\"......Don't, Ange. Beato will spend her time in this world, alone with me for eternity. <br><br>\r\n……真里亞も、ベアトさえいれば、他には何もいらないの。……ここでは全ての願いが叶う。全てがある。」 <br>\r\n...And I don't need anything else, as long as I have Beato. ...Here, all wishes are granted. Everything is here.\" <br><br>\r\n…………この黄金郷は、真里亞お姉ちゃんとベアトリーチェの二人の想いの結晶だけで作られている。 <br>\r\n......This Golden Land is made up of nothing more than the crystallization of Beatrice's and Maria onee-chan's thoughts. <br><br>\r\n ……この世界からベアトを引き摺り出すには、……この世界を、 <br>\r\n……破壊しなくてはならない………。 <br>\r\n...To drag Beato out of this world, ...I'm going to have to... <br><br>\r\ndestroy it...... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n………………ベアトリーチェにとっての、最後の安らぎの世界に違いないこの黄金郷を、………破壊する……。 <br>\r\n.........I will destroy this Golden Land, ......which must be a final, peaceful world in Beatrice's eyes... <br><br>\r\n「お姉ちゃん。それは違う。 <br>\r\n\"Onee-chan, that's wrong. <br><br>\r\nこの黄金郷は嘘つきだわ。お姉ちゃんの、本当に叶えたい願いを、叶えてくれていない。」 <br>\r\nThis Golden Land is a liar. It won't grant the one wish you truly want granted.\" <br><br>\r\n「………そんなことないよ！！ ここでは何でも叶うの！ 見て、ここにはやさしいママだっている！！」 <br>\r\n\"......That's not true!! Anything can be granted here! Look, there's even a nice Mama here!!\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞の後に黄金の蝶が集まり、やさしく微笑む楼座叔母さんを形作った。 <br>\r\nGold butterflies gathered behind Maria, forming into a kindly smiling Aunt Rosa. <br><br>\r\n………そして私ににっこり微笑むと、ざあっと黄金の花びらになって崩れ落ちる。 <br>\r\n......After smiling sweetly at me, it became golden petals and crumbled. <br><br>\r\n「ここでは何だって生み出せるの。縁寿だって生み出せるよ、戦人だって、譲治お兄ちゃんだって、朱志香お姉ちゃんだって…！！ <br>\r\n\"Here, anything can be created. Even Ange, even Battler, even George onii-chan, even Jessica onee-chan...!!\" <br><br>\r\nいくらでも呼び出せるよ、みんなやさしくしてくれるよ…！！ 縁寿もおいでよ、一緒に遊ぼ……！！」 <br>\r\n\"You can summon as many as you want, and everyone is nice...!! You come too, Ange, and let's play together...!!\" <br><br>\r\n…………ごめん、お姉ちゃん…………。 <br>\r\n......Sorry, Onee-chan...... <br><br>\r\n「さくたろうは……？」 <br>\r\n\"And what about Sakutarou...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………っ。」 <br>\r\n\"......!\" <br><br>\r\nさくたろうの名に、お姉ちゃんは窒息したような表情を浮かべる。 <br>\r\nUpon hearing Sakutarou's name, Onee-chan looked like she was choking. <br><br>\r\n「よせ……。その名を口にするな……。」 <br>\r\n\"Stop it... Do not speak that name...\" <br><br>\r\nベアトもまた血相を変える。 <br>\r\nそして真里亞の肩を庇うように抱いた。 <br>\r\nBeato's expression changed as well. <br><br>\r\nAnd she hugged Maria, guarding her shoulders. <br><br>\r\n………未だにさくたろうの名は、お姉ちゃんの禁句なのだ。 <br>\r\n...Sakutarou's name was still taboo for Onee-chan. <br><br>\r\n「どうして口にしちゃいけないの？ 真里亞お姉ちゃんの、一番の親友の名前よ。 <br>\r\n\"Why can't I say it? It's the name of Maria onee-chan's best friend. <br><br>\r\n……どうしてその親友を、この素敵な黄金郷に招いてあげないの？ どうしてこの何でも願いの叶う黄金郷では、さくたろうだけ呼び出すことが出来ないの？」 <br>\r\n...Why won't you invite that close friend to this wonderful Golden Land? Why, in this Golden Land where any wish can be granted, is Sakutarou the only one you cannot summon?\" <br><br>\r\n「そ、…それは……。 <br>\r\n\"Th-That is... <br><br>\r\n……良いのだぞ、マリア？ さくたろうのことを思い出さなくても…、」 <br>\r\n...It's all right, MARIA. You don't have to remember Sakutarou-\" <br><br>\r\n「…………さくたろは、ママに殺されたんだよッ！！！！」 <br>\r\n\"......Sakutaro was killed by Mama!!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n真里亞お姉ちゃんがものすごい表情で激高する。 <br>\r\nMaria onee-chan flew into a rage with a terrible expression on her face. <br><br>\r\nその声に驚き、庭園中の蝶たちが一斉に舞い上がり、 <br>\r\n……まるで花びらの台風のように吹雪いた。 <br>\r\nSurprised by that voice, the butterflies throughout the garden flew up, <br><br>\r\n...blowing around like a typhoon of flower petals. <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、知ってるわ。楼座叔母さんが、……大切なさくたろうのぬいぐるみを、引き裂いたわ……！！」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, I know. Aunt Rosa...took your precious stuffed animal, Sakutarou, and tore him apart...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ぎやああああああぁあああああああああああああぁああああああッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n真里亞の絶叫が、嵐となって黄金の花びらや木の葉を乱暴に散らす。 <br>\r\nそれはまさに、黄金の暴風。 <br>\r\nMaria's scream became a storm that violently scattered the golden petals and leaves. <br><br>\r\nIt truly was a storm of gold. <br><br>\r\n「やめよ…！！ やめよやめよやめよ…！！！ <br>\r\n\"Stop...!! Stop stop stop...!!! <br><br>\r\nなぜマリアの心の傷を再び引き裂こうとするのか…？！ 妾と真里亞の、大切な親友の眠りを汚すなッ…！！」 <br>\r\nWhy are you trying to reopen the wound in MARIA's heart...?! Don't defile the sleep of this precious friend to both Maria and myself...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「なら、どうして、その大切な親友を、あなたの魔法で蘇らせてあげないの？」 <br>\r\n\"In that case, why don't you revive that precious friend for her with your magic?\" <br><br>\r\n「それが出来るものならやっている…！！ しかし、あのぬいぐるみは、楼座による手作りの品！ そのたった一つが引き裂かれた魔法的意味は、」 <br>\r\n\"I'd do it if I could...!! But that stuffed animal was an article Rosa created herself! The magical meaning of that individual object being torn apart is-\" <br><br>\r\n「誤魔化さないで。どうしてさくたろうが蘇らせられないか？ <br>\r\n\"Don't try to fool anyone. Why can't you revive Sakutarou? <br><br>\r\n答えはひとつだわ。あなたが、本当の魔女じゃないからよ！」 <br>\r\nThere's only one answer. It's because you aren't a real witch!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「………蘇らせられるとも…！！ <br>\r\n\"......I can revive him...!! <br><br>\r\n妾の魔法でいくらでもこうして蘇らせられるとも！！ <br>\r\nWith my magic, I can revive him as often as I want, like this!! <br><br>\r\nさくたろうでこの庭園を埋めることだって出来ようぞ…！！」 <br>\r\nI could even bury this garden in Sakutarous...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、出来るでしょうね、あなたの魔法では！ でも、あなたの生み出したさくたろうは決してお姉ちゃんには見えない！ <br>\r\n\"Yeah, I'll bet you could, with your magic! But Onee-chan definitely wouldn't be able to see the Sakutarous you create!\" <br><br>\r\n…………どうしてかわかってるでしょう？ もう一度言うわ。あなたが本当の魔女でないからなのよ…！！」 <br>\r\n\"......You know why, right? I'll say it again. It's because you aren't a real witch...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「やめてぇえええぇ！！ <br>\r\n\"Stop iiiiiiiiiit!! <br><br>\r\nどうして縁寿はそんなひどいことばかり言うの…？！ ベアトはたくさん魔法が使えるよ…！ とても素敵な魔女なんだよ…！！ <br>\r\nWhy do you keep saying such mean things, Ange...?! Beato can use a lot of magic...! She's a wonderful witch...!!\" <br><br>\r\nさくたろだけは蘇らせられなかったけど、……他のことなら、何だってできるの…！！ <br>\r\n\"She couldn't revive just Sakutaro, ...but she can do absolutely anything else...!! <br><br>\r\nだから、さくたろだけは……がまん、 <br>\r\n…できるの……。」 <br>\r\nSo, I can at least...do without... <br><br>\r\nSakutaro...\" <br><br>\r\n「うぅん、お姉ちゃん、それは違うわ。 <br>\r\n\"No, Onee-chan, that's wrong. <br><br>\r\n………魔女に出来ないことなんてないの。それが出来ない時点で。ベアトリーチェは本当の魔女じゃないわ。」 <br>\r\n......There's nothing a witch can't do. As soon as she couldn't do that, it was clear that Beatrice wasn't a real witch.\" <br><br>\r\n「そ、それは違うよ……！！ さくたろの依り代のぬいぐるみは、ママの手作りの特別なものだから、」 <br>\r\n\"Th-That's wrong...!! It's because Sakutaro's stuffed animal vessel was something Mama made specially herself, and-\" <br><br>\r\n「だから蘇らせられないの？ ベアトリーチェの、あなたの魔法はそんなにも不便なの？」 <br>\r\n\"And that's why she can't revive him? Is Beatrice's...your magic so inconvenient?\" <br><br>\r\n「く、………な、……ならば、……そなたなら、さくたろうを蘇らせられるというのか？！ <br>\r\n\"Gah, ......i-in that case, ...are you saying you can revive Sakutarou?! <br><br>\r\nそなたの魔法ならばそれが出来るというのか？！」 <br>\r\nAre you saying you can do that with your magic?!\" <br><br>\r\n「出来るわ。」 <br>\r\n\"I can.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「………何だと………、」 <br>\r\n\"......What......?\" <br><br>\r\n「真里亞お姉ちゃん！！ 私が本当の魔法を見せてあげるわ。私がさくたろうを蘇らせてあげる！！」 <br>\r\n\"Maria onee-chan!! I'll show you some real magic. I'll revive Sakutarou for you!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……ほ、 <br>\r\n………本当……？ ベアトリーチェも出来なかったんだよ……？ …ほ、 <br>\r\n………本当に……？！」 <br>\r\n\"...R- <br><br>\r\nReally...? Even Beatrice couldn't do it, right...? ...R- <br><br>\r\nReally...?!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、出来るわ！ <br>\r\n\"Yes, I can! <br><br>\r\nその代わり約束して。私がさくたろうを蘇らせてあげたなら。」 <br>\r\nIn exchange, promise me. Once I've revived Sakutarou...\" <br><br>\r\n「うん…！」 <br>\r\n\"Yes...!\" <br><br>\r\n「この黄金郷から、出ていきなさい。」 <br>\r\n\"...Leave this Golden Land.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………ッ、」 <br>\r\n\"......!\" <br><br>\r\n「そ、そんなことは許さぬ…！！ ここは妾とマリアの世界！！ <br>\r\n\"I-I will not permit that...!! This world is MARIA's and mine!! <br><br>\r\nマリアがいなくなったら、 <br>\r\n……壊れてしまう…！！」 <br>\r\nIf MARIA leaves, <br><br>\r\n...it will break...!!\" <br><br>\r\nニンゲンが宇宙を生み出すための最少人数は、２人。 <br>\r\nThe minimum number of Humans it takes to create a universe is two. <br><br>\r\nそれが崩れれば、世界は滅ぶ。 <br>\r\nOtherwise, that world is destroyed. <br><br>\r\n黄金郷に引き篭もった魔女を引き摺り出すには、この世界を滅ぼさなければならない…！ <br>\r\nTo drag out the witch shut away in the Golden Land, I'll have to destroy this world...! <br><br>\r\n「……そう、それこそがあなたが魔女でない証拠よ。 <br>\r\n\"...Yes, that's the proof that you aren't a witch. <br><br>\r\n……本当の魔女ならね、宇宙は１人で生み出せるのよ。 <br>\r\n...A real witch can create a universe alone. <br><br>\r\nマリアージュ・ソルシエール魔女同盟！ ……この同盟の存在自体が、あなたが魔女でないことの証になっている…！！」 <br>\r\nThe Mariage Sorcière Alliance of Witches! ...The very existence of this alliance proves that you aren't a witch...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「い、嫌だ…！！ <br>\r\n\"N-No...!! <br><br>\r\nマリアは渡さぬ…！！ そなたは嫌いだ、今すぐに帰れ…！！ ここから出て行けぇえええぇえぇぇ！！」 <br>\r\nI won't hand MARIA over...!! I hate you, leave right now...!! Get out of heeeeeeeeeeeere!!\" <br><br>\r\n「勝手にみんなをゲームに引き摺り込んでおいて、自分は機嫌一つで飽きたり追い出したり！！ なんて自分勝手なの？ <br>\r\n\"Dragging everyone into a game of your own accord, then getting bored and chasing them out when your mood changes!! How selfish can you be? <br><br>\r\n見なさい、ベアトリーチェ！！ そして真里亞お姉ちゃん！！ これが、本当の魔法なのよ………！！！」 <br>\r\nTake a look, Beatrice!! And you, Maria onee-chan!! This...is true magic......!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ほ、……本当にさくたろを蘇らせられるの…？！」 <br>\r\n\"...W-Will you really revive Sakutaro...?!\" <br><br>\r\n「出来るわけがない！！ <br>\r\n\"There's no way you can!! <br><br>\r\nここは妾と真里亞の二人だけの黄金郷…！ <br>\r\nThis is a Golden Land for Maria and me alone...! <br><br>\r\n部外者のそなたに使える魔法などひとつもない！ 今のそなたには、蝶一匹生み出すことさえ叶わぬわッ！！」 <br>\r\nThere is not a single spell that an outsider like you could use! As you are now, you couldn't even create a single butterfly!!\" <br><br>\r\n「静かにして、ベアトッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Be quiet, Beato!! <br><br>\r\n縁寿を邪魔しないで…！！」 <br>\r\nDon't get in Ange's way...!!\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞が叫ぶと、 <br>\r\n……暴風はぴたりと止み、あたりはシンと静まり返った。 <br>\r\nWhen Maria yelled, <br><br>\r\n...the storm suddenly stopped, and the area returned to silence. <br><br>\r\n………吹き上げられた大量の黄金の花びらが、静かに舞い降りてくるその光景は、……まるで、黄金の雪が降るかのように幻想的だった……。 <br>\r\n......The scene, as a massive number of golden petals that had been blown upwards quietly drifted down, ...was fantastical, as though a golden snow was falling... <br><br>\r\n真里亞は、まさかひょっとしての奇跡に、無意識の内に両手を組んで祈るような仕草をしてしまう。 <br>\r\nMaria, thinking about this unlikely, if-only miracle, had unconsciously joined her hands together as though praying. <br><br>\r\n……ベアトはそんな真里亞を見て、はらはらしている。 <br>\r\n...Beato watched Maria do this, her heart racing. <br><br>\r\n ………もし万が一ということがあったなら…、 <br>\r\n真里亞は、 <br>\r\n……この世界は……。 <br>\r\n......If the extremely unlikely were to happen, <br><br>\r\n...Maria would... <br><br>\r\n...this world would... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nでも、……考えられない……！ <br>\r\n絶対に不可能…。 <br>\r\nBut...it's unthinkable...! <br><br>\r\nAbsolutely impossible... <br><br>\r\nあの、世界でたったひとつのぬいぐるみは引き裂かれて捨てられて、糸くずさえも残っていないのだ。 <br>\r\nThat stuffed animal, which had been the only one in the world, was torn apart and thrown away, and not a thread remained. <br><br>\r\n蘇らせるなど、絶対の絶対に不可能……！！ <br>\r\nReviving it was certainly and absolutely impossible...!! <br><br>\r\n#ff0001ここは妾の黄金郷#ffffff…！ <br>\r\n#ff0001This is my Golden Land#ffffff...! <br><br>\r\n#ff0001妾以外の魔法は絶対に存在できない世界#ffffff！！！ <br>\r\n#ff0001A world where magic that isn't mine certainly cannot exist#ffffff!!! <br><br>\r\n「で、 <br>\r\n……出来るものなら、 <br>\r\n……やってみろぉおおおお、右代宮縁寿えええぇえええええええぇええッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"...I- <br><br>\r\nIf you think you can do it, <br><br>\r\n...let's see what you've got, Ushiromiya Angeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nベアトの悲鳴のような叫びに、世界が音を失う。 <br>\r\nAt Beato's scream-like cry, the world lost its sound. <br><br>\r\n私はゆっくりと、本当の魔法を、呪文を、唱える……。 <br>\r\nI slowly...recited the incantation...for true magic... <br><br>\r\n「……………さぁさ、思い出して御覧なさい。真里亞の親友のさくたろう。 <br>\r\n\"......Come, try to remember. Maria's close friend, Sakutarou.\" <br><br>\r\n………あなたがどんな姿をしていたのか、思い出して御覧なさい。 <br>\r\n\"...Try and remember what form you had.\" <br><br>\r\n………あなたがどんなに愛くるしいぬいぐるみだったのか、思い出して御覧なさい。」 <br>\r\n\"......Try and remember what a lovable stuffed animal you were.\" <br><br>\r\n「え、………………ぁ、…ぁ………、」 <br>\r\n\"Huh, .........ah, ...ah......\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………………ッ、」 <br>\r\n\"............!\" <br><br>\r\n……二人が、驚愕の表情を浮かべる。 <br>\r\n...Expressions of shock rose to both of their faces. <br><br>\r\nそして、……ベアトの肘を弾いて、真里亞が駆け出す……。 <br>\r\nThen, ...pushing Beato's elbow aside, Maria dashed forward... <br><br>\r\n「………くたろ………、………さくたろぉ………！！」 <br>\r\n\"-kutaro...... ......Sakutaro......!!\" <br><br>\r\nそして、私ごと、………しがみつく。 <br>\r\nThen, ......she clung to us both. <br><br>\r\n「……大丈夫。さくたろうは、消えないよ。…………『うりゅ、真里亞。ただいま。』」 <br>\r\n\"...It's all right. Sakutarou...isn't going to disappear. ......『Uryu. Maria, I'm home.』\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「さくたろ、 <br>\r\n……さくたろ……、 <br>\r\n……ううぅうううううぅ、 <br>\r\n\"Sakutaro, <br><br>\r\n...Sakutaro, <br><br>\r\n...uuuuuuuuuuuuuuu, <br><br>\r\nうわああああぁあぁうう！！ <br>\r\nwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuu!! <br><br>\r\nさくたろぉおおぉ……、 <br>\r\n会いたかった……、 <br>\r\n…よぉぉ……………。」 <br>\r\nSakutarooooooo, <br><br>\r\n...I wanted to see you... <br><br>\r\n...so much......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n それは紛れもなく、 <br>\r\n………あの、ライオンの、 <br>\r\n……さくたろうのぬいぐるみ。 <br>\r\nIt was, without a doubt, <br><br>\r\n......that stuffed animal lion, <br><br>\r\n...Sakutarou. <br><br>\r\nそのやわらかさを、生地も縫い目も何もかも、 <br>\r\n………真里亞は忘れていた。 <br>\r\nIts softness, its texture, its stitches, its everything, <br><br>\r\n......Maria had forgotten. <br><br>\r\nでも、………ぬいぐるみを抱いた瞬間に、その全てを鮮明に鮮明に思い出す……。 <br>\r\nBut, ......the instant she hugged that stuffed animal, it all came back to her vividly... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ。真里亞、……ただいま。』 <br>\r\n『Uryu. Maria, ...I'm home.』 <br><br>\r\n「さくたろ、さくたろ…！！ 体は平気なの？ どこも痛くない？ あんなに、……ひどいことされたのに、どこも平気なの……？！」 <br>\r\n\"Sakutaro, Sakutaro...!! Is your body all right? Does it hurt anywhere? Even though...something so horrible was done to you, are you all okay...?!\" <br><br>\r\n『うりゅ…！ 縁寿が魔法で蘇らせてくれたから、全然平気なの…！』 <br>\r\n『Uryu...! Ange revived me with magic, so I'm perfectly fine...!』 <br><br>\r\n「よかった……、 <br>\r\nよかった……。お帰りさくたろ……、 <br>\r\nううぅううううぅッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Thank goodness, <br><br>\r\n...thank goodness... Welcome back, Sakutaro... <br><br>\r\n Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!\" <br><br>\r\n『もう、真里亞といつまでも一緒だよ。永遠に一緒だよ。 <br>\r\n『From now on, I'll always be with you, Maria. Together for eternity. <br><br>\r\n……だからボクを、離さないでね………。』 <br>\r\n...So, don't let go of me, okay......?』 <br><br>\r\n「うん、……離さないよ……。……永遠に…………………。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, ...won't let go......for all eternity.........\" <br><br>\r\nそして、さくたろうを抱き締めたまま、涙をぼろぼろ零した瞳で私を見上げた…。 <br>\r\nThen, still hugging Sakutarou, she looked up at me with tear-filled eyes... <br><br>\r\n「……ありがとう、縁寿…！ ………縁寿の魔法はすごい……。 <br>\r\n\"...Thank you, Ange...! ......Ange's magic is amazing... <br><br>\r\n……どうして？ どうしてさくたろうを蘇らせることが出来たの？！ ベアトにも出来なかったのに…！」 <br>\r\n...How? How can you revive Sakutarou?! When Beato couldn't do it...!\" <br><br>\r\n「………………ありえぬ…。……ありえぬ……。 <br>\r\n\"......Impossible... ...Impossible... <br><br>\r\n……どうして？ ……どうして妾の黄金郷で、妾以外の人間が魔法を使えるのかッ？！？！ こんなことは、 <br>\r\n………断じてありえぬ………！」 <br>\r\n...How? ...How can a human other than me use magic in my Golden Land?!?! This is... <br><br>\r\n...completely impossible...!\" <br><br>\r\n「何をうろたえているのよ、ベアトリーチェ。………………これが、魔法でしょ？」 <br>\r\n\"What are you so flustered about, Beatrice? .........This is...magic, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「魔法のわけがない…！！ <br>\r\n\"There's no way that's magic...!! <br><br>\r\n#ff0001ここは妾の黄金郷#ffffff！！ <br>\r\n#ff0001This is my Golden Land#ffffff!! <br><br>\r\n#ff0001妾以外の魔法は絶対に存在できない世界#ffffff！！ そして妾の <br>\r\n#ff0001A world where magic that isn't mine certainly cannot exist#ffffff!! And my <br><br>\r\n#ff0001魔法でさくたろうを蘇らせることは出来なかった#ffffff…！！ <br>\r\n#ff0001magic was not able to revive Sakutarou#ffffff...!!\" <br><br>\r\n出来るはずがないのだッ！！ <br>\r\n\"There's no way it could!! <br><br>\r\n#ff0001そのぬいぐるみは特別なぬいぐるみ#ffffff！ <br>\r\n#ff0001That is a special stuffed animal#ffffff! <br><br>\r\n#ff0001楼座が娘の誕生日のために作った、世界でたった一つの#ffffff、 <br>\r\n#ff0001Made by Rosa for her daughter's birthday, and in the entire world, the only#ffffff-\" <br><br>\r\n………あ、………………ぅ、……………あ……、」 <br>\r\n\"......Ah, .........nngg, .........aaah...\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………ね、…魔法でしょう？」 <br>\r\n\".........See, ...it's magic, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「う、 <br>\r\n……お……、 <br>\r\n……あ、 <br>\r\n………あぁぁ、 <br>\r\n…………ぁぁぁぁぁぁ……。」 <br>\r\n\"Nnngg, <br><br>\r\n...ooh, <br><br>\r\n...aah, <br><br>\r\n...aaahhh, <br><br>\r\n......aaaaaaaahhh...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n ベアトは到底受け容れることの出来ぬ奇跡に、………私の魔法の全てを、理解する……。 <br>\r\nWith this miracle that she couldn't possibly accept, ......Beato...understood all of my magic... <br><br>\r\nそして、無邪気に戯れあう真里亞とさくたろうを見て、 <br>\r\n……私を見て、 <br>\r\n………それから、 <br>\r\n………膝を落とし、 <br>\r\n……両手までも地に付いて、 <br>\r\n……………泣いた。 <br>\r\nShe looked at Maria and Sakutarou innocently frolicking around, <br><br>\r\n...looked at me, <br><br>\r\n......and then... <br><br>\r\n...fell to her knees, <br><br>\r\n...with even her hands pressed to the ground, <br><br>\r\n......and cried. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「ベアトリーチェ…！ これは本当に魔法なんだよね…？！ 魔法なんだよね？！ ベアトリーチェ…！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Beatrice...! This really is magic, right...?! It's magic, right?! Beatrice...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………うむ………。……魔法であるぞ……。 <br>\r\n……それこそが、 <br>\r\n………本当の、 <br>\r\n………魔法であるぞ………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Indeed... ...It is magic... <br><br>\r\n ...This is... <br><br>\r\nreal... <br><br>\r\nmagic......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「どうしてベアトにも出来ない魔法を縁寿が使えるの？！ どうして？！ どうしてッ？！ <br>\r\n\"Why can Ange use a magic that even Beato couldn't?! Why?! Why?! <br><br>\r\n縁寿すごい、縁寿はすごい魔女！ 真里亞なんかよりもずっとずっとすごい、本当の魔女だよ……！！！」 <br>\r\nAnge's amazing, Ange's an amazing witch! A real witch who's much, much more amazing than me...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、そうよ、お姉ちゃん。 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, that's right, Onee-chan. <br><br>\r\n……………私は、反魂の魔女エンジェ。……私に蘇らせられないものはないわ。」 <br>\r\n.........I am the Witch of Resurrection, ANGE. ...There's nothing that can't be revived by me.\" <br><br>\r\n「すごいよすごい！！ 反魂の魔法って、一番難しいってベアトも言ってたのに！！ <br>\r\n\"Amazing, incredible!! Even Beato said that the magic of resurrection was the hardest!! <br><br>\r\nエンジェはすごい！！ 本当の本当の、大魔女なんだ……ッ！！！」 <br>\r\nANGE's incredible!! A really real Great Witch...!!!\" <br><br>\r\nその時、真里亞とさくたろうの姿が黄金色に瞬き、……二人の姿が黄金の花びらに変わって、崩れ去った……。 <br>\r\nAt that time, Maria's and Sakutarou's forms flashed gold, ...and the forms of the two became golden flower petals...that crumbled away... <br><br>\r\n二人は黄金の風になって混じりあいながら、………ここではない、別の安らぎの地へ、去っていく。 <br>\r\nAs the two became a golden wind and swirled together, ......they left for some other peaceful place, not here. <br><br>\r\nベアトは真里亞を、……約束どおり、黄金郷から追放したのだ。 <br>\r\nBeato had, ...as promised, banished Maria from the Golden Land. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「……さよなら、…真里亞お姉ちゃん。そしていつまでも、お幸せに。 <br>\r\n\"...Goodbye, ...Maria onee-chan. And...be happy forever. <br><br>\r\n…………大丈夫よ、お姉ちゃんの世界にも必ずあなたはいるわ。 <br>\r\n......Don't worry, you definitely exist in Onee-chan's world too. <br><br>\r\nでもそれは、~ib~あなたのことじゃない~ib~。」 <br>\r\nBut that isn't ~ib~you~ib~.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………よかったな、 <br>\r\n……真里亞……。……妾はそなたの親友として、 <br>\r\n………その再会を、心より祝福するぞ………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Good for you, <br><br>\r\n...Maria... ...As your close friend, <br><br>\r\n......I celebrate this reunion...from the bottom of my heart......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nベアトの表情には、……おそらく人間が浮かべることの出来る、全ての表情が入り混じっていた。 <br>\r\nOn Beato's face...was a mixture of what was probably every expression a human could muster. <br><br>\r\nそれは、喜びであり、怒りであり、哀しみであり。 <br>\r\nIt was joy, anger, and sadness. <br><br>\r\n「………それが、魔法の根源よね。 <br>\r\n\"......That's...the source of magic, isn't it? <br><br>\r\n…………愛がなければ。悲しみがなければ。怒りがなければ。…………魔法は、視えない。」 <br>\r\n......Without love, without sadness, without anger, ......magic cannot be `seen'.\" <br><br>\r\n大地が、震える。……地震。 <br>\r\nThe ground shook. ...An earthquake. <br><br>\r\n………それは次第に大きな地割れを呼び、ベアトリーチェの最後の楽園を、引き裂き始める。 <br>\r\n......It gradually summoned greater and greater fissures...and began to tear Beatrice's final paradise apart. <br><br>\r\n黄金の蝶たちは逃げ惑うが、どこにも逃げ場などない。 <br>\r\n…そして、ベアトリーチェも。 <br>\r\nGolden butterflies fluttered about, trying to escape, but there was nowhere to escape to. <br><br>\r\n...And...Beatrice was the same. <br><br>\r\n黄金郷は崩れ去ってゆく。 <br>\r\nThe Golden Land began to crumble away. <br><br>\r\n大地はまるで抜け落ちる床のように崩れ落ち、 <br>\r\n………ベアトリーチェを漆黒の闇の底へ飲み込んでいく。 <br>\r\nThe earth crumbled downwards like a floor falling through, <br><br>\r\n......and Beatrice was sucked into the depths of a jet-black darkness. <br><br>\r\nそして無慈悲に漆黒の床に叩き付けられた。 <br>\r\nThen, she was mercilessly slammed against a jet-black floor. <br><br>\r\n……そこは、とても薄暗い、喫煙室。 <br>\r\n...It was a dimly-lit...smoking room. <br><br>\r\n出ることの出来る扉はなく、窓はあれど光も差さぬ、 <br>\r\n……薄暗きベアトリーチェの喫煙室。 <br>\r\nThere was no door to exit by, and while there was a window, it let no light... <br><br>\r\ninto Beatrice's shadowy smoking room. <br><br>\r\nベアトはその冷たく硬い床に叩き付けられた痛みに呻きながらも、ふらふらと立ち上がる……。 <br>\r\nEven though Beato was moaning from the pain of being slammed against that cold, hard floor, she shakily rose to her feet... <br><br>\r\nそこには席が。 <br>\r\nThere was a seat there... <br><br>\r\n……彼女が退席したままの形で残っている、……ゲームのテーブルが。 <br>\r\n...And the game table, ...still just as it had been when she'd left it. <br><br>\r\nゲーム盤もまた、ベアトが放置した状態で残されている。 <br>\r\nThe game board also remained in the same state that Beato had left it in. <br><br>\r\n「そこがあなたの席よ。座りなさい。」 <br>\r\n\"That's your seat. Sit.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………妾に座るべき席は、 <br>\r\n………ここしかない、ということなのか………。」 <br>\r\n\"......So, this is the only seat... <br><br>\r\n...for me to sit in......?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nベアトは自らの席に手を付き、……悲しく笑う。 <br>\r\nBeato put a hand against her own seat...and laughed sadly. <br><br>\r\n「勝つか、負けるか。あなたに与えられるのはそれだけよ。それに行き着く過程での引き分けは許されるでしょう。 <br>\r\n\"Win or lose. That's all you've been given. A tie during the process of reaching that point will probably be permitted.\" <br><br>\r\n………でも、中断して投げ出すことだけは許さない！ 勝って生き残るか、負けて消え去るか、そのどちらかになるまで、あなたはその席を立つことなんて許されない！！ それが魔女のゲームのホストである、黄金の魔女ベアトリーチェの唯一の務めでしょう…！！」 <br>\r\n\"......However, you won't be allowed to suspend the game and throw it away! Will you win and survive, or lose and disappear? Until one of those two things happens, you will not be permitted to rise from that chair!! That should be your only duty as the host of a witch's game, as the Golden Witch, Beatrice...!!\" <br><br>\r\nベアトは力なく笑いながら、その席に、 <br>\r\n……座る。 <br>\r\nLaughing weakly, Beato... <br><br>\r\nsat in that seat. <br><br>\r\n……そして肘を付き、両手で顔を覆って、 <br>\r\n………口だけはせめて笑って見せた。 <br>\r\n...Then, she rested her elbows and covered her face with both hands, <br><br>\r\n......showing off a smile with nothing but her mouth. <br><br>\r\n「………勝てぬゲームを逃げることは許されぬか。………ならばよかろう。……妾が負けるまで、……繰り返そうではないか……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Not permitted to escape an unwinnable game... ...Then, very well. ...Why don't I repeat this...until I lose...?\" <br><br>\r\n「何を気弱な！ 勝ちなさいよ。あなたの最善手を尽くしなさい…！！ あなたが始めたゲーム！ あなたには最善手を指す義務があるッ！！ いい加減に優柔不断にふざけるのはやめて！」 <br>\r\n\"Quit being so fainthearted! Win. Use the best moves you have...!! You started this game! You have a duty to make the best moves possible!! Give all that indecisive fooling around a rest!\" <br><br>\r\nその時、激しい音がした。 <br>\r\n……ベアトは足に冷たく痛々しい感触を覚える。 <br>\r\nAt that time, there was a violent sound. <br><br>\r\n...Beato felt a cold, pathetic sensation on her leg. <br><br>\r\n「……つゥかまえたァ…！ やっと捕まえたわよ、ベアトぉ〜？」 <br>\r\n\"...Gotcha...! I finally got you, eh, Beatooo?\" <br><br>\r\n「おや、大ラムダデルタ卿ではないか…。 <br>\r\n\"Oh, Great Lady Lambdadelta, is it...? <br><br>\r\n………まだおられたとはな。」 <br>\r\n......To think that you were still here.\" <br><br>\r\nベアトの足には、凍え切った鋼鉄の足枷がはめられ、……自らの座る椅子に括り付けられている。 <br>\r\nBeato's foot was caught in an ice-cold steel shackle, ...tying her to the chair she sat in. <br><br>\r\n……もう、この席から逃げることは出来ない。 <br>\r\n...She would no longer be able to escape from this seat. <br><br>\r\n「をーっほっほっほ！ もう逃げられないんだからね？ 私、こう見えてもしつこいの、意外でしょぅ？」 <br>\r\n\"Hoohhohhohoho! You won't be able to escape anymore, got it? I can be more persistent than I look. Surprised?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………自覚がなかった方が意外であるわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......It's more surprising that you don't realize how persistent you look.\" <br><br>\r\n「あんたには中座も中断も許されてないのよ。永遠に戦うのよ、勝つためにね？ <br>\r\n\"You are not permitted to leave early or suspend this game. You'll fight for all eternity in order to win, okay? <br><br>\r\n………負けたくはないでしょう？ 負けたらどんな素敵な世界に叩き落されるか、ちょっぴりだけ覗いてみたいぃ？ <br>\r\n......You don't want to lose, do you? You want a little peek at the kind of wonderful world you'll be thrown into if you lose?\" <br><br>\r\nダイジョウブよ。勝てるわよ、この大ラムダデ <br>\r\n\"DON'T WORRY. You can win, because I, the Great Lady Lambdadelta, will be looking after you <br><br>\r\nルタ卿が、~ib~あんたが勝つまで~ib~、付きっ切りで永遠に面倒を見てあげるから…！！」 <br>\r\nconstantly ~ib~until you win~ib~, for all eternity...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。……ふ、……ははははは。………しかし、戦いたくとも、妾の向かいに対戦相手はおらぬぞ……？」 <br>\r\n\"...............Hmph, ...hahahahaha. ......But even if I wish to fight, there is no opponent seated across from me, correct...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………大丈夫よ、戦人を見つけてきたわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Don't worry, I found Battler.\" <br><br>\r\nベルンカステルが現れて、手をパンと打つと、宙より戦人が現れて、どさりと向かいの席に落ちる。 <br>\r\nWhen Bernkastel appeared and clapped her hands, Battler appeared from the sky and plopped into the opposite chair. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n戦人は目を薄っすらと開けてはいるが、輝きはなく、まるで人形のようだった。 <br>\r\nBattler's eyes were slightly opened, but there was no sparkle in them, almost like a doll's. <br><br>\r\n自分の魂を確立する柱の一本を欠き、 <br>\r\n…………暗闇の底の底まで落ち、ずっと漂っていた。 <br>\r\nWithout one of the pillars that established his soul, <br><br>\r\n......he had fallen into the depths of the depths of darkness...and had been drifting about all this time. <br><br>\r\n……そのまま、霧のように散って消えてしまうはずだった。 <br>\r\n...He should have then scattered and disappeared like mist. <br><br>\r\nそれをベルンカステルが掻き集めてきた。 <br>\r\nよくも人の形にまで戻せたものだ。 <br>\r\nBernkastel had managed to scrape him together. <br><br>\r\nIt's incredible that she managed to bring him back into a human form. <br><br>\r\nしかし、肉体は戻っても、魂がまだ戻ってこない。 <br>\r\n……ベアトリーチェに存在を否定されて吹き飛ばされた。 <br>\r\n容易には戻らない。 <br>\r\nHowever, even though his flesh had returned, his soul had not. <br><br>\r\n...It had been blown away by Beatrice after having its existence denied. <br><br>\r\nIt wouldn't come back easily. <br><br>\r\n「……………戦人もこの戦いを逃げないわよ。あんたに勝つまでね。……勝ち目がなくなってきたからって、全て投げ出して逃げるなんて、そんな無粋を許しはしない。 <br>\r\n\"......Battler won't run from this fight either. Not until he defeats you. ...Just because your chances of winning are shrinking doesn't mean you'll be permitted the inelegance of abandoning everything and running. <br><br>\r\n彼だって、そんなことを望んではいないわ。…………でしょう、右代宮戦人…？」 <br>\r\nEven he doesn't want that. ......Isn't that right, Ushiromiya Battler...?\" <br><br>\r\n戦人は答えない。 <br>\r\n……心がまだ、死んでいる。 <br>\r\nBattler didn't answer. <br><br>\r\n...His heart was still...dead. <br><br>\r\n問い掛けに、わずかに目を震わせるが、返事は出来ない。 <br>\r\nHis eyes wavered slightly at the question, but he couldn't answer. <br><br>\r\n「戦人…！ <br>\r\n\"Battler...! <br><br>\r\nしっかり！ あなたはここにいるわよ。そして敵は目の前にいる…！ 戦って！ 勝つために！！」 <br>\r\nGet ahold of yourself! You are here. And the enemy is before your eyes...! Fight! Fight to win!!\" <br><br>\r\n戦人はぼんやりとそれを、うわ言のように復唱する。 <br>\r\nBattler lazily repeated that, speaking incoherently. <br><br>\r\n………戻ってきた。 <br>\r\n......He'd come back. <br><br>\r\n魂に負った傷は浅くない。 <br>\r\nThe wound he bore on his soul was no small thing. <br><br>\r\nそれは無理からぬこと。 <br>\r\nベアトリーチェに赤を織り交ぜ、否定された。 <br>\r\nThat was only natural. <br><br>\r\nBeatrice had woven her red, and he had been denied. <br><br>\r\n敬愛していた母親が、生みの親でなかったことを知り、………自分が誰なのかわからないのだ。 <br>\r\nHe had learned that the mother he'd respected was not his birth mother, ...and he didn't know who he was. <br><br>\r\n……自分は右代宮戦人では、 <br>\r\n……ない…………。 <br>\r\n...He was not... <br><br>\r\nUshiromiya Battler...... <br><br>\r\n「馬鹿なこと言ってんじゃないわッ！ あんたは他の誰でもない、右代宮戦人よ！ <br>\r\n\"Don't talk stupid! You are Ushiromiya Battler, no one else! <br><br>\r\n誰が認めようと否定しようと、あなたがそれを信じなさい…！！ あなたの世界はね、あなただけが作れるのよ。あなたが右代宮戦人である世界を、失わないで！」 <br>\r\nNo matter who acknowledges that or denies that, make sure you believe it yourself...!! After all, you're the only one who can create your own world. Don't lose the world where you're Ushiromiya Battler!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………じゃあ、 <br>\r\n…………俺は、 <br>\r\n……誰なんだよ………？ お袋の子じゃないんだぜ……？ 俺はどこから生まれてきたんだよ……？」 <br>\r\n\".........Then, <br><br>\r\n......who... <br><br>\r\nam I......? I'm not my mom's child, right...? Where was I born from...?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n戦人は輝きの戻らぬ瞳で、ぼんやりと天井を見たまま、それを問う。 <br>\r\nBattler asked that question as his eyes, which still hadn't regained their sparkle, stared lazily up at the ceiling. <br><br>\r\nもちろん彼女は即答する。 <br>\r\nOf course, she answered right away. <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、そうね。ベアトが赤き真実で宣言したわ。 <br>\r\n\"Yes, that's right. Beato proclaimed it with the red truth. <br><br>\r\n……だから私も宣言する。 <br>\r\n...So I'll proclaim it too. <br><br>\r\n#ff0001右代宮戦人は右代宮明日夢の息子ではないわ。#ffffff」 <br>\r\n#ff0001Ushiromiya Battler is not Ushiromiya Asumu's son.#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「………ふっ、……なれば、我がゲームの対戦相手の資格はないではないか…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Hmph, ...in that case, he is not qualified to be the opponent in my game, correct...?\" <br><br>\r\n「ベアトリーチェに復唱要求。“右代宮戦人は右代宮金蔵の孫ではない”。」 <br>\r\n\"Beatrice, repeat it. `Ushiromiya Battler is not Ushiromiya Kinzo's grandchild'.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\nベアトが眉間にしわをよせながら、 <br>\r\n……辛そうに苦笑いを浮かべる。 <br>\r\nAs Beato wrinkled her forehead, <br><br>\r\n...a painful-looking smile rose to her face. <br><br>\r\n「復唱拒否ね。ベアトが宣言した２つの赤き真実、 <br>\r\n\"So you refuse to repeat it. Beato proclaimed two red truths, <br><br>\r\n“#ff0001戦人は明日夢の息子ではない#ffffff”、そして <br>\r\n`#ff0001Battler is not Asumu's son#ffffff' and <br><br>\r\n“#ff0001金蔵の孫である戦人にしか対戦相手の資格がない#ffffff”。 <br>\r\n`#ff0001No one except Kinzo's grandchild Battler is qualified to be her opponent#ffffff'. <br><br>\r\nこれに矛盾せずに戦人に資格を認められるのは、以下の仮説よ。これが私の青き真実、聞きなさい…！」 <br>\r\nThe following theory will allow Battler to be accepted without creating any contradictions. Here's my blue truth, listen to it...!\" <br><br>\r\n#5decffベアトの対戦相手の資格は、“金蔵の孫である右代宮戦人”であって、 <br>\r\n#5decffThe one qualified to be Beato's opponent is `Kinzo's grandchild, Ushiromiya Battler', <br><br>\r\n“明日夢の息子”であるか否かは問題ではない。 <br>\r\nand whether you're `Asumu's son' or not isn't a problem. <br><br>\r\n即ち、あなたは明日夢の息子でなくても、金蔵の孫であることは出来る。 <br>\r\nThus, even if you aren't Asumu's son, you can still be Kinzo's grandchild. <br><br>\r\n留弗夫の息子でさえあるならば！#ffffff <br>\r\nAs long as you're Rudolf's son!#ffffff <br><br>\r\n「フン、下らない言葉遊びよね？」 <br>\r\n\"Hmph, it was just a silly word game, wasn't it?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………青き真実、有効よ。ベアト、赤き真実での反論は？ 赤き真実で受けられないなら、戦人の対戦資格は何の問題もない。」 <br>\r\n\"......Your blue truth is valid. Beato, your counterargument with the red truth? If you cannot counter it with the red, Battler's qualifications as an opponent will stand unchallenged.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n………戦人はまだぼんやりしている。 <br>\r\n彼女が何を言ってくれたのか、まだよく理解できないのだ。 <br>\r\n......Battler was still out of it. <br><br>\r\nHe still couldn't really understand what she was saying for him. <br><br>\r\n……しかしそれでも、少しずつ魂が戻ってきている…。 <br>\r\n...But even so, his spirit was starting to come back, bit by bit... <br><br>\r\n「………………じゃあ、 <br>\r\n…………俺は、 <br>\r\n………誰なんだよ……？」 <br>\r\n\"......Then, <br><br>\r\n......who... <br><br>\r\n...am I...?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「しっかりなさいッ！ あんたは右代宮戦人！ 確かに明日夢お母さんがあなたを生んだわけではないかもしれない。でも、だから何？！ あなたにとって母親であることに、何も変わりはないでしょう？！ <br>\r\n\"Get ahold of yourself! You are <NAME>! Yeah, maybe Mother Asumu didn't give birth to you. But so what?! That doesn't change in the slightest the fact that she was a mother to you, right?!\" <br><br>\r\n………例えば、あなたにとって右代宮縁寿は何？ 血は繋がってないかもしれないけど、それでも妹でしょ？！ 血じゃないでしょ、絆でしょうッ？！」 <br>\r\n\"......For example, what is Ushiromiya Ange to you? You might not share the same blood, but she's still your little sister, right?! It's not about blood, it's about bonds, right?!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………そりゃ、そうさ……。……縁寿は、……血が繋がってなくても、 <br>\r\n………妹だ。」 <br>\r\n\"......That's...right... ...Even though we don't share the same blood, ...Ange is... <br><br>\r\n...my little sister.\" <br><br>\r\n「赤で言って！ 縁寿は妹だって言って！！」 <br>\r\n\"Say it in red! Say that Ange is your little sister!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……… <br>\r\n\"...... <br><br>\r\n#ff0001縁寿は、……俺の妹だ#ffffff。 <br>\r\n#ff0001Ange is...my little sister#ffffff. <br><br>\r\n…………ぁ、…………言えた。」 <br>\r\n......Ah, ......I could say it.\" <br><br>\r\nまだぼんやりして、椅子に全身を預けている戦人を、後から強く抱き締める。 <br>\r\n痛いくらいに。 <br>\r\nShe hugged Battler, who was still out of it and slumped in his chair, strongly from behind. <br><br>\r\nSo much that it hurt. <br><br>\r\n「どういう事情で、明日夢お母さんがあなたの生みのお母さんじゃないかはわからない。でも、あなたは今日まで、そして今でも母親だと信じてるでしょう？！ 世の中にはね、母親さえ、 <br>\r\n……家族さえいない人だって大勢いるのよッ！！ <br>\r\n\"I don't know why Mother Asumu wasn't your birth mother. But still, up until today and even now, you believe that she's your mother, right?! In this world, there are plenty of people without even a mother, <br><br>\r\n...without even a family!!\" <br><br>\r\n明日夢お母さんはあなたを寂しがらせたことがある？ ないでしょ？！ あなたの平和だった家族を簡単に捨て去らないでッ！！ あんたは６年も家族のもとから離れてたから家族の絆が希薄過ぎるのよ！！ <br>\r\n\"Did Mother Asumu ever let you feel lonely? Never, right?! Don't throw your peaceful family away so easily!! Your family bonds have gotten too thin after leaving your family for six years!!\" <br><br>\r\nもっともっと、家族の絆を強く感じて！ 思い出して！！ 明日夢お母さんのためにも、こんな下らない魔女の妄言で、愛情を失わないでッ！」 <br>\r\n\"You have to feel those family bonds much, much more strongly! Remember!! For Mother Asumu's sake as well, don't lose your love over a foolish witch's rant like this!\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。………そうさ……。……お袋は、……いつだって俺の味方だったんだ……。 <br>\r\n\"...............You're right... ...Mom was...always on my side... <br><br>\r\n……………ここはどこだよ……？ ……暗ぇよ……、 <br>\r\n……帰りてぇよ……。俺の家族は、 <br>\r\nみんなは、 <br>\r\n……どこなんだよ………。」 <br>\r\n .........Where is this place...? ...It's dark, <br><br>\r\n...and I wanna go home... Where's... <br><br>\r\nall my... <br><br>\r\n...family...?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n戦人の目にまだ光は戻らない。 <br>\r\nでも、……涙が浮かぶ。 <br>\r\nThe light still hadn't returned to Battler's eyes. <br><br>\r\nBut...tears appeared. <br><br>\r\n「お家であなたの妹が帰りを待ってるわ。せめてあなただけでも帰ってあげないと、……彼女はいつまでも独りぼっち…！ 妹のためにも、どうか魔女のゲームに勝って…！！」 <br>\r\n\"Your little sister is waiting at home for you to come back. If even you don't come back, ...she'll be all alone forever...! For your little sister's sake, please, win this witch's game...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………縁寿……、 <br>\r\n俺の、 <br>\r\n……妹………。……でもよ、 <br>\r\n………わからねぇんだ…。………どうして、 <br>\r\n俺はベアトと、こんなわけのわかんねぇ、残酷なゲームを永遠に繰り返さなきゃならねぇんだ……？ ………もう、 <br>\r\n……嫌だ………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Ange, <br><br>\r\n...my... <br><br>\r\nlittle sister...... ...But I still... <br><br>\r\n...don't get it... ......Why... <br><br>\r\ndo I have to keep repeating this incomprehensible, cruel game with Beato...? ......I've... <br><br>\r\nhad enough......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「なら、早くこんなゲームに決着をつけて、お家へ帰りなさいッ！！ 右代宮戦人、いつまでこんなところで遊んでいるのッ？！ 妹が帰りを待ってるわよッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"In that case, settle this game quickly and go back home!! Ushiromiya Battler, how long are you going to play around in a place like this?! Your little sister is waiting for you to come home!!!\" <br><br>\r\n………そう。 <br>\r\n......That's right. <br><br>\r\n戦人は気付いた時にはもう、このおかしなゲームに巻き込まれていた。 <br>\r\nBattler had been caught up in this strange game before he even knew it. <br><br>\r\nそして、何のために戦うかさえもわからないまま、ずっとずっと、魔女のペースに飲み込まれて、遊ばれ、戦わされてきた。 <br>\r\nAnd, still unable to understand why he was fighting, he had been constantly sucked into the witch's pace, played with and made to fight. <br><br>\r\nそれはもっとも素朴な、最初の疑問であるべきなのだ。 <br>\r\nThat should've been his most simple and first question. <br><br>\r\n……そこが理解できてないから、戦いの目的を喪失してしまう…！！ <br>\r\n...Because he didn't understand that, he had lost his purpose in fighting...!! <br><br>\r\nだから私の声が、戦人の耳に、届かない…！ <br>\r\nThat's why my voice won't reach Battler's ears...! <br><br>\r\n魔女に勝つためとか、許せないとか、そんなあやふやな目的じゃなくて。 <br>\r\nInstead of a vague purpose, like winning against the witch, or because he couldn't forgive her... <br><br>\r\n……彼には、必ず勝つための目的を自覚しなくてはならない。 <br>\r\n...He has to be aware of a purpose for which he must win. <br><br>\r\n「………そうだ……。……帰りたい……、 <br>\r\n……親父やお袋、 <br>\r\n……縁寿のところに帰りたい……。………もう嫌だ、 <br>\r\n……ここは嫌だ……。……もう魔女は嫌だ、ゲームも殺人も嫌だ……、 <br>\r\n……嫌だ、 <br>\r\n嫌だ……。」 <br>\r\n\"......That's right... ...I want to go home... <br><br>\r\n ...I want to go home to Dad and Mom... <br><br>\r\nand Ange... ......I've had enough, <br><br>\r\n...enough of this place... ...I've had enough of witches, I've had enough of games and murders, <br><br>\r\n...enough, <br><br>\r\nenough...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「戦人の魂が、…戻り掛けてる。」 <br>\r\n\"Battler's soul...is starting to come back.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………でも、あとちょっとが、届いていない。」 <br>\r\n\"......But it can't quite reach.\" <br><br>\r\n「もう嫌でしょう？！ なら、家族のもとへ帰るためにも戦って！！ ベアトリーチェを打ち破って、帰ってきて！！」 <br>\r\n\"You've had enough, right?! Then fight so that you can return to your family!! Destroy Beatrice and go home!!\" <br><br>\r\n「嫌だ、……もう魔女は嫌だ…！ ベアトも嫌だ、…どいつもこいつも嫌だ、お前も嫌だ、お前だってどうせきっと、魔女の仲間だ…。いつまた裏切るかもわからない…！！ <br>\r\n\"No, ...I've had enough of witches...! Enough of Beato, ...enough of everything, ...and even you're probably just another one of the witch's allies... I could be betrayed again at any time...!!\" <br><br>\r\n#ff0001 何も信用できない、赤くない言葉は何も信用できない…！！#ffffff <br>\r\n\"#ff0001You can't trust anything, you can't trust any words that aren't red...!!#ffffff <br><br>\r\n俺に構うな、構うなぁあああぁあああぁ！！」 <br>\r\nDon't bother me, don't bother meeeeeeeeeeee!!\" <br><br>\r\n戦人の魂が吼える。 <br>\r\nそれを、彼女は後から痛いくらいに強く、その頭を抱き締める。 <br>\r\nBattler's soul howled. <br><br>\r\nShe hugged his head from behind, strong enough that it hurt. <br><br>\r\n「#ff0001早く帰ってきて、お兄ちゃんッ！！ <br>\r\n\"#ff0001Come home quickly, Onii-chan!! <br><br>\r\n私を独りぼっちにしないでッ！！！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nDon't leave me all alone!!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「……………え、……。………お前、 <br>\r\n………、……誰……。」 <br>\r\n\".........Huh...? ......Who... <br><br>\r\n...are you...?\" <br><br>\r\n「#ff0001私よ、縁寿よ…！！#ffffff <br>\r\n\"#ff0001It's me, it's Ange...!!#ffffff <br><br>\r\n#ff0001お父さんもお母さんもお兄ちゃんも、誰も帰ってこないッ！！#ffffff <br>\r\n#ff0001Dad and Mom and Onii-chan...no one came home!!#ffffff <br><br>\r\n#ff0001寂しいよ！！#ffffff <br>\r\n#ff0001I'm so lonely!!#ffffff <br><br>\r\n#ff0001お願いだからッ、早く帰ってきてッ！#ffffff」 <br>\r\n#ff0001I beg you, come home quickly!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「……え、………縁寿……。………お前、………縁寿だったのか…………。」 <br>\r\n\"...A-Ange... ......You were......Ange......?\" <br><br>\r\n「#ff0001そうよ、縁寿よ！！#ffffff <br>\r\n\"#ff0001That's right, I'm Ange!!#ffffff <br><br>\r\n#ff0001誰も帰って来ない世界の右代宮縁寿…！！#ffffff <br>\r\n#ff0001The Ushiromiya Ange of a world where no one comes home...!!#ffffff <br><br>\r\n#ff0001………私の家族は全て、あの日の六軒島から帰って来ない…！！#ffffff <br>\r\n#ff0001......My entire family...never came home from Rokkenjima that day...!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n#ff0001目の前のあの魔女が、家族を全て、お兄ちゃんさえも奪い取ってしまった…！#ffffff <br>\r\n\"#ff0001The witch before your eyes stole away my whole family, even you, Onii-chan...!#ffffff <br><br>\r\n#ff0001………お兄ちゃんだけが、あいつをやっつけられる！！#ffffff <br>\r\n#ff0001......Only you can finish her, Onii-chan!!#ffffff <br><br>\r\n#ff0001あいつをやっつけて…！！#ffffff <br>\r\n#ff0001Finish her...!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n#ff0001そして、家族を取り戻して！！#ffffff <br>\r\n\"#ff0001Then, take your family back!!#ffffff <br><br>\r\n#ff0001そして、………私のところに帰ってきて……！！！#ffffff」 <br>\r\n#ff0001And then, ......come home to me...!!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「……………ベアトが、 <br>\r\n……俺の家族を………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Beato did that... <br><br>\r\n...to my family......?\" <br><br>\r\n「……ふ、…………そうとも。 <br>\r\n\"...Hmph, ......as she says. <br><br>\r\n逃げも隠れもせぬわ。……妾が右代宮縁寿から家族を奪った。 <br>\r\nI will not run away or hide from it. ...I stole Ushiromiya Ange's family away from her.\" <br><br>\r\n戦人は妾の玩具よ！ その父親も母親も全て玩具よ。……そなたには返さぬわ。……永遠に独りぼっちで、帰らぬ家族の帰りを待って、彷徨い続けるがいいわ……！」 <br>\r\n\"Battler is my toy! His father and mother are both my toys. ...I won't give them back to you. ...You may continue to wander all alone forever, awaiting the return of a family that will never come back...!\" <br><br>\r\n抱き締める縁寿の腕から、…………たった一人残された妹の、……あまりに辛く悲しく、寂しい日々が、戦人の中に流れ込んでくる……。 <br>\r\nFrom Ange's arms that held him, ......the painful, sad days...that had been experienced by his lonely little sister...flowed into Battler... <br><br>\r\n……自分がこんなところで遊んでいたせいで、…………ひとり残された妹は、………こんなにも、…………辛い日々を……………！！ <br>\r\n...Because he'd been playing around in a place like this, ......his little sister had been left all by herself, ......had been forced to endure......all that pain......!! <br><br>\r\n「…縁寿、………縁寿………！！ くそ、……俺は、………何をやってたんだ………！！ ありがとうな、縁寿…。お兄ちゃんは、……大切なことをずっと忘れていた……！」 <br>\r\n\"...Ange, ......Ange......!! Damn, ...I......what am I doing......?!! Thanks, Ange... Your Onii-chan...has been forgetting something important this whole time...!\" <br><br>\r\n戦人は振り返ろうとするが、縁寿はものすごい力で戦人の頭にしがみ付いていて、振り返ることが出来なかった。 <br>\r\nBattler tried to turn around, but Ange was hanging onto his head with an incredible force, so he couldn't turn back. <br><br>\r\n……汗？ <br>\r\n...Was it sweat? <br><br>\r\n熱い雫がぼたりぼたりと戦人のうなじを濡らす。 <br>\r\nHot drops were splashing on the nape of Battler's neck. <br><br>\r\n……それの正体を、自分にしがみつく縁寿の腕を抱いていて、知る。 <br>\r\n...What they were...he knew from holding Ange's arm that clung to him. <br><br>\r\n………戦人の手を、指を、赤く染めたから。 <br>\r\n......Because it stained Battler's hand, his fingers, ...red. <br><br>\r\n「………血…、 <br>\r\n……え、縁寿？！ だ、大丈夫か？！ お、おい……？！」 <br>\r\n\"......Blood... <br><br>\r\n ...A-Ange?! A-Are you okay?! H-Hey...?!\" <br><br>\r\nそれは、ぼたりぼたりと、ぼたぼたと。 <br>\r\nIt dripped and splashed. <br><br>\r\n何が何やらわからない。 <br>\r\nHe didn't know what was going on. <br><br>\r\n戦人には振り向けないからわからないが、きっとこの背中全体に染みるこの熱い雫は全て、……血なのだ。 <br>\r\nBattler didn't know, because he couldn't turn around, but the hot drops that stained his entire back were surely...blood. <br><br>\r\n「…………お兄ちゃんを助けるために、 <br>\r\nここに来るために、 <br>\r\n唯一守らなきゃいけないルールが、 <br>\r\n……あったの…。…………それが、 <br>\r\n…………これ。………お兄ちゃんに、 <br>\r\n…………私が縁寿だと、 <br>\r\n………知られてしまう、 <br>\r\n……こと………。」 <br>\r\n\"......In order to save you, Onii-chan... <br><br>\r\n In order to come here, <br><br>\r\nthere was a single rule... <br><br>\r\nI had to follow... ......This... <br><br>\r\nis it. ...Letting you, Onii-chan, <br><br>\r\n...know... <br><br>\r\nthat I was... <br><br>\r\n...Ange......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n……辛かったよ………。 <br>\r\n...It was so hard...... <br><br>\r\nお兄ちゃんが目の前にいるのに、……それを口に出来ないなんて………。 <br>\r\nEven though Onii-chan was right before my eyes, ...I couldn't even say that...... <br><br>\r\nこのルールさえ守れば、……ずっと永遠にお兄ちゃんの側にいられるはずだった。 <br>\r\nAs long as I followed this rule, ...I should've been able to stay by Onii-chan's side for all eternity. <br><br>\r\n ………お兄ちゃんと一緒に、 <br>\r\n…魔女と戦うゲームを、 <br>\r\n……永遠に遊べるはずだった……。 <br>\r\n......I should've been able... <br><br>\r\nto play in the game against the witch... <br><br>\r\nfor eternity with Onii-chan... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「でも、 <br>\r\n………それじゃ駄目。 <br>\r\n\"But, <br><br>\r\n......that's no good. <br><br>\r\n…………お兄、 <br>\r\n……ッ、 <br>\r\n………ちゃんは、 <br>\r\n……帰らなきゃ。 <br>\r\n......Onii... <br><br>\r\nnnn... <br><br>\r\n...chan, <br><br>\r\n...you have to come back... <br><br>\r\n………お家で、 <br>\r\n……あなたの妹が待っているもの……。 <br>\r\n......Your sister's waiting for you... <br><br>\r\n...at home... <br><br>\r\n………それは私のことではないけれど、 <br>\r\n…………それで、あなたの妹は、 <br>\r\n…救われる………。」 <br>\r\n......That person isn't me, <br><br>\r\n ......but this way, your sister... <br><br>\r\nwill be saved......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「縁寿？！ 縁寿！！ こんなに血が…！！ <br>\r\n\"Ange?! Ange!! There's so much blood...!! <br><br>\r\nこんなに、こんなに！！」 <br>\r\nSo much, so much!!\" <br><br>\r\n振り向きたいが、縁寿に力強く頭を抱えられ、振り向けない。 <br>\r\nHe wanted to turn around, but Ange was gripping his head too tightly. <br><br>\r\nしかし、その溢れ出す血と縁寿の辛そうな息遣いで、彼女が今、大変なことになっていることは理解できた。 <br>\r\nHowever, judging by the blood that was pouring out and Ange's pained breathing, he realized that something seriously wrong was happening to her right now. <br><br>\r\n「…………気に…しないで………。……私は所詮、……駒だから……。………あのね、チェスではね、……サクリファイスって、言うんだって……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Don't...worry...... ...I am only...a piece... ......You know, in chess, ...they have this move called a sacrifice...\" <br><br>\r\n「サクリ、……何だって？！ <br>\r\n\"Sacri...what?! <br><br>\r\nそんなことはどうでもいい！！ 早く手当てを！！ この手を一度離すんだ、縁寿…！！」 <br>\r\nWho cares about chess?!! Let's get you some first-aid quickly!! Let go for a second, Ange...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………サクリファイスとは、捨て駒のことよ。戦略的展望のために、わざと損を承知で駒を見捨てることを言う…。」 <br>\r\n\"......A sacrifice...is an abandoned piece. For a tactical gain, you intentionally accept a loss and let a piece go...\" <br><br>\r\nチェスにおいての至上目的は相手に勝利すること。 <br>\r\n……だから、最終的にそれに結びつくならば、個々の駒の犠牲は問題にならない。 <br>\r\nIn chess, the ultimate goal is victory. <br><br>\r\n...So, if it can bring you to victory in the end, there's nothing wrong with sacrificing a few individual pieces. <br><br>\r\n縁寿は、冷静に判断したのだ。 <br>\r\nAnge had cooly made a decision. <br><br>\r\n………繰り返し、自分はプレイヤーではなく駒だと教えられてきた。 <br>\r\n……駒らしく振舞い、戦人を救うには、今、自らが捨て駒とならねばならないのだ。 <br>\r\n......She had been taught over and over again that she was a piece, not a player. <br><br>\r\n...In order to act like a piece and save Battler, right now, she would have to become a sacrificial piece herself. <br><br>\r\n…………戦人は、知らなければならない。 <br>\r\n......Battler had to know. <br><br>\r\nこの魔女のゲームの目的は、魔女をやっつけるなんて抽象的なものであってはならない。 <br>\r\nゲームに打ち勝ち、自らを解放し、家族を連れ帰らなければならないのだ。 <br>\r\nHis purpose in this witch's game couldn't be something as abstract as finishing off the witch. <br><br>\r\nHe had to win the game, release himself, and bring his family back home. <br><br>\r\nなぜ？ ………帰りを待っている、妹という家族がいるから。 <br>\r\nWhy? ......Because he had family, a little sister, who was waiting for him to come home. <br><br>\r\n右代宮縁寿の声を届けるために、生み出された存在。 <br>\r\nA being was created so that Ushiromiya Ange's voice could reach you. <br><br>\r\nそれが私、エンジェ・ベアトリーチェ…！！ <br>\r\nThat's me, ANGE Beatrice...!! <br><br>\r\n私という駒を生贄に、お兄ちゃんに戦う意思を、目的を！ <br>\r\nI'll sacrifice the piece I am to give to you the will to fight, to give you purpose! <br><br>\r\n私の目的はお兄ちゃんと永遠に魔女のゲームで遊ぶことじゃない！ <br>\r\nMy purpose isn't to play with you in a witch's game for all eternity! <br><br>\r\n私は右代宮縁寿の嘆きと悲しみを、あなたに届けに来たッ！ それこそが私の揺るぎ無い目的！ <br>\r\nI came to bring you Ushiromiya Ange's mourning and sadness! That is my unshakable purpose! <br><br>\r\n「………縁寿！！ 縁寿！！ うおおおぉおおおおおおぉ！！」 <br>\r\n\"......Ange!! Ange!! Aaaaaaaaaarrrghhh!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n戦人を抱き締めるその白くか細い腕は、……まるで蝋のように白く透き通っている。 <br>\r\nThe white, thin arm that held Battler...became pale and transparent, almost like wax. <br><br>\r\n…なのに鮮血が、あまりにも残酷に、それを染めている……。 <br>\r\n...And even so, the fresh blood...stained it so cruelly... <br><br>\r\n「…私は………、 <br>\r\n…もう消えちゃうけれど……。……お兄ちゃんは、がんばって戦って、 <br>\r\n………きっと、私のところへ <br>\r\n………帰ってきてね………。 <br>\r\n\"...I will...... <br><br>\r\n...disappear now, but... ...Onii-chan, fight with all you've got, <br><br>\r\n......and I'm sure, you'll... <br><br>\r\n...come back to me...... <br><br>\r\n…………待ってるよ、 <br>\r\n…………ずっと……………。……お兄ちゃんをもっといっぱい、手助けしてあげるつもりだったのに、 <br>\r\n……何も出来なかった。……ごめんね…………………。」 <br>\r\n......I'll be waiting, <br><br>\r\n......always...... ...I'd planned on helping you out a lot more than this, <br><br>\r\n...but I couldn't do anything. ...Sorry............\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「い、いいんだ……！！ お前は俺に、……教えてくれたじゃねぇか……！ どうして俺が、勝たなくちゃならないか…！ そして俺が、…絶対に勝って、お前のところに帰ってやらなくちゃ、って……！！ <br>\r\n\"D-Don't worry about that...!! You...taught me, didn't you...?! You taught me why I have to win...! And that...I've got to win for certain...and come back to you...!!\" <br><br>\r\n俺は、………何をこんなところでぼんやりと遊んでいたんだ……！！ あぁ、もうこんなところで遊んでなんかいないぞ…！！ 帰るからな、帰るからな！！ お土産持って、きっと帰るからなッ、約束する……！！！」 <br>\r\n\"What......am I doing, lazing about in a place like this...?!! Yeah, I won't play around anymore...!! 'Cause I'll come back, I'll come home!! I'll definitely come home, bringing a souvenir, I promise...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………いらないから、 <br>\r\n…………ひとつだけ約束して……。」 <br>\r\n\"......I don't need one, <br><br>\r\n......so promise me one thing...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「何だよ、何でも約束する…ッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"What? I'll promise anything...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……この手を、今から離すね……。痛かったでしょ……？ ぎゅっとしてて、 <br>\r\n………ごめんね………。………私は大丈夫だから、 <br>\r\n……振り返らなくていいから…。 ………だから最後にお兄ちゃんの、 <br>\r\n……一番かっこいいところを、 <br>\r\n……見せて………。……席を立って、 <br>\r\n……目の前の魔女を指差して、 <br>\r\n……ゲームの再開を宣言して………。」 <br>\r\n\"...In a second, I'm going to let go of this hand... It hurt, didn't it...? Sorry... <br><br>\r\nI held it so tightly...... ......I'm okay, <br><br>\r\n...so you don't have to turn around... ...So, ...in the end, <br><br>\r\n...let me see the coolest part of you, <br><br>\r\n...Onii-chan...... ...Rise from your seat, <br><br>\r\n...point at the witch before your eyes, <br><br>\r\n...and announce that the game will start up again......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n縁寿の手が、……するりと、 <br>\r\n………後へ消える。 <br>\r\nAnge's hand...slid... <br><br>\r\n...and disappeared behind me. <br><br>\r\nそこには、彼女の爪から滲んでいた血の指の跡がくっきりと残されていた…。 <br>\r\nThere were bloody fingerprints left behind, blurred by her fingernails... <br><br>\r\nしかし俺はすぐに振り返る。 <br>\r\n縁寿の怪我を手当てするために…！ <br>\r\nBut I turned around right away. <br><br>\r\nTo take care of Ange's wounds...! <br><br>\r\n「縁寿ええぇえぇッ、 <br>\r\nぇぇぇ…ぇ………、 <br>\r\n……………………。……縁寿…？」 <br>\r\n\"Angeeeeeeeee, <br><br>\r\neeee...ee...... <br><br>\r\n............ ...Ange...?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「あ〜あ、振り向いちゃ駄目って、約束したのにィ…。」 <br>\r\n\"Ah, crap, and you even promised that you wouldn't turn around...\" <br><br>\r\n「……え、……縁寿……………。ぁ、ぅ、…ど、どこへ……、」 <br>\r\n\"...A-Ange...... Nnn...wh-where...\" <br><br>\r\n俺の椅子の後には、 <br>\r\n………まるで、……血の詰まった西瓜をまとめて十個くらいを、 <br>\r\n……叩き潰したような、 <br>\r\n……ぐちゃぐちゃぼきゅぶぎゃの、 <br>\r\n……山があった…。 <br>\r\nBehind my chair, <br><br>\r\n......it was as though...about ten watermelons packed with blood... <br><br>\r\nhad been smashed, <br><br>\r\n...and there was a sticky, pulpy... <br><br>\r\nmountain... <br><br>\r\nそしてその血と挽き肉の山の周りに、 <br>\r\n……縁寿の着ていた服や靴が、……脱ぎ捨てたようにぐしゃぐしゃに潰れていた…。 <br>\r\nAnd around that mountain of blood and minced meat, <br><br>\r\n...the clothes and shoes Ange had been wearing...lay crumpled as though they'd been taken off and thrown away... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n……まるで、人間の中身だけを、磨り潰して捨てたかのように。 <br>\r\n...As though...just a human's insides had been pulverized and tossed there like scrap. <br><br>\r\n……ついさっきまでそこに立っていた縁寿をそのままに、潰してしまったかのように………。 <br>\r\n...As though Ange, who had been standing there until a second ago, had been crushed...... <br><br>\r\n「縁寿……？ <br>\r\n\"Ange...? <br><br>\r\nえ、……縁寿はどこだよ……？ 縁寿はどこに消えたんだよ……？ <br>\r\n...Wh-Where's Ange...? Where did Ange disappear to...? <br><br>\r\nお、おい！ <br>\r\nH-Hey! <br><br>\r\n縁寿はどこに消えたんだよ？！」 <br>\r\nWhere did Ange go?!\" <br><br>\r\n幼そうな二人の魔女は何も言わず、ただ無言で、………その血と肉と服の山を見ている。 <br>\r\nThe two young-looking witches said nothing......and just silently looked at the mountain of blood and meat and clothes. <br><br>\r\nでも、……俺は認めたくない。 <br>\r\n……絶対に認めたくないッ！！！ <br>\r\nBut...I didn't want to accept it. <br><br>\r\n...I definitely didn't want to accept it!!! <br><br>\r\n「………………妾は、そなたの正面で。………ずっと見ていた。 <br>\r\n\".........I was right in front of you. ......I was watching the whole time. <br><br>\r\nそなたの後で、縁寿が、………どうなっていくかを。」 <br>\r\nWatching what happened......to Ange behind you.\" <br><br>\r\n「……お、……お前は知ってるのか……？ ………縁寿は、…どこへ行ったんだ………。」 <br>\r\n\"...D-Do you know...? ......Where...did Ange go......?\" <br><br>\r\n「………生きながら。焼けたでっかいペンチで、ひと摘み、ひと摘み、 <br>\r\n……親指大の大きさに、全身の肉を引き千切って、 <br>\r\n……捨てていくんだよ。………妾は見ていた。魔女の窯で真っ赤に焼かれた無数の残忍な工具が、縁寿を後から、ひと摘みひと摘み、……肉を啄ばみ、捻り、引き千切り、……細切れにするのを見ていた。 <br>\r\n\"......While she still lived, pinch by pinch, massive, red-hot pincers... <br><br>\r\ntore chunks of flesh the size of a thumb off her... <br><br>\r\nand threw them away. ......I was watching. I saw as countless cruel tools, burned red-hot in the witch's furnace, approached Ange from behind, and one bit at a time, ...pecked at her, twisted her, ripped chunks off her, ...and tore her to pieces.\" <br><br>\r\n…………縁寿は誇っていい。兄と最後の言葉を交わすために、 <br>\r\n……その苦痛の喘ぎを、最後まで堪えたことを、 <br>\r\n……誇っていい。」 <br>\r\n\"......Ange should be proud. In order to share some last words with her brother, <br><br>\r\n...she stopped herself from gasping at that pain until the very end...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n……そんな、馬鹿なことがあっていいものか……。 <br>\r\n...As if something like that could have happened... <br><br>\r\n でも、……その肉と服の山の上に、 <br>\r\n……ちょこんと転がるのは、 <br>\r\n…………間違いなく、あいつが頭に付けていた、ピンクの珠の…髪飾りだ。 <br>\r\nBut...on top of that mountain of flesh and clothes, <br><br>\r\n...what had fallen there... <br><br>\r\n...was without a doubt, what she had been wearing on her head, those pink-jeweled...hair ornaments. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n正直、彼女にはちょっと子どもっぽ過ぎてあまりに似合ってないなと思っていた…。 <br>\r\nTo be honest, I'd thought they were a bit too childish for her and didn't suit her... <br><br>\r\n……だからよく覚えてる。 <br>\r\n...So I remembered them well. <br><br>\r\n……………縁寿は何だって、こんな安っぽい髪飾りをずっと……？ <br>\r\n......Why did Ange wear such cheap hair ornaments all the time...? <br><br>\r\nじゃなくてじゃなくて、……これが縁寿だなんて、 <br>\r\n……そんな、 <br>\r\n……、う、うぅうううぅぅ…！ <br>\r\nNo, no, ...the thought that this is Ange... <br><br>\r\n...couldn't possibly be... <br><br>\r\nuu, uuuuuuuuuu...! <br><br>\r\n「…………………ベアトも正直ね。」 <br>\r\n\".........You're pretty blunt, Beato.\" <br><br>\r\n「戦人には見えてなかったんだから、蝶々になって飛んでいったとか言って、誤魔化しちゃえばいいのに。」 <br>\r\n\"Battler didn't see it, so you could've just said she turned into butterflies and flew away, or something.\" <br><br>\r\n「……お、 <br>\r\n…お前らも、 <br>\r\n………そ、……それを、 <br>\r\n………見ていたのか……？ え、 <br>\r\n……縁寿が、 <br>\r\n……ばらばらに引き千切られていくところを、 <br>\r\n………見ていたのかよ…？ 見てて。………そんな、 <br>\r\n……平然とした顔を、 <br>\r\n……してたのかよ………？！」 <br>\r\n\"...Y- <br><br>\r\nYou guys also... <br><br>\r\n...s-saw... <br><br>\r\n...that happen...? Y- <br><br>\r\nYou saw... <br><br>\r\nAnge... <br><br>\r\nget torn into little bits...? You were watching, ......and yet, <br><br>\r\n...you stayed... <br><br>\r\nso calm the whole time......?!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nベルンカステルもラムダデルタも、そしてベアトリーチェも、何も答えず、じっと俺を、……ある者は憐れみ、…ある者は嘲笑うように、……見ている………。 <br>\r\nWithout answering, Bernkastel, Lambdadelta, and Beatrice stared at me, ...some in pity, ...others in derision, ...watching me...... <br><br>\r\n今までは、……グレーテルと名乗ってたから、前回のワルギリアのこともあって、ひょっとするとベアトの手先かもしれないと思って、味方ではあっても心を許さないように気をつけていた…。 <br>\r\nSince she'd called herself Gretel, and after what had happened with Virgilia in the last game, ...I'd thought she might be Beato's underling, and I'd been wary of her, not trusting her even though she was an ally... <br><br>\r\n そして、 <br>\r\n…………実は縁寿だったとわかったら、 <br>\r\n……その顔を見ることが許されなくて、 <br>\r\nAnd now, <br><br>\r\n......after learning that it truly was Ange, <br><br>\r\n...without even being allowed to see her face, <br><br>\r\n………振り返ったら、 <br>\r\n……こんな、 <br>\r\n………こと、 <br>\r\n………なんて、 <br>\r\n…………ぅううぅおおぉ………！ <br>\r\n......I turn around... <br><br>\r\nand find... <br><br>\r\nsomething... <br><br>\r\nlike this... <br><br>\r\n ......Aaaaaaaggghhh......! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「良いではないか。………妹のことなど。」 <br>\r\n\"Why does it matter? ......All this about your little sister.\" <br><br>\r\n「……な、……んだと…………。」 <br>\r\n\"...What...did you say......?\" <br><br>\r\n「どうせそなたは、永遠にここから帰れなどせぬわ。 <br>\r\n\"After all, you'll never return from this place for all eternity anyway. <br><br>\r\n………そなたが帰らぬ世界の妹など、どうなろうが知ったことではなかろうが。そなたがここで遊んでいる限り、無数の世界の縁寿が孤独となり、今の最期と同じ苦痛を、十年以上にもかけて薄めて、強いられる。 <br>\r\n......Whatever happens to your little sister in a world where you don't come home has nothing to do with you. As long as you play here, the Anges of countless worlds will live in isolation, and the same pain of her final moments just now will be forced upon her, spread over a period of more than a decade.\" <br><br>\r\n………だが、そんなことはどうでもいいことではないか。ここにいるそなたには視えない。観測できない。観測できない真実は、赤き真実を用いねば立証できない。 <br>\r\n\"......However, that is of no importance, correct? It cannot be `seen' by you from here. You cannot observe it. An unobservable fact cannot be proven except by the red truth.\" <br><br>\r\nだから、縁寿のその後の不幸は、そなたの杞憂かも知れない。…………案外、留弗夫の遺産で、のんびりと生涯働かずに暮らせてたりしてなぁ？ <br>\r\n\"Therefore, your anxiety over Ange's misfortune after this may be needless. ......She might, surprisingly, be able to live a casual life without ever having to work thanks to Rudolf's inheritance, right? <br><br>\r\nくっくっくくくくくくく…！」 <br>\r\n*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*...!\" <br><br>\r\n……それは、…嘘だ。 <br>\r\n...That's...a lie. <br><br>\r\n縁寿の腕から、その後の全ての悲しい世界が俺に、あの一瞬で流れ込んできたから。 <br>\r\nFrom Ange's arm, every part of that sad future world had poured into me in an instant. <br><br>\r\n 俺が、 <br>\r\n………こんなところで、 <br>\r\n………いつまでもぼんやりと、 <br>\r\n………遊んでいるから………！！ <br>\r\nAll because... <br><br>\r\nI keep on... <br><br>\r\nlazing about forever... <br><br>\r\nand playing in a place like this......!! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n……俺は、俺一人のことしか考えてなかった……。 <br>\r\n...I...never thought about anyone but myself... <br><br>\r\nこいつを倒し！ 家族を取り返して、……俺は留守をしている、縁寿のところへ、………一秒でも早く帰らなければ………！ <br>\r\nI must defeat her! I'll take back my family, back to where Ange's waiting, ...and come home as soon as I can......! <br><br>\r\nこうして魔女に付き合っている間にも、縁寿の心は、悲しみで細切れにされ続けているのだから…！！ <br>\r\nBecause even as I hang around with the witch like this, Ange's heart continues to be torn to bits by sadness...!! <br><br>\r\n「…………縁寿、……お前が見たかったのは、 <br>\r\n………これだよな……？」 <br>\r\n\"......Ange, is this... <br><br>\r\n...what you wanted to see...?\" <br><br>\r\n 俺は、……縁寿の無残な最期を淡々と語った、その残忍なる魔女をゆっくりと、 <br>\r\n……だけれども、 <br>\r\n……渾身の力で、 <br>\r\n……指差す……。 <br>\r\n...I turned towards the cruel witch who had indifferently spoken of Ange's brutal last moments, and slowly, <br><br>\r\n...yet with all my might, <br><br>\r\n...pointed... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「………ベアトリーチェ……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Beatrice...\" <br><br>\r\n「うむ。」 <br>\r\n\"Indeed.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………ゲームの、再開だ。 <br>\r\n\"......Resume this game. <br><br>\r\n………もう俺は逃げねぇし、……お前も逃がさない。」 <br>\r\n......I won't run away anymore, ...and I won't let you escape.\" <br><br>\r\n「望むところよ。妾はもはや、逃げも隠れも出来ぬわ。………妾とそなたの決着を、確実につけようぞ。 <br>\r\n\"Bring it on. I can no longer escape or hide. ......Let us decide this between you and me for good.\" <br><br>\r\n………どちらかが勝つ。どちらかが敗れて、滅ぶ。それ以外の結末は、存在しない。」 <br>\r\n\"......One shall win. One shall lose and be destroyed. No other resolution can exist.\" <br><br>\r\n「………俺は勝つ。どれほどの時間を掛けようとも、絶対にお前を打ち破る…！！ <br>\r\n\"......I'll win. No matter how long it takes, I'll definitely smash you...!! <br><br>\r\nこの勝負にもう妥協も中断も不戦敗もないッ！！ 俺は逃げない！ 逃がさない！！ <br>\r\nThere aren't gonna be any more compromises, interruptions or losses by default in this contest!! I won't run away! I won't let you get away!!\" <br><br>\r\n俺を本気で倒しに来いよ…！！ 下らない騙しも誤魔化しも、おかしな交流も馴れ合いも一切必要ないッ！！ お前と俺は敵同士…！！！ 一秒でも早く決着をつけて、………俺は縁寿のところへ家族を連れ帰らなきゃならないッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Try and defeat me with everything you've got...!! There's absolutely no need for stupid tricks and deceit, for intermingling and acting friendly!! You and I are enemies...!!! I have to settle this as soon as possible......and bring my family back to Ange!!!\" <br><br>\r\n……揺るぎ無き決意。 <br>\r\n…絶対の意思。 <br>\r\n...Unwavering resolve. <br><br>\r\n...Certain willpower. <br><br>\r\nニンゲンの絶対なる意思は絶対の魔力となる。 <br>\r\n……それは奇跡に通じ、それを約束する。 <br>\r\nThe certain willpower of a Human becomes certain magical power. <br><br>\r\n...That leads to a miracle...and promises that it shall be so. <br><br>\r\nそう、これは、約束された、~ib~絶対の奇跡~ib~。 <br>\r\nYes, this is a promised, ~ib~certain miracle~ib~. <br><br>\r\n………………妾の勝ちは百億にひとつも、 <br>\r\n.........Are my chances at victory not even one in a billion...? <br><br>\r\nいや………、~ib~ひとカケラの奇跡も絶対になく~ib~、 <br>\r\nありえぬということか。 <br>\r\nNo, shall it be ~ib~certainly impossible, without any Fragment of a miracle~ib~? <br><br>\r\n妾の足にはいつの間にか、音もなく、もう片方の足にも冷たく頑丈な鎖が絡みつき、この椅子に縛り付けている…。 <br>\r\nBefore I knew it, a cold, stiff chain had bound my other leg without a sound, tying me to the chair... <br><br>\r\n…………妾に残されたる運命は、戦人に殺され敗北することか、それを拒み、永遠に引き分けを繰り返すことのみ。 <br>\r\n......All that's left is to either be killed and lose to Battler...or resist and continue in an endless tie for all eternity. <br><br>\r\n……いや、殺されるための心の整理がつくまで、引き分けを繰り返すの間違いか。 <br>\r\n...Or perhaps I should say it's to continue tying until I've prepared my heart for death. <br><br>\r\nいずれにせよ、妾は。 <br>\r\nEither way, I... <br><br>\r\n………敗れるためだけに、戦わねばならぬ。 <br>\r\n......Must fight to lose, and nothing more. <br><br>\r\nもう永遠の鎖は妾を縛り付けた。 <br>\r\nそして戦人もまた、妾を逃さない。 <br>\r\nI have already been bound by the chains of eternity. <br><br>\r\nAnd Battler won't let me escape either. <br><br>\r\n……みっともなく許しを乞うか…？ <br>\r\n同情を乞うために、憐れみの心に訴えかけるか…？ <br>\r\n...Should I pathetically beg his forgiveness...? <br><br>\r\nShould I beg for compassion by appealing to his pitying heart...? <br><br>\r\n形振り構わず土下座して？ <br>\r\nShould I forget appearances and prostrate myself? <br><br>\r\n鎖のせいでそれも叶わぬわ。 <br>\r\n……チェックメイト。 <br>\r\nBecause of the chains, even that choice will not be granted me. <br><br>\r\n...Checkmate. <br><br>\r\nこれは完全なる詰めだ。 <br>\r\nThis is a perfect stranglehold. <br><br>\r\n……………………………だが。 <br>\r\n............However. <br><br>\r\n妾は、黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェ。 <br>\r\nI am the Golden Witch, Beatrice. <br><br>\r\n黄金郷に君臨したる黄金の魔王。 <br>\r\nThe demon lord of gold who reigns in the Golden Land. <br><br>\r\n敗れるための戦いであっても、妾には相応しき態度がある。 <br>\r\nEven in a fight to lose, there is an attitude fitting for me. <br><br>\r\nそして、妾には、妾に相応しき散り際を飾る権利がある。 <br>\r\nAnd I have the right to adorn my death in a manner suited to me. <br><br>\r\n「………妾とて同じよ。そなたに我が魔法を、存在を認めさせてこの島に黄金郷の扉を開く。そなたはその最初の茶会の主賓となるだろう。 <br>\r\n\"......I am no different. I'll make you accept the existence of my magic, and the door to the Golden Land will open on this island. You shall become the guest of honor at that first tea party.\" <br><br>\r\nそなた以外は全員がすでに揃っているぞ？ 主賓の到着が遅れているから、いつまでも茶会が開けない。 <br>\r\n\"Everyone besides you has gathered already, you see? Because the honored guest's arrival has been delayed, the tea party cannot begin.\" <br><br>\r\nそなたの父親も、母親も、いとこたちもみんなみんな、お前の到着を待ちくたびれているぞ。」 <br>\r\n\"Your father, mother, cousins and everyone else are getting tired of waiting for your arrival.\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁッ、上等だぜ、まったくにもって上等だッ！！ 何が魔法だ、何が魔女だ…！！ お前との遊びはこれまでだ！！ 行くぞ、ベアトリーチェ…！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Sure, that's perfect, that's just perfect!! What the hell is magic, what the hell are witches...?!! I'm done playing with you!! Here we go, Beatrice...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「存分に来るがよいぞ、妥協も中断も不戦敗もない。どちらかが勝ち、どちらかが滅ぶ。 <br>\r\n\"Come as hard as you can, for there will be no compromise, interruptions or losing by default. One shall win, and one shall be destroyed. <br><br>\r\nお前に負ける意思がないというなら、妾を倒すしかない、殺すしかない。 しかし、妾もむざむざと殺されはしない。妾に相応しき最期をそなたが用意できるまで、抵抗を繰り返すことが出来る。 <br>\r\nIf you have no desire to lose, then you must defeat me, kill me. However, I won't be killed so easily. Until you can prepare a fitting end for me, I can resist over and over again.\" <br><br>\r\nそなたにそれが出来るか？ ……いや、出来るだろう。必ず出来るさ。来いよ、殺しに。………………。 <br>\r\n\"Can you do that? ...No, you probably can. You surely can. Come on, come and kill me. ......\" <br><br>\r\n…………………やりにくいか？ ならばいつもの調子で行こう。…………………。 <br>\r\n\".........Is it that hard? Then let's go with the usual. .........\" <br><br>\r\n ひゃっははッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Hyahhaha!! <br><br>\r\n殺されるかよ、 <br>\r\nせめて勝てなくても、お前に勝ちを譲らない程度の嫌がらせは出来るんだぜぇえええぇ？！ <br>\r\nAs if I'd be killed! <br><br>\r\n Even if I can't win, I can at least harass you enough to stop you from snatching victory, riiiiiiiiiiiight?!\" <br><br>\r\nほぉ、いい面構えだ！ <br>\r\n\"Hoh, that's a good look on your face! <br><br>\r\n……くっくくくくっく、 <br>\r\n...*cackle*cackle*cackle* <br><br>\r\nうっひゃっはははははははは、 <br>\r\n Uhhyahhahahahahaha, <br><br>\r\nあーっきゃっきゃっきゃっきゃっきゃ！！ <br>\r\n*giggle*giggle*giggle*giggle*!!\" <br><br>\r\n殺してみろッ、 <br>\r\n殺してみろよォ、右代宮戦人ァあああああああぁあああぁああああああぁあうおおおおおおおあああああああああぁああぁぁあっぁぁあぁぁッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Try and kill me, <br><br>\r\ntry and kill me, Ushiromiya Battleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeroooooooooooooooooooohhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n………何が何だか、俺にはさっぱりだ。 <br>\r\n......I don't have a clue what's going on. <br><br>\r\n誰か俺にもわかるように、昨日何があったのか説明してくれ。 <br>\r\nPlease, someone explain in a way even I can understand...what happened yesterday. <br><br>\r\n俺は屋敷の厨房で、勝手にメシを頂戴している。 <br>\r\nI was in the kitchen of the mansion, grabbing some food without permission. <br><br>\r\nでかい業務用冷蔵庫を開けりゃ何でもある。 <br>\r\n何でも食い放題の飲み放題。 <br>\r\nIf you open up that massive business-class refrigerator, you can find anything. <br><br>\r\nYou can eat and drink as much as you like. <br><br>\r\n……台風が一週間は明けなくても、俺は充分食っていけるぜ。 <br>\r\n...Even if the typhoon didn't clear up for a week, I'd have more than enough to eat. <br><br>\r\n俺はワインを片手に、切り分けた生ハムをいただいてる。 <br>\r\nワインもハムも、一体いくらするんだろうな。 <br>\r\nWith wine in one hand, I was helping myself to some dry-cured ham. <br><br>\r\nI wonder just how expensive this wine and ham are. <br><br>\r\nあんたら食材もツイてないぜ。 <br>\r\n郷田さんに料理してもらえたなら、はるかにすごい料理に生まれ変われただろうに。 <br>\r\nYou ingredients are out of luck too. <br><br>\r\nIf only you'd had Gohda-san to cook you, you could've been reborn as much more incredible food... <br><br>\r\n時計を見る。 <br>\r\nもうじき、２４時になる。 <br>\r\nI looked at the clock. <br><br>\r\nVery soon, it would be 24:00. <br><br>\r\n１０月５日が、二日目が終わる。 <br>\r\nOctober 5, the second day, would end. <br><br>\r\n………昨日の、狂った１０月４日が嘘のようだ。 <br>\r\n......The insane October 4, yesterday, seemed like a lie. <br><br>\r\n…それくらいに、……俺へのテストとやらの後、何も起こらなかった。 <br>\r\n...That's how much...nothing had happened after that test thing. <br><br>\r\n何も起こらない。 <br>\r\nNothing happened. <br><br>\r\n電話も来ないし、手紙も来ない。 <br>\r\n誰も来ないし、誰にも襲われない。 <br>\r\nNo phone call came, and no letters came. <br><br>\r\nNo person came, and no one attacked me. <br><br>\r\n何にも起こりゃしない。 <br>\r\nNothing happened at all. <br><br>\r\n緊張してた分の時間と体力を返しやがれと悪態をつきたくなるくらいに、………その後、丸一日、かっきり２４時間。 <br>\r\nI wanna start demanding a refund on all the time and energy that tension stole from me, ......because after that, for an entire day, a full 24 hours... <br><br>\r\n……なぁんにもなかった。 <br>\r\n...Nooothing happened. <br><br>\r\nそしてきっと、この後も何も起こらないだろう。 <br>\r\nSo surely, nothing's gonna happen now. <br><br>\r\n………まさにかっきり２４時間前。 <br>\r\n......A full 24 hours ago... <br><br>\r\n…俺はベアトリーチェに、屋敷の玄関前に呼び出された。 <br>\r\n...Beatrice called me to the spot in front of the mansion's entrance. <br><br>\r\nそこで、当主跡継ぎを決めるとかいうおかしなテストを出された。 <br>\r\n俺は俺なりに真面目に答えたのだが、どうにも向こうと噛み合わない。 <br>\r\nThere, I was given a strange test to determine the Successor to the Headship or whatever. <br><br>\r\nI gave a serious answer in my own way, but it somehow hadn't meshed with the other side. <br><br>\r\nベアトリーチェは、勝手にヘソを曲げて黙り込んでしまった。 <br>\r\nBeatrice got pissed for no reason and fell silent. <br><br>\r\n俺が、ウンとかスンとか言ってみろと怒鳴っても、何も答えやしない。 <br>\r\nI yelled at her to try and say something, but she gave no answer. <br><br>\r\n真里亞はどこだと言ったら、礼拝堂へ行けとだけ答え、引っ込んでしまった。 <br>\r\nWhen I asked where Maria was, she just told me to go to the chapel and left. <br><br>\r\nまったくにもって、拍子抜けだった。 <br>\r\n……曲がりなりにもテストだったんなら、せめて合否くらい教えろってんだ。 <br>\r\nTo tell the truth, it was an anticlimax. <br><br>\r\n...No matter what kind of weird test you give, at least tell me whether I've passed or failed. <br><br>\r\nご苦労様です、結果は後ほど郵送いたしますってか？ ……ふざけやがって。 <br>\r\nAre you trying to say `Thanks for coming, your results will be mailed to you later' or something? ...Quit messing with me. <br><br>\r\nとにかく俺は礼拝堂へ向かった。 <br>\r\nAnyway, I then headed to the chapel. <br><br>\r\n……テストにしくじって、譲治の兄貴も朱志香も殺された。 <br>\r\n...After failing their tests, both George-aniki and Jessica were killed. <br><br>\r\n真里亞まで殺されるわけにはいかない。 <br>\r\nI couldn't let Maria get killed too. <br><br>\r\n……それに、真里亞を殺そうとしている何者かを、とっ捕まえるチャンスかもしれない。 <br>\r\n...Also, I might get a chance to catch some person trying to kill her. <br><br>\r\n礼拝堂は、近付いたら怒られると幼かった頃に朱志香にさんざん言われていたので、行ったことはないが、場所だけは知っていた。 <br>\r\nAs a little kid, I often heard from Jessica that you'd get in trouble if you went near the chapel, so I'd never been there, but I at least knew where it was. <br><br>\r\nそこに人の気配はなく、………その扉の前に、鍵束だけが落ちていた。 <br>\r\nI couldn't find any trace of a person there, ......but there was a key bundle lying in front of the door. <br><br>\r\nそれで礼拝堂の扉を開けろという意味なのかと思ったが、どれを試しても合わない。 <br>\r\nI thought this might be someone telling me to open the door, but after trying all the keys, I found that none of them fit. <br><br>\r\n真里亞の名を叫ぶが、返事はまったくなかった。 <br>\r\n礼拝堂の周りも探すが、真っ暗な中、懐中電灯で探すには無理もあった。 <br>\r\nI also called Maria's name, but there was no answer whatsoever. <br><br>\r\nI searched around the chapel, but there was a limit to what I could do in the pitch black with just a flashlight. <br><br>\r\n俺は、この鍵束がマスターキーの束で、屋敷の扉も開けるのではないかと気付く。 <br>\r\nI realized that this key bundle might be a set of master keys, which could make it possible to open the door to the mansion. <br><br>\r\n真里亞の気配もなかったので、屋敷に戻った。 <br>\r\nI found no sign of Maria, so I returned to the mansion. <br><br>\r\n屋敷は静寂に包まれていた。 <br>\r\nそして、酷い異臭も。 <br>\r\nThe mansion was wrapped in silence. <br><br>\r\nAnd, in a horrible stench. <br><br>\r\nしかし、人間の慣れってのはすごい。 <br>\r\nHowever, it's amazing how good humans are at adapting. <br><br>\r\n本来なら、この屋敷中にその臭いはまだ立ち込めているはずなのだ。 <br>\r\nThe inside of the mansion must still be wrapped up in that smell. <br><br>\r\nしかし、もうすっかり慣れちまって、気にならなくなってしまった。 <br>\r\nどっかの家がおかしな焼肉を焦がしたくらいにしか感じない。 <br>\r\nHowever, I grew completely used to it and stopped minding it. <br><br>\r\nIt didn't seem any worse than any old house where someone had burnt some meat. <br><br>\r\n最初は俺もその臭いに面食らったが、とにかく、食堂へ向かい、 <br>\r\nAt first, I was bewildered by the stench, but I decided to head to the dining hall for the time being... <br><br>\r\n……郷田さんたちが詳しく話すのを躊躇うほどの、気の毒な死体の数々を見つけた。 <br>\r\nand found those corpses that were so pitiful, Gohda-san and the rest had hesitated to speak of them in detail. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n一番最初の犠牲になった夏妃伯母さんたちの遺体だった。 <br>\r\nIt was the remains of Aunt Natsuhi and the others who'd become the first victims. <br><br>\r\n見事に全員が頭部を半分、ぶちまけられていて、俺に検死の知識がなくても、１００％の死亡を宣告できる惨いものだった…。 <br>\r\nHalf of each head had been completely split open, and it was so gruesome that even without knowing a thing about examining corpses, I could say that they were 100% dead... <br><br>\r\n……しかもその上、顔の残り半分はちゃんと残ってるんだから、身元確認まで容易に出来る。 <br>\r\n...And on top of that, the remaining halves of their faces were left like normal, so it was even easy to identify them. <br><br>\r\n…実に至れり尽くせりな死体だった。 <br>\r\n...Really convenient corpses, these were. <br><br>\r\nそして、その６人の遺体だけでなく、もう１人、遺体が増えていた。 <br>\r\nAnd in addition to those six bodies...was one more. <br><br>\r\n７人目の遺体は、…………真里亞だった。 <br>\r\nThis seventh corpse......was Maria. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n楼座叔母さんの遺体の傍らに、並んで眠るように、横たわっていた。 <br>\r\nShe lay next to Aunt Rosa, as though sleeping alongside her. <br><br>\r\n……………泣いたさ。 <br>\r\n......I cried. <br><br>\r\n無邪気な幼子の死に。そして、親父たちの無惨な死に様に。 <br>\r\nAt the death of an innocent young girl. And at the cruel way my dad and the rest had died. <br><br>\r\n帽子掛けの槍を振り回して、屋敷中を駆け回り、出てきやがれと叫んださ。 <br>\r\nI raced through the mansion swinging the hat-stand spear, yelling `Come out here, bastard'. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、人の気配はまったくない。 <br>\r\n...But I couldn't find any trace of anyone else. <br><br>\r\n……どこかに隠れていて、俺の背中から襲いかかろうって魂胆だろうと、隠れ場所を探し回ったり、慎重になったり、わざと隙を見せてみたりと色々試してみたが、猫の子一匹、現れりゃしなかった…。 <br>\r\nThinking they might be planning to hide somewhere and attack me from behind, I went around searching for hiding places, sometimes growing more cautious, and sometimes intentionally letting my guard down in various ways, but in the end, not even a kitten appeared... <br><br>\r\nそして、朝が来た。 <br>\r\nThen, morning came. <br><br>\r\n……緊張感と疲労感、そして眠さが入り混じった、最悪の夜明けだった。 <br>\r\n...My tension and fatigue combined with my drowsiness, making for the worst kind of dawn. <br><br>\r\n人間ってすげえもんだ。 <br>\r\nHumans are pretty incredible. <br><br>\r\n……殺人犯がどこに潜んでるかわからねぇってのに、自分の命の心配より、眠気と疲れを優先しやがる。 <br>\r\n...Even when a murderer might been hiding somewhere, we prioritize drowsiness and fatigue over our own lives. <br><br>\r\n……その頃にはもう、何だか馬鹿馬鹿しくなり始めていた。 <br>\r\n...By that time, I was starting to feel pretty ridiculous. <br><br>\r\n夜が明けるまで、６時間もたっぷり、俺は屋敷を歩き回り、姿を見せやがれと怒鳴って回っていたのだから。 <br>\r\nAfter all, for a full six hours before dawn, I'd walked around the mansion, yelling at the culprits to show themselves. <br><br>\r\n丹念に探したし、疲れて隙も晒した。 <br>\r\nそれでも、誰も襲いかかっては来ない。 <br>\r\nMy search had been a careful one, and I'd tired myself out and let my guard down. <br><br>\r\nEven so, no one came to attack me. <br><br>\r\nもう俺は呆れ果て、好きにしやがれとなったわけだ………。 <br>\r\nBasically, I lost patience with them and figured they could do whatever the hell they wanted...... <br><br>\r\n船は台風が通り過ぎるまで来ない。 <br>\r\n台風は明日には抜けるとテレビで言っているから、今日も丸一日時間がある。 <br>\r\nThe boat won't come until the typhoon passes. <br><br>\r\nThey said on TV that it won't pass until tomorrow, so I've got another full day today. <br><br>\r\nぼんやりとしているのも面白くなく、……俺は、きっと警察に怒られるだろうことを承知で、探偵ごっこを始めた。 <br>\r\nLazing about lost its interest, ...and even though I knew it would probably make the police mad, I decided to play detective a bit. <br><br>\r\nまず、一番最初の殺人が起こった、食堂。 <br>\r\nFirst was the dining hall, where the very first murder had occurred. <br><br>\r\n最初に殺された６人は、とにかくお気の毒だ。 <br>\r\nThe six who had been killed in the beginning really were pitiful. <br><br>\r\n……恐らく凶器は銃。 <br>\r\nマグナム弾とかショットガンとか、そういう強力なもので頭を砕かれたのではないか。 <br>\r\n...The weapon used was probably a gun. <br><br>\r\nMaybe their heads were split by something powerful, like a magnum bullet or a shotgun. <br><br>\r\n妥当な推理だった。 <br>\r\nIt was a reasonable theory to hold. <br><br>\r\nそれに比べたら、７人目の遺体である真里亞は、遥かにマシな綺麗な死に方をしていた。 <br>\r\nCompared to that, the seventh corpse, Maria, had died in a much better and cleaner way. <br><br>\r\n一見したところ、外傷はなく、どうやって殺されたのかはわからない。 <br>\r\nAt a glance, I could see no external wounds and didn't understand how she'd been killed. <br><br>\r\nしかし、口元から泡を吐き出したような痕跡があり、それはテレビドラマなどで見るような、典型的な毒殺の死体のように見えた。 <br>\r\nBut by her mouth were traces of bubbles that she might've spat out, and it looked like a typical death by poisoning that you might see in a TV drama. <br><br>\r\n真里亞は、礼拝堂に呼び出されてテストを受けたのでは…？ <br>\r\nWasn't Maria called out to the chapel and given a test...? <br><br>\r\n……それがどうしてこの死体だらけの食堂にいて、母親の脇に並んで、死んでいるのか……？ <br>\r\n...So why was she in the corpse-filled dining hall, lying next to her mother, dead...? <br><br>\r\nもし仮に毒物が死因だとしたなら、……それは誰に与えられたのか。 <br>\r\nEven if the cause of death was poison, ...who gave it to her? <br><br>\r\n着衣に乱れはない。 <br>\r\nHer clothes weren't disturbed at all. <br><br>\r\n無理やり押さえつけられて、毒物の注射を受けたとは考え難い。 <br>\r\nIt's hard to imagine that she was forcibly pushed down and given an injection of poison. <br><br>\r\n………毒のカプセルか何かを与えられ、飲まされたと考える方が妥当だろう。 <br>\r\n......It's probably better to assume that she was given a capsule of poison or something and made to swallow it. <br><br>\r\nしかし、この部屋に散らばる乱暴に破壊された死体に比べれば、真里亞の死体は綺麗過ぎる。 <br>\r\nBut compared to the scattered and violently mutilated corpses in this room, Maria's corpse was too clean. <br><br>\r\n銃なら引き金を引くだけでいい。しかし毒殺は、飲ませるにしろ注射するにしろ、はるかに手間が掛かる。 <br>\r\nIf they had a gun, they only needed to pull the trigger. But poisoning, whether by having her drink it or by an injection, would take a lot more effort. <br><br>\r\n犯人の凶暴性から考えても、明らかに真里亞の死だけは別格の扱いを受けているように思われた。 <br>\r\nConsidering the culprit's brutal nature, you'd think Maria's death alone was given special treatment. <br><br>\r\nなぜ真里亞にだけ、眠るような死が与えられたのか。 <br>\r\nWhy was only Maria given a sleep-like death? <br><br>\r\n………殺されたという意味においては、気の毒であることは間違いないのだが、……なぜか真里亞だけ、その殺し方が、とても丁寧なような印象を受けた……。 <br>\r\n......True, being killed is always a pitiful thing, ...but for some reason, Maria's death alone seemed very courteous to me... <br><br>\r\n真里亞の手は、死者がそうするかのように、お腹の上で両手を組まれている。 <br>\r\nBoth of Maria's hands were joined on her chest, as though the dead person had put them there herself. <br><br>\r\n……死ぬ間際に真里亞が自らそうしたのだろうか……？ <br>\r\n……普通、こういうのは、死後に誰かがするものではないのか……？ <br>\r\n...Did Maria do that herself before dying...? <br><br>\r\n...Isn't this usually something done by someone else after the person dies...? <br><br>\r\n頭部を半分砕かれた母親と、添い寝をするように、安らかに眠る真里亞。 <br>\r\nAs though sleeping with her mother, whose head was half crushed, Maria dozed in peace. <br><br>\r\n……その対比は、なぜかとても気になった。 <br>\r\n...For some reason, that contrast really bugged me. <br><br>\r\n死因も含めて、真里亞の死は多くの謎に包まれているだろう…。 <br>\r\nIncluding the direct cause, it's probably safe to say that Maria's death is shrouded in mystery... <br><br>\r\nそして何よりも。 <br>\r\nAnd more than anything else. <br><br>\r\nこの食堂で最大の謎は、……「落とし穴」だった。 <br>\r\n……蔵臼伯父さんたちも、そして郷田さんたちも口にした、「落とし穴」だ。 <br>\r\nThe biggest mystery of this dining hall...was the `pitfalls'. <br><br>\r\n...The `pitfalls' that both Uncle Krauss's group and Gohda-san's had mentioned. <br><br>\r\n６人が殺された後、さらに５人が「落とし穴」に落ちて捕らわれた。 <br>\r\nAfter the first six were killed, five more fell through `pitfalls' and were captured. <br><br>\r\n………落とし穴って何だ。 <br>\r\nがばっと開いて落ちる、あれだよな……？ <br>\r\n......What are pitfalls? <br><br>\r\nThose things that suddenly open and you fall through them, right...? <br><br>\r\n床にはしっかりと、くたびれてはいるが貫禄ある絨毯が敷かれている。 <br>\r\nThe room had a solid floor with a carpet that looked dignified, if a bit worn out. <br><br>\r\n……どう見ても一枚物だ。 <br>\r\n...No matter how you looked at it, it was single piece. <br><br>\r\n落とし穴が開くってんなら、ちゃんとそこだけ切れ目が入れてあるってことになる。 <br>\r\nIf a pitfall had opened up, there would have to be a seam just in that place. <br><br>\r\n……それに、落とし穴なんて細工があったら、あるけばギシギシとか、音を立てるんじゃないか？？ <br>\r\n...And, if there had been some trick like a pitfall, wouldn't it creak when you walked on it?? <br><br>\r\nいくら歩き回り、絨毯を撫で回してみても、とても落とし穴が隠されているとは思えない。 <br>\r\nNo matter how much I walked around, feeling the carpet, I just couldn't imagine that a pitfall was hidden here. <br><br>\r\n第一、ひとりの人間を落とすならともかく、５人も落としてる。 <br>\r\nAnyway, it'd be one thing if a single person fell, but a full five people did. <br><br>\r\n……彼らの話を総合する限り、彼らの落下地点はそれぞれ違うわけで、少なくとも５ヶ所は落とし穴が隠されてることになる。 <br>\r\n...By putting together everyone's stories, each one of them had fallen from a different location, so at the very least, there had to be five separate places with pitfalls. <br><br>\r\n……………ってことは何だ。 <br>\r\n......So what does this mean? <br><br>\r\nこの部屋は実は、全ての床が落とし穴に出来るようになっていて、ボタンひとつで好きな場所に落とし穴が開けるとか、……そういう構造なのか？？ <br>\r\nWas this room actually made with pitfalls across the entire floor, so by pushing a button, you could open up a pitfall in the location of your choice, ...some kind of contraption like that?? <br><br>\r\n忍者屋敷もびっくりの、とんでもないカラクリだ。 <br>\r\nThat kind of ridiculous mechanism would be surprising even in a ninja mansion. <br><br>\r\n……それでもこの話を親父たちが聞いたなら、“祖父さまならやりかねない、作りかねない”ということになるのだろうか。 <br>\r\n...But if Dad and the rest had heard about this, I wonder if they'd say `I wouldn't put it past Grandfather to do it, to make it'. <br><br>\r\n……とにかく、食堂ではそれ以上の、何もわかりはしなかった。 <br>\r\n...At any rate, I didn't learn anything more from the dining hall. <br><br>\r\n落とし穴は存在しないのか。それとも、存在しているけれども、素人の俺には発見できないだけなのか。 <br>\r\nその判断はつかない。 <br>\r\nDo the pitfalls not exist? Or do they exist, but I just can't find them, amateur that I am? <br><br>\r\nI can't say for sure. <br><br>\r\n彼らが、あったと主張する以上。……俺に発見できなくても、その存在を無視することは出来ないのだ……。 <br>\r\nSince they claimed that the pitfalls were there, ...I can't ignore them, even if I can't find them... <br><br>\r\nその次に殺されたのは、朱志香と譲治の兄貴だ。 <br>\r\nThe next ones to be killed were Jessica and George-aniki. <br><br>\r\n譲治の兄貴については、俺のテストで呼び出された時に発見している。 <br>\r\nI'd discovered George-aniki when I'd been called out for my test. <br><br>\r\n薔薇庭園の東屋に呼び出され、……多分、銃で、眉間を撃たれた。 <br>\r\nHe had been called out to the arbor in the rose garden...and, probably, shot in the forehead with a gun. <br><br>\r\n朱志香は屋敷の２階の、自分の部屋に呼び出された。 <br>\r\nJessica had been called to her own room on the second floor of the mansion. <br><br>\r\n朱志香の部屋には鍵が掛かっていた。 <br>\r\nしかし、俺にはマスターキーがあるから何も問題はない。 <br>\r\nThe door to her room was locked. <br><br>\r\nBut that wasn't a problem at all, since I had a master key. <br><br>\r\nそして室内は、………ひどい有様だった。 <br>\r\nInside the room, ......it was horrible. <br><br>\r\n…でも、食堂でもうお馴染みの死体だから、……多少は免疫もあった。 <br>\r\n...But after the dining hall, I was used to corpses, ...so I'd built up a bit of an immunity. <br><br>\r\n受話器が外れて、ぶら下がっている。 <br>\r\n……俺との電話中に、殺されたのだろうか。 <br>\r\nThe phone receiver was loose and dangling. <br><br>\r\n...Had she been killed while still on the phone with me? <br><br>\r\n朱志香はすぐその脇の壁に寄りかかるようにして、 <br>\r\n……頭部を半分、ブチまけている。 <br>\r\nJessica was leaning against the wall right next to it, <br><br>\r\n...with half of her head split open. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nこの状況を見る限りなら、……まるで、電話中に殺されたように見える。 <br>\r\nAs far as I could tell by glancing at the scene, ...it looked as though she'd been killed while on the phone. <br><br>\r\nなら、犯人は目の前にいたのだろうか？ <br>\r\nIn that case, had the culprit been right there before her eyes? <br><br>\r\n………電話の向こうの朱志香の声には、そのような感じはなかった。 <br>\r\n......I hadn't gotten that impression when listening to Jessica's voice over the phone. <br><br>\r\n朱志香は確か、……「やられちまったぜ。」と、そう言った。 <br>\r\nI'm pretty sure Jessica said... `They got me'. <br><br>\r\n電話の時点で、すでに瀕死の重傷を負っていたと見るのが妥当だろう。 <br>\r\nIt's probably best to assume that she'd already received a fatal wound at the time of the phone call. <br><br>\r\nそうだ、そしてこうも言った。 <br>\r\nThat's right, and she also said this. <br><br>\r\n「戦人が来た時には、私は頭を半分ブチまけた死体だよ。」、そうだ、そう言った。 <br>\r\n\"When you come, Battler, I'll be a corpse with half of its head split open.\" Yes, that's what she said. <br><br>\r\n………朱志香の死体を見る限り、頭部損壊以外に外傷はない。 <br>\r\n......From what I could tell by looking at Jessica's corpse, there were no wounds on her other than the damage to her head. <br><br>\r\n死を覚悟するような重症を負い、電話の最中に死亡したと？ <br>\r\nCould she have had an injury serious enough to make her prepared for death, and then died halfway through the phone call? <br><br>\r\nしかし電話の口調では、朱志香はとりあえず、難を逃れていたように思う。 <br>\r\n目の前に犯人がいたら、のんびり電話なんか出来ないはずだ。 <br>\r\nBut the way she'd talked on the phone made me think that she'd escaped harm for the time being. <br><br>\r\nYou shouldn't be able to have a casual conversation over a phone if the culprit's right before your eyes. <br><br>\r\nでは、電話中に犯人が来て、朱志香を殺した…？ <br>\r\nSo, did the culprit come in partway through the phone call and kill Jessica...? <br><br>\r\n………いや、それはない。 <br>\r\nなぜならこの部屋が施錠されていたからだ。 <br>\r\n......No, that can't be right. <br><br>\r\nAfter all, this room was locked. <br><br>\r\n……いや、そんなこと当てになるものか。 <br>\r\n...Wait, that doesn't tell me anything. <br><br>\r\n……犯人が犠牲者の誰かから、マスターキーを奪っていたなら、施錠なんて何の意味もないのだから。 <br>\r\n...If the culprit stole a master key from one of the victims, locking the door would be meaningless. <br><br>\r\nしかし、頭部以外に外傷はない。 <br>\r\nBut she had no external wounds other than her head. <br><br>\r\n………となれば、死を覚悟する外傷と、実際に頭部を損壊させた外傷は異なるもので２回あり、それらがいずれも同じ部位に対して行なわれた、……と考えるべきだろうか。 <br>\r\n......In that case, should I assume that the fatal wound she was prepared to die from and the actual external wound that damaged her head were two different things, and that both of them were made to the same part of the body? <br><br>\r\nつまり、朱志香は頭を強烈に殴られ、ものすごい大怪我をした。 <br>\r\nIn other words, Jessica was struck severely to the head...and received an incredibly bad wound. <br><br>\r\nそして俺に電話を掛け、……そのまま気を失ったか、あるいは死亡した。 <br>\r\nThen she called me...and either lost consciousness or died while on the phone. <br><br>\r\nそこへ犯人がやってきて、改めて頭部を破壊した、とか。 <br>\r\nThen, the culprit came and damaged her head again, ...something like that. <br><br>\r\nこの部屋に呼び出された朱志香はここで犯人に襲われ、大怪我をした。 <br>\r\nAfter being called to this room, Jessica was attacked by the culprit and received a serious injury. <br><br>\r\nそして、犯人は殺したと思い、一度は立ち去る。 <br>\r\nThen, the culprit thought she'd been killed...and went away for the time being. <br><br>\r\n……しかし朱志香は奇跡的に息を吹き返し、俺に、まさにダイイングメッセージとなる電話を掛ける。 <br>\r\n...But Jessica miraculously started breathing again...and called me with what would become her dying message. <br><br>\r\nそして殺し損ねていたことに気付き、犯人が大慌てで戻ってきて、大量出血で意識を失った朱志香にトドメを……。 <br>\r\nThen, the culprit realized that they'd failed to kill her...and rushed back to deliver the final blow after Jessica fell unconscious from massive blood loss... <br><br>\r\n……………それで一応の筋は通る。 <br>\r\n......That seems to add up, more or less. <br><br>\r\n朱志香がなぜ、そのトドメによる死因を正確に予見できたのかを除けば。 <br>\r\nExcept for how Jessica was able to accurately predict the nature of that final blow. <br><br>\r\nそして、朱志香からの電話にはもうひとつ、気になる部分があった。 <br>\r\nAnd, there was one more thing that bugged me about the phone call from Jessica. <br><br>\r\n朱志香はこう言ったんだ。 <br>\r\nJessica had said this... <br><br>\r\n「譲治兄さんも駄目だった。ありゃあ、即死だ。」と。 <br>\r\n\"George nii-san's done for too. That was...an instant death.\" <br><br>\r\n……まるで、譲治の兄貴が殺されるところを目撃したかのような言い方だった。 <br>\r\n...She said it almost as though she'd witnessed George-aniki being killed. <br><br>\r\nしかし、朱志香の部屋の窓からは、確かに薔薇庭園は見えるものの、譲治の兄貴が呼び出された東屋は、………屋根を認められはするものの、かなり遠い。 <br>\r\nBut while you certainly could see the rose garden from the window in Jessica's room, and you could even see the roof of the arbor where George-aniki had been summoned, ......it was very far away. <br><br>\r\n台風の夜であったことを加味すれば、この窓から東屋での一部始終が目撃できたとは、とても思えない。 <br>\r\nAdd on the fact that it was the night of a typhoon, and it's very hard to imagine that she was able to witness everything that happened by the arbor from this window. <br><br>\r\n……そして何よりも。 <br>\r\n...And more than anything else. <br><br>\r\n朱志香は譲治の兄貴より先に出発している。 <br>\r\nだから、譲治の兄貴のテストが東屋で行なわれたことを、知らないはずなのだ。 <br>\r\nJessica left before George-aniki. <br><br>\r\nSo she shouldn't have known that George-aniki's test took place by the arbor. <br><br>\r\nどうして朱志香は、譲治の兄貴が殺されたことを、……知っていたんだ……？ <br>\r\nWhy did Jessica know...that George-aniki had been killed...? <br><br>\r\n…………そして、屋敷全体の捜索の中で、霧江さんの死体も見つけた。 <br>\r\n......Also, during my search of the entire mansion, I found Kyrie-san's corpse as well. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n一階の奥の、古い客室の一室だった。 <br>\r\nIt was in one of the old guest rooms, at the back of the first floor. <br><br>\r\nかつてゲストハウスが建てられる前は、親族たちはここに泊まっていた。 <br>\r\nIn the past, before the construction of the guesthouse, the relatives had spent the night in these. <br><br>\r\n……霧江さんの状況も、朱志香とそっくりだった。 <br>\r\n...Kyrie-san's situation matched Jessica's perfectly. <br><br>\r\n俺との電話中に殺されたのだろう。 <br>\r\n受話器がだらしなくぶら下がり、……その脇に霧江さんが、倒れている。 <br>\r\nShe'd probably been killed during her phone call with me. <br><br>\r\nThe receiver was hanging untidily, ...and Kyrie-san lay crumpled in that corner. <br><br>\r\nしかし、殺され方が朱志香のそれとは大きく異なった。 <br>\r\nBut the way she had been killed was very different from Jessica. <br><br>\r\n頭部を砕かれてはいない。 <br>\r\nHer head wasn't smashed. <br><br>\r\n……その代わりに、額に、オカルトめいた装飾の、杭のようなものが打ち込まれている。 <br>\r\n...Instead, a stake with an occult design was buried into her forehead. <br><br>\r\n……あまりに惨く、……俺はそれを引き抜いた。 <br>\r\n...It was so gruesome, ...so I pulled it out. <br><br>\r\n後で警察に怒られるかもしれないとは、抜いてから気がついた。 <br>\r\nだから今さらのようにではあるが、霧江さんの脇に、それを置く。 <br>\r\nAfter pulling it, I realized that this might get me into trouble with the police later. <br><br>\r\nSo, a little too late, I set it down by Kyrie-san's side. <br><br>\r\nその先端は鋭く、脳まで完全に届くほどに、血に塗れていた。 <br>\r\nIts tip was sharp and stained with enough blood that it must have penetrated fully to the brain. <br><br>\r\n何の金属で出来てるか知らないが、文鎮並の重さもあった。 <br>\r\nI didn't know what kind of metal it was made of, but it was about as heavy as a paperweight. <br><br>\r\n確かにこんなもので思い切り刺されたら、大怪我をするかもしれない。 <br>\r\nCertainly, if you were stabbed all-out with something like this, it might cause a terrible wound. <br><br>\r\n………この杭の意味を、俺は多分、理解していた。 <br>\r\n......I...probably knew what that stake meant. <br><br>\r\n……これは、あれだ。 <br>\r\n...It's one of those. <br><br>\r\n魔女の碑文の、第四の晩以降の殺し方。 <br>\r\n……杭で抉りて殺せ、というヤツだろう。 <br>\r\nThe style of killing from the fourth twilight onwards in the witch's epitaph. <br><br>\r\n...It's probably that `gouge with a stake and kill' thing. <br><br>\r\nしかし、人間の頭蓋骨は頑丈だ。 <br>\r\nHowever, a human skull is very firm. <br><br>\r\n………いくら思い切り力を込めたからといって、こうも鋭く貫けるだろうか……？ <br>\r\n......No matter how much someone mustered their strength, could it really have been pierced so neatly...? <br><br>\r\n違う。 <br>\r\nNo. <br><br>\r\n……俺の推理では、この杭は死因ではなく、死後の死体損壊に使われただけだ。 <br>\r\n...By my reasoning, this stake wasn't the cause of death, but had just been used to damage the corpse after death. <br><br>\r\nおそらく、譲治の兄貴と同じで、銃か何かで撃たれて殺されて、………その銃痕の穴に、この杭を捻じ込んだのではないか。 <br>\r\nShe was probably killed with a gun or something, like George-aniki, ......and the stake had been stuck into the hole left by the gun. <br><br>\r\n……そう考えた方がすっきりとした。 <br>\r\n...Thinking of it that way makes it easier to accept. <br><br>\r\nしかし、……霧江さんは、本当に銃で殺されたのだろうか。 <br>\r\nBut...was Kyrie-san really killed with a gun? <br><br>\r\n電話でも言っていたが、霧江さんは、施錠して部屋に閉じ篭っていたにもかかわらず、攻撃を受けていた。 <br>\r\nAs she said on the phone, even though she was holed up inside a locked room, Kyrie-san was being attacked. <br><br>\r\n実際、この部屋は施錠されていた。 <br>\r\nIn fact, this room had been locked. <br><br>\r\n……そして、……鍵穴から、黄金の糸のようなものが飛び込んできて、襲ってくるというようなことを言っていた。 <br>\r\n...Also, ...she mentioned a golden thread or something flying in and attacking her. <br><br>\r\n確かに霧江さんの死体の周辺には、四ヶ所ほど、その攻撃によるものと思われる穴が開いている。 <br>\r\nIn fact, there were four places around Kyrie-san's corpse with holes that could have been caused by some kind of attack. <br><br>\r\n …………しかし、 <br>\r\n……鍵穴から、 <br>\r\n………黄金の糸が襲って…？ <br>\r\n......But... <br><br>\r\na golden thread attacked her... <br><br>\r\n...through the keyhole...? <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n霧江さんの目線から、扉を見る。 <br>\r\nI looked at the door from Kyrie-san's perspective. <br><br>\r\nよく、古いミステリー映画に出てくるような、向こうが覗けるというタイプの古い鍵穴だったなら、何かが突き抜けてくるかもしれないというのはわかる。 <br>\r\nIf it had been one of those old keyholes you see in old mystery movies, where you can peek through to the other side, then it would've clearly been possible to stick something through it. <br><br>\r\nしかし、この屋敷の扉は、いくら古めかしいとはいえ、鍵は一般家庭でお馴染みの、平均的なシリンダー型だ。 <br>\r\nBut even though the doors in this mansion were old-fashioned, the locks were the familiar, average cylinder style that you could find in any normal house. <br><br>\r\n……つまりその構造上、貫通はしていない。 <br>\r\n...In other words, they weren't constructed in a way that would let you penetrate through them. <br><br>\r\nだから鍵穴から、どんなに細い何かであったとしても、外から貫いて何かが襲ってくることは考えられないのだ。 <br>\r\nSo no matter how thin an object you might try to stick through the keyhole, it's unthinkable that something penetrated through from the outside and attacked. <br><br>\r\n………シリンダー錠。 <br>\r\n......A cylinder lock. <br><br>\r\n………鍵穴………？ <br>\r\n......And a keyhole......? <br><br>\r\nそれでも霧江さんは、鍵穴から黄金の糸のようなものが飛び込んできて、……くるくる回りながら狙ってくる、攻撃してくると、……確かにそう言った。 <br>\r\nBut despite that, Kyrie-san definitely said that something like a golden thread had flown in through the keyhole, ...spun around while aiming for her, and attacked her... <br><br>\r\n“鍵穴から襲ってくる黄金の糸”。 <br>\r\n`A golden thread attacking through a keyhole'. <br><br>\r\n………それが何を意味するのか、……俺にはまったく理解できない。 <br>\r\n......I couldn't understand what it meant at all. <br><br>\r\nいや、でも。 <br>\r\n……霧江さんは多分、俺がこれらを理解できないだろうと、予見していた。 <br>\r\nBut, even so... <br><br>\r\n...Kyrie-san probably predicted that I wouldn't be able to understand all this. <br><br>\r\nそれは霧江さんだけじゃない。 <br>\r\n朱志香の電話でも言っていた。 <br>\r\nAnd it wasn't just Kyrie-san. <br><br>\r\nJessica said it over the phone too. <br><br>\r\n……いや、遡れば、一番最初の、郷田さんたちの話と蔵臼伯父さんたちからの電話でも、みんな一貫して同じことを言っている。 <br>\r\n...No, since the very beginning, from the time we talked with Gohda-san and Kumasawa-san and got the phone call from Uncle Krauss's group, ...everyone has said the same, consistent thing. <br><br>\r\n………祖父さまが魔女や悪魔を呼び出し、魔法で人を殺している。 <br>\r\n......Grandfather summoned witches and demons...and is killing people with magic. <br><br>\r\nそれをまさに目の前で見せ付けられた。 <br>\r\n何の誤魔化しもまやかしもない。 <br>\r\n信じるほかない。 <br>\r\nThey'd been shown that right before their eyes. <br><br>\r\nThese weren't tricks or fakes. <br><br>\r\nThere was no choice but to believe it. <br><br>\r\n……彼らは異口同音に、そう言った。 <br>\r\n...With one voice, they had all said that. <br><br>\r\n俺も、あのベアトリーチェと名乗った謎の女が現れた時には、ヤツが本当に魔女で、山羊のバケモノを次々に呼び出すのではないかと、かなり信じていた。 <br>\r\nWhen the mystery woman calling herself Beatrice appeared, even I had pretty much believed that she was a real witch and might start summoning goat monsters right and left. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、丸一日も放置されて、緊張感がすっかり解けてしまうと。そんなバカなことが絶対にあるわけがないと思えるのだ。 <br>\r\n...However, after being left alone for a whole day, my feeling of tension had faded completely. I was now able to think that something so stupid definitely couldn't be true. <br><br>\r\n命が危険に晒された異常な状況下で、ちょっと頭が混乱して、魔女が魔法で襲ってきたかのような、そんな勘違いをしてしまったのではないか。 <br>\r\nDid they lose their heads a little in an extraordinary situation where their lives were exposed to danger.........and mistakenly think that a witch was attacking them with magic? <br><br>\r\n…………しかし、複数の人間が同じように証言し、その上、全員の意見が食い違わない。 <br>\r\n......But multiple people gave the same kind of testimony, and on top of that, none of their opinions conflicted each other. <br><br>\r\n……ひとりだけの発言だったなら、何かの見間違いだろうと疑うところなのだが、………それがあまりに、難しい……。 <br>\r\n...If it had just been a single statement, I'd be able to suspect that they just didn't see what they thought they saw, ...but doing that now is pretty...difficult... <br><br>\r\nそして、裏口扉のすぐ近くで、頭部を半壊している蔵臼伯父さんを見つけた。 <br>\r\nThen, right next to the back door, I found Uncle Krauss with his head half smashed. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n……九羽鳥庵の地下牢から逃げ出してきて、秘密の地下道から何とかここまで逃げ延びたのに、……殺されてしまった。 <br>\r\n...Even though he'd escaped the dungeon of Kuwadorian...and somehow made it this far by a secret underground passage, ...he had been killed. <br><br>\r\nその半壊した頭部の、残酷な断面に、……霧江さんの額に打ち込まれていたのと同じような、オカルト装飾の杭が捻じ込まれている。 <br>\r\nBuried into the gruesome cross-section of his half-crushed head...was a stake with an occult design, like the one that had been buried into Kyrie-san's forehead. <br><br>\r\nさすがにこの状況では、この杭が凶器だとは到底思えない。 <br>\r\nAnd in this situation, it was very hard to imagine that this stake was the weapon used. <br><br>\r\n……食堂の６人と同様の、強力な銃器などで殺し、その死後に霧江さんのように、この杭を突き刺したのだ。 <br>\r\n...He had been killed with a powerful gun like the six in the dining hall, and after death, had been jabbed with a stake like Kyrie-san. <br><br>\r\n霧江さんの言う、黄金の糸が、蔵臼伯父さんにも襲い掛かったのだろうか。 <br>\r\nI wonder if the golden threads that Kyrie-san spoke of attacked Uncle Krauss too. <br><br>\r\n内視鏡のようなものすごく細いけれども、自在に動かせるような道具でも存在するのだろうか………？ <br>\r\nDoes there exist some kind of tool, like an endoscope, that's very thin but can be moved about at will......? <br><br>\r\nしかもそれで人を襲えるような……？ <br>\r\n馬鹿な。そんな道具、聞いたこともない。 <br>\r\nAnd that can also attack people...? <br><br>\r\nNo way. I've never heard of anything like that. <br><br>\r\nしかしそれでも、……それを親族の誰かに打ち明けたなら、「祖父さまなら作りかねない」ということになってしまうのだろうか…。 <br>\r\nBut even so, ...if this fact had been revealed to one of the relatives, maybe they'd say `I wouldn't put it past Grandfather to make it'... <br><br>\r\n自在に動かせ、人を襲える黄金の糸Ｘの存在を否定できない以上、その摩訶不思議な凶器を認めるか、さもなくば、……魔法殺人を認めざるを、得なくなる。 <br>\r\nSince I can't deny the existence of golden thread X that can be moved at will and attack people, I can either accept that this mysterious weapon exists, or else...I'll have to accept that this was a murder committed with magic. <br><br>\r\n次の死体を見つけるには、勝手口から出て、表を少しだけ探し回る必要があった。 <br>\r\nTo find the next corpse, I had to go out through the back door and search around outside a bit. <br><br>\r\n裏手の、ほとんど森に飲み込まれた荒れ果てた茂みに、古い井戸のようなものがあり、 <br>\r\nBehind the mansion, in the wild-grown bushes that were almost swallowed up by the forest, there was something like an old well, <br><br>\r\n……そのすぐ近くに、南條先生と紗音ちゃんの死体があった。 <br>\r\n...and right next to it...were Doctor Nanjo and Shannon-chan's corpses. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n二人の死体も、頭部を砕かれている。 <br>\r\nBoth corpses had their heads smashed. <br><br>\r\n……そして、突き刺さってこそはいなかったが、損壊した頭部のすぐ近くに、杭がそれぞれ置かれている。 <br>\r\n...And, though they weren't stuck in, there were stakes lying right next to each damaged head. <br><br>\r\n……惨いのは誰も一緒だが、紗音ちゃんの可愛らしい顔が半分吹き飛んでいるのを正視するのは、とても辛かった……。 <br>\r\n...Each corpse was atrocious, but having to look directly at Shannon-chan's lovely face, which had been half blown away, was very painful... <br><br>\r\nそして、井戸だ。 <br>\r\nThen, there was the well. <br><br>\r\nその奥に、謎の屋敷、九羽鳥庵への秘密の地下道があるという。 <br>\r\nI'd heard that inside it was a secret underground passage to the mysterious mansion, Kuwadorian. <br><br>\r\n…この頃には、ひょっとするとベアトリーチェ一味は、この地下道を使って、九羽鳥庵に立ち去ってしまっているのではないかと思い始めていた。 <br>\r\n...By this time, I'd begun to think that Beatrice and her accomplices might've used this underground passage...and left for Kuwadorian. <br><br>\r\n１０人以上はいると思わしき連中が、これだけ影も形もないのだ。 <br>\r\nEven though there had apparently been at least ten of them, I hadn't seen a trace of anyone. <br><br>\r\n……別の場所へすでに脱出していると考えるのが極めて妥当だろう。 <br>\r\n...It seemed very likely that they'd already escaped to a different location. <br><br>\r\nこの台風だ。 <br>\r\n海へは出られない。 <br>\r\nThere's the typhoon. <br><br>\r\nThey can't go out to sea. <br><br>\r\n森だって同じだ。 <br>\r\nこんな深い未開の森を、徒歩で横断など出来るわけがない。 <br>\r\nIt goes the same for the forest. <br><br>\r\nThere's no way they could traverse such a deep, uncultivated forest on foot. <br><br>\r\nとなれば、連中の行き先はひとつ。 <br>\r\nIn that case, they had only one place to go. <br><br>\r\n謎の隠し屋敷、九羽鳥庵。 <br>\r\nThe mysterious hidden mansion, Kuwadorian. <br><br>\r\n……井戸の底の秘密の地下道だ…！ <br>\r\n...Through the secret underground passage at the bottom of the well...! <br><br>\r\n……敵に出くわせば殺されるかもしれないという恐怖感は、この頃には完全に失われていた。 <br>\r\n...By this time, I had entirely lost my fear of being killed if I happened to come across the enemy. <br><br>\r\nふざけやがって…！ <br>\r\nDon't fuck with me...! <br><br>\r\n今度は俺が貴様らの屋敷に乗り込んでやる…！ <br>\r\nThis time I'll storm into your mansion...! <br><br>\r\n「………あ……、…な、何だこりゃ…？！ ち、……畜生ッ…！！」 <br>\r\n\"......Ah, ...wh-what the hell...?! ...D-Damn it...!!\" <br><br>\r\nその古井戸には、頑丈な蓋がされていた。 <br>\r\nThe old well had a firm cover on it. <br><br>\r\nその蓋は鉄格子で出来ている。 <br>\r\n格子の隙間は２０ｃｍ四方あるかどうか。中を覗きこむことは出来るが、とても人間が通り抜けられるようなものではなかった。 <br>\r\nThe cover was an iron grill. <br><br>\r\nThe gaps between the bars were perhaps 20 centimeters across. You could peer inside, but it really wasn't something a human could pass through. <br><br>\r\n何も知らなかったなら、単なる転落防止用の蓋にしか思わなかったろう。 <br>\r\nIf I hadn't known better, I wouldn't have thought it anything more than a simple cover to prevent falls. <br><br>\r\n……しかし俺は、霧江さんに聞かされているから、この奥にある秘密の地下道への侵入者を防ぐためのものだと知っている…！ <br>\r\n...But from what Kyrie-san had told me, I knew that its purpose was to prevent intruders from entering the secret underground passage in its depths...! <br><br>\r\nしかしその蓋は非常に頑丈に固定されていて、どんなに押しても引いても、決して外すことが出来ない。 <br>\r\nBut the cover was extremely firm and rigid, and no matter how much I pushed or pulled, I couldn't even get close to opening it. <br><br>\r\n一見、施錠らしきものは見当たらない。 <br>\r\nひょっとすると、何かの仕掛けで閉ざされているかもしれない。 <br>\r\nI couldn't find any obvious lock. <br><br>\r\nIt might be sealed by some mechanism. <br><br>\r\nしかし、いくら調べても、それを解除するような何かは見つけられなかった。 <br>\r\nBut no matter how much I investigated it, I couldn't find anything to release it. <br><br>\r\n………霧江さんが、最期の瞬間を賭して俺に伝えてくれた最大の情報が、この井戸の地下道なんだ…！ <br>\r\n......The biggest piece of information Kyrie-san had tried to give me, gambling her final moments, ...was the underground passage in this well...! <br><br>\r\n「こんな蓋程度で俺を阻めると思うんじゃねぇぜ…！ <br>\r\n\"Don't think I'll be stopped by something like this cover...! <br><br>\r\nこいつをブチ壊してやる…！ その道具を探そう…！」 <br>\r\nI'll smash it to bits...! I'll search for a tool...!\" <br><br>\r\n心当たりはあった。 <br>\r\nI had an idea. <br><br>\r\n……郷田さんたちを園芸倉庫に閉じ込めた時、そこに色々な工具がしまわれていたのを、見ていたから。 <br>\r\n...After all, I'd seen the various tools in the gardening shed when we'd locked Gohda-san and Kumasawa-san in there. <br><br>\r\nしかし、園芸倉庫のシャッターは閉ざされている。 <br>\r\nその上、鍵は中で死んでいる郷田さんに預けられている。 <br>\r\nBut the shutter to the gardening shed was locked. <br><br>\r\nOn top of that, the key was with Gohda-san, who was dead on the inside. <br><br>\r\n……つまり、この園芸倉庫は密室。 <br>\r\n外から開く方法はないのだ。 <br>\r\n...In other words, this gardening shed was a closed room. <br><br>\r\nThere's no way to open it from the outside. <br><br>\r\nなら、シャッターを、破らなければならない。 <br>\r\nそのための工具がどこかにないものか。 <br>\r\nIn that case, I've got to break the shutter. <br><br>\r\nThere has to be a tool for that somewhere. <br><br>\r\n……何だか本末転倒な話だ。 <br>\r\n...Kinda feels like I'm going in circles here. <br><br>\r\nそしてそれを探す途中で、屋敷にずっと漂っていた異臭の発生源が、地下のボイラー室であることを知った。 <br>\r\nThen, while searching for that, I learned that the source of the stench that had permeated the mansion this whole time...was the underground boiler room. <br><br>\r\nボイラー室は薄暗く、蒸し暑く、凄まじい臭いで、その上、ものすごく薄気味悪かった。 <br>\r\nThe boiler room was dimly lit, humid, smelled horrible, and on top of all that, was incredibly creepy. <br><br>\r\nしかしそこには大型の工具の類が多数あり、防火斧や巨大な番線カッターなどを見つけることが出来た。 <br>\r\nBut there were several large tools there, and I managed to find a fire axe and some massive wire cutters. <br><br>\r\nそして、…………祖父さまの死体も。 <br>\r\nAnd......Grandfather's corpse. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nいや、厳密には、多分、祖父さまと思われる人物の焼死体を発見した、というべきだろう。 <br>\r\nNo, strictly speaking, I should probably say that I found a burnt corpse of a person who was probably Grandfather. <br><br>\r\nボイラーの燃え盛る炎の中に、誰かの死体が詰め込まれていたのだ……。 <br>\r\nSomeone's corpse had been stuffed into the blazing fires of the boiler... <br><br>\r\nしかし、偶然にも俺は、その死体の足の指の数に気付くことが出来た。 <br>\r\nHowever, by coincidence, I was able to notice the number of toes on the corpse. <br><br>\r\n……両足とも、６本の指を持っているのだ。 <br>\r\n...Both feet had six toes. <br><br>\r\n……そう、俺は昔どこかで親父に聞かされていたかもしれない。 <br>\r\n祖父さまは多指症で、足の指が多い、みたいな話を。 <br>\r\n...That's right, I think I heard it from Dad some time long ago. <br><br>\r\nSomething about Grandfather having polydactyly, with extra toes. <br><br>\r\n右代宮家の古い習慣では、指が多い人物には吉があるとかで、縁起が良いとされていたらしい。 <br>\r\nAccording to old Ushiromiya family tradition, it seems that those with extra fingers or toes had some kind of good fortune and were treated as a good omen. <br><br>\r\n……何でも祖父さまは、そのせいで、次期当主に抜擢されたとか何とか………。 <br>\r\n...And because of that, Grandfather was selected to be the Successor or something...... <br><br>\r\nしかし、足の指の数だけで、祖父さまの死体だと確認しても良いのだろうか。 <br>\r\nBut I wonder if I can be certain this is Grandfather's body just from the number of toes. <br><br>\r\n何しろ、祖父さまは犯人グループのリーダー格のはず。 <br>\r\nAfter all, Grandfather was supposed to be the leader of the group of culprits. <br><br>\r\nそれがこんなところでボイラーにブチ込まれて死んでるなんて、さっぱり理解が出来ない。 <br>\r\nI didn't have a clue why he'd get stuffed into a boiler in a place like this and die. <br><br>\r\n炎の中で凄まじい臭いを吐き出しながら焦がされる、謎の死体。 <br>\r\nA mysterious corpse, burning and spitting out a terrible stench amid the flames... <br><br>\r\n……その正体が祖父さまであるならば、…………犯人グループのリーダーは、祖父さまではなく、やはりあの、ベアトリーチェ……？ <br>\r\n...If it really was Grandfather, ......did that mean that the leader of the group of culprits wasn't Grandfather, but that Beatrice after all...? <br><br>\r\n祖父さまは都合よく使われ、最後に切り捨てられた、ということなのだろうか。 <br>\r\nGrandfather was used because he was convenient...and was then thrown away? <br><br>\r\n………残念ながら、祖父さまにその釈明の機会は、与えられそうになかった…。 <br>\r\n......Unfortunately, it didn't look like I'd be given a chance to hear Grandfather's side of the story... <br><br>\r\n工具を得た俺は、さっそく井戸の蓋の破壊に挑戦しようとしたが、その前に園芸倉庫のシャッターを破ることにした。 <br>\r\nNow that I had obtained a tool, I thought about rushing to take on the cover to the well, but I decided to break the shutter to the gardening shed first. <br><br>\r\n……どうせ時間は腐るほどある。 <br>\r\n...I had plenty of time to kill anyway. <br><br>\r\n郷田さんたちの死体の状況も、確認しておくべきだと思ったのだ。 <br>\r\nI figured I should check on the condition of Gohda-san's and Kumasawa-san's corpses. <br><br>\r\n斧で殴りつけてシャッターを破り、その隙間から番線カッターを突っ込み、ジョキジョキと鋏の要領で穴を開ける。 <br>\r\nI hit the shutter with the axe, breaking into it, stuck the wire cutter into the crack, and scissored it around, opening up a hole. <br><br>\r\nそして、郷田さんと熊沢さんの死体と、俺は再び対面した……。 <br>\r\nThen, I faced Gohda-san and Kumasawa-san's corpses once more... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nその結果、新しい事実がわかる。 <br>\r\nAs a result, I learned a new fact. <br><br>\r\nまず、二人は首を吊って死んでいるのではなかった。二人の足はちゃんと床についている。 <br>\r\nFirst, they had not died by being hung by the neck. Both of their feet were solidly on the floor. <br><br>\r\n……そして二人の額には、銃で撃たれたような跡があった。 <br>\r\n...And on both of their foreheads were signs that they'd been shot with a gun. <br><br>\r\nロープの長さは一般的な首吊りを考えると、かなり長めに取られている。 <br>\r\nThe loop seemed longer than a normal noose. <br><br>\r\nその上、二人の身長に合わせて長さが変えてあった。 <br>\r\nOn top of that, the length was different on each to match the height of each person. <br><br>\r\nつまり、背の高い郷田さんも背の低い熊沢さんも、どちらもちゃんと地面に足がつくことが出来るギリギリになるように、長さが調整してあったということだ。 <br>\r\nIn other words, the lengths had been adjusted so that both Gohda-san, who was tall, and Kumasawa-san, who was short, had their feet solidly but barely on the ground. <br><br>\r\nまた、そのロープに体重を預けて俯いている二人は、どちらも膝から下が少し余っている。 <br>\r\nAlso, while the ropes carried both of their weights as their heads lolled, both of them had some slack below their knees. <br><br>\r\nこれは二人がこのロープを首に掛けて直立したなら、長さが余ることを意味している。 <br>\r\nThis meant that if they'd stood up with these loops around their necks, there would've been some extra length. <br><br>\r\nつまり、首を吊るためのロープとしては、少々不適格だということだ。 <br>\r\nIn other words, these loops wouldn't have been that great for hanging people. <br><br>\r\n多分、直接の死因は頭部への銃撃。 <br>\r\nThe direct cause of death was probably a shot to the head. <br><br>\r\n惨いものだ。その深い穴からはどろりと未だに中身が溢れ出し、二人の顔を真っ赤に汚している。 <br>\r\nIt was gruesome. Their insides were still dripping out from those gaping holes, staining their faces a deep red. <br><br>\r\nそしてそれを首吊りのようにして引っ張り上げ、晒し者にした、と考えるのが妥当だろう。 <br>\r\nIt's probably best to assume that they were then hung, pulled up, and left exposed like that. <br><br>\r\n……もし、銃で撃たれたなら、床に突っ伏しているだろう。 <br>\r\n...If they'd been shot with a gun, they would probably have been lying down on the floor. <br><br>\r\n……そうだったなら、窓から覗いても、死んでいることがわからない。 <br>\r\n荷物の山が邪魔で、横になられたら隠れてしまうのだ。 <br>\r\n...If that had been the case, you wouldn't have been able to tell they were dead even if you peeked through the window. <br><br>\r\nThe mountain of stuff would've gotten in the way, so if they'd been lying down, they would've been hidden. <br><br>\r\n中に入れない俺たちに、この二人の死を知らしめるには、こうして吊るし、外からわかるようにしなくてはならない。 <br>\r\nTo make the deaths of these two known to the rest of us who couldn't go inside, they would've had to hang them like this, making it visible from the outside. <br><br>\r\n………これは、……鍵を預ければ二人は安全に違いないと思っていた俺たちへの、……当てつけ……？ <br>\r\n...Was this...done to get back at us for thinking that those two would surely be safe if we left the key with them...? <br><br>\r\n彼らの安全を保証したはずの、郷田さんに預けたシャッターの鍵はどこにあるのだろう…。 <br>\r\nI wonder where the shutter key we gave Gohda-san, which should've ensured their safety, is now... <br><br>\r\nその鍵は、………彼のズボンのポケットに入っていた。 <br>\r\nご丁寧にも、園芸倉庫の鍵とプレートまで付いている。 <br>\r\nThat key...was in the pocket of his trousers. <br><br>\r\nThe gardening shed key had been kindly left there, and even the plate was attached. <br><br>\r\nつまり、やはりこの園芸倉庫は密室だったわけだ。 <br>\r\nIn other words, the gardening shed had been a closed room after all. <br><br>\r\nそして、それはさらなる疑問を生む。 <br>\r\nAnd that gave rise to another question. <br><br>\r\n……なぜなら、首吊りが説明できないからだ。 <br>\r\n...Because this can't be explained by a hanging. <br><br>\r\n彼らが自殺したわけでなければ、この首吊りロープは犯人の細工だ。 <br>\r\nIf they didn't commit suicide, then those nooses were set up by the culprit. <br><br>\r\n……銃撃は窓からでも可能かもしれないが、この梁にロープを二人分も結びつけるのは外部からではとても出来るとは思えない。 <br>\r\n...It might have been possible to shoot them through the window, but it's really unthinkable that someone could've tied two loops to the beam from the outside. <br><br>\r\nしかもその上、重い死体の吊り上げなど、出来るわけもない。 <br>\r\nつまり、これらの作業のために、この中へ入らなければならないのだ。 <br>\r\nAnd furthermore, there's no way they could've lifted up the heavy corpses. <br><br>\r\nIn other words, to do all of this, they would've had to go inside. <br><br>\r\nしかしその鍵は郷田さんのポケットに入っているし、シャッターは施錠されたままだった。 <br>\r\nBut the key was in Gohda-san's pocket, and the shutter had been locked. <br><br>\r\nつまり園芸倉庫は密室だったのだ。 <br>\r\nIn other words, the gardening shed had been a closed room. <br><br>\r\nこのシャッターの鍵はひとつしかないと郷田さんは言っていた。 <br>\r\nGohda-san had said that there was only one key to this shutter. <br><br>\r\n……しかし本当は複製があり、 <br>\r\n……それを犯人が所有していた、ということはありえないだろうか……？ <br>\r\n...But is it possible that there was a copy... <br><br>\r\nand that the culprit was in possession of it...? <br><br>\r\n郷田さんが知らなかっただけで、実は園芸倉庫の鍵が複数あった、とする仮定さえ許されるなら、これは密室でも何でもない。 <br>\r\nIf we're allowed to theorize that there actually was a duplicate of the gardening storehouse key...and that Gohda-san just didn't know about it, then this isn't even close to a closed room. <br><br>\r\n………しかしそれでも、他の死体のほとんどは、みな銃殺されて、ほぼそのままの形で放り出されているにもかかわらず、なぜこの二人の死体だけは、わざわざ吊るし上げられているのか。 <br>\r\n......But why is it that, despite the fact that almost all of the other corpses were shot to death and left almost completely alone, just these two corpses were intentionally hoisted up? <br><br>\r\nそこにわずかの違和感を覚えなくもなかった……。 <br>\r\nI couldn't help but feel something a bit odd about that... <br><br>\r\nこれで、ボイラーの中の謎の死体を祖父さまだと仮定すれば、……１６人の死体が確認されたわけだ。 <br>\r\nAfter this, if we assume that the mystery corpse in the boiler was Grandfather's, ...the deaths of 16 people have been confirmed. <br><br>\r\nこの島には１８人いた。 <br>\r\n俺がいて、死体が１６。 <br>\r\nThere were 18 people on this island. <br><br>\r\nI'm here, and there are 16 corpses. <br><br>\r\n嘉音くんの死体だけが、まだ確認できていない。 <br>\r\nKanon-kun's corpse is the only one I haven't been able to confirm. <br><br>\r\n霧江さんの話では、彼は井戸を登っている時に殺されて、そのまま井戸の底に転落している。 <br>\r\nAccording to Kyrie-san, he had been killed while climbing out of the well...and had fallen down into it. <br><br>\r\nだから、こうして井戸を閉ざされてしまったら確認は不可能なわけだ。 <br>\r\nSo with the well closed up like this, it's impossible to check. <br><br>\r\n格子の間から懐中電灯で、井戸の底の暗闇を照らしてみる。 <br>\r\nI tried shining a flashlight through the bars, down into the darkness in the depths of the well. <br><br>\r\nだが、漆黒の闇は、その程度の灯りでは、俺に深淵を教えるつもりはさらさらないようだった…。 <br>\r\nBut it seemed that the jet-black darkness had no intention of showing me its depths with a light of that level... <br><br>\r\nやはり、この格子蓋を破壊しなくてはならない。 <br>\r\nIt looked like I'd have to break the bars after all. <br><br>\r\n俺は、ボイラー室や園芸倉庫から引き摺ってきた斧などで、井戸の蓋の破壊を試みた。 <br>\r\nUsing the axes and things I'd dragged from the boiler room and the gardening shed, I tried breaking the cover of the well. <br><br>\r\nだが、金属製の格子の非常に頑丈なもので、破壊は容易なものではなかった。 <br>\r\nBut the metal bars were extraordinarily sturdy, and breaking them wasn't easy. <br><br>\r\n……斧で何度も殴りつけ、手の方がおかしくなってしまい、とうとうその破壊を諦める……。 <br>\r\n...I hit them with the axe over and over, until my hands started feeling weird, and eventually gave up on breaking them... <br><br>\r\n……無理だ。 <br>\r\nせめて木製だったなら、破壊も出来ただろう。 <br>\r\n...It's impossible. <br><br>\r\nIf they were at least wood, I might've been able to break them. <br><br>\r\nしかし、金属製じゃなぁ…。 <br>\r\nBut this metal... <br><br>\r\nそう、鉄格子を人間の力でバターのように切断など、出来るわけがないのだ。 <br>\r\nThat's right, there's no way you can slice through metal bars like butter with a human's strength. <br><br>\r\n……嘉音くんの鉄格子切断の話も、……まったく理解できないものだった。 <br>\r\n...I can't even begin to understand...that story about how Kanon-kun cut through metal bars. <br><br>\r\n腕から、赤いレーザー光線のような光を伸ばして、それで鉄格子を、バターでも切るように切断してみせたという。 <br>\r\nI heard that a light like a red laser beam grew out of his arm...and that he sliced through the metal bars like he was cutting through butter. <br><br>\r\n鉄格子を、バターでも切るかのように…？ <br>\r\nCutting through metal bars like butter...? <br><br>\r\n……赤いレーザー光線とは何だろう。 <br>\r\n...And what's with the red laser beam? <br><br>\r\nバーナーのようなものをこっそり持っていて、それで焼き切ったという意味ではないのだろうか……？ <br>\r\nDoes that mean he secretly had a burner on him or something...and used that to burn through the bars...? <br><br>\r\nしかし、鉄格子をバターを切るように、とは………一体、どんなレーザーなのか。 <br>\r\nStill, just what kind of laser......could cut through metal bars like butter? <br><br>\r\n…まるで、俺が子どもの頃に大好きだった、ロボットアニメに出てくるようなレーザー光線そのものじゃないか。 <br>\r\n...It almost sounds like the kind of laser beam you'd find in those robot anime I'd loved as a kid, doesn't it? <br><br>\r\nそんなものが、本当に実在するのか……？ <br>\r\nそして嘉音くんはどうやってそのレーザー光線を……？ <br>\r\nDoes something like that actually exist...? <br><br>\r\nAnd how did Kanon-kun get that laser beam...? <br><br>\r\nそれを聞きたくても、彼はすでに殺されている。 <br>\r\nNo matter how much I want to ask him, he's already been killed. <br><br>\r\nそれどころか、死体すらも、この蓋の奥、井戸の底だ。 <br>\r\nPlus, even his corpse is now in the depths of the well, beyond this cover. <br><br>\r\n鉄格子を切断できた嘉音くんなら、きっとこんな金属製の蓋だって一撃だろう。 <br>\r\nIf Kanon-kun could slice through metal bars, I'm sure he could handle this metal cover in a single swing. <br><br>\r\n……何だか、さっきの鍵を持ってる郷田さんが園芸倉庫の中に閉じ込められているという密室にそっくりだ。 <br>\r\n...It...feels just like the closed room Gohda-san was locked in while holding the key. <br><br>\r\n扉を開けられる唯一の人物が、にもかかわらず、中に閉じ込められている……。 <br>\r\nOnly one person can open the door, but they're locked inside... <br><br>\r\n……俺にも、嘉音くんのその力があれば、この蓋を何とか出来るのに……。……………………………。 <br>\r\n...If only I had that power of Kanon-kun's, I'd be able to do something about this cover myself............... <br><br>\r\n嘉音くんは何者だろう。 <br>\r\nJust who is Kanon-kun? <br><br>\r\nまさか本当に、……不思議な力が使えるニンゲン外の存在なのだろうか。 <br>\r\nHe couldn't really be...a non-Human being capable of using a strange power, right? <br><br>\r\n霧江さんも魔女を信じろといったし、そうだと名乗るイカレた女にも会っている。 <br>\r\nKyrie-san told me to believe in witches, and I even met an insane woman calling herself one. <br><br>\r\n…嘉音くんはひょっとして、 <br>\r\n……魔女側の人間…？ <br>\r\n...Could Kanon-kun possibly be... <br><br>\r\na human on the witch's side...? <br><br>\r\n……むしろ、 <br>\r\n………犯人？ <br>\r\n...Or else, <br><br>\r\n......the culprit? <br><br>\r\n…………何てこった。 <br>\r\n......What the heck. <br><br>\r\n……死体が発見できないだけで、…犯人扱いだなんて。 <br>\r\n...Am I gonna start treating him like the culprit...just because I can't find his corpse? <br><br>\r\nほぅ、……死体がないだけで犯人扱い…？ <br>\r\n疑わしきはシロだとほざいたのは誰だったやら……。 <br>\r\nHoh, ...treating him like the culprit because there's no corpse...? <br><br>\r\nAnd who was the one babbling about the suspicious being innocent...? <br><br>\r\n………良かろう、嘉音に全ての犯行を押し付けて人間犯人説にされては敵わぬ。 <br>\r\n......Very well, I couldn't bear having you push all the crimes on Kanon and building a human culprit theory that way. <br><br>\r\n妾が赤にて保証する…。 <br>\r\nI will guarantee it with the red... <br><br>\r\n#ff0001嘉音は死亡している。#ffffff <br>\r\n#ff0001Kanon is dead.#ffffff <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n#ff0001霧江たち５人の中で、一番最初に死亡した。 <br>\r\n#ff0001Among the five people in Kyrie's group, he was the first to die. <br><br>\r\nつまりは、９人目の犠牲者というわけだ。#ffffff <br>\r\nIn short, he was the 9th victim.#ffffff <br><br>\r\n「……死体がない以上、……嘉音くんが死亡しているとは、 <br>\r\n…断言できない。」 <br>\r\n\"...Since there's no corpse, ...I can't say for sure... <br><br>\r\nthat Kanon-kun is dead.\" <br><br>\r\n妾が赤で囁いたところで、駒であるそなたには届かぬか……。 <br>\r\nSo, my whispering in red does not reach the piece you... <br><br>\r\n………~ib~そなた~ib~には、届いたよな………？ <br>\r\n......But it did reach ~ib~you~ib~, right......? <br><br>\r\n一見、魔法としか思えない不思議な何かによる、大量殺人。 <br>\r\nAt a glance, this was a mass murder due to something strange that could only be thought of as magic. <br><br>\r\n……鍵穴から襲い来る黄金の糸。 <br>\r\n...Golden threads that attacked through key holes. <br><br>\r\nいや、食堂での６人殺しの時も、黄金の何かが飛び回っていたという証言がある。 <br>\r\nNo, we even have testimony that something gold flew around the dining hall when the first six died. <br><br>\r\nひょっとすると両者は同じ凶器かもしれない。 <br>\r\nThe two might've been the same weapon. <br><br>\r\nそして、園芸倉庫の密室殺人に、鉄格子を切断するレーザー光線。 <br>\r\nThen there was the closed room murder of the garden shed, and the laser beam that could cut metal bars. <br><br>\r\n……それだけではない。 <br>\r\n...And that wasn't all. <br><br>\r\n他にも他にも、山羊のバケモノの群とか、落とし穴を指を鳴らすだけで生み出せる魔女の話とか、黄金の糸を打ち出したうさぎみたいな悪魔たちとか。 <br>\r\nThere was much, much more...like the group of goat monsters, the story of a witch who could create pitfalls just by snapping her fingers, the rabbit-like demons who had fired golden threads... <br><br>\r\n他にもあった気がするが、………どれも滅茶苦茶な話ばかりだった。 <br>\r\nI think there was more, ......but each part was all screwed up. <br><br>\r\n到底、受け容れることは出来ず、何かのトリックと何かの勘違いを疑わざるを得ない。 <br>\r\nI couldn't possibly accept it...and was forced to suspect that it was some kind of trick or mistake. <br><br>\r\n……しかしそれらがみんな、異口同音に同じことを言っていて、証言に矛盾がないのは、一体どういうわけなのか…。 <br>\r\n...But why in the world had everyone spoken with one voice, saying the same thing without contradictions in their testimony...? <br><br>\r\n魔法だけじゃない。 <br>\r\nIt's not only the magic. <br><br>\r\n真里亞の謎の死。 <br>\r\nThere's Maria's mysterious death. <br><br>\r\n譲治の兄貴が殺されたことをなぜか知っていた朱志香。 <br>\r\nWhy Jessica knew that George-aniki had been killed. <br><br>\r\n本当にクソジジイかどうか確認も出来ない謎の焼死体。 <br>\r\nThe mysterious burnt corpse that I couldn't confirm really belonged to that damn geezer. <br><br>\r\n……他にも他にも。 <br>\r\n...And more, and more. <br><br>\r\nワケのわからないことだらけだ……！ <br>\r\nAll stuff I don't get...! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n俺はぐびりとワインの瓶を傾け、喉を鳴らす。 <br>\r\nI tilted the wine bottle up and gulped. <br><br>\r\n……何が何やら、俺にはさっぱりわからない。 <br>\r\n...I don't have a clue what's going on. <br><br>\r\n昨日の夕食後、子どもたちはゲストハウスに帰っていろといって屋敷を追い出され、………その間に食堂では大虐殺。 <br>\r\nAfter dinner last night, the kids were chased out and told to go back to the guesthouse, ......and then there was a massacre in the dining hall. <br><br>\r\n霧江さんたちは落とし穴に落とされて捕まって。 <br>\r\nKyrie-san and the rest were dropped through pitfalls and captured. <br><br>\r\nそして朱志香と譲治の兄貴はテストとやらに呼び出されて殺されて。 <br>\r\nThen, Jessica and George-aniki were called out to take a test or whatever and killed. <br><br>\r\n霧江さんたちは地下牢を何とか脱走できたのに、結局みんな殺されてしまって。 <br>\r\nEven though Kyrie-san's group was able to escape the dungeon somehow, all of them got killed in the end. <br><br>\r\nそして最後の最後に真里亞までもが殺されて、俺はひとりぼっちで残されている。 <br>\r\nAnd at the very, very end, even Maria was killed, leaving me all alone. <br><br>\r\n………つまり、俺はゲストハウスに閉じ込められてただけなんだ。 <br>\r\n......In short, I did nothing except stay locked up in the guesthouse. <br><br>\r\nその間に、いつの間にか大事件が起こっていて、そしていつの間にか終わってたってわけなんだ。 <br>\r\nDuring that time, a huge incident occurred and ended. <br><br>\r\nこれをワケがわからないと言わずして何と言う？ <br>\r\nもう、何が何だかさっぱりだ！ <br>\r\nWhat can I call it except incomprehensible? <br><br>\r\nI don't have a clue anymore! <br><br>\r\n「もう俺はただの酔っ払いなんだぜ。俺だけ生き残らせるつもりかよ…？ とっとと姿を現して殺しに来いってんだ。もう面倒だからこっちからは探さねぇぞ。そっちから正体を見せやがれってんだ……！ 俺は逃げも隠れもしねぇぞ、矢でも鉄砲でも持って来やがれ…！」 <br>\r\n\"Now I'm nothing but a drunk. You plan on leaving only me alive...? Show yourself right away and come to kill me already. It's too much of a pain, so I won't search for you. You show me your true form yourself...! I won't run or hide, so come at me with arrows or bullets or whatever...!\" <br><br>\r\n昨日からまったく寝てないから、眠くてしょうがない。 <br>\r\n殺したきゃ勝手にしろ。 <br>\r\nI haven't gotten any sleep since yesterday, so I'm incredibly sleepy. <br><br>\r\nYou wanna kill me, go ahead. <br><br>\r\n俺はゲストハウスに戻り、堂々とベッドで休むことにした。 <br>\r\nI decided to return to the guesthouse and boldly rest in a bed. <br><br>\r\n……厨房を出て、ロビーを通り掛ると、………あの、魔女の肖像画が目に入った。 <br>\r\n...When I exited the kitchen and passed through the lobby, ......that portrait of the witch came into view. <br><br>\r\n大時計が目に入る。 <br>\r\nThe big clock did too. <br><br>\r\n……まさにちょうど、２４時を指すところだった。 <br>\r\n...It was almost exactly 24:00. <br><br>\r\nそして鳴り響く、２４時を知らせる鐘の音……。 <br>\r\nThen, the sound of the bell rang out, proclaiming that 24:00 had arrived... <br><br>\r\nそれを聞きながら、……ベアトリーチェの肖像画を見上げる。 <br>\r\nAs I listened, ...I looked up at Beatrice's portrait. <br><br>\r\nぴったり２４時間前、俺はお前と会った。 <br>\r\nExactly 24 hours ago, I met you. <br><br>\r\nお前は何が言いたかったんだ…？ <br>\r\nそしてどこへ行った？ <br>\r\nWhat were you trying to say...? <br><br>\r\nAnd where did you go? <br><br>\r\nお前は一体、何者なんだ………？ <br>\r\n黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェ。 <br>\r\nJust who in the world are you......? <br><br>\r\nGolden Witch, Beatrice. <br><br>\r\nお前を巡る謎は、何一つ解けちゃ、いないんだ……！ <br>\r\nI haven't solved a single one of the riddles surrounding you...! <br><br>\r\n姿を見せやがれ…。 <br>\r\nShow yourself... <br><br>\r\n………そして俺と勝負しろッ…！！ <br>\r\n......And fight me...!! <br><br>\r\nそして、……魔女が姿を現す。 <br>\r\nいよいよ主賓が姿を現したかのように、大階段の上の踊り場に、その姿を現す……。 <br>\r\nThen, ...the witch showed herself. <br><br>\r\nLike a guest of honor finally appearing, she showed herself on the landing at the top of the big staircase... <br><br>\r\n「ようやく姿を現しやがったな……。……丸一日、退屈させられてたところだぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"So, you finally show yourself... ...I've been kept bored for a whole day.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………そうだ。丸一日を与えた。ニンゲン側の権利行使は充分か。」 <br>\r\n\"......Correct. I gave you a whole day. Was that enough for you to fully exercise the rights of the Human side?\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ。退屈だったんでな。存分にやらせてもらったぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah. I was bored, after all. I did a heck of a lot of it.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………縁寿は、良い駒であったな。」 <br>\r\n\"......Ange...was a good piece.\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿の名を、……お前が口にするんじゃねぇ。」 <br>\r\n\"Don't you...speak Ange's name.\" <br><br>\r\n「………あれは奇跡によって現れ、自らを生贄にして、そなたに絶対の勝利の執念を与えた。」 <br>\r\n\"......She appeared through a miracle, sacrificed herself, and gave you the tenacity required for certain victory.\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿の名を、口にするな。」 <br>\r\n\"Don't you...speak Ange's name.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………あの無残な死は、そなたにとって必要なものだった。あの死を見なければ、そなたは本気にならない。縁寿の幸薄き未来を自覚しなければ、そなたに勝利の執念は生まれない。」 <br>\r\n\"......That brutal death was something you needed. If you hadn't seen that death, you wouldn't have grown serious. Without the wake-up call of Ange's ill-fated future, your tenacity for victory would not have been born.\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿の名を口にするなと言っている…！！」 <br>\r\n\"I told you not to speak Ange's name...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………つまりは、必要な生贄だったというわけだ。そうでなくては、そなたに妾を殺すほどの怒りは生まれない。妾とそなたの拮抗が崩せない。 <br>\r\n\"......In short, she was a necessary sacrifice. Otherwise, an anger great enough to kill me would not have been born in you. The rivalry between us cannot be destroyed.\" <br><br>\r\nベルンカステル卿め、これは駒ではないわ、切り札と呼ぶが相応しい。……駒はどれほど活躍しようとも盤上を離れることはない。しかし切り札は、どんな力を発揮しようとも、切れば確実に捨てられる。 <br>\r\n\"Damn you, <NAME>, it's more fitting to call that a trump card than a piece. ...No matter how much a piece acts, it does not stray from the board. But no matter how much power a trump card wields, it is always thrown away after it is used.\" <br><br>\r\n縁寿は、そなたにとって実に良き切り札だったのだ。」 <br>\r\n\"Ange was truly a good trump card for you.\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿の名を、口にするんじゃねええええぇえええええぇッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Don't you...speak Ange's naaaaaaaaaaaammme!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n戦人の怒号の叫びに、ベアトはようやく口を噤む。 <br>\r\nAt Battler's angry roar, Beato finally stopped talking. <br><br>\r\n「……俺はな、こんなところで遊んでる暇はもう一切ねぇんだ。……引き分けすらも、縁寿を待たせてる。 <br>\r\n\"...You know, I don't have time to play around in a place like this anymore. ...Even a tie will keep Ange waiting. <br><br>\r\n…………俺はな、お前を打ち破り、 <br>\r\n……家族を連れて、 <br>\r\n……家に帰るんだよッ！！ てめえと魔女ごっこで遊んでる暇は、一秒たりともありはしないッ！！」 <br>\r\n ......So, I'll break through you, <br><br>\r\n...take my family, <br><br>\r\n...and go back home!! I won't waste a second playing witch games with you!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「ならば、どうすれば良いか。わかっているな。」 <br>\r\n\"In that case, what should you do? You know, don't you?\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ！ お前をぶっ倒す！！ 魔女も魔法も幻想も妄想も、全て俺がぶっ飛ばすッ！！ さぁ、おっ始めようぜッ！！！ もう二度と誤魔化させない！！ ゲーム再開だぜ？ <br>\r\n\"Yeah! I'll beat you down!! I'll blast away all witches, magic, illusions and delusions!! Come on, let's get started!!! I won't let you trick me again!! Resume the game, okay? <br><br>\r\nお前という嘘っぱちを覆う、魔女のベールを俺が引き裂いてやるッ！！！」 <br>\r\nI'll tear apart the witch's veil concealing the outright lie you are!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「長いわ。素直に一言、妾を殺してやると言えばよい。」 <br>\r\n\"You talk too much. All you have to do is honestly say `I'll kill you'.\" <br><br>\r\n「ああ。その言葉をお望みなら、……言ってやるさ。俺が聞いてやるお前の望みで、最初で最後のものだ。」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah. If those are the words you want, ...I'll say them. This is the first and last wish of yours that I'll lend an ear to.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………感謝する。」 <br>\r\n\"......I thank you.\" <br><br>\r\n「お前を、………………、」 <br>\r\n\"I'll......\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「ならば良し！！ 始めようぞ、戦人…！！ さぁ、魔女狩りの時間だ…！！ 妾を追ってみろ、追い詰めてみろ、殺してみろッ、妾はそなたに期待しているッ！！ 妹の最期がそなたに何を与えたのか、それを妾に見せてみよ…！！」 <br>\r\n\"Very well!! Let us begin, Battler...!! Yes, the time for the witch hunt has come...!! Try and chase me, try and corner me, try and kill me! I expect a lot from you!! Try and show me what your little sister gave you in her last moments...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「上等だあああぁあああああぁあああああああッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Bring it oooooooooooooooooooooonnn!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n……戦人の叫びが世界を真っ白な光で焼く。 <br>\r\n...Battler's cry burned the world with a white light. <br><br>\r\nそして、眩しさの中に目を開けると、……二人の姿は薔薇庭園にあった……。 <br>\r\nAnd, if you opened your eyes amidst the darkness, ...the two of them could be seen in a rose garden... <br><br>\r\n「………先手はどちらから？」 <br>\r\n\"......Who shall make the first move?\" <br><br>\r\n「俺だ。」 <br>\r\n\"Me.\" <br><br>\r\n「潔し。」 <br>\r\n\"How bold.\" <br><br>\r\n美しい薔薇の花びらが舞う、薔薇庭園。 <br>\r\nIn the rose garden, beautiful rose petals danced. <br><br>\r\nその薔薇の花びらの色は、赤。 <br>\r\nThe color of those rose petals...was red. <br><br>\r\nそれはつまり、この美しき薔薇庭園に二人が対峙していることこそが、 <br>\r\n赤き、唯一の真実だという、証なのか、訴えなのか。 <br>\r\nDid the fact that they faced each other in this beautiful rose garden... <br><br>\r\nprove...or make claim to a red, single truth? <br><br>\r\n………だからきっと、薔薇は赤い。 <br>\r\n......That must be why the roses are red. <br><br>\r\nしかし、薔薇の花言葉は、情熱。 <br>\r\nBut in the language of flowers, ...roses represent passion. <br><br>\r\n……真実ではない。 <br>\r\n...Not truth. <br><br>\r\n真実を花言葉とするのは、勿忘草。 <br>\r\nThe flower for truth is a forget-me-not. <br><br>\r\nその花は、……青い。 <br>\r\nAnd that flower...is blue. <br><br>\r\n「俺の青き真実で、全てを穿つ。………全ての、一番最初から。 <br>\r\n\"I'll bore through everything with my blue truth. ......From the very beginning of everything. <br><br>\r\n一番最初のゲームから始めるぜ！」 <br>\r\nI'll start from the very first game!\" <br><br>\r\n「良かろう。そなたのお手並みを拝見しよう。…来い。」 <br>\r\n\"Very well. Let's see what you've got. ...Come.\" <br><br>\r\n「行くぜ………。すでに宣言済みだがもう一度言う。……こいつは前回のゲームの南條先生の殺人だけじゃないぜ。一番最初からのあらゆるゲームのあらゆる場面を切り裂ける…！！ <br>\r\n\"Here I go...... I've already proclaimed it, but I'll say it again. ...This isn't just for the murder of Doctor Nanjo in the last game. This'll tear apart every scene from every game since the beginning...!!\" <br><br>\r\n#5decff右代宮金蔵はすでに死亡している！ <br>\r\n\"#5decffUshiromiya Kinzo is already dead! <br><br>\r\nよって島の本当の人数は１７人！ <br>\r\nSo the true number of people on the island is 17! <br><br>\r\nそこに未知の人物Ｘが加わることで１８人となっている。 <br>\r\nBy adding in an unknown person X, that makes 18 people. <br><br>\r\nこの人物Ｘの存在の仮定によって、１７人全員にアリバイがあっても犯行は可能になる。 <br>\r\nBy supposing the existence of this person X, the crime is possible even if all 17 people have alibis. <br><br>\r\nこれにより、人間の数１８人を満たしつつ、にもかかわらず、一見、１８人全員にアリバイがあっても、犯人Ｘの存在と犯行は可能になる！！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nBy this, even though the number of people reaches 18, it's still possible for culprit X to exist and carry out crimes, even if all 18 people seem to have alibis!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\nエピソード１のあらゆる殺人は、未知の人物Ｘの仮定で打ち破れる。 <br>\r\nYou can break through all of the murders in Episode 1 by supposing an unknown person X. <br><br>\r\nまた、金蔵がレシートで封印された密室から蒸発したとする謎も、初めからそこに金蔵はいなかったと大胆に仮定することによって、説明が可能になる。 <br>\r\nFurthermore, it's even possible to explain the mystery of Kinzo's evaporation from the closed room sealed by the receipt...by making the bold assumption that Kinzo wasn't there in the first place. <br><br>\r\nベアトが赤き真実でこれに反論しない以上、エピソード１の魔女幻想は、完全に打ち破られている。 <br>\r\nUnless Beato counters this with the red truth, the Illusion of the Witch from Episode 1 has been completely smashed. <br><br>\r\n………青き真実は有効だ。 <br>\r\n......This blue truth is valid. <br><br>\r\n戦人の放った青き真実の楔が、ベアトの右足の甲に鋭く突き刺さる。 <br>\r\nThe wedge of blue truth that Battler had thrown stabbed right through the top of Beato's left foot. <br><br>\r\n……そこより溢れ出す赤き血は、彼女の赤き真実での抗弁なのか…。 <br>\r\n...Was the red blood pouring out from there...a protest being made by her red truth...? <br><br>\r\nベアトは自らを否定する青き真実の楔の、耐え難き苦痛に片方の瞼を硬く瞑って堪える。 <br>\r\nBeato shut one of her eyes tight, enduring the unbearable pain of the blue truth that denied her. <br><br>\r\n「ふむ、悪くない。……だが、まだまだ妾は否定されてはおらぬ、殺されてはおらぬ。……この程度では、足りぬわ。………続くゲームではそれだけで説明できぬ謎があるぞ？」 <br>\r\n\"Hmm, not bad. ...But I mustn't be denied yet, I mustn't be killed yet. ...This is not yet enough. ......In the subsequent games, there were mysteries that couldn't be explained with that alone, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「……どの謎だ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Which mysteries?\" <br><br>\r\n「第２のゲームの終盤で。譲治が郷田と紗音を引きつれ、夏妃の部屋に立て篭もり、殺された。夏妃の部屋を開錠した鍵は室内に閉じ込められ、残る全ての開錠可能な鍵は楼座の手にあった。犯人Ｘが存在しようとも、密室構築は不可能なはず。」 <br>\r\n\"In the final stages of the second game, George took Gohda and Shannon with him, barricaded them in Natsuhi's room, and was killed. The key that unlocked Natsuhi's room was locked up inside the room, and all of the remaining keys that could unlock that door were in Rosa's hand. Even if a culprit X existed, it should have been impossible to construct that closed room.\" <br><br>\r\nベアトを貫く青き楔がぶるぶると震える。 <br>\r\n対抗するベアトがそれを、押し出そうと抗っているのだ。 <br>\r\nThe blue wedge that pierced Beato shook. <br><br>\r\nShe was resisting, fighting to pull it out. <br><br>\r\n「いいや、俺の青き真実は揺るがない。犯人Ｘがマスターキーを入手していれば、あれは密室でも何でもないんだ。」 <br>\r\n\"No, that doesn't shake my blue truth. If culprit X were to obtain a master key, that's not even close to a closed room.\" <br><br>\r\n「いいや、入手は不可能だぞ。 <br>\r\n\"No, it was impossible for the culprit to obtain one. <br><br>\r\n#ff0001マスターキー全ては楼座が管理した！#ffffff」 <br>\r\n#ff0001All of the master keys were under Rosa's control!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「だが、楼座叔母さんが共犯であったなら何の意味もない！ <br>\r\n\"But that's meaningless if Aunt Rosa was the culprit! <br><br>\r\n#5decff 楼座叔母さんは犯人Ｘに何らかの方法で鍵を渡し、密室殺人を幇助した！ <br>\r\n#5decffAunt Rosa handed a key over to culprit X by some method, assisting in the closed room murder! <br><br>\r\nそしてその後、同様の方法で鍵を回収したんだ！#ffffff <br>\r\nAnd after that, she retrieved the key by a similar method!#ffffff <br><br>\r\n甘いぜ、ベアト！！ こんなのは当時の俺もすでに推理しているッ！」 <br>\r\nToo naive, Beato!! I'd already guessed that much at the time!\" <br><br>\r\n「……くっくっく…、そうであったな……。 <br>\r\n\"...*cackle* Yes, you did, didn't you... <br><br>\r\n…ッぐああぉッ…！！！ ………ぐ、……く、」 <br>\r\n...Gwaaargh...!!! ......Agh, ...ack-\" <br><br>\r\n輝きを少しずつ失い、抜けるかに見えたその楔は、戦人に重ねられた青き真実によって再び強い青を取り戻し、ベアトの足に再び食い込むように捻じ込まれた。 <br>\r\nThe wedge that had been gradually losing its sparkle and had seemed as though it was about to be pulled out...regained its strong blue again thanks to Battler's additional blue truth...and dug into Beato again, eating into her foot. <br><br>\r\nその苦痛に、ベアトは苦悶の声を漏らす。 <br>\r\nBeato let out a cry of anguish at that pain. <br><br>\r\n「…………ぐ、……ぉ……。…………まだだ…。まだ堪えぬわ……。 <br>\r\n\"......Guh, ...nngg... ......Not yet... This is still nothing... <br><br>\r\nまだだ、 <br>\r\n………まだだぁああ！！」 <br>\r\nNot yet, <br><br>\r\n......not yeeeeeeeet!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「さらに続けて第３のゲームだ。六連結の連鎖密室、楼座叔母さんと真里亞の殺人、親父たちのホールでの死亡、蔵臼伯父さんと夏妃伯母さんの殺人、その全ては <br>\r\n\"On to the third game. The six linked closed rooms, the murders of Aunt Rosa and Maria, Dad and the rest's deaths in the hall, the murders of Uncle Krauss and Aunt Natsuhi... <br><br>\r\n#5decff絵羽伯母さんを犯人に仮定することで説明可能だ。#ffffff <br>\r\n#5decffall of that can be explained if we suppose that Aunt Eva was the culprit.#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\nこれは当時すでに論破済み。それに対しお前がエヴァを通して出題してきた最後の難題、 <br>\r\n\"This argument was already won back then. And even that final riddle you proposed through EVA, <br><br>\r\n#5decff南條先生殺しも１８人目の未知の人物Ｘで説明可能。#ffffffこれで第３のゲームまで全て打ち破ったぞ！！！ 反論はあるかッ！」 <br>\r\n#5decffthe murder of Doctor Nanjo, can be explained with an 18th unknown person X.#ffffff That breaks through the whole third game!!! Can you counter that?!\" <br><br>\r\n「ぐ、ぅ…！！ ……む、無論……！ <br>\r\n\"Guh, aah...!! ...O-Of course...! <br><br>\r\nこの程度で、……堪えはせぬわ……っ！ <br>\r\nThis much is...nothing to worry about...! <br><br>\r\nならば、ゲストハウスからの譲治の失踪はどう説明するというのか？ 赤き真実を追加しよう。 <br>\r\nIn that case, how do you explain George's disappearance from the guesthouse? I shall add to the red truth. <br><br>\r\n#ff0001譲治はゲストハウスの階段を降りてはおらぬ。#ffffff窓から飛び去ったのだ！」 <br>\r\n#ff0001George did not go down the stairs of the guesthouse.#ffffff He flew out through the window!\" <br><br>\r\n第３のゲームの終盤にて、譲治がゲストハウス２階より忽然と姿を消す。 <br>\r\nIn the final stages of the third game, George suddenly vanished from the second floor of the guesthouse. <br><br>\r\n１階にいた絵羽は誰も降りてこなかったと証言するが、青き真実により、蔵臼たちの死体を外へ運び出していたなら、その隙にこっそりと１階に下りて脱出した可能性があった。 <br>\r\nEva, who had been on the first floor, claimed that no one had come downstairs, but because of the blue truth, George could've snuck down to the first floor and escaped while Eva was busy carrying Krauss's and Natsuhi's corpses outside. <br><br>\r\nしかしベアトはそれを赤き真実を追加することで否定してみせた。 <br>\r\nBut by adding an additional red truth, Beato had denied that possibility. <br><br>\r\n一階への階段を下りずに外へ出るには、窓から出る他ない。しかし窓は全て内側から施錠されていた…！ <br>\r\nTo go outside without going down the staircase to the first floor, he would've had to leave by the window. But all of the windows had been locked from the inside...! <br><br>\r\n「だから何だ。お前の言葉通りだぜ。窓から飛び去ったんだろ？ 下へ飛び降りても芝生じゃわからないし、あの大雨だ。多少の痕跡なんて消えちまう。」 <br>\r\n\"So what? It's just like you said. He flew out the window, right? There was a lawn, so we couldn't tell if he'd jumped down, and it was raining so hard. Any light traces would've disappeared.\" <br><br>\r\n「赤き真実を繰り返す。 <br>\r\n\"I'll use the red truth again. <br><br>\r\n#ff0001外部へ通ずる窓も扉も全て内側より施錠されていたぞ。#ffffff <br>\r\n#ff0001All windows and doors leading to the outside were locked from the inside.#ffffff <br><br>\r\n#ff0001しかもそれらの施錠は全て、外側からは不可能！#ffffff 譲治には施錠する術はない…！」 <br>\r\n#ff0001Furthermore, it is impossible to lock any of those from the outside!#ffffff George had no technique by which to lock them...!\" <br><br>\r\n「青き真実を繰り返す。当時の俺も言っているぜ。 <br>\r\n\"I'll use more of the blue. I said it myself at the time. <br><br>\r\n#5decffならば譲治の兄貴が窓より脱出後、誰かがそれを施錠すればいい！#ffffff 何も難しいことはないッ！！」 <br>\r\n#5decffIn that case, everything works out as long as someone locked the window after George-aniki escaped through it!#ffffff Nothing difficult about that!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ぐおッぉああぁああぁ…！！ <br>\r\n\"Gwaaaaaaaahhaaaaah...!! <br><br>\r\nぐぅう……、この程度では、……足掻けぬか、足掻けぬか……。」 <br>\r\nGguuuuhhh... Can I not...escape after something like this...?\" <br><br>\r\nベアトの足に打ち込まれた青き楔は抜けない。 <br>\r\nますますに強い青で、偽りの魔女を焼く……。 <br>\r\nBeato couldn't remove the blue wedge that was buried into her foot. <br><br>\r\nThe fake witch was burned more and more by that forceful blue... <br><br>\r\n「第３のゲームまでの全てにおいて、青き真実は未だ揺るがない。……なら、お前が魔女であることを証明する唯一のゲームは、……今回の第４のゲームだけってことになる。」 <br>\r\n\"There's still nothing that shakes my blue truth in any of the first three games. ...In that case, the only game that can prove you're a witch...is this game, the fourth game.\" <br><br>\r\n「……妾が赤き真実にて反撃していない以上、そういうことになろう。この度のゲームでのみ、魔女を証明せねばなるまいな。 <br>\r\n\"...Since I haven't countered you with the red, that is so. I shall have to prove witches using only this game. <br><br>\r\n………よかろう。存分に来るが良い。」 <br>\r\n......Very well. Give me everything you've got.\" <br><br>\r\n「食堂の６人殺しについて不審な点はない。 <br>\r\n\"There's nothing strange about the murder of the six people in the dining hall. <br><br>\r\n#5decff１８人目のＸが銃を乱射してみんなを殺した。 <br>\r\n#5decffThe 18th person X went wild with a gun and killed everyone. <br><br>\r\n落とし穴については、実際に落とし穴が本当に隠されていた可能性もあるし、 <br>\r\nAs for the pitfalls, there's a chance that pitfalls truly were hidden there, <br><br>\r\n霧江さんの仮説である、瞬時に昏倒させる毒矢の発射装置Ｘの仮定でも説明可能。 <br>\r\nand it's possible to explain it using Kyrie-san's theory, supposing that poison dart-shooting device X, which can knock a person out instantly, exists. <br><br>\r\n譲治の兄貴、朱志香、そして地下牢から脱出したメンバーの殺害も、食堂と同じで銃によるもの。#ffffff不審な点はない！ <br>\r\nThe murders of George-aniki, Jessica, and those who escaped from the dungeon can also be explained with guns, just like the dining hall.#ffffff There's nothing strange about it!\" <br><br>\r\nだがわかってるぜ、反撃があるんだろ？ 来いよッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"But I'm sure you've got a counterattack, right? Bring it on!!\" <br><br>\r\n「そなたの最大の刃である１８人目のＸは、金蔵がすでに死んでいるとの仮説に立脚している。そう来ることは妾もわかっていた。だから、金蔵を書斎より出した。その金蔵を、親族会議の全員が迎えたぞ？ <br>\r\n\"Your greatest sword, this 18th person X, is based on the theory that Kinzo was already dead. I knew you would make that claim. That's why I took Kinzo out of his study. All members in the family conference welcomed that Kinzo, right? <br><br>\r\n#ff0001親族会議に居合わせた全員が、金蔵の存在を認めた！#ffffff」 <br>\r\n#ff0001All of those present at the family conference acknowledged the presence of Kinzo!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「そうだな。だが祖父さまはずっと死線を彷徨って寝込んでいた重病人ってことになってるぜ？ やつれてて別人に見えちまっても、みんな気にしないかもな？ <br>\r\n\"That's right. But Grandfather was seriously ill, bedridden on the verge of life and death, right? If he was so worn out that he looked like a different person, maybe no one would've cared, right?\" <br><br>\r\n俺はこう返す。 <br>\r\n\"I'll counter with this. <br><br>\r\n#5decffその祖父さまは別人の替え玉だ。 <br>\r\n#5decffThat Grandfather was a different person, a body double. <br><br>\r\n親族たちが祖父さまと見間違えた別人だ！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nA different person the relatives mistook for Grandfather!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「ならば妾はこう返す。 <br>\r\n\"Then I'll counter with this. <br><br>\r\n#ff0001全ての人物は右代宮金蔵を見間違わない。 <br>\r\n#ff0001No person would mistake Ushiromiya Kinzo by sight. <br><br>\r\nいかなる変装であったとしても、右代宮金蔵を見間違わない！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nNo matter what disguise might be used, they would not mistake Ushiromiya Kinzo by sight!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「ならばこう返す。 <br>\r\n\"Then I'll use this. <br><br>\r\n#5decffお前は第１のゲーム時では、５本以上存在することになっていたマスターキーの本数を、第２のゲーム時に赤き真実で５本と宣言することで、 <br>\r\n#5decffIn the second game, when you announced with the red truth that there were five master keys, even though there could've been more than five in first game, <br><br>\r\n以後のゲームの設定変更を行なっている。 <br>\r\nyou changed the premises of the later games. <br><br>\r\n同じことで、第４のゲームにおいて、金蔵の生死の設定が変更されている可能性がある。 <br>\r\nSo, it's possibile that Kinzo's life or death status was changed for the 4th game alone.#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\nよって、第４のゲームの金蔵の存在をもって、それ以前のゲームでの金蔵の存在を証明することにはならない…！ <br>\r\n\"#5decffTherefore, Kinzo's presence in the fourth game doesn't serve as proof that he was present in the previous games...! <br><br>\r\nよって、食堂での６人殺しは、祖父さまが自ら執行したと仮定しても何の矛盾も生じない！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nTherefore, even if we suppose that the six murders in the dining hall were carried out by Grandfather, it contradicts nothing!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「ならばこう返そうぞ。 <br>\r\n\"Then let me counter this way. <br><br>\r\n#ff0001４つのゲーム開始時の金蔵の生死設定は全て同一である。 <br>\r\n#ff0001Kinzo's life or death status is the same at the start of all four games. <br><br>\r\n第４のゲームのみ設定が異なることはない…！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nThe setup was not different for the fourth game alone...!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「復唱要求。“各ゲームの開始時に金蔵は生存している”！」 <br>\r\n\"Repeat it. `Kinzo was alive at the start time of every game'!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「復唱拒否。答えぬよ、戦人。妾はそなたに望まれて赤き真実を答えはせぬ…！」 <br>\r\n\"I refuse to repeat it. I won't answer, Battler. I won't give you the red truth you so desire...!\" <br><br>\r\n「……クソ、……ジジイめ、俺の前に立ち塞がりやがる…！！ 我が最愛の魔女ベアトリーチェを守るために、体を張ってやがるってのかぁ？！」 <br>\r\n\"...Damn, ...you're standing in my way, geezer...!! Are you putting yourself on the line to protect Beatrice, this most beloved witch of yours?!\" <br><br>\r\nゆらりと、クソジジイが姿を現す。 <br>\r\nSwaying, that damn geezer came into view. <br><br>\r\n……へっ、背中にベアトを庇って、ナイトさま気取りってわけかよ…！ <br>\r\n...Heh, is he trying to be some kind of knight, blocking the path between me and Beato...?! <br><br>\r\n「くっくくくくくく、戦人よ。お前にこのわしが超えられるかな…？ <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*cackle* Battler, are you capable of surpassing me...?\" <br><br>\r\n至らせぬ、至らせはせぬよ、……黄金の魔女の高みにはなぁあああぁ？！ ふっはははははははははは！！ お前の浅はかな推理など、私ひとりを超えることも出来ぬわッ！ 死ねぃ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"I won't let you reach, I will not let you reach, ...not to the Golden Witch's height, you seeeeeeeeee?! Fuhhahahahahahahahahaha!! Your thoughtless reasoning cannot surpass even me alone! Die!!!\" <br><br>\r\n金蔵の漆黒のローブが世界を飲み込むかのように広がり、俺を一口に飲み込もうとする巨大な黒竜の顎となって襲い掛かる。 <br>\r\nKinzo's jet-black robe spread as though it would swallow the world, becoming the snout of a vast black dragon that came at me, trying to swallow me in one gulp. <br><br>\r\n……その黒竜の咆哮の前に、俺は低く呼吸を落ち着け、浅く目を閉じる……。 <br>\r\n...Faced with that black dragon's roar, I calmed my breathing and closed my eyes lightly... <br><br>\r\n「お前なぞ一息に飲み込んでくれるわッ！！ 消え去れ、未熟者めええぇえぇッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"I'll swallow you up in a single gulp!! Disappear, inexperienced fooooooooooool!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「…………黙りな、死に損ないの亡霊め。」 <br>\r\n\"......Quiet, you damn undying ghost.\" <br><br>\r\n「ほぅ、わしを亡霊呼ばわりしてみせるか。あくまでもわしはすでに死んでおるとする仮説を貫くか！！ それがお前の命取りよ！！ 第４のゲームの第一の晩にて、闇に飲み込まれて消え去るが良いッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Hoh, so you call me a ghost? So, you intend to see it through to the end, this theory that I am already dead!! That will prove fatal to you!! Be swallowed up by the first twilight of the fourth game and disappear!!\" <br><br>\r\n黒竜の巨大な口が、顎が、牙が、戦人を丸呑みにする…！！！ <br>\r\nその刹那、戦人が一気に目を開く！ <br>\r\nThe black dragon's vast mouth, its snout, its fangs...swallowed Battler whole...!!! <br><br>\r\nIn that instant, Battler suddenly opened his eyes! <br><br>\r\n「ありがとうよ、ベアトリーチェ。お前の第３のゲームが俺の反撃の足掛かりとなる。」 <br>\r\n\"Thanks, Beatrice. Your third game became a foothold for my counterattack.\" <br><br>\r\n「何っ…？」 <br>\r\n\"What...?\" <br><br>\r\n「あばよクソジジイ。こいつでお別れだぜ。………俺は金蔵死亡説が第４のゲームでも主張できる根拠として、以下の仮説を提唱する！」 <br>\r\n\"See ya, damn geezer. This is goodbye. ......As a basis for claiming that `Kinzo was dead' even in the 4th game, I propose the following theory!\" <br><br>\r\n「よかろう、存分に来るが良い、我が末裔よッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Very well, come with all you have, my descendant!! <br><br>\r\n「行くぜ、クソジジイ！！ <br>\r\n\"Here I go, you damn geezer!! <br><br>\r\n#5decff 金蔵の名は右代宮家当主の称号として引き継がれているという仮説だ！ <br>\r\n#5decffMy theory's that the name of Kinzo gets passed on as the title of the Ushiromiya Family Head! <br><br>\r\n右代宮金蔵はすでに死んでいる。 <br>\r\nUshiromiya Kinzo was already dead. <br><br>\r\nそして“その名”を誰かが継承した！ <br>\r\nAnd he passed `that name' on to someone else! <br><br>\r\n全員が承認した！！ <br>\r\nEveryone acknowledged that!! <br><br>\r\nそれにより、“親族会議に居合わせた全員が、金蔵の存在を認めた”！！ <br>\r\nThat way, `All of those present at the family conference acknowledged the presence of Kinzo'!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n祖父さまの変装をする必要さえもないのさ。 <br>\r\n\"#5decffThere wasn't even any need for someone to disguise themselves as Grandfather. <br><br>\r\n一同が新しい“金蔵”を認めたのだから！ <br>\r\nBecause everyone acknowledged a new `Kinzo'! <br><br>\r\nよって“見間違えるわけもない”！！ <br>\r\nSo, `they didn't actually mistake Kinzo by sight'!! <br><br>\r\n以上の仮説が否定されない限りッ、お前が死んでいるという事実はッ、変わらない！！！#ffffff <br>\r\nAs long as this theory is not denied, nothing can change the fact that you're dead!!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\nこれでトドメだぜ。クソジジイ、お前に復唱要求だ。 <br>\r\n\"This is the final blow. Damn geezer, I demand that you repeat it. <br><br>\r\n“全人物の中で、異なる複数の名前を持つ人物は存在しない”！！」 <br>\r\n`Among all of the people there, not one had multiple, different names'!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「で、…出来、ぬ…………！！ ぐ、ぐおおおおおおおおおおおおぉおおおおおおおおッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"I...can...not......!! Gah, gwoooooooooooooooooooragghgghghh!!\" <br><br>\r\n「安らかに眠りな、クソジジイ。感謝しろよ、お前、やっと死ねたんだぜ。こいつが引導だ、食らってくたばりなッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Rest in peace, damn geezer. Thank me. You were finally able to die. This is your requiem, take it and drop dead!!\" <br><br>\r\n#5decff右代宮金蔵はすでに死亡しているッ！ <br>\r\n\"#5decffUshiromiya Kinzo was already dead! <br><br>\r\nそうさ、あんたは気の毒だよな、その死体が見つかる場合、いつも丸焼けだ。 <br>\r\nThat's right, you definitely deserve to be pitied, since whenever we find your corpse, it's always completely burnt. <br><br>\r\nそれは、死後が経過している死体であることを悟られないための工作なのさ！！ <br>\r\nThat was a device to hide the fact that time had passed since your death!! <br><br>\r\nそしてその名を誰かが受け継いだ！！ <br>\r\nThen, you passed that name on to someone else!! <br><br>\r\n以上の仮説で“てめえ”は死亡しているにもかかわらず、“金蔵”は親族会議に登場することが出来るッ！！！ <br>\r\nWith this theory, even though `you' were dead, `Kinzo' was able to appear at the family conference!!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\nどうだよ、これでッ、チェックメイトだああぁあああ！！#ffffff」 <br>\r\n\"#5decffHow's that? This is checkmaaaaaaaaaaaate!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n青い何十本もの杭が金蔵の亡霊を穿つ。 <br>\r\nその凄まじき破壊力は、二度と亡霊に再起を許さない……！！ <br>\r\nSeveral dozen blue stakes bored into Kinzo's ghost. <br><br>\r\nTheir terrible destructive power wouldn't let the ghost recover again...!! <br><br>\r\n「……ベ、……アト、リーチェ………、」 <br>\r\n\"...Be...atr...ice......\" <br><br>\r\n「………金蔵…。今日までありがとう。……安らかに、…眠れ……。そなたとの日々は、……忘れぬ………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Kinzo, ...thank you for everything. ...Rest...in peace... I will not forget...my time spent with you......\" <br><br>\r\n黒き竜の影とともに、黄金の花びらを散らしながら霧散して、……右代宮金蔵は黄金色の旋風となってその姿を消した……。 <br>\r\nDispersing along with the shadow of the black dragon as golden flower petals scattered, ...Ushiromiya Kinzo became a gold-colored cyclone and disappeared... <br><br>\r\n死してなお、愛した女のために、戦った。 <br>\r\nEven after death, he had fought for the sake of the woman he'd loved. <br><br>\r\n……お前の愛と狂気は、紛れもなく、本物だったぜ……！ <br>\r\n...There's no doubting that your love and madness were the real thing...! <br><br>\r\n「……………く、…………戦人…………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Nggg, ......Battler......\" <br><br>\r\n「恨むな。……死者は眠らせろ。起こすな。……次こそ、お前だぜ。これでお前も最後だ。」 <br>\r\n\"Don't hate me. ...Let the dead sleep. Don't wake them. ...You're up next. This is the end for you too.\" <br><br>\r\nベアトの足を貫く青き楔は未だ抜けない…。 <br>\r\nベアトは死期を悟る…。 <br>\r\nBeato still couldn't pull out the blue wedge that pierced her foot... <br><br>\r\nShe realized that she was on the verge of death... <br><br>\r\n「お前にはずいぶんと付き合ったぜ。お前の遊び相手としての義理は充分果たしたはずだ。……だが、そろそろお片付けの時間だぜ。家で寂しがり屋の妹が待ってるんだ。 <br>\r\n\"I've gone along with you a whole bunch. I think I've more than fulfilled any responsibility I had to play with you. ...But it's about time to finish things up. I've got a lonely little sister waiting at home.\" <br><br>\r\n……家族揃って、お暇させてもらうぜ…！！」 <br>\r\n\"...Let me take my leave with my whole family...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……ならば殺せ。……ならば妾を殺してみせよ！ ……逃げも隠れもせぬ、今や避けることも叶わぬわッ！！ 来いいいいいぃいいいい右代宮戦人ぁああああああああああッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"...Then kill me. ...In that case, try and kill me! ...I won't run or hide, and by now I won't even be able to avoid it!! Come ooooooooooooooooooooooon, Ushiromiya Battleeeeeeeeeeeeeeer!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「おうッ！！ 金蔵死亡説による１８人目のＸにより、残り全てを貫く！ <br>\r\n\"You've got it!! With the 18th person X from the `Kinzo was dead' theory, everything that remained has been pierced through!\" <br><br>\r\n#5decff第４のゲームにおける譲治の兄貴と朱志香の死もＸが犯人で説明できる！！ <br>\r\n\"#5decffGeorge-aniki and Jessica's deaths in the fourth game can also be explained by culprit X!! <br><br>\r\n地下牢から逃げて殺された５人も、園芸倉庫の２人も、最後の真里亞も！ <br>\r\nAnd the five who escaped from the dungeon and were killed, and the two in the gardening shed, and Maria in the end! <br><br>\r\n全て１８人目のＸで説明できる！！ <br>\r\nAll of those can be explained with 18th person X!! <br><br>\r\n何もおかしなことはないッ！！#ffffff <br>\r\nThere's nothing strange there at all!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n以上にて全てのゲームにおける犯人の説明を人間にて完了するッ！！ ベアトリーチェ、……これで、チェックメイトだぁああああああああああああぁああッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"With this, I've fully explained the culprit using humans for all games!! Beatrice, ...this is...checkmaaaaaaaaaaaate!!\" <br><br>\r\n「う、……うおおおああああああぁああああぁああぁあああぁ……ぁ…ッ、」 <br>\r\n\"Uu, ...whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh......aah...!\" <br><br>\r\n避けられぬベアトの胸に、何本もの青い杭が打ち込まれ、串刺しにする……。 <br>\r\nBeatrice, who couldn't dodge, had several blue stakes driven into her and was skewered... <br><br>\r\nベアトはその杭を握り、何とか引き抜こうとする…。 <br>\r\nBeato grabbed at them, trying to pull them out somehow... <br><br>\r\n ………あぁぁぁ、 <br>\r\n……食らっちまったぁ……、 <br>\r\n………痛ぇよォ………。 <br>\r\n......Aaaaaaahhhh, <br><br>\r\n...that got meee... <br><br>\r\n ......It huurts...... <br><br>\r\n…こりゃ、………死ぬな………。 <br>\r\n……こいつを引き抜かなきゃ、 <br>\r\n………死んじまう……。 <br>\r\n...This'll......kill me, won't it......? <br><br>\r\n...If I don't pull these out, <br><br>\r\n......I'll die... <br><br>\r\n痛いのは嫌だ……、 <br>\r\n……辛いのは、 <br>\r\n………嫌……だ………。 <br>\r\nI've had enough of the pain... <br><br>\r\n ...I've had enough of...... <br><br>\r\n...the...anguish... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nベアトは両手でしっかりと、……青い杭の一本を握り締める。 <br>\r\nWith both hands, ...Beato firmly grasped one of the blue stakes. <br><br>\r\n……当然、青き真実の魔女を否定する力が彼女の両手を焼く。 <br>\r\n...Naturally, the power of the witch-denying blue truth burned her hands. <br><br>\r\n…その苦痛に涙さえ隠せず、ベアトは吼え猛りながら、渾身の力で杭を引き抜こうとする……。 <br>\r\n...Unable even to hide her tears at the pain, Beato howled and tried to pull the stakes out with all her might... <br><br>\r\nこれが抜けなきゃ、………死んでしまう………。 <br>\r\nIf I can't pull these out, ......I'll die...... <br><br>\r\n……これが、………最後の反撃……………。 <br>\r\n...This is......my final counterattack...... <br><br>\r\n「なら戦人……。……我が魔法の数々を、………どう、説明するのか……。………一番最初に登場したのは、……第２のゲームにおいて、妾が真里亞のカボチャのマシュマロを直してやった時だ。この時、楼座はその魔法を確かに目撃している。」 <br>\r\n\"Then Battler, ...how do you explain my several acts of magic...? ......The very first time those appeared...was in the second game, when I fixed Maria's pumpkin marshmallow. At that time, Rosa definitely witnessed that magic.\" <br><br>\r\n確かにあの時、楼座は黄金の蝶たちが群れ集まり、魔法の奇跡でマシュマロを直すところを目撃している。 <br>\r\nCertainly, at that time, Rosa witnessed gold butterflies gathering and the fixing of a marshmallow by the miracle of magic. <br><br>\r\n「……くっくくく…。……楼座ひとりの目撃では信憑性がないであろう…？ だから妾はその目撃者を極限まで増やしたのだ。……それこそが、……今回のゲームよ……。 <br>\r\n\"...*cackle*cackle*... ...Rosa alone witnessing it isn't very credible, right...? That's why I increased the number of witnesses to the uppermost limit later on. ...Which is what...happened in this last game...\" <br><br>\r\n我が眷属たちの召喚！ そして魔法による虐殺！ それらの全てを大勢の人間たちに目撃させた…！！ それこそが……、我が魔法の存在する証明…！！ これを、……どう説明するのか、右代宮戦人ぁあああぁあああぁぁぁ………！！！」 <br>\r\n\"The summoning of my minions! And brutal murders due to magic! All of those were witnessed by a great many people...!! That is itself...proof that my magic exists...!! <br><br>\r\nHow do you explain that, Ushiromiya Battleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerr......?!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「………ステイルメイト。」 <br>\r\n\"......Stalemate.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………な、……にィ……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Wh-Whaat...?\" <br><br>\r\n「“魔法があるから魔法はある”、そういう論法には出来ないってのが、俺たちのブラウン管裁判のルールのはずだぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"`Magic exists because magic exists'. Didn't the rules of our Braun tube trial say that you couldn't use that kind of argument?\" <br><br>\r\n「………そ、……う…だったな………。……く、………くく、…ぐ…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Y...es, ...you're right...... ...Heh, ......hahack, ...guh...\" <br><br>\r\n「誰が！！ <br>\r\n\"No matter who <br><br>\r\n何人！！ <br>\r\nor how many people <br><br>\r\n魔法を目撃しようとも！ それは魔法の存在の証明にはならないッ！！ <br>\r\nwitnessed magic, that cannot become proof of magic's existence!!\" <br><br>\r\n俺はお前が見せてきた全ての魔法の、存在するしないの如何にかかわらず、その全てを無視して、ニンゲンで説明することが出来る。それは俺の不可侵の権利である。……違ったか？」 <br>\r\n\"Whether all the magic you've shown exists or not, I can ignore it all and explain things with Humans. That's my undeniable right. ...Am I wrong?\" <br><br>\r\nその言葉で、青き杭が一層に眩しい光を放ち、私の手を弾き飛ばす。 <br>\r\nAt those words, the blue stakes let out an even brighter light, knocking my hands away. <br><br>\r\n ……やはり、 <br>\r\n………抜けぬか………、 <br>\r\n…………ぐぅ………。 <br>\r\n...Seems I can't... <br><br>\r\n...pull them out after all...... <br><br>\r\n...ggghh...... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n今の戦人に、個別に魔法を引き合いに出して説明を求めたとしても、如何なる手を用いてでも全てを否定してしまうだろう。 <br>\r\nAs Battler is now, even if I pull up a witness for each individual bit of magic and demand an explanation, he'll probably use some kind of move to deny all of them. <br><br>\r\n……楼座に見せたマシュマロの魔法だけに限らず、…魔法の奇跡の全てを。 <br>\r\n...Not just the magic with the marshmallow I showed Rosa, ...but all the miracles of magic. <br><br>\r\nマシュマロ程度を如何にして直したかを問い合わねば、もはや妾は魔女であると主張さえ出来ぬのか…。 <br>\r\nSo, I can no longer even claim to be a witch without questioning him about something like how a marshmallow was fixed... <br><br>\r\nそのような瑣末を争わねばならぬほどに、劣勢……。 <br>\r\nI'm in such an inferior position that I must fight over such trivialities... <br><br>\r\n妾は、………無理かも知れぬ………。 <br>\r\nIt may be......impossible for me...... <br><br>\r\n……わかっている…。 <br>\r\n...I know that... <br><br>\r\n元より、勝ちの無きゲームだったのだ。 <br>\r\n…なれば、いつか敗れる日が来るのは当然のこと。 <br>\r\nThis was to be a game without victory from the very beginning. <br><br>\r\n...So, it was only natural that the day of my defeat would eventually come. <br><br>\r\n 妾は、戦人に敗れるためだけに、 <br>\r\n今日までを、 <br>\r\n………戦ってきたというのか………。 <br>\r\nHave I fought... <br><br>\r\nup until today... <br><br>\r\n...just to lose to Battler......? <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n…………勝てるかもしれないと、…始めたゲームだった。 <br>\r\n......I began the game...thinking I might be able to win. <br><br>\r\n簡単には勝てなくても、無限に繰り返すゲームの中で、いつかは奇跡が起こると信じてた。 <br>\r\nEven if I wouldn't be able to win easily, I believed that in a game repeating endlessly, a miracle would eventually occur. <br><br>\r\n……何しろ、妾には絶対に勝つという、絶対の意思がある。 <br>\r\n...After all, I had certain willpower on my side, an unwavering desire to win with certainty. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、今やその奇跡は完全に失われた。 <br>\r\n...However, I've now lost that miracle completely. <br><br>\r\nそして、絶対の意思は戦人に宿り、………私には万一の奇跡も絶対にない。 <br>\r\nAnd, that certain willpower resides in Battler, ...leaving me certainly without even a one-in-a-million chance at a miracle. <br><br>\r\nいや、奇跡も絶対~ib~も~ib~ない、が正しいのか……。 <br>\r\nOr perhaps I should say I've been left without a miracle ~ib~or~ib~ certainty... <br><br>\r\n勝利はなく、引き分けによる終了もない。 <br>\r\nI will have no victory...and no end through a tie. <br><br>\r\n ……唯一許された決着、 <br>\r\n……敗北を与えられるまで、 <br>\r\n………延々と抗うだけの、……ゲーム……。 <br>\r\n...The only resolution allowed me... <br><br>\r\nis to continue on resisting... <br><br>\r\n...until defeat is given to me...in this game... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nそうさ、私は、………戦人に殺されるためだけに、………戦っている………。 <br>\r\nThat's right, I......am fighting......only to be killed by Battler...... <br><br>\r\n……戦人の、瞳を見る。 <br>\r\nその中にいるのは、私ではない。 <br>\r\n...I looked into Battler's eyes. <br><br>\r\nThat which was reflected inside them...wasn't me. <br><br>\r\n………彼の帰りを待つ、妹と、…連れ帰るべき家族の姿が映っている。 <br>\r\n......The figures of the little sister waiting for his return...and the family he had to bring back were reflected in those eyes. <br><br>\r\n私の存在などもはや、……彼にとっては一人の存在でさえない。 <br>\r\nTo him, my existence is already...not even that of an individual. <br><br>\r\n…当然だ。彼は最初から、私という個人を否定するために戦っている。 <br>\r\n...Obviously. From the very beginning, he has been trying to deny the individual that I am. <br><br>\r\n…………あぁ、…前回のゲームは、 <br>\r\n…面白かったなァ……。 <br>\r\n......Yes, ...that last game... <br><br>\r\nsure was fun... <br><br>\r\nちょっと騙しただけだったけど、……ほんのわずかの間だけでも分かり合えたような感じになって、……面白かったなぁ……。 <br>\r\nI was only tricking him a bit, ...but for just a short period of time, it felt like we understood each other, ...and that was fun... <br><br>\r\n……そうだよ、 <br>\r\n……あそこで手を打っておけばよかったんだよ…。 <br>\r\n戦人がコロっと騙されたまま、永遠に騙し続けてれば良かったんだ…。 <br>\r\n...That's right, <br><br>\r\n...I should've made my move then... <br><br>\r\nI should have continued for eternity with Battler still totally fooled... <br><br>\r\n …………でも、 <br>\r\n………駄目なんだよなァ…。 <br>\r\n......But... <br><br>\r\n...that's just no good, right...? <br><br>\r\n………あれじゃ、 <br>\r\n…本当の勝ちじゃないんだよなぁ………。 <br>\r\n......That... <br><br>\r\njust wouldn't be true victory...... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「…………これで、……チェックメイトか？ ベアトリーチェ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Is this...checkmate? Beatrice?\" <br><br>\r\nベアトは何本もの青き杭に打ち抜かれ、立ったままの姿で大地に、滅多刺しの串刺しにされている。 <br>\r\nBeato had been run through with several blue stakes, skewered over and over to the ground while still standing. <br><br>\r\nそのため、倒れることさえ許されず、………空を仰ぐような姿勢のまま、……縫い止められているのだ……。 <br>\r\nBecause of that, she wasn't even able to fall over, ......and, still looking up into the sky, ...was sewn in place... <br><br>\r\nその無残な姿は、１８人の命を無限に弄び、幾百幾千と殺し続けた残忍なる魔女の末路に、……相応しいかもしれない。 <br>\r\nThat tragic form...might have been a fitting end for the cruel witch who had endlessly toyed with 18 people's lives and who had killed constantly for hundreds and thousands of years. <br><br>\r\nしとしとと、……誰かが何かを悲しむような雨が、降り始める。 <br>\r\n……その雨の中、ベアトは雨曝しとなって、……磔にされていた……。 <br>\r\nGently, ...as though someone was mourning over something, ...rain began to fall. <br><br>\r\n...Amid that rain, Beato was soaked...and crucified... <br><br>\r\n「……終わりなのか、ベアト。」 <br>\r\n\"...Is it over, Beato?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………ぐぅの音も、 <br>\r\n………出ぬわ………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Can't... <br><br>\r\n...even let out a squeak......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「まだだろ。お前はこの程度で、終わる女じゃねぇだろ。」 <br>\r\n\"Not yet. You aren't a woman who'll let things end with just this.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。………無茶を、 <br>\r\n………言う……。………この姿がどう見たら、 <br>\r\n………終わっていないように、 <br>\r\n………見えるのか……。……早く、トドメを刺せよ………。」 <br>\r\n\"...............Don't be... <br><br>\r\n...ridiculous... ......How can you look at this... <br><br>\r\nand think that it isn't... <br><br>\r\n...over...? ...Quickly, deliver the final blow......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「……………………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「…言っちまえよ。…お前の、青き真実で。…………“以上により、 <br>\r\n……魔女は存在しない”、 <br>\r\n…って……。………言っちまえよ………。………その一撃で、 <br>\r\n……私の息の根を、 <br>\r\n……………止めてしまえ………。」 <br>\r\n\"...Just say it. ...With your...blue truth. ......`According to this, <br><br>\r\n ...witches do not exist'. <br><br>\r\n ...Say it... ......Just say it...... ...With that single blow, <br><br>\r\n ...just put a stop... <br><br>\r\n...to my breathing......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「駄目だな。」 <br>\r\n\"It's useless.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………ほぅ……。………妾にこれ以上、……生き恥を、………晒せというのか…。すでに決着はついておろうに……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Hoh... ......So you would expose me...to even further shame...? Isn't it settled already...?\" <br><br>\r\n「立てよ。俺たちの殴り合いは、まだ終わってない。」 <br>\r\n\"Stand up. Our brawl still isn't over.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………まだ、……とな………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Not over, ...you say......?\" <br><br>\r\n「お前のそれは、負けじゃない。もう止めたと、投了しているだけだ。」 <br>\r\n\"That just now wasn't you losing. You just stopped and gave up.\" <br><br>\r\n「………いいでは…ないかよ……。……投了で…。……それでそなたの勝ちだろうが。 <br>\r\n………とっとと、 <br>\r\n……妹のところへ、 <br>\r\n…帰るがいい……。妾などこの場に、 <br>\r\n………打ち棄てていけ………。」 <br>\r\n\"...Isn't that...enough...? ...Wouldn't giving up...mean your victory? <br><br>\r\n ......You should... <br><br>\r\n...return to your little sister... <br><br>\r\nright away... Just throw me away... <br><br>\r\nright here......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「俺は言ったはずだ。逃げない。そして、 <br>\r\n\"Didn't I tell you? I won't run away. And... <br><br>\r\nお前を逃がさないとな。」 <br>\r\nI won't let you run away.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「お前は、何者だ。そして一体、何が望みだったんだ。」 <br>\r\n\"Just who are you? And what in the world is it that you want?\" <br><br>\r\nそれが知りたくば、……そなたの十八番でも試せば良い……。 <br>\r\nIf you want to know, ...why don't you just try your favorite move...? <br><br>\r\n「……………いいではないか…。…ただの、 <br>\r\n……妄想、 <br>\r\n……幻想……。それで、 <br>\r\n……いいではないか……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Isn't it better this way...? ......With me as a mere... <br><br>\r\n...delusion, <br><br>\r\nan illusion... Isn't that... <br><br>\r\nenough...?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「全然駄目だぜ。俺はお前を、 <br>\r\n\"It's all useless. I won't... <br><br>\r\n逃がさない。」 <br>\r\nlet you run away.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「俺はお前を、打ち破る。このまま逃がしてなるもんか。」 <br>\r\n\"I'll break through you. How could I let you run away like this?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「お前をうやむやにしたまま、幻想の暗闇に逃げ帰らせはしない。………打ち破る。完全にな。だから立て。弱々しいふりなんかするな！ お前はまだ何手か隠してる！ 俺にはわかる！」 <br>\r\n\"I won't let you run back to the darkness of illusions while you're still all hazy like this. ......I'll break through you. Completely. So stand up. Don't act all frail like that! You're still hiding several moves! I can tell!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………なぜ、……大人しく見逃してくれぬのか……。」 <br>\r\n\".........Why...won't you just let me escape...?\" <br><br>\r\n「親父を、お袋を、そして縁寿を。いとこのみんなや親族のみんなを。そして使用人のみんなを。お前はあれだけ弄んで殺した…！！ その非道を、俺は絶対に忘れない、許さない！ <br>\r\n\"Dad, Mom, and Ange. All the cousins and all the relatives. And all the servants. You toyed with them so much and killed them...!! I definitely won't forget, won't forgive that inhumanity!\" <br><br>\r\n俺の肩にはよ、……まだ縁寿の、腕の感触が残ってるんだよ…！！ <br>\r\n\"I can still feel...Ange's arms on my shoulders...!! <br><br>\r\n俺はッ、お前の非道を、許さないッ…！！ だから、そんなことで、逃がさない…！！！」 <br>\r\nI won't forgive your inhumanity...!! So I won't let you get away like this...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n戦人の目が憎悪の炎に燃える…。 <br>\r\nBattler's eyes burned with the flames of hatred... <br><br>\r\n……弱々しい仕草に同情を得られたのは、もう遠い過去の話だ。 <br>\r\n……一度騙された戦人は、二度と妾に情けなど掛けない。 <br>\r\n...The time had long since passed during which pitiful behavior would have earned his compassion. <br><br>\r\n...After being tricked once, Battler will never sympathize with me again. <br><br>\r\n 狼と羊のパズルどころか、 <br>\r\n………これじゃア、狼少年だなぁ……………。 <br>\r\nInstead of the wolves and sheep puzzle, <br><br>\r\n......this is like the boy who cried wolf, isn't it......? <br><br>\r\n…………どうすればいいんだよ、妾は………。………どうすれば…………。 <br>\r\n......What am I supposed to do......? ......What should I do......? <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n……負けを認めぬためだけに、無限に戦うのも、……無限の魔女に相応しき無限の拷問か。 <br>\r\n...Is fighting endlessly only to avoid admitting defeat...a fitting endless torture for the Endless Witch? <br><br>\r\n……………戦人に勝利を与えぬために、無限に嫌がらせを繰り返すのもまた、無限の魔女なのか………。 <br>\r\n......Is endlessly harassing Battler, to avoid giving him victory, ...also part of being the Endless Witch......? <br><br>\r\n ……………悲しいなぁ……。 <br>\r\n......It's so sad... <br><br>\r\n………こんなのが、 <br>\r\n………無限の魔法なのかぁ………。 <br>\r\n......Is this... <br><br>\r\n...what the Endless Magic is......? <br><br>\r\nもう、 <br>\r\n………嫌だ………。 <br>\r\nI've... <br><br>\r\n...had enough...... <br><br>\r\n魔女たちに、 <br>\r\n………無限に玩具にされるなんて、 <br>\r\n…………もう、 <br>\r\n……嫌だ……。 <br>\r\nI've... <br><br>\r\n...had enough... <br><br>\r\n...of endlessly being toyed with...... <br><br>\r\nby witches... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n勝ちはなく、引き分け終了もない。 <br>\r\nI will have no victory...and no tie. <br><br>\r\n……ならば、妾を解放してくれる結末は、ひとつしかない。 <br>\r\n...In that case, there's only one result that can release me. <br><br>\r\n……ふ、……ははははははは……。 <br>\r\n...Hmph, ...hahahahahahaha... <br><br>\r\n魔女の道に堕ちた時から。 <br>\r\n悪魔と契約をしたその日から。 <br>\r\nSince the time I succumbed to the path of witches. <br><br>\r\nSince the day I made that contract with demons. <br><br>\r\n………末路は悲劇であると、約束されていたではないか………。 <br>\r\n......It was promised that I would meet my end through tragedy, was it not......? <br><br>\r\n「どうしたッ！！ 黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェッ！！ 六軒島の支配者ならば、最後もそれに相応しい貫禄を見せてみろぉおおおおおおおおおぉぉ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"What's wrong?!! Golden Witch, Beatrice!! If you are the ruler of Rokkenjima, show me a majesty fitting for that, even at the very eeeeeeeeeeeeennddd!!!\" <br><br>\r\n落雷。 <br>\r\nLightning. <br><br>\r\n……世界が白く潰れる。 <br>\r\n...The world was smashed with white. <br><br>\r\n………六軒島の支配者に相応しき、最期を。 <br>\r\n......Fitting last moments...for the ruler of Rokkenjima. <br><br>\r\nはは、………はっははははははははは………。 <br>\r\nHaha, ......hahhahahahahahahahaha...... <br><br>\r\n「はっはははははは……、わっはっはっはははははははははははははは…！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Hahhahahahahaha, ...wahhahhahhahahahahahahahahahahahahaha...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\nベアトは青き杭に貫かれたまま、……雨空に向かい、笑い声をあげる。 <br>\r\nそしてゆっくりと顔を上げ、……戦人を見据えた。 <br>\r\nStill pierced by the blue stakes, ...Beato faced the rainy sky and let out a cry of laughter. <br><br>\r\nThen, she slowly raised her face...and stared at Battler. <br><br>\r\n「………愚か者め。……そなたの健闘を讃え、勝ちを譲ってやろうと思ったのに…。………慢心したな、後悔するぞ……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Fool. ...Just when I was about to praise your good fight and hand over victory... ......You shall regret that pride...\" <br><br>\r\n「それは譲られるものじゃねぇ。お前から奪い取るものだッ！！ お前だってそうだろうが！！ 俺が、魔女はいてもいいかななんて言い出す、そんな甘っちょろい勝ち方が納得できなかったから、前回はわざとああして最後にぶっ壊してくれたんだろうが…！！！ そうさ、俺は前回、お前に一度情けをもらってたんじゃねぇか！！ <br>\r\n\"This isn't something for you to hand over. I'm gonna take it from you!! The same goes for you, right?!! You could never accept an easygoing victory where I just say `Maybe witches existing isn't so bad'... Isn't that the very reason you intentionally fell apart like that at the end last time...?!!! That's right, last game, you took pity on me just once, didn't you?!!\" <br><br>\r\nだからその借りを、これで返す！ 立てッ！！！ 俺の敵、俺の黄金の魔女ッ、ベアトリーチェッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"So now I'll pay back that debt! Stand!!! My enemy, my Golden Witch, Beatrice!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「はっははは……。馬鹿が。 <br>\r\n\"Hahhahaha... Fool. <br><br>\r\n………馬鹿があああぁあぁ、っはっはははははははははははッ！！ ゥ愚か者がぁ…！！ 二度とチャンスがあると思うなァ？！ うおあああぁあああああッ！！！」 <br>\r\n......You foooooooooooool, hhahhahahahahahahahahahaha!! You simpleton...!! You think you'll get another chance?! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!!\" <br><br>\r\nベアトが叫ぶと、胸を貫いていた青き杭が砕け散って消える。 <br>\r\nWhen Beato yelled, the blue stakes that had pierced her chest blew to bits and disappeared. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、足を貫いている一番最初の青き楔は消えない。 <br>\r\n...However, the blue wedge that had pierced her foot in the very beginning did not vanish. <br><br>\r\n「まだ抜けてないぜ。１８人目のＸの青き真実が抜けていない…！！」 <br>\r\n\"You can't pull it out yet. You can't pull out the blue truth of the 18th person X...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「そなたの復唱要求の一つに応じる。そなたの推理通り、 <br>\r\n\"I will respond to one thing you told me to repeat. As you reasoned, <br><br>\r\n#ff0001全ゲームの開始時に金蔵はすでに死んでいる！#ffffff しかし、ならばつまりは１人を抜かせば良いこと！！ <br>\r\n#ff0001Kinzo is already dead at the starting time for all games!#ffffff However, this means that you can take one person out!! <br><br>\r\n#ff0001妾はこれまで、この島には１９人以上の人間は存在しないと宣言してきた。 <br>\r\n#ff0001Before now, I have proclaimed that no more than 18 humans exist on this island. <br><br>\r\nそれを、金蔵の分、１人減らす！！ <br>\r\nI will lower that by one for Kinzo!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n#ff0001この島には１８人以上の人間は存在しない！！ <br>\r\n\"#ff0001No more than 17 humans exist on this island!! <br><br>\r\n以上とはつまり１８人目を含めるぞ。 <br>\r\nThat excludes any 18th person. <br><br>\r\nつまり、１８人目のＸは存在しないッ！！ <br>\r\nIn short, this 18th person X does not exist!! <br><br>\r\nこれは全ゲームに共通することである！！！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nThis applies to all games!!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「そら見ろ。やっぱりまだ、とんでもねぇ奥の手を隠してやがったぜ……。１７人しか人間のいない島が１８人と偽られてきた。それが１人減って１７人になり、ようやく正しい数になったってわけだ。 <br>\r\n\"What do you know? Looks like you're still hiding some pretty crazy stuff up your sleeve after all... The island, which had no more than 17 humans on it, has been set up to appear as though there were 18. Taking one off makes it 17, so we've finally reached the correct number. <br><br>\r\n…………これで、お前をブチ抜いていた楔が抜かれたな。戦いはゼロから仕切り直しってわけだ…！」 <br>\r\n......This way, the wedge I knocked into you has been removed. We'll have to start the fight over, back from square one...!\" <br><br>\r\nベアトを縫い止めていた青き楔が砕け散る。 <br>\r\n………もう、ベアトを貫くものは何もない。 <br>\r\nThe blue wedge that had sewn Beato in place broke apart. <br><br>\r\n......There was no longer anything piercing her. <br><br>\r\n彼女の体の傷痕も完全に消え去っている。 <br>\r\nThe scars on her body had disappeared completely. <br><br>\r\nそこには、戦人が望んだ通りの、……貫禄ある六軒島の支配者である黄金の魔女の姿があった。 <br>\r\nThere stood, ...just as Battler had hoped for, ...the figure of the majestic Golden Witch who ruled Rokkenjima. <br><br>\r\n「……さぁ来い、戦人。もう一度最初からだ。全てについて、青き真実で打ち抜いてみよ。妾ももはや遊ばぬ、逃げもせぬ、隠れもせぬ。 <br>\r\n\"...Then come, Battler. Once more from the beginning. Try and break through everything with the blue truth. I too will no longer play, run, or hide.\" <br><br>\r\nそなたが不甲斐ないならばこの勝負、この場にて決着してくれようぞ。 <br>\r\n\"If you are worthless, then I shall end this match right here, right now. <br><br>\r\n妾の譲りし勝利にて妥協しなかったことを永遠に後悔させてくれるッ！！！ さあ第１のゲームからだ！」 <br>\r\nWith my grand victory, I'll make you regret your refusal to compromise for all eternity!!! Come, starting from the first game!\" <br><br>\r\n「おうッ！！ 第１のゲーム、第一の晩からだ！！ <br>\r\n\"Right!! From the first twilight of the first game!! <br><br>\r\n#5decff最初の園芸倉庫で見つかった親族６人の殺人に不審な点はない！ <br>\r\n#5decffThere's nothing strange about the murder of the six relatives that were found in the gardening shed at the start! <br><br>\r\nアリバイのない誰にでも犯行は可能だった！！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nThe crime was possible for any of those who didn't have an alibi!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「有効だ。続けるぞ、次の絵羽夫婦の密室殺人はどうか！ チェーンまで掛かった密室であったぞ！ 赤き真実を追加する。 <br>\r\n\"Valid. Continue, what about the next closed room murder, with Eva and Hideyoshi?! Even the chain was set for that closed room! I shall add to the red truth. <br><br>\r\n#ff0001二人は他殺である！ <br>\r\n#ff0001Both deaths were homicides! <br><br>\r\n密室構築後に片方を殺害の後に自殺したのではない！ <br>\r\nIt is not the case that, after the construction of the closed room, one of them committed suicide after committing murder! <br><br>\r\nまた、殺人は執行者、犠牲者が共に同室して行なわれた！ <br>\r\nFurthermore, the murder was carried out with both the victim and the perpetrator in the same room! <br><br>\r\n執行者が室外から殺害する手段は存在しない！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nNo method exists for the perpetrator to commit murder from outside the room!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「#5decff犯人には、アリバイのない人間を想定する。 <br>\r\n\"#5decffSuppose that the culprit was a human without an alibi. <br><br>\r\nそれは死者だ！ <br>\r\nIn other words, the dead! <br><br>\r\n最初の６人の死体の中には、顔面粉砕による身元不明死体が含まれる。 <br>\r\nWe weren't able to identify some of the first six corpses because of their smashed faces. <br><br>\r\nこれが実は偽装死体で、犠牲者のふりをして姿をくらました犯人Ｘが二人を殺したとの仮説は可能だ！ <br>\r\nMaybe one was actually a disguised corpse, and culprit X killed those two after making us think they were a victim and hiding away! <br><br>\r\nそして犯人は密室殺人構築後、ベッドの下に隠れ、俺たち全員をやり過ごしたんだ！！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nThen, after the closed room murder was constructed, the culprit hid under the bed and waited for all of us to come and leave!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「よかろう、次だ！ ボイラー室に至った嘉音が殺されたな？ 赤き真実を追加する。 <br>\r\n\"Very well, next! Kanon was killed in the boiler room, correct? I shall add to the red truth. <br><br>\r\n#ff0001全ての生存者にアリバイがある！ <br>\r\n#ff0001All of the survivors have alibis! <br><br>\r\nさらに死者も含めようぞ！！ <br>\r\nLet us include the dead as well!! <br><br>\r\nつまり、島の如何なる人間にも死者にも、嘉音は殺せなかった！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nIn short, no kind of human or dead person on the island could have killed Kanon!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「#5decff誰にも殺せないなら、自分で殺したということはあるかもな！！ <br>\r\n\"#5decffIf no one could kill him, then he might've been the one to kill!! <br><br>\r\nなら嘉音くんは自殺かもしれない。#ffffff <br>\r\nKanon-kun might've killed himself.#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n復唱要求！“嘉音くんは自殺ではない”！」 <br>\r\n\"Repeat it! `Kanon-kun did not commit suicide'!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「#ff0001嘉音は自殺ではない#ffffff。」 <br>\r\n\"#ff0001Kanon did not commit suicide#ffffff.\" <br><br>\r\n「重ねるぜ。 <br>\r\n\"One more. <br><br>\r\n復唱要求“嘉音くんは他殺された”。」 <br>\r\nRepeat it, `Kanon-kun's death was a homicide'.\" <br><br>\r\n「復唱を拒否する。」 <br>\r\n\"I refuse to repeat it.\" <br><br>\r\n「その拒否で、他殺を認めることも可能だが、お前はすでに赤で誰にも殺せなかったと宣言している。つまり、他殺ではないんだ。これは第３のゲームの連鎖密室と同じなのさ。 <br>\r\n\"By that refusal, it may be possible to view it as a homicide, but you've already proclaimed in red that no one could've killed him. In other words, it wasn't a homicide. This is the same as the linked closed rooms from the third game.\" <br><br>\r\n#5decff 嘉音くんは自殺でも他殺でもない理由で死亡したんだ。 <br>\r\n\"#5decffKanon-kun died for a reason that was neither suicide nor homicide. <br><br>\r\n状況は不明だが事故死というわけさ。 <br>\r\nThe details are unknown, but he died due to an accident.#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n胸に杭がブチ込まれて死んでしまうような、どのようなドジを踏んで事故死に至ったかについての説明は、悪魔の証明により説明拒否ッ！！#ffffff」 <br>\r\n\"#5decffBecause of the Devil's Proof, I refuse to explain what kind of blunder could've led to an accidental death where a stake was driven into his chest!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「ほほぅ、悪魔の力を身につけたそなたは今や敵なしだな！ 有効であるぞ！ <br>\r\n\"Hohoh, now that you have borrowed the power of demons, you are without peer! It is valid!\" <br><br>\r\nならば、その後の客間にての、源次、南條、熊沢の３名の殺人はどうか！ 無論、 <br>\r\n\"In that case, what about the murders after that in the parlor, of Genji, Nanjo, and Kumasawa?! Naturally, <br><br>\r\n#ff0001同室していた真里亞は殺していないぞ！ <br>\r\n#ff0001Maria, who was in the same room, did not kill them! <br><br>\r\nそしてもちろん三人は他殺だ！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nAnd of course, their three deaths were homicides!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「#5decff殺人を実行したのは、身元不明死体で姿をくらました犯人Ｘで説明できる。 <br>\r\n\"#5decffWe can explain those murders with culprit X, who hid away using an unidentified corpse. <br><br>\r\nそもそも、あの３人の顔面も粉砕されていた。 <br>\r\nAfter all, those three had their faces smashed. <br><br>\r\nどれかが替え玉死体の可能性は充分にある！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nIt's completely possible that one of them was a body-double corpse!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「#ff0001身元不明死体について、その身元を全て保証する。 <br>\r\n\"#ff0001I guarantee the identities of all unidentified corpses. <br><br>\r\n即ち、替え玉トリックは存在しない！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nTherefore, there were no body double tricks!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「#5decffならば相打ち殺人で説明できる。 <br>\r\n\"#5decffThen you can explain it with simultaneous murders. <br><br>\r\n３人はそれぞれに銃を持って時計回りに突きつけ、同時に相手の顔面を吹き飛ばした！ <br>\r\nEach of them had a gun, pointed it clockwise, and blew each others' faces off at the same time! <br><br>\r\nその後、真里亞がその銃を回収して隠した！！#ffffff これならどうだッ！！！」 <br>\r\nAfter that, Maria collected those guns and hid them!!#ffffff How about that?!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「なッ、……何と言う暴論ッ！！！ <br>\r\n\"What?! ...What a ridiculous argument!!! <br><br>\r\nき、気に入ったァ…！！ ならば最後の夏妃は？！ <br>\r\nH-How amusing...!! Then what about Natsuhi in the end?!\" <br><br>\r\n赤き真実を追加！ <br>\r\n\"I shall add to the red truth! <br><br>\r\n#ff0001夏妃は他殺である！ <br>\r\n#ff0001Natsuhi's death was a homicide! <br><br>\r\n身元不明死体は一切なく、生存者も全員がアリバイがある！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nThere were no unidentified corpses, and all of the survivors have alibis!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「#5decffトラップＸによる間接殺人で説明できる！ <br>\r\n\"#5decffYou can explain it with an indirect murder due to trap X! <br><br>\r\n夏妃伯母さんの銃に細工がされてたんだ。 <br>\r\nSomething was done to Aunt Natsuhi's gun. <br><br>\r\nあの銃は、構えて撃った人間の、ちょうど眉間に弾をくれてやるように作られた、罠の銃だったとすれば説明できる！！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nIt could have been a trap gun, built to send a bullet right into the forehead of anyone who tried to hold it up and shoot it!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「#ff0001夏妃の額に埋まりし銃弾は、夏妃の銃から放たれたものではない！#ffffff」 <br>\r\n\"#ff0001The bullet buried into Natsuhi's forehead was not fired from her gun!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「#5decff夏妃伯母さんは、内容不明の手紙により誘き出された可能性がある！ <br>\r\n\"#5decffIt's possible that Aunt Natsuhi was lured out by that letter, whose contents were unknown! <br><br>\r\nそしてホールに呼び出された。 <br>\r\nShe was called out into the hall. <br><br>\r\nそして特定の時刻に特定の場所に立つように強いられて、予め設置してあった銃を利用したトラップＸにより殺害されたんだ！！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nThen, she was forced to stand at a specified location at a specified time and murdered by trap X, which used a gun that had been installed there beforehand!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「素晴らしいッ！！ そなたの暴論はもはや心地よくすらある！ 敬意を表し、第一のゲームをそなたに譲ろうぞ…！！ 感服したわッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Wonderful!! These reckless arguments of yours are even starting to feel pleasurable now! Out of respect, I shall hand the first game over to you...!! Well done!! <br><br>\r\n…………がはッ！！！」 <br>\r\n......Gaaaah!!!\" <br><br>\r\nベアトが第１のゲームの敗北を認めた瞬間、青き真実の杭が再び、ものすごい音を立てて彼女の胸板を貫く…。 <br>\r\nThe instant Beato acknowledged her defeat in the first game, the stakes of the blue truth once again pierced her chest, letting out a terrible sound... <br><br>\r\n「……く、……ぐぉ、……………がああぁッ！！！ これくらいでは、堪えぬわ、……まだまだぁ！！ 来いッ、第二のゲームだ！！」 <br>\r\n\"...Ku, ...gwah, ......gaaaaaahhh!!! This is still...hardly painful, ...and it's not over yet!! Come, now for the second game!!\" <br><br>\r\nベアトは胸に突き刺さっていた杭を、辛うじて引き抜くが、……さすがに穴は開いてないとはいえ、おびただしい血を流す大怪我をしているようだった。 <br>\r\nBeato just barely pulled out the stakes that had pierced her chest, ...but even though there was no hole left behind, she still seemed to be bearing a deep wound that was letting out a massive amount of blood. <br><br>\r\nそして、それに見合った激痛に苛まれている…。 <br>\r\nAnd, she was tormented by an equally fierce pain... <br><br>\r\nしかしベアトは歯を食い縛りながらニヤリと笑い、次のゲームを促す。 <br>\r\nBut Beato grinned, grinding her teeth, and pushed for the next game to start. <br><br>\r\nだが同情はしないぜ。 <br>\r\nBut I won't feel sympathy for her. <br><br>\r\n……ヤツがただそこに存在しているだけで、俺たちは何度も殺され、甚振られ、………縁寿は孤独な未来を強いられるんだ…！！ <br>\r\n...Just by her existing there, we've been killed and harassed over and over, ......and Ange's been burdened with a future of isolation...!! <br><br>\r\n「そうとも、妾がここにいて、ただ笑うだけでも、永遠の地獄は続く…！！ <br>\r\n\"Correct, just by my being here and laughing, this eternal hell will continue...!! <br><br>\r\nそなたを妹に返しはしない…！ 妹は帰らぬ家族に千年の間、泣き続ければ良い…！！」 <br>\r\nI won't give your little sister back...! Let her cry over the family that shall not return for the next thousand years...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「畜生があぁああああぁ！！ 情けも容赦もしねぇぜ、第二のゲームだ、行くぜ！！ まずは最初の事件だ！ ６人が殺された礼拝堂での密室殺人については、当時の俺がすでに看破している。 <br>\r\n\"Damn iiiiiiiiiittt!! No compassion, no mercy! On to the second game!! I'll start with the first crime! Right after it happened, I penetrated to the truth of the closed room murder where the six were killed in the chapel. <br><br>\r\n#5decff真里亞の鍵を、何者かが密かに拝借し、事件終了後に密かに真里亞のカバンに戻したんだ！！#ffffff」 <br>\r\n#5decffSomeone secretly borrowed Maria's key...and secretly returned it to Maria's bag after the crime was over!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「#ff0001真里亞の鍵は、真里亞受領後から翌日の楼座開封の瞬間まで、誰の手にも渡っていない！！#ffffff」 <br>\r\n\"#ff0001From the time Maria received her key to the instant Rosa unsealed the envelope the next day, the key passed through no one's hands!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「#5decffジジイの書斎と同じ構造で、礼拝堂の扉がオートロックだった可能性がある。 <br>\r\n\"#5decffThat door might've had an auto-lock, just like Gramps' study. <br><br>\r\nつまり、事件前に開錠しておいて、扉が閉まりきらないように石でも挟んでおいた。 <br>\r\nIn other words, it was unlocked before the crime, with a rock or something wedged in so that it couldn't close completely. <br><br>\r\nそして鍵を真里亞に預けた。 <br>\r\nThen, someone gave the key to Maria. <br><br>\r\n施錠はオートのため、鍵は必要なかったとの仮説もありえる！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nThe lock was automatic, so it's possible to make a theory where the key wasn't needed!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「#ff0001金蔵の書斎以外にオートロックの扉は存在しない！#ffffff」 <br>\r\n\"#ff0001There were no doors with auto-locks other than Kinzo's study!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「#5decff扉は犠牲者たちが内側から閉めたんだ。 <br>\r\n\"#5decffThe victims locked the door from the inside. <br><br>\r\n６人の中に犯人がいて、５人を殺し、死んだふりをしていた！！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nOne of the six was the culprit, and this person killed the other five, then pretended to be dead!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「#ff0001６人は発見時にすでに全員死亡していた！ <br>\r\n\"#ff0001The six were already dead by the time they were discovered! <br><br>\r\n全員が他殺だ！ <br>\r\nAll of their deaths were homicides! <br><br>\r\n６人は全員が純粋な犠牲者であり、相互の殺人には関与しない！ <br>\r\nAll six were genuine victims and did not take part in a mutual murder! <br><br>\r\n相打ち殺人は存在しない！！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nThere was no simultaneous murder!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「#5decff熊沢さんを始め、当時アリバイがない人間が存在した。 <br>\r\n\"#5decffThere were people, Kumasawa-san in particular, who had no alibi at the time. <br><br>\r\nそんな誰かが６人を殺し、内側に隠れていたと仮定すれば問題ない！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nIf we assume that someone was hiding on the inside, then we've got no problems!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「#ff0001あの礼拝堂には誰も隠れていなかった。 <br>\r\n\"#ff0001There was no one hiding in the chapel. <br><br>\r\nよってその、引き篭もり密室は通用しない！#ffffff <br>\r\nTherefore, the shut-in murder you suggest does not work!#ffffff <br><br>\r\nどうしたよ、右代宮戦人ぁ、それで終わりかぁ？！ 第２のゲームからは甘くないぜぇええぇ？！」 <br>\r\nWhat's wrong, is that all, Ushiromiya Battleer?! It's not so easy once you get to the second game, riiiight?!\" <br><br>\r\n凄まじき赤と青の真実の応酬。 <br>\r\nIt was a thundering exchange of red and blue truth. <br><br>\r\n俺から放たれて次々に襲い掛かる青き真実の杭や楔を、ベアトは次々に赤き真実こと、赤き宝刀で切り伏せ、叩き落していく。 <br>\r\nThe stakes and wedges of blue truth that I sent flying attacked one after the other, and Beato cut them down one after another with her red truth, her red treasured sword, knocking them down. <br><br>\r\nしかし、第一のゲームを落とした際の出血がひどいのだろう。 <br>\r\nその激しい運動は彼女にさらなる負担を強いていた。 <br>\r\nBut the blood she'd lost from the first game was probably serious. <br><br>\r\nThis intense exercise was putting an even greater strain on her. <br><br>\r\n呼吸の荒さも見える。 <br>\r\nI could also see her breath grow ragged. <br><br>\r\nだからこそ、俺はここで手を休めない！ <br>\r\n……あの魔女を追い詰める！ <br>\r\nThat's why I can't hold back now! <br><br>\r\n...I'll corner that witch! <br><br>\r\n今度こそ打ち破ってやるッ！ <br>\r\nThis time I'll break through her! <br><br>\r\n「まだだぜ、あぁ、駄目だ、全然駄目だ！！ 俺の屁理屈は終わっちゃいねぇぜ！！ ならばこれはどうだ！！ <br>\r\n\"Not yet, aah, it's useless, it's all useless!! My twisted logic isn't finished yet!! Then what about this?!!\" <br><br>\r\n#5decff彼らに与えられた飲食物に小型爆弾が入っていて、腹の中で爆発した。 <br>\r\n\"#5decffThe food they were given had small bombs in it, which exploded from inside their stomachs. <br><br>\r\nつまりトラップＸによる犯行の可能性！ <br>\r\nIn other words, the crime was possible through trap X! <br><br>\r\n気付かずに飲み込んで腹をブチまけるような爆弾の詳細については悪魔の証明ッ！ <br>\r\nThe exact nature of bombs they could swallow without noticing and which could also blow open their stomachs is a Devil's Proof! <br><br>\r\n説明拒否ッ！！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nI refuse to explain!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「ぶッ、っはっはっはっはっはっは！！ 何だよそりゃあああぁああ？！ <br>\r\n\"Pfft, hhahahahahahahhahahahhaha!! What the hell's thaaaaaaaaat?! <br><br>\r\n小型爆弾んん？！ わあっはっはっはっはっは！！」 <br>\r\nSmall bommmmmmmbs?! Waahhahahahahhahhahha!!\" <br><br>\r\nしかし、その変化球のように歪に飛ぶ青き楔を、ベアトは叩き落し損ねる。 <br>\r\nBut Beato failed to knock down the blue wedge as it flew at an angle like a breaking pitch. <br><br>\r\nそれは、ドカッという重い音を立てて、彼女の左肩に深々と突き刺さった。 <br>\r\nIt let out a loud *thunk*...and gouged itself deep into her left shoulder. <br><br>\r\nしかし、そのあまりの変化球ぶりに、食らっておきながら笑いが止まらないらしい。 <br>\r\n……あぁ、そうだろうな、俺も何て滅茶苦茶な推理だろうと思うぜ…！！ <br>\r\nHowever, even as the breaking pitch hit her, her laughter didn't seem to be stopping. <br><br>\r\n...Yeah, I get it, even I think that theory's pretty screwed up...!! <br><br>\r\n「ハッ、好きなだけ笑いやがれ！！ 文句があるのかッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Hah, laugh as much as you want!! Got a problem with that?!!\" <br><br>\r\n「無しッ！！ その暴論や、心地よしッ！！！ <br>\r\n\"None!! Quite a pleasurable, reckless argument!!! <br><br>\r\n次なる朱志香と嘉音の密室は！」 <br>\r\nNext up is the closed room with Jessica and Kanon!\" <br><br>\r\n「問題ないッ！ <br>\r\n\"No problems there! <br><br>\r\n#5decff使用人の誰かが犯人であればマスターキーを使える。 <br>\r\n#5decffIf the culprit was one of the servants, they could've used a master key. <br><br>\r\n密室ですらない！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nIt's not even a closed room!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「その後、使用人室で嘉音らしき謎の人物が襲い掛かり、南條と熊沢が殺されたな？！ 嘉音の死亡はあの時刻以前に赤で宣言済みだった。ならばあの嘉音は何者だというのか？！」 <br>\r\n\"After that, there was an attack in the servant room from a mystery person who seemed to be Kanon, and Nanjo and Kumasawa were killed, right?! I had already proclaimed Kanon's death in red before that time. So, who was that Kanon?!\" <br><br>\r\n「#5decff嘉音くんの死亡は赤で宣言済みならば、生きているわけがない。 <br>\r\n\"#5decffIf Kanon-kun's death was proclaimed with the red, there's no way he was alive. <br><br>\r\nよって、襲われた彼らが、嘉音くんと誤認するような何者かの変装の可能性がある！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nTherefore, there's a chance that the one who attacked that group was in a disguise that made everyone mistakenly think it was Kanon-kun!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「#ff0001彼らは異なる人物を嘉音と誤認することは絶対にない！#ffffff」 <br>\r\n\"#ff0001They would never mistakenly think any other person was Kanon!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「#5decffならば金蔵の名の世襲と同じに、嘉音の名が世襲された可能性がある。 <br>\r\n\"#5decffThen, just like the heredity of Kinzo's name, there's a possibility that Kanon's name was inherited by someone. <br><br>\r\n嘉音くんが殺され、別の人物がその名を受け継ぎ、彼らを襲ったと仮定できるッ！！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nYou could suppose that Kanon-kun was killed, a different person succeeded that name, and that this person attacked them!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n西瓜が押し潰されるような音が響き渡り、ベアトの左の脇腹に青き楔が深々と打ち込まれる…。 <br>\r\nA sound like a watermelon being squashed rang out, and a blue wedge was buried deep into Beato's left flank... <br><br>\r\n場所が悪かったのか、かなり効いたらしい。 <br>\r\nMaybe it hit in a bad place, since it seemed to be really effective. <br><br>\r\nしばらくの間、屈み込んで呻いた後、 <br>\r\nAfter leaning over and moaning for a while, <br><br>\r\n……へっちゃらだとでも言うようにげらげらと笑い捨てた。 <br>\r\n...she laughed it off as though trying to make it seem like no big deal. <br><br>\r\nあぁ、わかってるぜ。 <br>\r\nすっげえ痛かったんだろ…！！ <br>\r\nYeah, I get it. <br><br>\r\nThat must've hurt a lot...!! <br><br>\r\n「ひゃっはああああぁ！！ またしても事も無げに、ニンゲンの誰かを犯人に仕立ててきやがったぜぇ！！ ゲーム盤上では口が裂けても言えぬことを、実にしゃあしゃあとのたまう！！ <br>\r\n\"Hyahhaaaaaaaahhh!! Once again, you've set up some Human as the culprit as if it were nothing!! You truly are gabbing on about things you'd never be able to open your mouth and say on the game board!!\" <br><br>\r\nしかし有効だッ！ その暴言ッ、心地よし！！ ……心地よいぞ。………これは痛みではない、……心地よさだぁあ！！」 <br>\r\n\"And yet it's valid! That reckless argument is pleasurable!! ...Truly pleasurable. ......This isn't pain, ...it's pleeeeeeasure!!\" <br><br>\r\nベアトが吼えると突き刺さっていた楔が弾き飛ばされる。 <br>\r\nしかし傷口は残り、激痛で苛み続ける。 <br>\r\nWhen Beato howled, the wedge that had pierced her was blasted away. <br><br>\r\nBut the wound remained, and she continued to be tormented by a fierce pain. <br><br>\r\n「いいのか、続けて行くぜ？ 第二のゲームの最後の殺人、夏妃伯母さんの部屋で死んだ３人についての青き真実は、１８人目のＸを否定されても有効のはず！ 赤で反論はあるか？！ なければ第２のゲームも俺のものだッ！」 <br>\r\n\"You ready? I'll keep going. My blue truth for the last murder in the second game, the three who died in Aunt Natsuhi's room, should still be valid even with the 18th person X denied! Do you have a counterargument for that in red?! If you don't, the second game is all mine too!\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ、ないぞ！！ そのような瑣末で戦うのもつまらないッ！！ くれてやるッ、第２のゲームなぞ貴様にくれてやるわッ！！ <br>\r\n\"No, I don't!! Fighting over such trivial matters bores me!! I'll give it to you, I'll give you the second game!! <br><br>\r\nぐおあああぁがッ！！！！ <br>\r\nGwaaaaaaaaagghghh!!!! <br><br>\r\n………ふ、……ぐおおおおぉおおおぉおぉ………！！」 <br>\r\n......Fff, ...gwooooooooooohhhh......!!\" <br><br>\r\n第２のゲームの敗北を認めた瞬間に、今度は２本の青き杭がベアトの胸を抉り貫く…！ <br>\r\nThe instant she acknowledged her loss in the second game, two blue stakes gouged through Beato's chest this time...! <br><br>\r\n魔女の肺を抉り、腸を抉る。 <br>\r\n魔女が苦悶に表情を歪める。 <br>\r\n身を捩り、激痛に喘ぐ。 <br>\r\nThe witch's lungs were gouged, as were her intestines. <br><br>\r\nHer face twisted in anguish. <br><br>\r\nHer body twisted as she gasped in pain. <br><br>\r\n「痛ぇのか……？」 <br>\r\n\"Does it hurt...?\" <br><br>\r\n「痛いぃぃ？ ……いやいやぁ、くすぐったいくらいよ。 <br>\r\n\"Huuuuurt? ...No, no, this just tickles. <br><br>\r\nうっひゃっひゃひゃっひゃあああぁああぁ！！ 全身を細切れにされて屑肉の山にされた、お前の妹に比べればなァあああぁ？！ お前も屑肉にしてやるぞ、兄妹仲良く混ぜて合挽きにしてくれるわァ、あーっきゃっきゃっきゃあああぁああああぁ！！」 <br>\r\nUhhyahhyahyahyahhyaaaaaaahhh!! ...At least compared to having your entire body torn to bits and turned into a pile of scrap meat, like your sisteeeeeeeer! I'll make you scrap meat too, then you siblings can be all mixed together like ground beef and pork, *giggle*giggle*, kyahaaaaaaaahhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n「う、……うぉおおおおおおおおぉおおおお！！ ブチ殺してやる、お前を同じ細切れにしてやるッ！！ 次だ！ 第３のゲームだ！！ いつまでへばってやがる！！ てめえを地獄に叩き落してやるのはこれからだッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Ahh, ...aaaaaarrrrrrrrggggh!! I'll beat you to death, I'll tear you to bits the same way!! Next! The third game!! How long are you gonna sit around, all worn out like that?!! I've only just started knocking you down to hell!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……ぐ……、が、……うおおおああぁッ！ 無論よ、これくらいでへばるものかッ！ <br>\r\n\"...Guh...gah, ...aaaaaaagghhh!! Naturally, as if something like this could wear me down!\" <br><br>\r\nそうとも。まだまだこれからよ！ <br>\r\n\"You're right. We're still just getting started! <br><br>\r\nさぁ第３のゲームを始めようぞ、まずは最初の六連結の連鎖密室！ 本来ならこの密室はそなたが当時に看破している。 <br>\r\nCome, let us begin the third game, starting with the six linked closed rooms! You supposedly did penetrate this closed room at the time. <br><br>\r\nしかし、そなたは金蔵を~ib~殺してしまった~ib~…！！」 <br>\r\nBut then you ~ib~killed off Kinzo~ib~...!!\" <br><br>\r\n俺は当時、ジジイが犯人で、他の５人を殺して部屋の鍵をそれぞれ数珠繋ぎにした後、自分の密室をボイラー室に構築、 <br>\r\nAt the time, I theorized that Gramps was the culprit, and that after killing the other five and stringing the keys across each room, he'd constructed his own closed room in the boiler room... <br><br>\r\nそこで、何らかの工作を行なう最中に事故死して、ボイラーで焼け死んだと仮定した。 <br>\r\n...And that there, he'd died in an accident while carrying out some kind of scheme, burning to death in the boiler. <br><br>\r\nしかし俺は、ジジイはすでに死んでいると宣言しちまった。 <br>\r\nつまりは、自分で自分の説を否定しちまったわけだな。皮肉な話だぜ…！ <br>\r\nBut now I've declared that Gramps was already dead. <br><br>\r\nSo I've denied my own theory myself, ironically enough...! <br><br>\r\nだがッ、 <br>\r\nHowever- <br><br>\r\n「問題ないッ！ <br>\r\n\"There's no problem! <br><br>\r\n#5decffジジイ以外にも犯行可能な人間は大勢いる！ <br>\r\n#5decffPlenty of people besides Gramps could've committed the crime! <br><br>\r\n親族会議中だった大人たちが、全員グルで犯行に及んだとさえ言い切れる！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nYou could even claim that all the adults holding the family conference were in on it!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「#ff0001マスターキー５本は全て、５人の使用人の懐よりそれぞれ発見された！ <br>\r\n\"#ff0001All five master keys were discovered, each in the pocket of one of the servants! <br><br>\r\n個別の鍵は死体の傍らの封筒の中に！ <br>\r\nThe individual room keys were found inside envelopes alongside the corpses! <br><br>\r\nつまり、連鎖密室にかかわる全ての鍵が、連鎖密室内に閉じ込められていたわけだ！！ <br>\r\nIn short, all keys related to the linked closed rooms were inside the linked closed rooms!! <br><br>\r\nドアの隙間だの窓の隙間だの通気口だのッ、そんなところを使って密室外から鍵を戻すことなど出来ぬぞ！！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nNo key could have been returned from outside the room using the crack of the door, the crack of the window, vents or any place of the sort!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「#5decffなら毒ガスで殺したんだ！ <br>\r\n\"#5decffThen they were killed with poison gas! <br><br>\r\n鍵は通らなくてもガスなら通るぜ？！ <br>\r\nEven if a key couldn't pass through, gas could, right?! <br><br>\r\n密室の外から殺人を実行したんだ！！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nThe murder was carried out from outside the closed room!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「#ff0001彼ら全員には致命傷となった銃創と思わしき傷痕があったぞ！ <br>\r\n\"#ff0001All of them had what appeared to be gunshot wounds that were fatal! <br><br>\r\n室外からの殺害は不可能だぞ！！ <br>\r\nMurdering them from outside the room would have been impossible!! <br><br>\r\nさらに赤を重ねようぞ！ <br>\r\nI shall say more with the red! <br><br>\r\n金蔵を除く５人の殺人の際、殺人者は必ず同室していた！ <br>\r\nWhen the five other than Kinzo were killed, the killer was definitely in the same room as them! <br><br>\r\n自殺者がいないことは当時に赤で宣言済みだ！！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nI already proclaimed in red at the time that there were no suicides!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「#5decff犯人は全員をそれぞれの部屋で殺害後、連鎖密室を構築した。 <br>\r\n\"#5decffAfter the murder of each person in their respective rooms, the culprit created a linked closed room. <br><br>\r\nしかし、最後の部屋の鍵だけは、どうしても密室内に戻せない。 <br>\r\nBut the culprit had no way to return just the key to the very last room. <br><br>\r\nだが戻すことは出来たぜ。 <br>\r\nAnd yet, they were able to do it. <br><br>\r\n死体の第一発見者が、鍵を見つけたふりをして、誰かの死体のポケットから取り出して見せればいいからだ！！#ffffff」 <br>\r\nAfter all, the first person to discover a corpse just had to pretend to find the key and pull it from the pocket of one of the corpses!!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\nその青き楔の応酬を防ぎきれない…！ <br>\r\nベアトは次々と繰り出される青き楔に押され、ついに弾き漏らし再び深手を負う。 <br>\r\nShe couldn't fully block the retort of that blue stake...! <br><br>\r\nBeato was pushed back by the blue wedges that were unleashed on her one after another, finally failed to block one, and once again took a severe wound. <br><br>\r\n「ぎ、ぎぎ、……ぐああああぁッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Nnnn, nnnnggg, ...gyaaaaaahhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n激痛に咆哮しながら、右腕に突き刺さった青き楔を引き抜く。 <br>\r\nAs she howled in pain, she pulled out the blue wedge that had pierced her right arm. <br><br>\r\n……ベアトの全身は、何度も何度も青き楔や杭、そして刃に切り裂かれ、貫かれ、今や全身を血塗れにしていた。 <br>\r\n...Beato's entire body had been torn apart and pierced with blue wedges, stakes, and blades, over and over again, and now she was totally covered in blood. <br><br>\r\nしかしそれでも、ベアトはニヤリと笑う。 <br>\r\nさも愉快であるようにげらげらと笑う…！ <br>\r\nBut even so, Beato grinned. <br><br>\r\nCackling as though this was amusing...! <br><br>\r\n「ふっはっはっはぁああああぁ！！ 縁寿に、親を連れ戻して帰宅すると約束した男が、どの口で親を犯人にした説を語るというのか？ <br>\r\n\"Fuhhahhahhaaaaaaahhh!! How could a man who promised to bring Ange's parents home voice a theory where those parents are culprits?\" <br><br>\r\nいいぜ、それでもいいんだぜぇえぇ？ 家族で仲良く大量殺人に手を染めて、決して落ちぬ血に塗れながら縁寿のところに帰れよぉおおおッ！！ それでこそ、魔女の島からの生還者にお似合いだぜぇえええぇ？ <br>\r\n\"Splendid, even that's just fine, riiiiiiight? Go be a big, happy family getting their hands dirty with mass murder, then return to Ange stained with blood that will never come oooooooooff!! How could we expect anything less from the people who returned alive from the witch's islaaaaaaaaaand? <br><br>\r\n屑肉縁寿にぴったりだぁああああああひゃっはああぁあああああぁッ！！！」 <br>\r\nJust what that mincemeat Ange neeeeeeeeeeeeeds, hyahhaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「うおおおおおおぉおおお黙りやがれええええぇええええ！！ てめえを殺すッ！！ バラバラにして殺すッ！！ 命乞いの必要はねぇぜ、絶対にこの手で、最悪の死を与えてやるッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Aaaaaarrrrgggghhh, shut uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuupp!! I'll kill you!! I'll tear you apart!! No need to waste your time begging for your life, I'll definitely give you the worst kind of death by my own hands!!\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ、そなたなら出来るだろうよ…！！ 千年の果てに残虐の限りを尽くしきった妾に、それに見合う最期を与えてくれるだろうよ…！！ <br>\r\n\"Yes, you probably could do it...!! I've explored the depths of cruelty for over a thousand years, and you probably will gift me with a fitting end for all that...!!\" <br><br>\r\nあぁ、それは痛いのか？ 辛いのか？ それともくすぐったいのかなぁあああぁああぁ？！ <br>\r\n\"Ooh, does that hurt? Is it harsh? Or does it ticckklllllleee?!\" <br><br>\r\nこれくらいで堪えるかよ、来いよ右代宮戦人ぁああぁ、まだ謎は残ってるぜぇええええぇ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Is that supposed to torment me, come on, Ushiromiya Battleeeeeeer, there are still mysteries leeeeeeeeeeeeft!!\" <br><br>\r\nベアトはすでに、俺の最初の強力な一手、１８人目のＸを、島の人数を１７人にすることで切り返している。 <br>\r\nBeato had already countered my first powerful move, the 18th person X, by making the number of people on the island 17. <br><br>\r\nだが、１７人に制限したところで、絵羽伯母さんという犯人を仮定した説は覆らない。 <br>\r\nBut just limiting the number of people to 17 didn't overturn the theory that Aunt Eva was the culprit. <br><br>\r\n第３のゲームの殺人のほとんどは、この説で撃破できるのだ…！ <br>\r\nI can crush most of the murders in the third game this way...! <br><br>\r\n全身から血を滴り落とす黄金の魔女……。 <br>\r\nBlood dripped from all over the body of the Golden Witch... <br><br>\r\nそれを、今こそ完膚なきまでに、容赦なく追い詰める俺。 <br>\r\nI cornered her, this time thoroughly without mercy. <br><br>\r\nこれは、勝ち負けを決めて遊ぶゲームではない。 <br>\r\nThis isn't a game played to decide who wins and who loses. <br><br>\r\n……そうさ、遊びじゃないんだ。 <br>\r\n...Yeah, we aren't playing. <br><br>\r\nここでこうして戦って遊んでいるだけでも、………帰りが遅れてるんだ。 <br>\r\nEven the time I spend playing and fighting like this...delays my trip home. <br><br>\r\n孤独な縁寿が、悲しみと寂しさで心を切り刻まれ続けてるんだ…！ <br>\r\nIn her isolation, Ange will continue to have her heart torn apart by loneliness and sadness...! <br><br>\r\n一秒でも早く、俺は縁寿のところへ帰ってやらなければならないんだッ！！ <br>\r\nI have to go back to Ange as fast as I can!! <br><br>\r\n「…………ボロボロだな。虫の息ってヤツか？」 <br>\r\n\"......You're all worn out. Standing at death's door, are you?\" <br><br>\r\n「……くっくっくっく。……まだまだ、……堪えぬわ……。……これくらい、………っ。 <br>\r\n\"...*cackle*cackle* ...It still...doesn't burden me... ...Something like this......! <br><br>\r\n……くっくくくく、こそばゆいわぁ…！！」 <br>\r\n...*cackle*cackle* It tickles...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「いらねえようだな、容赦。」 <br>\r\n\"It looks like you don't need any mercy.\" <br><br>\r\n「元よりそのつもりもなかろうが。」 <br>\r\n\"I never asked for it in the first place.\" <br><br>\r\n「存分に行くぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"I'm going all out.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうせよ。逆の立場だった時、妾は容赦しなかった。だからそなたもそのチャンスがあったならそうするべきであろうが。 <br>\r\n\"Do so. When our roles were reversed, I showed no mercy. So you ought to do the same when given the chance.\" <br><br>\r\nじゃないと、また別の世界の孤独な縁寿を呼んで、今度は四肢を引き千切って槍に刺して炙り焼きにしちまうぜぇええええぇ？？ <br>\r\n\"Otherwise, I'll summon another isolated Ange from a different world, and this time, I'll tear off her arms and legs, stick her with a spear and roast her, okaaaaaaayyy?? <br><br>\r\nうっひゃっはあぁあああああああ！！」 <br>\r\nUhhyahhaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n「黙れぇえええええぇ！！ <br>\r\n\"Shut uuuuuuuuuuup!! <br><br>\r\nもう二度と！！ 俺の家族も！ 親族も！ そして使用人のみんなも！！ お前の玩具にはさせねぇぜ！！ <br>\r\nNever again!! Not my family! Not my relatives! Not any of the servants!! I won't let you make them your playthings!!\" <br><br>\r\n……俺はすでに第４のゲームの謎も全て青き真実で打ち破っている。………残る謎は、第３のゲームの一番最後。……南條先生の殺人だけだぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"...I've already broken through all of the mysteries in the fourth game with the blue truth. ......The only one left is the very last one from the third game. ...Only the murder of Doctor Nanjo.\" <br><br>\r\n「……おや、………妾はもうそんなところまで追い詰められていたか……。……くっくくくく、妾も風前の灯であるなぁ…。……いぃっひっひっひっひ、……がはッ、ごほごほッ！ <br>\r\n\"...Oho, ...have I already been cornered so far...? ...*cackle*cackle* What a precarious state I'm in... ...Iiihhihhihhihhi, ...ghagh, *cough*cough*! <br><br>\r\n」 <br>\r\n\" <br><br>\r\n咳き込み、血反吐を吐き出す。 <br>\r\nShe coughed violently, spitting up blood. <br><br>\r\n……あれだけ何度も内臓をブチ抜かれたんだ。 <br>\r\n当然だ。 <br>\r\n...Her insides had been punched through so many times. <br><br>\r\nIt was only natural. <br><br>\r\n「ということは、この南條先生殺しの謎だけが、お前が魔女であることの、最後の防衛線ってことになるな……？」 <br>\r\n\"In other words, the mystery of Doctor Nanjo's murder is the last line of defense for you being a witch, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………そうなるな。これを破られたなら、妾は全ての謎を破られたことになる。………そなたの真実のいずれかを新しき赤き真実で反論するか、新しき謎を提示しない限り、妾は、死ぬ。」 <br>\r\n\"......As you say. If you defeat that, it will mean that all of my mysteries have been defeated. ......Unless I counter one of your truths with some new red truth...or present a new mystery, I...will die.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………。……追い詰められて、風前の灯火って感じには見えねぇぜ。……まだ、何か隠し球を持ってやがるな……？」 <br>\r\n\"............You don't look like someone who's been pushed into a corner, standing on the brink. ...You still have some kind of hidden pitch up your sleeve, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「さぁて、どうかな…？ 妾はもはや、千年の長過ぎる生涯に飽いている…！ その果てに巡り合ったそなたという好敵手によって、生涯を閉じるのも悪くないと思い始めている。 <br>\r\n\"Well, who knows...? I have already tired of a too-long life after a thousand years...! I've started to think that having this life ended by a rival like you, whom I stumbled upon at the very end, ...might not be so bad.\" <br><br>\r\nくっくくくく、そなたなら、やれるよなぁ？ やってくれよ。……頼むよ、殺してくれよぉおおぉ。殺してばっかりでさァ、殺された試しがねぇんだよぉおおお！ <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle* You can do it, can't you? Do it. ...I beg you, kill meeeeeeeee. I'm always the one killing, and I've never had the experience of being kiiiiiilled!\" <br><br>\r\nお前ら１８人を幾百と殺してはきたけれど、殺された試しは一度もねぇから、一回くらいは経験してみてえんだよぉおおおおお、うっひひひひひひい！！」 <br>\r\n\"I've killed the 18 of you hundreds of times, but I haven't been killed myself even once, so I wanted to experience it just once myseeeeeeeeelf, hehihihihihihihihi!!\" <br><br>\r\nそれは先ほどから変わらぬ、品のない強がり。 <br>\r\nIt was a graceless show of boldness, unchanged from before. <br><br>\r\n……しかし口から血を零し、美しかったドレスを穴だらけにされ、全身から血を流すその姿は、その態度からかけ離れている。 <br>\r\n...But blood dripped from her mouth, her once beautiful dress was covered with holes, and blood poured from all over her body, making her physical appearance stand in sharp contrast to her attitude. <br><br>\r\n脇腹に食らった一撃が未だに堪えているのだろうか、無意識にそこを押さえる姿勢に、優雅さは微塵もない。 <br>\r\nMaybe the shot she'd taken to the flank was still tormenting her, since she was still pressing down on it unconsciously, without a trace of grace. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、同情の余地はないのだ。 <br>\r\nこの魔女に情けを掛ける限り、ここから俺や家族は開放されない。 <br>\r\n...But I've got no time for pity. <br><br>\r\nAs long as I feel sympathy for this witch, my family and I won't be released from this place. <br><br>\r\n……こいつを倒さない限り、俺たちは家へ帰れないんだ…！！ <br>\r\n...Until I defeat her, we won't be able to go home...!! <br><br>\r\n世の中、敵対する人間であっても、状況が変わればわかりあうことも出来るだろう。 <br>\r\nIn the outside world, it may be possible for even enemies to understand each other when circumstances change. <br><br>\r\nしかし、絶対悪というものが存在する。 <br>\r\nそれは、ただ存在するだけで不幸を強いる邪悪であり、如何なる妥協も許されない。 <br>\r\nBut pure evil does exist. <br><br>\r\nEvil that brings misfortune just by existing...and is to be spared no compromise. <br><br>\r\nただ存在し続けるだけで、………悪ッ！！ <br>\r\nJust by its continued existence alone, ......it's evil!! <br><br>\r\n「お前を哀れには思わない。お前が、俺たちの誰にも哀れまなかったように…！」 <br>\r\n\"I don't pity you. Just like how you didn't show pity for any of us...!\" <br><br>\r\n「………そうともさァ。お前らなんてゲームの駒だぜェ！ 毎回毎回、最初の６人は誰を殺そうかなぁ、次の２人はどう殺そうかなぁ、もっともっとグロい殺し方はねぇかなぁあって考えるのは最ッ高に楽しいぜぇえええぇ？？ <br>\r\n\"......Well, of course. All of you are just pieces in the game! It's just unbelievably fun to think about which six to kill in the beginning, how to kill the next two, and whether I can find a much, much more grotesque method of murder, you seeeeeeeeeee??\" <br><br>\r\nなぁ戦人よぉ、少し改心するから今回も許してくれよぉお。そしたらさ、もうちょっとマシな殺し方に変えてやるからよぉ？ 誰をどの順でどんな風に殺すか、お前の希望も聞いてやるからよぉおおお？ <br>\r\n\"Hey, Battler, I've reformed a little, so forgive me this time too. If you do, I'll change my methods of killing into something a little better, okay? I'll listen to how you want them to be killed and in what order, got iiiiiiit?\" <br><br>\r\n楽しいぜぇええぇ、人の命を弄ぶってのはよぉおおおおおおお！！ お前なら考え付くよ、縁寿をもっともっと屑肉にしてやる方法をよぉおおおおおおお！！ 来いよ戦人ぁあああ！！ <br>\r\n\"It's so fun, toying with people's liiiiiiiiives!! I'm sure you could think of a way to turn Ange into a pile of scrap meat much, much more thoroughlyyyyyy!! Come, Battleeeeeer!! <br><br>\r\n南條殺し、暴いてみろォオオオオオオオオッ！！」 <br>\r\nTry to expose the truth of Nanjo's murdeeeeeeeeeeeer!!\" <br><br>\r\n１８人目のＸは破られている。 <br>\r\nThe 18th person X has been defeated. <br><br>\r\nだが、俺は屈しない…！！ <br>\r\n魔女の息の根を、止めるッ！！ <br>\r\nBut I won't give in...!! <br><br>\r\nI'll stop that witch's breathing cold!! <br><br>\r\n第３のゲームのラスト。 <br>\r\nThe end of the third game. <br><br>\r\nあの時点での生存者であった、戦人、絵羽、朱志香、そして南條の４人はいずれも南條殺しに関係ないと赤で宣言されている。 <br>\r\nIt was announced in red that the survivors at that point in time--Battler, Eva, Jessica, and Nanjo--were all uninvolved with Nanjo's murder. <br><br>\r\nまた、目の前で直接的に殺害したとも宣言している。 <br>\r\nAnd it was also proclaimed that he was murdered directly, by someone before his eyes. <br><br>\r\nそれ以外の人物については、赤で死を宣言されるという最強のアリバイも持っている……。 <br>\r\nAll other people had the strongest possible alibi...by having their deaths proclaimed in red... <br><br>\r\n…………１８人目のＸ以外の方法で、これを…打ち破る……！ <br>\r\n......I'll...break through this, without using the 18th person X...! <br><br>\r\n考えろ、思考を停止させるな……！！ <br>\r\nヤツの赤は俺を縛るだけじゃない、ヤツの弱点にもなるはず…！ <br>\r\nThink, don't stop thinking...!! <br><br>\r\nHer red doesn't only bind me, it's also supposed to be her weak point...! <br><br>\r\n何とか逆手に使うんだ………！ <br>\r\nI've got to somehow use it against her......! <br><br>\r\n …………そうだ、 <br>\r\n……まだ、隙間はある……！ <br>\r\n......That's right, <br><br>\r\n...there's still a gap...! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nそうさ、……これで、打ち破る。 <br>\r\nYeah, ...this way, I can break through it. <br><br>\r\nこれでベアトリーチェの魔女伝説はおしまいだ。 <br>\r\nThis way, Beatrice's legend of the witch is finished. <br><br>\r\n「……確かに、他の連中は死亡だったろうさ。 <br>\r\n\"...True, the others probably were dead. <br><br>\r\n#5decffだが、赤で死亡を宣言されたのは、南條先生が死んだ瞬間ではない。 <br>\r\n#5decffHowever, their deaths were not proclaimed in red at the instant <NAME> died. <br><br>\r\n厳密に言えば南條先生の死体が見つかった後の俺とエヴァの戦いにおいてだ。 <br>\r\nStrictly speaking, it was in the fight between me and EVA after <NAME>'s corpse was found. <br><br>\r\nつまり、南條先生を殺した時点では生きていた何者かが、エヴァの死亡宣言までの間に死亡していれば、その間隙は縫えることになる！！ <br>\r\nIn other words, if someone was alive at the time <NAME> was killed, and then died before EVA made that proclamation, you can sew right through that crack!! <br><br>\r\nつまりはこういうことさ。 <br>\r\nIn other words, it's like this.#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\nエヴァの死亡宣言で初めて死亡とされた人物の中に犯人がいて、 <br>\r\n\"#5decffSomeone who was first confirmed dead by EVA's proclamation was a culprit. <br><br>\r\nその人物は最初、うまいこと死んだふりをして俺たちをやり過ごした…！ <br>\r\nThey cleverly played dead earlier and waited for us to come and go...! <br><br>\r\nそして赤での死亡宣言がないまま、俺たちには死んだと思い込ませた。 <br>\r\nBefore their death was announced in red, we were made to think that they'd died. <br><br>\r\nそして南條先生を殺し、……その後に何かの理由で死んだ！ <br>\r\nThen, they killed <NAME>...and later died for some reason! <br><br>\r\nそしてその後にエヴァが赤で死亡宣言を出す！！#ffffff 以上の仮説でも、南條先生の事件は説明できるッ！！」 <br>\r\nAfter that, EVA proclaimed their death in red!!#ffffff That theory can explain <NAME>'s case!!\" <br><br>\r\nどうだッ、ベアトリーチェッ？！ <br>\r\n\"How's that, Beatrice?!\" <br><br>\r\nそう強く問い掛けた時、……圧搾としか例えられない凄まじい音がして、黄金の魔女を、丸太のような太さの青き杭が、……地中より現れてベアトを串刺しにし、宙に吊るし上げた……。 <br>\r\nWhen he forcefully asked that question, ...there was a terrible sound that could only be likened to that of a compressor, and a blue stake that was as thick as a log...appeared from under the earth and skewered the Golden Witch, Beato, pulling her up into the air... <br><br>\r\nぐしゃ、ぼぎゃッ、という醜い音が響き渡り、その音の度に、……ベアトリーチェの体を、青き杭が、楔が、現れては貫いていく。 <br>\r\nUgly tearing sounds rang out, and each time, ...a blue stake or wedge would appear and pierce Beatrice's body. <br><br>\r\n……やがて、それが終わった時。 <br>\r\n...When that finally ended... <br><br>\r\nそこには、全身を十本を超える杭や楔で滅多刺しにされて血を滴らせ、………磔にされて吊るし上げられた無残な姿が、晒されていた……。 <br>\r\nHer tragic form was exposed there, pincushioned by more than ten stakes and wedges all over her body and dripping with blood, ...dangling and crucified... <br><br>\r\n……そこに、死者の尊厳を嘲笑い、生者を幾百も弄んで殺した残虐なる魔女の、威厳はない。 <br>\r\n...There was none of the dignity of the brutal witch who had sneered at the honor of the dead and toyed with and killed hundreds of the living. <br><br>\r\nいつしか降り始めた雨は、……静かに磔の魔女を、苛む……。 <br>\r\nThe rain, which had started falling at some point, ...quietly tormented the crucified witch... <br><br>\r\n戦人は肩で息をしながら、黄金の魔女が何かを答えるのを待つ…。 <br>\r\nAs Battler heaved with his breathing, he waited for some kind of answer from the Golden Witch... <br><br>\r\n……黄金の魔女が、まだ生きている気配を見せるには、長くないとはいえ、少しの時間を掛けた……。 <br>\r\n...Although it wasn't long, it took the witch a bit of time to show any signs of life... <br><br>\r\n「……………痛ぇ……、 <br>\r\n……痛ぇよォ……………。」 <br>\r\n\"......It hurts... <br><br>\r\n ...It huuurts......\" <br><br>\r\n「……自業、…自得…だぜ。……お前が殺めてきた人々の痛みの一部を、思い知れ……。」 <br>\r\n\"...You got...what you...deserved. ...Now you can experience a portion of the pain felt by all those you've killed...\" <br><br>\r\nそうは言い放つが、そのあまりに痛々しい姿に、戦人はわずかに気勢を削がれているようだった。 <br>\r\nEven as he said that, it seemed Battler had lost a little of his momentum at this extremely pathetic sight. <br><br>\r\n……例え敵とはいえ、女がこんな無残な姿を晒しているのを、正視できるわけもない。 <br>\r\n...Even if it was an enemy, he couldn't look straight at a woman exposed in such a brutal fashion. <br><br>\r\nしかしそれでも、………ベアトリーチェを滅ぼさない限り、戦いは、終わらないのだ…。 <br>\r\nBut even so, ......unless he destroyed Beatrice, this battle...wouldn't end... <br><br>\r\n「…………戦人ァ、 <br>\r\n………頼むよぉ……………。……えっく…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Battleer, <br><br>\r\n......I beg you.........hic...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nえ……？ <br>\r\nHuh...? <br><br>\r\n……ベアトは、嗚咽を漏らした…。 <br>\r\n...Beato let out a sob... <br><br>\r\n「……痛ぇよ…………。……すげェ <br>\r\n………痛ぇよぉぉ………。………終わらせて……、 <br>\r\n………終わらせてぇ………。……これでもまだ、 <br>\r\n………死ねねぇんだよォ……。…ひっく……。………こんなに痛ぇのに、 <br>\r\n………まだ、 <br>\r\n……死ねねぇんだよォ………。………うっく…！」 <br>\r\n\"...It hurts...... ...It really... <br><br>\r\n...huuuurts...... ......End it... <br><br>\r\n ......End it...... ...Even with this, I still... <br><br>\r\n...can't die...hic... ......Even though it hurts so much, <br><br>\r\n......I still... <br><br>\r\n...can't die............hic...!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「…………俺に、 <br>\r\n……何を、 <br>\r\n……求めやがる…。」 <br>\r\n\"......What are you... <br><br>\r\n...asking... <br><br>\r\n...of me...?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「……………終わらして…、………。………この苦痛から、………解放して…………。」 <br>\r\n\"......End it...... ......Release me......from this pain......\" <br><br>\r\nベアトの表情は、……血と涙で、ぐしゃぐしゃだった。 <br>\r\nBeato's expression...was soaked with blood and tears. <br><br>\r\n戦人は確かに一度、彼女に騙されていた。 <br>\r\n……だからこの表情も、涙さえも、演技だろうと疑うことができただろう。 <br>\r\nBattler certainly had been tricked by her at one point. <br><br>\r\n...So he was probably able to suspect that her expression...that even her tears were an act. <br><br>\r\nしかし、………戦人はその涙を、信じた。 <br>\r\nHowever, ......Battler...believed in those tears. <br><br>\r\n………なぜなら、その涙は、真実の赤が、混じっていたから。 <br>\r\n......After all, those tears...had the red of truth mixed in with them. <br><br>\r\n「……どうすりゃいい。どうすれば、お前の痛みを終わらせられる…。」 <br>\r\n\"...What should I do? What can I do to end your pain...?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………今から、 <br>\r\n…………全て…を、晒すから。………それが、 <br>\r\n………妾の、 <br>\r\n心臓。」 <br>\r\n\"......I will now... <br><br>\r\n...expose...everything. ......This is... <br><br>\r\n......my... <br><br>\r\nheart.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「…心臓…………。」 <br>\r\n\"...Your heart......\" <br><br>\r\n「………ろし……て。」 <br>\r\n\"......ll...me.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………ベアト…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Beato...\" <br><br>\r\n「……殺 <br>\r\n…し <br>\r\n……て……。…………もう、 <br>\r\n………死な <br>\r\n…せ <br>\r\n……て…………。……ひっく、 <br>\r\n…………ぅぇええぇぇぇ………。」 <br>\r\n\"...Ki <br><br>\r\n...ll <br><br>\r\n...me... ......Just... <br><br>\r\n...let... <br><br>\r\nme... <br><br>\r\ndie.........hic, <br><br>\r\n......nngaaaahhhh......\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nその涙は、痛みと辛さによるものか、……それとも。 <br>\r\nWere those tears from pain and torment, ...or else... <br><br>\r\nいずれにせよ、あまりに痛々しいその表情は、………あれだけ怒りに燃えていた戦人であっても、見るのが辛い…。 <br>\r\nEither way, that pathetic expression...was painful for Battler to look at, even after burning with such anger... <br><br>\r\n「……早く、………縁寿のところに、……帰ってあげ……て………。」 <br>\r\n\"...Quickly, ......go back...to...Ange......\" <br><br>\r\n「帰るためじゃない。………お前の痛みを止めるために、お前の願いを聞く。」 <br>\r\n\"I'll listen to your request. Not so that I can go back, ...but to end your pain.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………あり… <br>\r\nぁとぉ……。………戦人ぁぁ………、 <br>\r\n…うぅぅぅぅぅ…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Than... <br><br>\r\nou... ......Battleeer...... <br><br>\r\n...nnnngggggg...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nベアトは虫の息で、残った力の全てを振り絞り、何とか、両手の拳を、握り締める……。 <br>\r\nIn her last breaths, Beato summoned up all of her remaining strength...and managed to close both of her hands into fists... <br><br>\r\nその握り拳に、赤い光が集まっていく。 <br>\r\nA red light began to gather at those fists. <br><br>\r\n ……そして両腕を上げ、 <br>\r\n………天に何かを願うように、掲げる……。 <br>\r\n...Then, she lifted her arms, <br><br>\r\n......as though appealing to the heavens for something... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「……戦人なら、………殺せるから…。………私の全て…。…心臓……。………潰して。…………貫いて。…………ね……？」 <br>\r\n\"...You'll......be able to kill me... ......All of me... ...My heart...... ......Crush it. ......Pierce it. ......Okay...?\" <br><br>\r\nその両腕の赤い光が、どんどん強まっていく……。 <br>\r\nThe red light around both her arms gradually began to strengthen... <br><br>\r\n「…………おね……が………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"......Ple...a......\" <br><br>\r\nそこまでを口にし、……彼女の顔が、少しだけ斜めに傾ぐ。 <br>\r\nAfter saying that much, ...her face tilted to the side a bit. <br><br>\r\nそして、右腕が光を失って、どさりと落ちた。 <br>\r\nThen, her right arm lost its light and flopped down. <br><br>\r\n……しかし左腕だけは光を失わず、そのまま天に差し出されていた。 <br>\r\n...But her left arm alone did not lose its light...and remained held out towards the heavens. <br><br>\r\nすると、…………戦人の目の前に、カーテンのように透けた、希薄な姿のベアトがもうひとり、現れる。 <br>\r\nThen, ......before Battler's eyes, another Beato appeared with a faint form, transparent like a curtain. <br><br>\r\n……磔にされているベアトはもう気を失っている。 <br>\r\n...The crucified Beato had already lost consciousness. <br><br>\r\n しかし、新しく現れた希薄なベアトは、無表情な瞳で、 <br>\r\n……静かに俺を見て、 <br>\r\n…………そして、言った。 <br>\r\nHowever, the newly-appeared faint Beato quietly looked at me, <br><br>\r\n...her eyes expressionless, <br><br>\r\n......and spoke. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「……… <br>\r\n\"...... <br><br>\r\n#ff0001右代宮戦人。今から私が、あなたを殺します。#ffffff」 <br>\r\n#ff0001Ushiromiya Battler. I will now...kill you.#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「………………それで…？」 <br>\r\n\"......And...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……… <br>\r\n\"...... <br><br>\r\n#ff0001そしてたった今。この島にはあなた以外誰もいません。この島で生きているのは、あなただけです。島の外の存在は一切干渉できません。#ffffff」 <br>\r\n#ff0001And right now, there is no one other than you on this island. The only one alive on this island is you. Nothing outside the island can interfere.#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n……俺は、理解する。 <br>\r\n...I...understand. <br><br>\r\nこれは、……ベアトリーチェが魔女でいることが出来る、 <br>\r\n……“最後の謎”なのだ。 <br>\r\nThis is... <br><br>\r\nthe `last mystery' Beatrice will be able to make as a witch. <br><br>\r\nそれを、ベアトは俺に差し出そうとしている。 <br>\r\nShe's...trying to offer it to me. <br><br>\r\n俺に、……最後の謎を解いて、殺してくれと、……懇願している……。 <br>\r\nEntreating me...to solve this final mystery...and kill her... <br><br>\r\n「来いよ………。お前の最後の謎、……俺が受け取ってやる。」 <br>\r\n\"Do it...... I'll accept...your final mystery.\" <br><br>\r\n「………#ff0001この島にあなたはたった一人。そしてもちろん、私はあなたではない。なのに私は今、ここにいて、これからあなたを殺します。#ffffff」 <br>\r\n\"......#ff0001You are all alone on this island. And of course, I am not you. Yet I am here, now, and am about to kill you.#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n「南條先生殺しの謎の強化版ってわけか……。………それで……？」 <br>\r\n\"Like a souped up version of Doctor Nanjo's murder... ......So...?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………私は、だぁれ…？」 <br>\r\n\"......Who...aaam I...?\" <br><br>\r\n「それが、……………お前の最後の出題なのか。」 <br>\r\n\"Is that......your final question?\" <br><br>\r\n「……私は、 <br>\r\n……だぁれ………？」 <br>\r\n \"......Who...... <br><br>\r\naaam I......?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nそして、……ゆっくりとベアトリーチェは俺に近付き、無表情のまま、………抱き締める……。 <br>\r\nThen, ...Beatrice slowly approached me and, still expressionless, ......held me... <br><br>\r\n………あぁ、わかったぜ、ベアト。 <br>\r\n......Yeah, I get it, Beato. <br><br>\r\nお前を、………殺してやるからな…………。 <br>\r\nI'll......kill you, don't worry...... <br><br>\r\n俺も、ゆっくりと彼女の頭を、抱き締める。 <br>\r\nI also...slowly held her head. <br><br>\r\n……………そして、駒としての俺は、ゲーム盤を降りた……。 <br>\r\n......Then I, as a piece, left the game board... <br><br>\r\n 大きなベッドの上は、色とりどりの可愛らしいジェリービーンズや、お弾きのようなチョコレートが散らばっていた。 <br>\r\nScattered on a large bed were cute jellybeans of various colors...and chocolates shaped like ohajiki pieces. <br><br>\r\nプレゼントボックスの中から覗いているショートケーキにはフォークが刺さり、サイドテーブルには、様々な色のジュースの入ったデカンターが並んでいる。 <br>\r\nA fork was stuck into a shortcake peeking out of a gift box, and there were decanters with drinks of various colors lined up on a side table. <br><br>\r\nしかし、コップの中に注がれている飲みかけのジュースの色は、その何れでもなく、毒々しい。 <br>\r\n色々混ぜて遊んだのだろう。 <br>\r\nBut the color of the partially finished drink that had been poured into a cup was venomous, matching none of the decanters. <br><br>\r\nSomeone had probably been playing around, mixing various things together. <br><br>\r\n味はともかく、それはとても楽しいこと。 <br>\r\nThat can be lots of fun, if you don't mind the taste. <br><br>\r\nふかふかのベッドの上には、カラフルで大きな夢いっぱいのクッションもたくさんある。 <br>\r\nOn top of the fluffy bed were several colorful, big pillows like something from a dream. <br><br>\r\nその、まるで子どもの夢の国のような大きなベッドの上に、ベルンカステルはうつ伏せになって、ラムダデルタは仰向けになってクッションを抱きながら、くつろいでいた……。 <br>\r\nAnd on this bed that looked like something out of a child's dream world, Bernkastel lay face down, and Lambdadelta lay face up, clutching a pillow and relaxing... <br><br>\r\n「あっははっはっはっは、今回はなかなかハラハラしたわねぇ〜。ベアトがゲーム止めるとか言い出して、かな〜り焦ったわぁ。」 <br>\r\n\"Ahhahahhahhahha, it was pretty thrilling this time, wasn't it? I got reeeally panicky when Beato said she'd stop the game.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………これだけのゲームを始めておいて、投げっ放しで終えようとするなんて、失礼な魔女よね。」 <br>\r\n\".........What a rude witch, to start a game like this and try to end it by throwing it away.\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿、いい駒だったじゃない。トンズラしたベアトを引きずり戻して、ゲームを再開させてくれたわ。 <br>\r\n\"Wasn't Ange a good piece? After Beato ran for it, Ange dragged her back and made her resume the game. <br><br>\r\n戦人をやる気にさせ過ぎちゃったのは、さすがに参ったけどねぇ。」 <br>\r\nAlthough it's a shame that she gave Battler a little too much enthusiasm.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………戦人は情に弱いってわかってたから。」 <br>\r\n\"......After all, I knew Battler was a softy.\" <br><br>\r\n「確かに。あいつ、敵であるベアトにも手加減しかねない雰囲気があったわねぇ。」 <br>\r\n\"No kidding. He looked like he might even go easy on Beato, his enemy.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………前回の流れから、下手するとベアトに同情して、おかしな方向にゲームを流すかもしれないって、危惧してたの。………縁寿は、戦人がゴールを誤解した時に再誘導するための切り札よ。………本当はもっとサポートさせて、それから切りたかったんだけどね。いきなり切らされたわ。仕込みにずいぶん掛かった駒なのに、勿体無かった。」 <br>\r\n\"......I was uneasy that, like the last game, he might actually feel compassion for Beato and take the game in a weird direction. ......Ange was a trump card to get Battler back on track when he mistook his goal. ......Although I wanted her to support him a bit more before using her up. She really did get used right off the bat. What a waste for a piece that required so much preparation.\" <br><br>\r\n「うっふふふ！ 例の名乗っちゃ駄目ルール、枷にしておいてよーかった！ あれを設けなかったら、兄妹タッグ大活躍で、ベアトはあっという間に飲み込まれてゲームエンドだったわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Hehheheheh! Good thing I shackled her with that rule about not giving her name! If that hadn't been set up, the brother-sister tag team would've swallowed Beato up and won in the blink of an eye.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………一気に畳み掛けるチャンスかと思ったんだけど、あんたのマークがキツくて、上手く活かせなかったわ。 <br>\r\n\"......I thought it'd be a chance for them to press her all at once, but your mark was so restrictive that I couldn't make the best use of her. <br><br>\r\n……あぁ、勿体無い駒だった。」 <br>\r\n...Aaah, what a waste that piece was.\" <br><br>\r\n「当然でしょ、あんなズルい駒、とっととリタイアしてくれないと困るわぁ。 <br>\r\n\"Isn't it obvious that such an unfair piece would have to be retired right away? <br><br>\r\nまぁ、結果的に、ゲーム中断を阻止する活躍をしてくれたし、それは私にとっても助かることだった。互いの利害が一致する活躍をしてくれた、という意味においては、本当に素晴らしい駒だったわよ。」 <br>\r\nWell, in the end, she did a good job of preventing the suspension of the game, and that helps me out too. The way she made both our interests match is what made her a truly wonderful piece.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………戦人と同じで単純な子だったから、簡単に私の言いなりになってくれたわ。………駒にするなら馬鹿か直情型よね。……あぁ、本当に惜しい駒だったわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......She was an innocent kid like Battler, so it was easy to get her to do as I said. ......Morons and impulsive types make the best pieces. ...Aaah, I really can't stand losing that piece.\" <br><br>\r\n「その子も今じゃ挽き肉！ ねぇ、あとで一緒にそれでハンバーグ作りましょうよぅ☆ あ、餃子の方が好きだっけ？ <br>\r\n\"By now, that kid's minced meat! Hey, let's make hamburgers out of her later on☆ Oh wait, didn't you like gyoza more? <br><br>\r\n妹味ってどんな味かしら、くすくす、笑えるゥ！」 <br>\r\nI wonder what little sister tastes like, *giggle*, hilarious!\" <br><br>\r\n「………………あんた、そんな余裕でいいの？ 縁寿のお陰で戦人は奮起。ベアトを猛追し始め、今や、だいぶ私が有利なゲーム展開だと思うけど…？ というか戦人、今回でこれまでのほとんどの謎を解いちゃったんじゃない？」 <br>\r\n\".........Is it really okay for you to be so relaxed? Thanks to Ange, Battler has gotten all fired up. I'm pretty sure he's started a hot pursuit of Beato, making this game take a big turn in my favor, right...? I mean, didn't Battler just solve almost all the mysteries up until now?\" <br><br>\r\n「はぁ？ <br>\r\n\"Huuh? <br><br>\r\nと〜んでもない！ 戦人の青き真実なんて、ほとんどハズレてるわよ！ ベアトのヌルい赤なんて隙間だらけだもの。多少は知恵の回る子だったら、適当に屁理屈並べりゃ簡単にすり抜けられるわ。……あぁ、本当にイライラしたわよ。私だったら、どれもこれも、徹底的に赤で斬り返してるわぁ。」 <br>\r\nNooot even close! Almost all of Battler's blue truth was wrong! Beato's lukewarm red is full of holes. If she had any brains in her, she'd slip through it easily by setting up a suitable web of twisted logic. ...Yeah, it really ticks me off. If it were me, I'd thoroughly cut down all of it with the red.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………あら、そうだったの？ 私はてっきり、あれらが正解だと思ってたわ。……小型爆弾を飲み込ませて云々は、さすがにどうかと思ったけど。」 <br>\r\n\"......Oh, really? And I was sure that those were all correct. ...Well, I don't know about that small bomb part though.\" <br><br>\r\n「戦人の青き真実だって、全部が有効になってはいないわ。……ベアトは、第１のゲームにおいて、 <br>\r\n\"Not all of Battler's blue truths were valid. ...When talking about the first game, Beato clearly declared that <br><br>\r\n#ff0001身元不明死体について、その身元を全て保証する#ffffff、とはっきり明言している！ これにより戦人の、絵羽・秀吉の密室殺人の犯人は、偽装死体を演じた何者かという推理は破られてるのよ。 <br>\r\n#ff0001she guaranteed the identities of all unidentified corpses#ffffff! This defeats Battler's theory about the culprit of the EvaHideyoshi closed room murder being someone who faked up a corpse.\" <br><br>\r\n次に、ボイラー室の嘉音は事故死だったろうとしてるけど、くすくす！ 自分の胸に杭が突き刺さっちゃう事故って何よ？ <br>\r\n\"Next, Kanon might've died in an accident in the boiler room, but...*giggle*! What kind of accident could drive a stake into his chest? <br><br>\r\nバッカじゃない？ 私が赤き宝刀とやらで斬ってやるわよ。 <br>\r\nAre you a moron? I'll slice it with that red treasured sword thing.\" <br><br>\r\n#ff0001嘉音は事故死ではない！#ffffff その次の客間での源次たち３人の殺人の、時計回りに同時に射殺して死に合ったとかいう、相打ち殺人も滑稽だわ。 <br>\r\n\"#ff0001Kanon did not die in an accident!#ffffff For the next one, the murders of the three including Genji in the parlor, the thought that it was a simultaneous murder where they shot each other in a clockwise pattern at the same time is laughable. <br><br>\r\n#ff0001源次、熊沢、南條は殺人者ではない#ffffff！ <br>\r\n#ff0001Genji, Kumasawa, and Nanjo are not killers#ffffff!\" <br><br>\r\n最後の夏妃殺しのトラップＸも馬鹿馬鹿しいわ。 <br>\r\n\"The final trap X to kill Natsuhi was also ridiculous. <br><br>\r\n#ff0001夏妃を射殺したのはトラップじゃなく、ちゃんと銃を構えて引き金を引いてしっかり射殺したのよ！#ffffff くすくす、ご愁傷様…！」 <br>\r\n#ff0001The thing that shot Natsuhi wasn't a trap, it was a real shooting murder with a gun raised and trigger pulled!#ffffff *giggle* Sucks for you...!\" <br><br>\r\n「……あんた、駄目よ。そんなこと赤で言っちゃ。あの子、夏妃の銃弾を魔法で跳ね返して殺したってことにしてるんだから。」 <br>\r\n\"...You shouldn't do that. Saying something like that in red. That kid's trying to say that she bounced Natsuhi's bullet back with magic and killed her.\" <br><br>\r\n「をっほっほっほ、あらあらいけない、そうだったわねぇ…！ 第２のゲームの青き真実だって甘すぎよ。 <br>\r\n\"Ohohohoh, oh my, how terrible of me, you're right...! Even the blue truth for the second game was way too naive. <br><br>\r\n#ff0001礼拝堂での６人の殺害時、犯人は礼拝堂内にいたわ！#ffffff あいつ、何でもかんでもトラップＸで説明しようとするわよね。トラップＸって何よ、ヘンなミステリー小説のお約束ゥ？ <br>\r\n#ff0001When the six were murdered in the chapel, the culprit was inside the chapel!#ffffff That guy keeps trying to explain things using trap X. What the heck is trap X, some weird mystery novel cliche?\" <br><br>\r\n使用人室で南條と熊沢が殺された事件の、嘉音の名前を世襲したとかいうのも滑稽だわ。 <br>\r\n\"It's also laughable to say that, in the case where Nanjo and Kumasawa were killed in the servant room, someone else inherited Kanon's name. <br><br>\r\n#ff0001嘉音の名を名乗ることが出来るのは本人のみ！ <br>\r\n#ff0001No one else can go by Kanon's name! <br><br>\r\n異なる人間が名乗ることは出来ない！#ffffff <br>\r\nA different person can't claim that as their name!#ffffff\" <br><br>\r\n夏妃の部屋の、楼座からマスターキーを借りたという推理もダメダメ！ <br>\r\n\"And that theory about borrowing the master key from Rosa for Natsuhi's room is also worthless! <br><br>\r\n#ff0001楼座がマスターキーを管理して以降、それら全ては一度たりとも彼女の手を離れていない！ <br>\r\n#ff0001After the master keys came into Rosa's control, never did any of them leave her hands! <br><br>\r\n夏妃の部屋を開錠した時に戦人に貸し出した際を除いてね。#ffffffまだまだ続くけど、ざっと軽く見てもこんな感じかしら？」 <br>\r\nExcept for the time when she lent one to Battler to unlock Natsuhi's room.#ffffff I can keep on going, but just taking a quick look at them turns out like this, get it?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………軽くも何も、あんた、第１と第２のゲームにおける戦人の青き真実、軒並み否定しちゃったじゃない。………あらあら、何てこと。戦人がそれを聞いたら卒倒しちゃうわね。」 <br>\r\n\"......Forget taking a quick look, ...you've just denied Battler's blue truth for the first and second games across the board. ......My, my, what a shame. If Battler heard, he'd faint.\" <br><br>\r\n「……ね？ ベアトは全然追い詰められてなんかいないのよ。………あの子、やっぱりなかなかの役者だわ。きっと、今回のゲームでは、一見追い詰められたフリをして見せて、次のゲーム辺りでバサー！っと赤で一刀両断にして、戦人をびっくり仰天させる作戦でしょうよ。 <br>\r\n\"...Right? Beato wasn't cornered at all. ......Looks like that kid's a pretty good actress after all. I'm sure she planned to make it look like she was getting cornered this game, and then sometime next game, *bang*, she'll slice it up with a single red stroke to make Battler freak.\" <br><br>\r\nくすくす、それできっとまた大笑いしながら言うんだわ。“魔女はピンチになんかなりましぇ〜ん”って！ ぷーくすくすくすくす！！」 <br>\r\n\"*giggle* And then I'm sure she'll say it again with a huge smile. `Witches neeever get into a pinch'! Pff, *giggle*giggle*giggle*!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………じゃあ、あのベアトの追い詰められたみたいな悲壮感は全部、演技なの？」 <br>\r\n\"......Then that whole tragic atmosphere as though Beato was getting cornered was all an act?\" <br><br>\r\n「そーに決まってるじゃない！ あいつ本当に大女優よね！ 全然追い詰められてなんかいないのに、最終回顔負けのクライマックス感だったわ！ 今年の助演女優賞はあいつに決定ね！！ あ、もちろん主演は私だけど〜！ ベルンでもいいわよ〜！」 <br>\r\n\"Isn't it obvious?! She really is a great actress! Even though she wasn't cornered at all, it felt like an astonishing, last-episode climax! She's totally the winner for best supporting actress this year!! Oh, but of course I'm the star! You'd do fine too, Beeern!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………“私を殺して”、みたいなことを言って、最後に大きな謎を出したわよ。それを解かれたらベアトは今度こそおしまいの、背水の陣じゃないの？」 <br>\r\n\"......At the end, she said something like `Kill me' and laid out a big riddle. Wasn't that her last stand, with Beato to be finished for good if that riddle was solved?\" <br><br>\r\n「くすくすくす…！ やぁだぁ、ベルンまで騙されてるのォ？ あんなの背水の陣でも何でもない！ ベアトはね、まだまだドギツイ奥の手を温存してるわ。……最後の謎を出すために両腕を突き出した時、右腕だけ下ろしたの、気付いてた？」 <br>\r\n\"*giggle*giggle*...! Come on, were you seriously tricked too, Bern? That wasn't even close to a last stand! Beato's still holding back a killer hidden move. ...When she stuck out both hands to give the final riddle, did you notice how she lowered just her right hand?\" <br><br>\r\n「……あぁ、そう言えば。………あれはそういう意味だったわけ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Yeah, now that you mention it. ......Is that what that meant?\" <br><br>\r\n「そーいうわけ！ あの子はまだまだ奥の手を残してる！ そして何も謎は解かれちゃいない…！ それをまるで、全て看破されて次回最終回ッみたいなテンションにしちゃうなんて、つくづくあの子は演技の天才よ。あぁ、早く戦人をドン底に叩き落すところが見てやりたいわ！ <br>\r\n\"Sure is! That kid still had plenty of hidden moves left! And none of the mysteries have been solved...! That tension, like she'd been exposed and the next episode would be the last... She truly is a genius at acting. Yeah, I wanna see her knock Battler down to the very bottom right away!\" <br><br>\r\nあの子、前回のゲームの“北風と太陽作戦”で、すっかり味をしめちゃったんじゃない？ 戦人、きっとまたベアトに同情してコロッと引っ掛かるわよ…！ 女の涙は一粒で男を騙せるからね、実に安上がりでお得よね！！」 <br>\r\n\"That kid's been totally encouraged by her `North Wind and the Sun Strategy' from last time, right? I'm sure Battler will sympathize with Beato again and fall for it completely...! After all, a single tear from a woman can fool a man, totally economical and profitable!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………戦人、またその手に引っ掛かっちゃうかしら。二度と同情しないように、私も戦人を焚きつけないと。……当分は、縁寿の挽肉で焚きつけられそうだけど\tね。」 <br>\r\n\"......I wonder if Battler will get caught by the same move again. I've got to spur him on so he never feels sympathy again. ...Although Ange's mincemeat seems to have done that pretty well.\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿味のハンバーグでパワーアップ？ をっほほほほほほほ！ もちろん、こっちも負けないわよ。ここから、戦人と拮抗するくらいに盛り返せるよう、ベアトを徹底的にサポートするもの。……負けないわよベアトは。負けたら、素敵な罰ゲームがあるわよって、キッチリ脅してるもん♪」 <br>\r\n\"A power-up from an Ange-flavored hamburger? Ohhohohohohohoho! Of course, I won't lose either. Starting here, I'll thoroughly support Beato to rally her up enough to compete with Battler. ...Beato won't lose. I mean, I'm threatening her with a wonderful punishment game if she loses♪\" <br><br>\r\n「………………あんたの罰ゲーム、本気で洒落にならないから、少し加減した方がいいわよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Your punishment games are seriously not cool, so you should go a little easy on her.\" <br><br>\r\n「ベルンに次に罰ゲームを出来る時はこうしようって決めてるのがあるの。聞きたい？聞きたい？」 <br>\r\n\"I've decided what to do for your next punishment game, Bern. Wanna hear? Wanna hear?\" <br><br>\r\n「いやよ。」 <br>\r\n\"No.\" <br><br>\r\n「も〜〜、聞いてよぅ☆ <br>\r\n\"Come ooon, ask me☆ <br><br>\r\nあのねあのね？ ベルンを、素敵な素敵なお城に閉じ込めてあげるの。そのお城は、真っ白な純白の城壁に囲まれていて、一辺は１２ｋｍ。高さは１０ｍあるの。魔法とズルは禁止！ とても飛び越せないわよね？」 <br>\r\nGuess what, guess what? I'll lock you in a wonderful, wonderful castle. That castle will be surrounded by pure white castle walls, 12 kilometers to a side. With a height of 10 meters. Magic and tricks are prohibited! You really couldn't jump over that, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「１４億４千万立米？ <br>\r\n\"1,440,000,000 cubic meters? <br><br>\r\n………話のオチが読めたからもういいわよ。」 <br>\r\n......You can stop there, I already know what you're going to say.\" <br><br>\r\n「うふふふふ！ そこをね、毎日一粒ずつの宝石で埋めていくの！ それで城壁いっぱいに貯まるまでベルンを閉じ込めて、その宝石で埋め殺すの。素敵な、ロマンチックな罰ゲームでしょう？」 <br>\r\n\"Eheheheheh! And that place will start getting buried with gems, one every day! I'll lock you in it until the castle walls are packed with them, and you've been buried to death with gems. Isn't that a wonderful, romantic punishment game?\" <br><br>\r\n「………………一辺を５倍にしていいから、高さを１０分の１にしてくれたら、今から閉じ込めてもいいわよ。」 <br>\r\n\".........If you multiply the length of the walls by five and make it one tenth its current height, I wouldn't mind if you shut me in it right now.\" <br><br>\r\n「ホント？！ ３６億立米になるわよ？！ 罰ゲームが倍以上の期間になるわよ？！ <br>\r\n\"Really?! That would make it 3,600,000,000 cubic meters, right?! The time period for the punishment game would more than double, right?! <br><br>\r\n あぁん、そんなにも長い間、虜になってくれるのね？！ ベルン大好き、愛してるゥ〜♪」 <br>\r\n Aaahh, I get to keep you as my prisoner for such a long time?! I really like you, Bern, I love you♪\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nベルンカステルはじゃれ付いて来るラムダデルタの顎下を、猫をあやすみたいにいじると、退屈そうに欠伸した…。 <br>\r\nLambdadelta playfully approached Bernkastel, who yawned, looking bored, as she touched the bottom of Lambdadelta's chin as though cuddling a cat... <br><br>\r\n「ベルンは、戦人の勝利に賭けててぇ。私は、二人が永遠に引き分けになるのに賭けてるぅ。…………それで、誰かベアトの勝利には賭けてないのぉ？」 <br>\r\n\"You're betting on Battler's victory. And I'm betting on an eternal tie for the two of them. ......Doesn't that mean no one's betting on Beato's victory?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………賭けないわよ。勝率ゼロだもん。」 <br>\r\n\".........I wouldn't. Her chances of winning are zero.\" <br><br>\r\n「をっほっほっほ！ 奇跡の魔女に、奇跡ゼロって言われるのも本当にお気の毒ゥ！ 私も賭けないけどね？ <br>\r\n\"Ohohoh! How truly pitiful, being told by the Witch of Miracles that there's no chance of a miracle! Although I wouldn't bet on her either, right? <br><br>\r\n絶対！」 <br>\r\nI can say that with certainty!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………絶対の魔女に、絶対ダメって言われるのもお気の毒ね。」 <br>\r\n\"......It's also pretty sad when the Witch of Certainty says that you're certainly screwed.\" <br><br>\r\n二人は珍しく、一緒にくすくすと笑う…。 <br>\r\nUnusually for them, they giggled together... <br><br>\r\n「このゲーム、どういう決着に終わるかしら…？」 <br>\r\n\"I wonder how this game will resolve itself...\" <br><br>\r\n「……………さすがに、それだけは読めないわ。…だから楽しいわけだし。」 <br>\r\n\"......Yeah, that's the one thing we can't predict. ...That's why it's fun.\" <br><br>\r\n「もう、逃げも中断も許さない。絶対にゲームを続けさせる、逃がさない…！ これからどんな風に展開していくのか、想像もつかないけれど、絶対にありえない決着の仕方だけはわかるわ。」 <br>\r\n\"I won't permit escaping or suspensions any longer. I'll certainly make them continue their game, and I won't let them run away...! Even though I can't even imagine what will happen next, I know it certainly won't end that way.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………ベアトが勝って終わることだけはないわね。」 <br>\r\n\".........At the very least, it won't end with Beato's victory.\" <br><br>\r\n「だってぇ。私もベルンも。どっちもベアトの勝利に賭けてないんだもん！ つまり、ベアトが勝ちそうになったら、私たち二大魔女を敵に回すことになる…！」 <br>\r\n\"I mean, think about it. Neither of us is betting on Beato's victory! In other words, if it looks like Beato is gonna win, she'll have us two Great Witches as enemies...!\" <br><br>\r\n「………そういうことね。私たちの力がもっとも均衡するのは、引き分けと戦人有利の中間で均衡している場合のみ。ベアト有利に傾き過ぎれば、私たちは共に同じベクトルに団結して、ベアトを引きずり戻す。」 <br>\r\n\"......Exactly. Our powers are most in equilibrium when balancing between a tie and Battler's advantage. If it tips too much in Beato's favor, both of us will line up along the same vector and drag Beato back.\" <br><br>\r\n「つまり、ベアト優勢になった瞬間、……私たち二人をまとめて敵に回す、ってことよ。 <br>\r\n\"In other words, the instant Beato's in a superior position, ...she'll have to deal with both of us as enemies. <br><br>\r\n………うっふふふふふ！ ベルンと共闘、たっのしい〜〜♪」 <br>\r\n......Ehheheheheh! A common front with Bern, sounds fuuun♪\" <br><br>\r\n「………ありがと。……でも金平糖のお風呂には一緒に入らないわよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Thanks. ...But I'm not going into a konpeitou candy bath with you.\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ〜、金平糖のシャワーを浴びながら、とろけたマシュマロを塗りたくってあげるのにィ。」 <br>\r\n\"Aaaw, and I was gonna cover you with melted marshmallows while taking a konpeitou shower.\" <br><br>\r\n「………気の毒に。あの子は、私と遊ぶためにラムダが捕まえてきた生きた玩具、お人形だわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......How pitiful. That child is a living toy, a doll you caught so that you could play with me, Lambda.\" <br><br>\r\n「私、お人形遊びは上手なの。……ホント、上手に遊べるのよ？ 飽きずにひとつの玩具で何百年も遊べるのが自慢なの。」 <br>\r\n\"I'm good at playing with dolls. ...I really can do it well, okay? I'm proud of being able to play with a single toy for hundreds of years without getting tired of it.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………ある時は味方し、ある時は敵対し、永遠に弄び続ける。……可哀想にね。あの子はもう、私たちのお人形。」 <br>\r\n\"......You're her ally at some times and oppose her at others, toying with her for all eternity. ...How pitiful. That kid is now our doll.\" <br><br>\r\n「うっふふ、そういうことよ、あの子は私たちのお人形。私たち二人の望む末路しか用意されてない。つまり、私によって永遠に引き分けが繰り返されるか、ベルンによってベアトが敗北して滅ぼされるか、でしか終わらないと断言できる。…………うふふ、…ベアトが勝って終わるようなことは、」 <br>\r\n\"Hehheheh, that's right, that kid is our doll. No end has been prepared for that kid except the ones the two of us desire. In other words, I can say for sure that this can only end by repeating a tie for eternity because of me, or else with Beato losing and being destroyed because of you, Bern. ......Heheh, ...as far as this game ending with Beato's victory goes...\" <br><br>\r\n「……………奇跡の魔女として宣言するわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......I will proclaim it as the Witch of Miracles.\" <br><br>\r\n「なら私は、絶対の魔女として宣言するわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Then I will proclaim it as the Witch of Certainty.\" <br><br>\r\n「「ベアトは絶対に勝利できない。そして奇跡は絶対に起こらない。」」 <br>\r\n\"\"Beato certainly cannot win. And a miracle certainly will not occur.\"\" <br><br>\r\n「「あっはははははははははははは……！！」」 <br>\r\n\"\"Ahhahahahahahahahahahahaha...!!\"\" <br><br>\r\n「おー、みんな『うみねこのなく頃に』、お疲れさん！ やれやれ、わけがわかんない内に物語が終わっちまったなぁ！」 <br>\r\n\"Hey everyone, congrats on finishing `Umineko no Naku Koro ni'! Man, I still didn't have a clue what was going on when the story ended!\" <br><br>\r\n「つまり何だ？ あれは結局、犯人は暴けず時間切れのバッドエンドでしたーってことなのか？」 <br>\r\n\"So just what happened? Was that basically the `bad ending', where time runs out before the culprit gets exposed?\" <br><br>\r\n「うー。きっとバッドエンド。うー。」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-. Definitely a bad ending. Uu-.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうだね。一日目の夜に真里亞ちゃんが読んだ、ベアトリーチェの手紙に、碑文の謎を解いてみろとちゃんと予告してたもんね。僕たちは自衛や犯人を探るのに忙しくて、全然その謎に挑まなかったし。」 <br>\r\n\"That's right. Beatrice's letter, which Maria-chan read on the first day, did tell us in advance to solve the riddle of the epitaph. We were all so busy trying to protect ourselves and look for the culprit that we didn't even take a shot at it.\" <br><br>\r\n「………そうですね。ちゃんと碑文の謎に挑んでいたら、違う結末もあったのでしょうか。」 <br>\r\n\"...That's right. If we had actually tried to solve the riddle, maybe things would have ended differently.\" <br><br>\r\n「それはどうかな。紗音ちゃんもお疲れ！ <br>\r\n\"I wonder about that. Shannon-chan, you did a good job too! <br><br>\r\nお茶の給仕なんてしなくていいぜ。何しろここはお疲れさま会なんだからよ。酷ぇ目に遭った者同士、仲良く傷の舐めあいをしよぅぜ〜〜！ べろべろべろ〜！！」 <br>\r\nYou don't have to be our waitress and serve tea. After all, this is a wrap party. As a group of people who met a horrible fate, let's all get along and lick each other's wounds! Licklicklick!!\" <br><br>\r\n「酷ぇ目って言ったら、紗音がぶっちぎりだったぜ？ 綺麗どころのキャラだから、てっきり最後まで生き残るかと思ったら、 <br>\r\n\"Speaking of a horrible fate, Shannon beats the rest of us hands down, doesn't she? She was such a beautiful character, so I thought she'd definitely survive until the very end, <br><br>\r\n一番最初に殺されるし、しかも、何だっけ？ 顔面を半分砕かれてたんだっけ？ 最悪だよなぁ！」 <br>\r\nbut she was killed right in the beginning, and on top of that...what was it? Half of her face was smashed, right? That's the worst!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………そういうお役目でしたら、……その、仕方ありませんし…。」 <br>\r\n\"...That was my role, so, umm, ...there was no way around it...\" <br><br>\r\n「…姉さんが気にすることはないよ。お嬢様方も、ラストのエピローグを見る限り、相当悲惨な最期を遂げられたようだしね。」 <br>\r\n\"...Nee-san, it's nothing for you to worry about. Judging by the last epilogue, even Milady and the rest of them met an extremely tragic end.\" <br><br>\r\n「あっはっはっは…、どうもそうみたいだね。何だか、全身を食いちぎられてばらばらにされたみたいな、恐ろしい描写があったような気がするよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Ahahaha, ...it seems so. I think I remember seeing this horrible picture, kind of like my entire body had been eaten apart and dismembered.\" <br><br>\r\n「それを言ったら、嘉音くんの最期が一番かっこよかったと思うぜぇ？ 返り討ちとは言え、犯人と一騎打ちだろ？ <br>\r\n\"Speaking of which, don't you think Kanon's last moments were the coolest? Even though he had the tables turned on him, it was a showdown with the culprit, right? <br><br>\r\n俺らのよくわからん最期よりは数段マシだぜ〜？」 <br>\r\nIt's a whole bunch better than our confusing last moments, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「………結局、何も歯が立ちませんでしたが。」 <br>\r\n\"...Though, in the end, I was unable to get a solid hit in.\" <br><br>\r\n「でも、…嘉音くんの死は大きなヒントになったと思うな。だって、あのせいで、１９人目の存在が明らかになったんだから。」 <br>\r\n\"Still, ...I think Kanon-kun's death was a big hint. After all, because of that, the existence of the 19th person was made clear.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうだね。あの時点では全員の所在が明らかだった。だから嘉音くんを殺せるのは、未知の１９人目しかありえない。」 <br>\r\n\"That's right. At that time, everyone's location was obvious. So it was impossible for anyone other than some unknown 19th person to kill Kanon.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー！ 真里亞は最初からベアトリーチェだって、ずーっと言ってるー。うー！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-! I said it was Beatrice from the beginning, over and over. Uu-!\" <br><br>\r\n「……信じたくはねぇけど、ベアトリーチェを名乗る、魔女が犯人ってことになるんだろうぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"...I don't wanna believe it, but that does prove the culprit was a witch calling herself Beatrice.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうですよね…。人にはできない、不思議なことがいっぱいありましたし…。」 <br>\r\n\"That's right... There were many strange things that happened...that a human couldn't do...\" <br><br>\r\n「うー。絵羽伯母さんの密室殺人とか、魔女にしかできない。人間にはできない！ うー！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-. Only a witch could do things like murdering Aunt Eva in that closed room. A human couldn't do it! Uu-!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………１９人目が存在することが明らかで、しかもその人物は人間では考えられない力を持っている。」 <br>\r\n\"...Not only is the existence of a 19th person clear, but it's also obvious that this person holds a power that humans can't even imagine.\" <br><br>\r\n「となれば、その人物をベアトリーチェと呼んでも、差し支えはねぇだろうぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"In that case, I don't think there's anything wrong with calling this person Beatrice.\" <br><br>\r\n「…多分、僕たちはラストで、出会っているよ。…黄金の魔女にね。」 <br>\r\n\"...We probably met at the very end. ...Met with the Golden Witch.\" <br><br>\r\n「だから真里亞は、ベアトリーチェがいるーってずっと言ってる。みんなずっと信じなかったから駄目だった。うー！ 信じないと奇跡は起きないって、友達の魔女も言ってる！ うー！」 <br>\r\n\"Like I kept saying, Beatrice exists. It all went bad because no one ever believed. Uu-! Even one of her witch friends says that miracles won't occur if you don't believe. Uu-!\" <br><br>\r\n「そうですね。ベアトリーチェさまは、敬う者に寛大だそうですし。」 <br>\r\n\"That's right. Beatrice-sama is generous to those who respect her.\" <br><br>\r\n「……真里亞さまは、恐ろしい事件が次々と起こっていっても、最後までベアトリーチェさまの脅威からは外されていたように思います。」 <br>\r\n\"...It seems to me that Maria-sama was never a target of Beatrice-sama's wrath up to the very end, despite the horrible crimes that occurred one after another.\" <br><br>\r\n「真里亞は、一番の最初っからベアトリーチェを信じてたもんな。 <br>\r\n\"Well, Maria believed in Beatrice from the very beginning. <br><br>\r\n…でも、それじゃあ、同じように信じてた嘉音くんたちも殺されたのは納得がいかないぜ？」 <br>\r\n...But if that's the case, how do you explain why you and the rest were all killed? You guys believed in Beatrice just as much, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「……それは多分、ベアトリーチェさまなりのご都合があられたのでしょう。」 <br>\r\n\"...Beatrice-sama probably had her reasons.\" <br><br>\r\n「碑文の歌が、ベアトリーチェさまの復活の儀式を意味するものなら、大勢の生贄が必要だった。……そのひとりにご指名をいただけたということなのでしょう。」 <br>\r\n\"If the song of the epitaph represented Beatrice-sama's resurrection ceremony, many sacrifices were needed. ...He must simply have been designated to be one of those.\" <br><br>\r\n「…紗音ちゃんは、酷い最期だったよ…。せめて、もう少し綺麗で安らかな方法もあったろうに。」 <br>\r\n\"...Shannon-chan, you met a horrible end... At the very least, I wish your death could've been more peaceful and pretty.\" <br><br>\r\n「………まぁその、…痛かったわけじゃないですし…。 <br>\r\n\"...Umm, well, ...it's not like it hurt... <br><br>\r\nそれにほら。今はこうして全然平気ですから、へっちゃらです。」 <br>\r\nAnyway, right now, I'm perfectly fine, so don't worry.\" <br><br>\r\n紗音が劇中では砕かれていた頬を撫でて見せると、みんなは微笑ましそうに大笑いしました。 <br>\r\nAfter seeing him stroke Shannon's cheek, which had been crushed during the story, everyone laughed out loud, smiling. <br><br>\r\n「でも、こう言っちゃ何だけど、…僕はてっきり本格ミステリーだと思ってたからね。ファンタジーだとわかってちょっと驚いてるよ。 <br>\r\n\"Well, it feels a bit weird saying this, ...but I was sure this story would fit into the standard mystery genre. I'm a bit surprised to find out that it's a fantasy. <br><br>\r\n遺産を巡る外界から隔絶された孤島の洋館ものなんて、推理ものの王道だと思ってたからさ。」 <br>\r\nAfter all, a Western mansion shut away from the outside world on an isolated island, with an inheritance problem on everyone's minds... It sounds just like a typical mystery novel to me.\" <br><br>\r\n「……うー。ファンタジーじゃないい！ ベアトリーチェは“い”るのー！ うー。」 <br>\r\n\"...Uu-. It's not fantasy! Beatrice `exists'! Uu-.\" <br><br>\r\n「………えぇ、わかっています。ベアトリーチェさまは“い”らっしゃいます。」 <br>\r\n\"...Yes, we understand. Beatrice-sama does `exist'.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうですね。……ベアトリーチェさまは“い”らっしゃいます。」 <br>\r\n\"That's right. ...Beatrice-sama does `exist'.\" <br><br>\r\n「…悔しいが認めざるを得ねぇよな。１９人目の魔女の関与は明らかだしなぁ…！」 <br>\r\n\"...I hate to admit it, but I've got no choice. Because it's obvious that a 19th person, a witch, was involved...!\" <br><br>\r\n「人間には不可能なことをいくつもやってのけてる。劇中の僕らは、それを否定したくてあれこれと考えたけれども。 <br>\r\n\"Many things happened that'd be impossible for humans. During the story, we tried to deny that in all sorts of ways. <br><br>\r\n…今なら、はっきり言えるよ。どれもいずれも、全て、人間には不可能な犯罪だった。……魔法の力を使いこなす、魔女のベアトリーチェにしか為し得ない犯行だよ。」 <br>\r\n...But now, I can say it for sure. Each crime, every single one, would've been impossible for a human. ...They'd be impossible to carry out unless it was the witch Beatrice using all of the power magic could provide.\" <br><br>\r\n「犯人は魔女だった。その一点において、何の曇りもねぇぜ。ベアトリーチェさま万歳ってわけだ。はっははははは。」 <br>\r\n\"The culprit was a witch. That point's perfectly clear. Heh, long live Beatrice. Hahahahahaha.\" <br><br>\r\n「うー。みんな信じた。真里亞は嬉しい。うー！」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-. Everyone believed. I'm so glad. Uu-!\" <br><br>\r\n「……神さまも魔女も、怖がる人には恐ろしい存在かもしれませんけど、信じ、敬う人にとっては、きっと慈しみのある存在に違いないと思います。」 <br>\r\n\"...Gods and witches might seem terrifying to people who are frightened of them, but I think they must be affectionate to those who believe in and respect them.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………姉さんの、言う通りだと思います。」 <br>\r\n\"...I think you're right.\" <br><br>\r\n「じゃあさ、せっかく殺人事件ごっこは終わったわけだし。ここで気を取り直して、ちゃんとベアトリーチェの言う通り、碑文の謎に挑戦してみねぇか？ <br>\r\n\"So, this murder case game is finally over. Now's the time to pull ourselves together and try hard to solve the riddle of the epitaph, just like Beatrice said, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「うー！ 賛成！ きっとベアトリーチェも喜ぶ。」 <br>\r\n\"Uu-! I agree! Beatrice will definitely be happy.\" <br><br>\r\n「ははははは…。劇中ではみんな無視してたからね、あの手紙は。」 <br>\r\n\"Hahahahaha... Everyone ignored that letter during the story.\" <br><br>\r\n「……せっかく、出題されたのに、ほとんど無視されて。何だか可哀想ですね、ベアトリーチェさま。」 <br>\r\n\"...Even though it was thrust right in front of us, we almost completely ignored it. I kind of feel sorry for Beatrice-sama.\" <br><br>\r\n「碑文のメモがある！ みんなで謎解き、みんなで謎解き…！」 <br>\r\n\"I've got the epitaph written down right here! Let's all solve it, let's all solve it...!\" <br><br>\r\n「物語は多分、この時点から間違ってたんだろうね。」 <br>\r\n\"This story probably went wrong ever since that time.\" <br><br>\r\n「………そうかもしれません。私たちは、ベアトリーチェさまのご指示通り、碑文の謎に挑むべきだったのかもしれません。」 <br>\r\n\"...That may be so. Maybe we should've tried solving the epitaph's riddle from the beginning, like Beatrice said.\" <br><br>\r\n「まぁ、すっかり遅くなっちまったけどな。今からでも再挑戦するってことで、魔女さまには許してもらおうぜ。ささ、碑文の謎に挑戦してみよう。……何々、“懐かしき、故郷を貫く鮎の川”…。」 <br>\r\n\"Well, it's a little late now. Even so, let's try solving it now and see if the witch forgives us. Let's go, let's try to solve the riddle of the epitaph. ...It was something like, `Behold the sweetfish river running through my beloved hometown.'...\" <br><br>\r\n真里亞がテーブルの上に、碑文を記したノートのページを開くと、みんなはそこを覗き込みながら、楽しげに碑文の謎をあれこれ推測して賑わうのでした。 <br>\r\nMaria put her notebook on the table and opened to the page where the epitaph was written. Everyone stared at it, getting really into it as they started guessing this and that about the riddle. <br><br>\r\n紅茶の香りと、焼きたてのクッキーのバニラの香りが、それに彩を加える、とても楽しげでゆったりとした時間……。 <br>\r\nSurrounded by the smell of black tea and freshly baked vanilla cookies, they spent the time comfortably and happily... <br><br>\r\n「………………ちょいと待てよ、お前ら。」 <br>\r\n\"......Hold on a second, you guys.\" <br><br>\r\nなのに、戦人が水を挿すような言い方で、それを口にしました。 <br>\r\nBut Battler spoke in a way that cut through the conversation. <br><br>\r\n見れば表情はどこか不愉快そう。 <br>\r\nこの楽しい時間の何が気に入らないというのでしょうか。 <br>\r\nHis expression looked a little unhappy. <br><br>\r\nWhat could he not like about all of this fun? <br><br>\r\n「…お前ら、さっきから聞いてりゃ、何を思考停止してんだ？ 何で魔女の仕業ってことで決まってんだよ。…そんなのあるわきゃねぇじゃねぇかよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...I've been listening to you guys for a while, but...why did you all stop thinking? Why are you so sure that the witch was behind all this? ...Don't you realize something like that can't exist?\" <br><br>\r\n戦人のその一言に、…お茶会の楽しい空気があっという間になくなってしまいました。 <br>\r\nWith just those words, ...the happy atmosphere surrounding the tea party evaporated in an instant. <br><br>\r\n譲治も、朱志香も。 <br>\r\n紗音も、嘉音も。 <br>\r\nそして真里亞も。 <br>\r\nGeorge and Jessica. <br><br>\r\nAnd Shannon and Kanon. <br><br>\r\nAnd Maria. <br><br>\r\n……戦人は何を変なことを言い出すんだろうと、きょとんとしています。 <br>\r\n...All of them stared blankly, wondering what in the world Battler was talking about. <br><br>\r\n愚かで身の程知らずの戦人も、さすがに自分が失言したことに気付きました。 <br>\r\nEven the foolish, arrogant Battler realized that he hadn't chosen his words well. <br><br>\r\n「…だ、………だって。明らかに人間には無理な事件だったじゃないか。」 <br>\r\n\"...B-Because, isn't it clear that these crimes were impossible for a human?\" <br><br>\r\n「そ、そうだぜ、そうだぜ。…どの事件も人間には無理なことばかり。」 <br>\r\n\"Th-That's right, that's right. ...None of the cases would've been possible for a human.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうですよね…。だって、人間じゃ、説明がつかないことばかりじゃないですか…。」 <br>\r\n\"That's true... After all, wasn't it full of things that humans couldn't explain...?\" <br><br>\r\n「…戦人さまが、何を言い出すのか、僕にはわかりません。」 <br>\r\n\"...I don't understand what you're saying, Battler-sama.\" <br><br>\r\n「お…、お前たちこそ、何を口々に言い出すのかさっぱりだぜ。 <br>\r\n\"I-I'm the one who doesn't have a clue what you guys are talking about! <br><br>\r\nこんなの人間が起こした事件に決まってるじゃねぇかよ。魔女なんているわけねぇだろ…？」 <br>\r\nIsn't it obvious that humans committed these crimes? There's no way something like a witch exists, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「じゃ、…じゃあ。…私が倉庫の中で殺されてた時、顔の半分を酷いことにされていましたが、……あれは人間が犯人なら、どう再現するというのですか…？」 <br>\r\n\"Th-Then, ...what about when I was killed in the storehouse, and something horrible was done to half of my face? ...If the culprit was human, how could they have accomplished it...?\" <br><br>\r\n「…そりゃ、 <br>\r\n……まぁ、どうやったらあんな酷ぇことができるのか、ちょっと想像はつかねぇけどよ。 <br>\r\n\"...That's... <br><br>\r\n...well, it's hard to imagine how they did something that awful. <br><br>\r\nでも、あそこは薔薇庭園の倉庫だぜ？ きっと中に妙な道具とかがいくらでもあっただろ。わかんねぇけどよ、例えば、電ノコとかグラインダーとか、そんな電動工具でも使ったのかもしれねぇじゃないか。」 <br>\r\nBut that was the rose garden storehouse, right? I'm sure there were plenty of weird tools in there. Let's say they used some electrical tools like a grinder or an electric saw.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………そ、 <br>\r\n………それは……、 <br>\r\n…その…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Th- <br><br>\r\nThat's... <br><br>\r\numm...\" <br><br>\r\n「じゃあ、戦人…。祖父さまが密室の書斎から消え去っていたのはどう説明するんだよ…。扉は封印されていたのに、祖父さまは忽然と消え去ってたぜ…？」 <br>\r\n\"Then, Battler, ...how do you explain Grandfather's disappearance from the study when it was a closed room...? Even though the door was sealed, Grandfather just suddenly disappeared, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「その話は劇中でも出ただろ。祖父さまが何らかの方法を使えば、レシートを誤魔化すことは不可能じゃない。あるいは窓から出て、あるいは落ちて、夏妃伯母さんが窓を内側から施錠した可能性もある。別に、魔法を使わなくたって、他にもいくつか手は思いつくだろうぜ…？」 <br>\r\n\"We talked about that during the story, too. It's not impossible that Grandfather used some trick to fool the receipt. It's also possible that he went out the window, fell down, and <NAME> locked the window from the inside. I could think of a bunch of tricks you could use without relying on magic...\" <br><br>\r\n「…………そ、 <br>\r\n……それはそうだけどよ………。」 <br>\r\n\"...Th- <br><br>\r\nThat makes sense, but...\" <br><br>\r\n「なら戦人くん。僕のお母さんたちが客室の中で殺されていたのはどう説明するんだい？ 扉には鍵もチェーンも掛かってた。無論、窓もね。どうやって人間に、母さんたちを殺せたって言うんだい？」 <br>\r\n\"In that case, Battler-kun, how do you explain the way my parents were killed in the guest room? The door was sealed by the lock and the chain. Naturally, the window was sealed too. How do you think a human could've killed my parents?\" <br><br>\r\n「…まぁ、 <br>\r\n……確かにそのトリックは劇中でも保留になったままだったな。とにかく、犯人は鍵だけは持ってる可能性が高いからな。チェーンに許される程度の、扉の隙間は確保できたわけだ。 <br>\r\n\"...Well, <br><br>\r\n...we did have to leave that trick alone during the story. Anyway, there's at least a good chance the culprit had a key. And it was possible to look in through the crack of the door that the chain allowed. <br><br>\r\n……非常に苦しい話だが、その隙間から何かの仕掛けを施した可能性はありえるな。…いや、あるいは、その隙間から、何かを出したとか…？ <br>\r\n...I know this is a stretch, but it's possible some device was used through that crack. ...Like maybe they stuck something through it...?\" <br><br>\r\n……んんん、確かにチェーンってのは、偉いシンプルだが、密室を構成するでかい要素だな…。………だが、密室トリックなんておよそやり尽くされてるんだ。そこいらの書店で密室ミステリーを数冊買ってくりゃ、どうせビンゴなトリックが見付かるだろうぜ。 <br>\r\n\"...Hmmmm, well, even though a door chain is incredibly simple, it's a big factor in setting up a closed room... ...Still, there's probably some closed room trick they could've used. If you bought some closed room mystery novels from the bookstore, you could probably find some trick that'd fit perfectly. <br><br>\r\n……とにかく、俺には思いつかねぇが、どうにかやりくりすりゃあ、人間にできないことはないだろうって断言できる。」 <br>\r\n...Anyway, I can't think of one now, ...but I claim that there's nothing humans can't do if they try hard enough.\" <br><br>\r\n「それは酷い暴論じゃないかい…？ 説明できないのに、人間に可能だと断言できるなんて、めちゃめちゃだよ…。」 <br>\r\n\"Isn't that argument horribly irrational...? It's just ridiculous to claim that it's possible for a human to do something, even though you can't explain how...\" <br><br>\r\n「……何がどうめちゃめちゃなんだよ。兄貴たちは何を思考停止してんだよ。一見できなさそうに見えても、どうせできるんだよ。それがお約束ってもんだろうが。」 <br>\r\n\"...Why is that ridiculous? Why did all of you stop thinking? Even something that looks impossible has to be doable. Doesn't it always work like that?\" <br><br>\r\n「めちゃめちゃなのは戦人の方だぜ。……人間にできるってんなら、説明してみろよ。できねぇだろ？」 <br>\r\n\"Battler, you're the one being ridiculous. ...If you think a human could've done it, try explaining how. You can't, can you?\" <br><br>\r\n「できなきゃすぐに犯人は魔女ってことで落ち着くのかよ。その論法で行っちまったら、世界中の未解決事件は全部、魔女が犯人ってことで決着しちまうぞ！」 <br>\r\n\"And you're okay with saying the culprit is a witch just because I can't explain it? With that argument, all the unsolved crimes in the world could be resolved by saying a witch is the culprit!\" <br><br>\r\n「……戦人は問題を摩り替えてるし、何も説明してない。…真里亞たちは、“人間にはできない。だから人間じゃない存在が犯人。それが魔女”だと、そう言っている。なのに戦人は、説明できないけど魔女はありえないとか、一方的な決め付けで言ってる。 <br>\r\n\"...Battler, you're sidestepping the issue, and you aren't explaining anything. ...We're saying `A human couldn't have done it. Therefore the culprit is something that isn't human. And that something is a witch.' And yet you keep arbitrarily deciding that witches are impossible, even though you can't explain anything.\" <br><br>\r\n……きひひひひひひひひひひ、まるで、無知な時代の人類のようだね。地球が回ってるはずがない、説明はできないけど、宇宙が地球を中心に回ってるんだと言い張る愚か者のよう。」 <br>\r\n\"...Kihihihihihihihihihihihi, it's almost like humanity was during the dark ages. Like those fools who claimed the heavens spun around the earth...those who said that the earth couldn't be spinning, even though they couldn't explain why.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………な、…何だか気に入らねぇ論法だが。つまりお前らはこう言いたいのかよ。…人間に可能だと説明できないなら、犯人が魔女、…ベアトリーチェであることを受け容れろってことかよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Th-That kind of argument kinda pisses me off. So this is basically what you're trying to say. ...If I can't explain how a human could do it, then I must accept that the culprit is a witch?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………そこまで押し付けているわけではありません。ただ、戦人さまが、何を根拠にそのような世迷言を言い出すのか、と思いまして。」 <br>\r\n\"...It's not like we're forcing you to go that far. We were just wondering on what basis you can say such nonsense.\" <br><br>\r\n「よ、…世迷言って <br>\r\n、………。……な、…なぁ、俺ってさっきからそんなに変なこと言ってるか？！ <br>\r\n\"N-Nonsense <br><br>\r\n......? ...H-Hey, have I really been saying something that weird just now?! <br><br>\r\nおかしいのは俺なのか？！ さっきから偉ぇ不愉快だぞッ？！」 <br>\r\nAm I the one who's crazy?! You guys are really starting to freak me out!\" <br><br>\r\n「……戦人さま。僕は、自分が死んだ時、ボイラー室で、存在しないはずの１９人目に殺されています。 <br>\r\n\"...Battler-sama, when I died in the boiler room, I was killed by a 19th person who shouldn't exist. <br><br>\r\n…それが人間の仕業だと説明できるのですか？ あの時、１８人の所在は全員がはっきりしていました。にもかかわらず、僕は殺されている。」 <br>\r\n...Can you explain how a human could have done that? At that time, the locations of the 18 were well known. Even so, I was killed.\" <br><br>\r\n「その件も劇中で言ってるぜ…？！ 例えば、熊沢の婆ちゃんだ。嘉音くんがボイラー室に下りてからすぐ後を追ったと言ってるが、実は嘘かも知れねぇ。一緒にボイラー室に入って、不意を突いてブッスリ行っちまったのかも知れねぇ！ あるいは、ボイラー室に踏み込むと、何かのトラップが発動して、例のアイスピックが打ち込まれるように仕掛けられていたのかもしれない。 <br>\r\n\"We talked about that in the story as well, right...?! Kumasawa baa-chan, for example. She said she followed right after you and headed down to the boiler room, but we can't know for sure whether that was a lie or not. For all we know, she might've entered the boiler room with you and caught you by surprise! Or maybe, when you stepped into the boiler room, you activated some kind of trap, one that might've been set up to hit you with one of those icepicks.\" <br><br>\r\n何しろ焼却炉からは祖父さまの遺体の悪臭だ。必ず誰かがやってくるわけだから、仕掛けだけ施せば、犯人はその場を離れ、嘉音くんの死亡時刻にアリバイを作ることは充分できる…！」 <br>\r\n\"After all, the stink of Grandfather's body was coming from the incinerator. Someone was bound to go and check, so if the culprit just set up a trap beforehand, they could easily have stayed away from that place and used the time of Kanon-kun's death to create an alibi...!\" <br><br>\r\n「……ボイラー室のトラップって、どんなのですか…？」 <br>\r\n\"...You talk about a trap in the boiler room, ...but what kind of trap could that be?\" <br><br>\r\n「そうだよ。あの後、すぐみんながボイラー室に駆けつけた。でもそんな変な仕掛けは見つけられなかったじゃないか！」 <br>\r\n\"That's right. Following his death, everyone immediately ran over to the boiler room. But we didn't find any kind of weird device, did we?!\" <br><br>\r\n「……左様です。戦人さま、どんな仕掛けで、僕は殺されたというのですか…？」 <br>\r\n\"...That is correct. Battler-sama, what kind of trap could I have been killed with...?\" <br><br>\r\n「いや、 <br>\r\n…………それはわからねぇ。…でも、とにかく、何かの仕掛けをうまくやってだな、あるいは誰かが嘘をついて…、 <br>\r\n\"Well, <br><br>\r\n...I don't know that. ...But anyway, they must've used some kind of clever trap, or maybe someone's lying, <br><br>\r\nこうも考えられるぜ？！ そもそもあれは嘉音くんの自作自演だったとかな？！ そ、そうだ、自作自演だ！！ 絵羽伯母さんたちも自作自演なんだよ。自分で密室を作り、死んだふりをした！」 <br>\r\n...or what about this?! Kanon-kun, what if the whole thing was just you playacting?! Th-That's it, you were playacting!! <NAME> and <NAME> were also playacting. They made the closed room themselves, and were only pretending to be dead!\" <br><br>\r\n「………戦人…。………お前、 <br>\r\nさっきから頭、 <br>\r\n…大丈夫か……？」 <br>\r\n\"...Battler, ...has your head been, <br><br>\r\numm, <br><br>\r\n...feeling okay...?\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「……あの、………冷たいお飲み物でもお持ちしましょうか…？」 <br>\r\n\"...Umm, ...should I bring some cold drinks...?\" <br><br>\r\n「そ、そこまで憐れみの目で見られるほど妙なことは言ってねぇだろ…。俺はあくまでも、トリックを考える上での可能性について言っただけだぜ？ <br>\r\n\"D-Don't look at me with those pitying eyes... I'm not saying something that crazy, right? I'm just pointing out some possibilities you might find if you think of it all as a trick. <br><br>\r\nそれにほら、死者が実は死んでないなんて、推理物のお約束じゃねぇかよ！」 <br>\r\nLook, isn't it a pretty classic trick in mystery stories to have one of the victims just be playing dead?!\" <br><br>\r\n「お約束って…？」 <br>\r\n\"A classic trick...?\" <br><br>\r\n「つ、つまりだ。嘉音くんが殺された時、確かに俺たち全員の所在ははっきりしていた。そして熊沢の婆ちゃんも嘘はついてないとする。 <br>\r\n\"I-In other words, when Kanon-kun was killed, we knew for sure where all the rest of us were. And let's assume that Kumasawa baa-chan wasn't lying. <br><br>\r\nでも、それは生存者だけの話だ。……もし、死んだふりをして犠牲者に混じり姿を眩ましていた犯人が別行動をしていたとしたら、全ては説明できる！」 <br>\r\nBut that's only counting the survivors. ...What if the culprit pretended to be dead and joined a group of real victims so we'd lose track of them, and then acted on their own later? Everything would be explained!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………はぁ…。つまり、絵羽叔母さんたちが犯人だと言いたいわけか…？ でも、叔母さんたちの死亡については南條先生が医者として判断してるぜ？」 <br>\r\n\"......Huh...? So, are you trying to say that Aunt Eva or one of the others was the culprit...? But didn't Doctor Nanjo confirm all of their deaths, as a doctor?\" <br><br>\r\n「……そうです。南條先生は、全ての犠牲者について確認しています。…もし戦人さんの説を採用するなら、南條先生も犯人ということになりますか？」 <br>\r\n\"...That's right. Doctor Nanjo checked all of the victims. ...Battler-sama, for your theory to work, wouldn't Doctor Nanjo have to be one of the culprits too?\" <br><br>\r\n「あ、あぁっ、そうだな！！ 南條先生が犯人の一味で、嘘の死亡宣告をしていたかもしれないと考えりゃ、話は変わってくるぜ…！ <br>\r\n\"Uh, yeah, that's right!! Once you consider that Doctor Nanjo might've been one of the culprits and faked the proclamation of death, the whole story changes...! <br><br>\r\nほら、これも推理物のお約束じゃねぇかよ！！」 <br>\r\nSee, that's also a classic trick in mystery novels, isn't it?!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……でも、南條先生も殺されたよ…？」 <br>\r\n\"...But Doctor Nanjo was also killed, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「っと、………それはだな。…そうさ、南條先生は偽装死なんだ！ <br>\r\n\"Umm, ...about that... ...That's right, Doctor Nanjo faked his death! <br><br>\r\n何しろ、南條先生以外に検死ができるやつはいねぇし、あの時はもう混乱してる状況下だ。本当に脈が止まってるかなんて、のんびり確かめてる暇もなかったぜ！ この論法なら、死者は誰だって歩き回れたことになる！」 <br>\r\nAfter all, there wasn't anyone except <NAME> who could examine corpses properly, and everyone was really confused then anyway. We didn't have any spare time to check and see if he still had a pulse! With this theory, any one of the dead people could've been walking around!\" <br><br>\r\n「………私たち最初の６人は難しかったんじゃないかと思います…。 <br>\r\n\"...I think it would've been hard for the six of us who died in the beginning to do that... <br><br>\r\n……だって、シャッターを閉められた上に、…内側からは開けられない南京錠を掛けられちゃいましたし…。」 <br>\r\n...After all, the shutter was closed, ...and there was a padlock that couldn't have been opened from the inside...\" <br><br>\r\n「そうだぜ。その鍵は母さんが預かった。じゃあ、母さんも犯人の一味だってのかよ？」 <br>\r\n\"That's right. Mom was holding onto that key. So was Mom one of the culprits too?\" <br><br>\r\n「…あぁあぁぁぁ、いやいや、…、 <br>\r\n最初の６人は無理そうだが、絵羽伯母さんたちは外から鍵を掛けただけだろ。なら内側から開けられるし…、 <br>\r\n\"...Aaaaaaah, wait a sec... <br><br>\r\n Maybe it was impossible for the first six, but in the case of Aniki's parents, the door was only locked on the outside. So they could've opened it from the inside... <br><br>\r\n…そうさ、俺たちが部屋を出た後、窓から飛び出して、ボイラー室に先回りしたとか！ <br>\r\n...That's right, after we left the room, maybe they jumped out the window and got to the boiler room first! <br><br>\r\nく、……苦しいか…？！ あるいは南條先生も検死を誤ったとかな？！ <br>\r\n...I-Is that too much of a stretch...?! Or maybe Doctor Nanjo made a mistake when examining the corpses?!\" <br><br>\r\nほら、自分でも言ってたぜ？ 検死は誤診率が高いとかって！ うまく偽装したとか、身代わり死体を用意したとかで、死を誤魔化したんだ！！ 方法やトリックは、これから考えるとして、とにかくとにかく、１９人目を否定することはそう難しいことじゃないんだ！ <br>\r\n\"Look, he said it himself, right? He said there's a very high probability of making a mistake when examining corpses! If you disguised it well enough or prepared a substitute body, you could fake your own death!! Let's leave the method or trick they used for later...and you see, it's not that hard to deny a 19th person existed, right?! <br><br>\r\nましてや魔女ぉ？ それだけは断じてありえねぇ！！」 <br>\r\nMuch less a witch, right? At least that much is completely impossible!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………戦人がさっきから、何で頑なに、みんなの中に犯人がいるようにしたいのか、わかんない。きひひひひひひひひひ、つまり戦人は、親族の誰かを疑いたいんだよね…？」 <br>\r\n\"...I don't know why you've been trying so stubbornly to say that one of us is the culprit. Kihihihihihihihihihi. In other words, you want to suspect one of your relatives...?\" <br><br>\r\n「そういうわけじゃねぇ…。ただその、安易に１９人目を肯定はできねぇし、仮にいたとしてもそれは人間だって見地から話を構築すべきであって、それら全部を否定しきった最後の最後で苦し紛れに出てくるのが魔女だろって話をしたいんだ。 <br>\r\n\"That's not it... It's just, uh, I can't easily accept that a 19th person existed...and even if one did, I think we should construct our argument from the point of view that the culprit was a human. I'll only accept that it's a witch in desperation, at the very end, after everything else has been disproved.\" <br><br>\r\n魔女なんているわけないだろ？！ 何でさっきからみんなは、魔女が犯人ってことでひょいひょい納得したがるんだ？ そりゃ、身内に殺人犯がいると思いたくねぇ家族愛は立派さ。でも、それで誤魔化しちまっていいのかよ？！ あれだけ大勢を殺した憎き犯人を見つけ出したいとは思わねぇのかよ？！ <br>\r\n\"There's no way witches exist, right?! Why has everyone been casually accepting that the culprit was a witch? I think it's great how your family love makes you hate the thought that someone close to you is a murderer. But is it okay to let that fool you?! Don't you want to find the detestable culprit who killed so many people?!\" <br><br>\r\n兄貴だって、両親の仇を見つけたいだろ？！ 朱志香だって嘉音くんの仇を、そして嘉音くんだって、紗音ちゃんの仇を見つけたいだろ？！ 紗音ちゃんだって、自分を殺したのが誰なのか知りたいはずだ。何でこうパーンと全面降伏して、魔女が犯人ってことになっちまうんだよ？！ お前らさっきから何なんだ？！」 <br>\r\n\"Aniki, don't you want to avenge your parents?! Jessica, don't you want to avenge Kanon-kun, and Kanon-kun, don't you want to avenge Shannon-chan?! Shannon-chan, you should at least want to know who it was that killed you. Why has everyone totally surrendered and decided that the culprit was a witch?! What's wrong with all of you?!\" <br><br>\r\n短気で愚かな戦人は、自分の無知を他者に求めようと食って掛かります。 <br>\r\n…しかし、みんなは憐れみの眼差しで、ただ静かに見守るのでした。 <br>\r\nThe foolish and short-tempered Battler tried to force his ignorance on the others and yelled at them. <br><br>\r\n...However, everyone just looked at him pityingly, silently watching over him. <br><br>\r\nすると、聡明なる真里亞は笑いながら、戦人に間違いを指摘してあげました。 <br>\r\nAt that time, the wise Maria laughed and pointed out Battler's mistake. <br><br>\r\n「……………きひひひひひひひひ。…呆れてるんだよ。……戦人はさっきから、支離滅裂なことを繰り返しては何かをわかったような気になってるだけ。 <br>\r\n\"...Kihihihihihihihihi. ...I'm shocked. ...All I see is you repeating this nonsense, thinking you've figured something out, Battler. <br><br>\r\n……だから？ それで？ 人間にどうやって？ 具体的には？ そう聞くと、決まって戦人は、今は思いつかないけど、とか、何かの仕掛けで、とか、抽象的な言葉で逃げたりお茶を濁したり。 <br>\r\n...So? What's next? How would a human do it? In practical terms, I mean? I imagine you'll say `I just can't think of anything now' or `with some kind of device.' ...Using abstract words to run away and evade the topic.\" <br><br>\r\n……むしろ、知りたいよ戦人。どうしてベアトリーチェを信じないの？ “い”るのに、どうして？」 <br>\r\n\"...What I really want to know, Battler, is this. Why don't you believe in Beatrice? She exists, so why don't you believe?\" <br><br>\r\n「“い”ねぇからだよ！ 魔女なんか“い”ねぇ！！ いるわけがねぇ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Because she doesn't `exist'! Witches don't `exist'!! There's no way!!\" <br><br>\r\n……それは、まるで認めたくないというだけの、子どものわがままのよう。 <br>\r\n憐れみの眼差しが、静かに戦人を包みましたが、頑なな彼の心にそれは届きません。 <br>\r\n...It was almost like a spoiled child who just doesn't want to accept something. <br><br>\r\nThe pitying gazes quietly closed in around Battler, but they didn't reach his stubborn heart. <br><br>\r\n「…………まるっきり、駄々っ子のわがままだぜ？」 <br>\r\n\"...You realize that you're acting just like a spoiled brat throwing a tantrum, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「……戦人さま。お気持ちはわかりますが…。」 <br>\r\n\"...Battler-sama, I understand your feelings, but...\" <br><br>\r\n「………ベアトリーチェさまは、“い”らっしゃるのです。」 <br>\r\n\"...Beatrice does `exist'.\" <br><br>\r\n「戦人くん…、どうして、信じないんだい？ これほどまでに、状況証拠は揃ってるのに。」 <br>\r\n\"Battler-kun, ...why don't you believe? Even though there's so much proof.\" <br><br>\r\n「説明できなきゃ全て魔女なんて、俺はそんな論法は認めねぇ。どうして電球が明るくなるのか、仕掛けを知らなきゃ全て魔法ってことになるのか？ <br>\r\n\"I don't accept the argument that the witch must've been behind everything just because I can't explain it. Does this mean that if you don't know how a light bulb shines, then magic is the cause? <br><br>\r\n違うだろ？！ <br>\r\nThat's wrong, isn't it?! <br><br>\r\n魔法じゃなきゃ説明がつかないことなど存在しない！！ 魔女だの魔法だのってのは、思考の放棄だ！ <br>\r\nThere's nothing that can't be explained without magic!! All of this about witches and magic is just abdication of thought! <br><br>\r\n兄貴たちは、わからねぇ事件に屈服して降参しただけなんだ！ そうだろ？！」 <br>\r\nYou just surrendered and gave up because you don't understand what happened! Isn't that right?!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………き、ひひひひひひひひひひひ。…やっぱり、 <br>\r\n……戦人だけはどうしても信じないね。 <br>\r\n\"......Ki, hihihihihihihihihihihi. Well, <br><br>\r\n...unsurprisingly, it looks like you alone won't believe no matter what, Battler. <br><br>\r\n……誰かひとりでも信じなかったら“奇跡”は起きない。……だから、戦人のその蒙昧な思い込みを改めさせなきゃ、奇跡が、……魔法が完成しないんだよ。」 <br>\r\n...If even a single person doesn't believe, the `miracle' won't occur. ...So, if you don't rethink your ignorant theories, the miracle...the magic won't be completed.\" <br><br>\r\n「へへ…。なぁるほどな。……ようやく一端が見えてきたぜ。…つまりお前らは俺に、魔女様は存在する、って言わせたいんだろ？ 全員が認めた嘘は“真実”になる。……そういうこったろッ？！ <br>\r\n\"Hehe... Now I see. ...I finally figured it out. ...So, in other words, you guys are trying to force me to say the witch exists, right? A lie that everyone accepts becomes `the truth'. ...Is that what this is all about?! <br><br>\r\n……生憎だな。ここばかりは生憎だが、そいつぁ全然駄目だぜ、お断りだ。……~ib~お前らが俺にそう詰め寄るからこそ、だからこそ全然駄目なんだ~ib~。」 <br>\r\n...I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry I keep going on about this, but what you're doing is all useless. I refuse. ...~ib~You guys are all pressing me, and that's why it's all useless~ib~.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………どうして？」 <br>\r\n\"......Why?\" <br><br>\r\n「悪ぃが、最後の最後でもう一回、チェス盤をひっくり返させてもらうぜ…？ 魔女の存在を俺に認めさせたいなら、一番簡単な方法があるはずさ。……それは、人間にはできないから魔女なんていう遠回しな方法じゃない！ 魔女が魔法でやって見せた、それを俺に見せるだけの話なんだ。 <br>\r\n\"Sorry, but why don't you let me spin the chessboard around one last time...? If you want to force me to accept that there's a witch, there's a really easy way. ...And it's not the indirect way of saying `it must be a witch because humans couldn't have done it'! All you have to do is show me a witch doing it with magic.\" <br><br>\r\nさらにだ、さっき真里亞が言ったことが一番墓穴を掘ってる。……誰かひとりでも信じなかったら“奇跡”は起きないってな。 <br>\r\n\"Furthermore, what Maria said earlier is what'll really dig her grave. ...You said that if even one person doesn't believe, a `miracle' won't occur.\" <br><br>\r\n真の奇跡は、誰が信じようと信じまいと勝手に起こる！ たとえ俺一人が信じなかったとしてもだ！！ だからこそ、俺が信じれば成立する奇跡も魔法も、そして魔女も嘘っぱちだってわけさ！！」 <br>\r\n\"But real miracles happen whether people believe in them or not! Even if I alone don't believe!! So any miracles or magic or witches that exist only because I believe in them are downright lies!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………………。」 <br>\r\n\".........\" <br><br>\r\nその戦人の無知な暴言によって荒んでしまった空気を、とても涼しげで軽やかな笑い声が吹き飛ばしてくれました。 <br>\r\nThe uneasy mood following Battler's ignorant rant......was blown away by a very soft and light laugh. <br><br>\r\n誰の笑い声…？ 戦人は初めて聞くその声に驚きました。 <br>\r\nWhose laugh...? Battler was surprised. He had never heard that voice before. <br><br>\r\n見れば、いつの間にか、譲治や朱志香、紗音に嘉音たちは畏まるように口を噤んでいます。 <br>\r\nWhen he looked at George and Jessica, at Shannon and Kanon and Maria, he noticed that they had suddenly gone respectfully silent. <br><br>\r\n「………………ベアトリーチェ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Beatrice.\" <br><br>\r\n「………良い。…久しぶりに愉快な人間に出会えたものよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...How amusing. ...I haven't met such a charming human for quite some time.\" <br><br>\r\n「お、 <br>\r\n………………お前、 <br>\r\n………誰だ…。」 <br>\r\n\"...Wh- <br><br>\r\nWho... <br><br>\r\n...are you...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……招かれた茶会のホストも知らぬか。 <br>\r\n\"...Don't you even know the host of the tea party you were invited to? <br><br>\r\n……良い良い。くっくっくっく…！」 <br>\r\n...How amusing indeed. *cackle*cackle*...!\" <br><br>\r\n「…こちらのお方は、千年を生きる黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェさまにあらせられます。」 <br>\r\n\"...This is Beatrice-sama, the Golden Witch who has lived for a thousand years.\" <br><br>\r\n「ご機嫌麗しゅう、ベアトリーチェさま…。」 <br>\r\n\"It is an honor to be graced with your presence, Beatrice-sama...\" <br><br>\r\n「……戦人くんの暴言をどうかお許し下さい。」 <br>\r\n\"...Please forgive Battler-kun's ranting.\" <br><br>\r\n「こ、こいつは頑固でその、まだ、自分の置かれた状況がわかってなくて……！」 <br>\r\n\"Th-This guy's just stubborn, and, umm, he still doesn't understand the situation he's in...!\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくっくっくっく…。良い良い。……千年も生きると、大抵の魔女は生き飽きる。そなたのような気骨ある男も時には良い。」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*cackle*... What a treat this is. ...Most witches get tired of living after the first thousand years. How nice it is to meet a man with backbone such as yourself every once in a while.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………ベアトリーチェがお姿を現してくれるのは、とても光栄なことだよ、戦人。」 <br>\r\n\"...It is quite an honor to be present when Beatrice shows herself, Battler.\" <br><br>\r\n「……へ、 <br>\r\n………へっへっへっへ…！！ こりゃあ、 <br>\r\n……たまげたぜ。…そこまでして、俺に魔女が、 <br>\r\n…１９人目が犯人だと思い込ませてぇのかよ…。 <br>\r\n\"...Heh, <br><br>\r\n...heheheheh!! How... <br><br>\r\n...astonishing. ...Are you really that desperate to make me believe that a witch... <br><br>\r\nthat a 19th person is the culprit...? <br><br>\r\nますますに気に入った…！ だから全然駄目だぜ…！！ お前は、真里亞たちが主張する、魔女ベアトリーチェの幻影というわけだ。 <br>\r\nThis is starting to get interesting...! And it's all useless...!! You must be the illusion that Maria and the others call the witch, Beatrice.\" <br><br>\r\n………そして、全員がその存在を信じることでようやく存在を許される。…そういう虚実の存在なんだろ？ だから俺にも信じさせたい。 ~ib~俺だけが信じないから、存在できない~ib~。 ………そうなんだろ？！」 <br>\r\n\"...And, you'll only be allowed to exist if everyone believes it. ...You have that kind of a half-existence, right? That's why you want to make me believe too. ~ib~You can't exist because I alone don't believe in you~ib~. ...Isn't that right?!\" <br><br>\r\n「………魔に通じぬ凡夫の分際にしては、理解力は悪くない。………なるほど、どうやらそなたは生まれながらにして、魔力に強い抵抗力を持つらしいな。 <br>\r\n\"...Your powers of comprehension aren't bad for a mere commoner who knows nothing of magic. ...Yes, it seems you were born with a strong magic-resisting power. <br><br>\r\n……我ら魔女の天敵よ。…どう逆さに振るって見せようとも、 <br>\r\n...You're a natural enemy of us witches. ...No matter how much we turn your world upside down, <br><br>\r\n~ib~決して我らを信じない。~ib~~ib~だから魔法が及ばない。~ib~ <br>\r\n~ib~you never believe in us.~ib~ ~ib~Therefore, the magic won't succeed~ib~. <br><br>\r\n…お前のその態度にも納得が行こうというものよ。くっくっくっく…！」 <br>\r\n...I accept that attitude of yours. *cackle*cackle*...!\" <br><br>\r\n「何を言ってやがるかさっぱりだぜ、いっひっひ！ わざわざお姿まで現してもらって恐縮だが、俺はお前さんの存在なんて、これっぽっちも信じやしないぜ。 <br>\r\n\"I've got no clue what you're saying, ihihi! It's very kind of you to go to all of the trouble of showing yourself to us, but I don't believe you exist in the slightest.\" <br><br>\r\n確かにこの２日間、妙なことは何度か起こった。さっき真里亞に言われた通り、俺はそれら全てにトリックの説明がつけられると思っているが、個々に具体的にはまだ挙げられてねぇ。だが、だからといって屈するわけじゃない。 <br>\r\n\"It's true that many strange things happened during those two days. Like Maria said earlier, even though I think all the tricks could be explained, I still can't lay out the practical details of each one. However, that doesn't mean I'll surrender.\" <br><br>\r\n俺は兄貴たちとは違うぜ？ 説明できないから、魔女の仕業だなんて論法には絶対ぇならねぇぜ。」 <br>\r\n\"I'm different from the rest of them, got it? I'll never accept that it was the work of a witch just because I can't explain it.\" <br><br>\r\n「………ますますに気に入ったぞ。お前は屈服させ甲斐がある…。……お前のような男にこそ、我が名を讃えさせてみせたいぞ……？ <br>\r\n\"...This keeps getting more amusing. Making you surrender will be worth my while... ...You're just the kind of man I'd like to force into praising my name...... <br><br>\r\nお前のような男にこそ、爪先にキスをさせてみたいものよ。…くっくっくっくっく！」 <br>\r\nI'd love to try making a man like you kiss my toes. ...*cackle*cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n「寝言言いたきゃ好きなだけ言ってろ…！ 俺はお前なんか否定してやるぜ。全ての出来事を“人間とトリック”で説明してやる…！！ そこには一片たりとも魔女も魔法も入り込む余地はねぇッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"If you want to talk nonsense, talk all you want...! I deny you exist. I'll explain all these events with `humans and tricks'...!! There's no room for even a speck of magic or witches!!\" <br><br>\r\n「良い！ ……それでこそ千年の退屈も紛れるというものよ。 <br>\r\n\"Wonderful! ...What a perfect way to divert oneself from a thousand years of boredom. <br><br>\r\nならば聞こう。お前は先ほど、絵羽たちを殺すのに、扉の隙間を利用すれば良いと言ったな…？ 人間とトリックで、どう殺してみせるのか、説明するがいい。」 <br>\r\nThen let me ask you. A short while ago, you said that using the crack in the door would be sufficient to kill Eva and Hideyoshi, right...? Explain how they could have been killed using some human trick.\" <br><br>\r\n「……へ。いきなり、一番辛いところから切り込んできやがったな。 <br>\r\n\"...Heh. Suddenly jumping right into the toughest part, are you? <br><br>\r\n…ってことは、このトリックが一番の自信作、ってことなんだろ？ <br>\r\n...Does that mean this is the trick you're proudest of? <br><br>\r\n~ib~真犯人~ib~さんよぅ。」 <br>\r\nMiss ~ib~Real Culprit~ib~?\" <br><br>\r\nベアトリーチェが黄金の煙管を振るうと、そこから七色の煙が柔らかく尾を引きました。 <br>\r\nWith a shake of her golden pipe, gentle, multi-colored smoke trailed out of the end. <br><br>\r\n…それらは見る見る周囲を覆うと、……いつの間にかそこはお屋敷の廊下に。 <br>\r\nThe smoke quickly obscured their surroundings, ...and they were suddenly in the hallway of the mansion. <br><br>\r\n目の前には、チェーンで閉じられ、わずかに開いた客室の扉が…。 <br>\r\nそう、絵羽たちが殺された部屋の入口なのです。 <br>\r\nThe door in front of them, slightly opened but secured by the chain, was... <br><br>\r\nThat's right, it's the door to the room where Eva and Hideyoshi were killed. <br><br>\r\n「……べ、便利じゃねぇかよ…。」 <br>\r\n\"...N-Nice trick...\" <br><br>\r\n「さて。このわずかの隙間から、どうしてみせるのか、戦人とやら。」 <br>\r\n\"Very well. Show me what you would do through this small crack, Battler.\" <br><br>\r\n「く、…………。……た、多分、あの“アイスピック”を打ち出せる射出機があるんだ。そいつを使って……。」 <br>\r\n\"Erk, ......th-they probably had some device to shoot those `icepicks'. If they used that...\" <br><br>\r\n「その隙間からは見えぬ、ベッドの上の絵羽をどう狙うのか？ ……そして、バスルームに篭り扉を閉めた秀吉をどう狙うのか…？」 <br>\r\n\"How would they reach Eva over on the bed when you can't see that far through this crack? ...And how would they reach Hideyoshi, in the bathroom with the door shut...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………くそ、………。…隙間はある…。何か方法があるはずなんだ……。」 <br>\r\n\"......Damn... ...There's a crack... There should be some way...\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくっくっく。お前に思いつかぬなら、妾がやって見せても良いぞ。」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle* If you can't think of one, allow me.\" <br><br>\r\n「……ほぉ。魔女さまならどうやってみせるってんだよ…。お手並みを拝見してやろうじゃねぇか…。」 <br>\r\n\"...Oh? How would a witch do it...? C'mon, let's see your little trick...\" <br><br>\r\n「……………戦人、ベアトーリチェに口の聞き方がぞんざい…。」 <br>\r\n\"...Battler, you're being rude to Beatrice...\" <br><br>\r\n「良い良い。愉快な男よ。…それでこそ屈服させる楽しみが増すというものよ。」 <br>\r\n\"How nice, how nice. What a charming man. ...That will make it even more fun to force him into submission.\" <br><br>\r\n「……へ！ そんなに俺に爪先にキスをさせてぇかよ…！ 俺が降参したらな！ だが見てろ、きっと俺がこのトリックを暴いて、逆に手前ぇを俺のケツにキスさせてやるぜ！」 <br>\r\n\"...Heh! You really wanna make me kiss your toes that much...?! Only if I surrender! But watch... I'll definitely expose this trick, and then I'll make you kiss my ass instead!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………くっくっく。愉快な男よ。覚えておこうぞ、その約束を。…弱き魔女は、力を得るために悪魔の尻にキスをする。それを超える屈服の誓いはないからな。そこまで言わせたからこそ、妾はお前を屈服させてみたくなる。………くっくっくっく…！」 <br>\r\n\"...*cackle* What a delightful man. I'll remember that promise. ...Weak witches kiss the behinds of demons to gain power. Because there's no more humiliating oath. Just being told that makes me want to force you into surrender. ...*cackle*cackle*...!\" <br><br>\r\nベアトリーチェは、戦人の品なき暴言を気に留めることなく、黄金の煙管を再び振るいました。 <br>\r\n……そう、この黄金の煙管は、彼女にとっての大事なケーンなのです。 <br>\r\nPaying no mind to Battler's worthless ranting, Beatrice once again shook the golden pipe. <br><br>\r\n...That's right, that golden pipe was her precious magic cane. <br><br>\r\n「さぁさ、お出でなさいな子どもたち。我こそは煉獄の案内人。大罪を赦せし七つの杭を持て。」 <br>\r\n\"Come, arise, children. I am the guide of Purgatory. Forgive the deadly sins and hold the Seven Stakes.\" <br><br>\r\n謳うような魔法の言葉に導かれ、７つの杭が集います。 <br>\r\n…それは、罪深き人の大罪を象徴する七人の悪魔たちの杭。 <br>\r\nGuided by those magic words, which sounded like a command, seven stakes gathered. <br><br>\r\n...They were the stakes of the seven demons symbolizing the deadly sins of sinful people. <br><br>\r\n「ベルゼブブにアスモデウス。さぁさ、罪を赦しなさい。罪人の魂を解放なさい…！」 <br>\r\n\"Beelzebub and Asmodeus. Come, forgive the sins. Release the spirits of the sinners...!\" <br><br>\r\n「ぅおッ…？！」 <br>\r\n\"Wha...?!\" <br><br>\r\nベアトリーチェの呼びかけに、ベルゼブブの杭とアスモデウスの杭が応えます。 <br>\r\nThe picks of Beelzebub and Asmodeus responded to Beatrice's call. <br><br>\r\nその２本の悪魔の杭は、まるでキューに弾かれたビリヤードの玉のように弾かれ、扉の隙間に吸い込まれていきます。 <br>\r\nThe two stakes of the demons were sucked in through the crack of the door, like billiard balls struck by a cue stick. <br><br>\r\nそして、部屋中の壁に何度も乱反射する音が、まるで啄木鳥の啄ばむ音のように聞こえてくるのです。 <br>\r\nThen, several scattered noises refracted through the wall, making a sound like a woodpecker. <br><br>\r\nそして最後に、気持ちのいい音が聞こえました。 <br>\r\nAnd at the end, a pleasant sound could be heard. <br><br>\r\n……例えるなら、薪割りの時、振るい下ろした斧が綺麗にさっくりと薪を割ったような、とても小気味よい音。 <br>\r\n...It was a small, satisfying sound, like the one heard when someone is chopping firewood and the falling axe neatly and easily slices through the wood. <br><br>\r\nそれは、２本の杭がそれぞれ、絵羽と秀吉の眉間に深々と打ち込まれた時の音。 <br>\r\nIt was the sound of the two picks burying themselves deep into Eva's and Hideyoshi's foreheads. <br><br>\r\n「…………ど真ん中というところよ。見てみるか…？」 <br>\r\n\"...Right down the middle. Want to see...?\" <br><br>\r\n部屋からは確かに、眉間が砕ける音が二人分聞こえました。 <br>\r\nThey'd definitely heard two sounds like a pair of foreheads being split open. <br><br>\r\n扉越しの戦人には見ることも叶いませんが、二度死ぬ二人は、二度目も寸分違わぬ同じ姿で倒れ、同じ模様の血痕を描くのでした。 <br>\r\nBattler wasn't permitted to see it, since he was on the other side of the door, but those two had died again, and this second time, they lay not an inch apart from where they had lain the last time, with the exact same blood-spray as before. <br><br>\r\n「ば、…………馬鹿野郎…。そ、……そんな滅茶苦茶で……！ こ、殺せてたまるかよッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"...Y-You moron... ...Th-That's insane...! Y-You think you can just kill them like that?!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「殺せるとも。……このように殺せるとも…！ くっくくくくくくく！」 <br>\r\n\"I can kill them. ...I can kill them just like this...! *cackle*cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n気付けばそこは廊下ではなく、元のお茶会の席。 <br>\r\nSuddenly, they were no longer in the hall, but seated at the tea party they had started from. <br><br>\r\n……戦人以外のみんなは神妙に座っていましたが、……嘉音が呻きながら口から鮮血を垂らし始めます。お茶会の席で、はしたないですね。 <br>\r\n...Everyone but Battler was sitting meekly, ...but Kanon was moaning, fresh blood dangling from his mouth. What a rude thing to do at a tea party. <br><br>\r\n嘉音の胸には、サタンの杭が深々と打ち込まれていました。 <br>\r\nSatan's stake was buried deep into Kanon's chest. <br><br>\r\n「………………ぅ、 <br>\r\n……………く <br>\r\n………。」 <br>\r\n\"......U, <br><br>\r\n...gah <br><br>\r\n...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「か、……嘉音くん……、嘉音くんッ！！ <br>\r\n\"K-Kanon-kun, ...Kanon-kun!! <br><br>\r\nく、……くそぉおおぉおぉ！！」 <br>\r\n...D-Damn iiiiiiiiiit!!\" <br><br>\r\n激昂するのは戦人ばかり。 <br>\r\nBattler was the only one getting agitated. <br><br>\r\n他の、譲治や朱志香、紗音は、まるで先生に怒られている生徒のように、神妙に俯いています。 <br>\r\nGeorge, Jessica, Shannon...everyone else was meekly hanging their heads like students being yelled at by their teacher. <br><br>\r\n「…嘉音は瑣末な怒りに囚われ、妾の宴を乱そうとした。……怒りに囚われやすいのがお前の大罪よ。清め、悔いてやり直すがいい。」 <br>\r\n\"...Kanon was captivated by a trifling anger and tried to disturb my banquet. ...Being easily captivated by anger is your deadly sin. Cleanse yourself, repent, and do it over.\" <br><br>\r\n「……ァト <br>\r\n……リーチェ……、 <br>\r\n……さ、ま……………。」 <br>\r\n\"...at <br><br>\r\n...rice... <br><br>\r\n...sa...ma...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「ベ、…ベアトリーチェさま…。どうかお許し下さい…。嘉音くんは充分に反省したと思います……！」 <br>\r\n\"B-Beatrice-sama, ...please, forgive him... I think Kanon-kun has repented enough...!\" <br><br>\r\n「良い。妾は敬う者に寛大である。……くっくっくっくっく…！」 <br>\r\n\"Wonderful. I am generous to those who respect me. ...*cackle*cackle*...!\" <br><br>\r\n「ふざけるなッ！！！ <br>\r\n\"Don't screw with me!!! <br><br>\r\nこんな三文芝居で俺がお前の存在を認めると思うなよ？！ 何が千年を生きた魔女だ！ 手前ぇのトリックなんざ、千年じゃねえ、せいぜい百年程度のミステリー界が作ったお約束の累積上にあるだけだ！ <br>\r\nDo you think I'll accept your existence because of this cheap act?! Like hell you're a thousand-year-old witch! Your tricks aren't a thousand years old, they're just the sum of a century of classic tricks from the mystery genre! <br><br>\r\n魔法なんかじゃねぇ！！ 断じてねぇ！！ <br>\r\nThere's no such thing as magic!! Definitely not!! <br><br>\r\n事件の全ては“人間とトリック”で説明がつく！！」 <br>\r\nAll of the crimes can be explained with `humans and tricks'!!\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくっくっく！ 我が千年を人間共の百年で語るか…。良い良い、だからこそ妾はお前を気に入る…！」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*! You would explain my thousand years with a hundred years of humans...? Good, good, this is precisely why I've taken a liking to you...!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………愚かな戦人…。きっひひひひひひひひひひひひひひひひ…！」 <br>\r\n\"...Foolish Battler... Kihhihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihi...!\" <br><br>\r\n「……よすんだ、戦人くん…。ベアトリーチェさまに逆らっちゃ…、 <br>\r\nい…けない……。」 <br>\r\n\"...Cut it out, Battler-kun... You can't... <br><br>\r\ngo...against the witch...\" <br><br>\r\n「…………ん、 <br>\r\n………ぅ、 <br>\r\n……………ぅ…。」 <br>\r\n\"......Nng, <br><br>\r\n...u, <br><br>\r\n...u...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n紗音が頬を押さえながら呻き始めます。 <br>\r\n…虫歯でも痛むのかもしれません。 <br>\r\nShannon started moaning, holding her cheek. <br><br>\r\n...Maybe she had a toothache. <br><br>\r\nですが、それはどうも虫歯ではないようでした。 <br>\r\n……うっすらと赤い模様が、紗音が抑える頬全体に広がっていくのです。 <br>\r\nBut apparently, it wasn't a toothache after all. <br><br>\r\n...A slight redness spread across the cheek Shannon was holding. <br><br>\r\nその赤い模様は、紗音にとって、堪え難い苦痛を与えているようでした…。 <br>\r\n頬に当てる手はいつしか爪を立てるほどになり、全身に汗が玉のように浮いていきます…。 <br>\r\nIt looked like that redness was causing Shannon unbearable pain... <br><br>\r\nHer fingers were pressing in against her cheek, and drops of sweat appeared all over her body... <br><br>\r\n「…紗音…、 <br>\r\n紗音…！！ しっかり…しっかりッ！」 <br>\r\n\"...Shannon, <br><br>\r\n...Shannon...!! Hang in there...hang in there!\" <br><br>\r\n「どうしたってんだよ！ くそ、何なんだこりゃ、この赤いのは…！」 <br>\r\n\"What's going on?! Damn it, what the hell is that red stuff...?!\" <br><br>\r\nそれは見る見る広がって、紗音の顔半分を覆ってしまいます…。 <br>\r\nIt expanded rapidly, covering half of Shannon's face... <br><br>\r\n…そして、ようやく愚鈍で間抜けな戦人は気付くのです。 <br>\r\n...Then, the stupid dunce Battler finally realized... <br><br>\r\n「た、頼む、戦人くん…！ ベアトリーチェさまを信じてくれ…！ 後生だから…！！ あぁあぁぁ、君が信じないから、 <br>\r\n信じないからぁ、ぁぁああぁ…、 <br>\r\n魔法が、 <br>\r\n……魔法が解けてしまうぅうぅうぅッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"P-Please, Battler-kun...! Please believe in Beatrice...! I beg you...!! Aaaaaaah, because you won't believe, <br><br>\r\nbecause you won't believe, aaaaaaaaaah, <br><br>\r\n...the magic is <br><br>\r\n...the magic is dissolviiiiiiiing!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n戦人は、……生まれて初めて、石榴が裂ける音というものを聞きます。 <br>\r\nFor the first time in his life, ...Battler heard that sound, like a pomegranate splitting. <br><br>\r\nその、赤い飛沫が、戦人の顔にも飛び散りました…。 <br>\r\nThe red spray even landed on Battler's face... <br><br>\r\n哀れ、紗音の顔は半分がばっくりと裂け、…あの倉庫の中でのおぞましい最期をもう一度そこに繰り返してしまいます。 <br>\r\nPoor Shannon's face had been split in half, ...and her last horrible moments in that storehouse were repeated once again. <br><br>\r\n「う、うわぁああああああああぁああああぁ、紗音、紗音ッ！！ うわああああぁあああああぁぁあぁあああああ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"U-Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh, Shannon, Shannon!! Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「く…、うぐぐ、くそお、くそおぉおおおおッ！ <br>\r\n\"Ngg...nnnnnggg, damn it, damn iiiiiiiiiiit! <br><br>\r\nやめろ、やめろやめろぉおおぉ！！ 死者を辱めるな、死者を辱めるなあああぁッ！！」 <br>\r\nStop it, stop it, stop it!! Don't humiliate the dead, don't humiliate the deeeeeaaaaad!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ぅうう、……く、………ひぃッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Uuuu, ...gah, ...eeeggh!!\" <br><br>\r\n今度は、譲治の全身に赤い模様が広がっていきます…。 <br>\r\nThis time, the redness spread across George's entire body... <br><br>\r\nそれはまるで、紅茶にたっぷりと落としたミルクが描くかのような美しき雲模様。それらがじわりと、そして全体に、広がっていきます。 <br>\r\nIt was like the beautiful cloud drawn by milk when it's poured into black tea. It spread out and extended across his entire body. <br><br>\r\n……それらは色濃くなるに従い、譲治に苦痛を与えるようでした。 <br>\r\n...As it did, it seemed to give George increasingly greater pain. <br><br>\r\nその奇怪な模様を見て、……戦人は、譲治たちがどのような奇怪な最期を遂げたのか、哀れなほど拙い想像力で必死に考え、立ち竦みます…。 <br>\r\nLooking at this bizarre spectacle, ...Battler was petrified as he frantically thought with his pitifully clumsy imagination...about the nature of this strange death George and the rest were experiencing... <br><br>\r\nやがて、……その赤い模様はさらに隣の朱志香にも……。 <br>\r\nEventually, ...that redness reached the nearby Jessica as well... <br><br>\r\n「く、 <br>\r\n………ぃ、 <br>\r\n……く、 <br>\r\n…………ッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Gah, <br><br>\r\n...eeh, <br><br>\r\n...ack, <br><br>\r\n......hh!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「や、やめろやめろやめろッ！！！ 兄貴が何をした、朱志香が何をした、もうやめろぉおおおおおおぉ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"S-Stop it, stop it, stop it!!! What did Aniki do, what did Jessica do, just STOP IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ば、 <br>\r\n……戦人……、 <br>\r\n……ま、 <br>\r\n…魔女なんかに、 <br>\r\n…挫けるんじゃねぇぜ……！ ……否定しろ、 <br>\r\nぶっ消してやれ…。こいつは、……誰かひとりでも否定する限り、 <br>\r\n存在できない幻影なんだ……！ ううぅううぅ、くぅッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"...B- <br><br>\r\nBattler, <br><br>\r\n...d- <br><br>\r\ndon't let the witch <br><br>\r\n...break your spirit...! ...Deny her, <br><br>\r\nerase her... ...A-As long as at least one person denies her, <br><br>\r\nshe's an illusion that can't exist...! Aaaaahhhh, gghhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n「だ、大丈夫か朱志香！！ うわッ、あ、兄貴ッ？！？！」 <br>\r\n\"A-Are you okay, Jessica?!! Whaa, A-Aniki?!?!\" <br><br>\r\nもう譲治は人の形をしてはいません。 <br>\r\nGeorge was no longer recognizable as a human. <br><br>\r\n…まるで、お料理でおいしいお肉を削いだ後に残した残骸の山のよう。 <br>\r\n…せいぜい、人の頃の痕跡を残すのは、下顎の部分とあばら骨の形状くらいでしょうか。 <br>\r\n...He looked like the pile of leftover meat after the good, delicious meat has been scraped off to be cooked. <br><br>\r\n...The only thing that even resembled a human was the shape of his lower jaw and rib cage. <br><br>\r\nそして、赤い模様がどんどん色濃くなる朱志香も、同じ末路を辿ることは明白でした。 <br>\r\nAnd it was clear that Jessica, who was covered with a steadily strengthening redness, was approaching the same fate. <br><br>\r\n「…………うー。…戦人。……早く、ベアトリーチェを信じて…。 <br>\r\n\"...Uu-. ...Battler, ...quickly, believe in Beatrice... <br><br>\r\n………じゃないと、 <br>\r\n………みんなの魔法が、 <br>\r\n………解けてしまう…。」 <br>\r\n...If you don't, <br><br>\r\n...everyone's magic... <br><br>\r\n...will dissolve...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「ま、真里亞、お、お前も全身に……ッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"M-Maria, it's all over your body, too...!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「私は魔法で、全ての死者を蘇らせる。……でも、お前が信じない限り、それは真の力を持たない。 <br>\r\n\"I revive all the dead with my magic. ...But as long as you don't believe, that magic will hold no true power. <br><br>\r\nくっくっくっくっく！ もっともお前ほどの男が、この程度のことで屈服することはあるまい…？」 <br>\r\n*cackle*cackle*cackle*! But I'm sure that a man like yourself won't surrender to something like this, right...?\" <br><br>\r\n「ば、 <br>\r\n…戦人……ッ！ 私たちは、 <br>\r\n……身内を疑いたくなかった…。現実から目を逸らしたから、 <br>\r\n…魔女に屈してしまった……！ でも、 <br>\r\n…戦人なら…。……戦人なら、 <br>\r\n……魔女になんか屈しない……！ ひぐッ、 <br>\r\nぐかかか、 <br>\r\n……くかかかかかかかッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"B- <br><br>\r\nBattler...! We... <br><br>\r\n...didn't want to doubt our friends... We refused to face reality... <br><br>\r\nand gave in to the witch...! But... <br><br>\r\nBattler, you won't......won't... <br><br>\r\ngive in to the witch...! Geh, <br><br>\r\nggghh, <br><br>\r\n...gggggghhkkkkkkk!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「朱志香ッ、朱志香ぁぁああぁ、わぁああああああああぁあああぁあッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Jessica, Jessicaaaaaaa, gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!\" <br><br>\r\n哀れ、朱志香も同じ末路。 <br>\r\nPoor Jessica met the same end. <br><br>\r\n…譲治と同じ、お肉屋さんの残骸のよう。 <br>\r\n...Just like George, she ended up like a butcher's leftovers. <br><br>\r\n崩れて解けて、混じってしまうから、もうどれが譲治で朱志香か、わからない。 <br>\r\nGeorge and Jessica were now so destroyed, melted and mixed up, it was impossible to tell them apart. <br><br>\r\n「……………戦人。泣かないで。…ベアトリーチェは、死者を何度でも蘇らせてくれるよ。だから悲しくないよ…。 <br>\r\n……だから、 <br>\r\n…………死んでも、 <br>\r\n……………平……、 <br>\r\n\"...Battler, don't cry. ...Beatrice will restore the dead over and over. So there's nothing to be sad about... <br><br>\r\n ...So, <br><br>\r\n......even if we die, we're still... <br><br>\r\n...just... <br><br>\r\n気…、」 <br>\r\nfine...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n真里亞の全身にも赤い模様がじわりじわりと蝕んでいきます…。それを見て、愚かな戦人は絶叫します。 <br>\r\nThe redness began eating into the whole of Maria's body... The foolish Battler watched and screamed. <br><br>\r\n「手前ぇは許さねぇ、絶対に許さねぇッ！！ 何が魔女だ、何が魔法だ！！ 俺は全身全霊を賭けてお前を否定してやるぞ…！！ 何が何でも手前ぇを認めるわけにはいかねぇ！！ 俺をここまで敵に回しやがった以上、絶対ぇに手前ぇだけは許さねぇ！！ <br>\r\n\"I won't forgive you, I'll never forgive you!! A witch?! Magic?! I'll risk my body and soul to deny you...!! No matter what happens, I can't accept you!! Now that you've gone so far to piss me off, I'll never forgive you!!\" <br><br>\r\n許さねぇ許さねぇ絶対許さねぇ！！ よくもこの右代宮戦人を敵に回しやがったッ！！ 何が何でも貴様を否定してやるぞ！！ どんな不可解だろうと全部、“人間”で説明してやるッ！！！ 手前ぇをこの世から、細胞の一欠けらまで残さず消し去ってやるッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"I won't forgive, I won't forgive, I definitely won't forgive you!! You'll regret making me, Ushiromiya Battler, your enemy!! I'll deny you no matter what!! No matter how baffling things get, it can all be explained by `humans'!!! I'll erase every cell of you from this world!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「よくぞ言ったぞ、戦人とやら…！ それでこそ我が千年の退屈も紛れるというもの！ <br>\r\n\"Well said! Battler, was it...? That's just the thing to divert me from my thousand years of boredom! <br><br>\r\nさぁ、説明するがいい。“人間とトリック”とやらで説明してみせるがいい！ そして人間の身の程を知るがいい！！ 我が千年を、人間共が築いたとかいう百年で太刀打ちできるか試してみるがいいッ！！ それでこそお前を屈服させる楽しみが増すというものよ…！！ <br>\r\nCome, explain. Try explaining it all with `humans and tricks'! And learn how lowly humans are!! Let's see if what humanity has built up in a hundred years can oppose my thousand years!! That's what will make forcing you to submit so pleasant...!!\" <br><br>\r\nさぁ聞こう、戦人とやら！ 真里亞の手紙は？ ６人の殺し方は？ シャッターは？ レシートの封印は？ チェーンの密室は？ 嘉音のボイラー室は？ 源次たちの客間は？！ 夏妃の自殺は？！ 碑文の謎は？！ 隠された黄金の在り処は？！ <br>\r\n\"So tell me, you who call yourself Battler! What about Maria's letter? How the six were killed? The shutter? The receipt's seal? The closed room with the chain? Kanon in the boiler room? Genji and the others in the lounge?! Natsuhi's suicide?! The riddle of the epitaph?! The location of the hidden gold?!\" <br><br>\r\nさぁ、戦人とやら、“人間”の力を見せてもらおうではないかッ！ ふっはははははははははははははははははは！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, Battler, why don't you show me the power of `humans'?! Fuhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「うをおぉおおおぉおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおぉッッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「………………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n楼座はまどろみから目を覚ましました。 <br>\r\nRosa awoke from her doze. <br><br>\r\n……相当の深い眠りだったのでしょうか。 <br>\r\nぼんやりとして思考もはっきりしません。 <br>\r\n...It must have been a very deep sleep. <br><br>\r\nHer mind was hazy, and she wasn't thinking clearly. <br><br>\r\nここはどこでしょう…。 <br>\r\nどこかの屋敷のように感じられたが、少なくとも右代宮家の屋敷ではないようでした。 <br>\r\nWhere is this...? <br><br>\r\nIt felt like some mansion, but it didn't seem to be the Ushiromiya mansion. <br><br>\r\nそこは、客間のような部屋に見えました。 <br>\r\nShe could see a room that looked like a parlor. <br><br>\r\n……そしてそこにはお茶の用意がありました。 <br>\r\n恐らく、自分の為に用意されているに違いありません。 <br>\r\n...And there was some tea that had been prepared. <br><br>\r\nIt had probably been made for her. <br><br>\r\n部屋の中に金箔のようなキラキラが舞っていて、とても幻想的でした。 <br>\r\nAround the room, some glitter that looked like gold leaf drifted about, making the scene look quite fantastical. <br><br>\r\n…それはやがて黄金の蝶であるとわかり、さらにそれを際立たせるのでした。 <br>\r\n...When she eventually realized that they were gold butterflies, it further strengthened that impression. <br><br>\r\n自分の向かいには、誰かがいました。 <br>\r\nThere was someone across from her. <br><br>\r\n……女性。……婦人。 <br>\r\n...A woman. ...A lady. <br><br>\r\n…………肖像画の、 <br>\r\n…魔女。 <br>\r\n......It was the portrait's... <br><br>\r\nwitch. <br><br>\r\n何かを一方的に語り続けているようでした。 <br>\r\nShe seemed to be having a one-sided conversation. <br><br>\r\n多分、楼座に対して話しているのでしょうが、深い霧に閉ざされたような思考では、何を言っているのかさっぱりでした…。 <br>\r\nShe was probably talking to Rosa, but Rosa, whose mind was clouded up by a deep fog, didn't have a clue what was being said... <br><br>\r\n「……何でも良い。そなたが望む物があるならば、その全てを与えよう。その強運への褒美と思うも良かろうし、妾の求めに対する正当な対価と考えても良い。」 <br>\r\n\"...Choose whatever you please. If there is anything you want, I'll give it all to you. You can think of it as a reward for your good luck, or else as proper compensation for how you've answered to my demands.\" <br><br>\r\n「そなたにとってはまったく大したことではないかもしれない。しかし、妾にとってはそれだけ意味がある取引だといういうことだ。」 <br>\r\n\"It may have been a truly trivial matter from your perspective. However, the deal was important enough to me to be deserving of this reward.\" <br><br>\r\n…………何の話を、しているのだろう。 <br>\r\n......What is she...talking about? <br><br>\r\n…わからない、…わからない。 <br>\r\n...I don't know, ...I don't know. <br><br>\r\n「ただ、……せっかく妾は魔女なのだから。魔女にしか叶えられない願いを求めるのが利口ではないかと思うぞ。」 <br>\r\n\"It's just that...I am very much a witch. Perhaps you'd best ask for something only a witch can give you.\" <br><br>\r\n「せっかくの機会ではないか。この黄金のベアトリーチェから恩恵を得られるなど。くっくっく！」 <br>\r\n\"What a rare chance this is. To actually receive the favor of Beatrice the Golden, me. *cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………ぅ………。」 <br>\r\n\".........Nng......\" <br><br>\r\n楼座はようやく、体に血が巡り始めるのを感じました。 <br>\r\n…体の動きはまだ緩慢で、思い通りの言葉すら口にできません。 <br>\r\nFinally, Rosa started to feel the blood flowing through her body. <br><br>\r\n...Her movements were still sluggish, and she couldn't even voice the words she was thinking. <br><br>\r\n「妾の通り名は黄金の魔女。金蔵に与えたように、山成す黄金を与えることは造作もない。……何しろ、人の世の快楽は全てカネで換算できる。即ち、黄金こそが人の世の快楽そのものなのだ。」 <br>\r\n\"I am commonly called the Golden Witch. Bestowing a mountain of gold, like the one I gave Kinzo, is trivial to me. ...After all, you can measure all the pleasures of the human world with money. Therefore, gold is no more or less than the manifestation of the human world's pleasures.\" <br><br>\r\n「そなたは想像ができるか？ 生涯をかけても使い切れぬ黄金の山が。」 <br>\r\n\"Can you imagine it? A mountain of gold that you couldn't use up as long as you lived.\" <br><br>\r\n魔女が煙管を吹かすと、七色の煙が辺りを包みました。 <br>\r\nAs the witch blew on her pipe, multi-colored smoke enshrouded their surroundings. <br><br>\r\nすると、客間の中は、…いつの間にか積み上げた黄金のインゴットでいっぱいになっていました。 <br>\r\nAs she did this, the inside of the parlor...was suddenly filled with stacks of gold ingots. <br><br>\r\nそれは眩い黄金色の壁のようにも見えます。 <br>\r\nIt looked like a shining gold-colored wall. <br><br>\r\n…インゴットひとつで数千万円の価値があるのだとしたら、ここにある全てで一体いくらくらいになるというのでしょう。 <br>\r\n...If each ingot was worth several ten million yen, how much would all of this be worth? <br><br>\r\nその数字を知ることすら罪深く感じられるのでした。 <br>\r\nIt seemed sinful to even think of such a number. <br><br>\r\n「……しかし、人の世は難しい。どれほど空高く積み上げた黄金であろうとも、満たされぬものがあることを知っている。埋められぬ隙間があることを知っている。妾はそれを蔑ろにしないし、それこそが、魔女である妾にしか与えられぬ褒美であると考えている。」 <br>\r\n\"...However, the human world is difficult. I know there are some things that cannot be settled, no matter how high into the sky you pile up gold. I know there are cracks that cannot be filled. I won't make light of that, which is why this is a gift that only a witch such as I can give.\" <br><br>\r\n「……そなたのそれを、妾が埋めてやるというのはどうか。なるほど、これはいい。妾にしか与えられぬ物だ。そなたもさぞや喜ぼう。」 <br>\r\n\"...Why don't I fill those cracks in for you? Yes, how about this. It's something only I can give. You should be very happy.\" <br><br>\r\n「……口にせずとも良い。そなたの心の隙間など、顔に書いてあるからすぐにわかるぞ、くっくっく！」 <br>\r\n\"...No need to thank me out loud. I can tell right away. It's written on your face and in the corners of your heart, *cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n楼座は、自分は一言も発してないにもかかわらず、勝手に話を進める魔女に一抹の不安を覚えましたが、言葉もうまく話せず、指一本動かすのにも難儀する有様では、どうすることもできず、ただ耳を傾けることしかできませんでした。 <br>\r\nRosa felt a touch of discomfort at this witch, who kept on talking even though Rosa hadn't uttered a single word, but since she still couldn't manage to speak...and was so helpless that it was difficult to even move a finger, she couldn't do anything but listen. <br><br>\r\n「そなたの深き心の傷はどこまで遡れば癒せるのか。 <br>\r\n\"How far must the deep wounds in your heart recede before they can be healed? <br><br>\r\n………これは、 <br>\r\n………深い、 <br>\r\n深い。……時に、破片を飲み込んだまま傷口が閉じてしまうこともある。…そういう傷は見た目には癒えていても、永遠に疼きを感じ続けるものだ。完全に治すために、今一度、傷口を開くこともあろう。」 <br>\r\n......This is... <br><br>\r\n......deep... <br><br>\r\nquite deep indeed. ...Sometimes, wounds close up while a fragment of foreign matter remains inside. ...Even when such wounds appear to have healed, they continue to throb for all eternity. Sometimes, you have to open the wound once more in order to heal it completely.\" <br><br>\r\n魔女はそう語りながら、楼座の瞳の奥深くを覗き込みます。 <br>\r\nAs the witch spoke, she stared deep into Rosa's eyes. <br><br>\r\n……一体、何を覗き見られているのか。 <br>\r\n楼座は不安になりますが、目を逸らすことはできませんでした。 <br>\r\n...What in the world...was she peering at? <br><br>\r\nRosa felt uncomfortable, but she couldn't look away. <br><br>\r\n「…………そなたの痛みは、すでに生まれながらにして運命付けられたものか。…これは何とも辛いものよ。…言わずとも良い。わかる。……わかる……。」 <br>\r\n\"......So, your pain was already fated by the time of your birth. ...How heart-breaking. ...You don't have to say it. I understand. ...I understand...\" <br><br>\r\n次第に、楼座もまた魔女の瞳の中に飲み込まれていきました。 <br>\r\nRosa was gradually being sucked into the witch's eyes. <br><br>\r\n次第に、世界が暗く、ぐるぐると回って飲み込まれていきます…。 <br>\r\nThen, the world grew dark, spinning round and round as she was sucked in... <br><br>\r\n楼座、楼座。 <br>\r\nどうしてお前はそんなに馬鹿なのか。 <br>\r\nRosa, Rosa. <br><br>\r\nWhy are you such an idiot? <br><br>\r\nあぁ、これは蔵臼兄さんの声です。 <br>\r\n蔵臼兄さんはとても大人だからとても頭がいいのです。 <br>\r\nだから馬鹿で子どもな楼座が大嫌いでした。 <br>\r\nOh, that's Krauss nii-san's voice. <br><br>\r\nKrauss nii-san is a real adult, so he's very smart. <br><br>\r\nSo he hated the stupid kid, Rosa. <br><br>\r\nそしてとても怖い人で、よく叩かれたり、玩具を取り上げられて壊したりされました。 <br>\r\nHe was a very scary person. I was often hit, and my toys were taken from me and broken. <br><br>\r\nそれは自分が何か悪いことをしたからの罰らしいのですが、何を犯したから何を罰せられるのかよくわかりませんでした。 <br>\r\nI was apparently being punished for something bad I'd done, but I never really understood what it was, or why I was being punished. <br><br>\r\nいつも突然に罰せられ、その後になって、取って付けたようにそれが何かの罰であると言われるのですが、それはいつも身に覚えのないことでした。 <br>\r\nI was always punished suddenly and then later told what the punishment was for, in a forced manner, but it was always something I didn't remember doing. <br><br>\r\n……だから蔵臼兄さんのことがすごく嫌いでした。 <br>\r\n...So I really hated Krauss nii-san. <br><br>\r\n楼座、楼座。 <br>\r\nどうしてお前はそんなに馬鹿なのか。 <br>\r\nRosa, Rosa. <br><br>\r\nWhy are you such an idiot? <br><br>\r\nあぁ、これは絵羽姉さんの声です。 <br>\r\n絵羽姉さんはとても大人だからとても頭がいいのです。 <br>\r\nだから馬鹿で子どもな楼座が大嫌いでした。 <br>\r\nOh, that's Eva nee-san's voice. <br><br>\r\nEva nee-san is a real adult, so she's very smart. <br><br>\r\nSo she hated the stupid kid, Rosa. <br><br>\r\nそしてとても狡賢い人で、よく嘘を吐かれたり、騙されたりしてたくさん虐められました。 <br>\r\nShe was always a very sly person, and she often lied to me, tricked me, bullied me all the time. <br><br>\r\nそれは自分の頭が悪いかららしく、頭が悪い人は、より良い人に詐取されて当然なのだと言っていました。 <br>\r\nApparently I was stupid, and she said it was only natural for stupid people to be swindled by those smarter than them. <br><br>\r\nそして、絵羽姉さんのような賢い人になりたいと思い、言うことを聞くのですが、従うとなぜかいつも誰かに酷く怒られました。 <br>\r\nSo I wanted to become a wise person like Eva nee-san, and listened to what she said, but when I obeyed her, for some reason, someone always got really mad at me. <br><br>\r\n……だから絵羽姉さんのこともすごく嫌いでした。 <br>\r\n...So I really hated Eva nee-san. <br><br>\r\n楼座、楼座。 <br>\r\nどうしてお前はそんなに馬鹿なのか。 <br>\r\nRosa, Rosa. <br><br>\r\nWhy are you such an idiot? <br><br>\r\nあぁ、これは留弗夫兄さんの声です。 <br>\r\n留弗夫兄さんはとても要領がいいのです。 <br>\r\nだから馬鹿で子どもな楼座が大嫌いでした。 <br>\r\nOh, that's Rudolf nii-san's voice. <br><br>\r\nRudolf nii-san really knows how to get things done. <br><br>\r\nSo he hated the stupid kid, Rosa. <br><br>\r\n蔵臼兄さんがいる時は蔵臼兄さんと仲良し。 <br>\r\n絵羽姉さんがいる時は絵羽姉さんと仲良し。 <br>\r\nWhen Krauss nii-san was around, he would be friendly with Krauss nii-san. <br><br>\r\nWhen Eva nee-san was around, he would be friendly with Eva nee-san. <br><br>\r\n…そして、蔵臼兄さんがいない時には蔵臼兄さんのように乱暴し、絵羽姉さんがいない時には絵羽姉さんのようにズルでした。 <br>\r\n...And when Krauss nii-san wasn't around, he would be violent like Krauss nii-san, and when Eva nee-san wasn't around, he would play dirty like Eva nee-san. <br><br>\r\nそして、普段は自分も虐められているくせに、蔵臼兄さんと絵羽姉さんが揃っていないと、二人分をまとめるかのように私を同じく虐めました。 <br>\r\nAnd even though he was also bullied most of the time, when Krauss nii-san and Eva nee-san weren't around, he gave me two people's worth of bullying. <br><br>\r\n……だから留弗夫兄さんのこともすごく嫌いでした。 <br>\r\n...So I really hated Rudolf nii-san. <br><br>\r\n……あぁ、でもこれは子どもの頃の記憶のはず。 <br>\r\n...Oh, but these were my memories from when I was a kid. <br><br>\r\n子どもの頃には少なからずの理不尽なこともあるものです。 <br>\r\nそして、それをいつまでも引き摺っていてはいけない。 <br>\r\nIt's common for unfair things to happen between kids. <br><br>\r\nAnd you mustn't hold onto grudges for such things forever. <br><br>\r\n時と共に記憶の彼方に葬り、それを少しずつ忘れていくのが成長であり、大人になることだったはず。 <br>\r\nWith time, those memories get buried away, and forgetting them bit by bit is supposed to be part of growing up and becoming an adult. <br><br>\r\nだから大人になるということは、それら全ての記憶と決別することだったのです。 <br>\r\nSo becoming an adult is the same as separating yourself from all those memories. <br><br>\r\nだから。 <br>\r\n楼座はいつまで経っても大人になれなかったのです。 <br>\r\nAnd because of that. <br><br>\r\nNo matter how much time passed, Rosa couldn't become an adult. <br><br>\r\n……真里亞という娘を授かり一児の母と呼ばれても、…まるで大人になれた自覚が持てなかったのです。 <br>\r\n...Even though she had been blessed with a daughter called Maria and was called a mother, ...she didn't at all feel like she had become an adult. <br><br>\r\n魔女はそれを憐れみました。 <br>\r\nThe witch pitied her for that. <br><br>\r\nそして、その痛みを自分ならば癒せると微笑みました。 <br>\r\nAnd she smiled, saying that she could heal that pain herself. <br><br>\r\n「……どうやって癒すのか。可能ではあるが簡単ではない。…時間を巻き戻し、そなたに兄と姉がいなかった世界を与えることもできよう。」 <br>\r\n\"...How can I heal you? It's possible, but not easy. ...I might rewind time, and giving you a world where you have no older siblings.\" <br><br>\r\n「しかしそれでは、そなたは“兄と姉に苦しめられた記憶”が残らず、ゆえにそれを以って褒美であると言われても納得はできまい。」 <br>\r\n\"But that way, your `memories of being hurt by your older siblings' wouldn't remain, and in that sense, while you might call it a gift, you wouldn't be able to accept it.\" <br><br>\r\n「飢えは癒してこそ満たされる。飢えそのものをなかったことにしても、誰も感謝しない。日々の飽食に感謝する若者がいないようにな。……わかるか？」 <br>\r\n\"A person is only satisfied when their starvation is healed. But if you make it so they never starved in the first place, none of them will thank you. Just like how there are no young people who give thanks for their daily gluttony. ...Understand?\" <br><br>\r\nずいぶんと難しいことを言われたように思います。 <br>\r\nI think she's telling me something really complicated. <br><br>\r\n…早い話が、兄と姉をいなかったことにしても痛みは取り除かれない、 <br>\r\nという意味なのかもしれません。 <br>\r\n...In short, even if she makes it so I never had older siblings, that wouldn't remove my pain... <br><br>\r\n Maybe that's what she's saying. <br><br>\r\n厳密には違う。 <br>\r\n癒しとは痛みを取り除くことではない。 <br>\r\n痛みに耐えた対価として支払われる快楽なのだ。 <br>\r\nStrictly speaking, that's not quite right. <br><br>\r\nHealing isn't the same thing as removing pain. <br><br>\r\nIt's the pleasure we earn as compensation for withstanding pain. <br><br>\r\nゆえに、痛みなくして癒しはない。 <br>\r\n癒しの悦びを知るには、痛みを知らなくてはならないのだ。 <br>\r\nTherefore, removing the pain isn't healing. <br><br>\r\nTo know the joy of healing, you have to know the pain. <br><br>\r\n「となれば、……そなたの痛みに報いる悦びがいる。そなたは苦難の過去を誇っていい。苦難を知らぬ者には味わえぬ快楽を知る資格があるからだ。…この快楽を知る者は、同じ悦びを他者にも与えずにはいられなくなる…。くっくっくっく…。」 <br>\r\n\"Which means...you must know joy, in order to compensate you for your pain. You should be proud of your past sufferings. After all, they are what make it possible for you to know pleasure that those without pain will never experience. ...Those who experience this pleasure...cannot help but pass on the same joy to others... *cackle*cackle*...\" <br><br>\r\n魔女が指を弾くと、山成す黄金の囲まれた、 <br>\r\nただでさえ現実感を喪失しそうな部屋のまま、テーブルの上に豪華なテーブルクロスが現れ、まるでおとぎ話の中のお城で繰り広げられている宴席のような素晴らしい料理が並びました。 <br>\r\nWhen the witch snapped her fingers, even though the room was still filled with a mountain of gold and had already lost all semblance of reality, <br><br>\r\na fabulous tablecloth appeared on top of the table...and a wonderful meal was laid out, almost as though it was the opening of a banquet in a castle from some fairy tale. <br><br>\r\nその豪華さに、楼座は確かに一瞬、嬉しい驚きを感じましたが、 <br>\r\n…同時に拍子抜けも感じました。 <br>\r\nFor an instant, Rosa truly did feel a pleasurable surprise at how fabulous it was, <br><br>\r\n...but at the same time, she felt a bit of anticlimax. <br><br>\r\n自分にとって、兄弟に虐められてきたことは、どんなものであれ、一食程度の美食では拭い去れないものだと思っていたからです。 <br>\r\nAfter all, she didn't think being bullied by her siblings could be wiped away by just one meal, no matter how delicious. <br><br>\r\n「食は人の快楽の多くを占める。生涯、生き続ける限り豚のように食い続けなくてはならぬ。」 <br>\r\n\"Food is the source of many human pleasures. You simply must eat like a pig as long as you live.\" <br><br>\r\n「一食で足りなければいくらでも。その心の痛みが癒えるまで、美食の宴を続けようではないか。……始めろ、家具ども。」 <br>\r\n\"If one meal isn't enough, then have as many as you want. Until the pain of your heart is healed, why not continue this gourmet banquet? ...Begin it, furniture.\" <br><br>\r\n魔女が手をパンパンと叩くと、いつの間にか周りには山羊頭の使用人たちがいて、食事の準備を始めていました。 <br>\r\nAs the witch clapped twice, there were suddenly two goat head servants there, and they began to prepare the meal. <br><br>\r\n彼らはテーブルを飾る美しき料理皿から、要領よく料理を取り、楼座の皿を盛り上げていきました。 <br>\r\nFrom the beautiful dishes adorning the table, they efficiently took some food and began to pile it up on Rosa's plate. <br><br>\r\n確かにおいしそうでしたが、楼座の体はまだ鉛のように重くて、とても食事どころではありませんでした。 <br>\r\nIt really did look delicious, but Rosa's body still felt as heavy as lead, and there was no way she'd be able to eat. <br><br>\r\nそれは彼らにもわかっているのでしょう。 <br>\r\n山羊頭の使用人たちは、楼座の襟元にナプキンを纏わせ、甲斐甲斐しく、食前酒のグラスを口元まで持ってきて傾けてまでくれました。 <br>\r\nMaybe they also understood that. <br><br>\r\nThe goat head servants tied a napkin around Rosa's collar...and gallantly brought a glass of before-dinner alcohol to her mouth, tilting it for her. <br><br>\r\n高熱で寝込んだ時に、おかゆを口元まで運んでくれた古い使用人の姿を思い出します。 <br>\r\nShe remembered an old servant who had once carried rice porridge to her mouth when she was laid up with a high fever. <br><br>\r\n上手に飲めず、口元から零してしまいましたが、芳香のある甘さが口の中いっぱいに広がるのを感じました。 <br>\r\nShe couldn't drink it well, and it dripped down from her mouth, but she felt the fragrant sweetness spread throughout her mouth. <br><br>\r\n「ドイツ産の貴腐ワインにあやかった甘きアペリティフよ。白ワインを紅きゴールデンドロップで染めたワインカクテルだ。」 <br>\r\n\"It's a sweet aperitif of noble rot German-made wine. A wine cocktail of white wine mixed with a crimson golden drop.\" <br><br>\r\n「名付けるならばブラッディ・クラウスか。 <br>\r\n\"If I had to give it a name, I'd call it a Bloody Krauss. <br><br>\r\nそなたの兄を圧搾機に掛けて搾り出した血のゴールデンドロップだけで染めてある。」 <br>\r\nSoaked with just a golden drop of your brother's blood that was squeezed out of a compressor.\" <br><br>\r\n楼座は咽て咳き込みます。 <br>\r\nそして口の周りを真っ赤に汚すその様は、まるで血を吐いたかのようでした。 <br>\r\nRosa coughed violently. <br><br>\r\nAnd the bright red that stained her face made it look as though she had coughed up blood. <br><br>\r\n「そなたは紅茶に詳しかろうから意味がわかろう？ ゴールデンドロップとは最後の一滴のことだ。紅茶でもっとも貴重な一滴と言われている。」 <br>\r\n\"You know a lot about black tea, so you should know what it means, right? `Golden drop' refers to the last drop in a drink. It is called the most precious drop in black tea.\" <br><br>\r\n「………そして血のゴールデンドロップも同じ。人間から搾り出せる血液の貴重なる最後の一滴。あれにて絞る。」 <br>\r\n\"......So a golden drop of blood is the same. The last and most precious drop of blood squeezed out of a human. We squeeze it using that.\" <br><br>\r\n魔女が指を鳴らすと、いつの間にか用意されていた大きな何かに掛けられた真っ赤なベールが取り払われました。 <br>\r\nAs the witch snapped her fingers, a bright red veil that had been set up before something large was removed. <br><br>\r\n……そこにあった大型の厳しい機械はまるで <br>\r\n大きな人型棺桶にいくつかの大きなバルブのようなものを取り付け、 <br>\r\n拷問道具のように厳しくしたもの。 <br>\r\n...The solemn and massive machine there was just like... <br><br>\r\na coffin for a large-sized person, with many large bulb-like things stuck to it, <br><br>\r\nand it looked like a sinister torture device. <br><br>\r\n人力で何かを締め付け、圧搾するのであろうことがわかる、不気味な形状をしていました。 <br>\r\nBy its unnerving shape, she could tell that with a human's strength, it could be used to tighten and compress something. <br><br>\r\n…そして、その中にはまだ搾りかすが残っているらしいことが、真っ赤に汚れた残滓でわかりました。 <br>\r\n...And it seemed that there were still some squeezed dregs remaining, ...because of the bright red remains that stained it. <br><br>\r\n「しかしゴールデンドロップは一度に一滴しか取れぬ。どんな人間からも一滴以上は取れぬというわけだ。 <br>\r\n\"But you can't take more than one golden drop at once. No matter what kind of human you take it from, you can't get more than one drop. <br><br>\r\nしかし妾は魔女。人を蘇らせることもまた容易い。」 <br>\r\nBut I am a witch. Reviving a person is easy for me.\" <br><br>\r\n魔女が指を弾くと、突然、人間圧搾機が震え始めました。 <br>\r\nWhen the witch snapped her fingers, the human compressor suddenly began to shake. <br><br>\r\n…いえ、唸り声も聞こえます。 <br>\r\n...No, she could also hear a groan. <br><br>\r\n……それはまるで、その人型棺桶の中で誰かが眠っていて、それが目を覚まし、出ようともがいているように見えました。 <br>\r\n...It looked almost as though...someone sleeping in that man-sized coffin...had woken up, and was now struggling to get out. <br><br>\r\nしかしそれは違うのです。 中にあったのは確かに~ib~搾りかすでした~ib~。 <br>\r\nBut that was wrong. What was inside definitely had been ~ib~squeezed dregs~ib~. <br><br>\r\n魔女が魔法で、搾りかすを再び、搾る前の姿に戻し、蘇らせたのです。 <br>\r\nUsing her magic, the witch had once again revived the squeezed dregs to how they'd been before they were squeezed. <br><br>\r\nその圧搾機に、屈強な体格の山羊頭の使用人３人が近付き、大型のバルブをぐいぐいと締め付けていきます。 <br>\r\nThree goat head servants with muscular physiques approached the compressor...and forcefully started tightening the large bulb. <br><br>\r\n…すると棺桶の中からこの世のものとは思えぬ呻き声が。 <br>\r\n…楼座はその声の主を知っているような気がしました。 <br>\r\n...As they did, an unearthly moan came from inside the coffin. <br><br>\r\n...Rosa thought she knew the owner of that voice. <br><br>\r\n「料理は料理場でが相応しい。もう充分だ、下がれ。」 <br>\r\n\"It is fitting for cooking to be done in the kitchen. Enough, stand back.\" <br><br>\r\n「……ゴールデンドロップがどれほど貴重なものかおわかりいただけたかな？ それを集め、それほどに紅く染めるには~ib~何十人分も~ib~搾らなければならぬ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Do you understand how precious a golden drop is? To have it stained this crimson requires that ~ib~several dozen people's worth~ib~ be squeezed.\" <br><br>\r\nひとりの人間から搾り取れるゴールデンドロップは一滴と、魔女は確かに言いました。 <br>\r\nThe witch definitely said that only one golden drop could be taken from a single human. <br><br>\r\nなのに、ひとりの人間のゴールデンドロップが何十人分。 <br>\r\n……これができるのは魔女だけなのです。 <br>\r\nAnd yet, she had dozens of people's worth of golden drops from a single human. <br><br>\r\n...Only a witch could do this. <br><br>\r\n黄金の魔女ベアトリーチェは、ひとりの人間を“無限”に殺すことができるのです。 <br>\r\nThe Golden Witch Beatrice could kill a single human `endlessly'. <br><br>\r\n……つまり、ベアトリーチェの前に、死は解放を意味したりはしないのです。 <br>\r\n...In other words, before Beatrice, even death did not mean freedom. <br><br>\r\n「二口目はいらぬか？ この男に殴られて、口中に滲んだ血を飲み込んだ日を忘れたか？」 <br>\r\n\"Do you need me to put it a different way? Have you forgotten the day this man hit you, when you swallowed the blood that ran into your mouth?\" <br><br>\r\n「そうそう、あの味を思い出せ。零し尽くして涸れ果てた涙の味を思い出せ。その悔しき思い出を癒して足りるアペリティフであると信じている。くっくっくっくッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"That's right, remember that taste. Remember the taste of the tears that you spilled until you were dry. I believe this aperitif will be sufficient to heal that regrettable memory. *cackle*cackle*!!\" <br><br>\r\n再び山羊頭の使用人が真っ赤なグラスを口元に傾けてきます。 <br>\r\nOnce again, the goat head servants tilted a deep red glass against her mouth. <br><br>\r\n…楼座は唇を閉じようと抵抗を試みますが、呆けるように開いた口に、その真っ赤な液体は容赦なく注ぎ込まれ、口の中を不気味な甘みで満たしていくのです…。 <br>\r\n...Rosa tried resisting by closing her lips, but the deep red liquid was relentlessly poured into her mouth, which hung open with shock, and the inside of her mouth was filled with a ghastly sweetness... <br><br>\r\nそれは間違いなく芳香のある甘み。 <br>\r\nIt definitely was a fragrant sweetness. <br><br>\r\nあれほど憎く思い枕を何度も濡らした兄の生き血を、 <br>\r\n何十も繰り返した死で集めた紅みで染めたワインが、甘くないわけがありません。 <br>\r\nThe living blood of her brother, who had given her such hateful thoughts and made her soak her pillow so many times, <br><br>\r\nhad been collected from his death, repeated dozens of times. How could the crimson-stained wine not be sweet? <br><br>\r\nでも、楼座は吐き出そうとしました。 <br>\r\nBut Rosa tried to spit it out. <br><br>\r\nそのせいで、楼座は口から溢れた真っ赤なワインでまるで血塗れのように見えました。 <br>\r\nBecause of that, the deep red wine that spilled out of Rosa's mouth looked just like a bloodstain. <br><br>\r\n……このような不気味なるものが単なるアペリティフである以上、楼座はこの後に続くだろう宴に不安を覚えないわけもありませんでした。 <br>\r\n...Now that she knew that this ghastly substance wasn't a simple aperitif, Rosa couldn't help but feel uncomfortable about what would happen if this banquet continued. <br><br>\r\n「それは旬の野菜による二枚舌のサラダ風だ。…お前がいつか食い千切ってやりたいと９歳の誕生日の日に願った、絵羽の舌で作った念願のサラダよ。」 <br>\r\n「……………………ッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"That is a double-tongued salad made from vegetables in season. ...On your 9th birthday, you made a wish that you'd someday get to chew this to bits, this salad made from Eva's tongue.\" <br><br>\r\n\"............!!!\" <br><br>\r\n楼座は、サラダに盛り付けられている桃色の肉の正体を聞き、内臓を口から全て吐き出してしまいたい衝動に駆られます。 <br>\r\nWhen Rosa heard the true nature of the pink-colored meat piled up in the salad, she had a sudden impulse to vomit her guts out. <br><br>\r\n…しかも、山羊の使用人はそれをフォークで刺し、楼座の口元へ運ぶのです。 <br>\r\n...Furthermore, the goat servants stuck a fork in it...and carried it to Rosa's mouth. <br><br>\r\n「姉の二枚舌のお味はどうか？ さぞや柔らかくとろけるであろう？ くっくっくっく！」 <br>\r\n\"How does your double-tongued sister taste? It must be quite soft and enchanting, right? *cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\nそれはさぞや口の中で甘く柔らかくとろけるでしょう。 <br>\r\nIt probably would be quite sweet, soft and enchanting in her mouth. <br><br>\r\nだって、絵羽の嘘はいつも甘く、幼い楼座はいつもそれに耳を貸してしまったのですから。 <br>\r\nAfter all, Eva's lies were always sweet, and young Rosa had always listened to them. <br><br>\r\n…だからピリリと胡椒で刺激的に味付けがしてあるのは、その嘘の顛末をよく味で表現していると言えました。 <br>\r\n...And, you might say the stimulating pepper seasoning expressed the truth behind those lies well. <br><br>\r\n「……ふんんんんんッ！！ <br>\r\n\"...Mnnnnnnnnnnn!! <br><br>\r\nふんんんんんんんんん！！」 <br>\r\nNggggnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n楼座は口に次々と押し込まれる舌サラダをぼろぼろと唾液塗れにしながら吐き出します。 <br>\r\nAs the tongue salad that kept being pushed into Rosa's mouth was covered with saliva, she spat it out. <br><br>\r\nしかし山羊頭の使用人はそれを丁寧に皿に戻しては何度でも楼座の口に運ぶのです。 <br>\r\nBut the goat head servants carefully returned it to the plate and carried it to Rosa's mouth over and over again. <br><br>\r\n「言うに及ばず、そのサラダには絵羽の舌を５枚も惜しげなく使っている。舌はひとりから１枚しか奪えぬ。しかし妾なら、何度でも奪える。くっくっくっく！！」 <br>\r\n\"It goes without saying, but I made this salad liberally using five of Eva's tongues. You can't get more than one tongue out of a person. But I can get them over and over. *cackle*cackle*!!\" <br><br>\r\n「………んんんんんんんッ！！ <br>\r\n\"......Nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!! <br><br>\r\nんんんんんんんんんんんん！！」 <br>\r\nNnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n楼座は涙を零しながら、半狂乱になって抵抗します。 <br>\r\nしかし、できる抵抗は嚥下を拒否することだけなのです。 <br>\r\nAs Rosa's tears dripped down, she resisted frantically. <br><br>\r\nHowever, the only way she could resist was by refusing to swallow. <br><br>\r\nたとえ飲み込まなくても、口の中に広がるフレンチドレッシングの味が、楼座の口中をますますに冒していきます…。 <br>\r\nEven if she didn't swallow it, the taste of the french dressing increasingly permeated Rosa's mouth... <br><br>\r\n「お気に召さぬか…？ まだまだ料理は続くぞ。留弗夫の顔の皮で包んだスズキのパイ。脳みそを茹でたスープに、肝臓のフォワグラ。 <br>\r\n\"Does it not please you...? There's lots more. Sea bass pie wrapped in the skin of Rudolf's face. Soup with boiled brains, liver pate. <br><br>\r\nデザートにも期待せよ、くっくっくっく！！ 兄弟だけではないぞ？ お前が信頼し、にもかかわらず裏切った人間たちをふんだんに調理した。この宴を、そなたの心が満足するまで、永遠に続けようではないか。 <br>\r\nAnd look forward to dessert, *cackle*cackle*!! It's not just your siblings, see? I have lavishly assembled all of those whom you have trusted and yet by whom you were betrayed. Why don't we continue this banquet for all eternity, until your heart is satisfied? <br><br>\r\n永遠に。 <br>\r\nFor all eternity. <br><br>\r\n……嬉しいィだろォ右代宮楼座ァアア？ 嫌がるフリなんかするなよ本当は嬉しいってのはわかってるんだぜェ？ 笑いたくば笑えばいい、ムカつく兄貴や姉貴の悲鳴の生演奏がないとご機嫌になれないってんならいくらでも聞かせてやる。いいんだよ、嫌々で。それがお前の性分なんだろ？ 本当は全身が泡立つほどに嬉しいんだよ。 <br>\r\n...You're happy, right, Ushiromiya Rosaaaa? Don't pretend you hate it, I know that you're actually happy, 'kay? If you want to laugh, then do so, and if you won't feel better until you've heard a raw performance of your annoying older siblings' screams, I'll let you hear them as much as you like. Fear not, your reluctance doesn't trouble me. That's just your personality, right? On the inside, you're actually so happy that your skin is crawling all over. <br><br>\r\nなのに、表向きは苦しんでるフリをしてるだけなんだよなァ？ <br>\r\nAnd yet, on the outside, you're merely pretending that all this causes you pain, yes? <br><br>\r\nいいんだぜ、ここにはお前が気にする世間体も体面も何もない、存分の大笑いして食い散らかせよ。最ッ高の宴だろォ右代宮楼座ァアアアアアアアアアアアアアァ？？？」 <br>\r\nIt's all right. Here, there is no need to worry about honor or your public image or anything, so laugh as much as you want and chew it to bits. Isn't this the beeest banquet, Ushiromiya Rosaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa???\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「………ゃ、 <br>\r\n………もう、 <br>\r\n……ゃめて……ッ、 <br>\r\n…ごほッ、げほ！！ ぉぇぇぇ…。」 <br>\r\n\"......St... <br><br>\r\n...please, <br><br>\r\n...stop... <br><br>\r\n...*cough*, *hack*!! Uugggghh...\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「済まぬ済まぬ、デザートは驚かそうと思って内緒にしていたが、やはり明かしておこう。明かせばフルコースを食べ遂げようという励みにもなるだろう。」 <br>\r\n\"Oh, I'm sorry, I wanted to leave dessert as a surprise, but let me reveal it now anyways. Maybe that will be enough incentive for you to eat up the full course.\" <br><br>\r\n「デザートはお前が愛しているフリをし続けなければならない愛娘、真里亞とリンゴのオーブン焼きだよ。美味そうだろォオォ？」 <br>\r\n\"Your dessert is that beloved daughter that you had to keep pretending to love, oven-baked Maria with apples. Doesn't that sound yummy?\" <br><br>\r\n「こいつを食べればお前は全てから解放される。自由だよ自由ッ！ やっと楼座というひとりの人間として自由を得るんだよ、嬉しいだろォオオオオォ？ 嬉しいはずさ、涎が垂れてるぜ鏡を見てみろよォオオオォオオオっひゃっはああはあははははッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Once you eat this, you will be released from everything. Freedom, you see, freedom! Finally, Rosa will gain freedom as an individual person, aren't you happyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy? You should be happy, drool is hanging from your mouth, just try looking in a mirroooooooooooooooooor, hyahahaaahaahaahaha!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\nいつの間にか、屈強な山羊頭のコックが、真里亞を小脇に抱えていました。 <br>\r\nSuddenly, a muscular goat cook was holding Maria under his arm. <br><br>\r\nそして、真里亞はほんの少しだけ悲しそうな顔をしながら楼座を見つめています。 <br>\r\nAnd Maria gazed at Rosa with a face that was only slightly sad. <br><br>\r\n「…………ママ…。……真里亞のこと、……邪魔だった……？」 <br>\r\n「…んんんんん！ <br>\r\n\"......Mama... ...Was I...a burden...?\" <br><br>\r\n\"...Nnnnnnn! <br><br>\r\n！ 邪魔じゃない！！ んんんんんんんんんッ！！」 <br>\r\n! You aren't a burden!! Nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n楼座は、次々と口に運ばれる料理を吐き出しながら、汚物と唾液と血に塗れながら汚らしく抵抗して叫びます。 <br>\r\nAs Rosa spat out the food that was continually being carried to her mouth, as she was covered with filth and saliva and blood, she resisted filthily and screamed. <br><br>\r\n「……ママが、 <br>\r\n…真里亞のこと邪魔なら。……真里亞、食べられても平気。」 <br>\r\n\"...If you... <br><br>\r\nthink I'm a burden, ...I don't mind if you eat me.\" <br><br>\r\n「………だって、真里亞はいつもママにひどいことばかり。ママが男の人を連れてくる時も静かにできなかった。ママが男の人とお泊まりしてくる時、寂しくて暴れてお部屋を台無しにした。勝手に探しに行って迷子になって警察のお世話になってママに恥をかかせた。何日も帰ってこなくても、泣いちゃって、近所の人に慰めてもらってママに恥をかかせた。」 <br>\r\n\"......After all, I'm always doing horrible things to you. Even when you bring a man over, I can't stay quiet. When you spend the night out with a man, I get lonely and unruly and make a mess of my room. When I go to search by myself, I get lost, the police pick me up, and you're shamed. When you don't come home for several days and I cry and have to be consoled by the neighbors, you're shamed.\" <br><br>\r\n「こんな真里亞だからママの迷惑になってる。生まれてきてごめんなさい。だから真里亞はママのために、美味しいリンゴのオーブン焼きになるの。」 <br>\r\n\"Because I'm like this, I'm a burden to Mama. Sorry for being born. So, I'll become delicious oven-baked apples for Mama's sake.\" <br><br>\r\n「そしたら、ママに初めて真里亞がいてよかったって思ってもらえるかな。真里亞を食べて、美味しかったって思ってもらえるかな。 <br>\r\n\"And then, maybe Mama will be happy I exist for the first time. Maybe she'll eat me and think I'm delicious. <br><br>\r\n美味しいよなァアアァアア？ 感涙に咽べよ娘がここまで言ってるぜェエエエエ？ 愛娘とリンゴのオーブン焼きなんて、最高のデザート！ これだけ美味しい食材に育てられるなんて、 <br>\r\nあんた、サイコウの母親だぜ右代宮楼ゥ座ァアアアアアアァアアアアア？？？」 <br>\r\nIsn't it delicioooooooooooooooous? Be choked up with tears of gratitude, your daughter is saying this much for you, riiiiiiiiiiiight? Oven-baked apples and your beloved daughter make for the best dessert! You've managed to raise such delicious ingredients, <br><br>\r\naren't you the best mother, Ushiromiya Rosaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa???\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「………ママ、今までありがと。ばいばい。」 <br>\r\n\"......Mama, thanks for everything. Bye bye.\" <br><br>\r\n「待ってッ！！ <br>\r\n\"Wait!! <br><br>\r\n待って真里亞、違うの！！ もうやめてもうやめて、 <br>\r\nこんなの嫌ぁあああぁあああ！！ <br>\r\nWait, Maria, that's wrong!! Stop it already, stop it already, <br><br>\r\nnooooooooooooooooooooooo!! <br><br>\r\n私はこんなこと望んでいないッ！ もうやめて、もう許して！！ 嫌、 <br>\r\nI didn't want something like this! Please stop, please forgive me!! No, <br><br>\r\nもうやめて、 <br>\r\nstop it already, <br><br>\r\n口に、入れないで…、 <br>\r\ndon't put it...in my mouth... <br><br>\r\nううぅぐッ、 <br>\r\nuuuuulg, <br><br>\r\nげぇえええぇッ！！」 <br>\r\ngeeeeeeeeeeee!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「我が持て成しに満足してもらえたか…？ ならば、そなたには認めてもらおう。妾が魔女であることを。 <br>\r\n\"Have you been satisfied with my hospitality...? Then I'll have you accept it. That I am a witch. <br><br>\r\n宣言せよ。“右代宮楼座はベアトリーチェを魔女と認める”と宣言せよ！！」 <br>\r\nProclaim it. `Ushiromiya Rosa accepts that Beatrice is a witch'!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……認めますッ！！ <br>\r\n\"......I accept it!! <br><br>\r\nう、右代宮楼座は、 <br>\r\n……ベ、ベアトリーチェを、 <br>\r\n……魔女だと認めます！！ だから真里亞を返して！！ 私を解放してぇえええええぇえ！！」 <br>\r\nU-Ushiromiya Rosa...... <br><br>\r\naccepts that...... <br><br>\r\nBeatrice is a witch!! So give Maria back!! Release meeeeeeeeeeeeee!!\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくくくくはっははははははははははっはっはっはっはっは！！ ついに認めさせたぞ！！ 小賢しき戦人はすでに屈服し、黄金郷に招かれながら妾を否定する愚か者、楼座にも認めさせたッ！！ 完璧だッ！！ イッツパーフェクトッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*, hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!! I finally made you acknowledge it!! That crafty Battler has already surrendered, and I made Rosa, the fool who denied me even after being invited to the Golden Land, accept it!! Perfect!! <It's perfect!!>\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「成し遂げたぞ、完璧な勝利をッ！！ <br>\r\n\"I've accomplished my perfect victory!! <br><br>\r\nくっははははははははきゃーっはっはっはっはっはっはッ！！ さぁ真里亞を連れて行け、楼座に美味なオーブン焼きを振舞ってやれ！！」 <br>\r\nHehahahahahahahahakya-HAH-HAH-HAH-HAH-HAH-HA!! Come, bring Maria, prepare a delicious oven roast for Rosa!!\" <br><br>\r\n「嫌ぁあああああああああああぁああ真里亞ああああああああああぁあッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Noooooooooooooooooo, Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「美味そうだな。 <br>\r\n俺にはてめぇの牛チチをスライスしてサンドイッチを作ってくれ。」 <br>\r\n\"Looks delicious. <br><br>\r\n Slice up your cow tits and make me a sandwich.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「なッ、……そ、その声はッ！！ ふごッ？！」 <br>\r\n\"Wha, ...th-that voice!! Ooof?!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n魔女の後頭部を掴みあげた腕は、魔女の顔面をテーブルに叩き付ける。 <br>\r\nAn arm grabbed the back of the witch's head and smashed her face into the table. <br><br>\r\nすると魔女の姿は粉々になり、黄金の蝶たちの群の姿となって、離れた位置に再び姿を作った。 <br>\r\nAs it did, the witch broke to pieces, turned into a cloud of gold butterflies, and reformed into her body a short distance away. <br><br>\r\n「ば………、戦人ッ？！？！ <br>\r\n\"...B-Battler?!?! <br><br>\r\nき、……貴様ッ、 <br>\r\n…か、…家具となって魂まで屈服していたはずッ！！」 <br>\r\n...Y-You bastard, <br><br>\r\n...I thought you'd surrendered so far that even your soul was furniture!!\" <br><br>\r\n「そのつもりだったんだがな。…てめぇの趣味の悪いレシピに耳を貸してる内に、腹が減って来ちまってよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Me too, ...but while I was listening to that gross recipe, I started to get a little hungry.\" <br><br>\r\n「魔女の丸焼きが食いたくなって来ちまったのさッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Now I feel like eating a whole roast witch!!\" <br><br>\r\n「それから真里亞。自分を食べて、何てセリフは十年早ぇぜ。 <br>\r\n\"And Maria. It's ten years too early for you to talk about having someone eat you up. <br><br>\r\nただし十年経ったら必ず俺に言えよ、約束だぞ。」 <br>\r\nBut in ten years, you'd better say that to me. Promise.\" <br><br>\r\n「……うー。約束する。」 <br>\r\n\"...Uu-. Promise.\" <br><br>\r\n「ば、…戦人くん…！」 <br>\r\n\"B-Battler-kun...!\" <br><br>\r\n「待たせたな、楼座叔母さん。俺は忘れてたぜ。こいつは俺とこの女の一騎打ちだったんだ。俺が屈するわけには断じて行かなかったんだ。……楼座叔母さんが粘ってくれたお陰で、再び戦う気力を取り戻せたぜッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Sorry to keep you waiting, <NAME>. I'd forgotten. This is a one-on-one fight between me and this woman. It's totally wrong for me to give in. ...Thanks to you hanging in there, I've gotten my will to fight back!!\" <br><br>\r\n……こ、…こいつ、魂の深層まで屈服し、確かに妾の軍門に下ったはず…。 <br>\r\n...Th-This person, he gave up down to the depths of his soul and surrendered to me, didn't he...? <br><br>\r\n……なるほど、この往生際の悪さ、さすがは右代宮金蔵の孫か…！ 不死鳥の雛はやはり不死鳥だということか…！ <br>\r\n...I see, he doesn't know when to give up, just what I'd expect from Ushiromiya Kinzo's grandchild...! So the chick of a phoenix is a phoenix after all...! <br><br>\r\n「ふ、ふははははははははは、威勢が良い、気に入ったッ！ そうでなくてはな！！ <br>\r\n\"Heh, hehahahahahahahahaha, how dashing, how amusing! I wouldn't have it any other way!! <br><br>\r\n妾の期待する右代宮戦人とはそうでなくてはならん！！ 妾を否定してみろ、そしてそれを妾は完膚なきまでに叩き潰す！ 何度でも屈服させてやろうぞ、一度靴を舐めたそなたに、何度でも敗北の味を教え込んでやるッ！！」 <br>\r\nI wouldn't have you any other way, Battler!! Try to deny me, I'll completely and thoroughly smash you to bits! Let me make you surrender over and over again. I'll teach you, one who has licked my shoes, the taste of defeat over and over again!!\" <br><br>\r\n「上等だぜ、この右代宮戦人、泥を啜ってでも立ち上がる男だってことを教えてやる！！ <br>\r\n\"No problem, I'll teach you that I, <NAME>, am a man who can stand back up even after crawling through the mud!! <br><br>\r\n俺は喧嘩で無敵だったためしはねぇ。何度かは負けてる。 <br>\r\nI've never been invincible in a fight. I've lost loads of times. <br><br>\r\nだがな、必ず泥を啜って立ち上がる。そして必ずケリをつける！！ 男の喧嘩はな、負けを認めない限りどれだけ叩きのめされようと負けじゃねぇんだよ！！」 <br>\r\nBut I'll definitely crawl through the mud and stand up again. And then I'll finish this!! In a man's fight, you don't lose until you accept defeat, no matter how much you get beat up!!\" <br><br>\r\n「一本取られただけで俺が参ると思うなよ。楽しませてやるぜ、ベアトリーチェぇえええええええぇッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Don't think I'm out just because you took a shot at me. I'll give you a good show, Beatriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!!\" <br><br>\r\n「受けて立とうぞ右代宮戦人ァ！！ 家具ども、次なるゲームの準備を始めよ！！ <br>\r\n\"I'll accept your challenge, Ushiromiya Battler!! Furniture, begin preparations for the next game!!\" <br><br>\r\nその間に貴様にはたっぷりと聞かせてもらおうではないか。此度のゲームでは密室も多いぞ。そなたの逃げ口上のほとんどを妾が赤で叩き潰した。その上でさらにどのような屁理屈で言い逃れてみせるのかッ！！ 礼拝堂の鍵、朱志香の部屋の鍵、使用人室の鍵、夏妃の部屋の鍵、客間の鍵ッ！！ お前らのお得意な奇想天外、 <br>\r\n\"While we're waiting, why don't you tell me all about it? There were a lot of closed rooms in this game. Using red, I've smashed to bits most of the methods by which you tried to talk yourself out of them. What other evasive quibbles will you show me now?!! The lock to the chapel, the lock to Jessica's room, the lock to the servant room, the lock to Natsuhi's room, the lock to the parlor!! Use your bizarre specialty, <br><br>\r\n妄想暴言空想ハッタリ、 <br>\r\nトンデモ超展開斜め上で妾をとことん否定して見せろよォおおおおおおおおおおおおおぉ！！」 <br>\r\nthose delusions, rantings, daydreams, and bluffs, <br><br>\r\nall slanted with ridiculous, incredible turns of events, and show how you can thoroughly deny meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!\" <br><br>\r\n「ああ駄目だぜ、全然駄目だッうをおああああああああああああああぁああぁあああああぁあッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Aaah, it's useless, it's all useleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeess!!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「はっはっはっは、わっはっはっはっは！ まさか、最後の最後でベルンカステル卿の駒が乱入してくるとは…！」 <br>\r\n\"Hahahaha, wahahahaha! I never expected Lady Bernkastel's piece to barge in at the very end...!\" <br><br>\r\n「……あんたとのゲームに相応しい駒を、ずいぶんあちこち探し回ったの。……きっと気に入ってもらえると思うわ。」 <br>\r\n\"...I searched all over the place for a piece fitting for a game with you. ...I was sure you'd like it.\" <br><br>\r\n「何よあの駒！ 誰よあいつ、何者よ！ 名乗らないなんてズルイわよ！！ ねぇ、あんたもそう思うでしょ？！」 <br>\r\n\"What's with that piece?! Who was that person, who was it?! She didn't say her name! That's mean!! Hey, don't you think so too?!\" <br><br>\r\n「…妾は大体察しはついておるが。……というか、普通、わかるであろう。」 <br>\r\n\"...I have a general idea. ...Or rather, I imagine most people would've figured it out.\" <br><br>\r\n「普通？！ わかんないわよぅ、初登場のキャラでしょ？！ 名乗らなかったら私もプレイヤーもみんなわかんないわよ、ねぇ？！」 <br>\r\n\"Most people?! Well I don't get it, and it was that character's first appearance, wasn't it?! If she doesn't say her name, I won't understand, the players won't understand, no one will understand, right?!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………ベアト、教えてあげなくていいわよ。ね？ 面白い子でしょ？」 <br>\r\n\"......Beato, don't bother telling her. See? Isn't she a funny kid?\" <br><br>\r\n「う、…うむ。 <br>\r\n\"I-Indeed. <br><br>\r\n……ラムダデルタ卿の天真爛漫にして天然なところは、実に貴重で面白いものである。……くっくっくっく！」 <br>\r\n...Lady Lambdadelta's innocent airhead side is truly precious and amusing. ...*cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n「何よ何よ、何で私にだけ教えてくれないのよ、意地悪ぅー！！ じゃあ、私だけが気付いた、取って置きの秘密を特別に教えてあげるわ！ だから教えなさいよ！」 <br>\r\n\"Come on, come on, why won't you tell only me, you meanie?!! In exchange, I'll teach you a special secret that only I know! So tell me!\" <br><br>\r\n「……ほぅ。取って置きの秘密とな！ 聞きたいぞ聞きたいぞ…！」 <br>\r\n\"...Hoh. A special secret, you say?! I want to hear, I want to hear...!\" <br><br>\r\n「べーだ！ 教えて欲しかったら、先にあの女の正体を教えるのよ！ 私の知った秘密はスゴイわよぅ？！ 何しろ、サンタさんの正体が実はお父さんだったってくらいスゴイんだからぁ！ あら？くす！ 言っちゃったぁ☆ ごめんなさいねぇ、天地が引っ繰り返るくらいびっくりしちゃったでしょう？！ をーっほっほっほっほ！」 <br>\r\n\"Bleah! If you want me to tell you, first tell me who that girl really was! The secret I know sure is awesome! After all, it's about as awesome as knowing that Santa-san is actually daddy! Huh? *giggle*! I said it☆ Sorry, I'll bet you're so shocked that it turned your world upside-down, right?! Ohohohohoh!\" <br><br>\r\n「………ラムダのとこには、お父さんが来てたの？」 <br>\r\n\"......So, your father was the one who came to your place, Lambda?\" <br><br>\r\n「来てたの、ってどーゆう意味よぅ。」 <br>\r\n\"He came...wait, what do you me-an?\" <br><br>\r\n「…サンタクロース卿は、心の綺麗な子どものところへしか訪れないのよ。あんたのとこには来なかったのね？」 <br>\r\n\"...Lord Santa Claus only visits the homes of children with pure hearts. I guess he didn't come to your place, did he?\" <br><br>\r\n「まぁ、サンタクロース卿は寛大であるからな。よーっぽどの大悪党でもない限り、プレゼントを恵んでくださるぞ。何しろ、妾にもくれたくらいだからな！」 <br>\r\n\"Well, Lord Santa Claus is gracious. Unless you're a re-ally bad scoundrel, he'll give you a present. After all, he even gave them to me!\" <br><br>\r\n「………成長して心が荒んでくると来なくなるのよね。ベアトのとこにはいくつくらいまで来てたの？」 <br>\r\n\"......As you grow and your heart is hardened, he stops coming, doesn't he? How old were you, Beato, when he stopped coming?\" <br><br>\r\n「うむ。１２歳くらいまでは来ておったぞ。乙女心に目覚めると、急にサンタ卿が来るのが、何だか恥ずかしくなってな。 <br>\r\n\"Indeed. He kept coming until I was about 12. When my maiden's heart awoke, I quickly got somewhat embarrassed about Lord Santa coming.\" <br><br>\r\n“これまでありがとうございました、もう結構です。だから最後のプレゼントは奮発してください”と手紙を置いたら、来なくなった。うーむ、ちょっぴり期待したのだがな！ ベルンカステル卿はいつくらいまで来ていたのか。」 <br>\r\n\"After I wrote `Thanks for everything, that's enough, so make sure you splurge on the last set of presents', he stopped coming. Oooh, and I was looking forward to it too! How old were you when he stopped coming, <NAME>?\" <br><br>\r\n「………私、荒んでたし。…結構早かったっけ。確か９歳頃ね。…何か、あのヒゲが無性にムカついて、ちょん切ってやろうと、布団の中で裁縫バサミ構えて待ってたの。…………痛いお年頃よね。」 <br>\r\n\"......I was pretty wild. ...It happened fairly early. I think when I was about 9. ...Something about that beard really irritated me, so I waited in my futon with some sewing scissors ready, trying to cut it off. ......What a painful age.\" <br><br>\r\n「で、……ラムダデルタ卿には、物心ついてからサンタクロース卿がおいでになったことがない、と。…………普通は小学校高学年から中学校くらいの間までは来るものであるぞ。」 <br>\r\n\"So, ...as far back as <NAME> can remember, Lord Santa Claus never came to see her, huh? ......He usually comes until the last year of elementary school or during middle school.\" <br><br>\r\n「…ある意味、お医者で見てもらった方がいいわよ。早熟すぎると心身の成長に悪影響があるらしいから。…あぁ、確かに出てるわね。悪影響。」 <br>\r\n\"...Maybe we should take her to a doctor. I hear that being too precocious can have negative side-effects on the growth of mind and body. ...Yeah, you can definitely see some of those. ...Those negative side-effects.\" <br><br>\r\n「んなッ、な、何の話をしてるのよアンタたちはー！！ むがーー！！」 <br>\r\n\"Hey, wh-what are you people talking about?!! Bleeeeah!!\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくくっくくくくくくく！ わっはっはっは、魔女も３人集まれば実に姦しい！」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*! Wahahahaha, it truly is boisterous when three witches gather!\" <br><br>\r\n「……この程度のレベルの秘密じゃ、聞く価値もなさそうね。私、もう行ってもいい？ 次のゲームの準備をしなくちゃならないから。」 <br>\r\n\"...If you're talking about a secret on that level, I doubt this will be worth listening to. Can I go now? I have to get ready for the next game.\" <br><br>\r\n「ちょッ、ちょっと待ちなさいよぅ！ あの女の正体を教えなさいよー！！」 <br>\r\n\"What, hey, wait a sec! Tell me who that woman really was!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……じゃあ、あなたの取って置きの秘密を先に教えなさいよ。見合うものだったら教えてあげるわ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Well then, tell me this special secret of yours first. If it's good enough, then I'll tell you.\" <br><br>\r\n「ほっほっほっほ！！ いいわよ、教えてあげるわ、取って置きの秘密なんだからぁ！ ……ほら、今回のゲームで、黄金を見つけて新しい魔女になった子がいたでしょ？」 <br>\r\n\"Hohohohoh!! Okay, I'll tell you, 'cause it really is a special secret! ...Remember, in this game, there was a girl who found the gold and became the new witch, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「うむ。あやつに、一体どんな秘密があるというのか？」 <br>\r\n\"Indeed. And just what kind of secret might that person have?\" <br><br>\r\n「うっふふふふふ！ あの子の正体にね、私、気付いちゃったの。みんなにはわかるかしらぁ？ くすくす！ ヒントはね、喋り方にあったのよぅ。 <br>\r\n\"Ehheheheheh! I figured out who that girl really is. Does anyone know? *giggle*giggle*! There was a hint in the way she talked.\" <br><br>\r\nほら、あの子、よく口にしてたでしょ？ ナントカしちゃえばぁ〜？って！ そう、この語尾がポイントだったのよ！ えばぁ〜？ えばぁ〜？ そう！ <br>\r\n\"Remember, that girl said it a lot, didn't she? `If only you'd just blaaaah', right?! Yes, that phrase is the key point! If only? Ifffonly? <br><br>\r\nEvvvvonly?! Yes!\" <br><br>\r\nあいつの正体は、右代宮絵羽だったのよ！！ どう？！ 驚いちゃったかしらぁ？！ をーっほっほっほっほ！！」 <br>\r\n\"She was actually...Ushiromiya Eva!! What do you think?! Are you shocked?! Ohohohohoh!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「ほぅ…！ それは気付かなかった！ <br>\r\n\"Hoh...! I never noticed that! <br><br>\r\n…むぅ、そのようなところにヒントがあったとはな。」 <br>\r\n...Muu, to think that there would be a hint in a place like that.\" <br><br>\r\n「……ベアトって付き合いがいいのね。その子、増長するから程々になさいよ。じゃあね、私は席を外すわ。」 <br>\r\n\"...You're a real good sport, Beato. This kid tends to get full of herself, so try not to overdo it. See you, I'm leaving.\" <br><br>\r\n「ちょっとちょっと！ 私の秘密だけ聞いて、あんたは喋んないなんてズルイわよ！！ あんたもあの女の正体を話しなさいよー！！」 <br>\r\n\"Wait, wait! It's not fair if you just listen to my secret and don't tell me yours!! Tell me who she really was!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……あんたの秘密が凄すぎて吊り合わないわ。…じゃあ代わりに、私も取って置きの秘密を教えてあげるわ。『ひぐらしのなく頃に』ってゲームの、犯人の名前を教えてあげる。」 <br>\r\n\"...Your secret was so amazing that mine just wouldn't match up. ...So in exchange, I'll teach you a special secret. I'll tell you the name of the culprit in this game called `Higurashi no Naku Koro ni'.\" <br><br>\r\n「ぎゃーーーーーッ、言わないでぇ！！ 私、今プレイしてるとこなのーッ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh, don't say it!! I'm still playing i-t!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……あっははははっはっはっは…。じゃあね、ベアト。紅茶美味しかったわ。あと、お茶菓子のクラッカーだけど、ジャムのレパートリーが足りないわ。たまにはコチジャンでも用意しなさい。ロシアンティにもぴったりだし。じゃあね。」 <br>\r\n\"...Ahhahahahahhahhahhahha... See you, Beato. The black tea was delicious. However, the repertoire of jam on the crackers was lacking. Add some gochujang chili paste every once in a while. It goes great with Russian tea. Later.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうか、わかったぞ。試してみよう。次のゲームの準備が整ったら呼ぼうぞ。それまでゆっくり戦略でも練るが良い。」 <br>\r\n\"Oh, I see. I shall try it. I'll call for some after preparing the next game. Until then, feel free to polish up your strategy at your leisure.\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、そうするわ。今回のゲームはなかなか面白かったわよ。じゃあね。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes, I'll do that. This last game was pretty interesting. Later.\" <br><br>\r\n「ちょっとー、待ちなさいよ、教えなさいよー！！！」 <br>\r\n\"He-y, wait a sec, tell me-!!!\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくっくっく。いやいや、本当にお二人は仲が良い。」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle* My, my, you two really are close.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。……えぇ、そうよ。…あぁ、大好きよベルンカステル。愛してるとさえ言ってもいいわ。……あの瞳を抉り出して、私以外を映さないようにしてやりたい。……あぁ、それは本当に素敵よね。紅茶に沈めても素敵かもしれない。アハ！」 <br>\r\n\"...............Yes, that's right. ...Oh, I really like you, Bernkastel. You could even say I love you. ...I want to gouge out your eyes so that you see no one other than me. ...Oh, that would be so wonderful. It'd be great to dunk them in black tea. Aha!\" <br><br>\r\n「ラムダデルタ卿をここまで夢中にさせるとは。……妾も責任重大であるな。しかし今回は実に惜しかった！ あと一息で戦人をコロリと行けたものを。」 <br>\r\n\"To think that you would be so entranced, <NAME>. ...I have a serious responsibility. Still, this last game really was close! I was a breath away from getting Battler.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………ベアト。一個聞いていい？」 <br>\r\n\"......Beato, can I ask you something?\" <br><br>\r\n「何であるか？ あの女の名前は教えぬぞ。くっくっくっく！」 <br>\r\n\"What is it? I won't tell you that girl's name. *cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n「…いつまでチャラけてんのよ。 <br>\r\n\"...When are you gonna stop fooling around? <br><br>\r\n…あんた、勝つ気あんの？」 <br>\r\n...Are you even trying to win?\" <br><br>\r\nラムダデルタが、決してベルンカステルの前では口にしたことのない、低い声で凄む。 <br>\r\n…それは直前までの、穏やかな空気を全て吹き飛ばした。 <br>\r\nLambdadelta threatened her with a low voice that she had never used in front of Bernkastel. <br><br>\r\n...It completely blew away the calm atmosphere that had been there until a moment ago. <br><br>\r\n「………私はね。ベルンカステルに勝てる魔女ってことで、あんたに肩入れしてんのよ。…あんたに、ベルンカステルに勝てる力がないってんなら、いつだって私はあんたなんか見捨てるんだからね……？」 <br>\r\n\"......You know I'm supporting you because you're supposed to be a witch who can win against Bernkastel. If you don't have the power to win against her, then I'll abandon you right away, okay...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………これは手厳しい。妾の何がご不満なのか。…卿もご存知の通り、妾のゲーム盤は完璧だ。ベルンカステル卿には決して勝てはせぬ…。」 <br>\r\n\"......How harsh of you. What about me dissatisfies you? ...As you know, my game board is perfect. <NAME> will never be able to win...\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、そうよ。あんたのゲーム盤は実に見事よ。ベルンカステルが、百年は愚か、千年を費やそうとも絶対に勝つことのできない、実に見事で完璧なゲーム盤よ。 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, that's right. Your board truly is impressive. It truly is an impressive and perfect game board that Bernkastel definitely won't be able to win in, not even after a hundred years, or even a thousand years.\" <br><br>\r\n……だから私はそれを借りることの引き換えに、あんたを魔女にしてやったのよ。………私があんたの後見人を辞めれば、あんたはすぐにニンゲンに逆戻り。…どんなにすごい魔力を持っていても、…あんたは仮初の魔女でしかないことを、……決して忘れないことよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...That's why I made you a witch in exchange for letting me borrow it. ......If I stop being your guardian, you'll immediately go back to being a Human. ...Make sure you don't forget that, no matter how much incredible magical power you hold, ...you are nothing more than a temporary witch.\" <br><br>\r\n「わ、……わかっておるわ。…そなたには感謝しておる…。」 <br>\r\n\"...I-I understand. ...I'm grateful to you...\" <br><br>\r\n「タメ口聞かないでよ。ベルンカステルがいる時は許すけど、いない時は許さないわ。あんた、最近、私の恩を忘れてるでしょ。」 <br>\r\n\"Don't speak so casually to me. I'll forgive that when Bernkastel's around, but not when she isn't. I'll bet you've started to forget how much you owe me.\" <br><br>\r\n「そ、そんなことは、………あ、…あり、……ありません……。」 <br>\r\n\"Th-That is......n-n-not so...\" <br><br>\r\n「…あー、やっぱ気持ち悪いわ。いつもの喋り方でいい。でも、口の聞き方には注意してよ。……私、案外短気よ？」 <br>\r\n\"...Aah, you really are disgusting. Go ahead and talk the way you usually do. But be mindful of what you say. ...I have a surprisingly short temper, you see?\" <br><br>\r\n「う、……うむ……。」 <br>\r\n\"I-Indeed...\" <br><br>\r\n「話を戻すわ。…あんたのゲーム盤は実に完璧。……ベルンカステルを容易に負かすことができるでしょうよ。…しかしあの子は簡単に屈服しない。何度でも挑んでくるわ。」 <br>\r\n\"Let's get back to what we were discussing. ...Your game board truly is perfect. ...You should be able to defeat Bernkastel without any trouble. ...But that kid won't surrender easily. She'll challenge you over and over.\" <br><br>\r\n「問題はない。…ラムダデルタ卿のお墨付きではないか。……妾のゲーム盤は完璧だ。」 <br>\r\n\"That is no problem. ...It has been certified by you, <NAME>. ...My game board is perfect.\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、そうよ、完璧よ。 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, that's right, it's perfect. <br><br>\r\n…………プレイヤーである、あんたも完璧ならね？」 <br>\r\n......But are you, the player, perfect as well?\" <br><br>\r\n「………それは、どういう意味か…。」 <br>\r\n\"......What do you mean by that...?\" <br><br>\r\n「どういう意味？ 私が聞きたいくらいよ。………あんたのゲームには、遊びが多い。…それは時にベルンカステルを煙に撒くから、あんたなりの策略なんだと、私も最初は思ってた。 <br>\r\n\"What do I mean? That's what I want to hear. ......You play around a lot in your game. ...Sometimes, that ends up confusing Bernkastel, so at first I thought it was some special strategy of yours.\" <br><br>\r\n…………でも、何だか違う気がするの。あんた、勝てる試合を弄んでるんじゃなくて、……勝っても負けても、どうでもいいって思ってるんじゃないの？」 <br>\r\n\"......But I get the feeling that's not quite true. Rather than toying with the opponent in a match you can win, ...you don't actually care whether you win or lose, right?\" <br><br>\r\n「ば、……馬鹿馬鹿しい…。そんなこと、あるわけもなかろうが…。」 <br>\r\n\"R-Ridiculous... How could that be...?\" <br><br>\r\n「いいこと？ あんたの役目は、ベルンカステルを屈服させることよ。つまりゲームに、永遠に勝者でいること。……あなたが“絶対”の勝者であり続けようとする限り、私は絶対の魔女として、あなたに力を与えるわ。…………でも。 <br>\r\n\"You know what? Your role is to make Bernkastel surrender. In other words, that means being the victor in this game for all eternity. ...As long as you keep trying to become the victor `with certainty', then I'll give you my power as the Witch of Certainty. ......However.\" <br><br>\r\nもしもあなたが、自らの敗北の可能性を否定しないような戦い方をしているなら、…話は変わるわよ。」 <br>\r\n\"If you fight in a way that doesn't eliminate any possibility of your loss, ...that's a different story.\" <br><br>\r\n「もちろん、これはゲームである…。妾が勝てばベルンカステル卿が負けるように。…向こうが勝てば妾が負ける日もあるだろう。常に敗北の可能性はありうる。だからこそ妾は、」 <br>\r\n\"Of course, this is a game... Just as <NAME> will lose when I win, ...I will sometimes lose when she wins. The possibility of loss always exists. Therefore, I will-\" <br><br>\r\n「……………だからアンタは使えないのよ。あんたはゲーム盤である必要なんかない。ベルンカステルを、永遠にここに閉じ込める鳥篭でさえあればいいの。 <br>\r\n\".........This is why you're useless. There's no need for you to be a game board. You just have to be a bird cage that can lock Bernkastel up here for all eternity.\" <br><br>\r\n…鳥篭の役目は？ 中の小鳥を絶対に逃がさないことよ。……たまに抜け出せてしまうような、隙間のある鳥篭に何の価値が？」 <br>\r\n\"...What's the role of a bird cage? Making certain the little bird inside never escapes. ...What's a bird cage worth if it has cracks that sometimes let a bird out?\" <br><br>\r\n「………む、無論、ゲームは勝つ為のもの。そして妾が負けることはありえぬ。…ゆえに妾は勝ち続けようぞ……。…お望み通り、永遠に…。」 <br>\r\n\"......O-Of course, games exist for the purpose of winning. And it is impossible for me to lose. ...Therefore, I will continue to win... ...As you wish, for all eternity...\" <br><br>\r\n「良い返事よ、それでいいわ。……策略としての遊びやフェイクは許す。…今回、有効だったところもあるしね。 <br>\r\n\"Good answer, that'll be fine. ...I'll allow you to play around and use fakes as part of your tactics. It ended up being useful during parts of this round.\" <br><br>\r\n…………でもね。もしあなたが、勝ち以外を望むような指し手をしたら、…………その時は、素敵な覚悟をなさいよね？」 <br>\r\n\"......But you know what? If you make a move hoping for anything else other than victory, ......make sure you're prepared for something amazing, okay?\" <br><br>\r\n「そ、そのようなことはせぬ…。誓うとも…！」 <br>\r\n\"I-I will not do such a thing... I swear it...!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………元々、魔女ですらないあんたが、本当はどんなにみすぼらしい存在だったか、いつだって思い出させてあげるんだから。…………私の期待を裏切ったら。その時は楽しい楽しい罰ゲームが待ってるわよぅ。 <br>\r\n\"......Because originally, you weren't even a witch, and at any time, I'll remind you what a truly shabby creature you were. ......If you betray my expectations, that is. As soon as you do, you can look forward to a fun, fun punishment game.\" <br><br>\r\n…百億のカケラ世界の中から、……もっとも惨めなカケラにあんたを送り込んで封印してあげる。………あんたは、元々が惨めだから、惨めなカケラも実に選び甲斐があるわ。 <br>\r\n\"...In the world of billions of Fragments, ...I'll send you into the most miserable one and seal you there. ......You were already miserable to start with, so there's gonna be some reeeally miserable Fragments out there for the picking. <br><br>\r\n…くすくすくすくすくすくす。」 <br>\r\n...*giggle*giggle*giggle*giggle*giggle*.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ、愛してるわベルンカステル。…ベアトリーチェの鳥篭で、好きなだけ足掻いて、もはや逃れられないことを千年かけて知りなさい。 <br>\r\n\"Oh, I love you Bernkastel. ...Struggle in Beatrice's bird cage as much as you like, and over the course of a thousand years, realize that you can no longer escape.\" <br><br>\r\n……そしてあなたが屈服したら、…私の手の平でしか鳴けないように、たっぷりと仕込んであげるんだから。 <br>\r\n\"...And when you surrender, ...I'll train you so that you can't do anything other than cry in the palm of my hand.\" <br><br>\r\n…………くすくすくすくすくす、あっははははははははははははははははは…！！」 <br>\r\n\"......*giggle*giggle*giggle*giggle* Ahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…次は何の紅茶を淹れようか？ 古今のありとあらゆる銘茶を披露しようぞ。」 <br>\r\n\"...What sort of black tea shall I prepare next? Allow me to display every refined tea that ever was and ever shall be.\" <br><br>\r\n「……梅干紅茶。……梅干は１パック２００円のヤツよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Dried plum black tea. ...The kind that goes for 200 yen a pack.\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくっく…！ …千年、紅茶を嗜んだが、そのようなモノは知らぬ。…つくづくこの世は生き飽きぬものよ。」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*...! ...For a thousand years, I have been fond of black tea, but I did not know of such a thing. ...I will never tire of living in this world.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………ベアト。そんなにも敵意を剥き出しにしなくてもいいわ。…私は単なる旅の魔女。あなたの領地のルールを侵しに来たつもりはないわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Beato, you don't have to display such hostility. ...I am just a wandering witch. I didn't come with the intention of violating the rules of your territory.\" <br><br>\r\n「…くっくっく、敵意など微塵も。 <br>\r\n\"...*cackle*cackle* Hostility? I bear nothing of the sort. <br><br>\r\n…伝説の魔女、ベルンカステル卿に粗相がないか、気が気でならぬだけよ。」 <br>\r\n...I am just terribly concerned with seeing to it that the legendary witch, <NAME>, is well attended to.\" <br><br>\r\n「………誤解があるわね。私は無力よ。あなたのような、１人を百殺す恐ろしい力を持った魔女の前にはまったくの無力。」 <br>\r\n\"...You misunderstand. I am powerless. Before a witch such as you, who possesses the dreadful power to kill an individual a hundred times, I am completely powerless.\" <br><br>\r\n「その無力な魔女殿が、何人たりとも寄せ付けぬ力をお持ちなのだから恐れ入る。かの大魔女、ラムダデルタ卿を単騎にて退けられたのだから。」 <br>\r\n「……根競べに勝っただけよ。あの子が飽きただけのこと。」 <br>\r\n\"That a powerless Lady Witch like you possesses a power that none can approach is what is truly terrifying. After all, that Great Witch, <NAME>, was dethroned by you alone.\" <br><br>\r\n\"...I only won an endurance contest. She simply got tired.\" <br><br>\r\n「ラムダデルタ卿は、そうは言ってなかったがな？ …くっくっく、過ぎた謙遜はかえって醜くもあるぞ、ベルンカステル卿？」 <br>\r\n\"That is not what <NAME> said though. ...*cackle*cackle*cackle* Too much humility can be unseemly, <NAME>.\" <br><br>\r\n「……あの子は恐ろしい力を持ってる。…………１人を“必ず”殺す力。しかしこの世に“必ず”は存在しない。１をいくら割ろうとも決してゼロには出来ぬように。あの子は、それを“限りなくゼロ”に近付け、“限りなく絶対”を生み出す力を持つ。……あんな恐ろしい魔女と戦うのは二度とごめんよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...That girl has a dreadful power. ...The power to kill an individual `without fail'. However, `without fail' doesn't exist in this world. No matter how many times you divide one, you can never reach zero. That girl has the power to bring the odds of failure down to `almost exactly zero', ...the power to give rise to `almost perfect certainty'. ...I hope I never have to fight such a terrifying witch again.\" <br><br>\r\n「しかしそなたは、“ゼロでない限り”必ず成就させる力を持つ。……この世に“必ず”は存在しないとのたまう卿ご自身が、“必ず”の力をお持ちでおられる。……恐ろしい恐ろしい、くっくっく…！」 <br>\r\n\"However, you have the power to cause success without fail, `as long as the odds are not zero'. ...Though you say `without fail' doesn't exist in this world, you possess an infallible power yourself. ...How very terrifying, *cackle*cackle*...!\" <br><br>\r\n「……１人を“無限に”殺す力。…私は貴女の方が恐ろしいけれども。」 <br>\r\n\"...The power to kill an individual `endlessly'... ...I think you're the more terrifying one.\" <br><br>\r\n「ご冗談を。……そなたから見れば、こんなのは瑣末な力。褒めても何も出ぬとはまさにこのこと。」 <br>\r\n\"You jest. ...From your point of view, mine is but a trifling power. This is most certainly what one would call empty praise.\" <br><br>\r\n「……世辞は滞在費代わりに。…私はカケラを渡り退屈から逃れ続ける逃亡の旅人。……貴女が面白そうなことを始めたと聞いたからやって来ただけのこと。貴女が面白くなくなったら、勝手に出て行くからご心配なく。」 <br>\r\n\"...Call it flattery to make up for the cost of staying here. ...I am a fleeing traveler who crosses the #fefefeFragments#ffffff, continually running from boredom. ...I simply came around because I heard you'd started something interesting. Have no doubts that I will choose to leave as soon as you are no longer interesting.\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくっく…！ 大ベルンカステル卿にご高覧頂け、このベアトリーチェ、恐悦至極に存じるぞ？ くっくっくっく！ して、ご感想は？」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*...! I, Beatrice, am deeply and humbly delighted to have the Great Lady Bernkastel as an observer. *cackle*cackle*! And so, your impressions?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………ラムダデルタは、とても残酷で恐ろしいけれども、理解できる子だった。…貴女は一見、慈しみがあるけれども、まったく理解できない。だから、あの子よりずっと恐ろしい。」 <br>\r\n\"...Lambdadelta is terrifying because of her cruelty, but she's a girl I can understand. ...You do seem to be capable of affection, but I can't understand you at all. That makes you much more terrifying than her.\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくっくっくっく…！ 気まぐれなのは我が性分。許すがいい。 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*cackle*...! I am fickle by nature. Do forgive me. <br><br>\r\n…それに、気まぐれなる賽の目に運命を託すは、ベルンカステル卿も好まれることだったのでは？」 <br>\r\n...Besides, I believe you also enjoy entrusting your fate to the roll of fickle dice, right, L<NAME>el?\" <br><br>\r\n「……私は賽を振る時、はっきりと出したい目がある。貴女とは違う。でも貴女にとっては、全ての目が、貴女の掌を出ない。そして、どの目であっても、貴女の期待を裏切らない。サイコロが何の目を見せようとも“必ず”貴女は満足する。………その意味において、貴女は私を遥かに凌駕する。 <br>\r\n\"...When I roll the dice, I have a roll I clearly want to get. Unlike you. You, on the other hand, never let the dice fall from your hand. So, whatever the roll might have been, you're never disappointed. Whatever roll the dice show you, you are satisfied `without fail'. ...In that sense, you far surpass me.\" <br><br>\r\n………貴女とだけは戦いたくないわ。貴女の中にはゼロしかない。だから、私の力では貴女から勝機を得られない。…最悪の相性よ。……ラムダデルタなら、逆に相性がいいのかしら。貴女の “無限”を殺せるでしょうから。」 <br>\r\n\"...You're one I really don't want to fight with. Inside of you, there's nothing but zero. That's why I can't win against you with my power. ...It's the worst compatibility. ...Perhaps Lambdadelta, on the other hand, has a good compatibility against you. Since she would be able to kill your `endless' nature.\" <br><br>\r\n「くくくく、くっくっくっくっく！ ……やはり、紅茶を飲むなら魔女とに限る。退屈しない。くーっくっくっく！」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*, *cackle*cackle*cackle*! ...Oh yes, witches truly are the best people to enjoy black tea with. One doesn't get bored. *cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n「……なら良かったわ。退屈は私を殺す唯一の毒なの。……だから、私を殺さないでね？ 無限の魔女、ベアトリーチェ卿。」 <br>\r\n\"...Then, I'm relieved. Boredom is the only poison that can kill me. ...So, don't kill me, okay? Lady Beatrice, Endless Witch.\" <br><br>\r\n「それがお望みならこのベアトリーチェ、さらに楽しませてお見せしましょう。 <br>\r\n\"If such is your wish, I, Beatrice, shall show you an even better time. <br><br>\r\n……なら、すぐにでも次のチェス盤をお持ちした方がよろしいか？ そなたにはどうも、紅茶よりも次なる物語の方が御代わりに相応しいらしい。」 <br>\r\n...In that case, wouldn't it be best if I brought the next chessboard in right away? It seems the next tale would do more for you than another cup of black tea.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"...............\" <br><br>\r\n「しばし待たれよ。……くっくっくっく！」 <br>\r\n\"Just wait for a moment. ...*cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n…………貴方も厄介なのに好かれたようね。 <br>\r\n...Something troublesome seems to have taken a liking to you. <br><br>\r\n力を貸してあげたいのは山々だけれど、聞いての通り、あの子の力と私の力では相性が悪いの。お生憎ね。 <br>\r\nI'd really like to lend you my power, but as you just heard, that girl's power and mine have a very bad compatibility. Unfortunate as that may be. <br><br>\r\nでも、さすがに気の毒だから、少しだけ力を貸してあげるわ。 <br>\r\nBut you really are pitiful, so I'll help you out just a bit. <br><br>\r\nまず、あの子のこと。 <br>\r\nFirst of all, about that girl. <br><br>\r\nベアトリーチェという名の存在を持っているけれども、だからといってそれは“一個体の女性”とは限らない。 <br>\r\nShe does have the name Beatrice, but that doesn't necessarily mean she is `one individual woman'. <br><br>\r\n意味がわかる？ <br>\r\nつまり、あれはニンゲンの誰かじゃない。 <br>\r\nこの世界のルールが擬人化した存在だということ。 <br>\r\nGet what I mean? <br><br>\r\nIn other words, she's not some Human. <br><br>\r\nHer existence is a personification of the rules of this world. <br><br>\r\nあの子を倒すには、この世界のルールを暴き、それを解きほぐさなければならない。 <br>\r\nTo beat her, you have to expose the rules of this world and unravel them. <br><br>\r\nそれは例えるなら、ルールを知らないチェスを、観戦しながら学んでいくようなもの。 <br>\r\nPerhaps this can be likened to learning the rules of chess by watching a game. <br><br>\r\nまずはチェス盤を見渡しなさい。 <br>\r\nそして駒の動きと役割に気付きなさい。 <br>\r\nFirst, take a good look at the chessboard. <br><br>\r\nThen, learn the movements and roles of the pieces. <br><br>\r\nそしてあの子のゲームの勝利条件を探りなさい。 <br>\r\nThen, look for the conditions required to win at her game. <br><br>\r\nそれらが暴けた時、そこにあの子の心臓が曝け出される。 <br>\r\n後は引き裂くも握り潰すも思いのまま。 <br>\r\nWhen you've managed to reveal all these things, her heart will be exposed. <br><br>\r\nAfter that, you can rip it apart or crush it as you please. <br><br>\r\n……私も気前がいいわね。 <br>\r\nかつて人の身だった頃、私はたったこれだけのことを気付くのに百年をかけたのに。 <br>\r\n...I am being quite generous. <br><br>\r\nIn the past, when I had a human body, it took me a hundred years to notice even this much. <br><br>\r\nこれは、ベアトに囚われた憐れな貴方へのささやかな餞別。さながら一本のスプーン。 <br>\r\nThis is my meager farewell gift to you, the pitiful one captured by Beato. It's just like a spoon. <br><br>\r\nスプーンは、スープを飲むのに使うだけじゃない。 <br>\r\n貴方を閉じ込める岩牢を掘り抜き、魔女の目玉を抉る武器にもなる。 <br>\r\nA spoon can be used for more than just drinking soup. <br><br>\r\nYou can use it to dig through the prison you're locked in, or as a weapon to gouge the witch's eyes out. <br><br>\r\n……もちろん、永遠の岩牢の中で、水のようなスープを延々と啜り続けるのにも使えるだろうけど。 <br>\r\n...Of course, you can also use the spoon to continually sip the watery soup inside your eternal cell. <br><br>\r\n……勘違いしないでほしいのは、私は貴方の味方のつもりはないということ。 <br>\r\n...Don't get the wrong idea. I have no intention of becoming your ally. <br><br>\r\n貴方に感情移入はするけれど、貴方の手助けはしない。 <br>\r\n…貴方が、テレビの前でその向こうの人物にいくらエールを送っても届かないのに似てるわ。 <br>\r\nI do feel empathy for you, but I won't help you. <br><br>\r\n...It's like I'm sitting in front of the television yelling at you on the other side, even though my voice won't reach you. <br><br>\r\nダカラ、私ガ魔女ダッテ判ルデショウ？ <br>\r\nSO, YOU UNDERSTAND THAT I AM A WITCH, RIGHT? <br><br>\r\n私は、ベアトがこれから紡ぐ無限の物語を飽きるまで楽しむつもり。 <br>\r\nでも、きっとそれだけじゃ飽きちゃうから。 <br>\r\nI intend to enjoy this endless tale that Beato is going to weave until I tire of it. <br><br>\r\nBut that alone won't hold my interest. <br><br>\r\n……だから、貴方に力を貸すの。私が飽きないために。 <br>\r\n...That's why I'll lend you my power. It's all so that I don't get tired of this. <br><br>\r\n私は世界で一番残酷な魔女なの。 <br>\r\nどんな相手でも、絶対に屈服させる。 <br>\r\nI am the cruelest witch in the world. <br><br>\r\nWhoever the opponent may be, I'll make them surrender with certainty. <br><br>\r\n…無限の魔女、ベアトリーチェであってもね…？ <br>\r\n...Even if it's Beatrice, the Endless Witch, okay...? <br><br>\r\nお前は、私の駒よ。せいぜいがんばりなさい。 <br>\r\nあの子の目を盗んで、時折助言を与えるわ。 <br>\r\nYou are my game piece. Give it your best shot. <br><br>\r\nI'll give you advice sometimes, out of her sight. <br><br>\r\n私を退屈させないでね……？ <br>\r\nDon't bore me, okay...? <br><br>\r\nくすくすくすくす……。 <br>\r\n*giggle*giggle*giggle*... <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「さて。…お楽しみいただけたか？ 此度のゲームは。」 <br>\r\n\"Well then, ...did you find that game enjoyable?\" <br><br>\r\n「……ここまで一方的なワンサイドゲームだと、見応えを通り越して退屈よ。」 <br>\r\n\"...When a game's that one-sided, it goes beyond riveting and becomes boring.\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくっくっく、これはこれは、相変わらずお点が辛い。……退屈を愛さないベルンカステル卿に相応しい <br>\r\n迫力ある展開だったと自負していただけにこれは手厳しい。」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle* My, my, but you're as harsh as always. ...Considering how proud I was to have created a development so <br><br>\r\nimpactful that it might satisfy even the boredom-hating Lady Bernkastel, this response is quite harsh.\" <br><br>\r\n「…迫力については、まぁ認めるわ。…ただ、フェアなゲームとしては酷いものね。もう少し対等な条件でないと、」 <br>\r\n\"...Well, I'll admit it was impactful. ...However, it was horrible as a fair game. Unless you make the conditions a bit more even-\" <br><br>\r\n「……勝ち目がないと言われるか？ ベルンカステル卿に？ ……くっくっくっくっく。」 <br>\r\n\"...Are you saying there's no way to win? Not even for Lady Bernkastel? ...*cackle*cackle*.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………どういう意味かしら。ベアト。」 <br>\r\n\".........I wonder what you mean by that, Beato.\" <br><br>\r\n「誤魔化さなくても良い。すでに知っておるぞ。…そなたが~ib~傍観者でないことは~ib~。」 <br>\r\n\"There's no need to try and fool me. I already know. ...That ~ib~you're no bystander~ib~.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。」 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\n「隠し通せているつもりか。そなたは人の領地まで遥々やって来て、妾の逆目に張る不届き者よ。妾のゲームを傍観するつもりでいて、妾の敗北に厚く張っておるのだろうが。図星であろう…？」 <br>\r\n\"Were you planning on hiding it? You're an outrageous person to come into someone else's territory from such a great distance to work against them. You came to watch from the sidelines, and probably to push strongly for my defeat. I've guessed right, haven't I...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………。だったら？」 <br>\r\n\".........And if so?\" <br><br>\r\n「……くっくっくっくっく！ 実に面白い！ <br>\r\n\"...*cackle*cackle*! Truly amusing! <br><br>\r\nあのラムダデルタ卿を退けた最強の魔女、ベルンカステル卿と戦える機会を賜れるとは、本当に愉快よ！！」 <br>\r\nThat I should be granted a chance to fight against Lady Bernkastel, the strongest of witches who defeated Lady Lambdadelta, is truly a pleasure!!\" <br><br>\r\n「……えぇ。私も愉快よ。そこまで自信満々のあなたがボロボロに負けるところが見たくて、遥々やって来たんだもの。」 <br>\r\n\"...Yes. I'm also pleased. I came all this way because I really wanted to see you, brimming with confidence, fall apart and lose.\" <br><br>\r\n「何と素直なお人なのか。くっくっくっく！！ <br>\r\n\"What an honest person. *cackle*cackle*!! <br><br>\r\nそれにしても妾と大ベルンカステル卿との対決を、ただのひとりの観戦者もなくというのは、いくらなんでも勿体無いというもの。」 <br>\r\nEven so, it would be a shame if the contest between me and the Great Lady Bernkastel was resolved without at least one observer.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………………。…呼んだのね。あの子を。」 <br>\r\n\"............You called her here, didn't you. That kid.\" <br><br>\r\n「ほっほっほっほっほ！ 見つけたわよぅ、ようやく見つけたわぁ、ベルンカステルぅ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Hohohohohoh! I found you, I've finally found you, Bernkastel!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………御機嫌よう、ラムダ。あなたも暇ね。…退屈を愛さない同士、再び巡り合うのは運命かしら…？」 <br>\r\n\"......How are you, Lambda? Looks like you've got lots of spare time too. I wonder if it's fate that the pair who hates boredom should run into each other again...\" <br><br>\r\n「馬鹿な子ねぇ。私に勝てたのは、ちょっとした運と相性の問題だとどうして気付かなかったのかしらぁ？ それで天狗になって、よりにもよってベアトリーチェに喧嘩を売るとは、身の程知らずもいいとこね？」 <br>\r\n\"Stupid kid. Can't you see you only won against me because of a little luck and a problem of compatibility? After that, you became such a brag, and now you're even picking a fight with Beatrice? Shouldn't you learn your place?\" <br><br>\r\n「くすくす、ベアトリーチェは強いわよぅ。私より残酷だしね。ほんのちょびっと！」 <br>\r\n\"*giggle* Beatrice is strong. And she's even more brutal than I am. Just a bit!\" <br><br>\r\n「あとそれと、人のことを勝手にラムダって略さないでー！」 <br>\r\n\"And by the way, don't go shortening people's names without their permission!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「………ベアトも馬鹿ね。この子はあんたのゲームであってもしっちゃかめっちゃかにするわよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......You're dumb too, Beato. If this kid's in your game, she'll make a mess of everything.\" <br><br>\r\n「ラムダデルタ卿には、決してギャラリーとしてだけお呼びしたのではない。 <br>\r\n\"I certainly didn't just bring <NAME> here to watch from the sidelines. <br><br>\r\nそなたが妾と逆の目に張っているとお伝えしたら、卿はそなたの逆の目に張ると仰せになられた。」 <br>\r\nAfter informing me that you were betting against me, she said that she would bet against you.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………あんた、まだ根に持ってるのね。」 <br>\r\n\"............You're still holding a grudge, aren't you.\" <br><br>\r\n「ほっほっほっほ！！ 私は宇宙最強の魔女なんだから。でもあんたに負けちゃったから最強じゃないの！ <br>\r\n\"Hohohohoh!! Because I'm the strongest witch in the universe. But I lost to you, which means I'm not the strongest! <br><br>\r\nだからあんたと敵対する相手は誰であっても私は味方するんだからー！！」 <br>\r\nSo any enemy of yours is my ally!!\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくっくっく！ というわけだ。大ベルンカステル卿が相手ならば、この程度ではハンデにもならぬだろうが、余興には相応しかろう。」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*! And there you have it. With the Great Lady Bernkastel as our opponent, this may not even count as a handicap, but it should make for good entertainment.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………好きになさい。…バレてる以上、私も本格的にやらせてもらうわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Do as you like. ...Now that I've been exposed, allow me to get serious.\" <br><br>\r\n「それが良かろう。元より、妾の辞書に手加減の文字はないのでな。くっくっくくくくくくくく！ ラムダデルタ卿、この度の貴重な縁を楽しもうではないか。」 <br>\r\n\"That would be well. `Going easy' has never been written in my dictionary. *cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*! Lady Lambdadelta, let us enjoy our precious time together.\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ、こちらこそよろしくよベアトリーチェ卿！ こいつには私もさんざん煮え湯を飲まされてるの。私たち二人で叩き潰して、二倍でお返ししなきゃ腹の虫が収まんないのよぅ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Yeah, I'll be counting on you, <NAME>! I've been betrayed pretty bad by her too. Until the two of us smash her up and pay her back double, I won't be able to rest!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………こちらこそよろしくよ、ラムダ。そしてベアト。…どういう勝敗になろうとも、これは私たちにとってとても有意義な戦いになるわね。」 <br>\r\n\"......I'll be counting on you, Lambda. And you, Beato. ...No matter what we fight over, this will be a very significant battle for us all.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうね。もちろん負ける気はないけど、私たちには勝敗以上に意義がある。」 <br>\r\n\"That's right. Of course, I don't plan on losing, but we've got a goal beyond who wins and who loses.\" <br><br>\r\n「何しろ妾たちは、退屈を愛さない。」 <br>\r\n\"After all, we hate boredom.\" <br><br>\r\n三人の魔女はくすくすと、あるいはけらけらと、あるいはげらげらと笑う。 <br>\r\nThe three witches giggled, cackled, and guffawed. <br><br>\r\n「……その通りよ。感謝するわベアト。やっと退屈から逃れられそうだわ。せいぜい私を楽しませなさい。ラムダデルタと二人掛かりで。」 <br>\r\n\"...That's right. I should thank you, Beato. It looks like I'll finally be able to escape my boredom. Do your best to entertain me. Along with Lambdadelta.\" <br><br>\r\n「そうさせてもらうぞ。くっくっくっくっく…！！」 <br>\r\n\"Leave it to me. *cackle*cackle*...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「そうと決まればベアト、さっそく作戦会議をするわよ！ その子の弱点は知り尽くしてる、それを全て伝授してあげるわ！」 <br>\r\n\"If we're decided, Beato, then let's start a strategy meeting right now! I know all of this girl's weak points, and I'll teach you all of them!\" <br><br>\r\n「にもかかわらず、ラムダデルタ卿はお敗れになられた、と、くっくっくっく…！」 <br>\r\n\"And yet, <NAME>, you were defeated by her, *cackle*cackle*...!\" <br><br>\r\n「もぉおおおぉ、教えたげない教えたげないッ！ <br>\r\n\"Urrrrrrrrgggh, I won't tell you, I won't tell you! <br><br>\r\nツーン！」 <br>\r\nTsun!\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくくくはっははははははは！ <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle* Hahhahahahahahaha! <br><br>\r\n…退屈しない御仁であるな、ラムダデルタ卿は。」 <br>\r\n...She's never boring, that <NAME>.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………でしょ？ 面倒をよろしくね。あれで寂しがり屋なのよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Isn't she? Take care of her. She gets lonely easily.\" <br><br>\r\n「なるほど。今流行りのナントカというヤツか。くっくっく、さすがはラムダデルタ卿。最先端でおられる。くっくくくくくくく。」 <br>\r\n\"I see. So she's one of `those' that are popular these days. *cackle* As expected from Lady Lambdadelta. Quite cutting edge. *cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*.\" <br><br>\r\n「もう行きなさいよ。あの子、あなたが追っ掛けて来るの、待ってるわよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Go already. That kid's waiting for you to chase after her.\" <br><br>\r\n「……それでは失礼しよう。 <br>\r\n\"...Then, if you'll excuse me. <br><br>\r\nまた次のゲームにて。くっくくくくくくくくく！」 <br>\r\nSee you next game. *cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\n……ごめんなさいね。 <br>\r\n厄介なのが来たけど、気にしないで。 <br>\r\n...I'm sorry. <br><br>\r\nThat troublesome one came, but don't mind it. <br><br>\r\nそれより、 <br>\r\n………ひどいことになったわね。 <br>\r\nMore importantly, <br><br>\r\n......things sure got ugly. <br><br>\r\n私もラムダとのゲームで、だいぶ悲惨な末路というのを経験してきたつもりでいるけど、 <br>\r\n………今回のは、……群を抜いて酷いわ。 <br>\r\nI thought I experienced a very tragic end in Lambda's game, <br><br>\r\n......but this one is...exceptionally horrible. <br><br>\r\n…あなたが膝を抱いて心を閉ざしてしまう気持ちもわからなくない。 <br>\r\n...I can't say I don't understand why you're hugging your knees and closing up your heart. <br><br>\r\nこんな末路を、あと何度もやられたら、百年を待たずに心が殺されてしまうわ。 <br>\r\nIf you meet a fate like that a few more times, it'll take a lot less than a hundred years to kill your heart. <br><br>\r\n……ベアトに看破されてしまったから白状する。 <br>\r\n今のあなたは、かつてラムダの世界に囚われていた頃の私にそっくりなの。 <br>\r\n...Beato saw through me, so I'll confess. <br><br>\r\nYou are now just like I was in the past, when I was imprisoned inside Lambda's world. <br><br>\r\n過酷な運命の迷路に閉じ込められ、魔女にいいようにいたぶられている。 <br>\r\nShut inside a labyrinth of cruel fate, tormented by a witch, in a manner of speaking. <br><br>\r\n…私はそこから生まれた魔女。 <br>\r\n...I am a witch who was born from there. <br><br>\r\n……だからあなたの姉に当たるのかもしれない。だからあなたに力を貸そうと決めたの。 <br>\r\n...So maybe I'm like an older sister to you. So I decided that I'd lend you my power. <br><br>\r\n しかし、 <br>\r\n…………私の運命に比べても、 <br>\r\n……あなたのそれは、…あまりにも惨い。 <br>\r\n <br>\r\nHowever, <br><br>\r\n......even compared to my fate, <br><br>\r\n...yours is...truly brutal. <br><br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n同情どころか、涙までもらってしまいそうな、あまりに悲惨な運命よ。 <br>\r\nNot only do I sympathize with you, I'm almost brought to tears by your tragic fate. <br><br>\r\nでも、どうか挫けないで。 <br>\r\nベアトになんか決して屈しないで。 <br>\r\nBut please, don't lose heart. <br><br>\r\nPlease don't submit to Beato, no matter what. <br><br>\r\n確かにあの子のゲームはあまりに卑劣。 <br>\r\nCertainly, that child's game is quite unfair. <br><br>\r\nゲーム盤を少しだけ見させてもらったけど、あまりに卑劣かつ狡猾な仕掛けで、その舞台仕掛けの嫌らしさは多分、ラムダデルタのゲーム盤のそれを遥かに上回るわ。 <br>\r\nI've only been allowed a glimpse of the game board, but the unfair and clever devices set up on the stage are so disgusting...that I imagine they far surpass those on Lambdadelta's game board. <br><br>\r\nしかも恐ろしいことに、あの子は駒を指す時、常に最善手を指しているわけではないの。 <br>\r\nAnd what's even more frightening...is that when that kid moves a piece, she doesn't always make the best possible move. <br><br>\r\nここがラムダとは大きく異なる点。 <br>\r\nラムダは勝つ為に常に最善手で圧倒的な数の駒を指してくる。 <br>\r\nThis is where she's very different from Lambda. <br><br>\r\nLambda always uses an overpowering number of pieces to make the best possible move in order to win. <br><br>\r\nしかしベアトは、たまにわざと手を抜いて駒を指してくるの。 <br>\r\nBut Beato sometimes intentionally goes easy on her opponent when she moves her pieces. <br><br>\r\n困ったことに、相手の指し手から手の内を探ろうとしている私たちにとって、これは非常に手ごわい情報のノイズ。 <br>\r\nSince, when we're in trouble, we try to seek out our opponent's strategy by looking at their moves, this creates a very formidable amount of noise in our information. <br><br>\r\n厄介な撹乱になりうるわ。 <br>\r\nThat might cause a troublesome amount of disorder. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、チェスに例えるなら、無駄な一手は相手にノイズを与えるかもしれないけれど、貴重な一手を損していることに違いはない。 <br>\r\n...However, as in chess, though a player might be able to create some noise for their opponent with a useless move, they'll still miss out on the more valuable move they avoided. <br><br>\r\nつまり、付け入る余地はゼロじゃないってこと。 <br>\r\nIn other words, it's not like your opportunities to take advantage of this are zero. <br><br>\r\nあなたには信じられないだろうけども、今回のゲームもそう。 <br>\r\n……あれだけ圧倒的な展開に見えて、 <br>\r\nAlthough you may not be able to believe it, that analogy holds true for this game as well. <br><br>\r\n...Even though those developments looked so overpowering, <br><br>\r\n…実は隙がある。 <br>\r\n...there actually was a weak point. <br><br>\r\n付け込ませたいかのように隙がある。 <br>\r\nA weak point that almost looks like she wanted you to take advantage of it. <br><br>\r\n……それが罠なのか、こちらを試しているのかわからないけども。 <br>\r\n...Though, I don't know if it's a trap or if she's testing us. <br><br>\r\nとにかく屈服しないで。 <br>\r\n思考を止めないで。 <br>\r\nあらゆる可能性を否定しないで。 <br>\r\nAnyway, don't surrender. <br><br>\r\nDon't stop thinking. <br><br>\r\nDon't deny any possibility. <br><br>\r\nあなたが戦う意思を持ち続ける限り、ベアトに勝ちはない。 <br>\r\nAs long as you continue to hold the will to fight, Beato will not win. <br><br>\r\n魔女の戦いは守りが肝心よ？ <br>\r\n勝とうとするより、負けないようにしなさい。 <br>\r\nWhat's the most important element in defense during a witch's battle? <br><br>\r\nRather than trying to win, try not to lose. <br><br>\r\n…認めたら負けなら、断じて認めては駄目。 <br>\r\n...If accepting her means your defeat, then you definitely mustn't accept her. <br><br>\r\n……あなたに魔女を認めさせること。 <br>\r\nこれがベアトリーチェの勝利条件のひとつであることはもはや、疑いようもないのだから。 <br>\r\n...Making you accept witches. <br><br>\r\nThere is no longer any doubt that this is one of Beatrice's victory conditions. <br><br>\r\n私も、あなたの味方であると公言した以上、できる限りの力になれるよう努力するわ。 <br>\r\nあなたも努力なさい。 <br>\r\nNow that I have announced that I'm your ally, I too will make as great an effort as possible to lend you my power. <br><br>\r\nMake an effort yourself as well. <br><br>\r\nもし、まだ膝を抱いているなら、早く立ち直って。 <br>\r\nIf you're still hugging your knees, quickly stand back up. <br><br>\r\n ……えーと、こういう時、何て言ったかしら。 <br>\r\n...Umm, in times like this, what did I used to say again? <br><br>\r\n………えーと、その、 <br>\r\n………ふぁ、 <br>\r\n…ふぁいと、 <br>\r\nお〜。 <br>\r\n......Umm, uh, <br><br>\r\n......g- <br><br>\r\ngo for it, <br><br>\r\nyay. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nみー、 <br>\r\nMeep, <br><br>\r\nにぱ〜☆ <br>\r\nnipah-☆ <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n………………恥ずかしいわね。これ。 <br>\r\n......It's so embarrassing, doing this. <br><br>\r\n……私がここまでしてあげたんだから、早く立ち直りなさいよね。 <br>\r\n...I've done this much for you, so quickly stand back up. <br><br>\r\n「…いたいた。ベルンはいじけてどっか行っちゃったかしら？ くすくす、本当にざまぁないったらありゃしない。」 <br>\r\n\"...Ah, there you are. I wonder where Bern shrank off to? *giggle* Could she be any more lame?\" <br><br>\r\nそれにしても。 <br>\r\n相変わらずベルンが選ぶ駒はショボイわねぇ。 <br>\r\nEven so. <br><br>\r\nJust like usual, the pieces Bern chooses are pretty shabby. <br><br>\r\nチェスだってそうでしょ？ <br>\r\n駒が全部ポーンだったら勝ち目ゼロでしょう？ <br>\r\n駒が全部ルークやビショップだったら絶対負けやしないわ。 <br>\r\nIt's the same with chess, right? <br><br>\r\nIf all of your pieces were pawns, you'd have zero chance to win, right? <br><br>\r\nIf all of your pieces were rooks and bishops, you definitely wouldn't lose. <br><br>\r\n……ま、まぁ、前回は私がついつい哀れになって好きな場所から駒を進めていいわよって言ったら、ベルンのヤツ、お情けの空気も読めずに手持ちのポーンをぜーんぶ入城させた状態から始めて！！ <br>\r\n...W-Well, last time, right when I felt just a little pity and said she could start with her pieces anywhere she wanted, that idiot Bern, without taking notice of my compassion, started with all of her pawns on my side of the board!! <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n何よあれ、あんなの負けでも何でもないんだからぁ！！ あぁ、思い出しただけでもむかむかするわ。 <br>\r\nWhat's up with that? That wasn't a loss or anything!! Aaah, just remembering it makes me queasy. <br><br>\r\nそんなわけで、この私は、ベルンがぎゃふんとする顔を見ないと腹の虫が収まらないわけ。 <br>\r\nBecause of that, I won't be able to rest until I see Bern's speechless face. <br><br>\r\nそんなわけなんで、ベルンの駒のあんたがそんなザマなんで、私は最高にいい気分なわけ！ <br>\r\nAnd since you, Bern's piece, fucked up so bad, I'm feeling just great! <br><br>\r\nしかもあの子はあれでいて本当に負けず嫌いだから、きっと今頃悔しくって歯軋りをして涙をぽろぽろ流してるわよ、本当にざまぁないわよ、くすくす、ほーっほっほっほっほっほ！ <br>\r\nPlus, she may not look it, but that girl really hates to lose, so I'll bet she's off somewhere grinding her teeth and crying her eyes out right now. How totally lame, *giggle*, hoohohohohohohohoh! <br><br>\r\nほら、あんたも一緒に笑いなさいよ、をーっほっほっほっほ！ <br>\r\nC'mon, laugh with me, ohohohohoh! <br><br>\r\n…………ちょっと。 <br>\r\nあんた、まだ膝を抱いてるの？ <br>\r\n......Wait a sec. <br><br>\r\nAre you still hugging your knees? <br><br>\r\nベアトにちょっと本気出されたくらいで、もうそのザマなのぅ？ <br>\r\n情けないったらありゃしない。 <br>\r\nYou're already like this just because Beato got a little serious? <br><br>\r\nCould you be any more pathetic? <br><br>\r\nあんまり情けないから、ちょっとだけ力を貸してあげるわ。 <br>\r\nYou're so pathetic, I'll help you just a little bit. <br><br>\r\nこの宇宙最強で絶対の魔女である大ラムダデルタ卿が、あんたの絶望的な勝率を、ほんのちょっぴりだけ絶対に近付けてやるわ。感謝なさい。 <br>\r\nI, the Great Lady Lambdadelta, the Witch of Certainty and the strongest in the universe, will bring your hopelessly low chances of winning just a little bit closer to certainty. You should thank me. <br><br>\r\nベアトリーチェはね、確かに残酷で強力な魔女かもしれないけれど、この私の敵じゃない。 <br>\r\nYou know, Beatrice may really be a cruel and powerful witch, but she's no match for me. <br><br>\r\nなぜか？ 甘いからよ。 <br>\r\nWhy? Because she's soft. <br><br>\r\nあの子はあと数手でチェックメイトできる局面を作りつつ、わざと詰めない。 <br>\r\n下らない駒を取ったり、余計な駒を置いてより一方的な盤面にしてみたり。 <br>\r\nThough she'll set up the board in a way that'll let her win with just a few more moves, she'll intentionally avoid cornering you. <br><br>\r\nShe'll do things like take worthless pieces and place excess pieces on the board to make things more one-sided. <br><br>\r\n早い話が、勝ちが見えると遊び出す悪い癖があるってわけ。 <br>\r\nSimply put, she's got the bad habit of playing around as soon as she thinks she's won. <br><br>\r\nあんたやベルンにとって、辛い様々な攻め手のほぼ全てが、私から見ればやり過ぎの無駄もいいところ。 <br>\r\nAlmost all the various attacks that hurt you and Bern......look like utter waste and overkill to me. <br><br>\r\n…つまり、それこそ隙であり、チャンスでもあるってわけ。ね？ 恐れるに値する相手じゃないでしょ？ <br>\r\n...In other words, she's got a weakness, and you've got a chance. See? She isn't an opponent to be afraid of, right? <br><br>\r\n手段と目的を時に履き違える。 <br>\r\nそして悪い遊びが過ぎる。 <br>\r\nその結果、自ら弱点を作り晒してさえいる。 <br>\r\nShe sometimes mistakes her means for her ends. <br><br>\r\nAnd she has too much dark fun. <br><br>\r\nSometimes, that even ends up creating and exposing her own weak points. <br><br>\r\n私のような最強の魔女から見れば、何でこんな余裕ぶったことをするのか理解できない。 <br>\r\n自ら勝率を下げてるなんてね。 <br>\r\nFor a super-powerful witch like me, it's hard to understand why she's able to act so tough. <br><br>\r\nWhy she lowers her own chances of winning. <br><br>\r\n………でも、ま。 <br>\r\n......But, well. <br><br>\r\nそのせいで、ベルンみたいな、相手を読んでかわすタイプの魔女には非常に相性が悪いってわけよ。読みが効かないから。 <br>\r\nBecause of that, a witch like Bern, who likes to thoroughly read her opponent, has a really bad affinity with her. Because reading her doesn't work. <br><br>\r\n…ベルンにとっては、私みたいな素直で正直なタイプは、読みやすくてやりやすいんでしょうね。ムカつくことに！ <br>\r\n...Maybe it's really easy for Bern to read and handle a straightforward and honest type like me. Annoyingly enough! <br><br>\r\n…まぁでも、私みたいな超火力タイプはベアトみたいな軽くて広い弾幕タイプなんか真正面から打ち破れちゃうわけだから、相性のジャンケンみたいなものかしら。 <br>\r\n...Well, still, a super firepower type like me can flat out beat up a light, wide-range barrage type like Beatrice, so it's kinda like rock-paper-scissors. <br><br>\r\n私がパーなら、ベアトがグー。 <br>\r\nベルンはチョキってとこね。 <br>\r\nまー、どうでもいいことかしら。 <br>\r\nIf I'm paper, Beato is rock. <br><br>\r\nWhich means Bern is scissors. <br><br>\r\nWell, maybe that doesn't matter. <br><br>\r\n確かに私のパーはベルンのチョキに負けるけど、パーよりはるかに凄い超パーだったら、チョキにだって勝てるでしょ？！ <br>\r\nEven though my paper loses to Bern's scissors, if I was a sheet of super-paper, which is way more awesome than normal paper, I could beat even scissors, right?! <br><br>\r\nつまりこのラムダデルタ卿は、 <br>\r\nBasicially, I, <NAME>, <br><br>\r\n超パーってわけ！ ほっほっほっほ！ <br>\r\nam super-paper! Hohohohoh! <br><br>\r\n少しは血色が戻ってきたみたいね。 <br>\r\nベアトのヤツ、楼座とかいう駒を虐めて遊んでるわ。 <br>\r\nIt looks like you've regained a bit of your color. <br><br>\r\nThat Beato, she's having fun torturing some piece called Rosa. <br><br>\r\n一見すると本当に趣味の悪いヤツだと思うでしょ？ 違うのよ。 <br>\r\nAt a glance, you'd think she has really nasty tastes, right? Wrong. <br><br>\r\n……あんたが立ち直って戻ってくるのを期待して、時間を潰して待ってるだけなのよ。 <br>\r\n...She's just killing time, hoping that you'll stand back up and return. <br><br>\r\nわざと憎まれるようなことをして、あんたの義憤を引き出そうという手ね。 <br>\r\nあー、やだやだそういう子って！ <br>\r\nIt's a move to fire up your righteous indignation by intentionally doing something detestable. <br><br>\r\nAh man, I hate kids like that! <br><br>\r\nじゃあ、私は戻るわね。 <br>\r\nAnyway, I'll head on back. <br><br>\r\nあ！ 私があんたにちょびっとだけ力を貸したのは内緒よ！ <br>\r\n別にあんたを助けたくて力を貸したわけじゃないんだからね？！ <br>\r\nAh! Don't tell anyone about me helping you out just a little bit! <br><br>\r\nI mean, it's not like I helped you because I wanted to save you, okay?! <br><br>\r\nこの宇宙最強の魔女の私は、ベルンに負けて最強の座を奪われちゃったの！ <br>\r\nI, the strongest witch in the universe, had my throne stolen away when I lost to Bern! <br><br>\r\nそれで私はベルンからその座を取り戻さなくちゃならないわけだけど、もしここでベルンがベアトに負けちゃったら、最強の座が今度はベアトに移っちゃうじゃない？！ <br>\r\nSo I've gotta take that throne back from her, but if she loses to Beato here, then it's Beato who'll get the position of strongest next, right?! <br><br>\r\n…まぁ別に、私はベアトから奪い返す方が楽だからいい訳だけど、それじゃ私の腹の虫が納まらないのよね？！ <br>\r\n...Well, it's not like I'm complaining. It'd be easier to steal the throne back from Beato, but then I wouldn't be satisfied, you see?! <br><br>\r\nベルンは私が打ち負かす！ <br>\r\nそして最強の座も私が取り返すの！ <br>\r\nI will defeat Bern! <br><br>\r\nAnd I'll take back my position as the strongest! <br><br>\r\n別にあんたに力を貸すわけじゃないんだからね？！ <br>\r\nベルンを泣かせたら許さないんだからー！ <br>\r\nIt's not like I'm really helping you, okay?! <br><br>\r\nI won't forgive you if you make Bern cry! <br><br>\r\n 単調な電子音が、ずっと繰り返されている。 <br>\r\nA monotonous electronic sound kept on repeating. <br><br>\r\n衛生的、という名の無感情な白が、その部屋の基調。 <br>\r\n…そこは、とある大学病院の病室だった。 <br>\r\nThe room was colored with hygienic tones...in other words, an emotionless white. <br><br>\r\n...It was a room at a certain university hospital. <br><br>\r\n庶民ではとても一夜のベッド代さえ払えないその個室が、彼女の最後の部屋となることは、医師も本人も疑いはなかった…。 <br>\r\nNeither her doctors nor the person herself had any doubts that this room, which had a price so high that no commoner could afford to spend a single night there, would be the last room she ever saw... <br><br>\r\nベッドの上にいるのは、 <br>\r\n…………絵羽なのだろうか。 <br>\r\nWas the person on the bed... <br><br>\r\n...Eva? <br><br>\r\nそうだと言われなければ、信じられないくらいに彼女は老け込み、やつれていた。 <br>\r\nEven if someone told you that was so, she was unbelievably aged and worn out. <br><br>\r\n扉の脇に控えていた体格の良いスーツ姿の男が、インカムで外部と小声でやり取りをしている。 <br>\r\nThe well-built man in a suit waiting in the corner near the door was having a whispered conversation through an intercom with someone outside. <br><br>\r\n…絵羽の身辺を固める護衛だった。 <br>\r\n...He was a guard protecting Eva's person. <br><br>\r\nインカムの相手に待機するように伝えると、ベッドの絵羽に近付く。 <br>\r\nAfter telling the person on the other end of the intercom to wait, he approached Eva's bed. <br><br>\r\n…絵羽は、さっきから起きてはいる。 <br>\r\n...Eva had been awake for a short while. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、何もない空中の一点をじっと見ていて、意識がここにないかのようであった。 <br>\r\n...However, she stared at a single point in empty space, as though her mind was not in the same place. <br><br>\r\n「……縁寿（えんじぇ）さんが下のロビーに到着しました。お通ししてよろしいですか。」 <br>\r\n\"...Ange (縁寿)-san has arrived in the lobby below. Should we let her pass?\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。」 <br>\r\n絵羽はしばらくの間、返事をしない。 <br>\r\n\"............\" <br><br>\r\nFor a long time, Eva didn't answer. <br><br>\r\nしかし、少しずつ目の焦点が戻ってくると、小さく頷く仕草をして、呼んで構わないことを示した。 <br>\r\nHowever, bit by bit, her eyes began to regain their focus, and she gave a small nod, indicating that she didn't mind if they called Ange. <br><br>\r\n…呼んだのは絵羽自身だ。 <br>\r\n時間もぴったり。 <br>\r\n...It had been Eva who called her. <br><br>\r\nAnd she was right on time. <br><br>\r\n今の絵羽は、事前にアポイントがなければ、誰の面会も拒んだ。 <br>\r\nBy this point, Eva would refuse anyone who wanted a meeting without an appointment. <br><br>\r\n部屋が薄暗いのは、まだ明るい時間なのにカーテンを閉め切っているせいだ。 <br>\r\nThe room was dark, even though it was still light outside, ...because the curtains were always closed. <br><br>\r\n…室内には常に１人、そして廊下とロビーに、さらに３人の護衛が控えている。 <br>\r\nそれらは全て、絵羽の身辺を守るためのもの…。 <br>\r\n...There was always one guard waiting in the room, and three more waiting in the corridor and the lobby. <br><br>\r\nThey were all there to protect Eva's person... <br><br>\r\nやがてノックの音がした。 <br>\r\nEventually, there was the sound of a knock. <br><br>\r\nインカムからも、客人のボディチェックが終了し、問題がないことの連絡がある。 <br>\r\nAlso, there was a message from the intercom that the guest's body check had been completed with no problems. <br><br>\r\n鍵を開け、扉を開くと、 <br>\r\nThe door was unlocked, then opened, <br><br>\r\n………そこには高校生くらいの女の姿があった。 <br>\r\n......and a high school aged girl was standing there. <br><br>\r\n「会長。縁寿さんがいらっしゃいました。」 <br>\r\n\"Chairman, Ange-san has arrived.\" <br><br>\r\n絵羽が反応し、顔を来客に向ける。 <br>\r\nEva reacted and turned her face towards the guest. <br><br>\r\nもっとも、護衛の呼び掛けに反応したというよりは、縁寿の化粧の匂いに反応したというべきだろう。 <br>\r\nHowever, instead of reacting to the guard's call, maybe it would be better to say that she reacted to the smell of Ange's makeup. <br><br>\r\n……絵羽はこの部屋に閉じ篭って長く、わずかの匂いの変化にも敏感だった。 <br>\r\n...After being shut up in this room for so long, Eva was sensitive to even small changes in smell. <br><br>\r\n「……………………。来たわね。 <br>\r\n\"............So you came, <br><br>\r\n……縁寿。」 <br>\r\n...Ange.\" <br><br>\r\n「……来たわ。呼ばれたから。」 <br>\r\n\"...I came. You did call me.\" <br><br>\r\n絵羽の顔に、姪を歓待する表情は見られない。 <br>\r\n…そして縁寿の顔にも、伯母との面会を喜ぶ表情は見られなかった。 <br>\r\nOn Eva's face, there was no trace of a person warmly welcoming their niece. <br><br>\r\n...And on Ange's face, you couldn't see the expression of one pleased to meet with their aunt. <br><br>\r\n絵羽は枯れ枝のように細くなった腕を振り、護衛に出て行けという仕草をする。 <br>\r\nEva waved her arm, which had grown as thin as a withered branch, and motioned for the guard to leave. <br><br>\r\n護衛は黙礼してから廊下に出た。 <br>\r\nThe guard bowed silently and went out into the hall. <br><br>\r\n「……暗い上に空気もひどいわ。カーテンでも開けたら…？」 <br>\r\n「……………そうすると、あんたの依頼した殺し屋が、窓越しに撃ってくるって寸法なのかしらぁ……？」 <br>\r\n\"...It's not only stuffy, but dark too. Can I open the curtains...?\" <br><br>\r\n\"......Is your plan for that hit man you hired to shoot me through the window...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………あんたの暗殺依頼なら私が受けたいわ。家でのんびり、ほんのひと月も過ごしてれば、勝手に任務が終わるもの。」 <br>\r\n\"......I wish I could get hired to assassinate you. All I'd have to do is relax at home for a month and the job would take care of itself.\" <br><br>\r\n「…ふっふっふっふ、はっはっはっはっは……。」 <br>\r\n\"...Heheheheh, hahhahhahhahha...\" <br><br>\r\n伯母と姪にしては物騒な会話を交わしあう。 <br>\r\nTheir discussion was quite morbid for an aunt and niece. <br><br>\r\n…しかし、互いに冗談めかすような様子はない。 <br>\r\n……少なくとも、絵羽は自分が命を狙われていると信じていた。 <br>\r\n...However, they didn't look like they were joking. <br><br>\r\n...At the very least, Eva believed that someone was after her life. <br><br>\r\n右代宮家の莫大な財産は、その全てが右代宮絵羽によって占有されている。 <br>\r\nAll of the Ushiromiya family's massive fortune had come into the possession of Ushiromiya Eva. <br><br>\r\n…その財産には、かの右代宮金蔵が隠し持っていたと囁かれる、１０ｔの隠し黄金も含むと言われていた。 <br>\r\n...It was said that this fortune also included the 10 tons of hidden gold that Ushiromiya Kinzo was rumored to have hidden. <br><br>\r\nその莫大な財産は、老獪で狡猾で猜疑心の強い絵羽の手元にあってはどうしようもないが、……小娘に過ぎない縁寿に相続されれば、自在に掠め取れるのではないかと目論む者たちがいると噂される。 <br>\r\nWhile this vast wealth lay in Eva's cunning, sly, and suspicious hands, no one was able to complain, ...but it was rumored that as soon as it was passed on to Ange, who was no more than a young girl, certain people were plotting to snatch it away. <br><br>\r\n今や、金蔵の子孫たちは絵羽と縁寿の２人だけ。 <br>\r\n……絵羽が死ねば全ての財産は縁寿に相続される。 <br>\r\nBy now, Eva and Ange were Kinzo's only descendants. <br><br>\r\n...If Eva died, all of the wealth would go to Ange. <br><br>\r\n…そしてさらに縁寿まで殺されることがあれば、……その財産は、縁寿の母である霧江の実家に相続される。 <br>\r\n...And if Ange were then to be killed as well, ...that wealth would go to the family of Ange's mother, Kyrie. <br><br>\r\nその意味においては、絵羽だけでなく縁寿もまた、…正体不明の何者かにいつ命を狙われてもおかしくない立場にいた。 <br>\r\nIn this sense, not only Eva, but Ange as well, ...were in a position where it wouldn't be odd at all for their life to be targeted by some unknown person. <br><br>\r\n……そして絵羽は、縁寿を長く憎んでいた。 <br>\r\n...And Eva had hated Ange for a long time. <br><br>\r\n大切な一人息子の譲治を失い、……自分の財産の相続人が、１２年前のあの日、親族会議を欠席して生き残った彼女だけだということを知ったからだ。 <br>\r\nThis was because she knew that, after losing her only precious son, George, ...the inheritor of her own wealth would be none other than the girl who had been absent at that family conference 12 years ago, and who had survived. <br><br>\r\n絵羽は縁寿を疎み、嫌い、そして憎悪さえした。 <br>\r\nEva shunned Ange, disliked her, and even hated her. <br><br>\r\n彼女を特別な学校へ隔離し、人並みの幸福や青春から遠ざけ、生涯を飼い殺すつもりであった。 <br>\r\nShe isolated Ange in a special school and separated her from the youth and happiness normal people have, trying to keep her as a pet until death. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、絵羽は不治の病を患い、その余命は皮肉にも、…１２年前の親族会議で、金蔵に宣告されていたのと同じものになっていた…。 <br>\r\n...However, Eva had succumbed to an incurable illness, and ironically, ...her remaining life was estimated to be the same as Kinzo's had been at that family conference 12 years ago. <br><br>\r\n絵羽も縁寿も、…互いを憎しみあっている。 <br>\r\nBoth Eva and Ange...hated each other. <br><br>\r\n最後の肉親同士だというのに、…早く相手が死ねばいいのにと、憎しみあっている…。 <br>\r\nEven though they were each other's last blood relatives, ...they hated each other so much that they hoped the other would die quickly... <br><br>\r\n「………それで？ わざわざ呼び付けて何の用…？」 <br>\r\n\"......And? Why did you go to all the trouble of calling for me...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……私はもう長くないわ。……藪医者どもは、未だに私が盛られた毒が何かも検出できない。………わかってるの。きっとソ連のＫＧＢで使われてた秘密の暗殺薬なのよ。…あぁ、私は殺されるのよ、殺されるのよ…！！ 良かったわね、もうじき死ぬわよ、そうすればさぞやあなたの胸がすくでしょうねぇ…！」 <br>\r\n\"...I don't have much time left. ...These quack doctors still can't detect any of the poison that's filling me up. ......I know. I'm sure it's some secret assassination drug used by those Soviet KGBs. ...Ooh, I'm gonna be killed, I'm gonna be killed...!! Isn't that great?! Very soon, I will die, which will surely be quite a load off your back...!\" <br><br>\r\n「……………………………。…可哀想な人。」 <br>\r\n\"...............What a pitiable person.\" <br><br>\r\nいつものことだ。 <br>\r\nThis always happened. <br><br>\r\n……本題からすぐに逸脱して、物騒な話に捻じ曲がる。 <br>\r\n...They immediately deviated from the main topic, distorting it into a more unsettling discussion. <br><br>\r\n猜疑心で肥大化した絵羽は、自身が常に命を狙われていると信じていた。 <br>\r\nEva, who was absolutely paranoid, believed that someone was always after her life. <br><br>\r\n実際、彼女は右代宮家の莫大な財産を相続した後、金蔵がかつてそうしたような荒っぽい方法で、手段を選ばない利殖を繰り返し、たくさんの敵を作っている。 <br>\r\nAnd in actual fact, after inheriting the vast wealth of the Ushiromiya family, she had used wild methods just like Kinzo had done in the past, repeatedly making money by any means necessary and creating many enemies along the way. <br><br>\r\n莫大な資本で、急成長し始めた企業に買収攻勢を仕掛け、手打ちと称してそれを高額で買い戻させる。 <br>\r\nWith a massive supply of capital, she had plotted to aggressively buy businesses that were starting to have rapid growth, making them buy it back at a high price under the guise of reconciliation. <br><br>\r\n……それは皮肉にも、１２年前に彼の夫の会社が受けた行為の裏返しだった…。 <br>\r\n...Ironically, it was the same type of action that her husband's company had been hit with 12 years ago... <br><br>\r\nそんなことを、ひたすらに繰り返した１２年だった。 <br>\r\n……恨みも山ほど買っている。 <br>\r\nShe had repeated this constantly for 12 years. <br><br>\r\n...She had also earned a lot of hatred. <br><br>\r\nもしあの世の夫が聞いたなら、家族を失った寂しさの裏返しだと擁護するかもしれない。 <br>\r\nIf her husband had heard of this from beyond the grave, he might have defended her, saying that the loneliness from losing her family fueled her actions. <br><br>\r\n……しかし、今の彼女を知る者で、擁護する者は誰もいない。 <br>\r\n...However, of all the people who knew her now, none would defend her. <br><br>\r\n絵羽はしばらくの間、自分の命が如何に狙われているかを雄弁に語り、自分に恨みを抱いているであろう人物の名を次々に挙げては、自分がまだ殺されずにいることを嘲笑う。 <br>\r\nFor some time, Eva eloquently spoke of how her life was being targeted, listing off names of people who hated her, and sneering at the fact that she still hadn't been killed. <br><br>\r\n縁寿はその中に自分の名が含まれても、特に表情も変えず、彼女が言い疲れるのを淡々と待った…。 <br>\r\nEven though Ange heard her own name included in that list, there was no particular change in her expression, and she waited indifferently for Eva to tire herself out... <br><br>\r\n「………私はね、 <br>\r\n…………憎いのよ。あんたが。」 <br>\r\n「光栄ね。私もよ。」 <br>\r\n\"......You see, <br><br>\r\n...I really hate you.\" <br><br>\r\n\"I'm honored. Same here.\" <br><br>\r\n「………譲治のために築いた未来だった。……それを、あんたに掠め取られるなんて。…留弗夫の娘に奪われるなんて…。………私は悔しい。 <br>\r\n……子も残せず、 <br>\r\n…財産すらも奪われるなんて、 <br>\r\n………それが私には、 <br>\r\n……許せない…………！」 <br>\r\n\"......I built this future for George's sake. ...To think that it would be snatched away by you. ...To think that it would be stolen away by Rudolf's daughter... ......I can't bear it. <br><br>\r\n ...To think that...I would have my fortune stolen away... <br><br>\r\n...without even leaving behind a child... <br><br>\r\n ......That, <br><br>\r\n...I cannot forgive......!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「……だったら財産全部、お布施にでもしちゃえば？ お百度踏んでた宗教系の連中はどうしたのよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...If only you'd just give all of your fortune to charity. What about all those religious people you used to go so far out of your way to find?\" <br><br>\r\n「…………くっくっくっくっく！ 連中はみんな言うのよ。…多すぎる財産が私の負担になっているって。決まって、だから預けて清める必要があるとか言い出すのよ。……あっははははははははは！ それで思いついたのよ。寄付はやめたわ！」 <br>\r\n\"......*cackle*cackle*! They all say the same thing. ...My excessive wealth has become a burden to me. And they always say something about how I need to give it up and cleanse myself. ...Ahhahahahahahahahaha! Then I thought of something. I stopped donating!\" <br><br>\r\n絵羽は一時期、心の安寧を求めたのか、おかしな新興宗教の教祖たちをずいぶん招き入れた。 <br>\r\nFor a time, Eva had searched for the founders of several strange and new religious cults, perhaps seeking peace in her heart. <br><br>\r\n…だが結局、彼らは彼女の心に救いを与えられず、むしろ猜疑心をさらに肥大させる結果となった…。 <br>\r\n...But they gave her heart no relief, and if anything, they ended up increasing her paranoia further... <br><br>\r\n「………お金が余ってるなら、サラブレッド買い占めてコンビーフでも作れば？」 <br>\r\n\"......If you have too much money, why don't you start buying up thoroughbreds and make some corned beef?\" <br><br>\r\n「それよりもっと面白いことを思いついたのよ。……くっくくくくくくくく！ 色々悩んだわ。どうやればあなたを酷い目に合わせられるかをね。 <br>\r\n\"I've thought of something even more interesting. ...*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*! I've worried over it a lot. What could I do to make things horrible for you?\" <br><br>\r\n……殺してしまおうとも思ったわ。あるいは全ての財産を消し去って、あなたを無一文にして人買いにでも売ってしまおうかとも思ったわ。素敵でしょ？ 両手両足をブツ切りにされて死ぬまで客を取らされるのよ。あぁ、それも実に素敵だわ、 <br>\r\n\"...I thought about killing you. I also thought about erasing all of my wealth, leaving you penniless, and selling you off to a slave trader or something. Wouldn't that be wonderful? You'd have your arms and legs chopped off and be forced to take customers until you died. Aaah, that would be so wonderful, <br><br>\r\nくっくっくっくっくっく！！」 <br>\r\n*cackle*cackle*cackle*!!\" <br><br>\r\n「…………楽しい？」 <br>\r\n\"......Is this fun for you?\" <br><br>\r\n「楽しいわ。あなたを怯えさせるのはね…。……でももうじき私は死ぬわ。…だから、私が死んだ後も、どうやってあなたを苦しませ続けるか、考えたの。………そうしたら、……くっくっくっく！ 案外、単純なことだったわ。……それをあなたに話したくて呼んだのよ。」 <br>\r\n\"Oh yes, it is. It's fun to scare you, ...but very soon, I will die. ...So I thought about how I might continue to cause you pain even after my death. ......And then, ...*cackle*cackle*!! It was surprisingly simple. ...I called you because I wanted to talk about it.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………そろそろ中間、近いんだけど。手短にね。」 <br>\r\n\".........I have midterms coming up. Keep it brief.\" <br><br>\r\n「…あなたに。 <br>\r\n\"...I have decided. <br><br>\r\n全ての財産を相続することにしたわ。」 <br>\r\n「………………………………。…へぇ。」 <br>\r\nI will have you inherit all of my fortune.\" <br><br>\r\n\"...............Oh?\" <br><br>\r\n「それどころか、 <br>\r\n……私が死ぬ最後の一日まで、 <br>\r\n…どこまでも財産を増やして、膨れに膨らしてあなたに相続することにしたのよ。…くっくっくっく、それがどういうことか、想像がつくかしら…？」 <br>\r\n「……わかんないわ。馬鹿だから。」 <br>\r\n\"Not only that, <br><br>\r\n...but I decided that until the very day I die, <br><br>\r\n...I'll expand that fortune as much as I can, inflating it to massive proportions before having you inherit all of it. ...*cackle*cackle* Can you even imagine what that would be like...?\" <br><br>\r\n\"...I don't get it. Because it's stupid.\" <br><br>\r\n「うっふっふっふ、くっくっくっくっくっく！！ そうよねぇ、わかんないでしょうねぇ…！ 楽しみにしてなさいよぅ、本当に楽しいわよ、お金持ちは…！ 毎日、日本中の妖怪が朝から晩まで遊びに来るわよ。 <br>\r\n\"Ehhehhehheh, *cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*!! That's right, you don't get it, do you...?! Look forward to it, it really is fun, being rich...! Every day, youkai from across Japan come to play.\" <br><br>\r\nあんたの私生活はこれからは全てワイドショーと週刊誌が覗き見してくれるわ。何をしてもしなくても、マスコミは必ず私を批判する！ 施せばブルジョワだと叩かれ、渋れば守銭奴だと罵られる。あぁ、本当に素敵な毎日よ？ そんな日々に、若くて先の長いあなたを、ぜひ招待してあげようと思いついたの。本当に素敵でしょう？」 <br>\r\n\"From now on, your entire life will be followed by talk shows and weekly magazines. The media will criticize me no matter what I do or don't do! If I donate, they'll attack me for being bourgeois, and if I hesitate, I'll be abused as a miser. Oh, every day really is wonderful, you see? I decided it'd be great let you have that kind of life, when you're so young and have so much ahead of you. Doesn't that sound absolutely wonderful?\" <br><br>\r\n「………あんたのしてきたことに対する、世間の正当な評価でしょ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Looks like the public's opinion of all you've done was spot on.\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくっくっくっく！！ そうねぇ、そうでしょうねぇ。…いいわ、好きなだけ私を罵るといいわ。そしてその評価を、あなたが背負うのよ。……清貧が善人、金持ちは死ねというのが日本の文化。あんたはやがて、何をしてもしなくても、日本中から妬みと恨みの象徴に祭り上げられていく。…くっくっくっくっく！ <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*cackle*!! Too true, yes, that is too true. ...Go ahead, abuse me as much as you want. Soon, you will face that same criticism. ...Japanese culture dictates that good people live in honorable poverty, while the wealthy should just die. No matter what you do or do not do, you will eventually be lifted up as a symbol of envy and hate across Japan. ...*cackle*cackle*cackle*!\" <br><br>\r\nそんな生活の中で生きていくあなたのこれからの人生は、どんなにも歪なものなのかしらね…？ あんたの味方は誰もいない！ あんたの悩みなど誰も聞かない。あなたを罵ることは公然としたスポーツになる。そしてそれを誰も止めない！ <br>\r\n\"I wonder how twisted your life will become after living that way... You have no allies! No one will listen to your worries. Abusing you will become a public sport. And no one can stop that!\" <br><br>\r\n あぁ、縁寿！ うっふふふふふふふふ、 <br>\r\nあぁ、本当に楽しみよ。…あんたはどんな人生を送って、どう終えるのかしら…！ 世界中の誰も信用できず、誰も愛せず、誰とも語り合えない人生をたっぷり満喫しなさい…！！ その苦労話を持って地獄へ墜ちてくるのを、私はのんびりと待っているわ。うっふふふふ、 <br>\r\nあはっはははははははは、 <br>\r\nわーっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっは、 <br>\r\nがはッ、 <br>\r\n\"Oh, Ange! Heheheheheheh, <br><br>\r\noh, I'm really looking forward to it. ...I wonder how you will live your life...and how you'll end it...! Enjoy to the fullest a life of being unable to trust anyone in the world, being unable to love anyone, being unable to talk with anyone...!! I'll be patiently waiting for you to take that story of hardship down with you into hell. Heheheheh, <br><br>\r\nahahhahahahahahahaha, <br><br>\r\nwa-hhahhahhahhahhahhhahahahahahahahahahhahha, <br><br>\r\ngkk, <br><br>\r\nげほげほ、 <br>\r\n*cough*cough*, <br><br>\r\nがはッ！！」 <br>\r\nghah!!\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n狂った笑いは、苦しい咳の声に変わる。 <br>\r\nHer insane laughter turned into a painful cough. <br><br>\r\n縁寿は表情ひとつ変えずに、ただただ淡白に、 <br>\r\n……六軒島の唯一の生き残りを見つめていた。 <br>\r\nWithout changing her expression in the slightest, looking completely unconcerned, <br><br>\r\n...Ange stared at the only survivor of Rokkenjima. <br><br>\r\n咳き込む声に不審を感じたのか、短いノックと同時に護衛が飛び込んできた。 <br>\r\nPerhaps because he found the violent coughing suspicious, the guard gave a short knock on the door and rushed in at the same time. <br><br>\r\n縁寿はじろりとそれを見て、無言で、自分はここから一歩も動いていないとアピールする。 <br>\r\nAnge glanced at him, wordlessly making it clear that she didn't intend to move a step from where she was. <br><br>\r\n……自分に、絵羽殺しの濡れ衣を着せるための、何かの罠さえ縁寿は覚悟していた。 <br>\r\nしかし、幸いにもそれは杞憂。 <br>\r\n...Ange was prepared for some kind of trap to frame her in Eva's death. <br><br>\r\nHowever, that was fortunately a needless fear. <br><br>\r\n護衛は絵羽の背中を擦りながら、魔法瓶の白湯をマグカップに注ぐ。 <br>\r\nその間にも苦しそうに絵羽は咳を繰り返していた。 <br>\r\nAs the guard rubbed Eva's back, he poured hot water from a thermos into a mug. <br><br>\r\nAs he did, Eva kept coughing, apparently in pain. <br><br>\r\n縁寿は、これが自分が見ることのできる六軒島の魔女の最後の姿だろうと思った。 <br>\r\nAnge figured that this was probably the last she'd see of the Rokkenjima Witch's final days. <br><br>\r\nようやく喉を潤して呼吸を整える。 <br>\r\n…しかし瞳の奥のぎらぎらした狂気はまったく収まらない。 <br>\r\nEventually, the coughing subsided, and Eva regained her normal breathing. <br><br>\r\n...However, the glittering madness inside her eyes hadn't subsided in the slightest. <br><br>\r\n「くっくくくくくくくくくくくく！！ あの呪われた莫大な黄金と右代宮家当主の家督、……そして、 <br>\r\n…………黄金の魔女、ベアトリーチェの名を、 <br>\r\n…今こそあなたに譲るわ。…………魔女の名に相応しい、狂って歪んだ生涯を楽しみなさい…！」 <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*!! Now, I will give to you... <br><br>\r\nthat cursed mass of gold and the Ushiromiya Family Headship, ...as well as... <br><br>\r\n...the name of the Golden Witch, Beatrice. ......Enjoy the insane, twisted rest of your life, fitting for the name of the witch...!\" <br><br>\r\n「そんなのいらないわ。それより教えて。……あの日、六軒島で何があったの。………事故があったなんて、私は信じない。あの日に何があったのか、父さんと母さんと兄さんがどうして死んだのか、本当のことを教えて……！！」 <br>\r\n\"I don't need that. More importantly, tell me. ...On that day, what happened on Rokkenjima? ......I don't believe it was an accident. Tell me the truth about what happened that day, and why Father and Mother and Nii-san died...!!\" <br><br>\r\n「くっくっくっくっく…！ あぁ、それが一番の嫌がらせよねぇ？ ……あの日に何があったか？ １９８６年の今日、何があったのか…？ ……何て言葉を残して３人が死んだのか、……知りたいわよねぇぇ…？ <br>\r\n\"*cackle*cackle*...! Oh, yes, that is the best way I have to harass you, isn't it? ...What happened on that day? What happened on this day in 1986...? ...You want to know what they said before they died, riiight...?\" <br><br>\r\nぉ教えないわよォおおおぉ、 <br>\r\n\"I won't tell yoooooouu, <br><br>\r\nあーっひゃっひゃっひゃっひゃッ！！ 呪われた黄金は残す！ でもね、あんたが望む真相は、私が地獄まで持って行くわ…！ それがあんたに出来る一番の嫌がらせよォ！！ <br>\r\naaahhhyahhyahhyahhyah!! I'll leave behind the cursed gold! But you know what? I'll take the truth you seek with me to hell...! That's the best way I can torment you!!\" <br><br>\r\n悔しい？ 聞きたければ地獄まで行って、あんたの家族に聞いてみるといい！ なら今すぐ死なないとねぇ？！ <br>\r\n\"Oh, are you mad? If you want to hear it so much, try going to hell and asking your family there! In that case, you'd better die right now, right?! <br><br>\r\nあっははははは、今すぐヘソでも噛んで、死んじゃえばぁッ？！ <br>\r\nAhhahahahahaha, if only you'd just give up and die right now!! <br><br>\r\nわーっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっはッ！！」 <br>\r\nWaaahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!\" <br><br>\r\nその笑いは、再び咳き込むまで続く。 <br>\r\nThat laugh continued until she started coughing again. <br><br>\r\nそしてその咳は、彼女が呻きだして痙攣を始めるまで収まらないのだった……。 <br>\r\nAnd that cough did not subside until she started moaning and going into convulsions... <br><br>\r\n１９８６年１０月４日。 <br>\r\nOctober 4, 1986. <br><br>\r\n六軒島で、右代宮家恒例の、そして最後の親族会議が開かれた。 <br>\r\nOn Rokkenjima, the Ushiromiya family's customary...and final family conference was held. <br><br>\r\nそしてその翌日の１０月５日。 <br>\r\nAnd on the next day, October 5... <br><br>\r\n“とても不幸な事故”が起こり、右代宮家一族は全滅した。 <br>\r\n`An extremely unfortunate accident' occurred, and the Ushiromiya family was wiped out. <br><br>\r\n“幸運にも”右代宮絵羽はこれを逃れ、右代宮家のほぼ全ての財産を相続することとなった。 <br>\r\n`Fortunately', Ushiromiya Eva escaped from that...and inherited almost all of the Ushiromiya family's fortune. <br><br>\r\nしかし、右代宮家を取り巻く不穏な噂の数々と、その後の絵羽の振る舞い、“不幸な事故時”の不自然な行動などから、遺産の独占を狙った陰謀ではないかと世間で騒がれることになる。 <br>\r\nHowever, due to the many turbulent rumors surrounding the Ushiromiya family, the way Eva acted afterwards, and her unnatural actions `at the time of the unfortunate accident', the public was in an uproar over whether this might have been a conspiracy to get all of the inheritance for herself. <br><br>\r\n世論に押される形で、検察は何度か捜査を試み、マスコミは六軒島疑惑と名付けて陰謀の輪郭をなぞり出していったが、この“不幸な事故”が、犯罪であることを立証できるだけの証拠は、ついに見つけることができなかった。 <br>\r\nUnder pressure from the public, prosecutors repeatedly tried to investigate the matter, and the media began tracing the outline of a conspiracy they called the Rokkenjima Suspicion, but in the end, they weren't even able to find proof that this `unfortunate accident' was a crime. <br><br>\r\nしかしマスコミはその後も六軒島疑惑を、絵羽の陰謀であると印象付けていった為、世論は彼女こそが真犯人であると信じていった。 <br>\r\nHowever, because the media continued to give the impression that the Rokkenjima Suspicion was a conspiracy of Eva's, public opinion began to believe that she was the true culprit. <br><br>\r\n…もちろんそれには、その後の彼女による、莫大な財産を運用した、社会的に批判されやすい数々の強引な経済活動からの悪印象も影響している。 <br>\r\n...Of course, that was also influenced by the bad impression caused by all that easily-condemnable, overbearing financial activity, which she had carried out using that vast wealth. <br><br>\r\n彼女が何かをして取り沙汰される度に、ワイドショーは六軒島疑惑を蒸し返しては、彼女こそが犯人であり、それを逮捕できないのは警察すらも買収されているからだと司法を糾弾した。 <br>\r\nEvery time she did something and the rumors started spreading, the media would bring back the Rokkenjima Suspicion, blaming the criminal justice system by saying that she was the true culprit, and that the only reason she hadn't been arrested was because even the police had been bribed. <br><br>\r\nそしてますますに、彼女が大悪党であるという印象を強めていった…。 <br>\r\nSo the impression that she was a great villain grew stronger and stronger... <br><br>\r\n彼女の心はやがて荒み、 <br>\r\n…皮肉にも、世間が期待するような人間に変貌させていく…。 <br>\r\nHer heart eventually degenerated, <br><br>\r\n...and ironically, it began to transfigure her into the kind of human that the public expected... <br><br>\r\n今や絵羽には、心を許せる友人も、家族もいない。 <br>\r\nBy now, Eva had no one she could trust...and no family. <br><br>\r\n……最愛の夫、秀吉はすでに過去の人で、ワイドショーは夫の会社を時に取り上げ、乱暴な経営であったと、その過去の業績を批判し穢している。 <br>\r\n...After her beloved husband passed away, the talk shows occasionally mentioned his company, saying that it was run recklessly, while criticizing and disgracing its former accomplishments. <br><br>\r\n最愛の一人息子、譲治についても、世間が期待する通りのステレオタイプである“大金持ちのドラ息子”という形に脚色され、…彼が如何に素朴で素直な人格であったかなど、誰も知ろうとはしない。 <br>\r\nEven her beloved son, George, was dramatized as the stereotypical `rich, lazy son' that the public expected, ...and no one even wanted to know what a simple and honest character he had possessed. <br><br>\r\n…それらが如何に絵羽を傷つけ、荒ませていったか、…誰も興味がない。 <br>\r\n...As to how much all of this hurt Eva and ran her to ruin, ...no one cared. <br><br>\r\n世間はただただ、親族を皆殺しにまでして大富豪となった悪女が、どんな気の毒な晩年を送るかということだけに、好奇の関心を寄せているだけである。 <br>\r\nThe public was only interested out of curiosity...about how a super-rich evil woman who killed her whole family lived her pitiful later years. <br><br>\r\nだからどんどんと。…そしてやがて。 <br>\r\n…絵羽は、狂人呼ばわりされる性格に変貌していった……。 <br>\r\nSo that happened more and more, ...and eventually... <br><br>\r\n...Eva's personality was transfigured until people started calling her a lunatic... <br><br>\r\n彼女は時に、かつて自分が憧れていた父、金蔵の晩年もまったくそれと同じであったことを思い出し、自らを嘲り笑ったと言われている…。 <br>\r\nIt was said that this sometimes reminded her of her father, whom she had once admired, in his later years, and that she laughed at herself with scorn... <br><br>\r\nそして、その最後の親族会議の日。 <br>\r\nAnd, on the day of that final family conference... <br><br>\r\n右代宮留弗夫の娘、縁寿は体調を崩し、母親の実家に預けられていた為、参加しなかった。 <br>\r\nBecause <NAME>'s daughter, Ange, had been sick and had stayed with her mother's family, she had not participated. <br><br>\r\n当時６歳だった彼女は家族を失い、絵羽を後見人として迎えることになる。 <br>\r\nAt the age of 6, she had lost her family and had gained Eva as her guardian. <br><br>\r\n絵羽は、唯一の肉親となった縁寿を、“とても大切にした”。 <br>\r\nSince Ange had become Eva's only blood relative, Eva `took very good care of her'. <br><br>\r\n何かの危害に遭うことがないよう、常に身辺には物々しい護衛が付けられた。 <br>\r\nShe had imposing guards surrounding Ange's person at all times, to prevent her from coming to harm. <br><br>\r\n……彼女は友達と遊ぶことや、一緒に登校や下校すること、そうしながら四季を味わう権利さえ奪われてしまった。 <br>\r\n...Ange had even her right to play with friends, to come home from school together, and to enjoy the seasons together...stolen away. <br><br>\r\n“快適な生活と充実した学校生活を送るため”、全てが世話された気品溢れる全寮制学園に送られ、世俗から完全に切り離された。 <br>\r\n`So that she can live a full and pleasant school life', Eva had sent Ange to an elegant boarding school that took care of her every need, completely isolating her from the world. <br><br>\r\n彼女は年頃の少女たちが口ずさむかもしれない、流行りの歌さえ知らない。 <br>\r\nShe didn't even know the popular songs that girls her age might hum. <br><br>\r\n友人たちとウィンドゥショッピングを楽しんだり、クレープを頬張ったり、ましてや胸が高鳴るような異性との出会いさえ、…一度も与えられなかった。 <br>\r\nShe was never given a chance to enjoy window shopping with her friends or stuffing her mouth with crepes, ...much less an encounter with a member of the opposite sex to make her heart throb. <br><br>\r\n縁寿に、友人はひとりもいない。 <br>\r\n縁寿と不用意に親しくすれば、護衛か、あるいは教師に咎められる。 <br>\r\nAnge did not have a single friend. <br><br>\r\nIf anyone carelessly acted friendly with Ange, they would be scolded by the guards, or else the teachers. <br><br>\r\n……やんごとなき右代宮家の令嬢に、卑しい人間を近づけないよう、彼らは皆、厳命されている。 <br>\r\n...All of them were strictly ordered not to let shabby humans approach the daughter of the esteemed Ushiromiya family. <br><br>\r\n右代宮絵羽はその頃、ワイドショーを常に賑わせ、数々の経済的悪行で常に取り沙汰されていた。 <br>\r\nDuring that time, the talk shows were always mentioning Ushiromiya Eva, always spreading rumors about her countless financial misdeeds. <br><br>\r\n……その“娘”であると知る周囲は、自然と彼女を敬遠していく。 <br>\r\n...Those who knew who her `daughter' was naturally began to keep their distance. <br><br>\r\n…彼女は今や、学園においても魔女と呼ばれ、何か良からぬことがある度に、彼女の意を汲んだ学校側が何か工作をしたのだと、証拠もなく真実のように囁かれている。 <br>\r\n...Even now, she was called a witch at school, and anytime something bad happened, even if there was no proof, it would be whispered--whispered as though if were absolute truth--that she had imposed her will on the school staff. <br><br>\r\n環境が、人を作る。 <br>\r\n今や彼女は、周囲が恐れる通りの荒んだ心を持っている。 <br>\r\nThe environment makes the person. <br><br>\r\nBy now, she had a heart as wild as those around her feared. <br><br>\r\n…誰にも心を許さず、信じようとしない。 <br>\r\n誰も愛さず、愛そうとしない。 <br>\r\n...No one trusted her, so she never bothered to believe in anyone. <br><br>\r\nNo one loved her, so she never even tried to love. <br><br>\r\nしかもその上、絵羽が不治の病に掛かると、それもまた陰謀説がささやかれ、今度はその黒幕に縁寿が祭り上げられていく…。 <br>\r\nAnd when Eva caught an incurable illness on top of all this, it was whispered that this too was a conspiracy, and this time, Ange was set up as the mastermind... <br><br>\r\n魔女の娘は魔女だと、誰もが囁く。 <br>\r\nワイドショーも週刊誌も、そうだと囁く。 <br>\r\nEveryone whispered that the daughters of witches are witches too. <br><br>\r\nEven the talk shows and the weekly magazines whispered that. <br><br>\r\n …だから縁寿も、 <br>\r\nきっと、 <br>\r\nいや、 <br>\r\nどうせそうなのだろうと、それを受け入れた。 <br>\r\n...So Ange also... <br><br>\r\naccepted it as though it was definitely... <br><br>\r\nno, <br><br>\r\nas though it was obviously true. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\nだから、自分をすでに魔女だと信じている彼女に、今更、黄金の魔女の名を譲ると言われても、何を今更という気持ちにしかならない。 <br>\r\nTherefore, since she already believed that she was a witch, when she heard that the name of the Golden Witch was being turned over to her, she only felt like saying `You just figured that out now?' <br><br>\r\nしかし、彼女はこれだけは確信している。 <br>\r\nHowever, she was at least sure of one thing. <br><br>\r\n自分が引き継いだこの魔女の肩書きは、きっともう誰にも世襲されることはないだろう。 <br>\r\nThis title of witch that she had inherited...would definitely never be inherited by anyone else. <br><br>\r\n自分が、最後の右代宮家当主で、最後で孤独な、黄金の魔女なのだ……。 <br>\r\nShe would be the last Head of the Ushiromiya Family, and the last lonely...Golden Witch... <br><br>\r\n縁寿の姿は、高層ビルの屋上にあった。 <br>\r\nAnge could be seen on the roof of a skyscraper. <br><br>\r\n強く冷たい風は、彼女がこれまでに浴びてきた世間の風に比べれば、生温くて微笑ましいくらいだった。 <br>\r\nCompared to the winds of the world that had beaten down upon her until now, this strong, cold wind was warm and pleasant. <br><br>\r\n眼下には美しい夜景と、赤と白の光の大河が煌々と流れている。 <br>\r\nBelow her lay a beautiful nighttime scene, and a dazzling river of red and white lights. <br><br>\r\n今夜は晴れのはず。 <br>\r\n…だから本当は、無数の星が広がっているはずなのだ。 <br>\r\n…しかし、地上の灯りが眩しすぎて、それらが見えることは決してない。 <br>\r\nIt was supposed to be clear out that night. <br><br>\r\n...So there really should have been countless stars stretching out over the sky. <br><br>\r\n...However, the light from the ground was too bright, so you couldn't see them at all. <br><br>\r\n…縁寿には、その見えない星明りの中にこそ、自分が本当に求めるものがあるように思えてならない。 <br>\r\n...Ange couldn't help but think that what she truly sought must lie in that unseen starlight. <br><br>\r\n眼下の現実の世界も、ここからなら遠く見える。 <br>\r\nThe world of reality below her looked so far away from here. <br><br>\r\n…自分が本当にいるべき世界に、ここが一番近い場所だと思えた。 <br>\r\n...She could imagine that this place was the closest to the world she really should be in. <br><br>\r\n…………縁寿が呪うものはひとつしかない。 <br>\r\n......There was only one thing that Ange cursed. <br><br>\r\nどうして１２年前のあの日、自分は親族会議に行けなかったのか。 <br>\r\nWhy had she not been able to go to that family conference, on that day 12 years ago? <br><br>\r\nもし一緒に行けていたら、家族といつまでも一緒にいられただろうに。 <br>\r\nEven though, if she had gone, it would probably have been possible for her to stay with her family forever. <br><br>\r\n…このところ、繰り返し繰り返し、…家族の夢を見るのだ。 <br>\r\n...Lately, ...she'd been dreaming about her family over and over again. <br><br>\r\n１２年前の私が、必死に呼び掛けて、親族会議に行かないようにと訴えるのだ。 <br>\r\nThe person I was 12 years ago calls out frantically, urging them not to go to the family conference. <br><br>\r\nしかし、お父さんにもお母さんにも、遠くて手が届かない。 <br>\r\nBut both Dad and Mom are too far away, and my hand won't reach them. <br><br>\r\n私のことを、とても可愛がってくれた戦人兄さんの、私を撫でてくれるその手に、 <br>\r\nBattler nii-san always loved me a lot, and he'd always pat my head, <br><br>\r\n………あとちょっとで届きそうなのに、それさえも届かない。 <br>\r\n......but even though it looks like that hand's about to touch me, even it does not reach. <br><br>\r\nそんな夢を、なぜか繰り返し見るようになっていた。 <br>\r\nFor some reason, I started having that dream over and over. <br><br>\r\n……私は同じ夢を見る度に、さらに力強く手を伸ばそうと、夢の中で無駄な努力を繰り返すのだ。 <br>\r\n...Every time I had that the same dream, I uselessly tried to stretch out my hand even more forcefully, over and over and over. <br><br>\r\nせめて戦人兄さんだけでも、生きていてくれたなら。 <br>\r\nEven if only Battler nii-san had lived... <br><br>\r\n………私はこの冷たく寂しい現実を、せめて二人で支えあいながら生きていけるのではないか。 <br>\r\n......Then, perhaps, we'd at least be able to support each other in my cold and lonely reality. <br><br>\r\nでも、その手はいつも、届かない。 <br>\r\nBut his hand never reaches me. <br><br>\r\nだから私は、こんなにも高いビルの屋上に上っても、 <br>\r\n……みんなからは遠く離れている。 <br>\r\nEven if I climb to the roof of this tall building, <br><br>\r\n...I'm so far away from all of them. <br><br>\r\n……夢の中に現れる、謎の少女が私に訴えかける。 <br>\r\n...A mysterious girl appears in my dreams and urges me. <br><br>\r\n１２年前に何があったか、その真実に辿り着きなさいと、夢の中の少女が訴える。 <br>\r\nShe urges me to find the truth of what happened 12 years ago. <br><br>\r\n「……………………。……父さんたちにあの日、 <br>\r\n…何があったのかを知ることができたなら、 <br>\r\n…………帰ってきてくれるの？ せめて誰かが…！」 <br>\r\n\"...............If only I could learn... <br><br>\r\n...everything that happened to Father and the rest of them on that day, <br><br>\r\n......would they come back? At least one of them...?!\" <br><br>\r\nその言葉に、 <br>\r\n…答える者が、いるわけがない。 <br>\r\nThere was no way... <br><br>\r\nthat anyone would answer that question for her. <br><br>\r\nわかってる。 <br>\r\n………この世に、私の家族も友人も、何もいないのだ。 <br>\r\nI get it. <br><br>\r\n......In this world, I have no family or friends. <br><br>\r\nだから、 <br>\r\n…………行こう。…帰ろう。 <br>\r\n……家族のところへ。 <br>\r\nSo, <br><br>\r\n......let's go. ...Let's go home. <br><br>\r\n...To where my family is. <br><br>\r\n縁寿の姿は、…柵を最初から越えていた。 <br>\r\nFrom the start, ...Ange's figure had been on the outer side of the fence. <br><br>\r\n眼下の景色はとても遠くて美しくて、むしろ幻想的でまったく恐怖感を感じさせない。 <br>\r\nThe scenery below her eyes was distant, beautiful, and so fantastical that it actually didn't give rise to fear. <br><br>\r\n下を向いてたら、きっと下の世界へ連れて行かれてしまうだろうから。 <br>\r\nIf I look down, I'll surely be swallowed up by the world below. <br><br>\r\n……私は上を向く。 <br>\r\n...So I looked up. <br><br>\r\n上の世界へ、家族のいる世界へ連れて行ってほしいから。 <br>\r\nBecause I wanted to be taken to the world above, the world where my family was. <br><br>\r\n………何が莫大な財産よ。 <br>\r\n何が呪われた黄金よ。 <br>\r\n何が黄金の魔女ベアトリーチェよ。 <br>\r\n......Who cares about vast wealth? <br><br>\r\nWho cares about cursed gold? <br><br>\r\nWho cares about the Golden Witch, Beatrice? <br><br>\r\n私が本当に欲しいものは、山成す黄金であろうとも、手には入らない…。 <br>\r\nWhat I really want, even a mountain of gold couldn't get me... <br><br>\r\nその為に必要なのは、一歩前へ踏み出す、たったそれだけの勇気。 <br>\r\nWhat I need for that...is to take a single step forward, ...just that little bit of courage. <br><br>\r\n…………その時。…私は確かに声を聞いた。 <br>\r\nその声を、私は知っている。 <br>\r\n......At that moment, ...I definitely heard a voice. <br><br>\r\nIt was a voice I knew. <br><br>\r\nずっと、……私を夢の中で呼んでいた声…。 <br>\r\nA voice that had...called to me in my dreams for so long... <br><br>\r\n私の目の前に、……つまりそこは漆黒と夜景の中空なのだけれど。 <br>\r\n……そこに、夢の中で見たあの少女の姿があった…。 <br>\r\nBefore my eyes...in other words, in mid-air above that jet black nighttime scenery... <br><br>\r\n...There was the figure of the girl I'd seen in my dreams... <br><br>\r\n彼女は夢の中で聞いたのと同じ声で、もう一度言った。 <br>\r\nShe spoke again, with the same voice I'd heard in those dreams. <br><br>\r\n「………あなたの助けが必要なの。」 <br>\r\n\"......Your assistance is required.\" <br><br>\r\n「…私の、 <br>\r\n…………助け……？ 誰が……？」 <br>\r\n\"...My... <br><br>\r\n...assistance...? Who needs it...?\" <br><br>\r\n「………あなたの家族がよ。…あなたの家族は、永遠に１２年前の今日から明日に閉じ込められているわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......Your family needs it. ...Your family has been eternally imprisoned in the span from this day 12 years ago until the following day.\" <br><br>\r\n「そ、…それを救えば、 <br>\r\n……私の家族は帰ってくるの？！」 <br>\r\n\"I-If I save them, <br><br>\r\n...does that mean my family will come home?!\" <br><br>\r\n私がもっとも尋ねたかったことを問うと、少女は残酷に言葉を切り、俯く仕草を見せる。 <br>\r\nWhen I asked the question I had most wanted to, the girl cruelly stopped talking and hung her head. <br><br>\r\n「……それは約束できないわ。敵は黄金の魔女ベアトリーチェ。…強大な相手よ。私には太刀打ちできない。……でも、同じ黄金の魔女なら何とかなるかもしれない。」 <br>\r\n\"...I cannot promise that. The enemy is the Golden Witch, Beatrice. ...A mighty opponent. I cannot oppose her. ...But, another Golden Witch might be able to manage something.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………な、何の話か、わからないわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......I-I don't know...what you're talking about.\" <br><br>\r\n「……１９８６年のベアトリーチェに太刀打ちできるのは、 <br>\r\n１９９８年の、最後のベアトリーチェだけ。………つまりあなたよ。縁寿。……………エンジェ・ベアトリーチェ。」 <br>\r\n\"...The only one who can oppose the Beatrice of 1986... <br><br>\r\nis the final Beatrice of 1998. ......In other words, you. Ange. ......#fefefeANGE#ffffff Beatrice.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n<br><br>\r\n「１２年前の魔女が、 <br>\r\n……私の家族を奪ったの………？」 <br>\r\n\"That witch from 12 years ago... <br><br>\r\n...took away my family......?\" <br><br>\r\n「そう。あなたの仇に当たる。…………あなたに常に孤独な未来を強いる元凶よ。」 <br>\r\n\"That's right. She is your foe. ......The root cause that always leads to your future of isolation.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………。 <br>\r\n……私の、 <br>\r\n……家族の、 <br>\r\n………仇。」 <br>\r\n\"............ <br><br>\r\n...My... <br><br>\r\n...family's... <br><br>\r\n...foe.\" <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n <br><br>\r\n「……見返りに、あなたの望むもっとも理想的な世界、家族の帰ってくる世界のカケラを探してあげるわ。………でも、必ず希望が叶うと約束は出来ない。…１９８６年のベアトリーチェのゲーム盤はあまりに完璧。 <br>\r\n\"...In exchange, I will search for a Fragment with the ideal world that you wish for, a world where your family comes home. ......I make no promises that your desire will be granted. ...Beatrice's game board in 1986 is quite perfect.\" <br><br>\r\n……今日の手土産に、その理想のカケラを持参しようとしたんだけれど、未だに見つけられないの。…………かなりの強固な運命よ。ラムダデルタと戦った時以来のね。」 <br>\r\n\"...I had planned on bringing you that ideal Fragment as a present today, but I still can't find it. ......This is a very firm fate. I haven't seen the likes of it since the time I fought Lambdadelta.\" <br><br>\r\n「………………………………………。な、 <br>\r\n\".....................I- <br><br>\r\n……何を言ってるのか、 <br>\r\nI don't know... <br><br>\r\n…わからない。」 <br>\r\nwhat you're talking about.\" <br><br>\r\n「………あなたに、復讐のチャンスを。…見返りに、あなたが享受できる可能性の中で、もっとも幸せな結末を探して持ってくることを約束するわ。」 <br>\r\n\"......I'm giving you a chance for revenge. ...In exchange, I promise to search for and bring you the happiest resolution among the possibilities you're capable of accepting.\" <br><br>\r\n「…………………………復讐……。」 <br>\r\n\"............Revenge...\" <br><br>\r\n「……徒労になるかもしれない。仮に復讐を成し遂げられたとしても、家族が帰ってくる絶対の保証はない。奇跡的確率で、せいぜい１人を連れ戻せるかどうかよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...It may be a fruitless effort. Even if you succeed in your revenge, there's no definite proof that your family will return. Even if you manage to hit a miraculous probability, you may only be able to bring one person back, if that.\" <br><br>\r\n…縁寿は、あの夢の意味を理解する。 <br>\r\n...Ange understood the meaning of that dream. <br><br>\r\n……あと少しで、せめて戦人兄さんには手が届きそうな、あの夢を。 <br>\r\n...The dream where it seemed that, with just a little more stretching, her hand might be able to reach at least Battler nii-san. <br><br>\r\n「奇跡的な確率でも、……それはゼロよりは高いのよね…？ １％くらい…？」 <br>\r\n\"A miraculous probability...means it's still higher than zero, right...? Is it 1%...?\" <br><br>\r\n「……あらゆる可能性の数値は、結果の前に無力よ。だからその数字を、私には語ることができない。」 <br>\r\n\"...Trying to read any probabilities before the result is useless. So I cannot tell you that number.\" <br><br>\r\n「でも、私が何もしないよりは、絶対にわずかの可能性がある。」 <br>\r\n\"But it'll definitely be slightly more likely than if I do nothing.\" <br><br>\r\n「えぇ。あなたが希望を捨てない限り。…ただし覚悟して。それは遥かにゼロに近い。」 <br>\r\n\"Yes. As long as you do not throw that desire of yours away. But be prepared. It is extremely close to zero.\" <br><br>\r\n「……………… <br>\r\n\"......... <br><br>\r\nいいわ。 <br>\r\nOkay. <br><br>\r\n乗るわ、その話。」 <br>\r\nI'll take you up on that offer.\" <br><br>\r\n「……いいのね？ 多分、もう二度とここへは帰って来れないわよ。」 <br>\r\n\"...Are you sure? You probably won't be able to return here again.\" <br><br>\r\n「ここは、私のいるべき世界じゃないわ。……そして、私のいるべき世界は、私が自分で探す。あなたの名前を聞かせて。」 <br>\r\n\"This isn't the world I'm supposed to be in. ...I'll find the world I am supposed to be in myself. Tell me your name.\" <br><br>\r\n「奇跡の魔女、ベルンカステル。そして我が名において、 <br>\r\n\"The Witch of Miracles, Bernkastel. And by that name, <br><br>\r\nあなたを黄金の魔女、エンジェ・ベアトリーチェだと認めるわ。……今こそ、あなたは本当の魔女よ。」 <br>\r\nI acknowledge you as the Golden Witch, ANGE Beatrice. ...As of now, you are a true witch.\" <br><br>\r\n彼女が私のことを魔女であると宣言した瞬間。 <br>\r\n…私の中で何かが大きくかわるような、そんな眩暈を感じた。 <br>\r\nThe instant she proclaimed that I was a witch... <br><br>\r\n...I felt dizzy, as though something inside me had changed drastically. <br><br>\r\nその時、バタンという音が聞こえた。 <br>\r\n…屋上へ通じる階段室の扉の開く音だ。 <br>\r\nAt that time, I heard a *clunk*. <br><br>\r\n...It was the sound of the door that opened to the staircase to the roof. <br><br>\r\n絵羽伯母さんのところの護衛どもだった。 <br>\r\nIt was Aunt Eva's guards. <br><br>\r\n…護衛とは名ばかり。 <br>\r\n私を閉じ込める、もっとも身近な檻じゃないか。 <br>\r\n...They're only `guards' in name. <br><br>\r\nAren't they the cage that wraps the tightest around me, shutting me in? <br><br>\r\n私がすでに柵を越えている姿を見つけ、仰天しながら駆けてくる。 <br>\r\nThey saw that I was already on the other side of the fence and dashed forward, horrified. <br><br>\r\n「２０、マル対発見。屋上、応援求む。」 <br>\r\n「縁寿さん…！ 探しましたよ！ そこは危ないですから早くこちらへ！」 <br>\r\n\"20, we've found the target. Requesting backup on the roof.\" <br><br>\r\n\"Ange-san...! We were looking for you! It's dangerous there, so quickly, come this way!\" <br><br>\r\n「………なぁに、あれ？」 <br>\r\n\"......What's that?\" <br><br>\r\n「……ファンクラブよ。…私、結構モテるの。」 <br>\r\n\"...My fan club. ...I'm pretty popular.\" <br><br>\r\n「捕まる必要はないわね。………行きましょ。」 <br>\r\n\"No point in getting caught. ......Let's go.\" <br><br>\r\nベルンカステルは、さも面倒臭そうに言いながら踵を返す。…その漆黒の中空で。 <br>\r\nLooking annoyed, Bernkastel turned on her heels. ...In the jet black sky. <br><br>\r\nそんな当り前の仕草だから、私もまた、さも当然にその後を追う。 <br>\r\nWatching that perfectly casual gesture, I followed her as though it was completely normal. <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さん！！！ 待ちなさい！ 早まるなッ、危ないぃいいぃぃぃ！！」 <br>\r\n\"Ange-san!!! Wait! Don't be hasty, look ooooooooooouuuut!!\" <br><br>\r\n「あぁ駄目ね、全然駄目。じゃあまたね、シーユーアゲイン。 <br>\r\n\"Aaah, it's useless, it's all useless. Well then, <see you again> next time. <br><br>\r\n迎えにはリムジンをよこして頂戴。みんなも一緒だから。じゃね。」 <br>\r\nPlease send a limo to get me. 'Cause everyone else will be there too. See you.\" <br><br>\r\n「縁寿さああああぁああああああああぁあああんッ！！！」 <br>\r\n\"Ange-saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaann!!\" <br><br>\r\n 時を進める魔法が使用できます。 <br>\r\n~c4~ You may perform witchcraft <br><br>\r\n~c4~ to jump forward in time. <br><br>\r\n <br>\r\n</body>\n</html>","size_bytes":2129945,"file_path":"html/ja/umineko4.html","file_timestamp":1753279312,"language":"HTML","is_vendor":false,"license_type":"no_license","detected_licenses":[]},{"content_id":"0ae2e27b4f9e08fa35204e88ad8847a0c5d6c76c","content":"<!DOCTYPE html>\r\n<html>\r\n<head>\r\n<title>워쿠기 먕순</title>\r\n<meta charset=\"utf-8\" />\r\n<link href=\"../../style.css\" rel=\"stylesheet\" />\r\n<link rel=\"shortcut icon\" href=\"../../favicon.ico\" type=\"image/x-icon\"/>\r\n<script src=\"../../libs/jquery-3.1.0.min.js\"></script>\r\n<script>\r\n $(document).ready(function () {\r\n $.getScript(\"../../js/buttonUp.js\", function () {\r\n $.getScript(\"../../js/settingsButton.js\", function () {\r\n $.getScript(\"../../js/nonVocabTheme.js\", function () {\r\n $.getScript(\"../../js/localStorage.js\")\r\n })\r\n })\r\n })\r\n })\r\n</script>\r\n</head>\r\n<body>\r\n <a id=\"top\"></a>\r\n <a href=\"#top\" id=\"up\">↑</a>\r\n <svg width=\"22px\" height=\"22px\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" id=\"settingsButton\"><path d=\"M487.4 315.7l-42.6-24.6c4.3-23.2 4.3-47 0-70.2l42.6-24.6c4.9-2.8 7.1-8.6 5.5-14-11.1-35.6-30-67.8-54.7-94.6-3.8-4.1-10-5.1-14.8-2.3L380.8 110c-17.9-15.4-38.5-27.3-60.8-35.1V25.8c0-5.6-3.9-10.5-9.4-11.7-36.7-8.2-74.3-7.8-109.2 0-5.5 1.2-9.4 6.1-9.4 11.7V75c-22.2 7.9-42.8 19.8-60.8 35.1L88.7 85.5c-4.9-2.8-11-1.9-14.8 2.3-24.7 26.7-43.6 58.9-54.7 94.6-1.7 5.4.6 11.2 5.5 14L67.3 221c-4.3 23.2-4.3 47 0 70.2l-42.6 24.6c-4.9 2.8-7.1 8.6-5.5 14 11.1 35.6 30 67.8 54.7 94.6 3.8 4.1 10 5.1 14.8 2.3l42.6-24.6c17.9 15.4 38.5 27.3 60.8 35.1v49.2c0 5.6 3.9 10.5 9.4 11.7 36.7 8.2 74.3 7.8 109.2 0 5.5-1.2 9.4-6.1 9.4-11.7v-49.2c22.2-7.9 42.8-19.8 60.8-35.1l42.6 24.6c4.9 2.8 11 1.9 14.8-2.3 24.7-26.7 43.6-58.9 54.7-94.6 1.5-5.5-.7-11.3-5.6-14.1zM256 336c-44.1 0-80-35.9-80-80s35.9-80 80-80 80 35.9 80 80-35.9 80-80 80z\"></path></svg>\r\n <div id=\"menu\">\r\n <h3>유리 미분</h3>\r\n <a id=\"lightTheme\">휘</a>\r\n <a id=\"darkTheme\">여소</a>\r\n <h3>부쿨</h3>\r\n <a id=\"homepage\" href=\"../../index.html\">괴윳가</a>\r\n <a id=\"mobileToggle\" href=\"../../mobile/html/wo/woGrammar.html\">먹수 뷰란</a>\r\n </div>\r\n <div id=\"contentDiv\">\r\n <h1>Wprowadzenie</h1>\r\n <h2>개식</h2>\r\n <p>Język jest insirowany językami wschodnio-azjatyckimi, używa koreańskiego systemu zapisu oraz gramatyki, składni i fonologii bliskiej koreańskiej/japońskiej, podczas gdy słownictwo jest głównie rodzime z małą ilością słów obcych. Język powstał po raz pierwszy w lecie roku 2015 i zmienił się od tego czasu w dużym stopniu. To jest jego piąta i ostatnia wersja. Nazwa języka to 워쿠기 <i>wokugi</i>, co znaczy po prostu mój język.</p>\r\n\r\n <h1>Wymowa, zapis</h1>\r\n <h2>쿠무, 사서다</h2>\r\n <p>Do zapisu używany jest koreański hangul z elementami yennal hangul. Jest to alfabet zapisywany w postaci bloków sylabicznych. Każda sylaba składa się z początkowej spółgłoski i samogłoski lub dwuznaku, czy trójznaku. Na końcu sylaby może występować spółgłoska, ale jest opcjonalna.</p>\r\n <p>Podział samogłosek:</p>\r\n <table>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th></th>\r\n <th>Przednie</th>\r\n <th>Centralne</th>\r\n <th>Tylne</th>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Przymknięte</th>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">i</td>\r\n <td></td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">u ɯ</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Średnie</th>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">e</td>\r\n <td></td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">o</td>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Otwarte</th>\r\n <td></td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">a</td>\r\n <td></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Dyftongi</th>\r\n <td colspan=\"3\" class=\"ipa\">ai au ei oi ua ue ui ɯi</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n </table>\r\n <p>Istnieje 27 samogłosek: 6 prostych, 13 dwuznaków i 8 trójznaków. Samogłoski podstawowe:</p>\r\n <table>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Zapis</th>\r\n <td>ㅏ</td>\r\n <td>ㅓ</td>\r\n <td>ㅣ</td>\r\n <td>ㅗ</td>\r\n <td>ㅜ</td>\r\n <td>ㅡ</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Transkrypcja</th>\r\n <td>a</td>\r\n <td>e</td>\r\n <td>i</td>\r\n <td>o</td>\r\n <td>u</td>\r\n <td>y</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Wymowa</th>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">a</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">e</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">i</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">o</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">u</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ɯ</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n </table>\r\n <p>Dwuznaki:</p>\r\n <table>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Zapis</th>\r\n <td>ㅐ</td>\r\n <td>ᅟᅶ</td>\r\n <td>ㅔ</td>\r\n <td>ㅘ</td>\r\n <td>ᅿ</td>\r\n <td>ㅚ</td>\r\n <td>ㅝ</td>\r\n <td>ㅟ</td>\r\n <td>ㅑ</td>\r\n <td>ㅕ</td>\r\n <td>ㅢ</td>\r\n <td>ㅛ</td>\r\n <td>ㅠ</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Transkrypcja</th>\r\n <td>ay</td>\r\n <td>aw</td>\r\n <td>ey</td>\r\n <td>wa</td>\r\n <td>we</td>\r\n <td>oy</td>\r\n <td>wo</td>\r\n <td>wi</td>\r\n <td>ya</td>\r\n <td>ye</td>\r\n <td>yi</td>\r\n <td>yo</td>\r\n <td>yu</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Wymowa</th>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ai</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">au</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ei</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">wa</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">we</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">oi</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">wo</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">wi</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ja</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">je</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ji, ɯi</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">jo</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ju</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n </table>\r\n <p>Trójznaki:</p>\r\n <table>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Zapis</th>\r\n <td>ㅙ</td>\r\n <td>ᆦ</td>\r\n <td>ힰ</td>\r\n <td>ㅞ</td>\r\n <td>ᅟᅸ</td>\r\n <td>ᆎ</td>\r\n <td>ᆏ</td>\r\n <td>ㆌ</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Transkrypcja</th>\r\n <td>way</td>\r\n <td>oya</td>\r\n <td>oye</td>\r\n <td>wey</td>\r\n <td>yaw</td>\r\n <td>yua</td>\r\n <td>yue</td>\r\n <td>yuy</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Wymowa</th>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">wai</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">oja</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">oje</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">wei</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">jau</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">jua</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">jue</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">jui</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n </table>\r\n <p>Podział spółgłosek:</p>\r\n <table>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th></th>\r\n <th>Wargowe</th>\r\n <th>Dziąsłowe</th>\r\n <th>Miękko-<br />podniebienne</th>\r\n <th>Podniebienne</th>\r\n <th>Krtaniowe</th>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Nosowe</th>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">m</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">n</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ŋ</td>\r\n <td></td>\r\n <td></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Zwarte</th>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">p b</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">t d</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">k g</td>\r\n <td></td>\r\n <td></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Zwartoszczelinowe</th>\r\n <td></td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ts</td>\r\n <td></td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tɕ dʑ</td>\r\n <td></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Szczelinowe</th>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">f</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">s</td>\r\n <td></td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ɕ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">h</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Półotwarte</th>\r\n <td></td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">l ɾ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">w</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">j</td>\r\n <td></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n </table>\r\n <p>W języku występuje 16 spółgłosek początkowych i 27 końcowych, z czego 12 złożonych. Jako że spółgłoski są wymawiane inaczej w zależności od swojej pozycji, w tabeli podana jest wymowa na początku oraz na końcu sylaby. ㄱ ㅂ ㄷ ㅈ są dźwięczne pomiędzy innymi głoskami i półdźwięczne na początku słów. Spółgłoska ㅇ na początku sylaby nie jest wymawiana i służy do tworzenia sylab zaczynających się od samogłoski.</p>\r\n <table>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Zapis</th>\r\n <th>ㄱ</th>\r\n <th>ㅋ</th>\r\n <th>ㅂ</th>\r\n <th>ㅍ</th>\r\n <th>ㄷ</th>\r\n <th>ㅌ</th>\r\n <th>ㅈ</th>\r\n <th>ㅊ</th>\r\n <th>ᅀ</th>\r\n <th>ㅅ</th>\r\n <th>ㅁ</th>\r\n <th>ㄴ</th>\r\n <th>ㅇ</th>\r\n <th>ㄹ</th>\r\n <th>ㅎ</th>\r\n <th>ᅙ</th>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Nazwa</th>\r\n <td>각</td>\r\n <td>킼</td>\r\n <td>밥</td>\r\n <td>핖</td>\r\n <td>닫</td>\r\n <td>팉</td>\r\n <td>잦</td>\r\n <td>칯</td>\r\n <td>ᅀᅡᇫ</td>\r\n <td>삿</td>\r\n <td>믐</td>\r\n <td>는</td>\r\n <td>응</td>\r\n <td>를</td>\r\n <td>히</td>\r\n <td>ᅙᅵ</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Transkrypcja</th>\r\n <td>g/k</td>\r\n <td>k</td>\r\n <td>b/p</td>\r\n <td>p</td>\r\n <td>d/t</td>\r\n <td>t</td>\r\n <td>j/q</td>\r\n <td>q</td>\r\n <td>c</td>\r\n <td>s~x</td>\r\n <td>m</td>\r\n <td>n</td>\r\n <td>ng</td>\r\n <td>r/l</td>\r\n <td>h</td>\r\n <td>f</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Początek</th>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">g</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">k</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">b</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">p</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">d</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">t</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">dʑ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tɕ</td>\r\n <td rowspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">ts</td>\r\n <td rowspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">s</td>\r\n <td rowspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">m</td>\r\n <td rowspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">n</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">∅</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ɾ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">h</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">f</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Koniec</th>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">k</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">p</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">t</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">tɕ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ŋ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">l</td>\r\n <th colspan=\"2\"></th>\r\n </tr>\r\n </table>\r\n <p>Występują pewne zjawiska fonetyczne.</p>\r\n <ul>\r\n <li>ㅢ wymawiane jest <span class=\"ipa\">/ji/</span> po samogłoskach i <span class=\"ipa\">/ɯi/</span> po spółgłoskach.</li>\r\n <li>ㅅ zmiękcza się na <span class=\"ipa\">/ɕ/</span>, a ᅀ na <span class=\"ipa\">/tɕ/</span> przed <span class=\"ipa\">/i, j, wi, we/</span>.</li>\r\n <li><span class=\"ipa\">/j/</span> po ㅈㅊᅀㅅ nie jest wymawiane.</li>\r\n <li>końcowe spółgłoski czyta się jak środkowe, gdy występują przed ㅇ, zastępując je (ㅇ pozostaje <span class=\"ipa\">/ŋ/</span>), np. 악아 /아가/.</li>\r\n <li>ㄱㅂㄷㅈ są ubezdźwięczniane po zwartych i ㅅ.</li>\r\n <li><span class=\"ipa\">/ɯ/</span> dodawane do ᅀ, <span class=\"ipa\">/i/</span> do ㅈㅊ przed ㄱㅂㄷ. ㅈㅊᅀ przed ㅋㅍㅌ podwajają je.</li>\r\n <li>ㅈㅊᅀㅅ przed ㅈㅊᅀㅅ podwajają je.</li>\r\n <li><span class=\"ipa\">/ɯ/</span> dodawane do zwartych i ᅀㅅ, <span class=\"ipa\">/i/</span> do ㅈㅊ przed ㅁㄴㅇㄹㅎᅙ</li>\r\n <li>ㄹ po nosowych ㅁㄴㅇ wymawiane <span class=\"ipa\">/n/</span>. Złożenie ㄹㄹ czyta się <span class=\"ipa\">/ll/</span>.</li>\r\n </ul>\r\n <p>Istnieją też złożone spółgłoski występujące na końcu sylaby, gdzie czytana jest tylko pierwsza, chyba że występuje po nich samogłoska: ㄳ, ㅄ, ㅺ, ㅽ, ㅼ, ᇚ, ퟢ, ㅯ, ᄓ, ㄵ, ㄽ, ㄻ. 옶 /옵/, 옶이 /옵시/.</p>\r\n <p>Tabela wymowy par samogłosek (końcowa + środkowa). Zmiany fonetyczne mogą nie występować w niektórych słowach obcych, np. 옷로 <span class=\"gray\">Oslo</span> (<span class=\"ipa\">/oslo/</span>, nie <span class=\"ipa\">/osɯɾo/</span>).</p>\r\n <table>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th class=\"split\"><div class=\"splitCol\">2ga</div><div class=\"splitRow\">1sza</div></th>\r\n <th>ㄱ</th>\r\n <th>ㅋ</th>\r\n <th>ㅂ</th>\r\n <th>ㅍ</th>\r\n <th>ㄷ</th>\r\n <th>ㅌ</th>\r\n <th>ㅈ</th>\r\n <th>ㅊ</th>\r\n <th>ᅀ</th>\r\n <th>ㅅ</th>\r\n <th>ㅁ</th>\r\n <th>ㄴ</th>\r\n <th>ㄹ</th>\r\n <th>ㅎ</th>\r\n <th>ᅙ</th>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>ㄱ ㅋ</th>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">kk</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">kp</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">kt</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">ktɕ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">kts</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ks</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">kɯm</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">kɯn</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">kɯɾ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">kɯh</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">kɯf</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>ㅂ ㅍ</th>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">pk</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">pp</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">pt</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">ptɕ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">pts</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ps</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">pɯm</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">pɯn</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">pɯɾ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">pɯh</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">pɯf</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>ㄷ ㅌ</th>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">tk</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">tp</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">tt</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">ttɕ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tts</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ts</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tɯm</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tɯn</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tɯɾ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tɯh</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tɯf</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>ㅈ ㅊ</th>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tɕig</td>\r\n <td rowspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">kk</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tɕib</td>\r\n <td rowspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">pp</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tɕid</td>\r\n <td rowspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">tt</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\" class=\"ipa\">ttɕ</td>\r\n <td rowspan=\"3\" class=\"ipa\">tts</td>\r\n <td rowspan=\"3\" class=\"ipa\">ss</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tɕim</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tɕin</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tɕiɾ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tɕih</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tɕif</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>ᅀ</th>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tsɯg</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tsɯb</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tsɯd</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tsɯm</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tsɯn</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tsɯɾ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tsɯh</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">tsɯf</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>ㅅ</th>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">sk</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">sp</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">st</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">sɯm</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">sɯn</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">sɯɾ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">sɯh</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">sɯf</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>ㅁ</th>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">mg</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">mk</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">mb</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">mp</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">md</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">mt</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">mdʑ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">mtɕ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">mts</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ms</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">mm</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">mn</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">mh</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">mf</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>ㄴ</th>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ng</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">nk</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">nb</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">np</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">nd</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">nt</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ndʑ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ntɕ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">nts</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ns</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">nm</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">nn</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">nh</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">nf</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>ㅇ</th>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ŋg</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ŋk</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ŋb</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ŋp</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ŋd</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ŋt</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ŋdʑ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ŋtɕ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ŋts</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ŋs</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ŋm</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\" class=\"ipa\">ŋn</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ŋh</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ŋf</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>ㄹ</th>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">lg</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">lk</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">lb</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">lp</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ld</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">lt</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ldʑ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ltɕ</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">lts</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ls</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">lm</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ln</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">ll</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">lh</td>\r\n <td class=\"ipa\">lf</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n </table>\r\n\r\n <h1>Rzeczowniki</h1>\r\n <h2>며산</h2>\r\n <p>Rzeczowniki są nieodmienne, nie mają liczby mnogiej, chociaż można dodać sufiks 두, gdy liczba nie wynika z kontekstu. Zwykle jest ona dołączany do słów określających ludzi. Rzeczowniki mogą, ale nie muszą mieć jedno-sylabicznego rdzenia używanego w słowotwórstwie.</p>\r\n\r\n <h1>Partykuły</h1>\r\n <h2>육산</h2>\r\n <p>Partykuły wskazują funkcję rzeczownika w zdaniu podobnie jak przypadki w języku polskim. Są dołączane bezpośrednio do słowa w postaci sufiksów. Jeżeli podane są dwie formy, oddzielone są one /, pierwsza dotyczy słów zakończonych samogłoską, druga spółgłoską.</p>\r\n <ul>\r\n <li>리/이 - mianownik, oznacza podmiot. W języku potocznym pomijany może być albo sufiks albo cały podmiot, gdy jest on oczywisty lub wynika z kontekstu. 리/이 nie jest pomijane w zdaniach podrzędnych. Jeśli podmiot zdania podrzędnego i nadrzędnego występują obok siebie, 리/이 w nadrzędnym najczęściej jest pomijane.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 새닥더 관나 <span class=\"gray\">poszedłem do szkoły</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워 워리 안핮아 우추니라구 우추라 <span class=\"gray\">wiem, że nic nie wiem</span></span></li>\r\n <li>ᄋᅿ - dopełniacz, oznacza dzierżawczość. Czytane 어 po spółgłosce. Czasem używany do połączenia dwóch rzeczowników w zdaniu, ale częstsze jest używanie dwóch rzeczowników obok siebie.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">휸탕ᄋᅿ 감ᄎᅿ <span class=\"gray\">prezes firmy</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워ᄃᅿ 괴 <span class=\"gray\">nasz dom</span></span></li>\r\n <li>야/아 - biernik, oznacza dopełnienie bliższe. Podobnie jak 리/이 może być opuszczany w mowie potocznej.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">궉아 사서 <span class=\"gray\">pisać książkę</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">핮아 연나? <span class=\"gray\">co zrobiłeś?</span></span></li>\r\n <li>여/어 - celownik, zwykle oznacza dopełnienie bliższe. Jest używany jako ogólny, domyślny sufiks, wyrażający, że coś ma związek z czymś innym, ale nie działa no to coś bezpośrednio.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">메여 굼아 구 <span class=\"gray\">dać matce prezent</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">ᄏᅿ 미분어 실 <span class=\"gray\">rozmawiać o nim</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">사주시 빛어 샹샹 <span class=\"gray\">zamienić na coś innego</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">다핮 ᄋᆔ 푠어 열러 <span class=\"gray\">zrobię to dla ciebie</span></span></li>\r\n <li>부사 - przeciwieństwo 여/어. Znaczy od, przez, z powodu, niż. Dołączane do czasownika oznacza ponieważ.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">메부사 굼아 몰 <span class=\"gray\">dostać prezent od matki</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워부사 여든나 <span class=\"gray\">zrobione przeze mnie</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">뮈가리 ᄀᆦ 사하루부사 ᅀᅳ키라 <span class=\"gray\">wynik zależy od wielu czynników</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">임휸부사 내 사라 <span class=\"gray\">jest lepszy od wszystkich</span></span></li>\r\n <li>유/우 - miejscownik, oznacza czas i miejsce. Znaczy w, podczas. Nie używana z zaimkami i przysłówkami. Może być pomijana z niektórymi rzeczownikami oznaczającymi czas typu dni, lata, itp.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">괴유 시 <span class=\"gray\">być w domu</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">나부리 콱우 우라 <span class=\"gray\">stać na rogu ulicy</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">ᅙᅡᆼ율(우) 찬은나 <span class=\"gray\">zjadł wczoraj</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">외큑우 ᅙᅮ리 킨고지야 십오라 <span class=\"gray\">w angielskim używa się wielkich liter</span></span></li>\r\n <li>루/어루 - narzędnik, oznacza sposób wykonania akcji. Znaczy za pomocą, przez, jako.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">사루 찬 <span class=\"gray\">jeść rękami</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">외큑어루 사서 <span class=\"gray\">pisać po angielsku</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">주감어루 사러드나 핫리 <span class=\"gray\">talerz zrobiony ze złota</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">쉐 킨시 모구숀어루 <span class=\"gray\">z największą precyzją</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">뉴찬구루 감자 <span class=\"gray\">pracować jako kelnerka</span></span></li>\r\n <li>야/아 - wołacz.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">암마야 <span class=\"gray\">mamo</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">유 자나야! <span class=\"gray\">ty idioto!</span></span></li>\r\n </ul>\r\n <ul>\r\n <li>요/오, 실 - z, bez.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">지유요 과 <span class=\"gray\">iść z przyjacielem</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">지유실 과 <span class=\"gray\">iść bez przyjaciela</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">미어실 열인 <span class=\"gray\">osoba bez imienia</span></span></li>\r\n <li>갗, 더 - od, do.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">타담갗 니로 <span class=\"gray\">chronić od zła</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">괴더 으 <span class=\"gray\">przyjść do domu</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">9타갗 17타더 감자 <span class=\"gray\">pracować od dziewiątej do siedemnastej</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">다기갗 쿠키서 <span class=\"gray\">wyjdź stąd</span></span></li>\r\n <li>순, 분 - przed, po.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 유순 와난나 <span class=\"gray\">skończyłem przed tobą</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 소나순 <span class=\"gray\">przed tym, jak poszedłem spać</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">사나분 <span class=\"gray\">po dzisiaj</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">괴더 으다분 모리 사야 고혼나 <span class=\"gray\">po tym, jak przyszła do domu, umyła ręce</span></span></li>\r\n <li>묜/아묜 - poprzez, na. Stosowane jest przy liczbie przypadającej na coś.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">모리 해묜 발린나 <span class=\"gray\">ona przebiegła przez most</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">10아묜 10 ᅙᅮᆫ곸어 라궁식 <span class=\"gray\">kwadrat 10 na 10 centymetrów</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">열인아묜 류나 미율 <span class=\"gray\">jeden kawałek na osobę</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">3 숀아묜 킨히 <span class=\"gray\">zwiększyć o trzy stopnie</span></span></li>\r\n <li>슈 - też, ani. Powtórzone dwa razy znaczy zarówno ~ jak i ~, ani ~ ani ~. Jego znaczenie zależy od formy orzeczenia. Zastępuje w zdaniu partykuły 리/이 i 야/아, występuje przed innymi partykułami. Używane z czasownikami wykorzystuje formę 다 i czasownik 여 <span class=\"gray\">robić</span>.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워슈 안키야 츨라 <span class=\"gray\">ja też jeżdżę samochodem (tak, jak ktoś inny)</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 안키슈 츨라 <span class=\"gray\">jeżdżę też samochodem (i innymi pojazdami)</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 안키야 츨다슈 여라 <span class=\"gray\">jeżdżę też samochodem (i robię inne rzeczy)</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">괴슈 안키슈 에라 <span class=\"gray\">mam i dom, i samochód</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">괴슈 안키슈 에니라 <span class=\"gray\">nie mam ani domu, ani samochodu</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">다빛이 사다슈 타다다슈 여니라 <span class=\"gray\">to nie jest ani dobre, ani złe</span></span></li>\r\n <li>쿤 - tylko. Z czasownikami działa tak samo jak 슈. Występuje przed innymi partykułami.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워쿤이 다핮아 찬은나 <span class=\"gray\">tylko ja to zjadłem</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 다핮쿤아 찬은나 <span class=\"gray\">zjadłem tylko to</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 다핮아 찬다쿤 연나 <span class=\"gray\">ja tylko to zjadłem</span></span></li>\r\n <li>를/을 - i. Służy do listowania rzeczowników, podczas gdy w przypadku ciągu czasowników używana jest forma 터.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">유를 워 <span class=\"gray\">ty i ja</span></span></li>\r\n </ul>\r\n\r\n <h1>Czasowniki</h1>\r\n <h2>화산</h2>\r\n <p>Nie ma rozróżnienia między czasownikami i przymiotnikami. Zachowują się i odmieniają tak samo. Oznacza to, że słowa odpowiadające przymiotnikom w bezokoliczniku są jak orzeczenie imienne, tj. na przykład bezokolicznik słowa <span class=\"gray\">duży</span> oznacza <span class=\"gray\">być dużym</span>. Końcówki w odmianach dodawane do są bezokolicznika, chyba że napisane jest inaczej. Każdy czasownik poza złożonymi i specjalnymi posiada jedno-sylabiczny morfem używany w słowotwórstwie. Czasowniki specjalne to 라/이라 <span class=\"gray\">być</span> i 니라/아니라 <span class=\"gray\">nie być</span>.</p>\r\n <p>Czas teraźniejszy tworzony jest przez dodanie 라/오라 do bezokolicznika. 라 dołączane jest do bezokoliczników zakończonych na ㄹ. Dla czasowników specjalnych i zaimków bezokolicznik jest czasem teraźniejszym. Czas przeszły i przyszły wyraża się kolejno za pomocą ㄴ나/은나 i ㄹ러/을러. Obydwie formy wyrażają aspekt dokonany.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">과 <span class=\"gray\">iść</span>, 과라 <span class=\"gray\">idzie</span>, 관나 <span class=\"gray\">poszedł</span>, 괄러 <span class=\"gray\">pójdzie</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">십 <span class=\"gray\">użyć</span>, 십오라 <span class=\"gray\">używa</span>, 십은나 <span class=\"gray\">użył</span>, 십을러 <span class=\"gray\">użyje</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">몰 <span class=\"gray\">dostać</span>, 몰라 <span class=\"gray\">dostaje</span>, 몰은나 <span class=\"gray\">dostał</span>, 몰을러 <span class=\"gray\">dostanie</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">라/이라 <span class=\"gray\">być, jest</span>, 란나/이란나 <span class=\"gray\">był</span>, 랄러/이랄러 <span class=\"gray\">będzie</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Czasowniki neguje się czasownikiem 니/으니, który potem można odmieniać. Przeczenie czasownika 시 <span class=\"gray\">być, znajdować się</span> to 니, ale tylko jako osobnego czasownika, nie gdy jest dołączany do innych tworząc aspekt niedokonany. Nie używa się podwójnego przeczenia, zazwyczaj używa się zaimka przeczącego i czasownika w formie twierdzącej, można też zamiast tego zanegować czasownik i użyć zaimka nieokreślonego podobnie jak w języku angielskim.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">과니 <span class=\"gray\">nie iść</span>, 과니라 <span class=\"gray\">nie idzie</span>, 과닌나 <span class=\"gray\">nie poszedł</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">니 <span class=\"gray\">nie być</span>, 니라 <span class=\"gray\">nie jest</span>, 닌나 <span class=\"gray\">nie był</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">안휸아 늘은나 <span class=\"gray\">nie widział nikogo (dosł. widział nikogo)</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">솔휸아 늘으닌나 <span class=\"gray\">nie widział nikogo (dosł. nie widział kogokolwiek)</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Istnieją formy, które działają jak przydawka w przypadku przymiotników i jako imiesłów przymiotnikowy w przypadku czasowników. Twierdzące - 시 (teraźniejsza), 나/으나 (przeszła), 러/으러 (przyszła). Przeczące - 니/으니 (teraźniejsza), 니나/으니나 (przeszła), 니러/으니러 (przyszła). W przypadku czasowników specjalnych, zaimków, 잇 <span class=\"gray\">taki jak, niczym</span>, 모 <span class=\"gray\">kolejny, ~ z kolei</span>, ᅙᅳ <span class=\"gray\">zwielokrotniać, wieloraki</span> i 지 <span class=\"gray\">wielokrotny</span> zamiast 시 używa się ㄴ/은.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">과시 <span class=\"gray\">idący</span>, 과나 <span class=\"gray\">taki, który poszedł</span>, 과러 <span class=\"gray\">taki, który pójdzie</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">과니 <span class=\"gray\">nie idący</span>, 과니나 <span class=\"gray\">taki, który nie poszedł</span>, 과니러 <span class=\"gray\">taki, który nie pójdzie</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">킨시 <span class=\"gray\">duży</span>, 킨으니 <span class=\"gray\">nieduży</span>, 킨으나 <span class=\"gray\">taki, który był duży</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">란/이란 <span class=\"gray\">będący</span>, 니란/아니란 <span class=\"gray\">nie będący</span>, 라나/이라나 <span class=\"gray\">taki, który był</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">시시 <span class=\"gray\">będący, znajdujący się</span>, 시니/니시 <span class=\"gray\">nie będący, nie znajdujący się</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Forma przysłówkowa wyrażana jest za pomocą sufiksu 술. ㅂ뵬/읍뵬 wyraża imiesłów przysłówkowy współczesny, a 터 imiesłów przysłówkowy uprzedni. Forma 터 używana jest przy wymienianiu wielu czasowników, jako lista czynności lub cech.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">박술 <span class=\"gray\">szybko</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">여술 <span class=\"gray\">tak, że robi; tak, aby robić</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">엽뵬 <span class=\"gray\">robiąc</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">괴더 불터 손나 <span class=\"gray\">wróciłem do domu i poszedłem spać</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Czasowniki specjalne 라/이라 <span class=\"gray\">być</span> i 니라/아니라 <span class=\"gray\">nie być</span> są dodawane bezpośrednio do orzecznika. Nie mogą być używane w znaczeniu <span class=\"gray\">znajdować się, istnieć</span>, do tego celu używa się czasownika 시.</p>\r\n <p>Forma ∅/오 służy do łączenia czasownika z czasownikiem modalnym i do tworzenia czasowników złożonych. Może być też używana wymiennie z formą 터, przy wymienianiu wielu czynności. W języku mówionym jest używana jako czas teraźniejszy lub tryb rozkazujący (w ustalonych wyrażeniach preferowana jest forma 라/오라). Czasowniki złożone składają się z 2 czasowników lub rzeczownika i czasownika (najczęściej 여 <span class=\"gray\">robić</span>). Czasownikiem modalnym może być każdy czasownik dołączany do innego czasownika. Czasowniki modalne dołączane są do formy ∅/오 po spacji.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">츨 <span class=\"gray\">jechać</span> + 과 <span class=\"gray\">iść</span> → 츨오과 <span class=\"gray\">pojechać</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">요 <span class=\"gray\">kłamstwo</span> + 무 <span class=\"gray\">mówić</span> → 요무 <span class=\"gray\">kłamać</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">과 <span class=\"gray\">iść</span> + 양 <span class=\"gray\">chcieć</span> → 과 양 <span class=\"gray\">chcieć iść</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">여 <span class=\"gray\">zrobić</span> + 짚 <span class=\"gray\">łatwy</span> → 여 짚 <span class=\"gray\">łatwy do zrobienia</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">불오 <span class=\"gray\">wraca, wróć (język mówiony)</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Istnieją czasowniki dołączane bezpośrednio do bezokolicznika bez spacji.</p>\r\n <ul>\r\n <li>시 <span class=\"gray\">być</span> - tworzy aspekt niedokonany. W czasie teraźniejszym forma ta różni się od zwykłego czasu teraźniejszego tym, że podkreśla, że czynność jest wykonywana w tym momencie.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">과시라 <span class=\"gray\">idzie (w tym momencie)</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">찬시닌나 <span class=\"gray\">nie jadł</span></span></li>\r\n <li>니/으니 <span class=\"gray\">nie</span> - przeczenie.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">과시니라 <span class=\"gray\">nie idzie</span></span></li>\r\n <li>드 <span class=\"gray\">stać się</span> - używany w stronie biernej. W stronie biernej wykonawca czynności oznaczany jest partykułą 부사. 드 zamienia też formy przymiotnikowe na czasownikowe.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">사 <span class=\"gray\">dobry</span> → 사드 <span class=\"gray\">stać się lepszym, poprawić się</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">찬드라 <span class=\"gray\">jest zjedzony</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">찬드시라 <span class=\"gray\">jest jedzony</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">유키든나 <span class=\"gray\">został otwarty</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">유키드신나 <span class=\"gray\">był otwierany</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">키부사 고시드나 열인 <span class=\"gray\">osoba zabita przez niego</span></span></li>\r\n <li>히 <span class=\"gray\">zmusić, sprawić</span> - wyraża formę kauzatywną. Zamienia czasowniki nieprzechodnie na czasowniki przechodnie. Używając czasownika kauzatywnego 히 dodaje się partykułę 야/아, chyba że zdanie ma inne dopełnienie bliższe, wtedy 여/어. Istnieje stosunkowo mało czasowników mogących być albo przechodnimi albo nieprzechodnimi, np. 나라 <span class=\"gray\">dzwonić</span>, 묵수 <span class=\"gray\">skręcić</span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">부사 <span class=\"gray\">siedzieć</span> → 부사히 <span class=\"gray\">posadzić</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">키리 ᄆힰ 미귤아 고호힌나 <span class=\"gray\">sprawił, że umyła okna; kazał jej umyć okna</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">다 새궉이 다 구기ᄋᅿ 샘아 짚히라 <span class=\"gray\">ten podręcznik sprawia, że nauka tego języka jest łatwa</span></span></li>\r\n <li>티 <span class=\"gray\">- się</span> - używany w stronie zwrotnej. 티 zamienia też czasowniki przechodnie na nieprzechodnie. Aby wyrazić <span class=\"gray\">nawzajem</span> używa się czasownika 눅 <span class=\"gray\">wspólny</span> jako modalnego.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">고호 <span class=\"gray\">myć</span> → 고호티 <span class=\"gray\">myć się</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">의비 <span class=\"gray\">spalić</span> → 의비티 <span class=\"gray\">spłonąć</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">키두리 고호신나 <span class=\"gray\">myli się</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">키두리 고호 눅신나 <span class=\"gray\">myli się nawzajem</span></span></li>\r\n <li>다 <span class=\"gray\">wykonać</span> - służy do nominalizacji, wyraża czynność.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">우키 <span class=\"gray\">myśleć</span> → 우키다 <span class=\"gray\">myślenie</span></span></li>\r\n </ul>\r\n <p>Tryb rozkazujący tworzy się sufiksem 서 dla drugiej osoby i 군 dla 1. osoby liczby mnogiej. Przeczenia tych form to kolejno 누/이누 oraz 니군/으니군. Forma rozkazująca twierdząca dla czasownika 여 <span class=\"gray\">robić</span> to 서. Formy grzecznościowe wyrażane są sufiksami 시다 (twierdzący) i 니다/으니다 (przeczący). W języku potocznym można użyć formy ∅/오, do której może być dołączone słowo 미. Aby utworzyć łagodniejszą formę trybu rozkazującego istnieje możliwość użycia czasownika 구 <span class=\"gray\">dać</span> jako czasownika modalnego.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">과서 <span class=\"gray\">idź, idźcie</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">과군 <span class=\"gray\">chodźmy</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">여니다 <span class=\"gray\">proszę nie robić</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">찬오 미 <span class=\"gray\">zjedz (kolokwialnie)</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">유러 구서 <span class=\"gray\">weź pomóż</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Szyk zdania w pytaniach nie ulega zmianie względem zdań twierdzących. Pytania kończą się słowem 거, które może być pomijane w języku mówionym i potocznym. 거 jest też używane do tworzenia zdań podrzędnych.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">키리 관나 거? <span class=\"gray\">czy on poszedł?</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Istnieją zdania bez podmiotu, w których używa się zaimka bezosobowego. W większości przypadków jest jednak opuszczany.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">ᅙᅮ리 외 티화출아 랑은나 <span class=\"gray\">ukradziono mi samochód</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">(ᅙᅮ리) 호고라 <span class=\"gray\">jest gorąco</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Czasowniki typu 밫치 <span class=\"gray\">wydawać się</span> są używane z formą 잇술 lub przysłówkami. Czasownik 드 <span class=\"gray\">stać się</span> jest używany z partykułą 여/어.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">사술 밫치 <span class=\"gray\">wydaje się dobry</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 일수여 드 양오 <span class=\"gray\">chcę zostać lekarzem</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Poniżej podane są sufiksy służące tworzeniu zdań złożonych. (ㄴ/ㄹ) - aby stworzyć czas przeszły/przyszły należy dodać przed odmianą odpowiednią przydawkę.</p>\r\n <ul>\r\n <li>서터/아서터 (ㄴ/ㄹ) - jeśli, w razie, pod warunkiem, że. Dołączany do rzeczownika - 라서터/이라서터.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">찬오 하다서터, 유리 ᅙᅮᆯ러 <span class=\"gray\">jeśli zjesz za dużo, będziesz chory</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">시머라서터, 괴유 ᄒᅶ서 <span class=\"gray\">w razie deszczu, zostań w domu</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">다서터, ᄋᆏ 유러닐러 <span class=\"gray\">skoro tak, nie pomogę ci</span></span></li>\r\n <li>부사 (ㄴ/ㄹ) ponieważ, z powodu. Dołączane do rzeczownika jako partykuła - 부사.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">모리 미부사, ᄆᆦ 해 <span class=\"gray\">ponieważ jest ładna, lubię ją</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">키부사 ᄌᆦ 연나 <span class=\"gray\">zrobiłem to z jego powodu</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">다부사, 저기더 과 양으니 <span class=\"gray\">z tego powodu nie chcę tam iść</span></span></li>\r\n <li>수러 - aby, w celu, dla. Do rzeczownika - 수러.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">괴더 불수러, 과시라 <span class=\"gray\">idę, aby wrócić do domu</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">유수러 열러 <span class=\"gray\">zrobię to dla ciebie</span></span></li>\r\n <li>지 (ㄴ/ㄹ) - nawet jeśli, mimo że, nieważne że, nieważne czy. Do rzeczownika - 라지/이라지.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">호머나지, 상으닌나 <span class=\"gray\">mimo że próbowałem, nie wygrałem</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">시머라지, 의버드닌나 <span class=\"gray\">pomimo deszczu, nie zmokłem</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">ᅀᅮ이지 ᅀᅮ이니지, 워리 아니더 ᄌᆦ 열러 <span class=\"gray\">czy się zgodzisz czy nie, i tak to zrobię</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">저술 여지, ᄋᆏ 유러닐러 <span class=\"gray\">nawet jeśli tak zrobisz, to ci to nie pomoże</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">유술 힛숀 호머나지, 디섹여 야머닌나 <span class=\"gray\">ile bym nie próbował, nie mogłem odnieść sukcesu</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">핮아 여지, 우수 야머니 <span class=\"gray\">czegokolwiek bym nie zrobił, nie mogę być szczęśliwy</span></span></li>\r\n <li>요리 - dopóki.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">감자 하나니요리, 안핮아 사갈러 <span class=\"gray\">nie osiągnę nic, dopóki nie zacznę pracować</span></span></li>\r\n <li>다룐 - im bardziej/mniej. W zdaniu podrzędnym nie używa się słów takich jak 내 <span class=\"gray\">bardziej</span>, czy 둘 <span class=\"gray\">mniej</span>. Zamiast tego używa się formy 다룐 z zaprzeczonym czasownikiem.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">새다룐, 워리 둘 안나 <span class=\"gray\">im więcej się uczyłem, tym mniej rozumiałem</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">새니다룐, 외 공광이 내 타단나 <span class=\"gray\">im mniej się uczyłem, tym moje oceny były gorsze</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">찬미리 타태다룐 내 사라 <span class=\"gray\">jedzenie jest tym lepsze, im cieplejsze</span></span></li>\r\n <li>다가 (ㄴ/ㄹ) - ale.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">키리 ᅙᅮᆷ아 의도나다가, 긎은나 <span class=\"gray\">walczył z chorobą, ale umarł</span></span></li>\r\n <li>구 - że. Dodawane jest po orzeczeniu, po bezokoliczniku służy nominalizacji. Występuje z czasownikami typu 나카 <span class=\"gray\">nazwać</span> w formie 라구/이라구.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 안자 야미지유야 에닐러구 우추라 <span class=\"gray\">wiem, że nigdy nie będę miał dziewczyny</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 유리 사커구 양오 <span class=\"gray\">chcę, żebyś przestał</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">임휸이 잴러구 핱턴어루 <span class=\"gray\">przy założeniu, że wszyscy przegrają</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">'유기 시라' 구 지본나 <span class=\"gray\">gdzie jesteś? - spytał</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">키리 ᄋힰ 으서구 문나 <span class=\"gray\">powiedział mi, żebym przyszedł</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 맼이라구 나카티라 <span class=\"gray\">nazywam się Mike</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">읠구리 길고구라 <span class=\"gray\">żyć to cierpieć</span></span></li>\r\n </ul> \r\n\r\n <h1>Zaimki</h1>\r\n <h2>샹며산</h2>\r\n <p>Zaimki zastępują rzeczowniki, czasowniki i przysłówki.</p>\r\n <p>Zaimki osobowe:</p>\r\n <table>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th colspan=\"2\"></th>\r\n <th>l. pojedyncza</th>\r\n <th>l. mnoga</th>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th colspan=\"2\">1. osoba</th>\r\n <td>워</td>\r\n <td>워두</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th colspan=\"2\">2. osoba</th>\r\n <td>유</td>\r\n <td>유두</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th rowspan=\"3\">3. osoba</th>\r\n <th>r. męski</th>\r\n <td>키</td>\r\n <td>키두</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>r. żeński</th>\r\n <td>모</td>\r\n <td>모두</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>r. nijaki</th>\r\n <td>조</td>\r\n <td>조두</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th colspan=\"2\">Zaimek zwrotny</th>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\">옶</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th colspan=\"2\">Zaimek bezosobowy</th>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\">ᅙᅮ</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n </table>\r\n <p>Zaimki 키 i 모 zawsze określają ludzi, a 조 zawsze przedmioty. 키두 może odnosić się do grupy mężczyzn lub mężczyzn i kobiet, 조두 do grupy przedmiotów.</p>\r\n <p>Zaimki dzierżawcze tworzy się dołączając do nich partykułę ᄋᅿ.</p>\r\n <p>Pozostałe zaimki to zaimki pytające, wskazujące, nieokreślone, upowszechniające i przeczące.</p>\r\n <table>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>pytający</th>\r\n <th>wskazujący 1</th>\r\n <th>wskazujący 2</th>\r\n <th>nieokreślony 1</th>\r\n <th>nieokreślony 2</th>\r\n <th>upowszechniający</th>\r\n <th>przeczący</th>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>유 <i>który</i></td>\r\n <td>다 <i>ten</i></td>\r\n <td>저 <i>tamten</i></td>\r\n <td>보 <i>któryś</i></td>\r\n <td>솔 <i>którykolwiek</i></td>\r\n <td>임 <i>każdy</i></td>\r\n <td>안 <i>żaden</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>휸 <i>kto</i></td>\r\n <td>다휸 <i>ta osoba</i></td>\r\n <td>저휸 <i>tamta osoba</i></td>\r\n <td>보휸 <i>ktoś</i></td>\r\n <td>솔휸 <i>ktokolwiek</i></td>\r\n <td>임휸 <i>wszyscy</i></td>\r\n <td>안휸 <i>nikt</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>핮 <i>co</i></td>\r\n <td>다핮 <i>to</i></td>\r\n <td>저핮 <i>tamto</i></td>\r\n <td>보핮 <i>coś</i></td>\r\n <td>솔핮 <i>cokolwiek</i></td>\r\n <td>임핮 <i>wszystko</i></td>\r\n <td>안핮 <i>nic</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>ᄋᆏ <i>dlaczego</i></td>\r\n <td>다여 <i>dlatego</i></td>\r\n <td>저여 <i>dlatego</i></td>\r\n <td>보여 <i>z jakiegoś powodu</i></td>\r\n <td>솔어 <i>z jakiegokolwiek powodu</i></td>\r\n <td>임어 <i>z każdego powodu</i></td>\r\n <td>안어 <i>bez powodu</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>유기 <i>gdzie</i></td>\r\n <td>다기 <i>tutaj</i></td>\r\n <td>저기 <i>tam</i></td>\r\n <td>보기 <i>gdzieś</i></td>\r\n <td>솔기 <i>gdziekolwiek</i></td>\r\n <td>임기 <i>wszędzie</i></td>\r\n <td>안기 <i>nigdzie</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>유자 <i>kiedy</i></td>\r\n <td>다자 <i>wtedy</i></td>\r\n <td>저자 <i>wtedy</i></td>\r\n <td>보자 <i>kiedyś</i></td>\r\n <td>솔자 <i>kiedykolwiek</i></td>\r\n <td>임자 <i>zawsze</i></td>\r\n <td>안자 <i>nigdy</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>유 <i>jak(i) jest</i></td>\r\n <td>다 <i>tak(i) jest</i></td>\r\n <td>저 <i>tak(i) jest</i></td>\r\n <td>보 <i>jakiś/oś jest</i></td>\r\n <td>솔 <i>jak(i)kolwiek jest</i></td>\r\n <td>임 <i>wszelki/ak jest</i></td>\r\n <td>안 <i>nijak(i) jest</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>윤 <i>jaki</i></td>\r\n <td>단 <i>taki</i></td>\r\n <td>전 <i>taki</i></td>\r\n <td>본 <i>jakiś</i></td>\r\n <td>솔은 <i>jakikolwiek</i></td>\r\n <td>임은 <i>wszelki</i></td>\r\n <td>안은 <i>nijaki</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>유술 <i>jak</i></td>\r\n <td>다술 <i>tak</i></td>\r\n <td>저술 <i>tak</i></td>\r\n <td>보술 <i>jakoś</i></td>\r\n <td>솔술 <i>jakkolwiek</i></td>\r\n <td>임술 <i>wszelak</i></td>\r\n <td>안술 <i>nijaki</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n </table>\r\n <p>Zaimki z 술 przed innym przysłówkiem mogą być skrócone je do jednego słowa. Łącząc 유술 i inne przysłówki można utworzyć: 유술 ᄀᆦ (유ᄀᆦ) <span class=\"gray\">ile</span>, 유술 하라 (유하라) <span class=\"gray\">jak bardzo</span>, itd.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">다술 히비술 <span class=\"gray\">tak często</span> → 다히비술</span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">솔술 하라 <span class=\"gray\">jakkolwiek bardzo</span> → 솔하라</span></p>\r\n <p>Czas teraźniejszy zaimków czasownikowych jest taki sam jak ich bezokolicznik. Czasownik 다 często używany w odmianach, np. 다서터 <span class=\"gray\">jeśli tak</span>, 다부사 <span class=\"gray\">z tego powodu</span>, 다다가 <span class=\"gray\">ale</span> (zwykle skracane do 다가).</p>\r\n <p>조 i 다핮 są w wielu przypadkach wymienne. 핮 w złożeniach może też być wymienione na 빛 <span class=\"gray\">rzecz</span>.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 ᄌᆦ/다핮아/다빛아 해라 <span class=\"gray\">lubię to</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Niektóre zaimki osobowe odmieniają się z niektórymi partykułami nieregularnie.</p>\r\n <table>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Zaimek</th>\r\n <th>-ᄋᅿ <i>dzierżawczość</i></th>\r\n <th>-야/아 <i>dop. bliższe</i></th>\r\n <th>-여/어 <i>dop. dalsze</i></th>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>워 <i>ja</i></td>\r\n <td>외 <i>mój</i></td>\r\n <td>ᄋᆦ <i>mnie</i></td>\r\n <td>ᄋힰ <i>mi</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>유 <i>ty</i></td>\r\n <td>ᄋᆔ <i>twój</i></td>\r\n <td>ᄋᆎ <i>cię</i></td>\r\n <td>ᄋᆏ <i>ci</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>키 <i>on</i></td>\r\n <td>ᄏᅿ /코어/ <i>jego</i></td>\r\n <td>캬 <i>go</i></td>\r\n <td>켜 <i>jemu</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>모 <i>ona</i></td>\r\n <td>ᄆᅿ /모어/ <i>jej</i></td>\r\n <td>ᄆᆦ <i>ją</i></td>\r\n <td>ᄆힰ <i>jej</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>조 <i>ono</i></td>\r\n <td>ᄌᅿ /조어/ <i>tego</i></td>\r\n <td>ᄌᆦ <i>to</i></td>\r\n <td>ᄌힰ <i>temu</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>두 <i>l. mn.</i></td>\r\n <td>ᄃᅿ</td>\r\n <td></td>\r\n <td></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>옶 <i>się</i></td>\r\n <td>옶시 <i>swój</i></td>\r\n <td></td>\r\n <td></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n </table>\r\n\r\n <h1>Przysłówki</h1>\r\n <h2>촐산</h2>\r\n <p>Nie ma rozróżnienia między przysłówkami a spójnikami, ze względu na podobieństwo użycia. Mogą występować w różnych miejscach zdania - na początku, na końcu, pomiędzy słowami, czy jako afiksy dołączane bezpośrednio do słowa. Niektórych przysłówków, głównie tych wyrażających ilość, rzadziej czas, można użyć jako rzeczowników. Przysłówki mogą powstawać w wyniku dodania do rzeczownika afiksu 술.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">랴허 <span class=\"gray\">wyjątek</span>, 랴허술 <span class=\"gray\">z wyjątkiem</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">아리리 빛자라 <span class=\"gray\">teraz jest ten moment</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Do przysłówków zaliczane są liczebniki. Używane są też liczby arabskie, głównie z datami i jednostkami miary. Liczebniki od 1-9 posiadają słowotwórcze morfemy, w przypadku większych liczb morfem jest taki sam jak liczebnik.</p>\r\n <table>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Liczba</th>\r\n <th>Liczba słownie</th>\r\n <th>Morfem</th>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>0</td>\r\n <td>횸</td>\r\n <td>횸</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>1</td>\r\n <td>류나</td>\r\n <td>류</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>2</td>\r\n <td>샤도</td>\r\n <td>사</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>3</td>\r\n <td>수미</td>\r\n <td>고</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>4</td>\r\n <td>랕</td>\r\n <td>합</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>5</td>\r\n <td>미순</td>\r\n <td>침</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>6</td>\r\n <td>시룰</td>\r\n <td>필</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>7</td>\r\n <td>서거</td>\r\n <td>식</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>8</td>\r\n <td>야ᅀᅮ</td>\r\n <td>야ᇫ</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>9</td>\r\n <td>구선</td>\r\n <td>옥</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>10</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\">ᅙᅡᆼ</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>100</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\">배</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>1000</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\">상</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>1000000</td>\r\n <td colspan=\"2\">문</td>\r\n </tr>\r\n </table>\r\n <p>Liczby większe od miliona powstają z morfemów innych słów.</p>\r\n <table>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th>Liczba</th>\r\n <th>Słowo</th>\r\n <th>Etymologia</th>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>10<sup>9</sup></td>\r\n <td>박</td>\r\n <td>킨 <i>duży</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>10<sup>12</sup></td>\r\n <td>교</td>\r\n <td>ᄀᆦ <i>dużo</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>10<sup>15</sup></td>\r\n <td>저</td>\r\n <td>저 <i>więcej</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>10<sup>18</sup></td>\r\n <td>색</td>\r\n <td>새쿠 <i>najwięcej</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>10<sup>21</sup></td>\r\n <td>방</td>\r\n <td>방 <i>ultra</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>10<sup>24</sup></td>\r\n <td>민</td>\r\n <td>미누 <i>przekroczyć</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>10<sup>27</sup></td>\r\n <td>혀</td>\r\n <td>하다 <i>przesadzić</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>10<sup>30</sup></td>\r\n <td>수</td>\r\n <td>수 <i>liczba</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>10<sup>33</sup></td>\r\n <td>상수</td>\r\n <td>상 <i>tysiąc</i>, 수 <i>liczba</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n <tr>\r\n <td>10<sup>60</sup></td>\r\n <td>수수</td>\r\n <td>수 <i>liczba</i>, 수 <i>liczba</i></td>\r\n </tr>\r\n </table>\r\n <p>Liczb od dziesięć w górę można użyć jako przedrostków SI, więc ᅙᅡᆼ oznacza dziesięć oraz deka. Przedrostki wyrażające ujemne potęgi 10 pochodzą od morfemów innych słów, podobnie jak liczby większe od miliona.</p>\r\n <p>Liczby większe od 10 są składane z morfemów mniejszych, więc podstawowe formy liczb 1-9 występują tylko samodzielnie, nigdy w rzędzie jedności większych liczb. W większych liczebnikach liczby są oddzielane spacją co trzy potęgi 10. Morfemy występują też jako elementy innych części mowy.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">3 → 수미, 23 → 사ᅙᅡᆼ고 (2-10-3)</span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">3 252 725 689 325 → 고교 사배침ᅙᅡᆼ사박 식배사ᅙᅡᆼ침문 필배야ᇫᅙᅡᆼ옥상 고배사ᅙᅡᆼ침</span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">고진 <span class=\"gray\">trójkąt</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Ułamki dziesiętne wykorzystują słowo 죽 <span class=\"gray\">przecinek</span>, a zwykłe 부사 <span class=\"gray\">z, od</span>.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">류나 죽 샤도 <span class=\"gray\">1,2</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">수미부사 샤도 <span class=\"gray\">2/3 (dosł. dwa z trzech)</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Przysłówki wyrażające ilość używane wraz z czasownikami 모 <span class=\"gray\">kolejny, ~ z kolei</span>, ᅙᅳ <span class=\"gray\">zwielokrotniać, wieloraki</span> i 지 <span class=\"gray\">wielokrotny</span> mogą tworzyć liczebniki porządkowe, mnożne i wielokrotne. W przypadku form przymiotnikowych typu drugi, dwukrotny, podwójny używa się formy przydawkowej, a w formach przysłówkowych typu po drugie, dwukrotnie, podwójnie formy 술.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">류나모 <span class=\"gray\">być pierwszym</span>, 류나몬 <span class=\"gray\">pierwszy</span>, 류나모술 <span class=\"gray\">po pierwsze</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">유몬 <span class=\"gray\">który z kolei</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">샤도ᅙᅳ <span class=\"gray\">podwoić</span>, 샤도ᅙᅳᆫ <span class=\"gray\">podwójny</span>, 샤도ᅙᅳ술 <span class=\"gray\">podwójnie, dwa razy</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">ᄀᆦᅙᅳᆫ <span class=\"gray\">wieloraki</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">유진 <span class=\"gray\">ilokrotny</span>, 유지술 <span class=\"gray\">ilokrotnie</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">류나몬 지 <span class=\"gray\">pierwszy raz</span>, 류나몬 지유 <span class=\"gray\">za pierwszym razem</span>, 류나몬 지술 <span class=\"gray\">po raz pierwszy</span></span></p>\r\n <p>W języku nie występują przysłówki działające w charakterze przyimków. Zamiast tego używa się po danym rzeczowniku rzeczownika oznaczającego miejsce i partykułę 유/우 <span class=\"gray\">w, podczas</span>. Jedynym wyjątkiem jest samo 유/우, które może znaczyć <span class=\"gray\">w, wewnątrz</span>.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">걀순이 지오 ᄋᅿ유 시라 <span class=\"gray\">kosmos jest ponad chmurami</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">히십이 괴 십우 시라 <span class=\"gray\">piwnica jest pod domem</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">와거리 외 앙 가글 곸어유 우라시라 <span class=\"gray\">pies stoi kilka metrów przede mną</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">김닥 방우 <span class=\"gray\">po prawej od banku</span></span></p>\r\n\r\n <h1>Słowotwórstwo</h1>\r\n <h2>먕사순</h2>\r\n <p>Wszystkie czasowniki oraz większość rzeczowników prostych oraz przysłówków (nie powstałych z innych słów w wyniku słowotwórstwa) posiada jedno-sylabiczny morfem używany w słowotwórstwie. Do tworzenia słów z innych można użyć całego słowa, jego jedno-sylabiczengo morfemu, lub części słowa. Istnieją też osobne afiksy, których nie używa się jako osobnych słów, np. 갹 <span class=\"gray\">nauka, obszar</span>. Większość słów o takim samym znaczeniu dla uproszczenia ma ten sam morfem, np. 환 (환) <span class=\"gray\">bieżący</span> i 아리 (환) <span class=\"gray\">teraz</span>.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">쉬 (morfem 우추) <span class=\"gray\">wiedzieć</span> + 갹 <span class=\"gray\">nauka, logia, obszar</span> → 쉬갹 <span class=\"gray\">nauka</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">구라 <span class=\"gray\">zielony</span> + 유리 <span class=\"gray\">kolor</span> → 구라유리 <span class=\"gray\">zieleń</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">푼 (morfem 반) <span class=\"gray\">straszny</span> + 담 (skrót 담곰) <span class=\"gray\">gad</span> → 푼담 <span class=\"gray\">dinozaur</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Rzeczowniki mogą być używane do tworzenia innych rzeczowników. Zdarza się, że dane słowo i jego morfem tworzą jeszcze inne słowo. Czasowniki odrzeczownikowe są tworzone najczęściej przez dodanie bezpośrednio do nich czasownika 여 <span class=\"gray\">robić</span> lub 하 <span class=\"gray\">(zamiana na formę przymiotnikową)</span>, ale można dodawać inne czasowniki. Używając czasownika 고로 <span class=\"gray\">-podobny, niczym</span> można stworzyć czasownik wyrażający podobieństwo.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">연 (morfem 리남) <span class=\"gray\">okrąg</span> + 파 (morfem 파닷) <span class=\"gray\">deska</span> → 연파 <span class=\"gray\">dysk</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">열 (skrót 열인) <span class=\"gray\">osoba</span> + 수 (morfem 열인) <span class=\"gray\">osoba</span> → 열수 <span class=\"gray\">człowiek</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">치윤 <span class=\"gray\">piosenka</span> + 여 <span class=\"gray\">robić</span> → 치윤여 <span class=\"gray\">śpiewać</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">물 <span class=\"gray\">łza</span> + 흐 <span class=\"gray\">wydalać</span> → 물흐 <span class=\"gray\">płakać</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">ᅙᅮ <span class=\"gray\">ogień</span> + 고로 <span class=\"gray\">-podobny, niczym</span> → ᅙᅮ고로 <span class=\"gray\">ogniopodobny, niczym ogień</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Do tworzenia rzeczowników odczasownikowych często używa się formy ㅁ/임 dodawanej do bezokolicznika lub po prostu morfemu czasownika. Najczęstsze są jednak kombinacje morfemów wielu słów, a także użycie ogólnych morfemów 사 <span class=\"gray\">rzecz</span> i 미 <span class=\"gray\">przedmiot</span>. Aby wyrazić czynność, dodaje się do bezokolicznika morfem 다 pochodzący od czasownika 다 <span class=\"gray\">wykonać, działać</span>.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">가가 <span class=\"gray\">rysować</span> → 가감 <span class=\"gray\">rysunek</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">굥 <span class=\"gray\">lecieć</span> → ᅙᅢ (morfem 굥) <span class=\"gray\">lot</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">실 (morfem 기토) <span class=\"gray\">wymyślić</span> + 큐 (morfem 우키) <span class=\"gray\">myśleć</span> → 실큐 <span class=\"gray\">pomysł</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">식 (morfem 시거) <span class=\"gray\">prawdziwy</span> + 사 (morfem 빛) <span class=\"gray\">rzecz</span> → 식사 <span class=\"gray\">fakt</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">나라 <span class=\"gray\">dzwonić</span> + 미 (morfem 하누) <span class=\"gray\">przedmiot</span> → 나라미 <span class=\"gray\">dzwonek</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">우키 <span class=\"gray\">myśleć</span> → 우키다 <span class=\"gray\">myślenie (nie myśl)</span></span></p>\r\n <p>W przypadku łączenia wielu rzeczowników w jeden, nie ma konkretnych zasad dotyczących stawiania spacji. Ogólna zasada mówi, że w przypadku odnoszenia się do konkretnych rzeczy lub używania ustalonych wyrażeń spacja jest opcjonalna, np. 기훼 참추/기훼참추 <span class=\"gray\">zakaz wstępu</span>. W tego typu połączeniach dwóch lub więcej rzeczowników partykuła dzierżawcza ᄋᅿ jest zwykle pomijana.</p>\r\n\r\n <h1>Ustalone zwroty</h1>\r\n <h2>히리드나 아라왐</h2>\r\n <p>Ustalone zwroty zwykle nie posiadają sensu gramatycznego i składają się z rzeczowników oraz partykuł. Często wykorzystywana jest forma 술 czasowników, forma 서터/아서터 oraz czas teraźniejszy.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">사나 <span class=\"gray\">dzisiaj</span> + 리 <span class=\"gray\">partykuła podmiotu</span> → 사나리 <span class=\"gray\">dzień dobry</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">이미다야 쿠표술 <span class=\"gray\">dzięki bogu</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">식래야 무서터 <span class=\"gray\">mówiąc prawdę</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">사술 휸오라 <span class=\"gray\">miło mi poznać</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Istnieje też grupa bliżej nieokreślonych wyrazów, takich jak wykrzykniki czy partykuły. Sklasyfikowane są jako partykuły.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">앳 <span class=\"gray\">tak</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">니 <span class=\"gray\">nie</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">읏 <span class=\"gray\">cześć</span></span></p>\r\n\r\n <h1>Składnia</h1>\r\n <h2>군솔</h2>\r\n <p>Orzeczenie zawsze znajduje się na końcu zdania (lub zdania składowego). Przydawki i wszystkie formy opisujące występują przed tym, co opisują. Inne elementy zdania mogą występować w dowolnej kolejności, jednak podmiot zwykle występuje przed dopełnieniem, a dopełnienie bliższe zazwyczaj znajduje się tuż przed orzeczeniem. Im bardziej coś ma być podkreślone, tym bliżej początku zdania powinno się znajdować.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 메여 굼아 군나 <span class=\"gray\">dałem matce prezent</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">메여 워리 굼아 군나 <span class=\"gray\">matce dałem prezent</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">굼아 워리 메여 군나 <span class=\"gray\">prezent dałem matce</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Jako części zdania można użyć całych zdań za pomocą formy przydawkowej. Do nominalizacji zdań służy wyraz 빛 <span class=\"gray\">rzecz</span>, który może oznaczać też podmiot wykonujący czynność. Do wyrażenia <span class=\"gray\">to, że</span> można też użyć formy 구. Do modyfikacji słów mogą służyć partykuły.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">키리 긎으나 빛이 ᅙᅮᆷ부사 ᅀᅳ킨나 <span class=\"gray\">to, że umarł było spowodowane chorobą</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 양시 빛아 십오 <span class=\"gray\">używam tego, który lubię</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">무러 빛이 재라 <span class=\"gray\">który się odezwie, przegrywa</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 하카야, 거하시 빛비리야 해니 <span class=\"gray\">nie lubię owoców, nawet tych, które są słodkie</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">소로시 빛이 워두리 재시니 빛이라 (재시니구라) <span class=\"gray\">ważne jest to, że nie przegrywamy</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">소로시 빛이 재니 빛이라 <span class=\"gray\">ważne jest to, żebyśmy nie przegrali</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">지유두요 흥과리 미난나 <span class=\"gray\">wycieczka z przyjaciółmi była przyjemna</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">술더 흥과야 열러 <span class=\"gray\">pojadę na wycieczkę nad morze</span></span></p>\r\n <p>W języku potocznym słowa oczywiste lub domyślne z kontekstu często są pomijane (głownie podmiot). Partykuły również mogą być pomijane, dzieje się tak głównie z partykułą podmiotu i dopełnienia bliższego.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">핮아 여시? <span class=\"gray\">co robisz?</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">새닥더 관나 <span class=\"gray\">poszedłem do szkoły</span></span></p>\r\n\r\n <h1>Zdania złożone</h1>\r\n <h2>황군</h2>\r\n <p>Do tworzenia zdań złożonych można użyć przysłówków, np. 든이 <span class=\"gray\">lub</span>, zaimków, np. 다여 <span class=\"gray\">dlatego</span>, 저자 <span class=\"gray\">wtedy</span>, czy końcówek dołączanych do czasowników, np. 서터/아서터 <span class=\"gray\">jeśli</span>. Innym sposobem jest stosowanie rozbudowanych przydawek ze słowami typu 빛 <span class=\"gray\">rzecz</span>, 열인 <span class=\"gray\">osoba</span>, 기 <span class=\"gray\">miejsce</span>, czy 자 <span class=\"gray\">czas</span>.<br /> \r\n <span class=\"example\">8타여 드러 자유 워리 ᄋᆏ 과 하실러 <span class=\"gray\">kiedy będzie ósma, pozwolę ci iść</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">과 양시 기더 과서 <span class=\"gray\">idź gdzie chcesz</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">새시 빛이 헐러 <span class=\"gray\">kto się nauczy, ten zda</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">유 워리 미머신나 열인이라 <span class=\"gray\">jesteś tym, kogo szukałem</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">다핮아 여나 빛이 워라 <span class=\"gray\">ten, który to zrobił to ja</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워두리 술으나 닌카 감자야 연나 <span class=\"gray\">zrobiliśmy tyle pracy, ile musieliśmy</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">모리 임 양시 빛아 에라 <span class=\"gray\">ona ma wszystko, co chce</span></span><br /></p>\r\n <p>Jeszcze jednym sposobem jest użycie przysłówka pytającego 거 <span class=\"gray\">czy</span>, który służy zadaniu pytania w zdaniu podrzędnym. Jest on dodawany po orzeczeniu, nie po formie imiesłowu. Można po nim używać partykuł, rzeczowników i czasowników. W przypadku tego typu pytań wewnątrz zdania, jeżeli są to pytania tak/nie, można zamiast użycia samego 거, użyć przeczenia: ~거 니거 <span class=\"gray\">czy ~ czy nie</span>. Nie jest to jednak wymagane.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">저핮이 ᄋᆏ 시먼나 거 안휸이 우추라 <span class=\"gray\">nikt nie wie, dlaczego to się stało</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">키리 유기더 시라 거 짇서 <span class=\"gray\">sprawdź, gdzie on poszedł</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 괄러 거 니거리 깁으니 <span class=\"gray\">to, czy pójdę, czy nie, nie jest pewne</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">휸이 상을러 거 품군어 기사리 고토라 <span class=\"gray\">odpowiedź na pytanie, kto wygra jest trudna</span></span></p>\r\n\r\n <h1>Zdania warunkowe</h1>\r\n <h2>술ᄋᅸ군</h2>\r\n <p>Zdania z warunkiem wykorzystują formę 서터/아서터 <span class=\"gray\">jeśli, gdyby</span>. Czas przyszły może posłużyć jako tryb przypuszczający.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">자야 에서터, ᄌᆦ 여라 <span class=\"gray\">gdy mam czas, robię to</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">자야 에서터, ᄌᆦ 열러 <span class=\"gray\">gdybym miał czas, zrobiłbym to (teraz)</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">자야 에나서터, ᄌᆦ 연나 <span class=\"gray\">gdybym miał wtedy czas, zrobiłbym to</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">자야 에러서터, ᄌᆦ 열러 <span class=\"gray\">jeśli będę miał czas, zrobię to</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">유리 여나 빛아니라서터, 휸이 연나? <span class=\"gray\">jeśli to nie ty to zrobiłeś, to kto?</span></span></p>\r\n\r\n <h1>Zdania porównawcze</h1>\r\n <h2>비눔 군</h2>\r\n <p>Słowo 힛숀 <span class=\"gray\">stopień</span> może być używane w porównaniach, aby wyrazić, że coś jest jakieś w takim samym stopniu jak coś innego. Dołączane jest do rzeczownika lub przydawki. Aby wyrazić bardziej/mniej używa się słów 내 <span class=\"gray\">bardziej</span> i 둘 <span class=\"gray\">mniej</span> z partykułą 부사.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 ᄋᆏ 힛숀 선오라 <span class=\"gray\">jestem tak wysoki, jak mój ojciec</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 ᄋᆏ 힛숀 선으니라 <span class=\"gray\">nie jestem tak wysoki, jak mój ojciec</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 ᄋᆏ부사 내 선오라 <span class=\"gray\">jestem wyższy od mojego ojca</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 ᄋᆏ부사 둘 선오라 <span class=\"gray\">jestem niższy od mojego ojca</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Czasownik 잇 <span class=\"gray\">taki jak, niczym</span> jest używany po rzeczownikach. Aby dołączyć go do czasownika, należy znominalizować czasownik formą -시 빛.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 여시 빛 잇술 서 <span class=\"gray\">rób tak, jak ja</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">부묘 잇은 총임 <span class=\"gray\">uczucie niczym we śnie</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">키 잇은 열수리 쉐 타다라 <span class=\"gray\">ludzie tacy jak on są najgorsi</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 유 잇오라 <span class=\"gray\">jestem taki jak ty</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Forma przysłówkowa 술 może być używana w zdaniach z wyrażeniami typu <span class=\"gray\">tak, że; tak, aby; tak, jak</span>.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">양술 서 <span class=\"gray\">rób jak chcesz</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">샨귀큑이 하라 금 열인이 새 야머술 고토라 <span class=\"gray\">chiński jest tak trudny, że bardzo mało osób potrafi się go nauczyć</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">옶시 감자야 자여 마술 구ᅀᅮ서 <span class=\"gray\">zaplanuj swoją pracę tak, aby zdążyć</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Wszystkie trzy powyższe typy zdań mogą być zastąpiane innymi formami. <span class=\"gray\">Tak, jak</span> może być wyrażone za pomocą -시 빛 잇술, <span class=\"gray\">tak, że</span> za pomocą -시 힛숀, a <span class=\"gray\">tak, aby</span> za pomocą -수러.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">양시 빛 잇술 서 <span class=\"gray\">rób jak chcesz</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">샨귀큑이 하라 금 열인이 새 야머시 힛숀 고토라 <span class=\"gray\">chiński jest tak trudny, że bardzo mało osób potrafi się go nauczyć</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">옶시 감자야 자여 마수러 구ᅀᅮ서 <span class=\"gray\">zaplanuj swoją pracę tak, aby zdążyć</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Przysłówek 맟 oznacza <span class=\"gray\">jak gdyby, jakby, niczym</span> i używa się go po przydawce.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">유리 윛이나 맟 다라 <span class=\"gray\">zachowujesz się, jakbyś oszalał</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">부묘유 시시 맟 총임 <span class=\"gray\">uczucie jakbym był we śnie</span></span></p>\r\n\r\n <h1>Wyrażenia związane z czasem</h1>\r\n <h2>자여 부드시 아라왐</h2>\r\n <p>Do wyrażania daty i godziny używa się słów, które mają dwa znaczenia. Dołączane do morfemu liczbenika, służą liczeniu lat, miesięcy, itd. Poniższych słów można używać w znaczeniu czasu tylko jako sufiksów, nigdy jako osobnych słów. Za pomocą tych słów można odróżnić wyrażanie daty i godziny od długości czasu. Istnieją odpowiedniki oznaczające jednostki czasu, ale nie są używane w zapisie dat i godzin.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">몬 <span class=\"gray\">rok, gwiazda</span>, 레 <span class=\"gray\">rok, (czyjś) wiek</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">ᄆᅶ <span class=\"gray\">miesiąc, księżyc</span>, 케 <span class=\"gray\">miesiąc</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">ᄋᅸ <span class=\"gray\">dzień miesiąca, słońce</span>, ᄋᆔ <span class=\"gray\">dzień</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">타 <span class=\"gray\">godzina, kropka, punkt</span>, 감 <span class=\"gray\">godzina</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">죽 <span class=\"gray\">minuta, przecinek</span>, 한태 <span class=\"gray\">minuta</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Daty dużo częściej zapisuje się cyframi arabskimi, a nie fonetycznie.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">1ᄆᅶ (류ᄆᅶ) <span class=\"gray\">styczeń</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">류나 ᄆᅶ <span class=\"gray\">jeden księżyc</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">류나 케 <span class=\"gray\">jeden miesiąc</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">류나몬 케 <span class=\"gray\">pierwszy miesiąc</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">유ᄆᅶ <span class=\"gray\">który miesiąc w roku</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">유 ᄆᅶ <span class=\"gray\">który księżyc</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">유 케 <span class=\"gray\">który miesiąc</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">유몬 케 <span class=\"gray\">który miesiąc z kolei</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Tygodnie oraz sekundy nie mają odpowiedników. Liczebniki porządkowe mogą być do nich dołączane. Można ich też użyć ze słowami, które te odpowiedniki mają, jednak wtedy nie oznaczają one daty.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">샤도몬 하뇌 <span class=\"gray\">drugi tydzień</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">샤도몬 ᄋᆔ <span class=\"gray\">drugi dzień</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">사ᄋᅸ <span class=\"gray\">drugi dzień miesiąca</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Dni tygodnia wyrażane są słowem 욜. Dni tygodnia, podobnie jak miesiące nie mają swoich nazw i są po prostu numerowane. Tydzień zaczyna się od poniedziałku. Słowa 욜 można też użyć jako osobnego słowa.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">3욜 <span class=\"gray\">środa</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">유욜 <span class=\"gray\">który dzień tygodnia</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">욜부사 ᅀᅳ키술 <span class=\"gray\">zależnie od dnia tygodnia</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Format daty to DD MM RRRR. Używany jest format 24-godzinny, jednak wyrażenia typu \"szósta po południu\" też są w użyciu.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">6욜, 27ᄋᅸ 1ᄆᅶ 2018몬 <span class=\"gray\">sobota, 27 stycznia 2018 r.</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">19타 2죽 <span class=\"gray\">19:02</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Wiek jest wyrażany w następujący sposób.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 20레라 <span class=\"gray\">mam dwadzieścia lat</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Aby wyrazić, że coś się stało w pewnym momencie lub podczas czegoś, używa się partykuły 유/우. Przysłówek 기 dołączany jako sufiks także oznacza podczas, ale używa się go też przy wyrażaniu długości trwania danej czynności. Inne przysłówki używane z 기 poprzedzają je.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">와새유 <span class=\"gray\">w czasie lekcji</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">와새기 <span class=\"gray\">podczas lekcji</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 8 감마다기 감자신나 <span class=\"gray\">pracowałem przez aż 8 godzin</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">키리 빙시 ᄋᆔ기 안핮아 연나 <span class=\"gray\">nie zrobił nic przez cały dzień</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Aby wyrazić, że coś zajmuje czas, używa się czasownika 야시. Za pomocą partykuły 루/어루 można powiedzieć, że coś zostało wykonane w jakimś czasie.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">다빛이 5 감아 야시라 <span class=\"gray\">to zajmuje 5 godzin</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 다빛아 5 감어루 연나 <span class=\"gray\">zrobiłem to w 5 godzin</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Przysłówkiem dołączanym na końcu słowa wyrażającym <span class=\"gray\">co (ileś czasu)</span> jest 말. Można użyć też zaimka 임 <span class=\"gray\">każdy</span>.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">감말 <span class=\"gray\">co godzinę</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">임 샤도 케 <span class=\"gray\">co dwa miesiące</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Partykuły 순 i 분 wyrażają przed/po. Są stawiane bezpośrednio po rzeczowniku lub przydawce. Z czasownikami używana jest przydawka lub forma 다. Używane po słowach oznaczających okres czasu wyrażają, że coś wydarzyło się jakiś czas temu lub wydarzy się za jakiś czas. Aby sprecyzować ilość czasu przed/po wydarzeniu, wydarzenie to wstawiane jest przed określeniem czasu.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">환시 하뇌순 <span class=\"gray\">przed tym tygodniem</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">저핮분 <span class=\"gray\">po tym</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">ᄀᆦ 레순 <span class=\"gray\">wiele lat temu</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">본 자분 <span class=\"gray\">za jakiś czas</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">탄샨 미순 한태순 <span class=\"gray\">pięć minut przed północą</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">조분 곡기술 <span class=\"gray\">długo po tym</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 운으나 (운다) ᅙᅡᆼ 레순 <span class=\"gray\">dziesięć lat przed tym, jak się urodziłem</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">조리 시머러분 (시머다분) <span class=\"gray\">po tym, jak to się stanie</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Partykuły 갗 i 더 wyrażają od/do. Określają czas lub miejsce. Mogą być dołączane do rzeczowników lub przydawek.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">8타갗 새신나 <span class=\"gray\">uczyłem się od ósmej</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 유기 ᅙᅡᆼ 레순갗 말라 <span class=\"gray\">mieszkam tu od 10 lat (dosł. od 10 lat temu)</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">모리 미순 레라나갗 외큑어루 무 야머라 <span class=\"gray\">ona umie mówić po angielsku, od kiedy miała pięć lat</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">다 군서야 5욜더 조미다 <span class=\"gray\">proszę przesłać te dokumenty do piątku</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 긎으러더 의돌러 <span class=\"gray\">będę walczył aż umrę</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">조미리 샤도 ᄋᆔ분더 보미드 십수라 <span class=\"gray\">przesyłka powinna być dostarczona do dwóch dni (dosł. do za dwa dni)</span></span></p>\r\n <p>Słowa 아니고 i 음저 oznaczają <span class=\"gray\">wciąż, jeszcze</span> oraz <span class=\"gray\">już</span>.<br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">키리 아니고 와고라 <span class=\"gray\">on wciąż jest dzieckiem</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">워리 아니고 토쿄야 늘으닌나 <span class=\"gray\">jeszcze nie widziałem Tokio</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">음저 ᄋᆔ니 <span class=\"gray\">już się nie boję</span></span><br />\r\n <span class=\"example\">다 품군이 음저 기사야 에라 <span class=\"gray\">to pytanie już ma odpowiedź</span></span></p>\r\n </div>\r\n</body>\r\n</html>\r\n","size_bytes":89681,"file_path":"html/wo/woGrammar.html","file_timestamp":1753279312,"language":"HTML","is_vendor":false,"license_type":"no_license","detected_licenses":[]},{"content_id":"442118b1081d76dd02a86a44b4e61ef2d9713d7d","content":"<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html>\n<head>\n<title>語彙リスト</title>\n<meta charset=\"utf-8\" />\n<link href=\"../../style.css\" rel=\"stylesheet\" />\n<link rel=\"shortcut icon\" href=\"../../favicon.ico\" type=\"image/x-icon\"/>\n<script src=\"../../libs/jquery-3.1.0.min.js\"></script>\n<script>\n $(document).ready(function () {\n $.getScript(\"../../js/buttonUp.js\", function () {\n $.getScript(\"../../js/settingsButton.js\", function () {\n $.getScript(\"../../js/nonVocabTheme.js\", function () {\n $.getScript(\"../../js/localStorage.js\")\n })\n })\n })\n })\n</script>\n</head>\n<body>\n <a id=\"top\"></a>\n <a href=\"#top\" id=\"up\">↑</a>\n <svg width=\"22px\" height=\"22px\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" id=\"settingsButton\"><path d=\"M487.4 315.7l-42.6-24.6c4.3-23.2 4.3-47 0-70.2l42.6-24.6c4.9-2.8 7.1-8.6 5.5-14-11.1-35.6-30-67.8-54.7-94.6-3.8-4.1-10-5.1-14.8-2.3L380.8 110c-17.9-15.4-38.5-27.3-60.8-35.1V25.8c0-5.6-3.9-10.5-9.4-11.7-36.7-8.2-74.3-7.8-109.2 0-5.5 1.2-9.4 6.1-9.4 11.7V75c-22.2 7.9-42.8 19.8-60.8 35.1L88.7 85.5c-4.9-2.8-11-1.9-14.8 2.3-24.7 26.7-43.6 58.9-54.7 94.6-1.7 5.4.6 11.2 5.5 14L67.3 221c-4.3 23.2-4.3 47 0 70.2l-42.6 24.6c-4.9 2.8-7.1 8.6-5.5 14 11.1 35.6 30 67.8 54.7 94.6 3.8 4.1 10 5.1 14.8 2.3l42.6-24.6c17.9 15.4 38.5 27.3 60.8 35.1v49.2c0 5.6 3.9 10.5 9.4 11.7 36.7 8.2 74.3 7.8 109.2 0 5.5-1.2 9.4-6.1 9.4-11.7v-49.2c22.2-7.9 42.8-19.8 60.8-35.1l42.6 24.6c4.9 2.8 11 1.9 14.8-2.3 24.7-26.7 43.6-58.9 54.7-94.6 1.5-5.5-.7-11.3-5.6-14.1zM256 336c-44.1 0-80-35.9-80-80s35.9-80 80-80 80 35.9 80 80-35.9 80-80 80z\"></path></svg>\n <div id=\"menu\">\n <h3>テーマ</h3>\n <a id=\"lightTheme\">ライト</a>\n <a id=\"darkTheme\">ダーク</a>\n <h3>リンク</h3>\n <a id=\"homepage\" href=\"../../index.html\">ホームページ</a>\n <a id=\"mobileToggle\" href=\"../../mobile/html/ja/jaWordlist.html\">モバイル版</a>\n </div>\n <div id=\"contentDiv\">\n <h1>Easily confused words</h1>\n <h2>紛らわしい言葉</h2>\n <p>製造 <span class=\"gray\">production (manufacturing)</span> 製造者, 製作 <span class=\"gray\">production (may be TV)</span>, 生産 <span class=\"gray\">production (e.g. plants)</span>, 作製 <span class=\"gray\">production</span><br />\n 制作 <span class=\"gray\">production, work (e.g. movie)</span>, 作成 <span class=\"gray\">creation, drawing up</span>, 生成 <span class=\"gray\">generation</span><br />\n 製品 <span class=\"gray\">product</span>, 作品 <span class=\"gray\">work (piece of art)</span>, 商品 <span class=\"gray\">product, goods</span><br />\n 産業 <span class=\"gray\">industry</span>, 工業 <span class=\"gray\">manufacturing industry</span>, 商業 <span class=\"gray\">commerce</span>, 企業 <span class=\"gray\">enterprise</span><br />\n 職業 <span class=\"gray\">occupation</span>, 作業 <span class=\"gray\">work (task)</span>, 事業 <span class=\"gray\">business (undertaking)</span>, 営業 <span class=\"gray\">business (sales)</span> 営業時間, 営業中<br />\n 業務 <span class=\"gray\">work, operations</span>, 事務 <span class=\"gray\">office work</span> 事務所, 職務 <span class=\"gray\">work duties</span>, 経営 <span class=\"gray\">management</span> 事業を経営する</p>\n <p>安定 <span class=\"gray\">stability</span>, 認定 <span class=\"gray\">authorization</span>, 認識 <span class=\"gray\">recognition</span>, 認証 <span class=\"gray\">authentication</span><br />\n 推定 <span class=\"gray\">presumption</span>, 推測 <span class=\"gray\">conjecture</span>, 推薦 <span class=\"gray\">recommendation</span><br />\n 保証 <span class=\"gray\">guarantee</span>, 保険 <span class=\"gray\">insurance</span> 保険証, 保健 <span class=\"gray\">healthcare</span> 保健所, 保管 <span class=\"gray\">deposit</span><br />\n 明確 <span class=\"gray\">precise, specific</span>, 正確 <span class=\"gray\">accurate</span><br />\n 確信 <span class=\"gray\">conviction</span> 確信が持てない, 確認 <span class=\"gray\">verification</span>, 確保 <span class=\"gray\">securing</span></p>\n <p>判断 <span class=\"gray\">judgment</span>, 判決 <span class=\"gray\">judicial decision</span>, 評判 <span class=\"gray\">reputation</span><br />\n 評価 <span class=\"gray\">evaluation</span>, 評論 <span class=\"gray\">critique</span>, 批評 <span class=\"gray\">critique, comment</span><br /></p>\n <p>衝動 <span class=\"gray\">impulse</span>, 衝撃 <span class=\"gray\">shock</span>, 衝突 <span class=\"gray\">collision</span>, 突破 <span class=\"gray\">penetration</span>, 突然 <span class=\"gray\">sudden</span><br />\n 外観 <span class=\"gray\">outside appearance</span>, 観測 <span class=\"gray\">observation</span>, 直観 <span class=\"gray\">intuition</span></p>\n <p>危険 <span class=\"gray\">danger</span>, 冒険 <span class=\"gray\">adventure</span>, 保険 <span class=\"gray\">insurance</span><br />\n 経験 <span class=\"gray\">experience</span>, 試験 <span class=\"gray\">exam</span><br />\n 検査 <span class=\"gray\">inspection</span>, 探検 <span class=\"gray\">exploration</span>, 検索 <span class=\"gray\">searching</span>, 検閲 <span class=\"gray\">censorship</span></p>\n\n <h1>Czasowniki i przymiotniki</h1>\n <h2>動詞と形容詞</h2>\n <p><ruby>焦<rt>こ</rt></ruby>げる、<ruby>焦<rt>こ</rt></ruby>がす <span class=\"gray\">burn (i)/burn (t)</span>, <ruby>溶<rt>と</rt></ruby>ける、<ruby>溶<rt>と</rt></ruby>かす <span class=\"gray\">melt (i)/melt (t)</span>, <ruby>抜<rt>ぬ</rt></ruby>く、<ruby>抜<rt>ぬ</rt></ruby>ける <span class=\"gray\">fall out/pull out</span><br />\n <ruby>吊<rt>つ</rt></ruby>る、<ruby>吊<rt>つ</rt></ruby>るす <span class=\"gray\">hang (i)/hang (t)</span>, <ruby>詰<rt>つ</rt></ruby>まる、<ruby>詰<rt>つ</rt></ruby>める <span class=\"gray\">be filled/fill</span>, <ruby>砕<rt>くだ</rt></ruby>く、<ruby>砕<rt>くだ</rt></ruby>ける <span class=\"gray\">be broken/break</span><br />\n <ruby>生<rt>は</rt></ruby>える、<ruby>生<rt>は</rt></ruby>やす <span class=\"gray\">grow/cultivate</span>, <ruby>縮<rt>ちぢ</rt></ruby>む、<ruby>縮<rt>ちぢ</rt></ruby>める <span class=\"gray\">shrink (i)/shrink (t)</span></p>\n <p><ruby>染<rt>そ</rt></ruby>める <span class=\"gray\">dye</span>, <ruby>塗<rt>ぬ</rt></ruby>る <span class=\"gray\">paint</span>, <ruby>怠<rt>なま</rt></ruby>ける <span class=\"gray\">be lazy</span>, <ruby>配<rt>くば</rt></ruby>る <span class=\"gray\">deliver</span>, <ruby>告<rt>つ</rt></ruby>げる <span class=\"gray\">inform</span>, <ruby>責<rt>せ</rt></ruby>める <span class=\"gray\">blame</span><br />\n <ruby>飽<rt>あ</rt></ruby>きる <span class=\"gray\">be fed up</span><br />\n <ruby>招<rt>まね</rt></ruby>く <span class=\"gray\">invite</span>, <ruby>掃<rt>は</rt></ruby>く <span class=\"gray\">sweep</span>, <ruby>除<rt>のぞ</rt></ruby>く <span class=\"gray\">exclude</span>, <ruby>傾<rt>かたむ</rt></ruby>く <span class=\"gray\">incine, tend</span><br />\n <ruby>防<rt>ふせ</rt></ruby>ぐ <span class=\"gray\">prevent</span>, <ruby>塞<rt>ふさ</rt></ruby>ぐ <span class=\"gray\">block</span>, <ruby>担<rt>かつ</rt></ruby>ぐ <span class=\"gray\">carry on one's shoulder</span><br />\n <ruby>満<rt>み</rt></ruby>たす <span class=\"gray\">fill</span>, <ruby>荒<rt>あ</rt></ruby>らす <span class=\"gray\">wreck</span>, <ruby>費<rt>つい</rt></ruby>やす <span class=\"gray\">use up</span><br />\n <ruby>阻<rt>はば</rt></ruby>む <span class=\"gray\">keep from doing</span>, <ruby>拒<rt>こば</rt></ruby>む <span class=\"gray\">refuse</span>, <ruby>営<rt>いとな</rt></ruby>む <span class=\"gray\">run a business</span>, <ruby>惜<rt>お</rt></ruby>しむ <span class=\"gray\">szczędzić</span>, <ruby>弾<rt>はず</rt></ruby>む <span class=\"gray\">odbijać się</span><br />\n <ruby>疑<rt>うたが</rt></ruby>う <span class=\"gray\">doubt</span>, <ruby>扱<rt>あつか</rt></ruby>う <span class=\"gray\">deal with</span>, <ruby>逆<rt>さか</rt></ruby>らう <span class=\"gray\">defy</span>, ためらう <span class=\"gray\">hesitate</span>, <ruby>伴<rt>ともな</rt></ruby>う <span class=\"gray\">accompany</span>, <ruby>従<rt>したが</rt></ruby>う <span class=\"gray\">abide by</span><br />\n <ruby>雇<rt>やと</rt></ruby>う <span class=\"gray\">hire</span><br />\n <ruby>保<rt>たも</rt></ruby>つ <span class=\"gray\">preserve</span></p>\n <p><ruby>賢<rt>かしこ</rt></ruby>い <span class=\"gray\">smart</span>, <ruby>恋<rt>こい</rt></ruby>しい <span class=\"gray\">missed</span>, <ruby>勇<rt>いさ</rt></ruby>ましい <span class=\"gray\">brave</span>, かゆい <span class=\"gray\">itchy</span>, <ruby>紛<rt>まぎ</rt></ruby>らわしい <span class=\"gray\">confusing</span>, <ruby>等<rt>ひと</rt></ruby>しい <span class=\"gray\">similar</span></p>\n </div>\n</body>\n</html>\n","size_bytes":9019,"file_path":"html/ja/jaWordlist.html","file_timestamp":1753279312,"language":"HTML","is_vendor":false,"license_type":"no_license","detected_licenses":[]},{"content_id":"50d3d4c532f21308f6acae9421fdbd0c4ef9b7ee","content":"var lightTheme = function () {\n $(\"body\").css(\"background\", \"#eeeeee\")\n $(\"td\").css(\"border\", \"1px #eeeeee solid\")\n $(\"td\").css(\"background\", \"#ddd\")\n $(\"th\").css(\"border\", \"1px #eeeeee solid\")\n $(\"th\").css(\"background\", \"#ccc\")\n $(\"a\").css(\"color\", \"black\")\n $(\"h1\").css(\"color\", \"black\")\n $(\"h4\").css(\"color\", \"black\")\n $(\"h5\").css(\"color\", \"black\")\n $(\".ph\").css(\"color\", \"#448aff\")\n $(\".grayDark\").css(\"background\", \"none\")\n $(\".grayLight\").css(\"background\", \"#b8b8b8\")\n $(\".split\").css(\"background\", \"linear-gradient(to top right,#ccc 49.5%,#eeeeee 49.5%,#eeeeee 50.5%,#ccc 50.5%)\")\n $(\"#up\").css(\"color\", \"white\")\n 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$(\"#submenuLa\").removeClass(\"slide\")\n if ($(\"#submenuWo\").hasClass(\"slide\")) $(\"#submenuWo\").removeClass(\"slide\")\n else $(\"#submenuWo\").addClass(\"slide\")\n})\n$(\"#chooseLa\").click(function () {\n $(\"#submenuWo\").removeClass(\"slide\")\n if ($(\"#submenuLa\").hasClass(\"slide\")) $(\"#submenuLa\").removeClass(\"slide\")\n else $(\"#submenuLa\").addClass(\"slide\")\n})\n","size_bytes":1541,"file_path":"mobile/js/homeChooseLang.js","file_timestamp":1753279312,"language":"JavaScript","is_vendor":false,"license_type":"no_license","detected_licenses":[]},{"content_id":"7db9894483e2b98733e633a6d73342d28fa05ccc","content":"var t1 = new Array()\n$.get(\"../../txt/arrayFr1.txt\", function (data) {\n t1 = data.split('; ')\n $(\"#total\").html(\"Tous les mots: \" + t1.length)\n})\nvar t2 = new Array()\n$.get(\"../../txt/arrayFr2.txt\", function (data) { t2 = data.split('; ') })\nvar correct = 0\nvar correctText = \"Mots corrects: \"\n$(\"#guessed\").html(correctText + correct)\n","size_bytes":342,"file_path":"js/vocabInitFr.js","file_timestamp":1753279312,"language":"JavaScript","is_vendor":false,"license_type":"no_license","detected_licenses":[]},{"content_id":"5471e0ee2005f9a1565e99c95268f1ebc665db9d","content":"<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html>\n<head>\n<title>문법</title>\n<meta charset=\"utf-8\" />\n<meta name=\"viewport\" content=\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=1\" />\n<link href=\"../../style.css\" rel=\"stylesheet\" />\n<link rel=\"shortcut icon\" href=\"../../favicon.ico\" type=\"image/x-icon\"/>\n<script src=\"../../libs/jquery-3.1.0.min.js\"></script>\n<script>\n $(document).ready(function () {\n $.getScript(\"../../js/buttonUp.js\", function () {\n $.getScript(\"../../js/settingsButton.js\", function () {\n $.getScript(\"../../js/nonVocabTheme.js\", function () {\n $.getScript(\"../../js/localStorage.js\")\n })\n })\n })\n })\n</script>\n</head>\n<body>\n\t<a id=\"top\"></a>\n <a href=\"#top\" id=\"up\">↑</a>\n <svg width=\"22px\" height=\"22px\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" id=\"settingsButton\"><path d=\"M487.4 315.7l-42.6-24.6c4.3-23.2 4.3-47 0-70.2l42.6-24.6c4.9-2.8 7.1-8.6 5.5-14-11.1-35.6-30-67.8-54.7-94.6-3.8-4.1-10-5.1-14.8-2.3L380.8 110c-17.9-15.4-38.5-27.3-60.8-35.1V25.8c0-5.6-3.9-10.5-9.4-11.7-36.7-8.2-74.3-7.8-109.2 0-5.5 1.2-9.4 6.1-9.4 11.7V75c-22.2 7.9-42.8 19.8-60.8 35.1L88.7 85.5c-4.9-2.8-11-1.9-14.8 2.3-24.7 26.7-43.6 58.9-54.7 94.6-1.7 5.4.6 11.2 5.5 14L67.3 221c-4.3 23.2-4.3 47 0 70.2l-42.6 24.6c-4.9 2.8-7.1 8.6-5.5 14 11.1 35.6 30 67.8 54.7 94.6 3.8 4.1 10 5.1 14.8 2.3l42.6-24.6c17.9 15.4 38.5 27.3 60.8 35.1v49.2c0 5.6 3.9 10.5 9.4 11.7 36.7 8.2 74.3 7.8 109.2 0 5.5-1.2 9.4-6.1 9.4-11.7v-49.2c22.2-7.9 42.8-19.8 60.8-35.1l42.6 24.6c4.9 2.8 11 1.9 14.8-2.3 24.7-26.7 43.6-58.9 54.7-94.6 1.5-5.5-.7-11.3-5.6-14.1zM256 336c-44.1 0-80-35.9-80-80s35.9-80 80-80 80 35.9 80 80-35.9 80-80 80z\"></path></svg>\n <div id=\"menu\">\n <h3>테마</h3>\n <a id=\"lightTheme\">밝게</a>\n <a id=\"darkTheme\">어둡게</a>\n <h3>링크</h3>\n <a id=\"homepage\" href=\"../../index.html\">홈페이지</a>\n <a id=\"mobileToggle\" href=\"../../mobile/html/ko/koGrammar.html\">모바일 버전</a>\n </div>\n <div id=\"contentDiv\">\n\t\t<h1>Odmiana '이다' i '아니다'</h1>\n\t\t<h2>'이다'와 '아니다'의 활용</h2>\n\t\t<p>이다 - copula. Appended directly to the noun. In the past tense 였 can be used instead of 이었 for vowel-final nouns. In the future tense the future participle of 이다 (일) or 되다 (될) can be used. 것 can be shortened to 거 and inflect like a vowel-final word (것이다/거다).</p>\n\t\t<table>\n\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t<th></th>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Written</th>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Formal</th>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Informal</th>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Polite</th>\n\t\t\t</tr>\n\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Present</th>\n\t\t\t\t<td>이다 (다/이다)</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>입니다</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>야/이야</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>예요/이에요</td>\n\t\t\t</tr>\n\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Past</th>\n\t\t\t\t<td>이었다</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>이었습니다</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>이었어</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>이었어요</td>\n\t\t\t</tr>\n\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Future</th>\n\t\t\t\t<td>일 것이다</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>일 것입니다</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>일 것이야</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>일 것이에요</td>\n\t\t\t</tr>\n\t\t</table>\n\t\t<p>아니다 - negation. The particle 가/이 is added after the noun and before 아니다. In the past tense 아니였 can be used instead of 아니었. In the future tense the future participle of 아니다 (아닐) or 되다 (안 될/되지 않을) can be used.</p>\n\t\t<table>\n\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t<th></th>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Written</th>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Formal</th>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Informal</th>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Polite</th>\n\t\t\t</tr>\n\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Present</th>\n\t\t\t\t<td>아니다</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>아닙니다</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>아니야</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>아니에요</td>\n\t\t\t</tr>\n\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Past</th>\n\t\t\t\t<td>아니었다</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>아니었습니다</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>아니었어</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>아니었어요</td>\n\t\t\t</tr>\n\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Future</th>\n\t\t\t\t<td>아닐 것이다</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>아닐 것입니다</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>아닐 것이야</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>아닐 것이에요</td>\n\t\t\t</tr>\n\t\t</table>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h1>Verb and adjective conjugation</h1>\n\t\t<h2>동사와 형용사의 활용</h2>\n\t\t<p>The ending ㄴ/는 is added in the present tense only to verbs in the written form. The endings 아, 어, 여 are added based on vowel harmony - 아 for ㅏ and ㅗ, 어 for other vowels, 여 for the verb 하다. In the past tense the ending ㅆ is added to the present informal form. The future tense ㄹ 것이다 is used for facts, while 겠다 is used for intentions.</p>\n\t\t<table>\n\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t<th></th>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Written</th>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Formal</th>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Informal</th>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Polite</th>\n\t\t\t</tr>\n\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Present</th>\n\t\t\t\t<td>ㄴ다/는다</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>ㅂ니다/습니다</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>아/어/여</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>아요/어요/여요</td>\n\t\t\t</tr>\n\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Past</th>\n\t\t\t\t<td>ㅆ다</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>ㅆ습니다</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>ㅆ어</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>ㅆ어요</td>\n\t\t\t</tr>\n\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Future 1</th>\n\t\t\t\t<td>ㄹ/을 것이다</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>ㄹ/을 것입니다</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>ㄹ/을 것이야</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>ㄹ/을 것이에요</td>\n\t\t\t</tr>\n\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Future 2</th>\n\t\t\t\t<td>겠다</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>겠습니다</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>겠어</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>겠어요</td>\n\t\t\t</tr>\n\t\t</table>\n\t\t<p>Vowel-final stems can lead to shortening.</p>\n\t\t<ul>\n\t\t\t<li>ㅏ아 → ㅏ. 가다 → 가아 → 가</li>\n\t\t\t<li>ㅓ어 → ㅓ. 서다 → 서어 → 서</li>\n\t\t\t<li>ㅣ어 → ㅕ. 비다 → 비어 → 벼</li>\n\t\t\t<li>ㅗ아 → ㅘ. 보다 → 보아 → 봐</li>\n\t\t\t<li>ㅜ어 → ㅝ. 주다 → 주어 → 줘</li>\n\t\t\t<li>하여 → 해. 하다 → 하여 → 해</li>\n\t\t\t<li>others - generally regular. 내다 → 내어 (내), 되다 → 되어 (돼)</li>\n\t\t</ul>\n\t\t<p>Negation - either add 안 before the verb/adjective, or add 지 않다 and conjugate 않다 (않다 can be a verb or an adjective).</p>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h1>Irregular conjugations</h1>\n\t\t<h2>불규칙 활용</h2>\n\t\t<p>Forms where irregular conjugations do not apply are marked in blue. Regular verbs/adjectives are marked in green.</p>\n\t\t<ul>\n\t\t\t<li>ㅅ - remove ㅅ when appending a vowel. 짓다 → 지어, 지은, <span class=\"blue\">짓는, 짓습니다</span>. <span class=\"green\">웃다, 벗다, 씻다</span>.</li>\n\t\t\t<li>ㄷ - change ㄷ to ㄹ when appending a vowel. 걷다 → 걸어, 걸은, <span class=\"blue\">걷는, 걷습니다</span>. <span class=\"green\">닫다, 믿다, 받다</span>.</li>\n\t\t\t<li>ㅂ - remove ㅂ and add 우 when appending a vowel. Exception - 돕다 → 도와, 도운. 쉽다 → 쉬워, 쉬운, <span class=\"blue\">쉽습니다</span>. <span class=\"green\">좁다, 잡다, 씹다</span>.</li>\n\t\t\t<li>ㅡ - change ㅡ to ㅏ/ㅓ in the present tense. For single-syllable stems add ㅓ. 잠그다 → 잠가, <span class=\"blue\">잠그는, 잠급니다</span>, 듣다 → 들어, <span class=\"blue\">듣는, 듣습니다</span>.</li>\n\t\t\t<li>르 - add ㄹ to the previous vowel and change ㅡ to ㅏ/ㅓ in the present tense. 부르다 → 불러, <span class=\"blue\">부른, 부릅니다</span>. <span class=\"green\">따르다</span>.</li>\n\t\t\t<li>ㄹ - conjugates like vowel-final stems. ㄹ is removed when the conjugation begins with ㄴ, ㅂ, ㅅ. 살다 → 산다, 사는, 삽니다, 사세요, 살, 살면, 살려고, <span class=\"blue\">살아</span>.</li>\n\t\t\t<li>ㅎ - remove ㅎ in some conjugations and conjugate like a vowel-final stem. In the present tense add ㅣ, except for 이렇다, etc. Applies only to color adjectives and 이렇다, etc. 이렇다 → 이래, 이런, 이러면, 이러세요, <span class=\"blue\">이렇습니다, 이렇게</span>. 하얗다 → 하얘, 하얀; 꺼멓다 → 꺼메, 꺼먼. <span class=\"green\">좋다, 놓다, 쌓다</span>.</li>\n\t\t\t<li>러 - some stems ending in 르 conjugate as 르러 in the present tense. 푸르다 → 푸르러, <span class=\"blue\">푸른, 푸릅니다</span>.</li>\n\t\t</ul>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h1>Attributive forms</h1>\n\t\t<h2>관형사형</h2>\n\t\t<p>있다 and 없다 conjugate as verbs in the present tense, as adjectives in other tenses. 이다 conjugates as an adjective.</p>\n\t\t<table>\n\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t<th></th>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Verbs</th>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Adjectives</th>\n\t\t\t\t<th>있다, 없다</th>\n\t\t\t\t<th>이다, 아니다</th>\n\t\t\t</tr>\n\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Present</th>\n\t\t\t\t<td>는</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>ㄴ/은</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>있는, 없는</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>인, 아닌</td>\n\t\t\t</tr>\n\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Past</th>\n\t\t\t\t<td>ㄴ/은</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>았/었던</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>있었던, 없었던</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>이었던, 아니었던</td>\n\t\t\t</tr>\n\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Future</th>\n\t\t\t\t<td>ㄹ/을</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>ㄹ/을</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>있을, 없을</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>일, 아닐</td>\n\t\t\t</tr>\n\t\t</table>\n\t\t<p>Irregular conjugations apply only to ㄹ in the present tense, and to all words in other tenses except for 르 and ㅡ.</p>\n\t\t<table>\n\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t<th></th>\n\t\t\t\t<th>ㅅ - 짓다</th>\n\t\t\t\t<th>ㄷ - 듣다</th>\n\t\t\t\t<th>ㅂ - 돕다</th>\n\t\t\t\t<th>ㄹ - 살다</th>\n\t\t\t\t<th>ㅎ - 이렇다</th>\n\t\t\t</tr>\n\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Present</th>\n\t\t\t\t<td>짓는</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>듣는</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>돕는</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>사는</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>이런</td>\n\t\t\t</tr>\n\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Past</th>\n\t\t\t\t<td>지은</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>들은</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>도운</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>산</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>이랬던</td>\n\t\t\t</tr>\n\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t<th>Future</th>\n\t\t\t\t<td>지을</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>들을</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>도울</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>살</td>\n\t\t\t\t<td>이럴</td>\n\t\t\t</tr>\n\t\t</table>\n\t\t<p>The form 던 is used for a repeated action in the present and past for verbs, and a state which lasted in the past and has just ended. The form 았/었던 is used for actions/states which began and ended in the past.</p>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h1>Adverbs</h1>\n\t\t<h2>부사</h2>\n\t\t<p>Changing adjectives to adverbs: 다 → 게. Adjectives ending in 하다: 하게/히.</p>\n \n\t\t<h1>Numbers, time</h1>\n\t\t<h2>수사, 시간, 시각</h2>\n\t\t<p>Native numbers (1-10): 하나 (한), 둘 (두), 셋 (세), 넷 (네), 다섯, 여섯, 일곱, 여덟, 아홉, 열.</p>\n\t\t<p>Native numbers (20-90): 스물 (스무), 서른, 마흔, 쉰, 예순, 일흔, 여든, 아흔.</p>\n\t\t<p>사람 두명/두 명의 사람 <span class=\"gray\">two people</span><br />\n\t\t몇 <span class=\"gray\">several, how many</span>, 차 몇 대가 있어/몇 대의 차가 있어 <span class=\"gray\">I have several cars</span>, 차가 몇 대 있어? <span class=\"gray\">how many cars do you have?</span><br />\n\t\t몇몇 <span class=\"gray\">some</span>, 몇몇 사람들 <span class=\"gray\">some people</span><br />\n\t\t번째 <span class=\"gray\">~th</span>, 두 번째 날/둘째 날 <span class=\"gray\">the second day</span><br />\n\t\t번째 <span class=\"gray\">~th time</span>, 두 번째(로) <span class=\"gray\">for the second time</span><br />\n\t\t하루 <span class=\"gray\">one day</span>, 이틀/이 일 <span class=\"gray\">two days</span>, 사흘/삼 일 <span class=\"gray\">three days</span><br />\n\t\t6월 /유월/, 10월 /시월/</p>\n\t\t<p>처음 <span class=\"gray\">beginning</span>, 처음에 <span class=\"gray\">first</span>, 처음부터 <span class=\"gray\">from the beginning</span>, 처음/처음으로 <span class=\"gray\">for the first time</span><br />\n\t\t마지막 <span class=\"gray\">end, last</span>, 마지막까지 <span class=\"gray\">until the end</span>, 마지막으로 <span class=\"gray\">at the end</span><br />\n\t\t처음부터 끝까지 <span class=\"gray\">from start to finish</span></p>\n\t\t<p>~ 동안 <span class=\"gray\">during ~, for ~</span>, ~초 동안, ~시간 동안, 하루 동안, ~주/주일 동안<br />\n\t\t이번 <span class=\"gray\">current</span>, 이번에/이번 시간에 <span class=\"gray\">this time</span>, 올해 <span class=\"gray\">this year</span><br />\n\t\t지난 <span class=\"gray\">last, previous</span>, 지난 번에/지난 시간에 <span class=\"gray\">last time</span>, 작년에 <span class=\"gray\">last year</span><br />\n\t\t다음 <span class=\"gray\">next</span>, 다음 번에/다음 시간에 <span class=\"gray\">next time</span>, 내년에 <span class=\"gray\">next year</span><br />\n\t\t첫날 <span class=\"gray\">first day</span>, 두 번째 날/둘째 날 <span class=\"gray\">second day</span>, 그 날 <span class=\"gray\">that day</span><br />\n\t\t1년에 두 번 <span class=\"gray\">two times a year</span>, 1주에 한 번 <span class=\"gray\">once a weak</span></p>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h1>Passive voice</h1>\n\t\t<h2>수동태</h2>\n\t\t<p>에 <span class=\"gray\">by (not a person)</span>, 에게 <span class=\"gray\">by (a person)</span>, 에 의해 <span class=\"gray\">by (not a person, usually an organization)</span><br />\n\t\t이해하다 <span class=\"gray\">understand</span>, 이해되다 <span class=\"gray\">be understood</span><br />\n\t\t존경하다 <span class=\"gray\">respect</span>, 존경받다 <span class=\"gray\">be respected</span><br />\n\t\t나다 <span class=\"gray\">leave, happen</span>, 내다 <span class=\"gray\">take out, cause</span><br />\n\t\t끝나다 <span class=\"gray\">end (intr)</span>, 끝내다 <span class=\"gray\">end (tr)</span><br />\n\t\t열다 <span class=\"gray\">open (tr)</span>, 열리다 <span class=\"gray\">be opened, open (intr)</span>, 열려 있다 <span class=\"gray\">be open</span><br />\n\t\t주다 <span class=\"gray\">give</span>, 주어지다 <span class=\"gray\">be given</span>, <del>줘지다</del><br />\n\t\t크다 <span class=\"gray\">big</span>, 커지다 <span class=\"gray\">become big</span><br /></p>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h1>Questions</h1>\n\t\t<h2>질문</h2>\n\t\t<p>합니까? <span class=\"gray\">does he do? (formal)</span>, 했습니까? <span class=\"gray\">did he do?</span><br />\n 하니? <span class=\"gray\">does he do?</span>, 했니? <span class=\"gray\">did he do?</span>, 할 거니? <span class=\"gray\">will he do?</span>, 살다 → 사니<br />\n 한가, 한가요? (ㄴ가/은가) <span class=\"gray\">is he? (with adjectives, 이다, 아니다)</span>, 이다 → 인가, 아니다 → 아닌가<br />\n 하나, 하나요? <span class=\"gray\">does he do? (with verbs, 있다, 없다)</span>, 했나? <span class=\"gray\">did he do?</span>, 있다 → 있나, 없다 → 없나, 살다 → 사나, <del>이다 → 이나</del></p>\n <p>언제부터 <span class=\"gray\">since when</span>, 언제까지 <span class=\"gray\">till when</span>, 언제이다 <span class=\"gray\">when is it</span><br />\n 어디 <span class=\"gray\">where</span>, 어디(에) <span class=\"gray\">whither</span>, 어디에서/어디서 <span class=\"gray\">(at) where</span>, 어디이다 <span class=\"gray\">where is it (a place), where are you</span>, 어디에 있다 <span class=\"gray\">where is (a person, thing)</span><br />\n 어떻다 <span class=\"gray\">how is it</span>, 어떻게 <span class=\"gray\">how</span>, 어때요? <span class=\"gray\">how is it?</span>, 어땠어요? <span class=\"gray\">how was it?</span><br />\n 무엇이/뭐가 <span class=\"gray\">what (sbj)</span>, 무엇을/뭐 <span class=\"gray\">what (dir obj)</span><br />\n 얼마나 자주 <span class=\"gray\">how often</span>, 얼마나 빨리 <span class=\"gray\">how fast</span>, 얼마나 잘 <span class=\"gray\">how well</span>, 얼마나/얼마나 많이 (많은) <span class=\"gray\">how many</span></p>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h1>Pronouns</h1>\n\t\t<h2>대명사</h2>\n\t\t<p>모든 <span class=\"gray\">each</span>, 모든 것 <span class=\"gray\">everything</span>, 누구나 <span class=\"gray\">everyone</span>, 어디나 <span class=\"gray\">everywhere</span>, 언제나 <span class=\"gray\">always</span><br />\n 뭔가 <span class=\"gray\">something</span>, 누군가 <span class=\"gray\">someone</span>, 어딘가 <span class=\"gray\">somewhere</span>, 언젠가 <span class=\"gray\">sometime</span><br />\n 아무 ...라도/아무 ...나 <span class=\"gray\">any ...</span>, 뭐라도/아무 거라도/아무 거나 <span class=\"gray\">anything</span>, 누구라도/아무라도/아무나 <span class=\"gray\">anyone</span>, 어디라도/아무 데라도/아무 데나 <span class=\"gray\">anywhere</span>, 언제라도/아무 때라도/아무 때나 <span class=\"gray\">whenever</span><br />\n 뭐든지 <span class=\"gray\">anything</span>, 누구든지 <span class=\"gray\">anyone</span>, 어디든지 <span class=\"gray\">anywhere</span>, 언제든지 <span class=\"gray\">whenever</span><br />\n 아무 ...도 <span class=\"gray\">no ...</span>, 아무 것도 <span class=\"gray\">nothing</span>, 누구도, 아무도 <span class=\"gray\">no one</span>, 어디도, 아무 데도 <span class=\"gray\">nowhere</span></p>\n <p>누구에게나 <span class=\"gray\">to everything</span>, 어디서나 <span class=\"gray\">(at) everywhere</span><br />\n 뭔가(가) <span class=\"gray\">aomething (sbj)</span>, 뭔가(를) <span class=\"gray\">something (dir obj)</span>, 누군가(가) <span class=\"gray\">someone (sbj)</span>, 누군가를 <span class=\"gray\">someone (dir obj)</span>, 누군가와 <span class=\"gray\">with someone</span>, 어딘가(에) <span class=\"gray\">(to) somewhere</span>, 어딘가에서 <span class=\"gray\">(at) somewhere</span><br />\n 아무 ...에라도/아무 ...에나 <span class=\"gray\">to any ...</span>, 누구에게라도, 아무에게나 <span class=\"gray\">to anyone</span>, 어디서라도/아무 데서나 <span class=\"gray\">(at) anywhere</span><br />\n 누구에게든지 <span class=\"gray\">to anyone</span>, 어디서든지 <span class=\"gray\">(at) anywhere</span><br />\n 아무 ...에도 <span class=\"gray\">to no ...</span>, 누구에게도/아무에게도 <span class=\"gray\">to no one</span>, 어디서도/아무 데서도 <span class=\"gray\">(at) nowhere</span><br /></p>\n <p>마다 <span class=\"gray\">every, each</span>, 학생마다 <span class=\"gray\">each student</span>, 날마다 <span class=\"gray\">every day</span>, 5분마다 <span class=\"gray\">every 5 minutes</span>, 할 때마다 <span class=\"gray\">every time one does</span></p>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h1>Linking sentences</h1>\n\t\t<h2>문장 연결</h2>\n\t\t<p>하고 <span class=\"gray\">do and</span>, 했고 <span class=\"gray\">did and</span>, 하고 나서 <span class=\"gray\">do and then</span><br />\n\t\t해서 <span class=\"gray\">having done</span><br />\n\t\t하고 있다 <span class=\"gray\">be doing</span>, 하고 싶다 <span class=\"gray\">want to do</span><br />\n\t\t앉아서 책을 읽다 <span class=\"gray\">sit and read a book</span>, 앉고 책을 읽다 <span class=\"gray\">sit, (stand back up) and read a book</span><br />\n\t\t앉아 있다 <span class=\"gray\">sit</span>, 앉고 있다 <span class=\"gray\">be in the middle of sitting down</span><br />\n\t\t살아 있다 <span class=\"gray\">live</span>, 에(에서) 살고 있다 <span class=\"gray\">reside</span></p>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h1>Complex sentences (하는지)</h1>\n\t\t<h2>중문 (하는지)</h2>\n\t\t<p>하는지 <span class=\"gray\">whether he does</span>, 했는지 <span class=\"gray\">whether he did</span>, 할지 <span class=\"gray\">whether he will do</span><br />\n 좋은지 <span class=\"gray\">whether he's good</span>, 좋았는지 <span class=\"gray\">whether he was good</span>, 좋을지 <span class=\"gray\">whether he will be good</span><br />\n 하는지 안 하는지/하는지 어떤지 <span class=\"gray\">whether he does or not</span><br />\n 할지도 모르겠다 <span class=\"gray\">may do</span></p>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h1>Nominalization</h1>\n\t\t<h2>명사화</h2>\n\t\t<p>하기 <span class=\"gray\">doing</span>, 하기 시작하다 <span class=\"gray\">start doing</span>, 하기 싫다 <span class=\"gray\">hate doing</span>, 누군가 하기 원하다 <span class=\"gray\">want someone to do</span><br />\n 자다 → 잠 <span class=\"gray\">sleep</span>, 죽다 → 죽음 <span class=\"gray\">death</span>, 살다 → 삶 <span class=\"gray\">life</span><br />\n 하는 것을 알다/함을 알다 <span class=\"gray\">know that he does</span>, 한 것을 알다/했음을 알다 <span class=\"gray\">know that he did</span></p>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h1>Adjectivization</h1>\n\t\t<h2>형용사화</h2>\n\t\t<p>적 <span class=\"gray\">(的)</span>, 적이다 <span class=\"gray\">(的だ)</span>, 적인 <span class=\"gray\">(的な)</span>, 적으로 <span class=\"gray\">(的に)</span><br />\n\t\t스럽다 <span class=\"gray\">(らしい)</span><br />\n\t\t친구에게/식당에 실망하다 <span class=\"gray\">be disappointed in a friend/restaurant</span><br />\n\t\t영화는 실망스럽다 <span class=\"gray\">the movie is disappointing</span>, 나는 (친구가) 실망스럽다 <span class=\"gray\">I'm disappointed (in a friend)</span></p>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h1>Time-related expressions</h1>\n\t\t<h2>시간에 관한 표현</h2>\n\t\t<p>전 <span class=\"gray\">before</span>, 직전 <span class=\"gray\">right before</span>, 조금/잠시 전에 <span class=\"gray\">a while ago, a while before</span><br />\n 후 <span class=\"gray\">after</span>, 직후 <span class=\"gray\">right after</span>, 조금/잠시 후에 <span class=\"gray\">in a while, a while later</span><br />\n 1년 전에 <span class=\"gray\">a year ago</span>, 하기 전에 <span class=\"gray\">before doing</span>, 하기 1년 전에 <span class=\"gray\">a year before doing</span>, 하기 직전에 <span class=\"gray\">right before doing</span><br />\n 1년 후에/다음에/뒤에 <span class=\"gray\">in a year</span>, 한 후에 <span class=\"gray\">after doing</span>, 한 1년 후에 <span class=\"gray\">a year after doing</span>, 한 직후에 <span class=\"gray\">right after doing</span>, 있다 → 있은 후에<br />\n 이래 <span class=\"gray\">since (以来)</span>, 한 이래로 <span class=\"gray\">since doing</span><br />\n 이내 <span class=\"gray\">within (以内)</span>, 1년 이내에/안에 <span class=\"gray\">within a year</span><br /></p>\n <p>한 지 <span class=\"gray\">since doing</span>, 한 지 1년 됐다 <span class=\"gray\">a year has passed sicne doing</span>, 있다 → 있은 지<br />\n 한 지 얼마나 됐다? <span class=\"gray\">how much time has passed since donig?</span>, 한 지 오래 됐다 <span class=\"gray\">a lot of time has passed since doing</span>, 한 지 얼마 안 됐다 <span class=\"gray\">not a lot of time has passed since doing</span><br /></p>\n <p>하는 중이다 <span class=\"gray\">be in the middle of doing</span>, 공부 중이다 <span class=\"gray\">be in the middle of studying</span><br />\n 하는 동안 <span class=\"gray\">while doing</span><br />\n 봄과 여름 중에 <span class=\"gray\">between spring and summer</span>, 세 명 중에 <span class=\"gray\">between three people</span>, 친구들 중에 <span class=\"gray\">among friends</span><br />\n 금요일 중으로 <span class=\"gray\">until Friday</span></p>\n <p>저녁 때 <span class=\"gray\">during dinner</span><br />\n 할 때(는) <span class=\"gray\">when he does</span>, 했을 때 <span class=\"gray\">when he did</span></p>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h1>Comparison</h1>\n\t\t<h2>비교</h2>\n\t\t<p>더 <span class=\"gray\">more, still</span>, 더 이상 <span class=\"gray\">even more</span>, 조금 더 <span class=\"gray\">a little more</span><br />\n\t\t차 두 대가 더 있어 <span class=\"gray\">I have two more cars</span><br />\n\t\t덜 <span class=\"gray\">less</span><br />\n\t\t보다 <span class=\"gray\">than</span>, 보다 더/덜 <span class=\"gray\">more/less than</span><br />\n\t\t평소보다 <span class=\"gray\">more than usual</span>, 생각보다 <span class=\"gray\">more than expected</span>, 예전보다 <span class=\"gray\">more than before</span><br />\n\t\t가장, 제일 <span class=\"gray\">the most</span></p>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h1>Well, poorly</h1>\n\t\t<h2>잘, 못</h2>\n\t\t<p>잘 자다 <span class=\"gray\">sleep well</span>, 잘 공부하다 <span class=\"gray\">study well</span>, 공부를 잘하다 <span class=\"gray\">be good at studying</span><br />\n\t\t잘 모르겠다 <span class=\"gray\">not know well</span><br />\n\t\t못 자다, 자지 못하다 <span class=\"gray\">sleep poorly, can't sleep</span>, 수영을 못하다 <span class=\"gray\">swim poorly, can't swim</span><br />\n\t\t시험을 못 봤다 <span class=\"gray\">I couldn't take the test, I took the test poorly</span>, 시험을 잘 못 봤다 <span class=\"gray\">I took the test poorly</span><br />\n\t\t잘못 <span class=\"gray\">mistake</span>, 잘못하다 <span class=\"gray\">make a mistake</span>, 잘못되다 <span class=\"gray\">be wrong</span></p>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h1>Colors</h1>\n\t\t<h2>색깔</h2>\n\t\t<p><span class=\"grayDark\" style=\"color: black;\">까맣다, 꺼멓다, 검다</span> <span class=\"gray\">black</span>, 까만색, 꺼먼색, 검은색 <span class=\"gray\">black color</span><br />\n <span class=\"grayLight\" style=\"color: white;\">하얗다, 허옇다, 희다</span> <span class=\"gray\">white</span>, 하얀색, 허연색, 흰색 <span class=\"gray\">white color</span><br />\n <span style=\"color: red;\">빨갛다</span>, <span style=\"color: maroon;\">뻘겋다</span> <span class=\"gray\">red</span>, 빨간색, 빨강, 뻘건색, 뻘겅 <span class=\"gray\">red color</span><br />\n <span style=\"color: deepskyblue;\">파랗다</span>, <span style=\"color: #06c;\">퍼렇다</span> <span class=\"gray\">blue</span>, 파란색, 파랑, 퍼런색, 퍼렁 <span class=\"gray\">blue color</span><br />\n <span class=\"grayLight\" style=\"color: yellow;\">노랗다</span>, <span style=\"color: orange;\">누렇다</span> <span class=\"gray\">yellow</span>, 노란색, 노랑, 누런색, 누렁 <span class=\"gray\">yellow color</span><br />\n <span style=\"color: mediumseagreen;\">푸르다</span> <span class=\"gray\">grue</span>, 푸른색 <span class=\"gray\">grue color</span></p>\n <p><span class=\"grayDark\" style=\"color: black;\">흑색</span> <span class=\"gray\">black color (黒色)</span>, <span class=\"grayLight\" style=\"color: white;\">백색</span> <span class=\"gray\">white color (白色)</span>, <span style=\"color: red;\">적색</span> <span class=\"gray\">red color (赤色)</span>, <span style=\"color: deepskyblue;\">청색</span> <span class=\"gray\">blue color (青色)</span>, <span class=\"grayLight\" style=\"color: yellow;\">황색</span> <span class=\"gray\">yellow color (黄色)</span>, <span style=\"color: green;\">초록색, 녹색</span> <span class=\"gray\">green color (草緑色, 緑色)</span>, <span class=\"grayLight\" style=\"color: greenyellow;\">연두색</span> <span class=\"gray\">yellow-green color (軟豆色)</span>, <span style=\"color: rebeccapurple;\">보라색</span> <span class=\"gray\">purple color</span>, <span style=\"color: orchid;\">분홍색</span> <span class=\"gray\">pink color (粉紅色)</span>, <span style=\"color: sienna;\">갈색</span> <span class=\"gray\">brown color (褐色)</span>, <span style=\"color: gray;\">회색</span> <span class=\"gray\">gray color (灰色)</span>, <span style=\"color: gold;\">금색</span> <span class=\"gray\">gold color (金色)</span>, <span style=\"color: silver;\">은색</span> <span class=\"gray\">silver color (銀色)</span></p>\n <p>ㅏ → ㅐ, 까맣다 → 까매<br />\n ㅓ → ㅔ, 꺼멓다 → 꺼메<br />\n ㅑ → ㅒ, 하얗다 → 하얘<br />\n ㅕ → ㅖ, 허옇다 → 허예<br />\n 푸르다 → 푸르러</p>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h1>For, about, by</h1>\n\t\t<h2>위해, 대해, 의해</h2>\n\t\t<p>를/을 위해(서) <span class=\"gray\">for someone, in order to (のために)</span><br />\n\t\t에 대해(서) <span class=\"gray\">on the topic of (について)</span><br />\n\t\t에 의해(서) <span class=\"gray\">by someone, something (によって)</span></p>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h1>In order to do, try to do, have done</h1>\n\t\t<h2>하려고, 해보다, 한 적이 있다</h2>\n\t\t<p>하려고 (려고/으려고) <span class=\"gray\">to do (しようと)</span>, 짓다 → 지으려고, 듣다 → 들으려고, 돕다 → 도우려고, 살다 → 살려고, 그렇다 → 그러려고<br />\n 하려고 노력하다 <span class=\"gray\">attempt to do</span>, 하려고 하다 <span class=\"gray\">try to do, intend to do</span><br />\n 하러 (러/으러) <span class=\"gray\">go to do (しに)</span>, 짓다 → 지으러, 듣다 → 들으러, 돕다 → 도우러, 살다 → 살러, 그렇다 → 그러러<br />\n 하기 위해 <span class=\"gray\">in order to do (するために)</span><br />\n 해 보다 <span class=\"gray\">try doing (してみる)</span><br />\n 한 적이 있다/없다 <span class=\"gray\">have done (したことがある)</span></p>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h1>Reflexive pronouns, various adverbs</h1>\n\t\t<h2>재귀 대명사, 여러 부사</h2>\n\t\t<p>그는 자기(의) 일을 하고 있다 <span class=\"gray\">he is doing his job</span>, 나는 (내) 자신을 안 믿어 <span class=\"gray\">I don't trust myself</span>, 자기 자신 <span class=\"gray\">oneself (自分自身)</span><br />\n 아직 하다 <span class=\"gray\">still do</span>, 아직 안 했다 <span class=\"gray\">still not have done</span>, 아직요 <span class=\"gray\">not yet (まだです)</span>, 아직도 <span class=\"gray\">still</span>, 아직은 <span class=\"gray\">not for now</span>, 여전히 <span class=\"gray\">still, as usual</span><br />\n 별로 좋지 않다 <span class=\"gray\">not especially like</span>, 별로야, 별로였어, 별로요 <span class=\"gray\">not really, so-so (別に)</span><br />\n 전혀 좋지 않다 <span class=\"gray\">not like at all</span><br />\n 영어보다 훨씬 (더) 어렵다 <span class=\"gray\">is much harder than English</span><br />\n 역사에 관한/관련한/관련된 영화 <span class=\"gray\">a movie related to history</span>, 역사에 관련해/관련해서/관련하여/관련돼/관련되어 <span class=\"gray\">related to history</span><br />\n 학교 주위를 걷다 <span class=\"gray\">walk around the school</span>, 주위 사람 <span class=\"gray\">surrounding people</span><br />\n 일단 먹은 후에 <span class=\"gray\">once I eat</span>, 일단 먹은 이상 <span class=\"gray\">now that I've eaten</span>, 일단 밥부터 먹고 <span class=\"gray\">only after eating</span></p>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h1>The same, seems like</h1>\n\t\t<h2>같다, 겠다</h2>\n <p>것 같다 <span class=\"gray\">looks like, I think that</span><br />\n 하는 것 같다 <span class=\"gray\">looks like he does</span>, 한 것 같다 <span class=\"gray\">looks like he did</span>, 할 것 같다 <span class=\"gray\">looks like he will do, would likely do</span><br />\n 한 것 같다 <span class=\"gray\">looks like he is</span>, 했던 것 같다 <span class=\"gray\">looks like he was</span>, 할 것 같다 <span class=\"gray\">looks like he will be, would likely be</span><br />\n 한 것 같다 <span class=\"gray\">looks like he did (observation)</span>, 했을 것 같다 <span class=\"gray\">probably did (conjecture)</span></p>\n <p>학생과 같다 <span class=\"gray\">be like a student</span>, 학생과 똑같다 <span class=\"gray\">be the same as a student</span>, 학생과 다르다 <span class=\"gray\">differ from a student</span>, 학생과 비슷하다 <span class=\"gray\">be similar to a student</span><br />\n 학생 같다 <span class=\"gray\">be like a student (のようだ)</span>, 학생 같은 <span class=\"gray\">... like a student (のような)</span>, 학생 같이 <span class=\"gray\">like a student (のように)</span><br />\n 고기 맛/냄새 같다 <span class=\"gray\">taste/smell like meat</span><br />\n 학생 같이 보이다 <span class=\"gray\">look like a student</span><br />\n 한 것 같이 보이다 <span class=\"gray\">looks like he did (したように見える)</span><br />\n 좋아 보이다 <span class=\"gray\">looks good</span>, 학생과 비슷해 보이다 <span class=\"gray\">look similar to a student</span></p>\n <p>하겠다 <span class=\"gray\">looks like it, surely (だろう)</span></p>\n\n <h1>Because</h1>\n <h2>해서, 하기 때문에</h2>\n <p>해서 <span class=\"gray\">because he does/did</span><br />\n 여서/이어서, 라서/이라서 <span class=\"gray\">because he is/was</span>, 아니어서, 아니라서 <span class=\"gray\">because he isn't/wasn't</span><br />\n 할 것이어서 (거여서), 할 것이라서 (거라서) <span class=\"gray\">because he will do</span></p>\n <p>일 때문에 <span class=\"gray\">because of work</span><br />\n 하기 때문에 <span class=\"gray\">because he does</span>, 했기 때문에 <span class=\"gray\">because he did</span>, 할 것이기 (거기) 때문에 <span class=\"gray\">because he will do</span><br />\n 이기 때문에 <span class=\"gray\">because he is</span><br />\n 일 때문이다 <span class=\"gray\">be because of work</span>, 하기 때문이다 <span class=\"gray\">be because he does</span></p>\n\n <h1>Honorifics</h1>\n <h2>경어</h2>\n <p>시다/으시다 <span class=\"gray\">action done by someone worthy of respect</span>, 짓다 → 지으시다, 듣다 → 들으시다, 돕다 → 도우시다, 살다 → 사시다, 그렇다 → 그러시다<br />\n 하시다, 하신다, 하셔, 하셔요 (하세요), 하십니다 <span class=\"gray\">do</span>, 하시고 있다, 하시고 싶다, 하시지 않다<br />\n 께 드리다 <span class=\"gray\">give (to a superior)</span><br />\n 계시다 <span class=\"gray\">be, formal 있다</span>, 있으시다 <span class=\"gray\">have, formal 있다</span><br />\n 하고 계시다 <span class=\"gray\">do</span>, 계시는, 계신, 계실</p>\n\n <h1>Imperatives</h1>\n <h2>명령형</h2>\n <p>해, 해요 <span class=\"gray\">do (して)</span>, 해라 <span class=\"gray\">do (しなさい)</span><br />\n 하셔요 (하세요) <span class=\"gray\">please do (してください)</span>, 하십시오 (십시오/으십시오) <span class=\"gray\">please do (お～ください)</span><br />\n 해 봐 <span class=\"gray\">do (してみて)</span>, 해 보세요 <span class=\"gray\">please do (してみてください)</span></p>\n <p>하지 말다 <span class=\"gray\">not do</span><br />\n 하지 마, 하지 마요, 하지 마라 <span class=\"gray\">don't do</span>, 하지 마세요, 하지 마십시오 <span class=\"gray\">please don't do</span><br />\n 하지 말고, ~ 해 <span class=\"gray\">don't do this, do ~</span></p>\n <p>해 주다 <span class=\"gray\">do for someone (してくれる・してあげる)</span>, 해 줘, 해 주세요<br />\n 하지 말아 주다 <span class=\"gray\">not do for someone (しないでくれる・しないであげる)</span>, 하지 말아 줘, 하지 말아 주세요<br />\n 해 줘서 감사하다 <span class=\"gray\">thank for doind</span></p>\n <p>하자 (자), 합시다 (ㅂ시다/읍시다) <span class=\"gray\">let's do</span><br />\n 하지 말자, 하지 맙시다 <span class=\"gray\">let's not do</span><br />\n 할래, 할래요 <span class=\"gray\">would you like to do (しませんか), could you do, I'd like to do, I will do</span></p>\n\n <h1>Condition, possibility, obligation, permission</h1>\n <h2>조건, 가능, 의무, 허가</h2>\n <p>하면 (면/으면) <span class=\"gray\">if he does</span>, 짓다 → 지으면, 듣다 → 들으면, 돕다 → 도우면, 살다 → 살면, 그렇다 → 그러면<br />\n 했으면 <span class=\"gray\">had he done</span>, 했을 것이다 <span class=\"gray\">would have done</span><br />\n 하면 = 한다면/하다면, 했으면 = 했다면<br />\n 이라면 <span class=\"gray\">if he is</span>, 아니라면 <span class=\"gray\">if he isn't</span>, 그러면 <span class=\"gray\">if so</span>, 아니면 <span class=\"gray\">if not</span>, ~ 아니면 ~ <span class=\"gray\">~ or ~</span></p>\n <p>할 수(가) 있다 <span class=\"gray\">be able to do</span>, 할 수 없다 <span class=\"gray\">not be able to do</span></p>\n</div>\n</body>\n</html>\n\n\n","size_bytes":35451,"file_path":"html/ko/koGrammar.html","file_timestamp":1753279312,"language":"HTML","is_vendor":false,"license_type":"no_license","detected_licenses":[]},{"content_id":"eb2a34f414ab35ac88b15aacf2214053d4f2bb9d","content":"var timers = {}\nvar waitForFinalEvent = function (callback, ms, uniqueId) {\n if (timers[uniqueId]) clearTimeout(timers[uniqueId])\n timers[uniqueId] = setTimeout(callback, ms)\n}\n$(window).resize(function () {\n $(\"#langSubmenu\").children().addClass('notransition')\n waitForFinalEvent(function () {\n $(\"#langSubmenu\").children().removeClass('notransition')\n }, 100, \"some unique string\")\n})","size_bytes":412,"file_path":"js/homeNoTransition.js","file_timestamp":1753279312,"language":"JavaScript","is_vendor":false,"license_type":"no_license","detected_licenses":[]},{"content_id":"776269c2e63448a705b3fb77509cb676561ab460","content":"<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html>\n<head>\n<title>어휘 목록</title>\n<meta charset=\"utf-8\" />\n<meta name=\"viewport\" content=\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=1\" />\n<link href=\"../../style.css\" rel=\"stylesheet\" />\n<link rel=\"shortcut icon\" href=\"../../favicon.ico\" type=\"image/x-icon\"/>\n<script src=\"../../libs/jquery-3.1.0.min.js\"></script>\n<script>\n $(document).ready(function () {\n $.getScript(\"../../js/buttonUp.js\", function () {\n $.getScript(\"../../js/settingsButton.js\", function () {\n $.getScript(\"../../js/nonVocabTheme.js\", function () {\n $.getScript(\"../../js/localStorage.js\")\n })\n })\n })\n })\n</script>\n</head>\n<body>\n\t<a id=\"top\"></a>\n <a href=\"#top\" id=\"up\">↑</a>\n <svg width=\"22px\" height=\"22px\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" id=\"settingsButton\"><path d=\"M487.4 315.7l-42.6-24.6c4.3-23.2 4.3-47 0-70.2l42.6-24.6c4.9-2.8 7.1-8.6 5.5-14-11.1-35.6-30-67.8-54.7-94.6-3.8-4.1-10-5.1-14.8-2.3L380.8 110c-17.9-15.4-38.5-27.3-60.8-35.1V25.8c0-5.6-3.9-10.5-9.4-11.7-36.7-8.2-74.3-7.8-109.2 0-5.5 1.2-9.4 6.1-9.4 11.7V75c-22.2 7.9-42.8 19.8-60.8 35.1L88.7 85.5c-4.9-2.8-11-1.9-14.8 2.3-24.7 26.7-43.6 58.9-54.7 94.6-1.7 5.4.6 11.2 5.5 14L67.3 221c-4.3 23.2-4.3 47 0 70.2l-42.6 24.6c-4.9 2.8-7.1 8.6-5.5 14 11.1 35.6 30 67.8 54.7 94.6 3.8 4.1 10 5.1 14.8 2.3l42.6-24.6c17.9 15.4 38.5 27.3 60.8 35.1v49.2c0 5.6 3.9 10.5 9.4 11.7 36.7 8.2 74.3 7.8 109.2 0 5.5-1.2 9.4-6.1 9.4-11.7v-49.2c22.2-7.9 42.8-19.8 60.8-35.1l42.6 24.6c4.9 2.8 11 1.9 14.8-2.3 24.7-26.7 43.6-58.9 54.7-94.6 1.5-5.5-.7-11.3-5.6-14.1zM256 336c-44.1 0-80-35.9-80-80s35.9-80 80-80 80 35.9 80 80-35.9 80-80 80z\"></path></svg>\n <div id=\"menu\">\n <h3>테마</h3>\n <a id=\"lightTheme\">밝게</a>\n <a id=\"darkTheme\">어둡게</a>\n <h3>링크</h3>\n <a id=\"homepage\" href=\"../../index.html\">홈페이지</a>\n <a id=\"mobileToggle\" href=\"../../mobile/html/ko/koWordlist.html\">모바일 버전</a>\n </div>\n <div id=\"contentDiv\">\n <h1>Particles</h1>\n <h2>조사</h2>\n <p>The Japanese equivalent is also given.</p>\n <ul>\n <li>는/은 <span class=\"gray\">topic</span> は</li>\n <li>가/이 <span class=\"gray\">subject</span> が. 나 → 내가, 저 → 제가, 너 → 네가, 누구 → 누가.</li>\n <li>를/을 <span class=\"gray\">direct object</span> を</li>\n <li>도 <span class=\"gray\">also</span> も</li>\n <li>만 <span class=\"gray\">only</span> だけ. ~에만, ~때만</li>\n <li>에 <span class=\"gray\">place/direction, indirect object (inanimate)</span> に</li>\n <li>의 <span class=\"gray\">possessive</span> の. 나의/내, 저의/제, 너의/네, 누구의/누구.</li>\n <li>에서 <span class=\"gray\">from (place)</span> から, <span class=\"gray\">place</span> で</li>\n <li>부터 <span class=\"gray\">from (time)</span> から</li>\n <li>까지 <span class=\"gray\">until</span> まで</li>\n <li>로/으로 (ㄹ로) <span class=\"gray\">instrumental</span> で, <span class=\"gray\">direction</span> へ. 아침식사로 <span class=\"gray\">for breakfast</span>, 두 번째로 <span class=\"gray\">for the second time</span>, 처음으로 <span class=\"gray\">for the first time</span>.</li>\n <li>와/과, 랑/이랑, 하고 <span class=\"gray\">comitative</span> と</li>\n <li>에게, 한테, 께 <span class=\"gray\">indirect object (animate)</span> に</li>\n <li>에게서, 한테서, 로/으로부터 <span class=\"gray\">from (person)</span> に</li>\n <li>보다 <span class=\"gray\">than</span> より</li>\n </ul>\n\n <h1>Counter words</h1>\n <h2>수분류사</h2>\n <p>Type of numeral (native/sinitic) is also given.</p>\n <ul>\n <li>개 <span class=\"gray\">general</span> 한 개</li>\n <li>번 <span class=\"gray\">occurrences</span> 한 번</li>\n <li>번째 <span class=\"gray\">th, th time</span> 첫 번째/첫째</li>\n <li>명 <span class=\"gray\">people</span> 한 명</li>\n <li>분 <span class=\"gray\">people (formal)</span> 한 분</li>\n <li>대 <span class=\"gray\">machines</span> 한 대</li>\n <li>잔 <span class=\"gray\">glasses</span> 한 잔</li>\n <li>살 <span class=\"gray\">years of age</span> 한 살</li>\n <li>세 <span class=\"gray\">years of age</span> 일 세</li>\n <li>권 <span class=\"gray\">books</span> 한 권</li>\n <li>층 <span class=\"gray\">th floor</span> 일 층</li>\n <li>송이 <span class=\"gray\">flowers, bunches</span> 한 송이</li>\n <li>가지 <span class=\"gray\">types</span> 한 가지</li>\n <li>초 <span class=\"gray\">seconds</span> 일 초</li>\n <li>분 <span class=\"gray\">minutes</span> 일 분</li>\n <li>시 <span class=\"gray\">o'clock</span> 한 시</li>\n <li>시간 <span class=\"gray\">hours</span> 한 시간</li>\n <li>일 <span class=\"gray\">days</span> 일 일</li>\n <li>주/주일 <span class=\"gray\">weeks</span> 일 주, 일 주일</li>\n <li>월 <span class=\"gray\">months of the year</span> 일 월</li>\n <li>개월 <span class=\"gray\">months</span> 일 개월</li>\n <li>달 <span class=\"gray\">months</span> 한 달</li>\n <li>년 <span class=\"gray\">years</span> 일 년</li>\n </ul>\n\n\t\t<h1>Adverbs</h1>\n\t\t<h2>부사</h2>\n <p>Irregular adverbs from adjectives.</p>\n <ul>\n <li>빠르다 → 빨리 <span class=\"gray\">quickly</span></li>\n <li>많다 → 많이 <span class=\"gray\">many</span></li>\n <li>높다 → 높이 <span class=\"gray\">highly, up high</span></li>\n <li>깊다 → 깊이 <span class=\"gray\">deeply</span></li>\n <li>같다 → 같이 <span class=\"gray\">together, like</span></li>\n <li>가깝다 → 가까이 <span class=\"gray\">near</span></li>\n <li>멀다 → 멀리 <span class=\"gray\">far</span></li>\n <li>깨끗하다 → 깨끗이 <span class=\"gray\">cleanly</span></li>\n </ul>\n\n <p>Example adverbs with 히. Hanja is also given.</p>\n <ul>\n <li>솔직히 <span class=\"gray\">honestly</span> 率直히</li>\n <li>열심히 <span class=\"gray\">diligently</span> 熱心히</li>\n <li>완전히 <span class=\"gray\">completely</span> 完全히</li>\n <li>자세히 <span class=\"gray\">in detail</span> 仔細히</li>\n <li>특히 <span class=\"gray\">especially</span> 特히</li>\n <li>확실히 <span class=\"gray\">surely</span> 確実히</li>\n <li>영원히 <span class=\"gray\">forever</span> 永遠히</li>\n <li>철저히 <span class=\"gray\">thoroughly</span> 徹底히</li>\n <li>여전히 <span class=\"gray\">still, as usual</span> 如前히</li>\n <li>가만히 <span class=\"gray\">still, without moving</span></li>\n </ul>\n\n <p>Time-related adverbs.</p>\n <ul>\n <li>지금 <span class=\"gray\">now</span> 只今</li>\n <li>곧 <span class=\"gray\">soon</span></li>\n <li>항상 <span class=\"gray\">always</span> 恒常</li>\n <li>일찍 <span class=\"gray\">early</span></li>\n <li>바로 <span class=\"gray\">immediately</span></li>\n <li>즉시 <span class=\"gray\">immediately</span> 即時</li>\n <li>자주 <span class=\"gray\">often</span></li>\n <li>가끔 <span class=\"gray\">sometimes</span></li>\n <li>방금 <span class=\"gray\">just now</span> 方今</li>\n <li>아까 <span class=\"gray\">earlier</span></li>\n <li>동시에 <span class=\"gray\">simultaneously</span> 同時에</li>\n <li>갑자기 <span class=\"gray\">suddenly</span></li>\n <li>보통 <span class=\"gray\">normally</span> 普通</li>\n <li>대개 <span class=\"gray\">usually</span> 大槪</li>\n <li>요즘 <span class=\"gray\">recently</span></li>\n <li>최근에 <span class=\"gray\">recently</span> 最近에</li>\n <li>요새 <span class=\"gray\">in recent times</span></li>\n <li>자꾸 <span class=\"gray\">repeatedly</span></li>\n <li>다시 <span class=\"gray\">again, from the beginning</span></li>\n <li>또 <span class=\"gray\">again</span></li>\n <li>나중에 <span class=\"gray\">later</span></li>\n <li>예전에 <span class=\"gray\">earlier, in the past</span></li>\n <li>결국 <span class=\"gray\">eventually</span> 結局</li>\n <li>드디어 <span class=\"gray\">finally</span></li>\n <li>내내 <span class=\"gray\">throughout</span></li>\n <li>아직 <span class=\"gray\">still, not yet</span></li>\n <li>이제 <span class=\"gray\">already, now</span>, 이제부터 <span class=\"gray\">from now (これから)</span></li>\n <li>이미 <span class=\"gray\">already</span></li>\n <li>벌써 <span class=\"gray\">already (sooner than expected)</span></li>\n <li>여전히 <span class=\"gray\">still, as usual</span> 如前히</li>\n <li>먼저 <span class=\"gray\">first</span></li>\n <li>계속 <span class=\"gray\">continuously</span> 継続</li>\n <li>줄곧 <span class=\"gray\">still</span></li>\n </ul>\n\n <h1>Verbs</h1>\n <h2>동사</h2>\n <p>Transitive/intransitive verb pairs.</p>\n <table>\n <tr>\n <th>Transitive</th>\n <th>Intransitive</th>\n </tr>\n <tr><td>열다 <i>open</i></td><td>열리다 <i>open, be open</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>닫다 <i>close</i></td><td>닫히다 <i>close, be closed</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>보다 <i>see</i></td><td>보이다 <i>be visible</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>듣다 <i>hear</i></td><td>들리다 <i>be audible</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>쓰다 <i>write</i></td><td>쓰이다 <i>be written</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>잡다 <i>catch</i></td><td>잡히다 <i>be caught</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>세우다 <i>erect</i></td><td>서다 <i>stand</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>바꾸다 <i>change</i></td><td>바뀌다 <i>change</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>잠그다 <i>block</i></td><td>잠기다 <i>be blocked</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>숨기다 <i>hide</i></td><td>숨다 <i>hide</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>속이다 <i>trick</i></td><td>속다 <i>be tricked</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>놓다 <i>lay</i></td><td>놓이다 <i>be located</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>돌리다 <i>turn</i></td><td>돌다 <i>turn</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>걸다 <i>hang</i></td><td>걸리다 <i>hang</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>모으다 <i>gather</i></td><td>모이다 <i>gather</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>늘리다 <i>increase</i></td><td>늘다<i>increase</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>줄이다 <i>decrease</i></td><td>줄다 <i>decrease</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>남기다 <i>leave</i></td><td>남다 <i>stay</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>담다 <i>put on</i></td><td>담기다 <i>be put on</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>붙이다 <i>attach</i></td><td>붙다 <i>be attached</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>막다 <i>clog</i></td><td>막히다 <i>be clogged</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>끊다 <i>stop</i></td><td>끊기다 <i>be stopped</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>끓이다 <i>boil</i></td><td>끓다 <i>be boiling</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>뜨다 <i>open one's eyes</i></td><td>떠지다 <i>be open (eyes)</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>감다 <i>close one's eyes</i></td><td>감기다 <i>be closed (eyes)</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>팔다 <i>sell</i></td><td>팔리다 <i>be sold</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>떨어뜨리다 <i>drop</i></td><td>떨어지다 <i>fall</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>켜다 <i>turn on</i></td><td>켜지다 <i>be turned on</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>끄다 <i>turn off</i></td><td>꺼지다 <i>be turned off</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>찢다 <i>tear</i></td><td>찢어지다 <i>tear</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>깨다 <i>break</i></td><td>깨지다 <i>break</i></td></tr>\n <tr><th>내다 <i>take out, cause</i></th><th>나다 <i>leave, happen</i></th></tr>\n <tr><td>끝내다 <i>end</i></td><td>끝나다 <i>end</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>고장내다 <i>break</i></td><td>고장나다 <i>break</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>드러내다 <i>expose</i></td><td>드러나다 <i>be exposed</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>나타내다 <i>express</i></td><td>나타나다 <i>appear</i></td></tr>\n </table>\n <p>Causative verbs.</p>\n <table>\n <tr>\n <th>Base</th>\n <th>Causative</th>\n </tr>\n <tr><td>살다 <i>live</i></td><td>살리다 <i>save someone's life</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>알다 <i>know</i></td><td>알리다 <i>notify</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>죽다 <i>die</i></td><td>죽이다 <i>kill</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>지나다 <i>pass</i></td><td>지내다 <i>pass time</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>신다 <i>wear on one's feet</i></td><td>신기다 <i>put on someone's feet</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>입다 <i>wear</i></td><td>입히다 <i>put on someone</i></td></tr>\n <tr><td>놀다 <i>play</i></td><td>놀리다 <i>mock</i></td></tr>\n </table>\n</div>\n</body>\n</html>\n\n\n","size_bytes":13666,"file_path":"html/ko/koWordlist.html","file_timestamp":1753279312,"language":"HTML","is_vendor":false,"license_type":"no_license","detected_licenses":[]},{"content_id":"3a6c3a9dd99bba00e6ee79ec6b9c156866c9ec15","content":"$(\"#lalLink1\").hover(function () {\n $(\"#lalLine1\").css(\"visibility\", \"visible\");\n}, function () {\n $(\"#lalLine1\").css(\"visibility\", \"hidden\");\n})\n$(\"#lalLink2\").hover(function () {\n $(\"#lalLine2\").css(\"visibility\", \"visible\");\n}, function () {\n $(\"#lalLine2\").css(\"visibility\", \"hidden\");\n})\n","size_bytes":307,"file_path":"js/homeChooseLang.js","file_timestamp":1753279312,"language":"JavaScript","is_vendor":false,"license_type":"no_license","detected_licenses":[]}],"string":"[\n {\n \"content_id\": \"667867fd1a3e0ad9878204fecd71b62106ce7b9a\",\n \"content\": \"var t1 = new Array()\\n$.get(\\\"../../txt/arrayJa1.txt\\\", function (data) {\\n t1 = data.split('; ')\\n $(\\\"#total\\\").html(\\\"単語総数 \\\" + t1.length)\\n})\\nvar t2 = new Array()\\n$.get(\\\"../../txt/arrayJa2.txt\\\", function (data) { t2 = data.split('; ') })\\nvar correct = 0\\nvar correctText = \\\"正解数 \\\"\\n$(\\\"#guessed\\\").html(correctText + correct)\",\n \"size_bytes\": 337,\n \"file_path\": \"js/vocabInitJa.js\",\n \"file_timestamp\": 1753279312,\n \"language\": \"JavaScript\",\n \"is_vendor\": false,\n \"license_type\": \"no_license\",\n \"detected_licenses\": []\n },\n {\n \"content_id\": \"9029cd57324482a6e4d75f82a602ef4ea1037297\",\n \"content\": \"<!DOCTYPE html>\\n<html>\\n<head>\\n<title>Lalűta</title>\\n<meta charset=\\\"utf-8\\\">\\n<meta name=\\\"viewport\\\" content=\\\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=1\\\">\\n<link href=\\\"../../style.css\\\" rel=\\\"stylesheet\\\">\\n<link rel=\\\"shortcut icon\\\" href=\\\"../../favicon.ico\\\" type=\\\"image/x-icon\\\">\\n<script src=\\\"../../libs/jquery-3.1.0.min.js\\\"></script>\\n<script>\\n$(document).ready(function () {\\n\\t$.getScript(\\\"../../js/buttonUp.js\\\", function () {\\n\\t\\t$.getScript(\\\"../../js/settingsButton.js\\\", function () {\\n\\t\\t\\t$.getScript(\\\"../../js/nonVocabTheme.js\\\", function () {\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t$.getScript(\\\"../../js/localStorage.js\\\")\\n\\t\\t\\t})\\n\\t\\t})\\n\\t})\\n})\\n</script>\\n</head>\\n<body>\\n<a id=\\\"top\\\"></a>\\n<a href=\\\"#top\\\" id=\\\"up\\\">↑</a>\\n<svg width=\\\"22px\\\" height=\\\"22px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 512 512\\\" id=\\\"settingsButton\\\"><path d=\\\"M487.4 315.7l-42.6-24.6c4.3-23.2 4.3-47 0-70.2l42.6-24.6c4.9-2.8 7.1-8.6 5.5-14-11.1-35.6-30-67.8-54.7-94.6-3.8-4.1-10-5.1-14.8-2.3L380.8 110c-17.9-15.4-38.5-27.3-60.8-35.1V25.8c0-5.6-3.9-10.5-9.4-11.7-36.7-8.2-74.3-7.8-109.2 0-5.5 1.2-9.4 6.1-9.4 11.7V75c-22.2 7.9-42.8 19.8-60.8 35.1L88.7 85.5c-4.9-2.8-11-1.9-14.8 2.3-24.7 26.7-43.6 58.9-54.7 94.6-1.7 5.4.6 11.2 5.5 14L67.3 221c-4.3 23.2-4.3 47 0 70.2l-42.6 24.6c-4.9 2.8-7.1 8.6-5.5 14 11.1 35.6 30 67.8 54.7 94.6 3.8 4.1 10 5.1 14.8 2.3l42.6-24.6c17.9 15.4 38.5 27.3 60.8 35.1v49.2c0 5.6 3.9 10.5 9.4 11.7 36.7 8.2 74.3 7.8 109.2 0 5.5-1.2 9.4-6.1 9.4-11.7v-49.2c22.2-7.9 42.8-19.8 60.8-35.1l42.6 24.6c4.9 2.8 11 1.9 14.8-2.3 24.7-26.7 43.6-58.9 54.7-94.6 1.5-5.5-.7-11.3-5.6-14.1zM256 336c-44.1 0-80-35.9-80-80s35.9-80 80-80 80 35.9 80 80-35.9 80-80 80z\\\"></path></svg>\\n\\n<div id=\\\"menu\\\">\\n\\t<h3>THEME</h3>\\n\\t<a id=\\\"lightTheme\\\">Light</a>\\n\\t<a id=\\\"darkTheme\\\">Dark</a>\\n\\t<h3>LINKS</h3>\\n\\t<a id=\\\"homepage\\\" href=\\\"../../index.html\\\">Homepage</a>\\n\\t<a id=\\\"mobileToggle\\\" href=\\\"../../mobile/html/la/laluta.html\\\">Mobile</a>\\n</div>\\n\\n<div id=\\\"contentDivNew\\\">\\n<h4>Contents</h4>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\" id=\\\"TOC\\\" style=\\\"margin-top: 24px\\\">\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#0\\\">Info</a></li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">1</span> Introduction</a></li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2</span> Phonology</a>\\n\\t\\t<ul class=\\\"newUlNested\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#2_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2.1</span> Vowels</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#2_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2.2</span> Consonants</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#2_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2.3</span> Realization and allophony</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#2_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2.4</span> Stress and phonotactics</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#2_5\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2.5</span> Vowel hiatus</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#2_6\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2.6</span> Consonant clusters</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#2_7\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2.7</span> Umlaut</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#2_8\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2.8</span> Reduplication</a></li>\\n\\t\\t</ul>\\n\\t</li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">3</span> Orthography</a>\\n\\t\\t<ul class=\\\"newUlNested\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#3_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">3.1</span> Overview</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#3_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">3.2</span> Syllabic characters</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#3_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">3.3</span> Logographic characters</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#3_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">3.4</span> Punctuation and spacing</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#3_5\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">3.5</span> Abbreviations</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#3_6\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">3.6</span> Notes on romanization</a></li>\\n\\t\\t</ul>\\n\\t</li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">4</span> Overarching structures</a>\\n\\t\\t<ul class=\\\"newUlNested\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#4_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">4.1</span> Class</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#4_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">4.2</span> Number</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#4_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">4.3</span> Case</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#4_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">4.4</span> Clause-final auxiliaries</a></li>\\n\\t\\t</ul>\\n\\t</li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#5\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">5</span> Articles</a>\\n\\t\\t<ul class=\\\"newUlNested\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#5_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">5.1</span> Definite article</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#5_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">5.2</span> Negative article</a></li>\\n\\t\\t</ul>\\n\\t</li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#6\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">6</span> Nouns</a>\\n\\t\\t<ul class=\\\"newUlNested\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#6_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">6.1</span> Case and number</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#6_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">6.2</span> Class and derivation</a></li>\\n\\t\\t</ul>\\n\\t</li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#7\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">7</span> Personal pronouns</a>\\n\\t\\t<ul class=\\\"newUlNested\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#7_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">7.1</span> First and second person pronouns</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#7_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">7.2</span> Third person pronouns</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#7_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">7.3</span> Possessives</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#7_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">7.4</span> Reflexive pronouns</a></li>\\n\\t\\t</ul>\\n\\t</li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#8\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">8</span> Interrogatives</a>\\n\\t\\t<ul class=\\\"newUlNested\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#8_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">8.1</span> <b>lä</b>, <b>kuä</b> - what, who</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#8_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">8.2</span> <b>sonlä</b>, <b>lilä</b> - which, whence, where, whither</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#8_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">8.3</span> <b>imi</b>, <b>baläns</b>, <b>boalä</b> - when, why, how, how many, how much</a></li>\\n\\t\\t</ul>\\n\\t</li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#9\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">9</span> Demonstratives</a>\\n\\t\\t<ul class=\\\"newUlNested\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#9_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">9.1</span> Basic demonstrative</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#9_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">9.2</span> Proximal and distal demonstratives</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#9_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">9.3</span> Other forms - <b>skä</b>, <b>eligä</b>, <b>boagä</b>, <b>mins</b>, <b>mi</b>, <b>mimi</b></a></li>\\n\\t\\t</ul>\\n\\t</li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#10\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">10</span> Indefinite pronouns and adjectives</a>\\n\\t\\t<ul class=\\\"newUlNested\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#10_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">10.1</span> Negative article - none/some</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#10_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">10.2</span> <b>bis</b> - every</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#10_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">10.3</span> Potential form - any</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#10_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">10.4</span> <b>kago</b> and <b>darn</b> and their contractions</a></li>\\n\\t\\t</ul>\\n\\t</li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#11\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">11</span> Adjectives and adverbs</a>\\n\\t\\t<ul class=\\\"newUlNested\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#11_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">11.1</span> Placement and characteristics of adjectives</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#11_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">11.2</span> Agreement of adjectives with nouns</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#11_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">11.3</span> Placement and characteristics of adverbs</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#11_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">11.4</span> Conversion of adjectives into adverbs</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#11_5\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">11.5</span> Adverbs of degree</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#11_6\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">11.6</span> Comparison of adjectives and adverbs</a></li>\\n\\t\\t</ul>\\n\\t</li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#12\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">12</span> Numbers and numerical expressions</a>\\n\\t\\t<ul class=\\\"newUlNested\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#12_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">12.1</span> Cardinal numbers</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#12_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">12.2</span> Ordinal numbers</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#12_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">12.3</span> Occurrences, multiples, fractions</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#12_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">12.4</span> Dates, clock time</a></li>\\n\\t\\t</ul>\\n\\t</li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#13\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">13</span> Conjunctions and prepositions</a>\\n\\t\\t<ul class=\\\"newUlNested\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#13_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">13.1</span> Usage of noun cases</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#13_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">13.2</span> Conjunctions</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#13_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">13.3</span> Prepositions</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#13_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">13.4</span> Usage of <b>püta</b></a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#13_5\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">13.5</span> Spatial and temporal expressions</a></li>\\n\\t\\t</ul>\\n\\t</li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#14\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">14</span> Verb conjugations</a>\\n\\t\\t<ul class=\\\"newUlNested\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#14_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">14.1</span> Regular verbs</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#14_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">14.2</span> Irregular verbs</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#14_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">14.3</span> Copulae</a></li>\\n\\t\\t</ul>\\n\\t</li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#15\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15</span> Verb tenses</a>\\n\\t\\t<ul class=\\\"newUlNested\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#15_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.1</span> Overview of the tense system</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#15_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.2</span> Present</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#15_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.3</span> Conditional</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#15_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.4</span> Future</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#15_5\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.5</span> Imperfect</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#15_6\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.6</span> Past habitual</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#15_7\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.7</span> Potential</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#15_8\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.8</span> Perfect</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#15_9\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.9</span> Past potential</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#15_10\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.10</span> Necessitative</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#15_11\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.11</span> Additional combinations</a></li>\\n\\t\\t</ul>\\n\\t</li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#16\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">16</span> Verb usage</a>\\n\\t\\t<ul class=\\\"newUlNested\\\">\\t\\t\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#16_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">16.1</span> Negation and interrogation</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#16_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">16.2</span> Imperatives</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#16_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">16.3</span> Passive and causative voice</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#16_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">16.4</span> Impersonal and reflexive expressions</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#16_5\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">16.5</span> Common auxiliaries</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#16_6\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">16.6</span> Verbal suffixes</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#16_7\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">16.7</span> Valency</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#16_8\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">16.8</span> Other expressions</a></li>\\n\\t\\t</ul>\\n\\t</li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#17\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17</span> Word formation</a>\\n\\t\\t<ul class=\\\"newUlNested\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#17_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17.1</span> General remarks</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#17_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17.2</span> Zero derivation</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#17_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17.3</span> Compounds</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#17_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17.4</span> Augmentatives and diminutives</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#17_5\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17.5</span> Nominalizing</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#17_6\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17.6</span> Adjectivizing and adverbializing</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#17_7\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17.7</span> Verbalizing</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#17_8\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17.8</span> Negation</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#17_9\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17.9</span> Umlaut</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#17_10\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17.10</span> Irregularities in compounds</a></li>\\n\\t\\t</ul>\\n\\t</li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#18\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">18</span> Syntax</a>\\n\\t\\t<ul class=\\\"newUlNested\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#18_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">18.1</span> Word order</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#18_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">18.2</span> Compound sentences</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#18_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">18.3</span> Attributive clauses</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#18_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">18.4</span> Questions</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#18_5\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">18.5</span> Reported speech</a></li>\\n\\t\\t</ul>\\n\\t</li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#19\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">19</span> Pragmatics</a>\\n\\t\\t<ul class=\\\"newUlNested\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#19_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">19.1</span> Uses of the language</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#19_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">19.2</span> Politeness, register, greetings</a></li>\\n\\t\\t\\t<li><a href=\\\"#19_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">19.3</span> Personal influences on the lexicon</a></li>\\n\\t\\t</ul>\\n\\t</li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#20\\\">Appendix 1: SDOAUX</a></li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#21\\\">Appendix 2: Syllabary</a></li>\\n\\t<li><a href=\\\"#22\\\">Appendix 3: Dictionary</a></li>\\n</ul>\\n\\t\\n<h4 id=\\\"0\\\">Info</h4>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>a</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>transliteration</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>a</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>romanization</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>translation</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>/a/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>phonemic transcription</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>[a]</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>phonetic transcription</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\"></tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>T</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>plosive (<b>p b t d k g</b>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>P</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>voiceless plosive (<b>p t k</b>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>B</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>voiced plosive (<b>b d g</b>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>N</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>nasal (<b>m n</b>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>L</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>liquid (<b>r l</b>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>W</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>liquid or nasal (<b>m n r l</b>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ü</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>umlaut</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n\\t\\n<h4 id=\\\"1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">1</span> Introduction</h4>\\n<p>This is a personal constructed language. Its name is <b>läl'üta</b> <i>lalűta</i>, which comes directly from the word meaning <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">language</span>. It does not attempt to be naturalistic, it is not set in any fictional world, nor does it have a fictional group of speakers. It is free of loan words and makes no reference to names of countries, people, brands, culture-specific ideas, etc. existing in the real world. Its purpose is self-expression, not creating or translating specialized or technical texts.</p>\\n<p>As this is a personal language, its \\\"flavor,\\\" that is idiomatic expressions, register, and anything that in a natural language would be culture-guided, is based on my own thoughts, experiences, and worldviews. The language is not inspired by any particular language, natural or fictional, though it draws bits and pieces from many.</p>\\n<p>Although the language is not naturalistic, it features elements such as non-concatenation, proto-forms, grammaticalization, suppletion, and the occasional semantic shift, in order to make it more interesting. The language is exclusively head-initial, VSO and low-context, though it encourages the use of figurative and metaphoric expressions.</p>\\n<p>Some of the presented examples make use of made-up forms, not actual words.</p>\\n<p>Due to the complexity of the language and the length of this document, mistakes in spelling, grammar and syntax in the presented examples are bound to be present. This is why I provide thorough explanations of the discussed grammatical, morphological, syntactical, etc. constructions and strategies. With the use of these descriptions, potential mistakes can be corrected.</p>\\n\\n<h4 id=\\\"2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2</span> Phonology</h4><br>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"2_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2.1</span> Vowels</h5>\\n<p>The vowels are divided into front and back vowels. This influences the realization of preceding consonants and the forms of some adjacent morphological units. Non-low vowels can be realized as glides when found next to other vowels (see <a href=\\\"#2_5\\\"><b>2.5 Vowel hiatus</b></a>). Note that <b>ä</b> and <b>a</b> have the same pronunciation, but the former is front while the latter is back.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Front</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ä e i ü</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>a e i ü</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>/a ɛ i y/</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Back</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>a o u</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>a o u</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>/a ʌ ɯ/</td>\\n\\t</tr><tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Glides</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>i/e u/o ü</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>y w ü</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>/j ɰ ɥ/</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"2_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2.2</span> Consonants</h5>\\n<p>Consonants have a \\\"hard\\\" (non-palatalized) pronunciation before back vowels and glides, and a \\\"soft\\\" (palatalized) pronunciation before front vowels and glides. In coda position, obstruents are realized the same way as hard consonants, whereas more variability can be observed in sonorants.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th></th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Hard</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Soft</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Coda</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>p</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>p</i> /p/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>py</i> /pʲ/*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>p</i> /p/</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>b</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>v</i> /v/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>vy</i> /vʲ/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>v</i> /v/</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>t</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>t</i> /t/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ch</i> /c/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>t</i> /t/</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>d</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>d</i> /d/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>j</i> /ɟ/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>d</i> /d/</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>k</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>k</i> /k/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ch</i> /c/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>k</i> /k/</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>g</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>g</i> /ɡ/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>j</i> /ɟ/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>g</i> /ɡ/</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>s</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>s</i> /s/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>hy</i> /ç/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>s</i> /s/</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>m</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>m</i> /m/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>my</i> /mʲ/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>m</i> /m/ or <i>n</i> /ɰ̃/**</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>n</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>n</i> /n/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ny</i> /ɲ/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>n</i> /n/ or <i>n</i> /ɰ̃/**</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>r</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>n</i> /n/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>y</i> /j/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>r</i> /ɹ/</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>l</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>w</i> /ɰ/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>l</i> /l/</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>w</i> /ɰ/</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>*In romanization, <i>y</i> in soft consonants is unwritten when preceding <i>i</i>, <i>ü</i>, or a consonant, e.g. <b>mä me mi mü müi asmi</b> <i>mya mye mi mü müi ahmi</i> /mʲa mʲɛ mʲi mʲy mʲɥi açmʲi/.<br>\\n**Realized as /ɰ̃/ only when directly preceded by a vowel and not followed by a vowel or geminate nasal, cf. <b>am</b> <i>an</i> /aɰ̃/, <b>arm</b> <i>arm</i> /aɹm/, <b>aüm</b> <i>aüm</i> /aɥm/, <b>ama</b> <i>ama</i> /ama/, <b>amma</b> <i>amma</i> /amːa/. /ɰ̃/ is romanized as <i>m</i> before <i>p(y)</i>.</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"2_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2.3</span> Realization and allophony</h5>\\n<p>Onset voiceless stops are aspirated, especially when stressed. Aspiration before glides results in their devoicing, e.g. <b>poa</b> <i>pwa</i> [pɰ̊a].<br>\\n/ɡ/ is realized as [ŋ] between vowels and glides.<br>\\n/c/ and /ɟ/ are realized as [t͡ɕ] and [d͡ʑ], /c/ is realized as [c] only after the non-sibilant [ç].<br>\\n/s/ is slightly palatalized. Alternatively, it can be a hypersibilant or a lisped s.<br>\\t \\n/s/ softens to /ç/ before soft consonants and is romanized as <i>h</i>.</p>\\n<p>Coda /ɰ̃/ lowers high vowels - <b>iN üN</b> <i>en</i> /ɛɰ̃/, <b>uN</b> <i>on</i> /ʌɰ̃/.<br>\\n/ɰ̃/ is realized as [ɥ̃] before /pʲ vʲ/ and [j̃] before /c ɟ ç/.<br>\\nCoda /m/ and /n/ assimilate to following obstruents: [m(ʲ)] before /p(ʲ)/, [ɱ(ʲ)] before /v(ʲ)/, [n] before /t d s/, [ɲ] before /c ɟ ç/, [ŋ] before /k ɡ/. They are romanized as <i>m</i> before <i>p</i>, and <i>n</i> otherwise, e.g. <b>iinba</b> <i>aynva</i> [ajɱva], <b>eümske</b> <i>eünhche</i> [ɛɥɲçcɛ], <b>oumk</b> <i>ownk</i> [ʌɰŋk].<br>\\nCoda /ɹ/ influences the realization of some preceding vowels and glides - <b>er or ur</b> <i>ur</i> /ɚ/, <b>ür</b> <i>ür</i> /ɥɚ/, <i>yr ür wr</i> /jɚ ɥɚ ɰɚ/. In the latter case, the additional rhotic vowel is purely epenthetic and does not count as a separate syllable nucleus for the purposes of counting word stress, cf. <b>parer</b> <i>payur</i> /paˈjɚ/ and <b>pair</b> <i>payr</i> /ˈpajɚ/. Non-epenthetic /jɚ ɥɚ ɰɚ/ are romanized as <i>yur yür wur</i>.</p>\\n<p>Geminates are always realized as geminates, never as doubled consonants, e.g. <b>appa</b> <i>appa</i> [apːa], not [*ap.pa]. For the purposes of word stress counting, syllables preceding a geminate are closed.</p>\\n<p>/ɯ/ is realized as [ɯ̟~ɨ]. It is slightly rhotacized before a pause.<br>\\n/a/ is realized as [ä] following hard consonants, as [a] following soft consonants, and as [æ] before /ɹ/.</p>\\n<p>Two glides cannot cooccur adjacently within the same syllable. The latter is elided, e.g. <b>lail</b> /*ɰajɰ/ → /ɰaj/ <i>way</i>.<br>\\n/j/ is never pronounced when adjacent to /i y/, and /ɰ ɥ/ are never pronounced when adjacent to /ɯ y/, unless the vowel is first and in a separate syllable, e.g. <b>itma</b> /*ijma/ → /ima/ <i>ima</i>, <b>kupna</b> /*kɯɰna/ → /kɯna/ <i>kuna</i>, but <b>kire</b> /ci.jɛ/ <i>chiye</i>. This means <b>ri rü lu</b> are pronounced as /i y ɯ/ <i>i ü u</i>.<br>\\nAfter vowels, <i>i ü u</i> are romanized <i>yi yü wu</i> and pronounced /ji ɥy ɰɯ/, e.g. <b>iiri</b> <i>ayi</i> /aji/, <b>ellu</b> <i>ewu</i> /ɛɰɯ/.<br>\\nWhen a syllable ending in a glide is followed by hiatus, the following realizations apply.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i><b>y-</b></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i><b>w-</b></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i><b>ü-</b></i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><i><b>-yi</b></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yi</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wi</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>üi</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><i><b>-wu</b></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wu</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><i><b>-yü</b></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yü</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yü</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yü</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>Word boundaries typically block palatalization, excluding certain set phrases or collocations; this also affects romanization, e.g. <b>läl üta</b> <i>lal üta</i>.</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"2_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2.4</span> Stress and phonotactics</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Word stress is final if the syllable is closed, otherwise penultimate if the syllable is closed, otherwise antepenultimate. Every other preceding syllable receives secondary stress. In case of exceptions, the stress may be marked with an acute in the romanization. The exceptions to the stress rule include:</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li>- compound SDOAUX, which are always stressed on the final syllable, e.g. <b>arärä</b> <i>ayayá</i></li>\\n\\t<li>- second person verb forms ending in <b>-kiu</b>, which are always stressed on the penult, e.g. <b>elikiu</b> <i>elíchu</i></li>\\n\\t<li>- adjectives and nouns involved in NSWEO agreement, e.g. <b>bee olee</b> <i>vi olí</i>, <b>lika liboa</b> <i>liká livwá</i></li>\\n\\t<li>- certain short compounds, where stress can be counted as if two words were used, e.g. <b>läl'üta</b> <i>lalűta</i> (from <b>läl üta</b> <i>lal üta</i>)</li>\\n\\t<li>- certain clipped compounds, e.g. <b>kada</b> <i>kadá</i> (from <b>ka darn</b> <i>ka darn</i>)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The maximum syllable shape is CVC, but:</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li>- word-initially <b>sP</b> is allowed</li>\\n\\t<li>- word-medially <b>WsP</b> is allowed</li>\\n\\t<li>- word-finally <b>sP WP Ws WsP LN</b> are allowed</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>Any instances of word-initial or word-final <b>sb sd sg</b> are respelled as <b>sp st sk</b>, e.g. <b>s-</b> + <b>-dark</b> → <b>stark</b>, <b>pag</b> + <b>-s-</b> → <b>pask</b>.</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"2_5\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2.5</span> Vowel hiatus</h5>\\n<p>Orthographically, no more than three vowels can occur consecutively. Vowel digraphs are rendered as diphthongs, but double vowels rise, with double high vowels breaking into diphthongs.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>1→</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>2↓</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ä</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>a</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>e</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>o</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>i</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>u</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ü</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ä</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>e</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>o</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ya</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wa</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ya</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wa</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>üa</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>a</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>e</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>o</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ya</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wa</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ya</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wa</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>üa</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>e</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>'ay</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ay</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>i</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>we</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ye</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>we</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>üe</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>o</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>'aw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>aw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yo</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>u</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yo</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wo</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>üo</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>i</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>'ay</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ay</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ey</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>oy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ay</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wi</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>üi</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>u</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>'aw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>aw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ew</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ow</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>aw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ü</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ü</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>'aü</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>aü</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>eü</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>oü</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>iü</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ü</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>aü</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Note that:</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li>- the apostrophe in the table above marks palatalization of the preceding consonant, e.g. <b>mäe</b> <i>myay</i></li>\\n\\t<li>- <i>ü</i> next to another vowel always stands for a glide, thus <i>üi</i> and <i>iü</i> stand for /ɥi/ and /iɥ/, respectively</li>\\n\\t<li>- <i>y</i> is never pronounced as /j/ after consonants, rather it palatalizes the preceding consonant, e.g. <b>kia</b> /*cja/ → /ca/ <i>cha</i>, <b>meo</b> /*mjʌ/ → /mʲʌ/ <i>myo</i></li>\\n\\t<li>- consonants before <b>ii</b> and <b>üü</b> are pronounced as hard despite occurring before a front vowel, e.g. <b>sii</b> <i>say</i></li>\\n\\t<li>- consonants before <b>uü</b> are pronounced as soft despite occurring before a back vowel, because of the realization <i>ü</i>, e.g. <b>duü</b> <i>jü</i></li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">There are three types of permissible trigraphs:</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li>- TYPE 1: high vowel <b>i ü u</b> realized as /j ɥ ɰ/ + any vowel digraph starting with a non-high monophthong, e.g. <b>kuai</b> <i>kway</i>, <b>kiii</b> <i>chay</i>, <b>tioo</b> <i>chu</i></li>\\n\\t<li>- TYPE 2: <b>eä ea oä oa</b> + non-low vowel, or <b>eo oe</b> + high-vowel (first and last vowels realized as glides), e.g. <b>seao</b> <i>hyaw</i>, <b>boeü</b> <i>vweü</i></li>\\n\\t<li>- TYPE 3: any vowel + high vowel (<b>i ü u</b> realized as syllable-initial /j ɥ ɰ/) + any vowel (but <b>ii iü uu uü üü üu</b> disallowed), e.g. <b>nuui</b> <i>nuwi</i>, <b>kaio</b> <i>kayo</i></li>\\n\\t<li>- TYPE 2 and 3 trigraphs allow for additional vowels in their reduplicated forms, e.g. <b>nuui</b> → <b>nuuiui</b> <i>nuwiwi</i>, <b>seao</b> → <b>seaoao</b> <i>hyawaw</i></li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"2_6\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2.6</span> Consonant clusters</h5>\\n<p>Although orthographically any two consonants can form a word-internal cluster, its realization often involves gemination, metathesis or other sound changes. This only affects the pronunciation, not spelling, e.g. <b>aksa</b> <i>aska</i> does not have to be respelled as <b>aska</b>. The most conspicuous changes include metathesis, which always places <i>s</i> and <i>h</i> (from <b>s</b>) before stops, and <i>w</i> (from <b>l</b>) before all consonants; stop clusters always being realized as the geminate of the latter consonant; stops changing to glides before nasals; <b>r</b> softening to <i>y</i> before soft consonants.</p>\\n<p>When the latter consonant in the cluster is hard:</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>1→</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>2↓</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>p</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>b</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>t</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>d</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>k</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>g</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>s</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>m</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>n</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>r</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>l</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>p</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>pp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>pp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>pp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>pp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>pp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>pp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>sp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>mp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>mp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>rp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wp</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>b</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>pp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>pp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>pp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>pp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>pp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>pp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>sp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nv</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nv</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>rv</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wv</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>t</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>tt</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>tt</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>tt</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>tt</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>tt</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>tt</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>st</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nt</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nt</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>rt</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wt</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>d</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>tt</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>tt</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>tt</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>tt</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>tt</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>tt</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>st</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nd</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nd</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>rd</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wd</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>k</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>kk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>kk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>kk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>kk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>kk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>kk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>sk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>rk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wk</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>g</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>kk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>kk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>kk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>kk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>kk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>kk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>sk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ng</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ng</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>rg</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wg</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>s</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>sp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>sp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>st</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>st</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>sk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>sk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ss</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ns</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ns</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>rs</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ws</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>m</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>üm</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>üm</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ym</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ym</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wm</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wm</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>sm</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>mm</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>mm</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>rm</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wm</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>n</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ün</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ün</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>sn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>rn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wn</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>r</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ün</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ün</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>sn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>rn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wn</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>l</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wv</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wt</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wd</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wg</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ws</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wm</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ww</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\"></tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sp</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nsp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nsp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>rsp</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wsp</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>st</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nst</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nst</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>rst</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wst</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sk</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nsk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nsk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>rsk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wsk</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>When the latter consonant in the cluster is soft:</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>1→</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>2↓</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>p</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>b</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>t</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>d</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>k</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>g</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>s</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>m</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>n</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>r</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>l</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>p</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ppy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ppy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ppy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ppy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ppy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ppy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>hpy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>mpy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>mpy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ypy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wpy</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>b</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ppy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ppy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ppy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ppy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ppy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ppy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>hpy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nvy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nvy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yvy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wvy</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>t</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>hch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ych</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wch</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>d</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>hch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nj</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nj</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yj</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wj</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>k</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>hch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ych</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wch</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>g</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>cch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>hch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nj</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nj</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yj</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wj</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>s</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>hpy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>hpy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>hch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>hch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>hch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>hch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>hhy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nhy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nhy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yhy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>why</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>m</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ümy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ümy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ymy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ymy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wmy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wmy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>hmy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>mmy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>mmy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ymy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wmy</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>n</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>üny</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>üny</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yny</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yny</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wny</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wny</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>hny</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nny</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nny</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yny</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wny</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>r</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>py</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>vy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>j</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>j</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>hy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>my</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ny</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>l</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>l</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wpy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wvy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wj</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wj</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>why</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wmy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>wny</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>l</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ll</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\"></tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sp</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nhpy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nhpy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yhpy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>whpy</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>st</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nhch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nhch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yhch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>whch</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sk</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i></i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nhch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>nhch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yhch</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>whch</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"2_7\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2.7</span> Umlaut</h5>\\n<p>Umlaut involves the mutation of a vowel or a vowel sequence when it is followed by an appended front high vowel. This can occur when an inflectional or derivational affix is attached to a word, and in SDOAUX (see <a href=\\\"#4_4\\\"><b>4.4 Clause-final auxiliaries</b></a>). It does not apply between morphemes in compounds or across word boundaries, so articles, demonstratives and adjectives do not trigger umlaut.</p>\\n<p>An affixed <b>i</b> changes the preceding vowel or combination thereof - <b>ä a e o u</b> → <b>e ä i e i</b>, e.g. <b>so-</b> GEN + <b>mika</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thing</span> → <b>semika</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">of thing</span> (GEN-thing).<br>\\nAn affixed <b>ü</b> changes the preceding vowel or combination thereof - <b>ä a e o u</b> → <b>e ä ü ü ü</b>, e.g. <b>does</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">feel</span> + <b>-ü</b> GER → <b>düüsü</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">feeling</span> (feel-GER).<br>\\nUmlaut does not apply when there is no intervening consonant, e.g. <b>rättä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">teach</span> + <b>i</b> GER → <b>rättäi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">teaching</span> (teach-GER).</p>\\n<p>This is a simple introduction to umlaut. For more details, see <a href=\\\"#17_9\\\"><b>17.9 Umlaut</b></a>.</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"2_8\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2.8</span> Reduplication</h5>\\n<p>Some forms in the language are formed through reduplication, which adheres to the following patterns:</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Ending</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Original form</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Redup form</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Example</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td rowspan=\\\"2\\\">V Monograph</th>\\n\\t\\t<td>V</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>-V</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>a</b> → <b>aa</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>(s)CV</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>(s)-GV*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>spa</b> → <b>spaba</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td rowspan=\\\"2\\\">V Digraph</th>\\n\\t\\t<td>VV<sub>1</sub></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>-[l/r]VV<sub>1</sub>**</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ee</b> → <b>eeree</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>(s)CVV<sub>1</sub></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>-GVV<sub>1</sub></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kia</b> → <b>kiagia</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td rowspan=\\\"2\\\">V Trigraph T1</th>\\n\\t\\t<td>VV<sub>1</sub>V<sub>2</sub></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>-[l/r]VV<sub>1</sub>V<sub>2</sub>**</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>uae</b> → <b>uaeluae</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>(s)CVV<sub>1</sub>V<sub>2</sub></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>-GVV<sub>1</sub>V<sub>2</sub></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>skiii</b> → <b>skiiigiii</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>V Trigraph T2/3</th>\\n\\t\\t<td>(s)(C)VV<sub>1</sub>V<sub>2</sub></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>-V<sub>1</sub>V<sub>2</sub></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kaio</b> → <b>kaioio</b>, <b>luai</b> → <b>luaiai</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\"></tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td rowspan=\\\"4\\\">C(s)***</th>\\n\\t\\t<td>VC</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>VGVC</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ak</b> → <b>agak</b>, <b>aios</b> → <b>aiosaios</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>VCC<sub>1</sub></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>VCVCC<sub>1</sub></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ask</b> → <b>asask</b>, <b>aurn</b> → <b>auraurn</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>(s)(C)VWsP</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>(s)(C)VWPVWs</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ansk</b> → <b>ankans</b>, <b>skaiersp</b> → <b>skaierpaiers</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>(s)CVC<sub>1</sub>(C<sub>2</sub>)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>(s)CVGVC<sub>1</sub>(C<sub>2</sub>)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kat</b> → <b>kagat</b>, <b>stiaolk</b> → <b>stiaodiaolk</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>*G refers to voicing - <b>p t k</b> → <b>b d g</b>.<br>\\n**Epenthetic <b>r</b> appended after front vowels, <b>l</b> appended after back vowels.<br>\\n***For consonant-final forms, V refers to the entire vowel sequence, be it a monograph, digraph, or trigraph.</p>\\n\\n<h4 id=\\\"3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">3</span> Orthography</h4><br>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"3_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">3.1</span> Overview</h5>\\n<p>The script is a semi-syllabary written vertically, with columns read from left to right. The principal feature of the script is a vertical line going through the middle of each column. To the left of the line, the onset and nucleus are encoded. To the right, the coda and/or the voicing of the onset are encoded. In addition, several characters exist for encoding non-CVC syllables.</p>\\n<p>The script also features four logographs encoding certain grammatical morphology, and a simple system of punctuation.</p>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"3_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">3.2</span> Syllabic characters</h5>\\n<p>(Note that the word syllable used across the following sections refers to orthographic syllables, rather than phonological ones.)</p>\\n\\t\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> CVC characters</h6>\\n<p>The size of a standard character is 20x20u (units). In each word, a vertical line runs through the middle. To the left of the line, syllabic glyphs representing the onset and nucleus of each syllable are placed; this includes CV and V glyphs. To the right of the line, glyphs encoding codas are placed if necessary. All syllabic glyphs can be found in <a href=\\\"#21\\\"><b>Appendix 2: Syllabary</b></a>.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 0,12.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 M 0,5 V 12.5 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,2.24 10,5 M 10,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 5,5 V 17.5 M 5,11.25 H 0 V 5 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m 0,-5 v 20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 5,17.5 V 5 M 5,0 H 6.87 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 m 5,17.5 H 0 V 5 M 10,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>a</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kü</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>no</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\"></tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 16.25,17.5 H 20 m -7.5,-6.25 v 2.5 m 7.5,-2.5 c 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 m 7.5,2.5 V 0 m -7.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 M 20,0 C 20,3.75 15,5 10,5 M 0,12.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 M 0,5 V 12.5 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,2.24 10,5 M 10,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 12.5,3.75 c 0,4.37 7.5,4.37 7.5,8.75 M 12.5,3.75 C 12.5,1.68 14.18,0 16.25,0 18.32,0 20,1.68 20,3.75 20,4.74 19.6,5.7 18.9,6.4 M 10,0 V 20 M 20,12.5 c 0,2.76 -2.24,5 -5,5 -2.76,0 -5,-2.24 -5,-5 M 5,5 v 12.5 m 0,-6.25 H 0 v -6.25 m 0,0 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m 0,-5 V 20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 5,17.5 V 5 M 5,0 H 6.87 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 m 5,17.5 H 0 V 5 m 20,3.75 c -3.13,0 -6.25,4.37 -6.25,8.75 M 10,20 V 0 c 5,0 10,1.25 10,5 H 13.75 V 17.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>at</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kün</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nod</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>Each glyph occupies a space of 10x17.5u, leaving 2.5u at the bottom to prevent an overlap with the glyph below. The only exceptions are glyphs which transition into the line smoothly at the bottom, such as the following.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 7.5,3.75 V 5 M 3.1,7.44 C 1.3,7.13 0,5.57 0,3.75 0,1.68 1.68,0 3.75,0 5.82,0 7.5,1.68 7.5,3.75 M 10,20 V 0 M 5,15 C 7.76,15 10,17.24 10,20 M 5,15 H 0 M 7.5,5 C 7.5,10 3.75,15 0,15\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 5,15 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m -6.25,-12.5 C 1.87,5.62 0,3.75 0,0 H 7.5 C 7.5,7.5 0,7.5 0,15 H 5 M 10,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 5,15 C 7.76,15 10,17.24 10,20 M 5,15 H 0 M 0,5 v 5 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,2.24 10,5 m 0,-5 v 20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ü</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ki</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>su</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>The right side of the line can also encode voicing of the onset. There are no separate glyphs for pairs such as <b>ka</b> and <b>ga</b>. Instead, voicing is encoded with a glyph placed to the right of the line, following the voiceless initial glyph. Compare the following:</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 3.75,5 V 7.5 M 0,0 c 1.87,0 3.75,2.5 3.75,5 m 3.75,6.25 v 2.5 m -7.5,0 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 M 0,11.25 v 2.5 m 0,-2.5 C 0,9.18 1.68,7.5 3.75,7.5 5.82,7.5 7.5,9.18 7.5,11.25 M 0,0 h 10 v 20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 20,5 C 20,2.24 17.76,0 15,0 12.24,0 10,2.24 10,5 m -6.25,0 v 2.5 M -4e-7,0 c 1.87,0 3.75,2.5 3.75,5 m 3.75,6.25 v 2.5 m -7.5,0 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 m -7.5,-2.5 v 2.5 m 0,-2.5 c 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 2.07,0 3.75,1.68 3.75,3.75 M -4e-7,0 h 10 V 5 M 20,5 C 20,12.5 10,12.5 10,20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 5,10 V 2.5 M 0,12.5 v -10 m 0,0 C 0,1.12 1.12,0 2.5,0 3.88,0 5,1.12 5,2.5 M 0,12.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 C 7.76,17.5 10,15.26 10,12.5 m 0,7.5 V 0\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 20,5 C 20,2.24 17.76,0 15,0 12.24,0 10,2.24 10,5 M 5,10 V 2.5 M 0,12.5 v -10 m 0,0 C 0,1.12 1.12,0 2.5,0 c 1.38,0 2.5,1.12 2.5,2.5 M 0,12.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5 m 0,0 V 0 M 20,5 C 20,12.5 10,12.5 10,20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ka</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ga</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>te</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>de</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>Because the coda glyphs and the voicing glyph occupy the same space, each coda has two versions - one which encodes the coda alone, and one which encodes both the coda and the voicing of the onset. Compare the following:</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 0,12.5 C 0,10.43 1.68,8.75 3.75,8.75 M 0,5 v -1.25 M 0,13.75 V 12.5 M 3.75,0 h 2.5 m -2.5,8.75 H 7.5 M 6.25,0 C 8.32,0 10,1.68 10,3.75 m -10,0 C 0,1.68 1.68,0 3.75,0 M 0,5 C 0,7.07 1.68,8.75 3.75,8.75 M 7.5,13.75 C 7.5,15.82 5.82,17.5 3.75,17.5 1.68,17.5 0,15.82 0,13.75 M 10,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 0,12.5 C 0,10.43 1.68,8.75 3.75,8.75 M 0,5 v -1.25 M 0,13.75 V 12.5 M 3.75,0 h 2.5 m -2.5,8.75 H 7.5 M 6.25,0 C 8.32,0 10,1.68 10,3.75 m -10,0 C 0,1.68 1.68,0 3.75,0 M 0,5 C 0,7.07 1.68,8.75 3.75,8.75 M 7.5,13.75 C 7.5,15.82 5.82,17.5 3.75,17.5 1.68,17.5 0,15.82 0,13.75 M 10,0 v 5 m 10,0 C 20,2.24 17.76,0 15,0 12.24,0 10,2.24 10,5 m 10,0 C 20,12.5 10,12.5 10,20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 13.43,9.52 c -0.61,1.32 -0.93,2.77 -0.93,4.23 m 7.5,0 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 M 10,20 V 0 h 10 c 0,2.5 -3.75,5 -7.5,5 m 0,0 H 20 v 8.75 M 0,12.5 C 0,10.43 1.68,8.75 3.75,8.75 M 0,5 v -1.25 M 0,13.75 V 12.5 M 3.75,0 H 6.25 M 3.75,8.75 H 7.5 M 6.25,0 C 8.32,0 10,1.68 10,3.75 m -10,0 C 0,1.68 1.68,0 3.75,0 M 0,5 C 0,7.07 1.68,8.75 3.75,8.75 m 3.75,5 C 7.5,15.82 5.82,17.5 3.75,17.5 1.68,17.5 0,15.82 0,13.75\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 16.25,0 H 20 M 15,15 C 12.24,15 10,17.24 10,20 M 16.25,0 C 14.18,0 12.5,1.68 12.5,3.75 12.5,5.82 14.18,7.5 16.25,7.5 M 15,15 h 5 M 16.25,7.5 H 20 m -3.75,0 c -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 M 10,20 V 0 M 0,12.5 C 0,10.43 1.68,8.75 3.75,8.75 M 0,5 v -1.25 M 0,13.75 V 12.5 M 3.75,0 H 6.25 M 3.75,8.75 H 7.5 M 6.25,0 C 8.32,0 10,1.68 10,3.75 m -10,0 C 0,1.68 1.68,0 3.75,0 M 0,5 C 0,7.07 1.68,8.75 3.75,8.75 m 3.75,5 C 7.5,15.82 5.82,17.5 3.75,17.5 1.68,17.5 0,15.82 0,13.75\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ko</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>go</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kos</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>gos</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>When a syllable with an empty right side is followed by a V syllable (but not VC), the latter is mirrored and placed to the right of the former, rather than underneath it. Compare the following:</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"40px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 40\\\"><path d=\\\"m 12.5,23.75 c 0,4.37 7.5,4.37 7.5,8.75 m -7.5,-8.75 c 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 2.07,0 3.75,1.68 3.75,3.75 0,1 -0.4,1.95 -1.1,2.65 m 1.1,6.1 c 0,2.76 -2.24,5 -5,5 -2.76,0 -5,-2.24 -5,-5 M 0,20 v 17.5 c 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5 M 5,25 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 V 40 M 5,25 v 7.5 M 7.5,11.87 C 7.5,5.93 3.75,0 3.3e-7,0 M 7.5,13.75 V 11.87 m -4.4,-1.82 c -1.8,0.32 -3.1,1.88 -3.1,3.7 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 M 10,20 V 0 H 3.3e-7\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 20,1e-5 v 17.5 c -2.76,0 -5,-2.24 -5,-5 M 15,5 C 15,2.24 12.76,0 10,0 m 5,5 v 7.5 M 7.5,11.87 C 7.5,5.93 3.75,0 3.3e-7,0 M 7.5,13.75 V 11.87 m -4.4,-1.82 c -1.8,0.32 -3.1,1.88 -3.1,3.7 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 M 10,20 V 0 H 3.3e-7\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"40px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 40\\\"><path d=\\\"M 20,5 C 20,2.24 17.76,0 15,0 12.24,0 10,2.24 10,5 m 0,-5 v 5 m 10,0 c 0,7.5 -10,7.5 -10,15 M 0,25 C 0,22.24 2.24,20 5,20 M 10,20 V 40 M 0,32.5 V 25 m 0,7.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5 M 5,15 C 7.76,15 10,17.24 10,20 M 3.75,7.5 C 5.82,7.5 7.5,5.82 7.5,3.75 7.5,1.68 5.82,0 3.75,0 1.68,0 0,1.68 0,3.75 M 3.75,15 C 1.68,15 0,13.32 0,11.25 0,9.18 1.68,7.5 3.75,7.5 m 1.25,7.5 h -1.25\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 20,5 C 20,2.24 17.76,0 15,0 M 20,12.5 V 5 m 0,7.5 c 0,2.76 -2.24,5 -5,5 C 12.24,17.5 10,15.26 10,12.5 M 5,15 C 7.76,15 10,17.24 10,20 M 3.75,7.5 C 5.82,7.5 7.5,5.82 7.5,3.75 7.5,1.68 5.82,0 3.75,0 1.68,0 0,1.68 0,3.75 M 3.75,15 C 1.68,15 0,13.32 0,11.25 0,9.18 1.68,7.5 3.75,7.5 m 1.25,7.5 h -1.25 M 10,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>seon</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>seo</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>dau</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tau</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>All examples presented thus far have described characters as used word-internally. However, word-initially and word-finally, the vertical line does not extend throughout the entire height of the character, but the excess is cut off. The points at which the characters connect to the line are hereinafter referred to as vertices. The line begins at the highest vertex of the initial character, and ends at the lowest vertex of the final character.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"60px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 60\\\"><path d=\\\"m 0,51.25 c 0,-1.38 1.12,-2.5 2.5,-2.5 m 2.5,8.75 H 0 v -6.25 m 5,6.25 c 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5 m -7.5,-12.5 H 0 m 2.5,0 c 2.41,0 4.37,1.96 4.37,4.37 0,2.42 -1.96,4.38 -4.37,4.38 M 0,32.5 c 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 M 0,25 v -1.25 m 0,10 v -1.25 m 3.75,-12.5 H 6.25 M 3.75,28.75 H 7.5 m -1.25,-8.75 C 8.32,20 10,21.68 10,23.75 m -10,0 C 0,21.68 1.68,20 3.75,20 M 0,25 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 m 3.75,5 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 M 7.5,13.75 V 12.5 M 10,52.5 V 8.75 m 0,-2e-7 C 10,4.38 5,0 0,0 m 7.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 C 1.68,17.5 0,15.82 0,13.75 M 10,8.75 H 0 V 13.75\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"80px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 80\\\"><path d=\\\"m 13.43,69.52 c -0.61,1.32 -0.93,2.77 -0.93,4.23 m 7.5,0 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 M 10,60 h 10 c 0,2.5 -3.75,5 -7.5,5 m 0,0 H 20 v 8.75 M 0,65 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 M 0,72.5 v 1.25 M 0,63.75 V 65 m 3.75,12.5 h 2.5 m -2.5,-8.75 H 7.5 M 6.25,77.5 C 8.32,77.5 10,75.82 10,73.75 m -10,0 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 M 0,72.5 C 0,70.43 1.68,68.75 3.75,68.75 M 7.5,63.75 C 7.5,61.68 5.82,60 3.75,60 1.68,60 0,61.68 0,63.75 M 10,73.75 V 60 M 20,45 C 20,42.24 17.76,40 15,40 12.24,40 10,42.24 10,45 M 0,40 V 50 M 5,42.5 V 50 M 10,52.5 c 0,2.76 -2.24,5 -5,5 M 0,50 c 0,1.38 1.12,2.5 2.5,2.5 1.38,0 2.5,-1.12 2.5,-2.5 m 0,-7.5 C 5,41.12 6.12,40 7.5,40 8.88,40 10,41.12 10,42.5 M 5,57.5 H 0 M 10,40 V 52.5 M 20,45 C 20,52.5 10,52.5 10,60 M 3.75,27.5 C 5.82,27.5 7.5,25.82 7.5,23.75 7.5,21.68 5.82,20 3.75,20 1.68,20 0,21.68 0,23.75 M 20,25 C 20,22.24 17.76,20 15,20 12.24,20 10,22.24 10,25 M 5,35 C 7.76,35 10,37.24 10,40 M 3.75,35 C 1.68,35 0,33.32 0,31.25 0,29.18 1.68,27.5 3.75,27.5 m 1.25,7.5 h -1.25 M 10,20 v 5 m 10,0 c 0,7.5 -10,7.5 -10,15 M 0,12.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 M 0,5 V 12.5 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,2.24 10,5 m 0,0 V 20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"40px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 40\\\"><path d=\\\"M 16.25,37.5 H 20 m -7.5,-6.25 v 2.5 M 20,31.25 C 20,29.18 18.32,27.5 16.25,27.5 14.18,27.5 12.5,29.18 12.5,31.25 m 7.5,2.5 V 20 M 12.5,33.75 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75001,3.75 M 20,20 C 20,23.75 15,25 10,25 m -3.6,3.27 c 0.7,-0.7 1.1,-1.65 1.1,-2.65 m 0,0 V 23.75 M 0,26.25 v -2.5 m 0,0 C 0,21.68 1.68,20 3.75,20 5.82,20 7.5,21.68 7.5,23.75 m -2.5,7.5 C 2.24,31.25 0,29.01 0,26.25 m 10,5 C 10,35.93 5,37.5 0,37.5 M 5,31.25 H 10 M 20,5 C 20,2.24 17.76,0 15,0 M 20,12.5 V 5 m 0,7.5 c 0,2.76 -2.24,5 -5,5 C 12.24,17.5 10,15.26 10,12.5 M 5,15 C 7.76,15 10,17.24 10,20 M 3.75,0 C 1.68,0 0,1.68 0,3.75 0,5.82 1.68,7.5 3.75,7.5 5.82,7.5 7.5,5.82 7.5,3.75 7.5,1.68 5.82,0 3.75,0 Z m 0,15 C 1.68,15 0,13.32 0,11.25 0,9.18 1.68,7.5 3.75,7.5 m 1.25,7.5 h -1.25 M 10,12.5 v 18.75\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mikoso</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>adabois</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>eusat</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>The only exceptions to this rule are the syllabic glyph <b>pa</b> and the voicing glyph. The vertical line does not connect the two vertices of either glyph. When either of the glyphs is combined with one on the other side of the line, the latter connects to the vertical line, which then merges with the higher vertex of the former, unless it is a B glyph which transitions into the line smoothly at the bottom.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"60px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 60\\\"><path d=\\\"m 13.43,49.52 c -0.61,1.32 -0.93,2.77 -0.93,4.23 m 7.5,0 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 M 10,40 h 10 c 0,2.5 -3.75,5 -7.5,5 m 0,0 H 20 v 8.75 M 12.5,3.75 c 0,4.37 7.5,4.37 7.5,8.75 M 12.5,3.75 C 12.5,1.68 14.18,0 16.25,0 18.32,0 20,1.68 20,3.75 20,4.74 19.6,5.7 18.9,6.4 m 1.1,6.1 c 0,2.76 -2.24,5 -5,5 -2.76,0 -5,-2.24 -5,-5 M 0,45 c 0,7.5 10,7.5 10,15 M 0,45 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m 0,0 V 40 M -3e-7,25 C -3e-7,32.5 10,32.5 10,40 M -3e-7,25 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m 0,0 V 20 M 0,5 c 0,7.5 10,7.5 10,15 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m 0,0 v 7.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"60px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 60\\\"><path d=\\\"m 20,45 c 0,-2.76 -2.24,-5 -5,-5 -2.76,0 -5,2.24 -5,5 m -10,0 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m 0,0 V 40 M -4.61e-6,45 C -4.61e-6,52.5 10,52.5 10,60 M 20,45 c 0,7.5 -10,7.5 -10,15 M 20,25 c 0,-2.76 -2.24,-5 -5,-5 -2.76,0 -5,2.24 -5,5 m 0,-5 v 5 m -5,10 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m -6.25,-12.5 c -1.88,-1.88 -3.75,-3.75 -3.75,-7.5 H 7.5 c 0,7.5 -7.5,7.5 -7.5,15 H 5 m 15,-10 c 0,7.5 -10,7.5 -10,15 M 3.75,7.5 c 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 M 20,5 c 0,-2.76 -2.24,-5 -5,-5 -2.76,0 -5,2.24 -5,5 m -5,10 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m -6.25,-5 c -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 C -5.61e-6,9.18 1.68,7.5 3.75,7.5 m 1.25,7.5 h -1.25 M 20,5 c 0,7.5 -10,7.5 -10,15\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>panpapas</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>dagiba</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> Non-CVC characters</h6>\\n<p>The characters described in the previous sections are sufficient when encoding CVC syllables. For more complex syllables, additional characters are used. Interconsonantal <b>s</b> is encoded with a separate 20x20u character. Word-initial clustering <b>s</b> and word-final clustering consonants are encoded using 30x10u characters, though these characters do not need to occupy the entire available space.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"30px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 30\\\"><path d=\\\"m 21.25,10 h 3.75 m -3.75,7.5 h 3.75 v 10 m 0,0 c 0,-3.75 -5,-5 -10,-5 m 6.25,-5 c -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 m -11.25,15 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m -6.25,-12.5 c 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 m 3.75,11.25 c -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 m 1.25,7.5 h -1.25 m 6.25,-15 v 20 M 30,1.57e-5 c 0,0 -15,6.25 -20,6.25 m 0,0 h 1.25 m 0,0 c 2.07,0 3.75,1.68 3.75,3.75\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"60px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 60\\\"><path d=\\\"m 3.75,45 v 2.5 m -3.75,-7.5 c 1.87,0 3.75,2.5 3.75,5 m 3.75,6.25 v 2.5 m -7.5,0 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 m -7.5,-2.5 v 2.5 m 0,-2.5 c 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 2.07,0 3.75,1.68 3.75,3.75 m 2.5,-20 v 8.75 h -10 M 20,25 v 1.25 m -10,5 c 5.5,0 10,-2.24 10,-5 M 10,20 v 5 m -10,0 c 0,1.38 2.24,2.5 5,2.5 2.76,0 5,-1.12 5,-2.5 m -10,0 c 0,-2.76 4.47,-5 10,-5 5.52,0 10,2.24 10,5 m -10,6.25 c -5.53,0 -10,2.79 -10,6.25 M 12.5,10 C 16.25,10 20,5 20,0 H 12.5 M 20,12.5 C 20,15.26 17.76,17.5 15,17.5 c -2.76,0 -5,-2.24 -5,-5 m 10,0 V 10 H 12.5 M 5,15 C 7.76,15 10,17.24 10,20 M 3.75,7.5 C 5.82,7.5 7.5,5.82 7.5,3.75 7.5,1.68 5.82,0 3.75,0 1.68,0 0,1.68 0,3.75 M 3.75,15 C 1.68,15 0,13.32 0,11.25 0,9.18 1.68,7.5 3.75,7.5 m 1.25,7.5 h -1.25 M 10,12.5 V 20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"26.5px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 26.25\\\"><path d=\\\"m 25,13.75 c 0,1.87 -0.94,3.75 -1.88,3.75 m 0,0 h -3.12 m 0,0 c -1.38,0 -2.5,-1.12 -2.5,-2.5 m 0,0 v -2.5 m 7.5,-12.5 h -10 v 20 m 2.5,-7.5 c 0,-6.25 3.75,-12.5 7.5,-12.5 m -12.5,13.75 v -1.25 m 2.5,-3.75 c 0,-4.37 -5,-8.75 -10,-8.75 m 7.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 m 10,-5 h -10 v 5 m -2e-5,12.5 c -2.76,0 -5,-1.23 -5,-2.75 0,-1.52 2.24,-2.75 5,-2.75 m 0,5.5 c 5,0 10,-4.5 10,-5 m 0,0 v -1.25 m -10,0.75 c 5,0 12.5,5.5 17.5,5.5 m 0,0 c 3.75,0 7.5,-3.13 7.5,-6.25\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"50px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 50\\\"><path d=\\\"m 30,50 c 0,0 -15,-6.25 -20,-6.25 m 0,0 h 1.25 m 0,0 c 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 m -2e-6,-8.75 v 8.75 m 10,-15 v 1.25 m -10,5 c 5.52,0 10,-2.24 10,-5 m -10,-6.25 v 5 m -10,0 c 0,1.38 2.24,2.5 5,2.5 2.76,0 5,-1.12 5,-2.5 m -10,0 c 0,-2.76 4.47,-5 10,-5 5.52,0 10,2.24 10,5 m -10,6.25 c -5.53,0 -10,2.79 -10,6.25 M 17.5,3.75 c 0,4.37 7.5,4.37 7.5,8.75 M 17.5,3.75 C 17.5,1.68 19.18,0 21.25,0 23.32,0 25,1.68 25,3.75 25,4.74 24.6,5.7 23.9,6.4 m 1.1,6.1 c 0,2.76 -2.24,5 -5,5 -2.76,0 -5,-2.24 -5,-5 M 5,5 C 5,7.07 6.68,8.75 8.75,8.75 M 5,12.5 v 1.25 M 5,3.75 V 5 m 3.75,12.5 h 2.5 m -2.5,-8.75 H 12.5 M 11.25,17.5 C 13.32,17.5 15,15.82 15,13.75 m -10,0 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 M 5,12.5 C 5,10.43 6.68,8.75 8.75,8.75 M 12.5,3.75 C 12.5,1.68 10.82,0 8.75,0 6.68,0 5,1.68 5,3.75 M 15,20 v -7.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>stag</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>danska</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mirn</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>inst</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>Non-CVC characters are also used to encode consonants which are the codas of syllables encompassed in a preceding logograph.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"60px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 60\\\"><path d=\\\"m 16.25,57.5 h 3.75 m -7.5,-6.25 v 2.5 m 7.5,-2.5 c 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 m 7.5,2.5 V 40 m -7.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 M 20,40 C 20,43.75 15,45 10,45 M 2.95e-5,40 v 7.5 H 5 v 10 M 2.95e-5,52.5 v -2.5 m 0,2.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5 m 0,-12.5 v 12.5 m -3e-6,-21.25 v 8.75 m 10,-15 v 1.25 m -10,5 c 5.52,0 10,-2.24 10,-5 m -10,-6.25 v 5 m -10,0 c 0,1.38 2.24,2.5 5,2.5 2.76,0 5,-1.12 5,-2.5 m -10,0 c 0,-2.76 4.47,-5 10,-5 5.52,0 10,2.24 10,5 m -10,6.25 c -5.53,0 -10,2.79 -10,6.25 m 10,-27.23 v 9.73 m 0,-9.73 c 2.92,2.89 6.29,5.34 10,7.23 m -20,0 C 7.53,13.66 13.66,7.53 17.5,1.01e-5 h -15 C 3.87,2.69 5.53,5.2 7.45,7.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"26.5px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 26.25\\\"><path d=\\\"m 5,26.25 c -2.76,0 -5,-1.23 -5,-2.75 0,-1.52 2.24,-2.75 5,-2.75 m 0,5.5 c 5,0 10,-4.5 10,-5 m 0,0 v -1.25 m -10,0.75 c 5,0 12.5,5.5 17.5,5.5 m 0,0 c 3.75,0 7.5,-3.13 7.5,-6.25 m -15,-9.73 v 9.73 m 0,-9.73 c 2.92,2.89 6.29,5.34 10,7.23 m -20,0 C 12.53,13.66 18.66,7.53 22.5,1.54e-5 H 7.5 C 8.87,2.69 10.53,5.2 12.45,7.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"30px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 30\\\"><path d=\\\"m 30,30 c 0,0 -15,-6.25 -20,-6.25 m 0,0 h 1.25 m 0,0 c 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 m 0,-9.73 v 9.73 m 0,-9.73 c 2.92,2.89 6.29,5.34 10,7.23 m -20,0 C 12.53,13.66 18.66,7.53 22.5,1.44e-5 H 7.5 C 8.87,2.69 10.53,5.2 12.45,7.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äsket</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äb'n</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>elit</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> Monogrammic words</h6>\\n<p>Words contained within the height of a single character (20u) are problematic in that the same character simultaneously begins and ends the word. To resolve this, several strategies are employed. Each glyph is categorized based on the manner in which it connects to the vertical line. It can either connect at the top (T), at the bottom (B), in the middle (M), or throughout the length of the line (W). The glyph <b>pa</b> and the voicing glyph are exceptions and will be described separately. These categories can be found in <a href=\\\"#21\\\"><b>Appendix 2: Syllabary</b></a>. Depending on this categorization, different strategies are employed when encoding monogrammic words.</p>\\n<p>If the word contains a glyph on both sides of the line, and one constituent is T while the other is B, the two are connected by the vertical line between their respective vertices.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 16.25,17.5 H 20 m -7.5,-6.25 v 2.5 m 7.5,-2.5 c 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 m 7.5,2.5 V 0 m -7.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 M 20,0 C 20,3.75 15,5 10,5 V 12.5 m -5,0 V 0 M 0,12.5 v -5 h 5 m -5,5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 3.75,10 C 1.68,10 0,8.32 0,6.25 m 12.5,-2.5 c 0,4.37 7.5,4.37 7.5,8.75 M 12.5,3.75 C 12.5,1.68 14.18,0 16.25,0 18.32,0 20,1.68 20,3.75 20,4.74 19.6,5.7 18.9,6.4 M 10,5 v 7.5 m 10,0 c 0,2.76 -2.24,5 -5,5 -2.76,0 -5,-2.24 -5,-5 M 0,5 V 6.25 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,2.24 10,5 M 3.75,17.5 C 5.82,17.5 7.5,15.82 7.5,13.75 7.5,11.68 5.82,10 3.75,10 1.68,10 0,11.68 0,13.75 0,15.82 1.68,17.5 3.75,17.5 Z\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 13.43,9.52 C 12.82,10.84 12.5,12.29 12.5,13.75 m 7.5,0 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 M 10,12.5 V 0 h 10 c 0,2.5 -3.75,5 -7.5,5 m 0,0 H 20 v 8.75 M 6.25,3.12 V 0 m 0,3.12 c 0,1.73 -1.4,3.13 -3.13,3.13 C 1.4,6.25 0,4.85 0,3.12 M 0,12.5 V 0 m 0,12.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>rot</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kän</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kus</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>When a glyph transitioning smoothly into the bottom of the line is one of the constituents of a monogrammic word, its form is identical to the one used word-initially. This includes the voicing glyph and the <b>pa</b> glyph.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 20,0 H 13.75 V 10 C 16.87,10 20,6.25 20,2.5 M 10,12.5 C 10,15.26 12.24,17.5 15,17.5 m 0,0 H 20 V 2.5 M 5,15 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m -6.25,-12.5 C 1.87,5.62 0,3.75 0,0 H 7.5 C 7.5,7.5 0,7.5 0,15 h 5 m 5,-2.5 v 7.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 20,5 C 20,2.24 17.76,0 15,0 12.24,0 10,2.24 10,5 m -10,0 v 1.25 m 0,-1.25 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,2.24 10,5 M 3.75,10 C 1.68,10 0,8.32 0,6.25 m 3.75,11.25 C 5.82,17.5 7.5,15.82 7.5,13.75 7.5,11.68 5.82,10 3.75,10 1.68,10 0,11.68 0,13.75 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 z M 20,5 C 20,12.5 10,12.5 10,20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 17.5,3.75 V 5 m 0,-1.25 C 17.5,1.68 15.82,0 13.75,0 M 12.5,17.5 C 16.64,17.5 20,14.14 20,10 M 13.75,0 H 20 V 10 M 10,5 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 M 0,5 c 0,7.5 10,7.5 10,15 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 12.5,5 v -1.25 M 19.32,5.9 C 19.76,5.27 20,4.52 20,3.75 20,1.68 18.32,0 16.25,0 14.18,0 12.5,1.68 12.5,3.75 M 10,8.75 c 0,4.37 5,8.75 10,8.75 m -7.5,-12.5 C 12.5,7.07 14.18,8.75 16.25,8.75 m -6.25,0 h 10 m -10,0 V 5 M 0,5 c 0,7.5 10,7.5 10,15 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 10,8.75 c 0,4.37 5,8.75 10,8.75 M 10,8.75 V 1e-5 H 20 V 10 M 0,5 c 0,7.5 10,7.5 10,15 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 16.25,0 H 20 M 15,15 C 12.24,15 10,17.24 10,20 M 16.25,0 C 14.18,0 12.5,1.68 12.5,3.75 12.5,5.82 14.18,7.5 16.25,7.5 M 15,15 h 5 M 16.25,7.5 H 20 m -3.75,0 c -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 M 0,5 c 0,7.5 10,7.5 10,15 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>gir</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>gä</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bam</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pam</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pak</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bas</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>In other cases of combining two glyphs, the line starts at the highest vertex of the pair, and extends below the character, ending in a 5x5u left-facing loop.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"25px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 25\\\"><path d=\\\"m 10,8.75 c 0,4.37 5,8.75 10,8.75 M 10,20 V 2e-5 h 10 v 10 M 10,8.75 c 0,4.37 -5,8.75 -10,8.75 M 10,8.75 H 0 V 0 m 10,20 v 2.5 m 0,0 c 0,1.38 -1.12,2.5 -2.5,2.5 -1.38,0 -2.5,-1.12 -2.5,-2.5 0,-1.38 1.12,-2.5 2.5,-2.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"25px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 25\\\"><path d=\\\"m 7.5,13.75 v -1.25 M 10,8.75 C 10,4.38 5,1e-5 0,1e-5 m 7.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 M 10,8.75 H 0 v 5 M 13.43,9.52 c -0.61,1.32 -0.93,2.77 -0.93,4.23 m 7.5,0 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 M 10,20 v -20 h 10 c 0,2.5 -3.75,5 -7.5,5 m 0,0 H 20 v 8.75 m -10,6.25 v 2.5 m 0,0 c 0,1.38 -1.12,2.5 -2.5,2.5 -1.38,0 -2.5,-1.12 -2.5,-2.5 0,-1.38 1.12,-2.5 2.5,-2.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"25px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 25\\\"><path d=\\\"m 20,13.75 c 0,1.87 -0.94,3.75 -1.88,3.75 m 0,0 h -3.12 m 0,0 c -1.38,0 -2.5,-1.12 -2.5,-2.5 m 0,-2.5 C 12.5,6.25 16.25,1e-5 20,1e-5 m -7.5,15 v -2.5 M 10,20 v -20 H 20 M 0,12.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 M 0,5 v 7.5 m 0,-7.5 C 0,2.24 2.24,1e-5 5,1e-5 7.76,1e-5 10,2.24 10,5 M 10,1e-5 v 20 m 0,0 v 2.5 m 0,0 c 0,1.38 -1.12,2.5 -2.5,2.5 -1.38,0 -2.5,-1.12 -2.5,-2.5 0,-1.38 1.12,-2.5 2.5,-2.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pik</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mis</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ar</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>When only a left-side glyph is used, in most cases right-facing loops are used. For B glyphs, the line extends up from the vertex and ends in a loop at the top of the character box. For T and M glyphs, the line extends down from the vertex and ends in a loop at the bottom of the character box. For W glyphs, the line connects its highest and lowest vertices. For the <b>pa</b> glyph, the form is identical to the one used word-initially.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 15 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 12.5,5 c 1.38,0 2.5,-1.12 2.5,-2.5 0,-1.38 -1.12,-2.5 -2.5,-2.5 -1.38,0 -2.5,1.12 -2.5,2.5 m -5,12.5 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 M 3.75,7.5 C 1.87,5.62 0,3.75 0,-1e-5 H 7.5 C 7.5,7.5 0,7.5 0,15 H 5 M 10,2.5 V 20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 15 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 0,17.5 c 0,-3.75 5,-5 10,-5 v -10 M 0,17.5 V 3.75 m 3.75,-3.75 c 2.07,0 3.75,1.68 3.75,3.75 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 z m 8.75,5 c 1.38,0 2.5,-1.12 2.5,-2.5 0,-1.38 -1.12,-2.5 -2.5,-2.5 -1.38,0 -2.5,1.12 -2.5,2.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 15 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 12.5,15 c 1.38,0 2.5,1.12 2.5,2.5 0,1.38 -1.12,2.5 -2.5,2.5 -1.38,0 -2.5,-1.12 -2.5,-2.5 M 1.79,11.25 C 0.75,12.82 0,14.72 0,17.5 H 7.5 C 7.5,8.75 0,8.75 0,0 h 10 v 17.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 15 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 7.5,13.75 V 12.5 m 2.5,5 V 8.75 m 0,0 C 10,4.38 5,0 1e-5,0 M 7.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 m 10,-5 h -10 V 13.75 m 12.5,1.25 c 1.38,0 2.5,1.12 2.5,2.5 0,1.38 -1.12,2.5 -2.5,2.5 -1.38,0 -2.5,-1.12 -2.5,-2.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 5,10 C 2.24,10 0,7.76 0,5 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,2.24 10,5 M 0,12.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 C 7.76,17.5 10,15.26 10,12.5 m 0,0 V 5 M 5,10 H 10\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 5,15 C 7.76,15 10,17.24 10,20 M 10,5 V 20 M 5,15 H 0 M 0,5 v 5 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,2.24 10,5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 0,5 c 0,7.5 10,7.5 10,15 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ki</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nü</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ä</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mi</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ti</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>su</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pa</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n\\t\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> Syllabification</h6>\\n<p>Syllable breaks avoid coda glyphs followed by vowel glyphs regardless of etymology. For instance, while <b>peom</b> is syllabified as <b>pe-om</b>, <b>peomu</b> is syllabified as <b>pe-o-mu</b>, not <b>pe-om-u</b>. Several compounds break this rule, which is marked in the transliteration with an apostrophe, e.g. <b>läl'üta</b> (syllabified as <b>läl-ü-ta</b> rather than <b>lä-lü-ta</b>). See the examples below.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"40px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 40\\\"><path d=\\\"m 12.5,25 v -1.25 M 19.32,25.9 C 19.76,25.27 20,24.52 20,23.75 20,21.68 18.32,20 16.25,20 14.18,20 12.5,21.68 12.5,23.75 M 10,28.75 c 0,4.37 5,8.75 10,8.75 m -7.5,-12.5 C 12.5,27.07 14.18,28.75 16.25,28.75 m -6.25,0 H 20 M 0,20 v 17.5 c 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5 M 5,25 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 m -5,5 v 7.5 M 10,5 V 28.75 M 0,5 V 17.5 M 6.25,13.125 V 17.5 m 0,-4.375 C 6.25,11.4 4.85,10 3.12,10 1.4,10 0,11.4 0,13.125 M 0,5 V 17.5 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,-1e-5 5,-1e-5 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"40px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 40\\\"><path d=\\\"m 10,40 v -20 h -5 M 0,20 v 7.5 c 5.52,0 10,4.48 10,10 M 20,0 v 17.5 c -2.76,0 -5,-2.24 -5,-5 m 0,-7.5 c 0,-2.76 -2.24,-5 -5,-5 v 20 M 15,5 v 7.5 M 0,5 V 17.5 M 6.25,13.125 V 17.5 m 0,-4.375 C 6.25,11.4 4.85,10 3.12,10 1.4,10 0,11.4 0,13.125 M 0,5 V 17.5 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,-1e-5 5,-1e-5 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"60px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 60\\\"><path d=\\\"M 5,55 C 7.76,55 10,57.24 10,60 M 3.75,47.5 C 5.82,47.5 7.5,45.82 7.5,43.75 7.5,41.68 5.82,40 3.75,40 1.68,40 0,41.68 0,43.75 M 3.75,55 C 1.68,55 0,53.32 0,51.25 0,49.18 1.68,47.5 3.75,47.5 m 1.25,7.5 h -1.25 M 7.5,23.75 V 25 M 3.1,27.44 C 1.3,27.13 0,25.57 0,23.75 0,21.68 1.68,20 3.75,20 5.82,20 7.5,21.68 7.5,23.75 M 5,35 C 7.76,35 10,37.24 10,40 M 5,35 H 0 M 7.5,25 C 7.5,30 3.75,35 0,35 M 10,5 C 10,1.25 15,0 20,0 v 5 h -7.5 c 0,6.25 3.75,12.5 7.5,12.5 M 7.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 C 0,11.68 1.68,10 3.75,10 M 0,3.75 C 0,1.68 1.68,0 3.75,0 5.82,0 7.5,1.68 7.5,3.75 M 10,10 H 0 C 0,8.43 1.87,6.87 3.75,6.87 5.62,6.87 7.5,5.31 7.5,3.75 M 10,5 V 60\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>peom</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>peomu</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läl'üta</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\t\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"3_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">3.3</span> Logographic characters</h5>\\n<p>The language features four logographic characters, two used to encode cases (genitive and dative) and two to encode verbal prefixes (negative and interrogative). Each logograph has three forms depending on its position in the word, except for the interrogative character which only occurs word-initially.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th></th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Init</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Med</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Fin</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Gen</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 10,20 V 17.5 M 0,7.5 C 0,3.35 2.79,0 6.25,0 M 0,7.5 c 0,5.52 4.47,10 10,10 m 10,-10 c 0,5.52 -4.48,10 -10,10 M 10,3.25 V 20 M 20,7.5 C 20,3.35 16.97,0 13.25,0 M 10,3.25 C 10,1.45 11.45,0 13.25,0\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 10,20 V 17.5 M 0,7.5 C 0,3.35 2.79,0 6.25,0 M 0,7.5 c 0,5.52 4.47,10 10,10 m 10,-10 c 0,5.52 -4.48,10 -10,10 M 10,5 V 0 M 20,7.5 C 20,3.35 16.97,0 13.25,0 M 10,3.25 C 10,1.45 11.45,0 13.25,0\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 0,10 c 0,4.14 2.79,7.5 6.25,7.5 M 0,10 C 0,4.47 4.47,0 10,0 M 20,10 C 20,4.47 15.52,0 10,0 m 0,14.25 V 0 M 20,10 c 0,4.14 -3.03,7.5 -6.75,7.5 m -3.25,-3.25 c 0,1.79 1.45,3.25 3.25,3.25\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Dat</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 10,10.27 V 20 m 0,-9.73 c 2.92,2.89 6.29,5.34 10,7.23 m -20,0 C 7.53,13.66 13.66,7.53 17.5,0 h -15 c 1.37,2.69 3.03,5.2 4.95,7.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 10,10.27 V 20 m 0,-9.73 c 2.92,2.89 6.29,5.34 10,7.23 m -20,0 C 7.53,13.66 13.66,7.53 17.5,0 h -15 c 1.37,2.69 3.03,5.2 4.95,7.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 10,7.23 V 0 m 0,7.23 C 12.92,4.33 16.29,1.89 20,0 M 0,0 C 7.53,3.84 13.66,9.96 17.5,17.5 H 2.5 C 3.87,14.8 5.53,12.29 7.45,10\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Neg</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 10,11.25 v 8.75 M 20,5 V 6.25 M 10,11.25 C 15.52,11.25 20,9.01 20,6.25 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 4.47,0 10,0 15.52,0 20,2.24 20,5 M 10,11.25 C 4.47,11.25 0,14.04 0,17.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 10,11.25 v 8.75 M 20,5 V 6.25 M 10,11.25 C 15.52,11.25 20,9.01 20,6.25 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 4.47,0 10,0 15.52,0 20,2.24 20,5 M 10,11.25 C 4.47,11.25 0,14.04 0,17.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 10,6.25 V 0 M 20,12.5 V 11.25 M 10,6.25 C 15.52,6.25 20,8.49 20,11.25 M 0,12.5 c 0,2.76 4.47,5 10,5 C 15.52,17.5 20,15.26 20,12.5 M 10,6.25 C 4.47,6.25 0,3.45 0,0\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Int</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 10,17.5 v 2.5 M 0,13.75 c 0,-5 20,-5 20,-10 m -4.27,6.92 C 18.41,11.38 20,12.52 20,13.75 c 0,2.07 -4.48,3.75 -10,3.75 -5.53,0 -10,-1.68 -10,-3.75 M 10,3.75 C 10,1.68 12.24,0 15,0 c 2.76,0 5,1.68 5,3.75 M 3.7,7.37 C 1.52,6.93 0,5.44 0,3.75 0,1.68 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,1.68 10,3.75\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>The genitive and dative logographs are only used when marking case/tense on nouns, pronouns, adjectives and verbs, as well as when marking case in the form of a suffix preceded by a hyphen.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"60px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 60\\\"><path d=\\\"M 16.25,55 H 20 m -7.5,-6.25 v 2.5 m 7.5,-2.5 c 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 m 7.5,2.5 v -13.75 m -7.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 M 20,37.5 c 0,3.75 -5,5 -10,5 M 7.5,43.75 V 45 M 3.1,47.44 C 1.3,47.13 0,45.57 0,43.75 0,41.68 1.68,40 3.75,40 5.82,40 7.5,41.68 7.5,43.75 M 5,55 C 7.76,55 10,57.24 10,60 M 5,55 H 0 M 7.5,45 C 7.5,50 3.75,55 0,55 M 3.75,20 H 0 m 7.5,3.75 C 7.5,21.68 5.82,20 3.75,20 m 3.75,8.75 V 23.75 M 3.75,32.5 c 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 z M 0,32.5 v -3.75 m 0,3.75 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5 M 0,7.5 C 0,3.35 2.79,0 6.25,0 M 0,7.5 c 0,5.52 4.47,10 10,10 m 10,-10 c 0,5.52 -4.48,10 -10,10 M 10,3.25 V 60 M 20,7.5 C 20,3.35 16.97,0 13.25,0 M 10,3.25 C 10,1.45 11.45,0 13.25,0\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"60px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 60\\\"><path d=\\\"m 5,55 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m -6.25,-12.5 c -1.88,-1.88 -3.75,-3.75 -3.75,-7.5 h 7.5 c 0,7.5 -7.5,7.5 -7.5,15 h 5 m 5,-26.25 c 0,4.37 5,8.75 10,8.75 m -10,-17.5 h 10 v 10 m -15,5 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m -6.25,-20 c -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 z m 0,15 c -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 m 1.25,7.5 h -1.25 m 6.25,-24.73 v 49.46 m 0,-49.46 c 2.92,2.89 6.29,5.34 10,7.23 m -20,0 C 7.53,13.66 13.66,7.53 17.5,1.06e-5 H 2.5 c 1.37,2.69 3.03,5.2 4.95,7.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"40px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 40\\\"><path d=\\\"m 7.5,33.75 -10e-6,-2.5 m -7.5,2.5 -1e-5,-2.5 M 0,25 C 0,22.24 2.24,20 5,20 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m -10,0 V 27.5 l 3.75,1.9e-4 m 3.75,3.75 c 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 m -3.75,6.25 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 M 20,25 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 M 20,32.5 v 1.25 m 0,-10 V 25 m -3.75,12.5 h -2.5 m 2.5,-8.75 H 12.5 m 1.25,8.75 C 11.68,37.5 10,35.82 10,33.75 m 10,0 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 m 3.75,-5 c 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 m -3.75,-5 C 12.5,21.68 14.18,20 16.25,20 18.32,20 20,21.68 20,23.75 M 0,7.5 C 0,3.35 2.79,0 6.25,0 M 0,7.5 c 0,5.52 4.47,10 10,10 m 10,-10 c 0,5.52 -4.48,10 -10,10 M 10,3.25 v 30.5 M 20,7.5 C 20,3.35 16.97,0 13.25,0 M 10,3.25 C 10,1.45 11.45,0 13.25,0\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"30px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 30\\\"><path d=\\\"m 30,30 c 0,0 -15,-6.25 -20,-6.25 m 0,0 h 1.25 m 0,0 c 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 m 0,-9.73 v 9.73 m 0,-9.73 c 2.92,2.89 6.29,5.34 10,7.23 m -20,0 C 12.53,13.66 18.66,7.53 22.5,1.15e-5 H 7.5 C 8.87,2.69 10.53,5.2 12.45,7.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"40px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 40\\\"><path d=\\\"m 0,25 c 0,7.5 10,7.5 10,15 M 0,25 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 M 0,7.5 C 0,3.35 2.79,0 6.25,0 M 0,7.5 c 0,5.52 4.47,10 10,10 m 10,-10 c 0,5.52 -4.48,10 -10,10 M 10,3.25 V 25 M 20,7.5 C 20,3.35 16.97,0 13.25,0 M 10,3.25 C 10,1.45 11.45,0 13.25,0\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"60px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 60\\\"><path d=\\\"m 0,42.5 v 3.75 m 0,0 C 0,48.32 1.68,50 3.75,50 m 0,0 c 2.07,0 3.75,1.68 3.75,3.75 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 C 1.68,57.5 0,55.82 0,53.75 M 5,42.5 v 3.75 M 0,42.5 C 0,41.12 1.12,40 2.5,40 3.88,40 5,41.12 5,42.5 m 0,0 C 5,41.12 6.12,40 7.5,40 8.88,40 10,41.12 10,42.5 M 5,35 C 7.76,35 10,37.24 10,40 M 3.75,20 C 1.68,20 0,21.68 0,23.75 0,25.82 1.68,27.5 3.75,27.5 5.82,27.5 7.5,25.82 7.5,23.75 7.5,21.68 5.82,20 3.75,20 Z m 0,15 C 1.68,35 0,33.32 0,31.25 0,29.18 1.68,27.5 3.75,27.5 m 1.25,7.5 h -1.25 M 0,7.5 C 0,3.35 2.79,0 6.25,0 M 0,7.5 C 0,13.02 4.47,17.5 10,17.5 M 20,7.5 C 20,13.02 15.52,17.5 10,17.5 M 10,3.25 V 42.077 M 20,7.5 C 20,3.35 16.97,0 13.25,0 M 10,3.25 C 10,1.45 11.45,0 13.25,0\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"115px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 115\\\"><path d=\\\"M 15,102.23 V 95 c -0.6,-0.79 -1.71,-1.9 -2.5,-2.5 0.79,-0.6 1.9,-1.72 2.5,-2.5 0.6,0.78 1.72,1.9 2.5,2.5 m -2.5,9.73 c 2.92,-2.9 6.29,-5.34 10,-7.23 M 5,95 c 7.53,3.84 13.66,9.96 17.5,17.5 h -15 c 1.37,-2.7 3.03,-5.21 4.95,-7.5 M 10,85 c 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5 M -7.873e-6,81.25 c 0,1.87 0.93,3.75 1.875,3.75 M 10,85 H 1.875 M 17.5,63.75 c 0,4.37 7.5,4.37 7.5,8.75 m -7.5,-8.75 c 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 2.07,0 3.75,1.68 3.75,3.75 0,1 -0.4,1.95 -1.1,2.65 m 1.1,6.1 c 0,2.76 -2.24,5 -5,5 -2.76,0 -5,-2.24 -5,-5 m -3.75,-9.375 v -3.125 m 0,3.125 c 0,1.727 -1.4,3.125 -3.13,3.125 -1.72,0 -3.12,-1.4 -3.12,-3.125 m 0,9.375 V 60 m 0,12.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5 M 10,55 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 M 8.75,40 c -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 z m 0,15 c -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 m 1.25,7.5 h -1.25 m 6.25,-15 v 40 m 10,-55 c 0,-2.76 -2.24,-5 -5,-5 -2.76,0 -5,2.24 -5,5 m -3.75,8.125 V 37.5 m 0,-4.375 c 0,-1.723 -1.4,-3.125 -3.13,-3.125 -1.72,0 -3.12,1.4 -3.12,3.125 m 0,-8.125 v 12.5 m 0,-12.5 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m 10,0 c 0,7.5 -10,7.5 -10,15 M 6.79,11.25 C 5.75,12.82 5,14.72 5,17.5 h 7.5 C 12.5,8.75 5,8.75 5,0 h 10 l -3e-6,25\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sonleüt</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äb'ekki</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>diipüi</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>elit</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nipa</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>r'eli</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbeekuns-eli</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>In addition to personal pronouns, the case logographs are also used with interrogatives (<b>sonlä</b> and <b>lilä</b>), demonstratives (<b>skä</b>, <b>eligä</b>, <b>s'eligä</b> and <b>l'eligä</b>) and indefinite pronouns (<b>sünür</b>, <b>linür</b>, <b>sonbis</b> and <b>libis</b>).</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"40px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 40\\\"><path d=\\\"m 7.5,33.75 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 m -3.75,-6.25 c 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 2.07,0 3.75,1.68 3.75,3.75 M 2.67e-5,7.5 C 2.67e-5,3.35 2.79,-1.41e-4 6.25,-1.41e-4 M 2.67e-5,7.5 c 0,5.52 4.47,10 10,10 m 10,-10 c 0,5.52 -4.48,10 -10,10 m 0,-14.25 V 30 l -10,-1e-6 c 0,-1.57 1.87,-3.13 3.75,-3.13 1.87,0 3.75,-1.56 3.75,-3.12 m 12.5,-16.25 c 0,-4.15 -3.03,-7.5 -6.75,-7.5 M 10,3.25 c 0,-1.8 1.45,-3.25 3.25,-3.25\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"40px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 40\\\"><path d=\\\"m 20,25 c 0,-2.76 -2.24,-5 -5,-5 -2.76,0 -5,2.24 -5,5 m -10,0 v 1.25 m 0,-1.25 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m -6.25,5 c -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 M 3.75,37.5 c 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 z m 6.25,-12.5 v -5 m 10,5 c 0,7.5 -10,7.5 -10,15 m 3e-6,-29.73 v 9.73 m 0,-9.73 c 2.92,2.89 6.29,5.34 10,7.23 m -20,0 C 7.53,13.66 13.66,7.53 17.5,1.037e-5 H 2.5 c 1.37,2.69 3.03,5.2 4.95,7.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"60px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 60\\\"><path d=\\\"m 20,45 c 0,-2.76 -2.24,-5 -5,-5 -2.76,0 -5,2.24 -5,5 m -10,0 v 1.25 m 0,-1.25 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m -6.25,5 c -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 M 3.75,57.5 c 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 z m 6.25,-12.5 v -5 m 10,5 c 0,7.5 -10,7.5 -10,15 m 2.5e-6,-29.729 v 9.73 m 0,-9.73 c 2.92,2.89 6.29,5.34 10,7.23 m -20,0 C 7.53,33.66 13.66,27.53 17.5,20 H 2.5 c 1.37,2.69 3.03,5.2 4.95,7.5 M 0,7.5 C 0,3.35 2.79,0 6.25,0 M 0,7.5 c 0,5.52 4.47,10 10,10 m 10,-10 c 0,5.52 -4.48,10 -10,10 M 10,3.25 V 20 M 20,7.5 C 20,3.35 16.97,0 13.25,0 M 10,3.25 C 10,1.45 11.45,0 13.25,0\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"60px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 60\\\"><path d=\\\"m 20,45 c 0,-2.76 -2.24,-5 -5,-5 -2.76,0 -5,2.24 -5,5 m -10,0 v 1.25 m 0,-1.25 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m -6.25,5 c -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 M 3.75,57.5 c 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 z m 6.25,-12.5 v -5 m 10,5 c 0,7.5 -10,7.5 -10,15 M 10,10.27 V 20 m 0,-9.73 c 2.92,2.89 6.29,5.34 10,7.23 m -20,0 C 7.53,13.66 13.66,7.53 17.5,0 h -15 c 1.37,2.69 3.03,5.2 4.95,7.5 m 2.55,22.77 v 9.73 m 0,-9.73 c 2.92,2.89 6.29,5.34 10,7.23 m -20,0 C 7.53,33.66 13.66,27.53 17.5,20 H 2.5 c 1.37,2.69 3.03,5.2 4.95,7.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"40px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 40\\\"><path d=\\\"m 20,33.75 c 0,1.87 -0.94,3.75 -1.88,3.75 m 0,0 h -3.12 m 0,0 c -1.38,0 -2.5,-1.12 -2.5,-2.5 m 0,0 v -2.5 m 7.5,-12.5 h -10 m 2.5,12.5 c 0,-6.25 3.75,-12.5 7.5,-12.5 m -20,17.5 c 0,-3.75 5,-5 10,-5 l 0,-29.25 m -10,34.25 v -13.75 m 3.75,-3.75 c 2.07,0 3.75,1.68 3.75,3.75 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 z M 2.67e-5,7.5 C 2.67e-5,3.35 2.79,-1.41e-4 6.25,-1.41e-4 M 2.67e-5,7.5 c 0,5.52 4.47,10 10,10 m 10,-10 c 0,5.52 -4.48,10 -10,10 m 10,-10 c 0,-4.15 -3.03,-7.5 -6.75,-7.5 M 10,3.25 c 0,-1.8 1.45,-3.25 3.25,-3.25\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"40px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 40\\\"><path d=\\\"m 16.25,20 h 3.75 m -5,15 c -2.76,0 -5,2.24 -5,5 m 6.25,-20 c -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 m -1.25,7.5 h 5 m -3.75,-7.5 h 3.75 m -3.75,0 c -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 m -6.25,-6.25 c 0,4.37 -5,8.75 -10,8.75 m 10,-8.75 h -10 v -8.75 m 10,0 v 20 m 0,-29.73 v 9.73 m 0,-9.73 c 2.92,2.89 6.29,5.34 10,7.23 m -20,0 C 7.53,13.66 13.66,7.53 17.5,1.037e-5 H 2.5 c 1.37,2.69 3.03,5.2 4.95,7.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sonlä</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>eligä</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>s'eligä</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>l'eligä</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sünür</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>libis</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>Since there is only one logograph per case, the same character is used for a given case regardless of its phonological form determined by the animacy and phonology of the following word. This leads to ambiguities which must be disambiguated through context, e.g. <b>äbpeomu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">going to do (gerund of future form)</span> (AN.DAT-do-GER) and <b>lipeomu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">at doing (dative of gerund)</span> (INAN.DAT-do-GER) have the same spelling.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"40px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 40\\\"><path d=\\\"m 20,20 v 17.5 c -2.76,0 -5,-2.24 -5,-5 m 0,-7.5 c 0,-2.76 -2.24,-5 -5,-5 m 5,5 v 7.5 M 2.7e-5,25 c 0,7.5 10,7.5 10,15 m -10,-15 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m 0,0 v -5 m 0,-9.73 v 9.73 m 0,-9.73 c 2.92,2.89 6.29,5.34 10,7.23 m -20,0 C 7.53,13.66 13.66,7.53 17.5,1.1e-5 H 2.5 C 3.87,2.69 5.53,5.2 7.45,7.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"40px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 40\\\"><path d=\\\"m 20,20 v 17.5 c -2.76,0 -5,-2.24 -5,-5 m 0,-7.5 c 0,-2.76 -2.24,-5 -5,-5 m 5,5 v 7.5 M 2.7e-5,25 c 0,7.5 10,7.5 10,15 m -10,-15 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m 0,0 v -5 m 0,-9.73 v 9.73 m 0,-9.73 c 2.92,2.89 6.29,5.34 10,7.23 m -20,0 C 7.53,13.66 13.66,7.53 17.5,1.1e-5 H 2.5 C 3.87,2.69 5.53,5.2 7.45,7.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"40px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 40\\\"><path d=\\\"m 20,25 c 0,-2.76 -2.24,-5 -5,-5 M 20,32.5 V 25 m 0,7.5 c 0,2.76 -2.24,5 -5,5 C 12.24,37.5 10,35.26 10,32.5 M 0,22.5 v 3.75 m 0,0 C 0,28.32 1.68,30 3.75,30 m 0,0 c 2.07,0 3.75,1.68 3.75,3.75 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 C 1.68,37.5 0,35.82 0,33.75 M 5,22.5 v 3.75 M 0,22.5 C 0,21.12 1.12,20 2.5,20 3.88,20 5,21.12 5,22.5 m 0,0 C 5,21.12 6.12,20 7.5,20 8.88,20 10,21.12 10,22.5 M 0,7.5 C 0,3.35 2.79,0 6.25,0 M 0,7.5 c 0,5.52 4.47,10 10,10 m 10,-10 c 0,5.52 -4.48,10 -10,10 M 10,3.25 V 32.5 M 20,7.5 C 20,3.35 16.97,0 13.25,0 M 10,3.25 C 10,1.45 11.45,0 13.25,0\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"40px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 40\\\"><path d=\\\"m 20,25 c 0,-2.76 -2.24,-5 -5,-5 M 20,32.5 V 25 m 0,7.5 c 0,2.76 -2.24,5 -5,5 C 12.24,37.5 10,35.26 10,32.5 M 0,22.5 v 3.75 m 0,0 C 0,28.32 1.68,30 3.75,30 m 0,0 c 2.07,0 3.75,1.68 3.75,3.75 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 C 1.68,37.5 0,35.82 0,33.75 M 5,22.5 v 3.75 M 0,22.5 C 0,21.12 1.12,20 2.5,20 3.88,20 5,21.12 5,22.5 m 0,0 C 5,21.12 6.12,20 7.5,20 8.88,20 10,21.12 10,22.5 M 0,7.5 C 0,3.35 2.79,0 6.25,0 M 0,7.5 c 0,5.52 4.47,10 10,10 m 10,-10 c 0,5.52 -4.48,10 -10,10 M 10,3.25 V 32.5 M 20,7.5 C 20,3.35 16.97,0 13.25,0 M 10,3.25 C 10,1.45 11.45,0 13.25,0\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbpao</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lipao</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>erliu</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>diiliu</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>The negative and interrogative logographs are only used when marking negation/interrogation on verbs, and in the tag (<b>däpii</b>). The negative logograph is used word-finally only in the tag.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"40px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 40\\\"><path d=\\\"M 16.25,37.5 H 20 m -7.5,-6.25 v 2.5 M 20,31.25 C 20,29.18 18.32,27.5 16.25,27.5 14.18,27.5 12.5,29.18 12.5,31.25 m 7.5,2.5 V 20 M 12.5,33.75 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 M 20,20 C 20,23.75 15,25 10,25 M 5,35 C 7.76,35 10,37.24 10,40 m -6.25,-20 C 1.68,20 0,21.68 0,23.75 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 z M 3.75,35 C 1.68,35 0,33.32 0,31.25 c 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 M 5,35 h -1.25 M 10,11.25 v 28.75 M 20,5 V 6.25 M 10,11.25 C 15.52,11.25 20,9.01 20,6.25 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 4.47,0 10,0 15.52,0 20,2.24 20,5 M 10,11.25 C 4.47,11.25 0,14.04 0,17.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"60px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 60\\\"><path d=\\\"m 20,45 c 0,-2.76 -2.24,-5 -5,-5 -2.76,0 -5,2.24 -5,5 m -10,0 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m 0,0 v -5 m -10,5 c 0,7.5 10,7.5 10,15 M 20,45 c 0,7.5 -10,7.5 -10,15 m 3.07e-5,-20 v -2.5 m -10,-10 c 0,-4.15 2.79,-7.5 6.25,-7.5 m -6.25,7.5 c 0,5.52 4.47,10 10,10 m 10,-10 c 0,5.52 -4.48,10 -10,10 m 0,-12.5 v -5 m 10,7.5 c 0,-4.15 -3.03,-7.5 -6.75,-7.5 m -3.25,3.25 c 0,-1.8 1.45,-3.25 3.25,-3.25 M 10,17.5 v 2.5 M 0,13.75 c 0,-5 20,-5 20,-10 m -4.27,6.92 C 18.41,11.38 20,12.52 20,13.75 c 0,2.07 -4.48,3.75 -10,3.75 -5.53,0 -10,-1.68 -10,-3.75 M 10,3.75 C 10,1.68 12.24,0 15,0 c 2.76,0 5,1.68 5,3.75 M 3.7,7.37 C 1.52,6.93 0,5.44 0,3.75 0,1.68 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,1.68 10,3.75\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"80px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 80\\\"><path d=\\\"m 10,17.5 v 2.5 M 2.88e-5,13.75 c 0,-5 20,-5 20,-10 m -4.27,6.92 c 2.68,0.71 4.27,1.85 4.27,3.08 0,2.07 -4.48,3.75 -10,3.75 -5.53,0 -10,-1.68 -10,-3.75 M 10,3.75 c 0,-2.07 2.24,-3.75 5,-3.75 2.76,0 5,1.68 5,3.75 M 3.7,7.37 C 1.52,6.93 2.88e-5,5.44 2.88e-5,3.75 2.88e-5,1.68 2.24,1.4e-5 5,1.4e-5 7.76,1.4e-5 10,1.68 10,3.75 m 10,21.25 v 1.25 m -10,5 c 5.52,0 10,-2.24 10,-5 m -20,-1.25 c 0,-2.76 4.47,-5 10,-5 5.52,0 10,2.24 10,5 m -10,6.25 c -5.53,0 -10,2.79 -10,6.25 M 12.5,65 v -1.25 m 6.82,2.15 c 0.44,-0.63 0.68,-1.38 0.68,-2.15 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 M 10,68.75 c 0,4.37 5,8.75 10,8.75 m -7.5,-12.5 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 m -6.25,0 H 20 M 0,60 v 17.5 c 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5 m 0,-7.5 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 M 5,65 v 7.5 M 10,31.25 V 68.75 M 0,45 v 12.5 m 6.25,-4.375 v 4.375 m 0,-4.375 c 0,-1.72 -1.4,-3.125 -3.13,-3.125 -1.72,0 -3.12,1.4 -3.12,3.125 m 0,-8.125 v 12.5 m 0,-12.5 C 0,42.24 2.24,40 5,40 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"40px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 40\\\"><path d=\\\"m 10,26.25 v -6.25 m 10,12.5 v -1.25 M 10,26.25 c 5.52,0 10,2.24 10,5 M -1.7e-5,32.5 c 0,2.76 4.47,5 10,5 5.52,0 10,-2.24 10,-5 m -10,-6.25 c -5.53,0 -10,-2.8 -10,-6.25 M 10,17.5 v 2.5 M 0,13.75 c 0,-5 20,-5 20,-10 m -4.27,6.92 C 18.41,11.38 20,12.52 20,13.75 c 0,2.07 -4.48,3.75 -10,3.75 -5.53,0 -10,-1.68 -10,-3.75 M 10,3.75 C 10,1.68 12.24,0 15,0 c 2.76,0 5,1.68 5,3.75 M 3.7,7.37 C 1.52,6.93 0,5.44 0,3.75 0,1.68 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,1.68 10,3.75\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>piet</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>d'orba</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>däpiipeom</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>däpii</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Logographs are not used in the following cases:</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li>- when they are a part of a compound, e.g. <b>mikaäbbaba</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">task</span>, lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thing one has to do</span> (thing-DAT-do-REDUP), <b>üspaü</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">decade</span> (ten-GEN-year)</li>\\n\\t<li>- when encoding the words that the logographs etymologically originate from, e.g. <b>eli</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">see</span>, <b>piir</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">differ</span></li>\\n\\t<li>- when encoding conjunctions and prepositions sharing etymology with logographs, e.g. <b>pagson</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">from, since</span>, <b>dar</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">or</span></li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>In addition to the four logographs, the second person verb ending <b>-kiu</b> has a special form in which the right-side <b>u</b> glyph is altered.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"60px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 60\\\"><path d=\\\"m 5,55 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m -6.25,-12.5 c -1.88,-1.88 -3.75,-3.75 -3.75,-7.5 H 7.5 c 0,7.5 -7.5,7.5 -7.5,15 H 5 m 5,-35 v 40 m 0,-2.19 c 0,-5.52 4.47,-10 10,-10 0,4.66 -3.13,8.83 -7.5,9.69 -1.36,0.26 -2.5,1.12 -2.5,2.5 M 0,22.5 v 3.75 m 0,0 C 0,28.32 1.68,30 3.75,30 m 0,0 c 2.07,0 3.75,1.68 3.75,3.75 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 C 1.68,37.5 0,35.82 0,33.75 M 5,22.5 v 3.75 M 0,22.5 C 0,21.12 1.12,20 2.5,20 3.88,20 5,21.12 5,22.5 m 0,0 C 5,21.12 6.12,20 7.5,20 8.88,20 10,21.12 10,22.5 M 5,15 C 7.76,15 10,17.24 10,20 M 3.75,0 C 1.68,0 0,1.68 0,3.75 0,5.82 1.68,7.5 3.75,7.5 5.82,7.5 7.5,5.82 7.5,3.75 7.5,1.68 5.82,0 3.75,0 Z m 0,15 C 1.68,15 0,13.32 0,11.25 0,9.18 1.68,7.5 3.75,7.5 m 1.25,7.5 h -1.25\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"40px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 40\\\"><path d=\\\"M 16.25,17.5 H 20 m -7.5,-6.25 v 2.5 m 7.5,-2.5 c 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 m 7.5,2.5 V 0 m -7.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 M 20,0 C 20,3.75 15,5 10,5 V 40 M 0,5 C 0,7.07 1.68,8.75 3.75,8.75 M 0,12.5 v 1.25 M 0,3.75 V 5 m 3.75,12.5 h 2.5 m -2.5,-8.75 H 7.5 M 6.25,17.5 C 8.32,17.5 10,15.82 10,13.75 m -10,0 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 M 0,12.5 C 0,10.43 1.68,8.75 3.75,8.75 M 7.5,3.75 C 7.5,1.68 5.82,0 3.75,0 1.68,0 0,1.68 0,3.75 M 5,35 C 7.76,35 10,37.24 10,40 M 3.75,27.5 C 1.87,25.62 0,23.75 0,20 H 7.5 C 7.5,27.5 0,27.5 0,35 H 5 M 10,37.81 C 10,32.29 14.47,27.81 20,27.81 20,32.47 16.87,36.64 12.5,37.5 11.14,37.76 10,38.62 10,40\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>elikiu</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>itkiu</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"3_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">3.4</span> Punctuation and spacing</h5>\\n<p>There are three basic punctuation marks, each 5x5u. They attach directly to the nearest character. If said character does not connect to the line, punctuation marks are instead placed directly before it (for word-final characters) or after it (for word-initial characters). All non-word-final punctuation marks have a 2.5u vertical line buffer separating them from the following character.</p>\\n<p>The period (<svg height=\\\"5px\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0px 3px 2px 3px;\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 5 5\\\"><path style=\\\"stroke-linejoin: bevel;\\\" d=\\\"M 1.25,0 C 1.87,0 2.18,0.33 2.5,1 2.81,0.33 3.12,0 3.75,0 m 0,0 C 4.44,0 5,0.56 5,1.25 5,2.5 3.75,3.75 2.5,5 1.25,3.75 0,2.5 0,1.25 0,0.56 0.56,0 1.25,0\\\"></path></svg>) is used at the end of each sentence. If the final character in the sentence contains a B or W glyph, the period is turned upside-down (<svg height=\\\"5px\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0px 3px 2px 3px;\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 5 5\\\"><path style=\\\"stroke-linejoin: bevel;\\\" d=\\\"M 1.25,5 C 1.87,5 2.18,4.67 2.5,4 2.81,4.67 3.12,5 3.75,5 m 0,0 C 4.44,5 5,4.44 5,3.75 5,2.5 3.75,1.25 2.5,0 1.25,1.25 0,2.5 0,3.75 0,4.44 0.56,5 1.25,5\\\"></path></svg>).</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"24px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 24\\\"><path d=\\\"m 8.75,19 c 0.62,0 0.93,0.33 1.25,1 0.31,-0.67 0.62,-1 1.25,-1 m 0,0 c 0.69,0 1.25,0.56 1.25,1.25 0,1.25 -1.25,2.5 -2.5,3.75 -1.25,-1.25 -2.5,-2.5 -2.5,-3.75 0,-0.69 0.56,-1.25 1.25,-1.25 M 10,5 C 10,1.25 15,0 20,0 v 5 h -7.5 c 0,6.25 3.75,12.5 7.5,12.5 M 0,5 c 0,7.5 10,7.5 10,15 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"25px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 25\\\"><path d=\\\"m 8.7,25 c 0.62,0 0.93,-0.33 1.25,-1 0.31,0.67 0.62,1 1.25,1 M 11.25,25 C 11.94,25 12.5,24.44 12.5,23.75 12.5,22.5 11.25,21.25 10,20 8.75,21.25 7.5,22.5 7.5,23.75 7.5,24.44 8.06,25 8.75,25 M 5,15 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m -6.25,-12.5 C 1.87,5.62 0,3.75 0,0 H 7.5 C 7.5,7.5 0,7.5 0,15 h 5 m 8.43,-5.48 c -0.61,1.32 -0.93,2.77 -0.93,4.23 m 7.5,0 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 M 10,20 V 0 h 10 c 0,2.5 -3.75,5 -7.5,5 m 0,0 H 20 v 8.75\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"32.75px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 32.75\\\"><path d=\\\"m 13.75,19 c 0.62,0 0.93,0.33 1.25,1 0.31,-0.67 0.62,-1 1.25,-1 m 0,0 c 0.69,0 1.25,0.56 1.25,1.25 0,1.25 -1.25,2.5 -2.5,3.75 -1.25,-1.25 -2.5,-2.5 -2.5,-3.75 0,-0.69 0.56,-1.25 1.25,-1.25 M 5,32.75 c -2.76,0 -5,-1.23 -5,-2.75 0,-1.52 2.24,-2.75 5,-2.75 m 0,5.5 c 5,0 10,-4.5 10,-5 m 0,0 v -1.25 m -10,0.75 c 5,0 12.5,5.5 17.5,5.5 m 0,0 c 3.75,0 7.5,-3.13 7.5,-6.25 M 12.5,13.75 V 12.5 m 2.5,14 v -2.5 M 15,8.75 C 15,4.38 10,0 5,0 m 7.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 C 6.68,17.5 5,15.82 5,13.75 M 15,8.75 H 5 V 13.75 M 15,20 V 0 h 10 m 0,13.75 c 0,1.87 -0.94,3.75 -1.88,3.75 m 0,0 H 20 m 0,0 c -1.38,0 -2.5,-1.12 -2.5,-2.5 M 17.5,12.5 C 17.5,6.25 21.25,0 25,0 M 17.5,15 V 12.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"37.5px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 37.5\\\"><path d=\\\"m -1e-5,33.37 c 0,2.28 6.71,4.13 15,4.13 m 0,-10 c -2.5,0 -5,1.56 -5,3.12 2.5,0 5,1.56 5,3.13 m 0,-6.25 V 33.75 m 0,-6.25 c 5.52,0 10,2.24 10,5 0,2.76 -4.48,5 -10,5 M 13.75,25 C 14.37,25 14.68,24.67 15,24 15.31,24.67 15.62,25 16.25,25 m 0,0 v 0 m 0,0 c 0.69,0 1.25,-0.56 1.25,-1.25 0,-1.25 -1.25,-2.5 -2.5,-3.75 -1.25,1.25 -2.5,2.5 -2.5,3.75 0,0.69 0.56,1.25 1.25,1.25 m 0,0 v 0 M 17.5,5 v -1.25 M 24.32,5.9 C 24.76,5.27 25,4.52 25,3.75 25,1.68 23.32,0 21.25,0 19.18,0 17.5,1.68 17.5,3.75 M 15,8.75 c 0,4.37 5,8.75 10,8.75 m -7.5,-12.5 C 17.5,7.07 19.18,8.75 21.25,8.75 M 15,8.75 H 25 M 10,7.5 V 10 M 5,5 v 5 m 0,0 c 0,1.38 1.12,2.5 2.5,2.5 1.38,0 2.5,-1.12 2.5,-2.5 M 5,5 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m -5,12.5 c 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5 m -5,5 H 5 m 10,6.5 v 3.5 M 15,5 v 15\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pal.</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kis.</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mirn.</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>momk.</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>The comma (<svg height=\\\"5px\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0px 3px 2px 3px;\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 5 5\\\"><path d=\\\"M 2.5,0 C 3.88,0 5,1.12 5,2.5 5,3.88 3.88,5 2.5,5 1.12,5 0,3.88 0,2.5 0,1.12 1.12,0 2.5,0 Z\\\"></path></svg>) is used at the end of each non-sentence-final clause, after each item used with <b>ä(b)/e(l)</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">and</span>, before <b>dar</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">or</span>, and at the end of adverbial clauses which precede the predicate.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"25px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 12.5 25\\\"><path d=\\\"m 10,20 c 1.38,0 2.5,1.12 2.5,2.5 C 12.5,23.88 11.38,25 10,25 8.62,25 7.5,23.88 7.5,22.5 7.5,21.12 8.62,20 10,20 Z M 3.12,0 H 6.87 M 6.25,9.36 C 6.25,7.63 4.85,6.23 3.12,6.23 m 3.13,3.13 v 5.01 M 3.12,17.5 C 1.4,17.5 0,16.1 0,14.37 c 0,-1.72 1.4,-3.12 3.12,-3.12 1.73,0 3.13,1.4 3.13,3.12 M 3.12,6.25 C 1.4,6.25 0,4.85 0,3.12 0,1.4 1.4,0 3.12,0 m 0,0 H 6.87 M 6.25,9.36 C 6.25,7.63 4.85,6.23 3.12,6.23 m 0,11.27 C 1.4,17.5 0,16.1 0,14.37 c 0,-1.72 1.4,-3.12 3.12,-3.12 1.73,0 3.13,1.4 3.13,3.12 M 3.12,6.25 C 1.4,6.25 0,4.85 0,3.12 0,1.4 1.4,0 3.12,0 m 0,17.5 H 10 V 20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"25px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 25\\\"><path d=\\\"m 10,20 c 1.38,0 2.5,1.12 2.5,2.5 0,1.38 -1.12,2.5 -2.5,2.5 -1.38,0 -2.5,-1.12 -2.5,-2.5 0,-1.38 1.12,-2.5 2.5,-2.5 z m 3.43,-10.48 c -0.61,1.32 -0.93,2.77 -0.93,4.23 m 7.5,0 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 M 10,20 V 0 h 10 c 0,2.5 -3.75,5 -7.5,5 m 0,0 H 20 v 8.75 M 7.5,13.75 V 12.5 M 10,8.75 C 10,4.38 5,0 0,0 m 7.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 C 1.68,17.5 0,15.82 0,13.75 M 10,8.75 H 0 V 13.75\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"37.5px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 37.5\\\"><path d=\\\"m 15,20 c 1.38,0 2.5,1.12 2.5,2.5 0,1.38 -1.12,2.5 -2.5,2.5 -1.38,0 -2.5,-1.12 -2.5,-2.5 0,-1.38 1.12,-2.5 2.5,-2.5 z m 0,7.5 V 25 M 0,33.37 c 0,2.28 6.71,4.13 15,4.13 M 15,27.5 c -2.5,0 -5,1.56 -5,3.12 2.5,0 5,1.56 5,3.13 m 0,-6.25 v 6.25 m 0,-6.25 c 5.52,0 10,2.24 10,5 0,2.76 -4.48,5 -10,5 M 25,0 H 18.75 V 10 C 21.87,10 25,6.25 25,2.5 M 15,12.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 m 0,0 H 25 V 2.5 M 10,15 C 12.76,15 15,17.24 15,20 M 8.75,7.5 C 10.82,7.5 12.5,5.82 12.5,3.75 12.5,1.68 10.82,0 8.75,0 6.68,0 5,1.68 5,3.75 M 8.75,15 C 6.68,15 5,13.32 5,11.25 5,9.18 6.68,7.5 8.75,7.5 m 1.25,7.5 h -1.25 M 15,12.5 v 7.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>la,</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mis,</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>dark,</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>The break (<svg height=\\\"5px\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0px 3px 2px 3px;\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 5 5\\\"><path d=\\\"M 2.5,0 C 3.1,0.78 4.21,1.9 5,2.5 4.21,3.1 3.1,4.21 2.5,5 1.9,4.21 0.78,3.1 0,2.5 0.78,1.9 1.9,0.78 2.5,0 Z\\\"></path></svg>) is used for all other purposes. It can be used as a hyphen (transliterated/romanized as <b>-</b>), to separate gerunds from suffixing case marking/prepositions, in which case it is used word-internally. If the final character before the word-internal break does not connect to the line, the break instead connects to the following character and is written without its bottom-right side. There is a single space (5u) separating it from the preceding character, though this space is purely visual and does not count as a word separator.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"47.5px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 47.5\\\"><path d=\\\"m 1e-5,37.5 c 0,4.14 2.79,7.5 6.25,7.5 M 1e-5,37.5 c 0,-5.53 4.47,-10 10,-10 m 10,10 c 0,-5.53 -4.48,-10 -10,-10 m 0,14.25 V 27.5 m 10,10 c 0,4.14 -3.03,7.5 -6.75,7.5 M 10,41.75 C 10,43.54 11.45,45 13.25,45 M 10,25 v 2.5 M 10,20 c 0.6,0.78 1.71,1.9 2.5,2.5 C 11.71,23.1 10.6,24.21 10,25 9.4,24.21 8.28,23.1 7.5,22.5 8.28,21.9 9.4,20.78 10,20 Z M 10,5 C 10,1.25 15,0 20,0 v 5 h -7.5 c 0,6.25 3.75,12.5 7.5,12.5 M 7.5,15.62 v -2.5 M 0,15.62 v -3.12 m 0.93,-4.23 C 0.32,9.59 0,11.04 0,12.5 m 3.75,3.12 V 10 m 0,5.62 c 0,1.04 -0.84,1.88 -1.88,1.88 -1.03,0 -1.87,-0.84 -1.87,-1.88 m 7.5,0 c 0,1.04 -0.84,1.88 -1.88,1.88 -1.03,0 -1.87,-0.84 -1.87,-1.88 M 10,20 V 0 H 0 c 3.75,0 7.5,6.56 7.5,13.12\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"122.5px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 122.5\\\"><path d=\\\"m 15,102.5 v 20 m -5,-5 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 M 8.75,102.5 C 6.68,102.5 5,104.18 5,106.25 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 z m 0,15 C 6.68,117.5 5,115.82 5,113.75 c 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 m 1.25,7.5 h -1.25 M 25,87.5 c 0,-2.76 -2.24,-5 -5,-5 -2.76,0 -5,2.24 -5,5 m -3.75,8.12 v 4.38 m 0,-4.38 c 0,-1.72 -1.4,-3.12 -3.13,-3.12 C 6.4,92.5 5,93.9 5,95.62 M 5,87.5 v 12.5 M 5,87.5 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m 0,-5 v 5 m 10,0 C 25,95 15,95 15,102.5 M 6.79,73.75 C 5.75,75.32 5,77.22 5,80 h 7.5 C 12.5,71.25 5,71.25 5,62.5 h 10 v 20 m 2.5,-25 C 16.57,56.77 15.73,55.92 15,55 c -0.74,0.92 -1.58,1.76 -2.5,2.5 0.92,0.74 1.77,1.57 2.5,2.5 v 2.5 M 30,50 c 0,0 -15,-6.25 -20,-6.25 m 0,0 h 1.25 m 0,0 c 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 m 2.5,-16.25 c 0,4.37 7.5,4.37 7.5,8.75 m -7.5,-8.75 c 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 2.07,0 3.75,1.68 3.75,3.75 0,1 -0.4,1.95 -1.1,2.65 m 1.1,6.1 c 0,2.76 -2.24,5 -5,5 -2.76,0 -5,-2.24 -5,-5 M 12.5,23.75 V 25 m -4.4,2.44 c -1.8,-0.31 -3.1,-1.87 -3.1,-3.69 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 C 10.82,20 12.5,21.68 12.5,23.75 M 15,40 V 20 M 10,35 C 12.76,35 15,37.24 15,40 M 10,35 H 5 M 12.5,25 c 0,5 -3.75,10 -7.5,10 m 0,-22.5 c 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 m -3.75,-3.75 V 3.75 m 0,10 V 12.5 m 3.75,-12.5 H 11.25 M 8.75,8.75 H 12.5 M 11.25,0 C 13.32,0 15,1.68 15,3.75 m -10,0 c 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 m -3.75,5 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 M 12.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 M 15,3.75 V 20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>näl-son</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>koünt-äbee</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>The break can be used as a colon (transliterated/romanized as <b>:</b>), marking the start of a list or explanation.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"65px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 65\\\"><path d=\\\"m 10,60 c 0.6,0.78 1.71,1.9 2.5,2.5 -0.79,0.6 -1.9,1.71 -2.5,2.5 -0.6,-0.79 -1.72,-1.9 -2.5,-2.5 0.78,-0.6 1.9,-1.72 2.5,-2.5 z M 20,45 c 0,-2.76 -2.24,-5 -5,-5 -2.76,0 -5,2.24 -5,5 m -6.25,0 v 2.5 M 0,40 c 1.87,0 3.75,2.5 3.75,5 m 3.75,6.25 v 2.5 m -7.5,0 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 m -7.5,-2.5 v 2.5 m 0,-2.5 c 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 2.07,0 3.75,1.68 3.75,3.75 M 0,40 h 10 v 5 m 10,0 c 0,7.5 -10,7.5 -10,15 m -6.25,-35 v 2.5 m -3.75,-7.5 c 1.87,0 3.75,2.5 3.75,5 m 3.75,6.25 v 2.5 m -7.5,0 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 m -7.5,-2.5 v 2.5 m 0,-2.5 c 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 2.07,0 3.75,1.68 3.75,3.75 M 0,20 h 10 v 20 M 7.5,13.75 V 12.5 M 10,20 v -11.25 m 0,0 C 10,4.38 5,0 0,0 m 7.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 C 1.68,17.5 0,15.82 0,13.75 M 10,8.75 H 0 V 13.75\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"37.5px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 37.5\\\"><path d=\\\"m 15,25 v 2.5 M 15,20 c 0.6,0.78 1.71,1.9 2.5,2.5 C 16.71,23.1 15.6,24.21 15,25 14.4,24.21 13.28,23.1 12.5,22.5 13.28,21.9 14.4,20.78 15,20 Z M 22.5,3.75 V 5 m 0,-1.25 C 22.5,1.68 20.82,0 18.75,0 M 17.5,17.5 C 21.64,17.5 25,14.14 25,10 M 18.75,0 H 25 V 10 M 15,5 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 M 30,37.5 c 0,0 -15,-6.25 -20,-6.25 m 0,0 h 1.25 m 0,0 c 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 M 5,5 c 0,7.5 10,7.5 10,15 M 5,5 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mikaga:</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bamt:</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>Finally, the break can be used as brackets (transliterated/romanized as <b>( )</b>) in order to isolate a segment of text.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"42.5px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 42.5\\\"><path d=\\\"m 21.25,17.5 h 3.75 m -3.75,7.5 h 3.75 v 9.97 m 0,0.03 c 0,-3.75 -5,-5 -10,-5 m 6.25,-5 c -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 m -6.25,20 c 0.6,0.78 1.71,1.9 2.5,2.5 -0.79,0.6 -1.9,1.71 -2.5,2.5 -0.6,-0.79 -1.72,-1.9 -2.5,-2.5 0.78,-0.6 1.9,-1.72 2.5,-2.5 z m 0,-27.5 c 0.6,0.78 1.71,1.9 2.5,2.5 -0.79,0.6 -1.9,1.71 -2.5,2.5 -0.6,-0.79 -1.72,-1.9 -2.5,-2.5 0.78,-0.6 1.9,-1.72 2.5,-2.5 z m 0,5 v 2.5 M 30,0 C 30,0 15,6.25 10,6.25 m 0,0 h 1.25 m 0,0 c 2.07,0 3.75,1.68 3.75,3.75 m -5,22.5 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 M 8.75,25 c 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 m 3.75,11.25 c -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 m 1.25,7.5 h -1.25 m 6.25,-15 v 20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"41.25px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 41.25\\\"><path d=\\\"M 5,41.25 C 2.24,41.25 0,40 0,38.5 c 0,-1.52 2.24,-2.75 5,-2.75 m 0,5.5 C 10,41.25 15,36.75 15,36.25 m 0,0 V 35 M 5,35.75 c 5,0 12.5,5.5 17.5,5.5 m 0,0 c 3.75,0 7.5,-3.13 7.5,-6.25 M 12.5,21.25 V 20 M 15,35 V 32.5 M 15,7.5 V 5 m 0,11.25 C 15,11.88 10,7.5 5,7.5 m 7.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 C 6.68,25 5,23.32 5,21.25 M 15,16.25 H 5 v 5 m 10,6.25 c 0.6,0.78 1.71,1.9 2.5,2.5 -0.79,0.6 -1.9,1.71 -2.5,2.5 -0.6,-0.79 -1.72,-1.9 -2.5,-2.5 0.78,-0.6 1.9,-1.72 2.5,-2.5 z M 15,0 c 0.6,0.78 1.71,1.9 2.5,2.5 C 16.71,3.1 15.6,4.21 15,5 14.4,4.21 13.28,3.1 12.5,2.5 13.28,1.9 14.4,0.78 15,0 Z m 0,27.5 V 7.5 h 10 m 0,13.75 c 0,1.87 -0.94,3.75 -1.88,3.75 m 0,0 H 20 m 0,0 c -1.38,0 -2.5,-1.12 -2.5,-2.5 m 0,-2.5 c 0,-6.25 3.75,-12.5 7.5,-12.5 m -7.5,15 v -2.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>(stag)</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>(mirn)</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>The apostrophe marking elision in the transliteration of <b>äb'n</b> and <b>räb'n</b>, as well as marking irregular syllable breaks (e.g. in <b>läl'üta</b>) is not reflected in the orthography or the romanization.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"26.25px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 26.25\\\"><path d=\\\"m 5,26.25 c -2.76,0 -5,-1.23 -5,-2.75 0,-1.52 2.24,-2.75 5,-2.75 m 0,5.5 c 5,0 10,-4.5 10,-5 m 0,0 v -1.25 m -10,0.75 c 5,0 12.5,5.5 17.5,5.5 m 0,0 c 3.75,0 7.5,-3.13 7.5,-6.25 M 15,10.27 v 9.73 m 0,-9.73 c 2.92,2.89 6.29,5.34 10,7.23 m -20,0 C 12.53,13.66 18.66,7.53 22.5,1.081e-5 H 7.5 C 8.87,2.69 10.53,5.2 12.45,7.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"26.25px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 26.25\\\"><path d=\\\"m 19.37,8.75 c 2.42,0 4.38,-1.96 4.38,-4.38 C 23.75,1.96 21.79,0 19.37,0 16.96,0 15,1.96 15,4.37 m 2.5,9.38 v -1.25 m 0,1.25 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 M 15,8.75 h 10 v 5 M 5,3.12 v 6 m 6.25,-6 V 10 H 8.75 C 6.68,10 5,11.68 5,13.75 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 H 15 M 5,3.12 C 5,1.4 6.4,0 8.12,0 9.85,0 11.25,1.4 11.25,3.12 M 15,4.375 V 20 m -10,6.25 c -2.76,0 -5,-1.23 -5,-2.75 0,-1.52 2.24,-2.75 5,-2.75 m 0,5.5 c 5,0 10,-4.5 10,-5 m 0,0 v -1.25 m -10,0.75 c 5,0 12.5,5.5 17.5,5.5 m 0,0 c 3.75,0 7.5,-3.13 7.5,-6.25\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"60px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 60\\\"><path d=\\\"M 5,55 C 7.76,55 10,57.24 10,60 M 3.75,47.5 C 5.82,47.5 7.5,45.82 7.5,43.75 7.5,41.68 5.82,40 3.75,40 1.68,40 0,41.68 0,43.75 M 3.75,55 C 1.68,55 0,53.32 0,51.25 0,49.18 1.68,47.5 3.75,47.5 m 1.25,7.5 h -1.25 M 7.5,23.75 V 25 M 3.1,27.44 C 1.3,27.13 0,25.57 0,23.75 0,21.68 1.68,20 3.75,20 5.82,20 7.5,21.68 7.5,23.75 M 5,35 C 7.76,35 10,37.24 10,40 M 5,35 H 0 M 7.5,25 C 7.5,30 3.75,35 0,35 M 10,5 C 10,1.25 15,0 20,0 v 5 h -7.5 c 0,6.25 3.75,12.5 7.5,12.5 M 7.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 C 0,11.68 1.68,10 3.75,10 M 0,3.75 C 0,1.68 1.68,0 3.75,0 5.82,0 7.5,1.68 7.5,3.75 M 10,10 H 0 C 0,8.43 1.87,6.87 3.75,6.87 5.62,6.87 7.5,5.31 7.5,3.75 M 10,5 V 60\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äb'n</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>räb'n</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läl'üta</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>aün</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yaün</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>lalűta</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>The apostrophe is also used to indicate character breaks when an inflectional prefix ends with a consonant and is followed by a vowel. This includes the genitive <b>r-</b>, <b>d-</b> and <b>s-</b>, the dative <b>äb-/eb-</b>, <b>l-</b> and <b>m-</b>, the negative <b>p-</b>, and the interrogative <b>d-</b>. This is a relatively new change and older documents will not include it (such as my showcase video on Youtube).</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"40px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 40\\\"><path d=\\\"M 16.25,37.5 H 20 m -7.5,-6.25 v 2.5 m 7.5,-2.5 c 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 m 7.5,2.5 V 20 m -7.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 M 20,20 c 0,3.75 -5,5 -10,5 M 10,20 V 40 M 5,35 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 M 3.75,20 C 1.68,20 0,21.68 0,23.75 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 z M 3.75,35 C 1.68,35 0,33.32 0,31.25 c 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 m 1.25,7.5 h -1.25 M 0,7.5 C 0,3.35 2.79,0 6.25,0 M 0,7.5 C 0,13.02 4.47,17.5 10,17.5 M 20,7.5 C 20,13.02 15.52,17.5 10,17.5 M 10,3.25 V 20 M 20,7.5 C 20,3.35 16.97,0 13.25,0 M 10,3.25 C 10,1.45 11.45,0 13.25,0\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"60px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 60\\\"><path d=\\\"m 20,45 c 0,-2.76 -2.24,-5 -5,-5 -2.76,0 -5,2.24 -5,5 m -10,0 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m 0,0 v -5 m -10,5 c 0,7.5 10,7.5 10,15 M 20,45 c 0,7.5 -10,7.5 -10,15 m 3.07e-5,-20 v -2.5 m -10,-10 c 0,-4.15 2.79,-7.5 6.25,-7.5 m -6.25,7.5 c 0,5.52 4.47,10 10,10 m 10,-10 c 0,5.52 -4.48,10 -10,10 m 0,-12.5 v -5 m 10,7.5 c 0,-4.15 -3.03,-7.5 -6.75,-7.5 m -3.25,3.25 c 0,-1.8 1.45,-3.25 3.25,-3.25 M 10,17.5 v 2.5 M 0,13.75 c 0,-5 20,-5 20,-10 m -4.27,6.92 C 18.41,11.38 20,12.52 20,13.75 c 0,2.07 -4.48,3.75 -10,3.75 -5.53,0 -10,-1.68 -10,-3.75 M 10,3.75 C 10,1.68 12.24,0 15,0 c 2.76,0 5,1.68 5,3.75 M 3.7,7.37 C 1.52,6.93 0,5.44 0,3.75 0,1.68 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,1.68 10,3.75\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"60px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 60\\\"><path d=\\\"m 12.5,43.75 c 0,4.37 7.5,4.37 7.5,8.75 m -7.5,-8.75 c 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 2.07,0 3.75,1.68 3.75,3.75 0,1 -0.4,1.95 -1.1,2.65 m 1.1,6.1 c 0,2.76 -2.24,5 -5,5 -2.76,0 -5,-2.24 -5,-5 m -10,-12.5 v 17.5 c 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5 m 0,-7.5 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 m -5,5 v 7.5 M 2.9e-5,25 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 m -3.75,3.75 v 1.25 m 0,-10 v 1.25 m 3.75,12.5 h 2.5 m -2.5,-8.75 h 3.75 m -1.25,8.75 c 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 m -10,0 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 m -3.75,-5 c 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 m 3.75,-5 c 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 m 10,28.75 V 10.27 m 0,10e-7 c 2.92,2.89 6.29,5.34 10,7.23 m -20,0 C 7.53,13.66 13.66,7.53 17.5,9.3e-6 H 2.5 C 3.87,2.69 5.53,5.2 7.45,7.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>s'et</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>d'orba</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>eb'ion</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>Words are separated by spaces whose placement is consistent with the transliteration. The space between two words is always 5u. Each column of text is 30u wide. The horizontal space between each column is 2.5u wide.</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"3_5\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">3.5</span> Abbreviations</h5>\\n<p>A word may be shortened to a single character shortened form, creating an abbreviated, symbolic form. These ligatures contain a maximum of one full-height character, but may contain 30x10u initial or final glyphs. An abbreviation may elide a vowel or incorporate a syllable-initial consonant as the coda of the preceding syllable. There are no specific patterns according to which abbreviations are formed.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight orth\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 13.43,9.52 c -0.61,1.32 -0.93,2.77 -0.93,4.23 m 7.5,0 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 M 10,13.75 V 0 h 10 c 0,2.5 -3.75,5 -7.5,5 m 0,0 H 20 v 8.75 M 0,5 C 0,7.07 1.68,8.75 3.75,8.75 M 0,12.5 v 1.25 M 0,3.75 V 5 m 3.75,12.5 h 2.5 m -2.5,-8.75 H 7.5 M 6.25,17.5 C 8.32,17.5 10,15.82 10,13.75 m -10,0 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 M 0,12.5 C 0,10.43 1.68,8.75 3.75,8.75 M 7.5,3.75 C 7.5,1.68 5.82,0 3.75,0 1.68,0 0,1.68 0,3.75\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"25px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 25\\\"><path d=\\\"m 10,22.5 c 0,1.38 -1.12,2.5 -2.5,2.5 C 6.12,25 5,23.88 5,22.5 5,21.12 6.12,20 7.5,20 M 10,5 C 10,1.25 15,0 20,0 v 5 h -7.5 c 0,6.25 3.75,12.5 7.5,12.5 M 0,1e-5 v 17.5 c 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5 M 5,5 C 5,2.24 7.24,0 10,0 l -10e-6,22.5 M 5,5 v 7.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"25px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 25\\\"><path d=\\\"m 10,20 v 2.5 m 0,0 c 0,1.38 -1.12,2.5 -2.5,2.5 -1.38,0 -2.5,-1.12 -2.5,-2.5 C 5,21.12 6.12,20 7.5,20 M 10,5 C 10,1.25 15,0 20,0 v 5 h -7.5 c 0,6.25 3.75,12.5 7.5,12.5 M 7.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 C 0,11.68 1.68,10 3.75,10 M 0,3.75 C 0,1.68 1.68,0 3.75,0 5.82,0 7.5,1.68 7.5,3.75 M 10,10 H 0 C 0,8.43 1.87,6.87 3.75,6.87 5.62,6.87 7.5,5.31 7.5,3.75 M 10,5 v 15\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>is</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ol</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läl</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>(iis)</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>(olo)</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>(läl'üta)</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"3_6\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">3.6</span> Notes on romanization</h5>\\n<p>Although question marks and exclamation marks are not used in the original orthography, they may be used in questions and exclamations in the romanization for clarity.</p>\\n<p>There is no capitalization in the original orthography, but in the transliteration and romanization sentences conventionally begin with capital letters. Proper nouns are not capitalized since the language makes no use of proper nouns.</p>\\n<p>Accent marks are auxiliary in nature, and are used throughout this document and the dictionary for clarity. They can be disregarded, especially in case some characters are unavailable, e.g. <b>läl'üta</b> <i>lalűta</i> → <i>lalüta</i>.</p>\\n<p>In case <i>ü</i> is unavailable, it can be replaced with the digraph <i>iu</i>, e.g. <i>püta</i> → <i>piuta</i>, <i>tayü</i> → <i>tayiu</i>, <i>müe</i> → <i>miue</i>, <i>leüt</i> → <i>leiut</i>.</p>\\n<p>The romanization can be stylized in various ways to look cooler, although this is non-standard, and would be best suited for the transcription of discrete terms. Using these conventions in running text is discouraged due to their inconsistent nature. The possible modifications are summarized below.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Standard</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Stylized</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Examples</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>post-C <i>ya ye yo yu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ia ie/e io iu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>vyad myenarn pyon myugu</i> → <i>viad mienarn/menarn pion miugu</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>post-C <i>wa we wo wi</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>oa/ua oe/ue uo ui</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>twa doswe kwop eswi</i> → <i>toa/tua dosoe/dosue kuop esui</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ay ey oy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ai ei oi</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>day leyn doys</i> → <i>dai lein dois</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>aw ew ow</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ao/au eo/eu ou</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>mikaw ewsat sowt</i> → <i>mikao/mikau eosat/eusat sout</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>an en on</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>aõ/aũ eõ/eũ oũ</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>yan lent son</i> → <i>yaõ/yaũ leõt/leũt soũ</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>consonantal <i>ü</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>ẅ/ÿ</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>müi leüt</i> → <i>mẅi/mÿi leẅt/leÿt</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>k kw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>c qu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>mika majik kwop</i> → <i>mica majic quop</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>h(y)</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>x</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><i>hinida hyewa hpi</i> → <i>xinida xewa xpi</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n\\n<h4 id=\\\"4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">4</span> Overarching structures</h4><br>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"4_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">4.1</span> Class</h5>\\n<p>Verbs, adjectives and nouns are divided into one of five classes named after cardinal directions; a system referred to as NSWEO. This is similar to grammatical gender, though gender is typically associated with agreement and intrinsic categorization, while this system involves harmony and semantic associations. Combinations of words within the same class are considered semantically stronger and may be used in idioms and collocations. Adjective endings are changed to rhyme with that of the noun if they have the same class. The only form of class agreement is seen in demonstratives and articles.</p>\\n<p>There are third person pronouns for each of the five classes, though animate referents are not bound to a single class. The classes rather suggest certain features or traits, so the same referent may switch class depending on the context determined by the judgment of the speaker, e.g. a person seen as good by the speaker may be S, while someone perceived as an introvert may be N. Inanimate referents typically stay within one class, though the class may be changed for metaphoric reasons. Each class has a number of possible endings.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Class</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Name</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Examples of associations</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Endings</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>North (N)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pil</b> <i>piw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>cold, dark, bad, calm, quiet, still, weak</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>L LP Ls LN LsP</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>South (S)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>rio</b> <i>yo</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>hot, bright, good, lively, loud, move, strong</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>B e o</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>West (W)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>abi</b> <i>avi</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>end, old, death, short, hear</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>P ä i</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>East (E)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mon</b> <i>mon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>start, new, young, life, long, say</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>N NP Ns NsP u</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>Neutral (O)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>püta</b> <i>püta</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>human, nature</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>s sP ü a</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>There are a few grammatical words belonging to the O class despite their endings, including <b>gä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">this</span>, <b>lä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">what</span> and pronouns ending in either of the two, as well as all other interrogatives and demonstratives. Several indefinite pronouns which use the negative article as an enclitic retain their class, ignoring the ending of the article, e.g. <b>kusan</b> is O, not E.</p>\\n<p>There are several clipped compounds which retain their class despite clipping, for example <b>kuska</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">same person</span> (S because it is a clipped form of <b>kus kago</b>).</p>\\n\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> North and south</h6>\\n<p>The north class (<b>gata ki spil</b> <i>gata chi hpiw</i>) is found on the value axis (<b>rotoüt a spipa</b> <i>notoüt a hpipa</i>) along with the south class. North words are low in value and associated with concepts such as bad, darkness, cold and weakness. As such, north is found at the bottom of the compass. Apart from negative concepts, north is also related to silence, serenity and stillness. A person described as north could be perceived as cold or indifferent, but the class can also be ascribed to someone quiet, introverted, logical, or calm and collected.</p>\\n<p>The south class (<b>gata ki serio</b> <i>gata chi hyeyo</i>) is found on the opposite side of the value axis. South is related to concepts opposite of those classified as north - good, light, heat, and strength. It is found at the top of the compass. Other south concepts include movement, passion and lust. A south person is typically extroverted, open, passionate, and may be turbulent and easily swayed by emotions.</p>\\n\\t\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> West and east</h6>\\n<p>The west class (<b>gata ki s'abi</b> <i>gata chi savi</i>) is found on the existence axis (<b>rotoüt a s'adabois</b> <i>notoüt a sadavoys</i>) along with the east class. West signifies finality, death, shortness and destruction. It is also associated with features such as stoicism and independence. West also conveys concreteness and action. The class is found on the right side of the compass. A west person is perceived as a realist, or someone who prefers acting based on observing the world around them. Those who enjoy conflict or competition can also be described as west.</p>\\n<p>The east class (<b>gata ki somon</b> <i>gata chi somon</i>) is found on the opposite side of the existence axis and on the left side of the compass. It is associated with genesis, life, longevity and creation. Traits such as kindness, nurturing and care are also east. Since the class is associated with creation, it encompasses abstract concepts and focuses on thought rather than action. East is the class of all artists and those sensitive to beauty, as well as people seen as kind, agreeable and caring.</p>\\n\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> Neutral</h6>\\n<p>The neutral class (<b>gata ki spüta</b> <i>gata chi hpüta</i>) is placed in the middle of the compass and is the balance to the remaining four classes. All neutral concepts are covered by this class. This includes generic words such as <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">nature</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">type</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">shape</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">image</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">place</span> and <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">sound</span>. Among neutral words are also those which balance out a north/south or west/east pair, such as <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">temperature</span> (<span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">heat</span> + <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">cold</span>). The neutral class can be ascribed to any person and is used to remove any emotional association with the referent. As such, it can be used when addressing a group of people, since those are highly unlikely to be homogeneous, or an unknown person (e.g. in questionnaires). The neutral pronoun is also the pronominal equivalent of indefinite pronouns such as <b>kusan</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">no one/someone</span> and <b>mikan</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">nothing/something</span>.</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"4_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">4.2</span> Number</h5>\\n<p>Nouns, as well as first and second person pronouns inflect for number using an animacy-based system. Nouns are divided into one of six classes, each having a default, \\\"expected\\\" number which is unmarked, and an \\\"unexpected\\\" number which is marked identically across all animacy classes (via reduplication). These classes are independent of NSWEO.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th></th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Class</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Unmarked</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Marked</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>1</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>unique nouns</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nid</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">(the) sun</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ninid</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">suns, (a) sun</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>2</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>nouns coming in sets</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>püi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">(a pair of) eyes</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>püibüi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">(an) eye, (many) eyes</span></td>\\t\\t\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>3</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>other animate nouns</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kus</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">person</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kugus</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">people</span></td>\\t\\t\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>4</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>abstract nouns</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>saekuik</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">murder</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>saekuguik</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">(a) murder</span></td>\\t\\t\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>5</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>mass nouns</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nal</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">water</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nanal</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">(a glass of) water, (a) water</span></td>\\t\\t\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>6</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>inanimate nouns</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bamt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">flower(s)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>babamt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">(a) flower</span></td>\\t\\t\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>Class 1 nouns comprises unique referents, such as <b>nid</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the sun</span>, <b>bis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the world</span>, as well as numeric nouns like <b>saba</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">two</span>, <b>bota</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thousand</span>. For the former group, the nouns are typically accompanied by the definite article, e.g. <b>nid a</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the sun</span>. Class 1 nouns are marked when the instance does not refer to a unique referent, e.g. <b>ninid</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">suns</span>, <b>bibis r'än</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">my world</span>.</p>\\n<p>Class 2 nouns are those which typically occur in a specific number, e.g. days of the week (7), seasons (4), eyes (2), parents (2). They are unmarked when referred to as a whole set, and marked when referring to only one member of the set, or when occurring in any other unexpected number, cf. <b>püi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">(a pair of) eyes</span>, <b>püibüi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">an eye, more than two eyes</span>. Because they are expected to occur in a specific number, class 1 and 2 nouns are collectively referred to as set nouns.</p>\\n<p>Class 3 nouns are any other animate nouns - people or animals. They are unmarked when singular and marked when plural, e.g. <b>kus</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">person</span>, <b>kugus</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">people</span>.</p>\\n<p>The remaining three classes are collectively referred to as inanimate nouns. Class 4 nouns comprise abstract concepts. They are unmarked when referring to them as general concepts and marked when referring to specific instances of them, e.g. <b>saekuik</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">murder</span> → <b>Neo saekuguik ari.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">There's been a murder.</span>, <b>kaio</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">love</span> → <b>Äb'et kaioio diibi misan usa läläb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Our love will never die.</span></p>\\n<p>Class 5 nouns are concrete mass nouns, and are unmarked by default and marked when specifying a unit or a specific instance, e.g. <b>nal</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">water</span> → <b>nanal</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a glass/bottle/unit of water</span>, <b>stag</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">fire</span> → <b>stadag</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a fire (a campfire/fire on a match, etc.)</span>.</p>\\n<p>Class 6 nouns are other inanimate nouns. They are ambiguous to number and the marked form is applied only to explicitly specify one of something. The form is generally only used in a contrastive sense to resolve potential ambiguities, or when a plurality is expected, e.g. <b>paiman</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">cookie(s)</span> → <b>Peobeoms paimaman nänon.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I baked a cookie. (normally people make more)</span>.</p>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"4_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">4.3</span> Case</h5>\\n<p>There are three cases - direct (nominative + accusative: marks subjects and direct objects), genitive (marks possessors, doubles as ablative) and dative (marks indirect objects, doubles as locative). The genitive and dative cases are also used in conjunction with certain prepositions. The cases may be applied to nouns, pronouns and adjectives, the latter agreeing in case with the noun they describe. However, case prefixes are also applied to verbs to form a number of tenses - the genitive conveys the meaning of past, while the dative conveys the meaning of future/irrealis.</p>\\n<p>The direct case is unmarked, while genitive and dative marking depends on the animacy of the noun. Animate nouns (class 3), non-set personal pronouns, as well as all verbs are marked with one set of prefixes, inanimate nouns (class 4-6) are marked with another, and set nouns (class 1 and 2) and pronouns are marked with yet another set. Attributive adjectives take the same set of prefixes as the nouns they describe, cf. <b>semika s'olo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">of good thing</span> (GEN-thing GEN-good) and <b>nikus r'olo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">of good person</span> (GEN-person GEN-good). Gerunds take the inanimate prefixes when marked for case, since the animate prefixes are used to indicate tense, e.g. <b>peomu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">doing</span> (do-GER) → <b>äbpeomu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">going to do (gerund of future form)</span> (AN.DAT-do-GER), <b>lipeomu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">at doing (dative of gerund)</span> (INAN.DAT-do-GER).</p>\\n<p>The inanimate forms are the default ones used whenever applying case prefixes to items other than nouns, adjectives or verbs.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th></th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Genitive</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Dative</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Animate/Verbs/Pronouns</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>or-/r-/ni-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äb-/ä-</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th></th>\\n\\t\\t<td>from <b>nors</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">*take</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>from <b>räbee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">*give</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Inanimate</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>son-/so-/s-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>li-/l-</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th></th>\\n\\t\\t<td>from <b>son</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">carry</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>from <b>eli</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">see</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Set</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>dii-/di-/d-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>em-/m-</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th></th>\\n\\t\\t<td>from <b>dii</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">choose</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>from <b>lemt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">gather</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>Prefixes have different forms for vowel-initial and consonant-initial words:</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th></th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Genitive</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Dative</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Genitive</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Dative</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Genitive</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Dative</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th></th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Animate</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Animate</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Inanimate</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Inanimate</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Set</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Set</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>V-initial</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>r-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äb-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>s-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>l-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>di-</b>***</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>m-</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>C-initial</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>or-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äb-</b>*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>so-</b>**</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>li-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>dii-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>em-</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>*<b>ä-</b> for words starting with <b>sP</b>.<br>\\n**<b>s-</b> for words starting with <b>T</b> (devoice voiced plosives, e.g. <b>s-</b> + <b>do</b> → <b>sto</b>). <b>son-</b> for words starting with <b>l</b>.<br>\\n***<b>d-</b> in case of an illegal vowel sequence.</p>\\n<p>There are several exceptions to the above-described rules. Some animate words take the genitive prefix <b>ni-</b> (<b>nidark</b> GEN-3NM, <b>nipa</b> GEN-3OUM, <b>niba</b> GEN-3OM, <b>nikus</b> GEN-person). Some inanimate words take the dative prefix <b>eli-</b> (<b>eligä</b> DAT-DEM, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">then</span>, <b>elit</b> DAT-end, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">forever</span>). The words <b>mi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">here</span> and <b>mimi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">there</span> take the dative prefix <b>e-</b>.</p>\\n<p>Case prefixes are subject to umlaut, e.g. <b>äb-</b> + <b>ion</b> → <b>eb'ion</b>.</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"4_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">4.4</span> Clause-final auxiliaries</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Each clause ends with an auxiliary word which encodes the clause's subject and direct object (if there is one), in that order. This is referred to as SDOAUX (Subject Direct Object AUXiliary) and is done using personal pronouns in specific forms. Each pronoun has a default form, which is used in isolation or in SDOAUX in clauses without a direct object. Each pronoun also has a prefixing subject form and a suffixing direct object form. If the subject or direct object in the clause is a pronoun, it only appears in SDOAUX, but if it is a noun, it appears inside the clause in the direct case and is reinforced in SDOAUX using a corresponding pronoun. See <a href=\\\"#7\\\"><b>7 Personal pronouns</b></a> and <a href=\\\"#20\\\"><b>Appendix 1: SDOAUX</b></a>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Pask nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I go.</span> (go-1P 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Saesk nälu.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I kill you.</span> (go-1P 1SG-2SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Saek ekki arän.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man kills me.</span> (kill-3P man 3WUM-1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Saesk ekki närä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I kill a man.</span> (kill-1P man 1SG-3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Saek momk an miion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A woman kills a child.</span> (kill-3P woman child 3EUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Saek an momk miion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A child kills a woman.</span> (kill-3P child woman 3EUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>Because both subjects and direct objects take the direct case, some ambiguities may arise and must be resolved through context, e.g. <b>Saesaek kus papa.</b> (kill-REDUP-3P person 3OUM-3OUM.) can mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He killed the person.</span>, or <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The person killed him.</span></p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">SDOAUX are omitted when the verb in the clause is a copula or a locative copula and the subject is a first or second person pronoun, since these verbs conjugate for number as well as for person. The same is true for SDOAUX which repeat in subsequent clauses - only the final one must be used, provided that the pronouns apply to the same referents.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Seon emi.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I am here.</span> (LOC.COP-1SG DAT-here.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ar emi pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">It is here.</span> (LOC.COP-3P DAT-here 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ägä karst, mun nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I lose, but I learn.</span> (but lose-1P, learn-1P 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Orsaesk momk a näion, saesk an kän näion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">If I kill the woman, I kill the child.</span> (GEN-kill-1SG woman DEF.ART 1SG-3EUM, kill-1SG child DEF.ART 1SG-3EUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">There are cases of multiple subjects or direct objects in a clause (x and y, x or y). If pronouns are included therein, they are not omitted in favor of SDOAUX. The SDOAUX in such cases always takes the plural (1P and 2P) or marked (3P) form, with the NSWEO determined by the first noun mentioned.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Äskest ä nä, kiulu si.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You and me are going to die.</span> (DAT-die-1P and 1SG, 2SG 1PL.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ellikiu dar kiulu, dar ekki ko la.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You or the man knows.</span> (know-2P or 2SG, or man DEF.ART 2PL.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Eli äb ekki, momk e leüt, ugu ariri.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man and a woman see a tree and a house.</span> (see-3P and man, woman and tree, house 3WM-3WM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>Some syncretism within compound SDOAUX occurs, which must be disambiguated through context or spelling, e.g. 3OM-3OUM <b>pab-</b> + <b>-pa</b> → <b>pabpa</b> <i>pappá</i>, 3OM-3OM <b>pab-</b> + <b>-ba</b> → <b>pabba</b> <i>pappá</i>.</p>\\n\\n<h4 id=\\\"5\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">5</span> Articles</h4><br>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"5_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">5.1</span> Definite article</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The language has a definite article, but no indefinite article. It stems from the demonstrative <b>gä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">this</span> which is devoiced to <b>kä</b> and further modified based on noun class:</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li>- through dissimilation, <b>kä</b> becomes <b>ka</b> after front vowels and class-specific endings are appended</li>\\n\\t<li>- the form is leveled to the S form <b>ko</b> after front vowels, and after back vowels, to the W form <b>ki</b> except the E form <b>kän</b></li>\\n\\t<li>- an epenthetic neutral vowel <b>a</b> is added at the beginning of the article after consonants except /ɰ̃/; the rest of the article is clipped</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>The resultant forms are as follows:</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th></th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Post-front</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Post-back</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Post-C</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>NSWO</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ko</b> <i>ko</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ki</b> <i>chi</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>a</b> <i>a</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>E</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ko</b> <i>ko</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kän</b> <i>chan</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>a</b> <i>a</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>If the preceding word has no class (definite articles may appear directly after negative articles), the NSWO form is used.</p>\\n<p>The vowel-initial article is treated as an enclitic, which is reflected in the pronunciation, e.g. <b>sir a</b> <i>hin a</i>. Articles are never stressed.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The definite article is placed directly after the head noun, before descriptors such as adjectives. It does not inflect for number. The article is primarily used:</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li>- with set nouns, e.g. <b>nid a</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the sun</span>, <b>bis a</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the world</span>, <b>doespaü ko</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the four seasons</span></li>\\n\\t<li>- with question clauses, e.g. <b>Piellin lilä ko sonläluguu nipa näpa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I don't know where he lives.</span> (NEG-know-1P where DEF.ART GEN-live-GER GEN-3OUM 1SG-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li>- in place of possessive pronouns or demonstratives, particularly when they have been previously mentioned or are obvious from context, e.g. <b>Ren lisurs a mirn närk.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I hurt the (my) head.</span> (give-REDUP-1P DAT-head DEF.ART pain 1SG-3NUM.), <b>Edest mikaäbbaba ki näpa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I finished the task (that we all know of).</span> (end-REDUP-1P task DEF.ART 1SG-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li>- when referring to a specific referent that has previously been mentioned, e.g. <b>Elilin ugu näion. Ar do ugu kän mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I saw a house. The (that) house was big.</span> (see-REDUP-1P house 1SG-3EUM. COP-REDUP-3P big house DEF.ART 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li>- after head nouns of subordinate clauses, e.g. <b>kus a s'elii r'än</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the person who sees me</span> (person DEF.ART GEN-see-GER GEN-1SG)</li>\\n\\t<li>- for superlatives when used after adjectives, cf. <b>ugu kän do</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the big house</span> (house DEF.ART big), <b>ugu do ki</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the biggest house</span> (house big DEF.ART)</li>\\n\\t<li>- for ordinal numbers, e.g. <b>pik a</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">third</span> (3 DEF.ART)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"5_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">5.2</span> Negative article</h5>\\n<p>The negative article is indefinite and is the equivalent of the English <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">no ~</span>. It stems from the abbreviated gerund of the negative locative copula <b>nü(r)</b> → <b>nü</b>, essentially meaning <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">lacking</span>. For the most part, its forms mirror the patterns of the definite article:</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th></th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Post-front</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Post-back</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Post-C</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>NSWO</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>no</b> <i>no</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nüi</b> <i>nüi</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>an</b> <i>an</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>E</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>no</b> <i>no</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nüän</b> <i>nüan</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>an</b> <i>an</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The negative article is used:</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li>- to negate sentences with an indefinite subject or direct object, cf. <b>Pielin ugu kän näion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I don't see the house.</span> (NEG-see-1P house DEF.ART 1SG-3EUM.) and <b>Elin ugu nüän näion.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I see no house.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I don't see a house.</span> (see-1P house NEG.ART 1SG-3EUM.).</li>\\n\\t<li>- to form certain indefinite pronouns, e.g. <b>mikan</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">nothing</span> (see <a href=\\\"#10_1\\\"><b>10.1 Negative article - none/some</b></a>)</li>\\n\\t<li>- to negate adjectives, when placed after them instead of after the noun, cf. <b>ugu nüän do</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">no big house</span> (house NEG.ART big) and <b>ugu do nüi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">not-big house</span> (house big NEG.ART)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The negative article is used with unmarked nouns, with two exceptions:</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li>- with class 1 nouns, e.g. <b>Lä kiti badans liuliu nüän mionon.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">No life is too short.</span> (COP-3P short too life-REDUP NEG.ART 3EM.)</li>\\n\\t<li>- with class 4 nouns used as instances, e.g. <b>Saesaek mimirn an misda tadän.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">No pain has killed me yet.</span> (kill-REDUP-3P pain-REDUP NEG.ART still 3NM-1SG.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h4 id=\\\"6\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">6</span> Nouns</h4><br>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"6_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">6.1</span> Case and number</h5>\\n<p>Nouns inflect for case, with the prefixes chosen based on the noun's animacy (see <a href=\\\"#4_3\\\"><b>4.3 Case</b></a>). They inflect for number, which is also based on the noun's animacy (see <a href=\\\"#4_2\\\"><b>4.2 Number</b></a>). Polysemous nouns may have different animacy for each meaning, e.g. <b>püta</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">nature</span> - class 6, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">manner, being like</span> - class 1. This must be taken into account when inflecting nouns, cf. <b>spüta</b> (GEN-nature) and <b>diüta</b> (GEN-being.like).</p>\\n<p>There is a group of genitive nouns used adjectivally, which are invariable to number and case since they are already inflected, e.g. <b>spee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">bright</span> (GEN-light).</p>\\n<p>Certain groups of compounds have semi-irregular reduplicated forms. The first group includes nouns with a genitive infix, which reduplicate the final syllable of the first noun (e.g. <b>sodiaspaü</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">century</span> (hundred-NOM-GEN-year) → <b>sodiadiaspaü</b> (hundred-NOM-REDUP-GEN-year). The second includes split compounds which undergo coda vocalization of the dependent - the reduplication ignores the vocalization, e.g. <b>ekuit</b> (from <b>eku(s)t</b>) <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">murder</span> → <b>ekuguit</b> (not <b>*ekuiguit</b>). For more information, see <a href=\\\"#17_3\\\"><b>17.3 Compounds</b></a>.</p>\\n<p>There are nouns whose animacy may not be obvious. Set nouns may be animate or inanimate, but they will always belong to the either of the set classes. It can be said that the set classes take priority over the remaining classes. There are several nouns which do not refer to humans or animals, but are animate nonetheless, e.g. <b>usa</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">heart, soul, self, identity</span>.</p>\\n<p>The animacy of certain nouns can change if they are modified, for instance with an adjective. For example, although the word <b>nop</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">parents</span> belongs to class 2, as parents typically come in pairs, in the phrase <b>nop momk</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">mother</span>, the word belongs to class 3, since mothers do not typically come in a specific number.</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"6_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">6.2</span> Class and derivation</h5>\\n<p>Nouns belong to one of five NSWEO classes, which is reflected in the noun's ending. This means that compounds whose head noun determines the NSWEO are often split to preserve the ending, e.g. <b>et</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">end</span> + <b>usa</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">self</span> → <b>eusat</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">death</span>. For more information, see <a href=\\\"#17_3\\\"><b>17.3 Compounds</b></a>.</p>\\n<p>Except for the words <b>ekki</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">man, male</span> and <b>momk</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">woman, female</span>, nouns are not sex-specific. To specify the sex of a noun the aforemenetioned two words can be used attributively, e.g. <b>an</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">child, boy, girl</span> → <b>an ekki</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">boy</span>, <b>an momk</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">girl</span>.</p>\\n<p>Nouns may be derived from other parts of speech through affixation, e.g. <b>danska</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">speech</span> (from <b>dansk</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">*say</span> + <b>-a</b> NOM), but the language features zero-derivation as well, so certain words may be both nouns and adjectives, e.g. <b>ekki</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">man, masculine</span>, or both nouns and verbs, e.g. <b>liu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">life, live</span>. For more information, see <a href=\\\"#17_2\\\"><b>17.2 Zero derivation</b></a>.</p>\\n\\n<h4 id=\\\"7\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">7</span> Personal pronouns</h4><br>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"7_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">7.1</span> First and second person pronouns</h5>\\n<p>Since first and second person pronouns practically never have inanimate referents, there is only a distinction between singular, plural and set forms. Set pronouns are used when referring to a specific, countable group of entities, e.g. a couple, a team, a herd, a council. If an inanimate object is referred to in first or second person, it is assumed to be personified and is treated as animate.</p>\\n<p>Singular pronouns are unmarked, while the others are derived from the singular prefixing forms with the word <b>bis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">all</span> marking set pronouns and <b>boa</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">many</span> marking plural pronouns. The first person plural pronoun stems from a separate root.</p>\\n<p>Each pronoun has a base form used in isolation, a prefixing subject form and a suffixing direct object form, the latter two used in compound SDOAUX. The oblique genitive and dative forms are created by attaching case prefixes to the suffixing forms of the pronouns. Set pronouns take the set prefixes, while other personal pronouns take the animate prefixes.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th></th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Isolate</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Subject</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Direct object</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Genitive</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Dative</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Notes</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>1sg</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nä</b> <i>nya</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nä-</b> <i>nya-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-(ä)n</b> <i>-(a)n</i>*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>r'än</b> <i>yan</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äb'n</b> <i>aün</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äb'n</b> elides the second <b>ä</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>1set</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nebi</b> <i>nyevi</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ne-</b> <i>nye-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-bi</b> <i>-vi</i>**</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>diibi</b> <i>dayvi</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>imbi</b> <i>envi</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nebi</b> composed of <b>nä-</b> and <b>-bi</b> (<b>bis</b>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>1pl</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>si</b> <i>hi</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>si-</b> <i>hi-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-(i)s</b> <i>-(i)s</i>**</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>r'is</b> <i>is</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>eb'is</b> <i>evis</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\"></tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>2sg</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kiulu</b> <i>chuwu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ki-</b> <i>chi-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-lu</b> <i>-u</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>orlu</b> <i>owu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äblu</b> <i>awvu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>orlu</b> realized irregularly as <i>owu</i> instead of <i>ownu</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>2set</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>li</b> <i>li</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>li-</b> <i>li-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-il</b> <i>-iw</i>**</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>diil</b> <i>day</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>m'il</b> <i>miw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>li</b> composed of <b>l-</b> (<b>kiulu</b>) and <b>-i</b> (<b>bis</b>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>2pl</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>la</b> <i>wa</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>la-</b> <i>wa-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-al</b> <i>-aw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ral</b> <i>naw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äb'al</b> <i>avaw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>la</b> composed of <b>l-</b> (<b>kiulu</b>) and <b>-a</b> (<b>boa</b>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>*The vowels in parentheses are only appended in case of an illegal cluster.<br>\\n**This form triggers umlaut.</p>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"7_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">7.2</span> Third person pronouns</h5>\\n<p>Third person pronouns act more similarly to nouns, having an unmarked form and a reduplicated marked form, agreeing in marking with their referents. If the referent is unmarked, so is the pronoun; if the referent is marked, so is the pronoun. There are third person pronouns for each NSWEO.</p>\\n<p>Some marked forms are irregular. The west <b>ari</b> is derived from the unmarked <b>arä</b> via vowel mutation rather than reduplication. The east <b>mionon</b> would be <b>miomion</b> if it were a regular reduplicated form of <b>mion</b>, but the <b>i</b> is elided. <b>tadark</b>, <b>pa</b> and <b>paba</b> take the irregular genitive prefix <b>ni-</b>.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th></th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Isolate</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Subject</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Direct object</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Genitive</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Dative</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>3num</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tark</b> <i>tark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tar-</b> <i>tar-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-(a)rk</b> <i>-(a)rk</i>*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>r'ark</b> <i>nark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äb'ark</b> <i>avark</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>3nm</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tadark</b> <i>tadark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tad-</b> <i>tad-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-dark</b> <i>-dark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nidark</b> <i>nidark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbdark</b> <i>attark</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>3sum</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läb</b> <i>lav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lä-</b> <i>la-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-läb</b> <i>-lav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>orläb</b> <i>olav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbläb</b> <i>awvyav</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>3sm</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läläb</b> <i>lalav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lälä-</b> <i>lala-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-äläb</b> <i>-alav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>r'äläb</b> <i>yalav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äb'äläb</b> <i>avyalav</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>3wum</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>arä</b> <i>aya</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>arä-</b> <i>aya-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-rä</b> <i>-ya</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>orrä</b> <i>oyya</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbrä</b> <i>avya</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>3wm</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ari</b> <i>ayi</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ari-</b> <i>ayi-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-ri</b> <i>-i</i>**</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>erri</b> <i>eyi</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ebri</b> <i>evi</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>3eum</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mion</b> <i>myon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mi-</b> <i>mi-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-ion</b> <i>-yon</i>**</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>r'ion</b> <i>yon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>eb'ion</b> <i>evyon</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>3em</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mionon</b> <i>myonon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mion-</b> <i>myon-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-non</b> <i>-non</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ornon</b> <i>urnon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbnon</b> <i>aünon</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>3oum</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pa</b> <i>pa</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pa-</b> <i>pa-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-pa</b> <i>-pa</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nipa</b> <i>nipa</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbpa</b> <i>appa</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>3om</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>paba</b> <i>pava</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pab-</b> <i>pav-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-ba</b> <i>-va</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>niba</b> <i>niva</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbba</b> <i>appa</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>*The vowels in parentheses are only appended in case of an illegal cluster. Direct object () take priority over subject ().<br>\\n**This form triggers umlaut.</p>\\n<p>The default third person pronoun for humans is the neutral <b>pa</b>. <b>arä</b> and <b>mion</b> are not typically used as <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">he</span> and <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">she</span> are in English, with any third person pronoun applicable to humans based on personal perception or situational context.</p>\\n<p>Although both animate and inanimate nouns typically stay within their NSWEO class, they may be referred to using the pronouns of a different class if the context warrants it. If a situation in which a referent exhibits traits typical to another class it may be referred to using the pronoun of that class, as long as it is done consciously and overtly. Naturally, the more animate the referent, the more likely it is to undergo such change, since it has a higher chance of exhibiting a wide range of behaviors prompting the speaker to perceive it differently than usual, e.g. <b>Re kaioio go äb'n mirn tadark.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">This love has hurt me.</span> (give-REDUP-3P love-REDUP DEM DAT-1SG pain 3NM-3NUM.) - in this case <b>kaioio</b>, which is an S word is referenced using the N pronoun; this only affects pronouns, as can be noted from the demonstrative which remains in agreement with the word.</p>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"7_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">7.3</span> Possessives</h5>\\n<p>The genitive pronouns double as possessive pronouns. Similarly to articles and demonstratives, possessive pronouns are placed directly after the head noun, before other descriptors, e.g. <b>skaian r'än olo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">my good friend</span> (friend GEN-1SG good).</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">When the possessor is the subject of the sentence, personal possessive pronouns are usually replaced with either the definite article or the reflexive pronoun. In third person, genitive pronouns can be used to distinguish between one's own and someone else's possession.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Doesoens ümpüi ko mienarn närk.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I felt rain in the (my) eyes.</span> (feel-REDUP-1P DAT-eye DEF.ART rain 1SG-1NUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Üi l'ugu r'usa pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He went to his (own) house.</span> (go-REDUP-3P DAT-house GEN-REFL 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Üi l'ugu nipa pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He went to his (someone else's) house.</span> (go-REDUP-3P DAT-house GEN-3OUM 3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>Genitive pronouns can only function as possessive determiners. To use possessive pronouns, the impersonal demonstrative <b>gä</b> is appended before the genitive pronoun, e.g. <b>Lä gä orlu an gän mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">This child is yours.</span> (COP-3P DEM GEN-2SG child DEM 3EUM.).</p>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"7_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">7.4</span> Reflexive pronouns</h5>\\n<p>The reflexive pronoun <b>usa</b> <i>usa</i> stems from the word <b>usa</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">self, heart, identity</span> and has no SDOAUX forms. When it is used as the direct object, the SDOAUX only features the subject form (see <a href=\\\"#14_8\\\"><b>14.8 Impersonal and reflexive expressions</b></a>).</p>\\n<p>The genitive form of the reflexive pronoun is <b>r'usa</b> <i>nusa</i>, while the dative form is <b>äbsa</b> <i>assa</i> (note the irregular pronunciation).</p>\\n\\n<h4 id=\\\"8\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">8</span> Interrogatives</h4><br>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"8_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">8.1</span> <i><b>lä</b></i>, <i><b>kuä</b></i> - what, who</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The basic interrogative <b>lä</b> <i>la</i> means <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">what</span> and other interrogatives are derived from it. Despite its ending, <b>lä</b> and compounds ending in the word belong to the neutral class. It is classed as inanimate. It does not inflect for number and always uses unmarked pronouns. Unlike in English, the word cannot be used attributively; for this purpose, the word <b>sonlä</b> is used (see <a href=\\\"#8_2\\\"><b>8.2 <i><b>sonlä</b></i>, <i><b>lilä</b></i> - which, whence, where, whither</b></a>).</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Dapeom an kän lä mipa?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">What is the child doing?</span> (INT-do-3P child DEF.ART what 3EUM-3OUM?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piellin lä ko situns skä spa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">We don't know what started this.</span> (NEG-know-1P what DEF.ART GEN-start-GER GEN-DEM 1PL-3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The word <b>kuä</b> <i>kwa</i> means <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">who</span> and is derived from <b>kus lä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">what person</span>. Like <b>lä</b>, it is classed as neutral and does not inflect for number, taking only unmarked pronouns. Unlike <b>lä</b>, it is animate. The genitive is <b>nikuä</b> <i>nikwa</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">whose, of whom, from whom</span>, and the dative is <b>äbkuä</b> <i>akkwa</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to whom</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>D'ar püta skä kuä pa?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Who said this?</span> (INT-COP-REDUP-3P like GEN-DEM who 3OUM?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Dadaäbeel äbkuä kiulu?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Who are you talking to?</span> (INT-talk-2P DAT-who 2SG?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Dadaäbeel nikuä kiulu?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Who are you talking about?</span> (INT-talk-2P GEN-who 2SG?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Dalä gä nikuä ugu gän mion?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Whose is this house?</span> (INT-COP-3P DEM GEN-who house DEM 3EUM?)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"8_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">8.2</span> <i><b>sonlä</b></i>, <i><b>lilä</b></i> - which, whence, where, whither</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The words <b>sonlä</b> <i>sownya</i> and <b>lilä</b> <i>lila</i> have various meanings. Firstly, they can be used as the genitive and dative forms of <b>lä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">what</span>. Secondly, they can refer to location, meaning <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">whence (from where)</span> and <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">where (at what place), whither (to what place)</span>, respectively. Both words are inanimate.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>D'üik emimi rot sonlä kiulu?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">With what (mode of transportation) did you go there?</span> (INT-go-REDUP-2P DAT-there through GEN-what 2SG?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>D'ar kaian lilä äblu mion?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">What do you like?</span> (INT-LOC.COP-3P fondness DAT-what DAT-2SG 3EUM?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Danänälk sonlä kiulu?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Where do you come from?</span> (INT-come-REDUP-2P whence 2SG?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>D'äbseon lidoreo seniko lilä?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Where can I find happiness?</span> (INT-DAT-LOC.COP-1SG DAT-find-GER GEN-happiness where?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>D'ar ugu orlu lilä mion?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Where is your house?</span> (INT-LOC.COP-3P house GEN-2SG where 3EUM?)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The other usage of <b>sonlä</b> is after nouns, in which case it means <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">which ~, what ~, what kind of ~</span>. Similarly to possessives, it can only be used attributively, and to use it nominally, the demonstrative <b>gä</b> must precede it. In this sense, it could be used as the English <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">how</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Danänälk stü sonlä kiulu?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">What place do you come from?</span> (INT-come-REDUP-2P GEN-place which 2SG?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Dalä ugu orlu gä sonlä pa?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Which (one) is your house?</span> (INT-COP-3P house GEN-2SG DEM which 3OUM?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Dalä gä sonlä ugu orlu mion?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">How is your house?</span> (INT-COP-3P DEM which house GEN-2SG 3EUM?)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"8_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">8.3</span> <i><b>imi</b></i>, <i><b>baläns</b></i>, <i><b>boalä</b></i> - when, why, how, how many, how much</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The word <b>imi</b> <i>imi</i> means <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">when</span> and is derived from <b>limis lä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">at what time</span>. It is inanimate and belongs to the neutral class.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Dedet imi usa pa?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">When did he die?</span> (INT-end-REDUP-3P when self 3OUM?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lälä mikan rütnü ellii simi ko säbnämisdal ris.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I want to know when we will come back.</span> (COP-1SG nothing without know-GER GEN-when DEF.ART GEN-DAT-return-GER GEN-1PL.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The word <b>baläns</b> <i>valans</i> means both <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">why</span> and <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">how</span>, and is derived from <b>bans lä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">for what</span>. It is inanimate and belongs to the neutral class. In case of ambiguity, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">why</span> can be expressed as <b>bans koüntinst sonlä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">for what reason</span> and <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">how</span> can be expressed as <b>rot sorot sonlä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">by what way</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>D'edet baläns usa pa?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">How did he die?</span> (INT-end-REDUP-3P how self 3OUM?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>D'äbdosuesiikiu baläns kiulu?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Why do you have to leave?</span> (INT-DAT-leave-REDUP-2P why 2SG?)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The word <b>boalä</b> <i>vwala</i> means <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">how many, how much</span> and is derived from <b>boa lä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">what many</span>. It is inanimate and belongs to the neutral class. It can be used attributively, nominally and adverbially. It can also be used to quantify adjectives and adverbs when placed after them.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>D'ar anan boalä äblu mionon?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">How many children do you have?</span> (INT-LOC.COP-3P child-REDUP how.many DAT-2SG 3EM?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>D'ellikiu boalä ko storeo nipa kipa?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Do you know how much he won?</span> (INT-know-2P how.much DEF.ART GEN-win-GER GEN-3OUM 2SG-3OUM?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Dalä nantee boalä stadag go läläb?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">How strong is this fire?</span> (INT-COP-3P strong how.much fire-REDUP DEM 3SM?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Daliu mikan rütnü gä boalä?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">How much do you want this?</span> (INT-COP-2SG nothing without DEM how.much?)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h4 id=\\\"9\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">9</span> Demonstratives</h4><br>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"9_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">9.1</span> Basic demonstrative</h5>\\n<p>The basic demonstrative stems from the word <b>gä</b> <i>ja</i>, which, like <b>lä</b>, belongs to the neutral class despite its ending. This demonstrative can be used attributively in which case it acts much like the definite article, agreeing with the NSWEO of the head noun and being placed directly after it, before any descriptors, e.g. <b>ekki gi bog</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">this tall man</span>. It does not inflect for number or case.</p>\\n<p>The base form <b>gä</b> is used for the neutral class; for other NSWEO, class-specific endings are appended.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>North</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>gäl</b> <i>jaw</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>South</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>go</b> <i>go</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>West</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>gi</b> <i>ji</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>East</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>gän</b> <i>jan</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Neutral</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>gä</b> <i>ja</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The neutral <b>gä</b> can also be used as a demonstrative pronoun, being the equivalent of English <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">this</span>. It can be used in impersonal constructions, acting similarly to the English <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">it</span> and <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">one</span> (see <a href=\\\"#14_8\\\"><b>14.8 Impersonal and reflexive expressions</b></a>). Intransitive sentences with <b>gä</b> as the subject do not require SDOAUX. In some cases, <b>gä</b> is practically interchangeable with the neutral pronoun <b>pa</b>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Lä ugu gä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">This is a house.</span> (COP-3P house DEM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä ugu pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">It is a house.</span> (COP-3P house 3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"9_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">9.2</span> Proximal and distal demonstratives</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Except for the words <b>mi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">here</span> and <b>mimi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">there</span> (see <a href=\\\"#9_3\\\"><b>9.3 Other forms - <i><b>skä</b></i>, <i><b>eligä</b></i>, <i><b>boagä</b></i>, <i><b>mins</b></i>, <i><b>mi</b></i>, <i><b>mimi</b></i></b></a>), there is no distinction between proximal and distal demonstratives. However, the adjectives <b>müi</b> <i>müi</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">near</span> and <b>dans</b> <i>dans</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">far</span> may be placed directly before the head to convey proximity (in this context <b>müi</b> and <b>dans</b> do not participate in adjective agreement).</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Lä do müi ugu gän mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">This house is big.</span> (COP-3P big near house DEM 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Saesaesk dans momk gän näion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I killed that woman.</span> (kill-REDUP-1P far woman DEM 1SG-3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piiliubamt müi bamt skä mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">This kind of flower doesn't blossom.</span> (NEG-blossom-3P near flower such 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Orpeomk dans mins kipa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Don't do it like that.</span> (GEN-do-2P far thus 2SG-3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"9_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">9.3</span> Other forms - <i><b>skä</b></i>, <i><b>eligä</b></i>, <i><b>boagä</b></i>, <i><b>mins</b></i>, <i><b>mi</b></i>, <i><b>mimi</b></i></h5>\\n<p>Since <b>gä</b> is the demonstrative equivalent of <b>lä</b>, several demonstratives can be derived from interrogatives by replacing the latter with the former. However, the meanings of the resultant forms are not necessarily predictable from the interrogatives.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The form <b>skä</b> <i>hcha</i> is the genitive form of the demonstrative <b>gä</b>, and is also used to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">such, this kind of</span>. Like its interrogative equivalent <b>sonlä</b>, it can only be used attributively, and <b>gä</b> must precede it when used nominally. The form <b>eligä</b> <i>elija</i> is the dative form of <b>gä</b> (note the irregular case marking), and is also used to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">then, at that time, and</span>. This word can be further inflected into the genitive <b>s'eligä</b> <i>hyelija</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">from then</span> and the dative <b>l'eligä</b> <i>lelija</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">till then</span>. Finally, <b>boagä</b> <i>vwaja</i> is the demonstrative equivalent of <b>boalä</b>, and means <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">this much, this many</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Ellin dü skä näpa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I know its place.</span> (know-1P place GEN-DEM 1SG-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ebnüä lipeomu semikaäbbaba skä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I can't do such tasks.</span> (DAT-NEG.LOC.COP-1SG DAT-do-GER GEN-task such.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ar kaian eligä äb'n mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I like this.</span> (LOC.COP-3P fondness DAT-DEM DAT-1SG 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Rot säikkiu eligä an kiion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You should kill a child then.</span> (by kill-2P then child 2SG-3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lälä mikan rütnü kaio boagä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I want this much love.</span> (COP-1SG nothing without love this.much.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä do boagä leüt a mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The tree is this big.</span> (COP-3P big this.much tree DEF.ART 3EUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The word <b>mins</b> <i>myens</i> means <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thus, like this, so</span> and is derived from <b>bans mi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">for here</span>. Apart from its demonstrative use, it is also the word meaning <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">yes</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Lä nantee mins stadag a läläb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The fire is so strong.</span> (COP-3P strong so fire-REDUP DEF.ART 3SM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Dadaäbeel mins baläns kiulu?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Why are you talking like this?</span> (INT-talk-2P thus why 2SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Mins, rättädä mins pan.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Yes, he taught me thus.</span> (yes, teach-REDUP-3P thus 3OUM-1SG.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The word <b>mi</b> <i>mi</i> means <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">here</span> and is derived from <b>müi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">close</span>. Its reduplicated form <b>mimi</b> <i>mimi</i> means <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">there</span>. Both words act only as nouns, and to use them adverbially, case marking must be used. The genitive forms <b>semi</b> <i>hyemi</i> and <b>semimi</b> <i>hyemimi</i> mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">hence (from here)</span> and <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thence (from there)</span>, respectively. The dative forms <b>emi</b> <i>emi</i> and <b>emimi</b> <i>emimi</i> are irregular and mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">here (at this place), hither (to this place)</span> and <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">there (at that place), thither (to that place)</span>, respectively.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Lä dü olo mi arä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">It's a good place here.</span> (COP-3P place good here 3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Eb'üint semi si.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">We need to get out of here.</span> (DAT-go-REDUP-1P GEN-here 1PL.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piäbpa momk a emimi mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The woman will not go there.</span> (NEG-DAT-go-3P woman DEF.ART DAT-there 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ar nid a emimi läb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The sun is there.</span> (LOC.COP-3P sun DEF.ART DAT-there 3SUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h4 id=\\\"10\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">10</span> Indefinite pronouns and adjectives</h4><br>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"10_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">10.1</span> Negative article - none/some</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Negative pronouns are formed with the negative article. The article by itself translates to English <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">no ~</span> and can be used to negate indefinite sentences (see <a href=\\\"#5_2\\\"><b>5.2 Negative article</b></a>). Verbs are not negated when used with negative articles in their original meaning. Negating the verb reverses the meaning of the article to <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">some ~</span>, since a phrase like <b>Piipeoms mikan näpa.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I don't do nothing.</span> is interpreted as <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">It is not true that I do nothing.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I do something</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Lä do mins ugu nüän mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">No house is that big.</span> (COP-3P big thus house NEG.ART 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Saesaesk momk an nänon.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I didn't kill any woman.</span> (kill-REDUP-1P woman NEG.ART 1SG-3EM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piidaäbeen äbpa r'ekki no nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I talk to him about some man.</span> (NEG-talk-1P DAT-3OUM GEN-man NEG.ART 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piidaäbeen äb'ekki no nipa nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I talk to some man about him.</span> (NEG-talk-1P DAT-man NEG.ART GEN-3OUM 1SG.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>Other indefinite pronouns formed with the negative article are presented below.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Word</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Meaning</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Etymology</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mikan</b> <i>mikan</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>nothing/something</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">no thing</span> (<b>mika</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thing</span> + <b>nüi</b> NEG.ART)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kusan</b> <i>kusan</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>no one/someone</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">no person</span> (<b>kus</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">person</span> + <b>an</b> NEG.ART)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>linür</b> <i>linür</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>(to) nowhere/somewhere</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">at/to not-being</span> (<b>li</b> DAT + <b>nür</b> NEG.LOC.COP-GER)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sünür</b> <i>hünür</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>from nowhere/somewhere</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">from not-being</span> (<b>so</b> GEN + <b>nür</b> NEG.LOC.COP-GER)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>misan</b> <i>misan</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>never/sometime</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">at no time</span> (<b>li</b> DAT + <b>mis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">time</span> + <b>an</b> NEG.ART)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>rotan</b> <i>notan</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>nohow, not at all/somehow</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">(by) no way</span> (<b>rot</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">way</span> + <b>an</b> NEG.ART)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The negative article is an enclitic in these words and is disregarded with respect to NSWEO, so <b>mikan</b>, <b>kusan</b>, <b>misan</b> are O, and <b>rotan</b> is W. Case marking for these pronouns is the same as for the original nouns, so for instance the genitive form <b>nikusan</b> mirrors the irregularity of the genitive form of <b>kus</b> - <b>nikus</b>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Üint linür nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I went nowhere.</span> (go-REDUP-1P DAT-NEG.LOC.COP-GER 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piinänäln sünür nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I came from somewhere.</span> (NEG-come-REDUP-1P GEN-NEG.LOC.COP-GER 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ar üta semikan ekki ko arä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The man said nothing.</span> (COP-REDUP-3P like GEN-nothing man DEF.ART 3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piidaäbeen äbkusan semikan nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I talk to someone about something.</span> (NEG-talk-1P DAT-nobody GEN-nothing 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ar mikan äb'n pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I have nothing.</span> (LOC.COP-3P nothing DAT-1SG 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Nü ligir nikusan pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He was fighting someone.</span> (NEG.LOC.COP-3P DAT-fight-GER GEN-nobody 3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>The meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">some ~</span> can also be expressed with generic nouns, for instance <b>mika</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thing (something)</span>, <b>kus</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">person (someone)</span>, <b>dü</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">place (somewhere)</span>, <b>mis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">time (sometime)</span>, <b>rot</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">way (somehow)</span>.</p>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"10_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">10.2</span> <i><b>bis</b></i> - every</h5>\\n<p>The word <b>bis</b> <i>vis</i> has various uses and meanings. It can be used as a class 1 noun to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the world</span> or to convey spatial relations, with the meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">within, among, inside</span>. It can be used as an adjective to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">all, every, each</span>, or as a pronoun to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">everything, everyone</span>. For disambiguation, the adjectival phrases <b>mika bisika</b> <i>mika vihíka</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">every thing</span> and <b>kus bisus</b> <i>kus visus</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">every person</span> can be used.</p>\\n<p>Other than that, <b>bis</b> is used as an enclitic with two pronouns and two nouns.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Word</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Meaning</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Etymology</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sonbis</b> <i>sonvis</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>from everywhere</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">from every where</span> (<b>sonlä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">whence</span> + <b>bis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">every</span>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>libis</b> <i>livis</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>(to) everywhere</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to every where</span> (<b>lilä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">where, whither</span> + <b>bis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">every</span>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mibis</b> <i>mivis</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>always, at all times</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">at all times</span> (<b>li</b> DAT + <b>mis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">time</span> + <b>bis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">every</span>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>retbis</b> <i>yeppis</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>in all ways, completely</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">(by) all ways</span> (<b>rot</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">way</span> + <b>bis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">every</span>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Note that used as an enclitic, <b>bis</b> causes umlaut in <b>retbis</b> but not in <b>sonbis</b>, because of the intervening <b>lä</b> which is then elided. The words <b>sonbis</b> and <b>libis</b> appear to be genitive and dative forms of <b>bis</b>, but they are actually clipped forms of <b>sonlä bis</b> and <b>lilä bis</b>, respectively. The word <b>bis</b> itself uses set case prefixes - the genitive <b>diibis</b> <i>dayvis</i> and the dative <b>imbis</b> <i>envis</i>. The word <b>mibis</b> is used to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">always</span> in the sense of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">at all times</span>. For the meaning <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">forever</span>, the word <b>elit</b> <i>elit</i> (DAT-end) is more appropriate.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Äskeget an bis mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Every child must die.</span> (DAT-die-REDUP-3P child every 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Stagbee stag mibis läb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Fire is always burning.</span> (burn-3P fire always 3SUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ar ugu libis mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">There are houses everywhere.</span> (LOC.COP-3P house DAT-everywhere 3EUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Similarly to the negative article, <b>bis</b> is used with unmarked nouns, with two exceptions:</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li>- with class 1 nouns, e.g. <b>Lä olo ninid bis läläb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Every sun is good.</span> (COP-3P good sun-REDUP every 3SM.)</li>\\n\\t<li>- with class 4 nouns used as instances, e.g. <b>Re kaioio bis äb'n mirn pagson s'eligä tadark.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Every love has hurt me since then.</span> (give-REDUP-3P love-REDUP every DAT-1SG pain since GEN-then 3NM-3NUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"10_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">10.3</span> Potential form - any</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">In most cases in which English would use pronouns such as <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">anything</span> or <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">whatever</span>, the pronoun is synonymous with <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">some</span> or <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">every</span>, e.g. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Is anyone (someone) interested?</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I can do anything (everything).</span> Therefore, there is no need for such pronouns in this language. However, in subjunctive clauses, a plain interrogative is used and the predicate is conjugated into the potential form (see <a href=\\\"#15_7\\\"><b>15.7 Potential</b></a>).</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Äbseosk lipeomu sonlä, spal emimi.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Whatever you do, don't go there.</span> (DAT-LOC.COP-2SG DAT-do-GER GEN-what, GEN-go-2P DAT-there.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äbseon lidiii s'ugu sonlä, äb'ar kaian eb'ion äb'n mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Whichever house I choose, I'll like it.</span> (DAT-LOC.COP-1SG DAT-choose-GER GEN-house which, DAT-LOC.COP-3P fondness DAT-3EUM DAT-1SG 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äbseon l'äbeekuns äbkuä, dosue mibis r'än pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Whoever I talk to, they always leave me.</span> (DAT-LOC.COP-1SG DAT-talk-GER DAT-who, leave-3P always GEN-1SG 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äb'ar kuä linäl äb'n pa, lälä mikan rütnü uloo nipa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Whoever comes to me, I want to hug them.</span> (DAT-LOC.COP-3P who DAT-come-GER DAT-1SG 3OUM, COP-1SG nothing without hug-GER GEN-3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"10_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">10.4</span> <i><b>kago</b></i> and <i><b>darn</b></i> and their contractions</h5>\\n<p>The adjectives <b>kago</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">same</span> and <b>darn</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">other</span> simplify when combined with certain pronouns and nouns.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Word</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Meaning</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Etymology</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kuska</b> <i>kuska</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>same person</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">same person</span> (<b>kus</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">person</span> + <b>kago</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">same</span>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mikago</b> <i>mikago</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>same thing</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">same thing</span> (<b>mika</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thing</span> + <b>kago</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">same</span>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lilägo</b> <i>lilago</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>to/at the same place</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to same where</span> (<b>lilä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">where/whither</span> + <b>kago</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">same</span>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sonlägo</b> <i>sownyago</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>from the same place</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">from same where</span> (<b>sonlä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">whence</span> + <b>kago</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">same</span>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>miska</b> <i>miska</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>(at) the same time</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">same time</span> (<b>mis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">time</span> + <b>kago</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">same</span>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>rotka</b> <i>nokka</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>(in) the same way</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">(by) same way</span> (<b>rot</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">way</span> + <b>kago</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">same</span>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kaka</b> <i>kaka</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>(on) the same side</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">same side</span> (<b>ka</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">side</span> + <b>kago</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">same</span>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\"></tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kusda</b> <i>kustá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>other person</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">other person</span> (<b>kus</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">person</span> + <b>darn</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">other</span>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mikarn</b> <i>mikarn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>other thing</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">other thing</span> (<b>mika</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thing</span> + <b>darn</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">other</span>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lilärn</b> <i>lilarn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>to/at elsewhere</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to other where</span> (<b>lilä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">where/whither</span> + <b>darn</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">other</span>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sonlärn</b> <i>sownyarn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>from elsewhere</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">from other where</span> (<b>sonlä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">whence</span> + <b>darn</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">other</span>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>misda</b> <i>mistá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>(at) another time, again, still</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">other time</span> (<b>mis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">time</span> + <b>darn</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">other</span>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>rotda</b> <i>nottá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>another way, otherwise</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">(by) other way</span> (<b>rot</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">way</span> + <b>darn</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">other</span>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kada</b> <i>kadá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>(on) the other side</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">other side</span> (<b>ka</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">side</span> + <b>darn</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">other</span>)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>The words <b>kuska</b>, <b>miska</b>, <b>rotka</b> are S, and <b>kusda</b>, <b>misda</b>, <b>rotda</b> are N despite their endings, because they are clipped forms. Also note that the clipping shifts the regular stress of some forms with <b>darn</b>.</p>\\n<p>The words meaning <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">same place</span> and <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">other place</span> are compositional (<b>dü kago</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">same place</span>, <b>dü darn</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">other place</span>).</p>\\n\\t\\n<h4 id=\\\"11\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">11</span> Adjectives and adverbs</h4><br>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"11_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">11.1</span> Placement and characteristics of adjectives</h5>\\n<p>Since the language is exclusively head-initial, adjectives always follow nouns they modify. If an article, demonstrative, or possessive pronoun is used, the adjective follows it. This does not apply to nouns used in the genitive case to express possession, cf. <b>ugu olo r'ekki</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the man's good house</span> (house good GEN-man) and <b>ugu r'ekki r'olo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the good man's house</span> (house GEN-man GEN-good). Adjectives cannot be used attributively with pronouns.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Adjectives are noun-like and have no predicative forms. They are used with the copula, similarly to nouns. Adjectives used predicatively do not participate in ending agreement (see <a href=\\\"#11_2\\\"><b>11.2 Agreement of adjectives with nouns</b></a>) or number agreement.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Lä bee olee läb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">It's good light.</span> (COP-3P light good 3SUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä olo bee läb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Light is good.</span> (COP-3P good light 3SUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä nantee ekki arä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The man is strong.</span> (COP-3P strong man 3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä nantee ekkigi ari.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Men are strong.</span> (COP-3P strong man-REDUP 3WM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>Except for certain constructions, adjectives cannot be used nominally. Nominalizing them can be done either by using a generic noun like <b>kus</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">person</span> or <b>mika</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thing</span>, or by using the demonstrative, e.g. <b>gä bilp</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the weak, one who is weak, those who are weak</span>.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Adjectives have a negative form used in certain constructions described in further sections (see <a href=\\\"#11_6\\\"><b>11.6 Comparison of adjectives and adverbs</b></a>). The form is created by attaching the negative article directly after the adjective. This is possible because the negative article otherwise directly follows the head noun.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>bee no olee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">no good light</span> (light NEG.ART good)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>bee olee no</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">not good light</span> (light good NEG.ART)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"11_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">11.2</span> Agreement of adjectives with nouns</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Adjectives agree with the nouns they modify in case and number. Case prefixes are applied in agreement with the animacy of the noun.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>mika olo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">good thing(s)</span>, <b>kus olo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">good person</span></li>\\n\\t<li><b>mikaga ololo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a good thing</span>, <b>kugus ololo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">good people</span></li>\\n\\t<li><b>semika s'olo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">of good thing(s)</span>, <b>nikus r'olo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">of good person</span></li>\\n\\t<li><b>limikaga l'ololo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to a good thing</span>, <b>äbkugus äb'ololo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to good people</span></li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>Contrary to number and case, adjectives do not necessarily have to agree with the noun's class, since each adjective belongs to one of NSWEO. If an adjective does have the same class as the noun it modifies, its ending changes to rhyme with the noun. The appended ending starts from the stressed vowel of the noun, except for nouns with antepenultimate stress whose ending starts with the penultimate vowel, e.g. <b>eus-at</b>, <b>n-oba</b>, <b>mik-oso</b>. Preceding semivowels are included provided they stem from orthographic vowels, e.g. <b>l-iu</b>, <b>ka-ian</b>, but <b>nal-ul</b>.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">For consonant-final adjectives, the ending is appended to the end of the adjective. For vowel-final adjectives it replaces the final vowel(s), unless the adjective is monosyllabic in which case an intervening epenthetic <b>r</b> (before front vowels) or <b>l</b> (before back vowels) is placed between the adjective and the ending. Finally, the adjective must be stressed on the same syllable as the noun.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>mienarn</b> + <b>bilp</b> → <b>mienarn bilparn</b> <i>myenarn viwparn</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">weak rain</span></li>\\n\\t<li><b>mika</b> + <b>bis</b> → <b>mika bisika</b> <i>mika vihíka</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">everything</span></li>\\n\\t<li><b>lob</b> + <b>kago</b> → <b>lob kagob</b> <i>wov kagov</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">same dog</span></li>\\n\\t<li><b>kaio</b> + <b>nantee</b> → <b>kaio nantaio</b> <i>kayo nantáyo</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">strong love</span></li>\\n\\t<li><b>mikoso</b> + <b>olo</b> → <b>mikoso oloso</b> <i>mikoso owoso</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">good truth</span></li>\\n\\t<li><b>dü</b> + <b>boa</b> → <b>dü boarü</b> <i>jü vwayű</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">many places</span></li>\\n\\t<li><b>kura</b> + <b>tiü</b> → <b>kura tiülura</b> <i>kuna chiwúna</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">few parts</span></li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>When nouns are reduplicated, the agreeing adjectives are reduplicated and then have their endings changed, e.g. <b>ekki</b> + <b>müi</b> → <b>ekkigi müimüi</b> → <b>ekkigi müimigi</b> <i>ecchiji müimiji</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">distant men</span>. Potential case prefixes are appended using these forms as the base.</p>\\n<p>When a noun agreeing with an adjective is inflected, the adjective inflects regularly, using its rhyming direct form as the base, e.g. <b>ka boa</b> <i>ka vwa</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">many sides</span> → <b>lika liboa</b> <i>liká livwá</i>, not <b>*lika liboarika</b> <i>lika livwayíka</i>. Moreover, pairs of agreeing nouns and adjectives have fixed stress when case prefixes are applied, e.g. <b>ka bisa</b> <i>ka visá</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">every side</span> → <b>lika libisa</b> <i>liká livisá</i>.</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"11_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">11.3</span> Placement and characteristics of adverbs</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Adverbs do not have NSWEO and exhibit no agreement. Similarly to adjectives, adverbs follow the word they modify. Adverbs can modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs. When an adverb modifies a verb, it generally does not directly follow it, unless it is emphasized, because usually the verb is directly followed by the subject.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Lä bilp roba beebee ko läläb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The light is very weak.</span> (COP-3P weak very light-REDUP DEF.ART 3SM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Mu an kän rot olo mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The child is learning well.</span> (learn-3P child DEF.ART by good 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Stagbee stadag a rot nantee roba läläb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The fire is burning very strongly.</span> (burn-3P fire-REDUP DEF.ART by strong very 3SM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Adverbials are typically placed between the subject and the direct object. Although sentences are usually verb-initial, adverbial phrases are sometimes placed at the beginning of a sentence, especially if they are long and introducing them first is desired by the speaker. This fronting can also be done as a form of disambiguation, emphasizing that the adverbial refers to the entire clause, not the verb itself.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Eligä misk, äb'et rot a arä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">And now, the path will end.</span> (then now, DAT-end-3P path DEF.ART 3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Üint misada l'ugu nipa nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Today, I went to his house.</span> (go-REDUP-1P today DAT-house GEN-3OUM 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Rot semirn, edet usa pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Unfortunately, he died.</span> (through sadness, end-REDUP-3P self 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Edet rot semirn usa pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He died unfortunately.</span> (end-REDUP-3P through sadness self 3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\t\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"11_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">11.4</span> Conversion of adjectives into adverbs</h5>\\n<p>The preposition <b>rot</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">by, through</span> can be placed in front of adjectives to turn them into adverbs, e.g. <b>olo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">good</span> → <b>rot olo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">well</span>. While this preposition typically requires the following word to be in the genitive case, there is no case marking if <b>rot</b> is used as an adverbializer.</p>\\n<p>Adverbs derived from adjectives do not inflect for number or case. However, they can be negated with the negative article, similarly to their adjectival equivalents, e.g. <b>rot olo nüi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">not well</span>.</p>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"11_5\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">11.5</span> Adverbs of degree</h5>\\n<p>To convey excessiveness, the word <b>badans</b> <i>vadans</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">overdo, excessive(ly)</span> can be used as an adverb. To express insufficiency, the word <b>bamüi</b> <i>vamüi</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">underdo, insufficient(ly)</span> is used. These stem from the combination of the verb <b>ba</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">*do</span> and the adjectives <b>dans</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">far</span> and <b>müi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">near</span>.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Another strategy is to use augmentatives or diminutives. Augmentatives used with adjectives or adverbs with positive meaning can express excessiveness, while diminutives used with adjectives or adverbs with negative meaning can express slight insufficiency. When an adjective or adverb with a positive meaning is diminutivized, it can convey the meaning of slight excessiveness. The diminutive suffix <b>-an</b> should not be misinterpreted as the negative article <b>an</b>, since the former is stressed and the latter is not.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Lä milk badans ugu kän mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The house is too small.</span> (COP-3P small excessively house DEF.ART 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Sanskakiu rot olo bamüi kiulu.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You are writing not well enough.</span> (write-2P by good insufficiently 2SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä matamilkuska matosa orlu pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Your voice is a little (too) quiet.</span> (COP-3P quiet-DIM voice GEN-2SG 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Nänä kugus rot boado paba.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">People came too mani-ly.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Too many people came.</span> (come-REDUP-3P person-REDUP by many-AUG 3OM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä bemsan rot a arä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The path is a little (too) long.</span> (COP-3P long-DIM path DEF.ART 3WUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">To express sufficiency, the word <b>müidansa</b> <i>müidansa</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">enough, just right</span> is used. It stems from the adjectives <b>müi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">near</span> and <b>dans</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">far</span>, and the nominalizer <b>-a</b> (from <b>mika</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thing</span>).</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Lä bog müidansa momk a mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The woman is tall enough.</span> (COP-3P tall enough woman DEF.ART 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Girk rot olo müidansa kiulu.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You are fighting well enough.</span> (fight-2P by good enough 2SG.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The adverb <b>roba</b> <i>nova</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">very</span> (from <b>rot</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">way</span> + <b>boa</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">many</span>), and the indefinite pronouns <b>retbis</b> <i>yeppis</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">in all ways, completely</span> and <b>rotan</b> <i>notan</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">not at all</span> can be used both attributively and predicatively.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>olo roba</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">very good</span> (good very)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Sansk rot olo roba pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He writes very well.</span> (write-3P by good very 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>sosar sostagbee retbis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">completely burnt</span> (GEN-take-GER GEN-burn-GER completely)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä uso retbis pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">It is completely true.</span> (COP-3P true completely 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>olo rotan</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">in no way good</span> (good nohow)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä kago rotan müi mikaga gä sab paba.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">These two things are not at all the same.</span> (COP-3P same nohow near thing-REDUP DEM two 3OM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"11_6\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">11.6</span> Comparison of adjectives and adverbs</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">There is no inflection involved with comparison. To express the comparative degree, the noun that is being compared to is used in the dative case and placed after the adjective/adverb. When there is no compared noun, the demonstrative <b>gä</b> is used. The adjective/adverb can be affirmative to express <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">more</span> or negative to express <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">less</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>ekki do lileüt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">man bigger than a tree</span> (man big DAT-tree)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä do nüi bamt lileüt mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A flower is less big than a tree.</span> (COP-3P big NEG.ART flower DAT-tree 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lälä mikan rütnü elii rot olo eligä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I want to see better.</span> (COP-1SG nothing without see-GER by good DAT-DEM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>This construction means that the beneficiary of an adjective cannot be expressed with the dative case. Instead, the preposition <b>bans</b> is used, cf. <b>olo äb'n</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">better than me</span> and <b>olo bans nä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">good to me</span>.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The superlative is formed by placing the definite article directly after the adjective/adverb, whereas normally it would be placed directly after the head noun.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Daäbeenkan rot uso ki nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I spoke the most truthfully.</span> (talk-REDUP-1P by true DEF.ART 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä mika uso nüi ko imbis a pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">This is the least true thing in the world.</span> (COP-3P thing true NEG.ART DEF.ART DAT-world DEF.ART 3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">To compare two nouns of equal quality, a similar construction is used as with the comparative degree, but the adjectival/adverbial phrase contains the negative form followed by the affirmative form.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Lä bog an bog momk äb'ekki mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A woman is as tall as a man.</span> (COP-3P tall NEG.ART tall woman DAT-man 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Soisoirn paiman boa nüi boa äbpa näion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I've eaten as many cookies as he has.</span> (eat-REDUP-1P cookie many NEG.ART many DAT-3OUM 1SG-3OM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Räb danska rot nantee no rot nantee mirn l'ekuit park.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Words hurt as strongly as murder.</span> (give-3P word by strong NEG.ART by strong pain DAT-murder 3OUM-3NUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The adjectives <b>boa</b> <i>vwa</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">many</span> and <b>tiü</b> <i>chiü</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">few</span> can be used to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">more, the most</span> and <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">fewer/less, the fewest/the least</span> when compared. They can only refer to quantities and cannot be used to compare other adjectives as in English.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Arn mikan rütnü gä boa eligä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I wanted more.</span> (COP-REDUP-1SG nothing without DEM many DAT-DEM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lemt store kaian boa ki läion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The winner gathers the most love.</span> (gather-3P winner fondness many DEF.ART 3SUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ar skaiagaian tiü äbpa äb'n mionon.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He has fewer friends than me.</span> (LOC.COP-3P friend-REDUP few DAT-3OUM DAT-1SG 3EM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h4 id=\\\"12\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">12</span> Numbers and numerical expressions</h4><br>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"12_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">12.1</span> Cardinal numbers</h5>\\n<p>Each number has a base adjectival form (form 1) and a nominal form (form 2) which is always O and is formed by attaching the suffix <b>-a</b> (from <b>mika</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thing</span>) to the adjectival form, unless the adjectival form already has an O ending. Numbers 1-10 have reduplicated forms, which are used for numbers 11-20. The nominal forms all belong to animacy class 1.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th></th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Form 1</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Form 2</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Redup form 1</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Redup form 2</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>1</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>iis</b> <i>ays</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>iis</b> <i>ays</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>iisiis</b> <i>aysays</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>iisiis</b> <i>aysays</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>2</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sab</b> <i>sav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>saba</b> <i>sava</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sasab</b> <i>sasav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sasaba</b> <i>sasava</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>3</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pik</b> <i>pik</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pika</b> <i>pika</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pibik</b> <i>pivik</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pibika</b> <i>pivika</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>4</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>min</b> <i>myen</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mina</b> <i>mina</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mimin</b> <i>mimyen</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mimina</b> <i>mimina</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>5</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>gür</b> <i>jür</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>güra</b> <i>jüna</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>gügür</b> <i>jüjür</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>gügüra</b> <i>jüjüna</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>6</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>poi</b> <i>poy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>poia</b> <i>poya</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>poiboi</b> <i>poyvoy</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>poiboia</b> <i>poyvoya</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>7</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sel</b> <i>hyew</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sela</b> <i>hyewa</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sesel</b> <i>hyehyew</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sesela</b> <i>hyehyewa</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>8</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tu</b> <i>tu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tua</b> <i>twa</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tudu</b> <i>tudu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tudua</b> <i>tudwa</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>9</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>asä</b> <i>ahya</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>asäa</b> <i>ahye</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>asäsä</b> <i>ahyahya</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>asäsäa</b> <i>ahyahye</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>10</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>(l)ü</b> <i>(l)ü</i>*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>(l)ü</b> <i>(l)ü</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>üü</b> <i>aü</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>üü</b> <i>aü</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>100</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sodi</b> <i>soji</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sodia</b> <i>soja</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>1000</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bot</b> <i>vot</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bota</b> <i>vota</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>*<b>l-</b> is appended only in compounds after the word <b>üü</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">twenty</span>.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">When nouns are quantified, either form can be used. When form 1 is used, it acts like an attributive adjective and is placed after the quantified noun (no number or class agreement, but case agreement applies). When form 2 is used, it acts like a noun and the quantified noun is in the genitive case. With form 1, the quantified noun inflects for number, but with form 2 it is always unmarked.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>kus iis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">one person</span> (person 1)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>kugus sab</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">two people</span> (person-REDUP 2)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>iis nikus</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">one person</span> (1-NOM GEN-person)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>saba nikus</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">two people</span> (2-NOM GEN-person)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">When attaching case prefixes, if form 1 is used, prefixes attached to numbers agree in animacy with those of the head noun, but with form 2 the prefixes for numbers are always set and are only applied to the numbers, since the quantified noun is always in the genitive case.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>äbkugus äbsab</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to two people</span> (DAT-person-REDUP DAT-2)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>emsaba nikus</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to two people</span> (DAT-2-NOM GEN-person)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>nikugus r'e saba diüü, min</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">of 44 people</span> (GEN-person-REDUP GEN-and 2-NOM GEN-20, 4)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>die saba diüü, mina nikus</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">of 44 people</span> (GEN-and 2-NOM GEN-20, 4-NOM GEN-person)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>Though the language employs the decimal system, double-digit numbers are formed de facto in base 20. Thus, for instance, 72 is <b>e pika diüü, sasab</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">three twenties and twelve</span>.</p>\\n<p>For numbers representing the powers of 10, <b>iis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">one</span> is used attributively after the number, but is omitted in other numbers which include powers of 10. For instance, 100 is <b>sodi iis</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">one hundred</span>, but 101 is <b>e sodi, iis</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">hundred and one</span>. In the former case, <b>iis</b> does not take case marking when the number is inflected, for example the genitive of <b>kus ü iis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ten people</span> is <b>nikus r'ü iis</b>, not <b>nikus r'ü r'iis</b>.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Number(s)</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Strategy</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Example(s)</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>0</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>NEG.LOC.COP/emptiness</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nür</b> <i>nür</i> (NEG.LOC.COP) / <b>solt</b> <i>sowt</i> (emptiness) <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">0</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>1-9</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>separate number</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>iis</b> <i>ays</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">1</span>, <b>sab</b> <i>sav</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>10</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>1 10</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ü iis</b> <i>ü ays</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">10</span> (10 1)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>11-20</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>REDUP of x-10</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>iisiis</b> <i>aysays</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">11</span> (1-REDUP), <b>üü</b> <i>aü</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">20</span> (10-REDUP)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>40/60/80</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>2/3/4 of 20</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>saba diüü</b> <i>sava jaü</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">40</span> (2-NOM GEN-20), <b>pika diüü</b> <i>pika jaü</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">60</span> (3-NOM GEN-20)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>21-99</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>20/40/60/80 and (1-19)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>el üü, lü</b> <i>ew aü, lü</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">30</span> (and 20, 10), <b>e saba diüü, tudu</b> <i>e sava jaü, tudu</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">58</span> (and 2-NOM GEN-20, 8-REDUP)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\"></tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>100</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>1 100</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sodi iis</b> <i>soji ays</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">100</span> (100 1)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>101-199</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>100 and (1-99)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>e sodi, e saba diüü, iis</b> <i>e soji, e sava jaü, ays</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">141</span> (and 100, and 2-NOM GEN-20, 1)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>200/300...</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>2/3... of 100</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>poia diisodia</b> <i>poya daysoja</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">600</span> (6-NOM GEN-100-NOM)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>201-999</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>200/300... and (1-99)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>e poia diisodia, e pika diüü, gügür</b> <i>e poya daysoja, e pika jaü, jüjür</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">675</span> (and 6-NOM GEN-100-NOM, and 3-NOM GEN-20, 5-REDUP)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\"></tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>1000</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>1 1000</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bot iis</b> <i>vot ays</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">1000</span> (1000 1)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>2000/3000...</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>2/3... of 1000</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>saba diibota</b> <i>sava dayvota</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2000</span> (2-NOM GEN-100-NOM)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>1001-9999</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>1000/2000... and (1-999)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>e poia diibota, saba diisodia</b> <i>e poya dayvota, sava daysoja</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">6200</span> (and 6-NOM GEN-1000-NOM, 2-NOM GEN-100-NOM)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>Numbers larger than 9999 are not used.</p>\\n<p>Nominal forms of numbers larger than 20 are formed by nominalizing the one's digit if it is used, e.g. <b>e saba diüü, sab</b> → <b>e saba diüü, saba</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">42</span>. The only exceptions are powers of 10, in which the first word is nominalized, e.g. <b>sodi iis</b> → <b>sodia iis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">100</span>.</p>\\n<p>Numbers are always written as words; there are no characters for digits.</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"12_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">12.2</span> Ordinal numbers</h5>\\n<p>Ordinals are formed by attaching the definite article directly after the adjectival form of the number, for instance <b>pik a</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">third</span> (3 DEF.ART), <b>e saba diüü, sab a</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">forty-second</span> (and 2-NOM GEN-20, 2 DEF.ART). The only exceptions are <b>s'inst</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">first</span> (GEN-start) and <b>s'oüt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">second, next</span> (GEN-leading). These exceptions only apply to the numbers one and two, and for instance <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">twenty-first</span> is <b>el üü, iis a</b>, not <b>*el üü, s'inst</b>.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">With the exception of <b>s'inst</b> and <b>s'oüt</b>, ordinals act like adjectival numerals, taking case prefixes which agree in animacy with the head noun and being invariable with respect to number. Because <b>s'inst</b> and <b>s'oüt</b> are genitive by default, they take no additional case marking.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>äbkus äbmin ko</b> (DAT-person DAT-4 DEF.ART) <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to the fourth person</span></li>\\n\\t<li><b>äbkugus äbmin ko</b> (DAT-person-REDUP DAT-4 DEF.ART) <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to the fourth people</span></li>\\n\\t<li><b>äbkus s'inst</b> (DAT-person GEN-start) <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to the first person</span></li>\\n\\t<li><b>äbkugus s'inst</b> (DAT-person-REDUP GEN-start) <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to the first people</span></li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>The interrogative <b>skä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">which</span> can be used with the definite article to form <b>skä ko</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">which (in order)</span>. The ordinals can be used adverbially as well, for instance <b>rot s'inst</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">firstly</span>, <b>rot pik a</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thirdly</span>, <b>rot s'et</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">lastly</span>.</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"12_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">12.3</span> Occurrences, multiples, fractions</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The number of occurrences can be expressed with the class 1 noun <b>iis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">time, occurrence</span>. Since the noun belongs to class 1, it is reduplicated whenever the number of occurrences is more than one. A single occurrence can be expressed as <b>iis iis/iis diiis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">one time</span> or just <b>iis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a time</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>iis iis</b> (time 1) / <b>iis diiis</b> (1-NOM GEN-time) / <b>iis</b> (time) <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">one time (noun)</span></li>\\n\\t<li><b>iisiis pik</b> (time-REDUP 3) / <b>pika diiis</b> (3-NOM GEN-time) <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">three times (noun)</span></li>\\n\\t<li><b>iis tu kän</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">eighth time</span> (time 8 DEF.ART)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>iis skä ko</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">which time (in order)</span> (time which DEF.ART)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>iis skä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">which time</span> (time which)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>store diiisiis min</b> (winner GEN-time-REDUP 4) / <b>store diimina diiis</b> (winner GEN-4-NOM GEN-time) <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">four time winner</span></li>\\n\\t<li><b>store diiis s'inst</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">first time winner</span> (winner GEN-time GEN-start)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Adverbial phrases are formed with <b>rot</b>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>rot diiis iis</b> (by GEN-time 1) / <b>rot diiis diiis</b> (by GEN-1-NOM GEN-time) / <b>rot diiis</b> (by GEN-time) <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">once, one time (adverb)</span></li>\\n\\t<li><b>rot diiisiis pik</b> (by GEN-time-REDUP 3) / <b>rot diipika diiis</b> (by GEN-3-NOM GEN-time) <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thrice, three times (adverb)</span></li>\\n\\t<li><b>rot diiis boalä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">how many times</span> (by GEN-time how.many)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>rot diiis s'oüt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">for the second time</span> (by GEN-time GEN-following)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>rot diiis skä ko</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">for which time (in order)</span> (by GEN-time which DEF.ART)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Multiples are expressed with the noun <b>püt(a)</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">nature, manner</span> used as a prefix. The resultant words are adjectives, invariant to number or NSWEO, but taking case prefixes which agree in animacy with the noun. Once again, adverbial forms are formed with <b>rot</b>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>pütiis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">single</span> (manner-1)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>pütalä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">what-fold</span> (manner-what)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>saekuguik pütasab</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">double murder</span> (murder-REDUP manner-2)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Sankansän sonleüt spütapik nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I wrote about a triple tree.</span> (write-REDUP-1P GEN-tree GEN-manner-3 1SG.)</li>\\t\\t\\t\\t\\n\\t<li><b>rot pütamin</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">quadruply</span> (by manner-4)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">X/Y fractions are formed with the nominal form of Y in the dative case, while X can be in form 1 or form 2. 1/Y is expressed as the diminutive of Y, the resultant forms being class 1 nouns.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>saban</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">half</span> (from <b>saba</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">two</span> + <b>-n</b> DIM)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>sababan sab</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">two halves</span> (half-REDUP 2)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>ümil</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">1/10</span> (10-DIM)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>kugus sab impika</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2/3 of a person</span> (person-REDUP 2 DAT-3-NOM)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>saba impika nikus</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">2/3 of a person</span> (2-NOM DAT-3-NOM GEN-person)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"12_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">12.4</span> Dates, clock time</h5>\\n<p>Names of days of the week are presented below. The week starts on Monday.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Word</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Meaning</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Etymology</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ibaenst</b> <i>ivaynst</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>Monday</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>inst</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">start</span> + <b>bae</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">week</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nidresin</b> <i>nijehyen</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>Tuesday</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nid</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">sun</span> + <b>resin</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">early</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>iismadik</b> <i>aysmajik</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>Wednesday</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>iis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">unit</span> + <b>madik</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">work</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nidingaä</b> <i>nijengo</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>Thursday</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nid</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">sun</span> + <b>ingaä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">late</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>poinpiugu</b> <i>poympyugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>Friday</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>poinp</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">before</span> + <b>miugu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Friday</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>miugu</b> <i>myugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>Saturday</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">time</span> + <b>ugu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">house</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ebaet</b> <i>evayt</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>Sunday</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>et</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">end</span> + <b>bae</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">week</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>Names of months make use of generic nominalizing prefixes:</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Word</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Meaning</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Etymology</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>askoütsiondu</b> <i>askoühchondu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>January</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>as-</b> NOM + <b>koütsiondu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">hope</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>astäl</b> <i>ahchaw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>February</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>as-</b> NOM + <b>täl</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">lie</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>iekuit</b> <i>yekwit</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>March</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>i-</b> NOM + <b>ekuit</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">murder</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>iliu</b> <i>ilu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>April</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>i-</b> NOM + <b>liu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">life</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ibamt</b> <i>ivant</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>May</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>i-</b> NOM + <b>bamt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">flower</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ibee</b> <i>ivi</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>June</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>i-</b> NOM + <b>bee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">light</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ieusat</b> <i>yewsat</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>July</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>i-</b> NOM + <b>eusat</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">death</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>koünsket</b> <i>koünhchet</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>August</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>koün-</b> NOM + <b>sket</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">death, rotting</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>imirn</b> <i>imirn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>September</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>i-</b> NOM + <b>mirn</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">pain</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>askaio</b> <i>askayo</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>October</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>as-</b> NOM + <b>kaio</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">love</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>irak</b> <i>inak</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>November</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>i-</b> NOM + <b>rak</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">fall</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>koünsolt</b> <i>koünsowt</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>December</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>koün-</b> NOM + <b>solt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">darkness</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The date format is DD/MM/YYYY. The word for <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">day</span> is <b>sirnida</b> <i>hinida</i> and the word for <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">year</span> is <b>paü</b> <i>paü</i>. Dates make use of ordinal numbers and the genitive case.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>sirnida s'inst s'irak</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">November 1</span> (day GEN-start GEN-November)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä sirnida asäsä ko s'iekuit spaü s'e saba diibota, el üü, min ko misada pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Today is March 19, 2024.</span> (COP-3P day 19 DEF.ART GEN-March GEN-year GEN-and 2-NOM GEN-1000-NOM, and 20, 4 DEF.ART today 3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The words for hours and minutes are <b>is</b> <i>is</i> and <b>muao</b> <i>mwaw</i>, respectively. When expressing clock time, they are always unmarked for number. Clock time is either expressed using the 24 hour format, or the 12 hour format. In the latter case, words denoting times of the day, such as <b>beeresin</b> <i>viyehyen</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">morning</span> or <b>soresiilt</b> <i>soyesayt</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">evening</span> are used. For 12AM and 12PM, the words <b>lioüsolt</b> <i>loüsowt</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">midnight</span> and <b>lioübee</b> <i>loüvi</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">noon</span> are preferred.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>el is asä ko, muao e saba diüü, gür a</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">9:45</span> (and hour 9 DEF.ART, minute and 2-NOM GEN-20, 5 DEF.ART)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>is ü ko sosoresiilt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">10 in the morning</span> (hour 10 DEF.ART GEN-morning)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä e lioübee, muao gür a misk pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">It is now 5 past noon.</span> (COP-3P and noon, minute 5 DEF.ART now 3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Any time phrase can be preceded by a dative marker to signify that an event occurs at that time.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>l'el is iisiis a, muao el üü, lü ko</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">at 11:30</span> (DAT-and hour 11 DEF.ART, minute and 20, 10 DEF.ART)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>linidresin</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">on Tuesday</span> (DAT-Tuesday)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>likoünsket</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">in August</span> (DAT-August)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h4 id=\\\"13\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">13</span> Conjunctions and prepositions</h4><br>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"13_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">13.1</span> Usage of noun cases</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Genitive and dative marking is used in certain cases in which English would use prepositions. The genitive case, apart from encoding possession, can be used to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">from</span>, or <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">about</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>bee sostag</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the light of fire</span> (light GEN-fire)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Näln semimi nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I come from there.</span> (come-1P GEN-there 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Daäbeenkan semienarn si.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">We talked about rain.</span> (talk-REDUP-1P GEN-rain 1PL.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The dative case marks indirect objects, but also location, destination and time.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Ar ekki l'ugu arä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man is in a house.</span> (LOC.COP-3P man DAT-house 3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Pa ekki l'ugu arä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man goes to a house.</span> (go-3P man DAT-house 3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Daäbeenka ekki äbmomk arä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man talked to a woman.</span> (talk-REDUP-3P man DAT-woman 3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äb'elin lipoinpiugu nälu.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I'll see you on Friday.</span> (DAT-see-1P DAT-Friday 1SG-2SG.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The genitive case is also used when a noun is followed by an attributive phrase with the dative case or a preposition, with the exception of <b>äbee</b> and <b>rütnü</b> (see <a href=\\\"#13_3\\\"><b>13.3 Prepositions</b></a>). In such phrases, the inanimate forms of genitive prefixes are used. If, however, such phrase involves the use of the genitive case, there is no double marking.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>räbuska s'äbpa</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a gift to him</span> (gift GEN-DAT-3OUM)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>räbuska nipa</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">his gift/a gift from him</span> (gift GEN-3OUM)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>saekuguik senlimissolt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a murder at night</span> (murder-REDUP GEN-DAT-nighttime)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>adaboibois sobans koüntinst an</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">an existence for no reason</span> (existence-REDUP GEN-for reason NEG.ART)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>eusasat sorot sosoirdasun</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a death by overeating</span> (death-REDUP GEN-by GEN-eat-far-GER)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"13_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">13.2</span> Conjunctions</h5>\\n<p>Conjunctions and prepositions function in a very similar fashion, requiring the following noun to take on specific case marking. The difference between the two categories is that conjunctions cannot be used as suffixes attached to gerunds.</p>\\n\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> <i><b>ä(b)/e(l)</b></i> - and</h6>\\n<p>This conjunction has the meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">and</span> and is used with the direct case. It stems from dative markers <b>äb</b> and <b>eli</b>. The form <b>ä/äb</b> <i>a/av</i> is used before animate and set nouns and pronouns, while <b>e/el</b> <i>e/ew</i> is used elsewhere. The coda consonant in either of the forms is appended if the following word is vowel-initial.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">This conjunction is only used to link nouns and adjectives, not verbs, as in <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I came home and ate dinner.</span>; this must be expressed using words like <b>eligä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">then</span>. Unlike the English <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">and</span>, this conjunction is used before the first word in a list, meaning literally <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">(in addition) to x, y</span> for <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">x and y</span>. It requires the use of a comma between each of the listed elements.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>äb ekki, momk, an</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">man, woman and child</span> (and man, woman, child)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>mika e ognol, milk</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">bad and small thing</span> (thing and bad, small)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">This conjunction is unique in that any case marking applied to the nouns and adjectives following it is taken on by the conjunction itself, with the following nouns and adjectives left unmarked. The choice of the form of said case marking depends on the animacy of the first element listed after the conjunction.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Lä räbuska r'ä nä, pa gä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">This is a gift from me and him.</span> (COP-3P gift GEN-and 1SG, 3OUM DEM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Üint l'e pil torsil, rio leübio nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I went to the cold north and the hot south.</span> (go-REDUP-1P DAT-and north cold, south hot 1SG.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Although this conjunction is not applied to finite verbs, it can be used with gerunds, since they function as nouns.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Äb'ar l'e mikuu, domatasue pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He can sing and dance.</span> (DAT-LOC.COP-3P DAT-and sing-GER, dance-GER 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Seon l'e soir, pagpeo.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I was eating and walking.</span> (LOC.COP-1SG DAT-and eat-GER, walk-GER.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\t\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> <i><b>dar</b></i> - or</h6>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The conjunction <b>dar</b> <i>dar</i> is used to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">(either), or</span> and is used with the direct case. It originates from the word <b>darn</b> meaning <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">other</span>. It is placed between words or clauses, and is preceded by a comma. It can be used before the first of the listed items, in which case it does not require any punctuation to precede it. Placed sentence-initially before a comma, this conjunction has the meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">otherwise, else, if not</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Äb'ar äbläl olo mi, dar mimi paba.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Here or there could be good.</span> (DAT-LOC.COP-3P DAT-COP-GER good here, or there 3OM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>(Dar) nälk, dar piinälk kiulu.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You (either) come, or you don't.</span> ([or] come-2P, or NEG-come-2P 2SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äbdores nä. Dar, äb'est usa nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I have to win. Otherwise I will die.</span> (DAT-win-REDUP-1P 1SG. else, DAT-end-1P self 1SG.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Unlike with <b>ä(b)/e(l)</b>, case marking is applied to nouns, pronouns and adjectives following <b>dar</b>, never the conjunction itself.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Piorkusekiu dar äblob, dar ebmilm ebmilki kipa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Give it to a dog or to a cute cat.</span> (NEG-GEN-offer-2P or DAT-dog, or DAT-cat DAT-cute 2SG-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä gä diinonop r'än, dar ürmüe r'än bamt gän mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">This flower is either my mother's or my sister's.</span> (COP-3P DEM GEN-parent-REDUP GEN-1SG, or GEN-sibling GEN-1SG flower DEM 3EUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The preposition can also be used to express the meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">quite, rather</span> by placing it after an adjective or adverb. This can be done attributively and predicatively. In the latter case the auxiliary verb <b>ba</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">*do</span> is used and the adjective is used nominally as a quasi-direct object, thus it does not participate in NSWEO agreement with the subject noun. The meaning <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">not very</span> can be achieved by negating the verb, but this form cannot be used attributively.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>mika do dar</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">quite a big thing</span> (thing big or)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ba mienanarn a matado dar tarläb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The rain is quite loud.</span> (do-3P rain-REDUP DEF.ART loud or 3NUM-3SUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piiba leüt a dans dar aräion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The tree is not very far.</span> (NEG-do-3P tree DEF.ART far or 3WUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The same construction with the auxiliary <b>ba</b> can be formed using gerunds and nouns as well. This conveys the meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">do things such as, do or something</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Piibabans skiti dar nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I didn't die or anything.</span> (NEG-do-REDUP-1P die-GER or 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>D'äbbabal soir dar, kol dar kiulu?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Do you have to eat or rest or something?</span> (INT-DAT-do-REDUP-2P eat-GER or rest-GER or 2SG?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Daseosk l'elii sosami r'än dar spoinp dar?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Were you looking at my tits or ass or something?</span> (INT-LOC.COP-2SG DAT-see-GER GEN-ass GEN-1SG or GEN-tits or?)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> <i><b>ägä</b></i> - but</h6>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The conjunction <b>ägä</b> <i>aja</i> is used with the direct case and stems from the proto-form <b>läläl gä</b>, which meant <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">it may be</span>. When placed before nouns, it has the meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">despite</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Dosuesues s'ugu kän ägä mienarn si.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">We left the house despite the rain.</span> (leave-REDUP-1P GEN-house DEF.ART but rain 1PL.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ägä ellii, äblälä püta semikan.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Despite knowing, I'll say nothing.</span> (but know-GER, DAT-COP-1SG like GEN-nothing.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Placed at the beginning of a clause before the verb, <b>ägä</b> means <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">although, but, even though, even if</span>. In this case it is placed in the subordinate clause, since it literally translates to <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">it may be that x, y</span>, which is used to mean any of the following: <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">x, but y</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">although x, y</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">even though x, y</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">even if x, y</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Ägä elin mienarn närk, pielin nid a näläb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I see rain, but I don't see the sun.</span> (but see-1P rain 1SG-1NUM, NEG-see-1P sun DEF.ART 1SG-3SUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ägä äb'ar solt l'uloo orlu tark, äbseon lika orlu.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Even if darkness surrounds you, I'll be by your side.</span> (but DAT-LOC.COP-3P darkness DAT-surround-GER GEN-2SG 3NUM, DAT-LOC.COP-1SG DAT-side GEN-2SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ägä äbmadidikkiu kiulu, äbdontakiu tarü boalarü kipa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Even though you have to work, you will get a lot of money.</span> (but DAT-work-REDUP-2P 2SG, DAT-get-2P money many 2SG-3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The word <b>ägä</b> can also be used to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">only, just, simply</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Peom ägä ekki ko likoünsolt paiman aräion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Only the man makes cookies in December.</span> (make-3P but man DEF.ART DAT-December cookie 3WUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Peom ekki ko ägä likoünsolt paiman aräion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The man makes cookies only in December.</span> (make-3P man DEF.ART DAT-December cookie 3WUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Peom ekki ko likoünsolt ägä paiman aräion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The man makes only cookies in December.</span> (make-3P man DEF.ART DAT-December but cookie 3WUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">When used in this sense, the conjunction may be preceded by a negative pronoun. Note that adding the negative pronoun may change the verb conjugation, as well as the class of the subject or direct object, resulting in a different SDOAUX. If a pronoun which represents the subject or direct object follows this conjunction, it is used in its direct form and later reinforced in SDOAUX.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Elin ägä nal närk.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I see only water.</span> (see-1P but water 1SG-3NUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Elin mikan ägä nal näpa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I see nothing but water.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I see only water.</span> (see-1P nothing but water 1SG-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Elin ägä nä nal närk.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Only I see water.</span> (see-1P but 1SG water 1SG-3NUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Eli kusan ägä nä nal park.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">No one but me sees water.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Only I see water.</span> (see-3P nobody but 1SG water 3OUM-3NUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Seon ägä nä emi.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Only I am here.</span> (LOC.COP-1SG but 1SG DAT-here.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ar kusan ägä nä emi pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">No one but me is here.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Only I am here.</span> (LOC.COP-3P nobody but 1SG DAT-here 3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">When using <b>ägä</b> with verbs and adjectives, the auxiliary verb <b>ba</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">do</span> is employed, and the direct object is the verb (in the gerund) or the adjective.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Bal ägä soir orlolob kirk.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You only eat dogs (and you don't do other things).</span> (do-2P but eat-GER GEN-dog-REDUP 2SG-3NUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Bans mikan ägä sar semirn näpa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I do nothing but suffer.</span> (do-1P nothing but take-GER GEN-pain 1SG-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ba ekki ko ägä olo aräläb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The man is only good (but has no other qualities).</span> (do-3P man DEF.ART but good 3WUM-3SUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> <i><b>kagoeli</b></i> - also</h6>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The conjunction <b>kagoeli</b> <i>kagweli</i> is used with the dative case and stems from the combination of <b>kago</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">agree</span> and the dative marker <b>eli</b>. Its usage is similar to that of <b>ägä</b> when used to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">only</span>. Placed before nouns, <b>kagoeli</b> has the meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">also, even</span>. Used multiple times, it carries the meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">both x and y</span> in affirmative sentences and <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">neither x nor y</span> in negative sentences. If a subject or direct object pronoun follows this conjunction, it is used in its dative form and reinforced in SDOAUX. The person marking of the verb agrees with the subject even though in such constructions it is not used in the direct case.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Girn kagoeli äb'n mililm nädark.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I too/Even I fight cats.</span> (fight-1P also 1SG cat-REDUP 1SG-3NM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Girn kagoeli ebmililm nädark.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I fight also/even cats.</span> (fight-1P also DAT-cat-REDUP 1SG-3NM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Pask kagoeli äb'n kagoeli äb'ekki ko l'ugu kän si.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Both me and the man go to the house.</span> (go-1P also DAT-1SG also DAT-man DEF.ART DAT-house DEF.ART 1PL.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Elin kagoeli l'ugu nüän kagoeli lileüt an nänon.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I see neither a house nor a tree.</span> (see-1P also DAT-house NEG.ART also DAT-tree NEG.ART 1SG-3EM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">If <b>kagoeli</b> is followed by a phrase in the genitive case or a preposition, a dative prefix precedes said preposition or genitive marker. In such phrases, the inanimate forms of dative prefixes are used. If, however, <b>kagoeli</b> is followed by a phrase in the dative case, there is no double marking, and the meaning must be understood from context.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Daäbeen kagoeli äb'ekki ko nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I talk to the man as well (as well as to other people).</span> (talk-1P-to also DAT-man DEF.ART 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piüint kagoeli l'ugu r'än kagoeli lis'ugu r'än nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I didn't go to my house nor from my house.</span> (NEG-go-REDUP-1P also DAT-house GEN-1SG also DAT-GEN-house GEN-1SG 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Pask kagoeli lirütnü ekki ko nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I go without the man as well (as well as without other people).</span> (go-1P also DAT-without man DEF.ART 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lal kagoeli linistorere kagoeli liniskagart.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You are neither winners nor losers.</span> (COP-2PL also DAT-GEN-winner-REDUP also DAT-GEN-loser-REDUP.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">As with <b>ägä</b>, the use of this conjunction with verbs and adjectives requires the use of the auxiliary verb <b>ba</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">do</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Bal kagoeli libü stast seniko kipa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You also/even look happy (among doing other things).</span> (do-2P also DAT-do-GER GEN-shape GEN-happiness 2SG-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ba ekki ko kagoeli l'olo aräläb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The man is also good (among other qualities).</span> (do-3P man DEF.ART also DAT-good 3WUM-3SUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piibans kagoeli lipao kagoeli linäl nääläb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I don't go and don't come either.</span> (NEG-do-1P also DAT-go-GER also DAT-come-GER 1SG-3SM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ba momk a kagoeli l'olo nüi kagoeli l'ognol nüi miäläb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The woman is neither good nor bad.</span> (do-3P woman DEF.ART also DAT-good NEG.ART also DAT-bad NEG.ART 3EUM-3SM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> <i><b>piireli</b></i> - not</h6>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The conjunction <b>piireli</b> <i>payyeli</i> is used with the dative case and stems from the combination of <b>piir</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">differ</span> and the dative marker <b>eli</b>. It is used to negate nouns or entire phrases, and its syntactic properties are identical to that of <b>kagoeli</b>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Elilin piireli äblu nälu.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">It was not you that I saw.</span> (see-REDUP-1P not DAT-2SG 1SG-2SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piireli lis'ugu kän, nänäln stüdo ki nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I came from the house, not from the city.</span> (not DAT-GEN-house DEF.ART, come-REDUP-1SG GEN-city DEF.ART 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Dore kaio piireli limibis läb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Not always does love win.</span> (win-3P love not DAT-always 3SUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"13_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">13.3</span> Prepositions</h5>\\n<p>Prepositions are able to attach to verbs in attributive clauses, and in those cases, they are preceded by a hyphen.</p>\\n\\t\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> <i><b>pagson</b></i> - from</h6>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The preposition <b>pagson</b> <i>paskon</i> is used with the genitive case and stems from <b>pag</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">go</span> and the genitive marker <b>son</b>. It is used to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">from, since</span>, both in temporal and spatial expressions. It can substitute the genitive case, but only when denoting origin, not possession.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Nänä pagson dans stü gä pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He came from that place.</span> (come-REDUP-3P from far GEN-place DEM 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Nüä l'äbeekuns äb'ekki gi pagson s'eligä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I haven't talked to that man since then.</span> (NEG.LOC.COP-1SG DAT-talk-GER DAT-man DEM from GEN-then.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Orseon liräki pagson sonleüt.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I used to fall from trees.</span> (GEN-LOC.COP-1SG DAT-fall-GER from GEN-tree.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>dü ko sonäl-pagson bans nä</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the place of coming-from by me</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the place I come from</span> (place DEF.ART GEN-come-GER-from by 1SG)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\t\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> <i><b>nelli</b></i> - to</h6>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The preposition <b>nelli</b> <i>nyelli</i> is used with the dative case and stems from <b>näl</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">come</span> and the dative marker <b>li</b>. It is used to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to, until</span>, both in temporal and spatial expressions. It can substitute the dative case, but not when applied to a beneficiary of an action or the location of something.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Üint nelli imsir a nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I went to the moon.</span> (come-REDUP-1P to DAT-moon DEF.ART 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äbseon lidoreo orkosaio nelli l'ebaet.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Maybe I'll find a partner by Sunday.</span> (DAT-LOC.COP-1SG DAT-win-GER GEN-partner to DAT-Sunday.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äb'ar momk lipao nelli lidü r'ekki mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A woman can go to a man.</span> (DAT-LOC.COP-3P woman DAT-go-GER until DAT-place GEN-man 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>dü ko spao-nelli bans pa</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the place he goes to</span> (place DEF.ART GEN-going-GER-to by 3OUM)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\t\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> <i><b>rot</b></i> - by</h6>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The preposition <b>rot</b> <i>not</i> stems directly from the word <b>rot</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">path</span> and functions as the instrumental preposition. It is used with the genitive case, unless it is used to turn an adjective into an adverb (see <a href=\\\"#11_4\\\"><b>11.4 Conversion of adjectives into adverbs</b></a>). <b>rot</b> is used to convey the instrumental meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">with</span> and <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">by</span>, as well as to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">through</span> and <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">per</span>. It is not, however, used to mark the agent of a passive verb.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Eli kugus rot diipüi ko paba.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">People see with their eyes.</span> (see-3P person-REDUP through GEN-eye DEF.ART 3OM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äbseosk limuu rot skatar.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You can learn by losing.</span> (DAT-LOC.COP-2SG DAT-learn-GER through GEN-lose-GER.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Üint rot s'ugu nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I walked through a house.</span> (go-REDUP-1P through GEN-house 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ar mina sonleüt rot nikus pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">There are four trees per person.</span> (LOC.COP-3P four-NOM GEN-tree through GEN-person 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>tarürü ko soräbtüee-rot bans nä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the money I pay with</span> (money-REDUP DEF.ART GEN-pay-GER-through by 1SG)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The same preposition can be followed by a gerund to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">by doing</span> if the subject is not specified, or <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">if one does</span> if the subject is specified. In such subordinate expressions, if the verb is intransitive, the subject is in the genitive case, and if it is transitive, the subject is preceded by the preposition <b>bans</b> and placed directly after the gerund, before a potential direct object, which is in the genitive form. Any other arguments of a verb are treated the same way as in regular clauses.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Doeseli gä rot skimisdar emimi ugu paion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">By standing there one can see a house.</span> (can.see-3P DEM by GEN-stand-GER DAT-there house 3OUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äbdores rot stosuepil r'än nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I will win if I stay.</span> (DAT-win-1P by GEN-stay-GER GEN-1SG 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äbseosk lisar semirn rot spiisäiki bans nä r'ekki ko.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">By the man's not killing by me you may be sad.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">If I don't kill the man you may be sad.</span> (DAT-LOC.COP-2SG DAT-take-GER GEN-sadness by GEN-NEG-kill-GER by 1SG GEN-man DEF.ART.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Finally, <b>rot</b> can be used clause-initially before the main verb and with no additional marking to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">one should do</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Rot rättekiu imbi mikoso kiläb.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">By (the fact) you tell us the truth.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You should tell us the truth.</span> (by tell-2P DAT-1SET truth 2SG-3SUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Rot piimadisk lipoinpiugu nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I shouldn't work on Fridays.</span> (by NEG-work-1P DAT-Friday 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Rot mumu an kän diinop mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The child should've learned from his parents.</span> (by learn-REDUP-3P child DEF.ART GEN-parent 3EUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\t\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> <i><b>bans</b></i> - for</h6>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The preposition <b>bans</b> <i>vans</i> is used with the direct case and originates from the verbal form <b>bans</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I do</span>. It marks the beneficiary of an action, its use sometimes overlapping with dative marking. Moreover, it is used to mark the agent of subordinate clauses (unless the verb is intransitive excluding the copula, in which case genitive marking is used; see <a href=\\\"#18_1\\\"><b>18.1 Word order</b></a>). Finally, it is used to mark the subject in in attributive clauses if the subject is different from the head noun (see <a href=\\\"#18_3\\\"><b>18.3 Attributive clauses</b></a>). When marking subjects/agents in subordinate clauses, the preposition directly follows the gerund, before other arguments.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Peobeoms bans kiulu näpa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I did it for you (because of you).</span> (do-REDUP-1P for 2SG 1SG-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Seon ligir bans kiulu.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I was fighting for you.</span> (LOC.COP-1SG DAT-fight-GER for 2SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä paiman sosar speomu bans nä gä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">This is a cookie made by me.</span> (COP-3P cookie GEN-take-GER GEN-do-GER by 1SG DEM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ninorn diii bans pa s'ugu r'än närä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I had my house chosen by him.</span> (take-REDUP-1P choose-GER by 3OUM GEN-house GEN-1SG 1SG-3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>kus a somadiki-bans bans nä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the person that I work for</span> (person DEF.ART GEN-work-GER-for by 1SG)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>kus a s'elii bans nä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the person that I see</span> (person DEF.ART GEN-see-GER by 1SG)</li>\\n\\t<li>cf. <b>kus a s'elii r'än</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the person that sees me</span> (person DEF.ART GEN-see-GER GEN-1SG)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The preposition <b>bans</b> can be followed by a gerund to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">in order to</span> if the subject is not specified. The verb can be negated to express the meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">in order not to</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Gimistarn bans gir nä.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I stand for fighting.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I stand in order to fight.</span> (stand-1P for fight-GER 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Dosuepibil bans iti r'än pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He stayed in order to kill me.</span> (stay-REDUP-3P for end-GER GEN-1SG 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Üint emimi bans piikusoo spamt a äbmomk a nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I went there in order not to give the flower to the woman.</span> (go-REDUP-1P DAT-there for NEG-give-GER GEN-flower DEF.ART DAT-woman DEF.ART 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piinänä l'ugu kän bans elii nikusan pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He didn't come home so that he wouldn't see anyone.</span> (NEG-come-REDUP-3P DAT-house DEF.ART for see-GER GEN-nobody 3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">If <b>bans</b> is followed by a gerund and the subject is specified, it is used to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">because</span>. Like with <b>rot</b>, the subject in such clauses is preceded by <b>bans</b>, or a genitive marker if the verb is intransitive, excluding the copula.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Ar liu äb'n bans gir bans nä mion.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I live for fighting by me.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I live because I fight.</span> (LOC.COP-3P life DAT-1SG for fight-GER for 1SG 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Dosuepibil bans eb'iti bans nä r'usa pa.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He stayed because I would die.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He stayed so that I would die.</span> (stay-REDUP-3P for DAT-end-GER for 1SG GEN-self 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äbi emi bans äbsun bans nebi likusoo spamt äb'ekki.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">We are here because we can give a flower to a man.</span> (LOC.COP-1SET DAT-here for DAT-LOC.COP-GER by 1SET DAT-give-GER GEN-flower DAT-man)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Peobeom gä bans piäbeekasun r'än nipa papa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He did it because I didn't talk about him.</span> (do-REDUP-3P DEM for NEG-talk-REDUP-GER GEN-1SG GEN-3OUM 3OUM-3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> <i><b>äbee</b></i> - with</h6>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The preposition <b>äbee</b> <i>avi</i> stems from the word <b>räbee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">*give</span> and is used with the dative case. It marks accompaniment and cannot be used instrumentally as in <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">eat with a fork</span>. It can also be used as a general preposition connecting phrases, with the approximate meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">with respect to</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Pask äbee äbpa nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I go with him.</span> (go-1P with DAT-3OUM 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lälä mikan rütnü soir äbee äblu.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I want to eat with you.</span> (COP-1SG nothing without eat-GER with DAT-2SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>kus a somuu-äbee bans nä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the person I learn with</span> (person DEF.ART GEN-learn-GER-with by 1SG)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä kago kus bisus äbee liräenabee pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">All people are equal in rights.</span> (COP-3P same person all with DAT-right 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ba olo pipa spog äbee lipipa läpa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Good means high in value.</span> (do-3P good meaning GEN-high with DAT-value 3SUM-3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Unlike other prepositions, <b>äbee</b> cannot be used attributively with nouns. Instead, the word <b>sosun</b> <i>soson</i> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">of existing</span> (GEN-LOC.COP-GER) is used, with the following noun in the genitive case.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>ena sosun diisir a</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a sky with the moon</span> (sky GEN-LOC.COP-GER GEN-moon DEF.ART)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>liuliu sosun spee nüi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a life with no light</span> (life-REDUP GEN-LOC.COP-GER GEN-light NEG.ART)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">This preposition can also be used with gerunds to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">while doing</span>, or <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">having done</span> if the gerund is perfect (reduplicated). The form is impersonal by default, but the subject can be specified using <b>bans</b> or the genitive case.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>äbee lipeomu</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">with doing</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">while doing</span> (with DAT-do-GER)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Rarak äbee likusoo spamt äb'n pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He fell while giving a flower to me.</span> (fall-REDUP-3P with DAT-give-GER GEN-flower DAT-1SG 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Skeget äbee ligir nipa pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He died while fighting him.</span> (die-REDUP-3P with DAT-fight-GER GEN-3OUM 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Skeget äbee lisun bans pa ligir usa pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He died while he (himself) was fighting.</span> (die-REDUP-3P with DAT-LOC.COP-GER by 3OUM DAT-fight-GER REFL 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Soisoirn äbee linänäl l'ugu kän nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Having come to the house, I ate.</span> (eat-REDUP-1P with DAT-come-REDUP-GER DAT-house DEF.ART 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Gimisdadar äbee l'i r'än pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He stood up after I went.</span> (stand-REDUP-3P with DAT-go-REDUP-GER GEN-1SG 3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\t\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> <i><b>rütnü</b></i> - without</h6>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The opposite of <b>äbee</b> is the preposition <b>rütnü</b> <i>ünü</i>. It is used with the direct case and stems from the preposition <b>rot</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">by</span> and the gerund of the negative locative copula <b>nür</b>. Like <b>äbee</b>, it cannot be used instrumentally.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Lälugun rütnü milm nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I live without a cat.</span> (live-1P without cat 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ebnüä lipao rütnü kiulu.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I can't go without you.</span> (DAT-NEG.LOC.COP-1SG DAT-go-GER without 2SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>kus a sosoir-rütnü bans nä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the person I eat without</span> (person DEF.ART GEN-eat-GER-without by 1SG)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">In nominal attributive phrases, the meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">without</span> is conveyed with the use of the word <b>sünür</b> <i>hünür</i> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">of lacking</span> (GEN-NEG.LOC.COP-GER), with the following noun in the genitive case. Note that double negation can be used to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">with some</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>ena sünür diinid a</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a sky without the sun</span> (sky GEN-NEG.LOC.COP-GER GEN-sun DEF.ART)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>liuliu sünür skoütsiondu nüan</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a life with some hope</span> (life-REDUP GEN-NEG.LOC.COP-GER GEN-hope NEG.ART)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">When used before gerund, <b>rütnü</b> has the meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">without doing</span>. This form is impersonal by default, but a subject can be specified with the preposition <b>bans</b> or the genitive case.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>rütnü peomu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">without doing</span> (without do-GER)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Edest usa rütnü re bans pa skaio äb'n nä.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I died without loving by him of me.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I died without him loving me.</span> (end-REDUP-1P self without give-GER by 3OUM GEN-love DAT-1SG 1SG.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> <i><b>insteta</b></i> - over</h6>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">While the dative case is used to convey the time at which something happens, the preposition <b>insteta</b> <i>enhcheta</i> is used to specify a period of time over which something happens. The word stems from a dvandva <b>inst</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">start</span> + <b>et</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">end</span> + the nominalizer <b>-a</b> (from <b>mika</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thing</span>). It is used with the direct case.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Seon liläluguu emi insteta paü tu.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I've lived here for eight years.</span> (LOC.COP-1SG DAT-live-GER DAT-here for year eight.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ar l'äbeekuns insteta mis boaris äb'n pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He talked for more time than me.</span> (LOC.COP-3P DAT-talk-GER for time many DAT-1SG 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>is a sosun bans nä l'äbeekuns-insteta</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the hour I was talking for</span> (hour DEF.ART GEN-LOC.COP-GER by 1SG DAT-talk-GER-for)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"13_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">13.4</span> Usage of <i><b>püta</b></i></h5>\\n<p>The word <b>püta</b> <i>püta</i> means <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">nature, style, -ness</span> and functions as an inanimate noun or a nominalizing affix, but it can also be used to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">(to be) like/as</span>. In this case it is treated as a class 1 noun (GEN <b>diüta</b> <i>jiüta</i> DAT <b>m'üta</b> <i>müta</i>) and the initial <b>p</b> is elided unless the preceding word is vowel-final.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">It can be used with the copula (<b>läl üta GEN-x</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to be like something</span>), with the particle <b>rot</b> (<b>(peom) rot diüta GEN-x</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">(to do) like/as x</span>), or as part of an attributive clause (<b>y diüta GEN-x</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">y like an x</span>). The following noun is in the genitive case, since the construction literally means <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">(having) the nature of x</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Lä püta spamt püi nipa arä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">His eyes are like flowers.</span> (COP-3P nature GEN-flower eye DAT-3OUM 3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Stagbee usa r'än rot diüta sostag pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">My heart is burning like fire.</span> (burn-3P heart GEN-1SG by GEN-nature GEN-fire 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Madisk rot diüta seskir nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I work as a fighter.</span> (work-1P by GEN-nature GEN-fighter 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Rot diüta diinid a, sobees rot nantee nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Like the sun, I shine brightly.</span> (by GEN-nature GEN-sun DEF.ART, shine-1P by bright 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Miku rot somatosa diüta skä ergirolnib pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He sings with a voice like an angel's.</span> (sing-3P by GEN-voice GEN-nature GEN-DEM GEN-angel 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ar surs do rot diüta diisir a äblu tark.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You have a head big like the moon.</span> (LOC.COP-3P head big by GEN-nature GEN-moon DEF.ART DAT-2SG 3NUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"13_5\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">13.5</span> Spatial and temporal expressions</h5>\\n<p>Instead of prepositions of place, the language makes use of verbal and nominal phrases to convey the relative positions of objects. The following table presents most of the common spatial expressions in their adverbial forms, with the word <b>ugu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">house</span> as an example.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Meaning</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Form</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Etymology</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>in front of</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lipoinp s'ugu</b> <i>lipoymp sugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>li</b> DAT + <b>poinp</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">tits</span> + GEN</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbee l'eüti s'ugu</b> <i>avi leüchi sugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">while</span> + <b>l</b> DAT + <b>eüti</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">lead</span>-GER + GEN</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>behind</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lisami s'ugu</b> <i>lisami sugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>li</b> DAT + <b>sami</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">butt</span> + GEN</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbee l'odnuu s'ugu</b> <i>avi woynaw sugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">while</span> + <b>l</b> DAT + <b>odnuu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">follow</span>-GER + GEN</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>over/above</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbee lilago s'ugu</b> <i>avi lilago sugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">while</span> + <b>li</b> DAT + <b>lago</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dominate</span>-GER + GEN</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>over/to the south of</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kario l'ugu</b> <i>kayo ugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kario</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">up</span> + DAT</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>under/below</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbee limotil l'ugu</b> <i>avi limochiw ugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">while</span> + <b>li</b> DAT + <b>motil</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">submit to</span>-GER + DAT</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>under/to the north of</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kapil l'ugu</b> <i>kapiw ugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kapil</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">down</span> + DAT</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>on top of/on</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbee lisigeo s'ugu</b> <i>avi lihijo sugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">while</span> + <b>li</b> DAT + <b>sigeo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ride</span>-GER + GEN</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>at the bottom of</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbee linoir l'ugu</b> <i>avi linoyr ugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">while</span> + <b>li</b> DAT + <b>noir</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">sink</span>-GER + DAT</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>inside/within</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>l'ugu</b> <i>ugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>DAT</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>l'usa s'ugu</b> <i>usa sugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>l</b> DAT + <b>usa</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">heart</span> + GEN</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbee libädo s'ugu</b> <i>avi livyado sugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">while</span> + <b>li</b> DAT + <b>bädo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">fill</span>-GER + GEN</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>inside/among</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>imbis s'ugu</b> <i>envis sugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>im</b> DAT + <b>bis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">world</span> + GEN</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>outside</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>liponka s'ugu</b> <i>liponka sugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>li</b> DAT + <b>ponka</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">outside</span> + GEN</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>around</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbee l'uloo s'ugu</b> <i>avi uwu sugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">while</span> + <b>l</b> DAT + <b>uloo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">hug</span>-GER + GEN</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>next to/by</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbee limuao s'ugu</b> <i>avi limwaw sugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äbee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">while</span> + <b>li</b> DAT + <b>muao</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">kiss</span>-GER + GEN</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>between*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>immiko s'ugu</b> <i>immiko sugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>im</b> DAT + <b>miko</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thighs</span> + GEN</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kamon kaabi l'ugu</b> <i>kamon kovi ugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kamon</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">on the left</span> + <b>kaabi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">on the right</span> + DAT</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>to the left/east of</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kamon l'ugu</b> <i>kamon ugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kamon</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">on the left</span> + DAT</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>to the right/west of</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kaabi l'ugu</b> <i>kovi ugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kaabi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">on the right</span> + DAT</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>opposite to</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kada l'ugu</b> <i>kadá ugu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kada</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">on the other side</span> + DAT</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>*The conjunction <b>ä(b)/e(l)</b> can be used when multiple complements are involved, e.g. <b>immiko s'el ugu, leüt / kamon kaabi l'el ugu, leüt / kamon l'ugu kaabi lileüt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">between a house and a tree</span>.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">These forms are used as adverbial phrases. In verbal phrases, <b>äbee</b> is interchangeable with <b>rot</b>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Gimistar milm lipoinp orlob tark.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A cat is standing in front of a dog.</span> (stand-3P cat DAT-tits GEN-dog 3NUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Pa kus äbee lisigeo sonal pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A person is walking on water.</span> (go-3P person with DAT-ride-GER GEN-water 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Pagpes rot s'odnuu orlu nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I am walking behind you.</span> (walk-1P by GEN-follow-GER GEN-2SG 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Liponka s'ugu kän, gir kugus paba.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Outside the house, people are fighting.</span> (DAT-outside GEN-house DEF.ART, fight-3P person-REDUP 3OM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Kamon kaabi l'ugu lisab, liubabamt bamt mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Between two houses, a flower blossomed.</span> (on.the.left on.the.right DAT-house DAT-two, blossom-REDUP-3P flower 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Mikun imbis semienarn nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I'm singing in the rain.</span> (sing-1P DAT-world GEN-rain 1SG.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">To use positional phrases attributively with nouns, the genitive case is used for the word following the head noun. For verbal phrases, the word <b>äbee</b> used in adverbial phrases is dropped, and the genitive case is applied to the gerund, e.g. <b>äbee l'eüti s'ugu</b> → <b>milm s'eüti s'ugu</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a cat leading a house</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a cat in front of a house</span>. For nominal phrases used with the dative case, a genitive affix is applied in front of the dative affix, e.g. <b>l'usa s'ugu</b> → <b>milm sonl'usa s'ugu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a cat inside a house</span>. For adverbial phrases involving the word <b>ka</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">side</span>, because these words are both adverbs and nouns, the genitive case can be applied to them as well, e.g. <b>kamon l'ugu</b> → <b>milm skamon l'ugu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a cat on the left of a house</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>stag somotil imsir a</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">fire under the moon</span> (fire GEN-sink-GER DAT-moon DEF.ART)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Elilin gägäe sonl'ena näläb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I saw a cicada in the sky (the cicada is in the sky).</span> (see-REDUP-1P cicada GEN-DAT-sky 1SG-3SUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li>cf. <b>Elilin gägäe l'ena näläb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I saw a cicada in the sky (I'm in the sky).</span> (see-REDUP-1P cicada DAT-sky 1SG-3SUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä mimis skamon kaabi l'el mibee, missolt pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">It is a time between day and night.</span> (COP-3P time-REDUP GEN-left right DAT-and daytime, nighttime 3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Finally, to use positional phrases predicatively, the locative copula is used in constructions involving nouns and adverbs, e.g. <b>lisami s'ugu</b> → <b>Ar milm lisami s'ugu tark.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A cat is behind a house.</span> In verbal phrases the verb itself is used as the predicate, e.g. <b>äbee l'eüti s'ugu</b> → <b>Oüt milm ugu tärion.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A cat leads a house.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A cat is in front of a house.</span></p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Ar sir a lipoinp diinid a tark.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The moon is in front of the sun.</span> (LOC.COP-3P moon DEF.ART DAT-tits GEN-sun DEF.ART 1NUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Seon linoir lileüt.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I was at the bottom of a tree.</span> (LOC.COP-1SG DAT-sink-GER DAT-tree.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ormuaomuao alur ugu nüän tärion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A wolf couldn't have been next to a house.</span> (GEN-kiss-REDUP-3P wolf house NEG.ART 3NUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äb'ar store kaabi äskart läb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The winner will be on the right of the loser.</span> (DAT-LOC.COP-3P winner on.the.right DAT-loser 3SUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The words <b>sami</b> and <b>poinp</b> can also be used in temporal expressions. Thus, <b>lisami</b> means not only <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">behind</span>, but also <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">before</span>, while <b>lipoinp</b> means not only <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">in front of</span>, but also <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">after</span>. If a time is specified, <b>lisami</b> can mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">before/ago/earlier</span> and <b>lipoinp</b> can mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">after/in/later</span>, depending on what follows the phrase. The first meaning applies when a genitive noun follows, the second when nothing follows, and the third when the genitive form of the demonstrative (<b>skä</b>) follows.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Adaintens lisami stoulools pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">It happened before winter.</span> (happen-REDUP-3P DAT-butt GEN-winter 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Dosuesue limuao l'ü iis lipoinp sonänäl r'än pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He left ten minutes after I came.</span> (leave-REDUP-3P DAT-minute DAT-10 1 DAT-tits GEN-come-REDUP-GER GEN-1SG 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ninorn liuu lipaü l'el üü, gür lisami näion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I was born 25 years ago.</span> (take-REDUP-1P bear-GER DAT-year DAT-and 20, 5 DAT-butt 1SG-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äb'et paü gä emsaba sesirnida lipoinp pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">This year will end in two days.</span> (DAT-end-3P year DEM DAT-2-NOM GEN-day DAT-tits 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Impika spae lipoinp skä, edet askaio läb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Three weeks later, October ended.</span> (DAT-3-NOM GEN-week DAT-tits GEN-DEM, end-REDUP-3P October 3SUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Edet usa lisami skä pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He died earlier.</span> (end-REDUP-3P self DAT-butt GEN-DEM 3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Positional phrases using nouns or adverbs can take the genitive case instead of the dative case to express the place/time of origin.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Girarag ekki sosami s'ugu arän.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man attacked me from behind a house.</span> (attack-REDUP-3P man GEN-butt GEN-house 3WUM-1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Nänä mata gä skamon pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">That sound came from the left.</span> (come-REDUP-3P sound DEM GEN-left 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ar l'adaituns semiräbtüees sosab lisami pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">It has been happening since 2 months ago.</span> (LOC.COP-3P DAT-happen-GER GEN-month GEN-2 DAT-butt 3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h4 id=\\\"14\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">14</span> Verb conjugations</h4><br>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"14_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">14.1</span> Regular verbs</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Regular verbs have five forms:</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li>- the infinitive, which is never used in isolation, but serves as a base for conjugation, and is also used when forming compounds; the infinitive has NSWEO-specific endings</li>\\n\\t<li>- the first person form, which uses the endings <b>-n</b>, <b>-s</b> and <b>-än</b>, which are derived from first person pronouns <b>nä</b> and <b>si</b></li>\\n\\t<li>- the second person form, which uses the endings <b>-kiu</b> and <b>-k</b> derived from the second person singular pronoun <b>kiulu</b></li>\\n\\t<li>- the third person form, which is identical to the infinitive</li>\\n\\t<li>- the gerund, which is used nominally and whose forms make use of theme vowels specific to NSWEO: N <b>a</b>, S <b>o</b>, W <b>i</b>, E <b>u</b>, O <b>ü</b> (N uses a neutral <b>a</b>); the gerund has NSWEO-specific endings consistent with that of the infinitive</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>Regular verbs do not conjugate for number. Gerunds can be derived not just from the base infinitive, but also from forms conjugated for tense, or negated forms. Base gerunds use unmarked pronouns, and reduplicated gerunds use marked ones.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">First person conjugations are the most complex:</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li>- the ending <b>-s</b> is used with verbs ending in a non-high vowel or a nasal</li>\\n\\t<li>- the ending <b>-n</b> is used with verbs ending in a high vowel or a liquid</li>\\n\\t<li>- the ending <b>-ns</b> is used with verbs ending in <b>-s</b></li>\\n\\t<li>- verbs ending in stops place an <b>-s-</b> before the final stop, devoicing the stop if it is voiced</li>\\n\\t<li>- verbs ending in a sonorant + stop cluster place an <b>-s-</b> between the two consonants</li>\\n\\t<li>- the ending <b>-än</b> is used with verbs ending in any other cluster</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Second person forms are as follows:</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li>- the ending <b>-kiu</b> is used with verbs ending in a vowel or a stop</li>\\n\\t<li>- the ending <b>-k</b> is used with verbs ending in <b>-s</b>, a sonorant, or a sonorant + <b>s</b> cluster</li>\\n\\t<li>- the ending <b>-akiu</b> is used with verbs ending in any other cluster</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>Verbs ending in <b>-(a)kiu</b> are always stressed on the penult. The ending <b>-kiu</b> triggers umlaut.</p>\\n<p>The gerund is formed in most cases by appending a theme vowel to the end of the infinitive, unless the resultant form would result in an illegal vowel cluster, in which case the gerund is the same as the infinitive. The gerund is the same as the infinitive also for verbs ending in liquids. To form gerunds of verbs ending in clusters, the final consonant is placed first, then the theme vowel, and finally the remaining consonant(s). These maneuvers are to ensure that the ending of the gerund is consistent with the ending of the infinitive with respect to NSWEO, since gerunds are used as nouns.</p>\\n<p>Note that theme vowels <b>i</b> and <b>ü</b> trigger umlaut.</p>\\n<p>The following table summarizes the conjugation rules of regular verbs. <b>A</b> stands for the theme vowel.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Ending</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>1p</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>2p</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Gerund</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Example</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>Non-high V</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-s</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-kiu</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-A</b>*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kuso</b> <i>kuso</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">offer</span> → <b>kusos</b> <i>kusos</i>, <b>kusekiu</b> <i>kuhyéchu</i>, <b>kusoo</b> <i>kusu</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>High V</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-n</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-kiu</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-A</b>*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>eli</b> <i>eli</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">see</span> → <b>elin</b> <i>elen</i>, <b>elikiu</b> <i>elíchu</i>, <b>elii</b> <i>eway</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>T</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-s-P</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-kiu</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-A</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>et</b> <i>et</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">end</span> → <b>est</b> <i>est</i>, <b>itkiu</b> <i>icchu</i>, <b>iti</b> <i>ichi</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>s</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-n-s</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-k</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-A</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>does</b> <i>dwes</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">feel</span> → <b>doens</b> <i>dwens</i>, <b>doesk</b> <i>dwesk</i>, <b>düüsü</b> <i>daühü</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>N</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-s</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-k</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-A</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>son</b> <i>son</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">carry</span> → <b>sons</b> <i>sons</i>, <b>sonk</b> <i>sonk</i>, <b>sonu</b> <i>sonu</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>L</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-n</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-k</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>piir</b> <i>payr</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">differ</span> → <b>piirn</b> <i>payrn</i>, <b>piirk</b> <i>payrk</i>, <b>piir</b> <i>payr</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>(W)CC<sub>1</sub></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-än</b>**</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-akiu</b>***</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>C<sub>1</sub>-A-(W)C</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>inst</b> <i>enst</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">begin</span> → <b>instän</b> <i>enhchan</i>, <b>instakiu</b> <i>enstáchu</i>, <b>ituns</b> <i>itons</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>*<b>-</b> in case of an illegal cluster, e.g. <b>bae</b> <i>vay</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">change</span> → <b>bae</b> <i>vay</i><br>\\n**<b>-W-s-P</b> for <b>WP</b>, e.g. <b>kart</b> <i>kart</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">lose</span> → <b>karst</b> <i>karst</i><br>\\n***<b>-k</b> for <b>Ws</b>, e.g. <b>badans</b> <i>vadans</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">overdo</span> → <b>badansk</b> <i>vadansk</i></p>\\n<p>Personal endings are always found at the end of the verb form, so when reduplication is applied, personal endings are appended to the reduplicated form, not the other way around, cf. <b>inst</b> → <b>intins</b> → <b>intinsän</b> (start-REDUP-1P), <b>inst</b> → <b>instän</b> → <b>*instädän</b> (start-1P-REDUP).</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"14_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">14.2</span> Irregular verbs</h5>\\n<p>Apart from the copulae, there are seven basic irregular verbs. Two of them are verbs of movement (<b>pag</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">go</span> and <b>näl</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">come</span>), another is the verb <b>es</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">put</span>. The other four are no longer used in their original meaning, and are primarily used as auxiliary verbs in certain grammatical constructions, or preserved in compounds or idiomatic expressions. These include the verbs <b>ba</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">*do</span>, <b>nors</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">*take</span>, <b>räbee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">*give</span>, <b>dansk</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">*say</span>.</p>\\n<p>Irregular verbs are characterized by shortened third person forms and an additional second person marker <b>-l</b> stemming from second person plural pronouns <b>li</b> and <b>la</b>. The gerunds are shortened as well, particularly in those verbs which have complex codas, in which the first syllable is discarded, e.g. <b>nors</b> → <b>nosar</b> → <b>sar</b>. In case of <b>es</b>, the gerund ending <b>-ü</b> triggers umlaut in the preceding vowel, but the ending itself is elided (<b>es</b> + <b>-ü</b> → <b>üsü</b> → <b>üs</b>).</p>\\n<p>Although in the case of other verbs, their infinitives are used when forming compounds, the gerund of the verb <b>räbee</b> (<b>re</b>) can be used for that purpose as an alternative to the infinitive. The verb <b>nors</b> has an alternative form <b>nirs</b>, which only surfaces in several contexts - in the irregular genitive prefix <b>ni-</b>, in the third person form <b>nir</b>, and at the beginning of reduplicated forms of the verb (see below).</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th></th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Infinitive</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>1p</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>2p</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>3p</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Gerund</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Go</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pag</b> <i>pag</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pask</b> <i>pask</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pal</b> <i>paw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pa</b> <i>pa</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pao</b> <i>paw</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Come</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>näl</b> <i>nyaw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>näln</b> <i>nyawn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nälk</b> <i>nyawk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nä</b> <i>nya</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>näl</b> <i>nyaw</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Put</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>es</b> <i>es</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ens</b> <i>ens</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>el</b> <i>ew</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>e</b> <i>e</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>üs</b> <i>üs</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>*Do</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ba</b> <i>va</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bans</b> <i>vans</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bal</b> <i>vaw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ba</b> <i>va</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bü</b> <i>vü</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>*Take</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nors</b> <i>nurs</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>norn</b> <i>nurn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>norsk</b> <i>nursk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nir</b> <i>nir</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sar</b> <i>sar</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>*Give</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>räbee</b> <i>yavi</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>räb'n</b> <i>yaün</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>rebkiu</b> <i>yecchu</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>räb</b> <i>yav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>re</b> <i>ye</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>*Say</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>dansk</b> <i>dansk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>dan</b> <i>dan</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>dal</b> <i>daw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>da</b> <i>da</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kuns</b> <i>kons</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>Reduplicated forms used for the perfect tense are irregular in some cases as well. The reduplicated forms of the verb <b>pag</b> are suppleted with the verb forms of the otherwise defunct verb <b>*üit</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">travel, wander, search</span>. The forms of the verb <b>es</b> originate from a proto-method of forming the perfect tense with a genitive prefix (<b>or-</b> + <b>es</b> → <b>ores</b> → <b>eors</b>); however, the infinitive and gerund forms drop the <b>r</b> to retain an O class ending. The reduplicated forms of <b>nors</b> make use of the form <b>ni-</b> from the alternative form of the verb (<b>nirs</b>). The verb <b>räbee</b> uses its gerund <b>re</b> as the base for its reduplicated forms.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th></th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Infinitive</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>1p</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>2p</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>3p</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Gerund</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Go</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>üit</b> <i>üit</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>üint</b> <i>üent</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>üik</b> <i>üik</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>üi</b> <i>üi</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>i</b> <i>i</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Come</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nänäl</b> <i>nyanyaw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nänäln</b> <i>nyanyawn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nänälk</b> <i>nyanyawk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nänä</b> <i>nyanya</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nänäl</b> <i>nyanyaw</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Put</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>eos</b> <i>yos</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>eorn</b> <i>yurn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>eork</b> <i>yurk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>eor</b> <i>yur</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>üüs</b> <i>aüs</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>*Do</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>baba</b> <i>vava</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>babans</b> <i>vavans</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>babal</b> <i>vavaw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>baba</b> <i>vava</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bäbü</b> <i>vyavü</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>*Take</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ninors</b> <i>ninurs</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ninorn</b> <i>ninurn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ninorsk</b> <i>ninursk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ninir</b> <i>ninir</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nosar</b> <i>nosar</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>*Give</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>re</b> <i>ye</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ren</b> <i>yen</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>rel</b> <i>yew</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>re</b> <i>ye</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ree</b> <i>i</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>*Say</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>dankans</b> <i>dankans</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>dankan</b> <i>dankan</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>dankal</b> <i>dankaw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>danka</b> <i>danka</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kasun</b> <i>kason</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>Compound verbs which make use of irregular verbs generally follow irregular conjugations as well, e.g. <b>daäbeensk</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">talk</span> (<b>dansk</b> + <b>räbee</b>) conjugates as follows: 1P <b>daäbeen</b>, 2P <b>daäbeel</b>, 3P <b>daäbee</b>, GER <b>äbeekuns</b>, REDUP <b>daäbeenkans</b>, REDUP-1P <b>daäbeenkan</b>, REDUP-2P <b>daäbeenkal</b>, REDUP-3P <b>daäbeenka</b>, REDUP-GER <b>äbeekasun</b>. The verb <b>no</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">find</span>, whose origin is the irregular <b>nors</b> is also irregular: 1P <b>non</b>, 2P <b>nosk</b>, 3P <b>ni</b>, GER <b>sao</b>, REDUP <b>nino</b>, REDUP-1P <b>ninon</b>, REDUP-2P <b>ninosk</b>, REDUP-3P <b>nini</b>, REDUP-GER <b>nosao</b>. There are compounds using irregular verbs which conjugate regularly, e.g. <b>pagpe</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">walk</span> (<b>pag</b> + <b>pe</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">foot</span>), or <b>räbtüee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">pay</span> (<b>räbee</b> + <b>tarü</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">money</span>).</p>\\n<p>Some otherwise regular verbs use suppletion to create reduplicated forms, typically by incorporating defunct verbs, e.g. <b>bae</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">change, become</span> → <b>gou</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">*turn, rotate → changed, became</span>.</p>\\n<p>The resultant semantic voids from irregular verbs are filled with other verbs. The verb <b>ba</b> is used in auxiliary constructions, predominantly to derive verbs from nouns or adjectives, as in <b>ba dast</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">look, appear</span> (lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">do a shape</span>). It can be also used in compounds, for example in <b>mikaäbbaba</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">task</span> (lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thing one must do</span>). Its original meaning is covered by the word <b>peom</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">do, make, create</span>. The verb <b>ba</b> is also used as a generic, semantically weak verb used in expressions such as <b>bans bü</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">because of that</span> and <b>orba</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">if so</span>, as well as a substitute for when a verb is repeated, e.g. <b>Orräkkiu kiulu, äbbans nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">If you don't fall, I will.</span> (GEN-fall-2P 2SG, DAT-do-1P 1SG.).</p>\\n<p>The verbs <b>räbee</b> and <b>nors</b> are used in constructions such as the passive and causative voice. The two verbs gave rise to the animate case prefixes as well. Apart from that, <b>räbee</b> and <b>nors</b> are used in compounds or as verbalizers, particularly for transitive-intransitive (active-passive) pairs, e.g. <b>räbee kaio</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">love</span> (lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">give love</span>) and <b>nors kaio</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">be loved</span> (lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">take love</span>). The original meaning of <b>räbee</b> is covered by the verb <b>kuso</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">give, offer, prepare</span>, while <b>nors</b> is typically substituted for <b>padal</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">receive, accept</span>, <b>dont</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">hold, take, get, have</span>, or <b>dii</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">choose, take</span>.</p>\\n<p>The verb <b>dansk</b> is generally only used idiomatically and in compounds, e.g. <b>dansk täl</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">lie</span> (lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">say a lie</span>), <b>danska</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">word, speech, language</span> (<b>dansk</b> + <b>-a</b> NOM). The verb can also be used to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">say</span>, but only if the phrase involves a direct object. In reported speech, the phrase <b>läl üta</b> (<b>läl</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">be</span> + <b>üta</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">like</span>) is used. For details on reported speech, see <a href=\\\"#18\\\"><b>18.5 Reported speech</b></a>.</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"14_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">14.3</span> Copulae</h5>\\n<p>There is a copula and a locative copula. The copula is followed directly by its complement - a noun or an adjective. The locative copula expresses existence or location and is the equivalent of the English <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to be (somewhere)</span> and <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">there be</span>. It is also used to indicate possession. Rather than using a transitive verb with the meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">have</span>, the locative copula is used, with the subject being the possessee and the possessor indicated with the dative case, e.g. <b>Ar mis äb'n pa.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">There is time to me.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I have time.</span> (LOC.COP-3P time DAT-1SG 3OUM.).</p>\\n<p>The copulae are the only verbs to conjugate for number, at least in the first and second person. This is why SDOAUX are omitted with copulae, unless the copula is in the third person. The additional set and plural endings stem from personal pronouns. The first person set and plural endings are <b>-bi</b> and <b>-(i)s</b>, respectively, while the second person endings are <b>-il</b> and <b>-al</b>.</p>\\n<p>The forms of copulae originate from defunct verbs which are no longer in use, at least in their original meanings. The copula stems from <b>läl</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">*stay</span> and the locative copula stems from <b>seons</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">*live</span>. The verb <b>ar</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">*stand</span> is used suppletively for both copulae. The verb <b>nür</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">*lack</span> is used as the negative form of the locative copula.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th></th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Infinitive</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>1p sg/set/pl</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>2p sg/set/pl</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>3p</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Gerund</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Copula</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läl</b> <i>law</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lälä</b> <i>lala</i><br><b>lebi</b> <i>levi</i><br><b>lis</b> <i>lis</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>liu</b> <i>lu</i><br><b>lil</b> <i>liw</i><br><b>lal</b> <i>waw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lä</b> <i>la</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läl</b> <i>law</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Loc.cop</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>seons</b> <i>hyons</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>seon</b> <i>hyon</i><br><b>äbi</b> <i>avi</i><br><b>sis</b> <i>his</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>seosk</b> <i>hyosk</i><br><b>sil</b> <i>hiw</i><br><b>sal</b> <i>saw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ar</b> <i>ar</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sun</b> <i>son</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Neg.loc.cop</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nür</b> <i>nür</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nüä</b> <i>nüa</i><br><b>nübi</b> <i>nüvi</i><br><b>nüis</b> <i>nüis</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nürk</b> <i>nürk</i><br><b>nüil</b> <i>nüiw</i><br><b>nüal</b> <i>nüaw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nü</b> <i>nü</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nür</b> <i>nür</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>Reduplicated perfect forms of the copulae are irregular, with <b>läl</b> using the suppletive <b>ar</b> across the entire paradigm, and <b>seons</b> dropping the first syllable <b>seo-</b>. The negative <b>nür</b> reduplicates regularly.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th></th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Infinitive</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>1p sg/set/pl</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>2p sg/set/pl</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>3p</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Gerund</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Copula</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ar</b> <i>ar</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>arn</b> <i>arn</i><br><b>äbi</b> <i>avi</i><br><b>äris</b> <i>ayis</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ark</b> <i>ark</i><br><b>äril</b> <i>ayiw</i><br><b>aral</b> <i>anaw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ar</b> <i>ar</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ar</b> <i>ar</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Loc.cop</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>neons</b> <i>nyons</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>neon</b> <i>nyon</i><br><b>niebi</b> <i>nyevi</i><br><b>nis</b> <i>nis</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>neosk</b> <i>nyosk</i><br><b>nil</b> <i>niw</i><br><b>nal</b> <i>naw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>neo</b> <i>nyo</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sun</b> <i>son</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Neg.loc.cop</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nünür</b> <i>nünür</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nünüä</b> <i>nünüa</i><br><b>nünübi</b> <i>nünüvi</i><br><b>nünüis</b> <i>nünüis</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nünürk</b> <i>nünürk</i><br><b>nünüil</b> <i>nünüiw</i><br><b>nünüal</b> <i>nünüaw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nünü</b> <i>nünü</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nünür</b> <i>nünür</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>As with other irregular verbs, the defunct verbs from which the copulae originate are predominantly used in compounds and idiomatic expressions, e.g. <b>rütnü</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">without</span> (lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">by lacking</span>).</p>\\n<p>The resultant semantic voids are filled by other verbs. The original meaning of <b>läl</b> is covered by the verb <b>dosuepil</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">remain, stay still, be silent</span> (<b>dosue</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">move</span> + <b>pil</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">not</span>), while <b>seons</b> is replaced with <b>lälugu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">live</span> (<b>läl</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">*stay</span> + <b>ugu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">house</span>). In the case of <b>ar</b>, the meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">stand</span> is expressed with the verb <b>gimisdar</b> (<b>gir</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">fight</span> + <b>misda</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">again</span>). Finally, the verb <b>nür</b> can be replaced with phrases such as <b>läl gä sosolt GEN-x</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">be empty of something</span>.</p>\\n\\n<h4 id=\\\"15\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15</span> Verb tenses</h4><br>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"15_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.1</span> Overview of the tense system</h5>\\n<p>The language makes use of nine tenses, although some of these would be considered aspects or moods in most languages. The tenses are formed using two strategies - applying case prefixes (genitive and dative) and applying other strategies (locative copula + gerund, and reduplication). Case marking indicates tense, with the direct case representing the present, the genitive case the past, and the dative case the future. The other strategies which interact with case marking indicate aspect/mood, the plain form representing realis, the locative copula + gerund form indicating imperfective, and reduplication suggesting irrealis.</p>\\n<p>These strategies form a 3x3 proto-matrix of tenses, which is modified in the current system due to a cyclical shift of three tenses - conditional → perfect → potential. The proto-system may be used in certain solidified expressions or constructions. The current system is as follows:</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th></th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Direct</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Genitive</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Dative</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Plain</th>\\n\\t\\t<td>present</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>conditional</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>future</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Loc.cop dat-ger</th>\\n\\t\\t<td>imperfect</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>past habitual</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>potential</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Redup</th>\\n\\t\\t<td>perfect</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>past potential</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>necessitative</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>The tenses are summarized below. Each tense will be described in greater detail in the following sections.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Present</th>\\n\\t\\t<td>present progressive or habitual actions - <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I do</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I am doing</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Conditional</th>\\n\\t\\t<td>conditions - <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">if I do</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">if I had done</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<th>Future</th>\\n\\t\\t<td>future perfective or progressive actions, or hypothetical actions - <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I will do</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I am going to do</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I will be doing</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I will have done</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I would do</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Imperfect</th>\\n\\t\\t<td>past progressive actions that have either finished in the past or have lasted until the present - <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I was doing</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I have been doing</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Past habitual</th>\\n\\t\\t<td>habitual actions which occurred in the past - <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I used to do</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I would do</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Potential</th>\\n\\t\\t<td>capability, possibility, or permission - <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I can do</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I could do</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I may do</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">maybe I will do</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Perfect</th>\\n\\t\\t<td>past perfective actions - <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I did</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I have done</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Past potential</th>\\n\\t\\t<td>past actions which may have happened - <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I may have done</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I could have done</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">maybe I have done</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Necessitative</th>\\n\\t\\t<td>necessity or obligation - <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I must do</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I have to do</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">When using constructions with the locative copula, subordinate alignment is used. The subject (if it is a noun) is placed between the locative copula and the gerund of the lexical verb. The direct object is in the genitive case and follows the gerund of the lexical verb directly. Other arguments remain unchanged. Note that in these expressions the locative copula is a predicate and takes animate case prefixes as well as person marking, while the following gerund is impersonal and treated as an inanimate noun, taking the inanimate dative prefix.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Ar ekki l'elii ormomk arä.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man is at seeing of a woman.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man was looking at a woman.</span> (LOC.COP-3P DAT-see-GER GEN-woman 3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Seosk l'äbeekuns äb'ekki.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You are at talking to a man.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You were talking to a man.</span> (LOC.COP-2SG DAT-talk-GER DAT-man.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ebsis likusoo spamt äb'ekki.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">We to-are at giving of a flower to a man.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">We can give a flower to a man.</span> (DAT-LOC.COP-1PL DAT-offer-GER GEN-flower DAT-man.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Orseon lidotun semika s'ugu kän.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I of-am at taking of things from the house.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I used to take things from the house.</span> (GEN-LOC.COP-1SG DAT-take-GER GEN-thing GEN-house DEF.ART.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"15_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.2</span> Present</h5>\\n<p>The present tense is used to describe all present actions, including progressive actions taking place at the time of speaking, habitual actions, and general truths. It is equivalent to both the present simple and present continuous tenses in English. There is no general strategy to indicate a present progressive actions, other than using adverbs such as <b>misk</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">now</span>.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The present tense features no marking.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Madisk nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I am working.</span> (work-1P 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Soirn lidüdo lisirnida libisida nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I eat in the city every day.</span> (eat-1P DAT-city DAT-day DAT-every 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä leüb stag läb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Fire is hot.</span> (COP-3P hot fire 3SUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"15_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.3</span> Conditional</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The conditional tense is used to introduce conditions. The exact meaning is determined by the tense of the clause that follows the conditional. Present marking corresponds to English's zero conditional and the past/present mixed conditional, indicating unavoidable outcomes or present states resulting from unrealized conditions. Perfect marking corresponds to the third conditional and the present/past mixed conditional, being used for past actions/states resulting from unrealized conditions. The first and second conditionals are indicated with future marking, corresponding to hypothetical present or future actions.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Liubamt bamt mion, orkuso gä eb'ion nal park.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Flowers blossom if you give them water.</span> (blossom-3P flower 3EUM, GEN-give-3P DEM DAT-3EUM water 3OUM-3NUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ordores nä, ar tarü äb'n pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">If I had won, I would have money now.</span> (GEN-win-1P 1SG, LOC.COP-3P money DAT-1SG 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piorkarst nä, mumun mikan näpa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">If I hadn't lost, I wouldn't have learned anything.</span> (NEG-GEN-lose-1P 1SG, learn-REDUP-1P nothing 1SG-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Orräb'n äblu kaio nüi näläb, piigiroroln nälu.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">If I didn't love you, I wouldn't have protected you.</span> (GEN-give-1P DAT-2SG love NEG.ART 1SG-3SUM, NEG-protect-REDUP-1P 1SG-2SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>R'ar tarü äb'n pa, äbdonst ugu näion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">If I had money, I would get a house.</span> (GEN-LOC.COP-3P money DAT-1SG 3OUM, DAT-get-1P house 1SG-3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äbpask liponka nä, ürnü mienarn tark.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I'll go out if it doesn't rain.</span> (DAT-go-1P DAT-outside 1SG, GEN-NEG.LOC.COP-3P rain 3NUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>The conditional tense can also be used to form imperatives, if the conditional clause is not accompanied by other clauses in the sentence (see <a href=\\\"#16_2\\\"><b>16.2 Imperatives</b></a>).</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The conditional tense was marked in the old system with a dative locative copula followed by a gerund, but is now marked with a genitive prefix. Note that while it may seem more intuitive to negate conditional verbs by placing the negative affix after the genitive tense prefix, this tense, as all others, places the negative prefix before the tense marker.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Piormadikkiu, äskitkiu la.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">If you don't work, you will die.</span> (NEG-GEN-work-2P, DAT-die-2P 2PL.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piorkagekiu kiulu, äbräb'n äblu bü näpa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">If you don't agree, I will make you.</span> (NEG-GEN-agree-2P 2SG, DAT-give-1P DAT-2SG do-GER 1SG-3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"15_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.4</span> Future</h5>\\n<p>The future tense encompasses both future perfective and imperfective actions and states. A common strategy in many languages is to use the present tense to indicate planned future events, but this is not a strategy employed in this language.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The future tense is marked with a dative prefix.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Äbsaek momk gän an r'usa miion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">That woman will kill her child.</span> (DAT-kill-3P woman DEM child GEN-REFL 3EUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äbmadisk misada insteta is tu nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Today, I'll be working for 8 hours.</span> (DAT-work-1P today for hour eight 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Nelli l'ieusat, äb'est nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">By July, I will have finished.</span> (to DAT-July, DAT-end-1P 1SG.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The future tense is also used for hypotheticals, like the word <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">would</span> in English. This usage is often applied in conjunction with conditional structures.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>R'ar enantee s'iti r'usa äb'n, äbbans nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">If I could die, I would.</span> (GEN-LOC.COP-3P ability GEN-end-GER GEN-REFL DAT-1SG, DAT-do-1P 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ägä äbpal kiulu, äbdosuepiln nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Even if you go, I'll stay.</span> (but DAT-go-2P 2SG, DAT-stay-1P 1SG.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"15_5\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.5</span> Imperfect</h5>\\n<p>The imperfect tense is used to indicate progressive actions which either finished in the past or have lasted until the present. English past continuous tenses, as well as present perfect continuous correspond to this tense. When used with copulae, the imperfect tense is generally only used for states which started in the past and are still ongoing.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The imperfect tense makes use of the locative copula followed by the gerund of the lexical verb in the dative case. It directly translates to <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to be at doing</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Seon l'elii s'ugu.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I was looking at a house.</span> (LOC.COP-1SG DAT-see-GER GEN-house.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ar ekki ko liläluguu emimi insteta ü iis spaü pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The man has been living here for ten years.</span> (LOC.COP-3P man DEF.ART DAT-live-GER DAT-here for ten-NOM one GEN-year 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Nü enanteedee go kagogeedee lisun äb'n s'eligä läläb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I haven't had that same strenght since then.</span> (NEG.LOC.COP-3P strength-REDUP DEM same-REDUP DAT-LOC.COP-GER DAT-1SG GEN-then 3SM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Seosk liläl bog pagson soläl resin orlu.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You've been tall since you were young.</span> (LOC.COP-2SG DAT-COP-GER tall from GEN-COP-GER young GEN-2SG.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"15_6\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.6</span> Past habitual</h5>\\n<p>The past habitual tense refers to habitual actions or states taking place in the past. The habitual-progressive distinction is made only in the past, as the present tense is used for both habitual and progressive actions in the present.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">This tense is marked with the locative copula preceded by a genitive prefix and followed by the gerund of the lexical verb in the dative case.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>R'ar lisäiki r'anan orrä arä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">She used to murder her children.</span> (GEN-LOC.COP-3P DAT-kill-GER GEN-child-REDUP GEN-3WUM 3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ürnüä lisoir spoagä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I didn't use to eat so much.</span> (GEN-NEG.LOC.COP-1SG DAT-eat-GER GEN-this.much.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"15_7\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.7</span> Potential</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The potential tense encompasses a variety of meanings, and can be used to indicate the ability, possibility, or permission to do something. In case a more precise meaning is desired, phrases such as <b>ar enantee speomu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">have the ability to do</span>, <b>elli rot a speomu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">know how to do</span>, or <b>ar enakago speomu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">have the permission to do</span> can be used. These are also used when the sense of potentiality is combined with one of the other tenses (see <a href=\\\"#15_11\\\"><b>15.11 Additional combinations</b></a>). The potential tense was marked in the old system using reduplication, but is now formed using the dative form of the locative copula followed by the gerund of the lexical verb in the dative case.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Äbseon limikuu.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I can sing.</span> (DAT-LOC.COP-1SG DAT-sing-GER.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äbseosk liräki.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You might fall.</span> (DAT-LOC.COP-2SG DAT-fall-GER.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>D'äbseon lidosue?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">May I leave?</span> (INT-DAT-LOC.COP-1SG DAT-leave-GER?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ebnüä lidüüsü rot sorot a späbü r'än lisami skä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I can't feel the way I did before.</span> (DAT-NEG.LOC.COP-1SG DAT-feel-GER by GEN-way DEF.ART GEN-do-REDUP-GER GEN-1SG DAT-butt GEN-DEM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>This tense can also be used in subjunctive clauses in conjunction with interrogatives (see <a href=\\\"#10_3\\\"><b>10.3 Potential form - any</b></a>).</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Negating this tense produces the meaning <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">cannot/may not/must not</span>, the latter meaning being the most noteworthy, since prohibition is expressed by negating the potential tense, not the necessitative tense. The use of negative articles in indefinite potential sentences produces phrases synonymous with or complementary to necessitative phrases (see also <a href=\\\"#15_10\\\"><b>15.10 Necessitative</b></a>).</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Äb'ar l'elii s'ugu pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He can/may see a house.</span> (DAT-LOC.COP-3P DAT-see-GER GEN-house 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äb'ar l'elii s'ugu nüän pa.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He can/may see no house.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He does not have to see a house.</span> (DAT-LOC.COP-3P DAT-see-GER GEN-house NEG.ART 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ebnü l'elii s'ugu nüän pa.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He cannot/may not/must not see no house.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He must see some house.</span> (DAT-NEG.LOC.COP-3P DAT-see-GER GEN-house NEG.ART 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ebnü l'elii s'ugu kän pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He cannot/may not/must not see the house.</span> (DAT-NEG.LOC.COP-3P DAT-see-GER GEN-house DEF.ART 3OUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"15_8\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.8</span> Perfect</h5>\\n<p>The perfect tense corresponds to the simple past tense in English and marks any perfective past actions. Used with copulae, it indicates states that started in the past and ended in the past.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">This tense is marked by reduplicating the verb. Note that personal endings are appended to the reduplicated forms, rather than reduplicated forms being derived from person-marked forms. Some irregular verbs have irregular perfect forms as indicated in <a href=\\\"#14_2\\\"><b>14.2 Irregular verbs</b></a> and <a href=\\\"#14_3\\\"><b>14.3 Copulae</b></a>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Elili ekki ugu aräion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man saw a house.</span> (see-REDUP-3P man house 3WUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Soisoirn misan lob an näläb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I've never eaten a dog.</span> (eat-REDUP-1P never dog NEG.ART 1SG-3SUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ark paim.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You were nice.</span> (COP-REDUP-2SG nice.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Nünü leüt misan lipoinp s'ugu r'än arä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A tree was once in front of my house.</span> (NEG.LOC.COP-REDUP-3P tree never DAT-tits GEN-house GEN-1SG 3WUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"15_9\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.9</span> Past potential</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The past potential tense is used to indicate possibility in the past. Unlike its gnomic counterpart, it is not used to mark permission or ability, but rather events that may have happened. This tense is formed by attaching a genitive prefix to the reduplicated form of the verb.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Orskegitkiu kiulu.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You could have died.</span> (GEN-die-REDUP-2P 2SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>R'elilin milm närk.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I may have seen a cat.</span> (GEN-see-REDUP-1P cat 1SG-3NUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piormadidisk eligä si.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">We couldn't have been working then.</span> (NEG-GEN-work-REDUP-1P then 1PL.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>R'ar nipa gä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">That couldn't have been him.</span> (GEN-COP-REDUP-3P GEN-3OUM DEM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"15_10\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.10</span> Necessitative</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The necessitative tense describe actions that must be taken. As an alternative, or when the sense of necessity is combined with one of the other tenses, the phrases <b>ar nier speomu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">have the obligation to do</span> or <b>ar tols speomu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">have the need to do</span> are used instead (see <a href=\\\"#15_11\\\"><b>15.11 Additional combinations</b></a>). This tense is formed by attaching a dative prefix to the reduplicated form of the verb.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Äbmadidik ekkigi ari.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Men must work.</span> (DAT-work-REDUP-3P man-REDUP 3WM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äb'ar gä sisnt pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He has to be first.</span> (DAT-COP-REDUP-3P DEM GEN-start 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äb'arn nantee bans sun liu äb'n.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I must be strong to live.</span> (DAT-COP-REDUP-1SG strong for LOC.COP-GER GEN-life DAT-1SG.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Care must be taken when negating this tense, as applying the negative prefix results in the meaning <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">not have to</span>, not <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">must not</span>. The latter meaning is achieved by negating the potential tense. The use of negative articles in indefinite potential sentences produces phrases synonymous with or complementary to potential phrases (see also <a href=\\\"#15_7\\\"><b>15.7 Potential</b></a>).</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Äb'elili ugu paion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He must see a house.</span> (DAT-see-REDUP-3P house 3OUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äb'elili ugu nüän paion.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He must see no house.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He cannot/may not/must not see a house.</span> (DAT-see-REDUP-3P house NEG.ART 3OUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piäb'elili ugu nüän paion.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He does not have to see no house.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He can/may see some house.</span> (NEG-DAT-see-REDUP-3P house NEG.ART 3OUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piäb'elili ugu kän paion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He does not have to see the house.</span> (NEG-DAT-see-REDUP-3P house DEF.ART 3OUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"15_11\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">15.11</span> Additional combinations</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Each clause allows for a maximum of one finite verb, which creates problems, particularly when it comes to the potential and necessitative tense. These tenses do not specify the time at which the action occurs, and they cannot be used in conditional clauses. To remedy this, certain nouns are used in conjunction with the locative copula and gerunds to express ability (<b>enantee</b> <i>enanchi</i>), permission (<b>enakago</b> <i>enakago</i>), obligation (<b>nier</b> <i>nyur</i>) and need (<b>tols</b> <i>tows</i>). This strategy is most commonly used with the conditional tense and the perfect tense, though it can be used in the unmarked present tense as an alternative for the potential and necessitative tenses as well.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>R'ar nier spao äb'n tark, äbbans nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">If I have to go, I will.</span> (GEN-LOC.COP-3P obligation GEN-go-GER DAT-1SG 3NUM, DAT-do-1P 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>R'ar enantee no sosoir äblu läb, äb'ar enantee no kagoeli lispagpeo äblu läb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">If you can't eat, you won't be able to walk either.</span> (GEN-LOC.COP-3P ability NEG.ART GEN-eat-GER DAT-2SG 3SUM, DAT-LOC.COP-3P ability NEG.ART also DAT-GEN-walk-GER DAT-2SG 3SUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Neo nier stosue eb'is tark.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">We had to leave.</span> (LOC.COP-REDUP-3P obligation GEN-leave-GER DAT-1PL 3NUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Neo enakago s'elii diibis äbpa läb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He was allowed to see anything.</span> (LOC.COP-REDUP-3P permission GEN-see-GER GEN-everything DAT-3OUM 3SUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h4 id=\\\"16\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">16</span> Verb usage</h4><br>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"16_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">16.1</span> Negation and interrogation</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">There are several ways to negate a sentence, based on the verb used, and the definiteness of the arguments within the sentence. One method is to use a negative pronoun, or to negate the subject/object of the sentence with a negative article. The latter strategy is applicable provided that the negated word or phrase is indefinite.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Soir misan pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He never eats.</span> (eat-3P never 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Pask linür nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I don't go anywhere.</span> (go-1P DAT-NEG.LOC.COP-GER 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Koünt ekki no mins arä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">No man thinks that.</span> (think-3P man NEG.ART thus 3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Elin milm an närk.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I see no cat.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I don't see a cat.</span> (see-1P cat NEG.ART 1SG-3NUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Daäbeenkan äb'an an si.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">We talked to no child.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">We didn't talk to a child.</span> (talk-REDUP-1P DAT-child NEG.ART 1PL.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Non-indefinite arguments include:</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li>- pronouns and gerunds, e.g. <b>nä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I, me</span>, <b>elii</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">seeing</span></li>\\n\\t<li>- words or phrases followed by a definite article or demonstrative, including defining clauses, e.g. <b>nid a</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the sun</span>, <b>kus a s'elii r'än</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the person who sees me</span>, <b>ugu gän</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">that house</span></li>\\n\\t<li>- words or phrases followed by possessive determiners and phrases, e.g. <b>ugu r'än</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">my house</span>, <b>skaian diinop r'än</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">my parents' friend</span></li>\\n\\t<li>- words or phrases followed by certain definite adjectives, e.g. <b>leüt kago</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the same tree</span></li>\\n\\t<li>- superlatives, e.g. <b>kus bog a</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the tallest person</span></li>\\n\\t<li>- quanitified phrases, e.g. <b>lein boa</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">many books</span>, <b>kugus sab</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">two people</span></li>\\n\\t<li>- unmarked class 4 nouns, e.g. <b>nib</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">beauty</span>, <b>mirn</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">sadness, pain, fear</span></li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">If a sentence contains only non-indefinite arguments, verbs are negated with the negative prefix stemming from the verb <b>piir</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">differ</span>. It takes the form <b>pii-</b> before consonants, and <b>pi-</b> before vowels (<b>p-</b> in case of an illegal vowel sequence). This prefix precedes case prefixes used as tense markers. However, gerunds of negated verbs function as nouns and case prefixes are therefore placed before the negative prefix, e.g. <b>kus spielii</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a person of not-seeing</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a person who doesn't see</span> (person GEN-NEG-see-GER).</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Piikoln nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I don't sleep.</span> (NEG-sleep-1P 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piäb'eli nop a an orrä aräion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The parents won't see their child.</span> (NEG-DAT-see-3P parents DEF.ART child GEN-3WUM 3WUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piäblälugugu l'ugu kän pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He doesn't have to live in the house.</span> (NEG-DAT-live-REDUP-3P DAT-house DEF.ART 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Pielindikiu nib kiläb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You don't appreciate beauty.</span> (NEG-appreciate-2P beauty 2SG-3SUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>When negated verbs are used in conjunction with negative pronouns or nouns, the latter element changes meaning from <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">no ~</span> to <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">some ~</span> (see <a href=\\\"#10_1\\\" style=\\\"color: black;\\\"><b>10.1 Negative article - none/some</b></a>).</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The locative copula is negated with the verb <b>nür</b>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Nü tarürü ko äbmomk a paba.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The woman doesn't have the money.</span> (NEG.LOC.COP-3P money-REDUP DEF.ART DAT-woman DEF.ART 3OM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Nünüä emi.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I was not here.</span> (NEG.LOC.COP-REDUP-1SG DAT-here.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Nüä l'äbeekuns äblu.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I wasn't talking to you.</span> (NEG.LOC.COP-1SG DAT-talk-GER DAT-2SG.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The copula is negated by inflecting its complement into the genitive case regardless of its definiteness. This is because the copula stems from the verb meaning <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">stay</span> and the genitive marking conveys the meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">staying (away) from</span>. When the complement is an adjective, it can be negated either with inanimate genitive marking or by using a negative article after the adjective.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Lä s'ugu leüt arä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A tree is not a house.</span> (COP-3P GEN-house tree 3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä niussaek a an kän mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The child is not the killer.</span> (COP-3P GEN-killer DEF.ART child DEF.ART 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äbi niussaesaek misan.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">We were never not killers.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">We were sometimes killers.</span> (COP-REDUP-1SET GEN-killer-REDUP never.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Liu spaim.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You are not nice.</span> (COP-2SG GEN-nice.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Liu paim an.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You are not nice.</span> (COP-2SG nice NEG.ART.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Because genitive marking following a copula negates it, any phrases following the copula which start with genitive marking, such as possessives or genitive-initial adjectival nouns, must be preceded by the impersonal pronoun <b>gä</b>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Lä gä r'ekki ko an kän mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The child is the man's.</span> (COP-3P DEM GEN-man DEF.ART child DEF.ART 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä skä r'ekki ko an kän mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The child is not the man's.</span> (COP-3P GEN-DEM GEN-man DEF.ART child DEF.ART 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä r'ekki ko an kän mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The child is not the man.</span> (COP-3P GEN-man DEF.ART child DEF.ART 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä gä spee nid a läb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The sun is bright.</span> (COP-3P DEM GEN-light sun DEF.ART 3SUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä skä spee nid a läb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The sun is not bright.</span> (COP-3P GEN-DEM GEN-light sun DEF.ART 3SUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä spee nid a läb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The sun is not light.</span> (COP-3P GEN-light sun DEF.ART 3SUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">A nominal complement of a copula can only be negated with a negative article when double negation is applied to convey the meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">some ~</span>. Moreover, although adjectives can be negated either with genitive marking or with a negative article with no change in meaning, the meaning does differ between these two strategies when negative pronouns are involved.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Lälä r'ekki no.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I am not no man.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I am some man.</span> (COP-1SG GEN-man NEG.ART.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lälä bilp misan.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I am never weak.</span> (COP-1SG weak never.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lälä spilp misan.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I am not never weak.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I am sometimes weak.</span> (COP-1SG GEN-weak never.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lälä bilp an misan.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I am never not weak.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I am always weak.</span> (COP-1SG weak NEG.ART never.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lälä spilp an misan.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I am not never not weak.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I am sometimes not weak.</span> (COP-1SG GEN-weak NEG.ART never.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Questions are marked with the interrogative prefix stemming from the verb <b>darn</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">other</span>. It takes on the form <b>da-</b> before consonants and <b>d-</b> before vowels. The interrogative prefix always precedes tense markers, as well as the negative prefix, if one is used. This prefix is subject to umlaut. The combination of the two in the form <b>däpii</b> can be used as a tag.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Dapeomk lä kiulu?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">What are you doing?</span> (INT-do-2P what 2SG?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>D'et madik parä?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Is he finishing work?</span> (INT-end-3P work 3OUM-3WUM?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>D'äbsoirn alur nä?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Would I eat a wolf?</span> (INT-DAT-eat-1P wolf 1SG?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Däliu bog?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Are you tall?</span> (INT-COP-2SG tall?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Däpieli ugu kän paion?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Does he not see the house?</span> (INT-NEG-see-3P house DEF.ART 3OUM-3EUM?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä dü milki gä, däpii?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">This is a nice place, isn't it?</span> (COP-3P place nice DEM, INT-NEG?)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"16_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">16.2</span> Imperatives</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Imperatives are formed by using the conditional tense. The negative form is used for affirmative imperatives and the affirmative form is used for negative imperatives. The subject of the clause is the recipient of the imperative. If the SDOAUX is <b>kiulu</b>, it is omitted.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Ornälk emi.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">If you come here.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Don't come here.</span> (GEN-come-2P DAT-here.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piorsaesk spa.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">If we don't kill him.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Let's kill him.</span> (NEG-GEN-kill-1P 1PL-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ürnü liuliu ololo äbpa mionon.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">If there isn't a good life for him.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">May he have a good life.</span> (GEN-NEG.LOC.COP-3P life-REDUP good-REDUP DAT-3OUM 3EM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piorsoirk misan lob kipa.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">If you don't never eat a dog.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Never eat a dog.</span> (NEG-GEN-eat-2P never dog 2SG-3SUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Orlälä spilp misan.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">If I'm not never weak.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">May I never be weak.</span> (GEN-COP-1SG GEN-weak never.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Orbal mata nüi lapa.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">If you make no sound.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Make some sound.</span> (GEN-do-2P sound NEG.ART 2PL-3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"16_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">16.3</span> Passive and causative voice</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Passive voice is formed with the auxiliary verb <b>nors</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">take</span> followed by a gerund of the lexical verb, which acts as the direct object of the clause. Passive clauses act like other subordinate expressions, with the agent being marked with the preposition <b>bans</b>, and never with the genitive, since intransitive verbs cannot be passivized. Because direct objects are generally pushed to the end of the clause, the agent is typically placed between the auxiliary <b>nors</b> and the gerund of the lexical verb.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Ninir ekki säiki arärä.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man took killing.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man was killed.</span> (take-REDUP-3P man kill-GER 3WUM-3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ninir ekki säiki bans momk arärä.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man took killing by a woman.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man was killed by a woman.</span> (take-REDUP-3P man kill-GER by woman 3WUM-3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ninir ekki säiki ormomk arärä.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man took a woman's killing.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man had a woman killed.</span> (take-REDUP-3P man kill-GER GEN-woman 3WUM-3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ebnüä lisar stiii bans pa s'ugu r'än.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I can't take choosing of my house by him.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I can't have my house chosen by him.</span> (DAT-NEG.LOC.COP-1SG DAT-take-GER GEN-choose-GER by 3OUM GEN-house GEN-1SG.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Causative voice is formed with the auxiliary verb <b>räbee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">give</span> followed by a gerund of the lexical verb, which acts as the direct object of the clause. The causee is marked with the dative case, as the recipient of the action expressed by the lexical verb. Causative expressions are used to mean either <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">let someone do</span> or <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">make someone do</span>. Since direct objects are typically found at the ends of clauses, the causee normally follows the auxiliary <b>räbee</b> and preceded the gerund of the lexical verb.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Räb nal libamt liubatum tärion.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Water gives blossoming to flowers.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Water makes flowers blossom.</span> (give-3P water DAT-flower blossom-GER 3NUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Räb momk äb'ekki diii s'ugu mirä.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A woman gives a house's choosing to a man.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A woman makes/lets a man choose a house.</span> (give-3P woman DAT-man choose-GER GEN-house 3EUM-3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ren äbmomk kusoo spamt äb'ekki näläb.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I gave a flower's offering to a man to a woman.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I made/let a woman give a flower to a man.</span> (give-REDUP-1P DAT-woman offer-GER GEN-flower DAT-man 1SG-3SUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Passive and causative voice can be combined to create passive causative constructions. Since the head of such phrases is the passive auxiliary <b>nors</b>, the agent is marked with the preposition <b>bans</b> and follows the gerund of the causative auxiliary <b>räbee</b>, which acts as the direct object.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Nir re skol paläb.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He takes giving of sleeping.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He is let/made to sleep.</span> (take-3P give-GER GEN-sleep-GER 3OUM-3SUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äbnorn re bans pa s'iti semikaäbbaba nipa näläb.</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I will take giving of ending his task by him.</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I will be let/made by him to end his task.</span> (DAT-take-1P give-GER by 3OUM GEN-end-GER GEN-task GEN-3OUM 1SG-3SUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>The verbs <b>nors</b> and <b>räbee</b> can also be used in conjunction with nouns to create transitive-intransitive (active-passive) pairs of verbs, e.g. <b>räbee niko</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">make happy, heal</span> (lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">give joy</span>) and <b>nors niko</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">be healthy, happy</span> (lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">take joy</span>). Such verbs cannot be further passivized, but can be used in causative constructions, e.g. <b>räbee re skaio</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">make/let love</span> (lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">give giving of love</span>) and in passive causative constructions, e.g. <b>nors re skaio</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">be let/made to love</span> (lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">take giving of love</span>).</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"16_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">16.4</span> Impersonal and reflexive expressions</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">In every clause, the subject must be overtly stated. For impersonal sentences, the demonstrative <b>gä</b> can be used as a generic subject. Note that intransitive sentences with <b>gä</b> as the subject do not require SDOAUX.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Lä mibee gä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">It is daytime.</span> (COP-3P daytime DEM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Elili gä kus papa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A person was seen. / They saw a person.</span> (see-REDUP-3P DEM person 3OUM-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ebnü gä lidotun skä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You / One cannot take this.</span> (DAT-NEG.LOC.COP-3P DEM DAT-take-GER GEN-DEM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The reflexive pronoun <b>usa</b> can be used as a direct or indirect object. It has no SDOAUX form, so reflexive sentences only feature the subject form in the SDOAUX. In the genitive case, it can be helpful in distinguishing possession in third person. It can also be used after a noun to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">itself</span>, as in <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">something itself</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Rättäs usa nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I teach myself.</span> (teach-1P REFL 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Elili ugu nipa paion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He saw his (another person's) house.</span> (see-REDUP-3P house GEN-3OUM 3OUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Elili ugu r'usa paion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He saw his (own) house.</span> (see-REDUP-3P house GEN-REFL 3OUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Edet nid a usa usa läb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The sun itself has died.</span> (end-REDUP-3P sun DEF.ART REFL self 3SUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">To reinforce a personal pronoun, if the pronoun is the subject or direct object, it is repeated in the clause in the isolate form, thus existing both in the SDOAUX and the main part of the clause. However, if the personal pronoun is not the subject or direct object, the reflexive <b>usa</b> is used after it as a modifier.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Ellikiu kiulu rot olo äbkus ebbisus gä kipa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You yourself know that better than anyone.</span> (know-2P 2SG by good DAT-person DAT-every DEM 2SG-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Daäbeenkan nä äbpa nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I myself talked to him.</span> (talk-REDUP-1P 1SG DAT-3OUM 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Daäbeenkan äbpa äbsa nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I talked to him himself.</span> (talk-REDUP-1P DAT-3OUM DAT-REFL 1SG.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The reflexive pronoun in the dative case is often used adverbially in sentences in which the subject does something to oneself or for one's own benefit, rather than for someone else. It is typically placed directly after the verb.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Üi äbsa l'ugu pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He went to the house.</span> (go-REDUP-3P DAT-REFL DAT-house 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Dononst äbsa bamt nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I got (myself) a flower.</span> (get-REDUP-1P DAT-REFL flower 1SG.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"16_5\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">16.5</span> Common auxiliaries</h5>\\n<p>There are several words which can be suffixed on to the end of a verb to alter its meaning. Most of these are verbs, but some come from adjectives or nouns. The resulting verbs have regular conjugations, and are treated as compounds, so no umlaut is involved when they are created. The suffixed forms may differ based on whether the head verb ends with a vowel, a consonant, or a consonant cluster.</p>\\n<p>The following adjective pairs can be appended to verbs.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Adjective</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Meaning</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>-V (<b>ba</b>)</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>-C (<b>does</b>)</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>-CC(C) (<b>dont</b>)</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>dans</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">far</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>overdo</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>dans</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">does</span>dans</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dont</span>ans</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>müi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">near</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>underdo</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>müi</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">does</span>müi</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dont</span>üi</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pamko</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">easy</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>easy to do</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>mko</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">does</span>amko</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dont</span>amko</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>doils</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">difficult</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>difficult to do</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>doils</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">does</span>doils</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dont</span>oils</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nantee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">strong</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>good at doing</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>ntee</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">does</span>antee</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dont</span>antee</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bilp</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">weak</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>bad at doing</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>bilp</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">does</span>ilp</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dont</span>ilp</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">When using <b>pamko/doils</b>, the patient is the subject if the verb is transitive, otherwise, the impersonal <b>gä</b> is used; the agent is marked with the dative case. When <b>nantee/bilp</b> is used, the agent is the subject, while the patient is the direct object, just as in a regular sentence.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Koüntadansän dans s'ondi gi närä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I overthought that decision.</span> (think-far-REDUP-1P far GEN-decision DEM 1SG-3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Soirdansamko paiman äbkus ebbisus mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Overeating cookies is easy for anyone.</span> (overeat-easy-3P cookie DAT-person DAT-every 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>R'ar gä lidaäbeenskoisal äbkugusda äb'n.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Speaking to other people used to be difficult for me.</span> (GEN-LOC.COP-3P DEM DAT-speak-difficult-GER DAT-other.person-REDUP DAT-1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Saekantee kugus paba.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He is good at killing people.</span> (kill-strong-3P person-REDUP 3OUM-3OM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Madikilpakiu kiulu.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You are bad at working.</span> (work-weak-2P 2SG.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>Certain verbs, adjectives and nouns can be appended to verbs to specify the timing of the action.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Word</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Meaning</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>-V (<b>ba</b>)</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>-C (<b>does</b>)</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>-CC(C) (<b>dont</b>)</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>inst</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">start</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>start doing</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>inst</b>*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">does</span>inst</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dont</span>inst</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>et</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">end</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>finish doing</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>et</b>*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">does</span>et</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dont</span>et</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>data</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">take up</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>continue doing</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>data</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">does</span>ata</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dont</span>ata</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>räbit</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">cut</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>stop doing</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>rbit</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">does</span>äbit</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dont</span>äbit</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>resin</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">new</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>resume doing</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>resin</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">does</span>resin</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dont</span>esin</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>iis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a time</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>redo</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>is</b>*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">does</span>iis</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dont</span>iis</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>*<b>-nst/-ret/-liis</b> in case of an illegal vowel sequence, e.g. <b>muao</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">kiss</span> → <b>muaonst</b>, <b>muaoret</b>, <b>muaoliis</b>.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">All these verbs act morphologically and syntactically the same way as if they were unmodified.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Soirintins ekki bamt aräion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man started to eat flowers.</span> (eat-start-REDUP-3P man flower 3WUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äbmuaodatas ekkigi neri.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I will continue kissing men.</span> (DAT-kiss-take.up-1P man-REDUP 1SG-3WM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piir'elirbitkiu kin.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Stop looking at me.</span> (NEG-GEN-see-cut-2P 2SG-1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lälä mikan rütnü kolresinu.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I want to go back to sleep.</span> (COP-1SG nothing without sleep-new-GER.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Saekiins likoünsket si.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">We killed again in August.</span> (kill-time-1P DAT-August 1PL.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>Other auxiliaries are summarized below.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Word</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Meaning</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>-V (<b>ba</b>)</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>-C (<b>does</b>)</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>-CC(C) (<b>dont</b>)</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>gou</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">*turn</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>undo, do back</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>gou</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">does</span>ou</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dont</span>ou</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>boa</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">many</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>do to each other</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>boa</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">does</span>oa</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dont</span>oa</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läpan</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">connect</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>do together</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>läpan</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">does</span>läpan</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dont</span>äpan</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>olä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">effort</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>try doing</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>olä</b>*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">does</span>olä</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dont</span>olä</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ondi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">decide</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>decide/intend to do</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>ndi</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">does</span>ondi</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dont</span>ondi</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>dore</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">win</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>manage to do</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>dore</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">does</span>ore</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dont</span>ore</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kart</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">lose</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>fail at doing/do wrong</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>kart</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">does</span>art</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dont</span>art</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>*<b>-lä</b> in case of an illegal vowel sequence, e.g. <b>muao</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">kiss</span> → <b>muaolä</b>.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Most of these auxiliaries function the same way as those described above.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Äb'ar gä lidanskou semikan pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You can't unsay anything.</span> (DAT-LOC.COP-3P DEM DAT-say-turn-GER GEN-nothing 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Mikuläpans mibis nebi.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">We always sing together.</span> (sing-connect-1P always 1SET.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äblälolälä paim kugus paba.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">People must try to be nice.</span> (DAT-COP-effort-REDUP-3P nice person-REDUP 3OM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Pagondidin lirio nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I decided to go south.</span> (go-decide-REDUP-1P DAT-south 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Doredorere eligä pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He managed to win this time.</span> (win-win-REDUP-3P DAT-DEM 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äbnokarst kaio näläb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I will fail to find love.</span> (DAT-find-lose-1P love 1SG-3SUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">When <b>boa</b> is used with transitive verbs, the SDOAUX only includes the subject form. When it is used with intransitive verbs, the patients are marked with a pronoun preceded by case marking or an appropriate preposition.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Saekoa lolob läläb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Dogs kill each other.</span> (kill-many-3P dog-REDUP 3SM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piidaäbeenskoas eb'is si.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">We don't talk to each other.</span> (NEG-talk-many-1P DAT-1PL 1PL.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piidaäbeenskoas r'is si.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">We don't talk about each other.</span> (NEG-talk-many-1P GEN-1PL 1PL.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Pagoa äb ekki, momk äbee ebri ari.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man and a woman are walking with each other.</span> (walk-many-3P and man, woman with DAT-3WM 3WM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>Multiple suffixes can be applied to one verb, e.g. <b>mikuläpaninst</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">start to sing together</span>.</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"16_6\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">16.6</span> Verbal suffixes</h5>\\n<p>Verbs can be created by attaching a suffix to another verb. This is typically done with common verbs and functions similarly to phrasal verbs in English. Unlike the auxiliaries described in the previous section, this strategy is not productive, and the meaning of the resultant forms is not compositional. The suffixes take on different forms following vowel-final and consonant-final verbs. The examples shown in the table below use the verbs <b>ba</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">do</span> and <b>es</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">put</span>, to which all available suffixes happen to be applicable.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Etymology</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Meaning</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>-V (<b>ba</b>)</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>-C (<b>es</b>)</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>motil</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dominate</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>inward</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>l</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">force</span>*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">es</span>ol</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">insert</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lag</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">submit to</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>outward</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>g</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">derive</span>*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">es</span>ag</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">take out</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>seom</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">fly</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>through</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>seom</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">transform</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">es</span>eom</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">swap</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tui</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">catch</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>completely</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>tui</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">get exhausted</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">es</span>ui</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">defeat</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lioü</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">split</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>partially</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">bä</span>lioü</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">procrastinate</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">is</span>oü</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">help</span>**</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>daip</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">push</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>forcefully</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>ip</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">do intensely</span>***</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">es</span>aip</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">shove into/onto</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pandu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">rise</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>from under</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>ndu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">look up to</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">es</span>andu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">entrap</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>rak</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">fall</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>from above</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>rak</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">judge</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">es</span>ak</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">shock</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pag</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">go</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>from</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>pao</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">be related to</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">es</span>ao</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">remove</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>näl</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">come</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>to</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ba</span>ln</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">catch up</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">es</span>äln</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">add</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>*<b>-mol/-lag</b> for verbs ending in glides.<br>\\n**This suffix triggers umlaut, even in the post-consonantal form <b>-oü</b> where <b>i</b> is elided.<br>\\n***<b>-daip</b> in case of an illegal vowel sequence.</p>\\n<p>The resultant verbs have regular conjugations. However, the reduplicated form is created by attaching the suffix to the reduplicated form of the base verb, e.g. <b>esao</b> → <b>eosao</b>, not <b>*esaosao</b>.</p>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"16_7\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">16.7</span> Valency</h5>\\n<p>Depending on the number of arguments a verb takes, it can be classed as intransitive or transitive. Intransitive verbs have no direct object, e.g. <b>kol</b> <i>kow</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">rest, sleep</span>, <b>pag</b> <i>pag</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">go</span>, <b>daäbeensk</b> <i>dovyensk</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">talk</span>. Transitive verbs have a direct object, e.g. <b>dii</b> <i>day</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">choose</span>, <b>gir</b> <i>jir</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">fight</span>, <b>dont</b> <i>dont</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">hold</span>.</p>\\n<p>Verbs which can function both as transitive and intransitive are referred to as ergative, e.g. <b>inst</b> <i>enst</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">start</span>, <b>bae</b> <i>vay</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">change</span>, <b>et</b> <i>et</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">end</span>. Compare <b>Et madik parä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He finishes work.</span>, and <b>Et madik arä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Work finishes.</span> Syntactically, these verbs are treated as either transitive or intransitive, based on their usage in the given clause. Some polysemous verbs can be transitive in some meanings and intransitive in others, e.g. <b>bäloü</b> <i>vyaloü</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">procrastinate (intr), half-ass (tr)</span>.</p>\\n<p>There are verbs which are formed with a combination of an auxiliary verb and a noun or adjective. The verb <b>ba</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">do</span> is most commonly used to turn nouns into verbs, e.g. <b>ba mata</b> <i>va mata</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">sound</span> (lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">do a sound</span>). Such verbs are transitive - with an inherent direct object - even if they have intransitive meanings. Similarly, the auxiliaries <b>räbee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">give</span> and <b>nors</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">take</span> create transitive compound verbs, despite those using <b>nors</b> typically having a passive meaning, e.g. <b>räbee mirn</b> <i>yavi mirn</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">hurt, harm</span> (lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">give pain</span>) and <b>nors mirn</b> <i>nurs mirn</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">be hurt</span> (lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">take pain</span>).</p>\\n<p>The valency of verbs is predominantly relevant in SDOAUX, as intransitive verbs only require subject SDOAUX (or no SDOAUX if the subject is <b>gä</b> or the verb is a non-third-person copula), while transitive verbs require a subject-direct object form. Apart from this, transitivity is relevant in subordinate constructions, in which the subject is specified with the genitive case for intransitive verbs and the preposition <b>bans</b> for transitive verbs and the copula (see <a href=\\\"#18\\\"><b>18.1 Word order</b></a>).</p>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"16_8\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">16.8</span> Other expressions</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">There is no verb meaning <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">want</span>. Instead, the phrase <b>läl mikan rütnü mika</b> <i>law mikan ünü mika</i>, lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">be nothing without something</span> is used. It is negated with the phrase <b>läl mikan äbee limika</b> <i>law mikan avi limika</i>, lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">be nothing with something</span>, regardless of the definiteness of the patient. These phrases can be used with both nouns and gerunds (<b>läl mikan rütnü peomu semika</b>, lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">be nothing without doing of something</span>). In the latter case, the agent can be specified with the genitive case or the preposition <b>bans</b>, as in other subordinate constructions, to convey the meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">want someone to do something</span> (<b>läl mikan rütnü peomu bans kus semika</b>, lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">be nothing without doing of something by someone</span>).</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Lälä mikan rütnü nal.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I want water.</span> (COP-1SG nothing without water.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ar mikan ekki rütnü äbeekuns äb'an arä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man wanted to talk to a child.</span> (COP-REDUP-3P nothing man without talk-GER DAT-child 3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä mikan äbee l'ugu gän pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He doesn't want this house.</span> (COP-3P nothing with DAT-house DEM 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lälä mikan äbee lisoir bans kiulu spaiman.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I don't want to eat a cookie.</span> (COP-1SG nothing with DAT-eat-GER by 2SG GEN-cookie.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Däliu mikan rütnü muao bans nä orlu?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Do you want me to kiss you?</span> (INT-COP-2SG nothing without kiss-GER by 1SG GEN-2SG?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lis mikan äbee liskiti r'al.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">We don't want you to die.</span> (COP-1PL nothing with DAT-die-GER GEN-2PL.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lälä mikan äbee lisäiki bans kusan niskaian r'än.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I want someone to kill my friend.</span> (COP-1SG nothing with DAT-kill-GER by nobody GEN-friend GEN-1SG.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The meaning of the verb <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">like</span> can be conveyed by the phrase <b>lä bis mika äbkus</b> <i>la vis mika akkus</i>, lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">something is everything to someone</span>. In this construction, the subject is the thing/person/action liked, and the one who likes is in the dative case. This construction is negated with the phrase <b>lä mikan mika äbkus</b> <i>la mikan mika akkus</i>, lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">something is nothing to someone</span>. The alternative is to use the phrase <b>ar kaian limika äbkus</b> <i>ar kayan limika akkus</i>, lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">there is fondness for something to someone</span>. In this construction, both the likee and the liker are in the dative case, in that order. The phrase is negated by attaching the negative article to the subject (<b>kaian</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">fondness</span>). As with <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">want</span>, these phrases can be used both with nouns and gerunds.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Lä bis mimilm äb'n tadark.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I like cats.</span> (COP-3P everything cat-REDUP DAT-1SG 3NM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>R'ar kuns stäl äbläl bis äbpa mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He used to like to tell lies.</span> (GEN-LOC.COP-3P tell-GER GEN-lie DAT-COP-GER everything DAT-3OUM 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Liu mikan ebis.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">We don't like you.</span> (COP-2SG nothing DAT-1PL.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Neo kaian libamt äb'ekki mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The man liked flowers.</span> (LOC.COP-REDUP-3P fondness DAT-flower DAT-man 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ar kaian an litoulools äb'n mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I don't like winter.</span> (LOC.COP-3P fondness NEG.ART DAT-winter DAT-1SG 3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ar kaian an ligirol nikugusda äbpa mion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He doesn't like protecting others.</span> (LOC.COP-3P fondness NEG.ART DAT-protect-GER GEN-other.person-REDUP DAT-3OUM 3EUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The phrase <b>dont peomu semika äbkus pipa</b> <i>dont pyomu hyemika akkus pipa</i>, lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">doing something holds value to someone</span>, is used to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">something is worth doing</span>. It is negated by attaching the negative article to the object (<b>pipa</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">value</span>).</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Dont kol pipa tarpa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">It is worth to rest.</span> (hold-3P rest-GER value 3NUM-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Dodont elii s'ugu gän eb'is pipa aräpa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Seeing that house was worth it for us.</span> (hold-REDUP-3P see-GER GEN-house DEM DAT-1PL value 3WUM-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Dont äbeekuns äb'an pipa an mipa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A child is not worth talking to.</span> (hold-3P talk-GER DAT-child value NEG.ART 3EUM-3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Verbs such as <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">seem</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">feel</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">look</span> are encoded with the auxiliary verb <b>ba</b> followed by a noun, e.g. <b>ba doesois</b> <i>va dwesoys</i>, lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">make a feeling</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">seem, feel</span>, <b>ba dast</b> <i>va dast</i>, lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">make a shape</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">look, appear</span>. These verbal phrases can be followed by adjectives or the word <b>püta</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">(to be) like/as</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Ba ugu gän dast ingaä mipa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">This house looks old.</span> (do-3P house DEM shape old 3EUM-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Bal dast diüta ormomk kipa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You look like a woman.</span> (do-2P shape GEN-nature GEN-woman 2SG-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ba pao limirn mata olo läpa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Going in September sounds good.</span> (do-3P go-GER DAT-September sound good 3SUM-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ba gä doesois diüta s'ondi s'ognol papa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">This feels like a bad decision.</span> (do-3P DEM feeling GEN-decision GEN-bad 3OUM-3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The ergative verb <b>bae</b> <i>vay</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">change</span> is also used to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">become</span>. It can be followed by a noun or an adjective, in the dative case. The verb does not reduplicate regularly, instead the suppletive form <b>gou</b> is used.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Äbbaes linantee nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I will become strong.</span> (DAT-become-1P DAT-strong 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äbgou ekki äbmomk an arä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man cannot become a woman.</span> (DAT-become-REDUP-3P man DAT-woman NEG.ART 3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äbseosk libae äbkus äb'olo.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You can become a good person.</span> (DAT-LOC.COP-2SG DAT-change-GER DAT-person DAT-good.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The noun <b>rot</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">way</span> followed by the definite article, a possessive pronoun or a demonstrative and a gerund is used to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">way of doing something, how something is done</span> (<b>rot a speomu semika</b>).</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Piellin rot a s'äbeekuns äbkugus närä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I don't know how to talk to people.</span> (NEG-know-1P way DEF.ART GEN-talk-GER DAT-person-REDUP 1SG-3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä soreo rot orlu spagpeo arä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Your way of walking is funny.</span> (COP-3P funny way GEN-2SG GEN-walk-GER 3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Mumun rot gi sosoir närä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I learned this way of eating.</span> (learn-REDUP-1P way DEM GEN-eat-GER 1SG-3WUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h4 id=\\\"17\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17</span> Word formation</h4><br>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"17_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17.1</span> General remarks</h5>\\n<p>Derived vocabulary has a preference for using older, original meanings of words. This means that a word like <b>*üit</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">travel, wander</span> which is obsolete and only used as a suppletive reduplicated form of the verb <b>pag</b>, although not used in its original meaning, is preserved in compounds such as <b>süit</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">traveler</span> and <b>üitolä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">adventure</span>.</p>\\n<p>Although in general, base forms of words are used in compounds, conjugated forms can occur as well. Here, too, there is a preference for older conjugations. For instance, the conjunction <b>ägä</b> originates from the phrase <b>*läläl gä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">it may be</span>, which makes use of the old potential tense formed via reduplication. The word <b>mikaäbbaba</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">task</span> is derived from <b>mika</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thing</span> and <b>äbbaba</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">must do</span>, making use of the necessitative form of the older <b>ba</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">*do</span>, rather than the modern <b>peom</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">do</span>. When non-conjugated verbs are used in compounds, the infinitive is preferred, but the gerund is sometimes used as well, particularly with the verbs <b>räbee</b> (<b>re</b>) and <b>pag</b> (<b>pao</b>), e.g. <b>soreo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">funny</span> (<b>so-</b> GEN + <b>re</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">give</span> + <b>oo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">laugh</span>).</p>\\n<p>For certain classes of words, such as animals, sound symbolism is applied. The names of most animals are onomatopoeic, typically mimicking their cries, e.g. <b>lob</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dog</span>, <b>milm</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">cat</span>, <b>gägäe</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">cicada</span>.</p>\\n<p>The primary concern regarding the formation of compounds is NSWEO preservation. Because each of the five classes has specific endings, if the head noun determines the class of the compound and its class differs from that of the dependent, its ending must be shifted to the end of the word, e.g. <b>nib</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">beauty</span> + <b>usa</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">mind</span> → <b>niusab</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">art</span>. This is further elaborated on in <a href=\\\"#17_3\\\"><b>17.3 Compounds</b></a>.</p>\\n<p>The language does not permit using base form nouns attributively, such as in the English phrases <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">tennis shoes</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">rice field</span> and <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">paper bag</span>. A noun used to describe another noun must be either in the genitive case (e.g. <b>asoir ermilm</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">cat food</span>, lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">cat's food</span>), adjectivized (<b>mienarn gatasolt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">night rain</span>, lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">nightly rain</span>), or part of a compound (<b>nalmirn</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">tear</span>, lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">sadness-water</span>).</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"17_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17.2</span> Zero derivation</h5>\\n<p>Because there are no endings specific to different parts of speech, words can be freely zero derived. This is not a very common strategy, but is most prevalent between nouns and verbs, e.g. <b>et</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">end (v)</span> → <b>et</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">end (n)</span>, <b>liu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">give birth</span> → <b>liu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">life</span>. In some cases, gerunds are used to nominalize verbs, e.g. <b>miku</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">sing</span> → <b>mikuu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">song, music</span>. In such cases, the infinitive is preferred when forming compounds, even if the compositional meaning is closer to that of the noun, e.g. <b>miku</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">sing</span> + <b>gägäe</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">cicada</span> → <b>mikugägäe</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">summer</span>, lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">song of cicadas</span>.</p>\\n<p>Zero derivation can also occur between nouns and adjectives, e.g. <b>ekki</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">man</span> → <b>ekki</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">male, masculine</span>, as well as nouns and adverbs, e.g. <b>kada</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">other side</span> → <b>kada</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">on the other side</span>. Other combinations are also possible, for instance the word <b>bis</b> can be a pronoun meaning <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">all, everything, everyone</span>, an adjective meaning <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">every</span>, or a noun meaning <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">world</span>.</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"17_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17.3</span> Compounds</h5>\\n<p>When forming compounds, the primary concern is class preservation. Each NSWEO class has specific endings and compounds must ensure that the ending of the constituent determining the class of the compound is found at its end. This is only a concern for compounds containing constituents of different classes, in which the final constituent does not determine the class. It is not relevant in compounds whose constituents agree in class, e.g. <b>liubamt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">blossom</span> (E) (<b>liu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">bear</span> (E) + <b>bamt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">flower</span> (E)), or in compounds whose class is determined by the final constituent. The latter case is common in adjective-final compounds, e.g. <b>enakago</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">permission</span> (S) (<b>ena</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">power</span> (O) + <b>kago</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">agree</span> (S)), as well as in class-neutralized compounds, e.g. <b>kitibemsa</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">length</span> (O) (<b>kiti</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">short</span> (W) + <b>bems</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">long</span> (E) + <b>-a</b> NOM (O)).</p>\\n<p>There are several strategies applicable to all compounds, when regular concatenation creates illegal clusters or vowel sequences. The first is elision, e.g. <b>koütsiondu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">hope</span> (<b>koünt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">think</span> + <b>siondu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">wish</span>). The other is epenthesis. Consonant clusters can be broken up with the neutral vowel <b>a</b>, e.g. <b>sanskaleia</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">literature</span> (<b>sansk</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">write</span> + <b>-a-</b> + <b>lei</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">read</span> + <b>-a</b> NOM). Illegal vowel sequences can be broken up with <b>l</b> before back vowels and <b>r</b> before front vowels, e.g. <b>baeret</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">finish changing</span> (<b>bae</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">change</span> + <b>-r-</b> + <b>et</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">end</span>).</p>\\n<p>A regular process occurring in compounds is the monophthongization of dipgraphs <b>au</b> and <b>äi</b> to <b>o</b> and <b>e</b>, respectively, whenever they occur at morpheme boundaries, e.g. <b>mika</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thing</span> + <b>uso</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">true</span> → <b>mikauso</b> → <b>mikoso</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">truth</span>, <b>rättä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">learn</span> + <b>-is</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a time</span> → <b>rättäis</b> → <b>rättes</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">relearn</span>.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">In compounds which disagree in class and the class is not determined by the final constituent, the ending of the class-defining constituent is moved to the end of the word, e.g. <b>eusat</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">death</span> (W) (<b>et</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">end</span> (W) + <b>usa</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">self</span> (O)). This process is rarely straightforward and often produces issues. Because of this, there is a specific procedure to follow when creating such compounds.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li>- if the class-determining constituent is consonant-final, the final consonant(s) are moved to the end, e.g. <b>inst</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">start</span> + <b>bae</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">week</span> → <b>ibaenst</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Monday</span></li>\\n\\t<li>- if this produces a word-final illegal cluster, or one which changes the class, the moved consonant(s) are vocalized:\\n\\t<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<th>Mutation</th>\\n\\t\\t\\t<th>Example</th>\\n\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<td><b>p b m</b> → <b>ü</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t<td><b>et</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">end</span> + <b>bamt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">flower</span> → <b>eba</b><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">mt</span></b><b>t</b> → <b>eba</b><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ü</span></b><b>t</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">wither</span></td>\\n\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<td><b>t d n s r</b> → <b>i</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t<td><b>saek</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">kill</span> + <b>kus</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">person</span> → <b>saeku</b><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">s</span></b><b>k</b> → <b>saeku</b><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">i</span></b><b>k</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">murder</span></td>\\n\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<td><b>k g l</b> → <b>u</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t<td><b>et</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">end</span> + <b>solt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">darkness</span> → <b>eso</b><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">lt</span></b><b>t</b> → <b>eso</b><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">u</span></b><b>t</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">spring</span></td>\\n\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t</table></li>\\n\\t<li>- if the vocalization creates an illegal vowel sequence, the moved consonant(s) are simply dropped, e.g. <b>räbit</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">sever</span> + <b>raid</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">peace</span> → <b>räbirai</b><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">d</span></b><b>t</b> → <b>räbirai</b><b><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">i</span></b><b>t</b> → <b>räbirait</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">war</span></li>\\n\\t<li>- compounds with vocalized consonants reduplicate as if the vocalization were not there, e.g. <b>saekuik</b> is reduplicated as <b>saekuguik</b>, not <b>*saekuiguik</b>, because it takes the underlying <b>*saekusk</b> as a base for reduplication, and applies the vocalization (<b>s</b> → <b>i</b>) later</li>\\n\\t<li>- if the class-determining constituent is vowel-final, then its final syllable is moved to the end, e.g. <b>räbee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">give</span> + <b>ena</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">power</span> → <b>räenabee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">right, privilege</span></li>\\n\\t<li>- if the word is monosyllabic, then the entire word is moved to the end of the word, e.g. <b>müe</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">sibling</span> + <b>saban</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">half</span> → <b>sabanmüe</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">any relative of the same generation as the speaker</span></li>\\n\\t<li>- any remaining illegal clusters or vowel sequences can be fixed with epenthesis or elision</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>Compounds can be formed with derivational affixes, which will be introduced in the following sections. The other method is to combine root words. There are several types of such compounds, summarized in the table below.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Pattern</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Examples</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>Word + synonym (reinforcing)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>milk</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">small</span> + <b>kiti</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">short</span> → <b>milki</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">cute</span><br>\\n\\t\\t<b>nors</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">take</span> + <b>dont</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">get</span> → <b>nodont</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">acquisition</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>Word + antonym (complementary)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kiti</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">short</span> + <b>bems</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">long</span> + <b>-a</b> NOM → <b>kitibemsa</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">length</span><br>\\n\\t\\t<b>sansk</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">write</span> + <b>lei</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">read</span> + <b>-a</b> NOM → <b>sanskaleia</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">literature</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>Noun + adjective (attributive)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">light</span> + <b>ingaä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">late</span> → <b>beengaä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">afternoon</span><br>\\n\\t\\t<b>mika</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thing</span> + <b>uso</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">true</span> → <b>mikoso</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">truth</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>Noun + noun (attributive)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bota</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thousand</span> + <b>-s-</b> GEN <b>paü</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">year</span> → <b>botaspaü</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">millennium</span><br>\\n\\t\\t<b>nal</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">water</span> + <b>mirn</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">sadness</span> → <b>nalmirn</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">tear</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>Noun + verb (attributive)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>rot</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">path</span> + <b>oüt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">lead</span> → <b>rotoüt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">line, axis</span><br>\\n\\t\\t<b>ena</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">power</span> + <b>koünt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">think</span> → <b>enakoünt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">cognition</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>Verb + noun (agentive/instrumental)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pandu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">rise</span> + <b>nid</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">sun</span> → <b>panniddu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">sunrise</span><br>\\n\\t\\t<b>eli</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">see</span> + <b>püi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">eyes</span> → <b>elipüi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">watch</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>Verb + noun (objective)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>liu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">bear</span> + <b>bamt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">flower</span> → <b>liubamt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">blossom</span><br>\\n\\t\\t<b>saek</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">kill</span> + <b>kus</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">person</span> → <b>saekuik</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">murder</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>Verb + verb (compositional)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>dansk</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">say</span> + <b>räbee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">give</span> → <b>daäbeensk</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">talk</span><br>\\n\\t\\t<b>does</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">feel</span> + <b>pag</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">go</span> → <b>doespag</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">listen to</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>The order of constituents in compounds is consistent with the head-initial alignment prevalent throughout the entire language, although this is usually not relevant in non-nominal compounds combining words of the same lexical category. Because dvandvas (word + antonym) combine two words of the opposite meaning, they typically require a neutralizing morhpheme such as the suffix <b>-a</b> stemming from <b>mika</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thing</span>.</p>\\n<p>Noun + noun compounds may feature a genitive prefix on the latter constituent, e.g. <b>üspaü</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">decade</span> (<b>ü</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ten</span> + -s- GEN + <b>paü</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">year</span>). Only the first word in such compounds is involved in reduplication - <b>üspaü</b> → <b>üüspaü</b>.</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"17_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17.4</span> Augmentatives and diminutives</h5>\\n<p>Augmentatives and diminutives are implemented in the form of suffixes. They can be attached to nouns and adjectives, and sometimes to other parts of speech, albeit rarely. As they are derivational suffixes, they can trigger umlaut.</p>\\n<p>The following are the most common augmentative suffixes:</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Etymology</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Form</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>V-final (<b>mika</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thing</span>)</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>C-final (<b>bamt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">flower</span>)</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>do</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">big</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-(d)o</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mikado</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bamto</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>säg</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dick</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-(ä)g</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mikag</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bamtäg</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nantee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">strong</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-(t)ee</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mikatee</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bamtee</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>The following are the most common diminutive suffixes. There are suffixes for every NSWEO class, and the speaker may pick any one to create a form belonging to a desired class. The first suffix in the table (<b>-(a)n</b>) is the default and the most commonly used one.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Etymology</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Form</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>V-final (<b>mika</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thing</span>)</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>C-final (<b>bamt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">flower</span>)</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>an</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">child</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-(a)n</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mikan</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bamtan</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>iuska</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">hole</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-(u)ska</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mikuska</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bamtuska</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kiti</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">short</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-(i)ti</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mikäti</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bämtiti</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>milk</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">small</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-(m)il</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mikämil</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bämtil</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>resin</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">young</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-(s)in</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mikäsin</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bämtin</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>muao</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">kiss</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-(m)ao</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mikamao</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bamtao</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>Certain augmentatives (<b>-do-</b>, <b>-tee-</b>) and diminutives (<b>-mi-</b>, <b>-ti-</b>, <b>-si-</b>) can be infixed as well, preserving the class of the base word, e.g. <b>badomt</b> (flower-AUG), <b>bämimt</b> (flower-DIM).</p>\\n<p>Augmentatives and diminutives can be stacked, e.g. <b>mikanuska</b> (thing-DIM-DIM).</p>\\n<p>Apart from their usual function, augmentatives and diminutives can be used to form new vocabulary, e.g. <b>düdo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">city</span> (place-AUG), <b>kagon</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">similar</span> (same-DIM). In some cases, this can change the part of speech of the word, e.g. <b>lei</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">read</span> → <b>lein</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">book</span>.</p>\\n<p>Augmentatives and diminutives can be used with adjectives to convey excessiveness or insufficiency (see <a href=\\\"#11_5\\\"><b>11.5 Adverbs of degree</b></a>). Diminutives are also used with numerals to produce fractions (see <a href=\\\"#12_3\\\"><b>12.3 Occurrences, multiples, fractions</b></a>).</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"17_5\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17.5</span> Nominalizing</h5>\\n<p>Nominalizers are most commonly used to turn verbs and adjectives into nouns. Most nominalizers take the form of prefixes, though affixes are used as well, particularly when the meaning of the resultant form is meant to be neutralized to the O class. Nominalizing affixes are subject to umlaut. The following is a list of the most common nominalizers.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Etymology</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Form</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Examples</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Notes</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mika</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thing</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-a</b>, <b>a-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>danska</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">language</span> (say-NOM), <b>asoir</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">food</span> (NOM-eat)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>general affix, commonly used in neutralizing</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bois</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">image</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-(b)ois</b>, <b>boi(s)-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>adabois</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">existence</span> (exist-NOM), <b>beiliübin</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">warmth</span> (NOM-warm)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>used for abstract concepts</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>dast</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">shape</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>as-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>äsgir</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">fight</span> (NOM-fight), <b>askaio</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">October</span> (NOM-love)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>typical for words starting with plosives</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>koünt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">think</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>koün-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>koünsolt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">December</span> (NOM-darkness), <b>koünuloo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">intimacy</span> (NOM-hug)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>typical for words starting with <b>s</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">time</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>(m)i-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>miugu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Saturday</span> (NOM-house), <b>iresin</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">youth</span> (NOM-young)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>used for time-related words</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>dü</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">place</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ü-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ümar</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">store</span> (NOM-buy), <b>üseons</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">dwelling</span> (NOM-live)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>used for place-related words</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ugu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">house</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>gu-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>gukol</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">bedroom</span> (NOM-sleep), <b>gusoir</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">kitchen</span> (NOM-eat)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>used for place-related words</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>es</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">spot</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>es-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>esmadik</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">workplace</span> (NOM-work), <b>espiir</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">difference</span> (NOM-differ)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>used for place-related words</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">all</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bi(s)-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>biskir</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">army</span> (NOM-fight), <b>bisugu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">neighborhood</span> (NOM-house)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>collective prefix</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pandu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">rise</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pan-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pannalmu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">cheese</span> (NOM-milk), <b>panleüt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">wood</span> (NOM-tree)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>resultative, derivative prefix</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kus</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">person</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>(u)s-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>skaian</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">friend</span> (NOM-friendship), <b>ussaek</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">killer</span> (NOM-kill)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>used for agents, usually people</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ba</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">do</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ba-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bamiku</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">singer</span> (NOM-sing), <b>bators</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">fridge</span> (NOM-cold)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>used for agents, not necessarily people</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>rot</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">way</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>rot-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>rotüitpons</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">shovel</span> (NOM-dig), <b>rotgaem</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">paintbrush</span> (NOM-paint)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>used for tools</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>dont</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">hold</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>don(t)-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>donkiio</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">mailbox</span> (NOM-send), <b>donmals</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">bathtub</span> (NOM-wash)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>used for containers</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>püta</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">nature</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>püt(a)-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pütaräbee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">charity</span> (NOM-give), <b>pütingaä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">antiquity</span> (NOM-old)</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>generic nominalizer (-ness)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>Verbs can be also nominalized with gerunds. This is especially common with verbs containing suffixes, e.g. <b>pumpeom</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">recognize</span> → <b>pumpeomu</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">recognition</span>. Gerunds generally convey the meaning of action, but not always, e.g. <b>mikuu</b> (sing-GER) can mean both <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">singing</span> and <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">song, music</span>.</p>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"17_6\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17.6</span> Adjectivizing and adverbializing</h5>\\n<p>Many nominalizing prefixes can act as adjectivizers as well, since nouns and adjectives function very similarly. Apart from that, the prefix <b>gat(a)-</b> (from <b>gata</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">type</span>) is commonly used to form adjectives, e.g. <b>gatasolt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">nightly</span> (ADJ-night).</p>\\n<p>Another quasi-adjectivizing strategy is to use nouns in the genitive case. Although their function is akin to that of adjectives, they still are functionally nouns and act as such. Examples include <b>s'et</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">last</span> (GEN-end), <b>spee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">bright, full</span> (GEN-light), <b>soreo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">funny</span> (GEN-give-laugh).</p>\\n<p>There are two other adjectivizing prefixes - <b>na(n)-</b> (from <b>nantee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">strong</span>) and <b>peo(m)-</b> (from <b>peom</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">create</span>) - both carry the meaning of from <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">-able</span>, but the former is used for patients and the latter for agents, cf. <b>nalei</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">legible</span> and <b>peolei</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">literate</span>. These are alternatives to the longer attributive clauses <b>s'äbsun lisar sonlei</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">able to be read (legible)</span> (GEN-DAT-LOC.COP-GER DAT-take-GER GEN-read-GER) and <b>s'äbsun lilei</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">able to read (literate)</span> (GEN-DAT-LOC.COP-GER DAT-read-GER).</p>\\n<p>Using the forms <b>spee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">full</span> and <b>sosolt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">empty</span> followed by the genitive case, the meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">-ful</span> and <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">-less</span> can be conveyed, e.g. <b>spee spipa</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">valuable, meaningful</span> (GEN-light GEN-meaning), <b>sosolt spipa</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">worthless, meaningless</span> (GEN-darkness GEN-meaning).</p>\\n<p>Adverbs can be derived from adjectives by using the preposition <b>rot</b> with no case agreement, e.g. <b>olo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">good</span> → <b>rot olo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">well</span>. When forming adverbial constructions from other parts of speech, the prepositions <b>rot</b> and <b>äbee</b> are commonly used. With nouns, they are generally interchangeable, though the former generally has an instrumental meaning, so its use is restricted, e.g. <b>rot semirn</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">unfortunately</span> (by GEN-sadness). The preposition <b>äbee</b> is more general, e.g. <b>äbee limikabamt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">romantically, when it comes to romance</span> (with DAT-romance). When used with verbs, <b>rot</b> has the meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">by doing</span>, and <b>äbee</b> conveys the meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">while doing</span> (see <a href=\\\"#13_3\\\"><b>13.3 Prepositions</b></a>).</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"17_7\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17.7</span> Verbalizing</h5>\\n<p>The three most common auxiliary verbs used to form verbs from other parts of speech are <b>ba</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">do</span>, <b>nors</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">take</span>, and <b>räbee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">give</span>. The verb <b>ba</b> is the generic verbalizer and can be used to create verbs from nouns and adjectives, e.g. <b>ba mata</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">sound</span> (do sound), <b>ba paim</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">act nice</span> (do nice).</p>\\n<p>The verbs <b>nors</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">take</span> and <b>räbee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">give</span> are typically used to form transitive-intransitive (active-passive) pairs, e.g. <b>räbee kaio</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">love</span> (give love) and <b>nors kaio</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">be loved</span> (take love).</p>\\n<p>The verb <b>so</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">give out, emit</span> can be used as a verbalizing prefix, e.g. <b>sobee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">shine, gleam</span> (emit light). Another common verbalizer is <b>su(e)</b> from <b>dosue</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">move</span>, which is most commonly used with adjectives, similarly to the English suffix \\\"-ize,\\\" The resultant compounds are ergative, e.g. <b>suebems</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">lengthen (something), get longer</span> (move-long).</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"17_8\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17.8</span> Negation</h5>\\n<p>Apart from making use of inflectional negation strategies, the meaning of words can be reversed with negative derivational suffixes. These suffixes are identical to the words for the four cardinal directions and four non-neutral word classes - <b>pil</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">north</span>, <b>rio</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">south</span>, <b>abi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">west</span>, <b>mon</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">east</span>. A suffix representing the class found on the opposite side of the axis from that of the original word can negate it, e.g. <b>dosue</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">move</span> → <b>dosuepil</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">remain</span>, <b>paim</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">sweet, nice</span> → <b>paimabi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">bitter, rude</span>.</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"17_9\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17.9</span> Umlaut</h5>\\n<p>Umlaut refers to vowel mutation which occurs when an affix is attached to a word, causing a vowel (or vowels) to become closer in pronunciation to the following vowel. In case of prefixes, the final vowel in the prefix is affected by the initial vowel of the word to which it is attached, and in case of suffixes, the first vowel of the suffix affects the final vowel of the word to which it is attached. There are two vowels which trigger umlaut - <b>i</b> and <b>ü</b>. The former causes the preceding vowel to front and rise, while the latter additionally causes the preceding vowel to round (with the exception of low vowels).</p>\\n<p>The vowels <b>i</b> and <b>ü</b> cause the following changes. Because the language is missing a front mid rounded vowel, <b>o</b> rises to <b>ü</b> following <b>ü</b>. Note that <b>i</b> and <b>ü</b> do not affect each other.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight\\\" id=\\\"tabUml\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th colspan=\\\"3\\\">I-umlaut</th>\\n\\t\\t<th rowspan=\\\"6\\\" style=\\\"min-width: 20px;\\\"></th>\\n\\t\\t<th colspan=\\\"3\\\">Ü-umlaut</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>i</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>←</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>u</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ü</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>←</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>u</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>↑</td>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>↑</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>↖</td>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>e</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>←</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>o</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>e</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>o</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>↑</td>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>↑</td>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ä</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>←</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>a</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ä</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>←</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>a</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>The affected vowel may be a monograph (e.g. <b>et</b> + <b>-i</b> → <b>iti</b>), a digraph (e.g. <b>saek</b> + <b>-i</b> → <b>säiki</b>) or a trigraph (e.g. <b>muao</b> + <b>-ti</b> → <b>miäeti</b>). In the case of type 3 trigraphs, only the final vowel is affected, e.g. <b>kaio</b> + <b>-sin</b> → <b>kaiesin</b>. For umlaut to occur, there must be an intervening consonant, so a vowel directly affixed to another vowel causes no changes, e.g. <b>rättä</b> + <b>-i</b> → <b>rättäi</b>.</p>\\n<p>Some type 1/2 trigraphs may result in illegal vowel sequences. In such cases, semivocalic <b>o</b> shifts to <b>i</b> instead of <b>e</b>, e.g. <b>seäo</b> + <b>-mil</b> → <b>sieimil</b>, not <b>*sieemil</b>.</p>\\n<p>There are cases in which the vowel triggering umlaut is elided, but the effect on the preceding vowel remains, e.g. <b>dont</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">hold</span> + <b>-lioü</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">partially</span> → <b>dentoü</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">retain</span>, <b>es</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">put</span> + <b>-ü</b> GER → <b>üs</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">put</span>-GER.\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Umlaut applies in the following cases:</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li>- with case prefixes, e.g. <b>or-</b> + <b>müe</b> → <b>ürmüe</b></li>\\n\\t<li>- with the interrogative prefix, e.g. <b>da-</b> + <b>rig</b> → <b>därig</b></li>\\n\\t<li>- with verbal personal and gerund suffixes, e.g. <b>kuso</b> + <b>-kiu</b> → <b>kusekiu</b></li>\\n\\t<li>- in compound SDOAUX, e.g. <b>mion-</b> + <b>-ri</b> → <b>mienri</b></li>\\n\\t<li>- rarely in common, well-established compounds, e.g. <b>rot</b> + <b>bis</b> → <b>retbis</b></li>\\n\\t<li>- with derivational affixes, e.g. <b>as-</b> + <b>gir</b> → <b>äsgir</b></li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Umlaut does not apply in the following cases:</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li>- across word boundaries, e.g. <b>püi</b> + <b>ko</b> → <b>püi ko</b></li>\\n\\t<li>- in compounds, e.g. <b>nal</b> + <b>mirn</b> → <b>nalmirn</b></li>\\n\\t<li>- in adjective agreement endings, e.g. <b>nib</b> + <b>uso</b> → <b>nib usib</b></li>\\n</ul>\\n\\t\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"17_10\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">17.10</span> Irregularities in compounds</h5>\\n<p>The word <b>kus</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">person</span> has an irregular genitive form <b>nikus</b>. The genitive prefix <b>ni-</b> is applied to all nouns starting with <b>kus</b>, regardless of the form used in that word.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Word</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Genitive</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kuska</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">same person</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nikuska</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kuä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">who</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nikuä</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kors</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">recepient</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nikors</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>skaian</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">friend</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>niskaian</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ussaek</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">murderer</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>niussaek</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>Although compounds are reduplicated regularly regardless of their composition, the words <b>kusda</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">other person</span> and <b>kuska</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">same person</span> are reduplicated as <b>kugusda</b> and <b>kuguska</b>, respectively. This is due to the fact that these are abbreviated adjectival phrases which are conventionally spelled as single words.</p>\\n<p>The word <b>et</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">end</span> has an irregular dative form <b>elit</b>. This form applies to both the noun and the verb, but only in inanimate contexts, so for the verb form it is only applicable to the gerund. The dative <b>eli-</b> replacing the initial vowel applies to all inanimate nouns starting with <b>et</b>.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Word</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Dative</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>iti</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">ending</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>eliti</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>eusat</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">death</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>eliusat</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ebaet</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Sunday</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>elibaet</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>An affixing <b>s</b> is found in several contexts across the language, including the first person plural subject SDOAUX, and the first person verbal affix, both stemming from <b>si</b>, the prevocalic inanimate genitive prefix originating from <b>son</b>, and the agentive derivational prefix, which comes from <b>kus</b>. Although most of these affixes are predominately found before vowels, they are also applied when followed by stops. If the affix is followed by a voiced plosive, the plosive undergoes devoicing.</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Word</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Derivation</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>si-</b> 1PL + <b>-ba</b> 3OM</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>spa</b> 1PL-3OM</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pag</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">go</span> + <b>-s-</b> 1P</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pask</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">go</span>-1P</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>s-</b> GEN + <b>gata</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">type</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>skata</b> GEN-<span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">type</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>s-</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">person</span> + <b>dore</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">win</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>store</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">winner</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n\\t\\n<h4 id=\\\"18\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">18</span> Syntax</h4><br>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"18_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">18.1</span> Word order</h5>\\n<p>The word order is fairly strict. Each sentence starts with a finite verb, usually directly followed by the subject. The direct object is typically found clause-finally, immediately before the SDOAUX. The direct object can be found closer to the verb, particularly in verb phrases in which the direct object is strongly linked to the verb, like <b>et usa</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">die</span>.</p>\\n<p>Other elements of the sentence, like indirect objects and adverbial phrases are normally found mid-sentence, between the subject and direct object. However, these elements may be relocated, as long as the subject is found before the direct object. Adverbial phrases can be also found at the very beginning of the sentence, before the verb. In this case, they are followed by a comma.</p>\\n<p>In various constructions, subordinate alignment is applied. This strategy is used whenever a phrase begins with a gerund instead of a finite verb. Role marking in such constructions is as follows:</p>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNew\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>Role</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Regular</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>Subordinate</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>Predicate</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>Finite verb</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>Gerund</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>Subject</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>Direct case</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>bans</b> (transitive verbs + copula) / genitive case (intransitive verbs)</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>Direct object</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>Direct case</td>\\n\\t\\t<td>Genitive case</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td>Other adjuncts</td>\\n\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\">Case marking or prepositions</td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">In subordinate alignment, the subject is placed directly after the verb. Unlike in regular alignment, direct objects in subordinate alignment are placed close to the verb, immediately after the subject, before other adjuncts. Examples of differences between regular and subordinate alignment are presented below. Because a complement of a copula can be quite long, for clarity, <b>bans</b> is used in subordinate alignment with the copula as well.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Daäbee ekki äbmomk r'an arä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man talks to a woman about a child.</span> (talk-3P man DAT-woman GEN-child 3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>bans äbeekuns r'ekki äbmomk r'an</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">because a man talks to a woman about a child</span> (for talk-GER GEN-man DAT-woman GEN-child 3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Kuso ekki l'ugu äbmomk bamt aräion.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man gives a flower to a woman in a house.</span> (offer-3P man DAT-house DAT-woman flower 3WUM-3EUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>bans kusoo bans ekki sobamt l'ugu äbmomk</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">because a man gives a flower to a woman in a house</span> (for offer-GER by man GEN-flower DAT-house DAT-woman)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä store ekki arä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">A man is a winner.</span> (COP-3P winner man 3WUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>bans läl store bans ekki</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">because a man is a winner</span> (for COP-GER winner by man)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"18_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">18.2</span> Compound sentences</h5>\\n<p>Sentences with multiple clauses are not extremely common. The preferred method is to use constructions with prepositions like <b>rot</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">by (doing)</span>, <b>bans</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">because (of doing), in order (to do)</span>, <b>äbee</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">while (doing), having (done)</span>, or <b>rütnü</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">without (doing)</span> (see <a href=\\\"#13_3\\\"><b>13.3 Prepositions</b></a>).</p>\\n<p>There are, however, certain constructions which facilitate the usage of multiple clauses per sentence. One of them is the conditional tense, which, unless accompanied by another clause, is used to convey imperatives. Another is the the potential tense used with interrogatives, used to form phrases such as <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">whatever you do, wherever you go</span> (see <a href=\\\"#10_3\\\"><b>10.3 Potential form - any</b></a>).</p>\\n<p>The conjunctions <b>ägä</b> (<span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">although, but</span>) and <b>dar</b> (<span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">or</span>) can be used to separate clauses (see <a href=\\\"#13_2\\\"><b>13.2 Conjunctions</b></a>). The same cannot be said about <b>ä(b)/e(l)</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">and</span>, which only separates nouns or adjectives. A generic connecting word between phrases, with the meaning of <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">and, then</span> is the word <b>eligä</b>.</p>\\n\\t\\n<h5 id=\\\"18_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">18.3</span> Attributive clauses</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Attributive clauses are not formed with any relative pronouns, but rather with gerunds in the genitive form, so a <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">person who sleeps</span> is a <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">person of sleeping</span> (<b>kus skol</b>). In such clauses, most rules of subordinate alignment are followed, such as the direct object being in the genitive case and being close to the verb rather than delegated to the end of the clause, and the other adjuncts being treated as they would normally. Head nouns of attributive clauses are typically followed by the definite article.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>kus a s'elii sonleüt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the person who sees a tree</span> (person DEF.ART GEN-see-GER GEN-tree)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>lein a s'ar ingaä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the book that was old</span> (book DEF.ART GEN-COP-REDUP-GER old)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>ugu kän s'äbsar sosäiki</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the house that will be destroyed</span> (house DEF.ART GEN-DAT-take-GER GEN-destroy-GER)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>ekki ko s'äbeekuns ormomk l'ümar</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the man who talks about a woman in a store</span> (man DEF.ART GEN-talk-GER GEN-woman DAT-store)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The major difference between attributive clauses and other constructions with subordinate alignment is the use of the preposition <b>bans</b>. In attributive clauses, the preposition is used when the subject of the clause differs from the head noun, regardless of the valency of the verb.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>kus a s'elii r'än</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the person who sees me</span> (person DEF.ART GEN-see-GER GEN-1SG)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>kus a s'elii bans nä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the person who I see</span> (person DEF.ART GEN-see-GER by 1SG)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>kus a sosar s'elii bans nä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the person who is seen by me</span> (person DEF.ART GEN-take-GER GEN-see-GER by 1SG)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>kus a sosar bans nä s'elii</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the person I am seen by</span> (person DEF.ART GEN-take-GER by 1SG GEN-see-GER)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>dü ko s'elii bans ekki ormomk</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the place where a man sees a woman</span> (place DEF.ART GEN-talk-GER GEN-see-GER by man GEN-woman)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>dü ko s'äbeekuns bans ekki ormomk</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the place where a man talks to a woman</span> (place DEF.ART GEN-talk-GER by man GEN-woman)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>dü ko s'äbeekuns bans ekki äbmomk</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the place where a man talks about a woman</span> (place DEF.ART GEN-talk-GER by man DAT-woman)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Because such clauses require a preposition or case marking when an intransitive verb is used, the preposition or case marker is attached to the gerund as a suffix and is preceded by a hyphen. If case marking is used in this context, the genitive form is always <b>-son</b> and the dative form is always <b>-eli</b>, regardless of the phonology or animacy of any arguments. If the suffix attaches to a copula, the suffix goes at the end of its complement.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>lein a sosakuns-son bans nebi</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the book we write about</span> (book DEF.ART GEN-write-GER-GEN by 1SET)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>dü ko spao-eli bans ekki ko</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the place the man goes to</span> (place DEF.ART GEN-go-GER-DAT by man DEF.ART)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>düdo ki s'elilii-eli bans milm semienarn</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the city a cat saw rain in</span> (city DEF.ART GEN-see-REDUP-GER-DAT by cat GEN-rain)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>skaian kän s'iti-äbee bans nä r'usa</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the friend I died with</span> (friend DEF.ART GEN-end-GER-with by 1SG GEN-self)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>sop a sosoir-rot bans pa</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the hands he eats with</span> (hand DEF.ART GEN-eat-GER-by by 3OUM)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>ugu kän sonläl mikan-rütnü bans nä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the house I want</span> (house DEF.ART GEN-COP-GER nothing-without by 1SG)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">If an attributive clause is particularly long, it is advisable to use a comma at the end of it, to separate it from the rest of the sentence.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Saesaek kus a sosankasun sonlein sosaekuik linidresin l'ümar bans nä, misada l'ugu kän nonop r'än panon.</b></li>\\n\\t<li><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The person who wrote for me a book about murder at a store on Tuesday, killed my father at home today.</span></li>\\n\\t<li>(kill-REDUP-3P person DEF.ART GEN-write-REDUP-GER GEN-book GEN-murder DAT-Tuesday DAT-store for 1SG, today DAT-house DEF.ART parent-REDUP GEN-1SG 3OUM-3WM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Attributive clauses whose subjects are possessed by the head noun are not marked specifically for possession, as that can be generally understood from context. Thus, a phrase like <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a man whose wife died</span> is expressed as <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a man that a wife died</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>lein sonläl mikabamt bans gatansk</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">a book whose topic is romance</span> (book GEN-COP-GER romance by topic)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>ekki ko s'elilii bans an sonleüt</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the man whose child saw a tree</span> (man DEF.ART GEN-see-REDUP-GER by child GEN-tree)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>ugu kän s'i bans nä ligukol</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the house whose bedroom I went to</span> (house DEF.ART GEN-go-REDUP-GER by 1SG DAT-bedroom)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>ekki ko somadiki äbee äbkosaio</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">the man whose partner he works with (the man who works with a partner)</span> (man DEF.ART GEN-work-GER with DAT-partner)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Attributive clauses are also used where English would use subordinate clauses with interrogatives. Instead, generic nouns like <b>mika</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thing</span>, <b>kus</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">person</span>, <b>dü</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">place</span> and <b>mis</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">time</span> are used as heads of attributive clauses. In this context, applying the definite article to the noun is less common, but possible.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Neo kusan limis sonänäl bans nä l'ugu kän pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">When I came home, no one was there.</span> (LOC.COP-REDUP-3P nobody DAT-time GEN-come-REDUP-GER by 1SG DAT-house DEF.ART 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Ar tols an starü äblu lidü spao-eli bans kiulu tark.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Where you're going, you don't need money.</span> (LOC.COP-3P need NEG.ART GEN-money DAT-2SG DAT-place GEN-go-GER-DAT by 2SG 3NUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Rak kus a soseomu rot bog badans pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Who flies too high, falls.</span> (fall-3P person DEF.ART GEN-fly-GER by high too OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä s'olo mika ki speomu bans pa pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">What he's doing isn't good.</span> (COP-3P GEN-good thing DEF.ART GEN-do-GER by 3OUM 3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Finally, attributive clauses are used when a question is embedded in a sentence. In this case, an interrogative followed by the definite article is used as the head of the clause, typically functioning as the direct object of the sentence as well. All other rules of subordinate alignment apply, but if the subject of the question clause is the same as that of the main clause it can be omitted from the question clause.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Piellin lilä ko sonläluguu nipa näpa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I don't know where he lives.</span> (NEG-know-1P where DEF.ART GEN-live-GER GEN-3OUM 1SG-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Elli kusan sonlä ko sonäl r'än papa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Nobody knows where I come from.</span> (know-3P nobody whence DEF.ART GEN-come-GER GEN-1SG 3OUM-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Elin lä ko s'elilii (bans nä) näpa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I understand what I've seen.</span> (understand-1P what DEF.ART GEN-see-REDUP-GER (by 1SG) 1SG-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Elin lä ko s'elilii r'än näpa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I understand what has seen me.</span> (understand-1P what DEF.ART GEN-see-REDUP-GER GEN-1SG 1SG-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Koüntao ekki ko baläns a sosankasun sonlein ligukol a aräpa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">The man remembers why he wrote a book in his bedroom.</span> (remember-3P man DEF.ART why DEF.ART GEN-write-REDUP-GER GEN-book DAT-bedroom DEF.ART 3WUM-3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">If a question clause requires a preposition or case marking, the case marking goes on the interrogative, while the preposition is attached to the gerund. If the preposition is governed by the genitive or dative case, the interrogative is marked for case.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Piorrättekiu äb'n äbkuä ko s'äbeekasun orlu kipa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Tell me who you talked to.</span> (NEG-GEN-tell-2P DAT-1SG DAT-who DEF.ART GEN-talk-REDUP-GER GEN-2SG 2SG-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piorrättekiu äb'n nikuä ko s'äbeekasun orlu kipa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Tell me who you talked about.</span> (NEG-GEN-tell-2P DAT-1SG GEN-who DEF.ART GEN-talk-REDUP-GER GEN-2SG 2SG-3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Piorrättekiu äb'n äbkuä ko s'äbeekasun-äbee orlu kipa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Tell me who you talked with.</span> (NEG-GEN-tell-2P DAT-1SG DAT-who DEF.ART GEN-talk-REDUP-GER-with GEN-2SG 2SG-3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">When such a construction is used with yes/no questions, instead of an interrogative, the word <b>minspiira</b> <i>myenspayna</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">whether or not</span> is used.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Koünst seminspiira ki s'äbpao nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I'm thinking about whether I will go or not.</span> (think-1P GEN-whether DEF.ART GEN-DAT-go-GER 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Pielli minspiira ki sonläl bis bans pa äb'n papa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He doesn't know if I like him.</span> (NEG-know-3P whether DEF.ART GEN-COP-GER everything by 3OUM DAT-1SG 3OUM-3OUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"18_4\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">18.4</span> Questions</h5>\\n<p>All questions feature the interrogative prefix attached to the predicate. Questions are not marked in any way in the punctuation, although in the transliteration and romanization, a question mark is customarily used instead of a period. Questions end with a rising intonation.</p>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">Questions do not involve any other change in the word order or the structure of the senetence. With the exception of the addition of the interrogative prefix, yes/no questions are formed identically to the corresponding statements. In questions using interrogatives, the interrogative is placed in the same position that the phrase answering the same question would be placed. Compare the following statements and questions.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Üi l'ümar pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He went to the store.</span> (go-REDUP-3P DAT-store 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>D'üi l'ümar pa?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Did he go to the store?</span> (INT-go-REDUP-3P DAT-store 3OUM?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Madik lisirnida libisida bans sun stols starü äbpa pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He works every day because he needs money.</span> (work-3P DAT-day DAT-every for LOC.COP-GER GEN-need GEN-money DAT-3OUM 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Damadik lisirnida libisida baläns pa?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">Why does he work every day?</span> (INT-work-3P DAT-day DAT-every why 3OUM?)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äskest mü iis spaü lipoinp l'ugu kän nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I will die in ten years in my house.</span> (DAT-die-1P DAT-ten-NOM one GEN-year DAT-tits DAT-house DEF.ART 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>D'äskest imi lilä nä?</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">When and where will I die?</span> (INT-DAT-die-1P when where 1SG?)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p>Any question can be followed by the invariable tag <b>däpii</b>.</p>\\n<p>The words <b>mins</b> <i>myens</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">yes</span> and <b>piir</b> <i>payr</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">no</span> always agree and disagree with the proposition of the question, respectively, unlike in English, where <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">no</span> disagrees with affirmative questions but agrees with negative ones. This is because <b>mins</b> also means <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">thus (it is the way you are saying)</span>, and <b>piir</b> means <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">differ (the truth differs from your statement)</span>.</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"18_5\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">18.5</span> Reported speech</h5>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The word <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">say</span> is conveyed with the phrase <b>läl üta</b>, which is akin in meaning and structure to the English phrase <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to be like</span>. The copula in the phrase inflects for person, and when the form ends in a vowel, an epenthetic <b>p</b> is added to the beginning of <b>üta</b>. The word is followed by a genitive prefix which marks the following direct object of the verb, if one exists. The word <b>dansk</b> used to be used to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">say</span> in the proto-system, but is now defunct and only preserved in fossilized phrases like <b>dansk täl</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">lie</span> (lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">say lies</span>).</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Lä püta semikan pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He says nothing.</span> (COP-3P like GEN-nothing 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Arn üta stanska sosab.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I said two words.</span> (COP-REDUP-1SG like GEN-word GEN-two.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Liu püta semika spaimabi mibis.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">You always say mean things.</span> (COP-2SG like GEN-thing GEN-mean always.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Danka äb'n täl park.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He lied to me.</span> (say-REDUP-3P DAT-1SG lie 3OUM-3NUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The phrase <b>läl üta</b> can also be followed by an entire sentence to mean <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to say that</span>. In this case, genitive marking is not applied. When quoting someone using this phrase, the quote is told from that person's perspective, that is if a person says they did something, the pronoun \\\"I\\\" is used for the subject. Reported speech does not affect tenses, unlike in English.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Arn üta äbpask emimi nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I said that I would go there. (\\\"I will go there\\\")</span> (COP-REDUP-1SG like DAT-go-1P DAT-there 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äblä püta babans mikan näpa pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He's going to say he did nothing. (\\\"I did nothing\\\")</span> (DAT-COP-3P like do-REDUP-1P nothing 1SG-3OUM 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Äblä püta babal mikan kipa pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He's going to say I did nothing. (\\\"You did nothing\\\")</span> (DAT-COP-3P like do-REDUP-2P nothing 2SG-3OUM 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Seon liläl mikan rot bems rütnü läl üta räb'n äblu kaio näläb.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I've wanted to say \\\"I love you\\\" for a long time.</span> (LOC.COP-1SG DAT-COP-GER nothing by long without COP-GER like give-1P DAT-2SG love 1SG-3SUM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n<p class=\\\"noSpace\\\">The alternative solution is to first state the quote, follow it by a comma, and use the phrase <b>läl üta skä</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to be like that</span>. This strategy is also applied when using other verbs in this context, such as <b>koünt mins</b> lit. <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to think thus</span> = <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to think that</span>, <b>elli mins</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to know that</span>, <b>does mins</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">to feel that</span>.</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li><b>Kogoln misada nä, ar üta skä pa.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">He said, \\\"I slept today.\\\"</span> (sleep-REDUP-1P today 1SG, COP-REDUP-3P like GEN-DEM 3OUM.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Lä paim mimilm tadark, koünst mins nä.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I think cats are nice.</span> (COP-3P nice cat-REDUP 3NM, think-1P thus 1SG.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Saesäikkiu kipa, seon l'ellii mins.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I knew that you killed him.</span> (kill-REDUP-2P 2SG-3OUM, LOC.COP-1SG DAT-know-GER thus.)</li>\\n\\t<li><b>Eb'itkiu usa kiulu, ar koütsiondudu skä äb'n mionon.</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">I hope that you die.</span> (DAT-end-2P self 2SG, LOC.COP-3P hope-REDUP GEN-DEM DAT-1SG 3EM.)</li>\\n</ul>\\n\\n<h4 id=\\\"19\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">19</span> Pragmatics</h4><br>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"19_1\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">19.1</span> Uses of the language</h5>\\n<p>Because this is a personal language that I do not expect anyone else to learn in any capacity, its primary use would be monologues. The language is not well suited for translation, lacking proper nouns and vocabulary in various areas, which I do not consider useful to myself. Even with regard to personal use, the language would be difficult to use for other people, as its vocabulary is influenced by my own beliefs and worldview. As such, it may include concepts foreign to other people, and lack other concepts which exist in the minds of others, but not in my own. Therefore, in order to use the language, the speaker must, in a way, enter my headspace and learn to look at the world from my perspective.</p>\\n<p>The language can be used for forms such as monologues, diary notes, poems, songs. Using it for fictional stories could pose issues due to its limitations, as it would be difficult to name characters since the language does not use proper nouns, but it is not impossible.</p>\\n<p>Because the language is supposed to have a pleasant sound, spoken form is encouraged, particularly in artistic contexts.</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"19_2\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">19.2</span> Politeness, register, greetings</h5>\\n<p>There is no distinction made between formal, informal, polite or casual language. Everyone is addressed the same way. Third person pronoun use to refer to people is dictated by the speaker's judgment, not the referent's identity. This stems from my belief that a person is only worth as much as others value them. I do not believe that identity comes from within, but is a reflection of other people's perspectives on a given person. Because I fully depend on others to find meaning in anything I do, any meaning I find with regard to my own sense of self must be validated by those people.</p>\\n<p>There are no common greetings, everyday expressions used to show gratitude, apologize or show politeness. Such language use is seen as unnecessary and a mere formality void of meaning. One should not, however, shy away from complimenting others' appearance, so a greeting such as <b>sami milkami</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">nice ass</span> would be perfectly acceptable. The nature of the language encourages flirtatious behavior and viewing interlocutors as objects of sexual desire. It is a language for hot people.</p>\\n\\n<h5 id=\\\"19_3\\\"><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">19.3</span> Personal influences on the lexicon</h5><br>\\n\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> Religion</h6>\\n<p>I am not religious. I do not believe in any deities, the afterlife, or any form of the supernatural. As such, the language features no vocabulary for concepts such as <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">god</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">heaven</span>, or <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">spirit</span>.</p>\\n\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> Death</h6>\\n<p>The language distinguishes between two types of death. One is the physical, visceral, expressed by words such as <b>saek</b> <i>sayk</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">kill, destroy</span>, <b>sket</b> <i>hchet</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">die, rot, death</span>, and <b>saekuik</b> <i>saykwik</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">murder</span>. The other is a form of death which can occur while the person is physically alive. Due to severe mental damage, usually because of a traumatic, lifechanging event, a person can change and never be the same. Their old self dies and only their physical form remains, powered by mere instincts rather than a living human being. This kind of death is related to words such as <b>et</b> <i>et</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">end, kill</span>, <b>et usa</b> <i>et usa</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">die, kill oneself</span>, <b>eusat</b> <i>ewsat</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">death</span>, and <b>ekuit</b> <i>ekwit</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">murder</span>.</p>\\n\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> Love</h6>\\n<p>There are three types of love in the language. The word <b>dango</b> <i>dango</i> represents familial love, as well as trust. I believe family members are the only people who can truly be trusted. The word <b>kaio</b> <i>kayo</i> represents romantic love, as well as bisexuality. There is a term encompassing both homosexuality and heterosexuality - <b>kaiosaban</b> <i>kayosavan</i> - literally <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">half-love</span>, because either sexuality reduces the number of potential romanitc partners by half. The third type of love is platonic, also expressing friendship. It is represented with the word <b>kaian</b> <i>kayan</i> - a diminutive of <b>kaio</b>.</p>\\n\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> Morality</h6>\\n<p>Morality is a cultural psy-op designed to control people and prevent them from doing what they truly want. Any concepts related to moral value or judgment are absent. The words <b>olo</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">good</span> and <b>ognol</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">bad</span> convey the sense of high/low in value or pleasure, not virtuous and evil. Concepts such as <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">virtue</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">integrity</span>, and <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">perversion</span> have no place in the language.</p>\\n\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> Health and happiness</h6>\\n<p>Because of my history of psychosomatic symptoms, I have learned that the body and the mind are intertwined and the well-being of one hinges upon the well-being of the other, particularly in individuals such as myself. Oftentimes, I struggle to differentiate between ailments of the body and those of the mind. As such, the positive side of this spectrum is expressed using a single word <b>niko</b> <i>niko</i> which encompasses concepts such as <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">good health</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">happiness</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">inner peace</span>, and <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">pleasure</span>, while the negative is expressed with <b>mirn</b> <i>mirn</i>, encompassing <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">illness</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">sadness</span>, <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">anxiety</span>, and <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">pain</span>.</p>\\n\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> Kinship terms</h6>\\n<p>In many languages, kinship terms are very complex. Here, they are greatly simplified. All kinship terms are gender-neutral, but the adjectives <b>ekki</b> <i>ecchi</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">male</span> and <b>momk</b> <i>monk</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">female</span> can be used to specify gender, e.g. <b>müe</b> <i>müe</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">sibling</span> → <b>müe ekki</b> <i>müe ecchi</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">brother</span>, <b>müe momk</b> <i>müe monk</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">sister</span>.</p>\\n<p>Only closest family members have their unique terms, including <b>müe</b> <i>müe</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">sibling</span>, <b>nop</b> <i>nop</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">parents</span>, <b>an</b> <i>an</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">child</span>, <b>nopingaä</b> <i>nopyengo</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">grandparents</span>, <b>anresin</b> <i>anyehyen</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">grandchild</span>. Any other family members are derived from the word for the close family member of the same generation and the word <b>saban</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">half</span>, thus <b>sabanmüe</b> <i>savammüe</i> is used for any family members of the same generation as the speaker other than their immediate siblings, such as cousins, step-siblings, siblings-in-law, etc. The word <b>nosabaip</b> <i>nosavayp</i> is used for family members one generation older than the speaker, and so on.</p>\\n<p>Some words for family members are class two nouns. For instance, <b>nop</b> by default refers to both parents, and is reduplicated when referring to only one of them. The term <b>nopingaä</b> refers to grandparents, and is unmarked when either referring to one pair of grandparents, or all four.</p>\\n\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> Directions</h6>\\n<p>Because I often mistake east with west, I put west on the right side of the compass and east on the left. This means that south is at the top and north at the bottom. Relative directions (right, left, up, down) are not differentiated from cardinal ones. The word <b>rio</b> <i>yo</i> means both <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">south</span> and <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">up</span>, and the same is true for the other three.</p>\\n\\n<h6><span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">◆</span> Colors</h6>\\n<p>There are no specific adjectives for colors. Instead, the word <b>noba</b> <i>nova</i> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">color</span> is used, followed by a genitive noun, e.g. <b>noba sonal</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">blue (color of water)</span>, <b>noba spüta</b> <span class=\\\"grayNew\\\">green (color of nautre)</span>. These nouns are not set, and the speaker is free to use any object as a color reference.</p>\\n\\t\\n<h4 id=\\\"20\\\">Appendix 1: SDOAUX</h4>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight\\\">\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th colspan=\\\"2\\\" rowspan=\\\"2\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">Columns - S<br>Rows - DO</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>1sg</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>1set</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>1pl</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>2sg</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>2set</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>2pl</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>3num</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>3nm</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>3sum</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>3sm</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>3wum</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>3wm</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>3eum</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>3em</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>3oum</th>\\n\\t\\t<th>3om</th>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>NÄ-</b><br><i>NYA-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>NE-</b><br><i>NYE-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>SI-</b><br><i>HI-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>KI-</b><br><i>CHI-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>LI-</b><br><i>LI-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>LA-</b><br><i>WA-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>TAR-</b><br><i>TAR-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>TAD-</b><br><i>TAD-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>LÄ-</b><br><i>LA-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>LÄLÄ-</b><br><i>LALA-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ARÄ-</b><br><i>AYA-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ARI-</b><br><i>AYI-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>MI-</b><br><i>MI-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>MION-</b><br><i>MYON-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>PA-</b><br><i>PA-</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>PAB-</b><br><i>PAV-</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>1sg</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-(Ä)N</b><br><i>-(A)N</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>--------<br>--------</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nen</b><br><i>nyen</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sin</b><br><i>hyen</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kin</b><br><i>chen</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lin</b><br><i>len</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lan</b><br><i>wan</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tarn</b><br><i>tarn</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tadän</b><br><i>tajan</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>län</b><br><i>lan</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lälän</b><br><i>lalan</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>arän</b><br><i>ayan</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>arin</b><br><i>ayen</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>min</b><br><i>myen</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mionän</b><br><i>myonyan</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pan</b><br><i>pan</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pabän</b><br><i>pavyan</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>1set</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ü-BI</b><br><i>ü-VI</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nebi</b><br><i>nyeví</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>--------<br>--------</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>spi</b><br><i>hpi</i>**</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kibi</b><br><i>chiví</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>libi</b><br><i>liví</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läbi</b><br><i>laví</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tärbi</b><br><i>chayví</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tädbi</b><br><i>chappí</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lebi</b><br><i>leví</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lälebi</b><br><i>laleví</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>arebi</b><br><i>ayeví</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>aribi</b><br><i>ayiví</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mibi</b><br><i>miví</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mienbi</b><br><i>myenví</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>päbi</b><br><i>pyaví</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>päbbi</b><br><i>pyappí</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>1pl</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ü-(I)S</b><br><i>ü-(I)S</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>näs</b><br><i>nyas</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nes</b><br><i>nyes</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>--------<br>--------</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kis</b><br><i>chis</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lis</b><br><i>lis</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>las</b><br><i>was</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tars</b><br><i>tars</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tädis</b><br><i>chajis</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läs</b><br><i>las</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läläs</b><br><i>lalas</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>aräs</b><br><i>ayas</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>aris</b><br><i>ayis</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mis</b><br><i>mis</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mions</b><br><i>myons</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pas</b><br><i>pas</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>päbis</b><br><i>pyavis</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\"></tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>2sg</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-LU</b><br><i>-U</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nälu</b><br><i>nyawú</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nelu</b><br><i>nyewú</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>silu</b><br><i>hiwú</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>--------<br>--------</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lilu</b><br><i>liwú</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lalu</b><br><i>wawú</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tarlu</b><br><i>tawnú</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tadlu</b><br><i>tawdú</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lälu</b><br><i>lawú</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lälälu</b><br><i>lalawú</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>arälu</b><br><i>ayawú</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>arilu</b><br><i>ayiwú</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>milu</b><br><i>miwú</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mionlu</b><br><i>myownú</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>palu</b><br><i>pawú</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pablu</b><br><i>pawvú</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>2set</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ü-IL</b><br><i>ü-IW</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>näil</b><br><i>nyay</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>neil</b><br><i>nyey</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>siil</b><br><i>say</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kiil</b><br><i>kay</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>--------<br>--------</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lail</b><br><i>way</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>täril</b><br><i>chayiw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tädil</b><br><i>chajiw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läil</b><br><i>lay</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läläil</b><br><i>lalay</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>aräil</b><br><i>ayay</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ariil</b><br><i>anay</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>miil</b><br><i>may</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mienil</b><br><i>myeniw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pail</b><br><i>pay</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>päbil</b><br><i>pyaviw</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>2pl</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-AL</b><br><i>-AW</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>näal</b><br><i>nyew</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>neal</b><br><i>nyaw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sial</b><br><i>hyaw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kial</b><br><i>chaw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lial</b><br><i>law</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td>--------<br>--------</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>taral</b><br><i>tanaw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tadal</b><br><i>tadaw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läal</b><br><i>lew</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läläal</b><br><i>lalew</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>aräal</b><br><i>ayew</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>arial</b><br><i>ayaw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mial</b><br><i>myaw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mional</b><br><i>myonaw</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>paal</b><br><i>pow</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pabal</b><br><i>pavaw</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\"></tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>3num</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-(A)RK</b><br><i>-(A)RK</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>närk</b><br><i>nyark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nerk</b><br><i>nyurk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sirk</b><br><i>hirk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kirk</b><br><i>chirk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lirk</b><br><i>lirk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lark</b><br><i>wark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tarark</b><br><i>tanark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tadark</b><br><i>tadark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lärk</b><br><i>lark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lälärk</b><br><i>lalark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>arärk</b><br><i>ayark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>arirk</b><br><i>ayirk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mirk</b><br><i>mirk</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mionark</b><br><i>myonark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>park</b><br><i>park</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pabark</b><br><i>pavark</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>3nm</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-DARK</b><br><i>-DARK</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nädark</b><br><i>nidark</i>*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nedark</b><br><i>nyedark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>stark</b><br><i>stark</i>**</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kidark</b><br><i>chidark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lidark</b><br><i>lidark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ladark</b><br><i>wadark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tardark</b><br><i>tardark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>taddark</b><br><i>tattark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lädark</b><br><i>ladark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lälädark</b><br><i>laladark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>arädark</b><br><i>ayadark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>aridark</b><br><i>ayidark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>midark</b><br><i>midark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>miondark</b><br><i>myondark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>padark</b><br><i>padark</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pabdark</b><br><i>pattark</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>3sum</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-LÄB</b><br><i>-LAV</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>näläb</b><br><i>nilav</i>*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>neläb</b><br><i>nyelav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>siläb</b><br><i>hilav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kiläb</b><br><i>chilav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>liläb</b><br><i>lilav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>laläb</b><br><i>walav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tarläb</b><br><i>talav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tadläb</b><br><i>tawjav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läläb</b><br><i>lalav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läläläb</b><br><i>lalalav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>aräläb</b><br><i>ayalav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ariläb</b><br><i>ayilav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>miläb</b><br><i>milav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mionläb</b><br><i>myownyav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>paläb</b><br><i>palav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pabläb</b><br><i>pawvyav</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>3sm</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-ÄLÄB</b><br><i>-ALAV</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nääläb</b><br><i>nyelav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>neäläb</b><br><i>nyalav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>siäläb</b><br><i>hyalav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kiäläb</b><br><i>chalav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>liäläb</b><br><i>lalav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>laäläb</b><br><i>wolav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>taräläb</b><br><i>tayalav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tadäläb</b><br><i>tajalav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lääläb</b><br><i>lelav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lälääläb</b><br><i>lalelav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>arääläb</b><br><i>ayelav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ariäläb</b><br><i>ayalav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>miäläb</b><br><i>myalav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mionäläb</b><br><i>myonyalav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>paäläb</b><br><i>polav</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pabäläb</b><br><i>pavyalav</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>3wum</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-RÄ</b><br><i>-YA</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>närä</b><br><i>niyá</i>*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nerä</b><br><i>nyeyá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sirä</b><br><i>hiyá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kirä</b><br><i>chiyá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lirä</b><br><i>liyá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>larä</b><br><i>wayá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tarrä</b><br><i>tayyá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tadrä</b><br><i>tajá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lärä</b><br><i>layá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lälärä</b><br><i>lalayá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>arärä</b><br><i>ayayá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>arirä</b><br><i>ayiyá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mirä</b><br><i>miyá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mionrä</b><br><i>myonyá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>parä</b><br><i>payá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pabrä</b><br><i>pavyá</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>3wm</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ü-RI</b><br><i>ü-I</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>neri</b><br><i>nyeyí</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>niri</b><br><i>niyí</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>siri</b><br><i>hiyí</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kiri</b><br><i>chiyí</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>liri</b><br><i>liyí</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läri</b><br><i>layí</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tärri</b><br><i>chayí</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tädri</b><br><i>chají</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>leri</b><br><i>leyí</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läleri</b><br><i>laleyí</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>areri</b><br><i>ayeyí</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ariri</b><br><i>ayiyí</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>miri</b><br><i>miyí</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mienri</b><br><i>myení</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>päri</b><br><i>pyayí</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>päbri</b><br><i>pyaví</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>3eum</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ü-ION</b><br><i>ü-YON</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>näion</b><br><i>niyon</i>*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>neion</b><br><i>nyeyon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>siion</b><br><i>hiyon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kiion</b><br><i>chiyon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>liion</b><br><i>liyon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>laion</b><br><i>wayon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tärion</b><br><i>chayon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tädion</b><br><i>chajon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läion</b><br><i>layon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läläion</b><br><i>lalayon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>aräion</b><br><i>ayayon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ariion</b><br><i>ayiyon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>miion</b><br><i>miyon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mienion</b><br><i>myenyon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>paion</b><br><i>payon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>päbion</b><br><i>pyavyon</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>3em</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-NON</b><br><i>-NON</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nänon</b><br><i>ninon</i>*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nenon</b><br><i>nyenon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>sinon</b><br><i>hinon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kinon</b><br><i>chinon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>linon</b><br><i>linon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lanon</b><br><i>wanon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tarnon</b><br><i>tarnon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tadnon</b><br><i>taynon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>länon</b><br><i>lanon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lälänon</b><br><i>lalanon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>aränon</b><br><i>ayanon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>arinon</b><br><i>ayinon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>minon</b><br><i>minon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mionnon</b><br><i>myonnon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>panon</b><br><i>panon</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pabnon</b><br><i>paünon</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>3oum</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-PA</b><br><i>-PA</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>näpa</b><br><i>nipá</i>*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>nepa</b><br><i>nyepá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>spa</b><br><i>spa</i>**</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kipa</b><br><i>chipá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lipa</b><br><i>lipá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>lapa</b><br><i>wapá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tarpa</b><br><i>tarpá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tadpa</b><br><i>tappá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läpa</b><br><i>lapá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läläpa</b><br><i>lalapá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>aräpa</b><br><i>ayapá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>aripa</b><br><i>ayipá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mipa</b><br><i>mipá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mionpa</b><br><i>myompá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>papa</b><br><i>papá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pabpa</b><br><i>pappá</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<th>3om</th>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-BA</b><br><i>-VA</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>näba</b><br><i>nivá</i>*</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>neba</b><br><i>nyevá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>spa</b><br><i>spa</i>**</td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>kiba</b><br><i>chivá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>liba</b><br><i>livá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>laba</b><br><i>wavá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tarba</b><br><i>tarvá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>tadba</b><br><i>tappá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läba</b><br><i>lavá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>läläba</b><br><i>lalavá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>aräba</b><br><i>ayavá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>ariba</b><br><i>ayivá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>miba</b><br><i>mivá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>mionba</b><br><i>myonvá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>paba</b><br><i>pavá</i></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>pabba</b><br><i>pappá</i></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n<p>*1SG <b>nä</b> is pronounced as <i>ni</i> before consonants, except for the epenthetic glide in <b>nälu</b>.<br>\\n**2PL <b>si</b> is shortened to <b>s</b> before stops, devoicing following voiced plosives.</p>\\n\\n<h4 id=\\\"21\\\">Appendix 2: Syllabary</h4>\\n<table class=\\\"tabNewTight\\\">\\n\\t<tr class=\\\"headerRow\\\">\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>p-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>t-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>k-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>s-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>m-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>n-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>r-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>l-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td rowspan=\\\"8\\\" style=\\\"min-width: auto;\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>b-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>d-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>g-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td rowspan=\\\"8\\\" style=\\\"min-width: auto;\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-V</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-ä</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 1.79,11.25 C 0.75,12.82 0,14.72 0,17.5 H 7.5 C 7.5,8.75 0,8.75 0,0 h 10 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 3.75,17.5 H 0 m 7.5,-3.75 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 M 7.5,8.75 v 5 m -3.75,-8.75 c 2.07,0 3.75,1.68 3.75,3.75 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 C 1.68,12.5 0,10.82 0,8.75 0,6.68 1.68,5 3.75,5 Z m -3.75,0 V 8.75 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,2.24 10,5 M 10,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 5,12.5 V 0 M 0,12.5 c 0,-1.38 1.12,-2.5 2.5,-2.5 1.38,0 2.5,1.12 2.5,2.5 M 0,12.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 C 7.76,17.5 10,15.26 10,12.5 m 0,7.5 V 0\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 0,5.00001 v 1.25 m 0,-1.25 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,2.24 10,5 M 3.75,10 C 1.68,10 0,8.32 0,6.25 m 3.75,11.25 c 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 C 7.5,11.68 5.82,10 3.75,10 1.68,10 0,11.68 0,13.75 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 z M 10,20 V 0\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 0,3.75 v 1.25 m 7.5,7.5 v 1.25 M 0,5 C 0,7.07 1.68,8.75 3.75,8.75 M 7.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 C 1.68,17.5 0,15.82 0,13.75 M 3.75,8.75 C 5.82,8.75 7.5,10.43 7.5,12.5 M 3.75,0 C 1.68,0 0,1.68 0,3.75 M 10,20 V 0 H 3.75\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 0,-1e-5 V 17.5 H 5 M 10,5 C 10,7.76 7.76,10 5,10 2.24,10 0,7.76 0,5 M 10,-1e-5 V 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 7.5,15.62 v -2.5 M 0,15.62 v -3.12 m 0.93,-4.23 C 0.32,9.59 0,11.04 0,12.5 m 3.75,3.12 V 10 m 0,5.62 c 0,1.04 -0.84,1.88 -1.88,1.88 -1.03,0 -1.87,-0.84 -1.87,-1.88 m 7.5,0 c 0,1.04 -0.84,1.88 -1.88,1.88 -1.03,0 -1.87,-0.84 -1.87,-1.88 M 10,20 V 0 H 0 c 3.75,0 7.5,6.56 7.5,13.12\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 0,3.12 v 6 m 6.25,-6 V 10 H 3.75 C 1.68,10 0,11.68 0,13.75 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 H 10 M 0,3.12 C 0,1.4 1.4,0 3.12,0 4.85,0 6.25,1.4 6.25,3.12 M 10,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 7.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 C 0,11.68 1.68,10 3.75,10 M 0,3.75 C 0,1.68 1.68,0 3.75,0 5.82,0 7.5,1.68 7.5,3.75 M 10,10 H 0 C 0,8.43 1.87,6.87 3.75,6.87 5.62,6.87 7.5,5.31 7.5,3.75 M 10,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">M</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 20,5 C 20,2.24 17.76,0 15,0 12.24,0 10,2.24 10,5 m -6.25,12.5 H -4e-7 M 7.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 M 7.5,8.75 v 5 M 3.75,5 C 5.82,5 7.5,6.68 7.5,8.75 7.5,10.82 5.82,12.5 3.75,12.5 1.68,12.5 -4e-7,10.82 -4e-7,8.75 c 0,-2.07 1.68,-3.75 3.75,-3.75 z m -3.75,0 V 8.75 m 0,-3.75 C -4e-7,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,2.24 10,5 M 10,0 v 5 m 10,0 C 20,12.5 10,12.5 10,20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 20,5 c 0,-2.76 -2.24,-5 -5,-5 -2.76,0 -5,2.24 -5,5 m -5,7.5 V -0 M -2.74e-6,12.5 c 0,-1.38 1.12,-2.5 2.5,-2.5 1.38,0 2.5,1.12 2.5,2.5 m -5,0 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5 m 0,0 V -0 M 20,5 c 0,7.5 -10,7.5 -10,15\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 20,5 c 0,-2.76 -2.24,-5 -5,-5 -2.76,0 -5,2.24 -5,5 m -10,0 v 1.25 m 0,-1.25 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m -6.25,5 c -2,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 M 3.75,17.5 c 2,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 -2,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 0,2 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 z M 10,5 V -0 M 20,5 c 0,7.5 -10,7.5 -10,15\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 8.21,11.25 C 9.25,12.82 10,14.72 10,17.5 H 2.5 C 2.5,8.75 10,8.75 10,0 H 0 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-a</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 0,12.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 M 0,5 V 12.5 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,2.24 10,5 M 10,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 0,5 c 0,7.5 10,7.5 10,15 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m 0,0 V 0\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">*</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 5,15 C 7.76,15 10,17.24 10,20 M 3.75,7.5 C 5.82,7.5 7.5,5.82 7.5,3.75 7.5,1.68 5.82,0 3.75,0 1.68,0 0,1.68 0,3.75 M 3.75,15 C 1.68,15 0,13.32 0,11.25 0,9.18 1.68,7.5 3.75,7.5 m 1.25,7.5 h -1.25 M 10,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 3.75,5 V 7.5 M 0,0 c 1.87,0 3.75,2.5 3.75,5 m 3.75,6.25 v 2.5 m -7.5,0 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 M 0,11.25 v 2.5 m 0,-2.5 C 0,9.18 1.68,7.5 3.75,7.5 5.82,7.5 7.5,9.18 7.5,11.25 M 0,0 h 10 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 10,0 V 20 M 6.4,8.27 C 7.1,7.57 7.5,6.62 7.5,5.62 m 0,0 V 3.75 M 0,6.25 v -2.5 m 0,0 C 0,1.68 1.68,0 3.75,0 5.82,0 7.5,1.68 7.5,3.75 m -2.5,7.5 C 2.24,11.25 0,9.01 0,6.25 m 10,5 C 10,15.93 5,17.5 0,17.5 M 5,11.25 H 10\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">M</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 7.5,2.5 V 5 M 0,12.5 V 5 M 5,0 C 6.38,0 7.5,1.12 7.5,2.5 M 0,12.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 m 0,0 H 7.5 M 10,10 H 2.5 M 7.5,5 C 7.5,7.76 5.26,10 2.5,10 M 5,0 C 2.24,0 0,2.24 0,5 M 10,20 V 0\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">M</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 3.12,6.25 C 1.4,6.25 0,7.65 0,9.37 M 3.12,6.25 C 4.85,6.25 6.25,4.85 6.25,3.12 6.25,1.4 4.85,0 3.12,0 1.4,0 0,1.4 0,3.12 M 0,15 C 0,12.24 2.24,10 5,10 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 M 0,9.37 V 17.5 M 10,20 V 0\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 10,0 v 20 m 0,-7.5 c 0,2.76 -2.24,5 -5,5 v -17.5 m -5,0 v 17.5 c 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 3.12,0 H 6.87 M 6.25,9.36 C 6.25,7.63 4.85,6.23 3.12,6.23 m 3.13,3.13 v 5.01 M 3.12,17.5 C 1.4,17.5 0,16.1 0,14.37 c 0,-1.72 1.4,-3.12 3.12,-3.12 1.73,0 3.13,1.4 3.13,3.12 M 3.12,6.25 C 1.4,6.25 0,4.85 0,3.12 0,1.4 1.4,0 3.12,0 M 10,17.5 H 3.12 M 3.12,0 H 6.87 M 6.25,9.36 C 6.25,7.63 4.85,6.23 3.12,6.23 m 0,11.27 C 1.4,17.5 0,16.1 0,14.37 c 0,-1.72 1.4,-3.12 3.12,-3.12 1.73,0 3.13,1.4 3.13,3.12 M 3.12,6.25 C 1.4,6.25 0,4.85 0,3.12 0,1.4 1.4,0 3.12,0 M 10,17.5 H 3.12 M 10,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 20,5 C 20,2.24 17.76,0 15,0 12.24,0 10,2.24 10,5 M 1e-8,5 C 1e-8,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,2.24 10,5 m 0,0 V 0 M 1e-8,5 C 1e-8,12.5 10,12.5 10,20 M 20,5 C 20,12.5 10,12.5 10,20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 3.75,7.5 C 5.82,7.5 7.5,5.82 7.5,3.75 7.5,1.68 5.82,0 3.75,0 1.68,0 0,1.68 0,3.75 M 20,5 C 20,2.24 17.76,0 15,0 12.24,0 10,2.24 10,5 M 5,15 C 7.76,15 10,17.24 10,20 M 3.75,15 C 1.68,15 0,13.32 0,11.25 0,9.18 1.68,7.5 3.75,7.5 m 1.25,7.5 h -1.25 M 10,0 v 5 m 10,0 c 0,7.5 -10,7.5 -10,15\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 20,5 c 0,-2.76 -2.24,-5 -5,-5 -2.76,0 -5,2.24 -5,5 m -6.25,0 v 2.5 M 0,-3e-7 c 1.87,0 3.75,2.5 3.75,5 M 7.5,11.25 v 2.5 m -7.5,0 C 0,15.82 1.68,17.5 3.75,17.5 5.82,17.5 7.5,15.82 7.5,13.75 M 0,11.25 v 2.5 m 0,-2.5 C 0,9.18 1.68,7.5 3.75,7.5 5.82,7.5 7.5,9.18 7.5,11.25 M 0,-3e-7 h 10 v 5 m 10,0 C 20,12.5 10,12.5 10,20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 10,12.5 c 0,2.76 -2.24,5 -5,5 M 10,5 V 12.5 M 10,5 C 10,2.24 7.76,0 5,0 2.24,0 0,2.24 0,5 M 0,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-e</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 5,15 C 7.76,15 10,17.24 10,20 M 3.75,0 C 1.68,0 0,1.68 0,3.75 0,5.82 1.68,7.5 3.75,7.5 5.82,7.5 7.5,5.82 7.5,3.75 7.5,1.68 5.82,0 3.75,0 Z m 0,15 C 1.68,15 0,13.32 0,11.25 0,9.18 1.68,7.5 3.75,7.5 m 1.25,7.5 h -1.25 M 10,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 0,5 v 12.5 m 6.25,-4.38 v 4.38 m 0,-4.38 C 6.25,11.4 4.85,10 3.12,10 1.4,10 0,11.4 0,13.12 m 0,-8.12 v 12.5 m 0,-12.5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,2.24 10,5 M 10,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 5,10 V 2.5 M 0,12.5 v -10 m 0,0 C 0,1.12 1.12,0 2.5,0 3.88,0 5,1.12 5,2.5 M 0,12.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 C 7.76,17.5 10,15.26 10,12.5 m 0,7.5 V 0\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 0,-1e-7 v 7.5 H 5 V 17.5 M 0,12.5 V 10 m 0,2.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5 M 10,-1e-7 V 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 7.5,11.87 C 7.5,5.93 3.75,0 0,0 M 7.5,13.75 V 11.87 M 3.1,10.05 C 1.3,10.37 0,11.93 0,13.75 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 M 10,20 V 0 H 0\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 0,17.5 V 2.5 m 5,0 C 5,1.12 3.88,0 2.5,0 1.12,0 0,1.12 0,2.5 m 5,12.5 c 0,1.38 1.12,2.5 2.5,2.5 C 8.88,17.5 10,16.38 10,15 m -5,0 V 2.5 m 5,17.5 V 0\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 10,12.5 c 0,2.76 -2.24,5 -5,5 M 1.79,6.25 C 0.75,4.68 0,2.78 0,0 H 7.5 C 7.5,8.75 0,8.75 0,17.5 h 5 m 5,-17.5 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 7.5,3.75 -10e-6,2.5 M 0,3.75 -1e-5,6.25 M 10,20 V 0 M 0,12.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5 m -10,0 V 10 L 3.75,10 M 7.5,6.25 C 7.5,8.32 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5,10 V 2.5 M 0,12.5 v -10 m 0,0 C 0,1.12 1.12,0 2.5,0 c 1.38,0 2.5,1.12 2.5,2.5 M 0,12.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5 m 0,0 V 0 M 20,5 C 20,12.5 10,12.5 10,20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 20,5 C 20,2.24 17.76,0 15,0 12.24,0 10,2.24 10,5 M 0,0 v 7.5 h 5 v 10 M 0,12.5 V 10 m 0,2.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5 M 10,0 V 12.5 M 20,5 c 0,7.5 -10,7.5 -10,15\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 5,15 C 2.24,15 0,17.24 0,20 M 6.25,0 C 8.32,0 10,1.68 10,3.75 10,5.82 8.32,7.5 6.25,7.5 4.18,7.5 2.5,5.82 2.5,3.75 2.5,1.68 4.18,0 6.25,0 Z m 0,15 C 8.32,15 10,13.32 10,11.25 10,9.18 8.32,7.5 6.25,7.5 M 5,15 H 6.25 M 0,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-o</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 0,1e-5 v 17.5 c 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5 M 5,5 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10,4.48 10,10 M 10,20 V 0 H 5\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">W</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 10,0 C 10,2.5 5,5 0,5 V 7.5 M 0,5 V 13.75 M 3.75,10 H 0 m 0,3.75 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 C 7.5,11.68 5.82,10 3.75,10 M 10,20 V 0\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 2.5,0 H 6.25 M 5,10 v 5 m 5,0 C 10,16.38 8.88,17.5 7.5,17.5 6.12,17.5 5,16.38 5,15 M 10,0 V 20 M 2.5,0 C 1.12,0 0,1.12 0,2.5 M 10,10 C 10,7.24 7.76,5 5,5 2.24,5 0,7.24 0,10 M 0,2.5 V 17.5\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">W</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 5,0 H 2.5 M 0,2.5 C 0,1.12 1.12,0 2.5,0 M 0,12.5 V 2.5 M 7.5,8.75 c 0,-0.55 -0.15,-1.09 -0.42,-1.57 m 0.42,1.57 V 10 M 2.5,10 c 0,1.38 1.12,2.5 2.5,2.5 1.38,0 2.5,-1.12 2.5,-2.5 M 2.5,7.5 V 10 m 0,-2.5 C 2.5,6.12 3.62,5 5,5 M 5,5 C 6.38,5 7.5,3.88 7.5,2.5 7.5,1.12 6.38,0 5,0 M 0,12.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 2.76,0 5,-2.24 5,-5 M 10,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 20,5 C 20,2.24 17.76,0 15,0 12.24,0 10,2.24 10,5 M 2.5,12.51 C 1.12,12.51 0,11.39 0,10 m 5,2.5 h -2.5 m 2.5,5 C 6.38,17.5 7.5,16.38 7.5,15 7.5,13.62 6.38,12.5 5,12.5 m 0,5 h -2.5 m 0,0 C 1.12,17.5 0,16.38 0,15 M 0,10 V 0 M 5,5 V 0 M 0,5 c 0,1.38 1.12,2.5 2.5,2.5 1.38,0 2.5,-1.12 2.5,-2.5 m 0,0 c 0,1.38 1.12,2.5 2.5,2.5 1.38,0 2.5,-1.12 2.5,-2.5 M 10,0 v 5 m 10,0 C 20,12.5 10,12.5 10,20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 20,5 C 20,2.24 17.76,0 15,0 12.24,0 10,2.24 10,5 M 10,0 V 8.75 M 0,5 V 0 H 7.5 M 0,5 C 0,7.76 2.24,10 5,10 7.76,10 10,7.76 10,5 m 10,0 C 20,12.5 10,12.5 10,20 M 0,17.5 c 5,0 10,-4.38 10,-8.75\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 20,5 C 20,2.24 17.76,0 15,0 12.24,0 10,2.24 10,5 m -3.75,-1.88 V 0 m 0,3.12 c 0,1.73 -1.4,3.13 -3.13,3.13 C 1.4,6.25 0,4.85 0,3.12 M 0,12.5 V 0 m 0,12.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 C 7.76,17.5 10,15.26 10,12.5 m 0,0 V 0 M 20,5 C 20,12.5 10,12.5 10,20\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 10,5 C 10,2.24 7.76,0 5,0 M 0,1e-5 v 20 m 10,-7.5 v -7.5 m 0,7.5 c 0,2.76 -2.24,5 -5,5 -2.76,0 -5,-2.24 -5,-5\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-ü</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 7.5,3.75 V 5 M 3.1,7.44 C 1.3,7.13 0,5.57 0,3.75 0,1.68 1.68,0 3.75,0 5.82,0 7.5,1.68 7.5,3.75 M 10,20 V 0 M 5,15 C 7.76,15 10,17.24 10,20 M 5,15 H 0 M 7.5,5 C 7.5,10 3.75,15 0,15\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 7.5,13.75 -10e-6,-2.5 m -7.5,2.5 -1e-5,-2.5 M 10,20 V 0 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m -10,0 V 7.5 l 3.75,1.9e-4 m 3.75,3.75 c 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 m -3.75,6.25 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 6.25,12.5 C 6.25,10.78 4.85,9.38 3.12,9.38 1.4,9.38 0,10.78 0,12.5 m 0,0 v 5 m 6.25,-10 v 10 M 3.75,5 c 1.38,0 2.5,1.12 2.5,2.5 M 2.5,5 H 3.75 M 2.5,0 C 1.12,0 0,1.12 0,2.5 0,3.88 1.12,5 2.5,5 M 10,0 V 20 M 2.5,0 h 5 m 0,0 C 8.88,0 10,1.12 10,2.5\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 5,5 V 17.5 M 5,11.25 H 0 V 5 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 c 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m 0,-5 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 0,5 V 6.87 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,2.24 10,5 M 2.5,17.5 H 0 M 2.5,8.75 c 2.41,0 4.37,1.96 4.37,4.37 0,2.42 -1.96,4.38 -4.37,4.38 M 10,8.75 H 0 M 10,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">M</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 5,0 v 12.5 m 0,5 H 6.87 M 0,12.5 c 0,2.76 2.24,5 5,5 m 5,2.5 V 0 H 0 v 12.5\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 0,17.5 C 0,13.75 5,12.5 10,12.5 M 0,17.5 V 3.75 M 3.75,0 c 2.07,0 3.75,1.68 3.75,3.75 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 C 1.68,7.5 0,5.82 0,3.75 0,1.68 1.68,0 3.75,0 Z M 10,20 V 0\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 5,5 V 0 M 5,5 C 5,6.38 6.12,7.5 7.5,7.5 8.88,7.5 10,6.38 10,5 M 10,0 V 20 M 3.12,11.25 c 1.73,0 3.13,1.4 3.13,3.12 0,1.73 -1.4,3.13 -3.13,3.13 C 1.4,17.5 0,16.1 0,14.37 M 3.12,11.25 H 0 m 0,3.12 V 0 M 0,5 C 0,6.38 1.12,7.5 2.5,7.5 3.88,7.5 5,6.38 5,5\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 2.5,0 H 0 M 2.5,0 C 4.91,0 6.87,1.96 6.87,4.37 6.87,6.79 4.91,8.75 2.5,8.75 m 7.5,0 H 0 v 8.75 M 10,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">M</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 20,5 c 0,-2.76 -2.24,-5 -5,-5 -2.76,0 -5,2.24 -5,5 m 10,0 c 0,7.5 -10,7.5 -10,15 m -2.5,-6.25 -1e-5,-2.5 m -7.5,2.5 -1e-5,-2.5 M 10,5 V -1.89e-4 M -4.33e-5,5 c 0,-2.76 2.24,-5 5,-5 2.76,0 5,2.24 5,5 m -10,0 v 2.5 L 3.75,7.5 m 3.75,3.75 c 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 M -4.33e-5,13.75 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 20,5 C 20,2.24 17.76,0 15,0 12.24,0 10,2.24 10,5 M 6.25,12.5 C 6.25,10.77 4.85,9.37 3.12,9.37 1.4,9.37 0,10.77 0,12.5 m 0,0 v 5 m 6.25,-10 v 10 M 3.75,5 c 1.38,0 2.5,1.12 2.5,2.5 M 2.5,5 h 1.25 m -1.25,-5 C 1.12,0 0,1.12 0,2.5 0,3.88 1.12,5 2.5,5 M 10,0 V 5 M 2.5,0 H 7.5 m 0,0 C 8.88,0 10,1.12 10,2.5 M 20,5 c 0,7.5 -10,7.5 -10,15\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 20,5 C 20,2.24 17.76,0 15,0 12.24,0 10,2.24 10,5 m 0,0 V 0 M 5,5 v 12.5 m 0,-6.25 H 0 V 5 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,2.24 10,5 m 10,0 c 0,7.5 -10,7.5 -10,15\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 2.5,3.75 V 5 M 6.9,7.44 C 8.7,7.13 10,5.57 10,3.75 10,1.68 8.32,0 6.25,0 4.18,0 2.5,1.68 2.5,3.75 M 0,20 V 0 M 5,15 C 2.24,15 0,17.24 0,20 M 5,15 H 10 M 2.5,5 c 0,5 3.75,10 7.5,10\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\"></tr>\\n\\t<tr class=\\\"headerRow\\\">\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-p</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-t</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-k</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-s</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-m</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-n</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-r</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-l</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-C</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 10,8.75 H 2.5 m 0,6.94 c 1.68,1.18 3.68,1.81 5.73,1.81 M 0,20 V 0 H 10 V 17.5 H 8.23\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 6.25,17.5 H 10 m -7.5,-6.25 v 2.5 m 7.5,-2.5 c 0,-2.07 -1.68,-3.75 -3.75,-3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 m 7.5,2.5 V 0 M 2.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 M 0,0 V 20 M 10,0 C 10,3.75 5,5 0,5\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 0,8.75 C 0,13.12 5,17.5 10,17.5 M 0,20 V 0 h 10 v 10\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">W</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 3.43,9.52 c -0.61,1.32 -0.93,2.77 -0.93,4.23 m 7.5,0 c 0,2.07 -1.68,3.75 -3.75,3.75 -2.07,0 -3.75,-1.68 -3.75,-3.75 M 0,20 V 0 H 10 C 10,2.5 6.25,5 2.5,5 m 0,0 H 10 v 8.75\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 2.5,5 v -1.25 M 9.32,5.9 C 9.76,5.27 10,4.52 10,3.75 10,1.68 8.32,0 6.25,0 4.18,0 2.5,1.68 2.5,3.75 M 0,8.75 c 0,4.37 5,8.75 10,8.75 m -7.5,-12.5 C 2.5,7.07 4.18,8.75 6.25,8.75 M 0,8.75 H 10 M 0,20 V 0\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">M</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 2.5,3.75 C 2.5,8.12 10,8.12 10,12.5 M 2.5,3.75 C 2.5,1.68 4.18,0 6.25,0 8.32,0 10,1.68 10,3.75 10,4.74 9.6,5.7 8.9,6.4 M 0,0 V 20 M 10,12.5 c 0,2.76 -2.24,5 -5,5 -2.76,0 -5,-2.24 -5,-5\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 10,13.75 c 0,1.87 -0.94,3.75 -1.88,3.75 m 0,0 H 5 m 0,0 c -1.38,0 -2.5,-1.12 -2.5,-2.5 m 0,0 V 12.5 M 10,0 H 0 V 20 M 2.5,12.5 C 2.5,6.25 6.25,0 10,0\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 0,5 C 0,1.25 5,0 10,0 V 5 H 2.5 c 0,6.25 3.75,12.5 7.5,12.5 M 0,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>(G)-C</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 10,5 c 0,7.5 -10,7.5 -10,15 M 10,5 C 10,2.24 7.76,0 5,0 2.24,0 0,2.24 0,5 m 0,0 V 0\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">*</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 10,5 v 8.75 M 0,0 V 20 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,2.24 10,5 M 6.25,17.5 C 8.32,17.5 10,15.82 10,13.75 10,11.68 8.32,10 6.25,10 4.18,10 2.5,11.68 2.5,13.75 2.5,15.82 4.18,17.5 6.25,17.5 Z\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 5,15 C 2.24,15 0,17.24 0,20 M 5,15 H 10 M 10,5 V 0 m 0,5 C 10,7.76 7.76,10 5,10 2.24,10 0,7.76 0,5 M 0,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">W</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 10,3.75 C 10,1.67 8.32,0 6.25,0 4.18,0 2.5,1.67 2.5,3.75 M 10,7.51 C 10,9.58 8.32,11.26 6.25,11.26 4.18,11.26 2.5,9.58 2.5,7.51 m 0,0 V 3.75 M 10,12.5 V 7.51 m 0,5 C 10,15.27 7.76,17.51 5,17.51 2.24,17.51 0,15.27 0,12.51 M 0,20 v -20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 6.25,0 H 10 M 5,15 C 2.24,15 0,17.24 0,20 M 6.25,0 C 4.18,0 2.5,1.68 2.5,3.75 2.5,5.82 4.18,7.5 6.25,7.5 M 5,15 h 5 M 6.25,7.5 H 10 m -3.75,0 c -2.07,0 -3.75,1.68 -3.75,3.75 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 M 0,20 V 0\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 7.5,3.75 V 5 m 0,-1.25 C 7.5,1.68 5.82,0 3.75,0 M 2.5,17.5 C 6.64,17.5 10,14.14 10,10 M 3.75,0 H 10 V 10 M 0,5 C 0,7.07 1.68,8.75 3.75,8.75 5.82,8.75 7.5,7.07 7.5,5 M 0,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 2.5,10 C 6.25,10 10,5 10,0 H 2.5 M 0,0 V 20 M 10,12.5 C 10,15.26 7.76,17.5 5,17.5 2.24,17.5 0,15.26 0,12.5 m 10,0 V 10 H 2.5\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 10,0 H 3.75 V 10 C 6.87,10 10,6.25 10,2.5 M 0,12.5 C 0,15.26 2.24,17.5 5,17.5 m 0,0 H 10 V 2.5 M 0,20 V 0\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 6.87,6.25 c -1.72,0 -3.12,-1.4 -3.12,-3.13 C 3.75,1.4 5.15,0 6.87,0 8.6,0 10,1.4 10,3.12 m 0,0 v 14.38 M 5,12.5 v 5 M 10,12.5 C 10,11.12 8.88,10 7.5,10 6.12,10 5,11.12 5,12.5 m 0,0 c 0,-1.38 -1.12,-2.5 -2.5,-2.5 C 1.12,10 0,11.12 0,12.5 m 0,7.5 V 0\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">M</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-(C)C#</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"10px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 10\\\"><path d=\\\"M 6.87,5 C 3.43,5 0,7.5 0,10 M 6.87,5 C 12.08,5 14.16,10 19.37,10 M 15,5.62 C 15,3.21 16.96,1.25 19.37,1.25 21.79,1.25 23.75,3.21 23.75,5.62 23.75,8.04 21.79,10 19.37,10 M 15,0 v 5.62\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"10px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 10\\\"><path d=\\\"M 30,10 C 30,10 15,3.75 10,3.75 m 0,0 H 11.25 m 0,0 C 13.32,3.75 15,2.07 15,0\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"10px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 10\\\"><path d=\\\"M 0,5.87 C 0,8.15 6.71,10 15,10 m 0,-10 C 12.5,0 10,1.56 10,3.12 c 2.5,0 5,1.56 5,3.13 m 0,-6.25 v 6.25 m 0,-6.25 c 5.52,0 10,2.24 10,5 0,2.76 -4.48,5 -10,5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"10px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 10\\\"><path d=\\\"M 10,5 C 12.76,5 15,2.76 15,0 M 0,1.25 c 0,1.87 0.93,3.75 1.87,3.75 m 8.13,0 H 1.87\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"10px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 10\\\"><path d=\\\"m 13.75,3.75 c 4.68,0 6.25,-1.88 6.25,-3.75 H 15 m -12.75,0 C 0.83,1.04 0,2.34 0,3.75 0,7.2 5,10 11.25,10 17.46,10 22.5,7.2 22.5,3.75 h -8.75\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"10px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 10\\\"><path d=\\\"M 5,6.25 C 2.24,6.25 0,5 0,3.5 0,1.98 2.24,0.75 5,0.75 m 0,5.5 C 10,6.25 15,1.75 15,1.25 m 0,0 V 0 M 5,0.75 C 10,0.75 17.5,6.25 22.5,6.25 m 0,0 c 3.75,0 7.5,-3.13 7.5,-6.25\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\"></tr>\\n\\t<tr class=\\\"headerRow\\\">\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-b</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-d</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-g</b></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>-C</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 4.37,8.75 C 6.79,8.75 8.75,6.79 8.75,4.37 8.75,1.96 6.79,0 4.37,0 1.96,0 0,1.96 0,4.37 m 2.5,9.38 v -1.25 M 0,20 V 0 m 2.5,13.75 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 2.07,0 3.75,-1.68 3.75,-3.75 M 0,8.75 h 10 v 5\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 10,8.75 c -3.13,0 -6.25,4.37 -6.25,8.75 M 0,20 V 0 C 5,0 10,1.25 10,5 H 3.75 v 12.5\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 6.25,0 H 10 M 6.25,7.5 H 10 v 10 m 0,0 c 0,-3.75 -5,-5 -10,-5 M 6.25,7.5 C 4.18,7.5 2.5,5.82 2.5,3.75 2.5,1.68 4.18,0 6.25,0 M 0,20 V 0\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>(G)-C</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 5,15 C 2.24,15 0,17.24 0,20 M 2.5,3.75 C 2.5,1.68 4.18,0 6.25,0 8.32,0 10,1.68 10,3.75 10,5.82 8.32,7.5 6.25,7.5 m -1.25,7.5 h 1.25 m 0,-7.5 C 4.18,7.5 2.5,9.18 2.5,11.25 c 0,2.07 1.68,3.75 3.75,3.75 C 8.32,15 10,13.32 10,11.25 M 0,20 V 0\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">B</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 10,13.76 C 10,15.83 8.32,17.51 6.25,17.51 4.18,17.51 2.5,15.83 2.5,13.76 M 10,10 C 10,7.93 8.32,6.25 6.25,6.25 4.18,6.25 2.5,7.93 2.5,10 m 0,0 v 3.76 M 10,5 v 5 M 10,5 C 10,2.24 7.76,0 5,0 2.24,0 0,2.24 0,5 M 0,0 v 20\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 10 20\\\"><path d=\\\"M 0,0 V 20 M 10,5 v 2.5 c -3.75,0 -7.5,3.12 -7.5,6.25 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 2.24,0 5,0 7.76,0 10,2.24 10,5 M 6.25,17.5 C 8.32,17.5 10,15.82 10,13.75 10,11.68 8.32,10 6.25,10 4.18,10 2.5,11.68 2.5,13.75 2.5,15.82 4.18,17.5 6.25,17.5 Z\\\"></path></svg> <span class=\\\"glyphPos\\\">T</span></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 20px;\\\"></tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>#s(C)-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td><svg height=\\\"10px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 30 10\\\"><path d=\\\"M 30,0 C 30,0 15,6.25 10,6.25 m 0,0 h 1.25 m 0,0 c 2.07,0 3.75,1.68 3.75,3.75\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t<td><b>(C)s(C)</b></td>\\n\\t\\t<td style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><svg height=\\\"20px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 20 20\\\"><path d=\\\"m 10,11.25 v 8.75 M 20,5 v 1.25 M 10,11.25 C 15.52,11.25 20,9 20,6.25 M 10,0 V 5 M 0,5 C 0,6.38 2.24,7.5 5,7.5 c 2.76,0 5,-1.12 5,-2.5 M 0,5 C 0,2.24 4.47,0 10,0 15.52,0 20,2.24 20,5 M 10,11.25 C 4.47,11.25 0,14 0,17.5\\\"></path></svg></td>\\n\\t</tr>\\n</table>\\n\\n<h4 id=\\\"22\\\">Appendix 3: Dictionary</h4>\\n<p>The dictionary is available <a href=\\\"laDict\\\"><b>here</b></a>. It is not tidy and may contain errors. It is also not comprehensive and is regularly being updated.</p>\\n<p>The POS column uses the following terminology:</p>\\n<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\">\\n\\t<li>N - noun<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\" style=\\\"margin-bottom: 0px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t<li>(1) - unique class</li>\\n\\t\\t<li>(2-x) - set class (set number x)</li>\\n\\t\\t<li>(3) - animate class</li>\\n\\t\\t<li>(4) - abstract class</li>\\n\\t\\t<li>(5) - mass class</li>\\n\\t\\t<li>(6) - inanimate class</li>\\n\\t</ul></li>\\n\\t<li>V - verb<ul class=\\\"newUl\\\" style=\\\"margin-bottom: 0px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t<li>(tr) - transitive</li>\\n\\t\\t<li>(intr) - intransitive</li>\\n\\t\\t<li>(erg) - ergative</li>\\n\\t</ul></li>\\n\\t<li>Adj - adjective</li>\\n\\t<li>Adv - adverb</li>\\n\\t<li>Pro - pronoun</li>\\n\\t<li>Conj - conjunction</li>\\n\\t<li>Prep - preposition</li>\\n\\t<li>Art - article</li>\\n\\t<li>Prt - particle</li>\\n</ul>\\n</div>\\n</body>\\n</html>\\n\",\n \"size_bytes\": 463739,\n \"file_path\": \"html/la/laluta.html\",\n \"file_timestamp\": 1753279312,\n \"language\": \"HTML\",\n \"is_vendor\": false,\n \"license_type\": \"no_license\",\n \"detected_licenses\": []\n },\n {\n \"content_id\": \"f23222e6b2e10e0a44a21e1e24349af20df70d4a\",\n \"content\": \"<!DOCTYPE html>\\n<html>\\n<head>\\n<title>Liste de mots</title>\\n<meta charset=\\\"utf-8\\\" />\\n<meta name=\\\"viewport\\\" content=\\\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=1\\\" />\\n<link href=\\\"../../style.css\\\" rel=\\\"stylesheet\\\" />\\n<link rel=\\\"shortcut icon\\\" href=\\\"../../favicon.ico\\\" type=\\\"image/x-icon\\\"/>\\n<script src=\\\"../../libs/jquery-3.1.0.min.js\\\"></script>\\n<script>\\n $(document).ready(function () {\\n $.getScript(\\\"../../js/buttonUp.js\\\", function () {\\n $.getScript(\\\"../../js/settingsButton.js\\\", function () {\\n $.getScript(\\\"../../js/nonVocabTheme.js\\\", function () {\\n $.getScript(\\\"../../js/localStorage.js\\\")\\n })\\n })\\n })\\n })\\n</script>\\n</head>\\n<body>\\n\\t<a id=\\\"top\\\"></a>\\n <a href=\\\"#top\\\" id=\\\"up\\\">↑</a>\\n <svg width=\\\"22px\\\" height=\\\"22px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 512 512\\\" id=\\\"settingsButton\\\"><path d=\\\"M487.4 315.7l-42.6-24.6c4.3-23.2 4.3-47 0-70.2l42.6-24.6c4.9-2.8 7.1-8.6 5.5-14-11.1-35.6-30-67.8-54.7-94.6-3.8-4.1-10-5.1-14.8-2.3L380.8 110c-17.9-15.4-38.5-27.3-60.8-35.1V25.8c0-5.6-3.9-10.5-9.4-11.7-36.7-8.2-74.3-7.8-109.2 0-5.5 1.2-9.4 6.1-9.4 11.7V75c-22.2 7.9-42.8 19.8-60.8 35.1L88.7 85.5c-4.9-2.8-11-1.9-14.8 2.3-24.7 26.7-43.6 58.9-54.7 94.6-1.7 5.4.6 11.2 5.5 14L67.3 221c-4.3 23.2-4.3 47 0 70.2l-42.6 24.6c-4.9 2.8-7.1 8.6-5.5 14 11.1 35.6 30 67.8 54.7 94.6 3.8 4.1 10 5.1 14.8 2.3l42.6-24.6c17.9 15.4 38.5 27.3 60.8 35.1v49.2c0 5.6 3.9 10.5 9.4 11.7 36.7 8.2 74.3 7.8 109.2 0 5.5-1.2 9.4-6.1 9.4-11.7v-49.2c22.2-7.9 42.8-19.8 60.8-35.1l42.6 24.6c4.9 2.8 11 1.9 14.8-2.3 24.7-26.7 43.6-58.9 54.7-94.6 1.5-5.5-.7-11.3-5.6-14.1zM256 336c-44.1 0-80-35.9-80-80s35.9-80 80-80 80 35.9 80 80-35.9 80-80 80z\\\"></path></svg>\\n <div id=\\\"menu\\\">\\n <h3>THÈME</h3>\\n <a id=\\\"lightTheme\\\">Clair</a>\\n <a id=\\\"darkTheme\\\">Sombre</a>\\n <h3>LINKS</h3>\\n <a id=\\\"homepage\\\" href=\\\"../../index.html\\\">Page d’accueil</a>\\n <a id=\\\"mobileToggle\\\" href=\\\"../../mobile/html/fr/frWordlist.html\\\">Version mobile</a>\\n </div>\\n <div id=\\\"contentDiv\\\">\\n\\t\\t<h4><b>Leçon 1</b></h4>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>S’il vous plaît.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sil vu plɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Please. / If you please. (when asking for sth) (lit. If it pleases you.)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>S’il te plaît.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sil tə plɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Please. / If you please. <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(informal)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Je vous en prie.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒə vuzɑ̃ pʁi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Please do. / You’re welcome. (when offering sth) (lit. I beg you.)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Je t’en prie.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒə tɑ̃ pʁi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Please do. / You’re welcome. <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(informal)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>De rien.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/də ʁjɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>You’re welcome. (lit. Of nothing.)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Il n’y a pas de quoi.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/il nija pɑ də kwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>You’re welcome. (lit. There isn’t anything for which [to thank].)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Excusez-moi.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛkskyze mwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Excuse me.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Excuse-moi.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛkskyz mwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Excuse me. <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(informal)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Je suis désolé(e).</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒə sɥi dezɔle/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I'm sorry.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Bonjour, monsieur.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bɔ̃ʒuʁ məsjø/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Hello, sir.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Bonsoir, madame.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bɔ̃swaʁ madam/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Good evening, madam.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Salut.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/saly/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Hi. / Bye.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Bonne journée.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bɔn ʒuʁne/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Have a nice day.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Bonne nuit.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bɔn nɥi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Good night.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Au revoir.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/o ʁəvwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Goodbye. (lit. Until the reseeing.)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>À plus. / À plus tard.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/a plys/ /a ply taʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>See you later.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>À tout à l'heure.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/a tuta lœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>See you later.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Comment allez-vous?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔmɑ̃talevu/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>How are you? (lit. How are you going?)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Comment vas-tu? / Comment ça va?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔmɑ̃ vaty/ /kɔmɑ̃ sa va/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>How are you? (lit. How are you going? / How is it going?) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(informal)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Ça va, merci.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sa va mɛʁsi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I’m fine, thank you. (lit. It’s going, thank you.)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Tout va bien.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tu va bjɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Everything is going well.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Je vais très bien.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒə vɛ tʁɛ bjɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I’m doing very well. (lit. I'm going very well.)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Pas mal.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɑ mal/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Not bad.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Et vous?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/e vu/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>And you?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Et toi?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/e twa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>And you? <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(informal)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Comment vous vous appelez?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔmɑ̃ vu vuzaple/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>What is your name? (lit. How are you called?)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Comment tu t'appelles?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔmɑ̃ ty tapɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>What is your name? <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(informal)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Enchanté(e).</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃ʃɑ̃te/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Nice to meet you. (lit. Enchanted.)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Ravi(e) de vous connaître.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁavi də vu kɔnɛtʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Nice to meet you.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Ravi(e) de te connaître.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁavi də tə kɔnɛtʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Nice to meet you. <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(informal)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Vous êtes d’où? / D'où êtes-vous?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vuzɛt du/ /du ɛt vu/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Where are you from?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Tu es d’où? / D'où es-tu?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ty ɛ du/ /du ɛ ty/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Where are you from? <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(informal)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Je suis de Paris.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒə sɥi də paʁi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I am from Paris.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Vous venez d'où?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vu vəne du/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Where do you come from?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Tu viens d’où?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ty vjɛ̃ du/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Where do you come from? <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(informal)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Je viens de France.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒə vjɛ̃ də fʁɑ̃s/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I come from France.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Vous habitez où?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vuzabite u/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Where do you live?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Tu habites où?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ty abit u/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Where do you live? <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(informal)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>J’habite à Cracovie.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒabit a kʁakɔvi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I live in Krakow.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>C’est mon frère / ma sœur.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛ mɔ̃ fʁɛʁ/ /ma sœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>This is my brother / my sister.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Vous parlez quelles langues? / <br/>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\tQuelles langues parlez-vous?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vu paʁle kɛl lɑ̃ɡ/ <br/>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t/kɛl lɑ̃ɡ paʁle vu/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td style=\\\"vertical-align: baseline;\\\">What languages do you speak?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Tu parles quelles langues? / <br/>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\tQuelles langues parles-tu?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ty paʁl kɛl lɑ̃ɡ/ <br/>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t/kɛl lɑ̃ɡ paʁl ty/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td style=\\\"vertical-align: baseline;\\\">What languages do you speak? <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(informal)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Comment on dit - en français?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔmɑ̃ ɔ̃ di - ɑ̃ fʁɑ̃sɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>How do you say - in French?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Quelle est votre nationalité? / <br/>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\tVous êtes de quelle nationalité?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɛlɛ vɔtʁ nasjɔnalite/ <br/>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t/vuzɛt də kɛl nasjɔnalite/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td style=\\\"vertical-align: baseline;\\\">What is you nationality?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Quelle est ta nationalité? / <br/>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\tTu es de quelle nationalité?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɛlɛ ta nasjɔnalite/ <br/>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t/tyɛ də kɛl nasjɔnalite/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td style=\\\"vertical-align: baseline;\\\">What is you nationality? <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(informal)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>polonais / polonaise</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɔlɔnɛ/ /pɔlɔnɛz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Polish</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>anglais / anglaise</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃ɡlɛ/ /ɑ̃ɡlɛz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>English</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>français / française</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fʁɑ̃sɛ/ /fʁɑ̃sɛz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>French</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chinois / chinoise</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃinwa/ /ʃinwaz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Chinese</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>japonais / japonaise</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒapɔnɛ/ /ʒapɔnɛz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Japanese</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>coréen / coréenne</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔʁeɛ̃/ /kɔʁeɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Korean</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>italien / italienne</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/italjɛ̃/ /italjɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Italian</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>espagnol / espagnole</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛspaɲɔl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Spanish</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>allemand / allemande</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/almɑ̃/ /almɑ̃d/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>German</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>russe</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁys/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Russian</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grec / grecque</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡʁɛk/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Greek</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>américain / américaine</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ameʁikɛ̃/ /ameʁikɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>American</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>canadien / canadienne</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kanadjɛ̃/ /kanadjɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Canadian</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Pologne <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɔlɔɲ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Poland</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Angleterre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃ɡlətɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>England</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>France <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fʁɑ̃s/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>France</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Chine <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃin/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>China</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Japon <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒapɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Japan</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Corée <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔʁe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Korea</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Italie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/itali/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Italy</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Espagne <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛspaɲ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Spain</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Allemagne <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/almaɲ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Germany</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Russie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁysi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Russia</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Grèce <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡʁɛs/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Greece</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>États-Unis d'Amérique <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) (pl)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/etazyni dameʁik/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>United States of America</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Canada <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kanada/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Canada</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t \\n\\t \\t<h4><b>Leçon 2</b></h4>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>zéro</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/zeʁo/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>0</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"6\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>un</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>1</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>onze</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɔ̃z/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>11</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>deux</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dø/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>2</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>douze</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/duz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>12</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vingt</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>20</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>trois</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tʁwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>3</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>treize</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tʁɛz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>13</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>trente</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tʁɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>30</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>quatre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/katʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>4</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>quatorze</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/katɔʁz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>14</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>quarante</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kaʁɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>40</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cinq</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛ̃k/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>5</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>quinze</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɛ̃z/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>15</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cinquante</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛ̃kɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>50</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>six</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sis/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>6</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>seize</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>16</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>soixante</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/swasɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>60</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sept</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>7</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dix-sept</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/disɛt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>17</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>soixante-dix</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/swasɑ̃tdis/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>70</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>huit</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɥit/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>8</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dix-huit</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dizɥit/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>18</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>quatre-vingts</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/katʁəvɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>80</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>neuf</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/nœf/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>9</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dix-neuf</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/diznœf/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>19</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>quatre-vingt-dix</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/katʁəvɛ̃dis/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>90</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dix</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dis/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>10</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"6\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"9\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vingt-et-un</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vɛ̃teɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>21</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>deux cents</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dø sɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>200</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mille</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mil/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>1000</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vingt-deux</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vɛ̃tdø/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>22</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>deux cent un</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dø sɑ̃ ɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>201</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>deux mille</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dø mil/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>2000</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>soixante-et-onze</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/swasɑ̃teɔ̃z/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>71</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cinq cents</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛ̃ sɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>500</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>million</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/miljɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>1,000,000</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>quatre-vingt-un</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/katʁəvɛ̃ɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>81</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>six cents</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/si sɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>600</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>deux millions</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dø miljɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>2,000,000</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>quatre-vingt-onze</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/katʁəvɛ̃ɔ̃z/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>91</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sept cents</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛp sɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>700</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cent</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>100</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>huit cents</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɥi sɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>800</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lundi <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lɛ̃di/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Monday</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mardi <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/maʁdi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Tuesday</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mercredi <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɛʁkʁədi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Wednesday</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>jeudi <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒødi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Thursday</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vendredi <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vɑ̃dʁədi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Friday</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>samedi <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/samdi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Saturday</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dimanche <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dimɑ̃ʃ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Sunday</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>janvier <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒɑ̃vje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>January</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>février <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fevʁije/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>February</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mars <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/maʁs/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>March</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>avril <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/avʁil/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>April</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mai <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>May</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>juin <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒɥɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>June</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>juillet <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒɥijɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>July</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>août <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ut/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>August</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>septembre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛptɑ̃bʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>September</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>octobre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɔktɔbʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>October</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>novembre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/nɔvɑ̃bʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>November</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>décembre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/desɑ̃bʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>December</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>saison <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛzɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>season</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>printemps <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pʁɛ̃tɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>spring (<b>au printemps</b> <i>in spring</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>été <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ete/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>summer (<b>en été</b> <i>in summer</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>automne <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/otɔn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fall</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hiver <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ivɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>winter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>an <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>year</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>année <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ane/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>year (duration)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mois <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>month</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>semaine <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/səmɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>week</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>jour <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒuʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>day</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>journée <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒuʁne/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>day (duration)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>heure <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/œʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hour</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>minute <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/minyt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>minute</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>toujours</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tuʒuʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>always</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>jamais</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒamɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>never</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chaque semaine</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃak səmɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>every week</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tous les jours</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tu le ʒuʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>every day</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>d’habitude</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dabityd/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>usually</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>souvent</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/suvɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>often</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>parfois</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/paʁfwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sometimes</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>de temps en temps</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/də tɑ̃zɑ̃ tɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>from time to time</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bientôt</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bjɛ̃to/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>soon</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>aujourd'hui</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/oʒuʁdɥi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>today</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hier</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/jɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>yesterday</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>demain</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dəmɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tomorrow</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>matin <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/matɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>morning</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dans la matinée / le matin</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dɑ̃ la matine/ /lə matɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>in the morning</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>midi <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/midi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>noon</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>à midi</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/a midi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>at noon</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>après-midi <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/apʁɛmidi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>afternoon</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dans l'après-midi</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dɑ̃ lapʁɛmidi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>in the afternoon</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>soir <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/swaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>evening</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dans la soirée</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dɑ̃ la swaʁe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>in the evening</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nuit <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/nɥi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>night</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dans la nuit</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dɑ̃ la nɥi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>in the night</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>minuit <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/minɥi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>midnight</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>à minuit</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/a minɥi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>at midnight</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cette année</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛt ane/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>this year</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>l'année dernière</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lane dɛʁnjɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>last year</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>l’année prochaine</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lane pʁɔʃɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>next year</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ce mois-ci</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sə mwasi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>this month</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>le mois dernier</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lə mwa dɛʁnje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>last month</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>le mois prochain</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lə mwa pʁɔʃɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>next month</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cette semaine</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛt səmɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>this week</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>la semaine dernière</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/la səmɛn dɛʁnjɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>last week</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>la semaine prochaine</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/la səmɛn pʁɔʃɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>next week</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ce matin</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sə matɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>this morning</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cet après-midi</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛt apʁɛmidi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>this afternoon</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ce soir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sə swaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>this evening</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cette nuit</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛt nɥi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tonight</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hier matin</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/jɛʁ matɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>yesterday morning</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>demain matin</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dəmɛ̃ matɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tomorrow morning</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>date <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dat/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>date</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>âge <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>age</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Tu es né(e) quand?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ty ɛ ne kɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>When were you born?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Je suis né(e) le 6 août 1998.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒə sɥi ne le ~/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I was born on August 6th 1998.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Quel âge as-tu? / Tu as quel âge?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɛl ɑʒ a ty/ /ty a kɛl ɑʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>How old are you?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>J’ai 24 ans.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒe vɛ̃tkatʁ ɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I am 24 years old.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Quel est ton numéro de téléphone?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɛlɛ tɔ̃ nymeʁo də telefɔn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>What is your phone number?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Je ne peux pas attendre.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒən pø pɑzatɑ̃dʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I can’t wait.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>C’est vrai.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛ vʁɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>That’s right.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>On est quel jour aujourd’hui? / <br/>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\tQuel jour sommes-nous aujourd’hui?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɔ̃nɛ kɛl ʒuʁ oʒuʁdɥi/ <br/>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t/kɛl ʒuʁ sɔm nu oʒuʁdɥi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td style=\\\"vertical-align: baseline;\\\">What day is it today?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>On est le 16 janvier. / <br/>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\tNous sommes le 16 janvier. </td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɔ̃nɛ lə sɛz ʒɑ̃vje/ <br/>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t/nu sɔm lə sɛz ʒɑ̃vje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td style=\\\"vertical-align: baseline;\\\">Today is January 16.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Quelle heure est-il?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɛl œʁ ɛtil/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>What time is it?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Il est une heure et demie.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ilɛ yn œʁ e dəmi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>It’s half past one.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Il est huit heures et quart.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ilɛ ɥitœʁ e kaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>It’s a quarter past eight.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Il est minuit moins le quart.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ilɛ minɥi mwɛ̃ lə kaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>It’s a quarter to midnight.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Il est neuf heures moins dix.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ilɛ nœvœʁ mwɛ̃ dis/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>It’s ten to nine.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>À quelle heure…?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/a kɛl œʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>At what time…?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t </table>\\n\\t <table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>plus</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/plys/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>plus</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>moins</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mwɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>minus</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fois</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>time/times</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>divisé par</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/divize paʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>divided by</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>égale</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/egal/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>equals</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nombre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/nɔ̃bʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>number</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>les saisons de l'année</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/le sɛzɔ̃ də lane/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>seasons of the year</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>les jours de la semaine</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/le ʒuʁ də la səmɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>days of the week</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>anniversaire <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/anivɛʁsɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>birthday, anniversary</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Noël <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/nɔɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Christmas</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>réveillon de Noël <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁevɛjɔ̃ də nɔɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Christmas Eve</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nouvel an</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/nuvɛl ɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>New Year</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Pâques <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f) (pl)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɑk/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Easter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chat <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> chats</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cat</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chien <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> chiens</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃjɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dog</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>livre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> livres</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/livʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>book</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fleur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f) pl.</span> fleurs</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/flœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>flower</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>école <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f) pl.</span> écoles</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ekɔl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>school</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>médecin <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> médecins</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/medsɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>doctor (f. may be <b>la médecin</b>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>étranger <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> étrangers</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/etʁɑ̃ʒe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>foreigner, foreign (m)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>étrangère <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f) pl.</span> étrangères</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/etʁɑ̃ʒɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>foreigner, foreign (f)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>étudiant <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> étudiants</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/etydjɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>student (m)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>étudiante <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f) pl.</span> étudiantes</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/etydjɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>student (f)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cahier <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> cahiers</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kaje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>notebook</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cuillère <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f) pl.</span> cuillères</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɥijɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>spoon</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>animal <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> animaux</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/animal/ /animo/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>animal</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>journal <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> journaux</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒuʁnal/ /ʒuʁno/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>journal, diary, newspaper</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cheval <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> chevaux</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃəval/ /ʃəvo/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>horse</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hôpital <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> hôpitaux</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/opital/ /opito/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hospital</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>corail <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> coraux</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔʁaj/ /kɔʁo/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>coral</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>travail <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> travaux</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tʁavaj/ /tʁavo/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>work, job, labor</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>détail <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> détails</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/detaj/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>detail</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cheveu <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> cheveux</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃəvø/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>a hair, (<b>les cheveux</b> <i>hair</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>manteau <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> manteaux</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɑ̃to/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>coat</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tableau <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> tableaux</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tablo/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>painting, picture, table</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gâteau <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> gâteaux</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/gato/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cake (pl. <i>ciasto</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>clou <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> clous</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/klu/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nail (metal nail)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>trou <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> trous</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tʁu/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hole</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chou <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> choux</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃu/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cabbage</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>genou <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> genoux</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒənu/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>knee</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>caillou <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> cailloux</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kaju/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gravel, pebble</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bijou <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> bijoux</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/biʒu/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>a piece of jewelry (<b>des bijoux</b> <i>jewelry</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>voix <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f) pl.</span> voix</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>voice</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nez <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> nez</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ne/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nose</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bus <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> bus</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bys/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bus</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>œil <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> yeux</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/œj/ /jø/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>eye (<b>yeux</b> triggers liaison - <b>les yeux</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/lezjø/</span>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>monsieur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> messieurs</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/məsjø/ /mesjø/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mister, sir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>madame <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f) pl.</span> mesdames</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/madam/ /medam/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>madam</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t \\t<p>The only words ending in <b>-ou</b> with the plural <b>-oux</b> are: <b>bijou</b>, <b>caillou</b>, <b>chou</b>, <b>genou</b>, <b>hibou</b> <i>owl</i>, <b>joujou</b> <i>plaything</i>, <b>pou</b> <i>louse</i>.</p>\\n\\t\\t\\n\\t \\t<h4><b>Leçon 3</b></h4>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>homme <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɔm/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>man</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>femme <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fam/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>woman</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gens <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) (pl)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>people</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>garçon <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡaʁsɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>boy</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fille <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fij/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>girl</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bébé <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bebe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>baby</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>enfant <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃fɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>child</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>adolescent <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/adɔlɛsɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>teenager (n), teenage (adj) (m)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>adolescente <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/adɔlɛsɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>teenager (n), teenage (adj) (f)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>adulte <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m/f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/adylt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>adult (n), adult (adj)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>famille <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/famij/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>family</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mari <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/maʁi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>husband</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>femme <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fam/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>wife</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>parents <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) (pl)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/paʁɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>parents</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>père <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>father</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mère <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mother</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fils <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fis/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>son</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fille <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fij/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>daughter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>frère <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fʁɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>brother</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sœur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sister</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>frère cadet <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fʁɛʁ kadɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>younger brother</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sœur cadette <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sœʁ kadɛt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>younger sister</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>frère aîné <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fʁɛʁ ene/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>older brother</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sœur aînée <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sœʁ ene/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>older sister</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grands-parents <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) (pl)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡʁɑ̃paʁɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grandparents</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grand-père <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡʁɑ̃pɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grandfather</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grand-mère <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡʁɑ̃mɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grandmother</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>petit-fils <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pətifis/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grandson</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>petite-fille <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pətitfij/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>granddaughter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>oncle <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɔ̃kl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>uncle</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tante <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>aunt</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>neveu <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/nəvø/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nephew</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nièce <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/njɛs/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>niece</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cousin <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kuzɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cousin (m)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cousine <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kuzin/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cousin (f)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>beau-père <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bopɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>father-in-law</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>belle-mère <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bɛlmɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mother-in-law</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ami <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ami/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>friend (m)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>amie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ami/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>friend (f)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>meilleur ami <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɛjœʁ ami/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>best friend (m)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>meilleure amie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɛjœʁ ami/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>best friend (f)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>copain / petit ami <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔpɛ̃/ /pətitami/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>boyfriend</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>copine / petite amie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔpin/ /pətitami/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>girlfriend</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fiancé <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fjɑ̃se/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fiancé</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fiancée <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fjɑ̃se/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fiancée</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tête <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tɛt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>head</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lèvre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lɛvʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lip (<b>les lèvres</b> <i>lips</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bouche <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/buʃ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mouth</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>langue <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lɑ̃g/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tongue, language</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>oreille <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɔʁɛj/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ear</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dent <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tooth</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>poitrine <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pwatʁin/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chest</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ventre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vɑ̃tʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>belly</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dos <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/do/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>back</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>main <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hand</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bras <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bʁa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>arm</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>doigt <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>finger</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>jambe <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒɑ̃b/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>leg</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pied <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>foot</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>voisin <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vwazɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>neighbor (m)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>voisine <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vwazin/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>neighbor (f)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chanteur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃɑ̃tœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>singer (m)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chanteuse <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃɑ̃tøz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>singer (f)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vendeur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vɑ̃dœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vendor (m)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vendeuse <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vɑ̃døz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vendor (f)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>traducteur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tʁadyktœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>translator (m)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>traductrice <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tʁadyktʁis/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>translator (f)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>infirmier <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ̃fiʁmje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nurse (m)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>infirmière <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ̃fiʁmjɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nurse (f)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>veuf <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vœf/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>widower</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>veuve <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vœv/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>widow</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>journaliste <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m/f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒuʁnalist/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>journalist</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nouveau / nouvel / nouvelle</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/nuvo/ /nuvɛl/ /nuvɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>new</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>jeune</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒœn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>young</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vieux / vieil / vieille</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vjø/ /vjɛj/ /vjɛj/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>old</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>petit / petite</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pəti/ /pətit/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>small, short (<b>moindre</b> <i>smaller</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grand / grande</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡʁɑ̃/ /ɡʁɑ̃d/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>big, great, tall</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>long / longue</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lɔ̃/ /lɔ̃ɡ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>long</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>court / courte</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kuʁ/ /kuʁt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>short</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>haut / haute</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/o/ /ot/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>high</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bas / basse</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bɑ/ /bɑs/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>low</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gros / grosse</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡʁo/ /ɡʁos/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fat</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>maigre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɛɡʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>skinny</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mince</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɛ̃s/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>thin, slim</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>beau / bel / belle</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bo/ /bɛl/ /bɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>beautiful, pretty, handsome</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>joli / jolie</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒɔli/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pretty</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>laid / laide</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lɛ/ /lɛd/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ugly</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sympathique</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛ̃patik/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nice</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>joyeux / joyeuse</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒwajø/ /ʒwajøz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>joyful</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>triste</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tʁist/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sad</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sensible</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɑ̃sibl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sensitive</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>patient / patiente</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pasjɑ̃/ /pasjɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>patient</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>têtu / têtue</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tɛty/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>stubborn</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>honnête</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɔnɛt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>honest, fair, truthful</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>timide</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/timid/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>shy</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>intéressant / intéressante</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ̃teʁɛsɑ̃/ /ɛ̃teʁɛsɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>interesting</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cher / chère</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dear (before the noun), expensive (after the noun)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>premier / première</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pʁəmje/ /pʁəmjɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>first</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dernier / dernière</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dɛʁnje/ /dɛʁnjɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>last</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>heureux / heureuse</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/œʁø/ /œʁøz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>happy</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>paresseux / paresseuse</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/paʁɛsø/ /paʁɛsøz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lazy</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>curieux / curieuse</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kyʁjø/ /kyʁjøz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>curious, inquisitive</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ennuyeux / ennuyeuse</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃nɥijø/ /ɑ̃nɥijøz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>boring</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>jaloux / jalouse</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒalu/ /ʒaluz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>jealous</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>naïf / naïve</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/naif/ /naiv/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>naive</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>attentif / attentive</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/atɑ̃tif/ /atɑ̃tiv/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>attentive, careful</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>agressif / agressive</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/aɡʁɛsif/ /aɡʁɛsiv/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>aggressive</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>naturel / naturelle</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/natyʁɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>natural</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>concret / concrète</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔ̃kʁɛ/ /kɔ̃kʁɛt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>concrete, real</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>discret / discrète</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/diskʁɛ/ /diskʁɛt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>discreet</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>secret / secrète</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/səkʁɛ/ /səkʁɛt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>secret</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>facile</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fasil/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>easy (<b>facile de/à faire</b> <i>easy to do</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>difficile</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/difisil/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>difficult (<b>difficile de/à faire</b> <i>hard to do</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fatigué / fatiguée</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fatige/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tired</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>franc / franche</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fʁɑ̃/ /fʁɑ̃ʃ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>frank</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>normal / normale</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/nɔʁmal/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>normal</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>royal / royale</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁwajal/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>royal</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>loyal / loyale</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lwajal/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>loyal</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>célèbre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/selɛbʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>famous</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>marié / mariée</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/maʁje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>married</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lisse</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lis/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>smooth</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rapide</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁapid/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fast</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>connu / connue</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔny/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>known, famous</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>intelligent / intelligente</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ̃teliʒɑ̃/ /ɛ̃teliʒɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>intelligent</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rouge</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁuʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>red</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>jaune</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒon/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>yellow</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vert / verte</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vɛʁ/ /vɛʁt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>green</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bleu / bleue</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/blø/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>blue</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>violet / violette</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vjɔlɛ/ /vjɔlɛt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>purple</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rose</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁoz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pink</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>brun / brune</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bʁɛ̃/ /bʁyn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>brown</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gris / grise</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡʁi/ /ɡʁiz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gray</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>noir / noire</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/nwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>black</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>blanc / blanche</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/blɑ̃/ /blɑ̃ʃ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>white</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>blond / blonde</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/blɔ̃/ /blɔ̃d/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>blonde</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>exercice <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛɡzɛʁsis/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>exercise</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vacances <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f) (pl)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vakɑ̃s/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vacation (<b>partir en vacances</b> <i>go on vacation</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>par contre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/paʁ kɔ̃tʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>however, on the other hand</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>assez</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ase/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>quite, enough (<b>assez de temps</b> <i>enough time</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Tu as des frères et des sœurs?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ty a de fʁɛʁ e de sœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Do you have siblings?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Tu as des enfants?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ty a dezɑ̃fɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Do you have children?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Non, je n’ai pas d’enfants.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/nɔ̃ ʒə ne pɑ dɑ̃fɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>No, I don’t have any children.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t \\n\\t \\t<h4><b>Leçon 4</b></h4>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>avec</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/avɛk/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>with</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>parce que</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/paʁs kə/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>because</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>à cause de</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/a koz də/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>because of</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>puis</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɥi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>then</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>depuis</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dəpɥi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>since, for (time)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>un peu</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ̃ pø/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>a little</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>depuis peu</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dəpɥi pø/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>since a while ago, recently, for a while</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>beaucoup</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/boku/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>a lot (<b>beaucoup de temps</b> <i>a lot of time</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>près</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pʁɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nearby, close, soon (<b>près de la nature</b> <i>close to nature</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tôt</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/to/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>early</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tard</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/taʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>late</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>avant</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/avɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>before (<b>avant de faire</b> <i>before doing</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>après</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/apʁɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>afterwards, after (<b>après avoir fait</b> <i>after doing</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ensuite</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃sɥit/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>afterwards</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>devant</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dəvɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>in front of</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>derrière</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dɛʁjɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>behind</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chez</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>to/at one’s home/office (pl. <i>u</i>) (<b>chez moi</b> <i>at/to my house</i>, <b>chez le médecin</b> <i>at/to the doctor’s</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>quelque <span class=\\\"gray\\\">pl. </span>quelques</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɛlk/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>some</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>quelque chose</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɛlk ʃoz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>something</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chose <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃoz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>thing</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>d’abord</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dabɔʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>at first, first</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grâce à</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡʁɑsa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>thanks to</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>une fois par semaine</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/yn fwa paʁ səmɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>once a week</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ce n’est jamais bon</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sə nɛ ʒamɛ bɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>it is never good</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>aimer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛme/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>love, like (<b>aimer faire</b> <i>like doing</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>adorer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/adɔʁe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>love, adore (<b>adorer faire</b> <i>love doing</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>détester</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/detɛste/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hate (<b>détester faire</b> <i>hate doing</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>promener</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pʁɔmne/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>walk out an animal (<b>se promener</b> <i>take a walk</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(prom<b>è</b>n-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>passer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pase/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pass, spend, go past (<b>se passer</b> <i>happen, go by</i>, <b>passer le/du temps</b> <i>spend time</i>, <b>passer l’aspirateur</b> <i>vacuum</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lever</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ləve/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>raise, lift (<b>se lever</b> <i>rise, stand up, get up</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(l<b>è</b>v-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>laver</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lave/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>wash (<b>se laver</b> <i>wash oneself</i>, <b>se laver les dents</b> <i>brush one’s teeth</i>, <b>laver les fenêtres</b> <i>clean windows</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>habiller</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/abije/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dress (<b>s’habiller</b> <i>get dressed</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>terminer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tɛʁmine/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>end, finish (erg.)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rentrer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁɑ̃tʁe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>re-enter, go home (<b>rentrer dans la salle</b> <i>go back to the room</i>, <b>rentrer chez soi</b> <i>go back home</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>reposer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁəpoze/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>put down, rest sth (<b>se reposer</b> <i>rest</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>manger</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɑ̃ʒe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>eat <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(mang<b>e</b>-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>changer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃɑ̃ʒe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>change (erg.) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(chang<b>e</b>-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nager</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/naʒe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>swim <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(nag<b>e</b>-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>voyager</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vwajaʒe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>travel <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(voyag<b>e</b>-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>écouter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ekute/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>listen, listen to</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>commencer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔmɑ̃se/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>begin (erg.) (<b>commencer à faire</b> <i>begin doing/to do</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(commen<b>ç</b>-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cuisiner</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɥizine/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cook</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>regarder</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁəɡaʁde/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>look at, watch (<b>regarder la télévision</b> <i>watch television</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>travailler</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tʁavaje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>work (<b>travailler dans une banque</b> <i>work at a bank</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>étudier</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/etydje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>study</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>retourner</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁətuʁne/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>return (erg.) (<b>retourner chez soi / à la maison</b> <i>go home</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>réveiller</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁevɛje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>wake sb up (<b>se réveiller</b> <i>wake up</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>peigner</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɛɲe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>comb (<b>se peigner</b> <i>comb one’s hair</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>baigner</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bɛɲe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bathe sth (<b>se baigner</b> <i>take a bath, go for a swim</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>coucher</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kuʃe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lay down (<b>se coucher</b> <i>go to bed</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>préparer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pʁepaʁe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>prepare (<b>préparer le repas</b> <i>prepare a meal</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vider</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vide/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>empty (<b>vider la poubelle</b> <i>empty the trashcan</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dîner</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dine/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dine</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rencontrer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁɑ̃kɔ̃tʁe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>meet (<b>se rencontrer</b> <i>meet [each other]</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>repasser</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁəpɑse/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>iron (clothes)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>louer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lwe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rent (<b>louer un appartement</b> <i>rent an apartment</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>brosser</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bʁɔse/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>brush (<b>se brosser les dents</b> <i>brush one’s teeth</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>coûter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kute/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cost</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>finir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/finiʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>finish</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grandir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡʁɑ̃diʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grow</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grossir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡʁosiʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>put on weight</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>maigrir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɛɡʁiʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lose weight</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>réfléchir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁefleʃiʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>reflect, ponder</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>prendre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pʁɑ̃dʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>take (<b>prendre le petit déjeuner</b> <i>eat breakfast</i>, <b>prendre une douche/un bain</b> <i>take a shower/a bath</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(prend- pren- prenn-, pr<b>is</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vendre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vɑ̃dʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sell <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(vend-, vend<b>u</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sortir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɔʁtiʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>go out, take out (<b>sortir de la maison</b> <i>leave the house</i>, <b>sortir le chien</b> <i>take the dog out</i>, <b>sortir la poubelle</b> <i>take out the trash</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(sor- sort- sort-, sort<b>i</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dormir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dɔʁmiʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sleep <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(dor- dorm- dorm-, dorm<b>i</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>endormir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃dɔʁmiʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>put to sleep (<b>s’endormir</b> <i>fall asleep</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(<b>en</b> + as <b>dormir</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>partir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/paʁtiʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>share, leave <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(par- part- part-, part<b>i</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>boire</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>drink <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(boi- bu- boiv-, bu)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>faire la cuisine</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fɛʁ la kɥizin/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cook</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>faire le lit</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fɛʁ lə li/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>make the bed</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>faire la vaisselle</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fɛʁ la vɛsɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>do the dishes</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>faire les courses</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fɛʁ le kuʁs/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>do the shopping</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>faire le ménage</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fɛʁ lə menaʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>do the housework, clean up</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>faire le repassage</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fɛʁ lə ʁəpasaʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>do the ironing</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>maison <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɛzɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>house</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bâtiment <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bɑtimɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>building</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>immeuble <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/imœbl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>building, apartment building</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gratte-ciel <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡʁatsjɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>skyscraper</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>appartement <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/apaʁtəmɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>apartment</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>studio <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/stydjo/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>studio, studio apartment</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>jardin <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒaʁdɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>garden</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cuisine <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɥizin/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>kitchen, cuisine</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>salle de bain <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sal də bɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bathroom</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>toilettes <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f) (pl)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/twalɛt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>toilet</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chambre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃɑ̃bʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>room, bedroom</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chambre à coucher <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃɑ̃bʁa kuʃe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bedroom</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>salle à manger <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sala mɑ̃ʒe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dining room</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>salle de séjour <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sal də seʒuʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>living room</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>salon <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/salɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>living room, salon</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chambre d’ami(s) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃɑ̃bʁə dami/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>guest room</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vestibule <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vɛstibyl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hall, entrance hall</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cave <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kav/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>basement</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grenier <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡʁənje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>attic</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>toit <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/twa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>roof</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>garage <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡaʁaʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>garage</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>escalier <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛskalje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>step, stair, staircase (<b>les escaliers</b> <i>stairs</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>porte <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɔʁt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>door</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fenêtre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fənɛtʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>window</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rez-de-chaussée <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁedəʃose/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>first floor (EU ground floor)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>étage <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/etaʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>floor, story</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>habiter au premier étage</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/abite o pʁəmjeʁetaʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>live on the second floor (EU first floor)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>habiter au deuxième étage</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/abite o døzjɛm etaʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>live on the third floor (EU second floor)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>centre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɑ̃tʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>center</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ville <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vil/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>city</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>centre de la ville <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɑ̃tʁ də la vil/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>city center (<b>habiter au centre de la ville</b> <i>live downtown</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>campagne <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɑ̃paɲ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>countryside (<b>habiter à la campagne</b> <i>live in the country</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>village <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vilaʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>village</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tranquillité <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tʁɑ̃kilite/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tranquility, calmness</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>silence <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/silɑ̃s/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>silence</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>forêt <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fɔʁɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>forest</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nature <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/natyʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nature</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>meuble <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mœbl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>piece of furniture (<b>les meubles</b> <i>furniture</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lit <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/li/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bed</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>armoire <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/aʁmwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>closet</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>table <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tabl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>table</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chaise <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃɛz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chair, seat</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bureau <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/byʁo/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>desk, office</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fauteuil <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fotœj/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>armchair</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tapis <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tapi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>carpet</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lampe <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lɑ̃p/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lamp</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>douche <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/duʃ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>shower</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>baignoire <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bɛɲwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bathtub</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lavabo <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lavabo/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>washbasin</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>machine à laver <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/maʃina lave/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>washing machine</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>réfrigérateur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / frigo <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁefʁiʒeʁatœʁ/ /fʁigo/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>refrigerator, fridge</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lave-vaisselle <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lavvɛsɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dishwasher</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vaisselle <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vɛsɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dishes, dishware</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fer à repasser <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fɛʁa ʁəpase/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>clothes iron</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>four <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fuʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>oven, stove</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>four à micro-ondes <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fuʁa mikʁoɔ̃d/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>microwave oven</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>aspirateur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/aspiʁatœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vacuum cleaner</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>poubelle <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pubɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>trashcan, trash</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>télévision <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span> / télé <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/televizjɔ̃/ /tele/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>television, TV</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>courses <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f) (pl)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kuʁs/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>shopping (groceries)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ménage <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/menaʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>housework</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>repassage <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁəpasaʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ironing</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>placard <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/plakaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cupboard</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>miroir <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/miʁwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mirror</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>étagère <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/etaʒɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>shelf</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>casserole <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kasʁɔl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>saucepan</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bruit <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bʁɥi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>noise</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>content / contente</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔ̃tɑ̃/ /kɔ̃tɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>glad, pleased, content (<b>content de</b> <i>pleased with</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>libre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/libʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>free, clear (<b>temps libre</b> <i>free time</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vide</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vid/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>empty</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>premier / prèmiere</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pʁəmje/ /pʁəmjɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>first</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>deuxième</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/døzjɛm/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>second</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>troisième</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tʁwazjɛm/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>third</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>quatrième</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/katʁjɛm/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fourth</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cinquième</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛ̃kjɛm/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fifth</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sixième</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sizjɛm/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sixth</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>septième</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛtjɛm/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>seventh</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>huitième</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɥitjɛm/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>eighth</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>neuvième</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/nœvjɛm/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ninth</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dixième</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dizjɛm/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tenth</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>onzième</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɔ̃zjɛm/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>eleventh</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>douzième</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/duzjɛm/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>twelvth</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>treizième</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tʁɛzjɛm/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>thirteenth</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vingtième</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vɛ̃tjɛm/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>twentieth</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vingt-et-unième</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vɛ̃teynjɛm/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>twenty-first</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>centième</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɑ̃tjɛm/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hundredth</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t \\n\\t \\t<h4><b>Leçon 5</b></h4>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>d’accord</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dakɔʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>in agreement (with), sure! / ok!</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>surtout</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/syʁtu/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>especially</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>malheureusement</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/malœʁøzmɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>unfortunately</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>à la fin</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/a la fɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>in the end, finally</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bien sûr</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bjɛ̃ syʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>of course</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tout de suite</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tutsɥit/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>immediately, right away</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>comme</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔm/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>like, as (<b>travailler comme serveur</b> <i>work as a waiter</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>encore</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃kɔʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>still, more, again, yet</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sauf</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sof/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>except for (<b>sauf moi</b> <i>except for me</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pour</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/puʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>for (<b>pour faire</b> <i>in order to do</i> <b>pour ne pas faire</b> <i>in order not to do</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>repas <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁəpɑ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>meal</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>petit déjeuner <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pəti deʒœne/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>breakfast (in France)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>déjeuner <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/deʒœne/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lunch (in France), breakfast (outside of France)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dessert <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/desɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dessert</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>goûter <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/gute/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>light afternoon meal (pl. <i>podwieczorek</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dîner <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dine/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dinner (in France), lunch (outside of France)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>souper <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/supe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>light evening meal (in France), dinner (outside of France)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pain <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bread</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>beurre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>butter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lait <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>milk</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>œuf <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) pl.</span> œufs</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/œf/ /ø/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>egg</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>confiture <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔ̃fityʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>jelly</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fromage <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fʁɔmaʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cheese</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>jambon <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒɑ̃bɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ham</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pâte <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pat/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pastry, dough (<b>les pâtes</b> <i>pasta</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>riz <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rice</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>huile <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɥil/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>oil</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>huile d'olive <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɥil dɔliv/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>olive oil</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>viande <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vjɑ̃d/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>meat</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>poulet <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pule/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chicken</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>poisson <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pwasɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fish</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fruits de mer <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) (pl)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fʁɥi də mɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>seafood</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sucre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sykʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sugar</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sel <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>salt</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>poivre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pwavʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pepper</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>yaourt <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/jauʁt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>yogurt</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sucreries <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f) (pl)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sykʁəʁi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>candy</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>frites <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f) (pl)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fʁit/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>French fries</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pizza <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pidza/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pizza</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>saumon <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/somɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>salmon</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>crêpe <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kʁɛp/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pancake</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>eau minérale <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/o mineʁal/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mineral water</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>eau gazeuse <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/o ɡazøz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sparkling water</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>eau plate <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/o plat/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>still water</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vin <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>wine</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bière <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bjɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>beer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>café <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kafe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>coffee, café (<b>café au lait</b> <i>coffee with milk</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>thé <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/te/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tea</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>jus de fruit <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒy də fʁɥi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fruit juice (<b>jus de pomme</b> <i>apple juice</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>alcool <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/alkɔl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>alcohol</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>boisson <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bwasɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>drink, beverage</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fruit <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fʁɥi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fruit</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pomme <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɔm/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>apple</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>poire <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pear</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>citron <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sitʁɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lemon</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>orange <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɔʁɑ̃ʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>orange</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>raisin <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁɛzɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grape</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pêche <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɛʃ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>peach</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>abricot <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/abʁiko/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>apricot</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>banane <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/banan/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>banana</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fraise <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fʁɛz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>strawberry</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>prune <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pʁyn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>plum</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>framboise <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fʁɑ̃bwaz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>raspberry</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pamplemousse <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɑ̃pləmus/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grapefruit</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pastèque <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pastɛk/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>watermelon</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>melon <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/məlɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>melon</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>légume <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/leɡym/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vegetable</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tomate <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tɔmat/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tomato</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>carotte <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kaʁɔt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>carrot</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>oignon <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɔɲɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>onion</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ail <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/aj/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>garlic</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pomme de terre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɔm də tɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>potato</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>concombre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔ̃kɔ̃bʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cucumber</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>laitue <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lɛty/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lettuce</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>salade <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/salad/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>salad</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>poivron <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pwavʁɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bell pepper</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>épinard <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/epinaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>spinach</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>brocoli <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bʁɔkɔli/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>broccoli</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ciboulette <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sibulɛt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chives</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>restaurant <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁɛstɔʁɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>restaurant</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>serveur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛʁvœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>waiter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>serveuse <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛʁvøz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>waitress</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>menu <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/məny/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>menu</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>addition <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/adisjɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>check (in a restaurant), addition</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>entrée <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃tʁe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>starter (meal), entrance, entry</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>plat <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pla/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dish, course</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>plat principal <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pla pʁɛ̃sipal/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>main course</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hors-d'œuvre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) (h asp.)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɔʁdœvʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>appetizer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pourboire <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/puʁbwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tip (at a restaurant)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>commande <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔmɑ̃d/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>order</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>croissant <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kʁwasɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>croissant, crescent</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>glace <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡlas/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ice, ice cream (<b>glace à la vanille</b> <i>vanilla ice cream</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>euro <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/øʁo/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>euro</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>soupe <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sup/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>soup (<b>soupe à la tomates</b> <i>tomato soup<i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>courage <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kuʁaʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>courage</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>talent <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/talɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>talent</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chance <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃɑ̃s/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chance, luck</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vent <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>wind</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>soleil <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɔlɛj/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sun</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lune <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lyn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>moon</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tasse <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tas/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cup (<b>une tasse de café</b> <i>a cup of coffee</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bout <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bu/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bit, piece (<b>un bout de gâteau</b> <i>a piece of cake</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>santé <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɑ̃te/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>health (<b>bon pour la santé</b> <i>good for your health</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pique-nique <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/piknik/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>picnic</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>choix <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>choice (<b>grand choix de vins</b> <i>big choice of wines</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>prix <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pʁi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>prize, price (<b>prix bas</b> <i>low price</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ambiance <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃bjɑ̃s/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ambience, atmosphere</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>endroit <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃dʁwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>place, spot</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tour <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tuʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tower (<b>tour Eiffel</b> <i>Eiffel Tower</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lieu <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ljø/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>place</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>terrasse <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tɛʁas/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>terrace</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>air <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>air (<b>en plein air</b> <i>in the open air, outdoors</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>argent <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/aʁʒɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>silver, money</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>morceau <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɔʁso/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>piece, bit</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>personne <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɛʁsɔn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>person, no one, anyone</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vouloir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vulwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>want, wish (<b>je voudrais</b> <i>I would like</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(veu-<b>x</b> voul- veul-, voul<b>u</b>, saur-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pouvoir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/puvwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>can (not know how to), may <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(peu-<b>x</b> pouv- peuv-, p<b>u</b>, pourr-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>devoir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dəvwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>must <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(doi- dev- doiv-, d<b>û</b>, devr-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>savoir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/savwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>know, know how to, be able to <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(sai- sav- sav-, s<b>u</b>, saur-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>falloir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/falwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>need (impersonal) (<b>il faut faire</b> <i>one needs to</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(fau<b>t</b>, fall<b>u</b>, faudr-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>essayer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/esɛje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>try, attempt (<b>essayer de faire</b> <i>try to do</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(essa<b>y</b>- / essa<b>i</b>-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>préférer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pʁefeʁe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>prefer (<b>préféré(e)</b> <i>favorite</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(préf<b>è</b>r-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>commander</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔmɑ̃de/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>order</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>réserver</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁezɛʁve/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>reserve, book</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>payer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɛje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pay <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(pa<b>y</b>- / pa<b>i</b>-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>apporter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/apɔʁte/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bring</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>acheter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/aʃte/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>buy <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(ach<b>è</b>t-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>griller</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡʁije/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grill, toast</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>varier</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vaʁje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vary (<b>varié(e)</b> <i>varied</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>couper</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kupe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cut (<b>couper en morceaux</b> <i>cut into pieces</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hacher</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/aʃe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chop</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ajouter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/aʒute/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>add</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mélanger</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/melɑ̃ʒe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mix</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>casser</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kase/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>break (<b>casser un œuf</b> <i>crack an egg</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>étaler</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/etale/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>spread (<b>s’étaler</b> <i>stretch out</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>éplucher</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/eplyʃe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>peel</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sain / saine</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛ̃/ /sɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>healthy (<b>sainement</b> <i>healthily</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>végétarien / végétarienne</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/veʒetaʁjɛ̃/ /veʒetaʁjɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vegetarian</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>idéal / idéale</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ideal/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ideal</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>traditionnel / traditionnelle</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tʁadisjɔnɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>traditional</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>élégant / élégante</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/eleɡɑ̃/ /eleɡɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>elegant</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>agréable</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/aɡʁeabl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pleasant, nice</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>excellent / excellente</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛksɛlɑ̃/ /ɛksɛlɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>excellent</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vrai / vraie</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vʁɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>true, real</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>plein / pleine</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/plɛ̃/ /plɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>full, plenty (<b>plein de poissons</b> <i>full of fish</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>asiatique</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/azjatik/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Asian</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>délicieux / délicieuse</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/delisjø/ /delisjøz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>delicious</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td style=\\\"vertical-align: baseline;\\\">tout / toute <span class=\\\"gray\\\">pl.</span> tous / toutes <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(adj.)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\" style=\\\"vertical-align: baseline;\\\">/tu/ /tut/ /tu/ /tut/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>all the, whole <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(sg.)</span> (<b>toute la maison</b> <i>the whole house</i>, <b>tout l’argent</b> <i>all the money</i>)<br/>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t\\tall, every <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(pl.)</span> (<b>toutes les maisons</b> <i>all the houses</i>, <b>tous les jours</b> <i>every day</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td style=\\\"vertical-align: baseline;\\\">tout / toute <span class=\\\"gray\\\">pl.</span> tous / toutes <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(pr.)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\" style=\\\"vertical-align: baseline;\\\">/tu/ /tut/ /tus/ /tut/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>everything <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(sg.)</span> (<b>tu sais tout</b> <i>you know everything</i>)<br/>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\tall, everyone <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(pl.)</span> (<b>tous sont ici</b> <i>all are here</i>, <b>nous sommes tous ici</b> <i>we are all here</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Je peux prendre la commande? / <br/>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\tPuis-je prendre la commande?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒə pø pʁɑ̃dʁ la kɔmɑ̃d/ <br/>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t/pɥiʒə pʁɑ̃dʁ la kɔmɑ̃d/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td style=\\\"vertical-align: baseline;\\\">May I take your order?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Ça fait 8 euros.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sa fɛ ɥit øʁo/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>That will be 8 euros.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Bon appétit.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bɔnapeti/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Have a nice meal.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Tu veux manger quelque chose?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tu vø mɑ̃ʒe kɛlk ʃoz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Do you want to eat something?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Je ne peux pas manger de sucreries.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒən pø pɑ mɑ̃ʒe də sykʁəʁi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I can’t eat candy.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Je dois me lever tôt.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒə dwa mə ləve to/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I have to get up early.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\n\\t\\t<h4><b>Leçon 6</b></h4>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>trop</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tʁo/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>too</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>peut-être</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pøtɛtʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>maybe</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tandis que</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tɑ̃di kə/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>whereas</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>donc</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dɔ̃k/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>therefore</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>déjà</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/deʒa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>already</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td style=\\\"vertical-align: baseline;\\\">celui / celle <span class=\\\"gray\\\">pl.</span> ceux / celles</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\" style=\\\"vertical-align: baseline;\\\">/səlɥi/ /sɛl/ /sø/ /sɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>the one <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(sg.)</span> (<b>je suis celui qui sait</b> <i>I am the one who knows</i>)<br/>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\tthe ones <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(pl.)</span> (<b>j'aime ceux qui sont honnêtes</b> <i>I like those who are honest</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>celui-ci / celle-ci <span class=\\\"gray\\\">pl.</span> ceux-ci / celles-ci</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/səlɥisi/ /sɛlsi/ /søsi/ /sɛlsi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>this one <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(sg.)</span>, these ones <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(pl.)</span>; the latter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>celui-là / celle-là <span class=\\\"gray\\\">pl.</span> ceux-là / celles-là</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/səlɥila/ /sɛlla/ /søla/ /sɛlla/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>that one <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(sg.)</span>, those ones <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(pl.)</span>; the former</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ici</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/isi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>here</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>là, là-bas</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/la/ /laba/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>there, over there</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\"> \\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>magasin <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/maɡazɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>store (<b>aller au magasin / dans un magasin</b> <i>go to a store</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>boutique <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/butik/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>small store</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>épicerie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/episʁi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grocery store</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>supermarché <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sypɛʁmaʁʃe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>supermarket</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grande surface <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡʁɑ̃d syʁfas/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>supermarket</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>librairie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/libʁɛʁi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>library</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fleuriste <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m/f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/flœʁist/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>florist</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pharmacie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/faʁmasi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pharmacy</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>boucherie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/buʃʁi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>butchershop</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>boulangerie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bulɑ̃ʒʁi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bakery</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pâtisserie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɑtisʁi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>confectionery shop</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>magasin de chaussures <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/maɡazɛ̃ də ʃosyʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>shoe store</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>magasin de vêtements <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/maɡazɛ̃ də vɛtmɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>clothing store</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>centre commercial <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɑ̃tʁə kɔmɛʁsjal/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>shopping mall</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cabine d'essayage <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kabin desɛjaʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fitting room</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vêtement <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vɛtmɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>piece of clothing (<b>des vêtements</b> <i>clothes</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chemise <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃəmiz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>shirt</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chemisette <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃəmizɛt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>short-sleeved shirt</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>T-shirt <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tiʃœʁt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>T-shirt</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chemisier <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃəmizje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>blouse</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pull <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pyl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pullover, sweater</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pantalon <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɑ̃talɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pants</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>jupe <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒyp/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>skirt</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>robe <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁɔb/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dress</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>veste <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vɛst/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>jacket, suit jacket</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>imperméable <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ̃pɛʁmeabl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>raincoat (n), waterproof (adj)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>costume <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔstym/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>suit</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>écharpe <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/eʃaʁp/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>scarf</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chapeau <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃapo/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hat (pl. <i>kapelusz</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bonnet <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bɔnɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>beanie</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>casquette <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kaskɛt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>baseball cap</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gant <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>glove</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cravate <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kʁavat/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>necktie</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sac à main <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sak a mɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>purse</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chaussure <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃosyʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>shoe</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chaussure à talon <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃosyʁ a talɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>high heel shoe</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>botte <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bɔt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>boot</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sandale <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɑ̃dal/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sandal</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>droite <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dʁwat/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>right, right side (<b>à droite</b> <i>on the right</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gauche <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡoʃ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>left, left side (<b>à gauche</b> <i>on the left</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>couleur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kulœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>color</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>litre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/litʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>liter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>kilo <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kilo/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>kilo</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>plaisir <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/plɛziʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pleasure</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>plastique <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/plastik/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>plastic</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cadeau <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kado/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>present, gift</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>stylo <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/stilo/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pen</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>client <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/klijɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>client (m)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cliente <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/klijɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>client (f)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>taille <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/taj/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>size, waist</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pointure <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pwɛ̃tyʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>shoe size</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>solde <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɔld/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sale, discount</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>espèce <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛspɛs/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>type, species (<b>payer en espèces</b> <i>pay in cash</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>carte de crédit <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kaʁt də kʁedi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>credit card (<b>payer par carte de crédit</b> <i>pay with a credit card</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>monnaie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɔnɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>change, currency</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bouteille <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/butɛj/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bottle</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>paquet <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pakɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>packet, package</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pot <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/po/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pot, jar, can</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>boîte <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bwat/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>box, can</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dictionnaire <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/diksjɔnɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dictionary</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>médicament <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/medikamɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>drug, medication</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>banque <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bɑ̃k/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bank</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cinéma <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sinema/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>movie theater</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>aider</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛde/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>help (<b>aider à faire</b> <i>help with doing</i>, <b>aider aux devoirs</b> <i>help with homework</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chercher</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃɛʁʃe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>look for, seek</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>plaire</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/plɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>please (pl. <i>podobać się</i>, used with ind. object or <b>à</b>) (<b>ça me plaît</b> <i>I like it</i>, lit. <i>it pleases me</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sembler</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɑ̃ble/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>seem (<b>il me semble grand</b> <i>it seems big to me</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>revenir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁəvəniʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>come back, return <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(<b>re</b> + as <b>venir</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>porter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɔʁte/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>carry, wear</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ouvrir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/uvʁiʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>open, begin <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(<b>ouvr</b> + as regular <b>-er</b> verbs, ouv<b>ert</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fermer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fɛʁme/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>close</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>garder</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡaʁde/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>keep, save, retain</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>trouver</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tʁuve/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>find, find sth to be (<b>se trouver</b> <i>be situated</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>arriver</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/aʁive/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>arrive</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dépenser</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/depɑ̃se/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>spend (money)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>faire du shopping</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fɛʁ dy ʃɔpiŋ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>do shopping</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ne rien faire</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/nə ʁjɛ̃ fɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>do nothing (<b>je ne fais rien toute la journée</b> <i>I do nothing all day</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bon marché</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bɔ̃ maʁʃe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cheap (invariable)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pas cher / pas chère</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɑ ʃɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>inexpensive</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rare</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁɑʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rare (<b>rarement</b> <i>rarely</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>froid / froide</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fʁwa/ /fʁwad/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cold (<b>il fait froid</b> <i>it’s cold</i>, <b>j’ai froid</b> <i>I’m cold</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chaud / chaude</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃo/ /ʃod/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hot (<b>il fait chaud</b> <i>it’s hot</i>, <b>j’ai chaud</b> <i>I’m hot</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Combien ça coûte?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔ̃bjɛ̃ sa kut/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>How much does this cost?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Gardez la monnaie.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡaʁde la mɔnɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Keep the change.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Il te va bien.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/il tə va bjɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>It suits you well.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\n\\t\\t<h4><b>Leçon 7</b></h4>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>avec brio</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/avɛk bʁijo/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>brilliantly, with flying colors</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rien</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁjɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nothing, anything</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>y</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/i/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>there</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>quelqu’un <span class=\\\"gray\\\">pl.</span> quelques-uns</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɛlkɛ̃/ /kɛlkzɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>someone <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(sg.)</span>, some of / a few <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(pl.)</span> (<b>quelques-uns de ces livres</b> <i>some / a few of these books</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>en retard</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃ ʁətaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>late, overdue (<b>être en retard</b> <i>be late</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pendant</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɑ̃dɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>during, throughout</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>maintenant</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɛ̃tnɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>now</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>(école) maternelle <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ekɔl matɛʁnɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>kindergarten</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>école primaire <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ekɔl pʁimɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>primary school</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>école élémentaire <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ekɔl elemɑ̃tɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>elementary school</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>collège <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔlɛʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>middle school</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>école secondaire <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ekɔl səɡɔ̃dɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>secondary school</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lycée <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lise/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>high school</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>université <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ynivɛʁsite/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>university</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>élève <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m/f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/elɛv/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pupil, student (pl. <i>uczeń</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>professeur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / prof <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m/f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pʁɔfɛsœʁ/ /pʁɔf/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>teacher</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>enseignant <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃sɛɲɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>teacher (m)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>enseignante <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃sɛɲɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>teacher (f)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>artiste <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m/f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/aʁtist/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>artist</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>camarade de classe <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m/f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kamaʁad də klas/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>classmate</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bûcheur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/byʃœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bookworm, swot (pl. <i>kujon</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>classe <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/klas/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>class</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>salle de classe <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sal də klas/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>classroom</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>leçon <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ləsɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lesson</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cours <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kuʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>course, lesson, lecture</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>récréation <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁekʁeasjɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>recreation, recess</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>matière <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/matjɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>material, matter, school subject</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cours de langue <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kuʁ də lɑ̃ɡ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>language course</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mathématiques <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f) (pl)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/matematik/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mathematics</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>maths <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f) (pl)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mat/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>math</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>histoire <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/istwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>history</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>art <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/aʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>art</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>biologie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bjɔlɔʒi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>biology</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>géographie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒeɔɡʁafi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>geography</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chimie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃimi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chemistry</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>physique <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fizik/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>physics</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>médecine <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/medsin/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>medicine (field of study)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>droit <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dʁwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>law, right</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>langue étrangère <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lɑ̃ɡ etʁɑ̃ʒɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>foreign language</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>note <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/nɔt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>note, grade</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>devoir <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dəvwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>duty, assignment, homework (<b>des devoirs</b> <i>homework</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>test <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tɛst/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>test</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>contrôle <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔ̃tʁol/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>control, test</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>composition <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔ̃pozisjɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>composition, essay</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rédaction <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁedaksjɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>editing, essay</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>examen <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛɡzamɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>exam (<b>examen oral</b> <i>oral exam</i>, <b>examen écrit</b> <i>written exam</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>étude <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/etyd/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>study</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>raison <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁɛzɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>reason (<b>avoir raison</b> <i>be right</i>, <b>pour cette raison</b> <i>for that reason</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>texte <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tɛkst/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>text</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chiffre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃifʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>digit, cipher</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>monde <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɔ̃d/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>world, people</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pays <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɛi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>country, nation</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grammaire <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡʁamɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grammar</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>capitale <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kapital/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>capital, capital city</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sandwich <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɑ̃dwitʃ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sandwich</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>station <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/stasjɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>station (<b>station de métro</b> <i>subway station</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>métro <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/metʁo/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>subway</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tiroir <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tiʁwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>drawer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>canapé <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kanape/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sofa</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>erreur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/eʁœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>error, mistake</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lettre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lɛtʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>letter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bande dessinée <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bɑ̃d dɛsine/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>comic book</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>aventure <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/avɑ̃tyʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>adventure</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dessin <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/desɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>drawing</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vérité <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/veʁite/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>truth</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mensonge <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɑ̃sɔ̃ʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lie (<b>dire des mensonges</b> <i>tell lies</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>papier <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/papje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>paper</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sac à dos <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/saka do/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>backpack</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cartable <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kaʁtabl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>schoolbag</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>manuel <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/manɥɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>textbook, manual</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>trousse (d'écolier) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tʁus dekɔlje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pencil case</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>crayon <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kʁɛjɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pencil</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>règle <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁɛɡl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rule, regulation, ruler</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ciseaux <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) (pl)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sizo/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>scissors</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gomme (à effacer) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡɔm a efase/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>eraser</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>taille-crayon <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tajkʁɛjɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pencil sharpener</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>marqueur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/maʁkœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>marker, marker pen</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>feuille <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fœj/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>leaf, sheet (of paper)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>éponge <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/epɔ̃ʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sponge</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>craie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kʁɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chalk</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tableau noir <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tablo nwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>blackboard</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>aller faire</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ale fɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>be going to do, will do soon</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>y avoir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ijavwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>there be</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lire</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/liʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>read <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(li- lis- lis-, l<b>u</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>écrire</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ekʁiʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>write (<b>écrire à qqn/qqch</b> <i>write to sb/on sth</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(écri- écriv- écriv-, écri<b>t</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dire</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/diʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>say <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(di- dis- dit<b>es</b> dis-, di<b>t</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>voir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>see <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(voi- voy- voi-, v<b>u</b>, verr-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>inquiéter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ̃kjete/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>worry someone (<b>s’inquiéter</b> <i>worry, be worried</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(inqui<b>è</b>t-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>consacrer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔ̃sakʁe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dedicate, devote</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>appeler</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/aple/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>call, phone (<b>s’appeler</b> <i>be called</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(appe<b>ll</b>-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>téléphoner</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/telefɔne/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>phone (<b>téléphoner à qqn</b> <i>phone sb</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>accompagner</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/akɔ̃paɲe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>accompany</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>attendre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/atɑ̃dʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>wait (<b>attendre qqch/qqn</b> <i>wait for sth/sb</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(attend-, attend<b>u</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>donner</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dɔne/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>give (<b>donner qqch à qqn</b> <i>give sth to sb</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>envoyer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃vwaje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>send (<b>envoyer qqch à qqn</b> <i>send sth to sb</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(envo<b>i</b>-, enverr-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>expliquer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛksplike/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>explain (<b>expliquer qqch à qqn</b> <i>explain sth to sb</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>montrer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɔ̃tʁe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>show (<b>montrer qqch à qqn</b> <i>show sth to sb</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>remercier</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁəmɛʁsje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>thank (<b>remercier qqn pour qqch</b> <i>thank sb for sth</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>répondre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁepɔ̃dʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>answer (<b>répondre à qqn/qqch</b> <i>reply to sb/sth</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(répond-, répond<b>u</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>parler</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/paʁle/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>talk (<b>parler à qqn</b> <i>talk to sb</i>, <b>parler de qqch/qqn</b> <i>talk about sth/sb</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>penser</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɑ̃se/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>think (<b>penser à qqch/qqn</b> <i>think about sth/sb [non-opinion]</i>, <b>penser de qqch/qqn</b> <i>think about sth/sb [opinion]</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>apprendre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/apʁɑ̃dʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>learn, teach (<b>apprendre à qqn qqch</b> <i>teach sb sth</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(<b>ap</b> + as <b>prendre</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>répéter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁepete/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>repeat (<b>répéter après qqn</b> <i>repeat after sb</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(rép<b>è</b>t-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>réviser</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁevize/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>revise, review</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dessiner</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/desine/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>draw</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>effacer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/efase/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>erase</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>compter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔ̃te/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>count, matter, include</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>passer l’examen</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pase lɛɡzamɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>take the exam</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>réussir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁeysiʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>succeed (<b>réussir l’examen</b> <i>pass the exam</i>, <b>réussir à faire</b> <i>succeed at doing</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>échouer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/eʃwe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fail (<b>échouer à l’examen</b> <i>fail the exam</i>, <b>échouer à faire</b> <i>fail at doing</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tricher</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tʁiʃe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cheat</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sécher</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/seʃe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dry (erg.) (<b>sécher les cours</b> <i>skip classes</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(s<b>è</b>ch-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>durer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dyʁe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>last for (<b>durer 10 minutes</b> <i>last 10 minutes</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>servir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛʁviʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>serve, be used for (<b>servir à faire</b> <i>be used for doing</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(ser- serv- serv-, serv<b>i</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>utiliser</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ytilize/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>use</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mesurer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/məzyʁe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>measure</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sûr / sûre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/syʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sure, safe</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>oral / orale</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɔʁal/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>oral</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>faux / fausse</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fo/ /fos/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>false</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>important / importante</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ̃pɔʁtɑ̃/ /ɛ̃pɔʁtɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>important</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>interdit / interdite</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ̃tɛʁdi/ /ɛ̃tɛʁdit/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>forbidden (<b>il est interdit de faire</b> <i>it is forbidden to do</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Dans la chambre il y a un chat.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dɑ̃ la ʃɑ̃bʁ il ija ɛ̃ ʃa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>In the room there is a cat.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Il n’y a pas de chat dans la chambre.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/il nija pɑ də ʃa dɑ̃ la ʃɑ̃bʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>There isn’t a cat in the room.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Il n’y a personne ici.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/il nija pɑ pɛʁsɔn isi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>There is no one here.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Y a-t-il un chat dans la chambre?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ijatil ɛ̃ ʃa dɑ̃ la ʃɑ̃bʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Is there a cat in the room?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Tu n’as pas à t'inquiéter.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ty na pɑ a tɛ̃kjete/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>You don’t have to worry.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Je suis en deuxième année de lycée.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒə sɥizɑ̃ døzjɛm ane də lise/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I am in the 2nd grade of high school.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Bonne chance.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bɔn ʃɑ̃s/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Good luck.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\n\\t\\t<h4><b>Leçon 8</b></h4>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>à vrai dire</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/a vʁɛ diʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>to tell the truth</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pour le moment</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/puʁ lə mɔmɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>for now</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sans</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>without</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>récemment</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁesamɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>recently</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>presque</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/prʁɛsk/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>almost</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>peu</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pø/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>few, little, not very (<b>peu grand</b> <i>not very big</i>, <b>peu de temps</b> <i>little time</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>métier <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/metje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>job, profession, trade, skill</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>profession <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pʁɔfɛsjɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>profession</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chef <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / cheffe <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃɛf/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>boss</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>employeur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / employeuse <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃plwajœʁ/ /ɑ̃plwajøz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>employer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>employé <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / employée <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃plwaje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>employee</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>juriste <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m/f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒyʁist/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lawyer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>policier <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / policière <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɔlisje/ /pɔlisjɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>police officer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ingénieur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ̃ʒenjœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>engineer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>comptable <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m/f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔ̃tabl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>accountant</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>directeur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / directrice <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/diʁɛktœʁ/ /diʁɛktʁis/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>director, school principal</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>secrétaire <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m/f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/səkʁetɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>secretary</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cuisinier <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / cuisinière <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɥizinje/ /kɥizinjɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cook, chef</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pilote <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pilɔt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pilot</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pompier <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / pompière <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɔ̃pje/ /pɔ̃pjɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>firefighter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>acteur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / actrice <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/aktœʁ/ /aktʁis/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>actor / actress</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ouvrier <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / ouvrière <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/uvʁije/ /uvʁijɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>laborer, physical worker</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chimiste <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m/f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃimist/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chemist</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>architecte <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m/f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/aʁʃitɛkt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>architect</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>assistant <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / assistante <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/asistɑ̃/ /asistɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>assistant</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>voleur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / voleuse <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vɔlœʁ/ /vɔløz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>thief</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>criminel <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / criminelle <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kʁiminɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>criminal (also adj)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>usine <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/yzin/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>factory</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>entreprise <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃tʁəpʁiz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>company, business</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>département <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/depaʁtəmɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>department</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>laboratoire <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/labɔʁatwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>laboratory</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>responsabilité <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁɛspɔ̃sabilite/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>responsibility</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>collègue <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m/f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔlɛɡ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>colleague, coworker</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>curriculum vitae <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kyʁikylɔm vite/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>résumé</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lettre de motivation <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lɛtʁə də mɔtivasjɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cover letter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>entretien <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃tʁətjɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>interview (<b>entretien d’embauche</b> <i>job interview</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>salaire <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/salɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>salary</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>augmentation <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/oɡmɑ̃tasjɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>raise</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>promotion <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pʁɔmɔsjɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>promotion</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>expérience <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛkspeʁjɑ̃s/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>experience</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>heures supplémentaires <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f) (pl)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/œʁ syplemɑ̃tɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>overtime (<b>faire des heures supplémentaires</b> <i>work overtime</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>congé <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔ̃ʒe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>leave, time off work (<b>prendre un jour de congé</b> <i>take a day of leave</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>maladie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/maladi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>illness (<b>congé de maladie</b> <i>sick leave</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>impôt <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ̃po/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tax</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>assurance <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/asyʁɑ̃s/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>insurance</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chômeur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / chômeuse <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃomœʁ/ /ʃomøz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>unemployed person</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chômage <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃomaʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>idleness, unemployment (<b>être au chômage</b> <i>be unemployed</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>retraite <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁətʁɛt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>retirement, pension money (<b>être à la retraite</b> <i>be retired</i>, <b>partir à la retraite / prendre sa retraite</b> <i>retire</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tablier <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tablije/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>apron</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>conseil <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔ̃sɛj/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>piece of advice (<b>donner des conseils</b> <i>give advice</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>passé <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pase/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>past (<b>dans le passé</b> <i>in the past</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>présent <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pʁezɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>present (also adj [<b>-e</b>])</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>avenir <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/avniʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>future (<b>dans l’avenir</b> <i>future</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>informatique <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ̃fɔʁmatik/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>computer science (also adj)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vente <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sale (<b>département des ventes</b> <i>sales department</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>produit <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pʁɔdɥi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>product</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>article <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/aʁtikl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>article</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>question <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɛstjɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>question</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>réunion <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁeynjɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>meeting (<b>réunion d’affaires</b> <i>business meeting</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>email <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/imɛjl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>email</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>annonce <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/anɔ̃s/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>advertisement (<b>annonce d’emploie</b> <i>job advertisement</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>contact <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔ̃takt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>contact</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>organisation <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɔʁɡanizasjɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>organization</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>conférence <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔ̃feʁɑ̃s/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>conference</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>exigence <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛɡziʒɑ̃s/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>demand</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>poste <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɔst/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>job, post, position (<b>poste d’assistante</b> <i>position of asistant</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>connaissance <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔnɛsɑ̃s/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>knowledge, acquaintance</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ordinateur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɔʁdinatœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>computer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>stage <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/staʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>internship</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>diplômé <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / diplômée <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/diplome/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>graduate (also adj)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>idée <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ide/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>idea</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>comprendre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔ̃pʁɑ̃dʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>understand <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(<b>com</b> + as <b>prendre</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>considérer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔ̃sideʁe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>consider (<b>considérer comme</b> <i>consider as</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(consid<b>è</b>r-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>choisir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃwaziʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>choose</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mettre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɛtʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>put, place <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(met- mett- mett-, m<b>is</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tenir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/təniʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hold, keep, wish to (<b>tenir à faire</b> <i>wish to do</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(tien- ten- tienn-, ten<b>u</b>, tiendr-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>obtenir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɔptəniʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>get, obtain <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(<b>ob</b> + as <b>tenir</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>recevoir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁəsəvwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>receive <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(reçoi- recev- reçoiv-, reç<b>u</b>, recevr-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vivre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vivʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>live <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(vi- viv- viv-, véc<b>u</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>embaucher</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃boʃe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hire, employ</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>licencier</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lisɑ̃sje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fire, sack</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gagner</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡaɲe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>win, earn (<b>gagner de l’argent</b> <i>earn money</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>attraper</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/atʁape/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>trap, catch</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>punir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pyniʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>punish</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>en avoir marre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃navwaʁ maʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>be fed up (<b>j’en ai marre de faire</b> <i>I’m sick of doing</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>été</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ete/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>been (pprt. of <b>être</b>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>eu</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/y/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>had (pprt. of <b>avoir</b>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fait</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>done (pprt. of <b>faire</b>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>international / internationale</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ̃tɛʁnasjɔnal/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>international</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>récent / récente</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁesɑ̃/ /ʁesɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>recent</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>professionnel / professionnelle</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pʁɔfɛsjɔnɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>professional</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dangereux / dangereuse</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dɑ̃ʒʁø/ /dɑ̃ʒʁøz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dangerous</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>stressant / stressante</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/stʁɛsɑ̃/ /stʁɛsɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>stressful</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>occupé / occupée</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɔkype/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>busy</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>incroyable</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ̃kʁwajabl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>incredible, unbelievable</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tendu / tendue</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tɑ̃dy/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tight, tense</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chaque</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃak/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>every (sg. only)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>plusieurs</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/plyzjœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>several, many (pl. only)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>certain / certaine</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛʁtɛ̃/ /sɛʁtɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>certain</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td style=\\\"vertical-align: baseline;\\\">autre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td style=\\\"vertical-align: baseline;\\\" class =\\\"ph\\\">/otʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>other (<b>une autre (chose)</b> <i>another one (thing)</i>, <b>l’autre (chose)</b> <i>the other one (thing)</i>,<br>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<b>d'autres (choses)</b> <i>other ones (things)</i>, <b>les autres (choses)</b> <i>the other ones (things)</i>, <b>des autres</b> = <b>de</b> + <b>les autres</b>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t\\n\\t\\t<h4><b>Leçon 9</b></h4>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\t\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td style=\\\"vertical-align: baseline;\\\">plus</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td style=\\\"vertical-align: baseline;\\\" class =\\\"ph\\\">/ply/ /plys/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>more, no longer (<b>plus de travail</b> <i>more work</i>, <b>plus chaud que</b> <i>hotter than</i>, <b>je ne veux plus faire</b>, <i>I no longer want to do</i>)<br>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t(<span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ply/</span> positive pre-C or negative, <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/plys/</span> positive not pre-adj/adv, <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/plyz/</span> in liaison)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>moins</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mwɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>less (<b>moins de travail</b> <i>less work</i>, <b>moins chaud que</b> <i>less hot than</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>le plus</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lə ply/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>the most</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>le moins</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lə mwɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>the least</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>à l'étranger</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/a letʁɑ̃ʒe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>abroad</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>à partir de</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/a paʁtiʁ də/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>starting from</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>à côté de</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/a kote də/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>next to</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>longtemps</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lɔ̃tɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>long time (<b>depuis longtemps</b> <i>for a long time</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>paysage <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pɛizaʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>landscape</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>paradis <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/paʁadi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>paradise</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>culture <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kyltyʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>culture</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Europe <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/øʁɔp/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Europe</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Afrique <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/afʁik/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Africa</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Amérique <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ameʁik/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>America</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Asie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/azi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Asia</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Australie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ostʁali/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Australia</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>photo <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fɔto/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>photo (<b>prendre une photo</b> <i>take a picture</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>voiture <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vwatyʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>car (<b>aller/voyager en voiture</b> <i>travel by car</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>autobus <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / bus <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/otobys/ /bys/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bus (<b>aller/voyager en bus</b> <i>travel by bus</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>autoroute <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/otɔʁut/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>highway</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>station d’essence <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span> /<br/>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\tstation-service <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/stasjɔ̃ desɑ̃s/ <br/>/stasjɔ̃sɛʁvis/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td style=\\\"vertical-align: baseline;\\\">gas station</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>essence <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/esɑ̃s/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gas, petrol (<b>prendre de l’essence</b> <i>fill up with gas</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bateau <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bato/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>boat (<b>aller/voyager en bateau</b> <i>travel by boat</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>voile <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vwal/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sail (<b>bateau à voile</b> <i>sailboat</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>avion <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/avjɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>airplane (<b>aller/voyager en avion</b> <i>travel by plane</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>aéroport <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/aeʁɔpɔʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>airport</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vol <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vɔl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>flight (<b>réserver un vol</b> <i>book a flight</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>place côté fenêtre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/plas kote fənɛtʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>window seat</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>place côté couloir <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/plas kote kulwaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>aisle seat</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>comptoir d’enregistrement <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔ̃twaʁ dɑ̃ʁəʒistʁəmɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>check-in counter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>passeport <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/paspɔʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>passport (<b>contrôle des passeports</b> <i>passport control</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>train <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tʁɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>train (<b>aller/voyager en train</b> <i>travel by train</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gare <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>railway station</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>wagon <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vaɡɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>railway carriage, car</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>compartiment <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔ̃paʁtimɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>compartment</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>billet <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bijɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ticket (<b>billet aller</b> <i>one-way ticket</i>, <b>billet aller-retour</b> <i>round-trip ticket</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>quai <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>platform (of a station)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>voyage <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vwajaʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>journey, travel</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>excursion <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛkskyʁsjɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>trip, excursion</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>retard <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁətaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>delay</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>arrivée <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/aʁive/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>arrival</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>départ <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/depaʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>departure</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>horaire <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɔʁɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>schedule</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>passager <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pasaʒe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>passenger</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bagage <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bagaʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>luggage</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hôtel <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/otɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hotel</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>réservation <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁezɛʁvasjɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>reservation</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>clé <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kle/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>key</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>auberge de jeunesse <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/obɛʁʒ də ʒœnɛs/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>youth hostel</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>montgolfière <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɔ̃ɡɔlfjɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hot-air balloon</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>moto <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɔto/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>motorbike</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>coquillage <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔkijaʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>shell</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>noces <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f) (pl)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/nɔs/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>wedding (<b>voyage de noces</b> <i>honeymoon</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>musée <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/myze/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>museum</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>agence <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/aʒɑ̃s/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>agency (<b>agence de voyage</b> <i>travel agency</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>séjour <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/seʒuʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>stay, visit</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hébergement <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) (h asp.)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ebɛʁʒəmɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>accommodation, housing</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>besoin <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/bəzwɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>need (<b>avoir besoin de faire/qqch</b> <i>need to do sth / need sth</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lunettes <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f) (pl)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lynɛt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>glasses (<b>lunettes de soleil</b> <i>sunglasses</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>collection <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔlɛksjɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>collection</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>appareil photo <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/apaʁɛj fɔto/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>camera</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>valise <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/valiz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>suitcase</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>carte postale <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kaʁt pɔstal/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>postcard</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ceinture <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sɛ̃tyʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>belt (<b>attacher les ceintures</b> <i>fasten the seatbelts</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nom <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/nɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>name, noun</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>quartier <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kaʁtje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>district</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>film <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/film/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>film</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>monument <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɔnymɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>monument</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>peur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fear (<b>avoir peur de</b> <i>be afraid of</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>naître</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/nɛtʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>(typically passive) be born <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(nai- na<b>î</b>t naiss- naiss-, n<b>é</b>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>connaître</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔnɛtʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>know of, be familiar with <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(<b>con</b> + as <b>naître</b>, conn<b>u</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>descendre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/desɑ̃dʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>go down, get off (<b>descendre les escaliers</b> <i>go down the stairs</i>, <b>descendre du train</b> <i>get off the train</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(descend-, descend<b>u</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>monter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/mɔ̃te/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>go up, get on (<b>monter les escaliers</b> <i>go up the stairs</i>, <b>monter dans le train</b> <i>get on the train</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>entrer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃tʁe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>enter (<b>entrer dans la salle</b> <i>enter the room</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mourir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/muʁiʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>die <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(meur- mour- meur-, mor<b>t</b>, mourr-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rester</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁɛste/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>stay, remain (<b>rester à la maison</b> <i>stay at home</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tomber</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tɔ̃be/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fall</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>communiquer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔmynike/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>communicate</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>admirer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/admiʁe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>admire</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>visiter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vizite/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>visit</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ravitailler</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁavitaje/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>refill, replenish, refuel</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>voler</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/vɔle/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fly, steal</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rater</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁate/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>miss (an event or thing)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rêver</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʁɛve/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dream (<b>rêver de qqch</b> <i>dream about sth</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>amuser</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/amyze/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>amuse (<b>s’amuser</b> <i>have fun</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>appartenir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/apaʁtəniʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>belong (<b>appartenir à</b> <i>belong to</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(<b>appar</b> + as <b>tenir</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>oublier</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ublije/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>forget</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>faire ses valises</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fɛʁ se valiz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pack one’s bags</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>clair / claire</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/klɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>clear, light (color)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>différent / différente</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/difeʁɑ̃/ /difeʁɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>different</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>prudent / prudente</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pʁydɑ̃/ /pʁydɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>careful</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fantastique</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/fɑ̃tastik/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fantastic</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>exotique</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛɡzɔtik/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>exotic</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>inclus / incluse</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ̃kly/ /ɛ̃klyz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>included</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>inoubliable</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/inublijabl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>unforgettable</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>européen / européenne</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/øʁɔpeɛ̃/ /øʁɔpeɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>European</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>complet / complète</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kɔ̃plɛ/ /kɔ̃plɛt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>complete</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lourd / lourde</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/luʁ/ /luʁd/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>heavy</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>impressionnant / impressionnante</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ̃pʁɛsjɔnɑ̃/ /ɛ̃pʁɛsjɔnɑ̃t/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>impressive</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>seul / seule</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sœl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>alone, lonely</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Je voudrais acheter un billet pour Paris.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I would like to buy a ticket to Paris.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>De quel quai part le train pour Venise?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>From which platform does the train to Venice leave?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Pour combien de personnes?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>For how many people?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\n\\t\\t<h4><b>Leçon 10</b></h4>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\t\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>en forme</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>in form, in shape</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>si</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>if</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>jusqu’à</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>until (<b>jusqu’au soir</b> <i>until the evening</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sport <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sport (<b>faire du sport</b> <i>do sports, exercise</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>football <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / foot <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>soccer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>basket-ball <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / basket <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>basketball</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>volley-ball <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/vɔlɛbol/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>volleyball</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>natation <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>swimming</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>piscine <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>swimming pool</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tennis <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tennis</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gymnastique <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gymnastics</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>salle de musculation <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gym</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>salle de sport <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fitness room</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vélo <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / bicyclette <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bicycle (<b>faire du vélo</b> <i>do cycling</i>, <b>aller à vélo</b> <i>go by bike</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ski <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ski, skiing (<b>faire du ski / skier</b> <i>do skiing</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>patin <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>skate (<b>patin à glace</b> <i>ice skate</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>patinage <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>skating (<b>patinage à glace</b> <i>ice skating</i>, <b>faire du patinage / patiner</b> <i>do skating</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>jogging <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/dʒɔɡiŋ/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>jogging (<b>faire du jogging</b> <i>jog</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>terrain <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ground, (sports) field (<b>terrain de football</b> <i>soccer field</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>patinoire <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ice rink</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>piste <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>track, trail (<b>piste de ski</b> <i>ski track</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pente <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>slope (<b>pente de ski</b> <i>ski slope</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>match <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/matʃ/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>match (<b>match de foot</b> <i>soccer match</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>équipe <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>team</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>match nul <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tie, draw in a match (<b>faire match nul</b> <i>draw</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>joueur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / joueuse <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>player (<b>joueur de football</b> <i>soccer player</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>compétition <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>competition</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>concours <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>contest</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sportif <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / sportive <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sportsman / sportswoman</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>footballeur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>soccer player, footballer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>stade <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>stadium</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>entraîneur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>trainer, coach</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>adversaire <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m/f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>opponent</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gagnant <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>winner</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vainqueur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>conqueror, winner</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>but <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/byt/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>goal</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>condition <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>condition (<b>condition physique</b> <i>physical condition</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dommage <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>damage, shame (<b>c’est dommage</b> <i>that's a shame</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>succès <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>success</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>passion <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>passion</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>résultat <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>result</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>supporteur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>supporter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>balle <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ball (<b>balle de tennis</b> <i>tennis ball</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>raquette de tennis <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tennis racket</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>panier <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>basket</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>filet <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>net</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>luge <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sled</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cartes <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f) (pl)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cards (<b>jouer aux cartes</b> <i>play cards</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>guitare <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>guitar (<b>jouer de la guitare</b> <i>play guitar</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>musique <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>music (<b>écouter de la musique</b> <i>listen to music</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gardien <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>guard (<b>gardien de but</b> <i>goalkeeper</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>problème <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>problem</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cyclisme <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cycling</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>selle <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>saddle</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>palme <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>palm, fin</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>plongée <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>diving</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>set <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/sɛt/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>(tennis) set</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>court <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>(tennis) court</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bâton <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>stick</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>saut <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>jump (<b>saut à skis</b> <i>ski jump</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>casque <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>helmet</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>boxe <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>boxing</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>combat <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>combat (<b>sport de combat</b> <i>combat sport</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hockey <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) (h asp.)</span> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɔkɛ/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hockey</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>masque <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mask</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>violon <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>violin (<b>jouer du violon</b> <i>play the violin</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>échecs <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) (pl)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chess (<b>jouer aux échecs</b> <i>play chess</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>piano <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>piano (<b>jouer du piano</b> <i>play the piano</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>(im)patience <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>(im)patience</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>théâtre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>theater</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pub <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/pœb/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pub</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>maman <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mom</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>radio <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>radio</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>marcher</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>walk, step</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>courir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>run, hurry <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(cour-, cour<b>u</b>, courr-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>perdre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lose <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(perd-, perd<b>u</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>entraîner</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>train, coach (<b>s’entraîner</b> <i>exercise, train</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>améliorer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>improve</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>participer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>participate (<b>participer à qqch</b> <i>participate in sth</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sauter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>jump</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>jouer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>play (<b>jouer au football</b> <i>play soccer</i>, <b>jouer à l'ordinateur</b> <i>play on the computer</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>soutenir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>support <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(<b>sou</b> + as <b>tenir</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pratiquer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>practice, do</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>avoir l’air</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>seem (<b>avoir l’air fatigué</b> <i>seem tired</i>, <b>avoir l’air d’un ange</b> <i>look like an angel</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>inscrire</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>inscribe, make notes (<b>s’inscrire à qqch</b> <i>sign up for sth</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(<b>in</b> + as <b>écrire</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>épuisé(e)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>exhausted</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>même</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>same (<b>la même chose</b> <i>the same thing</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>propre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>own (<b>sa propre voiture</b> <i>one’s own car</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>formidable</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fantastic, tremendous</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>national(e)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>national</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>relaxant(e)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>relaxing</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sociable</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sociable</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>artistique</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>artistic</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\n\\t\\t<h4><b>Leçon 11</b></h4>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\t\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>n’est-ce pas?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>isn’t it (general tag question)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>volontiers <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/vɔlɔ̃tje/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gladly, willingly</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>au sein de</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>within, among</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hamster <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) (h asp.)</span> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/amstɛʁ/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hamster</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lapin <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rabbit</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lièvre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hare</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>poisson <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fish</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tortue <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>turtle</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>oiseau <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bird</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>perroquet <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>parrot</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>poule <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>hen</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>canard <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>duck</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chèvre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>goat</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>brebis <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sheep (ewe)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mouton <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sheep (ram)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vache <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cow</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cochon <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pig</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ours <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/uʁs/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bear</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>loup <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>wolf</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>renard <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fox</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grenouille <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/gʁənuj/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>frog</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>araignée <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>spider</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>escargot <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>snail</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>éléphant <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>elephant</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>girafe <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>giraffe</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>singe <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>monkey</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chameau <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>camel</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lion <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lion</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tigre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tiger</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>insecte <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>insect</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mouche <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fly</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fourmi <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ant</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>guêpe <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>wasp</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>abeille <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bee</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>moustique <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mosquito</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>papillon <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>butterfly</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>arbre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tree</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>buisson <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / arbuste <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bush</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>plante <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>plant</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>palmier <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>palm tree</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rose <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rose</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tulipe <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tulip</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ciel <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sky</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>étoile <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>star</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>montagne <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mountain</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mer <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sea</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>océan <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ocean</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lac <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lake</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rivière <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>river</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>roche <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rock</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pierre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>stone</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cascade <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>waterfall</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>désert <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>desert</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>côte <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>coast, rib</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bord <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>shore, border</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>plage <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>beach</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sable <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sand</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vague <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>wave</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>île <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>island</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pré <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>meadow</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>champ <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>field</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>herbe <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grass</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>parc <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>park</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>zoo <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/zo/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>zoo</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>temps <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>time, weather</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nuage <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cloud</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pluie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rain</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>orage <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>thunderstorm</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>brouillard <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fog</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>neige <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>snow (<b>la neige tombe</b> <i>the snow is falling</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gel <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>frost, gel</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>degré <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>degree</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>parapluie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>umbrella</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lever de soleil <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sunrise</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>coucher de soleil <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sunset</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Pays-Bas <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) (pl)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Netherlands</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>facteur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span> / factrice <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mailman / mailwoman</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>donner à manger</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>feed (<b>donner à manger à qqn</b> <i>feed sb</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>occuper</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>occupy, take up (<b>s’occuper de qqn</b> <i>take care of sb</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sentir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>feel sth, taste sth (<b>se sentir</b> <i>feel</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(sen- sent- sent-, sent<b>i</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>prendre le soleil</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sunbathe</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>briller</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>shine (<b>le soleil brille</b> <i>the sun is shining</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>souffler</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>blow (<b>le vent souffle</b> <i>the wind is blowing</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pleuvoir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rain (impersonal) (<b>il pleut</b> <i>it’s raining</i>, <b>pleuvoir à torrents</b> <i>rain heavily</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(pleu-, plu, pleuvr-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>neiger</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>snow (impersonal) (<b>il neige</b> <i>it’s snowing</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>geler</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>freeze, be very cold (impersonal) (<b>il gèle</b> <i>it’s freezing</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(g<b>è</b>l-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>avoir envie de</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>want, feel like</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fleurir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>blossom</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bronzer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tan, brown</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sonner</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ring, sound</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bon(ne)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>good (<b>meilleur(e)</b> <i>better</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bien</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>well (<b>meilleur(e)</b> <i>better</i> (adj), <b>mieux</b> <i>better</i> (adv))</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mauvais(e)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bad (<b>pire</b> <i>worse</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>frais / fraîche</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fresh, cool (temperature)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>couvert(e)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>covered, cloudy</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>caractéristique</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>characteristic</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pittoresque</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>picturesque</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>doré(e)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>golden</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fort(e)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>strong</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>léger (-ère)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>light, slight</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mignon(ne)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cute</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Il fait beau/mauvais (temps).</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>The weather is nice/bad.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Il fait chaud/froid.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>It’s hot/cold outside.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>J’ai chaud/froid.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I feel hot/cold.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Quel temps fait-il aujourd'hui?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>What’s the weather today?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Combien de degrés fait-il?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>How many degrees is it outside?</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t\\n\\t\\t<h4><b>Leçon 12</b></h4>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\t\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>contre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>against</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>repos <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rest (<b>prendre du repos</b> <i>take a rest</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>douleur <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pain</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mal <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>trouble, pain (<b>mal de tête</b> <i>headache</i>, <b>avoir mal à la tête</b> <i>have a headache</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>toux <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cough</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rhume <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cold (illness)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fièvre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fever (<b>avoir de la fièvre</b> <i>have a fever</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>grippe <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>flu</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dentiste <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m/f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dentist</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>patient(e) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m/f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>patient</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>malade <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m/f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sick (n or adj)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ambulance <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ambulance</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>injection <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>injection</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>opération <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>operation</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bandage <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bandage</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>plâtre <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>plaster, cast</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pansement <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>band-aid</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>visite <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>visit (<b>visite chez le médecin</b> <i>visit to the doctor</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rendez-vous <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>date, appointment (<b>rendez-vous chez le médecin</b> <i>doctor’s appointment</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ordonnance <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>prescription</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>température <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>temperature (<b>prendre la température</b> <i>take someone’s temperature</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>poids <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>weight (<b>prendre du poids</b> <i>gain weight</i>, <b>perdre du poids</b> <i>lose weight</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>régime <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>regime, diet</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pharmacien(ne)<span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m/f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pharmacist</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>analgésique <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>painkiller</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>comprimé <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pill</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>antibiotique <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>antibiotic</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sirop <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>syrup</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>accident <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>accident</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>premiers secours <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m) (pl)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>first aid</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>seringue <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/səʁɛ̃ɡ/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>syringe</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>aiguille <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɛɡɥij/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>needle</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>life (<b>vie saine</b> <i>healthy lifestyle</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gorge <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>throat</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nausée <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nausea</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>insomnie <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>insomnia</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>oculiste <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m/f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>eye doctor</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>décision <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>decision (<b>prendre une decision</b> <i>make a decision</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>aide <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>help</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>chirurgien(ne) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m/f)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>surgeon</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>couler</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>sink, flow (<b>nez qui coule</b> <i>runny nose</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>prendre froid</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>catch a cold</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tomber malade</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>fall ill</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tousser</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cough</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>souffrir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>suffer (<b>souffrir de qqch</b> <i>suffer from sth</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(<b>souffr</b> + as regular <b>-er</b> verbs, souff<b>ert</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>se sentir bien / mal</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>feel well / unwell</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>examiner</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>examine</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>prescrire</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>prescribe <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(<b>pre</b> + as <b>écrire</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>traiter</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>treat</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>guérir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cure, heal (erg.)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>rétablir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>restore (<b>se rétablir</b> <i>recover</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>suivre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>follow (<b>suivre un régime</b> <i>be on a diet</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(sui- suiv- suiv-, suiv<b>i</b>)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>se casser</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>break (<b>se casser la jambe</b> <i>break a leg</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>s’évanouir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>faint</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>mener</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>lead (<b>mener une vie</b> <i>lead a life</i>) <span class=\\\"gray\\\">(m<b>è</b>n-)</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t</div>\\n</body>\\n</html>\\n\",\n \"size_bytes\": 184512,\n \"file_path\": \"html/fr/frWordlist.html\",\n \"file_timestamp\": 1753279312,\n \"language\": \"HTML\",\n \"is_vendor\": false,\n \"license_type\": \"no_license\",\n \"detected_licenses\": []\n },\n {\n \"content_id\": \"6f58ba454116bda29577a08bd68ad9bdf8d262c9\",\n \"content\": \"/* MOBILE */\\r\\n@font-face {font-family: \\\"Noto\\\"; src: url(../font/NotoSansCJKjp-DemiLight.otf);}\\r\\n@font-face {font-family: \\\"Noto Black\\\"; src: 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white;\\r\\n}\\r\\n#settingsButton path.light {\\r\\n\\tfill: black;\\r\\n}\\r\\n#settingsButton.slide {\\r\\n\\ttransform: rotate(90deg);\\r\\n}\\r\\n\\r\\n/* HOMEPAGE */\\r\\n\\r\\n#langs {\\r\\n\\tmargin-left: auto;\\r\\n\\tmargin-right: auto;\\r\\n\\tdisplay: flex;\\r\\n\\tmargin-top: 20px;\\r\\n\\tpadding: 20px 8px;\\r\\n}\\r\\n#lang1, #lang2 {\\r\\n\\tdisplay: inline-block;\\r\\n\\twidth: 50%;\\r\\n}\\r\\nh1 {\\r\\n\\tfont-size: 24px;\\r\\n\\tfont-family: 'Source Black', 'Noto Black', sans-serif;\\r\\n}\\r\\nh2 {\\r\\n\\tfont-size: 20px;\\r\\n\\tfont-family: 'Source Black', 'Noto Black', sans-serif;\\r\\n\\tmargin-top: 12px;\\r\\n\\tmargin-bottom: 4px;\\r\\n\\tcolor: #999;\\r\\n}\\r\\n.langMenu {\\r\\n\\tlist-style-type: none;\\r\\n\\tmargin-left: 2ch;\\r\\n\\tmargin-top: 0;\\r\\n}\\r\\n.langMenu li {\\r\\n\\tfont-size: 16px;\\r\\n\\tmargin-bottom: 4px;\\r\\n}\\r\\n\\r\\n#newGlyph path {\\r\\n\\tstroke-width: 1.35;\\r\\n}\\r\\nsvg {\\r\\n\\toverflow: visible;\\r\\n}\\r\\npath 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#999;\\r\\n}\\r\\n#contentDiv h4 {\\r\\n\\tdisplay: inline-block;\\r\\n\\tmargin: 10px 0px;\\r\\n\\tfont-family: 'Source Black', 'Noto Black', sans-serif;\\r\\n\\tfont-size: 16px;\\r\\n\\tcolor: white;\\r\\n}\\r\\n#contentDiv h4 b {\\r\\n\\tfont-family: 'Source', 'Noto', 'Malgun Gothic', sans-serif;\\r\\n\\tfont-size: 24px;\\r\\n}\\r\\n#contentDiv h5 {\\r\\n\\tdisplay: inline-block;\\r\\n\\tmargin: 10px 0px;\\r\\n\\tfont-family: 'Source Black', 'Noto Black', sans-serif;\\r\\n\\tfont-size: 14px;\\r\\n\\tcolor: white;\\r\\n}\\r\\n#contentDiv h5 b {\\r\\n\\tfont-family: 'Source Black', 'Noto Black', sans-serif;\\r\\n\\tfont-size: 16px;\\r\\n}\\r\\nul {\\r\\n\\tmargin-left: 18px;\\r\\n\\tpadding: 0;\\r\\n}\\r\\ntable {\\r\\n\\twidth: inherit;\\r\\n\\tdisplay: block;\\r\\n\\tmargin: 20px 0px;\\r\\n\\tborder-collapse: collapse;\\r\\n\\ttext-align: center;\\r\\n\\toverflow-x: auto;\\r\\n}\\r\\ntable td, table th {\\r\\n\\tmin-width: 20px;\\r\\n\\tpadding: 5px;\\r\\n\\tborder: 1px #111 solid;\\r\\n\\tbackground: #333;\\r\\n\\twhite-space: nowrap;\\r\\n}\\r\\ntable th {\\r\\n\\tbackground: #222;\\r\\n\\tfont-family: 'Source Black', 'Noto Black', sans-serif;\\r\\n}\\r\\nspan.blue {\\r\\n\\tcolor: #09f;\\r\\n}\\r\\nspan.green {\\r\\n\\tcolor: #0c0;\\r\\n}\\r\\nspan.gray {\\r\\n\\tcolor: #999;\\r\\n}\\r\\nspan.example {\\r\\n\\tdisplay: inline-block;\\r\\n\\tmargin-left: 10px;\\r\\n}\\r\\n\\r\\n.ph {\\r\\n\\tfont-family: 'Source', sans-serif !important;\\r\\n\\tcolor: #6aa3ff;\\r\\n}\\r\\n.b {\\r\\n\\tfont-family: 'Source Black', 'Noto Black', sans-serif !important;\\r\\n}\\r\\n.ph b {\\r\\n\\tfont-family: 'Source Black', 'Noto Black', sans-serif !important;\\r\\n}\\r\\n\\r\\n.fr::-webkit-scrollbar {\\r\\n\\tdisplay: none;\\r\\n}\\r\\n.fr {\\r\\n\\t-ms-overflow-style: none;\\r\\n}\\r\\n.fr * {\\r\\n\\ttext-align: left;\\r\\n\\tbackground: none !important;\\r\\n}\\r\\n.fr td, .fr th {\\r\\n\\tpadding: 2px 16px 2px 0px;\\r\\n}\\r\\n\\r\\ndel {\\r\\n\\ttext-decoration: none;\\r\\n\\tcolor: red;\\r\\n}\\r\\nrt {\\r\\n\\tfont-size: 7px;\\r\\n}\\r\\n.ipa {\\r\\n\\tfont-family: 'Source', 'Noto', sans-serif !important;\\r\\n}\\r\\n.split {\\r\\n\\theight: 20px;\\r\\n\\tline-height: 11px;\\r\\n\\tposition: relative;\\r\\n\\tbackground: linear-gradient(to top right,#222 49.5%,#111 49.5%,#111 50.5%,#222 50.5%);\\r\\n}\\r\\n.split div {\\r\\n\\twidth: 50px;\\r\\n}\\r\\n.splitCol {\\r\\n\\ttext-align: right;\\r\\n}\\r\\n.splitRow {\\r\\n\\ttext-align: left;\\r\\n}\\r\\n\\r\\n#contentDivNew {\\r\\n\\tmargin: 50px auto 50px;\\r\\n\\tpadding: 8px;\\r\\n}\\r\\n#contentDivNew * {\\r\\n\\tfont-family: 'Source', sans-serif;\\r\\n\\tfont-size: 14px;\\r\\n\\tfont-variant-numeric: proportional-nums;\\r\\n}\\r\\n#contentDivNew p {\\r\\n\\tmargin-top: 20px;\\r\\n\\tmargin-bottom: 20px;\\r\\n}\\r\\n#contentDivNew h4, #contentDivNew h4 * {\\r\\n\\tfont-family: 'Source Black', sans-serif;\\r\\n\\tfont-size: 24px;\\r\\n\\tmargin: 5px 0px;\\r\\n}\\r\\n#contentDivNew h5, 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false,\n \"license_type\": \"no_license\",\n \"detected_licenses\": []\n },\n {\n \"content_id\": \"80489a0f334da02215cbdc98d592a8229189968f\",\n \"content\": \"<!DOCTYPE html>\\r\\n<html>\\r\\n<head>\\r\\n</head>\\n<body>\\nこんにちは、竜騎士07です。<br>\\r\\nHello, my name is Ryukishi07.<br>\\r\\n<br><br>\\r\\nこの度は『ひぐらしのなく頃に解』罪滅し編をお楽しみいただき、誠にありがとうございます。<br>\\r\\nI hope you enjoyed playing Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.6 Tsumihoroboshi.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今回のシナリオの中で、テーマとしたかったものがいくつかありますが、ここではその内のひとつ。<br>\\r\\nThere are several themes I wanted to write in this chapter, but I'd like to talk about one of them here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n殺人の否定について書かせていただこうと思います。<br>\\r\\nIt's about the denial of murder.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれは、連続殺人ノベルという物騒なカテゴリーを標榜している以上、いつか書かなければならないことでした。<br>\\r\\nThis is something I had to write sooner or later, since this is a novel about serial murders.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n近年、特に未成年者に多い短絡的な問題解決手段に、「殺人」と「自殺」の２つがあります。<br>\\r\\nThere are two means that youngsters in particular use these days to solve problems, which are \\\"murder\\\" and \\\"suicide\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私たちはストレスを受けると、その発生源を取り除くか、その発生源から逃れるかの２つを選ばされます。<br>\\r\\nWhen we feel stress, we choose to either get rid of the source of the stress or to get away from it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n例えば、学校である人にいじめられているとする。<br>\\r\\nLet's say you're bullied by a kid at school.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nすると解決策は２つあり、<br>\\r\\nYou have two ways to solve the problem.<br>\\r\\nそのいじめっ子を現在の環境から「取り除く」か、<br>\\r\\n You choose either to <i>get rid of</i> the kid from your current environment<br>\\r\\n自分がその環境から「逃れる」かを選ばされることになります。<br>\\r\\n or to <i>get away</i> from the environment itself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいじめっ子は大抵、喧嘩にも強く人数も多いでしょうから、自分一人が挑んだところで「取り除く」ことはできません。<br>\\r\\nUsually, bullies are stronger and have their underlings, so you don't stand a chance alone to <i>get rid of</i> them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまた、クラスを変わる、学校を辞めるなどということは、なかなかできることではなく「逃れる」ことも普通はできません。<br>\\r\\nIt's also not easy to switch classes or to quit school, so you can't easily <i>get away</i> from the situation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその結果、日々状況は悪化し続け、強まるストレスは自身に早期の解決を促します。<br>\\r\\nAs a result, the situation gets worse day by day, and your stress urges you to solve the problem immediately.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその結果、短絡的解決策として「殺人」と「自殺」の２つが浮上するわけです。<br>\\r\\nAnd you come up with \\\"murder\\\" or \\\"suicide\\\" as easy solutions.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「自殺」が敗北に当るなら、せめて相討ち覚悟で「殺人」に訴えたい。<br>\\r\\nIf suicide is considered defeat, you'd want to consider murder.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n最近はそう思われる方も少なくないように思います。<br>\\r\\nI feel like there are many people who think that way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nですが、現実的に「殺人」を犯したなら、それは容易に償える罪ではありません。<br>\\r\\nHowever, if you actually committed a murder, it wouldn't be easy to pay for the sin.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは殺す側の方も重々ご存知と思います。<br>\\r\\nI believe murderers know that well, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n殺す他ないくらいに追い詰めたアイツが憎くて悔しくて、自分の人生全てを引っくり返す壮大な覚悟の末、行なうわけです。<br>\\r\\nBut, you really hate the bully who pushed you to the limit where you have no choice but to kill him. So, with a determination that turns your entire life upside down, you commit murder.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nですが、そこまでの壮大な覚悟をされているなら、<br>\\r\\nBut if you have such strong determination,<br>\\r\\n「殺人」という最終手段に訴える前に、順に訴えていきたい手段があるはずです。<br>\\r\\n there have to be more ways to take than opting for murder, which should be the last resort.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n友人に訴える。<br>\\r\\nYou can talk to your friends.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n駄目なら家族に訴える。<br>\\r\\nIf that doesn't work, you can talk to your family.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n駄目なら先生に訴える。<br>\\r\\nIf that doesn't work, you can talk to your teacher.<br>\\r\\n…それでも駄目なら？<br>\\r\\n ...If that doesn't work... then what?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいいえ、まだまだ訴える手段はあるはずです。<br>\\r\\nThere have to be more ways.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあなたが「殺人」に訴え、人生全てを放棄する覚悟があるならば、まだまだやれる手段はある！<br>\\r\\nIf you have the determination to give up on your life by committing murder, there have to be more ways!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n平成はいい世の中になりました。<br>\\r\\nOur modern era is better than any era before it.<br>\\r\\nそういう悩みを訴えるホットラインは各自治体にいくつも設けられており、<br>\\r\\n There are many hotlines that you can call to talk to someone.<br>\\r\\n例えあなたが友人も親も持たなかったとしても、訴える先はいくらでも用意してあるのです。<br>\\r\\n Even if you don't have any friends or family, there are many places you can go for help.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nホットラインの向こうにいるのは素人ではありません。<br>\\r\\nThe people who will answer the phone aren't amateurs.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nボランティアではありますが、保護司や青少年育成に長年関わられたベテランばかりです。<br>\\r\\nThey're volunteers, but they're also veterans who have worked as social workers or juvenile counselors for a long time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその方々は、あなたの両親よりも豊富な社会経験と熱意を持っていると断言できます。<br>\\r\\nI can assure you that they have more social experience and passion than your parents do.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n無給でこんなことを引き受ける人に悪い人がいるはずがない！<br>\\r\\nPeople who work to help people for free can't be bad people!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもしあなたが、相手を「殺す」か、自分を「殺す」しかもう選択肢が残されていないと思ったなら、どうか最後にこういうところへ電話してみてください。<br>\\r\\nIf you feel like you have no choice but to kill the bully or commit suicide, please try to call those hotlines.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰に相談しても仕方がないと思っている人ほど、誰にも打ち明けていないものです。<br>\\r\\nPeople who think it's useless to talk to others usually haven't really talked to anyone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n勇気を持って電話してみましょう。<br>\\r\\nHave the courage to call.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n電話の向こうには、信じられないくらいに頼もしい味方が待っていてくれるはずです。<br>\\r\\nThere will be somebody you can completely rely on at the other end of the line.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n『ひとりで悩まずに、誰かに相談しよう』<br>\\r\\nDon't keep it to yourself. Talk to somebody.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれだけのことが伝えたくて、こんなにも長い物語が描かれるなら、竜騎士07という人間にはよっぽど文才がないに違いないですね…。<br>\\r\\nRyukishi07 wrote such a long story just to tell you this. He must be a very poor writer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなわけで竜騎士07も皆さんに相談を。<br>\\r\\nSo, Ryukishi07 wants to talk to you all, rather than worrying all by himself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうやったら、より面白いシナリオが描けますでしょうか…？（苦笑）<br>\\r\\nHow can I write even more entertaining stories...? (bitter laugh)<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n０７ｔｈ Ｅｘｐａｎｓｉｏｎ<br>\\r\\n 07th Expansionn<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n竜騎士07<br>\\r\\n Ryukishi07<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n例えば今が１２月、暦の上では冬だとしてもだ。<br>\\r\\nLet's say it's a winter month like December right now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n連日、セミが鳴くような蒸し暑い日が続いたらどうなる？<br>\\r\\nWhat would you do if, all of a sudden, you had a week of hot and humid days with crying cicadas?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれでも律儀にコートにマフラーで生活するだろうか？<br>\\r\\nWould you still wear your coat and scarf?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなはずはない。<br>\\r\\nAbsolutely not, right?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから６月であっても、これだけ暑い日が続けば、俺たちにとってはそりゃ夏だ！<br>\\r\\nEven though it's still June,<br>\\r\\nってことになるわけだ。<br>\\r\\n it's already summer to us, since we've been having hot days for so long!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nで、これだけ暑い中で部活をしようってなれば、そりゃこういう種目もありえるわけだ！<br>\\r\\nSo, it's totally okay to do this kind of club activity in June!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n体育の時間は、みんな好き勝手に過ごすのがうちの学校の慣わしだが、今日は例外でクラスメート全員が校庭に集合していた。<br>\\r\\nAt my school, everybody usually does what they want in PE class, but today would be an exception. All my classmates were gathered in the schoolyard.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全員が雁首を揃えたのを確認すると、魅音が大声を張り上げた。<br>\\r\\nMion looked over everybody gathered there, then spoke up loudly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さぁてみんな、今日の主旨はよくわかってるねぇ？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, everyone! You ready?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「「「おおーーーー！！！！」」」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah!!!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全員が突き出す手には、みんな水鉄砲が握られている。<br>\\r\\nThey all raised the water guns in their hands.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれだけ蒸し暑い日が続けば、例え６月だろうと水鉄砲は使用できるのだ！<br>\\r\\nIt's okay to use water guns in June, because it's been so hot and humid!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかも、クラス全員で銃撃戦となれば熱くなるなという方が無理な話ってもんだぜ！<br>\\r\\nAll my classmates were joining in, so it's gonna be a big water gun battle. I'm so excited!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さすがクラス全員で部活だと、何だか盛り上がりますわねぇ！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"It is so exciting to do a club activity with everyone from class!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだね！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah!<br>\\r\\n全員で表ではしゃぐのって何だか楽しそうかな、かな！」<br>\\r\\n It's going to be so much fun to play outside with everybody together, together!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……みんなは楽しいですが、ボクたちは例によって負けられないのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......It's going to be fun for them, but we have to be serious, because we can't lose.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ま、そういうこったな！…およそ勝負と名のつく以上、俺たち部活メンバーは常にリスクを背負ってるからな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, yeah! For us club members, every game comes with a risk.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「くっくっく！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Heh heh heh!<br>\\r\\nまぁそういうこと！<br>\\r\\n Exactly!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n部活メンバー諸君は迂闊に負けたりしちゃうと大変なペナルティが待ってるからねー。<br>\\r\\n I look forward to the punishment our more careless members are going to suffer.<br>\\r\\nせいぜいしっかり戦うことー！」<br>\\r\\n Good luck, everyone!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「よしよし、盛り上がってきたぜー！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm so pumped!!<br>\\r\\n生徒諸君、武器点検は充分か？！<br>\\r\\n Everybody, listen up. Did you all check your guns?!<br>\\r\\n弾倉は満タンか？！」<br>\\r\\n Are your tanks full?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「任せて下さいよ前原さん！<br>\\r\\n\\\"We're all ready, Maebara-san!<br>\\r\\n銃撃戦は僕たちのもっとも得意とするところですからねー！」<br>\\r\\n We're very good at gun battles!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……富田たちはよく水鉄砲で遊んでますから、かなり強敵かもなのですよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Tomita and his friends play with water guns a lot, so they might have an advantage.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ふっふっふ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Huh huh huh!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日の僕たちは少し違います！」<br>\\r\\n We're different men today!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n富田くんと岡村くんは、普段とは違って自信たっぷりに笑い合うと、手馴れた様子で水鉄砲を構えた。<br>\\r\\nTomita-kun and Okamura-kun smiled confidently, holding their guns in a practiced manner.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n実力は自信となり、面持ちさえ変えるというのが、彼らの顔から見て取れる！<br>\\r\\nTheir skills must give them confidence. They even looked different!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅音は言うに及ばず、沙都子も梨花ちゃんもかなり強敵になりそうだぜ…！<br>\\r\\n\\\"As we all know, Mion is going to be a tough opponent, but I think Satoko and Rika-chan could be, too...!<br>\\r\\nレナはどうだ？！ ちょこまか動いてイの一番にやられないように頑張れよ！！<br>\\r\\n What about you, Rena? You can move fast, but you could end up being their target as well, so be careful!!<br>\\r\\nそう言えば最近のレナは罰ゲーム常連だな。」<br>\\r\\n You've been losing a lot of games lately and taking most of the punishments.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぅ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hauu...<br>\\r\\nさ、最近、不得意なゲームが多かったから…。<br>\\r\\n It's just that the recent games weren't my specialty...<br>\\r\\nで、でも、圭一くんも最近、私と同じで罰ゲームが多いと思うかな、かな。」<br>\\r\\n B-But, Keiichi-kun, I think you've been losing a lot these days too, haven't you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はっはっはっはっは！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ha ha ha ha ha!!<br>\\r\\n罰ゲームでブラを付けたまま帰宅して、さぁ脱ごうとしたところでお袋に見つかった俺の哀愁などわかるものかーー！<br>\\r\\n You have no idea how miserable I was when I had to go home wearing a bra and my mom saw me in it right before I was about to take it off!<br>\\r\\nむがー！！！」<br>\\r\\n Gah!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わ、私だって…、先週のはひどいよ、普通の女の子ならお嫁に行けなくなっちゃうよーー！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"My last punishment was as terrible as yours... I'm ruined for marriage after having to do that!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n最近の負け常連の俺たちが、互いの壮絶な罰ゲームを思い出してワナワナ震えていると、それを沙都子の甲高い声が嘲笑った。<br>\\r\\nSatoko laughed at us loudly while we were shuddering at the memory of the cruel punishments we suffered in the past.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほーーっほっほっほ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hooo ho ho ho ho!!<br>\\r\\n覇気や運気にも偏りと言うのがございましてよー！<br>\\r\\n You've been low on both luck and spirit!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその意味から言えば！<br>\\r\\n I know why you've been losing so frequently!<br>\\r\\nここしばらくのレナさんや圭一さんは、いわゆる負け組というヤツでございますわねー！！」<br>\\r\\n That's because, you see, you're both losers!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「くっくっく！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Heh heh heh!!<br>\\r\\n確かに負けグセってやつはあるねぇ〜！<br>\\r\\n She's right. Once you get used to losing, you just can't stop!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n闘志ってやつは負けが続くと挫けてくる。<br>\\r\\n After all those losses, your fighting spirit fades away.<br>\\r\\n絶対勝てるという信念が砕けると、まったく同じことをやっても裏目裏目に出るもんだからねー！」<br>\\r\\n When you can't believe in yourself, nothing goes right, even if you're doing the same thing as everyone else!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…て、てめらぁ〜！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"...You!!<br>\\r\\nたまったま、俺とレナがちょいと罰ゲームを哀れに思って引き受けてやってたのを感謝もせずにその言い草かー！！」<br>\\r\\n Haven't you realized that Rena and I took those punishments on purpose because we wanted to spare you that fate?! You should be thanking us, not calling us losers!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁら、そうでしたの？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, is that so?<br>\\r\\nそれは感謝の気持ちが足りず申し訳ないことでございましてよー！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm very sorry for not thanking you enough, then!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うおーー！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ugh!!!<br>\\r\\n沙都子てめー！！<br>\\r\\n Satoko!!<br>\\r\\nそのセリフは俺の怒りに火を注いだぜ！！<br>\\r\\n You just added oil to the flames of my rage!!<br>\\r\\n後悔させてやらああぁー！！！」<br>\\r\\n I'll make you regret what you just said!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「くっくっく！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Heh heh heh!!<br>\\r\\nその意気だよ圭ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n That's the spirit, Kei-chan.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまぁせいぜい足掻いておじさんを楽しませて頂戴よね。<br>\\r\\n This ol' man hopes you can at least last long enough to serve as entertainment.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナもがんばって。<br>\\r\\n Rena, you too.<br>\\r\\nあぅあぅ言ってる間にクラスで一番最初に脱落したら、さすがに恥ずかしいからねー？<br>\\r\\n You'd be embarrassed if you were the first one to get shot.<br>\\r\\nでもその可能性も高いかなぁ？<br>\\r\\n But I'm pretty sure that's what's going to happen!<br>\\r\\nくっくっく！」<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「一番最初に脱落するのがレナさんだと思いましてよー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I too think Rena-san is going down first!<br>\\r\\nどんな目に遭うか、今からお覚悟なさいませなー！<br>\\r\\n Prepare yourself for a bad time!<br>\\r\\nをーっほっほ！！」<br>\\r\\n O ho ho!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うう、ひどいよ魅ぃちゃんも沙都子ちゃんも……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"No... Mii-chan, Satoko-chan, you're so mean...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……レナも圭一も、ファイト、お〜ですよ☆」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Rena and Keiichi, go for it, yay☆.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音たちは俺たちを一通り笑うと、他のクラスメートを冷やかしに去っていく。<br>\\r\\nMion and Satoko laughed at us as loud as they could, then moved on to tease their next target.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n取り残された俺は地団太を踏んで悔しがるしかない！<br>\\r\\nLeft alone, all I could do was stomp on the floor in anger.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「くっそぉ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Damn it!!<br>\\r\\n絶対ぇ負けねえ、あそこまで言われたら負けられねえぜ！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm going to win! I can't let them laugh at me like that again!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははは、そうだね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahaha, I agree.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあそこまで言われると悔しいよね…。」<br>\\r\\n It feels bad to have them laugh at us like that...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「って言うか、悔しいどころじゃねえぞ、プライドの問題だぞ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's not only how it feels, it's also how they step on my pride!<br>\\r\\nくそッ！」<br>\\r\\n Damn it!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅ぃちゃんの言うように、負けグセってやっぱりあるかもしれないよね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Like Mii-chan said, it might be true that you can't stop losing once you get used to it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だから今日は絶対に勝って、みんなを見返してやろ！」<br>\\r\\n ...That's why we have to win today, no matter what, so we can get even!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナを見ると、いつの間にか普段と違う目つきをしていた。<br>\\r\\nRena's eyes looked different.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n普段、ふざけている一面ばかりが目に付くが、ここ一番の時、揺ぎ無い決意をする一面があることを俺は知っている。<br>\\r\\nShe's usually a funny and weird person, but I know she has the determination to do what she needs to.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう、この目をした時のレナは、ちょっと手強いかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nWhen Rena looks like this, she can be a tough opponent.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今日は私も、部活の規則に則り、手加減なしで行く。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Today, I'll follow the first club rule: I'm going to do everything I can to win.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おおぅ、何だかかっこいいこと言うじゃねえの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, you sound determined.<br>\\r\\nまるで、普段の自分はわざと手を抜いているって言わんばかりだぜー？」<br>\\r\\n You sound cool, but also as if you've been going easy on them before.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは笑う。<br>\\r\\nRena smiled.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n多分「にやり」と呼ぶのが相応しい笑い方だ。<br>\\r\\nOr maybe you could have called it a wicked grin.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…参ったな。<br>\\r\\n...She was serious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこいつ、本当の本当に、本気でやるつもりだぞ。<br>\\r\\nShe's was serious about what she said.<br>\\r\\nあの笑い方は容赦なしだ。<br>\\r\\n I could tell that from her expression alone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは多分、部活メンバーで一番の良識派だと思う。<br>\\r\\nAmong all the club members, Rena is easily the most sensible one.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやっちゃいけないことは何もないはずの部活で、おそらく一番モラルに気を遣うタイプだ。<br>\\r\\nThe rule of our club is that we can do anything in order to win, but she's the only one who has moral qualms in doing it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから吹っ切れた時はともかく、普段は苦戦することが少なくない。<br>\\r\\nThat's why we rarely have a hard time against her, except for when she snaps.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのレナが、手加減しないって言うのはなかなかあることじゃない！<br>\\r\\nIt's rare to hear her say that she won't go easy!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ちっくしょう…、そんな笑い方されたら、俺も超本気で行くしかねえじゃねぇかよ！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Damn it... When you grin like that, you leave me no choice! I have to be super serious about this too!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いつも本気で戦うのが部活だけど、それでもやっぱり、それ以上に本気じゃないといけない時ってあるよね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I always have to fight with all I have in our club, but I believe there's a time when I have to get super serious about it.<br>\\r\\n今日は多分、それだね！」<br>\\r\\n I think today is the time!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だな！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Indeed!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n「うん！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何の予備動作もなく二人で互いの掌を叩き合う。<br>\\r\\nWe pounded our fists together.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n普段の俺たちだったら、負けたくない時は、どちらからともなく共闘を申し出るもんなんだが、レナはそれを言い出さない。<br>\\r\\nUsually, when we really don't want to lose the game, one asks the other to work together, but Rena didn't ask this time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそりゃつまりどういうことかって言うと、<br>\\r\\nWhich meant<br>\\r\\nこいつ、自分ひとりでクラス丸ごと殲滅するつもりなんだ。<br>\\r\\n that she was going to try to defeat everybody by herself.<br>\\r\\nいや、つもりなんてもんじゃない。<br>\\r\\n No, not \\\"try\\\".<br>\\r\\nクラスを丸ごと殲滅<br>\\r\\n She was going to<br>\\r\\n“する”、<br>\\r\\n \\\"do\\\"<br>\\r\\nひとりで！<br>\\r\\n it by herself!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだけどそんなやたらとかっこいいレナを見ても、俺は臆さない。<br>\\r\\nRena looked really cool at that moment, but I wasn't scared.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナがここまで本気で“やる”って言ってんだから、俺がそうならないわけにはいかないだろ。<br>\\r\\nIf she was seriously going to \\\"do\\\" it, I'd have to be serious and do it, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのところ、負け続きでふて腐れていた俺の闘志が、今頃になってめらめらと燃え上がってくる！<br>\\r\\nMy fighting spirit had been dented after many losses, but it had begun to burn hot once more!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一くんも、なかなかいい顔してるね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You look good too, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n怖いな、全員と１人で戦っても勝てるつもりでいる顔だね？」<br>\\r\\n You're even scaring me a little. You look like you're going to defeat everybody all by yourself.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナだってそのつもりだろ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I know that's what you're going to do, too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあぶつかるのは最後だね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"That means we're going to fight against each other at the very end.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「互いにクラス全員を全滅させたら、最後にゃそうなるな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"We would, if we defeated everybody else.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「最後の戦いの時、そこにいるのが圭一くんなのを期待してるね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I hope you'll be the last one I have to fight against.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おう！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, me too!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう一度俺たちは互いの掌を叩き合う！<br>\\r\\nWe pounded our fists together again!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「交戦規定はちゃんと覚えてるね？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Does everyone remember the rules?<br>\\r\\n被弾時の申請だけは正直にねー！<br>\\r\\n You have to call it out when you get hit!<br>\\r\\n被弾した人は撃っちゃだめだよ、仮に当てても無効ね！」<br>\\r\\n Once you're hit, you can't shoot anyone. Even if you did, it wouldn't count!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅音、被弾の定義を再確認したいぜ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mion, I'd like to confirm the definition of being hit one last time.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「水鉄砲で撃たれたら被弾。<br>\\r\\n\\\"When somebody shoots you with a water gun, you're hit.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…くっくっく、ひねくれた圭ちゃんのためにさらに補足するなら、<br>\\r\\n ...Heh heh heh, I'll break it down more for you, Kei-chan.<br>\\r\\n水鉄砲というこの容器から出た水が最初に触れたものが標的であった時、被弾とするわけ。<br>\\r\\n You're only hit when it's water from a water gun.<br>\\r\\nつまり、水鉄砲を経由した水をバケツに貯めてぶっかけても無効ってわけ。」<br>\\r\\n In other words, you're not hit when somebody splashes you with a bucket of water.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「直接攻撃以外は有効じゃないってことだね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Only direct shots from a water gun count.<br>\\r\\n沙都子ちゃんの脅威が少し薄らいだかな？」<br>\\r\\n I'm sure you're not so scared of Satoko-chan's trap attacks now, huh?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほっほっほ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ho ho ho!!<br>\\r\\nトラップにも色々ございましてよー？<br>\\r\\n I will still have many kinds of traps ready for you!<br>\\r\\nレナさんなんか一番最初に餌食にしてさしあげましてよー！」<br>\\r\\n Rena-san, you'll be my first target!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははははは、それは無理。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahaha, I don't think so.<br>\\r\\n私を仕留めようとしたら、沙都子ちゃんじゃまだまだ役不足だね。」<br>\\r\\n You're not strong enough to take me down yet.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…な、なな、なんですってぇえぇ？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Wh-What did you just say?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おおー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh-ho!<br>\\r\\nレナが売り言葉とはねぇ。<br>\\r\\n I can't believe Rena gave Satoko tit for tat.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこりゃあ面白くなりそうだよ！<br>\\r\\n This is going to be fun!<br>\\r\\nくっくっく！<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh!<br>\\r\\nねぇ、圭ちゃん？」<br>\\r\\n Don't you think so, Kei-chan?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大して面白くねぇと思うぞ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't think so.<br>\\r\\n俺かレナか、どっちにやられたいかを選ばされるだけなんだからな。」<br>\\r\\n At least not for you, because all you'll be doing is choosing which of us is going to shoot you first.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……圭一もやる気満々なのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Keiichi seems determined to win.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は俺とレナの表情から、ただならぬ闘志を嗅ぎ取ったようだった。<br>\\r\\nMion seemed to sense the fighting spirit in me and Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……上等だね、こっちこそ手加減無用で行かせてもらうよ！！<br>\\r\\n...I could tell that she's as serious as we are<br>\\r\\nそう表情に書いてありやがる！<br>\\r\\n just from the way she looks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「よっしゃ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"All right!!<br>\\r\\nいい面構えだよ気に入った！！<br>\\r\\n I like your spirit!!<br>\\r\\nじゃあ始めるよ？！<br>\\r\\n Are you all ready to start?!<br>\\r\\n全員散開！！<br>\\r\\n Everybody, get to your positions!!<br>\\r\\nクジで決められた場所に移動してねー！」<br>\\r\\n The ones you drew by lot earlier!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n予め俺たち全員はクジを引かされていて、各々決められた場所からスタートするのだ。<br>\\r\\nEverybody had to draw lots to pick a place to start the game from.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n互いが至近距離でいきなりスタートしたら、面白くないもんな。<br>\\r\\nIt wouldn't be fun if everybody was close together at the beginning of the game.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nちなみに俺は校舎裏からのスタートになっていた。<br>\\r\\nBy the way, my starting position was behind the school building.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…この場所が当たった時、前にやった鬼ごっこと同じで、隠れてやり過ごして、<br>\\r\\n...When I drew this starting position, I thought about hiding until there were only a few people left like I did in our last game of tag...<br>\\r\\n頭数が減ってきたところでひょっこり現われて…なんて考えていたが、そんな消極的な作戦はもう興味なかった。<br>\\r\\n But a defensive tactic like that wasn't interesting to me anymore.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何だかこう、久しぶりに熱くなってきたぜ…！<br>\\r\\nI hadn't been this excited in a long time...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n足元からゾクゾクするものが込み上げてくる。<br>\\r\\nMy legs were shaking with the excitement.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n武者震いってやつを俺は初めて経験していた。<br>\\r\\nIt was my first time experiencing that kind of feeling.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n遠くから魅音のカウントダウンの声が聞こえてくる。<br>\\r\\nI could hear Mion's countdown from some distance away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…３、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Three,<br>\\r\\n…２、<br>\\r\\n two,<br>\\r\\n…１、」<br>\\r\\n one...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nパァンと運動会の時に使う合図用のピストルの音が響いた。<br>\\r\\nA single shot of a toy pistol echoed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその音に弾かれるように、俺は校舎を大回りする。<br>\\r\\nWith that sound, I was already running around the building.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n校舎裏には何人か、下級生の小さい子たちが配置されていたはずだ。<br>\\r\\nThere had to be some underclassmen nearby.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな小兵はわざわざ俺が潰さなくても誰かが潰してくれる、そんな甘えはなかった。<br>\\r\\nI'd usually assume that somebody else would take care of them... but this time was different.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うおおおおぉりゃああああぁああぁ！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Whoaaaarryaaaaahhh!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼らは、俺が凄まじい雄叫びをあげて突撃してくるのを見て、さすがにすくみ上がったようだった。<br>\\r\\nThey stood frozen in fear as I ran towards them screaming at the top of my voice.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n戦おうか逃げようかの判断に迷っているその一瞬の間に、次々と撃ち抜いて行く！<br>\\r\\nThey took a moment to quickly decide whether to fight or to run away, and in that moment, I shot one after another!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「悪ぃな！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Sorry, guys!<br>\\r\\n俺の隣が当たった時点で運がなかったと思ってくれ。」<br>\\r\\n You just got unlucky with where you started.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nゲーム開始後、一瞬にして敗北した後輩たちの頭を軽く撫で、彼らの銃を没収する。<br>\\r\\nI felt bad for them because they lost the game so quickly, so I rubbed their heads to cheer them up, and then took their water guns.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう、銃が大事なのだ。<br>\\r\\nYes, that was the key factor in this game.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n水鉄砲の水は大して多くない。<br>\\r\\nYou can't put very much water in a water gun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが１０人以上と乱戦になって撃ち合ったらすぐに空っぽになってしまうからだ。<br>\\r\\nWith ten people around you in a gun battle, the water would be gone in a minute.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は彼らを撃った最初の銃を投棄すると、彼らの銃を二丁両手に構え、校庭の様子をうかがった。<br>\\r\\nI abandoned the gun I used to shoot them, held one of their guns in each hand, and scoped out the school yard.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこは予想を裏切らず、阿鼻叫喚の戦場だった。<br>\\r\\nJust like I expected, there was an intense battle happening there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺が校舎裏を駆け抜けた一瞬の間に、ほとんどの連中は射殺されていたからだ。<br>\\r\\nIn the short time it took me to take care of the area behind the school building, it seems like most of my classmates were already shot.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその光景はもちろん予想できていた。<br>\\r\\nI wasn't surprised, though. I kind of knew it'd happen.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何もない広大なだけの校庭は実力勝負だ。<br>\\r\\nYou need to have a high skill to fight in the open school yard.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n他の部活メンバーのほとんどが校庭にいる以上、アリを踏み潰すゾウの如く蹂躙するはず！！<br>\\r\\nEspecially when most of the club members were there, it must have been like a battle of elephants and ants!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…な、なんだ魅音のあれは……！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Wh-What is it that Mion is holding...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音はスタートの時とはまったく違う、大型の機関銃タイプの水鉄砲に変わっていた。<br>\\r\\nMion was holding a different water gun from the one she had when the game started. She was now holding one that looked like a huge machine gun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n射程も連射力もタンクの容量も桁違い。<br>\\r\\nIts range capability, its pump-action shooting, and the amount of water it can hold were way beyond comparison.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確かに今日の水鉄砲は特に制限はないもんな。<br>\\r\\nThere were no restrictions on what kind of water guns we could use today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n水鉄砲なら何でもいいことになっていた。<br>\\r\\nAs long as it's a water gun, we were allowed to use any kind.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからほとんどの連中は、近所の駄菓子屋か文房具屋で標準的な拳銃タイプを購入してきた。<br>\\r\\nMost of us have a normal pistol-style water gun from a local toy store or something similar.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそりゃ魅音が持ってるみたいな大型タイプがあれば俺だって買った。<br>\\r\\nI would've bought a bigger one like Mion's if they'd had one.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも取り寄せになるからと諦めたのだ。<br>\\r\\nBut they weren't in stock, and I'd have to order it in.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…ってことは魅音は今日のためにずいぶん前から取り寄せて準備していたことになるな。<br>\\r\\n...In other words, Mion ordered hers a long time ago, just for today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつくづく勝つことに対する準備だけは入念なヤツだぜ。<br>\\r\\nShe's always well prepared when it comes to winning.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを最初から持ってれば非難されて使用不可にされるかもしれないと思い、スタートまでどこかに隠していやがったというわけだ。<br>\\r\\nShe must've thought that we wouldn't allow her to use the big water gun if she showed it off before the game started, so she must've hidden it somewhere.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nほとんどの連中は、スタートからわずかの時間で一掃されたようだった。<br>\\r\\nIt looks like most of our classmates were shot right after the game started.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nわずか数人がそれを生き残り、建設重機を遮蔽物に何とかやり過ごそうとしていた。<br>\\r\\nOnly a few were still alive, trying to survive as long as they could by using the heavy construction equipment as a shield.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを容赦ない火力（水力？）で魅音があぶり出しにかかる！<br>\\r\\nMion mercilessly shot at them from various angles to make them come out from behind the shield!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっはっはっは！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Aha ha ha ha ha!!<br>\\r\\nそぅらそんなとこに隠れてないで出て来なぁ！！」<br>\\r\\n Stop hiding, cowards!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n遮蔽物越しに抵抗するのは富田くんと岡村くんのコンビだった。<br>\\r\\nTomita-kun and Okamura-kun were trying their best to resist her attack from behind their shield.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n一見すると魅音に圧倒されいいところなしに見える。<br>\\r\\nIt looked like they had no chance against her,<br>\\r\\nだがそれは大きな間違いだった。<br>\\r\\n but that actually wasn't true.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの２人は水鉄砲の銃撃戦に相当の熟練があった。<br>\\r\\nAfter all, the two of them were only still alive<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからこそ今生き残っている。<br>\\r\\nbecause of all their experience in water gun battles.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n９９％、スタートと同時に避けきれなかったはずの魅音の猛襲を掻い潜り、今この瞬間にも生き残っている…！！<br>\\r\\nThey survived the first few minutes of her assault, even though 99% of their classmates didn't, and they were still surviving at that very moment...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが魅音はさすがに百戦錬磨だ。<br>\\r\\nMion, however, is also a battle-hardened soldier.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n豊富なタンクの水量を生かして弾幕を張りながら確実に２人を追い詰めていく。<br>\\r\\nShe used the advantage of her big water tank, and gradually but certainly drove them into a corner.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n制圧は時間の問題だった。<br>\\r\\nIt was only a matter of time until she broke them down.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だ、だめだ、あのマシンガンはずるいよ…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"W-We're cornered. It's not fair that she has a machine gun...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「委員長の水が少なくなるまで何とか凌ごう…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"All we have to do is survive 'til her tank runs low...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今は手も足も出ないよ…。」<br>\\r\\n We don't stand a chance against her when she's shooting at us like this...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n後輩たちは何とかやり過ごそうと、魅音の移動射撃に合わせて、遮蔽物を挟みながらぐるぐる逃げ回るしかない。<br>\\r\\nThey tried to hold out against her, but all they could do for now was to keep running behind cover as Mion strafed closer and closer to them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n２人である有利を活かしたいところだが、そのチャンスがないようだった。<br>\\r\\nThey wanted to use their two-against-one advantage, but it seemed like they wouldn't even get that chance.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n無謀な攻撃を仕掛けてどちらかがやられれば、もう勝ちの目はない！<br>\\r\\nIf they tried attacking recklessly, one of them might get shot, and then the other would have no chance of winning!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからこそ最後のチャンスに賭けて慎重になればなるほど、攻め手を欠いているのだった。<br>\\r\\nSo they grew more cautious, placing their bets on their final chance, but that caused their offense to wane.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろん、魅音は２人のそんな思考は完全に読みきっている。<br>\\r\\nOf course, Mion saw through their plan.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n２人が焦れて短絡的に攻撃を仕掛けてくるように挑発しているのだ。<br>\\r\\nShe was purposely provoking them so that they'd lose their patience and start attacking her recklessly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音と２人が建設重機を挟んでぐるりと一周し、魅音が俺に背中を向ける形になる。<br>\\r\\nMion circled around the construction equipment, and now she was standing with her back towards me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音のあの機関銃と正面からやり合えば、おそらく俺に勝ち目はない。<br>\\r\\nIf I went up against her machine gun fair and square, I wouldn't stand a chance.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n勝てるとしたら…背後からの奇襲だけかッ？！<br>\\r\\nSo... attacking from behind would be the only way for me to defeat her...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかしいくら魅音が背後を許しているとしても、…この距離が微妙だ。<br>\\r\\nEven though she was in a defenseless position... there was some distance between us.<br>\\r\\n決して近くない！<br>\\r\\n I was still too far away!<br>\\r\\nいや…正面からやり合う勝率に比べたら、今の方が絶対に有利なはず…！<br>\\r\\n But... it would still be better to attack her now than to take her head-on...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n迷うな圭一！！<br>\\r\\nDon't hesitate, Keiichi!!<br>\\r\\n躊躇したチャンスに二度目はないッ！！<br>\\r\\n You won't have this chance again!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n物陰から躍り出た俺は、まさに二丁拳銃を構えた豹となって魅音までの距離を疾駆する。<br>\\r\\nI stepped out from my hiding place and ran as fast as I could towards her with two water guns in my hands.<br>\\r\\n気配を殺してゆっくりと、何て悠長なことは考えなかった、思いつかなかった！！<br>\\r\\n Instead of approaching slowly and silently, I screamed at the top of my lungs!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ううをおおおりゃあぁああああぁ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Whooooryaaaaaah!!<br>\\r\\n魅音んんんんん！！！」<br>\\r\\n Mioooooooooooon!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ッ？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこから来たか、圭ちゃああん！！」<br>\\r\\n There you are, Kei-chan!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は俺の奇襲にほんの少しは驚いたようだったが、武装の圧倒的優位を知っていて、すぐに余裕を取り戻す。<br>\\r\\nMion seemed a little shocked by my surprise attack, but she immediately pulled herself together. She knew the advantages of her weapon.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nならば即座に撃てばいいものを！！<br>\\r\\nBut she didn't shoot me just yet!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが魅音は撃たずに俺を引き寄せた。<br>\\r\\nShe held back, luring me closer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n残りの水の量が決して多くないことを理解しているのだ。<br>\\r\\nMion was well aware of how much water she had left.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n同じ銃同士で戦えば、射程は概ね互角。<br>\\r\\nIf she had the same kind of water gun as me, we would've had the same range capability.<br>\\r\\nあとは双方の技量の問題になる。<br>\\r\\n So, it would've been down to our technique to decide the winner.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n他の後輩たちが相手なら、同じ銃でも圧倒できるだろう。<br>\\r\\nIf she was fighting against one of her underclassmen, she could've defeated them easily.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、魅音は即座に、今の俺に対しては、武器の有利すら加味しなければ勝てないことをすぐに弾き出した。<br>\\r\\nMion immediately calculated her chance of winning against me and figured out that her only chance was to use the advantage of her water gun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今の俺の気迫が普段のそれとはまったく異なることを瞬時に見て取ったのだ。<br>\\r\\nShe saw the eye of the tiger in me and recalculated her chances of winning in a split second.<br>\\r\\nその電光石火の計算速度には感服する！！<br>\\r\\n Really, I can admire how fast she does those things!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n駆け寄る俺が間合いをザクザクと詰めていった。<br>\\r\\nI ran at top speed to shorten the distance between us.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n満タンの俺の銃と、水量の減っている魅音の機関銃、間合いはほぼ互角だ。<br>\\r\\nOur strength should have been equal. I had two water guns with full tanks and she had a machine gun with a half-empty tank.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n互いにその間合いを読み間違わない！！<br>\\r\\nWe both waited for the perfect moment!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今日の圭ちゃんの気迫には敬意を表するよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Your fighting spirit deserves my respect, Kei-chan.<br>\\r\\n今日のあんたには正面からぶつかりあって、互角以上の勝率を弾き出せる自信がない！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm not sure if I would've been a match for you today if I didn't have this gun!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「残念だぜ魅音、勝率の弾き方も鈍ったな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm disappointed in you, Mion. Your calculations are off today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日の俺に正面からぶつかりあったら、互角どころじゃない。<br>\\r\\n Did you say you thought you could beat me?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……てめえの負けだああぁ！！！」<br>\\r\\n ...Because you don't stand a chance!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n互いの射程圏が重なり合った瞬間ッ！！<br>\\r\\nThe moment we step within range,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺も魅音もコンマ０００１の差もなく互いに引き金を絞る！！<br>\\r\\nMion and I pulled our triggers at the same time!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n走りながら発砲する俺と、一直線に駆けて来る俺に精密に照準していた魅音では射線の正確さが完全に違った。<br>\\r\\nMion set her sight squarely on me while I was trying to shoot and run at the same time. Her shot would obviously be more accurate than mine.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺の放った水流は魅音が避けずとも当たらない、あさっての方角に弧を描く。<br>\\r\\nMy shot of water flew towards nowhere. Mion didn't even need to duck.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、魅音の水流は俺の胸板と銃口を結ぶ、もっとも美しいカーブを描いて放たれていた。<br>\\r\\nBut Mion's shot made a beautiful arc straight towards my chest.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n水流が俺目がけて迸るのを目で追えても、それを避けるには今の俺の身体はあまりに不安定だった。<br>\\r\\nI could see the line of water coming straight at me, but I was too unstable to dodge.<br>\\r\\nだから、魅音は必中を疑わない！<br>\\r\\n Mion had no doubt that she got me!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「気合だけではどうにもならない現実がこれだったね！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"You need more than spirit to defeat me!!<br>\\r\\nやっぱり圭ちゃんは最初に脱落だああぁ！！」<br>\\r\\n I knew you'd be the first to go down!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「やっぱり残念だぜ魅音。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm still disappointed in you, Mion.<br>\\r\\n今日の魅音のコンピュータは一手読みが足りないぜ。」<br>\\r\\n Your calculations are really off today.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほざくな！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Bullshit!!<br>\\r\\nその体勢からかわす術はない！！<br>\\r\\n You can't dodge that shot!!<br>\\r\\n水の弾丸で撃ち抜かれろ、そしてどうして私の背後を沈黙して奪わず、叫びながら襲う愚を犯したかを呪うがいいよ！！」<br>\\r\\n It'll go straight through you, and you'll regret the moment you chose to come at me screaming rather than creeping up from behind!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n惜しいぜ魅音。<br>\\r\\nYou're really disappointing me today, Mion.<br>\\r\\nそこまでわかっているなら、あと１秒も深く考えれば多分読みきれたぜ。<br>\\r\\n You could've figured it out if you'd spent just one more second to think.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうして俺が、これだけ盛大に喚きながら、背後を奪えるという利点を捨てて突撃してきたのかってのをな！！<br>\\r\\nYou could've figured out the reason why I didn't creep up on you, but screamed as loud as I could instead!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は俺の奇襲に気付き、俺に向き直ったってことはつまり、今まで対峙していた方角に対して背後を許したってことだ。<br>\\r\\nMion noticed my surprise attack and turned around to face me--in other words, she turned her back on the opponents she was fighting earlier.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、かつて対峙していた彼らは俺の雄叫びを聞いて、魅音が背後を晒したことに気付くのだ…！！<br>\\r\\nThose opponents heard my scream and saw that she had turned her back on them...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ッ？！……な、なんだってええぇえッ？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?! ...What's this?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は背中の冷たい感触に気付く。<br>\\r\\nMion noticed her back was wet and cold.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさっきまで追い詰めていた後輩たちが牙を剥き、逆に自分の背後から襲いかかってきた事実をその感触で気付くのだ！<br>\\r\\nShe finally understood that the underclassmen she was attacking just earlier had shown their fangs and attacked her from behind!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はまさに自分の胸板を貫こうとしていた水流を、<br>\\r\\nI blocked her water shot with my arm<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n腕で弾き返す！<br>\\r\\n right before it hit my chest!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n水流が叩き割られ、無数の水滴となって飛び散った…！<br>\\r\\nThe line of water was broken into droplets and splattered away...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そ、そうだったかぁ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"D-Damn it!<br>\\r\\n被弾者の攻撃は被弾しても…無効だッ！！」<br>\\r\\n I got hit first, so my shot didn't count!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そいつに気付くのだいぶ遅かったぜ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"You took too long to figure it out!!<br>\\r\\n伏せろ魅音んんッ！！」<br>\\r\\n Now get down, Mion!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音がはっとして頭を抱えるようにしゃがみ込む。<br>\\r\\nMion squatted down and covered her head.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその瞬間、魅音の背後を襲った富田くん、岡村くんの二人が俺と対峙する！！<br>\\r\\nNow it was me versus Tomita-kun and Okamura-kun!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n二人とも反応は決して鈍くなかった。<br>\\r\\nTheir reflexes weren't so bad.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音を挟撃すれば、その次は向かい合った俺と銃撃戦になるのは当然のこと！<br>\\r\\nThey knew well that I'd be their next target after Mion was gone!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nピンチを助けてくれた恩など微塵も感じずに、俺を次の標的と瞬時に認識した二人は決して悪くないセンスだった。<br>\\r\\nThey didn't feel sorry at all for attacking me right after I just saved them from their predicament.<br>\\r\\nその残酷なまでの頭の切り替え速度は高評価だ。<br>\\r\\n I can respect the cruelty in how quickly they shifted gears.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのセンスをあと３年も磨きゃ部活のメンバーに加われるかもなッ！！<br>\\r\\nThey may one day be able to join our club if they keep refining their sense and skill!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「次は前原さんだ、このまま撃ち殺すんだ…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Our next target is Maebara-san. Let's get him...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こ、こっちは二人だもんね！<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's one against two!<br>\\r\\n負けるわけがない…！」<br>\\r\\n We can take him...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n会話がズレすぎてるぜお二人さん。<br>\\r\\nThey were, however, one step behind me.<br>\\r\\nそれでも遅すぎるんだよ！！<br>\\r\\n It was already too late!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこいつらにとっては、魅音を倒し、その次の敵が俺だ。<br>\\r\\nFor them, Mion was their first target and I was next.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、俺は違う。<br>\\r\\nBut I was different.<br>\\r\\n最初っからこいつらが標的だった。<br>\\r\\n My first target was them from the start.<br>\\r\\nこいつらが射殺するだろう魅音は初めから<br>\\r\\n I didn't even see Mion as my target to begin with...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n標的にしていなかったんだッ！！<br>\\r\\n because I knew they'd take care of her!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n二人が魅音に向けていた銃口を俺に向けなおすその時間に俺はすでに、いや、魅音に向けて駆けていた時からこいつらだけを照準し続けていた！！<br>\\r\\nI was pointing my guns at them long before they moved their sights from Mion to me!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺の左右の銃が、何のためらいもなく二人を照準していたことに、二人は最後の一瞬で気付けたようだった。<br>\\r\\nIt seemed like they noticed at the last moment that both of my guns had been pointing at them from the beginning.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nってことは、もう手遅れってことだッ！！！<br>\\r\\nWhich meant... it was already too late for them!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うおおおおおりゃあああぁあぁあッ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Whoooaaryaaah!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしゃがんだ魅音の頭の上を飛び越え、地面を転げる！！<br>\\r\\nI jumped over Mion, rolled on the ground, and landed on my feet!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺の両手は左右に大きく開かれ、まるでそれは体操選手が種目を終えた時のような、そんな優雅さをたたえていた。<br>\\r\\nI looked as elegant as an athlete who had just finished a perfect performance.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその翼のような両手の先にはそれぞれ銃が。<br>\\r\\nI had a gun in each of my hands.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、寸分の狂いもなく二人を撃ち抜いていた。<br>\\r\\n And with those guns, I shot them each in the middle of their chests.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………は、早過ぎる…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...S-So fast...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ぼ、僕たちが二人掛りで負けるなんて…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"How could the two of us lose against one...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n富田くんと岡村くんがガクリと膝を付く。<br>\\r\\nTomita-kun and Okamura-kun fell to their knees in disappointment.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…け、圭ちゃんがこれだけのことをやってのけるなんて…、私も鈍ったってことかなぁ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I can't believe you did all this, Kei-chan... I guess I'm off today, like you said...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音が自分の膝を叩いて悔しがっていた。<br>\\r\\nMion wiped the dirt off her knees, looking frustrated.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「別に魅音は鈍っちゃいなかったろ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Don't worry, it wasn't you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃ、じゃあ何でおじさんが負けたわけよ…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Then, why did I lose...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そんなの決まってるじゃねぇか。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's simple.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はクルクルと銃を指で回しながら言ってやる。<br>\\r\\nI twirled my guns on the tips of my fingers.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「たまには勝たねぇとカッコがつかねぇからだよ！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I have to win sometimes in order to keep looking so cool!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n生き残りの生徒はもうほとんど残っていなかった。<br>\\r\\nThere were only a few people left alive.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…残っているのは、俺と、レナと沙都子だけだ。<br>\\r\\n...Rena, Satoko, and myself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのレナと沙都子は今や一対一で壮絶な戦いを演じていた。<br>\\r\\nRena and Satoko were fighting fiercely.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n互角？<br>\\r\\nWere they evenly matched?<br>\\r\\nいや、沙都子が押している。<br>\\r\\n No, Satoko was pushing her hard.<br>\\r\\nそのすばしっこい動きでレナを圧倒していた。<br>\\r\\n Moving fast, she was driving Rena into a corner.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日のレナは普段のおっとりしたレナとはまったく異なる。<br>\\r\\nRena was usually gentle and slow, but today she was different.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本気のレナだ。<br>\\r\\nShe was very serious today and yet...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのレナを圧倒しているのだから、沙都子め、トラップなんて小細工抜きでも恐ろしいやつだぜ…！<br>\\r\\nSatoko was still overwhelming her. She's a tough customer even without her tricky traps...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほっほっほっほ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ho ho ho ho!!<br>\\r\\n最初の威勢はどこへ行ってしまいましたのかしらぁ？！」<br>\\r\\n Do you remember threatening me earlier? I suppose you were just bluffing!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いい動きをするね…！<br>\\r\\n\\\"You move well...!<br>\\r\\n私も負けられないよ！」<br>\\r\\n But I'm still going to win!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子め、豊富な運動量で常に立ち位置を変えながら常にプレッシャーをかけ続け、レナを釘付けにしている。<br>\\r\\nSatoko kept moving around, piling on pressure in order to pin Rena down.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあんな撃ちまくる戦い方をしていたらすぐに水がなくなってしまいそうなのに、沙都子の銃の水流は鋭いままだった。<br>\\r\\nShe kept shooting, so her tank must have almost been empty... but her shots were still sharp and fast.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n見れば沙都子の足元にはバケツがあり、その中にはかなりの数の銃が入っていた。<br>\\r\\nI noticed a bucket near her feet, which was full of many water guns.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなるほど、負けた子の銃を掻き集めていたというわけか！<br>\\r\\nI understood, seeing that. She had been taking guns from others who were already out of the game!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの銃撃戦は、実際の銃撃戦以上に弾丸の補充が危険な行為だ。<br>\\r\\nIn this battle, reloading bullets (water) was more crucial than the actual shooting.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n水鉄砲の給水口は小さい。<br>\\r\\nThe hole that you put water into on these guns is rather small.<br>\\r\\nそこに蛇口の水を入れるのは器用で時間のかかる行為。<br>\\r\\n To put water through it from a faucet takes time and requires a certain amount of skill.<br>\\r\\nつまり自殺行為だ。<br>\\r\\n In a battle like this, it would almost be suicidal.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこは俺も理解していて、倒した相手の銃を奪っていたわけだが、それでも両手で二丁持つのが限界。<br>\\r\\nI understand that well, so I'd been taking guns from the people I defeated. But I could only hold one in each hand.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子はその限界を超えるために、バケツという道具を活用したというわけだ…！<br>\\r\\nSatoko used a bucket to overcome the limit...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは銃を一丁しか持っていないようだった。<br>\\r\\nRena looked like she had only one water gun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろんレナもかつては二丁を持ち、時に銃を奪いもしていただろう。<br>\\r\\nI'd assume she had two earlier,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、沙都子との長い銃撃戦の中で、弾丸である水をだいぶ失っていたようだった。<br>\\r\\nbut she must've used a lot of water during her long battle with Satoko.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n残りの水量を温存し、チャンスを待っているようだったが、沙都子の圧倒的な弾幕の前に追い詰められるのは時間の問題のように見えた。<br>\\r\\nIt looked like she was trying to save her water for the right moment, but with Satoko's fierce attacks, it was obvious that it was only a matter of time before Rena was driven into a corner.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだがレナもうまい。<br>\\r\\nHowever, Rena is also quite skilled.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子に追い詰められる風を装いながら、確実に有利な地形に誘い込んでいる。<br>\\r\\nShe only pretended to be driven into a corner, but she was actually luring Satoko to a place where she'd have the advantage.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n校舎裏の体育倉庫の辺りは狭くて込み入っているからな。<br>\\r\\nThere was a narrow, twisting path near the gymnasium warehouse behind the school building.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n水量に不安のあるレナは肉迫して一撃で逆転したいはず。<br>\\r\\nWith Rena's water levels running low, she'd want to turn things around with a single, close-range shot.<br>\\r\\nそんなレナには逆転が狙えるいい地形だ。<br>\\r\\n That narrow path was a perfect place for her to do that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あれあれ、どうしたのかな？<br>\\r\\n\\\"What's wrong?<br>\\r\\n攻撃の手が鈍ってきたね。<br>\\r\\n You're slowing down a little.<br>\\r\\n疲れてきた？」<br>\\r\\n Getting tired?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「をっほっほ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"O ho ho!<br>\\r\\nお気遣いは嬉しいですけど、まだまだでしてよ！<br>\\r\\n I appreciate your concern, but I'm not tired at all!<br>\\r\\nそれよりそちらのお水は大丈夫ですの？<br>\\r\\n I think you should worry more about your remaining water.<br>\\r\\nさっきから全然撃ち返して来ませんわよ？<br>\\r\\n You haven't shot back at me for a while.<br>\\r\\nひょっとしてもう弾切れじゃございませんの？」<br>\\r\\n Your tank is empty, I suppose?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだと思うなら、お顔を出してみたらどう？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"If you think so, why don't you stop hiding and show your face?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「遠慮いたしましてよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I will pass.<br>\\r\\n最後の一発を温存しているのはわかっていますわ。」<br>\\r\\n I'm aware you've been holding onto your last shot.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「一発あれば充分だよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"One shot is all I need.<br>\\r\\n体操服を濡らしちゃ気の毒だからね、額を撃ってあげるね！」<br>\\r\\n I'll be nice and shoot you in the forehead. I don't want you to get your clothes wet, after all!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「をっほっほっほ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"O ho ho ho!!<br>\\r\\nまさかレナさんと、こんなにもスリリングなやり取りが出来るなんて思いませんでしたわ！<br>\\r\\n I never imagined I could have such a thrilling battle with you, Rena-san!<br>\\r\\nでも、最後の一発分の水量では、大して勢いもないでしょうから射程もほとんどないんじゃありません？」<br>\\r\\n However, with the amount of water you have remaining, I doubt you have enough pressure to make that last shot go far.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうも沙都子の言うことは図星らしい。<br>\\r\\nSatoko was right about that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナにはあと一発分のチャンスしか残されていないようだった。<br>\\r\\nRena had just enough water to make one last shot.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかも、水鉄砲は水の残量に応じて飛距離が下がってしまう。<br>\\r\\nAs the amount of water left in the tank dwindles, the range of shots you can make shortens.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその為、最後の一撃は全弾の中でもっとも射程のない一撃になってしまう！<br>\\r\\nThat makes the last shot the shortest and weakest of them all!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな絶対的に不利な状況下でも、レナの顔には焦りはなかった。<br>\\r\\nRegardless of her absolutely disadvantageous situation, Rena didn't look frustrated.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nくそ、レナのやつ、全然負ける気がしてないぞ。<br>\\r\\nI could tell she had no intention to lose.<br>\\r\\n沙都子なんか問題にもしてないらしい！<br>\\r\\n It was almost like she didn't even see Satoko as a threat!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うまい位置に逃げ込みましたわね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You picked a perfect location for yourself, did you not?<br>\\r\\n私もさすがに慎重にならざるを得ませんわ。」<br>\\r\\n I have to tread cautiously.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子は、さすがに直接対峙しているだけあって、レナの最後の一撃の恐ろしさをここで見ている俺以上に敏感に嗅ぎ取っているようだった。<br>\\r\\nSatoko seemed to understand how dangerous Rena's last shot was going to be better than I did, since she was the one actually fighting against her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私、将棋はあまりやらないんですけれど、こういうのを詰め将棋って言うんでございましょうねぇ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't play chess very often, but I believe this kind of situation is called a stalemate, is it not?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子は水が満タンの銃に持ち返ると、慎重にレナを追い詰め始める。<br>\\r\\nSatoko took out another gun with a full tank and shortened the distance between them slowly and carefully.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n満タンの銃なら、射程があるだけじゃない。<br>\\r\\nA gun with a full tank doesn't only have a long range.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n勢いもあるから狙いも正確だ。<br>\\r\\nIt also has enough power to make shots more accurate.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n正面からの撃ち合いになれば、おそらく、９割９分沙都子が打ち勝つ…！<br>\\r\\nIf they shot at each other in a frontal attack, Satoko would have a 99% chance to win...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだがそれでもレナの最後の一撃が恐ろしい。<br>\\r\\nEven so, Satoko was still afraid of Rena's last shot.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナを追い詰め不敵に笑う沙都子だが、その胸中は恐れで満たされていることが見て取れた。<br>\\r\\nSatoko shortened the distance even further, smiling as if unafraid, but I could tell she was actually full of fear.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…沙都子はさっき詰め将棋に例えたが、これは正確には詰め将棋ではないのだ。<br>\\r\\n...Satoko compared this situation to chess earlier, but it wasn't exactly the same.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n詰め将棋は複数の駒を使って相手を追い詰めるが、ここにはレナと沙都子しかいない。<br>\\r\\nIn chess, you can use some pieces to drive the opponent's king into a corner, but in this case, there were only Rena and Satoko.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n詰め将棋は敵の王将を詰めるためにいくつかの駒を失ってもいいが、沙都子には駒はないのだ。<br>\\r\\nYou can lose some of your pieces in order to achieve a win, but Satoko doesn't have any pieces other than herself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n王将が単独で詰めることなどありえない！<br>\\r\\nA king can't drive the other king into a corner alone! That's called a stalemate!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからこの勝負は一見沙都子が追い詰めていて絶対有利なように見えて、その実はまったくの互角ッ！！<br>\\r\\nThat's why while at first glance it looks like Satoko has the absolute advantage, they're actually on equal footing!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さぁ参りますわよ、このままチャイムを待つなんて私たちらしくありませんわ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Let us finish this. It's not like us to wait for the bell to bring an end to this battle!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're right.<br>\\r\\n勝負しよう！！！」<br>\\r\\n Let's do this!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nおかしい、沙都子の挑発に乗る必要がない。<br>\\r\\nThat's strange, I thought. Rena wouldn't have to move just on a dare from Satoko.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナに何が策が？！<br>\\r\\nWhat kind of plan did she have?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれまでずっと隠れていたレナが大胆にも姿を現す！！<br>\\r\\nRena had been hiding behind cover for a while, but she came out without hesitation!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nすぐに俺は気付いた。<br>\\r\\nI noticed something right away.<br>\\r\\nレナの銃がさっきと違ってる？！<br>\\r\\n Rena had a different gun!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子もそれに気付いたようだった。<br>\\r\\nSatoko seemed to notice it as well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ここには弾切れになったら逃げ込もうと考えててね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I had a plan to hide here when my water ran low.<br>\\r\\n予め一丁拾って隠してあったの。」<br>\\r\\n I hid a gun in advance.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nち、やるじゃねえか！！<br>\\r\\nDamn! She's good!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n最後の最後に仕掛けをかまして逆転するなんて、沙都子の得意手を逆にやり返してやったみたいじゃないか！！<br>\\r\\nIn using a trap at the last moment for a come-from-behind victory, it was as though she was taking Satoko's best skill from her and firing it right back!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが沙都子は余裕の表情を崩さなかった。<br>\\r\\nSatoko no longer had any advantages now that both of them were pointing their guns at each other with full tanks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n互いに満タンの銃を向け合っている以上、何の優位もないはずなのにだ。<br>\\r\\nBut she still looked confident.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何だよ、まだこの上何か策があるってのか？！<br>\\r\\nWhat was going on? Did she have some kind of plan, too?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「その一丁は、私にとっても大切な一丁でしたのよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"That gun you're holding right now is very important to me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……どうしてかな？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...What do you mean?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だって、その一丁がなかったらレナさんは、さっきの銃のまま一撃逆転を狙い続けて、こうして私の前に姿を現れたりはしませんもの。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You would've kept waiting for your perfect shot and wouldn't have come out of hiding if you didn't have that gun.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその瞬間、俺の脳髄に雷が走り、状況を全て理解させる！！<br>\\r\\nAt that moment, lightning ran through my brain and I instantly understood the situation!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうかそういうことかッ！！！<br>\\r\\nOf course!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさっきまでの状況は、確かにレナに不利ではあったけど、沙都子にとっても責め崩せない状態だった。<br>\\r\\nRena was in a disadvantageous situation earlier, but it was actually the same for Satoko, since she didn't have a chance to make her shot while Rena was in hiding.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが最後の逆転を狙うために慎重になるからこそ、沙都子は攻めあぐねていたんだ。<br>\\r\\nRena had remained cautious in order to hit with her last shot, and that made it difficult for Satoko to attack her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nならばもし、レナが<br>\\r\\nHowever, what if,<br>\\r\\n「最後の逆転」<br>\\r\\n Rena didn't need to take<br>\\r\\nが必要なくなったら？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"the last shot for a come-from-behind victory\\\"?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいや、正しい言い方じゃない。<br>\\r\\nNo, I said it wrong.<br>\\r\\nつまり、レナが新しい満タンの銃を手に入れたなら？！<br>\\r\\n What if Rena got a new gun with a full tank?!<br>\\r\\n篭城をやめて、一気に勝負に来るじゃないか！！<br>\\r\\n She'd stop hiding and come out to fight against Satoko!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「つまり、レナさんがここを目指しながら逃げて、その銃を拾うことは最初から読んでいましたってことですのよ…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You see, I knew from the beginning that you'd run over here in order to obtain that gun...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなのは沙都子の御託のはずだ。<br>\\r\\nLet Satoko talk crap, Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは聞く耳など貸さず、さっさと沙都子を撃ち抜けばいい！<br>\\r\\nYou don't have to listen to her. Just shoot her right now!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろんレナだって迷わない。<br>\\r\\nRena thought the same thing.<br>\\r\\n躊躇なくそうした！<br>\\r\\n She shot at Satoko without any hesitation!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だがその表情が一瞬だけ歪む…！<br>\\r\\n ...But, she frowned in confusion a moment after...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどういうことだッ？！…撃てないのか？！<br>\\r\\nWhat was going on?! ...She couldn't shoot?!<br>\\r\\nあの水鉄砲壊れてる？<br>\\r\\n Was her water gun broken?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいや、壊されてるッ？！<br>\\r\\n Or did somebody break it?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「水鉄砲なんて、ちょっと砂粒を入れて空撃ちすれば、すぐに詰まっちゃうんですのよ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Didn't you know that you can easily break a water gun by putting a little bit of sand in an empty tank and pulling the trigger several times?<br>\\r\\nほっほっほっほ！！」<br>\\r\\n Ho ho ho ho!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…私が切り札をここに一丁持ってることを先に読んで細工したってわけだね…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...You knew I was hiding my trump card here and pulled a cheap trick like that, huh...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私、いつも言ってましてよ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"I told you.<br>\\r\\nトラップは最後の最後でほんのひとつささやかに。<br>\\r\\n You only set one small trap at the last moment.<br>\\r\\nこれが究極の美徳でございましてよー！！」<br>\\r\\n That is the beauty of traps!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nトラップだけを取ればやはり沙都子の方が一枚上手なのか…！！<br>\\r\\nWhen it comes to traps, Satoko remained a notch above Rena after all...!!<br>\\r\\n相手の策すら読みきって仕掛けを施すとは…！<br>\\r\\n I couldn't believe Satoko figured out Rena's plan in advance and set a trap to counter it...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだがレナめ、ミスったな…！<br>\\r\\nRena, you made a big mistake...!<br>\\r\\nさっきの銃も持っていればまだ何とかなったはず。<br>\\r\\n You should've kept the old gun with you. You could've at least made that last shot.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだけど今の状況では拾いなおしている時間はない…！<br>\\r\\nBut it's too late now for you to pick it up again...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今のレナはさっきよりも最悪。<br>\\r\\nRena was in a worse situation than she was before.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何しろ、最後の一撃すら放てないのだから…！！<br>\\r\\nShe couldn't even take another shot...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さぁて、観念なさいませ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Be prepared.<br>\\r\\nさっきレナさんは私の額を撃つとか言われましたわねぇ？<br>\\r\\n You told me earlier that you'd shoot me in the forehead, did you not?<br>\\r\\n私が逆に額を撃って差し上げましてよー！！！」<br>\\r\\n Well, I will be at least kind enough to do you the same favor...!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子がじりじりと間合いを縮め、レナの額に銃口を向ける……！<br>\\r\\nSatoko slowly narrowed her distance again and pointed the muzzle at Rena's forehead!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだがレナに達観の様子はない。<br>\\r\\nRena still didn't look like she'd given up.<br>\\r\\nまだまだ互角の状況だと言わんばかりだ。<br>\\r\\n She still thought the game was undecided.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…沙都子ちゃんも、まだまだ甘いね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Satoko-chan, you're not as good as you think you are.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……な、なんですってぇ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Wh-What did you say?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「トラップで相手を仕留めたならね、沙都子ちゃんが余裕を見せるのは勝者の権利だと思う。<br>\\r\\n\\\"If you got me with your trap, it'd be your right as the winner to allow yourself the room to breathe and smile like you're doing right now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだけどね、今の沙都子ちゃんは私を絡め捕っただけで、仕留めたわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n But all you've done is drive me into a tough spot. You haven't killed me yet.<br>\\r\\n余裕を見せるのはまだまだ早い段階だとは思わない？」<br>\\r\\n Don't you think it's a little too early for you to act like you've already got me?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほっほっほっほ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ho ho ho ho!<br>\\r\\n何を言い出すかと思えば。<br>\\r\\n I thought you were going to say something much scarier than that.<br>\\r\\n今から仕留めるから同じことですわ。」<br>\\r\\n It makes no difference, because I'm going to get you right now.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私が逆の立場なら、能書きなんか言わずにさっさと撃つ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"If I were you, I'd just shoot rather than keep talking.<br>\\r\\nじゃないと、負けるから。」<br>\\r\\n You know why? Because if I didn't, I'd lose.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「負ける？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Lose?<br>\\r\\n誰が？<br>\\r\\n Are you talking about me?<br>\\r\\nあぁら、その壊れた水鉄砲でどうやって戦うおつもりで？」<br>\\r\\n I highly doubt you can fight with a jammed water gun.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「被弾の定義、覚えてる？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Do you remember the rule?<br>\\r\\n水鉄砲というこの容器から出た水が最初に触れたものが標的であった時、被弾とする。」<br>\\r\\n You're hit when it's water from a water gun.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はあ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Huh?<br>\\r\\nそれが一体何だって言うんですの。」<br>\\r\\n So what are you saying?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこまで聞いた時、俺は駆け出す！！<br>\\r\\nWhen I heard her saying that, I started running!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n標的は最後の１人であるレナだった。<br>\\r\\nMy target was Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう沙都子はいないも同然だった。<br>\\r\\nSatoko was already dead to me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなぜなら…今から数瞬の後にレナに倒されるからだ！！<br>\\r\\nWhy? ...She was going to be shot by Rena within the second!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナさんが何を言っているのか、私さっぱりでしてよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I have absolutely no idea what you're referring to, Rena-san.<br>\\r\\nその壊れた水鉄砲で何ができるおつもりだか。」<br>\\r\\n What do you think you can do with a jammed water gun?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「水鉄砲の中に水があれば、戦えるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"As long as I have water in my gun, I can still fight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nわかんないかなッ！！」<br>\\r\\n Don't you get it yet?!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは銃口の詰まったその銃を思い切り振り上げると、握りの部分を校舎の壁に力強く叩きつけるッ！<br>\\r\\nRena raised her broken water gun up high and smashed its handle on the wall of the school building as hard as she could!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n華奢なプラスチックのその部分は割れ、中の水が溢れ出した…！！<br>\\r\\nThe plastic broke easily and water flowed out of it...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「水鉄砲から出た水が当たればいいんだよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"As long as the water from the gun hits you, you're dead.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n水鉄砲のどこから出たかは問題にしてない。」<br>\\r\\nIt doesn't matter where the water comes out.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうなんだ、発想の問題だったんだ。<br>\\r\\nRena was right. She just saved herself by thinking it through.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれが本物の鉄砲なら銃口からしか弾は出ない。<br>\\r\\nIf she was using a real gun, bullets would only come out from one end of the gun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだがこれは水鉄砲なんだ。<br>\\r\\nBut this was a water gun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n銃口以外からだって弾である水は出せる…！！<br>\\r\\nShe could make her bullets, water in this case, come out from any place, not just the barrel of the gun...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………なッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Wha?!!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子はその瞬間に、ようやく自分があまりに無防備な姿をレナの前に晒している事実に気が付く。<br>\\r\\nSatoko finally realized that she was standing defenselessly in front of Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子のトラップは失敗してはいなかった。<br>\\r\\nSatoko's trap was successful.<br>\\r\\nだが過信し過ぎた！！<br>\\r\\n But she overestimated its effect!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが新しい銃が壊れていると気付く前に畳み掛ければよかったのだ、躊躇なく！！<br>\\r\\nShe should've just shot Rena without hesitation before Rena noticed her new water gun was jammed!!<br>\\r\\n勝ちを確信したその驕りこそが敗因ッ！！<br>\\r\\n She was going to fail because she had grown overconfident of her victory!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子の銃が引き金を絞るより一瞬早く、レナは割れた部分から迸る水を、<br>\\r\\nA second before Satoko pulled the trigger,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまるで刃でも振るうように思い切り横に振り抜く！！<br>\\r\\n Rena swung her water gun as if slashing Satoko with a sword!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子の銃が放たれたが、完全に遅かった。<br>\\r\\nSatoko fired her bullets, but it was too late.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれがレナに命中するより数瞬早く水の刃が沙都子の顔面を叩く。<br>\\r\\nA second before Rena would be shot down, a blade of water hit Satoko in the face.<br>\\r\\nいや、叩いたと言うより、切り伏せるかのようだった…！！<br>\\r\\n No, not hit. It cut her face open...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まだまだ詰めが甘かったね…！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Your endgame wasn't good enough...!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こ、…この私が…ッ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I can't believe... I lost...!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは呆然とする沙都子に駆け寄ると、その手の銃を引っ手繰った。<br>\\r\\nRena ran towards Satoko, who was standing still in shock, and took her water gun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう、水を放った瞬間に、レナが倒すべき最後の敵は俺だけになり、その俺が肉迫してくることを知ったからだ。<br>\\r\\nRena knew I was her last target and that I was running towards her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナああぁああぁあああぁッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Renaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n猛烈に迫る俺をかわすように、レナも機動力を活かし始める。<br>\\r\\nRena, using her superior mobility, began to duck and weave.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n撃ち合えば互角。<br>\\r\\nWe were evenly matched.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが状況を変えることで少しでも勝率を高めようとする努力を怠らなかった。<br>\\r\\nNeither of us neglected to make any effort possible to take advantage of the situation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「最後には一騎打ちになると思ってたよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I knew it'd end up being a one-on-one battle with you.<br>\\r\\nやっぱりこうでなくっちゃあね…！」<br>\\r\\n I knew you wouldn't disappoint me...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「見直したぜ、とんでもない根性見せてくれるじゃねえかッ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm seeing you in a new light today. I didn't know you had the guts!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「見直したより、惚れ直したの方が嬉しいかな！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rather than a new light, I'd like you to see me in a romantic way!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「負けてくれたらそれでもいいぜ！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I can try if you let me win!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ごめんだね！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"No thanks!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n建設重機を挟み旋回し合いながら互いの虚を狙う。<br>\\r\\nWe circled around the construction equipment, trying to take shots at each other.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう俺もレナも汗だくだった。<br>\\r\\nWe were both sweating like crazy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが疲労感はない。<br>\\r\\nBut I didn't feel tired.<br>\\r\\n珠のようになって転げ落ちる汗の雫がくすぐったいぜ。<br>\\r\\n Big drops of sweat tickled as they ran down my body.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n互いの弾丸の激しい応酬。<br>\\r\\nRapid bursts of water flew across both of our paths.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n有利も感じないし不利も感じない。<br>\\r\\nNeither of us had the advantage or disadvantage.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n勝てるかもしれないという高揚感もないし、負けるかもしれないという焦燥感もない。<br>\\r\\nI didn't feel elated that I might win or frustrated that I might lose.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nただ、レナとの銃撃のやり取りが無性に楽しかった。<br>\\r\\nI was just enjoying this battle with Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n例えるならダンスのよう。<br>\\r\\nIt was like a dance.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはひとりでは絶対にできない舞い。<br>\\r\\nA dance that I couldn't dance alone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分と互角の力を持った相手とだけ舞えるダンスのよう…！！<br>\\r\\nA dance that I could only dance with an opponent...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「本気のレナはやっぱり冴えるね…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena sure is sharp when she gets serious...<br>\\r\\n見てるだけで震えが来るよ！」<br>\\r\\n It's giving me chills!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そのレナさんと互角に渡り合うなんて、圭一さんもやりますわね…！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi-san is good, too. He's evenly matched with her...!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……どちらが勝つか全然予想がつきませんです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I can't tell who's going to win.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nギャラリーは誰もがそう思っていた。<br>\\r\\nIn fact, none of the observers could tell who was going to win.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺たちだってそう思っている。<br>\\r\\nNeither could we.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどっちが勝つか想像もつかない。<br>\\r\\nWe had no idea who was going to win.<br>\\r\\nいや、決着がいつ着くのかすら想像がつかないぜ…！<br>\\r\\n We had no idea when this battle would end...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも何だか、レナとのこの伯仲した戦いが何だか無性に愉快で、勝つにせよ負けるにせよ、決着がついてしまうことが惜しく感じるから不思議だった。<br>\\r\\nI didn't know why, but it was great fun just to fight against Rena, and I didn't even care whether I won or lost. In fact, I never even wanted it to end.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n互いが牽制し合う度に水の残量が減り、射程が縮まっていく。<br>\\r\\nAs we fired at each other, both of our tanks emptied, shortening our range.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n必然的にいつしかそれは銃撃戦と呼ぶより、格闘戦と呼ぶのが相応しいやり取りになっていた。<br>\\r\\nInevitably, it became more and more like a melee than a gun battle.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n実際、俺たちは撃つというより、銃を振るってその軌跡で相手を斬ろうとしているかのようだった。<br>\\r\\nWe fired our water guns as if trying to cut each other with blades of water, swinging the gun like a sword.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n勢いのなくなった銃に腕を鋭く振るうことで遠心力を与え、少しでも攻撃力を与えようと互いが同時に思いついた手だった。<br>\\r\\nWe both came up with the idea to swing the gun hard to generate centrifugal force, in order to increase the range of our attacks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n飛んでかわし、<br>\\r\\nI dived to duck her shot.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n舞うように踏み込み！<br>\\r\\n I rolled on the ground and landed on my feet!<br>\\r\\n伏せてかわしてから、<br>\\r\\n I ducked her shot again<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n払うように斬るッ！！<br>\\r\\n and swung my gun like a sword!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日の部活、水鉄砲によるクラス全員での銃撃戦から、こんな一対一の白兵戦が起こるなんて誰が予想できた？<br>\\r\\nWho could've imagined that our club's water gun battle would turn into one-on-one close combat like this?<br>\\r\\nただのひとりだって予想できたはずがない…！<br>\\r\\n Absolutely nobody...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははははは！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahaha!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ、やっぱりレナもそう思うか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, you think so too, Rena?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ圭一くんもそう思うんだ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You too, Keiichi-kun?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n互いに肩で息を切らしながら踏み込む間合いを計りあう。<br>\\r\\nWe're both breathing hard, calculating the timing needed to take a closer step.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれから互いにニヤリと笑い合った。<br>\\r\\nAnd then, we both grinned wickedly at each other.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「やり合うのが楽しくてならねえぜ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"This is so fun!<br>\\r\\n決着がつくことすら興醒めするくらいになッ！！」<br>\\r\\n I don't want it to ever end!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahaha!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n負けても恨まないでね！！」<br>\\r\\n Don't hate me if you lose!!\\\" <br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ恨まない！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, never!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの勝負を終わらせた自分の不甲斐なさを恨んでやるぜ！！<br>\\r\\n I'd hate myself for ending this game!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、そいつを恨むのはどうやらレナの方になりそうだなッ！！」<br>\\r\\n But I know I won't be the one crying in the end!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どうかな？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't know about that!<br>\\r\\n圭一くん、足が藁だよ！！」<br>\\r\\n Your feet are getting weak, like they're made of straw!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「くそったれええぇ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Shut uuuup!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nうをおりゃあああ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Whoaaaryaaahhhhh!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……すごい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Wow.<br>\\r\\n…何だかものすごくかっこいい…！」<br>\\r\\n ...They both look so cool...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「前原さん、がんばれええ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Maebara-san, go!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「竜宮さん、しっかりーー！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ryugu-san, you can get him!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n戦いを楽しむ心のゆとりが生まれ始めて、俺たちの一騎打ちがどれほど大勢のギャラリーの応援を受けていたかを知る。<br>\\r\\nI became relaxed enough to enjoy the battle, and finally realized that many of our classmates were watching our one-on-one fight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n水量は…もうまったくない。<br>\\r\\nI barely had any water left.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n次の一撃で決められなければおしまいだ。<br>\\r\\nI would have to make the next shot count, or I was done for.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの様子を見ると、向こうも事情はまったく同じようだった。<br>\\r\\nIt seemed like Rena was in the same situation, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…泣いても笑っても次で終わりだな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...The next shot will decide it.<br>\\r\\n水が有限なのが惜しいぜ。」<br>\\r\\n I wish we could fill up our tanks and keep doing this forever.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「限りがあるから美しい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, people enjoy things because they end eventually.<br>\\r\\n花も一緒だよ。」<br>\\r\\n Flowers are beautiful especially because they wither.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なるほどな、そういう見方もあるか！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I see. That's one way to look at it!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「本当に楽しかった。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's been fun fighting against you.<br>\\r\\nでもこれで終わりだね！」<br>\\r\\n But this is it!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だな！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Indeed!!<br>\\r\\n無粋かも知れんが、勝って決着させてもらうぜ！！」<br>\\r\\n Sorry, but I'm going to end this battle!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「上等だよ圭一くん！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Good luck, Keiichi-kun!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「負けて泣くなよ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Don't cry when you lose!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「勝負ッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Let's do this!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「乗ったああ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hell yeah!!<br>\\r\\nうをおぉおおおぉおおおおぉッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Whoaaaaaaaahhh!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………ぉ、……おおお……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...W-Wow...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ど、…どっちが勝ったんですの…？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"W-Which one of them won...?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nセミたちの合唱は、時計のない校庭で代わりに時を刻む針の音のようだ。<br>\\r\\nThe cries of the cicadas echoed in the quiet school yard. They sounded like the hand of a watch ticking away the seconds.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺も、レナも、……ぴくりとも動かない。<br>\\r\\nNeither one of us moved.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…互いに、最後の渾身の一撃を繰り出したまま、…そのままの姿で動きを止めていた……それはまるで、時代劇か何かの中の一騎打ちのよう。<br>\\r\\n...We took our final shots and now stood motionless... It looked like one of those duels in Western movies.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…どっちが先に……？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Who hit the other first...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……わかんない、全然見えなかった…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I don't know. I couldn't see it...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n緊張の糸が最初に切れたのはクラスメートたちだった。<br>\\r\\nOur classmates broke the silence first.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの美しくも激しい一騎打ちが幕を下ろした事にようやく気付いたのである…。<br>\\r\\nThey finally realized that our intensely beautiful one-on-one battle was over...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「い、委員長、…判定は…？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"C-Class prez, what is your decision...?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は、自分が判定を下さない限り、決着がつかないことにようやく気付く。<br>\\r\\nMion, in turn, realized that she had to deliver a verdict to end the game.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、我に返るまで、…魅音も呆然としている内のひとりに過ぎなかった。<br>\\r\\nBut she was just as stunned as the others and it took her a moment to recover.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…魅音はどちらが優勢であったか、判定を下せずにいる。<br>\\r\\n...Mion was taking time to render her verdict.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n実際、俺たちにもそれはわからなかった。<br>\\r\\nIn fact, Rena and I didn't know who won either.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺の最後の一振りが、飛沫の刃となってレナの胸元を横一文字に掻っ捌いた。<br>\\r\\nMy last shot flew fast and splashed sideways as if a blade had cut her chest.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは間違いない。<br>\\r\\nI knew that for sure.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、同じ瞬間でレナの一閃もまた、俺を肩から斜めにバッサリと叩き割っていた。<br>\\r\\nBut at the same moment, Rena's shot hit me in the shoulder.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…ルール上、一瞬でも先に相手に当てた方が勝ちだ。<br>\\r\\n...Whoever shot the other first wins.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、それが自分なのか相手なのか、互いにわからなかった。<br>\\r\\nBut we didn't know if it was me or her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、誰かにその判定をもらえるまで、身動きが取れなかった…。<br>\\r\\nThat's why we stood motionless, waiting for the verdict to be delivered...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…り、梨花には…見えまして？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Did you see it, Rika...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ボクにだってわかるわけないのです…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I can't tell...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「委員長、……どっちの勝ちなの……？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Class prez... who won...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n皆、固唾を呑んで魅音のジャッジを待つ…。<br>\\r\\nEverybody held their breath, waiting for Mion to call it...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺もレナも、互いに相手の瞳をにらみ合ったままだった。<br>\\r\\nRena and I kept staring at each other.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n勝敗なんて観覧人の関心であって、…俺たちにはそれほど重要なことではなかったかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nThe spectators were the only ones who were interested in who the winner was... To us, it wasn't that important.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、互いが相手を上回ろうという強い意思が拮抗していたからこそ、あれだけの戦いが舞えたのだ。<br>\\r\\nWe had a great battle. We had both really wanted to do better than the other.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n多分、俺もレナも引き分けを一番望んでいたに違いない。<br>\\r\\nWe both wanted to call it a tie.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n引き分けという評価だけが、俺たちの最後の一騎打ちに対する唯一にして最上の評価だと思ったから。<br>\\r\\nFor this great battle, settling for a tie would be the best and most proper option.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、…この一騎打ちは勝敗を決める「戦い」ではなかったということなんだ…。<br>\\r\\nIn other words... this one-on-one fight wasn't a battle to decide the winner...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはどうやら俺たちだけでなく、クラスメートみんなも同じ考えのようだった。<br>\\r\\nIt seems like everybody is thinking the same way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……魅ぃ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Mii?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…ん…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Yeah...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……判定が出ないと２人とも動けませんです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......They can't move if you don't deliver a verdict.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ぁ、……うん…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Ah... yeah...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n優劣をつけることを好む魅音は引き分け同着を嫌う。<br>\\r\\nMion hates to settle for a tie because she loves to draw a line between superiors and inferiors.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n罰ゲームの人数が増える分には楽しいから、ビリの同着だけは好むようだが、……こと１着に関してだけは、引き分け同着を許した試しはない。<br>\\r\\nShe tends to settle for a tie when deciding who is the loser because it's more fun to have as many people as possible suffer the punishment... But she's never settled for a tie between winners before.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音がナンバーワンという言葉に特別な意味を感じているからこそだろう。<br>\\r\\nMion holds a special feeling towards the meaning of being number one.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nクラスメート全員が魅音のジャッジが下されるのを、固唾を呑んで見守る…。<br>\\r\\nEverybody continued holding their breath, awaiting her verdict.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…どうか引き分けにしてほしい…。<br>\\r\\n...Please make it a tie...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそういう懇願をみんなが目で訴えていた。<br>\\r\\nEverybody wished for that in their hearts.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音も迷っていた。<br>\\r\\nMion was hesitating to make the decision.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n互いにわずかの優劣でもあれば、それを理由に僅差で勝敗を分けることも出来よう。<br>\\r\\nShe could've chosen a winner more easily if one of us did even a little bit better than the other.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だが、仮にそのわずかの優劣があったにせよ、引き分け以外のあらゆる決着がこの上なく無粋に感じられた。<br>\\r\\n...But even if one of us did a little better than the other, I feel like nothing fits better than settling for a tie.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今日の二人は、……見事だったよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"The two of you did... great today.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音がようやく口を開く。<br>\\r\\nMion finally started speaking.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…圭ちゃんもレナも、ここしばらくの連敗に発奮し、最高の力を発揮してくれた。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Kei-chan and Rena, you showed us significant spirit and skill today.<br>\\r\\nその瞬発力は…評価の高低の段階を超えてもはや美しいと呼べるまでに昇華されてたよ。<br>\\r\\n The explosive power you showed us was so beautiful that it's beyond even the highest praise I can ever give.<br>\\r\\n…私は二人の最高の戦いぶりに評価を惜しめない。」<br>\\r\\n ...It's very difficult for me to decide who the winner should be after watching such an amazing battle.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃ、………じゃあ、…決着はどうなるんですの………？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Th-Then... you mean we have two winners...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……会則の精神から、１位を２人に認定するのは好ましくない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I don't like to have two winners. That's not really the point of our club.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、二人にはわずかの優劣もなく、どちらを降着させるかの判断もとてもつかない…。<br>\\r\\n ...However, they were both so good that it's very hard for me to decide who was better...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nよってッ！！<br>\\r\\n So!!<br>\\r\\n本日の戦いを預かり勝負とし、<br>\\r\\n I'm going to call it a tie for today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n後日改めて決着をつけることといたしたいッ！！」<br>\\r\\n And they'll have another battle some other time to decide the winner!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n引き分けまでは読めたが、再勝負とはな！<br>\\r\\nI expected she might settle for a tie,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n考えなかった…！<br>\\r\\nbut I never thought she'd make us have another battle!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「前原さん、すごかったですよー！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Maebara-san, you were awesome!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nカッコ良過ぎます！！」<br>\\r\\n You were so cool!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「竜宮さんにもシビレましたー！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ryugu-san, you gave me chills!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何かこう、なぁ？！<br>\\r\\n It was like, you know?<br>\\r\\n見てるこっちまで熱くなるというかー！！」<br>\\r\\n You set our hearts on fire!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nクラスメートたちが、どっと駆け寄り、俺たちを賞賛する。<br>\\r\\nThe classmates rushed towards us and praised us for showing them something that cool.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこでようやく俺もレナも金縛りから解かれ、がくりと膝をつき合った。<br>\\r\\nRena and I were finally released from the tension of battle and dropped to our knees.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「残念。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Too bad.<br>\\r\\n決着をつけ損なったね。」<br>\\r\\n We tied.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まぁな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah.<br>\\r\\n次の機会を楽しみにしようぜ。」<br>\\r\\n I can't wait for our next battle.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「肩を貸してほしいな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Can you give me your hand?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「先に言うな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Of course.<br>\\r\\n俺が借りようと思ったのに。」<br>\\r\\n I was going to ask you the same thing.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n二人して笑い合う。<br>\\r\\nWe both smiled at each other.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナとこんなにも意気投合したのは始めての経験だった。<br>\\r\\nIt was the first time we ever hit it off like this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それはそうと。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"By the way.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うまいことやったよな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're pretty good at that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……？？<br>\\r\\n\\\"......??<br>\\r\\nうまいことって、何がですの？」<br>\\r\\n What do you mean?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅ぃちゃん、うまいこと言って今日の罰ゲーム、うやむやにする気だー。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mii-chan, you're trying to get away without suffering the punishment, aren't you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………ぎく。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Ah...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「かっこつけときながら、保身第一って辺りが魅音っぽい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"She was just trying to sound cool, but the main reason she delivered that verdict was to protect herself.<br>\\r\\nうん。<br>\\r\\n That's so like Mion, you know?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあ！<br>\\r\\n Look!<br>\\r\\n逃げたぞ！………ず、図星かよ…わかりやすいヤツだなぁ…。」<br>\\r\\n She's running away! ...Looks like my guess was right... She's so obvious...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nみんなが大笑いする中、授業の終わりを告げる振鈴の音が鳴り響くのだった。<br>\\r\\nThe bell rang, a sign that class was over, while we all laughed at Mion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nオチ。<br>\\r\\nAfter that...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……二人ともお疲れさまなのです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Good job out there, you two.<br>\\r\\nタオルをどうぞなのです。」<br>\\r\\n Here, use this towel.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".....................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんが満面の笑みでタオルを差し出してくれた。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan held out a towel, a big smile on her face.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが俺とレナは一歩後退ると、二人して水鉄砲を向ける。<br>\\r\\nHowever, Rena and I stepped back and pointed our water guns at her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……みー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Meep.<br>\\r\\n…もうみんなにいっぱいいっぱい撃たれましたのです。<br>\\r\\n ...I was already shot many times.<br>\\r\\nもう撃たれてると言っても誰も信じてくれないのですよ。」<br>\\r\\n I told everybody I was already hit, but nobody believes me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんだけがやたらとずぶ濡れだ。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan was soaking wet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……まぁなぁ。<br>\\r\\n...Well...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんのことだから、撃たれたふりをして、最後まで居残ってそうだもんなぁ。<br>\\r\\nNobody believed her because she really could be that sneaky, pretending that she was hit in order to stay in the game.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「普段が普段でございますものねぇ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's your own fault that nobody believes you.<br>\\r\\n信じろというのが難しい相談でございましてよ。」<br>\\r\\n Sometimes it's hard to believe anything you say.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……みーーー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Meeeep.<br>\\r\\n…みんながいじめるのです。<br>\\r\\n ...Everybody is so mean to me.<br>\\r\\nボクはもう独りぼっちなのです。<br>\\r\\n I feel lonely.<br>\\r\\n……ダンボール箱の中でみーみー鳴いて、誰も拾ってくれないかわいそかわいそな猫さんなのですよ。<br>\\r\\n ...I'm lonely like a poor kitten crying in a cardboard box because nobody wants her.<br>\\r\\n……みーみー…。」<br>\\r\\n Meep-meep...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nぽん！<br>\\r\\nBoom!<br>\\r\\nと音がしたのはレナの頭だ。<br>\\r\\n The sound came from Rena's head.<br>\\r\\n丸い輪っかの煙が立ち昇っている。<br>\\r\\n I saw a circle of smoke coming out of it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…どうやら、梨花ちゃんがダンボールの中に捨て猫状態で入っていて、みーみー鳴いているところが想像できたらしい。<br>\\r\\n...Rena must have pictured Rika-chan meowing like a cat in a cardboard box.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぅ〜〜！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hauuuuuuuu!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃん捨ててあるよ捨ててある、レナが拾うよ、お持ち帰りいいいーーー！！！」<br>\\r\\n Rika-chan is an abandoned kitten, kitten. I'm taking her home with me!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nむが、<br>\\r\\nAw!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nむぐ、<br>\\r\\n Ugh!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nぎゅいぎゅい、<br>\\r\\nOuch!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nみーみー！<br>\\r\\n Meep-meep!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nきゅい、<br>\\r\\n Mmm...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nすぽん！！<br>\\r\\n Boom!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nかっこいい余韻も台無しだー！<br>\\r\\nRena, you're ruining how cool we looked earlier!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはいつものレナに戻ると梨花ちゃんを瞬時に、カメレオンばりの速度で捕食する。<br>\\r\\nRena was back to her normal self, and jumped on Rika-chan like a chameleon capturing its prey.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんはそれから逃れようともがくのだった。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan struggles to get away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はーーい、皆さん、早く教室に戻りなさーーい！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Come on, everyone! Get back to your classroom now!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n知恵先生が職員室の窓から手を叩きながら大声をあげている。<br>\\r\\nChie-sensei clapped her hands and yelled at us from the window of the teacher's office.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「行こうぜ、みんな！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Let's go!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全員が笑顔で応え、昇降口に向かって競争のように駆け出していくのだった。<br>\\r\\nEveryone exchanged smiles and ran back to the classroom.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……目が覚めても、まだわくわくしていた。<br>\\r\\n...I awoke from my dream, still feeling excited.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nすごく楽しい夢を見ていたのは間違いない。<br>\\r\\nI must've had a very happy dream.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれがどんな夢だったかは、…まるで目蓋を開くと忘れるスイッチが入るかのように忘れてしまったけれど。<br>\\r\\nI already forgot what it was about... It felt as if there was a switch that automatically made me forget my dreams when I open my eyes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…とても楽しい夢だったことだけは、疑いようもなかった。<br>\\r\\n...All I could remember is that it was a happy dream.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、目が覚めてもしばらくの間、天井を眺めながらその余韻を楽しんでいるのだった。<br>\\r\\nI look at the ceiling and enjoyed the happy feeling for a while.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日は日曜日。<br>\\r\\nIt was Sunday today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n窓の外には、普段の平日とはまったく違う小鳥のさえずりが満ちているように聞こえた。<br>\\r\\nOutside the window, I could hear morning birdsong that sounded totally different from what I heard on weekdays.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n平日の鳥の鳴き声はどこか急いていて、いかにも急げ急げ学校に遅れるな…という感じだが、日曜日の鳥だけは違う。<br>\\r\\nThe morning birdsong on weekdays sounds like they're in a rush, as if they're telling me to hurry to school... but on Sunday, it's different.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんなにも晴れた清々しい日曜日の朝だから、それをみんなに伝えたくて伝えたくてしょうがない、そんなうきうきした感情が感じられるのだ。<br>\\r\\nI could tell that the birds are singing simply because they want to tell everybody how great a morning it is.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、その鳴き声は普段の平日の小鳥たちとは異なる小鳥にすら感じられるのだった。<br>\\r\\nI even felt like the birds that sing on weekdays must be different birds from the ones that sing on Sunday.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n日曜日の朝にしか鳴かない、日曜日専用の小鳥でもいるんだろうか？<br>\\r\\nI wonder if there really are birds that only sing on Sunday.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n週に一度しか鳴かない鳥の声なんて、何だか贅沢だ。<br>\\r\\nIt sounds like a very luxurious job, for some reason.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな、貴重な小鳥たちの合唱を寝惚けながら聞くことは、この上なく勿体無いことだった。<br>\\r\\nIt's a waste to listen to such a valuable birdsong when you're not quite awake.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやがて、普段のがさつな自分が目を覚ましてくるに従い、日曜日専用の小鳥という言葉が無性に滑稽に感じ始める。<br>\\r\\nAs I fully awaken, my normal, crude personality takes over, and I start feeling stupid to even think that there might be birds that sing only on Sunday.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………ふぁ、………あぁ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Haww... Ahh...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大きく伸びをすると、全身に血が巡っていく心地よい感触がした。<br>\\r\\nAs I yawned and stretched, my blood started circulating through my entire body. It felt good.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n寝返りながら時計を見上げると、１０時過ぎを指しているのが見える。<br>\\r\\nI turn over and look at the clock, which says it's past 10 AM.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n日曜の１０時は、塾に出掛ける日だったことを思い出す。<br>\\r\\nI used to go to my cram school on Sunday at 10 AM.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろん、雛見沢に引越してくる前の話だ。<br>\\r\\nThat was before I moved to Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n当時はずいぶんといろいろな塾に通わされていたんだっけ。<br>\\r\\nMy parents made me go to several cram schools back then.<br>\\r\\n…中でも第１、第３日曜日に通う塾が、電車の乗換えが多くて辛かったことを思い出す。<br>\\r\\n ...I remember that the one I had to go to on the first and the third Sundays of the month was the hardest one of all, because I had to change trains several times to get there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもっとも、当時ならこんな時間に起きることはあり得ない。<br>\\r\\nI was never allowed to sleep in so late back then.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n遅れる遅れるとお袋に急かされて起こされるので、日曜も普段と同じ様な時間に起床していたからだ。<br>\\r\\nMy mom always woke me up early so that I didn't miss my classes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、日曜のこういう時間に自分の意思で目が覚められることに、ちょっとした愉悦を感じていたような気がする。<br>\\r\\nThat's probably why I've always dreamed of being able to wake up whenever I wanted on a Sunday.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……もっとも、その感覚も雛見沢に引越してきてからすっかり忘れてしまっていたかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n...Needless to say, I don't feel that way anymore now that I moved to Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n最近の日曜日は、昼前までたっぷりと惰眠を貪るのが当り前だったから。<br>\\r\\nAfter all, I can always sleep 'til noon on Sunday now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢に来てから、人生がまったく変わった気がする。<br>\\r\\nMy life has changed completely since I moved here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n引越す前は、都会生活に比べ不便なところばかりが目に付き、正直、田舎での生活に関心はもてなかった。<br>\\r\\nBefore, I used to think living in the countryside would be really inconvenient. To be honest, I wasn't even interested in living here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでもそれに不便を感じたのは本当に最初の数日だけ。<br>\\r\\nBut it was only the first few days that I felt that way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n都会の煤けた便利さなど、ここでの生活に比べたら何の魅力も感じない。<br>\\r\\nNow, I don't feel attached to life in the city or its conveniences.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでは今の生活にある魅力って何だろうと考えたら、<br>\\r\\nWhen I think about what part of my life in Hinamizawa I'm the most attached to...<br>\\r\\n……それはきっと、<br>\\r\\n I'd have to say<br>\\r\\n仲間たちの存在によるところが大きいのだろう。<br>\\r\\n it's probably my friends.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんな感傷にふけるところを見ると、昨日のクラス全部での水鉄砲大会がよっぽど楽しかったんだろうなぁ。<br>\\r\\nI guess the reason why I'm being so sentimental is probably because I had so much fun yesterday in the water gun fight with all of my classmates.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの歳にもなって、大真面目に水鉄砲で撃ち合いをするんだぜ？<br>\\r\\nDespite my age, I got so into it and had so much fun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなの都会の連中はやりたくったってできねぇだろうな。<br>\\r\\nI bet the kids in the city wouldn't be able to play like that. <br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいや、…やりたくってもできない、じゃなくて、やりたいとも思わない、が正しいんだろう。<br>\\r\\nNo... I should say they wouldn't even want to in the first place.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんな単純な遊びがこんなにも楽しいなんて、気付きもしないに違いない。<br>\\r\\nThey wouldn't even realize how exciting a simple water gun fight could be.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n階下に降りると、親父とお袋が固いテレビ番組を見ながら、あーだこーだと議論に花を咲かせていた。<br>\\r\\nI went downstairs and saw my parents watching a serious TV program, arguing about the topic together.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大体、日本の電話料金は高すぎるんだ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"First of all, telephone service charges in Japan are way too expensive.<br>\\r\\n国が電話事業を独占してるからこういうことになるんだ。」<br>\\r\\n It's because the state has a monopoly.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「でも民間企業ってのは営利団体なのよ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"But, private companies are profit-oriented organizations.<br>\\r\\n慈善団体なわけじゃないんだし、全国一律のサービスを本当に維持できるわけ？」<br>\\r\\n They're not exactly charitable.... I wonder if they can maintain uniform service nationwide.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nテレビの中の知識人も、親父たちと同じ内容で激論を交わしている。<br>\\r\\nThe experts on TV were arguing about the same thing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何でも、電電公社が民営化されるとかそういう話が出ているんだとか。<br>\\r\\nIt seems like there's a possibility the telephone service will get privatized.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n民営化されると何がどう良くなるのかお子様な俺にはさっぱりだ。<br>\\r\\nI'm too young to understand how privatization could make things better.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……この調子だと将来、郵便局辺りも民営化なんて騒ぎ出すかもしれないな。<br>\\r\\n...But I can easily assume that people will start talking about privatizing the postal services in the near future too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかし、親父もお袋も激論を戦わせているけど、何だかんだ言っておめでたいくらいに仲がいい。<br>\\r\\nMy parents were arguing about the topic fiercely, but they got along very well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n一見激論を交わしているように見えるが、こんなのは仲良しの証みたいなもんだ。<br>\\r\\nLet's put it this way: They get along well and that's why they argue.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう言えば、都会に住んでた頃は、両親の仲がいい姿などあまり見たことがなかった。<br>\\r\\nI don't remember seeing them get along this well when we were living in the city.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……雛見沢に引越してから、良くなったことのひとつかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n...This is probably one of the things that got better since we moved to Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n両親の冷たい関係など、子供にとって毒にしかならないのだから。<br>\\r\\nA cold relationship between parents doesn't bring any benefits to their kids.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あら、圭一。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, Keiichi.<br>\\r\\n日曜にしては早いわね。<br>\\r\\n You're up early today.<br>\\r\\n朝ご飯食べる？」<br>\\r\\n Do you want to eat breakfast?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今日はいらない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No thanks.<br>\\r\\nあと、今日は外で食べるから昼飯もいらないや。」<br>\\r\\n I'm going out today, so I don't need anything.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なんだ、友達と一緒か？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Are you going out with your friends?<br>\\r\\n圭一がよく話す部活というやつかー？」<br>\\r\\n Is it those club activities that you always talk about?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いんや、今日は部活じゃない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, it's not a club activity day.<br>\\r\\n昨日の罰ゲームというか、何と言うか。」<br>\\r\\n It's the punishment for the game we played yesterday.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、ピンポーンとチャイムの音が鳴った。<br>\\r\\nSomeone rang the doorbell.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n時計を見ると、もうレナと合流する時間だ。<br>\\r\\nI looked at the clock and noticed it's time to meet Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n寝起きの余韻を優雅に楽しみ過ぎたか！<br>\\r\\nI guess I spent too much time enjoying waking up late!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は慌てて普段着に着替えようと自室に駆け戻るのだった。<br>\\r\\nI ran upstairs to get a change of clothes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそそくさと着替えて玄関に向かうと、レナと両親が楽しそうに話をしていた。<br>\\r\\nI quickly changed and ran to the front door. Rena was chatting with my parents.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…こういう時、俺は焦る。<br>\\r\\n...I always feel uncomfortable when my parents talk to my friends.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n両親が何か俺に不利な恥ずかしい話を吹き込みやしないかとハラハラするからだ。<br>\\r\\nI'm afraid they'll say something embarrassing about me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺が×歳の頃までおねしょが治らなかったーなんて話がレナの耳に入った日にゃ、<br>\\r\\nIf they told Rena that I wet my bed till I was X years old or something,<br>\\r\\n２４時間待たずに学校中、しまいにゃ雛見沢全体の周知事項と化すだろう！<br>\\r\\n she wouldn't wait until Monday to tell everybody in my school, or maybe even everybody in Hinamizawa!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「よぅレナ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, Rena!<br>\\r\\nおはよう。<br>\\r\\n Good morning.<br>\\r\\n待たせて悪い悪い。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry for making you wait.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一く〜ん、あはははははははは。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi-ku~n, ahahahahahahaha.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナと両親が俺の顔を見てカラカラと笑う。<br>\\r\\nRena and my parents looked at me and laughed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n人が挨拶してるのに、その返事があははは、とは…。<br>\\r\\nI said good morning and they laughed...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…うう、少し遅かったようだ。<br>\\r\\n...I guess I was too late.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの反応はおそらく、俺に対する何らかのネガティブな秘密がいくつか、レナにもたらされた後であることを示すのだろう。<br>\\r\\nMy parents must have already told Rena some embarrassing secrets about me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれ以上この場にいると、ますますに両親から俺のネガティブな秘密が明かされそうだったので、俺は乱暴に靴を履くとレナを押し出すように玄関を出る。<br>\\r\\nI don't want my parents to tell her anything else, so I put on my shoes in a rush and pushed Rena out of the house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその仲むつまじそうな俺たちに、両親は能天気に手を振ってくれた。<br>\\r\\nMy parents waved at us, smiling.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いってらっしゃ〜い。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Have a nice day.<br>\\r\\nレナちゃん、圭一をよろしくお願いね〜〜！」<br>\\r\\n Rena-chan, please take care of Keiichi!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぅ〜！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hauu!<br>\\r\\nはい、おばさま〜！！<br>\\r\\n Don't worry!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一くんはレナがちゃんとちゃんと面倒を見ますからぁ〜〜☆」<br>\\r\\n I'll take good care of Keiichi-kun!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何の面倒だか知らんが、見んでいい、見んで！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I have no idea why you'd have to do that. I don't need you to take care of me!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nずるずるとレナを引き摺り、俺は家を後にするのだった。<br>\\r\\nI dragged Rena away from the house, and we were on our way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n興宮の町へ向かう長い道のりを、俺とレナは自転車を走らせていた。<br>\\r\\nWe rode our bicycles to the town of Okinomiya. It's a long way away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n町へ行く時は、基本的に下り坂なのでとても楽ちんだ。<br>\\r\\nIt's an easy ride to the town because it's mostly downhill...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまぁ、当然のことながら、帰り道で苦労するのだが。<br>\\r\\nBut needless to say, it's a hard ride on the way back.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが俺をちらちらと見ながら、くすくすと笑っているような気がするのは気のせいなのだろうか…。<br>\\r\\nI felt like Rena was giggling whenever she looked at me...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺が着替えてから玄関に下りてくるまでのわずかの時間に、一体どんな恥ずかしい情報がもたらされたのか、気になってしょうがないぞ…。<br>\\r\\nI badly wanted to know what kind of embarrassing information my parents had fed her before I came downstairs...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nとりあえず別の話題を振って、レナの頭から俺にとっての不都合な情報を追い出してやることにする。<br>\\r\\nI tried to give her a new subject to talk about in order to get whatever she heard from my parents out of her mind.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナって、何気にうちの親と仲いいよな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"How come you're so close to my folks?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well,<br>\\r\\n仲いいよー。<br>\\r\\n we are very close<br>\\r\\nよくお話するもん。」<br>\\r\\n because we talk a lot.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「よくお話って、いつしてるよ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"When do you talk to my parents?<br>\\r\\n俺は見かけたことないぞ？」<br>\\r\\n I've never seen you having a conversation.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おばさまとはよくお買い物の時に会うかな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I see your mother a lot at the grocery store.<br>\\r\\n特売日とかポイントセールの日なんかはよく会うね。」<br>\\r\\n She's there a lot on special bargain and extra point days.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あー、確かにお袋は特売日とかマメにチェックしてるなぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ohh, yeah, my mom keeps a close eye on those.<br>\\r\\n冷蔵庫のとこに磁石でいろいろとメモが貼ってあってさ。<br>\\r\\n She sticks notes like that on the refrigerator.<br>\\r\\nどこそこで何がいつ安いなんてのが書いてあるのを見かけるよ。」<br>\\r\\n They're always all about when and where she can get things cheaper.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それでね、今夜は何にしましょうねって話をしながら一緒に買い物するの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Whenever I see her at the store, we talk about what we're making for dinner that night and we do the shopping together.<br>\\r\\nカレールーが特売だから今夜はカレーにしようかな、なんて話になると、じゃあうちもうちも、なんて感じで。」<br>\\r\\n A few days ago, she told me that curry sauce was on sale and that she was going to have curry and rice for dinner that night, so I did the same!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そう言えば、一昨日はカレーだったな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I remember we had curry and rice the day before yesterday.<br>\\r\\nじゃあレナのとこもカレーだったわけか？」<br>\\r\\n So, you had curry and rice that day too, huh?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん、そうなんだよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah.<br>\\r\\n一昨日はポークカレーだったでしょ。<br>\\r\\n You had pork curry, didn't you?<br>\\r\\n豚肉が安かったから、一緒に買ったの。<br>\\r\\n Pork was on sale that day, so your mom and I both bought some.<br>\\r\\nだからね、だからね、私の家でもカレーを食べながら、今頃圭一くんも同じカレーを食べてるんだろうなって思ってた。<br>\\r\\n So, when I was eating my curry at home, I knew you were having the same dinner.<br>\\r\\nはぅ☆」<br>\\r\\n Hauu☆.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…ってことは、毎日ではないにせよ、俺の食卓は筒抜けってわけか。<br>\\r\\n...So she knows what I'm eating for dinner almost every day...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n別にやましいことはないんだが、それはそれで何だか恥ずかしいな。<br>\\r\\nIt didn't bother me, but I did kind of feel embarrassed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おじさまとは、お買い物の時に一緒に会うことが多いかな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I usually see your father with your mother at the grocery store.<br>\\r\\n圭一くんのおじさまとおばさま、本当に仲良しなんだね！」<br>\\r\\n Your parents get along very well, huh?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そういえば、よく一緒に買い物に行くなぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, they like to go grocery shopping together.<br>\\r\\n…確かに、いい歳して仲はいい方だと思う。」<br>\\r\\n ...I think they're a good couple, for their age.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「やっぱり、両親の仲がいいのはとても大事なことだと思うよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I think it's very important that your parents get along well.<br>\\r\\nお買い物にも一緒だなんて、何だか素敵でうらやましいなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n It's cute that they still go grocery shopping together.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何だかさっきから俺の親の話ばかりで恥ずかしいぞ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's enough about my parents.<br>\\r\\nレナのとこはどうだよ？<br>\\r\\n What about yours, Rena?<br>\\r\\n仲いいか？」<br>\\r\\n Do they get along well?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n仲いいよ。<br>\\r\\n They do.<br>\\r\\nいっつもべったりしてる。<br>\\r\\n They're always hugging and kissing.<br>\\r\\n…だからね、はぅ。<br>\\r\\n ...So, hauu...<br>\\r\\nレナに居場所がない〜〜。」<br>\\r\\n I feel like there's no room for me in the house.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいつもべったりでラブラブな夫婦か。<br>\\r\\nHer parents are a lovey-dovey couple, huh?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナのお母さんって会ったことないけど、何だかレナにそっくりな人の気がするぞ。<br>\\r\\n...I've never met Rena's mother, but I imagine she's just like Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナのお父さんがヒゲを剃り残しただけでも、はぅ〜☆ごま塩のおひげがかぁいいよ〜！！ってなりそうだな。<br>\\r\\nI could easily imagine her mother going crazy about the spot her husband missed when shaving, because it looks so cute to her, like sesame seeds on white rice.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…それから、お父さんのお腹をさすって、はぅ☆ぽよんぽよんだよ〜〜☆…なんてなるに違いない。<br>\\r\\n...She must love to touch her husband's chubby stomach because it feels so soft.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその想像は何だか無性に笑えるものだった。<br>\\r\\nIt was funny how easily I could imagine her mother doing those things.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっはっはっはっはっは！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Aha ha ha ha ha ha!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「突然笑い出すなんて、…な、何かな、かな？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What's so funny...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナの家のおばさんがどんな人かものすごい気になるぞ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm curious about your mother now.<br>\\r\\n俺も今度、レナのおばさんに会ってみることにするぜー！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm going to go to your house next time and meet your mother!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えッ？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?!<br>\\r\\nだだ、だめだよ、だめだめ！！」<br>\\r\\n No! No, no, no!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナだって俺のお袋と話をしてるじゃないかよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You talk to my mother.<br>\\r\\nならお相子だろー？」<br>\\r\\n It's only fair that I talk to yours too, isn't it?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぅ、だって、圭一くんなんかが会ってもいいことないよ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hau, but my mom isn't as interesting a person as you think...<br>\\r\\n全然立派な人じゃないし…。」<br>\\r\\n She's normal and boring.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「会う前からかなり予想はついてるんだけどなぁ〜！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I can even picture how she looks!<br>\\r\\nズバリ！<br>\\r\\n I know it!<br>\\r\\nレナにそっくりだろ？！」<br>\\r\\n She looks just like you, doesn't she?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えッ、えッ？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What? What?!<br>\\r\\nそそ、そんなことない〜〜！<br>\\r\\n No, she doesn't!<br>\\r\\n全然似てないよぅ！」<br>\\r\\n She doesn't look like me at all!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…その過剰な反応が、雄弁に答えを物語ってるぞ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Then, why are you acting so weird? Your reaction tells me everything.<br>\\r\\nとにかく！！<br>\\r\\n Anyway!!<br>\\r\\nレナのおばさんに興味が出たぜ！！<br>\\r\\n I'm really interested in your mother now!!<br>\\r\\n今度ご挨拶にうかがうからな、覚悟してやがれー！」<br>\\r\\n I'm going to see her sometime. Be prepared!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぅ〜〜、そんなのだめだめだめー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hauu... No no no way!<br>\\r\\n圭一くんがレナの家に来たら、レナ怒るよすごい怒る！」<br>\\r\\n If you really do come to my house, I'll be so mad at you!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「普段、お宅のお嬢さんに大変お世話になっております…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Your daughter has been a great friend to me...<br>\\r\\nいや、お嬢さんと真剣なお付き合いをさせてもらってる者です、<br>\\r\\n No, wait. It'll be more fun if I say something like,<br>\\r\\nくらいの方が面白いかもしれないなー！！<br>\\r\\n 'I've been seeing your daughter, and I'm serious about her.'<br>\\r\\nわっはっはっは！」<br>\\r\\n Aha ha ha ha ha!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……はぅ…、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Hauu...<br>\\r\\nもしうちに来たら、……魅ぃちゃんたちに、圭一くんのちっちゃい頃の話をしちゃおうかな、…かな。」<br>\\r\\n If you come to my house... I'll tell Mii-chan and the others the stories from when you were little, little...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「う、……ちっちゃい頃とは具体的にはいくつの頃のエピソードだ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What? ...What kind of stories are you talking about exactly?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えっと、…レナがおばさまに聞いたのは、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well... the one that I heard from your mother is<br>\\r\\n４つの時の話と、<br>\\r\\n about when you were four years old.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n６つの時の滑り台の話と、<br>\\r\\n And the other one is about the slide when you were six years old, and<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…あとあと…、」<br>\\r\\n ...and another one is about when you were...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「すみませんでしたレナさん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You got me, Rena-san.<br>\\r\\nレナさんの目の黒い内は、竜宮家の半径１００ｍには絶対近寄らないようにするっす。」<br>\\r\\n I'll never get within a 100m radius of your house as long as you live.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはははははは！ ありがとー！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahahahaha! Thank you!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nちくしょーお袋めーー！！<br>\\r\\nDammit, Mom!<br>\\r\\nいつか覚えてやがれー！<br>\\r\\n I'll remember this!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n駅前に出れば目的地はすぐそこだった。<br>\\r\\nWe arrived at the station. The place we were going today is right near there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n駅向かいにあるレストラン「エンジェルモート」。そこが今日の集合場所だった。<br>\\r\\nIt's a restaurant called <NAME>. We were meeting up with the others there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが見た瞬間に驚く。<br>\\r\\nI was surprised when I saw the restaurant.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n普段はごくごく普通のレストランというたたずまいなのに、…どういうわけか今日はものすごい大勢の人たちが店を取り囲んでいたからだ。<br>\\r\\nIt's usually a normal and quiet restaurant... but today, there were many people in front of it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだがそれは並んでいるというよりは群がっているという感じだった。<br>\\r\\nThey didn't look like they were waiting in line to get inside. It looked more like they were just loitering around.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n中に入りたいなら、並んでさっさと入店すればいいものを。<br>\\r\\nThey should just line up and go inside like normal people.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うわーーーーーーー、何だよこれ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wow! What's going on?<br>\\r\\nすっげぇ人だな！」<br>\\r\\n There are so many people here!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今日はイベントデーだからね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"The restaurant has a big event today.<br>\\r\\nこの日のためにすっごい遠くから来てる人たちも大勢いるんだって。」<br>\\r\\n I heard that many people are coming from far away.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n店の前には登りが出ていて、「デザートフェスタ」と書かれている。<br>\\r\\nThere's a flag saying 'Dessert Festa' in front of the restaurant.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n聞いた話では、エンジェルモートでは年に何度かこういうイベントデーがあり、ものすごい大賑わいになるらしい。<br>\\r\\nI heard that Angel Mort holds events like this several times a year, and a lot of people come to attend from all over.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今日のデザートフェスタはね、抽選に当たってチケットがもらえた人しか入店できないの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Today, only people who have a ticket can get into the restaurant.<br>\\r\\nでね、１枚のチケットで４人まで入場できることになっててね。」<br>\\r\\n And one ticket allows up to four people to get in.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なるほどな、チケット持ってる友人が来るのを、こうして店の前で待ってるわけか。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I see. So, these people are waiting for friends who have a ticket.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「う〜ん、ちょっと違うかな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Not exactly.<br>\\r\\nチケットの人にはね、たまに４人未満で来る人もいるの。」<br>\\r\\n Some people have tickets but don't have four people to go with.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………つまりなんだ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...So you're saying that<br>\\r\\n落選者たちがチケット当選者のおこぼれに預かろうと、こうして群がってるってわけなのか。」<br>\\r\\n these people are just here to find someone who'd like to share their empty seats?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、群がっている人々の群からどよめきが起こった。<br>\\r\\nAt that time, the crowd of people roared in excitement.<br>\\r\\nなんだなんだ？<br>\\r\\n What was going on?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n!s「ここ、こいつチケットを持っているでござるよー！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"This guy has a ticket!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「チケットは４人まで入れるのに１人で入ろうなんておこがましいにゃりん！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"He's trying to get inside alone when he can bring three more with him!! How rude!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n残り３人の枠にぜひ加えてくださいにゃーーッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Please let me join you!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ボ、僕を仲間に加えてくれたら、エンジェルモートトレカのレアカードを進呈するよおぉぉ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I-If you let me join you, I'll honor you with a rare Angel Mort trading card!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「オイラならフロントフィールドの夏コミ新刊を限定本付きでー！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'd come with Front Field's newest Summerket issue and its Limited Edition book!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「『ひぐらし』β版、着せ替えモード搭載版で譲ってぇえぇ！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'll give you the beta version of Higurashi with a mode that lets you change everyone's oufits!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「Ｇ氏の魔改造フィギュアでなんとかーッ！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Make a deal with me for a modded version of G's figure!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お…俺はリアルマネー壱萬円だすよー！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I... I'll give you 10,000 yen in real money!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「「「こんの愚か者ぉおおぉ！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"\\\"\\\"YOU FOOL!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nＲＭＴはご法度でござるよ、<br>\\r\\n RMT is prohibited!<br>\\r\\n通報<br>\\r\\n Report!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n通報ォ<br>\\r\\n Report!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n垢ぁ<br>\\r\\n Account,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nＢＡＮッ！！」」」<br>\\r\\n BANNED!!\\\"\\\"\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………よくわからん騒ぎになっとるぞ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I have no idea what they're talking about...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…あははははは。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Ahahahahaha.<br>\\r\\nこのお店のコアなファンは、ちょっと怖いからね…☆」<br>\\r\\n The fans of this restaurant are a little scary, huh...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ところで、俺たちのチケットってのはどうなってるんだ…？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Anyway, what about our ticket...?<br>\\r\\n第一、俺たちメンバーって５人組だろ？<br>\\r\\n There are five of us.<br>\\r\\nチケットの定員じゃ、」<br>\\r\\n How are we all going to get in?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「しーーー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Shhhh!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…ほら、このお店、魅ぃちゃんの親類のお店だから、<br>\\r\\n ...You know, Mii-chan's family owns this restaurant.<br>\\r\\n…ね！」<br>\\r\\n ...So, you know!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅音って時々すげぇよな…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mion is so cool sometimes...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナがぐっと握り拳を作ってから、意気込んだ。<br>\\r\\nRena makes a fist and gets all fired up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃ、…行こう！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well... Let's go!<br>\\r\\n一気に駆け抜けるからね！」<br>\\r\\n We're going to dash through the crowd without stopping!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それが最良の策みたいだな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That seems like the best course of action, actually.<br>\\r\\n……よし。」<br>\\r\\n ...Okay.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n二人して頷き合う。<br>\\r\\nWe nodded at each other.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺たちは二人組だ。<br>\\r\\nSince we were a group of two at present,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n一見すればあと２人の定員枠が空いてるように見えるもんな。<br>\\r\\n it looked like we had two more seats to share.<br>\\r\\n群がられるのは間違いない…！<br>\\r\\n These people might try mobbing us in order to get a share...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n二人してクラウチングスタートの体制。<br>\\r\\nWe crouched down, getting ready to run.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n群れる連中がそんな様子の俺たちに気付いたようだ。<br>\\r\\nThe crowd of people seemed to notice us.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「むむ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Look!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの二人、強行突破を試みるつもりにゃりん！！」<br>\\r\\n Look at them! They're going to force their way through!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「しかも女子と二人きりでボックスシートを埋めようとは不届き千万ッ！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"And he's trying to fill a booth alone with his girlfriend! How reprehensible!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「一緒に座ってラブラブな空気を打ち砕いてやるでござるーッ！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"We're going to sit with them and crush their lovey-dovey mood!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「最後の一発まで抵抗しろー！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Fight back to the last round!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nゲルマンの鉄の意志を見せてやるのだー！！」<br>\\r\\n Show them the iron will of the Germans!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nくそ、スクラムを組んでやがるぞ！<br>\\r\\nDamn. They were going to tackle us!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺たちの入店をあくまでも拒むつもりだな？！<br>\\r\\n They'd do whatever it took to stop us from getting inside the restaurant!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今日は魅ぃちゃんたちみんなの罰ゲームの日！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Today is the day Mii-chan and the others suffer their punishment!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私たちがお店に入れなかったら昨日の勝利が無意味になっちゃう。」<br>\\r\\n If we can't get inside, our victory yesterday will have been in vain.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それだけは認められねえな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I can't let that happen.<br>\\r\\n俺たちがベストを尽くして得た勝利だ。<br>\\r\\n We exhausted ourselves to obtain that victory.<br>\\r\\nだから魅音たちの罰ゲームを見届けるのは権利であり、」<br>\\r\\n To watch our friends undergo the punishment is our right and...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「義務でもあるもんね！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Our duty as well!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……と、かっこよく決めたところで、下心丸出しなんだけどなー。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...But, no matter how cool we sound, what we're really after is one thing...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぅ〜〜！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hauuuu!!<br>\\r\\n沙都子ちゃんや梨花ちゃん、どんな格好かなー！！<br>\\r\\n I can't wait to see how Satoko-chan and Rika-chan look!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお持ち帰りぃい〜！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm taking them home with me!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ぐふふふふ、ヤングカップルめぇえぇ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey you, young couple!!<br>\\r\\n大人しくチケットを差し出すでござるよー！！」<br>\\r\\n Share your empty seats with us, all nice and quiet-like!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ひゃっひゃっひゃ！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hya hya hya!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここは通さねえぜ〜！！」<br>\\r\\n We won't let you go through!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n「エンジェルモートのイベントチケットを二人だけで消化しようなどとは許せんにゃりん！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"I won't allow you to use your ticket for yourselves!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n余った枠に我らを加えるでござるよー！！」<br>\\r\\n You have to share the empty seats with us!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺とレナ、そしてそれと対峙し、まるでゾンビさながらに両手を突き出しながら迫ってくるチケット落選者たち！<br>\\r\\nThey reached their hands towards us like zombies!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその距離がじりじりと狭まっていく…！<br>\\r\\nThey gradually got closer and closer...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな中、俺たちは意外に余裕。<br>\\r\\nWe were actually taking it easy, though.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n状況をちょっぴり楽しんでさえいた。<br>\\r\\nIn fact, I'd say the situation was rather enjoyable.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはははは、何だか、昨日の部活がまだ続いてるみたいだね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Aha ha ha ha. It's like we're still in the middle of the game we played yesterday.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ、何だか面白くなってきたぜ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, it's getting fun!<br>\\r\\n連中を蹴散らして一気に行くぜ！！」<br>\\r\\n Let's kick their asses!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん、了解。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yep, roger that.<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんや沙都子ちゃんを相手に回すよりは、…簡単かな？ かな？」<br>\\r\\n It's a lot easier to fight against them than against Mii-chan and Satoko-chan, you know? You know?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Indeed.<br>\\r\\n他の部活メンバーを敵に回すのに比べたら、…見たとこ２０〜３０人ってとこか。<br>\\r\\n I'd say with even 20 to 30 of them... It's still easier than fighting against the other club members.<br>\\r\\n悪いが、俺たちを止めるにゃ人数がちょいと足りないぜ！」<br>\\r\\n They don't have enough people to stop us!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはははは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahaha!<br>\\r\\nよぅし、じゃあ行くよー！」<br>\\r\\n Great! Let's do this!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おうッ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n敵は約２０騎、３０騎！<br>\\r\\nOur enemies number about 20 to 30!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺たちを止めたければその１０倍は用意してみやがれってんだッ！！<br>\\r\\nIf they wanted to stop us, they should've gotten ten times more people than that!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nうおりゃあああーー！！！<br>\\r\\nOhhhhryaaahhh!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いらっしゃいませー、エンジェルモートへようこそ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Welcome to Angel Mort.<br>\\r\\n本日はイベントデーになりますが、チケットはお持ちですか？」<br>\\r\\n Today we're holding a special event. Do you have a ticket?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えっと、チケットはないですけど、名乗ればいいと言われてます。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Umm, we don't have a ticket, but we were told to give our names.<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナと前原圭一です。」<br>\\r\\n We're Rena Ryuugu and Keiichi Maebara.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「只今、リストを確認しております。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Let me check on our list.<br>\\r\\n少々お待ち下さい。」<br>\\r\\n Please wait for a moment.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの店のコアなファンはまともじゃない連中が多そうだからな。<br>\\r\\nSeems like many fans of this restaurant aren't normal people.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n嘘や偽造チケットなんかいくらでもあるんだろうなぁ。<br>\\r\\nI bet they'd try to get in with lies or fake tickets.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさっきの表での殺気だった連中を思えば、何となく納得の対応だった。<br>\\r\\nNo wonder this waitress makes sure to check the list.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いやしかし、…恐ろしい連中だった。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Anyway... those people were just too freaky back there.<br>\\r\\nあんなのがひしめいていたら、健全な客は店内までたどり着けないぞ。」<br>\\r\\n There's no way that normal people could get through them without a struggle.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははははは、そうかもだね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahaha, you might be right.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、レナの行く手を阻むことは誰にもできないんだよ〜〜、はぅ〜☆」<br>\\r\\n But nobody can stop me! Hauuuuu☆!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それはそうと、相変わらずのキレだったな…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You sure did them in...<br>\\r\\nあれは肘か？膝か？<br>\\r\\n Did you use your elbows or knees?<br>\\r\\n顔面の急所を正確にブチ抜くとは、…恐ろしいヤツ。」<br>\\r\\n You hit them right in the middle of their faces... You're a scary person.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナに殺到する有象無象どもを、あの知覚不能の超高速ジャブで次々となぎ倒していくさまは、圧巻の一言だった…。<br>\\r\\nThe way Rena swept them off their feet with super-fast invisible jabs was incredible...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n思い出すだけでも恐ろしい。<br>\\r\\nIt even gave me a chill just thinking about it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だってだって、レナのお持ち帰りを邪魔するんだもん〜☆<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's because they tried to sabotage my chance to take my girls home with me☆.<br>\\r\\nきっとみんなかぁいいよぉ、みぃんなお持ち帰りぃ〜！！」<br>\\r\\n They must look so kyute today! I'm taking all of them home with me!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…かぁいいモードのレナが相手じゃなぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...When you're in Kyute Mode, nobody stands a chance.<br>\\r\\nまぁ連中もあれだけ派手にブチのめされれば、敗北を受け入れられるだろう。」<br>\\r\\n I sure hope they admitted their loss after getting beaten up that badly...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一くんだってすごかったよ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"You did great too, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n大勢に囲まれて飲み込まれたと思ったら、急にシンとなって、そのあとみんな、涙を流しながら道を開けてた。<br>\\r\\n At first, I thought you'd be engulfed by them, but then they became all quiet and let you through with tears in their eyes.<br>\\r\\nなんでかな、かな？」<br>\\r\\n What did you do to them, to them?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……いや別に…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Nothing really...<br>\\r\\n落選したお前たちの代わりにこの俺が入店してやる、お前たちの分まで俺が見届けてきてやる、<br>\\r\\n I just told them that I'd get into the restaurant and make sure to see everything they wanted to see.<br>\\r\\nだから同士諸君、今は涙を流しても次の抽選の勝者になれ、<br>\\r\\n And I told them, 'You might have to shed tears now, but I believe you can get a ticket next time.'<br>\\r\\nとまぁ、その辺りのことを少々語ったら、みんな理解してくれたようで…。」<br>\\r\\n That's all I said, but they seemed to understand me...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…圭一くんって、アジテーション得意だよね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...You're so good at that sort of thing.<br>\\r\\n聞いている人を共感させる能力というか。<br>\\r\\n You know, making people listen to you.<br>\\r\\nうんうん、我が部の口先の魔術師って感じ。」<br>\\r\\n Yeah, you sure are our club's Magician of Words.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「その口先の魔術師って、もう決定なのかよー？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"They're all calling me that now.<br>\\r\\n他の通り名はないのかよぅ！」<br>\\r\\n Can't you please come up with a better name?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはははは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahaha!<br>\\r\\nどうだろうね、考えてみるね！」<br>\\r\\n I'll think about it!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはからからと笑ってはぐらかすのだった。<br>\\r\\nRena laughs loudly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大変お待たせしました。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Thank you so much for waiting.<br>\\r\\nリストにお名前を確認しました。<br>\\r\\n I confirmed your names in the list.<br>\\r\\nお席へご案内します。<br>\\r\\n I'll take you to your table.<br>\\r\\nどうぞこちらへ！」<br>\\r\\n Please follow me!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n相変わらずの、ドキドキものの衣装に身を包んだウェイトレスさんが俺たちを席まで案内してくれた。<br>\\r\\nThe waitress led us to our seats.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n店内は今日は超満員だ。<br>\\r\\nThe restaurant was completely packed today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれだけ賑わっていると、何だかそれはそれですごい。<br>\\r\\nIt made for a cheerful but sort of crazy atmosphere.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかもその客はみんな、表に群がっていた、極めて偏った特殊な感性の客人ばかりと見える。<br>\\r\\nAll the customers in the restaurant were very unique people, just like the ones loitering around outside.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n店内は異様な熱気が渦巻き、しかもほのかに汗臭い。<br>\\r\\nThere was an aura of excitement in the store, and it also smelled a bit sweaty.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかも、店外でされていたような、意味のわかりにくい特殊な単語がてんこ盛りの怪しげな会話だけが飛び交っていた。<br>\\r\\nThey were also talking excitedly using special terms that I don't understand, again just like the people outside.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「やはりエンジェルモートは<br>\\r\\n\\\"Angel Mort is<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n制服命ザンスねぇ〜！！」<br>\\r\\n all about the uniform!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「食は舌で味わうものでござるが、<br>\\r\\n\\\"You taste food with your tongue,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nエンジェルモートは目で味わうのでござるよ〜！！<br>\\r\\n but in Angel Mort, you can taste it with your eyes, too!!<br>\\r\\n今日はたゆん<br>\\r\\n Where's the waitress with the big<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nたゆん<br>\\r\\n heavy<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nのウェイトレスさんはいないでござるか〜！！」<br>\\r\\n pair of melons? I don't see her today!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「むほほほほ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Muohoho!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n女の子のローテのチェックは基本ですよお！！<br>\\r\\n You need to check the shift roster!!<br>\\r\\n巨乳好きなら<br>\\r\\n If you like girls with big tits,<br>\\r\\n火、<br>\\r\\n you have to come on Tuesdays and<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n木<br>\\r\\n Thursdays<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nの<br>\\r\\n after<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n１７時以降は絶対押さえたいですねえぇえ！<br>\\r\\n 5 PM!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n逆属性の方は金曜１７時以降が勝負！！」<br>\\r\\n If you like girls with small tits, you have to come on Fridays after 5 PM!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あぁ、とんでもない日に来たなぁと思った。<br>\\r\\n...I regret coming here today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nと、同時に。<br>\\r\\nAnd at the same time,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあぁ、昨日の部活に負けなくてよかったと思った。<br>\\r\\n I was really glad that I didn't lose the game yesterday.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n他のメンバーはまだいい。<br>\\r\\nThis punishment might be a bit easier for the girls.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが男の俺がこの状況下で罰ゲームを被った日には……、怒り狂った濃い口のお客に袋叩きにされるだろう。<br>\\r\\nBut, as a guy, if I had to undergo this punishment today... I would've been kicked and punched by these crazy customers, because they would've been burning with anger.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n説明が遅れたが、ちなみに今日は別に、レナと食事に来たわけではない。<br>\\r\\nLet me explain. I didn't come here just to eat lunch with Rena today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n罰ゲーム者はランダムな方法で決められた衣装着用の上、エンジェルモートのイベントデーを、ウェイトレスとしてお手伝いをする、というものなのだ。<br>\\r\\nThe punishment is as follows: The losers have to wear a costume that was randomly chosen and help with the event at Angel Mort... as a waitress.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n勝者は敗者の給仕を受けながら、まったりとデザートに舌鼓を打てる…とそういうことになっていたのである。<br>\\r\\nThe winners can enjoy eating desserts, receiving service from the losers.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの罰ゲームが告示されたとき、<br>\\r\\nWhen this punishment was announced,<br>\\r\\n内心、俺は…あぁどうせ俺がやらされるんだろうなと諦めていた。<br>\\r\\n I'd actually prepared myself for the punishment because I thought I'd lose the game like always.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのところ振るわず、罰ゲーム常連だったからなおさらだ。<br>\\r\\nI was losing a lot recently, so I didn't think I could win.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはレナも同じだったろう。<br>\\r\\nI assume Rena felt the same way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが発奮して、俺とレナの大勝利なんて、誰に予想できただろう？<br>\\r\\nWho could imagine Rena and I would do so well as to win?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nすげえよ前原圭一、<br>\\r\\nYou're great, <NAME>ara.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nよくやった感動した！！<br>\\r\\n You made me proud!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、ざわめきが起こり、それから大歓声、拍手、口笛のるつぼと化した。<br>\\r\\nEverybody started shouting, clapping their hands, and whistling for joy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そりゃあそうだろうなぁ。<br>\\r\\n...I don't blame them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日ここに来てる連中はただのイベントデーだと思って来てたはずだ。<br>\\r\\nThey came here just for the event at Angel Mort.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……まさか、あんな格好のウェイトレスが混じってるなんて予想もしなかったろう。<br>\\r\\nNone of them expected to see the waitresses wearing different costumes like this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……みー。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Meep.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はッうううぅううぅう！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"HAUUUUuUUuuUuuUuu!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nりりり梨ぃ花ちゃぁぁん！！<br>\\r\\n R-R-R-Rika-chaaan!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお持ち帰りぃいぃいぃぃ！！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm taking you home with me!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まま、まぁ待て、落ち着けレナ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wait. Calm down, Rena.<br>\\r\\nここでお持ち帰ったら罰ゲームにならん。」<br>\\r\\n You can't take her home yet. She has to finish her punishment first.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんはお盆にお冷とおしぼりを乗せての登場だ。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan appears with glasses of water and wet napkins on a tray.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんが引いた罰ゲームの衣装は、もはや罰ゲームの定番と化した感もある、エンジェルモートの制服だった。<br>\\r\\nThey drew lots to decide on the costumes. Rika-chan's costume is the uniform of Angel Mort, which we use regularly for punishments.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……いらっしゃいませ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Hello.<br>\\r\\nエンジェルモートへようこそなのですよ。」<br>\\r\\n Welcome to Angel Mort.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんは、お客を迎える口上を述べると、俺とレナの前にお冷とおしぼりを並べた。<br>\\r\\n Rika-chan put the glasses of water and the wet napkins in front of Rena and me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぅあぅぁぅ〜〜！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"HauAuauuu!!<br>\\r\\nかぁいいよ〜〜、<br>\\r\\n You look so adorable.<br>\\r\\nお〜持ちかえ〜〜りぃ〜！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm taking you home with me!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが奇声を上げると、店内も同様に<br>\\r\\nRena raised her weird voice, and everybody in the store followed suit.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「「おおお、お持ち帰りぃいぃ〜！！」」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I-I-I'm taking her home with me!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nと、お持ち帰りコールになる！<br>\\r\\n Everybody started shouting the phrase!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n気付けば、店中の客が俺たちの席の周りに群がって、梨花ちゃんの給仕姿をその眼に焼き付けようとしているのだった。<br>\\r\\nBefore I knew it, they were surrounding our table trying to burn the scene of Rika-chan serving customers into their minds.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぅ〜〜、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hauuuu,<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃん、<br>\\r\\n Rika-chan,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n似合うよ似合ってるよ〜〜！！<br>\\r\\n you look great in that uniform!!<br>\\r\\nはぅ〜！！」<br>\\r\\n Hauuuuu!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……みー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Meep.<br>\\r\\n…じろじろ見られると恥ずかしいのです。」<br>\\r\\n ...It's embarrassing to have everybody look at me like that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「んーー？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hm?<br>\\r\\nそう言えば、お馴染みのエンジェルモート制服だが、どことなく違う気がするのは気のせいか？」<br>\\r\\n There's something different about the uniform, though.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そそそそ、それはですね前原さん！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"G-G-G-Good eyes, Maebara-san!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n僕が説明いたします！！」<br>\\r\\n Allow me to explain!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n人垣を掻き分けて登場したのは、クラスメートで後輩の富田くんだった。<br>\\r\\nTomita-kun, our underclassman, pushed his way through the crowd.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おわわ、富田くんじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, Tomita-kun.<br>\\r\\n何だ、岡村くんも。<br>\\r\\n Okamura-kun, too.<br>\\r\\n二人とも当選してたのかー。」<br>\\r\\n I didn't know you guys had a ticket.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そんなことはどうでもいいんです前原さん！<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's not important right now, Maebara-san!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれよりも、ここで古手さんの衣装について説明しましょう。<br>\\r\\n The important thing here is the uniform Furude-san is wearing today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nご存知のとおり、エンジェルモートの制服は成熟した女性の魅力を全面に押し出すことを最大の目的にした衣装です。<br>\\r\\n As you already know, the uniforms of Angel Mort are designed to bring out the most of a mature woman's features.<br>\\r\\nよって、着衣には多少の成熟した年齢相応のプロポーションが必要とされます。<br>\\r\\n Therefore, it's normally required to have certain bodily proportions to wear this uniform.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその意味においては、未発達な体型である古手さんとはもっとも相性の悪い制服と言えるでしょう。」<br>\\r\\n In that sense, this is the least compatible uniform for Furude-san, because she's still at an early stage of development.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それだけでなく、問題となったのは古手さんの体型に合うサイズを店舗側が用意できなかったことにあります！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Plus, the other problem was that the restaurant couldn't find a uniform in Furude-san's size!<br>\\r\\nそのため古手さんはエンジェルモート制服を着るという罰ゲームを実行するためには、工夫をせざるをえなかったのです！！<br>\\r\\n That's why it was necessary to try various measures in order to facilitate her punishment, that is, to wear the uniform of Angel Mort!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこで古手さんはプール用の水着で衣装を代用したのですが、それにより神をも予見できなかったであろう、<br>\\r\\n Therefore, they came up with the idea to use a school swimsuit, and it created an impossible combination of said swimsuit and the uniform of Angel Mort!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n水着とエンジェルモート衣装という有り得ない組み合わせが生まれたのです！！<br>\\r\\n It's so eccentric that even God couldn't see it coming!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの武装により現在の古手さんの攻撃力は従来火力をはるかに凌駕ッ！！<br>\\r\\nIn this costume, Furude-san now has an overwhelming attack power far beyond her normal statistics!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n属性付与、<br>\\r\\n She also gained elemental enchantment,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n状態異常の追加、<br>\\r\\n status impairment,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nクリティカル発生率の大幅アップ、<br>\\r\\n a huge increase to her critical hit rate,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかも上昇中には無敵時間まで与えられるに至ったのですッ！！<br>\\r\\n and on top of that, she's also given increased invincibility time during powerups!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの素晴らしさが分かりますか？！<br>\\r\\n Do you understand how great this is?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n分かりますよね？！<br>\\r\\n You do, don't you?!<br>\\r\\nつまりこれを竜宮さん風に言うとこうです。<br>\\r\\n Let me put it another way, like what Ryugu-san always says.<br>\\r\\nお<br>\\r\\n I<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお<br>\\r\\n-I<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお<br>\\r\\n-I<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお、<br>\\r\\n-I<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお持ち帰りぃいぃいぃぃぃ！！！」<br>\\r\\n-I'm taking her home with me!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「駄目だよ、だめだめ、お持ち帰るのはレナなんだよ〜〜！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, you can't! I'm the one who's taking her home!!<br>\\r\\nでも気持ちは分かるよ、お持ち帰りぃいぃぃ〜〜！！！」<br>\\r\\n But, I understand exactly how you feel, I'm taking her home with me!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n富田くん岡村くんコンビが、レナと肩を組みながらお持ち帰りコールで湧き上がる！<br>\\r\\nTomita-kun and Okamura-kun held Rena's shoulders, and they shouted the phrase in their excitement!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのコールがいつの間にやら店内全体に伝播して、今や大変な状態だ。<br>\\r\\nThe phrase had spread throughout the entire store, and was now out of control.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……しかし、富田くんと岡村くんのコンビ、時々すげぇよな。<br>\\r\\n...Anyway, Tomita-kun and Okamura-kun surprised me sometimes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺との年齢差を加味しても、この歳でこれだけの熱い語りが出来るとは…。将来の末恐ろしいやつらだぜ…！！<br>\\r\\nFor their age, they're so good at giving passionate speeches... They'll probably make it big in the future...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅ぃちゃんと沙都子ちゃんは〜？？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Where are Mii-chan and Satoko-chan??<br>\\r\\n二人も楽しみ〜〜！！」<br>\\r\\n I can't wait to see them!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、再びどよめきが店内を支配した。<br>\\r\\nAt that time, the crowd sent up another roar.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nちょっと〜道を開けてよーという魅音の声。<br>\\r\\nI hear Mion telling them to let her through.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そういや魅音って何の罰ゲーム衣装になったんだっけ？<br>\\r\\n...I don't remember what kind of costume she picked.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「Ｋぇえぇさぁあぁぁん！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"K-saaaaaaan!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあ、<br>\\r\\n What,<br>\\r\\nあ、<br>\\r\\n what,<br>\\r\\nあれはどーゆうことっすかあぁ！！」<br>\\r\\n what's going on?!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どわあ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wow!!<br>\\r\\nか、亀田くんかよ…！<br>\\r\\n K-Kameda-kun...!<br>\\r\\nそっか、デザート魔人の君がデザートフェスタにいないわけないよな…。<br>\\r\\n Of course, you're here because this is a Dessert Festa, and you're a dessert maniac...<br>\\r\\nやぁ、元気…？」<br>\\r\\n Hey, how have you been doing...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「元気かどうかなんてどうでもいいんす！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"It doesn't matter how I am!!<br>\\r\\nそれより、アレは！！アレはどうなってるんすかーッ！！」<br>\\r\\n More importantly, what is that?!! What's going on here?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n亀田くんは額にまで血管を浮かせながらの興奮状態だった。<br>\\r\\nKameda-kun was in a state of great excitement. Thick veins were displaying on his forehead.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…その亀田くんの言うところのアレが人垣を掻き分けて姿を現す。<br>\\r\\n...The source of that excitement appears through the crowd.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こーなりゃヤケだね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"There's no turning back. I guess I've got to do what I've got to do.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n毎度ども〜！<br>\\r\\n Welcome to Angel Mort!<br>\\r\\nウルトラレアチーズケーキ、お待たせしましたー！」<br>\\r\\n Here is your ultra-rare cheese cake!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nケーキをおぼんに載せた魅音が登場したが…。<br>\\r\\nMion appeared with a cake on a tray...<br>\\r\\nぐは！！<br>\\r\\n Oh!!<br>\\r\\nそうだった、こういう格好だったっけ…ッ！！<br>\\r\\n Now I remember what she picked for her costume...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぅ〜〜！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hauuuuuu!!!<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんもかぁいいよーー！！！」<br>\\r\\n Mii-chan, you look so kyute too!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あーもぅ、とんでもない災難だよー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I can't believe I'm doing this!<br>\\r\\nこの格好は圭ちゃんにやらせるつもりだったのになぁ！」<br>\\r\\n I was going to make Kei-chan wear it!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ま、前原さん、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...M-Maebara-san,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの格好も並々ならぬものがあります！！<br>\\r\\n this costume is extraordinary, too!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかも、<br>\\r\\n Plus,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n普段の部活では常勝無敗、完璧鉄壁無問題の委員長の普段の姿を知れば知るほどに、<br>\\r\\n because you know her in person, and because she's the leader of the club who has never lost any games in the past and also a class president who's always perfect at everything,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n味わい深さ５００％だと思います！！<br>\\r\\n you can enjoy this 500%!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかし…天下無敵の委員長ですら、逃れることがかなわないとは、<br>\\r\\n Even the class president, who doesn't know what losing is, can't escape the punishment...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n恐るべきは部活ッ！！<br>\\r\\n Your club is<br>\\r\\nです！！」<br>\\r\\n so terrifying!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なななな！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wha-Wha-What?!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどど、どういうことっすかＫぇぇぇえぇい！！！<br>\\r\\n Please explain what is going on here, K!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n二人で同じ器の巨大パフェを突っつきあった仲じゃないっすかあぁあ！！<br>\\r\\n I thought we were friends because we shared a huge parfait together!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれなのに俺に内緒でそんな素敵な部活をしてたなんてーーッ！！！<br>\\r\\n How could you not tell me about such a wonderful club!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n納得いかないっす、<br>\\r\\n I can't believe you didn't tell me about this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんな部活の存在知ってたら、野球なんかやらなかったのにーー！<br>\\r\\n If I knew about it, I wouldn't have joined the baseball team!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺の人生のリセットボタンはどこぉッ？！」<br>\\r\\n Where is the reset button for my life?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「「「ざわざわざわざわ！！！」」」<br>\\r\\nThe crowd roars in excitement!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なな、何という部活でござるか！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"What a great club!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こんな夢のような部活は聞いたことないにゃりんんん！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I've never heard of a club as wonderful as this in my life!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぅ〜、みんななダメだよ、部活は雛見沢に住んでる人しか入れないんだよ〜〜☆」<br>\\r\\nn\\\"Hauu... You can't join our club. Only people who live in Hinamizawa can join~~☆.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「「「ななな、なんとぉおおぉ！！！」」」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wh-Wh-Wh-What?!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こここれはー住民票を雛見沢に移すっきゃなあぁあぁ！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Then, I have to move my certificate of residence to Hinamizawa at once!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nちょい待て、レナにお前ら。<br>\\r\\nStop there, Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何か、明日には雛見沢の人口が倍くらいに膨れ上がりそうだぞ…。<br>\\r\\nThe population of Hinamizawa might double by tomorrow...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「しかし…素晴らしい罰ゲームっすよＫ…！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Anyway... this is a beautiful punishment, K...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n女性を美しくする衣装は、例えるならデザートのデコレーションと同じなんす！<br>\\r\\n Costumes that make women look beautiful are like decorations on desserts!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nショートケーキだって、<br>\\r\\n A shortcake, for example,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全て剥いてしまえば単なるスポンジケーキに過ぎないんです！！<br>\\r\\n is just a sponge cake if you take away its decoration!!<br>\\r\\nそれをクリームで飾り、<br>\\r\\n But, if you decorate it with whipped cream,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n十重二十重の美しい装飾が奏でる素晴らしき魅惑のハーモニーは、<br>\\r\\n to enjoy the wonderful and mysterious harmony that layers and layers of beautiful decoration create...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n目で楽しみ舌で味わい、<br>\\r\\n You can enjoy it with both your eyes and your tongue.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nああぁあぁあぁぁ☆！！<br>\\r\\n Ohhhhhh☆!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n然るにこのセーラー服とブルマの組み合わせは素晴らしい！！<br>\\r\\n That's why this combination of a sailor-style school uniform and gym shorts is wonderful!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本来ならどちらも日常的な学校衣装であり、それはそれで味わいがあるのですが、それはそれで置いといて！<br>\\r\\nThey're both ordinary school clothes, and each is tasteful in its own right. But let's put that aside for now!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n制服と体操服という近いカテゴリーにありながら交わることのなかったこれら衣装を、そうデザートに例えるならまさに苺大福！！<br>\\r\\n A school uniform and gym clothes are in the same category, namely school clothes, but they've never been combined together. It's just like a strawberry daifuku!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰もが絶対に合わないと思った組み合わせが、<br>\\r\\n Nobody thought they'd taste good together.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰もがの未体験の未知なる味わいを持たせるに至ったのです！！」<br>\\r\\n But, the combination actually brought an unexplored and unknown taste to this world!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……圭ちゃんってＫって呼ばれてるの？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Kei-chan, he's calling you 'K'.<br>\\r\\nこの変態と仲良かったんだぁ？」<br>\\r\\n I didn't know you were friends with this pervert.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「全力で無関係を装わせてください…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm trying my best not to be friends with him...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「とああぁあぁああぁあぁあッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wooooooo!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ななな、なんだぁあぁッ？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wh-Wh-What is it?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n空中を舞うように大回転しながら、スタッと美しく着地を決めて現れたのは……か、監督ッ？！？！<br>\\r\\nA guy tumbled in and landed on his feet elegantly... it was Coach!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「許しません…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"How dare you...<br>\\r\\n許しませんよ前原さん…。」<br>\\r\\n How dare you, Maebara-san...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n監督がぎょろりと俺を睨み付ける。<br>\\r\\nCoach glared at me in anger.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n口からは比重の重い白い息が、コーハー、コーハーと吐き出され異様に恐ろしい形相だ。<br>\\r\\nHe was breathing hard with a scary expression on his face.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なな、許さないって、何が許さないんですか…！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What do you mean? What did I do...?!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ああああぁあ、あれですよぉおおぉぉおぉ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"That is what I'm talking about!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nドン、<br>\\r\\nBang!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nガン、<br>\\r\\n Bang!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nゴン、<br>\\r\\n Bam!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nガッシャーーーン！！<br>\\r\\n Baaaam!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n監督が絶叫した瞬間に、監督の頭に大中小のタライが次々と多段ヒットし、しかもダメ押しに中華鍋まで振ってきた…！<br>\\r\\nAt the moment of his scream, three different metal buckets fell on his head one after another, and a Chinese wok finished the job...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まぁ、この格好が罰ゲームになった時点で、多少は心の準備がありましたのよ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, I was prepared for this the moment my punishment was chosen...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……沙都子のメイドさんは、ある意味、命に関わりますです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"To see Satoko in a maid costume is like a matter of life and death to you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぅ〜〜〜！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hauuuuuuu!!!<br>\\r\\n沙都子ちゃんのメイドさん、かぁいいよーぅ！！！<br>\\r\\n I love Satoko-chan's costume!!! It's so, kyute!<br>\\r\\nお持ち帰りいいぃいぃ！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm taking her home with me!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それはさせませんッ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I won't let you do that!!<br>\\r\\nお持ち帰るのはこの私、入江京介です！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm going to take her home with me or my name is not <NAME>!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だめだよだめだめだめ〜〜〜☆<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, no, no, no, no~~~~☆.<br>\\r\\nレナのお持ち帰りを邪魔すると〜〜<br>\\r\\n If you try to sabotage my chance to take her home with me, you get these...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nはぅ<br>\\r\\n Hau!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nはぅ<br>\\r\\n Hau!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nはぅ<br>\\r\\n Hau!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nはぅ〜！！」<br>\\r\\n Hauuuuu!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…レナのかぁいいモードって見掛けによらず容赦ないよな。<br>\\r\\n...Once Rena goes into Kyute Mode, she becomes merciless.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお持ち帰りを邪魔するものは、岩なら砕き、河なら埋め、海なら裂いてでも渡るだろう…。<br>\\r\\nIf a rock tried to sabotage her chance to take her favorites home with her, she'd break it into pieces. If it was a river, she'd fill it up with sand. If it was the sea, she'd split it in half like Moses did and walk through it...<br>\\r\\nおお？！<br>\\r\\n What?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが監督もむっくりとゾンビみたいに起き上がる。<br>\\r\\n Coach got up on his feet like a zombie.<br>\\r\\n…レナの超高速弾を全弾受けたのに、立ち上がれるのかぁあぁ！！<br>\\r\\n ...I couldn't believe he could still get up after getting hit by all of her super-fast attacks!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ふはぁはははははははははッ！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hwahahahahahahahaha!!!<br>\\r\\n無駄ですよ効きません！！<br>\\r\\n That doesn't work on me!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nふが、<br>\\r\\n Aw!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nぶげッ、<br>\\r\\n Ouch!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nぐぽらッ！！<br>\\r\\n Ouch!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n無駄無駄無駄です！！<br>\\r\\nNo, that doesn't work, either!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n入江は何度でも蘇る、メイドがそこにいれば何度でも蘇る、<br>\\r\\n I'll get up no matter how many times I get beaten as long as there's a maid in front of me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが人類の夢だからだああぁああぁあッ！<br>\\r\\n Why? Because it's a dream of mankind!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nぎゃふ、<br>\\r\\n Aww!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nぐへッ、<br>\\r\\n Ugg!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nぶぴょ！！」<br>\\r\\n Ouch!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それでもダメ〜〜、レナがお持ち帰りぃ〜〜〜☆<br>\\r\\n\\\"No matter what, I'm taking her home~~~☆!!<br>\\r\\nはぅ〜！！」<br>\\r\\n Hauuuuuu!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n監督、痙攣して倒れてるぞ…。<br>\\r\\nIrie was down on the floor, his body twitching...<br>\\r\\n今、ド至近でつるべ打ちだったもんなぁ…。<br>\\r\\n Rena just hit him with a barrage at point-blank range...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「しっかし……、圧巻な光景だなぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Anyway... this really is a sight to behold.<br>\\r\\n勝ってよかったと同時に、負けてたらその一角に俺がいたかもしれないことを思うととても笑えん。」<br>\\r\\n I'm so glad I won the game, but at the same time, I'm scared to imagine how terrible it would've been if I'd lost.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まったく悔しいですわね！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"This is absurd!!<br>\\r\\nいくら罰ゲームも部活の務めとはいえ…、こんな格好はあんまりでございましてよー！」<br>\\r\\n While I have to wear this for the punishment, I cannot take it any longer!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ちぇー、おじさんの格好に比べたら沙都子の格好なんて、まともな方じゃない。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Satoko, your costume is a lot more decent than this ol' man's.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……メイドの格好がまともに見える時点で、みんなただれてると思いますです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...You think wearing a maid costume is decent? You are completely messed up.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほらほらレナ、いつまでもはぅはぅしてないで席に座れ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena, stop drooling and sit here.<br>\\r\\n負けた連中にサービスしてもらうのが勝者の特権なんだからよー。」<br>\\r\\n It's the winners' right to be served by the losers, remember?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぅ〜〜！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hauuuuuuuuu!!!<br>\\r\\n今日は誰をお持ち帰ろうかな〜〜！！<br>\\r\\n I don't know which one I'm taking home with me today!!<br>\\r\\nはぅ〜はぅ〜！！」<br>\\r\\n Hauu, hauuu!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そら、ウェイトレスさん、今日のお勧めは何かなぁ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, waitress. What's your recommendation today?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こちらのフルーツパフェはいかがでしょうかー。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What about this fruit parfait?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ただいまシュークリームのセットがお安くなってましてよー！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"The cream puffs are very good, too!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……お水ならいくらおかわりしてもＯＫなのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...You can get refills of water as many times as you want for free.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんな壮絶な格好のウェイトレスさんが独り占めできて、レナはさっきから鼻血がぼたぼた出まくりだ。<br>\\r\\nRena's nose was bleeding because she got to keep the waitresses in cute costumes all to herself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……というか、レナが取り乱しててくれるので、俺が冷静なふりをできているだけで、本当は俺だって鼻血を出したい気分だ。<br>\\r\\n...I should actually thank her for acting crazy like that, because it made me look calmer than I really am. I was as excited as her, and my nose would bleed too if I wasn't careful.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nというか、鼻の下を伸ばしまくるというのはこういうのを言うんだろうな〜〜えへへ〜〜☆<br>\\r\\nI now understand what a slack-jawed smile means... Huh huh huh...☆<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ねーねー、梨花ちゃんウェイトレスさぁん、あ〜〜んやって〜☆」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, Rika-chan, I mean, waitress-san! Can you feed me?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……あ〜〜〜んですよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Sure...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「沙都子〜、俺にもひとつ頼むよ〜〜！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Satoko, can you feed me, too?<br>\\r\\nあー、魅音には肩でも揉んでもらおっかなぁ〜☆」<br>\\r\\n And Mion, you massage my shoulders.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あーん、もう悔しいですわねぇ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Open your mouth. Aah, I hate this!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nほら！<br>\\r\\n Hey!<br>\\r\\nあーん、なさいませー！！」<br>\\r\\n I told you to open your mouth!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ちぇーー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Damn it!<br>\\r\\n肩揉みかーー！<br>\\r\\n Why do I have to massage your shoulders?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nおじさんの肩揉みは高くつくからねー！！」<br>\\r\\n This ol' man's service is going to cost you!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nごくり。<br>\\r\\nGulp.<br>\\r\\n……その壮絶な光景に、ギャラリーたちは固唾を呑む。<br>\\r\\n The audience gasped at the sight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何しろ、毎回大賑わいのエンジェルモートイベントデーだが、ここまでとんでもない日がかつてあっただろうか？！<br>\\r\\nI bet Angel Mort has never had an event as exciting as this one!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどのボックスシートにも４人がぎゅうぎゅうとすし詰めのはずなのに、この一角だけは俺とレナでゆったりと座り、<br>\\r\\nEvery table had four people squeezed in together, but only Rena and myself were at this table,<br>\\r\\nしかも、鼻血で染まりそうなとんでも衣装のウェイトレスさんを３人も、この一角が独占してるんだぞ！！<br>\\r\\n and three waitresses in cute costumes were exclusively serving us!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかも、肩を揉んでもらうわ、あ〜んはしてもらうわ、挙句の果てにはあれやこれや！！<br>\\r\\nThey were giving us shoulder massages and feeding us desserts, too!!<br>\\r\\n普段のエンジェルモートでは絶対にありえないことだ。<br>\\r\\n This had never happened before at Angel Mort and it never will again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……そ、そうでござったか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I see.<br>\\r\\n…この人たちはウェイトレスさんでござったか……。<br>\\r\\n ...They're waitresses...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでで、では、拙者もお冷をひとつお願いしたいでござるよー！」<br>\\r\\n Th-Th-Then, I'd like to have a glass of water!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあまりのうらやましさに、自分たちもあやかりたいと、ギャラリーの１人が魅音の肩を叩く。<br>\\r\\nOne of the other customers wanted to get a piece of the wonderful treatment, and patted Mion on the shoulder.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あーー、悪いけどおじさん、ウェイトレスじゃないのよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, I'm sorry, but I'm not a waitress.<br>\\r\\nお冷はあっちにいる本物のウェイトレスにお願いしてくれるー？」<br>\\r\\n Ask the real waitress over there for a glass of water, okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なな、なんとー！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wh-Wh-What?!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nウェイトレスさんではないのでござるか？！<br>\\r\\n You're not a waitress?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nご奉仕はしてもらえんのでござるかー！！」<br>\\r\\n You can't serve me?!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…別に私たち、店員さんじゃございませんもの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...That's right. We're not waitresses.<br>\\r\\nあなたたちにサービスするいわれなどありませんでしてよー。」<br>\\r\\n We have no obligation to provide service to you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ボクも沙都子も魅ぃも、勝者の二人の慰みものなのですよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Satoko, Mii, and I are here for the winners.<br>\\r\\n……みぃ。」<br>\\r\\n ...Meep.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「「「なな、納得できんーーーーッ！！！」」」<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's not fair!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n亀田くんたちが突然、絶叫すると俺に食って掛かる。<br>\\r\\nAll of a sudden, Kameda-kun screamed, starting to blame me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「納得できんって、一体に何が納得できないんだよ？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What do you mean it's not fair?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「Ｋさんばっかり、<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's not fair that K-san can do such wonderful club activities,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんなおいしい部活が出来て、<br>\\r\\n and I can't!<br>\\r\\nずるい<br>\\r\\n Not fair.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nずるい<br>\\r\\n It's not fair.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nずる過ぎるっすーー！！！」<br>\\r\\n It's just not fair!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「い、いやそれは、…俺たちも相応のリスクを払って得た権利だからなぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"H-Hold on... we took a certain risk to earn this right.<br>\\r\\nずるいと言われても…。」<br>\\r\\n So, this is fair...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「「ぼぼ、僕たちもずるいと思います！！」」<br>\\r\\n\\\"W-We don't think it's fair, either!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n亀田くんの後ろに富田くん岡村くんも、ポーズを取るようにしながら現れる！<br>\\r\\nTomita-kun and Okamura-kun were standing behind Kameda-kun!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大体、前原さんが昨日ので優勝できたのは、<br>\\r\\n\\\"First of all, you only won the game yesterday because<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n僕たちが委員長を背後からやっつけたからですよーー！！！」<br>\\r\\n we killed Mion-san for you!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「前原さんが負けたら罰ゲームが可哀想だなぁと思って、わざと負けてあげたんです！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"We felt sorry for you always having to suffer punishments, so we let you shoot us!!<br>\\r\\n僕たちにもちょっとは感謝してほしいです…！！！」<br>\\r\\n You should appreciate our sacrifice...!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………ふふーーん？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Oh, really?<br>\\r\\n何だか面白い展開になってきたねぇ。<br>\\r\\n This is getting interesting.<br>\\r\\nどうする圭ちゃん？」<br>\\r\\n What do you think, Kei-chan?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どうするも何も…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"What do you mean...?<br>\\r\\n俺にどうしろと…。」<br>\\r\\n What do you want me to do...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「よしよし、亀田くんに富田、岡村。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, Kameda-kun, Tomita, and Okamura.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこまで言うなら、今日の勝者の権利を賭けて、圭ちゃんとレナに勝負を挑んでみたら？」<br>\\r\\n Why don't you challenge Kei-chan and Rena for the position of the winners?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「へ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃん、それってどういう意味かな、かな？！」<br>\\r\\n Mii-chan, what do you mean by that? What do you mean?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「部活メンバーの他の精鋭たちを圧倒的大差で破ったお二人だもんねぇ〜。<br>\\r\\n\\\"They defeated many fighters and won a massive victory yesterday.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんなメンバーですらない連中なんか束でかかってきても負ける気しないでしょ〜？」<br>\\r\\n I'm pretty sure a battle against these guys would be trivial, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n亀田くんが、よっしゃあ！！と手を叩く。<br>\\r\\nKameda-kun clapped his hands with glee.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n富田くん岡村くんも力強く頷いてやる気十分だ…。<br>\\r\\nTomita-kun and Okamura-kun nodded in agreement. They looked fired up already...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nくそ、この場で戦えというのか、こいつらと！！<br>\\r\\nDamn it. I have to fight against them here?!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そう言えば、圭一さんとレナさんの勝負は、預かり勝負でございましたものねぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Now that I think about it, the game was a tie.<br>\\r\\n少し外野が混じるとは言え、ここで優勝決勝戦をされるのも面白いですものねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n It'll be fun to have the finale here with a few extra fighters.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……もちろん、ここで負ければボクたちと一緒に罰ゲームに加わってもらうことになるのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......If you lose the game, you join in on the punishment.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…くっそーー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Damn it!<br>\\r\\n何かうまいことやられてる気分だが…、レナはどうする。」<br>\\r\\n I hate it when you make it sound persuasive... What do you think, Rena?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナは負けないよーー！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm fine with it because I'm going to win!!<br>\\r\\nだって、みんなみんなレナがお持ち帰りするもん〜〜！！<br>\\r\\n I'm taking them home with me!!<br>\\r\\n圭一くんはどんな罰ゲーム服かなぁ〜☆<br>\\r\\n I wonder what kind of costume you'll have to wear~☆.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nみんなみぃんな、お持ち帰り〜！！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm taking all of you home with me!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nや、やる気満々だな…。<br>\\r\\nSh-She sure is motivated...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n亀田くんも自らの楽園、エンジェルモートで最高のパラダイスを獲得しようと闘志を高めているのが分かる。<br>\\r\\nI could see Kameda-kun was ready to fight for the ticket to paradise at Angel Mort.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n後輩二人組みも、初めて部活メンバーと戦えるチャンスに、奮い立っているようだ。<br>\\r\\nMy two underclassmen were also eager to have a chance to fight against the members of the club for the first time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「その勝負、この入江京介も混ぜていただきますよぉおぉ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"<NAME>, reporting to volunteer for the game too!!<br>\\r\\nとお！！！」<br>\\r\\n Yeah!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ふむふむ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nよっしゃ！<br>\\r\\n Okay!<br>\\r\\nこの面子で決定しよう。<br>\\r\\n Let's start the game with these members.<br>\\r\\n圭ちゃんもレナも異存はないね？！」<br>\\r\\n Rena and Kei-chan, do you have any objections?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ちぇ、異存も何も、勝手に話をまとめやがって。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't think you'd take an objection even if I had one.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まーまー、面白くなった方がいいでしょ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, don't you like to make the game interesting?<br>\\r\\nあはははは。」<br>\\r\\n Aha ha ha ha.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「富田さんも岡村さんも、やめておくなら今の内でしてよー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's now or never if you want to change your mind, Tomita-san and Okamura-san.<br>\\r\\n分かってると思いますけど、負けたら大変なことになりますのよ？」<br>\\r\\n As you already know, you have to undergo the punishment if you lose.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そ、それは覚悟の内です…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"W-We know that...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「僕たちも男なんです！<br>\\r\\n\\\"We're men, too!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいつかは戦いたかったんです！！」<br>\\r\\n We've always wanted to fight against you!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n普段、恐ろしい罰ゲームを目の当たりにしていながら、よくそこまでの勇気を奮いだせるものだ。<br>\\r\\nThey've seen the many horrifying punishments we had to suffer and they still had the courage to join in.<br>\\r\\n…なかなか見所のあるやつらだぜ…！！<br>\\r\\n ...I had to admit, they have potential...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその後輩二人組を尻目に、ニヤリと笑うのは……エンジェルモートの魔王、亀田！<br>\\r\\nKameda, the evil Lord of Angel Mort, sneered at the two...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ふっふっふ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Huh huh huh!<br>\\r\\nまさかＫさんと再び戦えるとは思わなかったっすよ。<br>\\r\\n I never thought I'd have the chance to fight against you again, K-san!<br>\\r\\n今回は正々堂々正面からぶつからせていただきますよ！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm going to fight fair and square this time!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………く、よりによって、エンジェルモートで亀田くんと戦うことになるとはな…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I didn't expect to fight you here at Angel Mort, either...<br>\\r\\nある意味、野球で戦うより手強い気がするぜ…。」<br>\\r\\n I'm pretty sure you'll be an even tougher enemy to defeat here than in the baseball game...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなやり取りをみながら不敵に笑うは、メイド世界の貴公子、入江監督！！<br>\\r\\nCoach Irie, the Count of Maids, laughed like he was afraid of nothing!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ふ、……ここは大人の本気というものを見せてあげましょう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well... I'll show you how serious an adult can be.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして！！<br>\\r\\n And!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日ここに入江京介のためだけのハーレムを実現させるのですッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Today here at Angel Mort, I'm going to have a harem that is for me alone!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははははは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahaha!<br>\\r\\nみんな勝たせてあげないよ〜！！<br>\\r\\n I won't let any of you win!!<br>\\r\\nはぅ〜！！」<br>\\r\\n Hauuuu!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…よし！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Alright!!<br>\\r\\n俺も覚悟を決めたぜ。<br>\\r\\n I'm ready.<br>\\r\\nいつまでもぼやいていても仕方ねぇや。<br>\\r\\n I can't keep complaining.<br>\\r\\n魅音！<br>\\r\\n Mion!<br>\\r\\n勝負は何でやるッ？！」<br>\\r\\n What kind of game are we playing?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「くっくっく！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Heh heh heh!<br>\\r\\nそうこなくっちゃあね！<br>\\r\\n That's the spirit!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nみんな、道を開けて！！<br>\\r\\n Make way, everybody!!<br>\\r\\nウェイトレスの皆さんー運んじゃってくださいー！！」<br>\\r\\n Waitress, please bring it over!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n厨房の前には、本当のウェイトレスさんたちが、たくさんのデザートをおぼんに載せてスタンバイしていた。<br>\\r\\nIn the kitchen, the real waitresses are standing by with many desserts on trays.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nってことは、……早食い、<br>\\r\\nIt looks like... the game is going to be either a speed-eating<br>\\r\\n大食いかッ？！<br>\\r\\n or a competitive eating contest!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……あの、…店長。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Manager...<br>\\r\\n本当にいいんですか？」<br>\\r\\n are you sure we can do this?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うんうん、いいから運んじゃってー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, go ahead and bring them the desserts!<br>\\r\\n面白いことは何でも大歓迎だよ。<br>\\r\\n The more interesting the better.<br>\\r\\nせっかくのイベントデーだしね、盛り上がらないとー！」<br>\\r\\n I want this event to be as exciting as possible!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n店長のゴーサインを確認した後、ウェイトレスさんたちが、デザートの配膳を開始した。<br>\\r\\nThe waitresses checked with their manager and started bringing in the desserts.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺、レナ、後輩コンビに亀田くん、そして監督が向かい合う。<br>\\r\\nThe two of my underclassmen, Kameda-kun, Coach, Rena, and I sat at a table together.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてその眼前には……壮絶な量のデザートが次々に並べられていた。<br>\\r\\nA horrific amount of desserts was brought before us.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本来ならデザートを並べてくれるウェイトレスさんの姿に、鼻の下のひとつも伸ばしたい気分だが、……今や臨戦態勢。<br>\\r\\nI wanted to enjoy watching the cute waitresses placing desserts on the table... but right now, I was in a fighting mood.<br>\\r\\nそんな余裕はゼロだ！！<br>\\r\\n I had no time for that!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n取り囲むギャラリーたちも今や興奮状態だった。<br>\\r\\nThe audience surrounding our table seemed to have grown excited, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまさかイベントデーがこんなに大騒ぎになるとは思わなかっただろう。<br>\\r\\nI bet it didn't even cross their minds that they would see a serious battle at Angel Mort today.<br>\\r\\nだが何でも構わない！<br>\\r\\n But they didn't care,<br>\\r\\n面白けりゃ何でもＯＫ！<br>\\r\\n as long as it's fun to watch!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さぁて、いいかい諸君。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Listen up.<br>\\r\\n制限時間内にどれだけのデザートが食べられるかの勝負だよ。<br>\\r\\n This is a competitive eating contest. Whoever eats the most within the time limit wins.<br>\\r\\n予め各メニューごとに重さは出してあるからね、食べ終わった後に、食べた総重量で勝負をつけよう！」<br>\\r\\n We already know how heavy each dessert is, so we will calculate the total weight of desserts you ate after the game is over, and whoever ate the most weight will win!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大食い勝負と聞き、亀田くんがにやりと笑う！<br>\\r\\nWhen the words \\\"competitive eating\\\" came up, Kameda-kun smiled evilly!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nくそ、ますますに亀田くんが有利だな！<br>\\r\\nDamn it, Kameda-kun had the advantage!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「委員長、僕たちはコンビですので、２人で１人の扱いにしてください。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mion-san, can you count the two of us as one person because we always fight together?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ん？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hm?<br>\\r\\nあぁいいよ。<br>\\r\\n Yeah, that's fine.<br>\\r\\nいっつもコンビだからね。<br>\\r\\n Since you're always together,<br>\\r\\n特別に許可しよう！」<br>\\r\\n I'll permit it!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nうわ、胃袋勝負ならコンビは有利だぞ、くそ！<br>\\r\\nDamn it, having two stomachs for a competitive eating contest was an absolute advantage too!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナはどうだ…？<br>\\r\\n\\\"What about you, Rena?<br>\\r\\nやっぱり女の子には胃袋勝負はキツイんじゃないか？」<br>\\r\\n I'm sure a competitive eating contest is a bit of a hard game for a girl.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そんなことないよ〜〜、かぁいいみんなをお持ち帰りできるなら、テーブルごとだって飲み込んじゃうよう〜！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"No worries! If it means I can take these adorable girls home with me, I'd even swallow a table!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…侮ってたぜ…。<br>\\r\\n...I underestimated her...<br>\\r\\nかぁいいモードのレナには物理的常識は通用しないんだったな…。<br>\\r\\n Rena can overcome physical impossibilities once she goes into Kyute Mode...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分の体重以上だって平気で平らげるかもしれん…！<br>\\r\\nShe might even be able to eat food that's heavier than herself...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「監督は…、どうですか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Coach... what about you?<br>\\r\\n大食いは。」<br>\\r\\n Are you good at competitive eating?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……前原さん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Maebara-san,<br>\\r\\nそこにメイドがいて、それを手に入れるための条件が大食いならば。<br>\\r\\n as long as there's a maid and a condition that I need to meet in order to get her,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私に不可能の文字はありません…！！」<br>\\r\\n nothing is impossible to me...!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n監督はどす黒いオーラで恐ろしい威圧感を滲み出させていた…。<br>\\r\\nI could see a black aura surrounding him, which I found very intimidating...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレンズの向こうの眼光は、鉄板だって貫きそうなくらいの鋭さがある！<br>\\r\\nThe glint from the eyes that shone from behind his lenses was sharp enough to pierce an iron board!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nくそ、かぁいいモードのレナに匹敵する、監督のメイドモードかぁ…！！<br>\\r\\nDamn it, he was in Maid Mode, which is equally as strong as Rena's Kyute Mode...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nくそ、何か俺だけ特技がない予感…！！<br>\\r\\nShit, I was the only one without any advantages...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ準備はいいかなッ？！？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Are you ready?<br>\\r\\nレディー<br>\\r\\n Set<br>\\r\\n…<br>\\r\\n...<br>\\r\\n…、<br>\\r\\n...<br>\\r\\nＧＯ！！」<br>\\r\\n Go!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n心の用意もろくろくできない内に、魅音はあっさりと火蓋を切って落とす。<br>\\r\\nI wasn't ready emotionally, but Mion started the game without hesitation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nくそ、こうなりゃヤケだ！！<br>\\r\\nDamn it, there was no turning back!!<br>\\r\\n行くぞ！<br>\\r\\n I had to do this!<br>\\r\\nデザートにもいろいろあるからな。<br>\\r\\n There were many kinds of desserts before us.<br>\\r\\n食べやすいもの食べにくいもの！<br>\\r\\n Some were easy to eat and some were not!<br>\\r\\nだとしたら、一番最初に、有利なデザートを確保したい！！！<br>\\r\\n So, I had to get the dessert that's the easiest to eat before anybody got it!!!<br>\\r\\nあれだ、ヨーグルトパフェなんかどうだ？！<br>\\r\\n What about the yogurt parfait?!<br>\\r\\nうおおおりゃあぁあぁあ！！<br>\\r\\n Ohhhryaaaahhh!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だが、当然、同じことはみんな考えているようだった。<br>\\r\\n...But of course, everybody seemed to be thinking the same thing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nスパ、スパパ、スパパパパーン！！！<br>\\r\\nEverybody reached out for the same dessert as fast as they could!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰もが同じ器に手を伸ばした時、白い稲妻が閃き、狙ったパフェが掻き消える。<br>\\r\\nA white light flashed in front of our eyes, and the parfait disappeared.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその消えた後の虚空に、伸ばした全員の手がぶつかり合った。<br>\\r\\nMy hands clash with the others' in midair.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははははは、みんな遅いよ〜〜。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahaha, you're too slow!<br>\\r\\nレナがお持ち帰っちゃった〜。<br>\\r\\n I got it first!<br>\\r\\nはぅ！」<br>\\r\\n Hau!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n文字通りの電光石火はレナだった。<br>\\r\\nRena took the parfait. She was literally as fast as lightning.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nくそ、やっぱりなぁ！！<br>\\r\\nDamn it, I knew it!!<br>\\r\\n初手でレナに勝てるわけがない！！<br>\\r\\n There was no way I can beat Rena in the opening move!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはまるでハエを捕らえるカエルの舌のようにデザートの器を奪うと、まさにカエル並みの舌で、ベロリベロリと丸呑みにしてしまう！！<br>\\r\\nRena took the parfait like a frog catching a fly with its tongue, and swallowed it in a single gulp!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n器を奪ってから呑み込むまでのあまりの素早さが、普段のしおらしい姿と重ならず、それはそれで恐ろしい。<br>\\r\\nShe did all that in seconds. She's usually gentle and calm, but she's a totally different person right now. Really, it's terrifying.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなるほど、これが女の子のよく言う、デザートは別腹というヤツなのかー！！！<br>\\r\\nI see. I now understand why people say women always have room for dessert!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだがエンジェルモートという特殊環境においては、レナに対しても一歩も引けを取らないのが亀田くんだ！！<br>\\r\\nBut, in the special environment of Angel Mort, Kameda-kun wasn't far behind Rena!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかも彼は、フルーツパフェの器を引っ掴むと、まるでビールジョッキを飲み干すかのように、豪快に丸呑みしてしまう！！<br>\\r\\nHe grabbed a fruit parfait and swallowed it as if drinking beer from a mug!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何とも漢気溢れる迫力満点の食い方だ！！<br>\\r\\nIt looked very dynamic!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ぐふぅ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...BURP.<br>\\r\\n…くっくっく！！<br>\\r\\n ...Heh heh heh!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n無駄ですよＫさん、エンジェルモートでの戦いで、俺に勝てる可能性は１％もないんす！！<br>\\r\\n K-san, you're wasting your time. You don't even have a 1% chance to defeat me in a battle at Angel Mort!!<br>\\r\\nまだまだ行くっすよー！！！」<br>\\r\\n Just watch me!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな超人たちの暴れっぷりを見ても、富田くん岡村くんコンビは焦らなかった。<br>\\r\\nTomita-kun and Okamura-kun look at the extraordinary techniques Rena and Kameda-kun are displaying, but they seem to be very calm.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何しろ二人掛かりなんだからな。<br>\\r\\nThey knew their advantage.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nペースを乱しさえしなければ基本的に早い！<br>\\r\\nAs long as they kept a steady pace, they could eat more and eat faster than anybody else, because there are two of them!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナや亀田くんは序盤こそ飛ばしているが、中盤以降、息切れするようなことがあれば、勝負はわからないぞ…！！<br>\\r\\nRena and Kameda-kun were eating very fast, but they might slow down in the middle. So, this was going to be an unpredictable race...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n畜生、俺も負けてられないぜ！！<br>\\r\\nSon of a bitch, I won't lose this game!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n内角からえぐり込むように、<br>\\r\\nI shoved my dessert into my mouth and kept<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n食うべし、<br>\\r\\n eating.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n食うべし、<br>\\r\\n Kept eating.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n食うべし！！<br>\\r\\n I just kept eating!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあうあうあぅ！<br>\\r\\nOw ow ow!<br>\\r\\nくそ、アイスの丸呑みをやると、口ん中がとんでもない冷たさだ！！<br>\\r\\n Damn it, my mouth got extremely cold when I swallowed a ball of ice cream!!<br>\\r\\nレナたちはよく平気だなぁ！<br>\\r\\n How could the others do this so easily?<br>\\r\\n……ん？<br>\\r\\n ...Hm?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだ。<br>\\r\\n There's an idea.<br>\\r\\n解かせばいいんだ！<br>\\r\\n I should melt it first!<br>\\r\\n熱で解かして一気に飲み込めばいい！<br>\\r\\n I could use some kind of heat to melt it first and then drink it down!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかも冷たさがなくなればお腹も冷えにくいから、長丁場にも都合がいいはず！！<br>\\r\\n Plus, it would also be easier for my stomach to take when it's not so cold!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nで、でも、どうやって溶かせばいい？！<br>\\r\\nB-But, how should I melt it?<br>\\r\\n体温で解かすには気が遠くなるし、温かいものはないし…。<br>\\r\\n It would take too long to use body heat, and I didn't have any other source of heat with me...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「すみませんウェイトレスさん、注文をいいでしょうか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Waitress, can I order something?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nホットコーヒーをお願いします。<br>\\r\\n I'd like to have hot coffee.<br>\\r\\nできれば器は鍋だと助かります。」<br>\\r\\n Could you bring it to me in a big pot instead of a cup?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「う、監督……！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"C-Coach...!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「甘いですよ前原さん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Maebara-san, you're too slow.<br>\\r\\n熱で解かすなんて手、私だって思いついていました。」<br>\\r\\n I also got the idea to melt it with heat.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあぁあぁ畜生〜！！<br>\\r\\nNo! Damn it!!<br>\\r\\n監督にやられた…！<br>\\r\\n He was one step ahead of me...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろん今から俺もコーヒーを頼んだっていい。<br>\\r\\nI could order hot coffee, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでもそれじゃ駄目なんだ。<br>\\r\\nBut, I'd still be one step behind him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n監督よりもはるかに早い別の手を考えなくてはッ！！<br>\\r\\nI'd have to come up with something to melt my ice cream faster than hot coffee!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「クールになれ前原圭一、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Calm down, Maebara Keiichi.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n考えるんだ、<br>\\r\\n Think!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n考えろぉぉぉ！！」<br>\\r\\n Think hard!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一くんが、いつもの口癖を言いながら頭を抱えて仰け反った。<br>\\r\\nKeiichi-kun held his head, screams that line, and bent his neck backwards.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあーなった時の圭一くんは、考えてることをそのまま口にしてくれるので聞いててとても面白い。<br>\\r\\nWhen he gets like this, he always speaks everything that's on his mind, and it's very fun to listen to.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nおおっと、私も負けてられないぞーー！！<br>\\r\\nBut I had to concentrate. I needed to win this game!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n食べて食べて食べまくって、かぁいいのはみぃんなお持ち帰り〜〜！！！！<br>\\r\\nI was going to keep eating as much as I can and take all of the adorable girls home with me!!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあはははははは…☆<br>\\r\\nAhahahahahaha...☆.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nものすごく楽しかった。<br>\\r\\nI was having so much fun.<br>\\r\\nわくわくで胸の中がはちきれんばかりだった。<br>\\r\\n I was so thrilled that I felt like my heart was about to burst.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確かに今の私は、いわゆる可愛いらしくない振る舞いをしちゃってるけど、<br>\\r\\nI might have been acting totally uncute...<br>\\r\\n……でもすっごく楽しいから何も気にならなかった。<br>\\r\\n but I didn't care, exactly because I was having so much fun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n次々ととんでもない遊びを考え出す魅ぃちゃん。<br>\\r\\nMii-chan always comes up with such extraordinary games.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、いたずら盛りの沙都子ちゃんに、<br>\\r\\nSatoko-chan loves to play pranks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n抜け目ないけど憎めない梨花ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n Rika-chan is very sneaky, but it's impossible to hate her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてにぎやかで本当に面白い圭一くん。<br>\\r\\nAnd Keiichi-kun is always so funny.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n日々が本当に楽しくて。<br>\\r\\nI enjoy every day.<br>\\r\\n幸せって一言で言い表すのがとっても惜しいくらいで。<br>\\r\\n I wish I could express how much I really do enjoy them better than by saying how happy I am.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんなに日々が楽しくていいのかなって、不安になることがある。<br>\\r\\nSometimes I even feel anxious because I enjoy every day so much.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n世の中には、楽しいことや幸せなことと同じ数だけ、辛いことや不幸なことがある。<br>\\r\\nThere is as much misfortune and pain as there is happiness and pleasure in this world.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかもそれらは、本人の努力や苦労と何の関わりもなく訪れることを、私はよく知っている。<br>\\r\\nAnd I know very well that they all come to you regardless of how hard you try.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n特に何の苦労をしなくても、楽しい日々は訪れる。<br>\\r\\nYou'll have happy days regardless of how hard you try.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n特に何の苦労をしなくても、不幸な日々は訪れる。<br>\\r\\nYou'll have unhappy days regardless of how hard you try.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、だからといって、何の苦労もしなくていいわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\nBut, that doesn't mean that you don't need to try hard.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n楽しい日々が一日でも長く続くように、楽しい日々がより楽しい日々であるように。私は努力することができる。<br>\\r\\nI can try to make my happy days even happier and last longer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして同じように。<br>\\r\\nIn the same way...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n不幸な日々が一日でも短くなるように、不幸な日々が少しでも辛くなくなるように。<br>\\r\\nI can try to make my unhappy days happier and end faster.<br>\\r\\n私は努力することができる。<br>\\r\\n I struggle very hard to achieve that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、今の幸せな日々を私は精一杯享受しよう。<br>\\r\\nThat's why I'm going to enjoy the happy days I have now as much as I can.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n幸せな日々が永遠に続くなんて、甘えちゃいけないんだから。<br>\\r\\nI must not take them for granted, because they won't last forever.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本当に。<br>\\r\\nThey won't.<br>\\r\\n…ある日、突然、本当に。<br>\\r\\n ...One day, all of a sudden,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな日々が終わってしまうことを私は知っているのだから。<br>\\r\\nthese happy days will come to an end. I know it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、たとえ、<br>\\r\\nThat's why<br>\\r\\n……明日、世界が終わってしまうとしても。<br>\\r\\n ...I was trying to enjoy the happiness I received today so that I wouldn't regret it<br>\\r\\n私はその瞬間に何の後悔もないくらいに、今日の幸せを享受しよう。<br>\\r\\n even if the world ended tomorrow.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなことを考えていたら、いつの間にか私の手は止まっていた。<br>\\r\\nI noticed my hands stopped moving while I was thinking about these things.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n部活の仲間たちと過ごす楽しい日々が、…もう胸がはち切れそうになるくらいに幸せ。<br>\\r\\nWhen spending time with my friends... I feel so happy that my heart might burst.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから私は罰ゲームだって大好き。<br>\\r\\nI even love doing the punishments.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれすらも楽しい時間。<br>\\r\\nThey're fun for me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私の仲間がいる。<br>\\r\\nI have friends.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私の居場所がある。<br>\\r\\nI have a place where I fit in.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が私でいていい瞬間がある。<br>\\r\\nI have time in which to be myself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が大好きな自分が、ここにいる。<br>\\r\\nI have a me that I love.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nみんな、大好き。<br>\\r\\nI love everybody.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんも沙都子ちゃんも梨花ちゃんも、圭一くんも。<br>\\r\\nI love Mii-chan, Satoko-chan, Rika-chan, and Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\nクラスのみんなも、興宮の人たちも、みんなみんな大好き。<br>\\r\\n I love everybody in my class and everybody in Okinomiya.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おおおお？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh?!<br>\\r\\nレナの手が止まったね！<br>\\r\\n Rena's stopped eating!<br>\\r\\nさすがにあのペースじゃ長続きしないかなぁ？！」<br>\\r\\n I guess she went too fast in the beginning!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「チャンスだよ岡村！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okamura, this is our chance!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今こそ竜宮さんを抜かすんだー！」<br>\\r\\n We can defeat Ryuugu-san!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「無駄<br>\\r\\n\\\"All of you,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n無駄<br>\\r\\n you're just<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n無駄ああぁあ！！<br>\\r\\n wasting your time!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nエンジェルモートでこの俺に勝とうという時点で、<br>\\r\\n You think you can defeat me at Angel Mort?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n蜂蜜杏仁豆腐より甘いぜええー！！」<br>\\r\\n You're too naive!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナさんしっかりしてくださいましー！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena-san, come on!!<br>\\r\\n監督を勝たせたら承知しませんですことよー！！」<br>\\r\\n I'll never forgive you if you let Coach win!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「くっくっく！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Heh heh heh!!<br>\\r\\n私は負けませんよ！<br>\\r\\n I'm not going to let anybody win!<br>\\r\\n飲めと言われれば太平洋だって飲み干してみせましょう〜！！」<br>\\r\\n I can even swallow the Pacific Ocean if you ask me to!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どうしたどうしたレナぁ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What's wrong, Rena? Are you getting full?<br>\\r\\n見てろ、ここからいよいよ圭一さまの<br>\\r\\n I guess you just have to watch my<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n逆転劇の始まりだぜぇ！！<br>\\r\\ncome-from-behind victory now!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなぁみんなッ？！？！」<br>\\r\\n Am I right, everyone?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「「「おおおおおぉおおぉぉ！！！」」」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……レナ、どうしましたですか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Rena, what's wrong?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は席を立つ。<br>\\r\\nI had left the table.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはははは、ごめん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahaha, excuse me.<br>\\r\\nちょっとお手洗い行ってくるね。」<br>\\r\\n I have to go to the bathroom.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう楽しくて楽しくて胸がいっぱいで。<br>\\r\\nI was just so happy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n別に勝敗なんてどうでもよかった。<br>\\r\\nI didn't care who won or lost this match.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいや、もちろん勝ち負けにこだわって私も大暴れした方がよりいっそう楽しいのだけれど。<br>\\r\\nOf course, it's more fun when I go crazy to try and win,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう今日はこれで十分過ぎるくらいだった。<br>\\r\\nbut, I could never be happier than this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの幸せを結晶にして取っておけるなら。例えひと欠片でもいいから、私のポケットにしまっておきたい。<br>\\r\\nIf I could seal this happiness in a piece of crystal, I'd carry it around with me in my pocket.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、いつかきっと訪れるだろう、辛い日々の寒さを耐えしのぐわずかの暖になってくれればいい。<br>\\r\\nI'd use it as heat to ward off the cold of hard days that are certain to come to me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……………そろそろ自分でもわかっていた。<br>\\r\\n.........I know they will.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n幸せを幸せと感じることは、実は幸せなことではない。<br>\\r\\nYou're not truly happy when you feel happiness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本当に幸せなのは、……幸せな日々に飽食し、幸せであることを自覚すらしないこと。<br>\\r\\nWhen you're bored with happy days and don't even realize that you're happy... That's when you've achieved true happiness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n幸せを感じてしまうのは、……凍てつく寒さの中にいるからこそ。<br>\\r\\nYou only truly feel happiness... when you're in a freezing cold environment.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、わずかの温もりに心を奪われてしまうのだ…。<br>\\r\\nThat's the only time your heart can feel the warmth of even a small happiness...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお手洗いに行く途中、レジ前でウェイトレスとお客が何か言い合いをしているのが見えた。<br>\\r\\nOn my way to the bathroom, I saw a waitress and a customer arguing at the register.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお客は成人の女性。<br>\\r\\nThe customer was a woman.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nウェイトレスは今日はイベントデーなので、チケットがないと入店できないと説明しているのだが、<br>\\r\\nThe waitress was trying to explain that the lady needed a ticket to get a seat because the restaurant was holding an event today,<br>\\r\\n女性は、そんなこと一言も聞いていないの一点張りでごり押ししようとしていた。<br>\\r\\n but the lady, saying she didn't know, was still trying to get a seat.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやがて、見かねて店長が中に入り、平謝りを始めていた。<br>\\r\\nAfter a while, the store manager was called and started apologizing to the lady.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……まったく。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...It's your fault.<br>\\r\\nチケットないなら入れないって表の見えるところにちゃんと張り紙しといてよね。<br>\\r\\n You should've put a note outside that said we needed a ticket to come in, or somethin'.<br>\\r\\nぶつぶつ…。」<br>\\r\\n How do you expect me to know when there's no mention of it...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその悪態をつく女性と、目が合った。<br>\\r\\nThe lady's eyes met mine.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n声を聞いた時に、あるいはそうかなと思っていたので、心の準備が出来ていた。<br>\\r\\nI guessed who it might be when I heard the voice, so I was prepared.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………あら。礼奈ちゃんじゃない？<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Oh, Reina-chan!<br>\\r\\nこんなとこで会うなんて奇遇よね。」<br>\\r\\n I didn't expect to see you here.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あ☆<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh☆.<br>\\r\\nどうもこんにちは〜！<br>\\r\\n Hello!<br>\\r\\nあはは、こんなとこで会うなんて、ホントに奇遇ですよね。」<br>\\r\\n Ahaha, what a coincidence!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nてい☆、と言いながら手を差し出すと、向こうも手のひらを出してくれたので、互いにパチンと手を打ち合わせた。<br>\\r\\nI held out my hand for a high five. She gave me one.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「聞いてよ礼奈ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Listen, Reina-chan.<br>\\r\\nひどいのよ、今日はチケットがないと入れないとか言うのよ。」<br>\\r\\n They're so mean. They're saying that I can't get a seat because I don't have a ticket.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはははははは、そうみたいですね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahahaha, it seems that way.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…まぁ仕方ないわね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Well, I can't do anything about it, can I?<br>\\r\\nねぇ、お店には入れなくても、おみやげにケーキくらいは売ってくれるんでしょ？」<br>\\r\\n I can still buy some cakes to take home, yeah?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えぇ、それは問題ございません。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes, of course.<br>\\r\\nささ、どうぞ、こちらからどれでもお選びください。」<br>\\r\\n You can choose anything you want from our selection.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n店長さんが愛想笑いをしながら、ケーキのショーケースへ案内する。<br>\\r\\nThe store manager gave her a fake smile and led her to their showcase.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私は、この可愛らしいのにしようかしらね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I like this cute one.<br>\\r\\nあの人はショートケーキみたいな地味なのが好きだったっけ。<br>\\r\\n I think he likes simple ones like shortcakes.<br>\\r\\nねぇ礼奈ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n Hey, Reina-chan.<br>\\r\\nあなたはどれがいい？」<br>\\r\\n What would you like?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「え、私ですか？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What? Me?!<br>\\r\\nいいのいいの？<br>\\r\\n Are you buying me one?<br>\\r\\nはぅ〜〜☆」<br>\\r\\n Hauuuuuu!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははは、本当にこういうのに目がないわねぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahaha, you really like cakes, huh?<br>\\r\\nどれでも好きなのを選んでいいわよ。」<br>\\r\\n You can get whatever you like.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えっとえっとー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Umm... Ummm...!<br>\\r\\nじゃ、………うーーーん、…………。<br>\\r\\n Then... I don't know......<br>\\r\\n……あはは、私もショートケーキでいいです。」<br>\\r\\n ...Ahaha, I'll take a shortcake as well.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あらぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Really?<br>\\r\\n他にもこんなに可愛らしいケーキがたくさんあるのに？」<br>\\r\\n There's so many other cute ones.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははははは、何だかとっても迷っちゃうけど、…こういう時はショートケーキが一番おいしそうに見えるんです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahaha, everything looks so good... but shortcakes look the best.<br>\\r\\nはぅ。」<br>\\r\\n Hau.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay.<br>\\r\\nじゃ、ショートケーキを２つとプチトリアノンを１つ。<br>\\r\\n Give me two shortcakes and one petit trianon.<br>\\r\\nお持ち帰り〜☆でね。」<br>\\r\\n We're taking them home☆.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼女は私の口癖を模倣しながらにっこりと微笑んできた。<br>\\r\\nShe imitated the smile I usually made.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私も、同じくらいの笑顔でそれに応えたのだった。<br>\\r\\nI replied with the same big smile.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、彼女の強めの香水が私の鼻を突き、突然のくしゃみに襲われる。<br>\\r\\nThen I smelled the strong scent of her perfume, and it made me sneeze.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あら、風邪？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, are you sick?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんの香水とは、どうも相性が悪いようだった。<br>\\r\\nRina-san's perfume and I never seem to get along.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……少なくとも、３日くらいの間は甘いものを見たくないぜ………。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I don't want to see any sweets for at least three days...<br>\\r\\nうぐぐ……。」<br>\\r\\n Uggh...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはははははは、圭一くん頑張りすぎだったもんね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahahaha, you tried a little too hard, Keiichi-kun.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあれだけ飛ばしまくっていたレナが、どうして平然としていられるのか不思議でならないぞ…。<br>\\r\\nRena ate a massive amount of desserts too, but her stomach seemed to be just fine...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「女の子には胃袋が４つくらいあるんじゃねぇか…？<br>\\r\\n\\\"I think girls have four stomachs...<br>\\r\\nデザート用に、確実に１つは余計にあるに違いない…。」<br>\\r\\n Or at least an extra stomach for dessert...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まぁ、レディに何たる暴言ですのー！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"It is very rude of you to say something like that to a lady!!<br>\\r\\nそんなこと言う圭一さんにはこうでございますことよー！」<br>\\r\\n This is what you get for being rude!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nぶよん。<br>\\r\\nBam.<br>\\r\\n……ぐふぅ！<br>\\r\\n ...Oww!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺の膨れ上がったお腹を沙都子が突っついてくる。<br>\\r\\nSatoko had poked me very hard in my bloated stomach.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「げふ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah!!<br>\\r\\nやや、やめてぇぇ！<br>\\r\\n S-S-Stop it!<br>\\r\\nお腹は押さないで〜！！<br>\\r\\n Please don't poke my stomach!!<br>\\r\\n中身がはみ出るぅううぅ！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm going to throw up!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを聞いて沙都子と梨花ちゃんが、にまぁ〜と笑う。<br>\\r\\nSatoko and Rika-chan grinned mischievously upon hearing that.<br>\\r\\n…背筋に悪寒。<br>\\r\\n ...A chill ran up my spine.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなぜ沙都子と梨花ちゃんが、にやにや笑いながら両手をワキワキさせながら近付いて来る？<br>\\r\\nWhy were they smiling like that and walking towards me so gleefully?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おわぁあぁ、やめろお前ら、血とか涙とかはねぇのかよおお！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, stop it! You cold-blooded demons!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほっほっほー！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ho ho ho!!<br>\\r\\n千載一遇のチャンスを見逃す私と思いましてー？！」<br>\\r\\n This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Do you really think I'd let it slip away?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……み〜☆<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Meep☆.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一の膨らんだぽんぽんが大変なのですよ〜。」<br>\\r\\n Your bloated tummy is in danger, Keiichi.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははははは、圭一くんのぽよんぽよんのぽんぽん、かぁいいよ〜ぅ☆」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahaha, your big wiggly tummy is sho kyute!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「や、やめろお前ら…！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"S-Stop it...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nわふ、ふぎゃぎゃーー！！！」<br>\\r\\n Ah! Nooooo!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいつの間にやら沙都子と梨花ちゃんの悪ふざけにレナも加わり、俺たちはエンジェルモートの表に出ても、まだはしゃぎ続けているのであった。<br>\\r\\nRena joined Satoko and Rika-chan in torturing me. We were still making a lot of noise outside the restaurant.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n必死になってカバーする俺のお腹を、誰かが後ろから不意打ちしてくる。<br>\\r\\nI desperately blocked my stomach from their attacks, but someone else hit me from behind.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おわあああぁあ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Owwwwwww!!<br>\\r\\nだだ、誰だぁ！！」<br>\\r\\n Wh-Who is it?!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はろろ〜ん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hello, hello!<br>\\r\\n圭ちゃんとその愉快な仲間の皆さん、こんにちはです。」<br>\\r\\n Nice to see you, Kei-chan and his funny friends!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あーー、詩ぃちゃんだー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, Shii-chan!<br>\\r\\nこんにちはー。<br>\\r\\n Hello!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあれれ、今日はお店にいなかったよね？」<br>\\r\\n You weren't at the restaurant today, were you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私、今日は夜のシフトなんです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm working night shift today.<br>\\r\\nさっき来て着替えたばかりですよ。」<br>\\r\\n I just changed after getting here.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それはそうと、………お前、よくその格好で店の外に出られるなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...How can you go outside the restaurant wearing that uniform?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大したことないですよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"What? I'm not embarrassed.<br>\\r\\nあられもない姿で村中を練り歩いた誰かさんよりは恥ずかしくないです。」<br>\\r\\n Especially not since you had to walk around in a way more embarrassing costume the other day.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……グサ！！<br>\\r\\n...Guhh!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……うぐぐぐぐ……ようやく忘れかけていたのにぃぃいぃ…！<br>\\r\\n...Damn it... I was just getting over it...!<br>\\r\\nもうお婿にいけないよぉおぉ…。<br>\\r\\n She had just reminded me that I'll never be able to get married...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それはそうと、今日は皆さん、だいぶ大暴れしたらしいですねぇ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Anyway, I heard you went crazy in the restaurant today.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははははは、まぁね〜。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahaha, we did.<br>\\r\\nいつもの部活になっちゃった以上、……ね！」<br>\\r\\n We had to, since it turned into a club activity... you know?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「店内、とんでもないことになってましたからね…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You made a big mess in there...<br>\\r\\nお姉も責任を感じたようで、みんなに混じって掃除をやってます。」<br>\\r\\n It looks like Sis felt guilty, so she's helping the waitresses clean up the store now.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…やっぱり私たちも掃除に加わった方がよかったんじゃありませんの？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I still think we should help them clean.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あー、それはお気遣い無用です。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, don't worry about it.<br>\\r\\nさすがにお客様に掃除はさせられませんから。」<br>\\r\\n We can't let customers do that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……そもそも、一番散らかしたのは魅ぃ本人だと思いますです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Plus, Mii made most of the mess.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nうんうん。<br>\\r\\nYeah, that's right.<br>\\r\\nみんなで頷きあう…。<br>\\r\\n Everybody nodded in agreement...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それでお姉から伝言です。<br>\\r\\n\\\"She told me to tell you guys that you don't have to wait for her.<br>\\r\\n皆さんは先に帰っててくれていいそうです。」<br>\\r\\n You can go home now.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いいよ、待ってるよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, we're going to wait.<br>\\r\\nね、みんな？」<br>\\r\\n Right, everybody?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが当然のように言う。<br>\\r\\nRena asked for our agreement.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺たちにとっても当然のことだった。<br>\\r\\nOf course we decided to wait without hesitation.<br>\\r\\n俺も沙都子も梨花ちゃんもうんうんと頷く。<br>\\r\\n Satoko, Rika-chan, and I all nodded along.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「手伝えないなら、せめて終わるのを待ってるよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Since we can't help her clean, that's the least we can do.<br>\\r\\n帰っていいからって言って、先に帰ると、あいつ寂しがると思うからなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n While she says we can go home, I'm pretty sure she'd be sad if we really did leave.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほーーー…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wow...<br>\\r\\n圭ちゃんも日進月歩、少しは成長するんですねー。」<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan, you grew up. I'm impressed.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははははは、まぁね！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahaha, he grew up all right!<br>\\r\\nレナたちがちゃんと教育してるからね。<br>\\r\\n That's because we've been training him well.<br>\\r\\nね〜〜！」<br>\\r\\n Right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ですわよー！」「にぱ〜☆」<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's correct!\\\" \\\"Nipah~☆.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「な、何だよ、こういう時だけ女共は結束しやがってー！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You girls always band together when it comes to things like this!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n女ってずるいなぁ、何で性別が同じってだけでこうも簡単に結束できやがるんだ！<br>\\r\\nI hate girls. They get along so easily just because they're girls!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n結局、詩音も巻き込んでまた一騒ぎしてしまうのであった。<br>\\r\\nIn the end, we ended up making a lot more noise, even dragging Shion into the mess this time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「詩音、あんたいつまでサボってんのー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Shion, get back in here and help us clean!<br>\\r\\n雑巾どこやったのー！」<br>\\r\\n Where did you put the washcloths?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ありゃいけね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, no.<br>\\r\\nじゃあ私はもう戻りますね。」<br>\\r\\n I guess I have to go back to work now.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅ぃちゃ〜〜ん！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mii-chan!<br>\\r\\nお掃除まだまだかかりそうー？」<br>\\r\\n Do you think it's going to take a while?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「え？<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?<br>\\r\\n何、みんな！<br>\\r\\n Why are you still here?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nおじさんを待っててくれてるわけぇ？！<br>\\r\\n Are you waiting for this ol' man?!<br>\\r\\nよけーな気ぃ遣わなくていいって！<br>\\r\\n Don't worry about me!<br>\\r\\nまったくもー！」<br>\\r\\n Go on home already!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nものすごい嬉しそうな顔してやがるくせに、口を開けばこうだもんなぁ。<br>\\r\\nMion looked happy to see us waiting for her, but she always says the opposite of what she thinks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nたまには素直にありがとうって言えんのかこいつは。<br>\\r\\nI wonder when she'll grow up to be able to just honestly say thank you.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「バカ、仲間だろ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We're friends, remember?<br>\\r\\n終わるまで待っててやるよ。」<br>\\r\\n We'll wait until you finish up.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナたちも一緒にお手伝いできればいいのにね…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I wish we could help you...<br>\\r\\nごめんね。」<br>\\r\\n I feel bad.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だからいいって！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I told you, you don't have to wait for me!<br>\\r\\n今日ね、詩音の仕事終わるの待ってから久しぶりに興宮の家に帰ることにしたの。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to wait for Shion to finish work tonight, then head to her house in Okinomiya afterward.<br>\\r\\nだから本当に大丈夫。<br>\\r\\n So you really don't need to wait for me.<br>\\r\\n気持ちだけでも感謝するよ。」<br>\\r\\n I do appreciate it, though.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…あら、本当にいいんですの？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Are you sure?<br>\\r\\n何だか悪いですわねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n I still feel bad.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah.<br>\\r\\n何か悪い気がするかな、かな。」<br>\\r\\n Me too, me too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「人は大勢いるから大丈夫だよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We have enough people, so really, don't worry about it.<br>\\r\\n風が冷たくなる前にみんな雛見沢に戻りな。」<br>\\r\\n Go home before it gets too cold.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……わかりましたのです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......We understand.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅ぃ、お掃除、ふぁいと、おーです。」<br>\\r\\n Mii, I hope you can finish cleaning soon. Go for it, yay.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Woo!<br>\\r\\nありがとね。<br>\\r\\n Thanks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nじゃ圭ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan,<br>\\r\\nお嬢様方のエスコートをよろしく。<br>\\r\\n I trust you to escort the ladies home safely.<br>\\r\\n途中で刺客に襲われないように、しっかり護衛するんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n Please protect them from assassins on their way home.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n護衛が必要なお嬢様がどこにいるってんだ。<br>\\r\\nLooking around, I didn't see any ladies who needed an escort.<br>\\r\\n…俺の方が護衛されたい気分だぞ。<br>\\r\\n ...I felt more like I was the one who needed protection.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、とりあえず最後に５人が顔を合わせられたので、ちゃんとお別れして今日を終わらせることができた。<br>\\r\\nAnyway, we said our goodbyes, making it easier for us to end the day and go home.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあねーー魅ぃちゃーーん！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Goodbye, Mii-chan!<br>\\r\\nまた明日ねー！」<br>\\r\\n See you tomorrow!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おーぅ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yep!<br>\\r\\nまた明日ねー！」<br>\\r\\n See you tomorrow!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「よっしゃ、行こうか！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Alright. Let's go, then!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺たちは魅音の姿が店内に消えるまで手を振った後、それぞれの自転車にまたがり、興宮を後にした。<br>\\r\\nWe waved at Mion until she went back inside the restaurant, and after that, we all got on our bicycles and left Okinomiya.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n道中ではみんな、今日の大騒ぎの話で持ちきりで、みんな興奮が未だ覚めていないようだった。<br>\\r\\nOn the way home, we talked about how exciting it had been today, and it looked like everyone was still fired up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日の大食い対決から、その後の阿鼻叫喚の罰ゲーム大会、そしてさらにお客全体を巻き込んだとんでもない空前のイベントへと発展し、……もう何から何までが滅茶苦茶。<br>\\r\\nWe had the horrifying punishment and the competitive eating contest, which turned into an unprecedented battle involving all the customers in the restaurant... And after that, everything got crazy and messy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n最初はおろおろしていたウェイトレスさんたちも、だんだん楽しくなっていったのか、最後にはお店全部で盛り上がったのだった。<br>\\r\\nAt first, the waitresses didn't know what to do, but after a while they ended up joining in. We had a blast.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「でしたのよね！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"That was wonderful!!<br>\\r\\nその時の富田と岡村ったら、もうおかしくてたまりませんでしたわー！」<br>\\r\\n Did you see what Tomita and Okamura did? How amusing it was!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……結局、亀田も入江もかわいそかわいそだったのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I felt sorry for Kameda and Irie.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いやいやしかし！<br>\\r\\n\\\"So did I, but!<br>\\r\\n俺の演説もなかなかだったろ？！<br>\\r\\n Didn't you think my speech was great?!<br>\\r\\nあの時は店全体が俺の味方だったよなー！！」<br>\\r\\n Everyone in the restaurant was on my side after that!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……圭一は、生まれる時代と国が違ったら、ひょっとするととんでもない人になってたかもなのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Keiichi, you might have been somebody really important if you were born in a different era.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こんな口先男がですのー？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What, this idiot? He's much too full of himself!<br>\\r\\nどこの国に生まれても、ロクな人間にならないと思いますでございますわねー！」<br>\\r\\n An idiot will always remain an idiot, no matter when or where he is born!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……あと１００年も早く生まれていたら、お札になっていたかもですよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......If he was born a hundred years earlier, he might've gotten printed on bills.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一さんのお札なんて、何だか貧相しいですわねー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Money with Keiichi-san's face on it? How pathetic!<br>\\r\\nきっと、２００円札とか３００円札とか、そのくらいの価値でしてよー！」<br>\\r\\n They would only be worth two or three hundred yen at the most!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子と梨花ちゃんは、きゃっきゃといつまでもしゃべり続けているのだった。<br>\\r\\nSatoko and Rika-chan kept up their continuous chatter.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はほんの少しだけはしゃぎ疲れ、二人のおしゃべりを黙って聞いていた。<br>\\r\\nI was a bit tired after the day's events, so I just listened quietly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n気付けば、少しずつ風が涼しくなってくる。<br>\\r\\nI noticed the wind was getting colder.<br>\\r\\nいつの間にか影も長くなり始めていた。<br>\\r\\n Our shadows were getting longer as well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子と梨花ちゃんはまだまだはしゃぎ足りないみたいだけど、…レナはどうかな？<br>\\r\\nSatoko and Rika-chan still had a lot of energy left... but what about Rena?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさっきから静かだな。<br>\\r\\nShe'd been very quiet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nひょっとして、食べすぎでお腹が痛いんじゃ。<br>\\r\\nMaybe she also had a stomachache from eating too much.<br>\\r\\nそう思い、レナを見る。<br>\\r\\n I looked at Rena to see.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、それは杞憂だった。<br>\\r\\nHowever, I was wrong.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは、……なんて形容すればいいんだろう。<br>\\r\\nRena was...... I didn't really know how to describe it.<br>\\r\\n…とても、満ち足りた顔をしていた。<br>\\r\\n ...She looked very satisfied.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日一日が、本当に楽しくて楽しくて仕方がなくて。<br>\\r\\nShe looked like she really did have that much fun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日一日が幸せで幸せで仕方がなくて。<br>\\r\\nShe looked like she was as happy as she could ever be.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そういう気持ちが、口を開かずとも伝わってくるような表情だった。<br>\\r\\n...I could tell all that without her saying a word.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなレナの表情を見ていると、…俺も今さらのように、今日一日が、ただ楽しかったの一言で片付けてはいけないことに気付く。<br>\\r\\nWhen I looked at her... it made me realize that the word 'fun' wasn't enough to describe what we did today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……今日一日、本当に楽しかったな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Seems like you had a lot of fun.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mm.<br>\\r\\n…圭一くんは？」<br>\\r\\n ...What about you, Keiichi-kun?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「俺も最高に楽しかったよ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I had a blast too!<br>\\r\\n今日みたいなことが、明日や明後日もあればいいのになってくらいにさ。」<br>\\r\\n I wish we could have as much fun tomorrow and the day after tomorrow too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それはレナも同じかな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I feel the same way.<br>\\r\\n今日のお店の中での時間だけが、永遠だったらいいなって思った。」<br>\\r\\n I wish from the bottom of my heart that the time we spent in the restaurant today would last forever.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほぉー、詩的なことを言うなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wow, that's kinda poetic.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一くんは、思わなかった？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Don't you agree, Keiichi-kun?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは茶化されたことにも気付かず、素で返す。<br>\\r\\nRena didn't notice that I made fun of her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nデリカシーのないことを言ってしまったかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nI might've been a little tactless.<br>\\r\\nちょっと後悔する。<br>\\r\\n Suddenly, I regretted having said it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いや、俺も同感だよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I do. I totally agree with you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「でもね、圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"But, you know something?<br>\\r\\n別に今日だけが最高に幸せってわけじゃないんだよ？」<br>\\r\\n Today's not the only day that's filled with happiness.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n涼しい風に、ふわっと髪をなびかせながら。<br>\\r\\nA cool wind blew through her hair.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはとても大人びた表情で俺に笑いかける。<br>\\r\\nShe smiled at me, and for some reason, she looked very mature.<br>\\r\\n…その仕草にちょっとどきっとした。<br>\\r\\n ...Her appearance made my heart skip a beat.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私たちの雛見沢での日々は、どの一日だってかけがえのない大切で素敵な、幸せな一日なんだよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Every single one of our days in Hinamizawa is a wonderful, precious, and irreplaceable day full of happiness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n例え、部活がお流れになっちゃって、退屈な一日だったとしても、ね。」<br>\\r\\n Including the boring days when our club activities get canceled.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……レナは大人な考え方ができるんだな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Rena, you think about things in a very mature way.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはははは、そんなことないよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahaha. No, I don't.<br>\\r\\n本当はまだまだはしゃぎ足りない。<br>\\r\\n Honestly, I'm still not done playing around yet.<br>\\r\\n興奮がまだ覚めないだけなのかもね。」<br>\\r\\n Maybe it's just because I'm still excited.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナがくすっと笑ったので、俺もつられて笑った。<br>\\r\\nRena laughed, and that made me laugh too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを沙都子が、自分の悪口で笑ったように聞こえたらしく、俺にやたらと突っかかってきた。<br>\\r\\nSatoko thought that we were laughing because we said bad things about her, and she started bugging me about it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあとはまた、いつもと同じ、騒がしい時間だった。<br>\\r\\nOnce again, we made a lot of noise like we always do.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……では、ボクと沙都子はここでお別れなのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Well, Satoko and I are taking this turn here.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「梨花、もう少しご一緒して、タバコ屋さんで曲がってもいいではありませんの？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rika, why not walk with them a little further and turn where the tobacco store is instead?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……豆電球が切れたのを忘れましたですか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Did you forget our nightlight burned out?<br>\\r\\n豆電球がないと、寝る時に真っ暗になってしまいますですよ。」<br>\\r\\n Without that, it's too dark for us to sleep.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そ……それは困りますわね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"O-Oh... that would be quite the problem.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あ、牧野さんの雑貨屋さん？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, I see. You need to go to Makino-san's general store.<br>\\r\\nならここでお別れだね。<br>\\r\\n Then I guess we'll say goodbye here.<br>\\r\\nこれ以上、行っちゃうとどんどん遠回りになっちゃうからね。」<br>\\r\\n You'd better take this turn or you'd have to go a long way around.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雑貨屋さん……？<br>\\r\\nMakino-san's general store......?<br>\\r\\n…あー、…思い出した。<br>\\r\\n ...Oh right, that's where it is.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなるほど、あそこに寄って神社に帰るなら、ここで曲がらないと偉い遠回りになるな。<br>\\r\\nIf they wanted to make a stop at the store before going back to the shrine, turning here would be the quickest way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そっか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay then.<br>\\r\\nじゃあな、梨花ちゃんに沙都子。<br>\\r\\n Bye, Rika-chan. Bye, Satoko.<br>\\r\\nまた明日な。」<br>\\r\\n I'll see you tomorrow.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……また明日なのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......See you tomorrow.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それではですわね！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Farewell, Keiichi-san.<br>\\r\\n圭一さんにレナさん。」<br>\\r\\n Farewell, Rena-san!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん、じゃあね二人とも。<br>\\r\\n\\\"See you two tomorrow!<br>\\r\\nばいば〜〜い！」<br>\\r\\n Bye-bye!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんと沙都子は、何度も手を振ると、田んぼの中を貫く細い道をぴゅーっと走り抜けて、あっという間にその姿を見えなくしてしまう。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan and Satoko waved at us many times, then took the narrow path through the field.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n騒々しかった二人がいなくなると、急に静かになる。<br>\\r\\nOnce the noisy girls were gone, it went especially quiet all of a sudden.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nただそれだけのことで、太陽が急に傾いて夕方になったような錯覚があった。<br>\\r\\nIt even made me feel as if the sun had set in an instant.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n前原屋敷なんて勝手な呼び名が付けられている我が家が見えてきた。<br>\\r\\nI could see my house by now, which everybody called the \\\"Maebara mansion\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nずっと興奮状態だったので気付かなかったが、実際のところ、俺は食い過ぎで腹が今にもパンクしそうだった。<br>\\r\\nI didn't notice it earlier because of how fired up we all were, but my stomach was about to burst.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……というか、お腹から穏やかならぬ雷鳴が聞こえるような。<br>\\r\\n...The growling in my gut felt like thunder.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nバッドなコンディションに気付くと、やっぱりあれだけ大騒ぎしたツケが体に回ってきているのが分かった。<br>\\r\\nMy body must have been paying the price for me acting like an idiot earlier.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんな状態じゃ、多分、夕飯をろくろく食べられないだろうなぁ。<br>\\r\\nThere was no way I was eating dinner that night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお袋が夕飯を作り始める前に、食いすぎであることを白状した方がいいかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nI'd need to tell my mom before she started cooking.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…というか、多分、帰宅したらトイレに直行だな。<br>\\r\\n...But before anything, I had to get to the bathroom.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ううぅ、<br>\\r\\n...Uu...<br>\\r\\nぐるぐるきゅー<br>\\r\\n My stomach was churning.<br>\\r\\nきゅー、<br>\\r\\n Oh boy.<br>\\r\\n穏やかならぬ音がお腹から聞こえるぞ。<br>\\r\\n It really didn't sound good.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、俺とレナが毎朝出会い、そして毎日別れる場所までやってくる。<br>\\r\\nWe got to the place where I'd always meet Rena in the morning and say goodbye in the evening.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今日はすっげぇ楽しかったな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I really did have a lot of fun today.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mm.<br>\\r\\nすっごい楽しかった。<br>\\r\\n Me too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あれ、圭一くん、具合悪いの？」<br>\\r\\n ...Hm? Are you feeling okay, Keiichi-kun?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なはははは……。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Nahahaha...<br>\\r\\nすまん、お腹を壊したかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n My stomach is growling.<br>\\r\\n大人しく休むことにするよ。」<br>\\r\\n I guess I just need to get some rest.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはははは、圭一くんもまだまだお腹の鍛え方が足りないかな、かな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahaha, you need to train your stomach, huh? Huh?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…レナだって俺と同じくらい食べてるはずなんだぞ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...You ate about as much as I did.<br>\\r\\n一体、その細っこい体のどこにあれが収まるってんだ。」<br>\\r\\n How did you fit all that inside your tiny body?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うふふふ、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hee hee hee.<br>\\r\\nそれはその、<br>\\r\\n That would be...<br>\\r\\n…女の子の秘密、ってことで！」<br>\\r\\n a woman's secret!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはくすくすと笑って誤魔化す。<br>\\r\\nRena giggled and tried to avoid giving me an answer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれ以上を深く突っ込むと、多分、殴って誤魔化されるに違いない。<br>\\r\\nShe'd probably hit me if I pressed her about it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今、殴られたら中身がはみ出しかねないな…。<br>\\r\\nIf she punched me in the stomach, I'd throw up for sure...<br>\\r\\nなのでそれ以上の追求はしないことにする。<br>\\r\\n So, I decided not to go any further.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあな、レナ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Goodbye, Rena.<br>\\r\\nまた明日な。」<br>\\r\\n See you tomorrow.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\nまた明日ね。」<br>\\r\\n See you tomorrow.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「俺さ、前は都会に住んでたわけだけどさ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You know, I used to live in the city.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こんなにも一日一日を楽しいと思って過ごしたことはなかった。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I never managed to enjoy each and every day like this before.<br>\\r\\n……俺、雛見沢に引っ越してきてさ。<br>\\r\\n ...But after moving to Hinamizawa, you know...<br>\\r\\n…きっと、幸せなんだって思う。」<br>\\r\\n ...I think I've found happiness.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナも同じだよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I feel the same way.<br>\\r\\nほら、私も一年前に雛見沢に引っ越してきたわけだけど。<br>\\r\\n I moved to Hinamizawa a year ago.<br>\\r\\nこんなに楽しい、幸せな日々を送れるのが信じられないもの。」<br>\\r\\n I can't believe I'm as happy as I am and spend every day having as much fun as I do.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そっか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I see.<br>\\r\\nなら明日も絶対に楽しいな。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sure tomorrow will be the same.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's right.<br>\\r\\n昨日も今日も楽しかったんだもん。<br>\\r\\n We had so much fun yesterday and today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nきっと明日だって楽しいよ。」<br>\\r\\n So, tomorrow will be the same.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こんなにも毎日が楽しいと、何だかある日突然転びそうで怖いよな、あははは。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"With all the fun we have every day, I sometimes feel like I'm going to trip and fall sometime, and it kind of scares me, ahahaha.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…転ぶ時はどんなに注意してても転ぶよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...You fall when you fall no matter how careful you are.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、いつ転んでもいいように、思いっきり今を楽しむのが正解だと思うな。」<br>\\r\\n That's why I believe we have to enjoy every moment as much as we can.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're right.<br>\\r\\n今を精一杯楽しむのが正解だな！」<br>\\r\\n We gotta enjoy every day as much as we can!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあね、圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, it's probably time to go.<br>\\r\\nおばさまとおじさまにもよろしくね。<br>\\r\\n Please say hi to your parents for me.<br>\\r\\n……さて、レナはまだまだ遊び足りないから、はぅ！<br>\\r\\n ...Well, I still have a lot of energy left, hau!<br>\\r\\nまた宝の山に宝探しに行こうかなぁ！」<br>\\r\\n So I'm going to go treasure hunting!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まぁだ遊び足りないってのか！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What, are you going there now?!<br>\\r\\nつくづくタフなやつだなぁ…、負けたぜ。」<br>\\r\\n You sure are resilient... I'm impressed.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どう？<br>\\r\\n\\\"What about you?<br>\\r\\n良かったら圭一くんも一緒に来ない？<br>\\r\\n Would you like to come along?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n新しい山があってね、まだ全然発掘してないのー！<br>\\r\\n I found a new trash pile that I haven't dug up yet!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何かとってもかぁいいのが見つかるかも！」<br>\\r\\n I might find something totally kyute in there!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「悪いけど、俺はパスするよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm sorry, but I gotta pass.<br>\\r\\nそれに何だか雲が重たくなってきたみたいだしな。<br>\\r\\n Besides, it looks like a storm's brewing.<br>\\r\\nレナも今日は大人しく帰宅した方がいいんじゃないか？」<br>\\r\\n I think you should go straight home, too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぅ、こういう素敵な気分の日にはね、きっとかぁいいのが見つかるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hau, I usually find something kyute when I've had a wonderful day like today.<br>\\r\\nだからちょっとでも行ってみるね。<br>\\r\\n So, I'm going there just for a few minutes.<br>\\r\\nえへへへ…☆」<br>\\r\\n Ehehehe☆...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はたまたまお腹の調子が悪いから遊ぶ元気がないだけで。<br>\\r\\nI felt sick enough that I didn't feel like going with her.<br>\\r\\nもし体調が万全だったなら、きっとレナと一緒に宝探しに行っていたと思う。<br>\\r\\n If I felt better, I would've gone treasure hunting with her for sure.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺がそうであるように、レナもまた、今日の楽しい一日の余韻がまだまだ残っていて、帰るのが惜しいに違いない。<br>\\r\\nShe didn't want to go home yet because she didn't want the fun day to end. That's exactly how I felt, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わかったよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I understand.<br>\\r\\nじゃな！<br>\\r\\n Bye then!<br>\\r\\nかぁいいのがあったら、ぜひ見せてくれよなー！」<br>\\r\\n I hope you can find something kyute!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yep!<br>\\r\\nじゃあね！<br>\\r\\n Thank you!<br>\\r\\nばいば〜〜い！！」<br>\\r\\n Bye bye!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一くんは名残を惜しむように、何度も手を振りかえしてくれた。<br>\\r\\nKeiichi-kun waved over and over as if he didn't want to say goodbye yet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、そのまま姿が見えなくなる。<br>\\r\\nBut after a while, he was gone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさぁ、私も行こう、宝探しに。<br>\\r\\nWell, I had to go too, because I was going to go treasure hunting.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはかぁいいものが大好きなんだから。<br>\\r\\nI love kyute things.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんなにも素敵な一日だったんだし、きっと今日はいいことがあるはず。<br>\\r\\nI had such a wonderful day today that I'm sure I'm going to get lucky at treasure hunting.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなかなかお目にかかれない素敵な宝物が見つかるに違いないんだ。<br>\\r\\nI definitely will find some wonderful treasures.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は自転車を強く漕ぐ。<br>\\r\\nI pedaled my bicycle with determination.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分の家はすぐそこだけど、そっちへ行かず、ダム現場へ降りていく方の道へ向かった。<br>\\r\\nMy house was nearby, but I took another street that led to the dam construction site.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、ひょっとすると……、帰ってもいいのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nIt might have been okay to go home just then...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、それを確認するために戻って、姿を見られたりしたら嫌だった。<br>\\r\\nbut I hesitated to go, since I didn't want to be seen.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだって、今日はこんなにも楽しい日だったんだから、最後の最後まで楽しい気持ちのままでいたかったのだ。<br>\\r\\nI had so much fun today, and I wanted to continue feeling happy as long as I could.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n夕方ではあったけど、暗くなるのが少し早く感じた。<br>\\r\\nIt was already getting late, but I felt like it was getting dark faster than usual.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一くんの言った通り、曇天の空はいつの間にか鉛色になっていていた。<br>\\r\\nJust like Keiichi-kun said, the clouds in the sky were growing darker.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雷鳴のひとつも聞こえたら、激しい夕立になるかもしれないなと感じた。<br>\\r\\nIt might start raining hard.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……でも別に、だからって家に帰れるわけじゃないんだし。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...But that doesn't mean I have to go home already.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだめだよ私。<br>\\r\\nStop it, Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nせっかく今日があんなにも楽しかったんだから。<br>\\r\\nYou had so much fun today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n最後の最後まで楽しく過ごそう。<br>\\r\\nYou have to stay happy as long as you can.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は幸せ。<br>\\r\\nI'm happy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n毎日がとても楽しい。<br>\\r\\nI enjoy every day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nほらレナ、言ってみよ、いつもの魔法の言葉。<br>\\r\\nRena, say it. Say the magical words.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………は、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...H<br>\\r\\n……。<br>\\r\\n......<br>\\r\\n………はぅー…。」<br>\\r\\nHau...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分のことを馬鹿みたいって思っちゃだめだよ。<br>\\r\\nDon't be embarrassed. You're not dumb or anything.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nううん、むしろ馬鹿の方が日々は楽しいのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nI might be able to enjoy every day even more if I were dumb.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなら私は、進んで馬鹿になりたいのだから。<br>\\r\\nIf so, dumb is what I'd want to be.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…はぅ〜☆<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Hauu☆!<br>\\r\\nかぁいいのあるかな、かな！<br>\\r\\n I'm going to find something sho, sho kyute!<br>\\r\\nお持ち帰り〜！」<br>\\r\\n And take it home with me!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nよし言えた。<br>\\r\\nThere, I said it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nきっとかぁいいの見つかるよ。<br>\\r\\nI'm sure I can find something kyute.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が可愛いと信じれば、何だって可愛く感じられるんだから。<br>\\r\\nAs long as I believe it's kyute, anything can be that way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nほら、今日や昨日の楽しかったことで心を満たそう？<br>\\r\\nI should fill my heart with happy memories of today and yesterday.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして明日や明後日のもっと楽しいことで夢を膨らまそう？<br>\\r\\nI should look forward to the happiness I'm going to receive tomorrow and the day after tomorrow too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいつの間にか、私はダム現場のゴミ山の前にまで来ていた。<br>\\r\\nI reached the dam construction site. A mountain of trash loomed before me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自転車を止めると、スクラップや粗大ゴミで出来た山の斜面を下っていった。<br>\\r\\nI parked my bicycle and walked down the mountain of trash and scrap.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここは、私の城だ。<br>\\r\\nThis place is my castle.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのゴミ山には、信じられないくらいに誰も訪れない。<br>\\r\\nIt would be incredible if anyone else came to this mountain of trash.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日までの長い時間、ここで何度も過ごし、人が通りかかったことなど何度もなかった。<br>\\r\\nI've come here many times and I usually stay for a long while, but I've never seen anybody walk by.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確かに、ここは村の死角だ。<br>\\r\\nThis place is the village's blind spot.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nダム戦争の頃には大いににぎわったそうだが、終わってしまえばまさに廃墟。<br>\\r\\nI heard that many people came here all the time during the dam wars, but it was abandoned after that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n村人の日々の生活にとって、ここは通る必要もない、忘れられた場所だったのだ。<br>\\r\\nThe villagers no longer need to come here, and some people even forgot about it entirely.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nゴミを捨てるトラックは深夜に来るらしく、少なくとも私自身は実際に投棄するところを見たことはない。<br>\\r\\nIt seems like they dump trash here at midnight, but I've never seen a truck actually dumping trash, at least.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n新しいゴミの山でも増えていれば、少しは退屈しのぎになるのだが。<br>\\r\\nIf they dumped new trash more often, it'd give me more time to kill.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ここしばらくは、山が増える気配はない。<br>\\r\\n...But it looks like it's not going to happen for a while.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はゴミ山の斜面をどこまでも降りて行き、出来上がった山の裏に回りこんだ。<br>\\r\\nI walked down the slope of the trash pile, all the way down to the bottom, and headed behind another pile.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんなところには誰も来ない。<br>\\r\\nNobody ever comes here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nずっと長いことここで過ごしたけど、誰にもこの場所をいじられたことはない。<br>\\r\\nI've come here many times and I usually stay for a long while, but nobody has ever come to mess up this place.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nクラスメートの小さい子たちですら、ここには近寄らないのだ。<br>\\r\\nNot even the other kids from my school come here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼らの世界では、ダム現場監督のバラバラ殺人でバラされた腕が、この山のどこかに隠されていると信じられており、ここは呪われた場所なのだと言う。<br>\\r\\nThey all believe that the arm of the manager of the construction site is buried somewhere in the trash piles, and they also believe the whole place is haunted.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何でも、片腕のない亡霊が未だここを彷徨い、隠された腕を捜しているのだとか。<br>\\r\\nThey told me that a ghost with one arm still wanders around here, looking for his missing limb.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな気の利いた亡霊にも、残念だけど一度も出会ったことはない。<br>\\r\\nSadly, I haven't seen the ghost either.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n怖くなんかない。<br>\\r\\nI'm not scared.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nむしろ現れてほしいくらい。<br>\\r\\nIn fact, I'd rather like to meet him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n見つからない腕を、私も一緒に探してあげてもいいし。<br>\\r\\nI wouldn't mind helping him find his arm.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n一人ぼっちで寂しかったなら、私の話し相手になってほしいし。<br>\\r\\nIf he's feeling lonely, I'd want him to be my conversation partner.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nスクラップの山の中に、ワゴン車が埋まっている。<br>\\r\\nThere's a station wagon buried in the trash pile.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nタイヤがなくなっていることを除けばほぼ原型を留めていた。<br>\\r\\nIt doesn't have tires, but other than that, it still looks like a station wagon.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの車が私の秘密の隠れ家だった。<br>\\r\\nThis station wagon is my secret hideout.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nスライドドアと後部ドアは残念ながら開かない。<br>\\r\\nUnfortunately, the sliding door and rear doors don't open.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、ちょっと面倒だけど、助手席から入って、後ろのスペースに入る。<br>\\r\\nSo, whenever I want to get in, I have to enter the car from the passenger seat and crawl into the back from there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろん、靴は助手席で脱いでからあがるんだよ。<br>\\r\\nOf course, I take off my shoes at the passenger's seat.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n一見、汚らしい廃車だけどそれは外側だけの話。<br>\\r\\nWhen you look at it from the outside, it's just a dirty abandoned car.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n中は私がお掃除したりお手入れをしたりしたので、とてもきれいだった。<br>\\r\\nBut on the inside, it's nice and clean, because I had swept it out and decorated a little.<br>\\r\\n結構、苦労したんだよ？ <br>\\r\\n That took me a long time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n後部座席は邪魔だったんで畳んで小さくしてある。<br>\\r\\nThe back seats are lying flat because I wanted to have as much space as possible.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして広くとったスペースに、前にゴミ捨て場で見つけたマットレスを拾ってきて敷いたの。<br>\\r\\nI found a mattress in the trash pile and put it into that space instead.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでもそのままじゃ何か嫌だったから、うちからシーツを持ってきて被せてた。<br>\\r\\nIt was a bit dirty, so I brought a bed sheet from home and covered the mattress with it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれに、お気に入りのクッションをいくつか並べれば、ほら、素敵な私だけのベッドの出来上がりだった。<br>\\r\\nI put my favorite cushions on top, and with that, it turned into a perfect bed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nクッションやぬいぐるみ。<br>\\r\\nI've put cushions and stuffed animals everywhere.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれだけじゃない、ほら。<br>\\r\\nThat's not all. Look at this.<br>\\r\\nえへへ、お菓子だって蓄えてあるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n Ehehe, I have a bunch of sweets here, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今は、４色のフルーツキャンディの袋と、<br>\\r\\nI have a bag of fruit candy in four different colors,<br>\\r\\nあ、これはもうだめだね、<br>\\r\\n and some cookies...<br>\\r\\nビスケットがあったけど、湿気っちゃっている。<br>\\r\\n but they're going bad. I'll have to throw them away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nクマさんの水筒は今は空っぽ。<br>\\r\\nMy bear-shaped water bottle was empty.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここで過ごすことに決めた日曜日には、この水筒に甘い紅茶を入れて持ってくるの。<br>\\r\\nWhen I come here to spend some time on Sundays, I usually bring this water bottle with some sweetened tea in it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nちり紙とか懐中電灯、予備の電池、その他諸々の日用品もささやかな程度だけど用意してあるんだよ。<br>\\r\\nI have a box of tissues, a flashlight, extra batteries, and other daily necessities in here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれから、ここで過ごす時の時間つぶし用に、文庫本もほんの２〜３冊ほど用意したの。<br>\\r\\nI also have a few books to read in order to kill some time while I'm at it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうそう、もっと驚くのはこれ。<br>\\r\\nAnd I have this.<br>\\r\\n何だと思う？<br>\\r\\n What do you think this is?<br>\\r\\nほら、カチリ。<br>\\r\\n Look. Ta-dah!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nほのかな灯りが隠れ家の中を照らす。それは電気スタンドだった。<br>\\r\\nMy hideout is suddenly lit up, thanks to the table lamp.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n工事事務所跡の一角に、剥き出しの電源コンセントが生えている。<br>\\r\\nThere's an electric outlet on the side of an old nearby construction office.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n電気なんか来てるはずがないだろうなと思ったらびっくり。<br>\\r\\nI'd thought they'd have cut the power years ago, but to my surprise, I was wrong.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなんとちゃんと使えたのだ。<br>\\r\\nElectricity is still being supplied to the outlet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれで私は延長コードの束がどっさり捨ててあったのを見つけたとき、これを全部つないで延長すれば隠れ家までひっぱれるかな、と思った。<br>\\r\\nWhen I found tons of extension cords, I came up with the idea to connect them all and make the electricity come all the way to my hideout.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n快適に過ごせて、お菓子にお気に入りの本、そして灯りまである。<br>\\r\\nNow I can spend time here comfortably with some sweets, books, and lights.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその気になれば、きっとここに泊まることもできるに違いない。<br>\\r\\nIf I wanted to, I might be able to spend a night here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…もっとも、夜は涼しすぎるから、風邪をひくかもしれないが。<br>\\r\\n...But, I may catch a cold since it gets very cold at night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあははは。<br>\\r\\nAha ha ha ha.<br>\\r\\nね、ちょっと素敵な隠れ家でしょ？<br>\\r\\n See? This is a very nice hideout, isn't it?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n最初の内は、誰かに見つけられていたずらとかされたら嫌だなと思ってたけど。<br>\\r\\nAt first, I thought somebody would find it and mess with it.<br>\\r\\n今日までにこの隠れ家がいたずらされたことはただの一度もない。<br>\\r\\n But that hasn't happened so far.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだって、誰も近付かないし、誰もがこの場所のことを忘れてる。<br>\\r\\nThat's because nobody comes here, and everybody forgot about this place.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、ここは本当に私だけの秘密の隠れ家なのだった。<br>\\r\\nThat's how this place became my perfect secret hideout.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n幸い、今日はいっぱい食べたからお腹は全然空かない。<br>\\r\\nFortunately, I ate so much today that I'm still full.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n友達の家で遊んでて、夕食までご馳走になったと言えばいいだろう。<br>\\r\\nI can tell them that I was playing with my friend at her house and ate dinner there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからここでゆっくりと時間を過ごそう。<br>\\r\\nI'm going to stay here for a while and relax.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして思い切り自分にやさしくしてあげよう。<br>\\r\\nAnd I'm going to treat myself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n昨日の水鉄砲大会がものすごく楽しかった。<br>\\r\\nI loved the water gun battle yesterday.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一くんとの一騎打ちはハラハラしてとても興奮した。<br>\\r\\nMy heart had been pounding when I fought one-on-one with Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日のエンジェルモートでの大騒ぎもものすごく楽しかった。<br>\\r\\nI also had great fun at Angel Mort today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあんなに大勢での悪ふざけはしたことがない。<br>\\r\\nI'd never experienced such a crazy game with so many people in my life.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nきっと今夜、夢に見てしまうくらいに楽しさの余韻が残っていた。<br>\\r\\nI was still feeling the aftereffects, and I was sure I'd have a dream about it tonight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから。<br>\\r\\nThat was why<br>\\r\\nそんな幸せな気持ちを少しでも大切にしたかった。<br>\\r\\n I wanted to bask in these happy feelings.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからここで私にやさしくしよう。<br>\\r\\nThat was why I'm going to treat myself in here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n窮屈な靴を脱いで、思い切り足の指を広げよう。<br>\\r\\nI should take off my shoes and stretch my toes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、私が私でいられる時間を大切にしよう。<br>\\r\\nI should cherish the time when I can be myself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「んんんんんん………ん。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mmmmmmmmm...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n靴を脱いでくつろいでしまったら、やっぱりもう一度靴を履くのがおっくうになってしまった。<br>\\r\\nOnce I took off my shoes, I felt so relaxed that I didn't want to put them on again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日は一日大騒ぎして疲れたし。<br>\\r\\nI played all day today, and I was very tired.<br>\\r\\n宝探しは今度でもいいや。<br>\\r\\n The treasure hunt could wait.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n薄暗くなってくるに従い、電気スタンドの灯りが心強くなり、影の色をどんどんと濃くしていく。<br>\\r\\nAs it got darker, the light of the table lamp became encouraging.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nちょっと暗くなるのが早過ぎるかな。<br>\\r\\nIt really was getting dark faster than usual.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そう思った時、屋根を雫が叩く音が、散発的に聞こえ始めた。<br>\\r\\n...All of a sudden, I heard the sound of raindrops hitting the roof of the car.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…パタ。<br>\\r\\nPitter patter. Pitter patter pitter patter.<br>\\r\\n……パタパタ、…パタパタパタっと。<br>\\r\\n ...The interval between drops got shorter and shorter.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n音の感覚が軽やかに早くなり始めたと思った時には、遠雷の音とともに土砂降りになっていた。<br>\\r\\nWhen it became a continuous sound, I began to hear thunder.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどんな土砂降りになってもこの中は別世界。<br>\\r\\nEven though it was raining heavily, it remained very quiet inside the car, making me feel like I was in a different world.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだってここは、私の城なんだから。<br>\\r\\nIt's my castle, after all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n少しだけ肌寒さを感じ、私は畳んである大きめのブランケットを広げて、それに包まった。<br>\\r\\nI felt a bit cold, so I unfolded my big blanket and hid under it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰も知らない、私だけの匂いのするところで、こうしてひとりぬくぬくしていると。<br>\\r\\nI'm here alone, under the warm blanket that has my scent.<br>\\r\\n土砂降りの中にひとり取り残されたって、不思議な安堵感があった。<br>\\r\\n Even though nobody knew where I was at the moment and I feel like I was left alone in the heavy rain, I still feel secure and free from anxiety for some reason.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nむしろ、雨すらも、この城を外敵から遠ざけてくれているような気がして、愛おしく感じる。<br>\\r\\nI felt like this heavy rain was keeping my enemies away from my castle. I liked it that way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n小さな幸せが、ここにはいっぱい。<br>\\r\\nThis place is full of small happiness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私だけのお気に入りがいっぱい。<br>\\r\\nIt's full of my favorite things.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、ここにいる時の私は幸せ。<br>\\r\\nThat's why I'm happy whenever I'm here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……もう一枚、ブランケットを重ねると、もうお布団の温かさと同じ。<br>\\r\\n...When I put another blanket over me, I felt as warm as if I were in bed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、スクラップの山の鉄板たちを叩く、雨粒の打楽器の心地よい音に、次第にまどろみへ誘われていく。<br>\\r\\nI listened to the soothing sounds of raindrops hitting the scrap iron in the trash heaps, and it made me feel sleepy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここはガラクタの山の城。<br>\\r\\nThis is a castle of trash.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nガラクタたちは誰にも必要とされなくなって、ここへ集まってきた。<br>\\r\\nThis trash came here because nobody wanted it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、ここは彼らの国。<br>\\r\\nThis is where it lives.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰からも必要とされないものたちが集う国。<br>\\r\\nThis is a country where unwanted refuse lives together.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、私はここにいてもいいんだという気持ちと、<br>\\r\\nI felt like I fit in here,<br>\\r\\n……いや、ここは私の仮住まいに過ぎず、私には戻るべき場所があるんだという気持ちが入り混じる。<br>\\r\\n but at the same time... I knew it was just a temporary place for me, as there's somewhere I had to go back to.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だめ。こういうことを考えちゃいけない。<br>\\r\\n...No. I shouldn't think about things like that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここが私の居場所でないと気付いた時。<br>\\r\\nWhenever I realize that I don't belong here,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……私はとてつもなく不清潔なゴミ山にいることを思い出してしまうのだから…。<br>\\r\\n...I remember I'm in the middle of a very dirty pile of trash...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう少し、まどろみを深くしよう。<br>\\r\\nI should just doze for a little bit longer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…考えることは毒。<br>\\r\\n...Thinking is poisonous.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私の中のやさしい私が、いつまでも純粋なままでいられるよう、毒に浸さないであげたい。<br>\\r\\nI wanted to keep myself out of that poison, so that the kind Rena within me could stay pure.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう少し。<br>\\r\\nA little bit longer.<br>\\r\\nもう少し、まどろみを深くしよう……。<br>\\r\\n Just a little bit longer... and I closed my eyes...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母は、とても忙しい人だった。<br>\\r\\nMy mother was a very busy woman.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nがむしゃらに働いて、評価されては新たなステージが開かれる。<br>\\r\\nThe harder she worked, the more her work was valued, and she kept getting promoted.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうしてどんどん高みを目指していく母は、いつも輝いていて、私の憧れだった。<br>\\r\\nShe sought to go higher and higher. She was always shining, and she was my hero.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母は元々は興宮にある小さな衣装メーカーのデザイナーだったそうだ。<br>\\r\\nMy mother started her career as a fashion designer at a small clothing factory in Okinomiya.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父も同じでデザイナー。<br>\\r\\nMy father was a designer, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n二人は職場で出会い、結婚した。<br>\\r\\nThey met through their jobs, and soon got married.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n初めは興宮の小さなアパートで暮らしていたが、<br>\\r\\nThey lived in a small apartment in Okinomiya,<br>\\r\\n母が私を身篭ったのを機に雛見沢の祖母の家、つまり今の家へ引っ越したという。<br>\\r\\n but they moved to my grandma's house, our current house, in Hinamizawa when she got pregnant with me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして私が小学校に上がる直前までをそこで過ごした。<br>\\r\\nWe lived there until right before I went to elementary school.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n思えば、この頃が一番幸せな時代だったのだ。<br>\\r\\nNow that I think about it, that was the happiest time of my life.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n毎日が幸せで、今日と同じ幸せが必ず明日もあると信じて疑わず。<br>\\r\\nI felt happy every day and believed without a doubt that tomorrow would be the same.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n幸せであることが当たり前で、それを感じることもないくらいに。<br>\\r\\nI was so happy that I took it for granted and didn't even feel the happiness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n毎日が幸せだった。<br>\\r\\nI really did feel happy every day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n当時は小さかったからよく知らないのだが、両親の勤めていた会社が経営不振に陥ったという。<br>\\r\\nI was small at that time and didn't really understand what was going on, but it seemed like the company my parents were working for was having financial difficulties.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな中、母と何人かの若手デザイナーが会社を見限って独立しようなんて話になったらしい。<br>\\r\\nSo, my mother and a few other young designers started talking about leaving the company and going independent.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それで、何だか込み入った話になって、<br>\\r\\n...After many things happened and the situation grew complicated,<br>\\r\\nいろいろとあった挙句、母たちは茨城にあるもっと立派なデザイン事務所に引き取ってもらえることになったらしい。<br>\\r\\n they got an offer to work at a big design firm in Ibaraki and they took the offer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n事業提携とか業務提携とか、よくわからない言葉を当時たくさん聞かれたが、要するに茨城に引っ越したいということだった。<br>\\r\\nAt that time, I heard my mother saying many difficult words like 'limited partnership' and 'business alliance', but in short, what she wanted to do was move to Ibaraki.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母たち若手デザイナーは、経験豊かで才能溢れる即戦力として新しい会社でも大いに期待されていたという。<br>\\r\\nMy mother and her peers were hired because their talent and experience made them immediate assets at their new company.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、それには父は含まれていなかった。<br>\\r\\nHowever, my father wasn't one of them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父には残念ながら、母ほどの溢れる才能はなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\nUnfortunately, my father wasn't as talented as my mother was.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、茨城へ引っ越すことは、父がデザイナーを廃業することも意味していた。<br>\\r\\nSo, moving to Ibaraki meant that my father had to give up being a fashion designer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母は、新しい会社では相当期待されているらしく、責任あるプロジェクトを任される約束になっていた。<br>\\r\\nMy mother's new company had high expectations of her talent and promised her a responsible project.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n溢れる才能と情熱をこんな田舎で冷めさせたくない。<br>\\r\\nShe didn't want to waste her growing talent and passion by living in a rural town like Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母はそう言って父を説得し、父もまた、母がさらなるステージで活躍することへの応援の意味も込めて、退職と引越しを決めた。<br>\\r\\nSo my mother convinced my father to quit his job and move to Ibaraki to support her and to help her build her career.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの頃の自分にとって、引っ越しは親しい友人たち全てと会えなくなることを意味していた。<br>\\r\\nBack then, moving meant that I had to say goodbye to my close friends.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n幼い私は、引越しを嫌がりわんわん泣いたという。<br>\\r\\nI didn't want to move, and I kept crying about it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n引っ越した後、母は新会社でのプロジェクトを見事に開花させた。<br>\\r\\nAfter we moved to Ibaraki, my mother was a big success.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母は元々、リーダーシップを取るのが好きな溌剌とした性格だったから、さぞや新天地で存分に活躍しただろうと思う。<br>\\r\\nNot only did she have great leadership skills, she was full of energy, and I believe she made the best use of her talents to succeed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n毎晩帰りが遅かったし、休日なんてまったくないように感じた。<br>\\r\\nShe came home late every night and barely had any days off.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何らかの企画が近付くと泊り込むことも少なくなかった。<br>\\r\\nWhen she had a big project, she often stayed entire nights at her office.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、帰ってくる母は常に充実していて、雛見沢では一度も見たことのないような素敵な笑顔を浮かべていた。<br>\\r\\nBut when she came home, she always looked fulfilled and wore a happy smile that she had never worn when she was in Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな母はとても輝いていて、なれるものなら、自分も将来、母のように輝きたいと願っていたのを思い出す。<br>\\r\\nShe was shining, and I remember I always wanted to shine like her when I grew up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n逆に、父のほうはあまり冴えなかった。<br>\\r\\nOn the other hand, my father wasn't doing so well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父をデザイナーとして雇ってくれる会社は見つからず、結局、ただの事務手伝いとしていくつかの小さな会社を転々とした。<br>\\r\\nHe couldn't find a job as a fashion designer, so he took a clerical job at a small company, but he kept changing positions.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれまで培ってきたことが何の役にも立たず、父にとっても引越しは辛いものであったと思う。<br>\\r\\nHe couldn't use the experience that he had cultivated, and it was very hard for him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、父は母の良き理解者であってくれた。<br>\\r\\nBut, he was very understanding.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nますますに責任あるプロジェクトを任され、多忙を極めていく母に代わり、家事を勤めるようになった。<br>\\r\\nHe started to take care of things around the house for my mother, who got busier and busier, having one project after another.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n掃除や洗濯、私の学校行事への参加などをがんばって勤めた。<br>\\r\\nHe cleaned the house, did the laundry, and came to my school events.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n料理だけはどうしてもできなかったらしく、ご飯を炊くことは出来ても、おかずはいつもお惣菜屋さんで買ってくる冷めた揚げ物ばかりだった。<br>\\r\\nHowever, he couldn't cook. He did cook rice, but always bought side dishes from a grocery store.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな食卓で、私と父だけで食事をする夜がだんだんと増えていた。<br>\\r\\nWe ate dinner without my mother more and more often.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお母さんはまた忙しいんだね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I guess she's busy again.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう言うと父は決まって、お母さんはとてもがんばっていて大変なんだ。<br>\\r\\nEvery time I said that, he always told me, \\\"your mother is working very hard.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから礼奈も、一緒にお母さんを支えてあげような。<br>\\r\\n So, let's support her, Reina.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう言った。<br>\\r\\nThat was what he always told me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、料理を手伝うことにした。<br>\\r\\nI decided to help my father with the cooking.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんが料理だけは苦手だったから、私が得意になればちょうどいいと思ったからだ。<br>\\r\\nI thought it was a good idea to learn how to cook, since he wasn't good at it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母が台所に立つ時に積極的に手伝い、お料理を習ったものだ。<br>\\r\\nWhenever my mother cooked, I helped her and tried to learn how to cook from her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母は忙しくて手料理を作る時間に恵まれないことを謝りながらも、私が母の料理を継承してくれることを喜んでいた。<br>\\r\\nShe apologized for not having enough time to cook for us, but she was happy that I was learning.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの頃、学校の文集には、将来は母のような洋服デザイナーになりたいと書いたと思う。<br>\\r\\nI think I wrote in my school yearbook that I wanted to be a clothing designer in the future, just like my mother.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、……私には母のような非凡なセンスはないようだった。<br>\\r\\nBut... apparently I lacked my mother's exceptional sense of style.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nセンスは習うものではなく、生まれついて持っているものとよく母が言っているのを聞いていた。<br>\\r\\nShe used to tell me, \\\"taste is something that you're born with, not something that you cultivate.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だから、あぁ、私はデザイナーとしては母には近付けないんだなと落胆したのを覚えている。<br>\\r\\n...I remember I was discouraged to be a designer because of that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、母と同じになるのを目指すのではなく、母に欠けているものを補うことで母に近付こうと思った。<br>\\r\\nThat was why I decided to reach her by getting better at things she wasn't so good at, instead of trying to be like her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n料理だけでなく、掃除や洗濯、お買い物など、家事のことを一通りできるようになろうと思った。<br>\\r\\nI wanted to be good not only at cooking, but also at doing things around the house such as cleaning, doing the laundry, and grocery shopping.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n家事が不得手な父は、私が代わって立派にこなしてくれることをとても喜んでいたっけ。<br>\\r\\nI remember my father was really happy that I did all that for him, because he wasn't good at it at all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仕事が見つからず、家にいる時間が多かった父は、娘と一緒に家事ができる時間を何よりも喜んでいたようだった。<br>\\r\\nHe couldn't find a job and spent a lot of time at home, so he seemed to enjoy spending time doing the housework with his daughter more than anything.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、私はどんどん母の代役が務められるようになり、<br>\\r\\nI started to become better and better at filling in for my mother,<br>\\r\\n母はまったく家事ができないくらいに忙しく、責任ある立場になっていった。<br>\\r\\n and she started to get too busy to do any of the house work at all, and she moved on to a more responsible position at her job.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母は、私を放置していることの罪滅ぼしをするかのように、たまに遊びに連れ出してくれた。<br>\\r\\nShe took me out to many places, as if to compensate for leaving me alone all the time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんには内緒でおいしいものを食べに行こう、なんて言って、たまに遊びに連れて行ってくれたっけ。<br>\\r\\nShe used to say, \\\"let's go eat something delicious without telling your father\\\" and took me out to a restaurant.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nとてもお洒落なレストランに行ったり、遊園地に行ったり。<br>\\r\\nShe took me to high-class restaurants and amusement parks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは母と二人きりである時もあったし、母の職場の人たちと一緒だったりもした。<br>\\r\\nSometimes it was only me and my mother. Sometimes it was with her friends from work.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母の職場の人たちと一緒に、夏の海へバーベキューに連れて行ってくれたことがあった。<br>\\r\\nShe took me to a beach barbecue one summer with those friends.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はそこで母の娘だと紹介され、色々な人にちやほやしてもらった。<br>\\r\\nI was introduced as her daughter, and every one of them pampered me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n中でも、肌が焼けてて髪を染めた、ちょっとかっこいいお兄さん（おじさんと言ったら怒られた）が、私のことをとても可愛がってくれたのを覚えている。<br>\\r\\nI still remember there was this one guy who particularly doted on me. He was a good-looking young man (I called him \\\"Uncle\\\" once and he got mad at me) who was nicely tanned with dyed brown hair.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母と遊びに行く時は、このお兄さんが一緒に来ることが少なくなかった。<br>\\r\\nThis young man often came with us when we went out.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母は私と遊びに行った先でも、時折、職場に電話をかけたり、時には仕事の用事を重ねてしまうことも少なくなかったため、<br>\\r\\nWhen my mother took me somewhere, she usually made several phone calls for her work during the day, and sometimes she took me out to a place where she could also do her work at the same time.<br>\\r\\n職場の人が一緒であっても、私は特に違和感を感じなかった。<br>\\r\\n So, I didn't feel awkward when people from her work came with us.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、甘えん坊な私は母と二人きりなのを好んだから、できるなら職場の人は一緒じゃない方がうれしかったものだ。<br>\\r\\nBut I always preferred to be alone with her, so I was happier when we could do that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの日も、母は私を連れてお洒落な町並みに遊びに行った。<br>\\r\\nOne day, she took me to a very high-end part of town.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母は、私と遊びに行く時はいつも甘えさせてくれる。<br>\\r\\nOf course, she always spoiled me whenever we went out.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何でも気前よく買ってくれたし、どんなものでもご馳走してくれた。<br>\\r\\nShe bought me things and let me eat whatever I wanted.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの日は、特にそうだった。<br>\\r\\nBut, she especially spoiled me on that day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nブティックとかアクセサリーショップとか、私ひとりではなかなか入れないようなお店に次々案内してくれた。<br>\\r\\nShe took me to many expensive-looking boutiques and accessory stores.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は似合わないからと遠慮するが、母は何でもひょいひょいと買ってプレゼントしてくれた。<br>\\r\\nShe was about to buy me something, but I told her not to get it because it didn't look good on me. Without hesitation, she bought it anyway.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n値札のゼロがとても多かったのを覚えてる。<br>\\r\\nI remember there were many zeros on the price tag.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの日、私は初めて、母がデザイナーとしてとても成功しているばかりか、とてもたくさんのお金を持っていることを知るのだった。<br>\\r\\nOn that day, I realized my mother's design work had made her a very successful woman and she was earning a lot of money.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、オレンジジュースだけでも１０００円するような高級な喫茶店で一休みした。<br>\\r\\nWe took a break at a ridiculously expensive-looking restaurant that probably charged 1,000 yen for a glass of orange juice.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母は、ポンと手を叩くと、私に笑いかけながら言った。<br>\\r\\nMy mother clapped her hands and spoke to me with a smile on her face.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n礼奈の夢をかなえてみない？と。<br>\\r\\nShe asked, \\\"Reina, would you like to make your dream come true?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は幼稚園の頃、自分の夢という題材で絵を描いた時、「フルーツパフェを山盛り何倍も独り占めをする」というのを描いていた。<br>\\r\\nWhen I was in kindergarten, my teacher gave students a topic to draw a picture of. The topic was \\\"my dream\\\" and I drew myself eating a mountain of fruit parfait all by myself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその夢を、今日この場でかなえてあげようと言うのだ。<br>\\r\\nWhat my mother meant to say was that she was going to make that dream come true for me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n別にその日は何でもない普通の日。<br>\\r\\nIt was a normal day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が祝われるような日ではなかった。<br>\\r\\nIt wasn't my birthday or anything.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、私と遊びに行く時の母はいつもとても羽振りがよかったから、私は何の違和感も感じず、諸手を打って喜んだ。<br>\\r\\nBut since my mother always spoiled me when we went out together, I didn't feel awkward about it at all and I accepted her offer with a happy smile.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n目の前に５つ６つと並べられていくフルーツパフェ。<br>\\r\\nThere were five or six of fruit parfaits in front of me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、画用紙にクレヨンで落書きした世界の体現で、まるで夢のようなふわふわした世界だったのを覚えてる。<br>\\r\\nI remember it looked exactly like the world I drew, and I felt like I was floating in that dream world.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nとても食べきれるわけはなかったけど、<br>\\r\\nIt was too much for us to finish,<br>\\r\\nお母さんと二人で、いくら食べてもなくならないたくさんのパフェを、まるで砂場で泥遊びをするかのように楽しく食べたっけ。<br>\\r\\n but we dug our spoons into it as if we were playing in the mud, and we really enjoyed eating it together.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nフルーツパフェだけで満腹になるという、生まれて初めての経験に、私はものすごく幸せな気持ちに包まれたのを覚えてる。<br>\\r\\nIt was my first time to experience getting full by eating only fruit parfaits, and I remember I was very happy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその幸せな気持ちを味わいながら、母と他愛ないおしゃべりに花を咲かせたっけ。<br>\\r\\nI enjoyed tasting the happiness and chatting with my mother.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「礼奈ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Reina-chan,<br>\\r\\nこの間、映画とお食事に行った時、一緒だった人のことを覚えてる？」<br>\\r\\n do you remember the man who went to the movie and had dinner with us last time?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…んっと、アキヒトおじさんだっけ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Umm, are you talking about Uncle Akihito?<br>\\r\\nはぅ、お兄さんって呼ばないとぶたれるー。」<br>\\r\\n Hau, though I can't call him that or he's going to hit me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はははははは。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hahahahahaha.<br>\\r\\n礼奈ちゃんは、アキヒトさんのこと、好き？」<br>\\r\\n Reina-chan, do you like Akihito-san?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「きらいーーー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I hate him!!<br>\\r\\nいっつも礼奈のことからかうもん。」<br>\\r\\n He always teases me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それは大好きだからちょっかいを出してるのよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's because he likes you.<br>\\r\\nバーベキューの時はとっても仲良くしてたじゃない。」<br>\\r\\n You got along well with him at the barbecue.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うーーーん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well...<br>\\r\\nたまには仲良しかな。<br>\\r\\n I get along with him every now and then.<br>\\r\\n…かな。」<br>\\r\\n Every now and then.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母はそんな私を見てくすくす笑っていた。<br>\\r\\nMy mother laughed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、母がどうして急にアキヒトおじさんの話を切り出すのかよくわからずにいたが、年齢相応に深く考えずにいた。<br>\\r\\nI didn't know why she brought up the subject, but I didn't really pay attention to it, because I was too young.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n思えば、この時にも報せはあったと思う。<br>\\r\\nNow that I think about it, she was breaking the news.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私がその感覚を報せだと気付けなかっただけ。<br>\\r\\nI just didn't notice it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ねぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Reina-chan,<br>\\r\\n礼奈ちゃんは、お母さんとお父さんとどっちが好き？」<br>\\r\\n who do you like better, your father or me?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お母さん。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父が嫌いなわけじゃなかったけど、これだけ楽しませてくれた母を即答するのは当然だと思った。<br>\\r\\nIt wasn't that I hated my father or anything, but I thought giving her that answer was appropriate, after she spoiled me so much.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「もしも、お母さんとお父さんが別々のお家に住むことになったら、礼奈はどっちのお家に住みたい？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"If I said I'm going to live in another house away from your father, which of us would you like to live with?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……えっと。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Ummm.<br>\\r\\n………？」<br>\\r\\n Huh.........?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お母さんね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm thinking about divorcing your father and getting married to Akihito-san.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんと別れて、アキヒトおじさんと結婚しようと思うの。」<br>\\r\\nAt that time, my mother was a very successful woman.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその当時、母はかなりの成功を収めていた。<br>\\r\\nI didn't know this at the time, but she was drafted by a headhunter to work at a bigger company, where she was promoted to a higher and more responsible position, one where she could bring out the most of her talent.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は知らなかったが、すでにもっと大きな会社に引き抜かれ、ますますに責任があり、才能を発揮できる立場になっていたのだ。<br>\\r\\nOf course, the position wasn't the only thing she gained.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろん立場だけじゃない。<br>\\r\\nCompared to my father's low salary, my mother was earning enough money to support a family of three and still have some left over.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nアルバイト程度の収入しか入れられない父と違い、母の収入は一家三人の家計を支えてなお余りあるほどだった。<br>\\r\\nI'd kind of realized it from the way she spent money.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、母の羽振りから何となくわかっていた。<br>\\r\\nThe greater a position she achieved, the more she spent time with people at her level.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母は活躍すればするほどに格は上がり、自らの格に相応しい人たちと交流するようになっていた。<br>\\r\\nAll of them were bright and talented.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな人たちは皆、才能に溢れ、輝いていた。<br>\\r\\nCompared to them, my father might've looked unattractive to her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれに比べれば、父が霞んで見えることもあったのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nI liked Uncle Akihito.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確かにアキヒトおじさんを好きではあった。<br>\\r\\nBut, I liked him as one of my mother's friends, not in the same way I liked my father.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、それは他人というカテゴリーの中では好きという程度で、父と比べられる次元ではない。<br>\\r\\nI liked my father and mother equally, so it was very shocking to me that my mother wanted to divorce him. I felt as if the ground below me was beginning to crack.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父も母も好きな私にとって、母が父と別れたいと切り出すことは、足元の大地が裂けてしまうのと同じ衝撃があった。<br>\\r\\nThat expression, I realized, actually fit my situation very well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてその表現は、この上なく適切だったことがすぐに分かる。<br>\\r\\nI had to choose which side of the cracked ground I wanted to stand on.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n裂けた大地の、どちら側かを選ばなければならなかったからだ。<br>\\r\\nMy mother told me to live with her, at her new house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母は、こちらの家で一緒に住もうと言った。<br>\\r\\n'Her new house' meant the house Uncle Akihito lived in.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、アキヒトおじさんという他人がいる家のことだ。<br>\\r\\nI thought a house was a sanctuary for a family.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n家と家族は聖域だと思っていた。<br>\\r\\nI believed that a house was a holy place where strangers couldn't easily enter.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n他人が土足で踏み込めない神聖な場所だと信じていた。<br>\\r\\n...That was why I couldn't believe her. How could she let a stranger invade such a holy place so easily?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だからこそ、そんな神聖な場所に、他人を安易に踏み込ませる母の常識が信じられなかった。<br>\\r\\nWhy do you hate my father?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんをどうして嫌いになったの？<br>\\r\\nMy mother looked down and didn't answer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母は答えず、少し俯いた。<br>\\r\\nI asked her another question.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はさらに言葉をかける。<br>\\r\\nWhy can't you stay with my father?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nねぇ、どうしてお父さんと一緒じゃだめなの？<br>\\r\\nI think that was the hardest and the most heartbreaking of all questions for my mother to answer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私のその問い掛けは、おそらく母にとってももっとも鋭く胸をえぐるものだったと思う。<br>\\r\\nIn short, my mother had cheated on him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nはっきり断じてしまうなら。これは母の浮気だった。<br>\\r\\nShe loved another man who was more attractive than my father. It was just that and nothing more.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父より魅力のある人に情が移った以上のどんな言い方があるというのか。<br>\\r\\nI knew more than anybody that it wasn't my father's fault.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父に何の落ち度もないことは、他ならぬ私自身がよく知っていた。<br>\\r\\nFirst of all, he decided to move from Hinamizawa to support my mother as much as he could.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそもそも、雛見沢から引っ越すのだって、母を最大限に応援しようという気持ちで決めたはず。<br>\\r\\nFor him, nothing good had come from that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父個人にとっては何もいいことはなかったはずだ。<br>\\r\\nActually, I think he had a very tough time since we moved to Ibaraki.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n実際、父は引っ越してきてからとても辛い日々を送っていたと思う。<br>\\r\\nBut, he volunteered to be her support and tried very hard to do that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれでも、影から母の支えになれればと、目立たないところで一生懸命がんばってきたんじゃないか。<br>\\r\\nI thought my mother appreciated his support.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母だって、父のそんな内助の功に感謝しているのではなかったのか。<br>\\r\\nSo...<br>\\r\\nだから。<br>\\r\\n I took her decision as a betrayal.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……これは母の裏切り行為だと思った。<br>\\r\\nI told her that I disagreed with everything, including their divorce.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、母の離婚も含めて全てに嫌だと言った。<br>\\r\\nI said it very loudly and made everybody in the store jump.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n店中の人がこちらに振り返るくらいの大声で。<br>\\r\\nSure, continue your relationship with Uncle Akihito, but don't divorce my father.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nアキヒトおじさんとは今までのように親しい関係を続ければいいじゃない。<br>\\r\\nI feel bad for him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんが可哀想。<br>\\r\\nI feel terrible for him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなのじゃお父さんが可哀想だ。<br>\\r\\nHe has been doing nothing but support you patiently this whole time. How could you do such a cruel thing to him?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんはずっとお母さんを影で支えてきてくれたのに、これじゃああんまりにお父さんが可哀想だ。<br>\\r\\nI screamed as loud as I could.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう、あらん限りの声で叫んだ。<br>\\r\\nThen my mother answered.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも母は言った。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...It's<br>\\r\\n…もうね、<br>\\r\\n too<br>\\r\\n遅いの、<br>\\r\\n late.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nと。<br>\\r\\nWhy?!<br>\\r\\nどうして？！<br>\\r\\n You haven't talked with my father about this, have you? It's not too late!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんにまだ何も言ってないんだから、遅いなんてことないでしょ？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お母さんね。<br>\\r\\n ......pregnant.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………妊娠してるの。」<br>\\r\\nI don't know whether my mother actually told him about the divorce in person.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母が父に、離婚したい旨を直接会って話したかどうかは分からない。<br>\\r\\nA middle-aged woman who called herself a lawyer came to the house several times to talk to my father on my mother's behalf. She sometimes called him, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nただ、母の弁護士だと名乗る中年の女性が現れ、玄関や電話で何度かやり取りをしていたのは見た。<br>\\r\\nMy father begged the lawyer to let him speak directly to my mother many times, but it never happened.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父は弁護士に、妻と直接話したいと何度も懇願したが、それはかなわないようだった。<br>\\r\\nI could tell by the way they talked that he had no clue when my mother told him she wanted a divorce.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのやり取りから思うに、父にとって母の離婚は余りに唐突で、寝耳に水に違いなかった。<br>\\r\\nWell, again, I'm not even sure if she told him in person.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいや、それどころか、直接会って聞かされたかどうかもわからない。<br>\\r\\nThe lawyer told him not to meet my mother, not to call her at work, and many other things, too.<br>\\r\\n弁護士は父に、直接の面会、職場への連絡その他を何から何まであれこれと制約し、<br>\\r\\n To top it all off,<br>\\r\\nとどのつまり、<br>\\r\\n she told him not to see my mother ever again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n二度と母に会うなと告げた。<br>\\r\\nHe wanted to talk to her. He called some of their mutual friends, but he only found out the name of the guy she was having affair with and nothing more.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれでも母と話がしたくて、父も知る母の友人たちに連絡を取ったが、浮気の相手の名が分かる以上の何もなりはしなかった。<br>\\r\\nHe asked me,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父が私に、相手の男を知っているか？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Do you know the guy?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nと聞いたので。<br>\\r\\nI told him,<br>\\r\\n私は知ってるよ、<br>\\r\\n \\\"I do.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nと答えた。<br>\\r\\nI also told him<br>\\r\\n色々とお菓子をくれる面白いおじさん。<br>\\r\\n that he was a funny guy and had given me candy many times.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうも言った。<br>\\r\\n...I'll never forget how he looked when I told him that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………その時の父の形相が忘れられない。<br>\\r\\nHe hit me for the first time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父は私に初めて手を上げた。<br>\\r\\nHe hit me so hard that his hand print stayed on my cheek for a while.<br>\\r\\n平手の後がしばらく残るくらいに力強く。<br>\\r\\n Then, he fell on the floor and cried loudly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれから父は床に突っ伏し、わんわんと泣いた。<br>\\r\\nAnd then, I started to cry, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n少し遅れてから、つられるように私も泣いた。…叩かれたからじゃない。<br>\\r\\n...I didn't cry because he hit me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はアキヒトおじさんにやさしくしてもらっていたから、その好意に応える形で、私も好意を持って接していたのだ。<br>\\r\\nUn<NAME> was kind to me, so I liked him, and talked to him out of courtesy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………いや、そもそも、女の子は誰にでもやさしくすべき。<br>\\r\\n...No, that wasn't it. Girls had to be kind to everybody.<br>\\r\\n…そう思っていた。<br>\\r\\n ...That's what I thought.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、違った。<br>\\r\\nBut, I was wrong.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n世の中には、やさしくするべき大勢と、そもそもやさしくしてはいけない「敵」がいることを知った。<br>\\r\\nI learned in this world that there are people you should be nice to, and \\\"enemies\\\" you shouldn't be nice to.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「敵」は存在するだけで私の生活を破壊してしまう、悪い人のこと。<br>\\r\\nThe \\\"enemies\\\" are the ones who would destroy my life with their very existence.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n別に悪意があるかどうかは問題じゃない。<br>\\r\\nWhether they mean to harm me or not doesn't matter.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n花壇に勝手に生える雑草と同じ。<br>\\r\\nThey're like weeds growing in a flowerbed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nたんぽぽに何の罪もないだろうけれど、チューリップのための土の養分を吸い取ってしまうから、抜いてしまわなくてはならない。<br>\\r\\nDandelions are innocent, but they take all of the nutrition for the tulips from the soil. That's why we have to pull them out.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nたんぽぽに何の罪がなくても。<br>\\r\\nThe dandelions did nothing wrong...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それが、<br>\\r\\n But, they're<br>\\r\\n「敵」。<br>\\r\\n the enemy.<br>\\r\\n悪い人。<br>\\r\\n Enemies are bad people.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう、あの男性は、悪い人だったのだ。<br>\\r\\nThat guy was a bad person.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの男性を受け入れてはいけなかった。<br>\\r\\nI shouldn't have accepted him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全身全霊で拒絶するべきだったのだ。<br>\\r\\nI should've rejected him with everything I had.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうすることによって、母との仲を少しでも縁遠くすることができたのではないか。<br>\\r\\nBy doing so, I might've been able to disrupt their relationship.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうすることによって、母をあの男性とうまくやっていけるという気にさせずに済んだのではないか。<br>\\r\\nBy doing so, I might've been able to make my mother feel like their relationship was not going to work.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだったなら、………私自身の努力によって、両親の仲は壊れずに済んだのかもしれないのだから。<br>\\r\\nIf I tried to do so... my parents wouldn't have had to break up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父と二人して流す涙だったが、…二人の涙は少しだけ意味が違う。<br>\\r\\nMy father and I cried together... but, we cried for different reasons.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父にとっては、あまりに突然で理不尽な出来事への涙だったに違いない。<br>\\r\\nHe must've cried because it happened so fast and didn't make any sense to him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、私にとっては。<br>\\r\\nI cried<br>\\r\\n今日を回避するための何かの選択肢を選べる機会があったはずなのに、それを見過ごしたことへの後悔の涙だった。<br>\\r\\n because I regretted that I let it happen when I had the chance to prevent it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父は私の頬を撫でると、謝りの言葉を告げようと口を開き、<br>\\r\\nMy father stroked my cheek and opened his mouth to apologize<br>\\r\\n……だけれどもそれすら言えずに、私と一緒に泣いた。<br>\\r\\n ...but he couldn't speak and just cried with me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその後、弁護士に連れられて、私だけが母と面会できることになった。<br>\\r\\nOne day, the lawyer let me see my mother.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母は、こちらの家で一緒に生活しようと誘ってくれた。<br>\\r\\nMy mother asked me to live with her at her house again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は何と返事をしていいか分からず、じっと俯きながら、母の謝罪に耳を傾けるだけだった。<br>\\r\\nI didn't know what to say, so I just kept looking down and listened to her apologies.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの日、私だけが会えることは父も知っていた。<br>\\r\\nMy father knew that I was going to see my mother on that day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから父は、母に渡してほしいと手紙を託していた。<br>\\r\\nSo, he handed me a letter and told me to give it to her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何が書いてあるかは知らない。<br>\\r\\nI don't know what he wrote in that letter.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも封筒越しに触っただけでも、中の手紙の感触がわかり、そこに綴られているだろう文面がなぜか想像できた。<br>\\r\\nBut for some reason, I was able to imagine what kind of things he wrote when I felt it through the envelope.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だって、<br>\\r\\n...After all,<br>\\r\\n封筒の中の手紙は、<br>\\r\\n the letter inside the envelope had<br>\\r\\nごわごわしていたから。<br>\\r\\n a rough surface.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父が手紙に落とした涙が、乾いて紙面を歪ませたからに違いないと思った。<br>\\r\\nHe must've been crying while writing the letter, and his tears made the letter all wrinkled when it dried.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母は手紙を受け取り、後で読むと言ってショルダーバッグにしまおうとする。<br>\\r\\nMy mother took the letter from me, told me that she'd read it later, and was about to put it in her bag.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はそれを咎め、今この場で読んでほしいと言った。<br>\\r\\nI stopped her and told her to read it there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父が、母に託せる最後の言葉を、母がどのように受け止めるか。<br>\\r\\nI wanted to see<br>\\r\\nそれを見届けたかった。<br>\\r\\n how she was going to take the last words that my father had left to her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも母は、読まなかった。<br>\\r\\nBut my mother didn't read it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあとで一人で読みたいからと言って、読まずにそのままバッグにしまった。<br>\\r\\nShe told me she wanted to read it alone later, and she put it in her bag.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、<br>\\r\\nAt that time,<br>\\r\\n悟った。<br>\\r\\n I realized.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……いや、悟るなんて曖昧なものじゃない。<br>\\r\\n...No, it was more than that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあれほどまでに明確だったのだから、<br>\\r\\nI should say<br>\\r\\n知った、<br>\\r\\n I knew<br>\\r\\nと表現するべきだ。<br>\\r\\n because it was so obvious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母が嘘をついたことを、知った。<br>\\r\\nI knew that my mother was lying.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母は父の手紙を読む気なんかさらさらなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\nShe had no intention of reading my father's letter.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私の姿が見えなくなったら、捨ててしまうつもりなのに、私の前でだけいい格好をしたくて嘘をついたのだ。<br>\\r\\nShe was going to throw it away after I was gone, but she lied just because she wanted to seem like a nice person in front of me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母の眉や口元のささやかな歪みが、「そうだ」とこれ以上なくはっきりと言ったのだ。<br>\\r\\nThe slight curl in her eyebrows and lips told me that more clearly than anything else.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその瞬間、私はようやく知った。<br>\\r\\nAt that moment, I finally knew something else.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n悪いのは、母をたぶらかした浮気相手の男だけではない。<br>\\r\\nThe guy she was having an affair with wasn't the only bad person.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの母も、悪い人だったのだ。<br>\\r\\nMy mother was also a bad person.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその瞬間を境に。<br>\\r\\nSince that moment,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私を中心とした世界から、ドライアイスが解けて跡形もなくなってしまうように、母と言う存在が霧散して消えた。<br>\\r\\n the existence of my mother disappeared from my world like dry ice evaporating.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父と母の、どちらの元に住まうかを悩む葛藤は、もう何もなかった。<br>\\r\\nI didn't have to hesitate about whom to live with anymore.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あなたの家には行きません。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't want to go to your house.<br>\\r\\n私の家は竜宮の家です。<br>\\r\\n The Ryuugu house is my home.<br>\\r\\nもうあなたとも会いたくありません。<br>\\r\\n I don't want to see you anymore.<br>\\r\\n二度と呼ばないでください。」<br>\\r\\n Please don't even call me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「でもね礼奈、お父さんの方に残ったらこれからの生活…、」<br>\\r\\n\\\"But Reina, if you live with your father, you won't have...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、生まれて初めて、自分の名前に嫌悪感を持つ。<br>\\r\\nAt that moment, I hated my name for the first time in my life.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私のこと。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Please<br>\\r\\n気安く礼奈って呼ばないでください。<br>\\r\\n don't call me Reina ever again.<br>\\r\\n…失礼します。<br>\\r\\n ...I have to go now.<br>\\r\\nさようなら。」<br>\\r\\n Goodbye.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが、<br>\\r\\nThose were<br>\\r\\n母への、<br>\\r\\n my last words to my mother...<br>\\r\\n……いや、母だった女性への最後の言葉となった。<br>\\r\\n no, to the woman who used to be my mother.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれから、長いような短いような、季節感のまったくない日々が続いた。<br>\\r\\nAfter that, I spent many days without feeling anything. I didn't know if the days were long or short. I didn't know which season I was living in.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母が家にいない生活は、そう珍しいものではなかったはずなのに。<br>\\r\\nIt was supposed to be nothing out of the ordinary, not having my mother around.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…母がこの家にいたことを示すあらゆる痕跡、<br>\\r\\n...But, every time my father saw things that reminded him of her...<br>\\r\\n……母の歯ブラシとか、<br>\\r\\n like her toothbrush,<br>\\r\\nマグカップとか、<br>\\r\\n her tea cup,<br>\\r\\n愛読書とか、<br>\\r\\n or her favorite books,<br>\\r\\n…そういうものが目に付く度に、父は涙し、私はイラついた。<br>\\r\\n he shed tears, which left me frustrated.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、家中に残る母の痕跡を、全て綺麗に片付けてしまおうと思った。<br>\\r\\nThat's why I decided to completely remove her belongings from the house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれらを乱暴に黒いゴミ袋に放り込んでいくうちに、<br>\\r\\nI roughly threw her things into a black trash bag.<br>\\r\\nだんだんと片付け方が乱暴になり、<br>\\r\\n I started to do so frantically.<br>\\r\\n母の衣装ケースを倒し、<br>\\r\\n By the time I knocked down her wardrobe,<br>\\r\\nオルゴールを叩きつけ、<br>\\r\\n threw her music box hard on the floor,<br>\\r\\n三面鏡を割った頃から、……。<br>\\r\\n and broke her mirror...<br>\\r\\n………………<br>\\r\\n.........<br>\\r\\n記憶がぼやけた。<br>\\r\\n my mind was already not working properly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………これ以上を思い出そうとすると、<br>\\r\\n.........When I try to remember what happened after that...<br>\\r\\n……頭がぼんやりしてくる。<br>\\r\\n I feel disoriented.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの頃、医者にもらった薬は、服用すると必ず頭がぼんやりして、無気力になったからだ。<br>\\r\\nThat's because the pills the doctor gave me back then made me feel disoriented and lethargic every time I took them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあのダルさが相当堪えたらしく、<br>\\r\\nIt seems that dullness hit me especially hard,<br>\\r\\n………あの頃のことを思い出そうとすると、決まって、あの無気力薬を服用したのと同じ気分にさせられる…。<br>\\r\\n since every time I try to remember that time, it makes me feel disoriented and lethargic, just like the pills made me feel...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……母の匂いがするものをことごとく打ち壊したが。<br>\\r\\n...I destroyed everything that smelled like my mother,<br>\\r\\n…一番壊したかったのは、自分だったのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n but the thing I wanted to destroy the most might've been myself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母の痕跡を全て消し去っても、なお消えない後悔は、最後には自分自身に向けられた。<br>\\r\\nEven after I threw all of her belongings away, I still couldn't stop feeling regret, and I decided to blame myself in the end.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあるいは、母の成功に彩られた人生を、娘である私自身を穢すことで泥を塗ってやりたいと思ったのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nMaybe I was thinking that I wanted to do damage to her reputation and successful life by destroying her daughter, destroying myself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその、<br>\\r\\nWhen I was about to reach<br>\\r\\n……本当に最後の最後の、本当に最後の時。<br>\\r\\n that very last resolution...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまが、来てくれたのだ。<br>\\r\\nOyashiro-sama came to me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまは言った。<br>\\r\\nOyashiro-sama told me<br>\\r\\n雛見沢に帰ろうと。<br>\\r\\n to go back to Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう、これは全部、祟りだったのだ。<br>\\r\\nYes, all of this was because of his curse.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢を捨ててはいけないというオヤシロさまの決まりを破ったから訪れた、竜宮家への神罰だったのだ。<br>\\r\\nOyashiro-sama brought a curse upon the Ryuugu family because we broke his rule and abandoned Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうと分かれば、<br>\\r\\nAfter I figured that out,<br>\\r\\n………<br>\\r\\n .........<br>\\r\\n母がいなくなってからの、へんてこりんなおかしな世界は全て説明がついた。<br>\\r\\neverything started to make sense to me, all the crazy things that happened after my mother was gone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまの祟りが私たちの上に降りかかっているのだ。<br>\\r\\nThe curse of Oyashiro-sama did all of that to us.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、雛見沢に早く帰っておいでという、オヤシロさまの呼び声。<br>\\r\\nIt was Oyashiro-sama's voice that was telling us to come back to Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう。<br>\\r\\nThat's right.<br>\\r\\n雛見沢にずっといればよかった。<br>\\r\\n We should've stayed in Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n引っ越したからおかしくなってしまった。<br>\\r\\n Everything went crazy because we moved.<br>\\r\\n私たちは、雛見沢に帰らないといけなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\n We had to go back to Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………頭がぼんやりして、……鈍痛が走る。<br>\\r\\n...I started feeling disoriented again... and a dull pain ran through my head.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれ以上は無理に思い出すなという、私自身の悲鳴なのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nIt might be a scream from within me telling me not to push myself too hard to remember any further.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nかつて雛見沢に住んでいた家は、元のまま残っていた。<br>\\r\\nThe house where we used to live in Hinamizawa was still there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n祖母はすでになくなっていて、唯一残してくれた財産だったという。<br>\\r\\nMy grandma already passed away, and the house was the only property she left for us.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢に住んでいたことは覚えていても、小学校に上がる直前まで住んでいた村…というだけでは、やはり記憶はかなり薄れていた。<br>\\r\\nI remembered that I used to live in Hinamizawa, but all I remembered was that it was a village that I used to live in until right before I went to elementary school.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何となく覚えているのは雰囲気だけ。<br>\\r\\nI remembered the atmosphere of the village, too, but that was all I remembered.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n道も地図も全然思い出せないし、あの頃、親しく遊んでいた友人たちが何と言う名前だったかも思い出せなかった。<br>\\r\\nI forgot the streets and even the names of close friends I used to play with.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nご近所の人たちは、亡くなった祖母の息子夫婦が離婚で戻ってきたことは理解していたが、<br>\\r\\nThe neighbors knew that the son of the deceased woman had come back divorced,<br>\\r\\nだからといって私たちに面識があるわけではなく、無論、私にだって面識はなかった。<br>\\r\\n but they didn't know us and we didn't know them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな、限りなく初めてに近い土地。<br>\\r\\nSo, it was almost like we moved to a new place.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………ではあっても。<br>\\r\\n...However, as far as I was concerned,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私にとってこここそは、帰るべき故郷だったのだ。<br>\\r\\nit still was my hometown that I had to come back to.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれまで住んでいた茨城に比べ、何もかもが田舎的で、その不便な生活には、私も父も戸惑った。<br>\\r\\nAt first, everything was inconvenient compared to life in Ibaraki, and it was hard for both of us to adjust.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、リフォームした昔の家は、私と父だけの家。<br>\\r\\nBut, we renovated the old house, and it was only me and my father.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこでの新生活は、父から離婚の悲しみを忘れ去らせてくれるようだった。<br>\\r\\nLife here seemed to make my father forget his pain from the divorce.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私も、魅ぃちゃんに親切にしてもらって、少しずつ生活に馴染んでいった。<br>\\r\\nMii-chan was very kind to me, and I started to get used to my new life, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は母の代役をきっちりとこなし、父と二人三脚で少しずつ少しずつ、…幸せな時間を取り戻していったのだ。<br>\\r\\nI did everything around the house, and we gradually went back to a time when we used to live happily.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰だって、幸せに過ごせるはずなんだ。<br>\\r\\nAnybody can live a happy life.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n不幸の星の下なんて言葉、幸せになるための努力をさぼる連中の言い訳だ。<br>\\r\\nPeople sometimes say that some people are born to be unhappy, but I believe that's just an excuse for people who don't even want to try.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、不幸な運命になんて屈しない。<br>\\r\\nI won't give in to fate.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n絶対に絶対に、失われた時間を取り戻して、…元の幸せな日々を。<br>\\r\\nI'll never give up trying to recapture the happy times that I lost...<br>\\r\\n…幸せな日々であることすら忘れてしまうくらいに、幸せを飽食できる日々を取り返してやるのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...I'm going to become happy to the point where I don't even feel the happiness anymore.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう泣かない。<br>\\r\\nI'm not going to cry anymore.<br>\\r\\n泣くもんか。<br>\\r\\n I'll never cry again.<br>\\r\\n流す涙は、父に頬を叩かれたあの夜に全て流し尽くした。<br>\\r\\n I used up all of my tears on that night my father hit me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまの祟りは、雛見沢に帰ってきたからもうおしまいなんだ。<br>\\r\\nThe curse of Oyashiro-sama is over because we came back to Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、これからは幸せになるんだ…。<br>\\r\\nSo, I'm going to have a happy life from now on...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、雨で溜まった水が一気に零れて、車の天井をバタバタバタ！っと叩く音に驚かされ、私は我に帰る。<br>\\r\\nAll of a sudden, big raindrops hit the roof of the car, and I recovered my senses.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n外は相変わらずの雨。<br>\\r\\nIt was still raining hard.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいつの間にかもう真っ暗だ。<br>\\r\\nIt had already gotten dark outside.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n電気スタンドの灯りで作られる影は墨よりも黒くて深く、そこには何もないかのようだった。<br>\\r\\nThe shadows the table lamp created were very dark, and it looked as if there's nothing else around me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなら、…この灯りを消したら、<br>\\r\\nIf I turned off this light<br>\\r\\n…世界を全部なしにできるのかな。<br>\\r\\n ...would everything in this world disappear?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n灯りを、<br>\\r\\nI turned off...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……消してみる。<br>\\r\\n the light.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n漆黒の闇に呑み込まれる私。<br>\\r\\nDarkness swallowed me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、空気の冷たさと雨音だけは何も変わらず、相変わらずこの世界に私が居続けている現実を、素っ気無く突きつけてくれていた。<br>\\r\\nBut, the cold air and the sound of rain didn't change a bit, and that made me realize I was still in this world.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまの祟り、か。<br>\\r\\nThe curse of Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまの祟りで一家がおかしくなってしまったのか。<br>\\r\\nDid the curse of Oyashiro-sama do those crazy things to my family?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n離婚に非を感じる私が、自分のせいでないと思いたくて作り出した、自分以外の適当な言い訳なのか。<br>\\r\\nOr did I convince myself it did as an excuse for myself because I didn't want to feel guilty about the divorce?<br>\\r\\n…………たまに分からなくなる。<br>\\r\\n ...Sometimes I'm not sure.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあれ以来、オヤシロさまが私の元に訪れることはない。<br>\\r\\nSince that time, Oyashiro-sama hasn't come to me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……病んだ私が生み出した妄想だったのではないかと感じる時もある。<br>\\r\\n...I sometimes feel like it was a delusion I created because I was mentally ill.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、<br>\\r\\nBut...<br>\\r\\n…………あの時、<br>\\r\\n ...he did come<br>\\r\\n本当に来た。<br>\\r\\n at that time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれだけは間違いなかった。<br>\\r\\nI'm sure about that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…ね、オヤシロさま。<br>\\r\\nAm I right, Oyashiro-sama?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢を出て不幸になった私が、雛見沢に帰ってきて幸せになれたのうれしいよ。<br>\\r\\nI was unhappy after I left Hinamizawa. But, I came back and I'm happy now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも。<br>\\r\\nBut,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢の中で不幸になった私は、今度はどこへ行けばいいのかな、<br>\\r\\n where am I supposed to go now that I'm unhappy in Hinamizawa?<br>\\r\\n…………かな。<br>\\r\\n ...Where?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だめだレナ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Stop it, Rena...<br>\\r\\n…不幸になったとか考えちゃいけない。<br>\\r\\n ...Don't think that you're unhappy.<br>\\r\\n私は幸せなんだ。<br>\\r\\n I am happy.<br>\\r\\n幸せになるんだ。<br>\\r\\n I will be happy.<br>\\r\\nだから……絶対に幸せになれるんだ……！」<br>\\r\\n I can definitely be happy...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの暗闇に飲まれたら、きっと私は二度と幸せにはなれない。<br>\\r\\nSuddenly, I felt that if this darkness swallowed me, I'd never be able to be happy again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n急にそんな気がして、私は電気スタンドのスイッチを探り当て、灯りをつけた。<br>\\r\\nI found the switch of the table lamp, and turned it back on.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n時計を見ると、午後の１１時をとっくに過ぎていた。<br>\\r\\nWhen I looked at the clock, it was already pastn11 PM.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそろそろ帰らないと、明日のお弁当の準備もできない。<br>\\r\\nI had to go home. I wouldn't have time to prepare my lunch for tomorrow.<br>\\r\\nせめて炊飯器のタイマーをセットしなくちゃ。<br>\\r\\n At least, I'd have to set the timer on the rice cooker.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雨はまだ止む様子はないのかな。<br>\\r\\nIt didn't look like the rain was going to stop anytime soon.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そう思い、窓を覗くが、自分の顔が映るばかりで外はまったく見えなかった。<br>\\r\\n...I looked out of the window to see the rain, but could only see my reflection.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n窓ガラスに映る自分に、私は話しかける。<br>\\r\\nI talked to that reflection in the window.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんが楽しそうにしているのは素敵なこと。<br>\\r\\nI'm so glad that my father's happy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だって、お父さんはずっと死んだみたいだったから。<br>\\r\\n...He'd been acting like he was dead for a long time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのお父さんが笑顔を取り戻してくれたのは、幸せな生活を取り戻しつつある証拠。<br>\\r\\nThe smile on his face is a good sign that he's regaining his former happy life.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだって、…お父さんを深く悲しませたのは、<br>\\r\\nHe became miserable...<br>\\r\\n……私が悪かったから。<br>\\r\\n because of me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、お父さんが笑顔を取り戻して、私たちが本当に幸せになれるまで、私が気を遣うのは当り前なこと。<br>\\r\\nThat's why I don't mind doing things for him until he regains his smile and we become truly happy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここで私がひとりで過ごせば、多分、お父さんにとっても邪魔でなくていいだろうし、<br>\\r\\nWhen I stay here alone for a while, it gives him some time to be alone with her...<br>\\r\\n…私だって、作りたくもない笑顔を作らなくて済むのだから。<br>\\r\\n plus I don't have to fake a smile.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、<br>\\r\\nBut then...<br>\\r\\n………今度はガラスに映る自分が囁きかけてくる。<br>\\r\\n my reflection in the window tells me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは本当にいい子だね。<br>\\r\\nRena, you're such a good girl.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……全ての人を公平に愛して、やさしくして。<br>\\r\\n...You're kind to everybody and love them equally.<br>\\r\\n誰にでも好かれるようにできるよね。<br>\\r\\n You can make anybody like you.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでもね。忘れちゃった…？<br>\\r\\nBut, did you forget something...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの世には、…やさしくしてあげていい大勢の人々と、<br>\\r\\nIn this world, there are people you should be kind to...<br>\\r\\n…全力で拒絶しなければならない、<br>\\r\\n and<br>\\r\\n「敵」<br>\\r\\n enemies<br>\\r\\nがいることを、学んだんじゃなかったっけ……？<br>\\r\\n that you have to reject with all you've got. I thought you learned that lesson...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだめだ、耳を貸しちゃいけない。<br>\\r\\nNo, don't listen to her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………ガラスに映る自分はいつも意地悪だ。<br>\\r\\n...My reflection is always mean.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n言葉が悪くて、いつも私の気苦労を馬鹿にして。<br>\\r\\nShe always says mean things and makes fun of my worries.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だけど、私が言いたくても言えないことをいつも、そのままに言ってくれて…。<br>\\r\\n...But, she always tells me things that I can't say myself...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n帰ろう、レナ。<br>\\r\\nLet's go home, Rena.<br>\\r\\n自分の家へ。<br>\\r\\n To your home.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n意地悪な鏡の中のレナのことは忘れよう。<br>\\r\\nForget about the mean Rena in the mirror.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう言えば、ちょっぴりお腹が空いた。<br>\\r\\nI was a bit hungry by then.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあれだけいっぱい食べたのに、…やっぱりお腹が空くんだね。<br>\\r\\nAfter all the desserts I ate... I still got hungry.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだ。<br>\\r\\nI almost forgot.<br>\\r\\n………リナさん、ショートケーキを買ってくれたんだっけ。<br>\\r\\n ...Rina-san bought me a shortcake.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nエンジェルモートのショートケーキって食べたことないけど、きっとおいしいんだろうな。<br>\\r\\nI've never had a shortcake from Angel Mort, but I bet it'll taste good.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんに会ったら、おいしかったですよってお礼を言わないと。<br>\\r\\nI'd have to give my thanks to Rina-san the next time I see her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…リナさんは、ちょっと育ちが知れるような言葉遣いの人だけど、きっと悪い人じゃないよ。<br>\\r\\n...Rina-san speaks in a way that makes it very clear how she grew up, but I'm sure she's a good person.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだって、お父さんとあれだけ仲良しなんだもん。<br>\\r\\nThat's because she's so good to my father.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私がどうやっても見ることができなかったお父さんの笑顔を、リナさんはあっさりと引き出してしまったのだから。<br>\\r\\nI did everything I could to make my father smile, but I failed. On the other hand, Rina-san can put a big smile on his face so easily.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんに感謝しないと。<br>\\r\\nI have to thank Rina-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんを元気付けてくれてありがとうって、感謝しないと。<br>\\r\\nI have to thank her for cheering up my father.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、……どうしてかな。<br>\\r\\nBut... I don't know why.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あの人の香水が、<br>\\r\\n......I just don't like...<br>\\r\\n……どうしても好きになれなくて…。<br>\\r\\n her perfume...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おーー、来た来た。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey! Good morning, Rena.<br>\\r\\nおっはよーーレナぁ！」<br>\\r\\n You're late today!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははははは、今日は圭一くんの方が早かったね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahaha, you're just early today, Keiichi-kun.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「普段を棚に上げるわけじゃないが、俺が朝の待ち合わせでレナに勝つなんて珍しいこともあるもんだぜ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm not trying to put aside the fact that I'm always late, but it feels good to defeat you once in a while.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぅ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hau,<br>\\r\\nレナ、今朝はちょっとお寝坊した。<br>\\r\\n I slept in this morning.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n昨夜、寝付かれなくってね。」<br>\\r\\n I couldn't sleep last night.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナもか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, you too?<br>\\r\\nなはははは、実は俺も何だよ。<br>\\r\\n Nahahahaha, same here.<br>\\r\\n昨日の大騒ぎの余韻がずーっと残っててさ。<br>\\r\\n I was still feeling yesterday's uproar.<br>\\r\\n布団に入ってても、なかなか眠くならなくて夜が長く感じたぜ。」<br>\\r\\n It took me a long time to go to sleep.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n昨日はみんなで大騒ぎして、その余韻が残ったまま帰宅した。<br>\\r\\nYesterday, I had a lot of fun with my friends and went home still riding that high.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお腹がいっぱいだったこともあり、食事にはほとんど箸を付けられなかったけど。<br>\\r\\nI was too full to eat dinner.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は昨日や今日がいかに楽しかったかを、両親にずーっと語り続けたのだった。<br>\\r\\nI kept talking with my parents about the great time I had over the past few days.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n楽しくて興奮が覚めなくて、寝付けなかったなんて、まるで幼稚園児並みだな、俺。<br>\\r\\nI was so pumped up that I couldn't go to sleep. Kinda sounds like I'm a little kid...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、レナも同じだったので、安心した。<br>\\r\\nBut, given that Rena seemed to be the same way, I felt better about it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……いや、安心したというよりは、同じ気持ちを共有していたのが何だか嬉しかったと言うべきか。<br>\\r\\n...No, \\\"I felt better\\\" isn't the right way of phrasing it. I should say \\\"I'm glad\\\" to know that we shared the same feeling.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nきっとレナも、あの後、ゴミ山へ宝探しに行き、たくさんかぁいいのを見付けて意気揚々と帰宅し、<br>\\r\\nRena went treasure hunting after I left. I'm sure she found many adorable things, went home,<br>\\r\\n両親に今日一日がどれほど楽しかったかを、いつまでもいつまでもしゃべっていたに違いないのだ。<br>\\r\\n and talked with her parents about how great the day was.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あ、魅ぃちゃんだー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, Mii-chan!<br>\\r\\nおっはよ〜！！」<br>\\r\\n Good morning!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おおーー、魅音が先に待ってるなんて、今日は雪が降るかもなぁ！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, you're here early! Better watch out for the pigs falling from the sky!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「人が珍しく先に待ってりゃ、そういうこと言うわけぇ？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I know I usually make you wait for me, but do you really have to say it like that?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはは、それを言ったら、私より先に待ってた圭一くんも珍しいよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahaha, Keiichi-kun was unusually early this morning.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雪が降るかもね☆」<br>\\r\\n Today is full of miracles!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Aha ha ha!<br>\\r\\n人のこと言えないね！」<br>\\r\\n You're one to talk yourself!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやっぱり、いつも通りの楽しい日常が今日も始まるんだ。<br>\\r\\nIt's going to be another happy day today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n一昨日が楽しかった。<br>\\r\\nI had fun the day before yesterday.<br>\\r\\n昨日が楽しかった。<br>\\r\\n I had fun yesterday.<br>\\r\\nだから今日も絶対に楽しい。<br>\\r\\n So, I'm going to have fun today for sure.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺も楽しくて幸せだし、魅音だって楽しくて幸せ。<br>\\r\\nI'm happy, and Mion is happy too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろん、レナだってみんなみんな楽しくて幸せだった。<br>\\r\\nOf course, Rena and my other friends are equally happy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんなにも幸せな日が、このままいつまでも続けばいいな、と。<br>\\r\\nI'm not afraid to say it,<br>\\r\\n今朝は素直にそう思うのだった。<br>\\r\\n and I wish these happy days would last forever.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なぁ魅音。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, Mion.<br>\\r\\n今日は何をして遊ぼうなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n What are we playing today?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今日の部活？<br>\\r\\n\\\"What, for club?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nうーーーーん、何がいいだろうねぇ。<br>\\r\\n Hmmmmmmm, I don't know yet.<br>\\r\\nレナは提案ある？」<br>\\r\\n Rena, do you have any ideas?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだね…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Let's see...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n昨日、一昨日と体を使うゲームが続いたから、今日はあんまり体に激しくないゲームがいいなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n We've been playing athletic games for the past few days, so I'd say something not athletic.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're right.<br>\\r\\nレナの言うのも一理あるぜ。<br>\\r\\n That's a very good point.<br>\\r\\n部活は肉体勝負だけが全てじゃねえだろ？」<br>\\r\\n Our club is not only about athletic performance, is it?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「もっちろん！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Of course it's not!<br>\\r\\n心、技、体、全ての要素において完璧であってこそ部活メンバーだからねぇ！<br>\\r\\n Our club members have to have brains, skill, and brawn to boot!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nじゃあ今日は、何かテーブルゲームで遊ぶことにしよう。」<br>\\r\\n So, why don't we play some tabletop games today?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nみんながみんな、今朝は早かったから。<br>\\r\\nEverybody was early this morning.<br>\\r\\nいつになくのんびりとした登校が出来た。<br>\\r\\n We could enjoy our walk to school for once.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその後、もうすぐお祭りが近いね、という話になった。<br>\\r\\nAfter a while, we started talking about the upcoming festival.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n綿流しというお祭りで、雛見沢の年間行事では一番にぎやかになるらしい。<br>\\r\\nThey told me that the festival was called \\\"Watanagashi<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだそうだ、昨日、興宮の家に親類が集まって色々と話が出たんだけどさ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yesterday, my relatives gathered at my house in Okinomiya.<br>\\r\\n圭ちゃんの話題が出たんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n And they started talking about you, Kei-chan.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お、俺ぇ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"What? Me?<br>\\r\\n園崎家の重鎮が集まって、一体何の相談だよ…。」<br>\\r\\n What did the great people of the Sonozaki family talk about...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いやさ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well...<br>\\r\\n昨日のエンジェルモートでの圭ちゃんの活躍を見てた、店長の義郎叔父さんがさ、<br>\\r\\n my Uncle Yoshiroh is the store manager of Angel Mort, and he saw your performance yesterday.<br>\\r\\n圭ちゃんのことを相当気に入っちゃったみたいでさ。<br>\\r\\n He really likes you now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれで色々と話を聞いてみたら、他の親類も意外に圭ちゃんのことを知ってる人が多いんだよね！<br>\\r\\n So, I started asking the others if they had heard of you, and I found out that most of them did!<br>\\r\\n雛見沢の名物男みたいな言われようだったよ。」<br>\\r\\n They said you're famous in Hinamizawa.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「め、名物男ってのはまた微妙な称号だな…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Famous? Doesn't sound like they meant it in a good way...<br>\\r\\nその称号の９割方は魅音の罰ゲームに関係があるような気がするぞ。」<br>\\r\\n I'm probably more infamous to them because of the punishments you made me do.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それだけじゃないけどさ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's not only that.<br>\\r\\nノリもいいし元気があって無鉄砲なところも、今時の若い子にしては感心感心とみんなベタ褒めだったよ。」<br>\\r\\n They said that you blend in well, that you're full of energy, and that you're a little bit reckless. They said it's rare for a young man in this era to have all those qualities. They were very impressed with you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分の与り知れぬところで、勝手に褒められてるってのも、…何だか気恥ずかしいものだ。<br>\\r\\nI felt... a bit embarrassed to know that people I haven't even met were speaking well of me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「でね、今度の綿流しのお祭りで、何かで活躍してくれないかなぁって話が出てね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"And so, they want you to do something at the Watanagashi festival.<br>\\r\\n圭ちゃん、目立つこととか好きでしょ？」<br>\\r\\n You like to draw people's attention, don't you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おいおいおいおい！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey!<br>\\r\\n本人不在で勝手に話を進めるなー！<br>\\r\\n Don't assume things, and don't decide anything without me!<br>\\r\\n俺は孤独と静寂を愛するロンリーガイだぜー？」<br>\\r\\n Don't you know I'm a quiet, lonely guy who loves to be alone?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっはははははっは！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah hahahahaha ha!!<br>\\r\\nだぁれがロンリーガイだー！<br>\\r\\n Lonely guy?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nチェリーボーイの間違いでしょー？<br>\\r\\n You mean 'cherry boy', don't you?<br>\\r\\nくっくっくっく！」<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh heh!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぅ〜、チェリーって何だろ、何だろ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hm? What's a cherry boy...?<br>\\r\\n圭一くん、チェリーボーイ…はぅ…。」<br>\\r\\n Hau... Keiichi-kun, what does 'cherry boy' mean...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うをおおおぉおぉお！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Whooooaaaaah!!<br>\\r\\n年頃の娘どもが朝っぱらからはしたないこと言ってんじゃねぇえぇー！！」<br>\\r\\n Stop talking about nasty things! Ladies don't talk about things like that!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやっぱり、俺たちは昨日の余韻がまだ抜けきっていないようだった。<br>\\r\\nWe really were still feeling the aftereffects of yesterday.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまだ学校にもたどり着いてない内から、俺と魅音ははしゃぎ合う。<br>\\r\\nMion and I made a lot of noise teasing each other on the way to school.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはそれを見守りながら、楽しそうに笑うのだった。<br>\\r\\nRena watched us and laughed happily.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n学校に着けば、それは沙都子や梨花ちゃんもまったく同じだった。<br>\\r\\nSatoko and Rika-chan were already there when we arrived at school. They were also full of energy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n昨日、一緒にはしゃいだ、富田くん岡村くんの後輩コンビにしても同じことだった。<br>\\r\\nTomita-kun and Okamura-kun were too. From that, I can tell that they also had a good time yesterday.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰もが、ずっと楽しい時間を続けている。<br>\\r\\nEverybody has been having a good time, really.<br>\\r\\nここでは、誰もが幸せだった。<br>\\r\\n In Hinamizawa, everybody is happy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……まだ引っ越してきて、１年も経ったわけじゃないけどさ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...It hasn't even been a year yet since I moved here, but...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ん？ どしたの突然。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hm? What is it?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いやさ、………雛見沢に引っ越してきて、俺、幸せになったなぁって。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well... I'm just glad that I moved here.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Aha ha ha ha!<br>\\r\\nどうしたの圭ちゃん、急に臭いこと言い出してー。」<br>\\r\\n What's wrong, Kei-chan? You're being sentimental.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナには分かるよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I understand.<br>\\r\\n雛見沢に引っ越してきて、全てが幸せになった気持ち、よく分かる。<br>\\r\\n I understand exactly how you feel. You feel like everything is perfect, that you've become happy since you moved to Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n……この村にはね、きっと人を幸せにする魔法がかかってるんだと思うから。」<br>\\r\\n ...I think this village has some kind of power to make people feel that way.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナは、幸せか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Are you happy, Rena?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\nレナは雛見沢に引っ越してきてからが、毎日幸せだよ。」<br>\\r\\n I'm happy every day here in Hinamizawa.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだな、そいつは俺もだ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, me too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ちょ、ちょっとー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"...H-Hey!<br>\\r\\n何かおじさんだけ除け者っぽくない？！<br>\\r\\n Don't leave this ol' man out in the cold!<br>\\r\\nぶーぶー！」<br>\\r\\n Let me in on the conversation too!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n空は澄み渡っていて、千切れ飛ぶ雲はまぶしいくらいに真っ白。<br>\\r\\nThe sky was clear, and the few thin clouds were pure white.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nセミの声は、例年より夏の訪れがずっと早いことを教えてくれている。<br>\\r\\nThe cry of the cicadas was telling me that summer would be coming earlier than usual.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもうすぐ、綿流しか。<br>\\r\\nWatanagashi is just around the corner.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nきっと、楽しいお祭りになる。<br>\\r\\nI'm sure we'll have great fun at the festival too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、俺は仲間たちと一緒に、もっともっと楽しい時間を過ごしていくんだ。<br>\\r\\nThere will be more and more fun days to come, I'm sure of it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本当の夏の訪れは、すぐそこだった。<br>\\r\\nSummer is just around the corner.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nようやく学校の授業が終わり、放課後の部活の時間になる。<br>\\r\\nThe last class of the day was finally over, meaning that it was time for club activities.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nきっと今日も楽しい部活になるだろう。<br>\\r\\nI was sure it would be fun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nみんなと一緒に大はしゃぎして楽しく過ごそう。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't wait.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、魅ぃちゃんに電話があり、急なバイトが入ってしまったため、お流れになってしまった。<br>\\r\\nBut then Mii-chan received a call and told us something had come up and she had to go. So, we didn't have a club meeting today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…ちぇ。<br>\\r\\n...Tsk.<br>\\r\\n…楽しみにしてたのにな。<br>\\r\\n ...I was really looking forward to it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仕方がない。<br>\\r\\nThere was nothing I could do,<br>\\r\\nせめて圭一くんと楽しくおしゃべりしながら帰ろう。<br>\\r\\n but I could at least chat with Keiichi-kun on the way home. It'll be fun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n時々、意地悪なことを言うけど、圭一くんはとっても面白い。<br>\\r\\nKeiichi-kun sometimes says mean things, but he's very funny.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼とおしゃべりをしていると、いつの間に憂鬱な気分を忘れてしまうんだから。<br>\\r\\nWhen I chat with him, my depression goes away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………何だろう。<br>\\r\\n...Wait, what did I just say?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、……憂鬱なの…？<br>\\r\\nAm I... depressed...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n日々の生活は楽しくて、これ以上ないくらいに幸せなのに。<br>\\r\\nI have so much fun every day, and I'm as happy as I can be.<br>\\r\\n………私は何に憂鬱になっているの？<br>\\r\\n ...What did I have to be depressed about?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……私が何を嫌ってるか、分かってる。<br>\\r\\n...Well, it was obvious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、リナさんのお陰でお父さんはとても元気になった。<br>\\r\\nBecause of Rina-san, my father is happy now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n少なくとも、リナさんに出会う前までのお父さんは良くて昼行灯。<br>\\r\\nBefore he met her, he was like a lamp in broad daylight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n悪く言えばただの無気力な屍だった。<br>\\r\\nHonestly, he was like the living dead.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが、リナさんと交際するようになってから、まるでお母さんとまだ仲良く暮らしていた頃のような笑顔を浮かべるようになった。<br>\\r\\nBut after he met Rina-san, he started to smile like he used to when he was living with my mother.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんとおしゃべりしたり、遊びに行ったり。<br>\\r\\nHe enjoyed talking with her and started going out with her.<br>\\r\\n…デートなんだろうな。<br>\\r\\n You could probably say they went on dates.<br>\\r\\nお父さんは１０か２０は若返ったように見えた。<br>\\r\\n Now, he looks ten, no, twenty years younger.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんは、お父さんととても仲がいいし、…私にだって仲良くしてくれる。<br>\\r\\nRina-san gets along with my father very well... and she's very kind to me, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が嫌わなくてはならない理由は、<br>\\r\\nThere's actually...<br>\\r\\n……本当はない。<br>\\r\\n no reason for me to hate her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、<br>\\r\\nBut<br>\\r\\n…………<br>\\r\\n......<br>\\r\\n父母が離婚した時の苦い思い出と、<br>\\r\\n the bitter memories of my parents' divorce<br>\\r\\n何べんもした後悔が、<br>\\r\\n and my many regrets<br>\\r\\n胸の奥をじわじわと侵食するのだ。<br>\\r\\n were gradually eating away at my heart.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの女を、私は受け入れてもいいのだろうか。<br>\\r\\nWas it okay to accept that woman?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんはひょっとすると、<br>\\r\\nRina-san might be the same as<br>\\r\\n………お母さんの時の、<br>\\r\\n how Uncle Akihito...<br>\\r\\n……アキヒトおじさんに当たる人なのだろうか。<br>\\r\\n turned out to be...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本人には例え何の悪意がなかったとしても。<br>\\r\\nIs she the enemy who takes my happiness away with her very existence...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n存在し続けるだけで、私から幸せを奪ってしまう「敵」ではないだろうか。<br>\\r\\n with or without bad intentions?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、また何かの致命的な破局を迎えてしまうまで、漫然と過ごしてしまうのだろうか。<br>\\r\\nAm I going to sit around until everything collapses again?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何かが手遅れになる前に、<br>\\r\\nShould I fight<br>\\r\\n……「敵」と<br>\\r\\n the enemy<br>\\r\\n戦うべきではないのか。<br>\\r\\n ...before it's too late?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだって、リナさんは……あまりにも明け透けに私の家に出入りしすぎる。<br>\\r\\nRina-san... comes to my house a little too... obviously.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんがリナさんをうちに入り浸らせるようになってから、リナさんの私物が少しずつ家に増えてきた。<br>\\r\\nSince my father started letting her stay the night, many of her belongings have turned up in the house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんも私も煙草を吸わないのに、いつの間にか居間には灰皿がある。<br>\\r\\nMy father and I don't smoke, but there's an ashtray in the living room.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n客間の布団はいつの間にかリナさんの専用になっている。<br>\\r\\nThe futon in our guest room is hers now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n洗面所には、私が絶対選ばないような歯ブラシがあり、<br>\\r\\nIn the bathroom, there's a toothbrush<br>\\r\\nお風呂場には、私が絶対選ばないようなシャンプーが置いてある。<br>\\r\\n and shampoo I'd never choose to buy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなものに違和感を感じ始めた頃から、<br>\\r\\nI started to feel awkward about those things...<br>\\r\\n……帰宅して玄関に入った瞬間に、感じるようになったのだ。<br>\\r\\n and that's when I started noticing it at the front door when I came home from school.<br>\\r\\nあの人の、香水の匂いを。<br>\\r\\n Her perfume.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんに、リナさんと結婚するつもりなの、と直入に聞いたことがある。<br>\\r\\nI asked my father once if he was thinking about getting married to Rina-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n照れるような、困るような、曖昧な顔を浮かべながら、まだそのつもりはないよ、と答えた。<br>\\r\\nHe looked a little embarrassed, perplexed, and confused. He told me, \\\"not yet.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんも、私がお母さんの離婚で心に傷を負っていることを知っていた。<br>\\r\\nHe knew I was hurt by the divorce.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、再婚を私には切り出せなかったろう。<br>\\r\\nThat's probably why he couldn't admit that he wanted to remarry.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だから、まだそのつもりはない、という言い方になる。<br>\\r\\n...That's why he said, \\\"not yet.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいつかは再婚を考えてもいいが、私が同居している内は考えない。<br>\\r\\nHe'd consider it, but not while I was still living with him.<br>\\r\\nそういう意味だろう。<br>\\r\\n That's what he meant, I guess.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が、お父さんとリナさんの再婚を嫌っている理由はたったひとつ。<br>\\r\\nThere's only one reason why I don't want him to get remarried to Rina-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私にとっての家族という聖域を侵されることに不快感を感じるからだ。<br>\\r\\nI feel offended that my sanctum, my family, is being invaded.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、それは私ひとりのわがままなのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nI might be being selfish, though.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだって、私がお父さんを独り占めし続けるということは、<br>\\r\\nI know keeping my father all to myself means...<br>\\r\\n…お父さんはリナさんに会う以前の、暗く落ち込んだ状態のまま、ずっと暮らしていこうということなのだから。<br>\\r\\n keeping him miserable like he was before he met Rina-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんにだって、人生がある。<br>\\r\\nHe has a life to live too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n離婚の傷を癒し、新しい恋に生きようとするのも、お父さんの権利だ。<br>\\r\\nIt's his right to heal from the pain from the divorce and to live, to find his new love.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそもそも、私がお母さんの離婚を未然に防げたら、お父さんはこんなにも辛い人生を歩まなくてよかったのだから。<br>\\r\\nHe wouldn't have had to go through that painful life if I'd prevented the divorce from happening in the first place.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからお父さんには、味わわなくてもよかった辛さを忘れられる、新しい幸せな人生を歩む権利があり、それを私が拒む資格はまったくない。<br>\\r\\nHe has a right to a happy new life that lets him forget the pain he never deserved, and I don't have any right to stop him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………それどころか、私は父の幸せな日々を取り戻すために、努力をしなければならない義務がある。<br>\\r\\n...In fact, I have an obligation to try to return his happiness to him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……母の離婚を防げなかった罪を、滅ぼさなくてはならないのだ。<br>\\r\\n...I have to pay for my sin, my inability to prevent his divorce.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなら、私もお父さんも二人とも幸せになれるにはどうすればいいのか。<br>\\r\\nThen, what should I do to make both of us happy?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そんなに難しいことじゃなかった。<br>\\r\\n...It wouldn't be that difficult.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんとリナさんの交際を、私が黙認すればいいのだ。<br>\\r\\nAll I'd need to do would be to give my silent approval of their relationship.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんも、私が一緒に居る内は再婚しないと言ってる。<br>\\r\\nMy father tells me he won't get remarried while we live together.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから私は、家族というものに依存しようとする弱い自分から決別し、早く独り立ちすればいいのだ。<br>\\r\\nThat means I should stop leaning on my family, be strong, and live on my own as soon as I can.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、だからといって、その日までリナさんとの交際を控えてくれなんて言えるわけもない。<br>\\r\\nAlthough, that doesn't mean I can tell him not to go out with her until that day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんは仕事の合間を縫っては遊びに来るし、勤務シフトが合えば泊まってさえ行く。<br>\\r\\nRina-san comes to our house to see him despite her busy schedule, and she even stays the night whenever her shifts permit.<br>\\r\\n………大人同士の付き合いだ。<br>\\r\\n ...They're adults.<br>\\r\\n私に何も言えた義理はない。<br>\\r\\n I have no right to say anything against that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから。<br>\\r\\nThat's why...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、お父さんとリナさんの交際を黙認し、<br>\\r\\nThat's why I chose to give my silent approval to their relationship<br>\\r\\n……リナさんとなるべく顔を合わせないことを選んだ。<br>\\r\\n and tried to see her as little as I could.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんとは表面上は仲良くやっている。<br>\\r\\nI get along with Rina-san on the surface.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…不仲にすれば、お父さんは両方の顔を立てるために心を痛めるだろうから。<br>\\r\\n...I know my father would have a hard time keeping face if we didn't.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、好きになれない相手と上辺だけでも仲良くするのは、とても疲れる苦痛な行為。<br>\\r\\nBut, it's a very exhausting and painful thing to get along with a person I don't really like.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから私は、リナさんが家にやってくると分かっている時は、多くの時間を外で費やし、家には遅くなってから帰るようにしていた。<br>\\r\\nSo, whenever Rina-san comes over, I spend as much time as possible outside, then head home late.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんの部活は、そんな私の時間潰しにはこの上なく都合がよかった。<br>\\r\\nMii-chan's club activities are the most convenient things to do to kill time.<br>\\r\\nでも、毎日あるわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n But there are some days we don't have a club meeting.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、部活がなく、そのまま下校になってしまった日には、ゴミ山で宝探しというひとり遊びをして時間を潰した。<br>\\r\\nOn those days, I while away my time at the garbage dump, hunting for treasure alone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、………作ったのがあのゴミ山の隠れ家というわけだ。<br>\\r\\nAnd... that's how I started to make my secret hideout.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんとリナさんは家で仲良くしていればいい。<br>\\r\\nMy father can do whatever he wants with Rina-san at home.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして私は、そんな二人に無理に顔を合わせず、私の隠れ家で、心にやさしい時間を過ごせばいい。<br>\\r\\nI don't have to see them together. I can spend my time peacefully at my hideout.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………こんな生活に、憂鬱さを感じることはある。<br>\\r\\n......I sometimes feel depressed about my life.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰かに吐露したいと思うこともある。<br>\\r\\nI sometimes want to talk to somebody about it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、……何を相談したって、何もない。<br>\\r\\nBut... nothing will change, even if I talk to somebody.<br>\\r\\nだって、これが最善なのだから。<br>\\r\\n This is all I can really do.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私にとって今、一番大切なことは、自分だけの家族を喪失することに対する悲しみを早く乗り越え、私の幸せを掴むことだ。<br>\\r\\nThe most important thing for me should be to overcome the sadness of losing my family as fast as I could, and to regain my own happiness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだって、毎日はこんなにも楽しくて幸せで。<br>\\r\\nI have so much fun every day. I'm happy every day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…今だって、こうして下校の道でさえ、圭一くんがさっきから面白おかしい話をたくさん聞かせてくれて、私を退屈させない。<br>\\r\\n...Even on the way home, Keiichi-kun was talking about funny things that made me laugh.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんな憂鬱なことに頭を満たしてしまっているのは、彼に対して失礼なくらいだ。<br>\\r\\nMy feeling gloomy in spite of that was kind of rude.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんはお父さんで、幸せになる。<br>\\r\\nMy father should be happy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は私で、幸せになる。<br>\\r\\nI should be happy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n辛さを感じるのは、私がまだ親離れができていないだけのことなのだ。<br>\\r\\nI just feel sad because I still can't separate from my father.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだって、お母さんの離婚の時の唐突さに比べたら、リナさんの侵食なんて、これ以上ないくらいの緩やかな変化じゃないか。<br>\\r\\nCompared to the unexpectedness of the divorce, Rina-san's invasion is a very slow process.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんだって、私のそういう心情を理解してくれていると思う。<br>\\r\\nI think Rina-san understands how I feel.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私にやさしくしてくれるが、必要以上に構わない。<br>\\r\\nShe treats me very kindly, but she doesn't do more than that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nかえって私が心苦しく感じることを分かっているのだろう。<br>\\r\\nI think she understands that I'd feel uncomfortable if she did.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n両親を失っても、たくましく生きている梨花ちゃんを尊敬する。<br>\\r\\nI respect Rika-chan, because she's strong even without her parents.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n唐突に父母を両方失ってしまう辛さに比べたら、私の悩みの何と下らないことか。<br>\\r\\nCompared to the pain of losing both her parents unexpectedly, my problem is like nothing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n両親を失い、それだけでなく、叔父夫婦に辛い生活を強いられてきた沙都子ちゃんのたくましさにも、尊敬を感じる。<br>\\r\\nI respect Satoko-chan's toughness, too. She also lost her parents and was forced to live a painful life under her uncle and aunt.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子ちゃんが叔父夫婦に受けていた仕打ちに比べれば、私とリナさんの関係がどれほど恵まれたものか。<br>\\r\\nCompared to the cruel treatment she had to go through, my relationship with Rina-san is a blessed one.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……私がまだまだ幼いから、<br>\\r\\n...I keep feeling anxious, but that's just because<br>\\r\\n…親離れを急がされる不安感を感じてしまうだけ。<br>\\r\\n I'm still immature, and because I feel like I'm not ready to separate from my father.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんや沙都子ちゃんのように、私もたくましくあろう。<br>\\r\\nI have to be strong like Rika-chan and Satoko-chan.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして私も私なりにがんばって、私の幸せを掴み取るために努力しよう。<br>\\r\\nI have to try my best to be happy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの日以来、失ってしまった心の安寧を得るために、<br>\\r\\nI'm going to live with all my might...<br>\\r\\n……がんばって生きていこう。<br>\\r\\n in order to regain the peace of mind that I lost that day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が自分は不幸だと思い込んでいるだけ。<br>\\r\\nMy assumption that I'm not happy is just a mistake.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n素敵な友人たちと過ごす、素晴らしい日々を享受しよう。<br>\\r\\nI should appreciate the wonderful days I spend with my wonderful friends.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が、自分は幸せだと気付くだけで、こんなにも世界は輝いて見えるのだから。<br>\\r\\nJust by realizing that I'm happy, the world shines so brightly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それでね、それでね！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Listen! Listen!<br>\\r\\nあんまりにもかぁいいからレナ、はぅ〜お持ち帰りーー！！って☆」<br>\\r\\n It was just sho kyute, so I screamed, 'I'm taking it home with me!!'\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっははははは……やれやれ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahh hahahahaha... I bet you did.<br>\\r\\nレナは毎日を楽しく過ごすことに関しては達人だなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n You're an expert at making the most out of every day.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナは毎日が楽しいよ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"I am, aren't I?<br>\\r\\nこんなにも素敵な友人たちに囲まれて過ごす、こんなにも素晴らしい日々があって、どうして不幸が感じられる？」<br>\\r\\n I feel very fortunate to have a wonderful life and wonderful friends. How could I be unhappy?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're right.<br>\\r\\n不幸なんかここにはないよ。<br>\\r\\n In Hinamizawa, nobody becomes unhappy.<br>\\r\\nいつまでも楽しくて、不幸なことなんかとは一切無縁！<br>\\r\\n Everybody stays happy!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが雛見沢ってとこなんだからよ！」<br>\\r\\n Hinamizawa is free from misfortunes!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこでやめておけば、そこそこかっこよくまとまったのに。<br>\\r\\nHe should've stopped right there.<br>\\r\\n圭一くんの余計な一言が後に続く。<br>\\r\\n But, he just kept going.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナがうらやましいよなぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm jealous of you, Rena.<br>\\r\\nその悩み知らずな能天気さが羨ましいぜー！」<br>\\r\\n I wish I could be an idiotic optimist like you!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…はぅ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Hau...<br>\\r\\n馬鹿にされてるっぽい気がする……。<br>\\r\\n It sounds like you're insulting me......<br>\\r\\n…でも、毎日が楽しいなら、……私は能天気でもいいかな。<br>\\r\\n But, if that's what I need to make every day wonderful... I wouldn't mind.<br>\\r\\n…………………かな。」<br>\\r\\n ...Would I?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私には悩みなんかない。<br>\\r\\nI don't have any worries.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n悩みに感じるのは、父さんに甘えたりない私の未熟さなんだ。<br>\\r\\nI feel like I do, but that's just because I'm immature and still want my father's attention.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nほら。<br>\\r\\nCome on.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいつもの魔法の言葉を言おう。<br>\\r\\nSay the magical words.<br>\\r\\nそれできっとまた、元気になれるよ。<br>\\r\\n It'll cheer you up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぅ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hau...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ん？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hum?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n会話の脈絡はないけれど。これは自分で自分を元気付ける魔法の言葉。<br>\\r\\nIt didn't make sense to say it now, but I was going to say it anyway, because this is my magical phrase that always cheers me up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぅ〜〜☆<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hauuuu☆!<br>\\r\\nお〜持ち帰りぃ〜〜〜！！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm taking it home with me!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははははは、何だよ突然。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahaha, what's wrong with you?<br>\\r\\nでも、それでこそレナだぜ！」<br>\\r\\n That's so like you, but still!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう。<br>\\r\\nThat's right.<br>\\r\\nそれがレナ。<br>\\r\\n This is me, Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんとお母さんに甘えたりない礼奈じゃなくて。<br>\\r\\nI'm not Reina. Reina still wants her parents' attention.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……馬鹿で能天気でお調子者で、だけれども日々が幸せに満ちていることを知っていて、それを感謝することができるやさしさを持っているのが、レナ。<br>\\r\\n...Rena is a goofy and carefree girl. She knows that every day is full of happiness and she has the kind heart to appreciate it, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n“いや”なことは全部、忘れてしまおう。<br>\\r\\nI should forget about icky things.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全部忘れて、“いや”なことなんか無い、素敵な人生を歩みなおそう。<br>\\r\\nI should live a wonderful life free of anything icky.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、“い”を。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Icky\\\" starts with \\\"I\\\".<br>\\r\\n………私は捨てたんだっけ。<br>\\r\\n ...And that's why I got rid of the \\\"I\\\" in \\\"Reina\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はレナ。<br>\\r\\nI'm Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢から出て行った時に失った幸せを、この雛見沢でもう一度取り返す。<br>\\r\\nI'm going to recapture the happiness I lost when I left Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n辛さや試練を乗り越えろ。<br>\\r\\nI will overcome any pain and hardship.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は幸せになれる。<br>\\r\\nI can be happy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだって、“い”やなことはもう全部捨てたのだから。<br>\\r\\nBecause I got rid of 'i'-cky things.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n後にはいいことしかないはず。<br>\\r\\nI'm sure there are only incredible things waiting for me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………あ。<br>\\r\\n......Oh.<br>\\r\\n…………いいことも、“い”なんだ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Incredible\\\" starts with \\\"I<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………………。<br>\\r\\n.........<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもうじき私の家が見えてくる…、というところで、普段と違う様子に気付く。<br>\\r\\nI was almost home... and when my house appeared, I noticed something different there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n家の前には、トラックが止まっていた。<br>\\r\\nThere was a truck parked in front of my house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n荷台に荷はなかったが、ダンボールや毛布、転倒防止用のロープなどが散らかっていて、何かを運んできたことはすぐにわかる。<br>\\r\\nThere was nothing on the back of it, but I can tell it brought something here, because I saw some cardboard boxes, blankets, and ropes on the ground.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n玄関の方から、若い男性二人のよく揃った声で、<br>\\r\\nFrom the front of the house, I heard voices of two young men saying,<br>\\r\\n「それでは失礼いたしますー！」と聞こえてきた。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, we'll be going now.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n玄関へ向かう途中にその二人とすれ違う。<br>\\r\\nThey passed me by as I walked towards the front door.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n作業服のようなものを着た二人で、運搬業者という感じだった。<br>\\r\\nThey were wearing some kind of work uniforms. They looked like delivery people.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父は来客を帰し、扉を閉めようというところで私と目が合った。<br>\\r\\nMy father was about to close the door when he noticed me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ただいま。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, I'm home.<br>\\r\\n………何かあったの？」<br>\\r\\n ......What's going on?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お帰り礼奈。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, Reina.<br>\\r\\n見てごらん、すごいぞ。」<br>\\r\\n I have a surprise for you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんはとても上機嫌そうだった。<br>\\r\\nMy father looked to be in a good mood.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなぜそうなのかの理由が分からなかったが、お父さんがこんな晴れ晴れしい笑顔を見せてくれると、私も笑顔で返してあげたくなる。<br>\\r\\nI didn't know why he was, but whenever he smiled like that I just wanted to smile back at him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私がどんな笑顔を見せようとも、…ずっと死んだ魚の目をしていたお父さん。<br>\\r\\nHis eyes used to look like those of a dead fish no matter how hard I tried to smile at him...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが、私を驚かせたくて笑顔を作れるようになったのだ。<br>\\r\\nBut these days, he could put on a big smile just to surprise me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢に引っ越してからの一年、……いや、リナさんとの交際を始めてからのお父さんは、文字通り生き返ったかのようだった。<br>\\r\\nHe has been literally coming back to life since a year ago when we moved back to Hinamizawa... no, since he started dating Rina-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんなお父さんを見る時、私はうれしくなると同時に、リナさんに感謝すべきか戸惑いを覚える。<br>\\r\\nWhen I see him smile like this, I'm happy. But at the same time, I feel confused because I don't know whether I should thank Rina-san or not.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほら、すごいだろう？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Look, doesn't it look great?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんが見てごらんとばかりに、居間に私を誘った。<br>\\r\\nHe took me to the living room.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nきっとお父さんは、私がそれを見て、感嘆の声をあげることを期待していると思った。<br>\\r\\nHe was probably expecting me to go all \\\"ohh\\\" and \\\"ahh\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、居間に何があろうともなかろうとも、私は感嘆の声をあげる心の準備をしていた。<br>\\r\\nSo, whether there was something in the living room or not, I was ready to go \\\"ohh\\\" and \\\"ahh\\\" for him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…うわぁ………、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Wow.<br>\\r\\nな、<br>\\r\\n What...<br>\\r\\n…なにこれ。<br>\\r\\n What is this?<br>\\r\\n…ど、どうしたのお父さん！」<br>\\r\\n ...Wh-What did you do?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は上擦ったような、驚きと感嘆の入り混じった声を上げる。<br>\\r\\nI tried to sound excited and surprised.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私の後ろに立つお父さんは、その声を聞いて満足げに笑っているに違いない。<br>\\r\\nHe was standing behind me, probably smiling with satisfaction at hearing my excited voice.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも私の声とは裏腹に、…私は目の前の光景がどういうことになっているのか、理解しようと必死だった。<br>\\r\\nI, on the other hand... was desperately trying to understand what was going on.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n一瞬、我が家かどうかを疑った。<br>\\r\\nFor a moment, I thought I was in someone else's house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなぜなら、居間が綺麗さっぱり模様替えされていたからだ。<br>\\r\\nYou see, the living room had been completely redecorated.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nうちにある家具は基本的に、前の茨城の家から持ってきたものがほとんどだ。<br>\\r\\nThe furniture we had was all basically from the former house in Ibaraki.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれらはかつての両親が結婚した時に買ったものばかりだそうだから、古くなったり薄汚れたりしたものがほとんどだった。<br>\\r\\nMy parents bought most of the furniture when they got married, so it was all old and a little dirty.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n中には幼い自分がクレヨンで書いた落書きが残っているものもあったっけ。<br>\\r\\nSome of them still had crayon scribbles I drew when I was very little.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそういった、古ぼけたものは一切なくなっていた。<br>\\r\\nBut all of that was gone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n部屋全体がパステル的な色でまとめられ、テレビドラマで見るような、お洒落な都会のマンションのような雰囲気だった。<br>\\r\\nEverything in the living room had turned a pastel color, looking very sophisticated like the rooms you'd see in soap operas.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n絨毯は南国的なイメージのものに変わっていた。<br>\\r\\nThe new carpet looked very tropical.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nカーテンもそのイメージに合わせてあるようだ。<br>\\r\\nThe new curtains matched with the carpet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nソファーも何だかとってもお洒落な感じ。<br>\\r\\nThe new sofa looked very expensive.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……まるでリゾートホテルか何かのようだった。<br>\\r\\n...The living room, in general, looked like a resort hotel.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nチャンネルが壊れて抜けてしまったため、ペンチで摘んでチャンネルを変えていたボロテレビは、最新の大画面テレビに変わっていた。<br>\\r\\nThe channel switcher of our old TV was broken, and we used to have to use pliers to change channels. But it was gone too, replaced by a new one with a big screen.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n照明器具も、何だかお洒落なものに変わっている。<br>\\r\\nThe room's lights had also been replaced by nicer-looking ones.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n新品の蛍光灯の真っ白い光が、この部屋をまるで別世界のように照らし出していた。<br>\\r\\nThe living room looked like a totally different world under the new fluorescent lights.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「す、……すごいね、お父さん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Th-This looks great, Dad.<br>\\r\\nこれはどうしたの？」<br>\\r\\n What made you do this?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「心機一転さ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I did it to get a fresh start.<br>\\r\\nもう引っ越してきて一年にもなるんだから、お父さんもそろそろ気分を切り替えて新しい生活に踏み出さないとなって思ったんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n It's been a year since we moved here. I thought it was time for me to reboot and finally start a new life.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n引っ越しても、まだ離婚の傷が癒せずにいるお父さんを元気付ける意味で、私も部屋の模様替えを提案したことはある。<br>\\r\\nI suggested redecorating the house once in order to cheer him up, because he was still in pain after the divorce.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、欝になっていたお父さんはそんなことに興味は示さなかったし、<br>\\r\\nBut he wasn't interested at the time.<br>\\r\\n…ああいう破局を迎えても、心のどこかでまだ踏ん切りがついていないらしくて、かつて母と共に選んだのだろう、古い家具を捨てるのを嫌っていた。<br>\\r\\n ...He didn't want to get rid of the old furniture he had chosen with my mother, because he still couldn't get over her even though she cruelly broke up with him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、何かの折を見て、模様替えをもう一度提案しようとずっと思ってはいたのだが…。<br>\\r\\nI wanted to suggest it again when the time was right...<br>\\r\\nまさかそれを父が自発的に行なうとは思わなかった。<br>\\r\\n I never thought he'd do it on his own initiative.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That was a good idea.<br>\\r\\nあはははは、こんな綺麗なお部屋だと心も晴れ晴れするもんね。<br>\\r\\n Ahahahaha, this beautiful living room makes me feel refreshed.<br>\\r\\n素敵なお部屋だと思うよ〜！」<br>\\r\\n I love it!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いいだろう？<br>\\r\\n\\\"I knew you would.<br>\\r\\nほら礼奈、お前、揺り椅子に憧れてたろう？<br>\\r\\n Reina, you always wanted to have a rocking chair, didn't you?<br>\\r\\nまだ組み立ててないけど、ほら！<br>\\r\\n I haven't set it up yet, but look!<br>\\r\\nちゃんとあるんだぞー。」<br>\\r\\n I got it for you!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぅ〜！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hauuuuu!!<br>\\r\\nお父さん、すごいすごいすごいー！<br>\\r\\n Dad, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!<br>\\r\\nこれ私がもらってもいいのかな、かな！」<br>\\r\\n This is mine, right? Right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こらこら、それはみんなの共用のものだから、礼奈だけってわけじゃないんだぞ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, this is for everybody.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはははあはは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahaahaha!<br>\\r\\n共用でもレナが占領しちゃうからだめー。<br>\\r\\n I understand, but I'm not going to get off the chair once I sit on it!<br>\\r\\nあははははは。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahaha.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんは得意げに、模様替えの居間を色々と説明してくれた。<br>\\r\\nMy father explained the details of his redecoration proudly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうも、今回は居間だけらしいが、ゆくゆくは他の部屋も全て模様替えしたいようだった。<br>\\r\\nHe told me that he only did the living room this time, but he's going to redecorate all of the rooms.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんがこんなにも溌剌として積極的になるなんて。<br>\\r\\nHe sure had become more active.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n少しセンスが悪いかなぁと思う模様替えではあったけど、お父さんが元気になってくれるならそれは素敵なことだと思った。<br>\\r\\nThere are some parts about the redecoration I didn't like, but I still thought it was great, because it made him happy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nふと庭を見ると、<br>\\r\\nI found the old furniture...<br>\\r\\n…懐かしき家具が庭先に出されていた。<br>\\r\\n outside in the yard.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あれは、…捨てちゃうの？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Are you going to... throw them away?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まぁ、この際だと思ってな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, I think we should.<br>\\r\\n後で業者が引き取りに来てくれることになってる。」<br>\\r\\n A delivery company is coming later to pick them up.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n古い家具からの決別は、悪い人だったお母さんの思い出からの決別でもある。<br>\\r\\nGetting rid of the old furniture means putting an end to my mother.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……私だって、お母さんの匂いのする家具を嫌って打ち壊そうとした時があったじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n...I hated the furniture because it smelled like my mother, and I tried to break everything once.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんが、これを機に処分しようとする気持ちは何となく理解できた。<br>\\r\\nI understand why my father wants to take this opportunity to get rid of them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、<br>\\r\\nBut......<br>\\r\\n…………なぜかこの新しい居間には、<br>\\r\\n ...for some reason, this new living room makes me feel like<br>\\r\\n私の居場所がないように感じた。<br>\\r\\n I no longer belonged here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの部屋のセンスは、…お父さんのセンスじゃない。<br>\\r\\nMy father didn't choose the new furniture.<br>\\r\\n多分、リナさんのセンスだ。<br>\\r\\n Rina-san probably did.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんとリナさんが二人で模様替えを決め、二人でどこかのデパートで選んだ家具に違いない。<br>\\r\\nMost likely, my father and Rina-san decided to redecorate the living room and went to a furniture store to buy everything.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…お父さんが模様替えを私に話さなかったのは、私を驚かせたかったからだろうと好意的に受け取ろうと務める。<br>\\r\\n...I tried to think positively. The reason why my father didn't tell me about the redecoration was because he wanted to surprise me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……うぅん、そもそもお父さんはそんな深い考え方ができるような人じゃない。<br>\\r\\n...No... My father never really considers things that deeply.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私に話さなかったのは単に、私に話す必要を感じなかったから程度に違いない。<br>\\r\\nSo, I suppose he didn't tell me because he just didn't think he needed to tell me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……この家を、お父さんとリナさんの色に染め、私の居場所を奪ってしまおうなんて意味は絶対にない。<br>\\r\\n...I'm sure he didn't redecorate the living room to make me feel like I was no longer welcome.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなネガティブなことを考えちゃだめだ…。<br>\\r\\nDon't be negative, Rena...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんに悪意なんかない、…私を追い出そうなんて思ってない、…再婚の邪魔だなんて思ってない…。<br>\\r\\nMy father didn't have any bad intentions... He doesn't want to get rid of me... He doesn't think I'm the reason he can't get remarried...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも。<br>\\r\\nAnd yet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……大嫌いなお母さんの匂いのついた家具が庭に出されているのを見て、…感傷を感じてしまうのはなぜだろう。<br>\\r\\n...Why did I feel sad... looking at the old furniture in the yard?<br>\\r\\nこの居間に居場所を感じないのはなぜだろう。<br>\\r\\n Why did I feel like I didn't belong?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、…すぐにわかった。<br>\\r\\nI realized the reason... right away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私自身が、そうだったのだ。<br>\\r\\nThat reason was me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんにとって、お母さんの思い出の残るものを全て捨てて心機一転をしたいというのは、<br>\\r\\nTo him, wanting to have a fresh start by getting rid of the things that remind him of my mother might be......<br>\\r\\n………お母さんとの娘である私だって捨ててしまいたいという気持ちの無意識な吐露なのではないか。<br>\\r\\n an indication of his unconscious desire to get rid of her daughter.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……お父さんは深く考えない人だから、私が邪魔だなんて考えてはいないだろう。<br>\\r\\n...My father doesn't really consider things deeply, so he might not be thinking that I'm the reason he can't get remarried.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、私が一緒に住んでいる内は、再婚はできないことは理解している。<br>\\r\\n...But, he understands that he can't get remarried while we live together.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………結局、私がここにいるだけで、お父さんを苦しめるんだろうな。<br>\\r\\n...By staying with him, I'm torturing my father.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n離婚は私のせいなんだ…。<br>\\r\\nIt was my fault that he had to get a divorce...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからお父さんが取り戻す幸せを、私は応援しなくちゃいけない。<br>\\r\\nThat's why I have to support him, to help recapture his happiness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私がお父さんに甘えて独り占めしていたいからなんて理由で、……寄り掛かってちゃいけないんだ。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't just keep him all to myself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n独り立ちを、ちゃんと考えないと。<br>\\r\\nI'd have to start thinking about living on my own.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…進学なんか考えないで、就職を考えた方がいいのかな。<br>\\r\\n...I don't need to go to university. I should think about getting a job.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、無学な女の子が、まともな職に就けるわけもない。<br>\\r\\nBut who would hire an uneducated girl like me?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nましてや、一人で暮らしていけるような収入を得られるわけもない。<br>\\r\\nEven if somebody did hire me, I wouldn't be able to earn enough money to live on my own.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………リナさんみたいに、<br>\\r\\n...Maybe I should think about working at a hostess club...<br>\\r\\n……水商売とかを考えるべきなのかな。<br>\\r\\n like Rina-san does.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n職業に貴賎を持つのは、余裕のある人の話だ。<br>\\r\\nPeople only choose the jobs they can.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……私のような女の子を雇ってくれて、生活できるくらいの収入を得るためには、<br>\\r\\n...A girl like me doesn't have a lot of choices.<br>\\r\\n…綺麗事なんか言っていられないのかもしれない…。<br>\\r\\n Not a lot of companies would hire me or pay the amount of money that I'd need to live on my own......<br>\\r\\n…………でも、…………………………。<br>\\r\\n But............<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私の居場所は、<br>\\r\\nCome to think of it<br>\\r\\n……<br>\\r\\n......<br>\\r\\nどこなんだろう。<br>\\r\\n where is the place where I belong?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんな時、…無性にゴミ山の隠れ家が愛おしくなる。<br>\\r\\nWhenever I end up feeling like this... I miss my secret hideout in the trash piles.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nブランケットに包まって、涼しすぎる夜に暖を感じることに、この上ない愛おしさを感じるのだ。<br>\\r\\nI love to get under my blanket and feel the warmth on a cold night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n日中は蒸し暑く、夜は冷え込む過ごしにくい隠れ家。<br>\\r\\nThe hideout gets hot and humid during the day and very cold at night. It's not a comfortable place to spend time in.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…でも、ひょっとすると今やあの隠れ家は、……私の本当の家よりもくつろげる場所なのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n...But it might be the place where I can relax the most... more than I can at my house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいけない。<br>\\r\\nNo.<br>\\r\\nこういうことを考えちゃだめだ。<br>\\r\\n I shouldn't think like this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんに家を侵食されているとか思うな。<br>\\r\\nI shouldn't think that my house has been invaded by Rina-san.<br>\\r\\nお父さんを元気にしてくれてありがとうって感謝しなくちゃ。<br>\\r\\n I should thank her for making my father happy.<br>\\r\\nリナさんだって、私を追い出そうとしてなんかいない。<br>\\r\\n Rina-san isn't trying to kick me out of the house.<br>\\r\\nむしろ仲良くしようとがんばってくれてると思う。<br>\\r\\n She's trying to get along with me.<br>\\r\\nそれを私がいつまでも懐かず、逃げているだけなのだ。<br>\\r\\n But I'm not opening my heart to her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n悪いのは私の方、<br>\\r\\nI'm the bad one.<br>\\r\\n悪いのは私の方。<br>\\r\\n I'm the bad one.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして私は恵まれている方。<br>\\r\\nAnd I'm blessed.<br>\\r\\n恵まれている方。<br>\\r\\n I'm blessed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだって、……………悟史くんと叔母さんのような、徹底的に仲が悪くてずっと虐められている関係に比べたらどれほど気楽なことか。<br>\\r\\nSatoshi-kun and his aunt didn't get along at all, and she abused him for a long time. ......Compared to him, my situation is a lot easier.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n家族を完全に失って、身を寄せ合って生きている沙都子ちゃんや梨花ちゃんの苦労を思えば、のんびりと帰宅して父と過ごせる私がどれほど恵まれていることか。<br>\\r\\nSatoko-chan and Rika-chan lost their parents, and they live together now. They've been through very hard times. On the other hand, I still live with my father. I should feel blessed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんな程度で不幸せなんて思ったらバチが当たるよ。<br>\\r\\nI shouldn't think I'm unhappy just because of these things.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は幸せなんだ。<br>\\r\\nI am happy.<br>\\r\\nまだまだ恵まれてるんだ。<br>\\r\\n I am blessed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私のいけないところは、それなのに幸せだと認められないところなんだ……。<br>\\r\\nThe trouble with me is that I still can't admit that I'm happy...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんは得意気にいつまでも、模様替えの苦労話を続けていた。<br>\\r\\nMy father kept talking proudly about the redecoration.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は満面の笑顔で相槌を打ち、お父さんの話の続きを促すのだった。<br>\\r\\nI nodded at him with a big smile and let him keep at it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだ…、いけない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, I almost forgot...<br>\\r\\n礼奈、すまないんだがちょっとおつかいを頼めないか？」<br>\\r\\n Reina, can I ask you a favor?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おつかい？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Sure.<br>\\r\\nうん、いいよー。」<br>\\r\\n What is it?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お父さんな、ジャケットを２着ほど洋服屋さんに取り寄せさせてるんだ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I ordered two jackets from the clothing store.<br>\\r\\nそれがな、今日届くらしいんだ。<br>\\r\\n It seems like they came in today.<br>\\r\\nちょっとお父さんは回収業者さんを手伝わなきゃならないから、礼奈が代わりに取ってきてくれないか？」<br>\\r\\n I have to help the delivery company pick up the furniture, so can you go get the jackets for me?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん、いいよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Sure.<br>\\r\\nお店を教えて。<br>\\r\\n Which store is it?<br>\\r\\nどんなジャケットを取り寄せたんだろ？<br>\\r\\n I wonder what kind of jackets you got.<br>\\r\\n楽しみ〜！」<br>\\r\\n I can't wait to see them!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどんなジャケットにせよ、おそらくこれもまたリナさんと決めたものだろう。<br>\\r\\nNo matter what they look like, I'm sure Rina-san picked them out for him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、お父さんのおつかいに行くのは何の躊躇もなかった。<br>\\r\\nAlthough I don't mind going.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの居間で、これ以上、お父さんの自慢話に付き合わされるくらいなら、おつかいに行かされた方がずっと気楽そうだと思ったからだ。<br>\\r\\nI'd rather go to the store than listen to his stories about the redecoration of our living room.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は伝票を受け取り、お店の場所を確かめると、着替えて表に出るのだった。<br>\\r\\nI got the receipt, asked him where the store is, changed my clothes, and left the house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……表へ出て、自転車を押しながら庭に出された古き家具たちをもう一度見る。<br>\\r\\n...I started pedaling my bicycle, and looked at the old furniture in the yard for the last time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nかつては憎しみの対象だったこともあるそれらは、なのになぜか、……私に感傷の念を沸かせる。<br>\\r\\nThey used to be the object of my hatred, but for some reason... they now made me feel sentimental.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…その感情はおそらく、憎みながらも未練を絶てない母への執着なのか。<br>\\r\\n...Is it because I still regret the loss of my mother, even though I hate her?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれ以上、この感情に心を任せるときっと毒になる。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't let poisonous emotions take over my heart.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……理屈では分かっていても、私はその感情を打ち払えない。<br>\\r\\n...I understood that in my mind, but I just couldn't get rid of that feeling.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの庭にあるのは、追い出された家具だけではない。<br>\\r\\nThe old furniture wasn't the only stuff that was kicked out of the house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が宝探しで、悪ふざけで持ち帰ったガラクタもたくさんあった。<br>\\r\\nThere was also a lot of junk that I brought home from the landfill.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれらのガラクタも、多分、一緒に捨てられてしまうんだろうな。<br>\\r\\nMy father was probably going to throw that away, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんは私が集めてきたガラクタを、嫌がってたから。<br>\\r\\nHe doesn't like the junk I collect.<br>\\r\\n多分、粗大ゴミの回収業者が来たときに一緒に持って行かせてしまうだろう。<br>\\r\\n He'll probably let the delivery company take it all together with the old furniture.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…動物が自分の住処に自らの匂いを付けて、居場所と安心感を得るように。<br>\\r\\n...Just like an animal that rubs its scent on its home in order to feel secure,<br>\\r\\nこのガラクタの山もまた、私がここに居てもいいことを確認するそんな行為かもしれない。<br>\\r\\n I collected all the junk in order to make sure that I could stay here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nううん、違う。<br>\\r\\nNo, that's not it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……生んでくれた人に捨てられた、彼らを。<br>\\r\\n...I wanted to bring them to my house because they were abandoned by their former owners.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n居てもいい場所に連れ帰ってあげたかったのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nAnd they needed a place to live.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父がジャケットを取り寄せたという店は、ちょっと小洒落た感じのブティックだった。<br>\\r\\nThe store where my father ordered the jackets from is a fancy boutique.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n間違っても、父が一人で店内に入るようなことは考えられない雰囲気。<br>\\r\\nIt's hard to believe my father would shop at a store like this on his own.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……リナさんに連れられて入ったんだろうことがすぐに分かった。<br>\\r\\n...I could tell right away that Rina-san took him here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n伝票を渡すと、困ったような笑顔を浮かべた店長が店の奥からやってきて言った。<br>\\r\\nI handed over his receipt to the cashier. A short time later, the store manager came out wearing a perplexed look.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「竜宮さま、大変申し訳ございません。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ryuugu-sama, I'm very sorry,<br>\\r\\n実は入荷のトラックが高速で事故渋滞に巻き込まれているようでございまして…。<br>\\r\\n but it seems like the truck carrying your jackets is stuck in traffic...<br>\\r\\nおそらくはもうじき到着すると思うのですが…。」<br>\\r\\n It should be here soon, though...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n先ほど、どこそこのインターを降りたとの連絡があったので、あと１時間くらいで来るとか何とか。<br>\\r\\nHe said that the driver called a while ago, told him he just got off the highway, and would be here in about an hour.<br>\\r\\n書けばそれだけで済むことを、やたら回りくどく説明してくれた。<br>\\r\\n I didn't need to know all the details, but he explained them to me anyway.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n後日、改めて来た方がいいですか、<br>\\r\\nI asked him if I should come back tomorrow.<br>\\r\\nと聞くと、本当にあと少しで来るからと、応接ソファーを勧められる。<br>\\r\\n He insisted that I should wait because the truck would be coming shortly, and he urged me to take a seat on their sofa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…でも、ちょっと店内の雰囲気に馴染めなかったので、私は外で時間を潰してくると言い残し表へ出た。<br>\\r\\n...But I didn't really feel comfortable waiting there, so I told him I'd be back soon and left the store.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどこか、ファーストフードみたいなところがあればいいのだが。<br>\\r\\nI wondered if there are any fast-food restaurants nearby.<br>\\r\\n確か駅前まで戻らないとなかったと思った。<br>\\r\\n I might have to go all the way back to the station.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n周りを探すと、喫茶店が目に入った。<br>\\r\\nI looked around, and found a coffee house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n扉が真っ黒なガラスだったので、中がうかがえないのがちょっと不安だ。<br>\\r\\nThe glass on the door was black, so I couldn't see inside.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、曜日サービスで女性には紅茶が安くなる、と貼り出されているのも見える。<br>\\r\\n...But, there was a poster saying the price for a cup of tea is lower than normal for women on weekdays.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…ほんのちょっと時間を潰すだけだし。<br>\\r\\n...I'd just be going to get a cup of tea to kill some time. It should be okay.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はちょっぴりだけ躊躇した後、店のガラス戸に手をかけた。<br>\\r\\nBut still, I hesitated to go inside before opening the door.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお店に足を踏み入れての最初の印象は、煙草臭さだった。<br>\\r\\nHer first impression of the coffee house was the smell of cigarettes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n喫茶店の定義から言えば、紫煙がたなびいていることに疑問はないのだが。<br>\\r\\nIt's normal for coffee houses to be filled with cigarette smoke. It's like a requirement.<br>\\r\\n…レナは、やっぱりやめれば良かったと一瞬後悔する。<br>\\r\\n ...But Rena still regretted her decision.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n踵を返そうか、迷っている間に、無愛想なマスターに声を掛けられ、レナは諦めて促されるままに席へ座るのだった。<br>\\r\\nWhile she was thinking about leaving, the proprietor spoke to her brusquely and showed her to a table. Rena gave up on the idea of leaving and sat down.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n店内には、珈琲や煙草を楽しむサロンというイメージはなく、どちらかというと、ガラの悪いゴロツキの溜まり場といった感じだった。<br>\\r\\nThe atmosphere in the shop was far from a clean, normal coffee house where you would go to simply enjoy coffee and cigarettes. It was more like a place where vulgar people would hang around.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雰囲気も馴染めたものじゃないし、そして何よりも、一番奥のシートから聞こえてくる男女２人の黄色い笑い声がとても不快だった。<br>\\r\\nRena didn't feel comfortable at all. But, what bothered her most was the laughter of a man and a woman sitting together in the very back of the shop.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが座った席は、ちょうどプランターの陰だったので、考えようによっては、彼らの笑い声から一番守られている場所とも言えたが。<br>\\r\\nHer table was behind a planter, so depending on how one looked at it, one could say she was in the spot most protected from their laughter.<br>\\r\\n…レナは注文の紅茶を飲み干したら、すぐにでも店を出たいようだった。<br>\\r\\n ...But Rena looked as though she wanted to leave as soon as she finished her tea.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nカランカランという、来客を知らせる音が聞こえてくる。<br>\\r\\nThe bell hanging from the entrance door rang, letting her know a customer just came in.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…こんな雰囲気の悪い喫茶店に、よくも利用者がいるものだ。<br>\\r\\n...It was a little surprising for her that a coffee shop like this could draw in so many customers.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはそう思いながらプランターの陰から客をうかがう。<br>\\r\\nRena peeked at the newcomers from behind the planter.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n客は２人。<br>\\r\\nThere were two of them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………とびっきりガラが悪そうな男たちだった。表情は重苦しく、関わり合いにならない方がいいことがすぐに読み取れる。<br>\\r\\n...They looked like vulgar men, the kind of people you didn't want to get involved with the instant you saw them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nマスターが応対しようとすると、２人はそれを無視して店の奥へ向かった。<br>\\r\\nThe proprietor tried to show them to a table, but they ignored him and walked towards the back.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその２人は、先ほどから黄色い声でげらげらと笑い合っている奥の男女のところへ行くと、神妙に頭を垂れながら挨拶をした。<br>\\r\\nThey walked up to the couple who had been laughing loudly, and greeted them with a bow.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おう！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey!<br>\\r\\nやっと来よったんか。<br>\\r\\n Ya finally made it.<br>\\r\\nまあ座れや。」<br>\\r\\n Siddown.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n待っていた客が来たことに気付くと、男女は馬鹿笑いを止め、ドスの効いた声で着席を促した。<br>\\r\\nThe couple stopped laughing, and the man told the newcomers to sit down in a threatening tone of voice.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n客２人はおずおずと勧められるままに座る。<br>\\r\\nAs instructed, the two of them took a seat.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「んで？<br>\\r\\n\\\"So?<br>\\r\\nどういうごったん。」<br>\\r\\n What happened?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「すんまへん、何とかその…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"We're very sorry. We tried to...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「御託はええんねボケぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Cut it, dipshit.<br>\\r\\nとっとと唸るもん晒さんかい。」<br>\\r\\n Just hand it over.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n客２人は顔を見合わせた後、懐からくたびれた封筒を２束、取り出して机の上に乗せた。<br>\\r\\nThe two of them looked at each other before they each took an envelope out of their pockets and put it on the table.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを男は引っ手繰ると、乱暴に封筒を破く。<br>\\r\\nThe man roughly grabbed the two envelopes and tore one of them open.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n中からは、輪ゴムで留めて束になった、しわくちゃの壱万円札があふれ出した。<br>\\r\\nInside, there were many wrinkled 10,000 yen bills bound into a bundle with a rubber band.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n両方の封筒を開け、現金が詰まっていることを確認すると、男はそれを女の膝に放る。<br>\\r\\nHe opened the other one to make sure it also had cash in it and then threw it to the woman.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おい、数えんね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Count 'em.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ちょっと、私に命令しないでくれるー？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, don't order me around!<br>\\r\\n元々、私の金なんだから。」<br>\\r\\n This is originally my money, you know?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃッかまし！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Shaddup!!<br>\\r\\n黙って数えんなええんね…。」<br>\\r\\n Just count 'em...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n男が怒鳴りつけると、女は不愉快そうに親指を舐めた後、手馴れた様子で現金を数えだす。<br>\\r\\nThe man yelled at the woman. She licked her thumb, looking annoyed, and started counting the cash expertly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその様子を見ながら、客２人はうな垂れたままだった。<br>\\r\\nThe two newcomers hung their heads while she counted.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n男も、新しい煙草に火を付けると、女が数え終わるのをじっと待っているようだった。<br>\\r\\nLighting a cigarette, the man waited for her to finish counting.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………。<br>\\r\\n\\\"............<br>\\r\\nはいよ、全部あるわよ。」<br>\\r\\nGood. It's all here.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n女がパチンと最後の紙幣を指で弾く。<br>\\r\\nThe woman said that after flicking through the last bill.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその様子を見て、客２人は安堵したようだった。<br>\\r\\nThe newcomers looked relieved.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、男はまだ満足しないのか、女がトントンと揃えている札束を凝視する。<br>\\r\\nThe man, however, didn't look satisfied as he stared at the bundle of the bills the woman was holding.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…律子。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Ritsuko,<br>\\r\\nそれ、いくらあったぁ。」<br>\\r\\n how much is there?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ん、全部って言ったわよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What? I told you it's all here.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「全部って、いくらかっちゅ聞いとんねッ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm askin' ya, how much is that?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だから私が貸した金、全部だって言ってるでしょ！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I told you. All the money I lent them!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ボケがぁ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, idjit!!<br>\\r\\n利子は付いとるんか聞いとるんね！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm askin' ya if they paid ya the interest!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n男と、律子と呼ばれた女は険悪そうに怒鳴りあう。<br>\\r\\nThe man and Ritsuko yelled at each other.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんな物騒なやり取りを声高にやっているのに、店内の少なからずいる客たちは、何も聞こえないかのように振舞うのだった。<br>\\r\\nEven though they were making all that noise, the other customers acted like they didn't hear anything.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おい、兄さん方。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, boys.<br>\\r\\n２００万びったんこっきゃないんね。<br>\\r\\n There's only two mill in here.<br>\\r\\nどういうごっちゃん。」<br>\\r\\n What's goin' on?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n客２人は何とか言い逃れようと言葉を探しているようだった。<br>\\r\\nThe two of them were trying to find some excuses to make.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そんな様子が神経を逆撫でするのか、男の形相がまるで鬼のようになっていく。<br>\\r\\n...It seemed like this behavior had touched the man's nerves, as he started looking furious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おおぉおらああッ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"The fuck is this?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n黙っとんたらわからんがなあぁッ！！」<br>\\r\\n I asked ya, what's goin' on?! Ya'd better start talkin'!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n店内に怒声が響き渡る。<br>\\r\\nHis angry voice echoed through the shop.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n机を強打する音と、氷の入ったグラスが床に落ちる音が後に続き、店内の空気をこれ以上ないくらいに硬くした。<br>\\r\\nHe hit the table hard, and dropped a glass on the floor. The noise thickened the tension in the atmosphere.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「すす、……すんまへん…！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"W-W-We are very sorry!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「すまんで済んだら、警察はいらんっちゅうんね！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Bein' sorry doesn't give her the interest, does it?<br>\\r\\nごちとらぁ、出るとこ出ても一向に構わんでんのお！！」<br>\\r\\n I don't mind callin' the police to solve our problem, you know?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それはどうか…、ご勘弁下さいッ…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"P-Please don't...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n客２人は明らかに立場が弱い様子だった。<br>\\r\\nThe two newcomers must have been in an extremely vulnerable position.<br>\\r\\n額が机に付くくらいに頭を下げる。<br>\\r\\n They bowed so deeply that their foreheads almost touched the table.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それを勘弁したったるって、今日を呼んだんね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I called y'all here because I thought you wouldn't want me to involve the police.<br>\\r\\nそれがどういうケジメの付け方なん。んん？！」<br>\\r\\n But then, you act like you don't fuckin' care. Hmm?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「すんまへん…、偉ぅすんまへん…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"We're sorry... We're very sorry...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n痛々しくも見えたが、脅す側も脅される側も真っ当な人間には見えず、同情すべきかどうか量りかねる雰囲気だった。<br>\\r\\nWhile you could pity them, the newcomers looked as vulgar as the man threatening them, making it hard to decide whether you should feel sorry for them or not.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやがて律子が、助け舟を出すような感じで口を開く。<br>\\r\\nAfter a while, Ritsuko opened her mouth as if to offer them help.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「鉄っちゃん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Tecchan,<br>\\r\\n凄んじゃ可哀想でしょー？<br>\\r\\n don't be so mean to them.<br>\\r\\nゴメンねぇ、うちの人、ゼニ絡むとすぐトサカに来ちゃう人で。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry. My guy gets mad easily when money's involved.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ゼニ絡むとは余計だんね！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"You don't have to add the money part!!<br>\\r\\nお前にアヤ付けよったんから本気になっとんよ俺ぁ。」<br>\\r\\n I'm getting ticked because they're bitchin' at'cha.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「もぅ、馬鹿なこと言っても何も出ないわよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Jeez, saying those stupid things won't get you anything.<br>\\r\\n…………んんんんん…！」<br>\\r\\n ......Mmmmm...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n男は力ずくで律子を無理やり抱き寄せると、人目もはばからず、その唇を貪った。<br>\\r\\nThe man pulled Ritsuko roughly into his arms, and frantically kissed her lips without caring about the other customers.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n恋人たちが交わすような愛らしさはなく、卑猥さしか感じさせない。<br>\\r\\nTheir kiss wasn't like the lovely ones that normal couples would share. It looked obscene instead.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…その後も二人はしばらく、息継ぎのように唇を離しては、また貪り合うのを繰り返すのだった。<br>\\r\\n...He let her lips go to take a breath, kissed them again, and repeated that for a while.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしばらくして、ようやくそれに飽き、男は律子を解放する。<br>\\r\\nAfter a while, he finally got bored of kissing and let her go.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うちの人は、私のことになるとすーぐ頭に血が上っちゃうのよね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"He gets really mad when it comes to me, too.<br>\\r\\n…困ったもんなのよ。」<br>\\r\\n ...He's impossible.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おうそうよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"So what?<br>\\r\\nこの女は俺の体の一部なんね。<br>\\r\\n This woman's like a part of my body.<br>\\r\\nこの女に泥塗りくさるヤツぁ、俺に塗ったんと同じやんな。<br>\\r\\n Puttin' dirt on her means puttin' dirt on me.<br>\\r\\n血祭りじゃ済まんね。」<br>\\r\\n Whoever tries to do that is in for a bloodbath.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いつぞやかの、バーコードハゲ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Do you remember the guy with the comb-over?<br>\\r\\nあれ、表連れてってからどうしたんだったっけぇ？」<br>\\r\\n I forgot what you did to that guy after you took him outside.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だっはっはっはッ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Dwa ha ha ha ha!!<br>\\r\\nあんのハゲか！<br>\\r\\n I remember him!<br>\\r\\n表へ出ろとか抜かしよんから、踵くれてやったわ！！<br>\\r\\n He challenged me, wantin' to take it outside!!<br>\\r\\n野郎、空手やるとか抜かしよるからどの程度か思うたん、ちょいとシバいたら、即土下座やん。<br>\\r\\n He said he did karate, so I got a li'l excited to see what he had and I punched him in the stomach, but then he just kneeled down on the ground!<br>\\r\\n拍子抜けしたから、ズボンとパンツ脱がせて、そいつで公衆便所のション便器を磨いてもらったわぁ。<br>\\r\\n I was disappointed, so I took off his pants and underwear, and made him clean the public toilets with them.<br>\\r\\nおお、俺、町の役に立っとんね！！<br>\\r\\n See? I'm helpin' society!!<br>\\r\\nお役所に表彰してもらいたいんわ。」<br>\\r\\n I deserve an award for that one.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「やぁだ、そんなことさせたのー？<br>\\r\\n\\\"I can't believe you made him do that!<br>\\r\\nあんたって時々、品がないよねぇ。<br>\\r\\n You're so gross sometimes.<br>\\r\\nきゃははははは…！」<br>\\r\\n Kyahahahahaha...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n二人は、客２人が来るまでそうしていたように、耳障りな下卑た声でゲラゲラと笑い合う。<br>\\r\\nThey started laughing loudly like they were doing earlier.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその笑い声は明らかに客２人を萎縮させるもののようだった。<br>\\r\\nTheir laughter obviously intimidated their companions.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ねぇ、あんたたち。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Listen, you two.<br>\\r\\n鉄っちゃん、今日はね、すっごく機嫌がいいの。<br>\\r\\n Tecchan is actually in a very good mood today.<br>\\r\\n普段だったら、ゼニが足りん〜って騒ぎ出して、今頃あんたたち、素っ裸にされて王子川に叩き込まれてるわよ。」<br>\\r\\n Usually, he'd start yelling, 'this isn't enough money!' and you'd be thrown into the Ouji River naked by now.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「す…すんまへん…すんまへん……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"W-We truly apologize for the inconvenience...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「んまぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well,<br>\\r\\n利子は忘れたちゅうたかて、かっちり期日までに額を揃えたんだきゃあ、感心さな。<br>\\r\\n ya forgot about the interest, but ya did put together all the rest of the money in time. I'm impressed.<br>\\r\\nそこいら辺、評価したってもええんで。」<br>\\r\\n So, I'll be nice and take that into consideration, you know?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それでねー？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Anyway,<br>\\r\\n鉄っちゃんの利子、ちょいとあんまりだと思ったのよ。<br>\\r\\n his interest rate is a little high,<br>\\r\\n今日だから５本で済むけど、すぐに倍々ゲームになっちゃうでしょー？<br>\\r\\n but it's only five if you pay it today. If you wait even a day longer, it'll be doubled.<br>\\r\\nそしたらあんた達、すぐに逆立ちしても払えなくなっちゃうわよ。<br>\\r\\n And if it's doubled, I don't think you'll be be able to pay it no matter what you do.<br>\\r\\nでね、私、あんた達にいい話があるの。<br>\\r\\n So, I'm going to make you a deal.<br>\\r\\n……鉄っちゃん、悪いけどあんた、ちょっと席を外してちょうだい。」<br>\\r\\n ...Tecchan, would you give us a minute?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ちぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Tch.<br>\\r\\n……しょうがねぇなあ。」<br>\\r\\n ...Sure, I guess it's okay.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n男はそう言いながらも、にやりと笑うと席を立ち、お手洗いへ姿を消した。<br>\\r\\nThe man left the table with a grin and headed for the bathroom.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…何だか、事前にここで席を立つと決めてあったかのように素直だった。<br>\\r\\n...He was far too amenable to that request, as if they'd planned for him to leave the table at that moment.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n男が手洗いの扉の向こうに消えるまで見送ると、律子はショルダーバッグから折りたたんだ書類を取り出し、机の上に広げた。<br>\\r\\nRitsuko made sure he was in the bathroom, then took some papers out of her bag and spread them on the table.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あんた達も若いんだから。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're young.<br>\\r\\nあんなヤクザに絡まれて一生をフイにしたくないでしょ。<br>\\r\\n You don't want to ruin your life because of an outlaw like him, do you?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからね、鉄っちゃんの利子は今日、キッチリ払っちゃいなさい。<br>\\r\\n So, I recommend you pay all the interest today.<br>\\r\\nそうすれば、あんた達は取り合えず、あいつとは縁を切れるわけなんだから。」<br>\\r\\n If you do, you can cut your ties with him.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…そ、…そりゃそうですけど…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...We... We understand that, but......<br>\\r\\n…でも、５０万なんて、これ以上もう払えないっす…。」<br>\\r\\n but, we can't get 500,000 yen just like that...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まぁそうよねぇ、２００万だって相当、精一杯集めたんでしょ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"I understand. I bet you tried really hard to collect that two million yen.<br>\\r\\nさらに５０万も工面できる当てなんてないでしょ。」<br>\\r\\n I understand there's no one who'd help you out with another 500,000.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...........................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼らが今日工面してきた現金は、彼らにできる全てを尽くした上での金に違いなかった。<br>\\r\\nThey must've done their very best to collect even the money they brought today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、…これ以上は、例えわずかな額だったとしても、捻出のしようがないに違いない。<br>\\r\\nSo... it must be impossible for them to collect even a dime from anybody now.<br>\\r\\n……彼らは無言で俯いて、それを律子に伝えた。<br>\\r\\n ...They hung their heads and told her that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「でね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"However,<br>\\r\\nほら、気を利かせて私が書いてきてあげたのよ。」<br>\\r\\n take a look. I made this for you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………ぅ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".....................Ah...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n机の上に広げられた書類を見て、二人が小さく呻く。<br>\\r\\nThe guys looked at the paper on the table and muttered under their breaths.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「担保も連帯もいらないんで、ちょいと利率はアレだけど。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You don't need collateral or a joint guarantor for this, so the interest rate is a bit high.<br>\\r\\nこれなら、即５０万積んでくれるわよ。<br>\\r\\n But with this, you can take out a loan of 500,000 yen right away.<br>\\r\\n……それにさぁ、この利率でも、鉄っちゃんの利率よりははるっかにマシだと思うんだけど、どう思うかしらー？」<br>\\r\\n ...Even this interest rate is a lot better than Tecchan's. What do you think?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのやり取りだけから、律子が彼らに何を強いようとしているか、大体想像が付いた。<br>\\r\\nIt would be easy for anyone to guess what Ritsuko was trying to force them to do.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「これにサインしたのを見せれば、彼も男気を感じて勘弁してくれると思うわね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"If you show him this with your signature on it, I'm sure he'll let you off.<br>\\r\\n…………どうするー？<br>\\r\\n ...It's your choice, though.<br>\\r\\nあ、万年筆、使うなら置いとくわよ。」<br>\\r\\n If you need a pen, you can use mine. Here.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n客２人は、机の上の書類の点字のように細かい注意書きの内容と、暴利な利率に呆然としながら、顔を見合わせていた。<br>\\r\\nThey read the small print on the documents and were stunned by the outrageous interest rate.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n律子はそれ以上は何も強要しなかった。<br>\\r\\nRitsuko didn't force them to do anything.<br>\\r\\nあとは窓の外を眺めながら、煙草を吸っているだけだった。<br>\\r\\n She just looked out the window and smoked her cigarette.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだいぶしてから、お手洗いから男が戻ってきた。<br>\\r\\nAfter a while, the man returned from the bathroom.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おう、話はついたがーー？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, did ya come to an agreement?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを見て、客２人は覚悟を決め、万年筆を拾う…。<br>\\r\\nThey looked at him, steeled themselves, and took the pen...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「鉄っちゃんの利子、借金で一括返済するってー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"They're going to borrow money to pay your interest.<br>\\r\\nまぁ、５０万くらいさ、真面目にやればすぐ返済できるってね。」<br>\\r\\n It's only 500,000 yen, so they can pay their debts soon if they work really hard.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おうおう、感心な若人だんね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's great. I'm impressed.<br>\\r\\n男は背負うもんがなくちゃあかんね！」<br>\\r\\n Men get tougher when they have somethin' burdenin' them!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n初めからそう追い込むつもりだったに違いなかった。<br>\\r\\nThey must have planned this from the very beginning.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n男と律子は、思い通りに事が進んだのをにんまり笑い合う。<br>\\r\\nThe man and Ritsuko got what they wanted, and grinned at each other.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n書類は書く欄が多いらしく、２人の記入作業はなかなか終わらないようだった。<br>\\r\\nThere were many things to fill out on the documents, and it was taking them a long time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n男と律子も、しばらくかかることが分かっているようで、上機嫌に下品な雑談を始めていた。<br>\\r\\nThe man and Ritsuko, already knowing that, started talking amongst themselves.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「律子、お前の雛見沢の旦那の調子はどうなんね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ritsuko, how's yer husband in Hinamizawa doin'?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「んー？<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?<br>\\r\\n旦那なんてよしてよね。」<br>\\r\\n He's not my husband.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どうなんよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"What's goin' on with him?<br>\\r\\nだいぶゼニを持っとん聞かされてるん。<br>\\r\\n I heard he has a lot of money.<br>\\r\\nどのくらい絞れそうなんよ。」<br>\\r\\n How much do ya think you can squeeze out of 'im?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうそう、それがさぁ、すっごいのよ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, you'll be so surprised!<br>\\r\\n別れた奥さんがだいぶ慰謝料をくれたらしいってのは聞いてたのよ。<br>\\r\\n I heard his ex-wife gave him a settlement when they divorced, right?<br>\\r\\nでもね、…それが本当にすっげーあるらしいのよねー！」<br>\\r\\n But... I just found out that she gave him a lot!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「かなりって、どのくらいんね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"How much is 'a lot'?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「銀行に５０００万くらい持ってるわよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"He has about fifty million yen in the bank.<br>\\r\\n泡銭なわけだしね、もう気前がいいの何のって。」<br>\\r\\n He's a big spender.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「かぁー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wow!<br>\\r\\nなぁんね、それ！！<br>\\r\\n That's real big!!<br>\\r\\nんで、どの辺までイケそうなんね…！」<br>\\r\\n So, how much do ya think ya can squeeze out of 'im...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私にだいぶお熱みたいだからねぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"He has a big crush on me.<br>\\r\\nだって、私が言えば何でも買うのよ、何でも！<br>\\r\\n He buys me anything I want. Anything!<br>\\r\\nあんたみたいなドケチとは大違いよね〜。<br>\\r\\n He's not cheap like you.<br>\\r\\n私も本気になっちゃおうかしらぁん。」<br>\\r\\n I might get serious about him.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「抜かせやボケぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't think so.<br>\\r\\n俺以外で満足できる体かっちゅうん！」<br>\\r\\n Yer body won't be satisfied with anyone but me!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ん！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mm!<br>\\r\\nんんんん…！！<br>\\r\\n Mmmm...!!<br>\\r\\n……もぅ、こんなところでよしてよ、もぅ。」<br>\\r\\n ...Stop it. Not here!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「で、その雛見沢の旦那にどう持ってくつもりなんよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"So, what's the plan?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あんたをダシに、手切れ金がいるって方向で持ってくつもりなのよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm thinking about telling him I need some money to get rid of my ex-boyfriend.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何ぼ、吹っ掛けるつもりんね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"How much are ya gonna ask him for?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ボソボソボソ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......\\\" She whispers into his ear.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「がっはっはっはっは！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Gwa ha ha ha ha ha!!<br>\\r\\nつっくづく、恐ろしい女じゃあんね！！<br>\\r\\n Yer a scary woman!!<br>\\r\\nエキストラがいる時は呼んでぇな。<br>\\r\\n Lemme know if ya need an actor for yer play.<br>\\r\\n俺も大暴れしちゃるんで。」<br>\\r\\n I'll be yer scary ex-boyfriend.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………あの、<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Umm...<br>\\r\\n……すみません、<br>\\r\\n ...Excuse me.<br>\\r\\n…書きました。」<br>\\r\\n ...We finished.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おう！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Great!<br>\\r\\nじゃあ、それ持ってローン行こかぁ。<br>\\r\\n Then let's bring it over to the loan company.<br>\\r\\n律子、会計頼むんね。」<br>\\r\\n Ritsuko, take care of the check, would ya?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n男は客２人の肩を抱くようにすると、外へ出ようと扉を開けた。<br>\\r\\nThe man pat them on their shoulders, and then walked to the door.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…その時、ちょうど入店しようとした客がいたらしく、扉を挟んで鉢合わせになったらしかった。<br>\\r\\n...Another person was just about to enter, and they nearly ran into each other.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n男の乱暴さから考えて、彼が道を譲るとは考えがたい。<br>\\r\\nThe man probably wouldn't make way for the person, considering his personality.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………だが、男は、扉の向こうの男が誰か気付くと、道を譲った。<br>\\r\\n......But, when he noticed who that person was, he stepped aside.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n入ってきたのは、負けず劣らずガラの悪い男。<br>\\r\\nThe person looked as vulgar as all the other men.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…黒いスーツの上下にサングラス。<br>\\r\\n...He was wearing a black suit with sunglasses on.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n体格だけを見れば、決して優れているとは言えなかったが、厳しい顔つきと威圧感は、相当のものだった。<br>\\r\\nHe wasn't that big, but his stern look was very intimidating.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n男をチンピラと例えるなら、この入ってきた男は明らかに本職に違いない。<br>\\r\\nIt was clear at a glance that he was a gangster, and a professional one at that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあれだけ傍若無人に振舞っていた男でも、さすがに相手が悪いと思ったのか、神妙な様子だった。<br>\\r\\nThe man who was behaving badly earlier looked a little nervous in front of him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやがて、律子が会計を終えてくると、そのスーツの男に気付いた。<br>\\r\\nAs Ritsuko finished paying the check, she noticed the man in the suit.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あ、………総支配人…？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh... General Manager...?<br>\\r\\nど、どうもおはようございます。」<br>\\r\\n G-Good morning, sir.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"..................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n総支配人と呼ばれたスーツの男は応えず、早く失せろと言わんばかりに顎をしゃくり上げる。<br>\\r\\nThe man in the suit said nothing. He just raised his chin as if saying \\\"fuck off\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n律子たちは頭を下げながら足早に店を出て行った。<br>\\r\\nRitsuko and the others bowed to him and left the shop in a hurry.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n店のマスターもスーツの男に気付き、揉み手をしながら挨拶の言葉をかける。<br>\\r\\nThe proprietor noticed the man in the suit, also greeting him with a bow.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……この界隈の顔役なのだろうか。<br>\\r\\n...Who could he have been?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n先ほどの男たちと比べれば物静かな雰囲気だが、彼らに道を譲らせるほどなのだから、恐ろしい相手に違いない。<br>\\r\\nHe appeared sedate compared to the other men, but he must be dangerous, because he made even them step aside.<br>\\r\\n……誰もがそう思い、この新しい客に目を合わせないようにしていた。<br>\\r\\n ...Everybody in the shop thought the same thing and tried not to look at him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nスーツの男は店内をジロリを見渡し、壁に掛かっているメニューボードを見上げた。<br>\\r\\nThe man in the suit looked around and found the menu on the wall.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何か不備があるのかと思い、マスターがおずおずと近付いてくる…。<br>\\r\\nThe proprietor walked up to him hesitantly...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……マスター。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Hey, waiter.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「は、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Y<br>\\r\\nはい、<br>\\r\\n-Yes.<br>\\r\\nな、<br>\\r\\n Is...<br>\\r\\n…何か不調法がございましたでしょうか…。」<br>\\r\\n anything bothering you, sir...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……この、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Do you have this...<br>\\r\\n日替わりデザートの、<br>\\r\\n seasonal dessert...<br>\\r\\n…ス、<br>\\r\\n s...<br>\\r\\n…スイ、<br>\\r\\n sw...<br>\\r\\n…スイート何とかというのは今日はやっているのか。」<br>\\r\\n sweet something or other today?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「は？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Huh?<br>\\r\\nあ、…あはははは、<br>\\r\\n Oh... Ahahahahaha.<br>\\r\\nいえ、本当は今日はやってないんですが、<br>\\r\\n No, actually, we aren't running that today, but...<br>\\r\\n…その、どうしてもと仰るんでしたら、特別にご用意を…。」<br>\\r\\n well, if you insisted, then we could make it specially for you...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…無理なら無理と言ってくれればいい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...If you're not selling it, you're not selling it.<br>\\r\\n出直す。」<br>\\r\\n I'll come back some other day.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほぉら葛西ぃー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, Kasai!<br>\\r\\n特別にご用意って言ってくれてるじゃないですか！<br>\\r\\n He said he'd make it for you!<br>\\r\\nここまで来て見っとも無い！」<br>\\r\\n Take his offer! We came all the way here!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの店の重く沈みこんだ雰囲気がまったく読めないのか、能天気に笑いながら入店してきたのは、<br>\\r\\nThe girl seemed to be the only one who couldn't read the heavy atmosphere in the shop, and she came in laughing cheerfully. It was...<br>\\r\\n………魅音の双子の妹、<br>\\r\\n <NAME>'s twin sister,<br>\\r\\n詩音だった。<br>\\r\\n Shion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n詩音は渋る葛西の背中を押し、店内にずかずかと入ってきた。<br>\\r\\nShion pushed Kasai into the store while he hesitated.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、シートのひとつに座っていた少女の顔に気付き、立ち止まる。<br>\\r\\nShe looked at a girl who was sitting down and stopped in her tracks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あれ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Huh?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやっぱりそうだ、はろろーん！<br>\\r\\n Oh, it's you! Hello!<br>\\r\\nレナさんじゃないですか。<br>\\r\\n Rena-san!<br>\\r\\nこんにちはー！」<br>\\r\\n How are you doing?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………え？<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Eh?<br>\\r\\nあ、………詩ぃちゃん…？」<br>\\r\\n Oh......... Shii-chan...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こんなとこで会うなんてびっくりです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm surprised to see you here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあれ？<br>\\r\\n Huh?<br>\\r\\nお一人？<br>\\r\\n Are you here by yourself?<br>\\r\\nひょっとして誰かと待ち合わせ？<br>\\r\\n You waiting for someone?<br>\\r\\nお姉かな？<br>\\r\\n Is it my sis?<br>\\r\\nいやいや、ひょっとして圭ちゃんかなぁ〜？」<br>\\r\\n Or, maybe, could it be Kei-chan~?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あの、…詩ぃちゃん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah... Shii-chan.<br>\\r\\n……その連れの人は……？」<br>\\r\\n ...Who is this...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ん？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hm?<br>\\r\\n葛西のこと？<br>\\r\\n Are you talking about Kasai here?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまー私のボディガードとか思っといてください。<br>\\r\\n He's like my bodyguard.<br>\\r\\n命の危険が迫ったら、葛西が守ってくれるんだよねー？」<br>\\r\\n He'll protect me when my life is in danger, won't you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……それがお望みでしたら命に代えてでも。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I'll give my life for your sake, if that's what you want me to do.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ぅわ〜〜…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wow...<br>\\r\\n葛西、あと２０も若かったらヤバいかもだね。<br>\\r\\n Kasai, if you were twenty years younger, I might have fallen for you!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n顔は怖いけど、面白いヤツです。<br>\\r\\n He looks scary, but he's a very funny guy.<br>\\r\\nこちらはね、竜宮レナさん。<br>\\r\\n This is Rena Ryuugu-san.<br>\\r\\nお姉のお友達。」<br>\\r\\n She's Sis's friend.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……葛西です。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...My name is Kasai.<br>\\r\\nよろしく。」<br>\\r\\n Nice to meet you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えっと、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Umm<br>\\r\\n……か、<br>\\r\\n .........K<br>\\r\\n………葛西さん。<br>\\r\\n-Kasai-san.<br>\\r\\nさっきすれ違った人たちは知り合いですか？」<br>\\r\\n Do you know the people who just walked past you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n一応。<br>\\r\\nKasai nodded,<br>\\r\\n葛西はそう言って小さく頷いた。<br>\\r\\n indicating that he was familiar with them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「誰？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Who are they?<br>\\r\\n私は全然、あんなの見たことないけど？」<br>\\r\\n I've never seen them before.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……男は北条鉄平。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...The man is <NAME>.<br>\\r\\nちょいと礼儀知らずの雀ゴロです。」<br>\\r\\n A skunk of a human being.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n北条と聞いて詩音は、あぁあの、と小声を漏らす。<br>\\r\\nShion seemed to know who he was once she heard the name \\\"Houjou\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……女の人の方は…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......And the woman...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…間宮リナ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...<NAME>.<br>\\r\\n源氏名だと思いました。<br>\\r\\n I believe that's her business name.<br>\\r\\n確か律子って名前だったかと。フラワーロードの店の１つで働いてる水の女です。」<br>\\r\\n Her real name is <NAME>, I think. She's a hostess at Flower Road.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「葛西さん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Kasai-san,<br>\\r\\n……リナさんとその北条さんはどういう人たちなんですか。<br>\\r\\n do you know what he is to her?<br>\\r\\nとても仲が良さそうに見えました。」<br>\\r\\n They looked like a couple to me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「北条は、確かリナのヒモのはずです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Houjou is Rina's pimp.<br>\\r\\n性質の悪い連中ですので、係わり合いになられない方がいいと思います。」<br>\\r\\n They're very, very bad people, so you should never get involved with them.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どう性質が悪いんですか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"How bad are they?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが妙に噛み付いてくるので、葛西は少し気圧されたようだった。<br>\\r\\nRena pressed him for the answer, and Kasai seemed to back down a little from that pressure.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……女の私生活にゃ触れないのが仁義ってもんです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...It's more courteous to stay out of a woman's private affairs.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どう性質が悪いんですか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"How bad are they?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………それはご勘弁を。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Please don't ask.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どう性質が悪いんですか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"How bad are they?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは質問の答えが得られるまで、まったく同じ言葉を何度か繰り返した。<br>\\r\\nRena kept asking the same question until she got an answer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその鬼気迫る様子に、詩音が割って入る。<br>\\r\\nShion sensed how desperate Rena was, and cut into the conversation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「葛西ー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Kasai,<br>\\r\\n意地悪しないで教えてあげなさいよ。<br>\\r\\n why don't you just tell her?<br>\\r\\n興味本位で聞いてるわけじゃなさそうだしさぁ。<br>\\r\\n I don't think she's asking out of curiosity.<br>\\r\\nね、レナさん？」<br>\\r\\n Am I right, Rena-san?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".....................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"........................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナと葛西の間に緊迫した空気が張り詰める。<br>\\r\\nThere was tension developing between Rena and Kasai.<br>\\r\\n詩音だけが空気を読めていないようだった。<br>\\r\\n Shion seemed to be the only one who couldn't read the mood.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n葛西はやがて根競べに折れ、口を開く。<br>\\r\\nKasai finally opened his mouth.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あの二人は性質の悪いゴロツキです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"They're both skunks, really.<br>\\r\\n恐喝と博打で生計を立ててると聞いています。<br>\\r\\n I've heard that they make a living by gambling and blackmailing people.<br>\\r\\n女と美人局もやるって話で。」<br>\\r\\n I've also heard that they set up badger games.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「美人局（つつもたせ）って何ですか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What's a badger game?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはは、美人局ってーのは、まぁ何？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahaha. Well, a badger game is like a...<br>\\r\\n結婚詐欺とちょっと似てるのかな？<br>\\r\\n marriage fraud?<br>\\r\\nようするに、カモと女をくっつけて、いい感じになったところで男が乱入して、俺の女に何しやがるーって、金を巻き上げる古典的恐喝です。」<br>\\r\\n The woman finds a catch, a man who has money, and begins a relationship with him. Then, her boyfriend shows up and catches them in the act, blames the guy for stealing his girlfriend, then blackmails him for money.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…さんざん貢がされた挙句、根こそぎ巻き上げようっていうクズどもです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...First, the woman makes him buy expensive stuff for her, and then she and her boyfriend take all of his money.<br>\\r\\n…最近、でかいカモを引っ掛けたらしいと噂になってます。」<br>\\r\\n ...There's a rumor that she's got herself a big catch recently.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ちゃーーー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wow...<br>\\r\\nそりゃあ、どちら様か存じないけど、気の毒なことで。<br>\\r\\n Whoever that is, I'm so sorry for him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでもまぁ、鼻の下を伸ばした代償なわけだし。<br>\\r\\n Well, the guy had some fun with her too.<br>\\r\\n自業自得？」<br>\\r\\n I guess he gets what he deserves.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……そんな言い方はないもんです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...That's a little harsh, Shion-san.<br>\\r\\n男は時に、ころっと女に騙されちまうもんですよ。」<br>\\r\\n A man sometimes falls for a woman very easily.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほーーー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, really?<br>\\r\\n何それ、葛西をころっと騙した女って誰ーー？<br>\\r\\n I wonder whom you fell for.<br>\\r\\nマスター、デザートは私と葛西と、あとレナさんで、<br>\\r\\n Waiter, bring the dessert to us, please.<br>\\r\\nって<br>\\r\\n ...Wait<br>\\r\\n…………<br>\\r\\n.........<br>\\r\\nあれ？」<br>\\r\\n Where did she go?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今、お帰りになりましたよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"She just took her leave.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの姿はすでになく、閉まりかけたガラス扉だけがその行き先を知っているようだった…。<br>\\r\\nRena was already gone. The door, which had just closed, looked as if it was the only thing that knew where she went...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自宅へ帰ってくると鍵が掛かっていた。<br>\\r\\nWhen I got home, the door was locked.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鍵を開けて入ると、居間にメモが置かれているのを見つける。<br>\\r\\nI used my key to get in, and I found a note in the living room.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこには、急用が出来たので出掛ける、夕飯は食べてくると書かれていた。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Something's come up, so I have to go. I'm going to eat out tonight\\\" is what the note said.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこういうことは最近はそう珍しいことではなかった。<br>\\r\\nThis wasn't the first time he'd done something like this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父は私には、急用で興宮に行くとしか言わない。<br>\\r\\nEach time, he only told me he had to go to Okinomiya for something.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、私は父が電話で話しているのを漏れ聞いていたから、知っていた。<br>\\r\\nBut I knew the real reason, because I heard him talking on the phone once.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんが、仕事のシフトが急に空いたので、どこかに食事でも…と誘ったに違いない。<br>\\r\\nRina-san must have had some free time between jobs and asked him out to have dinner together.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n軽くため息をつき、私は馴染めない居間を嫌い、自分の部屋に戻った。<br>\\r\\nI heaved a sigh, looked at the new living room I hated, and went to my room.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつい先ほど、喫茶店で聞いた話が鮮明に脳裏に蘇る。<br>\\r\\nI thought back over what I just heard at the coffee house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…リナさんが悪い男に絡まれていて、話の調子だけを合わせるために、悪ぶった素振りをしたと好意的に解釈しようとする。<br>\\r\\n...I tried to rationalize the meaning of her actions there. Maybe she had to pretend to be a bad person because she was being threatened by the man.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、鉄という男が席を外して一人になったあとも、何の躊躇もなく脅迫を積極的に進め、借金の証文を書かせた。<br>\\r\\nBut, even after the man she called \\\"Tecchan\\\" left the table, she continued to threaten the guys and pushed them into signing the loan contract immediately.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……表向きだけ調子を合わせてるというなら、ああはならない。<br>\\r\\n...If she was threatened to play along with the man, she wouldn't have done that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本当に表向きだけなら、一人になった時にわずかでも同情の念が漏れ出すはずなのだ。<br>\\r\\nIf she was pretending to be a bad person, she could've shown a little bit of mercy or sympathy when he left her alone with them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n例えるなら、両手でお椀を作って水を汲むみたいなもの。<br>\\r\\nIt's like holding water in a bowl you made with your hands.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどんなにしっかりお椀を作ったって、ぽたぽたと滲み出る。<br>\\r\\nNo matter how sturdy you made the bowl, water would leak from your fingers.<br>\\r\\n同情や、悔悟の念が滲み出る。<br>\\r\\n Mercy and sympathy leak out from you.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、リナさんからはぽたぽたどころか、ただの一滴も零れなかった。<br>\\r\\nBut, nothing, not even a drop of water, leaked from Rina-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかも湿るどころか、本当の本当にからからに渇いていた。<br>\\r\\nHer hands weren't even moist. They were all dried up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n満たされているべき水は一滴もなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\nThere was no water that could leak through those hands.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの時、リナさんは男と、二人して客２人を恐喝していた。<br>\\r\\nRina-san was threatening those guys as much as the man was.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどちらが首謀者とか率先してとかじゃない。<br>\\r\\nNeither was leading the other along.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n二人でやっていた。<br>\\r\\nThey were doing it together.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そう。<br>\\r\\n...That was it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんは、<br>\\r\\nRina-san is<br>\\r\\n…「悪い人」なんだ。<br>\\r\\n ...a 'bad person'.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその考えを、私の脳細胞たちは満座の拍手で受け入れる。<br>\\r\\nMy brain cells accepted the idea with applause.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だって、私はリナさんが嫌いだったから。<br>\\r\\n...After all, I always hated Rina-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、父との仲があったので、その感情を受け容れることができなかった。<br>\\r\\nI just couldn't accept the feeling because my father liked her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを、…今この瞬間、ようやく受け容れることができる…。<br>\\r\\nBut... at that moment, I could finally accept it...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあいつは、母と同じ「悪い人」なんだ。<br>\\r\\nShe's a 'bad person', just like my mother.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父と一緒にいるだけで、…駄目にしてしまう、いるだけで幸せを打ち砕いてしまう存在。<br>\\r\\nShe's an existence that will ruin everything and destroy my father's happiness just by being with him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、父にそれを話したところで、リナさんが悪い人だと理解してくれるだろうか。<br>\\r\\nBut I wonder if my father would understand that Rina-san is a bad person if I told him so.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父は今や、骨の髄までリナさんに溶かされていた。<br>\\r\\nMy father likes her so much that he would jump over a cliff if she asked him to.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんの一挙手一投足を、何から何までおめでたく、好意的に受け取ろうとする。<br>\\r\\nHe thinks everything she does or says is great, and he interprets everything about her in a positive way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n勝手に擁護し、勝手に讃える。<br>\\r\\nHe protects her and praises her without her asking him to.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……私も子供じゃない。<br>\\r\\n...I'm not a kid anymore.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n男性に、どういう風に接すれば家畜化できるか理解はできる。<br>\\r\\nI understand how a woman can tame a man.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、パートナーシップを結ぼうとする愛や恋とは違う。<br>\\r\\nIt's different from love. Love is about trying to build a relationship.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n相手を奴隷化しようとする支配欲の延長に過ぎない。<br>\\r\\nTaming is just a way of satisfying the lust to dominate. She's just trying to make him into her slave.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n男性は、……例え私のお父さんであっても、<br>\\r\\nWomen can deceive men... even my father...<br>\\r\\n……ある種の汚らわしい方法で、マニュアル的に籠絡できるのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...They can use dirty methods to ensare men like they're following a manual.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは男性として生まれた時点で抗えない弱点。<br>\\r\\nIt's the weak point all men are born with.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどんなに意志強固であろうとも、抗えない。<br>\\r\\nEven with a strong will, they can't resist it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからこそ、そこを刺激して籠絡しようとする女性たちを、私たちは蔑む。<br>\\r\\nThat's why we hate those women who exploit that weak point to deceive men.<br>\\r\\nだからこそ、私はリナさんが好きになれなかった。<br>\\r\\n That's why I couldn't bring myself to like Rina-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあえて百歩譲り、そんな一方的な恋愛を認めてもいい。<br>\\r\\nFor the sake of argument, let's assume I acknowledged an unreciprocated love like that.<br>\\r\\n………だが、それも恋愛ならばこそだ。<br>\\r\\n ...But that would only be as long as it was love.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…恋愛ですらなく、…金銭を恐喝しようとする手段のひとつだとしたなら、<br>\\r\\n...If it wasn't love... if it was just a method to threaten and squeeze money out of him,<br>\\r\\nそれは絶対に許せない、最低最悪の卑劣な行為………。<br>\\r\\n I would never forgive her...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n脳裏に、あの喫茶店での会話が蘇る。<br>\\r\\nI remember their conversation at the coffee house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そうだ、リナさんは確か、父のことを羽振りがいいと言っていた。<br>\\r\\n......Rina-san said that my father is a big spender.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n実際、父はリナさんと縁が出来てから金遣いが荒くなったと思う。<br>\\r\\nIn fact, I think he spends more money without hesitation than before he met Rina-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、気落ちしていた父が、世俗に関心を持ってくれたことを喜んでいたけれど、………今となっては、喜んでいい話かわからない。<br>\\r\\nI was happy that he started to regain an interest in going out into the world again...... but now I don't know whether I should be happy or not.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n竜宮家のお金は父が一括で管理していたが、私が買い物をしていたので、よく通帳を預かり預金を下ろしたりもした。<br>\\r\\nHe controls the money of the Ryuugu family overall. But since I do the grocery shopping, he often gives me his bankbook so that I can withdraw money.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、通帳や印鑑などの重要なものがしまわれている引き出しの場所は知っていた。<br>\\r\\nBecause of that, I know where he keeps his bankbook, his personal seal, and other important stuff.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父の書斎の鍵の掛かった引き出し。<br>\\r\\nThey're in one of his drawers, which he usually locks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…鍵の隠し場所も知っていたし、その中に入ってる手提げ金庫のナンバーも私は知っていた。<br>\\r\\n...I know where he hides the key, and I know the combination of the cash box inside the drawer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父が急に帰ってくるかもしれないことを想像し、少しの緊張を覚える。<br>\\r\\nHe might be coming back soon, so I felt a little nervous.<br>\\r\\n……だが、私は確かめなければならない…。<br>\\r\\n ...But I had to make sure...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n手提げ金庫を開くと、いくつかの通帳と印鑑、切手の余りや未使用の葉書、が溢れ出した。<br>\\r\\nI opened the cash box, which had some bankbooks, personal seals, stamps, and unused postcards.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n通帳を取り出そうと、中身を出した時、驚く。<br>\\r\\nI removed everything from the cash box to get at the bankbooks. Then, I found something new.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…金庫の底に、新券の壱万円札の束があったからだ。<br>\\r\\n...On the bottom of the box, there was a bundle of new 10,000 yen bills.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその枚数、厚みはとても軽んじられるものではない。<br>\\r\\nIts thickness wasn't something I could ignore.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、それを束ねていたと思われる、千切れた紙帯も入っていた。<br>\\r\\nThere was also a paper wrapper that looked like it had been bundling the bills.<br>\\r\\nその紙帯には印鑑が押されており、元は百万円の束だったことをうかがわせる。<br>\\r\\n The wrapper had a stamp that said it was a bundle of a million yen.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいちいち銀行で下ろすのは面倒くさいから、普段も多少の現金は手元に置いておく。<br>\\r\\nHe usually kept some cash at home because it was troublesome to go to the bank every time he needed money.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、それはせいぜい多くても１０万〜２０万くらいの額の話だ。<br>\\r\\nBut, it was usually around 100,000 to 200,000 yen at most.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n帯封がされるような多額の現金を手元に置くなんて物騒なことをした試しはない。<br>\\r\\nHe's never kept such a big amount of money at home before, because he knows it's unsafe.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……異様な枚数の壱万円札が、それだけでももう、私に異常な何かを突きつけている。<br>\\r\\n...The extraordinary amount of 10,000 yen bills was abnormally intimidating.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n銀行の普通口座の通帳を開こうする指が、急に不器用になったような感じがした。<br>\\r\\nI tried to open the bankbook, but my fingers got numb all of a sudden.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの喫茶店での盗み聞きを、心のどこかで否定しようとする感情が沸き上がるのを感じる。<br>\\r\\nA part of me was trying to deny the things I heard at the coffee house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…それは父やリナさんを擁護したいからじゃない。<br>\\r\\n...It wasn't because I wanted to defend my father, or even Rina-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…あの恐喝者たちがカモにしているという「雛見沢の旦那」が、自分の父であって欲しくないという気持ちからだった…。<br>\\r\\n...It was because I didn't want to believe my father was the \\\"husband in Hinamizawa\\\" the blackmailers were talking about...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n通帳を開く。<br>\\r\\nI opened the bankbook.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が最後にこれを見たのは数ヶ月前だが、その日付以降、無数の引き出しが記帳されていた。<br>\\r\\nThe last time I saw it was about two or three months ago. It shows countless withdrawals since that day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本来なら、その刻まれた無感情な数字からは何も読み取れるはずはない。<br>\\r\\nI probably wouldn't normally understand what those numbers meant.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、今の私には、０から９までの１０種類しかない数字が、これ以上ないくらいに雄弁に語りかけてくるのを感じるのだ。<br>\\r\\n...But I felt in that moment as if the ten different digits were speaking to me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、……無残な数字の羅列だった。<br>\\r\\nThey were... a series of cruel digits.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n初めのうちは、食事代か何かで支出したのだろうというような、理解のできる数字が並ぶ。<br>\\r\\nIt starts with some understandable expenses that I assume represent dinners or something.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…その額が、次第に５や１０という感じにキリのいい大胆な数字に変わっていく。<br>\\r\\n...But then, the amount of money starts to become nice round numbers, like a five or a ten.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n下ろした日付の並び方から、リナさんとの交遊費のため、常に財布に現金を持っていた父の気持ちがストレートに伝わってきた。<br>\\r\\nI can tell by looking at the dates he withdrew money that he wanted to have a certain amount of cash on hand when he went out with Rina-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれらの数字に混じって、突然、大きな支出が出てくる。<br>\\r\\nAmong those expenses, a big number appeared all of a sudden.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……交遊費にしては大き過ぎる数十万という金額が現れた。<br>\\r\\n...It was too much money to spend on a date. Hundreds of thousands of yen.<br>\\r\\n……日付を見て、記憶を遡る。<br>\\r\\n ......I looked at the date of the withdrawal, and I traced it back in my memory.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………そうだ、<br>\\r\\n......I remembered...<br>\\r\\n…この頃、確か、<br>\\r\\n Around that time<br>\\r\\n…リナさんが新しいマンションに引っ越したような話をしていた。<br>\\r\\n ...Rina-san was talking about moving into a new apartment.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n興宮の辺りの賃貸マンションの相場を思い出す。<br>\\r\\nI know the market rate of rental apartments in Okinomiya.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…敷金２つに礼金２つ。<br>\\r\\n...You need to put down two safety deposits, and two payments of key money in order to rent an apartment.<br>\\r\\n……妥当な数字だった。<br>\\r\\n ...That amount of withdrawal sounded reasonable now.<br>\\r\\n………父は、リナさんの新居の頭金をまるまる持ったのだ。<br>\\r\\n ......He paid the whole down payment for her new apartment.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその後は、まるで新居祝いだとでも言わんばかりの威勢のいい数字が並び踊る。<br>\\r\\nAfter that, big numbers appeared one after another. I could tell they were for congratulatory gifts for her new apartment or something.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお金の下ろし方も、段々と大味になってきた。<br>\\r\\nThe numbers got bigger and bigger.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n必要な分だけ下ろすという風な額から、とりあえず手元にまとめて持っていようという風な額に変わっていく。<br>\\r\\nIt looked like at first he was withdrawing only the amount of money needed, but then, he started withdrawing big amounts all at once because he knew he was going to use it someday anyway.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…その変遷が意味するものはただひとつ。<br>\\r\\n...The change meant only one thing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父の金銭感覚の、生々しいまでの瓦解だった。<br>\\r\\nHe lost his sense of the value of money.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n着実に減り続ける預金残高に、このままではどうなってしまうのだろうと不安を持った頃、突然、大きな入金を迎えた。<br>\\r\\nThe balance kept going down, and I started feeling anxious about what's going to happen if he continued spending money like that. But then, I saw a deposit of a big amount of money into the account.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………こんな大きなお金をどこから。<br>\\r\\n...Where did that money come from?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n思いつく出所は一箇所しかない。<br>\\r\\nThere was only one thing I could think of.<br>\\r\\n…私は色違いのもう一冊の通帳を開ける。<br>\\r\\n ...I opened the other bankbook.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、まるで幼児向け雑誌の付録のパズルみたいなイージーさ。<br>\\r\\nIt was easy, like a puzzle for kids.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあまりにピースが大きくて大味で、組み合わせて試すまでもないくらいに安易なジグソーパズル。<br>\\r\\nIt was like playing with an easy jigsaw puzzle that comes with huge pieces that you don't even have to put together to see what the whole picture looks like.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……父は、将来への蓄えであるはずの定額預金に手をつけていたのである。<br>\\r\\n...My father was using money from his time deposits.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのお金は、母との離婚時に得た膨大な慰謝料だった。<br>\\r\\nIn other words, the settlement my mother paid my father when she divorced him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……父にとっては呪われた金額のはず。<br>\\r\\n...To him, it's cursed money.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを新しい恋のために消化したい父の気持ちがよくわかった。<br>\\r\\nI'd understand if he wanted to use it to get a new love.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、…そんなのは定額預金を取り崩すための言い訳だ。<br>\\r\\nBut... that was just an excuse to use the money from his time deposits.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお金はお金。<br>\\r\\nMoney is money.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n離婚の慰謝料であっても、将来のための大事な蓄えであることに変わりはない。<br>\\r\\nEven though it's his divorce alimony, it's still important money for our future.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n呪われたお金だから、湯水のように使っていいなんてことはありえない。<br>\\r\\nEven though it's cursed money to him, that doesn't mean he can waste it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n交遊費だけで理解の出来ない出費が増え始める。<br>\\r\\nBig expenses start appearing one after another.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n６桁くらいの大胆な出費が度重なるようになる。<br>\\r\\nThere are many expenses, upwards of 6 digits.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれらの額が、何となく電化製品や家具の金額を想起させた。<br>\\r\\nFor some reason, I could immediately tell they were for buying electric appliances and furniture.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父がリナさんにせがまれ、何でも望みのものを買い与えてるに違いない。<br>\\r\\nHe must've been buying everything she asked him to.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……リナさんたちが、初めから父を食い物にするつもりだったなら、<br>\\r\\n...If, from the beginning, Rina-san was only seeing to check if he could end up being a big catch,<br>\\r\\n…父からどれほど搾り取れるか、探りを入れていたはずだ。<br>\\r\\n she must've been trying to find how much money she could squeeze out of him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれで、…父が次々と事も無げに高額の買い物をしてのけるので、相当のカモだと当りを付けるのだろう。<br>\\r\\nAnd... my father bought her anything she wanted, no matter how expensive it was. So, she probably thinks of him as the perfect catch now.<br>\\r\\nそんな節目が感じられる、金額の推移。<br>\\r\\n The numbers in the bankbook told me so.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその頃の日付に目を移すと、……無味簡素なはずの日付が再び雄弁に語り出す。<br>\\r\\nThe simple numbers and dates on the bankbook had started talking to me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nちょうどその時期を境に、リナさんが頻繁に我が家を訪れるようになり、お泊りを始めるようになるのだ。<br>\\r\\nAround the time he started withdrawing big amounts of money, Rina-san started coming to the house more often, and she also started spending the night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そう、リナさんにとっては、最初は羽振りのいい男に過ぎなかったのだが、<br>\\r\\n...To Rina-san, my father was at first just a guy who spends big money,<br>\\r\\nこの時期を境に、カモに変わったのだ。<br>\\r\\n but around that time, she landed her big catch.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父もこの頃から、「興宮の友人」という呼称が「リナさん」という固有名詞に変わって、私に話すようになっている。<br>\\r\\nMy father used to refer to her as \\\"my friend in Okinomiya\\\" at first. But he started referring to her as \\\"Rina-san\\\" around that time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父もだらしないとは思う…。<br>\\r\\nThis is partially his fault...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、愛していた母の裏切りに遭い、ずっと意気を消沈していて痛ましいほどだった。<br>\\r\\nBut he was betrayed by his beloved wife, and he was feeling hurt and down for a long time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そして、その責任の一端は私にもある。<br>\\r\\n...It's also partially my fault.<br>\\r\\nだから父だけを悪いと責めたくはない。<br>\\r\\n That's why I didn't want to blame him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれに、……父は、いわゆるいい男ではない。<br>\\r\\nAnd... he's not that good-looking, either.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n女性に過度な免疫はないだろう。<br>\\r\\nThere's no way he's immune to women.<br>\\r\\n落ち込んでいるところへ悩ましい魅力の女性が積極的に近付いてきたら、拒めたはずもない。<br>\\r\\n He must have not been able to resist an attractive lady who aggressively approached him when he was feeling down.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父はもうリナさんに夢中で、その他のことは目に入らなくなっている。<br>\\r\\nHe's crazy about Rina-san, and he can see nothing other than her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんがそういう風になるように調教したのだから当然だ。<br>\\r\\nI can't blame him, because Rina-san trained him to be that way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n通帳やお金などを、元の形でしまい金庫を閉じる。<br>\\r\\nI put the bankbooks and the other things back into the cash box.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……この金庫はまさに、父の心の中そのものだった。<br>\\r\\n...This cash box is just like my father's heart.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n次々とリナさんに中身を食い尽くされていく…！<br>\\r\\nRina-san is eating up the contents...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……どうしようどうしよう。<br>\\r\\n...What should I do?<br>\\r\\n考えるんだ、竜宮レナ。<br>\\r\\n Think, Rena Ryuugu.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんに、リナさんたちの悪巧みを打ち開けてみる？<br>\\r\\nShould I tell him about Rina-san's scheme?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…いや、多分何の意味もない。<br>\\r\\n...No, that probably wouldn't do anything.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n家畜の定義は、柵を開けても逃げ出さないことを指す。<br>\\r\\nThe whole point of taming an animal is that it won't run away from its owner even when the door is wide open.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…父は今や、檻の扉を開けたって出てこようとはしないのだ。<br>\\r\\n...My father probably won't leave his cage even if I opened the door.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんとリナさんが一緒にいる時に、リナさんに対して追求してみようか？<br>\\r\\nShould I confront Rina-san about her plot when he's with her?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…それもまったく同じだ。<br>\\r\\n...The results would be the same.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんは父にすがるように逃げるだろう。<br>\\r\\nRina-san would run behind his back.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父はリナさんを勝手に庇う。<br>\\r\\nHe'd probably try to protect her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n背中に乳房のひとつも押し付ければ男なんて勝手に守ってくれる。<br>\\r\\nIf she pressed her breasts against his back, he'd protect her no matter what.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…私と父の争いに置き換えられたら話がおかしくなってしまう。<br>\\r\\n...I couldn't make this a problem between me and him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそもそも私は、父の為を思ってリナさんを追い出そうとしているのだから。<br>\\r\\nFirst of all, I was trying to get rid of Rina-san for his sake.<br>\\r\\n父と私の不仲はリナさんに利する。<br>\\r\\n If we got mad at each other, it would give the advantage to Rina-san.<br>\\r\\n私が自ら窮地を招くようなものだ。<br>\\r\\n It would be like I was putting myself into her trap.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなら、……つまり、父に対しては何もすることがない、<br>\\r\\nThen... that meant<br>\\r\\nということなのか。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't make him do anything.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんと絶縁するよう父に迫ることができないなら、…私が直接、リナさんに絶縁を迫らなくてはならない。<br>\\r\\nIf I couldn't make him break up with Rina-san, I'd have to talk to Rina-san directly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そう、つまりそれは、父を焚きつけて戦わせるのではなく、<br>\\r\\n...So, instead of making my father fight<br>\\r\\n…他でもない、私自身が戦わなければならないことを指すのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...I'd have to fight in his place.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、どうやって戦えばいいんだろう？<br>\\r\\nBut, how?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そうだ、リナさんとあの男については、…詩ぃちゃんと一緒にいた、葛西さんという人が詳しそうだった。<br>\\r\\n...That guy, Kasai-san, who was with Shii-chan today, seemed to know the man Rina-san was with.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの人に何とかもう一度接触を図れないだろうか。<br>\\r\\nI wonder if I can somehow meet him again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n怖そうな人だったけれど、魅ぃちゃんの友人だと紹介してもらってある。<br>\\r\\nHe looked scary, but I was introduced to him as a friend of Mii-chan.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……この界隈では、魅ぃちゃんの名前はかなり強い意味を持っていたはずだ。<br>\\r\\n...Mii-chan has a lot of power around here.<br>\\r\\n悪い扱いはされないはず…。<br>\\r\\n There's no way he would treat me badly...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんたちに、お前たちの悪巧みはもう割れてるんだぞ、という感じに迫って、<br>\\r\\nI wondered if he could tell Rina-san and the man to back off from my father...<br>\\r\\n……いつの間にか父の前に現れなくなるような感じに、きれいにいかないだろうか…。<br>\\r\\n That'd help me a lot...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあぁ、でも葛西さんて人とどうやれば会えるかなんて知らないし、<br>\\r\\nBut I didn't know how I could meet him again.<br>\\r\\n……魅ぃちゃんたちにうちの事情を知られたくないし…。<br>\\r\\n ...I could ask Mii-chan for help, but I don't want her to know about my situation...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそもそもこれは竜宮家の問題だ。<br>\\r\\nThis is a problem of the Ryuugu family.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n他の誰も関係ない。<br>\\r\\nThis is nobody's business but mine.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう、これは私が１人で戦わなければならないことなのだ。<br>\\r\\nYeah, this is a battle that I'd have to fight alone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、両親の離婚であれだけの後悔をした。<br>\\r\\nI regretted my parents' divorce.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…自分の努力で回避できたかもしれない悲劇を嘆いた。<br>\\r\\n...I wept about the tragedy I could've prevented if I had tried.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからこそ、……今度は嘆かない。<br>\\r\\n......I wasn't going to weep this time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n回避できるチャンスを逃さない。<br>\\r\\nI wasn't going to let the chance slip away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、…今度こそ幸せを掴むために、戦うんだ…。<br>\\r\\nThis time... I would fight for my happiness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あーーー、そりゃ多分、葛西さんだねぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, you're talking about Kasai-san.<br>\\r\\n詩音の監視役だよ。」<br>\\r\\n He's Shion's watchdog.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「監視役、なの？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Her watchdog? Really?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっはっは、まぁねー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Aha ha ha. Yeah, he is!<br>\\r\\n詩音のやつ、私と比べると突拍子もないことをするからさー。<br>\\r\\n Shion tends to do crazy things,<br>\\r\\n監視役が必要なわけよ。」<br>\\r\\n so she needs to have someone watch her all the time.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅音も詩音も、その意味においちゃ互角だと思うぞー。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I think you're as crazy as Shion.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一くんが売り言葉を挟んだので、いつものように魅ぃちゃんと圭一くんははしゃいでふざけ合うのだった。<br>\\r\\nKeiichi-kun cut into the conversation. They ended up making a lot of noise, teasing each other like they always do.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n葛西さんという人は、興宮の町のちょいとした顔役らしい。<br>\\r\\nMion made it sound like that man, Kasai-san, is some sort of territory boss in Okinomiya.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…つまり、私が単身ではおいそれと会える相手ではないということだ。<br>\\r\\n...It wouldn't be easy for me to meet him in person.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、詩ぃちゃんの付き人だということになると、詩ぃちゃんを経由して接点を探せるかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nBut because he's Shii-chan's watchdog, I might be able to find a way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが問題なのは、私と詩ぃちゃんに接点がないことだった。<br>\\r\\nThe problem, though, is that I don't have any connection to Shii-chan either.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n詩ぃちゃんがひょっこりと雛見沢に現れた時に楽しくふざけるだけで、こちらから詩ぃちゃんにアプローチしたことはない。<br>\\r\\nWe hang around every once in a while whenever she comes to Hinamizawa, but I've never called or visited her.<br>\\r\\nどうやれば会えるか見当もつかなかった。<br>\\r\\n I have no idea how we can meet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれに、会えたとしたって協力してくれる保証はない。<br>\\r\\nEven if I could meet Kasai-san, there's no guarantee that he'd help me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あの時だって、詩ぃちゃんが一言添えてくれたから話してくれたわけで、他人のことは軽々しく口にしないのが身上のように見えた。<br>\\r\\n...He seems like the kind of person who doesn't like to gossip about others. He told me about Rina-san at the coffee house only because Shii-chan pushed him to.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………そんな回りくどいことをしている間に、ますます泥沼になって、手遅れになったりはしないだろうか。<br>\\r\\n......Plus, the situation could grow worse very quickly while I waited for the chance to meet him, so any help he might offer could come too late.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n先日の話の様子から考えて、男が近々乱入するような話をしていた。<br>\\r\\nI remember Kasai-san told me that, as her next step, Rina-san usually uses her partner to threaten their catch.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、それはこの芝居の締めくくりを示す。<br>\\r\\nThat would signify the end of her performance.<br>\\r\\n…根こそぎ持っていってしまおうという意味だ。<br>\\r\\n ...They were going to take all of my father's money.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私に危機感が足りないだけで、……破局はすぐそこまで迫っているのではないだろうか。<br>\\r\\nI wasn't feeling a sense of crisis yet, but that time might be coming very soon...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今だって、こうして私はのんびりと授業を受けているけれども、<br>\\r\\nEven as I was at school, taking a class peacefully...<br>\\r\\n……実は今、自宅にあの男たちが乗り込んできていて、父を恐喝しながら通帳を取り上げているというようなことはないだろうか。<br>\\r\\n That man might already be at the house right at this moment, threatening my father to hand over his bankbooks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……気になりだすと不安が不安を呼び、今にも天井が落ちてきて自分を押し潰してしまうような、心理的圧迫感を感じるのだった。<br>\\r\\n...Once I become anxious, I get more and more anxious. I could feel a big pressure on my chest as if the ceiling had collapsed on me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いやぁ…、平和過ぎて退屈だぜ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Man... I'm so bored. My life is too peaceful.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一くんが大あくびをしながら話しかけて来る。<br>\\r\\nKeiichi-kun talks to me, yawning.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうかなぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Is that so bad?<br>\\r\\nレナは平和で退屈なの、大好きだよ…？」<br>\\r\\n I'd love to have a peaceful life that'd bore me...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「俺はごめんだねぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't.<br>\\r\\nせめて火星人が襲来するくらいのことが、毎週とは言わないまでにも、月末くらいには欲しいところだぜ。<br>\\r\\n I wish some kind of big event would happen, like aliens coming to attack us or something. I'm not saying I'd like to have something like that every week, but at least at the end of every month or so.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあ、定期テストはなしでだぜー。」<br>\\r\\n Oh, and that doesn't include our monthly test.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「もし本当に火星人が攻めて来て、世界中が滅ぼされて、雛見沢も焼け野原になったら、圭一くんは退屈がまぎれて満足かな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"If aliens really did come, destroyed the earth, and burned all of Hinamizawa, would you be satisfied?<br>\\r\\n………かな。」<br>\\r\\n ...Would you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いや、そこまでは言ってねぇよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, that's not what I mean.<br>\\r\\n何かアクシデントのひとつもないと、退屈で溶けちまいそうだぜって言いたかっただけだぜ。」<br>\\r\\n I'm just saying that I want for some kind of excitement because I'm so bored.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……私の今の心情などもちろん知らずに言ってるのだろうが。<br>\\r\\n...He had no idea of what I've been going through, of course, and that's why he says that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一くんの無神経な一言にたまにイラつく。<br>\\r\\nBut I was still irritated by his insensitivity.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n平和で退屈で、昨日と同じ日が今日も明日も訪れることを疑わない生活の、どこに不満があるというのか。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't understand why he wouldn't be satisfied with such a peaceful life. He never has to doubt that today and tomorrow will be as fun as yesterday.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は平和で退屈な日常が、ある日、突然崩壊することを知っている。<br>\\r\\nI was all too aware that boring and peaceful days could be destroyed all of a sudden.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいつもの平和で退屈な日々に、突然、母に離婚を打ち明けられるかもしれないことを知っている。<br>\\r\\nI knew that boring and peaceful days could come to an end all of a sudden because your mom wanted to divorce your dad.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n突然、父に愛人が出来て、家に居場所がなくなるかもしれないことを知っている。<br>\\r\\nI knew that you could feel like you didn't belong anywhere in your own house because your dad had gotten a new girlfriend.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれでも、日々は呆れるくらいに何度も何度も単調に繰り返されるわけで。<br>\\r\\nEven so, you had to repeat the same kind of day over and over again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だからこそ私は、いつ世界が崩壊してもいいように、一日一日を精一杯幸せに生きたいと思っているのだ。<br>\\r\\n...That's why I want to live every day happily in order to be prepared when the world comes to its end.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナは日々が幸せそうでいいよな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm jealous of you, you know? You look so happy all the time.<br>\\r\\nそういうのもスキルなのかな、ちょっと羨ましいぜ。」<br>\\r\\n I wish I had that kind of skill.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………そんなの羨ましがられても困るなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......You're jealous of me, huh?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「日々を退屈でなく、幸せに過ごすのって、何かコツでもあるのか？<br>\\r\\n\\\"How do you do it? How do you live every day not being bored, but being happy?<br>\\r\\nあるなら教えてくれよ、俺も会得してみたいぜ！」<br>\\r\\n If it really is a skill, I'd love to learn how!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははははは、そんなの簡単だよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahaha. That's easy.<br>\\r\\n………気付くだけだもん。」<br>\\r\\n ......All you need to do is to realize.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「気付くって？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Realize what?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一くんには気付けないよ。<br>\\r\\nThere's no way he could realize it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれに、………気付かないことの方が、多分、それって幸せな人生だと思うから。<br>\\r\\nAnd it was probably better that he didn't, because that meant he was truly happy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「気付くだけだよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You just need to realize<br>\\r\\n幸せな日々が、有限であることに。」<br>\\r\\n that your happy days will one day come to an end.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいつもの３人での帰り道。<br>\\r\\nThe three of us walked home from school like we always did.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんと別れる道で、手を振りながら去っていく彼女を追いかけた。<br>\\r\\nMii-chan said goodbye to us at the corner of the street where she took her separate way home. She walked away, waving, but I chased after her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅ぃちゃ〜〜〜〜ん…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mii-chan...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ん？ 何〜〜？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Nn? What?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんは、自分が何か落し物でもしたのかと、きょろきょろと自分の身なりを確認している。<br>\\r\\nMii-chan apparently thought she dropped something, and she looked around to see what she dropped.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えっと、あはは、忘れるところだった。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Uh, ahaha. I almost forgot to tell you.<br>\\r\\n実はね、昨日、喫茶店で詩ぃちゃんと葛西さんに会ったの。<br>\\r\\n I saw Shii-chan and Kasai-san yesterday at a coffee house.<br>\\r\\nその時にね、葛西さんの落し物を拾ったの。」<br>\\r\\n And I picked up something that Kasai-san dropped while he was there.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろん落し物なんて話は出任せだ。<br>\\r\\nOf course, he hadn't dropped anything. I was lying.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n葛西さんに本当に会えたら、全然関係のないものを見せて、勘違いでしたと謝ればいいだけの話。<br>\\r\\nIf I could meet him, I'd just show him whatever, tell him I thought it was his, and apologize for my mistake.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「へーーー！ あっそ、そりゃありがと。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh! Well, thank you, then.<br>\\r\\n届けとくよ。」<br>\\r\\n I'll send it over to him, in that case.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あ、あ、それでねそれでね、……レナが直接返したいの。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah, ah... I'd like to give it back to him in person.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Eh?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんはきょとんとした。<br>\\r\\nMii-chan looked surprised.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n当然だ。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't blame her.<br>\\r\\n私と葛西さんには何の接点もない。<br>\\r\\n I'd met him only once.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどう考えても不自然な申し出に違いなかった。<br>\\r\\nIt's weird to want to give something back in person to someone you barely know.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まぁ、そりゃ構わないけど、何でまたぁ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, that's alright. But why?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「は、はぅ……。<br>\\r\\n\\\"H-Hau......<br>\\r\\n……サングラスにおひげがね？<br>\\r\\n He had this kyute beard and these kyute sunglasses......<br>\\r\\nちょっぴりかぁいかったの…☆<br>\\r\\n I'm so crazy about kyute things...<br>\\r\\nはぅ〜。」<br>\\r\\n Hauuu.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこういう時はかぁいいモードで誤魔化せないだろうか。<br>\\r\\nCould I fudge my true intentions with my Kyute Mode?<br>\\r\\n…適当な出任せを言ってみる。<br>\\r\\n ...I tried it anyway.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんはあまり深く考えるタイプじゃないから、多分これで通用するはず。<br>\\r\\nMii-chan usually takes words at their face value, and indeed she seemed to buy it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah ha ha ha!<br>\\r\\n口ひげを引っこ抜いてお持ち帰りしちゃダメだよー？」<br>\\r\\n Please don't pull out his beard and take it home with you!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「で、そ、その、どうかな、会えるかなぁ…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"So, d-do you think I can meet him...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…んーーーー、…忙しいのか暇なのか、全然見当つかない人だからねぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Well... I have no idea if he's busy or not.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今度、雛見沢に来る用事がないか聞いておくよ。」<br>\\r\\n I'll ask him when he's coming to Hinamizawa next.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいつになるか分からない未来の話では困る。<br>\\r\\nI needed to know when as soon as possible.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…今日中にとは言わないまでにも、明日明後日くらいには会えるようにしてもらいたい…。<br>\\r\\n...Of course, I wasn't going to say I wanted to meet him today, but at least tomorrow or the day after tomorrow...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なんだよー、お前ら何やってんだー？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What are you guys doing?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「んーー？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hmm?<br>\\r\\nんっふっふっふ！<br>\\r\\n Nfu fu fu!<br>\\r\\nレナがねぇ、新しい恋に目覚めちゃったんだってさぁ。」<br>\\r\\n It seems like Rena found a new love.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ちち、違うよ違うよ、はぅ〜〜！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"N-N-No! Hauuuuuu!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何だそりゃ、面白そうな話だなぁ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Really? How interesting!<br>\\r\\n俺も混ぜろ混ぜろ！」<br>\\r\\n I want to hear about it, too!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのままうやむやにされたくないので、魅ぃちゃんの耳元に、急いで返した方がいい、<br>\\r\\nI didn't want her to leave it up in the air, so I told her, \\\"I think I should give it back to him as soon as possible.<br>\\r\\nきっと葛西さんも探してるよ、と言い残した。<br>\\r\\n I'm sure he's looking for it, too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんは、了解了解と復唱すると、手を振って去っていった。<br>\\r\\nMii-chan said \\\"okay\\\" twice and walked away, waving.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………葛西さんに会えたら、どう話して、どう協力を頼むかは何も考えていない。<br>\\r\\n...I hadn't yet thought about how I was going to ask for help when I would meet him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、立場的にリナさんたちより上手にいるようだった。<br>\\r\\nHe seems to be in a higher position than Rina-san and her partner.<br>\\r\\n力になってもらえれば、これほど心強いことはない。<br>\\r\\n If he agreed to help me, it would be very encouraging.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、プライベートには干渉しない…というようなことを言われて、関わり合いを避けられる可能性は否定できない。<br>\\r\\nBut there was a possibility that he'd tell me he didn't want to interfere in other people's private matters.<br>\\r\\n父と娘と愛人の三角関係に過ぎないと言われればそれまでなのだから。<br>\\r\\n He could just say the whole thing was another love triangle between a father, his daughter, and his lover.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあな、レナぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Bye, Rena.<br>\\r\\nまた明日なー！」<br>\\r\\n See you tomorrow!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん、また明日ねー！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, see you tomorrow!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一くんとも別れ、私だけの帰路になった。<br>\\r\\nI said goodbye to Keiichi-kun, and walked home alone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nおしゃべりな圭一くんと別れると、急に静かになった気がして、頭の回転が冴える気がする。<br>\\r\\nAfter Keiichi-kun was gone, everything went quiet, and my head became clear.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……私に必要なのは、これからのことをよく考える静かな時間なのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n...What I needed at that moment was quiet time to think about what I should do from then on.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n葛西さんに話せば、円満に解決するなんて甘えない方がいい。<br>\\r\\nI shouldn't depend on Kasai-san to solve my problem.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n協力を拒まれ、他の方法を考えなければならない可能性だって高いのだから。<br>\\r\\nHe'd most likely decline my request, so I'll have to think about some alternatives.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……むしろ、それで当り前くらいに考えて、他の手を考えておかなければならないかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n...It's probably better that I just do that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……さっきの、父と娘と愛人という三角形が気になった。この不和の三角形を身近によく知っていたからだ。<br>\\r\\n...A love triangle between a father, his daughter, and his lover. Those words bothered me, because I've seen an unhappy triangle like that before.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう、それは、<br>\\r\\nThat sort of thing...<br>\\r\\n…………悟史くんの一家のことだったから。<br>\\r\\n had happened to Satoshi-kun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n去年の悟史くんがそうだった。<br>\\r\\nSatoshi-kun experienced it last year.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n兄と妹と叔母の三角形の中で、妹を守りたくて戦った。<br>\\r\\nHe fought for his sister in a triangle with his aunt.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは父を守るために戦おうとする私と図式は違わない。<br>\\r\\nIt was the same situation as mine. I'm trying to fight to protect my father.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n悟史くんは１人で戦った。<br>\\r\\nSatoshi-kun fought alone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰も助けてくれなかったから。<br>\\r\\nNobody helped him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私だって、同情と憐れみの言葉をかける以上の何もしはしなかった。<br>\\r\\nAll I did for him was give him my sympathy and compassion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何もできると思わなかったから。<br>\\r\\nI didn't think I could do anything more than that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n気の毒だとは思いつつ、何の手も差し伸べなかった。<br>\\r\\nI felt sorry for him, but I didn't really help him out.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n無責任に励まし、心を切り付けるような言葉で煽るだけ。<br>\\r\\nIrresponsibly, I tried to cheer him up, and I probably told him something that I thought would make him feel better, but that hurt him instead.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それがどれだけ彼の心を傷つけたか、最近、圭一くんの無神経な言葉からそれを感じ取れる。<br>\\r\\n......I recently realized how much I hurt him with my insensitivity, because Keiichi just hurt me the same way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n悟史くんが去年、辿った道を、今度は私が辿っている。<br>\\r\\nI'm going down the same path Satoshi-kun went last year.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……不思議な既視感。<br>\\r\\n...I feel like I'm experiencing deja vu,<br>\\r\\n奇妙な繰り返し。<br>\\r\\n an unusual repetition.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あはは、じゃあ今年は、<br>\\r\\n...Ahaha, would that mean...<br>\\r\\n…私が鬼隠しに遭う？<br>\\r\\n that I'd be the one who gets demoned away this year?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大丈夫、私は雛見沢を逃げ出そうなんて思ってないよ…。<br>\\r\\nI should be okay. I wasn't thinking about running away from Hinamizawa...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………本当に？<br>\\r\\n......Was I?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は雛見沢を逃げ出そうとは、まだ思っていないけれど、家を逃げ出そうとは何度も思ったんじゃない？<br>\\r\\nI wasn't thinking about running away from Hinamizawa, but I thought about running away from my home many times.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれで、ゴミ山に逃げ込む先を自分で作ったんじゃないか。<br>\\r\\nThat's why I made the place I could escape to in the garbage dump.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこがたまたま雛見沢の中にあっただけのこと。<br>\\r\\nThat dump happened to be in Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもしあのゴミ山が、雛見沢でなかったなら。<br>\\r\\nBut, what if it wasn't?<br>\\r\\n…それは私が雛見沢から逃げ出そうとしていることと同じだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Running there would be the same thing as running away from Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…あはははは、…こういうのはだめだな。<br>\\r\\n...Ahahahaha. I shouldn't think like that.<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまに怒られちゃうね…。<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama will get mad at me...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまは、……本当に怖いんだから。<br>\\r\\nOyashiro-sama is... really scary.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…チカチカ、………チカチカ…。<br>\\r\\n...I saw flickering lights in my head...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だめだ、あの頃のことを思い出そうとすると、意識が朦朧としてくる。<br>\\r\\n...Oh, no. Every time I tried to remember that time, my mind would stop working properly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n向精神薬の毒々しい色のカプセルを思い出されてくる。<br>\\r\\nI remembered the vivid colors of my psychoactive drugs.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれと同時に、頭の中にチカチカとする雲がいっぱいに広がっていく……。<br>\\r\\nThe flickering lights and clouds started spreading in my head......<br>\\r\\nチカチカチカチカ……。<br>\\r\\n They were so bright and annoying......<br>\\r\\n……無理に思い出すな、無理に思い出すな…。<br>\\r\\n Don't try too hard to remember. Don't try too hard to remember...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあぁ……、だめだだめだ………。<br>\\r\\nAh... No, no, no...<br>\\r\\n……頭の中に広がるチカチカが止められない…。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't stop the flickering lights in my head...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの感情はだめだ。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't have that feeling.<br>\\r\\n……他の感情で心を満たさないと…。<br>\\r\\n ...I had to fill my heart with another feeling...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう、こんな抽象的なチカチカに頭をいっぱいにしてる場合じゃない。<br>\\r\\nYeah, there was no time for these crazy flickering lights in my head.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…葛西さんに協力を拒まれた時にどうするかを考えよう。<br>\\r\\n...I had to think about what I should do when Kasai-san declined my request for help.<br>\\r\\nお父さんをリナさんたちから守らなくちゃ。<br>\\r\\n I had to protect my father from Rina-san and that bad man.<br>\\r\\nあぁ、私はいつまであいつのことを、さん付けで呼ぶんだろう？<br>\\r\\n Wait, why was I still calling her that?<br>\\r\\nリナはリナだ、リナリナリナ。<br>\\r\\n Rina is Rina. Rina. Rina. Rina.<br>\\r\\nお父さんを誑かして、私たち親子に不和をもたらそうとする「悪い人」。<br>\\r\\n She's a bad person who deceived my father and tried to bring us unhappiness.<br>\\r\\n悪い人はただいるだけで悪い人。<br>\\r\\n Bad people bring bad things into the world without even doing anything.<br>\\r\\n悪くない９割の人とはまったく違う存在。<br>\\r\\n They're different from the other 90% of people who aren't bad.<br>\\r\\n曖昧に見逃せばそれだけで周りが膿んで腫れてしまう存在。<br>\\r\\n If you let them loose, they'll even ruin the people around them.<br>\\r\\nほら、みかん箱に１つ痛んだみかんがあると、周りのみかんを次々腐らせてしまう、<br>\\r\\n When you have one bad tangerine in a box, it spreads its fungus to the other tangerines around it.<br>\\r\\nああいう感じ。<br>\\r\\n That's what bad people are like.<br>\\r\\n…去年の悟史くんは、どうやってその三角形を終わらせたんだっけ？あぁ頭がチカチカ、チカチカ…。<br>\\r\\n...I couldn't remember how Satoshi-kun resolved his triangle last year. Ah, but I could still see the flickering lights in my head...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nチ<br>\\r\\nThey're<br>\\r\\nチ<br>\\r\\n still<br>\\r\\nカ<br>\\r\\n flickering.<br>\\r\\nチ<br>\\r\\n They're<br>\\r\\nカ<br>\\r\\n still<br>\\r\\nチ<br>\\r\\n flickering.<br>\\r\\nカ<br>\\r\\nnThey're<br>\\r\\n、<br>\\r\\n still<br>\\r\\nチ<br>\\r\\n flickering.<br>\\r\\nカ<br>\\r\\n They're<br>\\r\\nチ<br>\\r\\n still<br>\\r\\nカ<br>\\r\\n flickering.<br>\\r\\nチ<br>\\r\\nnThey're<br>\\r\\nカ<br>\\r\\n still<br>\\r\\nチ<br>\\r\\n flickering......<br>\\r\\nカ<br>\\r\\nnThey're<br>\\r\\n…<br>\\r\\n still<br>\\r\\n。<br>\\r\\n flickering......<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n頭の中でうねるチカチカの渦に眩暈を覚えた頃、私の家が見えたきた。<br>\\r\\nJust as the swirl of flickering lights were making me dizzy, I saw my house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……門の脇に停められたリナさんのバイクも目に入る。<br>\\r\\n...I also saw Rina-san's scooter parked by the side of the gate.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのバイクが見えた瞬間、頭のチカチカはすっと引き、私は私を取り戻すのだった。<br>\\r\\nThe moment I saw the bike, the flickering lights disappeared, and I regained control of myself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんは昨夜は結局、泊まった。<br>\\r\\nRina-san spent the night last night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日の夕方にはお店のシフトが入っていると言ってたから、多分、もうじき帰るだろう。<br>\\r\\nShe told me she had to work today in the evening, so she should be leaving soon.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、そのもうじきの時間すらも、今はリナさんと一緒にいたくはなかった。<br>\\r\\nBut I didn't want to be around her, even for the little while until she left.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nただいまと叫んで玄関に飛び込み、まるで外で友達が待っているかのように振る舞い、私は慌しく外へ飛び出していく。<br>\\r\\nI said, \\\"I'm home!\\\" real loud, rushed into the house, pretended that my friends were waiting outside, and rushed out of the house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれをリナさんに呼び止められた。<br>\\r\\nBut Rina-san stopped me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あらー、お帰り礼奈ちゃん。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, Reina-chan. You're home.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あ、こんにちは…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah, hello...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんの笑顔がこれほど醜悪に見えたのは初めてだった。<br>\\r\\nThis was the first time I thought Rina-san's smile was ugly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n当然だ。<br>\\r\\nIt only stood to reason.<br>\\r\\n私はこの笑顔の裏側で何を企んでいるのか知ってしまったのだから。<br>\\r\\n I had realized the scheme she was hiding behind the smile.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今日ね、お父さんと一緒にお昼は穀倉（ごぐら）まで行ってきたのよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Your father and I went to Gogura for lunch today.<br>\\r\\nキーマカレーがとーってもおいしいお店でね？」<br>\\r\\n There's a restaurant there that makes delicious Indian curry.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n居間からお父さんも顔を覗かせ、おいしい店だったので、今度みんなで行こうと言う。<br>\\r\\nMy father poked his head out of the living room, and he says, \\\"I want to go there again next time we go. I really liked that curry.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……みんなとは、私とお父さんだけのことを指すのか、指さないのか。<br>\\r\\n...I wondered if he meant with me next time or with me and her.<br>\\r\\nというか、リナさんにお父さんと呼ばれたくない。<br>\\r\\n Anyway, I hate it when Rina-san says \\\"your father\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それで、レトルトをおみやげに買ってきたの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We bought you some curry home from the restaurant.<br>\\r\\nあとでぜひ食べてみてね。<br>\\r\\n Try it later.<br>\\r\\nおいしいから〜！<br>\\r\\n It's very good!<br>\\r\\n礼奈ちゃんはこのお店、知ってる？」<br>\\r\\n Have you heard of that restaurant, Reina-chan?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのキーマカレーがおいしい穀倉の店は知ってる。<br>\\r\\nI did know the restaurant she was talking about.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n週刊誌に載っていた、オープンしたばかりのお店のことだろう。<br>\\r\\nI saw it in a magazine. It's a new restaurant that just opened recently.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nとてもおいしいけれど、値段が高いお店だったはず。<br>\\r\\nI also remembered that it was an expensive restaurant.<br>\\r\\nその、みやげに買って来たレトルトだけで、普段の竜宮家の食卓がまかなえてしまうに違いない。<br>\\r\\n The amount of money they spent on the take-home curry alone must have been enough to cover the cost of all our dinners for several nights.<br>\\r\\n………竜宮家の通帳を知っている私には、この程度のことですら、穏やかではいられなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...Since I was aware of what was in the bankbooks, it was hard for me to stay calm.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それは楽しみです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm looking forward to it.<br>\\r\\nありがとうございますね、リナさん。」<br>\\r\\n Thank you so much, Rina-san.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それでね、礼奈ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Reina-chan.<br>\\r\\nちょっとみんなでお話があるんだけど、」<br>\\r\\n Your father and I would like to talk about something with you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ごめんなさい！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm sorry!<br>\\r\\nちょっと友達を待たせてるんで出掛けますね。<br>\\r\\n But, my friends are waiting for me, so I have to go.<br>\\r\\nはぅ〜！<br>\\r\\n Hauuu!<br>\\r\\nまたゴミ捨て場で宝探しなの〜☆」<br>\\r\\n We're going to go treasure hunting at the garbage dump again☆!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはははははー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahaha!<br>\\r\\n礼奈ちゃんは宝探しが好きねー。<br>\\r\\n You really like treasure hunting, huh?<br>\\r\\n私も今度行ってみようかしらぁ。」<br>\\r\\n I'd like to go there sometime.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ではすみません、失礼します！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, I've gotta go. Bye!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんが何か仕草をする度に、私の大嫌いな香水の匂いが鼻を突く。<br>\\r\\nEvery time Rina-san moved her arms or head, the scent of her perfume struck my nostrils.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はそれ以上、顔をしかめずにその場に居続けるのは、もう限界だった。<br>\\r\\nI hate the smell of her perfume, so I couldn't stay there a second longer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n玄関を飛び出し、私は家を出てなお匂う気がする香水から逃れるため、がむしゃらに走り出す。<br>\\r\\nI rushed out of the house, and started running to get away from her perfume.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分という名のゴムが、きちきちに張り詰めているのが分かる。<br>\\r\\nThe rubber band inside me, the one called Rena, was stretched all the way to its limit.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何かが外れれば、ものすごい勢いで弾けてしまうのが自分でも分かる。<br>\\r\\nI'm pretty sure I'd explode and go crazy if the rubber band broke.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何で私は、自分の家でこんな思いをしなくてはならないのだろう。<br>\\r\\nI didn't want to feel like that inside my own house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分の家とは、心を許せる一番の場所のことではなかったのか。<br>\\r\\nMy house was supposed to be the place where I could open my heart freely.<br>\\r\\n私は逃げる、<br>\\r\\n I ran away.<br>\\r\\nそこから逃げる。<br>\\r\\n I ran away from there.<br>\\r\\nこんな家は私の居られる場所じゃないから、どんどん逃げる。<br>\\r\\n I ran farther and farther away from there because it was no longer a place I belonged.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは走るのではなく、逃げるという行為。<br>\\r\\nIt's not that I had a destination in mind. I was just running away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が居てもいい場所へ逃げ込む、逃げるという行為。<br>\\r\\nI was running to escape to a place where I did belong.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…私は今日一日、あの女と戦おうという決意で胸を満たしていたのではないのか。<br>\\r\\n...Didn't I decide to fight against that woman?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼女と直接か、あるいは父も交えて戦おうと決意したのではなかったか。<br>\\r\\nDidn't I decide to fight against her either by myself or with my father?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなのに、彼女の作り笑いの顔を見た途端に、背中を生理的な悪寒が駆け上ってしまった。<br>\\r\\nBut then, once I saw her fake smile, a chill ran up my back.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、何気なく持ち上げた石の下に、団子虫がびっしりいて気持ち悪くなって、慌てて石を戻すのと同じこと。<br>\\r\\nIt was like I picked up a stone, found a carpet of bugs underneath it, and put it back on the ground in a hurry.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は慌てて、家を飛び出すのだ。<br>\\r\\nI rushed out of the house as fast as I could.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は戦いたいのか、逃げたいのか。<br>\\r\\nDid I want to fight or did I want to run away?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日と同じ明日が訪れると信じて、ゴミ山の隠れ家で安穏と過ごすことを選ぼうとしているだけではないのか。<br>\\r\\nWas I just choosing to spend a peaceful time at my hideout, believing that tomorrow would be the same as today?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでもそんなのじゃ駄目なんだ。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't do that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあいつらは、いつ事を荒立ててくるか分かったもんじゃない！<br>\\r\\nI didn't know when they'd spring their trap!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nとにかく時間を無駄にしちゃいけないはずなんだ。理屈ではわかってる！<br>\\r\\nI couldn't afford to waste any time. I knew that, deep down!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nわかってるんだけど、<br>\\r\\nI knew that, but<br>\\r\\n…逃げたくなる、<br>\\r\\n ...I just wanted to run away.<br>\\r\\n逃げてしまう、<br>\\r\\n I couldn't stop myself from running away.<br>\\r\\n逃げてしまった！！<br>\\r\\n And so, I did run away!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…こういう時、ゴミ山の隠れ家のマットレスは本当にやわらかく感じるのを、私はもう知っていた。<br>\\r\\n...At times like this, the mattress in my hideout would feel so soft. That, I knew.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nひぐらしの鳴き声が、とても気持ちよかった。<br>\\r\\nThe cries of the higurashi were soothing to the ears.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼らの鳴き声はとてもやさしい。<br>\\r\\nThey sounded as soft as my mattress.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…音楽のように、決められた感情を押し付けることもない。<br>\\r\\n...They were like music. They didn't force any feelings upon me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…ただやさしく、私は私で、あるがままでいてくれればいいと教えてくれている。<br>\\r\\n...They cried as if to tell me to just be who I am.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんなにも静かだから、無粋な排気音が近付いてくるのはすぐに分かった。<br>\\r\\nIt was always so quiet here that I immediately noticed the purr of an engine coming closer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nダム戦争中にはさぞ賑わっただろうと思われるこの場所も、今はほとんど人など訪れない忘れられた場所だ。<br>\\r\\nPeople used to come here and make a lot of noise during the dam conflict. But now, nobody really comes here. This is a place forgotten.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だから、わざわざ通り抜ける人間は希少だった。<br>\\r\\n...So, it was rare to see somebody come through here at all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は廃車の屋根の上に座り、振り返りもせず、その無粋な侵入者が早く通り過ぎてくれるのを待つのだった。<br>\\r\\nI sat on the roof of an abandoned car and waited for the intruder to go away without looking their way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、排気音は止まる。<br>\\r\\nBut, the purr of the engine stopped.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………私は馬鹿じゃないから。<br>\\r\\n...I'm not stupid.<br>\\r\\nそれだけで誰が訪れたのかを悟った。<br>\\r\\n If it stopped, I knew exactly who it had to be.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nおーいと遠くから呼ぶ声を一度は無視する。<br>\\r\\nI heard the person calling me, but I ignored it once.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…でも、無視するのは難しいくらいに近付いてからもう一度声を掛けられたので、私は振り返り応えた。<br>\\r\\n...The person came closer, making it harder for me to ignore her, and she called my name again. I turned around this time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………リナさん。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"............Rina-san.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「礼奈ちゃん、結構、耳遠い方ー？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Reina-chan, are you hard of hearing?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「すみません、多分、逆風だったんで聞こえにくかったんだと思います。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm sorry. I guess I couldn't hear you because of the wind.<br>\\r\\nあはは。」<br>\\r\\n Ahaha.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその適当な言い訳で納得してくれたようだった。<br>\\r\\nShe seemed to buy my poor excuse.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんは、あぁそういうのってあるよねーと笑う。<br>\\r\\nShe smiled and said, \\\"yeah, it happens sometimes.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「一人？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Are you here alone?<br>\\r\\nお友達は？」<br>\\r\\n Where's your friend?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「一人で遊んでますよー。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm playing here alone.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ふ〜ん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well.<br>\\r\\nその年でなかなか渋いわねー。」<br>\\r\\n It's rare for a girl your age to play alone.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんは、う〜〜んと伸びをすると、斜面いっぱいに広がる広大なゴミ山を眺めた。<br>\\r\\nRina-san stretched and looked across the huge garbage dump.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「しっかし、よくもこれだけ盛大にスクラップばっか捨てたもんよね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I can't believe people throw so much scrap out here.<br>\\r\\n知ってる？<br>\\r\\n Do you know there used to be a place where people threw tons of abandoned cars without wheels?<br>\\r\\n昔、平坂の二丁目にもタイヤの外れた車ばっかり積んであるところがあってねー。」<br>\\r\\n It was near Hirasaka.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんの昔話に興味などないが、上辺だけは相槌を打って合わせた。<br>\\r\\nI wasn't interested in Rina-san's old story, but I pretended to listen and nodded.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼女が興宮に帰る時、ここは通らない。<br>\\r\\nShe doesn't take this road to go back to Okinomiya.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、私がここにいることを知って寄り道したのだろう。<br>\\r\\nI guess she knew I'd be here and came by to see me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……一体、何の用で？<br>\\r\\n...What did she want?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼女は私に話を合わせようとしていることは明白だった。<br>\\r\\nIt was obvious that she was just trying to make conversation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…私が少し露骨に避けたことを気にして、機嫌を取りに来たのだろうか。<br>\\r\\n...She probably took it personally when I avoided her earlier, which must be why she was here to butter me up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n少なくとも、彼女がどういう目的で父に近付いているのであれ、実の娘である私と対立して得をすることはない。<br>\\r\\nIt would be better for her not to have any conflicts with the daughter of the man she's seeing, no matter what the intention of seeing him is.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその意味においては、不思議なこととは言えなかった。<br>\\r\\nIn that sense, it was a reasonable action for her to take.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、聞きたくもないリナさんの昔話に相槌を打ちながら、早くいなくなってくれないかなと、そればかり思っていた。<br>\\r\\nWhile I listened to her old story, all I could think about was when she was going to leave.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………私は、戦わなくていいの？<br>\\r\\n...Didn't I have to fight against her?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は彼女と戦う決意をしたんじゃなかったっけ？<br>\\r\\nDidn't I decide to fight against her?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n興宮の喫茶店で、この女の腹の底を知ったはず。<br>\\r\\nDidn't I find out her plot at the coffee house in Okinomiya?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして父がこの女にしゃぶり尽くされようとしているのを、金庫の中身で知ったはず。<br>\\r\\nDidn't I find out that this woman is squeezing money out of my father when I looked inside his cash box?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……私はあなたの正体を知っています。<br>\\r\\n...I know who you are.<br>\\r\\n父と別れてください。<br>\\r\\n Please leave my father alone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの一言で決着がつけばどれだけ気楽なことか。<br>\\r\\nHow easy it would be if those two sentences could solve the problem.<br>\\r\\n……彼女は恐らく、否定してくる。<br>\\r\\n ...She'd probably deny it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私がどんなにあの店で聞いたことを告げたって、確固たる証拠があるわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\nEven if I told her about what I heard at the coffee house, I have no evidence of her plot.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの鉄という乱暴な男に脅されてやっただけ、なんて言われたらそれ以上は詰め寄れない。<br>\\r\\nIf she said she did it because the vulgar man was threatening her, there would be nothing I could do.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…でも、この女が「悪い人」だってわかっている！<br>\\r\\n...But I know this woman is a bad person!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのまま、無駄に時間を溶かせば、遠くない将来に必ず何か恐ろしいことが起こるとわかっているのに…！<br>\\r\\nI know something horrible will happen in the near future if I waste time like this...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n短絡的な感情が少しずつ込み上がってくる。<br>\\r\\nA strange, tense feeling started coming over me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、その感情をどういう形で吐き出せばいいかわからない。<br>\\r\\n...But I didn't know how to let it out.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてそんな感情が込み上がってくるに従い、彼女の香水の匂いがたまらなく嫌になってくる…。<br>\\r\\nAs the feeling started running high, I became unable to stand the smell of her perfume...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…私は彼女との距離を開きたくて、スクラップの斜面を飛び降りていく。<br>\\r\\n...I wanted to put a certain distance between me and her, so I climbed down the slope of the scrap heap.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n降りて、降りて。<br>\\r\\nI kept going down and down<br>\\r\\nゴミ山の傾斜を下っていく。<br>\\r\\n the slopes of the garbage dump.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n振り向けば、彼女も何か言いながら斜面を降りてくる。<br>\\r\\nWhen I turned around, I saw her coming down as well, muttering.<br>\\r\\n……ついて来る気なのか。<br>\\r\\n ...Was she following me?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は彼女を振り切りたくて、さらに足早に斜面を駆け下り、ゴミ山を回りこみ、私の隠れ家の前までやってくる。<br>\\r\\nIn order to run away from her, I started running down the slope all the way to the bottom, went around behind some trash piles, and arrived at the front of my hideout.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……意味のない逃避。<br>\\r\\n...My escape was meaningless.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼女がやがてここに来るだけ。<br>\\r\\nNot only was she going to catch up with me eventually...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして誰にも内緒のはずだった隠れ家の場所を、わざわざあの女に教えてるだけ。<br>\\r\\nAll I did was let her know the way to my hideout that nobody is supposed to know about.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nせめて、私にとっての大事な場所をあの女に教えたくない。<br>\\r\\nI wanted to make sure she never saw my precious hideout.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そう思い、この場所を離れようと思った時、彼女が姿を現してしまった。<br>\\r\\n...I was about to leave, but then she appeared.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……へーー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Wow.<br>\\r\\nちょっと素敵よね。秘密基地みたいー！」<br>\\r\\n This is cool. It's like a secret base!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははは。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahaha.<br>\\r\\n私だけの秘密の隠れ家なんですよー。<br>\\r\\n This is my secret hideout.<br>\\r\\nここには誰も来ないし、誰にも何も聞コエマセン。」<br>\\r\\n Nobody comes here, and nobody can HEAR us.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……自分の言葉に、不思議な違和感。<br>\\r\\n...I felt strange, hearing myself say that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「礼奈ちゃんだけの秘密の隠れ家？<br>\\r\\n\\\"So, this is your secret hideout, huh?<br>\\r\\nあはははは！<br>\\r\\n Ahahahaha!<br>\\r\\n嬉しいわね、そんな場所に連れて来てもらえるなんて。」<br>\\r\\n I'm honored to be invited here.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼女は、自分だけの秘密を打ち明けてもらえたのが、親密さを示すものだと感じたらしく、勝手に嬉しがっている。<br>\\r\\nShe must've thought I told her my secret because she was worth sharing it with. She looked happy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、隠れ家のワゴン車を見つけ、窓から中を覗き込み感嘆を表そうと奇声を上げていた。<br>\\r\\nShe found the station wagon, looked inside of it through the window, and went all 'ooh' and 'ahh' excitedly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、この場所が誰も知ラナイ秘密ノ場所デアルコトヲ思イ出シ、意識ト体ガ剥離シテイクヨウナ、ふわふわトシタ感覚に酔ッテイタ。<br>\\r\\nThis is a sEcRET place that NOBODY ELSE knows. I FeLt like my ConscIousNess wAs seParatiNg fRom my bODy, LikE I WaS fLoATING.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...........................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは車酔いにも似た感覚で、甘酒に酔うような心地よさはない。<br>\\r\\nBut it didn't feel good, like when I drink amazake. It was more like being carsick.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n嘔吐感すら感じさせる、気持ち悪さがあるだけだ。<br>\\r\\nI felt like I was going to throw up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの女と一緒に居て、逃げ出せない現実に、脳が現実逃避のための脳内物質を充満させているに違いない。<br>\\r\\nMy brain was probably secreting some chemical in order to avoid facing the reality that I'd have to stay with this woman, that I couldn't run away from her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……考えないようにしたって、彼女が目の前にいる現実は変わらないのに…！<br>\\r\\n...But, even if my brain tried to avoid recognizing it, the reality in front of me wouldn't change...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうそう、ねぇ礼奈ちゃん。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Reina-chan.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………なんでしょう？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Yes?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………どしたの？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...What's wrong?<br>\\r\\n気分悪いの？」<br>\\r\\n Are you feeling okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いえ、…平気です。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes... I'm fine.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n新鮮な空気を吸い、意識を現実に引き戻す。<br>\\r\\nI inhaled fresh air and pulled my consciousness back to reality.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……嘔吐感はなくなったが、平衡感覚は喪失したままで、私は体勢を保つためにスクラップに寄りかかる必要があった。<br>\\r\\n...I didn't feel like throwing up anymore, but I still felt off balance. I leaned onto a scrap of garbage to keep my balance.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私は礼奈ちゃんのこと、好きよ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"I like you, Reina-chan.<br>\\r\\n礼奈ちゃんは私のこと、好き？」<br>\\r\\n Do you like me?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはははは…、何ですか突然。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahaha... What are you talking about all of a sudden?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの女のことを好きだと言いたくない私は、そう応える。<br>\\r\\nI said that because I didn't want to say that I like her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私ね、ずっとあなたとお父さんとお付き合いをしているんだけど、<br>\\r\\n\\\"I've been seeing your father for quite a long time now,<br>\\r\\n…色々と話し合ってね。」<br>\\r\\n and... we've been talking about many things, you know?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……いつまで酔ってるんだレナ。<br>\\r\\n...I needed to stop feeling like this. Get up, Rena.<br>\\r\\nこの話の展開はどこかで聞いたことがある。<br>\\r\\n I'd heard something like this before.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの女が何を言おうとしているのか、理解しようとする感情と、わざと理解しないようにしようとする感情がせめぎあう。<br>\\r\\nA part of me was trying to understand what this woman was trying to say, but another part of me was trying not to.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのせいで、この女の言葉は、私の頭の中でガンガンと跳ね返り残響した。<br>\\r\\nI felt as if her words were bouncing around in my head, and I started having a headache.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それでね、これからのことを真剣に話し合ったのよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We had a serious talk about our future the other day.<br>\\r\\nこれからの生活や、色々よ。」<br>\\r\\n You know, about our life together and so on.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………え？<br>\\r\\n...What?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「礼奈も、アキヒトおじさんのこと、好きでしょ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"You like Uncle Akihito, don't you, Reina?<br>\\r\\nそれでね、お母さん…、」<br>\\r\\n So, your father and I are...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……なんだこれ。<br>\\r\\n...What's going on?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……お母さん？<br>\\r\\n...Mother?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何、変なの思い出してるんだ竜宮レナ！<br>\\r\\nWhat are you thinking about, Rena Ryuugu?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんと一騎打ちになるこの大事な時に…！！<br>\\r\\nThis is an important moment! You're about to have a one-on-one battle with Rina-san...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n嫌だよお母さん、じゃあお父さんはどうなるの？<br>\\r\\nNo, Mom. What about my dad?<br>\\r\\n私はどうなるの？<br>\\r\\n What about me?<br>\\r\\n離婚なんてだめ、再婚なんてだめ。<br>\\r\\n I don't want you to divorce him. I don't want you to get remarried to anybody else.<br>\\r\\n…ううぅううぅあぅうぅ、離婚なんてだめ、離婚なんて許さない。<br>\\r\\n ...No, please don't divorce him. I'm not going to let you do that.<br>\\r\\n再婚なんてだめ、再婚なんて、<br>\\r\\n I'm not going to let you get remarried...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「再婚なんて、許さないです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm not going to let you get married to my father.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………え？」<br>\\r\\n\\\".........What?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お父さんとどういう付き合い方をしたって構いませんが、<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't care if you go out with him,<br>\\r\\n……再婚なんて、許さないです。」<br>\\r\\n but... I'm not going to let you get married to my father.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私がこれほどまでにはっきりと言うとは、彼女も想定していなかったに違いない。<br>\\r\\nShe must've not thought that I'd say it straight out like that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしばらくの間、唖然としているようだった。<br>\\r\\nShe looked stunned.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……やがて、その静寂を自らの笑い声で破る。<br>\\r\\n...After a while, she broke the silence with her laughter.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………。<br>\\r\\n\\\"..................<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あ、<br>\\r\\nAh...<br>\\r\\n……あっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n Ah ha ha ha!<br>\\r\\n…拒絶もあるかなとは思ってたけど、ここまではっきり言われるとは、…あはは、思わなかったもんだから。」<br>\\r\\n ...I thought you might reject me, but I didn't think you'd say it straight out like that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「拒絶もあるかなと思っていました？<br>\\r\\n\\\"You thought I might reject you?<br>\\r\\n私が拒絶していたのに気付いていたのは意外でした。」<br>\\r\\n I'm surprised you even noticed that I was doing it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そんなのわかるでしょ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Of course I did.<br>\\r\\nあんた、私と目を合わせるとすぐ逃げるもん。<br>\\r\\n You always ran away whenever you saw me.<br>\\r\\nそれでわかってないなんて思ってた？<br>\\r\\n You thought I didn't know?<br>\\r\\nガキは嫌ねー。」<br>\\r\\n That's why I hate kids.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼女の顔が醜悪な感情に歪む。<br>\\r\\nShe frowned, revealing her ugly self.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それは初めて向けられる表情のはずなのに、全然驚かなかった。<br>\\r\\n...It should have been the first time I saw her face like that, but I wasn't surprised at all.<br>\\r\\nなぜなら、私にとっては、彼女の表情は常にそう見えていたのだから。<br>\\r\\n Her face had looked like that to me from the beginning.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「出来れば、上辺だけでもあんたとは仲良くしてたかったんだけど、ここまで嫌われちゃ難しいわねー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I wanted to get along with you if I could, at least on the surface, but I guess it's hard to do that now since you hate me so much.<br>\\r\\n……私のどこが気に入んないの？<br>\\r\\n ...What do you hate about me?<br>\\r\\n後学のために教えてよ？」<br>\\r\\n I'd like to know for future reference.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「最初っから。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Everything.<br>\\r\\n全部。<br>\\r\\n I hate everything about you.<br>\\r\\n匂いも嫌い。」<br>\\r\\n I hate your smell, too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n悪意ある攻撃的な言葉が次々と口から出る。<br>\\r\\nOne vicious word came out from my mouth after another.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……翼もないのに、空高くに舞い上がったような、不思議な落ち着きない高揚感。<br>\\r\\n...I didn't have wings, but I felt as if I was flying up to the sky. I felt weird and uncomfortable, but also exhilarated.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私じゃない私に体を委ねたような不思議な感じ。<br>\\r\\nI felt as if was letting another me use my body.<br>\\r\\nものすごくキナ臭い修羅場にいるはずなのに、まるで他人事のよう。<br>\\r\\n I was in the middle of a disastrous battlefield, but I felt like it wasn't even my business.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そりゃー好都合ね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's just fine with me.<br>\\r\\n私もあんたのこと嫌いだったからお互い様よねー。<br>\\r\\n Because I hate you, too. I guess we're even.<br>\\r\\nきゃははははは！<br>\\r\\n Kyahahahahaha!<br>\\r\\n舐めんなクソガキ、ガタガタ言わされてぇかー？」<br>\\r\\n You little fucking brat! You better shut your fucking mouth or I'll make you!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「二度と家へ来ないでください。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Never come to my house again.<br>\\r\\n再婚なんて、私が絶対に許さない。」<br>\\r\\n I'll never let you get married to my father.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「きゃっはっははははははは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Kya ha hahahahahahahaha!<br>\\r\\n別にあんたに許してもらわなくてもいいんだけどー？<br>\\r\\n I don't need your permission, you know?<br>\\r\\nまぁ、あんたがうまく立ち回ってお父さんに再婚を断念させたきゃさせてごらんって。<br>\\r\\n Well, why don't you try and stop your father from remarrying? Let's see what happens.<br>\\r\\nそんなの今さら意味ないしぃ。」<br>\\r\\n I think you're wasting your time, though.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ここまで私と対立して、なおもこれだけ不敵な彼女の様子に、少しだけ気圧される。<br>\\r\\n...She didn't look intimidated by me at all, and that made me feel a little intimidated in return.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父を完全に支配している自信がある？<br>\\r\\nWhy was she so confident of her absolute control over my father?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…いや、そんな自信なんて曖昧なものじゃここまで不敵にはなれない。<br>\\r\\n...She had to have more than confidence to be able to act as fearless as this.<br>\\r\\nもっと具体的な裏付けがあるのだ…。<br>\\r\\n She must have something tangible...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、私が問い掛ける前に、彼女が自分で言った。<br>\\r\\nBefore I asked her what it was, she told me herself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私ね、妊娠してるの。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm pregnant.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「嘘だッ！！！！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're lying!!!!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ぅ、……嘘じゃないわよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I... I'm not lying.<br>\\r\\n本当よぉ。」<br>\\r\\n It's true.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n嘘だ嘘だ嘘だ…、妊娠なんて大嘘だ…！！<br>\\r\\nIt's a lie. It's a lie. It's a lie... It's a big lie...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n妊娠したから離婚しなくちゃならない、妊娠したから再婚しなくちゃならないなんて、<br>\\r\\nShe has to divorce because she got pregnant. She has to get married because she got pregnant.<br>\\r\\n嘘だ嘘だ、<br>\\r\\n That's a lie!<br>\\r\\n大嘘だ…！！<br>\\r\\n That's a big lie...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私、クリスチャンだから中絶は出来ないのよねー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm a Christian, so I can't get an abortion.<br>\\r\\n認知してもらわざるを得ないしー。<br>\\r\\n He'll just have to accept it.<br>\\r\\nそれに結婚を前提の性交渉だったわけだしね。<br>\\r\\n Plus, we had sex with marriage in mind.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n妊娠までさせといて、今さらちゃぶ台返しなんてことになるとー、最近は問題が多いわよねぇ？」<br>\\r\\n He made me pregnant. If he changes his mind and takes no responsibility, it's going to be a big mess, you know?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それが最初から目的のくせにッ！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"That was your plan, wasn't it?!!<br>\\r\\n私は聞いてるんだ！<br>\\r\\n I overheard it!<br>\\r\\nお前と鉄という男が二人で喫茶店で話しているところを聞いているんだ！！<br>\\r\\n I heard the conversation you had with that nman, 'Tecchan', at the coffee house!!<br>\\r\\nお父さんのお金を目当てに近付いたのを知っている！！<br>\\r\\n I know you started seeing my father for his money!!<br>\\r\\n雛見沢の旦那と呼んで、カモにしようとしていることを知ってる！！<br>\\r\\n I know you call him your 'husband in Hinamizawa'. I know he's just a big catch for you!<br>\\r\\n葛西さんに聞いたから全部知ってるんだ。<br>\\r\\n I know everything because I heard it from Kasai-san.<br>\\r\\n美人局だってことも全部知ってるんだ！！！」<br>\\r\\n I know you do badger games, too!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……あら、全部知ってるんだ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Oh, you knew?<br>\\r\\nあらららら？」<br>\\r\\n Well, well, well.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいつの間にか、リナはレナの真正面に立っていた。<br>\\r\\nBefore I knew it, Rina was standing right in front of me.<br>\\r\\nそして、顔が触れ合うくらいに間近で睨み合う。<br>\\r\\n We glared at each other with our faces almost touching.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「んで？<br>\\r\\n\\\"So?<br>\\r\\n礼奈ちゃんはそこまで知ってて、どうしようってわけ？」<br>\\r\\n Reina-chan, you know everything, and what are you thinking you're going to do?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……お父さんに、二度と近付かないでください…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Don't come near my father ever again...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「嫌よって言ったらー？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What if I refuse?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...............\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こんな秘密の隠れ家に誘ってくれての話だからねぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You wanted to talk to me at your secret hideout, right?<br>\\r\\nそういうお話かなーとは思ってたのよ。<br>\\r\\n I kind of knew what you wanted to talk to me about.<br>\\r\\nだってここ、秘密の隠れ家なんでしょ？<br>\\r\\n You brought me to your secret hideout<br>\\r\\n誰も知らなくて、誰にも何も聞こえない、秘密の場所なんでしょ？」<br>\\r\\n where nobody knows, and nobody can hear us, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えぇ、そうですよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, you're right.<br>\\r\\n……誰も知らなくて、誰にも何も聞こえない。<br>\\r\\n ...Nobody knows about this place, and nobody can hear us here.<br>\\r\\n…誰も訪れることのない、忘れられた場所…。」<br>\\r\\n ...Nobody comes here because it's a place forgotten...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナとリナの顔が、互いの鼻を食いちぎろうかというくらいに近付く。<br>\\r\\n...Our faces were so close to each other that our noses could almost touch.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナも、自分がどういうことを口走っているか薄々とはわかっていた。<br>\\r\\nI knew what I was talking about.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だが、これからどうなるのか、何が起こるかもしれないのかまでには考えが至らなかった。<br>\\r\\n...But, I didn't know what would happen next.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもうここまで来てしまったら、……後がないのは理屈でわかっている。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't back down now that I'd come to this point.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、後がないから、<br>\\r\\n...But, I didn't know<br>\\r\\n何をすればいいのか、わからない。<br>\\r\\n what to do. I didn't know<br>\\r\\n知らない。<br>\\r\\n what I should do.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「きゃっははははは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Kya hahahahaha!<br>\\r\\nいやぁだ。なぁにをマジになってんだかねー。<br>\\r\\n Come on. Let's not do this.<br>\\r\\nほらほら仲直りー。」<br>\\r\\n Let's be friends again.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナは突然笑い出すと、レナの背中をバンと叩いた。<br>\\r\\nRina started laughing and slapped me on the back.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…レナは表情を和らげることなく、リナを凝視し続けていたが、<br>\\r\\n...My expression didn't change, and I kept staring at Rina.<br>\\r\\nだからといって、リナが両手をいやに馴れ馴れしくレナの首に絡めてきても何の不審も感じなかった。<br>\\r\\n But I didn't notice her real intention of putting both of her arms around my neck.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n薄皮で出来た緊張感が破れた時、リナはレナの喉を絞り千切るかのように締め付ける！<br>\\r\\nThe tension broke, already stretched thin, and Rina squeezed my neck hard!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあれほどまでに敵対していたのに、レナは自らの首が絞られるまで、これほどの直接的な悪意を気付けなかった。<br>\\r\\nI was openly hostile, but I didn't realize Rina's evil intentions until she started choking me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………ぁ、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...............Ah.........<br>\\r\\n………………ぐ……………、」<br>\\r\\n Ggg.........\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「クソガキが舐めやがってよ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"You little brat!!<br>\\r\\nもうちょいでウン千万ってカネが転がるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n I'm so close to getting millions of yen.<br>\\r\\n上辺だけでも仲良しってことになってりゃあ、小遣いの少しもやろうって思ってたのになー！！<br>\\r\\n If you at least pretended to get along with me, I would've given you a good allowance!!<br>\\r\\n口ばっかり滑らしッかぁ、うンだらねぇトコでまだるっこしいッ！！<br>\\r\\n But, you just can't keep your fucking mouth shut, can you? You got some fucking nerve!!<br>\\r\\n死に晒せやビチグソがぁッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n A brat like you should die!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは震える手で、締め付ける両手に抗うが、振りほどく力が出せるはずもない。<br>\\r\\nI tried to pry her hands off my neck, but I didn't have the strength to do so.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………ぉ………………ぐぅ………！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"............Ugg...... Ghh......!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「コロシはしたかなかったんだけどねー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I didn't want to kill you.<br>\\r\\n二度とこんなウマいカモにゃ会えないだろうしさぁ！！<br>\\r\\n But, I'll probably never get as big a catch as your father again!!<br>\\r\\nてめー絞めてウン千万なら悪くはないさねッ！<br>\\r\\n So, I don't mind killing you for millions of yen!<br>\\r\\nどうせ、巻き上げたら蒸発するつもりだったしさ。<br>\\r\\n I was going to disappear after I got that money anyway!<br>\\r\\n上等くれたらぁボケガキャああぁッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n This is what you get for talking back to me!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n視界が見る見る内に赤黒く濁っていく。<br>\\r\\nThe world around me got darker and darker.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…生まれて初めての、殺されるという悪意。<br>\\r\\n...I had never known an evil intention like this, namely the intention to kill me.<br>\\r\\nそれに恐ろしいという感情は抱かなかった。<br>\\r\\n It didn't scare me, though.<br>\\r\\n…なぜなら、恐ろしいという感情は、結局のところ、安全な場所にいる人間が対岸の火事を指して言う言葉だから。<br>\\r\\n ...That's because being scared is a feeling that people use to express how they feel when they see wildfire on the other side of a river.<br>\\r\\n命を賭した当事者には恐怖なんかない。<br>\\r\\n People on the island with the wildfire, with their deaths right in front of them... they don't get scared.<br>\\r\\n腕の力をほんのわずかでも緩めれば、すぐにも自分の喉を握り潰してしまうだけの、単純な力比べ。<br>\\r\\n If I loosened my grip on her hands even a little bit, she'd crush my throat. This was a simple competition to see who was stronger.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナは完全な優位を得たくて、押し倒して馬乗りになろうとしているようだった。<br>\\r\\nRina wanted to get into the most advantageous position, so she tried to push me down to the ground so that she could mount me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもしそれまでも許してしまえば、もう完全に抗うことはできないだろう。<br>\\r\\nIf I let her do that, I wouldn't stand a chance.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何とか力比べの体勢を維持するが、喉を絞められているレナの方が消耗が激しく、互角なんて言葉は間違っても使えない。<br>\\r\\nI tried to keep my current position, but I was losing a lot of energy by being choked. It was only a matter of time before Rina could push me down.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはその力の均衡をわざと崩した。<br>\\r\\nI lost my balance on purpose.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n敢えて自ら後ろへ転ぶことでリナの体勢を崩そうと試みたのだ。<br>\\r\\nI tried to fall backwards in order to put her off balance.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのまま力比べをしていてもやがて息が詰まる。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't hold my breath long enough to keep up that strength competition.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなら、わずかのチャンスに賭けるしかない！<br>\\r\\nSo I had no choice but to take that chance!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n急に抵抗がなくなり、二人はもつれ合ったまま転ぶ。<br>\\r\\nWe fell on the ground, tangled together.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだがリナも殺そうという執念は確かなもので、転んだくらいではレナの喉から手を放したりはしない。<br>\\r\\nBut as Rina was strongly determined to kill me, she didn't even take her hands away from my neck after she fell.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれでも、リナの手の締め付けは一瞬だけ緩んだ。<br>\\r\\nHowever, my action made Rina loosen her grip on my throat.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n戒めを解けるほどには緩まなかったが、レナが手で抗わなくてもいいわずかの時間が生まれた。<br>\\r\\nIt wasn't loose enough for me to break free from her grip, but it gave me a few moments to use my hands for something other than stopping her from crushing my throat.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのわずかの瞬間に、チャンスを掴めなければ、レナはおしまいだった。<br>\\r\\nIf I hadn't taken the chance, I would've been done for.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからレナは、文字通りチャンスを掴もうと、そのわずかの瞬間に、両手で地面を掻く。<br>\\r\\nThat's why I tried to literally seize my chance. I moved both of my hands on the ground.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nチャンスを掴もうと、足掻く！<br>\\r\\nTo seize that chance!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの右手にガラスの破片が当る。<br>\\r\\nI felt a piece of broken glass on my right hand.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは本当の本当に、起死回生の文字通りのチャンスだった。<br>\\r\\nThat was truly my chance to literally save myself from the brink of death.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nガラス片で、自らの喉を締め付けるリナの手首の内側をえぐる！！<br>\\r\\nI cut Rina's wrist deep with the piece of glass!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…ぎぃいいいぃいやあぁああぁッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Gyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナも数瞬の間、この激痛に耐えようとした。<br>\\r\\nRina tried to endure the pain for a few seconds.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、レナの窮鼠の力でねじ込まれる痛みに堪えられるはずもない。<br>\\r\\nBut pain that severe, from someone so cornered, soon broke her will.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n首から両手を離し、血がぶくぶくと吹き出す手首を押さえる。<br>\\r\\nShe let go of my throat to cling to her bloody wrist.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその隙を逃さず、レナは横へ転がってようやく難を逃れた。<br>\\r\\nI used that moment to roll away from her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ぐ、ぐぐぐ…！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Uggg...!!!<br>\\r\\nいってぇええぇぇぇ…！！」<br>\\r\\n It fucking hurts...!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n痛みを堪える苦悶の声に威圧が混じる。<br>\\r\\nShe screamed, both in pain and also to try and intimidate me again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、今や威圧は何の意味も持たない。<br>\\r\\nIt didn't work anymore, though.<br>\\r\\n威圧は戦いを未然に回避しようとする相手の弱さに訴えるものだからだ。<br>\\r\\n Intimidation only works on the opponent when the opponent is hesitant to fight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n戦いに入ってしまったこの状況では、自らの傷の深さを相手に知らせる以上の何の意味もない！<br>\\r\\nWhen you're already in a fight, screaming like that means nothing more than letting the opponent know how badly you're hurt!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナには今や何の躊躇もなかった。<br>\\r\\nI no longer had any hesitation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今この場でリナに習ったのだ。<br>\\r\\nI had learned from Rina.<br>\\r\\nこういう時にはどうすればいいのかを！<br>\\r\\n She taught me what I have to do in a situation like this!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう、ここはレナだけの秘密の隠れ家。<br>\\r\\nThat's right. This is my secret hideout.<br>\\r\\nレナが知らないことなど何もない！<br>\\r\\n I know every single piece of junk in here!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの日が訪れることを、レナは心のどこかで知っていたのだろうか？<br>\\r\\nMaybe I knew that a day like this was coming.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれとも、そこにそれがあったのは本当に単なる偶然なのか。<br>\\r\\nWas it just a coincidence that it was there?<br>\\r\\nレナはそこにあるのが、さも当り前であるかのように、１ｍちょっとの長さの鉛管を探り当てていた。<br>\\r\\n I had pulled out a meter-long lead pipe, not at all surprised to see it there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大きく振りかぶり、それを振り下ろす！！<br>\\r\\nI raised it up high and brought it back down!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんな重くて硬い鉛管を腕で防げるはずがない。<br>\\r\\nThere was no way Rina could block this hard and heavy lead pipe with just her arms.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナはそれを手の平で受け止め、奪い取りたかったのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nShe'd probably tried to block it with the palms of her hands in order to take it from me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、長く伸ばした爪が災いした。<br>\\r\\nBut, her long nails wouldn't let that happen.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n受けた時の両手の指の形が悪く、何本かの指が挫け、爪が剥がれる。<br>\\r\\nUnable to catch it the way she wanted, she broke her fingers and some of her nails came off too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ぎゃッあッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Gyaaaah!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその叫びに、レナは優位が移ったことを悟る。<br>\\r\\nHer scream made me realize that I had the advantage.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのまま畳み掛けてしまわなければ！！<br>\\r\\nAn advantage I would have to keep!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさもなくば、自分がそうしたように、このわずかの優位はすぐにも引っくり返され、今度こそ自分は絞め殺されてしまうに違いないッ！！<br>\\r\\nIf I didn't, she'd turn the tables just like I did, and then she'd choke me to death for sure!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ぎゃ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Gya!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nぐッ！！!<br>\\r\\n Ugg!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nちょ、<br>\\r\\n Stop!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…ッ！<br>\\r\\n ...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nタンマ、<br>\\r\\n Stop it!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…タンマ！！！」<br>\\r\\n ...Wait!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナは両手で頭を庇ったが何の意味もない。<br>\\r\\nRina shielded her head with her arms, but it didn't help.<br>\\r\\n頭より先に腕を砕くことになるだけだ。<br>\\r\\n All that would change is that I'd break her arms before I broke her face.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「マ、マジで洒落ンなんないって…！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I-I'm serious! Stop it right now...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nぎぇぐッ！！<br>\\r\\n Ugg!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nぎゃッ！！」<br>\\r\\n Gya!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんなこと洒落でやるものか。<br>\\r\\nI'm serious too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n死ね死ね死ね、<br>\\r\\n Die! Die! Die!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n死んでしまえ…！<br>\\r\\n You should die...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだ、そうなんだ。<br>\\r\\nYeah, that's right.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこうすれば良かったんだ。<br>\\r\\n I should've done this a long time ago.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n証拠とか、誰かに相談するとか、<br>\\r\\n I didn't need proof. I didn't have to talk to anybody.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなのくだらないくだらない、<br>\\r\\n That's stupid.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本当にくだらない！！<br>\\r\\n That's nonsense!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n始めからこうしてればよかったんだ！！<br>\\r\\n I should've done this a long time ago!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもっともっと早くにこうしていれば！！<br>\\r\\nIf I had done it a long time ago,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんが籠絡されることもなかったろう。<br>\\r\\n my father wouldn't have been deceived.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんを守れた。<br>\\r\\n I could've protected him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n家族を守れた。<br>\\r\\n I could've protected my family.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私の生活を守れた。<br>\\r\\n I could've protected my life.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が私でいられた。<br>\\r\\n I could've been myself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお母さんも離婚しなかった。<br>\\r\\n My mother wouldn't have divorced my father.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからずっと幸せだった。<br>\\r\\n I could've stayed happy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は不幸になんかならなかった。<br>\\r\\n I wouldn't have had to be unhappy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、私は幸せを取り戻す。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to recapture my happiness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今この瞬間、自らの力でそれを勝ち取る。<br>\\r\\n At this moment, I'm going to win back my happiness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は不幸になんか泣かない。<br>\\r\\n I'm not going to cry for misfortune.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n不幸せな運命になんか屈さない。<br>\\r\\n I'm not going to give in to a fate of unhappiness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n幸せになるんだ。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to be happy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを掴み取るんだ。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to seize my happiness...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今！<br>\\r\\n right now...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分の！<br>\\r\\n with my own...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n手でッ！！！！<br>\\r\\n two hands!!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナは何度か逃れようとした。<br>\\r\\nRina tried to run away from me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、両手が満足に使えず、足場も普通じゃないこのゴミ山から逃れられるはずはなかった。<br>\\r\\nBut as she no longer had the use of her hands, it made it difficult for her to stand up to escape, especially since there were scraps of junk everywhere on the ground.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう。<br>\\r\\nAfter all...<br>\\r\\nここは私だけの隠れ家。<br>\\r\\n this is my hideout.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私だけの国。<br>\\r\\nThis is my territory.<br>\\r\\n…そこで私から逃れられるはずもないのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Nobody can run away from me here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nスクラップの斜面を登ろうとして、滑って転び、ごろごろとどこまでも転がっていった。<br>\\r\\nShe tried to climb up the slope of garbage, slipped, fell, and rolled all the way back down.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれっきり、彼女は立ち上がらなかったし、頭を庇いもしなかった。<br>\\r\\nShe didn't stand up or move.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n目蓋は開いたままで、首が不自然な角度で曲がっていた。<br>\\r\\nHer eyes were open, and her neck was bent at an unnatural angle.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………リナの死をどうやって確認していいか分からず、私はしばらくの間、開いたままの目をじっと見ていた。<br>\\r\\n...I didn't know how to make sure she was dead, so I kept looking at her opened eyes for a while.<br>\\r\\n死んだフリではないかと疑って。<br>\\r\\n She could be faking it for all I know.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、いつまで待っても目蓋は閉じない。<br>\\r\\nBut she didn't close her eyes no matter how long I waited.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は砂を掴み、それを顔面に投げつける。<br>\\r\\nI scooped up a handful of sand and threw it on her face.<br>\\r\\nそれでもリナは目蓋を閉じなかった。<br>\\r\\n She still didn't close her eyes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどさり。<br>\\r\\nThud.<br>\\r\\n…汗で滑り、鉛管が手から落ちる。<br>\\r\\n ...The lead pipe slipped out of my hand and hit the ground.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを拾おうとして、こんなにも重いものを、軽々と振り回していたことに驚くのだった。<br>\\r\\nWhen I tried to pick it up, I realized how heavy it was, and I was surprised that I was wielding it as though it was a knife.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全身は汗まみれで、冷えてくる風がとても気持ちいい。<br>\\r\\nI was sweating all over. The cold wind felt good on my skin.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nひぐらしたちの合唱は、高ぶった私の心を心地よく癒してくれた。<br>\\r\\nThe cries of the higurashi were calming me down and healing my soul.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナは、もう壊れたマネキンと変わらない。<br>\\r\\nRina was just like a broken dummy now.<br>\\r\\n……そう、それはまさにガラクタ。<br>\\r\\n ...She had become a piece of junk.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nガラクタの国の主である私が、この国の住人に相応しい姿を与えたのだ。<br>\\r\\nI am the owner of this land of junk, and I've defended it from her intrusion. Now she was a resident of this junkyard.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n人を殺したという負の感情はまったくなかった。<br>\\r\\nI didn't feel bad about killing her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれよりも、父をたぶらかす悪を討ち倒した達成感の方がはるかに上回っていた。<br>\\r\\nIn fact, I felt rather fulfilled that I defeated the evil woman who had deceived my father.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n荒れた息が治まってくると、…今のこの状況を冷静に分析する気力が回復する。<br>\\r\\nI started breathing slowly and calmly... and I regained enough energy to analyze the situation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……リナの死体を隠そう。<br>\\r\\n...I'd have to hide her body.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまずリナのスクーターを隠そう。<br>\\r\\nFirst, I had to get rid of her scooter.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は斜面を登り、土手の上に停めてあったスクーターを斜面に転げ落とす。<br>\\r\\nI climbed up the slope and kicked her scooter down the hill.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはゴロンゴロンと大きな音を立てながら転げて行き、初めからそこにあったかのように付近に馴染んで消えた。<br>\\r\\nIt rolled down the slope, making a lot of noise, and blended in with all the junk as it stopped, like it was there from the beginning.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、斜面を戻り、リナの死体を隠れ家へ引っ張っていく。<br>\\r\\nI went back down the slope and started dragging her body to my hideout.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n５０ｋｇ前後の砂袋を引きずっているのと同じはずなのに、むしろ軽いくらいに感じた。<br>\\r\\nIt should have taken as much effort as dragging a 50kg sandbag, but it felt lighter than that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……この程度の重さの砂袋が、我が家に災難をもたらしていたのだ。<br>\\r\\n...It was just a sandbag, yet it brought disaster to my family.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n殺すつもりでここに誘ったわけじゃなかった。<br>\\r\\nI didn't lure her here in order to kill her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あるいは、自分の奥底の本当の自分は最初からそのつもりで彼女をここに誘ったのか。<br>\\r\\n...Or did I? Maybe I just didn't notice that I had that intention deep down in my heart.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、今となっては、これは最短で最良の解決策であったと感じる。<br>\\r\\nBut even so, I felt like this was the best and most expedient solution.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n殺してしまうことに勝る解決法なんてなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\nThere was no better solution than killing her.<br>\\r\\n人の助けを当てにしていじけている日々が如何に無様なことか。<br>\\r\\n How wasteful to depend on someone to help me, to wait for the day to come when they will.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………去年の、悟史くんの叔母が殺された事件を思い出す。<br>\\r\\n...I remembered the murder of Satoshi-kun's aunt that happened last year.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本当の犯人は悟史くんだと疑わない私だが、<br>\\r\\nI had no doubt that Satoshi-kun murdered her,<br>\\r\\n……今日、この場に至って、私はこれ以上ない形で納得する。<br>\\r\\n but I've never been as convinced as I am right at this moment.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n去年のあの時、あの状況下で。<br>\\r\\nHow could he have saved Satoko-chan<br>\\r\\n…叔母を殺す以外のどんな方法で沙都子ちゃんを救えたというのか。<br>\\r\\n other than by killing his aunt last year, at that time, in that circumstance?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私だってそうだった。<br>\\r\\nMy situation was much the same as his.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n殺す以外のどんな方法で父を救えたのか。<br>\\r\\nHow could I have saved my father other than by killing her?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n殺人なんて恐ろしい行為を、計画的にやろうと思ったなら、きっと私はものすごい重圧に苛まれただろう。<br>\\r\\nIf I was planning a murder, I would've been under a lot of pressure and stress.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だが、幸か不幸か、私にとってのその瞬間は突然に訪れた。<br>\\r\\n...But, for better or for worse, the moment came to me out of nowhere.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからきっと。<br>\\r\\nThat's why<br>\\r\\n私はもっとも自分に負担の少ない形で、問題を解決できたに違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n I believe I solved my problem with as little trouble as possible.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……この女が今日を境に消えてしまって、誰か疑問に感じないだろうか？<br>\\r\\n...Now that she's gone, will anyone become suspicious about her disappearance?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分の都合で仕事をサボったりするいい加減な女だった。<br>\\r\\nShe was an irresponsible person who skipped work at her own convenience.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、今日を境に突然いなくなってしまっても、誰も疑問に思うまい。<br>\\r\\nSo, I didn't think anybody would get suspicious when she'd disappear one day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもともとキナ臭い女だった。<br>\\r\\nShe was a big mess from the start.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何かのトラブルに巻き込まれて姿を眩ましたと誰もが信じるだろう。<br>\\r\\nPeople will think she went into hiding because she got into deep trouble with someone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n変なアリバイなど何の必要もない。<br>\\r\\nI didn't need to fabricate an alibi.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの女の死体がなくせれば、それだけで完全に全てを抹消できる。<br>\\r\\nAll I needed to do was to get rid of her body.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその最後の作業をどうするか、少しだけ悩んだ。<br>\\r\\nIt took me a while to figure out how to do that last part.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼女の死体を隠そうとするあらゆる行為が、非常にリスキーだったからだ。<br>\\r\\nHiding her body would be very risky.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だが、冷静さを取り戻していた脳は、すぐに答えを弾き出す。<br>\\r\\n...But my brain had become so calm that it did some calculations and came up with an answer right away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう、…ここが一番安全なのだ。<br>\\r\\nYes... this place is still the safest.<br>\\r\\nここは忘れられた場所。<br>\\r\\n This is a place forgotten.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここには誰も来ない。<br>\\r\\nNobody comes here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰も知らない。<br>\\r\\nNobody knows this place is here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、この場所でずっと過ごしてきた私だから分かること。<br>\\r\\nI knew that because I'd been spending a lot of time here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの場所から死体を運び出すリスクを負うよりも、ここに死体を隠す方がずっと安全なのだ。<br>\\r\\nCompared to taking the risk of carrying her body to some other place, it was a lot safer to just hide it here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、それでも完全ではない。<br>\\r\\nBut it wasn't perfect yet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここが永久に秘密の場所であるはずもない。<br>\\r\\nThis place wouldn't remain a secret forever.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…ここに死体を隠し、その間に完全な方法で死体を地上から抹消しなくては。<br>\\r\\n...I could hide it here for now, but I'd have to come up with the perfect way to make it completely disappear.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを考えることは、かつて、リナと父を絶縁させるために頭を悩ませていたことに比べれば、あまりに楽なことだった。<br>\\r\\nIt's a lot easier to think about that than thinking about how to make Rina break up with my father.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はリナの死体を、スクラップの山の中の、壊れた冷蔵庫に収める。<br>\\r\\nI stuffed her corpse into a broken refrigerator in a trash pile.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのまま冷蔵庫に土をかけて埋めてしまいたい気分だった。<br>\\r\\nI wanted to cover the refrigerator with dirt and bury it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そういう安易な方法じゃだめだ。<br>\\r\\n...But that was too easy.<br>\\r\\nちゃんと死体を砕いて細かくして、この地上から抹消しなくては。<br>\\r\\n I had to chop the corpse into pieces and make them completely disappear.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n急に暗さを感じるようになる。<br>\\r\\nI felt like it got dark all of a sudden.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n突然暗くなったわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\nNo, it didn't get dark all of a sudden.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもうだいぶ暗くなっていた。<br>\\r\\nI just didn't realize<br>\\r\\n私がそれに今さら気付いただけだ。<br>\\r\\n it was getting dark until just then.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n夕立を感じさせる雷鳴も聞こえる。<br>\\r\\nI could hear thunder from a distance. It might rain soon.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雨が降るならとても好都合だった。<br>\\r\\nI could use some rain.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n残っているかもしれないリナの汚らしい血痕など一切を洗い流してくれるだろう。<br>\\r\\nIt'd wash Rina's dirty blood into the ground.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n家へ帰ろう。<br>\\r\\nI should go home.<br>\\r\\nそして明日からのことを考えよう。<br>\\r\\n I should think about what I'd do tomorrow.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんがあの女のことを忘れるまで、私は側にいてあげよう。<br>\\r\\nI was going to stay right beside my father until he forgets about her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…始めはお父さんも傷つくかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nHe might be hurt at first.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、……きっと私たちは幸せを取り戻すのだ。<br>\\r\\nBut... we're going to recapture our happiness for sure.<br>\\r\\n幸せな、平穏な生活を。<br>\\r\\n Our happy, peaceful life.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n体が疲労で重い。<br>\\r\\nMy body was heavy with exhaustion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、大切な第一歩を踏み出した達成感も感じていた。<br>\\r\\nBut I also felt fulfilled, because I took a very important first step today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの一歩一歩を重ねるのだ。<br>\\r\\nI'll keep taking one step after another.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう、泣くものか。<br>\\r\\nI'm not going to cry anymore.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n幸せを自らの手で勝ち取るまで、私は泣かない。<br>\\r\\nI'm not going to cry until I win back my happiness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n絶対。<br>\\r\\nI'm not going to cry again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「再婚なんか、する必要ないよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You don't need to get remarried.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n帰宅して、開口一番に告げた言葉がそれだったので、父は面食らったようだった。<br>\\r\\nThat was the first thing I said after I got home. My father looked stunned.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその言い方が、陰を含んでいたので、父は再婚の同意が得られなかったことを感じ、少し落胆する表情を見せた。<br>\\r\\nHe noticed the sad tone in my voice, and realizing that I didn't agree with the idea of his remarriage, he looked down.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………無理もないよな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I understand.<br>\\r\\n…礼奈の気持ちも分かるよ。<br>\\r\\n ...I know how you feel, Reina.<br>\\r\\n事前に礼奈にもよく相談、」<br>\\r\\n I should've talked about it with you first and...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「妊娠したなんて、あの女の嘘だよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"That woman is lying to you about her pregnancy.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あの女なんて言い方しちゃだめだ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Don't talk like that.<br>\\r\\nリナさんは、」<br>\\r\\n Rina-san is...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「本当のことを話す。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'll tell you the truth.<br>\\r\\nあの女と鉄という男は二人組の悪人。<br>\\r\\n That woman and a guy called 'Tecchan' are a team of bad people.<br>\\r\\n我が家の財産を狙ってお父さんに近付いてきただけ。」<br>\\r\\n She went out with you only because she was trying to get our money.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n相変わらずボケている父は、私のあの女呼ばわりにカッとなったようだった。<br>\\r\\nMy father didn't get it right away, of course. He looked upset instead because I called her \\\"that woman\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n少し言葉を選ばなさ過ぎたとは思ったが、真実を簡潔に伝えたと思う。<br>\\r\\nI should've chosen my words a little more carefully, but I think I told him the truth clearly enough.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は喫茶店で見聞きした出来事を伝えた。<br>\\r\\nI told him everything I heard and saw at the coffee house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……父は予想通り、リナを擁護するようなことを言い返す。<br>\\r\\n...As I expected, he defended Rina anyway.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n改めて落胆も感じるが、同時に、リナを殺す以外に方法はなかったのだとも分かり、不思議と肩が軽くなる感じがした。<br>\\r\\nI was upset, but at the same time, it made me certain that there was no other way than to kill her. I felt the pressure on my shoulders lessen for some reason.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父は、再婚のためには私の同意が不可欠であると思ったのか、勝手に怒りを納め、取り繕いの笑顔を浮かべ出す。<br>\\r\\nMy father thought he needed my approval for his remarriage, so he held back his anger and put a fake smile on his face instead.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なぁ礼奈…、もう一度ゆっくりと父さんたちと話し合おう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, Reina... Let's sit down with a cup of tea and talk.<br>\\r\\nそうすればきっと分かってくれるから。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sure you'll understand once you hear me out.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……飼い主が死んでも、<br>\\r\\n...A tamed animal<br>\\r\\n家畜は家畜、<br>\\r\\n is still tamed<br>\\r\\nか。<br>\\r\\n even after the owner is dead.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいいさ。<br>\\r\\nThat's okay.<br>\\r\\nそれでも私は柵を開けた。<br>\\r\\n I'll open the gate anyway.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…家畜だっていつの日にか、自分がもう捕われの身でないことに気付く。<br>\\r\\n...Even a tamed animal will notice one day that he's no longer in captivity.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは私が教えることじゃない。<br>\\r\\nThat's not something that I could teach him.<br>\\r\\n父が気付くことだ。<br>\\r\\n He had to realize it on his own.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、家畜化した父の言い訳染みた笑顔に耐えられず、居間を後にする。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't stand his fake smile anymore, so I left the living room.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母との離婚の痛みだって、時間が癒した。<br>\\r\\nTime healed the pain from the divorce.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……滴る水滴が岩をも穿つように、どんな痛みだって、時間はいつか必ず癒してくれる。<br>\\r\\n...Time heals any kind of pain, just like how dripping water will eventually bore a hole through solid rock.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は自分にできることを、やった。<br>\\r\\nI did what I could do.<br>\\r\\nあとは待つだけなのだ。<br>\\r\\n Now, I'd have to wait.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、待つべき日は想像してたよりはるかに早く訪れた。<br>\\r\\nBut the day I was going to wait for came earlier than I expected.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその翌日の深夜。<br>\\r\\nAt midnight of the following day,<br>\\r\\n客人を迎えたからだ。<br>\\r\\n we had a visitor.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは鉄と呼ばれていた男。<br>\\r\\nIt was that \\\"Tecchan\\\" man.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n北条鉄平だった。<br>\\r\\nTeppei Houjou.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鉄平は玄関を叩かず、鎧戸を打ち破って侵入してきたので、私たちを大層驚かせた。<br>\\r\\nTeppei didn't even knock on the door to get in. He broke into the house by smashing the window.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n最初、その訪問はリナの失踪を問うものかと思い、少し身を硬くしたが、実際は違った。<br>\\r\\nAt first, I thought he came here to ask us about Rina's whereabouts, but I was wrong.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鉄平が訪れた理由は、…リナとの事前の打ち合わせに基づくものだったのだ。<br>\\r\\nThe real reason why Teppei came here was because... it was their plan.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは美人局の終局だった。<br>\\r\\nIt was the last stage of their badger game.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本当なら、その晩のその時間、父とリナは床を一緒にしていることになっていたのだろう。<br>\\r\\nRina was probably supposed to be in bed with my father at that time tonight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまさにその現場に踏み込みたかったに違いない。<br>\\r\\nTeppei must've wanted to show up and catch them sleeping together.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鉄平は乱暴に家中を探すが、リナの姿を見つけることはできなかった。<br>\\r\\nTeppei looked around the house, but he couldn't find Rina.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、それでも何も怯むことなく、父の襟首を捻り上げ、実に慣れた口調で脅し文句を並べだす。<br>\\r\\nHe didn't change the plan, though. He grabbed my father by his collar and started yelling threats.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鉄平は、リナと婚姻関係にあることの証拠書類を示し、妊娠させた責任をどう取るのかと罵るのだった。<br>\\r\\nHe showed my father a certificate of marriage to Rina, and shouted at him saying, \\\"you got my wife pregnant! How are you going to take responsibility?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父は、この２人が婚姻関係にあることは知らなかったようで、寝耳に水のようだった。<br>\\r\\nMy father had no idea she was married. He looked shocked.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれに、父は体格も優れないどちらかというと気弱な性格。<br>\\r\\nMy father is a short guy who is faint of heart.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n初めから最後まで鉄平にいいように罵られて呑み込まれるだけだった。<br>\\r\\nHe just let Teppei do and say whatever he wanted from beginning to end.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はそれを遠くから見ながら、乾いた感情で見ていた。<br>\\r\\nI looked at them from a distance coldly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……鉄平が罵れば罵るほどに、父の悪い夢は覚めるだろう。<br>\\r\\n...The more Teppei yelled and threatened my father, the faster he'd wake up from his bad dream.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう、これは父には薬なのだ。<br>\\r\\nThis was a medicine for him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私では、時間に頼るしかなかった膿んだ患部を、この男はわずか小一時間でえぐり出してくれた。<br>\\r\\nTeppei was cutting out the cancer that I was going to depend on time to do, and he was doing a great job of it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、父がようやく夢から醒めたのを見届けると、今さらのように割って入り、父を庇う。<br>\\r\\nI waited to help my father until I was sure that he had finally awakened from his bad dream.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、重要な話があると鉄平に告げ、玄関の外に押し出した。<br>\\r\\nI told Teppei that I had something very important to tell him and took him outside.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「んで、なんじゃい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"So,<br>\\r\\n重要な話っちゅうんは。」<br>\\r\\n whaddya want?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「リナさんって、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Has Rina-san...<br>\\r\\n…昨日以来、<br>\\r\\n come back to Okinomiya<br>\\r\\n興宮に帰ってますか？」<br>\\r\\n since yesterday?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……んん？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Nnn?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「実はリナさん、……事情があって、隠れてるんです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"As a matter of fact... she's hiding somewhere.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぁ？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?!<br>\\r\\nどういうごっちゃん！！」<br>\\r\\n I don't get it!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「リナさんから、鉄平さんが来たら連れて来てほしいと言われてるんです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rina-san told me to take you to her when you came to my house.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……はぁ？？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Hah??<br>\\r\\n律子のやつ、どうしたんね…！」<br>\\r\\n The fuck is Ritsuko thinkin'...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鉄平はのこのことついて来た。<br>\\r\\nTeppei followed me without hesitation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n真っ暗な中、懐中電灯の灯りひとつで。<br>\\r\\nWe walked in the dark with a flashlight<br>\\r\\n誰も来ない、<br>\\r\\n to the place where<br>\\r\\n誰にも聞こえない、<br>\\r\\n nobody comes<br>\\r\\n誰もが忘れた、<br>\\r\\n and nobody can hear us,<br>\\r\\nその場所へ。<br>\\r\\n the place forgotten.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n道中、色々と聞かれたが、何も答えられることなどない。<br>\\r\\nHe asked me many things on the way, but I couldn't answer any of them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナさんに直接聞いてくださいと、意味ありげに答えてはぐらかした。<br>\\r\\nI just told him to ask Rina.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが鉄平には、リナが裏切って本気で結婚しようと考えているように感じたらしい。<br>\\r\\nThe way I said it seemed to make him think that Rina was going to betray him and get married to my father for real.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n勝手に鼻息を荒くして、私の後を何の警戒もなくひょこひょことついて来るのだった。<br>\\r\\nEven though he was breathing heavily in a rage, he walked right behind me without any suspicions.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、今日という日が近いうちに訪れるだろうと思い、<br>\\r\\nI knew this day was going to come very soon, so I was well prepared for it.<br>\\r\\n準備していた場所に差し掛かると、唐突に懐中電灯を消した。<br>\\r\\n We reached the place where I originally planned to bring him, and I turned off the flashlight all of a sudden.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お、…！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh...!<br>\\r\\nどうしたんね…。」<br>\\r\\n What's goin' on...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n闇夜に唯一の灯りを奪われれば誰だって焦る。<br>\\r\\nEveryone gets nervous when the only light in the dark goes off.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、ここは私の国なのだ。<br>\\r\\n...But this is my territory.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私には灯りなど必要ない。<br>\\r\\nI didn't need any light.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nむしろ目蓋を閉じた方が、鮮烈に視覚を感じることができた。<br>\\r\\nI could feel my surroundings even better with my eyes closed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n草むらの陰に横たえてある大斧を担ぎ上げる。<br>\\r\\nI grabbed the big hatchet I'd hidden in a bush, and lifted it up high.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ごめんなさい、電池の接触不良かな……。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm sorry. I guess the battery went out...<br>\\r\\nちょっと待ってくださいね…。」<br>\\r\\n Hold on a second...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おう、早ぅせんとな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"'Kay. Hurry it up.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n口からは頼りなさげな言葉を吐き出しながら。<br>\\r\\nI purposely sounded weak and helpless<br>\\r\\nだけれども両腕は、重く無骨な恐ろしい大斧を振り上げていた。<br>\\r\\n while I raised the hatchet into the air.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……あぁん、ライターあるわ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Oh, I got a lighter.<br>\\r\\n出すんね。」<br>\\r\\n I'll just fire this baby up...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鉄平はポケットのライターを探り当て、火を灯した。<br>\\r\\nTeppei found a lighter in his pocket and lit it up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、わずかの灯りで照らし出されたその光景を、恐らく理解できなかったろう。<br>\\r\\nHe probably couldn't understand the sight illuminated by that small light.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n目と鼻の先に、大斧を担ぎ上げた少女が立ち塞がっているなんて。<br>\\r\\nHe saw a girl lifting up a big hatchet right in front of him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………ッッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\".........!!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鉄平の両目が見開かれる。<br>\\r\\nTeppei's eyes went wide.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n目の前のそれが何事か分からなくても、自分の生命に危機が迫っていることだけは理解できたようだった。<br>\\r\\nHe didn't understand what was going on, but he understood that his life was in danger.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、理解できても、それに対応するまでは頭が回らなかっただろう。<br>\\r\\nAnd yet, he must not have been able to think fast enough to deal with it even though he understood what he should do.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仮にそこまで頭が回り、両腕で頭を庇ったとて、何の意味もなかったろうが。<br>\\r\\nEven if he could think fast enough and blocked his head with his arms, it wouldn't have meant anything.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鉄平がやがて自宅にやって来ることは分かっていたんだ！<br>\\r\\nI knew Teppei would come to my house eventually!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから今日、準備した。<br>\\r\\nThat's why I prepared for that day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその準備がその晩に実るなんて思わなかったけれどね。<br>\\r\\nI just didn't think that preparation was going to bear fruit tonight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n武器も十分に吟味した。<br>\\r\\nI chose my weapon very carefully.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n一撃で倒せる間合いも、距離も場所も全部全部吟味した。<br>\\r\\nI planned when, where, and how I was going to attack him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、それは必然だった！<br>\\r\\nAnd so, there can only be one result!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大斧は鉄平の頭の天辺と額の角に当る部分に、ばっくりとめり込んだ。<br>\\r\\nThe hatchet cut deeply into his forehead.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nめり込む瞬間の、例えようのない感触が、確かに頭蓋を叩き割ったことを教えてくれている。<br>\\r\\nI felt an indescribable vibration through the hatchet when it hit him, and this told me that I broke his skull.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n喫茶店で喧嘩自慢をしていた大男も、人を殺すために用意した武器の前では呆気なかった。<br>\\r\\nHe bragged about how good he was at fighting at the coffee house, but he sure went down quickly when faced with a murderous weapon.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその一撃でおしまいだったからだ。<br>\\r\\nHe was done in by a single blow.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鉄平は、頭部に斧をくわえ込んだまま、ゆっくりと横に倒れる。<br>\\r\\nTeppei slowly fell to his side with the hatchet in his forehead.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまるで出来の悪い三流ホラー映画の犠牲者そのものだった。<br>\\r\\nHe looked like a victim in a B movie.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、一刀だけをもって、この大男を処分した。<br>\\r\\nI killed this big guy with just one hatchet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…こいつは、暴力は経験も豊富で手馴れていただろう。<br>\\r\\n...He was probably quite experienced in the world of violence.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、殺スということに関しては、私の方が上手だった。<br>\\r\\nBut, I was better than him when it came to killing.<br>\\r\\nなぜって、私はすでに１人殺して手馴れているのだから。<br>\\r\\n Why? Because I've killed someone before.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれで、全て終わりだった。<br>\\r\\nIt's all done now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父を惑わせ、その財産を奪おうとした愚か者たちは全て消えた。<br>\\r\\nThe bad people who deceived my father and tried to rob him blind are all gone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、自分に出来ることをして、自分の生活を守れたのだ。<br>\\r\\nI did what I had to do in order to protect my life.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……この勇気と思い切りが、母の時にもあったなら、私はアキヒトおじさんを殺していたのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n...If I had this much courage and determination when my mom told me about the divorce, I might've killed Akihito.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうすれば、尊い命を奪うのは１つで済んだのだ。<br>\\r\\nIf I did, I would've taken the life of only one.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あの時にそれができなかったから、私は昨日と今日で２人も殺めなくてはならなかったじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n...Because I couldn't do it back then, I've had to kill two people in the last two days.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさぁレナ。<br>\\r\\nRena.<br>\\r\\n全部を終わりにしよう。<br>\\r\\n Let's finish it up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鉄平の死体を隠す場所はもう準備できている。<br>\\r\\nThere's already a place to hide his body.<br>\\r\\n全部全部、準備済みの手配済み。<br>\\r\\n I took care of everything.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n手にぬめりを感じ、私は懐中電灯で手を照らす。<br>\\r\\nMy hands were wet, so I shone the flashlight at them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……血だと感じたそれは、汗に過ぎなかった。<br>\\r\\n...I thought it was blood, but it was just sweat.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、そのぬめりの違和感にどうしても馴染めず、私は度々懐中電灯で手を照らすのだった。<br>\\r\\nEven so, I still felt uncomfortable, and shone the flashlight at my hands several times.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は幸せを掴むために、……ここまでのことをやったんだ。<br>\\r\\nI did all this... in order to be happy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここまでやって、幸せになれなかったらそんなのはあんまりだ。<br>\\r\\nI did all this, so I should be happy now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n両手が血塗れになるくらいにがんばった。<br>\\r\\nI tried so hard that I got blood on my hands.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを神さまに認められたい。<br>\\r\\nI wanted to get credit for that from him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nねぇ、オヤシロさま。<br>\\r\\nOyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n我が家が雛見沢から出て行って、狂い出したあの日に、これでようやく巻き戻せるよね？<br>\\r\\nLet me ask you a question. I can finally rewind the time back to the day everything started to go wrong, can't I?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は雛見沢に住まう。<br>\\r\\nI'm going to stay in Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんと一緒に、これからも、ずっと。<br>\\r\\nI'm going to live happily<br>\\r\\n幸せに。<br>\\r\\n with my father forever.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが授業中に居眠りをするなんて、珍しいことだった。<br>\\r\\nIt's rare to see Rena sleep in class.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n夜更かしをして睡眠不足になるようなやつじゃない。<br>\\r\\nShe isn't the kind of girl who sleeps in class because of staying up so late.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからきっと、家の家事とかで色々大変なんだろうなと思った。<br>\\r\\nShe had to be tired from doing housework or something.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれをみんな知っているのか、知恵先生も含めて、誰もレナを咎めようとはしなかった。<br>\\r\\nEverybody seemed to be thinking the same thing. Nobody tried to wake her up, not even Chie-sensei.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n時折、目を覚ますが、再び睡魔に負けてこっくりこっくりと俯く。<br>\\r\\nShe got up for a few seconds and went back to sleep.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのさまを、船を漕ぐようと例えるのは、なるほど言い得ているなと思った。<br>\\r\\nShe swayed back and forth like she was rowing a boat.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでもやっぱり…授業中だし、起こした方がいいよな…？<br>\\r\\nBut... she's in class, so I should wake her up... right?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n小突いてやろうと手を伸ばそうとしたら、魅音が目配せをしてきた。<br>\\r\\nI was about to wake her up, but before my hand touched her, Mion gave me a sign not to.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「寝かせてあげなよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Let her sleep.<br>\\r\\nたまにはそういう日もあるよ。」<br>\\r\\n She must be really tired today.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…ん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Ah.<br>\\r\\nそれもそうだな。」<br>\\r\\n You're right.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが、お父さんと二人暮らしであることを知ったのはつい先日だった。<br>\\r\\nI heard a few days ago that Rena lives with her father.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n昼間は勉強し、放課後は精一杯遊び、帰宅してからは母の代わりとして家事をこなす。<br>\\r\\nShe studies during the day, plays a lot after school, and does things around the house after that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そんな日々を送っているなんて、俺は全然知らなかった。<br>\\r\\n...I didn't know that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…お母さんがいないのは、どうも離婚らしい。<br>\\r\\n...I also didn't know her mother had divorced her father.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはレナにとっては思い出したくないことだろうから内緒だよ、と魅音に釘を刺された。<br>\\r\\nMion told me that, and she also told me not to talk about it because Rena is still hurt by the divorce.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………そんな苦労をしてるなんて、全然気付きもしなかったぜ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I didn't even notice that she's been through such a tough time.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナはそういうのを表に出さないタイプだよね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena is the kind of girl who doesn't show her pain to others.<br>\\r\\nひょっとすると、普段、陽気に振舞っているのも、そういう風に意識して振舞っているからかもね。」<br>\\r\\n She always looks happy and cheerful, but she might be acting that way on purpose.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n幸せな時間は有限だと言い切ったレナ。<br>\\r\\nRena told me that happy days will one day come to an end.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nある日を境に、突然、幸せが終わってしまうことを知っていると言ったレナは、…一体、これまでにどんな苦労をしてきたのか。<br>\\r\\nShe told me she knew that firsthand... what could she have been through?<br>\\r\\n俺には想像もつかない。<br>\\r\\n I had no idea.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、平穏に過ごせる日々を思い切り楽しく過ごそうとするのだろう。<br>\\r\\nThat's probably why she tried to spend as much time as peacefully and cheerfully as she could.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな日々を、退屈だと言ってしまった自分は、多分レナを傷つけたに違いない。<br>\\r\\nI must've hurt her feelings when I said I was bored of having happy days.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そう思うと、両親が健在でぬくぬくと親元でスネをかじっている自分が何だか申し訳なく感じた。<br>\\r\\n...When I thought about it, I felt bad for living off my parents, who are both healthy and happy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう言えば、……沙都子と梨花ちゃんは、共に両親を失っている。<br>\\r\\nFor that matter... Satoko and Rika-chan lost their parents, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音だって、両親の元を離れ、頭首見習いとして祖母の下で生活しているという。<br>\\r\\nMion lives with her grandmother, away from her parents, because she needs to learn to be the head of the Sonozaki family in the future.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれに気付いた時、…何となく申し訳なさを感じた。<br>\\r\\nWhen I realized all that... I felt bad about my situation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「別に、圭ちゃんが両親と生活してることを申し訳なく思うことはないよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You don't have to feel bad about living with your parents.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n胸中を魅音に見抜かれたようだった。<br>\\r\\nMion seemed to have read my mind.<br>\\r\\n魅音は、滅多に見せない涼しそうな顔でそう言った。<br>\\r\\n She said it with a cool expression on her face.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「確かに家族ってのは、生まれてきた子どもである私たちにとって、一番最初のコミュニティなんだと思う。<br>\\r\\n\\\"A family is the most common community for kids like us to live in.<br>\\r\\nでもね、コミュニティは家族だけじゃないんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n But it's not the only community we have.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……仲間、か？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...You mean friends?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わかってるじゃん。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're right.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「俺たちは、レナにとって、家族に負けないくらいの存在なんだろうか…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Do you think we're as good as family to Rena...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「掃除洗濯、炊事に買い物。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena does cleaning, laundry, cooking, and shopping, so she must be tired every day.<br>\\r\\nそれに疲れて昼寝だけして過ごすことだってレナにはできるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n She could spend her afternoon taking naps.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでもレナはそれをしない。<br>\\r\\n But she doesn't do that.<br>\\r\\n放課後の時間いっぱいを私たちと部活をして過ごす。<br>\\r\\n She spends her afternoons playing with us.<br>\\r\\nそれはつまり、………なんて言えばいいのかなぁ、<br>\\r\\n That means... how should I put it...?<br>\\r\\n…そう、仲間ってことなんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n ...That means we're her best friends.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナにとっては、…家族と同じくらいの意味のある、仲間ってことなのか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"So you're saying... we're friends with as much value as family to her?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...............\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音がきょとんした顔をする。<br>\\r\\nMion looked stunned.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺との会話が少し噛み合わないような様子だった。<br>\\r\\nAs if she didn't understand what I was talking about.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あー、……圭ちゃんが今日まで、仲間って言葉をどういう意味で使ってきたか知らないけどさ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah... I didn't know what friends meant for you until today.<br>\\r\\n…仲間ってのは、家族とまったく同格じゃないのかなぁ？」<br>\\r\\n ...But I believe friends are just as important and valuable as family.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……難しく考えることではないのですよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......It's actually very easy to understand.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいつの間にか、梨花ちゃんも話に加わっていた。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan joined our conversation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「居場所があればいいのです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"The important thing is to have people around whom you can feel comfortable.<br>\\r\\nそれがある場所を、家族と言ったり、仲間と言ったり、呼び方が少し変わるだけのことなのですよ。」<br>\\r\\n Sometimes you call them family or sometimes you call them friends. It's just a matter of the word you use.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………梨花ちゃんにとって、家族と仲間は同じものか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Are friends the same as family to you, Rika-chan?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ボクはそうだと思っていますです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Yes, they are.<br>\\r\\n沙都子も魅ぃも、そしてレナもそうだと思いますですよ。」<br>\\r\\n I believe they are to Satoko, Mii, and Rena, too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だから私たちは、いっつも一緒にいようとするんじゃないかなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I guess that's why we always try to stay together.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「梨花ちゃんは、みんなといると寂しくないか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Do you ever feel lonely when you're with your friends?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……みんなは家族なのです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......They're my family.<br>\\r\\n寂しくなんかないのですよ？」<br>\\r\\n So, I'm not lonely.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音も頷く。<br>\\r\\nMion nodded in agreement.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子は別のクラスメートとのおしゃべりに夢中だったが、きっと同じように頷くに違いない。<br>\\r\\nSatoko was talking with her other classmates, but I'm sure she would nod as well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そしてレナも。<br>\\r\\n...Rena would, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「俺、………ちょっと恥ずかしいよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm... a little embarrassed.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Why?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今日まで俺、仲間って言葉を使ってきたけどさ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I've been using the word, 'friends'.<br>\\r\\n……本当の意味で理解してなかったと思う。<br>\\r\\n ...But I don't think I understood its true meaning until today.<br>\\r\\n仲間ってのは、…もっともっと大切で掛け替えのない、すげえもんなんだよな。」<br>\\r\\n Friends are... more important and irreplaceable than I thought they were.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………それ、すっごく当り前のことだからさ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's like...... common sense.<br>\\r\\nもし今日まで分かってなかったなら、よく胸に刻んだ方がいいよ。」<br>\\r\\n So, you should take this opportunity to remember that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah.<br>\\r\\n…そうするぜ。」<br>\\r\\n ...I will.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あと、それを二度と口にしない方がいいかもだね！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I also recommend that you don't say that again!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今、圭ちゃん、かなり恥ずかしいことを言ってたと思うよ〜。」<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan, you just said something very embarrassing, you know?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音が今さらのように茶化した。<br>\\r\\nAfter all that, Mion still made fun of me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが、あんなにも真面目に、遊んでふざけて、いつも精一杯なのが少し分かった気がした。<br>\\r\\nI think I understand a little better why Rena was always so serious about having fun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、俺もそんなレナの仲間であろうと、その精一杯に応えられる関係であろうと思った。<br>\\r\\nI want to be her best friend, and I want to do my best to be deserving of her effort.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………くぁぁ……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Zzz......\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが可愛らしいいびきをかく。<br>\\r\\nRena snored. It sounded cute.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさすがにいびきまでかかれては、先生も見逃せないようだった。<br>\\r\\nChie-sensei let her sleep in class, but she couldn't let her get away with snoring.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「委員長、竜宮さんを起こしてください。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Class president, wake her up, please.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナぁ、ほらほら。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena, get up.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ふぁうぅうぅ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hwwaaaa...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音に小突かれた時、レナが漏らした寝惚け声がクラス中に笑いをもたらす。<br>\\r\\nRena was still half asleep and made a strange noise. Everybody in the class laughed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはクラスメートのくすくす笑いが、自分へのものだと気付くと、すぐに目を覚まし、さも眠っていなかったように振舞うのだった。<br>\\r\\nRena noticed they were laughing at her, woke up right away, and acted like she wasn't sleeping at all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその様子が何だかかえって滑稽で、俺は堪えきれば吹き出してしまうのだった。<br>\\r\\nIt looked really funny, and I burst into a fit of laughter.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n窓の外を見ると、まだまだ６月だと言うのに、夏本番を思わせる真っ青な空と大きく真っ白な雲が浮かんでいた。<br>\\r\\nOutside the window, the sky was blue, and the clouds were pure white. It was still June, but it looked like the middle of summer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの晴れの天気だって、永遠に続くわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\nThis perfect weather wouldn't last forever.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n突然曇って夕立になることだってあるだろう。<br>\\r\\nIt could get cloudy and rain all of a sudden.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、晴れてる内に、思いっきりはしゃいで遊ぼうじゃないか。<br>\\r\\nThat's why we had to play and raise a ruckus while we still had this perfect weather.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nセミたちの合唱が、まだしばらく授業から開放されない俺たちを嘲笑う。<br>\\r\\nThe cries of the cicadas sound as if they're laughing at us because we still have some classes left.<br>\\r\\nあぁ、畜生、早く放課後にならないかなぁ。<br>\\r\\n Ahh, damn it. I can't wait for school to finish.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どうしたんだろ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi-kun,<br>\\r\\n圭一くん、すっごく嬉しそうだね。今日は何かあるの？」<br>\\r\\n you look very happy. Did something special happen today?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「別に今日、何かあるわけじゃないぜ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Nothing.<br>\\r\\n今日は今日だし、明日は明日だろ。」<br>\\r\\n Today is today. Tomorrow is tomorrow, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……うん？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Yeah...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今日が晴れてるならそれで十分。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm just happy that we have perfect weather today.<br>\\r\\n明日の天気なんか知ったこっちゃないってことさ。<br>\\r\\n I don't care about the weather tomorrow.<br>\\r\\nだから、今日という日を俺は精一杯遊び倒したい。<br>\\r\\n I want to enjoy today as much as I can.<br>\\r\\nいつ天気が崩れたって後悔しないくらいに徹底的にな。」<br>\\r\\n When the weather changes, I don't want to regret that I didn't.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはかつてレナに教えられたこと。<br>\\r\\nI learned that from Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n平穏な日々こそが、何にも変え難い、一番幸せな日々であるということ。<br>\\r\\nI learned that peaceful days are the happiest days you can have and that they're irreplaceable.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅音〜、今日の部活は何だー？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mion, what are we doing today for club activities?<br>\\r\\nそれに最近、罰ゲームがちょいと刺激不足だぜー。」<br>\\r\\n We need something very exciting for the punishment, too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「くっくっく！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Heh heh heh!<br>\\r\\n言うねぇ圭ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n That's the spirit I like, Kei-chan.<br>\\r\\nそこまで言うなら、今日の放課後には生き地獄ってヤツを拝ましてあげるよ…！」<br>\\r\\n Because you insist, I'll put you through a living hell...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「け、圭一くん、あんまり魅ぃちゃんを挑発しちゃだめだよぅ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"K-Keiichi-kun, don't provoke her too much...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おいおい、臆すのかよレナぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, are you scared, Rena?<br>\\r\\n上等じゃねぇかよ！<br>\\r\\n I know you're better than that!<br>\\r\\nまた俺たちの実力で大暴れしてやろうぜ！<br>\\r\\n Let's show her our true power again!<br>\\r\\n俺とレナの決着だって、まだまだ着いちゃいないんだからなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n Remember, we haven't brought an end to our last battle.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nにやっと笑ってやると、レナもつられてにやりと笑う。<br>\\r\\nI grinned at her, and she grinned back.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはは、それもそうだね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahaha, I do remember that.<br>\\r\\nよぅし、レナも思いっきりがんばるぞー！」<br>\\r\\n Okay, let's do it, then!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナさんには先日の借りがございますものねぇ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena-san, you certainly got me last time!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nきっちり倍返しさせていただきましてですわよー！」<br>\\r\\n For that, I must pay you back with interest!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いいねいいねぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"This is getting very interesting.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n盛り上がってきたよ、くっくっく！」<br>\\r\\n It's going to be a blast! Heh heh heh!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……早く、放課後になるといいのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I can't wait for school to finish.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n放課後はとても待ち遠しいけれど。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't wait either, but...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…こうしてみんなで盛り上がる今の時間にすら、今の俺は輝くものを感じるのだった。<br>\\r\\nThat time we spend just talking together is also very precious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah.<br>\\r\\n早く放課後になるといいなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n It would be nice if school ended soon.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれだけ暑い日が続けば、死体は痛むのもあっという間だった。<br>\\r\\nIt had been very hot for the past few days, and the corpses went rotten quickly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n台所を預かる主婦たちなら、これだけの生肉があっという間にそうなることなど、誰だってわかる。<br>\\r\\nAny housewife knows how fast fresh meat can go bad.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、重要な解体作業は一番最初にやった。<br>\\r\\nI know it, too. That's why the first thing I did was to dismember the corpses.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n解体する理由はただひとつ。<br>\\r\\nThere was only one reason why I needed to dismember them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n死体を絶対見つからない場所に持ち運ぶため、隠して運べるサイズにする必要があったからだ。<br>\\r\\nI had to reduce them to a portable size, in order to carry them to a place where they'll never be found.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n死体を切り刻む、と文字に書くと嫌悪感を感じるのは多分、台所に立たない男の人だけだろう。<br>\\r\\nWhen men see the words \\\"dismembered corpses,\\\" they'll probably feel disgusted, because they don't cook.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまな板の前に立つ主婦は、魚を捌けば内臓を引き出すし、生だったらまだ動いている寄生虫を見ることだってある。<br>\\r\\nBut housewives are used to taking the guts out of fish, and they sometimes even see living maggots.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそういうのを引きずり出したり、時には付いたまま加熱して料理してしまうこともある。<br>\\r\\nThey take the maggots off of the food, or even cook it with the maggots still on.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n火を通せば無害というやつだ。<br>\\r\\nThe heat will kill them, after all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n男の人は言葉を聞いただけで毛嫌いするから、台所を見せないだけのこと。<br>\\r\\nWomen don't tell men what they do in the kitchen because men wouldn't eat the food if they knew.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、別にこんな作業はへっちゃらだった。<br>\\r\\nSo it didn't really bother me much to dismember them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれに、こいつらを殺すことで全ての悩みから開放されたのだ。<br>\\r\\nI was released from all my problems by killing them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその喜びと引き換えなら、これくらいの後片付けは当然だった。<br>\\r\\nCleaning up the mess was like nothing to me, because I got freedom and regained my happiness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鋸や鉈などの大工道具を使って分解する。<br>\\r\\nI dismembered the corpses using carpenter's tools like a saw and a hatchet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n返り血を浴びるだろうから、わざわざ黒いジャージを買っておいた。<br>\\r\\nI'm wearing a black sweat suit I bought for today because I thought I might get stained with blood.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n血が付いてても目立たないし、最後には捨ててしまえばいい。<br>\\r\\nBloodstains don't show on black fabric, and I can just throw it away after it's done.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろん、付近に血が飛び散るかもしれないと思い、捨ててあったブルーシートも拾ってきてあった。<br>\\r\\nI brought a plastic sheet I found in the dump because I thought the blood might spread otherwise.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの上で作業をすれば、最後には丸めて焼いてしまえばいいからとても便利だ。<br>\\r\\nIf I did the work on this sheet, I could just burn it after I was done.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……結局、人間の解体も、まな板の上での炊事と何にも変わらないわけだ。<br>\\r\\n...In the end, dismembering human bodies is no different from preparing food on a chopping board.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n実際、これだけ大きな体なのだから、かなりくたびれたが、そう悩まずに分解できた。<br>\\r\\nI was very tired from chopping apart two adult bodies, but I didn't have a problem doing it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n手、足、首を切断し、ちょうど６分割にした。<br>\\r\\nI cut off their arms, legs, and heads, dividing each body into six pieces.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n死体を切ると、脂で刃が駄目になる…というようなのを、どこかで聞いていたので、予め分解道具は豊富に用意した。<br>\\r\\nI heard before that blades get easily ruined by fat when you cut apart a corpse. So, I brought many kinds of tools.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその予想は的中し、私は解体途中で道具を取りに帰るという無様なまねをせずに済んだ。<br>\\r\\nAnd I was right. I didn't have to go back and forth between here and my house to get another tool in the middle of work.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう言えば昔、ダム戦争の末期にまさにこの地で、現場監督のバラバラ殺人があったんだっけ。<br>\\r\\nA long time ago, the construction manager was murdered and his body was dismembered here during the dam conflict.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれも確かこれと同じで６分割のはず。<br>\\r\\nHe was cut into six pieces in the same way.<br>\\r\\nもっとも私は２人分だから１２分割なのだけど。<br>\\r\\n Well, I had two bodies, so there was double that, though.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう言えば、逮捕されていない主犯が隠したという腕は、未だ発見されていないんだっけ。<br>\\r\\nI remembered the main suspect was still on the loose, and the victim's arm he hid hadn't been found yet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどこに隠したんだろうな。<br>\\r\\nI wonder where he hid it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその場所を教えてもらいたいなと思い、ちょっと苦笑した。<br>\\r\\nI'd like to ask him. I smiled wryly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n手足や首はともかく、胴体は大きくて大変だった。<br>\\r\\nUnlike the arms, legs, and heads, the torsos were difficult to take care of.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n分解できないかとも考えたが、臓物の処分などで相当面倒になるだろうと思い、結局断念する。<br>\\r\\nI thought about cutting them into smaller pieces, but I decided against it because I thought it'd be troublesome to clean up the guts.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n分解した断片を、黒いゴミ袋にしまい、どうせ効果はないだろうが冷蔵庫用の消臭剤たっぷりと一緒に何重にも包む。<br>\\r\\nI put each piece in a black trash bag and sprayed on a lot of deodorant. I wasn't sure if that would help against the smell, though.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n解体作業中にもだいぶ虫に群がられたが、綺麗にゴミ袋にまとめた後は、血の匂いに群がっているだけのようだった。<br>\\r\\nMany bugs flew around me while I was dismembering the corpses. After I finished putting all the pieces into each bag, the bugs were still flying around, but that was just because they could smell the blood.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全ての後片付けをした後には、もう虫も散っていた。<br>\\r\\nAfter I cleaned up everything, they were all gone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあとは、この１２個の黒い肉袋を処分するだけ。<br>\\r\\nNow all I need to do is get rid of these twelve black bags.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n骨になるまで焼ければ一番楽だけど、火葬場でもなければ無理だろう。<br>\\r\\nBurning them would be easiest, but I don't think I can burn them to ashes without using a cremator.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどこか秘密の場所に埋めてしまうのがいい。<br>\\r\\nThe best way is to bury them somewhere.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n胴体はともかく、それ以外の袋はナップザックに詰められる大きさだ。<br>\\r\\nOther than the torsos, every piece is small enough to fit in my backpack.<br>\\r\\n容易に隠して持ち運べるだろう。<br>\\r\\n I could easily carry them without being noticed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのダム現場を貫いて流れる沢に流してしまえたら楽だなと思った。<br>\\r\\nI could throw them into the river running through the dam construction site...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、そんなことすれば絶対に下流で誰かが見つける。<br>\\r\\nbut if I did that, somebody would find them for sure.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nたまにニュースで、川原で見つかったボストンバッグから遺体の一部が…、何てのを見るけど、流した犯人のいい加減さにはいつも呆れていた。<br>\\r\\nI've seen on the news several times before that a bag with a body part in it was found beside a river... Every time I heard something like that, I always thought the murderer was stupid.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鬼ヶ淵の沼に沈めるのもいいかと思ったけど、肉は腐ると浮力がつく。<br>\\r\\nI thought about dumping them into the Onigafuchi Swamp. But rotten meat floats.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n重りと一緒なら…とは思うが、絶対に大丈夫とは言い切れない。<br>\\r\\nI thought about weighting the bags... but there's no guarantee they'd stay down.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだとすると残るのは、地中に埋めることだけ。<br>\\r\\nSo, that left me one choice: to bury them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n谷河内か高津戸辺りの廃村地区をもっと奥に行けば、未開の山がいくつもある。<br>\\r\\nThere are many unexplored mountains at the end of the abandoned districts around Yagouchi and Takatsudo.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな山のどこかにひっそりと埋めてしまうのが一番だろう。<br>\\r\\nIt's probably best to bury them somewhere in the mountains.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのゴミ山はかなり安全だが、それでも絶対じゃない。<br>\\r\\nWhile it would be safe to bury them here in the garbage dump, too, it's not perfectly safe.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、私はこの袋の山全てを、無事に山奥に埋めてしまって初めて、あの２人の完全な抹消を終了するのだ。<br>\\r\\nAnd so, I'm going to bury all these bags somewhere deep inside of a mountain, in order to completely erase the two of them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………使い慣れない筋肉を酷使したせいか、体の節々が痛む。<br>\\r\\n...My joints hurt, since I've been using muscles I don't normally use.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は丁寧に後片付けをすると、ジャージのまま隠れ家に入り、マットレスの上に横になった。<br>\\r\\nI cleaned up the mess very carefully and got into my hideout. While still wearing the sweat suit, I laid down on the mattress.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n手は念入りに洗ったけど、爪の間など入り込んだものまでは落としきっていない。<br>\\r\\nI washed my hands carefully, but there was still dirt and blood under my nails.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……後でお風呂に入って入念に落とそう。<br>\\r\\n...I should take a shower later and wash it off completely.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n殺人、死体遺棄と言葉を並べると、何だか自分が世紀の大悪人のように聞こえる。<br>\\r\\nWhen I say things like \\\"disposing of corpses,\\\" it sounds like I'm the greatest evil of the century.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでもそれは、ばれたらの話だ。<br>\\r\\nBut that's only true if I get caught.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nばれなければ罪じゃないし、…それに私は、罪が犯したくてやったわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\nWhat I did isn't a crime as long as I don't get caught... Plus, I didn't do this because I wanted to commit a crime.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、悪いことはしていない。<br>\\r\\nI didn't do anything wrong.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分とお父さんの生活を守るためにやったんだ。<br>\\r\\nI did this to protect my father's life and mine.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを罵る人間は所詮は対岸の人間。<br>\\r\\nPeople might speak ill of me, but I don't care about them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n結局、罪なんて、何者にも裁けないのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nIn the end, I don't think anybody can really pass judgment on my sins.<br>\\r\\n罪は裁くものではなく、認めて贖罪するものだ。<br>\\r\\n Sins aren't something to pass judgment on; they're something to confess and to atone for.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、罪は犯した本人にしか測れないということ。<br>\\r\\nIn other words, nobody can measure the weight of a sin other than the person who committed the crime.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私に悔悟や後悔の念は？<br>\\r\\nDo I regret what I did? Do I feel sorry?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nない。<br>\\r\\nNo.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今この瞬間も、私は間違ったことをしたなんて思っていない。<br>\\r\\nI don't think I did anything wrong.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの２人を殺す以上の最善策などなかったと断言できる。<br>\\r\\nI truly believe there was no better way than killing them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれに、……あの２人を殺したその夜から、私の生活は少しずつ変わり始めたからだ。<br>\\r\\nI'm sure it was the right thing, because... my life had already started to change since the night I killed them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鉄平を殺してから帰宅した時。<br>\\r\\nA few days earlier. I just came home after killing Teppei.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……父は泣き腫らした顔で、荒れた室内を片付けていた。<br>\\r\\n...My father was cleaning the room Teppei had thrashed earlier. His eyes were swollen. He'd been crying.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………礼奈、……どこへ行ってたんだ…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Reina... where have you been?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あの男と話をしてきた。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I was talking with him.<br>\\r\\nもうリナさんは二度とこの家に来ない。<br>\\r\\n I said, 'Rina-san will never come to our house again,<br>\\r\\nだからあなたも来ないでって言った。<br>\\r\\n so please leave us alone.'<br>\\r\\nだからあいつはもう来ないよ。」<br>\\r\\n Therefore, he'll never come back.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そんなので大人しくしてくれるヤツじゃないぞきっと…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't think he'll stay away from us that easily...<br>\\r\\n礼奈もしばらくは用心した方がいい…。」<br>\\r\\n You should watch out for him for a while, too...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの男が二度と訪れないことを父に説明するのは難しかった。<br>\\r\\nIt's hard to explain to him why Teppei would never come back.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…殺したから大丈夫などとは、当然言えるわけもない。<br>\\r\\n...I can't tell him he shouldn't worry because I killed him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は冷蔵庫から氷を出し、ビニール袋に詰めてタオルに巻いて父に差し出す。<br>\\r\\nI grabbed ice cubes from the freezer, put them in a plastic bag, and handed it to my father.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お父さん、はい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Here you go, Dad.<br>\\r\\n…………ほっぺた、すごい腫れてるよ。」<br>\\r\\n ...Your cheeks are swollen.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父は自分で頬を触って初めて、腫れあがっていることに気付いたらしかった。<br>\\r\\nHe must have only noticed it just then.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……あぁ、…ありがとう。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Oh... thank you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私が片付けるからいいよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Don't worry about cleaning up the mess. I'll do it.<br>\\r\\n掃除機持ってくるね。」<br>\\r\\n I'll get the vacuum cleaner.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………礼奈。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Reina.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n呼び止めるように父が呼ぶ。<br>\\r\\nHe called out to me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………お父さんが悪かった。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I'm sorry.<br>\\r\\n………ごめんな、本当に。」<br>\\r\\n ...I'm so sorry.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「仕方ないよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's not your fault.<br>\\r\\n…あいつらは騙すのが生業だもん。<br>\\r\\n ...They make their living by deceiving people.<br>\\r\\n…だからお父さんは騙されただけだよ。」<br>\\r\\n ...You were just one of their targets.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………礼奈は、…あいつらがそういう連中だって知ってたのか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Reina... did you know who they were?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…うん。最近だけどね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Yes. I found out recently.<br>\\r\\n言っても信じてくれないと思って言わなかった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't tell you because I thought you wouldn't believe me.<br>\\r\\nごめんね。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父は少し俯く。<br>\\r\\nHe looked down.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、リナが再婚の話をした時に、あの２人は美人局の悪人だと告げていた。<br>\\r\\nWhen he told me about how he wanted to get remarried, I told him that they were bad people and that they scammed others with badger games.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも父はそれを聞こうとはしなかった。<br>\\r\\nBut he didn't listen to me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、言っても信じてくれないというのは正しかったことになる。<br>\\r\\nSo, I was right in saying that he wouldn't have believed me at all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お父さんは、母さんとの離婚で落ち込んでいるところを付け入られたんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"She took advantage of your pain.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………お父さんは、……本当に駄目なお父さんだよな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"............I'm... a very bad father.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれから父は、罪滅ぼしのようにリナとの馴れ初めを騙り始めた。<br>\\r\\nThen he started talking about how he met Rina, as if trying to absolve his guilt.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n酒の力を借りなければ苦い思い出に抗えなかった、一番辛かった時。<br>\\r\\nIt was when he was suffering the most, and he needed to drink away his sorrow.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nたまたま入った店で接客してくれたのがリナだった。<br>\\r\\nAt a bar he happened to go into, Rina-san was the one who came to his table.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n元々、客の話を聞くのが商売だ。<br>\\r\\nIt was her job to be a good listener when her customers talked.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナは親身に父の離婚話に耳を傾け、慰めの言葉をかけてくれただろう。<br>\\r\\nRina must really have been a great listener, and offered words of comfort when he talked about the divorce.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n普通の人間なら、それはその場限りの言葉として受け取れたろうが、<br>\\r\\nIf he was emotionally stable, he could've taken it as a kindness that she was only offering at the time.<br>\\r\\n……救いの欲しい父には、それが新しい出会いのように感じられたに違いない。<br>\\r\\n ...But he was so desperate that he took it the wrong way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあとは、見るも無残な物語。<br>\\r\\nAfter that, the tragedy was inevitable.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを運命の出会いと信じたい父は、リナの全てを好意的に見て美化した。<br>\\r\\nHe wanted to believe that it was destiny, and he glamorized everything about her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……夢を見過ぎだと笑うのは簡単だ。<br>\\r\\n...It would be easy to laugh at him, and say that he was just dreaming.<br>\\r\\nでも、その弱さこそ人間であることの証なのだから、仕方がない。<br>\\r\\n But I don't blame him, because being weak is also part of being human.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n逸脱した金銭感覚に疑いを持つ機会があってもよかった。<br>\\r\\nHe had plenty of opportunities to grow suspicious of her questionable spending habits.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…でも父は、それすらも、彼女が自分を元気付けるために振舞っているのだと勝手に解釈した。<br>\\r\\n...But my father just read even that behavior as an attempt to cheer him up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナの望むままに何でも買い与え、自らリナの僕と成り果てていった。<br>\\r\\nHe bought everything she asked him to, and Rina had landed her catch.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n娘と住まう家に、情婦を連れ込むなんて普通じゃない。<br>\\r\\nHe shouldn't have brought his lover to the house where his daughter lived.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…でも、もう父はリナに夢中で、そんなことには気が回らなかった。<br>\\r\\n...But he was crazy about her, and he didn't even think about it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……お父さんは、……お父さんであることを忘れちゃってたんだ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I'd forgotten that I was a father first.<br>\\r\\n………本当にどうかしてた………。」<br>\\r\\n ......What was I thinking......?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう言い、すすり泣く。<br>\\r\\nHe started crying.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、そのあまりに弱々しい父の肩を、そっと抱いた。<br>\\r\\nI held his shoulders gently.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いいよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's okay.<br>\\r\\n…………お父さんがそれに気付いてくれたなら、お父さんはお父さんなんだよ。<br>\\r\\n ......You realized it in the end. You're my father no matter what.<br>\\r\\n………私には１人しかいない、最後の肉親なんだから。」<br>\\r\\n .........You're the only family I have.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父はもう嗚咽しか漏らせない。<br>\\r\\nHe couldn't stop moaning.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そして、私たちは静かに抱き合い、互いに涙を流し合った…。<br>\\r\\n......We held each other and cried together...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n翌日、父はとても早起きだった。<br>\\r\\nThe next day, my father got up early in the morning.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が起きた時には、台所に立って朝食を作ろうとしていたのだ。<br>\\r\\nHe was already cooking breakfast when I got up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n驚く私に、父は言った。<br>\\r\\nAnd he told me...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お父さんは、今日からしっかりするからな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Your father is going to get his act together from today onward.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あ、あはははははははは。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah... Ahahahahahahahaha.<br>\\r\\nでも、お父さん、目玉焼きを焼く前にサラダオイルは敷いた方がいいと思うかな。」<br>\\r\\n Dad, you should've used salad oil before you cooked them sunny-side up.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hh!<br>\\r\\n………あはははは、久しぶりの台所なんで、…あははははは。」<br>\\r\\n ...Ahahahaha, it's been a long time since I cooked. ...Ahahahahaha.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父は焦げ付きかけていた目玉焼きをフライ返しで引っ掻いて剥がすと、今さらのようにサラダオイルを加えた。<br>\\r\\nHe pried off the burning eggs on the pan with a spatula, and he added salad oil to it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなことしてももう遅い。<br>\\r\\nIt was too late.<br>\\r\\nフライパンを汚してしまっただけだ。<br>\\r\\n Doing that just made it an even bigger mess.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、お父さんの目玉焼きが食べたいから私はそれ以上の文句は言わずに、黙って食卓で待った。<br>\\r\\nBut I didn't say anything, because I wanted to eat his eggs. I waited at the table quietly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父が持ってきたお皿には汚れきった目玉焼き風の物体があるだけ。<br>\\r\\nHe put the burned eggs on a plate, and brought them over to me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nチーズ片を混ぜてみようという遊び心の痕跡もあったが、すっかり焦げてしまって大失敗だ。<br>\\r\\nIt looked like he tried to salvage them by adding cheese, but it didn't really work.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも匂いはとても香ばしくて食欲を誘った。<br>\\r\\nStill, it smelled good and crispy. It actually stimulated my appetite.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nポンとトースターが上がり、厚切りのトーストが出来上がる。<br>\\r\\nThick-cut toast popped out of the toaster.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父は甘いのが好きだから、牛乳たっぷりに砂糖を加えたカフェオレを作った。<br>\\r\\nI made coffee with extra milk and sugar because my father liked it sweet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれらを並べて見ると、まるで小学生の家庭科の授業のような無残な出来ではあったけど、……エプロン姿の父の一生懸命さでとても輝いて見えた。<br>\\r\\nWe put everything on the table. It looked terrible, like the cooking class of an elementary school... But to me, it was precious, because my father tried very hard to make it, wearing the apron.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Great.<br>\\r\\n匂いだけならおいしそうだよ。<br>\\r\\n It smells good.<br>\\r\\nあとは味だね、あははは。」<br>\\r\\n I hope it tastes as good as it smells. Ahahaha.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「やっぱり食事は礼奈がやった方がいいかもなぁ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It might be better that you do the cooking...<br>\\r\\nこれじゃかえって悪い気がする…。」<br>\\r\\n I feel bad making you eat this...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お父さんが仕事で忙しくなったら、また私が代わるよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'll take care of cooking when you take care of getting a job.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"..................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれまで、私と父の間で仕事の話はタブーだった。<br>\\r\\nIt had been a taboo to talk about work in our house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父は離婚以来、仕事に付いていなかったからだ。<br>\\r\\nHe hadn't worked since the divorce.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n離婚のせいだけでもない。<br>\\r\\nIt wasn't only because of the divorce, though.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n母が残した慰謝料が莫大だったせいもある。<br>\\r\\nHe just didn't have to work because the settlement my mother gave him was so huge.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして離婚に対する私の負い目が父の怠惰を許してしまった。<br>\\r\\nPlus, I let him be lazy because I felt guilty about the divorce.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、…………父の罪は、昨夜の後悔で晴らされた。<br>\\r\\nBut...... my father cleared his wrongdoing by showing repentance to me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そして、母の時に何もできなかった私の罪も、<br>\\r\\n...And I also atoned for my sin<br>\\r\\n…昨日の出来事で、<br>\\r\\n of not doing anything about my mother...<br>\\r\\n……自ら罪を滅ぼした。<br>\\r\\n by doing what I did the previous night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう、私たち親子には、何の罪もないのだ。<br>\\r\\nNow, we are free of sin.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お父さん、……仕事を探してみるよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I... I'm going to try to find a job.<br>\\r\\n今日は職安に行ってこようと思う。」<br>\\r\\n I'm thinking about going to the employment service agency today.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah.<br>\\r\\nそれはいいね。」<br>\\r\\n That's a great idea.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n生活費が欲しいんじゃない。<br>\\r\\nIt's not money that he wanted.<br>\\r\\n父には、普通の生活習慣が必要だった。<br>\\r\\n He just needed a normal lifestyle.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…こんな年で体力もないからなぁ…。いい仕事があるか不安だよ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I'm old and not very strong... I'm a bit worried if I can find a job at all...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どんな仕事ならいいの？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What kind of job are you looking for?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「事務の仕事がいいけど、この年じゃなかなか雇ってもらえないだろうな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'd prefer a desk job, but I don't think a lot of companies would offer one to an old man like me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私の友達に聞いてみるよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I can ask my friend.<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんはこの辺りの大地主のお嬢さんだから、ひょっとすると紹介してくれるかもしれないよ。」<br>\\r\\n Mii-chan is the daughter of a big landowner in Hinamizawa, so she might be able to find you something.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いいよいいよ、仕事くらい自分で探すよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, it's okay. I'll do it myself.<br>\\r\\nその程度にはしっかりしないとな。」<br>\\r\\n I have to man up, you know?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはははははは。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahahaha.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父とこんなにも会話を弾ませた朝食はいつ以来だろう。<br>\\r\\nI don't remember the last time we enjoyed breakfast like this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……いや、父と共にした朝食だってどれくらいに久しぶりなことか。<br>\\r\\n...I don't even remember the last time we had breakfast together.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n窓から入る朝の光が、こんなにも清々しかったことをようやく思い出す。<br>\\r\\nFor the first time in a long time, the morning light felt refreshing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…こんな時間をいつまでも過ごしたいと思った。<br>\\r\\n...I wanted to keep enjoying life like this.<br>\\r\\nでも、残念なことに今日も学校がある。<br>\\r\\n But unfortunately, I had to go to school.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nサボるからどこかに遊びに連れて行ってよと甘えたが、父はここぞとばかりに父親ぶり、登校しないとダメだぞ、何て言った。<br>\\r\\nI told him that I'd skip school that day and that I wanted him to take me somewhere fun, but he tried to be a good father, and said that I had to go to school.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃ、……私、学校行くね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well... I have to go now.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ。行ってらっしゃい。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay... Have a good day at school.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が玄関に向かうと、見送りにわざわざ付いてきた。<br>\\r\\nHe followed me to the front door.<br>\\r\\n何だか恥ずかしい。<br>\\r\\n I was a bit embarrassed for some reason.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n靴紐を結んでいると、父が話しかけてきた。<br>\\r\\nHe talked to me while I was tying my shoes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…見送りに来たのではなく、その言葉が伝えたかったからに違いない。<br>\\r\\n...He followed me here not because he wanted to see me off, but because he wanted to tell me something.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………お父さんは母さんとの離婚の後、ずっと寂しかった。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I've been sad ever since your mother divorced me.<br>\\r\\nでも、お父さんは礼奈と一緒だから寂しくなんかないんだ。<br>\\r\\n But I realized that I shouldn't be sad, because I have you, Reina.<br>\\r\\nそうだ、最初から寂しがることなんか何もなかったんだ。」<br>\\r\\n I didn't have to feel sad at all.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お父さん、………それを、家族って言うんじゃないかな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Dad...... that's what being a family is about.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………そうだな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Yes, you're right.<br>\\r\\n…そんなことを、娘に教わるようじゃ、だめだな。」<br>\\r\\n ...Again, I'm not a good father, because I had to learn something that simple and important from my own daughter.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃ、圭一くんを待たせてるからもう行くね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, I have to go now. Keiichi-kun is waiting for me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「行ってらっしゃい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Have a good day.<br>\\r\\nあぁそうだ礼奈。<br>\\r\\n Oh, Reina.<br>\\r\\n今日はお父さんが夕食を作るぞ。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to cook dinner tonight.<br>\\r\\n職安に行くついでに買い物をしてくる。<br>\\r\\n I'll do the grocery shopping on the way back from the employment service agency.<br>\\r\\n朝食みたいな失敗はしないから楽しみにしてるんだぞ。」<br>\\r\\n Look forward to it. I promise I won't fail like I did just now.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははははは、うん！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahaha, okay!<br>\\r\\n楽しみにしてるよ。<br>\\r\\n I'm looking forward to it.<br>\\r\\n行って来まーーす。」<br>\\r\\n See you tonight!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nエプロン姿の父に見送られての登校が、<br>\\r\\nI left the house. My father saw me off, still in the apron.<br>\\r\\n……新しい生活の第一歩。<br>\\r\\n ...It was the first step of our new life.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、やっと取り戻した。<br>\\r\\nI finally regained it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢を出てから、狂い出した日々を、ようやく全て取り戻した。<br>\\r\\nI finally regained everything we lost after we left Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確かにここには母がいないけれど、……私とお父さんは家族だから、何も寂しがることなんてない。<br>\\r\\nMy mother wasn't around... but I didn't feel sad because I had my father.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nセミの賑やかな合唱は、まるで私の新生活を祝ってくれているようだった。<br>\\r\\nThe cries of the cicadas sounded as if they were celebrating my new life.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n日差しも明るく、風も爽やか。<br>\\r\\nThe sunshine was bright, and the wind was sending up a nice breeze.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n爽やかじゃないのは、…時計の針くらいかな？<br>\\r\\nThe only thing that wasn't nice was... the ticking clock?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父とだいぶ話し込んでしまったから、結構遅れてしまった。<br>\\r\\nI was late because I spent too much time talking with my father.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一くんは待ちきれず、先に行ってしまってるかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nKeiichi-kun might already be gone. I don't think he'd be waiting for me that long.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、居た。<br>\\r\\n ...But... he was there anyway.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「よー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey!<br>\\r\\nおっはよー！」<br>\\r\\n Good morning!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははは、おはよ〜！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahaha, good morning~!<br>\\r\\n遅れてごめんね、ごめんね。」<br>\\r\\n Sorry I'm late.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いいってことよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's okay.<br>\\r\\n普段は俺がレナを待たせてるんだからな。<br>\\r\\n I usually make you wait.<br>\\r\\nたまには俺を待たさせろ。<br>\\r\\n So, it's okay that I wait once in a while.<br>\\r\\nわっはっはっは！」<br>\\r\\n Wa ha ha ha ha!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ずいぶん遅くなっちゃったね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We're really going to be late.<br>\\r\\n早足で行った方がいいかな、…かな。」<br>\\r\\n We should walk fast, I think... I think.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah.<br>\\r\\nちゃきちゃき行こうぜ。<br>\\r\\n Let's walk fast.<br>\\r\\nさもないと走るはめになりそうだ。」<br>\\r\\n We might have to run at the end.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅ぃちゃん、さすがに先に行っちゃってるかな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mii-chan might already be gone.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「待ってるだろ、絶対。<br>\\r\\n\\\"She's waiting for sure.<br>\\r\\n俺たちは仲間だぜ？<br>\\r\\n We're friends.<br>\\r\\n絶対に見捨てないし、勝手に行っちゃったりはしないよ。」<br>\\r\\n We'd never leave each other behind, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"..................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それはそうと、今日は朝からいいことでもあったのかー？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Anyway, did something good happen this morning?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「え？<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?<br>\\r\\nどうしてかな！」<br>\\r\\n Why do you ask that?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いやさ、今朝のレナは普段にも増して上機嫌そうだったからさ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, you look very happy for some reason.<br>\\r\\n特別なことでもあったのかなって。」<br>\\r\\n I just thought maybe something good happened to you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私の上機嫌は、圭一くんに一目で看破されるほど露出しているようだった。<br>\\r\\nThe good mood I was in must have been too obvious for Keiichi-kun to ignore.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私には家族がいて、そして仲間がいる。<br>\\r\\nI had not only my family, but my friends too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n胸いっぱいに、温かいものが広がっていくのを感じた。<br>\\r\\nI felt something warm spreading in my heart.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……あははははは。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Ahahahahaha.<br>\\r\\nそれがね、聞いて聞いて。<br>\\r\\n Well, I'll tell you what happened this morning.<br>\\r\\n朝食をお父さんが作ってくれたんだけどね、…それがね、あははははは…。」<br>\\r\\n My father made breakfast, but... ahahahahaha...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何だよ、目玉焼きはそれで正しいだろ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"What? Isn't that the right way to cook eggs?<br>\\r\\nサラダオイルってのはサラダに使うもんなんだろ…？」<br>\\r\\n You use salad oil for making salads, don't you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えーーー？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?!<br>\\r\\nあっはっはっは。<br>\\r\\n Ah ha ha ha.<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんたちに教えてあげよーっとーー。」<br>\\r\\n I have to tell everyone you just said that!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なぁんですってーー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What did you say?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは許しがたい暴言でございましてよーーッ！！」<br>\\r\\n Those rude remarks are unforgivable!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おぅ上等だぜ、そこまで言うからには直接対決も辞さない覚悟だろうなぁ！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Fine, bring it. If you're saying that, then you're willing and ready to throw down, aren't you?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おーおー、盛り上がってるじゃなーい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey hey, what's going on?<br>\\r\\n何なら今日の部活さ、沙都子と圭ちゃんで外ウマ行こうか〜？」<br>\\r\\n Satoko, Kei-chan, why don't you two place an outside bet on our club activities today? It'll be fun.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅ぃちゃん、外ウマって何かな、かな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mii-chan, what's an outside bet? What is it?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あー、外ウマってのはよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"An outside bet means what it says,<br>\\r\\nつまり、俺と沙都子だけで賭けをするってことさ。<br>\\r\\n that Satoko and I would place a bet on each other outside the game.<br>\\r\\n部活の順位がそのまま勝敗になって、負けた方は俺たちだけのペナルティを課す！」<br>\\r\\n The one who played worse than the other has to suffer an extra punishment besides the normal one!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……つまり、どっちが勝っても負けても、ボクはとっても楽しいのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......That means I get to see one of you suffer no matter who loses today.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「くっくっく！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Heh heh heh!<br>\\r\\nどうする沙都子〜？」<br>\\r\\n So, what do you say, Satoko?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あらあら素敵な勝負でございますことよー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"That sounds like a wonderful idea to me!<br>\\r\\n部活にビリで罰ゲームな上に、さらに私に負けてダブルで罰ゲームなんて、こんな素敵なことがございましてー？！」<br>\\r\\n Keiichi-san will take a punishment for being the lowest-ranked in the game and another punishment for losing to me! Ah, how wonderful!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「よーーし、沙都子、よく受けたね！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Great! I like your spirit, Satoko!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nよっしゃ、今日の部活は２人の外ウマ付きでやろう！」<br>\\r\\n Alright, let's play today's game with their outside bet!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……部活の種目より、罰ゲームを何にするか考える方が楽しいのですよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......It's more fun to think about punishments than to think about the game itself.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「確かに楽しいよなぁー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"It sure is!<br>\\r\\n沙都子がどんな悲惨な目に遭うか、今から想像できちまうぜーー！」<br>\\r\\n I can't wait to see how miserable Satoko's going to look after she takes her punishment!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それは圭一さんのことでございましてよーー！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keep dreaming, Keiichi-san!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nむがぁ！<br>\\r\\n Ouch!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nぶにぃ！<br>\\r\\n Take that!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやりましたわねぇ！！<br>\\r\\n Stop it!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nむにゅぅ！」<br>\\r\\n Hyaah!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほらほら、二人とも勝負はまだ始まってないってー！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Stop fighting, you two! The game hasn't even started yet!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nガラガラっと扉が開き、知恵先生が現れる。<br>\\r\\nChie-sensei opened the door and came in.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「皆さん、お待たせしました。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Take your seats, everyone.<br>\\r\\nそれでは帰りのＨＲを始めますよ。」<br>\\r\\n Let's start homeroom, and then you can all go home.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n好き放題に散っていたクラスメートたちがそれぞれの席へ戻った。<br>\\r\\nEverybody headed to their seats.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅ぃちゃん。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mii-chan.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ん？ 何？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hm? What?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一くんと沙都子ちゃんがとても盛り上がっているところで申し訳ないんだけど…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm sorry to ruin the mood, but...<br>\\r\\n……ごめんね、ちょっと今日も用事があって、すぐ帰らないといけないの…。」<br>\\r\\n I have to go home after school. I have things to do again today...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「え、…そーなのー？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh... Okay.<br>\\r\\nまぁ、用事じゃあ仕方ないなぁ。<br>\\r\\n Well, I'm sorry that you have to go.<br>\\r\\nお家の仕事？」<br>\\r\\n Are you busy with housework or something?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yep.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「家事ってんじゃ、おじさんは口出しできないなぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, this ol' man has no right to stop you when it comes to housework.<br>\\r\\n……うちはお手伝いさんに全部任せっきりだからね。」<br>\\r\\n I don't do housework myself. Our housekeepers do.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「たまには魅ぃちゃんも家事手伝いとかすればいいのに。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You should help them sometimes.<br>\\r\\nきっと花嫁修業になるよー。」<br>\\r\\n It'll be good training for married life.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ご安心を。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Don't worry about that.<br>\\r\\n万事、その手のスキルに関してはつつがなく習得済みですので。<br>\\r\\n I already have the kind of skill, you know, to be a good wife.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあっひゃっひゃっひゃ。」<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh heh.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n面倒臭がり屋に見えて、実は何でもできてしまうのが魅ぃちゃんのすごいところだ。<br>\\r\\nMii-chan looks like the kind of girl who tries to stay away from chores as much as possible, but she can actually do everything. That's just who she is.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれらは、みんな苦労して学んだことなのに、<br>\\r\\nShe went through hard times to learn those things,<br>\\r\\nさも努力せずに出来たかのように振舞うところが、何だか魅ぃちゃんらしいというか何というか。<br>\\r\\n but she acts like she learned them without any struggle. That's also who she is.<br>\\r\\n微笑ましいところだ。<br>\\r\\n I like that about her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えーーー、何だよレナ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?<br>\\r\\n帰っちゃうのかよ。」<br>\\r\\n Are you going home, Rena?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あら、圭一さんが恥ずかしい格好で職員室にお伺いしなくちゃならないところをご覧になりませんのー？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Then you won't see Keiichi-san go to the teacher's office wearing an embarrassing uniform. What a shame.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……見物なのに、残念なのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......It's going to be fun. Pity you have to miss it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…うん、ごめんね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Yeah, I'm sorry.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「昨日も家の用事だったじゃねーかよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You went home right after school for housework yesterday, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何かあったのか？」<br>\\r\\n Did something happen?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。ちょっとね、色々。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, kind of.<br>\\r\\nもう何日か掛かるかもしれない。」<br>\\r\\n It might take me a few more days.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ふーん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well.<br>\\r\\nじゃ当分、レナは部活に参加できないかな。」<br>\\r\\n Then I guess you can't join us for a while.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…かもしれない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Maybe.<br>\\r\\nなるべく早く復帰できるようにがんばる。」<br>\\r\\n I'll try to finish as soon as I can.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「その用事は俺たちには手伝えることか？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Can we help out with the thing you have to do?<br>\\r\\n例えば、古い家具を運び出すとか、そういう力仕事なら言ってくれ。<br>\\r\\n If it's something like carrying out old furniture, let me know.<br>\\r\\n応援に行くぜー！」<br>\\r\\n I can help with that!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「家の模様替えとかかい？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Are you redecorating your house?<br>\\r\\nおじさんたちみんなで手伝うよ？」<br>\\r\\n This ol' man can bring lots of help for that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「をっほっほ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh ho ho!<br>\\r\\nレナさんの家のお手伝いで優劣を競うのもありですわよねぇ！」<br>\\r\\n I have an idea! We can make a game out of helping her out with her housework!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……多分、お手伝いしない方が優勝なのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......At this rate, the person who doesn't end up helping her will be the winner.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははは、みんなありがと。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahaha, thank you guys.<br>\\r\\n気持ちだけもらっておくね。」<br>\\r\\n I really do appreciate it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ仕方ない！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, it seems like there's nothing we can do.<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナを本日付で我が部より戦線離脱とする！<br>\\r\\n Therefore, I announce Rena Ryuugu's withdrawal from the front lines as of today!<br>\\r\\nお家の仕事が片付くまで休暇とするので、鋭気回復の上、再び戦線へ復帰することをここに命ずる！<br>\\r\\n I order you to take a rest 'til you finish doing your housework, and to return to the front as soon as you've regained your strength!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまー、４人なら４人で遊べるゲームもあるしねー！<br>\\r\\n Well, there are many games for four!<br>\\r\\nそだそだ、圭ちゃんは麻雀とかできるー？！」<br>\\r\\n Oh, can you play mahjong, Kei-chan?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おう任せろ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah!<br>\\r\\n親父の仕事関係の人たちの卓に無理やり混ぜられることもある！」<br>\\r\\n My dad sometimes forces me to play mahjong with him and his friends from work!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほーっほっほっほ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hoh ho ho ho!<br>\\r\\nもちろん、私たちは麻雀だって精通していましてよー！」<br>\\r\\n Of course, we are good at mahjong as well!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあとは部活メンバーのいつもの盛り上がりだった。<br>\\r\\nAfter that, they fooled around and made a lot of noise, just like they always did.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はその微笑ましい仲間たちの中に、自分の居場所がこれからも在り続けることを改めて胸に刻んでから、教室を後にした。<br>\\r\\nI looked at them, and reminded myself that I'd always have a place to return to. I left the classroom with a smile.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n家に帰ったら、自転車で谷河内の方へ行ってみよう。<br>\\r\\nI was going to Yagouchi on my bicycle.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…死体の袋を埋める場所を早く見つけないと。<br>\\r\\n...I had to find a place to bury the bags with the body parts.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nできれば、今日の日が暮れる前に、全ての袋を埋めてしまいたい。<br>\\r\\nHopefully. I could finish burying all of them today before it gets dark.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれで、全部が終わるのだから。<br>\\r\\nWith that, everything would be over and done with.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「牌の背中が竹だってのが何だか怖いよなぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't like that the back of the tiles are made of bamboo.<br>\\r\\nまさかガン牌ってことはないだろうなぁ？」<br>\\r\\n You guys haven't marked them, have you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さぁてどうでございましょうねぇ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"I wouldn't be too sure!<br>\\r\\n圭一さんには、以前のジジ抜きの時に手痛い思い出がございますものねぇ？」<br>\\r\\n Keiichi-san, you sound traumatized by the experience you had with our card game.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まー、多少は傷もあるだろうねぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, I think there are some scratches on them.<br>\\r\\n安物の牌だしさ。<br>\\r\\n They're cheap ones, you know.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのくらいの要素がないと、我が部らしくないでしょ？<br>\\r\\n But it's more fun when there's an element of doubt, don't you think?<br>\\r\\nくっくっく！」<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……魅ぃ、赤は何枚混ぜるのですか？<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Mii, how many reds do you want to use?<br>\\r\\n６つ？」<br>\\r\\n Six?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…手馴れた梨花ちゃんが異様に末恐ろしく見えるのはなぜだろうな。<br>\\r\\n...Rika-chan sounded professional, and it scared me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまぁいいや。<br>\\r\\nOh well.<br>\\r\\nそれより牌の確認から始めよう。<br>\\r\\n I should start by checking the tiles.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……家族麻雀ならともかく、部活である以上、ゲーム前から用心してないとな！<br>\\r\\n...Playing mahjong with my family is different from playing it as a club activity. I have to be cautious!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nじゃないと、実は何かが１牌足りなくて、特定の牌だけ５つあったなんてとんでもない事実を見逃す可能性だってある。<br>\\r\\nIt's possible that one tile is missing or that there's one extra of a particular tile in here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そーんなことしないってぇ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"We don't do things like that!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…でも着想は面白いねぇ。<br>\\r\\n ...Still, that's interesting.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそういう手もあるかぁ。<br>\\r\\n I didn't think about that.<br>\\r\\nなるほどなるほど…。」<br>\\r\\n Let's see...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「よしよし、牌をみんな表にして並べてみよう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Let's put them all face-up on the table and check them before we start the game.<br>\\r\\nほれほれほれ。」<br>\\r\\n Come on.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nみんなで牌を表向きにし、７並べのように整頓していく。<br>\\r\\nEverybody flipped the tiles face-up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あれ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hm?<br>\\r\\nおい、誰かのとこに『中』が一個隠れてないかー？」<br>\\r\\n One dragon is missing.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ピンズとソーズの六が１個ずつ足りないですわね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"One Lo-pin and one Lo-so are missing, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あら、マンズの六も１個足りませんでしてよ？」<br>\\r\\n ...Oh, one Lo-wan is missing also.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なんだなんだ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What's going on?<br>\\r\\nずいぶんと足りないじゃないか。」<br>\\r\\n There are so many missing tiles.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……あーーーーー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Oh!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだったそうだった。<br>\\r\\n I remember.<br>\\r\\nちょいと待って。」<br>\\r\\n Hold on a second.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音はポンと手を打つと席を立ち、自分の椅子を退かすと、床板の節目に指を突っ込む。<br>\\r\\nMion hit the palm of her hand with her fist, moved her chair aside, and stuck her finger into a gap in the floorboards.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何事かと見守っていると、魅音の指先が牌を１つ摘み上げた。<br>\\r\\n She then pulled a tile out of there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はいよ、まずは『中』ねー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"There you go. This is the dragon.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあとの３つはどこだったっけなーー。」<br>\\r\\n I don't remember where I put the other three.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おい待て魅音。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wait, Mion.<br>\\r\\nどうして麻雀の牌が教室のあちこちに隠してあるんだよ…。」<br>\\r\\n Why are there so many tiles hidden in the classroom...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「にゃっはっはっは…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Nya ha ha ha ha...<br>\\r\\nまぁまぁ、あひゃひゃひゃひゃ…！」<br>\\r\\n Well, you know, heh heh heh heh...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n結局、３つの牌は教室のどこかに魅音が隠したまま忘れてしまったらしい。<br>\\r\\nShe must have hidden the other three tiles somewhere in the classroom and forgot where.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n３つも足らなかったらとてもゲームにならない。<br>\\r\\nWe couldn't play mahjong with three tiles missing!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n他のゲームに変えようと提案したが、魅音は、大事な部活の備品が欠けているのは気になると言い張り、３つの牌を宝探しで優劣を競おうなどと言い出した。<br>\\r\\nI suggested playing another game, but Mion insisted that we had to find them and suggested making that \\\"treasure hunt\\\" our game.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まぁ確かに圭一さんと勝負をつけるなら、種目は何でもいいわけでございますけど…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"As long as I can make Keiichi-san suffer a punishment, I care little as to what kind of game we play, but...<br>\\r\\n…もうちょっとまともな種目がいいですわねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n To be honest with you, I'd prefer to play something more interesting than that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「同感だなぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I agree.<br>\\r\\nそれにこの教室に本当にあるかも怪しいんだろ？」<br>\\r\\n Plus, you're not sure they are here in the classroom, right, Mion?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「多分あると思うんだよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, they're here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あるいはおじさんが懐に仕舞ったまま帰っちゃって、洗濯機の脇に置いてあるとか………、<br>\\r\\n ...Or maybe this ol' man might've put them in his pockets and left them by the washing machine.<br>\\r\\n…かなぁ？」<br>\\r\\n I don't remember.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……今度から魅ぃと麻雀をやる時は、終わった後にも牌の数を調べた方がいいと思いますです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I recommend checking the total number of tiles after we play mahjong with Mii next time.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音以外の全員が深く頷く。<br>\\r\\nEverybody except Mion nodded in agreement.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何よー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?<br>\\r\\n教室宝探し対決じゃ不満ー？」<br>\\r\\n You don't want to play our classroom tile-hunting game?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「つーか、魅音のイカサマの後始末だろ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"In other words, 'cleaning up the mess Mion made so she could cheat'!<br>\\r\\nお前の責任でやれ。<br>\\r\\n Do it yourself.<br>\\r\\n部活を私的に使うな。」<br>\\r\\n Don't use our club activities for personal reasons.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ぶーぶー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Fine, fine.<br>\\r\\nじゃあ、どうする？<br>\\r\\n So, what do you want to do?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n麻雀は無理だしね。<br>\\r\\n We can't play mahjong now.<br>\\r\\n他のにする？<br>\\r\\n What are we playing, then?<br>\\r\\n提案ある人ー。」<br>\\r\\n Does anybody have any ideas?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n部活の種目はほとんどの場合、魅音が部長権限で決めている。<br>\\r\\nAs our club president, Mion usually decides what we'll play.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n急に振られても、なかなか思いつかない。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't just come up with something on the spot.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n考えあぐねていると、再び魅音がポンと手を打った。<br>\\r\\nWhile we were all thinking, Mion hit her palm with her fist, just like she did earlier.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあさみんな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I got an idea.<br>\\r\\n牌の宝探しが嫌ならさ。<br>\\r\\n If you don't want to hunt for tiles,<br>\\r\\nもうちょっとでっかく宝探しをしようじゃない？<br>\\r\\n let's do a real treasure hunt!<br>\\r\\n宝探しと言えば、レナのお家芸！」<br>\\r\\n What name comes to your mind when I say treasure hunting? Rena, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ってことは、ダム現場のゴミ山かぁ！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You mean... are we going to the garbage dump at the dam construction site?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あそこって、あんまり行ったことないんですけど、結構広いですわよねぇ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't really go there often, but the place is large.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……あそこは、バラバラ殺人の幽霊が出るから近寄らない方がいいらしいのですよ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I've heard that the place is haunted by the ghost of the man who was murdered there. His body was cut into pieces. We shouldn't go near.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっはっは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah ha ha!<br>\\r\\n幽霊上等じゃないのー！<br>\\r\\n A ghost? I like it!<br>\\r\\nそのくらいの演出付かないと宝の山としてはインパクト弱いよねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n That's even better!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「へーー、そんな噂あるのかよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I didn't know there was a rumor like that.<br>\\r\\n……確か、バラバラ殺人があって、主犯が未だ逃走中。<br>\\r\\n ...I do know that someone was murdered there and that the main suspect is still on the loose.<br>\\r\\nそいつの隠した腕一本が未だ見付からないとか言うんだろ？」<br>\\r\\n He hid the arm of the victim, and it hasn't been found yet, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……その腕を探して、バラバラにされた監督さんが、幽霊になって彷徨っているという噂があるのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......There's a rumor that the construction site manager, the victim of the dismemberment murder case, became a ghost and that he's wandering around the place to find his missing arm.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あらあら梨花ぁ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rika?<br>\\r\\n幽霊が嫌いなんですのー？！<br>\\r\\n You don't like ghosts?<br>\\r\\nいいお歳にもなって恥ずかしいですわねぇ？！」<br>\\r\\n Don't tell me you're still scared of ghosts!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ボクは巫女ですから、見たくなくても見えてしまうのですよ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I'm a shrine maiden. I can see them even if I don't want to...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うわ……、何だよそれ、霊感ってやつか…？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wow... you can see ghosts...?!<br>\\r\\n確かに…見える人には当り前のように幽霊が見えるって話、聞いたことあるなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n If I remember right... I've heard those who can see spirits see them as naturally as they do us.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「馬鹿馬鹿しいですわねぇ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's utterly ridiculous!<br>\\r\\n梨花と一緒にずっと住んでますけど、そんなの一度も見たことありませんでしてよー！」<br>\\r\\n I've been living with Rika for a long time, but I've never seen anything like that!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………沙都子に見えてないだけなのですよ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"......That's just because you can't see them. But I can.<br>\\r\\n………沙都子がお布団で寝てる時はいつも、<br>\\r\\n ......For example, when you're asleep in your bed,<br>\\r\\n…………。<br>\\r\\n I always see...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………にぱ〜☆」<br>\\r\\n Nipah~☆\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「り、梨花ぁ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"R-Rika!<br>\\r\\nそこで笑ってはぐらかないでくださいませ！！<br>\\r\\n Why did you smile like that!!<br>\\r\\n私が寝てる時は何なんですのー！！！」<br>\\r\\n What were you about to say? What do you see when I'm sleeping?!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…沙都子め、可哀想に。<br>\\r\\n...Satoko, I feel sorry for you.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今は明るいから強がってるけど、きっと今夜、あとからジワジワ効いて来るに違いない。<br>\\r\\nYou can pretend you're not scared of ghosts during the day, but I'm pretty sure you get scared when it gets dark.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……今日の深夜にでも、一発、無言電話でも掛けてやるかなぁ、いっひっひ！<br>\\r\\n...I'm gonna to make a silent phone call tonight just to scare the hell out of her. Hee hee hee!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まぁ、私も含めて何だけど、ダム戦争の後に、好き好んであそこに出入りする人はいないんじゃないかねぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Including myself, I don't think anybody really likes going there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナくらいだよ、楽しそうにあそこで遊んでるのは。」<br>\\r\\n Rena is the only one who does.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナのかぁいいモードの前に幽霊が出た日にゃ、彼岸の向こうからでもお持ち帰りされかねんな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"If Rena finds a ghost when she's in her Kyute Mode, she might take it home with her.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「確かにありそうですわねぇ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's so true!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nはぅ〜、<br>\\r\\n She'd say,<br>\\r\\nお持ち帰りぃいぃい〜！！って。」<br>\\r\\n 'hauu, I'm taking you home with me!!'\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nわっはっはっはっは。<br>\\r\\nWa ha ha ha ha.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあまりに簡単にその様子が想像できたので、みんなで笑った。<br>\\r\\nIt was so easy to imagine that all of us laughed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ決まり！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, let's do it!<br>\\r\\n今日はゴミ山探検にしよう！<br>\\r\\n Let's go treasure hunting!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n幽霊を見つけれたら優勝！<br>\\r\\n If you find a ghost, you win!<br>\\r\\n次点は隠された右腕。<br>\\r\\n You get a point if you find the victim's missing right arm.<br>\\r\\nその次は、えぇっと、じゃあレナが気に入りそうな何かだね！<br>\\r\\n And you also get a point if you find... umm, anything that Rena would like!<br>\\r\\nレナに見せてシロクロを付けてもらうってことでどうよ！」<br>\\r\\n We can show what we found to Rena later, and we'll let her decide who's the winner!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「をーっほっほ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ohh ho ho!!<br>\\r\\n私は優勝で圭一さんはビリで、ダブル罰ゲームが楽しみですわねー！！」<br>\\r\\n I can't wait to win the game and make Keiichi-san take double the punishment!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おいおい沙都子いいのかよ、優勝ってことは幽霊〜〜、うぇへへへへへ〜〜〜！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, Satoko. Are you sure you want to win? That means you're going to see a ghost... Wooooo!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ちょ、やめてくださいませ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"S-Stop it!<br>\\r\\n暑苦しいですわぁ！！」<br>\\r\\n You're getting on my nerves!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ボクもオバケが怖いので行きたくないのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I don't want to go there. I'm scared of ghosts, too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「“も”とは何ですの！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What do you mean, 'you're scared of ghosts, <i>too</i>'?<br>\\r\\n“も”とは〜！！<br>\\r\\n Who else are you referring to?!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は全然怖くなんかありませんわよー！！<br>\\r\\n I'm not scared at all!!<br>\\r\\nえぇい、圭一さん、お離しあそばせー！！」<br>\\r\\n Hey, Keiichi-san! Stop doing that!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「では行くよ諸君！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Let's go, everybody!<br>\\r\\n出撃準備ぃいぃ！！」<br>\\r\\n Let's find the ghost!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「「おおおーーー！！！」」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wooooo!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そして終わる。<br>\\r\\n...And it'll be over with.<br>\\r\\n全て終わる。<br>\\r\\n Everything will be over and done with.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう、ひぐらしのなく頃に。<br>\\r\\nYes, it will be over when the higurashi cry.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………これで、全部…かな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...So, that's it...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの告白劇が、終幕する。<br>\\r\\nRena finished making her confession.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰も拍手しないし、カーテンコールも求めない。<br>\\r\\nThere was no applause or curtain call.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そんな静かでひとりぼっちな、……レナのたったひとりの舞台。<br>\\r\\n...It was a quiet and lonely stage that Rena performed on alone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は、…だいぶ長いこと瞬きを忘れていたことをようやく思い出す。<br>\\r\\nI think... I'd forgotten to blink since her confession started.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは魅音たちも同様のようだった。<br>\\r\\nEverybody else seemed to be feeling the same way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは、質問はある？<br>\\r\\nRena looked at us<br>\\r\\nとでも言わんばかりの表情で俺たちを見渡した。<br>\\r\\n like she was a teacher waiting for questions from her students.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその様子が、授業の終わり間際の知恵先生を模倣したものであることに気付き、みんなは小さく苦笑いして応えた。<br>\\r\\nWe noticed that she was imitating what Chie-sensei does at the end of class, and we all smiled bitterly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……さっきまでね、谷河内の方に行ってたの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I went to Yagouchi earlier<br>\\r\\n袋を埋める場所を探しに。<br>\\r\\n to find a place to bury these bags.<br>\\r\\n絶対見付からない場所に隠そうと思うと、あはは、なかなかいい場所が見付からないの。<br>\\r\\n It was hard to pick a place because I wanted to make sure that nobody would ever find them.<br>\\r\\n自分の家の庭に埋める方がむしろ安心じゃないかななんて考えたりもしたっけ。<br>\\r\\n I even thought about burying them in my backyard, because it might be the safest.<br>\\r\\n…でもそれじゃやっぱり危ないよね。<br>\\r\\n ...But after I thought about it, I knew that wouldn't work.<br>\\r\\nお父さんが突然、家庭菜園をやりたいなんて言い出すかもしれないもん。<br>\\r\\n My father might start planting vegetables one day, and he might find them.<br>\\r\\nやっぱり、遠くの山奥がいい。<br>\\r\\n So, it's better that I bury them somewhere in the mountains.<br>\\r\\nあの女を、例え死んだ後でも、お父さんに近付けたくなかったし。」<br>\\r\\n Plus, I don't ever want to let her near my father, even though she's dead.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は、とても悪いことをした気持ちでいっぱいになっていた…。<br>\\r\\nI felt like I did something very bad...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………レナの計画は、この上なく順調だったんだ。<br>\\r\\n...Rena's plan was going smoothly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを、……俺が悪ふざけして、変な無理強いをしたから……。<br>\\r\\nIf I'd only hunted for the mahjong tiles instead of insisting on doing something else... this wouldn't have happened...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n見れば、みんなも同じ悔悟の念に捕われているようだった。<br>\\r\\nWhen I looked at the others, they all seemed to be regretting their actions too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音がこのゴミ山で遊ぼうと言い出さなければ。<br>\\r\\nIf Mion hadn't come up with the idea to play at the garbage dump...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子があの壊れた冷蔵庫を見つけなければ。<br>\\r\\nIf Satoko hadn't found the broken refrigerator...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんが、……ゴミ山で遊ぼうというのを阻止できていれば。<br>\\r\\nIf Rika-chan had convinced us not to go...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうすれば、レナはあともう何日かを費やして、…このゴミ袋の山を全て、永遠に見付からない形で処分できていたのだ。<br>\\r\\nRena could've had a few more days, and she could've gotten rid of these trash bags. They never would've been found.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその後は？<br>\\r\\nThen what would've happened next?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……これまでと何にも変わらない。<br>\\r\\n...Nothing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれまでも、これからも、ずっとずっと同じ。<br>\\r\\nEverything would've remained the same.<br>\\r\\n楽しくて平穏な日々が続いていくだけ。<br>\\r\\n We could've kept having happy and peaceful days.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは辛い日々にずっと耐えて、平穏な日々を取り繕ってくれていた。<br>\\r\\nRena had been through a hard time, but she'd been forcing her face into a smile for us.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてそれは取り繕いではなく、本当の平穏な日々になって。<br>\\r\\nThe fake smile was supposed to become a real smile one day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……俺たちの誰もが、レナの辛かったことを気付くこともなく、過ごしていく。<br>\\r\\n...None of us were supposed to notice that Rena was going through a hard time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやがてはレナも、……人を殺めた辛い記憶すら忘れ、何事もなかったかのように暮らしていくのだ。<br>\\r\\nAfter a while... Rena was supposed be able to forget the bitter memory of killing these two, and she was supposed to live as if nothing had happened.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうするために、積み重ねてきた小さな努力が、勇気ある努力が、……全部全部！<br>\\r\\nBut now, all of her effort, all her courage...<br>\\r\\n………水泡に帰してしまったわけで。<br>\\r\\n had been ruined...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「人殺しはいけないことだってことは、私だって知ってるよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I know killing people is a bad thing to do.<br>\\r\\n……したくなんかなかったし、これからだってしたくないと思ってる。<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't want to do this, and I don't want to do it again in the future.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでもね、…これが最善の努力だったって信じてるし、私は悪いことをしたなんてこれっぽっちも思ってない。<br>\\r\\n But... I believe this was the best solution, and I also believe I didn't do anything wrong.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、幸せで平穏な生活を取り戻すために、神さまから与えられた等しいチャンスの中で最大限に努力しただけ！<br>\\r\\nI just applied my utmost efforts when God presented me with the equal opportunity to regain my happy, peaceful life!<br>\\r\\n清貧であれば不幸せでもいいなんてのは、満たされた人間の綺麗事だよ！<br>\\r\\n Saying we should accept suffering and live an immaterial life without desires is nothing more than pretty words from those who have plenty!<br>\\r\\nその精一杯は世界中の誰にだって貶せない！<br>\\r\\n Nobody can belittle my efforts!!<br>\\r\\nむしろ私を褒めてほしいくらい！<br>\\r\\n Rather, they should praise me for what I did!<br>\\r\\n讃えてほしいくらい！！<br>\\r\\n They should celebrate for me!<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナは自らの運命と戦った。<br>\\r\\n Rena Ryuugu fought for her own fate.<br>\\r\\nそして打ち勝った！！」<br>\\r\\n And she won!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………その時、どういうわけか俺は、口を挟んでしまった。<br>\\r\\n...I don't know why I did it, but I interrupted her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n多分それは失言だったと思う。<br>\\r\\nI shouldn't have.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、伝えなければいけないことだと思ったから、口にした。<br>\\r\\nBut I thought I needed to tell her this. So, I did.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「でもレナ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"But Rena...<br>\\r\\nどうして、<br>\\r\\n Why...<br>\\r\\n……どうして俺たちに相談してくれなかったんだよ？」<br>\\r\\n Why didn't you tell us?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……相談？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...What do you mean?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだよ…！<br>\\r\\n\\\"We're friends,<br>\\r\\n俺たちは仲間だろ？<br>\\r\\n aren't we?<br>\\r\\n仲間ってのは何があっても無条件で味方になってくれる、家族同然の存在じゃないのかよ！<br>\\r\\n Friends are always on your side without exception, no matter what. I thought friends were like family!<br>\\r\\n……俺たちに相談してくれれば、何かの力になれたかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n ...If you told us about it, we could've helped you.<br>\\r\\nそうすれば、レナは自分の手を汚さずに済んだかもしれない！」<br>\\r\\n Then you wouldn't have had to get your hands dirty!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は……さっきから、レナの言葉が少しだけ悲しかったんだ。<br>\\r\\nWhat Rena told us made me sad.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、言わずにはいられなかったんだ。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't help myself from saying that to her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは自分にできる最善の努力をしたと言い切った。<br>\\r\\nRena told us straight that she did the best she could.<br>\\r\\n俺たちの前で。<br>\\r\\n She told us that right to our faces.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまりそれは俺たちに、<br>\\r\\nThat's the same thing as saying that<br>\\r\\n…仲間に相談する必要は、<br>\\r\\n she didn't need us<br>\\r\\nその最善の努力の中に最初から含まれていなかったと断言したのと同じだったからだ。<br>\\r\\n in order to do the best she could.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………圭ちゃん、今はそんなこと言っても…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Kei-chan, you can say that now, but...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いや、頼む、言わせてくれ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wait, let me finish.<br>\\r\\n喜びだって苦しみだって、分け合うのが俺は仲間だって思ってる！<br>\\r\\n I believe that friends are there to share both happiness and hardship!<br>\\r\\nだから、レナが相談してくれたら、きっと今よりもよりよい未来へ辿りつけていたと信じてる！」<br>\\r\\n If you came to talk to us, I believe we could've done something different, and we could've led you to a better future!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今より、よりよい未来？<br>\\r\\n\\\"A better future?<br>\\r\\nそんなのないよ。<br>\\r\\n There's no better future than what I have right now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれが最善の未来だよ。」<br>\\r\\n This is the best possible future.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「嘘だなッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's a lie!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺の大声に、レナがびくりとする。<br>\\r\\nMy shout seemed to scare her a little.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう、……レナはこれが最善の未来だったなんて思っちゃいない。<br>\\r\\nI knew... that Rena didn't believe that this was the best possible future.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n苦渋の末に選ばざるを得なかった未来に過ぎない。<br>\\r\\nShe just didn't have any other choice.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもし他にも選べる未来があったなら、絶対に選ばなかった未来なんだ。<br>\\r\\nIf she'd had other choices, she definitely wouldn't have chosen this one.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だってその証拠に、…レナはさっきから泣いてるじゃないか！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I know you don't believe that... because you're crying!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぁ？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?!<br>\\r\\n誰が。<br>\\r\\n Who's crying?<br>\\r\\n私が？！<br>\\r\\n Me?!<br>\\r\\nいつ涙を流したの！」<br>\\r\\n I'm not crying!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今だよ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes you are!!<br>\\r\\nずっと流してるじゃないか！<br>\\r\\n You've been crying the whole time!<br>\\r\\n自分でわかってないのか？！」<br>\\r\\n Haven't you noticed it?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは実際のところ、頬を濡らしてなどいない。<br>\\r\\nIn fact, I didn't see any tears in her eyes or on her face at all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、だからといって、……涙が流れていないことになどなるものか。<br>\\r\\nBut that didn't mean she wasn't crying.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは、さっきからずっと涙を零している。<br>\\r\\nRena was crying.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは……、幸せになろうとずっとがんばってきたのに、このような辛い袋小路に閉じ込められた不運を嘆く、そんな見るだけでも辛くなる涙。<br>\\r\\nShe was crying because she was driven into a corner after all the hard work she did to become happy. Her tears looked so sad.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが見えないヤツは、レナのことを心の底から思っていないヤツだ…！<br>\\r\\nAnyone who couldn't see those tears wasn't really thinking about her...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私は泣かないよ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm not crying.<br>\\r\\nあははははは、誰が泣くものか。<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahaha, I won't cry.<br>\\r\\n私は正しいことをした、最善の選択をした。<br>\\r\\n I did the right thing. I made the right choice.<br>\\r\\nそれでどうして泣かなくちゃならないの？<br>\\r\\n There's no reason for me to cry.<br>\\r\\nあはははは、<br>\\r\\n Ahahahaha,<br>\\r\\n圭一のばーかばーか、<br>\\r\\n that's ridiculous.<br>\\r\\n何を言ってるか全然わかんないや、<br>\\r\\n I have no idea what you're talking about, Keiichi.<br>\\r\\nあははははは。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahaha.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それが…………<br>\\r\\n\\\"I know it......<br>\\r\\n泣いてるって言ってんだよおおぉぉッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n You're crying right noooow!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n小馬鹿にしたようにケラケラと笑いながら踊るように回っていたレナは、それをぴたりと止めると、淡白な表情に戻って言った。<br>\\r\\nRena stopped laughing all of a sudden, and she spoke with a cold expression on her face.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあいいよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay.<br>\\r\\n圭一くんの言ったとおりにしたとしてみよう。<br>\\r\\n Let's say I did what you just told me.<br>\\r\\n私がみんなに、お父さんとあの女のことを打ち明けた。<br>\\r\\n I told you all about my father and that woman.<br>\\r\\nさぁ、どうしてくれるの？」<br>\\r\\n Then what?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………まずは、<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Well...<br>\\r\\n…ん、」<br>\\r\\n umm...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まずは何？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Then what?<br>\\r\\nんー？」<br>\\r\\n Umm?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……こんな意地悪な言い方をするレナは初めてだった。<br>\\r\\n...Rena had never talked to me like this before.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……その嘲笑うような、突きつけるような眼差しに、閉口させられてしまう…。<br>\\r\\n...It was as if she was mocking my ignorance, and that made me shut my mouth...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一くんは、去年を知らないんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You don't know what happened last year.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…去年？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Last year?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah.<br>\\r\\n去年。<br>\\r\\n Last year.<br>\\r\\n…昭和５７年６月。<br>\\r\\n ...It happened in June of 1982.<br>\\r\\n私と同じように、人を殺めることでしか抜けられない不幸の迷宮に閉じ込められた人のお話を。」<br>\\r\\n There was someone who had no choice but to kill a person to free himself from his misfortune.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子が、はっと息を呑む。<br>\\r\\nSatoko gasped.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一くんは、…あまり知らないよね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi-kun, I don't think you know much about him.<br>\\r\\n北条悟史くんのことは。」<br>\\r\\n About Satoshi Houjou-kun.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……沙都子の兄だってことくらいは知ってる。<br>\\r\\n...I know that he's Satoko's older brother.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、……転校という名の失踪を遂げたこと。<br>\\r\\nHe's been missing, ...but people say he transferred.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…沙都子のために叔母を殺したのではないかという噂が今なおあることなど、キナ臭い話題が少なからずある。<br>\\r\\n...There's a rumor that he killed his aunt for Satoko's sake.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…ゆえに、悟史の話は、クラスでは、…いや、雛見沢ではタブーのように扱われていた。<br>\\r\\nTherefore, it's been taboo to talk about Satoshi in my class... actually, in all of Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「悟史くんもね、………私と同じだった。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Satoshi-kun was under the same conditions... as I was.<br>\\r\\nただ幸せで平穏な日々が欲しかっただけ。<br>\\r\\n He just wanted to have happy and peaceful days.<br>\\r\\n妹と静かに暮らせる生活が欲しかっただけ。<br>\\r\\n He just wanted to live peacefully and quietly with his sister.<br>\\r\\n……圭一くんも、去年殺された、沙都子ちゃんの叔母さんがどういう人だったかは噂、聞いてるよね？」<br>\\r\\n ...You've heard about what kind of person Satoko-chan's aunt was, haven't you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………俺が聞いているわずかの話が本当なら。<br>\\r\\n...If what I've heard is true, this is what happened:<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n両親を亡くした後、沙都子たちを引き取った叔父叔母はろくでもない人間だった。<br>\\r\\nAfter Satoko lost her parents, her uncle and aunt got custody of her and her brother, but they were miserable people.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n特に叔母は執拗に沙都子を虐めたらしい。<br>\\r\\nHer aunt was especially cruel to Satoko.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n聞く限り、悟史というヤツは虫一匹殺せないようなヤツだったという。<br>\\r\\nSatoshi was the kind of guy who wouldn't even hurt a fly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そんな悟史ですら、殺すに違いないというほどの、嫌な叔母だったという。<br>\\r\\n...But his aunt probably was the only one whom he didn't have a problem killing. That's how terrible a person she was.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「北条家のトラブルはね、雛見沢では誰もが知っていたんだよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Everybody in Hinamizawa knew about the trouble the Houjou family had.<br>\\r\\n叔母さんがヒステリックで頭のネジのどうかしてることも、悟史くんと沙都子ちゃんを意味もなく虐めていたことも全部、<br>\\r\\n Everybody knew that their aunt was a hysterical and crazy person, and that she bullied Satoshi-kun and Satoko-chan.<br>\\r\\n全部ね。<br>\\r\\n Everybody knew everything.<br>\\r\\nもちろんクラスの誰もが知っていた。<br>\\r\\n Everybody in our class knew it, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n御三家の頭首跡継ぎである魅ぃちゃんと梨花ちゃんだってもちろん知ってたし、沙都子ちゃんに至っては当事者だもんね。<br>\\r\\n Mii-chan, the future head of the three families knew it. Rika-chan knew it. And Satoko-chan knew it too, of course. Because she was the one experiencing it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一くんの言う「仲間たち」は、雛見沢の誰よりもよく、悟史くんの辛さを分かっていたはずなんだよ。<br>\\r\\nThe 'friends' you're talking about knew what Satoshi-kun was going through more than anybody in Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それで、結果はどうだった？<br>\\r\\n ...And what happened?<br>\\r\\n誰かが悟史くんを助けてくれた？<br>\\r\\n Did anybody help Satoshi-kun?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nうぅん、誰も助けなかった。<br>\\r\\n No, nobody did.<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんは一番力があるくせに、村のしがらみがどうとか、よく分からない理由で煙に巻いて、結局、無責任な同情の言葉をかけて、傷つけるだけだった！」<br>\\r\\n Mii-chan had the most influence out of all of us, but she made up a lame excuse, saying that it might create a conflict between the Sonozaki family and the villagers. In the end, all she did was hurting him by offering her sympathy!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そ、……そんなことはないよ…！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Th...That's not true...!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「嘘だッ！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes, it is!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……悟史くんはわかってたよ。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoshi-kun knew it, too.<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんが口ぶりだけは同情してるふりをしながらも、全然助ける気がないことをわかってた。<br>\\r\\n He knew that you were only pretending to sympathize with him. He knew that you had no intention to help him.<br>\\r\\nだから悟史くんはね、途中から魅ぃちゃんのことを嫌うようになったんだよ。<br>\\r\\n That's why Satoshi-kun started to hate you, Mii-chan.<br>\\r\\n普段は仲間だとか友達だとか言っておきながら、結局は北条家を虐める園崎家の一味でしかなかったってね！！」<br>\\r\\n He said that you always told him you were his friend, but after all that, you turned out to be just another Sonozaki, just another person who bullied the Houjou family!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わッ私は別に…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I... I didn't mean to...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何も救わずに放置した！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"You didn't do anything to help him!!!<br>\\r\\n悟史くんの助けてほしい思いを、同情という言葉で拒絶したんだ！！<br>\\r\\n You rejected his request for help by sympathizing with him!!<br>\\r\\nそれがどれほど悟史くんを傷つけたか分かってる？！」<br>\\r\\n Do you have any idea how much that hurt?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は何とか言い繕おうと懸命になっていたが、…何も言えるわけがない。<br>\\r\\nMion tried to find something to say... but failed to do so.<br>\\r\\n…結局、あぅあぅと言葉を飲み込むしかなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...She bit her lip instead.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それは梨花ちゃんも同じだよね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rika-chan, you were the same, too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...............\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n言葉の矛先が今度は梨花ちゃんに向く。<br>\\r\\nNow Rena was pointing fingers at Rika-chan.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……魅音と違い、梨花ちゃんの顔はとても無表情で、レナと同じく乾いているように見えた。<br>\\r\\n...Unlike Mion, Rika-chan looked emotionless and empty, just like Rena did.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「梨花ちゃんは確かに、魅ぃちゃんに比べたらその発言力は微々たるものかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rika-chan, you don't have the kind of power in Hinamizawa that Mii-chan does.<br>\\r\\nでも、神社に出入りしているお年寄りたちに、とても大きな発言力を持っていたはずだよ？！<br>\\r\\n But your word carries a lot of weight with the old people who come to your shrine, don't they?!<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんにも出来る努力があったのに、しなかった！！」<br>\\r\\n There was something you could've done for him, but you didn't!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"........................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「梨花ちゃんも結局は魅ぃちゃんと同じ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rika-chan, you did exactly the same thing as Mii-chan did.<br>\\r\\n憐れみの表情を浮かべて小娘を装っただけだった！！<br>\\r\\n You just pretended to be his friend!!<br>\\r\\nするのは悟史くんや沙都子ちゃんを慰めるだけ！<br>\\r\\n All you did was sympathize with him and Satoko-chan!!<br>\\r\\nその根本原因に対して何の手も差し伸べようとしなかった！！<br>\\r\\n You didn't try to help them out of the trouble they were in!!<br>\\r\\nそんな無慈悲な憐れみがどれほど残酷だったか、想像できる？！<br>\\r\\n Can you imagine how cruel and merciless your sympathy was to them?!<br>\\r\\n悟史くんが欲しかったのは救いだった。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun wanted help.<br>\\r\\n誰かに助けて欲しかった！<br>\\r\\n He wanted somebody to help him!<br>\\r\\n自分の力だけではどうしても抜け出せない苦境だったから！！ 首まで沈もうとする沼の中で、精一杯手を伸ばして、誰かに掴んでもらうことを期待していたんだよ！！」<br>\\r\\n He was at a dead end and couldn't get out of there by himself!! He was sinking all the way down to his neck in a swamp, reaching for help, and waiting for someone to grab his hand!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………そうね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......You're right.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんが、初めて聞く大人びた言葉を口にする。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan's voice sounded mature. It was very different from how she usually sounded.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………悟史たちを救う方法が分からなかったから、慰めることしかしなかった。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I didn't know how to save them. All I could do was to offer them some consolation.<br>\\r\\nそれにかまけ、救う何かを探し続けなかった罪は、否定しないわ。」<br>\\r\\n I'm not going to deny it, nor am I going to make excuses for my sin of not trying hard enough to find a way to save them.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……分かってるじゃない……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I didn't know you knew...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは歪んだ表情で笑った。<br>\\r\\nRena gave her a twisted smile.<br>\\r\\n……目を背けたくなるような、本当に嫌な表情だった。<br>\\r\\n ...That ugliness caused me to look away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そして沙都子ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"And Satoko-chan.<br>\\r\\nあなたに信じられるかわからないけれど、<br>\\r\\n I don't know if you'll believe me when I say this, but...<br>\\r\\n……あなたの罪はとても重い。」<br>\\r\\n you're weighed down with sin, too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は、何で沙都子にまで矛先が向けられるのか分からず、沙都子を庇おうとしたが、…沙都子の表情を見て、はっとする。<br>\\r\\nI didn't understand why she was blaming Satoko. I tried to take her side... but I gasped in surprise when I looked at her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその表情は、……レナの言う、罪を受け入れてるように見えたからだ。<br>\\r\\nShe looked like... she was accepting the sin that Rena had mentioned.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからせめて、レナの言葉で貫かれる前に、自ら告白しようと思ったのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nSatoko must have wanted to confess her sin before Rena pointed it out to her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、先に口を開いたのは沙都子の方だった。<br>\\r\\nAnd so, Satoko opened her mouth first.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………信じてくださるかどうかはわかりませんけど、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I don't know if you'll believe me when I tell you this either, but<br>\\r\\n………<br>\\r\\n...............<br>\\r\\nちゃんと気付いてますのよ。<br>\\r\\n I realized it on my own.<br>\\r\\n…その罪。」<br>\\r\\n I know what my sin is.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………そうなんだ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...............I see.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「にーにーがいなくなってしまったあの夜に、気付きましたのよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I realized it on that night Nii-nii disappeared.<br>\\r\\n……それをどうして、にーにーがいる内に気付けなかったのか…………。」<br>\\r\\n ...I wish I'd realized it while he was still there......\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……分かるよ、その気持ち。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I understand how you feel.<br>\\r\\n後悔した時にはもう遅いというのは、…私も同じだったから。<br>\\r\\n That sense that it was too late for regrets... right? I feel the same way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから私は同じことがもう一度起こったから、今度は戦った。<br>\\r\\n It happened to me before. That's why I fought this time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……沙都子ちゃんのその罪は、きっと将来贖えるよ。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoko-chan, I'm sure you can atone for your guilt in the future.<br>\\r\\nその罪に気付けたなら、きっとね。」<br>\\r\\n Because you realized what you did.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………<br>\\r\\n\\\"......<br>\\r\\nそれでももう、<br>\\r\\nBut... that won't bring Nii-nii back.<br>\\r\\n…にーにーは帰ってきませんのね。」<br>\\r\\n He's not coming back.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子は痛々しい表情で俯く。<br>\\r\\nSatoko looked down sadly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…普段、沙都子が言っていることとは逆だった。<br>\\r\\n...Usually, Satoko would say the opposite.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n普段の沙都子は、いつか必ず悟史が帰ってくると言っている。<br>\\r\\nShe always said that Satoshi was coming back one day without a doubt.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………なのに、…悟史が帰ってこないことを、あっさりと認める。<br>\\r\\n......But now... she accepted the fact that he would never return.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……血がつながっているからこそ、……帰ってこないことがわかるとでも言うかのように。<br>\\r\\n......She accepted it easily, as if she knew it already... because he's her brother.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ね？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Do you understand now?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n急に俺に話が振られた。<br>\\r\\nShe asked me all of a sudden.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「これが、私と同じ苦境にいた昭和５７年のみんな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's how they were in 1982.<br>\\r\\n悟史くんは自分を助けてくれそうな人たちにはみんなに全てを話したよ。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun talked to everybody he thought could help him.<br>\\r\\n助けてほしいと言ったし、辛いとも言った。<br>\\r\\n He told them that he needed help. He told them what he was going through.<br>\\r\\n打ち明けた、相談した。<br>\\r\\n He consulted with them.<br>\\r\\n転校してきたばかりの私にまでね。<br>\\r\\n He even came to me, even though I had just moved here at that time.<br>\\r\\nそれは見っとも無いことじゃない。<br>\\r\\n I don't think it was embarrassing or shameful that he did that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…本当に不幸な人はね、必死なんだよ！<br>\\r\\n ...People get desperate when they're unhappy!<br>\\r\\n悟史くんは自分でも懸命にがんばってた。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun tried very hard.<br>\\r\\nそれでもどうにもならないからみんなに助けを求めた！<br>\\r\\n But he couldn't do anything about the situation, and he asked for help!<br>\\r\\nずっと求めてた！！<br>\\r\\n He kept asking for help!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでもね、これが圭一くんの言う“無条件で味方になってくれる”仲間たちの体たらくなんだよ！<br>\\r\\nYou said that friends are always on your side no matter what. But this is what 'friends' really are!<br>\\r\\n仲間なんて、楽しくてどうでもいい時間を一緒に寄り合って過ごすだけのお友達！<br>\\r\\n They're actually just people you hang around with for fun!<br>\\r\\n本当に辛い時に味方になってなんてくれないんだよ！！<br>\\r\\n They don't help you when you need them!!<br>\\r\\n昔からそうだったよ、引越し先でもそうだったからね！！<br>\\r\\n Friends are always like that!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから私、自分が悟史くんと同じ状況になったと知った時、私は仲間に打ち明けるのなんかやめよう、ってね！<br>\\r\\nThat's why I decided not to tell anybody when I found out that I was in the same situation as Satoshi-kun!<br>\\r\\nだって、どうせ誰も助けてくれないし、助けられないもの！！<br>\\r\\n I knew that nobody would help me and that nobody could!!<br>\\r\\nなら同情なんて気が滅入るだけなんだよ！！<br>\\r\\n I didn't need sympathy. It only makes me feel worse!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nせめて学校にいる間くらい、楽しく過ごした方が気が紛れていいかもしれないもの。<br>\\r\\nIt's better that I, at least, have fun at school.<br>\\r\\n実際、みんなと楽しく過ごす学校の時間は楽しかったよ。<br>\\r\\n In fact, I did have fun at school.<br>\\r\\nとっても幸せだった。<br>\\r\\n I was very happy.<br>\\r\\nあの女たちとのトラブルをわずかの時間でも忘れることができて、本当に良かった！！<br>\\r\\n I was able to forget about the trouble I had with that woman, even if only for a short amount of time at school!!<br>\\r\\n悟史くんも、それに気付けていたらよかったね！<br>\\r\\n I wish Satoshi-kun could have done that too!<br>\\r\\nそうだったなら、学校での時間くらいは楽しく過ごせて、あそこまで心を追い詰めずに済んだかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n If he did, he wouldn't have had to feel constantly hopeless, and he could've at least enjoyed his time at school.<br>\\r\\nどうせ、自らの手で叔母を殴り殺す以外に解決方法はなかったのだし！！<br>\\r\\n He didn't have any other choice than beating his aunt to death anyway!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…転校してきたばかりで、村のこともほとんど覚えていない私には、悟史くんをどう助けてあげればいいか、わからなかった。<br>\\r\\n...I didn't know how to help him at that time because I just moved here.<br>\\r\\nできるのは、話を聞いてあげて、少しでも心を軽くしてあげるだけ。<br>\\r\\n All I could do was to listen to him and try to make him feel better.<br>\\r\\nでも、それ以上に助けることができたのかもしれないし、…私もその努力を怠っていたかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n But there might've been something more I could've done... I might've been lazy in thinking about what I could do.<br>\\r\\nそれなのに、昭和５７年の私は、悟史くんと仲間のつもりだったんだよね。<br>\\r\\n But at that time, in 1982, I thought I was his friend.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あははははは、<br>\\r\\n ...Ahahahahaha.<br>\\r\\nあはははははははは！<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahahahahaha!<br>\\r\\nあーっはっはっはっはっは！！<br>\\r\\n Ahh ha ha ha ha ha ha!!<br>\\r\\nあはーっはっはっはっはっはっは……！！<br>\\r\\n Aha ha ha ha ha ha ha...!!<br>\\r\\nうわぁあぁあぁあぁああああ！！<br>\\r\\n Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!<br>\\r\\nわあああああぁああぁああああ！！！<br>\\r\\n Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!<br>\\r\\nわああぁああぁぁぁぁぁん！！！<br>\\r\\n Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!<br>\\r\\nわああああああああああ！！」<br>\\r\\n Waaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの自虐的な笑いが、いつの間にか悲痛な泣き声に摩り替わって行く…。<br>\\r\\nRena's self-derisive laughter changed into grievous sobs...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその泣き声は、……俺たちの信頼関係を少しずつ穢していく…。<br>\\r\\nHer tears gradually wore away at our relationship of trust...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰も助けてなんてくれない。<br>\\r\\nNobody will help me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仲間なんてただの友達ごっこで、信頼なんかできないじゃないかと。<br>\\r\\nFriends are just people whom you have fun with. You can't trust them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナが泣き続けるだけで、…その場の全員の心に、これ以上なく雄弁に…訴えかけるのだ……。<br>\\r\\n...The more Rena cried... the clearer we heard her voice in her heart...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音も、沙都子も、梨花ちゃんも、……誰もが遠くを見て、うな垂れていた。<br>\\r\\nMion, Satoko, and Rika-chan... looked into the distance with sad expressions on their faces.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だから、レナに言い返せるのは、今や俺しかいなかった。<br>\\r\\n...I was the only one who could say anything back to her now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は伝えなくてはならない。<br>\\r\\nI had to tell her this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そして、レナだってそれはわかってるはずなんだ。<br>\\r\\n...And she knew it, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを、自分以外の誰かの口から聞かされなきゃ、認識できないだけなんだ。<br>\\r\\nShe just needed to hear it from someone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は辛い言葉をぶつける覚悟を決めると、口を開く。<br>\\r\\nI braced myself to tell her something that might hurt everybody.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……よくわかったぜレナ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I understand, Rena.<br>\\r\\n昭和５７年のことは、よくわかった。」<br>\\r\\n I understand what happened in 1982.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………ん？」<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Nn?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こいつらが薄情だったってこともわかったさ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I understand that they were heartless.<br>\\r\\nでもよ、沙都子だって言ったろ？<br>\\r\\n But Satoko also told you this.<br>\\r\\nこいつらはみんな、自分の罪に気が付いた。<br>\\r\\n They realized their sins.<br>\\r\\n後悔した！<br>\\r\\n They regretted what they did and didn't do!<br>\\r\\nだから、今度は違うはずだ。<br>\\r\\n So, it should be different this time.<br>\\r\\n今度は、仲間の苦しみを真に理解して、助けてくれるはずなんだ…！！」<br>\\r\\n They can understand your pain, and they can help you...!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「去年いなかった人に言われても、信憑性ないね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You weren't here last year. I'm afraid you don't know what you're talking about.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ、そうだ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's right!<br>\\r\\n俺は去年いなかった。<br>\\r\\n I wasn't here last year.<br>\\r\\nだから残念だぜ！！<br>\\r\\n I wish I were!!<br>\\r\\n去年の俺がもしここにいたならば。<br>\\r\\n If I was here last year,<br>\\r\\n悟史のために絶対に戦った！！」<br>\\r\\n I would've fought for Satoshi!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「嘘だッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're lying!!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「嘘じゃねえッ！！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm not lying!!!!<br>\\r\\n俺は雛見沢に来てから、どれだけ仲間が掛け替えのないものかを知った。<br>\\r\\n I've learned how important friends are since I moved to Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\nだから、そんな仲間たちを救うためなら俺はどこまでも戦うぜ！！<br>\\r\\n I'll fight for my friends!!<br>\\r\\n沙都子や悟史を虐める叔母がそんなにもうぜえヤツなら、悟史になんか勿体ねえッ！！<br>\\r\\n If I was here last year and knew what Satoko's aunt did to her and Satoshi, I wouldn't have given Satoshi the opportunity to beat her to death!!<br>\\r\\nこの俺が叩き殺してやったッ！！<br>\\r\\n I would've done it myself!!<br>\\r\\nものの１５００秒でだ！！<br>\\r\\n I would've done it in 1500 seconds!!<br>\\r\\n躊躇なんかしねえぞ、速攻だ！！<br>\\r\\n I wouldn't have even hesitated!!<br>\\r\\n学校の倉庫辺りから金属バットの一本もちょろまかして、即ブッ殺してた！！」<br>\\r\\n I would've beaten her to death with a metal bat!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「く、口先だけならどうとでも言えるね！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Th-That's easy for you to say!<br>\\r\\n人を殺すのに、どれだけの思い切りがいるかも知らないくせに…！」<br>\\r\\n But you don't know the kind of determination you need to kill another person...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「知らねえし知る必要もねえなッ！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't know that, and I don't need to know that, either!!!<br>\\r\\n仲間を救う以上の義務がどこにあるってんだ！！」<br>\\r\\n You know why? Because it's an obligation to help your friends!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一くんは全然わかってない！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"You don't understand, Keiichi-kun!!<br>\\r\\n人を殺すことがどれだけ汚らわしい行為で、どれだけ自らを美化しようとも決して振り払えない穢れであることをわかってない！！！」<br>\\r\\n You don't know how disgusting it is to kill a person. You can never get rid of the dirt on your hands, no matter how hard you try to justify it!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're right.<br>\\r\\n確かに仲間を救うためでも、直ちに人殺しってのは短絡的過ぎるよな。<br>\\r\\n Killing a person in order to save your friends is such short-sighted way of thinking.<br>\\r\\n………レナの言い分に相反するようで悪いけど、悪いことに悪いことで立ち向かうってのは、多分、うまく行かないように出来ていると思うんだ。<br>\\r\\n ...It might sound like I'm contradicting myself, but I think things aren't meant to go well when you take care of an evil matter by doing an evil deed.<br>\\r\\n仲間のためなら人殺しだって厭わないその精神だけは立派だと思う。<br>\\r\\n I'm proud of my conviction that I wouldn't hesitate to kill a person for the sake of my friends.<br>\\r\\nだけどな、<br>\\r\\n But...<br>\\r\\n…悪いことで得た平穏ってのは…絶対に長く続いたりしないんだ。<br>\\r\\n the peace I get by doing an evil deed won't last forever.<br>\\r\\nそれを人は本能的に知ってるから、…悪いことを嫌うんじゃないかと思うんだ。」<br>\\r\\n We all know that by instinct... That's why we all despise evil things, I think.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………何それ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"............What?<br>\\r\\n…圭一くんが何を口走ってるのかよくわかんないよ。」<br>\\r\\n I have no idea what you're talking about.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナに言われるまでもなく、……俺は何を言っているのか自分でもよくわからなかった。<br>\\r\\nShe didn't have to tell me that... I was aware I wasn't making any sense.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、<br>\\r\\nBut...<br>\\r\\n…それはどうしてか、<br>\\r\\n for some reason...<br>\\r\\n……容易に思い浮かべられる世界だった。<br>\\r\\n I could easily imagine a world like that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n掛け替えのない仲間を助けるために、蛮行をもって救ったどこかの世界の自分。<br>\\r\\nA world in which I saved my precious friends by committing an evil act.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、蛮行で得た平穏は決して長く続いたりなんかしなかった。<br>\\r\\n...The peace I seized by doing that evil deed didn't last long.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…それどころか、その罪に見合うような、ひどい結末さえ…………。<br>\\r\\n...It got worse. It ended in a way as terrible as the sin I committed...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは有り得るはずのない記憶。<br>\\r\\nThis was a memory that shouldn't exist.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……自分でもよく分からないけど、<br>\\r\\n...I don't know why,<br>\\r\\n絶対にそうだったと確信できる、<br>\\r\\n but I know for a fact that it happened<br>\\r\\nもしもの世界。<br>\\r\\n in that world of possibility.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…すまん、俺も自分で何を言ってるのか、意味がわからなくなった。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I'm sorry. I don't know what I'm talking about.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうしてだかわからないけど、こんな状況にもかかわらず、俺は苦笑いを浮かべてしまう。<br>\\r\\nFor some weird reason, I couldn't prevent myself from smiling in embarrassment even in a situation like this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「でも、レナはわかってるはずだ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"But you know it too, don't you, Rena?<br>\\r\\nだから、……自らの手を汚す他なかった運命を。<br>\\r\\n ...You know that you didn't want to get your hands dirty.<br>\\r\\n助けてほしかった俺たちを嘆いてるんじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n You're crying because you wanted us to help you, but we didn't.<br>\\r\\n…レナは殺人者になんかなりたくなかったんだ。<br>\\r\\n ...You didn't want to be a murderer.<br>\\r\\nこれが最善の選択だったなんて絶対嘘なんだ！<br>\\r\\n You're lying when you claim that this was the best choice you could have made!<br>\\r\\nだからさっきから、…ずーっと泣き続けているんじゃないかッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n That's why you've been crying!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「嘘だッ！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's not true!!!<br>\\r\\n嘘だ<br>\\r\\n That's not true<br>\\r\\n嘘だ<br>\\r\\n that's not true<br>\\r\\n嘘だ、<br>\\r\\n that's not true<br>\\r\\nそんなのは嘘だッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n that's not true!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「嘘かどうかはお前が一番知ってるんじゃねえか！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"You know better than anybody if it's true or not!!<br>\\r\\n最初から後悔してるんだろ？！<br>\\r\\n You've been regretting this from the beginning!!<br>\\r\\n例え誰にも知られることなく死体を隠せたとしたって、一生、両手についた血は落とせないんだ。<br>\\r\\n Even if you were able to hide the corpses without getting caught, you could never have washed the blood off your hands.<br>\\r\\nそんな十字架を背負って生きていく苦痛を、どうやって誤魔化す？！<br>\\r\\n How are you going to fool yourself into believing that you won't have to live the rest of your life bearing the burden of your sin?!<br>\\r\\nひとつしかない！<br>\\r\\n There's only one way to do that!<br>\\r\\nこれしか方法がなかったと思い込むことだけじゃないか！！<br>\\r\\n You have to believe that this was the only choice!!<br>\\r\\nそれはつまり、仲間に相談する価値がないって思うこと、仲間を一生否定し続けるってことだぞ！！！<br>\\r\\n That means you have to live your life denying your friends, and denying that your friends are worth asking for help!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナにとって、俺たちはその程度の存在だったのか？！<br>\\r\\nAre we worth nothing to you, Rena?<br>\\r\\n違うだろ？！<br>\\r\\n Of course not!<br>\\r\\n本当に助け合える関係なのが仲間だってことを、一番最初から信じてたんだろッ？！<br>\\r\\n You always believed that friends exist to help each other!<br>\\r\\n確かに去年の仲間たちはまだ未熟だった。<br>\\r\\n Your friends were immature last year.<br>\\r\\nだから悟史を不幸な運命から救えなかった。<br>\\r\\n That's why they couldn't help Satoshi from his unfortunate fate.<br>\\r\\nでも人は成長するんだ。<br>\\r\\n But people grow up.<br>\\r\\nミスは二度と犯さないし、後悔は二度と繰り返さない！<br>\\r\\n We don't make the same mistake twice. We don't want to regret the same thing twice!<br>\\r\\nだから、…信じろ！！<br>\\r\\n So... believe me!!<br>\\r\\n俺たちは仲間だ！！<br>\\r\\n We're your friends!!<br>\\r\\nお前の一番の味方なんだッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n We're on your side!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………はは<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Haha...<br>\\r\\n…あははははは。<br>\\r\\n ...ahahahahaha.<br>\\r\\n………つまりそれは、<br>\\r\\n .........So what you're saying...<br>\\r\\n…私も未熟だったってこと？」<br>\\r\\n is that I was immature too, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, I am.<br>\\r\\n仲間たちが日々成長していることを信じられなかったレナも未熟だ。<br>\\r\\n You were immature because you couldn't believe that your friends grew up.<br>\\r\\nだが、それを責める気はないぜ。<br>\\r\\n But I'm not going to blame you for that.<br>\\r\\n…俺たちだって、レナがひとり悩むのを今日まで気付けなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...We didn't notice until today that you've been going through such a hard time all alone.<br>\\r\\n……人は語り合うことでしか胸の内を明かせない。<br>\\r\\n ......People can communicate their feelings only by talking to others.<br>\\r\\nだから、今日のこの場までは仕方がなかったことかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n So, there was nothing we could do, because we didn't talk.<br>\\r\\n……そういう意味では、…言いたくはないが、今日という日が、レナにとって最善の選択の向こうにあったことを認めざるを得ないかもしれない。」<br>\\r\\n ......In that sense... it's hard to say it, but we have to admit that this was meant to happen today in order to make your choice the best one for real.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"..................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「でも、……俺たちは今この場になって、ようやく胸の内を全て語り合った。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We finally talked about our feelings.<br>\\r\\nレナが去年からずっと持っていた不信感も、俺たちが持っていた後悔も、全部吐き出しあった！！<br>\\r\\n We now know that you've been distrusting your friends since last year, and that everybody regretted both what they did and didn't do!!<br>\\r\\nだから、俺たちは今こそようやく、本当の意味での仲間になれたんだよ！！」<br>\\r\\n So now, we finally became true friends!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………<br>\\r\\n\\\"......<br>\\r\\n本当に、<br>\\r\\nFinally...<br>\\r\\n…今さらだね。<br>\\r\\n but it's too late.<br>\\r\\nいつも罪は、手遅れになってから気付かされる。」<br>\\r\\n We only notice our sins after it's too late.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうでもねえさ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's not necessarily true.<br>\\r\\n例えば俺は、…仲間であるレナの今回のこの出来事を、…理解できる！」<br>\\r\\n For example... As your friend, I can understand the things you've done... this time!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……理解できる、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...What do you mean<br>\\r\\n……って？」<br>\\r\\n by that...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「人の命を奪うのは許されることじゃないっていう、道徳的なことはもちろん理解している。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I understand that depriving people of their lives is an unforgivable crime.<br>\\r\\nでも、それを理解した上で、仲間であるレナが、こうする他なかったことを理解する！！<br>\\r\\n But I also understand that my friend, Rena, had no other choice but to do this!!<br>\\r\\nだから俺は、レナを汚らわしいと思わないし、恐ろしいとも思わない！！<br>\\r\\n So, I don't think you're filthy, and I'm not scared of you!!<br>\\r\\n次に同じようなことがあったら、今度はこういう結果にならないように悩み合おう。<br>\\r\\n If something like this happens again, we should talk and think about what we can do together.<br>\\r\\nだけど、すでに起こってしまったこの出来事を、俺は理解する！<br>\\r\\n But this already happened, and I understand that!<br>\\r\\n理解ってのはつまり、許すということだ。<br>\\r\\n When I say I understand, I mean I forgive you.<br>\\r\\n………俺は、レナのこの行為を、否定したりしない！！」<br>\\r\\n ...I don't hate you for what you did!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は今度は全員に向けて言う。<br>\\r\\nI said that to everybody this time.<br>\\r\\n仲間たち全員にだ。<br>\\r\\n I said it to all my friends.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「俺は、レナのやったこの出来事を、受け入れる。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I accept what Rena did.<br>\\r\\nこれしかどうしようもなくて、悩み抜いた上で至った、最後の最後の手段だったってことを、受け入れる。<br>\\r\\n I accept that she had no choice other than to do this, and that this was her last resort after thinking it through many times.<br>\\r\\nだから、<br>\\r\\n So...<br>\\r\\n……俺はレナに協力しようと思う…！」<br>\\r\\n I'm going to side with her...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……圭ちゃん…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Kei-chan...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「もちろん、殺した理由が、カネ目当てだとかそんなくだらねぇのだったら、警察へ叩き出してやってるぜ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Of course, if she killed them for money or some other stupid reason, I'd drag her to the police!<br>\\r\\nだけどな、レナはそんな気持ちでやったんじゃない。<br>\\r\\n But that wasn't why Rena did this.<br>\\r\\nどうしてもどうしても逃げられなくて、悩み抜いた末に至った今日なんだ！！<br>\\r\\n She couldn't run away, and she thought it through before she came to this point!!<br>\\r\\nレナの罪はそこに至るまでに俺たちに相談しなかったこと。<br>\\r\\n If she's guilty of anything, she's only guilty for not talking to us about it beforehand.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだけど、<br>\\r\\n But<br>\\r\\nそれを俺は許す！<br>\\r\\n I forgive her for that too!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから今日に至ったその行為も、俺は許すッ！！！」<br>\\r\\nI forgive her for coming to this point!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……圭一。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Keiichi.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だから！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"So!!<br>\\r\\nみんなもレナも！<br>\\r\\n I beg you all!<br>\\r\\n今日に至るまで、それに気付けず、レナをひとりで悩ませた俺を許してくれ。<br>\\r\\n Please forgive me for not noticing Rena's situation and for letting her go through it alone.<br>\\r\\nそれが、今日を招いた俺の罪だ！」<br>\\r\\n My sin is that I allowed a day like today to come to pass!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………………圭一さん…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Keiichi-san...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「このヤバい袋の山を知ったのは俺たちだけだ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We're the only ones who know about these bags.<br>\\r\\n俺たち全員が秘密にすればそれでおしまいだ。<br>\\r\\n If we keep it to ourselves, everything will be fine.<br>\\r\\nレナは何も気にすることはない。<br>\\r\\n Rena doesn't have to worry about a thing.<br>\\r\\n最初の予定通りにこの袋をどこかに隠しちまおうぜ！<br>\\r\\n Let's hide them somewhere like she planned.<br>\\r\\nそして全員で塩でお清めでもして、一丁上がりだ！！<br>\\r\\n We'll cleanse ourselves with salt later, and that's it!!<br>\\r\\nそしたら俺たちは全ての罪を許し合おう。<br>\\r\\n Let's forgive each other for our sins.<br>\\r\\nそして、取り戻そうぜ、本当に平穏な日々を！！<br>\\r\\n And then we'll regain our happy and peaceful days!!<br>\\r\\nこれだろ？！<br>\\r\\n This is it, right?<br>\\r\\nレナが本当に選びたかった未来ってヤツは！！<br>\\r\\n Rena, this is the future you chose,<br>\\r\\nこっちなんだろ？！<br>\\r\\n right?<br>\\r\\n最善の選択肢は！！！」<br>\\r\\n This is the best possible choice, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「<br>\\r\\n\\\"<br>\\r\\n…………け、<br>\\r\\n.........K-<br>\\r\\n……いいち…<br>\\r\\nKeiichi-kun<br>\\r\\nくん…。」<br>\\r\\n......\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は、レナの立つ廃車のボンネットに駆け上がり、屋根の上に立つレナに手を差し伸べる。<br>\\r\\nI jumped on the hood of the abandoned car Rena was standing on, and I reached for her hands.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「認めろ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Admit it!!<br>\\r\\nこっちが本当にレナが来たかった世界なんだよ！！<br>\\r\\n This is the world you wanted!!<br>\\r\\nレナが本当に選びたかった選択肢なんだよ！！！<br>\\r\\n This is the choice you wanted to make!!!<br>\\r\\n確かにこの選択肢は、レナひとりだけじゃ選べない。<br>\\r\\n But, this is something that you can't choose by yourself.<br>\\r\\nレナと、俺たちが互いに手を差し伸べあってしか選べないんだ。<br>\\r\\n All of us have to reach for each other's hands, so that Rena can make the choice.<br>\\r\\n……つまり、俺だけが差し伸べても意味がないんだよ！<br>\\r\\n ...In other words, I can't make it happen by myself!<br>\\r\\n俺だけじゃない、みんなが差し伸べる！！<br>\\r\\n I need everybody to reach for each other's hands!!<br>\\r\\nだからレナ！！<br>\\r\\n So, Rena!!<br>\\r\\nお前も手を伸ばせ！！！<br>\\r\\n You need to do it, too!!!<br>\\r\\nそれで互いに手を掴み合って初めて、お前は本当に選びたかった選択肢の向こうの世界に行けるんだよッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n When all of us hold hands together, that's when you can go to the world that exists beyond the choice you made!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……け、<br>\\r\\n\\\"......K<br>\\r\\n……圭一くんの言葉は<br>\\r\\n-Keiichi-kun, I appreciate it...<br>\\r\\n……本当なら嬉しいよ……！<br>\\r\\n if you really mean it...!<br>\\r\\nでも、<br>\\r\\n But...<br>\\r\\n…でも！<br>\\r\\n but!<br>\\r\\nみんなもそうだとは限らないよ？！」<br>\\r\\n I'm not sure if that's what everybody else wants.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺の差し出す手に、小さな手が重なる。<br>\\r\\nA little hand touched mine.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは…梨花ちゃんの手だった。<br>\\r\\nIt... was Rika-chan.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「梨花ちゃん…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rika-chan...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……レナは決して穢れてなんかいない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Rena, you aren't filthy.<br>\\r\\n………あなたは決して屈しなかった。<br>\\r\\n .........You didn't give up.<br>\\r\\nそして、こんなにも泥だらけになりながら、…今日と言う日を掴み取っている。<br>\\r\\n You seized your fate, even though you had to dirty your hands to do it.<br>\\r\\nそんなあなたを…どうして私は認めずにいられるのか。」<br>\\r\\n I have no reason not to accept you...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんの小さな手は力強く、…そして初めて聞くくらいに雄弁だった。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan's small hand was strong... and she spoke eloquently.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……私は、逃れられない不幸の迷宮に呑まれ、全てに失望する堕落の心地よさを知っている。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I know how comfortable it feels to be stained by disappointment at everything in this world, after getting lost in a maze of misfortune.<br>\\r\\nだからこそ、たったひとりで屈することなく戦い続け、今日を得たあなたのたくましさが理解できる。<br>\\r\\n That's why I can understand how strong you are and how hard you fought, alone, without giving up.<br>\\r\\nそんなあなたが身近にいることを誇りに思おう。<br>\\r\\n I'm proud of having you in my life.<br>\\r\\n私も圭一と同じ。<br>\\r\\n I agree with Keiichi.<br>\\r\\nあなたの罪を許す。<br>\\r\\n I forgive you for your sin.<br>\\r\\nだからあなたも、私の罪を許して欲しい。」<br>\\r\\n So, please forgive me for mine, too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………梨花ちゃん………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Rika-chan......\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……私は無力な小娘だけれど、きっと戦えた。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I'm just a little girl without any power, but I could've fought.<br>\\r\\n自分も運命に屈しない。<br>\\r\\n I'll not give up on my fate.<br>\\r\\nレナのように戦う。<br>\\r\\n I'll fight like you did.<br>\\r\\nだから、私をあなたの仲間として許してもらいたい。」<br>\\r\\n So, I ask you to accept me as your friend.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは…普段の幼そうに振舞う梨花ちゃんとは到底思えなかった。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan usually acts childish, but now she was like a totally different person.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ふざけなど一切ない、…古手梨花という少女の心の底からの言葉だった。<br>\\r\\n...She meant every word she was saying.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこへもうひとつ、小さな手が重なる。<br>\\r\\nAnd then, another little hand reached out to ours.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"..................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……沙都子。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Satoko.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子は手を重ねるが、俯いたまましばらく何も口に出来なかった。<br>\\r\\nSatoko put her hand over mine and Rika-chan's. She didn't say anything, looking down for a while.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれでも梨花ちゃんに促され、ようやく口を開く。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan urged her to speak.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………私も梨花も、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Rika and I...<br>\\r\\n……両親を失ってひとりぼっちですけれど。<br>\\r\\n lost both our parents.<br>\\r\\n……今日までそれを嘆いたことはありませんでしたよ。<br>\\r\\n ...We never cried about it, however.<br>\\r\\n…皆さんという、<br>\\r\\n ...Because we have you,<br>\\r\\n仲間という、<br>\\r\\n a family<br>\\r\\n家族がいたから。」<br>\\r\\n made of friends.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私は、…これからも皆さんと、レナさんと、仲間という名の家族でありたいと思っていますのよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I want us to continue to be a family for you.<br>\\r\\n…家族同士だからこそ、時には全てを打ち明けあうのは当然ですわ。<br>\\r\\n ...It's natural to get it all out and to confess everything to your family because, well, they are your family.<br>\\r\\nだから、今日はいい切っ掛けになったと思ってますの。<br>\\r\\n So, I think today was a great opportunity for us.<br>\\r\\n互いの罪を、許し合う機会が恵まれたことに、感謝いたしましてよ。」<br>\\r\\n I appreciate that we had the chance to forgive each other for our sins.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…仲間という名の家族か。…沙都子にしちゃいい例えだな！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...A family made of friends. ...Satoko, I like that!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナさんの罪を、許しますわ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I forgive you for your sin, Rena-san.<br>\\r\\n……どうか、私の罪も許してくださいませ。」<br>\\r\\n ...Please forgive me for mine, too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nぬっと、もう少し大きめの手が伸びてくる。<br>\\r\\nA big hand reached out for ours.<br>\\r\\n魅音だ。<br>\\r\\n It was Mion's.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………仲間の大切さを語るのは、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I always thought it was my job as the leader of this club...<br>\\r\\n…部長である私の役目だと思ってただけに、<br>\\r\\n to talk about the importance of friends...<br>\\r\\n…いやはや、…私も部長失格かなぁ、なんて。<br>\\r\\n So... I guess I'm not that good a leader after all, huh?<br>\\r\\nたはははは…。」<br>\\r\\n Dahahahaha...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…魅音。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Mion.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ごめん、ふざけたね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make fun of you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音はそれでも薄く笑って頭を掻く仕草をする。<br>\\r\\nMion still smiled and scratched her head.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………レナの境遇を察しなかったことを、仲間として部長として恥じるよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Rena, I'm ashamed of myself, as your friend, and as the club president, for not being able to notice what you've been through.<br>\\r\\n許して欲しい。<br>\\r\\n I'd like you to forgive me for that.<br>\\r\\n……もちろん、レナが私たちに相談しなかったことも許すよ。<br>\\r\\n ...Of course, I also forgive you for not telling us about it.<br>\\r\\nそれは私が打ち明けるに足る存在じゃなかったってことだからね。<br>\\r\\n You couldn't tell me because I wasn't good enough for you.<br>\\r\\n私はリーダーであらねばと日々、努力しているはずなのに、全然至ってなかった。<br>\\r\\n I thought I was trying to be a good leader for you, but I guess I wasn't doing my job.<br>\\r\\nその未熟さは私の責任。<br>\\r\\n It's my fault.<br>\\r\\nだから、レナの罪を、<br>\\r\\n So, I<br>\\r\\n許す。」<br>\\r\\n forgive you for your sin, Rena.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena!!<br>\\r\\n俺たちは全員手を重ねて差し伸べたぞ！！<br>\\r\\n Now you have all of our hands!!<br>\\r\\nこっちは全部揃った！！<br>\\r\\n We're all ready for you!!<br>\\r\\nあとはお前だけなんだ！<br>\\r\\n It's your turn!<br>\\r\\n手を伸ばせ！<br>\\r\\n Reach out for us!<br>\\r\\nこっちへ来い！！<br>\\r\\n Come to us!!<br>\\r\\nお前が本当に来たかった世界はこっちなんだ！<br>\\r\\n This is the world you wanted!<br>\\r\\nもう手は全員が差し伸べてる！ あとはレナだけなんだ！！<br>\\r\\n You have all of our hands right here for you to reach!!<br>\\r\\nだから躊躇うな！！！」<br>\\r\\n So, don't hesitate!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………レナは……人殺しだよ……？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I'm a murderer...<br>\\r\\nきっとみんなに迷惑をかけるよ…？」<br>\\r\\n I'll get you guys into trouble...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……レナ…、私たちは…、」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Rena... We are...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「梨花ちゃん、もう余計なことは言わなくていい。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rika-chan, you don't need to say anything.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「俺たちは、全員で手を重ねて差し伸べている！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"We're all reaching for your hand!!<br>\\r\\nこの事実にこれ以上、上塗りする言葉は何も必要ない！<br>\\r\\n What else do we need to say or prove?<br>\\r\\nだから、レナにだって言葉はいらないんだ！！<br>\\r\\n Rena, you don't need to say anything!!<br>\\r\\nただ黙って、こっちへ手を伸ばせばいいんだッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n All you need to do is to reach out for us!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………あ、<br>\\r\\n\\\"............Ah<br>\\r\\n………ぅ……、」<br>\\r\\n.........\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「来いレナッ！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Come on, Rena!!!<br>\\r\\n夢とか幻とかじゃない！！<br>\\r\\n This is real!!<br>\\r\\n増してや手遅れでも何でもない！！<br>\\r\\n It's not too late!!<br>\\r\\nレナにはまだ選べる選択肢が残ってるんだ！<br>\\r\\n You still have choices you can make!<br>\\r\\nだから選べ！！<br>\\r\\n So, choose!!<br>\\r\\n間に合う！！<br>\\r\\n You can still make it!!<br>\\r\\n来るんだッ！！<br>\\r\\n Come on!!<br>\\r\\n俺たちはやり直せるんだあああぁぁッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n It's not too late to start over again!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナのおずおずとした手が、<br>\\r\\nRena slowly reached out<br>\\r\\n…………<br>\\r\\n............<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n触れる。<br>\\r\\n and her hand touched ours.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n重ねるまでもない。<br>\\r\\nShe didn't hold our hands.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが自ら触れたことこそが、レナの明白な意思。<br>\\r\\nAll she needed to do was to touch our hands to show us her will.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは仲間を受け入れず一生十字架を背負う人生より、それを共に分かち合う人生を選んだんだ。<br>\\r\\nRena chose to live, to share her life with her friends, rather than to refuse them for the rest of her life.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから俺はもう一歩踏み込み、レナの手首を乱暴に掴む！<br>\\r\\nI took a step closer to her, and firmly grabbed her wrist!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n次第に暗くなり始め、いくつかの星が散らばり出す頃。<br>\\r\\nIt was getting dark, and some stars had appeared in the sky.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………俺たち全員は、……初めて互いの罪を許し合った。<br>\\r\\n......We all...... forgave each other for our sins for the first time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そして、恥ずかしいけど、…いつの間にかレナの涙をもらってしまって、全員で泣いてしまっていた。<br>\\r\\n...And it was a little embarrassing...... but Rena's tears made us all cry, and we just kept crying together.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、円陣を組むように肩を抱き合って、頭をぶつけ合い、<br>\\r\\nWe stood in a circle, holding each other by the shoulder, and putting our heads together in the middle.<br>\\r\\n……仲間と言う名の家族たちが、本当に許し合った喜びをかみ締め合うのだった。<br>\\r\\n ...We are a family made of friends. We forgave each other, and were happy together.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………俺の脳裏に薄っすらと浮かぶ、有り得ない記憶。<br>\\r\\n...There's a memory in the back of my mind, but it's not supposed to exist.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はその世界で…１人の仲間を救うため、<br>\\r\\nI tried to save one of my friends in that world.<br>\\r\\n他の仲間全員を拒絶し、<br>\\r\\n In order to do that, I rejected all of my other friends.<br>\\r\\n１人暴走して、<br>\\r\\n I acted recklessly alone...<br>\\r\\n……世界の終焉を迎えた。<br>\\r\\n and I brought about the end of the world.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n１人の仲間を救うため、人命が奪われたところまでは、……その遠い世界の出来事と重なる。<br>\\r\\nThe situation we had here is the same as the incident in that far-away world, in the sense that people have been deprived of their lives in order to save one friend of mine.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだけれど、……ここからが違うのだ。<br>\\r\\nBut other than that... it was different.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナに<br>\\r\\nWe have Rena,<br>\\r\\n魅音、<br>\\r\\n Mion,<br>\\r\\n沙都子に<br>\\r\\n Satoko,<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃん、<br>\\r\\n Rika-chan,<br>\\r\\nそして俺。<br>\\r\\n and myself.<br>\\r\\n誰一人欠けない。<br>\\r\\n Nobody was missing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺たちは取り戻す。<br>\\r\\nWe were going to regain them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n平穏で楽しい、幸せな日々を絶対に取り戻す！<br>\\r\\nWe were going to regain those happy and peaceful days!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその道のりは、ひょっとすると平坦ではないけれど。<br>\\r\\nThe road going there might be a little rough.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……俺たちはきっと、その道のりを踏破してみせるのだ。<br>\\r\\n...But we'll walk it together.<br>\\r\\n全員で。<br>\\r\\n We all will.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその後、俺たちは全員で、レナが用意していた谷河内の山奥の穴の中に袋を埋めに行った。<br>\\r\\nWe went to the place in the mountains of Yagouchi that Rena had picked for burying the bags.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n死体を運んでいるという恐ろしさは、むしろ、そんな仕事だからこそ仲間で助け合っていることを実感できる気がした。<br>\\r\\nCarrying corpses is a scary thing to do, but it made us united more strongly because of that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nビニール越しだから、中身が手触りでわかってしまうこともあり、みんな苦笑いを浮かべながら恐る恐る取り扱っていたが、最後の方にはそれを茶化し合いもした。<br>\\r\\nSince each part of the corpses is in a separate plastic trash bag, we can tell what's inside in each bag by touching it. First, we forced ourselves to laugh whenever we had to touch the bodies, because we were scared. But after a while, we got used to it, to the point where we could make jokes about it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…それが痩せ我慢にせよ、<br>\\r\\n...Of course, all of that was probably a bluff,<br>\\r\\nみんなよくがんばった。<br>\\r\\n but we all tried our best.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n死体の隠し方について、なぜか造詣の深い魅音は、穴はもっと深い方がいいと指導し。<br>\\r\\nMion somehow had detailed knowledge of how to hide corpses, and she told me to dig the hole deeper.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんは小さな体で、精一杯、袋運びを手伝ってくれた。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan helped to carry the bags.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして沙都子はトラップ隠蔽の妙技で、埋めた跡を見事にカモフラージュをしてくれる。<br>\\r\\nSatoko used her talent of setting traps to perfectly camouflage the place where we buried the bags.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺か？<br>\\r\\nMe?<br>\\r\\n俺は男手ということで穴掘り担当。<br>\\r\\n I was in charge of digging the hole.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナもしっかり掘ったようだったが、男の俺ならもう少し深く掘れる。<br>\\r\\nRena dug it earlier, but I made it a little deeper.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全て終わった後に自転車まで戻り、埋めた辺りを見上げる。<br>\\r\\nAfter we finished all that, we walked back to the place where we parked our bicycles, and we looked back at the place where we buried the bags.<br>\\r\\n………絶対にわからない。<br>\\r\\n ...It was completely unnoticeable.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n多分、俺たちも今日を帰宅してしまったら、この場所には二度と戻れないだろう。<br>\\r\\nWe'd never be able to find the place again once we left for home.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれくらいに、よくわからない場所だった。<br>\\r\\nThat's how perfect it looked.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「よっしゃ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Great!<br>\\r\\nみんなお疲れさんー！<br>\\r\\n Thank you all for your hard work!<br>\\r\\nこれでおしまいだね。<br>\\r\\n We're done here.<br>\\r\\n帰ろ帰ろ。」<br>\\r\\n It's time to go home.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまるで部活か何かでも終わったような爽やかさで魅音が言う。<br>\\r\\nMion said it cheerfully, as if we just finished club activities or something.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺たちの荷物も完全になくなり、それはそのまま、心の荷が下りたことを示していた。<br>\\r\\nWe had no more bags to carry, and we no longer had any burden to carry either.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nみんなが自転車にまたがるが、レナだけがまだ少しぼーっとしていた。<br>\\r\\nWe got on our bicycles, but Rena was still standing there, looking into the distance.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おい、レナ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, Rena.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………え？<br>\\r\\n\\\".........What?<br>\\r\\nあ、……ごめん。<br>\\r\\n Ah... I'm sorry.<br>\\r\\n……ちょっと熱が出ちゃったみたいで、なんかぼーっとする…。<br>\\r\\n ...I think I caught a cold or something. I feel feverish and dizzy...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあはははは…。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahaha...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは少し顔を赤くしてぼーっとしていた。<br>\\r\\nRena's face looked slightly red.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音がレナの額に触れると、少し熱っぽいねと伝えた。<br>\\r\\nMion touched Rena's forehead. It actually was a little warm.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…無理もない。<br>\\r\\n...She had a tough day today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナにとっての今日一日は、あまりに色々なことが凝縮され過ぎていた。<br>\\r\\n...She had to go through so many things.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n死体の隠し場所を探し。<br>\\r\\nShe had to find a place to hide the corpses.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n穴を掘り。<br>\\r\\nShe had to dig a hole.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……俺たちに死体の袋を見付けられ。<br>\\r\\n...We caught her with the bags.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…互いの胸の内を吐き合い。<br>\\r\\n...We talked about our feelings.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………そして互いを許し合った。<br>\\r\\n...And we forgave each other.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれだけのことが一日の内に起こったのだから、さぞ神経が参ってるだろう。<br>\\r\\nShe must be exhausted after a day like that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナ、今日は帰ったらゆっくり休め。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena, you should rest well when you get home.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…うん、ありがと。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Yes, thank you.<br>\\r\\nそうするね。」<br>\\r\\n I will.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……レナ、私たちはもう全部許し合ったんだよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Rena, we forgave each other for everything.<br>\\r\\nだから、自分を責めちゃダメだからね。」<br>\\r\\n So, don't blame yourself anymore, okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはははははは。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahahaha.<br>\\r\\n………やっぱり、みんなの言うとおりだったよ。」<br>\\r\\n ......You were right about me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……何がだ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...What do you mean?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………やっぱり私、……自分を騙せてなんかなかった。<br>\\r\\n\\\".........I couldn't fool myself.<br>\\r\\nどう自分の行為を美化したって、……私は心の中で恐ろしいことをしたと怯えていた。<br>\\r\\n No matter how hard I tried to justify what I did... I was still scared.<br>\\r\\nみんなに助けてもらってここまで来てこんななんだもん。<br>\\r\\n Look at me. I'm still shaky, even with all the help I got from you.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………もし、みんなと合わずに、ひとりで全てを片付けていたら。<br>\\r\\n ...If you hadn't found me with the corpses, if I'd taken care of this alone...<br>\\r\\n……私は十字架の重さに耐えきれず、潰されてしまったかもしれない。」<br>\\r\\n I wouldn't have been able to bear the burden. I'm pretty sure I would've been crushed by the pressure.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう言い、薄く笑うのだった。<br>\\r\\nShe said all this with a bitter smile.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの心の傷が癒えるには短くない時間が掛かるかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nIt might take her a long time to heal from the pain.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………でも、その時間は絶対に、レナがひとりで癒すより１００倍も短いに違いない。<br>\\r\\n......But it must be 100 times shorter than the time it would have taken if she did this all alone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n一番近い家がレナの家だったので、レナと別れ、４人になって帰路に着く。<br>\\r\\nRena's home was the closest from here. Rena went her way, and the four of us were left behind.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音が全員に向かって提案した。<br>\\r\\nMion made a suggestion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「明日からなんだけどさ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I think we should just forget...<br>\\r\\nみんな揃って、今日のことを忘れるのがいいと思うんだけど。<br>\\r\\n about today.<br>\\r\\nどう思う？」<br>\\r\\n What do you think?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうですわね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I agree.<br>\\r\\nそれが一番、レナさんにとってやさしいことになると思いますわ。」<br>\\r\\n I think that would be best for Rena-san, too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……レナは強い人です。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Rena is a strong girl.<br>\\r\\nボクたちがそう振る舞えば、レナもそう振る舞ってくれますですよ。」<br>\\r\\n If we act like nothing happened, she'll act that way too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「振る舞いも、ずっと続けてれば本当になるって言うもんな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"If you keep acting for long enough, it becomes real, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「語らないことで、その内、私たちは忘れていくよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We'll be able to forget by not talking about it.<br>\\r\\nそして完全に忘れきった時が、私たちのゴールだね。」<br>\\r\\n Our goal is to forget about it completely.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……おそらく、その日は一生をかけて、来るか来ないかを探ることになると思いますです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I think we'll keep wondering whether or not the day of reckoning will come for the rest of our lives.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうかもしれませんわね…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're probably correct...<br>\\r\\n簡単に忘れられることではありませんでしてよ。」<br>\\r\\n It's not going to be so easy to simply let it go.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「仮に、生涯忘れられなくてもいい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Even if I can't forget about it for the rest of my life, that's fine by me.<br>\\r\\n……大切なのは、最後まで全員の胸にしまって秘めておくことなんじゃないかと思う。」<br>\\r\\n ...The most important thing is to keep it in my heart forever.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「思い出させない方が大事だからね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"The most important thing is that we don't make her think about it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nみんなで頷きあう内に、今度は俺の家が見えてきた。<br>\\r\\nWe nodded in agreement, just as my house came into view.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあな、みんな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, this is goodbye.<br>\\r\\n明日また学校で。<br>\\r\\n See you at school.<br>\\r\\nいつもの通りに！」<br>\\r\\n Just like always!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……いつもの通りに。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Just like always.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いつもの通りにトラップに引っ掛かりあそばせですわねー！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I will set a perfect trap for you just like always!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっはっは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah ha ha!<br>\\r\\nじゃあね圭ちゃん。」<br>\\r\\n Goodbye, Kei-chan.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nみんなと別れた後も、何だかぼーっとするような、<br>\\r\\nAfter I parted with them, I still felt hot...<br>\\r\\nぽやーっとするような、<br>\\r\\n and dizzy.<br>\\r\\n不思議な気持ちだった。<br>\\r\\n It felt really weird.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n玄関の扉に向かうまでのわずかの距離ですら、何だか足取りがおぼつかない。<br>\\r\\nI was even staggering to the front door.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ふわふわとして、強すぎる風邪薬を飲んだような気分だった。<br>\\r\\n...I felt as if I was floating in the air, like I just took some very strong cold medicine.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nものすごいショックな出来事と、それに負けないくらいに嬉しかった出来事と、でも何だかとっても恥ずかしかったような出来事と…。<br>\\r\\nToday, something very shocking, something that made me super happy, and something very embarrassing happened to me...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……とにかくとにかく！<br>\\r\\n...I felt as if<br>\\r\\n…嬉しいことや悲しいこと、そんな相反する感情で胸と頭がパンクしそうな感じだった。<br>\\r\\n my heart and mind were about to explode because they were filled to the brim with both happiness and sadness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日という日が致命的な一日だったのか、それとも一生に一度しかないくらいに幸せな日だったのか。<br>\\r\\nI don't know whether I made a crucial mistake today, or if I had the happiest day of my life.<br>\\r\\nそれすらもわからず、ただただ、ぽーっとするしかない。<br>\\r\\n I don't know which it is, and all I could do was to stare blankly into space.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n焦燥感はもちろんあった。<br>\\r\\nI felt frustrated, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n殺人と死体遺棄という、致命的な行為を仲間とは言え、他人に見られてしまったのだ。<br>\\r\\nEven though they were my friends, I was caught in the act of abandoning the corpses.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも同時に、その行為を、本当に頼もしい仲間たちに理解してもらえたという安堵感もある。<br>\\r\\nBut at the same time, I felt relieved that my reliable friends accepted what I did.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれらの感情が全て均衡していて……、<br>\\r\\nThose emotions were all mixed up in my heart...<br>\\r\\n相殺というよりは、入り混じったぐちゃぐちゃな感じ。<br>\\r\\n and they were equally strong, making it difficult for me to decide what I was feeling.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n平衡感覚も何だかふわふわするし、何となく視界も歪むし、耳に入る音はお風呂場の残響で聞くような非現実感があった。<br>\\r\\nI was losing my sense of balance. It was like the world was warping around me. I heard sounds as if I was in a shower. Everything left me with a feeling of unreality.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな感情が、総じて不安に流れそうになった時、……手首が熱くなった。<br>\\r\\nWhen those emotions were about to make me lose control... I felt a heat on my wrist.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一くんに掴まれた手首が、じんじんと熱くなる。<br>\\r\\nThe part where Keiichi-kun grabbed me earlier started throbbing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n他のどんな感情も入り混じるだけで治まろうとはしないのに、…この熱さだけは、他のいかなる感情をも沈静化させるのだ。<br>\\r\\nMy feelings weren't cooperating with me... but the heat on my wrist calmed them down for me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……みんなで肩を組んだ時の気持ちを、何て言葉で表現すればいいのかわからない。<br>\\r\\n...I don't know how to express what I felt when my friends and I held shoulders together in a circle earlier.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、……その名前さえもわからない感情だけが、真実に違いなかった。<br>\\r\\nBut... the feeling was the only thing I knew to be real.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ただいま。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I'm home.<br>\\r\\n………あれ？」<br>\\r\\n ......Huh?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n玄関に入ってすぐに、思わず鼻を鳴らしてしまう。<br>\\r\\nAs soon as I opened the front door, I smelled it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはとてもおいしそうな、何かの焦げた匂いだった。<br>\\r\\nIt smelled really good.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんは料理は下手くそだけど、創作料理の真似事は好きみたいで、昔から機嫌がいい時には、色々と挑戦していたことを思い出す。<br>\\r\\nMy father isn't good at cooking, but he likes trying to cook creative dishes. I remember he used to cook something very challenging whenever he was in a good mood.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…つまり、この匂いはお父さんの上機嫌を知らせる合図みたいなもの。<br>\\r\\n...So, this smell was a sign that he felt that way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから昔から、この匂いが玄関で出迎えてくれるのがとても好きだった。<br>\\r\\nThat's why I always liked this smell.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその上機嫌の理由は、仕事が見付かったということだった。<br>\\r\\nThe reason he's in a good mood is because he found a job.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれも、単に見付かったのではなく、以前、勤めていて潰れてしまった興宮の会社の仲間が興した会社だったのだ。<br>\\r\\nAnd not just any job. He found a job with a company created by friends from his old workplace.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n先方は父を覚えていてくれ、採用を快く約束してくれたという。<br>\\r\\nThey remembered my father and promised to hire him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n会社には、以前の会社の同僚も何人か移っているようだった。<br>\\r\\nHe told me that some of his other colleagues from the old company are also working there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……長いこと、ちゃんとした定職に就かなかった父にとって、面識のある人間がいるというのはとても心強いに違いない。<br>\\r\\n...It must be very encouraging for him to work with people he knows, because he hasn't worked for a long time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n食卓は、味は相変わらずとして、見てくれだけは立派なものだった。<br>\\r\\nThe dinner looked great, in contrast to how it tasted.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは父にとって、自らの新生活を祝うものであり、<br>\\r\\nIt was a dinner to celebrate his new life,<br>\\r\\n……娘との絆を取り戻し、心機一転でがんばろうとする決意を示すものだったに違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n to show his determination, to regain his bond with his daughter, and to make a clean start.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその晩は、父とたくさんのことを語り合った。<br>\\r\\nI talked about a lot of things with my father that night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれだけ父と話したのは本当に久しいこと。<br>\\r\\nIt had been a long time since the last time I talked with him like this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……いつの頃だったか思い出せないけど、私がまだ幸せだった頃の生活を思い出させた。<br>\\r\\n...I don't remember when it was, but it reminded me of the days I was still happy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nということはつまり、……私はその、幸せな生活を取り戻したということだった。<br>\\r\\nWhich meant... that I'd finally returned to that time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父は相変わらず、いつか再び鉄平がやってくるに違いないと思っていて、未だ戸締りに厳重で、来客のチャイムに怯える。<br>\\r\\nMy father still believes that Teppei is coming back one day. So, he's still very cautious about locking the doors and windows, and he gets scared every time someone rings the doorbell.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、あの２人は二度と現れないから大丈夫だよと言ってるのだが、……二度と現れない理由を伝えられないのだから、仕方ない。<br>\\r\\nI told him so many times that they'd never come back... but I couldn't convince him, because I couldn't tell him the reason why they won't.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父もその内、もう現れないことを悟るだろう。<br>\\r\\nHe'll eventually realize that he's free.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはそんなに時間のかかることではないに違いない。<br>\\r\\nI'm sure it won't take too long.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日という日が、<br>\\r\\nMy heart<br>\\r\\n……あまりに、<br>\\r\\n was full of<br>\\r\\nいっぱいで、<br>\\r\\n many<br>\\r\\nいっぱいで。<br>\\r\\n many emotions that day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n胸がはち切れることで召されてしまうことがあるならば、きっと私はそうなるに違いないと思った。<br>\\r\\nIf emotion could actually burst a heart open, it might happen to me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n多分、…あまりに激しいことと幸せなことが一度に起こりすぎて、…私の頭が興奮状態に耐え切れなくなってしまったのだろう。<br>\\r\\nMy brain must have been overworked because so many things happened at once...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は朦朧とする意識に鞭打ちながら、布団に潜り込む。<br>\\r\\nMy head was still fuzzy, but I managed to crawl into bed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n視界がぐるぐると回り、五感に現実感がない。<br>\\r\\nI felt like the ground was moving. I totally lost my sense of reality.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………小学校の頃に一度患ったインフルエンザがこんな感じだったっけ。<br>\\r\\n...I remember that I once felt like this when I got the flu.<br>\\r\\n……明日、熱でも出しちゃうかもしれないな。<br>\\r\\n ...I might get a high fever tomorrow.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………それでもいいか。<br>\\r\\n.........But I don't care.<br>\\r\\nそう思った。<br>\\r\\n I don't care if I get sick tomorrow.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n病床でもいいから、<br>\\r\\nI just wanted to enjoy the fact that I took a step towards the future of my decision.<br>\\r\\n………圭一くんが教えてくれた、本当に選びたかった選択肢の向こうに、私が踏み出したことを、かみ締めていたかった。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi-kun told me something like that today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n高熱と眩暈が襲い来て、意味のわからない焦燥感を掻き立てる。<br>\\r\\nThe high fever and the dizziness made me feel frustrated for some reason.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、そんな時、必ず一緒に手首が熱くなった。<br>\\r\\n...But whenever I felt frustrated, I felt the heat on my wrist, too.<br>\\r\\nその手首を、左手でぎゅっと握る。<br>\\r\\n I grabbed my wrist with my left hand tightly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうしていると、……焦燥感はたちまちに霧散し、安堵感がいっぱいに広がっていく。<br>\\r\\nIt made the frustration go away, and it brought me relief.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさっきまで嫌だった眩暈の感覚さえも、あまりふかふかじゃない布団を、羽毛布団に変えてくれるように感じられた。<br>\\r\\nEven the dizziness I didn't like just before made me feel like I was in a down-filled futon.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はそのまま羽毛布団に飲み込まれ、……新しい世界で訪れる、最初の夜の眠りに落ちるのだった…。<br>\\r\\nI was falling asleep in that down-filled futon... on my first night in a new world.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの熱っぽいぼーっとした感じは、数日は抜けなかったけど、次第に慣れてく。<br>\\r\\nThis dizziness didn't go away for a few days, but I gradually got used to it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの新しい世界は、一見、これまでの世界と同じように見えるけど。<br>\\r\\nThis new world looked like the world I used to live in before.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…日差しが少し前より明るい気がするし、圭一くんたちの笑顔がまったく変わらないはずなのに、前よりやさしく見えた。<br>\\r\\n...But the sunshine was a little bit brighter, and Keiichi-kun's smile looked a little bit more gentle than before.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私たちは前にも増して大はしゃぎで、スローペースに、そしてハイテンションに日々を送っていく。<br>\\r\\nWe made more noise than we used to. We spent every day slowly, but in high spirits.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、…あぁ、なんて間抜け！<br>\\r\\nOh... What an idiot I am!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの日のぼーっとしたのを甘く見て遊び過ぎたら、こともあろうか夏風邪（６月でも夏、かなぁ？）をひいてしまい、本領を発揮できないありさまだった。<br>\\r\\nI underestimated that dizziness, and I caught a summer cold in June.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n早く元気になりたい！<br>\\r\\nI wanted to get better as soon as possible!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなら休めばいいのに、無理して部活に出続けちゃうものだから、いつまでも治らないありさまだ。<br>\\r\\nI should have taken a day off from club activities, but I forced myself to play with them every day, and that made it hard for me to get better.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はこの頃になって、ようやく少し反省する。<br>\\r\\nI finally learned my lesson recently.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう、私は焦らなくていいんだから。<br>\\r\\nI don't need to feel frustrated.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの世界では幸せは有限なんかじゃない。<br>\\r\\nThere's no limit to happiness in this world.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私たちが望み続ける限り、それは永遠に続いていくのだから、……私は今日の幸せをかみ締めることを、焦らなくていいんだ。<br>\\r\\nAs long as we keep wishing for it, it'll continue forever... I don't need to feel frustrated anymore, because tomorrow I will have the happiness I have today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n気付けば、今度の日曜日は「綿流し」。<br>\\r\\nWe'll have the Watanagashi festival next Sunday.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんはみんなで派手に騒ごうと今から予告してる。<br>\\r\\nMii-chan tells us that we'll have a lot of fun and that we'll go extra crazy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今度の日曜日がとても待ち遠しかった。<br>\\r\\nI really can't wait.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はーーい、いらっしゃいませー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Welcome!<br>\\r\\n特製のフランクフルトはいかがですかー！」<br>\\r\\n Would you like a hot dog?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あいよ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Our shaved ice is the best you've ever tasted!<br>\\r\\nシロップはイチゴにメロンにブルーハワイがあるよ！」<br>\\r\\n You can have it with strawberry syrup, melon syrup, or Hawaiian blue syrup!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おみくじたこ焼き、いかがっすかあぁ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Try our takoyaki roulette!<br>\\r\\nアタリにはマスタードがぎっしりー！」<br>\\r\\n The winner's packed with a ton of mustard!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n綿流しの祭りには今年もたくさんの露店が並んでいた。<br>\\r\\nThere are a great many booths at this year's Watanagashi festival.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n祭りってのは、盆踊りの音楽が流れて、露店さえ出てれば足りるんだなぁと大石は思っていた。<br>\\r\\nAnything can become a festival if there are vendors selling food and music for Bon dances, I thought.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n６月ではあっても、連日、夏並みの猛暑が続き。<br>\\r\\nIt's still June, but it had been extremely hot the past few days, almost as if it's already summer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかも祭りで盆踊りの曲まで聞こえた日にゃ、あとはついでに花火大会も一緒にやればいいのに、なんて思うくらいだった。<br>\\r\\nWhen you have a June festival with Bon dance music under this kind of weather, the only thing that's missing to make it a perfect summer festival is fireworks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ザ、ザザ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Bzzt, bzzzt!<br>\\r\\n熊谷っす。<br>\\r\\n This is Kumagai.<br>\\r\\n大石さんどうぞ、大石さんどうぞー。」<br>\\r\\n Ooishi-san, can you hear me? Over.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石の携帯無線のイヤホンに、ざらついた声が入る。<br>\\r\\nI heard a voice coming from my portable radio.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……大石がイヤホンをしていると、まるで勤務中に隠れて競馬放送でも聴いていそうな感じがした。<br>\\r\\n...With this earphone, it looks a little like I'm secretly listening to the horse races while on duty.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はい、大石です。<br>\\r\\n\\\"This is Ooishi.<br>\\r\\n感度良好。」<br>\\r\\n I can hear you loud and clear.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えっと、町会の皆さんから差し入れをものすごいたくさん頂いてます。<br>\\r\\n\\\"The town councilors gave us a lot of food.<br>\\r\\n…おでんにヤキソバ、モツ煮込みに、<br>\\r\\n ...We have oden, yakisoba, pork belly stew,<br>\\r\\nあと…えっと、<br>\\r\\n and... umm,<br>\\r\\n麦茶の差し入れも。」<br>\\r\\n some barley tea.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なっはっは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Na ha ha!<br>\\r\\nその麦茶、勤務中に飲める麦茶？<br>\\r\\n Do you mean the barley tea we can drink on duty<br>\\r\\n飲めない麦茶？」<br>\\r\\n or the one we can't drink on duty?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えーーあ〜〜、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Eh, well...<br>\\r\\n…あっはっはっは。」<br>\\r\\n ...Ah ha ha ha.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「その麦茶、缶ならもらっといてください。<br>\\r\\n\\\"If it's a canned drink, I'll take it.<br>\\r\\nコップなら辞退で願いします。」<br>\\r\\n If it's in a cup, don't worry about it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はい了解です。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Roger that.<br>\\r\\n…………あ、それと町会役員が挨拶に来てます。<br>\\r\\n ...Ah, and all the members of the town council are here to say hi.<br>\\r\\n村長と、あと園崎家の方からも…。」<br>\\r\\n We have the mayor and the head the Sonozaki family, too...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…お魎のばあ様？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...What, that old bag Oryou is there?<br>\\r\\nやだなぁ、大石は巡回中でいつ戻ってくるかわからないとかいって誤魔化せません？」<br>\\r\\n Can you tell her that I'm partrolling right now and don't know when I'll be back?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……いえその、…無線があるんだからすぐに呼び出せるだろうってすごい剣幕でして…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Well, I don't think I can do that for you, sir... She knows you have a portable radio, so she told me to call you and to bring you back here. She looks really mad...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Na ha ha ha!<br>\\r\\nあんのばあ様、死ぬ時ゃ絶対、脳梗塞ですねぇ。<br>\\r\\n I'm sure it'll be a stroke that kills her.<br>\\r\\n了解了解、すぐに戻ると丁重に、丁重にですよ？<br>\\r\\n Roger that. Tell her with extreme courtesy that I'll be back soon.<br>\\r\\nお伝えください。」<br>\\r\\n Please.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……やれやれ、仕方ないなぁ。<br>\\r\\n...Oh well. I guess I'll have to go back<br>\\r\\n地域住民との交流に戻るかなぁ。<br>\\r\\n and mingle with the locals.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、後ろから駆けて来た子どもたちの一団に跳ね飛ばされた。<br>\\r\\nAll of a sudden, a group of kids came running towards me from behind.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n見ればそれは、…そのばあ様の孫娘とお友達のご一行だった。<br>\\r\\nAfter a quick look at them... I noticed that they were the granddaughter of the old bag and her friends.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n射的屋の一角を陣取るときゃあきゃあと騒ぎ始める。<br>\\r\\nThey occupied a corner of the shooting gallery stall, making a lot of noise.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n園崎魅音か。<br>\\r\\n<NAME>.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…年相応にしてる時はそこそこにかわいいんだけどなぁ。<br>\\r\\n...When acting her age, she's a cute, normal girl.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n園崎家ヅラを始めると急に小憎らしくなる。<br>\\r\\nBut do I ever hate it when she acts like a member of the Sonozaki family.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの姉ちゃんも、あと１０年２０年もすると、肩で風を切るような顔役になるに違いない。<br>\\r\\nShe'll be the boss of the Okinomiya yakuza territory in 10 or 20 years, just you wait and see.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……と、思いきや。<br>\\r\\n...And while I was thinking things like that...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n見ていると、グループを仕切っているのは魅音ではなく、男の子だった。<br>\\r\\n I noticed that Mion wasn't the one taking leadership of her group this time. It was the boy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確かえぇっと、……最近引っ越してきたばかりの子だ。<br>\\r\\nThat boy... I know him. He just moved here recently.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…なんだっけ、そう、前原屋敷のご令息だ。<br>\\r\\nThe boy from the Maebara mansion.<br>\\r\\n確か、前原圭一くんって名前だと思った。<br>\\r\\n <NAME>, was it?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n都会人で結構な金持ちらしい。<br>\\r\\nI heard that the Maebara family is from the city, and they're supposedly very rich, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…にしては、それを鼻にかけないナチュラルさが評判だとか何とか。<br>\\r\\n...But he doesn't flaunt his family's wealth, and he has a good reputation because of that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n引っ越してきて日が浅いはずなのに、学校にもかなり馴染んでいて、人気者らしい。<br>\\r\\nEven though he just moved here, he's already adjusted to his new school, and he's popular with his classmates, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n村での評判も、日が浅いにしては上々だ。<br>\\r\\nEveryone in the village seems to like him as well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n見ていると、喜怒哀楽がいちいちオーバーで、面白そうな子だった。<br>\\r\\nHe's very interesting to watch, as a person of many moods.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの位の年頃の男の子は元気が一番だもんなぁ。<br>\\r\\nBoys of his age sure have a lot of energy.<br>\\r\\n思わず、自分の少年時代を思い出しそうになる。<br>\\r\\n Ah, to be young again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おい、次はレナだぜー！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, you're up next, Rena!!<br>\\r\\nここでレナはかなりおいしいタイミングだぜ！」<br>\\r\\n You're lucky it's your turn!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大丈夫、レナ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena, are you okay?<br>\\r\\n具合悪いんじゃないの？」<br>\\r\\n Are you feeling sick?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…あはは、ごめん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Ahaha, I'm sorry.<br>\\r\\nちょっと射的は、横で見てたいかな。」<br>\\r\\n I guess I have to pass on taking a shot.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……なら、無理をしないで休んでいるといいのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Okay, you should take a break for a bit.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「では！<br>\\r\\n\\\"So!<br>\\r\\nレナさんを飛ばして、ここでいよいよ真打！<br>\\r\\n That would make it my turn, no?!<br>\\r\\n私の出番でございましてよー！！」<br>\\r\\n Victory shall be mine!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……見れば、盛り上がっているのは４人で、レナという子は、騒ぎから外れているように見えた。<br>\\r\\n...It looked like only four of them were having a good time. The girl called Rena seemed outside of that circle of smiles.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナって子だ。<br>\\r\\nHer name is <NAME>.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本名は何ていったっけな…。<br>\\r\\nWhat was her real name...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n帰って調べればわかるが、今は思い出せない。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't remember, but I can check when I get back to the station.<br>\\r\\nとにかくあだ名はレナだ。<br>\\r\\n Rena is only a nickname.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nちょうど前原くんの１年前に引っ越してきたんだっけ。<br>\\r\\nI believe she moved here a year before Maebara-kun did.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお母さんが離婚されていると聞いたような。<br>\\r\\nHer mother divorced her father, or something like that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれで家事も切り盛りしている立派な娘さんらしい。<br>\\r\\nShe's a strong girl who does all the housework by herself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれに、今時にしては珍しいお淑やかな子だとも聞いている。<br>\\r\\nShe's a very modest girl, I'm told, which is rare in this era.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nただ、同じ転校生でも前原くんに比べると、まだみんなと打ち解けられていないように見えた。<br>\\r\\nUnlike Maebara-kun, it seemed like she hadn't really opened up to her friends just yet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n５人で固まっているようだけど、レナって子だけは、みんなの騒ぎに加われず、さっきから輪の外でしょぼんとしているだけだ。<br>\\r\\n They had looked like a group of five, but there's distance between her and the others. It's a little sad, you know.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n傍目に見て、前原くんはもう村人としてすっかり溶け込んでいるのに、……彼女だけは取り残されている感じ。<br>\\r\\nMaebara-kun has become a part of the village... but Rena is still by herself.<br>\\r\\n…大石にはそう見えた。<br>\\r\\n ...Well, that's just how it looks to me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ザ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Bzz!<br>\\r\\n大石さん、署長と課長がお見えっす。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi-san, the chief and the section manager are here.<br>\\r\\n大至急お戻りになってくださいー！」<br>\\r\\n Please come back as soon as possible!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石了解！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Roger that!<br>\\r\\n……地域のお祭りにまで挨拶に来るなんて、うちの署長は地域交流にまめだなぁ。<br>\\r\\n ...I can't believe the chief came all the way here just to say hi to the locals.<br>\\r\\n興宮の祭りに来たって話は聞いたことないのに。」<br>\\r\\n I guess he's very dedicated to community service, eh?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あーー、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah......<br>\\r\\nこちら高杉です。<br>\\r\\n This is Takasugi.<br>\\r\\n大石さん、<br>\\r\\n Ooishi-san,<br>\\r\\n聞こえますか、<br>\\r\\n can you hear me?<br>\\r\\nどーぞどーぞー！」<br>\\r\\n Do you copy? Over!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はいはい、大石です。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes, yes, I hear you.<br>\\r\\n只今、全速力で帰還中ですよ。<br>\\r\\n I'm on my way back right now.<br>\\r\\nもう１分ほどお待ちを。」<br>\\r\\n I'll be there in a minute.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nとっとと帰らないと、今度は署長まで無線に出かねないな。<br>\\r\\nIf I don't hurry up, even the chief might end up calling me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石はさすがに小走りになって本部テントへ引き返すのだった。<br>\\r\\nI ran back to the headquarters tent.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石さん、先生が到着してます。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ooishi-san, Dr. Irie is here.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あーどうもどうも！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, thank you so much for coming!<br>\\r\\nどうですか、入江の先生。」<br>\\r\\n So, what do you think, Dr. Irie?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石がブルーシートで囲われた一角に入る。<br>\\r\\nOoishi entered the cordoned-off area.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n中には鑑識の職員が、遺体をあらゆる角度から撮影して記録していた。<br>\\r\\nIn there, people from forensics were taking pictures of the corpse from various angles.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n富竹ジロウの遺体の脇に屈んでいた入江が立ち上がった。<br>\\r\\nIrie was squatting down next to the dead body of Jirou Tomitake.<br>\\r\\n……その顔面は蒼白だった。<br>\\r\\n ...When he stood up, he looked pale.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………信じられません。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".........I can't believe it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…そりゃあ、私だって信じられませんよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I know. I can't believe it either.<br>\\r\\n初見で見た限り、…ホトケは喉を掻き毟っています。<br>\\r\\n As far as I see... he clawed out his throat<br>\\r\\nそれも自分の手でです。<br>\\r\\n with his bare hands.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこいつぁ真っ当な死に方じゃない。<br>\\r\\n This isn't a normal way to go.<br>\\r\\n十中八九、何だかのヤバめな薬物でしょう。」<br>\\r\\n Most likely, it was the cause of some drug or something.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………彼は、何らかの薬物の常習者だったということでしょうか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Are you saying he was a drug addict?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さぁねぇ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Who knows?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそいつを調べるのはどうやら我々の仕事になりそうです。」<br>\\r\\n I guess it's going to be my job to find that out.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………大石さん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Ooishi-san,<br>\\r\\nこの角材は？」<br>\\r\\n what's with this two-by-four?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「多分、…ホトケが振り回したんじゃないかと思います。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Maybe... he was swinging it around?<br>\\r\\nで、途中で捨てて、喉を掻くのが楽しくなっちゃったんじゃないかと。」<br>\\r\\n Then he threw it away, and had more fun clawing at his throat, I guess.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………角材を何のために振り回したんでしょう。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Why was he swinging a piece of lumber around?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「自衛のため、と考えるのが一番自然だと思います。<br>\\r\\n\\\"He probably did it in self-defense.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ホトケの体に、外傷がいくつかあるのに気付いてます？」<br>\\r\\n ...Did you notice there are several external injuries on his body?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……えぇ、打撲傷を思わせる痕がいくつか散見出来ます。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Yes. I can see some bruises.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ってことは、一番考えられるストーリーは、………ホトケが祭り終了後、興宮へ帰る途中、ここで何者かに襲われた。<br>\\r\\n\\\"The easiest explanation I can think of... is that he was attacked by someone on his way home to Okinomiya from the festival.<br>\\r\\nそれで、取り押さえられて、怪しげな注射とかそういうのをされて、その結果、錯乱させられて死に至らしめられた。」<br>\\r\\n He was seized by the culprit, given a shot of some kind of dangerous drug, went crazy, and died.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………喉を掻き毟るように誘導できる薬物なんて聞いたことがありません。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I've never heard of any drug that can make people claw out their throats.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私もそっちは専門じゃありませんが、…ヤク中の末期症状に自傷行為ってあるらしいじゃないですか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm not a specialist... but many drug addicts injure themselves when they're in a terminal condition.<br>\\r\\nまぁ、その辺はうちの鑑識のじいさまが調べてくれるでしょう。」<br>\\r\\n Well, I'm sure the old man in forensics will take care of the investigation.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石さん失礼します！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Excuse me, Ooishi-san!<br>\\r\\nここから数百メートルのところに、富竹ジロウのものと思われる自転車が見付かりました。」<br>\\r\\n We found a bicycle believed to belong to Jirou Tomitake about a hundred meters away from here.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お、そうですか、ありがとうございます。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, that's great. Thanks for the find.<br>\\r\\n何か手掛かりとかは？」<br>\\r\\n Any other clues?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いえ、初見では特には。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Not yet.<br>\\r\\n今、鑑識が行ってます。」<br>\\r\\n They're investigating it right now.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあつまり、<br>\\r\\n\\\"So, that means...<br>\\r\\n……その自転車があった場所が襲撃場所と考えていいんでしょうねぇ。<br>\\r\\n the place where the bicycle was found is most likely the place he was attacked.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それで、戦ったり逃げたりして、ここまで来た……、<br>\\r\\n ...And then he ran away from the suspect and ended up here...<br>\\r\\n……んんん。」<br>\\r\\n ...hnnnn.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石は腕組をしながら唸る。<br>\\r\\nOoishi frowned, crossing his arms in front of his chest.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n入江は富竹の死体の、ありえない惨状を見ながら、それでもなお重ねて口にしていた。<br>\\r\\nIrie was looking at the miserable corpse of Tomitake, and he kept saying the same thing over and over.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………ありえない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"............It's impossible.<br>\\r\\n……絶対にありえない。」<br>\\r\\n .........It's just impossible.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…先生、ありえちゃったんだから仕方がないです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Doctor, it happened, so it was possible, okay?<br>\\r\\n発想を柔軟にしましょう。<br>\\r\\n Try to think flexibly.<br>\\r\\n……まぁ、先生でも、こんな死体はなかなか見慣れてるものじゃないかなぁ。<br>\\r\\n ...Although, I get that you don't really see something like this every day, despite being a doctor.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……先生はもう結構ですよ。<br>\\r\\n ...Anyway, thanks for your cooperation.<br>\\r\\nお帰りになられて充分休んでください。<br>\\r\\n You can go home now.<br>\\r\\n救命活動でお呼びしたはずだったんですが、無駄足になってしまって申し訳ないです。」<br>\\r\\n We called you here for emergency medical care, but it looks like it was a waste of a trip. Sorry.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰か入江の先生を車で送ってあげてください〜、大石が囲みの外に顔を出し、そう叫ぶ。<br>\\r\\nOoishi stuck his head out of the blue tent and asks, \\\"can anybody give him a ride home?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、入江が突然、はっとして大石に詰め寄った。<br>\\r\\nIrie gasped all of a sudden as he turned to Ooishi.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだ…、鷹野さんは？<br>\\r\\n\\\"What about... Takano-san?<br>\\r\\n鷹野さんはどうなったんです？！」<br>\\r\\n What happened to Takano-san?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「え？<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?<br>\\r\\nあぁ、お宅の看護婦さんの？」<br>\\r\\n Oh, your nurse?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「多分、富竹さんと一緒だったと思うんです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I think she was with him.<br>\\r\\n鷹野さんは無事なんですか？！」<br>\\r\\n Is she okay?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……先生、彼女の電話番号はわかります？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Do you know her phone number?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「もちろんです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Of course.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「熊ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Kuma-chan.<br>\\r\\n入江の先生に電話番号聞いて、署から在宅確認を取らせてください。」<br>\\r\\n Get her phone number from Dr. Irie and make someone at the station call her house.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「了解っす！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Understood!<br>\\r\\n先生、番号を。」<br>\\r\\n Doctor, can I have the number?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はい、えぇと、よろしいですか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes, um, here it is.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n熊谷は入江に番号を聞くと、それを復唱した後、ブルーシートの外へ飛び出して行った。<br>\\r\\nKumagai got the phone number from Irie, repeated it back, and then dashed away from the blue tarps.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「先生。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Doctor.<br>\\r\\n…鷹野さんとホトケは、確か親しい仲でしたよね？」<br>\\r\\n ...Takano-san and Tomitake-san were close friends, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えぇ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…何かトラブルがあったとか、そういうのは聞いたことがあります？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Have you heard about any troubles between them?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まさか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No.<br>\\r\\n……聞いたことないです。<br>\\r\\n ......Not even once.<br>\\r\\n仲の良い二人でした。」<br>\\r\\n They were very close.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何事もなけりゃいいんですがね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, I hope she's okay.<br>\\r\\n…下手すりゃホトケか、それともホシか…。<br>\\r\\n ...In the worst case, she could be dead, or she could be the culprit.<br>\\r\\n……んん、なるほど、看護婦なら怪しげな薬物を取り扱えてもおかしくはないですよねぇ？」<br>\\r\\n ...Nn, I see. Nurses have access to dangerous drugs...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………そんな薬品はうちの診療所にはありませんし、あったとしても厳重に保管されています。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...We don't have anything like that in my clinic. Even if we did, we'd be extra careful with them.<br>\\r\\n鷹野さんに持ち出せるわけがない…。」<br>\\r\\n There's no way Takano-san could smuggle out a drug from my clinic...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それでも、一般人よりは容易でしょ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"But it's easier for nurses to do it than for regular people, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ですから、そもそもそんな薬物は聞いたことがないし、当診療所にも存在しません…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Like I said, I've never heard of a drug like that, and I don't have anything like that in my clinic...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石さん、留守のようです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ooishi-san, she isn't at home.<br>\\r\\n署の待機組の方で直接訪問すると言ってます。<br>\\r\\n The standby unit says they're going to go to her house to check.<br>\\r\\n先生、すみませんが鷹野さんの住所を教えてください。」<br>\\r\\n Doctor, can you give me her address?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「熊ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Kuma-chan,<br>\\r\\nそれプラス、県警に今夜出た身元不明の女性死体がないか確認を取ってください。<br>\\r\\n can you also check if the police headquarters has found any unidentified female bodies tonight?<br>\\r\\n……あるいは県外の可能性もあるな。<br>\\r\\n ...Maybe we should check the other prefectures, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n課長に、近県にも同様に身元不明の女性死体が出てないか確認を取るよう伝えてください。」<br>\\r\\n Tell the section manager if he can call the headquarters in the nearby prefectures and ask if they have any unidentified female bodies.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「了解っす！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes sir!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………鷹野さんも、<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Are you saying that Takano-san<br>\\r\\n……殺されているということですか…！」<br>\\r\\n might also be dead...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さぁて、んっふっふ、どうでしょうねぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, nfu fu, I don't know.<br>\\r\\nまだ、ガイ者ともホシとも決まったわけじゃありません。<br>\\r\\n I don't know if she's dead, or if she's the culprit.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろん、無関係って可能性だって残ってます。<br>\\r\\n Of course, it's possible she's not involved at all.<br>\\r\\n明日は月曜だってのも構わず、その辺の飲み屋で飲んだくれてる可能性もありますからね。」<br>\\r\\n She might just be getting drunk in a bar somewhere.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………信じられない…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...It's unbelievable...<br>\\r\\nどうしてこんなことが……。」<br>\\r\\n Who does things like this...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まぁ、私だって信じられないです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, it's unbelievable to me, too.<br>\\r\\n雛見沢村連続怪死事件。<br>\\r\\n This fits with the rest of the mysterious deaths in Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n…これで５年目ですよ。<br>\\r\\n ...It's been five years now.<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまの祟りが５連続ってことになっちまいます。<br>\\r\\n That would make this the fifth curse of Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n………くそ。何とか今年でシッポを掴んでやりたいなぁ…！<br>\\r\\n ...Damn it. I've got to get whoever's behind it this year for sure...!<br>\\r\\n定年前にこの山だけは何とか片付けたいんです。」<br>\\r\\n I really want to put an end to these cases before I retire.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石は、５年も連続で翻弄する「オヤシロさまの祟り」を憎々しく思うのだった。<br>\\r\\nOoishi hates 'the curse of Oyashiro-sama'. It had been leading him around by the nose for five consecutive years.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…大石にとって、１年目の犠牲者である現場監督は、友人だった。<br>\\r\\n...The victim of the first year, the manager of the dam construction site, was his friend.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその仇を取りたいと願いつつも、事件はますますに謎を深め、しかも嘲笑うかのように、毎年事件を重ねていく。<br>\\r\\nDespite his desire to avenge his friend, the mystery had only deepened, and one case followed another year after year.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかも、大石は次の３月には定年を迎える。<br>\\r\\nOoishi would be retiring next March.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ＯＢとして捜査状況を聞くことはできるかもしれないが、自ら主体的に捜査をすることはもうできなくなる。<br>\\r\\n...As a retiree, he'd be able to ask about the progress of the investigation, but he wouldn't be able to take the initiative anymore.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまりそれは、……大石にとって、友人の仇を取るチャンスが、今年で最後であることを意味した。<br>\\r\\nIn other words... this year was his last chance for revenge.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……………虎穴に飛び込む他、方法はないか。<br>\\r\\n.........Would he have to put his head in the lion's mouth to capture the culprit?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石は人知れず、拳をぐっと握り締めるのだった。<br>\\r\\nOoishi quietly clenched his fist.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は信じる。<br>\\r\\nI believe.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの迷路に出口があると信じてる。<br>\\r\\nI believe that this maze has an exit.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、迷路って言葉はこの上なく都合のいい言葉なのだ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Maze\\\" is a very convenient word.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなぜなら、迷路には必ず出口が設けてあるからだ。<br>\\r\\nA maze always has an exit.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n出口のないものを迷路とは呼ばない。<br>\\r\\nYou don't call it a maze if it doesn't have one.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいつもは見落とす、細かな分岐を間違えずに進んでいる。<br>\\r\\nI know I'm on the right path towards the exit of this maze. I used to miss these minor divergences, but now I don't miss anything. I don't make any mistakes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今回は今までとは違う手応えを感じてる。<br>\\r\\nThis time I could feel a response that was different than all the other times.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nきっと、今度こそこの迷路の出口に辿り着けるはず。<br>\\r\\nI'm sure I can finally get to the exit of this maze.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、<br>\\r\\nBut<br>\\r\\n…………………<br>\\r\\n............<br>\\r\\nこれまでの道を、例えどう選ぼうとここに帰着するかのように、<br>\\r\\n no matter which path I choose to come to this point,<br>\\r\\n……富竹ジロウは再び、<br>\\r\\n Jirou Tomitake always<br>\\r\\n死ぬ。<br>\\r\\n dies.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは、先日以来、体調を崩し気味で、部活を休むことが多かった。<br>\\r\\nRena had been sick ever since that day, and she hadn't been able to join in on club activities as often since.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Yeah.<br>\\r\\nまだちょっと風邪っぽいの。」<br>\\r\\n I still feel feverish.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………そうでございますの…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...You do, huh...<br>\\r\\nそれは残念ですわねぇ…。」<br>\\r\\n That's a pity...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なぁレナぁ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, Rena!<br>\\r\\nたまにはぱーっとはしゃいでみないかー？！<br>\\r\\n Why don't you just try and play with us today?<br>\\r\\n多分、元気に遊べば吹っ飛ばせると思うんだよ俺は。」<br>\\r\\n I think you'll feel a lot better if you blow off some steam with us.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うんうん、そうだね、それはおじさんも同感だね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mm-hm, you got this ol' man's agreement.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…そうかなぁ、かなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Do you think so? Do you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……横になっている方がかえって毒になることもありますです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Sometimes, resting too much is bad for you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうですわよね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"They're quite correct.<br>\\r\\n病は気からともいいますですわ。」<br>\\r\\n All illness comes from the mind, don't you know?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナのそれが本当の意味での風邪でないことは誰もが薄々とは気付いていた。<br>\\r\\nEverybody had suspected for a while that Rena isn't really sick, at least physically.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n色々なことが一度にあり過ぎて、精神的なショックから心の風邪を引いてしまっただけなのだ。<br>\\r\\nIt's just that many things happened to her at once. She caught a mental cold.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからきっと、みんなで昔、当り前のように過ごしていた大騒ぎに再び身を浸せば、きっとすぐに元気が戻るだろうと思った。<br>\\r\\nThat's why I thought she would get better once she played with us, just like we used to.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはレナにもわかっているようだった。<br>\\r\\nIt seemed like Rena was aware of that, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナも、いつまでもこんなのじゃダメだ、元気を出して、再び楽しい日々を取り戻そうと思っているに違いない。<br>\\r\\nShe knew that she had to get out of her state of depression soon. She wanted to get better, and she wanted to have fun again every day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……よし！<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Okay!<br>\\r\\n私も参加するー！」<br>\\r\\n I'll do it!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ＯッＫぃ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Great!<br>\\r\\nそうこなくっちゃあねぇ！<br>\\r\\n That's the spirit!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nじゃあ、今日はレナの病み上がりも少し加味して、テーブルゲームから種目をチョイスしよう。<br>\\r\\n Considering the fact that Rena is still recovering from her illness, let's play a tabletop game today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……何がいいかな、何がいいかな。」<br>\\r\\n ...Let me see... Let me see...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音が鼻歌混じりに四次元ロッカーを漁り始める。<br>\\r\\nMion started rummaging through her locker, humming to herself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれでもない、あれでもないと、中からゲームを引っ張り出しては脇に積んでいく。<br>\\r\\nShe took one game after another from the locker, and put them aside.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかし、あのロッカー、明らかに物理法則を超越しているとしか思えないよな。<br>\\r\\nThat locker definitely didn't obey the laws of physics.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n明らかに、外に積んだゲームの山が、ロッカーの収納量を超えているように見える。<br>\\r\\nThe amount of games she took out from the locker was more than what it could physically hold.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お、こんなのもあったねぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, I forgot about this one.<br>\\r\\n久しぶりにやってみようか。<br>\\r\\n Let's try this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日は本格派推理ゲームで行こうー！」<br>\\r\\n Today, we'll be playing this detective game!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほー！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh!!<br>\\r\\n何だよそれ！<br>\\r\\n What's that?<br>\\r\\n面白そうだなぁ！」<br>\\r\\n Sounds interesting!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えっとね、犯人と凶器、犯行現場の３つを当てるゲームなの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, this is a game where you guess the culprit, the murder weapon, and the scene of the crime.<br>\\r\\n結構、頭を使うんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n It's a game where you use your brain.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……一度やればすぐに覚えてしまいます。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......You'll pick it up as you play.<br>\\r\\nちゃんとメモに整理していけば大丈夫なのです。」<br>\\r\\n All you need to do is to note down the information you have.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほっほっほ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ho ho ho!<br>\\r\\n情報の整理にはちょっとしたコツがありますのよ！<br>\\r\\n In other words, you need to learn the trick of note-taking!<br>\\r\\n知的な私のもっとも得意とするジャンルでございますわねー！！」<br>\\r\\n This is a game for intelligent people like myself!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n聞けば、ルールはそれほど難しそうではなかった。<br>\\r\\nThe rules don't seem that difficult.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n早い話が、それぞれが持つ手札を探りあい、一番最初に抜き出して伏せたカードの正体が何かを推理すればいいというゲームだ。<br>\\r\\nIn short, it's a game where you sound out the cards each player holds in order to try and reason out the identity of the cards first drawn out of the deck.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nゲームの体裁は違うが、こういう伏せられた何かを少ない手順で探るタイプのゲームは少なくない。<br>\\r\\nThere are plenty of games in different formats where you try to identify something hidden in the least number of steps.<br>\\r\\nそれが対戦形式になっただけのことだ。<br>\\r\\n This one just happens to be a competitive one of those.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n勝負のカギは、情報をいかに整理できるかが握るだろう。<br>\\r\\nThe key to winning this game would be how well you can organize your information.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……普段ははしゃぐのが大好きなくせに、こんなタイプのゲームであってもこなしてしまうのだから、部活メンバーとはつくづく文武両道なのだなと思い知らされる。<br>\\r\\n...We usually like to play athletic games so that we can run around a lot, but in our club, you have to excel both academically and athletically.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「よしよしよし、何だか面白くなってきやがった！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Alright, alright! This is gonna be great!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやろうぜやろうぜ！！<br>\\r\\n Let's play!!<br>\\r\\nレナ、今日こそ曖昧になってるあの水鉄砲勝負の時の白黒をつけてやる！」<br>\\r\\n Rena, do you remember how we still haven't decided the winner of the water gun battle? I'm going to settle it today once and for all!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだね！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, are you?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nよーし、レナも本気で行くからねー！！」<br>\\r\\n Then I'm not going to go easy on you!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……レナが本気なら、ボクも本気を出さないといけませんです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......If Rena is getting serious, I'll have to get serious, too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ですわね！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes indeed!<br>\\r\\nあの水鉄砲の一件以来、圭一さんとレナさんの評価を改めましてよ。<br>\\r\\n Since that water gun battle, I have reevaluated Keiichi-san and Rena-san.<br>\\r\\n容赦なく行かせていただきますわー！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm going to be merciless today!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah ha ha ha!<br>\\r\\nよしよし盛り上がって来たねー！！<br>\\r\\n This is getting exciting!!<br>\\r\\nおじさんもこういう熱さを期待してたんだよー！<br>\\r\\n This ol' man's been waiting for everyone to get this fired up!<br>\\r\\nよし！<br>\\r\\n Excellent!<br>\\r\\n行ってみよー！！」<br>\\r\\n Let's do this!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「よし行くぜ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Are you ready?<br>\\r\\n『俺』が<br>\\r\\n 'I'<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n『ナイフ』で<br>\\r\\n did it with a 'Knife'<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n『書斎』はどうだー！」<br>\\r\\n in the 'Library'.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あるよー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay!<br>\\r\\nレナはね、<br>\\r\\n My turn.<br>\\r\\n『圭一君』、<br>\\r\\n 'Keiichi-kun'<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n『毒薬』で<br>\\r\\n did it with 'Poison'<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n『玄関ホール』だよー！」<br>\\r\\nnin the 'Hall'!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私はこれですわね、<br>\\r\\n\\\"My turn...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n『魅音』<br>\\r\\n 'Mion'<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n『ピストル』<br>\\r\\n did it with a 'Pistol'<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n『ラウンジ』ですわー！」<br>\\r\\n in the 'Lounge'!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…くっくっく！<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Heh heh heh!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n『ピストル』はあんたが持ってるんでしょー？<br>\\r\\n You're holding the 'Pistol', aren't you?<br>\\r\\n下手なフェイクは意味ないよ〜？」<br>\\r\\n You're bluffing!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……犯人と凶器は特定できたと思います。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I think I know the suspect and the murder weapon.<br>\\r\\n犯行現場が二択なのです。」<br>\\r\\n I've narrowed the scene of the crime down to two.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぅ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hau!<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんも？<br>\\r\\n You're good, Rika-chan.<br>\\r\\n私は犯人が二択で特定できないー！」<br>\\r\\n I've narrowed the suspect down to two, but it's hard to pin down which one it is!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「コツは、相手の質問内容からも何かのヒントを得ることですのよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'll give you a tip. There's always a hint in the questions the other players ask you.<br>\\r\\nそれが分かれば、時には相手の手番で答えが分かることもありましてよ！」<br>\\r\\n If you figure it out, you can even solve the whole mystery by the order of the cards the others put down on the table!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「な、なるほどなぁ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I-I see!<br>\\r\\nくそ、甘く見てたか！<br>\\r\\n Damn it, I underestimated the depth of this game!<br>\\r\\n……やっべ、メモがぐちゃぐちゃで意味がわからなくなった！」<br>\\r\\n ...Oh no... My notes are such a mess! I can't even read my own handwriting!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはははは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahaha!<br>\\r\\nメモに書き取るコツがわかれば、このゲームは７割方攻略したも同然だね。<br>\\r\\n Once you acquire the skill of note-taking, you'll have a 70% chance to win this game.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまぁ、７割程度じゃおじさんにゃ勝てないけどさぁ〜！」<br>\\r\\n But even a 70% chance won't be enough to defeat me!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n始めこそ勝ちの見えないゲームだったが、次第にコツが分かり始める。<br>\\r\\nI kind of knew I didn't stand a chance of winning this game, but I gradually started picking it up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n見れば、レナも遊ぶうちに調子を取り戻しつつあるようだった。<br>\\r\\nRena seemed to be getting her energy back as she played along.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやっぱり、無理に誘って正解だったのだ。<br>\\r\\nIt was the right decision to force her to play with us today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうやって楽しく遊んでいると、ふいに知恵先生がやって来た。<br>\\r\\nWhile we were in the middle of the game, Chie-sensei came into the classroom.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「楽しそうですね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"My, you look like you're having fun.<br>\\r\\nところで、竜宮さんはいますか？」<br>\\r\\n Anyway, is Ryuugu-san here?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぅ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hau?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「竜宮さんにお客様が来ています。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You have a visitor.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nみんなきょとんとする。<br>\\r\\nEverybody looked puzzled.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…たまに学校に親が来る人もいるが、そういう時はお客様というような言い方はしない。<br>\\r\\n...Parents sometimes showed up at school for some reason, but Chie-sensei never called them \\\"visitors\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、これは本当に珍しいことだった。<br>\\r\\n...It's rare to have a visitor at school.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……何だろ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I wonder who it is.<br>\\r\\nちょっと行ってくるね。<br>\\r\\n Well, I have to go.<br>\\r\\nみんなは部活、続けててねー！」<br>\\r\\n You can continue without me!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはぱたぱたと駆けて行く。<br>\\r\\nRena left the classroom at a run.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…どうする？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...What should we do?<br>\\r\\n待ってるか？」<br>\\r\\n Should we wait for her?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「んーー、どれだけかかる用事かわからないからね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, we don't know how long it's going to take.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナもああ言ってたことだし。<br>\\r\\n Rena told us we could continue.<br>\\r\\n私たちは続けようか！」<br>\\r\\n So, let's do that!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「「「おおーー！！」」」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n昇降口は暑い日差しと日陰の明暗のくっきりしたコントラストに彩られていた。<br>\\r\\nAround the entrance, the glaring sun and the cool shade made for a clear contrast.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその中を、暑そうに小脇にジャケットを抱え、だらしなくネクタイを緩めた中年のおっさんが待ち受けていた。<br>\\r\\nAn old man who's holding his jacket on his arm was waiting for me. He looked like he was overheating, and his tie was limp.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「竜宮さんですか？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Are you Ryuugu-san?<br>\\r\\n竜宮礼奈さん。」<br>\\r\\n Reina Ryuugu-san.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナに礼奈と呼ばれて以来、私は礼奈という本名にますます嫌悪感を持っていたので、この初対面の男に対して、私はいい印象を抱かなかった。<br>\\r\\nEver since Rina called me Reina, I've hated that name more than ever. Because of that, I didn't have a good first impression of this man.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうですよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes, that's me.<br>\\r\\n…どちら様ですか？」<br>\\r\\n ...May I ask who you are?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私の車はエアコンが効いてますから、そっちでお話しましょう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"My car has air conditioning, so why don't we move this into there?<br>\\r\\nここ、暑くありません？」<br>\\r\\n Aren't you hot out here?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n男はこちらの問いかけをあっさり無視すると、校門に停まっている車を指差し、とっとと歩き出す。<br>\\r\\nHe ignored my question and started walking towards the car parked in front of the school gate.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……まともな話だったら、職員室ですればいいはずだ。<br>\\r\\n...If he wanted to talk about something normal, he would've used the teacher's office.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれをわざわざ自分の車という密室で行なおうとする時点で、不信感を感じずにはいられなかった。<br>\\r\\nBut he wanted to talk in his car instead. I couldn't help but feel suspicious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、知恵先生はこの男の取次ぎをしている。<br>\\r\\nChie-sensei let him see me, though.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nということは、知恵先生にとって、この男は不審者ではないということになる。<br>\\r\\nThat meant he wasn't a suspicious individual as far as she was concerned.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………一体、この男は何者…？<br>\\r\\n...Who was he...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「捕って食やしません。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't bite, you know.<br>\\r\\nどうぞどうぞ！」<br>\\r\\n Please, this way.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n車の後部座席を開けて私を呼んでいる。<br>\\r\\nHe called out to me while opening the rear door.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………ひょっとしてこいつは…警察…？<br>\\r\\n...Is he a policeman...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまさか、………リナたちを殺したことが……警察に気取られた…？<br>\\r\\nDid... the police find out that I killed those two...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n心の中に、ぶわっと疑心暗鬼が湧き上がる。<br>\\r\\nI felt anxious all of a sudden.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…これが話に聞く、任意で事情を…というやつだろうか。<br>\\r\\n...Was this what they called a \\\"voluntary interview\\\"?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……本当は付き合いたくなどないが、ここで拒否すれば、かえって私の印象を悪くするだけだ。<br>\\r\\n...I didn't want to go in that car. But if I rejected his offer, it'd only make me look suspicious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は覚悟を決め、<br>\\r\\nI prepared myself<br>\\r\\n……車に乗り込んだ。<br>\\r\\n ...and got in.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n車内は本当に涼しかった。<br>\\r\\nIt was really cool inside the car.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nカーエアコンなんて結構高級品のはずだ。<br>\\r\\nA car A/C must cost a fortune.<br>\\r\\n少なくともうちの父の車には付いていない。<br>\\r\\n At least, my father's car doesn't have one.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「冷え過ぎだったら言って下さいよ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Please let me know if it's too cold.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私、ガンガンに冷やしちゃう性質ですから。」<br>\\r\\n I like keeping it that way.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「で、私に何の用ですか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"So, what's this talk about?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお返しに私も相手の問いかけを無視して切り出すことにする。<br>\\r\\nIn retaliation, I ignored his question and got to the point like he did.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n男は胸ポケットから手帳を取り出しぱらぱらとめくると、そこに挟まれた１枚の写真を取り出した。<br>\\r\\nHe pulled a small notebook out of his breast pocket and flipped through it. He picked out a photo from it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこには……寝ぼけたような顔をした男の顔が写っていた。<br>\\r\\nThe photo showed... the face of a goofy-looking man.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「この男性のことで、ご存知のことがあったら教えて下さい。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Please tell me if there's anything you know about this person.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその写真に写る男性は、寝惚けたような無表情だった。<br>\\r\\nThe man in the picture was expressionless and looked half asleep.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n無表情な写真は、時に身内でもわからないこともある。<br>\\r\\nSometimes you can't even recognize your own family members in a photo where they don't have an expression.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…増してや、身内でもない私にわかるはずもない。<br>\\r\\n...So there's no way I would recognize a person who wasn't related to me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………あと、内心、少しだけほっとした。<br>\\r\\n......But anyway, that was a bit of a relief.<br>\\r\\n…リナたちの件と無関係だったからだ。<br>\\r\\n ...This had nothing to do with Rina or her partner.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「シャツにマジックで落書きがありましてね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"There were scribbles on his shirt,<br>\\r\\n竜宮さんを始めクラスメート何人かの署名入りでした。」<br>\\r\\n and we found the signatures of students at this school, including yours, Ryuugu-san.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……え、…これ…富竹さん？！？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Eh...... Is this... Tomitake-san?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいつものあの、どこか頼りなさそうで、でも飄々とした雰囲気はこの写真からは微塵も感じられなかった。<br>\\r\\nI don't feel his usual carefree unreliableness from this picture at all.<br>\\r\\n寝ぼけた、感情のない顔…。<br>\\r\\n From this half-awake, emotionless face...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ではこちらの女性はわかりますか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"How about this woman, then?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n見る前から何となく察しはついていた。<br>\\r\\nI knew what he was going to show.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……三四さんです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Her name is Miyo-san.<br>\\r\\n鷹野三四さん。」<br>\\r\\n <NAME>.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「この二人に最後に会ったのはいつですか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"When did you see them last?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「綿流しの祭りの、お開きになった直後くらいに会ったと思います。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I think it was right after the Watanagashi festival.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何か気になったこととかありませんか？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Didn't you notice anything strange?<br>\\r\\n何でも結構です。<br>\\r\\n Anything.<br>\\r\\n話して下さい。」<br>\\r\\nPlease tell me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「富竹さんたちに…何かあったんですか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Did something happen to them?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「よっしゃー！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n取ったぁ！！<br>\\r\\n I got it!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n実はよー、『レナ』と『魅音』で二択だったんだよなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n To tell you the truth, I wasn't sure if it was 'Rena' or 'Mion'.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ博打だったんですのー？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"So, you gambled?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……何てリスクのあることを…！」<br>\\r\\n ...How risky...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……それでも勝ちは勝ちなのですよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......It doesn't matter how he won. What matters is that he won.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お、レナだ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, Rena.<br>\\r\\nお帰りー！<br>\\r\\n Welcome back!<br>\\r\\nずいぶん時間かかったねぇ？」<br>\\r\\n What took you so long?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音がレナが帰ってきたことに気付く。<br>\\r\\nMion noticed that Rena had returned.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは何だか疲れきっているように見えた。<br>\\r\\nShe looked exhausted.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……何の話だったのか想像もつかないが、それはきっと、あまり楽しい話ではなかったのだろうと思った。<br>\\r\\n...I have no idea what she talked about with the visitor, but it was obvious it wasn't something fun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナ、…大丈夫？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena... are you okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…え？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...What?<br>\\r\\n何、大丈夫って。<br>\\r\\n What's okay?<br>\\r\\nえ？」<br>\\r\\n What?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いや、顔色だよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm talking about you.<br>\\r\\n青いというか白いというか。<br>\\r\\n You look pale.<br>\\r\\n……本当に大丈夫？」<br>\\r\\n ...Are you sure you're alright?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは大丈夫だと言い繕うとしたが、一瞬、表情を陰らせると、やっぱり今日は早退すると言った。<br>\\r\\nRena tried to convince us she was fine, but her face clouded over for a moment and she decided to leave early.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あぁ、やっぱり無理に部活に引き込むんじゃなかったかなぁ。<br>\\r\\n...I shouldn't have forced her to join the game.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nちょっと後悔した。<br>\\r\\nI was regretting it a little.<br>\\r\\n多分レナは、体調が悪いのを無理して付き合ってくれていたのだろう。<br>\\r\\n Rena probably forced herself to play with us, even though she wasn't feeling well at all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは自分の荷物を鞄にしまうと、先に抜けちゃってごめんねと謝り、教室を出て行った。<br>\\r\\nRena put her stuff in her bag, apologized to us for leaving early, and left the classroom.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まぁ、仕方ありませんわね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, she's gone now.<br>\\r\\n…では、せめて私たちの白黒ははっきりさせようじゃございませんの！」<br>\\r\\n ...I guess we have to keep playing until we have a loser!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだね！<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's right!<br>\\r\\nえっと次は誰の番だっけ？」<br>\\r\\n Whose turn is it?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……みー！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Meep!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「よっしゃ梨花ちゃん！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay, Rika-chan!<br>\\r\\n来やがれ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Come on!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n元々、私と三四さんにはそんなに接点があったわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\nFirst of all, I wasn't very close to Miyo-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n多少の面識があって、道ですれ違ったら会釈をする程度。<br>\\r\\nI knew who she was, so I greeted her whenever we happened to pass by.<br>\\r\\n…その程度の関係だった。<br>\\r\\n ...But that was about it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nじっくりと話をしたのは、実はたった一度しかない。<br>\\r\\nI never really talked to her except for the one time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それは最近のことだ。<br>\\r\\n...And that time was only recently.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n綿流しの祭りの少し前。<br>\\r\\nIt was between the day of the Watanagashi festival and...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナたちを殺し、それが圭一くんたちに見つかってから、何日かした後の話だった。<br>\\r\\n the day I was caught in the act of burying the two corpses by Keiichi-kun and my other friends.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n夕方に図書館から電話があり、父が図書館で借りた本を返却し忘れていたことがわかった。<br>\\r\\nI had a phone call from the library that evening, and I was told that my father needed to return the book he borrowed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんが、ホームセンターに買い物に行ってしまっていたので、私が返却に行くことにした。<br>\\r\\nHe was shopping at the home improvement store at the time, so I went to the library to return the book for him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれで、本を返したついでに、私も何か本を借りようかと思い、適当に本棚の間を歩き回ってみた。<br>\\r\\nWhile I was there, I thought about borrowing some books for myself, and I started walking around the library.<br>\\r\\n………そこで出会ったのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...I saw her there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あら、レナちゃんじゃないかしら。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, Rena-chan.<br>\\r\\nこんにちは。」<br>\\r\\n Hello.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「三四さん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Miyo-san.<br>\\r\\nどうもこんにちは。<br>\\r\\n Hello to you too.<br>\\r\\n図書館で会うなんて、珍しいですね。」<br>\\r\\n I didn't expect to see you here.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そう？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Really?<br>\\r\\n私にとってみれば、あなたが図書館にいることの方が珍しいんだけどね。<br>\\r\\n I was going to say the same thing. I always spend time here, and I've never seen you.<br>\\r\\nくすくす。」<br>\\r\\n Hee hee.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその表情は、私の知っている大人の魅力に溢れた余裕あるもの。<br>\\r\\nShe smiled in the very attractive and charming way that only mature women can do.<br>\\r\\n……自らの死の運命が数日後に迫っていることを知る表情ではなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...Her smile gave no indication that she knew her death was just a few days away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼女は、よくここで富竹さんと待ち合わせをしているとのことだった。<br>\\r\\nShe said that she often met with Tomitake-san at the library.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時間潰しのつもりなのだろうか、彼女は私にジュースをおごると言ってくれた。<br>\\r\\nIt seemed like she had some time to kill, so she told me she wanted to buy me a drink.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n元々急いで帰る用事があるわけでもない。<br>\\r\\nI had nothing to do after that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は図書館の中の自販機でアイスミルクティーをご馳走になり、しばし三四さんとの会話に花を咲かせた。<br>\\r\\nI let her buy me a canned iced milk tea from the vending machine in the library, and we talked for a while.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……今、こうして思い出せば皮肉だった。<br>\\r\\n...Once I came to think about it, it was a little ironic.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼女が自ら雛見沢村連続怪死事件のことを口にしたからだ。<br>\\r\\nShe mostly talked about the series of mysterious deaths in Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやがて自分がその５年目の犠牲者に名を連ねるとも知らずに。<br>\\r\\nShe had no idea that she was going to be the victim of its fifth year.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……連続、怪死事件ですか…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...The series of... mysterious deaths...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あら、聞いたことくらいあるでしょう？<br>\\r\\n\\\"You've heard about it at least once, haven't you?<br>\\r\\n４年前にはダムの現場監督。<br>\\r\\n Four years ago, the manager of the dam construction site was murdered.<br>\\r\\n３年前には北条夫妻。<br>\\r\\n Three years ago, the Houjou couple died.<br>\\r\\n２年前には古手夫妻。<br>\\r\\n Two years ago, the Furude couple died.<br>\\r\\nそして去年は沙都子ちゃんの叔母が犠牲になった、雛見沢村連続怪死事件よ。<br>\\r\\n And last year, it was Satoko-chan's aunt. The series of mysterious deaths have been going on for four years now.<br>\\r\\nそれが、あと何日かで５年目を迎えるじゃない。」<br>\\r\\n And in a few days, it'll be the fifth...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「い、…一応、私もそういう物騒な名前で呼ばれていることは知ってますけど。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I... I've heard about it...<br>\\r\\n……でも、５年目も起こると決まったわけじゃ…。」<br>\\r\\n But you don't know for sure that somebody will die this year...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「起こるわよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I do.<br>\\r\\n……絶対にね。<br>\\r\\n ...Someone will die in a few days for sure.<br>\\r\\n二度あることは三度あるって諺があるけど、……四度あることは五度あるって方が、もっと確率は高いとは思わない？」<br>\\r\\n There's that old saying, 'everything that happens twice will happen a third time'... So isn't it also true that what happens four times will happen a fifth?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n５年目の連続怪死事件が起こると確信していた三四さん本人が、その５年目の犠牲者になってしまうとは…。<br>\\r\\nMiyo-san was convinced that the fifth mysterious death was going to happen, but she didn't know she was going to be the fifth victim...<br>\\r\\n皮肉とも言えるし、気持ちの悪い偶然とも言えた。<br>\\r\\n That's ironic, and also really creepy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、あの人はどこか薄気味悪いところがあったから。<br>\\r\\nBut there was always something creepy about her.<br>\\r\\n例え、自分があと数日で殺されると分かっていても、あの謎めいた微笑みを絶やすことはないように思える。<br>\\r\\n So maybe she knew that she was going to be killed in a few days, but still managed to make that mysterious smile.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢村連続怪死事件。<br>\\r\\nThe series of mysterious deaths in Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……もちろん、雛見沢に１年も住んでいる以上、知らないわけはなかった。<br>\\r\\n...Of course, I know about it. I've lived here for more than a year.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n毎年、綿流しの祭りの日に、ダム戦争以来の村の仇敵がつぎつぎに怪死を遂げていく謎の事件。<br>\\r\\nEvery year on the day of the Watanagashi festival, one traitor to the village dies mysteriously. It's been that way since the dam conflict.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n個々の事件はそれとなく解決しているのに、……毎年起こり続ける奇怪な事件。<br>\\r\\nEach case was solved individually... but mysterious incidents still happen every year.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何かの意思が感じられるような、感じられないような。<br>\\r\\nIt makes me wonder if there's some kind of 'will' to all this...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……理解のできない薄気味悪さは、確かに「オヤシロさまの祟り」と呼ばれるだけのことはあった。<br>\\r\\n...The creepiness and incomprehensibility of it all gave rise to the name \\\"the curse of Oyashiro-sama,\\\" which fit perfectly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………実は、私はこの「オヤシロさまの祟り」は、単なる偶然の積み重なりだと思っていた。<br>\\r\\n...Despite this, I always thought 'the curse of Oyashiro-sama' was just a series of coincidences.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその根拠は、４年目の事件である「叔母撲殺事件」が、悟史くんの犯行であると強い確信を持っていたからだ。<br>\\r\\nMy reason for that is because I strongly believe that Satoshi-kun was the one who murdered his aunt on the fourth year.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n証拠など何もないけれど、………そうだと確信している。<br>\\r\\nI don't have any evidence... but I just know it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n去年の悟史くんが如何に追い詰められ、逃げ場がなかったかを私はよく知っている。<br>\\r\\nI know that Satoshi-kun was in a serious predicament last year, and that he had nowhere to turn.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして誰の助けもなく、でも沙都子ちゃんを急いで助けなくちゃならなくて。<br>\\r\\nHe had no one to help him, but he had to save Satoko-chan as soon as he could.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………悟史くんは、私がリナたちをそうしたように、悩み抜いた末に「最善の選択肢」を選び取って、対処した以外に考えられないのだ。<br>\\r\\n...Satoshi-kun thought it through and made the \\\"best choice\\\" he could to handle the situation, just like I did when I had my problem with Rina.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、悟史くんが４年目の犯人ですと言い出すわけにも行かず、私はしばらくの間、三四さんの話の聞き役に徹していた。<br>\\r\\nI hesitated to inform Miyo-san that Satoshi-kun was the murderer on the fourth year, so I just listened to her for a while.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんの説によるならば、連続怪死事件は偶然の積み重ねなどではなく、れっきとした連続事件なのだという。<br>\\r\\nAccording to her theory, the series of the mysterious deaths isn't just a set of coincidences, but is instead a series of interrelated murder cases.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの時点で私の説とは真っ向から対立することになるのだが、口を挟まずに聞くことにした。<br>\\r\\nAt that point, my theory was completely the opposite of hers, but I decided not to cut in.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「雛見沢のオヤシロさま信仰は知ってるわよね？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You know about the cult of Oyashiro-sama here in Hinamizawa, don't you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鷹野さんはそう切り出し、雛見沢がかつて鬼ヶ淵村と呼ばれていたこと。<br>\\r\\nTakano-san started telling me that Hinamizawa was once called \\\"Onigafuchi\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして人食い鬼と呼ばれ、同時に仙人としても敬われていた古代の村人たちの話を、自慢のスクラップ帳を交えながら、懇切丁寧に説明してくれた。<br>\\r\\nShe also explained the story of how the villagers were in the old days, showing me the scrapbook she was so proud of. The villagers back then were called man-eating demons, but they were also admired as \\\"transcendants,\\\" enlightened people not bound by earthly desires.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………つまり、三四さんの説によるならば、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...So according to your theory,<br>\\r\\n連続怪死事件は、オヤシロさまを崇拝する狂信的団体が雛見沢に潜んでいて、オヤシロさまの力を世に示そうとしている……ということなんですか？」<br>\\r\\n a group of cultists who worship Oyashiro-sama are living in Hinamizawa, and they're trying to show the power of their god by enacting the series of mysterious deaths... right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「狂信的というか、原理主義的というかは紙一重だけどね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm not sure if we should call them cultists or fundamentalists. The line between them is very vague.<br>\\r\\n明治以降、村の名前が雛見沢に変わって以来、鬼ヶ淵村が長く続けてきた様々な風習が途絶えている。<br>\\r\\n In the Meiji era, when the name of the village was changed to Hinamizawa, the customs and the traditions of Onigafuchi were brought to an end.<br>\\r\\nそれを蘇らせ、再び鬼ヶ淵村の名と畏怖を取り戻そうと思っている人たちがいるんじゃないかしら。」<br>\\r\\n I think there are some people who want to revive those traditions and regain the name and awe of Onigafuchi.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんの話は突拍子もないけど、刺激的で面白かった。<br>\\r\\nMiyo-san's theory was more than a little crazy, but it was also fascinating.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n最初はとても飛躍した話だと呆れていたが、彼女が丹念に研究してきた資料と合わせて示されると、そうふざけた与太話でもないと思うようになる。<br>\\r\\nAt first, her theory had sounded like she was just jumping to conclusions... but after she eagerly showed me the documents she'd been studying, I started to think that it wasn't actually too far from the truth.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、それならば、２年目の北条夫妻事故死や、３年目の古手夫妻の病死と自殺、４年目の麻薬常習者の犯人捏造などは、警察などにも強力に影響力を持つ勢力が関与していることになる。<br>\\r\\nIf her theory was true, it would mean that the accidental deaths of the Houjou couple in the second year, the suicide and the death by disease of the Furude couple in the third year, and the drug addict murderer in the fourth year were all cooked up. It'd mean someone who has a lot of power and influence over the police was involved.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私がそれを指摘すると、三四さんも頷き、「彼ら」がいかに強力に、地域に根ざし、様々な公共機関にまで及んでいるかを話し始めた。<br>\\r\\nWhen I pointed that out, Miyo-san nodded in agreement, and she started talking about how strongly \\\"they\\\" were rooted in the village and how deeply \\\"they\\\" were involved with many public organizations.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの辺まで話が及んだ時、ようやく私は、三四さんが、園崎家などのいわゆる雛見沢御三家が黒幕であると言わんとしていることに気付く。<br>\\r\\nAfter she finished explaining all that, I finally noticed that Miyo-san was suggesting that the Three Families, including the Sonozaki family, were the masterminds behind the murder incidents.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確かに、……魅ぃちゃんの園崎家がとても強い力を持っていることは知っている。<br>\\r\\nIn fact... the Sonozaki family really is very powerful.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその影響力は雛見沢から興宮どころか、鹿骨市内全体。<br>\\r\\nThey hold influence not only over Hinamizawa and Okinomiya, but also over the entire Shishibone area.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいや、県内にも及んでいると言っていいだろう。<br>\\r\\nIt might not be wrong to say that they even hold influence over the entire prefecture.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな園崎家が裏で暗躍していたなら、………なるほど、考えられない話でもなかった。<br>\\r\\nIf the Sonozaki family is behind all of this... her theory would be more realistic.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、……それは魅ぃちゃんを疑うことだ。<br>\\r\\nBut... that means I should be suspicious of Mii-chan.<br>\\r\\n…いけないいけない。<br>\\r\\n ...No, I shouldn't.<br>\\r\\n…でも確かに、魅ぃちゃんは悟史くんが辛い思いをしていた時、普段の様子からは考えられないくらいに冷たかった。<br>\\r\\n ...But in fact, Mii-chan was very cold and unkind to Satoshi-kun when he was going through a tough time.<br>\\r\\n…ダム戦争の時に、園崎家と北条家で確執があったらしいのは知ってるけど、…それでもあまりに冷たかった。<br>\\r\\n ...I know there was conflict between the Sonozaki family and the Houjou family during the dam wars... but still, she was very cold to Satoshi-kun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、魅ぃちゃんはその罪を認めたじゃないか。<br>\\r\\nBut Mii-chan admitted that what she did was wrong.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして私も許した。<br>\\r\\nAnd I forgave her, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからそれはもう考えたくない…。<br>\\r\\nI didn't want to think about that again...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれ以上、園崎家を疑う話に及ぶと、きっと不愉快になると思ったので、私は話の腰を折ることにした。<br>\\r\\nI decided to change the subject because I knew it'd make me feel uncomfortable if we kept talking about the Sonozaki family.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そもそも、オヤシロさま信仰って一体何なんでしょうね…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"First of all, what is the people's belief in Oyashiro-sama all about...?<br>\\r\\n鬼と人が共存というのも面白い話です。<br>\\r\\n It's a little funny that demons and humans wanted to coexist.<br>\\r\\n普通の昔話だったら、鬼が来たら退治してやっつけるという風なのに。」<br>\\r\\n In folk tales, humans usually try to wipe out the demons.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's quite true.<br>\\r\\nその辺りがオヤシロさま信仰の面白いところね。<br>\\r\\n That's why Oyashiro-sama is so interesting.<br>\\r\\nでも、そもそも神の国から神が漂着して来て崇められるというのは決して珍しいことではないのよ。<br>\\r\\n However, there are actually many stories that say people in old days worshipped a god that had drifted to our world from the land of the gods.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n漂着神崇拝って言ってね。<br>\\r\\n It's the worship of 'drifted gods,' in other words.<br>\\r\\n世界中に、海の向こうから、あるいは川上から神が漂着してきて、それを人々が敬ったという類の神話が残されているわ。」<br>\\r\\n There are a number of myths all over the world about people worshipping a god who came from beyond the sea or from up a river.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……それは、…異人漂着の話でしょうか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...The gods in those myths are actually people who came from different countries, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そういう捉え方も一般的ね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's the general theory, yes.<br>\\r\\n古代日本は、大陸に比べると様々な文化が遅れていた。<br>\\r\\n Ancient Japanese culture was far behind that of other nations.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、進んだ文化を持った異国人が漂着した結果、その知識を敬い神と祀った…というのはありえなくもない話よね。」<br>\\r\\n When Japanese people in those days saw a foreigner from a developed country, they were so impressed by the knowledge the person had that they started worshipping them as a god. That's one theory.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そういえば、日本に伝わる赤鬼や青鬼も、難破して漂着した異国人のことを指すのではないかという説がありましたね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I've heard that red oni and blue oni were actually foreigners who drifted ashore in Japan because their boats got shipwrecked.<br>\\r\\n天狗の、いわゆる真っ赤で鼻が異様に高い顔も、欧米人を見慣れない古代の人々が作り上げたのかもしれないし。」<br>\\r\\n The Japanese may have created tengu out of foreigners, too. They probably saw a foreigner who had a reddish skin with a very long nose.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あら、レナちゃんもなかなか鋭い見方ができるわね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wow, you're pretty sharp, Rena-chan.<br>\\r\\nそれには私も同感よ。<br>\\r\\n I agree with you.<br>\\r\\n大方の漂着神信仰の原点は、私も異人漂着にあると思うわ。<br>\\r\\n I think most drifted god worship are based on encounters with foreigners.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、そうだとすると、鬼ヶ淵村の「鬼が現れた」とする漂着神信仰には、ちょっと不思議な点がある。<br>\\r\\n But if that's so, Onigafuchi's drifted god worship would have a contradiction.<br>\\r\\n…………わかるかしら？」<br>\\r\\n ...Do you know what it is?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………わからないです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...No, I don't.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「簡単よ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's easy.<br>\\r\\n鬼ヶ淵村には、海がない。」<br>\\r\\n Onigafuchi isn't adjacent to the sea.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あ…、確かに。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh... of course.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「異人漂着なら、外の世界とつながる接点が欠かせないはずよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"In order to have any connection to foreigners, the place in question must also have a connection to the outside world.<br>\\r\\n欧米なら、異国に通じる川。<br>\\r\\n In Western countries, that connection would be rivers running between adjacent countries.<br>\\r\\n日本なら世界に接する、海。<br>\\r\\n In Japan, that connection would be the ocean.<br>\\r\\nだから日本における漂着神崇拝も、そのほとんどは沿岸部に集中するわね。」<br>\\r\\n So, most of the drifted god stories in Japan originated near the shores.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「鬼ヶ淵村以外に漂着し、そこから旅をしてここまでやってきた可能性はありませんか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Isn't there a possibility that the foreigner washed ashore somewhere else first and then traveled to Onigafuchi?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ところがオヤシロさま信仰の決定的なところは、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, the thing about the worship of Oyashiro-sama is...<br>\\r\\n……鬼が「漂着」した場所を、鬼ヶ淵沼とはっきり特定している点なの。<br>\\r\\n it specifically pinpoints Onigafuchi Swamp as the place where demons first appeared.<br>\\r\\n鬼ヶ淵沼には何も流れ着かない。<br>\\r\\n The swamp isn't connected to any rivers.<br>\\r\\nそんなところに、なぜ、どこから、「漂着」したのか。<br>\\r\\n So, how could a foreigner wash up there?<br>\\r\\n…実はこの辺にオヤシロさま信仰の謎を探る面白さがあるのよ。」<br>\\r\\n ...That's why the mystery of Oyashiro-sama is so interesting.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"..................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「オヤシロさまの伝説はどの程度、知ってるかしら？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"How much do you know about the legend of Oyashiro-sama?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「学校に置いてある絵本で読んだ程度です。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I just read a picture book about it in school.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私も、よく知っているようで実際は、それほど詳しく知ってるわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\nI feel like I know a lot about it, but I actually don't.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ただ、雛見沢を離れてはいけないという特殊な「掟」について、私が過剰な恐怖感を持っているだけだ。<br>\\r\\n...I just have an extreme fear of the rule not to leave Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………それは、私が雛見沢を引っ越してから、人生がおかしくなったと信じているからに他ならないのだが…。<br>\\r\\n...After all, my life went wrong after I left...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……これ以上を考えると、頭がぼぅっと霞んで来るのでやめる。<br>\\r\\n...I felt dizzy when I tried to think about it further, so I stopped.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n茨城での最後の時、いろいろと滅茶苦茶にしてしまった時、………私はオヤシロさまに会って、雛見沢に帰るように言われた………、…………？？<br>\\r\\nWhen everything went wrong in Ibaraki... I met Oyashiro-sama, and he told me to go back to Hinamizawa......<br>\\r\\nだめだだめだ…、<br>\\r\\n No, no, no...<br>\\r\\n頭がぼんやりする…。<br>\\r\\n I'll get dizzy...<br>\\r\\n思い出すな<br>\\r\\n Don't try to remember.<br>\\r\\n思い出すな、<br>\\r\\n Don't try to remember!<br>\\r\\n思い出せない<br>\\r\\n I can't remember.<br>\\r\\n思い出せない…。<br>\\r\\n I can't remember...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はあの時、母の離婚の責任を自分に感じて自暴自棄になっただけだ。<br>\\r\\nI got desperate because I felt responsible for the divorce.<br>\\r\\nその精神不安定をオヤシロさまのせいにして、雛見沢に帰りたいと泣いただけじゃなかったっけ…？<br>\\r\\n I just used Oyashiro-sama as an excuse for my mental instability, and I told my father I wanted to go back to Hinamizawa... right?<br>\\r\\nでも、あれ、それって、……。<br>\\r\\n But, wait...<br>\\r\\nでもオヤシロさまは本当に来たはず……。<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama did come to me...<br>\\r\\nだめだ、まぶしい。<br>\\r\\n Oh, no. The colors are too dazzling.<br>\\r\\n…………毒々しいカプセルと、頭のぼんやりとする感じしか思い出せない…。<br>\\r\\n ...I can only remember the vivid color of the pills and the dizziness...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それだけ知ってれば十分よ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's all you need to know.<br>\\r\\n……鬼ヶ淵より鬼が湧き出し、村人を襲った。<br>\\r\\n ...The demons came out of Onigafuchi Swamp, and they attacked the villagers.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを見かねたオヤシロさまが降臨して、鬼たちを平伏させたわ。<br>\\r\\nOyashiro-sama saw it and came down to save the villagers from the demons by exiling them to Hell.<br>\\r\\n鬼たちは地獄を追放され、行き場がないことを嘆き、<br>\\r\\n The demons cried, and the villagers felt bad for them.<br>\\r\\nそれで、村人たちは鬼たちを気の毒に思って、村に住まわせてあげようと決めた。<br>\\r\\n They decided to let the demons live in the village with them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてオヤシロさまは、村人たちの心に感銘を受け、鬼たちに人の姿を与え、村に共存させたという。<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama was impressed by the kind hearts of the villagers, so he gave human forms to the demons, and let them coexist.<br>\\r\\nその血は、次第に交わり、村人たちに溶け込んでいった。」<br>\\r\\n The blood of the demons blended with that of the villagers as they lived alongside each other.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………そうです、そういう話だったと思います。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...That's exactly what I read in the book.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、思い出さないことに決めている記憶に少し触れ、貧血に似た気分を味わうのだった。<br>\\r\\nI felt dizzy, like I was going to faint, because I touched the one memory I didn't want to.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「神話の多くは、古代の何らかの事実を原型にしていると言われることが多いんだけど。<br>\\r\\n\\\"People say that most myths are based on an event of some sort that happened long ago.<br>\\r\\n……レナちゃんはこの神話から、何を読み取れるかしら？」<br>\\r\\n ...What event do you think is the truth behind this myth?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は少しぼんやりとしていたので、小首を傾げる以上のことはできなかった。<br>\\r\\nBecause I was still feeling dizzy, all I could do was tilt my head quizzically.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんは、私が即答できないのを期待していたらしく、私が煙に巻かれているのを見て満足そうに笑う。<br>\\r\\nIt seemed like Miyo-san was expecting that response, because she smiled, looking satisfied that she successfully made me confused.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、ペーパーバッグを漁ると、何冊目かになるスクラップ帖を取り出した。<br>\\r\\nShe took a scrapbook out of her paper bag.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「これ、レナちゃんに貸してあげるわ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'll let you borrow this for a while.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……あ、ありがとうございます。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Th-Thank you.<br>\\r\\n…でも私、」<br>\\r\\n ...But I...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いいのよ、暇な夜長にでも思い出したら読んでくれれば結構。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Don't worry. Just read it whenever you have some time to kill.<br>\\r\\nレナちゃんは鋭いところがあるみたいだから、それを読んだ上で、今度じっくり議論を交わしたいわね。<br>\\r\\n I want to know what you think about the things written in this scrapbook.<br>\\r\\n私も肯定的であれ敵対的であれ、議論の相手がいなくて寂しいのよ。<br>\\r\\n I'd like to know, even if you disagree with me, because you really are very sharp.<br>\\r\\n……ジロウさん、こういうのにはさっぱり興味のない人だし。」<br>\\r\\n ...Jirou-san isn't interested in things like this at all, so I appreciate your input.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそういう風に言われると、取り合えずスクラップ帖を預からないわけには行かない。<br>\\r\\nI had little choice but to take the scrapbook.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……三四さんは普段も図書館にいるようだから、今日借りた本の返却日になったら、その時、持ってきて返してしまおうと思った。<br>\\r\\n...Apparently Miyo-san came to the library often, so I figured I could return it to her whenever I came to return my books.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n皮肉にも、三四さんに借りたスクラップ帖の返却日は永久に訪れなくなってしまったのだけれど……。<br>\\r\\nHowever, the day I'd return the scrapbook to Miyo-san never came...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どうしたの？<br>\\r\\n\\\"What's wrong?<br>\\r\\nさっきから虚ろね？<br>\\r\\n You don't look good.<br>\\r\\n体調悪いの？」<br>\\r\\n Are you feeling okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あ、……ちょっと夏風邪気味で。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah... I caught a summer cold.<br>\\r\\n…まだ病み上がりなんです。」<br>\\r\\n ...I'm still recovering from it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今ぼーっとしているのは夏風邪のせいではなかった。<br>\\r\\nIt wasn't the summer cold that was making me feel dizzy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……茨城でオヤシロさまに会った時のことを思い出すと、必ずぼーっとするからだ。<br>\\r\\n...I always get dizzy when I try to remember the time I met Oyashiro-sama in Ibaraki.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、………勇気を出して聞いてみることにした。<br>\\r\\nI... mustered all my courage, and asked her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…茨城の最後のぐちゃぐちゃになった記憶。<br>\\r\\n...My memory of those days in Ibaraki is blurry.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……私が確かに会ったと思っているオヤシロさまの幻。<br>\\r\\n...I know I met Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは誰に話しても、私の妄想扱いだった。<br>\\r\\nNobody believed me, and they told me that it was a hallucination.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、三四さんだけは私の話を真剣に聞いてくれるのではないかと思ったのだ。<br>\\r\\nBut I thought Miyo-san would listen to me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「三四さん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Miyo-san.<br>\\r\\n………あの、……今度は私の話を聞いてもらってもいいですか？」<br>\\r\\n ...Umm... Can I talk to you about something?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いいわよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes, of course.<br>\\r\\n聞いてもらったお返しに、今度は私が聞くわ。」<br>\\r\\n You listened to me, so it's my turn to listen to you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いえ、……その、オヤシロさまの話なんです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well... it's about Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n……えっと、………その、…笑われないかとても不安です。」<br>\\r\\n ...Umm... You... might laugh at me...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「笑わないわよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I won't.<br>\\r\\nあなたも私の話を笑わなかったもの。」<br>\\r\\n You didn't laugh at me, either.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんは大人を感じさせる包容力で、やさしくそう言ってくれた。<br>\\r\\nMiyo-san said it in a very gentle and mature way, and that encouraged me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれでも躊躇しそうになるが、……こんな話をできる人は、おそらく三四さんをおいて他にいない。<br>\\r\\nEven so, I still hesitated to talk... But there was probably nobody but Miyo-san with whom I could talk about something like this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は何度か言葉を飲み込んだ後、勇気を振り絞った。<br>\\r\\nI gathered my courage again and spoke.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私、<br>\\r\\n\\\"I<br>\\r\\n………………………<br>\\r\\n............<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまに、<br>\\r\\n have met...<br>\\r\\n…会ったことがあるんです。」<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………本当に？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......You have?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n…………私、小学校に上がる前までは雛見沢に住んでいたんです。<br>\\r\\n ......I used to live in Hinamizawa until right before I went to elementary school.<br>\\r\\nそれが、母の仕事の関係で茨城に引っ越したんです。<br>\\r\\n But my mother got a job in Ibaraki, so we moved.<br>\\r\\n……えっと、この意味はわかりますよね？」<br>\\r\\n ...Well, you know what that means, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わかるわよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes, I do.<br>\\r\\n…雛見沢を離れてはならないという、オヤシロさまの禁忌に触れた、ということね？」<br>\\r\\n ...You broke the rule of Oyashiro-sama, which is to never leave Hinamizawa.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's right.<br>\\r\\nそれで、………色々、悪いことが起こって、母が離婚し、……家庭はぐちゃぐちゃになりました。<br>\\r\\n And then... many things happened. My mother divorced my father... and my family was broken.<br>\\r\\n私も、自暴自棄になって悪いことをしたりしました。」<br>\\r\\n I got desperate and did some bad things.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………辛いこともあったのね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......It must have been terrible.<br>\\r\\n…それで？」<br>\\r\\n ......Then what happened?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「世の中の何もかもが嫌になって、自分以外の幸せな人たち全部が私を見下しているように感じた最後の頃、<br>\\r\\n\\\"I started hating everything in this world, and I started to feel like everybody who was happy was looking down on me.<br>\\r\\n………不思議な存在が現れるようになったんです。」<br>\\r\\n ...That's when a mysterious existence started to appear.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それが、……………オヤシロさま？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You mean... Oyashiro-sama?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「初めて現れたのは、………えっと、内緒ですよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"The first time it came to me was...... Ummm, please don't tell anybody about this.<br>\\r\\n……全部嫌になって、自分を壊してしまいたいと思って、……体に刃物を突きつけたことがあったんです。<br>\\r\\n ...It was when I started injuring myself... by cutting my body with a knife.<br>\\r\\n…その時、首をカミソリで切りつけたら、……血に混じって、ぶくぶくと汚らしい何かが溢れ出したんです。<br>\\r\\n ...I cut my neck... and something very dirty and gross came out with the blood from the wound.<br>\\r\\nそれは……………、……………ん、…。」<br>\\r\\n It was............ umm.........\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………馬鹿にしないわよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I'm not going to laugh.<br>\\r\\n続けて？」<br>\\r\\n Go on.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの時の悪寒と汚らわしさが、ぞくぞくと背筋を上りだす。<br>\\r\\nThe chill I felt at that time came back to me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n思い出すまいと秘めていた封印の記憶。<br>\\r\\nI sealed that memory away, so that I wouldn't have to remember ever again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、一度解れてしまったら、もうあとは連鎖的だった。<br>\\r\\n...But once I unsealed it, I started remembering things one after another.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう、あの時、血に混じって、…それは蠢いていた。<br>\\r\\nYes, back then, there was something in the blood... something crawling.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「赤黒い、…無数のうじ虫だったんです…！<br>\\r\\n\\\"It was countless... dark red maggots...!<br>\\r\\nそれらは、首から血が零れるのと一緒に、わらわらと湧き出して来ました。<br>\\r\\n They squirmed up and out from my neck with each drop of blood.<br>\\r\\nしかもそいつらは、外へ溢れまいと、傷口から再び中へ戻っていこうとわらわら蠢いていたんです！！<br>\\r\\n But they wanted to stay in my body, so they crawled back in through the cut!!<br>\\r\\n……私、そんな気持ち悪いのに体内に戻られたくなくって、……掻きました、首の傷を引っ掻いてほじくり出そうとしました。<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't want those creepy things to get back inside my body... so I clawed at the cut on my neck to get them out.<br>\\r\\nでも、それ以上は痛くて血塗れになるばかりで……。<br>\\r\\n But it hurt so much, and it only made my hands and neck bloody...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれで私は急に怖くなりました。<br>\\r\\nI got scared all of a sudden.<br>\\r\\n私の体の中には…血管いっぱいにあの気持ち悪いうじ虫がぎっしりつまっているんじゃないかって！<br>\\r\\n I was scared because I thought there were that many nasty maggots in my blood vessels!<br>\\r\\nそれで私は………試しに、カミソリで腿の血管を開いてみました。そこなら良く見えると思ったから。<br>\\r\\n So... I cut a blood vessel on my thigh just to see how it looked. I thought I could see it better if it was my thigh.<br>\\r\\nそうしたら、…………溢れてきたんです！！ どばっと、わらわらっとッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Then...... they oozed out from there too!! So many of them!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nはいはい、分かってますよ竜宮さん、落ち着いて落ち着いて…。<br>\\r\\nI understand, Ryugu-san. So, please calm down...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わかってないってば！<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, you don't understand!<br>\\r\\nそのうじ虫たちは、血と一緒にどばっと溢れ出すけど、すぐに元の血管の中に戻ろうする！！<br>\\r\\n The maggots come out with my blood, but then they try to get back inside my veins!!<br>\\r\\nそれがとても痒いんです！！<br>\\r\\n It really, really itches!!<br>\\r\\nあああぁあぁ！！」<br>\\r\\n Aaaahhhh!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n君、急いで先生を呼んできて！<br>\\r\\nPlease bring a doctor!<br>\\r\\nああぁだめだめ、掻き毟っちゃだめ！！<br>\\r\\n No, no, no. Don't claw at it like that!!<br>\\r\\n鎮静剤！<br>\\r\\n Bring me a sedative!<br>\\r\\n早く！！<br>\\r\\n Hurry!!<br>\\r\\n彼女を抑えて！<br>\\r\\n Hold her down!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私の血管の中のうじ虫をやっつけてぇえぇ！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Please kill the maggots in my veins!!!<br>\\r\\n血を全部抜いて、綺麗にして！！<br>\\r\\n Please take all the blood out of my body and flush my veins out!!<br>\\r\\n私の血管にはうじ虫がいっぱい詰まってるの！！<br>\\r\\n There are so many of them in there!!<br>\\r\\nどうして信じないの？！<br>\\r\\n Why don't you believe me?!<br>\\r\\n見せてあげるから！<br>\\r\\n I'll show you!<br>\\r\\n見れば信じるでしょ？！<br>\\r\\n You'll believe me if you see them, right?!<br>\\r\\nもう注射はいや、いやいやいやいや！！！」<br>\\r\\n I don't want to get any more shots! No, no, no, no, no!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「落ち着いて？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Calm down.<br>\\r\\n……………ね？」<br>\\r\\n ...Okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんが私の隣に座り、私の手をぎゅっと握ってくれていた。<br>\\r\\nMiyo-san sat next to me and held my hands tightly.<br>\\r\\n……その感触に私は我を取り戻す。<br>\\r\\n ...Her touch brought me back to reality.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………それで、……どうしたの？」<br>\\r\\n\\\".........So ...what happened?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そんな、誰も私のことを信じてくれない時に、……………現れたんです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Nobody believed me... but then, he showed up.<br>\\r\\n…オヤシロさまが。」<br>\\r\\n ...Oyashiro-sama came to me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………記憶が曖昧で、まぶしくてチリチリして思い出すのが辛い…。<br>\\r\\n...The memory was very vague, and I saw flickering lights. It made it difficult for me to remember...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n“オヤシロさまに私は会った”………という一文を私は記憶しているだけ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I met Oyashiro-sama.\\\" .........That sentence is all I remembered.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまに会った記憶そのものは……実は信じられないくらいに曖昧なのだ。<br>\\r\\nThe memory of actually meeting Oyashiro-sama... was unbelievably vague.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n病院を退院し、自宅療養になっても、私は時折、血管が蠢くのを感じ、血管を裂いて血を零して、うじ虫が混じってないか確認したがった。<br>\\r\\nAfter I got out of the hospital, I continued being treated at home. I still felt something moving in my veins, so I wanted to cut my body to make the blood ooze out so that I could make sure that there were no maggots in there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n普段はとても強い薬のせいで、死んだような意識で眠っているだけだったけど、<br>\\r\\nUsually, I was sleeping like the dead because of the strong pills I was taking.<br>\\r\\n……たまたまその日は薬を飲み損ねて、………意識がはっきりしていたのだ。<br>\\r\\n ......But one day I forgot to take the pill... and my consciousness was very clear.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、血管の中に蠢くうじ虫たちを思い出し、急に不安になって、血管の中を覗きたくなったのだ。<br>\\r\\nI felt the maggots moving in my veins, and I felt the urge to look inside.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、ツーーーと、手首に浮く血管にそってカミソリを入れて……。<br>\\r\\nI cut a vein on my wrist...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこから……やっぱり、血と、赤黒くてたくさん蠢く汚らしいうじ虫の群れが…！！<br>\\r\\nI knew it... A lot of blood and many dusky-red maggots came out from the wound...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのうじ虫たちが傷口に潜り込む前に洗い流したくて、お風呂場で流水に当てながら、血管を開こうとしたんだ。<br>\\r\\nI wanted to wash them off before they crawled back inside me. So, I put my wrist under running water in the bathroom sink, and I tried to open the vein.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n排水溝に、だばだばと打ち付けられる水と血とうじ虫。<br>\\r\\nWater, blood, and maggots ran down into the drain.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……私はニキビを潰して、中身を絞り出すかのように、…血管を絞り潰し、汚い血と一緒にうじ虫を搾り出し続けたんだ。<br>\\r\\n...Just like squeezing out the pus from a pimple... I squeezed the vein to get rid of the dirty blood and the maggots.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nずっとずっとずっと…！！<br>\\r\\nI kept doing it...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n腕が痺れて、何だか寒くなってきても、我慢してずっとずっとずっと！！<br>\\r\\nMy arm started to feel numb, and I felt cold. But I kept doing it!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…ひょっとしたら、血が出過ぎて死んじゃうかもしれないなと思っても、……ずっとずっとずっと！！<br>\\r\\n...I thought I might die from losing too much blood... But I kept doing it!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだって私の体中にうじ虫が充満してるんだもの、だから全部の血液を絞り出すくらいにやらないと駄目なんだ！！<br>\\r\\nMy body was filled with maggots. I had to squeeze all my blood out of me!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、………………まぶしい光いっぱいに満たされたのだ。<br>\\r\\nAnd then... a very bright light shone upon me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは……生まれて初めて経験する、神秘体験だった。<br>\\r\\nIt was a very bizarre sensation. I had never experienced anything like it in my life.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n薄暗い浴室が、突然、まぶしい光に満たされたのだ。<br>\\r\\nAll of a sudden, the dark bathroom was filled with a bright light.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………それはまぶしいけどやさしい光で、電球や蛍光灯のような無慈悲なまぶしさじゃない。<br>\\r\\n...It was very bright but gentle. It wasn't like the light from the merciless fluorescent bulb.<br>\\r\\n…とても温かい、やさしさに溢れた光だった。<br>\\r\\n ...It was very warm and gentle.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれこそが、………………オヤシロさまの降臨だった。<br>\\r\\nThat was... Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまが…やさしく、だけれどもとても悲しい目で私を見ていた。<br>\\r\\nOyashiro-sama was looking at me with gentleness and sadness in his eyes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、…そっと私の傷を撫でてくれると、……私がいくら洗い出そうとしてもどうにもならなかったうじ虫たちが、見る見る溶けて消えてしまったのだ。<br>\\r\\nAs he touched my wound... the maggots started melting and disappeared in front of my eyes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれどころか、全身の血管をくすぐるように蠢いていた体中のうじ虫たちさえも、溶けたかのように消え去ってしまったのだ……！<br>\\r\\nThat wasn't all. All the maggots that were moving throughout all my veins disappeared, too...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまは教えてくれた。<br>\\r\\nOyashiro-sama taught me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……このうじ虫たちこそが、祟りなのだと。<br>\\r\\n...These maggots were the curse.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢に生まれた鬼の血を引く人々は、雛見沢を離れて生きてはいけない。<br>\\r\\nPeople of the demon's blood can't live outside of Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれが定めなのだと言った。<br>\\r\\nIt's the rule.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあなたは気の毒にも祟りが下ってしまった。<br>\\r\\nUnfortunately, you've been cursed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それはとても悲しくて気の毒なことだけど。<br>\\r\\n...It's very sad, and I feel sorry for you.<br>\\r\\nひとつだけ助かる方法がある、……そう教えてくれた。<br>\\r\\n There is only one way to save you. ...That's what he said.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうやれば助かるの？！<br>\\r\\nWhat should I do?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまの答えは、とてもわかりやすいものだった。<br>\\r\\nThe answer was very simple.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは雛見沢に帰ること。<br>\\r\\nAll I needed to do was to go back to Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、その答えをオヤシロさまに聞く前から……無意識の内に理解していた。<br>\\r\\nI unconsciously knew that before I heard it from Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢に生まれた私たちは、雛見沢を離れてはいけなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\nPeople who were born in Hinamizawa must never leave.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを……オヤシロさまの戒律を破って、引っ越したから、…家庭がおかしくなって、私もおかしくなってしまったのだ…！<br>\\r\\nBut I broke Oyashiro-sama's rules, and I left Hinamizawa... That's why my family was broken, and I lost my mind...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢を出なければ、何も狂いださなかった！<br>\\r\\nIf I hadn't left Hinamizawa, nothing would've gone wrong!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだ、だから私は雛見沢に戻るべきなんだ…！<br>\\r\\nAnd so, I had to go back...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまはこうも言った。<br>\\r\\nOyashiro-sama also told me this:<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n祟りの具現であるこのうじ虫を消すことはできるけども、それは雛見沢から遠く離れたこの地では一時だけのこと。<br>\\r\\nHe could make the maggots, the embodiment of the curse, disappear. But only temporarily, because I lived far from Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやがて、オヤシロさまの力は薄れ、再び祟りが体を蝕むようになる。<br>\\r\\nAfter a while, the power of Oyashiro-sama would fade away, and the curse would start eating my body again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そうなったら、もう私は体の内側を全てうじ虫に乗っ取られて、狂い死にするほかなくなってしまうのだと…。<br>\\r\\n...If that happened, the maggots would take over my body, and I would go insane and die...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n祟りを抑える力が薄れてなくなってしまう前に、……雛見沢に帰りなさい。<br>\\r\\nI must go back to Hinamizawa... before his power to hold down the curse faded away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうオヤシロさまは言ったんだ。<br>\\r\\nThat's what Oyashiro-sama told me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう、言った言った、確かに聞いたんだ！<br>\\r\\nHe did. I heard him tell me that!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はもっともっと早くに雛見沢に帰らなければならなかったんだ。<br>\\r\\nI should've gone back to Hinamizawa earlier.<br>\\r\\nだから、オヤシロさまが迎えに来て、祟りを遣わせたんだ…！！<br>\\r\\n That's why Oyashiro-sama came to me to put his curse on me...!!<br>\\r\\nだけどオヤシロさまは許すチャンスをくれた。<br>\\r\\n But he gave me a chance.<br>\\r\\n雛見沢から出た罪を滅ぼすチャンスを与えてくださったんだ！！<br>\\r\\n He gave me a chance to pay for my sin of leaving Hinamizawa!!<br>\\r\\nお父さん、聞いて、オヤシロさまが助けてくれる。<br>\\r\\n Dad, listen. Oyashiro-sama is going to help us.<br>\\r\\n雛見沢に帰ろう、雛見沢が私たちの住む土地なの。<br>\\r\\n Let's go back to Hinamizawa. Hinamizawa is the place where we must live.<br>\\r\\nそうでなきゃ、私だけじゃない、お父さんも祟りにやられてしまうかもしれない！！<br>\\r\\n If we don't, not only me, but you might be cursed, too!!<br>\\r\\n帰ろう帰ろう、雛見沢へ帰ろう、あそこだけが私たちの住まう土地なんだ！<br>\\r\\n Let's go back to Hinamizawa. That's the only place where we can live!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n早く早く！<br>\\r\\nWe need to hurry!<br>\\r\\n早く帰らないと、…オヤシロさまの力が消えて、私はまた体をうじ虫に乗っ取られてしまう…！！<br>\\r\\n We need to hurry... or Oyashiro-sama's power will fade away, and my body will be eaten by the maggots...!!<br>\\r\\nああぁ、オヤシロさまがついて来るよ、そして早く早くと私に囁くの！<br>\\r\\n Oh, no. Oyashiro-sama is following me. He's telling me to hurry!<br>\\r\\nどこまでもついてきて、急げ急げと私を急かす！<br>\\r\\n He follows me everywhere and keeps telling me to hurry!<br>\\r\\nそして祟りを下してごめんなさいごめんなさいと繰り返すの。<br>\\r\\n He keeps apologizing to me for putting his curse on me.<br>\\r\\nいつまでもどこまでもついてきて、ずっとずっと謝るの！！<br>\\r\\n He follows me everywhere and keeps apologizing!!<br>\\r\\n本当だよ？！<br>\\r\\n I'm telling you the truth!<br>\\r\\n本当だってば！！<br>\\r\\n I am!!<br>\\r\\n何でみんなには見えないの？！<br>\\r\\n Why can't anybody see it?!<br>\\r\\nうじ虫もオヤシロさまもどうして見えないの？！<br>\\r\\n Why can't they see the maggots or Oyashiro-sama?<br>\\r\\nみんなで私を騙しているんだ、みんなにも見えているはずなんだ、いやいややめて、もう注射はいや…！！！<br>\\r\\n Everybody is trying to fool me. I know they can see them, too. No, no. Please stop. I don't want to get another shot...!!!<br>\\r\\nあああぁああぁあぁああぅああぁ………。<br>\\r\\n Aaaaaaaahhhh...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………落ち着いた……？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"............Are you okay...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…気付けば私は荒い息で、三四さんに肩を抱かれていた。<br>\\r\\n...I was breathing hard, and Miyo-san was holding my shoulders.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………今日までせっかく忘れていた忌まわしい記憶が蘇るのを感じた。<br>\\r\\n...I could feel that the terrible memory I'd been trying to forget was awakening.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n先生方は、…あの記憶は、私の幻だと言った。<br>\\r\\nThe doctors told me that the memory was just my delusion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……生活を壊した離婚の責任を自分に求める余り、その責任を自分以外の何かに求めたくて、小さい頃に読んで怯えた、オヤシロさまの昔話と掟に無意識の内に結びつけたのだと言った。<br>\\r\\n...They told me that since I blamed myself for the divorce, I unconsciously had a desire to blame someone else for it. And I unconsciously connected the desire to the folk tale of Oyashiro-sama that I read when I was little.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n投薬治療とカウンセリング、……そして時間。<br>\\r\\nI got drug treatment, received counseling... and waited.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれによって私は次第に落ち着いていき、…それらが私の妄想であることを認め始めた。<br>\\r\\nI gradually got better... and that proved the things I saw were just a hallucination.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n先生も、もし可能なら雛見沢へ引っ越すことを検討できないかと父に言っていたらしい。<br>\\r\\nThe doctors asked my father to consider moving to Hinamizawa if possible.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n幸い、父も離婚の痛みを癒せずにいるままで、環境を一新したいと思っていた。<br>\\r\\nFortunately, he wanted to change his living environment to heal his pain from the divorce as well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、………雛見沢へ戻ってきた。<br>\\r\\nSo... we came back to Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢に戻ってきた時、……私は確かに感じていた。<br>\\r\\nAfter we came back to Hinamizawa... I felt it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの地こそ、私たちが住まう本当の土地だったのだと。<br>\\r\\nI felt it in my bones that this was the place we should live.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、確かに感じたのだ。<br>\\r\\nAnd I also felt<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまの祝福を。<br>\\r\\n ...Oyashiro-sama's blessing.<br>\\r\\n確かに感じたのだ。<br>\\r\\n I definitely felt it.<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまの祟りが解けていくのを。<br>\\r\\n I felt the curse of Oyashiro-sama starting to break.<br>\\r\\n私は、…解放されたのだ…………！！<br>\\r\\n I was... free......!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n引っ越した後も、しばらくは穀倉の方の心療内科に通った。<br>\\r\\nAfter I moved here, I went to the clinic in Gogura for a while.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの、毒々しいカプセルはこちらでも処方され、しばらく飲み続けさせられた。<br>\\r\\nThe doctor gave me the same poisonous-looking pills, and I kept taking them for a while.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n次第に、……忌まわしい記憶も不鮮明になり、<br>\\r\\nThe terrible memory gradually became unclear...<br>\\r\\n……思い出そうとすると、薬のぼんやりとした強い副作用しか思い出せなくなり、………私は平穏を取り戻したのだった。<br>\\r\\n Whenever I tried to remember it, I could only remember the strong side effect of the pills, and it made me dizzy...... That's how I regained my peace.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれで、私は礼奈という名を捨てる。<br>\\r\\nAnd then, I changed my name, Reina.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの名で呼ばれると、思い出したくないことを思い出す気がしたからだ。<br>\\r\\nThe reason was because my name reminded me of those bad memories.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n嫌なことは、もうたくさんだ……。だから、「いやな」ことを抜こうと思った。<br>\\r\\nI didn't want to have anything icky in my life anymore... That's why I came up with the idea of taking 'icky' things out.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいやなことの「い」を礼奈から抜いたら“れ”と“な”になった。<br>\\r\\nAfter I took the \\\"i\\\" of icky out from my name, Reina, there were only \\\"Re\\\" and \\\"na\\\" left.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nくっつけたらレナだった。<br>\\r\\nThat's how Rena was born.<br>\\r\\n……何だか可愛かった。<br>\\r\\n ...I liked that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、学校での自己紹介の時、レナと呼んでほしいと言った。<br>\\r\\nWhen I was introduced to my classmates, I told them to call me Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれ以来、私はレナだ。<br>\\r\\nSince then, that had been my name.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナとして新しい人生を歩んでいる。<br>\\r\\nI'm living my new life as Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n礼奈の時の辛いことは全部切り捨てて。<br>\\r\\nI cut away all the sad things that happened when I was Reina.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父だけは相変わらず礼奈と呼ぶけど、肉親に呼ばれるのだけはそんなに抵抗はなかった。<br>\\r\\nMy father still calls me Reina, but I don't feel bad as long as it was just my father and my relatives.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこへ現れたのが、肉親でもないのに私を礼奈と呼ぶ……あのリナだったんだ。<br>\\r\\nBut then, Rina came into my life one day, and she called me Reina...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあいつが礼奈と呼ぶから、……チリチリチリチリ…。<br>\\r\\nBecause she called me Reina... those colored lights started flickering again...<br>\\r\\n……もうやめよう、忘れよう…。<br>\\r\\n I should stop. I should forget about it...<br>\\r\\nチリチリチリチリ…………。<br>\\r\\n The lights were still flickering...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………すみません。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I'm sorry.<br>\\r\\n……私、だいぶ取り乱してました…？」<br>\\r\\n ...Was I panicking that badly...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「小声で何か呟いてたわね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You were muttering to yourself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n落ち着いたならよかったわ。」<br>\\r\\n I'm glad you calmed down.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんの反応を見る限り、……私が思っていたほど、激しく取り乱したわけではないようだった。<br>\\r\\nJudging by Miyo-san's reaction... I wasn't panicking as badly as I thought I was.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、…何度も発作的に錯乱してしまっていたかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nBut... I've probably had those panicked hallucinations several times.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……昔のように、吼え猛っていたら、……また、病院に連れて行かれたに違いない。<br>\\r\\n...If I started screaming and yelling like I once did... they'd take me away to a hospital again for sure.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私は………、あの異常な中で、確かにオヤシロさまに会ったんです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm... certain I met Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\nもちろん、…うじ虫も。<br>\\r\\n I saw the maggots.<br>\\r\\n…………あはははは、…信じられませんよね…？」<br>\\r\\n ...Ahahahaha. It's hard to believe, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...............\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんは複雑そうな笑顔だった。<br>\\r\\nMiyo-san smiled, looking a little confused.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…当然だ。私だって、こんな話、信じてもらえるとは思わない。<br>\\r\\n...I couldn't blame her. I didn't expect her to believe it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……私が錯乱して、おかしな記憶を自分で生み出しているだけに違いないのだから。<br>\\r\\n...I'm sure it was just a strange memory I created for myself in my hallucinations.<br>\\r\\n………自分が自分で信用できないなんて。<br>\\r\\n ...I can't believe I can't trust myself.<br>\\r\\n……最低の気持ちだった。<br>\\r\\n ...That's the worst feeling of all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナちゃん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena-chan,<br>\\r\\nまず、ひとつ安心してほしいの。」<br>\\r\\n first of all, you don't have to worry about anything.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………はい。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Yes.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナちゃんが怖がっている祟り。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm talking about the curse you're afraid of<br>\\r\\n……つまり、血の中にいたという、…うじ虫。<br>\\r\\n and the maggots that you saw in your blood.<br>\\r\\nそれは、オヤシロさまが言うには、雛見沢にいる限りは大丈夫なんでしょう？」<br>\\r\\n According to what Oyashiro-sama said, you're free from them as long as you stay in Hinamizawa, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………えぇ、そう言ってました…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Yes, that's what he said...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なら、怯えることはないじゃない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Then, you don't have to be scared.<br>\\r\\n安心して。<br>\\r\\n You don't have to worry about anything.<br>\\r\\nあなたは今、雛見沢にいる。<br>\\r\\n You're in Hinamizawa right now.<br>\\r\\nまぁこの図書館は興宮だけど、このくらいの距離ならオヤシロさまも許してくれるわね。<br>\\r\\n Well, this library is in Okinomiya, but it's very close to Hinamizawa. I'm sure it's okay with Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n血管の内側に何かが蠢いているなんて感じないでしょ？」<br>\\r\\n You don't feel anything moving in your veins right now, do you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………それは……はい。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".........No, I don't.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だから、安心して。<br>\\r\\n\\\"So, there's nothing to worry about.<br>\\r\\nあなたは今、オヤシロさまの戒律をちゃんと守ってる。<br>\\r\\n You're following Oyashiro-sama's rules.<br>\\r\\nだから、何も恐れなくていいの。<br>\\r\\n There's nothing you should be scared of.<br>\\r\\nだってそうでしょう？<br>\\r\\n Is there?<br>\\r\\nね……？」<br>\\r\\n Right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………はい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"............No.<br>\\r\\n…………はい。」<br>\\r\\n ......No.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんにこんな包容力を感じたのは初めてだった。<br>\\r\\nI didn't know until then that she was such a warm-hearted person.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何人ものお医者の先生が、私がこの話をすると決まって、無視し、聞き流し、あの嫌な注射をしようとした。<br>\\r\\nI met many doctors and talked to them about this, but they always ignored me, and didn't really listen. All they did was give me a shot of the drug I hated.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…なのに三四さんは頭から否定するようなことをせず、オヤシロさまの存在も否定しないでくれた。<br>\\r\\n...On the other hand, Miyo-san didn't deny my story or the existence of Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼女は村では、…少し怪しい人だって囁かれてることもあるみたいだけど、<br>\\r\\nThe people in this village whispered behind her back that she's a little crazy...<br>\\r\\n………本当はとってもやさしい人なのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n But she was actually a very kind person,<br>\\r\\n……そう感じていた。<br>\\r\\n I thought.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナちゃん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena-chan,<br>\\r\\n私は今の話、全部信じるわ。」<br>\\r\\n I believe everything you just told me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ありがとうございます。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Thank you so much.<br>\\r\\nそう言ってくれた人は初めてかもです…。」<br>\\r\\n You're the first one to ever say that to me...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「くすくす、それは私も同じよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hee hee, so are you.<br>\\r\\n私の話を馬鹿にしないでちゃんと聞いてくれた人はあなたが初めて。<br>\\r\\n You're the first one who didn't laugh at me and listened to me so seriously.<br>\\r\\n………私たち、いい友達になれそうね。」<br>\\r\\n ......I think we can be good friends.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんはそう言って、頭をくっ付けながら微笑んでくれた。<br>\\r\\nMiyo-san smiled, touching my head with hers.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なら、…私の秘蔵のファイルとスクラップも貸してあげるわね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well... I'll let you borrow my secret files and my scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本当に本当の門外不出。<br>\\r\\n These are top secret.<br>\\r\\n私以外の誰にも見せる気がなかったんだけど、レナちゃんには特別に読ませてあげてもいい気がするわ。<br>\\r\\n I didn't want to show these to anybody, but you're special. I think I can trust you.<br>\\r\\n……あなたなら、馬鹿にしないでちゃんと読んでくれそうな気がするし。」<br>\\r\\n ...I know you'll take them seriously.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼女はそう言うと、ペーパーバッグからさらに２〜３冊のスクラップ帖を出すと、私に押し付けた。<br>\\r\\nShe took a few scrapbooks out of her paper bag, and handed them to me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ぜひ読んで、感想を聞かせてね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Let me know what you think after you read them.<br>\\r\\n……あるいはひょっとすると、…レナちゃんにしかわからないことなのかもしれない。」<br>\\r\\n ...There might be... there might be something in them that only you can understand.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんは少し謎めいたことを言った。<br>\\r\\nMiyo-san was acting mysteriously.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれから悪戯っぽく笑うと、内緒を意味するように、人差し指を唇の前に立てる仕草をして言った。<br>\\r\\nShe smiled mischievously, and put her index finger on her lips as a sign to keep it a secret.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あと、このスクラップ帖と、私がそういう研究しているのは……内緒よ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Don't tell anybody about these scrapbooks, or that I'm studying this... okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「内緒ですか？<br>\\r\\n\\\"We're keeping this a secret?<br>\\r\\nはい、わかりました。」<br>\\r\\n Okay, I got it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………だって、こんな研究をしているのが、連中に知られたら、消されてしまうかもしれないものね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...If they find out that I've been studying this, they might get rid of me.<br>\\r\\n…くすくすくすくす。」<br>\\r\\n ...Hee hee hee hee.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう言って、彼女は笑った。<br>\\r\\nShe laughed after she said that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n連中に知られたら消されてしまうかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nThey might erase her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう言って、彼女は笑った。<br>\\r\\nThat's what she said.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、………彼女は失踪した……。<br>\\r\\nAnd... she went missing...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………私にスクラップ帖数冊だけを残して。<br>\\r\\n...She left me her scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが衝撃はそれだけに収まらない。<br>\\r\\nBut that's not all there is to it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは………富竹さんの死因だった。<br>\\r\\nIt's the... way Tomitake-san died.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石さんは、それを、薬物で錯乱しての自殺…というような言い方をしたが、私だけはこの自殺の真相を知っていた。<br>\\r\\nOoishi-san said he committed suicide because of a state of excitation caused by using some kind of drug... But I know what really happened.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……もちろん大石さんには言ってない。<br>\\r\\n......I didn't tell Ooishi-san about it.<br>\\r\\n…言ったところで信じてくれないと思ったから。<br>\\r\\n ...I don't think he'd have believed me even if I told him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n富竹さんは、…………間違いない。<br>\\r\\nWithout a doubt......<br>\\r\\n…うじ虫を掻き出そうとして死んだのだ。<br>\\r\\n Tomitake-san... died trying to get rid of the maggots.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはまさにオヤシロさまの祟りに他ならない。<br>\\r\\nIt was nothing other than the curse of Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまの禁忌は、雛見沢から出て行くことにだけじゃない。<br>\\r\\nTo never leave Hinamizawa isn't the only rule of Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n他にもいくつもある。<br>\\r\\nThere are more.<br>\\r\\n………彼は、知らずの内にそれらのひとつを犯したのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n ...He might've broken one of them without knowing it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだ、大石さんも言ってたじゃないか。<br>\\r\\nOoishi-san told me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……神聖な奉納演舞の時、無神経にフラッシュ撮影をしていたものだから、一部から反感を買っていたらしい…というようなことを。<br>\\r\\n...Tomitake-san was taking pictures with his camera flash on during the sacred ritual dance, and some people got mad at him for it...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまを祀る神聖な演舞を穢したので………祟りにあった…？<br>\\r\\nDid Oyashiro-sama put his curse on Tomitake because he violated the sacred ritual dance...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあるいは他の理由かもしれないが、…とにかくとにかく、……これはオヤシロさまの祟り以外の何者でもないのだ。<br>\\r\\nIt might be for another reason... Anyway... he died from the curse of Oyashiro-sama, without a doubt.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nということは………三四さんも、……オヤシロさまの祟りに……？<br>\\r\\nDid that mean... Oyashiro-sama put his curse on Miyo-san, too...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n神を調べる行為は即ち、神に近付く行為。<br>\\r\\nInvestigating the gods is the same as getting close to the gods.<br>\\r\\nそれは神を冒涜する行為に他ならない。<br>\\r\\n It's disrespecting them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいや、でも、……三四さんは、これがバレたら連中に消されるかもしれないと言った。<br>\\r\\nBut... Miyo-san told me that \\\"they\\\" might get rid of her if they found out about her investigation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n連中とは人間のことだ。オヤシロさまのことじゃない。<br>\\r\\nBy \\\"they\\\" she meant humans.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…それに、三四さんの提唱する説は確か、オヤシロさま信仰を復興させようとする御三家の陰謀説だったはず。<br>\\r\\n...Plus, according to her theory, the Three Families are in a conspiracy to revive the faith of Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、富竹さんの死に方は明らかに祟りだ！<br>\\r\\nBut I can tell by the way Tomitake-san died that it was the act of the curse!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n祟りを受けたことがある私だから断言できる！<br>\\r\\nI'm certain about that because I experienced the curse myself!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてそれは、人間臭い陰謀説とは一見、相容れないように思える。<br>\\r\\nAnd at first glance, that seemed incompatible with those conspiracy theories about human beings.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだ、大石さんは、怪しげな薬物で自殺に導いた可能性もある…というようなことを言わなかったっけ？<br>\\r\\nI remember that Ooishi-san told me something about some kind of drug that can make a person commit suicide.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nじゃあつまり、…御三家は、オヤシロさまの祟りを人為的に引き起こせる秘密の薬でも持っているのだろうか…？<br>\\r\\n...So do the Three Families have a secret drug that can cause the curse of Oyashiro-sama...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなはずはない。だって、「私」はそんな怪しい注射など受けた覚えはない。<br>\\r\\nThat's impossible. Plus, I didn't get any shots of a suspicious drug like that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n茨城で普通に生活してた。<br>\\r\\nI had a normal life in Ibaraki.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n園崎家とか公由家とか、雛見沢に関係する人たちとは一切接点がなかったはず…。<br>\\r\\nI wasn't involved with the Sonozaki family or the Kimiyoshi family...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石さんに頼まれた。<br>\\r\\nOoishi-san asked me a favor.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんや梨花ちゃん、それから村中、何でもいい。<br>\\r\\nHe asked me to tell him secretly if I saw or heard anything suspicious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何か不審なことを見聞きしたらこっそり教えてくれてと言われた。<br>\\r\\nIt could be about Mii-chan, Rika-chan, or anybody in the village.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまの話を信じてくれた三四さんが消された。<br>\\r\\nMiyo-san believed my story about Oyashiro-sama. Now she's gone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n富竹さんが私と同じことをして死んだ。<br>\\r\\nTomitake-san died by doing the same thing I did.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあぁ、いやだいやだ…。<br>\\r\\nOh, no, no, no, no...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまの祟りにはもう関わりたくないのに……！<br>\\r\\nI don't want to get involved with the curse of Oyashiro-sama...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれは怪しげな狂信者たちの暗躍なのか、それともオヤシロさまの祟りなのか。<br>\\r\\nIs this a conspiracy of a group of fanatical cult members, or is it the curse of Oyashiro-sama?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれとも全部全部偶然で、…いや、あるいは暗躍も祟りも全部全部ごっちゃなのか。<br>\\r\\nIs everything just a set of coincidences...? Or maybe it's a mixture of a conspiracy and the curse...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nわからないわからない！<br>\\r\\nI don't know!<br>\\r\\n人か祟りか偶然か！<br>\\r\\n Is it the work of humans, the curse, or a coincidence?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあぁ……夕暮れ時のこの程度の日差しにも眩暈を感じる。<br>\\r\\nOh, no... even the light of the sunset was making me feel dizzy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢の日差しは、いつの間にこんなにも意地悪になったんだろう…？<br>\\r\\nWhen did the sunlight in Hinamizawa get so mean...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n研究を秘密にしてほしいと言った三四さん。<br>\\r\\nMiyo-san told me to keep her investigation secret.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……その門外不出のスクラップ帖を、私は預かっている。<br>\\r\\n...I have her top-secret scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……………ひょっとして、………真相はあの中に眠っているのではないだろうか。<br>\\r\\n...They... might hold the truth about everything.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれに気付いた途端、どきりと心臓が高鳴る。<br>\\r\\nWhen I realized that, I got scared all of a sudden.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nということは、…あのスクラップを持っている私も、……三四さんと同じ末路を辿る危険があるからだ。<br>\\r\\nI might end up the same way as Miyo-san, because I have her scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが陰謀なら、私は消される。<br>\\r\\nIf it's a conspiracy, I'll be erased.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが祟りなら、私は祟られる。<br>\\r\\nIf it's the curse, I'll be cursed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nスクラップ帖を焼き捨てよう……、それが一番安全……。<br>\\r\\nI should burn the scrapbooks... That's the safest thing to do...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…でも、…三四さんは私の話を信じてくれた。<br>\\r\\n...But Miyo-san believed my story.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんは私を馬鹿にしないでくれた。<br>\\r\\nMiyo-san listened to me without laughing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そんな三四さんが残したものを、読みもせずに焼き捨てていいんだろうか…。<br>\\r\\n...It'd feel wrong to burn them without taking a look.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが陰謀なら、暴かなければならない。<br>\\r\\nIf it's a conspiracy, I have to expose it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが祟りなら、破らなければならない。<br>\\r\\nIf it's the curse, I have to break it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n逃げちゃだめだ…。<br>\\r\\nI shouldn't run away.<br>\\r\\n……戦おう。<br>\\r\\n ...I should fight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだ、私は幸せをその手に掴むまで、…どこまでも戦おうと決意したんじゃないか。<br>\\r\\nThat's right, I decided to fight to seize my happiness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n不幸に屈するな。<br>\\r\\nI shouldn't give in to misfortunes.<br>\\r\\n戦うんだ。<br>\\r\\n I have to fight!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…私の平穏を乱そうとする暗雲を自ら払いのけるんだ…！<br>\\r\\n...I'm going to get rid of all the things that are trying to ruin my peaceful life...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n帰って、三四さんのスクラップ帖を読もう。<br>\\r\\nI'm going to read her scrapbooks when I get home.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自然と私の足は速くなるのだった…。<br>\\r\\nI started walking faster...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n●「帰巣性」と「ホームシック」について<br>\\r\\n\\\"About 'homing ability' and 'homesickness'\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n広義の意味で「帰巣性」を取り扱うなら、およそほとんどの生き物に帰巣性があると言えるだろう。<br>\\r\\nIf you interpret \\\"homing ability\\\" in a broad sense, you can say that most animals have a homing ability.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n人間についても同じで、我々は睡眠や休息、食事といった行為を、よく馴染んだ場所、つまり家で行ないたがる。<br>\\r\\nIt's the same with humans. We like to sleep, rest, and eat at a place where we feel comfortable--namely, our homes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの家は、まさに巣に通じるだろう。<br>\\r\\nYour home is to you what nests are to animals.<br>\\r\\nゆえに人にも帰巣性があると言える。<br>\\r\\n Therefore, we can say that humans have a homing ability as well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそもそも動物はなぜ巣を必要とするのか。<br>\\r\\nFirst of all, why do animals need nests?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれも人間とまったく同じだ。<br>\\r\\nThe answer is the same as for humans.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n睡眠や休息、食事という行為は、生存のために不可欠な行為であり、同時に隙を見せる無用心な行為でもある。<br>\\r\\nSleeping, resting, and eating are the essential actions for survival. At the same time, those actions leave one defenseless as well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその為、隙を見せても大丈夫な「安全地帯」を設ける必要があったからである。<br>\\r\\nThat's why you need a \\\"safe area\\\" where you can be defenseless.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの「安全地帯」を得ないことは、高度なストレスを与えることは誰でも知っている。<br>\\r\\nEverybody knows that not having this \\\"safe area\\\" results in a high level of stress.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n動物を慣れない環境に強引に移せば、相当のストレスを与えることになるし、<br>\\r\\nWhen you move an animal to a new environment, it naturally becomes stressed.<br>\\r\\n人間とて、不慣れな土地で気を許せない生活を強いれば、相当のストレスを与えることになる。<br>\\r\\n When you force a person to live in a foreign land where they aren't comfortable, they become greatly stressed as well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのストレスを「ホームシック」と呼ぶことは誰もが知っているだろう。<br>\\r\\nEverybody also knows that this kind of stress is called \\\"homesickness\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n日本では「ホームシック」については研究が非常に浅い。<br>\\r\\nThe Japanese don't know much about \\\"homesickness\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその定義を長く、心の弛みのせいとし、その救済を放置してきた歴史があるからである。<br>\\r\\nWe defined it as mental weakness, and we neglected to treat it for a long period of time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ホームシック」の歴史は非常に長く、中世ヨーロッパでは、精神的なものではなく、肉体的な病気とまで信じていた。<br>\\r\\nHowever, \\\"homesickness\\\" has a very long history. In Europe's Middle Ages, people believed that it wasn't a mental but rather a physical disease.<br>\\r\\n中でもとりわけ、スイス人が罹患しやすいと信じられていた。<br>\\r\\n People also believed that out of everyone, the Swiss got the disease the most.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれは、当時のヨーロッパにおいて、スイス人が出稼ぎ民族として知られていたためだろう。<br>\\r\\nThe Swiss, you see, were known to be an ethnic group that worked away from home in that era.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n郷里を遠く離れ、しかも現代のように電話で声を聞くこともできない。<br>\\r\\nThey lived far away from their homes. There were no telephones at that time, so they couldn't even hear their families' voices for ages and ages.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな異郷で働くスイスの若者たちが「ホームシック」にかかったことは想像に難しくない。<br>\\r\\nIt's easy to imagine that the young Swiss workers got homesick while working in a strange land.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの「ホームシック」にかかったスイス人たちは、郷里へどうしても帰りたくなり、<br>\\r\\nThese Swiss who got homesick wanted to go home,<br>\\r\\nでも仕事の都合で帰ることができない葛藤が生じた時、身体的にも精神的にも衰弱し、時には精神に異常すら来たし、脱走や自殺といった逃避行為に駆り立てたという。<br>\\r\\n but they couldn't because of their jobs. The conflict made them weak physically and mentally. Some of them went crazy and tried to escape from their reality by committing suicide or running away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n当時のスイス人たちもこの迷信を信じ、「ホームシック」にかからないための民間療法や魔術紛いのものが多数流行したという。<br>\\r\\nThe Swiss at the time were very superstitious, and many folk remedies and occult-like treatments to prevent homesickness went around.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n郷里に帰る以外、治療の方法がないのだから、不治の病とも言えたに違いない。<br>\\r\\nSince going home was the only treatment, they must've called it a fatal disease.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nただし、病と呼ぶのは正しくない。<br>\\r\\nBut it isn't really one, of course.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n正確には「ホームシック」とは、郷里という「安全地帯」へ戻りたいと脳が欲求する、帰巣のための信号であると言えるからだ。<br>\\r\\nSpecifically, \\\"homesickness\\\" is a sign of that human homing instinct. Your brain desires to go back to your \\\"safe area<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n始め、脳は郷里への思い出などを掻きたて、自然な帰郷を促す。<br>\\r\\nAt first, your brain makes you remember the happy memories of your home, and it urges you to go home in a natural way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、理性がそれを咎め帰郷を果たせないと、脳は身体に異常な信号を送るようになる。<br>\\r\\nBut when reason stops you from achieving your desire, your brain starts sending unnatural signals to your body.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその結果、衰弱が起こり、より異郷での生活を困難としていき、最後には理性を曲げることで、帰郷を果たすのである。<br>\\r\\nAs a result, your body gets weak, and that makes it more difficult for you to live in a strange land. In the end, you have to bend reason in order to achieve your desire to go home.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、「帰巣性」ゆえに「ホームシック」が生み出されるのである。<br>\\r\\nSo, homesickness is born from our homing instincts.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n同時に、この「帰巣性」が強ければ、より強力な「ホームシック」が生み出されるわけでもある。<br>\\r\\nAnd the stronger one's homing instinct is, the stronger their homesickness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの「帰巣性」の強さには、もちろん個人差があるし、環境にも大きく左右される。<br>\\r\\nThe strength of that homing instinct varies from individual to individual, and depends on the environment in which those individuals live.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n故郷がより安全であり、現在の環境がより危険であるなら「帰巣性」は強く宿るだろう。<br>\\r\\nWhen your home is safe and the environment you live in is dangerous, your homing instinct grows stronger.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n逆に、故郷よりも現在の環境が安全であるなら「帰巣性」は極めて弱くなるだろうと思われる。<br>\\r\\nOn the other hand, when the environment you live in is safer than your home, your homing instinct becomes very weak.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまた、単に安全かどうかだけでなく、文化的なものも作用するだろう。<br>\\r\\nSafety isn't the only element that affects its strength. Cultural aspects affect it too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n節目ごとに里帰りを求める風習の数々は地方差があり、出身地の文化によってもまた「帰巣性」の強弱は変わると思われる。<br>\\r\\nThe many customs demanding families to return home for major events varies with each region, so your birthplace's culture also alters the strength of your homing instinct.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな中にあって、極めて過剰に「帰巣性」が強いと考えられるのが『鬼ヶ淵村』の仙人たちである。<br>\\r\\nAmongst those regions, the \\\"transcendants\\\" of Onigafuchi Village were believed to have an excessively strong homing instinct.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鬼ヶ淵村の仙人たちは、戒律により村から出ることを禁じていた。<br>\\r\\nThe people of Onigafuchi forbade their fellows from ever leaving.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれにはすでに述べた選民思想や、穢れ意識などが作用しているものと思われるが、<br>\\r\\nMany believed this was the effect of the elitism and sense of purity I already mentioned before.<br>\\r\\n禁を破って村を捨てれば、必ずオヤシロさまが追ってきて祟りを成すという、現在でも強く信じられている迷信は、先に述べた「ホームシック」と捉えることもできる。<br>\\r\\n People today still strongly believe that Oyashiro-sama puts his curse on you if you break his rule and abandon the village. This superstition can be interpreted as homesickness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「帰巣性」と「ホームシック」の関係が比例的であるならば、<br>\\r\\nIf homesickness is directly proportional to one's homing instinct,<br>\\r\\n祟りという大袈裟な表現はまさに「ホームシック」の強さを示すものであり、同時に「帰巣性」の強さを示すものでもある。<br>\\r\\n then the exaggerated expression, \\\"curse,\\\" would signify the strength of that homesickness, and also their homing instinct.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその「帰巣性」の強さゆえに、下界を強く忌み嫌い、閉鎖社会を形作ったのではないだろうか。<br>\\r\\nI can assume that they hated the outside world and created an insular society precisely because of their powerful homing ability.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n太古の鬼ヶ淵村においては、残念ながら「帰巣性」の強さを測るケースがない。<br>\\r\\nUnfortunately, there's no way to measure the strength of the homing ability that the primitive people of Onigafuchi had.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n戒律で村を出ることが厳しく禁じられていたため、「ホームシック」にかかるまで村を出ていたケースが存在しないからだ。<br>\\r\\nIt was so strongly forbidden to leave the village that nobody left long enough to get homesick.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nところが、明治以降の近年になって事情が一変した。<br>\\r\\nHowever, after the Meiji era, things changed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n近代化の波が押し寄せ、鬼ヶ淵村の神聖性が失われた。<br>\\r\\nThe sacredness of Onigafuchi dwindled with the efforts of modernization.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n都会に憧れる若者が増え、また職を得るために村を出る決断も迫られた。<br>\\r\\nMany young people started longing for city life, and some people were forced to leave the village to get a job.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその結果、村人たちの流出が始まったのである。<br>\\r\\nAs a result, villagers started venturing outside the village borders.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここで、鬼ヶ淵村の仙人の末裔たちは、初めて己が「帰巣性」の強さについて知るのである。<br>\\r\\nThat was when the transcendants of Onigafuchi realized how strong their homing ability was for the first time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢住民は異常に「ホームシック」が強かったのである。<br>\\r\\nThe residents of Hinamizawa got extremely homesick.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやがてその「ホームシック」を誰ともなく「オヤシロさまの祟り」と呼ぶようになった。<br>\\r\\nAfter a while, people started to call this homesickness \\\"the curse of Oyashiro-sama\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかも出稼ぎに出た誰かが、異郷の地で祟りに遭い、狂い死んだとの噂が流れると、流出住民たちは次々と村か、周辺の町へ舞い戻ってくることとなる。<br>\\r\\nIt became rumored that a person who left the village to get a job in a strange land was cursed, that he went crazy and died, and people who had left the village started coming back to either it or the nearby town.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの「ホームシック」、「帰巣性」の強さは、おそらくは文化によるもの、<br>\\r\\nTheir homesickness and their homing ability were very strong, because of their culture.<br>\\r\\nすなわち雛見沢独自の信仰であるオヤシロさま信仰により培われたと考えるのが妥当だろう。<br>\\r\\n It's reasonable to think that these were cultivated by the unique religion in Hinamizawa, namely the cult of Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼らは生まれた時から無意識の内にオヤシロさまの戒律を刷り込まれ、村を出ることに対し、無意識の内に罪を感じていたに違いない。<br>\\r\\nFrom the moment they were born, they were taught the rules of Oyashiro-sama. They must've felt guilty about leaving the village unconsciously.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその結果、「ホームシック」を「オヤシロさまの祟り」と捉えたのだろう。<br>\\r\\nAs a result, they considered their homesickness to be the curse of Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまの戒律があるから「帰巣性」が強まったのか、「ホームシック」が強すぎるからオヤシロさまの戒律を作ったのか。<br>\\r\\nI'm not sure if their homesickness got stronger because of the rules of Oyashiro-sama, or if they made the rules of Oyashiro-sama because their homesickness got stronger.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……卵が先か鶏が先かははっきりしない。<br>\\r\\n...I don't know which came first.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……私は小さい文字に読み疲れ、ごろりと転がり天井を仰いだ。<br>\\r\\n...I got tired of reading such small print, and lay down on the floor on my back.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「オヤシロさまの祟り」の正体はホームシックだって？<br>\\r\\nThe true identity of the curse of Oyashiro-sama is... homesickness?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私の話を理解してくれた三四さんのスクラップ帖だと思い、期待して読んだのに。<br>\\r\\nMiyo-san believed my story, and she let me read these scrapbooks. That's why I expected to find something interesting.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……その内容が、私がカウンセラーの先生方に何度も言われた言葉、「ホームシック」でまとめられてしまったので、ちょっと不快だった。<br>\\r\\n...But what it's saying is that the answer to it all is \\\"homesickness,\\\" which many doctors told me so many times at counseling. I'm a little upset.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nホームシックなんて言葉で、……あの異常な体験をどう説明できるというのか。<br>\\r\\nThe word \\\"homesickness\\\" can't explain the extraordinary experience I had.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は確かにあの光り輝く眩しい浴室でオヤシロさまが降臨されるのを見た。<br>\\r\\nI saw Oyashiro-sama come down to me from a bright light in the bathroom.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして血管の中からぶくぶくと溢れ出す、あの汚らしい赤黒いうじ虫の群れを見た。<br>\\r\\nI saw the dusky-red nasty maggots come out of my blood vessels.<br>\\r\\nそれらに対しては何の説明にもなっていない。<br>\\r\\n This scrapbook doesn't explain any of that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあのうじ虫の群れを三四さんはどう説明するというのか。<br>\\r\\nI don't understand how Miyo-san was going to explain the cloud of maggots.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれとも元々説明などないのか？<br>\\r\\nMaybe she didn't have any explanation of that to begin with.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやっぱりあれは錯乱した私の妄想だったのか……？<br>\\r\\nWas it just a delusion...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は「うじ虫」の説明を求めて、三四さんに借りている数冊のスクラップ帖を、<br>\\r\\nI flipped through one of the other scrapbooks Miyo-san let me borrow,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nベラベラっと流し見する。<br>\\r\\n looking for an explanation of the \\\"maggots\\\" I saw.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………すると、…なんと見付かった。<br>\\r\\n...Then... I found it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれも、私の期待するそのままの見出しでだ。<br>\\r\\nIt had the exact title I was looking for.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n●「うじ虫」と「オヤシロさまの祟り」について<br>\\r\\n\\\"About 'maggots'n and 'the curse of Oyashiro-sama'\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n明治の頃の、流出住民集団帰郷の際、帰郷者たちの中である奇病の噂が流れた。<br>\\r\\nIn the Meiji era, a group of villagers were on their way back to Hinamizawa, and they started discussing a rumor about a weird disease.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢を離れると、傷口が腐り「うじ虫」が湧き出して体中を内側から食い尽くすというのである。<br>\\r\\nThey said that \\\"maggots\\\" started crawling out of the wounds of a person who left Hinamizawa, and that the maggots ate the person's body from the inside.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその奇病について、当時の古手神社神主はそれこそ「オヤシロさまの祟り」の印であると説いたという。<br>\\r\\nThe Shinto priest of the Furude Shrine at that time explained that the weird disease was a sign of \\\"the curse of Oyashiro-sama\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n当時の口伝によると、神主は不出である絵巻物を広げ、その「うじ湧き」が太古の昔から語り継がれていたことを示したらしい。<br>\\r\\nAccording to tradition, the Shinto priest showed the villagers an ancient scroll, and he told them that the story of the maggots had been passed down through the ages.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何でも、鬼たちがやって来たという「鬼の国」は、「死者の国」とも読み取れるらしく、<br>\\r\\nThis is what the scroll said: The world where the demons came from must be interpreted as the land of death,<br>\\r\\n死者の国の鬼たちは、常にその身をうじ虫に食われ続けているというのである。<br>\\r\\n and the demons in that land of death had to live their lives while being eaten by maggots.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその鬼たちの血を宿す彼らは、オヤシロさまの加護がある雛見沢では何の問題もないが、<br>\\r\\nThe villagers who are of the demon's blood had nothing to worry about as long as they lived in Hinamizawa under the protection of Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n異郷の地で加護を失うと、鬼の血の中で眠っていた「うじ虫」たちも目覚め、全身に溢れかえって、その身を食い尽くしてしまうと言うのだ。<br>\\r\\n But once they left Hinamizawa, abandoning that protection, the maggots that had been sleeping in the blood of the demons would start to awaken, and they'd eat their bodies from the inside out.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしばらくの間、この「うじ湧き病」はひどく恐れられ、仕事の都合で郷里を離れなければならない時には、この「祟り」から赦しを得る免罪符を神社に求めたという。<br>\\r\\nThis \\\"maggot disease\\\" scared the villagers for a while, and they asked the Shrine to provide them with protective talismans whenever they had to leave the village on business.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n（この辺が、中世スイスのホームシック予防と合致するのは面白い）<br>\\r\\n(This is interesting, as it's similar to the way homesickness was dealt with by the Swiss in the Middle Ages.)<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大戦を境に、この「うじ湧き病」の妄想は潰えたが、郷里から離れて住まう親族に免罪符を送る習慣は根強く残っている。<br>\\r\\nAfter the war started, the delusion of the \\\"maggot disease\\\" faded away, but there remained a custom to send talismans to families that lived away from Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまた、免罪符の中に「蛆（うじ）」の字が含まれているのもその名残だろう。<br>\\r\\nThe talismans had the word \\\"maggot\\\" on them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、ここで興味深いのは、奇病の噂が流れる以前には、雛見沢住民とて「うじ湧き」について知らなかったという点である。<br>\\r\\nBut the most interesting part about all this is that the residents of Hinamizawa didn't know about the \\\"maggot disease\\\" until the rumors began.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれまで私は、無意識レベルで刷り込まれた信仰が、「ホームシック」を「祟り」だと認識させると考えていた。<br>\\r\\nI'd thought that their unconscious worship made those people think of homesickness as a \\\"curse\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nよってこの事前知識なき「うじ湧き」の一件は、これまでの私の研究と真っ向から対立するものとなる。<br>\\r\\nSo this case of the previously unknown \\\"maggot disease\\\" directly contradicted the research I had done so far.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n祟りを鵜呑みにした集団帰郷者たちにある種の集団妄想が取り憑き、それを神主が巧みに信仰心へ誘導したと読み取るのが、確かに自然ではあるのだが…。<br>\\r\\nIt's natural to think that the group of people who were on their way back to the village were lost in a mass delusion because they strongly believed in the curse, and that the Shinto priest took advantage of their state of panic to instill a deeper faith in them...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n偶然の集団妄想が、たまたま太古の絵巻物と一致しただけとするには、どうにも腑に落ちない。<br>\\r\\nBut I'm not fully convinced that it was merely a coincidence that this mass delusion matched with the story in the old picture scroll.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「オヤシロさまの祟り」を受けると、何の予備知識がなくても「傷口にうじ虫が湧く」のだろうか？<br>\\r\\nI wonder if it's possible to see maggots in a wound without having the prerequisite knowledge when a person is cursed by Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰か「祟り」を私の目の前で受けてはくれないだろうか。<br>\\r\\nI wish Oyashiro-sama would put his curse on someone I could study.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nぜひ観察し、傷口にうじ虫が湧いたかどうか聞いてみたいものだ。<br>\\r\\nI'd love to see those maggots coming out of someone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………それは、まるで三四さんが私に直接問い掛けているかのようだった。<br>\\r\\n...I felt as if Miyo-san was here and making that request of me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだ。<br>\\r\\nI remember.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼女がこのスクラップ帖を渡す時、……あるいはあなたになら何かわかるかもしれない…というようなことを言っていたような気がする。<br>\\r\\nWhen she gave me the scrapbooks... she said that I might be the only who could understand them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は一瞬だけ喜んだ。<br>\\r\\nI felt good just for a moment<br>\\r\\nあの「うじ虫」が、私ひとりの妄想ではなかったからだ。<br>\\r\\n because I found out that the maggots weren't a delusion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが同時に、…あれが私の「妄想」であったとする逃げ道も失ってしまう。<br>\\r\\nBut at the same time... it destroyed my excuse that it was a delusion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……つまり、あの「うじ虫」は、私の見間違いでも何でもなく、…本当にいたのだ。<br>\\r\\n......The maggots weren't a delusion... They were there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれに気付いた途端に、手首や肘、膝の内側、首筋などが急に痒くなったような気がした。<br>\\r\\nAll of a sudden, my wrists, elbows, inner thighs, and neck started itching.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……再びカミソリで血管を開いてみたい衝動に駆られるが、それを私は静かに押し殺した。<br>\\r\\n......I felt the urge to cut open a blood vessel, but I quietly held it down.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私がうじ虫が湧いたという話をした時、三四さんがものすごく真剣な表情を浮かべていたことを思い出す。<br>\\r\\nI remembered that Miyo-san looked very serious when I talked about the maggots.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………さぞや、ぞっとしたに違いない。<br>\\r\\n...She must've thought it was creepy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、ぞっとしたのは私も同じだ。<br>\\r\\nBut so did I.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……誰も信じてくれないと嘆きながらも、……自分の血管の中にあんな気持ち悪いものがびっしり蠢いているなんて信じたくなかった。<br>\\r\\n...While I was crying because nobody believed me...... a part of me didn't want to believe that my body was filled with those creepy things.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから心のどこかで、やっぱりこれは妄想なのだろうと思い込みたがっている部分もあったと思う。<br>\\r\\nI think part of me wanted to believe that it was a delusion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、それが否定されてしまった。<br>\\r\\nBut now I know it wasn't.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれは幻でも何でもなく、……私と同じ体験をした人たちが過去に実在していたのだ。<br>\\r\\nIt wasn't a delusion... There are some people who had the same experience.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……鬼の血の中のうじ虫が、オヤシロさまの加護を失うと溢れ出す…？<br>\\r\\n...Maggots in the demon's blood will awaken when you lose the protection of Oyashiro-sama...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでは、逆を返せば、…オヤシロさまの加護があれば溢れ出さないだけで、<br>\\r\\nIn other words... they may not awaken under the protection of Oyashiro-sama,<br>\\r\\n村人全員がこのうじ虫を知らずに血管の中に飼っているということにはならないだろうか…？<br>\\r\\n but all the villagers still have the maggots in them without knowing it...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nということは……鬼の血を宿すとはつまり、……あの気持ちの悪いうじ虫たちを宿している…という意味なのか…？<br>\\r\\nPeople of the demon's blood are... people who have the creepy maggots in their bodies...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は結論を急がず、再びスクラップ帖をバラバラと捲った。<br>\\r\\nI tried not to jump to conclusions, and flipped the pages again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…自然と、うじ虫に関連した何かを探してしまう。<br>\\r\\n...I unconsciously looked for something related to maggots.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n●「寄生虫」による宿主支配について<br>\\r\\n\\\"About 'Parasites' and control of the host\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n集団帰郷者の「うじ湧き病」で考えたのだが、そもそも雛見沢の過度の「ホームシック」が、何らかの寄生虫による感染症とは考えられないだろうか。<br>\\r\\nThe \\\"maggot disease\\\" made me think about something. Is it possible to say that the extremely strong homesickness of Hinamizawa was an infectious disease caused by some kind of parasite?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれは、彼らが傷口から湧き出す「うじ虫」を見たからということではなく、<br>\\r\\nI'm not trying to connect the maggots they saw with parasites.<br>\\r\\nそもそも彼らが文化（信仰）だと思っているものが、そもそも感染症と関連するのではないかと考察するものである。<br>\\r\\n I'm trying to think about the possibility that their culture (their religion) might be associated with an infectious disease.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n感染症の多くは、寄生虫たちが望まず引き起こしているものである。<br>\\r\\nMany infectious diseases are caused unintentionally by parasites.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n寄生虫にとって宿主は文字通りに宿である。<br>\\r\\nA parasite's host is literally its home.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nよって、彼らにとって究極の寄生とは、宿主に気付かれない完全な共生であろう。<br>\\r\\nIt wants to live within the host's body for as long as it can. The best way to do that is to coexist with the host without the host knowing it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、寄生虫たちは時に、宿主を支配して自らの繁栄に利用しようとすることがある。<br>\\r\\nBut some parasites try to control their hosts and use them for prosperity.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n例えば、中間宿主を経由して感染する寄生虫に見られる能力に、<br>\\r\\nFor example, some parasites have an ability to control their host<br>\\r\\n宿主の行動を支配して、より上位の宿主にわざと捕食させ、伝染しようとする試みが知られている。<br>\\r\\n in order to force them to be eaten by a superior host.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n代表的な例では、蝸牛、蟻を中間宿主とし、上位宿主である羊に捕食されるよう牧草の葉先に中間宿主を誘導するDicrocoelium dendriticum が挙げられる。<br>\\r\\nA typical example is the Dicrocoelium dendriticrum. It uses snails or ants as intermediate hosts, and it forces them to move to the upper side of vegetation so that it's easier for a superior host to consume it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nより高度な動物を支配する例では、鼠を中間宿主とし、上位宿主を猫とするToxoplasma gondiiも挙げられる。<br>\\r\\nOne parasite that controls more complicated animals is called Toxoplasma gondii. It uses mice as intermediate hosts, with the superior hosts being cats.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの場合、中間宿主である鼠から、猫に対する忌避性を喪失させることによって、捕食・伝染させる確率を向上させていることが知られている。<br>\\r\\nThis parasite makes a mouse lose its fear of cats in order to increase its chance of getting eaten, so that the parasite can live within a cat instead.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまた、不特定の宿主への無差別感染を目的としたケースもある。<br>\\r\\nThere are parasites that choose hosts at random.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n特に有名な例ではRabiesvirus が挙げられる。<br>\\r\\nThe rabies virus is commonly known for that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれは感染者の脳に寄生して繁殖し、その後、唾液腺を経由して唾液に混じる。<br>\\r\\nIt lives and breeds in the brain of a host, and it moves into the host's saliva through the salivary glands.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n同時に、感染者の攻撃性を著しく向上させ、無差別に噛み付き、傷口に唾液と混じって侵入することで伝染する。<br>\\r\\nIt makes the host extremely aggressive, in order to make it bite things randomly, so that it in turn can move into other hosts through the saliva.<br>\\r\\n……ちなみにこれは狂犬病のこと。<br>\\r\\n ...That's what rabies does.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのように、寄生虫には自らの繁栄のために、宿主を支配する能力を宿すものが少なくないのである。<br>\\r\\nMany parasites have a similar ability to control hosts to their benefit.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさて、これまで挙げたもののほとんどは、寄生虫たちがより繁栄し伝染していくためのケースだが、<br>\\r\\nThe examples I used above are about parasites that move into other hosts to prosper.<br>\\r\\nもっと単純に、彼らがより過ごしやすい環境を欲して宿主の行動を支配するケースもあるのではないか。<br>\\r\\n But I think there must be some kind of parasite that controls its hosts in order to have a comfortable environment in which to live.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここで私は、かつて提唱した、鬼ヶ淵村住民の異常な「帰巣性」と「ホームシック」をリンクさせられないかと考える。<br>\\r\\nI want to try to connect this theory to the abnormal homing ability and homesickness of the Onigafuchi residents.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、雛見沢にはある種の寄生虫が蔓延していて、村人全てに寄生していると仮定する。<br>\\r\\nLet's say there's some kind of parasite that exists in Hinamizawa, and it lives within all of the villagers' bodies.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその寄生虫たちは、この雛見沢がもっとも居心地のよい環境であり、<br>\\r\\nFor the parasite, Hinamizawa is the most comfortable environment to live in,<br>\\r\\n宿主に対してこの地に留まり続けるように、強い「帰巣性」を与え、<br>\\r\\n so it gives the hosts a strong homing ability, in order to make them stay in Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n無視して土地を離れようとすると、「ホームシック」を引き起こして抵抗するのではないだろうか。<br>\\r\\n Furthermore, it causes the hosts to get homesick whenever they ignore this homing ability and try to leave.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n寄生虫は名が示す通り、宿主に寄生しなければ生きていけない。<br>\\r\\nParasites need hosts in which to live.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな彼らにとって、自分たちの過ごしやすい環境に、宿主である人間がコミュニティを形成して住み続けることは都合がいいはずだ。<br>\\r\\nIt's convenient for them if their hosts build a community in the environment where it feels comfortable.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの、宿主を自分たちの過ごしやすい土地に縛りつけようとする寄生虫の存在を仮定すると、意外にもこれまでのナゾに説明がつけやすい。<br>\\r\\nThis theory makes it easier for me to explain the mysteries I described earlier.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、太古の鬼ヶ淵村の仙人たちは、この寄生虫の存在を知っていたことになる。<br>\\r\\nThe transcendants of Onigafuchi knew about the existence of this parasite.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、宿主である自分たちが村を離れて生きていけないことを知っていて、俗世を嫌う戒律や文化を作った。<br>\\r\\nThey knew that, as hosts to the parasites, they couldn't live outside of the village. That's why they created a culture and rules that prohibited contact with the outside world.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは近年のダム戦争の異常な盛り上がりも説明できる。<br>\\r\\nIt also explains why people acted so abnormal during the dam conflict.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでは……、オヤシロさまの伝説で語られる、沼から湧き出した鬼とはつまり、寄生虫の大量発生のことなのではないだろうか。<br>\\r\\nSo... The demons that came out of the swamp in the legend of Oyashiro-sama can be interpreted as the mass spread of the parasite.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鬼たちが村人を襲ったという記述は、おそらく末期の感染者の錯乱した行為を示すに違いない。<br>\\r\\nThe story about the demons attacking the villagers must be a metaphor for the behavior of the infected villagers who were controlled by the parasite.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………さすがに、あまりに突拍子もない話だったので、笑い捨てようと思った。<br>\\r\\n...This theory is too crazy. I should have just laughed about it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、三四さんに悪いと思ったので、笑うのはやめた。<br>\\r\\nBut I felt bad for Miyo-san, so I decided not to.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの雛見沢が、…実は寄生虫に支配されているって…？<br>\\r\\nHinamizawa is controlled by a parasite...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確かにあの傷口から溢れ出したうじ虫のことだけを取り上げるなら、そうとこじ付けられないこともない。<br>\\r\\nYou could use that theory to explain how the maggots came out of me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……馬鹿馬鹿しいと思う気持ちと、…祟りなんてあやふやなものよりもずっと説得力があると思う気持ちが交錯して、頭がぐるぐると回った。<br>\\r\\n...I felt a little bit dizzy. I was so confused, and a part of me thought it was ridiculous... and another part of me thought it was more convincing than any curse.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが多分、……このスクラップ帖を書いたため、三四さんは消されたに違いないのだ。<br>\\r\\nBut... Miyo-san was probably erased because she wrote these scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nということは……、<br>\\r\\nIf so...<br>\\r\\n消した連中にとって、このスクラップ帖は無視できない内容なのだ。<br>\\r\\n the contents of these scrapbooks must be something that they can't ignore.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…もし相手がそうなら、三四さんを消した後、スクラップ帖を全て集め闇に葬ろうとするはずだ。<br>\\r\\n...They'd try to get all of her scrapbooks and consign them to oblivion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………もしそこで、数冊が紛失していることに気付いたなら。<br>\\r\\n...What if they noticed some of her scrapbooks are missing?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……………背筋がぞっとしてくるのを感じた。<br>\\r\\n...I felt a chill running through my spine.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はこのスクラップ帖を持っていることを秘密にしないといけない。<br>\\r\\nI have to keep it a secret that I have these scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そして、単なるフィクションと片付けず、この内容をもっともっと理解しようと努力しなければならない。<br>\\r\\n...And I'll have to try to understand more about their contents.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんは確か、連続怪死事件を、オヤシロさま信仰の復興のため、御三家が起こしていると言ってなかったっけ…？<br>\\r\\nI remember Miyo-san told me that the Three Families are behind the series of the mysterious deaths, and that they're trying to resurrect the cult of Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…今読んだばかりの説によるならば、……寄生虫は、現在の雛見沢という環境を維持しようと常に働くはずだ。<br>\\r\\n...According to the theory I just read... the parasite must be trying to maintain the current environment of Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n寄生虫にとってのもっとも良い環境というのは、太古の鬼ヶ淵村と同じ、完全隔離の村だ。<br>\\r\\nThe healthiest environment for it is a completely closed village, just like the primitive Onigafuchi.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n宿主は誰も外へ出ず、彼らにとっては快適に違いない。<br>\\r\\nIt must be very comfortable for the parasite if no hosts go outside the village.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n現在のように、村人たちが買い物などでひょいひょいと村を離れるのは、彼らにとって苦痛なはず。<br>\\r\\nThey don't even like that the villagers often leave the village to go shopping.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうなれば、………寄生虫たちは自然と宿主を、オヤシロさま信仰復興に誘導するのではないか。<br>\\r\\nThat means... the parasite would try to goad the hosts into resurrecting the cult of Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあれ？<br>\\r\\nHm?<br>\\r\\n………そう言えばさっき、スクラップ帖のどこかで、鬼の血を最も色濃く受け継ぐのが御三家だって記載があったような気がする。<br>\\r\\n ...I remember there was an article in the scrapbook saying that the demon's blood runs thickest in the Three Families.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鬼の血を最も色濃く受け継ぐというのは、……つまり、もっとも寄生虫に多く感染し、彼らの支配下にあるということじゃないのか？<br>\\r\\nThat would mean... that they have a larger amount of the parasite in them than the other villagers, and that they're under its control.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確かに御三家は、鬼ヶ淵村時代への逆行を画策しているようにも見える。<br>\\r\\nThe Three Families seem to be planning to bring the village back to the Onigafuchi era.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nダム戦争以降の綿流しの復興など、明治に廃れた信仰を現代に蘇らせようとしているように思える節がある。<br>\\r\\nReviving the Watanagashi festival after the dam conflict can be interpreted as their desire to revive the faith that had started to fade away in the Meiji era.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその御三家、特に園崎家は、地域や公共機関に強力な影響力を持っている…。<br>\\r\\nThe Three Families, especially the Sonozaki family, have a great influence over the region and the public organizations...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……何だこれ…。<br>\\r\\n...What's going on here...?<br>\\r\\nこんな出来の悪い仮説なのに、……ぺたぺたとピースが埋まっていく。<br>\\r\\n I'd thought this to be a poorly written theory... but the pieces fit together, one after another.<br>\\r\\nこんな滅茶苦茶なジグソーパズルは初めてだ。<br>\\r\\n I've never played a jigsaw puzzle as crazy as this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n馬鹿馬鹿しいと思う気持ちと、実はとんでもない事実が明かされようとしている気持ちで、頭の中がぐるぐると渦を巻く。<br>\\r\\nI felt my brain swirling due to this absurd theory. A part of me thought this was ridiculous, and another part of me thought I might be about to expose an unbelievable truth.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…その中央を覗き込もうとすると、渦に酔って、落ちて溺れてしまいそうだった。<br>\\r\\n...When I tried to look into the center of it, I felt as if I was going to fall into the whirlpool and drown.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………もっと真剣に、腰を据えて読もう。<br>\\r\\n...I'll have to devote myself to reading more seriously.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何か真実があるはずなんだ。<br>\\r\\nThere must be some truth to this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………茨城へ引っ越して以来、ずっと私の生活を狂わせてきた不幸の元凶。<br>\\r\\n...It caused misfortune and made my life miserable after I moved to Ibaraki.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお母さんの離婚も、私の自暴自棄も、みんなみんな全てに説明がつく真相がもうじきで判明しそうなのだ…！<br>\\r\\nI might be able to find the truth, including the cause of my parents' divorce and my desperate behavior...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、突然の荒々しいノックに私は飛び上がった。<br>\\r\\nRight then, I heard a knock on the door all of a sudden, scaring me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n慌ててスクラップ帖をクッションの下に隠す。<br>\\r\\nI hid the scrapbooks under a cushion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「礼奈、電話が来てるぞ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Reina, you have a phone call.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「電話？<br>\\r\\n\\\"A phone call?<br>\\r\\nこんな時間に？<br>\\r\\n This late?<br>\\r\\n……誰だろ。」<br>\\r\\n ...Who is it?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「本屋さんからだぞ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's from a bookstore.<br>\\r\\n本の取り寄せとか頼んだのか？<br>\\r\\n Did you order some books?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n興宮書房の大石さんって人からだ。」<br>\\r\\n They said they were Ooishi-san from the Okinomiya bookstore.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n窓を開けても、入ってくるのはセミの声と熱風だけだった。<br>\\r\\nI opened the windows, but all they let in was heat and the cries of the cicadas.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………あぢぃなぁ……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...It's too hot...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……あぢぃねぇ……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...It really is...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n授業の合間の休み時間も、こう暑くてはとても休まったもんじゃない。<br>\\r\\nIt was break time between classes, but we couldn't really get any rest.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺も魅音も、机に突っ伏して暑さにふやけていた。<br>\\r\\nMion and I leaned on our desks, exhausted by the heat.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n小さい子たちはさすがにタフで、こんな暑さものともしない。<br>\\r\\nThe younger kids sure are tough, considering how the heat wasn't bothering them at all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nわずかの時間でも遊びたいとばかりに、教室中を走り回っていた。<br>\\r\\nThey were running around the classroom despite the temperature.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……やっぱりさー、都会の学校だと教室にもクーラーとか入ってるわけぇ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Do schools in the cities have air conditioning in their classrooms?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そんなことねーぞ……。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, they don't...<br>\\r\\nあるのはせいぜい職員室ぐらいだなぁ…。」<br>\\r\\n Only the teachers' office gets to have air conditioning...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うわー…。それは羨ましいねぇ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wow... That's better than nothing...<br>\\r\\n生徒みんなで職員室を襲って占拠とかしないのー？」<br>\\r\\n If I were a student at a school like that, I'd attack the teachers and take over their office.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……その辺の発想が実に魅音臭い。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......You'd be the first student ever to do that...<br>\\r\\n…わっはっは、<br>\\r\\n Wa ha ha ha...<br>\\r\\n………はぁ………。」<br>\\r\\n haaaah......\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの暑さではテンションも上がらない。<br>\\r\\nI didn't even have the energy to laugh.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……俺も魅音もくだらない話はやめ、下敷きを団扇代わりに扇ぐのに専念した。<br>\\r\\n...Mion and I stopped talking and used our notebooks to fan ourselves.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n空いた机が目に入る。<br>\\r\\nI looked at the empty seat nearby.<br>\\r\\n…………レナの席だった。<br>\\r\\n ......It was Rena's.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは今日は欠席した。<br>\\r\\nRena didn't come to school today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n学校には本人から風邪を引いてしまったので、欠席すると電話があったそうだ。<br>\\r\\nShe called and told Chie-sensei she couldn't come because she's sick.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………レナのやつ、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Rena<br>\\r\\n…最近、<br>\\r\\n seems to be feeling down<br>\\r\\n元気ないよな。」<br>\\r\\n these days.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………だねぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Yeah.<br>\\r\\n…暑さにやられたのかもねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n ...She probably got tired from the heat.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……なぁ、…本気で暑さでやられたと思ってるのか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Do you really think that's the reason?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…そう思ってるけど？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Yeah, why?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………例の一件がさ、やっぱりじわじわと来てるんじゃないのか…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I think it's the incident...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「かもね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Maybe.<br>\\r\\n……………それに暑さも加わって、夏バテでも起こしたんじゃないかな。」<br>\\r\\n ...It's probably both that and the summer heat.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n殺人を犯し、死体を刻み、それを仲間に見られたショックは、計り知れないだろう。<br>\\r\\nI can't even imagine how distressing it was for her to commit a murder, dismember the bodies, and get caught by her friends.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確かに俺たちはあの場で手を取り合い、仲間の連帯を確認し合った。<br>\\r\\nWe took each other's hands at that place, and we united.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの場に居合わせた全員は、それで全部決着がついたと思ってる。<br>\\r\\nAll of us believed that we had closed the case there, and had regained our peace.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、………一番の当事者であるレナの心は、…それだけのことで平穏を取り戻せるのだろうか…？<br>\\r\\nBut... was that as easy for Rena as it was for us...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはまだ、あの日から心が立ち直れていないんじゃないかと思う…。<br>\\r\\nShe must have not quite recovered yet...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…おじさんは、みんなで楽しく遊んでればその内、元気になると思ってたんだけどね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...This ol' man thought she'd get over it if she played along with us.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そこまで心の傷が、浅くなかったってことかなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n ...But I guess her pain ran deeper than I thought.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こういう時さ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"What should we do...<br>\\r\\nどうしたらレナを元気付けられるかな。」<br>\\r\\n to cheer her up?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………多分、放っとくのが一番じゃないかな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...It's best just to leave her alone, I think.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おいおい、…そんなのでいいのかよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey... are you sure about that?<br>\\r\\n俺たち仲間だろ？」<br>\\r\\n We're her friends, you know?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほら、『ホームシック』ってあるじゃない？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, it's like homesickness, you know?<br>\\r\\nあれもね、ちょっと寂しいからって言って、実家に電話なんか掛けちゃうと、一気に発症しちゃうらしいよ。<br>\\r\\n You get lonely, and you want to call home just to hear your mom's voice. But that actually makes your homesickness worse.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n寂しい時はぐっと堪えて、例えばスポーツにでも打ち込んで、気分転換を図るのが一番なんだってさ。」<br>\\r\\n When you're feeling lonely, the best thing to do is to devote yourself to sports or something like that for a change.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…気分転換させてやりたくても、…あいつ、最近、部活に加わらないし。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I want her to do club activities with us, but... she doesn't want to.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナはどうか知らないけどさ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't know about her,<br>\\r\\n人には甘えたい欲ってのがあるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n but people usually have a desire to depend on somebody.<br>\\r\\n側に支えてくれる人や同情してくれる人がいると、甘えたくなる欲。<br>\\r\\n You want to depend on somebody who supports you and sympathizes with you.<br>\\r\\n……慰めてくれる人が現れるとさ、際限なく甘えちゃうことってない？」<br>\\r\\n ...Haven't you ever experienced that feeling? When you can't stop depending on somebody when they try to cheer you up?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………ん、……どうだろうな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Well... I don't know.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「際限なく甘えるってことは、相手の同情をより深く得ようとするってこと。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Completely depending on someone means trying to earn even deeper sympathy from them.<br>\\r\\nそうすると、圭ちゃんは慰めてるつもりなのに、相手はどんどん、どんどん落ち込んで行っちゃうことがあるんだよね。<br>\\r\\n At that point, even though you're trying to comfort them, they just slip further and further into depression.<br>\\r\\n慰められて甘えられる、これに味を占めると不幸に酔うのが癖になる。<br>\\r\\n By finding initial success through relying on someone and receiving comfort, they grow addicted to indulging in misfortune.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナもその辺、わかってるから、わざとひとりになろうとしてるんじゃない？<br>\\r\\n ...I think Rena knows that, too. That's why she wants to be alone right now.<br>\\r\\n慰めや甘えが目的だったら、私たちの側にいて涙を流せば済むわけだし。」<br>\\r\\n If she wanted to depend on us or get comfort from us, all she'd have to do is to stay with us and cry all the time.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ、落ち込んでるレナをどう励ませばいいんだよ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"So, how can we cheer her up...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「女の心情としては、辛さを励ましてくれるより、忘れさせてくれる方がうれしいね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I think she'd appreciate it more if you tried to help her forget her pain than if you tried to cheer her up.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「慰めるな、励ますな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Don't comfort her and don't cheer her up...<br>\\r\\n…何だよ、お手上げじゃないかよ。」<br>\\r\\n ...There's nothing I can do, is there?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「慰めるな励ますなは、心理カウンセラーの鉄則だって知ってる？<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's a golden rule for psychologists, did you know?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n結局、心の傷ってのは自分で治すように出来てる。<br>\\r\\n Mental trauma can only be be healed by the person who has it.<br>\\r\\n周りの人が治したとしても、それは本当の完治じゃない。<br>\\r\\n If someone else helps a person out of their mental trauma, even if they succeeded, that person wouldn't be completely healed.<br>\\r\\nだから、レナが自分で元気になるのを、私たちは見守るしかないんだよ、きっと。」<br>\\r\\n So, all we can do now is wait until Rena heals on her own.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………理屈じゃ理解できるが、………何だか薄情な気がして、好きになれねぇなぁ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I understand the idea, but... I just don't like how cold it sounds...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n両手を頭の後ろで組み、俺は天井を見上げながらぼやく。<br>\\r\\nI clasped my hands behind the back of my head, looking at the ceiling.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその様子を見て、魅音がくすりと笑った。<br>\\r\\nMion laughed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それだけレナのことを心配してくれる圭ちゃんが身近にいるなら、レナは大丈夫だよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena will be fine as long as she has someone like you to worry about her.<br>\\r\\n立ち直れるよ。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sure she can pull herself together.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「近くにいるだけでかー？<br>\\r\\n\\\"So, all I need to do is to be close to her?<br>\\r\\n…胡散臭いなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n ...I dunno about that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……圭一にだってできることがありますですよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......There is something you can do, Keiichi.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんだった。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan spoke up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…いつから俺と魅音の会話を聞いていたのだろう。<br>\\r\\n...I wonder how long she'd been listening to our conversation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「俺にも、できることがあるのか…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What is it...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……レナが、話したいと思った時や、打ち明けたいと思った時に、静かに聞いてあげることなのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...You can listen to her when she wants to talk to somebody.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「聞くだけでいいのか？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Is that all?<br>\\r\\n励まさなくていいのかよ？」<br>\\r\\n I just listen, and I don't need to make her feel better?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭ちゃん、打ち明けるだけで心が軽くなるもんだよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Kei-chan, people feel better just by talking to somebody.<br>\\r\\n静かに耳を傾けるのが、何よりも嬉しい時ってある。」<br>\\r\\n Sometimes, all they need is someone who does nothing but listen quietly.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……魅ぃの言うとおりなのですよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Just like Mii said,<br>\\r\\nレナが話したいと思った時、いつでも話しかけられる場所に居てあげるのも、…きっと仲間として大切なことなのだと思いますです。」<br>\\r\\n I think it's important for us, as her friends, to be there for her whenever she wants to talk to somebody.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音の言うことも梨花ちゃんの言うことも、とても大切なことだった。<br>\\r\\nMion and Rika-chan were absolutely right.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はレナに会ったら、肩を思い切り叩いて、クヨクヨしてるなよと励ますつもりだった。<br>\\r\\nI was going to pat Rena on her shoulder and tell her to cheer up when I saw her next, but...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、考えてみればそれはものすごく一方的なことなんだよな。<br>\\r\\nNow I know that would have been one-sided on my part.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナだって好きで落ち込んでるわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\nRena doesn't want to feel down herself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n元気になれるものならなってる。<br>\\r\\nShe wants to cheer up if at all possible.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなところに、俺が無責任に励ましたなら、<br>\\r\\nIf I cheered her up irresponsibly,<br>\\r\\nレナは俺が、自分の心の痛みを理解してくれていないと感じて、深い失望を感じるに違いないのだ…。<br>\\r\\n she'd be very disappointed, because she'd think that I didn't understand her pain...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………そうだな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"............You're right.<br>\\r\\n…俺、ちょっと、人の心ってヤツを理解しようとしてなかったな。<br>\\r\\n ...I guess I wasn't even trying to understand how she felt.<br>\\r\\n…レナを励ましたいのは、俺の欲求であって、レナの求めることじゃない。<br>\\r\\n ...I wanted to cheer her up, but I now know that's just what I want to do, not what she wants me to do.<br>\\r\\nありがとな、二人とも。<br>\\r\\n Thanks, you two.<br>\\r\\n俺、ひょっとすると今日まで何か勘違いをしてたかもしれないぜ。」<br>\\r\\n I think I finally understand.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの日、……俺は一方的にレナを励ました気でいたけど。<br>\\r\\nOn that day... I thought I cheered her up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…本当にそれがレナの心に届いたか自信がなくなり始めていた。<br>\\r\\n...But I started to doubt if I had reached her heart.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナを女々しいとばかりに、乱暴に引っ張り寄せただけだったかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nI might've just been dragging her someplace where I wanted her to go.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は、本当の意味でレナの味方になっていなかった…。<br>\\r\\nI wasn't on her side in the real sense of the term...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、梨花ちゃんの手が俺の頭を、そっと撫でた。<br>\\r\\nAll of a sudden, Rika-chan patted my head.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……圭一は一番のレナの味方ですよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Don't worry.<br>\\r\\nそれは疑わなくて大丈夫なのです。」<br>\\r\\n We all know that you're on her side.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「え、え？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What? What?<br>\\r\\nわ、俺また考え事を口に出しちまってたのか…！」<br>\\r\\n Did I say something out loud again...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナの心には届いてるよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It did reach her heart.<br>\\r\\n圭ちゃんはあの日、とても強い力をレナに与えたんだからさ。<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan, you really did give her great strength on that day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………いやーー、でもさぁ、よくよく思い出すとすっごい恥ずかしいこと言ってたよねぇ？<br>\\r\\n ...Well... now that I think about it, what you said on that day was more than a little theatrical!<br>\\r\\nくっくっくっくっく！！」<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh heh!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n廊下を先生が戻ってくる足音が聞こえると、みんなが一斉に自分の席へ戻る。<br>\\r\\nWe heard footsteps from the hallway, and everybody started to head back to their desks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お待たせしました。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Take your seats, everyone.<br>\\r\\nそれでは委員長、号令。」<br>\\r\\n President, if you would.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「きりーーーーーーーーーーつ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"All rise!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナがいないから今日の部活もなしだ。<br>\\r\\nWe didn't have a club meeting that day because Rena wasn't around.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまぁ、俺にとっても都合はよかった。<br>\\r\\nThat worked out for me<br>\\r\\n今日の帰りにお使いを頼まれていたからだ。<br>\\r\\n because I had an errand to run.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n買い物の内容も大したものじゃない。<br>\\r\\nIt wasn't a big errand.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n村の中の雑貨屋のポイントカードが溜まったので、それと交換で台所洗剤をもらって来てくれという程度だ。<br>\\r\\nMy mom wanted me to use her point card to get some detergent.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなの俺にわざわざ頼むほどのものかよと思ったが、親父の仕事の絡みで手が離させないと言われると仕方ない。<br>\\r\\nI didn't see the point of going all the way to the store just to get detergent, but my mom told me to go because she's busy helping my dad with his work.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、帰り道に商店街へよろうと、いつもと違う道に入ったときだった。<br>\\r\\nI started walking towards the shopping center.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n向こうの木立の影から、誰かが顔を覗かせてこっちをうかがっているのに気付いた。<br>\\r\\nI noticed someone was watching me, hiding behind a distant tree.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……こんなお茶目な真似をするのは誰だと目を凝らそうとしたら、相手が姿を現す。<br>\\r\\n...I wonder who would do such a mischievous thing. I stared at them to find out who it was, at which point they emerged.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh,<br>\\r\\nレナじゃねぇか。」<br>\\r\\n Rena.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n具合はもういいのかよ、<br>\\r\\nAre you feeling better now?<br>\\r\\n…そう続けようとした時、その言葉は喉のところで止まった。<br>\\r\\n ...I was about to say that, but I swallowed the words.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何だか、レナの表情がとても真剣だったからだ。<br>\\r\\nSomehow, Rena looked very serious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ど、……どうしたんだ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Wh-What's going on?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「シッ！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Shh!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは人差し指を唇の前に立てて、静かにするよう命じると、辺りをうかがう仕草をしてから、急いでこちらへ来いと合図される。<br>\\r\\nRena put her index finger to her lips, told me to be quiet, looked around carefully, and beckoned for me to come over.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nよくわからないが、取り合えずレナの指示に従い、俺は口をつぐむとレナのところへ駆け寄った。<br>\\r\\nI had no idea what was going on, but I followed her instructions, shut my mouth, and ran to her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは仕草で、俺に茂みの影にしゃがんで隠れるように指示する。<br>\\r\\nRena gestured for me to squat down to hide in the shadow of the bush.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなぜそうしなければならないのか分からなかったが、理由は後でも聞ける。<br>\\r\\nI didn't know why I had to do that, but I could ask her the question later.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は逆らわず指示に従った。<br>\\r\\nI just followed her orders for now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはまるで、そう、誰かに後を尾行されてないかをうかがっているようだった。<br>\\r\\nRena looked like she was making sure no one was following her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………魅音辺りなら、ふざけてこんな真似でもしそうだが、…レナはこんな冗談、絶対やらない。<br>\\r\\n...If it was Mion, she'd do something like this just to fool me, as a joke... but I know Rena doesn't do things like this for fun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はどういう状況に置かれているか、まったく理解できずにいたが、…そのただならぬ緊迫感だけを理解し、身を小さくして気配を殺していた。<br>\\r\\nI had no idea what kind of situation I had gotten myself into... but I could feel how tense it was, and I made myself as small as I could.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"............Good.<br>\\r\\n…もういいよ。<br>\\r\\n ...It's okay now.<br>\\r\\nごめんね。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその声で、ようやく俺の緊張が解かれる。<br>\\r\\nThe tone of her voice made me relax a little.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…ふぅ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Whew.<br>\\r\\n………どうしたってんだよ一体。」<br>\\r\\n ......What's going on?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「多分、私。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I think...<br>\\r\\n……誰かに最近、あとをつけられているの。」<br>\\r\\n someone has been following me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何だって…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうしてレナが……、誰に？！<br>\\r\\nWho would follow her...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう思った瞬間に、なんて愚問だと思った。<br>\\r\\nWhen I thought about it, I realized how stupid the question was.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……まさか、……警察かよ？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Is it... the police?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n間宮リナに北条鉄平。<br>\\r\\n<NAME> and <NAME>.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n人間が二人も蒸発しているのだ。<br>\\r\\nTwo people disappeared.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいくらゴロツキみたいなやつらとは言え、警察沙汰にだってなるだろう。<br>\\r\\nEven though they were awful human beings, the police had to investigate if they found out that they'd gone missing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナって女がレナの家に出入りしていたことは、多分、そう苦労せずに突き止められるに違いない。<br>\\r\\nIt probably wouldn't be difficult to find out that Rina had often been to Rena's house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも……、大丈夫だ。<br>\\r\\nBut... it should be okay.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの死体の袋さえ見付からなければ、絶対に大丈夫だ。<br>\\r\\nAs long as they don't find those bags, it should be okay.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「警察なのか、……警察じゃないのかは、わからないけれど。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't know if it's the police or not.<br>\\r\\n……綿流しの夜以降、………誰かにずっと見られている気がするの。」<br>\\r\\n ...But I feel like someone has been watching me since the night of Watanagashi.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……どういう事だよ！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...What do you mean?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺がそう問い掛けた時、レナは無感情な目で俺を真正面からじっと見据えた。<br>\\r\\nOnce I asked that question, Rena stared directly at me with a blank expression.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それは、まるで値踏みするかのような目。<br>\\r\\n...Her eyes looked as though they were evaluating me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺に、…何か大切なことを、打ち明けるべきかどうか、その価値があるかどうか測っている目だった。<br>\\r\\nShe stared at me as if she was assessing whether I was worth talking to about something very important.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは自分の手首を、もう片方の手でぎゅっと握ると、小声で言った。<br>\\r\\nRena squeezed her own wrist tightly, then started talking in a whisper.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………話してもいいけど、……誰にも内緒にできる…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I can tell you what's going on... but can you keep it a secret...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ、もちろんだぜ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, of course I can.<br>\\r\\nレナがそうしろってんなら、誰にもしゃべらない。」<br>\\r\\n If you want me to keep it secret, I won't tell anybody.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Okay.<br>\\r\\n……圭一くんなら信用できるよ。」<br>\\r\\n ...I trust you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n少しだけ微笑むとレナはもう一度辺りをうかがい、小声で言った。<br>\\r\\nShe smiled and looked around one more time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………連中はひょっとすると、…三四さんのスクラップ帖を探しているのかもしれないの。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......They might be looking for Miyo-san's scrapbooks.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「三四さん？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Miyo-san?<br>\\r\\nって……、あぁ、看護婦の鷹野さんのことか？<br>\\r\\n Oh... the nurse, Takano-san?<br>\\r\\nあとスクラップ帖って何のことだ？」<br>\\r\\n What about her scrapbooks?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………秘密の捜査になっているって言ってたから、多分、圭一くんは知らないよね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......The police are keeping the investigation under wraps, so I'm sure you don't know.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……鷹野三四さん、<br>\\r\\n ...Miyo Takano-san was<br>\\r\\n…殺されたんだって。」<br>\\r\\n murdered.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「え、……ええ？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What? ......What?!<br>\\r\\nいつ！」<br>\\r\\n When?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n声が大きいと叱られる。<br>\\r\\nShe told me to be quiet again.<br>\\r\\n俺は声を小さくし、レナに先を促した。<br>\\r\\n I lowered my voice and let her continue.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「綿流しの夜、私たちは三四さんと、あと富竹さんに会ったよね？<br>\\r\\n\\\"On the night of Watanagashi, we met Miyo-san and Tomitake-san, didn't we?<br>\\r\\nあの直後に、２人が襲われたんだって。<br>\\r\\n They were attacked right after that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……富竹さんは……、「オヤシロさまの祟り」に遭って、喉を掻き毟って死んだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Tomitake-san... was cursed by Oyashiro-sama. He clawed out his throat and died.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんは、岐阜の山中で焼き殺されていたと言ってたの。」<br>\\r\\n Miyo-san was burned to death in the mountains of the Gifu Prefecture.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……そ、……それ、本当かよ……。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Is that... true...?<br>\\r\\nそんなの誰も知らないぞ？！」<br>\\r\\n I mean, nobody told me about that!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I know.<br>\\r\\nそれは警察が伏せて捜査をしてるからなの。<br>\\r\\n That's because the police haven't disclosed their investigation.<br>\\r\\n雛見沢村連続怪死事件は今年で５年目になっちゃうでしょ？<br>\\r\\n These cases make the fifth of the series of mysterious deaths.<br>\\r\\nだから、変に騒がれたくないんで事件を公にしていないんだって。」<br>\\r\\n So the police have decided not to go public yet.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「な、なるほど…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I-I see...<br>\\r\\n秘密捜査なのはわかったが…、レナはそんな話、どこで聞いたんだよ…？」<br>\\r\\n I understand why the police are keeping quiet about it... but then, where did you hear this...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………内緒だよ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"............Can you keep it a secret?<br>\\r\\n私、…実は大石っていう興宮署の刑事さんと連絡を取り合っているの。<br>\\r\\n I... I've been in contact with Ooishi-san. He's a detective from the Okinomiya police department.<br>\\r\\nその人に教えてもらった。」<br>\\r\\n He told me about the case.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どうして…、大石って人がレナに…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Why... did he tell you...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………さぁ、…ちょっとそこはわからない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I don't know.<br>\\r\\n彼が言うには、私なら信用できそうだからって言うんだけどね。」<br>\\r\\n He said he told me because he could trust me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n突然の突拍子もない話に、俺が呆然としていた。<br>\\r\\nI was dumbfounded to hear all this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だが、レナが嘘を言うはずなどない。<br>\\r\\n...But I knew she wasn't lying.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれが魅音だったなら、今にもペロっと舌を出しそうだが、レナに限ってだけはありえない。<br>\\r\\nIf it was Mion, she'd be sticking her tongue out by now. But Rena wouldn't make a joke out of something like this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「三四さんが殺された理由は、……多分、彼女の研究のせいだと思うの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I think the reason why Miyo-san was murdered is because of her research.<br>\\r\\n三四さんがこの村の歴史とか民俗学とか、そういうのを熱心に調べてたってのは知っている？」<br>\\r\\n Do you know she was doing ethnological research by studying the history of this village?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何となくは聞いたことある。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I've heard something along those lines.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鷹野さんって人は、オカルトとかミステリーとかそういう類のものが好きだったらしい。<br>\\r\\nTakano-san was interested in the occult and in mysterious things.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの村には、人食い鬼の伝説があるそうで、そういうのを面白がって研究している…<br>\\r\\nI remember Mion once told me<br>\\r\\nというのを魅音に教えてもらったことがあるような気がする。<br>\\r\\n that she was studying the village's legends of man-eating demons, out of curiosity.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……彼女は多分、その研究の中で、この村に関するある重要な秘密を知ってしまったの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I think she discovered a very important secret about this village through her studies.<br>\\r\\n…あるいは彼女は、そんなにも核心には踏み入ってなかったのかもしれないけど、……そうは思われなかったんだろうね。」<br>\\r\\n ...Or maybe she wasn't even close to the truth... but they thought she was.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ちょっと待て。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wait a second.<br>\\r\\n…この村の秘密って何だよ？」<br>\\r\\n ...What's the secret of this village you're talking about?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………私は、……三四さんのスクラップ帖をほんの数冊借りて読んだだけ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I just read a few of her scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\nでも、彼女が特に大事にしていた秘蔵の数冊だから、かなり重要なことが記してあったと思う。<br>\\r\\n But those were the ones that she was handling with extra caution. So, I think there are pretty important things written in them.<br>\\r\\n………だから、多分、三四さんが至ろうとしていたことに、８割方くらいは近付いていると思うの。<br>\\r\\n ......I think I know about 80% of what Miyo-san was trying to uncover.<br>\\r\\nでも、…………あまりに突拍子もなくて、…私にはまだ信じられない。<br>\\r\\n But...... if it's true, it's almost too crazy to believe.<br>\\r\\n…三四さんの想像が正しいかどうか、検証してる段階なの。」<br>\\r\\n ...Right now, I'm trying to find out whether Miyo-san's theory is right or not.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……で、……何なんだ一体。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...So, what is it?<br>\\r\\n…秘密を知ると殺されるっていう、……この村の秘密ってのは…。」<br>\\r\\n ...What is the secret of this village? What could be so important that you might get killed just by knowing about it...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこまで口に出してぎょっとする。<br>\\r\\nI gasped the moment those words left my mouth.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ということは、それをレナの口から知れば、俺もまた殺されるかもしれないからだ。<br>\\r\\n...If Rena told me, I might get killed, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一くんには、……まだ全部話したくない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't want to tell you yet...<br>\\r\\n確証が持てたら話すね。<br>\\r\\n But I promise I will once I verify things.<br>\\r\\n…だって、それくらいに途方もない、…とんでもない話だから。」<br>\\r\\n ...Because it's really crazy... too crazy to be true...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「確証って何だよ…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What do you mean, you have to verify things?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「例えば、予備知識のないうじ湧きについては私自らがその存在を検証できているけど、…他にもたくさん、未検証のことがあるの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"For example, I myself serve as verification that the maggot disease can occur without any background knowledge, but... there are a lot of things I still need to verify.<br>\\r\\nそれらを埋めていかないと、…私ですらにわかには信じられない。」<br>\\r\\n They sound too crazy to be true, and I can hardly believe them if I don't verify that they are.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……うじ？<br>\\r\\n...Maggots?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nちょっとわかりにくい単語が出たので聞き直そうかと思ったが、取り合えず話の腰を折らないことにする。<br>\\r\\nI was totally lost now, and I wanted to ask her some questions, but I decided not to cut in.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんなにも蒸し暑いのに。<br>\\r\\nIt was so hot outside.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナはまるで寒さでも感じるかのように、自分の両肘を抱く仕草をした。<br>\\r\\n...But Rena held her arms as if she was cold.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena.<br>\\r\\n俺はいつだってお前の味方なんだからな。<br>\\r\\n I'm always on your side.<br>\\r\\n………俺だけは信用してくれて構わない。」<br>\\r\\n ...You can trust me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………ありがとう。<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Thank you.<br>\\r\\n…その一言がすごいうれしい。」<br>\\r\\n ...I really appreciate it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは、本当にうれしそうな顔だった。<br>\\r\\nFrom her expression alone, I could tell that she really meant it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……とてつもない何かに巻き込まれて、……誰にも打ち明けられず、心細い思いをしていたことが見て取れる。<br>\\r\\n...I could also tell that she was involved in something very big... and that she felt lonely, because she couldn't tell anybody else about it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そうだ、こんな時だから、俺がレナの味方にならなくちゃいけないんじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n...I had to be on her side while she was going through a difficult time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私とね、今日ここで出会ったことは内緒にした方がいいと思うの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You shouldn't tell anybody that you met me here today.<br>\\r\\n私と接触があったことが知られたら、圭一くんにも危害が及ぶかもしれないから。」<br>\\r\\n They might try to hurt you if they found out.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…わ、わかった。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...O-Okay.<br>\\r\\n………俺に、何か協力できることはないのかよ？！」<br>\\r\\n ...Isn't there anything I can do to help?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今はない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Not right now.<br>\\r\\nでも、協力をお願いできることがわかっただけで、今の私には心強いよ。<br>\\r\\n But it's very reassuring that I can ask you for help when I need it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……最後には頼らせて、ね！」<br>\\r\\n ...I'll depend on you someday!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah.<br>\\r\\n任せとけ。」<br>\\r\\n Anytime.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「シ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Shh!<br>\\r\\n車が来る！」<br>\\r\\n A car is coming!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが俺の頭を茂みに押し込む。<br>\\r\\nRena pushed my head into the bush.<br>\\r\\n俺は逆らわず、茂みの中に身を縮めた。<br>\\r\\n I went along with it and crouched down even lower in the bushes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……………………。<br>\\r\\n....................<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしばらく息を殺していると、車の音が聞こえてきて、白いワゴン車が通り過ぎていった。<br>\\r\\nWe stayed quiet for a while. I could hear a car coming closer, and after a while a white van passed by.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…レナの耳の良さに驚く。<br>\\r\\n...I was surprised at her hearing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nよくこんなにも早い内から車の接近を察知できたものだ。<br>\\r\\nShe heard the car coming when it was still far off in the distance.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今の車、ナンバー、見えた？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Did you see its license plate number?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「え？<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?<br>\\r\\n…いやごめん。<br>\\r\\n ...No, I'm sorry.<br>\\r\\n見えなかった。」<br>\\r\\n I didn't.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私もちょっと見えなかったけど、…多分、さっきと同じナンバーの車だと思うの。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I couldn't either, but I think it's the same car I saw earlier.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……その、レナを尾行しているとかいう連中か？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Are they the ones following you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「多分。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I think so.<br>\\r\\n………普段、車なんか通らない道で、今日は何度も追い上げられるの。<br>\\r\\n ...It passed by me many times today on the street, where nobody usually drives.<br>\\r\\nその度に私は隠れてやり過ごしているからいいんだけど、……どうもおかしい。」<br>\\r\\n I hid every time. But... it's strange.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そいつらなのか？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Are they the ones?<br>\\r\\n鷹野さんたちを殺して、レナが持ってるスクラップ帖を狙っているという連中は。」<br>\\r\\n Are they the ones who killed Takano-san and Tomitake-san? Are they looking for the scrapbooks you have?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「多分。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Most likely, yes.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……もう本当に突拍子もない話で、…当事者であるレナ自身がにわかには信じ難いというのも無理はなかった。<br>\\r\\n...I don't blame her for not being able to believe what's going on, because this is really crazy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鷹野さんがこの村の研究で、何かとてつもないことを突き止めた。<br>\\r\\nTakano-san uncovered something really significant through her studies.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、それを隠したいと思っている連中に嗅ぎ付けられ、……綿流しの晩に、「オヤシロさまの祟り」を模して殺された。<br>\\r\\nThe people who want that information hidden found out about it and... they killed her on the night of Watanagashi, copying the curse of Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、その物騒な連中は、鷹野さんの研究成果であるスクラップ帖を探していて、そのスクラップ帖をレナが持っているらしい。<br>\\r\\nThey're looking for the scrapbooks, the fruits of her research. And Rena has them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれで……レナが命を狙われているって……？<br>\\r\\nThat's why... they're trying to kill Rena...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ、レナの家が危ないってことはないのか！？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What about your house?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大丈夫。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's safe there.<br>\\r\\nスクラップ帖はゴミ山の私の隠れ家に隠してある。<br>\\r\\n I hid the scrapbooks in my secret hideout at the garbage dump.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………お父さんが不安だけど、……何も知らないからこそ、何も危害が及ばないかもしれない。」<br>\\r\\n ...I'm worried about my father... but he'll be fine because he really doesn't know anything.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"..................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…あははは。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Ahahaha.<br>\\r\\n圭一くんが言わなくても顔に書いてあるよ。<br>\\r\\n It's written on your face, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n突拍子もない話でとても信じられない、でしょ…？」<br>\\r\\n It says 'I can't believe it, because it sounds too crazy to be true.' Am I right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"..................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなことないさと否定しようと思ったが、下手なことを言うほうがかえって悪いと思い、俺は肯定を意味する沈黙を返した。<br>\\r\\nI wanted to deny it, but I felt bad to lie. I remained silent in the affirmative.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…それが当然の反応。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Well, that's a normal reaction.<br>\\r\\n私だって三四さんのスクラップ帖を読み始めた最初は、何だこりゃって思って、全然信じられなかったもの。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't believe any of it when I read the first scrapbook.<br>\\r\\n……全てに目を通して、ようやく何かの筋が見えてきたんだもん。」<br>\\r\\n ...I finally started seeing the connections after reading all of them.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………すまん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I'm sorry.<br>\\r\\nもちろん、レナの味方になりたいのは本心だ。<br>\\r\\n I do want to help you.<br>\\r\\nでも、…話が全然見えないんで、どう助けてやればいいかわかんないんだ。」<br>\\r\\n But I just don't know how, if I don't see the whole picture of what's going on.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「話せば、圭一くんの身にも危険が降りかかるよ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"If I tell you, it might put you in danger.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナにはすでに降りかかってるんだろ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're already in danger, right?<br>\\r\\nならお相子だぜ、気にするな！」<br>\\r\\n I don't mind. Don't worry about me!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………わかった。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Okay.<br>\\r\\n話す。<br>\\r\\n I'll tell you, then.<br>\\r\\n……多分、三四さんたちを殺したのは、雛見沢御三家。<br>\\r\\n ...It's probably the Three Families who killed Miyo-san and Tomitake-san.<br>\\r\\n…もっとはっきり言ってしまえば、魅ぃちゃんの家である園崎本家。」<br>\\r\\n ...To be more specific, it's the Sonozaki family--Mii-chan's family.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どうして…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Why...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一くんも、過去の連続怪死事件は知ってるよね？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You know about the series of mysterious deaths, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Of course.<br>\\r\\nダム戦争の時の村の仇敵ばかりが、毎年犠牲になっていくっていうあれだろ。」<br>\\r\\n The traitors of the dam conflict die every year, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「この連続怪死事件は、ダム戦争の清算のようなものなの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"The series of mysterious deaths is like a... resolution of the dam conflict.<br>\\r\\n村の裏切り者を片付けることによって、本当の意味でダム戦争を終わらせようとする…。」<br>\\r\\n They're trying to end the dam conflict in the true sense of the term by erasing people who betrayed the village...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……確かに、……そう見えないことはないよな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...It does... look like that in a way.<br>\\r\\n誰もがはっきりと口にはしないが、薄々と園崎家の仕業だと疑ってる…みたいな話は聞いたことあるぜ。」<br>\\r\\n Nobody really says it out loud, but everybody is suspicious that the Sonozaki family is behind it... That's what I've heard.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「でも、裏切り者を制裁するなら、別に綿流しの晩にこだわらなくてもいいんじゃない？<br>\\r\\n\\\"But if they really wanted to erase the traitors, they wouldn't have to do it on the night of Watanagashi.<br>\\r\\n毎年、祟りで１人、鬼隠しで１人なんてスローペースで殺す必要はない。<br>\\r\\n Why don't they kill them all at once instead of killing them one by one, using the curse and demoning them away every year?<br>\\r\\nそうでしょ？」<br>\\r\\n Wouldn't that make more sense?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鬼隠しなんて言葉は初耳だったが、物騒な意味で使ったことは文脈から理解できたので、俺は余計な口を挟まず、黙って頷く。<br>\\r\\nI've never heard the words 'demoning away' before, but Rena clearly thought they have some kind of creepy, significant meaning, so I decided not to cut in.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「つまりこれらの連続怪死事件は、綿流しの祭りに神聖性を取り戻そうとする意思があるの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That means that they're using the series of mysterious deaths in order to resurrect the sacredness of the Watanagashi festival.<br>\\r\\n……もっと踏み込んで言うと、明治以降に失われた鬼ヶ淵村の神聖性を取り戻すための、段階的イベント。<br>\\r\\n ...Step by step, they're reviving the sacred nature of Onigafuchi that was lost in the Meiji era.<br>\\r\\n彼らは最終的には、太古の昔にそうだったような、原理的なオヤシロさま信仰を復活させることを目的としている。」<br>\\r\\n Their goal is to revive the level of belief in Oyashiro-sama that used to exist in primitive times.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……オヤシロさま信仰…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Belief in Oyashiro-sama...<br>\\r\\n…古手神社のことか？」<br>\\r\\n ...Are you talking about the Furude Shrine?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n古手神社って、崇められていると思う？<br>\\r\\n Do you think people revere the Furude Shrine now?<br>\\r\\nお年寄りの人は敬っているけど、それだけだよね？<br>\\r\\n Elder people respect the shrine, but that's it.<br>\\r\\n子どもたちは境内を遊び場くらいにしか思ってないし、ほとんどの村人たちも地域の集会所くらいにしか思っていない。<br>\\r\\n Kids think of it as a place to play, and most of the villagers think of it as a place to gather for local events.<br>\\r\\nその神聖性は失われている。<br>\\r\\n Its sacredness has been lost.<br>\\r\\nそれが、ダム戦争を切っ掛けに蘇ったの。<br>\\r\\n But with the dam conflict, it started to revive...<br>\\r\\n彼らはそれを、オヤシロさま信仰を復活させるいい機会だと捉えた。」<br>\\r\\n and they took it as a good opportunity to bring back the cult of Oyashiro-sama.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…ってことはつまり、………オヤシロさま信仰の狂信者たちが、…裏で暗躍しているってことか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...So... you're saying that... some fanatical Oyashiro-sama worshippers are... behind all this?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そういうこと。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's what I'm saying.<br>\\r\\nそもそもオヤシロさま信仰は御三家によって管理されていた。<br>\\r\\n The cult of Oyashiro-sama was managed by the Three Families to begin with.<br>\\r\\nだから、御三家には現代にも脈々と、オヤシロさま信仰を復活させなければならないという至上目的が受け継がれているの。<br>\\r\\n The Three Families passed down their ultimate goal of reviving the cult of Oyashiro-sama down to the present generation.<br>\\r\\nそれを思えば、御三家がダム戦争中に村を一丸にまとめたり、廃れかけていたオヤシロさまを引き合いに出し、古手神社にわざわざ同盟事務所を設けた理由も透けて見えてくる。」<br>\\r\\n When you think about it, you'll understand why the Three Families took the initiative in uniting the villagers during the dam conflict, and why they set up the Onigafuchi Guardians office in the Furude Shrine, citing Oyashiro-sama, who was almost forgotten at the time.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…じゃあ、雛見沢村連続怪死事件ってのは、雛見沢御三家、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...So, the Three Families...<br>\\r\\n…いや、オヤシロさまを信仰する狂信的な集団の仕業…。<br>\\r\\n I mean, the fanatical Oyashiro-sama worshippers orchestrated the series of the mysterious deaths of Hinamizawa...<br>\\r\\n……なら待てよ、どうして鷹野さんが殺されなきゃならないんだ？」<br>\\r\\n ...but wait. Why would they kill Takano-san?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それは御三家が、鬼ヶ淵村と呼ばれた太古からずっと隠してきた、この村のある重大な秘密に関係があるの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Because she discovered the important secret of this village. The Three Families have been hiding it since the era of Onigafuchi.<br>\\r\\nそれを暴かれると、オヤシロさまという神の神聖性が失われる。<br>\\r\\n If that secret is revealed, the sacredness of Oyashiro-sama will be lost.<br>\\r\\nだから彼らは三四さんの研究が核心に近付いたことを知り、<br>\\r\\n They found out that Miyo-san was getting close to the secret, and that's why they<br>\\r\\n消したの。」<br>\\r\\n killed her.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「その、重大な秘密ってのは……何なんだ？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What's this 'important secret'...?!<br>\\r\\nそれを知ると俺も狙われるってんだろうけど、上等だぜ！」<br>\\r\\n I don't care if I put myself in danger. I need to know!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………だから、それはまだ言いたくない。<br>\\r\\n\\\".........I don't want to tell you yet.<br>\\r\\n私自身が１０割の確証を得るまで言いたくない。<br>\\r\\n I don't want to tell you until I'm 100% sure about it.<br>\\r\\n…多分、今ここで話しても、圭一くんは堪えきれなくなって、笑い出してしまうに違いないもの。」<br>\\r\\n ...I'm pretty sure that right now, you'd just laugh.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おいおい、俺がそんなヤツに見えるかよ？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, do you think I'm that kind of guy?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………もう少し、時間がほしいの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I just need a little more time.<br>\\r\\n……あまりの事実に、私ですら受け入れきれていないの。<br>\\r\\n ...I can't accept the truth myself, because it sounds so impossible.<br>\\r\\nだからもう少し時間をほしいの。<br>\\r\\n So, I need some time.<br>\\r\\n………お願い。」<br>\\r\\n ...Please.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………わかった。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"............I understand.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今日ここで話したことは、誰にもしゃべっちゃだめだよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Don't tell anybody about what we talked about today.<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんと梨花ちゃん、もちろん沙都子ちゃんにもだめ。」<br>\\r\\n Not even Mii-chan, Rika-chan, or Satoko-chan.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わ、わかったよ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"O-Okay...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃ、圭一くんはもう行って。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, you should go now.<br>\\r\\n私はもう少し辺りをうかがってから行く。<br>\\r\\n I'll take a look around for a while before I go home.<br>\\r\\n用心に過ぎるということはないからね。」<br>\\r\\n I can't be too careful anymore.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは茂みに身を潜め、姿を消した。<br>\\r\\nRena ducked low in the bushes and moved away.<br>\\r\\n俺だけが取り残される。<br>\\r\\n I was left alone there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nセミの合唱があっという間に辺りを埋め、…まるで最初からここには俺しかいなかったかのように見せるのだった。<br>\\r\\nThe cries of the cicadas surrounded around me, making it seem as if I was alone there the whole time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……………俺は仕方なく歩き始めるが、……呆然としたままだった。<br>\\r\\n...I started walking... still dumbfounded.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺に知らせてしまうと危害が及ぶかもしれないからと、結局、レナは何も核心を話してはくれなかった。<br>\\r\\nIn the end, Rena didn't tell me the secret because she was afraid of putting me in danger.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nただ、はっきりと明言したのは、……この村にはオヤシロさま信仰を復活させようとするある邪悪な意思があって、<br>\\r\\nBut she told me clearly that... there are people who want to resurrect the cult of Oyashiro-sama,<br>\\r\\nそいつらは村の中枢を支配する御三家に根付いている。<br>\\r\\n and that they're among the Three Families that control the entire village.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、そいつらはそのために連続怪死事件を起こし、…彼らが守りたいとする秘密に迫った鷹野さんを、殺した。<br>\\r\\nThey orchestrated the series of mysterious deaths for that purpose... and they killed Takano-san because she got too close to the secret they wanted to hide.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは鷹野さんに出会い、彼女の研究をまとめたスクラップ帖を偶然、受け取ってしまった。<br>\\r\\nRena met Takano-san and happened to obtain the scrapbooks in which Takano-san wrote about her research.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そして、その中には、読んだレナ自身でさえ、にわかには信じられないとてつもない秘密が書かれていた…。<br>\\r\\n...Rena still can't believe the secret written in the scrapbooks because it's just too crazy...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nおいおい……。<br>\\r\\nHey...<br>\\r\\n…悪いけどレナ、<br>\\r\\n Come on, Rena...<br>\\r\\n………それ、冗談だろ…？<br>\\r\\n You're kidding me, right...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n週刊誌の漫画じゃあるまいし…。<br>\\r\\nIt's like one of those comic book stories...<br>\\r\\nナゾの宗教結社が暗躍して、何か陰謀を巡らしているなんて…。<br>\\r\\n A mysterious occult group is plotting a conspiracy...?<br>\\r\\n何というかその……、冗談でも笑えない。<br>\\r\\n I mean... it's not funny even if it's a joke.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だが、なるほど、レナの言うとおりだな。<br>\\r\\n...But Rena is right about one thing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仮にこれが真実だとしても、…にわかにはとても信じられない。<br>\\r\\nEven if this is true... it's really hard to believe.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが真相を明かすのを時期尚早と渋ったのも納得だった。<br>\\r\\nI understand why Rena wanted to wait to tell me the secret.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鷹野さんにいいようにからかわれただけじゃないのか…？<br>\\r\\nMaybe she was just fooled by Takano-san...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、…鷹野さんが殺されたのは紛れもない事実らしい。<br>\\r\\nBut... Takano-san was murdered for real.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そして、そのスクラップ帖を探して、レナの身辺を何者かがうかがっているのも……事実なのか？<br>\\r\\n...So is it also true that someone is following Rena, looking for the scrapbooks?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう言えばレナ、……白いワゴン車の監視を受けているというようなことを言っていたな。<br>\\r\\nI remember... Rena said that a white van was following her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n白いワゴン車なんて、割と見かけるぜ…。<br>\\r\\nYou can see white vans anywhere...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n業務用の車なら、結構あちこちにあるんじゃないのか。<br>\\r\\nI bet there are a lot in this village alone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……何となく、レナが神経過敏になっているだけのようにも感じる。<br>\\r\\n...She might just be oversensitive to everything right now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは、あの日以来、心にショックを受けたまま癒しきれずにいる。<br>\\r\\nRena hasn't recovered from the shock since that day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だから、自分の身辺に警察か何かが迫っているように、思い込んでしまっているんじゃないのか？<br>\\r\\n...That's probably why she got the idea into her head that the police or someone else is coming after her...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n取り合えず、レナが言うのには余計な口を挟まずに聞きに徹した。<br>\\r\\nI didn't cut in while she was talking.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……対応は正しかったと思う。<br>\\r\\n...I think I did the right thing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあそこで、そんな馬鹿ななんて言ってたら、レナは二度と俺を信用しなかったろう。<br>\\r\\nIf I had said that it was ridiculous or something to her face, Rena wouldn't have trusted me ever again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、ぎょっとした。<br>\\r\\nAt that point, however, I gasped.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n白いワゴン車が路肩に止まっていたからだ。<br>\\r\\nA white van was parked on the side of the street.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさっき通り過ぎたワゴン車のナンバーは見ていないから、同じ車だという保証はない。<br>\\r\\nI wasn't sure if this was the same car that passed by earlier, since I didn't see the plate number.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、……中に乗っている人の数とか雰囲気とかは、…確かに似ていた。<br>\\r\\nBut... the number of people in the car and the ambience of it was similar to the one earlier.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれに、ちょっと不審な点もあった。<br>\\r\\nAnd there's one other thing that looked suspicious about it.<br>\\r\\n……ここに停車する必然性がなかったからだ。<br>\\r\\n ...There was no reason to park here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここは林の中の小道だ。<br>\\r\\nIt was on a small road in the middle of the woods.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n辺りには何にもない。<br>\\r\\nThere's nothing around here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n信号機だってないし、自動販売機も公衆電話もない。<br>\\r\\nNo traffic lights, no vending machines, and no public phones.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、普通なら気がつかないような違和感だった。<br>\\r\\nI probably wouldn't notice it under ordinary circumstances, but I felt something was wrong.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だが、こうして一度気付いてしまうと、確かにそれは異様だった。<br>\\r\\n...And once I noticed how odd it was, it was definitely suspicious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nワゴン車の中には、作業服姿のような男たちが４人ほどいた。<br>\\r\\nThere were four men in work uniforms in the white van.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……運転席の男は煙草を吸っているが、それ以外の男たちは基本的にぼーっとしているだけ。<br>\\r\\n...The driver was smoking a cigarette, but the other men were just sitting there doing nothing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n休憩とか一服とかなら、もう少しマシなところがあるはずだ。<br>\\r\\nIf they wanted to take a break or have a smoke, they could've chosen a better place than here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろん、トイレがどうしても我慢できなくなって、ここで急停車をしたという可能性もあるのだが、……その気配ともまた違った。<br>\\r\\nIt was possible that they stopped because they had to go to the bathroom really badly... But it didn't seem that way, either.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼らには休憩時に発する独特の弛緩したムードがない。<br>\\r\\nThey didn't look as comfortable or relaxed like they would if they were taking a break.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n来るべき何かにずっと備えているような、緊張感が感じられた。<br>\\r\\nThey looked like they were waiting for something to happen. There was a deep tension in that car.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……まさか、レナがここにやってくるのを待ち受けているのか…？！<br>\\r\\n...Could they possibly be waiting for Rena...?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまさかまさか、…そんなことはあるものか。<br>\\r\\nNo way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……確かにここはひと気もない。<br>\\r\\n...I didn't see anybody walking around here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの道は裏道みたいなものなので、人通りは滅多にないし、車などさらに滅多に通るものじゃない。<br>\\r\\nThis road is a back road. Nobody really uses this road, let alone by car.<br>\\r\\nでもでも……そんな馬鹿な………。<br>\\r\\n ...But... But... it's impossible...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナには悪いが、………多分、これはレナの被害妄想か何かだ。<br>\\r\\n...I felt bad for Rena to even think about it, but... this must be something that she got into her head, because she's feeling victimized or something.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナたちを殺したことを仲間に知られたショックで、ナーバスになっているレナが感じている妄想だ。<br>\\r\\nShe must be imagining things because she's still nervous from when her friends caught her in the act of killing Rina and Teppei.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「兄ちゃん。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, young man.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nワゴン車の脇を通った時、突然その声が聞こえた。<br>\\r\\nI heard someone say that when I passed by the van.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n面識のない自分に話しかけるわけもない。<br>\\r\\nHe couldn't mean me. He didn't even know who I was.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからその声は、きっと車内の誰かに話しかけたものに違いないと思った。<br>\\r\\nSo I assumed he was talking to one of the other people in the car.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから聞こえなかったふりをして、そのまま通り過ぎようとした時、もう一度、声をかけられた。<br>\\r\\nI pretended I didn't hear him, and I kept walking by. And then, he said it again<br>\\r\\nクラクション付きで。<br>\\r\\n and honked the horn as well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「兄ちゃん、すまんね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey young man, excuse me.<br>\\r\\n学校の帰りかいね？」<br>\\r\\n Are you on your way home from school?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n村人の年配者特有の強い訛りがあった。村人だろうとは思うが、面識はなかった。<br>\\r\\nHe had a strong accent similar to that of the older villagers. He must live here, but I didn't know him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n向こうも、自分のことを名前で呼ばないことから面識がないことをうかがえた。<br>\\r\\nI could tell he didn't know me either, because he didn't call me by name.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……はい、…そうですけど。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Yes... I am.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「兄ちゃん、学校からこの道をずっと歩いてきたんね？<br>\\r\\n\\\"You've been walking on this road all the way from school, right?<br>\\r\\nちょうど文房具屋の角を曲がってぇ、」<br>\\r\\n You turned the corner where the stationery store is, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうですけど。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n…何か？」<br>\\r\\n ...So?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼らは道に迷ったんだと思った。<br>\\r\\nThey were probably lost, I thought.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…この村って、変に近道をしようと思って、慣れない道を入ると、結構、変なところに迷い込むからな。<br>\\r\\n...This village has many small turns, and you can easily get lost when you try to take a shortcut.<br>\\r\\nだから、誰か村人が通りかかったら道を聞こうと思っていたに違いない。<br>\\r\\n So they must've been waiting for someone to ask for directions.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そう思おうとした矢先だった。<br>\\r\\n...But then, he said something disturbing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「兄ちゃんさ、この道の途中で女の子に会わんかったかいね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Young man, didn't you see a girl on the way here?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「え、………あの、………え…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Huh? ......Umm... What...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「白い帽子に白い服を着た女の子なんよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"A girl with a white hat in white clothes<br>\\r\\n紫のリボンも付いとん。<br>\\r\\n with a purple ribbon on it.<br>\\r\\n会わんかったかいね。」<br>\\r\\n Did you see her?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは紛れもなくレナを示したものに違いない。<br>\\r\\nThey were definitely talking about Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……い、…いいえ…！<br>\\r\\n\\\"...N-No...!<br>\\r\\n会ってないです……。」<br>\\r\\n I didn't...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n心の準備がまったくなかった。<br>\\r\\nI wasn't ready to hear them ask that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…いや、むしろ俺は怯えていたのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n...Rather, I was scared.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、信じられないくらいに上擦った声を出してしまった。<br>\\r\\nThat's why my voice got all shaky.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nたった今まで、レナの話を疑っていた。<br>\\r\\nUp until that point, I couldn't believe Rena's story.<br>\\r\\n馬鹿にしていた。<br>\\r\\n I thought it was ridiculous.<br>\\r\\n実は笑い捨てていた。<br>\\r\\n I actually laughed, if only to myself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからこそ、これ以上なく心の虚を突かれたのだった。<br>\\r\\nThat's why I wasn't ready at all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……心臓がバクバクと高鳴り、全身に脂汗が浮く。<br>\\r\\n...My heart was beating fast, and I was sweating all over.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nとっさに「いいえ」とは答えたものの…。<br>\\r\\nI immediately answered, \\\"no, I didn't\\\" but...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………いかにも嘘をついたように聞こえたかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n...It might've sounded like an obvious lie.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n運転席の作業服の男が、じぃっと俺の目を覗きこんでいた。<br>\\r\\nThe driver stared into my eyes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺の答えが、嘘か真実か測っているように見えて足がすくむ…。<br>\\r\\nHe looked like he was trying to figure out if I was lying or not, and my legs started to shake...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしばらくの間、俺は、蛇に睨まれたカエルのように身動きすることができずにいた…。<br>\\r\\nI felt like a frog under the glare of a snake, and I couldn't move a muscle for a while...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、それは男にとっても同じだったかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nbut I think the same went for those men too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n明らかに不審である自分たちが、村人に対し、女の子がいなかったかと突然問い掛けたのだ。<br>\\r\\nThey were clearly a suspicious group, and they had just asked a villager about a girl out of the blue.<br>\\r\\n怪しまれないわけはない……。<br>\\r\\n Anybody would get suspicious...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてその想像は当ったと思う。<br>\\r\\nAnd I was right.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n先に口を開いたのは男の方で、聞いてもないのに言い訳的なことを口にしたからだ。<br>\\r\\nThe man broke the ice and started making excuses before I even asked him why he wanted to know about the girl.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……あぁん、そんな深い意味はないんね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Well, I was asking for no particular reason.<br>\\r\\nさっき、女の子を追い抜いたのによ、来たのが男の子だったから、あんれぇ…と思っただけなんね。」<br>\\r\\n We just passed by a girl earlier, but you're a boy. So, we were just wondering...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そ、…………そうですか…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh... okay...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「忘れてぇな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Please forget it.<br>\\r\\nごめんな兄ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n Sorry for the trouble, young man.<br>\\r\\n………うちら、もう行くんて。」<br>\\r\\n ......We're off.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n男はそう言いながらエンジンをかけると、そのまま走り去っていった。<br>\\r\\nThe man started the engine and drove away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n走り去った後には何も残らない。<br>\\r\\nAfter they left, I saw nothing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう、何もない。<br>\\r\\nThat's right. Nothing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ここに彼らが止まっていた理由は、何もなかった。<br>\\r\\n...There was no reason why they had to park here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……じゃあ、……………さっきのあいつら、…………ほ、…本当にレナを………？！<br>\\r\\n...So......... were they really... waiting for... Rena......?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「すまなかったレナ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I should apologize, Rena.<br>\\r\\n……俺はどこかでレナの話を疑ってたよ。<br>\\r\\n ...I don't think I believed you.<br>\\r\\n本当にすまない。」<br>\\r\\n I'm really sorry about that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うぅん、いいよ圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's okay, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n…………そのお陰で、待ち伏せをやり過ごせたんだしね。」<br>\\r\\n .........I'm just glad we didn't get caught.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あいつらは何者なんだ？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Who are they?!<br>\\r\\n………その、……オヤシロさま信仰を復活させようとする、狂信者の集団の手先？！」<br>\\r\\n ...Are they pawns of those religious fanatics who are trying to revive the cult of Oyashiro-sama?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…彼らにはそういう自覚はないと思う。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I think they don't realize that they're pawns,<br>\\r\\n彼らを操っている黒幕はそうなんだと思うけどね。<br>\\r\\n but I'm sure the masterminds are using them as such.<br>\\r\\n……多分、ダム戦争の当時から、陰で様々な工作をしてきた連中なんだと思う。」<br>\\r\\n ...They must be the ones who have been pulling strings behind the scenes, ever since the dam conflict.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………ダム戦争の最中に、園崎家が裏で色々と暗躍したーって話は、俺も少しは聞いたことがあるな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I heard that people working for the Sonozaki family did something similar during the dam conflict itself.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n有名な話だよね。<br>\\r\\n Everyone knows that.<br>\\r\\n……これは大石さんに聞いたんだけど。<br>\\r\\n ...Ooishi-san told me that<br>\\r\\nダム戦争の最中に、誘拐事件があったんだって。<br>\\r\\n there was a kidnapping incident during the dam conflict.<br>\\r\\nこれも秘密の事件なんだけど、……なんでも、建設大臣の孫を誘拐して、ダム建設中止の約束を裏取引したんだって。」<br>\\r\\n The case hasn't been disclosed to the public... but anyway, someone kidnapped the grandson of the Minister of Construction and coerced the Minister into promising to put a halt to the dam construction.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大臣の孫を誘拐？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"The grandson of the Minister was kidnapped?!<br>\\r\\nおいおいそんなの聞いたことないぞ！」<br>\\r\\n Hey, I've never heard about that before!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大臣が犯人との取引に応じる姿勢を見せたため、事件を公にしないことになったんだって。<br>\\r\\n\\\"The Minister submitted to their demands and they made a deal behind the scenes. That's why the incident never went public.<br>\\r\\n大石さんは当時、その事件に関わったから知ってるんだって。」<br>\\r\\n Ooishi-san only knows about it because he was in charge of the case.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………うんうん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Hm, okay...<br>\\r\\n……それで…？」<br>\\r\\n...and...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石さんが言うには、孫の誘拐や大臣の脅迫などの手口は、恐ろしいほどに高度だったんだって。<br>\\r\\n\\\"According to Ooishi-san, between kidnapping the minister's grandson and blackmailing him, their tactics were frighteningly advanced.<br>\\r\\nその事件は、園崎家が命令を下したことだけはわかっているけど、結局、未解決なんだって。<br>\\r\\n The police know that the Sonozaki family gave orders to the kidnappers, but the case still remains unsolved.<br>\\r\\n……当時、園崎家の頭首である園崎お魎は、武装闘争の方針を打ち出していて、配下である暴力団組織の中に特攻隊を組織したそうなの。<br>\\r\\n ...At that time, the head of the Sonozaki family, Oryou, had announced a plan to fight against the dam project by force. She even formed a special attack corps using the yakuza group that's under the Sonozaki family's command.<br>\\r\\nダム計画の撤回がどうしても望めない時は、建設省に突入して武力制圧しようなんて、そんな物騒な計画を本気で練っていたらしいの。」<br>\\r\\n She was very serious about this plan to put the Ministry of Construction down by brute force if she couldn't stop the construction.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nダム戦争の当時、園崎家が本当に戦争紛いの違法行為で抵抗したのは有名だ。<br>\\r\\nEverybody knows that the Sonozaki family had tried to stop the dam project even if it meant breaking the law.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、そんな物騒な計画があったとしても不思議はなかった。<br>\\r\\nSo I wasn't so surprised to hear that she had a dangerous plan like that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n実際、どことなく魅音っぽいセンスも感じる。<br>\\r\\nActually, I wouldn't be surprised if it was Mion who came up with the idea. The plan sounded just like her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「結局、その計画は計画のままで終わったんだけど、それを実行するための特攻隊の訓練というのは行なわれていて、相当高度なものだったらしいよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"In the end, the plan ended up as nothing more than that. But the special attack corps actually did undergo training, and very high-level training at that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nダム戦争が終結した直後に大石が掴んだ情報だった。<br>\\r\\nOoishi had uncovered the information right after the dam conflict ended.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n当時、お魎は、仮に村がダムに沈むことになったなら、<br>\\r\\nAt the time, Oryou even said that if the village was going to be submerged,<br>\\r\\n同盟員全員は自宅に残ったまま湖底に沈むことを選ぶとまで言い、鬼ヶ淵死守同盟総自決とまで言い切っていた。<br>\\r\\n all members of the Onigafuchi Guardians would choose to stay in their houses and drown.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなお魎だからこそ、建設省武力突入作戦は笑い飛ばせる話では到底なかった。<br>\\r\\nSo because Oryou was behind those things, I couldn't just laugh off the idea of an armed assault on the Ministry of Construction.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石が掴んだ情報によるならば、この計画はダム戦争の激化と同時に、抵抗が及ばなかった際の、最後の自決作戦として立案されたという。<br>\\r\\nAccording to the information Ooishi seized, she planned a suicide mission as a last resort when the dam conflict started to heat up, in case their resistance wasn't successful.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、実際にその作戦を起こせるだけの武器の調達と人材の訓練を行なったらしい。<br>\\r\\nShe had actually obtained weapons and put people through training for the sake of that plan.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n暴力団関係者から選抜された特攻隊は、お魎からの莫大な訓練費用を得て渡米。<br>\\r\\nThe special attack corps were flown to America, having received a huge amount of money from Oryou for the operation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n南部の砂漠地帯で、退役軍人などから高度な軍事訓練を受けたという。<br>\\r\\nIn the southern desert of the United States, some retired military soldiers gave them highly professional training.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n計画こそ実施されなかったが、この特攻隊は、帰国して園崎お魎直轄の暗殺部隊となり、未解決の脅迫事件多数に関わり、大臣の孫の誘拐にも成功したのだという。<br>\\r\\nWhile the plan was never carried out, the special attack corps became a death squad under the direct control of Oryou after they came back from America. They were involved in many unsolved terrorist incidents, and they succeeded in kidnapping the grandson of the Minister as well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……う、……嘘みたいな話だな…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I-It sounds like it's from a movie or something...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅ぃちゃんがよく、ヘリの操縦から無線機まで何でも出来る…みたいなことを言うでしょ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Do you remember how Mii-chan said that she could do anything, from flying helicopters to using wireless radios?<br>\\r\\nあれは本当。<br>\\r\\n It's actually all true.<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんも当時、その訓練に参加してるらしいよ。」<br>\\r\\n It seems like Mii-chan joined in their training.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃああいつ、……ほ、本当に…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"So that was all true?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…ま、魅ぃちゃんの話はともかく。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Well, let's put that aside for now.<br>\\r\\nこの雛見沢には、大臣の孫すらも誘拐できるだけの暗殺部隊が存在するってことだけは、疑っちゃだめ。」<br>\\r\\n Anyway, you have to at least believe that the death squad actually exists in Hinamizawa. And they're capable of kidnapping the grandson of a government minister.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……今日のワゴン車に乗っていた４人の顔をしげしげと見たわけじゃないが、……言われてみれば、どことなく、その手のプロっぽい雰囲気がした。<br>\\r\\n...I didn't take a close look at the four men in the white van today... but thinking about it, they did look professional in a way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nただ休憩してるだけのはずなのに、常に緊張感みたいなものがあるのを感じた。<br>\\r\\nThey were pretending to just be taking a break, but I could tell they were tense the whole time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それで………あいつらはレナの命を狙っているのか…？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"So... are they really trying to kill you...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……多分、狙ってはいないと思う。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I don't think so.<br>\\r\\n殺すだけだったら、私、もう殺されてるよ。」<br>\\r\\n If they really wanted to kill me, I'd be dead already.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ…狙いは………、<br>\\r\\n\\\"So... what do they want...?<br>\\r\\n……まさかあれか。<br>\\r\\n ...Are they after...<br>\\r\\n……鷹野さんのスクラップ帖…。」<br>\\r\\n Takano-san's scrapbooks...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一くんが見た通り、連中は相当、警戒心が強いみたいで、隙を見つけない限りは強引な手段に訴えてこないみたいなの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Like you saw yourself, the group is very cautious. Unless we show them an opening, they won't resort to force.<br>\\r\\n…だって、強引な連中なら、私の自宅の寝込みを襲えばいいんだから。」<br>\\r\\n ...If they were the type to use force outright, they could've attacked me in my sleep.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それをしないってことは、………結構、慎重だってことになるな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"They haven't done that yet, so that must mean they're taking it cautiously.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「多分、私がスクラップ帖を持っているという確信がないからだと思うの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"They're probably not sure that I have the scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n彼らは三四さんを殺し、持っていたスクラップ帖を全て処分しようとした。<br>\\r\\n They killed Miyo-san and tried to dispose of them...<br>\\r\\n……ところが、一番重要な数冊が抜けていた。<br>\\r\\n ...But they found out that the most important ones were missing.<br>\\r\\nそれで、自分が狙われているのを察して、誰かに預けたんじゃないかと考えてるんだと思うの。<br>\\r\\n They thought she gave them to someone because she knew her life was in danger.<br>\\r\\nその有力候補が私なんだと思う。<br>\\r\\n Now they think I'm the one who has them.<br>\\r\\n………でも確証がないから、強引な手段に訴えられないんだろうね。」<br>\\r\\n ...But they're not sure, so they can't resort to violence.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………レナ……、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Rena...<br>\\r\\n…お前、<br>\\r\\n it sounds like...<br>\\r\\n……かなりヤバい橋を渡ってるんじゃないのか…。」<br>\\r\\n you're playing a dangerous game...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah.<br>\\r\\n…ちょっと怖いかな。<br>\\r\\n ...I'm a bit scared.<br>\\r\\nでも、…そう簡単には消されないよ。<br>\\r\\n But... they won't be able to erase me so easily.<br>\\r\\n私は大石さんと連携している。<br>\\r\\n After all, I'm cooperating with Ooishi-san.<br>\\r\\n有事の際に備えて常に連絡を取り合っているしね。」<br>\\r\\n I've been frequently contacting him in case something happens.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだ、大石さんはどう言ってるんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What did he say about them?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石さんも園崎家が何らかの暗躍をしていないか監視してくれてるよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"He said he'd keep an eye on the Sonozaki family so that he could catch them right away, if they were working behind the scenes.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……鷹野さんのスクラップ帖の話はしたのか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Did you tell him about the scrapbooks?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うぅん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No.<br>\\r\\n………話してない。」<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「警察には話した方がいいだろ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I think you should. He's an officer.<br>\\r\\nそれに警察なら、きっと力になってくれるぞ…！」<br>\\r\\n I'm sure the police will help you...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n私は君にだって、信じてもらえるか自信がなくて話せないでいるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n I can't even tell you the secret of this village because I'm not sure you would believe me.<br>\\r\\n………大石さんに話したって、絶対に信じてもらえるわけがない。」<br>\\r\\n ...I don't think Ooishi-san would believe me if I told him any of this.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なぁレナ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena,<br>\\r\\nもう煙に巻くのはなしだ。<br>\\r\\n let's not make it more confusing than it already is.<br>\\r\\n話してくれ。<br>\\r\\n Just tell me.<br>\\r\\n一体、何なんだ？<br>\\r\\n What is it?<br>\\r\\n何がスクラップ帖に書いてあるんだ？<br>\\r\\n What's written in the scrapbooks?<br>\\r\\n三四さんが消されるほどの何が書いてあるんだ？！」<br>\\r\\n What's the secret that killed Miyo-san?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「簡単に言うと、……………このスクラップ帖に書いてあることが事実なら、彼らの神が貶められることになるの。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Simply put............ if the things written in the scrapbooks are true, the god they worship will be dethroned.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「神を、……貶める……？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Their god...? Dethroned...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまの、神聖性が失われてしまう。<br>\\r\\n The sanctity of Oyashiro-sama will be lost.<br>\\r\\nだからオヤシロさま信仰を復活させようとする彼らは絶対に伏せたいと思っているの。」<br>\\r\\n That's why they want to conceal the truth. They want to resurrect people's belief in Oyashiro-sama.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「すまんレナ、もう少しわかりやすく言ってくれ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena, can you explain it, uh, a little more simply than that?<br>\\r\\nつまりどういうことなんだ…？」<br>\\r\\n I'm confused...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「つまり、オヤシロさまは神さまじゃないってことなの。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"In other words, Oyashiro-sama isn't a god.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………神さまじゃ、ない？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...He isn't?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何を根拠にそうだと断じるのかはわからないが、どういう内容であれ、オヤシロさまを狂信的に信仰する連中にとっては、神を冒涜する内容でしかない。<br>\\r\\nI had no idea what she read that made her so certain, but whatever it was, it'd be sacrilegious for people who believed so strongly in Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「オヤシロさまの教えって、いくつもあるけど、その原点はたったのひとつしかない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"There are many teachings of Oyashiro-sama, but the essence is as follows:<br>\\r\\nそれは『中から出るな』『外から入るな』というもの。<br>\\r\\n 'Don't leave the village' and 'don't let anybody into the village'.<br>\\r\\nこの大原則を守るために、その他の教義を発展させたと言ってもいいくらい。<br>\\r\\n One could even say the rest of his teachings were developed to maintain those two fundamentals.<br>\\r\\n隣人を愛せとか、家内安全とか縁結びの神さまなんてのは、本当に後から取ってつけたものでしかないの。」<br>\\r\\n It really wasn't until later on that they added aspects like 'love your neighbor' or viewing him as a god of marriage and domestic prosperity.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、オヤシロさまは、村人を外へ逃がさないことだけを目的に存在していたのだ。<br>\\r\\nIn other words, Oyashiro-sama existed solely to stop the villagers from going outside the village.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこには、人々に恵みを与えたり、何らかの災厄から守ってくれたりというご利益は存在しない。<br>\\r\\nOyashiro-sama doesn't bless the villagers or protect them from disasters.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなものは、後世の人間が後付けにした装飾に過ぎない。<br>\\r\\nThe people believe that Oyashiro-sama does all that for them, but the truth is that the people abused his name for that purpose, generation after generation, and nothing more than that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそもそもオヤシロさまはなぜ降臨したのか。<br>\\r\\nWhy did Oyashiro-sama descend in the first place?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは鬼ヶ淵の沼より鬼が湧き出し、人々を襲ったからだ。<br>\\r\\nBecause demons came out of Onigafuchi Swamp and attacked people.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「実は、……この時点で解釈が違ってたの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"In fact... that was the wrong interpretation.<br>\\r\\n鬼が湧き出して襲ったんじゃない。<br>\\r\\n Demons didn't come out of the swamp and attack people.<br>\\r\\n湧き出したものにやられると、人々を襲う鬼になるの。」<br>\\r\\n People became demons and attacked others when they were possessed by whatever came out of the swamp.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………湧き出したもの…？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Whatever came out of the swamp...<br>\\r\\nど、どういう意味だよレナ…。」<br>\\r\\n What do you mean by that?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n湧き出したものは、人々に取り憑き、血の中に潜り込み人々を支配し、鬼と化したのだ。<br>\\r\\nWhatever came out of the swamp possessed people, crawled into their blood, controlled them, and turned them into demons.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n人々はこの湧き出したものに抗えず、次々と鬼と化し、他の村人たちに襲い掛かり、鬼を移し、増やしていったのだ。<br>\\r\\nPeople had no resistance against whatever it was that came out of the swamp. They became demons, attacked the other villagers, and turned them into demons as well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう。<br>\\r\\nThat's right.<br>\\r\\n……それは、沼より発生した奇怪な伝染病。<br>\\r\\n ...It was a weird infectious disease that broke out from the swamp.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n感染者を凶暴化させる奇怪な寄生虫の大量発生だった。<br>\\r\\nIt made the infected people go out of control.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n村人たちは、その大惨事を見て思ったのだ。<br>\\r\\nThe villagers saw this disaster and explained it like so.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沼の底より悪鬼が湧き出し、人々に取り憑いて鬼と化したのだと。<br>\\r\\nEvil demons came out from the bottom of the swamp, possessed people, and turned them into demons as well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれこそが、鬼ヶ淵より鬼が湧き出した故事の真実なのだ。<br>\\r\\nThat is the truth of the story of the demons that came out of Onigafuchi Swamp.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………確かに、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...It actually...<br>\\r\\n………それだと、伝説をうまく説明できるな…。<br>\\r\\n explains the legend...<br>\\r\\n……じゃあ、…オヤシロさまってのは……ひょっとして、<br>\\r\\n ...So... was Oyashiro-sama...<br>\\r\\n………異国から来た、<br>\\r\\n a doctor<br>\\r\\n医者？」<br>\\r\\n who came from a foreign country?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n正確には正しくないけど、…そう、医者と呼べる存在。<br>\\r\\n That's not exactly correct, but... he was something like that.<br>\\r\\nそれが降臨して、伝染病を治療したの。<br>\\r\\n He came to Onigafuchi, and he treated the infectious disease.<br>\\r\\nでも、それは治療ではなく、対症療法でしかなかった。」<br>\\r\\n But he couldn't cure it for good.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n対症療法とは即ち、症状を軽減させるだけの根本的でない治療法を指す。<br>\\r\\nAll his treatment could do was reduce the symptoms of the infection.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……つまり、村人たちは、症状を抑えることはできたが、自らの内に住まう寄生虫を駆逐することはできなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\n...Villagers could have their symptoms suppressed, but there was no way to kill the parasites that had infested them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやがて、村は二つに分かれる。<br>\\r\\nAfter a while, the village was divided into two groups.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nすでに感染している人間と、まだ感染していない人間だ。<br>\\r\\nOne group was made up of the people who were already infected, and the other consisted of the people who weren't.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n完全な治療方法はなく、対症療法によってその凶暴性を抑えられているだけの人々に対する差別の目は厳しかった。<br>\\r\\nWithout a cure for the disease, the uninfected looked down on the people who could only suppress their violent symptoms.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼らを全て沼に追い立てて殺してしまおうという意見も出た。<br>\\r\\nThey even talked about drowning them in the swamp.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、感染者を皆殺しにしたところで、根本的な解決にはならない。<br>\\r\\nBut they knew killing the infected people wouldn't solve the problem.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n病原体である寄生虫は鬼ヶ淵沼を始めとした水源地から湧き出す。<br>\\r\\nThe parasites came out of their water sources, including Onigafuchi Swamp.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全て埋めることはできないし、水源地を埋めれば、村の生活基盤は壊滅する。<br>\\r\\nThey couldn't fill them all in, for if they did that, they would lose their access to drinking water.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれに、先祖代々の墓のあるこの地を捨てる選択もまた苦々しいものだった。<br>\\r\\nThey could've chosen to leave the village, but that was hard for them, for that was the location of their ancestors' graves.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「オヤシロさま」の力があれば、感染者も異常な症状を出さずに生活できる。<br>\\r\\nUnder the power of \\\"Oyashiro-sama,\\\" infected people could live without showing symptoms.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこで人々は、感染者も非感染者も分け隔てない生活を続けていくことを選び、寄生虫と共生する生活を受け入れた。<br>\\r\\nSo, both those who were infected and those who weren't decided to live together equally and to coexist with the parasite.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「オヤシロさま」は村人たちのその決断を喜び、この地に留まって彼らの治療を続けていくことにした…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oyashiro-sama\\\" was impressed by the villagers' decision. He decided to stay there and continue to treat them...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……それが、オヤシロさまがこの地に留まり、人と鬼の生活を見守った…、の真相か……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...That's the true identity of Oyashiro-sama, the benefactor who stayed in the village to protect the lives of both human and demon...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's right.<br>\\r\\nそしてオヤシロさまは、感染者である村人たちに、症状を出さないために掟を作った。<br>\\r\\n And Oyashiro-sama made rules in order to ensure the symptoms of the infected people would remain suppressed.<br>\\r\\nその最大にして唯一のものが、村から出てはいけない、外から人を入れてはいけない、だったの。」<br>\\r\\n The rules were to never leave the village and to never let anybody into the village.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「外から人を入れてはいけないってのはわかるぜ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I understand why he didn't want to let anybody new into the village.<br>\\r\\n…感染者を増やさないためだろ。<br>\\r\\n ...It was to prevent the parasite from infecting anyone else.<br>\\r\\nでも出てはいけないってのはどういう意味なんだ？」<br>\\r\\n But I don't understand why he didn't want people to leave.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「寄生虫たちは、気候や風土の関係で、この雛見沢の地でしか生きられないらしいの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It seems like the parasite can only live in Hinamizawa because of the climate here.<br>\\r\\nだから、宿主である感染者がこの地を離れようとすると、強い症状を出してそれを妨害するの。<br>\\r\\n It causes an outbreak of the symptoms in order to prevent the hosts from leaving the village when they try.<br>\\r\\n……その妨害こそが、いわゆる『オヤシロさまの祟り』の正体。」<br>\\r\\n ...That reaction is the truth behind 'the curse of Oyashiro-sama'.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n感染症の最大の特徴は、錯乱や凶暴性だった。<br>\\r\\nThe strongest symptoms of the infectious disease were violence and delirium.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその様はまさに「鬼」であり、鬼ヶ淵村の人々を「鬼」と例えるのに充分なインパクトがあったという。<br>\\r\\nThe infected people acted just like demons, and the impact of seeing them in the throes of the disease was strong enough to make others describe them as such.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、不用意に村に立ち入り、感染した旅人を逃がすわけには行かなかった。<br>\\r\\nThey couldn't even let people leave who had just come to the village.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n感染者は遠方の地でやがて錯乱し、凶暴な鬼と化して惨事を引き起こすに違いないからだ。<br>\\r\\nIf they had left after being infected, they might go crazy in a faraway land, turn into a vicious demon, and cause a disaster.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、感染者を村の外に出さなかった。<br>\\r\\nInfected people were never allowed to leave.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n出たなら、是が非でも連れ戻した。<br>\\r\\nWhen an infected person left the village, they brought him back by any means necessary.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれこそが、「鬼隠し」の正体。<br>\\r\\nThat was what it really meant to be \\\"demoned away\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ちょっと待てよレナ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wait a second, Rena.<br>\\r\\n……だとしたら、俺やレナも、村人はみんなその病気に感染してることになるよな？<br>\\r\\n ...That means everybody in this village, including you and I, are infected.<br>\\r\\nでも俺たちは雛見沢を離れたって別に何の問題もないぞ？<br>\\r\\n But nothing happens when we leave Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n実際、村人にも結婚したりして遠方に住んでる人も少なくないらしいじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n In fact, many villagers move far away after getting married or something.<br>\\r\\n雛見沢をちょっと離れたからって、錯乱して鬼と化したなんて聞いたことないぞ。」<br>\\r\\n I've never heard of any villagers who went crazy and turned into demons after they left Hinamizawa.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're right.<br>\\r\\nそれはまさに、オヤシロさまの目論見通りにことが進んだからなんだよ。<br>\\r\\n That's because things went as Oyashiro-sama thought they would.<br>\\r\\n意味がわかるかな。<br>\\r\\n Do you understand?<br>\\r\\nこの村を長い間、封印してきたのは、寄生虫の害を弱めるためなの。」<br>\\r\\n He isolated the village for a long time in order to weaken the power of the parasite.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n寄生虫にとって、宿主は大切な存在であり、宿主に何かあれば住まう彼らも運命を共にすることになる。<br>\\r\\nHosts are very important for parasites. If something happens to the host, the parasites that live in the host have to share the same fate.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、錯乱して他の人間を襲ったりなどすれば、その感染者は結局のところ召し捕られ、共に殺されてしまう。<br>\\r\\nIn other words, if the host went crazy and attacked people, the host would be captured and killed, which means that the parasites would die with the host, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………そうか、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I see.<br>\\r\\n……自然淘汰か…！」<br>\\r\\n ...You're talking about natural selection...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さすが圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Good thinking, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n……そう。<br>\\r\\n ...That's exactly right.<br>\\r\\nこの地で長く生活を重ね、厳しい戒律で生活を続けた結果。<br>\\r\\n As a result of living in this village under such strict rules for a long time,<br>\\r\\n寄生虫に対し過敏な人間は錯乱して結局、殺された。<br>\\r\\n people who were hypersensitive to the parasite went crazy and got killed.<br>\\r\\nまた、感染者を錯乱させてしまうような強過ぎる寄生虫は、これもまた錯乱した宿主と共に殺された。<br>\\r\\n The strong parasites that made the infected people go crazy were also killed off due to the host's violent behaviors.<br>\\r\\nその結果、寄生虫と人間は互いに相性がいい種だけが残っていった。<br>\\r\\n As a result, only the parasites that acted nice to people lived on.<br>\\r\\n……これこそが、オヤシロさまの伝説が伝える、鬼と人の血は混じり合ったことの真相。」<br>\\r\\n ...And that's the explanation behind 'the mix of human and demon blood' that's written in the legend of Oyashiro-sama.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ……、<br>\\r\\n\\\"So...<br>\\r\\nつまり、その寄生虫は…ほとんど無害なわけなのか。」<br>\\r\\n that means the parasite... is almost harmless now.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n三四さんのスクラップ帖によると、そういった、無害な寄生虫に感染しているケースというのはかなり多いんだって。<br>\\r\\n According to Miyo-san's scrapbooks, there are actually many people who are infected by harmless parasites.<br>\\r\\n食文化にもよるけど、例えば生肉を食べる国では国民の８割くらいが感染している例もあるんだって。<br>\\r\\n It depends on the local food culture. For example, about 80% of the people who live in a country where meat is a staple food are infected by parasites.<br>\\r\\nでも、共生できてて人体にまったく無害だから、だれも治療しない、気付かない。<br>\\r\\n But because the parasites coexist with humans without doing any harm to them, nobody notices them, treats them,<br>\\r\\nだから撲滅もされない。」<br>\\r\\n or tries to get rid of them.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………な、……なるほどな…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"............I see.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「太古の綿流しはね、実はハラワタ流しと書く、物騒なものでね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"In olden times, Watanagashi was called Harawata-nagashi, harawata meaning 'guts'.<br>\\r\\n錯乱した犠牲者の臓腑を食らうものだったの。<br>\\r\\n It's said the people back then used to eat the guts of infected people who went crazy.<br>\\r\\nでもこれも、必要なことだった。」<br>\\r\\n It sounds awful, but it was something they had to do.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………感染して犠牲になった人を食らう…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Eating the infected people...<br>\\r\\n………まさか、………ワクチンとか？」<br>\\r\\n Are you talking about a vaccine?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはは、圭一くんはやっぱり頭がいいね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahaha, you're very smart, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\nうん、三四さんもそう読み解いてる。<br>\\r\\n Miyo-san also interpreted it just like you did.<br>\\r\\n伝説では、犠牲者を生きたまま解体して食らったなんて物騒なことになっているけど、実際はそんな野蛮なものじゃなくて、もっともっと医学的に取り扱われていたらしいの。<br>\\r\\n In the legend, it says people cut open and ate the infected ones alive, but it actually wasn't anything gross like that. They did it in a scientific way.<br>\\r\\n強過ぎる寄生虫のせいで死んだ犠牲者からワクチンを作り出し、同時に村人の抵抗力も高めていった。」<br>\\r\\n They created a vaccine from the infected people who died from the extremely strong parasites, and that helped the uninfected villagers boost their immune system.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………オヤシロさまってのは何者なんだよ一体。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Who was Oyashiro-sama?<br>\\r\\n……医学。<br>\\r\\nA scientist...?<br>\\r\\n…医学先進国っていうと、<br>\\r\\n ...He must've been from a very advanced country...<br>\\r\\n………ドイツか？<br>\\r\\n Was he German?<br>\\r\\n正体はひょっとして……難破して流れ着いた外国人医師？！」<br>\\r\\n Is the true identity of Oyashiro-sama a foreign doctor who survived a shipwreck?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「多分、圭一くんの答えが一番一般的だと思う。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I think that'd be the most likely answer.<br>\\r\\n……ドイツ人ではないんだけど、取り合えず医者的な存在であったのは正解。」<br>\\r\\n ...He wasn't German, but he was a doctor of some sort.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「古代の伝説の秘密が明かされていくってのは……何だか面白いな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's kind of interesting to reveal the truth behind old legends...<br>\\r\\n…へへへ。」<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの頃には、レナの話を突拍子もないとは思っていなかった。<br>\\r\\nI don't think that Rena's story is too crazy to be true anymore.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確かに次元のぶっ飛んだ話だが、この村にまつわるあらゆる伝説をこれほど説明できる仮説はなかった。<br>\\r\\nIt still sounds crazy, of course, but I've never heard any theories that explained the legend of this village better than this one.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………その寄生虫、多分、俺も感染してるんだよな…？<br>\\r\\n\\\".........I'm infected by the parasite too, right...?<br>\\r\\n何だか体中が痒くなってくるぜ…。」<br>\\r\\n I feel itchy all over now...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「人間だってひとつの宇宙だよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"A person is like a universe.<br>\\r\\n体の中には無数の細菌たちが住んでいる。<br>\\r\\n We have countless numbers of bacteria in our bodies.<br>\\r\\nその中には私たちの生活には欠かせない有用な細菌たちも少なくないんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n Some of those bacteria are essential to us staying alive.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ、よくヨーグルトとかのＣＭで言ってるよな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, like bacteria in yogurt, right?<br>\\r\\n……確かにそうだ。」<br>\\r\\n ...I see.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「これも三四さんの受け売りだけど、…例えば、シロアリっているでしょ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"This is also what Miyo-san wrote in her scrapbooks. You know termites, right?<br>\\r\\n木材を食い荒らしてしまうアリ。<br>\\r\\n They eat wood.<br>\\r\\n実はシロアリって、木材を消化できないんだって。<br>\\r\\n But they actually can't digest it themselves.<br>\\r\\n体内に寄生している特殊な細菌が、食べた木材の繊維を分解してくれて、その結果、シロアリは木材を吸収できるんだって。<br>\\r\\n They have unique bacteria that decomposes the wood fibers. As a result, termites can absorb what they eat.<br>\\r\\nこれも寄生虫と共生している一例だね。」<br>\\r\\n That's just one example of a species coexisting with parasites.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは知らなかった。<br>\\r\\nI didn't know that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……寄生虫という言葉を聞くと、生理的嫌悪感を感じてしまうが、必ずしも悪いものばかりではないわけだ。<br>\\r\\n...When I hear the word parasites, I feel creeped out almost instinctively. But now I know some of them aren't so bad to us.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だから、太古の昔に鬼ヶ淵沼から突如発生した奇怪な伝染病は、今ではほぼ根絶されたと言っていい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"So, the weird infectious disease that broke out from Onigafuchi swamp has been exterminated by now.<br>\\r\\n……根絶じゃないね。<br>\\r\\n Well... I shouldn't say exterminated.<br>\\r\\n無害になった、というべきだね。」<br>\\r\\n I should say it's harmless now.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「最初はとんでもない話だと思ってたけどさ、<br>\\r\\n\\\"I thought it was a crazy story at first...<br>\\r\\n……こうして種明かしがされると、何だかサイエンスな感じがして、ちょっと面白い話だよな。」<br>\\r\\n but now I feel like I just saw the trick behind some crazy kind of magic. It's interesting.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私たちには面白いよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It is to us.<br>\\r\\n…でも、オヤシロさまを神として崇める人たちにとっては、これはとても不愉快な説。」<br>\\r\\n ...But for the cult of Oyashiro-sama, this must be a very annoying theory.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n当然だ。<br>\\r\\nOf course.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……鷹野さんのこの説が正しいなら、オヤシロさまは神さまでも何でもない。<br>\\r\\n...If Takano-san's theory is correct, Oyashiro-sama isn't a god.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかも、神罰として恐れてきた「オヤシロさまの祟り」は、神の業どころか、単なる伝染病の発症だったことになる。<br>\\r\\nAnd the punishment by that god, namely 'the curse of Oyashiro-sama' that people have been so afraid of, will turn out to have just been the symptoms of an infectious disease.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなるほど、<br>\\r\\nI see......<br>\\r\\n…………これが、最初にレナの言った、「神を貶めることになる」という意味か……。<br>\\r\\n That's what 'dethroning god' would mean...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……だとすると、……もしこの伝染病の病原体を特定して世間に発表されるようなことがあれば、……信仰は破綻しちまうな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...So... if the pathogen of this infectious disease was identified and announced to the public... the power of Oyashiro-sama would be completely lost.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's right.<br>\\r\\nそれこそが彼らの一番恐れることなの。<br>\\r\\n That's what they're afraid of.<br>\\r\\nそして三四さんは、その病原体を特定しようとしていたらしい。<br>\\r\\n Miyo-san was going to identify the pathogen.<br>\\r\\n………その三四さんが消されたということは………、」<br>\\r\\n ...And for that, she was killed...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「特定できたってことか…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"So, that must mean she identified it...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「かもしれないね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Maybe she did.<br>\\r\\n……三四さんはもういないし、彼女のスクラップ帖にも特定できたとは書かれていない。<br>\\r\\n ...But she's gone, and she didn't say anything about that in her scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\nでも、消されるに値する理由が他に思いつかないの。」<br>\\r\\n That's the only reason I can think of, though.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「でもよ、……二十世紀ももうすぐ終わろうっていう現代だぜ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"But... it's the end of the 20th century.<br>\\r\\n村人だっていろんな医療機関で検査を受けてきたはずだ。<br>\\r\\n I'm sure the villagers have been examined by a lot of different medical institutions by now, right?<br>\\r\\nなのに、そういう怪しげな寄生虫が摘出されたって話はないんだろ？」<br>\\r\\n I've never heard about anyone discovering a weird parasite like that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I know.<br>\\r\\n確かに病原体そのものは未だ発見されていない。<br>\\r\\n It's true that the pathogen hasn't been found yet.<br>\\r\\nでも確かに何かの寄生を受けていることの信号だけは確認されているんだって。」<br>\\r\\n But in fact, there is evidence that there is some kind of parasite involved.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「な、……なんだって……！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?<br>\\r\\n本当かよ…！！」<br>\\r\\n Really...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n人体は寄生虫の侵入を受けると、EosinoやMacrophegeと言った免疫細胞でそれを駆逐しようとする。<br>\\r\\nWhen a parasite enters a human body, that body's immune system cells (eosinophils and macrophages) try to kill the parasite.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのための信号としてImmunoglobulin_E （以下IgE ）という抗体を分泌する。<br>\\r\\nThey secrete an antibody callednimmunoglobulin E (IgE).<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの抗体の分泌量を見て、人体が病原体の寄生を受けているかどうかを調べるのが一般的だ。<br>\\r\\nThe most common way of checking if a person is infected by a pathogen is to look at the levels of this secretion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鷹野の研究によるならば、この抗体は、雛見沢出身者の血中からは平均を超える高い量が検出されるという。<br>\\r\\nAccording to Takano's research, people from Hinamizawa have a very high level of IgE in their blood.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれだけではない。<br>\\r\\nThat's not all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢出身者はこの抗体が単に多いだけでない、さらに明白な寄生の証拠があった。<br>\\r\\nThey also have obvious symptoms of being infected by parasites.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはアレルギー反応がないことによる。<br>\\r\\nThey don't have any allergies.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nIgE はマスト細胞を刺激し、その結果、分泌されるHistamine 、Serotonin はアレルギー反応を起こすことでも知られている。<br>\\r\\nIgE stimulates mast cells, and they secrete histamines and serotonin as a result. These cause an allergic reaction.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの反応は人間にとって不快なものだが、人体にとっては病原体を駆逐するために起こす、止むを得ない反応なのである。<br>\\r\\nThat allergic reaction isn't pleasant for humans, but it's necessary for the body to kill the pathogen.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが寄生虫は、これによって駆逐されることを逃れるため、IgE を不活性化させる物質を分泌する。<br>\\r\\nBut the parasites don't want to be killed, of course, so they secrete substances that counteract IgE.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの結果、不活性化したIgE はマスト細胞のIgE レセプターを刺激せず、刺激物質を分泌しない。<br>\\r\\nAs a result, IgE stops stimulating the receptors of the mast cells, which stop secreting the chemical compounds.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその結果、抗原抗体反応であるアレルギー反応が発生しない。<br>\\r\\nAs a result, the antigen-antibody reaction, namely the allergic reaction, doesn't occur.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、寄生虫の寄生を受けた人体は、IgE を多く分泌し、かつアレルギー反応を起こさないのだ。<br>\\r\\nIn other words, a human body that was infected by a parasite secretes a high level of IgE, but doesn't display allergic reactions.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n余談だが、そのため、寄生虫の寄生を受けた人体は、花粉症にも無縁だ。<br>\\r\\nFor your information, a human body that's infected by a parasite doesn't suffer from hay fever.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n花粉症のメカニズムは、花粉を寄生虫の侵入だと誤解した人体がIgE を大量に分泌することで起こる。<br>\\r\\nYou get hay fever due to your body secreting a large amount of IgE, because it's mistaken pollen for a parasitic invasion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその結果、Histamine 等の刺激物質が大量に分泌するのだが、元々やっつけるべき寄生虫が存在しない。<br>\\r\\nAs a result, a large amount of stimulants like histamine will be secreted, but your body can't contain the parasite that it's attempting to kill.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのため、人体は延々とIgE を分泌し続ける。<br>\\r\\nThat's why your body continues to secrete IgE.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその結果、延々と分泌される刺激物質が、延々とアレルギー反応を起こし続けるのである。<br>\\r\\nAs a result, the simulants keep causing allergic reactions. That's how hay fever works.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、寄生虫がいるならば、彼らがIgE を不活性化してくれるため、刺激物質の分泌が抑えられる。<br>\\r\\nIf you have a parasite in your body, it'll deactivate your IgE and suppress the secretion of stimulants.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその結果、アレルギー反応は起こらないわけだ。<br>\\r\\nAs a result, you don't have an allergic reaction.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、この論法によるならば、雛見沢には花粉症はないし、花粉症に悩む人は雛見沢に引っ越してくれば治ることになる。<br>\\r\\nIn other words, there's no hay fever in Hinamizawa, and you can cure your hay fever by moving here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……つまり、特定はできなくても、その存在だけは疑いようがないってわけだ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...So we haven't been able to identify the pathogen, but there's no question about its existence.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\nそうなるね。」<br>\\r\\n That's right.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だとすると、……そのスクラップ帖は、狂信的な連中にとっては充分危険な存在だな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"If that's true... the scrapbooks are a big threat to the believers in Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n例え特定できなくても、存在を証明してる時点で充分に危険だと思うぞ。」<br>\\r\\n They don't identify the pathogen, but they clearly prove its existence.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah.<br>\\r\\n例え証拠にはならなくても、……彼らにとっては三四さんを葬るに値する危険性があったと思う。」<br>\\r\\n ...It poses a big enough danger to them to make them think it's worth killing Miyo-san.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「確かに………恐ろしい秘密だな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"This really is... a scary secret.<br>\\r\\nちゃんと説明してもらえば理解できることだが、……いきなり聞いたら刺激が強過ぎる話だぜ。」<br>\\r\\n I believe it because you took the time to explain it to me... But if you had skipped the details and told me only the conclusion, it really would've sounded too crazy to believe.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「でしょ？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I told you!<br>\\r\\nだから私も最初は信じられなかったし、圭一くんに話しても信じてもらえないと思った。」<br>\\r\\n I couldn't believe it at first, either. So, I thought you definitely wouldn't.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……で、大事なのはその事実を隠蔽しようと、暗躍してるヤバい連中がいるって方なんだよな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...So, what's important right now is that there's a dangerous organization acting in the shadows to try and cover up the truth, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n今、大事なのはそっちの方。」<br>\\r\\n That's the most important thing.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさま信仰の狂信者たちにとって、彼らの信仰する神の神聖性の復活は大前提だ。<br>\\r\\nThe fanatics who want to revive the sanctity of the god they worship.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n神の威光を復活させることは即ち、神の力を復活させることを意味する。<br>\\r\\nReviving the majesty of their god means reviving the power of that god.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n神の力とはつまり、……伝染病のことだ。<br>\\r\\nAnd the power of their god is... the infectious disease.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…伝染病って言っても、全国へ際限なく広がってるわけじゃないもんな。<br>\\r\\n...This infectious disease can't spread nationwide, unlike other infectious diseases.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここらで言い方を風土病と改めよう。<br>\\r\\nSo from now on I'm going to start calling it an 'endemic disease'.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの地域限定のものだし、この方がしっくり来る。<br>\\r\\nThat fits better, since it only affects this region.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさて、現代の雛見沢の風土病は太古の昔のものとは異なる。<br>\\r\\nAnyway, the endemic disease of current-day Hinamizawa is different from the one of old times.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n長い時間をかけて淘汰され、ほぼ沈静化し無害なものとなったからだ。<br>\\r\\nIt's been through a process of natural selection, and it's harmless now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n無害ということは人体に害がない。<br>\\r\\nIn other words, it doesn't do any harm to human bodies.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n害とはかつて「祟り」と読み解かれていたはずだ。<br>\\r\\nThat harm was once interpreted as a \\\"curse\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「祟り」こそは「神の力」なのだから、害のない風土病となった今、神の威光は地に落ちていると言っていい。<br>\\r\\nA \\\"curse\\\" is \\\"the power of a god\\\". So, a harmless endemic disease means that the god is powerless.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nということは、「祟り」を取り戻すことが即ち「神の威光」を取り戻す道ということになる。<br>\\r\\nThat means the only way to regain the majesty of that god is to revive the curse.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはつまり太古の風土病、害の極めて強い寄生虫を復活させるということだ。<br>\\r\\nIn other words, they want to bring back the primitive endemic disease, namely the harmful, strong version of the parasite.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ちょっと待てよ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wait a second!<br>\\r\\n狂信者たちは神が実は寄生虫だったなんてことは否定したいんだろ？ <br>\\r\\n These fanatics want to deny the fact that their god was actually a parasite.<br>\\r\\nなのに寄生虫を研究するのかよ？<br>\\r\\n But you're saying that they're researching the parasite.<br>\\r\\n矛盾してないか？」<br>\\r\\n That's contradictory, isn't it?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「矛盾しているよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I know it is.<br>\\r\\nだから、この研究は狂信者たちのトップだけが知る秘密の研究なんだと思う。<br>\\r\\n I think that this research is a secret that only the head of the fanatics is aware of.<br>\\r\\n彼らは表向きは信仰を盛り上げているけど、その裏では信仰の正体について極めて冷静に理解していて、神の業を自らの手で復活させようとしている。」<br>\\r\\n From the outside, they look like they're praising their god, but they actually understand its true identity, and they're trying to revive its supernatural power with their own hands.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………なるほどな…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I get it now.<br>\\r\\n……おいおい…、何だかとんでもない話になってきたぞ…。」<br>\\r\\n ...Oh my god, this is getting crazier and crazier...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「三四さんのスクラップ帖にはそうとは一言も書かれてないんだけど、……私、監督の診療所って怪しいと思うの。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"It didn't say in the scrapbooks, but... I'm suspicious of the clinic the manager owns.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「入江診療所が？<br>\\r\\n\\\"The Irie Clinic?<br>\\r\\n……どうして！」<br>\\r\\n ...Why?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「雛見沢の規模から見て、施設が立派過ぎるのがその理由。<br>\\r\\n\\\"The facility is too big and fancy for Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\nそして、三四さんはそこに勤めていた。<br>\\r\\n Miyo-san was working there.<br>\\r\\n監督は、園崎家にスカウトされてきた細菌学者が正体とか……。」<br>\\r\\n The manager might be a bacteriologist the Sonozaki family recruited...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……か、…監督がか…？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...It can't be...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「三四さんは余計なことを知りすぎたから消されたんだと思うの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I think Miyo-san was murdered because she knew too much.<br>\\r\\nなのに監督が消されない理由は、監督は狂信者たちに依頼されている立場だから。」<br>\\r\\n The reason why the manager hasn't been murdered yet is because he's working for the fanatics in the first place.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そして……、太古の有害な風土病を研究してるってのか……？<br>\\r\\n\\\"And... he's researching the primitive form of the endemic disease...<br>\\r\\nあの…監督が。」<br>\\r\\n It's hard to believe that the Coach we know is capable of doing things like that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…ごめん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I'm sorry.<br>\\r\\n監督は無関係かもしれないね。<br>\\r\\n He might be totally irrelevant.<br>\\r\\n今のは私の思いつき。<br>\\r\\n It's just a wild guess.<br>\\r\\nでも、研究は間違いなくどこかで誰かにさせている。<br>\\r\\n But someone is doing the research somewhere, that much is certain.<br>\\r\\nそして、その研究には５年かかり、ついに完成を見た。」<br>\\r\\n And after five years, the research has finally been completed.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n一番最初の事件は、現場作業員たちのバラバラ殺人。<br>\\r\\nThe first case was the dismemberment murder by the dam construction workers.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n口喧嘩から殺し合いに発展したその事件は、太古の危険な寄生虫の感染による症状、錯乱・凶暴化の発症なのではないか。<br>\\r\\nTheir quarrel had turned into a lynching. They might've had the primitive infectious disease, and the symptoms, the aggression and delirium, might've kicked in.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n２年目の事件は沙都子の両親。<br>\\r\\nThe victims of the second year were Satoko's parents.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n目撃者がいないから謎に包まれているが、転落した展望台の柵の強度から、誰かに柵ごと押されて突き落とされたのではないかという説もある。<br>\\r\\nThere were no witnesses, so the whole event is veiled in mystery. But there's a theory that someone might've pushed them over the cliff, since the fence of the observation deck that they fell from was quite sturdy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもしそれが、太古の寄生虫の感染によって、どちらかが凶暴化して突き落としたものだとしたら？<br>\\r\\nWhat if one of them was infected by the primitive parasite? He or she might've become violent and pushed the other over the cliff.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n３年目は神主の病死とその妻の入水自殺。<br>\\r\\nThe Shinto priest died from a disease, and his wife drowned herself in the third year.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n神主は過敏に反応し過ぎてのショック死だったのではないか。<br>\\r\\nHe might've died of shock because of a hypersensitive reaction to the infection.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n妻の入水自殺は凶暴化ではなく、もうひとつの症状、錯乱で説明できるように思える。<br>\\r\\nHis wife might've gone crazy and committed suicide when one of the symptoms, delirium, kicked in.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n４年目は、<br>\\r\\nIn the fourth year<br>\\r\\n…おそらくは北条悟史による叔母撲殺。<br>\\r\\n... Satoshi Houjou's aunt was beaten to death, probably by Satoshi himself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n悟史くんの変わり様は当時を知っている人間なら誰だって覚えている。<br>\\r\\nEverybody who knew Satoshi-kun remembers how he changed at that time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、錯乱・凶暴化の両方の特徴を示すものだった。<br>\\r\\nHe showed signs of being both aggressive and delirious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして５年目。<br>\\r\\nAnd the fifth year.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nついにこの５年目で初めて、犠牲者は古手神社に伝えられる不出の古文書に伝える、「うじ湧き病」までを再現できたのだ。<br>\\r\\nFor the first time in five years, the victim experienced the \\\"maggot disease\\\" described in the old scroll of the Furude shrine.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその理由は不明だが、太古の害の強い寄生虫には、感染者にうじが湧くように感じられる妄想を与えられたのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nThe reason behind that is unclear, but the stronger primitive parasite could've given its victims a delusion of maggots.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまりそれは、５年目にしてついに、古文書に記されるほどの太古の症状、<br>\\r\\nThis means that they finally managed to duplicate \\\"the curse of Oyashiro-sama\\\"<br>\\r\\n「オヤシロさまの祟り」を再現できたということなのだ。<br>\\r\\n after five years of research.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n５年目の犠牲者である富竹さんの異常な死に方は、同じ体験をした私にだけはわかる。<br>\\r\\nTomitake-san is the victim of the fifth year. He died in an extremely abnormal way. And I'm the only one who understands his death, because I experienced the same thing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n傷口から湧き出すうじ虫を掻き毟り続け、その結果、死に至ったのだ。<br>\\r\\nHe kept clawing at his throat to get rid of the maggots, and died as a result.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここまで説明がつけば、私が茨城の最後で体験した異常な「うじ湧き病」の体験も全て説明できた。<br>\\r\\nWith all that explained, I finally understand the 'maggot disease' I experienced in Ibaraki.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は雛見沢を遠く離れ、害がほとんどなくなったとは言え、寄生虫たちに不快感を与えていた。<br>\\r\\nI left Hinamizawa, and it made the parasite in me uncomfortable.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその結果、彼らは微弱な抵抗を示し、微弱なホームシックを私に与えていたはずだ。<br>\\r\\nAs a result, it tried to resist, even though it wasn't very strong, and it tried to make me homesick.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、私は母の離婚を向かえ、精神的なショックを被り、心の抵抗力を一時的に完全に失ってしまった。<br>\\r\\nBut with my parents' divorce, I grew mentally unbalanced, and I completely lost the power to resist for a period of time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのため、本来は害を成さないくらいに無害なはずの彼らが、私に劇症的な症状を発症させたのだ。<br>\\r\\nThe parasite was weak and harmless, but my mental instability allowed it to worsen my symptoms dramatically.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその結果が、私の錯乱と凶暴化だったのだ。<br>\\r\\nAs a result, I went crazy and became violent.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…あの浴室でのオヤシロさまの降臨の幻想は、多分、末期的な神秘体験なのだろう。<br>\\r\\n...The delusion of Oyashiro-sama appearing to me in the bathroom was probably the terminal phase of my delirium.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は幼少時に刷り込まれたオヤシロさまという超常存在の幻を生み出し、雛見沢に帰れと自らを妄想で説得したのだ。<br>\\r\\nI created the supernatural existence, Oyashiro-sama, that I was instilled with when I was little. Then I persuaded myself to go back to Hinamizawa, based on that delusion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nきっと、太古の鬼ヶ淵村の仙人たちにも同じような体験をしたものがいたのではないだろうか。<br>\\r\\nSome of the transcendants of Onigafuchi must have had the same kind of experience.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその神秘体験を神の奇跡として語り継いだに違いない。<br>\\r\\nThey must've passed their experiences down as the acts of a god.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確か、自然界の麻薬成分を呷って、自ら異常な状況に落ちることで神秘体験を得て、<br>\\r\\nI remember I once saw on TV that the indigenous people in South America used some kind of natural drug in order to have a mystical experience,<br>\\r\\nそれを神との交信と称する儀式が、南米の原住民に伝えられていたなんてのを、民放の特番で見たことがある気がする…。<br>\\r\\n and that they called it a ritual to communicate with their gods...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ、……狂信者どもの目的は…、その太古の寄生虫を雛見沢中にバラまくことなのか！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"So... what the fanatics are trying to do... is to spread the primitive parasites throughout Hinamizawa!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「多分、それが最終目的だと思う。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I think that's their goal.<br>\\r\\nでも、人知れずにそれをやることはないと思うの。<br>\\r\\n But I don't think they'll do that without letting people know about it.<br>\\r\\n宗教にはセレモニーが必要だから。<br>\\r\\n Religions need ceremonies.<br>\\r\\nだからもし、彼らが望むものを生み出せて、それをバラまく日が訪れたなら。<br>\\r\\n So if they created what they wanted to create and if they decided to spread it...<br>\\r\\n……彼らは多分それを『オヤシロさまの復活の日』とでも称して、宗教的なデモンストレーションをすると思うの。<br>\\r\\n I think they'd name it 'The Day of Oyashiro-sama's Revival' or something, and they'd perform some kind of ceremony.<br>\\r\\n何か特別な儀式とか、とにかく、オヤシロさまの復活を祝い、知らしめるような盛大な何か。」<br>\\r\\n It would be in celebration of the revival of Oyashiro-sama.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………なぁ、それってよ、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...That's...<br>\\r\\n……悪いことなんだよな…？」<br>\\r\\n a bad thing, isn't it...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「危険性の高い病原体をバラまこうというんだから、<br>\\r\\n\\\"I think you can say that<br>\\r\\n多分、<br>\\r\\n because<br>\\r\\n悪いことに分類されるだろうね。」<br>\\r\\n they're trying to spread a very dangerous pathogen.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それって、細菌テロって言わないか？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, isn't that bioterrorism?!<br>\\r\\n……お、おい、滅茶苦茶ヤバいことだぞ、おい！！<br>\\r\\n ...Geez, this is very bad!!<br>\\r\\n富竹さんの死に方がオヤシロさまの祟りの再現に成功していた以上、Ｘデーは間近ってことなんじゃないのか？！」<br>\\r\\n They used it on Tomitake-san, confirming that they succeeded in duplicating the curse of Oyashiro-sama. So, that 'Day of Revival' might be really soon!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わからない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't know.<br>\\r\\nもう秒読みなのか、まだまだ時間のかかることなのか…。」<br>\\r\\n It could happen in a few days, or it might take a year...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「もうこれはレナひとりが抱えていい問題じゃないぞ…！<br>\\r\\n\\\"This is way out of your league, Rena...!<br>\\r\\nかなり笑えない大陰謀だぞ！！<br>\\r\\n This is a very serious conspiracy!!<br>\\r\\n俺たちにはどうしようもない！ <br>\\r\\n There's nothing we alone can do to stop them!<br>\\r\\n警察に任すほかないぞ！！」<br>\\r\\n We have to report it to the police!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私が話したこと、警察は信じてくれると思う？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Do you think they will believe us?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「信じるかどうかは向こうが判断するだろ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's their choice whether to believe us or not!<br>\\r\\nとにかく話した方がいい…！」<br>\\r\\n No matter what, we have to tell them...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\nそれを大石さんに私が打ち明けたら、…私がスクラップ帖を持っていることを告白するのと同じなんじゃないかな。」<br>\\r\\n Telling Ooishi-san about all this means... telling him that I have the scrapbooks.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………それって、まずいのか…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Do you think that'd be a problem...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石さんの接触は、三四さんが殺された後だった。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ooishi-san came to me after Miyo-san was murdered.<br>\\r\\n敵は三四さんを殺した時点でスクラップ帖の紛失と、その数日前に私が図書館で出会っていることを知っている。」<br>\\r\\n When they killed Miyo-san, they found out that her scrapbooks were missing. They also know that she met me at the library a few days ago.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……馬鹿な…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...No way...<br>\\r\\nつ、つまり……、」<br>\\r\\n You mean...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n大石さん自体が、敵の手先である可能性がある。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi-san could be one of them.<br>\\r\\n大石さんは私がスクラップ帖を持っている可能性があると当たりを付けていて、探りを入れてきているのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n It's possible that Ooishi-san thinks I have the scrapbooks, and he might be trying to find out.<br>\\r\\n実際、彼は胡散臭くて腹を割らない。<br>\\r\\n In fact, he looked very suspicious, and it seemed to me that he didn't really tell me everything he knew.<br>\\r\\n園崎家を疑わせるようなことを言って、自分は味方だと言ってくるけど、彼だってその園崎家の手先かもしれない。」<br>\\r\\n He only told me things to make me suspicious of the Sonozaki family. He could have just been trying to look like he was on my side, and that he's actually their minion.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「け、……警察を疑い出したらおしまいだぞ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"B-But... the police are our only hope...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一くん、４年目の撲殺事件を知ってるよね？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi-kun, you know about the case of the fourth year, don't you?<br>\\r\\n沙都子ちゃんの叔母さんが殺された事件。<br>\\r\\n Satoko-chan's aunt was murdered.<br>\\r\\nあれは犯人は悟史くん以外に考えられないんだけど、……その後、犯人は麻薬中毒者だったということになった。<br>\\r\\n I believe Satoshi-kun did it. But... the police fingered a drug addict as the murderer.<br>\\r\\nこれをどう思う？」<br>\\r\\n What do you think about that?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………警察内部に狂信的な連中の手先が混じっていて……、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Some of the fanatics are with the police...<br>\\r\\n犯人を捏造したってことか…？！」<br>\\r\\n and they fabricated the murderer...?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「３年目の神主さんの病死の検死とか、２年目の北条夫妻の事故現場の検分とか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's the same with the autopsy of the Shinto priest, who they claim died from disease, and the inspection of the accident site where the Houjou couple died.<br>\\r\\n……警察がもしも彼らの片棒を担いでいるなら、数々の完全犯罪が可能になる。<br>\\r\\n ...If the police are on their side, it opens the door to many perfect crimes.<br>\\r\\n雛見沢御三家はダム戦争時から今日に至るまでもずーっと、警察への圧力を維持しているんだよ。<br>\\r\\n The Three Families have been maintaining pressure on the police since the dam conflict.<br>\\r\\n…それに興宮の町のいろんなところに一族が進出して実権を握っているというのは、魅ぃちゃんから聞かされたことがあるんじゃない？」<br>\\r\\n ...You've heard from Mii-chan that they also have considerable power over many organizations in Okinomiya, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「た、…確かに。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Y-Yes, I have.<br>\\r\\nそれは魅音の口からだけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n It's not only Mion who told me that.<br>\\r\\n色んなやつの口から聞かされた。<br>\\r\\n Many people did.<br>\\r\\n魅音の園崎家が、どれだけ市内全域に強力な影響力を持っているかってのをな…。」<br>\\r\\n They told me the Sonozaki family holds influence over the whole city...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………そういうこと。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......That's right.<br>\\r\\n警察は、この土地では必ずしも信用できない。」<br>\\r\\n You can't necessarily trust the police around here.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なぁレナ、すまん！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena, please!<br>\\r\\n先にはっきりさせたいんだが、……黒幕は園崎家なのか？！<br>\\r\\n I want to make one thing clear before we go on... Are the Sonozaki family the masterminds behind all this?!<br>\\r\\n魅音も関係があるってのか？！<br>\\r\\n Does that mean Mion is involved, too?!<br>\\r\\nそれだけは先に聞かせてくれ！」<br>\\r\\n Please tell me!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……御三家である魅ぃちゃんや梨花ちゃんが直接関係しているかはわからない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I don't know if Mii-chan or Rika-chan are directly involved or not.<br>\\r\\nただ、狂信的な勢力が、御三家や、一番の有力家である園崎家を自由に動かせる中枢部に根付いているのは間違いない。<br>\\r\\n All I can say for sure is that the fanatics have the power to control the nerve centers of all the Three Families, including the most powerful family of all, the Sonozakis.<br>\\r\\n……狂信的な勢力が根付いたのか、御三家の中枢が狂信的なのかはわかりかねるけどね。」<br>\\r\\n ...I'm not sure if the fanatics are controlling the Three Families or if the Three Families are the fanatics themselves.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「関係あるかどうかわからない以上、…用心に越したことはないってわけだな…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"As long as we're not sure about their involvement... it's better for us to be extra careful around them... Is that what you're saying?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n………魅ぃちゃんたちのことを疑うわけじゃないよ。<br>\\r\\n ...I'm not saying that I don't trust Mii-chan.<br>\\r\\n普段の魅ぃちゃんは頼もしいし、私も他の心配事なら、打ち明けて助力を求めることもあると思う。<br>\\r\\n She's usually very reliable, and I'd ask her for help with any problem, but not this one.<br>\\r\\nただ、今回のことはちょっと話の次元が違う。<br>\\r\\n This one is a little different.<br>\\r\\n……圭一くんは見たことあるかな。<br>\\r\\n ...I don't know if you've seen it before, but...<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんは普段はふざけているけど、園崎家の次期頭首として振舞う時は、ものすごく冷酷で別人みたいに振舞えるの。<br>\\r\\n Although Mii-chan jokes around when she's with us, she can be a very cold person when she's acting as the successor of the Sonozaki family.<br>\\r\\n……それに、もし無関係だったとしても、それならばやはり、耳に入れることで危険に巻き込むことにもなるんじゃないかな。」<br>\\r\\n ...Plus, even if she wasn't involved, we would put her in danger if we told her about this.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅音たちが味方になってくれればかなり頼もしいぞ…！<br>\\r\\n\\\"If she was on our side, that'd be really encouraging...!<br>\\r\\n俺は打ち明ける価値があると思うんだが……。」<br>\\r\\n I think we should tell her...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だからそれは駄目！<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, we shouldn't!<br>\\r\\n敵ではないと確認が取れるまでそれは避けるべきだよ。<br>\\r\\n We shouldn't tell her until we confirm she's not one of them.<br>\\r\\n味方にできれば確かに心強いけど、そうでなかった時はどうするつもり？！」<br>\\r\\n Sure, it'd be great if we could pull her to our side, but what if we couldn't?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ…、俺とレナだけでどう戦うつもりなんだよ？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"So... how are we going to fight against them?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well,<br>\\r\\nもともと最初から絶望的な戦いなんだよ。<br>\\r\\n this is a battle we don't stand a chance of winning to begin with.<br>\\r\\n……だから圭一くんを巻き込みたくなかった。」<br>\\r\\n ...That's why I didn't want to get you involved.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……くそ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Damn it!<br>\\r\\n……鷹野さんめ、とんでもない置き土産を残してくれたなぁ…！」<br>\\r\\n ...Takano-san left us a big parting gift, didn't she?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「でも、そのお陰でとてつもない陰謀を知ることが出来たんだよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"But because of that, we know about the conspiracy.<br>\\r\\nこれは、三四さんの遺言なんだよ、きっと。」<br>\\r\\n I believe this is her will.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「村を陰から牛耳る何者かに、その村に住まうガキンチョ２人が挑むわけだ。…<br>\\r\\n\\\"Two kids challenging the mastermind who controls the village.<br>\\r\\n…こいつぁ、最高にハードな話だぜ…。<br>\\r\\n ...This is going to be tough...<br>\\r\\n一筋縄じゃいかねぇぞ。」<br>\\r\\n Ordinary methods won't work.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……でも、……圭一くんが味方でよかったよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...But... Keiichi-kun, I'm glad to have you on my side.<br>\\r\\n２人だから、話し合えて、相談できる。」<br>\\r\\n We can talk about it and plan things together.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………当り前だろ。<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Of course.<br>\\r\\n俺は最初っからずっとレナの味方で仲間だぞ…！」<br>\\r\\n I've always been on your side, and I'm your friend...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I know.<br>\\r\\n……ありがとう。<br>\\r\\n ...Thank you.<br>\\r\\n２人なら心強いよ。」<br>\\r\\n You're very reassuring.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ひとりで悩むよりは建設的になれるだろうしな！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Two heads are better than one!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, I agree.<br>\\r\\n２人でどう戦えばいいか、これからじっくり相談していこう。<br>\\r\\n We can come up with a plan for how we're going to fight against them together.<br>\\r\\n今日は私、スクラップ帖を読み直す時間が欲しかったから休んだけど、明日からは普段通りに生活するね。<br>\\r\\n I skipped school today because I wanted some time to read the scrapbooks again, but I'm going to school again tomorrow, and I'm going to act normal.<br>\\r\\nおかしな行動をすれば、気取られてしまうかもしれないからね。<br>\\r\\n They might sense something is wrong with me if I act different.<br>\\r\\n圭一くんも、変に構えないで普段通りに生活してね。<br>\\r\\n You should do the same, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n魅いちゃんとか時折鋭いことがあるから、特に気をつけて。」<br>\\r\\n Please be careful with Mii-chan... she's sometimes very perceptive.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わかった。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay.<br>\\r\\n何事もなかったかのように生活するよ。<br>\\r\\n I'll act normal, as if I know nothing.<br>\\r\\n………だが畜生、何だか怖いぜ…！<br>\\r\\n ......But damn! I'm a bit scared...!<br>\\r\\nとんでもない陰謀が間近に迫ってて、それがもうカウントダウンに入ってるかもしれないってんだぜ。<br>\\r\\n A huge conspiracy is right around the corner, and it might already be counting down to zero.<br>\\r\\n…それを知りつつ普段通りに生活しろってのも、辛い話だよな。」<br>\\r\\n ...It's hard to act normal knowing that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「多分、そんなにすぐじゃないはずなの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't think it's going to happen very soon.<br>\\r\\nさっきも言ったとおり、彼らが狂信的であればあるほど、宗教的なセレモニーを必要とするはず。<br>\\r\\n Like I said earlier, if they really are religious fanatics, they need a religious ceremony.<br>\\r\\nそういうセレモニーは村を挙げて行なうものだもの。<br>\\r\\n They need the help of the whole village to hold something like that.<br>\\r\\n綿流し以上のイベントは今の雛見沢には存在しない。」<br>\\r\\n I can't think of any event other than Watanagashi.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ということは、………少なくとも来年の綿流しまでは、大丈夫ということか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...So... you're saying that we have time at least until the next Watanagashi festival?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「根拠のない読みだけどね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I can't promise.<br>\\r\\n……他に、綿流し以上のイベントが思いつかない。」<br>\\r\\n ...But I just can't think of any event other than that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…あと１年は最低でも余裕があると思う。<br>\\r\\n...I think we have a year, at least.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、……三四さんを殺したことに、何らかの性急さを感じずにはいられなかった。<br>\\r\\nBut... I also feel like we don't, because of how they killed Miyo-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が理解していないだけで………「綿流し」を超える、もっともっと絶大なインパクトのある「宗教的イベント」が何かあるんじゃないだろうか……？<br>\\r\\nI might not know... but there might be a bigger \\\"religious event\\\" than Watanagashi...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n実は、もう猶予はほとんどないのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nIt might not be long until that day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n恐ろしい寄生虫がバラまかれる「オヤシロさまの復活の日」が、すぐそこまで近付いているのかもしれない……。<br>\\r\\nOn \\\"The Day of Oyashiro-sama's Revival\\\" they're going to spread a dangerous parasite, and that day might be just around the corner...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……礼奈。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Reina.<br>\\r\\nまだ電話してるのかー。<br>\\r\\n Are you still on the phone?<br>\\r\\nそろそろ終わりにしなさい。」<br>\\r\\n Wrap it up soon. It's getting late.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n居間から父が顔を出し、もう遅い時間だから電話は終わりにしなさいと注意した。<br>\\r\\nMy father stuck his head out from the living room, telling me I need to hang up soon.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父に打ち明けたいとは何度も思った。<br>\\r\\nI thought about telling him so many times.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n肉親がもっとも身近な味方に感じるのは当然のことだった。<br>\\r\\nIt's natural to think that your parents will be on your side no matter what.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、……父の弱い面も知ってしまっている私には、打ち明ける勇気は湧かなかった。<br>\\r\\nBut... I know just how weak he can get. So, I couldn't tell him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父に信じてもらえるとも思えないし、…結局、父だって、警察に相談する以上の何も思いつかないはずだ。<br>\\r\\nI don't think he'd believe me anyway. Even if I told him, he'd just tell me to call the police.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなら、むしろ話さない方がいい。<br>\\r\\nIt's better that I don't tell him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n敵を欺くには味方からとも言う。<br>\\r\\nThey might get close to my father to get me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父がスクラップ帖の存在など始めから知らなければ、敵は父をどう籠絡しようとも、何の意味もないのだから。<br>\\r\\nIf he didn't know anything about anything, including the scrapbooks, there'd be nothing to squeeze out of him to begin with.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ごめんね圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm sorry, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n今夜はもう遅いからこれで切るね。<br>\\r\\n I have to go now. It's getting late.<br>\\r\\nまた明日、学校で。」<br>\\r\\n I'll see you at school.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おう、また明日、学校で。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay. See you tomorrow.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……用心してね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Be careful, okay?<br>\\r\\n圭一くんも、もう部外者じゃないんだから。」<br>\\r\\n You're not an outsider anymore.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…お、おぅ。せいぜい気をつけるぜ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Y-Yeah, I'll be careful.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの不審なワゴン車の男たちを思い出し、再び背筋に冷たいものが登るのを感じる。<br>\\r\\nI remembered the suspicious men in the white van, and felt a chill run through my spine.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n一見、村人のように見えたが、村人じゃなかった。<br>\\r\\nThey looked like villagers, but they weren't.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…村人のような訛りをしゃべったが、装っているだけで村人じゃなかった。<br>\\r\\n...They had the village accent, but they were just pretending.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n思い出せば思い出すほどに彼らは不審で、<br>\\r\\nThe more I thought about it, the more suspicious they became.<br>\\r\\n……決して自分たちが安全な場所にいるわけではないことを教えていた。<br>\\r\\n ...It let me know that Rena and I aren't safe.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの言うとおりなら、彼らはレナを怪しいと思っているだけで、まだ確証を得ているわけではない。<br>\\r\\nIf Rena is right, they're just suspicious of her, and they're not sure if she has the scrapbooks or not.<br>\\r\\n……だからといって、薄気味悪くないわけがない！<br>\\r\\n ...But it's still creepy!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n多分レナは、俺がワゴン車に遭って薄気味悪い思いをしたようなことを、もうすでに何度も繰り返して、その身の危険をより感じているのだ。<br>\\r\\nRena had probably experienced the same creepiness I felt when I saw the van several times up until now. She must sense the danger more than I do.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、……襲ってくるわけでなく、動向を監視されるというのは、とにかく気持ちが悪かった。<br>\\r\\nHowever... the fact that they weren't attacking--that they were merely observing us--was disturbing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこういっては何だが、襲ってきたなら、警察に訴えるとかいくらでも方法がある。<br>\\r\\nIf they attacked her, she could've done something, like going to the police.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだけど、身辺に張り付いて監視するだけなら、どうしようもないし、誰にも相談できない。<br>\\r\\nBut all they're doing is just watching her from a distance. She can't do anything about it. She can't talk to anybody about it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは学校になんか行かず、家に閉じ篭っていたい気分に違いあるまい。<br>\\r\\nShe probably just wants to stay in her house all day.<br>\\r\\n……だが、普段と明らかに違う様子を見せたなら、スクラップ帖を持っていることを気取らせてしまうかもしれないのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...But if she acted different, they might take it as proof that she has the scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n普段と変った素振りを見せず、……戦う方法を考えなくてはならない。<br>\\r\\nWe have to think about how to fight against them... without making it obvious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう後戻りができないことを自分に言い聞かせると、俺はすでに切れている受話器を置いた。<br>\\r\\nI told myself that there was no going back, and I put the phone down.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n翌日、レナは予告どおり、普段通りを装いながら普通に登校した。<br>\\r\\nThe next day, Rena came to school, acting normal like she said she would.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音とも普通に、楽しそうにおしゃべりをしていると、まるで昨夜聞いた話が嘘なのではないかとすら思えてくる。<br>\\r\\nShe talked with Mion as cheerfully as she always did, and it made me wonder if the story she told me last night was a complete fabrication.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれくらいに…………突拍子もない話だった。<br>\\r\\nThat's because the story really was... too ridiculously crazy to believe.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの村に、普通じゃ考えられない怪しげな風土病が蔓延していて、…それを利用した怪しげな宗教の復活を目論む狂信者たちがいて。<br>\\r\\nThis village has a very weird and rare endemic disease... and there are religious fanatics who want to use the disease to revive their weird cult.<br>\\r\\n…そして、その風土病の病原体を研究していて村にバラまこうとしている…。<br>\\r\\n ...And they've been researching the pathogen of the endemic disease so they can spread it throughout the village...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n昨夜の俺は、すっかりレナに感化されて、あのとんでもない話を鵜呑みにしてしまったが、<br>\\r\\nI was deeply influenced by Rena last night, and I believed everything she said...<br>\\r\\n………こうして日の光の下で冷静に考えると、とてもまともな話だとは思えないのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...but thinking about it with a cool mind under the bright sunlight, it sounds too crazy to be true.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの話した話は、あの胡散臭い鷹野さんの受け売りに過ぎず、しかもその内容は全て仮説であり、もっともらしい事を言いつつも、証拠は何一つない。<br>\\r\\nThe story Rena told me is based on Takano-san's crazy hand-me-down ideas. It's based entirely on her theories, which, though very feasible, have no evidence whatsoever.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………確かに鷹野さんが事件の犠牲になっていることは、ある種の信憑性をまとわせるかもしれないが…。<br>\\r\\n...The fact that Takano-san was murdered lends credit to the story. I'll give you that, but...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音を見る。<br>\\r\\nI looked at Mion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n朝っぱらから殊勝にもレナにちょっかいを出していた。<br>\\r\\nShe was fooling around with Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……魅音があんなとてつもない陰謀に関わっているとはとても見えなかった。<br>\\r\\n...It's hard to believe that she's involved with some crazy conspiracy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ってゆーか、聞いてないでしょ、圭ちゃん。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, are you listening, Kei-chan?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「え？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?<br>\\r\\nあ、………あ、……悪い。<br>\\r\\n Oh... ahh... I'm sorry.<br>\\r\\nごめん聞いてなかった。」<br>\\r\\n I wasn't paying attention.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Aha ha ha ha!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまぁだ寝惚けたまんまなのかなぁ？<br>\\r\\n Wake up, sleepyhead!<br>\\r\\n寝不足だとお頭もちゃんと働かないよー？」<br>\\r\\n You need to get enough sleep, or your brain stops working!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n考え事をしていて反応の鈍かった俺を、魅音がからかう。<br>\\r\\nMion made fun of me for reacting too slowly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………この快活な魅音が、信用できないなんてことがあるんだろうか。<br>\\r\\n...It's almost impossible not to trust this bubbly, cheerful girl.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は、魅音を信じる。<br>\\r\\nI trust Mion.<br>\\r\\n仲間を、信じる。<br>\\r\\n I trust my friends.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺の仲間は決してあんな突拍子もない陰謀の片棒なんか担がないはずだ。<br>\\r\\nI know she'd never have a hand in a crazy conspiracy like that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな陰謀を知っていたら、こうも明るく振舞えるわけがない。<br>\\r\\nIf she knew about it, she wouldn't be able to act this cheerfully.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナは魅音に相談するのは危険だと言って聞かなかったが……。<br>\\r\\n...Rena told me not to tell Mion because she might be one of them...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナに内緒で、魅音に打ち明ける価値があるのではないだろうか。<br>\\r\\nBut it might be worth telling her without letting Rena know.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………もちろん。１％の確率で、陰謀は本当で魅音は敵、俺はまんまと墓穴という可能性もある。<br>\\r\\n...Of course, there's at least a 1% chance that the conspiracy is true and that Mion is one of them. If so, I'd be doomed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、あのとんでもない陰謀と、仲間のどちらを信じると聞かれたら、そんなのは明白だった。<br>\\r\\nBut if I had to choose between believing the crazy conspiracy theory and trusting my friends, my answer would be obvious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺の仲間である魅音は、絶対に絶対に、あんな陰謀には加担しない。<br>\\r\\nI know that my friend, Mion, isn't a part of any conspiracy. She'd never be involved with something like that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもし仮に陰謀が実際に存在したとしても、それでも魅音は俺たちの味方になってくれるはずだ。<br>\\r\\nEven if the conspiracy exists, I'm sure Mion will be on our side.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、陰謀が実在しようとしなかろうと、魅音には打ち明ける価値があるはず…。<br>\\r\\nSo, whether or not it's true, it must be worth telling Mion about it...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なぁに、圭ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"What's going on, Kei-chan?<br>\\r\\nこんなところに呼び出してー。<br>\\r\\n Why did you call me out here?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれも誰にも内緒で来いなんてさぁ。<br>\\r\\n You told me not to tell anybody.<br>\\r\\nまさかカツアゲとかそういうのじゃないよねぇ？」<br>\\r\\n You're not going to extort money from me, are you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お前なぁ、体育倉庫の裏に呼ばれたら真っ先にそう思うのかよ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Is that the first thing you think of when you're called out to the gymnasium storeroom...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「んじゃー、ラブレターとか？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, I know. You want to give me a love letter, don't you?<br>\\r\\nでもそういうのは下駄箱が定番じゃない？」<br>\\r\\n People usually use the shoe locker for that, you know?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「都会じゃーそうでもないぞ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We don't really do that in the city.<br>\\r\\n直接渡す白兵戦型も少なくない。」<br>\\r\\n A lot of guys hand over their love letters in person.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ふぇ…？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Really...?<br>\\r\\nじゃ、じゃあ……、あの…、」<br>\\r\\n So, wait... you're... ummm...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………なわけねぇだろ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Are you kidding me? That's not why I called you here.<br>\\r\\nそれより、かなり真面目な話がある。<br>\\r\\n I have to talk to you about something very important.<br>\\r\\n茶化しは一切なしで聞いてくれ。」<br>\\r\\n I want you to listen without making fun of me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……何よ、…どうしたの…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...What... is it...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「オヤシロさま信仰を復活させようとしている連中がいる……、ってのは知ってるか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Do you know... that there are people who want to revive the cult of Oyashiro-sama?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………はぁ？<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Huh?<br>\\r\\n何、圭ちゃん。何の話？」<br>\\r\\n What? What are you talking about?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれはもちろん、俺の探りだった。<br>\\r\\nThis, of course, was just my way of getting a feel for the situation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n直球を投げて、魅音の反応が見たかった。<br>\\r\\nI wanted to see how she was going to react by getting straight to the point.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、魅音は本当の本当にきょとんとしていた。<br>\\r\\nBut Mion really did look puzzled.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……人間は図星を突かれたら、こうも平静は保てない。<br>\\r\\n...People wouldn't normally react like this if someone pointed out their secrets out of the blue.<br>\\r\\n必ず、わずかな反応を見せるはずなのだ。<br>\\r\\n They always panic, if only just a little.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音が天才的な演技者でもない限り、……魅音は本当に、オヤシロさまの復活という言葉に縁がないようだった。<br>\\r\\nEither Mion was a brilliant actress... or she really didn't have anything to do with the idea of reviving Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……俺は腹を割ることにする。<br>\\r\\n...I decided to tell her everything.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅音。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mion,<br>\\r\\nお前の家の園崎家って、雛見沢を含め、ものすごい影響力を持ってるわけだけどさ。<br>\\r\\n your family, the Sonozaki family, has a lot of influence in this region, including Hinamizawa, right?<br>\\r\\n…………オヤシロさま信仰を復興するため、何か暗躍してるってことは…あるか？」<br>\\r\\n ......Do you think there's a possibility that they're working to revive the cult of Oyashiro-sama behind the scenes...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……復興？<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Revive?<br>\\r\\nなんで？」<br>\\r\\n Why?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いや、だからさ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, you know,<br>\\r\\n今のオヤシロさま信仰って、大昔の時代に比べたらだいぶ信仰心が薄くなってるだろ？<br>\\r\\n people today don't worship Oyashiro-sama like the people in the old days did.<br>\\r\\nそれをさ、大昔の鬼ヶ淵村のレベルまで引き戻したいと思っている、……いわゆる原理主義者的な連中が、暗躍をしてるんじゃないかって、」<br>\\r\\n So... people like... fundamentalists might be trying to make people worship Oyashiro-sama in the same way as the people of Onigafuchi.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はい？<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?<br>\\r\\nちょっとちょっと、何よそれ。<br>\\r\\n Wait a second.<br>\\r\\n何の話なわけ？」<br>\\r\\n I have no idea what you're talking about.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………本当に、何の話かわからないのか…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Are you sure...? You really have no idea what I'm talking about...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わかるわけないよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Of course I don't!<br>\\r\\n何、その全米第一位みたいな、おもしろストーリーはさ。」<br>\\r\\n It sounds like one of those popular novels that sold 5 million copies over in America.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音の反応はとても自然だった。<br>\\r\\nMion's reaction was very natural.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本当は知っているのに、わざと無知を装っているというようなことはありえなかった。<br>\\r\\nIt seemed impossible that she was pretending she didn't know anything about it.<br>\\r\\n……でも、俺はなおも続ける。<br>\\r\\n ...But regardless, I continued.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いや、だから……。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well...<br>\\r\\nそういう連中がこの村にいるらしいんだよ。<br>\\r\\n There are people like that in this village for real.<br>\\r\\n魅音は知らないか？」<br>\\r\\n Do you know anything about them?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「オヤシロさま信仰を、鬼ヶ淵村の時代のレベルに…？<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're saying that those people want to make us worship Oyashiro-sama like the people of Onigafuchi did...<br>\\r\\nそんなことして何かいいことあるの？」<br>\\r\\n What good will that do?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……いや、……そりゃあ信仰の厚い狂信的な連中にとっては、とても重要な意味があるんじゃないかなぁ……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...You know... I think it means a lot to people who really believe...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だって圭ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"But, think about it, Kei-chan.<br>\\r\\n大昔の厳しい戒律の頃に逆戻りって、誰も喜ばないよ？<br>\\r\\n Who'd be happy to live under those strict ancient rules?<br>\\r\\n今のこの現代、村から出るななんて言われたら、生活なんかやってられないって。」<br>\\r\\n In this day and age, it's almost impossible to live without leaving the village.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「た、例えばほら、……梨花ちゃん！<br>\\r\\n\\\"But for example... think about Rika-chan!<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんって、何でもオヤシロさまの生まれ変わりとか言ってちやほやされてるらしいだろ？<br>\\r\\n All the old people say she's a reincarnation of Oyashiro-sama, right?<br>\\r\\nそういった取り巻きの老人たちの中にはきっと狂信的な一派が存在して……、」<br>\\r\\n Those people might be religious fanatics, and...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「梨花ちゃんの取り巻きって言うと、公由のおじいちゃんとかのこと？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Are you talking about old man Kimiyoshi?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまぁ…確かに信仰心は厚い方だと思うけど、狂信的ってのはどうかと思うねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n Well... I know he's a deeply religious man for sure, but he isn't a fanatic.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いや、だからいるんだよ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Believe me!<br>\\r\\n本来のオヤシロさま信仰を再び復活させようとしている輩が！」<br>\\r\\n There really are people who are trying to revive the cult of Oyashiro-sama!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah ha ha ha!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…はいはい。<br>\\r\\n ...Okay.<br>\\r\\n話が進まないからこの場は信じるよ。<br>\\r\\n I'll believe you for now, because I want to hear the rest.<br>\\r\\nそれで？」<br>\\r\\n Go on.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「で、そいつらはオヤシロさまの正体が、この土地独特の風土病にあることを突き止め、その病原体を研究しているらしいんだ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"They found out that the curse of Oyashiro-sama was just an endemic disease unique to this village, so now they're researching the pathogen.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どこで？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Where?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nというか風土病って何？<br>\\r\\n First of all, what's an endemic disease?<br>\\r\\n病原体って何よ。<br>\\r\\n What's a pathogen?<br>\\r\\nえんがちょー。」<br>\\r\\n They sound gross.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分でも言っていて何が何だかわからなくなってしまう…。<br>\\r\\nI was getting confused. I didn't know what I was talking about myself anymore...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n昨夜の俺は、すっかりレナに感化されて、あの突拍子もない話を鵜呑みにしてしまったが、<br>\\r\\nI was deeply influenced by Rena last night, and believed everything she said.<br>\\r\\n……こうして自らの口から出してみると、とんでもなく支離滅裂な話だということがわかってくる…。<br>\\r\\n But... having said it all out loud, I started realizing how impossible the story sounded...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どうしたの？<br>\\r\\n\\\"What's going on with you?<br>\\r\\n三四さんに妙なことでも吹き込まれたわけ？」<br>\\r\\n Did Miyo-san tell you all this?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……！<br>\\r\\n\\\"......!<br>\\r\\n…知ってるのか！」<br>\\r\\n ...How did you know?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「有名だよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"She's infamous for this kind of thing.<br>\\r\\nあの人、オカルトマニアだから、いっつもとんでもない空想話をでっち上げてる。<br>\\r\\n She's an occult maniac. She always makes up crazy stories.<br>\\r\\nたまに真に受ける人がいると、かなーりヘビーに吹き込むって有名なんだよ。<br>\\r\\n A few people have gotten badly taken in by her before.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私も昔、話を聞かせてもらったことがあったけど、結構面白かったなぁ。<br>\\r\\n She told me some of her stories once, and I remember they were actually very interesting.<br>\\r\\nあっはっは。」<br>\\r\\n Ah ha ha.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………それって、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Is that...<br>\\r\\n……ホントか？」<br>\\r\\n true?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭ちゃんもどこかで耳にしてるだろうけど、この村は大昔はちょっと特殊な文化があった。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I think you've heard about this once or twice before, but this village had a unique culture back in the old days.<br>\\r\\nそれは少し刺激の強い要素のある文化でね、厳しい戒律と厳しい刑罰、残酷な風習は、割とオカルトマニアの間では知られてるらしい。<br>\\r\\n They did a lot of oppressive things, like having very strict rules, very strict punishments, and a bunch of other cruel traditions. They're well known among occult maniacs.<br>\\r\\n三四さんも、そんなマニアの中のひとり。」<br>\\r\\n Miyo-san is one of them.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ……、この村が怪しげな寄生虫に支配されているという話は…、」<br>\\r\\n\\\"So... the story I heard about the weird parasite that controls the village was...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぁ？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?!<br>\\r\\n寄生虫ぅ？！<br>\\r\\n Parasite?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…それ、三四さんの新作？」<br>\\r\\n ...Is that a new story she came up with?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「新作ってどういうことだよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What do you mean, 'new story'?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「言ったでしょ、三四さんはオカルトマニアなの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I told you. Miyo-san is an occult maniac.<br>\\r\\n鬼ヶ淵村の奇怪な伝説などを研究して、あれやこれやの仮説や推理、妄想を楽しんでるわけよ。<br>\\r\\n She studies the weird legends surrounding Onigafuchi, and enjoys making up hypotheses, theories, and wild stories about them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、その寄生虫に村が支配されてるって説以外にもいろいろ創作してる。<br>\\r\\n She's created a lot of different ones aside from that theory that parasites are controlling the village.<br>\\r\\n私がずいぶん前に聞いたのは、ＵＦＯ説だったよ。<br>\\r\\n One I heard an awful while back was about UFOs.<br>\\r\\nこれが結構、辻褄があってて面白いの！<br>\\r\\n That one was interesting, since it connected a lot of different dots!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n太古の昔に鬼ヶ淵沼に、ＵＦＯが墜落して、そこから出てきた異星人と村人で戦いが起こって…という感じから始まる、Ｂ級ＳＦホラーだった。<br>\\r\\nThe story was about a UFO that crashed into Onigafuchi Swamp long ago. The alien that was in the UFO and the villagers had a battle... or something like that. It was like one of those sci-fi horror B movies.<br>\\r\\n沙都子が聞かされたってのは、地底人説だったかな？<br>\\r\\n The one Satoko heard was a theory about creatures from the bottom of the ocean.<br>\\r\\n地殻変動によって地底王国と鬼ヶ淵村の間に接点が出来てしまって、それで何だっけかな、<br>\\r\\n A movement in the Earth's crust opened up a connection between that underwater world and Onigafuchi, and......<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そうそう、地底王国のお姫さまと村の若者が恋をして、互いに仲直りをしたっていうＳＦロミオとジュリエットだった。<br>\\r\\n the princess of the underworld fell in love with a young man in the village. It was like a sci-fi version of Romeo and Juliet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nんで、最新作がどうやら圭ちゃんの聞かされた寄生虫説ってわけみたいだねぇ。<br>\\r\\n The story about the parasites that you heard must be a new one.<br>\\r\\nいやいや、いつかそれらを全部まとめて本にしてほしいよ、くっくっく！」<br>\\r\\n I hope she makes all of them into a book one day. Heh heh heh!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音はおかしくてしょうがないという風に、お腹を捩りながら笑う。<br>\\r\\nMion began laughing so hard that she had to hold her stomach.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それを見てる内に、…俺はとんでもない与太話を真に受けていたことに気がつく。<br>\\r\\n...As I looked at her laughing like that... I realized I fell for something that ridiculous.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう間違いなかった。<br>\\r\\nAt that point, it was obvious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…俺は、とんでもない話を信じ込んでいたのだ。<br>\\r\\n...I had been completely taken in.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「すまん魅音！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm sorry, Mion!<br>\\r\\n俺がこれから聞くことに答えてくれ！<br>\\r\\n But please answer my questions!<br>\\r\\nまず、……オヤシロさま信仰を復活させようとする連中は実在する？！」<br>\\r\\n First... Do the fanatics who are trying to revive the cult of Oyashiro-sama exist?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「しないよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, they don't.<br>\\r\\nというか、むしろ逆。<br>\\r\\n I mean, it's totally the opposite.<br>\\r\\n雛見沢は外部に対してどんどん開いていって、栄えさせていこうということで、御三家はすでに意見を統一してる。<br>\\r\\n The Three Families have agreed to open Hinamizawa to outsiders in order to make this village thrive.<br>\\r\\nこれはまだ内緒なんだけど、２１世紀までを目処にね、新しい高速道路がここいらを通るという計画があるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n I'm not supposed to tell anybody about this, but there's a project to build a new highway by the end of the 20th century.<br>\\r\\n園崎家は現在、水面下でその誘致をしててね。<br>\\r\\n The Sonozaki family is promoting its construction without informing the villagers.<br>\\r\\nうまく行けば、ここいらは一気に栄えることになる。<br>\\r\\n If all goes well, this whole area will flourish.<br>\\r\\n婆っちゃはそれによって、山林の地価が一気に高騰して大儲けできると踏んでるみたいだよ。<br>\\r\\n My grandma is betting she'll make a fortune when it causes land prices in the region to skyrocket.<br>\\r\\nまぁ、２１世紀の仕事だから、それは私が引き継ぐ大仕事になりそうだけどねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n Well, most of the work will happen in the 21st century, so I'll likely end up taking over the project.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ……、外部の人間を忌み嫌う連中なんてのは…存在しない？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"So... you don't think there are people who hate outsiders?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だからそんなの存在しないって！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I told you! There are no such people!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nただでさえ不便な村をさらに不便にしてどうするんだか。<br>\\r\\n What makes you think we want to make this village more inconvenient than it already is?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n現に、村は今、別荘地として売出しを開始してる。<br>\\r\\n In fact, we've already started selling the land of the village to rich people who want to build country residences here.<br>\\r\\n圭ちゃんの家は、まさにその第１号じゃないの。<br>\\r\\n Your house is on the first lot we sold, Kei-chan.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n村人はみんな歓迎してくれたでしょ？<br>\\r\\n Didn't the villagers welcome you?<br>\\r\\n若者の流出を食い止めるため、御三家も色々と考えてるんだからー。」<br>\\r\\n The Three Families are trying to do everything they can to stop young people from leaving the village.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音の言うことには何の曇りもない。<br>\\r\\nThere was nothing vague about what Mion had said.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの信じる鷹野さんの妄想説とは比べ物にならない真実味があった。<br>\\r\\nHer story makes a lot more sense than Takano-san's delusional theories.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……俺の目が、魅音の言葉でどんどんと覚めていく。<br>\\r\\n...And so, Mion's words woke me up from that delusion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあじゃあ、…えっと、あれはどうだよ、寄生虫の感染の証拠を示す、血液中の何とかとかいう数値が、雛見沢の住民だけ異常に高いみたいな話が…、」<br>\\r\\n\\\"So... what about this? I heard that the residents of Hinamizawa have extraordinarily high levels of something in their blood, and it proves that they're infected by parasites...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうなの？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Really?<br>\\r\\nというか、三四さんはそんなのどうやって調べたわけぇ？」<br>\\r\\n How did Miyo-san figure that out?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だって、鷹野さんは看護婦だろ、調べる気になればいくらだって…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Takano-san is a nurse. I'm sure she can do that...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そんな怪しげな調査のために、誰が血液採取なんかに協力するのー？<br>\\r\\n\\\"And you think anyone would give her blood samples for no reason?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰もしないって。<br>\\r\\n Because I sure don't.<br>\\r\\nそれに、仮に採血をしたって、どこでどう調べたわけ？<br>\\r\\n Even if she could get blood samples somehow, how and where would she examine them?<br>\\r\\n三四さんがたったひとりで、一体何人の血を調べられたって言うわけ？」<br>\\r\\n How many blood samples do you think she examined all by herself?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…魅音の言うとおりだ。<br>\\r\\n...Mion was right.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鷹野さんの、看護婦という職業に一方的な妄想を持たせられていたかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't believe I thought Takano-san could do all that just because she was a nurse.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n保健所なんかが大々的に採血して調査をしたというならともかく、鷹野さん個人にどの程度の調査ができるというのか。<br>\\r\\nIt struck me hard to believe that she got that many blood samples and did a high level examination like that without any help.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……こうして理屈で考えれば、…確かに鵜呑みにできるような話では到底ない。<br>\\r\\n...When I thought about it rationally... I shouldn't have believed such a ridiculous story so easily.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えっと、寄生虫の寄生の証拠として花粉症にかからないって聞いたぞ…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Umm... I heard that people here don't get hay fever, which is proof of their being infected by the parasite...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「花粉症って、都会の病気じゃないの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Only people in cities get hay fever.<br>\\r\\nあれは確か排気ガスと関係があるんでしょ？<br>\\r\\n I heard it has something to do with fuel emissions.<br>\\r\\nここは雛見沢だよ圭ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan, you're talking about Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\nというか、多分、興宮の人にだって花粉症なんてそうそういないと思うけど？」<br>\\r\\n I mean, even people in Okinomiya don't get hay fever, I think.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えっと、……じゃあ、あれは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well... what about this?!<br>\\r\\n園崎本家頭首直属の暗殺部隊ってのがいて、昔、大臣の孫の誘拐とかをやったんだろ？！」<br>\\r\\n I heard that the Sonozaki family has a death squad and that they kidnapped the grandson of a government Minister once!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah ha ha ha ha!<br>\\r\\nそんなのがいたらかっこいいねぇ！<br>\\r\\n That sounds cool! I wish I had a squad like that!<br>\\r\\nあっはっはっは！」<br>\\r\\n Ah ha ha ha ha!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………自分でも、なんて滅茶苦茶なことを言ってるんだろうと思えてくる。<br>\\r\\n...Even I was sounding ridiculous.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、昨日は信じてしまった。<br>\\r\\n...But I believed all of it last night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナの真剣な様子に、鵜呑みにさせられてしまった。<br>\\r\\n...I believed it because Rena looked very serious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大臣の孫が、高津戸の辺りで突然発見されたのは事実。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's true that the grandson of a Minster was found in Takatsudo.<br>\\r\\nだけれど、あれは私たちじゃない。<br>\\r\\n We didn't do it.<br>\\r\\n私たちじゃないけど、それを私たちは、さも自分たちが犯したように振舞ってた。」<br>\\r\\n We just acted as if we did.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……わかりにくいぞ、説明してくれ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...What do you mean? Please explain.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay.<br>\\r\\nダム戦争の当時、鬼ヶ淵死守同盟は相当に物騒な抵抗運動をしていたのは事実。<br>\\r\\n The Onigafuchi Guardians protested violently during the dam conflict.<br>\\r\\n脅迫めいたこともやってのけた。<br>\\r\\n They did something close to terrorism as well.<br>\\r\\nでもね、あの当時、それを利用するやらしい連中もいたらしいの。<br>\\r\\n But there were people who used the resistance movement for their own benefits.<br>\\r\\n鬼ヶ淵死守同盟の名を騙って金品を要求したりする、エセ同盟って連中。」<br>\\r\\n They used the name of the Onigafuchi Guardians to rob people of money and valuables.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n当時の鬼ヶ淵死守同盟は相当に攻撃的性格の勢力だった。<br>\\r\\nThe Onigafuchi Guardians were a very aggressive force at that time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその名を騙れば、簡単に恐喝ができるのではないかと思い、どさくさに紛れた連中がいた可能性は充分ある。<br>\\r\\nThere's a high possibility that some people thought they could use the name to extort money.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「その中に、大臣の孫の誘拐もあったの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"The kidnapping case was one of those incidents.<br>\\r\\nおそらく誘拐犯たちは、警察の捜査の撹乱を狙って、死守同盟のフリをして身代金を要求したんだと思う。<br>\\r\\n The kidnappers thought they could stifle the police investigation by acting like they were the Onigafuchi Guardians. They kidnapped the boy to demand a ransom.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n正直、あの事件は同盟にとっても驚きだったよ！<br>\\r\\n To tell you the truth, the members of the Onigafuchi Guardians were all very surprised.<br>\\r\\nよく大臣の孫を誘拐できたもんだって、話題になったね。<br>\\r\\n They were actually impressed that those guys actually pulled it off.<br>\\r\\n犯人たちに会えたら表彰してやろうなんて盛り上がったっけ。」<br>\\r\\n I remember they even said they'd give them an award.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ちょ、ちょっと待て！<br>\\r\\n\\\"W-Wait a second!<br>\\r\\nじゃあ、大臣の孫の誘拐は、<br>\\r\\n So, the Onigafuchi Guardians had nothing to do with...<br>\\r\\n……鬼ヶ淵死守同盟は何も関係ないのかよ？！」<br>\\r\\n the kidnapping?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No.<br>\\r\\nまったくない。」<br>\\r\\n Not at all.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音はきっぱりと言った。<br>\\r\\nMion said it firmly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n淀みなどわずかもない、竹を割ったかのようなすっきりした答えだった。<br>\\r\\nIt was a simple and clear answer, which left no room for suspicion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれだって、よく考えれば当然だ。<br>\\r\\nAnd thinking about it, it's nothing surprising.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大臣の孫を誘拐して、大臣と直接交渉なんて、とんでもない大事件だぞ。<br>\\r\\nKidnapping the grandson of a Minister and negotiating with him in person is a huge deal.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなの、いくら攻撃的とは言え、とても雛見沢の住民にできることじゃない。<br>\\r\\nThe Onigafuchi Guardians were a very aggressive group, but this operation wasn't so easy that it could be carried out by any of the normal residents of Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n明らかに職業的犯罪者の仕業に決まってるじゃないか！<br>\\r\\n It was obviously the work of professional criminals, without a doubt!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………ただね、さっきも少し言いかけたけど。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Like I said earlier,<br>\\r\\n園崎本家はね、この誘拐事件を、自分たちが黒幕であるかのように振舞っていた。」<br>\\r\\n the Sonozaki family acted as if we were the masterminds of the kidnapping case.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「振舞ったってのはどういうことだ…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What do you mean by that...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…これは、………園崎本家の秘密の家訓なの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...This is... a secret precept of the Sonozaki family.<br>\\r\\n圭ちゃんにはこっそり話すけど、話したことは内緒だよ？！<br>\\r\\n You can't tell anybody about this, okay?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n園崎本家ではね、自分たちに都合がいい何かの事件が起こった時、あたかもそれが自分たちの差し金であるように振舞う、ブラフの伝統があるの。」<br>\\r\\n When an incident like this happens, we traditionally act as if we're responsible for it. It's a tradition of bluffing.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………ブラフって、……！<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Bluffing...!<br>\\r\\nはったり？！」<br>\\r\\n Really?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah.<br>\\r\\n自分たちに利することがあったなら、それは事件でなくてもいい。<br>\\r\\n It doesn't matter what it is, as long as it works out in our favor. It can be a criminal incident,<br>\\r\\nお天気でもいいし、宝くじの当選番号でもいい。<br>\\r\\n the weather, or even lottery numbers.<br>\\r\\nあたかも、園崎本家が望んだから、そのような結果になったかのように振舞うの。<br>\\r\\n We act as if it happened because the Sonozaki family wanted it to happen.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうするとどう？<br>\\r\\n It starts to sound like we're a very powerful organization,<br>\\r\\n何だかものすごい黒幕〜ってイメージになるでしょ？<br>\\r\\n doesn't it?<br>\\r\\nつまりはそういうこと。<br>\\r\\n That's the point.<br>\\r\\nこれは園崎本家の頭首だけに代々口伝で伝承される、秘密のイメージ戦略なの。<br>\\r\\n This is the secret strategy that only the Sonozaki family heads know about.<br>\\r\\n自分たちを本来よりも、より強大に見せようとするイメージ戦略。」<br>\\r\\n This strategy is meant to make us look bigger and stronger than we really are.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……はーーーーー…………。<br>\\r\\n\\\"....Wow.........<br>\\r\\n…じゃ、…じゃあ、ほら、ダム戦争時に建設省を占拠するって作戦があったんだろ？！<br>\\r\\n So... what about the plan they had during the dam conflict? The one to attack the Ministry of Construction.<br>\\r\\nあれは？！<br>\\r\\n Was that true?<br>\\r\\nしかもその為に武器やら訓練やら…！」<br>\\r\\n I heard that they obtained weapons and even trained for it...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「くっくっくっく！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Heh heh heh heh!<br>\\r\\nそれもまったく同じだよ圭ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n That was the spin we put on it.<br>\\r\\nそんな馬鹿な作戦、本当にやるわけないじゃん？<br>\\r\\n There's no way we could actually carry out a crazy plan like that!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n最大の目的は、あいつらならやりかねない、何て恐ろしいヤツらだっていうプレッシャーと幻想を与えるのが最大の目的だったんだよ。<br>\\r\\n Our real goal was to make people believe that we were capable of doing things like that so we could exact pressure on the government.<br>\\r\\nつまり、これもまたイメージ戦略ってわけ。」<br>\\r\\n That's all.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n準備と訓練をして、プレッシャーを与えるのが目的で、実行など最初から考えていない、<br>\\r\\nThey obtained weapons and went through training just so they could exact pressure. They had no intention of actually carrying out the plan.<br>\\r\\n…園崎家のブラフ。<br>\\r\\n ...The Sonozaki family was just bluffing...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそりゃそうだ。<br>\\r\\nThat made sense.<br>\\r\\nそりゃそうだ…！<br>\\r\\n Of course it did...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n建設省を占領なんてできるわけがないし、そんなのしたって、何の解決にもならないなんて、ちょっと考えればわかるじゃないか！<br>\\r\\nIt's impossible to attack the Ministry of Construction. Even if they did, it wouldn't solve the problem! All I had to do was use common sense!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仮に占領できたって、警察が大挙して押し寄せて、あっという間に鎮圧されるだけだ！<br>\\r\\nEven if they did, they would have been crushed within seconds by a huge number of policemen! Why didn't I think of that?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ、武器とか訓練とかってのは……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What about the weapons and the training...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「武器に関しては……あはは、ノーコメントでいいよね☆<br>\\r\\n\\\"As for the weapons... no comment. Aha ha ha!<br>\\r\\n訓練もやったよ。<br>\\r\\n But we did go through training.<br>\\r\\nはったりになるよう、ちゃんとしっかりね！<br>\\r\\n We needed to do that in order to make the bluff look real!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n葛西さんをリーダーにお父さんのとこの若い衆たちを引き連れて、テキサスの砂漠でトレーナーさんと戦争ごっこをやったあとは、サンフランシスコでのんびり観光してたー。<br>\\r\\n We gathered some younger men from my father's office and appointed Kasai-san as leader of the group. We went to a desert in Texas, played war games with some instructors, and went sightseeing in San Francisco afterwards.<br>\\r\\nあははははは。」<br>\\r\\n Ah ha ha ha ha.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあじゃあ、……じゃあ…………、」<br>\\r\\n\\\"So... So......\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう、何も思いつかなかった。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't think of anything else.<br>\\r\\n…もう、明らかだった。<br>\\r\\n ...It was obvious now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は、いや、レナも。<br>\\r\\nI... no, Rena and I both...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……鷹野さんの妄想スクラップ帖のせいで、まんまと踊らされていただけなんだ……。<br>\\r\\n ...were completely fooled by the scrapbooks of Takano-san's delusion...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナがあまりにも真剣な様子だったんで、つい感化されてしまったが、……もうこうして考えれば矛盾だらけだった。<br>\\r\\nRena was so serious about it, so I believed her... but if you examined it closely, there were so many inconsistencies.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nむしろ、どうしてレナがこんな妄想を真に受けてしまったのかの方が信じられなかった。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't believe Rena took a delusion like that so seriously.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………それは多分。<br>\\r\\n...I knew the reason why, though.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あの、俺たちに死体を見つけられた日のショックで、たまたま心が普通の状態じゃなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\n...She was still in a state of shock after being caught with the corpses that day. She was mentally unstable.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこに刺激の強い妄想が巧みに吹き込まれ…鵜呑みにしてしまったのだ。<br>\\r\\nThen she came across this tall tale... and she believed it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは頭のいいやつだ。<br>\\r\\nRena is a smart girl.<br>\\r\\nこんな与太話を真に受けてしまうなんて、普段じゃ考えられない！<br>\\r\\n She wouldn't have taken it seriously if she was stable!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかも、目の覚めるような事実は続く。<br>\\r\\nPlus, another thing happened to wake me up from the delusion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n昨日、俺が見た白いワゴン車が、昼休みに現れ、中の４人の作業員風の男たちが学校に来たからだ。<br>\\r\\nThe white van I saw yesterday came to school during the lunch break. The four men in work uniforms I saw were there, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は魅音に礼を言うと、こっそりと連中の後を追った。<br>\\r\\nI said thank you to Mion, and followed them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n昨日、俺に話しかけたリーダー格っぽい男が、職員室を訪ねている。<br>\\r\\nThe man who talked to me yesterday knocked on the door of the teacher's office.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「毎度〜〜、小此木造園でございますんね〜〜〜。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hello. I'm from the Okonogi Gardeners.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ、どうもご苦労さまです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, thank you for coming.<br>\\r\\n今日も暑いですね。」<br>\\r\\n It's very hot today, isn't it?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いんえいんえ〜、先生は今日もますますべっぴんでー、うぇっへっへー！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"It sure is. By the way, you look very beautiful today, as always. Eh heh heh!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ではすみません、今日もよろしくお願いいたします。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Thank you. Well, you can start whenever you're ready.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁい、よろしくお願いしますん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes, we'll start right away.<br>\\r\\nこれ、うちの事務屋から渡すように言われましたんね。」<br>\\r\\n My account manager told me to give this to you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「見積書と請求書ですね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"The quote and the invoice, I see.<br>\\r\\nありがとうございます。<br>\\r\\n The date is left blank on both of them.<br>\\r\\n日付は空欄ですね、問題ありません。<br>\\r\\n Well, there shouldn't be any problem.<br>\\r\\nはい、お預かりします。」<br>\\r\\n Thank you so much.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁい、それでは取り掛かりますんでぇ！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"All right. We'll start right away!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n男はものすごく愛想良さそうに知恵先生と話していた。<br>\\r\\nThe man was talking to Chie-sensei with a big smile.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…む？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Mm?<br>\\r\\nどうしたのかね、前原くん。」<br>\\r\\n What are you doing here, Maebara-kun?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あ、校長先生…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, Principal...<br>\\r\\nあの、今の男の人は誰ですか…？」<br>\\r\\n Who is that guy...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n校長先生が窓を指し示す。<br>\\r\\nThe principal pointed his finger at the window.<br>\\r\\n窓から外を見ようとすると、ドルルルルン！とエンジンのかかるような音がした。<br>\\r\\n When I looked out, I heard the noise of an engine starting.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、回転ノコギリの付いた草刈機のエンジンをかける音だった。<br>\\r\\nThe noise was coming from the engine of a motorized lawn mower.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n作業服の若い男たちが、ワゴン車の荷台から、草刈機や竹箒、梯子などを下ろしているのが見える。<br>\\r\\nI saw young men in work uniforms taking another lawn mower, some brooms, and a ladder out of the van.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「園芸業者さんである。<br>\\r\\n\\\"They're gardeners.<br>\\r\\nだいぶ、垣根や樹木が手入れされてなかったからのう。<br>\\r\\n We haven't taken care of the grass around the fence and the trees for a long time.<br>\\r\\n夏前に一度剪定を頼もうと思ったのだよ。」<br>\\r\\n I wanted to clean them up before summer.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁーん、校長先生ぃ〜、この度はお世話になりましてん〜〜！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mr. Principal, thank you for giving us a call!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n校長先生の姿に気付き、男が帽子を脱いで会釈した。<br>\\r\\nThe man noticed the principal, took off his hat, and bowed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うむ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"No need!<br>\\r\\nよろしく頼み申しますぞ。」<br>\\r\\n I trust your work. Please take care of things.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なんとか今日中で終わらせますんねー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I think we can finish it today.<br>\\r\\nしばらくうるさくしますんがご容赦を〜！」<br>\\r\\n We might make a lot of noise, though.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n４人の作業員たちはそれぞれが商売道具を手にすると、茂り放題の垣根に向かっていくのだった。<br>\\r\\nEach worker took one of the tools and walked towards the fence where the grass was growing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n草刈機のエンジンの音が結構賑やかで、校庭で遊んでる子どもたちも興味津々に見守っている。<br>\\r\\nThe engine of the lawn mower was very loud, and the kids who were playing in the school yard looked at it curiously.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こらーーーーー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey!!<br>\\r\\n危ないですから、皆さん、教室へ戻りなさいー！」<br>\\r\\n It's dangerous out here. Go back to your classroom!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n知恵先生だった。<br>\\r\\nIt was Chie-sensei.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさっき男から預かった書類封筒を校長に手渡す。<br>\\r\\nShe handed an envelope with the documents in it to the principal.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその封筒には、緑色の文字で「（株）小此木造園」と印刷されていた。<br>\\r\\nIt said \\\"Okonogi Gardeners\\\" in green on the envelope.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「では校長先生。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Principal,<br>\\r\\n申し訳ありませんが、この請求書を後日、市役所に行かれる時に持って行ってください。」<br>\\r\\n please sign the invoice and drop it off at their office next time you go to the town hall.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うむ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Of course.<br>\\r\\n心得た。」<br>\\r\\n Will do.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あ、…あの、知恵先生。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah... Chie-sensei.<br>\\r\\nあの造園屋さんは、……昨日も来てました？」<br>\\r\\n Did they come here yesterday?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n昨日の夕方に一度、下見に来てもらいました。<br>\\r\\n They came here to look at the grass late in the afternoon.<br>\\r\\n帰りに近道をしようとして、迷ってしまったと言ってましたっけ。」<br>\\r\\n They told me they got lost on the way back because they tried to take a shortcut.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「この村は、細い道はだいぶ入り組んでおるからのう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"This village has a lot of small roads branching off everywhere,<br>\\r\\n無理もないわい。」<br>\\r\\n and they can be very confusing.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうですね、私も初めて来た時は…と知恵先生が応え、先生たちはからからと笑うのだった。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I remember when I first came here...\\\" Chie-sensei started talking about when she got lost, and they laughed together.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何も、……始めから怪しいことなどなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\nThere was... never anything suspicious to begin with.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そう、昨日、俺があの男たちに不審さを感じてしまったのも、…レナの話に感化されてしまったからなのだ。<br>\\r\\n...I thought they were suspicious yesterday... because of what Rena had told me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n第一、俺はあの時点でもそう思ってたじゃないか、白いワゴン車なんて大して珍しくない、って！<br>\\r\\nAt first, I thought it wasn't unusual to see a white van.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nたまたま、気味の悪い話を聞かされた直後に、タイミングよく停まっていたんで、驚いてしまっただけ。<br>\\r\\nBut then, right after I heard her creepy story, I saw a white van parked on the road, and I got scared.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢にあまり慣れてない造園業者が、帰り道にちょっと変な枝道に入り込んでしまっただけ。<br>\\r\\nThe gardeners weren't familiar with the roads of Hinamizawa, and they got lost trying to take a shortcut on their way back.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nただ、それだけ。<br>\\r\\nThat's all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………………………俺は、<br>\\r\\n............I<br>\\r\\n…なんて誤解を？！<br>\\r\\n had it totally twisted around?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音の園崎家が、村の裏で何か暗躍しているらしいなんて、適当な話を信じて、勝手に狂信者の集団を想像していた。<br>\\r\\nI believed that fake-sounding story. I believed that the Sonozaki family was working behind the scenes, and I fabricated the existence of a group of fanatical believers in my mind.<br>\\r\\nこともあろうか、魅音まで疑っていた！<br>\\r\\n Worse, I doubted Mion!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nくそ！！<br>\\r\\nDamn it!!<br>\\r\\n何て馬鹿だよ前原圭一！<br>\\r\\n I'm such a fool!<br>\\r\\n仲間じゃないか！<br>\\r\\n She's my friend!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仲間は家族で無条件に仲間なんだって、俺たちはあの日に手を取り合ったんじゃないのかよ！<br>\\r\\nWe took each other's hands that day, saying that we were a family made of friends, and that friends were friends no matter what!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかもそれを言い出したのは俺のはずなのに、その仲間を疑うなんて…、俺は本当にどうかしてた…！！<br>\\r\\nI said that... but then, I doubted my friend... I'm so stupid...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…それより、レナだ！<br>\\r\\n...Anyway, Rena was the problem!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあいつ、いつまでこんなとんでもない話を信じてるつもりなんだ？！<br>\\r\\nShe also needed to wake up from this crazy delusion!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n早く目を覚まさせないと！<br>\\r\\nI had to hurry and wake her up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n普段のレナと違って、今のレナは心にゆとりがないように感じられる。 <br>\\r\\nRena seemed like she had no mind to listen to anyone else.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今のあいつ、本当の本当に園崎家が黒幕で、アクション映画並みの陰謀を企んでると信じ込んでるんだぞ…？！<br>\\r\\nShe truly believes that the Sonozaki family are the masterminds of a large-scale conspiracy...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はワゴン車のナンバーもしっかり覚えていたし、やつらの顔もちゃんと覚えていた。<br>\\r\\nI remembered the plate number of the white van, and I also remembered their faces.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……間違いない、私を監視しているワゴン車のうちの１台だ！<br>\\r\\n...Without a doubt, this was one of the vans that have been following me!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれまで、私の動向を監視している車は、約３〜４台を確認していた。<br>\\r\\nSo far, I've confirmed that three or four cars have been following me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの白いワゴン車は、その中でも特にしつこかったもので、一番よく覚えていた。<br>\\r\\nI could especially recall this white van because it followed me around the longest of all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nおそらく、他の車は単なる監視が任務で、このワゴン車は、誘拐や暗殺といった直接的な行為を任務とするに違いない。<br>\\r\\nThe people who were in the other cars must be the lookouts, and the ones in this van must be tasked with direct contact, like kidnapping or assassination.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n数台の車が周辺の安全を確保して、実行部隊の車が一気に襲い掛かる…！<br>\\r\\nThe lookouts secure the surroundings, and the ones in this van attack the target...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれがやつらの、誘拐や暗殺の常套手段だとスクラップ帖に書かれていた。<br>\\r\\nThat's a common maneuver involved in both kidnapping and assassination. The scrapbooks said that, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だとするなら、そんな連中が学校の敷地内にまでやって来たというのは、とても笑い飛ばせる話ではなかった。<br>\\r\\n...If so, I'd better watch out because it was them, not the lookouts, who came to the school premises.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまさか校内で堂々と襲い掛かってくるはずはあるまい。<br>\\r\\nI don't think they'll attack me while I'm in school.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n連中は、恐ろしい最終目的のために、現在は牙や爪を徹底的に隠しながら隠密行動をしている段階なのだ。<br>\\r\\nThey're in the early stage of their covert operation now, hiding their fangs and claws until the last stage of their horrifying scheme.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だから、人の目も充分にあるこの学校では手出しはできないはず…！<br>\\r\\n...That's why they won't take action in the school, where people are watching...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、やつらはさっき、先生たちと何やら親しげに話しているようだった。<br>\\r\\nBut it looked like they were talking with Chie-sensei in a very friendly way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何を話しているかはほんのちょっぴりしか聞こえなかったけど、どう考えても怪しかった。<br>\\r\\nI could only hear bits and pieces of their conversation, but it sounded very suspicious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n漏れ聞こえたわずかの声と、口の動きや吐息などを必死に思い出し、頭の中のビデオデッキで再生する。<br>\\r\\nI tried to remember the chatter and the movements of their mouths, and I played my memory of it like a video tape in my mind.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「毎度〜〜、＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊〜〜〜。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hello. XXXXXXXXXXXXX.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ、どうもご苦労さまです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, thank you for coming.<br>\\r\\n今日も暑いですね。」<br>\\r\\n It's very hot today, isn't it?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いんえいんえ〜、＊＊は今日＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊ー、うぇっへっへー！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"It sure is. XXXXX you XXXXXXXXXXXXX today XXXXXXXXX. Eh heh heh!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ではすみません、今日もよろしくお願いいたします。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Thank you. Well, you can start whenever you're ready.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁい、よろしくお願いしますん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes, we'll start right away.<br>\\r\\nこれ、うちの事務屋から渡すように言われましたんね。」<br>\\r\\n My account manager told me to give this to you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「＊＊＊と＊＊＊ですね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"The XXXXXX and XXXXXXXX, I see.<br>\\r\\nありがとうございます。<br>\\r\\n XXXXXXX is left blank on XXXXXXX.<br>\\r\\n＊＊は空欄ですね、問題ありません。<br>\\r\\n Well, there shouldn't be any problem.<br>\\r\\nはい、お預かりします。」<br>\\r\\n Thank you so much.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁい、それでは＊＊＊＊りますんでぇ！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"All right. We'll XXXXX!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が持っている情報から、状況を推理する。頭の中のビデオデッキを何度も繰り返し再生し、時にはスローに、時には停止して何度もチェックする。<br>\\r\\nI used the information I had to guess what was going on. I played the video again and again in my mind, and also paused it and played it in slow motion again to check many times.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……すると、自分でも信じられないような恐ろしい何かが浮かび上がってきた。<br>\\r\\n...Then, something unbelievably horrifying started to emerge.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやつらと知恵先生に面識があるのは疑いようもない。<br>\\r\\nThere's no doubt that they're acquainted with Chie-sensei.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だが、今日まであの連中が学校に訪れるところを見たことなどないし、接点があろうはずがなかった。<br>\\r\\n...But I've never seen them visit this school before. So, it's hard to believe that Chie-sensei is their contact.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n連中は、園崎本家の中枢直属の暗殺部隊であるのは間違いない。<br>\\r\\nThere's no doubt that they're the death squad under the direct control of the Sonozaki family.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの流暢な地元訛りは、彼らが園崎組の人間であり、その中から選抜された特攻隊であることの証拠と読み取れる。<br>\\r\\nThey have the local accent, which proves they were chosen from the Sonozaki corps.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその暗殺部隊と知恵先生の交流。<br>\\r\\nThe death squad was talking with Chie-sensei.<br>\\r\\n面識。<br>\\r\\n They know each other.<br>\\r\\n関係。<br>\\r\\n What's their relationship?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそもそも知恵先生という人はどういう人だったっけ？<br>\\r\\nWho's Chie-sensei, anyway?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nダム戦争の時、雛見沢の学校は廃校になり、興宮の学校に統合されることになった。<br>\\r\\nDuring the dam conflict, Hinamizawa's school was closed and it was merged with the one in Okinomiya.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だが、廃校を認めない鬼ヶ淵死守同盟が、営林署の一部を勝手に学校化して抵抗した事件があった。<br>\\r\\n...But the Onigafuchi Guardians didn't accept that, and they made a part of the forestry service building into a school.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n勝手に学校化したところで、先生がいるはずもない。<br>\\r\\nBut needless to say, the school they made didn't have a teacher.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからそれは形だけの抵抗のはずだった。<br>\\r\\nSo, it was only going to be a token form of resistance.<br>\\r\\n……そこに、その状況を「不憫」に思った熱血教師が馳せ参じて、この学校に合流したという。<br>\\r\\n ...But a teacher who had a strong passion for education felt sorry for the children, and she came to work there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが知恵留美子先生という人だ。<br>\\r\\nThat was <NAME>.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………明らかに不自然だった。教員というのは県に所属する公務員だ。<br>\\r\\n...It was obviously strange. Teachers are government employees, and they normally belong to their prefectures.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nのんべんだらりと波風を起こしさえしなければ、クビもないし左遷もない。<br>\\r\\nAs long as they lie low and don't cause trouble, they don't get fired, and they don't get demoted.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n必ず定年まで勤められて、退職金が決まった額だけ保証されている稼業だ。<br>\\r\\nThey can work up until the official retirement age, and they're guaranteed to get a fixed retirement fund.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな公務員である彼女が、教育委員会に逆らってまで、雛見沢に駆け付けてくれたのだ。<br>\\r\\nShe was one of those government employees, but she defied the Board of Education and came to work for Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを今日の村は「熱血教師」と讃えている。<br>\\r\\nThe villagers admire her as 'a teacher of passion'.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……聞いた話では、教育委員会の命令に逆らい停職処分となった知恵先生の地位保全のため、園崎お魎自らが交渉を行い、勝ち取ったというのである。<br>\\r\\n...I heard that <NAME>aki herself successfully negotiated with the Board of Education that suspended Chie-sensei for defying their orders.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………つまり、散った点を最短距離で結べば簡単に答えが出る。<br>\\r\\n...It was easy to get an answer from this by connecting the dots.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n知恵先生は、鬼ヶ淵死守同盟が勝手にでっち上げた「学校」の先生として、園崎お魎にスカウトされてきたのだ。<br>\\r\\nChie-sensei was recruited by <NAME> as a teacher to work at the \\\"school\\\" the Onigafuchi Guardians had created.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、この学校に合流する前から、園崎お魎の息がかかっていたのだ！<br>\\r\\nIn other words, she was already working for Oryou before she came here!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n校長に関しては元々、雛見沢の学校の校長だった。<br>\\r\\nAs for the principal, he was the principal of the school in Hinamizawa from the beginning.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n地域の名士として御三家と十二分に親交がある。<br>\\r\\nHe's a respected person of this region, and he's been closely associated with the Three Families for a long time.<br>\\r\\nつまりつまりつまり……、<br>\\r\\n So, that means...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの学校は最初っから、園崎本家の監視にあったのだ！<br>\\r\\nThis school has been under the control of the Sonozaki family all along!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、暗殺部隊と知恵先生に面識があるのは極めて当然なのだ。<br>\\r\\nThat's why Chie-sensei is acquainted with the death squad. It makes sense now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……知恵先生は私の登校を確認した上で連絡し、<br>\\r\\n...Chie-sensei confirmed that I came to school today, made a phone call<br>\\r\\n…彼らを呼び寄せた…？！<br>\\r\\n ...and called them here...?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…何のために呼び寄せたのかは考えたくない。<br>\\r\\n...I don't want to know why she called them here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n単なる監視なら、学校が終わる頃に門の前で待ちうけ尾行でもすればいいのだ。<br>\\r\\nIf she called them just to monitor me, they'd wait near the gate until class was over.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれをせず、なぜわざわざ学校へ…？<br>\\r\\nBut they came onto the school premises... Why...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n馬鹿のふりをするな竜宮レナ！<br>\\r\\nStop pretending to be a fool, Rena Ryuugu!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n気付かないふりをすればそうはならないとでも？！<br>\\r\\nDo you think nothing will happen if you pretend not to notice it?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n考えろ考えろ、そしてクールになれ竜宮レナ！！<br>\\r\\nThink. Think hard. And calm down, Rena Ryuugu!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり連中は、今日中にこの学校で、私を何とかするつもりなのだッ！<br>\\r\\nWhat will they try to do to me today in school?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの学校で？！<br>\\r\\nIn school?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nクラスメートも仲間も友達もみんないるのにどうやって？！<br>\\r\\nHow are they going to do anything with my classmates and friends around me?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなの簡単だ。<br>\\r\\nIt's easy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n先生が帰りのホームルームで、用事がありますので竜宮さんは職員室に来てくださいとでも言えばいいのだ。<br>\\r\\nChie-sensei will tell me to come to the teachers' office during the last class of the day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n部活のみんなは？<br>\\r\\nWhat about my clubmates?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなのは先生だし、何とか適当なことを言って追い返せるはず。<br>\\r\\nThat's easy, too. Chie-sensei can easily make them go home early using her authority as a teacher.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n教室は今日、内装工事があるから、放課後はすぐに下校するように、とか何とか、適当な理由をつければ簡単だ！<br>\\r\\nShe can make up any reason she wants. Maybe the classroom is going to have carpentry work done today, so they can't stay in school.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いんえいんえ〜、＊＊は今日＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊ー、うぇっへっへー！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"It sure is. XXXXX you XXXXXXXXXXXXX today XXXXXXXXX. Eh heh heh!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ではすみません、今日もよろしくお願いいたします。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Thank you. Well, you can start whenever you're ready.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…あぁ、間違いない…。<br>\\r\\n...See? There's no doubt...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n連中はこれほども雄弁に、「今日、実行する」と言ってるではないか！！<br>\\r\\nThey clearly said \\\"they're ready to do it today\\\"!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれから…何だっけ。<br>\\r\\nAnd... what else...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁい、よろしくお願いしますん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes, we'll start right away.<br>\\r\\nこれ、うちの事務屋から渡すように言われましたんね。」<br>\\r\\n My account manager told me to give this to you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「＊＊＊と＊＊＊ですね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"The XXXXXX and XXXXXXXX, I see.<br>\\r\\nありがとうございます。<br>\\r\\n XXXXXXX is left blank on XXXXXXX.<br>\\r\\n＊＊は空欄ですね、問題ありません。<br>\\r\\n Well, there shouldn't be any problem.<br>\\r\\nはい、お預かりします。」<br>\\r\\n Thank you so much.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだ。<br>\\r\\nI see.<br>\\r\\n何らかの書類の入った角封筒を知恵先生に手渡したんだ。<br>\\r\\n They gave Chie-sensei an envelope with some documents in it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……「空欄」という言葉がとても嫌な雰囲気を感じさせた。<br>\\r\\n...That \\\"blank\\\" is an eerie phrase.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そこには本来、私の名前が入っているべきではないのか…？<br>\\r\\n...Was my name supposed to be in the blank...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが「空欄」にしてあるというのはどういう意味？<br>\\r\\nWhy is it left \\\"blank\\\"? What does that mean?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから竜宮レナ！<br>\\r\\nI told you, <NAME>!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n気付かないふりをすればそういうことにはならないなんて、変なおまじないはもうやめろ！！<br>\\r\\nDo you still think that nothing will happen if you pretend not to notice it? Stop that!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまりそういうことなんだ。 <br>\\r\\nSo, what it must mean...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれは、「竜宮レナ」を<br>\\r\\nIs that it's an order from higher up.<br>\\r\\n「空欄」にせよという、<br>\\r\\n It says to make \\\"Rena Ryuugu\\\"<br>\\r\\n黒幕からの命令書に違いないのだ！！<br>\\r\\n become \\\"blank\\\"!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n陰からこっそりとうかがうと、校長は角封筒から書類を出し、その内容を読んでいるところだった。<br>\\r\\nI took a peek from the shadows, and I saw the principal taking documents out from the envelope. He started reading them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその表情は険しく、…内容を読む目つきはとても真剣だ。<br>\\r\\nHe looked stern... He looked very serious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……何が書いてあるのか、覗き込めたらと思うが、それは不可能だった。<br>\\r\\n...I wished I could take a peek at the documents, but I was too far away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nせめて何かのヒントが得られないかと、その様子をじっと凝視すると、……角封筒が目に入った。<br>\\r\\nI kept looking at him just to see if he'd react at all. ...And then, the envelope caught my eye.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n角封筒の下部には「（株）小此木造園」と書かれ、電話番号らしきものも書かれていた。<br>\\r\\nThe envelope said \\\"Okonogi Gardeners\\\" and it had some numbers that looked like a phone number.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は幸いに目はいい。<br>\\r\\nFortunately, I have good eyesight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……その番号を素早く暗記する。<br>\\r\\n...I memorized the number.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n連中が暗殺部隊なら、この造園屋は隠れ蓑だ。<br>\\r\\nIf they're a death squad, the gardening company must be a camouflage occupation.<br>\\r\\nおそらくは存在しない。<br>\\r\\n It probably doesn't even exist.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はそれを確かめようと、電話を探した。<br>\\r\\nI wanted to find out. I looked for a phone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あるのは職員室。<br>\\r\\n...There's only one phone, and it's in the teachers' office.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n幸い、先生２人は造園屋を眺めながら廊下で談笑をしている。<br>\\r\\nFortunately, the teachers were chatting in the hallway, looking at the gardeners.<br>\\r\\n今がチャンスだった。<br>\\r\\n It was now or never.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n職員室に入るところを誰にも見られないよう注意しながら、私は中に飛び込み、校長の席の電話を取った。<br>\\r\\nI made sure nobody was watching me go into the teachers' office. I rushed in and grabbed the phone on the principal's desk.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n頭の中でさっきの電話番号を反復し、それを一気に叩いた。<br>\\r\\nI went over the phone number in my head, and dialed it up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…こういう時、プッシュホンは助かる。<br>\\r\\n...I'm glad they have a touch-tone phone.<br>\\r\\nダイヤルだと面倒だ。<br>\\r\\n It would've been difficult if it was a rotary dial.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n相手が出たら「小此木造園」さんですかと聞くだけでいい。<br>\\r\\nIf somebody answered, I'd only have to ask \\\"is this the Okonogi Gardeners?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれでハイかイイエを聞いて受話器を置くだけだから簡単だった。<br>\\r\\nI'd wait for the answer before hanging up. It should be easy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつながった！<br>\\r\\nIt connected!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……お客様がお掛けになった電話番号は……、」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...The number you dialed is...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n足元から、乱暴なくらいの冷たさを伴った霜柱が生えてくるのがわかる。<br>\\r\\nI felt a cold chill run through my body from the bottom of my feet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n待て、早とちりはいけないぞ…。<br>\\r\\nWait. Don't make a quick judgment...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が電話番号を間違えたんじゃないのか？<br>\\r\\nI might've remembered the number wrong.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……いや、記憶に間違いはない。<br>\\r\\n...No. I know I remembered it right.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nゴロのいい覚えやすい番号だった。<br>\\r\\nIt was an easy number to remember.<br>\\r\\n間違えようがない。<br>\\r\\n It's impossible to remember it wrong.<br>\\r\\nだとしたら、私のプッシュミスか？<br>\\r\\n Then, did I dial it wrong?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n一度受話器を置き、今度は心持ち、ゆっくりと番号をプッシュした。<br>\\r\\nI put the phone down and started over. This time, I dialed the number more slowly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n先生がいつ帰ってくるかわからないこの状況で、ゆっくりと正確にという行為は自殺行為すれすれだった。<br>\\r\\nThe teachers might be coming back at any time. In that situation, it was risky to do anything slowly.<br>\\r\\nだが、……今、確実に確かめなければならないことなのだ…！<br>\\r\\n But... I needed to make absolutely sure.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……お客様がお掛けになった電話番号は……、」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...The number you dialed is...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやはり……同じだ。<br>\\r\\nIt's... the same.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…もう間違いない。<br>\\r\\n...There's no doubt.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「小此木造園」なんて会社は存在しない。<br>\\r\\nThe company \\\"Okonogi Gardeners\\\" doesn't exist.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n園崎家の暗部を司る暗殺部隊の…隠れ蓑なのだ！！<br>\\r\\nIt's just a camouflage occupation for the Sonozaki family's death squad!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……番号をお確かめの上、もう一度ダイヤルしてください。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Please make sure the number you dialed is correct.<br>\\r\\n……お客さまがお掛けになった番号は……、」<br>\\r\\n ...The number you dialed is...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が呆然としている間にも、無感情な声で延々とアナウンスする機械音声が気持ち悪い。<br>\\r\\nI was too stunned to put down the receiver. The announcement kept running over and over again. The voice was cold and creepy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n受話器を置くと、私は急ぎ職員室を出た。<br>\\r\\nI hung up the phone and rushed out of the teachers' office.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれからトイレの個室へ駆け込み、頭の混乱を少しでも抑えようと両手で頭を抱え込む。<br>\\r\\nI ran to the bathroom and held my head in an attempt to cool down.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n落ち着けレナ、<br>\\r\\nCalm down, Rena.<br>\\r\\n落ち着け竜宮レナ、<br>\\r\\n Calm down, Rena Ryuugu.<br>\\r\\nクールになれ、<br>\\r\\n Stay cool.<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナ…！<br>\\r\\n Rena Ryuugu...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまりもう、この学校は安全じゃないということだ。<br>\\r\\nI wasn't safe here anymore.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここにこのまま居続ければ、私は公然と消されてしまうだろう。<br>\\r\\nIf stayed here, I might be erased, even in the open.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n消す？<br>\\r\\nThey'd erase me?<br>\\r\\nどうして？！<br>\\r\\n Why?!<br>\\r\\nスクラップ帖を私が持っているかどうかはまだ確信が持てないはずなのに…？！<br>\\r\\n They aren't certain that I have the scrapbooks...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……………………私、<br>\\r\\n.........I...<br>\\r\\n………スクラップ帖の在り処を、<br>\\r\\n told Keiichi-kun...<br>\\r\\n…………圭一くんに話しちゃってる。<br>\\r\\n where I hid the scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n………昨日、ゴミ山の隠れ家に隠してあるから大丈夫って、<br>\\r\\n ......Yesterday, I told him I hid them in my hideout<br>\\r\\n……話しちゃってる………。<br>\\r\\n in the garbage dump......<br>\\r\\n…………まさか、<br>\\r\\n Is Keiichi-kun...<br>\\r\\n…………圭一くんも、<br>\\r\\n in cahoots...<br>\\r\\n……………園崎家の<br>\\r\\n with<br>\\r\\n………手先…………？<br>\\r\\n the Sonozaki family...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n疑惑のシチューを茹でる私の頭は、さながら今やスープ鍋。<br>\\r\\nI felt as if my head was a pot that was cooking some dubious stew. There was only soup in my brain.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はヒントや情報、事実や疑惑の野菜を刻んでは刻んでは放り込む。<br>\\r\\nI cut up clues, information, and facts just like I'd cut vegetables, and threw them into the pot.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれらは浮いたり沈んだりアクを浮かべたりしながら、ぐつぐつと茹でられていた…。<br>\\r\\nSome of them were floating on the surface, and others were on the bottom of the pot. They were being cooked in a boiling soup...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……いや、そんなはずはない、圭一くんは味方だ。<br>\\r\\n...No, it can't be. Keiichi-kun is on my side.<br>\\r\\n圭一くんだけは味方なんだ。<br>\\r\\n He's the only one who's on my side.<br>\\r\\n……あのゴミ山で圭一くんが差し出してくれた手は本物だった。<br>\\r\\n ...He held out his hand to me at the trash piles. There was no lie in that hand...<br>\\r\\nそして私を手繰り寄せた力強さには何の紛れもなく、心の底から私の味方になろうという純粋さ以外に何の澱みもなかった…！<br>\\r\\n When he grabbed my wrist, I felt nothing but his strong and pure heart. He promised me he'd be on my side...!<br>\\r\\nだから、圭一くんは違う、圭一くんを疑っちゃいけない、圭一くんだけは信じなくちゃいけない、圭一くんだけが今や私の味方なのだ…！！<br>\\r\\n I shouldn't doubt Keiichi-kun. He's the only one I should trust. He's the only one who is on my side right now...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ごめんごめん…圭一くん…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I'm sorry. I'm sorry... Keiichi-kun...<br>\\r\\n危うく君を疑いそうになった…、<br>\\r\\n I was about to doubt you...<br>\\r\\n本当にごめんね、<br>\\r\\n I'm really sorry,<br>\\r\\n本当にごめんね……。」<br>\\r\\n I'm so sorry...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はあえて口に出し、唯一の味方であるはずの圭一くんを疑ったことを反省する。<br>\\r\\nI said it out loud on purpose, full of regret that I doubted Keiichi-kun, the only one who is on my side.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……考えてみれば、スクラップ帖の有無などどうでもいいのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n...Now that I think about it, whether I have the scrapbooks or not might not matter to them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n怪しければ消せ！<br>\\r\\nErase anyone who is suspicious!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが一番安全なはずなんだ。<br>\\r\\nThat's the safest way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ということは、…やっぱり何かを焦っている？<br>\\r\\n...Does that mean... they're in a hurry?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n実は「オヤシロさまの復活の日」は間近に迫っていて……、<br>\\r\\n\\\"The Day of Oyashiro-sama's Revival\\\" might be just around the corner...<br>\\r\\n刺さっている小骨は今のうちに、どんな荒い手段であっても取り除いてしまおうということなのか？<br>\\r\\n And that's why they're trying to get rid of any small fish bones that are stuck in the throat, by any means, before it's too late.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう泳がせることもないんね。<br>\\r\\nWe don't need her anymore.<br>\\r\\n…そんなに不安だったんら、早ぅ消してしまいね…。<br>\\r\\n ...Just erase her if you're worried so much...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n園崎お魎が如何にも言いそうな言葉だった。<br>\\r\\nI could easily picture Oryou Sonozaki saying that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……言いそう？<br>\\r\\n...Picture?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n違う、言ったのだ！<br>\\r\\nNo, she DID say that!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからやつらが今日、ここを訪れている！！<br>\\r\\nThat's why they're here today!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nではどうしよう、私はどうしよう！<br>\\r\\nWhat should I do? What should I do?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのままのんびりと放課後まで待つのか？！<br>\\r\\nShould I wait until school is over?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今の私はいけすの中の金魚も同然。<br>\\r\\nI was like a fish in a pond.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n網を幾度潜り抜けようと、そもそもこのいけすがやつらのものなのだ、何の意味もない！<br>\\r\\nNo matter how many times I escaped from the net, I was in the pond, and they <i>own</i> the pond. I didn't stand a chance!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなら私はどうする？！<br>\\r\\nThen, what should I do now?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n網を逃れればいいんじゃない、いけすから逃れなければならないんじゃないか？<br>\\r\\nI couldn't keep escaping from the net. I should get out of the pond!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……やつらを相手にどう戦えばいいのか、誰が味方なのかもわからない絶対的な絶望の中で。<br>\\r\\n...I didn't know how to fight them. I didn't know who's on my side. I was about to give in to despair.<br>\\r\\n……せめて私は戦うための何かを考える時間を得るためにも、今は生き残ることを考えなくはならない。<br>\\r\\n ...For now, I'd have to think about how to survive this, so I'd at least have time to think about how to fight against them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n逃れよう、このいけすから逃れよう…！<br>\\r\\nI have to get out of this pond...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nトイレから出ると、ちょうどクラスメートの女の子がトイレに入ろうとするところだった。<br>\\r\\nWhen I was about to leave the bathroom, one of my classmates came in.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は体調不良を装い、壁に手を付きながら話し掛けた。<br>\\r\\nI pretended to be sick and talked to the girl while leaning on the wall.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ごめんね…、<br>\\r\\n\\\"I...<br>\\r\\n…私、ちょっとどうしても具合が悪くて……。<br>\\r\\n don't feel good...<br>\\r\\n早退するからって先生に伝えておいてくれないかな…。」<br>\\r\\n I think I better go home. Can you tell Chie-sensei I left school early...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n逃げるのが目的だったら、早退するなんて言い残さない方がいいに決まってる。<br>\\r\\nI shouldn't let Chie-sensei know that I'm leaving school early if I'm trying to run away from them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、こう言い残さないと、私が形振り構わず逃げたと思われるかもしれないのだ。<br>\\r\\nBut if I didn't, they might think I ran away without cause.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうなれば、やつらも形振り構わず追うだろう。<br>\\r\\nThat might lead them to chase after me without mercy.<br>\\r\\nそうなればもう抗いようもない！<br>\\r\\n If that happens, I don't stand a chance!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼らは放課後に捕らえるつもりでいたのに、「たまたま偶然」私は体調不良で早退してしまい、逃がしてしまった。<br>\\r\\nThey were planning to capture me after school is over, but I 'happened' to feel sick and left school early.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そういう風になれば、やつらも、私に包囲が気取られたとは思うまい。<br>\\r\\n...If they took it that way, they wouldn't think that I noticed the noose tightening around me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は鞄を取りに教室へ戻ろうとし、すぐに踏みとどまって昇降口に向きを変えた。<br>\\r\\nI was about to go back to the classroom to get my bag, but I changed my mind and turned around.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鞄など、もう何の必要もない。<br>\\r\\nI didn't need my bag anymore.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰も自分を見ていないことに気付くと、私は体調不良のふりを止め、小走りで駆け出すのだった。<br>\\r\\nI realized nobody was watching me, so I stopped pretending to be sick, and started running.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………むむ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Mmmmm?<br>\\r\\n知恵先生、ここがおかしいですぞ。」<br>\\r\\n Chie-sensei, take a look at this.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おかしい？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Take a look?<br>\\r\\nどうかなさいましたか？」<br>\\r\\n Is something wrong with the documents?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うむ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n見積書と請求書の日付が空欄になっておりますぞ。<br>\\r\\n The date on the quote and the invoice are left blank.<br>\\r\\nここは今日の日付ではないのですかな？」<br>\\r\\n They're supposed to put today's date here.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ、そこはお役所の都合らしいんです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, they wanted to leave them blank.<br>\\r\\n見積書の日付と請求書の日付が同じだと何だか都合が悪いそうで。<br>\\r\\n They said they couldn't put the same date on the quote and the invoice.<br>\\r\\n庶務係さんから、空欄にするようよく念を押されています。」<br>\\r\\n They're told to leave them blank by General Affairs.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ふむ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay, then.<br>\\r\\nあとそれから、請求書に書いてある電話番号と、封筒に書いてある電話番号が違っていますぞ。<br>\\r\\n And this. The phone number on the invoice is different from the one on the envelope.<br>\\r\\nどちらが正しいのですかな？」<br>\\r\\n Do you know which is the correct one?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あらいやだ、本当ですね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, I didn't notice that.<br>\\r\\n……社長さぁあぁーーーん！」<br>\\r\\n ...Hello, excuse me!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁい！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes?<br>\\r\\nどうしましたんねー！」<br>\\r\\n What's the matter?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「請求書に書いてある電話番号と封筒の電話番号が違ってますけど、どちらが正しいのですか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"The phone number on the invoice is different from the one on the envelope. Which one is correct?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁん！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh!!<br>\\r\\nあっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n Ah ha ha ha ha!<br>\\r\\n請求書の方の電話番号が正しいんで大丈夫ですんね！<br>\\r\\n It's the one on the invoice!<br>\\r\\n先代の事務所の時の封筒がまだだいぶ余ってたもんなんで、そんれに入れて来てまったんですわー！<br>\\r\\n I used the old envelope we used to use at our former office.<br>\\r\\nすんませんねぇ、<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry about that.<br>\\r\\nバイトの子に、全部、新しい番号のハンコを押しとくように言ったんだけどなぁ。<br>\\r\\n I told our part-timer to add a stamp with the new phone number, but I guess she forgot.<br>\\r\\nすんまへんすんまへん、<br>\\r\\n I apologize for the confusion.<br>\\r\\n消しておいてもらえますかねぇ、<br>\\r\\n Can you just erase the number?<br>\\r\\nわっはっはっはっは…！」<br>\\r\\n Wha ha ha ha ha...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n垣根を草刈機で剪定するやつらは、なるほど私が学校の敷地を出ないように監視しているかのようだった。<br>\\r\\nThey were mowing the grass near the fence, which was probably a cover to monitor the surroundings.<br>\\r\\n万が一、私が勘付いて逃げ出さないとも限らないのだから。<br>\\r\\n Just in case, I tried to escape from the school.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だが、それは放課後のことだと甘く見ていたに違いない。<br>\\r\\n...But they must have been thinking that would happen only after school was over.<br>\\r\\n私が今気付き、今逃げ出すとまでは思わなかったろう。<br>\\r\\n They seemed to have no idea that I'd already noticed their plan and was trying to run away right at that very moment.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n正門から堂々と出れば絶対にバレてしまう。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't use the front gate, since they'd find me easily.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は裏へ回り込むと、カレー菜園の周りに誰もいないことを確認した上でそこを駆け抜け、林の中へ飛び込んだ。<br>\\r\\nI moved behind the school building, made sure nobody was around the curry garden, ran through it, and dashed into the forest.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n枯れ木を踏み砕き、苔むした倒木を踏み越え、不愉快な枝葉を潜り抜ける。<br>\\r\\nI walked through the dense undergrowth, stepping on dead wood and climbing over fallen trees.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやがて、小道に出た。<br>\\r\\nAfter walking through the forest for a while, I came to a small road.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日までの１年間、部活などを通してこの村の様々な裏道や抜け道について精通していたことが幸いだった。<br>\\r\\nI know many back roads in this village because of our club activities, and that knowledge had finally come in handy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n取り合えず、どうしよう……。<br>\\r\\nSo, what should I do now...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が伝言を頼んだ子は、もうとっくに知恵先生に早退を伝えているだろう。<br>\\r\\nI'm sure the girl already passed on my message to Chie-sensei.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今頃連中は私が逃げ出したことを知り、慌てているに違いない。<br>\\r\\nThose men must be going crazy by now, knowing that I ran away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「竜宮さんの早退を他に聞いている人はいませんか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Did anyone else talk to Ryuugu-san before she left school?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nクラス中のみんなが互いの顔を見合わせ、首を横に振った。<br>\\r\\nEverybody in the class looked at each other and shook their heads.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n知恵先生としては、いくら体調不良とは言え、自分に断りもなく早退したことが気に入らないようで、少しご機嫌斜めだった。<br>\\r\\nChie-sensei looked a bit upset that Rena left school early without telling her in person.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「でもレナさん、最近はいつも体調悪そうでございましたものねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena-san has been feeling sick these days.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……みー。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Meep.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナ、鞄なんかも置きっぱなしだし。<br>\\r\\n\\\"She left her bag here.<br>\\r\\n……どうしちゃったんだろ？」<br>\\r\\n ...What happened to her?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………何だか、嫌な予感がするぜ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"............I have a bad feeling about this.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ふぇ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺にだけは何となくわかった。<br>\\r\\nI think I know what's going on.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……確信はないが、とても嫌な予感がした。<br>\\r\\n...I'm not sure, but I have a very bad feeling about this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまた何か、…とんでもない与太話を真に受けて、……突飛もないことを始めてるんじゃないだろうか…。<br>\\r\\nShe must've taken another ridiculous story seriously or something... I hope she won't do anything crazy...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は急ぎ家に帰った。<br>\\r\\nI hurried home.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父は新しい仕事先にもう行ってるのか、買い物に出掛けているのか。<br>\\r\\nMy father might be at his new job, or he might've gone shopping.<br>\\r\\n…とにかく家は留守だった。<br>\\r\\n ...He wasn't around when I got there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやつらがすでに動き出している以上、今や自宅など決して安全地帯ではなかった。<br>\\r\\nNow that they're on the move, I'm no longer safe in my house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n相手は、建設省を占領することを念頭に訓練を重ね、実際に大臣の孫を誘拐してのけたような恐ろしいやつらだ。<br>\\r\\nThey're very dangerous people. They're trained to be capable of attacking the Ministry of Construction, and they actually pulled off the kidnapping of the grandson of the Minister.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n多少の戸締りなど何の意味もあるまい。<br>\\r\\nLocked doors and windows don't mean anything to them.<br>\\r\\nむしろ自ら袋小路に飛び込むのに似ている。<br>\\r\\n In fact, it'd be like I was hiding in a box, which they could just open up to get at me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……もう我が家には留まれないことを悟る。<br>\\r\\n...I could no longer stay at my home.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはとてもとても悲しくて悔しいこと。<br>\\r\\nIt's very sad, and very frustrating.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナと鉄平を殺して、私たち親子は再び平穏な生活を取り戻せたはずなのだ。<br>\\r\\nI killed Rina and Teppei, and finally regained a peaceful life with my father.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれなのに、……それなのにどうしてこんなことに？！<br>\\r\\nHow could this happen to me?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一くんがかつて言った言葉が脳裏に蘇り、私の気持ちをこれ以上なく代弁して見せた。<br>\\r\\nI remembered what Keiichi-kun told me before. It expressed my feelings better than anything.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「鷹野さんめ、とんでもない置き土産を…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Takano-san left us a huge parting gift...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうして私にあんな恐ろしいスクラップ帖を？！<br>\\r\\nWhy did she give me those terrifying scrapbooks?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうして私にあんなにもとんでもない陰謀の秘密を？！<br>\\r\\nWhy did she tell me the secret of that unthinkable conspiracy?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は巻き込まれただけなんだ。<br>\\r\\nShe got me into this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私に非はない、全部三四さんが悪いんだ！<br>\\r\\nI didn't do anything. It's all Miyo-san's fault!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、三四さんの話に興味を持ち、好奇心で先を促したのは私だ。<br>\\r\\nBut who was interested in her stories? I was. Who let her continue talking? I did. I did that out of curiosity.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nせっかく忘れていた茨城の最後の頃の記憶を蘇らせてしまい、それを三四さんに話してしまったのは私だ。<br>\\r\\nWho let the memories of Ibaraki return and told Miyo-san about them? I did.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんに話せば何かの救いになるかもしれないと思って甘えたのは私だ。<br>\\r\\nI depended on Miyo-san, hoping that she could somehow save me from the memories I'd been trying to forget.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあのまま、私は奇怪な出来事を全て忘れたままでいればよかったのだ！<br>\\r\\nI shouldn't have remembered anything about that bizarre incident!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうすれば、私はあんなとんでもない陰謀なんかに巻き込まれることなく、今日もきっと、みんなと楽しく部活をして過ごせていたに違いないのに！！<br>\\r\\nIf I hadn't, I wouldn't have gotten involved in that unthinkable conspiracy, and I could've just played around with my friends today!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、知らなかったとしたって、結局、陰謀は水面下で進んでいた。<br>\\r\\n...But even if I didn't know about the conspiracy, it'd still continue behind the scenes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして「オヤシロさまの復活の日」に、私は何も知らず逃げ惑う群集Ａとして、彼らの陰謀に飲み込まれただけなのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nI would've been one member of the mob running in a panic, not knowing what's going on, on the Day of Oyashiro-sama's Revival. I would've been just swallowed up in their conspiracy anyway.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうせ破滅する世界なら、知らずにその日を迎えた方が幸せだったのか。<br>\\r\\nWould I be happier if I faced that day without knowing anything?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n知りつつ足掻いて、結局は抗えずに飲み込まれるのが幸せだったのか。<br>\\r\\nWould I be happier if I struggled, knowing about it but ending up swallowed by it?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………辿るのが同じ末路で、どちらを選ぼうとも結局同じ結末に至る選択肢だったのなら、<br>\\r\\n...If I'm going to end up the same way no matter what I choose to do<br>\\r\\n……私は戦う。<br>\\r\\n ...I'll fight.<br>\\r\\n戦える選択肢を選ぶ。<br>\\r\\n I'll choose to fight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうして私は自らの幸せを勝ち取ってきたんじゃないか。<br>\\r\\nBecause that's how I seized my happiness before.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……リナが父に取り入り我が家を侵食してきた時、<br>\\r\\n...When Rina invaded my home, seducing my father,<br>\\r\\n私はそれがこの世の終わりのように感じ、日々を絶望に押しつぶされそうになりながら生活していた。<br>\\r\\n I felt like it was the end of the world. I lived on the verge of despair every day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてそれ以上の不幸は存在しないと思っていた。<br>\\r\\nI thought that was the worst misfortune that could befall anyone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、今になって当時を思い出すと、あれは大したトラブルでも何でもない。<br>\\r\\nBut the way things are going, it wasn't really that bad at all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n敵は間宮リナと北条鉄平の２人だけ。<br>\\r\\nI had only two enemies, <NAME> and <NAME>.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n敵もわかっていて人数もわかっていて、１人ずつ誘い出して闇討ちすればそれで解決という、とんでもなくイージーな問題だった。<br>\\r\\nI knew my enemies, and I knew how many they were. I lured them out one by one, and I attacked them in the dark. It was a very easy problem to solve.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今はどうだ？<br>\\r\\nBut what about this one?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n敵が誰かもよくわからず、その人数も規模も想像がつかない。<br>\\r\\nI don't know who my enemies are, and I don't know how many or how strong they are.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が普段味方だと思っている人たちが、どこまで本当に味方で、どこまでが実は敵なのか。<br>\\r\\nEven the people I once trusted might be my enemies!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれすらわからない！<br>\\r\\nI can't possibly be sure!<br>\\r\\nあの時のトラブルとは格が違う。<br>\\r\\n It's totally different from the previous problem.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの世の終わりのような絶望感。<br>\\r\\nThis might be the end of the world.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今度こそ本当の意味で、これ以上の不幸はないわけだ。<br>\\r\\nThis time, it really was the worst thing that could possibly happen.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、本当にそうかな………？<br>\\r\\nBut is that really the case...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nリナたちのトラブルだって、当時はこの世の終わりのように感じたけど、今思い出すとそれほどでもない。<br>\\r\\nWith Rina, I felt like it was the end of the world, but I no longer think it was that bad.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今のトラブルだって、実は後に思い出すと失笑してしまう程度のトラブルとなる日が来るかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nSo, this might turn out to be an easy problem to solve in the end, and I might be able to laugh about it someday.<br>\\r\\n……いや、来る。<br>\\r\\n ...I know that day will come.<br>\\r\\n絶対に来るさ！<br>\\r\\n I know it for sure!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、これがこの世の終わりだと思うな。<br>\\r\\nSo, I shouldn't think that this is the end of the world.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n戦おう。<br>\\r\\nLet's fight.<br>\\r\\n戦える。<br>\\r\\n I can fight.<br>\\r\\n私はまだまだ足掻ける！<br>\\r\\n I can still struggle!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n草を食み、泥を啜ろう。<br>\\r\\nI'd eat grass and drink mud if I needed to.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n無駄と分かっていても、１％の勝利に賭けてみよう。<br>\\r\\nI'm going to bet on the 1% chance even though it's unbelievably small.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんにスクラップ帖を託されなかったら、それを賭けるテーブルにもつけなかった。<br>\\r\\nIf Miyo-san didn't leave me the scrapbooks, I wouldn't even have been able to sit at the table to bet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからやっぱり、あのスクラップ帖を受け取ったことはまさにチャンスであり幸運であり、未来を掴み取れる選択肢だったのだ。<br>\\r\\nI was lucky that I received the scrapbooks because they gave me the chance to choose my future.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が戦わなければ、きっと村は恐ろしい寄生虫をバラまかれて大変なことになる。<br>\\r\\nIf I don't fight, they'll spread the terrible parasite, and this village will face a great disaster.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n伝説によるならば、鬼ヶ淵沼から一番最初に「鬼」が湧き出した時は、感染者たちは直ちに「鬼」となったと言う。<br>\\r\\nAccording to the legend, when the \\\"demons\\\" first came out of the swamp, people became demons right after being infected.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが村の内側であるにもかかわらずだ。<br>\\r\\nAnd it happened while they were inside the village.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n村から出なければ発症しないなんてのは、後世の害の弱くなった寄生虫たちに通用する話に過ぎない。<br>\\r\\nThese days, symptoms appear only when infected people leave the village, but that only applies to the later, weak parasite.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本当の、原始の力を持った寄生虫たちなら、村にいたままで「オヤシロさまの祟り」を再現してしまう！<br>\\r\\nThe original parasite can reenact \\\"the curse of Oyashiro-sama\\\" even when the infected are in the village!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはまさに、オヤシロさま伝説をもう一度繰り返すこと。<br>\\r\\nThe legend of Oyashiro-sama will be reborn.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n人と鬼にわかれ恐ろしい殺し合いが起こって、………その最中に「オヤシロさま」が降臨して、これを調伏するのだ。<br>\\r\\nHumans and demons will start killing each other... and \\\"Oyashiro-sama\\\" will come down to pacify the disaster.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれこそがやつらの狙い！！<br>\\r\\nThat's what they want!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして人々はその偉業に平伏し、信仰を取り戻したものだけが救済される。<br>\\r\\nThey want people to prostrate themselves before that miracle, and only the people who truly worship Oyashiro-sama will be saved.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……わかった……やつらの狙いが…。<br>\\r\\n...I see... I know their true intention now...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさま伝説をもう一度、ゼロからやり直し、「オヤシロさまの再臨」を描こうとしているのだ！<br>\\r\\nThey're going to reenact the legend of Oyashiro-sama!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだ、梨花ちゃんはオヤシロさまの生まれ変わりと言われてるらしいじゃないか。<br>\\r\\nAfter all, the villagers always say that Rika-chan is his reincarnation.<br>\\r\\nお膳立てはすでにそろっているじゃないか！<br>\\r\\n The stage is all set!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやつらは「祟り」として「寄生虫」を使う。<br>\\r\\nThey're going to use the parasite as the \\\"curse\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでは、…「オヤシロさまの調伏」はどうやって描く？<br>\\r\\nSo... how are they going to make it look like Oyashiro-sama came down to pacify everyone?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだ！<br>\\r\\nI get it!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n薬が、<br>\\r\\n They must have some kind of medicine,<br>\\r\\n特効薬があるんだッ！！<br>\\r\\n a specific cure for the parasite!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼らは原始の力を持つ「寄生虫」を生み出すと同時に、それを治療する「薬」もまた生み出しているのだ。<br>\\r\\nWhen they recreated the stronger form of the parasite, they found a cure for it at the same time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n信じるものだけをその「薬」で救い、村人を熱心な信者だけに淘汰してしまう。<br>\\r\\nThey're going to use this cure to save only those people who believe in Oyashiro-sama, and as a result this village will only have those fervent believers.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、信者だけになった雛見沢に、やつらは絶対的存在として君臨するつもりなんだ！<br>\\r\\nThey're going to make themselves the absolute rulers of Hinamizawa!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいや………、この恐ろしい細菌テロを、雛見沢の内側だけと考えるのは少し考えが甘くないか…？<br>\\r\\nWait... I still might be underestimating them. Are they going to carry out that horrifying act of bioterrorism only inside Hinamizawa...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n信仰で支配しようと企めば、必ずその信仰をより広域に広げようと欲してしまう人の欲を、すでに歴史が証明している。<br>\\r\\nHistory proves that, when their goal is to control others, people desire to spread their religion across a wide area.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nならば寄生虫を研究する過程で、原始の力を取り戻す研究だけでなく、“雛見沢という限定された地域でしか適応できない”弱さを克服する研究もするんじゃないのか？<br>\\r\\nI'm sure that they conducted research not only to bring back the primitive form of the parasite, but also to overcome its weakness--namely, that it only thrives in Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんの研究によるならば、寄生虫たちは宿主が「雛見沢」から離れれば離れるほどに嫌う。<br>\\r\\nAccording to Miyo-san's research, the parasite doesn't like its hosts to be far from the region.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、距離的なものが存在するわけだ。<br>\\r\\nIts weakness is distance.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその、適応できる環境の距離を、伸ばす。<br>\\r\\nIf they could extend the distance...<br>\\r\\n適応できる環境の半径を、伸ばす。<br>\\r\\n If they could extend the area where it can live...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやつらの研究はどれだけの成果を得たんだろう？<br>\\r\\nI wonder how far along their research is.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢から興宮？<br>\\r\\nBy now, the parasite might be able to live not only in Hinamizawa but in Okinomiya as well.<br>\\r\\nまさか市内全域？<br>\\r\\n Or maybe even in the city?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………いや、県内だって覆ってしまうかもしれない！<br>\\r\\n...Maybe the whole prefecture?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは近県にも波及し、地方一帯を覆ってしまうかもしれないのだ。<br>\\r\\nIt might be able to cover nearby prefectures as well!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれはもはや悪巧みなんて呼べるレベルではない。<br>\\r\\nThis is too serious to just call it a conspiracy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n国家転覆という言葉を当てられるくらいの、……壮大で恐ろしい陰謀！！<br>\\r\\nIt's horrifying enough, and its scale large enough, to call it a revolution!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその陰謀のＸデーはおそらく遠くない。<br>\\r\\nThe Day of Revival is probably not far off.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんを殺した手口や、私に対する圧力の乱暴さからわかる。<br>\\r\\nI can tell by how they killed Miyo-san and by the extent of their pressure they're putting on me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nＸデーが近く、わずかの違和感の芽を摘み取るのに手段を選ばなくなっているのだ！<br>\\r\\nThey're trying to get rid of the small fish bones stuck in their throat by any means, because that day is coming ever closer!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの恐ろしい陰謀に立ち向かえるのは、私しかいない。<br>\\r\\nI'm the only one who can stand up against their revolution.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今や信じられるのは私だけ。<br>\\r\\nI can't trust anybody.<br>\\r\\n……圭一くんも、信じられるかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n ...I think I can trust Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\nでも他は全部だめ！！<br>\\r\\n But no one else!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんはもってのほか、<br>\\r\\nMii-chan is out of question.<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんもだめだし、<br>\\r\\n I can't trust Rika-chan, either.<br>\\r\\nそれにべったりの沙都子ちゃんだってだめだ。<br>\\r\\n Satoko-chan and Rika-chan stick together like superglue, so I can't trust Satoko-chan, either.<br>\\r\\n大人も誰も、みんなみんな全部だめ！！<br>\\r\\n I can't trust any adults. I can't trust anybody!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n味方は全然いない。<br>\\r\\nNo one is on my side.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n迫るのはやつらの魔の手だけ。<br>\\r\\nI have to stand up against them alone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n終末までの残り時間を刻む時計の音が私をただただ焦らせる。<br>\\r\\nThe clock is ticking towards that day, and the ticking noise made me frustrated.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどう戦えばいい？<br>\\r\\nHow should I fight against them?<br>\\r\\nどうすれば！！<br>\\r\\n What should I do?!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを考える時間が、まず欲しい。<br>\\r\\nI needed time to think.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは考えることに集中できる「安全地帯」が何よりも必要だ。<br>\\r\\nI needed a place, a \\\"safe area,\\\" where I could concentrate on thinking.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n幸い、私はその「安全地帯」について、偶然にも始めから持っていた。<br>\\r\\nFortunately, I had such an area already.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nゴミ山の隠れ家だ！<br>\\r\\nMy hideout at the garbage dump!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあそこは誰も知らない、絶対安全。<br>\\r\\nNobody ever goes there, so it's safe.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n万が一、やつらがあそこに迫っても、私はあの周りのあらゆる抜け道や隠れ場所に精通している。<br>\\r\\nEven if they found out about that place, I'm familiar with its surroundings. I know escape routes and places where I can hide.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、その隠れ家には大きな弱点があった。<br>\\r\\nBut it has a big shortcoming, as a hiding place.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはとても簡単なこと。<br>\\r\\nIt's not hard to imagine what that is.<br>\\r\\n食料がない。<br>\\r\\n I don't have any stock of food there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその為に私は家に帰ってきたのだ。<br>\\r\\nThat's why I came home.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は父の引き出しを開け、再び金庫を開ける。<br>\\r\\nI opened one of my father's drawers, and took out his cash box.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n中身は、前に見たあの日から大して変っていないようだった。<br>\\r\\nThe contents haven't changed since the last time I looked inside.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n新札の壱万円札が、まだどっさりと残っていた。<br>\\r\\nThere were many new 10,000 yen bills in the cash box.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はそれらを全ていただく。<br>\\r\\nI took them all.<br>\\r\\n枚数はわからないが、多分、８０枚くらいはあるだろう。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't tell how many bills there actually were, but it looked to be about 80 of them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれだけあれば、…多分充分。<br>\\r\\nThis should be... plenty.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれだけの金額を食い潰すだけの期間、やつらから逃げ延びられれば……それは大健闘なのだから。<br>\\r\\nIf I evaded them long enough to use all of this money, that would mean that I did pretty well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれに、ひょっとするとお金で誰かを買収するようなこともあるかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nPlus, I might use it to buy someone off.<br>\\r\\nあって邪魔ということはないはずだ。<br>\\r\\n You can never have too much money, especially in a situation like this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n銀行の通帳は持っていかない。<br>\\r\\nI didn't take the bank book.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやつらが銀行を抑えればそれで終わりだ。<br>\\r\\nIf they were waiting in ambush at the bank, I'd be done for.<br>\\r\\n引き出すリスクが計り知れない。<br>\\r\\n It's too risky to withdraw money at the bank.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれからナップザック。<br>\\r\\nI grabbed my backpack.<br>\\r\\n自転車のカギ。<br>\\r\\n I took the key for my bicycle.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあと、きっとあると便利だろうと思うものを用意しナップザックに放り込んだ。<br>\\r\\nI put everything I think would be convenient to have into the backpack.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n多少重くなってもいい。<br>\\r\\nI didn't care if it got heavy.<br>\\r\\n隠れ家で必要性を吟味して、不要ならそこに置いて行けばいいのだから。<br>\\r\\n I'd choose what was necessary to carry around later at my hideout. If there ended up being something I didn't need, I could leave it there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n時計の針を見る。<br>\\r\\nI looked at the clock.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が帰宅してから、もう３０分が経過しようとしていた。<br>\\r\\nIt had been 30 minutes since I came home.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n滞在し過ぎだ！<br>\\r\\nI stayed here too long!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は急ぎ、家を飛び出す。<br>\\r\\nI rushed out of the house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれからあまり目立たないところにある雑貨店を訪れ、店頭に並んでいる菓子パンや乾パンの缶詰などをナップザックに入る限り買い占めた。<br>\\r\\nI went to a small convenience store, and bought as much sweet bread and canned food as I could fit in my backpack.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n店番の老婆は幸い、ボケ気味で、度を越した買い物であっても何の関心も示さなかった。<br>\\r\\nAn old lady was at the register. Probably suffering from dementia, she showed no interest in the extraordinary amount of food I was buying.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それでも、家人が夜にでもレジを改めればとんでもない買い物があったことが発覚するはずだ。<br>\\r\\n...But as soon as the manager of the store checked the sales that night, he'd find out.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……構わないさ、どうせ私はもう、明るい内に村の中をどうどうとうろつくことはないのだから。<br>\\r\\n...The idea didn't bother me, because I can no longer walk around the village in the daylight anyway.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nナップザックは膨れ上がり、しかも缶詰が背中にごつごつ当ってとても痛かった。<br>\\r\\nMy backpack was full, and the cans hurt my back as I walked.<br>\\r\\nでも、そんなことはどうでもよかった。<br>\\r\\n But that didn't bother me either.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はその重い荷物を背負ったまま、隠れ家まで無事辿り着く。<br>\\r\\nI got to my hideout, still carrying the heavy backpack.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれから荷物を整理した。<br>\\r\\nI organized the stuff I brought.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……重かっただけあって、相当な量の食料を確保することができた。<br>\\r\\n...It was very heavy to carry, but now I had sufficient food.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n水は近くの工事事務所跡の水道から使える。<br>\\r\\nThe abandoned construction office still has running water, so I could get some from there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n野菜がないのが少し気になったが、そんな贅沢を言ってる場合ではない。<br>\\r\\nI'd wanted to get some vegetables, but in a situation like this, I could hardly complain.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n整理を終えると、私は隠してあったスクラップ帖を取り出し、それを開きながら頭をフル回転させる。<br>\\r\\nAfter I organized things, I took out the scrapbooks I hid here, and put my brain into top gear, flipping through the pages.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさぁどうしよう。<br>\\r\\nSo, now what?<br>\\r\\nこの恐ろしい巨大な陰謀にどう立ち向かおう！<br>\\r\\n How am I going to stand up against this gigantic conspiracy?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n焦るな冷静に、だけれども迅速に！<br>\\r\\nI needed to calm down, stay cool, but also to think fast!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう時間は全然残されていないのかもしれないけれど、だから急がなくてはならないし、でも何をすれば！<br>\\r\\nThere might not be a lot of time, so I'd have to hurry, but I don't know what to do!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n寝坊した朝を学校まで走ることの何と気楽なことか。<br>\\r\\nIt's easy to run to school in the morning when I oversleep.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどこを目指して走ればいいかわかることの何と気楽なこと！<br>\\r\\nIt's easy because I know where I should go!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今の私にはどこを目指せばいいのか、何を成せばいいのかすらわからない！<br>\\r\\nBut now, I don't know where I should go to or what I should do!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう、ここに至った以上、大石さんに全てを打ち明けてみよう。<br>\\r\\nNow that I've come to this point, I should tell Ooishi-san everything.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……敵の可能性は高い。<br>\\r\\n...It's highly likely he's an enemy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれならそれでもう構わないさ、宣戦布告になるだけだ！<br>\\r\\nBut that doesn't matter anymore. If it was true, I'd just declare war!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだがもしも味方になってくれたなら、……それだけが一縷の望みなのだ。<br>\\r\\nBut if he was on my side... he'd be my only remaining hope!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n日本を騒がせることになるに違いない恐ろしい規模の陰謀に立ち向かうには、私ひとりではあまりにか弱いのだから！<br>\\r\\nI'm far too weak to stand alone against the terrifying scale of this conspiracy poised to instill fear throughout Japan!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n電話をするには公衆電話を使わなくてはならない。<br>\\r\\nI'd have to use a public phone to make the phone call.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……この村の中で人目に触れずに使える公衆電話は、……一箇所しかない。<br>\\r\\n...There's only one public phone in this village that stands at a place where it's hard for people to spot you...<br>\\r\\nあの電話ボックス！<br>\\r\\n That phone booth!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本当に寂しいところにポツンとある電話ボックスで、夜はその明かりに虫が集まり、あまり気持ちのいいところではない。<br>\\r\\nIt stands in the middle of nowhere where nobody really comes around. Many bugs gather around the light when it's dark, and it's not a pleasant place to go to.<br>\\r\\nでも、そこ以外に大石さんと連絡を取れる電話機は思いつかなかった。<br>\\r\\n But I can't think of any other public phones I can use to contact Ooishi-san without being seen.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nただし、いくら人目に触れにくいと言っても、明るい内から使うのは危険だ。<br>\\r\\nEven though it stands in the middle of nowhere, it's still dangerous to use in the daylight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……夜を待ち、夕闇に乗じて電話しよう。<br>\\r\\n...I should wait until nightfall and take advantage of the darkness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石さんは三四さんの事件のあと、ずっと警察署に詰めているそうだから、幸い、何時に掛けてもつながるはずだ。<br>\\r\\nI heard that Ooishi-san has been holed up in the station since Miyo-san's murder case, so I should be able to reach him anytime.<br>\\r\\n職場への直通番号も聞いてある。<br>\\r\\n I have the number for the direct line to his office too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、空はまだまだ明るかった。<br>\\r\\nThe sky was still bright.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n時間はもう全然残されていないのに、夕闇を待たなければならないこの矛盾！<br>\\r\\nEven though I had no time, I still had to wait for it to get dark!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n気が急き、暮れるのが遅い夕日を恨んだ。<br>\\r\\nFrustrated, I glared at the sunset.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなら、暗くなるまでの時間に何かできることを探そう。<br>\\r\\nI should find something to do.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n時間を無駄にするな、何ができる何ができる何ができる！！<br>\\r\\nI couldn't waste any time that I had, so there must be something to do!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………私は色々考えた結果、ひとつの不安を確かめたくなっていた。<br>\\r\\nAfter I thought about what I could do, I found there was something I wanted to confirm. Something I've been worried about.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうせ夜の帳が落ちるまでどうしようもない。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't do anything else before it got dark anyway.<br>\\r\\nここでじっとしている方が、よっぽど気疲れする。<br>\\r\\n Staying here doing nothing would just make me more frustrated.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はそうと決めると隠れ家を出たのだった。<br>\\r\\nI made my decision, and left the hideout.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n竜宮家の門の前では、レナの父親が落ち着きなくうろうろしていた。<br>\\r\\nRena's father paced up and down restlessly in front of his house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこへチリンチリンと自転車の呼び鈴が聞こえてくる。<br>\\r\\nA bicycle appeared, its rider ringing the bell.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「駐在さぁぁぁぁん！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Police officer!!<br>\\r\\nここですここですーー！！」<br>\\r\\n Here! Over here!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自転車で現れたのは雛見沢の駐在警察官だった。<br>\\r\\nA police officer from the Hinamizawa police station had shown up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n相当、飛ばしてきたらしく、中年の警官は荒々しい息をついていた。<br>\\r\\nHaving rushed to get there, he was breathing hard.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぁ、はぁ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Haah, haah!<br>\\r\\nお待たせしました、状況を御伺いします。」<br>\\r\\n I hope you didn't wait too long. Please tell me what happened.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「確かに施錠して出て行ったんです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I know I locked the door before I left.<br>\\r\\nそうしたら、まず家の扉が開きっぱなしになってまして……。」<br>\\r\\n But when I came back, the door was left open and...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父親は警官を家の中に案内する。<br>\\r\\nHe lead the police officer into the house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それで、私の部屋の……手提げ金庫がまんまとやられまして……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"And... look... my cash box was left open in my room...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ご主人、これはその時のまま？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Is this how you found it?<br>\\r\\n触ってない？」<br>\\r\\n You didn't touch anything?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えぇ、犯人の指紋とかあるだろうと思いまして、金庫には触れてません。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I didn't touch the cash box itself because I thought they might have left fingerprints.<br>\\r\\nただ、中身を確認したので、中のものには少し触れています…。」<br>\\r\\n I did touch the contents a little bit to check what was missing...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ふむふむ、それで取られたものは？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hmm. And what did they take?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「貯金通帳と印鑑は大丈夫だったんですが、…中に入ってた現金を全部。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"They didn't take my bankbooks or my personal seal, but... they took the cash.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「通帳と印鑑、大丈夫だったんですかぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"They didn't take your bankbooks or personal seal, huh?<br>\\r\\nそりゃあ不幸中の幸いでしたねぇ。<br>\\r\\n You were lucky.<br>\\r\\n……最近は、通帳から足が付くと思って、プロは現金しか持ってかないんですよねー。<br>\\r\\n ...Professional thieves today don't take bankbooks because they know how easily they can get caught by using them.<br>\\r\\n…こりゃあだいぶ手馴れた空き巣かなぁ。<br>\\r\\n ...This might be a professional cat burglar.<br>\\r\\n…金庫ごと持ってかないで、この場で開けちゃうってんだから、相当のプロだねぇ。<br>\\r\\n ...Instead of taking the cash box with him, he opened it here. He has to be a pro.<br>\\r\\nで、お金はどのくらいやられちゃって？」<br>\\r\\n So, how much cash was in there?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………んんん、ちょっと数えてなかったんですが、……多分、壱万円札で１００枚近くはあったと思います。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Umm... I haven't counted it for a long time... but I believe there were about a hundred 10,000 yen bills.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あーーーそう……。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah... I see...<br>\\r\\nそれだけの現金が入ってることを誰かに知らせた？」<br>\\r\\n Did you tell anybody that you had that much cash in here?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……いえ、誰にも知らせてはいませんが、……あの女たちなら、この家に金があることを知っていたかも……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...No, I didn't. But... they probably knew I kept some cash in the house...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あの女？<br>\\r\\n\\\"They? Who are 'they'?<br>\\r\\nふむふむ、ちょっとお話を聞かせていただけますか…。」<br>\\r\\n Can you tell me more about them...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………実は…、あまり見っともいい話じゃないんで、お恥ずかしいんですが……。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Well, it's kind of an embarrassing story...<br>\\r\\n間宮リナという女とですね…………、」<br>\\r\\n Her name is <NAME>, and...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、竜宮家の電話がけたたましく鳴った。<br>\\r\\nJust then, the phone rang.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……あぁぁ、すみません、ちょっと出てきますね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Oh, excuse me. I'll just go get that.<br>\\r\\nすぐ戻ります。」<br>\\r\\n Please give me a minute.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父親は、この忙しい時にとぼやきながら、少し乱暴に受話器を取った。<br>\\r\\nHe grabbed the phone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はい、竜宮です。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hello. This is the Ryuugu residence.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah!<br>\\r\\n…………っと、すみません。<br>\\r\\n ...Umm, hello.<br>\\r\\n前原と申しますが、レナさんはいらっしゃいますか？」<br>\\r\\n This is Maebara. Is Rena-san there?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナはまだ帰ってきません。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, she hasn't come back from school yet.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まだ帰ってない？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"She hasn't?!<br>\\r\\n……うーーーん……。」<br>\\r\\n ...Umm...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あー、申し訳ないんですが、ちょっと今、立て込んでます。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm very sorry, but I'm in the middle of something right now.<br>\\r\\n遊びの電話でしたら、また掛けなおしていただけますかねぇ…。<br>\\r\\n Can you call back later...?<br>\\r\\n申し訳ないですね、失礼いたします。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry. Bye.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nチン。<br>\\r\\nHe hung up after that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は呆然とする他なかった。<br>\\r\\nI was stunned.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n上辺は何も変化があるように見えなかった。<br>\\r\\nIt didn't look like anything had changed on the surface.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいや、それどころか、本当にここだったかすら、思い出すのに苦労した。<br>\\r\\nIt was hard to find this place at all, because it perfectly blends in with the surroundings.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nたまたま、近くの木に特徴的なこぶがあったので、ここであると特定できただけだ。<br>\\r\\nI only found this place again because I remembered there was a tree with a big lump of wood on it nearby.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれくらいに、………リナたちの死体を埋めた場所は何事もなかったかのように自然に隠匿されていた。<br>\\r\\nThe spot where I buried the corpses was perfectly camouflaged, as if nothing had happened.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからこそ、始め私は、場所を間違えたのではないかと思っていた。<br>\\r\\nThat's why, at first, I thought I came to the wrong place.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、スコップを地面に打ち込めばわかる。<br>\\r\\nBut I could make certain once I stick a shovel in the ground.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n掘ったことのある場所か、そうでないかなどすぐわかる。<br>\\r\\nI should be able to tell right away whether this place was dug up before or not.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、少しの試行錯誤の後、死体の袋を埋めた場所は特定できたのだ。<br>\\r\\nAfter several false starts, I found the exact spot where I buried the corpses.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………だが、最大の問題は、……………死体の袋が出てこなかったことなのだ！<br>\\r\\n.........But the biggest problem of all...... is that there are no bags in there at all!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうして？<br>\\r\\nWhy?<br>\\r\\nどうしてないのッ！！<br>\\r\\n How come?!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもっと深く埋めたっけ？<br>\\r\\nDid I bury them deeper than this?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいや、そんなことない。<br>\\r\\nNo, I didn't.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nスコップで土を刺す手応えがわかる。<br>\\r\\nI remember exactly how deep I buried them.<br>\\r\\nこれ以上深くになんか埋めていない！<br>\\r\\n I know I didn't bury them deeper than this!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……予想外の結果だった。<br>\\r\\n...I wasn't expecting this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここへ死体を確かめに来たのは…、言って見ればあくまでも時間潰し。<br>\\r\\nI came here to check the corpses... I just wanted to do that to kill some time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n暗くなるまでの間、何もしないでいるのが嫌だったので、隠した死体が大丈夫かどうか確認しに来ただけだったのだ。<br>\\r\\nI didn't want to stay in my hideout doing nothing, so I came here to check if the corpses I buried were still there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何事もなく埋まっているのを確認して、私は胸を撫で下ろす。<br>\\r\\nI'd make sure that they were still there, and I'd feel relieved.<br>\\r\\nそれだけの作業のはずだったのに！！<br>\\r\\n It was supposed to go like that!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は予期せぬハプニングに、背中いっぱいに冷たい汗を張り付かせる。<br>\\r\\nThis was such an unexpected turn of events that I broke out into a cold sweat.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれはどういうこと？<br>\\r\\nWhat's going on?<br>\\r\\nどういうことなの？！<br>\\r\\n What's going on?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n冷静に考えるまでもない。<br>\\r\\nI don't need to calm down to think about what happened.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nバラバラ死体が蘇って、穴から這い出したわけがない。<br>\\r\\nCorpses can't come back to life and crawl out of the ground.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなら、誰かが掘り返した以外に考えられないじゃないか！<br>\\r\\nSomeone must've dug them out!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰が、何のために？！<br>\\r\\nWho did it, and for what purpose?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰か偶然の目撃者がいて、私たちが死体を埋めて去った後に掘り返した？<br>\\r\\nDid anyone happen to see us burying the corpses here, and did they dig them out after we left?<br>\\r\\nそして死体を警察に届けた……？<br>\\r\\n What if they handed them over to the police...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいや、それはありえない。<br>\\r\\nNo, it can't be.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n死体を埋めてからもうだいぶ日にちが経ってる。<br>\\r\\nIt's been quite a while since the day we buried them here.<br>\\r\\nそもそも、埋めたのは綿流しより前だ。<br>\\r\\n It was before the Watanagashi festival.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、大石が私にコンタクトを求めてくる時にはもうリナたちの死を知っていなくてはならない。<br>\\r\\nSo if the police did find the corpses... when Ooishi contacted me, he had to know about Rina and Teppei.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、大石は私にそんな話は一言も言っていない。<br>\\r\\nBut he didn't tell me anything about them.<br>\\r\\n意図的に隠していたはずはない。<br>\\r\\n I don't think he was hiding anything on purpose, either.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n答えはただひとつ、大石たち警察は未だリナたちの死を知らないのだ！<br>\\r\\nSo, that means the police don't know about Rina and Teppei yet!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nじゃあ、どうして死体がないの？<br>\\r\\nThen, why are the corpses gone?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n残る答えは１つしかない。<br>\\r\\nThat would leave only one answer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…ここに埋めたことを知る誰か。<br>\\r\\n...Who knows about this place?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、ここに埋めた誰かが、その後に戻り、死体を全て掘り返してどこかへ持ち去ってしまったのだ！！<br>\\r\\nOne of us came back here, dug out the bags, and took them away!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n真っ先に思いつくのは魅音、いや園崎家だが、どうしてそんなことをするのか動機が見えなかった。<br>\\r\\nThe first person who comes to mind is Mion, I mean, the Sonozaki family. But I can't think of a reason why they would do that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n園崎家にとって、リナたちの殺人は何の関係もない。<br>\\r\\nThe murder of Rina and Teppei has nothing to do with them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから変な濡れ衣なんかごめんなはずだ。<br>\\r\\nI'm sure they don't want to get involved either, let alone be falsely accused.<br>\\r\\n極力係わり合いになりたくないと思うはずだ。<br>\\r\\n They must want to stay as far away from this case as possible.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなババ抜きのジョーカーのような死体を、なぜわざわざ……？！<br>\\r\\nWhy would they want to keep the corpses? It's like keeping a joker even though you'll lose if you have the joker by the end of the game!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……魅ぃちゃんなら何を考える？<br>\\r\\n...If I was Mii-chan, what would I do?<br>\\r\\n部活の部長なら何を考える…？<br>\\r\\n What would I do if I was club president...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nジョーカーはババ抜きでこそ嫌われるカードだが、ゲームが変れば強力な切り札として扱われることもある。<br>\\r\\nThe joker is a card that you want to get rid of, at least in the game I mentioned earlier. But it becomes a powerful card in other games.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ジョーカーが強力な切り札になるとしたら…？<br>\\r\\n...What kind of game would that be...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n電気的なものが脊髄を駆け上った。<br>\\r\\nAn electric shock ran through my spine.<br>\\r\\n…そして同時に、やられたと思った…！<br>\\r\\n ...At the same time, I realized it--they are one step ahead of me...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n園崎家は死体を回収し、ジョーカーに使おうとしている。私を警察に売るための切り札だ！<br>\\r\\nThe Sonozaki family got the corpses to use them as a joker, as a wild card. They're trying to use them to sell me out to the police!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n園崎家は、暗殺部隊などの陰の力で私を何とか葬りたいと思っているだろうが、それが達せられなかった時に備え、保険を打ったのだ。<br>\\r\\nThe Sonozaki family is trying to kill me using their death squad, but they want to have insurance just in case they fail.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまた、彼らが一番恐れるのは、陰謀を知る私が警察と連携することだ。<br>\\r\\nThe thing they're afraid of the most is that I might work together with the police.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを予め断つことができれば、私に味方はいなくなる。<br>\\r\\nIf they could prevent that from happening, I'd have no one to work with.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうなれば、もう逃げることもできない、俎上の鯉のようなものだ！<br>\\r\\nIf that happens, I can no longer run away from them. I'd still be a fish in their pond!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、やつらはあの死体をうまく使って、<br>\\r\\nThey're going to use the corpses...<br>\\r\\n……私をリナと鉄平殺しで警察に売ろうとしているのだ！<br>\\r\\n to sell me out to the police for the murder of Rina and Teppei!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n警察が容疑者として私を手配したら、もう警察は私の話に耳を貸すことは絶対にないだろう。<br>\\r\\nIf the police started seeing me as a suspect, they'd never listen to my story.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……最後の味方かもしれない相手まで、私を追う側に回ってしまう！<br>\\r\\n...They could have been my last hope, but this will certainly turn them against me!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、このジョーカーは簡単には切りたくない札のはずだ。<br>\\r\\nBut I'm sure the Sonozaki family doesn't want to use their joker unless absolutely necessary.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n死体を埋めるのに園崎魅音が手を貸したのは事実だ。<br>\\r\\nAfter all, <NAME> helped bury the corpses.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれに、何らかの陰謀のＸデーが近い時期に、警察が雛見沢をうろうろしてほしくはないはず。<br>\\r\\nPlus, they don't want the police to hover around Hinamizawa when the Day of Revival is so close.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………私は今夜、大石に電話して全てを打ち明け、助力を求めるつもりだ。<br>\\r\\n...I'm going to call Ooishi tonight, and I'm going to ask him for help.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……圭一くんにすら話していない、本当の本当の全てを話すつもりだ。<br>\\r\\n...I'm going to tell him everything, including the things I haven't even told Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを大石が信じてくれるかどうかだけでも確率の低い賭けなのに、……さらにそれに加え、敵方には死体袋というジョーカーまであるとは…！<br>\\r\\nI don't know if Ooishi will believe me... This is a gamble, and my chance of winning is very small... Plus, my worst enemy has the joker, the bags with the corpses inside...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……さすがは部活の部長。<br>\\r\\n...I'm impressed with Mion. That's just what I'd expect from the leader of our club.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……私にとっては命を賭けた戦いも、魅音にとっては雛見沢というゲーム盤の上で繰り広げられる駆け引きに過ぎないのだ。<br>\\r\\n...This is a battle that I'm betting my life on, but to Mion, this is like a board game, taking place across Hinamizawa itself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、ゲームという言葉に少しだけニヤリと笑う。<br>\\r\\nI grinned, repeating to myself that it's just a game.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……普段だって罰ゲームなんか嫌だから、命を賭けて戦ってる。<br>\\r\\n...I put my life on the line for every club activity we do, because I don't want to suffer the punishment.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが文字通りの意味になっただけだ。<br>\\r\\nThis time, that's become the literal truth.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n相手が、ここまでしてて私を追い詰める理由は１つしかなかった。<br>\\r\\nThere could be only one reason why they're trying so hard to drive me into a corner.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは……、私を恐れているから。<br>\\r\\nIt's because... they're afraid of me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は自分を、何の力もない小娘が右往左往しているだけだと思っている。<br>\\r\\nI assumed I was just a little girl with no power, running about in confusion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、敵はどうやらそう思ってはいないようだ。<br>\\r\\nBut my enemy must not be thinking that way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本当に私を無力だと思っているなら、リスクを犯してまで追い立てたりはしない。<br>\\r\\nIf they didn't think I was a threat to them, they wouldn't take risks like this to drive me into a corner.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、…………三四さんが私に託したあのスクラップ帖は、……私が考えるよりもはるかに致命的なものに違いないのだ。<br>\\r\\nThat means... the scrapbooks Miyo-san left me... must be way more dangerous to them than I think they are.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……なぁんだ。<br>\\r\\n...I see.<br>\\r\\nジョーカーを持っているのはやつらだけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n They have a joker,<br>\\r\\n私もじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n but so do I.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのジョーカーがあまりにも強力で、やつらの企みを全て打ち砕きかねない恐ろしさがあるからこそ、<br>\\r\\nThe joker I have is so deadly and so powerful that it can break their plot into pieces.<br>\\r\\n………やつらはあんなにも躍起になって私を探すんじゃないか！<br>\\r\\n ......That's why they're so eager to find me!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあっはっは…。<br>\\r\\nAh ha ha...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n窮鼠、猫を噛むの心境だろうか。<br>\\r\\nA cornered mouse really can bite a cat.<br>\\r\\n急に、敵を恐ろしく思う感情が薄れるのを感じた。<br>\\r\\n I felt my fear towards my enemy fade away all of a sudden.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私がやつらを恐れるように、やつらも私を恐れていたのだ。<br>\\r\\nJust as I fear them, so do they fear me, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だから、このゲームはまったくの互角。<br>\\r\\n...So, this is an evenly matched game.<br>\\r\\n私が思っているほど、必ずしも不利じゃない！<br>\\r\\n I don't have as bad a hand as I thought I did!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここに来たのは正解だった。<br>\\r\\nI was right to come here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n敵の得たカードを知れたのだ。この有利は小さくない。<br>\\r\\nI found out about the card my enemy was holding. This is a big deal.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、武者震いする自分を勇気付けるように、ニヤリと力強く笑った。<br>\\r\\nI felt myself shiver with excitement. I grinned to encourage myself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもうこれ以上、ここにいる必要はない。<br>\\r\\nI don't need to be here any longer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやつらにとってはこの場所もまた、私に縁のある場所。<br>\\r\\nThey know this place. They might come here to find me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ここに長居することは必ずしも安全とは言えなかった。<br>\\r\\n...It's not safe for me to stay here for long.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は隠れ家に戻ることにした。<br>\\r\\nI decided to go back to my hideout.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその途中、自宅の近くを通る。<br>\\r\\nOn the way back, I passed close to my house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてすぐに異変に気がついた。<br>\\r\\nI noticed something different right away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n物陰に隠れ、自宅の門前をうかがう…。<br>\\r\\nI hid behind a bush, and looked at the front gate of my house...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……父と一緒に話しているのは、駐在警察官だ。<br>\\r\\n...My father was talking to a police officer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……二人の会話に私は耳をそばだてる。<br>\\r\\n...I strained to catch their conversation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\nいつもはそこに停めてあるはずなんです…。」<br>\\r\\n She usually parks it there...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父は、私が普段自転車を停めている場所を指し示していた。<br>\\r\\nMy father pointed to the place where I usually parked my bicycle.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ふぅーむ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hmmm...<br>\\r\\nわかりました。<br>\\r\\n Okay.<br>\\r\\nもしお嬢さんが帰られましたらご連絡をください。<br>\\r\\n Please let us know whenever your daughter comes back.<br>\\r\\nこちらの方でも探して見ます。」<br>\\r\\n We'll try to find her as well.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………さっすが魅ぃちゃん。<br>\\r\\n...Mii-chan, you're good...<br>\\r\\nもうジョーカーを使ってきた…？<br>\\r\\n Did you already play your joker...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音はいっつも、戦いの火蓋を自ら切り落として、一気に畳み込んでそのまま１位を奪ってしまう。<br>\\r\\nMion always starts a battle by attacking without hesitation, and wins.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n警察はすでに私を追っているようだ。<br>\\r\\nIt seems like the police are already after me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……大石に陰謀を説明できる確率が、ただでさえ低いのに激減する。<br>\\r\\n...My chance of being able to explain the conspiracy to Ooishi was already small, but this makes it even smaller.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいや……、<br>\\r\\nNo...<br>\\r\\n…だからこそ大石なんだ。<br>\\r\\n That's why I'm going to talk to Ooishi.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n園崎本家を敵だと睨み、定年退職の最後の年に全てを暴こうとするからこそ、<br>\\r\\nHe sees the Sonozaki family as his enemy, and he's trying to expose everything about them before his retirement.<br>\\r\\n園崎家のワナに絡め取られずに、私の味方になってくれるのではないか…！<br>\\r\\n That's why he'll be on my side. He's not going to fall for their trick...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろん、始めから全部ワナである確率もとても高い。<br>\\r\\nOf course, there's a very high possibility that everything was part of their trap from the very beginning.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n園崎家を目の仇にするようなことを言うのは、私に取り入ろうとするウソかもしれないのだから。<br>\\r\\nIt's possible that he claimed the Sonozaki family was his enemy in order to make me believe that he's on my side.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だが、やつらのこのジョーカーは、むしろ私に希望を与えるような気がした。<br>\\r\\n...But their joker is actually giving me hope.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石がやつらの仲間なら、こんなジョーカーは早過ぎる。<br>\\r\\nIf Ooishi is one of them, it would be too early to play their joker.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石とやつらはつるんでいない。<br>\\r\\nOoishi isn't one of them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからこそ、私とくっ付く前に、釘を刺したのではないか。<br>\\r\\nThat's why they got the joker, so they can play it before I go to the police.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………いやいやいや、そう思い込ませて私に大石を信頼させようというトリックかも…！<br>\\r\\n...No, wait. That might be a trick to make me think that way in order to make me trust Ooishi...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音が２択を出す時は、案外、悩まずにストレートに選んだ方が絡め取られないことが多い。<br>\\r\\nWhen Mion gives me two choices to choose from, it's usually better to choose the one I like without thinking too much.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は人の思考を絡め取りたがる。<br>\\r\\nMion, after all, likes to guess people's intentions in order to confuse them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だから、変に考え込んだ時点で、すでに魅音の思う壺にはまっているのだ。<br>\\r\\n...So when you think about a choice too much, you're already in her trap.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n予定通りに進める。<br>\\r\\nI'm going to do as I planned.<br>\\r\\nもう少し待って、日がとっぷりと暮れたら、大石に電話する。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to call Ooishi after it gets dark.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石が味方になってくれるなら、彼と今後を相談しよう。<br>\\r\\nIf he's going to become my ally, we can talk about the future.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなってくれないなら？<br>\\r\\nAnd if he isn't?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………どうやらそれを悩むのが、日が暮れるまでの時間の間に私がしておくべき仕事のようだった。<br>\\r\\n...That, I realized, was what I had to think about before it got dark.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いえいえ、時間のことは気にしないでくださいよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, no, don't worry about calling so late.<br>\\r\\n残業代は付いちゃいませんが、ちゃあんと勤務中ですので。」<br>\\r\\n I don't get paid overtime, but I'm on duty as long as I'm here.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はさりげない挨拶から、大石の出方をうかがった。<br>\\r\\nI started the conversation with an ordinary greeting to try and gauge his reaction.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石がやつらの手先であるかの確率は、本当に五分五分だ。<br>\\r\\nThere's a 50/50 chance that Ooishi is one of them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼が手先であるなら、私を何とか誘導して、逮捕するか、スクラップ帖の在り処を聞くかしてくるだろう。<br>\\r\\nIf he's their pawn, he'll either lure me out somewhere so he can arrest me, or he'll ask me where the scrapbooks are.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だが、簡単ではない。<br>\\r\\n...But even if he didn't, that wouldn't prove anything.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石が敵か味方かを容易になど識別できないし、どの道、私はスクラップ帖の存在を話さざるを得ない。<br>\\r\\nIt's going to be difficult to determine if he's on my side or not, and I'd have to tell him about the scrapbooks no matter what.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n心臓がばくばくと高鳴る。<br>\\r\\nMy heart's beating very fast.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n幸運にも大石がやつらの手先でなかっとしても、……あの突拍子もない話を大石に信じさせなければならないのだ。<br>\\r\\nEven if I was sure that Ooishi isn't their pawn... I'd still have to make him believe such a crazy story.<br>\\r\\nそれも電話越しで。<br>\\r\\n And I'd have to do that over the phone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n悩んでいても仕方がないし。<br>\\r\\nWorrying wouldn't do anything for me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n元よりこの勝ち目のない博打を承知している。<br>\\r\\nThis is, I know, a gamble. I have but a small chance of winning.<br>\\r\\n私が張らなきゃ、ルーレットも回せない！<br>\\r\\n If I didn't put my chips on the table, the game wouldn't even start!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「以前も少し話しましたが、やっぱり私、………何者かに狙われてるみたいです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I told you a little bit about this before... but I think somebody is following me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それは本当ですか。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Are you sure about that?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ええ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n以前までは、ひょっとすると気のせいかもしれないと思う程度だったのですが、昨日辺りから間違いないと思うレベルになりました。」<br>\\r\\n I wasn't sure before. I thought it was just my imagination, but things have changed over the past few days, and now I'm certain.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……むむ、間違いないレベルと言いますと？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Mmmmm, what do you mean, 'things have changed'?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「数台の車が私の身辺をうかがっているようなんです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"A few cars have been following me.<br>\\r\\n内の１台は白いワゴン車で、造園屋に偽装した４人の特攻隊と思われる人間が乗っています。」<br>\\r\\n One of them is a white van with four men in it. They disguise themselves as gardeners, but they're actually attack units.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…特攻隊というと、園崎家の暗殺部隊の？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Attack units... you mean the Sonozaki family's death squad?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\nおそらくそうに違いないと思います。今日、学校にまで詰め掛けて来ました。<br>\\r\\n I'm pretty sure that's them. They came to my school today.<br>\\r\\nあわやのところで逃れましたが、危ないところでした。」<br>\\r\\n I managed to escape from them in time, but it was very close.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………しかし、…何だって急に。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...But... why would they do that?<br>\\r\\n…まさか、竜宮さんが富竹殺しについて嗅ぎ回っているとでも思い込んだんですかね。」<br>\\r\\n ...Do they think you're trying to sniff out their connection to Tomitake's murder?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…大石はスクラップ帖とは言わない。<br>\\r\\n...Ooishi hasn't mentioned the scrapbooks yet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nわざわざ縁遠い、富竹殺しという呼称を使うところにやや不自然さも感じる。<br>\\r\\nIt sounded rather unnatural to beat around the bush like that by mentioning Tomitake's murder.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、大石にはスクラップ帖のことを打ち明けてはいないのだから、当然の反応と言えなくもない。<br>\\r\\nBut as I haven't told him about the scrapbooks, it could be a legitimate reaction.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「実はですね、ついさっき嫌な話を耳にしました。<br>\\r\\n\\\"To tell you the truth, I just heard some bad news.<br>\\r\\n……もうちょっとちゃんと調べてからお耳に入れたかったのですが、お互い、新情報を知ったら伝える約束です。<br>\\r\\n ...I wanted to confirm it a bit more before letting you know, but we did promise to share new information with each other.<br>\\r\\nですので取り合えずお話しておきます。<br>\\r\\n So, this is what I heard.<br>\\r\\n……実は、興宮の園崎組で悪い動きがあるらしいんです。」<br>\\r\\n ...It seems like the Sonozaki Corps in Okinomiya are on the move.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……園崎組で悪い動き、ですか。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Are you talking about <i>the</i> Sonozaki Corps...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n……ちょっとショックな話かもしれません。<br>\\r\\n ...You might find it a bit of a shock.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n実は、若い衆に人探しを命じているという話なんですがね。」<br>\\r\\n They ordered their greenhorns to find a certain person.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「人探し……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"A certain person...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n心臓がどきりと一度跳ねる。<br>\\r\\nMy heart stopped for a moment upon hearing that.<br>\\r\\n………まさか……？<br>\\r\\n ...Are they...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…私もにわかには信じられません。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...It's hard to believe.<br>\\r\\n探しているのは『あなた』らしんですよ。<br>\\r\\n But you're the person they're looking for.<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナを探させているそうなんです。<br>\\r\\n They're trying to find you.<br>\\r\\nまだ仕入れたばかりの情報なんで、何が狙いかは掴めていませんが、あなたの名前が出ていることだけは間違いありません。」<br>\\r\\n I just got this information, so I don't know the reason why, but they're mentioning your name.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私が身に危険を感じ始めているという話、信じてもらえますか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"So, you believe my story that my life is in danger?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……えぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Yes.<br>\\r\\n互いの話が綺麗に一致します。<br>\\r\\n It matches with my information perfectly.<br>\\r\\n……竜宮さん、こりゃあどういうことですか。<br>\\r\\n ...Ryuugu-san, what's going on?<br>\\r\\nお心当たりは？」<br>\\r\\n Do you have any idea?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやつらの狙いは、私の持つスクラップ帖だ。<br>\\r\\nWhat they're really looking for are the scrapbooks I have.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nスクラップ帖の在り処も知りたがっているだろうが、私が隠しているに違いないと思っているだろう。<br>\\r\\nThey want to know where they are, and they believe that I'm hiding them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…ということは、私の口さえ閉ざせば、スクラップ帖は永遠に葬られると思っているに違いない。<br>\\r\\n...They must be thinking that they'll be able to hide the information in the scrapbooks forever if they succeed in shutting my mouth.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、それを真っ先に口にはせず、あえて大石に振り返した。<br>\\r\\nBut I couldn't tell Ooishi about that yet. I answered his question by asking him a question.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石さんの方で何かわかりませんか？<br>\\r\\n\\\"What about you, Ooishi-san? Do <i>you</i> have any idea?<br>\\r\\n私には…全然どうしてだか…。」<br>\\r\\n I can't think of anything...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私だってわかりません。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, I'm afraid I don't.<br>\\r\\n……園崎組があなたという個人を狙って動くなんて、考えられない。<br>\\r\\n ...It's hard to believe that the Sonozaki Corps are using their resources to capture an individual like you.<br>\\r\\nでも事実なんです。<br>\\r\\n But it's true.<br>\\r\\n信頼できる筋から得た情報で紛れはありません。」<br>\\r\\n It came from from a reliable source.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「園崎組が私に関心があるのではなく、<br>\\r\\n\\\"It might be the Sonozaki family who are after me...<br>\\r\\n……園崎本家が私に関心があるというのはどうですか？」<br>\\r\\n not just the Sonozaki Corps.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………うーーーーん…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Hmmmmmm...<br>\\r\\nこういった動きは滅多に見せるものではありません。<br>\\r\\n It's very unusual for them to take action like this.<br>\\r\\n例えば、組の上納金の持ち逃げがあったとか、そういうトラブルがあった時には、こういう騒ぎもあったりします。<br>\\r\\n They only do this when one of their people runs away with their money, or something like that.<br>\\r\\nでも、それは大抵、組関係の業界の話で、堅気である個人が対象となるなんて、前例がありません。」<br>\\r\\n It's usually about some kind of trouble within the group. They've never done things like this to an honest person like you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私がその貴重な一例目であるのはうれしいですが、前例がないで済まされちゃこっちはたまらないです…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, I'm honored to be the very first one, but I need you to do something other than tell me that they've never done this before...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………まままま、竜宮さん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I understand, Ryuugu-san.<br>\\r\\n落ち着いて落ち着いて。<br>\\r\\n Please calm down.<br>\\r\\n今度は竜宮さんが話す番じゃあないんですか？」<br>\\r\\n Isn't it your turn to tell me something now?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……何を、ですか…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...What do you mean...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「竜宮さん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Like I said,<br>\\r\\n園崎組がこういう動きを見せることはおいそれとあることじゃありません。<br>\\r\\n the Sonozaki Corps don't take action like this often.<br>\\r\\n何かの誤解にしたって、なかなかあることじゃない。<br>\\r\\n They might be under some kind of misunderstanding, but still, it's very unusual that they would do something like this.<br>\\r\\n心当たりはありませんか？」<br>\\r\\n Are you sure you have no idea?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"........................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「竜宮さんにとっては何気ない何かが、彼らを誤解させている可能性もあります。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You could have gotten them confused about something without you knowing it.<br>\\r\\n私の読みでは連中、あなたが園崎本家周辺を嗅ぎ回っていて、何かとんでもない事実を掴んだ、もしくは掴んだと思い込んでるのどちらかじゃないかと思います。<br>\\r\\n My guess is that you sniffed around the Sonozaki family and found out about a secret of theirs, or they think you did.<br>\\r\\nそれは竜宮さんが日々の生活でしてしまうような些細なものじゃない。<br>\\r\\n You can't lead them to mobilize like that by doing nothing.<br>\\r\\nもっと目立つ何かです。<br>\\r\\n What you did must have been obvious to them.<br>\\r\\n……本当に心当たりはありませんか…？」<br>\\r\\n ...Are you sure you have no idea...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n敵か味方か、…この期に及んで測れない。<br>\\r\\nIs he my ally or my enemy? ...I still can't figure it out.<br>\\r\\nえぇい、覚悟を決めろ竜宮レナ…！<br>\\r\\n This is it! Make your decision, Rena Ryuugu!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「多分、………私が三四さんのスクラップ帖を、預かっているからだと思います。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Maybe... they're after me because I have Miyo-san's scrapbooks.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「三四さん？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Miyo-san?<br>\\r\\n鷹野三四？<br>\\r\\n Miyo Takano?<br>\\r\\nの、スクラップ帖ですか……。<br>\\r\\n Her scrapbooks...<br>\\r\\nそいつは一体？」<br>\\r\\n What do you mean?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石が敵だったら、もう少し興奮を隠せないはず。<br>\\r\\nIf he was my enemy, he wouldn't be able to hide his excitement.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが大石のテンションは一定で、スクラップ帖という単語にもおかしな抑揚はなかった。<br>\\r\\nBut his voice remained steady, and it didn't sound unusual when he said the word 'scrapbooks'.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well...<br>\\r\\n……実は私、三四さんが殺される数日前に、彼女と図書館で出会って、<br>\\r\\n I met Miyo-san at the library a few days before she was murdered.<br>\\r\\n…その時に意気投合して、彼女に研究をまとめたスクラップ帖を数冊、預けられたんです。」<br>\\r\\n ...We talked and got along well, so she let me borrow some of her scrapbooks, in which she wrote about her studies.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「研究をまとめた？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Scrapbooks... Her studies...<br>\\r\\nふむふむ？」<br>\\r\\n Mmm, hmmm.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n三四さんは雛見沢村の歴史について深く研究していたんです。<br>\\r\\n Miyo-san was studying the history of Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\nそしてそれらを数冊のスクラップ帖にまとめていました。<br>\\r\\n She summed up her findings in those scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n……やつらは三四さんを殺した時、スクラップ帖が何冊か足りないのに気付き、それを私に託していたことを気付いたのだと思います。」<br>\\r\\n ...I think when they killed Miyo-san, they found out that some of her scrapbooks were missing, and also that she gave them to me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「やつらの狙いは、スクラップ帖？<br>\\r\\n\\\"They're after the scrapbooks...?<br>\\r\\n……竜宮さん、それは一体、何なんですか！」<br>\\r\\n ...Ryuugu-san, what in the world are you talking about?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「雛見沢が、かつて鬼ヶ淵村と呼ばれていた太古の昔についての研究をまとめたものです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"She collected all her research about Hinamizawa and its ancient past as Onigafuchi into these scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさま信仰の発祥について書かれています。」<br>\\r\\n She wrote about the origin of Oyashiro-sama's cult in them too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「オヤシロさま信仰……、というとあれですか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"The origin of the cult of Oyashiro-sama...?<br>\\r\\n人食い鬼の末裔が仙人になって…ていう？」<br>\\r\\n You mean the story about the man-eating demons...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n三四さんはその研究の中で、オヤシロさま信仰についてのある重大な秘密を暴いたんです。<br>\\r\\n In her research, she discovered a very important secret about Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\nその研究結果は、オヤシロさまを神聖であると崇める人たちにとっては極めて冒涜的な内容でした。」<br>\\r\\n The secret was extremely blasphemous for the people who worship him.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………なるほどなるほど…。信仰の特に妄信的な連中には…その研究の存在が許せなかった……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I see... those people, the most devout believers, couldn't accept the result of her research...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石は電話越しにメモを取っているようだった。<br>\\r\\nOoishi was taking notes.<br>\\r\\n言葉に混じって、鉛筆を走らせる音が聞こえる。<br>\\r\\n I could hear him writing something while he spoke.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「彼らは三四さんを消し、その三四さんが残したスクラップ帖も葬ろうとしているんです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"They killed Miyo-san, and they're trying to get at her scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n最初の内は、私が持っているのかどうか分かりかねているようだったんですが、<br>\\r\\n They weren't sure that I had them, so they followed me to find out...<br>\\r\\n……昨日を境に、<br>\\r\\n but I think they changed their plans yesterday.<br>\\r\\n疑わしきは殺せという方針に変ったように感じています。」<br>\\r\\n They're now trying to kill anyone they think is suspicious.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……なるほど…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I see...<br>\\r\\n…そりゃ好ましい状況ではありませんね。<br>\\r\\n That doesn't sound good at all.<br>\\r\\nあなたの身辺を警戒させましょう。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to arrange a security detail for you.<br>\\r\\nあと、そのスクラップ帖を拝見させてください。<br>\\r\\n And let me take a look at the scrapbooks, too.<br>\\r\\n鷹野殺しの何かの手がかりになるかもしれない。」<br>\\r\\n I might be able to find some clues about her murder.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あ、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah...<br>\\r\\n……………いえ、<br>\\r\\n ......No...<br>\\r\\n…その、……警察の内部にもやつらの手先が混じっている可能性が高いです。<br>\\r\\n I mean... they might have pawns inside the police force.<br>\\r\\nですから身辺の警戒は結構です。<br>\\r\\n So, don't worry about me.<br>\\r\\n自分の身は自分で守ります。<br>\\r\\n I can look after myself.<br>\\r\\nあと、スクラップ帖も同じです。<br>\\r\\n Same with the scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n彼らはそれを抹消しようとするでしょう。<br>\\r\\n They're going to try to destroy them<br>\\r\\n例え警察の中であっても。」<br>\\r\\n even if they were kept at the police station.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……園崎組があなたひとりをターゲットに動いている以上、…もしこれが園崎本家の頂上からの指令なら、その可能性は確かにありますねぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...You may be right. If the Sonozaki Corps is chasing after you because of an order from the head of the Sonozaki family... that means our enemy is the Sonozaki family itself.<br>\\r\\n園崎本家が敵だった場合、悔しいですが私たちの中にも内通者がいないとは限りません。」<br>\\r\\n If so, I'm afraid I really can't guarantee that we don't have a traitor among us.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そういうことです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's what I'm saying.<br>\\r\\nですから、私のことは気にしないでください。<br>\\r\\n Please don't worry about me.<br>\\r\\nそれより、お願いがあります。<br>\\r\\n But I have a favor to ask you.<br>\\r\\nとてもとても重要なお願いです。」<br>\\r\\n It's very important.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「言ってください。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Go ahead.<br>\\r\\n何ですか。」<br>\\r\\n What is it?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………三四さんの研究によるならば、<br>\\r\\n\\\"......According to Miyo-san's research,<br>\\r\\n今、雛見沢の闇に恐ろしい陰謀があり、それが遠くない内に実行されそうなんです。」<br>\\r\\n there's a horrifying conspiracy at work in the shadows of Hinamizawa, and it's about to be carried out in the near future.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「陰謀。<br>\\r\\n\\\"A conspiracy?<br>\\r\\n…そりゃあ一体、何です。」<br>\\r\\n ...What's that about?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………一気に緊張が走る。<br>\\r\\n...I got tense all of a sudden.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…全てを話せばかえって嘘くさくなる。<br>\\r\\n...If I tell him everything, it's going to sound like a big lie.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n突拍子もない部分は伏せよう。<br>\\r\\nI should leave out the bizarre-sounding parts for now.<br>\\r\\nその方がむしろ信憑性は増す。<br>\\r\\n It'd actually make the story more credible.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「やつらの正体はオヤシロさま信仰の狂信者たちです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Fanatical worshippers of Oyashiro-sama are the ones behind the conspiracy.<br>\\r\\nやつらは明治以降、すっかり下火になってしまったオヤシロさま信仰を威光を取り戻し、太古の鬼ヶ淵村の時代のような、厳格な信仰を復活させようとしているんです。」<br>\\r\\n Since the Meiji era, belief in Oyashiro-sama has slowly disappeared. So, they're trying to revive the majesty of Oyashiro-sama that the people of Onigafuchi once worshipped.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………ふむ、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Hmmmm<br>\\r\\n………ふむ、<br>\\r\\n ...Hmmmm<br>\\r\\n……続けてください。<br>\\r\\n... Go on, I'm listening.<br>\\r\\nメモしてます。」<br>\\r\\n I'm just writing this down.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「三四さんの研究によると、オヤシロさま伝説の根底には、大昔のある風土病の存在があるんです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"According to Miyo-san's research, the origin of the legend of Oyashiro-sama lies in a primitive endemic disease.<br>\\r\\nその風土病の猛威がオヤシロさまの祟りと恐れられ、それを治療できる医者的存在がオヤシロさまと崇められ村を支配した。」<br>\\r\\n People feared this endemic disease and called it the 'curse of Oyashiro-sama,' and then someone like a doctor treated the disease, and was then worshipped by the villagers as Oyashiro-sama himself. The village was then under his control.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………そ、…そうだったんですか………。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Oh, I see...<br>\\r\\nなるほど………、続けて…。」<br>\\r\\n That's interesting... Go on...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「その風土病は土着のある特殊な寄生虫によるものだったんです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"The endemic disease was caused by a parasite unique to this region.<br>\\r\\nですが、長い世代を繰り返すうちに徐々に無害になっていき、ご存知のとおり、今では何事もありません。<br>\\r\\n But it became weaker with every generation, and now, it doesn't do any harm to people, as you can imagine.<br>\\r\\n彼らにとって、風土病が無害ではオヤシロさまの祟りがなく、祟りがなければ救いも必要ない。<br>\\r\\n To them, a harmless endemic disease means no curse of Oyashiro-sama. No curse means no savior.<br>\\r\\nだから、オヤシロさまの神聖性が保てないわけです。」<br>\\r\\n They can't keep the sanctity of Oyashiro-sama like that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……それを復活させようとしたら、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...And to revive the sanctity of Oyashiro-sama means...<br>\\r\\n……それはつまり、風土病を蘇らせるということを意味するわけですかな…？」<br>\\r\\n they have to revive the endemic disease... right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうです！<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's right!<br>\\r\\nやつらはオヤシロさま伝説をゼロからもう一度やりなおし、オヤシロさまの降臨を再現しようとしているんです！<br>\\r\\n They want to recreate the legend of Oyashiro-sama in order to make Oyashiro-sama a deity again!<br>\\r\\nその為、古代の強力な風土病を再発させる、原始の寄生虫を研究していたと思われます。<br>\\r\\n That's why they're trying to create the original parasite, because it can bring back the more powerful strain of the endemic disease.<br>\\r\\n連続怪死事件の正体は、この研究結果を試すものだったんです。<br>\\r\\n The true intention of the series of the mysterious deaths was to test the results of their research.<br>\\r\\nそして、富竹さんに対して古文書に残る『うじ湧き病』を再現できた。<br>\\r\\n And now they've finally succeeded, reenacting the 'maggots disease' with Tomitake-san.<br>\\r\\nやつらは５年かけて、原始の力を持つ寄生虫を復活させたんです！」<br>\\r\\n It took them five years, but they managed to bring the parasite back to its original power!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………何てこった………！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...What the hell...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「やつらの最終的な目的はその寄生虫をバラまき、オヤシロさまに帰依する者のみを特効薬で救い、オヤシロさま信者のみの楽園を作ろうとしているんです…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Their goal is to spread the parasite, use the cure they developed to save only those people who believe in Oyashiro-sama, and create for them a paradise...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それは間違いなく事実でしょうね？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Are you sure it's all true?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「このスクラップ帖には、その寄生虫が雛見沢の人間のほぼ全員に寄生している事実が書かれています。<br>\\r\\n\\\"The scrapbooks say that most of the residents of Hinamizawa are infected by the parasite.<br>\\r\\n医学的根拠に基づいていて、その寄生を間違いなく裏付けます。」<br>\\r\\n There's medical evidence of its existence too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………信じられない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I can't believe it.<br>\\r\\n………くそ……お魎のばばあめ、放っときゃいつでもお迎えが来るだろうに…。<br>\\r\\n ...Damn it... That hag Oryou is on death's door already...<br>\\r\\n自分ひとりじゃ三途の川ひとつ渡れないのか…！<br>\\r\\n Yet she can't just cross the Styx on her own?!<br>\\r\\nこいつは…無差別テロだぞ。<br>\\r\\n This is... indiscriminate terrorism!<br>\\r\\n何てこった！！」<br>\\r\\n What the hell!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「本来の寄生虫は雛見沢一帯にしか適応できませんでしたが、<br>\\r\\n\\\"The original parasite could only survive around Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n……彼らはその教義の傾向から、より広域に渡って寄生虫が環境適応できるよう、改良を加えている可能性が高いです。<br>\\r\\n ...But there's a high probability that they've improved it to be able to survive in a wider area.<br>\\r\\n雛見沢だけに留まらない。<br>\\r\\n It's going to destroy not only Hinamizawa...<br>\\r\\n…興宮を飲み込むか、<br>\\r\\n but also Okinomiya...<br>\\r\\n市内全域に及ぶか、<br>\\r\\n or even the entire city<br>\\r\\n……県全体にまで及ぶか。」<br>\\r\\n ...or the entire prefecture...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……くそったれ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Damn it...<br>\\r\\nどうすりゃいいだ、くそッ！<br>\\r\\n What should we do?<br>\\r\\n首謀者は誰です！」<br>\\r\\n Who's behind all this?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「雛見沢御三家。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's the Three Families.<br>\\r\\nおそらくは園崎家の頭首でしょう。<br>\\r\\n Most likely the Sonozaki family is in charge,<br>\\r\\nただし、お魎が首魁なのか、お魎すらもコマなのかはわかりません。<br>\\r\\n but I'm not sure if Oryou is the leader or not.<br>\\r\\n…私には、やつらをやつらと呼ぶことしかできない。<br>\\r\\n ...I can only refer to them as <i>they</i>.<br>\\r\\nその規模もまったくわからないんです。」<br>\\r\\n I also have no idea how far this thing reaches.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「その研究がどこで行なわれてるかはわかりますか？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Do you know where they're doing all this research?<br>\\r\\nそこを抑えます！」<br>\\r\\n I can shut it down!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それはこのスクラップ帖にも書かれていません。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't know. It's not in the scrapbooks, either.<br>\\r\\n……大石さんの方で見当はつきませんか？」<br>\\r\\n ...Do you have any idea?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………そんな寄生虫だの何だのの研究をしてるってことは、…かなりしっかりした施設でしょうなぁ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...It must be a big facility to do that kind of research...<br>\\r\\n改造拳銃くらいなら、ガレージを改造して秘密工場にもできるだろうが、寄生虫じゃあそうはいかないでしょう。」<br>\\r\\n You can use a garage for remodeling guns or something like that, but when it comes to parasites, I don't think that would be enough.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……三四さんは入江診療所に勤めている看護婦でした。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Miyo-san was a nurse at the Irie Clinic.<br>\\r\\n入江診療所が怪しいということはありませんか？<br>\\r\\n Do you think that could be it?<br>\\r\\n雛見沢の規模から見て、立派過ぎるのが前から不審だと思っていました。」<br>\\r\\n I always thought it was a bit too big and fancy for a small village like Hinamizawa.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はーーーーーー…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Haaaaaah...<br>\\r\\n入江診療所かぁ……。<br>\\r\\n The Irie Clinic...<br>\\r\\n……むむむむ。」<br>\\r\\n ...Mmmmmmm.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n寄生虫の研究なんて物騒なものになったら、高度な気密性など構造の時点から対応した特殊な施設が必要になるはず。<br>\\r\\nThey'd need a specially designed facility, with advanced airtight containment, among other considerations, to be able to do research on dangerous parasites like this one.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n怪しげな研究＝診療所という図式は確かに描きやすいが、それはやはり素人の想像かもしれない。<br>\\r\\nIt's easy to equate suspicious research with a clinic facility, but it also sounds too easy and a little cliché.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n診療所の一区画を改造して秘密研究所に……というのは、少し想像が飛躍しすぎているとは自分でも思った。<br>\\r\\nAt first, I thought they converted part of the clinic into a secret research center... but that actually sounds a little too unrealistic.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「とにかく、それがどこかは分かりません。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Anyway, I don't know where it is.<br>\\r\\nそれはどうか大石さんの方で調べてください。<br>\\r\\n So please find that out.<br>\\r\\n怪しげなところを片っ端から調べられないんですか？」<br>\\r\\n Can't you just raid every suspicious place at once?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ご存知の通り、警察は強制捜査には礼状ってもんが必要です。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...As you know, we need a warrant for that kind of thing.<br>\\r\\nそりゃあ、後付で取ることもできますがね？<br>\\r\\n There's a way I can get one even after doing a raid, but...<br>\\r\\n間違いなくそこだという決定的な証拠があった時の話です。」<br>\\r\\n I'd need conclusive evidence that it was actually the research building in question in order to do that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石は警察だ。<br>\\r\\nOoishi is a police officer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n警察として動こうとしたら警察のルールに沿わなければならない。<br>\\r\\nIf he's going to work as a police officer, he has to follow their rules.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「でも、大掛かりな細菌テロが計画されているのだけは事実なんです！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"But they really are planning bioterrorism!!<br>\\r\\nしかも、三四さんの殺し方の性急さから見て、……私は、彼らが実行に移すＸデーが近いような気がしてなりません！」<br>\\r\\n There has to be a reason why they killed Miyo-san so quickly... I think the reason is because their Day of Revival isn't far off!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わかりましたわかりました！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay, I understand!<br>\\r\\nこちらの方でも何とかしてみます！<br>\\r\\n I'll try to do what I can!<br>\\r\\nそんなとんでもない計画なら、園崎本家も一枚岩ってわけにはいかないでしょう。<br>\\r\\n With an unthinkable plan like this, I'd imagine it'd be difficult to keep all the Sonozaki family members on their side.<br>\\r\\n必ずどこかに胸中で反対している人間がいるはずです。<br>\\r\\n I'm sure there are some who are secretly against it.<br>\\r\\nそういう人物と接触できないか、こちらでも探してみます。<br>\\r\\n I'll try to make contact with those people.<br>\\r\\n任せてください、こういうのは私の得意とするところですよぅ？<br>\\r\\n Don't worry. I'm very good at things like this.<br>\\r\\nんっふっふ！」<br>\\r\\n Nfu fu!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石は私を元気付けるように笑ってくれた。<br>\\r\\nOoishi laughed to try to cheer me up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私も、初めは警察の頼りなさに失望したものの、大石の前向きな返事に頼もしさを感じていた。<br>\\r\\nI was upset with the work of the police before, but Ooishi's positive reaction is very reliable.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼はいわゆるアウトローだ。<br>\\r\\nHe's what you might call an outlaw.<br>\\r\\n警察のルールに則らずに動けるのが最大の武器だ。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi's greatest advantage to me is that he doesn't exactly play by the rules.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、今回のような明確な証拠がない敵に対して、素早く動く時にこの上なく頼もしい！<br>\\r\\nIt's very encouraging that he has that kind of skill, especially since we have to act both very quickly and without conclusive evidence.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n事件が起こった後に捜査するいつもの手法では遅いのだ。<br>\\r\\nThe police normally investigate incidents after they've happened, but that doesn't work in this case.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今回の事件が起これば…それは甚大な規模になるのだから。<br>\\r\\nIf this incident actually does occur... it's going to be a big disaster.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「三四さんは……何て恐ろしい陰謀を暴いたんだろうと、恐ろしくなります。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Miyo-san exposed such a horrifying conspiracy... I'm scared.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……気の毒な最期でした。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...She met with a very sad end.<br>\\r\\n岐阜の山中でドラム缶の中でこんがりでしてね。<br>\\r\\n She was burned in a drum in the mountains of Gifu.<br>\\r\\n気の毒なことです。<br>\\r\\n I feel very sorry for her.<br>\\r\\n……………そうそう、そう言えば。<br>\\r\\n ......Oh, right. I forgot to tell you something.<br>\\r\\n…ちょいと彼女のことで変わった話がありましてね。」<br>\\r\\n ...We found something odd about her death.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「変った話、…ですか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Something odd...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いえいえ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well,<br>\\r\\n最初は何か事件に関係があるのかなって思ってたんですがね。<br>\\r\\n at first I thought it had something to do with the case.<br>\\r\\n今のとてつもない陰謀の話に比べたら、瑣末な話です。<br>\\r\\n But after hearing your conspiracy story, it's going to sound like nothing.<br>\\r\\n多分、鑑識のちょっとしたミスでしょう。」<br>\\r\\n The crime lab probably just made a mistake.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いえ、聞かせてください。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Please tell me. I want to know.<br>\\r\\nそういう約束じゃなかったですか？」<br>\\r\\n We promised to tell each other everything, didn't we?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いえいえ、隠すつもりなんかありません。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't mean to hide it.<br>\\r\\nただちょいと夏向きな話だったもんで。<br>\\r\\n It's just that it might sound like a silly horror story.<br>\\r\\n…………竜宮さん、綿流しの晩を覚えてますか？<br>\\r\\n ...Ryuugu-san, do you remember the night of Watanagashi?<br>\\r\\nあの晩の祭りの終わった後です。<br>\\r\\n After the festival,<br>\\r\\nあなたの仲良し５人組と富竹、鷹野の７人で談笑してますよねぇ？」<br>\\r\\n you and four of your friends talked with Tomitake and Takano, didn't you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「談笑というほどではありませんでしたが。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes, we did.<br>\\r\\nえぇ、少し話をしたような気がします。」<br>\\r\\n We just talked for a few minutes or so, I think.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いえ、実はですね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well,<br>\\r\\n鷹野の遺体が見付かったのはその晩なわけですが、……岐阜県警さんの鑑識では、死後２４時間以上って出ちゃったらしいって噂があるんです。<br>\\r\\n we found Takano's dead body that night, but... the crime lab in Gifu Prefecture said that she'd been dead for 24 hours when she was found.<br>\\r\\nでもそれだと話がおかしい。<br>\\r\\n But that doesn't make sense.<br>\\r\\nあの祭りの前の晩には殺されてることになる。」<br>\\r\\n If that's true, she had to be dead the night before the festival.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「殺されてることになる………？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What's that supposed to mean...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n話がややこしい。<br>\\r\\nI'm confused.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n綿流しの夜に見付かった三四さんの死体が、死後２４時間以上ってことは………えぇと…<br>\\r\\nIf she was found dead on the night of Watanagashi, and she had been dead for 24 hours... that means...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「つまり早い話が、綿流しの日には、<br>\\r\\n\\\"In short, it means she was already dead<br>\\r\\n鷹野はもう死んでることになるんですよ。<br>\\r\\n on the night of Watanagashi.<br>\\r\\nだから、あの祭りの晩にあった彼女は、実はゾンビだったのかなぁ……なぁんてね！<br>\\r\\n So, the Takano whom you saw on that night was a... zombie! ...I got you, didn't I!<br>\\r\\nなっはっはっは。<br>\\r\\n Na ha ha ha.<br>\\r\\nまぁ、あちらの鑑識のちょいとしたポカでしょう。」<br>\\r\\n Well, like I said, I think they just made a mistake.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………私の脳に、ざらついたシャーベットが登っていくのがわかる。<br>\\r\\n...I felt my brain freezing over.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石はちょいと早い夏の怪談だなどと笑っているが、<br>\\r\\nOoishi laughed, saying that it sounded like a horror story from summer camp.<br>\\r\\n……………実は、…この三四さんの死がズレているという事実は、<br>\\r\\n ......But actually... the fact that Miyo-san's time of death was off...<br>\\r\\n………彼女のある突拍子もない仮説を裏付けていたからだ。<br>\\r\\n ......backed up her incredulous theories.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの突拍子のない仮説を、…私は大石に話していないし、圭一くんにも話していない。<br>\\r\\nI haven't mentioned this one to Ooishi or Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……話せば、せっかく信じてくれた話を、全部引っくり返しかねない。<br>\\r\\n...If I did, they'd start to doubt everything else I've said.<br>\\r\\n……それくらいにとんでもない話だからだ。<br>\\r\\n ...That's how absolutely unbelievable this theory is.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nとにかくとにかく、……この、三四さんの死亡時刻のズレが意味するところはとてつもなく大きい。<br>\\r\\nAt any rate, at any rate, the mismatch with the time of Miyo-san's death means a lot.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何て皮肉だろう…。<br>\\r\\nWhat irony...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその仮説を立てた三四さん自身が、…自らでそれを証明してしまうなんて………。<br>\\r\\nMiyo-san came up with the theory... and she proved it correct with her own life...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまだだ。<br>\\r\\nNo, not yet.<br>\\r\\nまだ、証明されたわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n This doesn't prove anything yet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………もし、<br>\\r\\n...If<br>\\r\\n…その説が本当なら、<br>\\r\\n her theory is true,<br>\\r\\n……まだ、現れるはずだ。<br>\\r\\n ...it might happen again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…あぁ、<br>\\r\\n...Ahh.<br>\\r\\n…でもまさか、……本当にこんな馬鹿げたことが……？<br>\\r\\n ...There's no way... It can't be true...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまだ信じられない。<br>\\r\\nI still can't believe it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも今、大石は言った。<br>\\r\\nBut Ooishi just said it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんはあの祭りの晩、すでに死んでいたと言った。<br>\\r\\nHe said Miyo-san was already dead on the night of the festival.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、あの晩に富竹さんと一緒に腕を組んで歩いていた三四さんは、……当然、三四さんではないのだ。<br>\\r\\nIt means that the Miyo-san, who was walking arm in arm with Tomitake-san on that night... wasn't Miyo-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nすでに死んでいるのだから三四ではない。<br>\\r\\nMiyo-san was already dead. So, that wasn't her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまりあれは、<br>\\r\\nThat means...<br>\\r\\n……三四さんにそっくりな、……………………。<br>\\r\\n she was.........<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n足元から、…生まれて初めて沸き起こる感情が登ってくる。<br>\\r\\nI felt a new sensation, one I'd never felt in my life before.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それは恐怖などというチープな感情ではない。<br>\\r\\n...It wasn't an ordinary kind of dread.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それは真実という名の恐怖。<br>\\r\\n...It was fear of the truth.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分がどんなに信じたくないことでも、……真実であることを受け容れなければならないことに勝る恐怖はない。<br>\\r\\nNo fear is worse than the fear of accepting a truth you don't want to believe.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの恐怖に比べれば、園崎本家が私を追っていて、生きたままドラム缶で焼き殺そうと企んでいたにしたって、大したことはなかった。<br>\\r\\nCompared to this fear, the fear of being stalked by the Sonozaki family or being burned alive in an oil drum looked silly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………それくらいに、…恐ろしいものが登ってくるのだ。<br>\\r\\n...That's how deep of a fear I felt.<br>\\r\\n……じりじり、じわじわと…。<br>\\r\\n ...And I felt it crawling all over my body...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「竜宮さん、悪いことは言いません。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ryuugu-san, please listen to me.<br>\\r\\n警察が信用できないお気持ちもわかります。<br>\\r\\n I understand you don't trust the police.<br>\\r\\n園崎本家は市内全域を牛耳っていますからね。<br>\\r\\n It's true that the Sonozaki family has control over the entire city.<br>\\r\\n署にも園崎家の御用聞きみたいな連中がいますし。<br>\\r\\n There are some traitors at my station, too.<br>\\r\\n……それでも今のあなたは危険だ。<br>\\r\\n ...But you're in danger.<br>\\r\\nせめて私個人を信用してはくれませんか？<br>\\r\\n You can trust me. I want you to trust me as an individual person.<br>\\r\\n私以外の誰も知らないところにあなたを匿います。<br>\\r\\n I can provide shelter for you. It's in a place nobody knows but me.<br>\\r\\n私をどうか信用してください！」<br>\\r\\n Please trust me!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石をこの期に及んで疑いはしない。<br>\\r\\nI don't doubt Ooishi at this point.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n実際、頼もしいと思い始めている。<br>\\r\\nI actually think he's very reliable.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nついさっきまでなら、大石のこの申し出に二つ返事で乗っただろう。<br>\\r\\nI would've said yes without a second thought.<br>\\r\\n……だが、状況は一変してしまった。<br>\\r\\n ...But the situation has drastically changed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんの死が、……あの信じられない事実を裏付けるものならば……………。<br>\\r\\nIf Miyo-san's death... backs up this unbelievable truth...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石を信じはする。<br>\\r\\nI trust Ooishi.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n敵を探し、攻撃してくれると思う。<br>\\r\\nI believe he'll find the enemy and take them down.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、身を預けるくらいなら、私が自ら身を守る方がはるかにいいのだ。<br>\\r\\nBut I'd rather protect myself on my own than let someone else do it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………あの信じられない事実が本当なら、<br>\\r\\n...If the unbelievable truth is real...<br>\\r\\n……もう私は、自分以外は誰も信用してはいけないことになる。<br>\\r\\n Then I couldn't trust anybody except myself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいや、「自分」すらも、現れるかもしれない…………。<br>\\r\\nNo, even \\\"myself\\\" might appear before me, too...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石さん、本当にありがとうございます。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ooishi-san, thank you so much.<br>\\r\\nとにかく、やつらの研究所を突き止めて、何とか陰謀を食い止めてください。<br>\\r\\n Anyway, please find their research center and put a stop to their conspiracy.<br>\\r\\n私はしばらく身を潜めます。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to hide somewhere for a while.<br>\\r\\n……また連絡しますね！」<br>\\r\\n ...I'll call you again!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はこの頃になってようやく、長電話が過ぎたことに気付いていた。<br>\\r\\nI noticed I'd been on the phone too long.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんな暗闇の中で、こんなにも煌々と明るい電話ボックスにずっといることは、私はここですよとアピールしてるのと何も変らないからだ。<br>\\r\\nI'd been using this phone booth with a light on in the middle of the darkness. In other words, I'd been telling everybody I'm here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「もしもし！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hello!<br>\\r\\nもしもーし！！<br>\\r\\n Hello!!<br>\\r\\n…………切れたか。」<br>\\r\\n ...She hung up.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう少し話をしたかった大石は、小さく舌打ちをすると受話器を置いた。<br>\\r\\nOoishi wanted to talk more. He clicked his tongue and put the phone down.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、刑事部屋へ後輩刑事の熊谷が駆け込んできた。<br>\\r\\nHis junior, Kumagai, rushed into the room.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石さん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ooishi-san,<br>\\r\\nやっぱりヤバそうなヤマっす！<br>\\r\\n it's getting really bad now!<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナを探させているのは園崎組、<br>\\r\\n It's Tatsuyoshi Kasai<br>\\r\\n葛西辰由！」<br>\\r\\n who gave the Sonozaki Corps the order to find Rena Ryuugu!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「葛西ぃぃ？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Kasai?!<br>\\r\\n園崎茜の懐刀じゃないですか…！」<br>\\r\\n Akane Sonozaki's right-hand man...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n葛西辰由は組長の舎弟の中でも相当序列の高い大物だ。<br>\\r\\nTatsuyoshi Kasai was a pretty high-ranking big shot, even amongst the boss's younger brothers.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nかつては自分が主宰する下部団体の組長でもあったが、抗争の時の大怪我を切っ掛けに退き、今では組長の側近となっている。<br>\\r\\nHe used to be the boss of a subordinate branch, but after suffering a bad injury during a gang war, he stepped down, and now he served as the boss's aide.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n特に園崎茜に信頼されているらしく、武闘派の茜の懐刀として今もなお恐れられている男だ。<br>\\r\\nAkane Sonozaki relies especially on him, and as her right-hand man, he's still feared even now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n裏世界では葛西が動くのはまさに宣戦布告に値すると言われる。<br>\\r\\nWhen Kasai moves, other gangs consider it as a declaration of war.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n葛西が出れば血の雨が降るとまで恐れられた、武闘派中の武闘派。<br>\\r\\nThey fear him very much. He's a warrior among warriors.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n最近でこそ大人しいものだが、ヤツが指揮したと言われる抗争事件は数え始めたらきりがない！<br>\\r\\nHe's been lying low these days, but he's led countless numbers of gang wars!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかも、あいつを筆頭にした特攻隊は、ダム戦争当事に渡米して軍事訓練まで受けている戦闘のプロ集団じゃないか。<br>\\r\\nHe was also the leader of the professional attack squadron that went to the U.S. to receive military training during the dam conflict.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n建設省を本気で武力制圧しようなんて考えるトンチンカンどもだぞ！<br>\\r\\nThey were crazy enough to think of attacking the Ministry of Construction for real!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…情報屋界隈でも相当な騒ぎになってるようです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...It looks like it's causing quite an uproar among our informants.<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナが園崎組にとって、相当都合の悪いものを握ってるんじゃないかともっぱらの噂です。」<br>\\r\\n They're saying that Rena Ryuugu must've found some kind of information that's very inconvenient for the Sonozaki Corps.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「情報屋の皆さんも、さすがに勘がいいですねぇ、なっはっは。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm impressed at how to-the-point our informants actually are. Na ha ha.<br>\\r\\n…………………こりゃあ、とんでもないヤマになってきたぞぅ…。」<br>\\r\\n ...Still, this is getting serious...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「サトさんは、例の建設省とお魎の秘密交渉テープじゃないかって見てるみたいっす。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Satou-san thinks it's the tape Oryou and the Ministry of Construction recorded during their secret negotiations.<br>\\r\\n……だとすれば、人が死ぬ騒ぎになるっすよ…。」<br>\\r\\n ...If that's true, it's going to cause quite a few deaths...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n秘密交渉テープどころじゃない。<br>\\r\\nThis is more serious than that, Ooishi thought.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさっきの話が本当なら、これはとんでもない大陰謀だ。<br>\\r\\nIf her story is true, this is a massive conspiracy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n人が１人や２人死ぬなんてレベルじゃない。<br>\\r\\nIt's going to cause more than quite a few deaths.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n下手をすれば、村丸ごとが全滅して、県内が大パニックになる空前の大規模テロになる！<br>\\r\\nIt might destroy the entire village, or even the entire prefecture. This is going to be the biggest terrorist strike in history!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……竜宮レナぁ、……ヤバいですよぅ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Rena Ryuugu is in danger.<br>\\r\\n……………熊ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n ......Kuma-chan,<br>\\r\\n覆面パトを竜宮家に張り付かせてください。<br>\\r\\n arrange an unmarked patrol car to keep watch on her house.<br>\\r\\n本日付で竜宮レナから、暴力団組織に脅迫を受けている訴えがあったため身辺警護ってことにします。<br>\\r\\n As of today, we're going to put Rena Ryuugu under protection. She's convinced she's being threatened by the gang.<br>\\r\\n課長には後で私から話します。」<br>\\r\\n I'll talk to the section manager later.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いえ…その、……実は、竜宮レナは自宅を出ているらしいです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well... um... actually, Rena Ryuugu seems to have run away from home.<br>\\r\\n駐在所からの連絡では、どうも家の金を何十万か盗んで雲隠れしているらしいんです。<br>\\r\\n A police officer confirmed that a lot of money disappeared from her father's cash box. Sounds like she took it and ran away.<br>\\r\\nそれから、竜宮家の前には園崎組の車が一台張り付いているという連絡が。」<br>\\r\\n And I also had a call about a car belonging to the Sonozaki Corps parked in front of her house too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「馬鹿野郎おおぉッ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?!!<br>\\r\\n何でそいつを早く言わないんだ！<br>\\r\\n Why didn't you tell me that sooner?!<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナは相当、高度に狙われてるぞ！<br>\\r\\n Rena Ryuugu is in great danger!<br>\\r\\nさっきの電話は家じゃなかったんだ！<br>\\r\\n She wasn't calling me from her house, then!<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナを至急保護します！！<br>\\r\\n We need to find her right away!!<br>\\r\\n車を回せ！！<br>\\r\\n Get me a car!!<br>\\r\\n家の前に張り付いてる野郎を締め上げろ！<br>\\r\\n Arrest the people parked in front of her house!<br>\\r\\nおい！<br>\\r\\n And get some guys over here.<br>\\r\\n若いの何人か来いッ！！」<br>\\r\\n They're coming with me!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「「「うおおっすッ！！」」」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes sir!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えーー？<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?<br>\\r\\nレナさんが家にいない？<br>\\r\\n Rena-san wasn't at home?<br>\\r\\nこの時間にー？」<br>\\r\\n It's pretty late.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\nしばらく家の前で待たせていただきましたが、戻られる気配がなかったもので、一度引き上げました。」<br>\\r\\n I waited in front of her house for a while, but she didn't come home.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「誰かの家に遊びに行ってるとかじゃない？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Maybe she's at a friend's place.<br>\\r\\n案外、本家でお姉たちと一緒に部活大会だったりしてね。」<br>\\r\\n She might be at Sis's house with her other friends, doing their club activities or whatever.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n詩音はソファーに寝転びながら、はしゃぐ魅音たちを思い浮かべて笑った。<br>\\r\\nShion was lying down on the sofa, picturing her sister and her friends fooling around and playing games like they always did.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…一応、それを疑って本家にも寄らせていただきましたが、いらっしゃられないようでした。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I thought so, too. So I stopped by Mion-san's house, but Rena-san wasn't there either.<br>\\r\\n魅音さんも、レナさんがお帰りになられないのを心配しておられました。」<br>\\r\\n Mion-san was worried about her, too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………そうなの？<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Oh, really?<br>\\r\\n…どうしたんだろうね。<br>\\r\\n ...Well, I wonder what happened to her.<br>\\r\\nはて。」<br>\\r\\n Hmm?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「滅多にないことだろうとは思いますが、タチの悪いのに絡まれたのかもしれません。<br>\\r\\n\\\"She might have been caught by some hoodlum, though that would be unusual.<br>\\r\\n念の為、レナさんを見かけていないかどうか、聞き込ませています。」<br>\\r\\n I already told my staff to look for her just in case.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あの子に限っては大丈夫だと思うけどなぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't think that's what happened.<br>\\r\\n何気に強いしね。<br>\\r\\n She's not as weak as she looks.<br>\\r\\nあははは。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahaha.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それはそうと、私に何の用だったんです…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Anyway, why did she want to see me...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n葛西は上着を脱ぎながら聞く。<br>\\r\\nKasai took off his jacket.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが自分に何か用があるらしいので、直接会って来てくれと詩音に言われただけなのだ。<br>\\r\\nShion only told him to go see Rena because she heard that Rena had requested to see him in person.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あれー？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh,<br>\\r\\n言わなかったけー？<br>\\r\\n I thought I told you.<br>\\r\\n何かね、葛西の落し物を拾ってるらしいよ。<br>\\r\\n She said she found something you lost.<br>\\r\\nお姉が言うには、レナさん、それを直接返したいんだってさ。<br>\\r\\n Rena-san wanted to give it back to you in person.<br>\\r\\n……おうおう、いいねぇ、若い子にモテることでー☆」<br>\\r\\n ...Hey, I guess she likes you or something☆.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「堪忍してください……。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, please...<br>\\r\\nしかし、ご無事だといいのですが。」<br>\\r\\n Anyway, I hope she's alright.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、電話が鳴った。<br>\\r\\nRight then, the phone rang.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nネクタイを緩めながら葛西が取る。<br>\\r\\n Kasai answered it while loosening his tie.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………はい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"............Yes.<br>\\r\\n……はい。<br>\\r\\n ...Yes.<br>\\r\\n……わかりました。<br>\\r\\n ...I understand.<br>\\r\\n直ちに。」<br>\\r\\n At once.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n葛西の声色が相当に真面目だったので、詩音は電話の相手を悟る。<br>\\r\\nKasai sounded very serious, and Shion immediately figured out who he was talking to.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「誰？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Who was it?<br>\\r\\nお父さん？」<br>\\r\\n Was it my father?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…はい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Yes.<br>\\r\\nレナさんを大至急保護して本家へ護送せよとの園崎本家からの命令です。」<br>\\r\\n The Sonozaki family has sent out an order to find Rena-san right away and to bring her to the main house.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「鬼婆の勅令ぇ？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"You mean Oryou gave the order?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………レナさん何をやらかしたんだかぁ。<br>\\r\\n ......I wonder what Rena-san did?<br>\\r\\n…あ〜あ、爪かなぁ？<br>\\r\\n Will she have to peel off her own fingernails?<br>\\r\\nかわいそうに。<br>\\r\\n ...I hope Oryou goes easy on her.<br>\\r\\nくわばらくわばら。」<br>\\r\\n Poor girl...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナがまだ帰ってないってッ？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena hasn't come home yet?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No.<br>\\r\\n実は聞いた話だと、レナ、自宅を出てどこかに雲隠れしてるらしい。」<br>\\r\\n I heard that Rena ran away from home, and that she's hiding somewhere.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「雲隠れ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hiding somewhere?!<br>\\r\\n…ど、どういうことだ？！」<br>\\r\\n ...What do you mean?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あと、これはさっき入ってきた情報なんだけど、警察が竜宮レナの行方を探してるって。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Also... I just got this information. It seems the police are looking for her.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「な、何だって………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wh-What...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何でも、レナの家の前にはすでに覆面パトカーが１台張り付いてるらしい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"An unmarked patrol car is watching her house right now.<br>\\r\\n村の中にも、すでにサイレンなしのパトカーが数台、入り込んでるみたい。<br>\\r\\n It seems like there are several patrol cars looking for her in the village.<br>\\r\\nあと、公由本家にも警察から電話があって、竜宮レナの所在を至急確認したいので、町会連絡網で確認をしてほしいと連絡があったって。」<br>\\r\\n <NAME> received a call from the police, too. He was told to use the town network to find out if anybody knows where she is.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ってことはまさか…、……俺たちの隠した死体が、見付かったってことか？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Do you think...... they found the corpses we hid?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあんな山奥の入り組んだ奥の奥に隠したんだ。<br>\\r\\nWe hid them deep in the mountains.<br>\\r\\nそんな簡単に見付かるなんて考えられない！<br>\\r\\n They couldn't have found them that easily!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ううん、それは１００％ありえない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, it's 100% impossible.<br>\\r\\n私が保証するよ。」<br>\\r\\n I guarantee you that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほぅ、よく１００％なんて言い切れるなぁ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wow, how can you be so sure?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well...<br>\\r\\n…実はね、あの死体、……園崎家の方で秘密の場所に処分させてもらったの。」<br>\\r\\n to tell you the truth... I let the Sonozaki family take care of them. They moved the bags to a secret place.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「秘密の場所ぉ？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Secret place?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まぁまぁまぁ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Calm down!<br>\\r\\nそこは深く考えな〜い！<br>\\r\\n Don't worry about it!<br>\\r\\nあのね、私たちが埋めたあの山林、後でよくよく聞いてみたら、今年の夏に大規模な伐採計画があるってわかったの。<br>\\r\\n I heard that there's a major logging project happening this summer on that mountain where we hid the corpses.<br>\\r\\nだからちょっと私の方で手を回させてもらったってわけ。」<br>\\r\\n So, I arranged help and took care of it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そっか…、なるほどな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I see...<br>\\r\\nお前、味方なら頼りになるけど、敵だったら怖いやつだなぁ…！」<br>\\r\\n You're a very reliable person when you're on my side, but you'd be a very scary person to have as an enemy...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「くっくっく！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Heh heh heh!<br>\\r\\nおじさんを誰だと思ってるんだか〜！」<br>\\r\\n I recommend you never underestimate me!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……じゃあ、死体じゃないよな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...So, it's not the corpses they're after.<br>\\r\\n一体どうして、警察がレナを！」<br>\\r\\n Then why are the police trying to find her?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わからない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't know.<br>\\r\\n北条鉄平と間宮リナが竜宮家を食い物にしようとしてたって話は、裏の界隈ではちょっと知られてたらしいんだよ。<br>\\r\\n But it seems like many gang members knew that Teppei Houjou and <NAME>ya were trying to blackmail the Ryuugu family.<br>\\r\\n……そっちの角度から、レナが浮上したのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n ...So, that might be the reason why the police are after Rena.<br>\\r\\nとにかく、容疑者ってわけじゃないみたい。<br>\\r\\n I don't think they consider her a suspect yet...<br>\\r\\nでも、重要参考人とかって扱いではあるだろうね。」<br>\\r\\n but they probably want her as a material witness.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どっちだって同じだぜ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's the same thing!<br>\\r\\nくそ！<br>\\r\\n Damn it!<br>\\r\\nせっかくレナは平穏な生活を取り戻したんだぞ！<br>\\r\\n Rena finally regained her peaceful life!<br>\\r\\nここで台無しになんかしてたまるか！<br>\\r\\n I'm not going to let them ruin it!<br>\\r\\n魅音、俺たちで何とかレナを庇おう！」<br>\\r\\n Mion, we need to help her!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「当然だよ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Of course!<br>\\r\\nとにかく、警察よりも先にレナの身柄を確保するよう、さっき興宮の家に伝えた。<br>\\r\\n I already told my family in Okinomiya to find her before the police can.<br>\\r\\n本家でなら、レナを１２０％警察から守れる！」<br>\\r\\n You can trust the Sonozaki family. They can protect her from the police, 120% guaranteed!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナを匿うだけじゃ解決にはならないんじゃないのか…？<br>\\r\\n\\\"But just finding her first isn't going to solve the problem...<br>\\r\\nレナの嫌疑を何とかしないと！」<br>\\r\\n We have to do something to clear her of suspicion!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そこは保護してから考えるよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'll think about that after we've found her.<br>\\r\\nアリバイを証明する証人なんかいくらでも作れるし、本家に出入りしてる最高の弁護士もいる！<br>\\r\\n We can make as many alibis as she needs and as many witnesses for the alibis as necessary. We have very good lawyers, too!<br>\\r\\n私たちは、仲間を絶対に見捨てない！」<br>\\r\\n We'll never abandon our friends when they're in trouble!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ、そうさ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's right!<br>\\r\\n絶対にレナを守ってやろうな！！<br>\\r\\n We can save Rena!!<br>\\r\\nくそ、俺ができるのは魅音に頼るだけかよ、情けねえぜ！」<br>\\r\\n Damn it. I wish I could do more than to depend on you, Mion.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まぁまぁ、蛇の道は蛇ってことだよ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, don't worry about it! It's okay to let someone else handle the situation when that person is better at it.<br>\\r\\nおじさんの方で手を尽くすから、ここは任せな！<br>\\r\\n This ol' man will take care of everything.<br>\\r\\nあと、村全体で警察の目を誤魔化すため、アリバイを作る。<br>\\r\\n Also, I'll create an alibi to fool the cops watching the whole village.<br>\\r\\nレナが穀倉の辺りで目撃されたことにしよう。<br>\\r\\n We'll say Rena was spotted near Gogura.<br>\\r\\n警察の目が広域に散れば、それだけ薄くなるはずだよ。」<br>\\r\\n The wider the search area, the fewer policemen in one place.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「な、なるほどな。そいつぁうまいぜ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I see! That's a great idea!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こんなのはダム戦争の頃はお手の物だったよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"This is like nothing to us. We did more during the dam conflict.<br>\\r\\n絶対にレナを庇いきってみせる！<br>\\r\\n I'll protect Rena!<br>\\r\\nあと、圭ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n And Kei-chan,<br>\\r\\nレナは圭ちゃんのことは特に信頼してた。<br>\\r\\n Rena trusts you more than anybody.<br>\\r\\n……だから、レナの方から圭ちゃんのところに現れる可能性がある。<br>\\r\\n ...So, she might come to you.<br>\\r\\nその時にはすぐ保護してあげてほしい！<br>\\r\\n If she does, please protect her!<br>\\r\\nその時は私にもすぐ連絡してね！」<br>\\r\\n And give me a call right away!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おう、わかったぜ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, will do!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナは強い子だからね！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena is a strong girl!<br>\\r\\n………きっとこんな苦難も乗り越えて見せるよ。」<br>\\r\\n ...She should be fine. She can overcome this.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………そうだな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Yeah, I think so, too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nちょっとだけ、俺は言いよどむ。<br>\\r\\nI hesitated to say something.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなぜなら、…普段のレナなら、どんな困難も乗り越えただろうが、今のレナはちょっと普通じゃないような気がしたからだ。<br>\\r\\nRena... hadn't been her normal self lately. If she was her normal self, I'd have no doubt that she could overcome this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鷹野さんの妄想スクラップ帖を信じ込んでいた。<br>\\r\\nBut Rena is deeply convinced that Takano-san's delusions are true.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だからレナは、園崎家を黒幕だと思い込んでいる。<br>\\r\\n...Rena believes the Sonozaki family is behind the conspiracy.<br>\\r\\n……園崎家をすんなり信用して身柄を任せてくれるだろうか…。<br>\\r\\n ...I'm not sure if she'd trust the Sonozaki family to protect her...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大丈夫だよ。私とレナだって仲間同士なんだからさ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Don't worry. I'm her friend, too!<br>\\r\\n腹を割って話せばすぐに誤解だってわかってくれるよ。<br>\\r\\n She'll understand once I sit down and talk to her.<br>\\r\\n圭ちゃんだって私と話して、誤解が解けたんでしょ？<br>\\r\\n Just like Kei-chan and I cleared up our misunderstanding, I can do that with her.<br>\\r\\nくっくっく！<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh!<br>\\r\\nよくもまぁ、あんなトンデモ話を信じたもんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n I still can't believe that you believed such a crazy story, though.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まぁな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well...<br>\\r\\n……我ながら、よくあんな話を鵜呑みにしたもんだぜ。<br>\\r\\n I can't believe I did, either.<br>\\r\\n前原圭一、多分、一生の恥だぜ、やれやれ…。」<br>\\r\\n This is going to be the most embarrassing thing to ever happen in my life...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、魅音と話すまでは俺も鵜呑みにしていた。<br>\\r\\nI really was deeply convinced until I talked to Mion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……仲間の契りを交わしておきながら、魅音は敵方かもしれないなんて、悩んでいた。<br>\\r\\n...Even after the promise of friendship we made, I doubted her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……鷹野さんには魔性の魅力があるが、…それは彼女が残した文章にも宿っている気がする。<br>\\r\\n...Takano-san was endowed with magic... And I think the scrapbooks she wrote also carried a spell.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの人のスクラップ帖は、人を狂わせる。<br>\\r\\nThe scrapbooks can make people go mad.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………迂闊に読んではいけない、禁断のスクラップ帖だったんだ。<br>\\r\\n...They're forbidden scrapbooks. Nobody was supposed to read them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今のレナは多分、鷹野さんが死してなお残した魔力に囚われているんだ。<br>\\r\\nRena is captivated by the power of that magic, even after Takano-san's death.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…早く目を覚まさせないと、……何だか恐ろしいことになりそうな気がする…！<br>\\r\\n...I have to wake her up... I've got a very bad feeling about it...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あ、ごめん、来客だわ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, I'm sorry. Someone is at the door.<br>\\r\\n……何だか警察っぽいな。<br>\\r\\n ...It might be the police.<br>\\r\\nじゃあこれで電話を切るね。」<br>\\r\\n I have to go now.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おう、わかった！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナは今晩以降、穀倉の辺りに潜伏してることになってる。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'll tell them that Rena is hiding near Gogura.<br>\\r\\n警察に何か聞かれても、知りません、会ってませんで通すんだよ！」<br>\\r\\n If they ask you something, just keep telling them you don't know anything!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おう、了解ッ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay, got it!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は俺の返事を確認すると電話を切った。<br>\\r\\nMion waited for my answer, then hung up the phone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n電話を切った後になって、……レナが何かとんでもない運命に飲み込まれかけていることをじわじわと感じ出す。<br>\\r\\nAfter she hung up... I slowly started to feel like Rena was being consumed by some huge, unthinkable fate.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n警察がどうこうということではなく、…………鷹野さんの魔力に魅入られたレナが、何か恐ろしいことになってしまわないか、それだけが不安だった。<br>\\r\\nIt's not only the police I'm worried about... I'm also worried because Rena is ensnared by the power of Takano-san's magic. I fear that she might be suffering from incredible anxiety.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………そうだ。<br>\\r\\n...Oh, right.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは、……あのゴミ山の隠れ家じゃないのか？<br>\\r\\nRena might be hiding at her secret base in the garbage dump.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはかつて、リナさんが家にいて帰りたくない時はそこで時間を潰していたと言ってたじゃないか。<br>\\r\\nRena once told me that she used to spend time there when Rina-san was at her house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだ、そう言えば、スクラップ帖は隠れ家に隠したと言っていた気がするぞ！<br>\\r\\nAnd she told me that she hid the scrapbooks there, too!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだ、レナのやつ、隠れてるならお腹を空かしてるに違いないよな。<br>\\r\\nIf she's hiding there, she must be hungry by now.<br>\\r\\n…何かお菓子くらい持っていってやろう。<br>\\r\\n ...I should bring her something to eat.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n台所の菓子棚を漁り、目を丸くしているお袋に言った。<br>\\r\\nI went to the kitchen to look for some junk food. My mother looked confused.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「母さんごめん！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mom!<br>\\r\\nちょっと出掛けてくるよ！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm going to go somewhere, but I'll be right back!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こんな時間に…？ <br>\\r\\n\\\"At this time...?<br>\\r\\nもう遅いからよしなさい…。」<br>\\r\\n It's late...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大切な用事なんだ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's very important!<br>\\r\\nすぐ戻るよ。<br>\\r\\n I promise I'll be right back.<br>\\r\\nあとそれから、………もし俺が留守の間に、レナが来るようなことがあったら、黙って俺の部屋に通して欲しい。<br>\\r\\n And... if Rena comes here while I'm gone, let her stay in my room.<br>\\r\\nそれから、レナの所在を尋ねる電話が来たら知らないって言って切っちゃって！」<br>\\r\\n And if someone calls and asks you if you know where she is, just tell them you don't know, and hang up, okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお袋は怪訝そうな顔をしていたが、俺は言い返す間を与えずに家を飛び出した。<br>\\r\\nMy mom looked angry that I was leaving the house at so late an hour, but I rushed out of the house before she could say anything.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はガレージの壁にかけてある懐中電灯を首に掛けると、自転車に跨り、夜の闇の中に飛び出していくのだった。<br>\\r\\nI grabbed a flashlight from the wall of the garage, got on my bicycle, and sped off into the darkness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今夜は、気持ちが悪いくらいに月が綺麗で、その姿が鮮明だった。<br>\\r\\nThe moon looked beautiful, but in a creepy way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何か、……とんでもないことが起ころうとしている。<br>\\r\\nI feel like... something terrible is going to happen.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが何だかはわからないけれど、……もうすぐそこまで迫っているんだ。<br>\\r\\nI don't know what it is... but I know it's coming.<br>\\r\\n何かが！<br>\\r\\n Something is going to happen!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n月だけがそれを知っていて、何も知らずに右往左往している俺たちを笑いながら見下ろしてるみたいな、そんな気がした。<br>\\r\\nThe moon, seemingly knowing just what that \\\"something\\\" will be, looked like it was laughing at us pacing back and forth in confusion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nくそ！<br>\\r\\nDamn it!<br>\\r\\n面白けりゃ笑えよ！<br>\\r\\n Laugh all you want!<br>\\r\\nこの滑稽な物語を好きなだけ笑えばいい！<br>\\r\\n Laugh at this funny story as much as you want!<br>\\r\\n俺は笑わねぇぞ！<br>\\r\\n I'm not going to laugh!<br>\\r\\n逆らってやる、抗ってやる！<br>\\r\\n I'm going to fight!<br>\\r\\n俺たちを待ち受けている何らかの運命に徹底的に抗ってやる！<br>\\r\\n I'm going to smash through whatever fate is waiting for us!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナめ……、居てくれよ…！！<br>\\r\\nRena... I hope you're there...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自転車のヤツめ、油が切れたかな？<br>\\r\\nMaybe my bicycle needs some oil...?<br>\\r\\nキィキィとうるさい。<br>\\r\\n It was making a lousy noise as I pedaled.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nくそ、自転車まで俺たちを嘲笑ってやがる…！<br>\\r\\nDamn it. Even my bicycle is laughing at us...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの隠れ家で灯りを付けても、うまい具合に廃車の山に遮られて、光は漏れない。<br>\\r\\nEven if I turned on the light in my hideout, nobody would see it because of the piles of abandoned cars in the way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……理屈ではわかっていても、私は念には念の意味を込め、灯りを付けなった。<br>\\r\\n...While I'm aware of that, I decided not to turn it on, just in case.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの静寂の隠れ家で、灯りひとつ付けずに息を潜めていることは、少なからず恐怖感を感じさせた。<br>\\r\\nIt's a bit scary to hide in this quiet place, alone in the dark, holding my breath.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何かをしている方がよっぽど気が紛れる。<br>\\r\\nI'd have to keep myself busy with something.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも今の私は、もう頭の回転も鈍り、今後どうすればいいかを考える気力もなかった。<br>\\r\\n...But my brain won't work properly, and I don't even have the energy to think about what to do from now on.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなのに、体を横たえて体力を回復させる勇気もなく。<br>\\r\\nHowever, I don't have the courage to lie down to sleep and regain my strength, either.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……たまに、聞こえるような気がする不審な物音にはっとしては、夜目を凝らして息を殺す。<br>\\r\\n...Every time I heard or thought I heard a suspicious sound, I'd gasp and stare into the dark.<br>\\r\\nその繰り返しだった。<br>\\r\\n That's all I did all night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石は園崎家の陰謀を信じてくれた。<br>\\r\\nOoishi believes that the Sonozaki family was behind the conspiracy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だが、陰謀の証拠を掴まねば、大々的に動くことはできない。<br>\\r\\n...But he can't do much without solid evidence.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその証拠とはおそらく、寄生虫を研究している施設か何かを抑えることを意味するのだろうが、<br>\\r\\nFor that, he has to locate the facility where they're doing research on the parasite.<br>\\r\\n……そんな施設がどこにあるのか見当もつかなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...But we have no idea where it is.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n入江診療所がもっともらしいとは思っているが、何の根拠もない。<br>\\r\\nI think the Irie Clinic is still the most likely site, but I have no credible evidence.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやつらだって、私が疑ってしまうようなところでは研究するまい。<br>\\r\\nReally, I don't think they'd do their research in a place so obvious even I could guess it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nおそらく………、戦時中の防空壕を再利用しているような、秘密の地下研究所みたいなものがあるのだ。<br>\\r\\nThey might be using one of the bomb shelters that was built during the war as some kind of secret underground research center.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう言えば、……古手神社の敷地の中に、中が公開されない秘密の建物がひとつあった。<br>\\r\\nNow that I come to think about it... I remember a secret building nobody is allowed into on the premises of the Furude Shrine.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確か、祭具殿という名前だ。<br>\\r\\nI think it's called the ritual storehouse.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんの研究によるならば、古手神社こそはオヤシロさま信仰の中心地だ。<br>\\r\\nAccording to Miyo-san's research, the Furude Shrine is the center of the local worship of Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、その儀式のひとつである、奇祭、綿流しのための道具を納めている祭具殿はとても神聖な意味があるらしい。<br>\\r\\nThe priest keeps the tools for ceremonies in the ritual storehouse. One of the ceremonies is the bizarre festival, Watanagashi, and so the shrine storage must be something very sacred.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確か、その綿流しも、強過ぎる寄生虫からの免疫を得るため、ワクチンを作ったりする医学的な儀式だったはずだ。<br>\\r\\nIf I remember right, Watanagashi was also a medical ritual designed to vaccinate and immunize people against the all-too-strong parasites.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nならば、その綿流しに用いる祭具とは、医学的な道具ということになる。<br>\\r\\nThat means the tools they used for Watanagashi were medical ones.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだとするならば、祭具殿という建物はもっとも神聖にして、もっとも医学的な建物ということになる。<br>\\r\\nIf my guess is right, the ritual storehouse is the most sacred place in the village, as well as the most appropriate building to use for medical purposes.<br>\\r\\n…………怪しい。<br>\\r\\n ...It's suspicious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n祭具殿の中に、秘密の研究室があるのではないだろうか。<br>\\r\\nThere might be a secret research center in the ritual storehouse.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あぁくそ。<br>\\r\\n...Ah, damn it.<br>\\r\\n入江診療所なんかじゃない、やるならこっちだ。<br>\\r\\n The police should be performing a raid on the ritual storehouse, not the Irie Clinic.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何でさっき大石と電話をしている時に思いつかなかったのだろう！<br>\\r\\nWhy didn't I think of that when I was talking with Ooishi on the phone earlier?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石が思いつけばいいのだが……。<br>\\r\\nI hope Ooishi realizes this, too...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう一度電話ボックスへ行って、大石に祭具殿のことを話そうか？<br>\\r\\nShould I go back to the phone booth and tell him about the ritual storehouse?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう思った時、私は車のエンジン音が近付いてくるのが聞こえ、さらに息を潜めた。<br>\\r\\nBut when I thought that, I heard a car coming closer. I held my breath.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんな深夜に車が通るなんてありえない。<br>\\r\\nIt's not normal for a car to come here this late at night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n恐ろしい予感が頭にいくつも過ぎり、私を緊張させる…。<br>\\r\\nI thought about many possible scary scenarios, which made me nervous...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやがて、ダム現場の工事事務所跡の方から、車のヘッドライトらしきものが光るのが見えた。<br>\\r\\nAfter a while, I saw the headlights of the car near the former dam construction office.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさっき通り過ぎた車は工事事務所跡へ向かったのだろう。<br>\\r\\nThe car must have passed by me and gone to the office.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だが、あそこは無人でプレハブだけが残っている空っぽだ。<br>\\r\\n...But it's a deserted empty office building. There's nothing there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんな時間に訪れるような場所では、断じてない。<br>\\r\\nIt's not a place where people would visit this late at night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n闇の中に目を凝らしていると、車のエンジンが止まってライトが消え、代わりに２人分の、ちらちらと蠢く懐中電灯の灯りが見えた。<br>\\r\\nWhile I was staring into the dark, the engine of the car stopped, and its headlights were turned off. I could see two flashlights flickering in the darkness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその灯りはプレハブの中へ入っていったようだった。<br>\\r\\nThe lights moved into the office building.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……私があの中に潜んでいないか、探しているに違いない。<br>\\r\\n...They must think I'm hiding there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、彼らが帰るまでの間、ずっと息を潜めてそれを眺めていた。<br>\\r\\nI held my breath and kept watch on their movements.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここからちらつく灯りだけでは、それが何者なのかはわからない。<br>\\r\\nI can't tell who they are.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nおそらくは……園崎家の手先だろう。<br>\\r\\nBut I bet... they're pawns of the Sonozaki family.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が家を出たことを知り、村中を探しているに違いない…。<br>\\r\\nThey know that I ran away from home. They must be looking for me everywhere in the village...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…息を潜めてなくてはならない時に限って、顔がむず痒くなったり、足が伸ばしたくなったりするのが腹立たしい。<br>\\r\\n...Though I needed to conceal my breath, my face started feeling itchy, and I had an urge to stretch my legs. My own body infuriated me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n蒸し暑さでじっとりと汗ばみ、そのせいでさっきから肘の裏や首筋などが痒くて仕方がなかった。<br>\\r\\nThe humidity made me sweat all over, so the back of my knees and my neck had been itchy for quite a while.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n掻くと、バリバリと信じられないくらいに大きな音を立てたので、私は驚き、掻くのをやめた。<br>\\r\\nScratching would make an unbelievably loud noise, so I decided not to scratch anymore.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……普段は虫刺されを掻いたってこんなにも意地悪な音は出ないのに！<br>\\r\\n...It usually doesn't make any noise when I just scratch some mosquito bites!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私の神経が過敏になっている証拠だろう。<br>\\r\\nI'm probably just being nervous and overreacting.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…これだけ離れている上、闇の中で息を潜めている。<br>\\r\\n...There's quite the distance between me and them, and I'm in the dark, holding my breath.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n引っ掻くどころか、くしゃみをしたってバレやしないとわかってる。<br>\\r\\nThey wouldn't notice it even if I sneezed, let alone scratched myself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それでも、わずかの音が許せず、私はしばらくの間、体中のあちこちが痒いのに我慢し、……結局、反動で全身を余計にバリバリと掻き毟るしかなかった。<br>\\r\\n...But I didn't want to make any noise at all. So, I tried to forget the itchiness. ...But after all that, I ended up scratching everywhere like mad.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれからずっと隠れてやり過ごすような生活をしていかなくちゃならないのに、その最初の夜でこれだけ緊張してるようでは、とても長続きするわけない。<br>\\r\\nI have to live in hiding like this for a while. I don't know how long I can go on when I'm so nervous on just the first night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私には、この程度のことで動じない図太さがもう少し必要に違いなかった。<br>\\r\\nI need to toughen up more so I can remain placid, even in a situation like this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう思い、無理にリラックスを装いながら、遠慮なく首筋をボリボリと掻いて、じっとり張り付いて流れない汗の不快感を堪えていた。<br>\\r\\nI forced myself to relax, scratched my neck without hesitation, and tried to cope with the sticky sweat all over my body.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……空腹が気になりだした。<br>\\r\\n...I started getting hungry.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお腹の虫が今度は騒ぎ出す。<br>\\r\\nMy stomach growled.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だが、お腹が空いたのはリラックスしてきた証拠に違いない。<br>\\r\\n...That's a good sign, though, since it means I'm starting to relax.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでもさすがに食事をすれば、そこそこに騒がしくなる…。<br>\\r\\nI can't eat yet, though. It'd make a lot of noise...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、あの事務所跡を探しているやつらが帰るまでそれを我慢することにする。<br>\\r\\nI decided to wait until they finished looking for me and went away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n早く帰れ、早く帰れ。<br>\\r\\nGo away. Go away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお前らが帰れば食事なんだ。<br>\\r\\nI can eat if you go away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そう念じ続けたのが功を奏したのか、２人分の灯りはプレハブの周りを探るのを止めたようだった。<br>\\r\\n...It seemed like the intentions I was sending out bore fruit. They had stopped looking around the building.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だが、念が強すぎたのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n...However, I must have concentrated my thoughts too strongly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその灯りが、ずっとこっちを照らし続けているのだ。<br>\\r\\nThey were pointing their flashlights in my direction.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…まさか、こっちに気付いた？！<br>\\r\\n...Did they notice me?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n違う。<br>\\r\\nNo.<br>\\r\\n彼らは、こっちへ向かって歩いてきているのだ！<br>\\r\\n Not only that, they're walking towards me!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は慌てて身をすくめると、毛布を被り耳を澄ませた。<br>\\r\\nI made my body as small as possible, hid under the blanket, and listened for their footsteps as carefully as I could.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………やがて、………ざくりざくりと、２人分の足音が近付いてくるのを感じた。<br>\\r\\n...All the while... I heard their footsteps coming closer and closer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその足音が、あまりに惑いなくこちらに近付いてくるので、私は自分がすでに見付かっているのではないかと怯えた。<br>\\r\\nSince the footsteps are coming straight towards me, they must already know where I am, I think. It's scary.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、見付かっているはずはない…。<br>\\r\\nBut there's no way they already know where I am...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの場所を始めから知っていたなら、プレハブを探すという無駄な時間は割かないはずだし、<br>\\r\\nIf they did, they wouldn't have wasted their time looking for me around the office building,<br>\\r\\n私を発見しているなら、こんなにものんびりとした足音で歩いたりはしない。<br>\\r\\n and they wouldn't walk as slowly as they did.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……彼らがこっちへ向かってくるのはまったくの偶然なのだ…。<br>\\r\\n...It's just a coincidence that they're walking in this direction...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n毛布を被っているので、彼らが何者かはわからなかった。<br>\\r\\nSince I'm hiding under the blanket, I can't see who they are.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n懐中電灯でどこを照らしているのかもわからないので、迂闊に窓から顔を覗かせるわけにもいかない。<br>\\r\\nI don't know where they're shining their flashlights, so I can't stick my head out from the window to see who they are, either.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は彼らの気配が消えるまで、石になったつもりで縮こまっている他ない。<br>\\r\\nI'd just have to stay motionless like a rock until I sense they're gone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼らは、私の隠れ家のすぐ近くまで来ると立ち止まった。<br>\\r\\nThey stopped when they came near my hideout.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…２人の会話が聞こえる。<br>\\r\\n...I could hear their conversation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………いねえだろ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I don't think she's here.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ぐるっと回ってみるか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Let's look somewhere else.<br>\\r\\nそっち見てくれ。」<br>\\r\\n You look over there.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼らの足音が別れ、２人がぐるっとこのゴミ山を巡回しているのがわかる。<br>\\r\\nI could tell by the sound of their footsteps that they went separate ways and that each of them is walking around the piles of trash separately.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……この隠れ家は廃車の中を改装しただけのものだ。<br>\\r\\n...I made this hideout out of an abandoned car. I just redecorated it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nぱっと見ただけでは普通の廃車にしか見えない。<br>\\r\\nSo on the outside, it still looks like nothing other than an abandoned car.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だが、中を覗きこまれれば、明らかにただの廃車でないことがわかってしまう。<br>\\r\\n...But once you look inside, you can instantly tell it's more than that.<br>\\r\\nもしバレたら、完全に袋の鼠だ…。<br>\\r\\n So, if they look inside, I'm done for...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼らの会話から、明らかに自分を探しているものとわかる。<br>\\r\\nIt's obvious that they're looking for me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……では…こいつらは、園崎組の特攻隊？！<br>\\r\\n...Are they a Sonozaki Corps attack unit?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n見付かれば、……この場で捻り殺されてしまうに違いない！<br>\\r\\nIf they find me... I'll be killed for sure!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの場所がどれほど殺しに向いているかを私は身に染みて理解している。<br>\\r\\nI know all too well that this place is perfect for murdering people.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何しろ２人も殺せたんだ。<br>\\r\\nI killed two people here myself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私にもできたんだから、プロ中のプロの彼らには造作もない！<br>\\r\\nIf I can do it, it'll be no problem for them, because they're real professional killers!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、だからと言って、今の私には何もできない。<br>\\r\\nEven so, there's nothing I can do right now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nただただ、彼らが立ち去ってくれることを祈るしかできない。<br>\\r\\nI just have to pray that they'll leave here soon.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、かすかにピーーー…というか細い電子音が聞こえた。<br>\\r\\nAt that time, I heard a slight beeping sound.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……敦です、感度良好。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...This is Atsushi. I can hear you loud and clear.<br>\\r\\n…………………はい。<br>\\r\\n .........Yes.<br>\\r\\n…………………ごぐらぁ？！<br>\\r\\n ............Gogura?!<br>\\r\\nはい、了解です。」<br>\\r\\n Yes, understood.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どうした？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What's wrong?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「竜宮レナは穀倉らしい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It seems like Rena Ryuugu is in Gogura.<br>\\r\\n目撃情報があったそうだ。」<br>\\r\\n Somebody saw her there.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おいおい…、お手上げだぜ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh man... That's it. We'll never find her now.<br>\\r\\nどうするんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n What are we gonna do now?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「とにかく是が非でも、ひっ捕まえてつれて来いって旦那の命令だ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's an order. We have to find her no matter what. We have to bring her to him.<br>\\r\\n例え行ったのが札幌だろうと博多だろうと、追っ掛けるしかねぇだろ。」<br>\\r\\n It doesn't matter if she's in Sapporo or in Hakata. We have to find her.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「無理だぜ、見つかるわけねぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It'll be impossible to find her, though.<br>\\r\\n……それでも探さなきゃなんねぇのか？」<br>\\r\\n ...Do we still have to look?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……旦那は竜宮レナの持つ、鷹野三四のスクラップ帖ってのを欲しがってる。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Rena Ryuugu has Miyo Takano's scrapbooks, and he wants them.<br>\\r\\nあんだけの剣幕になるんだから、相当のもんだろうぜ。」<br>\\r\\n He was pretty upset about it, so I'm sure they're worth a lot.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「で、俺たちはどうするんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"So, what are we going to do?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「竜宮家前に張り付きだけ残して、他は引き上げだそうだ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It seems like he recalled the others, except the ones who're watching her house.<br>\\r\\n戻って麦茶でも飲もうぜ。」<br>\\r\\n So, we should go back to the office, too. Let's have some barley tea or something.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれから２人の足音は遠いてやがて聞こえなくなり、………車のエンジンをかける音。<br>\\r\\nI heard their footsteps going further, and then I didn't hear them anymore. After a while, I heard the engine of their car starting.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はそこでようやく毛布を出て外を見た。<br>\\r\\nI finally got out from under the blanket and looked outside the window.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n車のライトがＵターンし、引き上げていくのが見えた。<br>\\r\\nThe car made a U-turn and drove away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてエンジン音すら夜のしじまに溶け込む………。<br>\\r\\nThe sound of the engine faded away into the darkness...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、ためにためていた熱いため息を一気に吐き出し、<br>\\r\\nI heaved a sigh of relief.<br>\\r\\nさっきまでずっと堪えていた全身の虫刺されを掻き毟り、べったり張り付いていた汗を拭って、こらえていたセキを全て吐き出すのだった。<br>\\r\\n I scratched at all of my itchy mosquito bites, wiped the sticky sweat off my face and neck, and finally allowed myself to cough.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやつらの会話をはっきりと聞いた。<br>\\r\\nI'd heard their conversation clearly.<br>\\r\\n間違いなく今の２人は園崎組の手先だった。<br>\\r\\n They're the pawns of the Sonozaki Corps, without a doubt.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それは大石の言っていた話とも合致する。<br>\\r\\n...It matches with what Ooishi told me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして彼らはもっとはっきりと重要なことを口にした。<br>\\r\\nAnd they said something very important.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは「スクラップ帖」が目的であると明言した点だった。<br>\\r\\nThey clearly said that they're after \\\"the scrapbooks\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は今日まで、自分が狙われる理由を、三四さんのスクラップ帖を受け取ったからと推測してきたが、誰の口からもそう聞かされていたわけではない。<br>\\r\\nUp until now, I'd only assumed that they were chasing after me because I had Miyo-san's scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……私の思い込みであると、無理に思い込むこともできた。<br>\\r\\n...I could've forced myself to believe that it was just my assumption.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、彼らははっきりと口にしたのだ！<br>\\r\\nBut they said it loud and clear!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナをひっ捕まえる。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We need to find Rena Ryuugu.<br>\\r\\nその理由は鷹野三四のスクラップ帖を持っているからだとはっきりと口にした！<br>\\r\\n She has Miyo Takano's scrapbooks.\\\" That's what they said!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれから、竜宮家前に監視を残したということも言った。<br>\\r\\nThey also said that they're keeping watch on my house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……当然だろう。<br>\\r\\n...I'm not surprised.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私も追う側だったら間違いなく抑える。<br>\\r\\nThat's exactly what I would do if I were them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n家には間違っても戻らない方がいい。<br>\\r\\nI can't go back to my house anymore. It's out of the question.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………だが、…実はこれらのことよりもはるかに重要なことを彼らは言っていた。<br>\\r\\n...But... in fact, they said something way more important than any of that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう、それは<br>\\r\\nThey said<br>\\r\\n…………、<br>\\r\\n......<br>\\r\\n「竜宮レナが穀倉にいた」ということだ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Rena Ryuugu was seen in Gogura.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれがごく普通の状況下でなら、おそらくよく似た何者かの見間違いだろうと笑い捨てられる。<br>\\r\\nIf I was in a normal situation, I'd probably think that somebody saw a lookalike, and I'd laugh out loud.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………だが、現在はすでにそういう状況ではない。<br>\\r\\n...But the situation is different now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんがすでに死んでいるのに、「居た」。<br>\\r\\nMiyo-san was dead, but she was at the festival.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして私がここにいるのに、穀倉に「居た」。<br>\\r\\nI'm here, but I was in Gogura.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………それは三四さんのスクラップ帖に書かれた内容の中で、…もっとも信じたくない部分だった。<br>\\r\\n...Miyo-san wrote about it in her scrapbooks... and I didn't want to believe it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやつらは……、園崎家の暗躍などとは別に、………私に徐々に迫ろうとしている…。<br>\\r\\nThey're... coming closer to me... and I don't mean the Sonozaki family...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……すでに何もかもが、私の常識を超えようとしている。<br>\\r\\n...Something beyond common sense is about to happen.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…戦うべきか逃げるべきか、それすらの判断もつかず、私は立ちすくみ食いちぎられようとしている…？<br>\\r\\n...Should I fight or should I run? I don't even know what I should do. I feel like I'm rooted to the spot with fear. Am I about to be eaten...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……………いやだいやだ…。<br>\\r\\n...No, no, no...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n立ちすくんだまま食い殺されるなんて絶対に嫌だ。<br>\\r\\nI don't want to be eaten alive.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n勝てないなら逃げたい。<br>\\r\\nI want to run away if I can't win.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n逃げられないなら戦いたい。<br>\\r\\nIf I can't run, I want to fight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………絶対に幸せになってやるんだ、絶対！<br>\\r\\n...I'm going to be happy. I know I am!<br>\\r\\n座してなんか、終われるものか…！<br>\\r\\n I'm not going to sit pretty and let them get me...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、……………三四さんのスクラップ帖の「予言」する敵は、少しずつ私に近付きつつあり、私を蝕みつつある。<br>\\r\\nBut... the enemy Miyo-san foretold of in the scrapbooks is coming closer to me, and it's starting to eat me up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのゴミ山にいる私が、人知れず失踪してしまうようなことがあれば。<br>\\r\\nI'm in the garbage dump, alone. If I disappeared right now without anybody knowing it...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n穀倉に現れた私が、何事もなかったかのように、私に変わって元の生活に入り込む。<br>\\r\\nThe person who was in Gogura would replace me and start living my life.<br>\\r\\n……周りには絶対にわからない。<br>\\r\\n ...Nobody would notice the change.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお父さんにだって友達にだって、誰にもわかることなく、入れ替わっていく……。<br>\\r\\nMy father wouldn't notice it. My friends wouldn't notice it. <i>It</i> would replace me without having anyone noticed it...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいや、私が気付いていないだけで……、<br>\\r\\nWait.<br>\\r\\nもう身近な人間たちがだいぶ入れ替わり始めているのではないだろうか……？<br>\\r\\n Many people close to me might've been replaced already...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう。<br>\\r\\nThat's right.<br>\\r\\n………園崎家が起こそうとしている細菌テロなど、結局は彼らの手の平で踊っているだけのことなのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...The Sonozaki family is plotting bioterrorism. But that's only a part of what <i>they</i> are planning.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼らの仲間に取り憑かれた鼠は、猫を恐れなくなる。<br>\\r\\nMice possessed by <i>them</i> don't get scared of cats.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその結果、猫の姿を見ても逃げなくなる。<br>\\r\\nAs a result, they don't run away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だから猫に食われ、彼らは猫の体へ移ることができるのだ。<br>\\r\\n...They'll be eaten by the cats, and <i>they</i> can move into the cats' bodies.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……鼠は彼らの目的に利用されているだけで、その目的を助けるために猫を恐れなくなるわけではない。<br>\\r\\n...Mice are only used by <i>them</i> for that purpose. It's not that they lose their fear of cats in order to help <i>them</i> achieve their purpose.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから園崎家も同じこと。<br>\\r\\nThe same thing goes with the Sonozaki family.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……自らの意思で動いているように思っていて、…その実、彼らの目的を知らず知らずに手伝っている。<br>\\r\\n...They think they're doing things by their own will... but they're just helping <i>them</i> without realizing it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれこそは、太古の昔からの彼らの「寄生」。<br>\\r\\nThat's exactly how they've lived since long ago, being the \\\"parasite\\\".<br>\\r\\n我々は所詮、鼠の群れに過ぎないのだ。<br>\\r\\n We're nothing but a bunch of mice to them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nほとんどの馬鹿で愚鈍な鼠たちは、彼らの存在など気付きもせず、結局は自らの意思で生きているよう誤解しながら、彼らの目的を手伝う。<br>\\r\\nMost mice are stupid. They don't even notice <i>their</i> existence. They help <i>them</i> to achieve <i>their</i> purpose, thinking they're living their lives by their own will.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だが、稀に勘のいい鼠が生まれることもあった。<br>\\r\\n...But very rarely, a mouse with wits is born.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n勘のいい鼠は自分たちが利用されていることを知り、時に彼らの存在を看破した。<br>\\r\\nThis mouse notices that he's being used, and he also notices <i>their</i> existence.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……もちろん看破したところで、誰も信じないのだから問題はない。<br>\\r\\n...But nobody believes him, so it's not a big deal.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやがて看破した鼠も勘違いだったと思い、飲まれて消える。<br>\\r\\nHe starts thinking that it was his mistake, and he gets swallowed by <i>them</i>. Eventually, he disappears.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nところがさらにさらに稀に、……その気付きを、客観的に証明できる鼠が現れる。<br>\\r\\nBut even more rarely... a mouse appears from nowhere, notices <i>their</i> existence, and objectively proves it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれがまさに三四さんだった。<br>\\r\\n That mouse was Miyo-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼らにとって、……この稀な鼠は極めて危険な存在だった。<br>\\r\\nTo <i>them</i>... this mouse was a rare and very dangerous existence.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だから、この鼠が現れた時、彼らは信じられないくらいに強引で、大胆に、取り除こうとする。<br>\\r\\n...That's why they resorted to unbelievably bold and violent methods to try and eliminate that mouse when it appeared.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその強引で大胆な手口は、…実は意外にも私たちは知っている。<br>\\r\\nBut surprisingly, we knew... about those measures.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だが、愚鈍な鼠たちはそれを嘲笑い信じない。<br>\\r\\n...But the stupid mice don't believe it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……信じないように誘導され、結局彼らを助けているのに、気付かない。<br>\\r\\n...They don't notice that <i>they</i> are forcing them to not believe it, and that they're helping <i>them</i> in the end.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………彼らは三四さんを消した。<br>\\r\\n...<i>They</i> killed Miyo-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、……入れ替わろうとした。<br>\\r\\n And... they tried to replace her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、彼らの失敗は消したはずの本当の三四さんの死体を、見つけられてしまったこと。<br>\\r\\nBut they made a mistake. We found the real corpse of Miyo-san.<br>\\r\\nだから、入れ替わりに失敗してしまったのだ。<br>\\r\\n That's why they failed to replace her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……………なら、……私をも消し、入れ替わろうとするだろう。<br>\\r\\n...They'll try to kill me and replace me, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあるいは、私に近付くために、………私の仲間たちとも入れ替わるだろう。<br>\\r\\nOr they'll replace my friends... in order to get close to me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……外見だけが同じなのに、……中身はまったく違う、我々の想像を絶する…異常な存在。<br>\\r\\nThey'll look just like the real people... but they're totally different inside. They're an abnormal existence that's beyond our imagination.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいや、…………現れる。<br>\\r\\nI know... they'll appear.<br>\\r\\nもう、<br>\\r\\n No... They're already<br>\\r\\n現れてる。<br>\\r\\n here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さんの死の翌日に現れた。<br>\\r\\nIt appeared the day after Miyo-san died.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして今夜、穀倉に私が現れた。<br>\\r\\nAnd it appeared in Gogura tonight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……まだまだ現れる。<br>\\r\\n...They'll keep coming.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼らは形振り構わず私を追っている。<br>\\r\\nThey're openly after me now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまだまだ、まだまだ、……現れる…。<br>\\r\\nThey'll keep coming... They'll keep coming...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、スクラップの斜面を何者かが降りてくる音が聞こえた。<br>\\r\\nRight then, I heard somebody coming down the slope.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は再び身を屈め、音が聞こえた方を疑う。<br>\\r\\nI concealed my presence again, and I looked at the direction where the footsteps were coming from.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………懐中電灯の灯りは１つ。<br>\\r\\n...I could see one flashlight.<br>\\r\\n…１人のようだった。<br>\\r\\n ...It looked like there was only one person now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………誰？<br>\\r\\n...Who is it?<br>\\r\\n……こんな時間に…？<br>\\r\\n ...This late at night...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその人影はとても小さく、……断じて大人ではありえなかった。<br>\\r\\n<i>Its</i> shadow is very small... I can tell <i>it</i> nisn't an adult.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全身にぞわぞわっとしたものが走り抜ける…！<br>\\r\\nI felt a chill running through my body...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n懐中電灯がこっちを照らし、足音はまっすぐ近付いてくる。<br>\\r\\n<i>It</i> shined the flashlight towards my hideout, and <i>its</i> footsteps were coming straight towards me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………さっきの連中と違い、私がここに隠れていることを理解しているような足音だった。<br>\\r\\n...It's different from the other guys earlier. I can tell by the sound of the footsteps that <i>it</i> knows I'm hiding here for sure.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…いや、……きっとそれは偶然。<br>\\r\\n...No... it must be just a coincidence.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…もう一回隠れよう。<br>\\r\\n...I should just conceal myself again.<br>\\r\\n絶対にやり過ごせる。<br>\\r\\n I can make it through this again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさっきだってやり過ごせた。<br>\\r\\nI made it through last time.<br>\\r\\n…隠れろ、隠れろ…！！<br>\\r\\n ...I need to hide. I need to hide...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は毛布を被り、自分は石だと念じながら縮こまった…。<br>\\r\\nI pulled the blanket over myself, made myself as small as possible, and kept telling myself that I was a stone...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、信じられないくらいに無常に、足音は近付いてくる………。<br>\\r\\nBut the footsteps kept coming closer and closer...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、<br>\\r\\nAnd...<br>\\r\\n………この隠れ家の車を、<br>\\r\\n <i>it</i><br>\\r\\n……コン、<br>\\r\\n knocked<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nコン、<br>\\r\\n on the door<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nと、……ノックするように叩いた。<br>\\r\\n of my hideout...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は両目を見開き、全身からボタボタとあふれ出る脂汗を抑えられずにいる。<br>\\r\\nI opened my eyes wide. I broke out in a nervous sweat.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それがノックを意味するものでないと信じたくて、頭を真っ白にして恐怖と戦っていた。<br>\\r\\n...Not wanting to believe that the sound I heard was a knock, my mind went completely blank.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、ノックは再び響く。<br>\\r\\nBut <i>it</i> knocked on the door again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………毛布越しに明るさを感じた。<br>\\r\\n...I could feel a light shining on the blanket.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…私は、……懐中電灯ではっきりと照らし出されているのではないだろうか……！<br>\\r\\n...<i>It</i>... might be shining the flashlight on me...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれでも、なお私は恐怖をかみ殺す。<br>\\r\\nBut I still held back my fear.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……身動きさえしなければ、私には指一本触れられないのだと…勝手なおまじないを決め、わずかの震えすら耐えた。<br>\\r\\n...As long as I don't move, <i>it</i> can't put a finger on me... I kept telling myself that as if I was casting a spell. I tried not to shake in fear.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………くすくすくすくす。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Hee hee hee.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは明白な笑い声。<br>\\r\\n<i>It</i> laughed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……私が見つかっていないだろうと、未だ縮こまり続けていることを嘲笑う声。<br>\\r\\n...<i>It</i> has laughed at me because I thought I was still hiding perfectly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだけど、…それでも私はこらえる。<br>\\r\\nBut... I still tried.<br>\\r\\n……だってだって、…ここから出たら…！！<br>\\r\\n ...Because if I got out of the blanket...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……何に怯えてるの？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...What are you scared of?<br>\\r\\n……くすくすくすくす。」<br>\\r\\n ...Hee hee hee.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ぅ、……ぅわああああぁあぁああぁあ！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"W...Woooooooooooohhhhhhhh!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は毛布を払いのけると、その声の主と対面した。<br>\\r\\nI threw off the blanket, and saw the owner of the voice.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………それは、……梨花ちゃんだった。<br>\\r\\n...<i>It</i> is... Rika-chan.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…それはまさに、………ありえない場所でのありえない出会いだった。<br>\\r\\n...Now... Why is she here? Why did she come here to see me?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんな深夜に……こんな場所に梨花ちゃんが１人で現れるなんて、……ありえない！<br>\\r\\nI don't understand why she came all the way here alone this late at night...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…私は咄嗟に悟る。<br>\\r\\n...I realized all of a sudden.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの梨花ちゃんは、………確かにどこから見ても梨花ちゃんだが、<br>\\r\\nShe looks just like Rika-chan... on the outside...<br>\\r\\n………梨花ちゃんの外見を完璧に模した、<br>\\r\\n but she's not her. <i>It</i><br>\\r\\n………それ以外の存在であることを悟る。<br>\\r\\n is just copying her appearance.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n三四さん、私、……そして、梨花ちゃんまでも…ということなのか…。<br>\\r\\n<i>It</i> came to Miyo-san, to me... and to Rika-chan...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから私は、恐怖に押しつぶされる前に、少しでも心を奮い立たせようと、あえて攻撃的に口を開いた。<br>\\r\\nI decided to talk aggressively on purpose in order to work up courage before my fear crushed me down.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………梨花ちゃん……かな…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Is that you... Rika-chan...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……みー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Meep.<br>\\r\\n…他の誰に見えるのですか？」<br>\\r\\n ...Who else do I look like?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんは、私のよく知る梨花ちゃんのように応えた。<br>\\r\\n<i>It</i> answers just like the Rika-chan I know.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だが、ありえない。<br>\\r\\n...But I know it's not Rika-chan.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんな時間のこんな場所を訪れるなんて、絶対にありえない…！！<br>\\r\\nRika-chan wouldn't come to a place like this so late at night...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………わかるよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I know who you are.<br>\\r\\n…………梨花ちゃんじゃ、ないんでしょ？」<br>\\r\\n ...I know you're not Rika-chan.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...............\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……お生憎だけど、私の目は誤魔化せないよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I'm afraid you can't deceive me like you can the others.<br>\\r\\n外見が梨花ちゃんであっても、…あんたは梨花ちゃんじゃない。<br>\\r\\n Even though you look just like her... I know you're not Rika-chan.<br>\\r\\n私の友達の古手梨花じゃない。<br>\\r\\n You're not my friend, <NAME>.<br>\\r\\n……何者…？！」<br>\\r\\n ...Who are you...?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...............\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花は、しばらくの間、きょとんとしていた。<br>\\r\\nRika looked stunned for a while.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…私の言っていることがわからないかのように振舞っているようにも見えた。<br>\\r\\n...She looked as if she didn't understand what I was talking about.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、……その間が、<br>\\r\\nBut... she pretended like that<br>\\r\\n長い。<br>\\r\\n for too long.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何のことかわからなければ、とっくに沈黙に堪えきれなくなってもおかしくないはずの時間を、……無言でいた。<br>\\r\\nIf she really didn't know what I was talking about, she wouldn't be able to stand the silence for this long. But she kept quiet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、…………ついに化けの皮を、<br>\\r\\nAnd... she finally showed<br>\\r\\n…脱ぐ。<br>\\r\\n her true character.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……くす、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Hee<br>\\r\\n……<br>\\r\\n ...<br>\\r\\nくす<br>\\r\\nhee<br>\\r\\nくす<br>\\r\\n hee<br>\\r\\nくす<br>\\r\\n hee<br>\\r\\nくす<br>\\r\\n hee<br>\\r\\nくす。」<br>\\r\\n hee.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそいつは笑う。<br>\\r\\n<i>It</i> laughed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………外見上、絶対に看破できるはずのない自分が梨花でないことを看破したことを、面白がるかのように笑った。<br>\\r\\n...<i>It</i> laughed at me because I figured out something that was almost impossible to figure out; that <i>it</i> was not Rika.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………あんた、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Who<br>\\r\\n………誰！！」<br>\\r\\n are you...?!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私の問い掛けに応えず、……そいつはしばらくの間、ひとりで笑い続けていた。<br>\\r\\n<i>It</i> didn't answer my question. ...<i>It</i> keptnlaughing for a while.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれから、……私に目を合わせ、……梨花ちゃんが絶対に見せたことのないような瞳を覗かせて、こう言った。<br>\\r\\nAnd then, <i>it</i> looked straight into my eyes in a way Rika-chan never did before, and <i>it</i> said this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私もこの世に生きて長いけど。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I've lived for quite a long time.<br>\\r\\n………私を梨花じゃないと見破ったやつは初めてよ。<br>\\r\\n ...But you're the first one who penetrated my disguise.<br>\\r\\nあなたは勘がいい人だと初対面から思ってたけど、………大したものね。<br>\\r\\n I always thought you had good intuition, but... you're pretty good.<br>\\r\\nくすくすくす…。」<br>\\r\\n Hee hee hee...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...............!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……私が心の中で一番怯えていたことを、はっきりと口に出され…、私は明らかに驚愕していたと思う。<br>\\r\\n...She clearly spoke to me the things that I was most afraid of... I was completely shocked.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこう言われたら恐ろしい、こう言われたら曲解のしようもない、<br>\\r\\nIt's like she told me everything that could possibly scare me.<br>\\r\\n……そういう恐れが書き出されてどこかに置かれているのではないかと思うくらいに、…それをはっきりと口にした。<br>\\r\\n I didn't want to hear any of this. It's something I can't possibly twist in a way I can comprehend.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「でもあえて梨花だと名乗っておくわ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Let's just say I'm Rika for now.<br>\\r\\n………私も、梨花を自分の呼び名だと思って、かなり長いしね。」<br>\\r\\n ...It's been a while since I started to call myself that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……へぇ………。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Oh, really...<br>\\r\\n…長いって、<br>\\r\\n It's been a while, huh?<br>\\r\\n………どれくらいに………？」<br>\\r\\n Like how long...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大したことはないわ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Not that long.<br>\\r\\nほんの１００年程度よ。」<br>\\r\\n It's only been about 100 years.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………は、<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Wh-<br>\\r\\n………はぁ？！<br>\\r\\nWhat...?!<br>\\r\\n何を言ってんの、あんた！！！」<br>\\r\\n What are you talking about?!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n矛盾した感情だった。<br>\\r\\nI'm contradicting myself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n目の前の存在が梨花でないとわかっていながら、梨花でないその存在を否定してしまう。<br>\\r\\nI know the person who's standing in front of me isn't Rika, but at the same time, I deny its existence.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……この感情が人間に備わり続ける限り、…人間は自らの知らないものを永遠に認知できないだろう。<br>\\r\\n...As long as humans hold this kind of emotion... they can never accept unknown existences.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だからこそ、「彼ら」を人類は認知できないのだが。<br>\\r\\n...In other words, we can never accept \\\"them\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「怯えなくていいわ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You don't have to be scared.<br>\\r\\nあなたは車内。<br>\\r\\n You're in the car.<br>\\r\\n私は車外。<br>\\r\\n I'm outside of it.<br>\\r\\n……互いに、相手に物騒なことをするのは簡単じゃない。<br>\\r\\n ...It's not easy for either of us to do something to the other.<br>\\r\\nお互いに都合のいい距離だと思うけど？<br>\\r\\n I think this is a perfect distance between us.<br>\\r\\n私が何百年生きていようとも、古手梨花は所詮、小さな子どもだもの。<br>\\r\\n No matter how long I've lived, <NAME> is still just a little kid.<br>\\r\\nあなたに腕力で勝てると思ってないわ。<br>\\r\\n You're still stronger than me.<br>\\r\\n………むしろ、逆上したあなたに飛び掛られないか、不安なのはこっちの方なんだから。」<br>\\r\\n ...I should be more careful than you, because you could snap and jump on me anytime.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……私はこの梨花の外見をした不気味な存在が、私と会話をしに来ていることを悟り、ほんの少しの精神的余裕を回復した。<br>\\r\\n...I realized that this creepy thing that looks just like Rika was only here to talk to me. I felt my tension fade away a little bit.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、………このような深夜のありえない場所で、…私と何を話したいというのか。<br>\\r\\nBut still... I don't know what she wants to talk to me about at a place like this, so late at night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもはや私は俎上の鯉。<br>\\r\\nI'm like a fish on a cutting board.<br>\\r\\n……ならば、今この場は潔くする他なかった。<br>\\r\\n ...There's nothing I can do other than to wait and see what's going to happen.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n相手の出方をしばらく待つと、…そいつは口を開いた。<br>\\r\\nI waited for <i>it</i> to make a move for a while... And then, <i>it</i> opened its mouth again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………あなたは、何かに怯えている。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...You're afraid of something.<br>\\r\\n………それは正解？」<br>\\r\\n ...Am I right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n嫌味な言い方だった。<br>\\r\\n<i>It</i> uses sarcasm.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あの愛くるしい梨花ちゃんの顔が、こんなにも歪みながら笑うなんて信じられなかった。<br>\\r\\n...Rika-chan's cute face looked uglier than ever when <i>it</i> smiled.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから私は、心の中に沸きあがろうとする恐怖の感情をねじ伏せながら、気丈に返す。<br>\\r\\nI held back my fear, and tried to reply firmly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………えぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\nお陰様で。」<br>\\r\\n Thanks to you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"So............<br>\\r\\n……………何に怯えているの？」<br>\\r\\n what are you afraid of?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……あんたらが……一番よくわかっているくせに！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...You should know that better than anybody else!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………くすくす。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Hee hee hee.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこいつは、車の内外に立ち会うことで互いが守られているなんて言ったが。<br>\\r\\n<i>It</i> told me earlier that we were safe from each other because one was in the car and the other was standing outside.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n明らかに私が追い詰められているのは明白だった。<br>\\r\\nBut it's obvious that I'm the one who is being driven into a corner.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……こいつと話をしている間に、こいつの手先が私を取り囲んでしまうのではないか。<br>\\r\\n...While I'm talking to <i>it</i>, I could be being surrounded by <i>its</i> minions.<br>\\r\\n…そう思い、一層耳を澄ます…。<br>\\r\\n ...I got scared, and tried to listen to the sounds of my surroundings carefully...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「怖がらないで。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Don't be scared.<br>\\r\\n私はあなたを助けに来たんだから。<br>\\r\\n I came here to help you.<br>\\r\\n…くすくすくす。」<br>\\r\\n ...Hee hee hee.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「助けに…？<br>\\r\\n\\\"You came here to help me...?<br>\\r\\nへ、へぇ……どうやってかな…？」<br>\\r\\n Oh, really? I wonder how you're going to do that...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あなたはね、…ちょっと病気になってしまっただけなの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're just sick at the moment.<br>\\r\\nちょっとしたお薬で楽になるのよ。<br>\\r\\n You need medicine. That's all.<br>\\r\\n………私はその薬を持ってきたと言ったら、関心がある？」<br>\\r\\n ...Would you be interested if I told you I brought it along?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…く、……薬………？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...M-Medicine...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花に瓜二つな外見を持つそいつは、…ポケットをまさぐると、そこから小さなケースを取り出す。<br>\\r\\n<i>It</i> put its hand in its pocket... and took out a small case.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれをパチンと開き、中身を見せる。<br>\\r\\n<i>It</i> opened the case and showed me what was inside.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……その中身を見た時、私は、あっと叫ばずにはいられなかった。<br>\\r\\n...What was in there made me gasp in surprise.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ちゅ、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...A s-<br>\\r\\n………注射器……………？！」<br>\\r\\nsyringe............?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n注射器なんて、個人がそうそう持ち歩けるものじゃない。<br>\\r\\nIt's not normal for a person to carry around a syringe.<br>\\r\\nもう何から何までもが滅茶苦茶だった。<br>\\r\\n I have no idea what's going on.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、梨花ちゃんが手にしているのは注射器。<br>\\r\\n...But what Rika-chan is holding in her hand is a syringe.<br>\\r\\n他に曲解のしようがない…！<br>\\r\\n There's no way I can twist that fact around...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's right.<br>\\r\\nあなたを楽にしてくれる注射よ。」<br>\\r\\n The contents of this syringe are going to help you get better.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「楽になれるって？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"It'll help me get better?!<br>\\r\\nはッ！！<br>\\r\\n Huh!!<br>\\r\\n私にはわかってる。それでしょ？！<br>\\r\\n I know what it is!<br>\\r\\n富竹さんを殺した薬物の正体は！！<br>\\r\\n It's the drug that killed Tomitake-san!!<br>\\r\\n原始の力を持った寄生虫！！<br>\\r\\n It's the parasite at its full strength!!<br>\\r\\nうじ湧き病を再現させる恐ろしい注射！！」<br>\\r\\n It'll give me the maggot disease!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「富竹の注射はね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"This is a different drug<br>\\r\\nでもこれは違うわよ。<br>\\r\\n from the one that was used on Tomitake.<br>\\r\\n本当よ？」<br>\\r\\n I promise.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nくすりと笑う。<br>\\r\\n<i>It</i> giggled.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその笑いが怖かったんじゃない。<br>\\r\\nIt isn't the giggling that scares me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……富竹さんの死因をあっさりと認めた事実の方が恐ろしかった！ <br>\\r\\n...I'm scared that <i>it</i> admitted the cause of Tomitake-san's death so easily!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、富竹さんをうじ湧き病に導いた直接の「原因」をあっさりと認めたのだ！！<br>\\r\\nAnd <i>it</i> also admitted the direct \\\"cause\\\" of the maggot disease that Tomitake-san died from!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………私にもあの死に方をさせるつもりなんでしょう！<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I know you're going to kill me in the same way he died!<br>\\r\\nそして、……穀倉に現れたレナが私に入れ替わって一件落着…。<br>\\r\\n And... that the Rena in Gogura is going to replace me.<br>\\r\\n…そういう魂胆なんでしょ？！<br>\\r\\n Problem solved, right?<br>\\r\\n誰がそんな注射をするもんかッ！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm not going to let you give me the shot!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………まぁ、嫌がるとは思った。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Well, I knew you would say that.<br>\\r\\n明らかに怪しいしね。」<br>\\r\\n This syringe looks very suspicious, of course.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わかってるじゃないの……。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're smarter than I thought...<br>\\r\\n…ならどうするの！<br>\\r\\n So what now?!<br>\\r\\n…富竹さんみたいに、集団で襲って無理やり注射でもするの？！」<br>\\r\\n ...Are you going to gang up on me and give me the shot like you did to Tomitake-san?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n富竹さんは検死の結果、致命的な最後を遂げる直前、明らかに数人を相手に乱闘を演じた痕跡が残っていた。<br>\\r\\nTomitake-san's autopsy report said that he had bruises on his body that proved he was fighting against several people right before he died.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…それはつまり、嫌がる彼に無理やり注射を施したということに違いない。<br>\\r\\n...That means they must've ganged up on him to give him the shot against his own will.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……無理に襲って注射したいけど、…あまりうまくいった試しはないわね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I'd like to give you the injection by force, but... it never really works.<br>\\r\\nだから無理やりってのはもう諦めてるわ。<br>\\r\\n So I gave up on doing that.<br>\\r\\n……だから、あなたの自由意志に任せることにする。」<br>\\r\\n ...I decided to let you choose to take it yourself.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ふざけないでッ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Are you kidding me?!!<br>\\r\\nそんな薄気味悪い注射、誰が使うものかッ！！」<br>\\r\\n I don't want to take that creepy shot!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………私もその辺りは悩んだわ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I thought about it many times.<br>\\r\\nどうなだめすかせば、あなたに注射できるかをね。<br>\\r\\n I thought about how I could make you take the injection.<br>\\r\\n強引にも無理だし、理解も得られないし。<br>\\r\\n I can't force you to take it. I can't make you agree to take it, either.<br>\\r\\n…なら結局、私はあなたの判断に任せる他ないってこと。」<br>\\r\\n ...Then, it leaves me only one choice. I have to let you choose to take it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そんなのは聞くまでもない！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"You should know my answer already!!<br>\\r\\n誰がそんな見え透いたワナにかかるかッ！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm not going to walk into such an obvious trap!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………まぁ、想定通りの反応よ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Well, that's what I thought you'd say.<br>\\r\\nどうせ期待してなかったし。」<br>\\r\\n I didn't expect you to choose to take it anyway.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそいつは、ため息をひとつ深く吐くと、ちょっと小馬鹿にするような仕草をして苦笑いを浮かべるのだった。<br>\\r\\n<i>It</i> heaved a sigh, made a gesture as if <i>it</i> is mocking me, and smiled bitterly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……まるで、助かるためにチャンスを与えているのに、理解できない下等動物め…とでも言いたそうに…！<br>\\r\\n...It looked as if <i>it</i> was saying that I'm a lower animal that can't understand it's being given a chance for salvation...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n挑発に乗せられて、じゃあ注射をしてやると言い返したくなるが、それが相手の思う壺なのは明らかだった。<br>\\r\\nI kind of want to say I'll take the shot on a dare, but I know that's exactly what <i>it</i> isnintending to do.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「とっとと帰って、お前の仲間に、注射には失敗したと伝えるがいい！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Go back to your home and tell your friends that you failed to give me the shot!!<br>\\r\\n私は負けない！<br>\\r\\n I'm not going to let you beat me!<br>\\r\\n最期まで徹底的に抗ってやる！！<br>\\r\\n I'm going to fight 'til the end!!<br>\\r\\nそして……１％にも満たないかもしれない勝機を掴んで、必ずや貴様らを打ち滅ぼしてやるからッ！！」<br>\\r\\n And... I'm going to seize the 1% chance of winning, and I'm going to destroy all of you!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………そう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I see.<br>\\r\\n……………ならばせいぜい頑張りなさいな。<br>\\r\\n ...Then, you should try to do that.<br>\\r\\nどうせもうすぐ滅ぶ世界だしね。<br>\\r\\n This world is going to end soon anyway.<br>\\r\\n…くすくすくすくす…。」<br>\\r\\n ...Hee hee hee hee...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……滅ぶ……？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...End soon...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あなたには関係のないことよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It has nothing to do with you.<br>\\r\\n井戸の中のカエルが井戸の外なんかに興味を持っても仕方ないでしょう？<br>\\r\\n A frog sitting in a well doesn't need to have any interest in the world outside, does it?<br>\\r\\nくすくすくす。」<br>\\r\\n Hee hee hee.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの期に及んで、何と意味深な言葉を吐き出すのか…。<br>\\r\\nAt this stage of the game, <i>it</i> said something very dubious...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は、梨花の外見を模したこの恐ろしい存在が何を口走ろうとしているのか、必死に探ろうとした。<br>\\r\\nI tried hard to understand what this horrifying creature was trying to say.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…わ、……私をこれからどうするつもりなの！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...What... What are you going to do to me?!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私はどうもしないわ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Nothing.<br>\\r\\n好きにすればいい。」<br>\\r\\n Do whatever you want.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………え？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......What?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…少しだけ拍子抜けする回答だった。<br>\\r\\n...It's almost too easy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…私の知る限り、好きにすればいいという言葉は、無視や解放を意味するもので、悪意ある相手が使う場合に限り、そう悪い意味ではないはずの言葉だった。<br>\\r\\n...As far as I know, \\\"do whatever you want\\\" means ignorance or release when your enemy says it to you. At the very least, it isn't a bad thing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれとも……、他にも違った意味で受け取れたっけ…？<br>\\r\\nOr... does it have another meaning...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n言葉を二重三重に深読みする私に、そいつはもう一度言った。<br>\\r\\nIn that way, I overinterpreted the meaning of the sentence. But then, <i>it</i> said it again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あなたの好きなように過ごせばいい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Do whatever you want.<br>\\r\\n……“この”竜宮レナにはもう興味ない。<br>\\r\\n ...I'm not interested in 'this' Rena Ryuugu anymore.<br>\\r\\n“次の”竜宮レナとうまくやれるようにするわ。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to try to get along with the 'next' Rena Ryuugu.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……せめて“次の”竜宮レナは変に勘が良くないことを祈るだけよ。<br>\\r\\n ...I have to pray that the 'next' Rena Ryuugu doesn't have such good intuition.<br>\\r\\n…くすくすくすくす。」<br>\\r\\n ...Hee hee hee.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは…まるで死刑を判決する裁判官のような恐ろしさ。<br>\\r\\nI was scared of <i>it</i>, like I'd be scared of a judge handing down a death sentence.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私も昔は、小さな狂いが生じるたびに直そうと奔走したものだけど。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I used to try really hard to fix things every time a little problem occurred.<br>\\r\\n……途中からね、疲れてきちゃったの。<br>\\r\\n ...But I got tired of it.<br>\\r\\n………“この”雛見沢にもう興味ない。<br>\\r\\n ......I'm not interested in 'this' Hinamizawa anymore.<br>\\r\\n“次の”雛見沢を探しに行くことにするわ。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to find the 'next' Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n…でも、あなたには“この”雛見沢しかない。<br>\\r\\n ...But you only have 'this' one.<br>\\r\\nだから、せいぜいがんばって生きなさいな。」<br>\\r\\n So, I hope you live as best you can.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n恐ろしいことを次々に言われているのがわかった。<br>\\r\\n<i>It</i> was telling me scary things one after the other.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは明白な破滅の予告であり、……恐るべき終末が間近に迫っていることを如実に示しているのだ…。<br>\\r\\nThis was obviously a warning of Hinamizawa's destruction. It means the climax is coming soon...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう１人の私がもうすでに用意されている。<br>\\r\\n<i>They</i> have already prepared another Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして……私が運命に抗えず渦中に飲まれて消えた時、…そいつが事も無げに入れ替われるよう、すでに準備がされている。<br>\\r\\nWhen I lose to this fate... <i>they</i> are going to replace me with that Rena as if nothing happened. They're very well organized.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n人がもっとも恐れることは、自分の命の価値を失うことだ。<br>\\r\\nWhat humans are most afraid of is for their lives to lose all value.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………お前がいなくなっても代わりがいると言われた時ほど、自分の命が無価値になる瞬間はない。<br>\\r\\n...Your life becomes worthless when you're told that you have a replacement.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、間接的な死刑判決とまったく同じ！<br>\\r\\nIt's like an indirect death sentence!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花に似たそいつは、注射器のケースをパチンと鳴らして閉じると、ポケットにしまった。<br>\\r\\n<i>It</i> closed the syringe case, and put it back into <i>its</i> pocket.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして踵を返し、スクラップの斜面を登り始める…。<br>\\r\\n<i>It</i> turned around and started climbing up the slope...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして最後にくるりと振り返り、……悪魔的な笑みさえない、…信じられないくらいに冷たい表情で言った。<br>\\r\\nAt the top, <i>it</i> looked back... and spoke without as much as an evil smile.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well.<br>\\r\\n……さよなら、“この”竜宮レナ。<br>\\r\\n ...Goodbye, 'this' Rena Ryuugu.<br>\\r\\n……“次の”竜宮レナでは仲良くしてね？<br>\\r\\n ...I hope I can get along with the 'next' Rena Ryuugu.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ほとんどの場合は仲良くできてるんだから。<br>\\r\\n ...I shouldn't worry, because I do usually get along with 'them'.<br>\\r\\n………くすくすくすくす！」<br>\\r\\n ...Hee hee hee!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「つ、………“次の”竜宮レナなど許すものか！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I... I'm not going to let you replace me with the 'next' Rena Ryuugu!!<br>\\r\\n私は私だ、たった１人だ！！<br>\\r\\n I'm the only Rena Ryuugu!!<br>\\r\\nお前らの思い通りにはならない！<br>\\r\\n I'm not going to let you do it!<br>\\r\\n絶対に、<br>\\r\\n Never<br>\\r\\n絶対に！！」<br>\\r\\n ever!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私の、悲鳴にも近い叫びは果たして届いているのか。<br>\\r\\nI wondered if my scream was reaching <i>it</i>.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……彼女が私を見る目はとても冷たくて。<br>\\r\\n...<i>It</i> looked at me coldly.<br>\\r\\n……私がまるでブラウン管の向こうに移っている過去の映像だとでも言わんばかりだった。<br>\\r\\n ...<i>It</i> looked at me as if I was just an image of the past on a TV screen.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「たまにはこういう会話も面白い、<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's fun to have a conversation like this once in a while,<br>\\r\\nか。<br>\\r\\n huh?<br>\\r\\nくすくすくす……、<br>\\r\\n Hee hee hee...n<br>\\r\\nはっ<br>\\r\\nHa<br>\\r\\nはっ<br>\\r\\n ha<br>\\r\\nはっ<br>\\r\\n ha<br>\\r\\nは…。<br>\\r\\n...!<br>\\r\\nはっ<br>\\r\\n Ha<br>\\r\\nはっ<br>\\r\\n ha<br>\\r\\nはっ<br>\\r\\n ha<br>\\r\\nは、<br>\\r\\n ha<br>\\r\\n…あっ<br>\\r\\n ha<br>\\r\\nはっ<br>\\r\\n ...Aha<br>\\r\\nはっ<br>\\r\\n ha<br>\\r\\nはっ<br>\\r\\n ha<br>\\r\\nはっ<br>\\r\\n ha<br>\\r\\nはっ<br>\\r\\n ha<br>\\r\\nはっ<br>\\r\\nnha<br>\\r\\nはっ<br>\\r\\n ha<br>\\r\\nは<br>\\r\\n ha<br>\\r\\n………。」<br>\\r\\n......\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n笑い声は次第に夜の闇に薄れていく。<br>\\r\\nThat laughter gradually disappeared into the darkness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………梨花の外見を持つ梨花でない存在もまた、その闇に飲まれ消えていく。<br>\\r\\n...<i>It</i> disappeared into the darkness as well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあとに残るのは、……私だけ。<br>\\r\\nI... was the only one left there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n見放され、いつ消えても構わない、<br>\\r\\nI'm forsaken, and <i>they</i> don't care if I disappear.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうせ無駄だから好きなだけ足掻けといい放たれた、私がいるだけ。<br>\\r\\n<i>They</i> told me I should struggle as much as I want because it doesn't matter anyway.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nスペアがすでに用意され、勘が良過ぎた私は「彼らの」雛見沢ではもう不要。<br>\\r\\n<i>They</i> already have a replacement. <i>They</i> don't need me in \\\"their\\\" Hinamizawa anymore, because my intuition is too sharp.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………それに気付いた時、<br>\\r\\n...When I realized that...<br>\\r\\n……このゴミ山は、…まさに私のために用意された墓標であることに気付くのだった。<br>\\r\\n I noticed that this garbage dump is a perfect grave for me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれから我に帰り、この場所がもはや隠れ家として成り立っていないことにも気付く。<br>\\r\\nThen I realized that this place wouldn't work as a hideout anymore.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n荷物をまとめて早く他に移ったほうがいい。<br>\\r\\nI'd better start packing and move somewhere else.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n好きなだけ足掻けと言われた。<br>\\r\\n<i>It</i> told me to struggle as much as I want.<br>\\r\\n…そうさせてもらうさ、畜生畜生…！！<br>\\r\\n ...I'm going to do just that, damn it... damn it!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は引越しの準備をしなければならなかった。<br>\\r\\nI have to get ready to move out from here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nナップザックに荷物を詰めなおし、早くこの場所を出よう。<br>\\r\\nI'm going to put everything back into my backpack. I have to leave here as soon as possible.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n懐中電灯では灯りが細いので、電気スタンドの灯りをつけた。<br>\\r\\nThe light of the flashlight wasn't enough to see by, so I turned the table lamp on.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n明暗のはっきり別れた影絵の世界が浮かび上がる。<br>\\r\\nThe light made things show up very clearly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてナップザックを手繰り寄せた時、…ぎょっとした。<br>\\r\\nWhen I reached my backpack... I realized something and gasped in surprise.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分の手の平が、……真っ赤な気持ち悪い液体で塗れていたからだ。<br>\\r\\nThe palm of my hand was covered with an eerie liquid.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はさっきまで暗闇の中で、べったりと気持ち悪い汗を拭っているつもりだった。<br>\\r\\nI thought I'd wiped off my sticky sweat earlier.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だが、それは……汗なんかじゃなかったんだ……。<br>\\r\\n...But it wasn't my sweat...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nじゃあこの血は……何？<br>\\r\\nThen where did this blood come from...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nすぐに気付く。<br>\\r\\nI realized it right away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分はさっきから虫刺されで痒い痒いと首を掻き毟り、……いつの間にか血を流していたのだ。<br>\\r\\nI was scratching the mosquito bites on my neck earlier... and I scratched them until it bled.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれに気付いた瞬間、掻き毟った患部が痛みと痒みの入り混じった感覚を思い出し、私は今頃になって呻いた。<br>\\r\\nWhen I noticed that, I remembered the sensation, the mixture of pain and itchiness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…その首筋の傷口が、もぞもぞと蠢く気持ちの悪さを感じ、私はその何かを掻き毟ろうとして再び首筋を掻いた。<br>\\r\\n...I felt something moving near the wound on my neck, so I scratched it again to get rid of whatever it was.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nぬるりと真っ赤な鮮血に再び手を濡らしてしまう。<br>\\r\\nMy hand got sticky and wet with blood again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ここには鏡がないから見ることはできなかったけど、……私はもう、その蠢きの正体を思い出していた。<br>\\r\\n...I can't see what the things are because I don't have a mirror... But I know.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそいつらは、じわじわと全身に広がり、肘の内側や膝の裏側などにひどい痒みを引き起こしていた。<br>\\r\\nThey're already spreading throughout my entire body, causing the itchiness on my arms and the back of my knees.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……これが初めての人間なら、何か悪い虫にでも刺されたのかと思うところだが。<br>\\r\\n...If I'd never experienced this before, I'd think I got bitten by a bad bug or something.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…私は生憎、……この痒みをすでに知っていた。<br>\\r\\n...But unfortunately... I already know what's causing this itchiness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………何で、<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Why?<br>\\r\\n…………どうして……………！」<br>\\r\\n ...Why.........?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は憎々しく言い放つ。<br>\\r\\nI said it with hatred.<br>\\r\\n……どうして、今この場で……！<br>\\r\\n ...Why now? Why here...?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n間違いなく、……「うじ湧き病」だった。<br>\\r\\nIt's... the maggot disease, without a doubt.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n多分、カミソリで腕の血管を開けば、中からあの汚らしくて気持ち悪い、赤黒くうじゃうじゃと蠢くものが溢れ出すはずだ。<br>\\r\\nIf I cut the veins on my arms, the dusky-red gross things would flow out.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな馬鹿な、私は怪しげな注射などされていないぞ…？！<br>\\r\\nBut it's impossible. I didn't get any suspicious shots...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、別に注射じゃないといけないなんて決まりはないはずだ。<br>\\r\\nBut it doesn't have to be a shot.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…ひょっとすると……気付かない内に、服毒させられていたのか…！！<br>\\r\\n...They might've put the drug in my food, and I might've eaten it without noticing...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n家で食べた食事に混じっていたとは思えないが、私はかつて学校で、仲間たちと弁当を突き合う関係だった。<br>\\r\\nI don't think they put it in the food at my house. But I used to share lunch with my friends at school.<br>\\r\\n……その時、盛られたのかもしれない…！<br>\\r\\n ...They might've put it in the lunches...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさっき訪れた梨花もどきは、……懐中電灯で私を照らしていた。<br>\\r\\nThat Rika who visited me just earlier was shining the flashlight on me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、私が血塗れで喉を掻き毟っていることを知っていたはずだ。<br>\\r\\nSo, she knew that I was scratching my neck so hard it bled.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…にもかかわらず、何も焦らず、……どうせ私は長くないと言い捨てたのだ。<br>\\r\\n...Nevertheless, she acted like there was nothing wrong... and she told me that I wouldn't last long.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あ、……あいつ、……もう私が長くないってわかってたから………あんなにもニヤニヤと嫌らしく笑っていやがったのか…！！<br>\\r\\n...Now I know why she was laughing at me in a sarcastic way... She... She knew that I wouldn't have much time left...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nとても痒いが、掻いちゃだめだ。掻けば掻くほどに痒さが増し、…最後には富竹さんの二の舞だ！<br>\\r\\nIt itches very badly, but I can't scratch. The more I scratch, the itchier it gets... And I'm not going to do the same thing Tomitake-san did!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nくそ、くそくそ…！！<br>\\r\\nDamn it, damn it, damn it...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの痒みは一過性のものなのか。<br>\\r\\nThe itchiness might not be temporary.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nますますに増していくものなのか。<br>\\r\\nIt might actually get worse.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今だけなのか、致命的なのか、……全てがわからず、ただただ耐え難い全身の痒みに耐えるだけだ。<br>\\r\\nI don't know if it's going to stop soon or if it's going to last until I die from it... I don't know anything anymore. I just have to endure the itchiness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はタオルで首の回りの血を拭い、奥歯をぐっとかみ締めながら掻き毟りたくなる欲求を振り払おうとした。<br>\\r\\nI wiped the blood on my neck with a towel, clenched my teeth, and tried to erase the desire to scratch my neck.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nジンジンと疼く患部。<br>\\r\\nThe wound was throbbing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……痒さに負け、首を掻き破ってしまいたい欲求に、ただただタオルの端を噛んで耐えるしかない。<br>\\r\\n...I wanted to scratch it so badly, but I couldn't do that. I fought back the desire, biting the end of the towel.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は体の別の部分を痛いくらいに引っ掻き、その感触で痒みを忘れようと試みたが、それは堪える痛みの割りに対した効果はなかった。<br>\\r\\nI scratched other parts of my body really hard in order to forget about the itchiness on my neck, but it didn't really work.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n痒みが引いてくれることを祈って、目をつぶって堪えるより最善の策は結局思いつかなかった。<br>\\r\\nI just prayed for the itchiness to go away, closed my eyes, and fought back the desire. That seemed to be the best way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしばらくの間、荒い呼吸で頭を空っぽにしていると、……ほんの少しだけ痒みが和らいだ気がした。<br>\\r\\nI let my mind go blank, breathing hard for a while... I felt like the itchiness got a little bit better.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n深呼吸を一度して呼吸を整えると、私は手早く荷物をまとめた。<br>\\r\\nI took a deep breath, and I immediately started panicking.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n痒さなんかより、この場に留まり続ける危険の方がよっぽど問題だ。<br>\\r\\nStaying here is more dangerous than the itchiness.<br>\\r\\n早くこの場を離れなければ！<br>\\r\\n I have to leave here as soon as possible!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n荷物をまとめながら、私は感じていた。<br>\\r\\nI felt it while packing my stuff.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの梨花もどきが言った、もうすぐで訪れる破滅。<br>\\r\\nI felt the end coming closer. The end that Rika told me about earlier.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……私はその破滅までは生き延びられると決め付けていたが、……それすらも傲慢かもしれない。<br>\\r\\n...I assumed I could live until the end... but I might have been wrong.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな破滅よりもはるかに近いうちに、<br>\\r\\nI might follow the same path Tomitake-san took...<br>\\r\\n………私は富竹さんと同じ末路を辿ってしまうのではないか。<br>\\r\\n way before the end comes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだらだらと零れ続ける汗が気持ち悪い。<br>\\r\\nI was sweating like crazy, and it felt so nasty.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……わかってる。<br>\\r\\n...I know.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれは汗じゃない。<br>\\r\\nI know it's not sweat.<br>\\r\\n…でも今は汗だと思うんだ…！<br>\\r\\n ...But I'm going to think that it's sweat for now...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はタオルで首筋のそれを再び拭い、撤収を急ぐのだった。<br>\\r\\nI wiped my neck with the towel, and hurried to leave.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの辺りは街灯がまったくないから、ただ闇の中を走るだけでも怖かった。<br>\\r\\nThis area has no streetlights, so I was scared to run fast when I could barely see.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n月は空を照らせども俺の足元はちっとも照らしてはくれない。<br>\\r\\nThe moon lit up the sky, but not my steps.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺の足元を明るくしてくれるのは、懐中電灯の細く頼りない灯りだけだった。<br>\\r\\nThe only light I had to see by was my flashlight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n懐中電灯はそこが平らな砂利道であることを教えてくれるが、<br>\\r\\nThe light was very weak. All I could see was the flat gravel road before me.<br>\\r\\n灯りで照らされていない全ては信じられないくらいに真っ暗。<br>\\r\\n Anything the flashlight couldn't reach was in total darkness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…コールタールをぶちまけたようなという小説的表現は決して過大評価ではないと思った。<br>\\r\\n...The expression often used in novels, \\\"pitch black,\\\" wouldn't be inappropriate.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nひょっとすると、突然、空き缶や石ころにつまづくかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nI might trip over an empty can or a rock anytime.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが怖くて細い灯りを必死に振って足元の安全を確かめたが、それでも安心することはできず、いつの間にか走る速度はずっと落ちて、早歩きくらいになっていた。<br>\\r\\nNot wanting to fall, I used the flashlight to its maximum extent to watch my step, but I was still a bit nervous. I started running slower and slower until I was just walking briskly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n暗くて足元が見えないから、転びそうで怖くて、走れない？<br>\\r\\nDid I just stop running because I'm afraid of tripping in the dark?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、例え日中だからといって、足元を見ながら走ってるわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\nBut I usually run around without watching my step during the day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナや魅音とはしゃぎながら走り回ってる。<br>\\r\\nI run around with Rena and Mion all the time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n明るくたって足元なんか結局見てない。<br>\\r\\nEven if I can see what's underfoot, I don't pay any attention.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、転ぶかもしれないなんて露ほども思わず、俺は同じような道を駆け回っていた。<br>\\r\\nI don't think I might trip. I just keep running around without a care.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今のレナは、きっとこんな状況なのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nRena might be feeling the same way I am right now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナにとって、……疑心暗鬼の闇を照らす灯りがあまりにも細いのだ。<br>\\r\\nFor Rena... the light with which she illuminates the darkness of suspicion is too weak.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、信じ込んでしまった妄想の暗闇がますますに暗くなり、いつもの道を歩くにも、這って進まなければならないくらいに恐れてしまっているのだ。<br>\\r\\nAnd the darkness of the delusion she deeply believes in is getting darker and darker. That's why she's scared to even walk on the same roads she always used to take.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あんな馬鹿馬鹿しいスクラップ帖に心を奪われるなんて。<br>\\r\\nShe fell for the contents of those ridiculous scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n笑う人間は笑うかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n People might laugh at her for that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、あのスクラップ帖は……普通じゃない。<br>\\r\\nBut those scrapbooks aren't... normal.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n読む人間の心を巧みに誑かし、心の隙間に付け入ろうとする悪意がある。<br>\\r\\nThey manipulate their readers' hearts and, with evil intent, take advantage of their vulnerabilities.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその悪意は、例え一晩であろうとも俺の心を奪った。<br>\\r\\nThat evil intent captured my heart for one night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だからこそ、その悪質さが俺にはわかるんだ。<br>\\r\\n...That's why I know how evil they are.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nほら、……ノストラダムスの大予言とか、ムラサキカガミとか、定番の都市伝説ってあるじゃないか。<br>\\r\\nThey're just urban legends, like the prophecies of Nostradamus or the purple mirror.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあれらだって、もっともらしい嘘を徹底的に並べ立て、側で聞いていればなんて下らない話をと感じるが、<br>\\r\\nThey're a bunch of feasible lies, and when you hear about them at first, you think they're too stupid to believe.<br>\\r\\n………一度のめり込んでしまうと、どういう訳か心から拭えなくなるんだ。<br>\\r\\n ...But once you fall for them, it's hard to get them out of your mind for some reason.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう１０年〜２０年もすると１９９９年じゃないか。<br>\\r\\nIt'll be the year 1999 in less than 20 years.<br>\\r\\nその年の７月だかに世界が滅びるって大予言は誰もが知ってて、民放もそれらしく無責任に煽るものだから、たまに真に受けるやつも生まれるんだ。<br>\\r\\n Everybody knows about the prophecy that the world will come to an end in July of 1999. There are even some TV shows about it, too, which irresponsibly fan people's fears. So, some people take it seriously.<br>\\r\\n……ほら、ノストラダムスの大予言は核戦争の勃発を意味するもので、私費で庭に核シェルターを作ったり、その年までに自身を冷凍保存して放射能がなくなる未来まで眠ろうとか、本気でやってる連中がいるじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n ...Those people think that the prophecy means the outbreak of nuclear war, so some of them are making shelters in their backyards. Some of them are thinking about freezing themselves by 1999 so that they won't be exposed to radiation, only waking up after it's gone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやってる連中はマジも大マジなんだろう。<br>\\r\\nThose people are completely serious about it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、冷静に考えて１９９９年に戦争など起こるわけがない。<br>\\r\\nBut when you think about it rationally, it's impossible that there'll be an outbreak of nuclear war in 1999.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n東西は冷戦構造で確かに最終戦争をいつも想像させるが、実際は核を突きつけあった均衡状態で、互いに核戦争を仕掛けるメリットは何もない。<br>\\r\\nIt's true that the cold war makes us think that the final war will break out anytime, but both powers are actually pointing their nuclear missiles at each other, and they know there's nothing to gain for either of them to start a nuclear war.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…ソ連ならやりかねない、ソ連は世界を滅ぼしてでも自由主義陣営を……、<br>\\r\\n...\\\"The Soviets might still do it!\\\" \\\"The Soviets would destroy the world if it meant eradicating liberalism...!\\\"<br>\\r\\nというソ連ならやりかねないという妄想は、鷹野さんのスクラップ中の園崎家という単語と綺麗に置き換えができる。<br>\\r\\n But that delusion that \\\"the Soviets\\\" might do it could be neatly swapped for the way Takano-san uses \\\"the Sonozaki family\\\" in her scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう、こういう大規模な妄想には必ず、ソ連とかナチスドイツとかあるいは宇宙人であるとか、<br>\\r\\nWhen people create a large-scale delusion like the prophecies above, they always use an incomprehensibly unknown enemy such as the Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, or aliens.<br>\\r\\n正体不明で理解のできない仮想敵が用意され、やつらならやりかねないという、何の根拠もない言葉で信憑性が煽られる。<br>\\r\\n And they say something like, \\\"you never know! They might do things like that!\\\" to try and increase the credibility of their delusions without any evidence whatsoever.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鷹野さんが園崎家の何を知っていた？<br>\\r\\nWhat did Takano-san know about the Sonozaki family?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何も知るわけがない！<br>\\r\\nNothing!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鬼ヶ淵村の頃の歴史から引っ張って、今日でも園崎家が暗躍していて、恐ろしい陰謀を…なんていい加減なことを吹聴しているだけだ。<br>\\r\\nAll she did was use the history of Onigafuchi and say that the Sonozaki family is still working behind the scenes, plotting a horrifying conspiracy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんなの、どこぞの大予言でもよく聞くぞ。<br>\\r\\nIt's just like one of those large-scale prophecies.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nナチスドイツは地球占領を企んでいて、ヒトラーは実はまだ生きていて、彼ら残党は今も南極の地下基地でその陰謀を……なんて与太話とまったく同じじゃないか！！<br>\\r\\nIt's nothing but just a stupid story like that one about Nazi Germany, which says that Hitler is still alive and lives in an underground complex somewhere on the South Pole, continuing his plot to conquer the world...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…普段のレナなら、こんな馬鹿な話、からからと笑って気にもしない。<br>\\r\\n...Rena usually doesn't believe in stupid stories like that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、……たまたまタイミングが悪かったんだ。<br>\\r\\nBut... it was just bad timing, I suppose.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n間宮リナや北条鉄平を殺して、…しかもその死体を俺たちに見つけられた直後という、ナーバスな時期だったんだ。<br>\\r\\nIt was right after she killed <NAME> and <NAME>... and was caught by us. She was in a state of panic when she heard the story.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺たちはその心のショックから少しずつ立ち直るのを見守っていた。<br>\\r\\nWe were waiting for her to recover from the shock.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………だが、立ち直って、心に免疫力ができる前に、とんでもない毒がレナに入り込み、全身に回ってしまったのだ。<br>\\r\\n...But before she did and regained her strength of heart, a poison got into her, and spread all throughout her body.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは病気で体の抵抗力が弱っているところに、さらに別の病気が発症してしまったこととまったく同じ。<br>\\r\\nWhen you're sick and have a weakened immune system, it's easy to get another disease. It's just like that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そうさ、今のあいつはちょっとした病気なんだ。<br>\\r\\n...That's it. Rena is just sick right now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n高熱を出してウンウン唸れば、たまには死んでしまうかもしれないなんて、悲壮感でいっぱいになってしまうこともある。<br>\\r\\nWhen you're very sick, in bed with a high fever, you sometimes feel like you might die from it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、そんなの医者から見れば大袈裟もいいところだ。<br>\\r\\nBut most of the time, you're just overreacting.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n薬を飲んで栄養をつけて、大人しく寝てれば治るんだよ！<br>\\r\\nYou get better soon after you take a medicine, eat healthy food, and sleep a lot!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今のあいつはまさにそれなんだ。<br>\\r\\nThat's how she is right now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……本当にちょっとした心の風邪をひいてるだけなんだ。<br>\\r\\n...She caught a mental cold. That's all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれより、ぼやぼやしてると警察に捕まっちまうかもしれないんだぞ！<br>\\r\\nShe needs to get better soon, or she might get caught by the police!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n途中、何度かパトカーとすれ違う。<br>\\r\\nI passed several patrol cars on my way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n職質を食らったら厄介だと思って、その度に隠れてやり過ごした。<br>\\r\\nI hid every time I saw one, since I didn't want to be questioned.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n２度くらいはすれ違ったかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nI was probably passed by them twice.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n途中、レナの家の近くを通ったが、普段見たこともない車が停まっていて、レナの帰りを待ち構えていることは明白だった。<br>\\r\\nWhen I came close to Rena's house, I saw a car parked near the gate. It was obviously watching her house, trying to capture her when she'd arrive home.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音がレナを匿うよう、園崎家に号令を掛けてくれてるらしいが、……正直、微妙だ。<br>\\r\\nMion ordered the Sonozaki family to find Rena to protect her from the police... But honestly, I'm not sure if they can.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだってレナは、園崎家に命を狙われてると信じてるのだから。<br>\\r\\nAfter all, Rena believes that the Sonozaki family is after her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、匿わなかったらその内、警察に捕まる。<br>\\r\\nBut if they don't find her, the police will eventually.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうなったら、…最終的には死体を埋めるのを手伝った仲間全体も巻き込むことになる！<br>\\r\\nIf that happens... all of us who helped her bury the corpses will be caught by the police in the end!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……警察がどうしてレナに目星をつけたのかはわからない。<br>\\r\\n...I don't know how or why the police came to suspect her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nおそらくは状況証拠だけで確信がないに違いない。<br>\\r\\nI think they only have some circumstantial evidence. I don't think they know she did it for sure.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、これだけ大々的に動いているのだから、限りなくクロに近い何かを掴んでいるのは間違いない……。<br>\\r\\n...But since they're looking everywhere for her now, they must have some kind of reliable evidence...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの馬鹿…！！<br>\\r\\nRena, come on...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鷹野さんのスクラップ帖なんかで遊んでる場合じゃないんだぞ！<br>\\r\\nYou don't have time to play around with Takano-san's scrapbooks right now!<br>\\r\\nお前自身が警察に狙われてるんだぞ…！！<br>\\r\\n The police are after you...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n真っ暗でここか自信がない。<br>\\r\\nIt was so dark that I couldn't be sure if she was down there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は覚悟を決めると、慎重に足元を照らしながらスクラップの斜面を降りていった。<br>\\r\\nBut I made up my mind and headed down the slope, carefully shining my flashlight to light my way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの名を叫びたかったが、周りにレナを探す警察がいないとも限らない。<br>\\r\\nI wanted to loudly call out Rena's name, but there might be some policemen nearby looking for her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nゴミの山を迂回すると、明かりが見えた。<br>\\r\\nI walked around a trash pile, and then, I saw a light.<br>\\r\\n…………いた！<br>\\r\\n ...It was Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はがしゃがしゃとガラクタを蹴りながら駆け寄った。<br>\\r\\nI ran towards her hideout, kicking aside the trash in my way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは隠れ家の廃車のドアの前にいて、物騒な鉈を構えて身構えていた。<br>\\r\\nRena was standing right in front of her hideout, holding a hatchet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそりゃそうだ。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't blame her.<br>\\r\\n騒々しく降りてくる俺の気配なんてバレバレだったろうからな。<br>\\r\\n She must have noticed all the noise I had made coming down the slope.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぁ……はぁ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Haah... Haah!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレ、<br>\\r\\n Re<br>\\r\\n………レナ、<br>\\r\\n-Rena......<br>\\r\\n……お、<br>\\r\\n It's<br>\\r\\n俺だ………。」<br>\\r\\n me...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……今度は圭一くん？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Keiichi-kun?<br>\\r\\nあはははは、今夜はいろんな人が来る夜だね。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahaha, I sure have a lot of visitors tonight.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「俺以外にも誰かいるのか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Who else is here?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n辺りを照らしてみるが、レナ以外に誰かがいるようには見えなかった。<br>\\r\\nI shone my flashlight around, but I didn't see anybody else.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「この場所はもう安全じゃないんで、今から場所を替えるところなの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm leaving, because it's not safe here anymore.<br>\\r\\n……圭一くんにも知られたくないから、付いて来ないで。」<br>\\r\\n ...I don't want you to know where I'm going, so please don't follow me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レ、…レナ？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"R-Rena...?!<br>\\r\\nお前、どうしたんだよその怪我！<br>\\r\\n What happened to your neck?!<br>\\r\\n血だらけじゃないか！！」<br>\\r\\n You're bleeding!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……もう落ち着いたから大丈夫だよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I'm okay.<br>\\r\\nもっとも、いつぶり返すかわからないけどね。」<br>\\r\\n They might come back again, though.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは首のところが真っ赤になっていて、まるで皮膚病の人が痒みに任せて掻き毟ってしまったような、そんな感じの傷をつけていた。<br>\\r\\nRena's neck was all red. It looked like she had some kind of skin disease on her neck. She probably couldn't bear the itchiness and scratched at it really hard.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「タオルで拭いただけじゃ駄目だろ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You need to do more than just wipe it with a towel...<br>\\r\\n取り合えず家へ来いよ！<br>\\r\\n Come to my house!<br>\\r\\nちゃんと消毒した方がいいぞ…！」<br>\\r\\n You need to clean it up...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………傷口は大したことないよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Don't worry about it.<br>\\r\\nそれにこれは傷によるものじゃない。<br>\\r\\n It isn't an injury.<br>\\r\\n…もう、手遅れだし。」<br>\\r\\n ...And it's too late anyway.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「手遅れ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Too late?<br>\\r\\n…どういうことだよ。」<br>\\r\\n ...What do you mean?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「富竹さんを死に導いた何かを、私もいつの間にか服毒させられてるみたいなの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"They must have put the drug in my food without me realizing. It's the drug that killed Tomitake-san.<br>\\r\\n…注射なんて物騒な方法じゃない。<br>\\r\\n ...They probably used a syringe to inject him with the drug, but they changed their methods this time.<br>\\r\\n……多分、それは弁当のおかずに混ぜられてたの。<br>\\r\\n ...I think they put it in someone's lunch.<br>\\r\\n覚えてる？<br>\\r\\n You remember Mii-chan gave out a piece of her omelet to everyone the other day at lunch,<br>\\r\\n先日、魅ぃちゃんが卵焼きを１人１個ずつ分けてくれたよね？<br>\\r\\n don't you?<br>\\r\\nあの時にやられたんだと思う。<br>\\r\\n She must have put it in the omelet.<br>\\r\\n……遅効性なところがうまいよね…。<br>\\r\\n ...She's smart. She used a slow-acting drug this time...<br>\\r\\nくそ…！！」<br>\\r\\n Damn it...!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは魅音の卵焼きを思い出し、憎らしげに砂利を蹴飛ばした。<br>\\r\\nRena kicked the dirt with hatred.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それは文字通り、魅音の好意を蹴飛ばしたのと同じだ。<br>\\r\\n...She was almost literally kicking Mion's goodwill to the curb.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おいレナ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, Rena.<br>\\r\\n………お前、…本気で魅音がそんなことすると思ってるのか？」<br>\\r\\n ...Are you seriously saying that Mion would do such a thing?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………？」<br>\\r\\n\\\".........?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナがきょとんとした目を向ける。<br>\\r\\nRena looked stunned, and she stared straight at me.<br>\\r\\n…それからその目に少しの悪意が混じり出す。<br>\\r\\n ...I noticed a slight accusation in her eyes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n園崎家が悪の根源であることはもう話してあるのに、何を言い出すの？<br>\\r\\nI can tell by looking into her eyes that she wants to say,<br>\\r\\nそう瞳が言っている。<br>\\r\\n \\\"what are you talking about? I already told you that the Sonozaki family is the mastermind behind the conspiracy\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「第一よ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"First of all...<br>\\r\\nあの日の卵焼き、……魅音は１人に１つずつなんか分けてないだろ。」<br>\\r\\n Mion didn't give out her omelet to everybody that day.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は５等分された卵焼きをみんなに、お好きなのをどうぞと差し出した。<br>\\r\\nMion cut her omelet into 5 pieces, and she told us to take one if we wanted.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そうしたら、レナが真っ先に、端っこの１つを選んで、この渦巻きがかわいい〜はぅーって言って口にしたんじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n...Rena took the end piece of the omelet before anybody else took one. She said it looked \\\"kyute\\\" and ate it right there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「違うよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, that's not what happened.<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんは、毒が入ってた卵焼きを私にわざと食べさせようとしたんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n Mii-chan tried to make me eat the omelet because she put a drug in it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……レナ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Rena.<br>\\r\\n……都合よく記憶を書き換えるなよ…。<br>\\r\\n ...Stop interpreting everything so conveniently...<br>\\r\\nタッパーの蓋の上に、こうちょんちょんと５つ並べたんじゃないか。」<br>\\r\\n Mion just put the five pieces of the omelet on the lid of her lunch box.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「並べてないよ…！<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, she didn't...!<br>\\r\\n１人に１つずつ配った！」<br>\\r\\n She gave out each piece to every one of us!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………そんなこと、…今までにあったか？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Rena, think about it. Have we ever done something like that before?<br>\\r\\n俺たちは互いの弁当箱を好きに突っつくバイキング形式だぜ…？<br>\\r\\n We usually take whatever we like from everybody else's lunch...<br>\\r\\nこれは誰の分なんて、お上品に分けっこしたことなんて、…一度もねぇじゃねぇか…。」<br>\\r\\n Nobody has ever said something like, 'this is your piece, so take this' or 'this is her piece so don't take that'... you know?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...............\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの目が見る見る憎悪に染まっていくのがわかる。<br>\\r\\nShe looked at me with that accusation in her eyes.<br>\\r\\n………今のレナにとっては、俺の方が妄言なのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...To Rena, everything that comes out of my mouth must sound like a lie.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼女にとって、自分が毒を盛られたのはもはや事実で、それはあの卵焼きによって盛られたと「決めてしまった」。<br>\\r\\nTo her, it's a fact that she was poisoned. She \\\"knows\\\" for sure that the drug was in the omelet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だから、それと食い違う話をする俺を拒絶しようとするのだ。<br>\\r\\n...That's why she's contradicting me, because I'm saying something different.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……俺はレナを怒らせに来たわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n...I didn't come here to make her mad.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…それ以上は水掛け論になることを悟り、言い返すのをやめた。<br>\\r\\n...I realized that disagreeing would only escalate her anger, so I decided not to.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それよりさ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Anyway...<br>\\r\\n……ここはもう安全な場所じゃないって、…どこへ行くつもりだよ。」<br>\\r\\n you said this place isn't safe anymore... Where are you going to go, then?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………さぁね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Well,<br>\\r\\n適当に探すよ。」<br>\\r\\n I'll find somewhere.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「寝るところなんてそうそう見つからねぇだろ…！<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's not that easy to find a place to sleep...!<br>\\r\\n俺の家に来いよ。」<br>\\r\\n Why don't you come to my house?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ありがたいけど辞退するね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I appreciate your offer, but I can't do that.<br>\\r\\n園崎家の手先が村中を探し回ってる。<br>\\r\\n The Sonozaki family is looking for me everywhere in the village.<br>\\r\\n…圭一くんが裏切って私を売るとは、…思いたくないけど、匿いきれるとも思えない。」<br>\\r\\n ...I don't think you'd betray me, but... I don't think you can hide me from them, either.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「園崎家の手先が探し回ってるってのは、……逆だぞ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's... not the Sonozaki family who are looking for you...<br>\\r\\n警察がレナを探し回ってるんだ。」<br>\\r\\n It's the police.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………？<br>\\r\\n\\\".........?<br>\\r\\nなんで？<br>\\r\\n Why?<br>\\r\\n大石さんは味方だし、…私のことは放っておくように言ってある。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi-san is on my side... And I told him to leave me alone.<br>\\r\\n私を探すなんて、ありえないよ。」<br>\\r\\n I don't think he's looking for me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「多分、……………リナと鉄平を殺したことが、どこかで漏れたんじゃないかと思う。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I think... they know that you killed Rina and Teppei.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………あぁ、……そういうことか。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"............Oh... I see.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は、やっと互いの会話が噛み合ったことに安堵したが、……レナの自虐的な笑い方が少しおかしかったので、すぐに噛み合ってないことに気付く。<br>\\r\\nI was relieved that we were finally on the same page... but I realized I was wrong right away when she laughed in self-derision.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…どうして警察が、あの殺しのことを勘付いたかわかる？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Do you know how the police found out that I killed them?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………いや、…………わかるわけないだろ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......No...... I have no idea...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n少なくとも殺害現場は誰にも見られていない。<br>\\r\\nNobody saw her killing them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n死体を山奥に隠しに行った時だって、大丈夫だったし、埋めた場所だって完璧だ。<br>\\r\\nNobody saw us burying the corpses. We buried them deep in the mountains, and we camouflaged the spot perfectly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれに、最後に魅音が秘密の場所に埋めなおしてくれたらしい。<br>\\r\\nPlus, Mion moved them to a secret place afterwards.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからあの死体が見つかるなんてことは永久にありえるわけがない。<br>\\r\\nSo, it's impossible that the corpses would be found.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今日の夕方ね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I went there this evening.<br>\\r\\n………私、あの２人の死体を埋めた場所に戻ったの。<br>\\r\\n ...I went there to check the spot where we buried them.<br>\\r\\nそしたら、………どうだったと思う？」<br>\\r\\n Guess what I found...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………ぁ、」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Ah.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまずいと思った。<br>\\r\\nThat didn't sound good.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………そうだ。<br>\\r\\n.........Of course.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはあの死体を魅音が処分してくれたことを知らない。<br>\\r\\n...Rena has no idea that Mion took care of the corpses.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、あそこに埋まってるものと思い込んでたはずだ…！<br>\\r\\nShe'd think the corpses were still buried there...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なかったの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"They weren't there.<br>\\r\\n死体が。<br>\\r\\n The corpses.<br>\\r\\n誰かが掘り返して死体を持ち去った。」<br>\\r\\n Somebody dug them out and carried them somewhere else.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「い、…いや、レナ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah... Rena!<br>\\r\\n…それは……えぇと…！」<br>\\r\\n ...That's because... ummm...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あんな場所、誰かが偶然掘り返すわけもない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's impossible that someone happened to dig them up.<br>\\r\\n……それにあの場所は私が決めた。<br>\\r\\n ...I chose the place.<br>\\r\\nだからあの場所に埋まっていることは、あの場に居合わせた人間しかいない。」<br>\\r\\n So, the only people who know about the place are me and my friends who were there.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そ…そうだ、その通りだよ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Th-That's right...<br>\\r\\nえっと、だからそれは……、」<br>\\r\\n Well... the thing is...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「誰がやったかはわかってる。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I know who did it.<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんだよ。<br>\\r\\n It's Mii-chan.<br>\\r\\n……私が警察と結託することがないよう、保険がほしかったに違いない。<br>\\r\\n ...They didn't want me to work with the police. They needed to have some insurance.<br>\\r\\n……園崎家に探させるだけじゃなく、警察にも捜させるとはね。<br>\\r\\n ...But I didn't think they'd use the police to find me.<br>\\r\\n……連中も形振り構ってられないってことか。」<br>\\r\\n ...I guess they don't care how it looks anymore as long as I'm captured.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「み、魅音がそんなことするわけねぇだろ！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Come on! Do you really think Mion would do such a thing?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「したんだよ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"She did!!<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんが私を売った！」<br>\\r\\n Mii-chan sold me out!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……いいや、しねぇな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...No, she didn't.<br>\\r\\n魅音も俺たちもみんな仲間だぞ。<br>\\r\\n Mion is your friend.<br>\\r\\n例え世界が全部敵になったとしたって、仲間は最後まで味方なんだ。<br>\\r\\n We're all on your side no matter what happens. Even if the whole world turned against you, we'd still be on your side.<br>\\r\\nだから魅音がレナを売ることなんて、海水が全部蒸発するような天変地異があったって、絶対にありえない…！」<br>\\r\\n Even if the whole ocean evaporated, Mion would never sell you out...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………魅ぃちゃんの肩をどうして持つの？」<br>\\r\\n\\\".........I don't understand why you're defending her.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「逆だろ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's just the opposite!<br>\\r\\n何で魅音をそこまで疑うんだよ！！」<br>\\r\\n I don't understand why you're doubting her!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そんなのは決まってるでしょ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's simple.<br>\\r\\n三四さんの暴いた致命的な事実は狂信者たちの偉大な計画の実現、」<br>\\r\\n Miyo-san revealed the existence of the conspiracy to me, and the fanatics are...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「黙れ黙れッ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Shut up! Shut up!!<br>\\r\\n………あ、…ちょっと言葉がきつかったな。謝るからちょっと俺の話を聞いてくれ。<br>\\r\\n ...Ah... I'm sorry I didn't mean to yell at you like that. I apologize. So, please listen to me.<br>\\r\\n…いいか、あの死体がなくなっていたのは、確かに魅音が掘り返したからだ。」<br>\\r\\n ...The corpses are gone because Mion dug them out.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「やっぱりそうじゃないッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"See?!! I told you!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「終わりまで聞けよ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Listen to me until I finish!!<br>\\r\\n……いいか、魅音が死体を掘り返したのは、あの埋めた場所が安全じゃないことがわかったからなんだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Okay? Mion dug them out because she found out that the place isn't going to be safe for much longer.<br>\\r\\n営林署がこの夏、あの辺り一体を伐採するって計画を立ててたことが後にわかったんだよ。<br>\\r\\n There's a logging project scheduled to begin on that mountain this summer.<br>\\r\\nだから魅音は！<br>\\r\\n That was why!<br>\\r\\nレナを守るために死体を掘り返してくれたんだよ！！」<br>\\r\\n That's why she dug them out, to save you from being caught!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ぷ、………はははははは、あっはっはっはっは！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Pff... hahahahahaha. Ah ha ha ha ha!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの笑いは見下すかのようだった。<br>\\r\\nRena laughed at me like I was stupid or something.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺の言葉がまったく心に届いていないことがわかる…。<br>\\r\\nI could tell she didn't understand anything I was saying...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そんなの魅いちゃんの口から出任せに決まってるでしょ？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Don't you get it? Mii-chan made that up!<br>\\r\\n圭一くんの前ではいい子ぶりたいあの子の汚いやり方だって！」<br>\\r\\n She just wants to look good when you're around. She's a dirty bitch!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あのなぁ…！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey...!!<br>\\r\\nじゃあどうすりゃよかったんだよ！<br>\\r\\n Then what was she supposed to do?!<br>\\r\\n今年の夏に営林署が見つけちまうかもしれないと知ってて、放置しとくのかよ？！<br>\\r\\n Are you saying that she should've left the corpses there, knowing that the forestry service would find them this summer?!<br>\\r\\nそんなことできるわけねぇだろ！」<br>\\r\\n She couldn't do that because she's your friend!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「その営林署の伐採計画というのが、そもそも魅ぃちゃんの作り話だって、どうしてわからないのかなぁ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Why can't you understand that Mii-chan made everything up, including the logging project?!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わからねぇのはレナの方だろッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're the one who doesn't understand anything!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"............\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺が怒鳴りつけると、レナはすーーっと冷めるような目つきになった。<br>\\r\\nAfter I yelled at her, she gave me an icy look.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そして俺を凝視し、この男は何をしにやって来たんだ？<br>\\r\\n...She stared into my eyes...<br>\\r\\nと値踏みし始める…。<br>\\r\\n As if trying to find out what I came here for...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………俺は、レナの目を覚ましに来たんだ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I came here to wake you up.<br>\\r\\nお前は鷹野さんのスクラップ帖のせいで、とんでもない狂った夢に取り憑かれてる。<br>\\r\\n You're possessed by an impossible delusion because of Takano-san's scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n……最初の内は面白ぇ話だと思ってたが、そろそろ洒落にならないと思い始めた。<br>\\r\\n ...At first, I thought it was interesting. But this is getting way out of hand...<br>\\r\\n…………お前は今、ちょっとした病気なんだよ！」<br>\\r\\n You know why? It's because they're making you sick!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……あぁ、梨花もどきにも病気だって言われたっけね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Oh, the girl who looked just like Rika-chan told me the same thing.<br>\\r\\n確かに、うじ湧き病はもう始まってるし。」<br>\\r\\n You're actually right about that. I mean, I do have the maggot disease, so...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ、もう違うんだ違うんだ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, you don't understand!<br>\\r\\nとにかく俺の話を聞け！<br>\\r\\n Listen to me very carefully!<br>\\r\\n…しばらくの間、横になってじっくりと休まねぇか？<br>\\r\\n ...You need to lie down and rest for a while. Okay?<br>\\r\\n本当は魅音の家に匿ってもらったほうが安全なんだ。<br>\\r\\n It'd be a lot safer to stay at Mion's house.<br>\\r\\n警察からも匿えるしな。<br>\\r\\n She can protect you from the police.<br>\\r\\n……でも、それでも魅音が信用できないってんなら、俺の家でもいい。<br>\\r\\n ...But if you don't trust her, you can stay at my place.<br>\\r\\nとにかく、こんな休めない場所で縮こまってたって、心にいいわけがないんだ！<br>\\r\\n Either way, it's not good for you to stay somewhere uncomfortable like this!<br>\\r\\nまずは俺の家に行こう。<br>\\r\\n Let's just go to my house for now.<br>\\r\\nそして冷たい飲み物でも飲みながら、ちょいと熱を冷ましてみないか…？<br>\\r\\n We'll have some cold tea together. It'll cool your fever down...<br>\\r\\nそうすりゃレナもすぐに気付くさ。」<br>\\r\\n Then, you'll realize how crazy all this was.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何を言ってるの圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"What are you talking about, Keiichi-kun?<br>\\r\\n………私がおかしくなってるって言いたいの？」<br>\\r\\n ...Are you saying that I'm crazy?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"..................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おかしいのはお前たちの方なんだ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm not crazy, you are!!<br>\\r\\nお前たちは寄生虫に乗っ取られて、知らず知らずのうちにやつらに操られているだけ。<br>\\r\\n You don't know it, but you're just being controlled by the parasite.<br>\\r\\n圭一くんも傍観者のつもりでいるけど、実は被害者の１人なんだよ！！<br>\\r\\n Keiichi-kun, you think you have nothing to do with it, but you're one of the victims!!<br>\\r\\nそれに気付けないのが彼らの狡猾なところ。<br>\\r\\n You just don't realize it.<br>\\r\\nそれを私は責めない。<br>\\r\\n I'm not blaming you for that.<br>\\r\\n……私がきっと圭一くんたちを救ってあげるから、今は私を信じていて！」<br>\\r\\n ...I can save you. I can save everybody. So please trust me for now!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おかしいのはお前たちの方、って……。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You think we're all crazy...<br>\\r\\n…じゃあレナは、…村が丸ごとおかしくて、自分だけが正しいって言うのかよ…？！」<br>\\r\\n You think... everybody in this village is crazy, and you're not... Is that what you're saying?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「雛見沢だけじゃないかもしれないね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It might even be spreading outside of Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n…もはややつらの魔手は鹿骨市全域、…あるいは県内全域にまで及んでいるかもしれない！<br>\\r\\n ...They might've already spread it as far as Shishibone City... or to the entire prefecture!<br>\\r\\nでも、私だけは正しいの！<br>\\r\\n I really am the only one who isn't crazy!<br>\\r\\n三四さんのスクラップのお陰でそれに気付けた！<br>\\r\\n I know that, thanks to Miyo-san's scrapbooks!<br>\\r\\n圭一くんだって、気付けたんじゃなかったっけ？！」<br>\\r\\n I thought you understood that, too!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「待てよレナ、なぁ待てよレナ…！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wait a second, Rena!!<br>\\r\\n自分以外、世界中が全ておかしいって、……それってつまりさ、……認めてるってことじゃねぇかよ！<br>\\r\\n You're saying everybody in the world is crazy except you...<br>\\r\\nおかしいのは……自分だけなんだよ！<br>\\r\\n That's the same thing as saying you're the only one who's crazy...!!<br>\\r\\n世界は最初から何も変ってないし、おかしくも何ともない。<br>\\r\\n The world hasn't changed. Nobody is crazy.<br>\\r\\n増してやレナの敵でもなんでもない。<br>\\r\\n Nobody is your enemy.<br>\\r\\n自分だけが正しくて世界が全部敵なんてことはありえないんだよ！<br>\\r\\n If you ask me, it's crazy to believe that you're the only one in this world who isn't crazy and that everybody in this world is your enemy!<br>\\r\\nそれはつまり、…………自分だけが敵ってことなんだよ！」<br>\\r\\n In short... your only enemy is yourself!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「可哀想な圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I feel sorry for you, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n……でも仕方がないよ。<br>\\r\\n ...But it's okay.<br>\\r\\n三四さんの真実は、誰もが受け容れられるものではない。<br>\\r\\n It's not that easy to accept the facts Miyo-san discovered.<br>\\r\\n……三四さん自身、この内容が本当に真実か、まだ測りかねていた節があったしね。<br>\\r\\n ...Even she wasn't sure about them.<br>\\r\\nだから圭一くんが受け容れられないことを、私は理解できる。<br>\\r\\n So I understand if you can't accept the truth.<br>\\r\\n……だから、そんな圭一くんを救うために、私はがんばるよ。<br>\\r\\n ...That's why I'm going to fight. I'm going to fight to save everybody.<br>\\r\\nがんばって戦って、…必ず、圭一くんたちを支配しているやつらをやっつけてやるから。」<br>\\r\\n I'll beat them down and make them stop controlling you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nば……馬鹿野郎……馬鹿野郎……！！<br>\\r\\nRena, that's stupid... That's just idiotic!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n可哀想な圭一くん？<br>\\r\\nYou feel sorry for me?<br>\\r\\nばかばか、大馬鹿！！<br>\\r\\n You're stupid!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうして気付けないんだよ、どうしてあんな支離滅裂な滅茶苦茶な話をまだ信じられるんだよ！！<br>\\r\\nWhy don't you understand? Why do you still believe a crazy stupid story like this?!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてどうして、何かある度に、その妄想に都合がいいように曲解するんだよ！<br>\\r\\nYou're just interpreting everything to suit your convenience!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……三四さんも梨花ちゃんも、そして今や私も、…もうスペアが用意されてるの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...They have replacements for Miyo-san, Rika-chan, and me.<br>\\r\\nそして、私が消されるのと同時に入れ替わることになっている。」<br>\\r\\n They're going to replace me after I'm killed.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぁッ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?!<br>\\r\\n！ スペアぁ？！<br>\\r\\n Replacements?!<br>\\r\\nお前、本気で何を言ってるんだ？！」<br>\\r\\n Are you seriously saying that?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「もういいや。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You know what?<br>\\r\\n圭一くんには真実を教えてあげよう。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to tell you the truth.<br>\\r\\n私が圭一くんに話してない、本当の真実。<br>\\r\\n I haven't told you about this yet.<br>\\r\\n実はね、寄生虫の正体は、…宇宙人なの。」<br>\\r\\n The true identity of the parasite is... aliens.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「う、……宇宙人んん……？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"A-Aliens...?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまの正体ももちろん宇宙人。<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama is also an alien.<br>\\r\\n天から降臨する際の描写は、世界各地に散らばる宇宙人説と合致するの。<br>\\r\\n The description of his descending from the sky matches with alien theories from all over the world.<br>\\r\\n偉大な文明が興る時、偉人は必ず宇宙から現れる！<br>\\r\\n Whenever a great civilization flourished, it was always the aliens who accomplished it!<br>\\r\\n彼らは宇宙から優れた叡智を持って地球を訪れ、いつまでも未熟な地球人類の進化を促そうと、」<br>\\r\\n They have advanced knowledge. They came to Earth to help immature humans evolve...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………おいおいおいおい………、<br>\\r\\n......Hey, wait just a minute...<br>\\r\\n……う、<br>\\r\\n You...<br>\\r\\n……嘘だろ、<br>\\r\\n must be kidding, right,<br>\\r\\nレナ。<br>\\r\\n Rena?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまださ、……寄生虫説の方が聞いてて面白かったぞ……。<br>\\r\\nThe parasite theory was interesting...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそりゃいくらなんでも……滅茶苦茶だぞ………。<br>\\r\\nBut aliens...? Come on. That's just nonsense...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、レナは信じられないくらいに大真面目で、……それを受け容れられない俺を、哀れんでいるのだ。<br>\\r\\nBut Rena believes this theory so seriously... And she feels sorry for me because I can't accept it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「やつらは人体寄生を通じてコミュニティを支配してきた。<br>\\r\\n\\\"They've been controlling the community by living as parasites in human bodies.<br>\\r\\nだが時折、勘のいい人間が生まれ、その支配の実態を暴こうとした。<br>\\r\\n But sometimes, someone with sharp intuition comes along, and tries to reveal the truth.<br>\\r\\n彼らはそれを取り除き、コミュニティを維持するために、様々な拉致を行なったの。<br>\\r\\n But they get rid of them in order to maintain their control of the community.<br>\\r\\nそして、時には金属片を埋め込みそのコントロールを得たり、あるいは外見だけを共有した別の存在と入れ替えることによって支配を続け…！！<br>\\r\\n They sometimes kidnap those people with sharp intuition and put a piece of metal in their bodies to gain control over them. When that doesn't work, they replace those people with their copies...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそいつらは三四さんのコピーを生み、私のコピーを生んだ。<br>\\r\\nThey made a copy of Miyo-san. They made a copy of me, too.<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんのコピーもさっき来たんだよ！<br>\\r\\n Rika-chan's copy just came by a few minutes ago!<br>\\r\\nそいつと話をしてみた。<br>\\r\\n I talked to <i>it</i>.<br>\\r\\nそいつは宇宙から来た存在であることを認めたよ！！<br>\\r\\n <i>It</i> admitted that <i>it</i> came from space!!<br>\\r\\nそして破滅の日が近いことを告白し、私に足掻けるものなら足掻けと嘲笑った！！<br>\\r\\n <i>It</i> told me that the end of the world is coming soon, and <i>it</i> laughed at me, saying I should struggle as much as I want!!<br>\\r\\n私は戦うよ、人類をやつらの家畜になどしてたまるか！！<br>\\r\\n I'm going to fight. I'm not going to let them domesticate our species!!<br>\\r\\n私は絶対に絶対に、」<br>\\r\\n I'll never ever...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの、………馬鹿野郎……！！！！<br>\\r\\nYou're... so stupid...!!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はレナにずかずかと近寄り、<br>\\r\\nI stepped towards Rena,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその頭を引っぱたいた。<br>\\r\\n and slapped her in the face.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…それで正気に戻ってくれることを祈って。<br>\\r\\n ...I was hoping it would return her to sanity.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………目を覚ませ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Wake up!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"............\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena...<br>\\r\\n……もう忘れたか？<br>\\r\\n did you forget?<br>\\r\\nまさにこの場所だ。<br>\\r\\n It happened here.<br>\\r\\nそれもほんの数日前だ。<br>\\r\\n Just a few days ago.<br>\\r\\n俺たち仲間たちは、この場所で、全員で手を取り合ったよな…？<br>\\r\\n We all took each other's hands here... didn't we?<br>\\r\\nそして、仲間は家族同然だって認め合ったよな…？」<br>\\r\\n And we promised we'd be a family made of friends forever...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは、手首をいじるような仕草をした。<br>\\r\\nRena played with her wrist.<br>\\r\\nだが口を挟んでこなかったので続ける。<br>\\r\\n She didn't interrupt, so I continued.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お前の言う、宇宙人が地球を侵略してるって話を、お前が本気で言ってるなら、<br>\\r\\n\\\"If you're seriously saying that aliens are controlling the Earth...<br>\\r\\n……例え世界中が信じなくても、俺は信じてやる。<br>\\r\\n I'll believe you. Even if everybody in this world didn't, I would.<br>\\r\\n…俺はお前の仲間で、一番最初の味方だからだ！！<br>\\r\\n ...That's because I'm your friend and I'm on your side no matter what!!<br>\\r\\nでもな、…ならお前も聞いてくれ。<br>\\r\\n But... I want you to listen to me, too.<br>\\r\\n仲間で味方の俺の言葉を聞いてくれ。<br>\\r\\n I want you to listen to me because I'm your friend.<br>\\r\\n……あの鷹野さんのスクラップ帖はでっち上げのインチキなんだよ！！<br>\\r\\n ...Takano-san made up all the stories in the scrapbooks!!<br>\\r\\n本当さ、鷹野さんはオカルトマニアなんだ。<br>\\r\\n It's true. Takano-san was an occult maniac.<br>\\r\\n雛見沢の古い歴史をいろいろに解釈して遊んで、珍説を書き上げては人に読ませて回ってるだけなんだ。<br>\\r\\n She enjoyed interpreting the old history of Hinamizawa any way she wanted. She made up ridiculous stories out of it, and she read them to people for fun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、寄生虫がどうのこうのという説以外にも、ＵＦＯがどうこうとか、地底人がどうこうなんていうとんでもないのまでたくさんあるんだ！<br>\\r\\nSo, the parasite story isn't the only one she made up. There are stories about UFOs, some kind of creatures from the underworld, and many other things!<br>\\r\\nだから、レナが読んだスクラップ帖は、鷹野さん自慢の最新作でしかないんだよ！<br>\\r\\n So, the one you read in the scrapbooks was just a new story she made up recently!<br>\\r\\nほら、あの人って人をからかうみたいなところがあるだろ？<br>\\r\\n Don't you remember that she liked to make fun of people?<br>\\r\\nレナが真面目に話を聞いてくれるもんだから、面白がってとんでもない話を吹き込んだだけなんだよ！」<br>\\r\\n She was just making fun of you because you took her story so seriously!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………単なる創作なら、三四さんはどうして殺されたの？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...If it was just a story she made up, why was she killed?<br>\\r\\nしかも、検死結果では死後２４時間のはずなのに、どうして祭りの夜に歩いていたの？<br>\\r\\n Her autopsy report said she had been dead for 24 hours when she was found. But she was there at the festival. Why?<br>\\r\\n富竹さんの死因は？<br>\\r\\n How are you going to explain the cause of Tomitake-san's death?<br>\\r\\n園崎家は？<br>\\r\\n What about the Sonozaki family?<br>\\r\\n雛見沢の伝説は？<br>\\r\\n What about the legend of Hinamizawa?<br>\\r\\nオヤシロさまは、梨花ちゃんは？<br>\\r\\n What about Oyashiro-sama and Rika-chan?<br>\\r\\n全部、創作？<br>\\r\\n Are you saying everything is made up?<br>\\r\\n世界中が私たちを騙すために嘘をついているって、そう言うの？」<br>\\r\\n Are you saying that the whole world is lying to us?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何でもかんでも無理につなげて解釈するな！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Stop making connections between everything!!<br>\\r\\n誇大妄想の典型的な症例じゃねぇかよ！！<br>\\r\\n That's a typical symptom of paranoia!!<br>\\r\\nとにかく難しく考えるな！！<br>\\r\\n Don't think so hard!!<br>\\r\\nレナはちょっと疲れてるだけなんだ。<br>\\r\\n You're just tired.<br>\\r\\nだから、少し休もう。<br>\\r\\n That's why you need to rest.<br>\\r\\n俺はレナにくつろげる部屋と布団、食事を提供するだけだ。<br>\\r\\n All I'm going to do is to offer you a place to relax, a bed, and food.<br>\\r\\n…食事が信用できないなら、自前で好きにしてくれたっていい。<br>\\r\\n ...If you can't trust my food, you don't have to eat it. Eat whatever you have.<br>\\r\\nとにかくとにかく！！<br>\\r\\n Anyway!!<br>\\r\\n俺の言うことを今だけでいいから信じてほしいんだ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Please just trust me for now!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私の言っている話の方が筋も通っているし、証拠も根拠もたくさんある。<br>\\r\\n\\\"My story makes more sense than yours. I have evidence to prove it.<br>\\r\\nなのに圭一くんは自分を信じてくれの一点張り。<br>\\r\\n But all you're saying is that I should trust you.<br>\\r\\n……どっちが正しいかなんて、明白でしょ？」<br>\\r\\n ...Isn't it obvious who is right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ、明白だな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes, it is obvious.<br>\\r\\n俺だッ！！！<br>\\r\\n Me!!!<br>\\r\\n俺が正しい！」<br>\\r\\n I'm right!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「よ、……よくそんなことを言い切れるね？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"How... How can you be so sure?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ、そんなのは簡単さ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's easy.<br>\\r\\n俺がレナの仲間だからだ。<br>\\r\\n It's because I'm your friend.<br>\\r\\n仲間は絶対に裏切らない。<br>\\r\\n Friends never betray one another.<br>\\r\\n仲間を絶対に助ける。<br>\\r\\n Friends always help each other.<br>\\r\\nだから、世界中が俺を正しくないと言っても、今だけは俺を信じろ。<br>\\r\\n So, you have to believe that I'm right even when the world says I'm wrong.<br>\\r\\n俺が、お前の仲間だからなんだ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Because I'm your friend!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"..................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどさりと音がした。<br>\\r\\nI heard a thud.<br>\\r\\n…レナが鉈を落とした音だ。<br>\\r\\n ...Rena dropped the hatchet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは両手で頭を抱えると、少しふらついた。<br>\\r\\nShe staggered, holding her head in her hands.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……聞き取れない何かをぶつぶつと呟き、自問自答しているかのように見えた。<br>\\r\\n...She was muttering something, and it looked like she was asking herself questions.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………何の証拠も根拠も示せないくせに、自分を信じろだと？！<br>\\r\\n...He wants me to trust him, but he has no evidence to prove he's right!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何て滅茶苦茶なことを言うんだ、この前原圭一という男は…！！<br>\\r\\nHe's being absurd...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、………あるいは本当に圭一くんの言うように、…私の勘違い……？<br>\\r\\nOr... maybe he's right, and I'm wrong... Am I really just misunderstanding everything...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあぁ、それはとても素敵な提案、何度も夢見た提案。<br>\\r\\nIt would be wonderful if that was true. I wished I was wrong so many times.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n実は三四さんのスクラップ帖は単なる妄想ノートで、寄生虫なんてものは存在しない。<br>\\r\\nI wished Miyo-san's scrapbooks are nothing but a bunch of stories, and the parasite doesn't exist.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……たまたまの偶然を私が繋ぎ合わせて悪く解釈しているだけ…。<br>\\r\\nSome coincidences happened to connect together, and I interpreted them in the wrong way...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだったらどんなによかったことかどんなによかったことか…！！<br>\\r\\nI really wish that was the case...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n挫けるな竜宮レナ、クールになれ竜宮レナ…！！<br>\\r\\nDon't give up, Rena Ryuugu. Be cool, Rena Ryuugu...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの男の言葉には毒がある、安息を求める私の心の弱さにつけこもうとする毒がある！<br>\\r\\nThis guy has poison in his words. He's trying to take advantage of my weakness!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全ては明らかなのだ、宇宙からの侵略者が、鬼ヶ淵村と呼ばれた太古から、この村を地球侵略の基地にしてきたことは明白なんだ…。<br>\\r\\nEverything is too obvious not to believe. It's obvious that the aliens have been trying to invade the Earth, using this village as their base ever since it was called Onigafuchi...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一くんはやつらに寄生されて支配されてしまっているただの犠牲者なんだ、犠牲者なんだ…！<br>\\r\\nKeiichi-kun is a victim who's being controlled by them. He's just a victim...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、……圭一くんのあの日、手首を掴んでくれたあの力強さには何の邪心もない！！<br>\\r\\nBut... when he grabbed my wrist really hard on that day, I could tell his intentions were true!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私という仲間を救い出そうとしてくれたあの力強さを、私は今でも忘れられないじゃないか！！<br>\\r\\nI still remember the strength of his grip on my wrist. He tried to save me, his friend!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの狂気と妄想の迷路の中で、私は出口を見つけられずへたり込んで。<br>\\r\\nI got lost in this crazy delusional maze many times.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……誰かに助けてもらいたいと何度祈ったんだっけ？！<br>\\r\\n...I prayed over and over that somebody would help me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、私の願いがかなって、圭一くんが、再びこうして同じ場所で手を差し伸べてくれている！！<br>\\r\\nAnd now, my prayers are answered, and Keiichi-kun is reaching for my hand again!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n忘れたか竜宮レナ、この男は仲間だなんて言ってるけど、自分のことを全て打ち明けてはいないんだぞ？<br>\\r\\nBut don't forget, <NAME>. This guy says he's your friend, but he hasn't told you everything about himself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nほら、忘れたか、大石さんに聞いたじゃないか……。<br>\\r\\nDon't you remember? Ooishi-san told you about it...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n警察が調べてくれた。<br>\\r\\nHe told me about what he found out.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が仲間を疑ったから、圭一くんも含めて大石が全員を調べてくれた。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't trust my friends, so Ooishi checked on everybody, including Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうしたら、……圭一くんが引っ越してくる前のことを、……知ってしまったんじゃないか！！<br>\\r\\nThat's why I know... about what he did before he moved here!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこいつは上辺だけだ、中身は異常者なんだ、信じちゃいけない信じちゃいけない！！<br>\\r\\nHe looks like he's a good guy on the outside, but he's crazy on the inside. I can't trust him! I shouldn't trust him!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから何？！<br>\\r\\nSo what?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n引っ越して来る前の圭一くんなんて知らない！！<br>\\r\\nI don't care who he was before he moved here!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私だって引っ越してくる前の茨城で、いっぱい悪いことしたよ？<br>\\r\\nI did many bad things in Ibaraki, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n笑えないことをした、許されないことをした。<br>\\r\\nI did many unforgivable things.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n人に大怪我をさせたし、学校中のガラスを割ったし、謹慎まで食らった大不良じゃない！！<br>\\r\\nI hurt my friends really badly, broke the windows at the school, and was suspended!! I was a very bad girl!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからって今の私を彼らが差別した？<br>\\r\\nDid he treat me differently because of that?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしないよ？！<br>\\r\\nNo, he didn't!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナは竜宮レナで、…茨城にいた竜宮礼奈が…悪いことをしてたって、……それは許してくれるんだよ？！<br>\\r\\nRena Ryuugu is Rena Ryuugu. He'll forgive me because it was Reina Ryuugu who did all those bad things in Ibaraki!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあっはっはっは、あっはっはっはっは！！！<br>\\r\\nAh ha ha ha. Ah ha ha ha ha!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n許さないよ許すわけないよ、<br>\\r\\nHe won't forgive me.<br>\\r\\n当り前じゃないか、<br>\\r\\n I should know better.<br>\\r\\n前原圭一が自分をお淑やかな女の子だと信じてくれるのは、礼奈を知らないからだよ。<br>\\r\\n <NAME> believes that I'm a kind and modest girl, because he doesn't know Reina.<br>\\r\\n知ったらどうなることか！！<br>\\r\\n If he found out about Reina, what would he do?!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n知っても大丈夫だよ、私のことを怖がるわけないよ…！<br>\\r\\nHe wouldn't do anything. He wouldn't be scared of me...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはレナなんだよ、礼奈なんて、引っ越す前の町の話じゃない！！<br>\\r\\nRena is Rena. Reina is a different girl!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一くんだって同じだよ、引っ越す前の話なんてどうでもいい、そんなのはお相子なんだよ！！<br>\\r\\nThe same goes with Keiichi-kun. I don't care who he was before he moved here. We're even!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…だ、……大丈夫か、レナ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Are... you okay, Rena...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………触るな、汚らわしい。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Don't touch me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺が差し伸べていた手を、レナは払いのけた。<br>\\r\\nRena knocked my hand aside when I reached for her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さっきから……、聞いていれば仲間仲間とやかましい…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You keep saying you're my friend.<br>\\r\\n仲間だから信じろ？<br>\\r\\n You want me to trust you because of that.<br>\\r\\n仲間だから世界中全てより正しいだと…？<br>\\r\\n You want me to believe that you're right even if the world says you're wrong...<br>\\r\\nそれこそ妄言と呼ぶに相応しい…！」<br>\\r\\n Are you out of your mind? That is more delusional than anything else...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何と言われたって。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't care what you say.<br>\\r\\n俺はお前の仲間だ。<br>\\r\\n I'm your friend.<br>\\r\\nだから、絶対にお前のためになることを言っている！！！<br>\\r\\n Everything I say, I say for your sake!!!<br>\\r\\n疑うな！！<br>\\r\\n Don't doubt me!!<br>\\r\\n絶対に俺が正しい！！」<br>\\r\\n I know I'm right!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ぷ、……くっくっくっく！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Pff... Heh heh heh!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nへぇ…？<br>\\r\\n Really...?<br>\\r\\nじゃあ、聞いてもいい？」<br>\\r\\n Then, can I ask you something?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ、何でも聞け。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes. Anything.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「仲間ってのは、……隠し事なんてないんだよね？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Friends... don't keep secrets from another, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「当然だ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Of course.<br>\\r\\n隠し事なんかしない。」<br>\\r\\n I'm not hiding anything from you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「嘘だよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're lying.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……嘘なんかつかない！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I'm not!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「嘘だッ！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes, you are!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあーーーっはっはっはっはっはっは！！<br>\\r\\n Ah ha ha ha ha ha!!<br>\\r\\nはーっはっはっはっは！！」<br>\\r\\n Ha ha ha ha ha!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「な、何がおかしいよ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What's so funny?!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっはっはっは…、圭一くん、隠し通せてるつもりなんだぁ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Aha ha ha... Keiichi-kun, you think you can keep it secret from me, don't you?<br>\\r\\nくっくっく！<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私、知ってるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n I know everything.<br>\\r\\n圭一くんが引っ越してくる直前に、<br>\\r\\n I know what you did<br>\\r\\nどういうことしてたか、<br>\\r\\n before you moved here,<br>\\r\\n知ってるんだよ…？」<br>\\r\\n I know...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……全身から霜柱が吹き出すような錯覚がした。<br>\\r\\n...I felt as if my entire body was covered in frosty needles.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全身が凍りつき、思考すらも凍り付いていく。<br>\\r\\nMy body and mind froze all of a sudden.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そんな馬鹿なそんな馬鹿な、<br>\\r\\n...I don't believe this. I don't believe this.<br>\\r\\n…………どうして、<br>\\r\\n ...How come<br>\\r\\n……知ッテルンダヨ………！！<br>\\r\\n <i>she knows... about that...?!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石さんに調べてもらったんだよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I asked Ooishi-san to check on everybody.<br>\\r\\nみんなのこと。<br>\\r\\n Everybody.<br>\\r\\n……そしたら圭一くん、引越しの前は、とんでもない人だったんだよねぇ？ <br>\\r\\n ...That's why I know what you did before you came here.<br>\\r\\nくっくっく！」<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「や、<br>\\r\\n\\\"S<br>\\r\\n………やめろ、<br>\\r\\n...Stop it.<br>\\r\\n……あれは…………、<br>\\r\\n ...You got it all...<br>\\r\\n違うんだ…………。」<br>\\r\\n wrong...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「小さな女の子ばかりを狙ってたんだって？<br>\\r\\n\\\"You only targeted little girls.<br>\\r\\n沙都子ちゃんと梨花ちゃんにも話しておかないとね。<br>\\r\\n I have to tell Satoko-chan and Rika-chan about it.<br>\\r\\nこんな危ない人が身近にいたなんて、信じられないよ。」<br>\\r\\n I can't believe a dangerous person like you was near us the whole time.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「違う、……違う違う……、それは、たまたまなんだ……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"No... No... It wasn't like that... It just turned out that way...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「児童連続襲撃事件。<br>\\r\\n\\\"A series of attacks on school kids.<br>\\r\\nすごいすごい、雛見沢村連続怪死事件に負けないくらいインパクトあるよ？<br>\\r\\n Bravo! It has as strong an impact as the series of mysterious deaths of Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\nあははは、あっはっはっは！！」<br>\\r\\n Ahahaha, ah ha ha ha!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「違うんだよ、………あれは………本当に…………、」<br>\\r\\n\\\"No... It wasn't like that...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何がどう違うの？<br>\\r\\n\\\"It wasn't like what?<br>\\r\\n数週間の間に、ひと気のないところを歩く小さな子どもばかりを狙って、通り掛かりにモデルガンで撃ち付ける恐ろしい事件だった。<br>\\r\\n You shot little kids with a BB gun when they were walking alone on deserted streets. What a horrifying incident.<br>\\r\\n市内一帯は一時期騒然。ＰＴＡが交差点ごとに立ち、集団下校にもなったんだってねぇ？<br>\\r\\n It instilled fear into the whole city for a while. Members of the PTA had to watch the kids at every street corner when they walked between home and school.<br>\\r\\n目に当って大怪我した子もいたんでしょ？<br>\\r\\n You shot one of the girls in her eyes, and she was badly injured.<br>\\r\\n幸い、後遺症にはならなかったそうだけど。<br>\\r\\n Fortunately the damage wasn't permanent.<br>\\r\\nあははははは！<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahaha!<br>\\r\\nモデルガンなんて武器を持ちながら、それでも小さな子しか狙わない、嫌らしさ。<br>\\r\\n You had a BB gun, and you only shot little kids. How disgusting.<br>\\r\\nそんなことして何が楽しかったの？<br>\\r\\n What made you enjoy it so much?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも楽しかったからずーっと続けてたんだよね？<br>\\r\\nYou must have really enjoyed it because you continued to do it for a long time.<br>\\r\\nそのくせ、途中で良心の呵責に耐えられなくなってご両親と一緒に自首。<br>\\r\\n But then, you turned yourself in to the police, accompanied by your parents, in a crisis of conscience.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n責任取るのもご両親と一緒じゃないと駄目なわけ？<br>\\r\\nYou couldn't even take responsibility for your actions on your own.<br>\\r\\n少年法って親切よね。<br>\\r\\n Juvenile law was kind to you, wasn't it?<br>\\r\\n被害者にも犯人の名前は公開されないし。<br>\\r\\n It prevented your name from being disclosed to the public or the victims.<br>\\r\\nお父さんが大金持ちだったから、示談金をたくさん積んでくれたんだよね？<br>\\r\\n I bet your father spent a lot of money to protect you.<br>\\r\\nそれで大事にしない約束を取り付けて、まったりとしばらくは保護観察。<br>\\r\\n He paid a lot of compensation to settle the case out of court, and he had you placed on probation.<br>\\r\\nそれでほとぼりが冷めた頃合に、お金に任せて遠方へ引越しして全部チャラ。<br>\\r\\n After the case cooled down, he used the power of money once again to move far away from the city. Everything is solved. Right?<br>\\r\\nいいね、お金持ちは。<br>\\r\\n You're lucky that your father's so rich.<br>\\r\\nあははははははは！」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahahahaha!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………違うんだ、…………違うんだ…………ああぁぁ………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...No... It wasn't like that... Ahhh...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そんなこと、どうして今まで黙ってたの？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Why didn't you tell us about it?<br>\\r\\n前の学校ではずっと勉強漬けだった？<br>\\r\\n You told me that you did nothing but study at your previous school.<br>\\r\\nどうしてそんな嘘をつくの？」<br>\\r\\n Why did you lie like that?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ご、ごめん…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I-I'm sorry...<br>\\r\\n嘘ってわけじゃ…、」<br>\\r\\n I didn't mean to lie...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「仲間ってのは隠し事なんかなしでしょ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"I thought friends didn't keep secrets from one another.<br>\\r\\nそうでしょ？！<br>\\r\\n Right?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nじゃあお前は仲間じゃない！！」<br>\\r\\n So that makes you not my friend!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………後頭部に叩きつけられる言葉の刃に、……俺は目から血をこぼす。<br>\\r\\n...The blades of her words hit hard... and they made my eyes bleed.<br>\\r\\n…それは透明で、……塩辛かった。<br>\\r\\n ...The blood was clear, and it tasted salty.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私も過去の事件からお前が怪しいと思ってる。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I can't trust you, because of what you did in the past.<br>\\r\\nそれを隠しきれてると思わないで！！」<br>\\r\\n Don't you ever think you can hide it from me!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの時の悔悟の念がこみ上げてくる。<br>\\r\\nI remember how deeply I regretted it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n後悔してもし足りない、忘れたくても忘れられない、……あの馬鹿な過ち。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't regret enough. I wanted to forget it, but I couldn't... I made a stupid mistake.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……どうして、……どうして、そんな事件が、……今ここで出てくるんだよ…。<br>\\r\\n...Why... Why does she have to bring it up right now...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は謝罪して、全てを受け容れて、……それで引っ越して全部終わりにできたんじゃないのかよ…。<br>\\r\\nI apologized and accepted everything. And I moved here to put it behind me...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、雛見沢での新生活は、今度こそと意気込んで、清い再出発を誓ったんじゃなかったのかよ………。<br>\\r\\nI wanted to have a fresh start in Hinamizawa. I swore to myself to live a clean life from then on...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全部、<br>\\r\\nEverything is...<br>\\r\\n………台無しだった。<br>\\r\\n ruined now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……俺は<br>\\r\\n...I'll be...<br>\\r\\n……どこまで行っても、<br>\\r\\n a criminal...<br>\\r\\n………通り魔野郎なんだ。<br>\\r\\n no matter where I go.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……受験勉強のストレス、むしゃくしゃしてた、誰でもよかった、<br>\\r\\n...I was stressed out with my exam studies. I was frustrated. I randomly shot people. I didn't care if it was girls or kids.<br>\\r\\n……ああぁああぁぁぁ、あんな馬鹿なことに何の意味が？<br>\\r\\n ...Ahhhh, why did I do something so stupid?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n意味なんかない、何にもなかった。<br>\\r\\nThere was no reason. I had no reason to do that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nただ、甘えたかっただけなんだ。<br>\\r\\nI just wanted to get someone's attention.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……受験勉強が嫌だって面と向かって親に言う勇気がなくて、……誰かに叱ってほしくて、あんな幼稚な手段に訴えて……。<br>\\r\\n...I didn't have the courage to tell my parents that I didn't want to study... I just wanted somebody to scold me, so I used a childish way to get attention...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……後悔してる、一生、あんな馬鹿な真似はしないと誓える！<br>\\r\\n...I regret what I did. I swear I'll never do something that stupid again!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n次にやったら死刑だって構わないさ！！<br>\\r\\nIf I do it again, they can send me to the chair!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここまでやったら許されるというなら、絶対にそれを全うして見せる！！<br>\\r\\nIf there was something I could do to be completely forgiven, I'd do it, no matter what it was!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、<br>\\r\\nBut...<br>\\r\\n………どこまで後悔して、<br>\\r\\n no matter how deeply I regret it,<br>\\r\\nどこまで償っても、<br>\\r\\n and no matter how long I atone for my sin...<br>\\r\\n…………許されないんだ…。<br>\\r\\n I'll never be forgiven...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、……せめて新生活で、<br>\\r\\nThat's why I wanted to sweep the whole thing under the carpet...<br>\\r\\n………なかったことにして再出発したかった。<br>\\r\\n and have a fresh start.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n罪を忘れることは、<br>\\r\\nI have nothing to say if somebody tells me<br>\\r\\n……卑怯なことなんだって言われたら……言い返せないさ。<br>\\r\\n that forgetting my sin is an act of cowardice...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…罪は罪なんだ。<br>\\r\\n...Sins are sins.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n滅ぼせない。<br>\\r\\nYou can't just get rid of them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n一生背負うしかない。<br>\\r\\nYou have to carry them for the rest of your life.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが罪人の宿命なのはわかってる。<br>\\r\\nI know that's the fate of a sinner.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それが嫌なら罪を犯すなって論法だって理解できるさ。<br>\\r\\n...If you don't want to live like that, don't be a sinner. I understand that logic, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……じゃあさ、…罪を犯した人間は…どうやって生きていけばいいんだよ…………。<br>\\r\\n...But then... how are sinners supposed to live...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「とにかく。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Anyway,<br>\\r\\nお前は仲間じゃない。<br>\\r\\n you're not my friend.<br>\\r\\n…仲間じゃないヤツの指図は受けるいわれはない。<br>\\r\\n ...I'm not going to take any orders from someone who isn't my friend.<br>\\r\\n…私のことは当分放っておいてもらう。<br>\\r\\n ...I need you to leave me alone for a while.<br>\\r\\n…いいね。」<br>\\r\\n ...Okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n気付けば俺は、…がっくりと膝をつき、うな垂れていた。<br>\\r\\nI didn't notice until she spoke that I was on my knees, hanging my head.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが足元に落とした鉈を拾っているのが見えた。<br>\\r\\nRena picked up the hatchet she dropped earlier.<br>\\r\\n……いっそ、それで俺の頭を砕いてほしかった。<br>\\r\\n ...I wanted her to hit my head with it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうさ。<br>\\r\\nYeah, that's right.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうせ引き裂かれるなら、身を引き裂かれる方がはるかにマシだと思った。<br>\\r\\nIf anything's going to be torn apart, I'd rather it be my body.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n心を引き裂かれる痛みに比べたら、……頭を叩き割られた方がはるかにマシだと思った。<br>\\r\\nCompared to the pain of my heart being torn to shreds... I'd rather she cut my head off.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n信じてた。<br>\\r\\nI believed it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……いや、信じてる。<br>\\r\\n...I still believe it.<br>\\r\\n今この瞬間だって、信じてる。<br>\\r\\n I still believe it right at this moment.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は、…みんなと仲間なんだと、<br>\\r\\nI believe that<br>\\r\\n…信じてる。<br>\\r\\n ...I'm their friend.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、……薄々は気付いてる。<br>\\r\\nBut in fact... I'm starting to become aware of it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n信じたいのは、認めたくないだけだからだ。<br>\\r\\nI want to believe I am their friend, because I don't want to accept my past.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分に言い聞かせるような、そんな涙声が…もうたまらなく馬鹿馬鹿しくて……。<br>\\r\\nI'm trying to tell myself that, but I feel stupid, crying like this...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさらなる涙が…顔をもっとぐしゃぐしゃにする…。<br>\\r\\nMy face is all messy with tears...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は、<br>\\r\\nI...<br>\\r\\n………みんなの仲間じゃ、<br>\\r\\n was never<br>\\r\\nなかったんだ。<br>\\r\\n their friend.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は汚らわしい罪人で、<br>\\r\\nI'm a sinner<br>\\r\\n……その汚い過去を隠してた。<br>\\r\\n and... I hid my past from them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n知られるのが怖くて、隠してた。<br>\\r\\nI hid it because I was scared.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分で、隠し事なんかしないのが仲間だろうと詰め寄っておきながら、……俺が隠してた。<br>\\r\\nI told her that friends don't hide anything from another... and I hid my past from them.<br>\\r\\n俺だって隠してた。<br>\\r\\n I hid my sin from them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n過去の事件なんか…………、<br>\\r\\nMy past......<br>\\r\\nここで日々を生活する今と関係なんかあるのかよ……。<br>\\r\\n has nothing to do with how I live my life here...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの村でも俺が、腹いせで通りがかりの子どもを襲うようなことがあったなら、遠慮なく八つ裂きにしてくれればいい！<br>\\r\\nIf I ever attacked a kid in this village just because I was frustrated, I wouldn't mind it if they killed me and cut me into pieces!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、………俺はもうそんなことはしないんだ！<br>\\r\\nBut... I'll never do anything like that again!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしないから、普通に生活したいんだ…！！<br>\\r\\nI just want to live normally...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n引っ越す前に、<br>\\r\\nWhat I did before I moved here...<br>\\r\\n………何かあったって、<br>\\r\\n has nothing to do with<br>\\r\\n…それが「今」にどう関係があるってんだよ……！！<br>\\r\\n my life \\\"now\\\"...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n例えば、…レナだって引っ越してきたんだろ？<br>\\r\\nFor instance... Rena moved here, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの引っ越す前に何かあったことを知ったって、<br>\\r\\nI wouldn't change the way I see her<br>\\r\\n……俺はレナを見る目を変えたりなんかしないだろ……？<br>\\r\\n even if I found out she did something bad before she moved here...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしないだろ？<br>\\r\\nRight?!<br>\\r\\nしないよな……？<br>\\r\\n I wouldn't, would I...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが例えば、<br>\\r\\nEven if Rena...<br>\\r\\n………生徒を何人か殴ったり、<br>\\r\\n beat some of her friends,<br>\\r\\n…校内のガラスを叩き割って回ったりしたって、………そんなの茨城での話じゃねぇか。<br>\\r\\n or broke all the windows of her school... I wouldn't care, because it happened in Ibaraki.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの雛見沢ではそんなことしていないし、<br>\\r\\nShe didn't do that in Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n……レナはレナで、最高の俺たちの仲間じゃねぇかよ…。<br>\\r\\n Rena is Rena. She's my best friend...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、……例え俺がレナの過去を知ったって、<br>\\r\\nThat's why I wouldn't see her differently<br>\\r\\n………レナを汚らわしいようなものを見る目で、……見るわけないじゃないかよ………！<br>\\r\\n even if I found out about her past...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………嘘だ。<br>\\r\\n...That's a lie.<br>\\r\\n……嘘だ、<br>\\r\\n ...That's a lie.<br>\\r\\n嘘だ、<br>\\r\\n That's a lie.<br>\\r\\n嘘だ…！！！<br>\\r\\n That's a lie...!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあのやさしいレナにそんな過去があることを知ったら、……俺は距離を置く。<br>\\r\\nI'd keep a distance from her if I found out that she really did such things.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n恐れて、怯えて、その言葉に耳を貸そうなんてしない。<br>\\r\\nI'd be scared of her. I wouldn't try to listen to her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうして？！ 引っ越す前の話で、伝え聞いただけの噂話なのに？<br>\\r\\nWhy?! It's just a rumor.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかも、俺にとってのレナは最高の友人で、仲間で、……一番身近な……味方なのに？<br>\\r\\nWhy would I be scared of her? She's my best friend...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……逆の立場だったら、………やっぱり俺も、…レナを拒絶した……？<br>\\r\\n...If I was in her situation... would I reject her just like she did...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、……レナが俺を拒絶するのは……至極当然なことで……。<br>\\r\\nSo... Rena's rejection of me... was completely natural...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nじゃあ……、………俺は、…………どうすれば………いいんだよ…………。<br>\\r\\nThen... what am I supposed to do...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n泣いているのは俺だけだった。<br>\\r\\nI was the only one crying.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼女は泣きもしなかった。<br>\\r\\nRena wasn't crying.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまるで汚らしいものでも見るかのようだった。<br>\\r\\nShe looked at me as if she was looking at something dirty.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、一瞥をくれると、闇の中に消えて行った……。<br>\\r\\nAfter giving me a nasty look, she disappeared into the darkness...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は、………レナに許してもらえなくて。<br>\\r\\nRena didn't forgive me...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ただただいつまもで、そこに膝をついたまま、罪を贖うために…涙をこぼし続けるしかなかった…。<br>\\r\\n...There was nothing I could do to atone for my sin but to keep crying, still down on my knees...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n翌日のお昼の時間。<br>\\r\\nAt lunchtime the next day,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nクラスでは、レナの消息についてみんなが好き勝手な噂話をしていた。<br>\\r\\n everybody in class was talking about Rena's disappearance.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仲間たちもみな、レナの無事を案じていたが、………俺だけはひとり、距離を置いていた。<br>\\r\\nWe were all worried about her safety... but I kept a safe distance from everybody else.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…レナはどこに行っちゃったんだろうね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I do wonder where she went.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鬼隠しにあった、なんていい加減なことを言ってる連中もいるよ。<br>\\r\\n Someone said that she was demoned away.<br>\\r\\nまったく！」<br>\\r\\n How can they say such things? I can't believe their nerve!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一さん、今日は元気がありませんですのことよ…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi-san, you look down today...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……みー。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Meep.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子と梨花ちゃんが、俺の様子に気付いて話しかけてきた。<br>\\r\\nSatoko and Rika-chan noticed something odd about my attitude.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………俺は、………ん。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".........I... ummm...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…？？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...??\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は昨夜、レナに告げられてから、……ずっと眠れずに朝を迎えた。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't sleep at all last night because of what Rena told me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n隠し事なんてするのは仲間じゃない。<br>\\r\\nFriends don't keep secrets from one another.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの一言が突き刺さったまま、…その痛みで眠れなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\nThat sentence bit into my heart... and I couldn't sleep because of the pain.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅音。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mion.<br>\\r\\n…沙都子も梨花ちゃんも。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoko, and Rika-chan too.<br>\\r\\n………話しておきたいことがある。」<br>\\r\\n ...I have something I need to talk to you about.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…レナに関すること？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Is it about Rena?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いや、…そうじゃない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No... it's not.<br>\\r\\n俺自身についてのことなんだ…。」<br>\\r\\n It's about me...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼女らを仲間だと信じているから、話してしまおうと思った。<br>\\r\\nI decided to tell them about it, because they were my friends.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…でも、話すことで、何が変わるのか。<br>\\r\\n...But I didn't know what I was expecting to change by doing so.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼女たちが俺を蔑みこそすれ、…俺にとってどんな利することが？<br>\\r\\nThey might despise me... Was there any benefit in telling them?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……何もない。<br>\\r\\n...No, there wasn't. I knew that for sure.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nただ、…俺はレナの言葉の痛みを癒したいだけなんだ。<br>\\r\\nBut I still wanted to tell them about it, just because I thought it'd help heal the pain I was feeling.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一さんのこと、………ですの？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What is this about, Keiichi-san...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…あぁ。…ちょっと真面目な話なんだ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Well... It's the truth about myself.<br>\\r\\n聞いて欲しい。」<br>\\r\\n I'd appreciate it if you listened to me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"............\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「俺が、…引っ越してくる前のことなんだ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's about what happened to me before I moved here.<br>\\r\\n当時の俺は、……勉強しか能のないやつだった。」<br>\\r\\n I was a kind of guy who wasn't good at anything but studying.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n塾で、勉強というゲームのコツを学び、<br>\\r\\nI learned the tricks of the game called studying at my cram school.<br>\\r\\n成績の向上で優越感に浸れることを覚えた俺は、……クラス中を見下したいだけという、つまらない理由で勉強を続けていた。<br>\\r\\n I enjoyed the sense of superiority I felt by getting good grades. I kept studying just because I wanted to look down on the other students.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n成績が上がると親は喜んだし、先生はちやほやしてくれた。<br>\\r\\nWhen my grades got better, my parents got happier, and my teachers praised me.<br>\\r\\nいい気持ちだった。<br>\\r\\n I felt good.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n５０ｍ走とかドッジボールとか水泳とか、そういうのを鼻にかけて威張っていた連中がちっぽけに見えるのが楽しくて、それだけの理由で勉強を重ねてきた。<br>\\r\\nIt was fun to look down on the students who were good at running, dodgeball, or swimming. That was the only reason I kept studying.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n成績はいつの間にかクラスどころか、校内でトップを争うほどになっていた。<br>\\r\\nBefore I knew it, not only was I the top of my class, I was the top of my school.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、この学校で一番偉いのは俺だと思うようになった。<br>\\r\\nSo, I started to think I was the most important student there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから昼休みに校庭で遊んでいる連中を窓から見下ろして、そいつらより優位に立っていることを感じるのが好きなつまらない野郎だった。<br>\\r\\nI looked down on the kids who were playing in the schoolyard during lunch break. I enjoyed feeling a sense of superiority to them in my insignificance.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……成績が上がれば、周りも俺に期待する。<br>\\r\\n...The more I studied, the better everybody expected me to do.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n周囲は急に高望みするようになり、合格偏差値の異様に高い、トップ校に進学することを当然の目標として掲げた。<br>\\r\\nThey started to place high hopes on me. They expected me to go to the best school in Japan.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろん俺も、そこへ入学することが自分に相応しいなんて思って自惚れた。<br>\\r\\nI flattered myself in thinking I deserved to go to that school as well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、………勉強の負担はまったく変わらないのに、見下す気持ちの良さだけはどんどんと薄れていった。<br>\\r\\nBut... The fun went out of looking down on people, while the burden of studying didn't change a bit.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは周りも同じだったようで、クラスメートは俺の成績を讃えなくなったし、先生はもっと高みを目指すように叱咤するばかり。<br>\\r\\nMy classmates stopped admiring my cleverness after a while, and my teachers started to push me to study more.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は急に、勉強する楽しみを失い始めていた。<br>\\r\\nAll of a sudden, the fun had gone out of it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n元々、勉強なんて好きでも何でもない。<br>\\r\\nTo begin with, I didn't even like to study.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n運動神経も並、喧嘩の強さも並の、平々凡々の目立たないガキンチョが、自分が人より優位に立てるものを見つけたので飛びついただけだ。<br>\\r\\nI had average reflexes. I was average in a fight. I was an average boy with nothing that really drew attention. So when I found something that I could use to get that attention, I jumped on it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが勉強でなく、例えば、一輪車やけん玉で人を見下せたなら、それを練習していたに違いない。<br>\\r\\nIt happened to be studying for me, but if it was riding a unicycle or juggling, I would've done that, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそういう感情に気付き始めると、もう勉強なんてつまらないだけだった。<br>\\r\\nWhen I realized I didn't enjoy studying anymore, it got very boring.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうさ、俺は人よりすごいことができたとき、それを誰かに褒めてもらいたいだけの甘えん坊野郎だったんだ。<br>\\r\\nI was just a little boy who wanted to be praised when I did something better than anybody else.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だから褒めてもらえるなら、夏休みの宿題だってきっちり終わらせたし、学校の掃除だって率先してやった。<br>\\r\\n...I finished all of my summer homework because my parents praised me for it, and I took charge of cleaning duties at school because my teachers praised me for it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、褒めてもらえなくなったとき、自分の人生がどうでもいいものに感じた。<br>\\r\\nSo when they stopped praising me for what I did, I began to feel as though my life had no meaning.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は、一時期、成績の向上と小遣いの額が比例していたことがあったので、ガキには相応しくない小遣いを持っていた。<br>\\r\\nMy parents used to give me an allowance that was proportional to how good my grades were, so I used to get a substantial amount of money for my age.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……元々好きだったのか、それともやり場のない感情が凶暴性を求めたのかはわからない。<br>\\r\\n...I don't know if I had a natural interest in violence, or if I was looking for it because of my frustration at the time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はモデルガンに興味を持ち始めていた。<br>\\r\\nI took an interest in BB guns.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nダンボールを的にしているうちは可愛いものだった。<br>\\r\\nAt first, I shot at cardboard boxes. It was fun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nダンボールに凶暴性をぶつけるだけなら、ストレスの発散の内だ。<br>\\r\\nBeing violent at pieces of cardboard relieved a lot of stress.<br>\\r\\nそこまでなら誰も咎めない。<br>\\r\\n Nobody blamed me for doing that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、すぐにやってはいけないことをしたくなった。<br>\\r\\nBut soon, I started wanting to do something I should never have done.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nモデルガンの箱に書いてあった注意書き、<br>\\r\\nOn the box that my BB gun came in was a warning label that read \\\"do not shoot at people\\\".<br>\\r\\n「人に向けて撃ってはいけません」を見た時、よし俺は人を撃ってやろうと思ったんだ。<br>\\r\\n That was when I thought about doing just that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうして、やってはいけないことをわざわざ？<br>\\r\\nWhy did I do something I shouldn't have?<br>\\r\\nそれこそが俺の幼稚さだったんだ。<br>\\r\\n I guess I was just immature.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はもう勉強なんかに関心はないのに、それを無理強いして、どんどん塾通いを強制する親に反感を持っていた。<br>\\r\\nI wasn't interested in studying anymore, but I forced myself to do so anyway. My parents forced me to go to several cram schools. I was mad at them for that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなら、親にもう勉強は嫌だとぶつければいいものを。<br>\\r\\nI should've told them I didn't want to study anymore.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……矮小な俺にはその勇気はなく。<br>\\r\\n...But I didn't have the courage to do that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…あろうことか、その攻撃性は、自分より年下の人間をモデルガンで闇討ちするという卑劣な行為に向いた。<br>\\r\\n...So, I used my frustration as an excuse to do something cowardly: I shot at kids who were younger than I was with my BB gun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nものすごいスリルだった。<br>\\r\\nIt gave me such a thrill.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分はこんなにも悪いことをしているんだという刺激は、勉強漬けの自分にとってあまりに甘美だったのだ。<br>\\r\\nIt felt so good to do something bad when I was so overcome with studying.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろん、狙った相手に個人的恨みは何もない。<br>\\r\\nNeedless to say, I had no personal grudge against the kids I shot.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nひと気のないところにいればそれで攻撃の条件は満たした。<br>\\r\\nAs long as the kids passed through a deserted street, they met the requirements to become my target.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n別に怪我させるつもりは毛頭なかった。<br>\\r\\nI didn't mean to hurt them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n狙撃するように遠くから１〜２発、当ててやればそれでいい気分だった。<br>\\r\\nI shot at them once or twice from a distance. That was all I wanted to do.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、たまに服の生地の厚いところに当るのか、当っても無反応な子がいた。<br>\\r\\nBut sometimes, they didn't react at all because the BBs hit a thicker part of their clothes or something.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それが気に入らず、相手が撃たれていることに気付くまで撃つようになった。<br>\\r\\n...I didn't like that, so I started to shoot until they noticed they were being hit.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは必然的に、滅多撃ちにエスカレートしていったんだ。<br>\\r\\nIt inevitably escalated into a barrage of gunfire.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分は勉強というとてもいいことをしている。<br>\\r\\nI study a lot. I'm doing something good.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからそれに見合うくらいに悪いことをしてもいいんだ。<br>\\r\\nSo, I deserve to do something bad to balance out the good thing I'm doing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれでバランスがちょうどいいんだ、等と信じられないくらい自己中心的な主張をして自分を許した。<br>\\r\\nThat was the unbelievably selfish excuse I made.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんなにも辛い状況を我慢しているのだから、これは当然の権利なのだ。<br>\\r\\nI thought I had a right to do things like that, because I was suffering myself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、俺のように苦労していない人間は少しくらい撃たれて痛かったって当然なんだ。<br>\\r\\nI thought people who weren't suffering like I was deserved to be shot at and to get hurt a little bit.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………なんて身勝手、なんて傲慢、なんて甘え！<br>\\r\\n...I was so selfish, so arrogant, and so immature!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今、こうして自分で並べているだけで虫唾が走る。<br>\\r\\nI was disgusted with myself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもし、その頃の俺の前に立ち塞がれるなら、奥歯が吹っ飛ぶくらいに殴り飛ばしてやりたかった。<br>\\r\\nIf I could have met myself at that time, I would've given myself a punch in the face so hard that I'd knock out all of my teeth.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n児童連続襲撃事件とまで呼ばれるようになり、<br>\\r\\nThey started to call it \\\"a series of attacks on school children\\\".<br>\\r\\n全校朝礼で校長が、そういう事件が起こっているようなので、お外で遊ぶ際には気をつけましょうというのを聞いて、ひとりニヤニヤ笑っていた。<br>\\r\\n The principal of my school held a morning assembly to inform everyone about the case and to warn them to be careful when playing outside. I was laughing sneakily.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nＰＴＡ便りには、通学路の安全に気をつけるよう見出しがつき、やがて保護者の当番制による登下校時の見張り、集団での登下校などが次々決まっていく。<br>\\r\\nThe PTA issued a letter of warning and advice to take the safest way to and from school. Parents took turns watching kids when they walked between home and school in groups.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n規模がどんどん膨らんでいくことに、俺がかつて、成績アップで校内順位が上がっていく頃のカタルシスを思い出すのだった。<br>\\r\\nThe more serious it got, the more it reminded me of the excitement I first felt when my grades started going up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は、この遊びにもはや夢中だった。<br>\\r\\nI was absorbed in that game I was playing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいつかはバレるだろうなんて思いもしなかったし、いつを境にやめるかも決めてなんかいなかった。<br>\\r\\nI didn't think that I'd get caught someday. I didn't even think to stop doing it, either.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなある日。<br>\\r\\nOne day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………俺はひと気のない暗く細い道で、ひとりの少女を見つけた。<br>\\r\\n...I found a little girl who was walking down a narrow dark street, all alone.<br>\\r\\n本当に小さな子だった。<br>\\r\\n She was a very small girl.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどこかへ遊びに行く途中だったのか、おつかいに行く途中だったのか。<br>\\r\\nI don't know if she was on her way to her friend's house, or if she was running an errand.<br>\\r\\n…どちらにせよ、構わない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't care which.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nひとりでの外出は避けましょうと学校で言われてるだろうに、無用心な。<br>\\r\\nIt was careless of her to go out alone. The school had warned her not to.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n被害に遭うのは自業自得だ。<br>\\r\\nSo, it was her fault.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな身勝手な理屈で、いつものように、<br>\\r\\nJust like always, I made a selfish excuse...<br>\\r\\n………襲った。<br>\\r\\n and attacked her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n背中に弾が何発か当たり、少女は自分が何らかの悪意に晒されていることに気付く。<br>\\r\\nSome of the shots hit her in the back. She noticed she was attacked by somebody.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n気付けば振り返るのは当然の反応だった。<br>\\r\\nShe turned around. It was a natural reaction.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はその頃は、雨あられのように弾をぶつけるのが習慣になっていたから。<br>\\r\\nAt that time, I didn't hesitate to rain hell upon her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから彼女が振り向いたその瞬間にも、弾を浴びせかけていた。<br>\\r\\nSo when she turned around, I was still shooting at her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n普通の子だったら、痛い痛いと言いながら走って逃げていく。<br>\\r\\nUsually when I shot at a kid, she cried in pain and ran away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だが、その子の反応は初めて見るものだった。<br>\\r\\n...But this girl was different.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n片方の目を押さえて、苦痛の悲鳴を上げながら転げてのたうち回ったのだ。<br>\\r\\nShe thrashed around in excruciating pain, holding one of her eyes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを見て、すぐに直感した。<br>\\r\\nWhen I saw her doing that, I realized what had happened right away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n目に直撃したんだ。<br>\\r\\nThe BB had hit her in the eye.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nダンボールをやすやすと打ち抜くような弾で眼球を直接撃たれたらどういうことになるかなんて、その瞬間まで考えたこともなかった。<br>\\r\\nUntil that moment, I didn't think about what would happen when a pellet that could easily go through a cardboard box hit an eyeball.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nとにかくとにかく、<br>\\r\\nAnyway,<br>\\r\\nその子の痛がり方が尋常じゃなくて、<br>\\r\\n the girl howled in pain,<br>\\r\\n俺はその時になって初めて、<br>\\r\\n and for the first time<br>\\r\\n自分が何て恐ろしいことをしていたんだろうと気付いた。<br>\\r\\n I realized I had done something horrible.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n少女に姿を見られていた。<br>\\r\\nShe saw me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから自分が病院に連れて行くことはできなかった。<br>\\r\\nSo I couldn't take her to a hospital.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから結局どうすることもできなくて、……俺は転げ回る少女を取り残して、その場から走り去った。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't do anything about it... so I left her there while she was still screaming in pain.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの子は大丈夫だろうか、失明しなかっただろうか。<br>\\r\\nI wondered if she was okay, and I worried that she had lost her eye.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれだけが頭をぐるぐると駆け巡り、食事をする気にもなれなかった。<br>\\r\\nI kept thinking about her, and I didn't even feel like eating that day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n居間の本棚にあった、家庭用の医学書をこっそり部屋に持ち帰り、目の構造について調べた。<br>\\r\\nI went to the bookshelf in our living room, snuck a medical book to my room, and studied the structure of the human eye.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどのくらいの怪我なら失明するのかしないのか、今さらのように調べた。<br>\\r\\nIt was too late to make a difference, but I studied what kind of injuries would make a person lose their vision.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仮に失明しないとわかったとしたって、犯した罪に何も変りはないのに。<br>\\r\\nI knew it wouldn't make the sin I committed weigh any less even if I found out that she wouldn't lose her sight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……その晩、俺は寝付けず、ひどい高熱にうなされた。<br>\\r\\n...I couldn't sleep that night, and I suffered from a high fever.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺の罪を一番最初に罰してくれたのは結局、親でも学校でも警察でもなく、……結局、俺の体自身だったわけだ。<br>\\r\\nIt wasn't my parents, my teachers, or the police who first punished me for what I did... It was my own body.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n深夜と早朝の境目の頃。<br>\\r\\nBefore dawn.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………俺は熟睡中だった両親を起こし、自らの罪を打ち明けた。<br>\\r\\n...I woke my parents up and confessed to my sin.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n親は始めは驚愕していたが、最近の俺の反抗的な態度と、モデルガン遊びへの傾倒から、何となく状況を察したようだった。<br>\\r\\nThey were shocked at first, but it seemed like they understood the situation quickly due to my recent disobedient behavior and my interest in BB guns.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお袋はさめざめと泣き、親父には顔が腫れあがるほどぶん殴られた。<br>\\r\\nMy mom cried hysterically. My dad slapped me in the face 'til it swelled up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n結局、夜明けを待たず、両親に付き添われて、……交番に出頭するのだった。<br>\\r\\nBefore the sun came up, I turned myself in to the police, accompanied by my parents.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子は呆然としたような顔で俺を見ていた。<br>\\r\\nSatoko stared at me with a stunned expression.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその眼差しを向けるのは、当然の権利だろう。<br>\\r\\nI deserved to receive that kind of look.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして俺にはそれに甘んじなくてはならない罪がある……。<br>\\r\\nWhat I did was very wrong, and I needed to accept that...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……それ、……本当ですの……？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Is that all... true...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes...<br>\\r\\n本当だ。<br>\\r\\n It's all true.<br>\\r\\n……今まで隠していて、……悪かった………。」<br>\\r\\n ...I'm sorry I didn't tell you until now...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………何で、そんなことを今頃になってわざわざ言おうと思ったわけ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\".........What made you want tell us?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音がそう言うと、梨花ちゃんもうんうんと頷いた。<br>\\r\\nMion asked me. Rika-chan nodded in agreement.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「本音から言うとさ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"To tell you the truth...<br>\\r\\n……圭ちゃん、どうしたのーーって感じかね。」<br>\\r\\n I don't understand why.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…まぁ、………そりゃそうだよな……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Well... I know, but...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「違うよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No.<br>\\r\\n…そんなことわざわざ言い出す必要、あったのかなーってね。」<br>\\r\\n I'm just saying that I don't see any reason why you had to tell us about it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いや、………。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well......<br>\\r\\n……隠し事をするなんて、…仲間じゃないよな。<br>\\r\\n I didn't want to keep secrets from my friends.<br>\\r\\n………俺は、みんなのことを仲間だと思ってる。<br>\\r\\n ...You're my friends,<br>\\r\\n…だから、……もう隠してなんかいられなかったんだ。」<br>\\r\\n so... I couldn't hide it from you anymore.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……圭一は、それをボクたちに話して何を期待しているのですか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...What are you expecting us to do?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「き、……期待なんて別にないよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm not... expecting anything.<br>\\r\\n……俺はただ…。」<br>\\r\\n ...I just...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……許しが欲しくても、ボクにはあげられないのです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......If you're asking for forgiveness, I can't give it to you.<br>\\r\\n圭一が怪我をさせた人たちにしかそれは与えられませんのです。<br>\\r\\n You have to ask the kids you attacked if you want that.<br>\\r\\nだから、ボクたちにそれを話しても、何の期待にも応えられないのですよ。」<br>\\r\\n It won't help any to tell us about it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「梨花の言うとおりですわね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I agree with Rika.<br>\\r\\n……潔いのは認めますけれど、…そんなことを私たちに打ち明けて、どうしたいって言うんですの？」<br>\\r\\n ...I think you're really brave to tell us, but... I don't understand what you want to do from here on out.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………どうしたいって、…ことはないよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I don't want to do anything...<br>\\r\\n……ただ、……仲間に隠し事は……、」<br>\\r\\n ...I just thought... it's not right to keep secrets from my friends...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仲間たちは俺の突然の過去の告白に、不快そうな表情を浮かべるだけだった。<br>\\r\\nMy friends looked annoyed by the sudden confession of my past.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は、自らの罪に対する当然の報いだと思って、ただそれを受け容れていた。<br>\\r\\nI took it as bitter medicine. I got what I deserved.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭ちゃんさぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Kei-chan,<br>\\r\\nちょいとここで質問なんだけどさ。<br>\\r\\n I have a question.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……仲間に隠し事ってしたら、いけないわけ？」<br>\\r\\n ...Why can't friends keep secrets from each other?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「え？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭ちゃんの論法だと、隠し事をしないのが仲間みたいな話だけどさ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I mean, that's what you're saying, but...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……おじさんはそんなの嫌だね。」<br>\\r\\n I really don't agree.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ボクも嫌です。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I don't agree, either.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音と梨花ちゃんは、とてもはっきりと俺を否定した。<br>\\r\\nMion and Rika-chan obviously disagreed with my statement.<br>\\r\\n沙都子もそれに習い、頷く。<br>\\r\\n Satoko nodded, following suit.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「言いたくないことを言わないで何が悪いわけ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't think it's wrong to refuse to tell people things you'd rather not.<br>\\r\\n人には話したくないことや辛いこと、悲しいこと、失敗したことや思い出したくないことがたくさんある。<br>\\r\\n We all have lots of things we don't want to tell anyone else about, like tragedies, mistakes, and other things you don't want to remember.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを全部打ち明けないと仲間と呼べないんなら、私ゃそんな仲間はいらないね。」<br>\\r\\n If I'd have to tell someone everything to be true friends with them, I wouldn't want to have them as my friends at all.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………で、……でも、…それじゃ………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...B-But...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……圭一。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Keiichi,<br>\\r\\n打ち明けなくていいことと、打ち明けなくてはならないことは違いますのです。<br>\\r\\n there's a difference between things you don't need to confess and things you have to confess.<br>\\r\\n罪は許しを得るために打ち明けなくてはならない。<br>\\r\\n You have to confess what you did to receive forgiveness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、打ち明けて許された罪は、もう打ち明ける必要はないのですよ？」<br>\\r\\n But once you're forgiven, you don't need to keep confessing.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうですわね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Quite.<br>\\r\\n……だって圭一さんは、ちゃんとお巡りさんのところにいって、怒られてきたんでございましょう？<br>\\r\\n ...You turned yourself in to the police, and they scolded you good, did they not?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれで償いをして許してもらえたなら、それで圭一さんの罪はおしまいですわよ。」<br>\\r\\n You atoned for your sin, and you were forgiven. What more do you have to do?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「自首して、その結果を受け容れたなら、それで圭ちゃんのお勤めは終わりだよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You turned yourself in, and you accepted the result. You did what you had to do.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろん、圭ちゃんが罪の十字架を背負い続けることはとても大切なこと。<br>\\r\\n It's very important that you keep reminding yourself of your sin<br>\\r\\n二度と過ちを繰り返さないよう、常に胸に刻み続けるのは正しいことだよ。<br>\\r\\n so that you won't make the same mistake again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でもね、それは圭ちゃんが自戒することであって、打ち明けなくちゃいけないことではない。」<br>\\r\\n ...But you only have to take care of that on your own. It's not something you have to confess to everybody.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうですわよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's very true.<br>\\r\\n過去の恥ずかしい話なんかは、私も内緒にしたいことがたくさんございましてよ。」<br>\\r\\n I have many embarrassing stories that I'd rather not tell anyone.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……みー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Meep.<br>\\r\\n沙都子は特にいっぱいいっぱいありますのです。」<br>\\r\\n Satoko does have quite a lot of them.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わ、私だけじゃございませんのよー！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I-It's not only me!!<br>\\r\\n梨花もですわよ梨花もですわよ！！」<br>\\r\\n Rika has a heap of them too!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「みーみーみー☆」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Meep☆ meep☆ meep☆!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子と梨花ちゃんがいつものようにじゃれ合った。<br>\\r\\nSatoko and Rika-chan fooled around with each other like they always did.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを見て、魅音が俺に向き返る。<br>\\r\\nMion looked at them and then looked back at me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今、沙都子はとてもいい事を言ったと思う。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Satoko just said something very important.<br>\\r\\n…圭ちゃんにはどの部分かわかる？」<br>\\r\\n ...Did you get it?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……過去の話は、内緒にしたい…というところか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...You mean the part where she said she has a dark past that nobody needs to know about?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「違う違う！<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, no!<br>\\r\\nその次の部分。<br>\\r\\n The bit after that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰にだってある、ってところだよ。<br>\\r\\n She's saying that everybody has something they'd rather hide.<br>\\r\\n無菌室の試験管の中で育った人間でもない限り、人の人生は試行錯誤の繰り返しだと思う。<br>\\r\\n Considering that nobody grows up in a sterilized room, we all learn by trial and error. That's called life, you know?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n良いことも悪いことも、色々なことを繰り返して成長して、それで最後の最後に素晴らしい人間になれればいいんじゃない？<br>\\r\\n You do both good things and bad things in order to grow up. Your goal is to become a wonderful person by the end.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいいことも悪いことも、全てとても大切な経験なんだと思う。<br>\\r\\n Everything that happens is a very important experience, including both the good and the bad.<br>\\r\\nそれは誰でも同じで、圭ちゃんだけじゃない、私にも沙都子にも梨花ちゃんにも。<br>\\r\\n The same goes with everybody, with Satoko, Rika-chan, and me, too.<br>\\r\\nいやいや、クラスの全員にも当てはまることなんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n The same applies to everybody in this class.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……例えば、魅ぃはもっと昔は札付きの悪猫さんだったのですよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...For example, Mii used to be a very bad girl.<br>\\r\\nにゃーにゃー。」<br>\\r\\n Meow. Meow.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「くっくっく！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Heh heh heh!<br>\\r\\n…まぁ本当はあんまり言いたかないんだけどね。<br>\\r\\n ...Well, I'm not proud of it or anything,<br>\\r\\n私から見れば、モデルガンで闇討ちなんて、あっはっは、かーわいいーもんだーって！<br>\\r\\n but shooting at people with a BB gun is like nothing compared to what I did!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私なんかレンガとか投げつけてたよ、いやホント。<br>\\r\\n I used to throw bricks at people.<br>\\r\\n警察に何度お世話になったことやら。<br>\\r\\n I can't even count how many times I ended up in a cell at the police station.<br>\\r\\nダム戦争の最中は、ちょっとした留置場常連だったよ。<br>\\r\\n During the dam conflict, I was a regular there.<br>\\r\\nいやいやホントに。」<br>\\r\\n I'm not kidding. It's all true.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……でも、昔のことなのですよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...But it happened in the past.<br>\\r\\nそしてそれを圭一に言う必要はないのです。<br>\\r\\n And she doesn't have to tell you about it<br>\\r\\n仲間であってもなのです。」<br>\\r\\n even though she's your friend.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「仲間で………あっても………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Even though she's my friend...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…私だって、…とても言えないような苦い過ちや罪がいくつもありますわ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I made... a lot of embarrassing mistakes and committed some crimes, too.<br>\\r\\nでも言わないのは、言っても仕方ないからですわ。」<br>\\r\\n But I don't tell you about them, because telling you wouldn't help in any way.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「言って楽になるなら私たちは聞くよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"If you feel better by telling us about your past, we'll listen.<br>\\r\\nでもね、仲間だから言わなければならないなんてルールはない！<br>\\r\\n But there's no rule that says you have to tell us about your past just because we're friends!<br>\\r\\nむしろ仲間なら、言いたくない過去を察してあえて聞かないのが本当の仲間なんじゃない？」<br>\\r\\n I don't want to dig up a past that you don't want to talk about. That's what true friends are all about, I think.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……そ、……それはそうだけど……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I... I agree with you, but...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭ちゃんが打ち明けて楽になったならそれでいいよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We're happy if you feel better now by telling us about your past.<br>\\r\\n私たちは今日の話をすぐにでも忘れる。<br>\\r\\n We can forget about it if you want us to.<br>\\r\\nそれに、今日の話を聞いたから、圭ちゃんとの接し方を変えるようなこともない。」<br>\\r\\n We'll never change the way we see you because of this.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……圭一が前の町でしたことなんて、今の圭一と何の関係もないのです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......What you did in the city has nothing to do with who you are right now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今の圭一がボクたちにとって掛け替えのない仲間であるのなら、前の町のことなんかボクは知りたくないのですよ。」<br>\\r\\n You're a precious friend to us. I actually don't want to know about your past, to be honest with you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「梨花の言うとおりでございますわ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I agree with Rika.<br>\\r\\n逆に、前の町でどんなに善行を積もうとも、こちらに来て嫌な人だったなら、前の町の善行なんか知ったことじゃありませんわね。」<br>\\r\\n The same thing goes the other way around. Even if you did something great in the city, but if you were a nasty person here, I wouldn't care what great things you did back then.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ってことはさ、圭ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"In other words, Kei-chan,<br>\\r\\n………前の町での十字架は圭ちゃんが密かに胸に秘めることであって、こっちでわざわざ口にする必要なんてないんじゃない？<br>\\r\\n the sin you committed in the city is something that you should keep secret in your heart. You don't need to dig it back up just to tell us.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいや、仮に口にしてもだ。<br>\\r\\n I mean, you can if you want.<br>\\r\\nそれで圭ちゃんの見方を変える程度のヤツだったら、私はそいつの方を見下げるね！」<br>\\r\\n And if anybody changed the way they saw you because of that, I'd look down on them!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「過去が何だろうと、今が素晴らしい人間であるならば、どうして恥じることがございますの？<br>\\r\\n\\\"No matter what happened in the past, as long as you're a great person at present, you shouldn't be embarrassed of yourself. Am I wrong?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもし過去の過ちを一生取り戻せなかったら、……私たちは何のために生き続けますの。」<br>\\r\\n What's the purpose of living if we can never earn redemption?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……沙都子は、過去にとても甘えん坊さんでした。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Satoko used to be a big baby who couldn't do anything by herself.<br>\\r\\nそれを後悔して、今はこんなにも元気でがんばっていますのです。<br>\\r\\n She regretted it deeply, and now she's a strong independent girl.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、ボクは今の沙都子はとても素晴らしいと思いますです。<br>\\r\\n That's why I admire Satoko today.<br>\\r\\n昔どうだったかなんて、ボクは興味ないのです。」<br>\\r\\n I don't care how weak she used to be.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…梨花……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Rika...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭ちゃんだってどうよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"What about you, Kei-chan?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n例えば私が、留置場常連の札付きだと知ったら、私への見方を変えるー？<br>\\r\\n Are you going to change the way you see me because you now know I used to be a very bad girl who was a regular at the police station?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n変えないでしょ？<br>\\r\\n You won't, will you?<br>\\r\\n私は私。<br>\\r\\n I am who I am.<br>\\r\\nいつものように楽しくふざけあえる関係は何も変らないでしょ？<br>\\r\\n Our friendship won't change, and we'll keep playing and laughing like we always do, right?<br>\\r\\nそれが仲間ってもんだもん。」<br>\\r\\n That's what being friends is all about.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあれ……、<br>\\r\\nWhat...?<br>\\r\\nあれ……………あれ……。<br>\\r\\n What...? What's going on............?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…魅音の元気付けるような笑顔が、ぐにゃりと歪む…。<br>\\r\\n...Mion is trying to cheer me up with an encouraging smile on her face, but her expression became distorted all of a sudden...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺の目から…大粒の涙が、<br>\\r\\nBig teardrops... fell<br>\\r\\n……ぼたりと落ちて…。<br>\\r\\n from my eyes...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………あれ、<br>\\r\\n...What?<br>\\r\\n………あれ、<br>\\r\\n ............Why<br>\\r\\n……………なんで…………涙が……………。<br>\\r\\n am I crying...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「先に言っとく。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Let me just say this.<br>\\r\\n俺は悟史のことは何も知らない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't know anything about Satoshi.<br>\\r\\n…みんなが隠してたからな。」<br>\\r\\n ...Because you all hid it from me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…か、隠してたってわけじゃ……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...W-We didn't mean to hide it...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「毎年起こる事件のこと、隠してたろ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You didn't tell me about the incidents that happen every year, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あ、それは…圭ちゃんを……、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah, that's because... we didn't want to...<br>\\r\\nん……。」<br>\\r\\n ummm...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「怖がらせたくなかったってのか？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"You didn't want to scare me?!<br>\\r\\nそれが理由で俺だけ除け者かよ？！」<br>\\r\\n Just because of that, you left me out?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いや、そんなつもりじゃ…、」<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, we didn't mean to...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nうろたえる魅音が目に涙を浮かべる。<br>\\r\\nMion didn't know what to say. She had tears in her eyes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……仲間である俺のために、気を利かせたつもりなのに、どうしてこんなことになってしまったのかわからないのだ。<br>\\r\\n...She thought she did me a favor. She didn't know why it turned out like this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n引っ越してきたばかりの俺が、村のことを怖がらないように。<br>\\r\\nShe didn't want to make me scared of the village, since I'd just moved here.<br>\\r\\n……それ以上の理由が他に必要なのかよッ？！<br>\\r\\n ...What more reason did she need?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅音に直に、ダム現場で事件がなかったかって聞いたよな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I asked you before, Mion, if there was a crime at the dam construction site.<br>\\r\\n…魅音はないって言ったじゃないか！！！<br>\\r\\n ...You told me there was none!!!<br>\\r\\nバラバラ殺人があったのによ！！！<br>\\r\\n But there was a dismemberment lynch murder!!!<br>\\r\\n嘘つき野郎ッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n You lied!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ご、ごめん…！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I-I'm sorry...!!!<br>\\r\\n嘘ってわけじゃ…、」<br>\\r\\n I didn't mean to lie to you...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「仲間ってのは隠し事なんかなしだろ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"I thought friends didn't hide things from each other.<br>\\r\\nそうだろ？！<br>\\r\\n Right?!<br>\\r\\nじゃあお前らは仲間じゃない！！」<br>\\r\\n So, that makes us not friends!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nうおおおあああぁあぁあぁあ！！！<br>\\r\\nAhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仲間って何だよ、<br>\\r\\nWhat are friends?<br>\\r\\n仲間って何だよ、<br>\\r\\n What are friends?<br>\\r\\n俺にとっての仲間って何だったんだよッ！！<br>\\r\\n What were friends to me?!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本当の仲間たちだった。<br>\\r\\nThey were my true friends.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺のことを心底案じてくれていたんだ。<br>\\r\\nThey really cared about me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺がこの村で馴染めるように、あんなにも気を遣ってくれてたんだ！！<br>\\r\\nThey were so nice to me, and helped me feel at home in this village!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は何が不満だったんだ？！<br>\\r\\nI couldn't have been happier!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何が気に入らなかったんだ？！<br>\\r\\nEverything was great, wasn't it?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「け…圭ちゃん……そんなのって……、」<br>\\r\\n\\\"K-Kei-chan...... Please don't......\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は頼りなさげにおろおろする。<br>\\r\\nMion seemed like she didn't know what to say.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n心なしか涙まで溜めている。<br>\\r\\nHer eyes looked moist.<br>\\r\\n…いつもの魅音からはとても想像できない。<br>\\r\\n ...It was hard to believe she was really acting like this. It wasn't like Mion at all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうしてこんな言葉をぶつけられるのかわからない魅音の痛みが、…こんなにも伝わってくる…。<br>\\r\\nI could feel her pain. She was in pain because she didn't know what I was blaming her for...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんなにも悲しい目を向けられて、……どうして俺はそんな痛みにも気付けないんだよ？！<br>\\r\\nShe looked so sad... but I didn't notice her pain!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのくせ、何が仲間だ！！<br>\\r\\nI thought I was her friend!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仲間の気持ちもわからず、仲間の気持ちも信じず！<br>\\r\\nI didn't understand her feelings. I didn't trust her!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仲間という言葉を振りかざして…、俺は何をやっていたんだよッ！！！<br>\\r\\nI just used the word \\\"friends,\\\" but I didn't do anything like what friends were supposed to do!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………そうだった、…俺は…屑だったんだ…！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"...That's right... I was such a fool...!!<br>\\r\\n魅音は魅音だったんだ…、俺の最高の仲間だったんじゃないか！！<br>\\r\\n Mion was Mion... She was my best friend!!<br>\\r\\nどうして魅音を疑っちまったんだ？！<br>\\r\\n Why did I doubt her?!<br>\\r\\nどうして？！」<br>\\r\\n Why?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭ちゃんさ、最近元気ないよね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Kei-chan looks down these days.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「都会から引っ越してきたんだもん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"He just moved here from the city.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nきっと、今頃になって疲れが出てきたんだよ。<br>\\r\\n I guess the fatigue must be setting in.<br>\\r\\nそれで風邪を引いたんじゃないかなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n He probably caught a cold as a result.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そっかそっか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I see.<br>\\r\\nじゃあ栄養を付けさせてあげないとねぇ！<br>\\r\\n Then, he needs to eat something nutritious!<br>\\r\\n婆っちゃが今日、おはぎを作ってるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n My grandma is making ohagi today.<br>\\r\\nいくつか分けてもらって圭ちゃんへのお見舞いにでもしてあげるかー！」<br>\\r\\n I'm going to ask her to give me some so we can bring them to Kei-chan!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こんら魅音、手を洗わんとねー！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oi, Mion! Wash your hands first!!!<br>\\r\\nおんやレナちゃん、ひとつやってるんかい？」<br>\\r\\n Hello, Rena-chan, would you like to try making one, too?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「へー…、おはぎ作りって面白そうですね！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wow... that looks like fun!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナも１つだけ作らせてもらおうかな。<br>\\r\\n Yes, I'd love to try.<br>\\r\\nよいしょよいしょ。」<br>\\r\\n Here we go!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「くっくっく！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Heh heh heh!<br>\\r\\nそうだそうだ、いいこと思いついたよ。」<br>\\r\\n I have a great idea.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なぁに魅ぃちゃん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"What is it, Mii-chan?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……わ、その小瓶、何かな、…かな！」<br>\\r\\n ...What's that little bottle? ...What is it?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「甘いおはぎだけじゃあ退屈しちゃうだろうからねぇ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's not fun to only have sweet ohagi, you know?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nくっくっく、うちひとつにはクリティカルヒットでタバスコを混ぜておいてあげよう。」<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh, let's put hot sauce in one of them. It'll wake him up for sure!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだよ、……そうなんだよ…！！！<br>\\r\\nThat's right. ...That's what happened!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお見舞いで…おはぎを持ってきてくれて、……俺を元気付けようとしてくれてたんじゃないかよッ！！<br>\\r\\nThey brought ohagi for me to help me get better... They only tried to cheer me up!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを…何で俺は怯えてたんだ？！<br>\\r\\nWhy did I get so scared of them?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nエンジェルモートで食事をしてたことを魅音が知ってたってだけで、何であんなにも怯えていたんだッ？！<br>\\r\\nJust because Mion knew I had lunch at Angel Mort, I grew terrified of her!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…圭一くん、顔色悪いよ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, you don't look good.<br>\\r\\nもう横になった方がいいと思うな。」<br>\\r\\n Maybe you should go lie down.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's right,<br>\\r\\n私たちはもう帰ろ。」<br>\\r\\n maybe we should leave.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n茶化して元気付けたいだけだったんだ。<br>\\r\\nThey just wanted to cheer me up with a joke.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、……俺があまりにも真に受けた顔をしてたもんだから…。<br>\\r\\nBut... because I looked so serious...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあね圭ちゃん。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"See you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n明日こそ元気になってね。<br>\\r\\nPlease get better soon.<br>\\r\\nみんなで一緒に部活で遊ぼうね！<br>\\r\\n I hope we can hang out in the club together tomorrow!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、別れの挨拶がこうなるんじゃないか……！！<br>\\r\\nThat was a normal way of saying goodbye...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「明日、学校休んじゃ嫌だよ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't want you to be absent from school tomorrow, okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だいたい俺、風邪で休んだクラスメートの見舞いになんか行ったことあるかよ？<br>\\r\\n...First of all, have I ever visited any of my classmates who were absent with a cold?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nないだろ？！<br>\\r\\nNo, I haven't!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな面倒くさいことわざわざやったことなんか一度もないじゃないか！<br>\\r\\nI've never done such a nice thing to anybody, because it's too much of a bother!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを…してくれたんだぞ？！<br>\\r\\nBut they did that for me!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n入院ならともかく、ちょっと風邪を引いただけなんだぜ？！<br>\\r\\nI understand visiting a friend in a hospital, but I just caught a cold...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれなのにお見舞いに来てくれて、おはぎまで差し入れてくれたんじゃないか…！！<br>\\r\\nBut they came to visit me with ohagi so that I could get better soon...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は感謝して、明日こそ元気になって登校するよ！！<br>\\r\\nI should've been thankful to them and said, \\\"I'll get better soon, and I'm sure I can come to school tomorrow!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから明日こそ、学校でなーー！！って、……そう応えなくちゃいけないんだよ！！<br>\\r\\n So, I'll see you then!!\\\" ...That was what I was supposed to say!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなのに俺がしたことは何だった？！<br>\\r\\nBut what did I do instead?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鍵を掛けたんだ！！<br>\\r\\nI locked the door!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの２人を拒絶するかのように、…扉を閉めて鍵を掛けたんだッ！！<br>\\r\\nI closed the door and locked it as if rejecting them!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は何を怯えていたんだよ、何が怖かったんだよ！！<br>\\r\\nWhat was I so scared of? What was I so afraid of?!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうして気遣ってくれる仲間への感謝の気持ちが出てこなかったんだよ！！<br>\\r\\nWhy didn't I say any words of appreciation to my friends who cared about me?!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなのになのに、どうしてあんなにもおはぎが怖くってッ！！！<br>\\r\\nI was just so scared of the ohagi they brought for me!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあるはずが、………ないんだよッ！！！<br>\\r\\nWhat was I thinking?!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nおはぎから針なんか……出てくるはずがなかったんだ！！！<br>\\r\\nIt was impossible that there was a needle in one of them!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何も出てなんか来なかったじゃなかいッ！！<br>\\r\\nThere wasn't actually a needle at all!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nただ俺が、……昔見た漫画か何かで、…食べ物にカミソリの刃や裁縫針を混ぜるなんて恐ろしいシーンがあったことを思い出して、<br>\\r\\nIt was all in my head, because I had read some manga about someone putting needles or razor blades in people's food.<br>\\r\\n………あんなのが混じっていたら嫌だと思っていたら、<br>\\r\\n ...It scared me so much that......<br>\\r\\n………なぜか、<br>\\r\\n I believed<br>\\r\\n…なぜか、<br>\\r\\n it could also happen to me<br>\\r\\n!それがおはぎの中に混じっているような気になってしまって……！！！<br>\\r\\n for some reason...... and I thought there was a needle in the ohagi...!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n馬鹿かよ圭一！！！<br>\\r\\nYou were so stupid, Keiichi!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうして仲間を見舞う時にそんな針なんか混ぜるんだよ？！？！<br>\\r\\nWhy would your friends put a needle in food they only brought to make you get better?!?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれことありえないだろ！！<br>\\r\\nIt was crazy to think like that!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仮に！<br>\\r\\nEven if<br>\\r\\n仮に本当に針が入っていたにしたって、何かの間違いで混じったんだと、彼女らの無実を信じるのが本当の仲間ってもんだろう！！！<br>\\r\\n there was a needle in one of them, I should've thought that it was some kind of mistake, and I should've believed in my friends' innocence!!!<br>\\r\\nそれを俺は何だ？！<br>\\r\\n That's what a true friend would do!! But what did I do?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどしゃッ！<br>\\r\\nPound!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nびたッ！！<br>\\r\\n Splatter!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nべしゃッ！！！<br>\\r\\n Smash!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n力任せに次々と、……彼女たちが心を混めて作ってくれたはずのおはぎを投げつけて、穢して！！<br>\\r\\nI threw the ohagi that they spent so much effort making on the floor!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何で？！<br>\\r\\nWhy?!<br>\\r\\nどうしてなんだ？！<br>\\r\\n Why did I do that?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はみんなのことを大好きだった。<br>\\r\\nI got along so well with them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢に引っ越してきて初めて、友人たちというものに出会えたんだ。<br>\\r\\nI moved to Hinamizawa, and I made friends for the first time in my life.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは最高の仲間だった。<br>\\r\\nThey were my best friends.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n一生涯で出会えるか出会えないかわからないくらいに、最高の出会いだったんだ。<br>\\r\\nMeeting them was the most wonderful experience of my life. I'd probably never have another one like that for the rest of my days.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれがわかっていたのに、………どうして仲間たちに怯え、疑うようになっちまったんだよ？！<br>\\r\\nI knew that, but...... I got scared, and I doubted them!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仲間たちは……、俺がおかしくなってるのに、だんだん気付いてくれて。<br>\\r\\nThey noticed that I was acting odd.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そうさ、監督を呼んでくれたんだよな。<br>\\r\\n...That's why they called the manager, Irie.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鎮静剤でも打ってもらって、しばらく休んでればきっと治るって思って、……俺を部屋まで運んでくれて。<br>\\r\\nThey thought a sedative might help me relax, so I could rest and get better... That's why they carried me up to my room.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は、ちょっとふざけようと思った。<br>\\r\\nMion just wanted to make it fun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は好意をふざけて表現する、ちょいとひねくれたやつなんだよ。<br>\\r\\nShe's the kind of person who expresses her goodwill by making a joke out of it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなのはよく知っていたじゃないか…！！<br>\\r\\nI knew that better than anybody...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、……監督が来たら、俺に聴診器でも当てるためにお腹を捲ることを予想して、<br>\\r\\nShe knew Irie would roll up my shirt to check my heartbeat with a stethoscope.<br>\\r\\n……富竹さんと同じ罰ゲーム、……シャツに落書きをしようとしたんじゃないか？！<br>\\r\\n ...So she was just trying to draw graffiti on my shirt just like she did to Tomitake-san as punishment for the game he lost!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだよ、<br>\\r\\nYes...<br>\\r\\n……だから魅音は、<br>\\r\\n That's why Mion<br>\\r\\n……マジックを取り出したんじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n took a felt marker out of her pocket.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nマジックだよ。<br>\\r\\nA felt marker.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あいつ、そんな下らないことをやってやろうと思って、わざわざ家からマジックを持ってきたんだぜ？<br>\\r\\n...She brought a marker from home because she just wanted to do something funny.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n看病なんてガラでもないと思って、罰ゲームなんかで元気付けようとして、……わざわざ持ってきてくれたんだぜ…？<br>\\r\\nShe tried to cheer me up by making me take a punishment for fun rather than nursing me, because that's just what Mion is like... She went to the trouble of bringing a felt marker to my house...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺を、元気付けたいがためだけにだぜ…？<br>\\r\\nJust because she wanted to cheer me up...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが俺に羽交い絞めをして、……魅音が俺に近付いてきて、あいつ、……何て書こうとしたんだよ…。<br>\\r\\nRena held me down tightly... and Mion came closer to me... to write something on my shirt...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあいつは、<br>\\r\\nMion<br>\\r\\n……魅音は、<br>\\r\\n whispered...<br>\\r\\n……俺のシャツに、<br>\\r\\n the words she was going to write...<br>\\r\\n……書く言葉を…小さく口にしてたじゃないか！！<br>\\r\\n on my shirt!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺、…聞こえてる。<br>\\r\\nI heard them.<br>\\r\\n…聞いてるんだ。<br>\\r\\n ...I heard them clearly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音が俺に何て落書きをしようとしたか、……耳に…届いてたじゃないか…！！！<br>\\r\\nI heard what she was going to write on my shirt...!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n早く、<br>\\r\\n I hope<br>\\r\\n元気になぁれ☆<br>\\r\\n you get well soon!<br>\\r\\n魅音<br>\\r\\n Mion<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何で聞こえてるのに、……聞こえてるのに！！<br>\\r\\nI heard them... Then why?!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n聞こえてるなら、…魅音が…俺に物騒なことをしようとしてるなんて、絶対にありえないことがすぐにわかるのに！！！<br>\\r\\nI should've known she wasn't going to do anything to hurt me!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうして俺は、どうして俺は！！<br>\\r\\nThen why? Why?!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあれが注射器に見えちまったんだよ？！<br>\\r\\nWhy did the marker look like a syringe to me?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうして魅音が、俺を殺そうとしているなんて思ってしまったんだよッ？！？！<br>\\r\\nWhy did I think that Mion was going to kill me?!?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nありえないんだよ、ありえないんだよ！！！<br>\\r\\nIt was impossible! It was impossible!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうしてどうして、どうしてどうして！！<br>\\r\\nWhy? Why? Why?!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何で……魅音が、俺の命を狙ってるなんて、……とんでもない勘違いをしちまったんだよおおおぉおおぉおぉおぉぉ！！！<br>\\r\\nWhy did I misunderstand that Mion was going to kill me?!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n頭の中のジーンとした痺れが取れ、…ゆっくりと…全身に血の通いが戻ってくるのがわかる。<br>\\r\\nThe numbness in my head receded... and slowly... I felt blood start to run through my entire body again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は…どの位の時間、ここにうずくまっていたのか…？<br>\\r\\nHow long... was I squatting down there...?<br>\\r\\n何分？<br>\\r\\n For a few minutes?<br>\\r\\nそれとも何十分なのか…。<br>\\r\\n Or a lot longer than that...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………見上げた時計の針は、まるで俺が目を閉じていた間分だけ、きっちりと止まっていたのではないかと思うくらい、進んでいなかった。<br>\\r\\n...As I looked up at the clock, the hands weren't moving at all, as if they had stopped while I had my eyes closed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…本当に？<br>\\r\\n...Really?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今、室内を覆う空気は、さっきまでの狂気に満ちたものでなく、……灰色の静寂だけになっている。<br>\\r\\nThe atmosphere in the room wasn't filled with insanity like it was earlier... but it was quiet and gray.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n羽交い絞めにしていたはずのレナもいなかったし、今まさに注射しようと迫っていた魅音もいなかった。<br>\\r\\nRena wasn't holding me down, Mion wasn't about to give me an injection.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……まさか…全部……何かの……幻？！<br>\\r\\n...Was all of that... just some kind of illusion?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n部屋には俺以外の気配はまったくなくなっているのだ…。<br>\\r\\nThere was no sense of presence other than myself in that room...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nかつてない異常な体験。<br>\\r\\nIt was an extraordinary experience, the kind I'd never had before.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………俺は確かに……レナと魅音に………。<br>\\r\\n...I was there... with Rena and Mion...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分の正気を一瞬疑うが、同時にある種の安堵感も感じていた。<br>\\r\\nI doubted my sanity for a moment, but at the same time, I felt some kind of relief too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nははは、……やっぱり……あの恐ろしい出来事は…幻だったんだ。<br>\\r\\nHa ha ha... The scary incident was just an... illusion after all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナも魅音も…あんな恐ろしいことをするわけが……ないんだ…。<br>\\r\\nNeither Rena nor Mion would've done such a terrible thing to me...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n目頭が…熱くなる。<br>\\r\\nTears started forming in my eyes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n感情がこみ上げてくるのがわかった…。<br>\\r\\nMy emotions were running high...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうして…？<br>\\r\\nWhy...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは涙がこみ上げる理由にではない。<br>\\r\\nIt wasn't a question of why tears were forming in my eyes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうして…？<br>\\r\\nWhy...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それは………悲しみだった。<br>\\r\\n...It was a question... of my sadness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……どうして悲しくなるんだろう…？<br>\\r\\n...Why did I feel so sad...?<br>\\r\\nわからない。<br>\\r\\n I don't know.<br>\\r\\n……わからない……。<br>\\r\\n ...I don't know...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nわからない？<br>\\r\\nYou don't know?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何がわからないんだよ！！<br>\\r\\nWhat do you mean, you don't know?!!<br>\\r\\nわかってるじゃないかよぉおおおぉおぉッ！！<br>\\r\\n You do know!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n馬鹿じゃないのか、何やってんだよ俺は！！<br>\\r\\nI was so stupid. What the hell was I doing?!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうしてどうしてここまで、とことん救えないクズなんだよッ！！！<br>\\r\\nI was so pathetic and helpless!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は最後の最後まで俺を元気付けようとしてくれていたじゃないか。<br>\\r\\nMion just tried to cheer me up. That was all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大好きだった、親友だった、最高の仲間だった！<br>\\r\\nI liked her so much. She was my best friend!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺より年上だけど、そんなのを全然感じさせないで付き合ってくれた。<br>\\r\\nShe was older than me, but she hung out with me like we were the same age.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…誰よりも一番最初にクラスで話し掛けてくれた。<br>\\r\\n...She was the first one who came to talk to me in class.<br>\\r\\nそんな魅音を、……魅音をどうしてッ！！！<br>\\r\\n She was so nice to me... but I... I...!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその魅音が、窓際に不自然な格好で横たわっていて。<br>\\r\\n...Mion was lying down in an unnatural position near the window.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…頭から胸元が血でべっとりと赤黒くなっていて。<br>\\r\\nShe was covered in dusky-red blood from her head to her chest.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n壁一面に飛び散った真っ赤なものは…、俺が何度も何度も打ち付けて叩き割った頭から溢れ出したもので。<br>\\r\\nThe red fluid splattered on the wall... was Mion's.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何てことを……何てことを……！<br>\\r\\nWhat had I done...? What had I done...?!<br>\\r\\n俺は…何て取り返しのつかないことを…！！<br>\\r\\n I would never forgive myself...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「俺、……みんなのこと……本当に友達だと思ってたんだぜ……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I...... truly did ...think of you all as my friends...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなのに……どうしてこんなことになってしまったんだよ……？<br>\\r\\nWhy... Why did all this happen...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n前の学校では楽しいことなんか何もなかった。<br>\\r\\nThere was nothing fun in my life at my old school.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…偏差値の上下に一喜一憂し、志望校が合格圏か安全圏かとか…そんな話しかしなかった。<br>\\r\\n...When I talked to anyone, it was only ever about my chances of passing the entrance exam of the schools we wanted to go to.<br>\\r\\n…灰色の生活だった。<br>\\r\\n ...My life was shaded in gray.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n友達ってのはクラスの勉強のライバルのことで、内申書と校内偏差値を競い合う敵だった。<br>\\r\\nFriends to me were rivals and enemies to vie with for a school recommendation and test scores.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな生活がいかに不健全かを教えてくれたのが、みんなだったんだ。<br>\\r\\nMy friends here taught me just how unnatural that was.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの一ヶ月間、本当に楽しかった…。<br>\\r\\nThis whole month was a blast...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n弁当で大騒ぎをし、部活で大騒ぎをし、お祭りで大騒ぎをし……。<br>\\r\\nWe raised the roof over lunch, our club activities, and the festival...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n目から熱いものがボタボタとあふれ出る。<br>\\r\\nA warm liquid flowed out from my eyes.<br>\\r\\n……不覚にも…涙だった。<br>\\r\\n ...To my surprise, it was... my tears.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこいつらのために涙を流す義理なんかないはずだ。<br>\\r\\nI didn't have any obligation to cry for them.<br>\\r\\n…でも止められない…！！<br>\\r\\n ...But I couldn't stop it...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n例え命を狙われたとしても。<br>\\r\\nEven though they attempted to kill me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n殺されそうになったとしても。<br>\\r\\nEven though they almost killed me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…この一ヶ月間の思い出は……忘れられないのだ…。<br>\\r\\n...I couldn't forget the memories we made during the past month...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれとも……あの楽しかった日々は…虚偽だったのだろうか…？<br>\\r\\nOr... were those fun days... fake...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺をはめるために…今日まで周到に続けられた……罠だったのだろうか？<br>\\r\\nWas it an act... that they kept playing perfectly to set me up until today?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺だけが一方的に仲間だと思い込んでいただけなのでは………？<br>\\r\\nWas it only me who believed that they were my friends...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなはずは……ないッ！！！！<br>\\r\\nIt couldn't be...!!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナも魅音も……本当に俺の仲間だったッ！！<br>\\r\\nRena and Mion... they were my friends for real!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの楽しかった日々に……わずかの曇りも虚偽もあるものか…！！！<br>\\r\\nThose happy days... couldn't have been just a performance...!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nきっとレナたちは……俺を殺すよう、何者かに強要されたに違いないのだ。<br>\\r\\nRena and Mion must have been forced by somebody to kill me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあるいは…オヤシロさまという超常存在が取り憑き、意識を乗っ取られていたに違いないのだ！<br>\\r\\nOr... that an extraordinary existence called Oyashiro-sama possessed them and took over their consciousnesses!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nとにかく…レナも魅音も…最高の友人だった！！<br>\\r\\nNo matter what it was... both Rena and Mion... were my best friends!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n馬鹿野郎おおおぉおぉおぉおおお！！！！<br>\\r\\nI was stupid!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n馬鹿野郎、<br>\\r\\nI was such a fool.<br>\\r\\n馬鹿野郎、<br>\\r\\n Such a fool.<br>\\r\\n馬鹿野郎、<br>\\r\\n Such a fool.<br>\\r\\n馬鹿野郎！<br>\\r\\n Such a fool.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何をわけのわからないこと言ってんだ！！<br>\\r\\nI wasn't making any sense at all!!<br>\\r\\n自分でその最高の友人をこんなにも惨たらしく殺しておいて、…何を口走ってやがんだよ畜生おおおぉおぉ！！！！<br>\\r\\n I killed my best friends!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n最高の友人だったんだろ、仲間だったんだろ！！<br>\\r\\nThey were my best friends!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだったらどうして信じられないんだよ！！<br>\\r\\nThen, why didn't I trust them?!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうしてその言葉に耳を傾けられないんだよ！！<br>\\r\\nWhy didn't I listen to them?!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを殴り殺しておいて、俺は何様のつもりなんだよ？！<br>\\r\\nI beat them to death. Who did I think I was?!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまるで自分には何の非もないみたいじゃねぇかよ？！<br>\\r\\nI made it sound like I didn't do anything wrong!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分以外の全てがおかしくなったような気持ち？<br>\\r\\nI felt like everybody went crazy except me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n馬鹿が、逆だよ！！<br>\\r\\nI was such a fool! It was the other way around!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n逆に決まってるだろ！！<br>\\r\\nOf course it was!!<br>\\r\\nおかしかったのは、全部俺ひとりなんだよッ！！！<br>\\r\\n I was the only one who went crazy!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…け、……圭ちゃん…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...K-Kei-chan...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「俺は……、<br>\\r\\n\\\"I...<br>\\r\\n俺は……、<br>\\r\\n I...<br>\\r\\n……何てことをしてしまったんだよ……。<br>\\r\\n did something terrible...<br>\\r\\n…何てことを……うぁあぁあぁぁぁぁぁ…。」<br>\\r\\n I'll never forgive myself... Ahhhhhhh...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は今、ここにちゃんと生きている。<br>\\r\\nMion was still alive.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だから、俺が魅音を疑心暗鬼の果てに殴り殺したなんて記憶は、「ありえない別の世界」の記憶なのだけど。<br>\\r\\n...I have a memory of beating her to death because I couldn't trust her. But that's a memory from a nonexistent, different world.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、…俺は例え別の世界であろうとも、……魅音を、……殺してしまった…。<br>\\r\\nBut... even though it happened in a different world... I... killed Mion...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかも、その罪深さを何も気付かずに。<br>\\r\\nAnd I didn't realize how deep that sin was.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれどころか、今の今まで、…魅音には殺されるだけの非があったなんて勝手に思い込んでいて！！<br>\\r\\nI even thought until now... that Mion was at fault for being killed!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ど、…どしたんですの…圭一さん……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wh-What is wrong with Keiichi-san...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わかんない……。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't know...<br>\\r\\n圭ちゃん、落ち着いて落ち着いて…？<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan, please calm down...<br>\\r\\n私は、生きてるよ。<br>\\r\\n I'm not dead.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭ちゃんになんか殴り殺されてたまるかーっての。<br>\\r\\n You didn't beat me to death. I mean, I'd never let that happen.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nねぇ？」<br>\\r\\n Okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうですわよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Quite.<br>\\r\\n圭一さん如きに遅れを取るようなのは我が部にはおりませんでしてよー！」<br>\\r\\n There's no one in our club whom you could beat to death, Keiichi-san!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「違うんだ………違うんだ………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"No... No...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音も沙都子も、突然俺が泣き出したのがなぜかわからず、困惑していた。<br>\\r\\nMion and Satoko looked confused, having no idea why I was crying.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、俺は…泣くしかなかった。<br>\\r\\nBut I couldn't help myself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n罪は打ち明けて許しを得るものだと、今知った。<br>\\r\\nI learned just now that I could earn redemption by confessing my sin.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だけど、俺のこの罪は、…この魅音には許せない罪なんだ…。<br>\\r\\n...But I could never earn redemption for this... not from Mion...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、今俺が「この世界」でいくら泣いたところで、…誰にも許せない。<br>\\r\\n No matter how much I cried in this world, nobody could give me forgiveness.<br>\\r\\nだからこの罪は、絶対に許されないのだ……。<br>\\r\\n And so, I could never earn redemption for this sin...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、知恵先生がやって来て、俺が泣いているのに気付いた。<br>\\r\\nRight then, Chie-sensei came in and noticed me crying.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……いい年の男が泣き出すなんて、なかなかあることじゃない。<br>\\r\\n...You wouldn't see a teenage boy crying like that very often.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n知恵先生が何事かと声を掛けるが、俺の耳には届かない。<br>\\r\\nChie-sensei asked me what was going on, but at that moment I couldn't hear anything.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音と沙都子が事情を聞かれ、困惑しているようだった。<br>\\r\\nMion and Satoko looked confused. They didn't know how to explain the situation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n涙の止まらない俺に、梨花ちゃんが顔を寄せる。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan approached me in the midst of my sobs.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……圭一は、………覚えているのですか？<br>\\r\\n\\\"......You remember... don't you, Keiichi...?<br>\\r\\n………レナと魅ぃを、<br>\\r\\n ...You remember how you...<br>\\r\\n……殺したことを。」<br>\\r\\n killed Rena and Mii...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes!!<br>\\r\\n俺が……殺したんだ！！<br>\\r\\n I... killed them!!<br>\\r\\n殺したんだ！！<br>\\r\\n I killed them!!<br>\\r\\nなのに、俺は何の罪も認めずに、まるで自分は被害者のつもりで！！<br>\\r\\n But I didn't accept my sin. I pretended I was the victim!!<br>\\r\\n死ぬ最期の瞬間まで……仲間を呪って、恨んで！！<br>\\r\\n I cursed and blamed my friends until the moment I died!!<br>\\r\\n血がいっぱい出て、……そして………そして………。<br>\\r\\n There was blood everywhere... and... and...<br>\\r\\n結局、何の後悔もなく、……ひとりで……勝手に死んだ………………。」<br>\\r\\n In the end, I just died alone... without any regrets...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n電話ボックスの中で、痒くて痒くて仕方がない喉を掻き毟りながら、<br>\\r\\nI clawed at my itchy throat in a phone booth.<br>\\r\\n……それでもなお自分の罪に気付かず、<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't notice my sin,<br>\\r\\n……勝手にひとりで死んでいく。<br>\\r\\n and I died alone...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……圭一。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Keiichi.<br>\\r\\n…………あなたの罪に、<br>\\r\\n ...Did you notice...<br>\\r\\n…気付きましたのですか。」<br>\\r\\n your sin just now?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「気付いた。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes, I did.<br>\\r\\nこんなにも今頃になって、俺は気付いたよ、思い出したんだ！！<br>\\r\\n It took me so long, but I just noticed it!!<br>\\r\\nここじゃない別のよく似た世界で！<br>\\r\\n I remember what I did, not here, but in a different world that looks just like this one!<br>\\r\\n俺はなぜか仲間たちに疑心暗鬼を持って……殺してしまったんだ！！<br>\\r\\n I... killed my friends because I couldn't trust them!!<br>\\r\\n仲間たちは俺に救いの言葉をかけていたはずなんだ！<br>\\r\\n They were just trying to help me!<br>\\r\\nなぜそれに耳を傾けられなかった？<br>\\r\\n But I didn't listen to them.<br>\\r\\nどうしてだよ？！<br>\\r\\n I don't know why I didn't.<br>\\r\\nうぉおおぉぉおぉおおぉぉ！！」<br>\\r\\n Ahhhhhhhhh!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はもう人目なんかはばからなかった。<br>\\r\\nI didn't care if people were staring.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ただただ泣いた。<br>\\r\\n...I just kept crying.<br>\\r\\n罪を涙に変えて、目から思い切り搾り出してやりたかった。<br>\\r\\n I wanted transmute my sin to tears in order to squeeze it out of me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも出て来る涙は罪なんかじゃない。<br>\\r\\nBut the tears that were coming out from my eyes weren't my sin.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…取り返しのつかない悲しいことをした悔悟の涙だけ。<br>\\r\\n...They were just tears of regret for doing something irreversible.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時。<br>\\r\\nAt that time<br>\\r\\n……頭に、撫でる感触。<br>\\r\\n ...I felt something touching my head.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…目を開ければ、梨花ちゃんがその手の平で俺の頭を撫でているのだった。<br>\\r\\n...I opened my eyes, and saw Rika-chan patting my head gently.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…慰めなんかいらない。<br>\\r\\n...I didn't need any comfort.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんに俺が慰められるはずなどないのだ。<br>\\r\\nI didn't deserve any comfort from Rika-chan.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが梨花ちゃんは言った。<br>\\r\\nBut the words she spoke to me...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……これは、慰めではなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\nweren't ones of comfort.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……圭一を、<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I<br>\\r\\n許しましょう。」<br>\\r\\n forgive you, Keiichi.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………え………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".........What......?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……圭一は、自分で自分の罪に気付きましたのです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Keiichi, you noticed your sin.<br>\\r\\nそれは…とても偉くて、……普通ではありえないことなのです。<br>\\r\\n It's a very difficult thing to do, and not something everybody can.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、誰も圭一の偉さがわからなくて、それを許してあげることはできませんのです。<br>\\r\\n Not everyone can understand how great you are, and hence, they can't forgive you.<br>\\r\\n……でも、ボクにはそれを許すことができます。<br>\\r\\n ...But I can,<br>\\r\\nボクには、圭一のすごさがわかるのです。」<br>\\r\\n because I know how great you are.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………梨花ちゃん……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Rika-chan...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……私はこれが奇跡であることがわかる。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...This is a miracle.<br>\\r\\nだってこれはありえないことなのだもの。<br>\\r\\n You noticed the sin you committed in another world.<br>\\r\\nあなたが、……別の自分の罪に気付くなんて、絶対にありえないこと。<br>\\r\\n That's impossible to do.<br>\\r\\nなのにあなたはそれに気付けた。<br>\\r\\n But you did it.<br>\\r\\nそれは、きっとこの地上に具現するどんな奇跡すらも霞むほどのもので、………信じられないくらいに尊いもの。」<br>\\r\\n That is the most unbelievable and precious of miracles that could exist in this world...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんが何を言っているのか、俺にはさっぱりわからない。<br>\\r\\nI didn't understand anything Rika-chan was saying.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……なのに、…梨花ちゃんだけは、俺のこの、ありえない記憶を理解してくれる気がした。<br>\\r\\n...But... I felt like she's the only one who understood that impossible memory I had.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……なら。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...So,<br>\\r\\n今のあなたにならわかるはず。<br>\\r\\n you should be able to understand...<br>\\r\\n…竜宮レナが、どういうことになっているのか。」<br>\\r\\n what Rena Ryuugu is going through right now.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ……、わかるぜ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes... I understand.<br>\\r\\nあの時の俺と同じなんだ…！！<br>\\r\\n She's going through exactly the same thing I went through...!!<br>\\r\\n仲間のことを信じたくて信じたくてしょうがないのに！！<br>\\r\\n She wants to trust her friends more than anything!!<br>\\r\\n信じられないんだ！！<br>\\r\\n But she can't!!<br>\\r\\nどんどん自分がおかしくなっていくのに、そいつがわからなくて世界の方がおかしくなったって信じてやがるんだ！！<br>\\r\\n She's the one who's losing her mind, but she doesn't understand that, and she thinks that the world is going crazy instead!!<br>\\r\\nどうすりゃ救えるかなんて、わからねぇよ！！<br>\\r\\n I don't know how to save her!!<br>\\r\\nわからないんだ！！<br>\\r\\n I have no idea!!<br>\\r\\nだって、……俺は…駄目だった！！<br>\\r\\n Because... I... failed!!<br>\\r\\n結局、死ぬまで…いや！<br>\\r\\n I didn't understand until I died...<br>\\r\\n死んでも気付けなかったんだ！！<br>\\r\\n No, I didn't understand even after I died!!<br>\\r\\nそれを、レナに気付かせるなんてどうやって？！<br>\\r\\n So how can I make Rena realize what I didn't, even after that?!!<br>\\r\\n救えないよ…救えない…！！<br>\\r\\n I can't save her... I can't save her...!!<br>\\r\\n俺がそうだったからよくわかるんだ…。<br>\\r\\n I know, because I was just like her...<br>\\r\\nどうやったってもう、救えないんだ…。」<br>\\r\\n There's nothing I can do.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……落ち着けよ圭一…。<br>\\r\\n...Calm down, Keiichi...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確かに俺は駄目だったさ。<br>\\r\\nI did fail.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、だからと言ってレナも駄目ってのは早計じゃないのか…？<br>\\r\\n...But that didn't mean Rena would, too...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n駄目だから救わなくていいなんてのはない。<br>\\r\\nThere was no excuse not to save her because I thought she'd fail.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナはどうだった？<br>\\r\\n...After all, what did Rena do back then?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺があそこまで末期的におかしくなってたってのに……、全身で救おうとして体を張ってくれたじゃないかッ！！！<br>\\r\\nI was totally going mad but... she risked her life to save me!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの世界の俺の部屋で……、金属バットで何度も何度も打ち据えられて…！<br>\\r\\nIn my room, in that world... I had beaten her many times with a metal bat...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、レナは微笑んでた。<br>\\r\\nBut she was smiling.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺が怯えていると知っていたから、…怖がらせないように、微笑んでくれていた。<br>\\r\\nShe knew I was scared... and that's why she smiled for me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、俺に何度も何度も打たれて、腕がひしゃげて額も割れているのに……。<br>\\r\\nI beat her so many times. Her arms were broken, and her forehead was cut open...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだ、<br>\\r\\nI remembered...<br>\\r\\n………本当に最後の最後。<br>\\r\\n Rena didn't block her head...<br>\\r\\n……レナは、頭を庇わなかった。<br>\\r\\n even at the very last moment.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこう、<br>\\r\\nShe...<br>\\r\\n……両手を突き出して、<br>\\r\\n opened her arms<br>\\r\\n…抱きしめる相手を探すように、<br>\\r\\n towards me<br>\\r\\n…こう…。<br>\\r\\n like she was looking for a hug...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれでもなおレナを信じられない俺は、<br>\\r\\nBut I still doubted her...<br>\\r\\n………金属バットを大きく振り上げた。<br>\\r\\n and raised the metal bat up high.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは言った。<br>\\r\\nRena told me then.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大丈夫だよ、<br>\\r\\n That it was okay.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……私を、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Please<br>\\r\\n信じて。」<br>\\r\\n trust me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nうおおおおおぉおおおぉおぉおお！！<br>\\r\\nAhhhhhhhhhh!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仲間が信じろと言ったんだ！！<br>\\r\\nMy friend still told me to believe in her!!<br>\\r\\n自分を信じろと言った！<br>\\r\\n She told me to trust her!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何でそれを信じられないんだよ、おかしくなった俺が襲い掛かってきてるんだぞ！！<br>\\r\\nBut I still didn't. I lost it and attacked her!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n命の危険があった、現に殺された！！<br>\\r\\nShe was in danger. She was actually killed!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなのに、頭を庇いもせず、身を守るはずの両手を……俺に差し出して……！<br>\\r\\nBut she didn't even block her head. Instead, she used her arms to reach out for me...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは、死んでしまうまでずっとその言葉を口にしていたんだ。<br>\\r\\nRena continued to say those words until the moment she died.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n信じて。<br>\\r\\nTrust me.<br>\\r\\nお願い、<br>\\r\\n Please<br>\\r\\n私を、<br>\\r\\n trust<br>\\r\\n信じて。<br>\\r\\n me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n命をかけて俺を救おうと、俺の目を覚まそうとしてくれてたんじゃないか！！<br>\\r\\nShe risked her life to save me!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n命を失うその瞬間まで、…信じてといい続けて…。<br>\\r\\nUntil her very last moments... she kept telling me to believe in her...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして俺は、仲間のその言葉さえ耳に届かず、今日のこの瞬間まで、自分が悪くないなどと本気で信じていて！！！<br>\\r\\nBut I didn't listen. For so long, I truly believed that I didn't do anything wrong!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……梨花ちゃんに許してもらえて、少し心が軽くなった。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I feel a little bit better now that you've forgiven me, Rika-chan.<br>\\r\\n……でも、やっぱり、俺の罪は……同じ形で滅ぼさなきゃならないんだ。<br>\\r\\n ...But I still have to atone for my sin.<br>\\r\\n………レナの目は…俺が覚ます…！」<br>\\r\\n ...I'm going to do that in the same way Rena did for me. I'm going to save her...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは命を賭けたんだぞ！！<br>\\r\\nRena risked her life to save me!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n死ぬその瞬間まで俺を気遣ってた！<br>\\r\\nShe cared about me until her very last moments!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n信じてた！！<br>\\r\\nShe trusted me!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n次の一言こそ心に届くと信じて、何度も口にしたんだ！！<br>\\r\\nShe believed that her words would reach my heart, so she kept saying them<br>\\r\\n頭蓋骨が叩き割られるその最期の瞬間までだッ！！<br>\\r\\n until I cracked her skull!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺の命なんか、惜しいもんかよ…。<br>\\r\\nI don't care if I die...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは死んで見せたんだぞ！！<br>\\r\\nRena died for me!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺だって命くらいくれてやる！！<br>\\r\\nI can die for her, too!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は仲間の気持ちなんかわかってないクズ野郎だったからその気持ちが届かなかった。<br>\\r\\nI was such a fool for failing to understand my friends' feelings. That's why I didn't understand what she was saying.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、…レナならあるいは…届くかもしれないんだ…！！<br>\\r\\n...But... Rena might be different...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………この世界はもう狂っちまった。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...This world is messed up.<br>\\r\\nでも、だからといって諦めていいなんてことはねえんだよな。<br>\\r\\n But it doesn't mean that I can just quit.<br>\\r\\n……諦めるってことは信じないってことだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Quitting is the same thing as not believing.<br>\\r\\n俺はレナを、仲間の絆を信じるぜ。<br>\\r\\n I believe in Rena, and in our friendship.<br>\\r\\n……だから、まだ間に合うんだ。<br>\\r\\n ...That's why I can still make it.<br>\\r\\n惨劇は回避できる。<br>\\r\\n I can still prevent a tragedy from happening.<br>\\r\\n運命には抗える。<br>\\r\\n I can change fate.<br>\\r\\n俺たちは足掻く。<br>\\r\\n We will struggle together<br>\\r\\nそして掴めるんだ、その先の未来ってやつをなッ！！」<br>\\r\\n to seize our future!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".....................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんは神妙そうに俯くと、スカートのポケットをいじるような仕草をしていた。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan nodded with a serious look on her face, and she put her hand in the pocket of her skirt.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……圭一。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Keiichi.<br>\\r\\n…………私も、…諦めない。<br>\\r\\n ...I won't give up, either.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……この世界から希望を失ってたまるものか。<br>\\r\\n ...I'm not going to lose hope in this world.<br>\\r\\n…私は数え切れない失敗に疲れ果ててた。<br>\\r\\n ...I was tired from meeting with countless failures.<br>\\r\\nだから世界が狂い出すことに諦めを感じるようになってた。<br>\\r\\n I gave up on this world as it started to go wrong.<br>\\r\\nだから、………もうレナがどうなろうと知ったことではないと、昨夜思った。<br>\\r\\n That's why...... I kind of gave up on Rena last night.<br>\\r\\nでも、……それは間違いだった。<br>\\r\\n But... I was wrong.<br>\\r\\n……戦おうとする意思がこんなにも美しく神々しくて、……そして運命すら捻じ曲げかねない、奇跡が起こせることを知った。<br>\\r\\n ...I realized that the will to fight is such a beautiful and divine thing... and it can work miracles that can even alter the path of fate.<br>\\r\\nだから私はあなたと共に戦おう。<br>\\r\\n So, I'll fight with you.<br>\\r\\nもう一度戦おう、<br>\\r\\n I'll fight again.<br>\\r\\n何度でも戦おう。<br>\\r\\n I'll keep fighting...<br>\\r\\nその先の未来に至れるまで、何度でも。」<br>\\r\\n until I reach the future.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………り、…梨花と圭一さんが何の話をしているのか、さっぱりわかりませんでしてよ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I have no idea what you two are talking about.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「くすくす…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hee hee...<br>\\r\\n……覚えていないのは当然なのです。<br>\\r\\n It's normal that you don't remember.<br>\\r\\n…圭一が、すごいだけなのですよ。」<br>\\r\\n ...Keiichi is a special exception.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「？？？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Huh???<br>\\r\\n私の高尚な脳みそではさっぱりでしてよ？？」<br>\\r\\n I suppose I'm too brilliant to understand what's going on.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんが、沙都子にこつんと額をぶつける。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan touched Satoko's forehead to hers.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……でも、いつかは思い出してあげてください。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...But please remember one day.<br>\\r\\nあなたが抗えぬ不幸の袋小路に囚われた時、……圭一はあなたを救おうと全身全霊を賭けて戦ってくれたことを。」<br>\\r\\n When you're desperately driven into a corner of misfortune, please remember that he risked his life to save you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一さんが、………ですの？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi-san fought for me...?<br>\\r\\n眉唾でございますわよ…。」<br>\\r\\n It's hard to believe...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「くすくす。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hee hee.<br>\\r\\n……ねぇ圭一？」<br>\\r\\n ...Isn't that right, Keiichi?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんが俺を見て、同意を求めるように微笑む。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan looked at me, smiling as if waiting for my agreement.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…さすがに沙都子にまで命を賭けるかどうかはわからないが、…………。<br>\\r\\n...I wasn't sure if I could risk my life for Satoko...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………いや、…賭けるさ。<br>\\r\\n...No, I was sure. I'd risk my life for her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子は俺の仲間だ。<br>\\r\\nSatoko is my friend.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子を不幸のどん底に落とすような敵が現れたなら、俺は容赦なくその敵を叩き潰すだろう。<br>\\r\\nIf anybody tried to make her unhappy, I'd beat them up without hesitation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全身全霊を賭けて！<br>\\r\\nI'd risk my life to save her!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………そんな、…世界もあったかもしれない…。<br>\\r\\n...There might even have been a world like that...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、梨花ちゃんに頷き返した。<br>\\r\\nI nodded to Rika-chan.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんもそれを見て、嬉しそうに頷き返してくれるのだった。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan nodded back to me, looking happy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……前原くん、………何かありましたか…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Maebara-kun...... Is everything okay...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺がようやく大人しくなったと思ったのか、先生が何事かと話し掛けてきた。<br>\\r\\nChie-sensei realized that I'd finally calmed down, and she asked me that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いえ、……何でもないんです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes... everything is fine now.<br>\\r\\n騒がせてすみませんでした。<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry I worried you.<br>\\r\\n……………それより、…魅音。」<br>\\r\\n ......Anyway... Mion.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…ん？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...What?<br>\\r\\nな、……何？」<br>\\r\\n What... is it?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はつかつかと魅音に歩み寄る。<br>\\r\\nI walked towards her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は何事かわからなくて後退り、黒板にぶつかった。<br>\\r\\nMion stepped back, not knowing what was going on. She bumped into the blackboard.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「な、……何、圭ちゃん…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"What... What is it, Kei-chan...?<br>\\r\\n…マジな顔でどうしたの…？<br>\\r\\n You look so serious...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………ぁぅ…、」<br>\\r\\n ......Ah...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音を、俺は抱きしめる。<br>\\r\\nI held Mion tightly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は何事かわからなくて、真っ赤になったまま閉口していた。<br>\\r\\nShe still didn't know what was going on, and her face turned red.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は……魅音の肩で、泣きながら言った。<br>\\r\\nCrying on her shoulder, I told her the following.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……すまなかった、…本当にすまなかった……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なな、<br>\\r\\n\\\"What? What?<br>\\r\\n……何がよ、圭ちゃん…、<br>\\r\\n ...What are you sorry for, Kei-chan...?<br>\\r\\nあ、あのあの、おじさん、本当に何のことかわかんないよ……。」<br>\\r\\n Th-This ol' man doesn't really get what's going on...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……わかんなくてもいい…、わかんなくてもいい…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...It's okay. You don't need to get anything...<br>\\r\\n…わかんなくてもいいから……聞いてくれ……。<br>\\r\\n So just listen to me.<br>\\r\\n……本当にすまなかった……、そして…おはぎ…。<br>\\r\\n ...I'm very sorry... And the ohagi you made...<br>\\r\\n……うまかったぜ、……本当にうまかった…。<br>\\r\\n They were really good... They were delicious...<br>\\r\\n元気が出た。<br>\\r\\n They cheered me up.<br>\\r\\n……だから、……俺、明日からちゃんと学校に通えるから……、また明日も、……学校で会おうなって……、……それが…言えなくて………。<br>\\r\\n ...Well... I wanted to tell you that... I would go to school the next day... and the day after that, too. I wanted to tell you that I would see you tomorrow at school... But I couldn't...<br>\\r\\n…今日まで…感謝の言葉が遅れて本当にすまなかった…！！<br>\\r\\n I'm very sorry that I didn't give you any words of appreciation until today...!!<br>\\r\\n俺は魅音を、いや、仲間を誰だろうと！！<br>\\r\\n I'll never doubt you, Mion.<br>\\r\\n二度と疑わない！！<br>\\r\\n I'll never doubt any of my friends!!<br>\\r\\n二度とだ、絶対にだッ！！<br>\\r\\n Never, ever again!!<br>\\r\\nだから魅音、……………あの日の俺を、…どうか許してくれ……………。」<br>\\r\\n So Mion... please forgive me for what I did that day...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音には何のことか、わからなかったに違いない。<br>\\r\\nMion must have had no idea what I was talking about.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろん、……言っている俺にも。<br>\\r\\nOf course... I didn't, either.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…自分で何を口走っているのかよくわからなくなっていた。<br>\\r\\n...I didn't understand what I was talking about.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、俺には許されていない罪だった。<br>\\r\\nBut my sin wasn't forgiven yet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからそれを打ち明け、許しを請わなければならなかった。<br>\\r\\nI needed to confess my sin in order to receive her forgiveness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅音が命を賭けてくれたことを俺は知ってる…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I know you risked your life to save me, Mion...<br>\\r\\nだから、…いつか魅音に何かの不幸が訪れたら、俺は絶対に命を賭けて助けるからな。<br>\\r\\n So... I'll risk my life to save you too, when you're in some kind of trouble.<br>\\r\\n絶対だ、約束する……！！」<br>\\r\\n I promise I will...!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……け、……………圭ちゃん…………？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...K-Kei-chan............?<br>\\r\\nあは、はは、照れるな……。」<br>\\r\\n Aha, haha, you're making me blush......\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何事かわからず赤面する魅音。<br>\\r\\nMion's face was bright red. She didn't know what was going on.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n同じく赤面し、表情からクエスチョンの抜けない沙都子。<br>\\r\\nSatoko was blushing too, with a confused look on her face.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、梨花ちゃんと俺だけは全てを理解していた。<br>\\r\\nBut Rika-chan and I understood everything.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n惨劇なんて受け容れてたまるか…！！<br>\\r\\nWe weren't going to accept a tragedy...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n世界が狂い出したらもうおしまいなんてことがあるもんか！<br>\\r\\nWe couldn't give up just because the world was going out of order!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n最期のその瞬間まで運命に抗ってやる！<br>\\r\\nWe were going to fight against fate to the very last moment!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音も抗ってくれた。<br>\\r\\nMion fought for me.<br>\\r\\nレナも抗ってくれた。<br>\\r\\n Rena fought for me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから……レナを救う。<br>\\r\\nThat's why... I was going to fight for Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼女がそうしてくれたように、…俺も命を賭けて。<br>\\r\\nJust like she did for me... I was going to risk my life to save her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鹿骨市内のある割烹にて、その席は設けられた。<br>\\r\\nThe summit was being held at a traditional Japanese restaurant in Shishibone City.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n黒塗りの車が停まると、大石を筆頭に大柄な刑事たちが４人降りてきた。<br>\\r\\nWhen a black car stopped in front of it, three burly cops got out of it, followed by Ooishi.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n出迎えるのは園崎組の黒服たち。<br>\\r\\nThey were welcomed by Sonozaki Corps members in equally black suits.<br>\\r\\nそれはとても異様な光景だった。<br>\\r\\n It was something you didn't see every day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今日はお招きいただきまして光栄です。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Thank you for having us.<br>\\r\\n遅刻しちゃって申し訳ないですねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n We apologize for being late.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……お客人、ご案内いたします。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I'll take you to the room.<br>\\r\\nどうぞこちらへ。」<br>\\r\\n Please follow me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n入り口には本日貸切の札が出ていた。<br>\\r\\nThere was a sign saying \\\"reserved\\\" at the entrance.<br>\\r\\nその中へ大石たちは招かれていく。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi and his subordinates were taken inside.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもったいぶった作りの庭を抜け、和風の上品な雰囲気のする玄関へ至る。<br>\\r\\nThey walked through the restaurant's pretentious landscaped garden, and they came to the gorgeous Japanese-style entrance.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n玄関には和服の女性と葛西がいた。<br>\\r\\nA woman in a kimono was waiting at the entrance, as was Kasai.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石たちに気付くと談笑をやめ、深々とお辞儀する。<br>\\r\\nUpon seeing the police officers, they stopped chatting and bowed deeply.<br>\\r\\n……和服の女性は、魅音の母、茜であった。<br>\\r\\n ...The woman in the kimono was Mion's mother, Akane.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「やぁどうもどうも園崎社長さん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Sonozaki.<br>\\r\\n本日はお招きをいただきありがとうございます。」<br>\\r\\n Thank you for having us today.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…ようこそいらっしゃいました。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's a pleasure to meet you.<br>\\r\\nご多忙中のはるばるのお越し、心より感謝いたします。」<br>\\r\\n Thank you for coming all the way here, despite your busy schedule.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いえいえ。今日はご馳走になりますよぅ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Not at all. I've been looking forward to the feast I'm going to have today.<br>\\r\\n清水亭と言えば湯葉が有名ですからねぇ。<br>\\r\\n Kiyomizutei is famous for its dried beancurd, right?<br>\\r\\nなっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n Na ha ha ha!<br>\\r\\nどんなご馳走か楽しみです。」<br>\\r\\n I can't wait.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".....................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それから葛西さんもお久しぶり。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Long time no see, Kasai-san.<br>\\r\\n直接会うのはだいぶ久しぶりになりますねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n It's been forever since we last met in person.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ご無沙汰をいたしております…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes, it has been a while...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まぁなんかこの度はお互い戦争状態に突入しちゃってるようですが、白黒を穏便〜に、大人のルールに従って決着できたらと思ってます。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, we seem to be at war, but I'm hoping we can settle this like adults.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこっちゃ全面戦争はいつでも大丈夫ですんで。」<br>\\r\\n Although, we're ready for an all-out war whenever you are.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いえ、……そのようなつもりは毛頭。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"No... we have no desire to fight.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Na ha ha ha!<br>\\r\\nそりゃこちらもやりたかないです。<br>\\r\\n Neither do we.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあんたが出張ると血の雨が降るって評判ですからねぇ。<br>\\r\\n Everybody knows how messy things get when you get involved.<br>\\r\\n私もいい年なんで、もう流血沙汰はごめんしたいところです。」<br>\\r\\n But I'd like to avoid that as much as possible, since I'm not that young anymore.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれは明らかに敵対するもの同士の会合だった。<br>\\r\\nObviously, this was a meeting between people who hated each other.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n言葉の節々がぎすぎすとし、とても和気藹々とした会合になるとは思えなかった。<br>\\r\\nThe tension in their words indicated that it wasn't likely to be a friendly meeting.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それではご案内いたします。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'll take you to the room.<br>\\r\\nどうぞこちらへ。」<br>\\r\\n Please follow me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「主宰自らのご案内、痛み入りますよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I feel bad that our host is taking us to the table.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……そうそう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Well.<br>\\r\\n招待状の名前は私で出させていただきましたが、今日の主宰は、本家でございます。<br>\\r\\n I know we sent you the invitation under my name, but actually, today's host is the Sonozaki main family.<br>\\r\\n訳あって、招待状の名前を変えさせていただいたことをお詫びいたします。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry for the confusion.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…本家、ですか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I see.<br>\\r\\n………防弾チョッキを着に戻ってもいいですかねぇ？<br>\\r\\n ...Can I go back and get my bulletproof jacket?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなっはっはっは。」<br>\\r\\n Na ha ha ha.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n客室の襖があくと、お膳が並び、………魅音が座っていた。<br>\\r\\nOn the other side of the door, there were several tables... and Mion was sitting at one of them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n未成年の魅音にとっては、学校制服が公の衣装に当る。<br>\\r\\nSince Mion was still young, her school uniform functioned as her formal dress.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうではあっても、刑事たちと、園崎組の黒服たちの服装と比べると不思議な違和感があった。<br>\\r\\nStill, it looked strange with both the police and the Corps members in black suits.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「これはどうも、園崎家の次期頭首のお嬢さん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hello. You must be the successor to the head of the Sonozaki family.<br>\\r\\n今日はお招き下さり、光栄です。」<br>\\r\\n Thank you for having us today.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「本日はようこそお越しくださいました。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Thank you very much for coming.<br>\\r\\nまずはお掛けになってください。」<br>\\r\\n Please take a seat.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は自分の親よりも年上の刑事を相手に、わずかほども臆すことなく、丁重に出迎えるのだった。<br>\\r\\nMion politely welcomed the police, undaunted even though they were older than her parents.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音が目配せをすると、葛西が襖を叩く。<br>\\r\\nMion gave Kasai a look, and he tapped on the door.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nすると襖の向こうに待機していた仲居たちが入ってきて、乾杯の準備をし始めた。<br>\\r\\nThe waitresses, who had been waiting behind the door, started bringing out drinks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………大石さん、……一体こりゃ、何のつもりっすかね……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Ooishi-san... what's going on here...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さぁてねぇ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm not sure...<br>\\r\\nまぁここは舌鼓を打たせてもらいましょう。<br>\\r\\n Well, let's enjoy the meal first.<br>\\r\\nここの湯葉は有名ですよぅ？」<br>\\r\\n Their dried beancurd is really famous, you know?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしばらくの間、この火薬の匂いすら漂いかねない、緊張感のある酒席が繰り広げられるのだった。<br>\\r\\nThey started drinking, but the tension continued for a while.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやがて、仲居たちを完全に下がらせると、園崎組の組員たちにも下がらせ、室内は大石たち刑事４人と魅音、茜、葛西の３人だけになっていた。<br>\\r\\nMion made the waitresses and the other members of the Sonozaki Corps leave the room, and soon only Ooishi and his subordinates, Mion, Akane, and Kasai were left in the room.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さて。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well.<br>\\r\\n………今日はどういうお話ですかな。」<br>\\r\\n ...Let's start talking about why we're here today.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n茜が頷いて応えた。<br>\\r\\nAkane nodded and began speaking.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「本日は皆さんとの間に生じている誤解について、解かせていただきたくこのような場を設けさせていただきました。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"We're having this meeting today so we can resolve our misunderstandings.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ほぅ、誤解と申しますと？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Such as?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「発端はとても瑣末でございます。ここにいる葛西が、竜宮レナとの個人的事情により会見を求めたのです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Kasai wanted to talk to you about Rena Ryuugu for personal reasons.<br>\\r\\nよって、この度の件は葛西辰由と竜宮レナ、個人間のこと。<br>\\r\\n Therefore, this meeting is about the private circumstances between Tatsuyoshi Kasai and Rena Ryuugu.<br>\\r\\n園崎組は関与しておりません。」<br>\\r\\n The Sonozaki family has nothing to do with this.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なっはっはっは…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Na ha ha ha...<br>\\r\\n個人的事情って何ですかね。<br>\\r\\n What are these private circumstances?<br>\\r\\n堅気の竜宮さんと極道の葛西さんに、どういう個人的な接点が生じるっていうんです。」<br>\\r\\n Ryuugu-san lives an honest life. How can she have any kind of private connection with Kasai-san from the yakuza?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「葛西。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Kasai.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n僭越ながら、ご説明させていただきます。」<br>\\r\\n Allow me to explain.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n葛西は、レナとは偶然、興宮のとある喫茶店ですれ違っていたことを話した。<br>\\r\\nKasai told the police officers that he happened to meet Rena at a coffee house in Okinomiya.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその先にレナが彼の落し物を拾い、届けたいと申し出たことを説明する。<br>\\r\\nHe explained that Rena found something he lost there, and that she offered to bring it back to him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…ちょいと無理がございませんかねぇ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...That doesn't sound right.<br>\\r\\nまぁ百歩譲って、落し物の話を信じてもいいですよぅ？<br>\\r\\n But for argument's sake, why don't we assume what you're telling us is true?<br>\\r\\nその後がちょいとおかしくないですかね？<br>\\r\\n What happened after that doesn't make any sense.<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナを探して、組の若い連中が動員されてるって聞いてますよ。」<br>\\r\\n I heard that you told your members to find <NAME>ugu.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それに関しましては、この私めの手落ちでございます。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That is actually my fault.<br>\\r\\n…竜宮レナさんが遅くになっても帰宅されないのを家人が心配されていたので、繁華街で見かけていることがないかどうか若い者に聞かせたのですが、その際に手違いがありましたようで…。」<br>\\r\\n ...Rena-san's father was worried about her because she didn't come home after dark. So, I sent my men to ask if anyone had seen her downtown, but I made a small mistake...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おうおうおう、ちょいと待ってくださいよぅ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wait a second.<br>\\r\\nこんな割烹まで呼び出してその与太話を信じろっての？<br>\\r\\n You made us come all the way here, and now you're telling us to believe this bullshit?<br>\\r\\nあんた、うちらの商売を舐めてんの？<br>\\r\\n Could it be that you're making fun of us?<br>\\r\\nん〜？！」<br>\\r\\n Hmmm?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本職の暴力団よりも大石の方がよっぽど暴力団らしく見える。<br>\\r\\nOoishi looked a lot more like a member of the yakuza than the real yakuza did.<br>\\r\\n…大石が歪んだ笑いで凄むと場は一気に緊迫した。<br>\\r\\n ...Ooishi threatened them with a nasty smile, and it piled all the more tension onto the atmosphere in the room.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お、…大石さん…、まぁまぁ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ooishi-san... please don't...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n熊谷が大石をなだめる。<br>\\r\\nKumagai tried to make him stand down.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n警察も暴力団と同じで、凄む役となだめる役がペアになっているということだろう。<br>\\r\\nOfficers with hot tempers pair with others who are good at calming them down, just like how yakuza do.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石はにやりと笑ってそれで引き下がった。<br>\\r\\nOoishi backed off with a grin.<br>\\r\\n代わって熊谷が先を促した。<br>\\r\\n Kumagai took over, continuing from there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それで、園崎家さんはどうおっしゃりたいわけですか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"So, what're you trying to say?<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナと葛西辰由の個人的問題だから、民事に介入するなとおっしゃるわけで？<br>\\r\\n Do you not want us to intervene, because this is a civil matter between Rena Ryuugu and Tatsuyoshi Kasai?<br>\\r\\nそういうわけにはいきません。<br>\\r\\n That's not going to happen.<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナは警察で保護させていただきます。」<br>\\r\\n We're going to give her protection.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこで初めて魅音が口を開いた。<br>\\r\\nMion opened her mouth for the first time in a while.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……警察は竜宮レナを保護なさる理由をお聞かせください。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...You need to explain to me why the police have to protect Rena Ryuugu to begin with.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そりゃ決まってるじゃないかよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Why?<br>\\r\\nあんたらが狙ってるからだよ。」<br>\\r\\n Because you guys are after her.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石がぶっきらぼうに答える。<br>\\r\\nOoishi answered bluntly, <br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが魅音は至って涼しい顔だった。<br>\\r\\nbut Mion remained nonchalant.<br>\\r\\n…それが一層、大石を不愉快にさせるのだろう。<br>\\r\\n ...That must have made him all the more annoyed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どうして、当方が竜宮レナを狙っているとお思いで？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What makes you think we're after her?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そりゃあんたの胸に聞きゃいいだろ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Why don't you ask what's in your chest?<br>\\r\\nその馬鹿でかい胸に。」<br>\\r\\n It might know something.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……大石さん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Ooishi-san.<br>\\r\\n本日は皆さんの誤解を解くための会合です。<br>\\r\\n We're here to resolve our misunderstandings.<br>\\r\\nもちろん耳を貸されないのもまたご自由かとは存じますが、聞いた方がさぞかしよろしいかと思いますよ。」<br>\\r\\n It's your choice not to listen to us, but I think it's better that you do.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほぅ、我々が何の誤解をしていると？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, and what are we misunderstanding, exactly?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「竜宮レナの持っている、鷹野三四のスクラップ帖について、ある重大な誤解をされております。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Your misunderstanding concerns the scrapbooks of Miyo Takano that Rena Ryuugu is in possession of.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n刑事たちの目が一気に鋭くなる。<br>\\r\\nThe officers' expressions grew stern all at once.<br>\\r\\n……いきなり核心を突いて来たからだ。<br>\\r\\n ...All of a sudden, she had gotten straight to the point.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「竜宮レナの保護は、彼女が鷹野三四のスクラップ帖を持っているから……なのではございませんか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You want to protect Rena Ryuugu because she has the scrapbooks... Isn't that right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"..................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石たちはぎょろつく目で睨み返すが、無言であっても図星であることは明白だった。<br>\\r\\nOoishi and his subordinates glared back at her without saying a word, making it obvious that her guess was right.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「葛西。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Kasai.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n茜が促すと葛西が席を外して廊下に出る。<br>\\r\\nAkane gave him a look, and he left the room.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてすぐに戻ってきた。<br>\\r\\nHowever, he shortly returned... <br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n手には黒いアタッシュケースを持って。<br>\\r\\ncarrying a black suitcase.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n刑事たちの誰もが、この中に現金が唸るほど詰まっていて、それで自分たちを何らかに利用しようと買収してくるに違いないと思った。<br>\\r\\nEvery one of the officers assumed that there was a tremendous amount of money in the suitcase, and that the Sonozaki family was trying to buy them off.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n葛西はそのアタッシュケースをバチンと開き、その中身を刑事たちの前に示した。<br>\\r\\nKasai opened the suitcase and showed the contents to the police.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………こ、…これは…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".........A-Are these...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「鷹野三四のスクラップ帖です。<br>\\r\\n\\\"These are Miyo Takano's scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n残念ならが竜宮レナに手渡したと思われるものは含まれておりません。<br>\\r\\n I'm afraid we don't have the ones she gave to Rena Ryuugu.<br>\\r\\nこれを本日の肴にいたそうかと思います。」<br>\\r\\n This is going to be our main course for today.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……中身を拝見させていただいても構いませんか。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Do you mind if I take a look?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えぇ、どうぞ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, feel free.<br>\\r\\nお話はそれを読んでいただいた後で構いません。<br>\\r\\n We can talk after you read them.<br>\\r\\n必要でしたら人払いもさせましょう。」<br>\\r\\n I'll make my people leave if you like.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「い、いえいえ、それには及びません。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, no. You don't have to do that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n刑事たちはそれぞれ懐から薄いゴム手袋を取り出すと、それを着用して、十数冊にも及ぶスクラップ帖を手に取った。<br>\\r\\nThe cops produced latex gloves from their pockets, put them on, and took one of the scrapbooks out of the suitcase. There were more than ten of them in there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それらは鷹野三四の死亡の際に、興宮の自宅から発見したものです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"We found them in Miyo Takano's house in Okinomiya after she passed away.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石たちは、徹底的に使い込まれたそのスクラップ帖のページを次々と捲るのに必死なようだった。<br>\\r\\nOoishi and the others desperately turned the pages of the well-thumbed scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………これ、…間違いなく、鷹野三四のなんでしょうねぇ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Are you sure... these are real?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「間違いありません。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Without a doubt.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…お、………大石さん、……もしこれらに類するものを竜宮レナが持っているとするなら……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Ooishi-san... if Rena Ryuugu has the other scrapbooks... that means...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おそらくは竜宮レナが持つスクラップ帖も、それらに類する内容でしょう。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Maybe the ones she has have the same kind of stuff in them.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"..................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石は目を皿のように見開き、その内容を驚いているようだった。<br>\\r\\nOoishi looked stunned by the contents of the scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ページを捲る指がどんどんと早くなり、荒々しくスクラップ帖を閉じた。<br>\\r\\n...He started turning the pages faster, then closed the scrapbook roughly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………ここにあるスクラップ帖、全部がこんな中身なんですか。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Do all of these have the same kind of contents as this one?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えぇ、そうですよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes, they do.<br>\\r\\n納得行くまでご覧ください。」<br>\\r\\n Feel free to take the time to look at them until you're fully satisfied.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n刑事たちのページを捲る指は早く、もうそれは１ページずつを確認するような丁寧さはなくなっていた。<br>\\r\\nThe other officers also rapidly turned through pages. They weren't reading them, just flipping through.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nアタッシュケース内のスクラップ帖が、次々に荒々しく中身を改められていく。<br>\\r\\nThey took one scrapbook from the suitcase after another, and flipped through the pages roughly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………大石さん、<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Ooishi-san...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…こんなの滅茶苦茶です。<br>\\r\\n this is absurd.<br>\\r\\n性質の悪いオカルト小説ですよ！<br>\\r\\n These are just crappy occult novels!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n冥界と現世が激突して霊魂が流入したぁ？？<br>\\r\\n This one says that the netherworld collided with this world, and that dead souls flowed across the gap...<br>\\r\\n…こ、これを証拠として採用しろって言うんすか…。」<br>\\r\\n How are we going to use this as proof?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………あぁ、<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Well,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そっちは冥界の仕業なんだ？<br>\\r\\n yours says something about the netherworld?<br>\\r\\n俺のは地底人の仕業って書いてあるよ…。」<br>\\r\\n Mine is about creatures from the bottom of the ocean...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこっちのはナチスの秘密兵器説、<br>\\r\\nThis one is about classified weapons of the Nazis.<br>\\r\\nこっちのはムー大陸の遺産、<br>\\r\\n This one is about the legacy of the Mu continent.<br>\\r\\nそっちのは鬼ヶ淵の珍獣、オッシーの仕業……。<br>\\r\\n That one is about Ossie, the mysterious creature in Onigafuchi Swamp...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おそらく、竜宮レナが持つスクラップ帖には、皆さんもよくご存知の『寄生虫説』が記されてるのだろうと察します。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"We can surmise that Rena Ryuugu most likely has the scrapbook about the 'parasite theory' we've all heard of.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………………く…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".....................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n刑事たちは信じられない面持ちで呆然とするしかなかった。<br>\\r\\nThe police were dumbfounded. They couldn't believe what they were seeing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n皆が大石をジロリと見ている。<br>\\r\\nThe other officers were shooting glances at Ooishi.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……実は誰もが心の中で、寄生虫なんているわけない、細菌テロなんて大袈裟なと思っていた。<br>\\r\\n...They hadn't said anything to him, but they never really believed in the story of the parasite, let alone the bioterrorism.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでもそれを、大石が証拠があるから間違いないと独走したのだ。<br>\\r\\nBut Ooishi had believed it and told them he had proof.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…確かにここにある中には『寄生虫説』はないが、書いてある内容のレベルはまったく変わらないだろう。<br>\\r\\n...None of the scrapbooks in front of them said anything about parasites, but it was easy to assume the contents of one scrapbook were no different in nature from another.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……つまり、<br>\\r\\nIn other words...<br>\\r\\n…性質の悪いオカルト小説レベル…。<br>\\r\\n all of them were just crappy occult novels...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………うぅ……………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"............Well...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石は突きつけられた現実がにわかには受け容れられないようだった。<br>\\r\\nOoishi appeared unable to accept the fact that was facing him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だが、こうして実際に見てみれば火を見るより明らかだ。<br>\\r\\n...But now that he was actually looking at it, it was too difficult to ignore.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鷹野三四は単なるオカルトマニアで、……鬼ヶ淵の伝説を元に、面白おかしく妄想を膨らませてるだけ！<br>\\r\\n<NAME> was an occult geek who had laughable ideas about the legend of Onigafuchi!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを竜宮レナが真に受けて、……大石まで真に受けたということだ。<br>\\r\\nBut Rena took them seriously... and so had Ooishi.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n末席の刑事に至っては、スクラップ帖のあまりの馬鹿馬鹿しさに、もう笑いを隠せずにいるようだった。<br>\\r\\nThe other officers could no longer stop themselves from laughing at the ridiculous scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……大石がじろりと睨んだので、慌てて笑うのをやめる。<br>\\r\\n...Ooishi glared at them, and they stopped laughing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石がこの中身を真に受けた最大の理由は、竜宮レナが園崎組に、このスクラップ帖の所持を理由に追われている点だった。<br>\\r\\nThe main reason Ooishi took the story of the parasite seriously was because the Sonozaki family was apparently after Rena Ryuugu for the scrapbooks she had.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかもスクラップ帖の主である鷹野が殺されている！<br>\\r\\nPlus, Takano, the owner of the scrapbooks, was killed!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……この２点だけで、このとんでもないＢ級オカルトを信じてしまった。<br>\\r\\n...Because of these two reasons, he believed in that occult b-novel.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……大石には間違いなく焦りがあった。<br>\\r\\n...Ooishi was frustrated without a doubt.<br>\\r\\nそれを今や認めざるを得ない。<br>\\r\\n He has to accept that he was wrong.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n定年前に何とか雛見沢村連続怪死事件を決着させたくて、新情報を焦っていたのだ。<br>\\r\\nOoishi was eager for any information that could help him solve the series of mysterious deaths of Hinamizawa before he retired.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そこに、いくつかの微妙な要因が重なり合い、とんでもない説が信憑性を持ってしまったのだ。<br>\\r\\n...A combination of a number of factors made Takano's ridiculous theory become highly creditable to him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いくつかお聞きしたい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Let me ask you something.<br>\\r\\n鷹野三四はどうして？！」<br>\\r\\n Why was Miyo Takano killed?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「鷹野三四についても富竹ジロウについても、当家では一切関知しておりません。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"We have no idea what happened to Miyo Takano and Jirou Tomitake.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そりゃあ、そういうだろうなぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Of course you don't.<br>\\r\\n自分のことを嘘吐きという嘘吐きがこの世にいるわきゃない。」<br>\\r\\n ...A liar doesn't call himself a liar.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………あらあら、大石さん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Come on, Ooishi-san.<br>\\r\\n……………当家で始末したなら、……死体が出るとお思いで…？」<br>\\r\\n ...Do you think we'd do such a lousy job as to let the police find the bodies...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音がにたりと陰のある笑いをする。<br>\\r\\nMion wore a cold smile.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…それは言い過ぎの発言だったのだろう。<br>\\r\\n...She had said too much.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n咎める意味でなのか、茜がコホンと咳払いをすると、魅音はすぐに口をつぐんだ。<br>\\r\\nAkane cleared her throat as if to condemn the statement, and that made Mion shut her mouth.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石は憎々しげに魅音を睨み返す。<br>\\r\\nOoishi glared at the young successor.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………だが、筋は魅音の方が通っていた。<br>\\r\\n...But he knew she was right.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………じゃあ、竜宮レナを何で追ってるんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Then, why are you after <NAME>ugu?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「初めから追っていないと申し上げております。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We're not.<br>\\r\\n確かにそう見えてしまう誤解が生じたことはこちらのミスです。<br>\\r\\n I admit, it's our fault that we made it look like we were after her.<br>\\r\\nその点につきましては、私よりお詫びさせていただきます。」<br>\\r\\n For that, we apologize.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"........................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石がレナの妄想を真に受けることになった原因が、ひとつひとつ潰えていく…。<br>\\r\\nThe reasons which made Ooishi take Rena's delusion seriously collapsed one by one...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音と茜が目配せをし合う。<br>\\r\\nMion and Akane looked at each other.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……茜が代表で告げることになったらしい。茜が凛とした声でそれを告げた。<br>\\r\\n...They must have decided to let Akane speak. She did so firmly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「当家からのお願いを申し上げさせていただきます。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We'd like to ask you a favor.<br>\\r\\n…当家ではこのような世迷言の内容に踊らされて警察と事を交えるのは望むところではありません。<br>\\r\\n We don't want to be involved with the police because of nonsense like this.<br>\\r\\n……伝え聞くところでは、県警暴対本部の山海氏が、公安部と調整をされていると聞いております。<br>\\r\\n We heard that Sankai from the police headquarters started work with the Public Safety Division.<br>\\r\\n何かの瑣末な口実を切っ掛けに、当家に関連する全てに対し一斉捜査を入れられるおつもりとか。」<br>\\r\\n They're going to do simultaneous raids on our family using this case as their excuse, aren't they?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは大石が依頼したことだった。<br>\\r\\nThat had been at Ooishi's request.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石はレナの話を真に受け、「寄生虫」を開発している研究施設を発見し、それをテロの証拠として抑えたかった。<br>\\r\\nOoishi took Rena's story seriously, and he wanted to find the research facility that was developing the \\\"parasite\\\". He was intending to use it as a proof of the potential bioterrorist attack.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…でもその場所の見当がまったくつかないので、県警の暴力団対策本部と公安部と連携して、県内の一斉捜査大作戦を展開しようとしていたのだ。<br>\\r\\n...But as he had no idea where to start looking, he tried to conduct simultaneous raids on all the facilities the Sonozaki family owned in the entire prefecture, in cooperation with the task force for gang groups and Public Safety.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本来なら、暴対も公安部もこんな状況証拠だけでは動かない。<br>\\r\\nNormally, the circumstantial evidence he had wouldn't be enough to get their cooperation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n公安部に至っては自分たちの情報網では一切そのようなテロは察知していないと、大石の情報源を疑ったくらいだ。<br>\\r\\nIn fact, Public Safety doubted Ooishi's source, because they hadn't heard of any potential terrorist attacks. They trusted their information network.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを大石が旧知の縁などを利用し、強引に調整したのだ。<br>\\r\\nBut Ooishi took advantage of his long career and his old friends, and he managed to get them to cooperate.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石の顔は脂汗が浮き、……自分がとんでもない勘違いをしていたことを認めていることが、言わずともうかがえた。<br>\\r\\nOoishi's face broke out in a nervous sweat... Needless to say, he realized he was completely wrong.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「当家もダム戦争の当時はいろいろとご迷惑をお掛けいたしましたが、すでに昭和も６０年代を前にし、時代の移り変わりを感じております。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We caused you some trouble during the dam conflict, but the era is reaching its end, and things have changed.<br>\\r\\nそんな中、当家もまた、弱きを助け強きを挫く任侠団体でありながらも、時代に則した平和的な路線を模索しているところです。<br>\\r\\n We're a yakuza group that sides with the weak and crushes the strong, but we're also trying to achieve peace and stability, in line with these changing times.<br>\\r\\nそんな中、警察の一斉捜査を頂戴しては、手前どもの面目が丸潰れでございます。」<br>\\r\\n If we get raided now, we're going to lose face.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あんたのとこの面目なんて知ったことじゃないよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Who cares about your face?<br>\\r\\n叩きゃ埃は出るんだ。<br>\\r\\n I know we'll find something with those raids.<br>\\r\\n一斉捜査は決行しますよ。」<br>\\r\\n We're going to go through with them.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「埃が出れば結構ではございますが、<br>\\r\\n\\\"If you find something, good for you.<br>\\r\\n………出なかった場合、いくら大石さんと言えど、決して軽んじれない責任問題に発展するかと存じますが？」<br>\\r\\n ...But if you don't, you know it'll cause a big liability issue that even you won't escape lightly, Ooishi-san.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………上等だよ、うちと全面戦争するかぁ？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"All right, it sounds like you really do want an all-out war!<br>\\r\\nああッ？！」<br>\\r\\n Huh?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それをお望みでしたらそれもまたよろしいかと。<br>\\r\\n\\\"If that's what you want.<br>\\r\\n……どうかお気が済むようお仕事をなされて下さいませ。<br>\\r\\n ...Please carry out your job to your own satisfaction.<br>\\r\\n当家はいつでも受けて立ちますので。」<br>\\r\\n We'll take on the challenge anytime.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……くッ………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Wha...............\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……さすがは園崎茜だった。<br>\\r\\n...Akane Sonozaki didn't betray Ooishi's expectations.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…次期頭首の資格が剥奪されただけで、踏んで来た場数が魅音とは比べ物になろうはずもない。<br>\\r\\n...Although her right to become the successor was taken away, Akane had been through a lot more than Mion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこう言われてしまっては大石は引っ込みがつかない。<br>\\r\\nOoishi couldn't back out now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも内心は自分に相当不利な喧嘩であることを理解していた。<br>\\r\\nBut he knew it was a fight he probably couldn't win.<br>\\r\\n…それを熊谷が汲み、大石をなだめながら発言した。<br>\\r\\n ...Kumagai butted in, and tried to calm him down.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………一斉捜査を控えることに対する見返りは…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"If we put a stop to the raids, what would we get in return...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今度は魅音が応えた。<br>\\r\\nMion answered this time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「双方の友好の証として、そのスクラップ帖を皆さんに献上いたします。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We'll give you these scrapbooks as proof of our friendship.<br>\\r\\nそのスクラップ帖があれば、まだ鷹野三四をダシに、矛先を引っ込めることもできましょう。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sure you can use them to cancel the raid attempts.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのスクラップ帖は、鷹野三四の説がいかに滑稽であるかを証明する。<br>\\r\\nThese scrapbooks proved how ridiculous Miyo Takano's theory was.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうせ鷹野は死んでるんだ。<br>\\r\\nTakano was dead anyway.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n死人の妄言に振り回されたことにして、今ならまだ引っ込みがつく。<br>\\r\\nOoishi could show people these scrapbooks and say he was fooled. He could still pretend the whole raid thing never happened.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それでも大石の責任はゼロにはならないだろうが、このまま突き進めば待ち受けるのは泥沼のみ。<br>\\r\\n...He might have to take responsibility for it, but if he didn't back off now, there'd be no doubt that he'd face a hopeless mess.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……常に今のこの瞬間が、最善の撤回タイミングだった。<br>\\r\\nIf he was going to back off, it was now or never.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石は管理職に受けが悪い。<br>\\r\\nThe administrative staff at his station weren't exactly fond of him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……定年を間近にしてこれほどのデカいミスを犯せば、一矢報いたいと思っている連中は喜んで彼の退職金を削りにくるだろう。<br>\\r\\n...If he made such a huge mistake right before his retirement, people who'd been looking for a chance for revenge would cut his pension with glee.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n退職金は基本給からの倍率で決まる。<br>\\r\\nHis pension was decided by multiplying his base salary by a certain number.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……その根源である基本給の上乗せ分を削られたら、相当の減額は免れない……。<br>\\r\\n...If they cut his base salary, there was no way he could avoid a big reduction...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………大石さん。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Ooishi-san.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石は引き際の覚悟を決めた。<br>\\r\\nHe decided to back off.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……自分のミスを、まさかこの年で認めることになるとは思わず、…苦々しく表情を歪めるのだった。<br>\\r\\n...It was hard for him to admit mistakes at his age. He grimaced with anger.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……あとは熊ちゃんに任すわ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Kuma-chan, can you take over from here?<br>\\r\\n……ちょっと飲み過ぎちゃったみたいです。<br>\\r\\n ...I think I had too much to drink.<br>\\r\\n私ゃちょいと縁側で夜風に当ってきます。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to get some fresh air on the porch.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………失礼。」<br>\\r\\n ...Excuse me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石はさっさと立ち上がり、踵をドスドスと鳴らしながら廊下へ出て行った。<br>\\r\\nOoishi stood up quickly and left the room, making a lot of noise as he walked.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n開けっ放しにされた襖を葛西が閉めると、室内は再び静寂で満たされた。<br>\\r\\nKasai closed the door Ooishi left open. The room was filled with silence again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその中、再び熊谷が発言する。<br>\\r\\nAt that point, Kumagai opened his mouth.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「園崎家さんの言い分は了解いたしました。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We understand your point.<br>\\r\\n警察としても、一斉捜査が及ぼす各業界への影響は本意ではなく、それによって小競り合いを誘致することもまた本意ではありません。<br>\\r\\n Our intention isn't to cause trouble to all the organizations you own.<br>\\r\\nよって、市内の平穏を維持するため、今後とも警察と園崎家で連携していくことを確認したいと思います。<br>\\r\\n So, I want to confirm that the police and the Sonozaki family will help each other to maintain the peace of this city.<br>\\r\\n……よって、この度の一斉捜査は見送らせていただきます。」<br>\\r\\n ...Therefore, we're going to put off doing the simultaneous raids.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ありがとうございます。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Thank you very much.<br>\\r\\n園崎家頭首お魎に代わりまして、深く御礼申し上げます。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sure our leader, Oryou, appreciates your concern as well.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「約束に従い、このスクラップ帖は警察でお預かりします。<br>\\r\\n\\\"As you promised, we'll take the scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\nそれから条件が２つ。」<br>\\r\\n And there are two more conditions.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「賜ります。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Go ahead.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「一点目は、この場にないスクラップ帖を園崎家が入手した場合、速やかに警察に提出すること。<br>\\r\\n\\\"First, if you find the other missing scrapbooks, you must bring them to us immediately.<br>\\r\\n二点目は、竜宮レナの身柄を確保した場合、速やかにその身柄を警察に引き渡すこと。」<br>\\r\\n Second, if you find Rena Ryuugu, you must turn her over to us immediately as well.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「二点目は認められません。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm afraid the second one is unacceptable.<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナは妄想に取り付かれた一少女に過ぎません。<br>\\r\\n Rena Ryuugu is in a state of delusion.<br>\\r\\n当家で速やかに身柄を確保した上で、然るべき治療を受けられる医療機関を手配します。<br>\\r\\n We'll make sure of her safety, and we'll find the best medical facility we can take her to.<br>\\r\\nこれは当人の権利でもあります。」<br>\\r\\n She has the right to receive treatment.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「その点につきましては当方も主張を引けません。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We can't accept that, either.<br>\\r\\n当方には鷹野殺しを含めて、竜宮レナに尋問する権利があります。<br>\\r\\n We have the right to question her about the murder of Takano<br>\\r\\n重要参考人としてです。<br>\\r\\n as a material witness,<br>\\r\\n容疑者としてではありません。」<br>\\r\\n not as a suspect.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n茜が魅音に小声で何か入れ知恵する。<br>\\r\\nAkane whispered to Mion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は小さく頷いてからそれを口にした。<br>\\r\\nMion, in turn, nodded and began to speak.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わかりました。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Very well,<br>\\r\\n二点目の条件を了承します。<br>\\r\\n we'll accept the second condition.<br>\\r\\nただし当方からも条件を追加します。<br>\\r\\n But let us add another condition on top of that.<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナの権利保全のため、当家から弁護士を派遣します。<br>\\r\\n We're going to send her a lawyer.<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナへの尋問は全て弁護士立会いのもとで行なうこと。」<br>\\r\\n You will only question her in the lawyer's presence.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「了解しました。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Understood.<br>\\r\\nただし一点確認を。<br>\\r\\n One more thing.<br>\\r\\n園崎家からの弁護士が意図的に派遣されないことによる妨害は認めません。<br>\\r\\n You aren't allowed to delay us by not sending the lawyer on purpose.<br>\\r\\n警察は竜宮レナの身柄を確保した後、ただちに尋問を開始します。」<br>\\r\\n We'll start questioning right after we find her.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「当家も問題ありません。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We have no problem with that.<br>\\r\\nただし、竜宮レナの身柄確保時にはただちに当家へ連絡をすること。」<br>\\r\\n But you must contact us immediately after she's found.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「可能な限り早く連絡するようにいたします。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"We will as soon as we can.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこで茜が口を挟む。<br>\\r\\nAkane cut in.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「尋問をあらかた終えてから電話されても困ります。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You have to call us before you question her.<br>\\r\\n身柄を確保した時点でご連絡をお願いします。<br>\\r\\n You must call us the very moment she's found.<br>\\r\\n…………ここいらは互いを信頼した上での善意の取り決めでございます。<br>\\r\\n ...This agreement is made in good faith, founded on our mutual trust.<br>\\r\\nどうかゆめゆめ、反故にされることがないよう、よろしくお願い申し上げます。」<br>\\r\\n So please do be careful not to do anything that might waste it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……わかりました。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Understood.<br>\\r\\n双方による善意の取り決めです。<br>\\r\\n You have my word on that.<br>\\r\\n遵守に、誠心誠意努力いたします。」<br>\\r\\n We'll try to keep our promise with the best of intentions.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n茜と熊谷が一瞬だけわずかに火花を散らしあった。<br>\\r\\nAkane and Kumagai glared at each other for a moment.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…熊谷もなかなかどうして落ち着いたものだった。<br>\\r\\n...Surprisingly, Kumagai was very calm.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……派手な大石の影にいてなかなか目立たないが、刑事としての度胸は決して負けていない。<br>\\r\\n...He was always in the shadow of Ooishi, who was loud and noisy, but he had as much guts as his superior did.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n脅迫的な喧嘩っぽいやり方は大石の得意とすることだが、…こういう交渉的なことは熊谷の本領だった。<br>\\r\\nOoishi was good at taking care of matters in a rough and threatening kind of way... but Kumagai was good at negotiations like this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全てが終了し、刑事たちが立ち上がり、ようやく緊張した時間が終わりを告げた。<br>\\r\\nThe meeting ended, and the police stood up from their seats. The tension in the room had finally ceased.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n葛西がスクラップ帖をアタッシュケースにしまい、熊谷に手渡した。<br>\\r\\nKasai put the scrapbooks back in the suitcase and handed it to Kumagai.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n熊谷は葛西の目を見てから小さく頷き、アタッシュケースを受け取る。<br>\\r\\nKumagai looked at Kasai, nodded lightly, and took what was offered him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「イタリー製の最高級鞄です。<br>\\r\\n\\\"This is a very expensive case made in Italy.<br>\\r\\n今日のお土産に含まれますので、どうかお持ちになってくださいませ。」<br>\\r\\n Please take it as a souvenir from us.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いえ、お約束ではスクラップ帖のみをお預かりすることになっております。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, we're only supposed to take the scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n鞄は後日、園崎組事務所へお返しにうかがわせていただきます。<br>\\r\\n We'll return it to your office later.<br>\\r\\n…それでは失礼します。<br>\\r\\n ...Thank you for your time.<br>\\r\\n………園崎家頭首、お魎さんにもどうかよろしくお伝えください。」<br>\\r\\n ...Please give my regards to the family head, Oryou-san.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n最後に魅音に対して一礼し、刑事たちは退出していった……。<br>\\r\\nThe officers left after bowing to Mion...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n刑事たちの足音が廊下の向こうに消えたのを確認すると、魅音が、ぷはーーっと緊張の糸が切れたようなため息を吐き出した。<br>\\r\\nAfter making sure that the police had left the hallway, Mion sighed heavily and finally let go of her tension.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n足を投げ出し、スカートの裾をばたばたと扇ぐ。<br>\\r\\nShe spread her feet on the floor, flapping the rim of her skirt.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いやぁ、…肩がこっちゃったよ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, man... My shoulders hurt...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお母さんがやってくれればよかったのにぃ…。」<br>\\r\\n Why didn't you take care of this, Mom...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「馬鹿だね、あんたの方が肩書きが上なんだよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Don't be silly. Your rank is higher than mine.<br>\\r\\nこういうのは年じゃなくて肩書きなの。<br>\\r\\n Rank is everything, not age.<br>\\r\\n葛西、仲居に言ってビールでも持ってこさせて。<br>\\r\\n Hey, Kasai, have a waitress bring me a beer.<br>\\r\\nあと外の若いのも呼び入れて何か冷たいのを振舞ってやりな。」<br>\\r\\n Oh, and you can let the grunts in and give them something cold to drink, too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ビールだけで、よろしいですか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You want me to bring only beer?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ、この子は駄目駄目。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, she can't drink.<br>\\r\\nオレンジジュースでも頼みな。」<br>\\r\\n Bring some orange juice for her.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ちぇーー、子ども扱いしてー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Don't treat me like I'm a little kid.<br>\\r\\n肩書きが上でも全然大人扱いしてもらってないよー。」<br>\\r\\n I guess my rank doesn't matter to you, huh?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いくつになってもでっかい子どもだよあんたは。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You'll always be a big baby to me.<br>\\r\\nそれはそうと。<br>\\r\\n Anyway,<br>\\r\\n今回の一件、お父さんがだいぶ手回ししてくれてるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n your father pulled many strings for you this time.<br>\\r\\nよーく感謝しときな。<br>\\r\\n You should thank him.<br>\\r\\n葛西もね。<br>\\r\\n And you too, Kasai.<br>\\r\\nあんたも堅気と会うときはもうちょい気を利かせな！」<br>\\r\\n You have to play it smarter when meeting with the common man.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…見っとも無い限りです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm a little embarrassed...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「しかしさぁ、あの大石をコケにするとは、レナちゃんもやるじゃない？<br>\\r\\n\\\"By the way, I'm very impressed with Rena-chan for making a fool out of Ooishi.<br>\\r\\nあんたの友達はつくづく大物が多いねぇ！<br>\\r\\n You have many friends with good potential!<br>\\r\\n今度ぜひ母さんにも紹介してよ。<br>\\r\\n I'd like to meet her.<br>\\r\\nお芝居でも一緒に見に行きたいねぇ！<br>\\r\\n We can go to see a play together or something.<br>\\r\\n葛西、今度レナちゃんに会ったらぜひそう伝えておいてよー。<br>\\r\\n Kasai, whenever you see her next time, let her know I said that.<br>\\r\\nその時、まぁた物騒な話を吹き込むんじゃないよ？！」<br>\\r\\n And don't tell her any more creepy stories, alright?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「も、もちろんわかってます、姐さん。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"O-Of course, I'm well aware of that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれで、……レナを中心にした鷹野さんのスクラップ帖の魔力は封殺できたはずだ。<br>\\r\\nWith that, they successfully dispelled the magical power of Takano's scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう騒ぎが大きくなることはあるまい。<br>\\r\\nThe whole mess shouldn't grow any larger.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあとは……レナだけの問題だ。<br>\\r\\nThe only remaining problem... was Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナ、……一体あんた、……今、どこに隠れてるの……？<br>\\r\\nWhere could she be hiding...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n寝る前にカーテンを閉めようと窓に近付いた。<br>\\r\\nBefore I went to bed, I headed to my window to close the curtain.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nふと門灯のところに人影のようなものが見えるような気がした。<br>\\r\\nI saw the shadow of a person near the porch.<br>\\r\\n……こんな時間に？<br>\\r\\n ...Who could it be so late?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n一体誰がという疑問は起きなかった。<br>\\r\\nWell, I didn't have to guess who it was.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……こんな時間に訪問するかもしれない人間を、俺は今の状況下ではひとりしか知らなかったからだ。<br>\\r\\n...There was only one person I knew who might come see me so late.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n窓を開けてもう一度目を凝らす。<br>\\r\\nI opened the window and looked more carefully this time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………間違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n......I was right.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはレナの姿だった。<br>\\r\\n It was Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは門灯の前で、ただただ…ずっと立ち尽くしているだけだった。<br>\\r\\nShe was just... standing still under the light.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あいつ、………いつからあそこに立ってるんだ……？<br>\\r\\n...I wondered how long she'd been there for...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n呼び鈴を押して、誰かが出て来るのを待ってるわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\nIt didn't look like she was going to ring the doorbell.<br>\\r\\n……呼び鈴も押さず、ただ立ち尽くしているだけ。<br>\\r\\n ...She was just standing there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、呼び鈴を押そうか押すまいか自問自答しているようだった。<br>\\r\\nShe seemed to be asking herself whether to ring the doorbell or not.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nじゃああいつ、………まさか、ずっとあそこに立ってるのか？！<br>\\r\\nFor how long had she been hesitating in front of my door?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n見れば人影は時折ふらつき、とても辛そうだった。<br>\\r\\nIt looked like even standing was giving her a hard time. She looked very tired.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は階段を駆け下り、サンダルを履いて玄関を飛び出た。<br>\\r\\nI ran down the stairs, put my sandals on, and rushed out of the house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺が荒々しい音とともに飛び出してきたので、レナはかなり驚いたようだった。<br>\\r\\nRena looked surprised to see me, even though I came out after making a lot of noise.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナか？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena?!<br>\\r\\nレナぁあぁ！！<br>\\r\\n Is that you?<br>\\r\\nはぁはぁはぁ…！！」<br>\\r\\n Rena...!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".....................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは俺の姿を見て、一瞬安堵を浮かべたようだったが、すぐに悲しそうな表情に戻って俯いてしまうのだった。<br>\\r\\nShe looked relieved to see me for a moment, but then she soon glanced downward and looked sad again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お前、……いつからここに突っ立ってたんだよ！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"How long... have you been standing here?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……わかんない…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I don't know.<br>\\r\\n………夕方、……ちょっと過ぎくらいからだったと思う。」<br>\\r\\n ...Maybe since the sun set.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはすでに不定住な生活を二晩は続けてるはずだ。<br>\\r\\nRena must've been staying somewhere outside for the last two days at the very least.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれも、ヒッチハイク気分でのんびりすごしてたわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\nAnd it wasn't like she'd been camping for fun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……常に自分の命を狙われていると感じながらの緊張状態を強いられてだ。<br>\\r\\n...She'd been in a state of high tension the whole time, believing that someone was trying to kill her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だからレナは、とてもやつれていて、ただ立っているだけでも辛そうに見えた。<br>\\r\\n...Rena looked utterly exhausted.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n首のあの酷そうだった掻き傷には大きなバンドエイドがいくつか貼られて、手当てらしきものをした様子があった。<br>\\r\\nShe seemed to have taken care of the deep scratch she made on her neck the other day with some large band-aids.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのバンドエイドの可愛らしい柄が、かえって痛々しく感じた。<br>\\r\\nThe band-aids had cute pictures, but that only made the wound on her neck look more painful.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………見れば、腕や、他の場所にも掻き毟って腫れてしまったり血が滲んでしまった箇所が見られた。<br>\\r\\n...I saw some band-aids soaked with blood on her arms and body too, and I could tell she made them herself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n昨夜は明らかになかった傷が増えていた。<br>\\r\\nShe had more scars than she had last night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…とにかく、中に入ろう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Anyway, let's go inside.<br>\\r\\nこの２日間、ろくなものを食べてないんだろ？」<br>\\r\\n You haven't eaten anything for two days, have you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n招きいれようとすると、レナはとても曖昧な顔をしながらそれを拒否した。<br>\\r\\nWhen I tried to take her in the house, she refused with a vague expression on her face.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……嫌だから拒否しているというより、自分にその資格がなくて拒否しているような、…そんな感じ。<br>\\r\\n...It's wasn't that she didn't want to go into the house, it was more like she had to refuse because she thought she didn't deserve it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………もうね、…だめなの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I can't... take it anymore.<br>\\r\\n………今のこの瞬間も、<br>\\r\\n ......Even at this moment,<br>\\r\\n…私の全身の中で、<br>\\r\\n the maggots are moving<br>\\r\\nうじ虫が蠢いてて、<br>\\r\\n through my body.<br>\\r\\n…痒くて痒くて、……溢れ出しそうなの…。」<br>\\r\\n ...It itches really badly, and... it feels like they're about to come out from everywhere...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……なぁレナ…、多分それは何かの病気なんだ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Rena... I think you have some kind of disease.<br>\\r\\n……とりあえず今夜は俺の家で休んで、明日の朝一番で監督の診療所へ行ってみないか？<br>\\r\\n ...Why don't you get some rest here, and we'll go to the clinic first thing in the morning?<br>\\r\\n…監督ならレナの微妙な立場をわかってくれるから、誰にも内緒で診察してくれるよ…。」<br>\\r\\n ...He understands your delicate situation, so he'll see you in private...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ううん、………もうだめ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No... no...<br>\\r\\n自分でもわかるんだよ…。<br>\\r\\n I know it.<br>\\r\\n……富竹さんが、どういう最期を遂げたか、今ははっきりとわかるの。<br>\\r\\n ...I know exactly how Tomitake-san died.<br>\\r\\n…私は必死にそれを我慢しているだけ。」<br>\\r\\n ...I'm trying not to do what he did for as long as possible.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………レナは、自分が怪しげなクスリを投与され、その結果、富竹さんと同じく首を掻き毟って死ぬと信じている。<br>\\r\\n...Rena believed she was given some kind of suspicious drug that made her claw at her neck to death just like Tomitake-san did.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そうならねばならないと自己暗示をかけているのだ。<br>\\r\\n...She had convinced herself that it was going to happen.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、今のレナにはどんな言葉も届かないのだ。<br>\\r\\n...She wouldn't hear anything else right now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そのくせ、誰かに助けてもらいたいと心底願ってる。<br>\\r\\n...But she really wanted somebody to help her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n救いを欲しているのに、それが魔の手に見えるなんて、<br>\\r\\n...She wanted help, but when someone tried to give her a hand, it looked like the hand of the devil.<br>\\r\\n……これが病気なら、何て恐ろしくて悲しい病気なんだよ…。<br>\\r\\n ...If this was some kind of disease, what a horribly depressing disease it was...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………私ね、………どういう最期になるかわからないけど、……多分、もうそんなに長くないと思うの。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Well, I...... I don't know how I'm going to die... but I don't think I have much time.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そ…そんなことねぇさ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"...That's not going to happen!<br>\\r\\n無敵の部活メンバー竜宮レナが、そんな程度でくたばるかよ…！」<br>\\r\\n You're a member of our unbeatable club, Rena Ryuugu! You're not going to die so easily...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……あはは、…ありがと。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Ahaha... thanks.<br>\\r\\n…………それでね、……私。<br>\\r\\n ......Well, I...<br>\\r\\n……死んじゃう前に、圭一くんに、どうしても謝りたかったの。」<br>\\r\\n I wanted to say sorry before I die.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「謝る？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Sorry?<br>\\r\\n何をだよ…。」<br>\\r\\n For what...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……私、昨日、…………すごくいけないことを言って、圭一くんを傷つけた。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Yesterday, I...... I said terrible things to you, and I hurt your feelings.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは昨夜の、あのことに違いない。<br>\\r\\nShe must be talking about last night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺のことを信じていたのに、…大石さんに俺の不穏な過去を聞かされ、信頼を裏切られた気持ちになっていたに違いない…。<br>\\r\\nShe trusted me... but when Ooishi-san told her about my past, she felt betrayed...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そうしたら、俺の好意が急に裏返しに見えて……。<br>\\r\\n...And after that, everything I did out of goodwill seemed like the opposite to her...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……………わかるよ。<br>\\r\\n...I know what it's like.<br>\\r\\n………俺も、レナのこと、……そうだったから…。<br>\\r\\n ...I once felt the same way about you... Rena...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私もね、……………昔、引っ越してくる前。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well...... before I moved here...<br>\\r\\n……とても悪いことをしていた。<br>\\r\\n I did many horrible things, too.<br>\\r\\n…いっぱい。」<br>\\r\\n ...A lot, actually.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……そうか、……そうなんだ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Really? I didn't know...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一くんみたいに玩具の鉄砲で撃つのなんかと比べ物にならないよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"What I did is beyond comparison. You just shot someone with a toy gun.<br>\\r\\n……金属バットで、頭が割れちゃうくらいに殴った。<br>\\r\\n ...I hit somebody's head really hard with a metal baseball bat.<br>\\r\\nみんな大怪我だった。<br>\\r\\n Everybody got hurt really badly.<br>\\r\\n……他にもね、……学校のガラスとかいっぱい割って歩いたり、…それからね、それからね……、」<br>\\r\\n ...And I also broke the windows in my school... and, and...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n知ってるよ……、知ってるよ……。<br>\\r\\nI know... I know...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、……そんなの、全然どうでもいいことなんだよ…。<br>\\r\\nBut... I don't care about any of that...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、…引っ越してくる前の、竜宮礼奈の話なんだろ……？<br>\\r\\nYou did that before you moved here...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから引っ越してきてから、礼奈をやめて、…レナになったんだろ……？<br>\\r\\nThat's why you stopped being Reina Ryuugu and became Rena after you moved here, right...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺にとって、……やさしくて親切で甲斐甲斐しくて、最高に楽しい仲間で。<br>\\r\\nTo me... you're my best friend who's very kind, thoughtful, and fun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…それだけが大切なことなんだ。<br>\\r\\n...That's the most important thing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n以前にどうだったかなんて、どうでもいいことだったんだ…。<br>\\r\\nI don't care who you were before...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………ね、<br>\\r\\n\\\"......So...<br>\\r\\n……私も、もっともっといっぱい悪い…。<br>\\r\\n I was way worse than you were.<br>\\r\\n……圭一くんのこと、仲間じゃないなんて言う資格、…全然なかった……。」<br>\\r\\n ......I have no right to say you're not my friend...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それは、……………俺もなんだ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I... I felt the same way, too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"............?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……俺も、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I<br>\\r\\n……………最初、<br>\\r\\n ...I was afraid of you<br>\\r\\n…レナの過去のことを聞いて、……恐れた。」<br>\\r\\n because I heard about your past.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そ、……そっか…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh...<br>\\r\\n………知ってたんだ………。」<br>\\r\\n You knew...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの笑いが、ますますに乾いていく…。<br>\\r\\nRena laughed sadly...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n知られていないと思っていた過去が、実はもう知られていたことのショックは、決して小さくないようだった。<br>\\r\\nShe seemed shocked to find out that I knew about her history, when she thought I didn't.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「でも、だからなんだよって思ったぜ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"But I was like, so what?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………え…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Eh?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「引っ越してくる前に、レナがどんな大悪党だとしたって。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It doesn't matter how bad you were before you moved here.<br>\\r\\n……それでレナは色々と泣いたり笑ったりしながら人生を積み重ねてきて、……それで雛見沢に引っ越してきて、誰にも恥じなくていい生活をしてるじゃねぇかよ…！<br>\\r\\n ...You've been through ups and downs with tears and laughter... but since you moved to Hinamizawa, you've been living a proud life...!<br>\\r\\n前の町で悪いことがあったとしたって、…レナはそれを悔いているなら、どうでもいいことだったんだよ。<br>\\r\\n The important thing is that you regret what you did. That's all that matters.<br>\\r\\n……その結果、竜宮レナってやつが、尊敬できる人間に成長できたなら、どうでもいいことだったんだよ…！」<br>\\r\\n ...You've grown up to be a respectable person. I don't care about your past...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……俺がそれに…もっと早く気付いてればよかったんだ…！<br>\\r\\n...I should've noticed it earlier...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはレナなんだ。<br>\\r\\nRena is Rena.<br>\\r\\nだから竜宮レナなんだ。<br>\\r\\n That's why she's Rena Ryuugu.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n礼奈じゃないって名乗った時に、どうしてその程度のことが汲み取れなかったんだよ、俺…！<br>\\r\\nI couldn't understand that simple thing when she said she wasn't Reina...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……レナも、聞いたろ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"You heard about my past too, right?<br>\\r\\n……俺も、悪いやつだった。<br>\\r\\n ...I was pretty bad as well.<br>\\r\\nガキだったんだ。<br>\\r\\n I was such a brat.<br>\\r\\n何て馬鹿なことをしたんだと後悔した。<br>\\r\\n I regret the stupid things I did.<br>\\r\\n……だから、引越しは人生をもう一度やり直すいい機会だと思ったんだ。<br>\\r\\n ...So, I thought moving here was a good opportunity for me to start over.<br>\\r\\nだから俺は、………雛見沢では、自分で自分が好きになれる前原圭一だったと思ってる。<br>\\r\\n I believe I've been the person I wanted to be since I moved to Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\nそれは、…レナもなんだろ？<br>\\r\\n Isn't it the same with you, Rena...?<br>\\r\\n茨城でどういう生活だったかなんて関係ない！<br>\\r\\n It doesn't matter how you lived in Ibaraki!<br>\\r\\n雛見沢にいる竜宮レナが大事なんだ！<br>\\r\\n The important thing is that you're <NAME>. You wanted to be in Hinamizawa!<br>\\r\\nだから竜宮礼奈が何者だろうと、俺には全然関係ないことだったんだ！」<br>\\r\\n So, I don't care about whoever <NAME> was!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………………ぅん……………。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...............Yeah......<br>\\r\\n……そう……だよね………、そうだよね…………。」<br>\\r\\n Yeah...... you're... right...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「新しい自分をやり直せる機会は何回あったっていいんだ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"We can start our life over as many times as we want!!<br>\\r\\nそんな機会があるから、……俺たちは何回も失敗しながら、傷つきながら……もっと大好きになれる自分を探して彷徨えるんじゃないかよ…！<br>\\r\\n We might make a lot of mistakes and hurt ourselves, but that lets us become the people we want to be...!<br>\\r\\n人生に一度や二度のつまずきなんて付き物なんだ。<br>\\r\\n You fall once or twice in your life, but that's life.<br>\\r\\nだからそんなのにへこたれないで、俺たちはどんどん成長していかなくちゃいけないんだ<br>\\r\\n We can't let that beat us down. We have to keep growing.<br>\\r\\n。だからだから……、そんなたくましい人の膝に残るかさぶたを見ておぞましく思うなんて…最低のことだったんだよ！！」<br>\\r\\n So... I was such an asshole for getting scared of you because of your past!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何度転んだっていいんだよ！<br>\\r\\nIt doesn't matter how many times you fall!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれだけ辛い思いができたなら、それだけやさしくなればいいじゃないか！<br>\\r\\nWhen you go through a lot of pain, you can be kinder to others!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、過去がどうかなんて、知る必要もないし、知ったから付き合い方を変える必要なんて全然なかったんだ。<br>\\r\\nSo, I don't need to know your past. And even if I knew, it shouldn't have changed the way I treated you.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、俺もレナも大馬鹿で、……こんなことを教えられなきゃ気付くこともできないで。<br>\\r\\nBut we were fools... We couldn't understand that until we went through things like this ourselves.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……魅音なんか、当り前のように知ってたじゃないか…！<br>\\r\\n...Mion knew that from the beginning...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何て、…俺たちは大馬鹿で。<br>\\r\\nWe were such fools...<br>\\r\\n互いに傷つけあって、涙を流し合って…。<br>\\r\\n We hurt each other, and we made each other cry...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だから、…竜宮レナはこれまでも今も、そしてこれからも、いつまでも俺の最高の仲間だ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"So... <NAME> is and will always be my best friend forever.<br>\\r\\nレナが辛い時、…きっと俺が助けるから、…俺を信じてくれ…。」<br>\\r\\n When you have to go through a hard time... I'll help you no matter what... Trust me on that...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ありがとう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Thank you.<br>\\r\\n……圭一くんを信じるよ。」<br>\\r\\n ...I trust you, Keiichi-kun.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……悲しいけど、…レナのその言葉は嘘だった。<br>\\r\\n...It's very tragic, but what she said isn't true.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいや、レナは嘘をついてるつもりはないかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nShe probably didn't mean to lie.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…でも、……レナは俺を本当の意味で信じられてはいないのだ。<br>\\r\\n...But ...I knew she didn't trust me from the bottom of her heart.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナには…届いていない。<br>\\r\\nMy words didn't reach her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だって、信じてくれという言葉は、あの時のレナが何度も口にして、<br>\\r\\n...I knew that because Rena kept telling me to trust her that time.<br>\\r\\n……俺に金属バットで何度も殴りつけられても、<br>\\r\\n ...She kept saying those words<br>\\r\\n…何度も挫けず口にして、<br>\\r\\n while I kept hitting her with the bat...<br>\\r\\n……それでも届かなかった言葉なんだ…。<br>\\r\\n But they still didn't reach me...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………私ね、もう多分長くない命だと思うけど。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I don't think I have much time left.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……こんな素敵な圭一くんがいる雛見沢を救うために、…がんばるよ。」<br>\\r\\n ...But I'll try my best to save Hinamizawa, because wonderful people like you live here...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n違うよ……、違うんだレナ……。<br>\\r\\nNo... Rena...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「やつらなんかにこの村を乗っ取らせない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm not going to let them take over this village.<br>\\r\\n……みんなで楽しく過ごしていた日々を取り戻すために、私は戦うよ。<br>\\r\\n ...I'll fight so we can regain the peaceful days we had.<br>\\r\\n…やつらの陰謀を必ずやっつけて見せるから…。」<br>\\r\\n ...I'll defeat their conspiracy...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……俺のことを信じると言っているのに、……俺の言葉は届かない。<br>\\r\\n...She said that she trusted me... but she didn't understand anything I was saying.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そんな陰謀は全部鷹野さんの妄想だと、何度言ったって、レナの心には届かない…！！<br>\\r\\n...Even if I kept telling her that the conspiracy was Takano-san's delusion, it wouldn't reach her...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………ありがとう、……圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Thank you... Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n……レナを許してくれて…。」<br>\\r\\n ...Thank you for forgiving me...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n許す…、許すさ……。<br>\\r\\nI do... I forgive you...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから……あの時の俺を許してくれ…。<br>\\r\\nSo... please forgive me for what I did to you...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「きっと雛見沢を救う。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm going to save Hinamizawa, I promise.<br>\\r\\n…………だから、圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n ......So, Keiichi-kun,<br>\\r\\n力を貸して…？<br>\\r\\n will you help me...?<br>\\r\\n圭一くんだけは信じられる。<br>\\r\\n I trust you, only you, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n圭一くんとなら、救えると思ってる…。」<br>\\r\\n We can save Hinamizawa together.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………………レナ…、…………レナぁぁあ………！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"............Rena... Renaaaaa......!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はレナの心が、今どれほど追い詰められているかを知っていた。<br>\\r\\nI knew how bad of a corner Rena was driven into.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……俺だったなら同じくらいのころ、……金属バットを持ち歩き、声をかけて来る全ての相手が敵であると思っていた。<br>\\r\\n...If I was her, I'd be walking around with a baseball bat, thinking every single person around me was my enemy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………俺を気遣って声を掛けてくれるレナを、一番敵視していたんだ。<br>\\r\\n...Rena cared about me so much, but I saw her as my worst enemy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなのにレナは、<br>\\r\\nBut Rena,<br>\\r\\n……こんなにもどうしようもないくらいに追い詰められてるのに、<br>\\r\\n you still trust me...<br>\\r\\n……それでも俺を味方だと信じてくれるのかよ……！！<br>\\r\\n even when you're driven into this bad of a corner...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は……お前の言葉が届かなかったんだぞ、…信じてと言い続けるお前を殴り殺したんだぞ！！<br>\\r\\nI couldn't understand what you were saying... I beat you to death while you kept telling me to trust you...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれなのにそれなのに！<br>\\r\\nBut you're different!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n立場が逆になってしまっても、……それでも俺を信じてくれるのかよ？！<br>\\r\\nYou still trust me?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお前は………<br>\\r\\nYou are......<br>\\r\\nなんて…………、<br>\\r\\n so......<br>\\r\\nなんて…………、<br>\\r\\n so......<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………どうして、…………泣いてるの……？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Why... are you crying...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………許してくれ…、…許してくれ………。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I'm sorry... I'm sorry......<br>\\r\\n俺は……もう絶対にレナを裏切らないから…。<br>\\r\\n I'll never betray you...<br>\\r\\nレナのことを信じるから…。<br>\\r\\n I trust you, Rena...<br>\\r\\nだから、……許してくれ……。」<br>\\r\\n So... please forgive me...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………何のことを言ってるのか、よくわかんない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I don't know what you're talking about.<br>\\r\\n……圭一くんはいつもレナのことを信じてくれてるよ。<br>\\r\\n ...You've always believed in me, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だからレナも圭一くんのことを信じてる。<br>\\r\\n ...So I trust you too.<br>\\r\\n信じていいんだよね？<br>\\r\\n I can trust you, right?<br>\\r\\n圭一くんだけはレナを信じてくれるんだよね…？」<br>\\r\\n You're the only one who trusts me, right...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺の目からぼろぼろと涙が落ちる。<br>\\r\\nTears fell from my eyes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n嗚咽を混じらせながらレナの問いかけに何度も頷いて応えた。<br>\\r\\nI sobbed and nodded again and again to answer her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…それを見て、レナもまた涙を浮かべる。<br>\\r\\n...Tears welled up in Rena's eyes, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n気付けばう二人して涙を浮かべあい、額を付け合っていた。<br>\\r\\nBefore I knew it, we were putting our foreheads together with tears in our eyes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………あのね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Well.<br>\\r\\n…私ね、………この戦いを終わらせる方法を見つけたの。」<br>\\r\\n I...... found a way to end this battle.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……本当か。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Really?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah.<br>\\r\\n…………勝ち目のほとんどない方法だけど、私にできる一番の抵抗だと思う。」<br>\\r\\n ......I might not stand a chance, but this is the best and only resistance I can think of.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………レナ、<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Rena,<br>\\r\\n……それがどんな方法かは知らないけど、<br>\\r\\n I don't know what you're going to do......<br>\\r\\n……それが終わった後、<br>\\r\\n but if you do that...<br>\\r\\n……俺たちはみんなでまた、楽しかった元の日々に戻れるんだよな…？」<br>\\r\\n we can regain our happy days, right...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".....................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「戻れるんだよな？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"We can, can't we?!<br>\\r\\nそうじゃなくちゃ嫌だ！<br>\\r\\n We have to!<br>\\r\\n俺はお前をこの場から行かせない！！」<br>\\r\\n Or I'm not going to let you go anywhere!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………あははは、大丈夫だよ圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Ahahaha, don't worry, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n…元の幸せな日々に戻るための、起死回生、逆転の最後の一手なんだから。」<br>\\r\\n ...It's going to be a come-from-behind victory, and we'll regain our happy days for sure.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれがどんな手かは知らない。<br>\\r\\nI don't know what she had on her mind.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナの妄想の中で始まり、レナの妄想の中で帰結することだ。<br>\\r\\n...It began with a delusion, and it'd end with a delusion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………変に刺激したりすれば、その全てをレナは攻撃だと曲解するだろう。<br>\\r\\n...If I encouraged her too much, she'd twist it into an attack on her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの時の俺がそうだった。<br>\\r\\nI was like that at that time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナたちの好意をまったく正反対に受け取ってしまったのだから。<br>\\r\\n...I took Rena's goodwill as the complete opposite thing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だから、俺はレナのその話を、頭ごなしに否定することをやめる。<br>\\r\\n...So, I stopped denying her story.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれは、……レナの戦いなのだ。<br>\\r\\nThis was... Rena's battle.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが、自身に取り憑ついた妄想と戦う、ひとりぼっちの戦い。<br>\\r\\nIt was her lonely battle. She had to fight against her own delusion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺たちはそれを助けてやろうと近付けば近付くほど、逆に追い詰めてしまう辛い戦い。<br>\\r\\nThe more we tried to help her, the more we drove her into a corner.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、俺たちはきっとすぐ側にいる！<br>\\r\\nBut I would always be there for her!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが求めた時、いつでも手を伸ばせるように側に居る！！<br>\\r\\nWhenever she needed help, she could reach me!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれをせめて教えたくて、…俺はたった一言だけ言った。<br>\\r\\nI wanted to let her know that... so, I said just one thing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「俺は、………最後の瞬間まで、レナの味方だからな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm... on your side until the very last moment.<br>\\r\\n………絶対に、レナの、……味方だからな……。」<br>\\r\\n ......No matter what... I'm on your side...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…信じろと言っても……今のレナの心には容易に届かない。<br>\\r\\n...Even if I told her to trust me... I knew she couldn't right now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはわかっているけど、…でも俺はその言葉を送る。<br>\\r\\nI knew that... but I told her those words anyway.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仮にレナがそれを信じられず、俺の頭を砕こうとするその瞬間が訪れても、……俺は、言うからな。<br>\\r\\nEven if she couldn't believe them, and if she tried to smash my head in... I'd say those words.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n絶対に…死ぬまで言うからな…！<br>\\r\\nI'd keep saying them until I die...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ありがとう、圭一くん………。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Thank you, Keiichi-kun...<br>\\r\\n明日でね、きっと全部終わるの。<br>\\r\\n Everything will be over tomorrow.<br>\\r\\n……きっと、私たちは勝つよ。<br>\\r\\n ...We'll win for sure.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そしたら、またみんなで楽しく部活をしよう。<br>\\r\\n ...And then, we can play around in the club together again.<br>\\r\\nみんなで。<br>\\r\\n With everyone.<br>\\r\\n私たちが一番楽しかった時を取り戻そう。」<br>\\r\\n We'll return to our happiest times.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……こんなにも、幸せな時間を取り戻すことを願っているのに……。<br>\\r\\n...Although she wished to regain our happy times so badly...<br>\\r\\nレナの心を支配する暗闇が、掃えないなんて………。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't get rid of the darkness that controlled her mind...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃ、……私はこれで行くね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well... I have to go now.<br>\\r\\n明日の準備があるから。」<br>\\r\\n I have to get ready for tomorrow.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本当はレナを行かせたくはない。<br>\\r\\nTo tell the truth, I didn't want to let her go.<br>\\r\\n…腕を掴んででも引き止めたい。<br>\\r\\n ...I wanted to stop her even if I had to grab her arm.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、……それではきっと引き止められないんだ。<br>\\r\\nBut... I couldn't stop her like that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n腕を掴めば、…今のレナはそれだけで、俺への信頼を失ってしまうだろうから。<br>\\r\\nIf I grabbed her arm... she wouldn't trust me anymore.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ま、待てよレナ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wait, Rena...<br>\\r\\n明日の準備って…。」<br>\\r\\n What do you have to do to get ready for tomorrow...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…内緒。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...It's a secret.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一くんに協力してもらうこともあるかもしれないけど、……その時はレナを助けてね……？」<br>\\r\\n I might ask you for help later... You'll help me when I do, right...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ、当然だぜ…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Of course...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、俺はレナの味方であることを知らせるため、そう頷いた。<br>\\r\\nI nodded strongly so she could tell that I was still on her side.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、……レナの言う最後の逆転の一手が何を意味するのか、…この時点ではわかろうはずもなかった。<br>\\r\\nBut I didn't know what her \\\"come-from-behind victory\\\" meant at this point.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…一番考えられたのは、レナが敵だと目する園崎本家への討ち入り。<br>\\r\\n...The first thing I could think of is that she was going to invade the house of the Sonozaki family, which she thought was her enemy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから俺はレナの姿が見えなくなった後、魅音に電話し警戒を促した。<br>\\r\\nSo, I called Mion to warn her after Rena left.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は、どうしてこうも園崎家はすぐに悪役にされるのかと苦笑いした後、事情を了解してくれた。<br>\\r\\nMion laughed bitterly and said, \\\"why does everybody want us to be the bad guys so much,\\\" but she understood the situation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……いっそ、悪役に徹しさせてもらってもいいよ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...It'd be easier if we really did act like the bad guys.<br>\\r\\nレナが妙なことをしでかす前に、ふん縛って、病院に担ぎ込むのもいいかもしれない。」<br>\\r\\n It might be better if we tied her down and took her to a hospital.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………本当に最後の最後まで行ったら、…それも仕方ないかもな。<br>\\r\\n\\\".........If it comes to that... I guess we have no choice.<br>\\r\\n………でも、………レナを信じたいんだ。<br>\\r\\n But... I want to... believe her.<br>\\r\\n最後のぎりぎりまで。<br>\\r\\n Until the last second.<br>\\r\\n…あいつは、こんなに心が追い詰められても、俺をまだ信じるだけの心の強さがあるんだ。<br>\\r\\n She still had the strong heart to trust me no matter how badly she'd been driven into a corner.<br>\\r\\n……俺とは違う！<br>\\r\\n ...She's not like me!<br>\\r\\nだから、きっとレナは妄想に打ち勝てるはずなんだ…。」<br>\\r\\n So, I'm sure she can defeat her delusion...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………最近、圭ちゃんと梨花ちゃんが何を言ってるのか、おじさん、ちょっとわかりかねるんだよなー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...It's hard for this ol' man to understand what you and Rika-chan have been talking about these days.<br>\\r\\n何か最近、ヘビーなことでもあったわけぇ？」<br>\\r\\n Did anything serious happen lately?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n最近という意味においては、……きっと最近だろうな。<br>\\r\\nYou can say it happened \\\"lately\\\" in a way...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺がお前を殺したのは、……綿流しから数日後だったと思うから。<br>\\r\\nI killed Mion a couple of days after the festival.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははは、…悪いな、意味のわかんない話ばっかりしちゃって。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahaha... I'm sorry I've been talking crazy lately.<br>\\r\\nそれよりレナのこと、………見損なったりしないでくれ、<br>\\r\\n Anyway... please don't lose confidence in Rena...<br>\\r\\n……な。」<br>\\r\\n all right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そんなわけないよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You know I won't.<br>\\r\\n誰だってたまには心が風邪を引くときがあるって。<br>\\r\\n Anyone can catch a cold of the heart sometimes.<br>\\r\\nレナのこれもその程度のこと！<br>\\r\\n It just happened to Rena this time, and that's all!<br>\\r\\nまーちょいと熱は高いみたいだけど、すっきりケロっと治って、すぐに笑い話になっちゃうって！<br>\\r\\n Well, she has a relatively high fever... But I'm sure she'll get better soon, and we can laugh about this later!<br>\\r\\n圭ちゃんが思ってるほど事態は悪くなってないよ。<br>\\r\\n It's not as bad as you think, Kei-chan.<br>\\r\\n大石のトンチンカンは自分の誤解を認めた。<br>\\r\\n That silly Ooishi admitted his mistake.<br>\\r\\n例の件は発生自体にも気付いてない。<br>\\r\\n He doesn't even know about you-know-what.<br>\\r\\nだからこのまま、レナの空騒ぎでしたーってことで決着できる。」<br>\\r\\n So, we'll just say Rena overreacted a little bit, and this will be over.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そ、そうなのか…？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Really...?!<br>\\r\\n空騒ぎで決着できそうなのか…？」<br>\\r\\n You really think you can do that...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そういうことで決着させんのが、園崎本家次期頭首の魅音さまの手腕じゃないのー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Did you forget that I'm the next head of the Sonozaki family? I have both the skill and the power to do that.<br>\\r\\n某料亭でね、大石とおじさんが一対一で対談してちゃあんと誤解を解いてきたわけよ。<br>\\r\\n This ol' man had a meeting with Ooishi at a restaurant today, and we cleared up all the misunderstandings!<br>\\r\\n大石はたじたじ。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi was shaking in fear the whole time.<br>\\r\\nいや〜おじさんもなかなかやるねぇ！」<br>\\r\\n Hey, I'm pretty good, don'tcha think?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は自分の手柄を高々と笑いながら自慢するのだった。<br>\\r\\nMion bragged about her achievement, laughing loudly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……少々、修飾が過剰なので、多分事実とは異なるだろうが。<br>\\r\\n...I could tell she was exaggerating a little.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nとにかく、……レナが思い込んでいる危機感とは対照的に、…周りは動揺していない。<br>\\r\\nAnyway... compared to the sense of impending doom Rena seems to be feeling... the others seemed to be taking it rather easy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあとは、レナが全てに気付いてくれるだけで、……レナも望むような平穏な世界に戻れるのだ。<br>\\r\\nIt was all up to Rena now. If she understood everything... she could go back to the peaceful world she wished for.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺たちはレナが手を伸ばしてくれるのを待っている。<br>\\r\\nWe were waiting for her to reach out to us.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、あの日のゴミ山の廃車の上でのこととまったく同じ…。<br>\\r\\nJust like we did by the abandoned car at the garbage dump that day...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナ、<br>\\r\\nRena<br>\\r\\n………俺は勝てなかったけど、<br>\\r\\n ...I couldn't win,<br>\\r\\n……お前なら、<br>\\r\\n ...but I know you can...!!<br>\\r\\n……最期の瞬間まで信じる心を教え続けてくれたお前なら、<br>\\r\\n Because you're the one who told me to have faith until the end.<br>\\r\\n……きっと勝てるから…！！<br>\\r\\n So I know you can win!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはレナが言う最後の戦いの勝利という意味ではない。<br>\\r\\nThat didn't mean that she could literally win the last battle she was talking about earlier.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはきっと勝つ。<br>\\r\\nBut Rena would win.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nきっと勝って、元の楽しい世界を取り戻す。<br>\\r\\nShe'd win, and she'd regain her peaceful life.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音と二人での登校は、やはりレナがいない寂しさがあった。<br>\\r\\nWalking with only Mion to school made me miss Rena a lot.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……どうしたのさ、圭ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...What's wrong, Kei-chan?<br>\\r\\nさっきからきょろきょろしてさ。」<br>\\r\\n Why are you looking around?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ん？<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?<br>\\r\\nあ、あぁ、何でもないよ。」<br>\\r\\n Oh, nothing.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいつもの慣れた道を登校するだけなのに、…俺は緊張感で張り詰めていた。<br>\\r\\nIt was the same old path to school... but I felt nervous for some reason.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナが昨夜言っていた、明日で勝つという、逆転の一手とは何なのか。<br>\\r\\n...I wondered what Rena meant when she said she was going to win a come-from-behind victory last night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はどうしても物騒な意味を感じて仕方がなかった。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't stop feeling like something dangerous was going to happen.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナにとって、魅音は敵方の首魁の１人だ。<br>\\r\\nRena thought Mion was one of her enemies.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……物陰から刃物を構えたレナが突然踊りださないとも限らない…。<br>\\r\\n...She could be lying in wait to attack Mion with a knife...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大丈夫だぁって。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Don't worry.<br>\\r\\nレナがそんな短絡的なことをするわけないよ。<br>\\r\\n Rena isn't going to do something as rash as that.<br>\\r\\nまぁ、仮にそうでも、自分の身くらい守れるからね！」<br>\\r\\n Even if she does, I can protect myself!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は余裕をアピールしたかったのか、楽観的な言い方をした。<br>\\r\\nMion said it brightly as if trying to tell me she wasn't afraid of anything.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、……今のレナの心情を知る俺だからこそ、とても楽観はできなかった。<br>\\r\\nBut... I couldn't be optimistic like her, because I knew exactly what Rena was going through.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今のレナはきっと、…せめて勝てぬ相手なら相打ちになってでも…なんて考えてるに違いないのだ。<br>\\r\\nRena must be determined by now, and she probably wouldn't mind dying fighting against Mion if she wasn't going to win anyway...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……もちろん、物騒な手段に訴えると決まったわけじゃないが。<br>\\r\\n...Of course, that didn't mean she was definitely going to take violent action.<br>\\r\\n……その可能性も否定できない。<br>\\r\\n ...But I couldn't deny the possibility, either.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それよりおじさんが気にかかるのは、どうしてレナが急に変になっちゃったのか、その理由の方だね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"This ol' man is more concerned about the reason why Rena went crazy all of a sudden.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……………理由なんて、…あるんだろうか。<br>\\r\\n...Was there any reason...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は、……かつての惨劇を思い出す。<br>\\r\\nI remembered... the tragedy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………何を切っ掛けに世界が狂い始めたのか、<br>\\r\\n...I couldn't remember<br>\\r\\n…よく思い出せない。<br>\\r\\n what made the world go crazy...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、いつの間にかとてつもなく恐ろしい世界に迷い込んでいたのは確かなんだ。<br>\\r\\nBut I remembered we got lost in that awfully scary world.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその最初は、………本当に些細なことの積み重なりだったような気がする。<br>\\r\\nIt started... with small things, and those small things continued to pile up one after another.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこうして普段の自分が考えれば、馬鹿馬鹿しくて吹き出してしまいそうな下らないこと。<br>\\r\\nIf you thought about it calmly, you'd laugh, because it was really a stupid thing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そういうことが全て引っかかって無視できなくなる、……そういう病気なんだ。<br>\\r\\n...But once those little tiny stupid things started to bother you, you couldn't ignore them... It was that kind of disease.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…これが病気と呼べるならの話だが。<br>\\r\\n...If you could call it one.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、…理由はあるはずだった。<br>\\r\\nBut... there must have been a reason.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n世界が狂いだす根本的な切っ掛けがあったはずなのだ。<br>\\r\\nThere must have been a reason that made the world go crazy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでもきっと、それはとても小さくて気付けない何かなのだ。<br>\\r\\nBut it must be such a small thing that you couldn't even notice.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…しかもその理由は悲しいくらいに判り難くて、………多分、死ぬまで気付かない。<br>\\r\\n...And unfortunately, the reason was very difficult to understand... and you wouldn't be able to figure it out until you died.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「親戚にお医者がいてね、ちょっと聞いてみたんだけど。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I have a relative who is a doctor.<br>\\r\\n脳とかに腫瘍が出来て、たまたまそれが珍しいところだったりすると、性格が急に変わったり、普段と別人みたいになってしまうことがあったりするんだって。<br>\\r\\n He said that if you have a tumor in specific parts of your brain, it can change your personality. Make you a totally different person.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大昔はこの病気が、悪魔憑きや狐憑きなんて呼ばれて、オカルト的に脚色されてたこともあるんだってさ。」<br>\\r\\n People who suffered from this disease used to be considered haunted by devils or possessed by foxes. People dramatized it like it was something occult.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ってことはつまり、脳と言う体の一部に起きた肉体的な病気ってわけか。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...You mean Rena is suffering from a physical disease in her brain?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今回に関しては、精神的と捉えてもいいかもしれないね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"In her case, it might be better to say that it's a mental disease.<br>\\r\\n……レナは、リナ・鉄平殺しの後、かなり動揺していて心が不安定になってた時期があった。<br>\\r\\n ...Rena was upset and mentally unstable because of the murder of Rina and Teppei.<br>\\r\\nそんな時期に、大石のアホが、富竹さんたちの事件を大袈裟に吹き込むもんだから…。」<br>\\r\\n At a time like that, that stupid Ooishi told her about what happened to Tomitake-san in an exaggerated way...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………大石さんって人もさ、鷹野さんのスクラップ帖に少し似てるとこがあるかもな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I think Ooishi-san and Takano-san's scrapbooks have many things in common.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「へぇ？ どの辺が？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Really? Like what?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……何て言うのかな、…雛見沢村連続怪死事件というものが、存在しているという辺りについて妄信しているというか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Well... he believes in the series of mysterious deaths of Hinamizawa, but that's a delusion, isn't it?<br>\\r\\n………現に５年連続で起こってるのにこんなことを言うのもなんだけど。<br>\\r\\n ...I mean, something actually did happen for five years in a row.<br>\\r\\n……俺さ、…もともと連続事件なんて存在しないんじゃないかって思ってる。」<br>\\r\\n ...But I think... there is no series of murders in the first place.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確かに不思議な事件が５年連続で起こってる。<br>\\r\\nIt was true that the mysterious incidents happened five years in a row.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でもそれは、個々に解決してることで、…例えて言うなら、俺やレナの話さなくてもいい過去によく似ている。<br>\\r\\n...But they were each solved individually... It was the same as a past you didn't need to talk about.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n連続怪死事件だから、今年も何か起こるんだ。<br>\\r\\nWe thought of them as a series of mysterious deaths, which is why we thought something was going to happen this year, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから陰謀があって、<br>\\r\\nIt led us to think that there was a conspiracy<br>\\r\\n園崎家が暗躍していて……<br>\\r\\n and that the Sonozaki family was behind it...<br>\\r\\nという連鎖的な妄想が、そもそもおかしいんじゃないだろうか。<br>\\r\\n We connect those things to the series of mysterious deaths, but we shouldn't do that in the first place.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nかつての俺が、レナの不穏な過去を知って、勝手に距離を置こうとしてしまったように、<br>\\r\\nJust like I tried to keep my distance from Rena when I found out about her dark past...<br>\\r\\n………誰もがこの雛見沢の不穏な過去に対して、勝手に距離を置いてしまってるんじゃないだろうか…？<br>\\r\\n wasn't everybody trying to keep their distance from the dark past of Hinamizawa...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鷹野さんのスクラップ帖はまさにそれで、近年の事件や過去の残酷な歴史をオカルト風味に脚色して、<br>\\r\\nTakano-san's scrapbooks are a good example. She dramatized both recent incidents and old cruel history,<br>\\r\\nもっともらしい嘘をでっち上げ、園崎家が黒幕であるかのような幻想を作り出す。<br>\\r\\n and she made feasible stories out of them, saying that the Sonozaki family was behind it all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは大石さんも同じで、<br>\\r\\nOoishi-san did the same thing, too.<br>\\r\\n必ず、裏で園崎家が暗躍しているという思い込みが、ものごとを常に悪い方に解釈していくように思う。<br>\\r\\n He was so convinced that the Sonozaki family was behind it all that it was making him interpret things the wrong way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……その意味では、大石さんもまた、レナと同じ妄想の病にかかっていると言えるかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n...In that sense, we could say Ooishi-san believed in the same delusion as Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「その辺にはさー、何かあるごとに黒幕のように振舞う園崎家の責任もあるんじゃねーのかなぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I think the Sonozaki family is partially accountable for that because you guys act like you're behind it every time something happens.<br>\\r\\n……この村では何かおかしなことがあれば全て園崎家の暗躍。<br>\\r\\n ...In this village, people think it's the doing of the Sonozaki family whenever something strange happens.<br>\\r\\n…それで決着を付けられてしまう魔法の言葉になっちゃってるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n ...It's like a magic word that makes everything settle down.<br>\\r\\n…例えて言えばほら、この世の現象は全てプラズマで説明できる、みたいな感じだよ。」<br>\\r\\n ...It's like those people who say they can explain all phenomena in this world with plasma.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほーー、つまりそれは何よ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, and what's that supposed to mean?<br>\\r\\n園崎家が全部悪いーってわけぇ？」<br>\\r\\n Are you saying all of this is the Sonozaki family's fault?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだ、お前が全部悪い。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Exactly. It's all your fault.<br>\\r\\nよって、お前の名前は今日からプラズマ魅音と呼ぶ。<br>\\r\\n So, I'll call you Plasma Mion from now on.<br>\\r\\nうは、何だかレスラーみたいな名前だなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n Aha, that sounds like a wrestler's name.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほほー、プロレスラー大いに結構！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, I like professional wrestlers!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだ圭ちゃん、コブラツイストって知ってるー？！」<br>\\r\\n Hey Kei-chan, do you know what abdominal stretching is?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「やや、やめろ、このクソ暑いのに絡みつくな！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"S-Stop, I don't want to wrestle with you in this freaking hot weather!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nぎゃぎゃ痛てて！！<br>\\r\\n N-no, that hurts!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nふぎゃーーッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Stooop!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おはようございますですわ、圭一さん。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Good morning, Keiichi-san.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……おはようなのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Good morning.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺と魅音が２人で来たことを知り、沙都子も梨花ちゃんも少し寂しそうな顔をした。<br>\\r\\nSatoko and Rika-chan looked a little sad when they saw only the two of us.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…俺たちが何事もなかったかのように３人で登校してきたなら、どんなに喜んだことだろう。<br>\\r\\n...If the three of us came to school together like always, they would've been really happy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、クラス全体は、レナがいないことを咎めようとはせず、いつもの賑やかな朝の様子と変わらなかった。<br>\\r\\nBut our classmates were as noisy as usual. Nobody seemed to make a big deal about Rena's absence.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n知恵先生がもうじきやって来て、朝のホームルームになるだろう。<br>\\r\\nChie-sensei was going to be here soon, and she'd start morning homeroom.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれまでのわずかな時間すら惜しいらしくて、みんなは教室内でバタバタとはしゃぎ回る。<br>\\r\\nEveryone was fooling around as if they didn't want to miss a second of the time until then.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ねーー、今日はくさいーーー、窓しめてー。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, something stinks today. Close the windows!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ばぁか、窓を閉めたらもっと暑くなるんだよー！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Silly, it'll be hotter in here if we do that!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう言えば今日はガソリンだか何だかの臭いがひどいな。<br>\\r\\nIt smelled like gasoline or something, and it really stank.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n営林署の人がどこかで重機に燃料でも入れてるのだろう。<br>\\r\\nSomeone from the forestry service must have been putting gasoline into the construction equipment or something.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれで窓際の生徒が臭いから窓を閉めたいと騒いでいるのだ。<br>\\r\\nSome students near the windows were making a fuss because they wanted to close the windows to shut out the smell.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの辺がうちが普通の学校じゃないところだ。<br>\\r\\nOur school wasn't a normal school, compared to others.<br>\\r\\n結局、営林署の間借りだからなぁ。<br>\\r\\n We were using a part of the forestry service building. Unusual things like this happened sometimes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いやいや、こんなの大したことないって！<br>\\r\\n\\\"This is nothing!<br>\\r\\nいつだったかなぁ、カイズカイブキを剪定した枝葉をトラック山盛り何杯分か運び込んできたことがあってさー！<br>\\r\\n I remember they once brought a few big piles of juniper branches!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあれはひどかった、あの独特の刺激臭は頭痛を起こさせるよねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n That was awful. It had this distinct irritating odor that gave us all headaches.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「カイズカイブキって何ですの？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What's a 'juniper'?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……みー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Meep,<br>\\r\\nお野菜の名前なのです。<br>\\r\\n that's a name of a vegetable.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nたまにカレーに入ってますのですよ？」<br>\\r\\n We sometimes put it in curry.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wa ha ha ha!<br>\\r\\n今度、スーパーに行ったら探してみろ。」<br>\\r\\n You should look for it next time you go grocery shopping.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「？？？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Huh???<br>\\r\\nよくわかんないけど、最初は梨花と圭一さんに毒見をさせた方が良さそうでございますわね。」<br>\\r\\n I know little about vegetables, but it sounds like it would be better to make Rika and Keiichi-san taste it first, just in case.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あれーーー？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?!<br>\\r\\n俺たちのボールがねえー！<br>\\r\\n Our ball is missing!<br>\\r\\n北条、お前がまた隠したんだろー！！」<br>\\r\\n You hid it again, didn't you, Houjou?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさっきからボールを捜している男子たちが沙都子に言った。<br>\\r\\nThe boys seemed to be looking for their ball for a while, and they yelled at Satoko.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「誰がそんなものを隠しますの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Why would I hide such a stupid thing?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうせ隠すならもう少し気の利いたものを隠しましてよ。」<br>\\r\\n If I was going to hide anything, I'd hide something better than that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お、ほらほら先生来たよー！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, Chie-sensei is coming!!<br>\\r\\nみんな席に着きなーーー！！」<br>\\r\\n Everybody take a seat!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はい、皆さん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hello, everyone.<br>\\r\\n席に着いてくださいー。」<br>\\r\\n Get to your seats.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n授業の間、俺はレナのことをずっと考えていた。<br>\\r\\nI kept thinking about Rena the whole time during class.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが昨夜言っていた、…逆転の一手とは何だろうと。<br>\\r\\nI thought about what she said last night... I wonder what her \\\"come-from-behind victory\\\" means.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鷹野さんの妄想によるなら、細菌テロの黒幕は御三家とそれを支配する狂信者集団。<br>\\r\\nAccording to Takano-san's delusion, the masterminds behind the bioterrorism were the Three Families and a group of fanatical believers that controlled those Three.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………簡単に言えば園崎本家のことを指すだろう。<br>\\r\\n...In other words, the Sonozaki family.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれに対し、レナが単身でできることって何だろう？<br>\\r\\nWhat could Rena do alone against them?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n園崎本家ってのは、魅音と頭首である婆さんの二人暮らしらしい。<br>\\r\\nMion lived with her grandmother, the leader of the Sonozaki family. There were only two of them in the house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……刃物を持ったレナが押し入ることも考えられなくない。<br>\\r\\n...It was possible that Rena would try to break into their house with a knife.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、俺はその可能性は昨夜の内に思いついていた。<br>\\r\\nBut I'd already come up with that possibility last night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから魅音に警告の電話をした。<br>\\r\\nThat's why I called Mion and warned her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今朝の登校時に聞いたのだが、早朝から園崎家にはボディガードの若い衆が来ているらしい。<br>\\r\\nOn the way to school this morning, Mion told me some bodyguards from the Corps had been at her house since this morning.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音の方にもボディガードが付くと言っていた。<br>\\r\\nShe told me she'd be guarded herself, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……校門のところに見慣れない黒塗りの車がいつの間にか停まっているが、多分あれだろう。<br>\\r\\n...There was a black car parked near the school gate. They must have been the bodyguards.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………しかし、…あの「寄生虫説」によるなら、園崎家のトップを討てばそれでおしまいという話ではなかったはずだ。<br>\\r\\n...But... according to Takano's parasite theory, the battle wouldn't end just by attacking the leader of the Sonozaki family.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナに取り憑いている妄想によるならば、レナにとっての「勝利条件」は複雑だ。<br>\\r\\nAccording to the delusion she believes in, the conditions of her victory were more complicated than that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n園崎家の背後にいる狂信者団体を暴かなくちゃならないし、<br>\\r\\nShe needed to expose the group of fanatics who are behind the Sonozaki family,<br>\\r\\n「寄生虫」の研究を破壊しなくてはならない。<br>\\r\\n and she needed to destroy their research on the \\\"parasite\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまた、レナ自身も怪しげな毒物によって余命がないことになっている。<br>\\r\\nPlus, Rena didn't have much time left, thanks to that suspicious poison she mentioned.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……この状況で、起死回生の逆転の一手なんて、一体何ができるんだ？<br>\\r\\n...But how exactly could she win a come-from-behind victory under circumstances like that?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n狂信者団体を、……例えば村の役員会と読み解くか？<br>\\r\\n...She might interpret that the town council are the group of fanatics.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうなれば、村の老人たちが神社の集会所で会合をする時に襲うことが考えられる。<br>\\r\\nIf so, she might attack them the next time they have a meeting at the Shrine.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、役員会の会合なんて、多分、多くても月に１度くらいしかやらないだろう。<br>\\r\\nThe town council meets once a month at most.<br>\\r\\nそれが都合よく今日だとは考え難い。<br>\\r\\n It would be hard to believe that they were holding a meeting today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「寄生虫」の研究所は、……多分、診療所ということになっているのだろう。<br>\\r\\nShe probably thought the place researching the \\\"parasite\\\" is... the Irie Clinic.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは最初からあそこを怪しいと決め付けていた。<br>\\r\\nRena suspected that there was something fishy about the clinic from the beginning.<br>\\r\\n…今頃、レナの頭の中では、「怪しい」ではなく「確固たる証拠がある」に昇格しているに違いない。<br>\\r\\n ...And that suspicion must've changed to certainty in her head by now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなら診療所を襲う？<br>\\r\\nDid that mean she was going to attack the clinic?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………アクション映画じゃあるまいし、レナが単身襲ってどうするというんだ。<br>\\r\\n...This wasn't like an action movie. What could she do all by herself?<br>\\r\\n……まさか放火でもするのか？<br>\\r\\n ...Was she going to start a fire?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいや、それじゃ意味がない。<br>\\r\\nNo, that would be pointless.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n陰謀を暴くってことは、寄生虫を研究していた証拠を掴まなければならない。<br>\\r\\nIn order to expose the conspiracy, she'd have to get proof that they were actually studying the parasite.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……診療所に乗り込んで、怪しげなホルマリン漬けの標本でも漁る…？<br>\\r\\n...Was she going to break into the clinic and get questionable weird samples...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして最後の、レナ自身の余命が問題だ。<br>\\r\\nThe last problem of all was how much time she had left.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………絶望的に不利な状況下で、自らにも残された時間が少ないと知ったら、刺し違えてでもと短絡的になることは考えられる。<br>\\r\\n...If she believed she didn't have much time left, especially under desperate, disadvantageous conditions, she might try to stab whoever she thought of as an enemy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でもレナは、全てが終わったら元の生活に戻れると信じていたような気がする。<br>\\r\\n...But Rena sounded like she really believed she would regain her happy and peaceful days after everything was over.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何の根拠もないのだが、……レナは生きて勝利すると言っていたように思うのだ。<br>\\r\\nRena probably meant she was going to stay alive and win.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nならば、………解毒剤のようなものがあるのか？<br>\\r\\nWas there something like an antidote?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが本当の解毒剤でなくてもいいのだ。<br>\\r\\nIt didn't have to be real.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの妄想の中で解毒剤という設定になるならば、米のとぎ汁であっても構わないに違いない。<br>\\r\\nAs long as it was an antidote to Rena's delusion, it didn't matter what it was. It could even be the water you washed your vegetables with.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、そんな簡単に入手できるなら、レナは余命が短いと嘆きはしない。<br>\\r\\nBut if she thought she could get the antidote so easily, she wouldn't have been so desperate about the time she has left.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……その解毒剤の入手はおそらく困難なのだ。<br>\\r\\n...The antidote must be difficult for her to get.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…もっとも容易に考えられる設定は、…秘密研究所である診療所のどこかに隠されている…だろう。<br>\\r\\n...The easiest place for that, in her delusion... was that it was hidden somewhere in the clinic.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこうして統合すると、……何だか監督と診療所がとても危険な予感がした。<br>\\r\\nPutting it all together like that... I felt like Irie and his clinic were in danger.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう言えば、村の老人たちって、サロン感覚で診療所の待合室に入り浸ってなかったっけ？<br>\\r\\nNow that I thought about it, the elderly people in the village, including the members of the town council, hung out in the waiting room of the clinic all the time!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……村の古老たちが診療所に集まったなら、それでレナの攻撃目標は全て１ヶ所に集中することになるのでは……。<br>\\r\\n...If most of the board members happened to gather there, for her, it'd be the perfect place to attack...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はその思いつきを昼休みに魅音に打ち明けた。<br>\\r\\nI told Mion about that during lunch break.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………普段ならそんな馬鹿な〜って言いたいところだけど。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...If this were a normal situation, I'd say she wouldn't do such a stupid thing... but...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその可能性をまったく否定できなくもあるからね。<br>\\r\\n I can't actually deny the possibility...<br>\\r\\n本家に電話してみるよ。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to call my house.<br>\\r\\n診療所にも人を配置するように言っとく。」<br>\\r\\n I'll make sure that they send some people to the clinic.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は俺の突拍子な思いつきにも異論を挟まなかった。<br>\\r\\nMion didn't object to my crazy idea.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n箸をおくと席を立ち、職員室に電話を借りに行った。<br>\\r\\nShe put down her chopsticks and went to the teacher's office to make a phone call.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「先ほどから、何だか物騒な話でございますけど。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It sounds so dangerous.<br>\\r\\n……本当にレナさんがそんな恐ろしいことをなさいますの…？<br>\\r\\n ...I can hardly believe Rena-san is going to do such a scary thing.<br>\\r\\n診療所を襲うなんて、信じられませんわ。」<br>\\r\\n Are you sure she's going to attack the clinic?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「するかも知れない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Maybe she will,<br>\\r\\nしないかも知れない。<br>\\r\\n maybe she won't.<br>\\r\\n………でもな、起こっちまったらおしまいなんだよ。<br>\\r\\n ...But if that happens, we're screwed.<br>\\r\\n……惨劇に抗うってことは、起こさないように戦うってことなんだから。」<br>\\r\\n ...We need to prevent that disaster from happening.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……何事もないことを祈りたいのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I hope nothing happens at all.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わかりました。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay.<br>\\r\\n若いのを２人ほど診療所に送ります。」<br>\\r\\n I'll send two of our subordinates to the clinic.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まさかとは思うけどね…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't think she'll do it...<br>\\r\\n何をやらかすかわかったもんじゃない。」<br>\\r\\n but you'll never know what's going to happen.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「姿を見たら、ただちにひっ捕らえてしまって構いませんか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Can we capture her by force if she does?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……本当は嫌なんだけどなぁ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Honestly, I don't want to do that...<br>\\r\\n……どうしようねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n What do you think we should do?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「先日の会合で、竜宮レナを確保して警察に引き渡すことで決着しています。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We made an agreement with the cops that we're going to give Rena Ryuugu to them right after we find her.<br>\\r\\nですので、ひっ捕らえても一応、筋は通ります。」<br>\\r\\n So even if we use force to capture her, we won't get in trouble.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うちの体面じゃなくて、レナの心情的に気の毒だなってこと！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm not worried about losing face. I just feel sorry for Rena!<br>\\r\\nできたら、本当に静かに静かに決着したいんだけどね…。」<br>\\r\\n I really want to settle this calmly, if possible...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まぁ、お若いですから。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, she's still young.<br>\\r\\n人さえ殺さなければ大抵はごめんなさいで済みますよ。」<br>\\r\\n So as long as she didn't kill someone or something, all she has to do is to apologize, and everything will be fine.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっはっはっはっはー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah ha ha ha haa.<br>\\r\\n…じゃあアウトかもだー、あっはっはー。」<br>\\r\\n ...Well then, she might be out of our hands, ah ha ha.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あ、あ、いえいえ、見つからなければセーフですから。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, I mean, you know... As long as they don't find out about it, she'll be safe.<br>\\r\\nセーフセーフ。<br>\\r\\n She'll definitely be safe.<br>\\r\\n……興宮の界隈ではあの２人の失踪を気にするものはいません。<br>\\r\\n ...Nobody really cares about the disappearance of those two anyway.<br>\\r\\n何かのヤバい話を踏んで夜逃げしたんだろうということになっています。<br>\\r\\n People think that they ran away somewhere because they did something wrong.<br>\\r\\nあの程度のゴロツキ、次から次へです。<br>\\r\\n Those things happen all the time.<br>\\r\\nですからセーフセーフ。」<br>\\r\\n So, she's fine. Don't worry about it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「アウトだのセーフだのー、私ら野球拳でもやってるわけー？<br>\\r\\n\\\"She's out, she's safe, what? Are we playing baseball now?<br>\\r\\nわっはっは。<br>\\r\\n Wa ha ha.<br>\\r\\nまぁいいや、それじゃあくれぐれもよろしくお願いします。」<br>\\r\\n Anyways, please just be careful.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「了解しました。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Will do.<br>\\r\\n……ではひっ捕らえてよろしいんですね？」<br>\\r\\n ...So, it's ok to capture her by force, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ちゃんとタッチアウトにするんだよー？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Don't make any mistakes. You have to get her!<br>\\r\\nクロスプレーなんかにしないようによろしく頼みます。」<br>\\r\\n Please don't make it like a chase scene or anything like that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n葛西さんとついつい他愛のない話をしてしまった。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't help but have a silly chat with Kasai-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n受話器を置くと、何となく先生の目線を感じた。<br>\\r\\nWhen I put the phone down, I sensed Chie-sensei was looking at me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……この狭い部屋で、一緒にいるんだし、私の電話が聞こえるのは当り前だった。<br>\\r\\n...No wonder, as she had been able to hear the conversation clearly in this tiny room.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n知恵先生はスプーンを置くと、ちょっと悲しそうな顔で聞いてきた。<br>\\r\\nChie-sensei put her spoon down, and with a sad look on her face, she asked the following:<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……今の電話は、竜宮さんを巡る話ですか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Were you talking about Ryuugu-san?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まぁ、………はい。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah... yes.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「園崎さん、……竜宮さんはどうして家出をしちゃったんでしょう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Sonozaki-san... do you know why Ryuugu-san ran away from home?<br>\\r\\n……お友達として、何か知ってはいませんか？」<br>\\r\\n ...You're close, aren't you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nおそらく、私を除いたら、レナと直接接点があった圭ちゃん以外には、今のレナの状況はわかるまい。<br>\\r\\nIt was hard for anyone to understand Rena's situation, except for me and Kei-chan.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、ほとんどの人間にとっては、レナが家出をしたと思っている。<br>\\r\\nSo, most of them thought that Rena just ran away from home.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、家出後の警察の対応が派手過ぎた。<br>\\r\\nBut after she did, the cops made too much of a fuss over it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……スクラップ帖が特ダネだと信じた大石のポンチ野郎が、派手に騒いでレナを追い掛けすぎた。<br>\\r\\n...Ooishi stupidly believed that the scrapbooks were a big scoop, and he overreacted in trying to find Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n村の中をサイレンなしとはいえ、パトカー何台もで走り回り、挙句、町会の連絡網まで使った。<br>\\r\\nHe had patrol cars running around everywhere in the village. He even used the town council's phone directory to find her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、村の中では、レナが何か悪いことをして警察から逃げてるのではないかと思われているのだ。<br>\\r\\nSo, people in the village thought Rena did something wrong and was trying to run from the cops.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私にとっては、レナの身柄を確保することよりも、確保した後、レナの名誉を回復するためどんなカバーストーリーを作るかの方が難題なようだった。<br>\\r\\nWhat was going to be difficult for me, more than finding her, was to make up a story to retrieve Rena's honor after they detain her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………散歩に出た途中で、転んで豆腐の角に頭をぶつけて記憶喪失になっていた、<br>\\r\\n...Hmm, what about this: Rena went for a walk, fell down and hit her head on the edge of some tofu, and lost her memory.<br>\\r\\nそこに大石の勘違いが加わってレナが犯罪者に勘違いされて……。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi misunderstood something big time, and he thought she was a criminal...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…安直だなー。<br>\\r\\n...It was too easy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nとにかく今回は大石が悪役ってことが会合で決着してる。<br>\\r\\nAnyway, we did make it clear that Ooishi was the one who misunderstood everything at the meeting the other day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石が珍しくへこんでる間に、あいつの名前を最大限に使わせてもらうとしよう…。<br>\\r\\nI had to make the best use of his name while he was feeling down for once.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が考えなくちゃならないのは、<br>\\r\\nWhat I'd have to do was to not make a big deal about this situation...<br>\\r\\nとにかく大騒ぎにせず、…レナが全部忘れて、速やかに元の生活を取り戻せるように環境を整えることに違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n and to create an environment that allowed Rena to forget everything that happened, in order to get her life back together as soon as possible.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大丈夫ですよ先生。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Everything is going to be fine, Chie-sensei.<br>\\r\\n……レナは今ちょっと病気になってるだけです。<br>\\r\\n ...Rena is a little sick right now. That's all.<br>\\r\\nそれを警察の某デブ刑事が素敵に勘違いして話をややこしくしただけです。<br>\\r\\n A fat cop somehow made a lovely mistake and got things twisted around.<br>\\r\\nまさか先生、レナが悪いことをして逃走中なんて、信じちゃいないですよね？」<br>\\r\\n You don't believe that Rena did something wrong and that she's trying to run from the police, do you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……それは、…もちろんですけど…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Of course not...<br>\\r\\nでも、……家出することによってご家族にお掛けしている迷惑を考えれば、悪くないということはありません。」<br>\\r\\n But... making her family worry by running away from home isn't a good thing to do, either.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………親と喧嘩してのちょっとした家出。<br>\\r\\n...She had a fight with her father, and she ran away from home for a little while.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…若気の至りだったということにするのが最善かもしれない。<br>\\r\\n...She acted childish, and that's all. Maybe that'd be the best story to go with.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何か悩みがあったのでしょうか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I wonder if she had some problems she couldn't talk to anyone about.<br>\\r\\n………それに気付けなかった私は教師失格ですね…。<br>\\r\\n ...I must be a bad teacher, because I never realized it...<br>\\r\\n一度、竜宮さんとじっくりお話がしたかったです…。」<br>\\r\\n I wish I could have sat down and talked with Ryuugu-san before all this happened...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはははは、先生、ちょっとヘビーに考えすぎです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahaha. Chie-sensei, you're taking it too seriously.<br>\\r\\nもうちょっとリラックスリラックス…。<br>\\r\\n You need to relax...<br>\\r\\nプチ家出なんて、今時珍しくないですって！」<br>\\r\\n It's normal for young kids nowadays to run away from home for a while!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ああぁあぁぁぁぁ、竜宮さんがこのまま不良になってしまって悪いことを始めたらどうしましょう！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, nooooo. What am I going to do if Ryuugu-san becomes one of those bad kids and starts doing really bad things?!<br>\\r\\nあぅあぅあぅ〜！」<br>\\r\\n Au au auuuu!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n竜宮さんが不良になる<br>\\r\\nRyugu-san becomes a bad kid.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n↓<br>\\r\\n↓<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n悪いことをして逮捕される<br>\\r\\n She does something bad and gets arrested by the police.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n↓<br>\\r\\n↓<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n担任の重大な責任<br>\\r\\n It's her teacher's responsibility.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n↓<br>\\r\\n↓<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n懲戒免職<br>\\r\\n I'll be dishonorably discharged.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n↓<br>\\r\\n↓<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nカレーが食べられない<br>\\r\\n I can't eat curry anymore.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n↓<br>\\r\\n↓<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n死<br>\\r\\n I'm dead.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ガーン、ガーン、ガーン……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, no. Oh, noooooo...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……知恵先生は、何だか楽しげな妄想でショックを受けているようだった。<br>\\r\\n...Chie-sensei seemed comically upset by her own imagination.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nとりあえず楽しそうなので、そっとしておくことにする。<br>\\r\\nIt looked funny, so I decided to leave her alone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は職員室を出て、教室へ戻ることにした。<br>\\r\\nI made to leave the teacher's office to go back to the classroom, but...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nちょうど職員室を出た時、電話が鳴る。<br>\\r\\nRight then, the phone rang.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はいもしもし。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hello.<br>\\r\\n雛見沢分校でございます。」<br>\\r\\n This is the Hinamizawa branch school.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日は校長先生が出張らしいので、電話は１人で受けなきゃならないから知恵先生も大変だ。<br>\\r\\nChie-sensei had to answer the phone all day today because the principal was on a business trip.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は深く考えず廊下に出る。<br>\\r\\nI exited to the hallway.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……その時、電話に出ている先生の声色が変った。<br>\\r\\n...Then, I heard the tone of her voice change.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「え？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?!<br>\\r\\n……い、……今、どこにいるんですか？！」<br>\\r\\n ...Wh-Where are you right now?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私も、え？！と叫び、振り返る。<br>\\r\\nWhat?! I yelled and looked back at her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n多分、レナだ。<br>\\r\\nIt was probably Rena.<br>\\r\\nレナが学校に電話を掛けてきたんだ！<br>\\r\\n She called the school!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は電話先のレナの声を聞こうと、職員室に入ろうとしたが、それを受話器片手の知恵先生が、入ってはいけませんと制止した。<br>\\r\\nI tried to go back inside the teacher's office, but Chie-sensei gestured at me not to come in.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…知恵先生は何度かの相槌の後、時計をちらりと見上げた。<br>\\r\\n...Chie-sensei acknowledged what Rena was saying several times, and then, she looked up at the clock.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わかりました。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay.<br>\\r\\n今からすぐ行きます。<br>\\r\\n I'll be there.<br>\\r\\n……先生との約束ですよ。」<br>\\r\\n ...I'm your teacher. You promise me, alright?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれだけ言うと、受話器を置き、ロッカーから私物のショルダーバッグを取り出す。<br>\\r\\nShe said only that, put the phone down, and got her purse out of her locker.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「委員長。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Class president,<br>\\r\\n先生は急用が出来ました。<br>\\r\\n I have an emergency to take care of.<br>\\r\\nしばらく表へ出ますので、みんなを自習させてください。」<br>\\r\\n I'm going out for a while, so please have everybody study by themselves while I'm gone.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nショルダーバッグから車のキーを出している。<br>\\r\\nShe took her car key out from her purse.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…どこかでレナと待ち合わせを約束したのは明白だった。<br>\\r\\n...It was obvious that she was going to see Rena somewhere.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「先生、今の電話はレナ？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Chie-sensei, was it Rena?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「以上です。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's all.<br>\\r\\nよろしく頼みますよ、委員長。」<br>\\r\\n You're in charge of the class, okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n知恵先生はあからさまに私の問い掛けを無視すると、小走りに廊下を駆けて行った。<br>\\r\\nChie-sensei completely ignored me and she ran out into the hallway.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n先生が昇降口から校庭に出て、……自分の車に乗り込んでいくのが見える。<br>\\r\\nShe ran to the schoolyard... and got into her car.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてその車が校門を出た瞬間に、私も校庭へ駆け出した。<br>\\r\\nThe moment her car left through the gate, I ran out to the schoolyard myself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n校門のところに停まっている黒塗りの車に駆け寄り、窓を叩いた。<br>\\r\\nI headed for the black car parked near the gate and knocked on the window.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お疲れ様です。<br>\\r\\n\\\"How are you doing, milady?<br>\\r\\n今のところ、異常ありません。」<br>\\r\\n Everything is quiet so far.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ああぁ、違う違う！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I know!<br>\\r\\n今、出て行った先生の車を追って！！<br>\\r\\n But I need you to follow that car that just left!!<br>\\r\\n多分、行く先にレナがいる！」<br>\\r\\n I think she's going to meet Rena!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「了解っす…！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Understood!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナは警戒心が強いから注意してね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena is very paranoid, so you need to be careful.<br>\\r\\n捕まえたら有無を言わさずに本家へ放り込んで葛西の指示に従うこと！<br>\\r\\n Bring her to my house right after you catch her. After that, follow Kasai's orders!<br>\\r\\n私の友人だよ？！<br>\\r\\n She's my friend!<br>\\r\\n怪我なんかさせたら許さないからね！」<br>\\r\\n You better not get her hurt!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………知恵先生はおそらくレナに、誰にも内緒で話がしたいといって呼び出したのだろう。<br>\\r\\n...Rena must've told Chie-sensei that she wanted to talk to her alone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私が聞いても無視した態度から容易に想像できた。<br>\\r\\nI could tell that easily from the way she ignored my question.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのレナと知恵先生の約束を踏みにじるようで、ちょっと気の毒に思ったが、<br>\\r\\nI did feel a little bad for ruining their promise...<br>\\r\\n……レナが何か妙なことをしでかさない内に捕まえるのは、とても重要なことだった。<br>\\r\\n ...But it was very important that we caught her before she did something wrong.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何もしない今の内なら、親と喧嘩して家出して、引っ込みがつかなくなって放浪してましたで言い訳になる。<br>\\r\\nWe could still make up an excuse that she was just wandering around because she had a fight with her father and ran away from home.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……これが診療所に放火なんかした後だったらお手上げだ。<br>\\r\\n...But if she set fire to the clinic or something, there would be nothing I could do.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n車は砂利をガリガリ弾きながら、乱暴にターンすると、ものすごい速度で知恵先生の車を追っていった。<br>\\r\\nThe car made a rough u-turn on the gravel road, and it chased after Chie-sensei's car at full speed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…私は消えていく車の影を見送りながら、<br>\\r\\n...I watched the car until it was gone.<br>\\r\\n……この一連のトラブルが、もっとも静かな形で終わりを迎えてくれるよう祈るしかなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...All I could do now was to pray that this would be settled calmly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あーー、みんなみんな、傾注〜！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, pay attention, everyone!!<br>\\r\\nえー、午後の授業は自習になったよー！<br>\\r\\n Well, we need to study by ourselves for the rest of the class today!<br>\\r\\nというわけで大人しく席について何かやることー！」<br>\\r\\n So get back to your desks and study quietly!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……自習ぅ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Self-studying?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺がぽかんとしていると、魅音が駆け寄ってきて小声で言った。<br>\\r\\nMion ran up to me and spoke quietly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……レナから電話があった。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Rena just called.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えぇ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?<br>\\r\\n本当か…！」<br>\\r\\n Really...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん、ついさっき職員室に電話が。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, she just called the teacher's office.<br>\\r\\n知恵先生が指定された場所に会いに行ったみたい。」<br>\\r\\n I think Chie-sensei went to meet with Rena.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……レナのやつ、…一体どういうつもりなんだ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Rena... I wonder what she's going to do.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わかんない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I have no idea.<br>\\r\\nとにかく、うちの車に先生の後を追わせてる。<br>\\r\\n Anyway, I told my bodyguards to follow Chie-sensei's car.<br>\\r\\n…レナには悪いけど、そこでふん捕まえる！」<br>\\r\\n ...I feel bad for Rena, but we're going to capture her there by force!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うまく行くといいな…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I hope it works...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「荒事には慣れてる連中だよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"They're used to doing this kind of stuff.<br>\\r\\n任せとこう。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sure they'll do fine.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ、捕まえれば一件落着なのか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"So, if they catch her, is everything going to be over?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah.<br>\\r\\nそしたらとりあえず病院に放り込むよ。<br>\\r\\n We'll send her to a hospital.<br>\\r\\nきっと、専門の医者が診たら、なぁんだってくらいに典型的な何かの病気だよきっと。<br>\\r\\n If a doctor sees her, I'm sure he'll find a typical kind of disease or something.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n強迫性心因性ストレスなんたらとか、多分そんな感じのやつ。」<br>\\r\\n It'll be like obsessive-psychosomatic disorder or whatever.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"............\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこうして俺たちが午後ののんびりした時間を自習して過ごしている間に、<br>\\r\\nWhile we were spending our afternoon studying peacefully,<br>\\r\\nどこかの場所で知恵先生と会う約束をしていたレナを、園崎家の人たちが捕まえて一件落着。<br>\\r\\n the members of the Sonozaki family would capture Rena, who was waiting for Chie-sensei somewhere. The problem would be solved.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……その後のことは色々とあるだろうけど、…魅音は、レナの親身になって、いろいろと世話してくれるだろう。<br>\\r\\n...It wasn't going to be easy after that, but I was sure Mion would take good care of her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして最後には、あれは親との喧嘩の家出でしたということになって、…めでたしめでたし。<br>\\r\\nAnd in the end, everybody would understand that Rena just ran away from home because of a silly fight with her father... A happy ending.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...............\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「一件落着、でしょ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Problem solved, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音はウィンクしながら、もう解決した気分でいるようだった。<br>\\r\\nMion winked at me. She looked like she already thought everything was over.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だが、俺はどうも腑に落ちなくて、納得する気になれなかった。<br>\\r\\n...But that just didn't sound right to me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………それは、レナと知恵先生の接点だ。<br>\\r\\n...I couldn't see any connection between Rena and Chie-sensei.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…こう、うまく言えないのだが、…………どことなく違和感があるというか。<br>\\r\\n...It was hard to explain... but there was something wrong.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n２人の仲が悪いと言ってるんじゃない。<br>\\r\\nI wasn't saying that they didn't get along.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはいい生徒だから、先生との関係も良好だった。<br>\\r\\nRena was a good student, so Chie-sensei had a good relationship with her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナは、知恵先生を呼び出して、どうしようというのだろう。<br>\\r\\n...But I just didn't understand what Rena wanted from Chie-sensei.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう思った時、ガラガラと引き戸が開き、お手洗いに行っていた子が帰ってきた。<br>\\r\\nWhile I was thinking about it, the door opened, and one of our classmates came back from the bathroom.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナと、一緒に。<br>\\r\\nWith Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レ、……レナ……！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"R-Rena...!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「みんな起立起立〜。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Everybody, stand up.<br>\\r\\n教室の真ん中に集まってー。」<br>\\r\\n Move to the center of the room.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全員がぎょっとして、息を呑んだ。<br>\\r\\nEveryone gasped in surprise.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n知恵先生が入ってきたって、ここまでぴたっと静かになることはなかった。<br>\\r\\nEven Chie-sensei couldn't make everybody go so quiet all of a sudden.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはお手洗いに行ってた子の肩を掴み、……もう片手には、あの晩も持っていた肉厚の物騒な鉈を弄んでいた。<br>\\r\\nRena was gripping the shoulder of the student who came back from the bathroom... In her other hand, she had a big, scary-looking hatchet. It was the same one she had the other night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰もが、レナが人質を取っていることを理解した。<br>\\r\\nEveryone immediately understood that Rena had taken a hostage.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…みんな聞こえてない？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Are you all deaf?<br>\\r\\n教室の真ん中に集まってー。<br>\\r\\n Move to the center of the room.<br>\\r\\n机は周りにどけちゃってねー。」<br>\\r\\n Push the desks to the sides.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが何を言っているのかよくわからず、みんなはただ凍りついているだけだった。<br>\\r\\nNobody grasped what she was asking us to do. We all froze.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな中、ひとりだけやさしそうに笑っているレナが、……とても恐ろしい。<br>\\r\\nRena was the only one who was smiling... It was terrifying.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅ぃちゃん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mii-chan,<br>\\r\\n委員長でしょ？<br>\\r\\n you're the class president.<br>\\r\\nみんなに指示して。」<br>\\r\\n Tell everyone to move to the center.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………レ、…レレ、レナ…、あんた、……何をやってんの………！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...R-R-Rena... what are you doing...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nバッギャッ！！！<br>\\r\\nBam!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音の言葉は暴力的な音に掻き消された。<br>\\r\\nA loud noise washed out Mion's voice.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…それはレナが思い切り力任せに鉈で教壇を叩いた音だった。<br>\\r\\n...Rena hit the teacher's desk really hard with her hatchet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…バリバリと不気味な音を立てながら、レナは天板に食い込む鉈を抜く。<br>\\r\\n...She pulled out the hatchet, making an ominous ripping noise.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そこには一文字の乱暴な跡がくっきりと刻まれているのだった。<br>\\r\\n...There was now a line of violence carved plainly into the desk.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………あ〜あ……、<br>\\r\\n...Uh-oh...<br>\\r\\n壊しちゃった…、<br>\\r\\n She broke it...<br>\\r\\n…知恵先生、帰ってきたら怒るぞ……。<br>\\r\\n Chie-sensei is going to get mad when she comes back......<br>\\r\\n……じゃなくてじゃなくて、<br>\\r\\n No, that wasn't it.<br>\\r\\n………な、<br>\\r\\n ......What...<br>\\r\\n…………な、<br>\\r\\n ......the<br>\\r\\n…な、<br>\\r\\n hell...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅ぃちゃんはやっぱり駄目だね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I knew I couldn't trust you, Mii-chan.<br>\\r\\nじゃあ圭一くんに頼むよ。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to ask Keiichi-kun, then.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……圭一くんだけは最後まで私の仲間なんだよね？<br>\\r\\n ...You're my only friend, right, Keiichi-kun?<br>\\r\\nだから、信じていいんだよね…？」<br>\\r\\n So, I can trust you, can't I...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レ、レナ、……お前、……なんて恐ろしい目をしてんだよ……。<br>\\r\\n...R-Rena... Your eyes... You look so scary...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は生まれて初めて見たのだ。<br>\\r\\nI've never seen eyes like that in my life.<br>\\r\\n……狂気に澱む目を！<br>\\r\\n ...Your eyes are full of insanity!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n狂気をどうして人は恐れるんだろう？<br>\\r\\nWhy are people afraid of insanity?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n狂気ってのはつまり、その人間と自分たちが価値観や社会常識を共有できていないってことだ。<br>\\r\\nInsanity means that a person doesn't share the same values and the same common sense as us.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n例えば…、泥棒に踏み込まれてぐるぐるに縛られたとするじゃないか。<br>\\r\\nFor example, say a thief breaks into your house, and he ties you up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…ひょっとすると帰りがけに刺されるかもしれないと怯えはするよな。<br>\\r\\n...You'll get scared and wonder if he's going to stab you before he leaves.<br>\\r\\n……でも、泥棒も人間、むやみに人の命は奪わないはずだ、って…祈るじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n ...But you hope that the thief has feelings too, and that he's not going to kill you for no reason...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、どんな悪人が相手でも、俺たちは価値観や社会常識、道徳が共有できている限り、相手の善意を信じる。<br>\\r\\nNo matter how bad the person is, we tend to believe in his goodwill as long as we share the same values, the same common sense, and the same morals as him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、……それがない相手には善意など期待できるわけがない。<br>\\r\\nBut... we can't expect goodwill from somebody who doesn't have those things.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n善意が期待できない相手というのは、コミュニケーションが取れない相手ということだ。<br>\\r\\nWe can't expect goodwill from a person who can't communicate with us.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ナイフを振り下ろす強盗相手に、やめるよう懇願するのは、ひょっとすると聞き入れてくれるかもしれないことを期待して、相手の善意に訴えるものだ。<br>\\r\\n...When a burglar has a knife and you beg him not to hurt you, you expect him to listen to you and to show you mercy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、コミュニケーションが取れるということ。<br>\\r\\nIn other words, you can still communicate with him.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、……コミュニケーションが取れない相手というのは、<br>\\r\\nBut... if he doesn't have the ability to communicate<br>\\r\\n……例えるなら襲い掛かる猛獣であるとか、……いや、上から落ちてくるギロチンの刃のようなものだ。<br>\\r\\n ...he's just like a monster that's trying to attack you... or like the blade of a guillotine that's falling down on you.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n意思疎通の余地のない、人間でない存在に感じる恐怖。<br>\\r\\nYou fear him, because you can't communicate with him.<br>\\r\\nそれが狂気だ。<br>\\r\\n That's insanity.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、……俺たちが今、レナに感じている恐怖の正体は、…それ。<br>\\r\\nIt was the same fear we were feeling towards Rena at that very moment.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n一見、俺たちと同じ人間に見えるのに、……でも、同じ人間としてのコミュニケーションの余地がない。<br>\\r\\nShe looked like a human just like us... but there was no room for her to communicate with us like a normal person could do.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………そういう恐ろしさを、みんな理屈抜きに理解しているのだ。<br>\\r\\n......Everybody understood that fear instinctively.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi-kun,<br>\\r\\n机をどけさせて、教室の真ん中に広場を作って？」<br>\\r\\n make them move the desks to make room in the middle.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わ、……わかった。<br>\\r\\n\\\"O-Okay.<br>\\r\\n……み、みんな……レナが言うのに従おう…！」<br>\\r\\n ...E-Everybody... let's do as Rena says...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの感情は今や火薬のようなもの。<br>\\r\\nRena was like a barrel of gunpowder at that moment.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……一見大人しそうな表情は、わずかの切っ掛けで爆発するのだ。<br>\\r\\n...She seemed really calm and quiet, but she could explode any minute.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてその爆発はわずかの容赦も伴わないだろう。<br>\\r\\nWhen she did, I doubt she'd show us any mercy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…今のレナは、間違いなくあの鉈を人間に振り下ろすことを躊躇わない。<br>\\r\\n...She probably wouldn't hesitate to use that hatchet on us.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………そうさ、俺がレナと魅音を殴り殺すのに、何の罪も躊躇いも感じなかったように…！！<br>\\r\\n...That's right. Just like how I didn't feel guilty or hesitate to kill Rena and Mion...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nクラス中が、お通夜のように静まり返りながら、机を壁際に寄せて、レナの希望する広場を作った。<br>\\r\\nEverybody went all quiet while pushing the desks against the wall to make a space where Rena wanted it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n時折、レナが遅い遅いと言いながら恐ろしい音を立てて、黒板を鉈で打ちつけた。<br>\\r\\nRena, saying that we're moving too slow, hit the blackboard with the hatchet, making a horrible noise.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその度に、俺たちが学校でもっとも長い時間眺めいているはずのそこは、見るも無残な跡が刻まれていくのだった。<br>\\r\\nEvery time she did that, she left an equally horrible scar on the blackboard, the thing that we looked at most in the school.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi-kun,<br>\\r\\nみんなのロッカーから、縄跳びを出してもらえるかな。<br>\\r\\n can you get the jump ropes out from the lockers?<br>\\r\\nそれを使って、みんなを後ろ手で縛ってね。」<br>\\r\\n Use them to tie our classmates up.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……お、……俺、縛るのとか下手くそなんだよ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I... I'm not good at tying knots...<br>\\r\\n多分、上手に縛れないぞ…。」<br>\\r\\n I probably can't tie them up very well...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あとでちゃんと縛れているか、全員のを調べる。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'll check one by one if you tied them up well enough.<br>\\r\\n緩い人はその場で『殺しちゃう』から、しっかり縛ってあげてね。」<br>\\r\\n If I find the ropes loose, I'll <i>kill</i> the person, so you better tie them up really well.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………く………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Ah.........\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺たちもガキンチョだ。<br>\\r\\nWe were still kids.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n殺すなんて言葉は日常でもスラング感覚でぽんぽん使う。<br>\\r\\nWe saw the word \\\"kill\\\" all the time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nアニメや漫画にだっていくらでも出て来る。<br>\\r\\nIt was used a lot in comic books and cartoons, after all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だから「殺す」なんて言葉は散々聞き飽きてるはずだ。<br>\\r\\n...So, normally you'd assume we'd be used to hearing the word \\\"kill\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……なのに、……レナの『殺す』は、……俺が今まで一度も聞いたことがないような、恐ろしい響きを含んでいるのだった。<br>\\r\\n...But... when Rena said she'd <i>kill</i> us... it sounded so frightening. I'd never heard something like that before in my life.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナにとって今やこのクラス内の命は、…交渉に使えるカードの枚数と同じだ。<br>\\r\\nTo Rena, our lives were... like cards she could use for negotiation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰かが難問を断る度に、１枚カードを切ればいい。<br>\\r\\nShe'd get rid of one card every time somebody refused her request.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……切れば？<br>\\r\\n...Get rid of?<br>\\r\\nくそ、何でカードは「切る」なんて物騒な言い方なんだよ……！！<br>\\r\\n Damn it! Why did we use such scary words like \\\"get rid of\\\" for simple things like playing cards...?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nとにかく、……このクラスには…２０何人かいる。<br>\\r\\nAnyway... there were about twenty students... in the class.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…レナにとっては、ちょっと手に余る数だ。<br>\\r\\nThat was a little bit too many for Rena to handle.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……見せしめに１人や２人、間引いたって何の問題もない…。<br>\\r\\n...She might get rid of one or two just to set an example...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はレナを不機嫌にさせないため、…とりあえず指示に従い、みんなのロッカーから縄跳びを集めた。<br>\\r\\nI decided to do what Rena said because I didn't want her to lose her temper... I got out everybody's jump ropes from their lockers.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあみんな、床にうつ伏せになってね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"All of you, get on the floor.<br>\\r\\n圭一くんは後ろ手にどんどん縛っていって。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi-kun, you can start tying their hands behind their backs.<br>\\r\\n……きっちり縛るんだよ。<br>\\r\\n ...Tie them really tightly.<br>\\r\\n圭一くんは私の味方だもん。<br>\\r\\n You're on my side, aren't you?<br>\\r\\nだからわざと緩くなんか縛ったりしない。<br>\\r\\n You wouldn't tie them loosely on purpose,<br>\\r\\nね？」<br>\\r\\n would you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………………………ぅ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"........................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音が目配せをしてくる。<br>\\r\\nMion tried to make eye contact with me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ここで全員が縛られたら、もうレナの教室占拠を止められないだろう。<br>\\r\\n...If everybody was tied down, we wouldn't be able to stop her from occupying the school.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今なら、クラス全員２０人以上がいる。<br>\\r\\nThere were more than twenty students in this class.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……男子はその半分で、ほとんどがレナよりも体格も劣る小さな子たちばかり。<br>\\r\\n...Half of them were boys, but most of them were smaller than Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、…レナひとりを取り押さえられるだけの人数がいる。<br>\\r\\nBut... there were enough people here to overpower her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だが、そうなれば必ずレナは、今、人質に取っている子の頭に鉈を打ち込むだろう。<br>\\r\\n...But if we did that, Rena would probably hit her hostage with the hatchet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして襲い来る俺たちに怯みもせず、その鉈で戦い、……俺たちは血みどろの肉弾戦になるだろう。<br>\\r\\nAnd she'd use the hatchet to attack the rest of us without hesitation... It'd be a bloody battle.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…取り押さえる時に怪我をする者が出るのは当然だし、<br>\\r\\n...I'm sure somebody would get hurt if we tried to overpower her.<br>\\r\\n……人質の子は…、<br>\\r\\n ...The hostage...<br>\\r\\nよくて重症、<br>\\r\\n would be seriously injured,<br>\\r\\n悪ければ……………死ぬ。<br>\\r\\n or... maybe even... die.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなことになれば、……もうレナは破滅だ。<br>\\r\\nIf that happened... it was over.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどう取り繕おうとも、元の平穏な生活になんか戻れなくなってしまう…。<br>\\r\\nNo matter how hard we tried to cover up, she'd never be able to live peacefully like before...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それは魅音もわかっているようだった。<br>\\r\\n...Mion seemed to understand that, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナの目を見れば、彼女に手加減などあろうはずもないことがわかる。<br>\\r\\n...I could tell from Rena's eyes that she wasn't going to go easy on us.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…反抗的な態度を見せれば、人質はその場で頭を叩き割られる。<br>\\r\\n...If somebody showed defiance, she'd break the hostage's head open immediately.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………しかも皮肉にも、…レナにはその経験があるわけだから、さらに容赦なく慣れた手つきで、だ…。<br>\\r\\n...Of course... Rena had done that before. She'd probably do it again with no hesitation...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、……レナの要求に応じている内は、少なくとも流血の惨事が起きない。<br>\\r\\nBut... as long as we did what she said, we could prevent that bloody tragedy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……何とか、誰の血も流さずに解決できれば、……まだまだ魅音の力でなかったことに出来るかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n...If we could somehow solve this situation without shedding any blood... with Mion's influence, we might still be able to pretend that this never happened.<br>\\r\\n………少なくとも、死人が出ているよりは。<br>\\r\\n ...At the least, we had to make sure she didn't kill anyone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………………従おう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Let's do as Rena says,<br>\\r\\n圭ちゃん……。」<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナを取り押さえるあらゆる手を数手先まで読んでいた魅音だったが、<br>\\r\\nMion tried to think of ways to overpower Rena.<br>\\r\\n……どう考えても、人質を救える結果が導き出せなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...But she couldn't come up with any good ideas to save the hostage.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれくらいにレナは容赦なく、人質を殺してしまえるのだ…！<br>\\r\\nThat's how easy it would be for Rena to kill them...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナを刺激しないようにしながら、チャンスを待つのが、多分、今この瞬間の選択肢としては一番妥当だと思った。<br>\\r\\n...The best thing to do at that time was to wait for a chance without agitating her further.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音がうつ伏せになると、みんなも恐る恐る従う…。<br>\\r\\nMion lay down on the floor, and everyone else followed suit, sluggish with terror...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして俺だけが取り残され、…クラス中の縄跳びを持ったまま、立ちすくんでいた。<br>\\r\\nAnd I was left alone... standing rooted to the spot with jump ropes in my hands.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…俺はクラスの全員が床にうつ伏せになって、……教壇の後ではレナが人質に鉈を突きつけながら俺たち全体を凝視するその異常な光景に、……ただただ呆然とする他なかった…。<br>\\r\\n...All my classmates were lying face-down on the floor... while Rena was pointing the hatchet at the hostage, watching our every move from behind the teacher's desk... I just stood frozen in the middle of it all...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一くんにはまだまだ手伝ってもらうことがたくさんあるの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi-kun, there are many things I want you to help me with.<br>\\r\\nだから早くして。<br>\\r\\n So hurry up.<br>\\r\\n………あんまり時間が掛かると、何人かが死んでしまうかもしれない。」<br>\\r\\n ...If you take too long, some of them might have to die.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが口にする「死」という言葉の凄みに、小さい子たちが何人か泣き出す…。<br>\\r\\nSome of the little kids started crying when they heard the word \\\"die\\\"...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大丈夫だよみんな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's all right, everyone.<br>\\r\\n圭一くんがきっと助けてくれるから。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi-kun will save you.<br>\\r\\nだからきっと誰も殺されないよ。<br>\\r\\n So nobody is going to die.<br>\\r\\n……あははははははははははははははははははははは。」<br>\\r\\n ...Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……くそ……。<br>\\r\\n...Damn it...<br>\\r\\n……なんて露骨な脅迫だよ……。<br>\\r\\n What a bold threat...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺のことを仲間なんて言葉で弄んでるだけだ…。<br>\\r\\nShe said I was her friend, but she was just playing with the meaning of the word...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確かに、この状況下では俺だけがレナに対抗できる最後の１人だ。<br>\\r\\nI was the last person who could still fight against Rena under these circumstances.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…でも、だからこそ、鉈を持ったレナを容易には取り押さえられない。<br>\\r\\n...But it wasn't going to be easy to overpower her by myself.<br>\\r\\n……それどころか、取り押さえられるかどうかも、もはや怪しい。<br>\\r\\n ...I wasn't sure if I could do that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺が粋がったところで、教室中に寝転がる誰かの首筋に刃を突きつけられたら、それで結局は「詰み」だ。<br>\\r\\nEven if I tried to act tough, once Rena pointed the hatchet at somebody's neck, it was over.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nとにかく、………今は逆らわない方がいい。<br>\\r\\nI shouldn't fight against her for now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…チャンスを待とう。<br>\\r\\n...I should just wait for a chance.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが１人である以上、必ず隙が生まれる。<br>\\r\\nAs long as Rena was alone, there would be a chance.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……自ら縛れず、俺に縛らせているのがその証拠みたいなもんだ。<br>\\r\\n...She made me tie them up because she couldn't do that by herself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…レナが単独であるがゆえに、様々な限界があるはずなんだ…。<br>\\r\\n...There was a limit to what she could do, because she was by herself...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n先生が戻る前にうまく誤魔化せれば、……クラスみんなで芋虫ごっこをしてましたと誤魔化せるかもしれないのだから。<br>\\r\\nIf we could cover this up somehow before Chie-sensei came back... we'd still be able to pretend like we were kidding around.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………そこで俺はようやく気付く。<br>\\r\\n...I finally realized something.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…知恵先生が呼び出された電話の意味が。<br>\\r\\n...I realized why Rena called Chie-sensei to meet with her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナが教室を占拠する上で、一番邪魔な存在が知恵先生だったのだ。<br>\\r\\n...In order for Rena to take over the classroom, she needed to get rid of Chie-sensei.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n正義感の強い人だもんな。<br>\\r\\nChie-sensei had a very strong sense of justice.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n例えレナが拳銃を持っていたって、知恵先生は怯まないだろう。<br>\\r\\nEven if Rena had a gun, she wouldn't hesitate to overpower her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n生徒のためなら体を張れる、…そんな先生をいかに摘出するかが、この教室占拠の最初の鍵だったんだ。<br>\\r\\nShe was the kind of teacher who would risk her life for her students... Rena needed to figure out how to get rid of Chie-sensei. That was the key to her plan.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n背後から襲い掛かるという手も、もちろん一番最初に考えただろうが、<br>\\r\\nRena probably thought about attacking her from behind at first,<br>\\r\\nやはり大人を敵に回すリスクを考えた結果、直接襲うのは適当ではないと考えたに違いない。<br>\\r\\n but there was risk there, as Chie-sensei was a grown-up woman. So, she probably thought that attacking her directly wasn't a wise choice.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……なら、どこかへ誘き出してしまえばいいんだ…！<br>\\r\\n...So, naturally, the next option was to lure her out somewhere...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは知恵先生に電話をかけ、誰にも内緒で相談したいことがある…と言って、どこか遠くへ呼んだに違いない。<br>\\r\\nRena called Chie-sensei and told her she wanted to talk to her in private... in order to lure her out to some place far from here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n先生も含め、ほとんどの人たちはレナが家出しただけだとしか思っていない。<br>\\r\\nMost people, including Chie-sensei, thought Rena was just running away from home.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だから知恵先生は、レナに何か悩み事があって、それを打ち明けたがっているのだろう、そう解釈するに違いない。<br>\\r\\n...So, Chie-sensei must've thought Rena had some problems she wanted to talk to her about.<br>\\r\\n…………騙すのはあまりに簡単だ。<br>\\r\\n .........It was too easy to deceive her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nじゃあ……レナは、電話をどこから…？<br>\\r\\nWhere did she make the phone call from...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう、学校の中からだ。<br>\\r\\nShe probably used the phone in the school.<br>\\r\\nいや、厳密には違う。<br>\\r\\n Well, not in school, to be exact.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n多分、学校の２階、……営林署の事務室からだ。<br>\\r\\nShe probably used the phone on the second floor of the school... the one belonging to the forestry service.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの学校の入っている営林署は出張所みたいなもので、いつも職員が常駐しているわけではない。<br>\\r\\nThis school was using part of the forestry service building, but this particular location was more of a branch office,<br>\\r\\n日によってはいないこともある。<br>\\r\\n so it's not like somebody was here all the time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはそれを知っていて、ずっと２階に隠れていたのだ。<br>\\r\\nRena knew that, and she had probably been hiding there for a while.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、２階から１階に電話して、……知恵先生を遠方に遠ざけたのだ。<br>\\r\\nShe called the phone on the first floor from the second floor... and she made Chie-sensei leave the school.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日が校長の出張の日だというのも偶然ではないだろう。<br>\\r\\nI didn't think it was a coincidence that the principal was on a business trip today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……多分、レナはこの学校に昨日から忍び込んでいた。<br>\\r\\n...She probably snuck into the school yesterday.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれで、校長の日程も内線電話のことも全て把握した上で実行に及んでいるのだ。<br>\\r\\nShe saw the principal's schedule, learned how to call the phone on the first floor from the second, and carried out her plan.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……なんて狡猾な……。<br>\\r\\n...She planned it perfectly...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……いや、…わかる。<br>\\r\\n...Yeah, I knew it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あの状態のレナは、狂気に心を奪われながらも、…実はひどく冷静なのだ。<br>\\r\\n...Rena was insane... but I knew she was also actually really calm.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……自分が取り憑かれている妄想に対して、信じられないくらい冷静なのだ。<br>\\r\\n...She was possessed by her delusion, but she was also unbelievably calm about it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だから、……信じられないくらいに頭が回る。<br>\\r\\n...So... she could still think fast.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それは自分にも身に覚えがあったからよくわかった。<br>\\r\\n...I knew that very well, because I'd been through the same thing before.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあと、……さらについてないのは、魅音の護衛のために校門前にいた園崎家のボディーガードまでもいなくなってしまってることだ。<br>\\r\\nWhat was worse is that Mion's bodyguards were gone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……知恵先生がレナに会いに行くと思って、魅音が尾行するように言ってしまったから。<br>\\r\\n...Mion told them to follow Chie-sensei because she thought Chie-sensei was going to meet with Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……畜生、……何から何まで……、……やってくれるぜ………。<br>\\r\\n...Damn it... Everything seemed to be working out in her favor...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………縛ったぞ………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I'm done...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は最後のひとりの腕を縄跳びで縛り、レナの方に振り返る。<br>\\r\\nI tied up the last person, and I looked in Rena's direction.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nきつく縛らなければレナは本当にその子を殺すだろう。<br>\\r\\nIf I didn't tie them up really tightly, Rena would kill them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…かと言って、きつく絞めるとそれは苦痛となり、クラスメートたちは痛さに呻く。<br>\\r\\n...But when I tied them too tightly, they suffered in pain.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……その声が、何もできない俺を苛んだ。<br>\\r\\n...Their pained cries made me feel useless.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ありがとう、圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Thank you, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……圭一くんを疑りはしないけど、一応、全員を調べるね？<br>\\r\\n ...I don't mean to doubt you, Keiichi-kun, but I'll make sure just in case.<br>\\r\\n圭一くんは頭の上で手を組んで、うつ伏せに寝ててね。<br>\\r\\n Please put your hands on your head and lie face-down on the floor.<br>\\r\\n……これは全員に言うけど、<br>\\r\\n ......And I'm saying this to everybody.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私の断りなく立ち上がったら殺すッ！！<br>\\r\\n If you stand up without my permission, I'll kill you!!<br>\\r\\n本人も殺すし、見せしめでランダムにもう１人殺す！！<br>\\r\\n I'll kill whoever stood up, and one more person randomly, to set an example!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ランダムじゃよくないね。<br>\\r\\n...It's not nice to be chosen randomly, huh?<br>\\r\\nじゃあこうしよう。<br>\\r\\n Oh, there's a good idea.<br>\\r\\n言うことを聞かなかった子と、出席番号に１０を加えた子を殺す、にしようかな？<br>\\r\\n I'll kill the person who didn't listen to me, add 10 to his or her student number, and kill that person too.<br>\\r\\n例えば……岡村くんが言うことを聞かなかったとする。<br>\\r\\n For example... let's say Okamura-kun didn't listen to me.<br>\\r\\nそうすると、……出席番号１１番。<br>\\r\\n I'd kill him and Watanabe-kun<br>\\r\\n渡辺くんが一緒に殺されちゃう。<br>\\r\\n because his student number is 11.<br>\\r\\nわかる？！<br>\\r\\n Get it?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n常に２人死ぬのッ！！<br>\\r\\n I'll always be killing two of you at the same time!!<br>\\r\\n刃向かっても自分の命１つじゃ責任が取れないってこと、よく胸に刻んでおくんだよッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n You'd better remember that you involve another person's life besides your own when you attempt to stand against me!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……なんてやつだ…。<br>\\r\\n...How awful...<br>\\r\\n脅迫ってやつを心底理解してやがる……。<br>\\r\\n She totally understood how to threaten people...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n抵抗ってのは、失敗しても死ぬのは自分だけという、ある種の自己責任の上で行なうものだ。<br>\\r\\nNormally, you stand against an attacker at your own risk. If you fail, you're going to die.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それを連帯責任にされたら、抵抗なんてできなくなってしまう。<br>\\r\\n...But if you were responsible for someone else, then you couldn't try to resist.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n人の命を自分の一存で危険になんか晒せない…！<br>\\r\\nYou can't risk somebody's life with your own decisions...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……うん、全員ちゃんと縛れてるね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Okay. Everybody is tied up nice and tight.<br>\\r\\n…圭一くん、縛るの下手くそって言ってたけど、結構うまいよ。<br>\\r\\n ...You said you aren't good at tying knots, but you did very well, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n自信持っていいよ。<br>\\r\\n You should be proud of yourself.<br>\\r\\nじゃあ、圭一くんは立って。」<br>\\r\\n Well, you can stand up now.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………今さら逆らうことはできない。<br>\\r\\n...It was too late to fight back.<br>\\r\\n俺は大人しく指示に従う。<br>\\r\\n I followed her orders.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nとにかく、……何かのチャンスを待つんだ。<br>\\r\\n I just had to wait for a chance.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまだ洒落で済む段階なんだ…。<br>\\r\\nWe could still turn this into some kind of a bad joke...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何とか……何とか、しなくちゃ……！<br>\\r\\nI had to... I had to do something...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それより、……レナは何を企んでやがるんだ…？！<br>\\r\\n...Anyway... What were you planning to do, Rena...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまさか、…こんなことがレナの言ってた、起死回生の逆転の一手だって言うんじゃないだろうな？！<br>\\r\\nDon't tell me this is the come-from-behind victory you were talking about!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「興宮ＳＰより全車へ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okinomiya SP to all vehicles.<br>\\r\\n興宮ＳＰより全車へ。<br>\\r\\n Okinomiya SP to all vehicles.<br>\\r\\n雛見沢営林署にて篭城事件発生。<br>\\r\\n A hostage situation has broken out at the Hinamizawa forestry service building.<br>\\r\\n人質多数。<br>\\r\\n There are reportedly multiple hostages.<br>\\r\\n全車は至急、雛見沢営林署へ向かわれたし。」<br>\\r\\n All vehicles are to head to the forestry service building immediately.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「熊ちゃん！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Kuma-chan!!<br>\\r\\n遅れて申し訳ない！<br>\\r\\n Sorry I'm late!<br>\\r\\n状況は？！」<br>\\r\\n What's going on?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ご苦労さまっす！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hello, sir!<br>\\r\\n本日午後１時頃、雛見沢営林署内の雛見沢分校区画にて教室占拠が発生しました。<br>\\r\\n Today around one PM, the Hinamizawa branch school's classroom was taken over.<br>\\r\\n当時、教室にいた生徒２５名全員が、拘束されている模様。<br>\\r\\n All twenty-five students have been taken hostage.<br>\\r\\n犯人側の第一要求は、営林署敷地内への一切の立ち入りの禁止と、当方へのホットラインの確保です。」<br>\\r\\n The suspect's initial demands were to prohibit all entry to the branch school's property and to secure a hotline to us.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ってことは、初めっから警察と交渉する気ってことですか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...So they're willing to negotiate with us from the start?<br>\\r\\n…どういうつもりだ…。」<br>\\r\\n What's going on?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………あと、犯人は交渉人に大石さんを指名してます。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Also, the suspect is asking for you, Ooishi-san.<br>\\r\\n犯人は、竜宮礼奈。」<br>\\r\\n It's Reina Ryuugu.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「竜宮さんが…？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ryuugu-san?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……………わかりました。<br>\\r\\n ............Very well.<br>\\r\\nいいですよぅ、こうなりゃ腐れ縁です。<br>\\r\\n We seem to be inseparable, huh?<br>\\r\\nとことんお付き合いさせてもらいましょ。」<br>\\r\\n I'll be dealing with her until the end.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石は苦々しく笑うのだった。<br>\\r\\nOoishi gave a crooked smile.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「竜宮礼奈以外に犯人がいるかは不明です。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We don't know if she has any accomplices.<br>\\r\\nカーテンが閉められているので、状況も一切確認できていません。」<br>\\r\\n The curtains are closed, so we can't confirm the situation.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「通報者に占拠時の様子は聞いてませんか。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Have you asked whoever told us about this?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いえ、竜宮礼奈からの直接の犯行声明でした。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, Reina Ryuugu declared it herself.<br>\\r\\nよって内部の状況は一切不明。<br>\\r\\n Therefore, we don't know what's going on inside.<br>\\r\\n担任は犯行直前に、竜宮礼奈の電話呼び出しを受け、遠方に呼び出された間の犯行でした。」<br>\\r\\n Their teacher received a call from Reina Ryuugu, as she left the classroom before the incident took place.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…計画的ですねぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"This has been well planned, huh?<br>\\r\\n営林署側の人間は人質には？」<br>\\r\\n Has anyone from the forestry service been taken hostage?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今日は営林署職員は不在でした。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Nobody from the service was there today.<br>\\r\\nよって、生徒２５名のみ。<br>\\r\\n All twenty-five hostages are students.<br>\\r\\n生徒数は担任が出席簿で確認した人数です。」<br>\\r\\n That number matches with the attendance the teacher took this morning.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それプラス犯人ってわけか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Plus the suspect, right?<br>\\r\\n竜宮礼奈以外に犯人らしき人影は？」<br>\\r\\n Have you seen anyone else suspicious other than Reina Ryuugu?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いえ、何度かカーテンから覗く人影がありましたが、いずれも竜宮礼奈本人でした。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No. We've seen someone peeking out from behind the curtain, but it was the suspect herself.<br>\\r\\n……ですが規模他を考えて、おそらく最低でも、もう１〜２人はいると予想されます。」<br>\\r\\n We're guessing there must be at least one or two more of them, though.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………いやぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Well......<br>\\r\\n…………単独犯かもしれませんよ。」<br>\\r\\n maybe she really is doing it by herself.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…竜宮レナは、あの鷹野三四のスクラップ帖を鵜呑みにしてた。<br>\\r\\nRena Ryuugu was a true believer in Miyo Takano's scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあれによるなら、竜宮レナにとっての敵は、ほぼ村全体ということになる。<br>\\r\\nAccording to those scrapbooks, the entire village was Rena Ryuugu's enemy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…頼れる味方がいるはずがない。<br>\\r\\nShe didn't have anyone she can trust.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、恥ずかしながら、自分も一時期、鷹野三四の妄想に飲まれたことがあった。<br>\\r\\n...However, Ooishi had also believed in Miyo Takano's delusion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……同じように感化された人間が竜宮レナに追従することがないとも言い切れない。<br>\\r\\nIt was possible that someone who was influenced in the same way was following Rena Ryuugu.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石さん、校長と担任です！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ooishi-san, the principal and the teacher are here!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁどうもどうも知恵先生…！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hello, Chie-sensei!!<br>\\r\\nだ、大丈夫ですか…。」<br>\\r\\n Are you okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nハンカチを目に当てながら泣き崩れる知恵先生に大石が駆け寄る…。<br>\\r\\nOoishi ran up to Chie-sensei, who was crying with a handkerchief held up to her face.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……レナちゃんはとても真面目ないい子なんです…！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena-chan is a good girl...!<br>\\r\\nこんなことをするなんて…何かの間違いに決まっています…！<br>\\r\\n For her to do something like this, there must be some mistake...!<br>\\r\\nうううぅぅぅぅ！」<br>\\r\\n Oooh!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「マニュアル通りなら、最近の竜宮さんの状況についてお聞きするところなんですがね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"If I were to do this by the book, I would ask you about Ryuugu-san's recent behavior.<br>\\r\\n……多分、竜宮さんに限っては、先生より私の方が詳しいように思います。<br>\\r\\n But when it comes to Ryuugu-san, I probably know better than you do...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまぁ、気を落とされずに。<br>\\r\\n Please, don't worry.<br>\\r\\n何とか穏便に解決しますからご安心を…。」<br>\\r\\n I'll take care of this as peacefully as possible...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n知恵先生はすっかりしゃがみ込んでしまって、それ以上の話はできそうになかった。<br>\\r\\nChie-sensei was huddled over, and Ooishi didn't think he could say anything else to her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n逆に校長はしっかりとしていて、自らの責任の取り方を探っているようだった。<br>\\r\\nOn the contrary, the principal was staying strong, trying to figure out how to take care of the situation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石殿、よろしくお頼みしますぞ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mr. Ooishi, please...<br>\\r\\n……もしできるなら、人質の交換を申し出たい。<br>\\r\\n If possible, I would like to request to be a hostage myself.<br>\\r\\nぜひ私と子どもたちを交換していただきたい！」<br>\\r\\n I will take the place of the children.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「校長先生、それは私がやります！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Let me do that instead!!<br>\\r\\n私が悪いんです、ああああぁぁあぁぁぁぁ…！！」<br>\\r\\n It's all my fault, ahhhhhhhhhhh!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「先生方、どうかご自分を責められないでください。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Please, don't blame yourselves.<br>\\r\\n…先生方には校内の状況についていろいろとお聞きしたいことがありますので、ご協力をお願いいたします。<br>\\r\\n I have things I want to ask you, so I'd appreciate it if you cooperated.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n盆地くん！<br>\\r\\n Bonchi-kun!<br>\\r\\n図面の方で話を聞いてあげてください。」<br>\\r\\n Please show them the blueprints.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「失礼します！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Excuse me, sir!<br>\\r\\n１号車の無線に高杉課長です！」<br>\\r\\n Section Chief Takasugi is on the radio!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はいはいもしもし、……大石です。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hello, this is Ooishi.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石さん、ご苦労さん！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ooishi-san, how goes things?<br>\\r\\n状況の大体は熊谷くんに聞いたよ。<br>\\r\\n Kumagai-kun informed me of the situation.<br>\\r\\n犯人は未成年だそうだね？<br>\\r\\n The suspect is underage, huh?<br>\\r\\nマスコミ規制の方を厳重に頼むよ！」<br>\\r\\n Please keep strict control of the press!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わかってます。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I understand.<br>\\r\\n……あと、犯人側が私を交渉人に指定してきてるようですが、問題ありませんかね。」<br>\\r\\n Also, the suspect is requesting me as a negotiator. Is that okay with you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……竜宮礼奈の件は、先日の寄生虫の話以来、よく知っている。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You've known Reina Ryuugu since the parasite incident from the other day.<br>\\r\\nその流れなら、犯人は君のことをまだ味方だと思ってくれているんだと思う。<br>\\r\\n I bet she still thinks you're her ally.<br>\\r\\n大石くん以外には務まらない！<br>\\r\\n Only you can do the job!<br>\\r\\nくれぐれもよろしく頼むよ！」<br>\\r\\n Good luck!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なっはっは…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Na ha ha...<br>\\r\\n本当はすっごく嫌なんですがね、…ちょっと今回は色々とお騒がせした責任を感じてますので、罪滅ぼしにひとつ、お引き受けさせていただきます。」<br>\\r\\n I really don't want to... but since I caused so much trouble, I guess I'll have to do this to make up for it...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石さん……！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ooishi-san...!<br>\\r\\n車載電話に、………犯人です、竜宮礼奈です……！」<br>\\r\\n Reina Ryuugu's on the car phone!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…さっそくご指名の電話が来ました。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That was faster than expected.<br>\\r\\nさっそく出ることにします。<br>\\r\\n I'll go get it.<br>\\r\\n………………ありがとう。<br>\\r\\n .........Thank you.<br>\\r\\n……………ハイもしもし、大石です。」<br>\\r\\n ......Hello, this is Ooishi.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石さんですか？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ooishi-san?<br>\\r\\nどうも竜宮です。」<br>\\r\\n This is Ryuugu.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……どうもどうも。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hello,<br>\\r\\n大石です。」<br>\\r\\n this is Ooishi.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「車載電話って電波とかが悪いんですか？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Is the signal weak on your car phone?<br>\\r\\nたまにちょっと聞こえにくくなりますね。」<br>\\r\\n It's kind of hard to hear...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なっはっは…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Na ha ha...<br>\\r\\n私と同じでね、定年間近なんですよきっと。」<br>\\r\\n Just like me, it's getting old.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナと大石はしばらくの間、とても親しげに下らない話に笑いあうのだった。<br>\\r\\nOoishi and I exchanged friendly words.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n職員室から廊下へ、長く長くコードが引かれている。<br>\\r\\nA long, long cord trailed through the hallway from the teacher's office.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのコードは教室への引き戸の細い隙間を潜り………教壇の上に置かれた電話機に伸びていた。<br>\\r\\nThat cord extended further to the phone on the podium in the classroom.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「では本題に入りますね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Let's get down to business.<br>\\r\\nまず最初に、あなたが交渉人たる資格があるか確認します。」<br>\\r\\n I'll check to see if you're qualified to negotiate for me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……自信ないなぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay...<br>\\r\\nおうかがいします。」<br>\\r\\n Shoot.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石さんは、…私の味方ですよね？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You are... my ally, aren't you, Ooishi-san?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「当然じゃないですか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Of course.<br>\\r\\nあなたと私で園崎家の陰謀を暴こうじゃないですか…！」<br>\\r\\n Let's expose the conspiracy of the Sonozaki family together, you and me!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……割と躊躇なく大石は応えた。<br>\\r\\nOoishi answered without hesitation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまだ私の味方でいてくれるように思う。<br>\\r\\nWas he still my ally...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあるいは老獪な刑事は、心にもないことをすらすらと言えるのか？<br>\\r\\nOr was this sly detective just saying what I wanted to hear?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでもどの道、今の私には大石に頼る他に道はないのだ。<br>\\r\\nEither way, I only had Ooishi to depend on.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…その大石も信用できないことになれば、私は八方塞。<br>\\r\\nIf I couldn't trust him, I was stuck.<br>\\r\\n…その時は潔く観念するさ。<br>\\r\\n There would be nothing else I could do.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一くんも一時期は、私が言ってることを信じてくれなかったんだよね？<br>\\r\\n\\\"You didn't believe me for a while either, did you, Keiichi-kun?<br>\\r\\nでも、今は信じるでしょ？」<br>\\r\\n But you do now, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一は、レナからもっとも離れた場所に、両手を頭の上で組んでしゃがまされていた。<br>\\r\\nKeiichi-kun was sitting on the floor facing away from me, with his head resting in his hands.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今はもう、私の仲間で味方だもんね…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"We're comrades now, huh?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……あぁ、……そうだ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah... that's right.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナは圭一に対して、自分の仲間であることを問い掛けたらしいが、受話器には前原圭一の声は聞こえなかった。<br>\\r\\n<NAME> asked <NAME> if he was her comrade, but I couldn't hear his voice.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………圭一が存命していることを示すはったりなのか、あるいは圭一も人質を楯にされて抗えない状態なのか。<br>\\r\\n......Was she trying to tell me that <NAME> was still alive, or that he was being forced to obey her because of the hostages?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「前原さんも、竜宮さんの味方なんですね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Maebara-san is your ally too, huh?<br>\\r\\n心強いことです。<br>\\r\\n That's nice.<br>\\r\\n……でも、あなたも一時期、前原さんを少し疑われていたじゃないですか。」<br>\\r\\n But weren't you suspicious of Maebara-san for a while?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yep.<br>\\r\\nモデルガンの事件を聞いて、何て人だろうって思った。<br>\\r\\n When I heard about the BB gun incident, I couldn't believe it.<br>\\r\\n……でも、過去の事件で今を見損なっちゃいけない。<br>\\r\\n ...But we can't let the past fool us.<br>\\r\\nそれらを踏み台にして、私たちはより良い理想の自分になれるように、成長していかなくちゃならないんだから。」<br>\\r\\n We have to learn from the past in order to grow.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なっはっはっは…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Na ha ha ha...<br>\\r\\nとてもいいことを言いますね。<br>\\r\\n That's very good.<br>\\r\\nまさにその通りです。」<br>\\r\\n You're absolutely right about that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だから私たちは許しあったの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That was why we forgave each other.<br>\\r\\nだから圭一くんのことを私はもう疑わない。<br>\\r\\n So I don't doubt Keiichi-kun anymore.<br>\\r\\n圭一くんは仲間。」<br>\\r\\n Keiichi-kun is my comrade.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わかりました。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I understand.<br>\\r\\nならばそれは、私にとっても圭一くんは仲間ということですね。<br>\\r\\n Therefore, Keiichi-kun is my ally too, isn't he?<br>\\r\\n圭一くんに、私がよろしくと言っていると伝えてください。」<br>\\r\\n Please say hello to him for me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん、あとで言っておきますね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Sure, I will.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…圭一くんにも、新しい仲間としてご挨拶がしたいです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Actually, I'd like to say hello to him myself.<br>\\r\\n受話器に出てもらうことはできますか？」<br>\\r\\n Can he come to the phone?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………………………。<br>\\r\\n..................<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれまでテンポ良く繋がっていた会話が急に途切れる。<br>\\r\\nThe conversation stopped suddenly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…大石は失言だったかと一瞬ヒヤッとしていた。<br>\\r\\nThat made me nervous... did I say something wrong?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Sure.<br>\\r\\nいいよ。<br>\\r\\n Here he is.<br>\\r\\n……………圭一くん、大石さんから電話だよ。」<br>\\r\\n ......Keiichi-kun, Ooishi-san wants to talk to you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしばらくの間、ガタガタゴソゴソと受話器のやりとりがされる雑音が聞こえる…。<br>\\r\\nI heard some rattling and rustling on the other side of the phone...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………もしもし。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hello......<br>\\r\\n……前原です。」<br>\\r\\n This is Maebara.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n言葉に抑揚がない。<br>\\r\\nHe sounded monotone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…前原圭一が竜宮レナに逆らえなくて、従っているふりをしていることを確信する。<br>\\r\\n...Unable to disobey, Keiichi Maebara must have been pretending to follow Rena Ryuugu's orders.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どうもどうも前原さん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hello, Maebara-san.<br>\\r\\n興宮署の大石です。<br>\\r\\n This is Ooishi from the Okinomiya police station.<br>\\r\\nこの度はお世話になります。<br>\\r\\n Thank you for coming to the phone.<br>\\r\\nお互いがんばりましょう。」<br>\\r\\n Let's do this together.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……はい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes...<br>\\r\\n……よろしくお願いします。」<br>\\r\\n Let's do this together.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「竜宮さんは今何をしてますか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What is Ryuugu-san doing right now?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………教室の中を歩いてますよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......She's walking around the classroom.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「前原さん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Maebara-san,<br>\\r\\nイエスなら『ハイ』、ノーなら『えぇ』と相槌を打ってください。<br>\\r\\n please say 'Yes' if your answer is yes and 'Yeah' if your answer is no.<br>\\r\\n……………あなたは竜宮さんが何を要求しようとしているか知っていますか？」<br>\\r\\n ............Do you know what Ryuugu-san wants?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……『えぇ』。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Yeah.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの答えでほぼ確信する。<br>\\r\\nThat answer told me for sure.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n前原圭一はレナの仲間ではない。<br>\\r\\nKeiichi Maebara wasn't Rena Ryuugu's accomplice.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……これほどの人質篭城事件を周到に計画して、仲間に要求内容を打ち明けないなんてことはありえない。<br>\\r\\nThere's no way Rena wouldn't tell her accomplice what she wanted after planning a hostage situation like this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n要求内容も打ち明けてくれないようなヤツの犯行なんか、手伝うはずがない。<br>\\r\\nHow would he help someone who wouldn't even tell him what she wanted?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「単刀直入にお聞きします。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'll ask you directly.<br>\\r\\nあなたは竜宮レナの味方？<br>\\r\\n Are you Rena Ryuugu's ally?<br>\\r\\nいえいえ、質問を変えます。<br>\\r\\n No, let me change my question.<br>\\r\\nあなたは竜宮レナに脅迫されて従っているふりをしている…？」<br>\\r\\n Are you being threatened by Rena Ryuugu?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「『ハイ』」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n内部を知る手段を得た！<br>\\r\\nThere you go!<br>\\r\\n脇で車載無線を傍聴している連中がガッツポーズをする。<br>\\r\\n The other guys in the car listening in on our conversation raised their fists in victory.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「犯人は竜宮レナの１人だけ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Is <NAME> the only suspect?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「『ハイ』」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n単独犯だとわかれば、手の打ち方もだいぶ変ってくる。<br>\\r\\nIf she was the only suspect, then we could respond appropriately.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……やはり、鷹野スクラップの妄想なんかに誰も同調しなかったということか。<br>\\r\\n......I guess nobody else believed in Takano's scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………くそ、信じた俺は恥ずかしいなぁ…！！<br>\\r\\n......If so, my being fooled was even more embarrassing...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n次に聞く質問を考えようとした時、受話器が引っ手繰られる音がした。<br>\\r\\nAs I thought about my next question, I heard the phone being taken away from Keiichi.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして代わってレナが出る。<br>\\r\\nRena came back on the line.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ね？<br>\\r\\n\\\"See?<br>\\r\\n圭一くんは味方でしょう？」<br>\\r\\n Keiichi-kun is my ally, isn't he?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えぇ、そうでした。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes, you were right.<br>\\r\\nとても頼もしいですよ。」<br>\\r\\n That's very promising.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「で、今度は大石さんが話してくれる番。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay, now it's your turn to talk, Ooishi-san.<br>\\r\\n……前の電話で約束した、園崎家関係への一斉捜査はどうですか？<br>\\r\\n How are the simultaneous raids on the Sonozaki family going? Remember? You promised me when we talked on the phone before.<br>\\r\\n秘密の研究施設は発見できましたか？」<br>\\r\\n Have you found the secret research facility yet?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……大石の頭の中で一瞬、答えるべき選択がせめぎ合う。<br>\\r\\nI had to decide on what to say.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……一斉捜査をしたことにするか、していないことにするか！<br>\\r\\nShould I tell her we conducted raids or not?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいや、……一斉捜査をしていないことを知っている上で、こっちを試してるのかもしれない…。<br>\\r\\nMaybe she already knew we didn't raid... Maybe she was just testing me...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……今ですね、県警の暴対と公安部で一斉捜査作戦を準備中なんです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We're trying to come up with a plan for the simultaneous raids as we speak. We're talking to the prefectural police as well as the Public Safety Division.<br>\\r\\n何しろ、市内全域を一斉にやりますからねぇ、調整に多少の時間が、」<br>\\r\\n We're talking about the entire city, so we need a little more time to prepare for it...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「遅すぎるッ！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're taking too long!!!<br>\\r\\n大石さん、私たちは今、鹿骨市が置かれている緊急的危機について、よく理解し合っているんじゃなかったでしたっけ？！<br>\\r\\n Ooishi-san, don't you realize what kind of emergency situation Shishibone City is in right now?<br>\\r\\n何をのんびりとしたことを！！<br>\\r\\n What are you doing?<br>\\r\\n……大石さん、本当に私の話を信じてくれているんですよね？！<br>\\r\\n Ooishi-san...... you do believe me, don't you?<br>\\r\\n私の味方なんですよね？！<br>\\r\\n You're my ally, right?<br>\\r\\n味方ですよねッ？！<br>\\r\\n Right?<br>\\r\\n答えてください！！！」<br>\\r\\n Please answer me!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「も、もちろんですとも…！<br>\\r\\n\\\"O-Of course, I am!<br>\\r\\nですが警察組織ってやつは簡単じゃないんです。<br>\\r\\n But the police department is a little more complicated than you think...<br>\\r\\n私も最大限、努力をしてるんですよ、えぇ本当です！<br>\\r\\n I'm doing my best, I really am!<br>\\r\\n……ただですね、<br>\\r\\n The thing is<br>\\r\\nやはり話の規模があまりに大き過ぎるもので、」<br>\\r\\n this is on a really big scale...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石さん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ooishi-san...<br>\\r\\n私、やつらにどこかで毒を盛られました。<br>\\r\\n They poisoned me recently.<br>\\r\\n富竹さんにあの異常な死に方を強いた、原始の力を持った寄生虫！<br>\\r\\n With the parasites that killed Tomitake-san!<br>\\r\\nあれをどこかで盛られたんです。<br>\\r\\n They poisoned me with them.<br>\\r\\n昨日から痒くて痒くて仕方がない…。<br>\\r\\n I've been itching like crazy since yesterday.<br>\\r\\nもう私、首を掻き毟り過ぎて血塗れなんです。<br>\\r\\n I'm all bloody from scratching at my throat.<br>\\r\\n……いつ錯乱して、喉を掻き破ってしまうかもわからないというのに大石さんは何をもたもたとッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n I might claw out my throat and die at any moment, and you're telling me you're still 'preparing'?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……大石にはやはり、火急であるということが伝わっていないのだ！<br>\\r\\nI knew it...... Ooishi didn't realize how dire the situation was!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢に大きな陰謀があることまでは理解してくれているが、それが夢物語でなく、もう実行される直前である急を理解していない！<br>\\r\\nHe understood there was some kind of a conspiracy in Hinamizawa, but he didn't realize how soon their plan was going to be executed!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれに、私の全身には徐々に死が駆け巡り、富竹さんと同じ死に方を強要しつつあるというのにッ！！！<br>\\r\\nBesides, I was already feeling itchy all over my body and was bound to soon die the same way as Tomitake-san!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「申し訳ないです、これでも頑張っているんです…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm sorry, I really am doing my best...<br>\\r\\nただですね、……みんな言うんですよ、<br>\\r\\n But... everybody asks me<br>\\r\\n…その、<br>\\r\\n if<br>\\r\\n……証拠はないのかと。」<br>\\r\\n I have proof...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「証拠？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Proof?<br>\\r\\n証拠があればすぐに動いてくれるんですか？」<br>\\r\\n Do you need proof?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……三四さんの、スクラップ帖。<br>\\r\\nMiyo-san's scrapbooks...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確かに、警察の石頭たちを説得するには必要な切り札かもしれない。<br>\\r\\nMaybe that was what I'd need to convince the police.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…今までは、警察に預けることで何者かに隠滅されてしまうかもしれないと恐れて、手元に置いていたが。<br>\\r\\nI was afraid someone would destroy the evidence if I handed them over to Ooishi-san, so I kept them with me.<br>\\r\\n…………もう、私も長くないんだ。<br>\\r\\n But...... I didn't have much longer to live...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n多分、明日の朝日を迎えることもないに違いない。<br>\\r\\nI might not even make it until tomorrow morning.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…あぁそうだ、私は明日まで生き延びられない。<br>\\r\\nThat's right... I might be dead before tomorrow...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今夜、死んでしまう…。<br>\\r\\nI would die tonight...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わかりました。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay.<br>\\r\\n三四さんのスクラップ帖をお渡しします。<br>\\r\\n I'll give you Miyo-san's scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\nそれでどうか、他の警察の人たちを一刻も早く説得してください！」<br>\\r\\n Please use them to convince the other policemen!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁあぁ助かります…！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah, that should help!<br>\\r\\nそのスクラップ帖をぜひ！」<br>\\r\\n Please do give me the scrapbooks!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n教壇の足元に置いてあるナップザックを見る。<br>\\r\\nI looked through my backpack, which was lying by my feet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……三四さんから預かったスクラップ帖が顔を覗かせていた。<br>\\r\\nMiyo-san's scrapbooks were in there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「これは私たちの切り札です。<br>\\r\\n\\\"This is our last resort.<br>\\r\\n…大石さん、くれぐれも、…いや！<br>\\r\\n ...Ooishi-san, do your best... No!<br>\\r\\n絶対によろしくお願いします！！」<br>\\r\\n You must take care of it, please!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わかりました。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Of course.<br>\\r\\n信頼してください。<br>\\r\\n Trust me.<br>\\r\\n必ずややつらの陰謀を暴いて見せます！」<br>\\r\\n I'll expose their conspiracy!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……でも、まぁ多分、警察も組織だからそうなんだろうなぁとは思ってたんです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I knew the police would take too long to get things moving... They're an organization, after all.<br>\\r\\nだから、ちょっと強引なやり方だけど、こんな形を取らせてもらったんです。<br>\\r\\n That's why I'm doing this, to make them understand.<br>\\r\\n大石さんは私に要求されて、仕方なくやっているという言い訳ができるはず。<br>\\r\\n You have an excuse now.<br>\\r\\n何とかこのチャンスを有効に活かしてください！」<br>\\r\\n Please use this chance wisely.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あ、…ありがとうございます！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Th...Thank you!<br>\\r\\n必ずやあなたの期待に添えるよう努力します。<br>\\r\\n You can count on me.<br>\\r\\n……ではどうしましょう？<br>\\r\\n So how should we do this?<br>\\r\\n私が受け取りに参りましょうか？」<br>\\r\\n Do you want me to come get it?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……さすがに私を招き入れたりはしないだろう。<br>\\r\\nI knew she wouldn't let me into the classroom.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその程度には用心してくる。<br>\\r\\nShe was still cautious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナがどう話を持ってくるか、大体想像は付いているので、その一手先を打つことにする。<br>\\r\\nI could guess where <NAME> was going to take this thing, so I tried to stay ahead of her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はメモに部下への指示を書き殴り、渡した。<br>\\r\\nI handed a memo with my instructions on it to a colleague.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さすがに私がこの場を離れるわけには行かないので、代わりに圭一くんに持って行かせます。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I can't really leave the classroom, so I'll have Keiichi-kun deliver them to you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「その方がいいかもしれません。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Maybe that's better.<br>\\r\\n……やはりあなたが学校の外へ出れば、もしやということもあるかもしれませんので。」<br>\\r\\n If you left the building, something might happen.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……もしやって…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......What do you mean?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いえ、……この騒ぎをもう園崎家も嗅ぎ付けているでしょう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well... I'm sure the Sonozaki family already knows about what's going on here.<br>\\r\\nあなたがこういう手に打って出るとは思わなかったでしょうから、強引な手で口封じをしてくる可能性があります。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sure they didn't expect you to do something like this, so they might come to shut you up.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「口封じ？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"To shut me up?<br>\\r\\nそれって？！」<br>\\r\\n Do you mean...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「狙撃です。<br>\\r\\n\\\"By shooting you.<br>\\r\\n園崎家のヒットマンは、多分、あなたがこれ以上騒ぎを大きくする前に狙撃しようと企むでしょう。<br>\\r\\n A hitman from the Sonozaki family may try to put a stop to this by sniping you.<br>\\r\\nだからあなたは表に出ない方がいい！<br>\\r\\n That's why you shouldn't come outside!<br>\\r\\n窓にも近付かないでください。<br>\\r\\n Don't even go near the windows.<br>\\r\\nさっきから何度か顔を出しているようですが、あれは危ない。<br>\\r\\n I saw you peeking out a window, but you shouldn't do that.<br>\\r\\nそこを撃たれてしまいますよ…。」<br>\\r\\n They may fire at any time.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ちょ、ちょっと！<br>\\r\\n\\\"W-Wait a minute!<br>\\r\\n周りには警察がいるんでしょう？！<br>\\r\\n Aren't there policemen around?<br>\\r\\nそんなの未然に防げないんですか！」<br>\\r\\n Can't you stop that from happening?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「防げるなら防ぎます。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We would if we could.<br>\\r\\nですがね、周りの視界が良過ぎます。<br>\\r\\n But it's so open around here.<br>\\r\\n訓練を受けた者なら４００ｍくらいはやすやすと狙撃するそうです。<br>\\r\\n A well-trained sniper can easily shoot as far as four hundred meters.<br>\\r\\n増してや、あなたもご存知の通り、園崎家の特攻隊は軍事訓練を受け、中でも暗殺技術に関しては特に習得しています。<br>\\r\\n As you know, attack units from the Sonozaki family have gone through military training, and they specialize in assassination techniques.<br>\\r\\nやつらを侮らないでください。<br>\\r\\n Don't underestimate them.<br>\\r\\n……園崎家の陰謀を暴くには、あなたの力がまだまだ必要なんです！」<br>\\r\\n I need you to help me expose the conspiracy of the Sonozaki family!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………わかりました。<br>\\r\\n\\\".........I understand.<br>\\r\\n忠告をありがとうございます。<br>\\r\\n Thank you for your warning.<br>\\r\\n…どうせ明日まで持たない命でも、今、終わらせるわけには行きませんので。」<br>\\r\\n Even if my life is to end tomorrow, I can't die now.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうですともそうですとも！<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's right!<br>\\r\\nいいですか、くれぐれも窓から顔を覗かせないでくださいよ…。<br>\\r\\n Under no circumstance should you peek out the windows, okay?<br>\\r\\n………用心してください！」<br>\\r\\n ...Be very careful!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれで一度、電話は切れた。<br>\\r\\nThe phone conversation ended.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……竜宮レナは前原圭一にスクラップ帖を持たせて表に出て来るだろう。<br>\\r\\nRena Ryuugu was going to let Keiichi Maebara deliver the scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さっき書いたヤツ、用意できてますね？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Did you get what I wrote on the memo already?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ＯＫです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes, we've got it.<br>\\r\\nうまく渡せますかね…。」<br>\\r\\n Do you think it'll work?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「狙撃されるかもしれないと脅して、外を覗かせないようにしたつもりです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I scared her, so I don't think she'll peek out the windows...<br>\\r\\n……でもまぁ、見てるでしょうねぇ。<br>\\r\\n I'm sure she'll still have her eyes open, though.<br>\\r\\nそこはうまくやります。」<br>\\r\\n I'll work around it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n電話の内容から大体は察した。<br>\\r\\nI roughly understood what was going on from the phone conversation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n…………これ、とても大切なスクラップ帖。<br>\\r\\n Here are the scrapbooks. Their contents are very important.<br>\\r\\n…園崎家の陰謀と、やつらの侵略の証拠を暴く証拠。<br>\\r\\n They're proof of the Sonozaki family's conspiracy, and the police can use them as evidence to conduct a raid.<br>\\r\\n……大石さんに渡してきてね。<br>\\r\\n Please take this to Ooishi-san, okay?<br>\\r\\n渡したらすぐに戻ってくるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n And when you give it to him, come right back.<br>\\r\\n……見てるからね。<br>\\r\\n I'm watching you.<br>\\r\\n変なことをしたら、……怒るからね。」<br>\\r\\n If you do something you aren't supposed to... I'll be angry.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはナップザックから２〜３冊の汚れたスクラップ帖の束を取り出し、俺に差し出す。<br>\\r\\nRena took out a couple of old scrapbooks from her backpack and gave them to me.<br>\\r\\nそして横目に魅音を見た。<br>\\r\\n Then she cast a sidelong glance at Mion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅ぃちゃんにもあとで話すよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'll tell you about these later, Mii-chan.<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんの家が、どれほど恐ろしい陰謀を企んでいるかをね。<br>\\r\\n I'll tell you all about what a scary conspiracy your family is planning.<br>\\r\\n………ひょっとすると、もう知ってるのかもしれないけどね？<br>\\r\\n Or maybe you already know, huh?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあはははははははははははははは。<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…じゃあ圭一くん、行って来て。<br>\\r\\n Anyway, go on, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n校庭の真ん中まででいいよ。<br>\\r\\n Just go halfway out into the schoolyard.<br>\\r\\n……余計な立ち話とかしちゃ駄目。<br>\\r\\n Don't say anything.<br>\\r\\n圭一くんは持っていくだけだから無言でいいや。<br>\\r\\n You're just delivering the scrapbooks.<br>\\r\\nおしゃべり禁止だからね？<br>\\r\\n Don't talk, okay?<br>\\r\\nおしゃべりしたら、<br>\\r\\n If you do...<br>\\r\\n…………知恵先生ならＴ定規で叩くけど、<br>\\r\\n if it was Chie-sensei, she'd slap you with a ruler,<br>\\r\\n……私なら何で叩いちゃおうかなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n but...... hmm, what should I use instead?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わかってるよ、無言で持っていくから、その鉈を下ろせ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Alright, alright, I won't even say a word. Come on, put that hatchet down.<br>\\r\\n…………俺はレナの仲間だろ？<br>\\r\\n I'm your ally, right?<br>\\r\\n仲間だったら信用しろ。<br>\\r\\n Trust me,<br>\\r\\n………な？」<br>\\r\\n okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………………。<br>\\r\\n\\\"..................<br>\\r\\n…………そうだね、仲間だから信用するよ。<br>\\r\\nYeah, you're right. I trust you.<br>\\r\\n……だから、裏切らないでね…？」<br>\\r\\n So please don't betray me, okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………レナの瞳の色がこれ以上ないくらいに語っている。<br>\\r\\nRena's eyes were telling me clearly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…圭一くんだって信用できないってな…。<br>\\r\\nThey were telling me she didn't trust me...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、こんな状態のレナでも、仲間ってやつをみだりに疑っちゃいけないもんだとは思ってる。<br>\\r\\nBut even in this state, she also knew she shouldn't distrust her friends.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だから、本心は信用できないのに、上辺だけは俺を信じているように振舞っているのだ。<br>\\r\\nTherefore, although she couldn't trust me, she was pretending to.<br>\\r\\n……だから俺を縛らない。<br>\\r\\n That was why she didn't tie me up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ、行って来る。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay, I'll be going.<br>\\r\\n……すぐ戻るよ。」<br>\\r\\n I'll be right back.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん、よろしくね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Mm, okay.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n寝転がる仲間たちの間を抜け、教室の出口へ向かう。<br>\\r\\nI walked past my friends, who were lying down on the floor, and headed to the exit.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……寝転がる何人かと目が合った。<br>\\r\\nI saw some of their faces as I passed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n恐怖に怯える目や、<br>\\r\\nSome were fearful,<br>\\r\\n……これを口実に逃げ出すに違いないと想像する目、<br>\\r\\n some were sure that I'd use the opportunity to run,<br>\\r\\n……もし逃げたら、残った自分たちは殺されるかもしれないと恐れる目…。<br>\\r\\n and some were scared that they'd die if I did.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大丈夫だみんな…。<br>\\r\\nDon't worry, guys...<br>\\r\\nみんなには指一本触れさせない…。<br>\\r\\n I won't let her even touch any of you...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもしレナがそんなことをしようとしたら、その時はもうそれまでだ。<br>\\r\\nIf Rena tries to do something,<br>\\r\\n刺し違えてもレナを止める…。<br>\\r\\n I'll stop her even if I have to risk my own life...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nとにかく、……今は誰も死なせないために出来ることをしよう。<br>\\r\\nAnyway, I'd do whatever it took to ensure that nobody died.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…レナの機嫌を損ねないようにして、……隙をうかがうんだ…。<br>\\r\\nI had to make sure Rena didn't get angry. I'd just wait for the right moment...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n昇降口に降り、靴を履き替え、施錠を開けて外に出る。<br>\\r\\nI went down to the school entrance and changed my shoes, then unlocked the door and stepped outside.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………ぶわっと押し寄せる外気。<br>\\r\\nI felt the fresh air on my skin.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……たくさんのパトカーの回転灯。<br>\\r\\nI saw the lights from the police cars.<br>\\r\\nそしてたくさんの警官たちの視線…。<br>\\r\\n I could feel all the policemen looking at me...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n校庭に出た途端、さっきまでわずかほども感じなかった、悪しき誘惑が心に囁きかけた。<br>\\r\\nAs soon as I was in the schoolyard, a little voice tried to tempt me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………俺は、レナの束縛から解放されているのだ。<br>\\r\\n......I was free from Rena now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……このまま校庭を走り抜けてしまえば、俺はそれで自由になれるんだ、と。<br>\\r\\n...If I ran off the school grounds, I'd be free.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……馬鹿かよ前原圭一！！<br>\\r\\nWhat was I thinking?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなことをしてみろ、……レナはきっと錯乱して恐ろしいことをしてしまうに違いない…！<br>\\r\\nIf I did something like that ...Rena would go crazy and who knows what else she'd do?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大切なのは俺が無事かどうかじゃないだろ、…レナが誰も殺さないかどうかだろ…！！<br>\\r\\nThe important thing here wasn't my safety. It was to make sure that Rena didn't kill anyone!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n門から大柄な人影がやって来るのが見えた。<br>\\r\\nI saw a big man coming towards me from the school gate.<br>\\r\\n…………多分あれが、刑事の大石さんだろう。<br>\\r\\n ......That was probably Ooishi-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「前原圭一さんですね？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Are you <NAME>ara-san?<br>\\r\\nどうもどうも、興宮署の大石です。<br>\\r\\n Hello. I'm Ooishi, from Okinomiya Station.<br>\\r\\n蔵ちゃんと呼んでくださっても、」<br>\\r\\n You can call me Kura-chan.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…す、……すみません！<br>\\r\\n\\\"...S-Sorry!<br>\\r\\nレナからその、…何もしゃべらずにこれを渡せって言われてます。<br>\\r\\n Rena told me not to talk and to just give these to you.<br>\\r\\nだから無言でこれを受け取ってください…！」<br>\\r\\n So please, just take them in silence.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………わかりました。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I understand.<br>\\r\\nそれが問題のスクラップ帖ですね。<br>\\r\\n These are the scrapbooks, huh?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……お預かりします。」<br>\\r\\n ......I'll take them.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nスクラップ帖を差し出すと、大石さんはそのスクラップ帖を避けるように、少し横にずれた。<br>\\r\\nI tried to hand the scrapbooks to Ooishi-san, but he stepped aside a little.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………？<br>\\r\\n.........Eh?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nよく意味がわからず、俺は向きを変えてもう一度差し出す。<br>\\r\\nConfused as to what he was doing, I changed my position and handed them to him again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今度は受け取ってくれた。<br>\\r\\nHe took them that time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……その時、大石は持っていた上着の中に隠してた何か煙草大の物を俺の胸ポケットに滑り込ませた。<br>\\r\\n......And at that point, Ooishi put something that was under his jacket into my pocket.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大丈夫です、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Don't worry.<br>\\r\\n校舎はあなたの背中ですから、竜宮さんが窓から見てたとしても、今のやり取りは見えていません。」<br>\\r\\n Even if Ryuugu-san was watching, the building is behind you. She couldn't have seen that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「え、………何なんですか、これは…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Eh...... What is this?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n不審な仕草はできないので胸ポケットを覗くことはできなかったが、…それは大きさの割りにかなりの重さがあるようだった。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't look into my pocket because I didn't want Rena to suspect anything, but whatever it was, it was pretty heavy for its size.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……あなたへのメモもあります。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I have a memo for you too.<br>\\r\\n教室へ戻る途中で、竜宮さんに見つからないようにこっそり読んで下さい。<br>\\r\\n On your way back to the classroom, please read it without Ryuugu-san noticing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ではそのまま戻って！<br>\\r\\n ......Go on now!<br>\\r\\nこれ以上は不信がられます！」<br>\\r\\n She'll get suspicious!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は黙って指示に従うことにする。<br>\\r\\nI just followed his directions.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……今のやり取りがレナに不審がられてないかが心配だった。<br>\\r\\nI was worried Rena had begun to suspect something.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……教室の窓を見ても、カーテンはされたままだった。<br>\\r\\nWhen I looked at the classroom, the curtains were closed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だからと言って、その隙間から覗いていなかったことにはならないのだが…。<br>\\r\\nBut that didn't mean she wasn't peeking out through a crack...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は昇降口に戻り、………迷ったが、取り合えず再び施錠した。<br>\\r\\nI went back to the entrance and locked the door.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあとでレナが見た時、施錠されてないのに気付いたら、厄介なことになりかねない。<br>\\r\\nIf Rena checked and found the door unlocked, it could cause more trouble.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは教室だ。<br>\\r\\nRena was in the classroom.<br>\\r\\n……わざわざ昇降口まで迎えにくることはない。<br>\\r\\n There was no way she'd come down this way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……単独犯なんだから、あの部屋を離れれば、すぐにクラス全員が起き上がって逃げ出すだろう。<br>\\r\\n...She was alone. If she left the classroom, everyone would get up and run.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナがいるから逃げられないだけで、…みんな逃げるチャンスを今か今かとうかがってるのだ。<br>\\r\\nThey couldn't run because Rena was there, but they were all waiting for their chance.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、この昇降口はレナの死角だった。<br>\\r\\nThe entrance, then, was Rena's blind spot.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……俺は靴を履き替えるふりをしながら、下駄箱の陰で素早く、さっき大石さんにねじ込まれた胸ポケットの中身を出す。<br>\\r\\nAs I changed my shoes, I quickly removed what Ooishi-san had put into my pocket.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それは、トランジスターラジオ？にイヤホンが付いたもの。<br>\\r\\n...There was a radio with an... earpiece?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれと、何だろう、縮めた特殊警棒みたいな黒いもの。<br>\\r\\nAnd something else that looked like a short police baton.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれとノートの切れ端を折り畳んだものだった。<br>\\r\\nThere was also a folded piece of paper.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nノートの切れ端を開くと、細かい字で自分宛ての文章が書かれていた。<br>\\r\\nI opened the piece of paper and saw a note written in small print.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n『前原くんへ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Dear Maebara-kun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n盗聴機はポケットに隠してください。<br>\\r\\nPlease hide the bug in your pocket.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n小声でも拾えますので、私への連絡手段にも使えます。<br>\\r\\nIt picks up even a low voice, so you can use it to get in touch with me.<br>\\r\\nイヤホンを付ければ私との会話も可能です。<br>\\r\\n By using the earphone, you can hear me in return.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n護身用スプレーは強力なガスを噴出し相手を怯ませます。<br>\\r\\nThere is also a spray for self-protection.<br>\\r\\n射程は１ｍ。<br>\\r\\n It sprays as far as one meter.<br>\\r\\n吸引で作用するので顔面を狙うこと。』<br>\\r\\n Make sure you aim for the face.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの妙なものは…武器なのか。<br>\\r\\nThis must be the spray.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…言われて見ればわかる。<br>\\r\\nI guess it's safe to try it here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここを握ると噴出口からガスが噴出すに違いない。<br>\\r\\nI held down the button and gas sprayed out from the nozzle.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの鉈に比べると、使用に当っては細心の注意が必要そうだったが、とても小さく手の平に収められる。<br>\\r\\nCompared to Rena's hatchet, this required some caution, but it was small enough to fit inside of my hand.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n隠して持ち運べるのは大きな強みだった。<br>\\r\\nIt was reassuring that I could hide it so easily.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……つまり、……俺にはレナを食い止めることが可能になったということ。<br>\\r\\nIn other words, it was now possible for me to stop Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……自らの双肩に、クラス全員の命運が託されたことがわかり、…顔中から脂汗がどっと吹き出す…。<br>\\r\\nAs I realized all my classmates' fates rested on my shoulders, I felt sweat form on my face.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nメモにはまだ続きがあった。<br>\\r\\nThe memo continued.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n『護身用スプレーはあくまでも護身用です。<br>\\r\\n\\\"The spray is just for self-defensive purposes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nＯＣガスは対象の視界を奪い、最低でも３０分間、激痛とセキで相手を無力化できますが、直ちに昏倒させるような効果はありません。<br>\\r\\nPepper spray only impairs eyesight, and while it makes your enemy powerless due to extreme pain and coughing for at least thirty minutes, it's not powerful enough to render them unconscious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nよって、パニックを起こした相手が死に物狂いに何らかの抵抗を行なう可能性があることを常に忘れないでください。<br>\\r\\nTherefore, please don't forget there is a possibility that your enemy may fight back desperately in panic.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのスプレーはあくまでも最後の手段です。<br>\\r\\nThis spray is your last resort.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n使わないで済ますくらいの気持ちで結構ですが、有事の際には容赦なく使ってください。<br>\\r\\nPlease don't depend on it, but if you need to, make sure to use it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n大石』<br>\\r\\nOoishi\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……使えと言ってるのか、使うなと言ってるのかわからないぞ。<br>\\r\\n...Was he telling me to use it, or not?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n多分、大人の都合というやつだ。<br>\\r\\nIt was probably one of those grownup issues.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…俺個人に人質の命運を託して失敗した日にゃ、警察の責任問題だもんな。<br>\\r\\nIf the cops entrusted me solely with the fate of the hostages and I failed, they'd be held liable.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だから、武器は託すが使用はそっちで考えろってなことになるわけだ。<br>\\r\\n...So while he gave me a weapon, he made me consider its use.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は素早く、盗聴器と護身用スプレーを左右のポケットに隠し、上履きに履き替え教室に戻った…。<br>\\r\\nI hid the bug and the spray in my pockets and went back to the classroom...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………緊張感のせいか、視界がぐらぐらと歪む。<br>\\r\\nI felt a little dizzy, maybe because I was nervous.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさっきまではレナの言いなりだったから、結局どうしようもなく、ただ指示に従うだけだった。<br>\\r\\nI was simply following Rena's orders because I had no other choice.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからこそ怖くなかった。<br>\\r\\nThat was why I wasn't scared.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だが今度は違う。<br>\\r\\nBut things were different from before.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこちらも牙を持っている。<br>\\r\\nI had a weapon.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……さっきより格段にこっちの条件はよくなったはずなのに、<br>\\r\\nI was in a far better position<br>\\r\\n……さっきよりもずっと心臓がバクバクするのだから、…人間ってのは不思議なもんだと思った……。<br>\\r\\n but my heart was pounding. Humans are so strange...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n畜生、<br>\\r\\nShit,<br>\\r\\n………どうする、<br>\\r\\n what am I going to do...<br>\\r\\n……どうするよ俺、<br>\\r\\n what should<br>\\r\\n…前原圭一……。<br>\\r\\n I do, Keiichi Maebara...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナと…戦うか…？<br>\\r\\nDid I want to fight with Rena?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n射程距離は１ｍって書いてあった。<br>\\r\\nThe memo said the spray only reaches as far as one meter.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……１ｍ？<br>\\r\\n...One meter?<br>\\r\\n飛び道具って間合いじゃない、これは肉弾戦の間合いだ。<br>\\r\\n That was basically a hand-to-hand battle.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…ってことはチャンスは１回。<br>\\r\\nThat meant I only had one opportunity.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n失敗したら二の太刀、ってわけにはいかないぞ。<br>\\r\\nI didn't have a second chance.<br>\\r\\nしかも、顔面を狙えという。<br>\\r\\n The memo also said I'd need to aim for her face.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……簡単なことじゃないぞ、くそ…！<br>\\r\\nThat wasn't gonna be easy... Shit!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかも、レナは用心深い。<br>\\r\\nBesides, Rena was cautious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナの真正面に、それも１ｍという超至近距離まで入り込めるのか……？！<br>\\r\\nHow could I stand directly in front of her within one meter?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だがそれでも勝機なんだ！<br>\\r\\nBut that's what I'd have to do if I was to have any chance of winning!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………今のレナは、自分の目的のためなら、躊躇なく人を殺せるのだ。<br>\\r\\nRena would do anything to reach her goal. She wouldn't even hesitate to kill.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………俺がそうだったように。<br>\\r\\nJust like how I didn't.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろん、すでに大変な事態になってる。<br>\\r\\nOf course, things were already extremely serious.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nごめんなさいと謝って、明日の朝には帰してもらえるようなレベルじゃない。<br>\\r\\nAn apology definitely wouldn't be enough.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、まだ誰も犠牲者は出ていない！<br>\\r\\nBut at least there hadn't been any casualties!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n時間が経てば経つほど、余命が短いと信じるレナは短気になるだろう。<br>\\r\\nThe more time passed, the more irritated Rena would get.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……また何か要求を強いて、そのための見せしめに、誰かを殺すことも辞さないかもしれない！<br>\\r\\nShe might demand something again, and she might kill someone that time to show how serious she was.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……………もう、起こってしまったけれど、……まだ、…惨劇じゃないんだ。<br>\\r\\n.........Bad things had already taken place, but a tragedy hadn't occurred yet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n惨劇はすぐそこまで迫っている。<br>\\r\\nBut it was almost here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……すぐそこまでだ。<br>\\r\\nIt wasn't very far at all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…軽く目を閉じれば、………レナが次々とクラスメートたちから鮮血を吹き出させる光景をありありと思い浮かべられた。<br>\\r\\nWhen I closed my eyes, I could easily picture Rena killing one classmate after another.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナと魅音の２人を殺して、俺の部屋は血塗れだった。<br>\\r\\nAfter I killed Rena and Mion, my room was covered in blood.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だから、２０人も殺したなら、血の海に違いない……！<br>\\r\\nIf she killed twenty people, the classroom would be a pool of it...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そうなったらレナは…？<br>\\r\\n...If that happened, Rena would...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれでもなお、自分が妄想に取り憑かれていることに気付けず…、きっと喉を引き裂いて、死ぬ…。<br>\\r\\nShe still wouldn't realize she was being delusional. She would rip out her own throat and die...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは…レナが気付かずに背負うあまりに大きな十字架で、<br>\\r\\nThat would be too big a cross for her to carry<br>\\r\\n……いつか必ずレナはその十字架を思い出し、<br>\\r\\n ...and one day, she would remember......<br>\\r\\n………悲しむことになるんだ…。<br>\\r\\n and be saddened.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そんなのは俺ひとりで十分だ…。<br>\\r\\nShe didn't need to go through that...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナにまで、…あんな思いをさせてたまるか……！！<br>\\r\\nI didn't want Rena to go through what I had to go through!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nくそ、……体がふらふらしやがって、廊下が妙に長いぞ。<br>\\r\\nShit... I felt dizzy... This was a very long hallway...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…こんなにも教室は遠かったかよ…！！<br>\\r\\nI didn't know the classroom was so far...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…心の中に、レナと戦う覚悟が少しずつ…ついていく。<br>\\r\\nWith each step I took, my determination to fight Rena became stronger.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはきっと、俺が裏切ることにショックを受けはするだろう。<br>\\r\\nRena would be shocked to realize I betrayed her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………だが、本人では目が覚ませない悪夢なら、………誰かが助けてやらなくちゃならないんだ。<br>\\r\\n....But if she couldn't wake up from the nightmare on her own.... someone else would have to wake her up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてそれはきっと、……仲間の務めなんだ…！！<br>\\r\\nAnd her friends needed to be the ones to do that!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お帰り圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Welcome back, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n……大石さん、何か言ってた？」<br>\\r\\n Did Ooishi-san say anything?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ぅ…………………、な、何だ……？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Uh......... wh-what is this smell?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n教室に入る瞬間からもう異臭はしていた。<br>\\r\\nAs soon as I stepped into the classroom, I smelled something.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいつの間にかクラスのみんなは教室の一角に、身を寄せ合うように移動していた。<br>\\r\\nEveryone had moved to one corner of the classroom.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの異臭は、……そう、ガソリンスタンドでよく嗅ぐ臭い。<br>\\r\\nThe smell reminded me of a gas station.<br>\\r\\nってことはあれだ、そのものじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n Was it...<br>\\r\\nガソリンだ…！<br>\\r\\n gasoline?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの足元に、赤いポリタンクが口を開けて転がっていた。<br>\\r\\nI saw a red gasoline container by Rena's feet. The cap was open.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…金属でできた、いやに頑丈そうな作りだった。<br>\\r\\n...It was seemingly sturdy and made of metal.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nご丁寧にもマジックで、ガソリンと書いてある。<br>\\r\\nIt said 'gasoline' on the side, written in felt marker.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n中身を教室中に撒かれたようで、頭痛すらしかねないひどい臭いを漂わせていた。<br>\\r\\nShe must have spread it across the entire classroom. The smell was almost giving me a headache.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……いや、教室どころじゃない、<br>\\r\\nNo, it wasn't just in the classroom.<br>\\r\\n……人質のみんなにも振りかけたみたいだ。<br>\\r\\n The classmates were soaked in gasoline too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………なんて事を！<br>\\r\\nHow could she?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなるほど………、……ハイジャック犯が爆弾を抱えているのと同じだ。<br>\\r\\nI see... this was just like a hijacker holding a bomb.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……警察が突入してくるようなことがあれば、人質を焼き殺すぞ、と……そういうつもりなのか。<br>\\r\\nIf the police were to rush in, she would burn the hostages.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはどこで手に入れたのか、左手にはライターを弄んでいた。<br>\\r\\nI didn't know where she got it, but she had a lighter in her left hand.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レ、……レナ、……これはどういう真似だよ……？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"R-Rena... what do you think you're doing?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「もちろんやらないよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Of course I won't actually do it.<br>\\r\\n万が一の時の保険なの。<br>\\r\\n This is just insurance.<br>\\r\\n……私だって、大好きなみんなのバーベキューなんて見たくない。<br>\\r\\n I don't want to barbecue everyone either.<br>\\r\\nだから冗談で済んで欲しいって思ってる。」<br>\\r\\n So I hope this will all just end as a joke.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが明らかに俺を脅迫するように、ジッポライターをこれ見よがしにした。<br>\\r\\nRena showed off the lighter. Obviously, she was trying to threaten me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……焼身自殺というのを聞いたことがある。<br>\\r\\nI've heard about people committing suicide by setting themselves on fire.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…灯油なんかを被って火を付ける死に方だ。<br>\\r\\nThey pour gasoline on themselves and light it ablaze.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………すぐ消せば大丈夫だろう、なんてのは素人の考えらしい。<br>\\r\\n......You might think that if it was extinguished right away, it wouldn't be that bad.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…人間にとって皮膚というのはものすごく大切なものらしくて、全体の３割が大火傷ならそれで充分命に関わるレベルらしい。<br>\\r\\nBut human skin is supposedly very delicate, and they say that even if 30% of a person's skin gets burned, it's enough to be fatal.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……つまりそれが全身なら、…紛れもない「死」だ…！<br>\\r\\nIf it was your entire body, it would result in death for sure!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、この状況はさらに俺にとって不利だった。<br>\\r\\nI had been put in a disadvantageous position.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺が持つ武器はレナの視界を奪うだろうが、レナがライターを点火することまでは防げないのだ。<br>\\r\\nMy weapon might take Rena's sight, but I couldn't stop her from using the lighter.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナは攻撃を受けた瞬間に、自分はこれまでだと悟り、ライターを付けるだろう。<br>\\r\\nShe'd probably use it the moment she's attacked.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれにレナが知っててそれを選んだのかは知らないが、……ジッポライターというのは一度火を付けたら、蓋を閉じるまで火が点きっぱなしなのだ。<br>\\r\\nI didn't know if she realized it, but the kind of lighter she had would keep burning until the lid was closed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから点火して床に落とすだけで、充分に着火できる…。<br>\\r\\nTherefore, all she'd have to do was to light it and drop it onto the floor...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nということはつまり、………俺の持つ護身用スプレーでは、レナを無力化できないということなのだ……！<br>\\r\\nIn other words, my spray can wouldn't make Rena powerless at all...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nせっかく大石さんに預けられた切り札は、手番がひとつ変わっただけで、あっさりとその力を失ってしまった……。<br>\\r\\nThe last resort Ooishi-san gave me had already lost all its power.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほ、保険なんて大丈夫だろ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"What do you mean, insurance?<br>\\r\\n大石さんはスクラップ帖があれば、きっと警察を納得させられる。<br>\\r\\n With those scrapbooks, Ooishi-san will convince the rest of the police.<br>\\r\\n…そうなればあとは一斉捜査で、やつらの陰謀が暴ける…<br>\\r\\n After that, their investigation will expose the conspiracy...<br>\\r\\n…<br>\\r\\n ...<br>\\r\\nそうなんだろ？」<br>\\r\\n right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………あのスクラップ帖だけで、本当に動いてくれるかなぁ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Do you really think those scrapbooks are enough?<br>\\r\\n……お役所ってのはお尻の重いところだそうだからね。」<br>\\r\\n ......I know government people don't move nearly quickly enough...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは、あのスクラップ帖だけで進展がない時には、このガソリンのことを伝え、さらにプレッシャーをかけようという魂胆なのだろう。<br>\\r\\nRena was thinking that if she didn't see any progress with the scrapbooks, she'd pressure the police by letting them know about the gasoline.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「と、……取り合えずは大石さんを信じよう…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Let's just trust Ooishi-san for now.<br>\\r\\nあとは果報を待つだけ、だろ…？」<br>\\r\\n We should just wait to hear from him... okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………そうだね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Yeah, that's right.<br>\\r\\n……じゃあ、さっきの話の続きをするかな。<br>\\r\\n Okay, then let me pick up where I left off.<br>\\r\\n…それでね。<br>\\r\\n Anyway...<br>\\r\\nその寄生虫は長い時間を経る内に徐々に無害になっていったの。<br>\\r\\n those parasites became harmless with the passage of time.<br>\\r\\nでもそれでは面白くない人たちがいた。<br>\\r\\n But some people didn't like that.<br>\\r\\nそれが雛見沢御三家なの。<br>\\r\\n Those people are the Three Families of Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n……だから彼らは、」<br>\\r\\n Therefore, they are...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはみんなに、鷹野さんの受け売り話をしているようだった。<br>\\r\\nRena was simply telling everyone what she heard from Takano-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…俺はそれを尻目に、大石さんに状況を伝えるため、独り言のように口にする。<br>\\r\\nI started mumbling so I could let Ooishi-san know what was going on.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……すごい臭いだよな…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"What a smell...<br>\\r\\nガソリンをポリタンク丸々ぶちまけると、すごいもんだ。」<br>\\r\\n Scattering a whole portable tank of gasoline...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n独り言のふりだから、本当に小さな声でしか言えなかった。<br>\\r\\nI was pretending to mumble to myself, so I could only say it very quietly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……もっとはっきりと大声で言いたいがそれはできない。<br>\\r\\nI wished I could say it louder, but that was probably impossible.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本当に大石さんに聞こえているか不安だった。<br>\\r\\nI wasn't sure if Ooishi-san could hear me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そうだ。<br>\\r\\nHmm...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n意思が疎通できていることを確かめる方法を思いつき、俺は独り言をさらに加えた。<br>\\r\\nI thought of an idea to find out whether or not they could hear me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……車のクラクション、…聞きたいな…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"It'd be nice if I heard a car honk...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「熊ちゃん、クラクションを一発！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Kuma-chan, honk the horn!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n傍聴していた熊谷はすぐに理解し、短く１回、パトカーのクラクションを鳴らした。<br>\\r\\nKumagai honked once quickly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ガソリンとは…参ったっすね…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Gasoline, huh? Shit.<br>\\r\\nこれでさっきから何となく感じてた臭いの正体がわかりました。<br>\\r\\n That explains the smell.<br>\\r\\n…多分、この後の要求を押し通すための切り札にするつもりでしょうね。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sure she's intending to use it to get what she wants.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「熊ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Kuma-chan...<br>\\r\\n普通の若い子が、ポリタンクって言い方をしたら１８リットル入りのあれですよね？」<br>\\r\\n People usually mean an 18-liter tank when they say portable tank of gasoline, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さぁ、…多分。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well... probably, but I'm not sure...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…小宮山くん〜〜！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Komiyama-kun~~!!<br>\\r\\n営林署の人、まだ帰してないですよね？！<br>\\r\\n Is there still someone from the forestry service here?<br>\\r\\nちょっと呼んでもらえますー？！」<br>\\r\\n Could you get him?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…なるほどね、携行缶にはちゃんとガソリンと明記してあると。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I see, those cans have 'gasoline' written on them.<br>\\r\\n灯油のポリタンクにも灯油とちゃんと書いてある？」<br>\\r\\n Do plastic kerosene tanks have 'kerosene' written on them?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n中身を間違えたら大変ですから、全ての燃料容器にはちゃんと明記してあります。」<br>\\r\\n We don't want to mix them up. All the fuel containers have labels.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n割と知られていないが、いわゆる一般的なポリタンクにはガソリンを入れられない。<br>\\r\\nNot too many people know this, but regular portable tanks can't hold gasoline.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nガソリンはこれほど生活の身近にありながらも、ものすごく危険な可燃物で、静電気程度で簡単に火がついてしまうという。<br>\\r\\nGasoline, while common, is extremely flammable, and it can be lit even with static electricity.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから静電気対策のため、金属製の特別な容器に入れる。<br>\\r\\nTherefore, gasoline must be kept in special metal containers.<br>\\r\\nこれを携行缶と呼ぶ。<br>\\r\\n Those are called carrying cans.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ前原さんがガソリンって言ったのは間違いなくガソリンなわけだ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"So what Maebara-san called gasoline really is gasoline.<br>\\r\\n……携行缶は何リットルのサイズのがあったんですか？」<br>\\r\\n Are there different-sized carrying cans?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「１８リットル用と５リットル用の２種類があったと記憶してます。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"18-liter and five-liter, I think.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「５リットル用って、多分、平たい形をしたヤツですよね？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Five-liter ones are rather flat in shape, aren't they?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n真っ赤で平たくて、こう取っ手がついています。」<br>\\r\\n It's red and flat, with a handle.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……前原圭一はポリタンクという言い方をしましたね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi Maebara called it a portable tank...<br>\\r\\n１８リットルの方でしょうか？」<br>\\r\\n Do you think it's the 18-liter type?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あるいは見慣れない形だったんで、取り合えず適当な言葉が思いつかず、ポリタンクという言い方をしたのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Maybe he called it a portable tank because he wasn't familiar with the shape?<br>\\r\\n……でもどの道、本当にガソリンだとしたら、かなり危険なことになります。」<br>\\r\\n But either way, if it's really gasoline, it's really dangerous.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nガソリンは液状の時は引火すると燃える。<br>\\r\\nGasoline burns when lit.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だが、本当の恐ろしさは気化した気体の方にあるのだ。<br>\\r\\nBut what's an even bigger threat than liquid gasoline are the fumes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n気化したガソリンは引火すると「爆発」する。<br>\\r\\nWhen gasoline fumes are lit on fire, they explode.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかもガソリンは揮発性で、氷点下であっても揮発して気化ガソリンになるのだ。<br>\\r\\nAlso, gasoline evaporates easily. Even at freezing temperatures, it evaporates.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nということはつまり。<br>\\r\\nAnd so, in other words...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n締め切った教室内でガソリンを撒けば、気化して教室に充満し、……教室はそのまま爆弾と化すわけだ。<br>\\r\\nInside the closed classroom, the fumes would fill the entire space... The classroom would then become a bomb itself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「熊ちゃん、危険物第４類とかわかる？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Kuma-chan, do you know anything about class-4 hazardous materials?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いえ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No.<br>\\r\\n気化ガソリンが危険だってことは理解してるんですが、詳しいことまでは。」<br>\\r\\n I know gasoline fumes are dangerous, but I don't know any more than that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「１８リットルと５リットルで、最悪の場合どの程度、規模が違うか調べときたいなぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"To prepare for the worst-case scenario, I want to find out the difference in scale between the 18-liter and the five-liter.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………そうだ、ジジィに聞いてみよう。<br>\\r\\n ......I know, I'll ask the old guy.<br>\\r\\nあぁすみません、署に連絡して鑑識のじいさまがいるか聞いてみてください。」<br>\\r\\n Excuse me, could you call the station and see if the old guy from the forensics department is still there?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おうおう、話は聞いちょるぞい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh, I've heard what's going on.<br>\\r\\n犯人に直接名指しだそうのぅ？<br>\\r\\n The criminal requested you, huh?<br>\\r\\nリーチ一発振り込みドカンってところじゃのう！」<br>\\r\\n Kaboom! Riichi Ippatsu Ron!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なっはっは…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Na ha ha...<br>\\r\\n裏まで乗っちゃって大変なことになってます。<br>\\r\\n Ura-Dora on top of that too.<br>\\r\\nそのドカンってのが実に笑えないですなぁ。<br>\\r\\n This isn't a laughing matter anymore.<br>\\r\\nところですみません、危険物の第４類はお持ちで？」<br>\\r\\n Anyway, do you know about fourth-class hazardous materials?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「乙４か？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Fourth-class, huh?<br>\\r\\nかっかっか！<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh!<br>\\r\\nここにいる人間全員足せば甲種じゃぞい。<br>\\r\\n If we add everyone here, we know everything about hazardous materials.<br>\\r\\nどうした、ガソリンでも撒いて篭城しとるんか？」<br>\\r\\n Did the suspect spread gasoline or something?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えぇ、まさにそのようです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, that's exactly what's happening here.<br>\\r\\n人質の１人に盗聴器を持たせてるんですが、どうも犯人は教室内にガソリンを撒いたようなんです。<br>\\r\\n We bugged one of the hostages. Supposedly, the suspect spread gasoline throughout the classroom.<br>\\r\\nただ、撒いた量が１８リットル缶か５リットル缶かわかりません。<br>\\r\\n But we don't know if it's from an 18-liter can or a five-liter can.<br>\\r\\n…両方のケースのですね、最悪の場合について教えてもらえませんかねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n Can you tell me the worst-case scenarios for both of them?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「教室の広さは？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"How big is the classroom?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えっと、…………大体５０平米ですねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Let's see... approximately fifty square meters.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「室内は密閉か？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"And the room is closed, huh?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おそらく。<br>\\r\\n\\\"More than likely.<br>\\r\\nさぞやガソリン臭いだろうと思います。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sure the smell must be horrible.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……大石、まずいぞい。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's not good, Ooishi...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「やっぱり洒落になりませんか。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I had a feeling...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「教室は粉々に吹っ飛ぶぞい…！<br>\\r\\n\\\"The classroom will blow up!<br>\\r\\n教室内はまず全員死ぬな。」<br>\\r\\n Everyone in the classroom will be dead for sure.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そりゃあ、１８リットルの場合ですか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You mean in the case of the 18-liter?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あほぅ、５リットルの場合じゃ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Fool, I'm talking about the five-liter one!!<br>\\r\\nわしの記憶がボケてないなら…一辺８ｍの室内を吹き飛ばすのに、４リットルもあれば充分だったはずじゃ。」<br>\\r\\n If I remember correctly... four liters is plenty enough to blow up an eight-by-eight-meter room.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n脇で聞いていた警官たちの顔が青ざめる。<br>\\r\\nThe policemen listening to their conversation on the side went pale.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……一辺８ｍの室内なら６４平米。<br>\\r\\nEight by eight meters meant a room that was sixty-four square meters.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを４リットルで吹き飛ばせるというのに、５０平米に５リットルも！<br>\\r\\nOnly four liters are needed to blow that up, and at least five liters were scattered in a fifty-square-meter room!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なっはっはっは…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Na ha ha ha...<br>\\r\\nつまりおつりが来るってことですねぇ。<br>\\r\\n In other words, the room has more than enough gasoline, huh?<br>\\r\\nいやなリーチだなぁ。<br>\\r\\n That's not good...<br>\\r\\n……じゃあ、聞きたくはないんですが、１８リットルだったら…？」<br>\\r\\n I'd rather not hear this... but what would happen if it was an 18-liter can?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「かっかっかっか！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Heh heh heh!<br>\\r\\nそうだのぅ、大石風に例えると、親のリーチ一発平和タンヤオ赤々ドラドラに振り込む感じかの！」<br>\\r\\n Let's see... to put it in your words, Ooishi... The dealer's hand is Riichi, Ippatsu, Pinfu, Tan-yao, Aka-aka, and Dora Dora...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………ど、どうゆう意味っすか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wh-What do you mean?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「親の倍満２４０００点。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Bai-man from the dealer, 24,000 points.<br>\\r\\n配給原点が２５０００点だから、１０００点棒が１本残るってことですかねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n The base distribution is 25,000 points, so there'll be one 1,000-point stick left.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「かっかっか！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Heh heh heh!<br>\\r\\nそんなところだのぅ、柱一本くらいは残るかも知れんぞい。」<br>\\r\\n Something like that. There may be one pillar left, if you're lucky.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……そりゃあ、振り込みたくないリーチだなぁ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"My gosh... I don't want that kind of riichi...<br>\\r\\nなっはっはっは…。」<br>\\r\\n Na ha ha...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今の内に消防署に連絡して、化学車両を待機させた方がいいだろうの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You should call the fire department and get a chemical unit ready.<br>\\r\\n事件解決後の処理は消防の指示を仰ぐ必要があるぞい。」<br>\\r\\n You'll need to have them deal with it after the incident is taken care of.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……参ったな、こいつは盗聴情報なんで、消防車を呼び寄せたらバレちまうなぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Shit... I heard this through the bug, so if a fire engine shows up, the suspect will find out.<br>\\r\\n…何とか学校から見えないところに待機させましょう。」<br>\\r\\n I guess I'll have them get ready where she can't see them.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それがいいの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, that's a good idea.<br>\\r\\n…あとそれから大石、盗聴器と言ったな？」<br>\\r\\n You mentioned a bug, didn't you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\nさっき人質のひとりと接触できましてね。<br>\\r\\n I had a chance to come into contact with one of the hostages.<br>\\r\\nその際にこっそりと盗聴器を持たせました。<br>\\r\\n I gave him a bug.<br>\\r\\nガソリン散布はそれでわかったんですよ。」<br>\\r\\n That's how I found out about the gasoline.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………まずいの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......That's not good.<br>\\r\\n…化学火災の事例で、発火原因に電子機器のランプの点灯があったはずだぞぃ。<br>\\r\\n There have been incidents where the sparks from electronic devices set gasoline on fire.<br>\\r\\nガソリンの発火点は３００度程度。<br>\\r\\n You know, gasoline's flash point is about 300 degrees.<br>\\r\\n火花はおろか、静電気でも着火して爆発する！」<br>\\r\\n Even static electricity can easily cause an explosion!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「冗談じゃない！<br>\\r\\n\\\"You've got to be kidding me!<br>\\r\\nな、何だってそんな危険な液体が、こうも簡単に世の中にあるんですかねぇ？！」<br>\\r\\n Why is such a dangerous liquid available to just about anybody?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「知るか！<br>\\r\\n\\\"How the heck should I know?<br>\\r\\n消防法と自動車社会を作った連中に言えぃ。<br>\\r\\n Tell that to the fire laws and automobile companies!<br>\\r\\n６月だからの、そう空気も乾燥しとらんとは思うが、とにかく万が一に備えて盗聴器の電源を切らせた方がいいだろうの。」<br>\\r\\n Since it's June, the air isn't that dry, but just to be on the safe side, tell him to turn the listening device off.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……大石さん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ooishi-san,<br>\\r\\n盗聴器で聞く限り、犯人はライターを所持している模様です。」<br>\\r\\n according to what I can hear through the bug, the suspect has a lighter.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ってことは、つまり前原さんがスプレーを使って制止しようとしても、着火までは防げない可能性が大ってわけだ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That means even if Maebara-san used the pepper spray to stop her, he won't be able to prevent her from igniting the gasoline...<br>\\r\\nしかも、盗聴器まで使えなくなるとは！<br>\\r\\n And we can't even use the bug anymore?<br>\\r\\n何てこった！」<br>\\r\\n Dammit!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ooishi!!<br>\\r\\nライターはまずいぞ！<br>\\r\\n A lighter is really, really bad!<br>\\r\\n冗談でもいじらせてはならん！！<br>\\r\\n Don't even let her play with it!!<br>\\r\\n犯人もガソリンの危険性を認知しとらん可能性がある。<br>\\r\\n The suspect may not know how dangerous gasoline is.<br>\\r\\n…量を聞く限り、とても知識があるとは思えんぞ。」<br>\\r\\n From hearing how much she spread, I don't think she knows anything about it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石の背中は、いつの間にか冷たい汗でびっしょりだった。<br>\\r\\nOoishi's back was covered with a cold sweat.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……まさか、こんなにもヤバい山になるなんて！！<br>\\r\\nHe never even thought this would turn into such a serious matter!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nガソリンの危険性を認識していなかった。<br>\\r\\nHe didn't know how dangerous gasoline was.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だって、よく聞く車両事故でいちいち爆発してるなんて聞いたことなかったし…！<br>\\r\\nHe didn't know, because he'd never heard of cars exploding in car accidents...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n危険だということは知っていたけど、これほどだなんて思わなかった！<br>\\r\\nHe knew it was dangerous, but he didn't know what it was capable of!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそう、ガソリンは気化してこそ真価を発揮するのだ。<br>\\r\\nGasoline is more dangerous once it evaporates.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、車が事故で炎上するのと、ガソリンが撒かれてたっぷりと気化した室内が着火するのでは危険度がまるで違うのだ。<br>\\r\\nTherefore, a burning car in an accident and gasoline fumes being ignited are at completely different levels.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその辺りも、車のエンジン室の構造を理解すればわかりやすい。<br>\\r\\nIt's quite simple to understand if you think about how car engines work.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n車は、燃料タンクのガソリンを気化させてエンジン室に入れ、それを「爆発」させてエネルギーを得て推進する。<br>\\r\\nCars vaporize gasoline in the carburetor and let it \\\"explode\\\" in the engine cylinders.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、エンジン室という小さな室内で気化して爆発させているわけだ。<br>\\r\\nIn other words, that little explosion in the engine is what gives cars the power to move.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその爆発力を大きく得るため、より強力なエンジンは巨大化することになる。<br>\\r\\nTherefore, if you want more power, an engine needs to be bigger, to create a bigger explosion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだとしたら、教室丸ごとのサイズのエンジンだったらどれほどのエネルギーが？<br>\\r\\nSo if an engine cylinder was the size of a classroom... How much power would it create?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nエンジンについて知識の深い人間なら誰だって知っていることだが、<br>\\r\\nAnyone with knowledge of engines would know,<br>\\r\\n……意外にも気化ガソリンの恐ろしさは知られていないのだ。<br>\\r\\n but a lot of people don't consider how dangerous evaporated gasoline is.<br>\\r\\n……あまりにも身近過ぎて！！<br>\\r\\n ...Because it's too familiar!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n人質２５名に犯人１名も加えて、…２６名は教室という名の爆弾の中に閉じ込められているも同然。<br>\\r\\nTwenty-five hostages and one hostage taker... all twenty-six people were basically stuck in a huge bomb.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかも、犯人は意識せずして、それを爆発させてしまう危険性がある…！！<br>\\r\\nFurthermore, the suspect might accidentally set it off!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…ちょっと脅しの真似事をして、ライターをカチリカチリなんて遊んだら、<br>\\r\\nIf she were to pretend to light the lighter as a threat...<br>\\r\\n………それだけで大爆発だ……ッ！！！！<br>\\r\\n that would be the end!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n見れば大石以外の人間たちも、皆、青ざめていた。<br>\\r\\nAll of the people around Ooishi had gone pale.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…こうして呆然としている今この瞬間にも大爆発しかねないのだ。<br>\\r\\nThe classroom might explode at any moment.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………こんな状況で、どうやって人質を解放する？！<br>\\r\\nHow could they save all the hostages?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかも犯人はまともじゃなくて、その要求内容は妄想の中のもので実現不能なのだ！<br>\\r\\nEspecially when the criminal was living in her own delusion, and her requests were something so unreal...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………し、失礼します！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Excuse me!<br>\\r\\n先ほど受け取ったスクラップ帖の中に、犯人からと思われる文書が見つかりました！」<br>\\r\\n I found a letter in the scrapbook!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n警官が折り畳んだ便箋を持ってきた。<br>\\r\\nOne of the policemen brought over a folded piece of paper.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n刑事たちが覗き込む中、大石はそれを開く…。<br>\\r\\nOoishi opened it while the others watched.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n中には女の子らしい字が丁寧にびっしり書かれていた。<br>\\r\\nHe saw girlish handwriting on the paper.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……その雰囲気から、この手紙はおそらく、学校占拠前から予め用意されていたことを思わせる。<br>\\r\\nHe could tell this was written before she invaded the school.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n『Ｄｅａｒ 大石さま<br>\\r\\n\\\"Dear Ooishi-sama,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの手紙を大石さんが読まれているということは、いよいよ最終局面に入ったということだと思います。<br>\\r\\nIf you are reading this letter, that means I'm at the final stage.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nおそらく今、私は学校を占拠し、生徒を人質に取っているものと思います。<br>\\r\\nI must have seized the school and held the students as hostages.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は大石さんを交渉人に指定しますので、私に脅されていることにして、私と外部の取り持ちをお願いいたします。<br>\\r\\nI am planning to appoint you as a negotiator, so please pretend to be threatened by me and become my contact with the outside.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまず最初にお知らせしたいことは、敵は園崎家と、それを影から操る寄生虫型宇宙人だということです。<br>\\r\\nThe first thing I want to tell you is that my enemy is the Sonozaki family and also the aliens (who are pretending to be parasites) that control the Sonozaki family.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………う、……宇宙人んん……？？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...A...Aliens...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの宇宙人に関する行については、かえって大石さんに疑われるのではないかと思い、今日までずっと伏せてきました。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I didn't think you'd believe me if I brought up the aliens, so I didn't tell you about them until now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nですが、全てはこのスクラップ帖を読んでいただければご理解いただけるはずです。<br>\\r\\nBut when you read these scrapbooks, you will understand.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやつらは太古の昔、円盤に乗って地球に訪れました。<br>\\r\\nThe aliens came to Earth in UFOs in ancient times.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその場所こそがまさに鬼ヶ淵沼であり、やつらの発生源なのです。<br>\\r\\nThey landed in Onigafuchi Swamp.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼らはこの村を自分たちが繁殖できる養殖場とし、<br>\\r\\nThey used this village as their breeding grounds,<br>\\r\\n徐々に自らを品種改良することによって支配圏を広げ、とうとうそれに成功し、地球侵略を開始しようとしているのです。<br>\\r\\n and through that selective breeding, they widened their domain. They were successful, and now they're trying to invade the Earth.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………なんだ、こりゃ………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...What the heck is this...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n覗きこんでいる刑事たちが、支離滅裂なその内容に眉をしかめる。<br>\\r\\nAll the other policemen frowned at the letter.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…いやいや、…驚きませんよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, no, it's not surprising.<br>\\r\\n…鷹野の他のスクラップ帖も読みましたが、…これに負けじ劣らずの珍説揃いです。<br>\\r\\n I read Takano's other scrapbooks, and they were full of even stranger stories.<br>\\r\\n………個人的にはオッシーが面白かったなぁ…。」<br>\\r\\n Personally, I liked the one about Ossie the best...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n園崎家を初めとする村の権力者たちはやつらに脳を支配されています。<br>\\r\\n\\\"The Sonozaki family, as well as all the village authorities, have been brainwashed by the aliens.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼らがオヤシロさま信仰を復活させようとする行為は、まさに宇宙人たちの地球侵略の隠れ蓑だったのです。<br>\\r\\nThe villagers' attempts to revive the cult of Oyashiro-sama were actually part of the aliens' strategy to invade the Earth.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやつらの狡猾なところは、それを支配している人間たちに気取らせない点なのです。<br>\\r\\nThe aliens are very clever. They don't let people realize they're being controlled.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやつらの秘密研究所は入江診療所に間違いありません。<br>\\r\\nThe Irie Clinic must be their secret research center.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nただちに強制捜査を入れて、やつらの秘密を暴露してください。<br>\\r\\nPlease conduct an investigation and expose their secret.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれから鬼ヶ淵沼の底をさらわせてください。<br>\\r\\nAlso, please check out the bottom of the swamp.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n太古に墜落した円盤の残骸が発見できるはずです。<br>\\r\\nThe UFO must be still there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれから、御三家の血縁者を直ちに隔離し、医療機関で脳内をＸ線等で診断してください。<br>\\r\\nAlso, capture all the relatives of the Three Families and take x-rays of their brains.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやつらの醜い寄生体が発見できるはずです。<br>\\r\\nYou'll find hideous parasites inside of them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nただし気をつけて！<br>\\r\\nBut please be careful!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやつらは自分たちの存在を察する人間を消し、コピーを入れ替えることで村を支配してきました。<br>\\r\\nThe aliens eliminate whoever finds out about them by replacing their host with a look-alike. That's how they have been controlling the village.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nですので、宇宙人自体が村人の中に混じっている可能性があり、彼らが何らかの妨害工作をしてくる可能性があります。<br>\\r\\nTherefore, there may be already some aliens among the villagers. It is possible that they will try to interfere with your investigation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n実際、鷹野三四、古手梨花、そして私、竜宮レナの３人に関しては確実にコピーが作られています。<br>\\r\\nAs a matter of fact, there have been look-alikes of Miyo Takano, Rika Furude and me, Rena Ryuugu.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもしもこの３人の内の誰かの人影を見ることがあったら、直ちに捕らえてください。<br>\\r\\nIf you see any of those three, capture them immediately.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまさにそれこそが宇宙人たちが混じっている証拠なのです。<br>\\r\\nThat will be the proof of aliens existing among us.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……鷹野三四？<br>\\r\\n\\\"<NAME>?<br>\\r\\nどうしてでしょうね？」<br>\\r\\n Why does she think that?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ……あれだ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah...... I know.<br>\\r\\n…俺さ、彼女との電話で、岐阜県警さんの検死で１日ズレがあったかもしれないですよ〜って言っちゃったことがあったんですよ。」<br>\\r\\n I told her over the phone that according to the result of the autopsy conducted by the lab over in Gifu Prefecture, the day of her death doesn't match up.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あー、検死結果のミスの話ですか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah, are you talking about the mistake on her autopsy results?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それで私、祭りの日には死んでたはずなのに、どうして居たのかなぁなんてことを言っちゃったんです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I told her I didn't know why <NAME> was witnessed on the day of the festival when she died the night before.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………それを、こういう風に解釈するとはなぁ…。<br>\\r\\n I never thought she'd take it like this...<br>\\r\\nふざけ半分で脅し過ぎたかなぁ……。」<br>\\r\\n Maybe I joked around a little too much...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…自分の名前が含まれてるのも奇妙ですね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's interesting that she included herself.<br>\\r\\n……鏡に映ったのでも見間違えたとか？」<br>\\r\\n Did she look in a mirror or something?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n脇で聞いていた刑事の１人が口を挟む。<br>\\r\\nOne of the policemen spoke up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……彼はあの晩、ゴミ山を探した刑事の１人だった。<br>\\r\\nHe was one of the pair who searched the garbage dump that night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………これは俺、わかるわ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I can understand that.<br>\\r\\n……ほら、竜宮レナを探し回った晩、穀倉で目撃されたって話があったでしょ。<br>\\r\\n ...Remember? The night we looked for Rena Ryuugu, somebody said she was seen in Gogura.<br>\\r\\nあれだよ。<br>\\r\\n That must be it.<br>\\r\\nあれは多分、村人の誰かが流したデマなんだよ。<br>\\r\\n It was probably a bluff from the villagers...<br>\\r\\nで、それを本人がどこかで聞いて、自分がもう１人いるように錯覚した…。」<br>\\r\\n And she must have heard it somewhere and assumed there was another version of her walking around...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「くそったれ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Damn!!<br>\\r\\nノストラダムスだっけ？<br>\\r\\n Nostradamus, was it?<br>\\r\\nあれの大予言と同じですねぇ。<br>\\r\\n This is just like that.<br>\\r\\n何が起こっても、予言に含まれるように解釈しちまう！<br>\\r\\n No matter what happens, to her, everything sounds like it was predetermined!<br>\\r\\n今の竜宮レナは箸が転んだって宇宙人の仕業だって言い出すぞ！」<br>\\r\\n Rena Ryuugu would blame aliens if she was to trip and fall down now!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あるいは、いずれ捕まることを予見して、精神鑑定で有利になる資料を先に用意したとか…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Or maybe she's coming up with all this crazy stuff so that once she's caught, she can use the insanity defense in court...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そんなことあの子は考えてないよ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, this isn't about that!<br>\\r\\nあの子は本気で信じてる。<br>\\r\\n She really does believe in this crazy stuff.<br>\\r\\nいや本気の本気で！<br>\\r\\n She does from the bottom of her heart!<br>\\r\\n……コロッと行かされた私だからわかるんです。<br>\\r\\n ...I know that for sure.<br>\\r\\n彼女は本気で信じてるんだ、このインチキスクラップ帖を！」<br>\\r\\n She truly believes in these stupid scrapbooks!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あ、まだ１枚あるっすよ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah, there's another letter...<br>\\r\\n……何々…？」<br>\\r\\n Let's see...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n『追伸：<br>\\r\\n\\\"PS:<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はすでにやつらに富竹さんを殺したのと同じ毒を盛られているようです。<br>\\r\\nI was poisoned yesterday with the same stuff that killed Tomitake-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n昨日から喉が痒くて仕方がありません。<br>\\r\\nI've been scratching my throat since then.<br>\\r\\n多分、今夜中に首を掻き破って死ぬでしょう。<br>\\r\\n I will probably have clawed my throat open by tomorrow.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nですので、入江診療所の捜査でもしも解毒剤を見つけられたら、それをどうか持って来てください。<br>\\r\\nIf you can find the antidote when you investigate the Irie Clinic, please bring it to me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………これは、……使えるなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"This sure is something...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ですね…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah...<br>\\r\\n本気で宇宙人の話を真に受けてるなら、解毒剤だと言えばうまく騙せるかも…。」<br>\\r\\n If she believes in alien stories, maybe we can trick her with an antidote...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nですが解毒剤が見つからないこともあるでしょうし、見つかっても間に合わない可能性もあります。<br>\\r\\n\\\"But you may not find the antidote, or maybe it'll be too late by the time you do.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nですので、私の残りわずかな命から逆算して、今夜の１９時を交渉の期限とさせていただきます。<br>\\r\\nTherefore, considering the time I have left, I will set seven PM tonight as the deadline.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n１９時までに一斉捜査が行なわれて解毒剤が届けられなかった場合、人質全員と一緒にガソリンで焼け死ぬことを選びたいと思います。<br>\\r\\nIf an investigation doesn't take place and the antidote doesn't arrive by seven PM, I will choose to die with all the hostages by lighting the gasoline instead.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………１９時？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Seven PM?<br>\\r\\n今、何時だ？！」<br>\\r\\n What time is it now?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「１８時前です！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's a little before six!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今が一番日の長い季節だ。<br>\\r\\nDays are long nowadays.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n夕方でも空は朱色でまだ暗いとは言い難い。<br>\\r\\nIt doesn't get dark even in the evenings.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nおそらく、午後の７時頃にようやく夜の帳が近付いてくるだろう。<br>\\r\\nIt'll probably start to get dark around seven PM.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あと１時間か…！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"We only have an hour...!!<br>\\r\\nいや、１時間を待たずに火遊びで大爆発するかも……。<br>\\r\\n No, it might explode even before that...<br>\\r\\n…くそ！！<br>\\r\\n Shit!!<br>\\r\\nどうすりゃいい！！」<br>\\r\\n What can we do?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何が地球侵略と戦うだ…！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What the heck is she talking about? An alien invasion?<br>\\r\\nそれに人質を巻き込むなんて滅茶苦茶だッ！！」<br>\\r\\n And she's trying to take the hostages with her!! That's just crazy.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えぇ、滅茶苦茶なんです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, that's absolutely crazy.<br>\\r\\n今の彼女にはまともな交渉なんか通用しない。<br>\\r\\n We can't negotiate with her normally now.<br>\\r\\n……しかも本人は冷静だと思ってる分だけ性質が悪い…！」<br>\\r\\n Especially when she thinks she's absolutely sane...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お、大石さん、それより次の文章！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ooishi-san, look what comes next!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ん？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hmm?<br>\\r\\n………………な、…何ぃッ…？！」<br>\\r\\n .........Wh-What?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n室内にはガソリンを撒かせてもらう予定です。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm planning to spread gasoline throughout the classroom.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n非常に危険な状態であることがおわかりだと思います。<br>\\r\\nI'm sure you realize how dangerous that is.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私たちの話を信じず、踏み込もうとする警官たちに如何に危険な状態であるかよく説明しておいてください。<br>\\r\\nIf anyone suggests storming into the room, please tell them exactly how bad an idea that would be.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまた、人質はＵ字ロックで教室内に固定してあります。<br>\\r\\nAlso, the hostages are anchored down with U-shaped bike locks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仮に、宇宙人の手先の警官が突入して私を殺したとしても、人質を解放するにはＵ字ロックを切断しなくてはなりません。<br>\\r\\nEven if those alien policemen rushed in and killed me, they'd have to cut each lock.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nですが切断しようとすれば火花が出て大変危険です。<br>\\r\\nBut if you tried cutting them, you might create sparks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのため、室内の換気を完全に終了させなくては切断できません。<br>\\r\\nTherefore, you'd need to completely ventilate the room first.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、人質を教室から連れ出すには非常に長い時間が掛かることを理解してください。<br>\\r\\nIn other words, it will take an extremely long time to rescue all the hostages from the classroom.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n実は、教室内に充満させたガソリンとは別の手段で爆発させる方法を用意してあります。<br>\\r\\nActually, I have a different explosive system set up, other than the gasoline I spread.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはガソリンとキッチンタイマーを組み合わせた簡単な時限爆弾のようなものです。<br>\\r\\nIt's a very simple time bomb using gasoline and a kitchen timer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nキッチンタイマーは、決められた時間になると電源を供給するだけの簡単なもの。<br>\\r\\nThe kitchen timer provides electricity at a set time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nですがコンセントの先を割いてありますので、着火するのに充分な火花が出ると思います。<br>\\r\\nI ripped the tip off its plug, so it will create enough sparks to ignite the gasoline.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのキッチンタイマーには先ほどの指定時刻、１９時を設定させていただきました。<br>\\r\\nI've already set the timer to seven PM.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n１９時になれば、私が不在であっても爆発します。<br>\\r\\nEven if I'm not around, there will be an explosion at that time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの時点で、教室がまだ換気されてなかったら、おそらく連鎖爆発するでしょう。<br>\\r\\nIf the classroom isn't ventilated by that time, it'll explode too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのような方法で大石さんに協力を頼むことを申し訳なく思いますが、どうか惨劇を回避するためにもご協力をお願いいたします。<br>\\r\\nI'm sorry to ask you like this, Ooishi-san, but please help me so we can avoid a tragedy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの教室の中には、園崎家次期頭首である園崎魅音と、オヤシロさま信仰のマスコットである古手梨花が含まれていることも、御三家によく説明してください。<br>\\r\\nPlease let the Three Families know that Mion Sonozaki, the successor to the head of the Sonozaki family, and <NAME>, a mascot for the cult of Oyashiro-sama, are in this classroom.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n御三家の中にも大石さんに協力してくれる者が現れれば、やつらの陰謀は今日の夜までには暴けるものと思っています。<br>\\r\\nIf anyone from the Three Families helps you, I'm sure their conspiracy will be exposed by tonight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやつらの地球侵略の日はすぐそこです。<br>\\r\\nThe alien invasion is going to happen very soon.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうか速やかに行動を開始されますよう、よろしくお願いいたします。<br>\\r\\nPlease get going quickly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私の味方の大石さんへ<br>\\r\\nTo my ally, Ooishi-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n 竜宮レナ』<br>\\r\\n <NAME>\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nバサン！！<br>\\r\\nSmash!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nスクラップ帖を大石が叩きつける！<br>\\r\\nOoishi threw the scrapbooks to the ground!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「く、くそったれッ！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Damn it!!!<br>\\r\\n何が味方だ！」<br>\\r\\n How can she call me her ally?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「キッチンタイマーって、目覚まし時計みたいなもんですか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Is a kitchen timer like an alarm clock?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あー、昔の炊飯器とかにはタイマーがついてないものも多かったんですよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah, old appliances didn't have timers.<br>\\r\\nそれでね、コンセント穴の付いたキッチンタイマーって名前の目覚まし時計がありましてねぇ。<br>\\r\\n A kitchen timer is a device that turns on appliances at a given time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのコンセントに炊飯器を刺して置けば、仕掛けた時刻に自動的に電源が供給されて、指定時刻に炊飯器が電源オンにできるっていうシロモノです。」<br>\\r\\n When you plug it in, it provides electricity at a set time so the appliance will come on when you want it to.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……へー、そりゃ便利そうですね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wow, that's convenient.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「確かにそれを流用すれば、時限発火装置なんて簡単にでっち上げられる！<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's possible to use that to make a time bomb!<br>\\r\\n……キッチンタイマーって辺りが、女の子っぽくて何だか複雑だなぁ…！」<br>\\r\\n Using a kitchen timer... that sure is something a girl would come up with!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…電力会社に頼んで、電力を落とすとかはどうっすかね！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Why don't we call the electric company and turn the electricity off?<br>\\r\\nコード式なら電力がなければ無力化できます！<br>\\r\\n If there's no power, the timer can't go off!<br>\\r\\n……ああ、でも駄目か。<br>\\r\\n ......Ah, but that won't work.<br>\\r\\n教室が真っ暗になるのと同時にライターを点けるに決まってますよね…。」<br>\\r\\n If the classroom became dark, she'd probably light her lighter...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………むむむむ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hmmm...<br>\\r\\n…やっぱり、解毒剤の線をついて、遅効性の睡眠薬でも与えますか……。<br>\\r\\n Maybe we can give her a sleeping pill as an antidote...<br>\\r\\n…遅効性ですよ。<br>\\r\\n but it would have to take effect slowly.<br>\\r\\n多分、自身に使う前に人質に試すはずです。<br>\\r\\n I'm sure she'll have a hostage try it first.<br>\\r\\n注意してください！」<br>\\r\\n Be very careful!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「了解です！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Understood!<br>\\r\\n手配します！」<br>\\r\\n I'll get one ready!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………あと、前原さんともう一度話したいなぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I need to talk to Maebara-san one more time......<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……竜宮レナが間違ってライターをいじらないように、うまくなだめてもらわないと…。<br>\\r\\n I have to tell him not to let Rena Ryuugu play with the lighter...<br>\\r\\nあと盗聴器もオフにさせないといけません。<br>\\r\\n I also have to tell him to turn the bug off.<br>\\r\\n盗聴器はどう？<br>\\r\\n How about that, by the way?<br>\\r\\n面白いことは拾えましたか？」<br>\\r\\n Have you heard anything interesting?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……犯人が人質に虐待している模様です。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...The suspect seems to be abusing a hostage.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何てこった…！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Shit!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ど、どうも園崎魅音に対してのようです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I think it's Mion Sonozaki.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「や、……やめろレナ…！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"S-Stop it, Rena!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは、後ろ手に縛られ自分の身を庇うこともできない魅音を殴り続けていた。<br>\\r\\nRena kept hitting Mion, who had her hands tied behind her back.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n拳でじゃない。鉈の峰でだ。<br>\\r\\nRena wasn't using her fists, but instead the handle of her hatchet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一くんはそこの壁から動かない約束だよ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi-kun, you promised me you wouldn't move.<br>\\r\\n動いたらレナも怒るんだからね…？」<br>\\r\\n If you do, I'll be angry...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nく、…………く…！<br>\\r\\n............!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは狂気に染まった目で笑いながら凄む。<br>\\r\\nRena's gaze intimidated me. Her eyes were full of madness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナの中の感情がどんどんと沸騰して、…その釜の淵から熱い飛沫が飛び散っているのを感じた。<br>\\r\\nI could feel Rena's emotions boiling over on the inside.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺が反抗すれば、……その報復として、魅音の腕ぐらい切り落としかねない。<br>\\r\\nIf I opposed her, she would easily cut Mion's arm off.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「とにかく私が許せなかったことは、魅ぃちゃんが死体を掘り出して警察に売ったことだよ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What I can't forgive is that you dug up the corpses and turned them in to the police!<br>\\r\\n………信じてたのに！<br>\\r\\n ......I trusted you!<br>\\r\\n信じてたのに！！！」<br>\\r\\n I trusted you!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは魅音の顔面をわざわざ殴る。<br>\\r\\nRena hit Mion's face over and over.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は後ろ手に縛られてるだけじゃない。<br>\\r\\nIt wasn't just Mion's hands that were tied behind her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…いつの間にかＵ字ロックで首を窓枠に括りつけられていた。<br>\\r\\nHer neck was also tied to a window frame with a bike lock,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから魅音は顔を伏せて何とか逃れようとするが、庇いようなんかない。<br>\\r\\nso there was no way that Mion could protect her face.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n額を切ったのか鼻血を出したのか、いつの間にか出血していた。<br>\\r\\nI didn't know if her forehead was cut or if her nose was bleeding, but her face was covered in blood.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが殴る鉈の峰に付き、そのせいで魅音の顔を血塗れにしていた。<br>\\r\\nHer blood got on the handle of the hatchet, and every time she got hit with it, more blood was smeared on her face.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……当然だ、あんなもので殴られたら額が割れないわけがない…！<br>\\r\\nThe handle of the hatchet could easily smash her forehead...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は、園崎家の立場上、死体を隠したことを口にすることができず、無言で耐えるしかなかった…。<br>\\r\\nBecause of her position in the Sonozaki family, Mion couldn't say that she hid the bodies, so all she could do was endure...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、レナはやめる気配がない。<br>\\r\\nHowever, Rena continued to attack her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……今のレナには限度がないんだ。<br>\\r\\nRena no longer had any restraint.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…本当に、前歯が欠けるくらいにまで虐め抜くかもしれない…！<br>\\r\\nShe might even continue until Mion's front teeth were broken...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「やめるんだレナ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Stop it, Rena!!<br>\\r\\n魅音、もういいだろ？！<br>\\r\\n Haven't you done enough?!<br>\\r\\n俺が話す、本当のことを話すから、レナ、魅音を殴るのをやめるんだ…！！」<br>\\r\\n I'll tell you the truth, so Rena, please stop hitting her...!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………本当のこと？<br>\\r\\n\\\"......The truth?<br>\\r\\nって、……なぁに？<br>\\r\\n ...What is it,<br>\\r\\n圭一くん。」<br>\\r\\n Keiichi-kun?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………だめ……だよ……、<br>\\r\\n\\\"......No, you can't...<br>\\r\\n…圭ちゃん………。」<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「クラスのみんな！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Everyone!!<br>\\r\\n今から言う話は頼む、聞かないでくれ。<br>\\r\\n Please don't listen to what I'm about to say.<br>\\r\\n少し物騒な話をするかもしれないが、…悪いことの話じゃないんだ。<br>\\r\\n I may say some disturbing stuff, but... it isn't anything wrong.<br>\\r\\nだから聞かないでくれ、耳に入っても忘れてくれ！<br>\\r\\n So please don't listen. Even if you hear it, forget that you did!<br>\\r\\n頼む！」<br>\\r\\n Please!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………どういう話だろ…？<br>\\r\\n\\\".........What are you going to tell me?<br>\\r\\n聞かせてくれるかな、圭一くん。」<br>\\r\\n Go on, Keiichi-kun.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「難しい話じゃないんだ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's not a complicated story.<br>\\r\\nあれは…………お前のためだったんだよ！<br>\\r\\n That was... for your sake!<br>\\r\\nあの埋めた場所が、今年の夏に営林署が伐採で立ち入ることになってたのを後日に知ったんだ。<br>\\r\\n We found out afterwards that the place you buried the bodies was going to be clear-cut this summer.<br>\\r\\nだからあのままじゃまずいと思って、……魅音がもっと別の安全な場所に隠してくれたんだよ！」<br>\\r\\n So we thought we had to do something about it, and Mion hid them in a safer place!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「その話はあの晩に聞いてるよ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"You told me that same story the other night!<br>\\r\\nそしてそんなのは魅ぃちゃんの作った嘘だとも言わなかったっけ？」<br>\\r\\n Didn't I tell you that was something Mii-chan made up?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何で嘘なんか付かなきゃならないんだ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Why would she lie?<br>\\r\\n仲間を助けるのは当然じゃないか。<br>\\r\\n She wanted to help her friend.<br>\\r\\nだから魅音がお前を助けるためにやってくれたんだよ…！」<br>\\r\\n Mion did it to help you!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「嘘だよ嘘だよ信じないよ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's a lie. I won't believe it!<br>\\r\\nなら、何でそんなことを私に相談せずにこっそりとやったの？！」<br>\\r\\n Why did you do that without talking to me, then?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そんなの言うまでもなかった。<br>\\r\\nWhy did Mion even have to tell her?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音がどれだけ気を遣ってくれたと思うんだよ！！<br>\\r\\nMion was trying to be delicate!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は仲間であるレナの事件を隠し通すために、最大限努力してくれたんじゃないか…！<br>\\r\\nMion did her best trying to hide what Rena did!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナがショックを受けて気に病んでいるのに気遣って……、だからレナに内緒にしてくれたんじゃないか…！！<br>\\r\\nMion knew Rena was at her wit's end, and that was why she did it in secret...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでもレナは信じてくれない……！！！<br>\\r\\nBut Rena didn't want to believe her...!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「違うよ圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's not so, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n圭一くんまで騙すなんて、本当に魅ぃちゃんは卑劣だね！<br>\\r\\n How contemptible of you, Mii-chan, to even deceive him!<br>\\r\\n部活で騙すのは許せるけど、仲間である圭一くんを騙すなんて許せない。<br>\\r\\n I won't say anything about your tricks during the club activities, but this? I can't forgive you!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n許せない<br>\\r\\n I can't forgive you,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n許せない<br>\\r\\n I can't forgive you,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n許せない！！」<br>\\r\\n I can't forgive you!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「やめろ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Stop it!!<br>\\r\\n魅音を殴るな！！<br>\\r\\n Don't hit Mion!!<br>\\r\\n魅音は悪くない！！！」<br>\\r\\n Mion didn't do anything!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n後ろ手に縛られてるってことが……こんなにも恐ろしいことなのかよ…！<br>\\r\\nI never knew having your hands tied behind your back was that scary...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は自分の頭を何度も殴られる。<br>\\r\\nMion got hit repeatedly<br>\\r\\nそれもあんな頑丈な鉈の峰で！<br>\\r\\n with the handle of the hatchet!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを歯を食いしばって耐えるしかないんだぞ…！！<br>\\r\\nShe could only endure...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n手で庇えないのがこんなにも残酷なことだなんて…！<br>\\r\\nShe couldn't even protect herself with her hands...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ねぇ、そうなの魅ぃちゃん？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, is it true, Mii-chan?<br>\\r\\nそうなら、何でそうだって私に話してくれなかったの？」<br>\\r\\n If so, why didn't you tell me?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「魅音に話せない理由は想像つくだろ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Can't you understand Mion's position?<br>\\r\\n園崎家の…いろいろ都合があるんだよ！！<br>\\r\\n She has to follow certain rules as a member of the Sonozaki family!!!<br>\\r\\nそれより、気を遣ってくれたことをお前が感謝すべきじゃないか！！」<br>\\r\\n Shouldn't you be grateful for what she's done for you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n少し攻撃的な言動になったかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nI may have said it too aggressively...<br>\\r\\nレナがぎょろりとこちらに向き返る。<br>\\r\\n Rena turned around and glared at me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだよ圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's right, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n園崎家の都合で、魅ぃちゃんは私を警察に売った。<br>\\r\\n Mii-chan sold me out to the police because of the circumstances surrounding the Sonozaki family.<br>\\r\\n仲間の私を売った。<br>\\r\\n She sold out her friend.<br>\\r\\n仲間なのに、友達なのに、仲良しだったのにッ！！<br>\\r\\n I was her friend, I really liked her...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nひどいよ魅ぃちゃん！！<br>\\r\\n That was mean, Mii-chan!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本当に大好きな一番のお友達だったのにどうして？！<br>\\r\\n I really did like you so much... Why?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nひどいよ…ひどいよ！！<br>\\r\\n How could you...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nわあああぁあぁああん！！！」<br>\\r\\n Whaaaaahhhh!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう滅茶苦茶だった。<br>\\r\\nThis was senseless.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…レナは虐められたかのように泣くのに、やっているのは虐めなのだ。<br>\\r\\nRena cried as if being bullied, but she was the one doing the bullying.<br>\\r\\n……こんな矛盾、…ありえない…！！<br>\\r\\n ...Normally, this would be so odd as to be impossible...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、………その光景を、俺は知っていた。<br>\\r\\nBut... I had seen this scene before.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大好きだったのに。<br>\\r\\nI liked you.<br>\\r\\n信じていたのに。<br>\\r\\n I trusted you.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そう泣きながら、殴り殺す自分。<br>\\r\\nAs I cried, I beat her to death.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……信じてと繰り返しながら、そんな俺に砕かれていく、レナを。<br>\\r\\nRena repeatedly begged me to trust her, yet I beat her.<br>\\r\\n……俺は殴る側の視点で知っていた。<br>\\r\\n ...I know what it's like to be the one doing the beating.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやめろ…やめろやめろやめろ！！！<br>\\r\\nStop... stop, stop, stop!!!<br>\\r\\nやめてくれレナ！！！<br>\\r\\n Stop, Rena!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお前が今、どれだけ滅茶苦茶なことをしてるかわかってるのかよ！！<br>\\r\\nDon't you realize what you're doing?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお前は今、大好きだったと言ってる仲間を自分で傷付けてるんだよ！！<br>\\r\\nYou're hurting your friend with your own hands!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどういう気持ちなのかはわかってる。<br>\\r\\nI understand what you're feeling.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n信じてた仲間に裏切られたから辛い悲しいってんだろ…？<br>\\r\\nI know you're sad, because your friend betrayed you, right?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからその裏切られたってところが大きな誤解なんだよ！！<br>\\r\\nBut that's a misunderstanding!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺たちは最初から誰も裏切ってないし、ずっとレナのことだけを思ってる！！<br>\\r\\nWe didn't betray you. We've been thinking about you all this time!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあああぁあぁぁ、でもでも！！<br>\\r\\nAhhhh, but...!<br>\\r\\nそれに気付けないんだよ！！！<br>\\r\\n She just couldn't see that!!!<br>\\r\\n多分レナは、…死んでも殺されても！<br>\\r\\n Even if she died,<br>\\r\\n自分が過ちを犯したなんて気付けないんだ…！！<br>\\r\\n Rena probably wouldn't realize she'd made a terrible mistake!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでもよ……、<br>\\r\\nBut...<br>\\r\\nいつかさ、<br>\\r\\n someday<br>\\r\\n…絶対に気付くんだよ。<br>\\r\\n you'll realize.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…俺みたいな鈍感野郎でも気付くんだから、レナなら絶対に気付く。<br>\\r\\nEven an insensitive guy like me realized, so Rena would realize it for sure.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……その時、今のレナよりも何倍も辛く悲しい気持ちになるんだよ！！！<br>\\r\\nAnd that's when you'll feel even sadder, Rena!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいつの日にかきっと、この血塗れの魅音を思い出す。<br>\\r\\nYou will remember this bloody Mion one day.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてそれを自らがやったことに気付き後悔するんだ！！！<br>\\r\\nThen you'll realize that you were the one who made her bloody, and you will regret that you did!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、それを知っているのは思い出した俺だけなんだ。<br>\\r\\nBut I was the only one who could understand that. Because I remembered.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………レナにはそんなことはわからないし、気付きようもない。<br>\\r\\n......There was no way for Rena to understand or realize that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n一番辛いのは……俺なのか？<br>\\r\\n...I wondered if I was suffering the most of all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……惨劇は結局、<br>\\r\\nThere was no way to avoid<br>\\r\\n防げない。<br>\\r\\n a tragedy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……結局、<br>\\r\\nThis was<br>\\r\\nこの惨事の観劇は……<br>\\r\\n exactly the same tragedy<br>\\r\\n役者を代えただけ。<br>\\r\\n with different actors.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n主演が俺からレナに変わり、……また繰り返されちまうんだ…！！<br>\\r\\nThe main character was Rena instead of me... but it was the same thing!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は？<br>\\r\\nWhere was I?<br>\\r\\n今は舞台を下ろされ観客席にいる。<br>\\r\\n I was in the audience now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そして、この物語がどういう顛末を迎えるか知っているのに、舞台に上がれず涙を飲んでるだけなんだ…。<br>\\r\\nI knew how this story ended, but I couldn't come on to the stage.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「や、………やめろ……レナああぁ……。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Stop... Rena...<br>\\r\\nやめてくれ……やめてくれ……。」<br>\\r\\n Stop... stop...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………泣いてるの？<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Are you crying?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………どうしたの圭一くん…？」<br>\\r\\n ......What's wrong, Keiichi-kun?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はゆっくりと立ち上がり、レナに近付く。<br>\\r\\nI stood up slowly and walked towards Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あの時、レナがそうしてくれたように、両手を差し出しながら。<br>\\r\\nJust like what Rena did for me before, with my arms open.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「頼むからやめてくれ、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Please stop,<br>\\r\\n……やめるんだレナ……。<br>\\r\\n stop this, Rena...<br>\\r\\n…今はどうしてかわからないかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n You may not know why now.<br>\\r\\n……なぜやめなければならないのか、わからないのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n You may not know why you have to stop now.<br>\\r\\n……でも、<br>\\r\\n But...<br>\\r\\n………やめないと、………絶対に後悔する日が来るから…………。<br>\\r\\n if you don't...... you will regret it someday...<br>\\r\\nだから、…やめるんだ……………。」<br>\\r\\n So please, stop...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「け、圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n壁に戻らないとレナは怒るよ…？」<br>\\r\\n I'll be mad if you don't move back to the wall...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの目がすーっと冷めていき、右手の鉈を構える。<br>\\r\\nRena's eyes went cold, and she lifted the hatchet in her right hand.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「や……やめな……圭ちゃん……、…私は……大丈夫………だから……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"D-Don't... Kei-chan...... I'm... okay...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音が強がるが、そんな血塗れの顔で大丈夫なんて誰が思うものか。<br>\\r\\nMion told me, but with such a bloody face, how could she be?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナは、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Are you......<br>\\r\\n………その鉈で、<br>\\r\\n going to hit me......<br>\\r\\n………俺を叩くのか…？」<br>\\r\\n with that hatchet?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それ以上近付けばね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"If you come any closer,<br>\\r\\n叩くよ。<br>\\r\\n I will.<br>\\r\\n遠慮なくね。<br>\\r\\n Without hesitation.<br>\\r\\nもう圭一くんなんかいなくても最後まで行けるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n I don't need you anymore, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\nでも私は圭一くんと最後まで一緒にいたい。<br>\\r\\n But I want to be with you until the end.<br>\\r\\nだから私を怒らせないで？<br>\\r\\n So please don't make me mad, okay?<br>\\r\\nね？」<br>\\r\\n Okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n言葉だけはやさしいが、その表情には躊躇の一欠けらも見つけられなかった。<br>\\r\\nShe sounded gentle, but her expression was telling me there really would be no hesitation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナは俺の頭を遠慮なく、その鉈で叩き割るだろう。<br>\\r\\nRena would crack my head open with the hatchet immediately.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、………それでも構うものか。<br>\\r\\nBut, who cares?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……レナはもし立場が逆だったら、<br>\\r\\n\\\"If you were in my shoes,<br>\\r\\n……命を惜しむと思うか…？」<br>\\r\\n what do you think you would do?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははははは、当然だよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahaha, of course, I don't want to die, so I wouldn't oppose my opponent.<br>\\r\\n相手が凶器を持ってたら怖いから逆らわないね。」<br>\\r\\n If they had a weapon, I would be scared.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「嘘だなッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's a lie!!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は知ってる。<br>\\r\\nI know.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお前が仲間のために命を捨てられる本当に強いやつだってことを知ってる！<br>\\r\\nI know you're strong enough to give up your own life for the sake of your friend!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから今度は俺なんだ！<br>\\r\\nIt's my turn now!<br>\\r\\n俺なんだ！！！<br>\\r\\n My turn to be strong!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「俺も、レナと同じだぜ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm just like you.<br>\\r\\n……仲間のためなら命なんて惜しくない。<br>\\r\\n I won't hesitate to give up my own life for my friends.<br>\\r\\n…レナが欲しいってんなら、俺の命だってくれてやる。<br>\\r\\n If you want, I'll give that life to you.<br>\\r\\n……だから、…やめるんだ…！！！<br>\\r\\n So stop this!!!<br>\\r\\n仲間を信じてるなら、…仲間を傷付けるのをやめるんだ！！<br>\\r\\n If you trust your friends, stop hurting her!!<br>\\r\\nその痛みは必ずレナを襲うから、だからやめるんだ！！！<br>\\r\\n The same pain will attack you later, so stop!!!<br>\\r\\n誰もレナを脅かしたりなんかしてない！<br>\\r\\n Nobody is trying to scare you!<br>\\r\\nみんながレナのためを思ってる！<br>\\r\\n We are all thinking about you!<br>\\r\\nそれを疑うな！<br>\\r\\n Don't doubt that!<br>\\r\\n頼むから信じてくれ！！<br>\\r\\n Please believe it!!<br>\\r\\n俺を信じろ！<br>\\r\\n Trust me!<br>\\r\\n俺の頭を砕けば信じられるってんなら、その鉈を打ち下ろせばいい！<br>\\r\\n If you can come to trust me by smashing my head in, go ahead and crush my head with that hatchet!<br>\\r\\n俺は防がねぇからな！！」<br>\\r\\n I won't try to protect myself!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ち、…………近寄るな…！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"D-Don't come any closer!!<br>\\r\\nそれ以上、近付けばライターを点火するよ！！」<br>\\r\\n If you do, I'll light this place up!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは鉈でなく、もう片方の手に握るライターを横に突き出して構えた。<br>\\r\\nRena lifted the lighter overhead.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「馬鹿野郎おおぉおおぉ！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"You fooooool!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nてめぇいつまで夢を見てんだ！！！<br>\\r\\n How long are you going to dream about such crazy things?<br>\\r\\n自分でもわかってんだろ？！<br>\\r\\n You already know that yourself, don't you?<br>\\r\\n悪い夢だって！<br>\\r\\n That it's all just a bad dream!<br>\\r\\n誰かに醒ましてほしいって！！！<br>\\r\\n You want somebody to wake you up!!!<br>\\r\\nだから俺が来た！！<br>\\r\\n I'm here!!<br>\\r\\n俺が醒ましに来たんだ！」<br>\\r\\n I'm here to wake you up from your nightmares!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「醒ますのは圭一くんの方だよ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're the one who has to wake up, Keiichi-kun!!<br>\\r\\nこの村がやつらに侵略されていることがまだ信じられないの？！<br>\\r\\n Can't you believe that those aliens are trying to invade the village?<br>\\r\\nあの時はちゃんと信じてくれたのに！！<br>\\r\\n You believed me back then.<br>\\r\\nまた疑うの？！<br>\\r\\n Are you doubting me again?<br>\\r\\nまた私を信じないの？！」<br>\\r\\n Can't you trust me?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナがライターの蓋を開け、今にも点火しようと親指に力を込めているのがわかった。<br>\\r\\nRena opened the lid of the lighter. I could tell her thumb was about to light it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナにとっては、全員心中も初めから覚悟の内だ。<br>\\r\\nRena was prepared to die along with everyone else.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…レナは勝手に誤解したまま死んで、<br>\\r\\nRena would die without knowing the truth.<br>\\r\\n……狂ったのは世界の方だったと、<br>\\r\\n ......She would die believing it was the world that was crazy.<br>\\r\\n世界中全てを呪って闇の底に落ちていく。<br>\\r\\n She would die cursing everything in this world.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそういう筋書きの惨劇なんだろ？<br>\\r\\nThat was the storyline of this tragedy, wasn't it?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここは地獄の演劇場ってわけだ。<br>\\r\\nThis was a theater from Hell.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n面白い脚本だよ気に入ったぜ。<br>\\r\\nWhat an interesting script.<br>\\r\\n書いたのは地獄の閻魔か？<br>\\r\\n Who wrote it, a devil?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nふざけるな！！<br>\\r\\nShit!!<br>\\r\\n思い通りになんかさせねぇぞ！！<br>\\r\\n I won't let this happen!!<br>\\r\\n前回の主人公の前原圭一さまを侮るんじゃねぇ…。<br>\\r\\n Don't underestimate Keiichi Maebara, the original main character...<br>\\r\\n同じ筋書きで今度も行けるなんて思うなよ…！！<br>\\r\\n Don't think the same storyline will work again!!<br>\\r\\n生憎だが今回の脚本は俺が乗っ取る、俺がブチ壊す！！<br>\\r\\n I'll be taking over the script this time, and I am going to destroy it!!<br>\\r\\n貴様ら好みのバッドエンドなんかにさせねぇ！！！<br>\\r\\n I won't let this bad ending take place!!!<br>\\r\\n俺がてめえらの期待を叩き壊してやるッ！！！<br>\\r\\n I am going to destroy their expectations!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「信じてねえのはレナの方だろうがああぁ！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're the one who doesn't trust me, Rena!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今は俺を信じろ、黙って俺を信じやがれ！！！<br>\\r\\n Just trust me, shut up and trust me!!!<br>\\r\\nそれは絶対にレナのためになる。<br>\\r\\n This is all for your own sake.<br>\\r\\n前回の惨劇の主人公がそうだと言ってるんだよ！！<br>\\r\\n As the main character of the previous tragedy, I am telling you this!!<br>\\r\\n先代主人公の言うことを大人しく聞きやがれ！！」<br>\\r\\n You just shut up and listen to me!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何を言ってるのかさっぱりだよ圭一くん…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"What are you talking about, Keiichi-kun?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n黙って俺を信じろ？<br>\\r\\n Shut up and trust you?<br>\\r\\n信じてないのは圭一くんの方だよ！<br>\\r\\n You're the one who doesn't trust me, Keiichi-kun!<br>\\r\\nどうして私を信じてくれないの？！」<br>\\r\\n Why don't you believe me?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「やかましいやあぁあぁ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"SHUT UP!!<br>\\r\\n俺はお前が間違ってることを知ってるんだよ！！<br>\\r\\n I know you're wrong!!<br>\\r\\nお前の末路を知っていて、お前がする未来の後悔を全部知ってるんだよ！！！<br>\\r\\n I know how you'll end up, so I know you're going to regret it in the future!!!<br>\\r\\n仲間を自らの手で殺し、それがどれほど罪深いことかに気付きもせずに生を終える…。<br>\\r\\n I don't want you to finish your life without realizing what you have done...<br>\\r\\nそれがどんなに悲しいことか、お前にはわからないんだよおぉ！！！」<br>\\r\\n You just don't know how sad that is yet!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………ぜ、…全然何を言ってるのかわからない！<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I have no idea what you're talking about!<br>\\r\\n大丈夫なの圭一くん？」<br>\\r\\n Are you okay, Keiichi-kun?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁそうだな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, I bet.<br>\\r\\n何を言ってるか、レナにはわからないだろうな。<br>\\r\\n I bet you have no idea what I'm talking about.<br>\\r\\n……でも、話してやる。<br>\\r\\n I'll tell you.<br>\\r\\nある大馬鹿野郎の話を聞かせてやる！！<br>\\r\\n I'll tell you the story of a pathetic guy!!<br>\\r\\nあるところに前原圭一っていう大馬鹿がいたんだ！<br>\\r\\n Once upon a time, there was a pathetic guy named <NAME>!<br>\\r\\nそいつは…みんなと楽しく過ごす日に何の不満もなかったのに、…ある日を境にほんの少し仲間を疑っちまうんだ。<br>\\r\\n He had no complaints about his life, and he spent every day having fun with his friends. But one day, he started to doubt them.<br>\\r\\nそして、何もかもが疑わしく感じるようになってきて……。」<br>\\r\\n After a while, he started to doubt everything...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仲間たちの気遣いに気付けず、<br>\\r\\nHe didn't notice how worried his friends were,<br>\\r\\n傷付けて、<br>\\r\\n and he hurt them<br>\\r\\n傷付けて…。<br>\\r\\n repeatedly...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなんて悲しい…！！<br>\\r\\n How sorrowful...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n互いに相手を信じているのに、それが届きあわないなんて…！！<br>\\r\\nThey trusted each other, but they couldn't let each other know!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんな滑稽な話があるかってんだ！<br>\\r\\nCan you believe something as stupid as that actually happened?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そして、…俺はお前と魅音を<br>\\r\\n\\\"Then... I beat you and Mion<br>\\r\\n…<br>\\r\\n...<br>\\r\\n…<br>\\r\\n...<br>\\r\\n…<br>\\r\\n...<br>\\r\\n…、<br>\\r\\n...<br>\\r\\n金属バットで殴り殺しちまうんだ！！！<br>\\r\\n...<br>\\r\\nなのにお前は最後の瞬間まで、………私を信じてって言って、<br>\\r\\n with a metal bat, to the point of death!!!<br>\\r\\n…俺に殴り殺される最後の瞬間まで頭を庇わなかった、<br>\\r\\n But you begged me to trust you...... until your final moments.<br>\\r\\n庇おうとしなかった、<br>\\r\\n You didn't even try to protect your head.<br>\\r\\n最後まで俺を信じて両手を差し出したままだったんだ！！！<br>\\r\\n You trusted me until your final moments, reaching your hands out to me!!!<br>\\r\\nそれがどれだけ凄えことか、俺は気付きもせず…お前を殴り殺してしまったんだよ！！！<br>\\r\\n I didn't realize what you were doing and beat you to death anyway!!!<br>\\r\\nそれが……どれだけ罪深いことか、<br>\\r\\n Do you know how sinful that was?<br>\\r\\n………お前には想像なんかつかないだろうな…！！！<br>\\r\\n ......I bet you have no idea!!!<br>\\r\\nだから、<br>\\r\\n That's why...<br>\\r\\n……俺は、<br>\\r\\n I have to make up...<br>\\r\\n…俺の罪を滅ぼすために、<br>\\r\\n for what I've done.<br>\\r\\n……レナを、止めるんだ！！！」<br>\\r\\n I am going to stop you, Rena!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……そ、……それ以上、近寄ると本当にライターを！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"If you come any closer, I'll light the lighter!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナが命を懸けて俺を救おうとしてくれたように、今度は俺がレナを救う！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Just as you tried to save me with your life, I'm going to save you, Rena!!<br>\\r\\n俺はレナがどんなに立派な最後を遂げたか今でも覚えてるぜ。<br>\\r\\n I still remember how magnificent you were when you died.<br>\\r\\n……あの瞳には、自分が殺されるかもしれないなんて怯えはわずかもなかった。」<br>\\r\\n You weren't even afraid of it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n次の一言こそ届く。<br>\\r\\nThese words will reach him, she thought.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n次の一言できっと、圭一くんは気が付いてくれる……！！<br>\\r\\nThese next words will make Keiichi-kun realize...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「俺を信じろ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Trust me!!<br>\\r\\nレナああぁあぁああ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Rena!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、レナの鉈が俺の頭をものすごい力で殴りつけた。<br>\\r\\nThat was when Rena hit my head with the hatchet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はふらつき、尻餅をついて倒れる。<br>\\r\\nI crumbled down to the floor.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…峰打ちだったが、それでも額が割れたようだった。<br>\\r\\nShe hit me with the handle, but my head was probably cut open.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nべったりした血が俺の顔を伝う。<br>\\r\\n I felt the blood on my face.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「かわいそうな圭一くん…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Poor Keiichi-kun...<br>\\r\\nそれは圭一くんの意思じゃない。<br>\\r\\n That's not of your own will.<br>\\r\\n圭一くんの頭に寄生しているやつらがコントロールしているだけなの。<br>\\r\\n The parasites that are living in your brain are controlling you.<br>\\r\\n今に大石さんが治療する薬を見つけてきてくれるよ。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi-san will find the medicine for it.<br>\\r\\nそうなったら、一番最初に飲ませて治療してあげるからね。<br>\\r\\n When he comes, I'll let you take the medicine first.<br>\\r\\n…そうしたらもう圭一くんはやつらの支配から逃れられる。<br>\\r\\n Then you'll be free.<br>\\r\\nレナの大好きだった圭一くんに戻れるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n You'll return to the Keiichi-kun that I loved.<br>\\r\\n……だからもう少し待っててね、辛いだろうけど待っててね…。」<br>\\r\\n Just hang in there for a little while longer, okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……この……馬鹿野郎がぁあぁあぁ…！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Damn you!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、職員室から電話が鳴る音が聞こえた。<br>\\r\\nI heard a phone ringing in the teacher's office.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはしばらくの間、廊下の向こうからこだましてくる電話音を聞き続け、それが自分を呼び出す音だと気付いたようだった。<br>\\r\\nRena listened to the phone ring for a while, then realized it was for her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n教壇の上にある受話器で電話を取りたいようだったが、<br>\\r\\nRena tried to answer the phone in the classroom,<br>\\r\\nレナには操作がよくわからず、職員室の受話器を直接取る他ないようだった。<br>\\r\\n but she couldn't figure out how to transfer the call, so she decided to answer it in the teacher's office instead.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………ちょっと、職員室に行って来るね？<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I'm going to the office for a bit.<br>\\r\\n…その間に誰も逃げちゃいやだよ？<br>\\r\\n Don't run away, okay?<br>\\r\\n誰か１人でもいなくなってたら、魅ぃちゃんが大変なことになっちゃうんだからね…？」<br>\\r\\n If any of you are missing, something terrible will happen to Mii-chan, okay...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは教室の全員に凄みを利かせると教室を出て行った。<br>\\r\\nRena glared at everyone in the classroom, intimidating them, and then left.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………その時、外から車のクラクションの音が短く１回聞こえた。<br>\\r\\nThat was when I heard a honk from the outside.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさっき盗聴器でやり取りをした時の合図を思い出す。<br>\\r\\nI remembered the signal from earlier.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…まさか……俺と連絡を取りたいという意味か…？<br>\\r\\nDid Ooishi-san want to get in touch with me?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はレナに見つからないように体を曲げ、こっそりとイヤホンを耳に当てる…。<br>\\r\\nI bent down and put the receiver earphone in my ear.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…聞こえますか？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Can you hear me?<br>\\r\\n興宮署の熊谷と申します。<br>\\r\\n This is Kumagai, from Okinomiya Station.<br>\\r\\n聞こえているなら咳払いをしてください。」<br>\\r\\n Please cough if you can hear me.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………ゲホ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Cough!<br>\\r\\nゴホ…！」<br>\\r\\n Cough...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「よかった。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Very good.<br>\\r\\n今から言うことをよく聞いてください。<br>\\r\\n Please listen carefully.<br>\\r\\n犯人が撒いたガソリンは極めて危険なものです。<br>\\r\\n The gasoline the suspect spread everywhere is very dangerous.<br>\\r\\n今、教室内には気化したガソリンが充満して、巨大な爆弾と同じことになっています。<br>\\r\\n The classroom is filled with vaporized gasoline right now. It's like a bomb.<br>\\r\\nですから竜宮さんを刺激しないようにし、間違ってもライターをいじらせないでください。<br>\\r\\n Please don't aggravate Ryuugu-san and don't ever let her play with the lighter.<br>\\r\\nさっきのような挑発行為は二度と慎むようお願いします。」<br>\\r\\n Please don't provoke her anymore like you just did, okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………ちぇ、…盗聴器って嫌なもんだぜ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Tsk. ...This bug is awful.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「気化ガソリンはわずかの火花でも着火する可能性があります。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's possible for gasoline fumes to ignite at the slightest spark.<br>\\r\\nですので、この連絡を最後に盗聴器の電源を切ってください。<br>\\r\\n Therefore, please turn the bug off after this communication.<br>\\r\\nこれは万が一に備えてのことです。<br>\\r\\n That's just to be on the safe side.<br>\\r\\nそれから最後に重大な連絡があります。<br>\\r\\n Also, one last thing:<br>\\r\\n……犯人は時限発火装置を仕掛けていると予告しています。」<br>\\r\\n According to the suspect's note, she has set a time bomb.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………時限？<br>\\r\\n\\\"A time...<br>\\r\\n何だって…。」<br>\\r\\n bomb?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「キッチンタイマーを流用した時限発火装置で、火花を起こすだけの単純なものですが、今の教室はそれで充分爆発します。<br>\\r\\n\\\"She used a kitchen timer to make a simple time bomb, and the classroom will explode if it goes off.<br>\\r\\n現在、竜宮レナの要求する解毒剤と偽れる睡眠薬を準備中です。<br>\\r\\n We're trying to get some sleeping pills ready to give to her as an 'antidote'.<br>\\r\\nですが、残された時間が長くありません。<br>\\r\\n But we don't have much time left.<br>\\r\\n予告ではタイマーの設定は午後７時。」<br>\\r\\n According to her note, the timer is set fornseven PM.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n壁掛け時計を見上げると、……今は午後６時４５分。<br>\\r\\nI looked at the wall clock. It was 6:45 PM.<br>\\r\\n…１５分残っているかどうかだった。<br>\\r\\n There were only fifteen minutes left.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが受話器に怒鳴っているのが聞こえる。<br>\\r\\nI could hear Rena screaming into the phone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いいえ、時間通りです！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, the time has already been set!!<br>\\r\\n急いでくださいね大石さん。<br>\\r\\n Hurry up, Ooishi-san.<br>\\r\\n１秒たりとも遅れることは許しません。」<br>\\r\\n I won't wait for even a second longer.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「聞こえてると思いますが、竜宮レナはタイマーの設定延長には応じないようです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"As you can hear, Rena Ryuugu is refusing to reset the timer.<br>\\r\\n…あと１５分で本気で心中するつもりです。」<br>\\r\\n She's going to kill herself in fifteen minutes.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あの時の俺も、……レナと魅音を殺した後、これで警察沙汰になる、<br>\\r\\n...I remembered thinking the same way as Rena. After I killed Rena and Mion, I knew the police would come.<br>\\r\\nこれで誰かが俺の死後に事件の謎を解いてくれるだろうと考えていた気がする。<br>\\r\\n I thought someone would solve the mystery after I was dead.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだとしたらレナは、…初めから心中するつもりでここを占拠したのだ…。<br>\\r\\nIf that's what Rena was thinking, then she had been planning to kill herself from the beginning.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………それで、俺にどうしろと？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......What do you want me to do?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「睡眠薬がもうじき届きます。<br>\\r\\n\\\"The sleeping pills should arrive soon.<br>\\r\\nだが交渉中に爆発したら元も子もありません。<br>\\r\\n But if an explosion took place before we could negotiate, there would be no point.<br>\\r\\nあなたに、時限発火装置を見つけ出して解除していただきたいのです。」<br>\\r\\n We want you to find the time bomb and disassemble it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………よく映画で見るような、赤と青のコードを切断するやつですか…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You mean... cutting red and blue cords like in the movies?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「もっと簡単なものでしょう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's probably simpler than that.<br>\\r\\n犯人の予告によるならば、それは台所用のキッチンタイマーです。<br>\\r\\n According to the suspect, she used a kitchen timer.<br>\\r\\n電池でなく、コンセントに刺して動くタイプの目覚まし時計状のものと思われます。<br>\\r\\n It's not a battery-operated one, it's one of those ones you plug in. It looks like an alarm clock.<br>\\r\\n教室内のコンセントに何か刺さっていませんか…？」<br>\\r\\n Do you see anything in an outlet in the classroom...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……教室には前と後ろに１箇所ずつコンセントの穴があったと思った。<br>\\r\\nThere was one outlet in the back and another at the front of the classroom.<br>\\r\\n……こっそり両方をうかがうが何も刺されてはいなかった。<br>\\r\\n I checked, but I didn't see anything that was plugged in.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…いや、…教室内のコンセントには何も刺さっていない。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"No... I don't see anything.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「他所の場所で発火しても確実性は低いでしょう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"If an ignition was taking place somewhere else, it shouldn't work.<br>\\r\\n間違いなく教室内にあるはずです。」<br>\\r\\n It must be somewhere in the classroom.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…いや、……………多分ないぜ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No......... I don't think so.<br>\\r\\n廊下からコードが引かれてるのはレナが話してる電話だけだ。<br>\\r\\n The only cord coming from the hallway is the one for Rena's phone.<br>\\r\\n……そのキッチンタイマーが電池式ってことはないのか？」<br>\\r\\n Is it possible for the kitchen timer to be battery-operated?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「電源を供給するタイプですのでコード型に違いありません。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's the type that's powered by electricity.<br>\\r\\n…あるいは、他の部屋ということはありませんか？<br>\\r\\n Could it possibly be in another room?<br>\\r\\nその教室以外にもガソリンの充満した部屋があるとしたら、そちらの部屋に仕掛けられている可能性があります。」<br>\\r\\n If there was a different room where she spread gasoline, then the timer could be in there.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………学校中を調べろってことかよ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Are you telling me to check the whole school?<br>\\r\\n……あと１５分でか？<br>\\r\\n In fifteen minutes?<br>\\r\\n……くそ、俺は負傷中なんだぜ…。」<br>\\r\\n Damn, I'm injured here, you know...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのまま寝てりゃ、あと１５分で負傷者じゃなくなるだろうがな…。<br>\\r\\nBut if I stayed here, I'd die in fifteen minutes...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……皮肉を言ってる場合じゃない。<br>\\r\\nThis wasn't a time to be pessimistic.<br>\\r\\nこれが多分、惨劇を食い止める最後のチャンスなんだ…！<br>\\r\\n This was probably my last chance to stop this tragedy from taking place.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nガソリンは俺がスクラップ帖を持って校庭に出て、戻ってくるまでの短い時間に撒かれていた。<br>\\r\\nShe spread the gasoline while I went out to deliver the scrapbooks, so she must have done it in a fairly short time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………正直なところ、教室以外の部屋に撒く時間があったとは思えない。<br>\\r\\nI really didn't think she had enough time to spread it anywhere else other than the classroom...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……じゃあ、時限発火装置はどこに…？<br>\\r\\nThen where was the time bomb?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こちらも努力しています。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We are doing everything we can here.<br>\\r\\nですからそちらでもご協力をお願いします。<br>\\r\\n So please, help us.<br>\\r\\n以上です。<br>\\r\\n That's all.<br>\\r\\n質問がなければこれで交信を終了しますが、何かありますか？」<br>\\r\\n If you don't have any questions, I'll end the communication. Is there anything else?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………特にない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, not really.........<br>\\r\\n……あ、いや、１つある。」<br>\\r\\n Ah, wait, yeah, I do have one thing to say.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なんでしょう？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What is it?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石のオヤジに言っといてくれ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Please tell Ooishi<br>\\r\\n…よくも人の古傷をレナに話しやがったなって。<br>\\r\\n that he should never have told Rena about my past.<br>\\r\\nもし俺が生きてここを出られたらブン殴ってやるから覚悟しやがれって伝えといてくれ。<br>\\r\\n If I come out of this alive, I'll punch him, so he'd better be prepared.<br>\\r\\n……あぁ２発殴るぜ。<br>\\r\\n ...Wait, two punches.<br>\\r\\n俺のことをレナに喋った分と、………レナのことを俺に喋った分だ。」<br>\\r\\n One for telling Rena about me and another for telling me about Rena.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「了解。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I understand.<br>\\r\\n大石さんも竜宮レナに踊らされたとだいぶへこんでます。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi-san is disappointed in himself for letting Rena Ryuugu fool him.<br>\\r\\nきっと殴らせてくれますよ。<br>\\r\\n I'm sure he'll be happy to let you throw a punch or two.<br>\\r\\n以上でよろしいですか？」<br>\\r\\n Is that it now?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah.<br>\\r\\nこのおしゃべりだけで数分食っちまった。<br>\\r\\n I've already wasted a few minutes here.<br>\\r\\n………切るぜ。」<br>\\r\\n See ya.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ご無事をお、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Be safe...\\\"<br>\\r\\n」ブツ…！<br>\\r\\n Click...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはまだ電話をしていた。<br>\\r\\nRena was still on the phone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石さんが時間稼ぎで色々と話をしているのだろう。<br>\\r\\nOoishi-san was definitely trying to stall her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n会話から聞くに、園崎本家を捜査して、地下から秘密のナントカが出てきてどうこうとトンデモ話をしているようだ。<br>\\r\\nFrom what I could hear, it sounded like he is telling her that they investigated the main Sonozaki residence and found something awful in their secret basement or something like that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…おいおい、いい加減な話をしたらまたレナが信じちまうじゃねぇか…。<br>\\r\\nHey, if you went too far, Rena would believe everything again...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまた魅音が嘘吐き扱いされて殴られちまうぞ……。<br>\\r\\nMion was going to get hit again for \\\"lying\\\"...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……圭一。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいつの間にか梨花ちゃんと沙都子が俺の側に這って来ていた。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan and Satoko crawled up to me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………今の俺の無線、…聞いてたか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Did you hear?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「トラップは私の専売特許でしてよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Traps are my specialty.<br>\\r\\n……レナさんにお株を奪われるなんて、こんなの死んでも死に切れませんわ…。」<br>\\r\\n ...I can't let Rena-san do this to me...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…沙都子は今や自分たちの命が風前の灯であることの恐怖を、表情から隠し切ることはできなかった。<br>\\r\\nSatoko realized how serious the situation was as well. The lives of the hostages, including her own, were about to be taken.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…それでも強がりを言い、平静を装おうとするのがたくましかった。<br>\\r\\nYet she tried to remain strong.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「沙都子、もし死んでもレナを恨まないでくれ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Satoko, even if you die, please don't hate Rena.<br>\\r\\n………レナは…病気なんだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Rena is sick.<br>\\r\\n……運悪く、悲しい病気にかかっただけなんだ。<br>\\r\\n She was just unfortunate enough to get this tragic disease.<br>\\r\\n………だってそうだろ？<br>\\r\\n ......Remember?<br>\\r\\n…俺たちはあんなにも明るくて楽しい仲間だったレナを…よく覚えてるだろ…？」<br>\\r\\n We had so much fun together...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...............\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……沙都子。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Satoko......<br>\\r\\n………ボクはレナもみんなも素敵な仲間だと信じていますのですよ。」<br>\\r\\n I still believe both you and Rena are my wonderful friends.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………あんな、……魅音さんにあんな乱暴をする人を…仲間なんて認められますの？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"How......... can you still say that she is your friend...... after what she has done to Mion-san?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……沙都子だって、わかるはずなのです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......But can't you understand, Satoko?<br>\\r\\n………心の中の鬼が暴れだして、どんなに悲しくても抗えない時があるのを知っているはずなのです…。」<br>\\r\\n ......Once a demon starts to act up inside, no matter how tragic the outcome, you just can't stop it...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"..................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子は神妙そうに俯く。<br>\\r\\nSatoko quietly hung her head.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…俺には梨花ちゃんと沙都子が何を話しているのか意味はわからなかった。<br>\\r\\nI didn't understand what Rika-chan was trying to say to Satoko.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………でも、……ひょっとして……………………………。<br>\\r\\nBut......... maybe............<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………レナさんを……信じてますわ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I... believe in Rena-san...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……偉いぞ、沙都子…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...There you go, Satoko...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は沙都子の頭を抱いてやった。<br>\\r\\nI hugged Satoko's head.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんは腕を縛られていたから抱けなかったけど、せめて額を寄せて、沙都子を褒めた。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan's arms were tied, so she couldn't embrace Satoko, but she put her forehead closer to her in praise.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さて…、……………世界最高のトラップ名人に聞くぜ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay then... I'm asking the world's best trap expert.<br>\\r\\n……この部屋を爆破するには、どこに時限発火装置を仕掛ける？」<br>\\r\\n ...If you were to blow up this room, where would you set a time bomb?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お任せなさいませ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Count on me.<br>\\r\\nその装置はコンセントに繋がってなければいけませんのね？」<br>\\r\\n The device has to be connected to an outlet, huh?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…あぁ、そうだ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Yeah, that's right.<br>\\r\\nでもこの部屋とは限らないぞ。<br>\\r\\n But it could be somewhere else other than this room.<br>\\r\\n他の部屋にもガソリンが撒いてあって、そこに仕掛けてある可能性もある。」<br>\\r\\n It's possible that she spread gasoline all over a different room and set the device there.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……いいえ、そんな時間はなかったと思いますです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......No, I don't think she had enough time to do that.<br>\\r\\n多分レナは、教室のすぐ近くに隠してあったガソリンを持ってきて、この部屋に撒くくらいだったのですよ。」<br>\\r\\n She had gasoline hidden close by and only spread it here. That was about all the time she had.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………そういやレナは昨夜俺と別れる時、明日の準備がある…って言ってた気がするぜ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I remember now. Rena told me last night that she had to prepare something for today.<br>\\r\\n……ってことは何かの仕掛けを昨夜の内にしてあった可能性もあるな。」<br>\\r\\n ...That means she had things ready since then, at least...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それだけのヒントで私はここに芋虫状態。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Those are all the hints I get, eh?<br>\\r\\n……なかなかに意地悪な難易度の爆弾探しゲームでございますわねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n ...Hmmm, what a cruel mine-sweeping game...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「沙都子なら見付けられる。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You can find it, Satoko.<br>\\r\\n……沙都子に見つけられないなら、俺にも無理だろうな。<br>\\r\\n ...If you can't, there's no way I can.<br>\\r\\nだから俺は沙都子を信じて、全部を賭けるぜ。」<br>\\r\\n I'm wagering all my trust in you!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……沙都子なら出来ます。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......You can do it, Satoko.<br>\\r\\n………レナを救うためにも、…見つけ出してほしいのです。」<br>\\r\\n In order to save Rena... please find it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「仕方ありませんわね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"In that case, very well.<br>\\r\\n本気の私の前には、レナさんのトラップなんて問題にもならないことを証明して差し上げて見せましてよ…！」<br>\\r\\n I shall prove that Rena-san's trap is child's play compared to one of my own.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さぁもう一度聞くぜ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm going to ask you one more time.<br>\\r\\nこの部屋を爆発させるなら、時限発火装置をどこに仕掛ける…？」<br>\\r\\n If you were to blow up this room, where would you set a time bomb?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子は、本当はまだ怖いくせにニヤリと笑うと、目を閉じて精神を集中させ始める…。<br>\\r\\nSatoko grinned and then closed her eyes to concentrate...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「な、何ですかあんたたちは…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wh-Who are you people?!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「退きたまえ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Move over.<br>\\r\\nここの責任者は誰だね。」<br>\\r\\n Who's in charge here?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何台かの車が次々に載りつけ、興宮署の刑事でない男たちが何人も現れた。<br>\\r\\nSeveral cars had arrived, producing several men. They weren't from the Okinomiya station.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの暑いのにスーツをきっちり着こなした細身の男が、制止しようとする熊谷を払いのけて、大石のところへやって来た。<br>\\r\\nOne of the men was wearing a suit, despite the hot weather. He approached me, pushing Kumagai aside.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……おや、これはこれは。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Hey, look who's here.<br>\\r\\nお久しぶりですねぇ、県警本部の大高くんじゃありませんか。」<br>\\r\\n Good to see you again, Ohtaka-kun from the prefectural headquarters.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「言葉を慎みたまえ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Watch your mouth.<br>\\r\\nもう、君にくんと呼ばれる階級ではない。」<br>\\r\\n I'm ranked much higher than you now, so don't address me so casually.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何か御用ですかね大高“くん”。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Can I help you with something, Ohtaka-<i>kun</i>?<br>\\r\\n今、非常に立て込んでいます。<br>\\r\\n I'm rather busy at the moment.<br>\\r\\nまさか県警がこの現場を乗っ取るおつもりで？<br>\\r\\n You can't possibly be thinking about taking over this case?<br>\\r\\n誰の了解で！」<br>\\r\\n Who approved that, exactly?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私が許可した、大石くん！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I did, Ooishi-kun!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「しょ、署長！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ch-Chief...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「高杉くんから事情は聞いている。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Takasugi-kun has informed me of the situation.<br>\\r\\n君が蒔いたタネだという話も聞いているぞ。<br>\\r\\n He also told me that you started all this.<br>\\r\\n君はもう下がってあとは機動隊に任せるんだ！」<br>\\r\\n You can go now. The troops will take over!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「機動隊って、……大高くん、あんたまさか急襲する気ですか！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"The troops? ...Ohtaka-kun, you aren't going to storm the building, are you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「危険は重々承知だ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I understand the risk.<br>\\r\\nだがもう爆発まで時間がない。<br>\\r\\n But we don't have any time left before the bomb goes off.<br>\\r\\n君が時間を浪費し過ぎたのだ。<br>\\r\\n You've taken too long.<br>\\r\\nその尻拭いを我々がしようと言うんだ。<br>\\r\\n We're here to take care of the mess you left behind.<br>\\r\\n君らは引き継いで後方に下がりたまえ。」<br>\\r\\n Just step back for a minute.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n署長と県警本部の人間に凄まれては、立場上、大石は譲らざるを得ない。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't talk back if both the chief and a guy from the prefectural headquarters gave me an order.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お、…大石さん、何者っすかあいつは…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"O...Ooishi-san, who the heck is he?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大高くん？<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's Ohtaka-kun.<br>\\r\\nんっふっふ、昔、麻雀がクソ弱いくせに粋がってたから、ちょいと叩き潰してやったことがありましてねー。<br>\\r\\n Nfu fu, a long time ago, he was showing off even though he was bad at mahjong, so I taught him a lesson.<br>\\r\\nそれともあれかな、剣道大会で偉そうにしてやがったから、面食らわして失神させたのを根に持ってるのかなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n Or maybe he's still holding a grudge from when I knocked him unconscious in that kendo tournament.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれ以上を聞かなくても、二人が犬猿の仲であることは容易に想像できた。<br>\\r\\nObviously, we didn't get along.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石くん、現在の最新の状況を説明したまえ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Give me the latest update, Ooishi-kun.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あんた、本気で突入する気で？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Are you serious about storming the school?<br>\\r\\nこっちはもうすぐ睡眠薬で穏便に決着がつけられそうなんだ。<br>\\r\\n We were about to settle this thing peacefully with some sleeping pills.<br>\\r\\nそれを引っくり返す気かい？！」<br>\\r\\n What are you trying to accomplish here?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「もう遅過ぎる。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's too late for that.<br>\\r\\nあと１時間あったらその手も検討できたな。<br>\\r\\n If we had another hour, that would be possible.<br>\\r\\n突入は府警の専門部隊が担当する。<br>\\r\\n Instead, a special unit from the prefectural police department will move in.<br>\\r\\n君はバックアップに回りたまえ。」<br>\\r\\n Your unit will be their backup.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……署長。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Chief.<br>\\r\\nあんたわかってますよねぇ？<br>\\r\\n You know what's going on, don't you?<br>\\r\\nあの教室は今や巨大な爆弾なんです！<br>\\r\\n That classroom itself has turned into a huge bomb!<br>\\r\\nだが一番恐ろしい爆弾は教室じゃない。<br>\\r\\n But even the classroom isn't the bomb we're scared of.<br>\\r\\n犯人の竜宮レナ本人なんです！！<br>\\r\\n It's the suspect, Rena Ryuugu!!<br>\\r\\n我々はようやくそれをなだめ、穏便に解決する手順を踏み、それを実行しようとしています。<br>\\r\\n We finally calmed her down and found a way to settle this peacefully, and we were about to start that operation.<br>\\r\\n時間は確かにもう１０分もない。<br>\\r\\n I know we only have about ten minutes,<br>\\r\\nでも、必ず成功させて見せます！！<br>\\r\\n but I'll make sure this works!!<br>\\r\\n交渉は私が自らやります。<br>\\r\\n I'll continue negotiating.<br>\\r\\n駄目なら私が粉々に吹っ飛んでおしまいです。<br>\\r\\n If it doesn't work, I'll be blown up.<br>\\r\\n署長たちは離れてそれを見て、ざまーみろと思ってればいい！」<br>\\r\\n Then you can sit back and say 'I told you so,' okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石くん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ooishi-kun,<br>\\r\\n府警の専門部隊はただの機動隊じゃないぞ。<br>\\r\\n the special unit from the prefectural police department isn't just any old unit.<br>\\r\\n第２機動隊と言えば、君ほどの男なら噂くらい聞いているだろう？」<br>\\r\\n You've heard about the Second Company, haven't you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………なんすか大石さん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"What's that, Ooishi-san?<br>\\r\\n第２機動隊って有名なんですか…？」<br>\\r\\n Is this \\\"Second Company\\\" that well known?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「５年くらい前だっけ、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Do you remember, about five years ago,<br>\\r\\n…日本赤軍のダッカ事件があったでしょ。<br>\\r\\n when the JRA hijacked that airplane? Flight 472?<br>\\r\\nあれを切っ掛けに、東京と大阪にハイジャック専門の特殊部隊が組織されたって噂は聞いてましたがね。<br>\\r\\n I've heard that special counter-terrorist units were put together in Tokyo and Osaka after that incident.<br>\\r\\n………実在してましたか…。」<br>\\r\\n So they really do exist...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「で、でも、何だって府警の機動隊がこんなところに…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"B-But why would a special unit from Osaka be here?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大高が得意げにニヤリと笑った。<br>\\r\\nOhtaka smiled proudly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「たまたま県警機動隊との交流訓練があってね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"We just happened to be holding a training session with your prefectural police unit.<br>\\r\\n特別に応援を要請したのだよ。」<br>\\r\\n We requested their help.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なっはっは、……相変わらずですねぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Na ha ha... you haven't changed, have you?<br>\\r\\n…話をすぐ派手にしたがる、その癖は。」<br>\\r\\n ...You have a bad tendency to escalate matters quickly.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nとても日本的とは思えない武装をした黒装束の機動隊員たちが次々と降車しては、予め決められたらしい位置に散っていく。<br>\\r\\nThe Company members exited the vehicles one after another and took position.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその動きはとても警察的とは思えなかった。<br>\\r\\nThey didn't move like policemen...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大高くん！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ohtaka-kun!<br>\\r\\nあんた学校で銃撃戦をやる気かい！<br>\\r\\n Are you really going to have a gunfight here?<br>\\r\\n一発で大爆発を起こすぞ！」<br>\\r\\n One shot is all it'll take to trigger an explosion!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「安心したまえ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Don't worry.<br>\\r\\n突入班が使うのは火器じゃない。<br>\\r\\n They won't use firearms.<br>\\r\\n暴徒鎮圧用のガス銃だ。<br>\\r\\n They're using riot shields and riot guns.<br>\\r\\n高圧ガスで催涙ガスを噴出する。<br>\\r\\n These guns send out tear gas at high pressures.<br>\\r\\n何の問題もない。」<br>\\r\\n There will be no issue with explosions.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………へぇ〜、そりゃ便利な水鉄砲があったもんで。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Wow, I've never heard of such convenient water guns.<br>\\r\\nところで、その玩具は校庭を横断して教室まで届くほど便利なものなんで？」<br>\\r\\n By the way, can that toy reach the classroom from across the schoolyard?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それは君が心配することではない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You don't need to worry about that.<br>\\r\\n後は我々に任せて下がりたまえ。」<br>\\r\\n You just move over and let us do our job.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石が呆れたジェスチャーをした時、腕がたまたま車のクラクションに触れて、短く音が一度なった。<br>\\r\\nAs I lifted my arms exaggeratedly, one elbow accidentally touched the car horn, which honked.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………もちろん故意だった。<br>\\r\\n .........Of course, I did it on purpose...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今のは前原圭一を呼び出すサインですか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Are you trying to get Keiichi Maebara's attention?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……えぇそうです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Of course.<br>\\r\\n…前原くんが気付いてくれるのに祈るしかない…。」<br>\\r\\n I just hope he heard it...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今さら彼に何を？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What are you going to tell him now?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「連中は多分、グレネードか何かでガラスをぶち抜いてガス弾を教室に打ち込んでその隙に突入しようってつもりでしょう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"They're probably thinking about breaking one of the windows with a grenade and then shooting tear gas into the room.<br>\\r\\n……連中は竜宮レナを甘く見てる。<br>\\r\\n ...They have no idea how serious Rena Ryuugu is.<br>\\r\\n彼女は本気だ。<br>\\r\\n Deadly serious.<br>\\r\\nガラスの割れる音でもライターを躊躇わず点火する…！」<br>\\r\\n Even the noise of a window breaking could drive her over the edge...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………特殊部隊には制圧できないってことですか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Are you saying the special unit can't suppress her?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「できないに決まってるだろ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Of course not!<br>\\r\\nだから今まで慎重にやって来たんじゃないの！<br>\\r\\n That's why we've been so careful!<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナは初めから死ぬつもりなんだよ。<br>\\r\\n Rena Ryuugu has been intending to kill herself this whole time.<br>\\r\\n命が惜しくないヤツに突入なんて意味がないんだよ！<br>\\r\\n A raid doesn't work on people who don't care about dying!<br>\\r\\n……もう前原さんしかいない…！」<br>\\r\\n ...We only have Maebara-san now!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……お、……大石さん！<br>\\r\\n\\\"O-Ooishi-san!<br>\\r\\n繋がりました！」<br>\\r\\n Here he is!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「もしもし、大石です。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hello, this is Ooishi.<br>\\r\\n聞こえてたら咳払いをお願いします。」<br>\\r\\n If you can hear me, please cough.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………ゴホゴホ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Cough, cough...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「緊急の話があります<br>\\r\\n\\\"This is an emergency.<br>\\r\\n。聞いてください。」<br>\\r\\n Please listen.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………どうせ悪い話だろ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I have a feeling it's not good news...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……悔しいですがビンゴです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Unfortunately, you're right.<br>\\r\\n…県警が介入してきてお膳立てを引っくり返すつもりです。<br>\\r\\n The prefectural police are getting involved. They're going to ruin everything we've worked for so far.<br>\\r\\n特殊部隊が校舎に突入しようとしています。」<br>\\r\\n There's a special unit about to break in.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お、………おいおい、……護身用スプレーで怯ませてもその１秒で点火されちまうってんで、俺はずっと抑えて来たんだぜ…？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"H-Hey, the only reason I haven't used my pepper spray is because that won't stop her from igniting the gas...<br>\\r\\n突入なんて、そんなの無理に決まってるだろ…！」<br>\\r\\n A raid won't work...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「県警は竜宮さんがすでに死ぬ気であることを理解していません。<br>\\r\\n\\\"The prefectural police don't understand that Ryuugu-san is prepared to die.<br>\\r\\nライターは脅しで、点火するわけないとタカを括っています。<br>\\r\\n They're assuming the lighter is just a threat and that she isn't really going to ignite the gas.<br>\\r\\n多分、５分以内に突入するでしょう。<br>\\r\\n They'll break in within five minutes or so.<br>\\r\\n突入する前に、…何とか竜宮レナからライターを奪ってください！」<br>\\r\\n Please take the lighter from Rena Ryuugu before they move in!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それは時限発火装置を何とかしろというオーダーに追加で？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Is that an addition to your order to do something about the time bomb?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………えぇ、そうです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Yes, that's right.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……マジかよ………。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You've got to be kidding me...<br>\\r\\n…あと５分でレナからライターを奪って、時限発火装置もどうにか？<br>\\r\\n You want me to take the lighter from Rena and do something about the time bomb too, all within five minutes?<br>\\r\\n……やってくれるぜ……………。」<br>\\r\\n ...Come on......\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あなただけが頼りなんです…！<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're the only one we can count on...!<br>\\r\\n頼みます…！！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm begging you...!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……どうですか沙都子。<br>\\r\\n\\\"How is it, Satoko?<br>\\r\\n思いつきますですか…。」<br>\\r\\n Can you think of something?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………１階の廊下だけが知りたいんですの。<br>\\r\\n\\\".........I just have to check the hallway on the first floor.<br>\\r\\n…そこに、あるか、ないか。<br>\\r\\n To check whether it is there or not.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナさんの行動パターンから考えて、１階ならあそこ、２階ならあそこ…。」<br>\\r\\n Knowing Rena-san's patterns, if it was on the first floor, it would be <i>there</i>, and if it was on the second floor, it would be <i>there</i>...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「１階の廊下をコードが横断してないか、ざっと見ればいいんだな？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I just have to check to see if there is a cord in the hallway on the first floor, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………多分あるはず…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......It should be there.<br>\\r\\n…………く、<br>\\r\\n .........Tch,<br>\\r\\n…普段のレナさんなら断言できますけど、……今のレナさんはノイズだらけで行動パターンが読みきれませんわ…。」<br>\\r\\n if Rena-san was in a normal state of mind, I would know for certain... but with her being like this, I really cannot figure out her thought pattern right now...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「よし、……任せろ、何とかする。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay, I'll do something.<br>\\r\\nもう悩むにも時間が足りねぇよ。<br>\\r\\n We don't even have time to think about it.<br>\\r\\n最後の２択は俺が直接探る！」<br>\\r\\n I'll look into those two options myself!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもう惨劇はごめんだ。<br>\\r\\nI don't want another tragedy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n地獄の悪魔どもめ、滑稽な顛末を期待してポップコーンでも食ってやがる頃だろう。<br>\\r\\nYou demons down in Hell, I bet you're just waiting for an amusing ending to unfold while eating some popcorn.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そうはいかねぇぞ…俺が全部、引っくり返す！！<br>\\r\\nI won't let that happen. I'm going to change everything!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nてめぇらには床に散らばったポップコーンを拾わせてやるぜ…！！<br>\\r\\nAnd then I'm going to make you pick up your popcorn off the floor!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は、宇宙人の話を延々と続けるレナに言った。<br>\\r\\nI spoke to Rena as she continued on with her story about the aliens.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……え？<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Eh?<br>\\r\\n何？<br>\\r\\n What is it?<br>\\r\\nどうしたの圭一くん。」<br>\\r\\n What's the matter, Keiichi-kun?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いや、………今、音が聞こえなかったか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey... didn't you hear something just now?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"..................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは沈黙し、四方の気配を探る……。<br>\\r\\nRena went quiet and looked around...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……今のレナは疑心暗鬼の塊だ。<br>\\r\\nRena had become totally paranoid about everything.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n少しでも不安になれば、もうその不安を無視できない…。<br>\\r\\nOnce she became worried, she couldn't ignore it...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………本当に？<br>\\r\\n\\\"............Really?<br>\\r\\n圭一くん。」<br>\\r\\n Are you sure, Keiichi-kun?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……あぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Yeah.<br>\\r\\n聞き間違えじゃない。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sure I heard something.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".....................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは自分で異常を確かめたいはずだ。<br>\\r\\nI knew she'd want to check it herself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だが、気のせいかも知れない音のために、ここを離れたくもないはず…。<br>\\r\\nBut she really couldn't leave the room for something like that...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nとなれば、俺に頼むほかない。<br>\\r\\nSo in that case, she'd have to ask me to check for her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナももちろん、同じ答えに行き着いていたようだった。<br>\\r\\nRena must have been thinking the same thing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………圭一くん、<br>\\r\\n\\\"............Keiichi-kun,<br>\\r\\n……見てきて？」<br>\\r\\n can you go check?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n口元しか笑っていない恐ろしい表情で、…レナが俺にそう命じた。<br>\\r\\nRena gave me an order with a fake smile on her lips.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………あぁ、………わかった。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah...... okay......\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はレナに見送られながら廊下へ出る。<br>\\r\\nRena watched me go out into the hallway.<br>\\r\\n……その背中にレナが言葉をぶつけた。<br>\\r\\n As I did, she spoke to me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………レナを、怒らせちゃいやだよ…？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Don't... make me angry ......okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「信用しろ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Trust me.<br>\\r\\n…俺はレナの仲間だ。」<br>\\r\\n I'm your friend.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………うん。………信じるよ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Yeah. ...I trust you.<br>\\r\\n…信じるから、………裏切っちゃ嫌だからね…。」<br>\\r\\n I trust you...... so don't betray me, okay...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの視界から逃れた俺は、足早にコードを探す。<br>\\r\\nAfter being freed from Rena, I looked for a cord in a hurry.<br>\\r\\n…もう時間は５分もないのだ！<br>\\r\\n I didn't even have five minutes!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……コンセントが一番多そうな場所と言えば、…やはり職員室だろうか…？<br>\\r\\nThe office probably had more outlets than anywhere else...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n職員室に向かう。<br>\\r\\nI headed for the teacher's office.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………くそ、コンセントってどこにあるんだ。<br>\\r\\nShit, where were the outlets?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n灯りのスイッチと違って、必ず部屋の入り口の脇にあるとか、ルールがあるわけじゃないからな…！<br>\\r\\nUnlike light switches, outlets couldn't always be found near entrances...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nくそ、何で職員室の時計の秒針ってこんなにもうるさいんだよ！！<br>\\r\\nDamn it, why did the clock in the teacher's office have to make such a loud ticking noise?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……大丈夫なのですよ、圭一ならきっと見つけてくれますのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Don't worry, Keiichi will find it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナさんなら、……レナさんなら……。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena-san would... if I were Rena-san...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……く、<br>\\r\\n ......<br>\\r\\n……いつものレナさんより疑り深いレナさんなら、<br>\\r\\nif Rena-san was even more mistrusting than usual...<br>\\r\\n………どこにどう仕掛けますの？！<br>\\r\\n where would she set the trap?<br>\\r\\nこの程度がわからなくて…レナさんのトラップで最期なんて北条沙都子、一生の恥ですわ…！」<br>\\r\\n A trap expert like myself ought to be able to discern that!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………何だ、………これ……。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hmm? What's this...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n校長席の下にある蛸足配線に１本のコンセントが刺されて、それがずーーっと伸びて……、応接室へ続く扉の隙間に伸びていた。<br>\\r\\nI saw a plug inserted into the unit under the principal's desk, and I also saw a cord extending under the door to the reception room.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n隣の部屋へコードを伸ばすなんて普通ありえない。<br>\\r\\nThere shouldn't have been any reason why a cord had to be extended into that room. <br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその部屋の電源はその部屋のコンセントで取るのが普通だ。<br>\\r\\nThe reception room had an outlet of its own.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は足音を限りなく殺しながら……、応接室への扉を開く。<br>\\r\\nI tiptoed over to the reception room... and opened the door.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nキィ〜〜〜〜〜〜〜…ィ〜〜……。<br>\\r\\nSqueak...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n潤滑油がすっかり切れて、耳障りに鳴る扉の隙間を少し開ける。<br>\\r\\nThe door squeaked as I cracked it open a little.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………応接室の中に首を突っ込むと、<br>\\r\\nI poked my head inside the reception room.<br>\\r\\n……この不審なコードはなんと応接室を横断して、廊下に繋がる扉の隙間へ向かっていた。<br>\\r\\n I saw the suspicious cord crossing the room and extending under the door to the hallway.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は応接室のコードを辿り、<br>\\r\\nI followed the cord through the reception room.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n廊下への引き戸を開けると、………コードは正面にある倉庫の扉の中に伸びていた。<br>\\r\\n I opened the door to the hallway... and the cord was extending into the storage closet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n倉庫の中には、ワックスとか洗剤とかそういう類のものがたくさんしまわれていて、細く開けられた扉から独特の異臭が漏れ出していた。<br>\\r\\nThe storage closet was used to hold cleaning chemicals. I could smell them from here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nコードはその中に伸びている……………。<br>\\r\\nThe cord was extending into there...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はそっと扉を開き、…中の灯りをつける。<br>\\r\\nI carefully opened the door and turned the light on.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n伸びたコードは延長コードのドラムに繋がり……、<br>\\r\\nThe cord was attached to another extension cord...<br>\\r\\n……そこには、<br>\\r\\n and<br>\\r\\n………こんなところには似つかわしくない目覚まし時計が……！！！<br>\\r\\n there was an alarm clock that didn't belong in there!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………み、<br>\\r\\n\\\"I......<br>\\r\\n…………見つけた…………！」<br>\\r\\n found it...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n時限発火装置ッ！！！<br>\\r\\nThe time bomb!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nってことは、こいつに刺さっているコードを引っこ抜けばいいわけだな！<br>\\r\\nSo all I'd have to do was to unplug the cord!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は目覚まし時計を取る。<br>\\r\\nI picked up the alarm clock.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ごく普通の目覚まし時計に見えた。<br>\\r\\n...It looked like a normal alarm clock.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……いや、本当に普通の目覚まし時計だ。<br>\\r\\n...Actually, it was a normal alarm clock.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……熊谷さんはキッチンタイマーって言ってた。<br>\\r\\nI remembered Kumagai-san calling it a \\\"kitchen timer\\\".<br>\\r\\n……目覚まし時計状って言ってた。<br>\\r\\n He said it was a bit like an alarm clock.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、状どころか、こいつはまさに目覚まし時計そのものだ…？<br>\\r\\nBut this wasn't a bit like an alarm clock, it <i>was</i> an alarm clock...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n目覚まし時計ってのは大抵は乾電池だよな？<br>\\r\\nWait, didn't alarm clocks use batteries?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n現にこれも乾電池だった。<br>\\r\\nThis alarm clock was a battery-operated one, too...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………電源ドラムを見ると、別にコンセントには何も刺さっていない。<br>\\r\\nI looked at the extension cord...... and there was nothing plugged into it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………え？<br>\\r\\n...Eh?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何だこの延長コード、<br>\\r\\nWhat was this extension cord for?<br>\\r\\n…………何のために、<br>\\r\\n ...Why was this<br>\\r\\nわざわざ職員室からこんなところまで引いてあるんだよ…？<br>\\r\\n extending all the way from the teacher's office...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いッ、いけない圭一さん！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, Keiichi-san!!<br>\\r\\n逃げてええぇええぇええッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Run!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さ、沙都子？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"S-Satoko?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それは違うんですの、騙されたッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's the wrong place! You've been tricked!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺をぬっと、黒い影が覆った。<br>\\r\\nA black shadow was covering me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全身が思いっきり冷たくなり、……思いっきり乾いて、ひび割れしそうに感じた。<br>\\r\\nI felt my body freeze... It was so frozen that I felt it was about to crack...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nゆっくり振り返ると、……………そこには鉈を振り上げた人影があった…。<br>\\r\\nI turned around slowly...... and saw someone holding a hatchet above their head.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………ぁ、………………あ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Ah... ah......\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は手に持っていた目覚まし時計を思わず落としてしまう…。<br>\\r\\nI dropped the alarm clock.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはガシャンと派手な音を立てた。<br>\\r\\nIt made a noise as it hit the ground.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………どうして圭一くんは、延長コードを辿って、<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Why did you follow the extension cord<br>\\r\\n……目覚まし時計なんか持ってるのかな、………かな？」<br>\\r\\n and why did you have the alarm clock in your hands? ...Why did you?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……全身の細胞がカチカチに凍えていく。<br>\\r\\nAll the cells in my body were frozen.<br>\\r\\n……そうだ、これはレナのワナだったのだ。<br>\\r\\n This was Rena's trap.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだってレナは…疑心暗鬼の塊で、…俺も含めて全員を疑っていたんだぞ…？<br>\\r\\nRena was suspicious of everyone, including me...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから教室の中に、外部と通じている人間がいるかもしれないと占拠前から疑っていたわけだ……。<br>\\r\\nThis whole time, she thought there was someone connected to the people outside...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nで、……そいつを焙り出すワナをすでに仕掛けてあった、と……。<br>\\r\\nThis was a trap to lure that person out...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n時限発火装置の話は外部しか知らない。<br>\\r\\nOnly the people outside knew about the time bomb.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…それを知らされた間抜けだけが、<br>\\r\\n...I was told about the whole thing<br>\\r\\n……延長コードを辿って、<br>\\r\\n and so I followed the extension cord<br>\\r\\n…………目覚まし時計を手に取るというバカをやる……。<br>\\r\\n and picked up the alarm clock... How stupid of me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………ま、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...W<br>\\r\\n………待て、<br>\\r\\n...Wait,<br>\\r\\n…………レナ………………。」<br>\\r\\n Rena...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはははははははははははははははははははは、圭一くんのこと、信じてたのに。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, I trusted you, Keiichi-kun...<br>\\r\\n………ひどいよ、圭一くん。」<br>\\r\\n How could you...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさっきレナが俺の頭を殴った時は峰打ちだった。<br>\\r\\nRena hit me with the back side of the hatchet earlier.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…すごい痛かったけど、その程度だった。<br>\\r\\nIt was painful, but it didn't kill me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも今後は刃を返してない。<br>\\r\\nBut this time, she was holding the hatchet the right way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…あれで打たれたら…額が割れるだけじゃ済まない。<br>\\r\\nIt wouldn't just crack my forehead.<br>\\r\\n……頭が割れちまう……………ッ！！！！<br>\\r\\n It would split my entire head open...!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの鉈が、無慈悲に振り上げられて………。<br>\\r\\nRena lifted the hatchet mercilessly...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………それは何だかスローモーションのように見え、……そんなレナはまるで千手観音のような神々しさを感じさせた。<br>\\r\\nShe moved slowly, as if everything was in slow motion... she looked almost divine...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確かにそれは神々しいものだったかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nMaybe it really was holy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n祈る対象という意味で。<br>\\r\\nI was praying, after all...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……祈る？<br>\\r\\nPraying?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何を？<br>\\r\\nWhat was I praying for...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………命乞いを……………………！！！<br>\\r\\nI was praying for my life......!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……うわあああぁあぁああぁ！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Whahhhhh!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n突然のことに何が起こったかわからなかった。<br>\\r\\nIt was so sudden, I couldn't tell what happened.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんがレナに後ろから飛び掛ったのだ。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan had jumped onto Rena from behind.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何かの武器を使ったのか、レナは痛い痛いと大袈裟に呻いた。<br>\\r\\nI didn't know what kind of weapon Rika-chan used, but Rena started moaning. It clearly hurt.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は我に帰る！<br>\\r\\nThat brought me back to reality!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n呆然としてる場合かよ！！<br>\\r\\nI couldn't just watch them!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n狙いはレナの鉈じゃない、ライターの方だ！！！<br>\\r\\nI had to get the lighter from Rena!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ぅあうッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Whahhh!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……力尽くでなら勝てると思うんじゃねぇぇえぇえ…！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Don't think you can win with mere force!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナもライターが切り札であることをわかっていて、意地でも指を開こうとしない！<br>\\r\\nRena knew I was after the lighter. She closed her fingers around it tightly!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんは鉈を持っている方の腕に組み付いていてくれた。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan was grabbing onto the arm Rena was holding the hatchet in.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…逃げろと言いたいが、そのお陰で俺は両手を使ってライターを奪い取れる！！<br>\\r\\nI wanted to tell her to run, but thanks to Rika-chan, I could use both of my hands to get at the lighter!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うらあッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Whaahh!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nライターがレナの手から弾き飛ばされた！<br>\\r\\nThe lighter flew out of Rena's hand.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n廊下の壁にぶつかって床を転がる！<br>\\r\\nIt hit the hallway wall and dropped down to the floor!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はそれを拾い上げた。<br>\\r\\nI picked it up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれと同時に、レナもまた梨花ちゃんを振り払ったのだった。<br>\\r\\nAt the same moment I did, Rena managed to shake off Rika-chan.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一さあああぁあぁあん！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi-san!!!<br>\\r\\nわかりましたわ、わかりましたわ！！！」<br>\\r\\n I know now, I figured it out!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n教室から沙都子の怒鳴り声が聞こえる。<br>\\r\\nI heard Satoko screaming from the classroom.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……レナが時限発火装置を隠した場所がわかったんだ！！<br>\\r\\nSatoko had figured out where Rena hid the time bomb!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナをこの場で取り押さえたいが、もう時間はまるでないんだ。<br>\\r\\nI wanted to catch Rena, but I didn't have time for that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナより時限発火装置を何とかしないとッ！！<br>\\r\\nI had to do something about the time bomb instead!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……圭一！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi!<br>\\r\\n早く沙都子のところへ行くのです！」<br>\\r\\n Hurry up and go back to Satoko!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんがレナの前で両手を広げて立ち塞がっているのが見えた。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan had spread her arms, blocking Rena's path forward.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ば、馬鹿なことはやめて逃げろッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What are you doing? Just run!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………圭一。<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Keiichi.<br>\\r\\nこれは初めてではないのですよ。<br>\\r\\n This isn't the first time I've done this for you.<br>\\r\\n……覚えていないのですか？」<br>\\r\\n Don't you remember?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………………え？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"............Eh?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……前の時、……ボクにあとわずかの頑張りがあれば、……圭一は間に合ったのです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"If I'd tried a little harder the previous time... you could have made it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……今度こそ、間に合わせる……！<br>\\r\\n ...So this time, you are going to make it!<br>\\r\\nだから行ってなのですッ！！」<br>\\r\\n Just go!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんが何を言っているのか、この土壇場では理解する余裕はなかった。<br>\\r\\nI didn't know what Rika-chan was talking about.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nひとつだけわかることがあった。<br>\\r\\nBut there was one thing I did know.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……あの時のレナや魅音が、そして今の俺が仲間のために命を捨てられると思うように！！<br>\\r\\nJust like Rena and Mion were ready to give up their lives for their friends, and I was willing to give up mine...<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんもその覚悟があるってことなんだッ！！<br>\\r\\n Rika-chan was prepared for that too!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから梨花ちゃんに逃げろというのは、仲間じゃないと宣告するのと同じことなんだ！！<br>\\r\\nTherefore, telling Rika-chan to run was like telling her she wasn't my friend!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから俺は頼る、仲間である梨花ちゃんを頼る！！<br>\\r\\nAnd so, I will depend on my friend, Rika-chan!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「すまん梨花ちゃん！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Thank you, Rika-chan!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一さぁあん、もう時間がああああッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi-san, we are running out of tiiiiiime!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は梨花ちゃんに任せ教室へ走った！！<br>\\r\\nLeaving it to Rika-chan, I dashed for the classroom!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一が教室へ駆け込んだことを足音で知ると、梨花はわずかの安堵の息を漏らした。<br>\\r\\nAs soon as Rika heard Keiichi's footsteps reach the classroom door, she sighed in relief.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこへ……レナのぬぅっとした黒い大きな影が迫る。<br>\\r\\nAs she did, Rena's black shadow came ever closer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはははははあははははははははは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!<br>\\r\\nすごいよ、すごいよ、これは部活じゃないんだよ？<br>\\r\\n That's great, that's just great; this isn't a club activity, you know?<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんは殺されちゃうよ、怒ったレナにきっと殺されちゃう！！」<br>\\r\\n You'll be killed for real!! You'll be killed by an angry Rena!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".....................\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははははははははは……はは、………。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahahahahahaha...ha ha...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……へぇ？<br>\\r\\n Hmm...<br>\\r\\n……私が怖くないんだ？<br>\\r\\n You're not afraid of me, are you?<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんすごいよ？」<br>\\r\\n You're amazing, Rika-chan.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花はさっきの倉庫から転げる時に、倉庫内からあふれ出たモップを拾い、逆さに持って、槍を構えるようにレナに向ける。<br>\\r\\nRika grabbed a mop as she ran from the storage closet. She picked it up and held it upside down, like a spear.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……その構えは一端で、…レナと戦う毅然とした意思が感じられた。<br>\\r\\nRika's stance told Rena that she was ready to fight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその表情が大人びていく。<br>\\r\\nRika didn't look like a little girl anymore.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n不敵で、レナに対して余裕すら感じられた。<br>\\r\\nShe looked so brave...<br>\\r\\n一瞬だけその表情に驚くレナ。<br>\\r\\n that Rena was even startled by it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………すごいね。<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Boy, you really are amazing.<br>\\r\\n殺されるのが怖くないんだ？」<br>\\r\\n You aren't afraid of being killed at all, huh?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…ふん。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Heh!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花が皮肉るように笑う。<br>\\r\\nRika smiled cynically.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…こんな笑いは普段の梨花が浮かべるものではない。<br>\\r\\nRika usually never smiled this way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……この私が死を恐れるとでも？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Do you really think I would be afraid of death?<br>\\r\\n幾百の死の山脈を越えてきたこの私が今さら何を恐れるというのか。」<br>\\r\\n I've experienced several hundred deaths up until now. Why should I be afraid of it all of a sudden?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「君、……梨花ちゃんじゃないね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You... aren't Rika-chan, are you?<br>\\r\\n…………あの夜に出会った梨花ちゃんもどきの方だね……。<br>\\r\\n ...You're the one I met that night...<br>\\r\\n………正体を現したな、宇宙人め………！<br>\\r\\n Show yourself, alien...!<br>\\r\\n本物の梨花ちゃんをどこへやった！！！」<br>\\r\\n Where is the real Rika-chan?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……本物の梨花？<br>\\r\\n\\\"The real Rika?<br>\\r\\nここにいるわよ。<br>\\r\\n She's right here.<br>\\r\\n……みー、にぱ〜☆」<br>\\r\\n ...Meep, nipah☆.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah!!<br>\\r\\nその小馬鹿にしたところは間違いなく梨花ちゃんだね！<br>\\r\\n The way you're looking down on me, that really is like Rika-chan!<br>\\r\\n……そう、オヤシロさまは宇宙人だった。<br>\\r\\n ...I get it, Oyashiro-sama is an alien.<br>\\r\\n古手家はその末裔で、……宇宙人の直系の一族だもんね！！<br>\\r\\n The Furude family is descended from him... and therefore you are a descendant of aliens!!<br>\\r\\nあははははははははははははははは！！<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!<br>\\r\\n脳みそを叩き割って、中の寄生虫を引きずり出してやるからね、あっははははははははははははははははははははははははははは！！！」<br>\\r\\n I'll crack open your head and drag out all the parasites in your brain, ahhhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが奇声をあげながら鉈を大きく振りかぶり、梨花に飛び掛るッ！！<br>\\r\\nRena raised her hatchet and charged at Rika with a scream!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ひゃああああああああッ！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hyaaaahhhh!!<br>\\r\\n一撃で叩き割ってあげるよおおおおおおおおッツ！！！！！」<br>\\r\\n One swing is all I need to smash your head open!!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまさに襲い掛かる肉食獣のようにッ！！！<br>\\r\\nRena looked like a beast charging towards its prey!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n迎える梨花は、後ろ足をすっと一歩引き、腰を落として迎撃体勢を取る。<br>\\r\\nRika took a step backwards and lowered her body, preparing to counterattack.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……その表情には臆すものは一切ない…！<br>\\r\\nShe did that with no hesitation...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「生憎ね、１分も稼げれば充分なの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Even a minute is plenty.<br>\\r\\n遊んであげるわ、<br>\\r\\n I'll play with you.<br>\\r\\nおいで鉈女…！」<br>\\r\\n Come on, hatchet girl!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いいですの圭一さん！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Do you not get it, Keiichi-san?<br>\\r\\n全てのヒントと答えはもう朝の時にありましたの！」<br>\\r\\n All the hints were already in place this morning!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お、落ち着け沙都子！<br>\\r\\n\\\"C-Calm down, Satoko!<br>\\r\\n俺にわかるように話せ！<br>\\r\\n Explain more slowly so I can understand!<br>\\r\\nつまりどういうことなんだ？！」<br>\\r\\n What are you trying to say?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこうして思い出せば簡単だったんですのよ…！<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's simple if you just remember...!<br>\\r\\nほら、思い出せば明白…！<br>\\r\\n Come on, it's quite obvious when you do!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ねーー、今日はくさいーーー、窓しめてー。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, something stinks today. Close the windows!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ばぁか、窓を閉めたらもっと暑くなるんだよー！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Silly, it'll be hotter in here if we close the windows!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n外からずっと感じてたガソリンの臭い。<br>\\r\\nWe had been smelling gasoline coming from outdoors.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……今日は営林署の人は来てないのだから作業はない。<br>\\r\\nThere were no forestry service people in the office, so they weren't doing any work today.<br>\\r\\nだから彼らがさせた臭いじゃない。<br>\\r\\n The smell wasn't coming from anything they were doing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、これはレナが用意したガソリンの臭いなんだ。<br>\\r\\nIn other words, it was the smell of Rena's gasoline.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは教室に撒くためのガソリンを近くに隠していたようだが、それはポリタンクに入っていた。<br>\\r\\nRena hid the gasoline near the classroom. She had it in a plastic container.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だからあそこまで極端な臭いはさせないんだ。<br>\\r\\nYou can't smell gasoline that's in a plastic container...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、教室に撒くために用意したガソリンとは別のガソリンがもう用意されていたんだ！<br>\\r\\nSo in other words, she had more gasoline ready than just in the container she used to spread it around the classroom.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n臭いはどこからして来た？<br>\\r\\nWhere was the smell coming from?<br>\\r\\n……外から？<br>\\r\\n ...Was it coming from outside?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n気化したガソリンは空気より重い。<br>\\r\\nVaporized gasoline is heavier than air.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n上から落ちてくるものなんだ。<br>\\r\\nIt sinks.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてもう１つのヒントが重なる。<br>\\r\\nThere was another hint other than that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あれーーー？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?!<br>\\r\\n俺たちのボールがねえー！<br>\\r\\n Our ball is missing!<br>\\r\\n北条、お前がまた隠したんだろー！！」<br>\\r\\n You hid it again, didn't you, Houjou?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「誰がそんなものを隠しますの。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Why would I hide such a stupid thing?<br>\\r\\nどうせ隠すならもう少し気の利いたものを隠しましてよ。」<br>\\r\\n If I was going to hide something, I'd hide something better than that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nボール遊びが好きな子たちにとって、ボールの所在がわからなくなるなんてことはない！<br>\\r\\nKids who love to play with their ball never lose it!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n普段と同じ場所にしまってあったはずだ。<br>\\r\\nIt should have been in the same place it always was.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれがなくなっていた！<br>\\r\\nBut it was gone!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまりこれは、レナが何かに使ったということなんだ！<br>\\r\\nSo that must mean that Rena used it for something!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nガソリンが、<br>\\r\\nThe gasoline was<br>\\r\\n…上から、降りて。<br>\\r\\n coming from above.<br>\\r\\n…ボール？<br>\\r\\n A ball was missing...<br>\\r\\n詰めて。<br>\\r\\n So maybe, it was stuffed somewhere...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナさんは雨どいの出口をボールで詰めて、雨どいいっぱいにガソリンを注いだんですの！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena-san blocked the drain with the ball and poured gasoline in the drain canal!!<br>\\r\\nどこから？！<br>\\r\\n Where?<br>\\r\\n２階の屋根の上からですのよッ！！」<br>\\r\\n On the roof of the second floor!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだ、２階の屋根に沿って雨どいは横に伸び、……そしてその端から真下に降りて普通は地面に排水される。<br>\\r\\nThe drain canal extended along the roof of the second floor and then came straight down to the ground.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその出口で詰まっていて中にガソリンが満たされていたら……、それは、地上から２階の屋根まで届く巨大な火炎瓶と同じだ！！<br>\\r\\nIf it was plugged and filled with gasoline... it was like a huge Molotov cocktail that extended from the ground to the roof of the second floor!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかもその雨どいは教室の窓のすぐ外を降りている…！！<br>\\r\\nFurthermore, the drain canal ran by the classroom windows!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雨どいの配管が爆発したら……教室まで連鎖爆発だッ！！<br>\\r\\nIf the canal exploded, the classroom would explode too!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあつまり！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Therefore!!<br>\\r\\n時限発火装置は！！」<br>\\r\\n The time bomb must be...!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「２階の窓から延長コードか何かで引っ張って……、屋根の上ですわ！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I bet she ran an extension cord out the second floor window... It's on the rooftop!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は床にぶちまけられていた誰かのお道具箱の中のハサミを拾い、それで沙都子の戒めを解く。<br>\\r\\nI picked up a pair of scissors and cut Satoko's bonds.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そういや、梨花ちゃんはどうやって縄跳びを解いたんだ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"By the way, how did Rika-chan free herself from the rope?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……悪ぅございましたわねぇ、私は解けるほど痩せてなくて。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I apologize for not being thin enough to slip out myself.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nむくれる沙都子の頭をわしわしと撫でてやる。<br>\\r\\nI rubbed Satoko's head.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「みんなを頼む！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Take care of the rest here!<br>\\r\\n俺は屋上へ行く！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm going up to the roof!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺が教室を飛び出そうとした時、沙都子が呼び止めた。<br>\\r\\nAs I jumped out of the classroom, Satoko stopped me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一さん、これを！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi-san, here!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何だよ、まだ何かあるのかッ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What is it?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n突然、銀色の何かが俺の目の前に放り投げられる！<br>\\r\\nSomething silver sailed through the air!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はそれをバシンと強い音を立ててキャッチした。<br>\\r\\nI caught it.<br>\\r\\n………それは、金属バットだった…！<br>\\r\\n It was a metal bat...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………にーにーのですのよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...That's Nii-nii's.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n後でちゃんと返してもらうでございますからね！」<br>\\r\\n Make sure you give it back to me, okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おうッ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Sure thing!!<br>\\r\\nすまん沙都子ッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Thanks, Satoko!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n金属バットは手の平に吸い付くように馴染み、まったく重さを感じさせない。<br>\\r\\nThe metal bat fit right in my palm. I didn't even feel its weight.<br>\\r\\nこいつは心強いぜッ！！<br>\\r\\n It really eased my mind!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……柄のところには悟史と名前が入っていた。<br>\\r\\nThe name \\\"Satoshi\\\" was written on the handle.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子の兄、悟史のバット。<br>\\r\\nThis was the bat that belonged to Satoko's brother, Satoshi.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……去年の惨劇の、犠牲者。<br>\\r\\nHe was the victim of last year's tragedy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……お前も俺と同じなんだよな。<br>\\r\\nYou and I, we're the same.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n二度と惨劇なんか繰り返させるものか！<br>\\r\\nI won't let another tragedy take place!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのバットは舞台袖から送ってくれたお前の応援だ！<br>\\r\\nI'll treat this as a gift from you, who was waiting in the wings!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n悪魔どもの惨劇の脚本を叩き壊してやろうぜッ！！<br>\\r\\nLet's rip apart the script of this demonic tragedy together!!<br>\\r\\n行くぞ悟史いいぃッ！！！<br>\\r\\n Let's go, Satoshi!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n廊下へ飛び出て階段を駆け上がろうとした時、職員室の廊下の方からドンガラガッシャンと派手な音が聞こえた。<br>\\r\\nAs I tried to run up the stairs, I heard a loud noise coming from the hallway by the teacher's office.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんがゴロゴロと転がって、大の字のうつ伏せになるのが見えた。<br>\\r\\nI saw Rika-chan rolling on the floor.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………くそ、……梨花ちゃん！！<br>\\r\\n......Damn... Rika-chan!!<br>\\r\\nよく持ちこたえたぜ！！<br>\\r\\n You held out as long as you could!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………くそー…なのです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Damn it.<br>\\r\\n身体年齢があと５つもあれば……。」<br>\\r\\n If my body were five years older...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さぁあぁ、次は圭一くんだよおおおおおおぉおお！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're next, Keiichi-kun!!!<br>\\r\\nうをああああぁあぁあッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Whooooaaaaaa!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「や、やべぇ！！ とにかく上だ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Shit!! I have to go.<br>\\r\\n……今は屋根の上だ！！」<br>\\r\\n I have to get to the rooftop!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははははははは、よく気付いたねよく気付いたね！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahahahaha, how did you figure it out, how did you?!!<br>\\r\\nでもさせるもんかあぁあぁあぁぁ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Still, I won't let you get up there!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何て恐ろしい形相してやがる…！<br>\\r\\nRena's face looked unbelievably scary!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nありゃあ、捕まえたら３枚に卸してやろうって顔だ。<br>\\r\\nShe was ready to rip me apart if she caught me.<br>\\r\\n冗談じゃねぇ！！<br>\\r\\n In that case, just try me!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は３段飛ばしくらいで階段を駆け上がる！<br>\\r\\nI jumped up the stairs, skipping every other step!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてポケットの中の盗聴器をオンにする。<br>\\r\\nI turned on the bug in my pocket.<br>\\r\\nイヤホンはしてる暇はない！<br>\\r\\n I didn't have time to put in the earphones!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが俺を追って階段を駆け上がろうとした時、<br>\\r\\nAs Rena flew up the stairs,<br>\\r\\n突然、足にピンと張られた縄跳びが絡みついた。<br>\\r\\n her foot got caught on a jump rope.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……派手に転んだところに三段重ねのタライがレナの頭に連続ヒットする。<br>\\r\\nShe tripped, and then three buckets fell on her head.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…沙都子かぁ！！<br>\\r\\n ...The result of Satoko's trap!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「い、……たたたたたったぁ………！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ow... ow ow ow ow...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nく、…あははははははははは、沙都子ちゃんかぁあぁぁぁ！」<br>\\r\\n Tch... Ahahahahahahahahaha, it was Satoko-chan, huh?!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子は廊下の壁に寄りかかりながら、チッチッチと言いながら立てた人差し指を振る。<br>\\r\\nSatoko leaned against the wall and waved her index finger in a mocking gesture.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「をーっほっほっほ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oh ho ho ho!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなかなかの線を行ってましたけど、まだまだこの私とトラップ勝負をするのは３億５千光年くらい早くってでございましてよーー！！！」<br>\\r\\n You were pretty good, but you are about three hundred million light years too early to go up against a trap expert like me!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…沙都子ちゃん、光年は距離だよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Satoko-chan, light years are a unit of distance, not time...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nコーン！<br>\\r\\nSmash!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n発動しなかった４段目のタライが沙都子の頭にヒットする。<br>\\r\\n The fourth bucket hit Satoko on the head.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんなやり取りをしている間にも圭一は先へ、先へ！！<br>\\r\\nI continued up to the rooftop!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは沙都子に構わず階段を駆け上り圭一の後を追う…！<br>\\r\\nRena ignored Satoko and ran after me...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お、お！<br>\\r\\n\\\"O, O!<br>\\r\\n大石さんか？！<br>\\r\\n Ooishi-san?<br>\\r\\nやったぞ、やったぞ畜生ぉおぉ！！！<br>\\r\\n I did it!!!<br>\\r\\nライターは奪った！<br>\\r\\n I got the lighter.<br>\\r\\n時限発火装置もわかってる、屋根の上、雨どいの中だ！！<br>\\r\\n I know where the time bomb is; it's on the rooftop in the drain canal!!<br>\\r\\n今、抑えに行っている！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm headed up there right now!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………大石さん、……まさかあれじゃあ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Ooishi-san... is that it?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n熊谷から双眼鏡を引っ手繰り、大石も屋根の上の雨どいを見る。<br>\\r\\nOoishi grabbed the pair of binoculars from Kumagai and looked at the rain gutter on the rooftop.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………絶対ありえない場所に、ちょこんと時計が置いてあった！<br>\\r\\n......There was something like an alarm clock sitting there!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時計のコードは、２階の窓の中にすーっと伸びていた。<br>\\r\\nThe cord from the clock was extending into the second floor window.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……こうして見るとあからさまなのに…、全然気付かなかった！！<br>\\r\\nIt was so obvious, but they didn't even notice until just then!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子は教室内の全員の戒めを解いていた。<br>\\r\\nSatoko was working hard to remove her classmates' restraints.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、魅音の首のＵ字ロックだけはハサミではどうにもならない！<br>\\r\\nBut she couldn't do anything about the bike lock on Mion's neck!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……みんな、私はいいから早く逃げて……！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Just run, everyone! Forget about me...!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁら魅音さんらしくもない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hmm, that doesn't sound like Mion-san.<br>\\r\\n…こういう瞬間でも、我が部の部長らしくあるべきではございません？<br>\\r\\n Why not act like our club president, even in a situation like this?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n部長はただ一言、こいつを外せと命令あそばされれば結構ですのよ？」<br>\\r\\n All you have to do, as our president, is to give me an order to undo this lock, okay?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子が自分の襟の裏をまさぐると…妙な形に折り曲げたヘアピンが現れる。<br>\\r\\nSatoko reached for the back of her collar... and produced a bent hair pin.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子は窓を開けるとそこに登り、魅音のＵ字ロックの鍵穴に向かい合う。<br>\\r\\nSatoko opened the window, climbed onto the windowsill, and faced the bike lock that was restraining Mion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「み、みんなは全部のカーテンを開けて窓を全部開けたら、外へ駆け出すこと！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"E-Everyone, open the curtains and the windows, then run!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「い、委員長！<br>\\r\\n\\\"B-But, class prez!<br>\\r\\n前原さんはどうするんです？！」<br>\\r\\n What about Maebara-san?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭ちゃんは警察が助けてくれるから！<br>\\r\\n\\\"The police will help Kei-chan!<br>\\r\\nみんなはとにかく一刻も早くここから逃げて！！<br>\\r\\n You all need to run as soon as possible!!<br>\\r\\n……って、うわ？！<br>\\r\\n ...Huh?<br>\\r\\nも、もう外したの？」<br>\\r\\n Did you unlock it already?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「北条沙都子にとって、Ｕ字ロックのＵは、“うわ！こんなの楽勝！”のＵでございましてよー！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"To me, this type of lock is child's play!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n双眼鏡が教室を捉えた。<br>\\r\\nThe binoculars were trained on the classroom.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nカーテンが一斉に開けられ、窓が開かれる。そして、クラス全員が校庭に駆け出してくるではないか！<br>\\r\\nAll the curtains were open, as well as all the windows. The children, in turn were all running out onto the schoolyard!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石は凄まじい重量感で指揮車の無線を持つ大高を弾き飛ばすと、無線に怒鳴った。<br>\\r\\nOoishi pushed Ohtaka aside, then grabbed his radio and yelled into it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「全班突入しろ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"All units, go!!<br>\\r\\n突入突入突入ッ！！<br>\\r\\n Go, go!!<br>\\r\\n人質を全員確保しろ！！<br>\\r\\n Secure the hostages!!<br>\\r\\n犯人は人質１名を追って２階へ上がった模様！」<br>\\r\\n The suspect is going up to the second floor, running after one of them!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こ、こら！ 何の真似だね！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey! What are you doing?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大高が大石の無線を奪おうと組みかかって来たところに、熊谷がすっと割って入った。<br>\\r\\nOhtaka tried to grab the radio from Ooishi, but Kumagai stepped in.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お、大石くん、無線を返したまッ<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ooishi-kun, give me back the radio...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nグギャッ……？！、<br>\\r\\n Gyahh!<br>\\r\\n…あ………ぐぐぐぐぐぐ……。」<br>\\r\\n Ah... guhhhhh.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鈍い音がして、大高が痙攣しながら沈んでいく。<br>\\r\\nThere was a dull noise and Ohtaka crumbled to the floor, convulsing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あー、すみませんです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Oops, sorry.<br>\\r\\n膝が、たまたま玉に綺麗〜に入っちゃったっすね。」<br>\\r\\n I guess my knee happened to hit your balls.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「教室内にはまだガソリンが充満しているぞ、充分に注意しろ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"The classroom is still filled with gasoline, be very careful!<br>\\r\\nガス弾や閃光弾の類の使用は禁ずる、繰り返す、ガス弾、閃光弾の使用は禁ずる！！<br>\\r\\n You are forbidden from using any gas bombs or flares. Again, do not use gas bombs or flares!!<br>\\r\\n大爆発するぞ！！」<br>\\r\\n The whole place will blow!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「支援班よりＨＱ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Support unit to HQ!<br>\\r\\n人質２４名を確保！！<br>\\r\\n We secured twenty-four hostages!!<br>\\r\\n１名は外傷多数！」<br>\\r\\n One is injured!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「突入班、１階制圧中。<br>\\r\\n\\\"This is the assault unit. We're trying to take control of the first floor.<br>\\r\\n……トラブル発生。<br>\\r\\n ...We've got a problem.<br>\\r\\n電源室、開錠不可。」<br>\\r\\n The electrical room is locked, and we can't get in.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「不可ぁ？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"You can't get in?!<br>\\r\\n扉を打ち破れないですかね？！」<br>\\r\\n Can't you break down the door?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「教室真正面です。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's located directly opposite the classroom.<br>\\r\\nガソリン臭濃厚、破砕時に着火の恐れあり。<br>\\r\\n The smell of gasoline is strong here. We might ignite the gas when breaking down the door.<br>\\r\\n指示を待ちます。」<br>\\r\\n We'll await further orders.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…くそッ！！ <br>\\r\\n\\\"Shit!!<br>\\r\\n……ブレーカーを落とせばアガリだと思ったのになぁ！<br>\\r\\n We could have just turned the power off!<br>\\r\\n電源室は放棄、２階部分を制圧されたし！！」<br>\\r\\n ...Forget the electrical room, go secure the second floor!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「突入班了解、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Assault unit, roger that.<br>\\r\\nα、突入！突入！突入！！！」<br>\\r\\n Alpha, GO! GO! GO!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大高くん！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ohtaka-kun!<br>\\r\\n電源室確保失敗時はどうするつもりだったんです！！」<br>\\r\\n What were you going to do if you failed to secure the electrical room?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そ、…それに失敗しないための特殊部隊だ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"That is... That's what the special unit was for...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…これだから坊ちゃん育ちは…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"This is the problem with rich boys...<br>\\r\\nあとは時計のコンセントを押さえるしかないか！」<br>\\r\\n We'll just have to secure the clock's outlet now!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「狙撃班よりＨＱへ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Sniper unit to HQ.<br>\\r\\n１階屋根部分に男子人質１名を発見しました。」<br>\\r\\n I can see a male hostage on the rooftop of the first floor.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石さん！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ooishi-san!!<br>\\r\\n前原くんです！！」<br>\\r\\n That's Maebara-kun!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「スピーカーを貸せ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Give me the speaker!!<br>\\r\\n前原さぁん！！！<br>\\r\\n Maebara-san!!!<br>\\r\\n時計のッ、電源は２階の奥の部屋ぁあぁ！！」<br>\\r\\n The clock is plugged into the back room on the second floor!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが圭一は首を何度も横に振った。<br>\\r\\nI shook my head repeatedly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…無理という意味だ。<br>\\r\\nI couldn't do that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……彼は今、レナに追われているのだから、なかなか思い通りには動けないということか。<br>\\r\\nRena was coming after me, so I couldn't head that way.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nならもう戻れとは言わない。<br>\\r\\nWhat else could I do?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nむしろ２階屋根へ上がり、時計本体を抑えるしかないッ！！<br>\\r\\nThe only way was to go up to the roof of the second floor and get the clock from there!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「前原さああぁあん！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Maebara-saaaan!!<br>\\r\\nそのまま２階の屋根に上がってぇえぇ！！！<br>\\r\\n Continue up to the roof of the second floor!!!<br>\\r\\n誘導します！！」<br>\\r\\n I'll direct you from there!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石さんがスピーカーでさらに上に上がれと指示した。<br>\\r\\nOoishi-san was telling me to go further up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…２階の屋根にあるとは言っても、沙都子は具体的な場所を言い当てたわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\nSatoko only told me that it was on the rooftop of the second floor, and she didn't tell me where exactly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雨どいの上と言っただけだ。<br>\\r\\nShe only said it was in the drain canal.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも大石さんたちは双眼鏡か何かで発見したのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nBut maybe Ooishi-san found it with his binoculars.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n張り出したベランダの柵に足を掛け、ひょいひょいっと２階の屋根の上に駆け上がる。<br>\\r\\nI put my foot on the railing of the veranda and ran up to the rooftop.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……こんなにも体が軽いと思ったことは初めてだった。<br>\\r\\nI had never felt so light.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今なら、指２〜３本で体を持ち上げられそうに感じた。<br>\\r\\nI felt like I could lift myself with just two or three fingers.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そのまま、まっすぐ走ってッ！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's it, keep going!!!<br>\\r\\n雨どいの一番奥ー！！！<br>\\r\\n It's at the furthest end of the drain pipe!!!<br>\\r\\n時間がないッ、あと３０秒おおおぉ！！！」<br>\\r\\n You only have thirty seconds!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nけ！<br>\\r\\nHeh!<br>\\r\\n３０秒なんて楽勝だああぁああ！！！<br>\\r\\n Thirty seconds would be plenty of time!!<br>\\r\\nその半分でも行けるぜえぇえッ！！<br>\\r\\n I could get there in half that!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n見つけた、……あれかッ？！<br>\\r\\nOver there... Was that it?<br>\\r\\nあれだああぁあ！！！<br>\\r\\n It waaaaaaas!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「狙撃班よりＨＱへ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Sniper unit to HQ.<br>\\r\\n１階屋根部分に犯人を発見！」<br>\\r\\n I can see the suspect on the rooftop of the first floor!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……あ〜〜、撃てたら撃ちたいけど、それ、実弾ですよねぇ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahh, I wish you could fire, but you're using live ammo, aren't you?<br>\\r\\n実は狙撃銃タイプの催涙ガス銃とか、そういうことだったりしません？」<br>\\r\\n It's not tear gas or anything, is it?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いえ、……実弾です。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, it's live ammunition.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そーゆうのは軍隊で使ってくださいよ、日本の警察にゃ必要ないですねぇ…！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Use those in the military! Japanese police don't need anything like that...!<br>\\r\\n前原さああん！！<br>\\r\\n Maebara-san!!<br>\\r\\n追って来てます！！<br>\\r\\n She's after you!!<br>\\r\\n急いで！<br>\\r\\n Hurry!!<br>\\r\\n追い詰められる！！！」<br>\\r\\n She'll be there soon!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあと何秒だよ！！！<br>\\r\\nHow many more seconds did I have?<br>\\r\\nどうでもいいや、うをああああああああ！！！<br>\\r\\n Ah, who cares? Whooaaahhhhh!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は屋根の上を滑り込み、ガソリンのすごい臭いを放つ雨どいの配管の上に置かれた時限発火装置を抱きかかえる。<br>\\r\\nI slid down the roof and grabbed the kitchen timer that was sitting on the drain pipe, which was filled with gasoline.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そいつには千切れて銅線が剥き出しになったコードが繋がっていた。<br>\\r\\nThere was a cord with a copper wire attached to it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこいつから火花が出てドカンだったわけか！<br>\\r\\nThis was supposed to create sparks and start an explosion!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n時計の針が妙に狭い角度になってて、秒針も慌てて分針の時針と一緒に重なろうと追いかけてきている最中だった……。<br>\\r\\nThe hands on the clock kept moving, with the second hand trying to reach the minute hand...<br>\\r\\n７、<br>\\r\\n Seven,<br>\\r\\n６、<br>\\r\\n six,<br>\\r\\n５、<br>\\r\\n five,<br>\\r\\n４、<br>\\r\\n four,<br>\\r\\n３、<br>\\r\\n three,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nう、をっおおおおおおおおお！！！！<br>\\r\\nWhoooaaaaaoooooooohhh!!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はそれを地面へ投げ落とす！！<br>\\r\\nI threw it to the ground!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nちょっと遅れてガッシャンといい音が響いてきた。<br>\\r\\nA moment later, I heard the noise of something breaking.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nはぁ、…はぁ、……はぁ！！<br>\\r\\nHah... hah... hah!!<br>\\r\\nや、……やったかッ？！<br>\\r\\n Did I do it?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「突入班よりＨＱ、時限発火装置の停止を確認！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Assault unit to HQ, the time bomb has been stopped!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「よっしゃあああぁああぁあッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeeeeeeeees!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お、大石さん、やった、やったっすよー！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"O-Ooishi-san, we did it, we did it!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「やった！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah!<br>\\r\\nま、前原さん、やったあああ！！」<br>\\r\\n M-Maebara-san, good job!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一さんはちょっとハラハラさせ過ぎですわね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi-san certainly made me nervous.<br>\\r\\n余裕がないのはエレガントではありませんでしてよ！」<br>\\r\\n Cutting it so close isn't elegant, you know!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n警官隊だけでなく、救急車に運ばれようとしているクラスメートたちも歓声を上げるのだった。<br>\\r\\nNot only policemen, but the children who were on their way to ambulances raised their voices in cheer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石さん、消防からっす！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ooishi-san, there's a message from the fire department.<br>\\r\\n現場は依然、危険度最大につき、突入班全員の即時退却を進言していますッ！！」<br>\\r\\n The scene is still dangerous, so order all units to retreat immediately!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「時限発火装置はもうないのに？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Isn't the time bomb gone, though...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「発火装置がなくて危険度は最大級の現場だそうです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Although the ignition device is gone, it's still extremely dangerous.<br>\\r\\nこれ以上は突入班全員の生命に危険があります！」<br>\\r\\n The lives of the assault unit might be at stake.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「くそ…！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Damn...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n屋上の前原くんをどうしよう！！<br>\\r\\n What about Maebara-kun up there?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n２階屋根なら、何とか飛び降りれないか？！」<br>\\r\\n Can he jump off?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石さん、図面では校舎下に花壇があります！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ooishi-san, according to the map, there's a flower bed by the school building.<br>\\r\\nそこへ飛び降りるように誘導しましょう！！」<br>\\r\\n We'll tell him to jump there!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大石より突入中の全班へ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ooishi to all units!!<br>\\r\\n作戦中止、退却せよ退却せよ！！」<br>\\r\\n Stop the operation, fall back immediately, fall back!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「α了解。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Alpha here, roger that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n「β了解、退却退却退却！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Beta here, roger that. Fall back, fall back!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「聞こえますか前原さああああん！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Can you hear me, Maebara-san?<br>\\r\\nそれから竜宮さんも！！<br>\\r\\n Ryuugu-san too!!<br>\\r\\nもうそこは危険です！！<br>\\r\\n It's too dangerous to stay there!!<br>\\r\\nいつ爆発するかわからない！！<br>\\r\\n It might explode at any minute!!<br>\\r\\n校舎の下に花壇があります、そこへ飛び降りてくださいいいいい！！！」<br>\\r\\n There's a flower bed by the school building; jump down there!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……花壇だって？<br>\\r\\n\\\"A flower bed?<br>\\r\\n畜生、ここからじゃよくわかんねぇってのによ…。」<br>\\r\\n Damn it, I can't see it from here...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n残念だが、もうのんびりと花壇を探してる暇はないようだった。<br>\\r\\nBut it didn't sound like I had enough time to be looking for it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………屋根の淵に白い手が掛かり、<br>\\r\\n......I noticed a white hand at the edge of the roof...<br>\\r\\n………続いてレナの頭が覗く。<br>\\r\\n followed by Rena's head.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはもはや焦らず、ゆっくりとした重みのある動作で屋根の上に這い上がっていた。<br>\\r\\nRena slowly crawled up to the rooftop.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はそれを悠然と待ち受けている…。<br>\\r\\nI waited for her there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……まさか、こんなところに隠したのを見付けるとはね…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I never thought you would find it.<br>\\r\\n……これで全て、……失敗か………。」<br>\\r\\n It was all for nothing...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが首をバリバリと掻き毟る。<br>\\r\\nRena scratched at her throat.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nせっかく貼ったバンドエイドは全て剥がれ落ちてしまっていて、痛々しい傷跡が血を滲ませて覗いていた…。<br>\\r\\nThe band-aids peeled off, and her throat started to bleed...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ゲームセットだな、<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's game over,<br>\\r\\nレナ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Rena!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺たちは学校の２階の屋根の上で対峙していた。<br>\\r\\nWe were confronting each other on the rooftop of the second floor.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…もうこれで、…部活、実戦編はおしまいだ！<br>\\r\\n...This wasn't a club activity, but a real battle!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n初めレナは、計画を破綻させた俺を憎悪の目で睨んでいたが、<br>\\r\\nRena was glaring at me with hatred at first...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…途中から諦めがついたのか、ふっと笑い、今度は不敵に笑うようになった。<br>\\r\\n But maybe because she had already given up, she started smiling wickedly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nひぐらしたちの合唱が、俺たちの戦いの汗を冷やそうとしてくれるのだが……。<br>\\r\\nI heard the chorus of the higurashi in the background, as if to cool us down from the heat of battle.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……まだまだ俺たちにはそのサービスは必要なさそうだった。<br>\\r\\nI didn't think we needed their service yet, though.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだね、スゴロクだったらここはゴールで圭一くんのアガリだね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, if it was a board game, you'd have reached the goal and won.<br>\\r\\n…でもこれはゲームじゃない。<br>\\r\\n But... this isn't a game.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだからここはゴールじゃなくて、行き止まりって言うんだよ？」<br>\\r\\n So this isn't a goal--it's a dead end.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………ち、負けを認めないやつだな…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Shit, you don't give up, do you?<br>\\r\\n………レナはつくづく強いヤツだよ。<br>\\r\\n Rena, you really are strong.<br>\\r\\n絶対へこたれない、挫けない。<br>\\r\\n You never give up.<br>\\r\\n最後まで戦う。<br>\\r\\n You fight until the bitter end.<br>\\r\\nそして、最後まで信じるんだ。」<br>\\r\\n You keep believing until that point, too.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こんな時に褒められても、ちっともうれしくないね……。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Praise like that won't make me happy now...<br>\\r\\n圭一くんは私が最後の命を賭しての計画をブチ壊しにした。<br>\\r\\n You ruined everything that I had risked my life for, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……人類を宇宙人から守ろうと、必死に戦ってたのに、それをブチ壊しちゃった。<br>\\r\\n I was simply trying to protect our species from the aliens. You ruined it.<br>\\r\\nこれで人類が滅んじゃったら……、圭一くんのせいで滅んだって歴史に残っちゃうんだよッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n If humans go extinct... it'll be your fault, Keiichi-kun. That will be recorded in history!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n笑うつもりはなかったが、ちょっと吹き出してしまったかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nI didn't mean to laugh, but I couldn't help it...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…俺のせいで人類が滅んだなんて、それが宇宙人の歴史に載るなら、何だかカッコイイじゃねぇか。<br>\\r\\nMy name would be written down in the history books of the aliens as the one who destroyed the human species. Somehow, that sounded kinda cool.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena...<br>\\r\\nお前が何と言おうと、このゲームは俺の勝ちだ。<br>\\r\\n no matter what you have to say, I've won this game.<br>\\r\\nすでに俺が勝ってるのに、レナが負けを認めないだけだ。」<br>\\r\\n I've already won, and you just don't want to admit it. That's all.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………そうだね、そうなのかもしれないね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah...... maybe you're right.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「でも、そういうものかもしれねえよな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"But maybe that's not how it works.<br>\\r\\nゲームってのは勝者が決まって終わるもんじゃない。<br>\\r\\n A game doesn't end when there's a winner.<br>\\r\\n敗者が決まって終わるもんなんだ。<br>\\r\\n It ends when there's a loser.<br>\\r\\n……ってことは、俺が勝つだけじゃ駄目ってことだ。」<br>\\r\\n That means... for me, winning isn't enough.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………へぇ……？<br>\\r\\n\\\"............Hmm?<br>\\r\\nそれはどういう意味なのかな……？」<br>\\r\\n What do you mean?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は金属バットで肩を叩きながら、もう片方の手で、レナにかかってこいと合図する。<br>\\r\\nI tapped my shoulder with the metal bat, gesturing for Rena to come at me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナに、…きっちり負けたってことを叩き込んでやろうってことだよ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm going to make you understand that you lost.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n逃げも隠れもしない。<br>\\r\\nI won't run or hide.<br>\\r\\n…どうしてか？<br>\\r\\n Do you know why?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺たちの部の会則に敵前逃亡はないからだよ！！<br>\\r\\nAccording to the rules of our club, we don't run from our enemies!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ここで白黒をつけてやるぜ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'll prove to you<br>\\r\\nレナがもう負けてるってことをよッ！！」<br>\\r\\n that you've already lost, Rena!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………………ふぅん。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"..................Hmm.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「言ってやるぜ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Are you ready?<br>\\r\\n寄生虫に宇宙人？<br>\\r\\n Parasites and aliens?<br>\\r\\nバカじゃねーのか、バーカ。<br>\\r\\n How stupid!<br>\\r\\nそんなの今時誰が信じるんだよ、ダセーなぁ。<br>\\r\\n Who would believe in things like that these days?<br>\\r\\n鼻で笑っちまうぜ、はっはっはっはッ！！」<br>\\r\\n I can only laugh, ha ha ha har!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………最初っから信じてなかったくせに、<br>\\r\\n\\\".........You never believed me in the first place<br>\\r\\n…信じてたふりをして、<br>\\r\\n yet you pretended that you did.<br>\\r\\n……レナを騙してたな……！！<br>\\r\\n .........How dare you deceive me!!<br>\\r\\n許せない…。<br>\\r\\n I won't forgive you...<br>\\r\\n許せない、許せない…ッ！！」<br>\\r\\n I'll never forgive you!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナが信じてるのは勝手だぜ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't care if you believe in those things.<br>\\r\\nだが俺はそんな胡散くせーの信じねえからな！<br>\\r\\n But I would never believe in anything that stupid!<br>\\r\\n同じ信じるなら徳川の埋蔵金の方が楽しそうだぜ！<br>\\r\\n Well, if I did have to believe in anything like that, I'd rather believe in the buried treasures of the Tokugawa Shogunate!<br>\\r\\nそれでも信じさせたいってんなら、<br>\\r\\n But if you still want me to believe...<br>\\r\\n………俺たち部活メンバーには、簡単な信じさせ方があるじゃねぇかよ？」<br>\\r\\n don't you remember our club's rules?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………勝った方が正義、ってことだね…！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Whoever can seize victory is the correct one...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そういうことさ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"There you go!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナと俺は、ニヤリと笑い合いながら、屋上の傾いだ屋根の上をじりじりと回り間合いを計りあう。<br>\\r\\nRena and I grinned at each other, and as we went around in circles on the rooftop, we both checked the distance between us.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナが俺をブチのめせたなら、俺も宇宙人の話を信じてやろうじゃねぇか！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"If you can take me down, I'll believe in your alien stories!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n朝晩、ＵＦＯを呼ぶ怪しげな踊りをして、牛小屋にキャトルミューティレーションに行ってやらあ！！<br>\\r\\n I'll perform a mysterious dance every morning and night to call for UFOs to come and beam up livestock!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだがなレナ。<br>\\r\\n But Rena...<br>\\r\\n俺にぐうの音が出ないくらいにブチのめされたら、そん時は覚悟してもらうぜぇ！！」<br>\\r\\n If I take you down, then I want you to be ready!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっはははははははははははははははは！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahhhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを取り決める必要はないかな、かな！<br>\\r\\n I don't think you even need to think further than that, I don't think you do!<br>\\r\\n圭一くんなんかに私が負けるはずないもん！！」<br>\\r\\n You will never defeat me!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが牽制とは思えない重い一撃で踏み込んでくる！！<br>\\r\\nRena came at me with a heavy strike!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを俺は易々と金属バットで受けた。<br>\\r\\nI caught it easily with the metal bat.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n一瞬、火花が飛んだ気がした。<br>\\r\\nIt looked like there were some sparks.<br>\\r\\n……このくらいでなくちゃ面白くないぜ！<br>\\r\\n This was finally getting interesting!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まぁそう言うなよ、意外にそうでもなかったりするもんだぜ？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, maybe you shouldn't say that yet. You might be wrong, you know.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺も部活で何度も激戦を潜ってきてようやくわかってきたことがある。<br>\\r\\n When I went through a whole lot of fierce battles in our club, I learned something.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分ってヤツをな！<br>\\r\\n I learned about myself!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどういう時に自分が最高のパワーを出せるかわかって来たんだ。」<br>\\r\\n Now I know what I need... to bring out my ultimate power.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「へー？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Really?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは何かなぁ？<br>\\r\\n I wonder what it is...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nかなあ！！」<br>\\r\\n I wonder!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの鉈はそりゃあ仮にブチ込まれたとなりゃあ、とんでもない威力になる強力な武器だ。<br>\\r\\nRena, your hatchet can be a powerful weapon.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だがな、こっちの金属バットだって捨てたもんじゃないんだぜ。<br>\\r\\nBut my metal bat is as powerful as your hatchet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確かに刃はないかもしれないが、リーチ、そして扱い易さは折り紙付きだ！<br>\\r\\nSure, it doesn't have a blade, but it reaches farther and it's easy to handle!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが俺は無様に防戦に回ったりなんかしない！<br>\\r\\nI won't be going for a defensive battle!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n互いに剣戟をぶつけ合い、相手を力でねじ伏せようとするッ！！<br>\\r\\nI'm going to fight you face to face, and I'm going to defeat you!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n腕力だけなら俺の方が上だろうが、いわゆる遠慮のなさで、潜在能力を引き出すことに関してはレナの方が上ってことか。<br>\\r\\nI'm sure I'm stronger than you physically, but you're better at drawing out your true potential, Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……つまり、パワー比べなら互角ってわけだ！！<br>\\r\\nIn other words, we're equally matched!!<br>\\r\\nかーッ！<br>\\r\\n This is great!<br>\\r\\n手加減不要でＯＫとは、泣かせるぜってのを飛び越えて、面白すぎるぜオイ！<br>\\r\\n I won't need to hold back at all!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私を叩きのめしたらどうするって？<br>\\r\\n\\\"So what are you going to do after you beat me?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nほらほらほらほらッ！！！<br>\\r\\n Take that, that, and that!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n押されてるんじゃないかなッ？！」<br>\\r\\n Hmm, I think I might have the upper hand!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「け！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Huh!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n遊んでやってるだけだぜ！<br>\\r\\n I'm just warming up!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまぁ見てろ！<br>\\r\\n Just you wait and see!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナをコテンパンにしたら、どうしてやろうかねぇ〜！！<br>\\r\\n Wait and see what I do after I take you down!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれだけ互いにコインやチップを賭けまくってるんだ。<br>\\r\\n We've both put a lot of chips on the pile!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n相当の支払いを覚悟してもらうぜええぇ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Prepare yourself for having to make a big payout!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あはははははははははははははは！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n得ることのかなわない勝利に酔うもまた皮算用の醍醐味だね！<br>\\r\\n Aren't you counting your chickens before they've hatched?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一くんの虚勢が痛々しいよ！」<br>\\r\\nYour bluffing is just pathetic!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「チッチッチ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Heh heh heh!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nわかってないな！<br>\\r\\n You don't get it, do you?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はご褒美のデカさに比例してパワーアップする男だぜッ？！<br>\\r\\n My strength increases in proportion to my reward, don't you know?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだなあああぁぁ！！<br>\\r\\n Let's see...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろん、俺専属のメイドさんだよなぁあぁ！！<br>\\r\\n You'll be my personal maid!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n朝はおはようございますから、夜はおやすみなさいまで、たっぷりたっぷりご奉仕三昧だ！<br>\\r\\n Starting from the moment I wake up until I go to sleep at night, you'll serve me all day, every day!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nメイド衣装は監督に全面協力を受けて、日替わりチェンジのお楽しみぃいいぃ！！<br>\\r\\n With Coach's help, you'll be wearing a different costume every day!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nうをお、夜はおやすみなさいまで？<br>\\r\\n Wait, until I go to sleep at night?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいやぁ、今夜は寝かさないぜ〜〜はあはあ！！<br>\\r\\n What if I make it so that you won't let me sleep instead?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなぁんてどうだぁッ？！」<br>\\r\\n How 'bout that?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっはははははははははははははは、あーっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっは！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Ahhhh ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一くんらしいなぁ！<br>\\r\\n That's so like you, Keiichi-kun!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなのはゴメンだね！<br>\\r\\n No, thank you!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nむしろ私が勝って逆の立場にしてあげるよ！！」<br>\\r\\n Actually, I'll win, and make you my servant!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあっはっはっはっは！！<br>\\r\\nAh ha ha ha ha!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n互いに普段じゃ絶対出せないような壊れた笑い声を上げながら打ち合うッ！！<br>\\r\\nWe both laughed like crazy people as we struck at each other!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何だかとんでもなく楽しくなってくるから不思議だった。<br>\\r\\nIt was strange how much fun it was becoming.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はレナと殺し合いをしてるってのに、何だってこんなにもハイテンションなんだよ？！<br>\\r\\nRena and I were trying to kill each other... and yet, it was a blast!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n火花が飛び散ってんだぜ、当りゃ大怪我確定なんだぜ…！！<br>\\r\\nSparks were flying. We could get seriously injured!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n転げ落ちりゃ骨折するかもしれねぇってのに、くそ、なんでこんなに面白いんだよッ！！<br>\\r\\n If we fell off of the rooftop, we'd break our bones, yet this was so much fun!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は今日一日、レナに散々怖がらせられて、泣いたり悲しんだりしてたんだぜ？<br>\\r\\nI had been mourning and crying all day today while Rena terrified me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが、どこでどう間違ったらこんなことになっちまうんだろうな！！<br>\\r\\nHow did all that turn into this?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ってことは結局、俺たちにシリアスは似合わねぇってこった！<br>\\r\\n\\\"The two of us can't be serious even if we try!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……互いの火花を浴び合いながらヘラヘラしてるのが互いに性に合ってるってわけだ！！」<br>\\r\\n Even with sparks flying, we can only goof around!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お生憎だね！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Too bad!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはエレガントで上品なのが大好きなの。<br>\\r\\n That's not me. I like being elegant and graceful.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそういうヘラヘラしたのは圭一くんがひとりでお楽しみあそばせ！！」<br>\\r\\n You can have fun goofing around by yourself, Keiichi-kun!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの鋭い一撃が、珍しい角度から捻りこまれ、俺はあわやのところでそれを弾き返す！<br>\\r\\nRena's next strike came at a strange angle, but I managed to deflect it!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おおぅッと！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Whoa!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nたっははー！！<br>\\r\\n Taahaha!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n甘い甘い全然駄目だぜ、やっぱりお前、撃沈確定だなぁ！」<br>\\r\\n That's too, too weak. You're done!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ha ha!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nようやく体が温まって来たところだよ。<br>\\r\\n Finally, I'm all warmed up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんなのウォーミングアップでしょ？」<br>\\r\\n This is just a warm-up, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はぁ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Huh?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nバーカ、なりゃしねえよ。<br>\\r\\n Stupid, this isn't even a warm-up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんなのお散歩程度だな。<br>\\r\\n This is like taking a walk.<br>\\r\\nお前、汗だくだぜ？」<br>\\r\\n Hey, you're all sweaty.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「くっくっくっく、あっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっは！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hee hee hee hee, ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお前は汗の代わりに血を垂らせばいいやぁッ！！」<br>\\r\\n Instead of sweat, you'll be covered in your own blood!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「前原さん！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Maebara-san!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n飛び降りて！！<br>\\r\\n Jump off!!<br>\\r\\n飛び降りてー！！！<br>\\r\\n Come on, jump!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……駄目っすね…！<br>\\r\\n He isn't even listening to us!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n血が上っちゃってるようで、声が聞こえてないみたいです…！<br>\\r\\n He's so into it that he can't even hear anything...!<br>\\r\\n……大石さん？」<br>\\r\\n ...Ooishi-san?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………ん？<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Hmm?<br>\\r\\nあ、あぁ、ごめん！<br>\\r\\n Ah, ah, sorry!<br>\\r\\n何？」<br>\\r\\n What is it?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何をぼーっとしてるんですか…！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What do you mean 'what is it'?<br>\\r\\n彼を救出する方法を考えないと！」<br>\\r\\n We have to figure out a way to rescue him!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石はこの鉄火場でどうしてぼーっとしてしまったのか、一瞬わからなかった。<br>\\r\\nOoishi couldn't figure out why he was distracted, considering the seriousness of the situation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…理由などなく、朱色が夜の帳に変っていく空を背負いながら対峙する二人の姿に目を奪われてしまったのだ。<br>\\r\\nHe was engrossed in watching the two of them fight with the sunset behind them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、実はそれは大石だけではなかった。<br>\\r\\nBut Ooishi wasn't the only one.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……誰もが、呆然と、この屋根の上の二人の姿に目を奪われていたのだ。<br>\\r\\nEveryone watching was captivated by their battle on the rooftop.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、突然大声が沸き起こり沈黙を破った。<br>\\r\\nAt that moment, a sudden loud voice broke the silence.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ま、…前原さん、しっかりーー！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"M-Maebara-san, hang in there!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「危ない、回り込まないと落ちるーッ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Careful, don't fall!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、救急車に収容されようとしていた生徒たちだった。<br>\\r\\nThe students who were about to climb onto the ambulance<br>\\r\\n大声は、応援の歓声だったのだ。<br>\\r\\n were cheering him on.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n頭に包帯を巻かれて担架の上に寝かされていた魅音もまた、上体を起こして圭一とレナの一騎打ちに目を奪われていた……。<br>\\r\\nMion was being loaded onto a stretcher with bandages around her head, but even she sat up, captivated as she was by Rena and Keiichi's duel.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n幸せだった日々は、いくつかのすれ違いでバラバラに砕けて、取り返しが付かなくなくなっちゃったんじゃなかったっけ………？<br>\\r\\nOur once-happy days were supposed to have shattered due to a series of misunderstandings. They were supposed to be irretrievable...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなのに、<br>\\r\\nBut...<br>\\r\\n………あれ、<br>\\r\\n huh......<br>\\r\\n……なんだろ……。<br>\\r\\n ...why?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………なんで、…こんな感情が芽生えてくるんだろう……。<br>\\r\\nWhy did I feel this way...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何度かの剣戟から鍔迫り合いになる。<br>\\r\\nThis was such a close game.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだがこう着状態になんてなるかよ、面白くもねえ！！<br>\\r\\nBut it wouldn't be fun to stay in a stalemate forever!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺もレナも互いが示し合わせたようにぴったりのタイミングで互いを蹴りあって間合いを開く！<br>\\r\\nRena and I kicked at each other with perfect timing, and increased the distance between us!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「かーーーッ！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n楽しくなって来たぜえええ！！！<br>\\r\\n This is a blast!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうだ、レナ！！<br>\\r\\n What do you think, Rena?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n最高に楽しくねぇかッ！！」<br>\\r\\n Isn't this just the best?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははははははははははは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahahahahahahahaha!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは最初っから楽しいよ！！<br>\\r\\n I've been having fun since the very beginning!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも圭一くんの頭を叩き割ったらもっと楽しいかな！<br>\\r\\n But it'll be even more fun to split your head open, Keiichi-kun!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nかなあ！！」<br>\\r\\n Split it opeeen!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ひょおぅッ危ねえ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wow, that's dangerous!!<br>\\r\\nおらおらあッ！！<br>\\r\\n Over here!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこっちへ戻って来い！<br>\\r\\n Come back over here!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n足場を充分に使おうじゃねぇか！！<br>\\r\\n Let's use more space!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんな最高の舞台、何度もあるもんじゃねえ！！<br>\\r\\n Something like this doesn't happen too often!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n満遍なく楽しもうぜえ！！」<br>\\r\\n Let's enjoy it as much as we can!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっははははははは！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahhhahahahahahaha!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n絵になるよ、絵になるねぇ！<br>\\r\\n This would make a great picture!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私たちほら、いつの間にか月を背負ってるんだね？<br>\\r\\n Look, there's a beautiful moon behind us!<br>\\r\\n風が気持ちいいや！！」<br>\\r\\n The breeze feels great!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは何だかとても幻想的な風景。<br>\\r\\nIt was such a fantastical scene.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n校舎の屋根の上に二人の人影が月を背負って対峙するなんて、……こんなありそうでありえない情景が本当にあるなんて？<br>\\r\\nTwo people were fighting on the rooftop of the school building, with the moon behind them. It was almost unbelievable.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその不思議な景色の魔力は、それを遠くから眺める刑事たちや警官隊、クラスメートたちをも虜にしているようだった。<br>\\r\\nAll the policemen and children looked at that mysterious and fantastical scene from a distance, completely entranced.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰もが思っていた。<br>\\r\\nEveryone was thinking the same thing,<br>\\r\\nでも不謹慎だから言えなかった。<br>\\r\\n but nobody said anything.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……何て、あいつらは楽しそうなんだよって！！<br>\\r\\n...Why does it look like they're having fun?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なんかよ、こういう涼しさでこう熱くなるとよ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Getting all fired up in a breeze this cool...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n綿流しの祭りの時を思い出すんだよなぁ！！<br>\\r\\n It reminds me of the Watanagashi festival!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうも俺は静かに夕涼みってのがダメでさ！<br>\\r\\n I don't really like to just sit back and enjoy the cool of the evening in silence!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n月が出るとはしゃがずにはいられなくなっちまうんだよッ！！」<br>\\r\\n When the moon comes up, I turn into an animal!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n綿流しの祭りは俺たち部活メンバーで、祭り全体をかき回してやった！<br>\\r\\nAll us club members went crazy on the night of Watanagashi!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n最後に本部テントで村長にこってり絞られたけどな、絶対に来年もかき回してやるぜってみんなで笑いあったっけ！！<br>\\r\\n The mayor scolded us by the end of it, but we laughed at each other, and promised to do the same thing again next year!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「月に狂うか、何だかかっこいいじゃない？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Going crazy under the moon, huh? That sounds cool, doesn't it?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私たちはもう月に狂ってるのかもしれないね！！」<br>\\r\\n Maybe we're already crazy!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ああ同感だな！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, I feel the same!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仲間と命のやり取りをしてて、そいつが面白いと感じちまうようじゃ、俺たちは最高にイッちまってる！！<br>\\r\\n We're having fun trying to kill each other... we must be mad already!!<br>\\r\\nこいつがそうさ、ルナティックってヤツさあ！！」<br>\\r\\n This must be what insanity is like!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n月には人を覚醒させて、普段と違う高揚感を与える魔力があるって話だ。<br>\\r\\nSome people say the moon has the power to arouse passions in people.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうかもしれねえし、そうでないかもしれねえ。<br>\\r\\nMaybe that's true, and maybe it's not.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nひとつ言えることは、例え今日が新月だったとしても、<br>\\r\\nOne thing that's for sure is that even if it were a new moon tonight,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺たちは最高に熱かったろうってこったッ！！！<br>\\r\\n we would still feel the same way!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n次第にほの暗くなってくる中、時折爆ぜる火花が蛍みたいだ。<br>\\r\\nAs our surroundings got darker, the sparks we'd create with each hit started to look like fireflies.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…おいおい、すぐ横の雨どいにはガソリンがあるんじゃなかったっけ？<br>\\r\\nHey now, isn't there gasoline in the drain pipe right nearby?<br>\\r\\nあっはははははは、知ったことかよ！ その時ゃその時だろ！！<br>\\r\\n Ahhhahahahahaha, who cares? If an explosion happens, it happens!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ほおら何をやってんだかッ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, what are you doing?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nバットが汗で滑ってるんじゃない？<br>\\r\\n Are you getting too sweaty to hold the bat?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n休憩にしてハンカチで手でも拭いたらぁ？<br>\\r\\n Why don't you take a break and dry your hands off?<br>\\r\\nその間に頭を叩き割るけどねー！！」<br>\\r\\n I'll split your head open while you do that, though!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わっはっはっは！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wa ha ha ha!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそいつぁいいやあ！！<br>\\r\\n That's a good one!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナこそ汗でスカートが纏わり付いて気持ち悪いだろ、脱いでもいいんだぜー！！<br>\\r\\n Isn't your skirt clinging to your legs? You can take it off if you want!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺は手を出さないで見物するけどなー！！」<br>\\r\\n I'll just watch you instead of attacking!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「へー！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Really?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれで足に見とれてる隙に、ガツーンとお見舞いするよぅ！<br>\\r\\n Then I'll give you a good blow to the head while you're charmed by my legs!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあっはははははは！」<br>\\r\\n Ahhahahahahaha!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「楽しいなあレナぁあぁあ！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"This really is so much fun, isn't it, Rena?!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん、悪くないねえッッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yep, it sure is!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n飛ぶ！<br>\\r\\nWe flew!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n舞う！<br>\\r\\n We danced!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n打つ！<br>\\r\\n We struck!<br>\\r\\n笑うッ！！！<br>\\r\\n We laughed!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして時に退きあい、もったいぶるように間合いを計り、再び飛び込み合って火花を散らせあう！<br>\\r\\nWe stepped back once in a while to catch a breath, and then charged at each other and let the sparks fly!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n学校の屋根の上という特設舞台の上で、舞いを踊るように旋回し合いながら互いの虚を狙う。<br>\\r\\nWe aimed at each other as we went around in circles on the rooftop of the school, our special stage.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺もレナも汗だくだった。<br>\\r\\nRena and I were all sweaty.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが疲労感はない。珠のようになって転げ落ちる汗の雫がくすぐったいぜ。<br>\\r\\nBut we weren't exhausted yet. The beads of sweat rolling down my body just tickled me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n互いの打撃の激しい応酬。<br>\\r\\nWe exchanged furious blows one after the other.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n有利も感じないし不利も感じない。<br>\\r\\nNeither of us was at an advantage or disadvantage.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n勝てるかもしれないという高揚感もないし、負けるかもしれないという焦燥感もない。<br>\\r\\nNeither of us exalted in victory or raged in defeat.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nただ、レナとの剣戟のやり取りが無性に楽しかった。<br>\\r\\nThe battle with Rena in itself was fun.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n例えるならダンスのよう。<br>\\r\\nIt was like a dance.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはひとりでは絶対にできない舞い。<br>\\r\\nA dance I couldn't dance by myself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分と互角の力を持った相手とだけ舞えるダンスのよう…！！<br>\\r\\nIt was a dance I could only dance with someone with whom I was equally matched.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あの時さ、クラス全体の部活の日、水鉄砲で一騎打ちした時さ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Didn't you think the same thing I did when we did that club activity with the whole class...?<br>\\r\\n思わなかったか？」<br>\\r\\n The day we duelled with water guns...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん、実は私も思ってた！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, I did!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「「もう一回、こんな戦いをしてみたいってッ！！！」」<br>\\r\\n\\\"\\\"We wanted to fight like this again!!!\\\"\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n屋根の上の２人が思うように、それを見上げるクラスメートたちも同じことを考えていたに違いない。<br>\\r\\nAs we thought that way on the rooftop, our classmates down below must've thought the same.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n２人の伯仲する戦いはただただ純粋さと熱さに満ち溢れていて、……誰もがこう思うんだ！<br>\\r\\nOur fight was so pure and passionate... that everyone thought the same thing!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあぁ畜生、俺も混ざりたいってなッ！！<br>\\r\\n'We want to join them!!'<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あの時も同じだった！<br>\\r\\n\\\"It was the same back then!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n水鉄砲だったけどやることは同じだった！！！」<br>\\r\\n We were using water guns, but we did the same thing!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あの時より面白いぜ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"But this is far more fun!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今度は水の残量なんか気にしなくていいんだからよ！！」<br>\\r\\n I don't have to worry about how much water I have left in my gun!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「水鉄砲じゃ火花も出ないしね！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, we can't create sparks with water guns!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「打ち合うこの感覚もないもんなあッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"We couldn't strike at each other like this either!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n互いに肩で息を切らしながら踏み込む間合いを計りあう。<br>\\r\\nWe both were breathing hard, waiting for the right timing to take a step forward.<br>\\r\\nそれから互いにニヤリと笑い合った。<br>\\r\\n In the midst of that, we grinned at each other.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……はぁ……はぁ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Huff... huff...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの時も多分言ったセリフだが、あえてもう一度言うぜ。」<br>\\r\\n This is exactly what I said then, but I'm going to say it again.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあレナも、あの時と同じセリフで返そうかな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay then, I'll respond just the same.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n２人ともニヤリと笑い合う！！<br>\\r\\nWe both smiled wickedly in the same moment!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「やり合うのが楽しくてならねえぜ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"This is so much fun!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n決着がつくことすら興醒めするくらいになッ！！」<br>\\r\\n I don't even want to end this!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Aha ha ha ha!<br>\\r\\n負けても恨まないでね！！」<br>\\r\\n Don't hate me if you lose!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ恨まない！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, I won't!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの勝負を終わらせた自分の不甲斐なさを恨んでやるぜ！！<br>\\r\\n I'd hate myself for ending this game!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、そいつを恨むのはどうやらレナの方になりそうだなッ！！」<br>\\r\\n But I know I wouldn't be the one to cry in the end!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どうかな？！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't know about that!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一くん、足が藁だよ！！」<br>\\r\\n Your feet are getting weak, as if they're made out of straw!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「くそったれええぇ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Shut up!!<br>\\r\\nうをおりゃあああ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Whooaaahhhhh!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰もがその戦いに目を奪われていた。<br>\\r\\nEveryone was captivated by our fight.<br>\\r\\n心を奪われていた。<br>\\r\\n They were swept up in our fight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……どっちも凶器を持ってるんだぞ？！<br>\\r\\nWe both had weapons.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどっちの攻撃が命中しても大怪我になるはずなのに！<br>\\r\\nWeapons deadly enough to seriously hurt one another!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも２人ともさっきから完璧に互角で、<br>\\r\\nBut we were both perfectly matched<br>\\r\\n…一撃もまともに食らっちゃいない！！<br>\\r\\n and neither of us had hit the other yet!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなんて楽しそうなんだ。<br>\\r\\nWhy did they look so happy?<br>\\r\\nこんな滅茶苦茶があるもんか…！<br>\\r\\n This was just ridiculous...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんな楽しそうな大喧嘩を、これだけの人間が取り巻いていて、<br>\\r\\nAll the people below were just watching this fight on the rooftop with the beautiful moon as a backdrop.<br>\\r\\nあれだけの美しい月を背負いながらの屋根の上で、…しかも警察も見てるのにそれを止められないんだぞ？！<br>\\r\\n Not even the police could stop them!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nありえないありえない！！<br>\\r\\nThis was impossible!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんな滅茶苦茶な大喧嘩は…絶対にありえないッ！！<br>\\r\\nThis battle was absurd... and absolutely impossible!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一さああん！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi-san!!<br>\\r\\nなるべく屋根の中央を維持するんですのよー！！<br>\\r\\n Try to stay in the middle of the roof!!<br>\\r\\nわずかの高みを生かすんですわー！！！」<br>\\r\\n Use the height to your advantage!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子たちクラスメートは、圭一を応援していたし、あろうことかレナを応援するものもいた。<br>\\r\\nSatoko and some of her classmates cheered Keiichi on, but there were some who were cheering for Rena too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………もう彼らにとって、これは殺し合いでも喧嘩でもない。<br>\\r\\nTo them, this was no longer a fight to the death.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの、水鉄砲の日の第２回戦なのだ。<br>\\r\\nIt was just the second round of their water gun battle.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n部活は部活、ゲームはゲーム。<br>\\r\\nA club activity is a club activity and a game is a game.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…あの日の延長戦なのだから、死者など出るわけがない。<br>\\r\\nThis was just the second round, so nobody would die.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…本物の凶器で戦ってるのに？！<br>\\r\\nEven though they had real weapons...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなのに彼らは誰もどちらかが大怪我をするなんて思いもしなかった。<br>\\r\\nNobody thought they would get hurt.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花だけはそれに加わらず、呆然としてそれを見上げていた。<br>\\r\\nRika wasn't cheering. She was just looking up at the rooftop.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……こんな、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I've...... never<br>\\r\\n………こんなの、<br>\\r\\n seen anything...<br>\\r\\n…見たことない…。」<br>\\r\\n like this before...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花は思った。<br>\\r\\nRika thought to herself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一なら、打ち勝てる。<br>\\r\\nShe thought Keiichi could win.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナにじゃない。<br>\\r\\nNot just against Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………理不尽な出口なき惨劇の迷路を、壁ごとブチ壊せる男なのだと。<br>\\r\\nRika thought Keiichi could even destroy the walls of the maze of tragedies that had no exit.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…そ、狙撃班は何をしてるのかね！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What are the snipers doing?<br>\\r\\n人質に危害を加えようとしているのだぞ！<br>\\r\\n The suspect is trying to harm the hostage!<br>\\r\\n直ちに射殺したまえ！！」<br>\\r\\n Fire immediately!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n慌てふためきながら無線機に唾を飛ばす大高に、魅音が叫ぶ。<br>\\r\\nAs Ohtaka yelled into the radio, Mion screamed for him to stop.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ち、違うよ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"No, no!!<br>\\r\\nレナを撃たないで！！<br>\\r\\n Don't shoot Rena!!<br>\\r\\nレナはもう違う…！<br>\\r\\n Rena isn't crazy anymore!<br>\\r\\nさっきまでのおかしいレナじゃない！<br>\\r\\n She isn't who she was earlier!<br>\\r\\nあのレナは違う！<br>\\r\\n That's a different Rena!<br>\\r\\nだから撃たないで！！」<br>\\r\\n So please, don't shoot her!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ち、違うとはどういう意味かね…！<br>\\r\\n\\\"What do you mean, she's different?<br>\\r\\n見たまえ！<br>\\r\\n Look!<br>\\r\\n現に凶器を振りかざしているじゃないか！<br>\\r\\n She's swinging around that weapon!<br>\\r\\n明らかな殺意だ！<br>\\r\\n She's trying to kill him!<br>\\r\\n射殺しないと人質が危ないのだよ！！」<br>\\r\\n Unless we shoot her down, the hostage is in danger!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……く、……と、とにかく違う！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"...No, no!!<br>\\r\\nレナを撃っちゃいけない！！<br>\\r\\n Don't shoot at Rena!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもしもレナを撃ったら、圭ちゃんはあんたを殺すよ間違いなく！！<br>\\r\\n If you shoot Rena, Kei-chan will kill you for sure!!<br>\\r\\n断言できるッ！！」<br>\\r\\n I can guarantee it!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どど、どうして私をなのかね…ッ？！？！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wh-Why would he kill me?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あの２人は殺し合いをしてるんじゃない！<br>\\r\\n\\\"They aren't trying to kill each other!<br>\\r\\nただ打ち合って火花を飛ばして遊んでるだけなんだよ！！<br>\\r\\n They're just having fun creating sparks!!<br>\\r\\n見てわかるでしょ？！<br>\\r\\n Can't you see?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして圭ちゃんは語りかけてる！<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan is talking to her, too.<br>\\r\\n自分がレナと対等なことを！<br>\\r\\n He's telling her that they're equal!<br>\\r\\n対等というのは一番信頼できるということ！！<br>\\r\\n That means she can trust him more than anyone!!<br>\\r\\n圭ちゃんはレナの目を覚ませる！<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan will wake Rena up!<br>\\r\\nいや、もう覚ましつつあるんだよ！！<br>\\r\\n No, he's already waking her up!!<br>\\r\\nレナの悪い夢は、もう終わりつつあるんだ！！」<br>\\r\\n Rena's nightmare is almost over!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「圭一くんは…やっぱり最高だよ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Keiichi-kun, you're the best!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n君だけは殺したくない！！<br>\\r\\nI don't even want to kill you anymore!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n君がいない世界はさぞや退屈だろうと思うよ！！」<br>\\r\\n A world without you would be so boring!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「へ！ 何だか照れるお言葉、痛み入るぜ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Huh! Thanks for the compliment. I appreciate it!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nんで、どうするんだ、その世界とやらは！<br>\\r\\n So what's going to happen to the world, huh?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n宇宙人の侵略があって大変じゃねえのかよ？！」<br>\\r\\n Aren't aliens trying to invade it?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははははっははあははははは、あっははははははははははははははははは！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahaahahaahahahahaha, ahhhahahahahahahahahahahahaahhahahahaha!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n宇宙人なんて寄生虫なんて、何だかどうでもいいような気がしてくるよ。<br>\\r\\n You know, I don't think I even care about aliens or parasites anymore.<br>\\r\\n世界が滅ぶならいつでも好きな時に滅べばいいし、御三家の陰謀なんて知ったことか！！」<br>\\r\\n If the world is going to perish, go ahead and perish. Who cares about the conspiracy of the Three Families, anyway?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ああそうさ、例え明日隕石がぶつかって地球が砕けるとしたってッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's right, even if a meteor hits the Earth tomorrow...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今この瞬間より楽しいことなんて他にあるもんかあああッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Nothing could be more fun than this moment!!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ちぇ、それにお前、毒を盛られてて今夜で死んじまうんじゃねぇのかよ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, aren't you supposed to die tonight due to some poison?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n余命の短いヤツがピンピンしやがって！！」<br>\\r\\n You sure don't look like you only have a few hours left to live!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははははははははははは！！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだったね、すっかり忘れてたよ、私は今夜中に首を掻き毟って死んでしまうんだったっけッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n That's right, I completely forgot about that. I'm supposed to claw out my throat and die tonight!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何だよ、自分で作った設定だろ、忘れるんじゃねえや。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, that's the scenario you came up with, don't forget.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nほれ、たまには首をボリボリ掻きやがれ！！<br>\\r\\n Come on, scratch your throat once in a while, at least!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nわかってるよ、もう痒くなんかねぇんだろ？<br>\\r\\n Hey, I know, it doesn't itch anymore, does it?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそりゃそうさ！！<br>\\r\\n It definitely doesn't!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n首を引っ掻くより、」<br>\\r\\n This is more fun than scratching your throat could ever be!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私たちはもっと楽しいことをしているんだものッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, this dance of ours really is way more fun!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんなにも楽しい時間は無限に続けばいいのに！！<br>\\r\\nI wished it would never end!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、体はもう悲鳴をあげていた。<br>\\r\\nBut my body was screaming.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n息は荒く、酸素が足りなくなったのか頭が少しクラつきやがる。<br>\\r\\nI was breathing hard, and felt dizzy from lack of oxygen.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n上半身が紙で出来てるくらいに軽くてふわふわで、ちょいと風が吹きゃ空にふわっと浮かされちまいそうだった。<br>\\r\\nMy upper body felt as light as a piece of paper, as if even a slight breeze could take me away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……こんなにも楽しいのに、もうじき決着しなくちゃいけないんだな…。<br>\\r\\n...It really had been a blast, but I needed to end it soon...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの一抹の寂しさは、あの水鉄砲の決着がつく直前にも思った。<br>\\r\\nI felt the same sadness as in that water gun fight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そういやあの時は相打ちだったっけ。<br>\\r\\nBack then, it had been declared a draw.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…今回は、どうなるだろうね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I wonder what will happen this time...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さぁてな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Who knows?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nひとつ言えることがある。」<br>\\r\\n But one thing is for certain.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「最高に楽しかったぜッ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I loved doing this with you!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Me too!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一がぱっと後に飛び退き、金属バットで屋根を力強く叩いた。<br>\\r\\nI jumped backwards and slammed the roof with my bat.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはまるで大太鼓のような迫力があって。<br>\\r\\nThe sound was as intense as a huge drum,<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n２人の戦いに心を奪われていた者たちに正気を取り戻させた。<br>\\r\\nand the noise woke up the people who were captivated by our fight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nシンと辺りが静まり返り、……さっきからひぐらしたちが合唱していたことを再び気付かせる。<br>\\r\\nThe silence returned, and the chorus of higurashi filled the air.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ、…………一度、間合いを開こうじゃねぇか。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay...... let's pause for a moment.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………そうだね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Sure.<br>\\r\\n次の一撃で今度こそ決着をつけよう。」<br>\\r\\n Let's end this with one more strike.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n２人の動きが静かになり、………ゆっくりと間合いを広げあう。<br>\\r\\nWe started to move slowly... and increased the distance between us.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰もが悟った。<br>\\r\\nEveryone realized it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいよいよこの戦いに決着がついてしまうことを。<br>\\r\\nThis fight was ending very soon.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ、最後の最後だ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay, this is it.<br>\\r\\nもう一回確認するぜ？」<br>\\r\\n I'm going to ask you one more time.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん？ 何だっけ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hmm? What is it?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははははは、おいおい、この戦いはお互い賭けてるものがあったろうが。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahaha, hey, you're betting something on this, right?<br>\\r\\nお前、その為に戦ってたんじゃなかったのかよ！」<br>\\r\\n Isn't that why you were fighting?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだったっけ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I did?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあはははははは、ごめん、忘れちゃってた。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahahaha, sorry, I forgot.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ちぇ、仕方ねぇやつだなぁ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Tsk. You're hopeless.<br>\\r\\n確認するぜ。<br>\\r\\n Okay, listen carefully.<br>\\r\\nまずは俺が勝った場合だ。<br>\\r\\n If I win,<br>\\r\\n俺の専属メイドになってご奉仕三昧の毎日だ！！<br>\\r\\n you'll become my personal maid and serve me every day!!<br>\\r\\n人前では、これが私のご主人様ですってちゃんと紹介するんだぞー！！」<br>\\r\\n You'll have introduce me to others as your master!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あははははははははははは、可愛い服じゃないと嫌だよ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahahahahahahahaha, my uniform better be cute!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そこは任せろ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Of course it will.<br>\\r\\n監督の完全監修の元、古式ゆかしいオールドスタイルから、ちょっとドキドキな改造メイド服まで色々と取り揃える！！<br>\\r\\n There will be a variety of uniforms, ranging from old-fashioned ones to ones that are a little dangerous!!<br>\\r\\nもちろん特注でレナにぴったりとフィットするサイズなんだ。<br>\\r\\n They'll be custom-made so they'll fit you perfectly.<br>\\r\\nすごいだろう。」<br>\\r\\n How about that?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「すごいすごい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"My goodness.<br>\\r\\n負ける気はさらさらないけど、何だか楽しそう。<br>\\r\\n I don't intend to lose, but that could be fun, somehow.<br>\\r\\nあははははは。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahaha.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「次は、レナが勝った場合だ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"If you win, Rena.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一はそこで一度言葉を切る。<br>\\r\\nI paused for a moment.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……レナが勝ったなら、俺はレナの話を信じる。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"If you win, I'll believe your stories.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの表情は、ついさっきまで上機嫌だったのに、ほんの少し乾いて無表情になった。<br>\\r\\nRena was happy until just a moment ago, but that expression was suddenly wiped from her face.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「宇宙人が地球侵略をして来ていて、俺たちの頭ん中には寄生虫が入ってる。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Aliens are invading the Earth and we have parasites in our brains.<br>\\r\\nそしてそれを園崎家が暗躍してて秘密研究をしてて、世界は明日から宇宙人に支配されるって話を、信じてやる。<br>\\r\\n The Sonozaki family is pulling the strings, they're researching the parasites in secret, and aliens will be in control of the world starting tomorrow. I will believe in that.<br>\\r\\nあと、お前は毒で今夜、死んじまうんだよな？<br>\\r\\n Also, since you're dying tonight,<br>\\r\\n最期はちゃんと看取ってやるから安心しろ。」<br>\\r\\n I'll make sure you go peacefully, so don't worry.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………何だか私が勝ってもつまんないね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......It's not fun if I win, is it?<br>\\r\\n圭一くんが勝った方のご褒美の方が楽しそうだよ。」<br>\\r\\n Your reward sounds a lot more fun, Keiichi-kun.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「仕方ねぇだろ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, what can I do?<br>\\r\\nお前、そういう話だからわざわざ学校を乗っ取ったんじゃなかったのかよ。」<br>\\r\\n You did all this because of what I just said, right?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………そうだったんだっけね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...............Yeah, I guess...<br>\\r\\n……ごめん、忘れそうになってたよ。」<br>\\r\\n Sorry, I almost forgot.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはほんの少し悲しい表情で笑ったが、それは砂浜に波が染みこむように、すっと消え、すぐに無表情に戻った。<br>\\r\\nRena smiled sadly for a moment, but soon that expression was wiped off her face too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「俺は何しろ、レナのメイドさんがかかってるんだからよ！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm going to win no matter what.<br>\\r\\n意地で勝ちに行くぜ！！」<br>\\r\\n I want my personal maid!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ぶーぶー。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Boo, boo.<br>\\r\\nレナが勝っても面白くないよぅ。」<br>\\r\\n It's not fun if I win.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何だよ、じゃあ今から変えるか？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Then do you want to change it?<br>\\r\\nレナが勝ったらどうするよ。」<br>\\r\\n What do you want?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………そこで、ようやくレナは機嫌のいい笑いになった。<br>\\r\\n......Finally, Rena smiled happily again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n風が、さらさらと流れて、……俺たちに貼りついた汗を冷やす。<br>\\r\\nThe breeze dried our sweat.<br>\\r\\n……とても気持ちよかった。<br>\\r\\n It was a good feeling.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今なら月が出ていても俺たちは暴れない。<br>\\r\\nWe no longer went crazy, even with the moon out.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本当の夕涼みができるに違いない。<br>\\r\\nWe could finally enjoy the coolness of the evening.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのまま屋根の上にごろんと横になって、月を見上げられたなら、どんなに素敵なことか。<br>\\r\\nIt would be so nice if we could just lie down on our backs and gaze at the moon.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが薄く笑いながら、言った。<br>\\r\\nStill smiling a little, Rena spoke.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私も、<br>\\r\\n\\\"I<br>\\r\\n………圭一くんと同じご褒美がいいな。」<br>\\r\\n want the same reward as yours, Keiichi-kun.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何だよそれ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"What?<br>\\r\\n俺がメイドかよ！<br>\\r\\n You want me to be your maid?<br>\\r\\n……ドギツイなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n That's something.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「別にメイドさんじゃなくていいよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You don't have to be my maid.<br>\\r\\n……でも他は同じ。<br>\\r\\n But the rest is the same.<br>\\r\\n朝は私におはようって言って、夜は私におやすみって言って欲しい。<br>\\r\\n I want you to say 'good morning' to me every morning and 'good night' every night.<br>\\r\\nいっぱい私にやさしくしてほしい、いっぱい私を楽しくさせてほしい。<br>\\r\\n I want you to treat me well and let me play around all the time.<br>\\r\\n………あれ？<br>\\r\\n ......Hmm?<br>\\r\\nあはははははは…、<br>\\r\\n Aha ha ha ha ha,<br>\\r\\nこれじゃ、<br>\\r\\n I guess<br>\\r\\n私が勝っても圭一くんが勝っても、<br>\\r\\n no matter who wins<br>\\r\\n私たち、<br>\\r\\n we'll always...<br>\\r\\n……ずっと一緒なんだよね。」<br>\\r\\n be together.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「一緒ではあるが、待遇に偉い違いがあるけどなー。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"We'll be together, but the one who gets the special treatment is different.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…あは、…あははははははははははははは。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Aha! Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「「ははははは、はははははははははははははははははは。」」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どうして、こんなにも大好きな圭一くんと、私はこんなことをしているんだろう。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Why am I fighting with someone I like so much?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さぁてな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't know.<br>\\r\\nどうして俺たちゃ屋根の上になんかいるんだ。<br>\\r\\n Why are we on the rooftop?<br>\\r\\n何しに俺たちはここへ登ったんだっけ？」<br>\\r\\n Why did we even come up here in the first place?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…あははははは、どうしてだったっけ？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahaha, I don't know.<br>\\r\\n忘れちゃったよ。」<br>\\r\\n I forgot.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「馬鹿と煙は上へ昇る、ってやつだろ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Maybe we're both airheads.<br>\\r\\nじゃあ俺たちは２人とも大馬鹿だな。」<br>\\r\\n That's why we floated up here.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「馬鹿仲間だね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yep, we're airhead buddies.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「仲間だな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"We're buddies, alright.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「「あははははははははははははははは…。」」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……じゃあ、そろそろ行こうじゃねぇか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Well then, shall we get started?<br>\\r\\nせっかくの体がクールダウンしちまう。」<br>\\r\\n I don't want to cool down too much.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You're right.<br>\\r\\n……体が冷めちゃわない内に、決着をつけよう。」<br>\\r\\n We better finish up before it gets too cold.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n２人は思い思いの構えで、互いの持つ凶器を構えあう。<br>\\r\\nWe readied our weapons and took our stances.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………私ね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I......<br>\\r\\n…やっぱりやめない？<br>\\r\\n was going to suggest<br>\\r\\nって、<br>\\r\\n that we stop this.<br>\\r\\nそう言おうと思った。」<br>\\r\\n I really was.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一はそれを、ゆっくり横に首を振って応える。<br>\\r\\nI shook my head slowly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だめだ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No.<br>\\r\\n決着は必要なんだ。<br>\\r\\n We have to finish this.<br>\\r\\n………じゃないと、終わらない。<br>\\r\\n ...Otherwise, it won't end.<br>\\r\\nせっかくの俺とお前の戦いが、終われない。<br>\\r\\n Our fight won't end.<br>\\r\\n……うやむやじゃ駄目なんだ。<br>\\r\\n We can't quit.<br>\\r\\n綺麗に終わらないとだめなんだ。」<br>\\r\\n We have to bring it to an end.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……こんなのおかしい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...This isn't right.<br>\\r\\nひょっとしたらどっちが勝っても負けても、ご褒美がなしになるかもしれない。」<br>\\r\\n It's possible that no matter who wins or loses, there will be no reward.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………その時も恨みっこはなしだぜ。<br>\\r\\n\\\".........Even if that happens, we shouldn't hate each other.<br>\\r\\nだから先に言っとく。」<br>\\r\\n So I'm going to tell you this now.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……何？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......What?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「楽しかったぜ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"It was fun.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………私もだよ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah............ I feel the same way...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena...<br>\\r\\n…仮に俺たちのどちらかが死のうと、俺たちは絶対にまた会えるから。<br>\\r\\n Even if one of us dies, we'll see each other again.<br>\\r\\n……だから、また会えたなら、」<br>\\r\\n And when we do...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「今度は普通に遊んで、<br>\\r\\n\\\"We'll have fun in a normal way.<br>\\r\\n普通に笑い合って、<br>\\r\\n We'll laugh together in a normal way.<br>\\r\\n……普通に恋をしよう。<br>\\r\\n ......And we'll fall in love in a normal way.<br>\\r\\n……絶対に互いを疑わない。<br>\\r\\n We won't doubt each other.<br>\\r\\n互いを絶対に信じ合う。<br>\\r\\n We'll trust each other.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……だから、<br>\\r\\n ......And we'll meet again,<br>\\r\\n………絶対に会えるよね？<br>\\r\\n right?<br>\\r\\n絶対だよね……？」<br>\\r\\n For sure, right...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes...<br>\\r\\n……絶対だ…………。」<br>\\r\\n for sure...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナの瞳に、涙が浮かぶ…。<br>\\r\\nTears appeared in Rena's eyes...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一も自分の目頭が熱くなることに気付いていた。<br>\\r\\nI noticed I was about to break down, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay<br>\\r\\n…<br>\\r\\n......<br>\\r\\n…<br>\\r\\n...<br>\\r\\n行くぜ。」<br>\\r\\n are you ready?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……合図は、なかった。<br>\\r\\nThere was no signal.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなのに２人は同時に踏み込んだ…。<br>\\r\\nBut we stepped forward at the same time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n月の中に２人の影が躍りこんだ。<br>\\r\\nOur shadows jumped in the moonlight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……さっきまではあんなに激しく打ち合っていたのに、…それはとてもスローに見えて、まるで影絵の物語を見るようだった。<br>\\r\\nWe were fighting so viciously earlier, but now it was like we were moving very slowly. We must have looked like a shadow play.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰もが、影が舞うのを見ていた。<br>\\r\\nEveryone was watching the shadows dance.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そして、レナの影が、圭一の金属バットを激しく打ち、<br>\\r\\nRena's shadow hit my metal bat violently.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………圭一が金属バットを手放してしまう…。<br>\\r\\n As a result, I let go of it...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n金属バットはぐるぐると回転しながら屋根の上で一度跳ねてから…校庭へ。<br>\\r\\nThe metal bat bounced once on the roof, then rolled down to the schoolyard.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……圭一は武器を失ったのだから丸腰。<br>\\r\\nI had lost my weapon.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だからレナはこのチャンスに一気に畳み掛けるのは、とてもとても当り前で自然なことで…。<br>\\r\\nHere was Rena's chance. Of course, she wouldn't miss it...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一は屋根の上に押し倒されると、すぐにレナに圧し掛かられた。<br>\\r\\nI was lying flat on the roof, and Rena got on top of me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n両腕もレナの膝に潰すように抑えられ、一切の抵抗は不可能だった。<br>\\r\\nRena's knees were holding down my arms, and there was no way for me to fight back.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n見れば、…月は二つに割られていた。<br>\\r\\nThe moon was divided into two.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n振り上げるレナの鉈の薄く細い影が、月を真っ二つに割っていた。<br>\\r\\nThe shadow of Rena's hatchet had split the moon right down the middle.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが、決着だった。<br>\\r\\nThis was the end.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………ち、<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Shit,<br>\\r\\n……やるな。<br>\\r\\n that was good.<br>\\r\\n腕が…抜けねえや。」<br>\\r\\n I can't even pull my arms away.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ねぇ圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hey, Keiichi-kun.<br>\\r\\n………もう決着、<br>\\r\\n ...It's over...<br>\\r\\n…ついたんだよね…？」<br>\\r\\n right...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おいおい、まだついてねぇだろ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Not yet.<br>\\r\\nそいつを振り下ろすまではまだつかないぜ。」<br>\\r\\n It's not over until you swing down your hatchet.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……いやだ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I don't wanna.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「うん？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Huh?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…いやだよ、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I don't want to.<br>\\r\\n…………<br>\\r\\n ......<br>\\r\\nいやだ…。」<br>\\r\\nI don't want to...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは、…月を割るかのように鉈を構えたまま、両目から涙を溢れさせていた。<br>\\r\\nRena's arms were still raised, but tears were pouring from her eyes.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………どうして、こんなことになっちゃったんだろう。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...What happened?<br>\\r\\nどこで変になっちゃったんだろう…。<br>\\r\\n What went wrong?<br>\\r\\n…私はみんなを大好きで、<br>\\r\\n I loved everyone<br>\\r\\nみんなを信じていたはずなのに、<br>\\r\\n and I trusted everyone.<br>\\r\\n……どこで信じられなくなってしまったんだろう。」<br>\\r\\n When did I start to doubt them?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...............\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どうして圭一くんに鉈を振り上げているのか、…わかんない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't know why I'm doing this to you... I don't know.<br>\\r\\n……どうして、<br>\\r\\n ...Why,<br>\\r\\n…私は<br>\\r\\n why am I<br>\\r\\n……こんなにも大好きな仲間たちに、<br>\\r\\n doing this to people...<br>\\r\\n…こんなにも恐ろしいことを…してしまったんだろう…。」<br>\\r\\n I love so much?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「お、………お前、<br>\\r\\n\\\"You...<br>\\r\\n…………そうか……、<br>\\r\\n You<br>\\r\\n……気付いたのか…。<br>\\r\\n realized it.<br>\\r\\n………この「世界」で、……気付けたのかよ………ッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n You realized it in 'this' world!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「自分で自分が…信じられないよ…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I can't believe myself...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこんなにもあんなにも、楽しい日々だったのに、<br>\\r\\nEvery day was so much fun<br>\\r\\n…どうして私は、<br>\\r\\n but... why,<br>\\r\\n…どうして私は…。<br>\\r\\n why...?<br>\\r\\n……何も不満もなかったし、<br>\\r\\n I didn't have any complaints,<br>\\r\\n…何の不安もなかったのに……、<br>\\r\\n I didn't worry about anything...<br>\\r\\n…どうして、…自分で壊してしまうような真似を…………。」<br>\\r\\n so why did I try to destroy everything with my own two hands...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「レナ……、お前はやっぱり……すげえよ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Rena... you're... you're incredible!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺なんか、…お前と魅音を殺した後、<br>\\r\\nAfter I killed you and Mion...<br>\\r\\n……それでも気付かなくって、わけのわからない遺言を残して、…大石さんに電話までして！<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't realize I had done anything wrong, so I left a note and called Ooishi-san.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それでも自分以外の誰かが悪いんだろうって思い込んでたんだぜ。<br>\\r\\nI still believed that someone else was at fault.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……死んでも。<br>\\r\\nUntil,<br>\\r\\n死んだあとも！<br>\\r\\n I mean, even after I was dead!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はずっと自分の罪深さに気付きもしなかった！<br>\\r\\nI didn't even notice I had sinned.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分ひとりだけが勘違って、仲間の救いにも気付けず殺してしまうことの何と悲しいことか。<br>\\r\\nHow sad it was to kill my friends because of a little misunderstanding, even when they were trying to help me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そして、<br>\\r\\nAnd<br>\\r\\n……それを罪と気付けないことが何と…<br>\\r\\n how painful it was not to realize<br>\\r\\n辛いことか…。<br>\\r\\n it was a sin...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だから、……レナはすごいんだよ……。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Therefore... you're amazing, Rena...<br>\\r\\n仲間を１人も殺さなかった。<br>\\r\\n You didn't kill any of your friends.<br>\\r\\n…お前は…罪を犯す前に、……気付けたんだよ……。<br>\\r\\n You came to your senses ...before you committed a sin.<br>\\r\\nはは、あはははははははは！！<br>\\r\\n Ha ha, aha ha ha ha ha!!<br>\\r\\nさすがだよレナ、<br>\\r\\n You're incredible, Rena.<br>\\r\\n……さすがだよ、<br>\\r\\n ......Just incredible...<br>\\r\\n…俺とは…違うんだッ！！」<br>\\r\\n You're totally different from me!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはゆっくりと立ち上がると、振り上げていた鉈をゆっくりと下ろした。<br>\\r\\nRena stood up slowly and lowered her hatchet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…仲間を、傷付けたよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I hurt my friend.<br>\\r\\n……魅ぃちゃんにひどいことをした…。」<br>\\r\\n I hurt Mii-chan...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あとで謝っとけ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Just apologize to her.<br>\\r\\n俺的には当分の間、姉妹の入れ替わりを見抜けてちょうどいい傷跡だと思ってるぞ。」<br>\\r\\n Personally, I appreciate that the wounds will help me tell the twins apart.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…それに、………殺しちゃってるもんね、私。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I've already killed...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あん？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Huh?<br>\\r\\n誰も殺してないだろ。<br>\\r\\n No, you haven't.<br>\\r\\n誰を殺したよ？」<br>\\r\\n Who did you kill?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………間宮リナと、…北条鉄平…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......<NAME>amiya... and Teppei Houjou...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あぁ、…………あいつらか。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah... those two...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………あの２人を殺すことは正しいことだと思ってた。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I thought it was right to kill them.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……でも、あの２人を殺した日から、<br>\\r\\nBut the day I killed them...<br>\\r\\n…もう世界は狂い始めていたと思う。<br>\\r\\n the world started to go crazy.<br>\\r\\n………だということは、……。<br>\\r\\n Did that mean...<br>\\r\\n……あの２人を殺すのは、<br>\\r\\n that it was wrong<br>\\r\\n……正しいことじゃなかったのかな……。」<br>\\r\\n to kill them...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「正しいかどうかは知らんが、最善手じゃなかったことは確かだな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't know if it was right or wrong, but it wasn't the best thing you could have done.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……最善手って……？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"What do you mean, the best thing?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そんなこともわからないのかよ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Don't you know?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺はレナの頭をがばっと抱いて、俺の胸に無理やり抱いてやる。<br>\\r\\nI grabbed Rena's head and embraced her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして言ってやった。<br>\\r\\nThen I told her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれはとても簡単なこと。<br>\\r\\nI told her something so simple.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰でも思いつくとても簡単な選択肢だった。<br>\\r\\nIt was so simple that anyone could think of it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでもレナはしなかった。<br>\\r\\nBut Rena didn't do it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺もあの時、しなかった。<br>\\r\\nI didn't do it either, back then.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「何かヤバかったり、<br>\\r\\n\\\"If you're in danger<br>\\r\\n疑いそうになったり、<br>\\r\\n or you feel like doubting others<br>\\r\\n辛いことがあったりしたときはな。」<br>\\r\\n or something sad happens...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、とても簡単なことなんだよ…！<br>\\r\\nIt was so simple...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…仲間に、<br>\\r\\n\\\"You should talk to...<br>\\r\\n……相談するんだよッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n your friends!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだよね…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's right...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……………そうだよね……、<br>\\r\\n You're right.<br>\\r\\n…ぅ、<br>\\r\\n ...Ooh...<br>\\r\\n……ぅわぁぁぁぁぁぁ…ん……。」<br>\\r\\n whaaaahhhhh...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはしばらくの間、…俺の胸の中で、<br>\\r\\nRena cried in my arms for a while.<br>\\r\\n…一番最初に間違えた選択肢を泣いた。<br>\\r\\n ...She cried about the wrong choice she made at the very beginning.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその選択肢は見つけにくいものでも何でもない。<br>\\r\\nThe choice couldn't have been hard to see.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…本当にささやかで、身近にあった選択肢だったんだ。<br>\\r\\nI'm sure it was something that was within her grasp.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n１人で悩むことがいかに下らないことか。<br>\\r\\nHow stupid it was to worry about it by herself.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仲間がいた。<br>\\r\\nShe had friends.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全てを信じられる仲間がいた。<br>\\r\\nShe had friends whom she trusted.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなのに、何で、この問題は仲間には話せないと思い込んでしまったのか…！<br>\\r\\nWhy did she think she couldn't talk to her friends about it?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「私が間違ってた…！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"I was wrong...!!<br>\\r\\nどうして…話さなかったんだろう！！<br>\\r\\n Why didn't I talk about it?<br>\\r\\n何で私はみんなを信じてるのに、信じてなかったんだろう！！！」<br>\\r\\n Everyone trusted me, so why didn't I trust them?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………俺もかつてそうだった。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......I was the same way before.<br>\\r\\n…だから俺は笑わねぇぞ。<br>\\r\\n That's why I won't laugh at you.<br>\\r\\nでも、気付けたならいいんだ。<br>\\r\\n But you realized it.<br>\\r\\nしかもレナは、俺なんかよりずっと早く気付けたじゃねぇか…！！」<br>\\r\\n You realized it a lot sooner than I did!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺たちは信じ合おう。<br>\\r\\nWe will trust each other.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n二度と仲間を疑うまい。<br>\\r\\nWe will never doubt our friends.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n互いを信頼し合おう。<br>\\r\\nWe will rely on each other.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして悩みを打ち明けあって、互いに助け合っていこう。<br>\\r\\nWe will talk to each other and help each other.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、仲間たちはいつまでも幸せで、どんな困難だってみんなで乗り越えていけるんじゃないか…。<br>\\r\\nThat's why friends are always happy, and why we can endure anything together...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……じゃ、レナ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Okay, Rena.<br>\\r\\n幕の降りた舞台だけどさ、カーテンコールに応えようじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n Why don't we respond to the curtain call?<br>\\r\\nこれで、全部おしまいだぜ。」<br>\\r\\n This is really the end of everything.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「カ、カーテンコールって何かな、かな…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wh-What do you mean by the curtain call? What do you mean?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まぁまぁ、俺の独り言だ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, I was just talking to myself.<br>\\r\\n最後だけ付き合ってくれよ。」<br>\\r\\n Come on.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺たちは手をつないだまま、立ち上がる。<br>\\r\\nWe stood up together, holding hands.<br>\\r\\n……月を背負って。<br>\\r\\n ...The moon was hanging behind us.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺が頷くと、レナは鉈を投げ、それは屋根の下の闇に消えていった。<br>\\r\\nWhen I nodded, Rena threw away her hatchet. It disappeared into the darkness below.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして俺は、……こんな顛末を予想していなかっただろう、地獄の観劇者たちに言ってやる！<br>\\r\\nThen I spoke to the audience in Hell, the demons who weren't expecting this ending.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこいつは勝利宣言だ！<br>\\r\\nI was proclaiming victory!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「これで今宵はおしまいだぜ！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's all for tonight!<br>\\r\\n俺たちは惨劇に打ち勝った！！<br>\\r\\n We overcame this tragedy!!<br>\\r\\nもう俺たちは互いを疑わない。<br>\\r\\n We'll never doubt each other again.<br>\\r\\nだからいつまでも結束している！！<br>\\r\\n We'll be united forever!!<br>\\r\\nだからどんな惨劇が訪れようとも、二度と屈すると思うんじゃねぇ！！<br>\\r\\n No matter what disaster might befall us, don't think we'll ever yield!!<br>\\r\\n悲劇など知るか惨劇など知るか！<br>\\r\\n Who cares about tragedy, who cares about disaster?<br>\\r\\n悪魔どもが喜ぶ脚本が、今後どれだけやって来ようとも。<br>\\r\\n Even if the script is written by demons,<br>\\r\\n俺たちが全部、ブチ壊してやるぜえええッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n we'll tear the whole thing to pieces!!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……いつの間にか、セミたちは合奏をひぐらしに委ねていた。<br>\\r\\n...The chorus of the higurashi had replaced that of the cicadas.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n遠くから湧き上がっては薄れ、湧き上がっては薄れを繰り返すその合唱は、とても弱々しく儚くて。<br>\\r\\nTheir cries came from a distance, echoed loudly, and then faded away. They sounded so weak and fragile.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてそれはレナの声も同じで、……ひぐらしの声と同じように、湧き上がっては薄れを繰り返す。<br>\\r\\nRena's voice was just like the cries of the higurashi. She'd say something, but the words would quickly fade away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……気を許せば、その姿さえも掻き消えてしまうのではないかと思うくらいに儚げに。<br>\\r\\n...She sounded so fragile that it made me worry she might vanish into thin air along with her words.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、誰も何も急かさなかった。<br>\\r\\nBut nobody is pressuring her to continue.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n魅音は、廃車のボンネットの上の埃を払うとそこに腰掛け、リラックスをアピールするような仕草をした。<br>\\r\\nMion dusted off the hood of an abandoned car, and sat down on it as if to show how relaxed she was.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその表情は柔らかで、まるで初めからここに夕涼みが目的で来たかのような、そんな雰囲気を感じさせた。<br>\\r\\nShe actually did look very relaxed, as if she came here to enjoy the cool breeze of the evening or something.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその様子を見て、沙都子もまた腰掛けられそうな場所を見つけて腰を下ろす。<br>\\r\\nSatoko followed Mion's example and sat down as well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、沙都子の表情は魅音ほどにはくつろいで見えなかった。<br>\\r\\nShe didn't look nearly as relaxed, however.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺もそれに習おうかと思ったが、座れる場所を探すためのわずかの時間であっても、レナから逸らすのがとても失礼なことではないかと感じ、そのまま立ち続けていた。<br>\\r\\nI thought about following suit, but it felt rude to look away from Rena even for the short time it would take to look for a place to sit down. So, I decided to remain standing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんもまた座らなかった。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan didn't sit down, either.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、レナの方を向いてはいなかった。<br>\\r\\nBut she wasn't looking at Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n他の仲間たちがみんなレナを見ているのに、<br>\\r\\nEverybody else was looking at Rena,<br>\\r\\n梨花ちゃんだけは見ず、<br>\\r\\n but Rika-chan...<br>\\r\\n……朱が混じり始めている高い空を見上げていた。<br>\\r\\n was looking at the red sky.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその表情は、……とても例え難い。<br>\\r\\nRika-chan's expression was hard to describe...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nとても荒涼としていて、喜怒とか、哀楽とか、そういうものが全部抜け切った後に残るような、そんな表情だった。<br>\\r\\nShe looked pale and blank at the same time, as if all of her emotions were gone.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、そんな表情が、一番レナのそれに似ているのだった。<br>\\r\\nRena wore the same kind of expression.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは何度も言葉を出そうと繰り返しては喉に詰まるのを繰り返していたが。<br>\\r\\nShe kept trying to say something, but it seemed like the words were stuck in her throat.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……梨花ちゃんが空を見上げているのに気付くと、同じように瞳いっぱいに大空を映しこむのだった。<br>\\r\\n...She noticed Rika-chan was looking at the sky, so she decided to look that way as well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを見て、魅音も空を見上げる。<br>\\r\\nMion did the same.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……俺も見上げる。<br>\\r\\n...So did I.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子も皆に習って見上げる。<br>\\r\\nSatoko looked that way too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、訪れる静寂。<br>\\r\\n And with that, there was silence.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nひぐらしたちの合奏だけで満たされた、世界で最も天井の高いコンサートホールにたたずむ俺たち。<br>\\r\\nIt was like we were in a concert hall, filled with the chorus of the higurashi. A concert hall with the highest roof in the world.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……通り抜ける涼しい風が、日中の暑さでかいた薄い汗をくすぐるのが気持ち良かった。<br>\\r\\n...A refreshingly cool breeze tickled our sweaty bodies.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこうしていると、……俺たちはここへ夕涼みをするために集まったのだと、信じてしまいそうになる。<br>\\r\\nI could almost make myself believe we came here to enjoy the breeze and the sunset...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいや、………今からでもそういうことにしないかと、<br>\\r\\nI could only wish<br>\\r\\n提案すらしたくなった。<br>\\r\\n that was what we came here for...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n時折、空を横切る鳥たちの影だけが、この静寂のコンサートに無粋さを添える。<br>\\r\\nThe shadows of the birds flying across the sky soured the feeling of our quiet concert.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……なぜなら、鳥が飛ぶのを知る度に、時間が止まっていないことを思い出してしまうから。<br>\\r\\n...They reminded us that time hadn't stopped.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナを、誰も急かしたくなかった。<br>\\r\\nNobody wanted to pressure Rena.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、時の刻みでさえ、レナを急かすことを許せなかった。<br>\\r\\nWe didn't want time to pressure her, either.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが心を落ち着けてくれるまで、いくらでもこの涼しい夕暮れの空を、無限の時間の中でそのままに留めておいてほしかったのだ。<br>\\r\\nWe wanted to keep the cool red sky as long as we could, so Rena could calm down and talk.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、<br>\\r\\nRight then,<br>\\r\\nボコンというつまらない音がして、俺たちは現実に引き戻される。<br>\\r\\n I heard a sound, and it brought us all back to reality.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…魅音が足の組み方を変えたら、座っていたボンネットが音を立てたのだ。<br>\\r\\n...The hood Mion was sitting on had made a noise when she moved to cross her legs.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその音が偶然なのか故意なのかはわからなかってけれど、<br>\\r\\nI don't know whether Mion made the noise on purpose or not<br>\\r\\n…その音は残酷にも、それでも時間は流れていることを思い出させてくれた。<br>\\r\\n ...but it reminded us that time had been passing by.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその音が切っ掛けで、みんなは空を見るのを止め、目線を再び地上に戻す。<br>\\r\\nThe noise took our attention away from the sky and back to the ground.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその無粋な音は、結局、レナに覚悟を促す後押しとなったようだった。<br>\\r\\nSuch a tasteless noise seemed to have urged Rena to speak.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナは小さな息を吐き出して、何かを飲み込むように俯く仕草をした後、俺たちが普段よく知るレナの表情に戻った。<br>\\r\\nRena heaved a small sigh, nodded as if she understood something, and looked at us like she always did.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………話す前に、<br>\\r\\n\\\"...There's one thing I want to say...<br>\\r\\n……一個だけ言いたいことがあるの。」<br>\\r\\n before anything else.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全体に向けて言ったことだろうが、みんなの中心にいた俺を見ながら言ったので、…俺は代表する意味で頷き返して見せた。<br>\\r\\nShe was probably saying it to everybody. But since I'm standing in the middle, with her looking at me... I nodded to her to represent our agreement.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……レナは、正しい努力をしたと思ってる。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I think I did the right thing.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n声はもう擦れていなかった。<br>\\r\\nHer voice wasn't hoarse anymore.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、それは普段レナが口にするのと同じような、毅然とした響きを含んでいた。<br>\\r\\nShe sounded just like she always did.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「人って、幸せになるために、どれだけの努力が許されるのかなぁ…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I wonder how much we're allowed to struggle in order to be happy...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n問い掛けにも聞こえたが、誰も口を挟まなかった。<br>\\r\\nIt sounded like a question, but nobody answered.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だからね、私。<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's why<br>\\r\\n魅ぃちゃんの部活って好きなの。<br>\\r\\n I really like Mii-chan's club.<br>\\r\\n……ほら、優勝のためには何でもしようっていうの。<br>\\r\\n ...The one rule is to do whatever it takes to win, right?<br>\\r\\nそういうのって、素敵だと思うの。<br>\\r\\n I think that's wonderful.<br>\\r\\n…だって、世の中が綺麗事だけで縛られてて、やっていい努力がわずかだけに決められていたら、……幸せじゃない人たちは、ますます幸せを勝ち取れなくなっちゃうじゃない？<br>\\r\\n ...If we were only allowed to do nice things, and if there was a limit to how much we could struggle... people who aren't happy wouldn't be able to seize happiness at all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n不幸ってね、連鎖するものだと思うの。<br>\\r\\nMisfortunes are like a chain reaction, I think.<br>\\r\\n一度続き始めると、なかなか抜け出せない。<br>\\r\\n Once they begin, they're very, very hard to escape.<br>\\r\\nそこから抜け出すには、運とか人の助けとか、そういう他力本願なものだけじゃ到底足りない。<br>\\r\\n In order to escape the chain of misfortunes, you need more than just luck or even assistance.<br>\\r\\n自分でももっともっと努力しないといけないと思うの。<br>\\r\\n I think you need to struggle as hard as you possibly can.<br>\\r\\nそれも、本当の本当に精一杯。<br>\\r\\n You need to do your best.<br>\\r\\nそこまでして、やっと掴めるのが、……幸せってものじゃないかなって。」<br>\\r\\n That's how you seize true happiness. That's what I believe.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはそこで一度区切り、空を見上げて一息ついてから、再び口を開いた。<br>\\r\\nRena stopped talking, looked up, heaved a sigh, and opened her mouth again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「でも、………だからってみんなにもそれを受け入れてもらおうなんて、甘えるつもりもないかな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"But... I'm not saying that I expect you to accept what I did.<br>\\r\\n…だって、本当に汚らしいもの。<br>\\r\\n ...I know that was a very bad thing to do.<br>\\r\\nみんなだって、ついさっき、呆然としたでしょ？<br>\\r\\n Didn't you all look stunned a while ago?<br>\\r\\nそれはつまり、そういうことだよね…。」<br>\\r\\n That tells me everything...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナが、……こんなにも自虐的な笑い方をするなんて、知らなかった。<br>\\r\\nI've never seen her smile so... self-derisively like this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその笑顔は信じられないくらいに痛々しい。<br>\\r\\nThat smile looked unbelievably painful.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…そして、この上ない距離感を感じさせる。<br>\\r\\n...I could really feel how huge the distance between us was.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺たちとレナの間には何も遮るものはないはずなのに、……まるで鉄格子か金網越しに話しているかのような、<br>\\r\\nThere's nothing physically there, but... I felt as if she's talking to us through iron bars or a chain-link fence. That's how great<br>\\r\\nそんな遠さを。<br>\\r\\n the distance between us was.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………でも、それでもいいよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...But, it's okay.<br>\\r\\n仕方ないもんね。<br>\\r\\n There's nothing we can do about it.<br>\\r\\nそういう風に出来てる世の中だもん。<br>\\r\\n That's just how things are in this world.<br>\\r\\n多分、私が逆の立場でいられたなら、……同じように唖然として、無責任で無慈悲な同情を浮かべていたに違いないもの。」<br>\\r\\n If I were you... I'd probably look just as stunned, and I'd say something irresponsible and merciless.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその言葉は多分、……俺たちに対するレナの反撃。<br>\\r\\nShe probably... said that to hit back at us.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n同情という名のマスクを被って、舞台の上のピエロを眺めて楽しんでいるだけの他人事な俺たちへの、たった一つだけの反撃。<br>\\r\\nWe're just putting on a mask of sympathy, enjoying the spectacle of a clown on a stage. That's why she said that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺たちに何かの言い返しを期待したのだろうか。<br>\\r\\nShe probably expected us to say something in return.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…もちろん、俺たちの誰にも、言い返す言葉など思いつきはしなかった。<br>\\r\\n...But none of us knew what to say.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nレナはほんの一瞬だけ残念そうな顔をすると、軽やかに廃車を駆け上り、屋根の上のステージに乗った。<br>\\r\\nRena looked disappointed for a moment, then turned and clambered on top of an abandoned car.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして両手を広げて、ふわっと回転してスカートをなびかせた後、スカートの両端を摘んで、優雅そうなお辞儀の真似をする。<br>\\r\\nThen she spread her arms out and gave a little twirl, letting her skirt billow up before she grabbed both ends and gave us a graceful curtsy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃ、………始めるよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well then... are you ready for a story?<br>\\r\\n竜宮レナの一世一代のがんばり物語を。」<br>\\r\\n This is the story of how <NAME> did her best.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n緞帳もなければスポットライトもない。<br>\\r\\nThere was no curtain or spotlight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nゴミ山の廃車の上の特設ステージで。<br>\\r\\nShe was atop an abandoned car amidst the trash piles, a stage specially made for her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n俺たちはせめてレナが話そうとする全てを聞き漏らすまいとした。<br>\\r\\nWe tried not to miss a word of what she was about to say.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれだけは絶対に、レナを傷つけない行為だと信じて。<br>\\r\\nWe believed that was the least we could do to not hurt her feelings.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n風通しの良さだけは自慢だった。<br>\\r\\nOne reason I like my house is because it has good ventilation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n少なくとも風が吹いている時は、冷房などなくても充分に涼めるのだった。<br>\\r\\nAs long as there's a nice breeze, I don't have to rely on a fan to keep me cool.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大きく開けた窓に干してあった布団を引っ込めると、私はそこに座布団を敷いて、縁側の夕涼みと洒落込むのだった。<br>\\r\\nI can take down my futon from the windowsill, place my cushion near the open window, and enjoy the cool breeze of the evening.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n日めくりのカレンダーは昭和の５８年、６月であることを示していた。<br>\\r\\nAccording to my page-a-day calendar, it's June, 1983 today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n６月にもかかわらず、今年は空梅雨でもう夏本番の到来のようだった。<br>\\r\\nWhile it was still June, it seemed like summer skipped the rainy season and was already coming around the corner.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……異常気象というやつらしい。<br>\\r\\n ...This was very abnormal, apparently.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n百年に一度の異常気象だったとしても、それが昭和５８年に必ず起こることなら別に珍しいことでもなんでもない。<br>\\r\\nEven if it was abnormal weather that only comes around once in a hundred years, if it was supposed to come in June of 1983, then it wasn't so much of a big deal.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは必然だということ。<br>\\r\\nIt was inevitable.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんなことより、下校時に突然振り出す夕立の方が、どれほど予想不能で珍しいことか。<br>\\r\\nOn the other hand, the sudden evening shower on the way home from school was more unpredictable than anything else.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全てが何から何まで予定調和の日々だけど。<br>\\r\\nEvery day had been in perfect harmony, as if it was all carefully planned.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何だか今年は色々と幸先がいい気がする。<br>\\r\\nI felt like something good was going to happen this year.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…何て言うのかな。<br>\\r\\n...How should I put it...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nスゴロクゲームで一番最初のサイコロで６が出て、自分ひとりだけたくさんのリードで始まった時のようないい気分、というのかな。<br>\\r\\nIt's like the feeling I get when I roll a six on the first throw of a board game and start off with a huge lead.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもっとも、サイコロというのは振れば振るほど、そのトータルは平均値に近付く。<br>\\r\\nWhen it comes to a die, the more you roll it, the more the total averages out.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私たちの人生は日々、あらゆるところでサイコロをたくさん投げている。<br>\\r\\nWe actually roll a die many times every day of our lives.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、ささやかな幸運の１つ程度で浮かれることもないのだけど。<br>\\r\\nSo, it's not like one struck of luck is really a big deal to be overly happy with.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……最初のサイコロが６でも次が１なら、７で、平均値。<br>\\r\\n...If I roll a six on my first throw and a one on the next throw, the total is seven.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n運命主義者なら、次に出るサイコロは１の確率が高いとでも言い出すのか。<br>\\r\\nIf you believe in fate, you might say there's a higher possibility of a one to come up on the die.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、次に振るサイコロは１から６まで何が出るかわからない。<br>\\r\\nBut you can never actually tell what number you will roll.<br>\\r\\nそれが、運命というもの。<br>\\r\\n That's what fate is all about.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……次も６が出るかもしれないな。<br>\\r\\n...You might roll a six again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n全体で見れば３６分の１の奇跡だけど、…１つ１つ積み立てて行こうと思えば、たったの６分の１程度の奇跡でしかないのだから。<br>\\r\\nThe chance of rolling a six twice in a row is one out of thirty-six... but if you look at each throw one by one, there's only a one-sixth chance of that miracle.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子が昨日くくりつけたガラス風鈴が、とても涼しい音色を聞かせてくれるのだった…。<br>\\r\\nThe glass wind chime Satoko put up yesterday was making a refreshing sound...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n☆リナ☆<br>\\r\\n☆Rina☆<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n身長１６８ｃｍ Ｂ８９Ｗ６０Ｈ８７<br>\\r\\n Height 168cm, B89 W60 H87<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n趣味：最近は室内ガーデニングに興味があって、目標は手作りハーブで紅茶を飲むこと☆<br>\\r\\nHobbies: I'm interested in indoor gardening. I want to make tea with the herbs I grow.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「いっつも楽しくて為になるお話をいっぱい聞かせてくれてありがと〜☆<br>\\r\\n\\\"I always enjoy your funny and interesting stories!<br>\\r\\n今度お店に内緒で一緒にどっか遊びに行こうね☆」<br>\\r\\n We should go out somewhere next time in private!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n紳士倶楽部 ブルー・マーメイド<br>\\r\\n Gentlemen's Club Blue Mermaid<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n専属マネージャー 間宮リナ<br>\\r\\n Private Manager <NAME><br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nきょうは、お母さんといっしょにプールリゾートにあそびに行きました。<br>\\r\\nToday, I went to a swimming pool with my mom.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしたらアキヒトおじさんもいっしょでした。<br>\\r\\nUncle Akihito came with us, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nたまに礼奈にいじわるするからきらいだけど、とてもやさしくておもしろいおじさんです。<br>\\r\\nI don't like him because he's sometimes mean to me, but he's a very kind and funny old man.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nプールにいるときはアキヒトおじさんがお父さんになってあげるから、礼奈ちゃんはおじさんのことをパパってよぶんだよと言われました。<br>\\r\\nHe told me to call him Daddy for that day, because he was going to play with me at the pool like he was my daddy.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお母さんもパパってよんだので礼奈もパパとよんだら、<br>\\r\\nMy mom called him Daddy, so I did, too.<br>\\r\\nアキヒトおじさんはすごいうれしそうで、礼奈にいっぱいいっぱいおこずかいをくれました。<br>\\r\\n Uncle Akihito looked very happy and gave me a lot of money.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお母さんもすごいうれしそうで、礼奈もすごいうれしかったです。<br>\\r\\nMy mom looked very happy, and it made me happy, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまたあそびにきたいです。<br>\\r\\nI want to play with him again.<br>\\r\\nこんどはお父さんもいっしょがいいなと思いました。<br>\\r\\n I hope my dad can come with us next time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はお気に入りの窓を開け、いつものように座布団をそこに敷くと、ささやかな縁側を楽しむのだった。<br>\\r\\nI opened the window, placed my cushion nearby, and prepared to enjoy the weather.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…なのに、せっかくの夕方の静かなひと時を、どたどたと騒がしいのが一匹。<br>\\r\\n...But she came over and disrupted my peaceful evening.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお陰で涼やかな夕方のひと時が台無しだ。<br>\\r\\nShe always ruins my time of solitude.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………幸せそうね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...You look pleased.<br>\\r\\nそっか、今日はあんたの大好きな甘いものがたくさん食べられたものね。」<br>\\r\\n Oh, that's right. You ate lots of your favorite sweets today.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの子は甘いのに目がないからな。<br>\\r\\nThis girl loves sweets more than anything.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…私も嫌いじゃないけど、今日くらいの量があったら胸焼けがしてしまう。<br>\\r\\n...I like them too, but I can't eat like she does. It'd give me heartburn if I ate the amount she ate today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n取り合えず、幸せそうなのでしばらく放っておいてやることにする。<br>\\r\\nShe seemed to be very happy, so I'll leave her alone for a while.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここしばらく、私好みの辛いものやしょっぱいものばかりを食べさせてたから、さぞや嬉しかったのだろう。<br>\\r\\nI'd been making my favorite hot and salty food for the past few days, so she must be quite pleased today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろん、私にとっても今日は本当に楽しい一日だった。<br>\\r\\nIt was a very fun day for me, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はその喜びを、こうして夕涼みしながらかみ締めていれば充分だった。<br>\\r\\nI just wanted to enjoy the memory of the excitement I felt today by sitting here quietly, enjoying the sunset.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、空を見上げるとほんの少しだけ重みのある雲が見えた。<br>\\r\\nBut when I looked up at the sky, I saw some thick clouds forming there.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…少し風も涼しすぎるように思う。<br>\\r\\n...The wind was a bit cooler than usual.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n夕立にでもなるかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nIt might start raining soon.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………大地震や大津波などの報せとして、浅瀬に普段は絶対に見かけることができない深海の魚が現れることがある。<br>\\r\\n\\\"......People say that when deep-sea animals come up to the shallows<br>\\r\\n…っていう話があるらしいわね。」<br>\\r\\n it's a sign of a big earthquake or a tsunami.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今日、私たちの浅瀬に、普段は絶対に見かけることができない珍しい深海魚が現れたのを見た。<br>\\r\\nWe saw a very rare fish that dwells in deep water in the shallows today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n海のバケモノの伝説のほとんどがそうであるように、人は深海の生物を忌み嫌い、不吉の前兆としたがる。<br>\\r\\nJust as the ancient stories of sea monsters say, people hate deep-sea animals and tend to interpret them as omens of a disaster.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれが生きて現れようとも、死んで死体が打ち上げられようとも。<br>\\r\\nIt didn't matter if they showed up alive or dead.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあぁ、それって言い得ていて面白いかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nAh, I said something interesting just now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n生きて現れようとも、死んで死体が打ち上げられようとも。<br>\\r\\nEven if they showed up alive or dead,<br>\\r\\n不吉の徴、か。<br>\\r\\n it was an omen of a disaster.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあぁ、……雨が降るかもしれない。<br>\\r\\nOh... It might start raining soon.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……うるさいな、言われなくてもわかってる。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Yeah, yeah, I know. You don't have to tell me.<br>\\r\\n洗濯物を取り入れるわよ。」<br>\\r\\n I'll get the laundry.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は表の物干し竿ではためいている洗濯物を取り込むために、洗濯籠を掴むと表へ向かうのだった。<br>\\r\\nI grabbed a basket and went outside to take the laundry in.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雲はますますに鉛色になってくる。<br>\\r\\nThe clouds were getting darker.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雨は好きだけど、…今日は好きになれそうになかった。<br>\\r\\nI normally like rain... but I didn't think I'd enjoy it today.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n間宮律子さま<br>\\r\\nDear <NAME><br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n株式会社エグゼクティハウジング<br>\\r\\nExecutive Housing Corporation<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお見積書の送付について<br>\\r\\nAttached Estimate<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの度は、弊社をご愛顧いただきまして誠に有難うございます。<br>\\r\\nWe thank you for your past visits and ninquiries to our office.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお問い合わせの物件について、以下にお見積もりをお送りさせていただきます。<br>\\r\\nWe've included the estimate for the property you inquired about.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n記<br>\\r\\n Basic Information<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n物件名 パレスオブベルサイユ ７０７号室<br>\\r\\nProperty Name: Palace of Versailles, Room 707<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n物件番号 １４Ｍ１４２１<br>\\r\\nProperty Code: 14M1421<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n物件タイプ 新築マンション<br>\\r\\nProperty Type: Modern Condominium<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n間取り ２ＬＤＫ<br>\\r\\nLayout: 2LDK<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n所在地 鹿骨市小岩町２丁目<br>\\r\\nAddress: Shishibone-city Koiwa-cho 2 chome<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n交通 ×××線 穀倉駅 徒歩５分<br>\\r\\nTransportation: XXX Line, Gogura Station, 5 minutes on foot<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n価格 ４９８０万円 管理費 ２００００円<br>\\r\\nCost: 49,800,000 yen nMaintenance Fee: 20,000 yen<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその他 東南角部屋・エレベーター停止階<br>\\r\\nOther: South-east corner room, elevator floor<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nマンション内フィットネスクラブの会員権付<br>\\r\\nCondominium fitness club membership included.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの度はお問い合わせをありがとうございます。<br>\\r\\nThank you for your interest in this property.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこちらの物件は現在、急発展を遂げている穀倉駅近くの高級分譲マンションでございまして、今後、穀倉駅周辺の地価上昇に伴い、さらに価値が上がることが予想される優良物件でございます。<br>\\r\\nThe area around Gogura Station is a prime real estate zone for luxury condominiums. Along nwith future planned developments, the real nestate values in and around the Gogura Station are expected to rise, and this property is not an exception.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nすでに募集数の数倍のお客様からのお問い合わせをいただいております。<br>\\r\\nAs a result, many prospective buyers are ninterested in this property.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのため抽選制となりますことを予めご容赦ください。<br>\\r\\nHence we'd like for you to understand that the selection process for this property will be done via nlottery.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまた、抽選の口数で格段の優遇を得られる「セレブリティ会員様優待枠」もございます。<br>\\r\\nAlso, we also offer \\\"Celebrity Member Preferential Treatment,\\\" granting highly improved chances through additional lottery entries.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどうぞお気軽に担当までお問い合わせください。<br>\\r\\n Please feel free to inquire with our agents for more details.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n株式会社エグゼクティハウジング<br>\\r\\n Executive Housing Corporation<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nセレブリティ担当マネージャ 川畑<br>\\r\\n Celebrity Account Manager, Kawabata<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子は、校庭で遊んでいる子たちと混ざりに行った。<br>\\r\\nSatoko went to join the children playing in the schoolyard.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私はそういう気分ではなかったので沙都子を見送り、留守番に残ることにした。<br>\\r\\nSince I didn't feel like going, I decided to stay at home.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……多分、夕方になるまで帰っては来ないだろうな。<br>\\r\\n...Most likely, she wouldn't be back until the evening.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沙都子がいないなら、…いないなりの過ごし方が私にはある。<br>\\r\\nWhen Satoko wasn't around... I had ways of spending time without her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれに、そういう気分だったから。<br>\\r\\nBesides, that was what I wanted to do anyway.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は押入れの冬用の布団の山の一番奥に手を突っ込み、それを引っ張り出す。<br>\\r\\nI stuck my hand deep inside the pile of winter futons in the closet, and pulled one out.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれからちょっと洒落たグラスに、製氷室で作った氷をいっぱいに詰め込む。<br>\\r\\nNext, I filled a stylish-looking glass with ice.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、製氷室で作った氷は塩素臭くておいしくない。<br>\\r\\nThe ice made in the freezer smelled of chlorine, though, and didn't taste good.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nロックアイスが一番いいのだけど、沙都子が何に使うのかとうるさく聞くから、最近はすっかり買えずにいる。<br>\\r\\nStore-bought ice would be the best. But since Satoko kept asking me what I was using it for, I stopped buying it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……その口実をうまく思いつくだけで、この塩素臭さを未来永劫に脱臭できるなら、なるほどそれは考えるのに時間を費やす価値がありそうだった。<br>\\r\\n...But it might be worth spending time to think about a good excuse for that if it meant I would be able to enjoy ice without ever again smelling the chlorine.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nミネラルウォーターで満たして、……それを少しだけ注ぎ込む。<br>\\r\\nI filled the glass with mineral water...... and then poured a little bit of another liquid into the glass.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n透明な水の中に混じっていく色の付いた影を眺めるのは、とても乙なものだった。<br>\\r\\nWatching the color mix into the transparent water was a very pleasant thing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本当はこういう飲み方は正しくないらしいが、私にはこれがちょうどいい飲み方なのだからとやかく言われたくない。<br>\\r\\nThis wasn't the right way to drink it, but I liked it that way, and didn't want to hear any complaints.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの便利な体は、わずかの量であっても私を酔わせてくれる。<br>\\r\\nMy body is very convenient, because I can get drunk with only a tiny amount.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから少量をたっぷりと薄めるわけだ。<br>\\r\\nThat's why I dilute that small amount with a full glass of water.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのお陰で一瓶を長く楽しめると思えば悪くはない。<br>\\r\\nAnd thanks to that, I could enjoy a single bottle for a long time. It wasn't bad, if you thought about it like that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nお気に入りの窓辺に座布団を敷き、……私はグラス片手に見慣れた景色と髪を撫でる風を肴にする。<br>\\r\\nI put a cushion on my favorite spot by the window... and with the glass in one hand, I enjoyed the familiar view and the soft wind brushing through my hair.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nほんのりと甘い熟成した匂いが鼻をくすぐってくれた。<br>\\r\\nA slightly sweet ripened aroma tickled my nose.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………そんな風情をまさにこれから楽しもうというタイミングで、うるさいのが帰って来るのを感じた。<br>\\r\\n......And just when I was about to start enjoying the atmosphere, the annoying one came back.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私のこの癖が許せないらしく、私がグラスを傾けようとするといつも文句を言うのだ。<br>\\r\\nShe didn't like this bad habit of mine, and she complained every time I tilted the glass.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n案の定、ガミガミとうるさく騒ぎ始めた。<br>\\r\\nShe started nagging me noisily.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……うるさいな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Shut up.<br>\\r\\n少しくらい我慢なさい。何を飲もうと食おうと、私の勝手でしょう。」<br>\\r\\n Be a little more tolerant. I can drink and eat whatever I want.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「だ、だめなのです…！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Y-You can't...!<br>\\r\\nお酒は、子供は飲んでは駄目なのです！」<br>\\r\\n Kids aren't supposed to drink alcohol!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n無視を決め込もうとするが、風情を台無しにするかのように賑やかに騒ぎ始める。<br>\\r\\nI tried to ignore her, but she started making a fuss, as if trying to ruin the atmosphere on purpose.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……こんなんじゃ、とても酔いを楽しむ気にもなれない。<br>\\r\\n...There was no way I could enjoy getting drunk like this.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は憎々しげにその様子を見ながら、窓の外へグラスの中身を投げ捨てた。<br>\\r\\nI glared at her, and threw the drink out the window.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……何で私が憂鬱か知りたい？<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Do you want to know why I'm depressed?<br>\\r\\n…私の死に方が決まったからよ。」<br>\\r\\n ...I'm depressed because the way I die has been decided.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nようやくそいつにも、私がどうして酒に溺れたかったか理解できたようだった。<br>\\r\\nIt seemed like she finally understood why I wanted to drown myself in alcohol.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そんなに落ち込まなくてもいいのよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You don't have to feel down.<br>\\r\\n割と一瞬で死ねるからそんなに怖くないわ。」<br>\\r\\n I get to die instantly, so it's not that scary.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n死体は黒コゲのバラバラだろうけど、死ぬ瞬間は一瞬だから、まぁまぁの部類だ。<br>\\r\\nMy body will be burned and cut in pieces, but I'll be able to die instantly.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………でも、……また、…駄目なのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...But... not yet.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I know.<br>\\r\\n……また駄目ね。<br>\\r\\n ......Not yet.<br>\\r\\n………これだと、私の命日はいつだっけ？」<br>\\r\\n ...When am I going to die again?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………………６月の、２５日の夜だと思いましたです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\".........I think it's the night of the 25th of June.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「綿流しの祭りが終わってから、大体１週間後か。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's about a week after the Watanagashi festival.<br>\\r\\n………まぁ妥当な辺りね。」<br>\\r\\n ...Well, that sounds reasonable.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「やっぱり、……………………私のせいなのでしょうか。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Is it......... my fault?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「決まってるでしょ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Of course it is.<br>\\r\\nあんた自覚ないの？」<br>\\r\\n Are you serious?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…ぁぅあぅぁぅ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Au au au...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n自分で振ってきたくせに、その通りだと言ってやったら涙目になる。<br>\\r\\nShe was the one who asked me, yet she cried when I told her she was right.<br>\\r\\n…あぁもぅ、暑っ苦しいやつ。<br>\\r\\n ...Ah, geez! She's always so annoying.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「がんばりましょ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Let's keep trying.<br>\\r\\n…次のスゴロクではきっと、６が立て続けに出てくれることもあるわよ。」<br>\\r\\n ...I'm sure I'll get six in a row on the next board game.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n６月２５日か。<br>\\r\\nJune 25th.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……まだ１０日以上もある。<br>\\r\\n...I still had ten more days.<br>\\r\\n…のんびり過ごすさ。<br>\\r\\n ...I was going to relax and enjoy those ten days.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nワインだってまだあるんだし…。<br>\\r\\nI still had some wine left, too...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n６月なのに、早くもセミの声が聞こえる今日この頃、雛見沢の皆さんはいかがお過ごしでしょうか。<br>\\r\\nIt's still June, yet the air is filled with the cries of cicadas. How is everyone in Hinamizawa doing?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今年も綿流しのお祭りが近付いてまいりました。<br>\\r\\nThe Watanagashi festival is coming just around the corner.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n昨年、大変ご好評をいただきました雛見沢営林署職員による木彫りマスコットの実演販売も行なわれます。<br>\\r\\nWe staff members from the forestry service are going to perform a wood sculpting demonstration at the festival.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n保護者の同伴があればお子様にも道具をお貸しできますので、どうか親子の素敵な記念にされてはいかがでしょうか。<br>\\r\\nWe'll be happy to lend out our tools and teach your kids how to sculpt wood themselves. It'll be an excellent memorial gift!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさて、××第４次森林施業計画に基づき、本年夏季に山林の伐採を行なうことになりました。<br>\\r\\nAlso, we would like to inform everyone that we're going to cut down trees in the local hills this summer as part of the No. XX 4th Forest Landscape Management Project.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの伐採は、老齢木や枯木を伐採することにより山林の美観を守り、新たに植樹を行なうことで山林の若返りを目的とするものです。<br>\\r\\nThis project involves preserving the beauty of the forest by cutting down old trees and planting new ones.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n営林署では、この伐採作業に参加するボランティアを募集しております。<br>\\r\\nThe forestry service needs volunteers who are interested in helping us cut down the old trees.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n青空の下での林業体験を通じて、自然の素晴らしさを満喫される貴重な経験をされてはいかがでしょうか。<br>\\r\\nYou can enjoy the beauty of nature under the blue sky while helping out with this preservation activity.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n時期はちょうど夏休みを挟み、お子様との親子での参加も可能です。<br>\\r\\nThe project will begin during summer break, so you can bring your kids, too.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n夏の野山での貴重なボランティア体験を通じて、お子様の健全な育成に貢献できればと思います。<br>\\r\\nThis will be a good opportunity for your kids to learn about nature and have a valuable experience.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなお、伐採予定地は高津戸地区、谷河内地区の山林になります。<br>\\r\\nThe locations of the project are the forests in the Takatsudo and Yagouchi areas.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n黒田メンタルクリニック殿<br>\\r\\n Attn: Kuroda Mental Clinic<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n前略。<br>\\r\\nHello.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまず結論から申し上げて、急性の心的外傷後ストレス障害の一種であると考えられます。<br>\\r\\nTo get straight to the point, we can assume that this is an acute case of post-traumatic stress disorder.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n両親の突然の離婚により、どちらかの親を選択しなければならない葛藤が、患者に強いストレスを与えたものと推測します。<br>\\r\\nThe patient is subject to tremendous stress because of her parents' sudden divorce, and being forced to choose to live with either her mother or her father.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n加えて、患者は両親の離婚に対し自身に責任があると強い思い込みがあり、それが自己破壊願望を助長しているものと思われます。<br>\\r\\nFurthermore, the patient firmly believes that she was responsible for her parents' divorce, which further drives her to self-mutilation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n患者にとって最大のショックは、両親の離婚によって、絶対に安全だと心を許していた家庭という居場所に裏切られたことによります。<br>\\r\\nThe patient's largest shock stems from a sense of betrayal of her own household, which she believed was an absolute safe haven.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nよって今後、親子の居場所に対して、偏執的な防衛をする傾向が予想されます。<br>\\r\\nHenceforth, there is a high possibility that the patient will resort to psychological defense measures to protect her family.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n（例えば、父親に対して特に異性の接近を嫌う。<br>\\r\\n(For example, she might feel high disdain for any person of the opposite sex who approaches her father.<br>\\r\\n自宅に他人を招き入れることを嫌う。<br>\\r\\n She might feel uncomfortable about having other people in her home.<br>\\r\\nもしくは招き入れられないように何らかの奇抜な行為を行なう可能性もあります。<br>\\r\\n She may also display eccentric behavior in order to keep people away from it.<br>\\r\\n事例では、意識せずして自宅内にゴミを溜め込んだケースがあります）<br>\\r\\n As an example of the latter, there are reported cases of patients unconsciously bringing home garbage.)<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまず大切なことは、患者が同居を決めた父親とのコミュニケーションです。<br>\\r\\nIt's highly important that the patient remains in close communication with her father.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父親は患者とのコミュニケーションを深めることで、家族仲を一層強めて、その不安を和らげることが何よりも大切となります。<br>\\r\\nBy deepening the communication between the two of them, it'll strengthen their family bond and loosen up her anxiety.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今回の患者のケースでは、おそらくは急性のものと思われますので、父親の協力があればおそらく、然るべき薬物との併用で、３ヶ月以内に治癒するものと思います。<br>\\r\\nSince the patient only shows signs of an acute syndrome in this case, there's a very good chance that she'll recover within three months with her father's support and proper medication.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nただし、一見治癒したかに見えても、トラウマ体験から１０年以上を経てなお再体験（フラッシュバック）を起こすケースも少なくありません。<br>\\r\\nHowever, it's common for a patient who seemed to have recovered to have a sudden reoccurrence (a flashback) even after ten years.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父親はまだ若く、再婚の可能性も将来、充分に残っています。<br>\\r\\nHer father is still fairly young, and there's still a chance that he could remarry.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nですが、再婚によって見知らぬ異性を見ることは、患者に再体験を引き起こし、回避行為、過覚醒を誘発するものと考えられます。<br>\\r\\nHowever, seeing an unfamiliar member of the opposite sex through remarriage could trigger a flashback in the patient, which may lead to avoidance behavior or hyperawareness.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父親にこの辺りをよく説明し、患者のケアに理解を得るようにしてください。<br>\\r\\nPlease explain this part thoroughly to the father in order for him to understand the recovery process.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもしも父親に再婚が内定していた場合、最低でも患者が独立して親離れをするまで打ち明けるべきではありません。<br>\\r\\nShould the father decide to remarry, it's recommended that he should hold off in telling the patient until she reaches the age where she's capable of living independently.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして今回の患者のケースで重要な点は、患者の自傷の原因であると思われる「寄生虫妄想症」には、「文化依存症候群」も関係していると思われる点です。<br>\\r\\nAlso, the cause of the patient's psychosomatic self-mutilating behavior, delusional parasitosis, seems to be its own culture-bound syndrome.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n患者は郷里の村を離れることで祟りがあると妄信しており、この祟りの結果によって両親が離婚したとしています。<br>\\r\\nThe patient blindly believes that leaving her home village will cause a curse, and that this curse was the cause of her parents' divorce.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれにより、自己の責任から郷里の祟りに責任を転嫁することで、心的損傷の軽減・防衛を無意識に行なっているものと思います。<br>\\r\\nWe believe this is a subconscious defensive mechanism to reduce her mental trauma by shifting the blame from herself to her village's curse.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n問題となるのは、この郷里の風習が非常に厳格かつ閉鎖的である点です。<br>\\r\\nAccording to the patient's statement, the culture of her home village is extremely strict and exclusive.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n患者の話によるならば、郷里に戻る以外に祟りから逃れる術はなく、現在の環境に居続ける限り、その祟りは続くとしています。<br>\\r\\nThe patient believes that there's no way to be saved from the curse other than by going back to the village, as the curse will continue as long as she lives in her current environment.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれには人格変容の傾向が見られ、以後、現実を改変し続ける高い可能性があります。<br>\\r\\nThrough this, we see an inclination of schizophrenia, and believe the chances are high that the patient will continue to alter their perceived reality.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n（人格変容：人格の低レベル化により現実を改変、妄想化するケースです）<br>\\r\\n(Schizophrenia: A case where patients' personalities are reduced, causing altered perceptions of reality and delusions.)<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n患者の自傷行為の理由であるとする、血の中に虫が潜んでいるという妄想は、まさにその最たるものと言えるでしょう。<br>\\r\\nHer delusion about the maggots dwelling in her blood is a perfect example, and it's also the cause of her psychosomatic self-mutilating behavior.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n妄想と自傷が関連しているケースは、患者にとって極めて危険な状態であることを意味しています。<br>\\r\\nWhen a delusion involves psychosomatic self-mutilating behavior, it's extremely dangerous.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもしも父親に経済的な余裕があるならば郷里への引越し。<br>\\r\\nI highly recommend for the father to move back to the village if he's financially capable.<br>\\r\\nもしくは郷里の親類の下へ患者の生活環境を移すことも重要なポイントになると思われます。<br>\\r\\n Allowing her to live with relatives in the village might also work.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまた、これほど顕著な症状を引き起こす「信仰」ならば、本件以外にも事例が多数存在する可能性があります。<br>\\r\\nIf such a strong belief can induce symptoms such as self-mutilation, then there might be other cases similar to this one.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nひょっとすると、郷里の大病院等に文化依存症候群に関する資料があるかもしれません。<br>\\r\\nPerhaps prior medical files that document similar culture-bound syndromes may be available at a large medical institution in her local area.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを取り寄せることで、効果的なメンタルケアが可能になるものと思います。<br>\\r\\nIt'll then be possible to provide better and more accurate mental care for the patient by obtaining these case files.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n※このＢ５の便箋は、裏面使用のメモ帳の束の中に含まれていた。<br>\\r\\n--This B5-sized letter was with a bunch of memos.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなお、裏面白紙部分に書かれたメモは以下のとおり。<br>\\r\\nThe following was on the backside of the letter.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n中華丼１、上海風五目やきそば３、チャーハン大盛り１<br>\\r\\n1 Chuuka-don, 3 Shanghai-style Gomoku Yakisoba, 1 large fried rice.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまた、父親に関しても注意を払う必要があります。<br>\\r\\nFurthermore, it's important that we closely monitor her father.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父親も離婚を経験して少なからずの精神的打撃を受けている上、患者に親身になろうとする余り、感応性妄想性障害を起こす可能性があります。<br>\\r\\nSince he has also suffered mental shock from the divorce, and has been trying hard to take care of the patient, there's a strong possibility that he may develop an induced delusional disorder.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nメンタルケアの第一歩として、相手の話を充分に聞き、頭ごなしに否定しないことは初歩の初歩でありますが、特に家族の場合、これによって感応してしまうことが少なくありません。<br>\\r\\nAs the first step of mental care, one should listen to the patient's story carefully without denying it. That's the most basic of basics. However, when the patient and the listener are related, it's easy for the listener to become deeply influenced by the patient's delusions.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまた、寄生虫妄想症は感応を起こすことが広く知られており、時に１つのコミュニティ全体に広がることも少なくありません。<br>\\r\\nAdditionally, delusional parasitosis is widely known to make people highly impressionable, and the influence sometimes can spread throughout a whole community.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n（よって複数人から訴えがあったとしても、必ずしも寄生虫が存在するとは限りません。<br>\\r\\n(Therefore, even if several people claim to acquire a parasitic infection, it doesn't necessarily prove the existence of a parasite.<br>\\r\\n保健所などへの害虫駆除の訴えにはしばしば、こうした集団妄想が含まれます）<br>\\r\\n Some of the phone calls to the Health Care Centers for the extermination of pests are nothing but a mass delusion.)<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかも今回のケースでは、共有される妄想の内容が非常に過激であるため、<br>\\r\\nSince the subject matter of the delusion in this case is extremely rabid,<br>\\r\\n最悪の場合、寄生虫の治療と称して、感応者同士が異常な方法で相互を傷付けあい死に至らしめる、もしくは悲観して心中するなどの行為に走ることも考えられます。<br>\\r\\n the patients might harm or even kill each other in abnormal ways, believing this to be the treatment for the disease. They might also give up hope and commit suicide together, in the worst case.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまた、この感応性妄想性障害は、二人組精神病の呼び名もあり、親身な相方に対して特に強い感応性を示します。<br>\\r\\nThis influential delusional disorder, otherwise known as shared psychotic disorder, shows a particularly strong possibility of influencing close companions.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n患者に接する人間には、患者が現在治療中であることを理解させ、妄想に感応しないよう充分に注意を促す必要があるでしょう。<br>\\r\\nAnyone who is going to contact the patients must be made to understand that the patients are under medical treatment, and must be warned not to be influenced by the patients' delusions.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなお、感応しやすい人間としては、家族、もしくは恋人のような親身になってくれる人間が挙げられます。<br>\\r\\nIndividuals who are likely to be easily influenced are the patients' family members and people who deeply care about the patients, such as boyfriends or girlfriends.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「文化依存症候群」の危険性は、「解釈妄想病」を誘発しやすい点にあります。<br>\\r\\nThe danger of a culture-bound syndrome lies in the fact that it can easily trigger delusional misidentification syndrome.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまりこの度のケースでは、患者は瑣末な何かを見る度に、それを「祟り」であると解釈しようとします。<br>\\r\\nThat is to say, in the current case, every time the patient sees something trivial, she tries to interpret it as a \\\"curse\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてそれらが了解可能な形で累積した結果、妄想体系を作り上げ、パラノイアに至ると思われます。<br>\\r\\nAnd it's believed that as a result of the accumulation of these events in an understandable form, a delusional system is created, ultimately leading to paranoia.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまた、患者にはわずかですが人格性精神障害の傾向も見られます。<br>\\r\\nFurthermore, the patient is also exhibiting slight signs of a personality disorder.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろんこれは極めて軽微なレベルであり一般的な生活に何の支障もありません。<br>\\r\\nOf course, it's at a very mild level, and it's not causing any hindrance whatsoever to the patient's daily life.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n健常な人間であっても、日常生活において一次妄想（真性妄想）をすることは少なくありません。<br>\\r\\nIt's common for even healthy individuals to have primary delusions in their daily lives.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nただしその内容が支離滅裂であるため、当人にも了解できず自然と無視されるのが普通です。<br>\\r\\nBut they usually ignore it automatically without recognition, since those delusions are nonsensical.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nところが、了解不能にもかかわらず累積していくケースが存在します。<br>\\r\\nHowever, there are cases where these delusions accumulate despite being incomprehensible.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれは素質によるものが大きいとされ、患者は比較的この素質が大きいと思われます。<br>\\r\\nIt largely depends on the particular characteristics of the individual, and it's believed that the patient shows relatively strong characteristics in this area.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nさて、一次妄想は３つのケースに分類されることは黒田先生に置かれましてもご存知のことと思います。<br>\\r\\nI believe you're very much aware that primary delusions are categorized into three different kinds.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「妄想気分」は根拠なき危機感の切迫を感じ、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Delusional mood\\\" is the feeling of impending crisis without basis.<br>\\r\\n「妄想着想」は根拠なき使命感や目的を感じ、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Delusional intuition\\\" is the feeling of a sense of duty or goal without basis.<br>\\r\\n「妄想知覚」は根拠なき現象に対し根拠なき理由を感じるとされています。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Delusional perception\\\" is the feeling of a baseless cause against a baseless target.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n患者のケースでは、これら了解不能な妄想が累積し、<br>\\r\\nIn the patient's case, it's believed that these incomprehensible delusions accumulated, acted out simultaneously with the<br>\\r\\n「文化依存症候群」と併発することで「解釈妄想病」を誘発し、<br>\\r\\nculture-bound syndrome, which triggered a delusional misidentification syndrome. n<br>\\r\\n了解不能な妄想を「祟り」と解釈することで了解可能としたと思われます。<br>\\r\\nAnd it ultimately caused the incomprehensible delusions to become understandable by interpreting them as a \\\"curse\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n了解可能な妄想体系は了解可能な二次妄想（妄想様観念）を誘発し、自らの妄想体系を時間と共にますます強固にしていきます。<br>\\r\\nThe comprehensible delusional system induces understandable secondary delusions, further strengthening the patient's delusional system with the passage of time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n（この二次妄想の中に、先の「寄生虫妄想症」も含まれると考えられます）<br>\\r\\n(\\\"The delusional parasitosis\\\" mentioned earlier can be considered a secondary delusion.)<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nパラノイアの患者に共通することは、発症後も人格の変化はなく、一見して極めて正常である点です。<br>\\r\\nA common factor of all cases of paranoia is that even after an outbreak, they still appear perfectly normal with no change in their personalities.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本人にも罹患の自覚はなく、また妄想体系を本人なりの解釈により了解しているため、<br>\\r\\nThe patients are unaware of their own ailments, and due to their personal interpretations of their delusional system,<br>\\r\\n高度な理論武装をしているケースが少なくなく、第３者がそれを妄想であると指摘することは極めて困難です。<br>\\r\\n there are many cases where patients arm themselves logically, making it extremely difficult for a third party to point out that they're having a delusion.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nまた、妄想の傾向にもよりますが、「被害妄想」から「追跡妄想」「陰謀妄想」に転じることもあり、結果、架空の敵を作り上げ反社会的な行為に踏み切ることもあります。<br>\\r\\nFurthermore, although it may depend on the tendency of the delusions, there are also cases where a \\\"persecutory delusion\\\" turns into a \\\"pursuit delusion\\\" or a \\\"conspiracy delusion,\\\" resulting in the patient creating an imaginary enemy and taking up anti-social behavior.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n（例えば、カルト教壇の教祖のパラノイアに集団感応した信者たちが、<br>\\r\\n(For example, there are cases where believers of a religious cult were deeply influenced by the cult founder's paranoid visions, which shifted the group into a conspiracy delusion, and that made them conduct anti-social behavior in the name of self-defense.<br>\\r\\n集団で「陰謀妄想」に転じ、自衛と称して反社会的な行為に踏み切ることは、まだ日本では報告例がありませんが、近い将来にありえるかもしれません）<br>\\r\\n Although no such cases have been reported in Japan yet, it could very well happen in the near future.)<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n幸い、現在の患者はここまで重度には至っていません。<br>\\r\\nFortunately, the patient hasn't reached that serious condition as of now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n適切な治療を受けることで、容易に社会復帰を果たせるでしょう。<br>\\r\\nWith proper treatment, she should be able to make a full recovery.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父親にも、これが極めて異常なケースではなく、<br>\\r\\nPlease make sure that her father also understands that this is not an unusual case,<br>\\r\\nいくつかのささやかな要因の積み重なった、人間誰しも起こり得るケースであることをよく理解させてください。<br>\\r\\n but something caused by the accumulation of a number of innocent factors that anyone could have.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父親との絆を深めることでしか治療できず、また父親の絆があれば必ず治療できるのです。<br>\\r\\nThe patient can be treated only by deepening her bond with her father. As long as she has that bond, she can certainly be treated.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n以上の理由から、郷里へ帰郷されるならば、その後も専門の医療機関で継続的な指導を受けられることを強く勧めていただきたいと思います。<br>\\r\\nFor the reasons above, if the patient is to return to her home village, I strongly recommend that the patient continue to receive guidance from specialized medical institutions.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n長文を大変申し訳ございませんでした。<br>\\r\\nPlease excuse me for writing such a long letter.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n最後までお読みいただきましたことを感謝いたします。<br>\\r\\nThank you for reading this until the very end.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n大石との電話を終えて電話ボックスを出た瞬間。<br>\\r\\nI finished talking with Ooishi on the phone, and soon left the phone booth.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………私は今さらのようにそれに気付き、ぞっとした。<br>\\r\\n...I realized something, and a chill ran through my body.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの暗闇の中で、これだけ目立つ電話ボックスにいたのだ。<br>\\r\\nI was in a phone booth that stood out tremendously in the dark.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n誰にも見られていないわけがない。<br>\\r\\nSomebody must've seen me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいや、見られていないわけがないんじゃなくて、<br>\\r\\nI was certain<br>\\r\\n見ラレテイタ。<br>\\r\\n I was being <i>watched</i>.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n暗闇からじっとこちらを覗く、光る目…。<br>\\r\\nI saw glowing eyes staring at me in the dark...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………それが人間であるはずはない。<br>\\r\\n......It wasn't human.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n幻覚？<br>\\r\\nWas it an illusion?<br>\\r\\n違う。<br>\\r\\n No.<br>\\r\\nやつらの正体はすでに知っている。<br>\\r\\n I knew who they were.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それは雛見沢を支配する御三家を、真の意味で支配するやつら。<br>\\r\\n...They were the ones controlling the Three Families who ruled Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその目の位置は低く、……薄っすらと見える輪郭も貧弱だった。<br>\\r\\nIts eye level was too low for it to be human... and its outline was vague.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そう、やつらが体格的に貧弱であることはすでに過去の記録から明らかなのだ。<br>\\r\\n...I knew from the past records that they were physically frail.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその、人間ではないことを示すシルエットは、信じられないくらいに非現実的だった。<br>\\r\\nThe silhouette, which indicated its inhuman appearance, was unbelievably unrealistic.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…特に頭部のシルエットが異常で、突起物のような何かがあり、明らかに人のそれではない。<br>\\r\\n...Especially its protruding head.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……やつらの外見については、三四さんに預かったもう１冊のスクラップ帖の方が詳しかった。<br>\\r\\n...One of the scrapbooks I received from Miyo-san described their appearance in detail.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……その眼球は血のように真っ赤で、<br>\\r\\n...Their eyeballs were pure red, like blood...<br>\\r\\n…身体にはアンモニア臭があり、<br>\\r\\n and their bodies smell like ammonia.<br>\\r\\n………過去において世界で何度か捕獲の例があるはずなのに、<br>\\r\\n ...Even though some of them have, at times, been captured around the world...<br>\\r\\n……みな、溶けたりして消えてしまい、跡形も残さない。<br>\\r\\n all of them melted or disappeared, leaving no trace behind.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……残るのは、やつらが確かに「降臨」したことを示す跡だけ………。<br>\\r\\n...The only traces remaining are the marks proving their descent to Earth...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、ありえない非現実的なシルエットが一歩、<br>\\r\\nRight then, the impossible unrealistic silhouette took a step closer...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n歩み寄り…、<br>\\r\\n and got closer and closer towards me...<br>\\r\\nじゃりりと現実的な音を立てた。<br>\\r\\n making a realistic noise as it crunched across the gravel.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその音のあまりに残酷なくらいの現実感が、私を現実に引き戻す。<br>\\r\\nThe noise pulled me back to reality.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ち、……近寄らないで、バケモノめッ！！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"D-Don't come closer... you monster!!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nじゃりり、ガッ、ジャララララ！！<br>\\r\\nIt kept walking towards me!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n道路の砂利が、爆ぜたり、飛び散ったりして、奇怪な音を立てた。<br>\\r\\nIt sounded like it was kicking pebbles everywhere as it walked.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかもそれは徐々に、私に迫ってくるのだ。<br>\\r\\nIt was coming closer and closer.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……私は恐怖に駆られてもう一度同じ言葉を口にする。<br>\\r\\n...I was scared, so I said the same thing once again.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nすると今度は、私がたった今まで使っていた電話ボックスのガラス扉がびりびりと振るえ、バン！<br>\\r\\nAnd this time, the glass door of the phone booth I was just in started to rattle and shake!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nバン！<br>\\r\\n Bang!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nと打ち付けるような怪奇音を立て始めるのだった。<br>\\r\\n It made weird sounds as if being struck by something.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n私は絹を裂くような悲鳴を挙げ、駆け出す。<br>\\r\\nI screamed loudly in fear and started running.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして肺が爆発しそうになるまで走ってから振り返り、……もうあの奇怪な気配がそこにいないことを悟る。<br>\\r\\nI ran so hard that it felt like my lungs were about to explode. And then, I looked back... to find that the thing was no longer chasing after me.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………気のせい………？<br>\\r\\n......Was it my imagination...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n気のせいなものか、砂利を蹴散らすような音、電話ボックスを鳴らす怪奇音は確かに聞いたじゃないか！！<br>\\r\\nThere's no way it was just my imagination. I definitely heard the sound of the gravel being kicked and the phone booth rattling!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも落ち着け竜宮レナ…！<br>\\r\\nBut I needed to calm down...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……気のせいということにしてもいいから、今は心臓を落ち着けるんだ。<br>\\r\\n...Right then, I needed to make my heart stop beating so fast.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……どうせ、…いつか戦う相手じゃないか。<br>\\r\\n...I'd have to fight them eventually.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…次に現れたら、刃向かってやれ…。<br>\\r\\n...The next time they appeared, I was going to strike back at them...<br>\\r\\n分厚い鉈を頭に叩き込んでやれ…！<br>\\r\\n I was going to squash their heads with my big hatchet...!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢は私が守る、それが私の使命なんだ。<br>\\r\\nI'd protect Hinamizawa. It was my duty to do so.<br>\\r\\n…やつらの好きになんかさせるものか…ッ！！<br>\\r\\n I wouldn't allow them to do whatever they wanted...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nチリチリチリチリ……チリチリチリチリ。<br>\\r\\nI saw the lights flickering in my head again...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあれは、何年前だったかな。<br>\\r\\nI don't remember how many years ago it was.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nある田舎の自然が綺麗な村があってね。<br>\\r\\nThere was this beautiful village surrounded by nature.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこがダムに沈むとか何とかで住民運動があったんだ。<br>\\r\\nBut the village was going to be submerged in water because of a new dam project, and the villagers protested against it en masse.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその住民団体が、豊かな自然を知ってもらおうと、大自然ウォッチングという名のツアーを開催していたことがあってね。<br>\\r\\nThey held a sightseeing tour so people from other places could enjoy the local beauty.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやがてダムに沈むかもしれない、失われていく自然という雰囲気に引かれて、本当に軽い気持ちで参加したんだよ。<br>\\r\\nI joined the tour out of simple curiosity. I wanted to take a look at the nature that might sink under the water.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでもね、行って本当に息を呑んだんだよ。<br>\\r\\nBut when I got there, the place took my breath away.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこは本当に空気が透き通っていて、自然が美しい本当に素晴らしいところだったんだ。<br>\\r\\nThe air was so clean and clear, and the landscape was beautiful beyond words.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれ以来、お父さんはあの自然にすっかり虜になってしまっていてなぁ。<br>\\r\\nSince then, I was hooked on the inspiring nature of the place.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…ダム計画が中止されたと聞いて喜んでたくらいなんだよ。<br>\\r\\n...I fell in love with the village so much that I was very glad when I heard that the dam project was canceled.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの時、訪れたのがまさに今、家を建てている場所なんだけどね。<br>\\r\\nThat village is where I'm building our new house.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nあの時は野花が美しい原っぱだったんだ。<br>\\r\\nWhen I visited there, I found a beautiful field of wildflowers.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその原っぱで、二人組の小さな女の子たちが遊んでいたんだ。<br>\\r\\nI saw two cute girls playing in that field.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n二人とも髪が長くてとても美しい少女たちだった。<br>\\r\\nBoth of them were very beautiful, with long, straight hair.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nご近所の友達同士だったんだろうね。<br>\\r\\nThey were probably neighbors or best friends.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n幼いながらもきりっとした表情の子と、あどけなさを残す表情の子の顔、今でもよく覚えてるよ。<br>\\r\\nI still remember how they looked. One of them had a very beautiful face with a clear-cut profile for her age, and the other had a very pretty, innocent look.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどちらも将来、それぞれ個性的な美人になるだろうなぁ。<br>\\r\\nI'm sure both of them will grow up into fine, beautiful ladies in the future.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n少女たちはくるくると踊るように走り回ってた。<br>\\r\\nThey were running around in the field like they were dancing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここは君たちの遊び場なのかいって聞いたらこう言うんだ。<br>\\r\\nI asked them if the field was their playground.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n早くここに引っ越してくる人が現れますように、ってね。<br>\\r\\nThey said they were playing in hopes that newcomers would move to the village.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n見ればそこには「別荘地・売出し中」の看板が立っていた。<br>\\r\\nThen I saw a sign saying \\\"lot for sale\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその時、あぁ、ここに住んでみるのもいいかもしれないなぁって思ったんだ。<br>\\r\\nThat was when I began to think that it might be a great place to live.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確かにここには何もないし、都会での生活に比べると不便かもしれない。<br>\\r\\nThere was nothing here, and things are a bit inconvenient compared to the life in a city.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、……父さんなぁ、家族でもう一度生活をやり直すならここしかないって思ったんだ。<br>\\r\\nBut... I sincerely believed this was the best place for us to start a new life together as a family.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n前の町では確かにいろいろあったけど、それはもう全部終わったんだから、忘れてしまおう。<br>\\r\\nA lot of things happened back in the city... but the past is the past. It's best that we move on.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n過ちから教訓を汲み取り、この村で理想の生活をやり直そう。<br>\\r\\nWe learn from our mistakes, and I hope we can start a new, more ideal life in this village.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだから、圭一がここでの生活を気に入ってくれてると嬉しいんだけどなぁ。<br>\\r\\nKeiichi, I hope you'll grow to love it here as much as I do.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…………そうか。<br>\\r\\n......You do?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n気に入ってくれてるなら嬉しい。<br>\\r\\nI'm happy to hear that.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n父さんも、ここに引っ越してきてから家族の仲がとてもよくなって嬉しいんだ。<br>\\r\\nI'm also happy that we've been doing a lot better as a family since we moved here.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n前の町では、家族はみんなばらばらだったと思う。<br>\\r\\nBack in the city, we were far from close.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…だから、やり直せて本当によかったと思ってるよ。<br>\\r\\n...So, I'm truly happy that we're able to start from scratch.<br>\\r\\nこうして、圭一と話をする機会も全然なかったしなぁ。<br>\\r\\n Now that I come to think about it, I've never had a chance to have a conversation with you like this before.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそうだ、圭一。<br>\\r\\nOh, Keiichi.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n圭一の学校には、髪の長くて綺麗な二人組の女の子はいないか？<br>\\r\\nDo you know any two beautiful girls with long straight hair in your school?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n年齢は……多分、圭一よりもっと年下だと思うなぁ。<br>\\r\\nI think they're... a lot younger than you.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n髪の短い子と長い子ならいる？<br>\\r\\nOh, you know two young beautiful girls but one has short hair, huh?<br>\\r\\nううん、多分違うと思うなぁ。<br>\\r\\n Hmm... I don't think they're the ones I saw.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何で探してるかって？<br>\\r\\nYou want to know why I asked?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nいやいや、写生のモデルになってもらいたくてねぇ。<br>\\r\\nOh, I just wanted to ask them to be models for my portraits.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n色々なコスチュ、げほんげほん！<br>\\r\\nI was thinking about making them wear cute costumes... Ahem!<br>\\r\\nと、とにかく芸術的な興味でだよ。<br>\\r\\n B-Basically, I just wanted to see them again, for artistic reasons.<br>\\r\\n見かけたら父さんにも教えてくれよ。<br>\\r\\n So, if you happen to see them, let your dad know, okay?<br>\\r\\nきっとだぞー！<br>\\r\\n Promise me, okay?!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nぐほぐぎぇッ？！<br>\\r\\n Cough cough!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………………もう、……明日なのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Tomorrow... is the day.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ん？<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hmm?<br>\\r\\n………………あぁ、私たちの命日？」<br>\\r\\n ............Oh, you mean the day we die?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…………今回も、同じ顛末なのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......It's going to end up the same way this time, just like the last time.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうかしら。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't know about that.<br>\\r\\n………よく似てるけど、いろいろと違うところもあったわ。<br>\\r\\n ...It's been very similar to the last one, but there were some things that were different, too.<br>\\r\\n……圭一、前のことを覚えてたし。」<br>\\r\\n ...Keiichi remembered what happened.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……そんなことはありえないのです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...That's impossible.<br>\\r\\n覚えているわけ、いや、知っているわけはないのです。」<br>\\r\\n There's no way he could remember. I mean, there's no way he could <i>know</i>.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「くすくすくす…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hee hee hee...<br>\\r\\nあんたが絶対にありえないと言ってくれればくれるほど、…じゃあこれは本当に奇跡なんだって思えるわね。」<br>\\r\\n The more you say that it's absolutely impossible... the more it makes me feel like this is a real miracle.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どうせ、今回もおしまいです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"There's nothing we can do. It's going to end up the same way again.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おしまい、かしら。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'm not sure about that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「もうすぐ終わる。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yes, it will.<br>\\r\\n全部、終わる。<br>\\r\\n Everything will be over...<br>\\r\\n……そう、ひぐらしのなく頃に。」<br>\\r\\n when the higurashi cry.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n………どうせ、もう終わるのだろうか。<br>\\r\\n...Was it all going to end anyway?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nサイコロは、振れば振るほどにその合計を平均値に近付いていく。<br>\\r\\nThe more often you throw a die, the closer the total will get to the average.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n１００回も振ったなら、その過程において、６が連続して出るという奇跡があったとしても、全て合計すれば平均値。<br>\\r\\nWhen you throw a die 100 times, even if a miracle happens and you get a six twice or three times in a row, the total will average out in the end.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…予定調和に内包されてしまう程度のもの。<br>\\r\\n...That's a fact of statistics.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでも、１００回も振ったなら、その下限と上限は１００〜６００にも及ぶ。<br>\\r\\nBut when you throw a die 100 times, the total number ranges from 100 to 600.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n振れば振るほどに未来は１つの平均値に集合しようとするのに、<br>\\r\\nThe more you throw, the greater the likelihood that the number will converge, on the average.<br>\\r\\n振れば振るほどに、実は未来の可能性は増えていっている。<br>\\r\\n But the truth is, the more you throw, the more possible outcomes you create.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n１００回振るなら約５００通りの未来。<br>\\r\\nThere are 500 different futures you can create by throwing a die 100 times.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n１０００回振るなら５０００通りの未来。<br>\\r\\nThere are 5,000 different futures you can create by throwing a die 1,000 times.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその中の１つには、この終わりのないスゴロクからアガリになる結末もあるのではないか。<br>\\r\\nThere might be one future among them that enables you to actually finish this never-ending game of dice.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……圭一が見せた奇跡は、サイコロを振り続けることは決して徒労ではないことを教えてくれる、目の覚めるような出来事。<br>\\r\\n...Keiichi showed me a miracle, and it taught me that it's not a waste of effort to keep throwing the die.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n平均値なんかに、屈するな。<br>\\r\\nDon't give in to something like an average.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...............\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………いらつく背中を見せるわね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"............You think we'll never have a different ending, don't you?<br>\\r\\n……どうせ今回も駄目だろうって、そういう哀愁でいっぱいよ。」<br>\\r\\n I can tell, because it's written all over your face.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………………………。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...............\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……私だって、……どうせ駄目だろうと思ってる…。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I think so, too... I think we're going to have the same ending this time again.<br>\\r\\n…でもね、最後のサイコロを投げるまで、私は諦めない。<br>\\r\\n ...But I'm not going to give up hope until I throw the die for the last time.<br>\\r\\n圭一が教えてくれた。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi taught me that.<br>\\r\\n今回は何かが違うの。<br>\\r\\n Something is going to be different this time.<br>\\r\\n……だからそれを信じてみる。」<br>\\r\\n ...I'll try to believe in that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……………梨花は、…………本当に強いのです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Rika... you're a very strong person.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まぁね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, I know.<br>\\r\\nあんたよりはずっと若いし。」<br>\\r\\n That's because I'm a lot younger than you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「………うぅん、<br>\\r\\n\\\"......Mmm...<br>\\r\\n…むにゃむにゃ……、<br>\\r\\n Yawn.........<br>\\r\\n………梨花ぁ…？」<br>\\r\\n Rika...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……みー。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Meep.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「こんな時間に起きてて、<br>\\r\\n\\\"Why are you still awake...?<br>\\r\\n…ふわぁ……、<br>\\r\\n ...Yawn...<br>\\r\\n夜更かしは駄目でございましてよぉ…。」<br>\\r\\n It's not good to stay up so late...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……ごめんなさいなのです。<br>\\r\\n\\\"...I'm sorry.<br>\\r\\n寝苦しかったので星を見ていただけなのですよ。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't sleep, so I was just looking at the stars.<br>\\r\\nもう寝ますです。」<br>\\r\\n I'm going to bed now.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうなさいませ………。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Please do...<br>\\r\\n……おやすみ梨花ぁ……。」<br>\\r\\n Good night, Rika......\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……おやすみなのです、沙都子。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...Good night, Satoko.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n舗装道路が終わり、砂利道がガタンガタンと車を揺らし始める。<br>\\r\\nThe car began to rattle as the road turned from asphalt to gravel.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nセミの声が窓をぴったり閉めていても車内に滲んでくるのだった。<br>\\r\\nThe cry of the cicadas seeped through the tightly shut windows.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本当なら、こんなにもいい天気なら、窓を全開に開けてセミの声を浴びながらというのも悪くない。<br>\\r\\nMost people would open their car windows and let the natural air in along with the sounds of the cicadas.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、…贅沢になれるというのは恐ろしい。<br>\\r\\nBut people are also spoiled.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n窓を開けてセミの声を浴びたいという健全な欲求は、夏バテ気味の体にカーエアコンの方がいいと却下される。<br>\\r\\nHe'd rather keep himself cool with the air conditioning turned to max than listen to the sounds of nature.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n今年は空梅雨だった。<br>\\r\\nUsually it was the rainy season at this time of the year.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしっとりと雨を楽しめるはずの６月からもう真夏日が訪れている。<br>\\r\\nBut this June, the summer had already come without any rain.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……２０年以上も前のあの年も、こんな空梅雨の夏だったことを思い出していた。<br>\\r\\n...Just like how the weather was on that day, twenty years ago.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ここはやっぱり空気のいいところだよな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"The air around this area is just as clear as I remember it.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「えぇ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah.<br>\\r\\n風光明媚ないい土地です。<br>\\r\\n The winds are cool and the sunshine is bright.<br>\\r\\nひょっとしたら岐阜の村みたいに、世界文化遺産に指定されることもあったかもしれないのに、惜しいですね。」<br>\\r\\n This place could've become a World Heritage Site like the village in Gifu. What a waste...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そのお陰で観光客がいない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"But thanks to that, there are no irritating tourists around here.<br>\\r\\n実に快適じゃないか。<br>\\r\\n See, that makes it much better.<br>\\r\\n……どうして旅行者ってのは田舎じゃ交通法規を忘れられるんだ？<br>\\r\\n ...Why do tourists forget about pedestrian traffic laws when they're in rural areas?<br>\\r\\n道路いっぱいに横になりやがって。」<br>\\r\\n They walk in the middle of the road, you know?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっはっはっは。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah ha ha ha.<br>\\r\\n赤坂先輩はアウトドアは今も？」<br>\\r\\n Akasaka-senpai, do you still do stuff outdoors?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「最近はさっぱりだな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Not as much as I used to.<br>\\r\\n何しろ暇のない稼業だからな。」<br>\\r\\n My job doesn't give me much free time.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「あっはっはっはっは。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ah ha ha ha ha.<br>\\r\\nそれはお互い様です。<br>\\r\\n Same here.<br>\\r\\n………………お、いたいた。<br>\\r\\n .........Oh, hey,<br>\\r\\n早いな。」<br>\\r\\n there he is.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nクラクションを鳴らすよりも早く、相手はこちらに気付き手を振った。<br>\\r\\nThe other man noticed and waved his hand before anyone in the car could honk the horn.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n荒地を走破できそうなバイクに、そのままキャンプができそうなリュックサックを背負った若者だった。<br>\\r\\nThe man was a young fellow on a motorcycle with a big backpack on his shoulders. He looked like he was ready to go camping.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n赤坂たちは車を降りると、その若者と握手を交わす。<br>\\r\\nAkasaka and his partners stepped out of the car and shook hands with the young man.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「小隊長殿！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Captain!<br>\\r\\nご無沙汰いたしております。」<br>\\r\\n It's good to see you again.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「おう！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yo!<br>\\r\\n今のとこはどうだ。元気にやってるか！<br>\\r\\n How have you been doing lately? Well, I hope?<br>\\r\\n今日は楽にしてくれていいぞ。<br>\\r\\n You can take it easy today.<br>\\r\\nこちらは俺が大学時代に大変お世話になった赤坂先輩だ。」<br>\\r\\n This is Akasaka-senpai. He took care of me back in college.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「どうも、赤坂です。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hello, my name is Akasaka.<br>\\r\\n今日はもう１人、大石という者とご一緒するお約束でしたが、直前に検査入院が入ってしまいまして同行できませんでした。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi was supposed to come today, but he had to go for a medical check-up at the last minute.<br>\\r\\nこの度はお世話になりますが、よろしく。」<br>\\r\\n Anyway, it's a pleasure to meet you.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「よろしくお願いします！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's an honor, sir!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「さて、赤坂先輩、どこから回りますか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"So, Akasaka-senpai, where shall we go first?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼の名は赤坂衛。<br>\\r\\nHis name was <NAME>.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n東京の警視庁に勤めるベテランの刑事だった。<br>\\r\\nHe was a veteran detective from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n定年までの残り年数が見えてきたにもかかわらず、精悍なカミソリのような眼差しは消えることがない。<br>\\r\\nDespite the fact that he was close to his retirement, he hadn't lost his clear instinct and sharp eyes at all.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n数々の修羅場で育んだ経験と自信はその表情に滲み出し、筋骨隆々な肉体はいかなる暴力に対しても怯まない頼もしさを感じさせた。<br>\\r\\nThose eyes showed the confidence he'd built through many risky experiences, and he had a well-built muscular body and a fearless aura. He must have fought against many violent criminals.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼と雛見沢の縁は、遠く３０年近く前の昭和５３年に遡る。<br>\\r\\nHis connection to Hinamizawa went back almost thirty years, all the way to 1978.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n当時の彼は警視庁公安部に所属し、犬飼建設大臣の孫の誘拐事件に臨み、この雛見沢を訪れたのだった。<br>\\r\\nHe was in the Public Safety Division in the Metropolitan Police Department. He came to Hinamizawa to investigate the kidnapping case of the grandson of Inugai, the then-Minister of Construction.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそこで大石と出会い、<br>\\r\\nThere, he met Ooishi...<br>\\r\\n……そして古手梨花と出会った。<br>\\r\\n and <NAME>.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n古手梨花が予言した自らの死の運命。<br>\\r\\n<NAME> predicted her own death.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…赤坂にとっては、この少女を運命から救い出せなかったことは、今になってもなお忘れられない痛恨の悔やみだった。<br>\\r\\n...Akasaka regretted for the rest of his life that he couldn't save that little girl from her fate.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nやがて彼は雛見沢大災害をテレビで知り、当時世話になった大石と再会。<br>\\r\\nHe saw the news of the Great Hinamizawa Disaster on TV and met up again with Ooishi.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n少女を襲った惨劇を、雛見沢村連続怪死事件の謎を、例え今からであっても暴こうと誓い合ったのである。<br>\\r\\nThey pledged to uncover the mystery of both the cruel fate that fell upon the little girl and the series of mysterious deaths in Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが雛見沢は気が遠くなるほど長い時間に渡り封鎖され続けていた。<br>\\r\\nUnfortunately, Hinamizawa was sealed off for a long time.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nよって赤坂たちはこの２０年間の間、自分たちの持つ情報を手記にまとめて発表し、<br>\\r\\nAs a result, all Akasaka and Ooishi could do for the past twenty years was publish the little information they'd gathered,<br>\\r\\n読んだ読者に当時の記憶を辿ってもらって情報を寄せてもらう以上のことはできずにいた。<br>\\r\\n and ask for their readers to send their tips and clues.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nしかし、ようやく雛見沢村の封鎖は解かれた…。<br>\\r\\nBut, recently, the seal on Hinamizawa had finally been lifted...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、激務を極める赤坂と、体調を崩し気味な大石の足並みがなかなか揃わず、ようやく今日になって雛見沢を訪れることができたのだった。<br>\\r\\nHowever, they couldn't come to Hinamizawa until today due to Akasaka's busy work schedule and Ooishi's poor health.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n本当なら大石と来る予定だったのだが、大石の検査入院が急に決まり、赤坂は１人で訪れることとなった。<br>\\r\\nIn fact, Ooishi was supposed to come with Akasaka, but he was called in for an emergency health check-up.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n同伴している２人は、赤坂の大学時代の後輩で、現在は陸上自衛隊に務める男と、その元部下で、雛見沢の封鎖中、その任務に関わり村内を熟知する男だった。<br>\\r\\nThe other two who came along were Akasaka's juniors from university. One worked at the Ground SDF, and the other was his subordinate. They were assigned the mission of sealing off Hinamizawa, so they were quite knowledgeable about the village.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n赤坂は自分の荷物の中から、スクラップ帖を取り出す。<br>\\r\\nAkasaka took out a scrapbook from his bag.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n…角はよれよれになり、相当の劣化がうかがえた。<br>\\r\\nThe corners of the scrapbook were all dented, making it look very old.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nスクラップ帖をバラバラとめくり、しばし黙考した赤坂は最初の行き先を口にした。<br>\\r\\nAkasaka flipped through the pages, thought for a second, and let them know his first destination.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……では、鬼ヶ淵沼をお願いします。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Alright, please take me to Onigafuchi Swamp.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「了解いたしました。<br>\\r\\n\\\"No problem.<br>\\r\\nそれではご案内いたします！」<br>\\r\\n Right this way, sir!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n若者はバイクに跨り、赤坂たちが車に戻るのを待つ。<br>\\r\\nThe young man got on his bike and waited for the others to get back to their car.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれから互いにクラクションで応えあった後、バイクの先導で鬼ヶ淵沼に向かった…。<br>\\r\\nThey honked at each other to signal that they were ready, and the young man led the car to the swamp...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n森が開けると、大地をコンクリートで固められたとても不自然な土地が姿を現す。<br>\\r\\nHeading through the forest, they came to an open area where the ground was covered by concrete.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n沼どころか、水一滴もない。<br>\\r\\nThere wasn't even a single drop of water in sight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n水の代わりにコンクリートで満たしたのだ。<br>\\r\\nAll the water of the swamp had been replaced by concrete.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……そう、ここが鬼ヶ淵沼跡だった。<br>\\r\\n...That was what Onigafuchi Swamp looked like now.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はははは、沼どころか、水溜りもないな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hahahaha. There isn't even a single drop of water, let alone a swamp.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「大災害後のだいぶ初期に埋め立てられたと聞いています。<br>\\r\\n\\\"I was told that they sealed the swamp right after the Disaster.<br>\\r\\n自分がここへ着任した時はすでに埋め立てられていました。」<br>\\r\\n This place was already encased in concrete by the time I arrived here for my mission.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ちょっと降りてみよう。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Let's go down there and take a closer look.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n赤坂は車を降りると、コンクリートで固められた死んだ沼の中央に歩いていく。<br>\\r\\nAkasaka got out of the car and walked to the center of the concrete-filled swamp.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n駐車場にするわけでもなければ、ヘリポートがあるわけでもない。<br>\\r\\nIt wasn't a parking lot or a heliport.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ただただ、広大な森の空き地に現れたコンクリートの巨大な大地。<br>\\r\\n...It was just a huge empty concrete space right in the middle of the forest.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「……なるほど、これがネットでよくいうＵＦＯの着陸場というやつか。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"...So, this is the place people say was a landing spot for UFOs.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そんなこと言われてるんですか。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Really? I've never heard of that.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ここの写真がよくミステリー系のサイトに紹介されてるよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, that's what they write on occult websites.<br>\\r\\nここで政府と宇宙人が交流してたって言うんだ。<br>\\r\\n They say that this is the place where our government met with aliens.<br>\\r\\n確かに、こんな森の中に、ポカンとこんなコンクリートの空き地があれば、不審に思うよな。」<br>\\r\\n I can't blame them for such rumors, though because an empty concrete space in the middle of a forest sure does look weird.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わっはっはっはっはっは。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wa ha ha ha ha ha.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの沼は、昭和５８年の６月末に突如湧き出した火山性ガスの発生場所だ。<br>\\r\\nVolcanic gas erupted from this swamp in June, 1983.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n致死性の極めて高い、硫化水素と二酸化炭素の混合ガスは深夜の内に村を丸ごと飲み込み、<br>\\r\\nThe deadly mixture of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide<br>\\r\\n雛見沢という村を一夜にして滅ぼしたのである。<br>\\r\\n engulfed and destroyed Hinamizawa in a single night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、封鎖された後、ここを管理していた自衛隊によって沼は埋め立てられた。<br>\\r\\nThe village was sealed off and the SDF covered the swamp with concrete.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ネットで騒いでる連中にも、連中なりの根拠があるらしい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"But the people who write those rumors on the Internet actually have a point.<br>\\r\\n地質学的に言って、ガスの発生源を塞ぐために沼をコンクリートで固めるなんてのは、何の意味もないかららしいんだ。」<br>\\r\\n Any geologist could tell you that covering a source of volcanic gas with concrete is absolutely useless.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「なるほど、確かに活火山の火口をコンクリートで埋めたという話は聞かないですね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hmm... that's true. I've never heard of anyone trying to prevent a volcano from erupting by pouring concrete into its crater.<br>\\r\\nでもまぁ、税金での無駄な工事は我が国の伝統ですから。」<br>\\r\\n On the other hand, our country is known for wasteful construction using the taxpayer's money.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nネット上で、怪現象やＵＦＯなどをこよなく愛するミステリーマニアたちの間で近年、話題になっているのが、この雛見沢大災害なのだ。<br>\\r\\nLately, people who love things like supernatural phenomena and UFOs write on the Internet about the Great Hinamizawa Disaster.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢大災害は、マグマ溜りから噴出した火山ガスが湧き出して発生したことがすでに確認されている。<br>\\r\\nIt's well known by now that the cause of the Disaster was an eruption of deadly volcanic gas from a magma chamber.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n昭和６１年にはアフリカのカメルーンにあるニオス湖でも同様の災害があったこともあり、地球規模でどこにでも起こり得る不幸な災害ということで決着した。<br>\\r\\nIn 1986, a similar natural disaster occurred at Lake Nyos in Cameroon, Africa. So, people easily believed that such a rare natural disaster could occur anywhere on Earth, and that was what happened in Hinamizawa as well.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、近年になって、ネット上である風説が流れるようになっていた。<br>\\r\\nHowever, a rumor about another possible explanation had begun to fly around on the Internet recently.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは、この雛見沢大災害が実は、政府が事実を隠蔽するために作ったカバーストーリーで、その実態は宇宙人による細菌テロだった…というのだ。<br>\\r\\nThey say that the Disaster was a cover-up by the government, and that it was actually a biochemical terrorist attack by aliens.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nなぜ近年になってこんな話が…？<br>\\r\\nWhy had such a rumor begun to spread now...?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nミステリーマニアたちが根拠とするのは「３４号文書」と呼ばれるある秘密ファイルの存在だった。<br>\\r\\nThey claim to back up their theory with a secret document known as <i>File No. 34</i>.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの「３４号文書」という名称はネット上である個人が便宜的に付けた名称だったが、国家陰謀をイメージさせるネーミングが受けたのか、瞬く間に広がり定着した。<br>\\r\\nSomeone online named it <i>File No. 34</i> for descriptive purposes, but the name spread and stuck since then because it sounded like a government conspiracy. People loved it.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼らはどこそこで入手したと称しては、その画像や内容を転載したが、どれも出自不明ないい加減な内容だった。<br>\\r\\nIt's unknown how or from where they obtained those documents, but they posted scans and pictures, which were all ridiculous.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n捏造が相次ぎ、その存在さえ疑われている。<br>\\r\\nPlus, more fake evidence was produced over time, so now even the existence of such documents are in doubt.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここで、彼らが言う「３４号文書」について説明しなければならない。<br>\\r\\n<i>File No. 34</i> deserves a bit more explanation.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nただしインターネットの世界でのこと、風説が入り混じり、もはや都市伝説と化した感もあるため、<br>\\r\\nHowever, since it started on the Internet, truths and lies were all mixed together, and it has become more like an urban legend.<br>\\r\\n諸説に別れ、諸派が互いを否定しあっている状況にあるのだが、概ね以下の内容であることを前提にしている。<br>\\r\\n So, this is what is believed to mostly be true.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「３４号文書」は、雛見沢の診療所に勤務していた鷹野三四という看護婦が残した手記である。<br>\\r\\n<i>File No. 34</i> was a notebook written by a nurse named <NAME> who worked at a local clinic in Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n３４号とは、連番を示すものではなく、この女性の名前をもじったものらしい。<br>\\r\\n<i>File No. 34</i> was most likely named after her.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの女性は、雛見沢に伝わる奇妙な鬼伝説の歴史を追い、その伝説が何を意味するかを解き明かそうとする個人研究者であったと伝えられる。<br>\\r\\nThis woman was a researcher who studied the demon myth of Hinamizawa and tried to solve what it meant.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその内容によれば、昭和５８年の雛見沢大災害は事前に予見されていた、というのである。<br>\\r\\nThe contents of this notebook state that she prophesied the Great Hinamizawa Disaster of 1983.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n彼女の研究によるならば、雛見沢には太古の昔、宇宙から飛来したＵＦＯが墜落し、鬼ヶ淵沼に沈んだという。<br>\\r\\nAccording to her research, a UFO crash-landed in Hinamizawa a long time ago and sunk into Onigafuchi Swamp.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそのＵＦＯには、地球には存在しない、宇宙の寄生細菌が漂着しており、村人たちは次々感染したという。<br>\\r\\nThe UFO carried parasitic bacteria from space, and they began to infect the locals.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの細菌に寄生された人間は凶暴化し、「鬼」と呼ばれるに相応しい存在と化したという。<br>\\r\\nThe infected villagers began to behave extremely violently, so much so that they were fit for the word \\\"demon\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n鷹野三四はこれこそが、沼から湧き出した鬼の正体だとしている。<br>\\r\\nMiyo Takano insisted that this was the explanation for the myth about demons pouring out of the swamp.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n墜落したＵＦＯに乗っていた宇宙人は、地球人たちが自分の持ち込んだ宇宙からの細菌に感染して大変なことになっていることを知り、その姿を村人の前に現す決意をした。<br>\\r\\nAn alien who survived the crash realized that the earthlings had gone crazy because of the bacteria he brought in, and he decided to show himself to the villagers to help them out.<br>\\r\\n…これがオヤシロさまの降臨であるという。<br>\\r\\n ...This is how Oyashiro-sama was born.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n宇宙人は、地球外文明の高度な方法で村人を治療したが、対症療法にしかならなかった。<br>\\r\\nThe alien was able to cure the villagers with highly advanced technology, but couldn't eradicate the bacteria completely.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその為、宗教的シンボルとして、オヤシロさまの名で崇められていた宇宙人は、症状を悪化させないためにルールを作り村に課したという。<br>\\r\\nSince the villagers looked up to the alien as some sort of deity, the alien utilized its status to hand down specific rules to the villagers in order to stabilize the disease.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n細菌たちは、雛見沢の風土にのみ馴染んでいたため、宿主が雛見沢を離れると症状を悪化させてしまうのだった。<br>\\r\\nThe bacteria took a liking to Hinamizawa's habitat. So, when a carrier of the disease left Hinamizawa, their symptoms would reemerge.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその為、村から離れるなという規則を作ったのだ。<br>\\r\\nTherefore, the alien made it a rule not to leave the village.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれがその後の鬼ヶ淵村の仙人を巡る伝説につながっていく。<br>\\r\\nThis leads to the legend of the transcendants of Onigafuchi.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nつまり、仙人たちが持っていたという仙術や奇跡の技は、全て宇宙人がもたらした地球外文明の英知だったのだ。<br>\\r\\nThe weird practices and miracles that the villagers performed were realized by means of the advanced technology that they received from the alien.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わっはっはっはっは。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wa ha ha ha ha.<br>\\r\\nそういうののマニアな人たちは、つくづくそういうのが好きですよね。<br>\\r\\n Those maniacs do indeed have a colorful perspective on things, don't they?<br>\\r\\nノストラダムスの大予言だって、９９年にはあんなに騒いだのに、７月が過ぎたら何事もなかったかのようにみんな過ごしてる。<br>\\r\\n Do you remember Nostradamus' prophecies? People said that the world was going to end in 1999, but nothing happened in July and people acted like they didn't even know about it.<br>\\r\\n民放もあれだけ煽っておいて無責任ったらありゃしない。」<br>\\r\\n Those TV shows made people as scared as they could be and then ignored the fact that it didn't happen.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「でも、鷹野三四は雛見沢大災害を予見したらしい。<br>\\r\\n\\\"But Miyo Takano did predict the Great Hinamizawa Disaster.<br>\\r\\nそれは嘘じゃない。<br>\\r\\n It's not a lie.<br>\\r\\n確かにこのスクラップ帖に書いてある。」<br>\\r\\n Look at this page in this scrapbook.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そんなまさか。<br>\\r\\n\\\"You must be joking.<br>\\r\\nあっはっはっは……、……。<br>\\r\\n Aha ha ha ha.........<br>\\r\\n…赤坂先輩、それ本当に…？」<br>\\r\\n ...Akasaka-senpai, is this for real...?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n仙人たちの時代から長い時間を経る内に、人々に寄生した細菌は非常に安定したものになり、人体に無害なものとなった。<br>\\r\\nAs time passed, the bacteria stabilized in human bodies and became harmless.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n宇宙人も細菌も、人々の記憶から薄れていく…。<br>\\r\\nThe alien and the bacteria began to fade away from people's minds...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、宇宙人たちは御三家に守られながら何百年もの間、生き続けてきたというのである。<br>\\r\\nHowever, the alien has lived on for hundreds of years with the protection of the Three Families.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n古手神社の秘密神殿の中で代々、ご神体として崇められながら生きてきたのである。<br>\\r\\nIt still lives on as the spirit of a deity in the secret temple of the Furude Shrine.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその宇宙人は、寄生している細菌たちを操り、その結果、村人たちを何百年にも渡って支配していた。<br>\\r\\nThe alien manipulated the bacteria living inside of the villagers and maintained control over them for hundreds of years.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてその支配を取り戻すため、彼らは再び寄生細菌の太古の力を取り戻すべく、研究を初め、……うんぬんかんぬん。<br>\\r\\nThe alien wanted to regain its power, and started researching how to bring back the lost powers of the bacteria... etcetera etcetera...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nここで諸説が入り混じり、つまりは、寄生細菌を地球規模でバラ撒き地球支配を目論もうとした宇宙人の地球侵略計画こそが雛見沢大災害の正体である、というらしい。<br>\\r\\nThings get much stranger from there. People say that the Disaster was actually part of the alien's plan to conquer the entire Earth by spreading the reawakened bacteria.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれで、実は日本政府内には宇宙人の侵略と戦うための秘密部門があって、<br>\\r\\nThe Japanese government has a secret division that fights against alien invasions,<br>\\r\\n彼らはアメリカの秘密基地、エリア５１で訓練を受けていてうんぬんかんぬん。<br>\\r\\n and they trained at Area 51 in the US... etcetera etcetera...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして彼らが動き出し、この宇宙人の地球侵略を食い止めるため、村を全て封鎖して毒ガス攻撃で完全に封殺した…というのである。<br>\\r\\nAnd they moved in to stop the invasion by sealing off the entire village, and they killed all of the residents by using toxic gas.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「わっはっはっはっは！！<br>\\r\\n\\\"Wa ha ha ha!!<br>\\r\\n映画でそんなのありましたね。<br>\\r\\n Hey, there's a movie that's just like that.<br>\\r\\nほら、黒人の俳優が主演の。<br>\\r\\n Some black guy is the lead character... What was the title...<br>\\r\\n何て言ったっけなぁ。<br>\\r\\n M.I. something!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nＭＩ…なんだっけ！」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, I know.<br>\\r\\n「この辺まで来ると俺もそろそろ滅茶苦茶だなとは思う。<br>\\r\\n It's too crazy to be real.<br>\\r\\nただ、この滅茶苦茶を書いた鷹野三四は昭和５８年の６月中旬。<br>\\r\\n But, the writer of this bunch of bull, <NAME>, was mysteriously murdered in June 1983.<br>\\r\\n正体不明の怪死を遂げる。<br>\\r\\n Right before her death,<br>\\r\\nそしてその死の直前に、自らの死を悟ったかのように、村の１人の少女にこのスクラップ帖を預けて意思を託したというんだ。」<br>\\r\\n she gave this scrapbook to a girl as if she knew she was going to die very soon.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその少女の名は「少女Ａ」。<br>\\r\\nThat girl is known as \\\"Girl A\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……ネット上で諸説が飛び交っているが、当時の事件を詳細に調べた人間が「竜宮礼奈」という個人名を特定したとされ、最近は「竜宮礼奈説」でほぼ定着しているようだ。<br>\\r\\n...Some guy who investigated the case was able to track it down to a girl named \\\"<NAME>\\\". So, now it's known as the \\\"Reina Ryuugu Theory\\\" on the internet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n竜宮礼奈は鷹野三四の意思を継ぎ、宇宙人たちの侵略計画を打ち砕くため、学校を占拠して、警察に陰謀を暴くよう要求したらしい。<br>\\r\\nReina Ryuugu inherited Miyo Takano's will by means of the scrapbooks. She tried to fight against the planned invasion by holding a school hostage and demanding the local police uncover the alien's plot.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろん、当時は誰もがそれを世迷言だと笑い捨てたし、彼女が正常な心理状態にあったのかどうかも疑った。<br>\\r\\nOf course, no one believed her and they assumed she was in a state of paranoia.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n結局、竜宮礼奈は、鷹野三四というミステリーマニアの妄想を真に受け、稚拙な犯行に走ってしまったのではないかというのが当時の見解だったのだが。<br>\\r\\nBack then, people assumed that Reina Ryuugu took Miyo Takano's delusions seriously and was motivated to commit a poorly executed crime.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「竜宮礼奈は学校占拠時から警察に対し、宇宙人に支配された御三家が、細菌テロを行なおうとしていると訴えていた。<br>\\r\\n\\\"When she held the school hostage, <NAME> told local police that the alien was controlling the Three Families, and that it was plotting bioterrorism on a massive scale.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそしてその翌日なんだ。<br>\\r\\n And the very next day, the Great Hinamizawa Disaster occurred.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢大災害が起こるのは。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You've got to be kidding!<br>\\r\\n「まさか！<br>\\r\\n Couldn't it be just a coincidence?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそりゃ偶然じゃないんですか。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I don't know.<br>\\r\\n「わからない。<br>\\r\\n According to people who believe it's not just a coincidence, there are many inconsistencies in the SDF's immedate sealing-off operation.<br>\\r\\n偶然ではないと思う連中に言わせると、その後の自衛隊による封鎖はおかしなことだらけらしい。<br>\\r\\n Filling this swamp with concrete is one example.<br>\\r\\n例えばこの沼の埋め立てが一例だ。<br>\\r\\n Several of the SDF soldiers on duty at the time testified that some people were conducting secret investigations outside the usual geological survey before the area was closed off.<br>\\r\\nそして埋め立てる前に、明らかに通常の地質調査とは異なる秘密の調査を行なっていたとされていて、当時、ここの封鎖に関わっていた自衛隊員たちがそれを何人も証言している。<br>\\r\\n Of course, those who think it's just a coincidence say that the researchers simply took precautionary measures to keep unauthorized people out of the area.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……否定派はそれを、単にガスの発生地なので、危険に備えて立入を制限していただけだと主張するんだがね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I'd have to agree with the latter people.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それは多分、…否定派の言うのが正しいんじゃないかと思いますね。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"People also question why they sealed off the village for such a long time.<br>\\r\\n「他にも、異常に長かった封鎖期間も疑惑の目が向けられている。<br>\\r\\n After its volcanic gas eruption, Miyake Island was only sealed off for four to five years.<br>\\r\\n近年の東京都三宅島の火山ガス災害の例を見てもわかるように、４〜５年で立入禁止を解いている。<br>\\r\\n What happened in Hinamizawa was an exceptionally rare natural disaster, yet it was sealed for over twenty years.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢のケースは例外中の例外のケースのはずなのに、封鎖は極めて長期に及んだ。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I heard that the residents of Miyake Island returned to their home island faster than was originally intended, because they had requested it so strongly.<br>\\r\\n「三宅島のケースは島民が帰島を強く希望したからと聞いています。<br>\\r\\n But, in the case of Hinamizawa, there were no residents alive who wished to return in the first place. Perhaps the government took their time until they were absolutely certain that it was safe.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢には帰る人がそもそもいないんだから、充分安全が確認できるまでたっぷり期間を置いただけなのでは？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Hmm.<br>\\r\\n「ふむ。<br>\\r\\n How about this one?<br>\\r\\nあとこんな話もあるぞ。<br>\\r\\n The SDF members who were on the mission to seal off Hinamizawa had their blood samples taken periodically. Some of them were discharged from the mission without any explanation after the results came back.<br>\\r\\n雛見沢を封鎖していた自衛隊員たちは定期的に血を抜かれての厳密な検査を受けていたといい、何らかの結果によって、自他ともに理解できない理由で任務を解かれることがあったという。<br>\\r\\n Some believe that they were using the members of the SDF as human test subjects to see if they got infected or not.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれは実は、細菌感染の陽性反応を見るもので、自衛隊員たちを留まらせることによる何らかの人体実験だったと囁かれているらしい。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"I think they were just checking up on the members' health condition, since they were in the area where the gas disaster occurred.<br>\\r\\n「それは、やはりガスが湧き出す危険性があっただけに健康管理には気を遣ったということでしょう。<br>\\r\\n Besides, normal businessmen also take annual physical check-ups, and they have their blood samples taken there as well.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれに、普通のサラリーマンだって、年に一度は健康診断を受け、その時に血を抜かれてるはずです。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, I understand your point, too.<br>\\r\\n「まぁ、君の言うことももっともだと思う。<br>\\r\\n But I have another interesting theory.<br>\\r\\nあともっと面白い話もあるぞ。<br>\\r\\n There are some people who believe that there was no gas emitted during the so-called Great Hinamizawa Disaster.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢大災害時に火山ガスは発生していないと主張する連中がいる。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"No volcanic gas?<br>\\r\\n「火山ガスは発生していない？<br>\\r\\n What does that mean?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nどういう意味ですか。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Basically what they're saying is that there was no volcanic gas and it was a sort of government cover-up.<br>\\r\\n「つまり、元々火山ガスなんか噴出してなくて、ガス災害というのが政府の嘘であると主張してるらしい。<br>\\r\\n It's like in the Spielberg movie. You know, the one where humans make contact with UFOs?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nほら、スピルバーグの人類とＵＦＯがコンタクトする某映画でも、同じ設定だったじゃないか。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"See, that's exactly how maniacs always explain things.<br>\\r\\n「それこそミステリー狂のこじつけだと思いますね。<br>\\r\\n What kind of basis do they have to say that there was no volcanic gas emission?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nで、その連中は何を根拠に火山ガスが発生しなかったと言っているんです？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, a bunch of those maniacs came to Hinamizawa as soon as the seal was lifted.<br>\\r\\n「封鎖解除後、ミステリーマニアがどっと押し寄せて、ＵＦＯ説を補強するためにいろいろ調べたらしい。<br>\\r\\n According to them,<br>\\r\\nで、連中の主張はこうだ。<br>\\r\\n the hydrogen sulfide in the volcanic gas should've caused some corrosion to metallic objects and major damage to the wildlife.<br>\\r\\n政府発表の火山ガス成分によるならば、硫化水素によって金属が腐食されたり、自然体系に大きなダメージが残るはずだ。<br>\\r\\n However, they found no such signs of disruption, which led them to claim that there was no volcanic gas to begin with.<br>\\r\\nにも関わらず雛見沢にはそういう痕跡が残っておらず、よって、火山ガスが噴出したとはとうてい思えない、とか何とか言ってる。<br>\\r\\n ...But this village was abandoned for twenty years.<br>\\r\\n……もっともあれから２０年も放置された村なんだ。<br>\\r\\n I doubt that they could find anything anyway.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそんな痕跡を発見できたかどうかは疑わしいな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ha ha ha. Well, that's the thing with the Internet. You can't believe everything you read on it!<br>\\r\\n「はっはっは、やはりつくづくインターネットというのは信用できませんねぇ。<br>\\r\\n ...Akasaka-senpai, please don't tell me you're buying these stories.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……で、まさか赤坂先輩は、その怪しげな話を信じてるわけですか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"At first, I didn't.<br>\\r\\n「最初は信じなかったが、最近は俺もわからない。<br>\\r\\n But lately, I'm beginning to think that there might be some truth to them.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何割かは真実が含まれているかもしれないと思うようになっている。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"You believe in UFOs? Oh, come on!\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「赤坂先輩ともあろうお方がＵＦＯ話を信じるんですか？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well,<br>\\r\\n「このスクラップ帖。<br>\\r\\n what if this scrapbook is the real <i>File No. 34?</i>\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれが本物の『３４号文書』だとしたら？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Huh?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「え？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"This scrapbook is the one that Reina Ryuugu possessed when she took the school hostage on June 25th, 1983.<br>\\r\\n「昭和５８年６月２５日に雛見沢営林署に人質を取って篭城した、竜宮礼奈が所持していた、正真正銘、本物の『３４号文書』だ。<br>\\r\\n It was assumed to be lost during the confusion of the Disaster. But, Ooishi-san's old friend was able to locate it in an evidence storage at the prefectural police headquarters.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢大災害の混乱で長いこと行方不明だったが、近年、大石さんの古い友人が県警の保存庫で発見したらしい。」<br>\\r\\nBack then, Ooishi thought Reina Ryuugu was delusional. But after reading this again after the Great Hinamizawa Disaster, some of the contents seem to hold vital clues.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n当時は妄想と思った大石ですら、…雛見沢大災害の後に読み直すと、決して笑い捨てられる内容ではなかった。<br>\\r\\nIt's not the alien part that he was interested in, but her theory that an endemic disease of parasitic microbes in Hinamizawa was responsible for the \\\"curse of Oyashiro-sama\\\".<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n宇宙人の部分ではなく、雛見沢に土着の寄生細菌による風土病が「オヤシロさまの祟り」であったという部分だ。<br>\\r\\nOf course, there's no proof that such microbes existed, so it still remains at a theoretical level.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろん、病原体は発見されていないので仮説の域を出ない。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ooishi-san says that the Three Families might've been researching how to bring backn<br>\\r\\n「大石さんの仮説なんだが、御三家が過去の信仰心を村に取り戻すために、大昔の毒性の強い病原体を研究していたのは本当じゃないか、って言うんだ。<br>\\r\\nthe original, deadlier microbe in order to revive the religious devotion the villagers used to have.<br>\\r\\n雛見沢大災害は、実はその結果の失敗じゃないかってな。」<br>\\r\\n The Great Hinamizawa Disaster could be an experiment that went wrong.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nもちろんこの辺りには、ネット上の仮説や珍説も入り混じる。<br>\\r\\nThis theory is also based on the theories and myths he found on the Internet.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢大災害の直前に謎の死を遂げた診療所長。<br>\\r\\nThe village clinic's chief doctor died mysteriously right before the Great Hinamizawa Disaster.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして、篭城事件の夜に惨殺された古手梨花という少女の謎…。<br>\\r\\nA girl, <NAME>, was brutally murdered on the night Reina Ryuugu took the school hostage...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n診療所の地下に秘密の研究施設があり、そこで入江は細菌の研究をさせられていたが、罪の意識に耐えかねて自殺。<br>\\r\\nThere could have been an underground research lab beneath the village clinic, and Dr. Irie could have been forced to do micro-biological research, but he couldn't live with his own sins, and committed suicide.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……オヤシロさまの復活という宗教的セレモニーの何らかの意味のため、梨花は宗教的儀式で惨殺されて生贄に…。<br>\\r\\n...<NAME> could have been brutally murdered in a sacrifice for some sort of ritual ceremony in the name of Oyashiro-sama's revival...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが、彼らが研究した細菌は失敗作だった。<br>\\r\\nHowever, their experiment went wrong.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……それは村人たちに寄生するどころか、そのまま死に至らしめてしまう殺人ウィルスだったのだ。<br>\\r\\n...Instead of the microbes being parasitic in the villagers, they became a killer virus.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nかくして村は、一夜にして滅びてしまうことになる…。<br>\\r\\nAnd they exterminated the entire village in one night...<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「ただのガス災害じゃないことは明白なんだ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"It's obvious that it wasn't a simple gas disaster.<br>\\r\\nガスが湧く直前に、１人の少女が細菌テロを予告し、数人の村人が怪死を遂げている。<br>\\r\\n We cannot ignore the fact that one girl predicted a bioterrorist attack right before the Disaster, and that several villagers died mysteriously,<br>\\r\\nそれをスクラップ帖にまとめた鷹野三四本人も含めてね。<br>\\r\\n including <NAME> herself, who wrote about all that in the scrapbook.<br>\\r\\nあれを偶然の予見不可能な災害だとするには、どうも腑に落ちない要素が少なくない。<br>\\r\\n It doesn't sound right to say that the Great Hinamizawa Disaster was an unpredicted and coincidental natural disaster.<br>\\r\\nこの『３４号文書』を読めば、それらは明らかにはっきりしてくる。」<br>\\r\\n When you read this <i>File No. 34</i>, it's obvious.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ…、雛見沢大災害は自然災害ではなく、カルト集団による細菌テロ？」<br>\\r\\n\\\"So... you're saying that the Great Hinamizawa Disaster wasn't a rare natural disaster, but that it was in fact an act of bioterrorism by some cultists?\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n某サリン事件で知られるカルト集団が、毒ガスや危険なウィルスを研究し散布していたらしいという話は、この平成の時代には誰もが知ることだった。<br>\\r\\nIn the modern era, everyone in Japan knows about the shocking incident where a doomsday cult created a nerve gas, Sarin, and unleashed it for the purposes of mass murder.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nだが昭和の時代なら、カルト集団が細菌テロに及ぶ…などとは誰も想像できなかった。<br>\\r\\nBut in the 80s, the idea of a single cult being able to carry out such an act of terrorism didn't even cross our minds.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「その後の自衛隊の長い封鎖は、その殺人ウィルスを調査するためではないかと囁かれているんだが、すっきりしないな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Some also whisper that the SDF kept the area sealed for so long so they could study some lethal virus... but I'm not convinced.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「はははははは。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Ha ha ha ha.<br>\\r\\nＵＦＯに乗った宇宙人がって話よりは、カルト集団がって方が近年は信憑性がありますからね。」<br>\\r\\n At least this story sounds more convincing than the one with aliens in UFOs. The idea of cultists and domestic terrorism sounds more rational.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「本当にＵＦＯが墜落した可能性もあるかもしれないな。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Maybe there really was an UFO that crash-landed.<br>\\r\\n……竜宮礼奈が人質篭城時に出した要求の筆頭は、鬼ヶ淵沼の底には墜落したＵＦＯの残骸があるから引き上げろ、というものだったらしい。」<br>\\r\\n ...When <NAME> took the school hostage, one of her demands to the police was to have them pull out the wreckage of the UFO from the Onigafuchi Swamp.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「馬鹿馬鹿しい…。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's ridiculous...\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それが馬鹿馬鹿しいか調べたくても、見ろ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well, even if I wanted to make sure if it's ridiculous or not, look at it.<br>\\r\\n沼はコンクリートで数メートルの厚さで固められ、確かめる術もない。<br>\\r\\n The swamp is filled with concrete several meters thick and there's no way we can check.<br>\\r\\n地質学的にはガスを防ぐ効果は何も期待できないはずの馬鹿馬鹿しい工事によってだ。」<br>\\r\\n This is all because of that ridiculous construction that doesn't even do anything to prevent the volcanic gas.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「赤坂先輩がそれを立証するには、あとはここの住民の生き残りを見つけて、体内からその特殊な病原体ってやつを見付け出す他、ないんじゃないですか。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"Well then, the only way to prove Akasaka-senpai's theory would be to find a survivor of Hinamizawa and try to find that microbe in him or her.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「…それも致命的だ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Sadly, that's almost impossible.<br>\\r\\n雛見沢大災害後の雛見沢出身者に対する魔女狩りのせいで今や出身者の存在は不明だ。<br>\\r\\n After the Great Hinamizawa Disaster, some survivors were subject to a witch hunt.<br>\\r\\n彼らは名乗りなどあげまい。」<br>\\r\\n So, even if there are any survivors, they won't tell you that they're from this area.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n雛見沢大災害の直後から、雛見沢出身者たちの間に、オヤシロさまの祟りと称して奇行に走る人間が現れた。<br>\\r\\nRight after the Disaster, some people who were from Hinamizawa started displaying erratic behavior.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその一部が、猟奇事件や奇怪な方法での自殺を遂げ始めると、全国で近所の雛見沢出身者を排斥する一種の魔女狩りが発生した。<br>\\r\\nWhen they started dying mysteriously and committing suicide in strange ways, people got scared of them and chased them out of their neighborhoods.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの当時の政府のプライバシー保護の甘さもあり、今や雛見沢出身者は頑なに口を閉ざし、自らの出身を隠し続けているという。<br>\\r\\nThe government was practically useless in protecting their privacy at the time, so the former residents of Hinamizawa lied about where they were from and have kept it that way since.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「じゃあ、お手上げじゃないですか。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"In that case, it's a dead end.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「それでも諦めないのが刑事魂ってもんだよ。<br>\\r\\n\\\"But it's my duty as a cop to keep trying.<br>\\r\\n……あれが自然災害じゃなかったっていう状況証拠はいくらでもあるんだ。<br>\\r\\n ...There's enough circumstantial evidence to say that the Great Hinamizawa Disaster wasn't a natural one.<br>\\r\\n何か１つの具体的証拠が見付かれば、芋づる式に全てを白日の下に晒せるかもしれない。」<br>\\r\\n If I could grab ahold of one piece of concrete proof, I think I could start reeling in the truth behind all of this.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「まぁ、あれから２０年経過してますからね。<br>\\r\\n\\\"Yeah, but it's been over twenty years.<br>\\r\\n真相はあまりに遠い闇の中かもしれません。」<br>\\r\\n The truth might be lying somewhere very deep in the darkness.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「そうだな。………２１世紀の今頃になってここを訪れても、何もわかりはしないのかもな。」<br>\\r\\n\\\"That's true... I might not find any answers. It's already the 21st century.\\\"<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n昭和５８年の６月に。<br>\\r\\nWhat happened in Hinamizawa in June 1983?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n一体、雛見沢で何があったと言うんだ。<br>\\r\\nThe only factual evidence that I had was that <NAME> mysteriously died and left her scrapbook predicting a bioterrorist attack.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n確実にわかっていることは、鷹野三四が細菌テロを予見して怪死を遂げて。<br>\\r\\nA young girl took a school hostage to make people listen to this prediction, but no one took it seriously.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそれを主張した少女が学校を占拠してまで訴えたが誰も耳を貸さず。<br>\\r\\nThe chief doctor of the village clinic committed suicide. People believed that a little girl, <NAME>, was a reincarnation of Oyashiro-sama, and she was brutally murdered.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n診療所の所長が怪死を遂げ、オヤシロさまの生まれ変わりと村人たちに信じられていた古手梨花という少女が、惨殺されたという事実のみ。<br>\\r\\nWhat was the truth behind this scrapbook?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのスクラップ帖は一体何なのか。<br>\\r\\nWas it written to reveal a huge conspiracy?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n内容が示すとおり、それは壮大な陰謀を暴いた一大告発書なのか。<br>\\r\\nOr was it just a bunch of delusions written by an occult maniac?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n当時、誰もが思ったように、これは偏執的マニアによる妄想のでっち上げなのか。<br>\\r\\nIf the contents of this scrapbook were true, the disaster could've been avoided if we had heeded the warnings of one girl.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれが事実なら、我々は１人の少女の訴えに耳を貸すことであの大災害を免れた。<br>\\r\\nIf they weren't true, then who created the disaster to follow the scenario of the scrapbook?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこれが虚実なら、じゃあ誰がこのスクラップ帖に沿うように災害を引き起こしたんだ。<br>\\r\\nAfter the Sarin nerve gas incident,n<br>\\r\\nあの某サリン事件のカルト集団以降、世間に流行った言葉に「マインドコントロール」というものがある。<br>\\r\\nthe words \\\"mind control\\\" came into the spotlight.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n「洗脳」が短絡的手段によって短期間の間に強制的に行なわれることに対して、<br>\\r\\nIn contrast to \\\"brainwashing,\\\" which can easily force a person to commit certain acts in the short term,<br>\\r\\n「マインドコントロール」はより時間をかけてじわじわと行い、本人がそれを正義と信じて自発的に行なうようになる点で、洗脳よりも格段に恐ろしい人格侵食であると言われている。<br>\\r\\n \\\"mind control\\\" takes a long time to gradually make a person believe that what he or she must do is the right thing to do, and to act upon it as if it were his or her own idea. It's a form of character alteration, which is far more serious than brainwashing.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nカルト集団は終末思想で信者たちに常に不安と恐怖を植え付け、それから救済される方法として何かを命じられ、それに自発的に従わせようとする。<br>\\r\\nThe cult behind the Sarin gas incident induced fear and anxiety into its members through its revelations of doomsday. At the same time, they ordered them to do certain things as means of salvation, and had them do so voluntarily.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nその図式は、どことなく、「３４号文書」に踊らされた竜宮礼奈に似なくもない。<br>\\r\\nThe formula was quite similar to how Reina Ryuugu became a puppet of <i>File No. 34</i>.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nでは、竜宮礼奈は何者かに「マインドコントロール」を受けていたのか？<br>\\r\\nSo, does that mean that Reina Ryuugu was \\\"mind-controlled\\\" by someone?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nそして彼女をマインドコントロールしたカルト集団は、まさに某カルト集団がそうだと吹聴していたように世界の終末を引き起こして、教義の信憑性を訴えたのか？<br>\\r\\nDoes that mean that the cult that mind-controlled her tried to cause the end of the world in order to increase the credibility of their teachings, just like the other cult did?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nならば、この「３４号文書」はカルトにとっての経典なのか？<br>\\r\\nWould that make <i>File No. 34</i> some sort of religious textbook for them?<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n何が真相かわからなくなる時、…この惨劇を見て誰が楽しんでいるのかを思うときがある。<br>\\r\\nWhen I lose my grip on what's true and what's not, it sometimes makes me feel that someone might be laughing in amusement at this disaster.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこのスクラップ帖は、そう、脚本なのだ。<br>\\r\\nThis scrapbook was like a... script.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n数千人もの村人の命を一夜にして奪う、惨劇の舞台脚本。<br>\\r\\nIt was a script for a tragedy that takes the lives of thousands of villagers in one night.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n人の死を見て笑う地獄の観劇者のための、悪魔たちの脚本。<br>\\r\\nIt was a script for demons who laugh at that loss of human life.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nこの脚本を誰かが書いた。<br>\\r\\nSomeone wrote the script.<br>\\r\\nそして誰かが上演した。<br>\\r\\n Someone performed it.<br>\\r\\nそれを見て誰かが笑った。<br>\\r\\n Someone watched the show and laughed.<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\nくそ……！！<br>\\r\\nDamn it...!!<br>\\r\\n<br>\\r\\n……昭和５８年の６月に雛見沢で、一体何が起こったって言うんだ……！！<br>\\r\\n...What the hell happened in Hinamizawa in June 1983?!!!\\n</body>\\n</html>\",\n \"size_bytes\": 2116279,\n \"file_path\": \"html/ja/tumi.html\",\n \"file_timestamp\": 1753279312,\n \"language\": \"HTML\",\n \"is_vendor\": false,\n \"license_type\": \"no_license\",\n \"detected_licenses\": []\n },\n {\n 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$(\\\"#menu\\\").find(\\\"a\\\").removeClass(\\\"light\\\")\\n $(\\\".chooseLang\\\").find(\\\"a\\\").removeClass(\\\"light\\\")\\n $(\\\".submenuText\\\").css(\\\"color\\\", \\\"white\\\")\\n $(\\\"path\\\").removeClass(\\\"light\\\")\\n}\\n\",\n \"size_bytes\": 828,\n \"file_path\": \"mobile/js/homeTheme.js\",\n \"file_timestamp\": 1753279312,\n \"language\": \"JavaScript\",\n \"is_vendor\": false,\n \"license_type\": \"no_license\",\n \"detected_licenses\": []\n },\n {\n \"content_id\": \"3a256546f0e7acee9c4b558ade916a26698c4e3c\",\n \"content\": \"<!DOCTYPE html>\\n<html>\\n<head>\\n<title>Grammaire</title>\\n<meta charset=\\\"utf-8\\\" />\\n<meta name=\\\"viewport\\\" content=\\\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=1\\\" />\\n<link href=\\\"../../style.css\\\" rel=\\\"stylesheet\\\" />\\n<link rel=\\\"shortcut icon\\\" href=\\\"../../favicon.ico\\\" type=\\\"image/x-icon\\\"/>\\n<script src=\\\"../../libs/jquery-3.1.0.min.js\\\"></script>\\n<script>\\n $(document).ready(function () {\\n $.getScript(\\\"../../js/buttonUp.js\\\", function () {\\n $.getScript(\\\"../../js/settingsButton.js\\\", function () {\\n $.getScript(\\\"../../js/nonVocabTheme.js\\\", function () {\\n $.getScript(\\\"../../js/localStorage.js\\\")\\n })\\n })\\n })\\n })\\n</script>\\n</head>\\n<body>\\n\\t<a id=\\\"top\\\"></a>\\n <a href=\\\"#top\\\" id=\\\"up\\\">↑</a>\\n <svg width=\\\"22px\\\" height=\\\"22px\\\" viewBox=\\\"0 0 512 512\\\" id=\\\"settingsButton\\\"><path d=\\\"M487.4 315.7l-42.6-24.6c4.3-23.2 4.3-47 0-70.2l42.6-24.6c4.9-2.8 7.1-8.6 5.5-14-11.1-35.6-30-67.8-54.7-94.6-3.8-4.1-10-5.1-14.8-2.3L380.8 110c-17.9-15.4-38.5-27.3-60.8-35.1V25.8c0-5.6-3.9-10.5-9.4-11.7-36.7-8.2-74.3-7.8-109.2 0-5.5 1.2-9.4 6.1-9.4 11.7V75c-22.2 7.9-42.8 19.8-60.8 35.1L88.7 85.5c-4.9-2.8-11-1.9-14.8 2.3-24.7 26.7-43.6 58.9-54.7 94.6-1.7 5.4.6 11.2 5.5 14L67.3 221c-4.3 23.2-4.3 47 0 70.2l-42.6 24.6c-4.9 2.8-7.1 8.6-5.5 14 11.1 35.6 30 67.8 54.7 94.6 3.8 4.1 10 5.1 14.8 2.3l42.6-24.6c17.9 15.4 38.5 27.3 60.8 35.1v49.2c0 5.6 3.9 10.5 9.4 11.7 36.7 8.2 74.3 7.8 109.2 0 5.5-1.2 9.4-6.1 9.4-11.7v-49.2c22.2-7.9 42.8-19.8 60.8-35.1l42.6 24.6c4.9 2.8 11 1.9 14.8-2.3 24.7-26.7 43.6-58.9 54.7-94.6 1.5-5.5-.7-11.3-5.6-14.1zM256 336c-44.1 0-80-35.9-80-80s35.9-80 80-80 80 35.9 80 80-35.9 80-80 80z\\\"></path></svg>\\n <div id=\\\"menu\\\">\\n <h3>THÈME</h3>\\n <a id=\\\"lightTheme\\\">Clair</a>\\n <a id=\\\"darkTheme\\\">Sombre</a>\\n <h3>LINKS</h3>\\n <a id=\\\"homepage\\\" href=\\\"../../index.html\\\">Page d’accueil</a>\\n <a id=\\\"mobileToggle\\\" href=\\\"../../mobile/html/fr/frGrammar.html\\\">Version mobile</a>\\n </div>\\n <div id=\\\"contentDiv\\\">\\n\\t\\t<h4><b>Orthographe</b></h4><br/>\\n\\t \\t<h5><b>Consonnes</b></h5>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ch ph th gn ç h</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʃ/ /f/ /t/ /ɲ/ /s/ ∅</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>ch</b> may be <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/k/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>c g cc gg sc xc</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/s/ /ʒ/ /ks/ /ɡʒ/ /s/ /ks/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>before <b>e i y</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/k/ /ɡ/ /k/ /g/ /sk/ /ksk/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>elsewhere</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>s x</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/z/ /gz/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>intervocalically</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/s/ /ks/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>elsewhere</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-b -d -g -p -t -s -x -z</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">∅</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>usually</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-ct -pt -st</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/kt/ /pt/ /st/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>-ct</b> may be <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/t/</span>, <b>-st</b> silent in <b>est</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-ent</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">∅</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>in 3rd person plural verb conjugations</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-er</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/e, ɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>il ill</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/j/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>after some V (<b>a e eu œ ou ue</b>, V unaffected by i except <b>ue</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/œ/</span>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/il/ /ij/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>elsewhere (<b>ill</b> after C may be <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/il/</span>, e.g. in <b>mille, ville</b>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ti + V</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/tj/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>word-initially, word-finally, after <b>s x</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/sj/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>elsewhere (<b>tié</b> is <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ti/</span>, <b>tie</b> may be <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/si/</span> or <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ti/</span>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ge</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>before <b>a o u</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gu</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɡ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>before <b>e i y</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t \\t<h5><b>Voyelles</b></h5>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>a</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/a, ɑ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>usually <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/a/</span>, may be <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>â</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ/</span> merges with <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/a/</span> in Parisian French</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>e</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/e, ɛ, ə/, ∅</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"ph\\\">/e/</span> in monosyllabic words before a silent C; <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ/</span> before C clusters, final C and <b>x</b>; <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ə/</span> elsewhere; <span class=\\\"ph\\\">∅</span> word-finally and sometimes word-medially</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ai</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ, e, ə/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>usually <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ/</span>, may be <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/e/</span>; <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ə/</span> in <b>faisan</b> and forms of <b>faire</b> starting with <b>fais-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>é ée ae</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/e/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>è ê ei aie</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>eu</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ø, œ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ø/</span> word-initially, phonologically word-finally, before <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/z/</span>; <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/œ/</span> elsewhere</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>œu</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ø, œ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ø/</span> phonologically word-finally; <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/œ/</span> elsewhere</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>eû œ</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ø/ /œ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>o</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/o, ɔ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"ph\\\">/o/</span> word-finally, before <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/z/</span>; <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɔ/</span> elsewhere</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>au</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɔ, o/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɔ/</span> before <b>r</b>; <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/o/</span> elsewhere</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ô eau</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/o/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>i î y -ie</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/i/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"ph\\\">/j/</span> before vowels</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>u û -ue</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/y/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɥ/</span> before vowels</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ou -oue</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/u/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"ph\\\">/w/</span> before vowels</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ao aou oe oo</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ao/ /au/ /ɔe/ /ɔɔ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ay ey -aye</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛj/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>ay</b> may be <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/aj/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>oi oî oie eoi oê</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/wa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>oy</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/waj/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>uy uill</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɥij/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t \\t<h5><b>Voyelles nasales</b></h5>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>am an em en aon</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>am</b> is <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/am/</span> word-finally</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>im in ym yn aim ain eim ein éen</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>ym</b> may be <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/im/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>um un aun eun</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/œ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>merges with <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ̃/</span> in Parisian French; <b>um</b> may be <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɔm/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>om on</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>iem ien yen</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/jɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>oin oën</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/wɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t\\t\\n\\t \\t<h4><b>Alphabet</b></h4>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>A</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>a</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/a/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>J</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ji</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>S</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>esse</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛs/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>B</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bé</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/be/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>K</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ka</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ka/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>T</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>té</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/te/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>C</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>cé</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/se/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>L</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>elle</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>U</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>u</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/y/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>D</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dé</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/de/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>M</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>emme</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛm/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>V</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vé</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ve/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>E</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>e</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ə/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>N</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>enne</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>W</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>double vé</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/dubləve/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>F</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>effe</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛf/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>O</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>o</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/o/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>X</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ixe</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/iks/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>G</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>gé</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ʒe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>P</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pé</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/pe/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Y</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>i grec</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/iɡʁɛk/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>H</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ache</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/aʃ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Q</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>qu</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ky/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Z</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>zède</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/zɛd/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>i</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/i/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>R</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>erre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t \\n\\t \\t<h4><b>Liaison</b></h4>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-p</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/p‿/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-d -t</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/t‿/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-c -q</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/k‿/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-f</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/v‿/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-s -z -x</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/z‿/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-il -ille</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/ij‿/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-n</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/n‿/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>adjectives ending in <b>-ain</b>, <b>-ein</b>, <b>-en</b>, <b>-in</b>, <b>-on</b> cause denasalization, e. g. <b>bon ami</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/bɔn‿ami/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">six</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"ph\\\">/siz/</span> before a V-initial noun, adjective or month, <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/si/</span> before a C-initial noun, adjective or month, <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/sis/</span> elsewhere</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">huit</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɥi/</span> before a C-initial noun, adjective or month, <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɥit/</span> elsewhere</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">neuf</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"ph\\\">/nœv/</span> in <b>neuf ans</b>, <b>neuf heures</b>, <b>neuf hommes</b>, <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/nœf/</span> elsewhere</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">dix</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>same as <b>six</b>, but <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/di/</span> in <b>dix-sept</b> and <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/diz/</span> in <b>dix-huit</b> and <b>dix-neuf</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">vingt</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><span class=\\\"ph\\\">/vɛ̃t/</span> before a V-initial noun, adjective or 1-9, <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/vɛ̃/</span> elsewhere and always in <b>quatre-vingt</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<p>Liaison typically occurs:</p>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>between a determiner and a following noun or adjective</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>les amis</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/lez‿ami/</span>, <b>tout homme</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/tut‿ɔm/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>between an adjective and a following noun</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>bon ami</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/bɔn‿ami/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>between an adverb and a following word</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>assez intéressant</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/asez‿ɛ̃teʁɛsɑ̃/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>between a subject/object pronoun and the verb, between two pronouns</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>nous avons</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/nuz‿avɔ̃/</span>, <b>vend-il</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/vɑ̃t‿il/</span>, <b>elles en achètent</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɛlz‿ɑ̃n‿aʃɛt/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>after a monosyllabic preposition</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>chez un ami</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ʃez‿ɛ̃n‿ami/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>in some compounds or expressions</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>États-Unis</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/etaz‿yni/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t \\n\\t \\t<h4><b>Articles</b></h4><br/>\\n\\t \\t<h5><b>Articles définis</b></h5>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">le / l'</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class =\\\"ph\\\">/lə/ /l/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>masculin singulier</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">la / l'</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/la/ /l/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>féminin singulier</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">les</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/le/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pluriel</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t \\t<h5><b>Articles indéfinis</b></h5>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">un</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>masculin singulier</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">une</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/yn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>féminin singulier</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">des</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/de/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pluriel</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t \\t<h5><b>Articles partitifs</b></h5>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">du / de l'</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/du/ /də l/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>masculin singulier</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">de la / de l'</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/də la/ /də l/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>féminin singulier</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">des</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/de/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pluriel</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t \\t<p>Partitive articles are used to express an unspecified portion/number of something, could be translated as <i>some</i>. Often used where English would use no article - <b>j'aime lire des livres</b> <i>I like reading books</i>.</p>\\n\\t \\t<p>Contractions (<b>à</b> <i>to</i>; <b>de</b> <i>of, from</i>):</p>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>de + le > <b>du</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/dy/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>à + le > <b>au</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/o/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>de + les > <b>des</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/de/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>à + les > <b>aux</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/o/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>de + un > <b>d'un</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/dɛ̃/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>de + une > <b>d'une</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/dyn/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>de + des > <b>de</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/də/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t \\t<p>The indefinite and partitive articles become <b>de / d’</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/də/ /d/</span> after a negative verb other than <b>être</b>. <b>Des</b> is normally reduced to <b>de / d’</b> when applied to a noun preceded by an adjective.</p>\\n\\t \\n\\t \\t<h4><b>Pronoms personnels</b></h4>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\"><i>Sujet</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\"><i>Objet direct / indirect / réfléchi</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\"><i>Disjonctif</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">je</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ʒə/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">me</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/mə/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">moi</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/mwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">tu</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ty/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">te</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/tə/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">toi</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/twa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">il, elle</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/il/ /ɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">le, la / lui / se</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/lə/ /la/ /lɥi/ /sə/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">lui, elle, soi</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/lɥi/ /ɛl/ /swa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">nous</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/nu/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">nous</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/nu/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">nous</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/nu/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">vous</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vu/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">vous</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vu/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">vous</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vu/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">ils, elles</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/il/ /ɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">les / leur / se</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/le/ /lœʁ/ /sə/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">eux, elles</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ø/ /ɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<p>Disjunctive pronouns are used for emphasis, in isolated positions and as objects of prepositions. Emphatic reflexive pronouns (<i>myself, yourself, etc.</i>) are formed by combining disjunctive pronouns with <b>même(s)</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/mɛm/</span> - <b>moi-même</b>, <b>nous-mêmes</b>.</p>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">on</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>impersonal pronoun or used instead of nominative <b>nous</b> in informal speech. Reflexive is <b>se</b>.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">ce / cela / ça</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sə/ /səla/ /sa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>it, that</i> (events, actions, states, general classes of people or things)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\"><b>y</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/i/</span> - replaces inanimate indirect objects with <b>à</b> and prepositional phrases (<i>there</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Je pense à ce film. - J'y pense.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I think about this film. - I think about it.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Tu vas à l'école. - Tu y vas.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>You go to the school. - You go there.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Elle vit dans un studio. - Elle y vit.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>She lives in a studio apartment. - She lives there.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\"><b>en</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃/</span> - replaces indirect objects with <b>de</b>, partitive articles, quantifiers (<i>of it/them, from it/them, about it/them...</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Il parle de son travail. - Il en parle.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>He talks about his job. - He talks about it.<td/>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Ils reviennent de Paris. - Ils en reviennent.</td>\\n\\t \\t\\t\\t<td>They come back from Paris. - They come back from there.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Je bois de l'eau. - J'en bois.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I drink water. - I drink it.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\t\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Vous avez des enfants. - Vous en avez.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>You have children. - You have them.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\t\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Tu as trois chiens. - Tu en as trois.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>You have three dogs. - you have three of them.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t \\n\\t\\t<h4><b>Déterminants possessifs</b></h4>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\"><i>Masculin singulier</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\"><i>Féminin singulier</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\"><i>Pluriel</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">mon</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/mɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">ma</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ma/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">mes</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/me/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">ton</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/tɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">ta</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ta/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">tes</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/te/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">son</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">sa</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">ses</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/se/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">notre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/nɔtʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">notre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/nɔtʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">nos</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/no/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">votre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vɔtʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">votre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vɔtʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">vos</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vo/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">leur</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/lœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">leur</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/lœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">leurs</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/lœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t <p><b>Mon, ton, son</b> are also used with feminine nouns starting with a vowel.</p>\\n\\t \\n\\t <h4><b>Pronoms possessifs</b></h4>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\"><i>Masculin singulier</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\"><i>Féminin singulier</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\"><i>Masculin pluriel</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\"><i>Féminin pluriel</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">le mien</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/lə mjɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">la mienne</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/la mjɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">les miens</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/le mjɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">les miennes</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/le mjɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">le tien</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/lə tjɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">la tienne</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/la tjɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">les tiens</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/le tjɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">les tiennes</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/le tjɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">le sien</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/lə sjɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">la sienne</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/la sjɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">les siens</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/le sjɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">les siennes</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/le sjɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">le nôtre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/lə notʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">la nôtre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/la notʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">les nôtres</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/le notʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">les nôtres</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/le notʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">le vôtre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/lə votʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">la vôtre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/la votʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">les vôtres</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/le votʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">les vôtres</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/le votʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">le leur</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/lə lœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">la leur</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/la lœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">les leurs</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/le lœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">les leurs</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/le lœʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t \\n\\t \\t<h4><b>Pronoms interrogatifs</b></h4>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">qui</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ki/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>who, whom</i> (<b>à qui</b> <i>whose</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">que / qu'</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/kə/ /k/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>what</i> (direct object, used with inversion - <b>Que dit-il?</b>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">qu'est-ce que / qu'est-ce qu'</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/kɛs kə/ /kɛs k/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>what</i>, lit. <i>what is it that</i> (direct object, no iveresion - <b>Qu'est-ce qu'il dit?</b>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">quoi</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/kwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>what</i> (object, used after the verb, or with prepositions - <b>Tu fais quoi? À quoi pense tu?</b>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">qu'est-ce qui</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/kɛs ki/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>what</i> (subject, no inversion - <b>Qu'est-ce qui se passe?</b>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">quel, quelle</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/kɛl/ /kɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>singulier (<i>which ~</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">quels, quelles</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/kɛl/ /kɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pluriel (<i>which ~</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">combien</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/kɔ̃bjɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>how much, how many</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">comment</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/kɔmɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>how</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">où</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/u/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>where</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">quand</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/kɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>when</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">pourquoi</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/puʁkwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>why</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t \\n\\t \\t<h4><b>Déterminants démonstratifs</b></h4>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">ce / cet</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sə/ /sɛt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>masculin singulier (<i>this ~</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">cette</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sɛt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>féminin singulier (<i>this ~</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t <tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">ces</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/se/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pluriel (<i>these ~</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">cet homme-ci</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sɛtɔmsi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>this person (this person here)</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">cet homme-là</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sɛtɔmla/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>that person (this person there)</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">celui-ci, celle-ci</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/səlɥisi/ /sɛlsi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>this one, the latter</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">celui-là, celle-là</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/səlɥila/ /sɛlla/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>that one, the former</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t \\n\\t \\t<h4><b>Pronoms relatifs</b></h4>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">lequel, laquelle</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ləkɛl/ /lakɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>singulier (<i>which one</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>lequel l'a fait?</b> <i>which one did it?</i> <span class=\\\"gray\\\"><b>à</b> + <b>lequel</b> → <b>auquel</b>, <b>de</b> + <b>lequel</b> → <b>duquel</b></span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">lesquels, lesquelles</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/lekɛl/ /lekɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pluriel (<i>which ones</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>lesquels aimes-tu?</b> <i>which ones do you like?</i> <span class=\\\"gray\\\"><b>à</b> + <b>lesquels</b> → <b>auxquels</b>, <b>de</b> + <b>lesquels</b> → <b>desquels</b></span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">celui, celle</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/səlɥi/ /sɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>singulier (<i>the one</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>il est celui que j'aime</b> <i>he is the one I love</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t \\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">ceux, celles</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sø/ /sɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>pluriel (<i>the ones</i>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>ils sont ceux qui m'aiment</b> <i>they are the ones who love me</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">qui</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ki/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>subj, human/thing</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>la personne qui voit</b> <i>the person who sees</i>, <b>la chose qui existe</b> <i>the thing which exists</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">que</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/kə/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dir obj, human/thing</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>la personne que je vois</b> <i>the person I see</i>, <b>la chose que je fais</b> <i>the thing I do</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>prep. + <b>qui</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/~ ki/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>indir obj, human</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>la personne à qui je parle</b> <i>the person I'm talking to</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>prep. + <b>lequel...</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/~ ləkɛl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>indir obj, human/thing</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>la personne avec laquelle je parle</b> <i>the person I'm talking with</i>, <b>les choses auxquelles je pense</b> <i>the things I'm thinking about</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">dont</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/dɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>indir obj with <b>de</b>, human/thing</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>la personne dont je parle</b> <i>the person I'm talking about</i>, <b>la chose dont j'ai oublié le nom</b> <i>the thing whose name I forgot</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">où</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/u/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>adverbial (where, when)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>le jour où je suis né</b> <i>the day I was born</i>, <b>l'hôpital où je suis né</b> <i>the hospital I was born in</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">ce qui</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sə ki/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>subj, thing, whole phrase</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>il est mort, ce qui est bien</b> <i>he is dead, which is good</i>, <b>je ne sais pas ce qui se passe</b> <i>I don't know what's happening</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">ce que</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sə kə/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>dir obj, thing, whole phrase</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>je fais ce que je veux</b> <i>I do what I want</i>, <b>je ne sais pas ce que tu as fait</b> <i>I don't know what you did</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>ce</b> + prep. + <b>quoi</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/~ kwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>indir obj, thing, whole phrase</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>je sais ce à quoi tu penses</b> <i>I know what you're thinking about</i>, <b>c'est ce sur quoi je travaille</b> <i>this is what I'm working on</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">ce dont</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sə dɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>indir obj with <b>de</b>, thing, whole phrase</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>c'est ce dont je parle</b> <i>this is what I'm talking about</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t \\n\\t \\t<h4><b>Noms et adjectifs</b></h4></br>\\n\\t\\t<h5><b>Noms</b></h5>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>Masculin</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>Féminin</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>Exemple</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>∅ -e</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-e</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>l'ami</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ami/</span> → <b>l'amie</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ami/</span>, <b>le touriste</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/tuʁist/</span> → <b>la touriste</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/tuʁist/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-eur -teur</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-euse -trice</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>le danseur</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/dɑ̃sœʁ/</span> → <b>la danseuse</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/dɑ̃søz/</span>, <b>l'acteur</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/aktœʁ/</span> → <b>l'actrice</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/aktʁis/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-er</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-ère</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>l’étranger</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/etʁɑ̃ʒe/</span> → <b>l'étrangère</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/etʁɑ̃ʒɛʁ/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-f</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-ve</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>le sportif</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/spɔʁtif/</span> → <b>la sprortive</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/spɔʁtiv/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-n -t</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-(n)ne -(t)te</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>le voisin</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/vwazɛ̃/</span> → <b>la voisine</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/vwazin/</span>, <b>le chat</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ʃa/</span> → <b>la chatte</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ʃat/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<h5><b>Adjectifs</b></h5>\\n\\t \\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>Masculin</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>Féminin</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>Exemple</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>∅ -e</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-e</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>joli</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ʒɔli/</span> → <b>jolie</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ʒɔli/</span>, <b>jeune</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ʒœn/</span> → <b>jeune</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ʒœn/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-eur -teur</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-euse -trice</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>joueur</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ʒwœʁ/</span> → <b>joueuse</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ʒwøz/</span>, <b>créateur</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/kʁeatœʁ/</span> → <b>créatrice</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/kʁeatʁis/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-eux -aux -oux</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-euse -ausse -ouce/-ou(s)se</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>heureux</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/œʁø/</span> → <b>heureuse</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/œʁøz/</span>, <b>faux</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/fo/</span> → <b>fausse</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/fos/</span>, <b>doux</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/du/</span> → <b>douce</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/dus/</span>, <b>roux</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ʁu/</span> → <b>rousse</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ʁus/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-eau -ou</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-elle -olle</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>beau</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/bo/</span> → <b>belle</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/bɛl/</span>, <b>mou</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/mu/</span> → <b>molle</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/mɔl/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-el -ul -il -al</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-elle -ulle -ille -ale</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>cruel</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/kʁyɛl/</span> → <b>cruelle</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/kʁyɛl/</span>, <b>nul</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/nyl/</span> → <b>nulle</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/nyl/</span>, <b>gentil</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ʒɑ̃ti/</span> → <b>gentille</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ʒɑ̃tij/</span>, <b>final</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/final/</span> → <b>finale</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/final/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-er</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-ère</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>cher</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ʃɛʁ/</span> → <b>chère</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ʃɛʁ/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-f</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-ve</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>naïf</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/naif/</span> → <b>naïve</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/naiv/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-n -t -et</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-(n)ne -tte -tte/ète</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>fin</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/fɛ̃/</span> → <b>fine</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/fin/</span>, <b>bon</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/bɔ̃/</span> → <b>bonne</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/bɔn/</span>, <b>sot</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/so/</span> → <b>sotte</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/sɔt/</span>, <b>secret</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/səkʁɛ/</span> → <b>secrète</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/səkʁɛt/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-c</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-que/che</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>public</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/pyblik/</span> → <b>publique</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/pyblik/</span>, <b>blanc</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/blɑ̃/</span> → <b>blanche</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/blɑ̃ʃ/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t \\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<p><b>beau, fou, mou, nouveau, vieux</b> → <b>bel, fol, mol, nouvel, vieil</b> in masculine before a V</p>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>Singulier</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>Pluriel</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>Exemple</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>∅</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-s</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>un petit chat</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/pəti ʃa/</span> → <b>de petits chats</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/pəti ʃa/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-s -z -x</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>∅</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>un nez faux</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ne fo/</span> → <b>des nez faux</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ne fo/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-eu -au -eau</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-eux -aux -eaux</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>un cheveu</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ʃəvø/</span> → <b>des cheveux</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ʃəvø/</span>, <b>un tuyau</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/tɥijo/</span> → <b>des tuyaux</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/tɥijo/</span>, <b>un beau manteau</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/bo mɑ̃to/</span> → <b>des beaux manteaux</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/bo mɑ̃to/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-al -ail</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-aux/s</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>un animal loyal</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/animal lwajal/</span> → <b>des animaux loyaux</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/animo lwajo/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\n\\t\\t<h5><b>Comparaison d'adjectifs</b></h5>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>Adjectif</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>Comparatif</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><i>Superlatif</i></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>grand(e)</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɡʁɑ̃(d)/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>plus grand(e)</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ply ɡʁɑ̃(d)/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>le / la plus grand(e)</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/lə~/ /la ply ɡʁɑ̃(d)/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>positif</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>grand(e)</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɡʁɑ̃(d)/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>moins grand(e)</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/mwɛ̃ ɡʁɑ̃(d)/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>le / la moins grand(e)</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/lə~/ /la mwɛ̃ ɡʁɑ̃(d)/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>négatif</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>bon(ne)</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/bɔ̃/ /bɔn/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>meilleur(e)</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/mɛjœʁ/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>le / la meilleur(e)</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/lə~/ /la mɛjœʁ/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>irregulier</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>bien</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/bjɛ̃/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>mieux</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/mjø/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>le / la mieux</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/lə~/ /la mjø/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>irregulier</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>mauvais(e)</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/movɛ(z)/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>pire</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/piʁ/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>le / la pire</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/lə~/ /la piʁ/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>éventuellement irrégulier</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>petit(e)</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/pəti(t)/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>moindre</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/mwɛ̃dʁ/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>le / la moindre</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/lə~/ /la mwɛ̃dʁ/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>éventuellement irrégulier</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\n\\t\\t<h4><b>Participes</b></h4></br>\\n\\t\\t<h5><b>Participe présent</b></h5>\\n\\t\\t<p>1P + <b>-ant</b>. <b>être</b> - <b>étant</b>, <b>avoir</b> - <b>ayant</b>.</p>\\n\\t\\t\\n\\t\\t<h5><b>Participe passé</b></h5>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Groupe I</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-er → -é</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>parler</b> → <b>parlé</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁle/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Groupe II</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-ir → -i</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>finir</b> → <b>fini</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/fini/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Groupe III</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>-re → -u</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>vendre</b> → <b>vendu</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vɑ̃dy/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>être</b> → <b>été</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ete/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>pouvoir</b> → <b>pu</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/py/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>sortir</b> → <b>sorti</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sɔʁti/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>vouloir</b> → <b>voulu</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vuly/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>avoir</b> → <b>eu</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/y/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>devoir</b> → <b>dû</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/dy/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>dormir</b> → <b>dormi</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/dɔʁmi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>falloir</b> → <b>fallu</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/faly/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>faire</b> → <b>fait</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/fɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>savoir</b> → <b>su</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sy/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>partir</b> → <b>parti</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁti/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>venir</b> → <b>venu</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vəny/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>aller</b> → <b>allé</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ale/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>lire</b> → <b>lu</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ly/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>servir</b> → <b>servi</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sɛʁvi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>tenir</b> → <b>tenu</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/təny/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>prendre</b> → <b>pris</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/pʁi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>boire</b> → <b>bu</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/by/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>sentir</b> → <b>senti</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sɑ̃ti/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>recevoir</b> → <b>reçu</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ʁəsy/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>mettre</b> → <b>mis</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/mi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>voir</b> → <b>vu</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vy/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>vivre</b> → <b>vécu</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/veky/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>ouvrir</b> → <b>ouvert</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/uvɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>pleuvoir</b> → <b>plu</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ply/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>courir</b> → <b>couru</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/kuʁy/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>écrire</b> → <b>écrirt</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ekʁi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>dire</b> → <b>dit</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/di/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>naître</b> → <b>né</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ne/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>mourir</b> → <b>mort</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/mɔʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>inscrire</b> → <b>inscrit</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ̃skʁi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\n\\t\\t<h4><b>Présent</b></h4></br>\\n\\t\\t<h5><b>Verbes réguliers</b></h5>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"4\\\"><i>Groupe I</i> <b>-er</b> (parl<b>er</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁl<b>e</b>/</span>):</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>je parl<b>e</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nous parl<b>ons</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁl<b>ɔ̃</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tu parl<b>es</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vous parl<b>ez</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁl<b>e</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>il parl<b>e</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ils parl<b>ent</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>The stems of group I verbs ending in <b>-ger -cer</b> end in <b>-ge -ç</b> before <b>a o</b> - <b>manger</b> → <b>mangeons</b>, <b>commencer</b> → <b>commençons</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>The stems of most group I verbs ending in <b>-eter -eler -yer</b> end in <b>-ett -ell -i</b> before a silent <b>e</b> - <b>appeler</b> → <b>appelle</b>, <b>jeter</b> → <b>jettent</b>, <b>envoyer</b> → <b>envoie</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>(<b>-ayer</b> may retain <b>y</b> - <b>essayer</b> → <b>essaye / essaie</b>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Other group I verbs containing a silent <b>e</b> or an <b>é</b> spell it as <b>è</b> before a silent <b>e</b> - <b>lever</b> → <b>lève</b>, <b>sécher</b> → <b>sèches</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"4\\\"><i>Groupe II</i> <b>-ir</b> (fin<b>ir</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/fin<b>iʁ</b>/</span>):</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>je fin<b>is</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/fin<b>i</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nous fin<b>issons</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/fin<b>isɔ̃</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tu fin<b>is</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/fin<b>i</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vous fin<b>issez</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/fin<b>ise</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>il fin<b>it</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/fin<b>i</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ils fin<b>issent</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/fin<b>is</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<p>Group III verbs are irregular and there is no one paradigm, however most follow certain patterns, as shown below (1S - 1sg stem, 1P - 1pl stem, 3P - 3pl stem; the latter two are often identical):</p>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\"><i>Groupe III</i> <b>-re</b> <b>-ir</b> <b>-oir</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"4\\\">(vend<b>re</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/vɑ̃d<b>ʁ</b>/</span>):</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"4\\\">(boi<b>re</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/bwa<b>ʁ</b>/</span>):</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>je 1S + <b>s</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nous 1P + <b>ons</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>je vend<b>s</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nous vend<b>ons</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vɑ̃d<b>ɔ̃</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>je boi<b>s</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/bwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nous buv<b>ons</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/byv<b>ɔ̃</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tu 1S + <b>s</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vous 1P + <b>ez</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tu vend<b>s</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vous vend<b>ez</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vɑ̃d<b>e</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tu boi<b>s</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/bwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vous buv<b>ez</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/byv<b>e</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>il 1S + <b>t</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ils 3P + <b>ent</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>il vend</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vɑ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ils vend<b>ent</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vɑ̃d/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>il boi<b>t</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/bwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ils boiv<b>ent</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/bwav/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<h5><b>Verbes irréguliers</b></h5>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"4\\\"><b>être</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɛtʁ/</span> <i>to be</i>:</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"4\\\"><b>avoir</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/avwaʁ/</span> <i>to have</i>:</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>je <b>suis</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sɥi/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nous <b>sommes</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sɔm/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>j'<b>ai</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/e/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nous <b>avons</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/avɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tu <b>es</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vous <b>êtes</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɛt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tu <b>as</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/a/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vous <b>avez</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ave/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>il <b>est</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ils <b>sont</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>il <b>a</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/a/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ils <b>ont</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"8\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"4\\\"><b>aller</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ale/</span> <i>to go</i>:</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"4\\\"><b>venir</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/vəniʁ/</span> <i>to come</i>:</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>je <b>vais</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nous <b>allons</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/alɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>je <b>viens</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vjɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nous <b>venons</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vənɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tu <b>vas</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/va/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vous <b>alez</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ale/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tu <b>viens</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vjɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vous <b>venez</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vəne/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>il <b>va</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/va/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ils <b>vont</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>il <b>vient</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vjɛ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ils <b>viennent</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vjɛn/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"8\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"4\\\"><b>faire</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/fɛʁ/</span> <i>to do</i>:</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"4\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>je <b>fais</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/fɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nous <b>faisons</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/fəzɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"4\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tu <b>fais</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/fɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vous <b>faites</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/fɛt/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"4\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>il <b>fait</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/fɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ils <b>font</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/fɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"4\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<h5><b>Verbes modaux</b></h5>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"4\\\"><b>vouloir</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/vulwaʁ/</span> <i>to want</i>:</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"4\\\"><b>pouvoir</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/puvwaʁ/</span> <i>may, can</i> (not <i>know how to</i>):</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>je <b>veux</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vø/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nous <b>voulons</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vulɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>je <b>peux</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/pø/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nous <b>pouvons</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/puvɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tu <b>veux</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vø/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vous <b>voulez</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vule/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tu <b>peux</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/pø/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vous <b>pouvez</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/puve/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>il <b>veut</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vø/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ils <b>veulent</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vœl/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>il <b>peut</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/pø/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ils <b>peuvent</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/pœv/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"8\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"4\\\"><b>devoir</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/dəvwaʁ/</span> <i>must</i>:</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"4\\\"><b>savoir</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/savwaʁ/</span> <i>know, know how to, be able to</i>:</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>je <b>dois</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/dwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nous <b>devons</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/dəvɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>je <b>sais</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nous <b>savons</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/savɔ̃/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tu <b>dois</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/dwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vous <b>devez</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/dəve/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tu <b>sais</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vous <b>savez</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/save/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>il <b>doit</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/dwa/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ils <b>doivent</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/dwav/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>il <b>sait</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sɛ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ils <b>savent</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sav/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<p><b>Je peux</b>, but <b>puis-je</b>, <b>si je puis</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/pɥi/</span>.</p>\\n\\n\\t\\t<h4><b>Passé composé</b></h4>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>avoir</b> + participe passé</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>all transitive verbs and most intransitive verbs</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>être</b> + participe passé</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>all reflexive verbs and intransitive verbs denoting motion or change of state</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Je <b>me</b> suis levé.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>reflexive</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"2\\\">By attaching <b>-e</b> for feminine and <b>-s</b> for plural, the past participle must agree with the gender and number of:</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>the subject if <b>être</b> is used</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Il est allé. / Elle est allé<b>e</b>. / Ils sont allé<b>s</b>. / Elles sont allé<b>es</b>.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>the direct object if <b>avoir</b> is used </br>and the object precedes the participle</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td style=\\\"vertical-align: baseline;\\\">Je l’ai vu. / Je l’ai vu<b>e</b>. / Je les ai vu<b>s</b>. / Je les ai vu<b>es</b>.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\n\\t\\t<h4><b>Imparfait</b></h4>\\n\\t\\t<p>Used for past imperfective situations (<i>was doing, used to do</i>) - 1P + personal ending (<b>ét-</b> for <b>être</b>).</p>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"4\\\"><b>parler</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁle/</span>:</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"4\\\"><b>être</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɛtʁ/</span>:</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>je parl<b>ais</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁl<b>ɛ</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nous parl<b>ions</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁl<b>jɔ̃</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>j'ét<b>ais</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/et<b>ɛ</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nous ét<b>ions</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/et<b>jɔ̃</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tu parl<b>ais</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁl<b>ɛ</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vous parl<b>iez</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁl<b>je</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tu ét<b>ais</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/et<b>ɛ</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vous ét<b>iez</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/et<b>je</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>il parl<b>ait</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁl<b>ɛ</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ils parl<b>aient</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁl<b>ɛ</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>il ét<b>ait</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/et<b>ɛ</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ils ét<b>aient</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/et<b>ɛ</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\n\\t\\t<h4><b>Futur simple</b></h4>\\n\\t\\t<p>Used for future imperfective and perfective situations (<i>will do, will be doing</i>) - infinitive (without <b>-e</b> for <b>-re</b>) + personal ending (many irregulars).</p>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"4\\\"><b>parler</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁle/</span>:</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>je parler<b>ai</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁləʁ<b>e</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nous parler<b>ons</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁləʁ<b>ɔ̃</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tu parler<b>as</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁləʁ<b>a</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vous parler<b>ez</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁləʁ<b>e</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>il parler<b>a</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁləʁ<b>a</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ils parler<b>ont</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁləʁ<b>ɔ̃</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Most group I verbs ending in <b>-eter -eler -yer</b> become <b>-etter- -eller- -ier-</b> before a silent <b>e</b> - <b>appeler</b> → <b>appeller-</b>, <b>jeter</b> → <b>jetter-</b>, <b>employer</b> → <b>emploie-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>(<b>-ayer</b> may retain <b>y</b> - <b>essayer</b> → <b>essayer- / essaier-</b>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>Other group I verbs containing a silent <b>e</b> spell it as <b>è</b> - <b>lever</b> → <b>lèver-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>(verbs containing <b>é</b> may be spelled with <b>é</b> or <b>è</b>, but pronounced as <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɛ/</span> - <b>sécher</b> → <b>sécher- / sècher-</b>)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>être</b> → <b>ser-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/səʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>pouvoir</b> → <b>pourr-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/puʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>mourir</b> → <b>mourr-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/muʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>avoir</b> → <b>aur-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/oʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>devoir</b> → <b>devr-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/dəvʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>courir</b> → <b>courr-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/kuʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>faire</b> → <b>fer-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/fəʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>savoir</b> → <b>saur-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/sɔʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>voir</b> → <b>verr-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>aller</b> → <b>ir-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/iʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>vouloir</b> → <b>voudr-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vudʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>venir</b> → <b>viendr-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/vjɛ̃dʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>envoyer</b> → <b>enverr-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃vɛʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>falloir</b> → <b>faudr-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/fodʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>tenir</b> → <b>tiendr-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/tjɛ̃dʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\"></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>pleuvoir</b> → <b>pleuvr-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/plœvʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>recevoir</b> → <b>recevr-</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/ʁəsəvʁ/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\n\\t\\t<h4><b>Conditionel</b></h4>\\n\\t\\t<p>Futur stem + imperfait endings.</p>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"4\\\"><b>parler</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁle/</span>:</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>je parler<b>ais</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁləʁ<b>ɛ</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>nous parler<b>ions</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁləʁ<b>jɔ̃</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>tu parler<b>ais</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁləʁ<b>ɛ</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>vous parler<b>iez</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁləʁ<b>je</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>il parler<b>ait</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁləʁ<b>ɛ</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>ils parler<b>aient</b></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁləʁ<b>ɛ</b>/</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\n\\t\\t<h4><b>Questions et négation</b></h4>\\n\\t\\t<p>Tu aimes le chocolat? = Aimes-tu le chocolat? = <b>Est-ce que</b> tu aimes le chocolat?</br>\\n\\t\\tIl aime le chocolat? = Aime-t-il le chocolat? = <b>Est-ce qu</b>'il aime le chocolat?</br>\\n\\t\\tTu es triste pourquoi? = Pourquoi es-tu triste? = Pourquoi <b>est-ce que</b> tu es triste?</br></br>\\n\\t\\tJe parle français. ⇔ Je <b>ne</b> parle <b>pas</b> français.</br>\\n\\t\\tC’est toujours bon. ⇔ Ce <b>n</b>’est <b>jamais</b> bon.</br>\\n\\t\\tIl l'a fait. ⇔ Il <b>ne</b> l’a <b>pas</b> fait.</br>\\n\\t\\tJe sais nager. ⇔ Je <b>ne</b> sais <b>pas</b> nager.</br>\\n\\t\\tJ’ai des enfants. ⇔ Je n’ai pas <b>d</b>’enfants.</br>\\n\\t\\tJ’ai une sœur. ⇔ Je n’ai pas <b>de</b> sœur.</br>\\n\\t\\tC’est un étudiant. ⇔ Ce n’est pas <b>un</b> étudiant. (<b>de</b> not used in negative sentences with <b>être</b>)\\n\\t\\t</p>\\n\\n\\t\\t<h4><b>Prépositions</b></h4>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"><b>à</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/a/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>at, in (place)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Je suis à la maison.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I am at home.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>to (destination)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Je vais à Paris.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I’m going to Paris.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>on the, to the (directions)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">L'école est à gauche.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>The school is to the left.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>until (time)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Je travaille de 8h à 16h.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I work from 8AM to 4PM.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>at (time)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Je me lève à 9 heures.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I get up at 9.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>to (indirect object)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">J'ai donné un cadeau à ma mère.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I gave a gift to my mother.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>of (belonging to)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">C’est un ami à moi.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>This is a friend of mine.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>for (purpose; compounds)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">une brosse à dents</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>a toothbrush</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>to (before an infinitive)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Il y a des choses à faire.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>There are things to do.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>by</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">peu à peu</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>bit by bit</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>at (price)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Ce livre est à dix euros.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>This book is 10 euros.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"><b>de</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/də/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>from (place)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Je viens de France.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I come from France.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>from (time)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Je travaille de 8h à 16h.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I work from 8AM to 4PM.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>of (belonging to)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">C’est la voiture de John.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>This is John’s car.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>of (amount)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">une tasse de café</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>a cup of coffee</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td style=\\\"vertical-align: baseline;\\\">of (attributive; compounds)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">un jus de pomme<br/>une statue de marbre</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>apple juice<br/>a marble statue</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"><b>en</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/ɑ̃/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>in, to (place)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">J’habite en France.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I live in France.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>by (means)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Je vais en voiture.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I go by car.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>as</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Il me traite en ami.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>He treats me as a friend.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>of, made of (composition)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">une maison en bois</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>a wooden house</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>in (year, month, season)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">en 1994 / en mars / en été</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>in 1994 / in March / in summer</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>in (color)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">en vert</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>in green</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\">With smaller places like cities, <b>à</b> is used. With large ones like continents, countries and states, the following are used:</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>en</b> before f. nouns and V-initial m. nouns</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Je vais en France / en Iran.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I go to France / to Iran.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>au</b> before C-initial m. nouns</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">J’habite au Japon.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I live in Japan.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>aux</b> before plural nouns</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">J’habite aux États-Unis.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I live in the United States.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"><b>dans</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/dɑ̃/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>in, inside (literally)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Je suis dans la chambre.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I am in the room.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>in (figuratively)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Ils vivent dans la pauvreté.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>They live in poverty.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>in, within (period of time)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Je finis dans une heure.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I finish in an hour.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td style=\\\"vertical-align: baseline;\\\">out of, from</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Je bois dans une tasse.<br/>Je l’ai pris dans le frigo.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I drink from a cup.<br/>I took it out of the fridge.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"><b>par</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/paʁ/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>through</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Je regarde par la fenêtre.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I’m looking through the window.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>by (means)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">suicide par pendaison</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>suicide by hanging</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>by (manner)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">par hasard</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>by chance</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>by (in passive sentences)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Il est mangé par lui.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>It’s eaten by him.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>per</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">trois fois par semaine</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>three times a week</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>out of (reason)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">par tristesse</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>out of sadness</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\">When talking about means of transportation, the following are used:</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>à</b> when on the means of transport</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">à pied / à cheval</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>on foot / on horseback</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>en</b> when in the means of transport</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">en train / en voiture</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>by train / by car</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td><b>par</b> often not with people</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">par avion / par train</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>by plane / by train (person, or e.g. package)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t\\t<table class=\\\"fr\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"><b>sur</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/syʁ/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>on, on top of</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">La pomme est sur la table.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>The apple is on the table.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>out of (amount)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">cinq sur sept</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>five out of seven</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"><b>pour</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/puʁ/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>for (beneficiary)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Je l’ai fait pour lui.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I did it for him.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>for (direction)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Je suis parti pour la France.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I left for France.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>to, in order to (purpose)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">J'y suis allé pour mourir.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I went there to die.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr style=\\\"height: 24px;\\\">\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td colspan=\\\"3\\\"><b>avec</b> <span class=\\\"ph\\\">/avɛk/</span></td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>with (accompaniment)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Je parle avec ma sœur.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I’m talking with my sister.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>with (manner)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">avec plaisir</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>with pleasure</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t<tr>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>with (means)</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td class=\\\"b\\\">Je mange avec une fourchette.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<td>I eat with a fork.</td>\\n\\t\\t\\t</tr>\\n\\t\\t</table>\\n\\t</div>\\n</body>\\n</html>\\n\\n\",\n \"size_bytes\": 64277,\n \"file_path\": \"html/fr/frGrammar.html\",\n \"file_timestamp\": 1753279312,\n \"language\": \"HTML\",\n \"is_vendor\": false,\n \"license_type\": \"no_license\",\n \"detected_licenses\": []\n },\n {\n \"content_id\": \"90f7bf1bb55f0e72f4092d67748670359862e977\",\n \"content\": \"<!DOCTYPE html>\\r\\n<html>\\r\\n<head>\\r\\n</head>\\n<body>\\n …キーホルダーに括り付けられたカギは大小７つ。<br>\\r\\n ...Seven keys were attached to the key chain.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n どのカギが正しいものかよくわからないから、自分の勘に従って順に一つずつ試すしかない。<br>\\r\\n Without knowing which key was the correct one, I had to go by instinct and try every key, one by one.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 期待値は３．５本。<br>\\r\\n On average, I'd reach the correct key within 3.5 attempts.<br><br>\\r\\n 最初に試した三本以内のカギで開けば、幸運。<br>\\r\\n I'd be fortunate if I could open the lock within the first three keys...<br><br>\\r\\n それ以外は不運と占うことができるだろう。<br>\\r\\n And I'd be unfortunate if I didn't.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n こういう場合、石橋を叩いて渡るなら、正解のカギを７本目に当ててしまうという最悪の可能性を考慮するべきだ。<br>\\r\\n I had to think of the worst-case scenario: getting the right key only on the very last attempt.<br><br>\\r\\n 頭がしくしくと痛み出すぐらいに、冷静さと緊張感がせめぎ合う。\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n I fought with my nervousness. My head ached from it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n カギを錠前に挿す、開錠を確かめる。<br>\\r\\n I put the key in, and turned it.<br><br>\\r\\n その行為を淡々と繰り返せばいいだけのはずなのに、……指先の微弱な震えを抑えきれない。<br>\\r\\n I just needed to repeat that small procedure several more times, but...... I couldn't stop shaking.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …ちぇ、<br>\\r\\n ...Damn...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …カギを挿して回すなんて、それだけの動作、幼稚園児だってやれる。<br>\\r\\n Even a three-year-old kid can do something this easy.<br><br>\\r\\n ……じゃあ今の私は幼稚園児以下ってわけ？<br>\\r\\n ...So, am I more childish than a three-year-old?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 下らないことは考えなくていい、不器用だっていい。<br>\\r\\n Whatever. I don't care if I'm clumsy.<br><br>\\r\\n …とにかく、淡々とこの７つのカギを全て試せばいいのだ…。<br>\\r\\n ...I just need to try all these keys...<br><br>\\r\\n …どんなに星の巡りが悪くたって、７本目で絶対に開くのだから……………………。<br>\\r\\n ...Even in the worst-case scenario, the lock will open on the seventh try...<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......<br>\\r\\n ……………………うっそ……。」<br>\\r\\n ............No way...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ……だが、現実は算数じゃない。<br>\\r\\n ...Reality isn't always the same as math.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の目の前に突きつけられた現実は、どのカギも外れであるという致命的なものだった。<br>\\r\\n What happened was worse than my worst-case scenario... None of the keys worked at all.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 全身から、ザーーっという音を立てて血の気が引いていくのが分かる。<br>\\r\\n I could feel the blood draining from my brain.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …このカギ束ではなかった？！<br>\\r\\n ...Did I get the wrong set of keys?!<br><br>\\r\\n いや、プレートにはここの施錠に使うカギだと薄らとだが明記されている。<br>\\r\\n No. I definitely see a faint marking that says this set is for this door.<br><br>\\r\\n …それすらも読み間違えたのか？<br>\\r\\n ...Am I just reading it wrong?<br><br>\\r\\n 今すぐ引き返し、再びあのキーボックスを丹念に調べなおすべきだろうか…？<br>\\r\\n Should I go back to the key cabinet to look for the right one...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それはもちろん致命的なロスタイムだった。<br>\\r\\n That would mean a great loss of time.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は、今ここに居続けているだけで、リスクを一秒毎に累積している。<br>\\r\\n Just by being here I'm already risking so much.<br><br>\\r\\n …次の一秒で、どんな予想外のハプニングが起こって、全てが水泡に帰すかわかったものではないのだ…。<br>\\r\\n ...Something that could ruin everything might happen any moment...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 管理室に引き返し、キーボックスを探し直す以外に、ここを開ける方法がないなら…私は躊躇なくそれを実行する他ない？<br>\\r\\n If I can't open this lock, do I have to go back to the administration office?<br><br>\\r\\n …なら、ここで座して脂汗をかくことに数秒を費やすことこそ愚の骨頂…！<br>\\r\\n ...If there were no other choice, it'd be a waste of time to spend another second here...!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 管理室がこの時間に無人なのは、統計的なものであって絶対的なものではない。<br>\\r\\n The administration office wouldn't necessarily be empty at this time.<br><br>\\r\\n …職員のちょっとした気まぐれで、誰かが戻ってきてしまうのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Somebody might come in.<br><br>\\r\\n そうしたらもう、のんびりとキーボックスを漁るなんて真似はできなくなる…！！<br>\\r\\n I won't be able to look for the right key if that happens...!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……屈んでいた全身に電気が走って弾かれたかのように、私は立ち上がる。<br>\\r\\n ...I stood up quickly, as if electrified.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n パニックに陥りかけているからこそ、体を全力で動かさないと不安になる……。<br>\\r\\n I was almost in a panic, and so felt the urge to move...<br><br>\\r\\n 人間の本能に突き動かされての行動だった。<br>\\r\\n My instinct pushed me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 一刻も早く走って戻らないと危険…！！<br>\\r\\n I have to go back there as quickly as possible...!!<br><br>\\r\\n ここにいるのも危険だし、管理室に誰かが戻ってきてしまうのも、危険危険！<br>\\r\\n It's dangerous to be here, and it's also dangerous if somebody comes into the administration office!<br><br>\\r\\n ………そんな恐怖心を、<br>\\r\\n ...I cooled my head,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 私は冷たすぎて、<br>\\r\\n making it as chilly as possible,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n むしろ痛みすら感じさせるような…ドライアイスのように冷え切った冷静さで抑えこむ……。<br>\\r\\n to repress my fear...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 落ち着け、詩音…。<br>\\r\\n Calm down, Shion...<br><br>\\r\\n …魅音ならこんなことでは取り乱さないぞ…。<br>\\r\\n ...Mion wouldn't panic in this situation...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 何かの間違いかもしれないじゃないか…。<br>\\r\\n Maybe I'm just mistaken...<br><br>\\r\\n もう一度、…もう一度だけカギを試してみよう…。<br>\\r\\n Why don't I try the keys<br>\\r\\n もう一度…最初から…。<br>\\r\\n one more time...?<br><br>\\r\\n その時、長い長い廊下を満たした空気が震えて、どこか遠くを歩いている誰かの足音をかすかに伝えてきた。<br>\\r\\n The next moment, I felt a faint vibration in the air. Somebody was walking somewhere in the hallway.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n いつもの落ち着いた状態でなら、その足音が非常に遠くで、その主と出くわすこともないと理解できる。<br>\\r\\n If it were a normal situation, I would've known I wouldn't run into them, since the footsteps were very far away.<br><br>\\r\\n ……だが、今の精神状態ではそんなの屁理屈にしか聞こえない。<br>\\r\\n ...But at the time, I couldn't think calmly.<br><br>\\r\\n あぁ…くそ…。<br>\\r\\n Ah... shit...<br><br>\\r\\n この程度の遠い足音が聞こえるだけで、私はここまで動揺できるのかよ。<br>\\r\\n Why am I panicking this much just because of footsteps...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 落ち着け…落ち着け……。<br>\\r\\n Calm down... calm down...<br><br>\\r\\n むしろこの感情を楽しむんだ。<br>\\r\\n I should be feeling excited instead.<br><br>\\r\\n …落ち着け、落ち着け。<br>\\r\\n ...Calm down, calm down.<br><br>\\r\\n …ただ淡々と目の前の作業をこなすんだ。<br>\\r\\n ...I just need to do what I have to do.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 聞こえてくる遠い足音を、自分に危機を成さないと判断して無視…。<br>\\r\\n I should ignore the footsteps, because they're not an immediate threat...<br><br>\\r\\n …聞こえないものと思え…！<br>\\r\\n ...Pretend they aren't there...!<br><br>\\r\\n あんな遠い足音よりも、もっと気にしなければならない何かを聞き漏らさないために…！<br>\\r\\n I have to listen for something much more important right now...!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あぁ、くそ…。<br>\\r\\n Ah... shit...<br><br>\\r\\n このカギ…さっきまであんなにも硬くて冷たかったのに、<br>\\r\\n This key should be hard and cold, but...<br>\\r\\n …いつのまにか熱くなってぐにゃぐにゃになって、<br>\\r\\n it's pliable and hot...<br>\\r\\n まるでゴムみたいになってるぞ…。<br>\\r\\n it feels like rubber...<br><br>\\r\\n こんなにぐにゃぐにゃじゃ、鍵穴にうまく挿せるものか…。<br>\\r\\n How could I stick this into the keyhole?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n くそくそくそ…！<br>\\r\\n Shit, shit, shit...!<br><br>\\r\\n カギがぐにゃぐにゃになったりなんかするもんか。<br>\\r\\n It wasn't the key that was pliable.<br><br>\\r\\n …ぐにゃぐにゃしてるのは私の手先だ。<br>\\r\\n ...It's my fingers that were limp.<br><br>\\r\\n …あぁもぅ…くそくそくそ…！<br>\\r\\n ...Ah... shit, shit, shit...!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時、ぐにゃぐにゃになったカギはビヨンと弾け、私の指をくぐり抜けて床に落ちた。<br>\\r\\n The key sprung out of my hand and fell to the floor.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 意地悪にもそいつは、さっきまであんなにもぐにゃぐにゃだったんだから、<br>\\r\\n It shouldn't have made any sound<br>\\r\\n 床に接地する時もそうであればいいのに…、<br>\\r\\n because it was so pliable, but...<br>\\r\\n 床に叩きつけられる時だけ、まるで食器棚を丸ごと床にぶちまけた時のような凄まじい音をたてて見せた。<br>\\r\\n it made a tremendous metal noise as if somebody pushed over a cupboard.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ジャリリリーンンッ！！！<br>\\r\\n Cliiinnng!!!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n という、凄まじい轟音が私の心臓を破ろうとする。<br>\\r\\n The sound almost stopped my heart.<br><br>\\r\\n そのぐわんぐわんとする音に、しばし頭がくらくらとした。<br>\\r\\n I felt dizzy for a while.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それから身を硬くして、この轟音によって世界に何か変化が起きなかったか辺りを慎重に窺った。<br>\\r\\n I looked around afterwards to carefully see if I caused any disturbance to the surroundings.<br><br>\\r\\n 落ち着け、落ち着け…。<br>\\r\\n Calm down, calm down...<br><br>\\r\\n 何も変化はない。<br>\\r\\n Nothing's changed.<br>\\r\\n 何も聞こえない。<br>\\r\\n I don't hear anything...<br>\\r\\n …ってことはつまり、安全ってこと？<br>\\r\\n So... am I safe?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 落ち着け…落ち着け落ち着け…。<br>\\r\\n Calm down... calm down, calm down...<br><br>\\r\\n あれ……何も聞こえないって？<br>\\r\\n Wait... I don't hear anything?<br><br>\\r\\n さっきまで聞こえてた、あの遠い足音はどうして聞こえない？<br>\\r\\n What about those footsteps in the distance?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 落ち着け落ち着け落ち着け…！<br>\\r\\n Calm down, calm down, calm down...!<br><br>\\r\\n 落としたカギの音に反応して、気配を殺してこちらを窺っているのか…？<br>\\r\\n Are they looking for me after they noticed the sound...?<br><br>\\r\\n ああぁくそ…、ぼたぼたというすごい音は、私がこぼしている汗が床を叩く音なのか？<br>\\r\\n Ah, shit... What is that sound I'm hearing? Is it my sweat dripping on the floor?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………うるさいうるさいうるさい…！<br>\\r\\n ......Shut up, shut up, shut up...!<br><br>\\r\\n 汗が落ちる音なんて聞こえるわけがないだろ…、<br>\\r\\n How could I hear the sound of my sweat?<br>\\r\\n 落ち着けよ、<br>\\r\\n Calm down,<br>\\r\\n 落ち着け落ち着け、<br>\\r\\n calm down, calm down...<br>\\r\\n …落ち着けぇえぇえぇ…！！！<br>\\r\\n Calm the fuck down...!!!<br><br>\\r\\n 誤解がないように補記しておくが、<br>\\r\\n I have to clarify.<br>\\r\\n …もちろん、ここは鑑別所でも少年院でもない。<br>\\r\\n This isn't a prison or a detention center.<br><br>\\r\\n 学校法人の運営する私立学園だ。<br>\\r\\n It's a private school.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、ただの学校ではない。<br>\\r\\n Not a normal one, though.<br><br>\\r\\n 入学金だけでも数百万。<br>\\r\\n It costs a fortune just to get in.<br>\\r\\n 小学校から大学までの一貫教育でしかも全寮制。<br>\\r\\n It's a boarding school that provides education from elementary school to university.<br><br>\\r\\n その上、女子校と来たら…これはもう、学校というよりも、貞淑な温室野菜の生産工場というべきだ。<br>\\r\\n Being for girls only, rather than a school, you could say it's a factory that manufactures 'ladies'.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n なにしろ、クラスメートの中には、公共の交通機関に乗ったことがないって本気で言ってるヤツもいるくらいだ。<br>\\r\\n Some of my classmates here have never even used public transportation.<br><br>\\r\\n …まったくもって普通じゃない。<br>\\r\\n ...Really, it isn't normal.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n まぁ、私にしてみれば、日々の挨拶が「こんにちは」じゃなくて「ご機嫌よう」ってだけでも十分に異常だし、<br>\\r\\n To me, saying 'how nice to see you' instead of just 'hi' is already insane,<br>\\r\\n 先生のことをシスターと呼ぶのも、虫酸が走るくらいに異常だ。<br>\\r\\n and calling the teachers 'sisters' gives me the creeps.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 朝夕のお祈りだって面倒くさいし、日曜礼拝なんて大嫌いだ。<br>\\r\\n I hate the morning and evening prayers, to say nothing of the Sunday mass.<br><br>\\r\\n 聖書の暗記なんかやってられないし、慈愛の精神なんて言葉は聞いただけでもジンマシンが出る！<br>\\r\\n I don't want to memorize the Bible passages, and the Holy Ghost gives me a rash.<br><br>\\r\\n こんな施設（私は学校と呼ばずにこう呼ぶ）に何年間も幽閉されたら、洗脳されるか発狂するかの二つに一つしかない。<br>\\r\\n If I stayed in this institution (that's what I call the place) for many years, I'd either go crazy or be brainwashed.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ここに在籍するお嬢様どもはみな素直に洗脳を選ぶが、<br>\\r\\n Most of the girls choose to be brainwashed, but...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …斜な私はとてもそれは選べないのだ。<br>\\r\\n I can't do that.<br><br>\\r\\n …何しろ、聖書を読んでも、その裏の宗教戦略や布教のプロセス、信仰という名の商品の国際貿易機構に感嘆こそすれ、間違っても神様の愛に胸を打たれたりすることはない。<br>\\r\\n ...After all, I was more impressed by the political schemes and international trade behind religious propagation than by the love of God which the Bible teaches.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そういう姿勢だからこそ、私は入学当初から問題児扱いだった。<br>\\r\\n Because of that, I'd been treated as a problematic child from the beginning.<br><br>\\r\\n …そういう扱いを受ければ、いろいろと不利益を被るのは誰にだってわかる。<br>\\r\\n ...I experienced lots of disadvantages as a result.<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、私もすぐそれに気付いたから、上辺は大人しく従うように演じ続けてきたのだ。<br>\\r\\n I realized that quickly, so I superficially pretended to be normal.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、いつの頃からそういう演技が退屈になってきて、地が出るようになっていた。<br>\\r\\n However, I got tired of acting, so I started to reveal my true self from time to time.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 問題児再び。<br>\\r\\n I became a problematic child once again.<br><br>\\r\\n 周りの態度も急激に硬化し始める。<br>\\r\\n People started to treat me differently once again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 斜な態度を取ることは、その場その場では確かに楽しい。<br>\\r\\n It's fun to misbehave.<br><br>\\r\\n …だが、トータルで見れば、何の得にもならないことは火を見るより明らかだ。<br>\\r\\n ...But it wouldn't do anything for me in the long run.<br><br>\\r\\n …それなのになぜ私はこんな態度を？<br>\\r\\n ...So, why did I act that way?<br><br>\\r\\n 後々損をするとわかって、何でこんな無意味な態度を…？<br>\\r\\n Why, even though I knew it was going to backfire on me later on?<br><br>\\r\\n ……冷静に自己分析を続けた結果、自分がすでにこの環境に限界を来していることを気付く。<br>\\r\\n ......After examining my emotions, I realized that I'd completely had it with my surroundings.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、この緩慢な温室の中で飼い殺されることを何よりも恐れていたのだ。<br>\\r\\n I was afraid of being brainwashed in this institution.<br><br>\\r\\n こんなところは、私の生きて行けるところではない。<br>\\r\\n I can't live here.<br><br>\\r\\n こんなところで、私を殺されてたまるものかー！<br>\\r\\n I won't let them brainwash me!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この生活から抜け出そう、脱走しようと思い立ったのが、ちょうど半年前だった。<br>\\r\\n Six months ago, I decided to escape this place.<br><br>\\r\\n 不思議なもので、脱走を生きる目的に掲げた途端に、私は生き生きとした生活を取り戻した。<br>\\r\\n The moment I made up my mind, I started to feel alive again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n シスターたちのマークを外すため、再び貞淑なフリを始めた。<br>\\r\\n I acted ladylike in order to deceive the sisters.<br><br>\\r\\n 脱走という最終目的のための布石と思えば、このフリはたまらなく面白いものだった。<br>\\r\\n Pretending became fun once I'd set my goal.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n シスターたちが、私が心を入れ替えて熱心に奉仕活動に励むのを見て、神様の御心のなせるワザがなんとやらとか言って、微笑みながら見守るのが、すっごく痒かったが。<br>\\r\\n It gave me the creeps when they told me with smiles that it was God's influence that I started to behave religiously.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はそれらに背を向けて、こっそり舌を出しながら、ニヤリと笑っていた。<br>\\r\\n I laughed at them behind their backs.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 学校敷地内のマップ、職員配置、警備体制をチェックするため、クラスメートの奉仕活動や当番も率先して引き受けた。<br>\\r\\n I took on my classmates' duties in order to understand the layout of the school, and the schedules of the staff and guards.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …調べてすぐにわかったのだが、各界の要人のご令嬢を預かるこの学校の警備体制は厳重だ。<br>\\r\\n ...I soon found out that the security of the school was immensely tight, because there were many daughters of important people living there.<br><br>\\r\\n 警備会社の人間がランダムに巡回し、校内各所に仕掛けられた防犯カメラによる監視網は鉄壁だった。<br>\\r\\n The guards walked their beat randomly. There were surveillance cameras everywhere.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 外部からの侵入者を警戒するこのシステムは、皮肉にも、私という脱走者を警戒するシステムとしても作用してしまっていたのだ。<br>\\r\\n The system that kept out intruders ironically also worked to prevent escapees.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、むしろそれは…私を大いに燃え上がらせた。<br>\\r\\n But... that excited me instead.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は頭の中で何度となく監視網をくぐり抜けるシミュレーションを繰り返す。<br>\\r\\n I simulated how to avoid all the surveillance in my head many times.<br><br>\\r\\n 授業中もノートの片隅に脱出経路を書き上げ、図上演習に徹した。<br>\\r\\n I drew an escape route in the corner of my notes during class and tested if it worked.<br><br>\\r\\n 脱出に必要なスキルをピックアップし、その習得にも努めた。<br>\\r\\n I strove to acquire any necessary skills for the escape.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それらは全部全部、とても面白かった。<br>\\r\\n It was all fun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …つまり結局、私はこういうことにカタルシスを感じる女な訳だ。<br>\\r\\n ...After all, the situation was cathartic for me.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は私。<br>\\r\\n That's who I am.<br><br>\\r\\n どう洗脳したって、私は私以外の人間にはならない。<br>\\r\\n No matter how hard they tried to brainwash me, I'd never change.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして、心技体が共に最高点に達する時期をひたすらに探った。<br>\\r\\n I'd been waiting for the moment of my escape, preparing physically and mentally.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n まず、脱走するための勇気、<br>\\r\\n First,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 度胸。<br>\\r\\n I needed the courage to escape.<br><br>\\r\\n これは、成功の裏付けや自信があって初めて作られる。<br>\\r\\n I had to be confident of the plan.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はそれを深めるため、なお一層、計画を煮詰めていった。<br>\\r\\n I had to think deeply about it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして、技術や体力。<br>\\r\\n I also needed skills and physical strength.<br><br>\\r\\n …脱走経路の中で、突破せざるを得ないいくつかの障害を想定し、自身の基礎体力増強に努めた。<br>\\r\\n ...I imagined all the possible obstacles and trained myself.<br><br>\\r\\n （面白いもので、そう割り切ると体育の授業もとても楽しいものだった。<br>\\r\\n (It was funny because I was finally able to enjoy gym classes,<br>\\r\\n 誰もがいやがる持久走すらも、楽しかったくらいだ）<br>\\r\\n even the long-distance runs.)\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 完璧な計画と、それを実行できる体力と技術。<br>\\r\\n I needed a perfect plan, as well as the physical strength and skills necessary to execute it.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、それらに裏打ちされた揺るぎない覚悟。<br>\\r\\n Also, supported by those things, I needed determination.<br><br>\\r\\n それら全てが揃ったことを確認し、私はゆっくりと温めてきた脱走計画を実行に移すことにした。<br>\\r\\n I made sure that I had all I needed, and executed the plan.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はＸデーを迎える前に、学校側にある種の爆弾を抱えさせることにしていた。<br>\\r\\n I decided to plant a seed in school before the appointed day.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その爆弾とはズバリ、校内に（わずかだが）いる男性教師の誰かが、一部生徒と密会を重ねている可能性を漂わせることだった。<br>\\r\\n The seed was a rumor that one of the male teachers was having a relationship with a student.<br><br>\\r\\n わざわざ説明しないが、この手の女子校では、それは致命的な問題になる。<br>\\r\\n I won't go into the details now, but that can turn into an enormous problem in this school.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……そもそも、そういうトラブルから遠ざけるための女子校だ。<br>\\r\\n ......The school is limited to girls precisely because their parents want to avoid those kind of problems.<br><br>\\r\\n しかも、預けている親たちは皆、各界の要人ばかり…。<br>\\r\\n Those parents are mostly important people from various positions.<br><br>\\r\\n 事実であり、かつ公になることがあれば…学長が首を吊るくらいでは済まされない。<br>\\r\\n If the romance was a fact and was leaked to the public, the principal would have to commit suicide in shame. In fact, even that might not be enough.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 女の世界は小さな噂が大きく広がる。<br>\\r\\n In the world of girls, rumors spread fast.<br><br>\\r\\n ましてや、育ち盛りでそういうことへの興味が尽きないのに、男のいる環境から隔離された連中だ。<br>\\r\\n Especially when they're separated from boys and are obsessed with dirty thoughts.<br><br>\\r\\n この手の噂が駆けめぐるのはとにかく速かった。<br>\\r\\n So, this kind of rumor goes around really quickly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n シスターたちは、そういう噂の払拭にやっきになり、下らない噂に過敏にならないようにと警告していた。<br>\\r\\n The sisters try to get rid of that kind of rumor, and they warn the students not to be swayed by it.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、一番過敏に反応していたのはほかならぬ学校側の方なのは、誰が見てもわかっていた。<br>\\r\\n But apparently, they're the ones who are most swayed by those rumors.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この爆弾を抱えさせることにより、学校は、何か不祥事が起こった時、警察や家庭に通報せず、内部で処理しようとする傾向に陥らすことができた。<br>\\r\\n This means that I managed to make them furtively deal with something shady, without contacting families or the authorities.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして、この状況下で上手に私が失踪すると…、一部教師が私を連れて駆け落ちしたようにも見えるのだ。<br>\\r\\n So, if I disappeared in these circumstances, it'd look like I ran away with some teacher.<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、男性教師たちは皆、口を揃えて否定するだろう。<br>\\r\\n All the male teachers would deny it, of course.<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん学校側は簡単にはそれを信じない。<br>\\r\\n However, the school wouldn't believe what they said so easily.<br><br>\\r\\n …何しろ学校内に、不貞な密会の噂がすでに確認されているのだから。<br>\\r\\n ...After all, there's a dirty rumor going around.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 学校側が全ての可能性を潰しきり、私が単独で脱走したことにいつかは気付くだろうが、<br>\\r\\n By the time the school finds out about my escape, after they eliminate all the other possibilities...<br>\\r\\n その頃には私は十二分な時間を得て、すでに彼方へ逃げ去っている……。<br>\\r\\n I'll be somewhere safe...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は噂を十分に浸透させ、さらに密会をしている生徒が私である可能性をうっすらと漂わせた。<br>\\r\\n I tried hard to spread the rumor that I was involved in the forbidden romance as widely as possible.<br><br>\\r\\n シスターに何度か問い詰められたが、何しろ密会話そのものがでっちあげなのだ。<br>\\r\\n The sisters questioned me a few times, but since the romance was something I'd made up, they couldn't find anything.<br><br>\\r\\n どう追及したって、アリバイこそあれ証拠など出て来ない。<br>\\r\\n No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't find any evidence.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、そういう特殊な土壌が十分に仕上がったことを、噂を流してから約３ヶ月目で確認した。<br>\\r\\n After three months, I was certain that I created a solid foundation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして私は、クラスメートから夕食後の当番のいくつかを個人的に代り、Ｘデーの夜に死角となる時間が重なるよう調整した。<br>\\r\\n I swapped after-dinner duties with my classmates so that I could adjust my schedule on this day.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その晩だけ私と代わって欲しい…という頼み込みは、クラスメートたちの心にほんのちょっとの不信感を植えつけることができる。<br>\\r\\n I was even able to fill them with suspicion about me by doing that.<br><br>\\r\\n この不信感の芽は、私が蒸発したあと、男性教師との駆け落ちという噂を生むための土壌になるのだ。<br>\\r\\n Now they'll definitely suspect I ran away with some male teacher.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして、Ｘデーの夜が訪れた。<br>\\r\\n Tonight was the night.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は食後のいくつかの当番のため、姿を消す。<br>\\r\\n I began my chores after dinner.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の失踪が発覚するのは、おそらく消灯時間だろう。<br>\\r\\n After lights-out, somebody will find out about my disappearance.<br><br>\\r\\n 寛大なルームメイトは、１０分くらいは待ってくれるだろうが、それ以上は待たずにシスターに通報する。<br>\\r\\n My generous roommate would probably wait about ten minutes before she reported me to a sister, but no longer than that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私に許される時間は、長めに見積もっても１時間ちょっと。<br>\\r\\n I had about an hour tops.<br><br>\\r\\n それだけの時間があれば十分…………！<br>\\r\\n But that's enough for me......!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n いつもの決められた順路を一歩離れる。<br>\\r\\n I took a step off my regular route.<br><br>\\r\\n その一歩こそが、自由への大脱走劇の幕開けだった。<br>\\r\\n That was the first step toward my great escape.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 冷静に冷静に考える…。<br>\\r\\n I calmed down and thought...<br><br>\\r\\n 自分が持ってきたカギは間違いがないはず。<br>\\r\\n The key shouldn't be wrong.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …この錠前は少々古くて固い。<br>\\r\\n ...This lock is old and firm.<br><br>\\r\\n ひょっとして、正解のカギを入れたけれども、固くて回せず、私がハズレのカギだと思い込んでしまっただけでは……？<br>\\r\\n Isn't it possible that I put the right one in, but the lock was just stiff, and I only thought I got the wrong one?<br><br>\\r\\n 自分でも自覚しているが、今の私は少し緊張気味で、普段よりも不器用になっていると思う。<br>\\r\\n I realized that my nervousness was making me clumsy.<br><br>\\r\\n 指紋を残さないためにしているこの軍手も、手先を不器用にしてしまっているに違いない。<br>\\r\\n The gloves that I'm wearing to avoid leaving fingerprints must be getting in the way, too.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……もう一度、冷静にトライしてみよう…。<br>\\r\\n ......I should try the keys one more time...<br><br>\\r\\n ……一番、そうだと思えるカギをもう一度鍵穴にさして…そぅっと……。<br>\\r\\n ...I picked the most probable one, and gently inserted it into the keyhole...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …固い。<br>\\r\\n ...It's stiff.<br><br>\\r\\n …無理にねじれば、カギの方が壊れてしまうのではと思った。<br>\\r\\n ...If I twist it too strongly, I might break the key.<br><br>\\r\\n さすがに諦めようと思った瞬間、グリッとした手応え。<br>\\r\\n The moment I thought of giving up, I felt something in my fingertips......<br>\\r\\n ……開いた！<br>\\r\\n The key worked!<br><br>\\r\\n 扉を少し開く。<br>\\r\\n I slowly opened the door.<br><br>\\r\\n さっきから聞こえていた虫の音が、より大きくなって漏れ出してきた。<br>\\r\\n I could hear the crickets.<br><br>\\r\\n 今さら躊躇する甘えなどない。<br>\\r\\n I don't have to hesitate now,<br>\\r\\n それでも、外へ出るのにわずかの戸惑いがあった。<br>\\r\\n but somehow I'm reluctant to step outside.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 少なくとも、今いるここまでは言い訳が効く。<br>\\r\\n I can still make excuses up to this point.<br><br>\\r\\n 苦し紛れにせよ、何とか言い逃れが出来る。<br>\\r\\n It might look awkward, but I still can.<br><br>\\r\\n ……だが、ここから先にはそういう甘えはない。<br>\\r\\n ......But if I take a step outside now, there can be no excuse.<br><br>\\r\\n 警備員たちが巡回し、見つかればたとえ生徒であっても事務室へ連行される。<br>\\r\\n If the guards find me, they'll take me to the office immediately.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 過去にも脱走しようとした輩がいたらしい。<br>\\r\\n There have been escape attempts before.<br><br>\\r\\n …そりゃそうだ。<br>\\r\\n ...That's not really so strange.<br><br>\\r\\n 私だけが異端だとは思わない。<br>\\r\\n I don't think I'm the only heathen here.<br><br>\\r\\n 私のように、この環境に適応できない人間が過去にもいたのは頷ける。<br>\\r\\n It's understandable that there have been people belore who couldn't fit in this place.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だからこそ学校側は、生徒の脱走を、ありえる事態だとして認識していた。<br>\\r\\n So the school is well aware of the possibility of escapees.<br><br>\\r\\n ……脱走を捕まった生徒の処遇は、<br>\\r\\n ...I've heard rumors about what happened to those who were caught while attempting to escape.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………いくつかの噂を聞いているが、どれも信じたくない。<br>\\r\\n ...I don't want to believe any of those stories, though.<br><br><br>\\r\\n …この学校にまつわる怪談には、いつも脱走未遂の生徒が絡むからだ。<br>\\r\\n ...You see, all the school's horror stories involved students who attempted escapes.<br><br>\\r\\n ……くそったれ…、上等じゃないの…。<br>\\r\\n ...Whatever... Bring it on...<br><br>\\r\\n 私だって、ここでしくじったら、次のチャンスがあるなんて甘えるつもりはない。<br>\\r\\n I'm not expecting to get a second chance anyway.<br><br>\\r\\n …いつだってチャンスはたったの一回。<br>\\r\\n ...There'll always be only one chance.<br><br>\\r\\n この扉から先こそが…正念場…！！<br>\\r\\n Things get serious beyond this door...!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 自らを奮起し、…扉を押し開ける。<br>\\r\\n I psyched myself up and... pushed the door open.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 外気は鮮烈な匂いがした。<br>\\r\\n A strong smell was hanging in the air.<br><br>\\r\\n 普段嗅いでいる空気にこんなにも強烈な匂いがあったっけ…？<br>\\r\\n Is that normal for the outside?<br><br>\\r\\n こんな、むわっとするような青臭い匂いを嗅いだことはなかった。<br>\\r\\n I'd never smelled this strong grassy smell before.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 何か普段と違う事態が発生している…？<br>\\r\\n Is there something going on...?<br><br>\\r\\n 注意した方がいい？<br>\\r\\n Do I have to be wary of it?<br><br>\\r\\n 今夜は大人しくカギを返してチャンスを改めた方がいい…？<br>\\r\\n Should I go back and wait for another chance...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……馬鹿をいうな。<br>\\r\\n ......That's silly.<br><br>\\r\\n 何も普段と変わる事などない。<br>\\r\\n There's nothing strange going on.<br><br>\\r\\n これはいつも嗅いでいる空気の匂い。<br>\\r\\n This smell is something I smell every day.<br><br>\\r\\n …私が普段、気にも止めないいつもの外気の匂い。<br>\\r\\n ...I just wasn't aware of it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n つまりはそういうこと。<br>\\r\\n It's true, isn't it?<br><br>\\r\\n 冷静沈着を気取る私にも、人並みに焦ったり緊張したりする心があるわけだ…。<br>\\r\\n Even though I pretend to be cool, I'm nothing but a nervous wreck...<br><br>\\r\\n ……落ち着け、自分。<br>\\r\\n ...Calm down...<br>\\r\\n …落ち着け、詩音…！<br>\\r\\n Calm down, Shion...!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ここからは頭の中にある地図だけが武器だ。<br>\\r\\n I can rely only on the map inside my head from this point onward.<br><br>\\r\\n 監視カメラの位置は今日までに全て探った。<br>\\r\\n I'd researched the locations of all the surveillance cameras.<br><br>\\r\\n …それらを欺く自信はあるが、一番問題なのはカメラじゃない。<br>\\r\\n ...I'm confident that I'll be able to avoid all of them,<br>\\r\\n 警備員だ。<br>\\r\\n but I'm not sure about the guards.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 警備員の巡視時間と巡視ルートは完全にランダムで、読みきれない。<br>\\r\\n They pick their patrol routes randomly, after all.<br><br>\\r\\n 本当の意味での出たとこ勝負。<br>\\r\\n I have to take a chance.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 身を隠せる場所はまだいい。<br>\\r\\n I can hide myself in most places...<br><br>\\r\\n だが、どうしてもやり過ごせない危険地帯が約数十メートルある。<br>\\r\\n But there's an area where there's nowhere to hide for several meters.<br><br>\\r\\n 精神を研ぎ澄まし、五感を鋭くする。<br>\\r\\n I concentrated to keep my senses keen.<br><br>\\r\\n ……ま、何だかんだと言ったって、結局のところ最後は運だ。<br>\\r\\n ......Well, I have to depend on my luck in the end.<br><br>\\r\\n どんなに私がベストを尽くしても、ちょっと巡り合わせが悪ければアウト。<br>\\r\\n Even if I do my best, the guard might find me by mere chance.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 逆に、私がどんないい加減な計画で動いたとしても、運が良ければ何でもＯＫになるということでもある。<br>\\r\\n On the contrary, I might be able to get away no matter how unwisely I choose to move, if I'm lucky.<br><br>\\r\\n ……ちぇ、私は今日まで積み重ねてきた努力なんて、そんな程度のもんだとはね。<br>\\r\\n ......Damn. After all that effort, it just boils down to luck?<br><br>\\r\\n あはは、こういうのをギャンブルって言うんだろうな。<br>\\r\\n Aha ha. This is a gamble after all.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 自分の行為が博打だと気付くと、何だか緊張の奥底からわくわくする気持ちがこみ上げて来た。<br>\\r\\n When I realized that, I got excited.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そうさ、これはギャンブル。<br>\\r\\n Yes, this is a gamble.<br>\\r\\n 運試し。<br>\\r\\n I'm trying my luck.<br><br>\\r\\n 私、園崎詩音が、自分の意思で生活を一変させようとするこの決意を占う、運試しなのだ。<br>\\r\\n This is a game to test the determination to change my life.<br><br>\\r\\n この程度の学校から抜け出すのに、失敗して捕まってしまう程度の運気なら、仮に自由の身になれたとしても、ろくな未来などあるものか。<br>\\r\\n If somebody failed to escape from this school, that meant they didn't have enough luck to survive in the real world.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は違う。<br>\\r\\n But I'm different.<br><br>\\r\\n ここから踏み出す。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to get out of here.<br>\\r\\n 私自身の運気を試してやる。<br>\\r\\n I'm testing my luck.<br>\\r\\n さぁ…行くぞ、詩音！<br>\\r\\n Here goes, Shion!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n うるさい虫どもの声だけを選別消去して、不審な音だけを抽出する。<br>\\r\\n I ignored the noisy bugs and concentrated only on suspicious sounds.<br><br>\\r\\n ……気配、ゼロ。<br>\\r\\n ......I heard no threats...<br>\\r\\n …一番うるさいのは虫の声より自分の心音。<br>\\r\\n ...The loudest sound wasn't the bugs--it was my own heartbeat.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n じゃり。<br>\\r\\n Crunch.<br><br>\\r\\n …自分の足音すら、やかましくて鼓膜が破れそうだった…。<br>\\r\\n ...Even my own footsteps were so loud they could break my eardrums...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 一歩、歩くごとに私の想像力たくましきお頭は、警備員との予期せぬ遭遇を予感させて苛んだ。<br>\\r\\n With each and every step, my overactive imagination tormented me with premonitions of unexpected run-ins with guards.<br><br>\\r\\n その責め苦に耐え切れなくなり、走り出そうと何度思ったことか。<br>\\r\\n Countless times that torture grew too hard to bear, and I thought of running.<br>\\r\\n ……だが、無様に走れば不穏な騒音を掻き立てるだけだ。<br>\\r\\n ...But if I broke into a run, the noise I made would only draw suspicion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 人がいてはいけない場所、時間帯に走る音が聞こえれば、誰だって何か異常な事態だと勘付く。<br>\\r\\n If anyone heard running at a time and place where people shouldn't be, they would realize something abnormal was happening.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 仮に聞かれたとしたって、ただ歩く音なら、まだしも疑問には思わない。<br>\\r\\n But if the footsteps they heard were just walking, then they'd likely think nothing of it.<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん私は、その歩く音すら聞かせるつもりはなかった。<br>\\r\\n Of course, I don't plan on even letting them hear those footsteps.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 五感を研ぎ澄まし、視界に収まる以上の情報を採取することに努めた。<br>\\r\\n I tried to extend my senses to get as much information as possible.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、いくら耳を澄ませても、何の気配も感じられなかった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't sense anyone's presence.<br><br>\\r\\n ……せめて、どこか遠くにいる警備員の気配でも感じられた方が、まだ安心できたかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n ......I might have felt safer if I heard a guard in the distance.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 何も聞こえないということは、周囲が安全であると教えるよりも、自分のセンサーがこの上なく鈍感で、頼りないものなのではないかと不安がらせる方が強かったからだ。<br>\\r\\n I'm worried that my senses might not be keen enough to detect everything.<br><br>\\r\\n 実はすぐ近くに誰かいて、…間抜けにも私がそれに気付いていないだけなのでは…。<br>\\r\\n Somebody might be right behind me... without me being aware of it...<br><br>\\r\\n そう思うと、自分の足音さえ消したくて、時に歩みを止めたりもした。<br>\\r\\n I didn't want to make any noise, so I stopped from time to time.<br><br>\\r\\n ……これじゃ、足がすくんでいるのと変わらない…。<br>\\r\\n ...It's like I'm constantly fidgeting...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 立ち止まるか、走り出すか。<br>\\r\\n To stop or to run...<br>\\r\\n そのどちらかを内側の自分が強要してくる。<br>\\r\\n something within urged me to choose from either one.<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん立ち止まっては駄目だ。<br>\\r\\n I can't choose to stop.<br><br>\\r\\n 慎重に、だけれども迅速に進まなければ何の意味もない。<br>\\r\\n I have to keep going quickly and stealthily.<br><br>\\r\\n …私は、ここに居続けるだけでも、常にリスクを累積しているのだから。<br>\\r\\n ...I'm already risking so much just by being here.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして走り出すことは愚の骨頂。<br>\\r\\n Running, of course, would be absurd.<br><br>\\r\\n …あぁ、そんなことはわかっているのに……！<br>\\r\\n ...Ah, I know that......!<br>\\r\\n 走り出したくなる衝動を抑えるのが…苦しい。<br>\\r\\n The urge to run continued to bug me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ほんの数十メートルの危険地帯を抜けるまで、私はずっと、それらのことで頭をいっぱいにしていた。<br>\\r\\n My head was filled with those thoughts as I went through this dangerous territory.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n やがて、誰の気配も感じず、もちろん誰にも出くわすことがなく、抜け切ったことを知った時。<br>\\r\\n I succeed in passing through without running into anybody.<br><br>\\r\\n …私はその場にしゃがみ込んで、肺いっぱいに溜まった、腐った空気を吐き出さずにはいられなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...I couldn't help but sit for a moment and exhale the rotten air from my lungs.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………ネガティブな感情が一気に引っ込む。<br>\\r\\n ......My negative thoughts vanished quickly.<br><br>\\r\\n ……もう一息だ。<br>\\r\\n ......Just a little more to go.<br>\\r\\n …もう一息！<br>\\r\\n ...Just a little more!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そこの茂みを抜ければ、そこは外界と敷地を隔てる柵だ。<br>\\r\\n Just through that bush over there is the fence that separates this place and the outside world.<br><br>\\r\\n 今にも走り出したい衝動は、どんどん強くなる。<br>\\r\\n Once again, I strongly felt the urge to run.<br><br>\\r\\n …私はそれを理性でぐっと抑えこみながら、慎重に最後の関門に臨んだ………。<br>\\r\\n ...I suppressed that desire and carefully tackled the final step......\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 学園の敷地を囲む洋風な柵は、美観上は優秀だったが、防犯上はそれほど優秀ではないようだった。<br>\\r\\n The beautiful-looking fence didn't seem designed to prevent escapes.<br><br>\\r\\n 柵をよじ登るという、無防備な姿を発見されやしないかとずっとびくびくしていたが、幸いにもそれはなかった。<br>\\r\\n While I was worried that somebody might see me climbing up the fence, it fortunately didn't happen.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この柵に、接触感知の警報装置があるかもしれないという、妄想にも苛まれた。<br>\\r\\n It's even possible that this fence might have a touch sensor.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …だが、もう遅い。<br>\\r\\n ...It's too late now.<br><br>\\r\\n こうしてよじ登っている今、そんな妄想に心を許すことそのものに意味がない。<br>\\r\\n It doesn't mean anything now, since I'm already climbing up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 柵のてっぺんから地面までは、２ｍはあったかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n From the top, the fence seemed about seven feet high.<br><br>\\r\\n 慎重に登ったんだから、降りるときも慎重に。<br>\\r\\n I have to go down carefully, just like when I climbed up.<br><br>\\r\\n ……理屈ではそうだったが、そこが私の理性の限界だった。<br>\\r\\n ......I knew that logically, but I couldn't think that way anymore.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は臆すことなく、その高さから飛び降りることを選ぶ。<br>\\r\\n I chose to jump off with no hesitation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、自由落下に身を任せてから少しは後悔した。<br>\\r\\n Of course, I regretted my decision during the fall.<br><br>\\r\\n 落下時特有の、ふわっとした感覚が、自分が予想したよりもずっと長かったので、落下しながら怖くなった。<br>\\r\\n I got scared because the flight was longer than I expected.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 綺麗に着地できず、尻餅を付く。<br>\\r\\n I didn't land beautifully. I fell onto my butt.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、誰も笑う人はいないし、私だってそんなことに照れ笑いをするゆとりなんかなかった。<br>\\r\\n But there was nobody around to laugh, and I didn't have time to be embarrassed.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が飛び降りた時に出した、最後の轟音が誰かの興味を引かなかったか、周囲を見回して探る。<br>\\r\\n I looked around to see if anybody heard my landing.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして、合唱を続ける虫たちすら、そんな音には関心を示していないことを知り、私はようやく胸を撫で下ろすのだった…。<br>\\r\\n Even the crickets weren't interested in the sound I made. I felt relieved...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 腕時計を見る。<br>\\r\\n I looked at my watch.<br><br>\\r\\n 時間は…２０時５分前。<br>\\r\\n ...Five minutes till 8 PM.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …わずか１５分ちょいの脱走劇だった。<br>\\r\\n ...It was just a fifteen-minute escape.<br><br>\\r\\n 数字に直すと、いかに短い時間だったかがわかる。<br>\\r\\n Putting a number to it really made it obvious how short it had been.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この１５分間にしたことを振り返れば、…一番占めているのは多分、あれこれと自問自答する躊躇の時間だったように思う。<br>\\r\\n Looking back, most of the time I was just asking myself questions and hesitating.<br><br>\\r\\n ……取り越し苦労って言うんだろうな。<br>\\r\\n ......I guess I worried too much.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だがまだ気を許してはいけない。<br>\\r\\n But I can't be too relaxed just yet.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が監視カメラを全て欺けた保証はないのだ。<br>\\r\\n There's no guarantee that I fooled all the cameras.<br><br>\\r\\n 別にここは銀行とかではない。<br>\\r\\n This place isn't a bank.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の影を仮に警備員が認めたとしても、防犯ベルが鳴り響く訳じゃない。<br>\\r\\n There won't be a fire alarm going off even if the guards did see me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私がこうしてのんびりしている間にも、警備員たちがすぐそこまで来ているかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n It's possible they're rushing this way right now.<br><br>\\r\\n 自由の空気を胸いっぱいに吸い込むには、まだちょっと早いのだ。<br>\\r\\n I can't enjoy the air of freedom yet.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それから、暗がりに身を隠し、時間を待った。<br>\\r\\n I hid myself in the darkness and waited.<br><br>\\r\\n 予め決められた時間まで、あと少しだった。<br>\\r\\n There's still time left until the rendezvous.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 時間を待つ間、学園の敷地内に目を凝らすが、何も変わった動きは見られなかった。<br>\\r\\n I watched the school premises while waiting, but it looked like nothing strange was going on.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n こうして、お上品にライトアップされている西洋建築の建物を見ていると、ますますこれが学校であるとは思えなくなる。<br>\\r\\n The building was lit up, and the beautiful Western-style architecture made it hard to believe that it was a school.<br><br>\\r\\n ……収容施設ならそれらしく、電流鉄線とサーチライト、ドーベルマンで警戒してろってんだ。<br>\\r\\n ......It should be armed with electrifying wires, searchlights, and guard dogs, like the prison it is.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n こういう時、学園で過してきた数々の思い出が走馬灯のように過ぎるのかな、と思っていたが。<br>\\r\\n I thought I'd experience a surge of school memories in a situation like this,<br>\\r\\n そんなことは全然なかった。<br>\\r\\n but it didn't happen.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そういう時の走馬灯ってのは、いい思い出を振り返るためにあるべきだ。<br>\\r\\n That sort of thing only happens when you have good memories.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はこの学園でいい思いなんか全然しなかったから、過ぎるべき走馬灯の映像が存在しない。<br>\\r\\n I have no good memories of this school, so there's nothing to remember.<br><br>\\r\\n …もしも、あえて走馬灯で良き思い出の映像を流すとしたら、豪華絢爛なディナーの数々だけかもしれないな。<br>\\r\\n ...But if I could pick a series of images to recall, it'd be the luxurious dinners we had every night.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だとすると私が見るべき走馬灯は、和食や洋食、中華やフランス料理なんかばっかりが過ぎることになる。<br>\\r\\n So, my memories would be nothing but international cuisine: Japanese, Chinese, French and so on...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……なんだそりゃ。<br>\\r\\n ......What the hell?<br><br>\\r\\n さすがにこの想像はおかしかった。<br>\\r\\n That's just too funny.<br>\\r\\n 思わず吹き出してしまう。<br>\\r\\n I burst into laughter.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……やがて、車が近付いてくる音がした。<br>\\r\\n ...At that point, I heard a car approaching.<br><br>\\r\\n 再び暗がりに身をかがめる。<br>\\r\\n I crouched in the darkness.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 事前に連絡のあったナンバー。<br>\\r\\n The plate number is the same as I was expecting...<br>\\r\\n …間違いない。<br>\\r\\n That's the car.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は飛び出して、徐行した車の助手席側に駆け寄り、ドアを開けて飛び込んだ。<br>\\r\\n I jumped out and rushed to the passenger side, then opened the door and got in.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「お勤めご苦労さまです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Nice to see you,<br>\\r\\n 詩音さん。」<br>\\r\\n Shion-san.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 運転席には初老の男。<br>\\r\\n The driver was a man of early old age.<br><br>\\r\\n ……初老と言ったら本人は怒る。<br>\\r\\n ......He'd be angry if he heard me say that, though.<br>\\r\\n 本人はまだ中年のつもりだ。<br>\\r\\n He thinks he's still middle-aged.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が無事で、その表情から万事うまく行ったことを悟ると、にやっと笑った。<br>\\r\\n He looked at my face and learned that I succeeded. He smiled.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「シャバの空気は久しぶり〜。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, the air feels so fresh!<br>\\r\\n あ〜とにかく今は銀シャリが食いたいかな！」<br>\\r\\n I wanna eat a burger for a start!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Aha ha ha ha!<br>\\r\\n …学園では上品なお料理ばかりが出てると聞いてましたが。<br>\\r\\n ...I heard they serve excellent food in the school, but...<br>\\r\\n 詩音さんにだけは麦飯が出ていたんですか？」<br>\\r\\n I suppose you were served nothing but gruel, huh?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ばぁか、そんなわけないでしょ？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"No way, dumbass!!<br>\\r\\n 冗談に決まってるじゃない。<br>\\r\\n I was just kidding.<br>\\r\\n ほら、笑ってる暇があったら、とっととアクセルをふかす！」<br>\\r\\n Step on the gas if you have time to laugh at me!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「はいはい。仰せのままに…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"As you wish...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は苦笑いを隠そうともせずに、げらげらと笑うと、私にシートベルトを促してから、一気に車を加速させた。<br>\\r\\n Kasai really did laugh out loud. After telling me to buckle up, he accelerated.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 瀟洒なヨーロッパの寺院のような学園は、あっと言う間にバックミラーから消えてしまう。<br>\\r\\n The cathedral-like school disappeared from the mirror in an instant.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あまりに情緒なく消えていったので、私には和洋中の絢爛なディナーの走馬灯を見る時間はまるでなかった。<br>\\r\\n It disappeared so quick that I didn't have time for a surge of dinner memories.<br><br>\\r\\n さよなら、我が愛しの学園生活！<br>\\r\\n Goodbye, my lovely school days!<br><br>\\r\\n 見てろよ、私は上品にされた胃袋を、今日から下品なジャンクフードで満たしてやるからな。<br>\\r\\n Ha ha! I'm going to fill my stomach with junk food from now on!<br><br>\\r\\n お前らに叩き込まれたテーブルマナーなんかとは、一生無縁な食生活を送ってやる！<br>\\r\\n I'll forever be free from the table manners you taught me!<br>\\r\\n あっはは！<br>\\r\\n Aha!<br>\\r\\n ざまぁ見ろ！<br>\\r\\n Serves you right!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 欧州の一角なのでは…と勘違いさせられかねないお洒落な雰囲気は、<br>\\r\\n As we drove, the scenery began to change.<br>\\r\\n しばらく走ると、広大な畑と冴えない街灯の風景に早変わりしていった。<br>\\r\\n Soon we were surrounded by vast fields of crops and few streetlights.<br><br>\\r\\n 私もようやく、ここが日本の片田舎であることを思い出せた。<br>\\r\\n It reminded me that this was just the countryside of Japan, not Europe.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「お腹は空いてないですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Are you hungry?<br>\\r\\n どこか飯の食えるところへ寄りましょうか？」<br>\\r\\n Would you like me to stop somewhere to eat?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「食事してるからいい。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's okay. I already ate.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ちょっぴり嘘だった。<br>\\r\\n I lied.<br><br>\\r\\n 本当はちょっとお腹が空いている。<br>\\r\\n I'm actually a bit hungry.<br><br>\\r\\n 動きが鈍くなるのを嫌って、今日の夕食は少ししか手を付けなかったからだ。<br>\\r\\n I didn't eat much at dinner to avoid slowing myself down with a full stomach.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 葛西の提案はとても嬉しかったが、今の私には、帰るべき土地よりも敵地に近いこの土地で、のんびりと食事を嗜む気には到底なれなかった。<br>\\r\\n I appreciated Kasai's offer, but I didn't feel like taking the time to eat while we were still in enemy territory.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「この時間ですから、高速に上がってしまうとＳＡ寄っても、自販機しかないですよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's late, so you'll find only vending machines at the highway rest stops....<br>\\r\\n …まぁ、最近はハンバーガーとかの自販機もありますけどね。<br>\\r\\n Oh, I've heard there are hamburger<br>\\r\\n そうそう、聞いた話では最近じゃ、おでんの自販機もあるって話です。」<br>\\r\\n and oden vending machines nowadays.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「はぁ？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh?!<br>\\r\\n 何それ！<br>\\r\\n What the hell?<br>\\r\\n コーヒーの自動販売機みたいに、器がぽろっと出て来て、押したボタンの具がボトボトって落ちてくるわけ…？？<br>\\r\\n Will that dispense a cup and the ingredients, like a coffee vending machine...?<br>\\r\\n 気持ち悪〜〜〜。」<br>\\r\\n That's gross!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あはは、そういうのじゃないらしいですよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Aha ha, I don't think it's like that.<br>\\r\\n おでんの缶詰になってるそうで、それがゴロンと出てくるらしいんです。」<br>\\r\\n It usually comes in a can.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…あ、ごめん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Uh, sorry.<br>\\r\\n 缶詰はパス。」<br>\\r\\n I can't stand canned food.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「缶詰、……相変わらず駄目なんですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Still...?<br>\\r\\n もう子供じゃないでしょうに。」<br>\\r\\n I thought you might have grown out of it.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…嫌なもんは嫌なのー。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I haven't because I can't.<br>\\r\\n うっさいなぁ。<br>\\r\\n Shut up.<br>\\r\\n もー何、笑ってんのー！」<br>\\r\\n Why are you laughing?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西はくっくっくと笑っていた。<br>\\r\\n Kasai chuckled.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の緊張をほぐすために、いろいろと話しかけてくれてるんだろうなと思った。<br>\\r\\n He must have been trying to help me relax.<br><br>\\r\\n …葛西は本来、こんなにもお喋りな男ではない。<br>\\r\\n ...He isn't usually so talkative.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私ゃ疲れちゃったよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm exhausted.<br>\\r\\n 少し寝させてもらいます。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to get some sleep...<br>\\r\\n …これ、リクライニングどうやって倒すの？」<br>\\r\\n How do I recline this?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そっちの左側の根元を探ってみて下さい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Look for the lever on the lower left part of the seat.<br>\\r\\n レバーみたいなのがありませんか？」<br>\\r\\n Can you find it?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ん、あったあった。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, here it is......<br>\\r\\n ……よっこらしょっと。」<br>\\r\\n Here I go.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西が、また陽気にけらけらと笑う。<br>\\r\\n Kasai laughed again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「何か面白いこと、私した？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Did I do something funny?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「いえいえ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"No...<br>\\r\\n …よっこらしょ、なんていう若くない言葉遣いが、どことなく魅音さんに似ておられたもので。」<br>\\r\\n It's just that the way you talked sounded like Mion-san.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …そりゃそうだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Well, obviously.<br><br>\\r\\n 私も魅音も、一卵性の双生児。<br>\\r\\n Mion and I are identical twins.<br>\\r\\n 互いが互いの完全なるコピーなのだ。<br>\\r\\n We're perfect copies of each other.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が何かに反応を示せば、魅音もまた同じ反応を示す。<br>\\r\\n When I react to something, so will Mion.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音が反応を示したものなら、同じ状況になれば、私もまったく同じ反応を示す。<br>\\r\\n When Mion reacts to something in a certain situation, I'll react the same way.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「お姉は元気？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"How's sis?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「多分元気かと。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I believe she's fine.<br>\\r\\n 私も親族会議の席に親父さんをお連れする時に、少しすれ違う程度ですし。」<br>\\r\\n I only see her when I bring your father to the family councils.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そっか、お姉はもう実家じゃないんだったね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right, she doesn't live in our parents' home anymore.<br>\\r\\n 雛見沢の鬼婆のとこだっけ？」<br>\\r\\n She's living with the hag in Hinamizawa now, isn't she?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音さんが学園に入られるのと一緒の時期に、園崎本家に移られました。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"She moved into the main house around the same time you started going to that school.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …ふぅん、と、自分から聞いておきながら、私は興味なさそうな返事を返す。<br>\\r\\n ...I responded with disinterest even though I was the one to ask about her in the first place.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 園崎本家ってのは、平たく言うと、園崎家頭首である園崎お魎の実家。<br>\\r\\n The main house is where Oryou (the current leader of the Sonozaki family) lives.<br><br>\\r\\n つまり鬼婆の実家のことを指す。<br>\\r\\n That's my grandma, who I call a hag.<br><br>\\r\\n ……もっとも、園崎本家という言葉を使う時、それは単に家を指す以上の意味で使われることが多い。<br>\\r\\n ......But when we use the phrase 'the main house', that usually means more than just a dwelling.<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西がここで使った園崎本家という言葉も、ご多分に漏れずそういう意味だ。<br>\\r\\n What Kasai refers to is the same thing.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……少しは変わった？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Did she change?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「魅音さんがですか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"You mean Mion-san?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah...<br>\\r\\n ……あの鬼婆と朝から晩まで顔を合わせてりゃ、少しは変わるでしょ。」<br>\\r\\n I think she has to have changed if she's living so closely with the hag.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は、くっくっく！ と笑いを漏らす。<br>\\r\\n Kasai chuckled yet again.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が鬼婆を嫌ってるのを知っているからだ。<br>\\r\\n He knows I hate my grandma.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私が見る限り、変わったようには感じません。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I haven't noticed any changes...<br>\\r\\n …詩音さんの知っている魅音さんのままですよ。」<br>\\r\\n She's still the Mion-san you know.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「私はどう？<br>\\r\\n \\\"What about me?<br>\\r\\n …私は変わった？」<br>\\r\\n ...Did I change?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「いいえ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"No,<br>\\r\\n 全然。」<br>\\r\\n not at all.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は悪戯っぽく笑いながら即答した。<br>\\r\\n Kasai responded quickly with a smirk.<br><br>\\r\\n ……だいぶしばらくぶりに会ったってのに、こうもあっさり即答されると、それはそれで面白くない。<br>\\r\\n ......I haven't seen him for a while, though. It's not fun if he answers this quickly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私がむぅ…っと睨んでいるのに気付くと、葛西は堪えきれなくなったのか、笑いを爆発させた。<br>\\r\\n I glared at him... and then he burst out laughing.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Aha ha ha!<br>\\r\\n 全然変わっておられませんよ。<br>\\r\\n You haven't changed at all.<br>\\r\\n あれだけのお嬢様学校に入られたのに、まったく変わらないというのは驚くに値します。<br>\\r\\n That's admirable, since you've been in such a strict school for so long!<br>\\r\\n くっくっくっく…！」<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh heh...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ちぇ〜〜。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Damn it...<br>\\r\\n 好きなだけ笑ってろー！<br>\\r\\n Laugh as much as you want!<br>\\r\\n 私ゃ寝るよ、寝るー！」<br>\\r\\n I'm going to sleep!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「後ろの席に毛布がありますよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"There's a blanket in the back.<br>\\r\\n 使ってください。」<br>\\r\\n Please make use of it.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ん、ありがと。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Um, thanks.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 毛布を引ったくり、それでぐるっと身に包む。<br>\\r\\n I grabbed the blanket and rolled up in it.<br><br>\\r\\n あれだけ疲れを感じていたのに、いざこうして眠る体勢を作ると、一向に眠気が訪れないから不思議なものだった。<br>\\r\\n I'm exhausted, but I can't go to sleep. It's strange.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんなことはない。<br>\\r\\n Or maybe not.<br><br>\\r\\n 体も心も、慣れない脱走劇に緊張しきっていて疲れているはずだ。<br>\\r\\n I must be tired from the escape.<br><br>\\r\\n それを感じないのは、まだ緊張が冷めていないだけ。<br>\\r\\n It's just that I'm still feeling tense.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、自分に今のうちに寝ておけと命令するため、あえて口に出してもう一度言う。<br>\\r\\n So, I have to declare it once again, if only to calm myself.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「寝る！<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm sleeping!<br>\\r\\n 私ゃ寝るよー！」<br>\\r\\n I totally am!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「はいはい、さっきからもう三回目です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"All right. It's the third time you said that.<br>\\r\\n それとも私が許可しないと寝れないんですか？」<br>\\r\\n Do I have to give you permission to sleep?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「今日のあんたは喋り過ぎー！<br>\\r\\n \\\"You're talking too much!<br>\\r\\n あんたが少し黙っててくんないと眠気も引っ込んじゃう！」<br>\\r\\n I can't go to sleep if you don't quiet down!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「失礼しました姫君。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I apologize, princess.<br>\\r\\n ではしばらく黙らせてもらいます。<br>\\r\\n I'll keep quiet now...<br>\\r\\n …くっくっく…！」<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh...!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 葛西とのどうでもいいお喋りは、私がまだ興宮の町で平凡に暮らしていたころを思い出させる。<br>\\r\\n This interaction with Kasai reminded me of the old peaceful days in Okinomiya.<br><br>\\r\\n もっともあの頃の生活を、平凡と言っていいかはわからない。<br>\\r\\n Well, I don't really know if I can call those days peaceful.<br><br>\\r\\n ダム戦争の渦中にあって、朝から晩まで大騒ぎの日々だった。<br>\\r\\n We were in the middle of the dam protests back then, after all.<br><br>\\r\\n みんなで結束し、今考えれば、かなりヤバイことをたくさんしてのけたものだ。<br>\\r\\n We all united together, and now that I think about it, we pulled a lot of pretty dangerous stunts.<br><br>\\r\\n ひとつひとつ掘り起こされたら、間違いなく年少送りは免れない。<br>\\r\\n If the authorities ever find out what I did, I'd never escape going to juvie...<br>\\r\\n ……というか、雛見沢の人間の半分くらいは刑務所送りになるかもしれないな。<br>\\r\\n ...Well, at least half the people in Hinamizawa would be off to prison.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも、あれは犯罪として行ったものじゃない。<br>\\r\\n We didn't think of them as criminal acts, though.<br><br>\\r\\n そう、戦争だった。<br>\\r\\n It was a war.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 戦争という側面を持ちながらも、同時にあれはお祭でもあったかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n It might also have been a festival.<br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢に連なる全ての人間が結束して立ち向かう、お祭だった。<br>\\r\\n A festival where every person in Hinamizawa joined together in protest.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 苛烈な戦いだったけど、それはそれで今にして思えば楽しかった。<br>\\r\\n It was a struggle, but it was also fun.<br><br>\\r\\n 機動隊にみんなで石を投げつけたのだって、面白かった。<br>\\r\\n It was fun to throw stones at the SWAT team with everybody.<br><br>\\r\\n 警官に追っかけられて誰かの家に駆け込みかくまってもらったり。<br>\\r\\n We hid ourselves in somebody's home when they chased after us.<br><br>\\r\\n 捕まった仲間の釈放を求めて警察署に詰め掛けたり。<br>\\r\\n We'd even go crowd around the police station, demanding the release of our arrested comrades.<br><br>\\r\\n 工事現場に侵入していろんな妨害工作を行ったのは、戦争というより、戦争ごっこに近い感覚だった。<br>\\r\\n When we snuck into the construction site and sabotaged it, it felt more like we were playing at war than conducting one.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n どきどき、わくわくした。<br>\\r\\n I got so excited back then.<br><br>\\r\\n …顔も知らない仲間たちと共にする連帯感は、今思い出しても、胸が熱くなる。<br>\\r\\n ...I felt united with my fellow members, even though they were strangers to me, and that memory warms my heart.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう、あの感じは…祭のお神輿を担いでみんなで村中を練り歩き、汗だくになってへとへとになって。<br>\\r\\n Yes, the way it felt back then... was like helping everyone to carry a sacred palanquin through the village, getting all sweaty and exhausted together.<br>\\r\\n …最後にみんなで地面に突っ伏して、知らない仲間同士、麦茶を掛け合ってはしゃいだ時の興奮によく似ていた。<br>\\r\\n ...Until we all collapsed face-first on the ground, and shared our excitement and cheers with unfamilar faces over tea.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 当時の私はまだまだガキンチョ。<br>\\r\\n I was just a kid back then.<br><br>\\r\\n 親父のところを出入りしてる若い兄ちゃんたちを連れて、いろんな悪さをしたのがとても懐かしい。<br>\\r\\n I remember accompanying young men who worked for my dad out to the village to do various bad things.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 警察にも何度もお世話になったっけな。<br>\\r\\n I was arrested a few times.<br><br>\\r\\n でもそんなの、宿題を忘れて職員室に呼びつけられて怒られるのとそんなに大差なかった。<br>\\r\\n It didn't feel any different, though, than when I was called to the teacher's office for forgetting my homework.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………当時は村の連中は、故郷がダム底に沈むって殺気立ってたけど。<br>\\r\\n ......The other villagers were furious about the dam project,<br>\\r\\n …私ら子どもには、今にして思えば結構楽しい思い出だったもんだ。<br>\\r\\n but for those of us who were kids at the time, it's a pretty fun memory.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その楽しいダム戦争は、数年前にひょっこりと終わりを告げた。<br>\\r\\n All that came to a sudden end a few years ago.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 祭のような、表層的な運動だけが作用してダム計画が頓挫したわけではない。<br>\\r\\n It wasn't only the power of the protest that ended the dam construction project.<br><br>\\r\\n 園崎本家とうちの親父たちの暗躍によって、裏で様々な工作が行われていた。<br>\\r\\n The Sonozaki family and my dad's organization had worked secretly in the shadows.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …これは園崎本家のトップシークレットだが、<br>\\r\\n ...This is top-secret information in the Sonozaki family, but...<br>\\r\\n …何でも、当時の建設大臣の孫を誘拐して脅迫したとか、しないとか…。<br>\\r\\n it's said they may or may not have kidnapped the Minister of Construction's grandson...<br>\\r\\n 孫は、誘拐から何日かして、ひょっこりと発見された。<br>\\r\\n in order to blackmail him.<br><br>\\r\\n ……谷河内の方の山奥で発見された。<br>\\r\\n The grandson was found a few days after the abduction.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……そのまま鬼隠しになって消えたのではなく、<br>\\r\\n ......He was found in the mountains of Yagouchi.<br><br>\\r\\n 発見された、<br>\\r\\n He didn't simply disappear,<br>\\r\\n ということは。<br>\\r\\n and he wasn't demoned away.<br>\\r\\n …つまり、裏での何らかの取引が成立したってことだ。<br>\\r\\n That means some kind of deal was made secretly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その翌年に、ダム工事は計画の無期限凍結を宣言し、終結した。<br>\\r\\n A year after that, the dam construction plan was halted indefinitely.<br><br>\\r\\n 警察は孫の証言から、雛見沢の住民数人が直接的に関与していると見て、しつこく捜査をしたが、そんなのは無駄なこと。<br>\\r\\n The police suspected the villagers' involvement and investigated,<br>\\r\\n 結局何も掴めはしなかった。<br>\\r\\n but they couldn't find any leads.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 祭の仲間たちは、仲間を見捨てたりしない。<br>\\r\\n The villagers never betrayed each other.<br><br>\\r\\n 仲間を守るためなら、何でもするし、どんな嘘でもつく。<br>\\r\\n They'd do anything to protect their fellow man.<br><br>\\r\\n ……アリバイから状況証拠までお手の元。<br>\\r\\n ......They fabricated fake alibis and fake evidence...<br><br>\\r\\n …警察如きに、真相など掴めてたまるものか。<br>\\r\\n ...It was easy to deceive the police...<br>\\r\\n …ははん！<br>\\r\\n Guh!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 道路の舗装が悪かったのか、車が大きくガクンと揺れ、はっと我に返った。<br>\\r\\n The car suddenly shook, snapping me out of it. It must have run over a bump or something.<br><br>\\r\\n ……そして、自分がいやに上機嫌な顔をしているのに気付く。<br>\\r\\n ......I suddenly realized my expression was a very happy one for some reason.<br><br>\\r\\n ……そっか。<br>\\r\\n ...Ah.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は、自分の故郷に帰るのを、楽しみにしてるんだな。<br>\\r\\n I must be looking forward to going home.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion-san...<br>\\r\\n ……起きてますか？」<br>\\r\\n Are you awake?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………何？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......What is it?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「お帰りですが、…………興宮でよろしいですよね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Would you like me to take you to the house in Okinomiya?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……他にどこに帰んのよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Where else would you be taking me?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n １＋１＝２だろうってくらい、当り前なことを聞くなと不機嫌に返す。<br>\\r\\n I answered straightforwardly with a frown.<br><br>\\r\\n そうすると葛西もまた、１＋１＝２だってくらい当り前に返してきた。<br>\\r\\n Kasai, then, also chose to reply straightforwardly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音さんを聖ルチーア学園に入学させる決定は、園崎本家頭首が下したものです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It was the family head who decided on your enrollment in St. Lucia,<br>\\r\\n …詩音さんはその学園を抜け出した。<br>\\r\\n and you ran away from there...<br>\\r\\n …どういうことか、お分かりですね。」<br>\\r\\n You do understand the situation you're in?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「鬼婆の決めた学校が私に合わなかったってだけでしょ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"The school the hag chose didn't fit me, that's all.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…詩音さん。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Shion-san.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……わぁってるって。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I know, I know.<br>\\r\\n ぅっさいなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n Shut up.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 園崎本家頭首である鬼婆の決定は絶対だ。<br>\\r\\n As the head of the Sonozaki family, the hag's decisions are absolute.<br><br>\\r\\n ……床に落としたおかずを三秒で拾えば、まだ食べても大丈夫なんて言ういい加減なルールとはワケが違う。<br>\\r\\n ...They're nothing like, say, the three-second rule.<br><br>\\r\\n しかも、私を園崎本家から遠く離れた学校に幽閉するというのは、……何しろ、私が生まれた時から決まっていたことなのだ。<br>\\r\\n Worse, the decision to confine me to an academy far away from the Sonozaki family... was made before I was even born.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私に与えられた名前は<br>\\r\\n 'Shion'\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 『詩音』。<br>\\r\\n was the name they gave me...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 姉の『魅音』には「鬼」の一字が入っている。<br>\\r\\n My sister 'Mion' has a character that means 'demon' in her name.<br>\\r\\n これは鬼を継ぐという意味。<br>\\r\\n That was to signify that she's the successor of demons.<br><br>\\r\\n つまり、鬼の血を受け継ぐ園崎本家を継ぐ者という意味だ。<br>\\r\\n In other words, she would be the successor to the Sonozaki family and its demonic bloodline.<br><br>\\r\\n そして私の『詩音』には「寺」の一字が入っている。<br>\\r\\n My name, 'Shion', has a character that means 'temple' in it.<br><br>\\r\\n これは、やがては出家させて寺に閉じ込めてしまう…、そういう意味だ。<br>\\r\\n This means that I was destined to take the veil and be confined in a temple.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n こうして考えると、私はこの詩音という名前に虫唾が走る。<br>\\r\\n Thinking of that reminds me how much I hate this name of mine.<br><br>\\r\\n そもそも『詩音』という存在は、園崎家にとって忌むべき存在なのだ。<br>\\r\\n For starters, the person known as Shion is an abominable being to the Sonozaki family.<br><br>\\r\\n 本家を継ぐ後継ぎが二人。<br>\\r\\n Because it meant the family had two heirs.<br><br>\\r\\n …歴史の様々な事例を見るまでもなく、後々のトラブルの種に成りかねないのが、容易に想像できる。<br>\\r\\n ...I don't have to cite the countless historical examples to explain. It's easy to imagine how that could prove troublesome for succession.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 本家に代々伝わるしきたりによるならば、<br>\\r\\n According to our long-held family traditions,<br>\\r\\n 後継ぎに双子が生まれたならば、産湯につける前に絞め殺せってことになっているらしい。<br>\\r\\n one of the twins was to be strangled to death right after birth.<br>\\r\\n 何ともすごい話だ。<br>\\r\\n Unbelievable, isn't it?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ってことはつまり。<br>\\r\\n What that means...<br><br>\\r\\n …私はこうして日々を生きて、呼吸をしていられるだけでも、ありがたがらなければいけないってことになる。<br>\\r\\n ...Is that I have to be grateful just to be alive and breathing to this day.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 実際、産湯に浸かる前に、生まれたばかりの私の首に、鬼婆は実際に手を掛けたらしい。<br>\\r\\n I heard the hag actually put her hands around my neck right after I was born.<br><br>\\r\\n …その場でどういうやり取りがあったかは知らない。<br>\\r\\n ...I don't know what exchange took place in that moment.<br><br>\\r\\n 命知らずな親族の誰かが、鬼婆に思い止まるように進言したのか。<br>\\r\\n Maybe some brave relative of mine managed to get her to stop.<br><br>\\r\\n さもなきゃ、鬼婆がその日だけやたらと機嫌が良かったかのどっちかだ。<br>\\r\\n Or maybe she was in an extremely good mood that day.<br><br>\\r\\n （なら手を掛けるなよな、おっかない！）<br>\\r\\n (Then don't try to strangle me!)\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私たちは双子だ。<br>\\r\\n We're twins.<br>\\r\\n 互いに何の違いもない。<br>\\r\\n There are no apparent differences between us.<br><br>\\r\\n だけれども、先に母さんのお腹を出た方が『魅音』と名付けられ、２着にしてビリになったもう一人の方を『詩音』と名付けられた。<br>\\r\\n But the first one out of my mom's stomach was named \\\"Mion\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n まわりはやっきになって『魅音』と『詩音』を区別しようとしたが、私たち姉妹にとって、それはひどく滑稽なことだった。<br>\\r\\n Everyone else was desperate to tell us apart, but we sisters just found that awfully ridiculous.<br><br>\\r\\n 何も違いのない二人なのに。<br>\\r\\n There wasn't any difference between us.<br><br>\\r\\n ちょっと帽子を交換するだけで、誰も見破れないのに。<br>\\r\\n No one could tell us apart, even if we only swapped hats.<br><br>\\r\\n なんで大人はみんな私たちを区別しようとするの？ って。<br>\\r\\n We wondered why all the grownups were trying to see the differences.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n まぁ、いつまでもそんな双子のお遊びは続かなかった。<br>\\r\\n Well, our fun as twins didn't last forever.<br><br>\\r\\n ある日を境に、魅音と詩音は絶対的に、くっきりと別れさせられることになる。<br>\\r\\n One day, they created an undeniable, clear distinction between Mion and Shion.<br><br>\\r\\n それが、魅音は後継ぎの修行のため、園崎本家で鬼婆と同居。<br>\\r\\n Mion went to the main Sonozaki house to live with the hag and to learn how to become the successor.<br><br>\\r\\n そして私は、例の学園に幽閉されるということだった。<br>\\r\\n And I was to be confined at St. Lucia's.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……別に私はお姉が本家を継ぐことに、今さら異論はない。<br>\\r\\n ...I have no objections to Sis's inheritance.<br><br>\\r\\n まぁそりゃ、昔はちょっとは悔しかったけど。<br>\\r\\n I used to be jealous,<br>\\r\\n 今になれば、むしろ面倒くさいしきたりや風習に縛られた魅音がお気の毒に思えるくらいだ。<br>\\r\\n but now I feel that having to learn about and follow the traditions would just make me tired. I even feel sorry for Mion.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、私が興宮の町に戻ってきたって、園崎本家の脅威になるなんてことはない。<br>\\r\\n So, I'm not going to be a threat to the family even if I'm back in Okinomiya.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、…あの鬼婆はそうは思わないらしい。<br>\\r\\n But... the hag doesn't seem to think that way.<br><br>\\r\\n 私のことを、黒猫とかカラスとか、ぱっかり割れるお茶碗とかそんな感じの、不吉なものの象徴として考えてるらしいのだ。<br>\\r\\n She thinks of me as some kind of evil omen.<br><br>\\r\\n …だから、自分の近くから少しでも遠ざけたいつもりらしい。<br>\\r\\n ...That's why she wanted to keep me away from her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そりゃ別に構わないよ。<br>\\r\\n That doesn't matter to me...<br>\\r\\n ……私だってあんたの顔なんか見たくない。<br>\\r\\n I don't want to see her face either.<br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢に立入禁止ってんなら、別にそれでもいいよ。<br>\\r\\n I don't care if she doesn't allow me to enter Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n 一歩踏み入るごとに罰金一万円ってルールにしてもいい。<br>\\r\\n She can charge me 10,000 yen per step I take there.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも、私にとって住み慣れた興宮の町はお目こぼしをしてほしいものだ。<br>\\r\\n But I want her to let me live in Okinomiya, where I grew up.<br><br>\\r\\n 小さい頃は雛見沢で過したが、もうそんなに愛着はない。<br>\\r\\n When I was little, I was in Hinamizawa, but I don't remember it much<br>\\r\\n 記憶も薄いし。<br>\\r\\n and I'm not very attached to it.<br><br>\\r\\n それよりは、小学校時代を丸々過ごした興宮の町の方がずっと愛着がある。<br>\\r\\n I do have good memories of my elementary school days in Okinomiya.<br>\\r\\n ぱっとした冴えない町だが、私はそんなに嫌いじゃない。<br>\\r\\n The town isn't very sophisticated, but I kind of like it there.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「興宮の町へ帰れば、親族の誰かの目に触れることになります。<br>\\r\\n \\\"If you go back to Okinomiya, somebody from the family will notice you,<br>\\r\\n やがては必ず本家の知るところになります。」<br>\\r\\n and then they'll report you to the main house.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「鬼婆の耳に入ったらどうなるか、ってことー？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Are you worried the hag will hear about me?<br>\\r\\n ………たはは、まぁ、そりゃあヤバイことにはなるかもね。」<br>\\r\\n ......Ha ha ha, that might be a problem.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………お分かりならいいんですがね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I hope you understand the situation.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……なぁに、葛西。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......What, Kasai?<br>\\r\\n …あんた、今から私に引き返して、あそこへ戻れって言ってるわけ？」<br>\\r\\n ...Are you telling me to go back to that awful place?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「まさか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"No.<br>\\r\\n そんなことは言いませんよ。<br>\\r\\n I'm not.<br>\\r\\n ……私が言いたいのは、」<br>\\r\\n What I'm trying to say is...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…相応の覚悟はあるんだろうな、ってことでしょ…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...You want to know whether I'm prepared or not?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「口先だけでなく、本当に理解してるんならいいんですがね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I just hope you understand what might happen.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ま、そうだろうねー。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, I know what you mean.<br>\\r\\n 万が一の時は、脱走の手伝いをした葛西も責任は免れないだろうしね。<br>\\r\\n You'll be held responsible for helping me escape if things go bad, right?<br>\\r\\n 葛西も小指に未練があるなら、今の内に小指にいっぱいキスをしておいた方がいいんじゃない？<br>\\r\\n You should caress your pinky finger while you can, Kasai, before they take it away from you...<br>\\r\\n …くっくっくっく！」<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「その時は詩音さんも、簀巻きにされて鬼ヶ淵沼に放り込まれるくらいの覚悟をして下さいよ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"You should look forward to being rolled up in a futon mat and thrown into the Onigafuchi Swamp, in that case.<br>\\r\\n あぁ、あるいは本家離れの拷問部屋送りかも。」<br>\\r\\n Ah, maybe they'll send you to the torture room in the garden.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 実際には見たことはないけど。<br>\\r\\n I heard there's a big torture room in the main Sonozaki house.<br>\\r\\n 園崎本家には、大きな拷問部屋があるらしい。<br>\\r\\n I've never seen it, though.<br><br>\\r\\n 村に仇なす者を、そこで苛め殺して闇から闇に葬ったとか葬らないとか…。<br>\\r\\n I heard they used to torture and kill the enemies of the village in there...<br><br>\\r\\n …実に恐ろしい話だ。<br>\\r\\n ...It's just awful, really.<br><br>\\r\\n 自分がその噂を、被験者として確かめる目に遭わないことを祈っておこう。<br>\\r\\n I hope I don't end up as a victim of that place.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「はいはい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay, okay.<br>\\r\\n ま、何とかなるって。<br>\\r\\n Everything's going to be all right.<br>\\r\\n あははははー。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahaha.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「つくづく詩音さんは姐さんに似ている。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You really resemble your mother.<br>\\r\\n その出たとこ勝負的なところが特にです。」<br>\\r\\n In the way you take chances, I mean.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そりゃ似るでしょ、実際の母親だもん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's normal. She's my mom.<br>\\r\\n あはははははは。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahaha.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私が学校を抜け出したのを知ったら、…親父もお袋も、烈火の如く怒りまくるだろうなぁ…。<br>\\r\\n My dad and mom will be furious if they find out about my escape...<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆に知られるより、私的にはそっちの方がコワイ。<br>\\r\\n I'm more afraid of them than of the hag.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あんまり長々とは説明したくないが、私の親父はヤクザだ。<br>\\r\\n I don't want to go into the details, but my dad is part of the yakuza.<br><br>\\r\\n 鹿骨市一帯を勢力圏に置くそこそこの組織の元締めで、広域暴力団の大幹部でもある。<br>\\r\\n He's in charge of the organization which covers the Shishibone area. He's in a very important position.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ちなみに、私の忠臣であるこの葛西も、その内のひとりだ。<br>\\r\\n So is Kasai here.<br><br>\\r\\n うちの両親がまだ結婚してなかった頃からの旧友らしく、親父の信頼も一際厚い。<br>\\r\\n He's an old friend of dad, who really trusts him.<br><br>\\r\\n ホントかウソかは知らないけど、温和な葛西も、若かりし日にはかなりの武闘派で通っていたらしい。<br>\\r\\n I don't know if this is true, but I heard Kasai used to be very aggressive, though he's gentle now.<br><br>\\r\\n 見たことはないが、体には物騒な傷痕がいくつもあるらしい。<br>\\r\\n I also heard he has tons of scars.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 親父の片腕としていくつかのシマを任されていたが、抗争で大怪我をしてから一線を退き、今は親父の相談役（ただの飲み仲間だ）となっている。<br>\\r\\n He was in charge of a few large areas, but after he was injured badly in a fight, he retired. Now he's my dad's consultant (a.k.a. a drinking buddy).<br><br>\\r\\n いつの頃から、私のお目付け役みたいになり、いつしか私の便利な執事みたいな存在になっていた。<br>\\r\\n He was my caretaker in my childhood, and now I feel like he's my butler.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 初めの頃は、親父の密命を受けて私を監視してるんだろうなと思い、煙たく思っていた。<br>\\r\\n At first, I thought my dad asked him to supervise me, so I hated him.<br><br>\\r\\n だがその内、この男は本当に私の味方なんだなと思うようになっていた。<br>\\r\\n But in time, I started to feel like he was on my side.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …これは女のカンなのだが。<br>\\r\\n ...This is just a hunch.<br><br>\\r\\n …多分、葛西は昔、うちの母さんが好きだったんじゃないだろうか。<br>\\r\\n ...But I think Kasai used to be in love with my mom.<br><br>\\r\\n うちの親父とちょっとした三角関係だったんじゃないかと思う。<br>\\r\\n My dad, mom, and Kasai were in a love triangle.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n で、結局、親父に出し抜かれたわけだ。<br>\\r\\n Though my dad took the lead in the end.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、母さんの側を離れられなくて、旧友としていつまでも側にいるのではないか、と。<br>\\r\\n Kasai couldn't leave my mom entirely, so he stayed around as my dad's friend.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そういう仮定を持って葛西を見てみると。<br>\\r\\n I can tell that<br>\\r\\n どことなく納得できるフシがある。<br>\\r\\n from the way he acts...<br><br>\\r\\n 私を通して、若かりし日の母の面影を見ている、…そんな感じ。<br>\\r\\n He's seeing my mom in me.<br><br>\\r\\n ことあるごとに、私のことを姐さんに似ている…と言うのは、特にそんな感じだった。<br>\\r\\n That's why he says I look like my mom every now and then.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 少し気持ち悪いヤツだなーと思ったこともあるが、葛西は悪意を持って私に接してるわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n It kind of gave me the creeps at first, but he isn't a bad guy at all.<br><br>\\r\\n …打ち解けてみれば、シャレの通じる面白い男だったのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...He's actually pretty funny. I only found that out after I got used to him.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、園崎本家の命令で幽閉されている私の脱走を手助けしてくれるのは、葛西しかありえなかった。<br>\\r\\n So, when I thought about escaping, I naturally turned to him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は脱走を思い立った早い内から、葛西と連絡を取り、脱走の計画を調整してきていたのだ。<br>\\r\\n I contacted him in an early stage of my plan and arranged to meet him today.<br>\\r\\n 今回の脱走劇の共演者、共犯といっていい。<br>\\r\\n You could call him a conspirator.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …そう思えば葛西が、興宮に戻ってからのことを不安に思うのは当然だった。<br>\\r\\n ...It's not surprising he's worried about my return to Okinomiya.<br><br>\\r\\n 親父たちや本家なんかの色々なしがらみを思えば、…最悪、指を詰めるようなことにもなりかねない。<br>\\r\\n Considering the rules and traditions... cutting off his pinky finger isn't too far from reality.<br><br>\\r\\n あはは、私も簀巻きにされて沼に放り込まれるって話も、ありえない話でもないかもしれないな。<br>\\r\\n Ahaha. I might be rolled up in a futon mat and thrown into the swamp for real, too.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも、私が帰るところは決まっていた。<br>\\r\\n Even so, there's only one place for me to return.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 興宮の町以外に帰るつもりはない。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to Okinomiya, and nowhere else.<br><br>\\r\\n そここそが私の故郷だったからだ。<br>\\r\\n That's my hometown.<br><br>\\r\\n …この執着は、ホームシックや望郷の念の類だと言ってもいい。<br>\\r\\n ...This might be a kind of homesickness,<br><br>\\r\\n 今さらかっこつけるつもりなんて、さらさらないのだから。<br>\\r\\n but I don't care what it looks like.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「実際、どうするつもりです？<br>\\r\\n \\\"So, what are you going to do?<br>\\r\\n 園崎一族の目はそこいら中にありますよ。」<br>\\r\\n The Sonozaki family is everywhere.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ま、最初はのんびり隠れながら過します。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, I'll lay low for now.<br>\\r\\n 仮に姿を見られたって、魅音だって言い張ればいいんだしね。<br>\\r\\n If somebody sees me, I'll tell them I'm Mion.<br>\\r\\n あはは！」<br>\\r\\n Ahaha!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「それから？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Then what?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「んで、ほとぼりが冷めてきたら、私に近しい親類から徐々に打ち明けていく。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Then, after things calm down a little bit, I'll start talking to my closest relatives.<br>\\r\\n 私に味方になってくれる人たちだって、そこそこにいるからね。<br>\\r\\n I know they'll be on my side.<br>\\r\\n …私も親父と大喧嘩した時、あちこちでいろんな人にかくまってもらったし。」<br>\\r\\n I know some people who covered for me when I had a fight with my dad once.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「なるほど。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I see.<br>\\r\\n 味方と既成事実を充分に作り上げてから、最終的には園崎本家にもお目こぼしをもらおうというつもりですね。<br>\\r\\n You're trying to create a fait accompli so that the Sonozaki main house will have to accept you later on......?<br>\\r\\n ……うまく行きますかどうか。」<br>\\r\\n I hope that works.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「行くって！<br>\\r\\n \\\"It will!<br>\\r\\n そもそも、私を学園送りにする決定だって、結構みんな反対してくれてたもんね。<br>\\r\\n There were many people who were opposed to the idea of enrolling me in that school.<br>\\r\\n あれは私をやたらと嫌った、鬼婆の猜疑心からの決定みたいなもんだったし。<br>\\r\\n That decision was obviously made because of the hag's hatred toward me...<br>\\r\\n ……葛西もそう思うでしょ？」<br>\\r\\n Don't you agree, Kasai?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……えぇ、まぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Well, yes...<br>\\r\\n …私もあの決定には、さすがにやり過ぎとは思いました。」<br>\\r\\n I thought that decision was excessive.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「鬼婆はとっくに更年期障害で、正常な思考なんか出来なくなってんの！<br>\\r\\n \\\"She couldn't make the right decision because she was suffering from menopause!<br>\\r\\n あのダム戦争の興奮で、頭がイカれちゃって、まだその時の興奮が抜け切ってないんじゃないかな。ったく！」<br>\\r\\n All the fuss surrounding the dam protest drove her nuts!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は、さすがに相槌こそ打てなかったが、苦笑いでそれを肯定してくれていた。<br>\\r\\n Kasai smiled.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、結局毛布に包まったまま、眠らなかった。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't go to sleep after all, even though I was rolled up in a blanket.<br><br>\\r\\n 自分から黙れと言っておきながら、ずっと葛西とおしゃべりを続けていた。<br>\\r\\n Even though I told Kasai to shut up, I kept talking to him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……やがて、<br>\\r\\n ......In time,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …しゃべり疲れ、<br>\\r\\n I got tired of talking.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 高速道路独特の単調な揺れが心地いいな、なんて思い始めた頃、葛西が不意に声をかけてきた。<br>\\r\\n As I could feel the car run smoothly on the highway. Kasai spoke to me again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion-san...<br>\\r\\n …ほら。」<br>\\r\\n Look.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...............\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もうさすがに眠かったので、無視を決め込む。<br>\\r\\n I was so tired that I ignored him.<br><br>\\r\\n …葛西が、ほらと、何を見せたかったのか興味はあったが、そんなに関心はなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...I wondered what he wanted me to look at, but I wasn't that interested.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それでもぼんやりと目蓋を開けると、看板がすごい速度で視界に飛び込み、そして後ろへ消えていった。<br>\\r\\n Yet I opened my eyes slightly and saw a sign quickly pass by.<br><br>\\r\\n その看板をきっと葛西は見せたかったんだろうなと思った。<br>\\r\\n Kasai probably wanted me to see that sign.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 看板には、市の花であるツツジの花のイラストと共にこう書かれていた。<br>\\r\\n It had an illustration of azaleas around the letters that said--\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 『ようこそ鹿骨市へ』<br>\\r\\n 'Welcome to Shishibone City.'<br><br>\\r\\n 故郷はすぐそこだった。<br>\\r\\n My hometown is coming right up.<br><br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 起床のチャイムはない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't hear a wake-up chime.<br><br>\\r\\n もうここは学園ではないのだ。<br>\\r\\n I'm not in school anymore.<br><br>\\r\\n そんなことは寝ぼけた頭でもわかってる。<br>\\r\\n My brain is half-asleep, but I'm aware of that.<br><br>\\r\\n にもかかわらず、学園で決められた起床時間に目が覚めてしまうのがとてもシャクだった。<br>\\r\\n Waking up at the same time as the chime would go off at school... doesn't feel good.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 寝直そうかとも思ったが、起きてしまったものは仕方ない。<br>\\r\\n I can't go back to sleep after this.<br><br>\\r\\n それに、これからは与えられた生活を、不平を漏らしながらなぞるわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n Still, I'm not going to live a torturous school life anymore.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 楽しくするのも、つまらなくするのも、私自身なのだ。<br>\\r\\n I can make today either happy or boring. It's up to me.<br><br>\\r\\n あっは☆ それって何だかかなり前向き。<br>\\r\\n Yay! That's really positive.<br>\\r\\n 生きてるって実感。<br>\\r\\n I feel like I'm alive for the first time in a while.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 着替えも何もないから、私は相変わらず学園のジャージのまんまだった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't have any other clothes, so I was still wearing the school track uniform.<br><br>\\r\\n …イタリアだかの某とかいうデザイナーがデザインした…という触れ込みだが、こんな味もそっけもないジャージのどこにデザインの余地があるのか、大いに疑問だ。<br>\\r\\n ...It's supposed to have been designed by some famous Italian person, but... it just looks plain to me.<br><br>\\r\\n 自由を満喫しているというのに、服だけがいつまでも学園のものというのは何だか不愉快だった。<br>\\r\\n It really doesn't feel great to still be in clothes from that school. I want to enjoy my freedom as soon as possible.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この格好じゃ表を歩く気にもなれない。<br>\\r\\n I especially don't want to walk around outside wearing it.<br><br>\\r\\n あとで葛西に、適当な服を持って来させよう。<br>\\r\\n I should have Kasai bring me some new clothes later.<br><br>\\r\\n それから、部屋のレイアウトでも考えるか。<br>\\r\\n And I should think of redecorating this room.<br><br>\\r\\n 何しろ、ここはこれから私の城なのだから。<br>\\r\\n After all, this is going to be my castle from now on.<br><br>\\r\\n ここは興宮の外れにある、この辺じゃかなり立派な部類に入る高層マンションで、<br>\\r\\n This is a room in a gorgeous apartment building in the suburbs of Okinomiya.<br>\\r\\n 親父の系列の不動産会社が、なんだか得体の知れないゴタゴタで「差し押さえた」物件だ。<br>\\r\\n The property is one a realtor in my dad's conglomerate obtained after foreclosure due to some sort of dispute.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …その得体のしれないゴタゴタの関係で、居住者はほとんどが出て行ってしまっている。<br>\\r\\n ...Most of the residents moved out during that.<br><br>\\r\\n だからこれだけの戸数があっても、まったく人の気配のしない、寂しいマンションだった。<br>\\r\\n So while there are plenty of rooms, it's a lonely complex that feels devoid of people.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それに居住しているのも、管理人夫婦とほんの１〜２軒を除いては、みんな親父の関係の、あまりガラのおよろしくない連中だ。<br>\\r\\n Plus, with the exception of the manager and a scant one or two others, all the residents are shady-looking people connected to my dad.<br><br>\\r\\n このマンションから、善良な住民が駆逐される日も、そう遠くないな…。<br>\\r\\n It probably won't be much longer before the virtuous residents are driven out...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の住む事になるこの部屋は、元はオープンルームだったらしく、見かけだけはビジネスホテルの一室みたいに見えた。<br>\\r\\n The apartment I'm living in used to be the room they'd use for viewings, so it looks like a room in a business hotel.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 中途半端に家具は揃っているが、生活に必要なものは一切ない。<br>\\r\\n It's fully furnished, but lacking in daily necessities.<br><br>\\r\\n そういう物は、これから細々と買い揃えていけばいいだろう。<br>\\r\\n I'll buy those things over time, though.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…むしろその方がいいよね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...It's better that way, anyway.<br>\\r\\n 自分の部屋っていう実感が湧くし。」<br>\\r\\n It'll make it feel more like my own room.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 自分の口に出したことに対して、ウンウンと頷く。<br>\\r\\n I nodded to myself.<br><br>\\r\\n 馬鹿っぽいが、景気づけはとても大事。<br>\\r\\n It might have looked stupid, but it helped psych me up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 学園では共用スペースにしかテレビがなかった上、民放は見せてもらえなかった。<br>\\r\\n At the school, there was a TV only in the common room, and we weren't allowed to watch any cable channels.<br><br>\\r\\n その憂さ晴らしとばかりに、民放のチャンネルを総嘗めにしてみる。<br>\\r\\n I zapped through all those channels as a form of emancipation.<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、こんな早朝じゃどのチャンネルだって、大したものはやっていない。<br>\\r\\n It was early in the morning, so nothing interesting was on...<br><br>\\r\\n それでも、そこそこに楽しく眺めることができたし、久しぶりに見るＣＭもなかなかオツなものだった。<br>\\r\\n But I enjoyed it anyway. Commercials are fun to watch.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それにも飽きてお腹が空いた頃、葛西が弁当を持って訪ねて来てくれた。<br>\\r\\n Kasai dropped by with lunch right when I started to feel hungry.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音さん、おはようございます。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Good morning, Shion-san.<br>\\r\\n 昨夜はよく眠れましたか？」<br>\\r\\n Did you sleep well last night?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ソファーに毛布でごろ寝は結構辛いです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sleeping on the couch was a bit too uncomfortable.<br>\\r\\n やっぱ日本人はちゃんと布団敷いて床に寝ないとねー。<br>\\r\\n As a Japanese person, I want to sleep in a futon on the floor.<br>\\r\\n うんうん、たくあんがおいしい〜！」<br>\\r\\n Ah, this pickled radish is good!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「それは良かった。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's good to hear.<br>\\r\\n あとで必要なものを教えて下さい。<br>\\r\\n Please let me know what you need later on.<br>\\r\\n 可能な限り揃えるようにします。」<br>\\r\\n I'll try to get as much as I can.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ありがと。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Thanks.<br>\\r\\n あ、でもそんなに気を遣わないでいいです。<br>\\r\\n Oh, but you don't need to worry so much about me.<br>\\r\\n 私の好きで始めた生活だし。<br>\\r\\n I chose this life for myself, anyway.<br>\\r\\n 葛西だって、たかられたらお財布もたないでしょ？ あははははは！」<br>\\r\\n And your wallet wouldn't last if I started extorting you, right? Ahahahahaha!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n お金とか、これからの生活の話は、やはり真面目に話さなければならないことだ。<br>\\r\\n I have to be serious about my plan,<br><br>\\r\\n いつまでも葛西の財布に甘えているわけにはいかない。<br>\\r\\n I can't let myself take advantage of Kasai's wallet forever.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「バイトでもしようと思います。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I think I'm going to start a part-time job.<br>\\r\\n 生活費くらいは自分で稼がないとね。<br>\\r\\n I have to earn my own living.<br>\\r\\n 私が選んだ生活なんだから、自分で何とかするのは当然！」<br>\\r\\n This is the life I chose, so naturally I have to take care of it myself!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「それはたくましい限りです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's reassuring to hear.<br>\\r\\n でもいいんですか？<br>\\r\\n But are you sure?<br>\\r\\n 外を歩けば、やがては親族の誰かに見つかりますよ。」<br>\\r\\n If you go outside, eventually someone in the family will discover you.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そこは少しは考えてある。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I gave that a little thought.<br>\\r\\n そこで魅音の力がいるわけよ。<br>\\r\\n Which is why I'll need Mion's help.<br>\\r\\n 葛西さ、本家に電話してもらっていい？<br>\\r\\n Kasai, would you mind calling the main house for me?<br>\\r\\n 魅音が出たら受話器代わって。」<br>\\r\\n When Mion answers, pass me the reciever.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「やれやれ、何を企んでるやら。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh well, whatever you say.<br>\\r\\n どういう作戦ですか？」<br>\\r\\n What could be your plan?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は本家へのダイヤルを回しながら聞いてくる。<br>\\r\\n Kasai dialed the number.<br><br>\\r\\n 本家に見つからないように生活した私が、真っ先にかける電話が本家なのだから、何ともおかしな話だろう。<br>\\r\\n It's funny to me that we're calling the main house, even though that's the place I most want to avoid at the moment.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………もしもし。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hello.<br>\\r\\n おはようございます。<br>\\r\\n Good morning.<br>\\r\\n ………魅音さんですか？<br>\\r\\n ......Is this Mion-san?<br>\\r\\n ………ご無沙汰しています、葛西です。<br>\\r\\n ......It's been a while. This is Kasai.<br>\\r\\n ……えぇ。<br>\\r\\n ...Yes.<br>\\r\\n おはようございます。<br>\\r\\n Good morning.<br>\\r\\n ………少しお待ち頂けますか？<br>\\r\\n ...Could you hold for a moment?<br>\\r\\n 今、受話器を代わります。」<br>\\r\\n I'm letting someone else on the phone.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 葛西から受話器を受け取る。<br>\\r\\n I take the handset.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「もしもし？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hello?<br>\\r\\n ………くっくっくっく！<br>\\r\\n ......Heh heh heh heh!<br><br>\\r\\n 私が誰だかわかります？」<br>\\r\\n Can you tell who this is?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そ、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Th-\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………その声は！！<br>\\r\\n That voice!!<br>\\r\\n でもそんなはずは…！<br>\\r\\n But that can't be true...!<br>\\r\\n 詩音は聖ルチーア学園に幽閉されてるはず…！！<br>\\r\\n Shion's still supposed to be confined to St. Lucia's...!<br>\\r\\n そんなはずはない……！」<br>\\r\\n You can't be her...!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「学園では外部との電話は禁止だからねぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, they forbid outside calls at the academy.<br>\\r\\n …それが電話してきたってことは、…くっくっく！<br>\\r\\n But you're talking to me right now... heh heh heh!<br>\\r\\n 血の巡りの悪いお姉でも、意味がわかるでしょ。<br>\\r\\n Even my dim-witted older sister should understand what that means.<br>\\r\\n くっくっく！」<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…あんた、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Did you...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……学園、<br>\\r\\n sneak out\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 抜け出したの？！<br>\\r\\n of the school?!<br>\\r\\n ……ど、<br>\\r\\n ...Ho...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……どうやって……！！」<br>\\r\\n How...?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そんなことはどうでもいい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's not important...<br>\\r\\n …会いたかったですよ、<br>\\r\\n I really missed you,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n お姉ぇぇ……。」<br>\\r\\n Sis...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………く、<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Ghh...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………詩音……！！！」<br>\\r\\n Shion...!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n 私にとってここが限界なら、それは魅音にとっても限界だった。<br>\\r\\n That was as far as I could take it, and Mion had hit her limit too.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「「ぷ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Pff...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………くっくっく、<br>\\r\\n ...Heh heh heh...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …わーっはっはっはっはっはっはっは！！！」」<br>\\r\\n ...Aha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n 互いに茶番が堪えきれず、大笑いしてしまう。<br>\\r\\n We both burst into laughter, unable to keep up our act.<br><br>\\r\\n …受話器越しに、姉妹は本当に久しぶりにお腹の底から笑い合った。<br>\\r\\n ...It's been a while since we laughed out loud with each other like this.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「久しぶりだよ詩音！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's been forever, Shion!!<br>\\r\\n あんたホントに、どうしたの？！」<br>\\r\\n Seriously, what's happened with you?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「どうしたもこうしたも。<br>\\r\\n \\\"There's not much else to it.<br>\\r\\n 別に私ゃウソ吐いてないです。」<br>\\r\\n I haven't lied or anything.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「って、………じゃああんた、本当に脱走したの？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wait... then you really ran away?!<br>\\r\\n ……ひぇぇえぇぇ…、やっるぅ…。」<br>\\r\\n ...Oooh... great job...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「私を閉じ込めておくには、ちょっと警備が甘かったかもね！<br>\\r\\n \\\"The security wasn't tight enough to keep me locked up in there!<br>\\r\\n あはは！」<br>\\r\\n Ahaha!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…学園は、詩音が穏便に脱走したことに感謝するべきかもね…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Maybe the school should be grateful you escaped quietly...<br>\\r\\n 本気の詩音だったら、全施設を爆破してから脱走するくらい、朝飯前かもー。」<br>\\r\\n If you were serious, it'd be easy for you to blow up the whole building to make your escape.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「爆破はできないけど、放火くらいはやるかもね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, I couldn't have done that, but I might have set it on fire.<br>\\r\\n あははははははは！」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahaha!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 物騒な話題で盛り上がる姉妹だ…と、葛西は呆れながらも微笑んでいた。<br>\\r\\n Kasai smiled at us in amazement, his face a blend of amusement and exasperation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「お姉、今は電話大丈夫なの？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Is it okay to talk to you now?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「大丈夫。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's all right.<br>\\r\\n 婆っちゃはお稽古に行っちゃってる。<br>\\r\\n Granny is out for a lesson.<br>\\r\\n 今日は帰りは夕方になるって言ってた。」<br>\\r\\n She's coming home later in the evening.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「それは好都合。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's good.<br>\\r\\n 近い内に会って話をしましょーね。<br>\\r\\n We should get together and talk soon.<br>\\r\\n 取り敢えず、今日の所は電話で。」<br>\\r\\n Just over the phone for today though.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うん。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「本家に、学園から私が脱走したっていう連絡は来てます？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Did anybody report my escape to our grandmother?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うんにゃ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Nope.<br>\\r\\n 来てない。<br>\\r\\n We've heard nothing.<br>\\r\\n 本家の電話も来客も、全部私が通すから、私を素通りして婆っちゃに連絡行く事はない。<br>\\r\\n I pass along all the calls and guests for the main family now, so no news reaches Granny without going through me.<br>\\r\\n だから、来てないって断言できると思う。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sure she doesn't know.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……ほー。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Wow,<br>\\r\\n そりゃすごい。<br>\\r\\n that's awesome.<br>\\r\\n さすが園崎本家次期頭首。」<br>\\r\\n You really sound like the next leader of the Sonozaki family.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「私はそんなの嫌だよ、詩音が代わってよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"You know I don't like that. You should have taken my place.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「鬼が憑いてるのはお姉でしょ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"You're the one with the demon, aren't you?<br>\\r\\n まーせいぜい頑張ってください。<br>\\r\\n Well, keep giving it your all.<br>\\r\\n 陰ながら応援いたしております。<br>\\r\\n I'll be rooting for you from the shadows.<br>\\r\\n まーそんなことはどうでもいいや、あはは！」<br>\\r\\n Anyway, that's not important now. Ahaha!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「すっごい他人事っぽい言い方だなぁ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You sound so indifferent...<br>\\r\\n まぁいいや…。」<br>\\r\\n Well, that's okay, I guess...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「私関連で何か動きがあったら、葛西に連絡をヨロです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"If you hear anything about me, give Kasai a call, okay?<br>\\r\\n ここの番号はお姉には教えてもいいかなって思うけど、…しばらくは内緒にしときますね。<br>\\r\\n I'd like to give you my number here, but... I'll keep it secret for the time being.<br>\\r\\n ごめん。」<br>\\r\\n Sorry.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうだね…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"All right...<br>\\r\\n 学園脱走したって話が婆っちゃの耳に入ったら、…いろいろ面倒になると思うよ。<br>\\r\\n If Granny hears you fled the school... there'll be all kinds of trouble.<br>\\r\\n 連絡の件は了解。<br>\\r\\n I'll be on the lookout for now,<br>\\r\\n 何か動きがあったら、葛西さんに伝えとく。」<br>\\r\\n and I'll let Kasai-san know if something happens.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ありがとです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Thanks.<br>\\r\\n それと後、お姉にお願いがあるんだけど。」<br>\\r\\n I also have a favor to ask.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そう来ると思ったー。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I figured you would.<br>\\r\\n あ、お金は無理だよ？！」<br>\\r\\n Oh, money's out of the question, okay?!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「さすがにお金を無心できるとは思ってません。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I never thought I could pester you for money.<br>\\r\\n お姉には、ちょっと私のバイトのお手伝いをお願いしたいんです。」<br>\\r\\n I just want to ask you for a little help with my part-time job.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「なるほどね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I see.<br>\\r\\n ……そういうことか。<br>\\r\\n ...So that's it, then.<br>\\r\\n で、具体的にはどうするの？」<br>\\r\\n What exactly do you need?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n こう言う時、私たち姉妹は意思の疎通が速い。<br>\\r\\n We can communicate fast in a situation like this.<br><br>\\r\\n 相手の考えてることがすぐにわかるから、いちいち説明しないですぐに本題に入れる。<br>\\r\\n We don't have to get into details because we know what's on each other's minds.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「義郎叔父さん、私の味方だったじゃないですか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uncle Yoshiroh's on my side, isn't he?<br>\\r\\n 義郎叔父さんの持ってるお店のどれかでバイトできないか打診してみます。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to try and see if I can't get a part-time job at one of the businesses he owns.<br>\\r\\n で、シフトが決まったらお姉に連絡しますから。」<br>\\r\\n Then I'll call you when I know my shift.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あんたがバイトしてる時間帯には消えてりゃいいわけだね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"So I just have to disappear while you're working, right?<br>\\r\\n …面倒くさい役だなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n ...That's a little taxing...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「何ですか、お姉。<br>\\r\\n \\\"What are you saying, Sis?<br><br>\\r\\n 双子の妹の頼みを断る？<br>\\r\\n Are you turning down your only sister's request?<br>\\r\\n ホントに？」<br>\\r\\n Seriously?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「いいよいいよ、引き受けるよ〜！<br>\\r\\n \\\"All right, all right. I'll do it!<br>\\r\\n あんたの頼みは断ると後がイヤだ。」<br>\\r\\n I wouldn't want to see how you'd retaliate if I turned you down.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あはは！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahaha!<br>\\r\\n サンキゥです！<br>\\r\\n Thanks!<br>\\r\\n 今度、シュランクベルタのケーキでもおごるから！<br>\\r\\n I'll buy you a cake from Schlanke Bertha's!<br>\\r\\n かわいいタルト、山ほど食べさせてあげますから〜☆」<br>\\r\\n I'll throw in tons of pretty tarts too!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…あ、詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Uh, Shion...<br>\\r\\n シュランクベルタね、去年の秋に店、閉じちゃったんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n Schlanke Bertha closed last fall.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh?<br>\\r\\n ……………………あ、そうなんだ。」<br>\\r\\n ......Uh, is that so?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah...<br>\\r\\n マスターが脳梗塞で倒れてね。<br>\\r\\n The owner had a stroke.<br>\\r\\n 退院してから一度は店を開けたんだけど。<br>\\r\\n He reopened the store once<br>\\r\\n やっぱり体が持たないらしくてさ。<br>\\r\\n but he got sick again...<br>\\r\\n …惜しまれたけど、閉店しちゃったわけ。」<br>\\r\\n So he had to shut it down.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……そか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I see...<br>\\r\\n …そりゃ残念です。<br>\\r\\n that's a shame...<br>\\r\\n …よくばりモンブランをお腹いっぱい食べる夢は、もう夢のままで終わっちゃったんですねー。」<br>\\r\\n I won't be able to eat their Mont Blanc cakes to my heart's content anymore.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私が落胆したのは、お気に入りのケーキ屋が閉店したことよりも。<br>\\r\\n I was disappointed that my favorite cake shop had closed down,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n この町を離れている間に、町が自分の知らない姿に変わってしまっていたことによる、<br>\\r\\n but more so that this town had changed without my knowing while I was gone.<br><br>\\r\\n …寂しさみたいなものだった。<br>\\r\\n It was... kind of regrettable.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……他にも変わった事、私の知らない事、ある？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Are there any other changes I don't know about?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah,<br>\\r\\n いくつかある。<br>\\r\\n there are some.<br>\\r\\n 今度会ったら全部話すね。」<br>\\r\\n I'll tell you when we meet up next time.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ありがと。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Thanks.<br>\\r\\n 私も学園で見て来たこと、全部話しますね。<br>\\r\\n I'll tell you about my school life.<br>\\r\\n 近い内に機会を設けましょ。<br>\\r\\n Let's set a date.<br>\\r\\n 追って、こっちから連絡します。」<br>\\r\\n I'll call you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"All right.<br>\\r\\n わかった。」<br>\\r\\n I'll see you then.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…魅音？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mion?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「何？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"What is it?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「元気でやってる？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"How are you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あははは、もちろん！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Aha ha ha. I'm fine!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ならよかった。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm glad to hear that.<br>\\r\\n 切るよ。」<br>\\r\\n I'm hanging up now.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay.<br>\\r\\n じゃあね。」<br>\\r\\n See you.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 久しぶりの姉妹の会話は、ひとまずそれで終了した。<br>\\r\\n It's really been a while since I last talked to her.<br><br>\\r\\n 受話器を置いて、一息ついたところで、葛西がお茶を持ってきてくれた。<br>\\r\\n I put down the phone and heaved a sigh as Kasai brought in some tea.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「結局、どういう話になったんですか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"So, how did it go?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「義郎叔父さん、私のこと可愛がっててくれたじゃない？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Do you remember <NAME>, who was in favor of me staying?<br>\\r\\n 叔父さんにね、私が学園を抜け出して来たの、打ち明けようと思います。<br>\\r\\n I'll talk to him about my escape<br>\\r\\n で、叔父さんの持ってるお店のどれかでささやかに働かせてもらえたらなって。」<br>\\r\\n and ask him if he can hire me to work at one of his stores.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「人目に触れますよ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Are you sure?<br>\\r\\n 義郎さんはいいとしても、他の親類に見つかるかもしれないじゃないですか。」<br>\\r\\n Some other relative might find out.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「その為のお姉ってわけよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's why I asked Sis a favor.<br>\\r\\n 私が働く時間が決まったら、お姉に連絡する。<br>\\r\\n I'll contact her when my shift is set,<br>\\r\\n で、お姉は私が働いてる時間には、ちょっと人目を忍んでくれればいいわけ。<br>\\r\\n and she'll disappear while I'm working.<br>\\r\\n わかる？」<br>\\r\\n Do you get the picture?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西が小首をひねるような仕種をする。<br>\\r\\n Kasai looked puzzled.<br><br>\\r\\n そんな難しい話じゃない。<br>\\r\\n It's not really that difficult to grasp.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「つまり簡単。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's simple.<br>\\r\\n バイト中に私が何か咎められるようなことになったら、私が魅音だと言い張ればいいだけの話なんです。<br>\\r\\n If somebody finds me at work, I'll tell them that I'm Mion.<br>\\r\\n おわかりぃ？」<br>\\r\\n Do you get it now?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 普通なら、そんな馬鹿な手、うまく行きっこないと言いたくなるだろう。<br>\\r\\n Normal people wouldn't buy this kind of plan.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、私たち姉妹を幼少の頃から知る葛西は、姉妹がいかに簡単に入れ替われるかをよく知っていた。<br>\\r\\n But Kasai knows too well how easy it is for my sis and me to trade places.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「つくづく、大胆というか、悪知恵が働くというか…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's audacious... or shrewd, I should say......<br>\\r\\n いやいや、…脱帽です。」<br>\\r\\n I'm impressed.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「もちろん褒め言葉だよね、葛西？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Is that a compliment, Kasai?<br>\\r\\n くすくすくすくす…！」<br>\\r\\n Hee hee hee...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は呆れた顔をして苦笑いしていた。<br>\\r\\n Kasai looked amazed.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 本当にことがヤバくなれば、葛西にも責任は及ぶ。<br>\\r\\n If things go south, it'll affect him too.<br><br>\\r\\n …親父たちの世界のしきたりを思えば、ごめんなさいと謝れば済むということにはならないだろう。<br>\\r\\n ...Considering the rules of my dad's profession, he won't be able to get away with just a mere apology.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、葛西は本当は、私に危ない橋を渡ることを望まないのだ。<br>\\r\\n That's why he doesn't want me to do anything too risky.<br><br>\\r\\n …それを全て承知で、私の脱走を手助けしてくれたのだから、私はこの忠臣にもっと報いないといけないなぁ…と、そう思った。<br>\\r\\n ...I think I have to make it up to him, since he helped me escape even knowing that risk.\\r\\n <br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁあぁ、任せとけよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"All right. No problem.<br>\\r\\n 詩音ちゃんのことをどうのこうの言うヤツがいたら、俺が少しシメとくから。」<br>\\r\\n If I find somebody talking bad about you, I'll beat them up.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あっはは！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahaha!<br>\\r\\n やっぱ義郎叔父さんは頼りになります。<br>\\r\\n Thank you so much!<br>\\r\\n 叔父さんならきっと助けてくれると思ってました。」<br>\\r\\n I knew I could rely on you, <NAME>!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 叔父さんは任せとけを連発し、胸をドンと叩いて見せた。<br>\\r\\n Uncle Yoshiroh pounded his chest with his fist after offering me his assurance.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が真っ先に頼りに来てくれたのがよほど嬉しいらしかった。<br>\\r\\n He seemed glad that I turned to him first.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「いいんだよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'd be happy to help<br>\\r\\n 俺は詩音ちゃんの、自分の生活費は自分で稼ぎたいっていう気概に感心してるんだ。<br>\\r\\n since I'm so impressed that you're trying to support yourself.<br>\\r\\n 金をたかりに来たんだったら、本家に突き出してるところだぜ。」<br>\\r\\n If you were here for money, I'd turn you in to your grandmother right away!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「えー？<br>\\r\\n \\\"What?<br>\\r\\n わぁ、叔父さん、怖いぃー！<br>\\r\\n You're scaring me, Uncle!<br>\\r\\n あはははははははは！」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahahaha!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n やっぱり義郎叔父さんは話せる人だった。<br>\\r\\n I knew he was reliable.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の立場をよく理解してくれて、力になってくれることを約束してくれた。<br>\\r\\n He understood my situation straightaway and promised to help.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「店長〜、シフト表もってきましたぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Manager, here's the shift chart.<br>\\r\\n ここに置きますね〜。」<br>\\r\\n I'll put it here.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n お店の人が店員の出勤シフトを書いた表を持って来てくれた。<br>\\r\\n One of the store clerks brought out a work schedule.<br><br>\\r\\n …カレンダーは、部外者の私にはよくわからない記号でびっしりだ。<br>\\r\\n ...There are many things I'm unfamiliar with written on it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………で、詩音ちゃんはどのくらい働けるんだい？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...So, how much can you work?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「私とお姉の都合次第、かな。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That depends on our respective schedules.<br>\\r\\n できたら、私の指定する日だけ入れるのが一番いいんですが。」<br>\\r\\n I hope I can get in when I want to.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「おいおい〜、そんなムシのいいこと言うヤツ、面接じゃ会ったことないぜー？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, that sounds a little irresponsible...<br>\\r\\n まぁなぁ、…仕方ないもんなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n But... I know you're in a difficult situation...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が働くためには、魅音の協力が欠かせない。<br>\\r\\n I'm depending on Mion for my work.<br><br>\\r\\n つまり、私と魅音の二人の都合が付かないと働けないのだ。<br>\\r\\n Our schedules have to match.<br><br>\\r\\n …その辺のややこしい経緯も、もちろん叔父さんは理解している。<br>\\r\\n ...Of course, Uncle Yoshiroh understood that.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、自分たちの都合のいい日だけ働きたい、なんていう図々しいバイトを雇い入れる余地がなかなかないのも、わかる…。<br>\\r\\n But I also knew he couldn't afford a selfish part-timer who only works when she wants to.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 結局叔父さんは、ちゃんとしたバイトの雇用ではなく、事務所のお手伝いに入ってはどうかと提案してくれた。<br>\\r\\n In the end, he decided to hire me as an office helper, not an official worker.<br><br>\\r\\n 正規雇用ではないので、シフトはない。<br>\\r\\n As a temp, I wouldn't have a work schedule.<br><br>\\r\\n 給料はお店からというよりは、叔父さんのポケットから出る。<br>\\r\\n My uncle also decided to pay me out of his own pocket.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あはは、体裁は構いません。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahaha.<br>\\r\\n 生活費が稼げればそれでＯＫです。」<br>\\r\\n It's fine as long as I can make enough to support myself.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃあ、そうゆうことで頼むぜ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sure, sure.<br>\\r\\n 一応、金を払うんだから仕事中はしっかり頼むぜ。<br>\\r\\n I expect to get what I'm paying for, okay?<br>\\r\\n あと事務所内じゃ叔父さんは勘弁な？」<br>\\r\\n And don't call me 'Uncle' in the office, either.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「はいはい、わかってますよ、店長〜さん☆<br>\\r\\n \\\"All right, manager!<br>\\r\\n 不束者ですけど、よろしくお願いします、ね！」<br>\\r\\n Thanks for hiring me!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「こちらこそ、どうぞよろしく。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Good, you get it!<br>\\r\\n わっはっはっはっは！」<br>\\r\\n Ha ha ha ha ha!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 堅苦しい話が終わると、今度は叔父さんからいろいろと質問責めを受けた。<br>\\r\\n Once all the business talk was over, my uncle hounded me with all kinds of questions.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 聞かれる内容は、<br>\\r\\n He asked me things like,\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 全寮制のお嬢様学校というのはどんなところだ？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"What was it like in a prestigious girls' boarding school?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n というものだった。<br>\\r\\n And so on.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が閉じ込められた聖ルチーア学園については、いろいろと噂が飛び交うだけで、その中身についてはみんな興味津々だったらしい。<br>\\r\\n Apparently there were all kinds of rumors going around about the St. Lucia Academy I was confined to, and everyone was curious about it.<br>\\r\\n 私は学園生活がいかに普通でなかったかを、あれこれ尾ひれをつけながら説明した。<br>\\r\\n I added a few embellishments of my own as I explained how unordinary life at that school was.<br><br>\\r\\n 叔父さんは、秘密のお嬢様女子校の実態をいろいろ根掘り葉掘り聞けて、大層ご満悦な様子だった。<br>\\r\\n My uncle looked extremely delighted to hear all the little details about life in a secret garden for girls...<br>\\r\\n …助平男め。<br>\\r\\n <NAME>.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 叔父さんが一通り、思春期の女の子の花園の秘密を満喫できたらしいので、今度は私がいろいろと聞く事にした。<br>\\r\\n Once my uncle was satisfied, it was my turn to ask all kinds of questions.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が学園に閉じ込められてから二年の間に、町で何か起こらなかったか知りたかったからだ。<br>\\r\\n I wanted to know if anything peculiar had happened while I was gone.<br><br>\\r\\n この二年のミッシングリンクを埋めないと、私が本当の意味で「魅音」のフリをできないというのもある。<br>\\r\\n I won't be able to act like Mion unless I can fill in the gap of information left in the past two years.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そんなに大きく変わったことはないな。<br>\\r\\n \\\"There haven't been many big changes.<br>\\r\\n ダム戦争が終わってからこっちは、もうそりゃのんびりしたもんさ。」<br>\\r\\n It's been quiet since the end of the dam conflict.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「私はダムの計画中止が発表されて少ししてから学園に行ったからなぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I went to the academy only a bit after they froze the project.<br>\\r\\n 私がこっちにいた時はまだ、ほんの少しピリピリしたムードが残ってましたよ。」<br>\\r\\n There was still a bit of tension then.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「中止発表のあとの一年くらいは同盟も、計画は凍結されただけで中止になったわけじゃないって言って神経質になってたんだけどな。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Even after they shut down construction, things were still tense because the project wasn't entirely canceled,<br>\\r\\n 翌年には解散式をやったよ。<br>\\r\\n but the Onigafuchi Guardians disbanded about a year later.<br>\\r\\n 雛見沢の境内で大式典だった。<br>\\r\\n There was a big ceremony held at the shrine.<br>\\r\\n それでダム戦争は本当に終わりだな。」<br>\\r\\n That's when the dam conflict officially ended.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃ、私が閉じ込められたすぐ後だ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right after I was imprisoned...<br>\\r\\n …戦争も終わっちゃって、みんな腑抜けちゃった感じ？」<br>\\r\\n Is everybody slacking now that the conflict is over?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「わっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wa ha ha ha!<br>\\r\\n 詩音ちゃんなんかはダム戦争は、戦争ごっこみたいで楽しかったんじゃないか？<br>\\r\\n I guess you all had fun playing at war back then during the dam protests, didn't you?<br>\\r\\n 子どもたちが警察のお世話になる度に、引き取りにいっていろいろ苛められた大人の身にもなってくれよ。」<br>\\r\\n Try to imagine how much suffering the adults went through every time they had to come pick up their kids from the police station.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あははは！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahaha!<br>\\r\\n まぁ確かに否定はできないかな。<br>\\r\\n Well, I can't deny that.<br>\\r\\n 私ら子どもにとっては、ダム戦争はかなり遊べるイベントでしたし！」<br>\\r\\n It was like a festival for us!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 叔父さんは、ダム戦争が大人と子どもでここまで感じ方が違うものかと、感服（呆れ？）しているようだった。<br>\\r\\n Uncle Yoshiroh seemed exasperated at how differently kids and adults treated the conflict.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そう言えば、バラバラ殺人なんてのがありましたよね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh yeah, there was that dismemberment murder, wasn't there?<br>\\r\\n あのクソムカつく現場監督の野郎がバラバラにされたヤツ。<br>\\r\\n The one where that fucking jerk of a construction manager got split into pieces.<br>\\r\\n あれ、確か犯人がまだ全員捕まってなかったですよね。<br>\\r\\n They still haven't caught the culprit behind that, have they?<br>\\r\\n 捕まったんですか？」<br>\\r\\n Did they finally catch him?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あー……、確か主犯がまだ捕まってねえんだよなぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah... come to think of it...<br>\\r\\n そうそう、確か捕まってないはず。」<br>\\r\\n I don't think they've caught him yet, no.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「しかも、雛見沢の守り神、オヤシロさまを祭る綿流しの晩にね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It happend on the night of Watanagashi, didn't it?<br>\\r\\n 当時、オヤシロさまの祟りだって騒がれたのを覚えてます。<br>\\r\\n I remember everyone making a fuss about it being Oyashiro-sama's curse.<br>\\r\\n ……あれ、子ども的には結構コワかったなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n ...That was pretty scary for us kids.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁあぁ、オヤシロさまの祟りねぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, yeah, Oyashiro-sama's curse.<br>\\r\\n その翌年にも起きたんだよな。」<br>\\r\\n That happened the year after, too.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうそう！<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right!<br>\\r\\n あれも怖かったですねー！<br>\\r\\n That was scary too, wasn't it?!<br>\\r\\n 何でしたっけ、ダムの賛成派の男が事故で死んだヤツ！<br>\\r\\n Who was it again? That guy who supported the dam died in an accident, right?<br>\\r\\n 北条だっけ？<br>\\r\\n Houjou, wasn't it?<br>\\r\\n しかもまたしても、オヤシロさまを祭る綿流しの日に。<br>\\r\\n And it happened on the day of Watanagashi once again.<br>\\r\\n これはもう祟りしかありえない！って、ずいぶん騒いだっけー！<br>\\r\\n Everyone went crazy! Saying it had to be a curse!<br>\\r\\n あれは怖かったです。<br>\\r\\n That was horrifying.<br>\\r\\n うんうん。」<br>\\r\\n Definitely.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 嫌われ者だったダム現場の現場監督が、綿流しの祭の夜に、殺されて遺体をバラバラにされた。<br>\\r\\n The construction manager that everyone hated was killed and dismembered on the night of the Watanagashi festival.<br>\\r\\n それだけでも子どもにとっては十分、刺激が強過ぎる事件だった。<br>\\r\\n That incident, on its own, was more than intense enough for us kids.<br><br>\\r\\n しかも、遺体の一部がまだ見つかっていない…というのも子どもの世界では十分に怪談になりえた。<br>\\r\\n Worse, part of his body was never found... which made it almost a ghost story amongst us.<br><br>\\r\\n 切断された右腕が、体を求めて未だ徘徊している…という話は、子どもの世界では圧倒的信憑性を持ってまかり通っていたものだ。<br>\\r\\n We seriously believed that the severed right arm was roaming in search of the body it belonged to.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n しかもその事件のあった日は、雛見沢の守り神、オヤシロさまを祭る祭の夜…ともなれば、<br>\\r\\n It didn't take long for the rumor of Oyashiro-sama's curse to become a topic of discussion among occult researchers and the like,<br>\\r\\n 噂が噂を呼び、オカルト色を深めるのに時間はかからなかったものだ。<br>\\r\\n considering the circumstantial factors.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でもどんな噂も、さすがに一年を経過すれば色褪せる。<br>\\r\\n Even so, the rumor faded away after about a year.<br><br>\\r\\n …そして、ダム計画の凍結宣言が出て、本当の意味でお祭になった初めての綿流しの夜。<br>\\r\\n ...After the dam project was officially frozen, we held Watanagashi purely as a festival.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 祟りは再び起こったのだ。<br>\\r\\n But the curse struck again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 犠牲者は、雛見沢の住人でありながら、ダム計画に賛成していた北条という男で、旅行先で夫婦共々、転落事故に遭い死亡した。<br>\\r\\n The victim was a pro-dam activist who lived in Hinamizawa, by the name of Houjou. He and his wife were on a trip when they fell from a cliff to their deaths. It was considered an accident.<br><br>\\r\\n （厳密には、妻の死体は捜索中だと思った。<br>\\r\\n (Technically, police were still searching for the wife's body.<br>\\r\\n 確か、まだ見つかってないんじゃなかったっけ？）<br>\\r\\n If I remember right, they never did find it, did they?)\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りを一番受けるべき男が、またしても綿流しの祭の夜に。<br>\\r\\n Once again, the man most worthy of Oyashiro-sama's curse fell victim on the night of the Watanagashi festival.<br><br>\\r\\n 薄れ掛けていたオヤシロさまの祟りの話は一気にぶり返したのだった。<br>\\r\\n So the fuss over Oyashiro-sama's curse rose up again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それまで、オヤシロさまの存在は希薄なものだった。<br>\\r\\n Until then, Oyashiro-sama wasn't considered very important.<br><br>\\r\\n 少なくとも子どもの世界では、神社の御神体の名称であるだけで、それ以上の意味も以下の意味も持たない、そんな程度の扱いだった。<br>\\r\\n At least in the world of us kids, it was just the name of the object of worship in the shrine. Nothing more than that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 神社の鳥居でおしっこをしている悪ガキもいたし、私だって賽銭箱に手を突っ込んだことくらいある。<br>\\r\\n I'd seen boys peeing on the archway, and I once stuck my hand into the offertory box.<br><br>\\r\\n 神社の神様なんて、そのくらいどうでもいいものだった。<br>\\r\\n The existence of a god didn't matter much to us.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 二年繰り返せば、もうオヤシロさまの祟りを疑う子どもはいなかった。<br>\\r\\n But after two consecutive occurrences, the kids no longer doubted the existence of a curse.<br><br>\\r\\n 皆、本気でオヤシロさまの存在を信じて、怖がったものだ。<br>\\r\\n We were all shaking in fear of Oyashiro-sama.<br><br>\\r\\n 今までは誰も興味を示さなかったオヤシロさまの昔話が、急に脚光を浴びるようになった。<br>\\r\\n Everybody suddenly became interested in the old stories about him, too.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 年寄り連中がするカビ臭い昔話に神妙に聞き入り、<br>\\r\\n We quietly listened to the musty old stories the elders had to tell,<br>\\r\\n 少し前までなら誰もが笑い飛ばしたような、オヤシロさまの奇跡の数々を本気で信じたものだ。<br>\\r\\n and we started genuinely believing in the tales of Oyashiro-sama's miracles, which any of us would've laughed away before.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n で、そのオヤシロさまのルールというのがひどく単純明快だったのだ。<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama's rules were awfully simple and clear.<br><br>\\r\\n 曰く、雛見沢に踏みいる外敵を祟る。<br>\\r\\n Enemies treading into Hinamizawa will be cursed.<br><br>\\r\\n 里から出ていく村人を祟る。<br>\\r\\n Villagers leaving the village will be cursed.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この里の定義がひどくあいまいで、雛見沢村から出たらいけないのか、興宮の町はセーフなのか。<br>\\r\\n What defined the \\\"village\\\" was terribly vague. Were we never allowed to leave Hinamizawa Village? Was going to Okonomiya still safe?<br><br>\\r\\n 一歩でも出たらアウトなのか、２泊３日の温泉旅行くらいだったらセーフなのか、子どもの世界で様々な線引きが行なわれたものだ。<br>\\r\\n Was a single step enough to be out? Was a 3-day, 2-night hot spring trip still safe? We kids tried to draw a line.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 最終的には、オヤシロさまがセーフとする圏内は雛見沢村か興宮の町に自宅があること、<br>\\r\\n It was decided in the end that if you had a house in Hinamizawa or Okinomiya, you were safe,<br>\\r\\n 自宅があるならば、長期旅行も可能…というヘンチクリンな決着になったはずだ。<br>\\r\\n and it was okay to go on trips if you had a house in either area.<br><br>\\r\\n （子どもの世界のルールだし。<br>\\r\\n (I know it's weird,<br>\\r\\n くだらない、って言うのはダウトだろう）<br>\\r\\n but those rules were made up by kids, after all.)\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それに照らし合わせると、私が、遠方の全寮制学園に送られるという話は、オヤシロさまに祟られる条件を満たしているようにも見える。<br>\\r\\n According to those rules, I'd be cursed, since I lived at a boarding school in such a remote area.<br><br>\\r\\n 祟りを信じていると対外的に言うのが恥ずかしいお年頃だったので、私は口には出さなかった。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't say it out loud because I felt embarrassed...<br><br>\\r\\n でも内心は、異郷に送られることで、オヤシロさまの祟りに遭うのでは……と、ちょっぴり怖がっていたことを覚えてる。<br>\\r\\n But in fact, I was a little scared of the curse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「でさ、その翌年にも起こったんだよな。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, it happened again the year after.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「やっぱり二年連続ってのは結構、キますよねぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It sure is scary when it happens two years in a row.<br>\\r\\n 私ゃ今でもオヤシロさまは信じてるなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n I still believe in Oyashiro-sama's power.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音ちゃん、二年なんてもんじゃないよ、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion-chan, what are you saying?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 知らないの？」<br>\\r\\n Don't you know?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「知らないですよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Know?<br>\\r\\n 何の話？」<br>\\r\\n About what?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………そっか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Oh, right.<br>\\r\\n 詩音ちゃんはアレの直前に学園に行っちゃったんだもんな。<br>\\r\\n You went to that school before it happened...<br>\\r\\n …知らないよな。」<br>\\r\\n That's why you don't know.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 叔父さんが、少し余計なことをしゃべり過ぎたような顔をする。<br>\\r\\n Uncle Yoshiroh grimaced as if he said too much.<br><br>\\r\\n ……知らないなら、知らないままの方がよかったかな、<br>\\r\\n ...As though he'd mentioned something\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …そんな顔。 <br>\\r\\n I shouldn't know about...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「何、叔父さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"What is it?<br>\\r\\n そこまで話を振っておいて、急に黙られると面白くないですよー。」<br>\\r\\n You can't leave me hanging like that.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………まぁ、詩音ちゃんももう小さい子じゃないもんな。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Well... I think you're mature enough now.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「叔父さん、私の体のラインが未だ幼児体型に見えるってんなら、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, if you think my body looks underdeveloped,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 目医者行くか、<br>\\r\\n you should see an eye doctor.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ロリコンって呼ばれたいかのどちらかを選んでもらうことになるんですけど。」<br>\\r\\n Either that, or you're a pedo.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……あー、もぅ、わかったよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Ah, humph, okay,<br>\\r\\n 別に隠しゃしないよ。<br>\\r\\n I'll talk.<br>\\r\\n あったんだよ、その後も。」<br>\\r\\n It happened again the year after that.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あったって。<br>\\r\\n \\\"What happened?<br>\\r\\n …叔父さん、さっきから何の話？」<br>\\r\\n ...What are you talking about?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ちくり。<br>\\r\\n Tick.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もっと小さかった子どもの頃。<br>\\r\\n When I was very little...<br><br>\\r\\n …………何かよくない話を聞かされる直前には、必ずこの、ちくりがあった。<br>\\r\\n ......I always had this tick before I heard something bad.<br><br>\\r\\n 胸の奥に住んでいる小人が、良くない事があるのを事前に知らせてくれるのだ。<br>\\r\\n It was like a gnome who lived inside me was giving me a warning.<br><br>\\r\\n …手に持った、小さな針で心をちくりと刺して。<br>\\r\\n ...Like he was poking me with a small needle.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n このちくりがあった直後に親に呼ばれたなら、それはきっと嫌な話やお説教。<br>\\r\\n When I felt this tick before my parents called me, they'd always either chide me or tell me something bad.<br><br>\\r\\n …だから私は敏感に反応して逃げ出したものだ。<br>\\r\\n ...So I used to run away when I felt it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも、歳月は私を鈍くしてしまっていた。<br>\\r\\n But my senses seem to have grown dull over the years.<br><br>\\r\\n せっかく、心の中の小人が教えてくれたのに、<br>\\r\\n Even though my gnome poked at me...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……私は何もできず、ぼーっと座しているしかできなかった。<br>\\r\\n I just sat there.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「えっとなぁ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmm...<br>\\r\\n 実は賛成派の北条が転落事故で死んだ次の年にもな。<br>\\r\\n It happened...<br>\\r\\n …つまりは去年なんだが。<br>\\r\\n again the year after the death of the Houjous...<br>\\r\\n またあったんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n last year, in other words.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あったって。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Did it...<br>\\r\\n …また綿流しの日に？！<br>\\r\\n happen on the day of Watanagashi?!<br>\\r\\n 三年連続で？！<br>\\r\\n Again?!<br>\\r\\n また？！」<br>\\r\\n Three years in a row?!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうなんだよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right.<br>\\r\\n ほら、雛見沢の神社あるよな？<br>\\r\\n You know there's a shrine in Hinamizawa?<br>\\r\\n 古手神社。<br>\\r\\n The Furude Shrine?<br>\\r\\n …あそこの神主が祭の夜に突然、ポックリ逝っちまってよ。<br>\\r\\n ...The priest suddenly died on the night of the festival.<br>\\r\\n 聞いた話じゃ原因不明の奇病で急死したとかしないとか！<br>\\r\\n They said that the cause of death was an unknown illness.<br>\\r\\n それもまたしても綿流しの夜に。<br>\\r\\n And the same night, his wife threw herself into the swamp...<br>\\r\\n で、カミさんもその晩の内に沼に飛び込んじまって…、そりゃあもう大騒ぎさ。<br>\\r\\n There was a big uproar!<br>\\r\\n 村長たちが集まっててんやわんやの………、」<br>\\r\\n The mayor even had to hold an emergency meeting......\\\"<br><br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 「うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mm.<br>\\r\\n 奇病ってのは尾ひれだと思うけどね。<br>\\r\\n I don't think the bit about the illness is true,<br>\\r\\n 急死したってのは本当。<br>\\r\\n but his death was very sudden.<br><br>\\r\\n 神主さんは綿流しの準備で大変だったと思うし、あの頃は少し体調を崩してたみたいだからね。<br>\\r\\n The priest was busy preparing for the festival and he'd gotten sick around that time,<br>\\r\\n 急性心不全とかそうゆう感じの、よくあるヤツだったんだと私は思ってるけどね。」<br>\\r\\n so I guess he died of a heart attack or something.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「でも綿流しの日にってのが異常でしょ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"But it's just crazy that somebody died on the day of Watanagashi again.<br>\\r\\n それも三年連続で。<br>\\r\\n It's the third time in a row.<br>\\r\\n 普通に考えたら、人の死がこうも同じ日に重なるなんてことは考えられない。」<br>\\r\\n It's unbelievable that so many people have died on the exact same day.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「警察も検死したみたいだけど、その後、特に騒がなかったってことは、死因に不審な点はなかったってことじゃないの？<br>\\r\\n \\\"The coroner didn't find anything unusual about the cause of death, so nobody suspected that anything was wrong...<br>\\r\\n ……まぁでも、詩音の言う通り、人の死が三年も続いて綿流しの日に重なると、やっぱり普通じゃないって思うね。」<br>\\r\\n But you're right that the whole situation is abnormal.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「それに、さっきお姉も言った通り、オヤシロさまに祟られそうな人ばかり怪死する。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Only the people who were likely to be cursed died on the day of the festival.<br>\\r\\n これは絶対に何かあります。<br>\\r\\n There must be something behind this.<br>\\r\\n 祟りでも陰謀でも、とにかく絶対裏に何か因果関係がある。」<br>\\r\\n Whether it's a conspiracy or a curse, there has to be.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音とは興宮駅に近い図書館で落ち合う事にした。<br>\\r\\n I decided to meet up with Mion at the library near the Okinomiya train station.<br><br>\\r\\n …魅音を信用しないわけじゃないが、私の住んでいる場所をわざわざ知らせる必要はない。<br>\\r\\n ...It's not that I don't trust Mion, but I don't want to let her know where I live.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この、賑わいのない図書館は、町の人間もそんなには使わないし、ましてや雛見沢の人間はさらに使わない。<br>\\r\\n Not many people use this library, so I won't see anyone from Hinamizawa here.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、人知れず私たちが落ち合うには都合がよかった。<br>\\r\\n It's very convenient for meeting someone in secret.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私たちは今後の生活の仕方や、私のバイトの今後の進め方、姉妹の連携の仕方を十分に確認し終えると、よもやま話に花を咲かせるのだった。<br>\\r\\n After we discussed my life plan and work schedule, we moved to small talk.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が町を離れていた期間は約一年に過ぎない。<br>\\r\\n I've been away from this town for years.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、一年もあれば環境も何かの変化を遂げるものだ。<br>\\r\\n Things have changed.<br><br>\\r\\n …私はそういう様々な変化を魅音から聞き出し、空白の一年を取り戻そうとしていた。<br>\\r\\n ...I asked Mion about those changes in detail, in order to fill in the gaps.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして…たくさんの話をする内に、さっきバイトの打合せに言った時、叔父さんに最後にされた話…。<br>\\r\\n While talking about various things, I brought up what Uncle Yoshiroh had told me...<br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りの話に行き着いたのだった…。<br>\\r\\n About Oyashiro-sama's curse.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が町を離れる時。<br>\\r\\n Even before I left town...<br><br>\\r\\n 祟りはすでに二年連続で起きていた。<br>\\r\\n The curse had already struck twice.<br><br>\\r\\n 一年目の現場監督バラバラ殺人も結構インパクトがあった。<br>\\r\\n The dismemberment murder on the first year left quite an impact.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして翌年。<br>\\r\\n And the year after--<br><br>\\r\\n ダム計画の凍結が発表され、勝利に沸き返る雛見沢で迎えた綿流しの祭の日に、<br>\\r\\n The pro-dam activist couple fell off the cliff<br>\\r\\n 今度は村の裏切り者であるダム推進派の北条夫妻が転落事故。<br>\\r\\n on the day the villagers were enjoying their first Watanagashi festival since the dam project was indefinitely frozen.<br><br>\\r\\n これも…相当のインパクトがあった。<br>\\r\\n This one also left quite the impact.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢を穢すダム現場の監督に天誅が下り、そして次に村の裏切り者に天誅が下る。<br>\\r\\n The evil construction site manager was punished, and the next year, the traitor to the village met the same fate.<br><br>\\r\\n ……一年目だけなら、オヤシロさまの祟りだと騒ぎつつも、不幸な事件だと思うことができる。<br>\\r\\n ...If it had happened only once, people would have concluded that it was just a bizarre coincidence.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、二年目が重なると、これはひょっとして…まさか……本当に祟り？<br>\\r\\n But when it happened two years in a row...<br>\\r\\n という、そういうムードだった。<br>\\r\\n people were far more likely to believe it was a curse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が知るのはここまで。<br>\\r\\n I know up to that part.<br><br>\\r\\n そして私が町を離れている間に。<br>\\r\\n And after I left town...<br>\\r\\n …三年目も起こっていたのだ。<br>\\r\\n the curse struck again for the third time.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢でも興宮でも、…あの頃とは比較にならないくらいの鮮烈なインパクトを持って、オヤシロさまの祟り説が飛び交っていた。<br>\\r\\n People talked about the curse more intensely than ever, both in Hinamizawa and Okinomiya.<br><br>\\r\\n …私は認識を改める必要があった。<br>\\r\\n ...I have to rethink this.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が町を離れている間に、オヤシロさまの祟りは圧倒的現実感を得ていたのだ。<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama's curse has drastically gained credibility while I was away.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の知る二年目までが、ひょっとして祟りかも？<br>\\r\\n It was still unclear with the first two incidents...<br><br>\\r\\n という疑問系だとすると、三年続いた現在は、これはもう祟りに違いない…という確信めいたものにまで至っている。<br>\\r\\n But after it continued for three years straight... people's doubts changed to convictions.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして三年目に死んだ神主も、村の仇敵とまでは行かないものの、<br>\\r\\n Even though the priest who died on the third year wasn't an enemy of the villagers,<br>\\r\\n 雛見沢の村人たちから、あまりいい目で見られてなかった事実があると、…その信憑性はますます高まった。<br>\\r\\n the fact that people in Hinamizawa didn't care for him much... added even more credibility to the idea.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「神主は確か……嫌われてませんでした？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wasn't the priest... hated by a few?<br>\\r\\n 同盟の役員から。」<br>\\r\\n Especially by the committee members?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah.<br>\\r\\n 日和見主義なんじゃないかって叩かれてたね。<br>\\r\\n They criticized him for being a fence-sitter.<br>\\r\\n 戦争末期は、同盟内でも過激な理論がまかり通ってたから。<br>\\r\\n Toward the end of the dam conflict, the protesters were all taking aggressive stances,<br>\\r\\n 神主さんの穏健な態度はそういう人たちにとって、気に食わないものだったと思うね。」<br>\\r\\n so they didn't like how soft he was being.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 神主は顔は厳めしいし、言葉遣いもどことなく硬くて、確かにぱっと見、おっかなそうな人だった。<br>\\r\\n The priest had looked strict and scary. The way he spoke was always so formal.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、実際にはすごく温厚で、控えめな性格の紳士だった。<br>\\r\\n But in reality, he was very warm and reserved.<br><br>\\r\\n この控えめ、という辺りは多分、神主さんが婿養子だからというのもあるだろうが。<br>\\r\\n Maybe it was because he was a son-in-law, having married into his family.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 夏祭の会場でもあり、村の集会場所として開放もされている神社の管理人としては、そういう性格の神主さんは、適材適所であったかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n I'm sure the priest and his personality were the perfect fit for managing the shrine that was used for summer festivals and village meetings.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、そんな井戸端会議場みたいな神社は、<br>\\r\\n But that gathering-spot-style atmosphere of the shrine...<br>\\r\\n ダム戦争勃発と同時に結成された反ダム抵抗組織、鬼ヶ淵死守同盟の事務所所在地になった途端に、その雰囲気をがらりと変えることになる…。<br>\\r\\n changed completely when the dam war broke out and it became the headquarters for the Onigafuchi Guardians.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そもそもダム戦争以前は、オヤシロさまはそんなに祭られていなかった。<br>\\r\\n Prior to the dam protests, hardly anyone worshiped Oyashiro-sama.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 信心深い年寄り連中はもちろん崇めていたが、平均的な人々にとっては、当たるも八卦当たらぬも八卦程度の、その程度の扱いの神様だった。<br>\\r\\n Of course the devout elders paid worship to him, but the average person treated our god like how you'd treat fortune telling.<br><br>\\r\\n そしてダム戦争が始まった時、その程度の扱いだったオヤシロさまは、村の抵抗のシンボルとして急に担ぎ出されることになったのだった。<br>\\r\\n Once the dam protests began, Oyashiro-sama was suddenly hauled out as the symbol of the village's resistance.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさま信仰は根源を紐解けば、<br>\\r\\n Tracing the Oyashiro-sama faith back to its roots,<br>\\r\\n 自分たちは仙人の一族で麓の下民どもとは違う、汚らわしい下民どもは村に近付くな…という、排他的な選民思想に行き着く。<br>\\r\\n it was an exclusive, elitist faith... that believed its members were descended from a holy ancestor, different from the masses at the foot of the mountain, and that those tainted masses should never come near the village.<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、そんな自分勝手な思想は大昔の話で、戦後の平和な日本ではそんな思想、まかり通るわけもない。<br>\\r\\n Of course, such self-centered ideology wasn't acceptable anymore in peaceful postwar Japan.<br><br>\\r\\n だからこそ、時代の移り変わりと共に廃れた思想だった。<br>\\r\\n So this doctrine was abandoned over time.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、その思想はしっかりと残っていて、ダム計画に対抗するために郷土は団結せよというナショナリズムの煽りに掘り起こされる形で、復活してきたのだ。<br>\\r\\n Still, that idea remained, and they trudged it back up to fan the flames of nationalism and unite the town against the dam project.<br><br>\\r\\n そういう思想が復活すると、物事は過激な方へ流れる一方になる。<br>\\r\\n With the revival of those ideas, things only grew more radical by the day.<br><br>\\r\\n ……鬼ヶ淵死守同盟が、攻撃的な性格を持つのに時間はまったくかからなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...And it didn't take very long for the Onigafuchi Guardians to become aggressive.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あとはもう戦時体制みたいなものだ。<br>\\r\\n After that, we were in a state of war.<br><br>\\r\\n 一億一心火の玉だ、鬼畜米英、欲しがりません勝つまでは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"100 million, burning as one!\\\" \\\"Kill the white savages!\\\" \\\"Want naught but victory!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大人も子どもも、外部からの敵を迎え撃てと意気込み、鼻息を荒くした。<br>\\r\\n Adults and kids both were gnawing at the bit, avid to repel the foreign invaders.<br><br>\\r\\n …こうやって表現すると、何だかすごく嫌ぁな、まるで日本の戦時中の暗黒時代を彷彿させるが、<br>\\r\\n ...Describing it like that makes it sound kind of awful, like a reminder of the dark times of wartime Japan,<br>\\r\\n 前にも述べた通り、子どもたちにとってはあれは戦争というよりは戦争ごっこで、村全体が一丸となるお祭のようなものだったのだ。<br>\\r\\n but like I said before, for us kids it felt less like a war and more like a village-wide festival.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………だが、お祭とは言っても、異論を唱える者についてはその扱いは冷淡だった。<br>\\r\\n ......Yet despite calling it a festival, dissenters were treated coldly.<br><br>\\r\\n …その冷淡さについても、戦時体制という表現は逸脱していなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Their heartlessness lived up to the expression \\\"wartime regime.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そういう流れの中で、ダム計画受入を表明した北条夫妻は…本当に勇敢だったと思う。<br>\\r\\n The Houjou couple who voiced their acceptance of their dam project in the midst of that atmosphere... were truly brave.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、祟りの二年目に事故死し、<br>\\r\\n Then on the second year of the curse they died in an accident,<br>\\r\\n 誰もがオヤシロさまの祟りだと信じて疑わない、<br>\\r\\n and everyone believed it was Oyashiro-sama's curse without question...<br><br>\\r\\n 「村の仇敵・裏切り者」の烙印を押されることになるのだ…。<br>\\r\\n So they were branded \\\"traitors\\\" and \\\"enemies of the village\\\"...<br><br>\\r\\n 北条夫妻は村の裏切り者として、村八分以上の責め苦を受けることになる。<br>\\r\\n The Houjou couple faced worse than just being ostracized as traitors.<br><br>\\r\\n 誰もが冷たい目で後ろ指をさしていた。<br>\\r\\n Everyone gave them the cold shoulder and talked behind their backs.<br><br>\\r\\n そんな北条夫妻を村で唯一、敵視しなかったのが……<br>\\r\\n The only person who didn't treat them badly was...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 神主だった。<br>\\r\\n the priest.<br><br>\\r\\n 神主は、反ダムに異論は唱えなかったものの、<br>\\r\\n While the priest never objected to the anti-dam movement,<br>\\r\\n 北条夫妻の「立ち退きに応じて国から賠償金をもらい、生活を再建する」という主張にも、異論を唱えなかったのである。<br>\\r\\n he also never objected to the Houjou couple's advocacy for accepting the government's eviction and restitution to rebuild new lives.<br><br>\\r\\n 北条許すまじをスローガンにし、スケープゴートにすることで村の団結を図ろうとしていた御三家（特に園崎家だが）にとって、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Those unforgiveable Houjous!\\\" became a slogan as the Three Families (especially the Sonozakis) united the village by turning them into scapegoats...<br>\\r\\n 同じ御三家の人間であり、しかも反ダムのシンボルのオヤシロさまを祀る神社の神主が、それを容認したというのは…とても苦々しいことだったのだ。<br>\\r\\n So they must have found it very shameful to have a fellow member of the Three Families approve of that, especially when it was the priest of the shrine that had become a symbol for the dam protests.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼ヶ淵死守同盟の屋台骨であり、雛見沢村の大黒柱である御三家で足並みが揃わないことは好ましくない、<br>\\r\\n As central figures in Hinamizawa, the Three Families were the backbones of the Onigafuchi Guardians, so a difference of opinion was undesirable,<br>\\r\\n 御三家間でトラブルを起こしたくないということから、神主への糾弾は一切行なわれなかった。<br>\\r\\n and the priest was never accused of anything.<br><br>\\r\\n ……だが、人々は異端な神主を陰でヒソヒソと、オヤシロさまの神社の神主として相応しくない、<br>\\r\\n ...But secretly, people whispered that he was a heretic, that he was unfit to serve as Oyashiro-sama's priest,<br>\\r\\n 今にきっとオヤシロさまのバチが当たる…、と噂し合っていた……。<br>\\r\\n that Oyashiro-sama's curse would soon strike him down... along with other rumors...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「今にして考えると、神主さんって結構オトナだったのかもね、って思いません？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't you think the priest was more mature than those around him?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 周りが熱で浮かされてるみたいな状況だったからこそ、ひとりクールに中立を保ってたのは結構、カッコいいことかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n He was pretty cool, managing to keep his head and remain neutral while everyone around him grew fervent.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はこの見解に、魅音も同じように考え相槌を打ってくれると思った。<br>\\r\\n I thought Mion would share my opinion when I chimed back in.<br><br><br>\\r\\n ……だから、魅音が苦笑いしながら、…私の意見に同調しなかった時、<br>\\r\\n ...So when Mion gave me a forced smile... and didn't agree with me...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …ちょっと驚いた。<br>\\r\\n ...I was taken by surprise.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…うーん…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hmm...<br>\\r\\n 本当に大人だったら、あそこは周りに合わせて協調すべきところだったと思うね。<br>\\r\\n If he were really mature, I think he would have cooperated with the others. He should have appeased them.<br>\\r\\n 古手のおじさんは単に神社の神主だっただけじゃなく、仮にも御三家のひとつ、古手家の長だったんだからさ…。<br>\\r\\n He wasn't just the head priest, he was also the head of the Furude family...<br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢全体が結束しなくちゃならない時に、模範となるべき御三家の人間が、自分から和を乱すのは……、<br>\\r\\n That was a time when all of Hinamizawa needed to be united, so having one of the families, who are supposed to serve as examples, disturb that harmony was...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n それがオトナと呼べるかどうかは、<br>\\r\\n I don't know if that should be called mature.<br>\\r\\n …私には難しいなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n ...It's hard for me to tell.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 思わず、きょとんとしてしまった。<br>\\r\\n I was taken aback.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、こう言うのが精一杯だった。<br>\\r\\n I barely managed to say the the following.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...............<br>\\r\\n ………………ふぅん。」<br>\\r\\n Uh-huh.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私たちは瓜二つの双子であっても、魅音・詩音という個々の個性を持っている。<br>\\r\\n Even though we're identical twins, we still had our own unique identities.<br><br>\\r\\n 時には互いの見解に相違があることもある。<br>\\r\\n Every now and then our opinions differed.<br><br>\\r\\n でもそれは大抵、取るに足らない些細なものの話だ。<br>\\r\\n But usually only over some trivial matter.<br><br>\\r\\n こんな…大きな意見の差があった試しは、一度もない。<br>\\r\\n We've never had a difference of opinion this big.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はその違和感が面白くなくて、魅音と私の意見の違いを探ろうと思った。<br>\\r\\n It wasn't an enjoyable feeling. I decided to probe her some more.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「お姉の言う協調って言葉が、何だか好きじゃないんですけど。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't really like that word you used, 'appease'.<br>\\r\\n つまりそれって何？<br>\\r\\n What are you trying to say?<br>\\r\\n 村全体を考えて、神主さんは自分の考えを隠しているべきだったって、そういう話？<br>\\r\\n Are you saying the priest should have thought of the village as a whole and kept his opinions a secret?<br>\\r\\n 要するに全体主義の中で個を主張するなと、そういう話？」<br>\\r\\n Meaning people shouldn't assert the self before the whole?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…べ、別にそこまでは言わないけど…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I-I'm not going that far...<br>\\r\\n ただその、…やっぱり御三家の長のひとりなんだから、もう少し言動は慎重にしてもよかったんじゃないかって、…そういうことだよ。」<br>\\r\\n It's just... I thought that, as a member of the Three Familes, he should have acted more carefully... That's what I mean...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私の言い方が詰問めいていたのか、魅音は少し狼狽しながら答えた。<br>\\r\\n Mion faltered a bit as my tone grew more like a cross-examination.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は自分の言い方がきつい口調になっていたことに気付く。<br>\\r\\n I realized I was speaking a bit too harshly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …魅音の言う話の方が、多分私たちの尺度でいうところのオトナの意見に違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...What Mion expressed was probably the more \\\"mature\\\" opinion on our scale.<br><br>\\r\\n 国という巨大な敵に立ち向かうため、全員が立ち上がらなければならない局面で、それに水をさすような真似は慎むべき。<br>\\r\\n When everyone needs to work together to stand up to a vast enemy like the government, people should refrain from actions that would destabilize that alliance.<br><br>\\r\\n ………こうして字に書いて読めば、それは理解できないことじゃない。<br>\\r\\n ...Writing it out and reading it now, I can understand that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、その全体主義的な考えに頷けるほど、私が大人ではなかったということだ。<br>\\r\\n But I wasn't mature enough to agree to such a totalitarian idea.<br><br>\\r\\n いや、…私が大人でなかった、というのは適当じゃない。<br>\\r\\n Or maybe it wasn't me at all.<br><br>\\r\\n ……魅音が、大人的な考え方をした、という方が正しいかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n ...It was Mion who'd made that mature judgment.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …私たち姉妹が、魅音と詩音に厳密に区別されてから一年ちょっと。<br>\\r\\n ...We've been separated for over a year.<br><br>\\r\\n その間に私は学園に隔離され、町との接点を空白にしていた。<br>\\r\\n I've been away from the town.<br><br>\\r\\n …だがその間、魅音は園崎家頭首の元で、次期頭首としての帝王学を学んでいたのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...In the meantime, Mion has been training to take over the headship of the Sonozaki family.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、魅音は私が隔離される日以前からも次期頭首として扱われてはいた。<br>\\r\\n She'd been treated as such even before I was confined to that institution.<br><br>\\r\\n 何かの式典や会合がある度に鬼婆の隣に座らされたし、鬼婆不在の際には挨拶文を代読するくらいの役割はやらされていた。<br>\\r\\n She sat next to the hag in ceremonies and in meetings. She took her place when the hag was absent.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも、そんな程度だった。<br>\\r\\n But that was just it.<br><br>\\r\\n 私と意見を違えるくらいの差は生まれなかった。<br>\\r\\n We were never that different.<br><br>\\r\\n この一年ちょっとの間に、魅音は…こんなにも「次期頭首」になっていたのだ。<br>\\r\\n Mion has become very like a successor since I've been gone.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ふぅん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Uh-huh.<br>\\r\\n お姉もいつの間に大人になっちゃいましたね。」<br>\\r\\n You sound like a grownup now.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音も、私が何を感じて何を漏らしているのか理解できたらしい。<br>\\r\\n She seemed to get what I was implying.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…やっぱり、私も婆っちゃみたいな考え方になっちゃってきたかな…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Am I thinking like Granny now...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「いいじゃないですかー。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's good.<br>\\r\\n お姉は次期頭首なんだから。<br>\\r\\n You're the successor.<br>\\r\\n いつまでも下々と同じ考え方じゃまずいでしょ。<br>\\r\\n You shouldn't think like the rest.<br>\\r\\n さっすが帝王学を学んだだけのことはある。」<br>\\r\\n You've definitely learned the art of ruling.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そんなの学んでないよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I never learned anything like that.<br>\\r\\n どうやれば婆っちゃのふりができるかって、それだけだよ…。<br>\\r\\n I'm just trying to act like her...<br><br>\\r\\n 詩音にだって簡単にできるよ。」<br>\\r\\n You can do it easily, too.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あははははは、そんなのやりたくないです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Aha ha ha ha. I don't want to.<br>\\r\\n 鬼婆のお守りは魅音のお役目。<br>\\r\\n It's your role.<br>\\r\\n ま、疲れない程度にほどほどに頑張りなさいませ。」<br>\\r\\n Well, don't try too hard or you'll tire yourself out.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 突き放した言い方のつもりはなかったが、魅音には少しそういう風にも聞こえたらしい。<br>\\r\\n I didn't mean to be cold, but Mion seemed to take it that way.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は媚びるような苦笑いをしていた。<br>\\r\\n She smiled as if trying to pacify me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は少し表情を和らげた。<br>\\r\\n I smiled gently back at her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「お姉。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sis......<br>\\r\\n ……………うぅん、魅音。」<br>\\r\\n I mean, Mion.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…な、………何？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...What? ...What is it?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「確かに私たちの別離はいつも穏便じゃなかった。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Our separation has always been tough.<br>\\r\\n 名前を引き離され、住まいを引き離され、…そして体を引き離された時も、いつもね。」<br>\\r\\n Our names, the places where we live, and... our bodies.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は表情を暗くし、俯く。<br>\\r\\n Mion looked down with a serious face...<br>\\r\\n …そして、上目遣いに私の表情を窺った。<br>\\r\\n but then looked right back up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…あんたは私が、その辺りで逆恨みしてるんじゃないかって思ってるかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Maybe you think I'm jealous of that,<br>\\r\\n でもそれは、誤解。<br>\\r\\n but I'm not.<br>\\r\\n そりゃ確かに確執はあったよ？<br>\\r\\n We used to have some disagreements,<br>\\r\\n でもそんなのは時間で流れる程度のもの。<br>\\r\\n but they were always small and forgettable.<br>\\r\\n あんたが引け目を感じるようなことは、何もない。」<br>\\r\\n You don't have to feel sorry for anything.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私たちは母の胎内を出る瞬間まで限りなく公平だった。<br>\\r\\n Up until birth, we were perfectly equal.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、生れ落ちてから、外界の都合で無理やり優劣が与えられた。<br>\\r\\n Right after birth, we were separated by the grownups' priorities.<br><br>\\r\\n …その理不尽に、子供心が怒りの火を灯したこともある。<br>\\r\\n ...I used to get mad about it when I was little.<br>\\r\\n それはもう否定しない。<br>\\r\\n There's no denying that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、そんなことが禍根で、いつまでも私たち姉妹が心をすれ違わせる必要はないのだ。<br>\\r\\n But we don't have to start a disagreement over it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は私の言いたいことは辛うじて理解できたようだった。<br>\\r\\n Mion seems to understand what I'm trying to say.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私たち姉妹は互いの分身なれど、もちろん個性がある。<br>\\r\\n ...We each have our own characteristics, even though we're identical twins.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私たち姉妹しか知らない個性。<br>\\r\\n Only we know the differences.<br><br>\\r\\n …それが互いへの依存度だった。<br>\\r\\n ...We're also dependent on each other because of them.<br><br>\\r\\n 私に比べると魅音は、相手への依存度が高い。<br>\\r\\n Mion seems more dependent.<br><br>\\r\\n …何かことあるごとに私を気にして遠慮する、そういう性格だった。<br>\\r\\n ...She always worries about me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音にだけ饅頭が与えられると、二つに割って私に持って来る。<br>\\r\\n If somebody gave her a cookie, she'd divide it in two and give one half to me.<br><br>\\r\\n 与えられたのが飴玉なら、私の表情を窺って、同意が得られるまで口には入れられない。<br>\\r\\n If somebody gave her a candy, she'd wait until I said it was okay to eat it.<br><br>\\r\\n そこへ行くと私は冷たい。<br>\\r\\n On the contrary, I'm cold.<br><br>\\r\\n 自分だけが得できるなら、相手なんか気にしない。<br>\\r\\n I don't care about others if I'm satisfied.<br><br>\\r\\n いただきます、ごちそうさまの二つ返事で口に放り込む。<br>\\r\\n I'd put the candy in my mouth right away.<br><br>\\r\\n （もちろん、充分な姉妹愛が互いにあるのを前提にした上での話だ。<br>\\r\\n (I have to emphasize that I don't hate her,<br>\\r\\n 私はお姉が嫌いなわけじゃないことを、改めて強調しておく）<br>\\r\\n and I'm well aware that she loves me.)\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……その辺りは、互いに知っていて認めている。<br>\\r\\n ......We both know that.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は、次期頭首という分けて口に入れられない飴玉を、…口に入れていいものか、ずっと私の表情を窺いながら今日まで過して来たに違いないのだ。<br>\\r\\n Mion must have been hesitating to put the candy of the successor in her mouth and was waiting to see if I was okay with that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「がんばれ、…魅音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Do your best, Mion...<br>\\r\\n 私も詩音をがんばる。」<br>\\r\\n I'll do my best as Shion, too.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音の額に、ゲンコツをこつりと、押し当てる。<br>\\r\\n I tapped her forehead with my fist lightly.<br><br>\\r\\n ……魅音はその私の拳にじっと額を付け、温もりとかそういう、触れ合わなければ感じられない微量なものを感じているようだった。<br>\\r\\n ...Mion put her forehead against my fist as if trying to feel the warmth.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この子は魅音。<br>\\r\\n She's Mion.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は詩音。<br>\\r\\n And I'm Shion.<br><br>\\r\\n この子は園崎家の次期頭首で、私は明日はどこ吹く風の自由人。<br>\\r\\n She's the successor of the Sonozaki family, and I'm just a vagabond.<br><br>\\r\\n それは差別じゃなく、個性だ。<br>\\r\\n That isn't a distinction, but rather, our individuality.<br><br>\\r\\n もう互いに相手のことを変に気にすることはやめよう。<br>\\r\\n We shouldn't worry too much about the other anymore.<br>\\r\\n 互いに自分の個性で、肩の力を抜いて生きていこうじゃないか…。<br>\\r\\n We should feel relaxed, living as who we are, with our own characteristics.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n これらを口に出す必要はない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't have to say any of that out loud.<br>\\r\\n こうして、互いに触れ合うことでそれは伝わるのだ。<br>\\r\\n We can communicate by touch, just like this.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Okay...<br>\\r\\n ………ありがと。<br>\\r\\n Thanks,<br>\\r\\n 詩音。」<br>\\r\\n Shion.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「がんばろ、魅音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"No worries, Mion.<br>\\r\\n 困ったことがあったらいつでも相談して。<br>\\r\\n Let's talk to each other whenever we want to,<br>\\r\\n 私たちはいつだってそうやって来た。<br>\\r\\n like we've always been.<br>\\r\\n それはこれからも何も変わらないよ。」<br>\\r\\n That'll never change, okay?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Okay.<br>\\r\\n ……うん。」<br>\\r\\n ......Okay.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は額で私の拳をぐいぐいと押しながら、俯きがちに頷き続けていた…。<br>\\r\\n Mion kept nodding, with her forehead against my fist...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音とは、夕方を待たずに別れた。<br>\\r\\n I said goodbye to Mion before it turned to evening.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、空白期間にあった町の出来事を全て取り戻したし、姉妹水入らずなおしゃべりを充分に堪能できた。<br>\\r\\n We had talked about the things that happened during my time away, and I enjoyed having that chat between sisters very much.<br><br>\\r\\n …それに、互いが心の中で持ち合っていた、わだかまりも、解くことができた。<br>\\r\\n ...We were able to dissolve our unsettled emotions.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 今までの私たちなら、そんな話はしない。<br>\\r\\n We didn't used to do that.<br><br>\\r\\n 互いに会えなかった一年という空白期間のお陰だったのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n Maybe it's because we hadn't seen each other for over a year.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………ふー。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Whew.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 夕方を目前に控えた昼下がり。<br>\\r\\n It was late afternoon.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私はほんの少し軽やかになった肩で、う〜〜んと、背伸びをして空を仰いだ。<br>\\r\\n ......My heart felt lighter now. I stretched and looked up at the sky.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 澄み渡る空は、どこまでも青くて、そして遠い。<br>\\r\\n The sky was clear, blue, and far away.<br><br>\\r\\n 私という木が、どこまで枝を伸ばしても何もぶつからない。<br>\\r\\n No matter how tall I grow,<br>\\r\\n そんな、高くて遠い、大空だった。<br>\\r\\n I'll never be able to touch that sky.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は園崎詩音。<br>\\r\\n I'm <NAME>.<br><br>\\r\\n ……押し付けられた人生である学園を脱走した自由人。<br>\\r\\n ...A girl who escaped from the life she was forced to live.<br><br>\\r\\n 咎められこそすれ、私の行く末は誰にも褒められないものになるだろう。<br>\\r\\n Nobody will praise me for what I did and for what I'm going to do.<br><br>\\r\\n …でも自分が自分で選び取った人生なのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...But this is what I chose.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あっは！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Aha!<br>\\r\\n …なぁんだ、私だって大人な考え方、できるじゃない。」<br>\\r\\n ...I can think maturely, too!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 自分で自分を景気付けるように、勇んでみせる。<br>\\r\\n I psyched myself up.<br><br>\\r\\n 元気も出たところで、夕食のお買い物にでも行こう。<br>\\r\\n I should go shopping for dinner.<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西に当面の生活費は工面してもらったけど、やっぱり節約して使わないといけない。<br>\\r\\n Though I have Kasai's help, I need to save money.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ジャンクフードもいいけど、割安にするためにも自炊は避けられないかな。<br>\\r\\n I love junk food, but it'd be cheaper to cook.<br><br>\\r\\n …皮肉にも、学園で叩き込まれた家庭科が役に立つ。<br>\\r\\n ...Ironically, the culinary classes from that evil school will come in handy.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 上一色の商店街でも行くか。<br>\\r\\n Why not go to the shopping district in Kami-isshiki?<br><br>\\r\\n …あれ？<br>\\r\\n ...Hm?<br>\\r\\n だったらこの道、こっちじゃない。<br>\\r\\n If I'm going there,<br>\\r\\n 向こうから行った方が少し近いはずだ。<br>\\r\\n then I'd need to take the other street.<br><br>\\r\\n 夕方前の、ちょっと涼しくなりかけた風がとても心地よかった。<br>\\r\\n The cool breeze in the late afternoon felt nice on my skin.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 買ってきたものを袋から出して冷蔵庫にしまっている時、葛西がやってきた。<br>\\r\\n Kasai came to the door while I was putting stuff I bought into the fridge.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あー、待って待って。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, wait a sec.<br>\\r\\n 今、カギ開けます。」<br>\\r\\n I'm coming.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…お買い物の帰りですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Did you go grocery shopping?<br>\\r\\n お疲れさまです。」<br>\\r\\n You must be tired.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「買い物程度で疲れてちゃたまんないよ、あははは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't get tired from grocery shopping. Ahahaha.<br>\\r\\n あ、葛西も食べてく？<br>\\r\\n Oh, do you want dinner?<br>\\r\\n 一人者にはスーパーの野菜の単位は大き過ぎだしね。」<br>\\r\\n I bought enough for you, too.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「よろしいんですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Is that alright?<br>\\r\\n …ご厄介になってもいいものでしたら、ぜひ。」<br>\\r\\n ...If you say so, I'd be happy to.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は、さてさてどんなものが出てくるやらと、興味津々な笑みを浮かべている。<br>\\r\\n Kasai looked curious about what I'd cook.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ちぇー。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Humph.<br>\\r\\n その顔は全然、信じてないなぁ？<br>\\r\\n You don't look like you believe in my cooking skills.<br>\\r\\n 見てろぉ〜！」<br>\\r\\n You'll pay for that later!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「これらは冷蔵庫でいいんですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Are you putting these in the refrigerator?<br>\\r\\n 入れておきますよ。」<br>\\r\\n I'll do it.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、悪いね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, thanks...<br>\\r\\n …二人分だとお米はこのくらいかな。<br>\\r\\n Is this amount of rice enough for two?<br>\\r\\n よっこらしょっと。」<br>\\r\\n Here I go.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は袋いっぱいの食品の山を吟味しながら、器用に冷蔵庫にしまっていってくれた。<br>\\r\\n Kasai skillfully packed food in the fridge while glancing at each item in turn.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして、ふと気付き、私に声をかける。<br>\\r\\n He noticed something.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……詩音さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Shion-san,<br>\\r\\n 相変わらず缶詰はダメなんですか？」<br>\\r\\n do you still hate canned food?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西に言われるまでもなく、私の買い物には缶詰がない。<br>\\r\\n I hadn't bought any.<br>\\r\\n …偶然じゃなく、意図的にだ。<br>\\r\\n That was, of course, on purpose.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「缶詰を避けての買い物はいろいろ大変でしょう。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"It must be hard to avoid it.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ん〜〜〜…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmmm...<br>\\r\\n 理屈じゃわかってんだけどねぇ。<br>\\r\\n I know it's illogical...<br>\\r\\n …無理強いされりゃ、食べないこともないけど。<br>\\r\\n Maybe I could eat it if somebody forced me to...<br>\\r\\n ……うぅん、それでも私ゃやっぱりパスだな…。」<br>\\r\\n No, on second thought, I definitely couldn't...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悪かったと思ってます。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I feel really sorry.<br>\\r\\n 少しふざけすぎたと思ってますよ。<br>\\r\\n I know I was out of line then.<br>\\r\\n だからそろそろ、あんな下らない話、忘れて下さってもいいのに。」<br>\\r\\n Please forget about that story.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ〜〜もぅ、うっさいなぁ！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahh, shut up!<br>\\r\\n 男が厨房にちゃらちゃら出入りしない！<br>\\r\\n Men shouldn't hang around in the kitchen!<br>\\r\\n テレビでも見てて大人しくしててよー。」<br>\\r\\n Go watch TV or something.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は小さく笑うと、それ以上ちょっかいは出さず、大人しく引っ込んでくれた。<br>\\r\\n Kasai chuckled and left.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 自分でも馬鹿だなぁと思うのだが。<br>\\r\\n I know this sounds stupid...<br>\\r\\n ……私は缶詰がダメだ。<br>\\r\\n but I hate canned food.<br><br>\\r\\n 知らずに食べても、あとからそれが缶詰の肉だったと教えられるだけで吐きそうになってしまう。<br>\\r\\n If somebody told me there was canned food in a meal I just ate, I'd throw up.<br><br>\\r\\n きっかけは下らない。<br>\\r\\n It started with a silly thing.<br><br>\\r\\n ……昔、小さい頃に、葛西に吹き込まれた怪談のせいなのだ。<br>\\r\\n ......Kasai told me a horror story when I was little.<br><br>\\r\\n …ほら、都市伝説なんかによくあるじゃない。<br>\\r\\n ...You know, one of those urban legends.<br><br>\\r\\n 出所不明の怪しげな肉の話とか。<br>\\r\\n About meat made from an unknown source.<br><br>\\r\\n ハンバーガーの肉にはミミズが混じってるとか、牛丼屋の牛肉には犬の肉が混じってるとか、そういう類の話。<br>\\r\\n Like those rumors about how there's worm meat mixed into burger patties, or dog meat in beef bowls.<br><br>\\r\\n 小生意気な私が大いに怖がるので、葛西はだいぶ面白がって吹き込んだらしい。<br>\\r\\n Kasai had fun telling me one of those stories because of how scared I got.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 当時の葛西は面白いからそれでいいが、当時の私には大いに問題だ。<br>\\r\\n He had fun, but I obviously didn't.<br><br>\\r\\n スーパーの缶詰コーナーで泣き出すくらいの缶詰嫌いになったのだから。<br>\\r\\n I even started to cry in the canned food section of a supermarket. That's how much I hated it.<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、今ではそこまで過剰な反応は示さなくなったつもりだが…。<br>\\r\\n I don't freak out like that anymore,<br>\\r\\n やっぱり好きではない。<br>\\r\\n but I still don't like canned food.<br><br>\\r\\n ……好きでないなら、無理をすることもないと、今ではごく当り前のように缶詰を避けて生活している。<br>\\r\\n ...Since I don't like it, I don't force myself and I now live my life naturally avoiding canned food.<br><br>\\r\\n ちなみにこれは私だけの固有のものだ。<br>\\r\\n One of the big differences between us twins...<br>\\r\\n 魅音にはない。<br>\\r\\n Is that Mion doesn't have this issue.<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西のヤツも、少しはこれについて責任は感じているようだが、舌を出して謝る以上のことはできないようだ。<br>\\r\\n Kasai feels responsible for this, but he can't rid me of that fear.<br><br>\\r\\n 私みたいなパーフェクトな人間にも、その程度の好き嫌いがあった方が面白いかもしれないしね。<br>\\r\\n Still, a flaw like this is actually a good thing, otherwise I'd be too perfect!<br>\\r\\n あはははははははは。<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahaha.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「葛西〜、机の上の新聞どけて〜。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Kasai, set the table, would you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「いい匂いですね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It smells good.<br>\\r\\n ご馳走になります。」<br>\\r\\n Thank you for doing this.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「量が足りないと思ったら、あとは勝手に牛丼屋にでも行くことー。<br>\\r\\n \\\"If this isn't enough food, you can go to a beef bowl place later or something.<br>\\r\\n あ、テレビは切らないで。<br>\\r\\n And don't turn off the TV.<br>\\r\\n 私ゃ静かな食卓ってヤツが苦手だから。」<br>\\r\\n I hate having dinner in silence.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「では、いただきます。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Thank you for the meal.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「で？<br>\\r\\n \\\"So,<br>\\r\\n 葛西、何の用だったの？<br>\\r\\n what is it, Kasai?<br>\\r\\n 何か用事があって来たんでしょ。」<br>\\r\\n You came here for something, didn't you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n お茶碗を渡しながら聞く。<br>\\r\\n I handed him a cup of tea.<br><br>\\r\\n 食事が終わってから聞いてもよかったが、そういう回りくどいのは苦手だ。<br>\\r\\n I could wait until dinner was over, but I wanted to get to the point quick.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…食事が終わってからの方がいいかと思ってましたが、<br>\\r\\n \\\"I thought I should wait until we finished, but...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …食べながらにしますか？」<br>\\r\\n would you mind if I talked while eating?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「葛西が来た時点で、ずーっと何の用か気になってるから。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's been bugging me since you got here.<br>\\r\\n 先に言ってくれた方がゴハンの通りがよくていいかもです。」<br>\\r\\n It'd be much easier for me to eat if you started talking now.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「自宅に学園から電話が今日、ありました。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"We received a phone call from the school today.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「今日？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Today?<br>\\r\\n あっははは、そりゃ遅いね。<br>\\r\\n Aha ha, that's late.<br>\\r\\n よーっぽっど表沙汰にしたくなかったと見えるなぁ。<br>\\r\\n Sounds like they didn't want to make it public.<br>\\r\\n あっはははは。<br>\\r\\n Aha haha...<br>\\r\\n …で、どうなったの？」<br>\\r\\n So, what happened?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「電話は茜さんが取りました。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Akane-san took the call.<br>\\r\\n 親父さんには後で折を見て話すそうです。」<br>\\r\\n She said she was going to tell your father when the time is right.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 茜さんってのはうちの母を指す。<br>\\r\\n Akane-san is my mom.<br>\\r\\n 両親が結婚する前から旧知の葛西らしい呼び方だ。<br>\\r\\n That's what Kasai calls her, as he's known her since before her marriage.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「で？<br>\\r\\n \\\"So?<br>\\r\\n 母さんなんか言ってた？」<br>\\r\\n What did she say?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 電話を受けたのが母さんなのは、まだツイてた方かもしれない。<br>\\r\\n I was lucky she answered the phone.<br><br>\\r\\n 母さんは比較的私の味方だからだ。<br>\\r\\n Since she's relatively on my side.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「仕方のないヤツだ、と漏らしておりました。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Other than calling you a brat...<br>\\r\\n …こういう結果も、決して予想外ではなかったような顔つきでしたね。」<br>\\r\\n She didn't seem surprised by this outcome.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……ふーん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I see.<br>\\r\\n 親父にはまだ知らせてないんだ？」<br>\\r\\n So she hasn't told Dad yet?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「茜さんなりにタイミングを計っているんでしょう。<br>\\r\\n \\\"She's probably waiting for the right moment.<br>\\r\\n 多分、二三日中には話すものと思います。」<br>\\r\\n I think she's going to in a couple of days.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……親父は鬼婆寄りだからなぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Humm, dad is on the hag's side,<br>\\r\\n 耳に入れば自動的に鬼婆にも伝えるだろうな。<br>\\r\\n so he'll definitely talk to her if he hears about it.<br>\\r\\n で、鬼婆の耳に入れば、見つけ次第、即刻ここへ連れて来い。<br>\\r\\n Then she'll have her men bring me to her<br>\\r\\n 申し開きの如何によっては、指の一本や二本…ってことになるだろうねぇ。<br>\\r\\n and depending on my explanation, make me offer a finger or two...<br>\\r\\n …おっかないこって。<br>\\r\\n Scary!<br>\\r\\n あははは！」<br>\\r\\n Aha ha ha!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「笑い事で済めばいいんですがねぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I wish you could laugh it off,<br>\\r\\n …詩音さんの指だけじゃ済まないかもしれないってとこだけ、よくお願いしますよ？<br>\\r\\n but... please remember you're not the only one who...<br>\\r\\n …あちちちち…。」<br>\\r\\n Ouch...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あっはははは！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Aha ha ha ha!<br>\\r\\n がっつくからだよー。<br>\\r\\n You're eating too fast!<br>\\r\\n あ、ちなみに味噌汁もご飯も作りすぎてるから、御代わりは強制ね？<br>\\r\\n Uh, I cooked too much rice and miso soup, so you'll have to have another round.<br>\\r\\n 三杯は絶対食べること！」<br>\\r\\n At least three helpings, all right?!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その数日後、魅音から、鬼婆の耳に私の脱走の話が及んだことが伝えられた。<br>\\r\\n A few days later, Mion told me that the hag had heard about my escape.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「で？<br>\\r\\n \\\"So?<br>\\r\\n 鬼婆はどんな感じだった？」<br>\\r\\n How did she take it?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「婆っちゃはカンカンでさ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"She was furious.<br>\\r\\n もしも興宮界隈に帰ってきてるなら、即刻見つけ次第、自分の前に引っ立てろってさ。」<br>\\r\\n She said that if you were in Okinomiya, she'd get you right away.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「おーコワ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Scary.<br>\\r\\n で？<br>\\r\\n And?<br>\\r\\n 実際に親父とかの動向は？」<br>\\r\\n Is Dad doing anything?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「近々の親族会議で、詩音をかくまってないか問い質すみたいだね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"They'll hold a family council soon to see if any of the family members are hiding you.<br>\\r\\n でも、若いのに町中を捜させるとか、そういう真似はしないみたいだよ。」<br>\\r\\n It doesn't look like she'll have the greenhorns search for you all over town, though.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 親族会議で問い質す、というのは鬼婆の手前だけのこと。<br>\\r\\n Holding a family council means that things will remain in the hag's hands alone.<br><br>\\r\\n 町中を根こそぎ捜す気がない、ということは、これは暗に私の存在を認めてくれてるようなものだ。<br>\\r\\n She won't search the town for me. It's like she's unofficially approving my presence.<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、目立つところに堂々と出て行けばすぐお縄になるのだが。<br>\\r\\n Of course, I'll get caught immediately if they find me in a large public place.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……母さんがずいぶん暗躍してくれたみたいだね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Seems like Mom did a lot to help me.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 母さんなりに、私の生き方を応援してくれてるのがわかった。<br>\\r\\n I can tell she's being supportive.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……長くなるから説明を端折るが、母さんは園崎家の血を引く人間だが少し異端なのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...It's a long story, but my mom is sort of an outlaw, even though she's of the Sonozaki bloodline.<br><br>\\r\\n ずいぶん昔、園崎家の戒律とかそういうのを徹底的に嫌ったことがあるらしく、<br>\\r\\n A long time ago, she had a huge fight with the hag because she hated the family rules and traditions.<br>\\r\\n 鬼婆ととことん喧嘩し、勘当されたこともあるらしい。<br>\\r\\n She was even excommunicated.<br><br>\\r\\n …本来、園崎家次期頭首は母さんだったのに、それが剥奪されて、孫であるお姉が次期頭首にスライドしたのには、そういう経緯があるらしい。<br>\\r\\n ...My mom was supposed to be the successor, but she was deprived of the title and Sis took her place instead.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 今でこそ大人しくなり、波風を立てないようになったが、母さんが異端であることにかわりはない。<br>\\r\\n While she's quiet now, Mom's still an outlaw.<br><br>\\r\\n …だから、園崎家のややこしい戒律で差別を被る私に、母さんは昔からいつも味方になってくれたのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...She's always been on my side, because I also hate rules and traditions.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「親父、最初はすっごくカンカンだったらしいよ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Dad was flaring up at first,<br>\\r\\n 母さんがだいぶなだめたらしい。<br>\\r\\n but Mom pacified him...<br>\\r\\n …何のかんの言っても、親父は最後には母さんには勝てないからね。」<br>\\r\\n He can't win against her, after all.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ＯＫ、ありがと。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay, thanks.<br>\\r\\n また何かあったら教えてね。<br>\\r\\n Let me know if something comes up...<br>\\r\\n ……本当の本当にヤバくなったら、私もこの町を離れるつもりだから。<br>\\r\\n If things really go bad, I'm ready to leave town.<br>\\r\\n 葛西とか義郎叔父さんとか…それに母さんとか、世話になった人の顔は潰せないからね。」<br>\\r\\n I can't let Kasai, Uncle Yoshiroh... or Mom lose face.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…お姉、あんたが今、何を考えてるかわかりますよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Sis, I know what you're thinking.<br>\\r\\n どうして同じ血を分けた姉妹なのに、詩音だけこんな隠れるように生活しなきゃならないのか…でしょ？」<br>\\r\\n You're asking yourself why only I have to go through this, even though we're twins, aren't you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音はしばらくの沈黙をもって、それを肯定した。<br>\\r\\n Mion was silent. That meant yes.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音だけ…こんな窮屈な思いをするのはフェアじゃないよ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It isn't fair that only you have to live like this...<br>\\r\\n 絶対。」<br>\\r\\n It's absolutely not.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…ありがと。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Thanks.<br>\\r\\n 気持ちだけでもうれしいです、お姉。」<br>\\r\\n I appreciate your feelings.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……表に出たい時とか、あったら相談して。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Tell me when you want to go out.<br>\\r\\n 詩音がいつでも魅音になれるよう、協力するからさ…。」<br>\\r\\n I'll arrange my plans so that I can trade places with you...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n お姉の申し訳なさそうな口調。<br>\\r\\n She sounded apologetic.<br><br>\\r\\n …こういう時は、変に言葉を失ったり、付き合うようなことを言ったりすると泥沼になる。<br>\\r\\n ...I shouldn't go quiet, or agree with her.<br><br>\\r\\n お姉は私と違ってドライじゃない。<br>\\r\\n She sticks to things a little too much.<br>\\r\\n 深みにはまると落ち込みやすい性分だ。<br>\\r\\n Once she goes down, she'll stay there for a while.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だから、そっけなくこう告げてやった。<br>\\r\\n So, I just told her simply.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ありがと。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Thanks...<br>\\r\\n ……実はそれが一番ありがたいです。<br>\\r\\n That's really nice of you.<br>\\r\\n じゃ、切りますね。<br>\\r\\n Okay, I'm hanging up now.<br>\\r\\n じゃあね、またね。」<br>\\r\\n Talk to you later.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n のんびりとしたいつもの昼下がりだった。<br>\\r\\n It's a very quiet afternoon, as always.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ぶらぶらと表を歩けない私は、買い物ですら、魅音と口裏を合わせる必要があった。<br>\\r\\n Since I can't go outside as myself, I have to match schedules with Mion when I go shopping.<br><br>\\r\\n （口裏合わせは慣れみたいなもので、今では何も苦痛に感じなくなっていた）<br>\\r\\n (I've gotten used to it by now, so it's no longer a hassle.)<br><br>\\r\\n だから必然的に、買い物はまとめ買いになる。<br>\\r\\n Because of this, I naturally have to buy things in bulk.<br><br>\\r\\n 今日の買い物もそうで、私はいくつものお店と自宅を往復して、あれやこれやと買い漁っていたのだった。<br>\\r\\n Today, I shuttled between shops and my home.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「え〜〜と、あれは買った、これも買った。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ehh... I got this, I got that...<br>\\r\\n …あ、そうだ！<br>\\r\\n Oh, wait!<br>\\r\\n 今日って１００円セールの日じゃなかったっけ？！<br>\\r\\n Isn't it a 100-yen sale day today?<br>\\r\\n 忘れてた忘れてた！」<br>\\r\\n I forgot this.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう思い、上機嫌な私は両腕を振り回すように、ぐるっと踵を返す。<br>\\r\\n Being in a good mood, I spun around with my arms spread out.<br>\\r\\n さながら小さなつむじ風。<br>\\r\\n I felt like a little whirlwind.<br><br><br>\\r\\n そのつむじ風は、歩道を塞ぐように、実に邪魔っけに停めてあったバイクに腕をバシンとぶつけてしまう。<br>\\r\\n My arm hit a motorcycle parked on the sidewalk. It obviously wasn't where it was supposed to be.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…痛って！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Ow!!<br>\\r\\n な、……もぅ！！<br>\\r\\n What the...?<br>\\r\\n 何、こんなとこに停めてるの誰ー？！」<br>\\r\\n Who parked this motorcycle here?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 上機嫌な私はノーウェイトで、その邪魔っけなバイクに蹴りをくれてやった。<br>\\r\\n I gave it a kick with no hesitation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n バイクは３台。<br>\\r\\n There were three motorcycles lined up there in a row.<br><br>\\r\\n それらはドミノ倒しのように、バタバタンと倒れていった。<br>\\r\\n They all fell like dominoes.<br><br>\\r\\n あまりに綺麗に決まったので、自分でも少し面白かった。<br>\\r\\n It was a beautiful sight. This is fun, I thought.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 上機嫌な時ってのは、いろいろとガードが甘いものだ。<br>\\r\\n Being in such a good mood made me leave my guard down.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はこのバイクの持ち主がすぐ近くにいて、しかも非常にガラの悪そうな連中だということを、全然気にしていなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\n I didn't realize that the owners of the motorcycles were right nearby. They looked pretty scary.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n バイクを蹴り倒して意気揚々と立ち去ろうとする私の襟首を掴んで、薄暗い路地裏に引きずり込む。<br>\\r\\n They grabbed me by the neck and dragged me into a dark alley.<br><br>\\r\\n そして浴びせる罵詈雑言…。<br>\\r\\n Then they called me all kinds of names...<br><br>\\r\\n 私はあまりの舞台転換の速さについていけず、しばらくの間、何が何やらわからずきょとんとしていた…。<br>\\r\\n Everything was happening too quickly for me to grasp what was going on...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「んだてめンなろぉおおぉおおおッ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Dafuq're ye, bitch?!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n すったるぁ、おるぁあッ！！」<br>\\r\\n Whatcha think yer doin'?! Huhh?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「をるぉんったら、ぅッってん場合じゃえぇんあぞぉぉお！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Fookin' bash yer head in, bitch!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ごらあッ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Grrraaaah!!<br>\\r\\n んまってンら、なしツくとぉッんじゃねえぞおおぉおおッ！！」<br>\\r\\n Gonna pay fer whatcha did!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …うっわ。<br>\\r\\n ...Whoa.<br>\\r\\n 素敵に日本語支障してるなぁ。<br>\\r\\n They can't really talk properly.<br><br>\\r\\n そもそも、何を言ってるのかわからないから、思わず苦笑いして、小首をかしげたくなる。<br>\\r\\n I didn't have a clue what they were saying.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 最大限に彼ら３人の発言を好意的に翻訳すると、つまりこういうことだ。<br>\\r\\n I had to translate their alien tongue into normal human words in order to understand.<br><br>\\r\\n 私たち３人は、自分たちのバイクをあなたに蹴り倒されて大変、憤慨しています。<br>\\r\\n We are very upset because you knocked down our motorcycles.'<br><br>\\r\\n あなたは非を認めた上で謝罪し、掛かるバイクの修繕料と慰謝料を直ちに即金でお支払いいただきたい。<br>\\r\\n 'You should immediately pay for the repair and compensation.'<br>\\r\\n ……とまぁ、多分こんな感じかな。<br>\\r\\n ...Yeah, that was probably it.<br><br>\\r\\n で、私どものご意見を申しあげましたが、それについてそちら様はいかがお考えでしょうか？<br>\\r\\n 'That's our offer. What do you say?'<br><br>\\r\\n ご意見賜れれば光栄かと存じますので、どうかよろしくお願いいたします…。<br>\\r\\n 'We'd be happy to listen to your opinion...'<br>\\r\\n ってな感じだと思う。<br>\\r\\n Something like that?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「うらぁ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"HuuUUh!!<br>\\r\\n うッとんでぁあいじゃねえどおらああぁッ！！」<br>\\r\\n Whatendaummm?!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁ、ごめんなさい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, sorry.<br>\\r\\n さすがにそろそろ翻訳不能かも。」<br>\\r\\n I don't think I can continue interpreting.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ああぁッ？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahh?!<br>\\r\\n んだとごらああぁッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Whacha sayin'?!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もちろんご趣旨はわかってる。<br>\\r\\n I know what they're trying to say.<br><br>\\r\\n でもまぁ、あんなに堂々と歩道塞いでバイク止めてりゃさ。<br>\\r\\n But somebody has to warn them<br>\\r\\n いずれ誰かが天誅下さなきゃならなったと思うわけだし。<br>\\r\\n about the way they park their motorcycles.<br><br>\\r\\n ノーマナー行為には然るべきペナルティがなきゃ、公衆道徳を遵守してる人たちが気の毒でしょ。<br>\\r\\n It wouldn't be fair to those who obey the rules if there were no punishment for those who disobey them.<br>\\r\\n 私のあれは、まぁ偶然の事故だったわけだけど、神さまの視点から見れば、これは立派な天罰だ。<br>\\r\\n This is an accident, but it must also be God's will.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも神さま…。<br>\\r\\n But, God...<br>\\r\\n 私を使って天罰をするのは勝手だけど、その後こうして路地裏みたいなところに引きずり込まれて、不良三人組に、よってたかって罵倒されることに対するフォローはどうなってるわけ…？<br>\\r\\n you can use me to punish these guys, but how will you compensate me later...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n はぁ、と大きなため息をひとつ。<br>\\r\\n I heaved a huge sigh.<br><br>\\r\\n …今さら言うまでもないだろうけど。<br>\\r\\n ...Of course,<br>\\r\\n 私はこの状況に欠片ほどの恐怖心も持っていない。<br>\\r\\n I wasn't afraid in this situation at all.<br><br>\\r\\n なぜなら、…そんなに危機的状況とは思わないからだ。<br>\\r\\n Because... it wasn't a dangerous one for me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 女の子ひとりに対して、大柄な男が三人がかりで、ありったけの怒声を浴びせるってのは、インパクトとしては強いかもしれないけど、いろいろと彼らに不利な点が多過ぎる。<br>\\r\\n These three guys were yelling at the top of their lungs at a girl. They didn't look good doing it, and they had too many disadvantages.<br><br>\\r\\n まず性別の違いと人数の違い。<br>\\r\\n First, there was the differences in gender and in the number of people.<br><br>\\r\\n 言うに及ばず、たとえ私が八割方悪くても、女を怒鳴る男は自動的に悪者扱いになる。<br>\\r\\n Even if I did something wrong, as men shouting at a woman, it didn't make them look like they were in the right.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、人数比も１：３ともなれば、さらに数の暴力も成立するから、どう公平に見たって、両成敗にはならない。<br>\\r\\n Added to that, there were three of them; it already looked like it was going to get violent.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして路地裏というシチュエーションと、彼らの要求が謝罪に留まらず、金銭要求に及んでいる点も、彼らにとって致命的だ。<br>\\r\\n Second, the location. Taking a girl into a dark, narrow alleyway is already a bad idea, and top of that they're asking for money, not just an apology.<br><br>\\r\\n これだけ致命的条件が重なれば、大衆正義は私に味方する。<br>\\r\\n Thanks to these facts, the public will be on my side...<br>\\r\\n …つまり、結果の見えた勝負なわけだ。<br>\\r\\n so this was a fight they couldn't possibly win.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 彼らの勝利条件は、そういった大衆正義に裁かれる前に、私を観念させてなけなしの小銭を巻き上げること、ということになる。<br>\\r\\n The only way for them to win would be to take my money before somebody finds out.<br><br>\\r\\n …そう考えれば、大衆に発見される可能性が少しでも低そうな、この路地裏に私を引っ張り込んだのは十分に理解可能だ。<br>\\r\\n ...Considering that, taking me to this narrow, secluded alleyway might've been a smart move, since fewer people will find out about this situation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ううらぁ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huuuh!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 聞いてんのかンにゃろおおぉおぉお！！」<br>\\r\\n Ye list'nin or not?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n だが、私は彼らにほとんど勝率がないのをすでに知っている。<br>\\r\\n I knew how slim their chances of winning were.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n まずは相手が私だということ。<br>\\r\\n From the very beginning, they had picked the wrong girl.<br><br>\\r\\n 今、ここにいる私は「園崎魅音」なのだ。<br>\\r\\n I'm '<NAME>' now.<br><br>\\r\\n その私を、この興宮の町で襲うのは愚の骨頂だ。<br>\\r\\n It'd be foolish to mug her in Okinomiya.<br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢関係の人間がすぐに群れ集まってくるだろう。<br>\\r\\n Soon enough, the people of Hinamizawa would notice me and gather 'round.<br><br>\\r\\n 彼らは同郷の人間に対する外敵を許しはしない。<br>\\r\\n They don't spare mercy for their enemies, no matter what.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして次に、彼らに土地勘がないこと。<br>\\r\\n The punks didn't know this area well.<br><br>\\r\\n 土地勘があれば、そもそも「魅音」がどういう人間で、ちょっかいを出すことがどれだけ命知らずなことかわかっている。<br>\\r\\n If they did, they'd have known how silly it was to rob 'Mion.'\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして、この一見、ひと気のない路地裏が、実際はそうでもないことも知らないのだ。<br>\\r\\n Plus, the alleyway isn't always as empty as they assumed.<br><br>\\r\\n この一見、誰も通らなさそうな裏路地は、然るべき時間には、家路への近道として使われる、地元の人間ならみんな知ってる抜け道であることをわかっていないのだ。<br>\\r\\n This side street is a shortcut which local people frequently use on their way home.<br><br>\\r\\n 夕暮れ時にもなれば、ここは様々な人間が通る主要幹線に早変わりする。<br>\\r\\n In the late afternoon, many people will be passing through here.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして、刻限はそろそろ夕方。<br>\\r\\n That time had almost arrived.<br><br>\\r\\n あとはのらりくらりと時間を稼ぐだけで、ここにはたくさんの人通りができるようになる。<br>\\r\\n If I held off a little longer, the street would soon be filled with people.<br>\\r\\n こいつらは退散せざるを得なくなるのだ。<br>\\r\\n Then the punks would have to go away.<br><br>\\r\\n 押しもせず引きもせず。<br>\\r\\n I didn't have to do anything.<br><br>\\r\\n あと少し粘れば私の勝ち。<br>\\r\\n I just had to wait in order to win.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんな気軽な喧嘩だった。<br>\\r\\n This was a simple fight like that.<br>\\r\\n 彼らは口汚く罵ったり、襟首を掴み上げたりはするものの、実際に暴力を振るう訳じゃない。<br>\\r\\n While they could hurl abusive language at me, or lift me up by my collar, they weren't actually going to resort to violence.<br><br>\\r\\n レディーファーストを潜在意識に刷り込んでくれた彼らの義務教育に乾杯だ。<br>\\r\\n Cheers to the educational system for ingraining the \\\"ladies first\\\" mindset!<br><br>\\r\\n …だが、私が魔性なのは、待てば勝てる喧嘩なのに、遊び心を出してしまう点だった。<br>\\r\\n ...But, as a wicked person, I wanted to toy with them a bit, even though I could win this by waiting.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 彼らをより一層、悪者に仕立て上げ、より一層、言い訳がしにくくなる状況に、さらにさらに追い込みたい。<br>\\r\\n I wanted to paint them as even more villainous, and drive them into a corner that would be even harder to talk their way out of.<br>\\r\\n …そういう小悪魔的な興味が、ピンと角を立ててしまうのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...That demonic desire was rearing its horns.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 平たく言えばつまり、私がより一層、可哀相な可哀相な犠牲者を演じればいいのだ。<br>\\r\\n To put it plainly, I'd only need to act as the poor, helpless victim a little further.<br><br>\\r\\n 誰もが同情したくなるくらいに、痛々しくて気の毒な悲劇のヒロインに。<br>\\r\\n Like the pathetic, pitiful, tragic heroine everyone wants to sympathize with.<br><br>\\r\\n …こういう時、いきなり泣き出すと男はぎょっとして手を引いてしまう。<br>\\r\\n ...In a case like this, I shouldn't start crying immediately, because they'd get nervous and draw back.<br><br>\\r\\n 危機回避ならそれもいいのだが、私の目的は回避でなく泥沼化なので、それはやらない。<br>\\r\\n If it were a truly threatening situation, that would work, but I needed something different here.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 始めは虚勢を張り、粋がり、挑発気味で。<br>\\r\\n I'd pretend to be strong at first. In fact, I thought, why don't I challenge them?<br><br>\\r\\n …だけれども、だんだん声に張りがなくなってきて、おどおどしてきて、うるうるになってきて。<br>\\r\\n ...And eventually, I'd start trembling, my voice would fade, and I'd get tears in my eyes...<br><br>\\r\\n ……この辺で微妙に、強気な女の子が徐々に屈伏していく辺りに発する、萌え要素が入ればよりベターな感じかも知れないな。<br>\\r\\n ......It'd be even better if I played the role of a strong girl who's slowly giving into fear.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……仮に理屈でそれが理解できても、それを実際に実行できるのは、…多分、私と魅音くらいのもんだろう。<br>\\r\\n ......Mion and I are probably the only ones who are capable of pulling that kind of stuff off...<br>\\r\\n …ま、魅音よりは数段うまくやって見せるけど☆<br>\\r\\n Well, I'm probably better than her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……そ、…そんなにしつこく言わなくてもいいでしょ？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Wh-Why don't you let me go now?!<br>\\r\\n 悪かったって、言ってるじゃないですかぁ…。」<br>\\r\\n I... already apologized...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 微妙に虚勢をのぞかせながらも、どこかそわそわ。<br>\\r\\n I talked back with a little hesitation...<br><br>\\r\\n 気付けばうっすらと目に涙。<br>\\r\\n Am I getting tears yet...?<br>\\r\\n …こんなところかな？<br>\\r\\n Yes!<br><br>\\r\\n そう言えば、男の人って、自分の意思で涙腺を調節できないって聞いたことある。<br>\\r\\n By the way, I've heard men can't shed tears on command...<br>\\r\\n 不器用な生き物だな。<br>\\r\\n I feel sorry for them.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が突然、モードを変えたので、三人組は一瞬戸惑うが、すぐに気を取り直し、ぎゃんぎゃんと意味不明な言葉ぶつけを再開してくれた。<br>\\r\\n The three punks faltered a bit due to my sudden change in attitude, but they soon started yelling at me again.<br><br>\\r\\n 徐々に深く、徐々にディープに…。<br>\\r\\n I had to keep it going.<br><br>\\r\\n 誰がどう見ても言い訳の聞かない弱い者苛めの構図へずるずると引き込んでいく…。<br>\\r\\n That way they'd blatantly look like they're picking on a helpless girl...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……もぅ…許して、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Please...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …ください。<br>\\r\\n ...forgive me...<br>\\r\\n ……っく、<br>\\r\\n hic...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……えっく。<br>\\r\\n ...hic...<br>\\r\\n …ぅう……！」<br>\\r\\n ooh...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「な、なんだよこら！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wh-Whacha doin?!<br>\\r\\n さっきまでの威勢はどこいったんだよンにゃろおぉお！！」<br>\\r\\n Wh-What's wid dis girl, huuh?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…そんなの………ったって、……ぅっく、……えっく、…あぅううぅうぅ…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I... don't... hic... huff... ooohh...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……そんな…今頃泣くくれえなら、調子くれてんじゃねえんだよッたくぉおぉ！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mebbe... ye shoulda 'pologized like dat from da start...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ありゃ、三人組の威勢がちょいとなくなってきた。<br>\\r\\n It looked like they were laying off a bit...<br>\\r\\n …少〜し哀れにやり過ぎた？<br>\\r\\n Did I overdo it a little?<br><br>\\r\\n このまんま、今日はこの辺で許してやらあなんてことになると、つまらないなぁ…。<br>\\r\\n It'd be boring if they let me go now...<br><br>\\r\\n …そんな風に思いかけた時だった。<br>\\r\\n ...At that moment--\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「い、…いい加減にしないか…！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Cu... Cut it out...!<br>\\r\\n もう泣いてるじゃないか、やめてやれ…！！」<br>\\r\\n Don't you see her crying?! Stop it...!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私と同い年くらいの、男の子だった。<br>\\r\\n A boy around my age appeared.<br><br>\\r\\n 体つきは細く、男としては華奢に見える。<br>\\r\\n He was skinny.<br><br>\\r\\n 線が細い、そんな風に誰もが感じそうな第一印象だった。<br>\\r\\n He looked weak.<br><br>\\r\\n か細いイメージの体つきと顔つきは、どう考えても本来の年齢よりも下回る印象を感じさせる。<br>\\r\\n He looked younger than he probably was.<br><br>\\r\\n 知性を感じさせる涼やかな眼は、蛮勇としか言えない今の局面にも臆すことなく、大きく見開かれていた。<br>\\r\\n He also looked smart. He bravely glared at the punks.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「なんだぁああぁあぁぁ…？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"What da hell...?!<br>\\r\\n ンなこの野郎おおぉおおぉ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Who dafuq are ye?!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ッだんねえことっしてんと、ぁあじゃまねえぞぉおらああぁああッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Back dafuq off, rraaaghhhh!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 三人組は、泣き出した女よりも、新しく現れた文系の男の方がよっぽど与し易しと判断したのか、私を放置してその矛先を彼に向ける。<br>\\r\\n The punks turned away from me to face the boy instead.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 彼は、次々に吠え猛る三人組に、多少たじろぎはしていた。<br>\\r\\n The boy looked a bit agitated when the punks started yelling at him.<br><br>\\r\\n これだけ攻撃的な感情に晒されれば、臆さないわけがない。<br>\\r\\n They sure were ruthless.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …だが、こうなることを彼は覚悟して臨んだ。<br>\\r\\n ...But the boy must have known that from the beginning.<br><br>\\r\\n 私を救うために声をかければ、こういう事態に絶対になることを充分に覚悟してから、<br>\\r\\n He must have known that he was going into a dangerous situation,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 臨んだ。<br>\\r\\n yet he didn't hesitate.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「黙ってたらわからんがなあぁああ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Fookin' say sumtin'!!<br>\\r\\n 返事せんか返事ぃいいぃい！！！」<br>\\r\\n Why don'tcha answer us?!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 彼だって、猛々しい言葉を返したかったに違いない。<br>\\r\\n He must have wanted to shout back at them.<br><br>\\r\\n …だが、彼が今日までに辿ってきた人生の中で、こんな汚らしい言葉を応酬した試しはなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...But he'd probably never used that kind of language in his life.<br><br>\\r\\n だから彼は感情の高まりを言葉にして口に出すことができなかった。<br>\\r\\n So he couldn't have expressed his feelings out loud.<br><br>\\r\\n いや、どういう言葉で表現すればいいかわからず、口にできなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\n He might have not even known what to say.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だからせめて彼は、眼で語ることしかできなかった。<br>\\r\\n So he just kept on glaring at them.<br><br>\\r\\n 不退転の決意でここにいることを、せめて眼差しで伝えるしかなかった。<br>\\r\\n To let them know that he wasn't going anywhere.<br><br>\\r\\n 三人組には、目の前の男が自分たちに畏縮して言葉を失っているようにしか見えないのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n The three punks, though, might have thought he was just lost for words in his fear.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、やがてわかる。<br>\\r\\n But I knew different.<br><br>\\r\\n ……気迫というもので、決着がつくのなら、三人はすでに彼の気迫に負けているのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...The boy was overpowering them with nothing but his will.<br><br>\\r\\n ……そして彼らは、負けた。<br>\\r\\n ...The punks were losing.<br><br>\\r\\n 気迫に負け、追い詰められ、腕力に訴える以外の手段を失ったのだ。<br>\\r\\n So, they resorted to violence.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 三人組は、彼に掴みかかり、殴って、蹴って、投げ飛ばしたりした。<br>\\r\\n They grabbed him and knocked him down. They hit, kicked, and tossed him around.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …それはもちろん、彼にとって苦痛を伴うものだったが、全部見ていた私だけはわかっていた。<br>\\r\\n ...It looked painful, but I knew.<br><br>\\r\\n 彼は間違いなく勝ったのだ。<br>\\r\\n It was his victory.<br><br>\\r\\n やがて、…私が望んだとおりの頃合に、通行人たちがやってきて、この蛮行を咎めた。<br>\\r\\n In the end, local passersby stopped the punks.<br><br>\\r\\n 三人組はこれ以上、この場に留まっても何も得る物がないことを今さら悟り、慌てて退散していった。<br>\\r\\n They made no further fuss and just went away.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……すっかり土埃で汚れてしまった服を叩きながら立ち上がる彼。<br>\\r\\n ...The boy stood up. He was covered in dust.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私と目が合うと、本当に薄く苦笑いしながら、大丈夫かい？<br>\\r\\n He smiled when our eyes met,<br>\\r\\n と私に声をかけた。<br>\\r\\n and asked me if I was all right.<br><br>\\r\\n ………大丈夫かと声をかけられるのはあんたの方なのに。<br>\\r\\n ...He didn't look particularly okay himself, though.<br><br>\\r\\n 「……あんたも、よくもまあ、勝てない喧嘩を買う人ですね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...How could you step into a fight you obviously couldn't win?<br>\\r\\n 次からは勝てる算段がついてから、喧嘩を買うことを深くお薦めしますけどね。」<br>\\r\\n Pick your opponents better next time.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…最初は迷ったよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I hesitated at first.<br>\\r\\n あはははは…。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahaha...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 彼は、苦笑いする。<br>\\r\\n He laughed...<br>\\r\\n ……彼は見ていたのだ。<br>\\r\\n Saying that he was watching<br>\\r\\n 初めのうちは。<br>\\r\\n from the beginning.<br><br>\\r\\n …一対一でだって恐ろしいようなチンピラ崩れの不良が３人も。<br>\\r\\n ...That meant<br>\\r\\n 見て見ぬふりをして、立ち去る選択肢を、最後まで選ぶ余地があったのだ。<br>\\r\\n he had the option to walk away.<br><br>\\r\\n …なのに彼は、その選択肢の誘惑を拒否し、躍り出てくれた。<br>\\r\\n ...But instead, he worked up the courage, and stepped in.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そーゆうのは勇気って言わず、蛮勇って言います。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That was reckless,<br>\\r\\n 身の程知らずとも言うかな？」<br>\\r\\n not brave.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……むぅ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mmph.<br>\\r\\n 魅音は口が減らないね…。<br>\\r\\n You're being a little harsh, Mion...<br>\\r\\n 助けてくれてありがとうくらい言ってくれよ。<br>\\r\\n You should at least say 'thank you'.<br>\\r\\n 泣いてたじゃないか。」<br>\\r\\n I saw you crying.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……べ、別に泣いてなんかいません！<br>\\r\\n \\\"...N-No, I wasn't crying!<br>\\r\\n あれはちょっとした演技でぇ…！」<br>\\r\\n That was just an act...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あははははははは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahahahaha.<br>\\r\\n いいよ、演技でも。<br>\\r\\n Okay, okay.<br>\\r\\n あははははは。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahaha.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ちょ、ちょっとぉ！<br>\\r\\n \\\"H-Hey!<br>\\r\\n 信じてないでしょ？！<br>\\r\\n You don't believe me, do you?!<br>\\r\\n 私が本当に泣き出すと思いますかー？！」<br>\\r\\n Do you really think I'd cry?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「思わないよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"No.<br>\\r\\n 天下御免の園崎『魅音』が、不良に苛められて泣き出したなんて、誰も思わないよ。あっはっはっは。」<br>\\r\\n Nobody'd believe Mion Sonozaki would cry when punks bullied her. Ah ha ha ha.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「なな、何を笑ってるんですかー！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wh-Why are you laughing?!<br>\\r\\n 全然信じてないでしょ？！<br>\\r\\n You really don't believe that was an act?!<br>\\r\\n 私が半泣きなんてするわけない〜！！」<br>\\r\\n I'd never cry!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「はっはっはっは、信じるから、信じるから。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ha ha ha ha. I believe you, I do.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その一連のやりとりでこっそりと気付く。<br>\\r\\n I realized one thing.<br><br>\\r\\n …彼は、お姉の、園崎魅音の友人なのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...He must be one of Sis's friends.<br><br>\\r\\n そして彼は、私が魅音の双子の妹であることを知らない。<br>\\r\\n He didn't seem to realize I'm her twin.<br>\\r\\n 私のことを、髪をおろした魅音だと思っているのだ。<br>\\r\\n He thought I was Mion with a different hairstyle.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …私たち姉妹は、小学校に上がる時に住まいを分けられた。<br>\\r\\n ...Mion and I had to live separately since before we went to elementary school.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は雛見沢。<br>\\r\\n Mion was in Hinamizawa,<br>\\r\\n 私は興宮。<br>\\r\\n and I was in Okinomiya.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、学校も環境も、まったく雛見沢と重ならないようにさせられてきた。<br>\\r\\n I lived in a totally different environment from her.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、私という、魅音の妹の存在を知らない人間がいてもおかしいことはない。<br>\\r\\n So, it's not strange that people don't know me.<br>\\r\\n いや、むしろ知っている人間の方が希少だろう。<br>\\r\\n Actually, only very few people know I exist.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、魅音じゃなくて自分は妹の詩音だ、と喉のすぐそこまで言い掛けたのを危うく飲み込む。<br>\\r\\n I almost told him that I'm not Mion, but I managed to stop myself.<br><br>\\r\\n ……詩音はここにいていい存在ではないのだ。<br>\\r\\n ......Shion shouldn't be here.<br><br>\\r\\n 彼は雛見沢の人間。<br>\\r\\n He's from Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n 彼に、魅音と瓜二つの別人が町にいた…と知られるのはまずい………。<br>\\r\\n It wouldn't be good if he thought he saw a Mion lookalike in Okinomiya...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だから私は、魅音として振舞うことを躊躇なく選ぶ。<br>\\r\\n So, I had to act like Mion.<br><br>\\r\\n …考えようによっては、彼とのやりとりは、今の不良連中との喧嘩よりも厄介なものなのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n ...Dealing with him could be more difficult than handling those punks...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…でも、ま。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Well,<br>\\r\\n 魅音にも少しは女の子らしいところがあったんで安心したよ。」<br>\\r\\n I was just relieved because you seem to have a girly side after all.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「何だか、みょーに引っ掛かる言い方ですけど、つまりはどういう意味です？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"You sound hostile. What exactly do you mean by that?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「魅音のことだから、何だか珍妙な拳法でも使って、瞬く間に撃退してしまうんじゃないかって期待してたね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I thought you'd kick those guys' butts with some crazy martial arts...<br>\\r\\n …だから、泣き出したときは、正直、驚いた。」<br>\\r\\n So I was really surprised when you just started crying.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「だだ、だーかーらーー！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey!<br>\\r\\n あれは泣き真似だったって言ってるじゃないですかー！<br>\\r\\n Like I said, I was acting!<br>\\r\\n さっきから人の話、ちゃんと聞いて、<br>\\r\\n Weren't you listening at all\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………………。」<br>\\r\\n .....................\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …彼は大きな手の平を私の頭の上に、そっと乗せると、…まるで赤ん坊の頭をそうするように、撫でてくれた。<br>\\r\\n ...He gently put his hand on top of my head, and stroked it as if stroking a kitten.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………私だって、幼少の頃にはこんな風に頭を撫でられることもあったが、<br>\\r\\n ...I could remember somebody doing that to me when I was little, but...<br>\\r\\n …もうずいぶんとこんなことをされた覚えはない。<br>\\r\\n it had been quite a while since somebody stroked my head.<br><br>\\r\\n あまりに…唐突のことで、わわ、わ、……ぅ…。<br>\\r\\n I didn't know what to do...<br>\\r\\n ……なんで私はこんな恥ずかしい目に…？<br>\\r\\n Why did it make me so embarrassed...?<br><br>\\r\\n ……顔中が火を噴いたように真っ赤になって、言葉が失われてしまう……。<br>\\r\\n ......My face reddened all at once. I couldn't say anything...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ちょ、………………………ば、馬鹿にしてます？<br>\\r\\n \\\"He...Hey...<br>\\r\\n ひょっとして……？」<br>\\r\\n Are you making fun of me...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 赤面してどもりがちになってしまう私。<br>\\r\\n I stuttered in embarrassment.<br><br>\\r\\n だが彼には照れる様子はなく、さも当り前のことをしているかのように涼しげだった。<br>\\r\\n He looked calm, as if he was used to doing this.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あはははは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahaha...<br>\\r\\n …何でもいいよ。<br>\\r\\n Whatever.<br>\\r\\n よかったじゃないか。」<br>\\r\\n Aren't you glad, though?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……よかったって、…何がです？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Glad? ...What do you mean?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「無事で。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, you didn't get hurt.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 短くそう言い、頭を撫でてくれた彼の笑顔は、…言葉で形容できない神々しさがあった。<br>\\r\\n He smiled while he kept stroking my head...... His smile looked divine.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 逢瀬の時間は長くはなかった。<br>\\r\\n He wasn't going to stay for long.<br><br>\\r\\n …私があの三人組から解放されたのだから、彼の目的はすでに達せられている。<br>\\r\\n ...He'd already saved me from those guys, after all.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…じゃ、僕は行かなきゃならないから。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Well, I need to be going.<br>\\r\\n そろそろ行くね。」<br>\\r\\n So I should head off now.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、……………うん。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh... okay.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私にとっては初対面として踏まえたい数々の段階も、彼にとっては存在しない。<br>\\r\\n I wanted to go through all the steps of meeting someone for the first time, but he didn't.<br><br>\\r\\n 彼は友人の危機を救い、恩着せがましくすることを嫌って、さっさと立ち去ろうとしているだけなのだから。<br>\\r\\n As far as he was concerned, he just saved a friend from danger, and wanted to leave quickly to avoid seeming pretentious.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音と彼は友人で、もちろん互いを知り合う仲だろう。<br>\\r\\n He and Mion must be friends who knew each other well.<br><br>\\r\\n …だから、あなたのお名前は何ですか？…なんて言う言葉には、どうやってもつなげない。<br>\\r\\n ...So I couldn't bring myself to ask, \\\"What's your name?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 名前すら知らない「魅音の友人」は、本当に本当に、…さっき見て晴れ晴れしい気持ちになったあの高い空のように、清々しい顔でもう一度笑ってくれた。<br>\\r\\n 'Mion's friend' smiled once again. His smile looked as refreshing as a clear blue sky.<br>\\r\\n …ほんのちょっぴりだけ悪戯っぽく。<br>\\r\\n This time, he smiled a bit mischievously.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あはは、安心しなよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahaha, don't worry.<br>\\r\\n 魅音が泣いてたなんて、誰にも言わないから。<br>\\r\\n I won't tell anybody you were crying.<br><br>\\r\\n ……あはは、もっとも言った所で、誰も信じないだろうけどね。<br>\\r\\n ...Ahaha, well, nobody would believe it if I told them, anyway.<br>\\r\\n 天下無双の委員長が泣いてたなんて、絶対誰も信じない。<br>\\r\\n Nobody would ever believe that our invincible class president cried.<br>\\r\\n あはははは。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahaha.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 彼はもう一度お尻の埃を叩いてから、立ち上がる。<br>\\r\\n He patted the dust off his butt once again.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、薄暗い路地裏から、光に溢れている眩しい通りへ歩いていった。<br>\\r\\n He walked back to the sunny main road, away from the dark alley.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして、振り返り、私に告げた。<br>\\r\\n Then he turned around.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃ、また明日。<br>\\r\\n \\\"See you.<br>\\r\\n 学校でね。」<br>\\r\\n In school tomorrow, I mean.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Yeah...<br>\\r\\n …学校で。」<br>\\r\\n See you in school.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 彼は、眩しくて目がくらむ様な日差しに満ちた大通りに消えていく。<br>\\r\\n He disappeared into the brightly lit street.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は薄暗い路地裏に、ぺたっと座ったままだった。<br>\\r\\n I continued to sit in the gloomy alleyway.<br><br>\\r\\n もう彼は、眩しい光の世界の向こうに溶けて、見えない。<br>\\r\\n I could no longer see him.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はただ、呆然と、その光の世界を眺めて放心しているしかなかった。<br>\\r\\n I was just staring absentmindedly at the bright light.<br><br>\\r\\n それが私と悟史くんの、初めての出会いだった…。<br>\\r\\n That was the first time I met Satoshi-kun...\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「そりゃー悟史だよ、悟史。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That must be Satoshi.<br>\\r\\n その特徴的な雰囲気と、気安く頭を撫でるクセは間違いないね。」<br>\\r\\n He looks like what you described, and he has a habit of stroking people's heads.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…ふーん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Uh-huh...<br>\\r\\n …悟史くん…って言うんだ？」<br>\\r\\n His name is Satoshi-kun, eh...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 日中の彼の名前は北条悟史くん。<br>\\r\\n The boy from earlier is called <NAME>.<br>\\r\\n 普段はぽややんとした感じの、昼行灯みたいな人らしい。<br>\\r\\n Mion said that he's always daydreaming.<br><br>\\r\\n …だからお姉は、悟史くんがいかに勇敢に自分を助けに来てくれたかを話しても、にわかには信じようとしなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...So she didn't believe that he saved me at first.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「普段はしっかり者？<br>\\r\\n \\\"His little sister\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …の妹にいろいろと尻を叩かれてるなぁ、あははは。」<br>\\r\\n is always kicking his butt. Ahahaha.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ふぅん？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh-huh,<br>\\r\\n 妹がいるんだ？」<br>\\r\\n he has a little sister?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah,<br>\\r\\n 妹は沙都子って言ってね。<br>\\r\\n her name is Satoko.<br>\\r\\n なかなか面白いヤツだよ。<br>\\r\\n She's funny<br>\\r\\n なかなか悪知恵が働くしね。<br>\\r\\n and shrewd,<br>\\r\\n その癖、追い詰められると泣くし。<br>\\r\\n but is quick to cry when she's cornered.<br>\\r\\n 見てて退屈しない子だね。<br>\\r\\n She's fun to watch......<br>\\r\\n ……まぁ、最近は色々とあってね。<br>\\r\\n But things have been rough for her lately,<br>\\r\\n …ちょっと調子を落としてるけど。」<br>\\r\\n so she's feeling a bit down.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんのことを知ろうとすれば、妹の情報に及ぶのは当然だ。<br>\\r\\n His sister came up naturally in the conversation.<br><br>\\r\\n …私は悟史くんを知るために、悟史くんを取り巻く環境の全てを吸収しようとした。<br>\\r\\n ...I tried to soak up every scrap of information about Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n ………どうして？<br>\\r\\n ...Why?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n どうして私は悟史くんのことを根掘り葉掘り知ろうとしてるんだ？<br>\\r\\n Why am I trying to ask so much about him?<br><br>\\r\\n ……それを自問したら、何だか急にあの、頭を撫でられた時の感覚が戻ってきた。<br>\\r\\n ...As I asked myself that, the feeling I got when he stroked my head came back to me.<br><br>\\r\\n …鏡はないが、自分が赤面してるのがよくわかる。<br>\\r\\n ...I must have been blushing.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「もしもし？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hello?<br>\\r\\n 詩音？」<br>\\r\\n Shion?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え、あははははは、ごめん！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Eh? Ahahahaha, sorry!<br>\\r\\n 聞いてる聞いてる！」<br>\\r\\n I'm here, I'm listening!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そもそもね、沙都子が叔母と折り合いが悪いらしいんだよね…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"To start, I hear Satoko's on bad terms with her aunt...<br>\\r\\n 悟史は大人だから、その辺はうまく立ち回ってるんだけどさ、…沙都子は嫌なことがあると、素直に表情に出しちゃうからね。」<br>\\r\\n Satoshi's mature, so he knows how to conduct himself, but... when bad things happen, Satoko really lets herself go.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n お姉から聞かされた話は興味深かった。<br>\\r\\n What Sis told me was very interesting.<br><br>\\r\\n ……まず、悟史くんと妹の二人はすでに両親を亡くしていること。<br>\\r\\n ....She told me that the parents of Satoshi-kun and his little sister are dead.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、今は父方の弟の叔父夫婦のもとに身を寄せているということだった。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun and Satoko are now living with their uncle and aunt.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n どうもこの叔父夫婦というのが、尊敬できる夫婦ではないらしい。<br>\\r\\n They don't seem like very respectable people.<br><br>\\r\\n 夫婦仲は非常に険悪で、旦那は浮気三昧。<br>\\r\\n They're always fighting, and the uncle is cheating on the aunt.<br><br>\\r\\n 顔を合わせればケンカばかりなので、旦那は基本的には興宮の愛人宅で過すことが多いらしい。<br>\\r\\n He mostly lives with his mistress.<br><br>\\r\\n …で、そんな状況で押し付けられてきた悟史くんと沙都子のふたりは、初めから歓迎されるべき存在ではなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoshi-kun and Satoko entered into that unwelcome environment.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n しかも、……なんと悟史くんたちの両親は、あのダム推進派の筆頭の北条夫妻だと言うからさらに驚かされる。<br>\\r\\n What surprises me the most... is the fact that Satoshi-kun's parents were the Houjou couple who were the leaders of the pro-dam activists.<br><br>\\r\\n それなら、憎さも倍増だ。<br>\\r\\n That fact must've added something to the situation.<br><br>\\r\\n …叔父夫婦がダム戦争中、どういう立場を取っていたにせよ、少なからずのとばっちりがあったはずだ。<br>\\r\\n ...I don't know what kind of stance the uncle and aunt took during the dam conflict, but they must've taken some indirect blows.<br><br>\\r\\n 散々、自分たちに迷惑をかけた挙句、勝手に事故死して、その子どもを二人も押し付けてきた…とあっては、憎さこそあれ、可愛さなど一欠けらも感じまい。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun's parents died after bothering them so much, and even left them their children... The uncle and aunt obviously can't love those kids.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n で、…この１年ほど、沙都子と叔母の仲の悪さが特に顕著らしい。<br>\\r\\n Things have gotten worse this past year, too.<br><br>\\r\\n 女の苛めは陰湿だ。<br>\\r\\n Women can be really nasty bullies.<br><br>\\r\\n 相手が子どもだろうとそんなのは関係ない。<br>\\r\\n Sometimes it doesn't matter who they're bullying, even if it's a kid.<br><br>\\r\\n しかも世間体などお構いなしという残酷さも兼ね備える。<br>\\r\\n On top of that, women tend to care less about propriety than men...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …で、沙都子は最近、かなり苛め抜かれてかなり疲れきっているらしい。<br>\\r\\n ...As a result, Satoko seems exhausted with it all.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは一見、穏やかそうだが、……きっと妹を守るために、いろいろな場面で矢面に立つだろうと想像できた。<br>\\r\\n I can imagine Satoshi-kun bravely protecting his little sister.<br><br>\\r\\n 私を助けに来てくれたように、勇敢に。<br>\\r\\n Just like when he saved me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「なら、…悟史くんも普段は疲れてるってことになるのかな。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"So... He must be exhausted too, right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…え？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Huh?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「沙都子が叔母に苛められる度に、きっと悟史くんは妹をかばってると思う。<br>\\r\\n \\\"He must be covering for Satoko all the time.<br>\\r\\n 妹が疲れるのと同じくらい、悟史くんも疲れてると思うのは私の考えすぎ…？」<br>\\r\\n So wouldn't you normally assume that he's also feeling worn out?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……ん、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hmm\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………えっと…。<br>\\r\\n ... well...<br>\\r\\n ………どうだろうね……。」<br>\\r\\n I don't know...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の言ったことはそんなにも鋭かったろうか？<br>\\r\\n Had I said something wrong?<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は少し狼狽したような感じになった。<br>\\r\\n Mion sounded a bit taken aback.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音の反応はつまりこうだ。<br>\\r\\n So that meant...<br><br>\\r\\n 普段からあの、ぽややんとした雰囲気なので、とても疲れているようには見えない。<br>\\r\\n Mion can't tell how he's feeling...<br><br>\\r\\n だからそんなこと、考えたこともなかった、<br>\\r\\n Because he's always wearing that blank look.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …だ。<br>\\r\\n So she never considered it...<br><br>\\r\\n お姉はこんなにも悟史くんの身近にいて、どうしてこんなに鈍感なのか。<br>\\r\\n How can she be that insensitive even though she's around him all the time?<br><br>\\r\\n 少し呆れるが、まぁそんなことはどうでもいい。<br>\\r\\n I was amazed to realize that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「まぁ、そんな話はいいや。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well,<br>\\r\\n で？<br>\\r\\n anyway,<br>\\r\\n 彼は普段はどんなことをしてるの？<br>\\r\\n what does he usually do?<br>\\r\\n 文系みたいだから、読書とか好きなわけ？」<br>\\r\\n He looked smart, so does he read a lot of books?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、あははは！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Aha, ahahaha!<br>\\r\\n えっとね、想像に漏れずに、普段は読書して過してるよ。<br>\\r\\n Yeah... you're right. He likes to read.<br>\\r\\n 最近読んでる本はね、えっと、…何て言ったかな。」<br>\\r\\n He's now reading... what's it called...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それからは悟史くんのいろんなことを聞いた。<br>\\r\\n I continued asking about him.<br><br>\\r\\n 好きなこと、嫌いなこと、考えてること。<br>\\r\\n About what he likes, dislikes, and what he thinks about.<br><br>\\r\\n 彼の考え方や好みが知りたくて、率直にあれこれ聞いた。<br>\\r\\n I asked Sis all these questions because I wanted to know more about him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ある特定の個人に、興味を持ったのは恐らくこれが初めてだった。<br>\\r\\n It was the first time I'd ever been that interested in somebody.<br><br>\\r\\n それが世間で何と言われる感情なのか、自覚するのが恥ずかしくて認めたくない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't want to admit that I had feelings like that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私ってば、つまりその……、頭を撫でられただけで恋をするような、安っぽいお人形だったわけだ…？<br>\\r\\n Did I fall in love just because of a stroke on the head? ...Am I stupid, or what?<br><br>\\r\\n 頭を上をこちょこちょくすぐるような、あの撫で方を思い出すと、胸がふわ…っとなる。<br>\\r\\n When I remember the feeling of his hand on my head, my heart feels tingly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 試しに自分で自分の頭を撫でてみたが、あの感触は再現できなかった。<br>\\r\\n I tried doing it myself, but it didn't feel the same.<br><br>\\r\\n ……あはははは、私ばかだ。<br>\\r\\n ......Ahahahaha. I'm stupid.<br>\\r\\n 何やってんだろ、自分で自分の頭を撫でてさ…！<br>\\r\\n What am I doing, stroking my own head...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あはははははははは…☆<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahahahaha...<br>\\r\\n お姉、私、もぅだめだ。<br>\\r\\n Sis, I'm done for...<br>\\r\\n ばかになっちゃった。」<br>\\r\\n I became stupid...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ふぇ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"What?<br>\\r\\n 何よ突然。<br>\\r\\n Why are you laughing<br>\\r\\n 気色悪い声で笑い出して。」<br>\\r\\n in that weird voice?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あははははははは、お姉にゃわかるまい、この気持ち。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahahaha, you wouldn't understand this feeling, Sis.<br>\\r\\n あはははははは…☆」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahahaha...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 彼に次に会える機会はいつだろう。<br>\\r\\n When would I see him again?<br><br>\\r\\n 窮屈だと思っていた生活が、急に、ぱぁっと明るくなった気がした。<br>\\r\\n I felt as if my suffocating life had finally grown brighter.\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 私が過ごす日々は、まぁ窮屈でないとは言えないものだった。<br>\\r\\n The life I lived really was beginning to suffocate me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 日中は自由に表を歩けるわけではなかったし、バイトに出るのすら、魅音との事前の打ち合わせが欠かせなかったからだ。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't go out freely, and I always had to make arrangements with Mion before going to work.<br><br>\\r\\n 学園から抜け出せば、新しい生活が始まり何かの潤いがある…と信じていた私には、どこか耐え難い生活だった。<br>\\r\\n I'd thought my life would improve after escaping from the school, but in reality, it wasn't that easy.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n こういう生活を長く続けると、人間はいい方には流れないよね。<br>\\r\\n It's not healthy to live like this for too long.<br><br>\\r\\n そもそも、今の私には単純なコミュニケーションすら不足しているのだ。<br>\\r\\n Without any friends to hang out with,<br>\\r\\n ……このままではただの引き篭もりになってしまう。<br>\\r\\n I felt like I was hibernating.<br><br>\\r\\n 怠惰な生活に、緩慢に殺されてしまうことを、ささやかに危惧し始めていた頃だった。<br>\\r\\n I'd started to feel the dangers of falling into boredom.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんな時、思い浮かぶのは、あのお姉の友人「北条悟史くん」の顔ばかりだった。<br>\\r\\n All I could think of now was Satoshi Houjou-kun's face.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 彼とのコミュニケーションは信じられないほどわずかだったが。<br>\\r\\n I'd only met him briefly.<br><br>\\r\\n …それでも、この町での新しい生活を始めてからの中で、一番鮮烈な経験だった。<br>\\r\\n ...But my encounter with him had a great impact on my new life.<br><br>\\r\\n 何か新しい生活、新しい何かの始まりを感じさせてくれるような、<br>\\r\\n I felt like something exciting was going to happen.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……子どもっぽい言い方だと、わくわくするような感覚を感じさせてくれた。<br>\\r\\n ...Really, I was hyped up like a little kid.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう思えば思うほど、彼のことを考えている時間は増えた。<br>\\r\\n The more I thought about it, I realized I'd been thinking about him a lot lately.<br><br>\\r\\n …これもまた、ある種の片思いのようなものなのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n ...This might be a crush.<br><br>\\r\\n 自分のチープさと、彼の姿を勝手に美化してしまう乙女チックさに思わず苦笑した。<br>\\r\\n I felt a little ridiculous idolizing him in such a romantic way, though.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんなある日だった。<br>\\r\\n Then, out of the blue,<br>\\r\\n 彼と突然再会する機会を得るのは。<br>\\r\\n I got a chance to see him again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………あれ？」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Oh?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 通りかかった公園で、ブランコに乗って黄昏ている人影が、見知った顔だったからだ。<br>\\r\\n I saw a familiar face at twilight in the park. He was sitting on the swing.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 放心しているのか、考え事に没頭しているのか。<br>\\r\\n He looked like he was zoning out, or maybe deep in thought.<br><br>\\r\\n …彼は私が正面に立っても、しばらく気付こうとしなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...He didn't notice me, even though I was right in front of him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 自分は園崎魅音なんだ…、魅音のように喋るんだ、と数回繰り返してから、声をかける。<br>\\r\\n I reminded myself to speak and act like Mion before talking to him...<br><br>\\r\\n 「へーい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey.<br>\\r\\n 何やってんの、こんなとこでさ。」<br>\\r\\n What are you doing here?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………魅音か。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Mion...<br>\\r\\n …びっくりしたぁ。」<br>\\r\\n You surprised me.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そんなに驚いてるようには見えないけどね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You don't look surprised.<br>\\r\\n さっきから居たんだけど、ずっと気付かなかった？」<br>\\r\\n I've been standing here for a couple of minutes now. Didn't you notice me?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……そうなのかい？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Have you?<br>\\r\\n ごめん、気付かなかったよ。」<br>\\r\\n Sorry, I didn't...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 薄く苦笑いしながら、肩をすくめる真似をして見せる。<br>\\r\\n He smiled self-derisively and shrugged.<br><br>\\r\\n あからさまに元気のなさそうな様子は、見ていて胸が痛かった。<br>\\r\\n He looked depressed.<br>\\r\\n その様子はひと目見て、何か悩み事があるんだろうなと見て取れた。<br>\\r\\n Like something was troubling him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…何か悩み事でも？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Is something bugging you?<br>\\r\\n 聞いて楽になるものなら聞くし、力になれるものなら惜しまないけど？」<br>\\r\\n You can talk to me if you want. Maybe I can help.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「いや、別に…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"N-No... that's okay...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「私ゃ、悟史くんには一個、借りがあるからね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Come on, I owe you one from before, Satoshi-kun.<br>\\r\\n それとも、何。<br>\\r\\n Or maybe,<br>\\r\\n おじさんじゃ力になれないと思ってるわけぇ？<br>\\r\\n you don't think this ol' man can be of any help?<br>\\r\\n 見くびられたもんだなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n Don't you know how mighty I am?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「別に…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm okay...<br>\\r\\n …魅音の力を借りたら意味がないことだからさ。」<br>\\r\\n You don't have to help me.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ほー。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Huh.<br>\\r\\n それは何、つまり。<br>\\r\\n What is it, then?<br>\\r\\n 私ごとき女の手は借りたくないってーこと？」<br>\\r\\n Are you saying that you don't need help from a girl?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 何となく納得のいかない拒絶に、頬をぷーっと膨らませる。<br>\\r\\n Thinking him unfair, I puffed up my cheeks in a sulky gesture.<br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんはすぐに、私に誤解を与えてることに気付き、表情を軟らかくして訂正してくれた。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoshi-kun noticed that and smiled.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「違うんだよ、魅音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"No, Mion...<br>\\r\\n …僕に実力がなくて、……ここ一番で打てなかったってだけのことなんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n It's just... I messed up my swing when they needed me the most...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …お姉から受け取っている情報群から、悟史くんに関連するカテゴリーを高速で検索する。<br>\\r\\n ...I mentally rifled through all the information about Satoshi-kun that Sis had given me.<br><br>\\r\\n ………悟史くんは文系だが、意外にも少年野球チームに所属。<br>\\r\\n ...He doesn't look like much of an athlete, but apparently Satoshi-kun belongs to a junior baseball team.<br><br>\\r\\n 所属のチーム名は『雛見沢ファイターズ』。<br>\\r\\n They're called the Hinamizawa Fighters.<br><br>\\r\\n 活躍の噂は皆無なところから、技量は低いと推定。<br>\\r\\n I doubt he's very skilled, since I didn't hear much about his contributions to the team.<br>\\r\\n それを恥ずかしがっているのか、チームに所属していることを、あまり積極的に公開していない。<br>\\r\\n Maybe that's why he doesn't tell many people that he's a member.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、期待に応えられず落胆している様子から、熱意はあるように見受けられる……。<br>\\r\\n Given how down he felt as a result of messing up, though, he must be fairly dedicated.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そういった情報のどろどろのスープを、お姉だったらこう喋るというフィルターにくぐらせていく……。<br>\\r\\n I deduced all that from what Sis told me, and carefully chose my words so as to sound like her...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「なぁんだ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"What?<br>\\r\\n そんなことで落ち込んでるわけぇ？」<br>\\r\\n Are you feeling down just because of that?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そんなことで、って。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey,<br>\\r\\n …簡単に言ってくれるなぁ、魅音は。」<br>\\r\\n it's not that easy to get over, Mion.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n あっけらかんと笑いながら、悟史くんの背中をバンバンと無神経に叩いてやる。<br>\\r\\n I pat his back while chuckling.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n こうやれば、悟史くんは多分、人の気も知らないで…と返してくるだろう。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun would probably call me insensitive.<br><br>\\r\\n 本人が悩んでる時は、無神経に元気付けないで真摯に聞いてやる方がいいものだ。<br>\\r\\n I knew I should listen to him, rather than trying to cheer him up.<br><br>\\r\\n この「お姉」の対応は多分、ミスだと思う……が、今の自分はお姉だから、ミスと知ってても仕方ない。<br>\\r\\n Acting like Sis was probably the wrong thing to do in this case... but I had no choice.<br>\\r\\n お姉はこういう時、こうするのだから。<br>\\r\\n This was just how she'd react in this situation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あっはっはっは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Aha ha ha.<br>\\r\\n それなら落ち込むんじゃなくて、なお一層練習に打ち込んで、次のチャンスを目指すのが適当ってもんでしょうがー。<br>\\r\\n Instead of feeling down, you should practice even harder and aim for your chance, you know?<br>\\r\\n こういう時は練習しかないよ練習！<br>\\r\\n Practice makes perfect here!<br>\\r\\n まぁ悟史くんに、相手のピッチャーに小細工をしてまで勝ちたいという執念があるなら、おじさん色々と協力できるかもしれませんけどねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n Well, if you want to beat the opposing pitcher so badly you're willing to pull some tricks, then I might be able to help you in a few ways.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「むぅ……。ズルしても何の意味もないよ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mmph... there's no point if I cheat...<br>\\r\\n …あ〜〜ぁ…。」<br>\\r\\n Hahhh...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは自分の中の未練を、大きく口から吐き出すとうな垂れて見せる。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun hung his head after letting his regrets out with a big sigh.<br><br>\\r\\n 降参、諦め、仕方ないや。<br>\\r\\n Surrender, defeat, resignation...<br>\\r\\n …そーゆう感じのジェスチャーだ。<br>\\r\\n ...were all visible in that gesture of his.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「諦めがいいのか、未練たらたらなのか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Are you quick to give up, or persistent?<br>\\r\\n やっぱり男に生まれたからには、一度くらいは晴れ舞台でスターになってみたいでしょ？」<br>\\r\\n If you're a man, then don't you want to be a star and have your fifteen minutes of fame?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、そりゃそうさとにっこり笑って答えた。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun grinned and said 'yes'.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「もちろん、ヒーローを目指すのが華だけど。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Of course, that'd be wonderful,<br>\\r\\n それが目的で野球をやってるわけじゃないよ。<br>\\r\\n but that's not why I play baseball.<br><br>\\r\\n 純粋にボールを投げたり打ったりするのが楽しいからやってるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n I just have fun batting and throwing the ball...<br>\\r\\n …魅音でも、そういうの、わかるよね？」<br>\\r\\n You can understand that, right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「おじさんはそーゆうのは、あんまわかんないかな。<br>\\r\\n \\\"This ol' man isn't sure.<br>\\r\\n 私は結果が一番であるなら、どんな種目でも大好きだし。<br>\\r\\n I only love games that I can win.<br>\\r\\n 一番になれないのに大好きなんてものは、あんまりよくわかんないね。<br>\\r\\n I don't understand how you can love something when you can't be the best at it.<br>\\r\\n あははは！」<br>\\r\\n Ahahaha!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「むぅ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mmph...<br><br>\\r\\n あははははははははは。魅音らしい答えだなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahahahaha. That really sounds like you, Mion!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、私が元気付けるために笑っているものだと気付き、私に合わせるように笑ってくれた。<br>\\r\\n Having realized that I'm trying to make him feel better, he laughed along...<br>\\r\\n …その笑顔の清々しさを見る限り、そんなに落ち込んでいたようには見えない。<br>\\r\\n He didn't look depressed anymore.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n つまり悟史くんは、試合の佳境で凡退していじけてたワケなんだけど。<br>\\r\\n I guess he was just feeling down because of the game.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が考えてたほどは落ち込んでいないようだった。<br>\\r\\n He wasn't as depressed as I thought.<br><br>\\r\\n たまたま試合が終わった後、公園でジュースでも飲んで一服してたのを、私が黄昏てるように見て、深く勘違いしてしまっただけだったのだ。<br>\\r\\n Maybe I just jumped to conclusions when I saw him sitting alone in the park.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……でも、魅音は一番になるために色々と努力をするからね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...You always put forth your best effort to win.<br>\\r\\n それは偉いと思うよ。<br>\\r\\n That's admirable, I think.<br>\\r\\n うん。」<br>\\r\\n Yeah, it definitely is.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんはとても軟らかく笑うと、ブランコから立ち上がり、………私の頭を撫で撫でしてくれた。<br>\\r\\n He smiled gently and stood up... then he started stroking my head.<br>\\r\\n すごく急に。<br>\\r\\n All of a sudden.<br>\\r\\n 無警戒なところに。<br>\\r\\n I totally wasn't prepared for that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「へ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Eh?<br>\\r\\n …………わ、……ぅ……。」<br>\\r\\n ...Whoa... ooh...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 前に撫でられた時もそうだったんだけど……。<br>\\r\\n I thought this when he did this last time, but...<br><br>\\r\\n …どうしてこの男は、こうも気安く人の頭を撫でるのかなぁ…！<br>\\r\\n ...How can he stroke somebody's head so easily...?<br><br>\\r\\n 頭なんか撫でられるのなんか、幼稚園以来だよ普通。<br>\\r\\n I felt like I had turned into a little kid.<br>\\r\\n まるでスイッチが入るように、幼児体験の数々が思い起こされて…自分が小さい子に戻ったような錯覚を得てしまう。<br>\\r\\n Memories from kindergarten came to mind...<br>\\r\\n ……顔が真っ赤になって、恥ずかしくなって……ぽわぽわな感じがしてしまう。<br>\\r\\n My face must have been red. I felt embarrassed... but also like I was in heaven.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、まるで猫の頭でも撫でるかのように、愛くるしく無神経に。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun stroked me as though petting a cat.<br><br>\\r\\n それに対すると、私はまるで、撫でられるのが終わるまで、真っ赤になって目を閉じてるのがやっと。<br>\\r\\n I was blushing with my eyes closed...<br><br>\\r\\n まるで歯医者さんで口を開けて、次に何をされるのか怖くて目を閉じてる女の子と変わらない。<br>\\r\\n I felt helpless, like a girl being treated by the dentist with her mouth open and her eyes shut.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……そんな心境の私など全然気付きもせず、撫でてる当の本人は至って涼しげそうだった。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoshi-kun didn't seem to notice my feelings at all.<br><br>\\r\\n …私に、どういう印象を与えているか、まーったく分かっていないのが憎々しい。<br>\\r\\n ...He didn't seem to care. I hate him.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は悟史くんが撫で終わるまでの数瞬を、じっと目を閉じて待ってるしかない。<br>\\r\\n With my eyes still closed, I waited for him to finish.<br>\\r\\n そして、その悟史くんの手は、不意に私を解放した。<br>\\r\\n He suddenly withdrew his hand.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……じゃ、僕はそろそろ帰るよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I need to get going.<br>\\r\\n 叔母さんに野球の帰りに買い物をしてくるよう、頼まれてるから。」<br>\\r\\n My aunt wants some stuff, so I have to go grocery shopping.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、……………ん、」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh... okay.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n うわずったよくわかんない、恥ずかしい声をあげてしまう。<br>\\r\\n My voice faltered.<br>\\r\\n …私ったら、何て声出してるんだか…。<br>\\r\\n I was so embarrassed...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ん？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmm?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「っと、えっと！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh, um...!<br>\\r\\n ……買い物なら、私も行くとこ。<br>\\r\\n ...I'm going shopping,<br>\\r\\n …夕飯の買い物。」<br>\\r\\n too...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmm?<br>\\r\\n あれ？<br>\\r\\n What?<br>\\r\\n 魅音も買い物するんだ。<br>\\r\\n You are?<br>\\r\\n お手伝いさんが全部やってくれるって言ってなかったっけ？」<br>\\r\\n I thought the maids did all your household stuff.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n あちゃ…。<br>\\r\\n Shoot...<br>\\r\\n ミスった。<br>\\r\\n I messed up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 園崎本家の賄いはお手伝いさんに任せきっている。<br>\\r\\n In the main Sonozaki house, the maids do everything.<br><br>\\r\\n 園崎魅音本人が買い物をすることはほとんどないし、本人はその情報を一部に公開している。<br>\\r\\n Therefore, Mion hardly goes grocery shopping, and she's bragged to some people about that...<br>\\r\\n ……『魅音としての発言』をミスった。私たちが滅多にしないミスだ。<br>\\r\\n I should've known better.<br><br>\\r\\n でもそれは取り繕うのはそんなに難しくない。<br>\\r\\n Still, it wouldn't be too hard to find an excuse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「町に遊びに来るつもりでいたから、たまには家事の真似事でもするかなって思って。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I just happened to be in town,<br>\\r\\n 買い物を私が引き受けてきたわけよ。<br>\\r\\n so I thought I'd help out with the household stuff.<br>\\r\\n おわかりぃ？」<br>\\r\\n Is that a problem?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…あはは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Ahaha.<br>\\r\\n 魅音にしては珍しいね。<br>\\r\\n That doesn't sound like you.<br>\\r\\n 普段はそういうの面倒くさいって言って嫌がりそうなのに。」<br>\\r\\n You always avoid doing boring stuff like that.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうゆーのを余計なお世話って言います！<br>\\r\\n \\\"You talk too much!<br><br>\\r\\n …ぁう！<br>\\r\\n ...Ooh!<br>\\r\\n 頭、撫でないでぇ〜！」<br>\\r\\n Stop stroking my head!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あはは、あはは。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahaha, ahaha.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは私が照れるのが面白いらしくて、しばらくの間、私の頭を撫で続けていた。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun seemed to be having fun with how embarrassed I'd get when he patted me.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、とりあえず適当に言いくるめて、うまくその場をしのぎきれたようだった。<br>\\r\\n Anyway, I managed to talk my way out of it.<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは些細なことは気にしない便利な性格らしい…。<br>\\r\\n He didn't seem to really care about the details...<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんと一緒に上一色の商店街を歩きながら、…ふと考えた。<br>\\r\\n While walking with Satoshi-kun in the shopping district of Kami-isshiki... it suddenly occurred to me.<br><br>\\r\\n さっきの私のミスは何だったんだろう。<br>\\r\\n Why had I messed up?<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音が買い物なんか普段しないのに、自分も買い物だと言ってしまったイージーミス。<br>\\r\\n I'd known Mion would never go grocery shopping... What an amateurish mistake.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …魅音を演じている時にしたミス？<br>\\r\\n ...Did I make that mistake when I was pretending to be Mion?<br><br>\\r\\n いや、……多分、そうじゃなくて。<br>\\r\\n No...<br>\\r\\n 私が自分の言葉を、そのままフィルターを通さずに口にしてしまったからなのだ。<br>\\r\\n I was probably speaking as Shion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は自分に嘘がつけない。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't keep lying to myself...<br>\\r\\n …だから深く考えずに認めた。<br>\\r\\n I had to just admit...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n つまりこれは。<br>\\r\\n It was simply because,<br>\\r\\n …私が悟史くんとの時間を、少しでも長く一緒に過したがってるんだなぁ…、つまりそういうことなんだ。<br>\\r\\n I wanted to spend as much time with Satoshi-kun as possible...<br><br>\\r\\n なぜ彼に、自分がこう、まるでヒヨコの刷り込みみたいに興味を抱いているのかも、ちょっと考えれば理解できた。<br>\\r\\n It was easy to see why I was so attracted to him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 日々が単調な中での目新しい出会いであったこと。<br>\\r\\n I'd found something intriguing in my boring life,<br><br>\\r\\n 自分のことを魅音だと勘違いしてくれている故の関係の気楽さ。<br>\\r\\n and I didn't have to feel tense, because he thought I was somebody else.<br>\\r\\n エトセトラエトセトラ。<br>\\r\\n Et cetera, et cetera.<br>\\r\\n ……最後の最後に、人の頭を気安く撫でるヤツだから、というのを追記する。<br>\\r\\n His easygoing nature made him fun to be around, and... his habit of petting people on the head was fun too.<br><br>\\r\\n それらを全部統括して、……ぁぁ、私は淡い恋心というやつを楽しんでるんだなぁとすることにした。<br>\\r\\n From these symptoms...... I could tell I was embracing the feeling of love.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう、これはカジュアルに恋心を楽しんでるだけ。<br>\\r\\n I was just casually enjoying that feeling.<br><br>\\r\\n 別に、彼のことが好きになったわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n It wasn't that I fell in love with him.<br><br>\\r\\n 異性とのちょっとした時間を楽しんでいるだけなのだ。<br>\\r\\n I was just having fun.<br><br>\\r\\n そう割り切ると、悟史くんとこうして他愛ないおしゃべりをしながら過す時間も、何だか楽しいものに素直に感じることができた。<br>\\r\\n I could simply spend some fun time with Satoshi-kun without having to think too much.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「えっと……。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uhh...<br>\\r\\n …ブロッコリーってどれだっけ。<br>\\r\\n Which one is broccoli?<br>\\r\\n …緑だっけ？<br>\\r\\n The green one<br>\\r\\n 黄色だっけ？」<br>\\r\\n or the yellow one?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くん、そっちはカリフラワー。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's cauliflower, Satoshi-kun...<br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんってひょっとして、キャベツとレタスの区別が付かないタイプ？」<br>\\r\\n Hey, could it be that you can't tell lettuce from cabbage, either?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そ、それはひどいよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I-I'm not that bad...<br>\\r\\n これでも精一杯区別してるつもり…。」<br>\\r\\n I'm doing my best here...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n そうは言いながらは、悟史くんはブロッコリーとカリフラワーの山の前でにらめっこだ。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun stared at the heaps of broccoli and cauliflower.<br><br>\\r\\n さんざん迷った挙句、吸い込まれるように間違いの方に手を伸ばす…。<br>\\r\\n After thinking for a while, he reached out for the wrong one...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「それ違うー！<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's not it!<br>\\r\\n …悟史くんの買い物は見ててハラハラしますねぇ。<br>\\r\\n ...Watching you shop is like being on a roller coaster.<br>\\r\\n 見てるこっちは楽しいけどさ。<br>\\r\\n It's a lot of fun for me, though!<br>\\r\\n あははははは！」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahaha!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……むぅ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mmph.<br>\\r\\n 参ったなぁ。<br>\\r\\n You got me.<br>\\r\\n 沙都子と一緒の時にも迷うんだよ。<br>\\r\\n Satoko can't tell the difference either.<br>\\r\\n ブロッコリーとカリフラワーはどっちが何色だっけってね…。」<br>\\r\\n Which is broccoli and which one is cauliflower...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…あんたら兄妹、二人そろって面白過ぎです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...You guys are too funny.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n お姉の情報では、頼りない兄とそれを口うるさく世話焼く妹、というのが兄妹関係らしい。<br>\\r\\n Sis had told me that Satoshi was a flaky big brother to his nagging little sister.<br><br>\\r\\n 妹の沙都子には会ったことはないが、実の兄がこれでは、さぞややきもきするだろうなぁと思う。<br>\\r\\n I hadn't met Satoko, but she must be having a tough time dealing with Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの買い物は一事が万事、こんな調子だから、満遍なくスリリングだった。<br>\\r\\n He stumbles over everything he buys, after all.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「それは調理塩。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's cooking salt.<br><br>\\r\\n …コショウとか混じってますから、卓上塩とは異なります。」<br>\\r\\n ...It's mixed with pepper. It's different from regular salt.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え、…そうなの？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh... is it?<br>\\r\\n ほら、確か理科の実験で塩とコショウを分離するのを確か…、」<br>\\r\\n I think I saw salt and pepper separate in a science experiment once...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「言い訳はいいから棚に戻す。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Stop making excuses and just put it back on the shelf...<br>\\r\\n …こっちが普通のお塩ね！<br>\\r\\n This is normal salt!<br>\\r\\n で、次は？」<br>\\r\\n What are you getting next?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「えっと、……あはははは、魅音がいてくれると買い物が楽で助かるよ…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh...... Ahahahaha. You're being a great help, Mion...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…悟史くん、頭良さそうに見えて、社会生活に支障ありすぎです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...You look smart, but you have serious issues...<br>\\r\\n もう少しお勉強した方がいいと思います…。」<br>\\r\\n I think you should study more...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「むぅ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mmph....<br>\\r\\n …それはひどいなぁ…。<br>\\r\\n That's a little harsh...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …あった。<br>\\r\\n ...There.<br>\\r\\n これかな？<br>\\r\\n Is this it?<br>\\r\\n ひょいひょい。」<br>\\r\\n In it goes.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「だーー！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahh!<br>\\r\\n だからそれは違う！<br>\\r\\n That's not it!<br>\\r\\n 何でもカゴに放り込む前に値段と何人分かをよく確認するー！」<br>\\r\\n Don't just throw anything in the basket; check the price and how many servings it is first!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が悟史くんに抱いた第一印象は、とても頼りになる強い人…というイメージだった。<br>\\r\\n My first impression of Satoshi-kun was that... he was strong and reliable.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、こうしていろいろ話していると、何て頼りなくて危なっかしい人だろうと驚かされてしまう。<br>\\r\\n But the more I spoke to him, the more surprised I was at how clumsy and unreliable he was.<br><br>\\r\\n 何ていうのか……放っておけない。<br>\\r\\n How do I put it... It was hard to leave him alone.<br>\\r\\n 危なっかしい。<br>\\r\\n He was dangerous on his own.<br><br>\\r\\n 油断してると横断歩道も、渡っていいのは赤だっけ？<br>\\r\\n If he wasn't careful he might start wondering, \\\"Do you cross the street when the light is red?<br>\\r\\n 緑だっけ？<br>\\r\\n Or was it green?\\\"<br>\\r\\n 何て言って、ダンプにはねられかねない人だ……（汗）<br>\\r\\n ...And get himself run over by a dumptruck... (Sweatdrop)\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「１７８０円になりますー。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Your total is 1,780 yen.<br>\\r\\n スタンプカードはお持ちですか？」<br>\\r\\n Do you have a member's card?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え、……ぁ、はい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh? ...Oh, yes.<br>\\r\\n あります…。<br>\\r\\n I do...<br>\\r\\n ………っと、…………………あれ、どこかな。」<br>\\r\\n ...Uhh... ......Huh? Where is it?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あー、すみません。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, sorry.<br>\\r\\n ちょっと見当たらないんで今度でいいです。」<br>\\r\\n We can't seem to find it, so we'll be alright for today.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが領収書だらけの財布を漁り続けるのを無視して、会計を済ます。<br>\\r\\n I finished checking out, ignoring Satoshi-kun as he fished through his wallet full of receipts.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ひどいな魅音…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That was horrible, Mion...<br>\\r\\n スタンプちゃんと押さないともったいないよ…？」<br>\\r\\n You made me waste points...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あんた、夕暮れ時のお買い物ラッシュの時にのんびりと財布を漁って、スタンプカードなんか探さない〜〜！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't go slowly fishing through your wallet to look for your member's card in the middle of the evening shopping rush!<br>\\r\\n 後に大勢待ってるんだから！<br>\\r\\n There was a huge line behind us!<br>\\r\\n 私たちの後ろで海千山千のおば様方が、早くしなさいザマスって目でギロギロ睨んでたの、気付いてなかったんですかぁ？！<br>\\r\\n Didn't you notice all the evil glares from all the old ladies?!<br>\\r\\n あのねぇ、そういう時はレジ前に並んでる時から予め用意しておくの！」<br>\\r\\n Listen, at times like that, you should get it out before reaching the register!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…あ、…そうか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Oh. ...Right.<br>\\r\\n あはは、いい事を聞いたよ。」<br>\\r\\n Ahaha, that's good to know.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ちなみにここでのことだけじゃないですからね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's not only when you go shopping.<br>\\r\\n バスに乗る時もそう！<br>\\r\\n The same thing goes for when you ride a bus!<br>\\r\\n 悟史くん、バスを降りようとして料金を入れる時、その時になって初めてお財布を開けて、小銭をちまちまと探して、後の人を詰まらせて待たせてるでしょう。」<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun, I bet you don't open your wallet and start looking for change until you're about to get off and have to pay while holding up everyone behind you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…むぅ〜〜〜………、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mmph....\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n みんな僕を追い抜いて、勝手に料金を入れてるかな…。」<br>\\r\\n No, everyone walks by me and pays their own fare...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「はぁ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hah...<br>\\r\\n それはね？<br>\\r\\n You know what that means?<br>\\r\\n すっご〜〜〜く周りに迷惑をかけているのです！<br>\\r\\n You're being a super-huge bother to everyone!<br>\\r\\n そういうのは予め用意しておくのがマナー！<br>\\r\\n You need to have the money out beforehand. That's just good manners!<br>\\r\\n わかりました？！」<br>\\r\\n Do you get it?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「わわ、わかったよぅ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"O-Okay...<br>\\r\\n …今日の魅音は怖いなぁ、あはははは…。」<br>\\r\\n You're scary today, Mion... Ahahaha...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の怒りを逸らすかのように愛想笑いをする悟史くん。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun smiled as if patronizing me.<br><br>\\r\\n ……は〜〜、もぅ、この人はぁ。<br>\\r\\n ...Hah... I couldn't believe it.<br><br>\\r\\n …なんてゆーのかな、きっと庇護欲を掻きたてるタイプに違いない。<br>\\r\\n ...He was definitely the type who made women want to protect him.<br><br>\\r\\n …そりゃまー、あんたの身の回りに、私みたいなお節介焼きがいるときはこれでもいーけど、<br>\\r\\n ...Sure, he was fine as he was when he had a busybody like me around him,<br>\\r\\n そういう人が周りにいない時、ちゃんと社会生活が営めるか、私ゃ不安でならないよ。<br>\\r\\n but I couldn't stop worrying whether he was able to function in society without someone like that nearby.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n レジでビニール袋をもらい、買ったものを分ける。<br>\\r\\n We got plastic bags and sorted out what we bought.<br><br>\\r\\n ……真っ先に袋の底に豆腐を突っ込んだ悟史くんの手をピシ！と叩き、牛乳パックから先に入れ直す。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoshi-kun put a pack of tofu at the bottom of the bag. I slapped his hand and put in a milk carton instead.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ハイ、これでＯッＫ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay, there we go.<br>\\r\\n これで台所で買い物袋を広げて、お母さんに仰天されなくて済みますからねー。」<br>\\r\\n Now your aunt won't freak out when she opens this shopping bag in her kitchen.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、…ありがと。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh... thanks.<br>\\r\\n 助かったよ。<br>\\r\\n You helped me a lot...<br>\\r\\n …僕はどうも買い物が苦手でさ。」<br>\\r\\n I don't think I'm very good at shopping.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「買い物だけぇ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Just shopping?<br>\\r\\n 正直におっしゃい！」<br>\\r\\n That's definitely not the only thing!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……む、…むぅ……。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Mm... mmph......\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あははははははは！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahahahaha!<br>\\r\\n うそうそ冗談。」<br>\\r\\n Just kidding.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 買い物という短い時間を通してだが、わかったことがある。<br>\\r\\n I had realized a few things while I was spending time with him today.<br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんは買い物が苦手とかそういうレベルじゃなく。<br>\\r\\n ...He's not just bad at shopping.<br>\\r\\n …基本的に物事全般に要領が悪い人なのだ。<br>\\r\\n He's also chronically clumsy.<br><br>\\r\\n ……とろいというか、抜けているというか。<br>\\r\\n ...In general, you could call him a slow thinker.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …そう思うと、やはり初めて出会った時の、彼の危険をかえりみない勇気は、…彼のとびっきりの勇気だったんだろうな…と感じた。<br>\\r\\n ...That meant... when he stepped into the quarrel with the punks, he must have needed a lot of courage.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんはとろいけど、馬鹿じゃない。<br>\\r\\n He might be a simpleton, but he's not stupid.<br><br>\\r\\n 自分が要領が悪いことを充分に知っている人間だ。<br>\\r\\n He's aware of his weaknesses.<br><br>\\r\\n …ならばこそ、ますます君子危うきに近寄るべからずを実践していたはず。<br>\\r\\n ...So, he must have been aware of the danger in that situation.<br><br>\\r\\n …彼は、いくらクラスメートの魅音がピンチだったからと言って、蛮勇を振りかざすべきではなかったはず。<br>\\r\\n ...He could have chosen to walk away even though I was in trouble.<br><br>\\r\\n それを全部考えて、押し込んで。<br>\\r\\n But he chose to be a man and stepped in.<br>\\r\\n …飛び出して来てくれたのだから、やはり、それはとてもすごいことなのだ。<br>\\r\\n That was really admirable of him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「えらいえらい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Good boy.<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんはがんばったよー。<br>\\r\\n You did a great job.<br>\\r\\n いい子いい子。」<br>\\r\\n There, there.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「な、………何だよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wh-What is it?<br>\\r\\n 急に人の頭を撫でないでくれよ。」<br>\\r\\n Don't stroke my head.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんがひとりでお買い物が出来ましたで賞。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm rewarding you for shopping successfully today.<br>\\r\\n なでなでなで〜♪」<br>\\r\\n There, there.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「魅音、……僕のこと、すっごいばかにしてるだろ？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"You're making fun of me, aren't you, Mion?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「してないしてないよ〜。<br>\\r\\n \\\"No, I'm not.<br>\\r\\n お家、ひとりで帰れるかな？<br>\\r\\n Can you go home by yourself?<br>\\r\\n 道、わかる？」<br>\\r\\n Do you know how to get there?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「むぅ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mmph...<br>\\r\\n やっぱりばかにしてる…。」<br>\\r\\n You <i>are</i> making fun of me...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんはむくれながら、私に頭を撫でられるままに委ね、少し赤くなりながら俯いていた。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun's sulky face flushed red....<br>\\r\\n ……あ〜〜ん、こいつカワイイよ〜〜☆<br>\\r\\n Ahh, he's just too cute.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんな時、視界の片隅に、お稽古ごと掲示板が映った。<br>\\r\\n At that point, I caught a glimpse of a billboard from the corner of my eye.<br><br>\\r\\n ピアノ教えます、××まで。<br>\\r\\n Piano Lessons. Call XX.<br>\\r\\n そろばん教室生徒募集…。<br>\\r\\n Abacus Class......<br>\\r\\n 少年野球チーム、メンバー募集。<br>\\r\\n Junior Baseball Team--Members Wanted.'\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんのチーム、雛見沢ファイターズのチームメイト募集のポスターだった。<br>\\r\\n It was a posting for the team Satoshi-kun belonged to.<br><br>\\r\\n 毎週の練習する曜日と時間、場所等の公開情報が載せられている。<br>\\r\\n It showed the day, time, and place of their next practice.<br><br>\\r\\n 今日の買い物のワンシーンを見てるだけで、これだけ頼りないのだから。<br>\\r\\n By then, I knew just how flaky he was.<br><br>\\r\\n 見たことはないけど、野球もこんな感じなのだろう。<br>\\r\\n I figured he must be just the same when playing baseball.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは私が野球チームのポスターを読んでいるのに気付くと、急にバツが悪そうになり、その場を立ち去ろうとした。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun realized that I was reading the posting. He looked uncomfortable and walked away.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「今、悟史くんは思った。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I know what you're thinking...<br>\\r\\n …頼むから、魅音。<br>\\r\\n 'I hope you won't come to see me playing baseball,<br>\\r\\n 野球やってるとこまで来ないでくれよ〜〜。<br>\\r\\n Mion'.<br>\\r\\n ……図星？！」<br>\\r\\n ...Am I right?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「む、…むぅ……。<br>\\r\\n \\\"M-Mmph.........<br>\\r\\n ………ぇっと、…………………むぅ。」<br>\\r\\n Ahh......... mmph.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「その、むぅってのは、つまり何さ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"What does that mumbling mean?<br>\\r\\n ……図星ってことでしょ。」<br>\\r\\n ......I know I'm right.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……むぅ……。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Mmph......\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、むぅ…。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun became quiet<br>\\r\\n と正体不明の一言を残して沈黙してしまう。<br>\\r\\n after mumbling something.<br><br>\\r\\n …本当に図星らしくて、何も言い返せないと、そういう感じだ。<br>\\r\\n ...It seemed like he couldn't say anything back, since I had been right on the money.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くん、…君、かわいいにもほどがあるぞ。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoshi-kun... You're just too cute.<br><br>\\r\\n …図星突かれたのを大人しく閉口して認めるなよなぁ…。<br>\\r\\n ...I don't think going silent is a good way to dodge the issue...<br>\\r\\n まぁ、嘘がつけない人ってのはこーゆうものだ。<br>\\r\\n Well, that might have just been the way innocent people like him would react in a situation like that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃーねー悟史くん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"See you, Satoshi-kun.<br>\\r\\n 暗くなりかけてるから、気をつけて帰ってね〜！」<br>\\r\\n It's getting dark, so be careful on your way back!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「魅音は一緒に帰らないのかい？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Aren't you going home, Mion?<br>\\r\\n 雛見沢。」<br>\\r\\n To Hinamizawa?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…あ、…私はもうちょっと寄るとこありますんで。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Uh... I have to make a stop somewhere first.<br>\\r\\n 気にしないで先に帰って下さい。」<br>\\r\\n Don't worry about me.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「僕の買い物を手伝ってもらったんだから、付き合うよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'll help you this time.<br>\\r\\n 今度は僕が手伝う。」<br>\\r\\n In return.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、あははははは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh, ahahahahaha.<br>\\r\\n 大丈夫大丈夫！<br>\\r\\n I'm okay!<br>\\r\\n ってゆーか、悟史くんが何を手伝うおつもりでぇ？<br>\\r\\n What are you going to help me with, anyway?<br>\\r\\n 人の手伝いする前に、自分が手伝われなくて買い物できるようになっといてくださいなぁ。<br>\\r\\n You should learn to support yourself before you try to help me.<br>\\r\\n あっははははははは！」<br>\\r\\n Ahhhahahahaha!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…むぅ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mmph...<br>\\r\\n 今日の魅音は一際意地悪かなぁ…。」<br>\\r\\n You're really mean today...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 一応、男としてのプライドも少々は持ち合わせているらしい。<br>\\r\\n He seemed to have some pride, at least.<br><br>\\r\\n 女に馬鹿にされてちょっぴり憤慨気味のご様子。<br>\\r\\n He looked a bit upset because he was teased by a girl...<br>\\r\\n もちろん私はご満悦なのだが。<br>\\r\\n but in contrast, I felt very satisfied.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、またしても油断してしまった。<br>\\r\\n As a result, I forgot to keep my guard up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、でも、手伝ってくれてありがとうね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh, thank you for the help.<br><br>\\r\\n 本当に助かったから。」<br>\\r\\n That was sweet of you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「わぅ…………！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Whoa...!<br>\\r\\n …………きゅぅ……。」<br>\\r\\n ...Mmm...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが、無邪気な笑顔でそう言いながら、まったく警戒していなかった私の頭を無神経に撫でる。<br>\\r\\n While wearing a bright smile...<br>\\r\\n ……なでなでなでなで。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun suddenly started stroking my head again.<br><br>\\r\\n あー…もう、……これはこれで馬鹿にされてるとは思っても…。<br>\\r\\n Ahh... I know he's teasing me, but...<br>\\r\\n ぅぅ、撫でられてる間は何も抗えない…。<br>\\r\\n ooh, I can't reject him...<br>\\r\\n ………………きゅぅ…。<br>\\r\\n mmm...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは私が無抵抗なのをいい事に、すっごくご機嫌にいつまでも撫で撫でを繰り返していた。<br>\\r\\n He keeps doing it only because he's realized I won't resist...<br>\\r\\n ……ぁぅぁぅぁぅ…。<br>\\r\\n ooohhh...<br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃあね、魅音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"See you, Mion!<br>\\r\\n 暗くならない内に用事を済ませてね。<br>\\r\\n You should go home before it gets dark...<br>\\r\\n ……また明日、学校で。」<br>\\r\\n See you in school tomorrow.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、うん！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh, yeah!<br>\\r\\n また明日、学校でね！」<br>\\r\\n See you in school tomorrow too!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n また明日、学校で出会うのは私じゃない。<br>\\r\\n In fact, I wouldn't see him tomorrow at all.<br><br>\\r\\n ……そこいら辺に、微妙な感じもしたが、今はこれが精一杯。仕方がない。<br>\\r\\n ...It felt awkward, but I had to settle for that.<br>\\r\\n むしろ、魅音としての時間を貸してくれるお姉に感謝したい気分だ。<br>\\r\\n I had to thank Sis for letting me use her name.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n やがて彼と別れた後。<br>\\r\\n After I separated from him....<br><br>\\r\\n …すごく上機嫌な自分と、次に会える機会はいつだろうと、いとおしむ自分に気が付いた。<br>\\r\\n ...I found myself giddy and wishing to see him again as soon as possible.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 彼のことをもっともっと知りたいと思った。<br>\\r\\n I wanted to know more about him.<br><br>\\r\\n 彼に次に出会える機会は偶然に委ねることもできる。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't wait for my next chance to see him.<br><br>\\r\\n ……だが、それに委ねるのはあまりに消極的だ。<br>\\r\\n ...Actually, maybe there was something I could do.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が今の生活を自らの手で選び取ったように。<br>\\r\\n Just like when I obtained my freedom from St. Lucia's,<br>\\r\\n これからの生活の全てを私は自ら選び取って行かなくてはならない。<br>\\r\\n I could choose how to live my life.<br><br>\\r\\n …なぁんて、難しい理屈はどうでもよかった。<br>\\r\\n ...Whatever. It wasn't that complicated.<br><br>\\r\\n もっと彼をからかいたい。もっと彼に頭を撫でられたい。<br>\\r\\n I just wanted to tease him more. I wanted him to stroke my head more,<br>\\r\\n もっと、……ええと、もう何でもいいや。<br>\\r\\n and...... ahh, whatever.<br><br>\\r\\n 彼の次の少年野球の活動日は、もうわかっているのだから。<br>\\r\\n I already knew the schedule for his baseball team.\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 「こんにちや〜〜！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey there!!<br>\\r\\n 今日もお暑いのにご精が出ますことで〜〜！」<br>\\r\\n How are you guys doing in the heat?!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「お、魅音さんじゃないですかぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, Mion-san.<br>\\r\\n こんにちはぁ。<br>\\r\\n We're doing good.<br>\\r\\n あれ、それは差し入れですか？<br>\\r\\n Is that our refreshment?<br>\\r\\n ありがたいなぁ☆<br>\\r\\n Thanks a bunch.<br>\\r\\n さすがは我がチームのマネージャ〜！」<br>\\r\\n You're such a great manager!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「まー、気が向いたからです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I just felt like coming here.<br>\\r\\n 別に監督に差し入れたくて買って来たわけじゃないので、そこんとこよろしくお願いします。<br>\\r\\n I didn't bring this for you, by the way.<br>\\r\\n あと、さり気なく人を勝手にマネージャーに組み込まないように。」<br>\\r\\n And don't treat me as your manager without my permission, please.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「魅音がマネージャーだったら、色々心強いと思うけどね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"We'd be a stronger team if you were our manager, Mion.<br><br>\\r\\n ……やってよ、魅音。<br>\\r\\n ...Why don't you apply?<br>\\r\\n マネージャー。」<br>\\r\\n As manager, I mean.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが、本当に屈託のない笑顔で、そう言いながら微笑みかけてくる。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun smiled at me in a carefree manner.<br><br>\\r\\n …正式にマネージャーなんてのは、面倒くさいからすっごい嫌だけど。<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't want to become their manager. It'd be tiresome.<br><br>\\r\\n 毎週毎週欠かさず応援に来ている今の私は、今やマネージャー気取りと言っても間違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n I've been coming every week, though, so I'm a quasi-manager already.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「まー、本当に気が向いたら、その時はやりますんで。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, if I feel like it.<br>\\r\\n で、どうです？<br>\\r\\n Anyway, how's Satoshi-kun doing, Coach?<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの打率はどんな感じです？」<br>\\r\\n Is his batting average improving?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「えぇえぇ、頑張ってますよ<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes, yes. He's doing fine.<br>\\r\\n 。彼の打率ですか？ う〜〜ん、そうですねぇ。<br>\\r\\n His batting average is...... well,<br>\\r\\n セブンスマートでお煎餅の袋をどれでも３つ買うとですね、」<br>\\r\\n if you buy three packs of rice crackers at Sevens Mart...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あっははははは！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Aha hahaha!<br>\\r\\n それってつまり３割ってことですか。<br>\\r\\n Does that mean it's thirty percent?<br>\\r\\n …へ〜、三割打者！<br>\\r\\n ...Wow,<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんって結構な高打率打者じゃないの〜！」<br>\\r\\n you're doing great, Satoshi-kun!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……むぅ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mmph.<br>\\r\\n 打率は数字じゃないよ魅音。<br>\\r\\n It's not just about the number, Mion.<br>\\r\\n ここ一番で打てなきゃ意味はないんだからさ。」<br>\\r\\n I have to be able to hit the ball when it really counts.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんは自分で自分の弱点をよくわかっているようですね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's good that you're aware of your weaknesses, Satoshi-kun.<br>\\r\\n そこまでわかっているなら、後は練習あるのみですよ。」<br>\\r\\n You just continue working on them for now.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 監督が合図を送ると、ピッチャーが大きく振りかぶってから白球を放つ。<br>\\r\\n Irie signaled to the pitcher, who then threw the ball.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは冷静にその弾道を目で追いながら、懐に入ってきたところで思い切り振り抜いた。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun looked calm, following the ball with his eyes. Then he swung!<br><br>\\r\\n パカーーーーン！！<br>\\r\\n Thwack!!<br><br>\\r\\n 快音と共にボールは一二塁間を抜けてはるばる彼方まで転がっていった。<br>\\r\\n The ball flew between the first and second bases and landed in the distance.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「おお〜〜〜。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wow!<br>\\r\\n やっる〜〜！<br>\\r\\n That's great!<br>\\r\\n ぱちぱちぱちぱち！」<br>\\r\\n Good job, Satoshi-kun!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 惜しみない拍手を送ると、悟史くんは照れを隠すようにメットを目深に被りなおした。<br>\\r\\n I clapped, and Satoshi-kun blushed in response. He repositioned his helmet to hide his face.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「う〜〜ん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well,<br>\\r\\n フリーバッティングや、試合が平坦な時はかなり落ち着いたいいバッティングを見せてくれるんですけどね〜。」<br>\\r\\n he's good in practice and when the game is slow...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 監督が残念そうに笑う。<br>\\r\\n Irie smiled compassionately.<br><br>\\r\\n ……そう、鉄火場で実力が出せないのが悟史くんの弱点なのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...It seemed that Satoshi-kun really couldn't perform well when it counted.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 普段は本当にいいプレイを見せるのだが、みんなの期待が一身に集まるようなここ一番に弱いのだ。<br>\\r\\n While he was usually good, when everybody expected him to perform, he couldn't.<br><br>\\r\\n 別にあがってるわけではないと思うのだが…、とにかく普段の実力が出せない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't think it was because of nervousness... he just couldn't do it.<br><br>\\r\\n …冷静そうに見えて、実はとろい悟史くんらしいキャラクターだと思う。<br>\\r\\n ...I think it's a perfect fit for Satoshi-kun's character. He seems calm at first glance, but he's actually slow.<br><br>\\r\\n 「スコアボードとか、そういう数字上ではかなりの高アベレージヒッターなのにねぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Numerically speaking, you're a great player...<br>\\r\\n …本番に弱いってのは致命的かも。<br>\\r\\n But you need to be able to hit the ball even when things get serious.<br>\\r\\n そんなことだから、こないだの宇喜田ジャガーとの試合でもここ一番で凡退するんですよ〜！！」<br>\\r\\n That's why you were an easy out in the match with the Ukita Jaguars the other day!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……むぅ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Mmph...<br>\\r\\n うるさいなぁ、気にしてるんだから黙っててくれよぉ。」<br>\\r\\n Shut up. I know that.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あそこで打てれば、…かなり美味しい見せ場だったんですけどねぇ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"If he'd been able to hit the ball then, he would have been a hero...<br>\\r\\n 残念です。」<br>\\r\\n What a shame...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ここで一打出れば逆転、悪くても同点延長！<br>\\r\\n A hit could have put the offense into the lead, or at least given them an extension.<br>\\r\\n という実に燃えるシーンで悟史くんの打順を迎えたのだ。<br>\\r\\n That was when Satoshi-kun came up to bat.<br><br>\\r\\n 今日こそみんなの期待に応えて大きく開花してほしい…！<br>\\r\\n Irie wanted him to live up to everybody's expectations...<br><br>\\r\\n でもこれまでの過去のデータを考えると…悟史くんがここで打つ可能性は極めて低い…。<br>\\r\\n But statistically, that wasn't likely to happen...<br><br>\\r\\n ベンチからの代打を出した方がいいという声をねじ伏せ、監督は悟史くんの打順を固持したのだ。<br>\\r\\n Yet Irie insisted on giving him a chance, in spite of the fact that all the team members had suggested a pinch hitter.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あーも〜〜！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahh!<br>\\r\\n あそこで打てれば完璧なのになぁ！！<br>\\r\\n It would've been perfect if you could have hit it!!<br>\\r\\n どうして駄目なんですか？！<br>\\r\\n Why didn't you?!<br>\\r\\n どーしてあーゆう時に打てないんですかぁ！！」<br>\\r\\n Why can't you hit the ball in a situation when it really matters?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「仕方ないよ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"There was nothing I could do...<br>\\r\\n 僕がああいう時、弱いの、本当だし…。<br>\\r\\n I know I'm weak in a situation like that...<br>\\r\\n 僕だって、代打を出してくれた方が試合に勝てるかなって思ったし…。」<br>\\r\\n I thought a pinch hitter was a better idea too...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「試合に勝つかじゃなくて、悟史くんが勝つかどうかが問題なんです！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's not about the match, it's about you, Satoshi-kun!!<br>\\r\\n あ〜〜も〜〜！<br>\\r\\n Arrgh!!<br>\\r\\n 何で当の本人にここまで闘争心がないのかなぁ！！<br>\\r\\n You need to be more aggressive!!<br>\\r\\n 普通は逆でしょ？！<br>\\r\\n Shouldn't you have thought the opposite way?<br>\\r\\n 代打に代えられそうなところを、ここは俺に打たせて下さいって食って掛かるとこでしょ？！<br>\\r\\n Shouldn't you have insisted that you'd come up to bat, no matter what everybody else said?!<br>\\r\\n 自分から代打を出してほしいなんて言い出すなんて、あ〜〜も〜〜〜！！<br>\\r\\n I can't believe you wanted to give away the chance to some pinch hitter!!<br>\\r\\n なんでここまで闘争心がないのかなぁ…！」<br>\\r\\n Why are you so weak like that...?!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「それは私も普段から言ってるんですけどねぇ〜。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's what I'm always telling him...<br>\\r\\n まぁ、その辺が悟史くんのいい所ではあるんですが、ねぇ…。」<br>\\r\\n I know that's one of his good points, too. But, uh......\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「普段は紳士でも、試合には鬼になる！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"You can be a gentleman at other times, but when playing games, you should be a demon!!<br>\\r\\n 男にゃそういう二面性があっても私ゃいいと思います！！<br>\\r\\n I think all men should have those two sides to them!!<br>\\r\\n とにかく悟史くんには鬼がない！<br>\\r\\n You need to let your demon out, Satoshi-kun!!<br>\\r\\n 仮にも雛見沢の人間なんだから、たまにゃご先祖の鬼の血を思い出して下さいよねぇ！<br>\\r\\n You're native to Hinamizawa, so never forget that you have the demon's blood running through your veins!!<br>\\r\\n って、聞いてます？！<br>\\r\\n Are you listening?!<br>\\r\\n 悟史くん〜〜！！」<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun?!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…むぅ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mmph...<br>\\r\\n き、聞いてるよ…。<br>\\r\\n I-I am...<br><br>\\r\\n よくわかんないけど、その、」<br>\\r\\n I'm not sure, but...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「わかんないけどって、悟史くんの話をしてるんですよ〜？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"What aren't you sure about? We're talking about you!<br>\\r\\n それを、<br>\\r\\n So...<br><br>\\r\\n …きゃふ！<br>\\r\\n ...Whoa!<br>\\r\\n …………………わぅ…。」<br>\\r\\n .........Ahh...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが、ものすごく嬉しそうな顔をしながら、私の頭を撫で撫でしてくれていた。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun suddenly started stroking my head. He looked delighted, for some reason.<br><br>\\r\\n ……それもすっごい唐突に。<br>\\r\\n ...A blush immediately spread across my face.<br>\\r\\n 私はいつものように、真っ赤になって言葉を失ってしまう…。<br>\\r\\n I didn't know how to respond...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「魅音は、僕のためを思って言ってくれてるんだよね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You're giving me advice, right?<br>\\r\\n …ありがと。<br>\\r\\n Thanks.<br>\\r\\n 僕はがんばる。」<br>\\r\\n I'll do my best.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………ささ、…悟史くん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......H-Hey...<br>\\r\\n あの、そゆことして……誤魔化さないでください…。」<br>\\r\\n don't you try to fool me...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「誤魔化してなんかないよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm not.<br>\\r\\n うれしいだけだよ。<br>\\r\\n I'm just happy that you care about me.<br>\\r\\n あはははは。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahaha.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は真っ赤になりながら、彼に頭を預けているしかない。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't resist his hand.<br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんがよく漏らすように、むぅ、と言いながら。<br>\\r\\n ...I couldn't help mumbling like he does.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが、がんばってくるよ〜と言い残して走り去った後には、赤面して頭から湯気を昇らせる私が残るのみだ。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun ran back to the field, leaving me red as a beet.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………頭、撫でられるの弱いんですか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Do you feel good when you have your head stroked?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…撫でる人によります。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Depends.<br>\\r\\n 監督が撫でてきたら関節極めますんで、覚悟の方よろしくです。」<br>\\r\\n If it were you, I'd have to teach you a new martial arts technique.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え〜〜〜、もぅずるいなぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, what a shame!<br>\\r\\n あっはっはっは…。<br>\\r\\n Aha ha ha ha...<br>\\r\\n じゃあ全員集合〜〜！！<br>\\r\\n All right, everyone, gather around!!<br>\\r\\n 今日は出席もいい事ですから、人数を分けて紅白戦をやってみましょう。」<br>\\r\\n Why don't you split into groups and have a practice match?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢ファイターズは、野球チームとしてはかなりいい加減な部類に入る。<br>\\r\\n The Hinamizawa Fighters are sort of a lazy team.<br><br>\\r\\n しっかり練習して大会に勝ち抜こうというよりは、何でもいいから人数をそろえて、野球をして遊びたいという方に主眼が置かれている。<br>\\r\\n The members gather simply to enjoy playing baseball, not to fight for victory.<br><br>\\r\\n 同じグラウンドで別の曜日に練習している興宮タイタンズなんかが、鉄アレイやバーベル、うさぎ跳びなんかでしっかりとスポ魂してるのと比べると、とても対照的だ。<br>\\r\\n The Okinomiya Titans use this field too, but they practice on a different day of the week. They always train hard using dumbbells and stuff.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ジャンケンと学年でチームが分けられ、すごくいい加減なムードでプレイボールになった。<br>\\r\\n Our team split into two groups and started a match, retaining their loose atmosphere.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃ、私ゃ記録でもやるかな。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'll keep track of the score.<br>\\r\\n 監督、どっかに鉛筆ないですか？」<br>\\r\\n Coach, do you have a pencil?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「いっつもすみませんねぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Thanks for helping out.<br>\\r\\n ハイこれ、お願いしますね。」<br>\\r\\n Here.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は手慣れた様子で筆記用具と記録帳を受け取る。<br>\\r\\n I took the pencil and the clipboard.<br><br>\\r\\n …当初、ヒットとエラーの記録の違いもわからなかったが、今はだいぶサマになるようになった。<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't know how to differentiate between recording hits and errors at first, but by now I was used to it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「がんばって〜〜悟史く〜〜ん！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Show me what you got, Satoshi-kun!!<br>\\r\\n あぁ、あんまり応援するとまた打てなくなっちゃいますね。<br>\\r\\n Oh, maybe it'll be too much pressure if I cheer for you too excessively.<br>\\r\\n ほどほどに頑張れ〜〜！」<br>\\r\\n Just do okay then!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…むぅ、…それはそれでひどいなぁ…！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mmph... That doesn't sound very encouraging either...!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あははははは！ がんばれ〜〜〜！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahaha! Do your best!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 穏やかな日曜日のゆったりとした時間が流れていった。<br>\\r\\n Time passed slowly that Sunday.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 空は澄み渡り、真っ白な雲の雄大さは、自分たちがいかに健全な時間を過ごしているか教えてくれる。<br>\\r\\n Huge white clouds appeared in the sky. They made me feel healthy.<br><br>\\r\\n やっぱり人間はお天道様の下で活動するようにできてるんだ。<br>\\r\\n Humans are born to be active under the sun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 審判は野球好きの保護者のひとりがやってくれることになったので、<br>\\r\\n One of the parents was acting as umpire today,<br>\\r\\n 監督は今日は大人しくベンチに引っ込んでいた。<br>\\r\\n so Irie sat on the bench with me.<br><br>\\r\\n 守備位置に散っていく子どもたちに声援を送っている。<br>\\r\\n He shouted words of encouragement to the kids while they ran to their positions.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 世間一般の監督なら、こういう時は怒鳴ったり叱り付けたりして賑やかなものなんだと思うが、ウチの監督はまるで幼稚園の先生みたいな感じだった。<br>\\r\\n Any other baseball coach would constantly berate them, but he was much more generous, like a kindergarten teacher.<br><br>\\r\\n みんなをのびのび遊ばせて、それを眺めて微笑んでる感じ。<br>\\r\\n He let the kids have fun while watching over them.<br><br>\\r\\n ……他所様の野球チームが見たら、きっと弛んでると思うんだろうなぁ…。<br>\\r\\n ...To other baseball players, it might look a little naive...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「それでも、あの程度の練習量で、みんなこれだけの動きができるんだから驚きですよね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm surprised you guys can do well with only a small amount of practice.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「雛見沢の子は、みんな普段から元気に遊びまわってますからね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Kids in Hinamizawa romp around every day,<br>\\r\\n 運動量は町の子とは比べ物にならないんですよ。<br>\\r\\n so the amount of exercise they get surpasses that of the city kids.<br>\\r\\n 変なフォームで固めてしまうより、遊び感覚の方が伸びるんです。」<br>\\r\\n Besides, too much training is not always effective.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…おー、見事に興宮タイタンズとは正反対の考え方ですねぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Wow, you think completely differently from the Okinomiya Titans.<br>\\r\\n あちらの監督と対立するの、わかる気がします。」<br>\\r\\n I can understand why their coach hates you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「タイタンズさんの考えも間違ってませんよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's not about being right.<br>\\r\\n 試合は勝つためにするものですからね。<br>\\r\\n Matches exist for someone to win, after all.<br>\\r\\n 勝利至上主義は決して間違いじゃないです。<br>\\r\\n So prioritizing victory certainly isn't wrong.<br><br>\\r\\n みんなで団結して共通の目標を目指すのは、とても素敵なことだと思いますからね。<br>\\r\\n I think it's admirable to aim for victory together...<br>\\r\\n ……まぁ、ウチは、その目標がたまたま勝利じゃないってだけのことです。」<br>\\r\\n but the goal of our team doesn't happen to be victory, that's all.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢ファイターズと興宮タイタンズは、ずいぶん古くからライバル関係にある。<br>\\r\\n The Hinamizawa Fighters and the Okinomiya Titans had been rivals for a long time.<br><br>\\r\\n 同じ学校のグラウンドを使って練習する関係もあるのだが、<br>\\r\\n Both teams shared the same baseball field, for one thing...<br>\\r\\n …いや、本来は同じチームで、雛見沢の人間だけが分派してチームを作ったことに端を発するのか…。<br>\\r\\n and originally, there was only one team, but the people living in Hinamizawa left and made their own...<br><br>\\r\\n まぁその、とにかく。<br>\\r\\n Anyhow,<br>\\r\\n ライバル関係にあるチームなのだ。<br>\\r\\n we were rivals.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 勝利至上主義の興宮タイタンズと、のんびり遊べればそれでいい雛見沢ファイターズ。<br>\\r\\n The Okinomiya Titans were strictly about winning, and the Hinamizawa Fighters were just about having fun.<br><br>\\r\\n ……だが意外にも、その戦績は互いに五割。実力は伯仲していたりする。<br>\\r\\n ...Surprisingly, our scores weren't that different.<br><br>\\r\\n ということは、勝利至上主義のチームと伯仲する何かが、ウチのチームにはあるってことだ。<br>\\r\\n Which meant... our team had something they didn't.<br><br>\\r\\n それが何なのかは、…言葉にはできなくても、私には薄々わかっていた。<br>\\r\\n Even though I couldn't put it into words, I knew what made that happen.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほら〜〜〜紅組さんも頑張って下さい〜〜〜！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, Team One, no slacking!<br>\\r\\n ２点差なんかひっくり返せちゃいますよ〜〜！<br>\\r\\n You can make up the two-point difference pretty easily!<br>\\r\\n 白組も油断なくしっかり〜〜〜！」<br>\\r\\n Team Two, no slacking either!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 監督の覇気のない指導を非難する親がいるのも事実だ。<br>\\r\\n Still, some parents would criticize our coach for being too lenient.<br><br>\\r\\n …だが、その指導の仕方に共感する親も、若干だがいる。<br>\\r\\n ...But still others would strongly agree with him.<br>\\r\\n 私はどっちだろう？<br>\\r\\n Which side would I take?<br>\\r\\n 後者…と言いたいとこだが、少し保留気味にしておこう。<br>\\r\\n Hmm... the latter...? I couldn't really say for sure.<br><br>\\r\\n この人のたまに見せるＨな一面は、教育者としてちょっと問題があるからだ（苦笑）<br>\\r\\n The reason for this was that Irie had an obnoxious habit of sexual harassment.<br><br>\\r\\n この人が無類のメイド好きであるという話は、…まぁ別の機会に。<br>\\r\\n In particular, he had a fascination with maids... but I should talk about that some other time.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、球筋をじっくり見定めるように、二球を見送った後、丁寧なバッティングで見事、一塁に出塁して見せた。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun let the ball pass twice to see its trajectory, then hit it on the third pitch and ran to first base.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「お、悟史くん、打った打った。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, he did it.<br>\\r\\n 落ち着いてればさすがですよね。」<br>\\r\\n He's so good when he's relaxed.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「最初はちょっと素振りしただけで、すぐバテてたんですけどね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"In the beginning he used to get tired very easily.<br>\\r\\n はははは、それを思えば、本当に上達したものです。」<br>\\r\\n Hahahaha. He's improved quite a lot since then.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……悟史くんって、文系って感じの人ですよね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......He really does look kind of like a bookworm.<br>\\r\\n よくその彼が、野球をやろうなんて思ったものですね。」<br>\\r\\n I wonder why he started playing baseball in the first place...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 少年野球チームに入ろうとする子どもなら、普通は例外なく野球好きだ。<br>\\r\\n All the other kids who joined the baseball team loved baseball.<br><br>\\r\\n だから普段から草野球で遊んでる。だからそこそこのセンスや体力があるものだ。<br>\\r\\n They'd go out to play in the fields outside of practice. That's why they all had an aptitude for it.<br><br>\\r\\n だけど、お姉から聞く限り、悟史くんは普段、学校でもそんなに体は動かさない。<br>\\r\\n But Sis never said that Satoshi-kun exercises intensively in school or anywhere else.<br>\\r\\n 空いた時間があれば読書をするタイプだ。<br>\\r\\n He only likes to read.<br><br>\\r\\n そんな彼と、雛見沢ファイターズという野球チームの接点が何だかわかりにくかった。<br>\\r\\n That's why I didn't understand why he started playing for this team to begin with.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あはははははは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahahaha.<br>\\r\\n それはですね、私が北条さんをこのチームに誘ったからなんです。」<br>\\r\\n That's because I invited him.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「へー。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Is that so?<br>\\r\\n 監督が自らスカウトしたんですか？<br>\\r\\n You recruited him?<br>\\r\\n …悟史くんに何かすごい素質があるのを見抜いて？」<br>\\r\\n ...Did you notice some sort of hidden talent?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、すみません、麦茶を一杯もらってもいいですか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh, excuse me. Can I have a cup of barley tea?<br>\\r\\n ……あ〜、どうも。」<br>\\r\\n ......Ah, thank you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 監督が本当に微妙なタイミングで麦茶をねだった。<br>\\r\\n Irie asked for tea in a suspicious manner.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …この監督って人は、普段はちゃらけてる人だけど、実際は落ち着きのある大人であることは知っている。<br>\\r\\n ...While he constantly joked around, I knew he was actually a very mature person.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、今の話をはぐらかそうとしてるんだな…と感じた。<br>\\r\\n I assumed he was trying to evade my question.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…何か訳ありなんですか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Is there a particular reason?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 監督は麦茶がおいしい…なんて言いながら聞き流している風だったが、私が折れないことに気付き、ちょっぴり肩をすくめて答えてくれた。<br>\\r\\n Irie pretended he didn't hear me, but I pressed him on it. In response, he shrugged, and began answering the question.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……園崎さんなら、あるいは想像がつくんじゃないかと。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I think you might be able to guess.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …園崎魅音なら察しが付く理由。<br>\\r\\n ...What would be Mion Sonozaki's guess?<br><br>\\r\\n ……頭の中の、魅音サイドから構築された悟史くんに関するデータベースを高速で探る…。<br>\\r\\n ...I quickly searched through the data I had on Satoshi-kun...<br><br>\\r\\n 監督の影のある言い方に該当するのは、…悟史くんの家族に関することしか思いつかなかった。<br>\\r\\n I came up with Satoshi-kun's family circumstances.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは一昨年、事故で両親を失っている。<br>\\r\\n He lost his parents in an accident a year ago.<br><br>\\r\\n その後、引き取られた叔父宅ではいろいろと苦労があるのは周知の事実だ。<br>\\r\\n Since then, he's been having a tough time at his uncle's home.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……じゃあ監督は、…悟史くんの鬱憤とか、そういうのを解消させてあげようと思って、このチームに？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...So, you invited him so that he could vent?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「スポーツはいいですよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sports are great.<br>\\r\\n ほどよく体を動かして汗をかくことはストレスの発散になります。<br>\\r\\n You can free yourself through exercise.<br>\\r\\n また、熱中することによって、わずかな間でも家庭のことを忘れられるなら、それは充分な気分転換になりますしね。」<br>\\r\\n I thought that as long as he concentrated on something else, he could forget about his troubles at home.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……あの、…ほら、悟史くんって、ぼんやりしてるというか、のほほんとしてるというか、そういう所あるじゃないですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Er... you know he's usually sort of a daydreamer... zoning out all the time...<br>\\r\\n ……やっぱり、相当ストレス、あるんですか…？」<br>\\r\\n Is he still stressed...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は悟史くんがあの笑顔の下で、相当の苦労をしているのではないかと薄々思っている。<br>\\r\\n I knew Satoshi-kun must be suffering even though he didn't look like it.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、園崎魅音はそれを意識していないようなので、そう返した。<br>\\r\\n But Mion Sonozaki never pays attention to things like that, and I had to act like she does.<br><br>\\r\\n 「叔父さんに引き取られて少ししてから、悟史くんがだいぶ体調を崩しましてね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Satoshi-kun got really sick after his uncle took him into his custody.<br>\\r\\n いろんな症状を訴えるんですが、いくら調べても原因がはっきりしないんですよ。」<br>\\r\\n He had many clinical symptoms, but the causes were unknown.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 叔父宅に引き取られてから少しして。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun often got sick<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは頻繁に体調を崩すようになった。<br>\\r\\n after he was taken into his uncle's custody.<br><br>\\r\\n 倦怠感や頭痛。<br>\\r\\n He suffered from fatigue and migraines.<br><br>\\r\\n 無気力や睡眠時間の乱れ。<br>\\r\\n He suffered from a lack of energy and sleeplessness.<br><br>\\r\\n …監督、…いや、入江先生はやがて気付いた。<br>\\r\\n ...The coach, I mean, Dr. Irie, soon realized:<br>\\r\\n これは体の病気ではなく、心の病気だと。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun was suffering from a psychological disorder.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 叔父宅での生活が円満でないことは、雛見沢では早々と噂になっていた。<br>\\r\\n Most of the people in Hinamizawa knew how bad Satoshi-kun's environment was.<br><br>\\r\\n 両親の事故のショックも冷めない内にそんなでは……心に負担がかかるのも無理もないことだったろう。<br>\\r\\n It was natural for him to become sick, because he entered that bad environment right after his parents' deaths.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「北条さんは、感情の爆発が出来ないタイプなんですよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Houjou-san cannot express himself freely.<br>\\r\\n 泣いたりとか怒ったりとか、そういう感情が人一倍苦手なんです。」<br>\\r\\n Whether it's crying or simply being agitated, he's not good at handling those emotions.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……確かに、悟史くんが泣いたりとか怒ったりってのは、あまり想像つかないですね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...That's true. I can't imagine him being angry or crying...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…北条さんのお母さんが再婚を重ねてるのはご存知で？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Did you know Houjou-san's mother had been married a few times already?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……まぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Yeah,<br>\\r\\n 少しは。」<br>\\r\\n I know a little bit about that.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの母親は何度か再婚を繰り返している。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun's mother had married a number of men over the years.<br><br>\\r\\n つまり、見慣れぬ父親を何度か経験しているのだ。<br>\\r\\n That meant Satoshi-kun had several stepfathers.<br><br>\\r\\n 家庭という神聖な領域に、何度も知らない大人を迎えた悟史くんは、必然的に大人になることを強要されていった。<br>\\r\\n He had to deal with strangers coming into his home multiple times, so he was forced to be mature.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんは、精神的に早熟なんです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Satoshi-kun is mentally underdeveloped.<br>\\r\\n 本人は自覚していないでしょうがね。<br>\\r\\n He isn't aware of it himself, though...<br>\\r\\n …泣いたり笑ったり、駄々をこねたり。<br>\\r\\n He didn't have enough time to cry, laugh, and throw tantrums in his childhood...<br>\\r\\n そういう時代をあっという間に卒業させられて、大人になっちゃったんです。」<br>\\r\\n He was forced to become a grownup in just a short time.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……監督の言い方だと、大人ってのが必ずしもいいようには聞こえないですね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......That doesn't sound right.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「子どもは子どもらしく過すことで、成長していくように出来ているんです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Children have to behave like children in order to grow...<br>\\r\\n それを無理に大人にしたら、…やっぱりいい事はないですよ。」<br>\\r\\n There's nothing positive about being forced to become an adult.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子と叔母の仲の悪さは顕著だが。<br>\\r\\n Not only was Satoko's current relationship with her aunt conspicuously terrible,<br>\\r\\n …伝え聞く話では、再婚相手の父親たちとも、折り合いは悪かったらしい。<br>\\r\\n I heard that her relationships with her previous stepfathers weren't good either.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子はいつになっても、家庭で不和を起こし続けていた…。<br>\\r\\n Satoko always caused problems...<br><br>\\r\\n それを兄として庇おうとする悟史くんは、いつしか沙都子の保護者たろうとしたのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n And Satoshi-kun would always step in to protect her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……だから悟史くんの体に変調が出たのは、そういうことに体が耐えかねたＳＯＳじゃないかって思ったんです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I thought his physical symptoms came from the stress. His body was trying to warn him.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n そして、監督は自分の野球チームに悟史くんを誘った。<br>\\r\\n That's why Irie invited Satoshi-kun onto the baseball team.<br><br>\\r\\n 新生チームだから、メンバーが足りない。<br>\\r\\n He told Satoshi<br>\\r\\n ぜひ！<br>\\r\\n that he needed a new member...<br>\\r\\n …なんて感じで。<br>\\r\\n or something like that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「初めは渋ってましたけどね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"He hesitated at first...<br>\\r\\n …彼と診療の際にいろいろとお話しする内に、少しずつ打ち解けていきましてね。<br>\\r\\n but after I talked to him at the clinic a few times, he began to open up to me.<br><br>\\r\\n ……ちょっと見学だけにでも来て見るといい。<br>\\r\\n ...First I invited him to come see the practice...<br>\\r\\n ちょっとバットを持ってみるといい。<br>\\r\\n then I suggested he try batting...<br>\\r\\n ……なぁんて感じで、少しずつ誘っていったんですよ。」<br>\\r\\n I eased him into it...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n スポーツは精神的にまいりかけてた悟史くんには、本当にいいものだった。<br>\\r\\n Sports worked excellently for Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n 体調はみるみる改善され、悟史くんも野球というゲームに興味を持ち始めた。<br>\\r\\n His health quickly improved, and he started to become interested in baseball.<br><br>\\r\\n バットの振り方もサマになり、次第に教本のフォームに忠実になってきて…。<br>\\r\\n He practiced batting. He was soon able to swing beautifully, and...<br>\\r\\n ボールの見方もわかってきて。<br>\\r\\n he learned how to see the trajectory of the ball.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…あー、なんかわかるなぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Ah, I can imagine that.<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんって、コツコツタイプですからね。<br>\\r\\n He likes to read,<br>\\r\\n Ｈｏｗｔｏベースボールなんて本を、しおり挟みながら読んでる風景が想像できます。」<br>\\r\\n so he must have read a book titled 'How to Play Baseball' or something like that.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「それで、あれよあれよと言う間に三割打者なんです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"He's become a good batter very quickly.<br>\\r\\n 本当によくがんばりました。<br>\\r\\n He's put forth a lot of effort...<br>\\r\\n ……これで、ピンチの時にも打てれば完璧なんですけどねぇ。<br>\\r\\n Though I wish he could actually hit when it comes down to the wire too...<br>\\r\\n ははははははは。」<br>\\r\\n Hahahahaha.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんと監督って、仲、いいんですか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Are you guys close?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「悪くはないと思ってますよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I think so...<br>\\r\\n ……悩みとか、そういうのを打ち明けてくれたということは、私を信頼してくれたからだと思ってます。」<br>\\r\\n He talks to me about his problems, so I guess that's a sign of trust.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの信頼を得ている、と言い切った監督にちょっぴり嫉妬しかけた。<br>\\r\\n I felt a bit jealous of how confidently Irie said that.<br><br>\\r\\n 私と悟史くんは、お友達ではあるけど、悩みを打ち明けあうような…そういう親密さではないからだ。<br>\\r\\n While Satoshi-kun and I were friends, we weren't so close that we'd open up to each other like that...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………あれ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Oh,<br>\\r\\n 嫉妬してます？」<br>\\r\\n are you jealous?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ふぇ？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ehh?!<br>\\r\\n ななな、………何に？！」<br>\\r\\n ...About what?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 図星を突然突かれ、真っ赤になってうろたえてしまう。<br>\\r\\n Taken aback, I blushed.<br><br>\\r\\n 監督も一目瞭然で図星がわかったらしく、大笑いしてしまった。<br>\\r\\n Irie started laughing at me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……園崎さんも、悟史くんの相談相手になってあげてください。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Please stay as his good friend.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ま、まぁ……あはははは、なれるなら、なれたらいいかなぁ…、なんて…！<br>\\r\\n \\\"W-Well, yeah... ahahahaha. I'm trying...<br>\\r\\n たはは…。」<br>\\r\\n hahaha...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は訳のわからないことを言いながら笑って誤魔化すのが精一杯だ。<br>\\r\\n I didn't know what I was saying.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………北条さんですね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...You know, regarding Houjou-san...<br>\\r\\n …最近、また少し体調を崩してるみたいなんです。」<br>\\r\\n He seems a little sick again lately.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………え？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"............What?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n パキーーーーン！<br>\\r\\n Thwack!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 快音が響き、白球がレフト上空に飛んでいく。<br>\\r\\n The ball flew to the left.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんのいい当たりは、快音に反してあっさりのアウトだった。<br>\\r\\n ...But the left fielder managed to catch it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子と叔母の仲が最近、非常に険悪になっているらしい。<br>\\r\\n It seemed that the relationship between Satoko and her aunt had gotten worse lately.<br><br>\\r\\n ………それと関係があるのは明らかだった。<br>\\r\\n ...It was obvious his sickness had something to do with that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「叔母さんがかなり大人げない苛め方をしているらしいんです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Their aunt is bullying Satoko-chan in a terrible way...<br>\\r\\n ……沙都子ちゃん、…本当に可哀想なくらいに、ぼろぼろになって。<br>\\r\\n She's become worn out after all that,<br>\\r\\n なにしろ聞いた話では、」<br>\\r\\n and...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「で。<br>\\r\\n \\\"So,<br>\\r\\n それを庇う悟史くんも、………ぼろぼろになっている、<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun is also worn out...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ということですね？」<br>\\r\\n from covering for Satoko, isn't he?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子がぼろぼろなんてことには興味がなかったので、さっさと悟史くんの話題に戻させた。<br>\\r\\n I wasn't interested in Satoko, so I switched the subject back to Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………私は沙都子という存在のことはよく知らない。<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't know much about Satoko.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんを取り巻く環境のひとつ程度には知っているが、…どういう存在なのかは、今日まで深く関心を持ったことはなかった。<br>\\r\\n I knew that she was a big part of Satoshi-kun's life, but... I'd never been interested in her until today.<br><br>\\r\\n ぼんやり気味の悟史くんに世話を焼くことで、自分の存在価値を見出している妹。<br>\\r\\n She must have been building up self-esteem in taking care of her unreliable brother.<br>\\r\\n それくらいしか知らない。<br>\\r\\n That was all I knew about her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………だが、悟史くんの性格を思うと、…そもそもぼんやりしているのすら、妹を思ってのことではないかと思ってしまう。<br>\\r\\n ......But, considering Satoshi-kun's personality, even that goofiness of his might have been an act.<br><br>\\r\\n わざと抜けた風を装うことで、……妹に花を持たせてやってるのではなかろうか？<br>\\r\\n Maybe he was trying to make her feel good about herself by letting her take care of him...<br>\\r\\n それも意識してではなく、無意識に。<br>\\r\\n if only unconsciously.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、…ひとりで過している時、意外なくらいしっかりしているのだ。<br>\\r\\n When he's alone, he's surprisingly strong.<br><br>\\r\\n 最近、それに気付いた。<br>\\r\\n I realized that only recently...<br>\\r\\n ……だから、一層、そう思えてならない。<br>\\r\\n So, I couldn't help but think...<br><br>\\r\\n ……つまり、悟史くんという存在は、常に妹の沙都子に影響を受けているのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...That his whole life is constantly affected by Satoko.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くん自身は、多少のストレスを感じながらも、何人かいた再婚相手の父親とはうまくやっていたらしい。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun managed to get along with his stepfathers even though he experienced some stress.<br><br>\\r\\n 実際、今の叔母とも沙都子ほどの波風は立てていない。<br>\\r\\n He was even getting along with his aunt.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんは、いつも沙都子を庇わなければならないから、……こんなにも苦労しなければならないのだ。<br>\\r\\n ......But in order to protect Satoko... he always had to step in and suffer.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子ってのがどんな子かは知らないけれど。<br>\\r\\n I didn't really know anything about Satoko, but......<br>\\r\\n ………私は、この沙都子という存在にささやかな敵意を感じたことを否定しなかった。<br>\\r\\n I had to admit, I felt hostile toward her.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんという存在を独り占めしていることへの嫉妬だとも、多少は認めながら。<br>\\r\\n ...I felt jealous because she was monopolizing him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「最近、沙都子ちゃんへの叔母さんの苛めがだいぶエスカレートしてるみたいです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It seems that their aunt has been tyrannizing Satoko-chan even more lately...<br>\\r\\n …悟史くんの体調不良も、それに比例しているんでしょうね…。」<br>\\r\\n That must be what's causing Satoshi-kun's sickness.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 監督がため息を漏らす。<br>\\r\\n Irie heaved a sigh.<br><br>\\r\\n 言われて見れば…悟史くんには最近、少し練習の欠席が目立っていた。<br>\\r\\n As he said, Satoshi-kun had been absent a few times lately.<br><br>\\r\\n …今さらだが、普段も少し元気がなかったような気がする。<br>\\r\\n ...He seemed a bit tired, too.<br><br>\\r\\n みんなと一緒にいる時は普段の様子なのだが、…ひとりでいる時、俯きがちで、…ため息ばかりついていたように思う…。<br>\\r\\n He looked normal when around everybody else, but he looked a bit depressed when he was alone.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…監督はストレスに押し潰されそうな悟史くんを救うため、野球に誘ったんですよね？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...So, you invited him to join the team to relieve his stress, didn't you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「えぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes,<br>\\r\\n そのつもりでした。」<br>\\r\\n that's right.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………こうして野球をやっている今。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...But he looks stressed again now.<br>\\r\\n またストレスに押し潰されそうになっている悟史くんに、…今度は何を誘えばいいんですか？」<br>\\r\\n How can we save him this time?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………ははは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"..................Hahaha.<br>\\r\\n どうすればいいんでしょうねぇ…。」<br>\\r\\n I don't know...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 監督は力無く笑って見せた。<br>\\r\\n Irie smiled powerlessly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんに信頼されているはずの、頼られるべき立場であるはずの監督の、この弱々しい仕草に、…私は小さな落胆を隠せなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...I couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed about that, because Satoshi-kun put his trust in him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「内緒にしてくださいよ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Just between you and me......<br>\\r\\n ………実はですね、悟史くん。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun recently told me<br>\\r\\n …………チームを抜けたいって、…そう漏らすんですよ最近。」<br>\\r\\n that he wanted to leave the team.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Eh?<br>\\r\\n ………ど、……どうして………。」<br>\\r\\n ...How come...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「疲れるから、だそうです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"He claimed he was tired of it...<br>\\r\\n ……というのは表向き。<br>\\r\\n That's what he said,<br>\\r\\n ……沙都子ちゃんと一緒にいる時間を増やしてあげるためじゃないかと思ってます。<br>\\r\\n but I believe he actually wants to spend more time with Satoko-chan.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、野球をしている間、沙都子ちゃんが叔母さんに苛められているかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n He thinks that Satoko-chan might end up being tortured while he's at practice.<br>\\r\\n その時、沙都子ちゃんの側にいられないことが…兄として辛いと、そう思っているのかもしれません。」<br>\\r\\n I think he's concerned about that.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私はしばしの間、言葉を失っていた。<br>\\r\\n I was left speechless for a while.<br><br>\\r\\n ……また、…沙都子。<br>\\r\\n ......Satoko again.<br>\\r\\n 沙都子。<br>\\r\\n Satoko.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんという存在は、この沙都子という存在のためにどこまでの犠牲を強いられなければならないんだろう？<br>\\r\\n Why did Satoshi-kun have to sacrifice so much for her?<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんのストレスは、妹を無視するというすごく簡単なことで解消されるのだ。<br>\\r\\n Just by ignoring her, his stress would melt away.<br><br>\\r\\n ……でも、悟史くんにそれができないのもわかってる。<br>\\r\\n ...Of course, I knew he couldn't do that.<br><br>\\r\\n だとするなら……不甲斐ない妹を非難すべきだった。<br>\\r\\n If that were the case, then... the blame lay with his little sister.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ひどい苛めらしいのは、まぁ知ってる。<br>\\r\\n I knew how badly she'd been treated.<br><br>\\r\\n でもそれは、関係をただひたすらに悪化させてきた自己責任。<br>\\r\\n But that only happened because she made things worse for herself.<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子が叔母とのコミュニケーションを嫌ったことに対するツケみたいなもんだ。<br>\\r\\n It was her fault that she couldn't establish a decent relationship with their aunt.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子が…悟史くんがそうしているようにもっと大人であったなら、叔母ともまぁそこそこにうまくやって、ここまで関係を悪化させなかったに違いない。<br>\\r\\n If Satoko were more mature, like Satoshi-kun, her home life wouldn't have gotten so bad.<br><br>\\r\\n ……そうすれば、そもそも悟史くんにそのとばっちりが行くことはなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\n ......Satoshi-kun wouldn't have to suffer those indirect blows.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 試合はいつの間にか一方的な展開になり、もうゲームとしての見る価値も薄れていた。<br>\\r\\n In the meantime, the baseball team's practice match had become one-sided. It wasn't even worth watching anymore.<br><br>\\r\\n 一方的な点差に、負けチームの子どもたちはやる気をなくし、試合もいつしかダレたものになっていた。<br>\\r\\n The members of the losing team were just goofing off.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 空もいつの間にか灰色になり、爽やかだった青空をいつの間にか陰鬱にしている。<br>\\r\\n The sky had turned cloudy too. It was depressing.<br><br>\\r\\n …雨の匂いは無いが、頭上を覆う灰色はとても鬱陶しく、その上、涼しくもなかったので、薄くかいた汗を一層不快に感じさせた。<br>\\r\\n ...It didn't look like it'd rain soon, though. The gray sky hadn't brought along any cool air. It just felt disgusting.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n いつの間にか、監督もまた言葉を失い、足元に視線を落としていた。<br>\\r\\n Irie became quiet. He was looking down around his feet.<br><br>\\r\\n その間、私はただただ、悟史くんを見ていた。<br>\\r\\n I, meanwhile, just stared at Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n ……もう今の私には、彼がはつらつそうに見ることはできなかった。<br>\\r\\n ......To me, he didn't look active anymore.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …一度は野球を楽しみ、…元気を取り戻したのに。<br>\\r\\n ...He was once able to enjoy playing baseball, and he felt fine.<br><br>\\r\\n ……沙都子と叔母の関係が悪化したことで、……逆戻りするなんて。<br>\\r\\n ...But he got sick again... just because the relationship between Satoko and her aunt had deteriorated.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……私の口から、ぽつりと漏れた。<br>\\r\\n ...I couldn't help but say it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………悟史くんをどうこうするってより、沙都子をどうこうする方が先決では？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Shouldn't we do something about Satoko instead?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 本当にぽつりと、だが、監督に聞き流させない強さも含んでいた。<br>\\r\\n It was just a murmur, but Irie had definitely caught it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………それは、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...What...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………どういう意味ですか、園崎さん？」<br>\\r\\n ...do you mean, Sonozaki-san?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「別に、難しい話じゃないです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's not that complicated...<br>\\r\\n …沙都子がしっかりしてくれれば、悟史くんに迷惑をかけることもない。<br>\\r\\n If Satoko were stronger, Satoshi-kun wouldn't have to deal with stress.<br>\\r\\n 沙都子がそもそもの原因である、ってことが言いたいだけです。」<br>\\r\\n I think Satoko is the cause of everything.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………ん、<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Nn......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………そんなことは……、」<br>\\r\\n I don't know about that...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「でしょ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes, you do.<br>\\r\\n だって、沙都子がトラブるから、悟史くんはそのトラブルに介入して矢面に立たなければならないんでしょ？<br>\\r\\n If she didn't cause any trouble, he wouldn't have to step in, would he?<br>\\r\\n で、その結果、本当は買わなくて済んだ叔母のケンカまで買ってるわけでしょ？」<br>\\r\\n He wouldn't have to take over in the fight between Satoko and her aunt, right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは…どんな困難にも怯まない。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun never got scared of any trouble.<br><br>\\r\\n ……どんなに恐ろしい相手であっても、<br>\\r\\n ......No matter how formidable the enemy,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …守るために、<br>\\r\\n he'd bravely stand up\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …勇気を振り絞って立ち向かう。<br>\\r\\n to protect the weak.<br>\\r\\n それを私はよく知っているし、まさに自らの眼で見ている。<br>\\r\\n I knew that because I could vividly imagine it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 叔母が沙都子を、何かの理由で怒鳴りつけている。<br>\\r\\n Whenever their aunt chides Satoko...<br><br>\\r\\n ……そこへ悟史くんは割って入るのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoshi-kun steps in<br>\\r\\n 沙都子を庇うために。<br>\\r\\n to protect her.<br><br>\\r\\n …それは間違いなく、叔母にとっては不快な行為だ。<br>\\r\\n ...The aunt probably didn't like it.<br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんが買う必要のないケンカなのに、いつの間にかそのケンカは悟史くんと叔母のものにすり替わる。<br>\\r\\n ...Though Satoshi-kun didn't have to fight, the aunt would attack him anyway. The fight would then be between the aunt and him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は、悟史くんの背中で怯えるふりをしながら舌でも出していればいいだけ。<br>\\r\\n Satoko might then tease the aunt by sticking out her tongue, hiding behind his back, and pretending to be scared.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんが、自分の身代わりになってどれだけ心を切り刻まれているかなんて、…思いもしまい。<br>\\r\\n ...She'd never think about how deeply he was being hurt.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子という存在が悟史くんに依存し過ぎているからこそ、…悟史くんが追い詰められることになるのだ。<br>\\r\\n Because of Satoko... Satoshi-kun had become cornered and stressed.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「園崎さん、…あなたがそんな言い方をする人だったとは驚きです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm surprised to hear this from you, Sonozaki-san...<br>\\r\\n ……あなたは沙都子ちゃんのお友達でしょう？<br>\\r\\n I thought you were Satoko-chan's friend, her classmate,<br>\\r\\n お姉さん的な立場でしょう？<br>\\r\\n a big sister kind of figure...<br>\\r\\n ……普段も学校で、沙都子ちゃんを慰めたり、励ましたりしているものだと思っていました。<br>\\r\\n I thought you'd always be on her side.<br>\\r\\n …………なのに、…そんな言い方をするなんて。<br>\\r\\n ...But what you've said is...<br>\\r\\n ………………正直、驚いています。」<br>\\r\\n surprising to me.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 監督は初めて見るとても怪訝な表情を私に向けていた。<br>\\r\\n Irie looked at me suspiciously.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私にどういう感情を抱いたか、容易にわかる。<br>\\r\\n ...I could tell what he was thinking about me.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私は少し、しまった…喋りすぎたと後悔していた。<br>\\r\\n ...I'd said too much.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 園崎魅音は北条沙都子の友人だ。<br>\\r\\n <NAME> and <NAME> are friends.<br><br>\\r\\n とても仲が良くて、……最近、叔母の苛めがエスカレートして落ち込むようになってからは、元気付けたり励ましたりしている<br>\\r\\n They're close...... so, Mion should have been encouraging her, after the situation at home got tougher.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……………<br>\\r\\n That's what\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ことになっていた。<br>\\r\\n Mion was supposed to do.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それを完全に失念し、「私」としていい気になって喋りすぎた。<br>\\r\\n I had totally forgotten about that, and spoken as myself.<br><br>\\r\\n ………監督が怪訝な表情を向けるのはもっともなことだ。<br>\\r\\n .........It's only natural that Irie would give me a suspicious look.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …今の発言で、監督が園崎魅音に対する心証を改める可能性もある。<br>\\r\\n ...He might end up changing his impression of <NAME> entirely.<br><br>\\r\\n …………今日のことはあとでお姉に正直に話し、謝罪とフォローを頼んでおかなくてはならないだろう。<br>\\r\\n .........I'd have to apologize to her about this, and ask her to put things right.<br><br>\\r\\n …………………本当に、…しくじった。<br>\\r\\n ..................I'd totally messed up.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、………私はおかしいことを言ったつもりはない。<br>\\r\\n Even so...... I didn't think I'd said anything wrong.<br><br>\\r\\n 極めて客観的に、悟史くんが今置かれた状況を、努めて短く分析し、その解決方法を提案できたと思ってる。<br>\\r\\n I'd objectively looked at the situation and made a modest proposal.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もう乙女ごっこはしたくないから正直に自分を認めるが、<br>\\r\\n To be honest,<br>\\r\\n …私はやっと馴染めたこのチームから悟史くんがいなくなってしまうのを恐れていた。<br>\\r\\n I was simply afraid that he might leave the team.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は学校へは、雛見沢へは行けない。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't go to the school in Hinamizawa,<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんとの接点はここだけなのだ。<br>\\r\\n so the baseball field was the only place where I could see him.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんとのコミュニケーションだけが、私が生きてる理由だと言い切っていい。<br>\\r\\n I could even say that he was my reason for living.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……そうさ、私はもう悟史くんが好きだ。<br>\\r\\n ......That's right. I was in love with him.<br><br>\\r\\n …打ち明けるつもりもないし、…成就させようという努力はないけれど。<br>\\r\\n ...But I wasn't going to tell him how I felt...<br>\\r\\n ただ一緒に時間を過ごせるだけで満足している。<br>\\r\\n For I was satisfied just being by his side.<br><br>\\r\\n 今の私にはそれが限界だからだ。<br>\\r\\n I certainly couldn't ask for anything more.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の特殊な事情により、私は正体を明かせない。<br>\\r\\n ...After all, I couldn't reveal my true identity.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音の影としてでないと、興宮では生活できない。<br>\\r\\n I had to pretend to be Mion in order to live in Okinomiya.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんなに窮屈なら、興宮の町を離れればいい？<br>\\r\\n I thought that maybe I should leave Okinomiya in order to be free...<br><br>\\r\\n ……もう、ばかばかばかばか！<br>\\r\\n ...But that's stupid!<br><br>\\r\\n 今の私は、どんなに窮屈だったって。<br>\\r\\n No matter how tough my life might be...<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんにたまに頭を撫でてもらえるなら。<br>\\r\\n I'd prefer to be here<br>\\r\\n ……そっちの方がずぅっと良かったのだ。<br>\\r\\n with Satoshi-kun stroking my head every now and then.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……私はどうして悟史くんをこんなに好きになっちゃったんだろう…？<br>\\r\\n ...Why did I love him that much...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 少女マンガに描いてあったさ。<br>\\r\\n I read about it in some manga once.<br><br>\\r\\n 恋愛に理由なんかないってよく書いてあるさ。<br>\\r\\n You don't need a reason to be in love.<br><br>\\r\\n …自分でも、何でこんなに彼のことが気になるんだろうって呆れる時があるしさ。<br>\\r\\n ...I was surprised at myself for being like this.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……落ち着け……。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Calm down...<br>\\r\\n ……………私…。」<br>\\r\\n Shion......\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大きく息を吐き出してから、きゅっと息を止める。<br>\\r\\n I breathed out slowly, then held my breath......<br>\\r\\n ……心臓のバクバクを無理に抑えていく。<br>\\r\\n trying to slow my throbbing heart.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 興奮が少しずつ冷めていく中。<br>\\r\\n I felt a bit calmer.<br><br>\\r\\n ………はっきりとした形で、私は自分自身の心の声を聞いた。<br>\\r\\n ...At that point, a clear thought came into my head.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、悟史くんと一緒にいたい。<br>\\r\\n I want to be with Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n だから？<br>\\r\\n So?<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんに野球チームにいつまでもいてほしい。<br>\\r\\n I want him to stay on the team.<br><br>\\r\\n だから？<br>\\r\\n So?<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんを悩ませている心労を取り去りたい。<br>\\r\\n I want to get rid of his concerns and his stress.<br><br>\\r\\n なので？<br>\\r\\n So what?<br><br>\\r\\n ………なので、<br>\\r\\n ......So\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……どうする？<br>\\r\\n ...What can I do to achieve all that?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 頭の中のジンジンした感じが抜けていく頃、…審判の遠い声が耳に入った。<br>\\r\\n My head started to cool down... as I heard the umpire shout.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ゲームセット！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Game set!<br>\\r\\n 試合終了〜〜〜！！！！」<br>\\r\\n And match!!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 梅雨を間近に控え、…いやな蒸し暑さと、肌に張り付くような汗の鬱陶しい時期になっていた。<br>\\r\\n The rainy season was just around the corner, and the air had become so humid that my shirt stuck to my skin.<br><br>\\r\\n ………悟史くんが練習を休むようになって、もう数週間になろうとしている。<br>\\r\\n ...It had been a few weeks since Satoshi-kun stopped showing up for baseball practice.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n グラウンドに着くと、真っ先に探す悟史くんの姿。<br>\\r\\n I looked for him as soon as I arrived at the field.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私が早く来過ぎるから、…まだ来ていないのかな…？<br>\\r\\n ......He's not here yet... Did I get here too early...?<br><br>\\r\\n 自分がグラウンドに着いた時、悟史くんの颯爽とした姿がそこにあって欲しくて。<br>\\r\\n I want to see him playing in the field right when I get here......<br>\\r\\n ……いつの頃から私がやってくる時間も遅くなっていった。<br>\\r\\n I had started arriving late because of those feelings.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、…悟史くんの姿がそこにあることはなかった。<br>\\r\\n However, he wasn't here today either.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".......................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私はもう、落胆の表情を誤魔化すこともしなかった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't even bother hiding my disappointment anymore.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんがいないことが、私をひどく落胆させていることが、誰の眼にも明らかだったに違いない。<br>\\r\\n Everybody knew by now how I felt.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音のクラスメートでもある、チームメイトの子たちが、私を心配して声をかけてくれた。<br>\\r\\n The team members from Mion's class came over to try and console me...<br>\\r\\n …だが私は素っ気無く、それを追い返す。<br>\\r\\n but I shooed them away.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………園崎さん？<br>\\r\\n \\\"......What's going on, Sonozaki-san?<br>\\r\\n …気分が優れませんか…？」<br>\\r\\n Are you feeling sick...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 監督の、私を気遣うような言葉も、何だか白々しく聞こえた。<br>\\r\\n Even Irie couldn't comfort me.<br><br>\\r\\n …私がどうして気分が優れないのか、薄々は知っているくせに。<br>\\r\\n ...I was aware that he, too, knew why I was like this.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………今日、…帰りますね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I'm going home.<br>\\r\\n 気分じゃないです。」<br>\\r\\n I don't feel like watching the practice today.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………ほら、今日は興宮タイタンズさんと打ち合わせをする日じゃないですか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Look, we're having a meeting with the Okinomiya Titans later...<br>\\r\\n …マネージャーの園崎さんにも同席して欲しかったんですがね…。」<br>\\r\\n I wanted you to be there, because you're our manager...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……私を勝手にマネージャーにしないでください。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Don't treat me like a manager...<br>\\r\\n ……私、マネージャーだったつもりは、…ないんですから。」<br>\\r\\n I never agreed to be one.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 監督は何と言葉をかけていいものか咄嗟に思いつかず、ほんの少しの間、俯いた。<br>\\r\\n Irie looked down, not knowing what to say.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「わかりました。<br>\\r\\n \\\"All right...<br>\\r\\n ……元気が回復したら、また手伝ってくださいね。」<br>\\r\\n Please help us again when you feel like it.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「もう来ないかもです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Maybe I won't come be coming back...<br>\\r\\n …マネージャーが必要なら、私以外を募集してください。」<br>\\r\\n If you really need a manager, look for somebody else.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…気が向いた時でいいです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Please do come again<br>\\r\\n また、遊びにきてくださいね。<br>\\r\\n whenever you feel like it...<br>\\r\\n …それにほら。あなたがいないと、悟史くんが戻ってきた時、寂しがりますよ。」<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun will be sad if you're not here when he comes back.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 踵を返す私に、監督の言葉はもう届いていなかった。<br>\\r\\n I ignored him and turned around.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 最近は、野球の練習日に合わせて「魅音」の時間をもらえるようになっていたので、お姉と打ち合わせることはほとんどなくなっていた。<br>\\r\\n I had already set up my schedule with Mion, so I didn't have to ask her every time anymore.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんがどうしているか知りたくて、何度かお姉と連絡を取ろうとしたが、たまたまタイミングの悪い時が重なり、機会が得られずにいた。<br>\\r\\n I'd tried to contact her a couple of times to ask how Satoshi-kun was doing in school, but I hadn't been able to get through to her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆が、お姉と私が通じていることを薄々勘付いているらしく、魅音が取る電話の内容に興味を示し始めたせいだった。<br>\\r\\n Apparently, the hag had sensed that I might be in contact with Sis.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆にマークされている以上、…雛見沢界隈でのお姉の動向は全て筒抜けだ。<br>\\r\\n In other words, Sis was being watched.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私と連絡を取るのは容易なことじゃない。<br>\\r\\n ...As a result, it hasn't been easy to contact her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n お姉と連絡を取る際に連絡員となってくれていた葛西も、私寄りの忠臣ということでマークを受けているらしく、<br>\\r\\n Kasai, who had been helping me contact her, seemed to also have been marked. People knew he was loyal to me.<br>\\r\\n しばらく接触しない方がいいということになり、ここ最近は顔も見ていなかった。<br>\\r\\n I hadn't seen him for a while either.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが今どうしているのか。<br>\\r\\n All I could do was wonder how Satoshi-kun was doing...<br><br>\\r\\n ……それすらも知ることが出来ず、…私は自らの胸中の黒雲をいつまでも晴らせずにいたのだった…。<br>\\r\\n ...I was frustrated, because there was no way for me to know.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……そんな考えで頭がいっぱいだったので。<br>\\r\\n ...My head was filled with worries...<br>\\r\\n ……それは本当に不意で虚を突かれた。<br>\\r\\n But something surprised me out of the blue.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 自転車を引っ張り出し、グラウンドを後にしようとした時、…突然声をかけられたのだ。<br>\\r\\n Somebody called out to me when I was about to leave the field on my bike...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「魅ぃちゃん、…こんにちは。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mii-chan... Hello.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 初めて会う子だった。<br>\\r\\n I'd never seen this girl before.<br><br>\\r\\n …だが、私を魅ぃちゃんと呼んでくれたのは本当に幸いだった。<br>\\r\\n ...Luckily, she called me 'Mii-chan'.<br>\\r\\n …魅音を魅ぃちゃんと呼ぶ人間はひとりしか知らされていないからだ。<br>\\r\\n There's only one person who refers to Mion that way, as far as I know.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………レナか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Rena...<br>\\r\\n …珍しいね、レナがここに来るなんて。」<br>\\r\\n I'm surprised to see you here.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n この子の名前は竜宮礼奈。<br>\\r\\n Her name is <NAME>.<br><br>\\r\\n レイナだが、自己紹介でレナと呼んで欲しいと自ら言ったらしい。<br>\\r\\n Her real name is Reina, but she wants to be called 'Rena.'<br>\\r\\n …だからレナと呼ばれていた。<br>\\r\\n ...So that's what we call her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この４月に転校してきたばかり。<br>\\r\\n She moved here in April.<br><br>\\r\\n お姉からは断片的な情報はいくつかもたらされていたが、いずれも曖昧。<br>\\r\\n I had some information on her, but it was all ambiguous.<br><br>\\r\\n ……つまり、この転校してきたばかりの子に対して、お姉はまだ評価を出来かねていたということだった。<br>\\r\\n ......Sis was still a bit uncertain about her, since she's so new.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …そういう存在は、私にとってはとてもやりにくい相手だった。<br>\\r\\n ...It was hard for me to handle someone like that.<br>\\r\\n 魅音としてどう接すればいいか、わからないからだ。<br>\\r\\n I didn't know how to act around her, as Mion.<br><br>\\r\\n ……だから私は、塞ぎ込んでいる風を装い、素っ気無く対応することに決め込む。<br>\\r\\n ...So, I decided to pretend to be in an obvious sulky mood.<br><br>\\r\\n 普段と違う精神状態に見せれば、多少、普段と異なる言動でも気にしないだろうという打算の上でだ。<br>\\r\\n That way, she wouldn't talk to me as much, assuming that Mion was simply feeling bad...<br>\\r\\n ………実際、今の私は塞ぎ込んでいるわけだし。<br>\\r\\n Well, that's how I really am, anyway.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……魅ぃちゃんは、帰り？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Are you going home, Mii-chan?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah...<br>\\r\\n ………気分が優れないの。<br>\\r\\n I'm not feeling well.<br>\\r\\n 悪いね。」<br>\\r\\n Sorry.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃあ、一緒に帰ろ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Let's go together, then.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ……気分が悪いからひとりにして欲しい、と言おうと思ったが…、雛見沢への帰路は一本道。<br>\\r\\n ...I wanted to say that I'd rather be alone... but there's only one road to Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n ひとりにして欲しいと言ったって、同じ道を帰ることになるのだから意味がない。<br>\\r\\n So, asking to be alone would look odd.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 変に断るよりは、素っ気無い風を装いながらも、この子と別れるまで一緒に帰った方が、怪しまれずに済むと結論する。<br>\\r\\n The only way to not seem suspicious...<br>\\r\\n だから私はこう答えた。<br>\\r\\n would be to walk home with her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…そだね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Yeah...<br>\\r\\n …帰ろか。」<br>\\r\\n let's go.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n レナは、そうしよう、と静かに頷くと、掛けたばかりの自転車の鍵を再び開けた。<br>\\r\\n Rena quietly nodded. I unlocked my bike.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……魅ぃちゃん、傘は？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Mii-chan, do you have an umbrella?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「持ってないけど。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Nope.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「今日はこの後、天気崩れるかもしれないんだって。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It might rain soon...<br>\\r\\n ……傘ないなら、急ご。」<br>\\r\\n so let's hurry a bit, since you don't have one.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n レナの予告通り、途中で私たちはすごい土砂降りに見舞われることになる。<br>\\r\\n As she predicted, we were attacked by pouring rain on our way.<br><br>\\r\\n 私たちはたまたま近くにあった、今では使われていないバスの停留所の待合小屋に入って、雨宿りをすることになった…。<br>\\r\\n We ended up taking shelter in a small shack in front of a bus stop.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「すごい降りだけど、…これはそんなに長引きそうじゃないね。向こうの空は明るいもの。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's pouring... but it doesn't look it's going to last long, since the sky over there is clear.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……そうだね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Yeah.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 雨がトタンの屋根を叩く音と、屋根からボタボタと水滴が落ちて水溜りを叩く音。<br>\\r\\n I heard the sound of rain pattering on the rooftop and the raindrops jumping into puddles.<br><br>\\r\\n 賑やかな雨音なのに、不思議な静寂を感じさせる…不思議な時間だった。<br>\\r\\n It sounded loud, but... it made me feel strangely calm.<br><br>\\r\\n しばらくの間、放心していると……レナが、雨空を見上げたまま、話しかけてきた。<br>\\r\\n I zoned out for a moment... then Rena talked to me while looking up at the rainy sky.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…最近、元気ないって、聞いたから。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I was worried about you,<br>\\r\\n ……心配してたんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n 'cause you looked so down.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私が悟史くんの欠席で落ち込み気味なのは、チームメイトなら誰もが知っていた。<br>\\r\\n All the baseball team members knew I was depressed because I hadn't seen Satoshi-kun recently.<br><br>\\r\\n チームメイトのほとんどは、雛見沢の学校に通っている。<br>\\r\\n Most of them attend the school in Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n …私が落ち込んでいることを、雛見沢の学校の人間が知っていてもおかしくはなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...So it wasn't surprising that she knew as well.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n お姉と私の連係はこの数週間、取れていないが、<br>\\r\\n I hadn't been able to contact Sis these past few weeks,<br>\\r\\n 私が悟史くんに対してどういう感情を持っていて、悟史くんが野球に訪れないならどういう気持ちになるか、把握できないことはないだろう。<br>\\r\\n but I was sure she had an idea of how I feel about Satoshi-kun, and how I would feel if he didn't come to his baseball practice.<br><br>\\r\\n …お姉は、私との誤差をなくすため、雛見沢における普段でも、落ち込み気味な様子を演じてくれているに違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...Sis was probably pretending to act a little depressed during her day to day in Hinamizawa to avoid creating a big gap between our moods.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、互いの詳細は知りかねている。<br>\\r\\n But neither of us knew the details about the other right now.<br><br>\\r\\n …だから、周りに何を聞かれても答えられない。<br>\\r\\n ...So she wouldn't be able to answer if others asked her what was wrong.<br>\\r\\n 『放っといてくれ』としか言えない。<br>\\r\\n She'd only be able to say, 'leave me alone.'<br><br>\\r\\n そうなると、例えばこの子のように、私を心配して接触してくる人間もいるだろう。<br>\\r\\n That might lead more people to become worried.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n このレナという子が、雛見沢における魅音の落ち込む様子を心配して、私に声をかけてきたことは明白だ。<br>\\r\\n Rena must've thought Mion was depressed.<br><br>\\r\\n グラウンドを訪れてまで、私に接触をしてきたのだから間違いない。<br>\\r\\n That must be why she came all the way to see me.<br><br>\\r\\n …それに、グラウンドを訪れたということは、…チームメイトに聞いて、最近の経緯を多少は知っているからに違いない。<br>\\r\\n ...She must known what was going on, because she knew that I was at the baseball field.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………悟史くん、…かまってくれないから、…寂しい？」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Do you feel lonely because Satoshi-kun is avoiding us...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n レナの言葉の断片から、悟史くんの近況を注意深く推理する。<br>\\r\\n Having deduced what'd been going on with Satoshi-kun from what she just said...<br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんは、かなり疲れきっていて、仲間たちとの接触を嫌っている。<br>\\r\\n ...He'd been distancing himself from others lately because of exhaustion.<br><br>\\r\\n …そういう風に聞き取れた。<br>\\r\\n ...That's what it sounded like, at least.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………沙都子ちゃんの件で、……だいぶ悩んでるみたいだった。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......He looked like... he was very worried about Satoko-chan...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…悟史くんは、……すごく追い詰められてると思う。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I think... he's really on edge...<br>\\r\\n …………可哀想だよ、…ね。」<br>\\r\\n I feel bad for him...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……悟史くんは、…本当に妹思いだからね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......He really cares about his sister......<br>\\r\\n ……偉いよ、本当に。」<br>\\r\\n He has a lot of courage.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子という妹がどれだけ悟史くんの重荷になっているやら。<br>\\r\\n What I'd said sounded hollow,<br>\\r\\n …それを思うと、自分の口から出した言葉が白々しくてたまらなかった。<br>\\r\\n as I knew too well how much of a burden Satoko had become.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……でも、だからって魅ぃちゃんまで落ち込んじゃったら…かえって悟史くんを追い詰めちゃうように思うかな。……かな。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...But... I think he'd feel even worse if you also looked that depressed... I think...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………私に追い詰めるつもりなんて、ないよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................I don't want that.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「それはもちろん知ってるよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I know...<br>\\r\\n ………でも、だからこそ。<br>\\r\\n but if you really don't,<br>\\r\\n …学校にいる時の悟史くんを笑顔で迎えてあげられなかったら……本当に悟史くんは追い詰められちゃうよ。」<br>\\r\\n then you need to smile for him... otherwise, he might really feel cornered.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「魅ぃちゃんは、たとえ嘘でも笑顔が作れる強い人間だって知ってる。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I know you're strong.<br>\\r\\n ……だから、嘘でも笑って欲しいの。<br>\\r\\n You can smile, even if it's just pretend...<br>\\r\\n ……最初はたとえ嘘でもね？<br>\\r\\n So, I want you to smile no matter what...<br>\\r\\n ……笑顔って、最後には本物になるんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n You know that lies can become true sometimes?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …要するに、掻い摘めばこういうことだった。<br>\\r\\n ...What she was saying, in a nutshell, was this.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんも沙都子も、ぼろぼろに疲れきって落ち込んでいる。<br>\\r\\n Both Satoshi-kun and Satoko were totally wiped out.<br><br>\\r\\n そこにさらに、ムードメーカーの魅音まで落ち込んだら、悪循環にしかならないと、そう言っているのだ。<br>\\r\\n If Mion was also depressed, even though she's the sort of person who usually lightens the mood, their situation would be stuck in a vicious cycle.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 慰めというよりは、諭すような響きがあるこの言葉に、…このレナという子が見かけよりずっとしっかりした考え方を持っていることに気付かされる。<br>\\r\\n Rena sounded more like she was trying to give me advice than trying to console me... she must be more mature than she looks.<br><br>\\r\\n お姉の評価では、悪ふざけが好きで、ひとりで暴走し出すこともある面白い子…ということだった。<br>\\r\\n Sis told me that she was a funny girl with a few bad habits.<br><br>\\r\\n …だが、それ以外にもかなりしっかりした一面が潜んでいることをうかがわされる…。<br>\\r\\n ...But she seemed to have another, very mature side to her...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……魅ぃちゃんは悟史くんのこと、………好き？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Do you love... Satoshi-kun?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………好き。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Yeah.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …無言で返したほうが無難だったかもしれないにもかかわらず。<br>\\r\\n ...Though I shouldn't have told her that...<br>\\r\\n …私は即答した。<br>\\r\\n I immediately responded.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……なら、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...In that case,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………笑お？」<br>\\r\\n why don't you smile?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n レナは微笑みならが、私にそう訴えかける。<br>\\r\\n Rena smiled herself.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「魅ぃちゃんの笑顔で、…きっと悟史くんに元気を分けてあげられると思う。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I believe Satoshi-kun will feel better if he sees your smile...<br>\\r\\n ……魅ぃちゃんはそれしか出来ないことに、落胆しかけているかもしれないけれど。<br>\\r\\n I know you feel powerless now, but...<br>\\r\\n …それでもね、…多分、それが一番、悟史くんの力になる。」<br>\\r\\n your smile will give him strength.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………理屈ではわかるけどね。<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................I know what you're saying, but...<br>\\r\\n ……笑えったって、…そう簡単にはできないよ。」<br>\\r\\n it's not that easy...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n レナはくすっと笑い、そうだよね…と相槌を打ってくれた。<br>\\r\\n Rena giggled and nodded.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「野球の練習にもさ、バイトが終わったらきっと帰ってくるから。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"He'll come back after he's done with his part-time job.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ………バイト？<br>\\r\\n ...His part-time job?<br>\\r\\n 思わずその疑問を口から出しそうになり、あわてて飲み込む。<br>\\r\\n I almost asked that question, but I managed to stop myself.<br><br>\\r\\n レナの口調から、それは雛見沢の学校では誰もが知る情報と聞き取れたからだ。<br>\\r\\n From the tone of Rena's voice, it sounded like it was something everyone knew.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………バイト、か。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......His part-time job, huh?<br>\\r\\n ………いつ終わるんだろうね…。」<br>\\r\\n ......I wonder when it'll end...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「お金が貯まるまで、だろうけど。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Until he has enough money, I guess...<br>\\r\\n …どんなに遅くても、沙都子ちゃんの誕生日までには終わるよ。」<br>\\r\\n but he'll finish by Satoko-chan's birthday, at the latest.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n レナが発言から、注意深く現状の情報を抽出する。<br>\\r\\n I tried to figure out what was going on from what she said.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は既知だと思われているから、迂闊に聞き返すこともままならないからだ。<br>\\r\\n I had to listen very carefully to uncover the whole picture.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんは何かの目的のためにアルバイトをしてお金を貯めている。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoshi-kun seemed to be working in order to make some money.<br><br>\\r\\n 学校通いの身でアルバイトなんて、そう簡単にはできない。<br>\\r\\n I don't think it's easy to find a job when you're still in school......<br>\\r\\n …斡旋にはお姉が絡んでいる可能性がある。<br>\\r\\n Sis might have had something to do with it.<br><br>\\r\\n そしてアルバイトはどうも短期間のものらしい。<br>\\r\\n His job only seemed temporary.<br><br>\\r\\n …そして、その貯めるお金はどうも沙都子の誕生日と関係あるらしい。<br>\\r\\n ...And it seemed to have something to do with Satoko's birthday.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n なら、意味するところは簡単だ。<br>\\r\\n It wasn't that difficult to figure out.<br><br>\\r\\n ………悟史くんは、沙都子の誕生日プレゼントに、何か安くないものを贈ろうとして…アルバイトをしているのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoshi was working and saving up to buy his little sister something expensive for her birthday.<br><br>\\r\\n 叔母の苛めに耐えかね、ぼろぼろになってしまった妹を励ますために。<br>\\r\\n He was trying to comfort her.<br><br>\\r\\n ……自身もぼろぼろであるにも関わらず。<br>\\r\\n ......Even though he was so torn up himself.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……またしても、沙都子の都合。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoko again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは…沙都子の都合で心をぼろぼろにされ、……沙都子の都合で、その体に鞭打ってバイトをしている。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun was already worn out because of her, and he was now working for her sake, even though he was exhausted.<br><br>\\r\\n ………なんて馬鹿。<br>\\r\\n ...How stupid.<br>\\r\\n ………沙都子のことなんか、忘れてしまえば…悟史くんはもっともっと…心に負担をかけずに過せるのに。<br>\\r\\n ...It would be easier for him to just forget about Satoko.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………っ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"............Ttsk.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時、…私の瞳を覗きこんでいるレナに、…ぎょっとする。<br>\\r\\n I was startled when I realized Rena was looking straight into my eyes.<br><br>\\r\\n レナは変わらぬ微笑を浮かべていたが、…どこか曇った瞳がとても薄気味悪かった。<br>\\r\\n She was smiling, but... her eyes looked creepy.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は、沙都子という存在が悟史くんを追い詰めていると……思っただけで、口に出したつもりはない。<br>\\r\\n I never voiced what I was thinking...<br>\\r\\n ……だがこのレナという子は、…その私の考えを、私がほんの少し瞳を曇らせただけで……見透かしてしまったように見えた。<br>\\r\\n but she was looking at me as though she figured out that I was blaming Satoko.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n レナは私のそんな恐れにも気づいたのか、にこっと笑ってみせる。<br>\\r\\n She beamed when she noticed my fear.<br><br>\\r\\n だがその笑顔はまるで、…そういう考えに至るのも、悟史くんが大好きだからだよね…と、言わんばかり。<br>\\r\\n She smiled as though she understood that I thought that way because of love......<br>\\r\\n 笑みに……冷酷なものを感じて、少しぞっとした。<br>\\r\\n She was giving me the creeps.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …遠雷の音が聞こえる。<br>\\r\\n ...I could hear thunder roar in the distance.<br><br>\\r\\n 土砂降りはすぐに止むどころか、ますますその強さを増すばかりだった。<br>\\r\\n The rain began to pick up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………沙都子ちゃんが悟史くんを独占してることに、嫉妬を感じてる？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Do you feel jealous of Satoko-chan because she monopolizes Satoshi-kun?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"........................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 今度は即答を避けた。<br>\\r\\n I avoided answering immediately this time.<br><br>\\r\\n ……つもりだったが、このレナという子には、沈黙すらも答えとして通じてしまうようだった。<br>\\r\\n ...But Rena seemed to know what I was thinking already.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あははは、別に魅ぃちゃんがそう思っても、私は軽蔑しないよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahaha. I wouldn't be upset even if you did.<br>\\r\\n 人を一途に好きになる時って、そういうものだもん。」<br>\\r\\n That's just how it is when you're in love.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………ありがと。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Thanks.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「でも、魅ぃちゃんは今までずっと、沙都子ちゃんを励ましてくれてたよね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You've been encouraging Satoko-chan despite that...<br>\\r\\n ……それって、私、すごく立派なことだと思うな。」<br>\\r\\n That's admirable.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………沙都子は仲間だもの。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Of course I have...<br>\\r\\n …当然でしょ。」<br>\\r\\n She's my friend...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 言ってて白々しい。<br>\\r\\n I sounded so fake.<br>\\r\\n 唾が吐きたい気分だった。<br>\\r\\n I felt like spitting on the floor.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私たちには、…沙都子ちゃんも悟史くんも。……励ますことしかできない。<br>\\r\\n \\\"All we can do is encourage Satoko-chan and Satoshi-kun...<br>\\r\\n ……どうやったらこの苦境から救ってあげられるのか、……わからない。」<br>\\r\\n I don't know how to save them from their situation...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………沙都子が悟史くんにべったりし過ぎなんだよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Satoko is relying on Satoshi-kun way too much...<br>\\r\\n ……沙都子がもっとしっかりすれば、悟史くんがここまで追い詰められることはない。」<br>\\r\\n If she were stronger, he wouldn't have to suffer in her place.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……あはははははは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Ahahahahaha.<br>\\r\\n はっきり言うね。」<br>\\r\\n You sound really straightforward.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n レナは、暴言と聞き取れるはずの私の発言に、何も怯むことなく笑って相槌を打って見せた。<br>\\r\\n Rena nodded with an unflinching smile even though my remarks could be taken as harsh.<br><br>\\r\\n ………この不思議な雰囲気の少女が何を考えているのか、…読み取ることは困難だった。<br>\\r\\n ......What was this mysterious girl thinking? ...It was difficult to get a read on her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんもさ、……ほんの少しはそう思っているとこ、あるかもしれないね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Maybe... Satoshi-kun feels that way a little, too.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Eh...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n レナは…笑顔なのに、どこか薄ら寒さを感じさせる不思議な表情で…私にそう微笑みかけた。<br>\\r\\n Rena kept smiling, but her smile looked strangely cold.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……悟史くんも、多分、心のどこかで、…沙都子ちゃんを庇い続けることに、疲れを感じてると思う。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I think... he's tired of protecting Satoko-chan, and he's aware of that.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n このレナという子は、…確信めいたものがなければ断言しない。<br>\\r\\n Given the type of person Rena is...<br>\\r\\n …そういう性格だと思う。<br>\\r\\n I don't think she'd say something if she wasn't certain of it.<br><br>\\r\\n …だから、彼女がそう言い切るからには、…彼女なりの確信があるに違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...Because of that, she must've been confident in what she just told me.<br><br>\\r\\n 「どうして……そう思う？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Why... do you think that?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……私、悟史くんに打ち明けられたから。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...He said so.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………え？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...What?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 本当は内緒なんだよ、魅ぃちゃんも内緒にしてね…と付け加えられる。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun secretly confessed to her. Rena asked me to keep it that way.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんがね、……言ったの。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Satoshi-kun told me...<br>\\r\\n 兄として頼られることに、苦痛を感じる。<br>\\r\\n that he felt tired of protecting Satoko-chan.<br>\\r\\n それはとても罪深いことだと知っているけど、…ってね。」<br>\\r\\n He was feeling guilty, though.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私の知っている悟史くんはそんなことは言わない。<br>\\r\\n I don't think he would say something like that.<br><br>\\r\\n ……いや、だが。<br>\\r\\n ...But, however,<br>\\r\\n …このレナという子もまた、嘘や憶測で言ったりする子じゃない。<br>\\r\\n it wasn't likely that Rena was lying.<br><br>\\r\\n 今日会ったばかりの人物に、どうしてそう断言できるのか、自分でもよくわからないが……、<br>\\r\\n I'd just met her, so I didn't know what made me feel that way......<br>\\r\\n …とにかくとにかく、私は直感的にそう思っていた。<br>\\r\\n but my hunch told me that she was telling the truth.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……私は深いため息を漏らさずにはいられなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...I heaved a huge sigh.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が悟史くんに会えなかった間に、…悟史くんはそんなことを口にするくらいに…疲れ切ってしまったのだ。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun must've gotten so tired that he couldn't help telling someone.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …だが、…それにしたって。<br>\\r\\n ...Even so...<br><br>\\r\\n ……心の中でそう思ったとしたって、…それを安易に口に出す人じゃない。<br>\\r\\n ......Even if he thought that way, he wouldn't tell somebody so easily.<br><br>\\r\\n ……なら、…口から引き出されたのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Maybe... Rena led him to do so.<br><br>\\r\\n このレナという子によって。<br>\\r\\n She might be capable of something like that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………わからない。<br>\\r\\n ...I don't understand<br>\\r\\n この目の前の少女が。<br>\\r\\n this girl.<br><br>\\r\\n 私と出会い、大して言葉も交わさない内に、…私はもう心の中の本音を引き出されている。<br>\\r\\n It had only been a little while since we'd met, but I'd already started talking about something I was keeping deep inside of me.<br><br>\\r\\n ……このレナという子には、……人の心の奥底に自らの腕を突っ込み…、中身を引きずり出す…そういう力があるのだろうか…？<br>\\r\\n ...Does she have some kind of supernatural power to reach into people's minds and drag out what they're thinking?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……こんな、トタン屋根の待合小屋で、…素性の知れない奇怪な少女と時を過さねばならない。<br>\\r\\n ...It suddenly hit me that I was sitting with this creepy girl in a tiny shack.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………私は今頃になって、…自分が奇怪な異世界に迷い込まされていることに気付く。<br>\\r\\n ...I'd been dragged into her strange world.<br><br>\\r\\n お姉は多分まだ、…レナという子の正体には気付いていない。<br>\\r\\n I don't think Sis has realized Rena's real personality.<br><br>\\r\\n 面白おかしい新しい転校生くらいの認識しか持っていまい。<br>\\r\\n She thinks Rena is just a funny girl with some strange habits.<br><br>\\r\\n ………もしもこの子の正体に気付いていたら、…私にそれを伝えないわけはない。<br>\\r\\n ...She would've told me if she knew.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………レナは、…悟史くんに打ち明けられるくらいに、信頼されてるんだね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I guess Satoshi-kun must trust you a lot if he confessed that to you....<br>\\r\\n …ははは、うらやましい。」<br>\\r\\n Hahaha... I'm a little jealous.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………別に信頼されてるわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...It's not because he trusts me...<br>\\r\\n …………私が、経験者だからだと思う。」<br>\\r\\n I think it's because I've experienced the same thing.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「経験？<br>\\r\\n \\\"You what?<br>\\r\\n ……レナにも、兄弟を庇ったりした経験が？」<br>\\r\\n ...Did you also have to cover for your siblings once?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ひたひたと。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Those footsteps<br>\\r\\n ずぅっと足音がついて来て。<br>\\r\\n always followed me......<br>\\r\\n ……夜は枕元にまで立たれて、見下ろされる経験。」<br>\\r\\n They even came to my bedside and looked down at me.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ？？？<br>\\r\\n Huh???<br>\\r\\n ……ごめん、レナ。<br>\\r\\n ...Sorry, Rena.<br>\\r\\n それは何の話？<br>\\r\\n What are you talking about?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …そう聞き直そうとしてレナに振り返った時。<br>\\r\\n ...I turned around to face her.<br><br>\\r\\n ………私は、……得体の知れない寒さに襲われることになる。<br>\\r\\n ...And got the chills.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………笑顔なのに、………見るものを凍えさせずにはいられなくする、<br>\\r\\n ...Though she was smiling... her eyes\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …その目。<br>\\r\\n looked ice cold.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はぞおっとして……目を見開いたまま、<br>\\r\\n I trembled... and froze\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …表情を凍りつかせてしまう。<br>\\r\\n with my eyes open.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……魅ぃちゃんにはない？<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Have you experienced anything like that?<br>\\r\\n ……あはは、ないと思う。<br>\\r\\n ...Ahaha, I guess not.<br>\\r\\n 多分。」<br>\\r\\n Probably.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n あはははははは…。<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahaha...<br>\\r\\n レナは自嘲するように笑う。<br>\\r\\n Rena kept laughing self-derisively.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私は彼女が何を言おうとしているのか、それに耳を傾けるのが精一杯だった。<br>\\r\\n ...I tried to figure out what she was saying.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………魅ぃちゃんは、雛見沢から逃げ出そうとか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Have you ever thought of leaving Hinamizawa<br>\\r\\n …もっと都会に行きたいな、とか。<br>\\r\\n and moving to a big city?<br>\\r\\n ……そう言うことを考えたことはある？」<br>\\r\\n ...Have you ever thought of doing something like that?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ……私はその質問の真意が読み取れず、沈黙を続けることしかできない。<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't know how to respond.<br><br>\\r\\n だがレナは、そんな私に沈黙で合わせ、…静かに静かに、私が返事をするまで無言の圧力を掛け続けた。<br>\\r\\n Rena waited for my answer, urging me to speak with her silence.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………な、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...N-\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………ないよ。<br>\\r\\n No...<br>\\r\\n …私は地元、…好きだし。」<br>\\r\\n I love it here.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「だよね、だよね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, that's right, isn't it?<br>\\r\\n 魅ぃちゃんはそうだと思う。<br>\\r\\n I knew that.<br>\\r\\n あははははははははは。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahahahahaha.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 本能が、この子には安っぽい嘘をつかない方がいいと告げる。<br>\\r\\n It didn't seem like a good idea to lie to her.<br><br>\\r\\n …この子は、…何かの要素において私より一枚上手なのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Rena has some kind of power I can't grasp.<br><br>\\r\\n ………感情の機微を読むことに長け、…表情のわずかな陰りからも、心中を察してしまう特異な力がある。<br>\\r\\n ...She can read people's minds just by seeing the slightest change in their expressions.<br><br>\\r\\n だから私は、本当のことを答えた。<br>\\r\\n So I had to tell her the truth.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうならば魅ぃちゃんは大丈夫。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You'll be okay, if that's true...<br>\\r\\n ……オヤシロさまには怒られない。」<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama won't get mad at you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「オヤシロさま…………？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oyashiro-sama...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢の守り神、<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n オヤシロさま。<br>\\r\\n That's Hinamizawa's guardian deity.<br><br>\\r\\n ……なぜこの名が突然、引き合いに出されたのか、私にはまったく意味がわからず、少しの間、思考を凍らせてしまった。<br>\\r\\n ...I couldn't understand why she mentioned that name. My mind stopped for a moment.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right.<br>\\r\\n オヤシロさま。」<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n そんな私を諭すように、…レナは落ち着いた声でもう一度その名を口にした。<br>\\r\\n She calmly repeated the name as if trying to teach me something.<br><br>\\r\\n そうだ、<br>\\r\\n Yeah...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …思いだした。<br>\\r\\n I remember.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまは、神聖な雛見沢を踏み荒らす外敵を許さない。<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama never allows heathens to desecrate Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、雛見沢を捨てて出て行こうとする村人もまた、許さない。<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama never allows the villagers to leave, either.<br><br>\\r\\n それがオヤシロさまの祟りのルールだった。<br>\\r\\n Those are the rules.<br><br>\\r\\n 心の中にじわ…っと。<br>\\r\\n Slowly,<br>\\r\\n ……バラバラ殺人、そして北条夫妻の転落事故が二年続いた後に村中で騒がれ、子どもたちの心に深く恐怖を植え込んだ、オヤシロさまの祟りの怖さが蘇っていく。<br>\\r\\n I recalled the fear of the curse which supposedly caused the dismemberment murder and the death of the Houjou couple.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……ほら。<br>\\r\\n ...When I was sent to the institution...<br>\\r\\n ……私が学園への放逐が決められた時、…心の中に小さな恐怖を持ったじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n I had this fear.<br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢から遠く離れた全寮制の学園になんか閉じ込められたら…、オヤシロさまの祟りに遭うんじゃないか……って。<br>\\r\\n I was scared that if I went to that faraway boarding school, I'd fall under the curse.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、…なら、…私はセーフでもいいはず。<br>\\r\\n But... I should be okay.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は雛見沢（厳密には興宮だけど。<br>\\r\\n I escaped from the school and returned to my hometown (to Okinomiya, to be precise,<br>\\r\\n …子どもルールでは興宮もセーフのはず）の地元が好きで、…学園を脱走してまで帰ってきた。<br>\\r\\n but it should be okay according to the kids' rules) because I love Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆に手配され、窮屈な生活を余儀なくされても、…この地に住まうことを望んでる。<br>\\r\\n The hag forces me to live this suffocating life, but I still chose to stay in this place.<br><br>\\r\\n ……それは…オヤシロさまを冒涜することにはならないはず。<br>\\r\\n ...I don't believe I'm breaking Oyashiro-sama's rules.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 園崎本家の都合で遠方に放逐された私が、脱走してまで帰ってきた。<br>\\r\\n Even though the Sonozaki family had selfishly banished me to a remote place, I came back here anyway.<br><br>\\r\\n ……オヤシロさまには褒めてもらったっていいくらいに模範的なはず…。<br>\\r\\n ...Oyashiro-sama should even bless me for that...<br><br>\\r\\n ……そうやって、心の中で、自分は祟られないという免罪符を欲しがっている。<br>\\r\\n ...I guess I'm trying to convince myself that the curse doesn't apply to me.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は、…今でも多分。<br>\\r\\n But...<br><br>\\r\\n ……オヤシロさまの祟りを怖がっている？<br>\\r\\n ...I think<br>\\r\\n …かもしれない。<br>\\r\\n I'm still afraid of it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………私は地元、好きだから。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I love this place,<br>\\r\\n …その意味では、オヤシロさまの祟りがあるとは思っちゃいないね。<br>\\r\\n so I don't think I qualify for Oyashiro-sama's curse...<br>\\r\\n …模範的だとすら思ってるけど？」<br>\\r\\n You could even call me a model villager.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes,<br>\\r\\n それは私も認める。<br>\\r\\n I think so, too......<br>\\r\\n ………だからこそ、悟史くんのことは、わかんない。」<br>\\r\\n But... I'm not sure about Satoshi-kun.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……どうして…！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Why...?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんは心のどこかで。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Satoshi-kun wants to leave Hinamizawa and run far away...<br>\\r\\n ……雛見沢を捨てて、どこかへ逃げ出したいと思ってるから。」<br>\\r\\n even if only unconsciously...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……………………え……。<br>\\r\\n .....................Eh...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 声にならない、小さな叫びをあげてしまう。<br>\\r\\n I gave an inaudible cry.<br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんが野球に来ないことを悲しんでいた私。<br>\\r\\n ...While I was feeling sad that Satoshi-kun hadn't shown up for practice,<br><br>\\r\\n …だが、それでも悟史くんは雛見沢に住まい続けている。<br>\\r\\n He still lived in Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n ……いなくなってしまうことなんて、…考えもしなかった。<br>\\r\\n ......So, I'd never even considered the thought of him going away.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんが……家出したがってる…って、…こと？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Are you saying that... he wants to skip town...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes......<br>\\r\\n …………無意識の内に。<br>\\r\\n he's not aware of it himself, though.<br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまが枕元に立つまでは、多分意識すらしてなかったと思う。」<br>\\r\\n He probably didn't notice it until Oyashiro-sama stood by his bed.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n レナが何を言ってるのか、…わからない。<br>\\r\\n I still had no idea what she was talking about.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私は彼女が何を伝えようとしているのか…耳を傾けるだけで精一杯だった。<br>\\r\\n ...I continued trying to figure out what she was saying.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんが体験していることは全て、…オヤシロさまの祟りの前触れなの。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Everything he's going through... is a sign of Oyashiro-sama's curse.<br><br>\\r\\n ………誰かが遠くからじっとうかがっている。…誰かがずっとつけて来る。……誰かがいつも、自分のすぐ後ろから見ている。<br>\\r\\n ...You feel like someone is watching you from a distance... and it follows you... Then it watches from right behind you...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……やがて足音は常に、自分とずれてひとつ余計に聞こえるようになるの。<br>\\r\\n ...After that, you start hearing an extra footstep.<br>\\r\\n それらは初めの内は、お外でだけだけど。<br>\\r\\n It only happens outside at first...<br>\\r\\n ………やがて後ろのそれは自分の家の中にまで付いて来るようになる。<br>\\r\\n but you start hearing it even inside your house after a while.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、……お布団に入って灯りを消しても、…ずっと枕元から見下ろしてるの。<br>\\r\\n Then... Oyashiro-sama keeps watching you even when you're sleeping in the dark...<br>\\r\\n ………ただただ黙って。じぃっと…。<br>\\r\\n right by your side, waiting silently...<br>\\r\\n 自らの罪を認めるまで。<br>\\r\\n for you to admit your sin.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは夢見が悪いって、最初言い出したの。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun told me he was having nightmares at first...<br>\\r\\n …それで私がどんな夢？<br>\\r\\n So, I asked him what kind of dreams he was having......<br>\\r\\n と聞いたら………。<br>\\r\\n And those dreams he was having,<br>\\r\\n ………私の時をなぞるようだった。<br>\\r\\n as it turned out,<br>\\r\\n だから私、彼に予告したの。<br>\\r\\n were just like mine...<br>\\r\\n ……その気配が、やがて近付き、足音を聞かせるようになり、…常に悟史くんを見下ろしているようになったなら。<br>\\r\\n I warned him that the presence would become bigger, he'd hear an extra footstep, and feel the presence watching him in his sleep.<br>\\r\\n …それはきっと私の時と同じだから、……相談して、って。<br>\\r\\n I told him to come to me if that ever happened.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………悟史くんは初め、私のことを怪訝に思ったと思う。<br>\\r\\n ...He must have been suspicious at first.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、……私が予告した通りに、オヤシロさまの気配が近付くのを感じ。<br>\\r\\n But... just as I predicted...<br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまが枕元にまで立つに至って。<br>\\r\\n he started to feel Oyashiro-sama's presence more strongly.<br>\\r\\n …………やっと、自分の身に起こってることを相談できるのは私しかいないって、…気付いたの。」<br>\\r\\n He finally realized he could talk to me about it.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………………目の前の少女は、茶化す風もなければ、脅迫するような口調でもなく。<br>\\r\\n ......Rena didn't look like she was joking.<br>\\r\\n ……ただただ淡々と、…事実だけを述べるかのように、それらを口にした。<br>\\r\\n She just calmly told me what had been going on.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は、…相槌すら打てない。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't even move.<br><br>\\r\\n ……レナの言うそれが、世迷言なのか冗談なのか、…それとも何かの真実を示すものなのか、それをうかがい知ることすらかなわない。<br>\\r\\n ...I couldn't tell if her words were a joke... or the truth.<br><br>\\r\\n ただ、…耳を傾けることが許されるだけだ。<br>\\r\\n I could only feel stunned.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私はね、もともと雛見沢に住んでいたの。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm from Hinamizawa originally,<br>\\r\\n 小学校に上がる直前で茨城に引越した。<br>\\r\\n but I moved to Ibaraki Prefecture right before I went to elementary school...<br>\\r\\n …………新しい環境に馴染めなくてね。<br>\\r\\n However, when I couldn't adjust to my new environment...<br>\\r\\n ……心の中のオヤシロさまに、雛見沢に帰れ、帰れって何度も呼びかけられてた。<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama frequently started telling me to return to Hinamizawa, in my head......<br>\\r\\n ………でも、小学生の子が泣きながら元の町に帰りたいって泣いたって、どうにもならないもんね。<br>\\r\\n But I couldn't do anything, since I was just a little kid...<br>\\r\\n ……私は現実とオヤシロさまの声に板挟みにされてずっと過すことになる。<br>\\r\\n I was forced to live there, though I felt threatened by Oyashiro-sama's voice......<br>\\r\\n ……そして、<br>\\r\\n then...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……………………。」<br>\\r\\n .....................\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n レナはそこで一度区切る。<br>\\r\\n Rena paused.<br><br>\\r\\n ……何があったか口にしたくない、とそういう風に読み取れる表情を浮かべたが、<br>\\r\\n ...It looked like she didn't want to go into the details of what followed......<br>\\r\\n ……そもそもレナがしている話の全容がつかめず、私は煙に巻かれたかのような印象を受けるのみだった。<br>\\r\\n In general, she confused me even more.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「結局、…いろいろあって私は雛見沢に帰ってくることができた。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Anyway, I was able to come back here in the end.<br><br>\\r\\n ……だからオヤシロさまにはそれで許してもらえた。<br>\\r\\n ......Oyashiro-sama forgave me......<br>\\r\\n ……あれ以来、オヤシロさまの気配を感じることはないもの。<br>\\r\\n I haven't felt his presence any more since then.<br><br>\\r\\n ………でもね、悟史くんは私と違って、雛見沢にいながらオヤシロさまの祟りを受けることになった。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoshi-kun is being subjected to the curse even though he's in Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n …それはなぜか？<br>\\r\\n ......Why?<br>\\r\\n ………理由はひとつ。<br>\\r\\n ...There can only be one reason.<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、雛見沢にはいたけれども、……雛見沢を捨てて、遠くに逃げたがっていたから。<br>\\r\\n It's because he wishes to abandon Hinamizawa...<br>\\r\\n その心を、オヤシロさまは許さなかったんだね。<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama won't allow that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんは、自問自答を何度も繰り返した挙句に、<br>\\r\\n ...After a series of inner monologues,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …認めたよ。<br>\\r\\n he confessed...<br>\\r\\n ………ほら、悟史くん、アルバイトをしてるでしょ？<br>\\r\\n You know he's working part-time, don't you?<br>\\r\\n 沙都子ちゃんが欲しがったあの大きなぬいぐるみは１０万円くらいするもんね。<br>\\r\\n The teddy bear he's getting for Satoko-chan costs about 100,000 yen,<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは沙都子ちゃんの誕生日までに、その額を稼ごうとしている。<br>\\r\\n and he's trying to get the money by her birthday.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でもほら、………考えてみて？<br>\\r\\n Have you noticed it yet?<br><br>\\r\\n それだけのお金があったら、<br>\\r\\n Think about it like this.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………後先を考えなくていいなら、<br>\\r\\n If he had that amount of money,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……どこか遠くへ逃げ出す充分な費用になりうるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n that'd be enough for him to run away somewhere far from here.<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは……無意識の内にね、…そのお金で沙都子ちゃんに誕生日プレゼントを買うんじゃなく。<br>\\r\\n He unconsciously started to think about that,<br>\\r\\n ……………沙都子ちゃんを捨てて、どこか遠くへ逃げ出すお金に使ってしまいたいって、……思うようになってたの。<br>\\r\\n about leaving Satoko-chan behind.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それは悟史くんにとっては…この上なく罪深いこと。<br>\\r\\n But he'd feel very guilty.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、さっき魅ぃちゃんが指摘したように、沙都子ちゃんの存在自体が悟史くんの負担になってるのは事実。<br>\\r\\n As you pointed out, Satoko-chan is a burden on him...<br>\\r\\n …悟史くんだって馬鹿じゃないもん。<br>\\r\\n He's not stupid, so he's aware of that......<br>\\r\\n ……兄として認めたくなかっただけで、…沙都子ちゃんが負担になっていることには、ちゃんと気付いていた。<br>\\r\\n He just doesn't want to admit it, because he's the one who's supposed to protect his little sister.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だから悟史くんは葛藤してるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n He's been struggling with himself.<br>\\r\\n 自分は妹を喜ばせるための、お金を貯めるためにバイトをしているつもり。<br>\\r\\n He thinks he's working to please Satoko-chan on her birthday.<br><br>\\r\\n ……だけれども、それは自分の心を騙しているだけで、…本当は、自分が逃げ出すためのお金を作るために…バイトしてるんじゃないか、って。<br>\\r\\n ......But he also feels that he might be deceiving himself, because he unconsciously wants to skip town with that money.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……………私は…逃げ出すべきじゃないと思う。<br>\\r\\n ...I don't think he should run away.<br>\\r\\n 逃げ出したって、悟史くんは多分一生後悔する。<br>\\r\\n Even if he did, he'd regret it for the rest of his life.<br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまだってそれをわかってるから、…悟史くんにこうして警告してくれているの。<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama knows that. That's why Oyashiro-sama is trying to warn him.<br><br>\\r\\n ………悟史くんの心に、沙都子ちゃんを見捨てるなんて悪魔の囁きが、……早く聞こえなくなるといいんだけども。<br>\\r\\n ......I hope Satoshi-kun stops thinking of abandoning Satoko-chan...<br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんは綿流しの数日後だっけ？<br>\\r\\n He's working hard to make it to Satoko-chan's birthday, which is...<br>\\r\\n の、沙都子ちゃんの誕生日にプレゼントを間に合わせるため、…今、いろいろなアルバイトに精を出してる。<br>\\r\\n a couple of days after the Watanagashi festival?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……心も体も、追い詰めてる。<br>\\r\\n ......He's pushing himself too hard...<br>\\r\\n …そんな苦境が、きっと沙都子ちゃんの誕生日を境に終わるんだって、信じて。<br>\\r\\n He believes it'll end when Satoko-chan's birthday comes.........<br>\\r\\n ……………………悟史くんは今もオヤシロさまの祟りに苛まれている。<br>\\r\\n The curse keeps cautioning him<br>\\r\\n ……沙都子ちゃんを守るか、見捨てるかの天秤の狭間に立たされながら、ね。」<br>\\r\\n while he tries to figure out whether he should leave or continue protecting her.\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n ……土砂降りは、少しも弱まる気配はない。<br>\\r\\n ...The torrential rain didn't seem to want to stop.<br><br>\\r\\n トタン屋根を叩く音と、水滴が水溜りを叩く音が相変わらず騒々しいままだ。<br>\\r\\n It kept pouring down on the galvanized iron roof, producing a loud noise...<br>\\r\\n ……にもかかわらず、耳が痛むくらいの静寂がこの場を支配していた。<br>\\r\\n yet in the shack, it fell completely silent.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n このレナという子は、………一体、何を言っているのだろう。<br>\\r\\n What the hell was Rena talking about...?<br><br>\\r\\n 私には、言っていることの半分も理解することはできなかった。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't grasp even half of what she was saying.<br><br>\\r\\n ただわかったのは、……悟史くんが、これまでにないくらいに苦しみ、悩み、…辛い思いをしているということだけだ。<br>\\r\\n The only thing I had figured out is that Satoshi-kun was struggling, confused, and in lots of pain.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りが…悟史くんの身に起こっている？<br>\\r\\n He's suffering from Oyashiro-sama's curse?<br><br>\\r\\n ……そしてこのレナという子も、……同じ経験をしたことがある？<br>\\r\\n ......And Rena has experienced that before...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう言えば…もうすぐじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n The Watanagashi festival was...<br>\\r\\n …綿流しのお祭りは。<br>\\r\\n right around the corner.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りは、もう三年連続で起こってる。<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama's curse had struck three years in a row.<br><br>\\r\\n ……四年目がないなんて保証はどこにもない。<br>\\r\\n ...There was no guarantee that it wouldn't strike a fourth time.<br><br>\\r\\n そんな時期に。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun was...<br>\\r\\n ………オヤシロさまの祟りの先触れを悟史くんが感じているというのだ。<br>\\r\\n subject to Oyashiro-sama's curse, even now?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが家出してしまう？<br>\\r\\n Was he going to skip town?<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが…今年のオヤシロさまの祟りの犠牲者になってしまう？<br>\\r\\n Was he going to be the next victim of Oyashiro-sama's curse?<br><br>\\r\\n ……家出にしろ祟りにしろ、<br>\\r\\n ......Either way\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんがどこか遠くへ消えてしまう可能性。<br>\\r\\n ...... he might disappear forever.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は………何もできないのか？<br>\\r\\n Could I do something to prevent it?<br><br>\\r\\n …何もしなければ、…何もできないままに終わるだろう。<br>\\r\\n ...If I didn't do anything... it would all come to a hopeless end...<br>\\r\\n ……………終わる？<br>\\r\\n End?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………胸の中を、あまりに具体的になった不安がぐるぐると駆け巡る。<br>\\r\\n ...I started feeling a sense of dread.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はレナの奇怪な話を真に受けたつもりはない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't buy the crazy story Rena told me.<br><br>\\r\\n ………でも、……………悟史くんに、何らかの終末が近付いている漠然とした予感に、戦慄を隠せなかった。<br>\\r\\n ......But... if something really wa happening to Satoshi-kun, which might bring about some kind of an end, I couldn't help feeling scared.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 今思えば。<br>\\r\\n It's true, isn't it.<br><br>\\r\\n ……………それは本当に虫の知らせだったのだ。<br>\\r\\n .....................My instinct is always correct.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、危険を承知で、緊急に魅音に連絡を取ることにした。<br>\\r\\n I decided to contact Mion despite the danger.<br><br>\\r\\n ……その連絡の無神経ぶりに初め魅音は怒り、…そして私の話を聞いて驚くことになる。<br>\\r\\n ...Mion got upset at first, but she had to listen to me.<br><br>\\r\\n 「お姉。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sis...<br>\\r\\n ……………悟史くんのことだけど。<br>\\r\\n what's going on<br>\\r\\n …どういうことになってるの。」<br>\\r\\n with Satoshi-kun?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………最近、だいぶ険しい様子なんだよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...He looks really stressed out...<br>\\r\\n …迂闊に声もかけられない雰囲気。」<br>\\r\\n I can't even talk to him.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………何それ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......What do you mean?<br>\\r\\n 声をかけられないから、悟史くんがどういう状況になってるか、よくわかってないってこと？」<br>\\r\\n You don't know what's going on because you can't talk to him?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………ごめん。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Sorry.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……お姉。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Sis,<br>\\r\\n 近々にまた入れ替わる機会を設けて欲しいの。」<br>\\r\\n give me another chance to trade spots again.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ん、…それはもちろんかまわないよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Um, that's fine.<br>\\r\\n でも最近はちょっと綿流しのお祭りの打ち合わせの絡みで日程の調整が難しいんだよ。<br>\\r\\n But I'm kind of busy lately attending meetings for the festival...<br>\\r\\n …何？<br>\\r\\n What are you planning to do?<br>\\r\\n またバイト？」<br>\\r\\n Another part-time job?\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n 「私、雛見沢の学校へ行く。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm going to your school.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 「ハイ、委員長、号令。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"President, if you would.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …しばらくの間、自分（魅音）が委員長であることに気付けずにいた。<br>\\r\\n ...For a moment, I forgot that the class president was me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、あ、あ、あ！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh, uh, uh uh!<br>\\r\\n きりーーーーーっつ！！」<br>\\r\\n All rise!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「委員長も少し寝不足みたいですね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Looks like you didn't get enough sleep.<br>\\r\\n 最近は寝苦しい夜が続きます。<br>\\r\\n I know it's been very hot at night lately,<br>\\r\\n でもしっかりと睡眠は取るように。<br>\\r\\n but try to get as much sleep as you can.<br>\\r\\n いいですね皆さん。」<br>\\r\\n All right, everyone?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「「「は〜〜〜〜〜〜い！」」」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes, ma'am!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …この幼稚園と小学校を足して３で割ったような雰囲気は、何とも怪しいものだった。<br>\\r\\n ...I'm not sure this place can be called a school.<br><br>\\r\\n よく言えば和気あいあい。<br>\\r\\n Because there are so many different age groups,<br>\\r\\n 悪く言えば…ここが教育機関であることすら疑わしい。<br>\\r\\n it's like a kindergarten and an elementary school blended together.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 全体のイメージは、お姉から事前に充分な情報を得ていたので、違和感はなかった。<br>\\r\\n Since I'd heard already about what this place was like, I didn't feel that uncomfortable.<br><br>\\r\\n 学校で魅音が作っているキャラクターイメージもわかりやすく、演じるのはそう難しくなさそうだった。<br>\\r\\n It wasn't too difficult to act like Mion here.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、………お姉から聞いた通り、…すっかりやつれていた。<br>\\r\\n As Sis told me... Satoshi-kun looked exhausted.<br><br>\\r\\n 挨拶をしても、まるで無視するかのような態度だった。<br>\\r\\n I said hi to him, but he ignored me.<br><br>\\r\\n ……心身ともに追い詰められていることを知っているからこそ、…それはとても痛々しく見えた。<br>\\r\\n ...Since I knew what he'd been going through, his pain looked apparent to me.<br><br>\\r\\n だがこの教室では、…悟史くん以外に、もうひとり興味を感じる人間がいた。<br>\\r\\n I was interested in another person in this classroom.<br><br>\\r\\n それが……悟史くんの妹、沙都子だった。<br>\\r\\n Satoko... Satoshi-kun's little sister.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんに負けず劣らず……、ぼろぼろの、まるで感情を失った人形みたいだった。<br>\\r\\n She looked as worn out as Satoshi-kun... Emotionless, like an abandoned doll.<br><br>\\r\\n クラス中がその様子を痛々しいと思いながらも、手を差し伸べる術が何もなく。<br>\\r\\n Everybody in this room was aware of their circumstances, but no one could do anything for them...<br>\\r\\n ……だから、見て見ぬふりをする他ないような…白々しい空気に包まれていた。<br>\\r\\n So they just acted as though nothing was wrong.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音からもらえたのは今日一日だけだ。<br>\\r\\n Mion will only let me have this one day.<br><br>\\r\\n ……ぼーっと過せば、学校の一日などあっという間に終わってしまう。<br>\\r\\n ...If I slacked off even a little bit, today would be over with quickly.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はこの限られた時間の中で、……何をしなければならないのか、考えなければならなかった。<br>\\r\\n I had to figure out what I should do in this limited time.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんと、…何か話をするべきだと思った。<br>\\r\\n I should probably talk to Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n でも何の話を？<br>\\r\\n About what?<br><br>\\r\\n 何でもいい。<br>\\r\\n Anything goes...<br>\\r\\n …元気付けるのでもいいし、…同情するのでもいい。<br>\\r\\n Cheer him up, sympathize with him... anything will do.<br>\\r\\n ……とにかく何か、声をかけてやりたかった。<br>\\r\\n More than anything, I just wanted to chat with him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも私は、事前にお姉から釘を刺されていた。<br>\\r\\n However, Sis hd told me.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんが、最近、魅音と疎遠になり、嫌っている、<br>\\r\\n ......She said Satoshi-kun didn't communicate much with her lately,<br>\\r\\n もしくは距離を置きたがっている…というのだ。<br>\\r\\n and had distanced himself from her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n むやみに話しかけると、あまり良くないかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n I figured I shouldn't talk to him too casually.<br><br>\\r\\n …話をしたい気持ちはわかるけど、放っておいた方がいいかもしれない…。<br>\\r\\n ...I wanted to, but...<br>\\r\\n ……というものだった。<br>\\r\\n maybe it was better to leave him alone......<br><br>\\r\\n お姉がそういう形で警告する以上、それには従うべきだった。<br>\\r\\n I needed to keep Sis's warnings in mind...<br><br>\\r\\n だが…………、私はその警告を無視することにした。<br>\\r\\n But instead... I decided to ignore them.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 私は昼休みに、席を外し、どこか一人になれるところを探すかのような悟史くんを追い、廊下で声をかけた。<br>\\r\\n I looked for Satoshi-kun during lunch break. He was walking as if looking for a place where he could be alone. I caught him in the hallway.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………悟史くん。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Satoshi-kun.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは私の声に過敏に反応して振り返った。<br>\\r\\n He turned around, startled by my voice.<br><br>\\r\\n その表情を見た時、ぎょっとする。<br>\\r\\n His facial expression surprised me.<br><br>\\r\\n ………そこには、今日までに一度も見たことがないような、…拒絶の表情が浮かんでいたからだ。<br>\\r\\n ...He was scowling. Clearly a sign of rejection.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも、……私は怯まずに続けた。<br>\\r\\n But... I couldn't hesitate.<br><br>\\r\\n ……ここで怯めば、今日という機会は終わってしまうと思ったからだ。<br>\\r\\n ...I'd lose my only chance if I did.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…えっと、さ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hey, um...<br>\\r\\n …………………元気？」<br>\\r\\n How are you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、これが元気な様子に見えるのか？<br>\\r\\n He gave me a look as if saying<br>\\r\\n とでも言わんばかりの…冷たい眼差しを向けた。<br>\\r\\n 'do I look fine to you?'.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんにこんな眼差しで見られるなんて、…思いもしなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...I never expected to see an expression like that on his face.<br><br>\\r\\n だからそれは…信じられないくらいに胸が痛む、辛いものだった…。<br>\\r\\n I felt like my heart was being torn into pieces...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 俯きかける私に、悟史くんから口を開いてくれた。<br>\\r\\n As I looked down, he spoke to me.<br><br>\\r\\n …ちょっと嬉しかったが、続く言葉に再び傷つけられる。<br>\\r\\n ...I felt a little glad, but the next thing he said changed that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………元気だよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I'm fine...<br>\\r\\n ………………他に用は？」<br>\\r\\n Is there anything else?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え、………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Eh...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…ないなら行くよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I'll get going if there isn't...<br>\\r\\n ……昼休みはひとりになりたいんだ。」<br>\\r\\n because I want to be alone.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そ、…そっか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"O-Okay...<br>\\r\\n …バイトが大変なんだよね。<br>\\r\\n I guess you're tired from work.<br>\\r\\n 疲れてるから、ひとりになって休みたいもんね…。<br>\\r\\n I'm sure you want some time to yourself...<br>\\r\\n ……今日もなんでしょ？<br>\\r\\n You're working today too, right?<br>\\r\\n 今日はどこで？」<br>\\r\\n Where at?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんのバイトの斡旋はお姉が引き受けた。<br>\\r\\n Sis had found several jobs for him.<br><br>\\r\\n バイトと言っても、同じ店でというわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n He worked at a few different places.<br>\\r\\n ヘルプの出た店や職場に臨時で入る日替わりみたいな感じらしい。<br>\\r\\n He was helping out when necessary at any of the shops Mion introduced him to.<br><br>\\r\\n だから悟史くんは常に違うバイト、慣れないバイトをしなければならなかった。<br>\\r\\n As a result, he constantly had to do different tasks in a different environment almost every time.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n また、貯める額の大きさから、時給のいいバイトを特にねだったと言う。<br>\\r\\n On top of that, he requested high-paying jobs from Mion because he wanted a large sum of money as soon as possible.<br><br>\\r\\n 時給がいいバイトってのは…力仕事とか肉体労働とか、そういうのばかりだ。<br>\\r\\n In other words, he chose to mostly do manual labor...<br>\\r\\n ……もともと体力がある方でない悟史くんは、日毎にやつれていくことになる。<br>\\r\\n He was exhausted every day because he wasn't that physically strong.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……どこでもいいだろ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Does it matter?<br>\\r\\n …それに、僕がどこで働くかは、魅音なら知ってることじゃないのかい……？」<br>\\r\\n ...And shouldn't you know, because you helped me get the job?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …そのバイトを斡旋したのは魅音なのに。<br>\\r\\n ...Mion did help him get the job...<br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんの口調にはそれに対する感謝は微塵も感じられなかった。<br>\\r\\n yet Satoshi-kun didn't look thankful for that opportunity.<br><br>\\r\\n …こんな悟史くんは悟史くんじゃない。<br>\\r\\n ...This wasn't like him at all......<br>\\r\\n …………とても、…悲しかった。<br>\\r\\n It made me feel sad.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………はははははは、そうだよね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hahahaha. You're right...<br>\\r\\n ……ごめん。」<br>\\r\\n Sorry.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………用はそれで終わりかい…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Is that all?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの拒絶が胸に突き刺さる。<br>\\r\\n He sounded so harsh.<br><br>\\r\\n ……どうして…こんな冷たい言葉を？<br>\\r\\n ...Why was he being like that?<br><br>\\r\\n 私の頭を…やさしく撫でてくれた悟史くんは…もういなくなっちゃったの……？<br>\\r\\n Would he ever stroke my head again...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………ぅ……、」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Ooh...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 感情が、目元から少し、溢れた。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't help my tears.<br><br>\\r\\n 熱い筋が一筋、…頬を伝う。<br>\\r\\n They flowed onto my cheeks.<br><br>\\r\\n でも悟史くんはそんな私を見ても、一瞬とまどって見せただけで、すぐに不快そうな表情に戻ってしまう。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun looked confused for a moment, but then he frowned again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…あ、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Uh,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …ごご、<br>\\r\\n sorry...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………ごめん。<br>\\r\\n ...<br>\\r\\n …あの、<br>\\r\\n Uh...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……監督がさ、<br>\\r\\n the coach said...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……また練習に来て欲しいなって、…言ってたよ。<br>\\r\\n he wanted you to come back to practice......<br>\\r\\n あははは………伝言。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahaha......\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……監督には、もうチームはやめたいって伝えたはずだよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I told him I quit...<br>\\r\\n ……戻る気はないし。」<br>\\r\\n so I won't be going back.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「た、……たまにはさ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"B-But maybe...<br>\\r\\n …ぱーっと体を動かして汗を流すのもいいと思うんだよ。<br>\\r\\n it's a good idea to work out from time to time,<br>\\r\\n ほら、スポーツって色々と、」<br>\\r\\n you know...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「興味ない。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Not interested.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんから次々にぶつけられる理不尽な悪意がわからない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't know why he was being so hostile towards me.<br><br>\\r\\n …どうして、私がこれだけ嫌われなければならないのかわからず、…私はうろたえるしかない。<br>\\r\\n ...Why did he hate me so much? I was left bewildered.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……なんで…？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Why...?<br>\\r\\n どうして…………？」<br>\\r\\n How come...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……バイトで忙しいから。わざわざ分かりきってることを聞くなよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Because I'm busy with work.<br>\\r\\n …面倒くさい。」<br>\\r\\n Isn't it obvious?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………違うよ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"...No, I didn't mean that!!<br>\\r\\n なんで、私がここまで嫌われなくちゃならないの？！」<br>\\r\\n Why do you hate me so much?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………自分の胸に聞けばいいじゃないか。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Why don't you ask yourself?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「自分の胸に？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ask myself?!<br>\\r\\n 何を！<br>\\r\\n What?!<br>\\r\\n 私が何をしたの？！<br>\\r\\n What did I do?!<br>\\r\\n わかんないよ、悟史くん！！」<br>\\r\\n I don't understand, Satoshi-kun!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 感情が弾けて、……もう自分でもどうしようもなくなった。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't control my emotions any longer.<br><br>\\r\\n 両目から熱い筋が…幾重にも…ぼろぼろと。<br>\\r\\n Streaks of tears ran down my cheeks.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんはとても面倒くさいものを見るような…嫌な目つきをした後、…私に声をかけることもなく、踵を返すと立ち去った。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoshi-kun gave me a hateful glare, and walked away without saying another word.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は…その背中に声をかけることもできなかった。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't even stop him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …声をかければ、さらに冷たい言葉の刃が返され、さらに私の胸を突き刺しただろうからだ。<br>\\r\\n ...If I tried, he'd hurt me again with another cutting remark.<br><br>\\r\\n …それにもう耐えることが出来なくて。<br>\\r\\n ...I couldn't bear that...<br>\\r\\n ……私はその背中を見送るしかなかった。<br>\\r\\n So I just watched him walk away.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は涙を拭いながら……教室へ戻ろうとした。<br>\\r\\n I wiped my tears and... went back to the classroom.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時、…教室から突然、泣き声が聞こえた。<br>\\r\\n I heard somebody crying from inside.<br><br>\\r\\n …驚きはしなかったが、…何事かと思い、教室を見渡す。<br>\\r\\n ...What's going on? I looked around the room to see.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………泣き声の主は、<br>\\r\\n ......It was\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……沙都子だった。<br>\\r\\n Satoko.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 床には散らばった弁当箱。<br>\\r\\n I saw her bento box on the floor.<br><br>\\r\\n クラスメートに聞くと、……弁当を食べ終わり、弁当箱を洗うために席を立った時、ちょっと誰かにぶつかって、弁当箱を床に落とした。<br>\\r\\n I asked one of her classmates what happened... and it seemed that Satoko had bumped into somebody's shoulder when she stood up to go wash the box out...<br>\\r\\n …それだけ。<br>\\r\\n That was all.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ただそれだけのことなのに、…まるで沙都子は誰かの大目玉を恐れるかのように、大声で泣きじゃくっていた。<br>\\r\\n But... Satoko was crying as if afraid she was going to be chided badly.<br><br>\\r\\n 別に何かの壷を落として割ってしまって、取り返しがつかないわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n What happened was very minor.<br><br>\\r\\n …足元に散らばった弁当箱を拾えば、それで済む話だ。<br>\\r\\n ...She could just pick up the bento box and things would be fine.<br><br>\\r\\n ……ちょっと蓋を止める部分が外れてしまったようだけど、そんなのパチっと直せる程度。<br>\\r\\n ...It looked like the lid came a little loose, but it was definitely fixable...<br>\\r\\n ……こんな、号泣するようなことじゃない。<br>\\r\\n She didn't have to cry like that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして、…沙都子は泣きながら、許しを乞いながら、叫んだ。<br>\\r\\n Yet Satoko... started begging through her tears.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「助けてよ、助けてよぅ…、にーにーー！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Help! Help me, Nii-nii!!<br>\\r\\n わぁあぁぁあぁああぁぁあん！！！」<br>\\r\\n Waaaaahhhhhhh!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 感情のたがが外れかけていた私は、心の中に灯った怒りの火が、全身を火だるまにしてしまうのを感じた。<br>\\r\\n Because of what happened with Satoshi-kun, I couldn't suppress my emotions very well.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……それは、自分ではもうどうにもできない、感情の爆発だった。<br>\\r\\n ...So, instead, they exploded.<br><br>\\r\\n 泣き喚く沙都子に、おろおろと戸惑うクラスメートたちを押しのけ、…ずんずんと踵で足音を立てながらと私は沙都子に猛然と迫る。<br>\\r\\n I stormed up to Satoko while elbowing her classmates aside.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして、辺りをはばからず泣き喚く沙都子の頭を鷲掴みにし、<br>\\r\\n I grabbed her by the head...<br><br>\\r\\n …全身の力で思いっきり、頭をぶん投げるように、壁へ叩き付けた。<br>\\r\\n then threw her into the wall.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は短い悲鳴をあげ、何が起こったのかわからないような表情をしていた。<br>\\r\\n Satoko screamed. She didn't seem to understand what had happened.<br><br>\\r\\n 涙をぼろぼろとこぼしながら、かたかたと震えながら。<br>\\r\\n She was shedding tears and shivering...<br>\\r\\n …どうして私に悪意をぶつけられなければならないのか、理解できずにいた。<br>\\r\\n She must be wondering why I did that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……何であんたがそういう目に遭うか、理解できる？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Do you know why I did that?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ひぃ…ぃ……、…ぃ……た、助けて……、…にぃにぃ……、」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Eeeek... help...... Nii-nii......\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は私の問い掛けを理解しようとせず、再びその言葉を口にする。<br>\\r\\n Satoko cried for her brother's help again...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は再び沙都子の頭を鷲掴みにすると、今度は床に叩きのめすように投げつけた。<br>\\r\\n And so, I grabbed her head and threw her again.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子が無様に転げ、机のひとつにぶつかって倒してしまう。<br>\\r\\n Satoko stumbled and crashed into a desk.<br>\\r\\n 机の中身が辺りに散らばり、ひどい有様になった。<br>\\r\\n The desk fell and the contents of the drawer scattered about.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は立ち上がろうとはしなかった。<br>\\r\\n Satoko didn't even stand up.<br>\\r\\n 身を硬くしてうずくまり、上目遣いに私を見上げ、がたがたと震えていた。<br>\\r\\n She just crouched and trembled while looking up at me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「助けて……たすけて……、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Help... help...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …にぃにぃ…、<br>\\r\\n ...Nii-nii...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …にぃにぃ……。」<br>\\r\\n ...Nii-nii...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あんたが…そんなだから…ッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"If you weren't like that...!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …あんたが…安易に悟史くんにすがるから……、悟史くんが苦しんでるのがわかんないのッ？！<br>\\r\\n ...If you weren't like that, Satoshi-kun wouldn't have to suffer. Don't you get it?!<br><br>\\r\\n そう言いたかったが、怒りでからからになった喉からは、そこまで発せられることはなかった。<br>\\r\\n That's what I wanted to say, but I was too angry to utter another word.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は床に散らばった教科書の束を拾い、まだ助けを求めようとするその無様な顔に投げつけた。<br>\\r\\n I picked up a bunch of textbooks from the floor and threw them at her face.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「泣きたければ泣けばいい！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Cry as much as you want!!<br>\\r\\n でもね、泣いたってね、何も解決しないッ！！<br>\\r\\n But nothing's going to change!!<br><br>\\r\\n 何で泣くの？！<br>\\r\\n Why are you crying?!<br><br>\\r\\n 泣けば誰かが助けてくれるから？！<br>\\r\\n Because you think somebody's going to help you?!<br><br>\\r\\n その助けてくれる人が、あんたの代わりにどれだけ傷ついてるかなんて想像もつかないでしょ！！！<br>\\r\\n You don't have any idea what he has to go through to protect you, do you?!!!<br><br>\\r\\n わかってるの？！<br>\\r\\n Do you understand that?!<br><br><br>\\r\\n あんたの罪が！！<br>\\r\\n Do you understand what you're doing?!<br><br>\\r\\n あんたなんかいなければいい！！<br>\\r\\n You shouldn't exist!!<br><br>\\r\\n 苦しいなら死ね！！<br>\\r\\n Die if you don't want to suffer!!<br><br>\\r\\n ヘソでも噛んで勝手に死んじゃえばいい！！！<br>\\r\\n Go fuck yourself!!!<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんまで苦しめるな！！<br>\\r\\n Don't hurt Satoshi-kun!!<br><br>\\r\\n ひとりで苦しんでひとりで勝手に死ね！！<br>\\r\\n You deserve to die alone!!<br><br>\\r\\n お前なんか死んでしまええぇえぇえええー！！！」<br>\\r\\n You just deserve to dieeeeeee!!!\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n 「わああぁああぁあぁああああんん！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Waaaaahhhhh!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n にーにー！！<br>\\r\\n Nii-nii!!<br>\\r\\n にーにー！！！<br>\\r\\n Nii-nii!!!<br>\\r\\n うわああぁああぁああん！！！」<br>\\r\\n Whaaaaahhhhhh!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子の号泣は、もう今の私には怒りに油を注ぐだけだった。<br>\\r\\n Her desperate cries only increased my irritation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「泣けばいいと思うな！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Stop crying!!!<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんにすがれば済むと思うな！！<br>\\r\\n Don't call your brother for help!!<br>\\r\\n 甘えるんじゃない！！！<br>\\r\\n Stop it!!!<br>\\r\\n お前さえいなければ…！！<br>\\r\\n If you weren't like that...!!<br>\\r\\n お前さえいなければッ！！」<br>\\r\\n If only you...!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 床に散らばった教科書やノートを次々に沙都子に投げつける。<br>\\r\\n I kept on throwing things at her.<br><br>\\r\\n …沙都子は亀の子のように縮こまり、さらに大きな声で泣き喚くのだった。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoko curled up to protect herself, and cried even harder.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 髪の長い少女が躍り出て、縮こまる沙都子に覆い被さった。<br>\\r\\n At that point, a girl with long hair ran up and huddled over her.<br><br>\\r\\n ………こいつは有名人だから知ってる。<br>\\r\\n ...I knew who that was.<br><br>\\r\\n …古手梨花。<br>\\r\\n ...Rika Furude.<br>\\r\\n 沙都子の数少ない友人のひとりだ。<br>\\r\\n One of Satoko's only friends.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……沙都子をいじめないでなのです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Please don't hurt her.<br>\\r\\n 沙都子は可哀想なのです、いじめてはだめなのです…。」<br>\\r\\n She's in a poor situation, so please don't hurt her...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「可哀想だから何をしても許されると思ってる？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"It doesn't matter how pathetic she is!!<br>\\r\\n 可哀想だから悟史くんに寄り掛かってもいいわけッ？！<br>\\r\\n She shouldn't rely on Satoshi-kun all the time!!<br>\\r\\n 甘やかしてるんじゃないよッ！！！<br>\\r\\n Stop spoiling her!!<br>\\r\\n こいつがどこまでも甘えてるから…悟史くんが辛い思いをしなくちゃならないんだッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun has to suffer so much because of her!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…だめ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"...No!!<br>\\r\\n だめなのです！！<br>\\r\\n Stop!!<br>\\r\\n 沙都子をいじめちゃだめなのです…！！」<br>\\r\\n Don't hurt her...!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子を庇うなら、梨花もまた私の怒りの対象だった。<br>\\r\\n Rika also became the target of my anger.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私はね、その甘えきった沙都子の根性を教育してやってんだよッ！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm trying to teach her something here!!!<br>\\r\\n 邪魔しやがるとあんたの頭から叩き割るよッ？！？！」<br>\\r\\n If you keep getting in the way, I'll crack your head open!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私はイスを掴み、振り上げる。<br>\\r\\n I grabbed a chair and lifted it over my head.<br><br>\\r\\n こんなもので殴りつけられたらただじゃすまない。<br>\\r\\n It wouldn't hurt only a little if I threw this thing at them.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 梨花は両目を固くつぶって、沙都子に覆い被さり、自ら盾になろうとした。<br>\\r\\n Rika tightly closed her eyes and covered Satoko with her body.<br><br>\\r\\n もう、私にはどうでもよかった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't care what the consequences would be.<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子も梨花も、まとめて殴りつけるつもりだった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't care if I hurt them.<br><br>\\r\\n 「やめて！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Stop!!<br>\\r\\n 魅ぃちゃん！！！！」<br>\\r\\n Mii-chan!!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ただ事ならぬ状況を察知し、教室へ戻ってきたレナは、イスを振り上げた私に制止の声をぶつけた。<br>\\r\\n Rena returned to the classroom and shouted at me.<br><br><br>\\r\\n そのレナを押しのけ、駆け込んできたのは、………悟史くんだった。<br>\\r\\n Then... Satoshi-kun rushed in while pushing Rena aside.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、沙都子が今置かれている状況を瞬時に把握したようだった。<br>\\r\\n Seeming to have grasped the situation immediately...<br><br>\\r\\n ……そして、彼は私に猛然と駆け寄り、飛び掛ってきた。<br>\\r\\n He charged straight at me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は悟史くんに飛び掛られ、ロッカーに叩き付けられるまで、…何が起こったかわからず呆然としていた。<br>\\r\\n Until my body had hit the locker, I didn't understand what had happened.<br><br>\\r\\n ロッカーが派手な音を立てて歪む。<br>\\r\\n There was a loud crashing noise. I'd left a dent in it......<br>\\r\\n ……私は慣れぬ衝撃に身を屈めてしまう。<br>\\r\\n I crouched there in pain.<br><br>\\r\\n 「沙都子！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Satoko!!<br>\\r\\n 大丈夫か沙都子…！！」<br>\\r\\n Are you all right?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「にーにー！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Nii-nii!!<br>\\r\\n にーにー！！<br>\\r\\n Nii-nii!!<br>\\r\\n わああぁあぁああぁぁぁん！！」<br>\\r\\n Whaaaaaahhh!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は、たった今まで身を挺して庇ってくれていた梨花を押しのけると、悟史くんに飛びついて、…泣いた。<br>\\r\\n Satoko pushed Rika aside, jumped at her brother... and started crying again.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 「どうしたんだよ…一体…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"What happened...?<br>\\r\\n どうして…沙都子が…。<br>\\r\\n Why were you treated like that...?<br>\\r\\n …沙都子が…！！」<br>\\r\\n Why...?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「私ね？<br>\\r\\n \\\"I-<br>\\r\\n 何もしてないのに……何もしてないのに！！<br>\\r\\n I didn't do anything but...<br>\\r\\n 魅音さんが…魅音さんが……、<br>\\r\\n Mion-san... she suddenly...<br>\\r\\n わああぁあああぁあぁああぁあッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Waaahhhh!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「ど、……どういうことだよ魅音ッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wh-What's going on, Mion?!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 泣きじゃくる沙都子の頭を固く抱きながら、悟史くんは私を怒鳴りつけた。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun shouted at me while clutching his sister...<br>\\r\\n …恐ろしい形相だった。<br>\\r\\n He looked fierce.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「どういうことって、……私は…、」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I just......\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「沙都子が何をしたよ？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"What did Satoko do to deserve this?!<br>\\r\\n 僕たちが何をしたよ？！<br>\\r\\n What did we do?!<br>\\r\\n 何でいつも苛められなきゃならないんだよ！！<br>\\r\\n Why do we always have to suffer like this?!<br>\\r\\n ええ？！<br>\\r\\n Why?!<br>\\r\\n どうしてだよッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Why?!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子を解放し、悟史くんは私に迫り、…襟首を掴み上げた。<br>\\r\\n He released Satoko and rushed up to me, grabbing me by the neck.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「さっき……悟史くんは私に、自分の胸に聞け、って言ったよね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You said... that I should ask myself, didn't you...?<br>\\r\\n …なら、沙都子の胸に聞いてみりゃいいじゃない。」<br>\\r\\n So... why don't you ask yourself?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「何をッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ask what?!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんだって、自分で認めてるんでしょ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"I know you feel she's a burden on you......<br>\\r\\n ……沙都子があんたにべったり頼ってるから、悟史くんの重荷になってるんでしょ？！<br>\\r\\n You always have to suffer because of her. You know that, right?!<br>\\r\\n 沙都子がもっとしっかりしてれば、悟史くんがこんなに大変な思いをすることなんてない！！<br>\\r\\n If she were stronger, you wouldn't have to suffer!!<br>\\r\\n そいつが全ての元凶なの！！！」<br>\\r\\n She's the one to blame!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 多分、図星だったのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n I don't believe what I said was wrong.<br><br>\\r\\n 私のその言葉に対する悟史くんの怒り方は、尋常じゃなかった。<br>\\r\\n But after hearing it, Satoshi-kun went berserk.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「こっ、…こいつ…！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wh- Wh-<br>\\r\\n いい加減なことを言うんじゃないッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n What the heck do you know?!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「痛ッ、…いたたたたたたたたたたた…ッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ow... ahhh!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは私の髪を引っ張って振り回すと、私が沙都子をそうしたように、壁に投げて叩きつけた。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun grabbed my hair and threw me to the wall, just like I did to Satoko.<br><br>\\r\\n だが今度は私も怯まなかった。<br>\\r\\n However, I wasn't going to back down.<br><br>\\r\\n …もう完全に心の堰が崩れ、感情のダムの決壊が起こっていた。<br>\\r\\n ...I no longer had any control over my emotions at all.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんだって…沙都子を甘やかし過ぎてるよ！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"You spent so much time protecting her!!!<br>\\r\\n あんたがそうやって際限なく甘やかすから、そいつはいつまで経ってもあんたにすがってばかりなんだよッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n She'll never stop relying on you until you stop doing that!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「お前に僕たちの何がわかる！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"What the hell do you know about us?!<br>\\r\\n 何がわかるってんだよッ？！<br>\\r\\n What the heck do you know?!<br>\\r\\n 父さんや母さんを村ぐるみで追い詰めて…散々に苛めて！！<br>\\r\\n You persecuted our parents<br>\\r\\n そして今度は僕たちか？！<br>\\r\\n and now it's us?<br>\\r\\n それが園崎家のやり方なんだろッ？！<br>\\r\\n That's the way of the Sonozaki family, huh?!<br>\\r\\n どこまでも村の裏切り者を苛め抜く！！<br>\\r\\n You torture traitors for fun!!<br>\\r\\n そんなに楽しいかよ！！<br>\\r\\n Is it fun?!<br>\\r\\n 弱い者苛めがそんなに楽しいかよ！<br>\\r\\n Is it fun bullying us?!<br>\\r\\n ええぇッ？！」<br>\\r\\n Huh?!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「もうやめてえええぇえぇえッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Stop it!!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 最後に叫んだのはレナだった。<br>\\r\\n That was Rena's voice.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼のような形相で、私と悟史くんを交互に睨みつけながら、私たちの間に割って入る。<br>\\r\\n She stepped in, looking as fierce as a demon.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くん、もうやめてあげて。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Satoshi-kun, please.<br>\\r\\n 魅ぃちゃんに悪気はなかった。<br>\\r\\n Mii-chan doesn't have any bad intentions.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんの力になってあげたくて、その気持ちがちょっとずれて、空回りしちゃっただけ。<br>\\r\\n ...She wanted to help you, but... she just lost control a little.<br>\\r\\n ………ね？」<br>\\r\\n ...Okay?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは何か言い返そうとしたが、何も口にはしなかった。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun looked like he wanted to say something back, but he chose not to.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「魅ぃちゃんも、もうやめて。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You too, Mii-chan...<br>\\r\\n …魅ぃちゃんが誰よりも悟史くんのことを心配してるのは知ってる。<br>\\r\\n I know how much you worry about Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n だけれど、こんなやり方はそれの解決にはならない。<br>\\r\\n But you can't solve the problem like that.<br>\\r\\n そんなの、ちょっと落ち着いて考えればわかることだよね？」<br>\\r\\n I think you understand. Right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが何も言わなかったから、…私もまた沈黙を守ることにした。<br>\\r\\n Since Satoshi-kun didn't say anything, I kept quiet, too.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほら、沙都子ちゃんも。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Here, Satoko-chan.<br>\\r\\n お弁当箱を落としたくらいで、泣くことはないよ。<br>\\r\\n You don't have to cry just because you dropped your bento box,<br>\\r\\n ね？<br>\\r\\n all right?<br>\\r\\n …落ち着いた？」<br>\\r\\n Do you feel better now?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……沙都子、ボクがお弁当箱を拾ってあげますよ…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Satoko, I'll pick up the bento for you...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………ぅうぅ、……ひっく、………ひっく…！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Oooh... hic...... hic......!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子の痛々しい様子がこらえきれない様子の梨花は、床に散らばった沙都子の弁当箱を拾い集める。<br>\\r\\n Rika started picking up the bento box while its owner continued to cry.<br><br>\\r\\n 「みんな。…片付けを手伝ってくれる？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Guys... can you help us clean up?<br>\\r\\n もうすぐ先生がカレー菜園から戻ってくる頃だよ。<br>\\r\\n The teacher will be back from the vegetable garden soon.<br>\\r\\n これでもう喧嘩は終わったから、先生には余計なことは言わない。<br>\\r\\n This quarrel is over, so don't tell her about it,<br>\\r\\n ……いいね？」<br>\\r\\n okay?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n クラス一同は、互いの顔を見合わせてから…小さく頷き、それぞれに床に散らばったものを拾い始めた。<br>\\r\\n The classmates looked at each other and nodded... then started picking up the stuff on the floor.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「はい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Here,<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんも魅ぃちゃんも、仲直りの握手。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun, Mii-chan,<br>\\r\\n ……ほら。」<br>\\r\\n why don't you guys shake hands as a sign of reconciliation?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………ごめん……。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Sorry...<br>\\r\\n ……こんなつもりじゃ、…なかったのに。」<br>\\r\\n I didn't mean to do this...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私の激情の、残った欠片が…再び目から零れ落ちる。<br>\\r\\n Tears started to roll down my cheeks again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………僕も、<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I'm sorry,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………悪かった。<br>\\r\\n too.<br>\\r\\n ……僕たちが苛められてるのは、大人の都合で、…魅音とは何も関係ないって知ってるはずなのに。<br>\\r\\n ......You have nothing to do with our family situation...<br>\\r\\n ……………ごめん。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「さ、魅ぃちゃんは次に沙都子ちゃんに謝る。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay.<br>\\r\\n ……はい。」<br>\\r\\n Mii-chan, why don't you apologize to Satoko-chan now?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんには謝れても、…沙都子に謝る気はさらさらなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...I was fine with apologizing to Satoshi-kun, but I didn't want to apologize to her.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、とりあえずそうしないと場が収まらないと思い、…私は渋々と曖昧な謝罪の言葉を沙都子に投げかけた。<br>\\r\\n But the situation wouldn't be settled otherwise... so I reluctantly apologized.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は憮然とした表情のまま、…謝罪を受け入れたことを示す意味で頷いてみせる…。<br>\\r\\n Satoko nodded, looking discouraged.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はレナから解放され…、緩い頭痛に思わず両手で自分の頭を抱え込んだ。<br>\\r\\n After that, Rena let me go. My head ached, so I held it with both hands.<br><br>\\r\\n ……なんだこれ…。<br>\\r\\n ...What was that...?<br>\\r\\n 何やってんだ私…！<br>\\r\\n What did I do...?!<br><br>\\r\\n こんな…喧嘩をするために、貴重な時間をもらったわけじゃないのに…！<br>\\r\\n I didn't want to use this precious time to fight...!<br><br>\\r\\n お姉がちゃんと私に警告してたじゃないか…。<br>\\r\\n Sis had warned me...<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんには近寄りがたい雰囲気があるから、話しかけない方がいい、って。<br>\\r\\n She told me that I shouldn't talk to Satoshi-kun just like that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は…何をしに来たんだ一体。<br>\\r\\n What did I come here for...?<br><br>\\r\\n …こんなことになるなら、むしろ来ない方がよかった。<br>\\r\\n ...I shouldn't have come here if I knew this was going to happen.<br>\\r\\n ……ばかばか、…自分の、ばか。<br>\\r\\n Stupid, you're stupid, Shion!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は悟史くんのことを思って、…感情を爆発させた。<br>\\r\\n I was overcome by emotions because I was so worried about Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n なのに、どこかで狂って、…いや、狂っていたのは最初からかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n When did things go wrong...? Were they wrong from the beginning?<br>\\r\\n …そして、…悟史くんと喧嘩をするという、本末転倒な結果に陥った。<br>\\r\\n I got into a fight with Satoshi-kun... This was totally the opposite of what I wanted.<br><br>\\r\\n 後悔。<br>\\r\\n I regretted it.<br><br>\\r\\n 自己嫌悪。<br>\\r\\n I hated myself for it.<br><br>\\r\\n …いくら自分をなじっても取り返しがつかない。<br>\\r\\n ...I couldn't blame myself enough.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 世界はもう真っ暗だった。<br>\\r\\n My world had been torn apart.<br><br>\\r\\n …空が崩れて落ちてくるなら、早く私を押し潰して殺してほしかった………。<br>\\r\\n ...I wished the sky would fall and kill me......<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n お姉は呆れるような同情するような、複雑な気持ちのようだった。<br>\\r\\n Sis sounded both amazed and confused.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…ただでさえ綿流しの直前でいろいろと忙しいってのに…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...You know, I'm busy with the festival preparations...<br>\\r\\n 詩音は話をさらにややこしくしてくれるなぁ…。」<br>\\r\\n but you certainly made things more complicated...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……ごめん。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Sorry.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n お姉は何か言おうとしたが、今さら言っても無意味だと悟ったのか、それを飲み込んだようだった。<br>\\r\\n Sis tried to say something, but she stopped in the middle.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …私は二三の悪態に付き合った後、今日あったことの詳細の全てを引き継いだ。<br>\\r\\n ...After listening to a few complaints, I started telling her about everything that happened today.<br><br>\\r\\n お姉は私が起こしたトラブルを、自分がしたこととして被らなければならないのだから…迷惑千万なのは無理もない話だった。<br>\\r\\n Sis had to pretend that the trouble I caused today was her responsibility, which must've been very taxing for her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………もう当分は、…入れ替わる機会はない…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...So I won't get the chance to trade spots for a while...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…詩音あんた…、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hey...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……ちょっとは私の迷惑を考えてほしいなぁ…。」<br>\\r\\n ...I think you should be more aware of the hassle I have to go through...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………それは………ん。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Yeah... you're right...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n それまで比較的、同情的な相槌を打ってくれたお姉も…さすがに苦い声を出す。<br>\\r\\n Sis had been sympathetic, but... maybe I pushed her too far this time.<br><br>\\r\\n これだけことを荒立てて、もう一度入れ替わってくれなんて言えば…、お姉が渋るのは当り前だ。<br>\\r\\n Of course she'd be hestitant to trade spots, considering what I did today...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 気まずく、…しばらくの間ふたりは沈黙し合う…。<br>\\r\\n The atmosphere felt awkward, so we were both silent for a while...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…仮にさ、もう一回機会があったとして、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...If you were to get another chance,<br>\\r\\n ……詩音はどうするの？」<br>\\r\\n what would you do, Shion?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ……当然の疑問を返される。<br>\\r\\n ...That was a reasonable question.<br><br>\\r\\n …だが、…私はそれに対する返事を用意していなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...I wasn't prepared to answer, though.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 仮にもう一度学校へ行けて、悟史くんと会えたとして。<br>\\r\\n If I had a chance to go the school once again and see Satoshi-kun...<br>\\r\\n ………私は、何をすればいいんだろう…。<br>\\r\\n what would I do?<br><br>\\r\\n 今日のことを謝る？<br>\\r\\n Would I apologize to him about today?<br><br>\\r\\n ……どんなアプローチから、どんな謝罪をするにせよ。<br>\\r\\n ......I don't think that would work.<br>\\r\\n …今の悟史くんには逆効果になるとしか思えなかった。<br>\\r\\n That might even upset him again, no matter how hard I tried.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …そうだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Okay,<br>\\r\\n …悟史くんが言っていたことを思い出す。<br>\\r\\n here's something that he was saying.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………悟史くんの一家を、さんざん苛め抜いたのは園崎家じゃないか。<br>\\r\\n ......It was the Sonozaki family who had been harassing his.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが園崎の姓を持つ人間を毛嫌いするのは…とても自然なことなんだ。<br>\\r\\n It would only be natural for him to hold a grudge against us.<br><br>\\r\\n ……でも、…ならなんで今頃になって。<br>\\r\\n ...But why was he only expressing that now?<br><br>\\r\\n …今までだってずっと私は園崎だった。<br>\\r\\n ...I've been a Sonozaki to him all along.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんだって、私を園崎魅音だと思って、頭を撫でてくれてたじゃないか…。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun stroked my head even though he knew that I was Mion Sonozaki...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……お姉。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Sis,<br>\\r\\n 率直なところ、……悟史くんは園崎家を、恨んでるんだよね…？」<br>\\r\\n do you think that Satoshi-kun is holding a grudge against the Sonozaki family...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………だと、<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …思う。」<br>\\r\\n think so, yes.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 北条一家を、村ぐるみでいじめ、団結の為の見せしめ、スケープゴートにしたのは間違いないし、<br>\\r\\n It was our family that initiated the persecution of the Houjou family,<br>\\r\\n それを主導、先導（扇動でも間違いではない…）したのも間違いなく園崎家だった。<br>\\r\\n making them into scapegoats.<br><br>\\r\\n ダム戦争後も、表立ったいじめはなかったものの、村に非常に居難い雰囲気があったのは間違いない。<br>\\r\\n Even after the dam conflict, it wasn't easy for the Houjou family to live in Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n 家族の暮らしを滅茶苦茶にし、<br>\\r\\n Given all of that,<br>\\r\\n …挙句、自分たちの今日の境遇に追い込んだ根源を園崎家と思い、<br>\\r\\n it's not surprising that Satoshi-kun hates us,<br>\\r\\n …悟史くんが恨んだとしても、お門違いでもなんでもないのだ…。<br>\\r\\n the Sonozaki family who put his family in a devastating situation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「でもさ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"But...<br>\\r\\n ……だったら……なんでなの？<br>\\r\\n why now?<br>\\r\\n ……なんで…今頃になってなの？」<br>\\r\\n Why is he only expressing that grudge to us now?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…なんで……今頃になって……こうなるの…？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Why... is this happening now...?<br>\\r\\n それなら……それならいっそ…。<br>\\r\\n If he wanted to...<br>\\r\\n …………ぅうぅうぅ…！<br>\\r\\n ooohhh......<br>\\r\\n ……ぁぅううぅう…！！」<br>\\r\\n Ahhh...!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私と初めて会った時から、…私を拒絶するような目で睨んでくれたなら。<br>\\r\\n If he had rejected me in the first place...<br><br>\\r\\n ……私は、悟史くんに近付こうと思わなかったのに。<br>\\r\\n ...I wouldn't have wanted to get close to him.<br><br>\\r\\n 両目からぼろぼろとこぼれる熱いものを、私は拭うことも忘れていた。<br>\\r\\n My tears wet my cheeks. I didn't bother to wipe them.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんが園崎の人間を恨むのは道理なのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...It's only natural for him to hold a grudge against the Sonozakis.<br>\\r\\n 何も不自然なことはない。<br>\\r\\n There's nothing unusual about it.<br><br>\\r\\n むしろ。<br>\\r\\n Rather...<br>\\r\\n ……むしろ不自然なのは…どうして今まで親切に。<br>\\r\\n why has he been treating me<br>\\r\\n …普通に扱ってくれたのかの方だ。<br>\\r\\n like a friend?<br>\\r\\n ………それを疑問に思うこと自体が本末転倒だとは思う…。<br>\\r\\n I knew how stupid this question was...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………悟史くんが、<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I think...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……大人だったから、<br>\\r\\n it's because he was\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …としか、<br>\\r\\n mature\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …言えないと思う。」<br>\\r\\n ......\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そッ、……そんなのって………、<br>\\r\\n \\\"I-I can't... understand it\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……ひどいよ…………………。<br>\\r\\n ... <br>\\r\\n …わああぁあぁあぁあん…！！<br>\\r\\n waaaaahhh...!!<br><br>\\r\\n ぁああぁああぁあぁあぁあん！！！」<br>\\r\\n Ahhhhh!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 今までは大人だったから、私が園崎の人間だとしても普通に扱ってくれた？<br>\\r\\n He'd been treating me as a friend because he was mature?<br><br>\\r\\n ……でも今は、…心身共に大変だから……心の奥底の、恨み辛みが噴出して…今になって拒絶するようになったってこと…？<br>\\r\\n ...But now that he'd become stressed mentally and physically, he's decided to reject me...?<br><br>\\r\\n どの角度からどう考えようが。<br>\\r\\n No matter how hard I thought about it,<br>\\r\\n ……私の悔しさに、悟史くんの非を見つけることはできなかった。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't find anything to fault him with.<br><br>\\r\\n むしろ…恨むとしたら、………それは今日まで一度も考えたことのない方向に対してだった。<br>\\r\\n If there were somebody to blame... it'd be somebody I'd never accused before.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………なんで、……鬼婆は悟史くんの一家を苛めようって言い出したわけ…？！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Why... did the hag decide to persecute the Houjou family...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え、………ぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Eh?<br>\\r\\n ……………………ん…。」<br>\\r\\n ...Uh... um...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ダムに賛成したのは悟史くんの親でしょ？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"It was his parents who supported the dam project, right?<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが賛成していたわけじゃないでしょう？！<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun had nothing to do with it!<br>\\r\\n 何で一家まるごと苛めようって話になったの？！<br>\\r\\n Why was he included?<br>\\r\\n どうしてよ！！」<br>\\r\\n Why?!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は言葉を詰まらせたまま、何も言い返せずにいた。<br>\\r\\n Mion couldn't say anything in return.<br><br>\\r\\n お姉がわざわざ口に出さずとも、…私だって薄々とは知っている。<br>\\r\\n Actually, it wasn't at all hard to guess the reason.<br><br>\\r\\n 別に園崎本家が北条家を苛めろとＧＯサインを明確に出したわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n The hag didn't give any specific order to harass the Houjou family.<br><br>\\r\\n あの鬼婆が、北条家を不快に「思っただけ」。<br>\\r\\n She <i>just thought</i> the Houjou family was getting in the way.<br><br>\\r\\n その憂慮が意思として汲み取られ、結果として執行されただけのこと。<br>\\r\\n The people around her noticed what was bothering her, and took steps to get rid of it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも、鬼婆は自分がどう喋ればどう波及して、どう影響が及ぶかは重々理解しているはずだ。<br>\\r\\n Though of course, she must have known how influential her own words were.<br><br>\\r\\n ならばそれは「思っただけ」でなく、明白な命令に他ならない。<br>\\r\\n She didn't just think it. She gave what she must have known would be interpreted as an order.<br>\\r\\n ……鬼婆が、園崎本家が北条家に対する陰湿な攻撃を命令したに他ならない。<br>\\r\\n ...She's the one to blame for initiating the attack on the Houjou family.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「前にお姉は、古手の神主さんのことを、和を乱すのは大人じゃないみたいなことを言いましたよね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You said before that the Furude priest wasn't mature because he didn't cooperate, right?<br>\\r\\n つまりこれもそういうわけ？！<br>\\r\\n Is this the same scenario?!<br>\\r\\n 村中が団結しなきゃならない時に、異を唱える北条家は大人じゃなかったと。<br>\\r\\n The Houjou family wasn't mature because they didn't act in accordance with the other villagers?<br>\\r\\n だから制裁する必要があったと！<br>\\r\\n That's why the hag decided to punish them,<br>\\r\\n そういうわけなんでしょ？！」<br>\\r\\n isn't it?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音はもはや相槌すらも打てなかった。<br>\\r\\n Mion couldn't say anything in return.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は、自分の発言が完全な図星であることを理解する。<br>\\r\\n Meaning that my accusation was the truth.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「なら制裁は北条の親だけで充分じゃない！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"They already punished the Houjou couple!!<br>\\r\\n 本家の拷問室にでも連れ込んで指の一本も撥ねてやったらいいッ！！<br>\\r\\n Feel free to bring them to the torture room in the garden,<br>\\r\\n でもそこまでで充分でしょ？！<br>\\r\\n and chop their fingers off or something,<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは関係ない！！<br>\\r\\n but leave Satoshi-kun alone!!<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんには何の関係もないッ！！<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun has nothing to do with this!!<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが何をしたって言うの？！<br>\\r\\n What did he do to deserve this?!<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんに何の罪があるって言うの？！<br>\\r\\n What did he do wrong?!<br>\\r\\n 答えてよ！！<br>\\r\\n Answer me!!<br>\\r\\n 答えてよ魅音！！<br>\\r\\n Answer me!! Mion!!<br>\\r\\n 魅音んん！！！」<br>\\r\\n Mion!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…ハイ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Very well.<br>\\r\\n ではよろしくお願いいたしますね。<br>\\r\\n Please take care of the matter.<br>\\r\\n 失礼いたします。」<br>\\r\\n nGoodbye.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は突如冷たい声で、他人行儀な言葉を口にすると、私の話を断ち切るように受話器を置いた。<br>\\r\\n Mion suddenly changed her tone and hung up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は瞬間的に、私の詰問から逃れるために受話器を置いたのだと思い、烈火の如く怒りの感情が噴き出すのを感じた。<br>\\r\\n She must have done that to escape from my questions. I was furious.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、本家への電話番号をもう一度ダイヤルしようとして、<br>\\r\\n I started redialing the number,<br>\\r\\n ……魅音のその発言が、鬼婆が来たから電話を打ち切るという取り決めに基づく対応であったことを思い出す。<br>\\r\\n but then I remembered that we'd decided she'd hang up the phone after using that phrase when she saw the hag coming.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …本当に鬼婆が来たかはあやしい。<br>\\r\\n ...I doubted she actually saw the hag.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、取り決めにしたがって切られた以上、私は今、掛けなおすことはできなかった。<br>\\r\\n But it was the rule, so I couldn't call back for a while.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は熱くなり過ぎた自分の頭を冷やそうと、洗面所へと向かう。<br>\\r\\n I went to the bathroom to wash my face and cool down.<br><br>\\r\\n 蛇口をひねると、出てきたのは不快なぬるい水。<br>\\r\\n I turned the faucet. The water felt lukewarm.<br><br>\\r\\n そんなものはいくら顔に叩きつけたところで、わずかの気分転換にもならないのだった。<br>\\r\\n It didn't help me cool down at all.\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 大の字になって、私は天井を見上げているだけだ。<br>\\r\\n I was looking up at the ceiling with my arms and legs spread out.<br><br>\\r\\n お腹が空かないわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n It's not that I wasn't getting hungry.<br><br>\\r\\n …親元にいるわけでなければ学園にいるわけでもない。<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't live with my parents. I didn't live in the school dorm.<br><br>\\r\\n 自分で起き出して何とかしなければ食事は出ない。<br>\\r\\n That meant I had to cook something myself when I wanted to eat.<br><br>\\r\\n そんなことはわかっていても、…起き上がる気にはならなかった。<br>\\r\\n I knew that... but I still didn't feel like getting up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この無気力な生活を始めて、そろそろ数日になろうとしていた。<br>\\r\\n It had been several days since I began this empty life.<br><br>\\r\\n そう言えば、明日だっけ。<br>\\r\\n It must be tomorrow...<br>\\r\\n ………綿流しのお祭りは。<br>\\r\\n The Watanagashi festival, I mean.<br><br>\\r\\n 呼び鈴のチャイムがなる。<br>\\r\\n I heard the doorbell ringing.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 無視していたが、しつこく鳴る。<br>\\r\\n I ignored it at first, but it rung persistently.<br><br>\\r\\n やがてノックと、葛西の無神経な声が聞こえてきた。<br>\\r\\n I started hearing knocking, alongside Kasai's rude voice.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion-san.<br>\\r\\n いらっしゃるなら開けて下さい。<br>\\r\\n Please open up.<br>\\r\\n 弁当を買ってきました。」<br>\\r\\n I bought some food for you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …別に葛西に弁当を買いに行ってもらった覚えはない。<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't ask him to.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、最近、私が食事を取らず、元気をなくして横になっているばかりだということは知っていた。<br>\\r\\n He must've known that I hadn't eaten enough and that I'd been feeling down lately.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……やはり食事を取られていませんでしたか。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......You haven't eaten, have you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「別に。<br>\\r\\n \\\"No......<br>\\r\\n ………お腹が空いてるわけじゃないし。」<br>\\r\\n I'm not hungry.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n だが、葛西の買ってきた弁当が机の上に置かれると、私の嗅覚は敏感に反応し、無様にお腹を鳴らして見せるのだった。<br>\\r\\n But when Kasai put the food on the table, my stomach reacted in a very primitive way by making some noise.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほら、お腹が鳴っている。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Your stomach is growling...<br>\\r\\n …食べた方がいいですよ。」<br>\\r\\n I believe you need to eat.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n お腹は空いても、食欲はない。<br>\\r\\n I was hungry, but had no appetite.<br><br>\\r\\n いや、食欲はあっても、食べる元気がないというのが正解だった。<br>\\r\\n I mean, I did have an appetite, but didn't have the energy to eat.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、せっかく葛西が気にして買ってきてくれた弁当を無駄にするのも悪い。<br>\\r\\n Yet I'd feel bad wasting the food Kasai had brought.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は葛西の顔を立てるだけのために、弁当の箸を取った。<br>\\r\\n I picked up my chopsticks just to humor him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「最近は鬼婆がマークしてるんじゃなかったの？<br>\\r\\n \\\"I thought you were marked by the hag.<br>\\r\\n 私のとこなんかに来て大丈夫なわけ？」<br>\\r\\n Is it okay for you to be here?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「お魎さんは綿流しの打ち合わせ等でお忙しく、詩音さんのことまでは最近は頭が回らないようでしたので。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oryou-san is busy with the festival preparation meetings. She doesn't seem to have time to deal with you right now......<br>\\r\\n ……クリームコロッケは好物ではありませんでしたか？」<br>\\r\\n Didn't you like croquettes?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ん、……おいしいです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmm... they're good.<br>\\r\\n …ありがと。」<br>\\r\\n ...Thanks.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私が弁当を突っつく間、葛西は私が放り出していた雑誌類を漁って読んでいた。<br>\\r\\n While I nibbled on the food, Kasai read through the magazines I bought.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………葛西は、…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Have you...<br>\\r\\n ……ん。」<br>\\r\\n uhh...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西にこういう悩みを打ち明けたことはない。<br>\\r\\n I'd never talked to Kasai about something like this before.<br><br>\\r\\n …精神的に、自分の方が優位に立っていると思っているだけに、葛西に自分の弱みを見せていいものか迷った。<br>\\r\\n ...Since I've always believed myself to him psychologically, I hesitated to show my weaknesses to him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そういう悩みも、年頃にしておくのは悪いものじゃありませんよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"That kind of hardship is healthy for your age.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……！<br>\\r\\n \\\"...!<br>\\r\\n 葛西、あんた…、<br>\\r\\n Hey, do you know\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 全部知ってる…？！」<br>\\r\\n about that...?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「魅音さんから少々。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mion-san told me a little about it.<br>\\r\\n 力になってほしいと頼まれました。」<br>\\r\\n She said she wanted me to assist you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…お姉か。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...She did, did she?<br>\\r\\n ………………ち。」<br>\\r\\n Tssk.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「心配しておられましたよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"She looked worried.<br>\\r\\n 魅音さん。」<br>\\r\\n Your sister is looking out for you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は返事をせず、一口分残しておいた最後のクリームコロッケを口に放り込む。<br>\\r\\n Without responding, I threw the last croquette in my mouth.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「北条悟史くんの近況を知りたがっていると思いまして。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I thought you might want to know how <NAME>-kun is doing.<br>\\r\\n 少し情報を集めてきましたが、余計なお世話でしたか？」<br>\\r\\n I've gathered some information. Would you like me to report?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「余計なお世話です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's not necessary...<br>\\r\\n ………でも、せっかく集めてきた葛西の顔を立てるために、まぁ一応聞いておきます。」<br>\\r\\n but since you went through all the trouble, I think I'd better listen.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は小さく笑ったが、不謹慎だと思ったのかすぐに笑うのを止める。<br>\\r\\n Kasai chuckled, but stopped quickly as if thinking it rude.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「北条鉄平が家を出たらしいです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It seems that Teppei Houjou fled the premises.<br>\\r\\n 興宮に愛人がいまして、そこへ転げ込んだようです。」<br>\\r\\n He seems to be staying at his mistress's place in Okinomiya.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「鉄平？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Teppei?<br>\\r\\n 誰？<br>\\r\\n Who's that?<br>\\r\\n ……あぁ、悟史くんの叔父か。」<br>\\r\\n ......Oh, Satoshi-kun's uncle, huh?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「家には叔母の北条玉枝と北条悟史、沙都子の３人となりました。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Their aunt - <NAME>, Satoshi, and Satoko are the only ones living in the house now.<br>\\r\\n 玉枝は鉄平が愛人の下へ逃げたのだと気付き、大層機嫌を悪くしたらしいですね。」<br>\\r\\n Ever since Tamae learned that Teppei had fled to his mistress, she's been in a foul mood.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ってことはあれだ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"So that must mean...<br>\\r\\n ますます叔母の沙都子苛めが加速して、悟史くんもそれのとばっちりでますますに苦労してるってことか。」<br>\\r\\n that the aunt is being even nastier to Satoko, and Satoshi-kun is taking even more indirect blows.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんの方はわかりませんが、沙都子さんの方は近所でも噂になるくらいに、惨めな目に遭っているようです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't know about Satoshi-kun, but I heard that Satoko-san looks very miserable. The neighbors are spreading rumors about her.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子が被る惨めさは、結局、悟史くんが被る。<br>\\r\\n If Satoko looks miserable,<br>\\r\\n 同じことだ。<br>\\r\\n that means Satoshi-kun must be going through equally miserable torture.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「その叔母って、何とかならないの？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Can't you do something about that aunt?<br>\\r\\n 憎き北条家の片割れなわけだから、園崎本家で制裁しちゃおうって話にはなってないの？」<br>\\r\\n Doesn't anybody talk about punishing her?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 叔父がいなくなったなら、ついでに叔母もいなくなればいい。<br>\\r\\n She's also one of the remaining Houjous, after all.<br>\\r\\n そうすれば万事問題は解決だ。<br>\\r\\n The uncle is gone, so why not the aunt?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…園崎本家としては、北条夫妻の事故死で一応のけじめが付いたので、北条関連では一切手を出すなと厳命が出ています。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...The main Sonozaki family ruled against further harassment toward the Houjou family after the death of the couple.<br>\\r\\n 夫妻の事故死を疑う警察が、北条家近辺を未だマークしているという噂がありますので。」<br>\\r\\n They say the police still might be staking out their house, due to suspicions about the couple's death.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「事故死はオヤシロさまの祟りってことになってるからね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Their deaths have been filed under Oyashiro-sama's curse.<br>\\r\\n 神罰が下ったんなら、それ以上は人間が下すまでもないってこと？」<br>\\r\\n So the Sonozaki family thinks no further divine intervention is necessary?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は曖昧に笑って応えた。<br>\\r\\n Kasai put on a faint smile.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 今さらだが。<br>\\r\\n Come to think of it...<br><br>\\r\\n …こうして考えると、オヤシロさまの祟りってのは全部、本家の意思が反映しているとしか思えない。<br>\\r\\n ...It is hard not to suspect the involvement of the Sonozaki family in all the incidents said to be Oyashiro-sama's curse.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆の憂慮に、誰かが気を利かせる。<br>\\r\\n Somebody strives to get rid of the hag's concerns<br>\\r\\n 綿流しの祭りの当日に。<br>\\r\\n on the day of the Watanagashi festival.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう。<br>\\r\\n Furthermore,<br>\\r\\n 綿流しは明日じゃないか。<br>\\r\\n the Watanagashi festival is going to be held tomorrow.<br><br>\\r\\n ……今年も、今日もオヤシロさまの祟りは起こるのだろうか？<br>\\r\\n ......Will the curse strike again this year?<br><br>\\r\\n 起こるなら、…今年の祟りは誰に？<br>\\r\\n If so... who will be the victim?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そういえばオヤシロさまの祟りって、必ず１人が犠牲というわけじゃなかった気がする。<br>\\r\\n Now that I think about it... there were cases of multiple victims in the past.<br><br>\\r\\n １年目と３年目は１人だが、２年目は夫妻そろってだから２人死んでる。<br>\\r\\n The first and third year, it was just one, but the second year, the victims were a couple.<br><br>\\r\\n なら４年目の今年は２人が犠牲になってくれても良さそうだ。<br>\\r\\n So it wouldn't be too strange if two people fell victim this year.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 丁度いいじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n It seems like a good time.<br><br>\\r\\n 叔母と沙都子が犠牲になってしまえばいい。<br>\\r\\n It'd be best for Satoko and her aunt to be the victims.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんを悩ませる二人が丸ごと消えてくれれば、悟史くんは全ての悩みから解放される！<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun will be freed from every source of his worries all at once!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………葛西。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Kasai,<br>\\r\\n 今年のオヤシロさまの祟りの犠牲者は誰かって、もう決まってるの？」<br>\\r\\n do you know if this year's victim has been selected already?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"..................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「決めるのは鬼婆？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Does the hag make the decision?<br>\\r\\n …ならお姉は明日の犠牲者をもう知ってるってことになるな。<br>\\r\\n If so, Sis should know about it by now.<br>\\r\\n どうなの葛西。<br>\\r\\n Kasai,<br>\\r\\n 何か聞かされてる？」<br>\\r\\n do you know anything?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音さん、……私はその件については一切聞かされていません。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion-san... I don't know anything about that matter.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…まぁ、そりゃあそうか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Well, that makes sense.<br>\\r\\n 葛西ごときの耳に本家の最高機密が入るわけもないか。」<br>\\r\\n That kind of secret won't make its way to you, because you're just small fry.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………そういうことです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...That's true.<br>\\r\\n 少なくとも、私の関係する界隈では、そういう話は下りてきていません。<br>\\r\\n I've never received any information regarding that from my connections.<br>\\r\\n ですが、…ご存知の通り、本家は裏の世界の方々に通じます。<br>\\r\\n But as you know... the Sonozaki family has access to many underground organizations,<br>\\r\\n 私にはその一部を垣間見ることもかないません。」<br>\\r\\n which I have no channels into.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……お姉に単刀直入に聞いてみようかとも思った。<br>\\r\\n ...Maybe I could try asking Sis about it...<br>\\r\\n …だが、喋るまい。<br>\\r\\n but she won't talk.<br><br>\\r\\n あいつは、私と比べると約束事に義理堅い。<br>\\r\\n She's strict about keeping promises, unlike me.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆に、口外してはならないと釘を刺されたら、絶対に口を開かない堅さがある。<br>\\r\\n If the hag told her to keep a secret, she'd take it to her grave.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………ちぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Damn...<br>\\r\\n …今年の綿流しで、叔母と沙都子が消えちまえばいいのにな。」<br>\\r\\n I hope Satoko and her aunt will go missing this year.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……葛西、私は『憂慮』したよ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Hey, Kasai, I just <i>thought</i> of that.<br>\\r\\n 気を利かせてくれるとうれしいんですけど。」<br>\\r\\n Aren't you going to do something about it?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音さん、ご冗談を…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion-san... you must be joking...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「わぁってるって。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah.<br>\\r\\n 言ってみただけだって。」<br>\\r\\n I'm just kidding.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そうおどけながら、ちらりと葛西をもう一度見る。<br>\\r\\n I took a glimpse at Kasai.<br><br>\\r\\n ……だが、葛西が私の期待する形で気を利かしてくれそうな素振りはまるでなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...It didn't look like he was actually going to do something to make my wish come true.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は村には行けない。<br>\\r\\n I wasn't able to go to the village as myself.<br><br>\\r\\n だから明日の綿流しなどどうでもいいし、見に行くつもりも初めからない。<br>\\r\\n So, I definitely wasn't going to the festival. I didn't care about that.<br><br>\\r\\n だけれど、……きっと起こる今年の祟りの犠牲者にだけは興味があった。<br>\\r\\n Even so... I was interested in who was going to end up as the victim of the curse.<br><br>\\r\\n 私がこのままだらだらと、ソファーの上でだらけて過せば、多分もう何十時間くらいかで今年も祟りが執行されるだろう。<br>\\r\\n If I just kept lying on this couch, playing hooky, somebody would fall victim in several hours.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 祟りがどういう意味で行なわれてるのかなんて、私にはわからない。<br>\\r\\n I had no clue why it had to happen every year.<br><br>\\r\\n だが恐らく、鬼婆が何らかの考えに基づいてやっているのは間違いない。<br>\\r\\n But I was certain that the hag was behind it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ダム戦争の時以来の村の仇敵に次々と制裁を下していく。<br>\\r\\n All the enemies from the dam conflict had been punished.<br><br>\\r\\n …ぱっと考えれば、もっともらしい仇敵がほとんどいなくなった今、次にもっともらしい村の仇敵は、北条の叔父叔母夫婦しか思いつかない。<br>\\r\\n ...Only the Houjou couple was left, since most of the other enemies had already gone.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 外はセミの声で充満していて、気だるさを誘うだけ。<br>\\r\\n The cicadas were crying loudly outside. It made me feel hot.<br><br>\\r\\n なんだって今年は、まだ６月だってのにこんなに蒸し暑いんだろう。<br>\\r\\n Why was it this hot and humid in June?<br><br>\\r\\n 私はもしも本当にオヤシロさまが祟りを下しているのだとしたら、……オヤシロさまに祈ろうと思った。<br>\\r\\n If Oyashiro-sama was actually punishing people...... I'd pray for one thing.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n どうか悟史くんを苛める意地悪な叔母に神罰を与えて下さい。<br>\\r\\n I'd pray that the evil aunt would be punished,<br>\\r\\n その見返りに、沙都子を差し出します、<br>\\r\\n and I'd offer up Satoko\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n と。<br>\\r\\n as a sacrifice.<br><br>\\r\\n はぁ。<br>\\r\\n Hah\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………………<br>\\r\\n ...............\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 暑い。<br>\\r\\n It's hot.<br><br>\\r\\n 目が覚めたとき、もう葛西の姿はなかった。<br>\\r\\n When I woke up, Kasai had already gone.<br><br>\\r\\n 食い散らかした弁当箱などのゴミはちゃんと片され、部屋も少し片付けられていた。<br>\\r\\n Looks like he cleaned the table and the surrounding room.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 脱ぎっぱなしにしていた靴下なども、いつの間にか洗濯機前のカゴの中に放り込まれている。<br>\\r\\n He put my dirty laundry into the hamper in front of the washing machine too.<br><br>\\r\\n …年頃の女の部屋を、いくら葛西とは言え、男に片付けられたくない…。<br>\\r\\n ...Being a girl of a sensitive age, I didn't want a man to clean my room.<br><br>\\r\\n まぁ、悪態をつくより、忠臣の気遣いを感謝すべきか。<br>\\r\\n Well, I'd rather thank him than badmouth him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 時計を見ると、昼とも夕方とも付かない曖昧な時間だった。<br>\\r\\n I looked at the clock. It was late afternoon.<br><br>\\r\\n ……今日こそ買い物に行かなくちゃ。<br>\\r\\n ...I had to go grocery shopping.<br><br>\\r\\n 冷蔵庫の中にはもう何もない。<br>\\r\\n There was nothing left in the fridge,<br>\\r\\n …今日こそ買い物に行かなきゃ、本当に今夜は白米のご飯しか食べられない。<br>\\r\\n and I'd be having just rice for dinner if I didn't go.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時。<br>\\r\\n At that moment.<br><br>\\r\\n ………電話が鳴った。<br>\\r\\n ......The phone rang.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 買い物のことばかり考えていたから、私はきっと葛西に違いないと思った。<br>\\r\\n It must be Kasai, I thought.<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西なら好都合だ。<br>\\r\\n I did hope it was him.<br><br>\\r\\n …弁当でいいから、何か買って来てもらおう。<br>\\r\\n ...He could have brought more food,<br>\\r\\n それで買い物に行く手間は省ける。<br>\\r\\n so then I wouldn't have to go shopping......<br>\\r\\n ……そんな怠惰じゃ駄目だな。<br>\\r\\n While I was just being lazy...<br>\\r\\n …でも、今日だけは…。<br>\\r\\n I didn't feel like going out at all.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが。<br>\\r\\n But...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 電話の相手は違った。<br>\\r\\n It wasn't Kasai on the phone.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………お姉。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Sis...<br>\\r\\n …そこ、どこ？<br>\\r\\n where are you calling from?<br>\\r\\n 本家じゃない？」<br>\\r\\n The house?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh, no...<br>\\r\\n …公衆電話から掛けてる。<br>\\r\\n I'm calling from a pay phone,<br>\\r\\n だから手短に話すよ。<br>\\r\\n so I'll make it quick...<br>\\r\\n ………悟史から電話が来たんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n Satoshi called me.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…悟史くんが？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Satoshi-kun did?<br>\\r\\n お姉に？」<br>\\r\\n He called you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………多分、私にじゃないと思う。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......It probably wasn't me he wanted.<br>\\r\\n 詩音にだと思う。<br>\\r\\n He called you, I think...<br>\\r\\n …悟史くんは、……先日の教室での件を謝りたがってるみたいだった。<br>\\r\\n It sounded like he wanted to apologize for what happened the other day...<br>\\r\\n …だから、……その電話は詩音が受けた方がいいと思って。」<br>\\r\\n so I thought you should take the call.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史の電話は、今ちょっと忙しいからすぐ掛け直すって言って切ってあるの。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I told him that I'd call back because I was busy...<br>\\r\\n ……だから詩音は、今から私が言う電話番号に電話してあげて…。」<br>\\r\\n so, can you call this number...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………ん、わ、わかった…！」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Um, o-okay...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は少し呆けた後、我に返り、雑誌の背表紙の余白部分に電話番号を書き取った。<br>\\r\\n I was stunned for a second, but then recovered and wrote down the number on the back of a magazine.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…ありがと。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Thanks.<br>\\r\\n すぐに電話します。」<br>\\r\\n I'll call right away.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そうしてあげて。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Good...<br>\\r\\n ……悟史は最近、すごく追い詰められてるの。<br>\\r\\n He's been extremely stressed these days...<br>\\r\\n ………私の声はもう届かないみたいだけど、<br>\\r\\n I don't think he'll listen to me anymore, but\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……詩音の声なら、…ひょっとすると届くかもしれないって、……何の根拠もなく、思ってる。」<br>\\r\\n I think he'll listen to you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n お姉は私のふりをして悟史くんの電話をやりとりすることだって出来たはずだ。<br>\\r\\n She could have pretended to be me and handled his call.<br><br>\\r\\n ……だがその電話を敢えて中断し、私に取り次いでくれた。<br>\\r\\n ......But she passed it over to me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ありがとう。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Thanks,<br>\\r\\n …魅音。」<br>\\r\\n Mion...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃね…、…詩音。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"See you, Shion...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は魅音が電話を切るのを待たず、受話器を置き。<br>\\r\\n Before she hung up, I put the handset down.<br>\\r\\n わずかの躊躇の後、呼吸を止めて一気に書きとめた電話番号をダイヤルした。<br>\\r\\n Then after a second, I dialed the number in a flash.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n やがて、呼び出し音が、<br>\\r\\n I heard the dial tone\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …三度、<br>\\r\\n ...three times,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …四度。<br>\\r\\n four times......<br>\\r\\n ……出た。<br>\\r\\n and there he was.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………北条です。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Houjou residence.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんのちょっぴり大人びた声が私を迎える。<br>\\r\\n He sounded like an adult.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その声は、少し疲労の色を残しながらも、…私の大好きだった悟史くんのあの声に間違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n His voice sounded a bit tired too, but it definitely was the voice I loved.<br><br>\\r\\n ……だからこそ。<br>\\r\\n ...I got scared.<br><br>\\r\\n …自分が名乗れば、また不機嫌な彼に戻ってしまうのではないかと思い、……しばらくの間、息を飲み込むばかりで、名乗ることもできなかった…。<br>\\r\\n ...I was scared that he might become sulky again if I mentioned my name... I couldn't open my mouth for a while.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、……の、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………悟史くん<br>\\r\\n is that you,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………ですよね？」<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ぁ………、さっきはごめん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh... sorry that I called you so suddenly.<br>\\r\\n …もう時間は大丈夫なの……？」<br>\\r\\n Are you okay now?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、…悟史くんでいてくれた。<br>\\r\\n That was the Satoshi-kun I knew.<br><br>\\r\\n …冷たく拒絶した、あの悪夢のような日を感じさせる声色はなくなっていた。<br>\\r\\n ...He didn't sound cold like the other day.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Yes...<br>\\r\\n ……全然平気です。」<br>\\r\\n I'm okay now.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……ぁ、…………………うん。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Uh... good.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは小さく頷くように言うと、そのまま口を噤んでしまう。<br>\\r\\n After that, he went silent.<br><br>\\r\\n ……何だか、…私から先に喋らなければいけないように錯覚させられてしまう。<br>\\r\\n ...I felt the urge to start a conversation.<br><br>\\r\\n …こんなのずるい。悟史くんから掛けてきた電話なのに……。<br>\\r\\n ...It wasn't fair. He was the one who called in the first place...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それでも私が先に何かを言わなければならないような、強迫観念に取り付かれた頃。<br>\\r\\n Then,<br>\\r\\n …ようやく悟史くんは話しかけてくれた。<br>\\r\\n he finally spoke.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………先日は、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I'm truly sorry\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………ごめん。」<br>\\r\\n for what happened the other day.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ぁ、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …ぅ…、<br>\\r\\n hmm...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n わ、私こそ、<br>\\r\\n I'm...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………ごめんなさいです…！」<br>\\r\\n sorry too...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……魅音は謝らなくていいよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...You don't have to apologize...<br>\\r\\n …僕がどうかしてた。」<br>\\r\\n because I was the one in the wrong.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、…きっと私が目の前に居たなら、私の頭を撫でていたに違いない。<br>\\r\\n If this were a face-to-face conversation, he would be stroking my head...<br>\\r\\n ……受話器越しであることが悲しかった。<br>\\r\\n It was sad just talking to him over the phone.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……僕は、…僕たちをここまで追い込んだ奴らを絶対に許しはしない。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I won't forgive those people who forced us into this situation...<br>\\r\\n ……そいつ等は、魅音のとても近くにいるのかもしれないけれど。<br>\\r\\n you might be close to them,<br>\\r\\n でも、……決して、魅音じゃなかったんだ。<br>\\r\\n but it was never you personally...<br>\\r\\n ……だから、……僕は君にだけは謝ろうと思って。」<br>\\r\\n So I wanted to apologize.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………うぅん、……気にしないで。…<br>\\r\\n \\\"......No, please don't apologize...<br>\\r\\n 私だって、悟史くんのことをよく理解しようともせず、…無神経だった。」<br>\\r\\n I was selfish and didn't try to understand your situation very well......\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私たちはしばらくの間、謝られては相手を制し、謝っては制せられを何度か繰り返した。<br>\\r\\n We apologized to each other a few times.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…それより、悟史くん…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Are you all right,<br>\\r\\n ………大丈夫…？<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun...?<br>\\r\\n いろいろと大変なのに、…沙都子の誕生日プレゼントのためにアルバイトまでして。<br>\\r\\n You're working, and you're under a lot of stress......<br>\\r\\n ………だいぶ、…追い詰められてるんじゃない……？」<br>\\r\\n Isn't that too much to handle?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………もう、バイトは辞めたよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I quit my job<br>\\r\\n 目標額のお金は、何とか貯められたみたいだからね。」<br>\\r\\n since I have enough money now.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…そうなんだ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...You did...?<br>\\r\\n なら、…もう体を無理させなくていいんですね。<br>\\r\\n That's good. You don't have to push yourself anymore, then...<br>\\r\\n ……本当によかった…。」<br>\\r\\n That's really good.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんはそこで何かを言い返そうとしたようだったが、それは結局、飲み込まれたようだった。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun tried to say something, but he dropped it instead.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「僕より、…………沙都子の方が、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Satoko...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …辛い。」<br>\\r\\n has it far worse than me.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…沙都子、……大変なことになっていますね…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Seems like it...<br>\\r\\n ……大丈夫なんですか…？」<br>\\r\\n Is she all right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……あれが、…大丈夫なように見えるのかよ……？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Does she look all right to you...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの声色が急にどす黒くなる。<br>\\r\\n He suddenly sounded upset...<br>\\r\\n …私は瞬時に失言を理解した。<br>\\r\\n I'd messed up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ご、ごごご、ごめん！<br>\\r\\n \\\"S-S-Sorry!<br>\\r\\n ごめんなさい…！<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry...!<br>\\r\\n ごめんなさい…！」<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私の馬鹿…！！<br>\\r\\n I was so stupid...!!<br><br>\\r\\n せっかく…せっかく悟史くんと話ができてたのに、…自分でそれにひびを入れるなんて…！！<br>\\r\\n I had ruined this miraculous conversation with him...!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは私の謝罪には特に答えなかった。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun didn't respond to my apology...<br>\\r\\n ……私は謝罪の言葉を途切る。<br>\\r\\n so I stopped apologizing.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………あんなに、…ぼろぼろになるまで虐め抜かれて。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...She was tortured until she was literally torn up...<br>\\r\\n ……みんな、…見捨てた。<br>\\r\\n And everybody abandoned her...<br>\\r\\n 沙都子を、見捨てた…。」<br>\\r\\n Everybody did.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「み、…………見捨てたつもりなんて………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I... I didn't...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんに言葉を合わせるために使ったにしたって。<br>\\r\\n I tried to calm him down...<br>\\r\\n ……なんて白々しい言葉だろう？！<br>\\r\\n I hated what I just said because of how hollow it sounded.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 自分が軽々しく口にした、その言葉の罪深さに。<br>\\r\\n I had no idea what to say next.<br>\\r\\n …私は口をつぐむしかない。<br>\\r\\n I felt guilty.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは必死に沙都子を叔母の悪意から守ろうと必死なのに。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun was desperate to protect Satoko from their evil aunt.<br><br>\\r\\n …私はその沙都子のことなんか、明日の祟りで死んでしまえと願っている。<br>\\r\\n ...But I'd wished that Satoko would die tomorrow because of the curse.<br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんの必死を、私は見捨てているのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...I was trampling on his desperate hope.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………沙都子は…、もう擦り切れる直前なんだ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Satoko can't take it anymore...<br>\\r\\n ……だから…、<br>\\r\\n so...<br>\\r\\n ………………。<br>\\r\\n ..................\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 」<br>\\r\\n \\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、だから…で切り、続く言葉をしばらく口に出来なかった。<br>\\r\\n He cut himself off in the middle...<br><br>\\r\\n 口に出来ない、というより、…言葉を選んでいるような。<br>\\r\\n And went quiet for a moment.<br>\\r\\n そんな感じ…。<br>\\r\\n He must have been choosing his words carefully...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n やがて、…適当な言葉。<br>\\r\\n Then, he finally spoke.<br><br>\\r\\n あるいは無難な言葉が思いついたのか、それを口にした。<br>\\r\\n His words sounded hollow.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………だから。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I mean...<br>\\r\\n ………せめて、一夜くらい、遊ばせてやりたいんだ。」<br>\\r\\n I want her to have fun for one night.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…え？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Eh?<br>\\r\\n 遊ばせるって………？」<br>\\r\\n What do you mean...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ほら、……明日は綿流しのお祭りじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"The Watanagashi festival is tomorrow, isn't it?<br>\\r\\n 沙都子を、祭りに連れ出してやってほしいんだ。」<br>\\r\\n I want you to take her there.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「それは構わないけど、……どうして？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, I can do that, but... why?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………沙都子も色々とまいってる。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......She's exhausted,<br>\\r\\n …たとえ一夜でも、…叔母さんのいないところで羽を伸ばせたなら、…きっと喜ぶと思うんだ。」<br>\\r\\n so... I think she'd be happy if she could get away from our aunt for even just one night.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………だから、…………どうして？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...But... why...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…どうして、って………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Why...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが、私に沙都子を祭りに連れて行けと言っていることが分からないんじゃない。<br>\\r\\n It's not that I didn't understand why he wanted her taken to the festival.<br><br>\\r\\n ……どうして、それを私に頼むのか。<br>\\r\\n ...What I didn't understand is why he was asking me to do that.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんには、自分で沙都子を祭りに連れて行けない何か理由があるのか。<br>\\r\\n Was there any reason he couldn't take her there himself?<br><br>\\r\\n その理由が、なぜか悟史くんがいなくなってしまうことのような気がして、…私は悟史くんに食い下がる。<br>\\r\\n I had a hunch that he might disappear... so I kept asking...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…どうしてって、………何がだい…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...What do you mean, why...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……どうして、………悟史くんが自分で連れて行ってあげないの…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Why don't you take her yourself...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………ん、………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Um......\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは…沈黙する。<br>\\r\\n He fell silent.<br><br>\\r\\n 隠し事や嘘なんかが得意なタイプじゃない。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun isn't good at lying or keeping secrets.<br><br>\\r\\n ……言いたくない都合があるという、これ以上ない返事のようなものだった。<br>\\r\\n ...It was clear that he wanted to hide something.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…よ、………用事だよ<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I-I just have some stuff that I need to take care of with my work tomorrow...<br>\\r\\n 。…僕、…明日はちょっとバイトの関係で用事があって…、どうしても祭りに行けないんだ。」<br>\\r\\n so I can't go to the festival.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 口からの出任せだとすぐわかる。<br>\\r\\n He was lying.<br><br>\\r\\n ……でも、悟史くんは強情な人だから。<br>\\r\\n ...But, he was also stubborn.<br><br>\\r\\n 私がそれを看破していることを告げても、白状はしないだろう。<br>\\r\\n He wouldn't admit it if I accused him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…ね、…魅音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mion,<br>\\r\\n ……明日の夜だけ、沙都子を頼めないかな……。」<br>\\r\\n can you... take her there tomorrow...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの頼みでも。<br>\\r\\n I wouldn't want to look after Satoko<br>\\r\\n …沙都子のお守りなんて御免だと思った。<br>\\r\\n even at Satoshi-kun's request...<br>\\r\\n ……でも、悟史くんが私を頼ってくれたのも、…うれしい。<br>\\r\\n but I'm also glad that he's relying on me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あれだけの暴言をぶつけて、…それを謝るついでにこんな事を頼むなんて、…悪いことだとは思ってるけど…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I know it's ridiculous to ask for your help after that incident...<br>\\r\\n …………魅音だけが頼りなんだ。」<br>\\r\\n but you're the only person I can turn to now.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……私はしばらくの間、返事を戸惑っていた。<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't know what to say.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、結局のところ、私は悟史くんの頼みを断るつもりなどない。<br>\\r\\n I did know, though, that I wasn't going to turn down his request.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Okay...<br>\\r\\n ………わかった。<br>\\r\\n but just for tomorrow.<br>\\r\\n ……明日の晩だけ、……だよ？」<br>\\r\\n All right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あははは…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahaha...<br>\\r\\n 出来たら、明日の晩だけじゃなく、これからもずっとがいいなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n I hope you'll keep looking after her.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「何言ってるんですか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"What are you saying?<br>\\r\\n そんなの嫌です。<br>\\r\\n I won't do that.<br>\\r\\n 明日だけですからね。」<br>\\r\\n Just for tomorrow.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの言い方がまるで、自分は明日にもいなくなってしまうようだった。<br>\\r\\n He sounded as if he were going to disappear tomorrow.<br><br>\\r\\n …私はそれが嫌で、少し不機嫌に突っ返す。<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't like the sound of that, so I intentionally sounded sulky.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それからしばらくの間。<br>\\r\\n We talked about trivial stuff<br>\\r\\n ……他愛のない話に花を咲かせた。<br>\\r\\n for just a little while.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、…電話を切ろうという時に、悟史くんは不意に切り出す。<br>\\r\\n When the conversation was almost over, Satoshi-kun asked something else.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ね、……魅音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey... ...Mion.<br>\\r\\n ……………こんな事を話すと、きっと精神的に病んでるって思われるんで、本当は嫌なんだけど…。」<br>\\r\\n ......I really hate asking this, since you might think I'm crazy for saying it, but...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hm?<br>\\r\\n どうしたんですか？」<br>\\r\\n What?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………魅音は、…あははははは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...You... ahahahahaha...<br>\\r\\n 信じないよね？」<br>\\r\\n ...don't believe in it, right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「何をですか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Believe in what?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………ん、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Um\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………ほら、<br>\\r\\n ...<br><br>\\r\\n ………オヤシロさまの、<br>\\r\\n ...in Oyashiro-sama's\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 祟り。」<br>\\r\\n curse.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、…あはははは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh... ahahahaha.<br>\\r\\n 悟史くん、何の話ですか…？」<br>\\r\\n What are you talking about, Satoshi-kun?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「オヤシロさまは確かほら、…村を捨てて逃げ出そうとすると祟るでしょ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oyashiro-sama curses those who leave the village, right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n そういうルールになってる。<br>\\r\\n That's the rule.<br><br>\\r\\n この辺の子どもなら誰だって知ってることだ。<br>\\r\\n Every kid in the village knows that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…あはは、そう言うことになってましたね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Ahaha,<br>\\r\\n どうしたんです？<br>\\r\\n that's the rule.<br>\\r\\n 突然。<br>\\r\\n What's with that suddenly?<br>\\r\\n …村を捨てて逃げようとでもしてるんですか？」<br>\\r\\n ...Are you planning to leave?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 茶化したように言いながら、否定の言葉がほしくて悟史くんに食いつく。<br>\\r\\n Though I was kidding, I wanted him to deny it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………もうそんな気はないんだ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I'm not thinking about that...<br>\\r\\n …もう。」<br>\\r\\n anymore.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの言い方は、一度は村を捨てようと思ったことを認める言い方だ。<br>\\r\\n He admitted that he had thought of it.<br><br>\\r\\n ……前にレナにもそんなことを聞いたような気がする。<br>\\r\\n ...I guess Rena told me that much.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…いいじゃないですか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...That's good.<br>\\r\\n もうそんな気がないのなら。」<br>\\r\\n So you're not leaving the village?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………でも…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...No, but...<br>\\r\\n ………まだ、許してもらえないんだ。」<br>\\r\\n I haven't been forgiven yet...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…え…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Eh...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんはしばらくの間、何か言おうとしてはそれを飲み込んでした。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun tried to say something but hesitated.<br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんの息が荒いような気がする。<br>\\r\\n ...He was breathing so heavily...<br>\\r\\n …ひょっとして具合でも悪いのだろうか。<br>\\r\\n Was he sick?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…あの、…悟史くん？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hey...<br>\\r\\n 具合、悪いの…？」<br>\\r\\n do you feel all right, Satoshi-kun?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………ぁ、……ごめん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Uh... sorry.<br>\\r\\n …うぅん、そういうわけじゃないんだ。」<br>\\r\\n ...I'm fine.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……悟史くんは少し頑張り過ぎたから、いろいろ疲れてるんです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I guess you're tired.<br>\\r\\n 少し休んだ方がいいです…。」<br>\\r\\n I think you should get some rest.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 電話を始めた最初と違い、明らかに悟史くんは体調を悪くしているようだった。<br>\\r\\n He sounded distinctly more sickly from when this conversation had started.<br><br>\\r\\n 言葉の節々に荒い息が混じるようになっているように感じる。<br>\\r\\n He breathed heavily when punctuating his words.<br><br>\\r\\n だが悟史くんは私の言葉を遮り、最初の問いをもう一度した。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun repeated his question.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……魅音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mion,<br>\\r\\n 最初の質問をもう一度するよ。<br>\\r\\n I'll ask you one more time...<br>\\r\\n …魅音はオヤシロさまの祟りって、…存在すると思うかい…？」<br>\\r\\n Do you believe in Oyashiro-sama's curse...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ………この問いで、悟史くんはどんな答えを期待しているのだろう。<br>\\r\\n ...What did he want me to say?<br><br>\\r\\n …私が信じる、信じないを別にして、…何と答えれば悟史くんを安心させてあげられるだろう。<br>\\r\\n ...Could I make him feel relieved with my answer? How should I respond?<br><br>\\r\\n …そんなのは決まってる。<br>\\r\\n ...The answer was simple.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…あははははははは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Ahahahahaha.<br>\\r\\n ……祟りなんて、あるわけないじゃないですか。」<br>\\r\\n ...There's no curse. There can't possibly be.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが何を悩んでいるかわからないけれど。<br>\\r\\n I didn't know what was bothering him.<br><br>\\r\\n 笑い飛ばすことによって、少しでも肩の荷を軽くしてあげられればと思い、私はそう答えた。<br>\\r\\n But I wanted to make him feel better by laughing his worries away.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n だが悟史くんは短く沈黙する。<br>\\r\\n But Satoshi-kun instead fell silent.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私の答えを喜んでいるのか、悲しんでいるか。<br>\\r\\n ...I couldn't tell<br>\\r\\n それだけでは分からない。<br>\\r\\n if he was happy with my answer or not.<br><br>\\r\\n 一つ分かるのは、…彼の肩の荷を軽くしてはあげられなかったことだった。<br>\\r\\n One thing was certain... I didn't make him feel any better.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…変なことを聞いて、ごめん。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Sorry that I asked such a weird question.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、……ぁ、…ご、ごめん…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah... uh... sorry...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n なぜか悟史くんを落胆させた気がして、私は慌てて謝る。<br>\\r\\n I felt like I let him down, so I apologized in a rush.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…祟りだろうと、この村の何者かの陰謀だろうと。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Whether it's a real curse or somebody's conspiracy...<br>\\r\\n …僕は絶対に消えない、消されない。」<br>\\r\\n I won't disappear, and I won't fall victim to it.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「き、消えないよ、悟史くんは…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Y-You won't disappear...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「消えないよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"No...<br>\\r\\n ……沙都子にあのぬいぐるみを買ってやるまではね。<br>\\r\\n not until I buy that teddy bear.<br>\\r\\n もうすぐお給料がもらえることになってる。<br>\\r\\n I'll get the money pretty soon.<br>\\r\\n その日までは絶対に消えない。」<br>\\r\\n I won't go anywhere until then.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは最後に軽く笑ってみせる。<br>\\r\\n He chuckled.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の不安を払拭するつもりで笑ったのだろうが、私にはまるで逆。<br>\\r\\n I knew he was trying to relieve me, but it worked the opposite way.<br><br>\\r\\n …沙都子にぬいぐるみを買ったら、あとは何の保証もできないというようにしか聞こえなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...He sounded as though he didn't care what would happen after he bought the teddy bear.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………あ、……叔母さんが帰ってきたから、もう切るよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Oh... my aunt is home. I have to go.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、……ぅん…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh... okay.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……魅音。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mion.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…何？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Huh?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 叔母が帰ってきて、一刻も早く受話器を置きたいだろうに。<br>\\r\\n Even though he wanted to hang up the phone because of his aunt coming back--<br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんは一呼吸置いて、一番大事な一言を告げるように言った。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoshi-kun took a breath to tell me something important.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「沙都子のこと、<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'll leave...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………頼むからね。」<br>\\r\\n Satoko to you.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は即答で頷いて、せめて悟史くんを安心させるべきだった。<br>\\r\\n I should've said yes right away.<br><br>\\r\\n …なのにこの時の私は、…沙都子のことをまだ許せていなくて。<br>\\r\\n ...But I still couldn't forgive Satoko...<br>\\r\\n ……黙り込んでしまった。<br>\\r\\n so I just kept quiet.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………変なこと頼んで、ごめん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Forget what I said...<br>\\r\\n ……じゃ。」<br>\\r\\n Bye.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは…明らかに落胆した。<br>\\r\\n He was obviously disappointed.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は…何てことを…！<br>\\r\\n What had I done?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 謝ろうとした。<br>\\r\\n I wanted to apologize.<br>\\r\\n 一言、ごめん！って言えればよかった。<br>\\r\\n I wished I could.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、………遅かった。<br>\\r\\n But... it was too late.<br><br>\\r\\n ツーツーという電子音が、……悲しかった。<br>\\r\\n The dial tone left no doubt. Now that was depressing.\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 綿流しの日。<br>\\r\\n The day of the Watanagashi festival.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 昭和５７年６月２０日 午後１時４０分<br>\\r\\n June 20th, 1982 1:40 PM<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n この日の私は何をして過していただろう？<br>\\r\\n What was I doing today?<br><br>\\r\\n 何の記憶もない。<br>\\r\\n Nothing in particular.<br><br>\\r\\n ただ怠惰に。<br>\\r\\n Nothing at all.<br>\\r\\n ……無駄に無意味に、ぼーっと過しただけだった。<br>\\r\\n I just wanted to play hooky.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 起き出したのは昼過ぎ。<br>\\r\\n I woke up in the afternoon.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はレトルトで作れる適当な昼ごはんを食べながら、大して面白くもないテレビをぼーっと眺めるだけだった。<br>\\r\\n I ate instant food for lunch while watching boring TV programs.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、何となく軽い頭痛を感じ、ソファーに横になる。<br>\\r\\n I had a light headache, so I lay down on the sofa.<br><br>\\r\\n 多分、このまま目を閉じれば、日が出ている内には起きれないなと思った。<br>\\r\\n I wouldn't wake up again if I went to sleep.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …それでもいいか。<br>\\r\\n ...Whatever.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はそのまま惰眠を決め込む。<br>\\r\\n I decided to sleep.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんに言われたように、沙都子のことを頼むとお姉には伝えてある。<br>\\r\\n ...I'd already told Sis that Satoshi-kun had asked her to look after Satoko.<br><br>\\r\\n 今日、私がしなくてはならないことなど、何もない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't have to do anything myself.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は緩い頭痛と一緒に、まどろみの中に落ちて行った…。<br>\\r\\n I fell asleep, though my head was aching a little bit...<br><br>\\r\\n 私にとっては、これだけの意味しかない日。<br>\\r\\n That would be all I'd have to deal with.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 昭和５７年６月２０日 午後５時０２分<br>\\r\\n June 20th, 1982 5:02 PM\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 叔母は、今も兄夫婦がダム計画に肯定したため、自分が村人たちに白い目で見られていると信じていた。<br>\\r\\n The aunt believed that all the villagers frowned upon her because her brother-in-law and his wife were pro-dam activists.<br><br>\\r\\n 確かに、ダム戦争中には少なからずのとばっちりがあったことは認めなければならない。<br>\\r\\n She surely experienced some fallout during the time of the dispute.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、叔母が思い込んでいるほど、今もそうというわけではなかった。<br>\\r\\n But people had stopped looking coldly upon her, even though she assumed otherwise.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 叔母は被害妄想的に、自分が村人から悪意を向けられていると信じていた。<br>\\r\\n She was paranoid, believing that all the villagers hated her.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、そんな悪意を裏返しにし、村人たちを逆恨みしていた。<br>\\r\\n And so, she decided to hate them back.<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、そんな態度は他の村人たちを大いに不愉快にし。<br>\\r\\n Her attitude, of course, begot hatred from the villagers...<br>\\r\\n …結局、叔母が思い込んでいる通りのご近所関係となった。<br>\\r\\n and the situation became exactly the way she thought it was from the start.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんな不快な近所関係が先だったのか。<br>\\r\\n What came first, their poor relationships with the neighbors...<br><br>\\r\\n 夫の浮気が発覚したのが先だったのか。<br>\\r\\n Or her husband's affair?<br><br>\\r\\n …今では当事者同士もどっちが先だったか思いだせずにいる。<br>\\r\\n ...She didn't know, herself.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 叔父は、日々不快な態度を取り続ける妻に愛想を尽かし、その結果、愛人を作ったと主張する。<br>\\r\\n Her husband claimed that he got a lover because he was fed up with her attitude.<br><br>\\r\\n 叔母は、夫の浮気によって世間体が悪くなり、その結果、近所との付き合いが悪化したと主張する。<br>\\r\\n She, in turn, claimed that their relationships with the neighbors went sour because her husband had damaged their reputation.<br><br>\\r\\n 一番、客観的な位置にいた悟史だけは、どっちが先なわけでもなく、ほぼ同時に起こったことを知っていた。<br>\\r\\n Only Satoshi was aware that both happened at almost the same time.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 夫婦喧嘩は日常茶飯事になった。<br>\\r\\n Their quarrels had become a daily routine now.<br><br>\\r\\n 夫の帰りが遅いと、妻はそれを待ち構え、玄関で口汚く罵りあった。<br>\\r\\n When the husband came home late, the wife would shout at him at the entrance.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史は、どうしてあれだけ仲が悪いのに離婚をしようと考えないのだろう、と不思議に思ったことがある。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi wondered why they didn't get a divorce, their marriage being as rotten as it was.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、その理由を悟史だけは知っていた。<br>\\r\\n But he secretly knew the reason for that, too.<br><br>\\r\\n それは亡き両親が残した財産のせいだ。<br>\\r\\n It was the fortune his parents had left.<br><br>\\r\\n 叔母は通帳と判子を隠し、叔父には指一本触れさせなかった。<br>\\r\\n His aunt had hidden their bankbook and stamp and never allowed her husband access to them.<br><br>\\r\\n （だから叔父はその通帳やヘソクリを探して家捜しをし、財布から小銭をちょろまかしたりしていた。<br>\\r\\n (So, her husband would search the house for them. She'd find out he stole some money from her purse.<br>\\r\\n それもまた喧嘩の火種となっていたのだが）<br>\\r\\n This would cause yet another fight.)\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史は、亡き両親が、家計が潤っていると漏らしたのを聞いた試しはない。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoshi had never been aware that his parents had that much money when they were alive.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、両親の死後、関係者が教えてくれた。<br>\\r\\n After their death, however, one of his relatives told him.<br><br>\\r\\n 亡き両親は口座に多額のお金を残していたと。<br>\\r\\n He was informed that his parents had left a large sum of money in some bank account.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史は貧乏だった自分の家が、どうしてこんなお金を持っているのか、最初は理解できなかった。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi couldn't understand why they had that kind of money, because his family had been, as far as he knew, poor.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 恐らく。<br>\\r\\n It was because of the dam project.<br>\\r\\n …両親はダム計画について、国から何らかの協力を求められ、それに応じていたのだ。<br>\\r\\n His parents probably got the money in return for their cooperation with the government.<br><br>\\r\\n 村人の懐柔とか、情報とか、よくわからないけど、色々。<br>\\r\\n They had strived to get more villagers on their side, provided information to them, and whatnot.<br><br>\\r\\n それらの協力金という形で、人に言えないようなお金をもらっていたのではないか。<br>\\r\\n The money was probably compensation for their efforts.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その口座の話が出るまでは、叔父夫婦は自分たちを引き取ろうとは決してしなかった。<br>\\r\\n His aunt and uncle never had any intention to adopt them until they heard about the money.<br><br>\\r\\n 金融機関の人がそういう説明をしてようやく、もったいぶるように自分たちを引き取ると言ってくれたのだ。<br>\\r\\n After someone from some financial institution revealed its existence, they appeared to adopt Satoko and Satoshi.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 醜く、聞き苦しい喧嘩は来る日も来る日も繰り返された。<br>\\r\\n The couple would fight every day.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 少しずつ、叔父は家に居る時間より、愛人の元で過す時間の方が長くなっていった。<br>\\r\\n Eventually, Satoshi's uncle started spending more time at his mistress's home.<br><br>\\r\\n やがて。<br>\\r\\n He realized that he had no reason to return to his own home,<br>\\r\\n 夫は、無理に喧嘩をしに帰宅する必要がないことに気付き始める。<br>\\r\\n because he'd just end up in a fight with his wife if he did.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 最初、叔父が帰らなくなった時、悟史は内心、よかったと思った。<br>\\r\\n When he stopped coming home, Satoshi felt relieved.<br><br>\\r\\n 叔父も叔母も、どちらも自分たちのことを良く思っていなかったし。<br>\\r\\n Neither their uncle nor their aunt treated the two siblings very well.<br>\\r\\n 不愉快なことがあった時の憂さ晴らしに絡んでくることが少なくなかったからだ。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi's aunt wouldn't have to vent her frustration upon them.<br><br>\\r\\n 叔父と叔母の摩擦がとばっちりとして来るのだから、叔父と叔母が離れ離れになれば、自分たちにとって悪いことではないはず。<br>\\r\\n The reason the couple fought was their corrupted relationship. So if they separated, there wouldn't be any more fights.<br><br>\\r\\n 最初はそう考えた。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi had thought that at first.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、夫がいなくなった妻はそれでも落ち着かなかった。<br>\\r\\n But even after they separated, his aunt still had a short temper.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 愛人の下へ夫に逃げられた。<br>\\r\\n Another woman had stolen her husband.<br><br>\\r\\n それはもう村中に知れ渡り、村人たちは陰でそれを嘲笑っている。<br>\\r\\n The villagers must have been talking behind her back.<br><br>\\r\\n それはとても恥ずかしくて悔しいことと思っていた。<br>\\r\\n It was mortifyingly embarrassing.<br><br>\\r\\n しかも。<br>\\r\\n Since she lost an opponent to fight,<br>\\r\\n 叔父という喧嘩相手を失った叔母は、その捌け口を直接、自分たちに向けてきたのだった。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi's aunt directed her hatred toward the siblings.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史はずっと叔母を観察してきた。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi had been observing her.<br><br>\\r\\n 叔母がどういうことに腹を立てるか、叔母がどういうサインを見せた時に、どうやり過ごすのが最善かを、ある程度理解していた。<br>\\r\\n He learned when she would get upset and how to avoid her attention.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、叔母を不必要に不快にさせなかったし、叔母の機嫌が悪いことを示すサインには敏感に反応し、うまく逃げたり隠れたりしながらやり過ごしてきた。<br>\\r\\n He managed to get by without upsetting her, by turning a keen eye to her behavior and avoiding conflicts.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……だが、沙都子はだめだった。<br>\\r\\n ...But Satoko couldn't do that.<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は叔母を露骨に嫌い、それを隠すことなく態度に出した。<br>\\r\\n She hated her aunt and didn't even try to hide it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史がいろいろと言い含めたから、その態度は多少はなりを潜めるが、それでも目つきはどうにもならなかった。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi told her to behave in their aunt's presence, but her eyes were always filled with hatred.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史も可能な限り、叔母と沙都子が摩擦を起さないように努力した。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi strived to reduce the conflict between them as much as possible.<br>\\r\\n 取繕った。<br>\\r\\n He stepped in<br>\\r\\n 誤魔化した。<br>\\r\\n to mend their relationship.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、それは悟史にとって、いや、まだまだ少年に過ぎない彼にはこの上ない負担を強いるものだった。<br>\\r\\n It was a heavy burden for him though, because he was still just a boy.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 彼は根気よく耐え続け、<br>\\r\\n He bore so much.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 時に庇い、<br>\\r\\n He covered for his little sister\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 時に隠し、<br>\\r\\n by lying,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 時に立ち回り、<br>\\r\\n and maneuvering...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 上辺だけの平穏を取繕うとした。<br>\\r\\n He tried to maintain a tangible sense of peace.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、…そんなものは個人の努力でどうにかなるものではなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\n But... he couldn't do that forever.<br><br>\\r\\n ………………………叔母と沙都子の摩擦はすでに致命的だった。<br>\\r\\n ..................The relationship between Satoko and her aunt had already spiraled out of control.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 粗大ゴミ置き場が目に留まった。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi found something in the trash.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……ここが本当の意味での粗大ゴミ置き場かは怪しい。<br>\\r\\n ...It probably wasn't a legitimate place for trash disposal.<br><br>\\r\\n …本当にそうなら、清掃局の人が持って行ってもいいはずだ。<br>\\r\\n ...If it was, sanitation workers would come and pick it up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 彼はここを通ることが多いから、たまに新しい粗大ゴミが増えていれば、それに敏感に気付くことができた。<br>\\r\\n He passed by this street all the time, so he noticed when there were new things dumped there.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 学校の職員室にあるような、…ごくごく平均的な事務机が目に留まる。<br>\\r\\n He'd found a plain-looking desk, of the kind likely to be seen in offices.<br><br>\\r\\n この２〜３日中に誰かが捨てたものに違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n Somebody must have dumped it within the past few days.<br><br>\\r\\n 叔母はこの粗大ゴミ置き場に、使えそうな家具があると見逃さない。<br>\\r\\n His aunt liked to bring usable trash home.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 先日も、適当な大きさのタンスを見つけ、運ぶのを手伝わされた。<br>\\r\\n She'd had Satoshi help bring a chest home just a few days ago.<br><br>\\r\\n …叔母に、この机が新しく捨てられていることを話せば、きっと拾いに行こうという話になるだろう。<br>\\r\\n ...If he told her about the desk, she'd want it.<br><br>\\r\\n 叔母は、引き出しの中に、ゴミとか虫とかが入っていたら嫌だから、<br>\\r\\n His aunt hated to find bugs and garbage in the drawers,<br>\\r\\n 必ず運ぶ前に開ける。<br>\\r\\n so she'd always open them to check before carrying the thing home.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 試しに開けて見る。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi opened all the drawers...<br>\\r\\n ……空っぽだった。<br>\\r\\n all of which were empty.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 彼は引き出しを閉めると、後ろを振り返り、５〜６歩を歩いた。<br>\\r\\n After that, he turned around and walked for about five steps.<br><br>\\r\\n そこは膝まで覆うような濃い茂みだった。<br>\\r\\n He was standing in a knee-high bush.<br><br>\\r\\n 彼は、今日まで肌身離さずに持っていたソレを、茂みに横たえる。<br>\\r\\n There he laid something he'd been carrying all the time, until today.<br><br><br>\\r\\n そこに置いたことを意識しなければ、置いた自分ですら、どこに置いたのか見失いそうになる。<br>\\r\\n It'd be very hard to find unless you specifically knew it was there to begin with.<br><br>\\r\\n ……彼はそれに満足すると、置いた場所を間違えないように、周囲に目印になるものを探し、注意深くそれらを観察して記憶した。<br>\\r\\n ...Looking satisfied, Satoshi looked around for some landmark to remember the place by.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 昭和５７年６月２０日 午後５時５１分<br>\\r\\n June 20th, 1982 5:51 PM\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「へーぃ、親父ぃ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, ol' pal!!<br>\\r\\n 今年も来たねぇ！<br>\\r\\n I see you showed up again this year!<br>\\r\\n また根こそぎ掻っ攫ってくから覚悟しときなよー！」<br>\\r\\n You'd better get ready for us!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「がっはっは！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Gwa ha ha!<br>\\r\\n 園崎のお嬢ちゃんは今年も元気がいいなぁ！<br>\\r\\n You're as peppy as ever!<br>\\r\\n お？<br>\\r\\n Oh?<br>\\r\\n そっちの子は新顔かい？」<br>\\r\\n Is she a newcomer?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ふふ〜ん、この子はね、竜宮レナ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh-huh. This is Rena Ryuugu.<br>\\r\\n こう見えてても結構やるよー？！」<br>\\r\\n Don't underestimate her. She's good.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あはははは…、そ、そんなことないよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahaha... No I'm not.<br>\\r\\n よろしくお願いしますね！」<br>\\r\\n Nice to meet you.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「おぅ！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yo! <br>\\r\\n こっちこそよろしくなぁ！<br>\\r\\n You too!<br>\\r\\n 今年もいろいろ景品を持ってきたんだぜ！<br>\\r\\n I've brought all kinds of prizes this year!<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん真剣勝負だ！！<br>\\r\\n They'll be a real battle to win!!<br>\\r\\n 根こそぎ持ってけるもんなら持ってけってんだぁ〜！」<br>\\r\\n Try and take them all with you if you can!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……レナはかわいい物には目がないのですよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Rena tends to dote on cute stuff.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あー、あのぬいぐるみとそっちのぬいぐるみはレナの好みだねぇ…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, that stuffed animal looks like just her type...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「わ、わ、わ？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wha wha wha?!<br><br>\\r\\n はぅ〜！！<br>\\r\\n Hauuu!!<br>\\r\\n かぁいいねぇ？！<br>\\r\\n Sho kyute!<br>\\r\\n おもおも、お持ち帰り〜！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm wanna take it home with me!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「だだ、駄目だよ、まだ準備中だよー！！ わ〜〜！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"H-Hey, the booth isn't open yet!! Whooa!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あっはっはっは！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Aha ha ha!!<br>\\r\\n レナ、だめだめ。<br>\\r\\n Stop it, Rena.<br>\\r\\n まだ準備中だってさぁ。<br>\\r\\n He says the booth isn't open yet.<br>\\r\\n ちゃんと開店したら、根こそぎさらってやりなー！」<br>\\r\\n You can run him into the ground once he opens it up!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「はぅ〜〜、もうダメだよレナの物なんだよー！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hauuu, it's mine!<br>\\r\\n お持ち帰り〜〜！」<br>\\r\\n I'm taking it home!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n レナが元気そうにはしゃぐと、居合わせた人間たちはみんな大笑いした。<br>\\r\\n Rena lost her marbles over the stuffed animal. Everybody laughed.<br><br>\\r\\n そのにぎやかな中にあっても、沙都子はつられて笑い出しはしなかった。<br>\\r\\n Everybody except Satoko.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子だけは、まるでこの輪に加われていないかのように、少し外れてひとりでぽつんと立っていた。<br>\\r\\n She was standing by herself, some distance from the crowd.<br><br>\\r\\n ………沙都子の瞳は曇ったままだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Her eyes looked dull.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……み〜☆」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Meep~☆.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…な、…なんなんですの、梨花。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Wh-What is it, Rika?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n そんな様子を心配してか。<br>\\r\\n Rika walked up to Satoko,<br>\\r\\n …梨花は満面の笑みを浮かべながら沙都子に擦り寄った。<br>\\r\\n smiling ear to ear in an effort to cheer her up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……今日は何も考えなくていいのですよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Forget your worries today.<br>\\r\\n いっぱい楽しく過しましょうなのです。」<br>\\r\\n Let's just have fun.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"..................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は再びうな垂れると、梨花から目をそらす。<br>\\r\\n Satoko looked down.<br><br>\\r\\n 今日だけを楽しく過したって。<br>\\r\\n Even if she got to have fun today,<br>\\r\\n …今ある辛い現実、家庭環境から解放されるわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n her circumstances at home wouldn't change.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……沙都子。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Satoko,<br>\\r\\n …意地悪な叔母さんは今日はお祭りには来ませんですよ。」<br>\\r\\n your evil aunt isn't around.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そ、……そんなことはわかってますわ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I... I know that.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……なら、いっぱい笑って、いっぱい楽しくなるのですよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......So, why don't you have fun?<br>\\r\\n …にぱ〜〜☆」<br>\\r\\n Nipah~☆.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……にぱ〜〜☆」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Nipah~☆.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……にぱ〜☆」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Nipah~☆.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、……生憎ですけど、…そういう気分になれませんの。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh... sorry, but I don't feel like it...<br>\\r\\n …申し訳ございませんけど、…放っておいて下さいませ。」<br>\\r\\n Could you please leave me alone...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……どうして、…沙都子は笑いませんですか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Why aren't you smiling?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は一瞬、むっとした目つきを返した。<br>\\r\\n Satoko sulkily glimpsed at Rika.<br><br>\\r\\n …そんなこと、今さら私の口から言わせなくたって知ってるくせに。<br>\\r\\n ...She gave her a look<br>\\r\\n そういう目つきを。<br>\\r\\n as though she wanted to say that Rika should know the reason.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 今日だけ笑ったって。<br>\\r\\n Even if she could have fun today,<br>\\r\\n あの意地悪な叔母が意地悪であり続ける日常は変わらない。<br>\\r\\n nothing would change between her and her evil aunt.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n いくらお祭りだけを楽しく過したって。<br>\\r\\n No matter how fun the festival was.<br><br>\\r\\n …家に帰れば、また何か言われるのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Once she went home,<br>\\r\\n 私が何をしてもしなくても。<br>\\r\\n her aunt would be there.<br><br>\\r\\n …本当に下らない些細な事を見つけ出して、隣の家まで聞こえるような大声で、喉が嗄れるまで怒鳴り続けるのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...The aunt would find something wrong with Satoko, get mad, and shout at her so loudly that the neighbors would hear.<br><br>\\r\\n そんな現実を理解しながら、どうして今だけ笑えと…？<br>\\r\\n How can she have fun, even just for today, while knowing all that?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それを口に出したつもりはない。<br>\\r\\n Satoko didn't say that out loud.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、沙都子の目は諺通りに、口ほどに語り、梨花に今の心情をありありと伝えるのだった。<br>\\r\\n But her eyes betrayed her emotions to Rika.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……では沙都子。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......So, Satoko...<br>\\r\\n …沙都子の辛いのが、今日でおしまいになるなら、沙都子は笑ってくれますですか…？」<br>\\r\\n If your suffering ends today, will you smile?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は一瞬、はっとした。<br>\\r\\n Satoko gasped.<br><br>\\r\\n 梨花が、何かの助けを差し伸べてくれるのかと思ったのだ。<br>\\r\\n She thought that Rika might do something to help.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……だが、すぐにそんなのは梨花の方便に過ぎないことに気付く。<br>\\r\\n ...But soon after, she realized that Rika was just trying to comfort her.<br><br>\\r\\n 今日で私の不幸が終わりになる？<br>\\r\\n Could her suffering end today?<br>\\r\\n 梨花が？<br>\\r\\n Because of Rika?<br>\\r\\n どうやって？<br>\\r\\n How?<br><br>\\r\\n ちょっと考えれば、梨花に自分の境遇がどうにかできるものではないことはすぐ分かる。<br>\\r\\n Satoko knew that there was really nothing Rika could do.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だから、沙都子が期待の眼差しで梨花を見たのはほんの一瞬のことで、その眼差しはすぐに諦めで曇った。<br>\\r\\n And so, after just one moment of freedom, Satoko fell into depression again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「梨花。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Rika...<br>\\r\\n …下らない気休めは聞きたくないですわ…。」<br>\\r\\n Don't give me false hopes...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……沙都子。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Satoko.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 梨花は、沙都子が初めて聞く口調できっぱりと言った。<br>\\r\\n Rika's voice was clearer than Satoko had ever heard before.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……もう決まっていることなのです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...It's already been decided.\\\"<br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 昭和５７年６月２０日 午後８時１１分<br>\\r\\n June 20th, 1982 8:11 PM\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 悟史は夕食後、こっそり窓から外に出た。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi snuck out the window after supper.<br><br>\\r\\n 虫の声と、綿流しのお祭りの放送の声が、かすかに風で運ばれてくるのが聞こえるだけだった。<br>\\r\\n He heard the distant ruckus of the festival.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n お祭りは、確か午後９時までだ。<br>\\r\\n The festival would end at 9:00 PM.<br><br>\\r\\n みんなでワタを流した後、福引抽選会があると聞いた。<br>\\r\\n After the Watanagashi ceremony, there was going to be a raffle drawing.<br><br>\\r\\n つまり、夕食までには家に帰ろうという人たちはすでに帰宅し。<br>\\r\\n So, there were two types of people in Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n 最後の抽選会まで残ろうという人たちは、最後まで残ってようと、はっきりと別れた時間。<br>\\r\\n The people who would go home for dinner, and the ones who would stay until the raffle was over.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 家でくつろいでいるか、神社で祭りに参加しているか。<br>\\r\\n Either relaxing at home or still at the festival.<br><br>\\r\\n そのどちらかだけ。<br>\\r\\n There were only those two patterns.<br><br>\\r\\n しかもその上、悟史の家の周りはとても寂しい。<br>\\r\\n On top of that,<br>\\r\\n ご近所は多くない。<br>\\r\\n there weren't many neighbors in the vicinity of Satoshi's house.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だから、往来には人の気配などあろうはずもない。<br>\\r\\n As a result, he found nobody on the streets.<br><br>\\r\\n …ただでさえ寂しい雛見沢で、これほど寂しい夜はないに違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...On that night, the small village seemed especially desolate.<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん悟史も、そうなるだろうことは理屈ではわかっていた。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi knew it was going to be like this.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、それを実際に自分の目で確かめなければ不安だったのだ。<br>\\r\\n But he would keep worrying until he saw it for himself.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史は裸足だったが、気にもせずそのまま駆け出す。<br>\\r\\n He was barefooted, but started running without hesitation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……裸足で駆けていると、…何だか自分が野生の動物にでもなったような気分だった。<br>\\r\\n ...He felt as though he'd become a wild animal, running on his bare feet.<br><br>\\r\\n 普段よりもはるかに素早く、しなやかに、強靭に駆けられる気がした。<br>\\r\\n He got the impression that he could run faster than usual.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 脚力だけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n Not only his running ability.<br><br>\\r\\n 視覚も。<br>\\r\\n His vision,<br><br>\\r\\n 聴覚も。<br>\\r\\n his hearing,<br><br>\\r\\n 嗅覚も。<br>\\r\\n and his sense of smell...<br><br>\\r\\n …いや、第六感と呼べるような超常的な感性さえ、備わったように感じる。<br>\\r\\n ...All his senses were keener, including his sixth sense.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n こうして伏せるように低く屈めば、四里四方の人間の気配を手に取れるように読み取れる。<br>\\r\\n He could almost sense the presence of people in the distance<br>\\r\\n …そんな気さえした。<br>\\r\\n if only when crouching like an animal.<br><br>\\r\\n 本当に不思議だった。<br>\\r\\n It felt strange...<br>\\r\\n …今日が別世界のような、そんな気持ちだった。<br>\\r\\n As though he had stepped into another world...<br><br>\\r\\n 今日を迎える直前まで、自分はあれほどに緊張し、興奮し、内なる自分との戦いを強いられてきたのに。<br>\\r\\n He'd been feeling tense and anxious until today, battling with his own fear.<br><br>\\r\\n そんな自分を脱皮したのではないかと思うほどに、…今の自分は別の存在なように感じられた。<br>\\r\\n But now he felt as though he had metamorphosed into a different person...\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 昭和５７年６月２０日 午後８時３７分<br>\\r\\n June 20th, 1982 8:37 PM\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「そんれではー！<br>\\r\\n \\\"All right, everyone!<br>\\r\\n お楽しみ抽選会の説明をこれより始めますのでぇえぇ。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to explain how the raffle works!<br>\\r\\n どうぞ皆さん、やぐらの周りにお集まり下さいなぁー！」<br>\\r\\n Please gather around the altar!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 綿流しのお祭りは、いよいよクライマックスの抽選会を迎えようとしていた。<br>\\r\\n The festival had reached its climax. The raffle was going to start.<br><br>\\r\\n 盆踊りをしていた婦人会のご婦人方だけでなく、抽選会まで粘っていた大勢もやぐらに集まり、大盛り上がりになっている。<br>\\r\\n Both the women who were dancing and those who were waiting for the raffle gathered around the altar.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この抽選会は決して恒例ではない。<br>\\r\\n This was the first time they'd held a raffle.<br><br>\\r\\n 今年からの目玉にしようと、役員から出た提案を採用した新行事なのだ。<br>\\r\\n The planning committee decided to hold one from this year onward, to attract more people to the festival.<br><br>\\r\\n 賞品は各役員が善意で持ち寄ることになったのだが、集まってきた賞品を、園崎お魎が「みっともない」と言い放ち、全て捨ててしまった。<br>\\r\\n At first, the prizes were things the committee members had donated. But Oryou, not appreciating how pathetic they looked, had them thrown away.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n お魎は賞品とは最低でもこの程度はあるべきだと、新型のテレビや洗濯機、扇風機などを買い寄せたのだった。<br>\\r\\n Oryou took the initiative and bought a brand-new TV, a washing machine, a cooling fan, and other such things for the raffle.<br><br>\\r\\n 賞品は慎ましく持ち寄りで、という役員会の申し合わせは結局、お魎の鶴の一声で豪華賞品に化けてしまった。<br>\\r\\n The committee wanted to keep it small initially,<br>\\r\\n しかも全てお魎の私費での購入だ。<br>\\r\\n but it turned out big, thanks to her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 自分で全ての賞品を蹴飛ばしたくせに、お魎は「役員に気概がない」と立腹しているというから、難しい。<br>\\r\\n Oryou was upset because the committee members weren't enthusiastic enough, in her opinion.<br><br>\\r\\n 一部役員は、この抽選会を来年も行なうためにうまく調整するのは難しいなと感じ、恐らく今年が最初で最後だろうなと思っていた。<br>\\r\\n Some of the members thought it would be very difficult to prepare prizes of equal value the following year, so this might be the very first and last raffle.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「お魎さんのお陰で、こんとな素ッ晴らしい賞品になったね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Thanks to you we have such wonderful prizes this year, Oryou-san.<br>\\r\\n だいぶ掛かったんじゃないの？<br>\\r\\n They must have cost a lot, didn't they?<br>\\r\\n 運営費で立替するよ？」<br>\\r\\n We can reimburse you from our budget.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「すったらん、んな程度で立替なんてあほらし。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Buffoon! No point in reimbursing that.<br>\\r\\n 銭金の問題じゃないんね。<br>\\r\\n It was never about the money.<br>\\r\\n …ったく。」<br>\\r\\n ...Idiots.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「まぁまぁそう言わないで…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Now, now, don't say that...<br>\\r\\n お魎さんのお陰で出来た抽選会なんだから。」<br>\\r\\n This raffle's all thanks to you, Oryou-san.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「こぉんな、私一人でどうにかすりゃええん、ちゅんわけとちゃいなや。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's not like I'm doing this all by myself.<br>\\r\\n あっほくさ。」<br>\\r\\n Don't be ridiculous.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 村長の公由は、お魎の機嫌を直そうと苦労しているようだった。<br>\\r\\n The mayor, Kimiyoshi, was having a tough time pacifying Oryou.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そこへ役員の一人が息を切らせながら本部テントに駆け込んできた。<br>\\r\\n All of a sudden, one of the committee members burst into the tent in a rush.<br><br>\\r\\n そのただ事ならない様子に、公由は真っ先に、何か事故があって子どもでも怪我をしたのかと思った。<br>\\r\\n He looked upset, so Kimiyoshi assumed that somebody probably got hurt in an accident.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「どうしたの牧野さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"What's going on, Makino-san?<br>\\r\\n そんなに息を弾ませたら心臓が破れちゃうよ。」<br>\\r\\n I hope you're not having a heart attack.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 公由は落ち着かせようとして、わざと茶化すように言った。<br>\\r\\n Kimiyoshi made a joke to calm him down.<br><br>\\r\\n だが牧野は張り付いた表情のまま、公由の耳元に何かを一方的に囁きかける。<br>\\r\\n Makino, however, still looked tense. He whispered something to Kimiyoshi.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 公由と牧野のやり取りは、たとえ声が聞こえなくても、何か悪い報せがもたらされたことがあからさまに分かる様子だった。<br>\\r\\n Even without hearing the exchange between Makino and Kimiyoshi, it was plain as day there was bad news.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……お魎さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Oryou-san.<br>\\r\\n 悪い話なんだけど、いいかい？」<br>\\r\\n I have unpleasant news, if you don't mind?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 公由は牧野と一緒にお魎の元へ戻ると、声のトーンをぐっと落とした。<br>\\r\\n Kimiyoshi, accompanied by Makino, moved to Oryou's side and spoke in a very serious tone.<br><br>\\r\\n そして神妙な顔つきでぼそぼそと、牧野が話したのと一言一句同じにそれを告げた。<br>\\r\\n Kimiyoshi whispered to her the exact same words Makino told him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………いやはや。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Oh, dear.<br>\\r\\n …参ったよなぁ…。」<br>\\r\\n ...This is bad...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「参るも参らんもなぁんね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ain't unexpected.<br>\\r\\n 三度あっちゃんは四度あるっちゅこっちゃなあ。」<br>\\r\\n What happens thrice will happen a fourth time.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あははははは…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahaha...<br>\\r\\n お魎さん、そりゃ笑えないよ…。」<br>\\r\\n That's not funny, Oryou-san...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「面白ぅ話でも何でもなぎゃ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You're right, it isn't...<br>\\r\\n …面倒が増えただけっちゃね。」<br>\\r\\n it's just another hassle...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「警察が今、身元を調べてるらしい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"The police are trying to identify the body.<br>\\r\\n どうも相当顔面をやられてるらしくて、身元の特定が難しそうなんだと…。」<br>\\r\\n I heard that the face was completely destroyed, so it'll be difficult...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……顔が分からんでも、おおよその想像はつくっちゃなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...It's quite clear who it is, though...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Eh?<br>\\r\\n …心当たりがあるのかい？」<br>\\r\\n ...Do you know who it might be?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n お魎はむっとした顔で公由を睨み、それからカラカラと笑い飛ばした。<br>\\r\\n Oryou glared at Kimiyoshi, then started chuckling.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ばあかが。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Idiot!<br>\\r\\n 綿流しの祭りにも顔を見せん不信心者に決まっとろぅがね！<br>\\r\\n It must be some impudent lad who didn't come to the Watanagashi festival!<br>\\r\\n ちゃあんとオヤシロさまを敬って祭りに来ちょるんは、そんな目には遭わなんとよ。」<br>\\r\\n People who respect Oyashiro-sama won't get involved in something like that.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n お魎はカラカラと笑い続けるが、公由と牧野は一緒に笑っていいものか、少し躊躇っているようだった…。<br>\\r\\n Oryou kept laughing. Kimiyoshi and Makino didn't know how to react to that.\\r\\n <br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 昭和５７年６月２０日 午後９時０４分<br>\\r\\n June 20th, 1982 9:04 PM\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「……しかし。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hmm...<br>\\r\\n …こりゃ無惨なもんっすね。」<br>\\r\\n this is merciless.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「熊ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Kuma-chan,<br>\\r\\n 死に方ってのは本人が望んだものでない限り、どんなでも無惨なもんです。<br>\\r\\n every death is merciless, unless the dead wished for it.<br>\\r\\n お悔やみ申し上げちゃいますよ。<br>\\r\\n They have my condolences...<br>\\r\\n …そっちどう？<br>\\r\\n How's it going over there?<br>\\r\\n ポッケの中身とか、個人が特定できそうなものは？」<br>\\r\\n Did you find something that could identify the body?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 鑑識と書かれた腕章を着けた捜査官たちが、首を横に振って答える。<br>\\r\\n The forensic investigators shook their heads.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「サンダル履きで、服装もラフ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"The victim's wearing sandals and casual clothes.<br>\\r\\n 近くにお住まいの方でしょうね。<br>\\r\\n They must be from this neighborhood.<br>\\r\\n 服装の特徴から周辺に聞き込みをすればすぐに割れそうっすね。」<br>\\r\\n We should be able to identify the corpse by asking around.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……それしかないなぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...That's the way we do it.<br>\\r\\n 課長からこのヤマ、秘匿捜査指定かかりそうだからって脅されてます。<br>\\r\\n The section manager says this case might become classified.<br>\\r\\n その辺、注意してくださいよ。」<br>\\r\\n So be careful with that.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「了解っす。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Gotcha.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 熊谷は数人の警官を呼び寄せ、いろいろと指示を与えているようだった。<br>\\r\\n Kumagai gathered some officers and gave them directions.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「入江先生が到着しましたー。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Dr. Irie has arrived.<br>\\r\\n 先生、あそこです。」<br>\\r\\n Doctor, it's over here.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 診療所の車が到着し、白衣を纏った若い医師がこちらへやってくるのが見える。<br>\\r\\n A young doctor got out of his car and headed in the victim's direction.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「どうも…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hello...<br>\\r\\n 遅れて申し訳ありません。<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.<br>\\r\\n 抽選会の手伝いの最中だったもので。」<br>\\r\\n I had to help with the raffle.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「先生〜、今日の祭りでだいぶ飲んでたでしょ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You must have drunk a lot at the festival, doctor.<br>\\r\\n アルコール、本当に抜けてます？<br>\\r\\n Are you sure you're sober?<br>\\r\\n あとで風船でも膨らましてもらっちゃおうかなぁ？」<br>\\r\\n Maybe I should run a breathalyzer test on you, just to be safe.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ご安心を。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm fine.<br>\\r\\n 運転はスタッフに代わってもらってますので。」<br>\\r\\n My assistant is driving.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そりゃあソツがない。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Clever of you...<br>\\r\\n …おい、先生、通してあげて。」<br>\\r\\n Hey, let the doctor pass.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 厳重にブルーシートで囲まれた一角。<br>\\r\\n There was an area cordoned off with blue plastic sheets.<br><br>\\r\\n 警官がブルーシートを捲り上げると、大石と入江を中に入れた。<br>\\r\\n An officer rolled up the sheet and let Ooishi and Irie pass.<br><br>\\r\\n 鑑識の人間たちがいろいろな角度からソレを撮影していた。<br>\\r\\n The forensic people were taking photos from many different angles.<br><br>\\r\\n 周囲には、飛び散った血痕や転がったサンダルなどが、そのままの形で残されてあり、<br>\\r\\n The blood spatters and the bloody sandals were left untouched,<br>\\r\\n それらは皆、チョークでマーキングされ、アルファベットの書かれた小さな札が立てられていた。<br>\\r\\n marked with chalk, and indicated with small alphabetized plates.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………こういうものは、見慣れませんね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I'm not used to seeing things like this.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 入江はハンカチを取り出すと、鼻を覆うように押さえた。<br>\\r\\n Irie took out a handkerchief and covered his nose.<br><br>\\r\\n 「臭いがダメな時は口呼吸にするんですよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You should breathe through your mouth...<br>\\r\\n …まぁ、こういう臭いは、目でも嗅げちゃうかなぁ。<br>\\r\\n Well, you might sense the smell visually, though...<br>\\r\\n なっはっは…。」<br>\\r\\n Na ha ha...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ソレは、……ごろんと仰向けになった、中年女性？の、…血塗れの死体だった。<br>\\r\\n The body appeared to be that of a middle-aged woman. It was soaked in blood.<br><br>\\r\\n 頭髪の雰囲気や、服装の雰囲気その他から、まず間違いなく中年女性だろうとは思う。<br>\\r\\n It looked like a middle-aged woman because of the hair and what she was wearing.<br><br>\\r\\n なぜ中年女性と言い切れないのか。<br>\\r\\n The reason why no one could be certain it was a middle-aged woman was because...<br>\\r\\n …それは顔面が完全に潰されていたからだ。<br>\\r\\n its face was completely pulverized.<br><br>\\r\\n 「……酷い。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...This is brutal.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「十中八九、怨恨の線でしょうなぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm sure it was done out of malice.<br>\\r\\n 血痕とサンダル裏から見て、ここで殺したのは間違いないでしょう。<br>\\r\\n The victim must have been murdered right here, judging from the pattern of the blood spatters and the soles of the sandals.<br>\\r\\n でも、見ての通り、ここは人通りが少ないと言ったって、往来のど真ん中です。<br>\\r\\n And, even though not many people take this road, the body is right in the middle of it.<br>\\r\\n ここで、頭部がひしゃげるまで殴り続けたってのは、ちょいとまともな話じゃないですからねぇ。<br>\\r\\n It's very unusual to see a culprit who would bludgeon their victim until their face was completely destroyed.<br>\\r\\n でね？<br>\\r\\n Also,<br>\\r\\n ほら、腕とか見てみてください。」<br>\\r\\n can you look at her arms?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大石は薄いゴム手袋を着けると、死体の腕を持ち上げた。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi put on latex gloves and lifted the corpse's arm.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ね？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...See?<br>\\r\\n 腕は綺麗なもんでしょ。」<br>\\r\\n Spotless, aren't they?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「それはつまり、腕で防いだとか、抵抗したとか、そういう痕跡がないという意味ですね？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Are you saying that the victim didn't try to protect her head? That there's no signs of struggle?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「さぁすが高学歴。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Right you are...<br>\\r\\n …ホトケさんは、恐らく最初の一撃で脳震盪かなんかで気絶したんじゃないかと思うんです。<br>\\r\\n I think the victim lost consciousness with the first blow.<br><br>\\r\\n で、ホシは確実に殺した手応えを得る為に、さらに打撃を加えた。<br>\\r\\n Then the culprit kept beating to complete the murder.<br>\\r\\n さらに言えば、ホトケさんはその時、うつ伏せに倒れたように思うんですよね。<br>\\r\\n The victim was probably lying face-down at that time...<br>\\r\\n いえ、服の汚れ具合からの勘ですが。」<br>\\r\\n judging from the stains on her clothes.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………遺体は仰向けですね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...The body is face-up now.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ホシは、後頭部を散々潰して、<br>\\r\\n \\\"The culprit seems to have flipped the victim over<br>\\r\\n 明らかに頭蓋骨が砕けてる手応えを得ているにもかかわらず、ホトケをこう、仰向けにひっくり返して。<br>\\r\\n in order to smash her face, even though by that point,<br>\\r\\n わざわざ顔面を潰してるんじゃないかと思うんですよ。」<br>\\r\\n her death was certain.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 入江はむせ返るような臭いと、さも面白そうに話す大石の様子に、吐き気を催しているように見えた。<br>\\r\\n Irie looked like he was going to throw up, both because of the putrid smell and Ooishi's reasoning.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「遺体の顔面を殴るってのは、私の経験じゃ、かなり怨恨の線が強いです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Smashing the victim's face is clearly a sign of a grudge, in my experience.<br>\\r\\n それもだいぶ濃厚な、濃密なね。<br>\\r\\n It's a very profound grudge, too.<br>\\r\\n ってことはつまり。<br>\\r\\n That means...<br>\\r\\n ……ホシはホトケのかなり近辺にいるのは間違いないかと。」<br>\\r\\n the culprit must be someone very close to the victim.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……私を呼んだのが、救命活動でないということはよくわかりました。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I understand you didn't call me to resuscitate her.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「先生。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Doctor.<br>\\r\\n この人が誰かわかりますかねぇ？<br>\\r\\n Do you know who the victim is?<br>\\r\\n …分かれば聞き込みの手間がだいぶ省けるんですがね。」<br>\\r\\n ...If you do, I don't have to waste time questioning the neighbors.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 入江は死体をもう一度眺める。<br>\\r\\n Irie looked at the body once again.<br><br>\\r\\n それからすぐに目を逸らし、あれこれと思案するような顔をしていた。<br>\\r\\n He looked away quickly and thought.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …その後、しばらくして。<br>\\r\\n ...Then, after a while.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 入江は何も言わずに、ブルーシートの一角を出る。<br>\\r\\n Irie left the investigation area without saying anything.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………すみません。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I'm sorry.<br>\\r\\n …私には分かりかねます。」<br>\\r\\n I don't know.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…えーー……。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Ehh......<br><br>\\r\\n ………本当にぃ？」<br>\\r\\n Are you sure?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大石がにやぁっと笑いながら、入江の目を覗き込む。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi smirked and looked into Irie's eyes.<br><br>\\r\\n まるで、入江が知ってて隠しているとでも言わんばかりに。<br>\\r\\n As though Irie was hiding something.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……別に、隠してなんかいません。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I'm not hiding anything.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………なっはっはっは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Na ha ha ha.<br>\\r\\n 先生もアルコールがまだ抜け切ってないだけですよ。<br>\\r\\n I guess you're still under the influence, doctor.<br>\\r\\n 頭が冴えたら思い出すかもしれません。<br>\\r\\n Maybe you'll remember when you're sober.<br>\\r\\n 思い出したら教えて下さいね。」<br>\\r\\n Let me know if you do.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大石は入江の背中をバンバンと叩く。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi tapped Irie on the back.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 入江は新鮮な空気が吸いたいと言い残すと、人ごみを避けるように去って行った。<br>\\r\\n The doctor, saying he wanted some fresh air, left the scene.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 入れ替わりに熊谷が駆けて来た。<br>\\r\\n Kumagai returned.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「大石さん、課長から無線です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ooishi-san, the section manager is on the radio.<br>\\r\\n １号車の無線っす。」<br>\\r\\n The one in the first car.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……入江の先生、誤魔化したなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Irie lied.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…え？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Huh?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「いえいえ、こっちの話。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Nothing.<br>\\r\\n ホトケの聞き込み急いで下さい。<br>\\r\\n Hurry up and question the neighbors.<br>\\r\\n ほぼ間違いなく、この近くにお住まいです。」<br>\\r\\n The victim must be from this area.\\\"<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 昭和５７年６月２０日 午後９時３９分<br>\\r\\n June 20th, 1982 9:39 PM\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「大石さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Here he is,<br>\\r\\n 連れてきましたー！！」<br>\\r\\n Ooishi-san!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「どうもどうも。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Thank you for coming here this late at night.<br>\\r\\n こんな夜更けに申し訳ありませんね。<br>\\r\\n I know you have school tomorrow.<br><br>\\r\\n 明日も学校なのに、本当に申し訳ないです。」<br>\\r\\n I'm really sorry to bother you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……いえ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......No problem.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「お父さんはどちらへ？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Where's your father?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…うちの義父は、…あまり帰ってきませんので。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...My stepfather doesn't come home much...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ほぅ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh-huh?<br>\\r\\n いつ頃から？<br>\\r\\n Since when?<br>\\r\\n 最後に帰ってきたのはいつ？」<br>\\r\\n When did he come home last?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…さぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I don't know...<br>\\r\\n ……義母と喧嘩してるのを聞く限りは、興宮でどこかのキャバレーの人と同棲してるとか何とか。<br>\\r\\n I heard he's living with a woman who works at a club in Okinomiya or something.<br>\\r\\n 最後に会ったのはあまり覚えてないですけど、先々週くらいだったかもしれません。」<br>\\r\\n I don't remember exactly when, but I guess I saw him a few weeks ago.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ふむふむ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Uh-huh...<br>\\r\\n …お父さんの連絡先はわかります？」<br>\\r\\n Do you have your father's address?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「いえ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"No.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「キャバレーの人と同居してるって言いましたよね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"He's living with a woman who works at a club?<br><br>\\r\\n 何てお店かはわかります？」<br>\\r\\n Do you know the name of the place?\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n 「…いえ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...No.<br>\\r\\n 興宮のどこかにある、としか知りません。」<br>\\r\\n I know it's in Okinomiya, and that's all.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「お父さんの名前は？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"What's your father's name?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「北条鉄平です。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"<NAME>.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大石が顎で合図すると、それを手帳に書き留めていた熊谷は頷き返した。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi signaled Kumagai with his chin, who nodded while taking notes.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「お父さんとお母さんは、あまり仲、よくなかったですか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Were your mother and father getting along well?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……程度の度合いはわかりませんが。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I don't know much about that, but...<br>\\r\\n …良くはなかったと思います。」<br>\\r\\n I don't think so.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ふぅん…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I see...<br>\\r\\n ……率直に聞いて申し訳ないですけど、お母さんに恨みを持っていた人間とか、知っていたら教えてほしいんですがね。」<br>\\r\\n I want you to tell me honestly. Do you know anyone who might have been holding a grudge against your stepmother?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………よくわからないです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I don't.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「なっはっは…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Na ha ha...<br>\\r\\n そうですか。<br>\\r\\n All right.<br>\\r\\n じゃ、もしも思い出したらでいいので、その時は教えて下さいね。<br>\\r\\n Please let me know if you remember something.<br>\\r\\n これ、私の名刺です。<br>\\r\\n Here's my card.<br>\\r\\n ここに電話番号ありますので。」<br>\\r\\n My number is on it.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……はい。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Okay.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃあ、後日、また色々とお話を伺うこともあるかもしれません。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I might ask to see you again for further inquiries.<br>\\r\\n もしもお父さんと連絡がつきましたら、興宮警察署の大石まで至急ご連絡をとお伝え下さい。<br>\\r\\n And if you see your stepfather, please let him know that we want to contact him...<br>\\r\\n ………熊ちゃん、北条さんを自宅まで送ってあげて下さい。」<br>\\r\\n Kuma-chan, drive him home, will you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、…いえ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, uh, no.<br>\\r\\n …ひとりで帰れますから。」<br>\\r\\n ...I can go home by myself.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………。<br>\\r\\n \\\"........................<br><br>\\r\\n いえいえそんなこと言わずに、ぜひ送らせてくださいな。<br>\\r\\n Please, let us drive you home...<br>\\r\\n …お母さんを襲った犯人がまだ近くにいる可能性があるんですよ？<br>\\r\\n There's a possibility that the culprit who murdered your aunt is roaming around the neighborhood.<br>\\r\\n あなたもまた狙われない保障なんてないんですからねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n You might get hurt too.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………お、……お気遣いありがとうございます。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Th-Thank you for your consideration,<br>\\r\\n でも、本当に結構ですんで…。」<br>\\r\\n but... really, I'm fine...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史は熊谷が付いて来るのを断ろうとしたが、熊谷も大石に命令されている以上、引き下がれない。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi tried to reject the offer, but Ooishi and Kumagai insisted.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史はひとりで帰ることを諦めざるを得なかった。<br>\\r\\n In the end, Satoshi was forced to accept.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その背中を少し見守った後。<br>\\r\\n He turned around to leave...<br><br>\\r\\n ……言い忘れたことを思い出したように、大石は声をかけた。<br>\\r\\n ...When Ooishi spoke to him as if he remembered something he'd forgotten to say.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「北条さん…！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Houjou-san...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…は、……はい。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Y-Yes...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「大丈夫ですよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't worry.<br>\\r\\n 心配しないでください。<br>\\r\\n It's no problem.<br>\\r\\n 犯人はすぐに捕まりますよ。」<br>\\r\\n We'll catch the culprit soon.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……手掛かりとか、…あるんですか…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Do you have any leads...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「えぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes,<br>\\r\\n ありますよ。」<br>\\r\\n we do.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……どんなですか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Like what?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…捜査上の、ヒミツですよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...That's confidential.<br>\\r\\n なっはっはっはっは…！」<br>\\r\\n Na ha ha ha ha...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 傍目には、母が殺され失意の少年を励ますため、大石がふざけて笑っているようにも見えた。<br>\\r\\n Ordinary people might think that Ooishi was trying to cheer the poor kid up with a joke...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……いえね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Well,<br>\\r\\n 人を殺すってのはかなり感情の高ぶるもんなんですよ。<br>\\r\\n usually people get pretty worked up when they commit murder...<br>\\r\\n …そりゃ、冷静に殺してみせるロボットみたいなのも、稀にいますがねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n Though of course, there are some exceptions...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「感情が高ぶると、…何かわかるんですか。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"What kind of evidence do you find when the culprit's worked up...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"............\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「人は極限まで感情が高ぶると、いろいろ体に反応が出ます。<br>\\r\\n \\\"When somebody is in a very excited condition, their body shows many symptoms,<br>\\r\\n …発汗とか、…脱毛とかね。」<br>\\r\\n like sweat, loss of hair...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「殺人現場に犯人の毛髪が落ちているってことは、割とあることなんですよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"We often find the culprit's hair at crime scenes.<br>\\r\\n まぁ、ここは屋外ですからね。<br>\\r\\n Well, this is outside,<br>\\r\\n 現場が絨毯の上ってのとは、だいぶ勝手が違いますが。」<br>\\r\\n so it's a bit different, but still.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「犯人の毛髪は拾えたんですか…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Did you find their hair...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「さぁねぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't know yet.<br>\\r\\n 鑑識の連中が横列組んで、さっきから行ったり来たりしていろいろ探してます。<br>\\r\\n The forensic guys are searching the scene right now.<br>\\r\\n まだ結果待ちでね。<br>\\r\\n I'm anxious to see<br>\\r\\n 何が出るやら今から楽しみですよ。<br>\\r\\n what they'll bring me.<br>\\r\\n んっふっふっふ！」<br>\\r\\n Nfu fu fu fu!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………明日があるので、今夜はもう帰ります。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Excuse me. I have to go now.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そうなさって下さい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Please.<br>\\r\\n 熊ちゃん、送ってあげて下さい。」<br>\\r\\n Kuma-chan, would you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「了解っす。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sure.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「では北条さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"See you again soon,<br>\\r\\n また近い内に。<br>\\r\\n Houjou-san.<br>\\r\\n 進展があったらお知らせしますよ。<br>\\r\\n I'll let you know if there's any progress in the investigation...<br>\\r\\n …北条さんも何か思いだしたりしたら、ぜひ教えて下さいね。<br>\\r\\n Let me know when you remember something.<br>\\r\\n 憎き母の仇の逮捕に、協力して参りましょう。<br>\\r\\n Let's cooperate to catch the murderer of your stepmother.<br>\\r\\n んっふっふっふっふ…。」<br>\\r\\n Nfu fu fu fu fu...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n ４年目のオヤシロさまの祟りが起きたことは、その翌日にお姉からの電話で知らされた。<br>\\r\\n Sis called the morning after the Watanagashi festival to tell me that the curse had struck again for the fourth time.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 死んだのは悟史くんたちを苛めてきた、意地悪叔母だった。<br>\\r\\n The victim was the evil aunt who was harassing Satoshi-kun and Satoko.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの悩みは、叔母と沙都子の関係にあるのだから、叔母の死は問題の解決を意味する。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun's suffering should be over now, since the problem was with Satoko and the aunt's relationship to begin with.<br><br>\\r\\n 不謹慎にも小躍りしてもよかったはず。<br>\\r\\n Maybe I should have celebrated,<br>\\r\\n だが私はそういう気持ちにはならなかった。<br>\\r\\n but I wasn't in the mood for some reason.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………犯人って、もう警察は目星をつけてるのかな。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Do the police have a lead on the suspect?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私がぼそりと呟くと、受話器の向こうのお姉は、しばし口をつぐんだ。<br>\\r\\n Sis went quiet when I asked that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「さぁね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't know.<br>\\r\\n 大石の野郎がしつこく聞き込みをして回ってるみたい。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi seems to be questioning people in the neighborhood.<br>\\r\\n 犯人は近しい人間に違いないと思ってるようだね…。」<br>\\r\\n He thinks the culprit is somebody close to the victim.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私とお姉は一卵性。<br>\\r\\n Being identical twins,<br>\\r\\n 同じ人間だからこそ、同じことを考える。<br>\\r\\n Sis and I think very much alike.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だから私が、叔母を殺したのは悟史くんかもしれないと漠然と考えるのと同じ様に、恐らくお姉も考えているに違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n If I suspected Satoshi-kun of being the murderer, so would she.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、その部分をざわざわ口に出さずに端折り、言った。<br>\\r\\n Because of this, I didn't have to mention the obvious.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………悟史くんって、祭りの日にアリバイあります？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Does Satoshi-kun have an alibi for that day...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ぇ、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Eh,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n あ、<br>\\r\\n umm...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……ん、どうだろ…。」<br>\\r\\n I don't know.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「はぁ…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hahh...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は悪態をつくように深くため息を吐いた。<br>\\r\\n I heaved a huge sigh.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「馬鹿ですね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Are you stupid?<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは祭りに来ていた。<br>\\r\\n He was at the festival,<br>\\r\\n そういうことでいいじゃないですか。」<br>\\r\\n didn't you see him there?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ぁ……ん、……そうだよね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Um... yeah... right.<br>\\r\\n 気が利かなくてごめん…。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry I didn't realize that...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 駄目押しに、もうひとつため息をついた。<br>\\r\\n I heaved another sigh.<br><br>\\r\\n 馬鹿姉は、叔母が死んだ時点で悟史くんが疑われてもおかしくないことが分かっていながら、悟史くんのアリバイ工作について何も考えなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\n Sis was stupid enough to forget to make an alibi for him even though the murder of his aunt alone would raise enough suspicion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…じゃあじゃあ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...So, that means...<br>\\r\\n …やっぱり…悟史が…？」<br>\\r\\n he did do it...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんが殺したかどうかが問題じゃないでしょ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's not important now!<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが犯行の時間帯に、アリバイがあったかが重要なんです！<br>\\r\\n The problem is whether he has an alibi or not!<br>\\r\\n …ったく。」<br>\\r\\n ...Tch.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、…あとで警察がうちに来るみたいだから、来たら悟史は祭りで一緒だったって言うよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well... the police are going to come here later. I'll tell them I was with him at the festival.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……お姉？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Sis?<br>\\r\\n 取ってつけた嘘なんかなぁんの役にも立たないです。<br>\\r\\n Lying out of the blue like that won't work.<br>\\r\\n 何も手を打たなかったなら、今さら小細工しても無駄ってことです。<br>\\r\\n If you haven't done anything to ensure his alibi, it's too late now.<br>\\r\\n せいぜい正直に喋って下さい。<br>\\r\\n Please just be honest with them. I can't trust your acting skills.<br>\\r\\n お姉は芝居が下手なんだから、変に意識するとかえって勘繰られますからね？」<br>\\r\\n You might raise more suspicion if you make something up on the spot...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………ん、…ごめん…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Yeah... sorry...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音はすっかり落ち込んでいるようだった。冗談じゃない、落ち込みたいのは私の方なんだ。<br>\\r\\n She sounded depressed. I was the one who should have been depressed.<br><br>\\r\\n お姉は普段はそこそこにやれるのだが、突発に対応できる臨機応変さがない。<br>\\r\\n Mion usually handles things well, but she's not too good with emergencies.<br><br>\\r\\n 仮にも園崎家の次期頭首の身なのだから、今からこんなざまでは先が思いやられる。<br>\\r\\n I was left worried for the future of the Sonozaki family.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n お姉はそろそろ返事にも窮してきて、話題を変えたくなる頃だろうな、<br>\\r\\n Mion must have been embarrassed.<br>\\r\\n と思ったちょうどのタイミングで、お姉は話題を逸らした。<br>\\r\\n She soon changed the subject.<br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音、最近はあまりバイトに行けてなかったでしょ…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I guess you haven't been able to work lately, have you...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…ご賢察痛み入ります。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You're right, I haven't.<br>\\r\\n お陰様で。」<br>\\r\\n ...Thanks to you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、……うん、ごめん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh... I'm sorry about that...<br>\\r\\n …今日は私、夜まで姿を隠してるから、バイトに出られるんじゃない…？」<br>\\r\\n I'll hide somewhere until tonight, so maybe you can work today...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 綿流しの事前打ち合わせやら準備やらのせいで、最近のお姉は公の場に出ずっぱりだった。<br>\\r\\n Sis has been appearing in public places during festival preparations and whatnot.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音が公の場にずっといると、私は魅音のふりができない。<br>\\r\\n As a result, I hadn't been able to pretend to be her.<br><br>\\r\\n つまり、バイトに行けないということだ。<br>\\r\\n I hadn't been able to work.<br><br>\\r\\n 生活費を自分で稼がなければならない私には、それはとても痛いことだった。<br>\\r\\n As someone who had to support myself, it was a bit of a pain.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 本当はバイトなどしたい気分ではない。<br>\\r\\n To be honest, I didn't feel like working.<br><br>\\r\\n ……だが、部屋でアンニュイな気分を楽しめるほど、私の財政状況は潤ってはいなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...But I couldn't afford to be sitting around, either.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 部屋を出て鍵を掛けていると、その音で私の外出に気付いたのか、隣の部屋の戸が開き、葛西が顔を覗かせた。<br>\\r\\n When I locked my apartment door before leaving, the door of the next apartment over opened and Kasai appeared.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音さん、お出掛けですか…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion-san, are you heading out...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そんなとこです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah.<br>\\r\\n お姉が姿を隠してくれるそうなんで、久々にバイトに出ます。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to work, since Sis gave me time until tonight.<br>\\r\\n 葛西、暇だったら叔父さんの店まで車を出してもらってもいい？」<br>\\r\\n Can you give me a ride?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………詩音さん、しばらくはバイトを控えられた方がよろしくはないですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Shion-san, wouldn't it be safer for you to take a few days off?<br>\\r\\n 事件のせいで、警察は園崎家界隈を監視しているようですし。<br>\\r\\n The police seem to be staking out the main house.<br>\\r\\n あまり姿を表に出さない方がいいのではないかと思います。」<br>\\r\\n I don't think it's a good idea to leave.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「お気遣いは嬉しいけど、バイトしないと食費もないわけですし。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I appreciate your concern, but I have to make money to survive.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n こういう言い方をすると葛西が、食費くらい私が出しますなんて言いかねない。<br>\\r\\n Kasai might suggest he'd donate money to my cause.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、葛西にお金を無心しないというのはここでの生活を始めた時に、強く誓ったことだ。<br>\\r\\n However, I had sworn to myself when I started living here that I wouldn't depend on Kasai.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は、人の作ったルールなんて全然守らないが、だからこそ、自分の作ったルールだけは頑なに守りたかった。<br>\\r\\n While I don't obey anyone else's rules, I stick to my own.<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は、私が一度言い出したら絶対に聞かないことを知っていたから。<br>\\r\\n Kasai could tell that I was adamant in my decision.<br><br>\\r\\n 事務的に何度か考え直すように言った後、あっさりと折れて車の用意をしてくれた。<br>\\r\\n So, after repeating himself a couple of times as a formal procedure, he decided to give me a ride after all.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 叔父さんの店へ車で行こうとすると、必ずこの信号で捕まる。<br>\\r\\n Every time we went to my uncle's store by car, we stopped at this traffic light.<br><br>\\r\\n 必ず捕まる、と分かっていても、やっぱり今日もまた捕まると、それはそれで不愉快だった。<br>\\r\\n I knew it was going to happen again, but it still irritated me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 目の前の横断歩道を、とろとろと歩行者たちが横切る。<br>\\r\\n Pedestrians passed by in front of the car.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その歩行者たちの中に、私は悟史くんにそっくりな人を見つけて驚く。<br>\\r\\n I was startled to see that one of them looked like Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n ……間違いなく悟史くんだった。<br>\\r\\n ...It was him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんとは、つい最近、電話で話したとは言え、その姿を見るのは本当に久しぶりだった。<br>\\r\\n Though I'd spoken with him on the phone just a couple of days before, it'd been a while since I saw him last.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「葛西。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Kasai.<br>\\r\\n 悪いけど叔父さんに、やっぱ今日のバイトは行けなくなったって伝えてくれる？<br>\\r\\n Sorry, but could you tell my uncle that I can't come today?<br>\\r\\n 私、ここで降ります。」<br>\\r\\n I'm getting off here.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え？<br>\\r\\n \\\"What?<br>\\r\\n 詩音さん？！」<br>\\r\\n Shion-san?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西が何事かと聞き返すが、私は答えずに車を降りた。<br>\\r\\n Kasai looked taken aback, but I got out of the car regardless.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 車道の信号は青になる。<br>\\r\\n The light turned green.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は私に向かって何か叫んでいるようだったが、後続車のクラクションに急かされ、仕方なく車を出す他なかった。<br>\\r\\n The car behind him honked while Kasai was shouting at me, so he had to start moving.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは自転車だったが、歩く速度と大して変わらない遅いスピードだったので、私は簡単に追いついてその背中を叩くことができた。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun was on his bike, but he was going really slowly. I caught up with him in a flash, and tapped him on the back.<br><br>\\r\\n 「はろろー。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hello.<br>\\r\\n 興宮で会うなんて奇遇ですね、悟史くん。」<br>\\r\\n I'm surprised to see you in Okinomiya, Satoshi-kun.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私が思いきりの笑顔で話しかけたなら。<br>\\r\\n If I talked to him with a smile,<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんも同じくらいの笑顔で返してくれるかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n he might smile back.<br><br>\\r\\n …そう思い、私は最高の笑顔で話しかける。<br>\\r\\n ...So, I smiled as brightly as I could.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……魅音。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mion.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n その表情は相変わらず疲労の色が濃い。<br>\\r\\n He looked tired as always.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、その表情には、私の笑顔に少しでも応えようという意思が感じられた。<br>\\r\\n But as I could tell, he was trying to smile back...<br>\\r\\n …私の心が途端にふわっと軽くなるのを感じた。<br>\\r\\n my worries suddenly disappeared.<br><br>\\r\\n 鏡がないからわからないけど、私の顔は一気に血色がよくなっているんだろうなと感じた。<br>\\r\\n I was certain I looked happy.<br><br>\\r\\n 自分でもわかるくらいなんだから、脇で見ている悟史くんには、私がよっぽど上機嫌な顔をしているように見えるに違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n I was aware of that myself, so it must have been obvious to Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「何があったか知らないけど、…魅音が楽しそうだね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't know the circumstances, but... you look happy.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「えぇ楽しいですよ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, I am happy.<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの機嫌が良さそうなので、私もつられて機嫌が良くなっただけです。」<br>\\r\\n I'm happy because you look happy.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ちょっとだけ嫌味っぽく言って、目を細めて笑ってやると、悟史くんは少し照れるような表情を返してくれた。<br>\\r\\n When I teased him, he looked a bit embarrassed.<br><br>\\r\\n ………こんな反応は、私にとって一番幸せだった日々を彷彿させる。<br>\\r\\n ...It was like we were back in the good old days.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、ますます私は上機嫌になるのだった。<br>\\r\\n I felt even happier than before.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんこそ、何かあったんですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"What's going on, Satoshi-kun?<br>\\r\\n 何か機嫌がよくなるようないいことがありましたか？」<br>\\r\\n Did something good happen?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………いい事なんかないよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Not really...<br>\\r\\n …叔母さんが亡くなって、…警察とかご近所とか、いろいろ大変だよ。」<br>\\r\\n My aunt died and... I have to deal with the police and the neighbors...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 一瞬、私は失言してしまって、悟史くんをひどく落胆させてしまうのではないかと思った。<br>\\r\\n I might've asked something dumb.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、そんな私の焦りは本当に杞憂だった。<br>\\r\\n He seemed to be okay with it, though.<br><br>\\r\\n 言葉を返す悟史くんの顔には、陰りはありながらも、やさしい笑みが浮かんでいたからだ。<br>\\r\\n He'd frowned a bit at first, but Satoshi-kun continued smiling gently.<br><br>\\r\\n まるで、………何かの大きな仕事をやり遂げた時のような、疲労感、達成感。<br>\\r\\n He looked... worn out, but satisfied, like he had accomplished something great.<br><br>\\r\\n そういう雰囲気を感じた。<br>\\r\\n That was the mood I sensed from him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だから、…私は確信した。<br>\\r\\n So... I was convinced.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子を苛め抜いた意地悪叔母を、<br>\\r\\n The one who killed that wicked aunt who tormented Satoko...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …彼が殺した。<br>\\r\\n ...was him.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は何の証拠がなくとも、直感的にそれを理解するのだった。<br>\\r\\n I had absolutely no proof, but I knew it intuitively.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だから私はそういうのを全部端折る。<br>\\r\\n So I omitted all those questions.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが叔母を殺す動機も、そこに至るほど追い詰められていることも。<br>\\r\\n I knew Satoshi-kun's motive for killing his aunt, and how badly he was driven into a corner.<br>\\r\\n 取り巻く状況も環境も、<br>\\r\\n I knew the environment and the situation he was in.<br><br>\\r\\n …そして悟史くんの気持ちも。<br>\\r\\n ...And I knew Satoshi-kun's feelings.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……全部わかっていたから。<br>\\r\\n ......I knew all of that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そういうのを全部端折る。<br>\\r\\n So I omitted all those questions.<br><br>\\r\\n 呪縛のような何かから解放された彼を労いたくて、私は何事もなかったかのように笑いながら問い掛けた。<br>\\r\\n I wanted to celebrate his release from that curse, so I smiled like nothing was different as I asked...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんはどこかへお出掛けですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Where are you going, Satoshi-kun?<br>\\r\\n あ、バイトかな？」<br>\\r\\n To work?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「正解。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right...<br>\\r\\n …その前に寄り道なんだけどね。」<br>\\r\\n I have to make a stop before that, though.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…寄り道？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...A stop?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あははは…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahaha...<br>\\r\\n 毎日、ちゃんとショーケースにあるのを確認しないと…何だか不安で。」<br>\\r\\n I have to make sure it's still there, otherwise I'll continue feeling really anxious...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その言葉から、連鎖的に思い出す。<br>\\r\\n That conversation reminded me.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんがバイトを始めた理由。<br>\\r\\n The reason he started his part-time job was to buy Satoko a huge teddy bear.<br><br>\\r\\n それは、沙都子がこの先にあるおもちゃ屋で売っている、巨大なぬいぐるみを欲しがったからだ。<br>\\r\\n It was being sold at the toy store just down the street.<br><br>\\r\\n そのぬいぐるみの値段が、結構高いものなのだとか。<br>\\r\\n I recalled that the teddy bear was very expensive.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子の誕生日は、綿流しのお祭りのあと、すぐだと聞いている。<br>\\r\\n Satoko's birthday was right after the festival.<br><br>\\r\\n ……何日かはよく知らないけれど。<br>\\r\\n ...I wasn't sure what day, though.<br><br>\\r\\n そういえば、バイトは辞めたと言ってなかったっけ？<br>\\r\\n Wait, didn't he say he quit his job?<br><br>\\r\\n お世話になった人へのご挨拶とか、借りてたロッカーの整理とか、そんなところだろうか。<br>\\r\\n Maybe he was going to greet his ex-coworkers and clean out his locker, or something?<br><br>\\r\\n どちらにせよ、悟史くんは目標額を貯め、もうじきバイト生活から完全に解放されるということだ。<br>\\r\\n Either way, he'd be completely free very soon.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ショーケースにあるのを確認しないと不安で…、なんていう事は、どうやらお給料はまだもらえていないのだろう。<br>\\r\\n Maybe he hadn't been paid yet. That's why he wanted to check if they still had the teddy bear.<br>\\r\\n この様子だと、沙都子の誕生日当日にもらえるのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n Maybe he was only getting paid on Satoko's birthday.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n おもちゃ屋が見えてくると、悟史くんは急に小走りになり、ショーウィンドゥの中を覗き込んだ。<br>\\r\\n When we got near the toy store, he rushed to the display window.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 売れていないと確認できたらしく、安堵している様子だった。<br>\\r\\n He looked relieved that it hadn't been sold yet.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「よかったよかった。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Good, good...<br>\\r\\n …大丈夫。<br>\\r\\n All right,<br>\\r\\n ちゃんとあるよ。」<br>\\r\\n it's still there.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「買えるだけのお金は稼げてるわけですよね？<br>\\r\\n \\\"You've earned enough money already, haven't you?<br>\\r\\n なら予約とかしちゃえばいいのに。」<br>\\r\\n Why don't you reserve it?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…むぅ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mmph?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 予約という概念すら欠落しているらしい。<br>\\r\\n He probably hadn't thought of that.<br><br>\\r\\n …やっぱり悟史くんの身近には世話焼きが必須だと実感する。<br>\\r\\n ...He really did need someone to look after him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの肩越しに私もショーケースを覗き込んだ。<br>\\r\\n I looked into the display window over his shoulder.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の尺度ではそんなに可愛いとは思えないが、確かにサイズだけは特大のぬいぐるみが、ケースの中に窮屈そうに閉じ込められていた。<br>\\r\\n The teddy bear wasn't that cute, in my opinion. It looked huge and cramped in the middle of the store's showcase.<br><br>\\r\\n 売り物というよりは、展示品やレイアウトの一部といった雰囲気だった。<br>\\r\\n Really, it looked more like a display model than an item for sale.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「値札が付いてないけど、これ、本当に売り物なんですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't see a price tag. Is that really for sale?<br>\\r\\n これ、一体いくらするんです？」<br>\\r\\n How much is it?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……ん、…うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Uh, yeah.<br>\\r\\n 売り物なのは確認したから間違いないよ。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sure they sell it.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「値段は？<br>\\r\\n \\\"What about the price?<br>\\r\\n 予算は大丈夫？」<br>\\r\\n Does it fit your budget?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「大丈夫だよ、ちゃんと確認してあるよ…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's all right. I already checked...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんはさすがに馬鹿にされたと思ったらしく、口を尖らせて頬を膨らませた。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun thought I was teasing him again. He pouted and looked a little sulky.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「予算が大丈夫なら、問題ないじゃないですか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"There's no problem then.<br>\\r\\n なら予約しちゃいましょう。<br>\\r\\n Why don't you go reserve it now?<br>\\r\\n その方が悟史くんも心の荷が下りていいでしょうしね。」<br>\\r\\n Then you won't have to feel anxious anymore.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私たちはちょっと埃っぽい店内に入り、お店の人の姿を探す。<br>\\r\\n We entered the store and looked for a clerk.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………誰もいないのかな。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Is anybody here...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あははははー、そりゃ好都合です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahaha. Nice.<br>\\r\\n 悟史くん、お給料日を待たずにぬいぐるみが手に入るかもですね。」<br>\\r\\n Maybe you can get it without paying.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「だだ、駄目だよ魅音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"N-No, Mion.<br>\\r\\n 泥棒はいけないよ…。」<br>\\r\\n Stealing is bad...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…冗談ですって。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I'm just kidding.<br>\\r\\n 軽く受け流して欲しかったんだけどなぁ。<br>\\r\\n Trying to make you laugh...<br>\\r\\n …ひょっとして、私が盗人の真似を平気で出来る女だと思ってますー？」<br>\\r\\n Do you think I'd really do that?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、…ごめん。あははは…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh... no. Sorry. Ahahahaha...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが取り繕ったように笑う。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun smiled apologetically.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はそれにむくれ面を返してやる。<br>\\r\\n I puffed up my cheeks to tease him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n このやり取りが、…何だか無性に懐かしい。<br>\\r\\n It had really been a while since the last time we did this.<br><br>\\r\\n 今日までに何だか色々と、嫌なことやつまらないこと、忘れたいことがたくさんあった気がする。<br>\\r\\n In between those times, many undesirable things happened that I wanted to forget.<br><br>\\r\\n ……だけど、そんなことは砂浜に書いた文字が、波に一度覆われただけで跡形もなく消えてしまうくらいに、すーっと消えてしまっていた。<br>\\r\\n ...But now I felt as though all those things simply vanished into the air around us.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n レジの奥に揺り椅子があり、お店の人らしい老人が昼寝をしているのを見つける。<br>\\r\\n I found an old person napping in the back. He must be the clerk, I thought.<br><br>\\r\\n 私たちは結構にぎやかにしていたつもりなのに、起きないところを見ると相当深く眠っているようだった。<br>\\r\\n He looked to be fast asleep.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あの、…すみません。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Excuse me...<br>\\r\\n お店の方ですよね？」<br>\\r\\n You work here, right...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 肩を突っ突いたりしてみるが、まるで目を覚ます気配がない。<br>\\r\\n I poked his shoulder, but he didn't look like he was going to wake up.<br><br>\\r\\n その時、ただいまーという声が聞こえて、エプロンをしたおばさんが入って来た。<br>\\r\\n When I did that, a middle-aged woman wearing an apron came in.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「おじいちゃん、店番頼んだのにすっかり居眠りしちゃってー！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Grandpa! You fell asleep again!<br>\\r\\n お客さん来てるってのにもー！<br>\\r\\n We have customers!<br>\\r\\n もーごめんなさいねぇ！<br>\\r\\n I'm really sorry, you two!<br>\\r\\n うちのおじいちゃんももうすっかりボケちゃって。」<br>\\r\\n He's been very flaky, you know.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n おばさんは、ちょっと乱暴な起こし方で老人を起こすと、居間に戻るように告げる。<br>\\r\\n The middle-aged woman shook the old man awake and told him to go back to the living room.<br><br>\\r\\n それから苦笑いしながら、レジに回ってくれた。<br>\\r\\n She went to the cash register after that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「お恥ずかしいところを見せちゃってごめんなさいねぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That was so embarrassing.<br>\\r\\n 何かお買い上げ？」<br>\\r\\n So, how can I help you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、買うんじゃなくて予約なんですけど、いいですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Um, I'd like to reserve something.<br>\\r\\n あのショーケースの中の一番大きいぬいぐるみなんですけど。」<br>\\r\\n That big teddy bear in the display window.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あれ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, that one?<br>\\r\\n いいの？<br>\\r\\n Are you sure?<br>\\r\\n 値札見た？<br>\\r\\n That one is really expensive.<br>\\r\\n かなり高いけど、お小遣い大丈夫なの？」<br>\\r\\n You know that, right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、……はい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh... yes.<br>\\r\\n ぎりぎり足りるはずです。」<br>\\r\\n I think I have enough.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「もうすぐバイトのお給料が入るそうなので、それまで予約したいんですけど…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"He'll get paid really soon, so he'd like to reserve it.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 店の人はやや面倒くさそうではあったけど、悟史くんの名前をメモに書き取ると、予約を引き受けてくれた。<br>\\r\\n The woman looked a bit hesitant at first, but she eventually wrote down Satoshi-kun's name and accepted the reservation.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、予約券の代りに、予約したことを示すメモをもらう。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun received a slip of paper.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ね？<br>\\r\\n \\\"See?<br>\\r\\n これでもう誰かに先に買われちゃう心配はもう必要ありません。」<br>\\r\\n You don't have to worry about the teddy bear anymore.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah...<br>\\r\\n …お給料がもらえるのはもうすぐなんだけどね、<br>\\r\\n I'll get paid soon, too...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …これで安心できる。」<br>\\r\\n I feel relieved now.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この様子じゃ、悟史くんは連日のようにショーケースを覗いていたに違いない。<br>\\r\\n He would've kept coming to check every day if he hadn't done this now.<br><br>\\r\\n で、今日はあるか、明日はあるかと無駄に心配を重ねてたわけだ。<br>\\r\\n He would've spent his time needlessly worrying.<br><br>\\r\\n その心的負担から解放されたのか、悟史くんは本当にほっとした笑顔で、予約券を取れた喜びを噛みしめているようだった。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun looked very relieved indeed.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「これなら、もっと早くに予約をしてれば良かったなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I should've done it sooner.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……普通の人は欲しいと思ったら即予約します。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Usually, people do that right away when they want something.<br>\\r\\n そういう思考に至らない悟史くんはちょいと希少です。」<br>\\r\\n It's very rare for somebody not to think of that.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「む、…むぅ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mm, mmph...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんをいじめることの楽しさを思い出す。<br>\\r\\n It's so very fun to tease him.<br><br>\\r\\n ……本当に、昨日までの暗くて辛くて寂しい日々が嘘のようだった。<br>\\r\\n ...Those painful days seem unbelievable now.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんも、昨日までの日々を嘘にするつもりに見えた。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun looked like he'd forgotten everything that happened up until yesterday.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「でも、…ありがと。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Anyway... thanks.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんはそう言いながら、私の頭に手を伸ばす。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun held out his hand to touch my head.<br><br>\\r\\n …私の頭を撫でようとしてくれてるんだと気付くと、顔が紅潮するのが自分でわかった。<br>\\r\\n ...Was he going to stroke it? I felt my face reddening already.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの手が、私の頭にまだ触れてないのに。<br>\\r\\n Even before he touched my head,<br>\\r\\n …私の頭のてっぺんは、悟史くんが気安く撫でてくれた日々を思い出し、くすぐったいような感じでいっぱいになってしまう。<br>\\r\\n I felt tingly, remembering the last time.<br><br>\\r\\n ………昨日、物騒な殺人事件があったことだって、もう今の私には何の興味もないことだった。<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't care about the murder, or whatever else happened.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんたちに辛くあたっていた不幸の元凶が死んだのなら、それでいい。<br>\\r\\n As long as Satoshi-kun had his freedom, everything would be all right.<br><br>\\r\\n 今日から悟史くんにとっても、私にとっても幸せな日々が取り戻されていくなら、それで十分だった。<br>\\r\\n I'd be content as long as we could live happily from today onward.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……だが、いくら待っても、悟史くんの手は私の頭を撫でてくれなかった。<br>\\r\\n ......But Satoshi-kun's hand never reached my head.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 固く閉じていたまぶたをそぅっと開く。<br>\\r\\n I slowly opened my eyes...<br><br>\\r\\n そして、…私は状況がまったく一変してしまっていることを知った。<br>\\r\\n Only to realize that the situation had drastically changed.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 背広姿の男たちが４人。<br>\\r\\n There were four men in suits blocking our way.<br><br>\\r\\n まるで、私たちがおもちゃ屋から出てくるのを待ち構えていたかのようだった。<br>\\r\\n It looked as though they'd been waiting for us to exit the toy store.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「どうもどうも。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hello, hello.<br>\\r\\n んっふっふっふっふ…。」<br>\\r\\n Nfu fu fu fu fu...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 嫌らしい笑いをしながら、一番年配の男が歩み出た。<br>\\r\\n The oldest of the four men stepped forward while smirking.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 初対面の男だったが、雰囲気から察するに魅音と悟史くんの両方に面識があるようだった。<br>\\r\\n I'd never met this man, but it looked like he knew both Mion and Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n 警察の刑事か何かに見える。<br>\\r\\n He was probably a cop.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n お姉から最近受けた情報を高速で検索した。<br>\\r\\n I ran a search for information in my head...<br>\\r\\n …該当する情報はすぐに見つけられる。<br>\\r\\n and found some right away.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「こんにちは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Good to see both of you,<br>\\r\\n 北条さん、園崎さん。<br>\\r\\n Houjou-san and Sonozaki-san.<br>\\r\\n いい雰囲気だったところを邪魔しちゃって、実に申し訳ないです。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry to bother you at a time like this.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大石蔵人。<br>\\r\\n This must be Kuraudo Ooishi.<br><br>\\r\\n ……興宮署の刑事で、一連の事件を捜査している人物。<br>\\r\\n ...The cop who's investigating the series of mysterious deaths.<br><br>\\r\\n 連続怪死事件の裏に園崎家の暗躍を嗅ぎ取っているらしい。<br>\\r\\n He thinks that the Sonozaki family is behind all of the cases.<br>\\r\\n 園崎家ともっとも敵対する人物だ。<br>\\r\\n In other words, he's an enemy of the Sonozaki family.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 捜査４課との縁も深く、この辺りの地回りに特に精通する。<br>\\r\\n He has deep connections with other investigation divisions in the police force, and likes to nose around the businesses in this area.<br><br>\\r\\n …連続怪死事件の云々がなくても、ヤクザ稼業に手を染める園崎家には充分、敵に値する存在だ。<br>\\r\\n ...He annoys the Sonozaki family enough as it is by interfering with its yakuza business, let alone his suspicions on the series of mysterious deaths.<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、次期頭首である魅音に好意的な存在でないことも間違いない。<br>\\r\\n Naturally, as the family's successor, he's not a welcome figure to Mion Sonozaki.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はお姉ならこう返すに違いないと、その反応をシミュレーションしていく。<br>\\r\\n I tried to imagine how Sis would react.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…ありゃあ、大石さんですか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Oh, Ooishi-san.<br>\\r\\n お仕事ご苦労さまです。<br>\\r\\n Thank you for working hard for our safety.<br>\\r\\n 大の大人が、４人も揃っておもちゃ屋さんに何かご用で？<br>\\r\\n Oh, the four of you want something from this toy store?<br>\\r\\n まさかお人形さん買いに来たってわけでもあるまいに？<br>\\r\\n A doll, maybe?<br>\\r\\n ぷぷぷ…。」<br>\\r\\n Pfff...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 言うまでもなく、用事があるのはおもちゃ屋にではなく、<br>\\r\\n I know what they want, and it's\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 私たちにだ。<br>\\r\\n not a toy.<br><br>\\r\\n 私、ではあるまい。<br>\\r\\n It's probably not me, either...<br>\\r\\n ……恐らくは悟史くんだ。<br>\\r\\n They want Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの様子を窺うと、……過剰な反応は示さないまでにも、落ち着きをなくしていることが見て取れた。<br>\\r\\n I took a look at Satoshi-kun... He seemed a bit uncomfortable.<br><br>\\r\\n 他の刑事たちも、やんわりと包囲して、私たちが逃げ出すことを予見しているかのようだ。<br>\\r\\n The other three cops loosely surrounded us to prevent our escape.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「北条さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Houjou-san,<br>\\r\\n 実はですね、ちょいと伺いたいお話がありまして。」<br>\\r\\n I'd like to talk to you about something.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「何それ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"What for?<br>\\r\\n 任意同行ってやつ？<br>\\r\\n Are you taking him to the station?<br>\\r\\n 悟史くん、こんなのに付き合う必要ないよ、行こ！」<br>\\r\\n You don't have to go with them, Satoshi-kun. Let's get out of here!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの肩をドンと小突く。<br>\\r\\n I pushed on his shoulder.<br>\\r\\n だが悟史くんは顔面を蒼白にし、心ここにあらずという感じだった。<br>\\r\\n But he just stood there, looking pale and bewildered.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 心ここにあらず？<br>\\r\\n Bewildered?<br><br>\\r\\n それは諦観、…いや、観念したかのように見えた。<br>\\r\\n No, he actually looked resigned.<br><br>\\r\\n ……その時。<br>\\r\\n ......Then<br>\\r\\n 私はお姉の不手際を呪った。<br>\\r\\n I recalled Sis's mistake.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 叔母殺しなんて、現場を見なくたって犯人は悟史くんだってわかるじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n It's obvious that he killed his aunt from the circumstances! You don't even have to look at the crime scene!<br><br>\\r\\n その悟史くんを庇うようにアリバイを作らなくてどうするのか…！<br>\\r\\n How could Mion have failed to create an alibi...?!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 馬鹿魅音は警察にすでに、当日のことをありのまま話してる。<br>\\r\\n That stupid Mion must've spoken to the police without making anything up at all.<br><br>\\r\\n つまり、悟史くんにアリバイがないってことまで馬鹿正直に！<br>\\r\\n She must've not told them that she knew where Satoshi-kun was...!<br><br>\\r\\n お姉が動かない以上、村人はみんな正直に話す。<br>\\r\\n If she hadn't done anything, the villagers wouldn't work to help her.<br><br>\\r\\n それらを全部合わせれば、悟史くん一人にいつまでたってもアリバイができないのは明白になるだろう。<br>\\r\\n It was just a matter of time until the police uncovered Satoshi-kun's complete lack of an alibi.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして警察は丹念に外堀を埋め、…任意同行から一気に畳みかけて悟史くんの自白を引き出そうとするに違いない。<br>\\r\\n The police were trying to corner him and lead him to confess.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんの表情をもう一度見る。<br>\\r\\n ...I looked at Satoshi-kun's face once again.<br><br>\\r\\n その表情には、ひとかけらの覇気も見いだすことができなかった。<br>\\r\\n He looked like a dead man.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、任意同行が断れるものだということも知らないだろう。<br>\\r\\n He probably didn't know he could refuse to be interrogated.<br><br>\\r\\n のこのこと取調室まで連れて行かれ、この老獪な大石に、ちょっとカマをかけられただけであっさり観念して自供するに違いない。<br>\\r\\n If he was taken to the station and grilled by Ooishi, he'd confess in a minute.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんはやっぱり誰かが庇ってあげないとだめなのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Somebody had to protect him.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、誰も守らなかった。<br>\\r\\n Nobody had ever been there for him...<br>\\r\\n …なら私が守ってあげなければ…。<br>\\r\\n I had to step up now.<br><br>\\r\\n だけど、どうやって？！<br>\\r\\n But how?!<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音がこれまで証言したことは勘違いでしたと、今さらひっくり返して見せるか？<br>\\r\\n Would it be possible to alter what Mion had already told them, saying it was a mistake?<br>\\r\\n そんなのはまったくの無駄で手遅れだ。<br>\\r\\n That wasn't going to work.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 考える時間がもう少し潤沢にあるならば、私の狡猾な脳はきっとうまい言い逃れを見つけ出してくれるに違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n If I had more time, I'd come up with an excellent idea.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、そんな悠長な時間は今はない。<br>\\r\\n But I didn't have that much time at all.<br><br>\\r\\n 刑事たちはじりじりと間合いを詰め、明らかに見て取れる圧力を演出していた。<br>\\r\\n To pressure him, the cops were drawing nearer.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が距離感としてしか感じないものを、悟史くんはもっともっと心理的に感じているに違いない。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun must have felt intimidated.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が起死回生の何かを思案して押し黙っている間に、緊張に耐えきれなくなった悟史くんが、屈伏してしまうことだってある。<br>\\r\\n He might end up turning himself in due to the pressure while I'm stuck trying to come up with something!<br><br>\\r\\n 考えるより先に、何か何か何か。<br>\\r\\n I have to do something now!<br><br>\\r\\n ここで黙っては駄目だ駄目だ。<br>\\r\\n I have to say something!<br><br>\\r\\n この沈黙が、悟史くんを追い詰めてしまうまえに。<br>\\r\\n Otherwise, Satoshi-kun might give in.<br><br>\\r\\n 私という存在が、この王手を何とか凌がなければ…！！<br>\\r\\n I have to save him...!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大石の巨体が悟史くんを圧迫するように迫る。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi drew nearer.<br><br>\\r\\n それに気圧されて悟史くんがよろりと、後ろへ後退る。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun fell back.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………あ、…………………ぅ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Uh...... ooh...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「大して時間は取らせませんから。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It won't take much time.<br>\\r\\n そんな怖がらないください。<br>\\r\\n Come on, don't be scared...<br><br>\\r\\n …んっふっふっふっふ！」<br>\\r\\n ...Nfu fu fu fu fu!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 何が大して時間は取らせないだ…。<br>\\r\\n It won't take much time?<br>\\r\\n 今こいつ、ハッキリ言ッタゾ！<br>\\r\\n He just said it!<br>\\r\\n ここでひっ捕まえたら二度とシャバには戻らせないってハッキリ言ッタ！！<br>\\r\\n He just said he wouldn't let him out if he caught him now!!<br>\\r\\n 悟史くん、絶対に屈しちゃいけない、君がここで屈したら、何のために今日まで耐えて来たのかわからなくなっちゃうんだよ！！<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun, don't give in! If you give in now, everything you've been working for will be ruined!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………ぅ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Ooh...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの呻きが、緊張の糸が切れかかっているサインであることは、私以上に大石の方が嗅ぎ取っているに違いないのだ…。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun looked like he was at his breaking point. Ooishi was clearly aware of it...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大石はにやぁっと笑い、……悟史くんの肩に手をかけようと、その腕を伸ばす……。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi smirked... and held out his arm to grab Satoshi-kun's shoulder...<br><br>\\r\\n 私はそれを見た瞬間に、脊髄に雷が駆け抜けるのを感じた。<br>\\r\\n I felt electrified when I saw that.<br><br>\\r\\n あの手に触れられては駄目だ。<br>\\r\\n That hand shouldn't be allowed to touch Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n あの無骨で無慈悲な手が悟史くんの肩を包んだ時、その感触は悟史くんの心を打ち負かしてしまう…！<br>\\r\\n The moment Ooishi touched his shoulder, he'd give in...!<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは力なく頷き、任意同行に従うどころか、全てを認めて白状してしまう…！！<br>\\r\\n He'd go to the police station and confess everything...!!<br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんに、アリバイがあるか知りたいわけですよね？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Do you want to know his alibi?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………うん？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Hmm?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大石が怪訝な声をあげ、私に振り返る。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi turned his face toward me...<br>\\r\\n …悟史くんに伸ばした手は止まった。<br>\\r\\n his hand left hanging in the air.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …私は特に用意があって言ったわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n ...I wasn't very prepared for this.<br><br>\\r\\n 大石の手が止められれば何でもよかっただけだ。<br>\\r\\n I just had to stop Ooishi, no matter what.<br><br>\\r\\n ……だから時間稼ぎ以上の意味など何もない。<br>\\r\\n ...I only needed to gain some time.<br><br>\\r\\n 本当に本当に、口からの出任せもいいところだった。<br>\\r\\n It didn't really matter what I said.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…そうですよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...That's right.<br>\\r\\n 北条悟史さんのアリバイが知りたいんです。<br>\\r\\n I want to get Houjou-san's alibi.<br><br>\\r\\n なっはっは、…私たちの捜査がマズイからなのかなぁ、犯行の時間帯にどうしても北条さんのアリバイが見つけられないんですよ。<br>\\r\\n Na ha ha... We must not be doing our jobs... we can't seem to confirm his whereabouts at the time of the crime.<br>\\r\\n 仕方ないから、恥を忍んでご本人に直接その辺りをお伺いしようかと思いましてねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n It's shameful, but we decided to question him in person.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そんなの本人に聞く必要ないです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You don't have to ask him.<br>\\r\\n 私がアリバイ、証明しますから。」<br>\\r\\n I can confirm his alibi.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ありゃ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh,<br>\\r\\n そりゃ本当？<br>\\r\\n really?<br>\\r\\n なら助かるなぁ。<br>\\r\\n That'd help.<br>\\r\\n あの晩、園崎さんが神社にいて、お祭の最後まで過ごしていたことは、すでにあなたからも聞いているし、その他大勢の方からも証言を得ています。<br>\\r\\n You already told me that you were at the festival that night and many people can confirm it.<br>\\r\\n そのあなたが、そこで北条さんとも一緒だったと言ってくれるなら、一番楽なんですがねぇ。<br>\\r\\n It'd be easier if we could confirm that Houjou-san was with you....<br>\\r\\n ……でもあんた、以前その辺りお聞きした時、北条さんのことは一言も言ってませんよねぇ？<br>\\r\\n But I don't think you mentioned him when I questioned you last time, did you?<br>\\r\\n 実は居ましてって今頃おっしゃるおつもりで？<br>\\r\\n Are you going to change your statement now?<br>\\r\\n 祭会場の誰一人、北条さんを見ていないのに、あなただけは見ていたと、そうおっしゃるおつもりで？」<br>\\r\\n Even though no one at the festival saw Houjou-san, are you going to tell me he was with you?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right.<br>\\r\\n 私と一緒にいました。それで充分です。」<br>\\r\\n He was with me. Wouldn't that be enough?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…あなたが仲良しのお友達と終始一緒にいたのはわかっているし、私も会場で実際にお見かけしています。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I know you were there with your other friends that night. I saw that myself.<br><br>\\r\\n それでも一緒に居たとおっしゃるわけで？<br>\\r\\n Are you still saying that you were with him?<br>\\r\\n なっはっはっは……。<br>\\r\\n Na ha ha ha...<br>\\r\\n そいつぁ、ちょっと苦しくない？<br>\\r\\n Isn't that a little too hard to believe?<br>\\r\\n ん？」<br>\\r\\n Isn't it?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大石は、意地悪な笑みを浮かべながら私に食い寄る。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi approached me with a creepy smile.<br><br>\\r\\n 苦し紛れの言い訳をする私を追い詰めて遊んでいる……わけではなかった。<br>\\r\\n Was he teasing me because my excuse sounded funny...? I didn't think so.<br><br>\\r\\n もう少しで釣れそうな魚釣りを、横から邪魔されたのがとにかく不快でしょうがない、といった悪意が剥き出しだった。<br>\\r\\n He was frustrated due to being interrupted when he was about to catch a big fish.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「祭会場でずっと一緒に遊んでたのに、すっかり忘れてて、今頃になって思い出したと、そうおっしゃるおつもり？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Are you saying that you forgot that you were with him, but just now remembered you actually were?<br>\\r\\n 園崎魅音さん。」<br>\\r\\n Mion Sonozaki-san.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 心の中で、…まずいなと一瞬思ったが、もう自分でも止めようがなかった。<br>\\r\\n I did get a little scared, but... I couldn't stop myself.<br><br>\\r\\n 「っていうか、私、魅音じゃないですし。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm not Mion Sonozaki.<br>\\r\\n だから元々、綿流しになんか行ってません。」<br>\\r\\n I didn't go to the Watanagashi festival in the first place.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……は？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Huh?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんとは綿流しの晩は、興宮のファミレスでずっとお喋りしてました。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Satoshi-kun and I were talking in a restaurant in Okinomiya at that time.<br>\\r\\n エンジェルモートって店ですので、どうぞ店長にも確認を取ってください。」<br>\\r\\n The name of the place is '<NAME>.' You can confirm that with the owner if you want.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大石はにやにやと笑いを浮かべたままだったが、混乱しているのは間違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi was still smirking, but he apparently felt confused.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…あんた、何を言ってるの？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...What are you saying?<br>\\r\\n あんた、魅音じゃないなら、誰なわけ？」<br>\\r\\n If you aren't Mion, then who are you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「園崎、…詩音です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm... <NAME>.<br>\\r\\n 魅音の双子の妹です。<br>\\r\\n Mion's twin sister.<br>\\r\\n 初めてお会いしますね、こんにちは。」<br>\\r\\n Pleasure to meet you, Ooishi-san.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大石は、私が苦し紛れに何を言っているやら…という顔をしていた。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi looked perplexed, like he didn't believe what I'd said.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、私があまりにも堂々ととんでもない話をするので、苦笑いは再び不快そうな顔に戻った。<br>\\r\\n He frowned.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「園崎魅音さんに双子の妹が居たなんて、初めて知りましたよ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"I didn't know Mion Sonozaki-san had a twin sister...<br>\\r\\n …あんた、大人をからかってんの？」<br>\\r\\n Are you trying to fool me?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「からかってなんかないですよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Not at all.<br>\\r\\n どうぞ戸籍でも何でも調べてみてください。<br>\\r\\n Why don't you check my family register, or whatever?<br>\\r\\n それとも、お姉を呼んで二人で並んで見せれば信じます？」<br>\\r\\n Should I call Sis?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ここまで言われては、刑事たちもさすがに動揺を隠せないようだった。<br>\\r\\n All the cops looked bewildered now.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……園崎、しおんさん？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Shion... Sonozaki-san?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「はい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes, that's me.<br>\\r\\n 詩音ですが、何か？」<br>\\r\\n Is there anything wrong?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…あんたにもちょっと来てもらってもいいですかね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Can you come with us?<br>\\r\\n あんたが園崎詩音さんで、北条さんと一緒におられたって言うんなら、…あんたにも話を聞かせてもらいたいもんです。」<br>\\r\\n If you're testifying that you were with Houjou-san that night... I'll have to talk to you, too.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「えぇ望むところです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sure thing.<br>\\r\\n お手柔らかによろしくお願いいたします。」<br>\\r\\n Please go easy on us.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 刑事たちは車のところで集まり、何か言い合いをしているようだった。<br>\\r\\n The cops gathered at their car and started discussing something.<br><br>\\r\\n …詩音などというジョーカーが突然現れることは、まったく予想していなかったに違いない。<br>\\r\\n ...Looked like they never expected this to happen.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、これで悟史くんのアリバイを少し誤魔化すこともできるだろう。<br>\\r\\n I hoped to be able to fake Satoshi-kun's alibi for at least a little while.<br><br>\\r\\n お姉の馬鹿には釘を刺しておいたから、詩音と一緒だったアリバイを後付けで作ることは出来ないことじゃない。<br>\\r\\n It shouldn't be too difficult to talk to Sis about this, then forge up an alibi together.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Satoshi-kun.<br>\\r\\n 何を聞かれてもエンジェルモートで私とお喋りをして過ごしていたと言い張ってください。<br>\\r\\n Tell them you were chatting with me at Angel Mort that night, no matter what they ask, okay?<br>\\r\\n 私が何とかしますから。<br>\\r\\n I'll confirm your alibi.<br>\\r\\n 何を聞かれても、よく覚えていないとか、うぅん、悟史くんなら下手なことは言わず、黙り込んだ方が無難かもです。」<br>\\r\\n Tell them you don't remember that night too clearly... or maybe you should just keep silent.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんはぽかんと口を開けていた。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun wore a startled expression.<br><br>\\r\\n …私が大事な話をしているのに、右の耳から左の耳へ通り抜けちゃっているようだった。<br>\\r\\n ...Though I was telling him something important, he'd apparently decided not to listen.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くん、聞いてます？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Can you hear me, Satoshi-kun?<br>\\r\\n ここでしっかりしないと刑事たちの思うつぼです。」<br>\\r\\n You can't mess this up, okay?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、……う、………うん。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh... o-okay.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、…きっと騙されたような気持ちになってるんだろうなと思った。<br>\\r\\n He must have been feeling deceived.<br><br>\\r\\n 無理もない…。<br>\\r\\n No wonder...<br>\\r\\n ずっと魅音だと思っていた相手が、実は双子の妹でしたなどと告白したのだ。<br>\\r\\n I'd just confessed that I wasn't Mion, but her twin sister.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が魅音を騙って悟史くんを騙し続けて来たのは、紛れもない事実。<br>\\r\\n I really had been deceiving him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………怒ってます…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Are you upset?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……なんで？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Why?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「その、……騙してて。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Because... I've been fooling you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………あはははははは。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Aha ha ha ha ha ha.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが突然、朗らかに笑い出す。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun started laughing.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは場を誤魔化すために笑えるような器用な人じゃない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't know why he'd laugh,<br>\\r\\n だからなぜ笑ったのか、私にはちょっとわからなかった。<br>\\r\\n because he wasn't the type of person who would laugh in order to hide something.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「たまに、教室の魅音と話が食い合わないことがあったから、違和感は感じてたんだ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I finally understand why you were weird sometimes in class.<br>\\r\\n ……やっとわかったよ。」<br>\\r\\n I'd been thinking it was a bit strange.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………怒らないでくれるんですか…？<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Aren't you upset<br>\\r\\n その、騙してたこと…。」<br>\\r\\n that I've been fooling you...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは小首を傾げる。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun looked puzzled.<br><br>\\r\\n …少し鈍い悟史くんは、それが怒るべきことなのかもわかりかねているように見えた。<br>\\r\\n ...It was like he didn't know whether he should be upset about it or not...<br>\\r\\n ………あるいは、そう装ってくれているのか。<br>\\r\\n Or maybe he was only pretending to be that way.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「初めまして、じゃないんだよね…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"So, this isn't the first time we've met, is it...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え、…と、………はい、……そうなります…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh, well... yes, that's right...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そっか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay.<br>\\r\\n しおんって、どう書くの？」<br>\\r\\n How do you write your name?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「詩を詠むの“詩”に音で詩音です。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"With the characters for 'poetry' and 'sound'.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion...<br>\\r\\n ……うん。」<br>\\r\\n huh.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うん？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「いい名前だね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's a beautiful name.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃお二人さん、すみませんが署までご同行願えますかね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Could you please come with us to the station?<br>\\r\\n 粉末でよければ、コーヒーか紅茶かくらいは選べますよ？」<br>\\r\\n We can get you instant coffee or tea if you'd like.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、狡猾な刑事たちは私たちを二人一緒になど取調べはしなかった。<br>\\r\\n The cops were smart enough to separate us during questioning.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の方に大石は来なかった。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi didn't come to talk to me.<br><br>\\r\\n あいつの狙いは最初から悟史くんだ。<br>\\r\\n His aim was Satoshi-kun and nobody else.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の方は、若い刑事が世間話をするばかりだった。<br>\\r\\n I got a young cop who just talked about ordinary things.<br><br>\\r\\n 乗り易い話題から徐々に入り込んでくる話術なのだろう。<br>\\r\\n He must have been trying to ease me into the interrogation.<br><br>\\r\\n …そうとわかっていると、こちらに話を合わすような話し方が、下手くそなホストクラブのようで気持ちが悪い。<br>\\r\\n ...When I realized that, the clumsy way he spoke began to frustrate me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの方は大丈夫だろうか。<br>\\r\\n Is Satoshi-kun all right?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大石は、私のアリバイ証言など付け焼き刃に違いないと思っているだろう。<br>\\r\\n I didn't think Ooishi really bought my testimony.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんに一気に畳みかければ落せると思っているに違いない。<br>\\r\\n He must have been trying to get Satoshi-kun to confess in spite of that.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんが、どんなに辛くてもだんまりで通してくれるのを祈るしかなかった。<br>\\r\\n ......All I could do was pray that he'd keep quiet.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 脇に置いてあった内線電話が鳴った。<br>\\r\\n The phone on the desk rang,<br>\\r\\n それを刑事が取る。<br>\\r\\n and the cop picked it up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………はい、熊谷です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...This is Kumagai...<br>\\r\\n ……………はい？<br>\\r\\n ...What?<br>\\r\\n あ、……そうですか。<br>\\r\\n All right...<br>\\r\\n わかりました。<br>\\r\\n I understand.<br>\\r\\n すぐに。」<br>\\r\\n Right away.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 受話器を置くと私に、家から迎えが来ていると告げた。<br>\\r\\n He hung up and told me somebody had come to retrieve me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 解放されるのは私だけのようだった。<br>\\r\\n Looked like Satoshi-kun had to stay.<br><br>\\r\\n …身元引受人のない悟史くんは、まだまだ尋問を受けるのだろうか。<br>\\r\\n ...Were they going to continue the interrogation just because he had nobody to pick him up?<br><br>\\r\\n ………そんな心配より、今は自分の心配か。<br>\\r\\n ...Although, maybe I should have been worrying more about myself.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 警察の前で堂々と詩音だと名乗った以上、もう園崎本家にはバレている。<br>\\r\\n The hag had probably heard about me by now, since I revealed my real identity to the police.<br><br>\\r\\n これだけ公の場に堂々と姿を出してしまった以上、もう言い逃れはできない。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't hide any longer.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆の前に私は引っ立てられ、何かの処分を受けるだろう。<br>\\r\\n I was going to receive some sort of punishment.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私がどういう処遇になるのか、正直なところ、想像もつかない。<br>\\r\\n I had no idea what she'd end up doing to me.<br><br>\\r\\n 誰かが庇ってくれたり、お目溢しをしてくれたりして一件落着、というのは私たちの世界に限ってはありえない。<br>\\r\\n The degree of punishment for a traitor is always severe in the world of the Sonozakis.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 面子とか体面とか。<br>\\r\\n The punishment must be carried out.<br><br>\\r\\n …例え本人が望まなくても、対外的なジェスチャーのために執行しなくてはならない世界だ。<br>\\r\\n ...If it's to protect the family's reputation, it's carried out no matter what.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私も、今のうちに自分の小指にキスくらいしておいた方がいいかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n ...Maybe I should kiss my pinky finger while I still can.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私を送る若い刑事に言ってやる。<br>\\r\\n I asked the young cop just in case.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ねね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey,<br>\\r\\n アメリカなんかでよく、死刑囚が死刑廃止の州で捕まると、引き渡さないでくれるっていう話あるじゃないですか。」<br>\\r\\n did you know that, in America, if a condemned criminal gets arrested in a state which has banned capital punishment, they'll refuse to surrender him to the state prosecuting him if that state hasn't banned it?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うん…？？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh...??\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …引用が難し過ぎたか。<br>\\r\\n ...Maybe it was too difficult for him.<br>\\r\\n 刑事はよく意味がわかっていないようだった。<br>\\r\\n He just looked puzzled.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 警察署の玄関前には、真っ黒な車が待ち構えていた。<br>\\r\\n A glossy black car was waiting for me in front of the police station.<br><br>\\r\\n うちのお父さんの手下の、人相のよろしくない連中が、深々とお辞儀して出迎える。<br>\\r\\n A few men from my dad's office bowed to me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音さん、ご無沙汰しております。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's been a long time, Shion-san.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………葛西は？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Where's Kasai?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は私の一番の忠臣で、学園からの脱走の手引きから、興宮での隠れ家までを全て世話してくれた。<br>\\r\\n Kasai had been helping me ever since my escape from the school......<br>\\r\\n ……おそらく無事では済むまい。<br>\\r\\n They wouldn't allow him to walk free.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……お姉はどうしてるの？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...How's Sis doing?<br>\\r\\n 何か言ってる？」<br>\\r\\n Does she have something to say about this?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………私たちは詩音さんを本家へお連れしろとしか言われていませんので。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...We were only told to bring you to the main house.<br>\\r\\n 詳しくは本家でお尋ねになってください。」<br>\\r\\n Please ask her when you get there.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 素っ気なくそう告げると、私に車に乗るよう促した。<br>\\r\\n After saying that, he escorted me into the car.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の両脇に一人ずつ。<br>\\r\\n A man sat on either side of me......<br>\\r\\n ……逃がす気はさらさらないようだ。<br>\\r\\n Obviously they didn't want me to escape.<br><br>\\r\\n …私は、まだ署内に残されている悟史くんを思い、興宮署に振り返る。<br>\\r\\n ...Thinking of Satoshi-kun, I looked back at the police station.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くん、がんばって…。<br>\\r\\n Hold on tight, Satoshi-kun...<br>\\r\\n …私もがんばるから。<br>\\r\\n I'll grin and bear it, too.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 車は無粋に急発進した。<br>\\r\\n The car started off roughly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 園崎本家には、ろくな時に招かれた記憶がない。<br>\\r\\n It was never a good occasion when I went to this house.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 本当に小さかった頃、まだ私たち姉妹が、自分たちの姓の園崎にどういう意味があるかもよくわからずにはしゃいで居た頃を別にすれば。<br>\\r\\n Except when Mion and I were really small, oblivious of what the Sonozaki name meant for us...<br><br>\\r\\n …親族会議などの、胃が痛くなるような時にしか、園崎本家には訪れた記憶がなかった…。<br>\\r\\n ...I'd been here only when I had to attend boring family councils.<br><br>\\r\\n 車は本家の表門でなく、裏手に停まった。<br>\\r\\n The car parked behind the house.<br><br>\\r\\n 表門から入るのは後ろめたくない人間だけということだ。<br>\\r\\n Traitors aren't allowed in through the main gate.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 車を降りると、出迎えはお姉ひとりだった。<br>\\r\\n I got out of the car. It looked like Sis would be the only person to receive me.<br><br>\\r\\n 気さくに声をかけようとしたが、その冷たい目つきを見てそれを引っ込める。<br>\\r\\n I almost spoke to her casually, but her cold gaze froze me before I could.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…お久しぶりですね詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...It's been a while, Shion.<br>\\r\\n 新年以外に会えるとは思いませんでした。」<br>\\r\\n I never expected to see you other than on New Year's.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 背中にぞわぞわしたものが登ってくるくらいに、お姉は他人行儀だった。<br>\\r\\n It gave me the chills to hear her greet me in that cold manner.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「魅音姉さまこそご機嫌麗しゅうございます。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's a pleasure to see you again, Mion-sama.<br>\\r\\n 新年以外にお顔が見れて、三文くらいの徳を感じます。」<br>\\r\\n I feel overjoyed to have the chance to see you, other than on New Year's.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私も精一杯の嫌味を込めて、他人行儀な言い方で返してやる。<br>\\r\\n I responded, trying to sound likewise.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「頭首は大変ご立腹ですよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Our leader is deeply upset.<br>\\r\\n どう釈明されるか見物です。」<br>\\r\\n I wonder how you'll explain yourself.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………私がするような釈明なんて、別にないですし。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I have nothing to explain.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 釈明も何もない。<br>\\r\\n I had no excuse.<br><br>\\r\\n 学園に耐えられなかったから抜け出して来た。<br>\\r\\n I'd escaped from the school solely because I couldn't stand it there.<br><br>\\r\\n それ以上に何の言い訳もない。<br>\\r\\n That was all.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音、来なさい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion, come this way.<br>\\r\\n 皆、待っています。」<br>\\r\\n Everyone is waiting for you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音を先導され、私たちは歩き出す……。<br>\\r\\n Mion escorted me, and the others followed...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 家でなく、庭に向かう。<br>\\r\\n We went to the garden, not into the house.<br><br>\\r\\n …そして、広大な庭のずっと奥の森を目指すに至り、私は自分がどこへ連れて行かれるかを察した。<br>\\r\\n ...As we passed through the huge yard into the woods, I realized where she was taking me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この奥の森は、私たち姉妹がまだ幼くて何も知らなかった頃、絶対に近付くなと強く言われていたところだ。<br>\\r\\n When we were little, we were told never to go near these woods.<br><br>\\r\\n ………この奥に何があるかは、…私も漠然とした噂では知っていた。<br>\\r\\n ...I had a vague idea of what was in the back of them.<br><br>\\r\\n 秘密の地下の入口があり、園崎家に刃向かう者を苛め殺すための拷問室があると言われている。<br>\\r\\n I'd heard there was a hidden entrance to the underground torture room, where they used to punish the enemies of the family.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 園崎本家にまつわる黒い噂の数々を知れば知るほど、その噂は信憑性を増していく。<br>\\r\\n The more hideous rumors I heard about the family, the more credible those rumors seemed.<br><br>\\r\\n …だが、それでも心のどこかで半信半疑だった。<br>\\r\\n ...Well, I wasn't completely certain about any of that.<br><br>\\r\\n それを今日、自らの身をもって知れるとは、…あの頃は夢にも思わなかった…。<br>\\r\\n I'd never expected to see the torture room for myself...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n やがて、鬱蒼とした深い森の中が大きく盆地になっているところにやってきた。<br>\\r\\n We came to a concave clearing in the middle of the woods.<br><br>\\r\\n そのすり鉢の底に、まるで防空壕を思わせる鉄扉があるのが見える。<br>\\r\\n I saw a metal door at the bottom of it. The door reminded me of a bomb shelter.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……これが噂の、地下拷問室ってやつですね？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...So, this is the underground torture room, huh?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 自分で口に出してみて驚く。<br>\\r\\n I was surprised to hear my own voice.<br><br>\\r\\n …私の声は、少し震えかかっていた。<br>\\r\\n ...My voice was trembling.<br>\\r\\n ……今の私は、自分で思っている以上に、…怯えていた。<br>\\r\\n ...It made me realize that I was more scared than I thought.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私のそんな問い掛けにも、魅音も含め誰も相手にしない。<br>\\r\\n Nobody answered my question...<br>\\r\\n …ただ、張りつめた空気が痛いだけ。<br>\\r\\n The very air felt tense.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …双子は生まれたら直ちに間引くべし。<br>\\r\\n ...According to the family rules,<br>\\r\\n …園崎家の家訓ではそうなっている。<br>\\r\\n one of the twins must be eliminated.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は、…………ひょっとして、…間引かれる？<br>\\r\\n Was I... finally going to be eliminated?<br><br>\\r\\n 指の一本くらいで許してもらえるだろうと思っていたのは、覚悟でも何でもなく、…単なる甘えに過ぎなかったことに気付く…。<br>\\r\\n I realized I had been underestimating my punishment.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 自分は園崎本家のことを恐ろしい恐ろしいと、言葉の上では理解していても、本当の意味では理解していなかった。<br>\\r\\n I hadn't been aware of the real terror until now. I just thought I was.<br><br>\\r\\n だって、…鉄扉を潜った中の空気は、…これまでに一度も嗅いだことないような恐ろしい空気で、……なのにそれでいて、紛れもない現実であることを突きつけていて。<br>\\r\\n Beyond the steel door, the air had an intimidating smell... this really was happening to me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …怯えの感情を、一度でも自覚してしまったら駄目だった。<br>\\r\\n ...I shouldn't allow myself to give in to fear.<br><br>\\r\\n 憎まれ口を叩いて、空元気を内に灯したくても、いつの間にか唇はこんなにも乾いてしまって。<br>\\r\\n I felt like saying something rude, but my lips were dry,<br>\\r\\n ……指先も落ち着きをなくしているのがわかった。<br>\\r\\n and my fingers were fidgeting.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 細い廊下を進み、何度か階段を下り。<br>\\r\\n I was escorted through the narrow hallway and down a few sets of stairs.<br><br>\\r\\n 再び大きな鉄扉をくぐり。<br>\\r\\n There, I saw another huge steel door.<br><br>\\r\\n …………その部屋へ私は来た。<br>\\r\\n ...So, this was the place.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そこは…広い部屋だった。<br>\\r\\n It was a spacious and...<br>\\r\\n …そして、これまでに見たこともないような奇怪な部屋だった。<br>\\r\\n utterly odd-looking room.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その部屋は左右の半分でまったく違う趣になっていた。<br>\\r\\n The room had two sections that looked completely different.<br><br>\\r\\n まず、片側半分はお座敷になっていて、<br>\\r\\n One side looked like a lounge.<br>\\r\\n …そこには親族会議の上席を陣取る１０数人の親類たちが、不気味なくらいの無表情で皆、座布団に座っていた。<br>\\r\\n I saw several high-ranking members of the family council sitting on cushions there, looking expressionless.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、もう片側半分は、まるで大きな公衆シャワールームを思わせるように、床や壁がタイル張りになっていた。<br>\\r\\n The other half was tiled, as if in a large public bath.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この座敷と浴場が混在したような空間は、それだけでもう充分に異常だ。<br>\\r\\n That was already puzzling enough.<br><br>\\r\\n …そして、…いや、そしてなんて形容の仕方はおかしい。<br>\\r\\n ...And... there were those things...<br><br>\\r\\n それはここに来て真っ先に私の目に飛び込んだからだ。<br>\\r\\n To be honest, they had captured my attention from the moment I arrived.<br><br>\\r\\n 部屋の半分が座敷で浴場で…なんてものよりも遥かに最初に。<br>\\r\\n I noticed them even before I saw the lounge and tiled space...<br>\\r\\n それでいて、……一番最後まで意識したくない。<br>\\r\\n I just didn't want to accept that they existed.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………足が、藁になる。<br>\\r\\n ...I couldn't stand straight.<br>\\r\\n 腰が崩れてへたり込みそうになる。<br>\\r\\n I almost dropped to my knees.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、へたり込むこともさせてもらえなかった。<br>\\r\\n But I couldn't.<br><br>\\r\\n この部屋に入ると同時に、私は若い男ふたりに両腕をがっちりと組まれていたから。<br>\\r\\n Two young men had been holding me by the arms since I got here.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n シャワールームの壁には、……初めて見るのに用途の想像が付く、奇怪なものたちが並べられていた。<br>\\r\\n There were oddly-shaped things hanging from the wall...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………あぁ、奇怪なものたちなんて言い方がそもそも潔くない。<br>\\r\\n ...Ah... I was just refusing to recognize what they were.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は、そのものたちを、単に何と呼べばいいかわかっているはずなのだ。<br>\\r\\n I knew exactly what they were called.<br><br>\\r\\n ……あぁあぁぁぁ…、<br>\\r\\n ......Ahhh...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 分かっている、認めている。<br>\\r\\n I see, I see.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はそれらが、<br>\\r\\n I understood that\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …この世のものとは思えないくらいに奇怪で歪な形をした、<br>\\r\\n those eerily shaped objects were\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……拷問具たちであることを理解している…。<br>\\r\\n torture devices from Hell...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「だぁほが。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Damned fool!<br>\\r\\n どの面下げて戻って来たん思うとっとと…。」<br>\\r\\n How dare you return...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 座敷の一番前に座っていた鬼婆が、…聞く者全てを威圧せずにはいられない恐ろしい声で、…まるで染み入らせるかのように、じっくりと告げる。<br>\\r\\n The hag, sitting at the front of the lounge, intimidated me in a horrid voice.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その後、何やら恐ろしいことをまくし立てていたが、訛りがひどくて、何を言っているかはよくは聞き取れなかった。<br>\\r\\n She kept cursing me for a little while, but she was so incensed that I could barely tell what she was saying.<br><br>\\r\\n …でも、全ては聞き取れなくても、…何を言おうとしているかは理解できた。<br>\\r\\n ...I knew what she was trying to say, though.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …鬼婆は、学園を抜け出したところまでは大目に見るつもりだった。<br>\\r\\n ...The hag was willing to forgive my escape from the school.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、自分が園崎詩音であると、警察に告げたのではどうにもならない。<br>\\r\\n But once I revealed my identity to the police, she had to step in.<br><br>\\r\\n 園崎本家としては、頭首の命令に背いたことが明らかになった以上、詩音を罰しないわけには行かない…ということなのだ。<br>\\r\\n Since I had disobeyed the family rule, she, as the leader, was forced to punish me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………そして何よりも。<br>\\r\\n ...Moreover.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆が一番、不愉快に思っていること。<br>\\r\\n There was one thing that bothered her more than anything else.<br><br>\\r\\n ……それは、私が悟史くんを庇ったことらしかった。<br>\\r\\n ...The fact that I covered for Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …北条家は、ダム戦争の時、村を裏切った裏切り者の一家。<br>\\r\\n ...The Houjou family had been seen as traitors to the village ever since the dam conflict.<br><br>\\r\\n その烙印は悟史くんと言えど免れていない。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun is still considered one of them.<br><br>\\r\\n その北条家の悟史くんと、園崎家の私に縁があることが、面白くなかったというのだ。<br>\\r\\n She couldn't accept that I was connected to him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それは…私にとってひどく意外なことだった。<br>\\r\\n To me, this was a bit unexpected.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は、鬼婆の決めた学園から逃げ出してきた。<br>\\r\\n I'd escaped from the school the hag had put me in.<br><br>\\r\\n だからこそ鬼婆の逆鱗に触れているのだと思っていた。<br>\\r\\n All the while, I'd believed that was what she was upset about.<br><br>\\r\\n …だが実際にはそうではなく、……私と悟史くんの取り合わせが不快だったと、そう言っているのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...But in fact, she said that she was the most uncomfortable with my connection with Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は信じられない気持ちでいっぱいになった。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't believe this.<br><br>\\r\\n …ダム戦争の時、悟史くんの両親が村を売るような行為をして、槍玉に挙げられていたのはよく知っている。<br>\\r\\n ...Of course I knew that Satoshi-kun's family was persecuted for their betrayal.<br><br>\\r\\n でもそれは……悟史くんの両親のことであって、その息子である悟史くんに問われる非ではないと思っていたからだ。<br>\\r\\n But I didn't think that Satoshi-kun was also burdened with that responsibility.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……そんなの、…悟史くん、関係ないじゃないですか…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......He has nothing to do with that...<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの親は分かるとしても、悟史くん個人には何の責任もな…、」<br>\\r\\n I understand that his parents were ostracized, but he shouldn't be...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「しゃあらしいわあッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shut the hell up!!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆に一喝され、私は言葉を最後まで言い切ることが出来ず、すくみ上がる。<br>\\r\\n The hag interrupted me with a shout, which made me cower in fear.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆は口汚く北条家の悪行を罵り、悟史くんもその汚い血を引いている裏切り者の子供だと言い切る。<br>\\r\\n She continued slandering the Houjous, and said that Satoshi-kun was a cursed child.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …それを聞く内に、私は…憤りを感じ始めていた。<br>\\r\\n ...I started feeling pissed off.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが一体を何をしたというのか？<br>\\r\\n What did he do to deserve this?<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんにどんな非があるというのか？<br>\\r\\n What was he being blamed for?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 気付いた時、私は心の中で思ったことをそのまま口にしていた。<br>\\r\\n It was too late when I realized I'd said that out loud.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は鬼婆の目が、憤怒に染まっていくのを見て、自分が何を口にしたかをようやく知る。<br>\\r\\n The hag looked furious. I'd obviously upset her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だから、自分の意思で口にするために、…もう一度同じことを口にすることを決意する。<br>\\r\\n I decided to repeat myself, to make it very clear how I felt.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……鬼婆、あんた何言ってんの？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...What are you saying, you old hag?<br>\\r\\n 黙って聞いてれば言いたい放題。」<br>\\r\\n Everything you've spouted is nonsense!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ああぁん？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huhh?!<br>\\r\\n なんばねすったら口の聞きぃ！！」<br>\\r\\n Who the hell do you think you're talking to?!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「やかましいッ、終いまで聞きなよ鬼婆ッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shut the fuck up!! Let me finish!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は鬼婆の怒鳴りすら一喝し、声を張り上げた。<br>\\r\\n I shouted loudly to silence the hag.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「大体、あんたは悟史くんの何を知ってるの？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"What the fuck do you know about Satoshi-kun?!<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんのことをよく知りもしないくせにまるで彼を害虫みたいに言い捨てて！！！<br>\\r\\n How could you talk about him like he's some pest when you don't know anything about him?!!<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんがどんなにいい人か、私はよく知っている！<br>\\r\\n I know how sweet he is!<br>\\r\\n 彼が北条だからいけないの？<br>\\r\\n You don't like him because he's a Houjou?!<br>\\r\\n ばっかみたい！！<br>\\r\\n How fucking stupid is that?!!<br>\\r\\n 時代錯誤も甚だしい！！<br>\\r\\n Is even your brain archaic, or what?!<br>\\r\\n 園崎の私が北条の悟史くんと一緒に居たのがそんなにも不愉快なの？！<br>\\r\\n You hate the fact that a Sonozaki is with a Houjou that much?!<br>\\r\\n くっだらないくっだらない、馬ッ鹿みたい！！！<br>\\r\\n That's not just stupid--that's beyond stupid!!!<br>\\r\\n こんな安っぽいロミジュリを自分で体験できるなんて思わなかったなー！<br>\\r\\n Boy, I never expected to feel like Juliet!<br>\\r\\n あっはっはっはっはっはっは！！！」<br>\\r\\n Aha ha ha ha ha ha!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 思いっきり強がって言っても、声はかすれる。<br>\\r\\n My voice became hoarse from shouting.<br><br>\\r\\n 涙もぼろぼろこぼれて顔はぐしゃぐしゃだ。<br>\\r\\n My face was messy with tears.<br>\\r\\n でも…ここで感情の吐露をやめる気はしなかった。<br>\\r\\n Even so, I didn't feel like putting a stop to my emotional explosion.<br><br>\\r\\n …たとえこの義憤が一時、恐怖を忘れさせてくれるだけのものだとしても。<br>\\r\\n ...I was all too aware that I was doing this just to overwhelm my fear.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆は、まさにその呼び名そのままの形相で、肩で息をしながら私を睨み付けている。<br>\\r\\n The hag was glaring at me while breathing heavily.<br><br>\\r\\n 私も同じように肩で息をしながら、鬼婆を目線だけで食い殺そうと睨み付けていた。<br>\\r\\n I glared back at her as fiercely as I could.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………やがて。<br>\\r\\n ......Eventually,<br>\\r\\n …鬼婆が私と悟史くんの仲にこだわっていることに気付き。<br>\\r\\n I realized that her sticking point was my relationship with Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n ……単に私たちが一緒に居た以上のことを咎めていることに気付き始めた。<br>\\r\\n ...She wasn't only upset that I had a mere connection with him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……そっか、…魅音がそういう告げ口をしたわけか…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I see... Looks like Mion mentioned that, too...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は能面を貼りつけたように無表情。<br>\\r\\n It was as though Mion was wearing a mask.<br>\\r\\n 私の呪うような目線にも動揺しなかった。<br>\\r\\n She didn't budge under my penetrating glare.<br><br>\\r\\n ……鬼婆が本当に不愉快に思っていること。<br>\\r\\n ...That was what the hag was really unhappy about.<br><br>\\r\\n …それは、私が悟史くんに恋心を持っていることなのだ…。<br>\\r\\n ...The fact that I was in love with Satoshi-kun...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あははははははははは！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahahaha!<br>\\r\\n あっははははははははは！！<br>\\r\\n Aha hahahahahaha!!<br>\\r\\n 確かに私、自分が園崎家だとか、悟史くんが北条家だとか、そんなの全然興味ないし、園崎家の面子がとか世間体がどうとか全然関心ありません！<br>\\r\\n I don't give a shit about his family background or my own!<br>\\r\\n えぇ認めますよ認めます！！<br>\\r\\n Yeah, I'll admit that I'm in love with him!!<br>\\r\\n 私は北条悟史くんが好きです。<br>\\r\\n I love Satoshi Houjou-kun.<br>\\r\\n 彼の事が大好きです！<br>\\r\\n I love him so much!<br>\\r\\n それっていけないことッ？！<br>\\r\\n Is that so wrong?!<br>\\r\\n 人が人を好きになるのに、何か理由が必要ッ？！」<br>\\r\\n Do you need a reason to love somebody?!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆の後ろの親族たちが、取り返しの付かなくなった様子に、小さく首を振ったり、俯いたりするのが見えた。<br>\\r\\n I could see the relatives shaking their heads in turmoil.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その中には、…私を一番庇ってくれたに違いないお母さんの姿も見えた。<br>\\r\\n Among them... I saw my mom. She must've been trying to protect me.<br><br>\\r\\n お母さんはもう私を見てはいなかった。<br>\\r\\n But even she wouldn't look at me.<br><br>\\r\\n ただ沈黙を守って、畳を見ていることしかできなかった。<br>\\r\\n Instead, she looked silently at the floor.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「後ろのあんたたちも聞こえてるでしょ？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Did you guys in the back hear me?!<br>\\r\\n 私おかしいこと言ってる？！<br>\\r\\n Am I wrong?!<br>\\r\\n あんたたちだって悟史くんをよく知れば、彼がどんなに素敵な男の子で、私が好きになるのがおかしくないことがすぐに分かる！！<br>\\r\\n You'd know how sweet Satoshi-kun is in an instant if you bothered to get to know him!!<br>\\r\\n なのに、なんで相手の人格も知ろうとしないで、一方的に…、」<br>\\r\\n How can you put him down without......?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音はもう喋るなというように、手をかざして私を制した。<br>\\r\\n Mion held out a hand to silence me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そしてゆっくりと私の元へ歩いてくる。<br>\\r\\n Then, she slowly walked in my direction.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………もう結構です詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......That is enough, Shion.<br>\\r\\n あなたの言い分と覚悟はよくわかりました。」<br>\\r\\n I understand what you wanted to say.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n そして、魅音は額がぶつかりそうになる位に顔を寄せ、私にしか聞こえないくらいの小声で言った。<br>\\r\\n Mion put her head close to mine and whispered.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……詩音の覚悟はよくわかったよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Shion, I know how you feel...<br>\\r\\n ……でも、ここまで言い切っちゃったら、誰にももう庇えない。<br>\\r\\n but you can't go back after coming this far...<br>\\r\\n …詩音がけじめを付けて見せるしかない。」<br>\\r\\n You have to pay for what you did.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………けじめ？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"......What did I do?!<br>\\r\\n 何で私が！！<br>\\r\\n Why me?!<br>\\r\\n 私が何でそんな馬鹿な、」<br>\\r\\n That's ridiculous...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音がもう一度、冷酷な次期頭首の顔に戻り、…諭すように言った。<br>\\r\\n Mion's face turned cold again... and she calmly told me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……あなたの言う個人の理屈は多分正しい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...You're probably right,<br>\\r\\n ……でもね？<br>\\r\\n but...<br>\\r\\n あなたも理解していると思うけど、…ここは雛見沢で私たちは園崎家なの。<br>\\r\\n this is Hinamizawa, and we are Sonozakis, as I'm sure you understand.<br>\\r\\n 御三家の末席で、…今や事実上の雛見沢の筆頭家。<br>\\r\\n We are the leaders of the Three Families,<br>\\r\\n そしてあなたは仮にも、園崎家次期頭首である園崎魅音の双子の妹。<br>\\r\\n and you are the twin sister of the successor, <NAME>.<br>\\r\\n …それが、」<br>\\r\\n Yet...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音に最後までは言わせない。それを断ち切るように、私は言い分をぶつける。<br>\\r\\n I interrupted her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あんたとは、こっちに帰ってからどうもその辺りの話が食い合わないですね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"We haven't agreed on that matter ever since I came back.<br>\\r\\n 大人の事情みたいなことばっか！<br>\\r\\n You're full of this reputation shit!<br>\\r\\n 雛見沢？<br>\\r\\n Hinamizawa?<br>\\r\\n 園崎家？<br>\\r\\n The Sonozakis?<br>\\r\\n だから何？！<br>\\r\\n So what?!<br>\\r\\n 私はそんなの全然興味な、」<br>\\r\\n I don't give a fuck about...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「聞きなさい！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Listen!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音もまた、私がしたように最後まで言わせず断ち切ってくる。<br>\\r\\n Mion interrupted me, just like I did her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………詩音は今日まで興宮で生活するにあたって、<br>\\r\\n \\\"......How many people did you depend on\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …どれだけの人の世話になってる？」<br>\\r\\n to start your new life in Okinomiya?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …背筋をぞわりとしたものが這い上がる。<br>\\r\\n ...Chills shot through my spine.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………葛西さん、奥の牢屋にいる。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Kasai-san is in the cell at the back.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「な、……なんで葛西がッ？！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wh-Why... Why Kasai?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 本当は驚くには値しない。<br>\\r\\n I knew why, of course.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私が捕まった時点で、私を匿ってくれた人たちはみんな同じ運命だ。<br>\\r\\n ......The moment I got caught, those who helped me were destined to meet the same fate...<br>\\r\\n …園崎家の頭首に背いた罪はまったく同じ。<br>\\r\\n We were all subject to the punishment of betrayal.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は…まだ扱いがいい方かもしれない。<br>\\r\\n Maybe my punishment would be lighter than what they'd be going through.<br><br>\\r\\n …奥の牢屋にいるという葛西や、もうじき連れて来られる義郎叔父さんなどは、<br>\\r\\n ...Kasai and Uncle Yoshiroh must have been treated...<br>\\r\\n ……もっと乱暴に扱われていると思っていいだろう。<br>\\r\\n much worse than this.<br><br>\\r\\n 私のわがままに付き合ってくれた人たちが、…みんな犠牲になっている。<br>\\r\\n Everybody who helped me was falling victim.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………詩音がどういう目にあっても、詩音本人は覚悟があるからいいだろうけど。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I know that you are prepared for your punishment,<br>\\r\\n お世話になった、葛西さんや義郎叔父さんがどうなるかまでは考えが及ばない…？」<br>\\r\\n but have you ever thought of the consequences that Kasai-san and Uncle Yoshiroh will have to face...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 頭の中にいっぱいに広がった熱湯のような感覚が、どんどんと退いていく。<br>\\r\\n My head rapidly cooled down...<br>\\r\\n …私の威勢は、もうとっくに失われていた。<br>\\r\\n My aggression was all used up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私一人がどんな責め苦に遭おうとも、きっと私は耐えられるだろう。<br>\\r\\n I should be able to bear whatever punishment they'd bring on me.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、園崎本家に逆らい、私のためにひと肌を脱いでくれた人たちに、…迷惑を掛けるのだけは躊躇われた。<br>\\r\\n But I resented the fact that I'd be putting the people who supported me at risk.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Shion,<br>\\r\\n 婆っちゃに謝って。<br>\\r\\n apologize to Granny.<br>\\r\\n けじめをつけて見せれば、詩音ひとりだけの話で全部済む。<br>\\r\\n If you do, the others won't have to suffer...<br>\\r\\n …誰にも迷惑を掛けない。」<br>\\r\\n All right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「でも……でも、魅音…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"But... but, Mion,<br>\\r\\n 私、間違ったこと言った…？<br>\\r\\n did I really do something wrong...?<br>\\r\\n そんなにも悪いこと、…した…？」<br>\\r\\n Was any of what I did that bad...?\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n ……私にけじめを付ける覚悟がないことを見て取った魅音は、わずかばかり見せた仏心を引っ込め、…元の冷酷な表情に戻る。<br>\\r\\n ...The moment Mion learned that I wasn't willing to apologize, her expression turned cold again.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、私に背を向けて座敷の方へ戻っていく。<br>\\r\\n She turned her back to me, and returned to the lounge.<br><br>\\r\\n ………私は威勢よく鬼婆に喧嘩を売った。<br>\\r\\n ...I'd talked back to the hag in a really harsh manner.<br><br>\\r\\n …自分は悪いことをしていないと言い張った。<br>\\r\\n ...I'd told her that I didn't do anything wrong.<br><br>\\r\\n ……だが、今日までの生活でお世話になった人たちを巻き込んでしまっている。<br>\\r\\n ...Yet I had involved many people to who I owed so much.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …これは言われるまでもなく、私の責任。<br>\\r\\n ...It went without saying, this was my responsibility.<br><br>\\r\\n …私ひとりが受けるべき咎で、…彼らには何の罪もない。<br>\\r\\n ...I was the sole person to blame... and no fault lay with them.<br><br>\\r\\n ……そう、悟史くん本人に、何も罪がないように、葛西や義郎叔父さんにも罪がない。<br>\\r\\n ...Yes, Kasai and Yoshiroh-san were blameless, just as Satoshi-kun was.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時、……その胸中を全て読み切ったかのように、<br>\\r\\n But then... as if she read my mind,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …魅音が振り返り、<br>\\r\\n Mion turned around...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………小さく頷いた。<br>\\r\\n and gave a slight nod.<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西や叔父さんのように。<br>\\r\\n It was possible that something was going to happen\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………何の罪もない悟史くんまで、<br>\\r\\n to Satoshi-kun...<br><br>\\r\\n ……巻き込まれるかもしれないよ？<br>\\r\\n ......On top of Kasai and Uncle Yoshiroh.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ま、…………ま、待ってお姉……！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wa-Wait... Sis...!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n そんなの、…絶対だめ…。<br>\\r\\n That can't happen...<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは…じゃなくて、……みんな関係ない。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun... I mean, nobody else should be punished.<br>\\r\\n 私ひとりで済むことなら、みんなを許してあげて…！<br>\\r\\n Please forgive them!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……何ですか、詩音…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...What is it, Shion...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………ご、<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I'm\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……………、」<br>\\r\\n .........\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私のくしゃくしゃの顔に、涙が幾筋も流れて落ちる。<br>\\r\\n Tears rolled down my cheeks.<br><br>\\r\\n ……もう、私の安っぽい見栄とかそんなもの、どうでも良かった。<br>\\r\\n ...I no longer cared about my pride.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………ごめんなさい…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I'm sorry...<br>\\r\\n 私が間違っていました。<br>\\r\\n I was wrong...<br>\\r\\n …許してください頭首さま。」<br>\\r\\n Please forgive me.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆の気に入るように言ったはずだ。<br>\\r\\n I should've said what the hag wanted to hear.<br>\\r\\n …なのに、鬼婆はなおも不愉快そうな顔をする。<br>\\r\\n Yet, she still looked unsatisfied.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……それもそうだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Maybe that wasn't too surprising.<br><br>\\r\\n …鬼婆は、親族たちの目の前で私に罵倒された。<br>\\r\\n ...I had just denounced her so badly in front of the relatives...<br>\\r\\n …私をこのまま許すことなんてできるはずもない。<br>\\r\\n She wouldn't forgive me so easily.<br><br>\\r\\n そんな鬼婆に代わって、次期頭首である魅音が口を開いた。<br>\\r\\n Just then, Mion spoke as the successor.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「では詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"So, Shion...<br>\\r\\n …どうやってけじめをつけるつもりです？」<br>\\r\\n How do you propose to pay for this?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「け、……………けじめって、…………どうすれば…………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"P-Pay...? What do you want me to do...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 壁に立てかけられた恐ろしい拷問器具たちに囲まれて、けじめという言葉を口にさせられることほど恐ろしいことなどない。<br>\\r\\n Nothing could be scarier than being told to pay up while standing next to horrid-looking torture devices.<br><br>\\r\\n …私は、その単語の恐ろしさに、改めて震え上がるほかなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...I was completely terrified.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が震えながら立ちすくんでいると、見かねた魅音は鬼婆に何か囁き掛けた。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't move from trembling. Mion saw that and whispered to our grandmother.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …鬼婆はそれに頷き返す。<br>\\r\\n ...The hag nodded.<br><br>\\r\\n そして魅音は若いのを呼び寄せると、何か指示を出した。<br>\\r\\n Mion summoned some young minions and gave them an order.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして、彼らは部屋の壁にぶら下げてある物騒な器具の内のひとつを持って来た。<br>\\r\\n They removed one of the torture devices hanging on the wall...<br><br>\\r\\n …そして、私の前に机を運び、その器具をそこに載せる。<br>\\r\\n ...then set a table in front of me and put the device on top of it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………なに、………これ……。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...What is... this...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……爪を剥ぐための道具です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...It's a tool for removing fingernails.<br>\\r\\n 使い方はわかります？」<br>\\r\\n Do you know how to use it...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「わ、……………わかるわけ……ないでしょ…………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"N-No way...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n わなわなと震えながら……机の上の、薄気味悪い器具に目を向ける。<br>\\r\\n I shook as I stared at the tool.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それはちょっと見たところ、とても大きな爪切りのような形をしていた。<br>\\r\\n It looked like a giant nail clipper.<br><br>\\r\\n ……おそらく、…先端のくちばしのような部分を……爪の間に差し込み、<br>\\r\\n ...You probably... put the part that looks like a beak between your finger and fingernail,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……把手の部分を強く握ると…くちばしが開いて、爪をがばっとめくれて剥ぐ形になるのだろう。<br>\\r\\n pulling them apart if you squeezed the handle.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その用途を頭の中で思い描くだけで……指先が震え、体中に悪寒が走り抜けた。<br>\\r\\n The chills ran up and down my spine when I imagined that...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「爪１枚ずつで、詩音が掛けた迷惑のそれぞれのけじめとします。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Each fingernail represents one of your responsibilities...<br>\\r\\n ………園崎詩音。<br>\\r\\n <NAME>,<br>\\r\\n どの指でも構いません。<br>\\r\\n no matter which ones you choose,<br>\\r\\n 自らの手で、３枚の爪を剥がして見せなさい。」<br>\\r\\n you must remove three nails yourself.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ３枚。<br>\\r\\n Three...<br>\\r\\n ………葛西。<br>\\r\\n One for Kasai,<br>\\r\\n 義郎叔父さん。<br>\\r\\n one for Uncle Yoshiroh,<br>\\r\\n …そして、………悟史くん。<br>\\r\\n and... the last for Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n …その数字はこれ以上なく、妥当だった。<br>\\r\\n ...It was a fairly reasonable number.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほ、…………本当にそれで……………他の人は許してくれるんですか………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Will you... really not punish the others...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「約束して……。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Promise me...<br>\\r\\n 私がちゃんと自分の爪を剥げたら……他のみんなは許すと約束して……。」<br>\\r\\n Please let them go if I do this...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「これはあなたのけじめであって、取引ではありませんよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"This is a punishment, not a negotiation.<br>\\r\\n ……この方法が気に入らないなら、」<br>\\r\\n If you don't like the procedure...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「やるから待って！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'll do it!!<br>\\r\\n 待ってよ……やるから……、……やるから…。」<br>\\r\\n Just give me a second... I'm doing it...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は震える左手を……小指を、…器具のおぞましいくちばしに当て、…爪の間に………………割り込ませる。<br>\\r\\n I put the device to my little finger while shaking badly...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もし爪が短かったなら、うまく出来なかったろう。<br>\\r\\n If my fingernail were shorter, it would have been harder.<br><br>\\r\\n …だが、私の長い爪は、金属の無慈悲なくちばしを大きく広くくわえ込み、…実に綺麗に、器具に噛み合っていた。<br>\\r\\n ...The metal beak captured my little finger beautifully.<br><br>\\r\\n すると若い男たちが器具と私の左手を別の拘束器具でがっちりと固定した。<br>\\r\\n The subordinates then stabilized my left hand with a different restraining tool.<br><br>\\r\\n ……確かに、このくらいがっちりと固定しなかったら、…指が逃げて、うまくできないだろう。<br>\\r\\n ...That seemed reasonable, because my finger would slip out if it weren't restrained like that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 男たちが無抵抗な私の左手を、バチン、バチンと革ベルトのようなもので締め付けていく過程のひとつひとつが、<br>\\r\\n As the subordinates buckled up the leather straps,<br>\\r\\n …今、目の前で起こっていることが現実であることを思い知らせ、<br>\\r\\n I realized that this was really happening,<br>\\r\\n …そしてどんどんと逃げ場を無くしていく。<br>\\r\\n and there was no escape.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n こんな状況であっても、…私は未だ心の中のどこかで、洒落で済ませてくれないかと甘えていたのだ。<br>\\r\\n Somewhere in my mind, I'd been thinking that they might forgive me after just the gesture alone.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんな甘えなど、もうとっくに捨ててたと思ったのに…。<br>\\r\\n I shouldn't have been so naive.<br><br>\\r\\n こうして少しずつ追い詰められるに従って、ないと思っていた甘えがどんどん胸から押し出され…涙になってこぼれていく。<br>\\r\\n The emotions I'd been holding back appeared in the form of tears and kept rolling down my cheeks.<br><br>\\r\\n それはまるで、残りわずかの歯磨き粉のチューブを締め出して、最後のわずかまで絞り出そうとしているかのような無慈悲さだった。<br>\\r\\n It was like my feelings were being squeezed out until the very last drip.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …そんな受け身の時間さえも甘え。<br>\\r\\n ...Something even more horrifying followed this.<br><br>\\r\\n やがて私の手をしっかりと拘束したことを確認すると、私に何かを強いるような、寒々しくて痛々しい沈黙が訪れた。<br>\\r\\n It was the silence that awaited my next action.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……で、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...So...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……ど、<br>\\r\\n what\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……………どうするの…………。」<br>\\r\\n should I do now.........?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 若い男がこのお化け爪切りの把手を示し、そこを握るか叩くかするように告げる。<br>\\r\\n One of the subordinates pointed to the handle, and told me to either squeeze it or hit it.<br><br>\\r\\n ……思い切り叩いて一気に行った方が、むしろ痛みは少ないかもしれませんという忠告付きで。<br>\\r\\n ...He recommended that the latter would be easier, to make it quick.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あとは、もう誰も強制しなかった。<br>\\r\\n Nobody said anything after that.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の流れ落ちる汗の音以外には何も聞こえない、痛いくらいの沈黙。<br>\\r\\n There was nothing to hear but the sound of my sweat dripping onto the floor.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が自らの爪を剥いでけじめを取るところを見守ろうと、立会人たちがじっと…沈黙を守りながら見つめている。<br>\\r\\n The onlookers were staring at me silently, waiting for me to execute my punishment.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …鬼婆も、そして魅音も。<br>\\r\\n ...Both the hag and Mion...<br>\\r\\n ……私が自らの手で清算するのをじっと待っていた。<br>\\r\\n they were also anticipating it.<br><br>\\r\\n ………このまま、震え続けて拒否することもきっと選択肢のひとつに違いない。<br>\\r\\n ......I could refuse.<br><br>\\r\\n …だが、それをしたら、私のけじめにならない。<br>\\r\\n ...But that meant I wouldn't be paying up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n けじめというのはつまり、…私ひとりの罰で罪を贖えるということ。<br>\\r\\n This punishment exists to offer payment in exchange for the safety of those who helped me.<br><br>\\r\\n …もしそれをしないなら、…罰は私を助けてくれた、親しい人たち全てに及んでしまう。<br>\\r\\n ...If I refused, they would suffer.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「は、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huff\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………は、<br>\\r\\n ... huff\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………はぁ………はぁ………。」<br>\\r\\n ... hah... hah...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 呼吸が荒ぶってくる…。<br>\\r\\n I started breathing heavily...<br><br>\\r\\n わかってる。<br>\\r\\n I knew.<br>\\r\\n 自分で自分の爪を３枚剥がして見せれば誰にも迷惑を掛けない。<br>\\r\\n I knew that if I did this, the others would go free.<br><br>\\r\\n きっとこれは破格の条件。<br>\\r\\n This was, if you thought about it, quite a good deal.<br><br>\\r\\n …私だから爪３枚で済まされてるのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...If it weren't me, it wouldn't be just three fingernails.<br><br>\\r\\n ……葛西たちだったら、爪でなく指や、あるいはもっと悲惨な目で清算されるかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n ...If it were Kasai, he'd have to sacrifice his little finger, or something even worse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n わかってるわかってる。<br>\\r\\n I knew. I knew that.<br><br>\\r\\n 学園を逃げ出したのは私のわがまま。<br>\\r\\n It was my selfish desire to get away from that school.<br><br>\\r\\n それを快く手伝ってくれた葛西に何の罪があろうか。<br>\\r\\n Why did Kasai have to suffer because of that?<br><br>\\r\\n わかってるわかってる。<br>\\r\\n I knew. I knew that.<br><br>\\r\\n 興宮に戻って来た私に、バイト先を紹介して生活費を工面してくれた義郎叔父さんに何の罪があろうか。<br>\\r\\n Why did Uncle Yoshiroh have to suffer just because he provided me with a job?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「はぁ……はぁ……はあ……はぁ！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huff... huff... huff... huff!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆たちが北条家を未だに毛嫌いしていることはよくわかった…。<br>\\r\\n I knew that the hag and the other relatives still hated the Houjous...<br><br>\\r\\n だから私がここでけじめを付けてみせなかったら、…悟史くんがどんな酷い目に合わされるか、想像も付かない…。<br>\\r\\n So I didn't know what they'd do to Satoshi-kun if I didn't do this...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あるいは、……悟史くんもこの部屋へ連れて来られて、同じようにこの器具を与えられるのだろうか。<br>\\r\\n ...Would they bring Satoshi-kun here and tell him to do the same?<br><br>\\r\\n ……それで、引き換えに私を許す…みたいなことを言われて、悟史くんも自らの爪を剥がさすよう強要されるのだろうか……？<br>\\r\\n ...Would they tell him to remove his fingernails in exchange for forgiving me?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……はぁ……はぁ……はぁ……はあ…はぁ！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Huff... huff... huff... huff... huff!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんなら、…剥ぐ。<br>\\r\\n ...He'd do it.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんなら、自分の犠牲で誰かを救えるなら、躊躇なくやってみせる。<br>\\r\\n ...He'd sacrifice himself with no hesitation in order to save others.<br><br>\\r\\n 顔中に汗が浮き、それらが鼻筋にそって流れ、……鼻の頭から雫になって、ひたひたと机の上を濡らしていた。<br>\\r\\n My sweat dripped onto the table through my nose.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………やろう、…やろう。<br>\\r\\n ...I'd do it... yes...<br><br>\\r\\n ……たかが爪が３枚じゃないか。<br>\\r\\n ...It was only three fingernails.<br><br>\\r\\n ……痛いかもしれないけど、別に死ぬほどのことじゃないし、傷だって爪が生え変われば元通りだ。<br>\\r\\n ...It might hurt a lot, but I wouldn't die. The fingernails would grow back.<br>\\r\\n 醜い傷が一生残る…なんてほど悲惨なものじゃない。<br>\\r\\n It wouldn't even leave a huge scar...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう、だから恐れちゃいけない。<br>\\r\\n I shouldn't be afraid.<br><br>\\r\\n …私だからこの程度で許される。<br>\\r\\n ...The punishment was minimal because it was me.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が拒否すれば、…みんなはもっと酷い方法で清算させられる…。<br>\\r\\n If I refused to do this, the others would be punished much more severely...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 葛西や義郎叔父さんや、…悟史くんに迷惑を掛けちゃいけない…。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't let that happen to Kasai, Uncle Yoshiroh... or Satoshi-kun...<br><br>\\r\\n 私が、ひとりで責任を負うんだ……。<br>\\r\\n I was the only one who should be punished...<br><br>\\r\\n だから、……だから…これから受ける痛みを耐えて見せよう……。<br>\\r\\n So... So I just needed to bear the pain...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「はぁ、……あぁ、………あう、……あぁ……！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hah... ahh... oww... ahh...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n もうそれは呼吸音じゃない。<br>\\r\\n I wasn't just breathing heavily anymore.<br><br>\\r\\n 呼吸とも喘ぎとも付かない、弱々しい雄叫び。そ<br>\\r\\n I was also moaning faintly,<br>\\r\\n れは、多分、悲鳴と類されてもいいもの。<br>\\r\\n ready to scream at any moment.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そうだ、……一気に行こう。<br>\\r\\n That's right... make it quick.<br><br>\\r\\n これは拷問じゃないんだから、痛い瞬間を緩慢に引き延ばすことなんかないんだ。<br>\\r\\n This wasn't torture, so I didn't have to prolong the moment of pain.<br><br>\\r\\n ……一気に、一度に行こう。<br>\\r\\n ...I should do it in one swift blow.<br>\\r\\n その方が痛くない、その方がちょっぴりだ、その方が怖くない……！<br>\\r\\n That way, my pain and fear would be minimized......!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……右の拳を握り、振り上げる。<br>\\r\\n ...I raised my right arm.<br><br>\\r\\n ゆっくりなんかじゃなく、素早く。<br>\\r\\n Quickly, quickly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n こういう感じのものは、一度に綺麗に決まった方が痛くないと決まってる。<br>\\r\\n The pain would be lessened if I did it in one stroke.<br><br>\\r\\n …むしろ、し損じた方が痛いに違いない…。<br>\\r\\n ...It'd be much more painful if I messed it up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「はあ、…はあ！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hah... hah!<br>\\r\\n はあ！！<br>\\r\\n Hahh\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………………………、」<br>\\r\\n .....................!!\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n 最後の息を止める。<br>\\r\\n I held my breath.<br><br>\\r\\n 全身が凍りつき、体の内側から窒息するような苦しさと、毛虫に撫でられるような悪寒が込み上げてくる。<br>\\r\\n I felt as if my body was frozen. I was choking. The chills crept up my spine.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 恐れるな、私。<br>\\r\\n Don't be afraid, Shion.<br><br>\\r\\n …体の表面積全てを思えば、爪の部分なんて１平方センチ程度の狭い部分じゃないか。<br>\\r\\n ...Fingernails are just a tiny fraction of the whole body. Just one square centimeter......<br>\\r\\n ……耐えられる、私は耐えられる…！<br>\\r\\n I could do this. I could bear it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「えぉああわあああぁあぁあああぁああッ！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Whooooooaaaaahhh!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は振り上げた拳を、……拷問具の把手に、叩きつける。<br>\\r\\n I smacked my right hand onto the handle of the device.<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………ッッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Tcch!!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ビツッという音が、空気でなく、私自身の体を伝わって鼓膜を響かせ、まったくその音と同時に、私が生まれてから一度も味わったことのない角度からの痛覚が襲いかかって来た。<br>\\r\\n I sensed the noise through my body instead of through my ears. At the same time, I felt a pain I'd never experienced before.<br><br>\\r\\n 遅れて、心臓の鼓動のようなドクンドクンという脈打つ激痛までが加わる。<br>\\r\\n A moment later, the pain pulsated with my heartbeat.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ぅううぅううぅ、……うううぅううぅううぅう！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Ooooohhhh...... oooohhhhh!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 歯を思い切り食いしばる。<br>\\r\\n I clenched my teeth.<br><br>\\r\\n 奥歯が欠けそうになるくらい！<br>\\r\\n I felt like my teeth were cracking!<br>\\r\\n 瞼も思い切り食いしばる。<br>\\r\\n I tightly shut my eyes<br>\\r\\n 眼球が潰れてしまいそうになるくらい！！<br>\\r\\n until my eyeballs got squeezed up!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 痛みは薄れたりはしなかった。<br>\\r\\n The pain wouldn't fade.<br><br>\\r\\n むしろ脈動し、私の指を痛みで風船のようにパンパンにして破裂させるかのようだった。<br>\\r\\n Rather, it swelled with my blood pressure. I felt as though it was bloating like a balloon.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は…恐る恐る目を開けた。<br>\\r\\n Timidly... I opened my eyes.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……私の左手の小指は、……血で真っ赤ということはなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...I found that my little finger wasn't really drenched in blood.<br>\\r\\n もちろん血塗れだったけど、この痛みとはあまりに釣り合わないくらいに、下らない出血だった。<br>\\r\\n It was bleeding, but not much. Certainly not enough to explain how much it hurt.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の爪は、……ほら、…車の前のボンネットってあるじゃない？<br>\\r\\n My fingernail was...<br>\\r\\n あれを…がばっと開けたみたいになってて……。<br>\\r\\n open just like the hood of a car...<br>\\r\\n それはあまりに信じられない光景。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't believe what I was seeing.<br>\\r\\n 痛みだけでなく、恐ろしさまでが私に襲いかかる。<br>\\r\\n It was overwhelming.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n しかも、こんな痛みと恐怖の中だからこそ、…私はまだ３つの義務の内の１つしか果たしてないことを気付く。<br>\\r\\n It occurred to me that I'd only done one out of three.<br><br>\\r\\n …こんなことを、あと２回も？<br>\\r\\n ...Did I have to repeat this two more times?<br><br>\\r\\n 薬指と、中指も、…こんなことをしないといけないの…？<br>\\r\\n Did I have to remove the nails from my ring and middle fingers as well...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 許しを乞うように、鬼婆と魅音を見る。<br>\\r\\n I looked at the hag and at Mion, begging for mercy.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……でもあいつらにとってはこんなの、ちょっとした余興に過ぎなくて。<br>\\r\\n ...But they were just silently staring at me,<br>\\r\\n …退屈そうな顔で見守っているだけなのだ。<br>\\r\\n as if the show had only just begun.<br><br>\\r\\n そこにはわずかの同情も読み取れない。<br>\\r\\n I saw no hint of mercy in their eyes.<br><br>\\r\\n …こいつらは許す気なんかない。<br>\\r\\n ...They wouldn't be changing their minds.<br><br>\\r\\n 爪を３枚と言ったら絶対に３枚！<br>\\r\\n Since they said three, it had to be three!<br><br>\\r\\n あと２枚、こんな思いをして爪を剥がさなければ許す気なんかないんだ…！<br>\\r\\n They wouldn't forgive me until I removed two more fingernails...!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………魅音、………これで、…許して…………。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mion... look, isn't this enough...?<br>\\r\\n あのね、…あのね、……これ、…本当に痛いの……、すごく痛いんだよ……。<br>\\r\\n It really hurts, you know that?<br>\\r\\n ほら、…私の顔を見れば…わかるよね……？<br>\\r\\n You see that in my eyes, don't you?<br>\\r\\n …本当にさ、……痛くて、………えへ、…えへへへへ………、」<br>\\r\\n It really... hurts... Heh heh... heh heh heh heh...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は冷酷なままの表情で、答えてくれた。<br>\\r\\n Mion answered, still wearing a cold look.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...You can't keep going...?<br>\\r\\n ………もう、……無理？」<br>\\r\\n Shion?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n もう無理なら許してあげるよ、という意味ではない。<br>\\r\\n She didn't mean that it was sufficient.<br><br>\\r\\n …無理なら、残る分は他の人に清算させてもいいんだよ、そういう意味。<br>\\r\\n ...What she meant is that the others would have to take the remaining punishment if I didn't.<br><br>\\r\\n そんなこと……言われなくても…わかってるって…。<br>\\r\\n I knew that... I really did know!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「や、…やれるよッ！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"I... I'll do it!!!<br>\\r\\n こんなの全然楽勝だって……！！<br>\\r\\n This is easy...!!<br>\\r\\n このサディスト共がぁ！！<br>\\r\\n You sadists!!<br>\\r\\n はあ、…はぁ！！<br>\\r\\n Hah... hah!!<br>\\r\\n こんなの怖くない、こんなの痛くない…、<br>\\r\\n This doesn't scare me, this doesn't hurt...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ああぁあぁああぁあぁぁ…！！！」<br>\\r\\n Ahhhhhhhh...!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は右手で拷問具のくちばしを動かし、手早く次の薬指の爪の間に差し入れる。<br>\\r\\n I quickly moved the metal beak and set it on my ring finger.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …そして何の躊躇もなく拳を振り上げて、わずかの間もなく振り下ろした。<br>\\r\\n ...And smacked it with no hesitation.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n …それは潔い速さというよりは、…落ち着きのない性急さや、眼前の恐怖から少しでも逃れようとして足掻く暴走に違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...Instead of making it quick, maybe I was just rushing out of fear.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんなやり方では、うまく行く訳もない。<br>\\r\\n I'd messed up.<br><br>\\r\\n 拷問具は私の爪を捲らず、爪の先を少し欠いただけだった。<br>\\r\\n The torture tool had clipped just the tip of my fingernail.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、痛さは先程と変わらなかった。<br>\\r\\n The pain, however, was equal.<br>\\r\\n 痛さよりも信じられなかったのは、これだけ痛い思いをしたのに、爪が剥がせていないことだった。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't believe I'd only chipped it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……やり直し？！<br>\\r\\n ...Did I have to do it again?<br><br>\\r\\n 薬指、…もう一回やらないと駄目なの……？<br>\\r\\n Did I have to continue removing the nail from my ring finger...?<br>\\r\\n また、やるの…？<br>\\r\\n That much pain, again...?<br>\\r\\n また、……また……？！<br>\\r\\n Again......?!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………詩音…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Shion?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「やだ、…………ぇぐ、………やだぁああぁあぁあ！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"No... hikk... I don't want to do it!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n もう駄目だった。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't bear it anymore...<br>\\r\\n …私は恥も外聞もかなぐり捨てて、泣き叫んだ。<br>\\r\\n I started crying shamelessly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「もうやだやだ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"I can't take it anymore!!<br>\\r\\n もう無理なの本当に痛いの…！！<br>\\r\\n It's too painful...!!<br>\\r\\n もう許して、本当に許してよぉ！！<br>\\r\\n Forgive me, please!!<br>\\r\\n ごめんなさいごめんなさい、謝りますから許してください！！<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry. I apologize!!<br>\\r\\n ごめんなさいごめんなさい、ごめんなさいごめんなさい！！<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry, I'm sorry,<br>\\r\\n ごめんなさいごめんなさいごめんなさい！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の叫びなど、座敷の親類たちには届いていないようだった。<br>\\r\\n They didn't seem to hear my voice.<br><br>\\r\\n …私と彼らの間に、声を遮断する空気の壁でもあるんじゃないかと思うくらいに。<br>\\r\\n ...It felt as though there was an invisible barrier between us.<br><br>\\r\\n 彼らは私に同情などしていなかった。ただ園崎家の人間として、この儀式を私がやり遂げられるかを見届けているだけだった。<br>\\r\\n They showed no mercy. They were just here to witness this ritual.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だから、私の醜態に同情するどころか、むしろ呆れているように見えた。<br>\\r\\n So, rather than sympathetic, they looked amazed by my screw-up.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音が私に歩み寄ってくる。<br>\\r\\n Mion walked up to me...<br>\\r\\n …そして泣きじゃくる私に囁く。<br>\\r\\n and whispered to my crying face.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Shion...<br>\\r\\n ………あとちょっとだから、がんばって。」<br>\\r\\n there's just a bit more to go. Hang in there.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「やだやだやだやだ！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"No, no, no, no!!<br>\\r\\n 本当に無理、本当に痛いの…、痛いのぉおお！！<br>\\r\\n I can't do this!! It really hurts! It really does!!<br>\\r\\n うっく、……えぐ、……わああぁああああぁあぁああああああぁああ！！<br>\\r\\n Hic... ooh... waaaahhhh!!<br>\\r\\n うわあああぁああぁあぁああぁあぁあぁ！！」<br>\\r\\n Ahhhhhh!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は小さく首を横に振ると、若い男たちに顎で合図を送った。<br>\\r\\n Mion shook her head, then signaled the subordinates.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………男たちは、私の後ろに来る。<br>\\r\\n ...They came from behind me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして突然、ニット帽のようなものを深く被せて来た。<br>\\r\\n They covered my head with something like a knit cap.<br>\\r\\n それは帽子状の目隠しらしかった。<br>\\r\\n It was a blindfold.<br><br>\\r\\n 視界を奪われた次は、後ろから誰かに羽交い締めにされて、自由をも奪われた。<br>\\r\\n One of them pinned me in a nelson hold, restricting my movement.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「やや、やめてよやめてよ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"No, stop it!<br>\\r\\n いやぁ嫌あああぁああぁああ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Noooooo!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 暴れても、組み付いた男の力には抗えない。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't overpower the guy behind me.<br><br>\\r\\n そうしてる間に、私の左手に違和感。<br>\\r\\n Then, I felt something strange on my left hand.<br><br>\\r\\n …もうひとりの男が拷問具をいじっていた。<br>\\r\\n ...The other guy was doing something with the torture tool.<br><br>\\r\\n …そして、…痛む薬指の爪の間に…あの残酷なくちばしを…ぐっと差し入れて………。<br>\\r\\n ...He... put the metal beak between my ring finger and its fingernail......\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「やああぁあぁあぁあ！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Noooooo!!!<br>\\r\\n 助けて、おかあさん……おかあさああぁあん！！<br>\\r\\n Mom, help me... Mooooomm!!<br>\\r\\n あああああああぁああぁああぁああああああ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Ahhhhhhhhh!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n もともと左手は拘束具で固定されていて、大した抵抗はできない。<br>\\r\\n My left hand was fixed in the restraints, so I couldn't put up much protest anyway.<br><br>\\r\\n …だけど、そんな左手すら、乱暴な手のひらに痛いくらいに押しつけられて、震える自由さえも奪われた。<br>\\r\\n ...But even that left hand was pressed down by his rough palms until it hurt, robbing it of the freedom even to tremble.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …あと、間髪なんかなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...They had no hesitation.<br><br>\\r\\n 自分以外の人間が執行する刑が、これほどに無慈悲であることを初めて知る。<br>\\r\\n It was made very clear to me how merciless people could be.<br><br>\\r\\n 目を奪われた私には、襲い来る痛みに対し歯を食いしばることもできなかった。<br>\\r\\n Robbed of my vision, all I could do was clench my teeth against the pain assailing me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もし、…後に感謝することがあるとしたなら。<br>\\r\\n If... there was anything I was thankful for...<br><br>\\r\\n ……執行者が手練で、綺麗に二度で２枚の爪を剥がしてくれたことだった。<br>\\r\\n ...It was that he was well practiced, and had ripped off both of my fingernails cleanly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 痛みと絶叫は、脳内を麻痺させる麻薬を分泌させるのだろうか。<br>\\r\\n Pain and screaming might induce narcotic chemicals in the brain......<br>\\r\\n ……私の意識は、叫び続ける内に、どんどん希薄になっていった………。<br>\\r\\n While screaming, I started losing consciousness...\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 目が覚めた。<br>\\r\\n I woke up.<br><br>\\r\\n ………あの後の記憶はぐちゃぐちゃで、あれから何があって、<br>\\r\\n ...My memories were missing. I couldn't remember how I got back to my room...<br>\\r\\n どうやってこの部屋に戻って来たのか、…思い出すためには頭を両肘で抱え込む必要があった。<br>\\r\\n I held my head with both hands.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 左手には包帯。<br>\\r\\n My left hand was bandaged.<br><br>\\r\\n 爪を剥いだ左手の指三本は、ぶっくりとチクワくらいに膨れ上がったように感じられる。<br>\\r\\n The fingers that had their nails removed had swollen like hotdogs.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……あの後、私は爪３枚を剥ぎ取られ、…一応のけじめをつけた。<br>\\r\\n ...I'd paid with those three fingernails for what I did.<br><br>\\r\\n それを見届けてから、鬼婆が偉そうに何か長々と能書きを垂れていたようだったが、何も耳に残っていない。<br>\\r\\n The hag had said something after the punishment, but I didn't remember any of it.<br><br>\\r\\n それから、すぐに興宮の整形外科に車で連れて行かれた。<br>\\r\\n I was taken to a hospital in Okinomiya.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 病院までの道中の揺れがとにかく辛かった。<br>\\r\\n The car shook on the way, adding extra pain on top of what I already felt.<br><br>\\r\\n ……頭痛薬が痛み止めになると言われ、誰かに頭痛薬１２錠のシートを渡され、……それを飲んで痛みを紛らわした。<br>\\r\\n ...Somebody gave me some aspirin.<br><br>\\r\\n 頭痛薬は、テレビなどで宣伝するように本当にすぐ効いた。<br>\\r\\n They worked just like they said on TV...<br><br>\\r\\n しかし１０分程度ですぐに切れた。<br>\\r\\n but they didn't last more than ten minutes...<br>\\r\\n …水も飲まずに、痛みがぶり返す度に頭痛薬を唾で飲み込んで耐えた。<br>\\r\\n I swallowed the pills without water.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …病院で治療を受け、待合室で呆然としていた時。<br>\\r\\n ...While I was spacing out in the waiting lounge...<br><br>\\r\\n ………葛西が来たのだった。<br>\\r\\n ......Kasai showed up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 葛西はきっと、ご無事でしたか、と言いたかったのだろう。<br>\\r\\n He probably came to check if I was all right.<br><br>\\r\\n だけど全然無事でないことは、包帯でくるまれて三角巾で吊られた私の左手を見れば歴然としていた。<br>\\r\\n I obviously wasn't. He must've understood that from my bandaged left arm dangling from my shoulder.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は五体満足なように見えた。<br>\\r\\n Kasai, on the other hand, looked just fine.<br><br>\\r\\n …少なくとも、私に見える範囲内では、あざひとつないように見えた。<br>\\r\\n ...At least on the outside.<br><br>\\r\\n …………それを見て、私は自分の犠牲に意味があったことを知る。<br>\\r\\n ...I was relieved that my sacrifice had meant something.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は何も言わなかった。<br>\\r\\n Kasai didn't say anything.<br><br>\\r\\n ……無表情で、だけれども、私のすぐ側に控える彼の様子からは、…私に何か言いたいことがあるのかないのか、それすらもわからなかった。<br>\\r\\n ......I couldn't tell if he wanted to tell me something or not, because he looked so emotionless.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………葛西。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................Kasai.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………なんでしょう。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Yes?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西の返事の前のちょっとした間に、…葛西はきっと怒っているんだろうなと思った。<br>\\r\\n He paused shortly before answering. I could tell he was upset.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……あの時、あの場で悟史くんを庇うために、自分の正体を明かしたことは…後悔はしていない。<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't regret revealing my true identity in order to protect Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、……葛西や義郎叔父さんにかけた迷惑を考えると、……胸中はぐちゃぐちゃだった。<br>\\r\\n But... I hadn't wanted Kasai or Uncle Yoshiroh to be hurt...... I had been contradicting myself.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………義郎叔父さんはどうなったか知ってます…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Do you know how Uncle Yoshiroh is doing...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「いえ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"No.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………したたかな方です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I'm sure he's all right,<br>\\r\\n ご無事と思います。<br>\\r\\n because he's strong.<br>\\r\\n 後で謝られた方がいいでしょう。」<br>\\r\\n Even so, you should apologize to him.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………………うん……。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"..............................Okay...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……本当は、さらに続けて悟史くんのことも聞きたかった。<br>\\r\\n ...I wanted to ask him about Satoshi-kun, too.<br><br>\\r\\n 彼が、私のとばっちりを受けて、本家に拘束されたり、よもや何か酷い目に遭わされてないかが気になった。<br>\\r\\n I wondered if he was captured or harassed by the Sonozaki family because of me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも、…悟史くんの名を葛西に出すのに、…ためらいがあった。<br>\\r\\n But... I was hesitant to ask Kasai..<br><br>\\r\\n とどのつまり、私は悟史くんと彼らを天秤に掛け、…彼らを蔑ろにしてしまったわけだから。<br>\\r\\n After all, I'd chosen Satoshi-kun over them...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんは無事だろうか。<br>\\r\\n ...Was Satoshi-kun all right?<br><br>\\r\\n たとえ直接危害を加えられなかったとしても、…捕まえられてどこかに監禁なんてことがなければいいのだが…。<br>\\r\\n I hoped he wouldn't get caught or incarcerated somewhere...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………その後、勘定を済ませ、私は葛西の車で自分の部屋に送り届けられたのだった……。<br>\\r\\n ...I paid the hospital bill, and Kasai gave me a ride home...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …ぼーっとする頭が、ようやくこの部屋がノックされていることに気付く。<br>\\r\\n ...I finally realized that somebody was knocking on my door.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音さん、……そろそろ体を起こしてください。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion-san...<br>\\r\\n 横になり続けるのも、やはり体に毒です。」<br>\\r\\n it's not healthy to sleep so much.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西だった。<br>\\r\\n It was Kasai.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 葛西が買ってきてくれた弁当とお惣菜を机の上に広げ、…ふたりで適当に摘まみあった。<br>\\r\\n He put some side dishes on the table, and we started nibbling at them...<br><br>\\r\\n 「………気分は落ち着かれましたか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"....How do you feel?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………落ち着いたと言うか、落ち込んだというか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Depressed...<br>\\r\\n ……はー。」<br>\\r\\n Hah...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「この数日間はずっと伏せっていたんですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Have you been resting?<br>\\r\\n 食事はされていましたか？」<br>\\r\\n Have you been eating?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……冷蔵庫の中の残り物を適当に食べてました。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I've been eating the stuff left in the fridge.<br>\\r\\n あとは天井を見てるか、眠っているかのどっちか。」<br>\\r\\n Otherwise, I've been either sleeping or staring at the ceiling.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あれから３日間。<br>\\r\\n It had been three days...<br>\\r\\n …私はほとんど伏せったままで過した。<br>\\r\\n I'd just been lying down since then.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 眠りが浅くなり、目を覚ましかけたことは何度かあったが、起きようとする気力もなく、……何も考えなくていい浅い眠りの世界をずっと漂っていた。<br>\\r\\n I woke up every now and then in my shallow sleep, but I didn't feel like getting up or thinking. I felt like I'd just been floating the whole time.<br><br>\\r\\n 空腹感は今まで忘れていたが、この弁当の匂いを嗅いで、思い出させられたのだった。<br>\\r\\n My appetite was gone, but it came back with the smell of the food Kasai brought.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 何も交わす言葉がなく、……私は黙々と箸を口に運ぶだけだった。<br>\\r\\n I wasn't able to think of anything to talk to Kasai about... so I just ate silently.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「昨日、………魅音さんから連絡がありました。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I got a call from Mion-san yesterday......<br>\\r\\n 詩音さんの部屋に何度か電話したけど、出なかったからということで。」<br>\\r\\n She was saying she called you a few times, but never got through.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音の名が出て、……胸の奥で、かさぶたが剥げるような感触がした。<br>\\r\\n The moment I heard Mion's name... I felt my wounds throb.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、水をささず葛西に続けさせた。<br>\\r\\n But I didn't stop Kasai, who continued.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………園崎本家としては、…詩音さんがご自分でけじめを付けられたので、これで決着とするそうです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Because you paid up, the family decided to close the matter...<br>\\r\\n ……聖ルチーア学園には退学届が出されます。<br>\\r\\n You will officially withdraw from St. Lucia's<br>\\r\\n 詩音さんは興宮の学校に編入になるそうです。」<br>\\r\\n and transfer to a school in Okinomiya.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………園崎詩音の人権が、認められたってことか…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........They're finally acknowledging my right to make my own decisions, huh...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…そうですね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Indeed.<br>\\r\\n 今後は園崎詩音として生活して下さって構わないそうです。<br>\\r\\n They said you could live as yourself now... under a few conditions.<br>\\r\\n …ですが、みだりに雛見沢には近付かないこと。<br>\\r\\n You will stay away from Hinamizawa,<br>\\r\\n 園崎魅音を騙らないこと。<br>\\r\\n you won't pretend to be Mion Sonozaki,<br>\\r\\n 人前にみだりに姿を表さないこと、…他にも細々とありますが、つまるところ…、」<br>\\r\\n you won't show up in public places... and so on. This means...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「存在を認めてやるから、……本家に目立つようなことは二度とするなってわけか。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"In exchange for acknowledging me, they don't want me to hang around.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そういうことになります。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's correct...<br>\\r\\n ……もちろん永続的なわけじゃありません。<br>\\r\\n Of course, it is only temporary<br>\\r\\n ほとぼりが冷めるまで当分、ということです。<br>\\r\\n until things cool down.<br>\\r\\n 具体的にいつまで、という期限があるわけではありませんが、……今年いっぱいくらいはこれまで通り、目立たない生活を送られた方がよろしいかと思います。」<br>\\r\\n There is no set duration, but I think you should stay inconspicuous at least until the end of the year.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…私は興宮でひっそり暮らすだけで充分です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...It'd be good enough just to live in Okinomiya quietly...<br>\\r\\n ……元々、これまでだってそうして暮らしてきたわけだし。」<br>\\r\\n the way it was before.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は苦笑いをして見せる。<br>\\r\\n Kasai put on a sad smile.<br><br>\\r\\n 私も同じように苦笑いを返して見せた。<br>\\r\\n I smiled back at him likewise.<br><br>\\r\\n そして…会話の流れを断ち切らず、…ずっと聞きたかったことを口にした。<br>\\r\\n Before the conversation ended... I should ask him what I wanted to know.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………悟史くんは、<br>\\r\\n \\\".........How's Satoshi-kun\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……どうなったの……？」<br>\\r\\n doing......?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 無事ですと一言、葛西に言って欲しかった。<br>\\r\\n I wished that Kasai would assure me of his safety right away.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、葛西は返事をしてくれなかった。<br>\\r\\n But he didn't answer like that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……葛西。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Kasai.<br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんは、無事なの…？」<br>\\r\\n ...Is he all right...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………詩音さん。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Shion-san.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は箸を置く。<br>\\r\\n Kasai put his chopsticks down.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「本家から、……北条悟史くんのことは忘れろと託かっています。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"The family wants you to forget about him.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................<br>\\r\\n 何それ。」<br>\\r\\n What?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion-san.<br>\\r\\n ……あなたと喧嘩はしたくないんで、これ以上この話はしたくありません。<br>\\r\\n I don't want to get in an argument with you, so I will not get into the details...<br>\\r\\n …本家からの言葉を伝えるのみに留めさせてもらいます。」<br>\\r\\n I'm only relaying to you what the family wants.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「な、…何、その話をしたくないってのは…！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wh-What are you talking about...?<br>\\r\\n 葛西！」<br>\\r\\n What details, Kasai?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は聞こえないかのように振る舞い、食事を再開する。<br>\\r\\n Kasai pretended as though he didn't hear me and started eating again.<br><br>\\r\\n …こんな頑固で意地悪な葛西は初めて見た。<br>\\r\\n ...I'd never seen him get so stubborn like this.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……園崎家は、北条家をスケープゴートにして今日までやって来た。<br>\\r\\n ...The Sonozaki family had been using the Houjou family as a scapegoat.<br><br>\\r\\n …その北条家と、仮にも園崎の姓を持つ私が恋仲になんかなったら、…示しがつかないってわけで。<br>\\r\\n ...They must have concluded that a Sonozaki shouldn't be in love with a Houjou.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …何だか面白くない。<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't like that.<br><br>\\r\\n ……あの沙都子は学校で魅音と友達関係じゃないか。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoko is a friend of Mion's at school.<br><br>\\r\\n 同性のお友達はよくっても、…私と悟史くんじゃ駄目だってわけだ。<br>\\r\\n Would it be okay if Satoshi-kun and I were the same gender?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………でも、…私がまた何か目立つことをすれば、…今度こそ悟史くんに迷惑が及ぶかもしれないのだ。<br>\\r\\n .........Anyway, if I did something conspicuous again, they might do something to him for real.<br><br>\\r\\n 私に、爪を剥ぐことを強要したように。<br>\\r\\n Just like they forced me to remove my own fingernails.<br><br>\\r\\n …園崎本家はいざとなったら本当にやる。<br>\\r\\n ...The Sonozaki family wouldn't hesitate...<br>\\r\\n …どんな残酷なことを悟史くんに強いるか、……想像できないこともない。<br>\\r\\n They'd torture him if need be.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんが本当に好きなら、…………私は、悟史くんにもう近付かない方がいいのだろうか。<br>\\r\\n ...Maybe, if I really loved him, I should stay away...<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが、また雛見沢ファイターズに戻って来てくれない限り。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun won't show up in Okinomiya<br>\\r\\n …悟史くんはもう興宮にはそうそう簡単には姿を現さないだろう。<br>\\r\\n unless he rejoins the Hinamizawa Fighters.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が雛見沢に行くには、また魅音に成り済まさなくてはならない。<br>\\r\\n I'd have to pretend to be Mion if I wanted to go to Hinamizawa.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも、魅音だって、…もう二度と私には協力してくれないだろう。<br>\\r\\n But... I didn't think she'd cooperate with me.<br><br>\\r\\n あるいは……その内、機嫌を直してくれたとしても、それはほとぼりが冷めるくらいに、…ずっと未来の話だ。<br>\\r\\n Even if she did, it'd be some time down the road.<br><br>\\r\\n ………直接的に、悟史くんと会うなと言われなかったにしたって。<br>\\r\\n ...Even if they told me not to see him...<br><br>\\r\\n もう、…私は悟史くんと再会する手段を失っていたのだ。<br>\\r\\n I already had no means of doing that again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あ、……そうだ。<br>\\r\\n Oh... wait.<br><br>\\r\\n ……前に、魅音から悟史くんの家の電話番号を聞いたじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n ...Mion gave me his number a little while ago...<br>\\r\\n …私から電話を掛けることはできる。<br>\\r\\n I could call him...<br>\\r\\n ……こっそり会ってくれないかって、頼むこともできるかも。<br>\\r\\n and maybe ask to meet with him secretly.<br><br>\\r\\n …………………でも、……一度、こういう形でけじめを取らされた私には、もう二度と執行猶予はないだろう。<br>\\r\\n .........But if I got caught again, they wouldn't cut me any slack......<br>\\r\\n ……そんな危険を冒してまで、悟史くんに、私は何をしようと言うんだろう……？<br>\\r\\n Should I risk it? What the hell did I even want from Satoshi-kun...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………葛西。<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................Kasai.<br>\\r\\n ちょっと、………ひとりになりたい。」<br>\\r\\n Can I be alone for a moment?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は、出て行って欲しいという意味なのかと思い、慌てて弁当の後片付けをしだす。<br>\\r\\n Kasai started putting away his food in a rush, assuming that I wanted him to leave.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、いいの。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, no, that's not what I meant.<br>\\r\\n 葛西はのんびり食べてて。<br>\\r\\n Take your time and finish your food.<br>\\r\\n 私がちょっとひとりで散歩がしたいだけなの。」<br>\\r\\n I just want to take a walk.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………私も詩音さんと一緒に出ないと、この部屋に鍵が掛けられません。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...You can't lock this place up if I don't step out with you.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は手早く片付けると、私と一緒に玄関を出た。<br>\\r\\n Kasai quickly put away his meal and followed me out.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……あ、先に断っとくけど、…別に悟史くんに会いに行くわけじゃないからね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Uh, just to be clear, I'm not going out to see Satoshi-kun, all right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「わかりました。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I see.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は葛西に背中を向けて歩き出すのだった。<br>\\r\\n I turned around and started walking.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 孤独を求めた私の行く先は、……未練がましい場所だった。<br>\\r\\n My destination was... rather pathetic.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう、…悟史くんが沙都子のために買う、あのぬいぐるみを売っているおもちゃ屋だった。<br>\\r\\n It was the toy store that sold that giant teddy bear.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんとすれ違わないかな…という淡い期待があったことは否定しない。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't deny that I was somewhat expecting Satoshi-kun to pass by there.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんに似た雰囲気の人とすれ違う度に、顔をしげしげと覗き込んでしまうのだから。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't stop myself from looking at the faces of passersby who resembled him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n おもちゃ屋のショーケースを見る。<br>\\r\\n I looked into the store's window.<br><br>\\r\\n ……あの巨大なぬいぐるみはなくなっていた。<br>\\r\\n ...The teddy bear was gone.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くん、……………おめでと。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Congrats, Satoshi-kun......<br>\\r\\n …買えたんだね。」<br>\\r\\n Looks like you were able to buy it.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 意地悪な叔母は死に、意地悪な叔父は愛人のところへ消えたまま。<br>\\r\\n His evil aunt had died and his wicked uncle was living with his mistress.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、愛する妹の欲しがるぬいぐるみを見事にプレゼントでき、兄としての責務を果たした。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun succeeded in fulfilling his duty as a big brother by buying his little sister that huge teddy bear.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんを苛めるやつらはもういない。<br>\\r\\n There was nobody left to hurt him.<br><br>\\r\\n そして悟史くんを縛って来たアルバイトももう必要ない。<br>\\r\\n He was free from his tiresome efforts.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんは辛かった日々の全てから、解放されたのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...He was completely free from pain.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは時間と共に笑顔を取り戻すだろう。<br>\\r\\n Over time, he'd retrieve his smile...<br>\\r\\n …そして、私の大好きだった悟史くんに戻っていくだろう。<br>\\r\\n and he'd go back to being the Satoshi-kun I love.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………………でも、もう。<br>\\r\\n ...............But,<br>\\r\\n …………そこに私はいないんだ。<br>\\r\\n I wouldn't be there with him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n パッパーーー。<br>\\r\\n Honk, honk.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 車のクラクションが聞こえた。<br>\\r\\n I heard a car honking.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、私に対してのものだとは思わず、無視を続けていたが、しつこく続くので顔を上げた。<br>\\r\\n I didn't think it was honking at me at first, but it was so persistent that I had to look up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 車から誰かが手を振っている。<br>\\r\\n The person waving at me from their car...<br>\\r\\n ………監督だった。<br>\\r\\n was Irie.<br><br>\\r\\n 人の気も知らないで、能天気そうな笑顔で手をぶんぶんと振っている。<br>\\r\\n He was waving at me all carefree, oblivious to my feelings.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「園崎さん〜。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sonozaki-san.<br>\\r\\n ご無沙汰していますねー。<br>\\r\\n Long time no see.<br>\\r\\n あ、ひょっとして、北条さんと待ち合わせでしたか？」<br>\\r\\n Oh, are you meeting up with Houjou-san?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……いえ、そういうわけじゃないです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......No, I'm not.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そのおもちゃ屋さんのショーウィンドゥは、北条さんもよく覗いていましたからね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I know he looks into that store's windows all the time...<br>\\r\\n …それでてっきり北条さんとの待ち合わせか何かかなって思っちゃいまして。」<br>\\r\\n So I assumed you were expecting him here, or something...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…いえ、たまたまここを通りかかっただけです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...No, I'm just passing by.........<br>\\r\\n ………………買えたみたいですね、悟史くん。」<br>\\r\\n Looks like he was able to buy that teddy bear.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 監督も、あのぬいぐるみのことは知っているようだった。<br>\\r\\n Irie seemed to know about the teddy bear as well.<br><br>\\r\\n あのぬいぐるみのいなくなってできた大きなスペースを見て微笑む。<br>\\r\\n He smiled upon seeing its empty display space.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……昨日が沙都子ちゃんの誕生日でした。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Yesterday was Satoko-chan's birthday.<br>\\r\\n きっと、あのぬいぐるみでそれをお祝いできたと思います。」<br>\\r\\n He must've celebrated it with that teddy bear.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃあもう、悟史くんは無茶なアルバイトに精を出さなくてもいいわけですね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"He doesn't have to work so hard anymore, huh?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そうですね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Indeed.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………悟史くんって、……その、…雛見沢ファイターズ、退部届けとか出しちゃったんですか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Did he... turn in his resignation to the Hinamizawa Fighters?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そんなもの出てたんですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, does that even exist?<br>\\r\\n 私は受け取ってませんよ？<br>\\r\\n I never received one.<br>\\r\\n マネージャーの園崎さんは？」<br>\\r\\n Did you, Sonozaki-san?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…あははは、受け取ってないです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Ahahaha. No, I didn't.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「誰も退部届けを受け取ってないなら、ははは、まだうちの部員ってことですね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"So, that means he still belongs to the team.<br>\\r\\n しばらくして、生活が落ち着いたらまた戻って来てくれるんじゃないかなって思ってます。<br>\\r\\n I think he'll be back after things have settled down.<br>\\r\\n でも、その時に園崎さんがいなかったら…きっと悲しむだろうなぁ〜。」<br>\\r\\n But I know he'll be sad if he doesn't see you there.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 監督が茶化すように言う。<br>\\r\\n Irie teased me...<br>\\r\\n ……監督は大人だ。<br>\\r\\n He's a grownup, after all.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の気分が沈みがちなのを見抜いて、わざと能天気を装ってくれているように感じた。<br>\\r\\n He must have been trying to sound optimistic because he knew I was feeling a bit down.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………園崎さんも、落ち着いたらいつでもチームに帰って来てください。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...You can come back to the team anytime you want.<br>\\r\\n あなたがいないと、やっぱり寂しいですよ。<br>\\r\\n It might as well be empty without you.<br><br>\\r\\n …園崎さんが帰ってきてくれたら、ぜひ女子マネージャーの制服をメイドさんな格好にしようと思ってまして。」<br>\\r\\n ...I'm thinking of providing you with a maid costume once you come back.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 思わず吹き出さずにはいられなかった。<br>\\r\\n I burst into laughter.<br>\\r\\n 監督って人は相変わらずだ。<br>\\r\\n Irie sure hadn't changed.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………あ、そうだ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Oh, I almost forgot.<br>\\r\\n もう名乗ってもいいんだった。<br>\\r\\n I can tell you my name now.<br>\\r\\n 監督、今まで騙しててすみません。<br>\\r\\n Sorry. Coach. I was lying about my identity...<br>\\r\\n …私、魅音じゃないんです。<br>\\r\\n I'm not Mion.<br>\\r\\n 詩音っていう双子の妹なんです。<br>\\r\\n I'm her twin sister, Shion.<br>\\r\\n 訳ありで今までずっと魅音のふりしてきました。」<br>\\r\\n I've been pretending to be her for a few reasons.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え、……え？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Eh... what?<br>\\r\\n 双子の、妹さん…ですか？！」<br>\\r\\n You're Mion-san's twin... sister?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 監督のうろたえ方が面白くて、私はもう一度吹き出してしまう。<br>\\r\\n He was totally taken aback. I burst into laughter again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes,<br>\\r\\n 園崎詩音と言います。<br>\\r\\n I am <NAME>.<br>\\r\\n 園崎本家に嫌われてるんで、あまり堂々と暮らせる立場じゃないんですけどね。」<br>\\r\\n I'm forced to live quietly because my grandmother hates me, though.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…知らなかったですよ……。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I never realized...<br>\\r\\n まさか…魅音さんに双子の妹さんがいたなんて………。」<br>\\r\\n that Mion-san had a twin sister...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「なっはっはっは。そりゃまったく同感です。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Na ha ha ha. Same here.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 突然、野太い声が割り込んでくる。<br>\\r\\n Suddenly, a loud voice interrupted us.<br><br>\\r\\n 監督のからっとした笑い声とは全然違う、脂ぎった嫌な品のない笑い。<br>\\r\\n The voice sounded mean and greasy, unlike Irie's.<br><br>\\r\\n ………あいつだ。<br>\\r\\n ...It was him.<br>\\r\\n 大石だった。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「入江先生もこんにちは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hello, Dr. Irie.<br>\\r\\n 先日は遅くまでありがとうございました。」<br>\\r\\n Thank you for your cooperation last night.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「いえ、何もお役に立てませんで、申し訳ないです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't mention it. I wasn't of much help.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …いかにもな、大人同士の社交儀礼。<br>\\r\\n ...They were just going through the motions.<br><br>\\r\\n 互いに良く思いあっていないことは一目瞭然だった。<br>\\r\\n It was obvious that they hated each other.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 監督が小声で話しかけてくる。<br>\\r\\n Irie whispered to me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……私はもうここを離れますが、一緒に車に乗りますか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I'm leaving now. Do you want to get in my car?<br>\\r\\n お家まで送りますよ。」<br>\\r\\n I can drive you home.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 監督は、大石の狙いが私にあるものと思い、さり気なく助け舟を出してくれたのだった。<br>\\r\\n Irie figured that Ooishi was after me, so he was giving me a chance to slip away.<br><br>\\r\\n 確かに大石の顔を見ると、明らかに関心が私に向けられていることは明白だ。<br>\\r\\n Looking at Ooishi's face, it was clear that his focus was on me, not Irie.<br><br>\\r\\n …事件当日の祭りの日に、悟史くんと一緒にいたと証言する私を問い詰めて、ボロを出そうというつもりに違いない。<br>\\r\\n ...He probably intended to interrogate me until my testimony broke.<br><br>\\r\\n ……のらりくらりと逃げられる自信はあるが、そんなことに時間を割くのは不快なだけだ。<br>\\r\\n ...I was sure I could talk my way out of it, but it'd just be a waste of time.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうですね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"All right,<br>\\r\\n じゃ監督。<br>\\r\\n Coach.<br>\\r\\n そろそろ行きましょうか。」<br>\\r\\n Let's get going.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…ありゃあ、お二人でどちらかにお出掛けの途中でしたか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Oh, are you two going somewhere together?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「えぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n チームの夕涼み会用に景品を探しているところだったんです。<br>\\r\\n We're on our way to get some stuff for the team.<br>\\r\\n 他にも行くお店がたくさんありますので、この辺で私たちは失礼します。」<br>\\r\\n We have to drop by a few places, so will you excuse us?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 監督がお辞儀したので、私も一緒にお辞儀する。<br>\\r\\n Irie bowed. I followed suit.<br><br>\\r\\n ……さすがに監督も大人だ。<br>\\r\\n ...I had to admire how good he was at lying.<br>\\r\\n 涼やかに、淀みなく嘘を並べてみせる。<br>\\r\\n He's a grownup, after all.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大石もそれがこの場を逃げるための嘘であることはわかっているようだった。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi seemed to know it was a lie.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、令状があるわけじゃないから、無理に引き止めることもできない。<br>\\r\\n But he didn't have a warrant, so he couldn't stop us. I moved to get into Irie's car.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………お怪我は大丈夫なんですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...How are your wounds,<br>\\r\\n 園崎詩音さん。」<br>\\r\\n Shion Sonozaki-san?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 監督の車へ乗り込もうとした私は、その大石の言葉にはっとする。<br>\\r\\n I gasped when I heard that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …私の左手は包帯でぐるぐる巻きだ。<br>\\r\\n ...My left hand was bandaged.<br><br>\\r\\n …見っとも無いから、ポケットに突っ込んで隠していた。<br>\\r\\n ...It was unsightly, so I'd kept it in my pocket.<br><br>\\r\\n だから大石は、私の左手の包帯を見ていないはず。<br>\\r\\n There was no way Ooishi could have been able to see it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「化膿さえしなきゃ、綺麗に治りますよ<br>\\r\\n \\\"They'll heal with no problems if they don't get infected.<br>\\r\\n 。私も子どもの頃は何度か爪を剥いちゃったことがありましたがね、ほら、綺麗なもんでしょ。<br>\\r\\n I tore my fingernails off a couple of times myself when I was a kid. But look, they look beautiful now, don't they?<br>\\r\\n んっふっふっふ。」<br>\\r\\n Nfu fu fu.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………男の爪が綺麗でも気色悪いだけです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Men's fingernails shouldn't look beautiful. That gives me the creeps.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大石は、違いない違いないと言いながら頭を掻いて笑った。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi scratched his head and chuckled.<br><br>\\r\\n ……大石は、興宮署で一番のキレ者で、雛見沢も含めこの地域の裏事情にも詳しい。<br>\\r\\n ...He's supposed to be one of the best cops at the Okinomiya PD, and he knows about all the underground activities in the region.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n なるほど、…どこかで私のけじめのことを聞きつけたわけか…。<br>\\r\\n He must've heard about my payment from somewhere...<br><br>\\r\\n …しかし、あの日の出来事は、園崎本家の深奥で行なわれたことだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Still, that happened in the secret basement of the Sonozaki main house...<br><br>\\r\\n どういうルートで聞きつけたにせよ、この男の情報網は侮れない。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't underestimate this guy's sources.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「お見舞い、感謝感激です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Thank you for your kind words...<br>\\r\\n …じゃ、もう行きますね？<br>\\r\\n We'll be going now.<br>\\r\\n 失礼します。」<br>\\r\\n Excuse us.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「園崎詩音さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion Sonozaki-san.<br>\\r\\n 私とコーヒーでも飲みに行きません？」<br>\\r\\n Why don't we get coffee together sometime?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……はぁ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...What?<br>\\r\\n 何それ、私を口説いてんですか？」<br>\\r\\n Are you hitting on me?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そういうことでもいいですよ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"If you like.<br>\\r\\n んっふっふっふ。」<br>\\r\\n Nfu fu fu.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「遠慮します。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sorry.<br>\\r\\n 一日は有限、２４時間。<br>\\r\\n Time flies.<br>\\r\\n わざわざ退屈なことに費やすなんて馬鹿げてますから。」<br>\\r\\n I can't waste any of that precious time on things that don't interest me.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あーあー…もう、参ったなぁ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah... you got me there...<br>\\r\\n …じゃあこうしましょう。<br>\\r\\n How about this, then?<br>\\r\\n 私とのお喋りが退屈になったら、いつでも途中で帰っていいです。<br>\\r\\n You can leave anytime if you get bored of talking to me.<br>\\r\\n 引き止めません。<br>\\r\\n I won't stop you.<br>\\r\\n そういう約束でどうです？」<br>\\r\\n How does that sound?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……あんたが喋るのは勝手ですが、私は喋りませんよ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I don't mind you talking, but I won't talk back.<br>\\r\\n それをお喋りと呼べるかは怪しいですが。」<br>\\r\\n I doubt you could call it a conversation.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「えぇえぇ、それで結構です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes, that'd be fine.<br>\\r\\n 詩音さんは聞き役で結構です。<br>\\r\\n You can just listen<br>\\r\\n 私が勝手に一方的に喋るだけ。<br>\\r\\n and I'll talk...<br>\\r\\n …あなたはコーヒーでも飲みながら、中年親父の独り言を聞き流して下さればそれで結構です。」<br>\\r\\n You can just listen to an old man ramble while sipping on a cup of coffee.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………いやに積極的なアプローチ。<br>\\r\\n ...He was being strangely persistent.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の口を割ろうという風にはなぜか見えなかった。<br>\\r\\n It didn't look like he was trying to poke a hole in my statement.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の爪のことも知っている大石が、私を退屈させないどんなお喋りをするというのか。<br>\\r\\n What would he even talk about?<br>\\r\\n ……………怪訝さは隠せないが、わずかな興味が芽生えたのも事実だった。<br>\\r\\n I got a bit curious, even though I was still skeptical.<br><br>\\r\\n 「……監督。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Coach.<br>\\r\\n すみません、私、ちょっと大石のおじさまとデートに行こうと思います。」<br>\\r\\n I think I'll go with the old man instead.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「魅ぉ、……じゃない、詩音さん…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mio... I mean, Shion-san......?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大丈夫だから心配しないで、とウィンクを送る。<br>\\r\\n I winked at him and told him not to worry.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …監督はそれ以上はしつこくせず、車に乗り込むと走り去って行った。<br>\\r\\n ...Irie didn't insist. He got in his car and drove off.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 向こうでは、大石が自分の車をバックでこっちに寄せてくるところだった。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi backed his car up so I could get in.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は助手席なんかいやだったので、後ろの座席に乗り込む。<br>\\r\\n I hopped in the back seat, since I didn't want to sit next to him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……本当に喫茶店に行くの？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Are we really going to a cafe?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ん〜〜…、あなたの親類の目がない喫茶店があるなら、紹介してもらえると助かるんですがねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmm... if you could direct me to one with no connection to your family, that'd be great.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ちぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Tssk...<br>\\r\\n …それなら勝手に連行でも何でもすればいい。」<br>\\r\\n Why don't you just take me to the station, then?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大石は見掛けによらず、几帳面に往来を確認すると、方向指示器を出してから車を滑り出させた。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi carefully checked for oncoming traffic, and then started driving.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大石の車は予想を裏切らず、本当に興宮署にやって来た。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi took me to the police station, as I thought he might.<br><br>\\r\\n …これで、本当の本当に瀟洒な喫茶店にでも連れて来たら、個人評価をちょっと高めてやろうと思っていたのだが。<br>\\r\\n ...If he had taken me to a nice cafe, he would've scored some points...<br>\\r\\n ……まぁそんなもんだ。<br>\\r\\n but whatever.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「署の方が都合がいいと思ったから署にしただけです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I thought it'd be more convenient if we came here...<br>\\r\\n …私の話が退屈になったら帰っていいという約束は、もちろん守りますから安心してください。」<br>\\r\\n you can still go home if you get bored.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………ま、私を退屈させないようにがんばって下さいな。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Humph, try your best not to bore me, then...<br>\\r\\n ……署内には腕組んで入ってあげましょうか、おじさま？」<br>\\r\\n Do you want me to go into the station hand in hand with you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大石はカラカラと笑いながら車を降りると、私を先導して歩き出す…。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi chuckled and got out of the car. He escorted me inside the station...<br><br>\\r\\n 連れて来られたのは取調室のような狭い部屋ではなく、捜査一課と書かれた職場だった。<br>\\r\\n I thought he'd take me to an interrogation room, but instead he took me to an office of the investigation division.<br><br>\\r\\n …制服、私服の警官や刑事たちが各々に自分の仕事をしたり、電話をしたり、あるいは寛いでいたりした。<br>\\r\\n ...Officers in both suits and uniforms were working at their desks, answering phones.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 課長席と書かれたちょっと立派な無人席の前に、向かい合ったソファーと大理石風の机が置かれている。<br>\\r\\n There was a desk with a plate that said 'section manager', and nearby there were couches and a table.<br><br>\\r\\n 大石はそこに座るように言うと、近くの食器棚に行き、インスタントコーヒーの準備を始めた。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi told me to sit on the couch, and started making some instant coffee.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 警察署のこんなところに入るのは初めてだったので、私は落ち着きなく、きょろきょろと周りを見回していた。<br>\\r\\n I'd never been to this part of the police station. I looked around in curiosity.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「まさか、取調室でカツ丼でも食わされると思いました？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Did you think I'd take you to an interrogation room?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大石が、鈍い銀色のお盆で来客用っぽいコーヒーカップに入れたコーヒーを持ってきてくれた。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi brought over a tray with coffee cups on it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……想像してたより待遇がよくて驚いてます。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...You're treating me better than I expected.<br>\\r\\n 三角木馬くらいは覚悟してたのに。」<br>\\r\\n I thought you'd whip me or something.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そういうのは私の趣味じゃないなぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"My tastes don't run that way.<br>\\r\\n なっはっはっはっは。」<br>\\r\\n Na ha ha ha ha.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「で？<br>\\r\\n \\\"So?<br>\\r\\n ……お喋りを聞かせてくれるんじゃなかったでしたっけ？」<br>\\r\\n I thought you wanted to talk.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃあ最初からいきなり単刀直入に。<br>\\r\\n \\\"All right. I'll cut to the chase.<br>\\r\\n 詩音さんって、北条悟史さんのこと、好き？」<br>\\r\\n Are you in love with <NAME>?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………はぁ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...What?<br>\\r\\n ……速攻、退屈なんで、即帰りますよ？」<br>\\r\\n It's getting boring already. I'm going home.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「なはははははは…、じゃあ今のはナシということで。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Na ha ha ha ha... okay, please forget that.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …私が爪を剥がしたことを知るこの男なら、私がどうして爪を剥がすことになったか、その経緯だって知っている。<br>\\r\\n ...Ooishi must have known why I had to remove my fingernails.<br><br>\\r\\n 今のは、私が悟史くんのことを好きか確認したのではなく、私が悟史くんのことを好きだったのを知っていると言ったのと同じだ。<br>\\r\\n He wasn't trying to confirm that I liked Satoshi-kun. What he was really saying was that he knew aready.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……悟史くんの事件当日のアリバイなら、先日、熊谷刑事さんに全部お話ししたつもりです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I already talked to Detective Kumagai about Satoshi-kun's alibi that day.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「もちろん私も熊ちゃ、…いや、熊谷くんの調書は読んでます。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Of course, I read Kuma-cha... I mean, Kumagai-kun's report.<br>\\r\\n あなたが悟史くんと一緒にいたことは知ってます。」<br>\\r\\n I know you were with him.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「何度聞かれたって、同じ話しかしませんよ私。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'll just repeat the same statement no matter how many times you ask.<br>\\r\\n しつこく反復して聞いたらその内にボロを出すとか考えてるなら、大甘もいいとこです。」<br>\\r\\n Don't think you can poke holes in it.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「まさかまさか、そんなこと考えてません。<br>\\r\\n \\\"No, no. That's not what I want.<br>\\r\\n あなたは頭のいい人です。<br>\\r\\n You're a smart person.<br>\\r\\n そんな手に引っ掛かるなんて思っちゃいません。」<br>\\r\\n I know that wouldn't work for you.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ならどういう手を考えてるやら。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I wonder what you're after.<br>\\r\\n どちらにせよ、私から悟史くんのことを何か聞きだそうとしてもそれは無駄なことです。<br>\\r\\n You're wasting your time if you want information on Satoshi-kun.<br>\\r\\n 先日お話しした以上のことは何もありません。<br>\\r\\n There's nothing more to talk about.<br>\\r\\n あぁ残念、やっぱり退屈な話でしたね。<br>\\r\\n Ah, this is boring me after all.<br>\\r\\n 私、帰らせてもらいます。<br>\\r\\n I'm going home,<br>\\r\\n そういう約束でしたからね。<br>\\r\\n since that was our agreement.<br>\\r\\n 失礼します。」<br>\\r\\n Excuse me.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n それだけを一方的に言い捨てると、私はソファーから立ち上がった。<br>\\r\\n I got up off the couch.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion-san.<br>\\r\\n 確かに私はあなたから悟史さんのアリバイを聞こうと思っていました。<br>\\r\\n I did want to get Satoshi-san's alibi from you.<br>\\r\\n それは認めますよ？」<br>\\r\\n I admit it.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……なら決まりです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...That's it, then.<br>\\r\\n やっぱり退屈でした。<br>\\r\\n It's boring.<br>\\r\\n 帰ります。」<br>\\r\\n I'm going home.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は踵を鳴らしながら、その部屋を出て行こうとした。<br>\\r\\n I turned around and started walking.<br><br>\\r\\n 大石は慌てはしなかったが、少し声を大きくして言った。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi didn't get anxious, but instead spoke a little louder.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「でもね詩音さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"But Shion-san,<br>\\r\\n 私が聞きたいのは悟史さんの事件当日のアリバイじゃない。<br>\\r\\n what I want to ask you about is his alibi for yesterday,<br>\\r\\n 昨日のアリバイなんです。」<br>\\r\\n not the day of the murder.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「昨日？……なんで昨日のアリバイなんかが聞かれるんですか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"His alibi for yesterday...? Why?<br>\\r\\n 昨日の悟史くんのアリバイが、叔母さんが殺された事件とどう関係があるってんです？」<br>\\r\\n What does that have to do with his aunt's death?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「昨日、悟史くんが出掛けたまま失踪されたからです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's because Satoshi-kun has been missing since then.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …え？<br>\\r\\n ...What?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……悟史くんが失踪されたことは、ご存知なかった？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Didn't you know that he went missing?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は口に出して答えずとも、その表情で充分に答えているに違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't say anything, but my expression answered Ooishi's question anyway.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「どういうことですか……。<br>\\r\\n \\\"What's going on...?<br>\\r\\n 失踪って、……何。」<br>\\r\\n Missing...? What?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「やっぱり座ったらどうです？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Why don't you take a seat?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんが失踪したって、……何？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"What do you mean, Satoshi-kun has gone missing...?!<br>\\r\\n 何！！」<br>\\r\\n What the hell?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ひとつ確実に分かっていることは、彼が三時前に、興宮の郵便局で貯金を全額下ろしているということだけです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"We only know one thing for sure. He withdrew all of his savings at an ATM in the Okinomiya post office before 3 PM yesterday.<br>\\r\\n その後の足取りは掴めません。」<br>\\r\\n We don't know his whereabouts after that.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんがお金を全額下ろすのはわかる。<br>\\r\\n I knew why he withdrew that money.<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子のプレゼントにあのぬいぐるみを買うためだ。<br>\\r\\n He wanted to buy Satoko's birthday present.<br><br>\\r\\n ……そうか、悟史くんは昨日、ぬいぐるみを買いに行ったのか。<br>\\r\\n ...Yes, he definitely bought that teddy bear yesterday.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…こりゃ私の想像ですよ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...This is just my guess,<br>\\r\\n 彼はひょっとして、…そのお金で、どっか遠くに蒸発したんじゃないかなぁって。」<br>\\r\\n but... I think he skipped town with that money.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「逃走資金だってんですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"You mean he used the money to run away?<br>\\r\\n ばっかばかしい。<br>\\r\\n That's stupid.<br>\\r\\n あのお金はね、沙都子の誕生日プレゼントを買うために悟史くんが貯めていたんです。<br>\\r\\n He was saving to buy Satoko a birthday present.<br>\\r\\n それで、あのおもちゃ屋にあったでかくて高いぬいぐるみを買ったんです。<br>\\r\\n He bought a big expensive teddy bear from that toy store.<br>\\r\\n 逃走に使うお金になんかなるわけないです。」<br>\\r\\n He'd never use that money to skip town.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「確かにあのおもちゃ屋から、一番高いぬいぐるみが売れていました。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes, the most expensive teddy bear in that toy store was sold.<br><br>\\r\\n でもね、それを悟史くんが買った確証が取れないんです。」<br>\\r\\n But we can't confirm that it was Satoshi-kun who bought it.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「店の人に聞けばそんなのわかりますって！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Why don't you ask the clerk?!<br>\\r\\n 私と悟史くんで、買う予約までしてるんですから！<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun and I reserved that teddy bear together!<br>\\r\\n ………ぁ…。」<br>\\r\\n ...Oh...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 脳裏に嫌な想像が浮かぶ。<br>\\r\\n I had a bad feeling.<br><br>\\r\\n ………あの時、店番を任せられていた老人だ。<br>\\r\\n ......That old man who was watching that store was sleeping when we were there.<br>\\r\\n かなりボケてるようだった。<br>\\r\\n He'd looked very senile.<br><br>\\r\\n …ひょっとして、…あの日にもまた店番をやっていて、<br>\\r\\n ...Maybe he was also watching that store on that day and...<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが買って行ったにもかかわらず、<br>\\r\\n even though Satoshi-kun bought the teddy bear,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n “売れたことさえ覚えていなかったんじゃ…！”<br>\\r\\n he didn't remember...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大石も苦笑いをした。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi put on a wry smile.<br><br>\\r\\n …どうもその様子から、彼もあの老人に尋問を試みたらしいことがうかがえた。<br>\\r\\n ...It looked like he'd already tried to question that old man.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「と、とにかく！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"A-Anyway!!<br>\\r\\n あれを買ったのは悟史くんなんです！<br>\\r\\n It's Satoshi-kun who bought that teddy bear!<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんはぬいぐるみの金額ぎりぎりしかお金がなかったはずだから、<br>\\r\\n He must've saved just enough to buy it,<br>\\r\\n ぬいぐるみ代を支払って、さらに逃亡資金を用意できたなんて思えません。<br>\\r\\n so he shouldn't have been able to run away after!<br>\\r\\n めちゃめちゃもいいとこです！」<br>\\r\\n That's nonsense!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「いいですよ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"All right.<br>\\r\\n じゃあ悟史くんがぬいぐるみを買ったことでもいいです。<br>\\r\\n Let's say he really did buy the teddy bear,<br>\\r\\n じゃあそのぬいぐるみを持ってどうして帰らなかったんですか？」<br>\\r\\n then why didn't he come home with it?\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n その時。<br>\\r\\n At that point...<br>\\r\\n …………私の心の奥底に、霜柱がびっしり生えたような感触を感じた。<br>\\r\\n I felt as though my heart had turned to ice.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、ぬいぐるみを買うために、心も体も追い詰めて、ぼろぼろになりながらもバイトでお金を貯めたんだ。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun had been working hard to buy that teddy bear even though he was under extreme mental and physical stress.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、念願のぬいぐるみを買った。<br>\\r\\n After all that, he finally managed to buy it.<br><br>\\r\\n そこに、たまたま偶然、悟史くん以外の何者かが訪れて、あの人形を何かの気まぐれで買って行ってしまったなんて紛れがあろうはずはない！<br>\\r\\n It's unthinkable that somebody else just showed up and bought the same teddy bear!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 人形が売れていたのは、悟史くんが買ったからだ。<br>\\r\\n The teddy bear was gone because Satoshi-kun bought it!<br><br>\\r\\n それだけは絶対に間違いない！<br>\\r\\n Nobody else!<br><br>\\r\\n でも、だとしたら。<br>\\r\\n But if so...<br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんは、身を削って得たぬいぐるみを、絶対に沙都子に渡すはずだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoshi-kun should've given it to Satoko.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、悟史くんはぬいぐるみを買ったのに、<br>\\r\\n But...... though he bought a present for her...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………家に戻らなかった。<br>\\r\\n he didn't come home.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 戻らなかった？<br>\\r\\n He didn't come home?<br><br>\\r\\n ありえない。<br>\\r\\n That wasn't possible.<br><br>\\r\\n ぬいぐるみを買ったんだから、脇目も振らずに家に帰るはずだ。<br>\\r\\n He would've gone straight home with that teddy bear.<br><br>\\r\\n ぬいぐるみを買っておきながら、やっぱりどこかへ逃げようなんて思うはずがない。<br>\\r\\n He wouldn't think of running away after buying the teddy bear.<br><br>\\r\\n 仮に悟史くんが、警察に捕まりたくなくて逃げ出すにしても。<br>\\r\\n Even though Satoshi-kun wanted to run away from the police......\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ぬいぐるみを買うだけ買っておいて、沙都子に渡しもせずに逃げ出すなんて、絶対に絶対にありえない。<br>\\r\\n He'd never leave without giving Satoko her present.<br><br>\\r\\n とにかく、ぬいぐるみを買ったのは悟史くん！<br>\\r\\n Anyway, it must have been Satoshi-kun who bought that teddy bear!<br>\\r\\n それだけは絶対に間違いない。<br>\\r\\n I can say that with one-hundred-percent certainty.<br><br>\\r\\n 問題なのは、どうしてそれを家に持ち帰られなかったのかということ！<br>\\r\\n The question was--why didn't he bring it home?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あのぬいぐるみは、かなり大きい。<br>\\r\\n That teddy bear was huge.<br><br>\\r\\n 自転車の前カゴになど納まるはずもない。<br>\\r\\n It wouldn't fit into the basket of a bicycle.<br><br>\\r\\n だとしたら、…ビニール紐でも持参して、自転車の荷台に縛り、よろよろと走るのがせいぜいだ。<br>\\r\\n He might've brought some straps to tie it to his bike.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんな状態で、ついでにどこかに買い物に行こうとか、どっか寄り道しようなんて絶対に思うわけがない。<br>\\r\\n He wouldn't have thought of running away on a wobbly bicycle like that.<br><br>\\r\\n だから絶対に、悟史くんは「郵便局でお金を下ろす」→「おもちゃ屋でぬいぐるみを買う」→「家に帰る」を連続して行なうはずなのだ！<br>\\r\\n He necessarily had to go home after buying the teddy bear from the store after withdrawing the money.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「郵便局」から「おもちゃ屋」まで間違いない。<br>\\r\\n Nothing could have happened when he was going between the ATM and the toy store!<br>\\r\\n 間違いないはず！！<br>\\r\\n It was impossible!!<br>\\r\\n 悟史くん以外の人間がぬいぐるみを買ってしまったなんてありえるものか！！！<br>\\r\\n Nobody else could possibly have bought that teddy bear!!!<br>\\r\\n ありえないありえない、絶対にありえない！<br>\\r\\n Never!<br><br>\\r\\n あの当日まで、ずーーーーっとあのぬいぐるみはショーケースの中に鎮座していたんだ。<br>\\r\\n That teddy bear had been sitting in the showcase up until that day.<br><br>\\r\\n あそこを通りかかる誰の眼にも触れていた。<br>\\r\\n Everybody could see it when they passed by.<br><br>\\r\\n にもかかわらず、あの日まで誰にも売れずにずーーーっと残っていたんじゃないか！<br>\\r\\n But nobody wanted it!<br><br>\\r\\n だから悟史くん以外が偶然買ったなんて迷いはありえない！！！<br>\\r\\n It's impossible that it could've been somebody else!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だから「郵便局」から「おもちゃ屋」までは絶対に間違っていないのだ。<br>\\r\\n There should be no question that he went to the toy store after he withdrew the money.<br><br>\\r\\n むしろ問題なのは、「おもちゃ屋」から「家」の方。<br>\\r\\n What about the route between the toy store and his home?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この間にも紛れはありえない。<br>\\r\\n There shouldn't be any question there either.<br><br>\\r\\n あんなでかいぬいぐるみと一緒では何もできないのだ。<br>\\r\\n He shouldn't have been able to do anything with that huge toy.<br><br>\\r\\n 道草を食う気も起きないはず！<br>\\r\\n He shouldn't even have thought of making a stop on the way!<br><br>\\r\\n だから、買ったら即！<br>\\r\\n So he must've headed home<br>\\r\\n 自宅を目指したはずなのだ！！<br>\\r\\n right after he bought the teddy bear!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも、…悟史くんの姿はその後、目撃されない。<br>\\r\\n But... nobody saw him after that.<br><br>\\r\\n じゃあ簡単だ。<br>\\r\\n It was simple, then.<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは「おもちゃ屋」から「家」の途中で、いなくなってしまったんじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun went missing on his way home from the toy store.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n いなくなる？<br>\\r\\n He went missing?<br>\\r\\n いなくなるって何…？<br>\\r\\n What did that mean...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 叔母殺しの犯人は、多分間違いなく悟史くんだ。<br>\\r\\n I was sure he killed his aunt.<br><br>\\r\\n そして悟史くんは私のようなずる賢さはない。<br>\\r\\n He's not that shrewd.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、警察の包囲がじわじわと縮まってくる緊張に耐えかねたのだろうか？<br>\\r\\n Maybe he couldn't bear the pressure from the police?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私にあの場を助けられたとは言え、…警察が自分に接触して来たことで、もう自分が犯人だと見破られていると観念した？<br>\\r\\n Was he resigned to the idea that the police were going to arrest him soon, regardless of my help?<br><br>\\r\\n それで悟史くんは逃げ出すことにした。<br>\\r\\n Did he decide to run away?<br><br>\\r\\n 警察に捕まるよりは、ほとぼりが冷めるまで姿を隠す方がマシと判断した？？<br>\\r\\n Did he think that he should disappear until things cooled down, rather than get arrested?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ありえないありえない！！！<br>\\r\\n That was, definitely, absolutely impossible!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その思考に、「ぬいぐるみを買って、家に帰る途中で」至ることが絶対にありえない！！！<br>\\r\\n It was impossible that he came to that conclusion on his way home from the toy store!!!<br><br>\\r\\n 仮にそういう考えに至ったとしても、それは「ぬいぐるみを沙都子に渡し、兄としての務めを果たしてから」行なうことだ。<br>\\r\\n Even if he did, he would've waited until he gave Satoko her birthday present.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは沙都子を大事にしていた。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun loved Satoko.<br><br>\\r\\n あんな甘えん坊、甘えさせるから駄目になるんだと思ったが、とにかくとにかく、悟史くんは沙都子には常に最高の兄であろうとしていた。<br>\\r\\n He shouldn't have spoiled her like that, but anyway, he always tried to be a good brother to her.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、家に帰らずに姿をくらましてしまうなんてことが、絶対にあるわけがない！！<br>\\r\\n So he'd never disappear before going home!!<br><br>\\r\\n 心の奥の霜柱が、…心臓の内側の皮を、バリ…バリっと破いてめくりながら、一面に広がっていく。<br>\\r\\n I felt as though the ice was cutting through my heart, expanding the frost.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが自分の意思で蒸発することが“絶対にありえない”なら。<br>\\r\\n If Satoshi-kun didn't disappear by his own will...<br><br>\\r\\n 対になる答えは簡単だ。<br>\\r\\n The answer was simple.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、自分の意思でなく蒸発した。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun disappeared by somebody else's will.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんが、……………消された………………？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Was Satoshi-kun...... eliminated......?<br>\\r\\n …あは、………あはははははははあははははははははは！！<br>\\r\\n Aha...... ahahahahahaahahahahaha!!<br>\\r\\n ば、馬鹿馬鹿しいです、やっぱり退屈な話ですよおじさま。<br>\\r\\n Th-That's really stupid, old man.<br>\\r\\n あはははははははあはははははははははは！！」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahahahahahahaha!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 笑えば、胸の内側にはびこった霜柱をなぎ払えると思った。<br>\\r\\n I thought I could shake off the frost in my heart if I laughed loudly enough.<br><br>\\r\\n そう信じて、馬鹿笑いをした。<br>\\r\\n I kept laughing until it happened.<br>\\r\\n ずっと。<br>\\r\\n I kept laughing.<br>\\r\\n ずっと。<br>\\r\\n And laughing.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 室内の刑事たちが何事かと私を凝視していた。<br>\\r\\n All the cops in the room stared at me.<br><br>\\r\\n 正気を疑うような顔をしていた。<br>\\r\\n They thought I'd gone crazy.<br><br>\\r\\n でも私は知ったことじゃない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't care what they thought...<br>\\r\\n …咳き込むまで、ずっとずっと笑い続けていた…。<br>\\r\\n I kept laughing until it turned into a cough...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あははははあはははは、……あはははは、はほ！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahahaha...... ahahahaha, huff!<br>\\r\\n げほげほッ！<br>\\r\\n Cough, cough!<br>\\r\\n ごほ！！」<br>\\r\\n Coff!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ……私はそこでようやく冷め切ったコーヒーを口にし、馬鹿笑いを終える。<br>\\r\\n ...I finished laughing, and took a sip of lukewarm coffee.<br><br>\\r\\n もう霜柱は心臓の薄皮を破り、ねじれた腸を覆い尽くし、今や背中の皮すら破ろうとしていた。<br>\\r\\n I felt as though the frost in my heart had spread all throughout my guts. I was chilled to the bone.<br><br>\\r\\n あまりの寒さに、……コーヒーカップを包む自分の指がカチカチと震えた。<br>\\r\\n I was freezing...... my fingers shook as I held the coffee cup.<br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion-san.<br>\\r\\n ちょっと口を挟まずに聞いててほしいんです。<br>\\r\\n Please listen to me without interrupting.<br>\\r\\n これから私がちょいと想像した話を申し上げます。<br>\\r\\n What I'm about to tell you is only a hypothesis.<br>\\r\\n 全部全部でっち上げです。<br>\\r\\n It's all just a theory.<br>\\r\\n だからきっと詩音さんは、あまりのいい加減な内容に吹き出しちゃいそうになるかもしれません。<br>\\r\\n You might start laughing in the middle, because it may sound ridiculous.<br>\\r\\n それでも、最後まで黙って聞いていてほしいんです。<br>\\r\\n But I want you to hear me out.<br>\\r\\n …約束してもらえます？」<br>\\r\\n ...Can you do that?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「や、………約束なんて何でもするから…、は、……早く言いなさいよ…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wh-Whatever... Just talk...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 全身を包む寒さは、私の上下の歯さえガチガチと鳴らすようになっていた。<br>\\r\\n I was feeling far too cold... My teeth were chattering.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の脳は、すでに霜柱でぎっしりで…思考を失っている。<br>\\r\\n I felt as though my brain had frozen as well... I lost my ability to think.<br><br>\\r\\n …だから、…私は自分で考えることができない。<br>\\r\\n ...I couldn't do anything by myself.<br>\\r\\n …大石の口からそれを知ることしかできないのだ。<br>\\r\\n I could only do as Ooishi told me...<br><br>\\r\\n 自分で考えたくない最低の想像。<br>\\r\\n What he was going to tell me might be the worst possible theory.<br><br>\\r\\n だけれども、私が聞かなければならない真実。<br>\\r\\n But I had to listen to it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………死んだ叔母が、悟史くんと沙都子さんを虐めていたことは、よーく聞いています。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I know that Satoshi-kun's and Satoko-san's aunt was abusing them,<br>\\r\\n 中でも沙都子さんを執拗に虐めていたこともね。<br>\\r\\n especially Satoko-san......<br>\\r\\n ……その中で、悟史くんが妹を庇うために、叔母に殺意を募らせていったとしても。<br>\\r\\n In my opinion, it's normal that Satoshi-kun started thinking about murdering his aunt,<br>\\r\\n 私ゃ人として自然な流れだと思います。」<br>\\r\\n because he was just a human being...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は悟史くんが叔母殺しではないと否定しなければならない。<br>\\r\\n I had to deny that Satoshi-kun murdered her.<br><br>\\r\\n …だけど、大石の言っていることは実際本当で、…事実に違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...But what Ooishi was saying was true...<br><br>\\r\\n だから、大石のそれを否定できず、…結果的に私は約束通り、沈黙を守った。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't deny his hypothesis right away... I just kept silent.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………ここからは空想ですよ？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"...This is only a hypothesis, all right?!<br>\\r\\n 絶対に怒らないで下さい！<br>\\r\\n Please don't be upset!<br>\\r\\n 口を挟むのもなし！<br>\\r\\n And no interruptions!<br>\\r\\n いいですね？！」<br>\\r\\n Agreed?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「わ……わかってるから…！<br>\\r\\n \\\"I-I know...!<br>\\r\\n 早く続けなさいよ！！」<br>\\r\\n Just go on!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「北条悟史は、叔母殺しを計画し、実行した。<br>\\r\\n \\\"<NAME> planned the murder of his aunt and executed it.<br>\\r\\n えぇもちろん証拠なんてありませんよ？！<br>\\r\\n We have no proof, okay?!<br>\\r\\n ぜーんぶ私の妄想です。」<br>\\r\\n It's all theoretical.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「わかってるって！<br>\\r\\n \\\"All right!<br>\\r\\n あんたの妄想なのは百も承知！<br>\\r\\n I heard!<br>\\r\\n だから早く続けて…！！」<br>\\r\\n Just keep talking...!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ここで話は変わります。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'll switch the subject now...<br>\\r\\n …詩音さん。<br>\\r\\n Shion-san,<br>\\r\\n あなたは悟史くんとの交際を禁じられたんですよね？<br>\\r\\n you were forbidden from having a relationship with Satoshi-kun, weren't you?<br>\\r\\n もう忘れろ、二度と関わるなと念を押されたんですよね？<br>\\r\\n They told you to stay away from him, correct?<br>\\r\\n それは実は、不仲な両家の関係を忌み嫌ったからでなく、……殺人犯と園崎家の令嬢が恋仲であることに問題があったんじゃないかって思ったんです。」<br>\\r\\n I believe the reason behind that is... not that your family hated the Houjous, but... that they didn't like the fact that you were involved with a murder suspect.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………それは……考えられない話ではなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...That is... actually possible.<br><br>\\r\\n なぜなら、…私が詩音だとバレる以前。<br>\\r\\n After all, when I was pretending to be Mion, I already had a connection with Satoshi-kun...<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音である内からも、悟史くんとの交流はあったのにお咎めがなかったからだ。<br>\\r\\n ...before anyone knew it was Shion who was spending time around him.<br><br>\\r\\n 敵対する北条家と園崎家が恋仲になるのが問題がある…というのなら、私たちが雛見沢ファイターズにいた頃に、咎められていてもおかしくない。<br>\\r\\n I could've been accused when I was helping out the Hinamizawa Fighters if the relationship between the Houjous and the Sonozakis was the problem.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 園崎本家が、悟史くんが殺人の実行犯だと知るのは、雛見沢の内側にあってはあまりに容易だ。<br>\\r\\n It wouldn't be difficult for the Sonozaki family to know that Satoshi-kun murdered his aunt, if it happened in Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n ひょっとすると、殺害する現場の目撃くらいはしているかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n Maybe one of them even saw the murder.<br><br>\\r\\n だからその時点で、園崎本家は殺人犯と恋仲にある私の存在が、急に疎ましくなり………放置できなくなったのだ。<br>\\r\\n The Sonozaki family didn't like that I was in love with a murderer. They decided to step in...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あと、…あなた、諦めが悪いことでも知られてるんじゃないですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Also... you're known to not give up easily, aren't you?<br>\\r\\n つまり、園崎本家に悟史くんとの縁を切れと脅されて、爪を剥がされても。<br>\\r\\n Which means, even if the Sonozaki family threatened you or ripped off your nails,<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんとの縁を切りかねていましたよね？」<br>\\r\\n you still wouldn't cut ties with Satoshi-kun, would you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 否定できない。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't deny that.<br><br>\\r\\n 確かに、雛見沢にアクセスする方法のほとんどを失ったから、事実上、悟史くんとの縁が切れたと言ってもいい。<br>\\r\\n I lost most of my means to access Hinamizawa, so my ties to Satoshi-kun were essentially cut, true.<br><br>\\r\\n だけど、私は悟史くんの電話番号を知っていたし、その内、雛見沢ファイターズに帰ってきてくれることを期待していた。<br>\\r\\n But I still knew Satoshi-kun's phone number, and I expected him to rejoin the Hinamizawa Fighters eventually.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「園崎本家は、悟史くんとあなたの縁は、ちょっと脅しただけじゃ絶対に切れないとわかっていたと思います。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I believe your family knew that a few threats would never be enough for you to break ties with Satoshi-kun.<br>\\r\\n あなたをいくら脅してもどうにもならない。<br>\\r\\n They could threaten you all they liked to no avail.<br><br>\\r\\n じゃあ、……もうひとりの方をどうにかするしかないですよね…？」<br>\\r\\n So... their only option would be to do something about the other person, wouldn't it...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「どど、どうにかって何ッ？！？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wh-Wh-What do you mean, 'do something'?!?!<br>\\r\\n どうにかって何よ！！！<br>\\r\\n What would they do?!!!<br>\\r\\n 何！！<br>\\r\\n What?!!<br>\\r\\n なに！！！！」<br>\\r\\n What?!!!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私を脅してもどうにもならないなら。<br>\\r\\n If threatening me was useless, then...<br>\\r\\n …悟史くんの方をどうにかする。<br>\\r\\n ...they'd do something about Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n どうにかって何？！？！<br>\\r\\n What would they have done?!?!<br><br>\\r\\n どうにかしたら、「おもちゃ屋」→「家」の間が千切れるわけ？！<br>\\r\\n If they pulled something, then wouldn't that interrupt his path from the toy store to home?!<br><br>\\r\\n 「おもちゃ屋」→「家」！！<br>\\r\\n Toy store to home!!<br><br>\\r\\n 「おもちゃ屋」→×→「家」ッ！！！<br>\\r\\n Toy store to X to home!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ×って何？！ ×って何よ？！<br>\\r\\n What's X?! What is X?!<br><br>\\r\\n ×は矢印を途切るもの。<br>\\r\\n X marks the spot where his path was interrupted.<br>\\r\\n 途切ったって何ッ？！<br>\\r\\n But what interrupted it?!<br><br>\\r\\n 何が途切れると、どうして悟史くんが「おもちゃ屋」から「家」へ辿りつけないの？！？！<br>\\r\\n Why couldn't Satoshi-kun make it home from the toy store if something interrupted him?!?!<br><br>\\r\\n どうしてどうしてどうしてッ？！？！<br>\\r\\n Why why why?!?!<br>\\r\\n ×って何！！<br>\\r\\n What's X?!!<br>\\r\\n ×！！！<br>\\r\\n X!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は酸欠と眩暈を起こし、ストンと後に倒れる。<br>\\r\\n I ran out of air, became dizzy, and then collapsed.<br><br>\\r\\n …床は硬くて冷たいフロアタイル。<br>\\r\\n ...The floor felt cold.<br><br>\\r\\n ……なのに何の痛みもなく、私はふわりと、ストンと、自分がセルロイドの人形にでもなったように倒れた。<br>\\r\\n ...I felt no pain. I had fallen to the floor like a plastic doll.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大石たちが慌てた顔をして何人か駆け寄ってきて、私を起こしてくれた。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi and some others rushed over to me and helped me up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「落ち着いて、詩音さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Calm down, Shion-san...<br>\\r\\n …悟史くんが殺されたとはまだ限りません。」<br>\\r\\n We're not certain that Satoshi-kun was killed yet.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 殺されたとは限らない？！<br>\\r\\n You're not certain he was killed?!<br><br>\\r\\n 何を寝惚けたことを言ってるんだこいつは！！<br>\\r\\n What the fuck are you talking about?!<br><br>\\r\\n 私が爪を剥がされたあの地下拷問室を知らないのか！<br>\\r\\n Don't you know about that torture room where they forced me to rip off my fingernails?!<br><br>\\r\\n あそこの奥には岩牢があり、さらに奥には死体を捨てる井戸まであるという噂じゃないか！！！<br>\\r\\n Don't you know that they say there are prison cells and a well for disposing of corpses in the back?!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 園崎本家が、悟史くんをより安全に確実に消そうと思ったなら、あの拷問室で殺して死体を処理するに決まってるッ！！！<br>\\r\\n If the Sonozaki family wants to eliminate somebody, they'd definitely kill them in that torture room and dump the body down there!!!<br><br>\\r\\n それを殺されたとは限らない？！<br>\\r\\n You're not certain?!<br>\\r\\n 馬鹿かこいつは、頭が豆腐なのか！！<br>\\r\\n Are you dumb?<br>\\r\\n 私が鬼婆だったら絶対に殺す！！！<br>\\r\\n Is your brain made of tofu?!<br>\\r\\n 逃走資金を貸してやって雲隠れを促すようないい加減なことなど絶対しないッ！！<br>\\r\\n If I were in the hag's position, I'd kill him for sure!!!<br>\\r\\n 私だって殺そうと思うのに、鬼婆が殺さないわけなどあるものかああぁッ！！！<br>\\r\\n I wouldn't let him get away!! If I would kill him, then the hag would definitely kill him!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音さん落ち着いて。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion-san, please calm down.<br>\\r\\n これはまだ未確認情報ですが、名古屋駅で家出人風の若者を見たという情報が入っています。<br>\\r\\n This is unconfirmed, but I have information that somebody witnessed a young runaway male at Nagoya Station,<br>\\r\\n 東京行きの新幹線に乗ったそうです。<br>\\r\\n who took a train from there to Tokyo.<br>\\r\\n 服装の特徴などが一致しませんでしたが、警察の追跡等を意識して衣替えをしている可能性もあります。<br>\\r\\n The clothes didn't match, but it is possible that he changed what he was wearing to hide from the police.<br>\\r\\n 服装が違うから、悟史くんでないとは言い切れませんよ。」<br>\\r\\n It's still possible that it was him.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…い、…生きてるの？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I-Is he... alive?!<br>\\r\\n 悟史くん……、生きてる……？！」<br>\\r\\n Is he...?!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ここからもまた私の想像になりますがね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"This is also a theory, but let me go on.<br>\\r\\n あなたの双子のお姉さんの魅音さん。<br>\\r\\n Your twin sister Mion-san...<br>\\r\\n 次期頭首ということで、園崎お魎の身近にいますよね？<br>\\r\\n is the closest person to Oryou Sonozaki, correct?<br>\\r\\n 園崎お魎はおそらく最初は、悟史くんをこっそり殺してしまおうと提案したと思います。<br>\\r\\n I'm assuming that Mion-san stopped Oryou<br>\\r\\n それを、あなたのお姉さんが止めたんじゃないかと思うんです。」<br>\\r\\n when she suggested murdering Satoshi-kun furtively.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ……魅音が？<br>\\r\\n ...Mion?<br>\\r\\n …………それは、ありありと思い描ける想像だった。<br>\\r\\n ...That was possible.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音が、下手な情けを掛けてくれた可能性は確かに高い。<br>\\r\\n She could've tried to calm things down out of pity for me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あの馬鹿は時々曖昧だ。<br>\\r\\n That idiot was always so indecisive.<br><br>\\r\\n 救うなら救う、情けをかけるなら情けをかける！！<br>\\r\\n She should have been clear on if she wanted to save him or not!!<br><br>\\r\\n そこがきっちりとしない。<br>\\r\\n But she probably seemed vague about that.<br>\\r\\n どうせ、悟史くんを殺すという罪に耐えられなくて、追放という形にして自分のための言い訳にしたんだろう。<br>\\r\\n She must've persuaded the hag to reduce the punishment to banishment instead of death, just to avoid feeling guilty.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「おそらく園崎本家は、悟史くんと接触したでしょう。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I believe that the Sonozaki family contacted Satoshi-kun.<br>\\r\\n 今回の事件は庇いきれない、だから自分の身は自分で守るために、どこかへ姿を隠せと忠告したはずです。<br>\\r\\n They probably told him that they couldn't cover up the murder, and told him to disappear somewhere far away...<br>\\r\\n …いや、強要したと言った方が似合うでしょうね。」<br>\\r\\n They forced him to, to be more accurate.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんは絶対拒否すると思います。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Satoshi-kun would've rejected that.<br>\\r\\n だって、あの悟史くんが妹をひとり残して雛見沢を離れられるわけがない！！」<br>\\r\\n He would never leave Satoko behind!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私もそう思います。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I agree with you...<br>\\r\\n …確か、悟史くんは園崎魅音さんの紹介でバイトをしてましたよね？<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun was working at the places Mion-san referred him to, wasn't he?<br>\\r\\n だから、悟史くんに逃走資金になるまとまったお金があることを知っていたと思います。」<br>\\r\\n So, the family knew that he had enough money for a getaway.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「でも、悟史くんはそのお金をぬいぐるみを買う以外には絶対に使わないはずです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"But he'd never use it for anything other than buying that teddy bear.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「でしょうねぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You're right.<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは貯金を下ろしたら、迷うことなくおもちゃ屋に向かうでしょう。<br>\\r\\n He must've gone straight to the toy store after he withdrew the money.<br><br>\\r\\n でももしですよ？<br>\\r\\n But...<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんがおもちゃ屋にたどりつくと、…もうぬいぐるみが売れてしまっていて、なくなっていたら。」<br>\\r\\n what if the teddy bear was already sold when he got there...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n それは……………………信じられないくらいに寒々しい、荒涼とした光景だった。<br>\\r\\n That would've been...... a very desolate situation.<br><br>\\r\\n 長く、辛い日々だった。<br>\\r\\n He'd been working hard.<br><br>\\r\\n …叔母に苛まれて心をすり減らし、…バイトをいくつも掛け持ちして体をすり減らし。<br>\\r\\n ...While his aunt abused him, he worked at many different jobs...<br><br>\\r\\n ……その末に掴んだお金。<br>\\r\\n ...The money was worth all that pain.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それを握り締め…彼は唯一の目的だった、妹への誕生日プレゼントを求めて、おもちゃ屋へ駆け込んだのだ。<br>\\r\\n He went to the toy store with that money in order to buy his beloved sister a present. That was the only purpose for that money.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、今までもそうしてきたように、ショーケースにその姿を探したはず。<br>\\r\\n He must've looked for the teddy bear as he'd always done.<br><br>\\r\\n しかし、…そこにあるはずの大きな姿はなかった。<br>\\r\\n But... it was gone.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも、悟史くんは楽天的だから。<br>\\r\\n He wouldn't have gone into a panic right away.<br><br>\\r\\n …それを見ただけでは焦らなかったろう。<br>\\r\\n ...Because he was always so optimistic.<br><br>\\r\\n …自分が今日買いに来ると伝えてあるから、ひょっとするともう包装してくれているのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n ...He might've thought the store was wrapping the gift for him, because he told them that he'd pick it up that day.<br><br>\\r\\n …そう思い、うきうきとしながら、お店ののれんをくぐったに違いない。<br>\\r\\n ...He must've gone into the store joyously.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………そして、……店内で、どんなやり取りがされたのか。<br>\\r\\n ...I couldn't guess at exactly what happened next.<br><br>\\r\\n 想像するだけでも、……胸が張り裂けそうになる。<br>\\r\\n My heart would tear up if I tried to imagine it, anyway.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 予約をしたはずなのに。<br>\\r\\n Why didn't they have it,<br>\\r\\n 何でないのか。<br>\\r\\n even though he had it reserved?<br><br>\\r\\n あのボケた老人はその抗議すら、理解できずに呆けていたのだろうか…？<br>\\r\\n Did that old man understand the situation, or was he just zoning out...?<br><br>\\r\\n ……いや、あの老人でなくても結果は同じだったかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n ......Maybe it would have been the same even if it wasn't that old man who was at the store at that time.<br><br>\\r\\n 園崎本家の強面が徒党を組んでやって来て、現金をレジに叩き付けたなら、予約だから売れませんなんて言えたはずもない。<br>\\r\\n If a bunch of fierce-looking subordinates from the Sonozaki family went in and showed them the money, nobody could've rejected it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんはその内、抗議の言葉を失っただろう。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun must've sunk into silence.<br><br>\\r\\n ……いくら叫んだって、…ないものはないのだから。<br>\\r\\n ...No matter how hard he complained, the teddy bear was gone.<br><br>\\r\\n ………夢にまで見た日が、<br>\\r\\n ......He probably\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …絶望に塗りつぶされるなんて、想像できたはずもない。<br>\\r\\n never even considered that his dream might be taken away.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ふらつきながら…時に電柱に身を寄りかけながら。<br>\\r\\n He must've been wobbling his way home in sorrow,<br>\\r\\n …悟史くんは苦悶しただろう。<br>\\r\\n leaning on the telephone poles every now and then...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子を一番喜ばせてあげたい日に。<br>\\r\\n It was the day he wanted Satoko to be happy the most.<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子が一番期待していたぬいぐるみが用意できなかったのだから。<br>\\r\\n He couldn't get the present she wanted the most.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは……他のものを代わりに買うなんてことはきっと思いつかなかった。<br>\\r\\n He probably didn't think of getting another gift...<br>\\r\\n …だって、買えないことなんて、想像しなかったのだから。<br>\\r\\n because it was unimaginable that he couldn't get that teddy bear.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが…空虚な、………信じられないくらいに…寂しい笑顔を浮かべて。<br>\\r\\n He might've imagined how Satoko would react when she found out he had no present for her.<br><br>\\r\\n ……最高のプレゼントを買って帰ってきてくれる自分を待つ沙都子の笑顔が、……失望に変わるところを想像している。<br>\\r\\n ......He must've looked unbelievably sad...... and empty.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 今日までに貯めた十何万かのお金なんて、<br>\\r\\n The money he'd been saving\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………もう紙切れでしかない。<br>\\r\\n meant nothing anymore.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんって、……辛くても泣かない人だった。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun never cried, even at his toughest moments.<br><br>\\r\\n あの人、……涙の流し方、………知らないんじゃないかな。<br>\\r\\n Did he even know how to cry......?<br><br>\\r\\n だって、…いつも泣くのは妹の沙都子だったから。<br>\\r\\n It was always Satoko who was crying.<br><br>\\r\\n …だから、悟史くんは…涙を流すにはどうすればいいか、知らないまま大きくなって。<br>\\r\\n ...So, Satoshi-kun never learned how to cry, and he grew up that way.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 涙ってね…？<br>\\r\\n Did you know...?<br><br>\\r\\n ……流すことで、…心の中の悲しみを、少しでも外へ洗い流すために流れるんだよ……？<br>\\r\\n ...People shed sadness from their hearts with tears...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、それすらできなかったんだ。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun wasn't even allowed to do that.<br><br>\\r\\n 張り裂けそうな悲しみで、胸をいっぱいにして。<br>\\r\\n Even though his heart was filled with sorrow,<br>\\r\\n …それを吐き出すこともできなくて。<br>\\r\\n he couldn't let it out.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………妹をひとり残して雛見沢を離れられない、と言いましたね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...You insisted he wouldn't leave Satoko-san behind, didn't you?<br>\\r\\n ……でも、もしも。<br>\\r\\n But think...<br>\\r\\n …園崎本家が、…残った沙都子さんの面倒は見るって言ってあったとしたらどう思います。」<br>\\r\\n What if the Sonozaki family told him that they'd look after her after his disappearance?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……買うはずだったぬいぐるみはもうなく。<br>\\r\\n ...After Satoshi-kun found out the teddy bear was gone...<br><br>\\r\\n …手元には十万ちょっとのクシャクシャの現金が残るだけ。<br>\\r\\n ...All he had left were some crumpled bills.<br><br>\\r\\n ………園崎本家は、警察が逮捕に来るのは時間の問題だから、どこか遠方に逃げろと言う。<br>\\r\\n ...The family told him it was just a matter of time before the police got to him. They told him to run away.<br>\\r\\n …そして、……沙都子の面倒は見てくれるとも。<br>\\r\\n They said they'd take care of Satoko.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは沙都子に合わせる顔がなかった。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun didn't feel like seeing his sister.<br><br>\\r\\n ………そのまま、……ふらふらと……、興宮の駅前に………。<br>\\r\\n ...He wandered... and found himself at Okinomiya Station......<br><br>\\r\\n 心の中で何度も何度も。最愛の妹に謝りながら。<br>\\r\\n He must've been apologizing to Satoko so many times in his mind.<br><br>\\r\\n ……いつかきっと帰ってこれることを信じて。<br>\\r\\n ......He swore to come back someday.<br>\\r\\n そして名古屋へ。<br>\\r\\n He headed to Nagoya,<br>\\r\\n …そして東京へ。<br>\\r\\n and then to Tokyo...<br><br>\\r\\n でも、……なら生きてる。<br>\\r\\n But that meant... he's alive.<br><br>\\r\\n ……生きてるんだ。<br>\\r\\n ......He's alive.<br><br>\\r\\n …生きてるならきっと会える。<br>\\r\\n ...I should be able to see him again someday.<br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんは帰ってくるつもりなんだから、絶対に会える…！<br>\\r\\n ...He must be coming back, so I'll definitely see him again...!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうして、ずっと遠方に隠れ家か受け入れ先を用意してくれたんじゃないかと思います。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I assume that the Sonozaki family set up some place for him to stay.<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、そこを目指したのでしょう。」<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun must've gone there.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃあ……無事なんだ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"So... he's safe......<br>\\r\\n ……いつか、帰ってくるんですよね……？」<br>\\r\\n He's coming back someday, right...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大石は伸びをしながら天井を仰ぐ。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi looked up at the ceiling, and stretched.<br><br>\\r\\n 返事はしなかった。<br>\\r\\n He didn't answer me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 昭和５７年６月２４日、北条悟史が失踪した。<br>\\r\\n On June 24th, 1982, <NAME> went missing.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 北条悟史は同月２０日に発生した、撲殺事件の容疑者の可能性が高いとして、警察は逃亡を図ったものと見て、その行方を追っている。<br>\\r\\n There is a possibility that he ran away, as he was the prime suspect of the murder that happened on the 20th of the same month.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 当初、名古屋駅で彼と思しき少年が、東京行きの新幹線に乗車したという情報があったが、真偽のほどはわからない。<br>\\r\\n Allegedly, someone resembling him was seen at Nagoya Station embarking on a train heading nto Tokyo. But the truth is unknown.<br><br>\\r\\n その後の足取りは不明。<br>\\r\\n No one has seen him since.<br><br>\\r\\n 実際のところ、行方はおろか、生死すらもわかっていない。<br>\\r\\n As a matter of fact, no one even knows if he's still alive.\\r\\n <br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 「え？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Eh?<br>\\r\\n 今、何て？」<br>\\r\\n What did you just say?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「信頼できる筋の噂ですが、悟史くんの叔母殺しの犯人が見つかったらしいです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"This is information from a reliable source. It appears that they found the murderer of Satoshi-kun's aunt.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 叔母殺しから、数週間が経過していた。<br>\\r\\n It had been a few weeks since the murder.<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、悟史くんの行方はまったくわからない。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun still hadn't been found.<br><br>\\r\\n …何の新情報もなく、進展もない。<br>\\r\\n ...I had no new information on his whereabouts.<br><br>\\r\\n そんな中で急に葛西が言ったのだった。<br>\\r\\n Kasai's report came, as a result, completely out of the blue.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「それって、警察が逮捕したって意味？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Does that mean the police arrested the culprit?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「聞いた話では、逮捕というより、別件で取調べを受けていた男が余罪として自供したんだとか。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"It seems that he confessed during his interrogation regarding another case.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …葛西の言葉には違和感があった。<br>\\r\\n ...That sounded strange.<br><br>\\r\\n つまり、その犯人が悟史くん本人であるならば、葛西の言い方はこうはならない。<br>\\r\\n If it was Satoshi-kun they arrested, he wouldn't have worded it that way.<br><br>\\r\\n まるで、悟史くんでない人間が犯人だったとでも言うように。<br>\\r\\n It sounded as though Satoshi-kun wasn't the culprit.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……葛西。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Kasai,<br>\\r\\n 結局、犯人って、誰だったの…？」<br>\\r\\n who's the culprit...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんじゃなかったの…？<br>\\r\\n So it wasn't Satoshi-kun...?<br>\\r\\n そう続けそうになるのを喉元で止める。<br>\\r\\n I swallowed those final words.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は悟史くんに違いないと、そう思っていた。<br>\\r\\n I was convinced that it was Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n いや、おそらく警察も、大石もそうだと思っていたに違いない。<br>\\r\\n The police and Ooishi must've thought the same way.<br><br>\\r\\n 大石が私にああいうカマをかけてきたということは、大石自身、悟史くんが犯人に違いないと確信していたからだ。<br>\\r\\n The reason Ooishi approached me is because he was convinced that Satoshi-kun did it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ご安心を。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't worry.<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんではないようですよ。<br>\\r\\n It doesn't seem like it's Satoshi-kun.<br>\\r\\n 連続怪死事件を模倣した異常者の犯行…というような話みたいです。」<br>\\r\\n I heard it was a lunatic who was aiming to continue the series of mysterious deaths.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「はい？？<br>\\r\\n \\\"What??\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………異常者？<br>\\r\\n ...A lunatic?<br>\\r\\n なにそれ？」<br>\\r\\n What do you mean?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は肩をすくめる。<br>\\r\\n Kasai shrugged.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「さぁ、…私もそれ以上は。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't know...<br>\\r\\n …何しろ、今回の事件は秘匿捜査指定というものがかかっているんだそうです。<br>\\r\\n Since the investigation is classified as a confidential case,<br>\\r\\n なので、ほとんど情報が出回らないんです。」<br>\\r\\n the information I can get is limited.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「秘匿捜査？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Confidential?<br>\\r\\n 何それ。」<br>\\r\\n Why?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「連続怪死事件による、村への風評被害対策ということらしいです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"To prevent the village from developing a bad reputation.<br>\\r\\n 誘拐事件なんかでも犯人との交渉が行なわれている間は新聞に載らなかったりするでしょう。<br>\\r\\n You don't see articles about kidnapping while the police are negotiating with the culprit, do you?<br>\\r\\n あぁいう類のものらしいです。」<br>\\r\\n It's something similar to that.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n そう言えば、…テレビでも新聞でも、叔母殺しを見た覚えはなかった。<br>\\r\\n Come to think of it... I hadn't seen anything about the aunt's murder on TV or in the newspaper.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「何しろ、４年連続で綿流しの日に事件が起こっているわけですからね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"These strange deaths have happened four years in a row now, on the day of Watanagashi.<br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りだと騒いで面白がる輩も多いそうですし。<br>\\r\\n There are those who try to make light of it,<br>\\r\\n そうそう、何でもその叔母殺しの異常者ですが、連続怪死事件を模倣したくて行なったと自供したんだとか。」<br>\\r\\n and now this lunatic who confessed the aunt's murder said he did it in imitation of the series of mysterious deaths.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"........................\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 葛西はそれ以上を知らないというので、私はしつこく問い掛けず自問する。<br>\\r\\n Kasai didn't know anything else, so instead of probing him further, I reviewed the information myself.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……正直なところ、意外だった。<br>\\r\\n ...I was really shocked to learn all this.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが犯人だと思っていた。<br>\\r\\n I was convinced that Satoshi-kun killed her.<br><br>\\r\\n …だからこそ、悟史くんが失踪しなければならなかったのだと思ってきた。<br>\\r\\n ...I thought that was the reason he had to disappear.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも、…信じられないことに、叔母殺しの犯人はどこの馬の骨とも知れぬ輩だったのだ。<br>\\r\\n But... it was actually some lunatic who killed her, and he had no relation to the aunt whatsoever.<br><br>\\r\\n じゃあ………悟史くんは、叔母殺しとは関係ない？<br>\\r\\n So... Satoshi-kun had nothing to do with the murder?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n なら、関係ないなら。<br>\\r\\n If so...<br><br>\\r\\n どうして、失踪しなければならないの…？<br>\\r\\n Why did he disappear...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 正直なところ…突然、ひょっこりと現われた真犯人を、私は受け入れきれずにいた。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't accept that this lunatic had killed the aunt.<br><br>\\r\\n それから、葛西が言った『４年目の連続怪死事件』という言葉にも違和感を感じた。<br>\\r\\n And what's really strange is the phrase Kasai used, 'four years in a row now.'<br><br>\\r\\n 今年の事件は、悟史くんが追い詰められ、止むに止まれぬ思いで至った悲しい単独の事件であって、<br>\\r\\n After all, I'd been thinking that this murder happened because Satoshi-kun had been in a dire situation,<br>\\r\\n ……昨年までの連続怪死事件とは何の関係もないと思っていたからだ。<br>\\r\\n and had nothing to do with the series of mysterious deaths.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの事件が、…悟史くんの事件でなくなっているような、違和感。<br>\\r\\n I felt as though Satoshi-kun's case had become somebody else's.<br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢村連続怪死事件は、通称「オヤシロさまの祟り」と呼ばれる。<br>\\r\\n The series of mysterious deaths in Hinamizawa is also known as the curse of Oyashiro-sama.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの事件が、連続怪死事件に組み込まれた。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun's case had become one of those mysterious deaths.<br><br>\\r\\n …つまり、悟史くんの事件が、「オヤシロさまの祟り」に組み込まれた。<br>\\r\\n ...In other words, Satoshi-kun's case has become a part of Oyashiro-sama's curse.<br><br>\\r\\n 嫌な言い方だ。<br>\\r\\n I didn't like the way that sounded...<br><br>\\r\\n さらに縮めると、“悟史くんが「オヤシロさまの祟り」に飲み込まれた”なんて風に読めたから。<br>\\r\\n Because it was as though the curse had swallowed Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「えぇ、残念ながら。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Unfortunately,<br>\\r\\n 例の、東京行きの新幹線に乗ったらしいという情報も確認が取れないままです。<br>\\r\\n we haven't been able to confirm the tip that Satoshi-kun took a train to Tokyo.<br>\\r\\n 正直なところ、県の中にいるのか外にいるのか、それすらもわかっちゃいません。」<br>\\r\\n We don't even know whether or not he's in this prefecture, to be honest.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大石は新しいインスタントコーヒーの瓶の内蓋を剥がしながら言った。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi broke the seal on a new can of instant coffee.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あれだけ胸を張って、悟史くんが犯人だと息巻いていたから、もう行方を掴んでるとばかり思ってました。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I thought you knew his whereabouts already, since you seemed very convinced he was the culprit.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「なっはっはっはっは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Na ha ha ha ha.<br>\\r\\n いやいや、情けない限りです。」<br>\\r\\n You got me.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n からからと笑いながら、大石は熱すぎるお湯で作ったコーヒーを私の前に置いた。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi chuckled and poured a cup of coffee which looked far too hot.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……しかし、耳が早いなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...You have some good sources.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「はい？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「秘匿捜査指定だってのに、どこの誰が漏らしてるやら。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's a highly classified case, but you already have this information.<br>\\r\\n …やれやれ<br>\\r\\n I wonder who leaked it.<br>\\r\\n 。ウチの防諜も問題があるなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n Looks like we need to review our security precautions.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大石はにやりと意味ありげに笑う。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi smirked.<br><br>\\r\\n どうやら、私がここへ来た目的は察しているようだった。<br>\\r\\n Seemed he knew why I was here today.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「まぁ、腐っても園崎の端くれですので。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm one of the Sonozakis, after all.<br>\\r\\n 多少の噂は耳に出来ますということで。」<br>\\r\\n And my ears are open.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私も意味ありげに笑ってみせる。<br>\\r\\n I smirked back at him...<br>\\r\\n …こういうのははったりを利かした方の勝ちだ。<br>\\r\\n It's all about bluffing.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「まぁいいか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Anyway.<br>\\r\\n 腹を割りあった仲ですしねぇ。<br>\\r\\n Since we're friends now,<br>\\r\\n いいですよ、おしゃべりしましょう？<br>\\r\\n why don't we have a chat?<br>\\r\\n んっふっふ。」<br>\\r\\n Nfufu.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「まず聞かせて下さい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Let me ask you first.<br>\\r\\n 真犯人って、一体何者です？<br>\\r\\n Who's this real culprit?<br>\\r\\n 異常者とか聞きましたけど、それってどーゆうことですか？」<br>\\r\\n I heard he was a lunatic, but what does that mean?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「なっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Na ha ha ha!<br>\\r\\n どーゆうことって言われたってねぇ…。<br>\\r\\n I don't know how to answer that question.<br>\\r\\n そりゃ私だって言いたいですよ。<br>\\r\\n I want to know the answer myself...<br>\\r\\n ……私は悟史くんが犯人の一点読みでしたからねぇ。<br>\\r\\n Really, I was convinced Satoshi-kun was the real culprit.<br>\\r\\n とんだ万馬券が飛び出したもんです。」<br>\\r\\n It was rather surprising for me, too.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大石はソファーにドカっと腰を下ろして両腕を頭の後ろで組むと、天井を仰いで、苦笑いしながら続ける。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi threw himself on the sofa and crossed his hands behind his head. He looked up at the ceiling and smiled wryly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………先日ですね、県警の方から急に連絡が来たんですよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I suddenly received a call from the prefectural police the other day.<br>\\r\\n すでに逮捕して取調べをしている男が、主婦殺しを自供したって。」<br>\\r\\n They said that one of the guys in detention confessed to the murder of the housewife.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「それは何者？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Who is it?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ヤク中の頭がトンチンカンな野郎でしてね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"He's a crazy dopehead.<br>\\r\\n シャバに戻る度にヤクに手を出しては捕まるの繰り返しだそうです。<br>\\r\\n He's been in and out of prison for drug abuse.<br>\\r\\n 雛見沢村連続怪事件が面白そうだったんで、４年目の祟りは自分が下してみたくなった…とか何とか。」<br>\\r\\n His statement says that he was interested in the series of mysterious deaths and wanted to imitate them.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……間違いなくそいつが犯人？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Are you sure he's the real culprit?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私が直接話を聞いたわけじゃないんですがね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I didn't interrogate him myself,<br>\\r\\n …先方が取った供述調書には、いわゆる『犯人しか知り得ない情報』ってヤツががっつりと含まれていたんですよ。<br>\\r\\n but... the prefectural police tells me that he has information that only the real culprit would know.<br>\\r\\n 凶器を王子川のどこかで捨てたって言ってましてね。<br>\\r\\n He seems to have thrown the murder weapon into the Ouji River.<br>\\r\\n 今はドブさらいの最中ですよ。<br>\\r\\n They're searching for it right now.<br>\\r\\n これで供述どうりに凶器が発見されれば完璧でしょうなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n If it's found, his statement will be solid.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…たとえ凶器が見つからなくても、概ね確定？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Even if the weapon wasn't found, would the case be closed?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「確定でしょうなぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Probably.<br>\\r\\n 現場の状況とホトケの状況を正確に供述しています。<br>\\r\\n His statement clearly outlines the state of the crime scene and the body.<br>\\r\\n 襲った本人にしか分からないような、細かい辺りまでね。」<br>\\r\\n This information, like I said, covers details that only the actual murderer would know.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………納得は、…いってないみたいですね？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......You don't seem quite convinced.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大石は天井を見上げたまま、足を組み、しばらく沈黙していた。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi, still looking up at the ceiling, went quiet.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「実はね、そのトンチンカン。<br>\\r\\n \\\"As a matter of fact,<br>\\r\\n とっくに亡くなってるんですよ。<br>\\r\\n the dopehead was already dead<br>\\r\\n うちに連絡があった時にはすでに。」<br>\\r\\n by the time I got their call.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「亡くなってる？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Dead?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……給食とかに出てくるでしょ、先割れスプーン。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...You know those spoons that are forked at the tip?<br>\\r\\n 留置所の食事にもあれが出てくるんですよ。<br>\\r\\n They use those at the detention facility.<br>\\r\\n そいつを飲み込んで窒息したんだとか。<br>\\r\\n I was told that he swallowed one and choked on it...<br>\\r\\n …自殺なのか錯乱なのか、ちょっと区別がつかないですがね。」<br>\\r\\n They couldn't tell if it was a suicide or if it was caused by some mental disorder.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n スプーンを飲み込んだところを想像し、自分の喉が苦しくなり、私はほんの少し咽た。<br>\\r\\n I imagined somebody swallowing that spoon... and gagged.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「だから充分に納得するまで調べられたわけじゃありません。<br>\\r\\n \\\"So, the investigation hadn't been done that thoroughly...<br>\\r\\n ……私は納得できないんですがね、…上の方は充分に納得しちゃったようでした。<br>\\r\\n But although I'm not convinced, my superiors are.<br>\\r\\n どうもそのトンチンカンが主婦殺しの犯人ってことで決着しそうな流れです。」<br>\\r\\n I think with that, the case will be closed.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大石は視線を天井から私に戻した。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi turned his eyes from the ceiling to me.<br><br>\\r\\n その顔は、ほんの少し真剣だった。<br>\\r\\n He looked serious.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…こりゃあ個人的な意見ですよ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...This is just what I personally feel, okay?<br>\\r\\n 他の誰にも内緒ということで。<br>\\r\\n So please keep it between the two of us.<br><br>\\r\\n …………私ゃ、このトンチンカンは何かの間違いだと思ってます。」<br>\\r\\n ...I believe that this lunatic is some kind of mistake.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...............\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「何かの偶然による壮大な勘違いか、もしくは、<br>\\r\\n \\\"It might be either a big misunderstanding caused by a chain of coincidences, or...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………………ねぇ？<br>\\r\\n ...you know?<br><br>\\r\\n なっはっはっは。」<br>\\r\\n Na ha ha ha ha.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「全然意味わかんないですよ、大石のおじさま。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I have no idea what you're talking about.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私は今でも、犯人は北条悟史くんだと思っています。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I still believe that the real culprit is Satoshi Houjou-kun.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………きっぱり言い切りますね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......You sound confident.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「残念ながら、現場検証では犯人を特定できるような痕跡は何一つ発見できませんでした。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Unfortunately, we couldn't find anything to prove he was at the crime scene.<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが失踪した後、家宅捜査の許可が下りましてね。<br>\\r\\n We obtained a warrant to search his house after he disappeared,<br>\\r\\n 家を改めさせてもらいましたが、それでも手掛りはゼロ。」<br>\\r\\n but we still found nothing.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……それでも、悟史くんが犯人だと疑ってる？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......But you still believe he did it?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「えぇ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…証拠もないのに、どうやったらそこまで人を殺人犯呼ばわりできるのやら。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I wonder how you can be so sure even though you don't have any evidence.<br>\\r\\n 大したもんです。<br>\\r\\n It's incredible.<br>\\r\\n 永年の勘ってやつですか？」<br>\\r\\n Is that supposed to be like the hunch of an experienced detective?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「えぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yep.<br>\\r\\n この道で何十年もメシを食ってきた男の直感です。」<br>\\r\\n It's the hunch of a guy who's been in this business for several decades.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大石は得意げに笑って見せたが、私は別にそれに頼もしさを感じることはなかった。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi smiled in satisfaction, but I didn't feel relieved.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………悟史くんは…どこへ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Where did Satoshi-kun go...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんが失踪した理由のひとつこそが、彼が犯人であるからだと固く信じていたんです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"His disappearance convinced me that he was the culprit.<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが犯人でないなら、…その辺りがかなり薄れちゃいますからねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n If he wasn't the culprit... there'd be no real reason for him to disappear.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………叔母殺しの犯人はそのヤク中単独犯で、悟史くんの失踪とは無関係。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...What if the murder actually was done by that lunatic and Satoshi-kun's disappearance has nothing to do with it...?<br>\\r\\n ……悟史くん失踪は、私と悟史くんの仲を裂くために、園崎本家がやったもの。<br>\\r\\n In other words, what if Satoshi-kun disappeared because the Sonozaki family didn't like my relationship with him,<br>\\r\\n 叔母殺しとは無関係、という考え方は…？」<br>\\r\\n and he has nothing to do with the murder...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは加害者なのか。<br>\\r\\n Was Satoshi-kun a culprit<br>\\r\\n 被害者なのか。<br>\\r\\n or a victim?<br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんが失踪した理由がどんどん曖昧になり、霞んでいく…。<br>\\r\\n ...The reason for his disappearance had become unclear...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「んーーーーーーーー………………。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmmmmmm.........<br>\\r\\n ……私は仇敵との恋仲程度で、人ひとりを失踪させるなんてリスクを冒すとは思わないんですがねぇ。<br>\\r\\n I don't think they'd bother to make one person disappear just because of an undesirable relationship.<br><br>\\r\\n ………実際、園崎家の内部としてはどうなんです？<br>\\r\\n ...What do you hear from inside the Sonozaki family?<br>\\r\\n ……詩音さんはその辺り、何かご存知？」<br>\\r\\n Do you know anything?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「知っていたら、こんなとこに来ません。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I wouldn't be here if I did.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「なっはっはっは。ごもっともごもっとも。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Na ha ha ha. You're right.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大石は頭を掻きながら大きく笑った。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi laughed out loud while scratching his head...<br>\\r\\n …その笑いが収まると、身を乗り出しながら言った。<br>\\r\\n and after he stopped laughing, he leaned over.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「よぅし、ならひとつどうですかねぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"All right, how about this?<br>\\r\\n 協定を結びませんか？<br>\\r\\n Why don't we make a deal?<br>\\r\\n 紳士協定。」<br>\\r\\n A gentlemen's deal.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「協定？<br>\\r\\n \\\"A deal?<br>\\r\\n 何のです？」<br>\\r\\n On what?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くん失踪事件、捜査情報共有協定。<br>\\r\\n \\\"On information about Satoshi-kun's disappearance...<br>\\r\\n …裏の界隈で悟史くんの失踪に関する情報を得られたら、私にも教えて下さい。<br>\\r\\n If you find any information like that, you tell me,<br>\\r\\n もちろん私も、悟史くんについての情報が入ったら、あなたに提供します。<br>\\r\\n and I'll also provide you with information if I find any.<br>\\r\\n ……いかがです？」<br>\\r\\n ...Do we have a deal?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「何だか一方的な、虫のいい話に思えますけど。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"That sounds too convenient for you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n なっはっはと大石は苦笑いをした。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi chuckled.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……詩音さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Shion-san...<br>\\r\\n ………このまま行くと、主婦殺しの犯人はすでに死んでるトンチンカンってことで確定すると思います。<br>\\r\\n I think if we leave things as they are, they'll conclude that the lunatic committed the murder.<br>\\r\\n そうなると、悟史くんの扱いは単なる家出人になります。<br>\\r\\n If that happens, Satoshi-kun's disappearance will be treated as just another runaway minor.<br><br>\\r\\n つまり、積極的な捜査は打ち切られるということです。」<br>\\r\\n They won't search for him as actively as before.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ですが、私だけは続けます。<br>\\r\\n \\\"But I will continue searching for him.<br>\\r\\n 私だけは悟史くんの行方を引き続き捜します。<br>\\r\\n Only I will do it.<br><br>\\r\\n …詩音さんも私も、悟史くんの行方を捜しているという点では一致していると思うんですがねぇ？」<br>\\r\\n ...I believe you're intending to do the same.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「目的が全然違いますがね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Our motives are different, though.<br>\\r\\n 私は単に無事を確認したいだけですが、大石のおじさまにとっては逮捕が目的でしょうから。」<br>\\r\\n I just want to know if he's safe, but you'd like to arrest him, wouldn't you?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「んっふっふっふ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Nfu fu fu...<br>\\r\\n 主婦殺しが決着すれば、悟史くんは無実ってことになりますよ？<br>\\r\\n If the murder case was considered solved, Satoshi-kun would be free.<br>\\r\\n 真実はどうかは別にしてもね。」<br>\\r\\n Regardless of his innocence.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…あやしいもんです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I doubt that.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「なっはっはっはっは…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Na ha ha ha ha...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大石は再び下品に笑った。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi chuckled again,<br>\\r\\n だが眼光だけはふざけていなかった。<br>\\r\\n but his smile didn't reach his eyes.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………ま、今後も仲良くやりましょう。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Well, let's be friends from now on.<br>\\r\\n 敵の敵は味方とも言いますしねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n The enemy of your enemy is your friend, no?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「別に私、園崎本家と敵対しているわけじゃありませんよ？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm not opposed to the Sonozaki family, though.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、ホントに？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, really?<br>\\r\\n なら、そりゃ失礼。<br>\\r\\n I apologize then.<br>\\r\\n んっふっふ…。」<br>\\r\\n Nfu fu...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大石蔵人か……。<br>\\r\\n This is the way of Kuraudo Ooishi, huh...?<br><br>\\r\\n …なるほど、お姉や葛西も言っていたが、敵には回したくないし、かと言って味方にするのも油断できない。<br>\\r\\n ...As Sis and Kasai said, I wouldn't want him as my enemy or my ally, because both would be too risky.<br><br>\\r\\n 一筋縄では行かないなかなかのタヌキのようだ…。<br>\\r\\n I probably shouldn't let my guard down in front of this big fat weasel......\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 喉なんか渇いていないけど、…間を取るためにひとくち、コーヒーに口を付ける。<br>\\r\\n I sipped on the coffee to fill up the silence, though I wasn't thirsty.<br><br>\\r\\n …窓の外には、私が普段過している当り前の世界の光景が広がっている。<br>\\r\\n ...Outside the window, I could see normal life taking its course.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、……その当り前の世界に、悟史くんだけがいない。<br>\\r\\n But...... Satoshi-kun wasn't there.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 当り前の世界に、当り前のようにいない。<br>\\r\\n He should have been there, but he wasn't.<br><br>\\r\\n …そしていつか、悟史くんがいないのが当り前になるのが、怖い。<br>\\r\\n ...I was scared that I might grow used to his absence someday.<br><br>\\r\\n …………悟史くんは、……どこにいるんだろう。<br>\\r\\n ...Where was he...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………悟史くんは……どうしてるんだろ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........I wonder how Satoshi-kun is doing...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………無事だといいんですがね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........I hope he's all right.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ちぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Tch...<br>\\r\\n ………生きてる可能性は薄いとか思っているくせに。<br>\\r\\n I know you think he might be dead.<br>\\r\\n 気休め言わないで欲しいです…。」<br>\\r\\n Don't patronize me...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんの失踪、雛見沢じゃなんて言われてるか知ってます？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Do you know what people are calling his disappearance in Hinamizawa?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…『鬼隠し』にあった、なんて言われてるんだとか。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...They say that he was demoned away...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼隠しというのは、神隠しと同じ意味だ。<br>\\r\\n To be demoned away means the same thing as being spirited away.<br>\\r\\n この辺りならではの方言と言っていい。<br>\\r\\n It's part of the local dialect.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………鬼ヶ淵沼の底の、鬼の国にさらわれたって？<br>\\r\\n \\\".........He was kidnapped and taken to Hell through the bottom of the Onigafuchi Swamp...?<br>\\r\\n ………馬鹿馬鹿しい…。」<br>\\r\\n That's ridiculous...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「兎にも角にも、連続怪死事件もこれで４年目です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Anyway, the series of mysterious deaths has struck for the fourth time.<br><br>\\r\\n …気の早い話ですがね、来年もまた起こるんじゃないかなんて、もう囁かれてるんだとか。」<br>\\r\\n ...It's too soon, but people are already talking about next year.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「叔母殺しが、オヤシロさまの祟りのせいだって言うんですか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Are you saying that the murder was the result of Oyashiro-sama's curse?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…全体的に見てみれば、ホトケも北条家のひとり。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...The victim was one of the Houjous, after all.<br>\\r\\n ダム戦争の戦犯と縁がないわけじゃないですからね。<br>\\r\\n She was involved in the dam conflict, though indirectly.<br>\\r\\n しかもまたしても綿流しの日にとなれば、面白がる連中が現われるのも、無理もないことです。」<br>\\r\\n Really, it's not surprising that some people take an interest in the incidents, because they do always happen on the day of Watanagashi.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………馬鹿馬鹿しい。何がオヤシロさまの祟りだ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........That's ridiculous too. Oyashiro-sama's curse?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n そう口にしておきながら、…私は不吉な気持ちを払拭できずにいた。<br>\\r\\n Though I said that, I couldn't quite wipe away the fear from my mind.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが消えたのは、……どうしてなのか。<br>\\r\\n Why did Satoshi-kun disappear...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私との恋仲を咎めた園崎本家の仕業？<br>\\r\\n Was it the Sonozaki family?<br><br>\\r\\n 警察に追い詰められてどこかへ逃亡した？<br>\\r\\n Did he run away from the police?<br><br>\\r\\n そもそも、悟史くんは叔母殺しの犯人なのか？<br>\\r\\n Did he really kill his aunt in the first place?<br><br>\\r\\n だからそもそも、悟史くんはどうして失踪したのか？<br>\\r\\n Why did he even disappear?<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは悟史くんだ。<br>\\r\\n He's on his own.<br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りなんて関係あるもんか。<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama's curse has nothing to do with it.<br><br><br>\\r\\n でも、<br>\\r\\n But...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……………あれ？<br>\\r\\n ......Hmm?<br>\\r\\n 不快な違和感。<br>\\r\\n That's strange.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんとオヤシロさまの祟り。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun and Oyashiro-sama's curse...<br><br>\\r\\n ………この２つを口にした人がいた気がする。<br>\\r\\n ......Somebody once mentioned those two together before.<br><br>\\r\\n …えぇと、…私はいつそんな話を聞いたんだっけ…。<br>\\r\\n ...Hmm... when did I hear that...?<br><br>\\r\\n そうだ。<br>\\r\\n Ah, that's right...<br>\\r\\n ……あの雨の日だ。<br>\\r\\n That rainy day.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n バスの停留所の小屋で雨宿りしながら、<br>\\r\\n It was Rena Ryuugu who told me that\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …竜宮レナが口にしたんだ。<br>\\r\\n when we were taking shelter in that shack.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n あの時、……竜宮レナがした薄気味悪い話が脳裏に蘇る。<br>\\r\\n I remembered the creepy story that she told me at that time.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんは心のどこかで。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Satoshi-kun wants to leave Hinamizawa and run far away...<br>\\r\\n ……雛見沢を捨てて、どこかへ逃げ出したいと思ってるから。」<br>\\r\\n even if only unconsciously...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 竜宮レナは、そう言った。<br>\\r\\n That's what Rena Ryuugu said.<br><br>\\r\\n そう、レナは、悟史くんが雛見沢を捨てて逃げたがっていると、はっきりあの時点で口にしていた。<br>\\r\\n Rena had definitely pointed out that Satoshi-kun wanted to leave Hinamizawa at that time.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして、…そうだ、こうも言った。<br>\\r\\n She also said...<br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんが体験していることは全て、…オヤシロさまの祟りの前触れなの。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Everything he's going through is... a sign of Oyashiro-sama's curse.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 言った。<br>\\r\\n She said that<br>\\r\\n 確かに言った。<br>\\r\\n for sure.<br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りと、はっきり言った。<br>\\r\\n She had definitely mentioned Oyashiro-sama's curse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ４年連続した、雛見沢村連続怪死事件。<br>\\r\\n The series of mysterious deaths has struck four times.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんは、…オヤシロさまの祟りに操られるようにして…叔母を殺し、『鬼隠し』にあって消えてしまったのだろうか……？<br>\\r\\n ......Was Satoshi-kun being controlled by the curse? Is that why he killed his aunt and was 'demoned away'...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……………………馬鹿な。<br>\\r\\n .........No way.<br>\\r\\n 祟りなんてあるものか。<br>\\r\\n That can't be true.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の心の中の悟史くんの笑顔が、どんどん歪んで霞みながら…消えていく………。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun's smile faded away in my mind......\\r\\n <br><br><br><br>\\r\\n …冷房の風がきつく感じるようになったので、私は他の席に移った。<br>\\r\\n ...I moved from one chair to another because the air conditioning was too cold.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大学ノートとキーホルダーのじゃらじゃらついた筆箱、ミルクが浮いて薄い膜になってしまったミルクティーの紙コップ。<br>\\r\\n I moved with my notebook, my pen case with a bunch of keychains, and my cup of milk tea.<br><br>\\r\\n それらをまとめて、席を移動する。<br>\\r\\n I did it all in one go.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は腰を下ろすと再びノートを広げ、自分の考えを書き出しながら、沈思黙考の世界に戻った。<br>\\r\\n I sat down in a new chair, then opened my notebook again. I scribbled my thoughts and sank into silence.<br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢村連続怪死事件。<br>\\r\\n The series of mysterious deaths.<br><br>\\r\\n 通称、「オヤシロさまの祟り」<br>\\r\\n Dubbed \\\"the curse of Oyashiro-sama\\\".<br><br>\\r\\n １年ずつの事件を個別に見てきた私を含むほとんどの人にとって、それは「連続事件」であっても、あくまでも個別の事件の連続であって、「ひとつの大きな事件」という認識は不思議と薄かった。<br>\\r\\n I've been viewing each incident as a separate case, even though it was followed by another one. I've never looked at all the cases as part of one big scheme.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、こうして過去の事件を書き出せば、これらの連続した事件が全てあるひとつの思惑で起こされていることは明白だった。<br>\\r\\n After I wrote down all the incidents on paper, it became clear to me that all of them served the same agenda.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 犠牲者を書き出す。<br>\\r\\n I wrote down the victims.<br><br>\\r\\n １年目の現場監督。<br>\\r\\n The first year: the construction site manager.<br><br>\\r\\n ２年目の悟史くんの両親。<br>\\r\\n The second year: Satoshi-kun's parents.<br><br>\\r\\n ３年目の神主さん。<br>\\r\\n The third year: the priest.<br><br>\\r\\n ４年目の悟史くんの叔母。<br>\\r\\n The fourth year: Satoshi-kun's aunt.<br><br>\\r\\n ……４年目に関してだけは、悟史くんの叔母より、悟史くん本人が犠牲者と言えるかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n ......For the fourth year, one could consider Satoshi-kun himself to be the victim, rather than his aunt.<br><br>\\r\\n ダム戦争時の遺恨というラインからこれらをなぞると、それらは簡単にまとめられた。<br>\\r\\n If I considered that each case arose from the grudge over the dam conflict, it's quite simple.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n まず１年目。<br>\\r\\n In the first year.<br><br>\\r\\n 現場監督が殺されたのは、彼の存在自体が、ダム戦争の目に見える形での敵のシンボルだったからだ。<br>\\r\\n The construction manager was killed because he was a symbol of the dam construction itself.<br><br>\\r\\n ダム戦争時の真の敵は、もちろん建設省や政府なのだが、それらは言葉上のもので、具体的に敵をイメージするには曖昧だった。<br>\\r\\n Of course, the real enemy was the Ministry of Construction, but it wasn't as clear a target.<br><br>\\r\\n そこへ行くと、敵対心を剥き出しにして村人たちに口汚く怒鳴り散らすあの現場監督は、村の敵として一番イメージしやすい存在だったのだ。<br>\\r\\n That manager, on the other hand, had been aggressively shouting back at the villagers, so he was a more appropriate enemy to attack.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …本当の意味で、オヤシロさまが祟りを下すなら、それは建設省や政府のトップに対してだと思う。<br>\\r\\n ...If Oyashiro-sama had really cursed someone, it would have been the officials from the Ministry.<br><br>\\r\\n 「村人」が一番イメージしやすい「敵」に祟りが下されたこと自体が、村の意思がターゲット選定に反映している証拠みたいなものだった。<br>\\r\\n It's apparent that the target was selected based on the villagers' preference.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 次に２年目。<br>\\r\\n The second year.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの両親の事故。<br>\\r\\n The accidental death of Satoshi-kun's parents.<br><br>\\r\\n …公園の柵から転落したことになっているが、真の意味で事故かどうかは怪しいものだ。<br>\\r\\n ...It's said that they fell from a cliff in some park, but it's doubtful that it was really an accident.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの両親は、現場監督が「敵」なのだとしたら、村人でありながらダムに賛成した「裏切り者」に位置付けられた。<br>\\r\\n His parents were labeled as 'traitors' to the village because they sided with the dam construction, even though they were also from Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n 実際、ダム戦争中は北条家を徹底的に叩き、ある種の見せしめにすることで、ダム賛成派が現われるのを抑止していた。<br>\\r\\n The Houjou family was ostracized during the dam conflict in order to prevent further pro-dam activists from rising up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ゆえにダム戦争中は、「裏切り者」という重要なポストゆえに、プロパガンダのための「必要」な存在だったのだ。<br>\\r\\n That means that the Houjous were 'necessary' during the conflict to play the role of the 'traitor.'<br><br>\\r\\n だからこそ。<br>\\r\\n So, when the conflict was over...<br><br>\\r\\n …ダム戦争が終わり、彼らは用済みになった。<br>\\r\\n ...They no longer served any purpose.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 外の敵の象徴である現場監督。<br>\\r\\n The construction site manager was a symbol of the external enemy.<br><br>\\r\\n 内の敵の象徴である北条夫妻。<br>\\r\\n The Houjous were a symbol of the internal enemy.<br><br>\\r\\n この２つが２年かけて祟りに遭い、ダム戦争の怨念は清算されたかに見えた。<br>\\r\\n Those people fell victim to the curse, and it seemed that the grudge over the dam conflict had ended.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、実際にはもう１年清算が続いた。<br>\\r\\n Yet those incidents were followed by another one.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして３年目。<br>\\r\\n The third year.<br><br>\\r\\n 御三家の一角を担う古手家の頭首でもある、神主さんが突然病死した。<br>\\r\\n The leader of one of the Three Families, the priest Furude, suddenly died of an illness with an unknown cause.<br><br>\\r\\n 妻はその夜の内に入水自殺したという。<br>\\r\\n His wife drowned herself on the same night.<br><br>\\r\\n 自分の命でオヤシロさまの怒りを鎮める、そんな旨の遺書が残されたと言う。<br>\\r\\n She seemed to have left a note that said she was sacrificing herself to pacify Oyashiro-sama's anger.<br><br>\\r\\n もっとも、病死にしても、自殺にしても、不審さは拭えないが。<br>\\r\\n Whether it was a fatal disease or suicide, their deaths looked suspicious.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 神主さんを園崎家が快く思っていなかったのは、以前、魅音が自分で認めた。<br>\\r\\n Mion admitted that the Sonozaki family didn't like the priest's attitude.<br><br>\\r\\n 反ダムで村中が結束すべき時期に、神主さんは日和見的な立場を取ったことが、タカ派の人間たちには不愉快だったのだ。<br>\\r\\n They didn't like how the priest had been generous toward the pro-dam activists.<br><br>\\r\\n 裏切り者とまでは行かないまでにも、非協力者には違いない。<br>\\r\\n The priest wasn't quite a traitor, but he was certainly uncooperative.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n こう考えると、１年目から順に、「敵」<br>\\r\\n Looking at these incidents, I realized that the 'curse' was performed based on the degree of hostility:<br>\\r\\n 「裏切り者」<br>\\r\\n enemy,<br>\\r\\n 「非協力者」<br>\\r\\n traitor,<br>\\r\\n と、その敵対度に応じて順番に「祟り」が執行されていることに気付く。<br>\\r\\n and dissident.<br><br>\\r\\n そう、「祟り」とはつまり、「けじめ」なのだ。<br>\\r\\n This meant that the curse was actually 'payment'.<br><br>\\r\\n ダム戦争時の戦犯への制裁に他ならないのだ。<br>\\r\\n It was a punishment for the criminals of war.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …そして、４年目。<br>\\r\\n ...And the fourth year.<br><br>\\r\\n ４年目の事件は、……正直なところ、よくわからない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't understand this case at first, to be honest.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は初め、この事件は４年目に連なりはしても、単独のものだと信じてきた。<br>\\r\\n At first, I believed that this case was separate from the other ones, even though it occurred on the same day.<br><br>\\r\\n 過去３年の連続事件とは無縁の、まったく別の事件だと思ってきた。<br>\\r\\n I never thought that there would be any relation to the other three.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、叔母殺しを、こうして客観的に書き出してみると。<br>\\r\\n But when I wrote it down and looked at it objectively...<br><br>\\r\\n ……犠牲者の叔母は「裏切り者の縁者」だ。<br>\\r\\n ......The victim is a 'relative of a traitor'.<br><br>\\r\\n 「敵」「裏切り者」「非協力者」に続く、犠牲者の系譜に「裏切り者の縁者」と付け加えても、そう違和感はない。<br>\\r\\n After 'enemy', 'traitor', and 'dissident,' 'relative of a traitor' doesn't sound too odd.<br><br>\\r\\n ４番目の序列として、妥当に思える。<br>\\r\\n It comes naturally as a fourth target.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 村の守り神であるオヤシロさまを祀る祭りの当日に、ダム戦争の戦犯たちを年々「祟殺し」ていく。<br>\\r\\n On the day the villagers worship Oyashiro-sama, their guardian deity, the criminals of the dam conflict have been 'punished by the curse'.<br><br>\\r\\n そう、私が園崎本家で「けじめ」を取らされたみたいに、彼らの罪を清算していく。<br>\\r\\n Just like how I was forced to pay at the Sonozaki house, the criminals were made to pay as well.<br><br>\\r\\n …こうして書き出してみると、４年目のこの事件すらも、連続怪死事件の一部なのではないかと思えてくる。<br>\\r\\n ...After writing these things out, I started thinking that the fourth incident might be in line with the series of mysterious deaths after all.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 犯人が悟史くんであれ、自供したという麻薬常習者であれ。<br>\\r\\n Whether it was Satoshi-kun or the dopehead,<br>\\r\\n …この４年間連続したシナリオに組み込まれた「実行犯」でしかないのではないか。<br>\\r\\n it seemed that they were forced to play the role of a murderer, as a part of a bigger scenario.<br><br>\\r\\n 仮に悟史くんが犯人で、…家庭環境に起因する同情の余地のある動機だったとしても。<br>\\r\\n Even if Satoshi-kun was the real culprit, even if he killed his aunt because of an ordinary grudge,<br>\\r\\n …その結果は、ダム戦争の遺恨の清算を司る「雛見沢村連続怪死事件」に充分に組み込まれている。<br>\\r\\n the murder seems synchronized with the grand scheme of 'the series of mysterious deaths in Hinamizawa', which is a payment plan for the war criminals.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんが悲壮な決意を持って起こした事件。<br>\\r\\n ...That murder was the result of his pain.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、それらが全てシナリオに組み込まれていたとしたら…？<br>\\r\\n But... what if somebody planned that as part of a scenario...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんに、あの日、あの晩に、あの場所で。<br>\\r\\n For instance...<br><br>\\r\\n ……叔母を撲殺することを入れ知恵した何者かがいる、ということだ………？<br>\\r\\n Somebody might have suggested to him to kill his aunt on that day, that night, at that place......?<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんが妹思いで、沙都子を守るために、悲壮な決意をしたことは疑わない。<br>\\r\\n ...I had no doubts that Satoshi-kun decided to kill her in order to protect Satoko.<br><br>\\r\\n だけれども、…本当に「自分だけの意思で」、叔母殺しを思いついたかは謎だ。<br>\\r\\n But did he really reach that conclusion on his own?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私のよく知る悟史くんは、…あのどこか楽天的で、ちょっと抜けた感じの悟史くんは、<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun was optimistic and somewhat detached, as far as I know. Would he really\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……いくら妹の為とは言え、…自分だけの思いつきで、<br>\\r\\n have considered murdering his aunt\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 叔母殺シヲ計画デキタノカ…？<br>\\r\\n even if it was to protect his sister...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 例えば、…殺人計画リストのようなものがあって、予め叔母は４年目に殺すことが決まっていたとする。<br>\\r\\n Couldn't it be possible for somebody to have chosen the aunt as the fourth year's murder beforehand...?<br><br>\\r\\n そして、悟史くんたちの特殊な事情を何者かが巧みに利用したのではないのか。<br>\\r\\n ...And they used Satoshi-kun?<br><br>\\r\\n そして、その何者かと接点を持つ悟史くんは……消された？<br>\\r\\n And Satoshi-kun was eliminated because of his connection with them...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そうやって考えると、殺人事件という意味では性格の似る１年目の現場監督殺しにも共通する。<br>\\r\\n Looking at it that way, the murder of the first year resembles this case.<br><br>\\r\\n 主犯格の男は、警察の徹底的な捜索にもかかわらず、今日まで何も行方は掴めていないからだ。<br>\\r\\n The main culprit behind that case hasn't been found yet,<br>\\r\\n 生死すらわからないという点においても一致する。<br>\\r\\n dead or alive.<br><br>\\r\\n 犯人である作業員たちは、ちょっとした喧嘩から殺し合いになったと証言しているらしいが、<br>\\r\\n The other culprits testified that their fight had turned into a slaughter...<br>\\r\\n …それが主犯格による「扇動」だとしたら？<br>\\r\\n but wouldn't it be possible that the main culprit had manipulated the situation?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その日、その時間、その場所で、殺しを実行するよう何者かに入れ知恵されていたとしたら………？<br>\\r\\n What if he had been told to kill someone on that day, at that time, and in that place......?<br><br>\\r\\n そう。<br>\\r\\n I'm certain.<br>\\r\\n １年目の事件は、…４年目の悟史くんの事件とあまりに似ているのだ。<br>\\r\\n The first murder resembles Satoshi-kun's case very much.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n なら…………悟史くんは…誰かの手の平の上で踊らされたのだろうか…？<br>\\r\\n So... did that mean Satoshi-kun was being controlled by somebody else...?<br><br>\\r\\n 大石はあの時、悟史くんの失踪は、殺人犯と私の仲を清算するためのものだと仮説を立てて見せた。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi had presented me with a hypothesis that the Sonozaki family made Satoshi-kun disappear, in order to end my relationship with a murderer.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …だが、今、こうして箇条書きにしたノートを読み返すと。<br>\\r\\n ...But when I read the notes I wrote down,<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの失踪は、そんな突発的なものでなく、ずっと前から組み込まれた「予定」だったように思えるのだ。<br>\\r\\n his disappearance didn't seem too spontaneous. It seemed like part of a bigger plan.<br><br>\\r\\n その「予定」に、私という予定外が絡んだので、私に対して引き離しが行なわれた。<br>\\r\\n Since I'd unexpectedly gotten involved in that plan, I had to be separated from him.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、間髪入れずに…悟史くんは「予定通り」に、『鬼隠し』にあった…。<br>\\r\\n Then Satoshi-kun was demoned away, as planned.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私も最初、悟史くんが失踪した理由を、園崎家次期頭首の双子である私と、裏切り者北条家の悟史くんが恋仲であることを対外的に許せなかったため…と思っていた。<br>\\r\\n At first, I also believed that the Sonozaki family made him disappear because they didn't like that I was in love with a member of a family of traitors.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……でも、何かが違う。<br>\\r\\n ...But something didn't add up.<br>\\r\\n 何か違和感があるのだ。<br>\\r\\n Something felt strange.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの失踪に、…私は関係ない。<br>\\r\\n I wasn't the reason for his disappearance after all.<br><br>\\r\\n 私と悟史くんの出会いがたとえ、なかったとしても。<br>\\r\\n Even if I never met him in the first place...<br>\\r\\n …悟史くんは昭和５７年の６月に叔母を殺し、…失踪したに違いないのだ。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun was supposed to kill his aunt in June 1982, and then disappear.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、一時期、鬼婆に復讐しようと考えていた。<br>\\r\\n At one point I had been thinking of taking revenge on the hag.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆が、私と悟史くんの仲を引き裂くためにやったものだと信じていたからだ。<br>\\r\\n I'd believed that she separated us.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、私たちの仲が関係ないとしたなら。<br>\\r\\n But what if my relationship with Satoshi-kun had nothing to do with his disappearance?<br><br>\\r\\n ……………これは一体、どういうことなのだろう。<br>\\r\\n .........What would that mean?<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんを失踪させたのは、一体、何者なんだ…？<br>\\r\\n ...Who made Satoshi-kun disappear...?<br><br>\\r\\n それを知ろうとするには、…私はこの「雛見沢村連続怪死事件」に挑まなければならないのだ。<br>\\r\\n I need to understand the series of mysterious deaths in order to solve this mystery.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この事件は何なのか？<br>\\r\\n What did all these deaths mean?<br>\\r\\n 何者たちが何のために、いつまで起こし続けるのか…？<br>\\r\\n Who was behind them, and what purpose did they serve...?<br><br>\\r\\n その意図は、目的は。<br>\\r\\n I wanted to know the purpose, the motive,<br>\\r\\n そして犯人は。<br>\\r\\n and who was responsible...<br><br>\\r\\n そして、……誰が悟史くんを。<br>\\r\\n Who took Satoshi-kun......?<br><br>\\r\\n その中で、悟史くんの生死に迫れたなら。<br>\\r\\n I wanted to know if he was still alive.<br>\\r\\n ……………………。<br>\\r\\n ...............<br><br>\\r\\n …「雛見沢村連続怪死事件」とはすなわち「オヤシロさまの祟り」のこと。<br>\\r\\n ...The series of mysterious deaths in Hinamizawa is also called \\\"Oyashiro-sama's curse\\\"...<br>\\r\\n …オヤシロさまの祟りとは何なのか…？<br>\\r\\n What is that curse...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまというのはそもそも…。<br>\\r\\n Specifically,<br>\\r\\n どういう神さまだったっけ…？<br>\\r\\n what kind of god is Oyashiro-sama...?<br><br>\\r\\n どんなご利益があって、どんな祟りがあるんだっけ…？<br>\\r\\n What blessings does he bring and what punishments does he dole out...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の考えが、口を突く代わりにシャーペンの先に、文字となって紡がれていく。<br>\\r\\n I wrote down my thoughts in the notebook.<br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまとはオヤシロさまとは。<br>\\r\\n What's Oyashiro-sama...? What is he...?<br>\\r\\n 私の迷走する思考を、そのままに字に書き出していく…。<br>\\r\\n I scribbled these things down...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だから。<br>\\r\\n I was so absorbed by it...<br><br>\\r\\n 自分の後ろに、さっきからずっと人の気配があって、しかもその人が覗き込んでいる、<br>\\r\\n That I didn't realize somebody had been standing behind me, watching me\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n それもさっきからずっと、というのに気付いた時。<br>\\r\\n the whole time.<br>\\r\\n 私は悲鳴にも似た声を出して驚かざるを得なかった。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't stop myself from gasping when I realized that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………ごめんなさい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I'm sorry.<br>\\r\\n 驚かせちゃったかしら？<br>\\r\\n Did I startle you...?<br>\\r\\n …くすくす。」<br>\\r\\n Hee hee.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 知的な女性がいたずらっぽく笑った。<br>\\r\\n The intelligent-looking woman giggled.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「い、いえ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"N-No,<br>\\r\\n びっくりしただけです。<br>\\r\\n I was just a bit surprised...<br>\\r\\n …こちらこそ素っ頓狂な声を出してすみませんでした。」<br>\\r\\n Sorry about that.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は軽く謝るが、私を後から覗き込んでいた彼女だって謝ってくれてもいい。<br>\\r\\n She could have apologized a little better, too, since she'd been watching me from behind...<br><br>\\r\\n そう思ったが、彼女は謝るどころか、私の顔をまじまじと見つめる…。<br>\\r\\n But she just stared at my face instead...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………あなたが、園崎詩音さん？」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Are you Shion Sonozaki-san?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………私の名前を知ってて、私が初対面ということは、…お姉の知り合いか何かですか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........You must know Sis since you know my name, but I don't know who you are.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n こういう時、双子というのは不愉快だ。<br>\\r\\n Being twins is a pain sometimes.<br><br>\\r\\n 向こうは勝手に私のことがわかるくせに、私は向こうのことがわからない。<br>\\r\\n People you've never met before can tell exactly who you are.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「くすくす、ごめんなさいね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hee hee. I'm sorry.<br>\\r\\n 私の知っている園崎さんは、図書館なんかに来るような人じゃないから。<br>\\r\\n The Sonozaki-san I know would never be seen in a library,<br>\\r\\n 噂に聞いた、双子の詩音さんかなと思って。」<br>\\r\\n so I assumed that you were her twin sister.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 女性は愉快そうにくすくすと笑った。<br>\\r\\n The woman giggled again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「お察しのとおり、私は園崎詩音です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, you were right. I'm <NAME>.<br>\\r\\n どうも初めましてこんにちは。<br>\\r\\n Nice to meet you.<br>\\r\\n 失礼ですが、どちら様ですか？」<br>\\r\\n May I ask your name?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あら、ごめんなさいね、自己紹介がまだだったわね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, I'm sorry. I should've introduced myself first.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 髪が自慢らしく、彼女は髪を掻きながら言った。<br>\\r\\n She seemed to love her own hair, because she kept running her fingers through it boastfully.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「鷹野三四。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm <NAME>.<br>\\r\\n 三四って呼んでくれていいわよ、詩音ちゃん。」<br>\\r\\n You can call me Miyo, Shion-chan.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「お気遣いありがとうございます、鷹野さん。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Nice to meet you, Takano-san.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は先ほどから、何か小馬鹿にされているような感じがして不愉快でしょうがなかった。<br>\\r\\n Her condescending attitude bugged me.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は初対面の人に見下されることほど嫌いなことはない。<br>\\r\\n I hate meeting people like that.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、拒絶を示すと、ノートを閉じて席を立とうとした。<br>\\r\\n I closed my notebook and got ready to leave the desk.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あら、…………怒ってる？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh... Are you upset?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ご賢察、痛み入ります。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Thank you for your concern.<br>\\r\\n 私はひとりで考え事をするのが好きなんで、他所へ行かせていただきます。<br>\\r\\n I like to be alone when thinking, so I'm moving to another spot.<br>\\r\\n 失礼します、御機嫌よう。」<br>\\r\\n Excuse me.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…残念ね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...That's a shame.<br>\\r\\n 私たち、話が合うと思ったのに。」<br>\\r\\n I thought we'd be good friends.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そうですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Did you?<br>\\r\\n 私は合うとは思いかねますが？」<br>\\r\\n I don't think so.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「だって、オヤシロさまの祟りについて研究する同志に出会えたんですもの。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I finally met someone with the same passion. A fellow researcher of Oyashiro-sama's curse.<br>\\r\\n 貴重な出会いだと思うんだけど…？」<br>\\r\\n I think it's quite unusual to meet someone like that...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私の顔が、かーっと赤面する。<br>\\r\\n She saw my notes...!<br>\\r\\n …ノートの中身をしっかり見られた。<br>\\r\\n My face reddened.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「こ、…これは、私の、そう妄想みたいなもの！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Th-These are just theories!<br>\\r\\n でたらめです。<br>\\r\\n It's all nonsense.<br>\\r\\n 子どもの落書きなんか放っといて下さい！」<br>\\r\\n Just childish scribbles.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「オヤシロさまの祟りと呼ばれる一連の連続怪死事件。<br>\\r\\n \\\"The series of mysterious deaths is also known as Oyashiro-sama's curse.<br>\\r\\n 何れの事件も個別に見えながら、確実にひとつの意思に基づいて行なわれている。<br>\\r\\n Though each death is an independent incident, all of them clearly share the same purpose.<br>\\r\\n 毎年、１人がオヤシロさまの祟りに遭って死に、１人が生贄に捧げられて失踪する。」<br>\\r\\n Each year, someone dies of the curse, and someone else is sacrificed and disappears...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「は、…はぁ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wh-What?<br>\\r\\n な、何を急に言い出すんですか？<br>\\r\\n What are you saying all of a sudden?<br>\\r\\n １人が祟りで死んで…１人が……何ですって…？」<br>\\r\\n Someone dies and... someone else... what...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 唐突に奇怪なことをまくし立てられ、私は面くらってどもる。<br>\\r\\n I was taken aback by her weird spiel.<br><br>\\r\\n …だがすぐに、何かとんでもないことを言われたことに気が付いた。<br>\\r\\n ...But I realized right away that she'd said something extraordinary.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「雛見沢村連続怪死事件の犠牲者が常に偶数人数だってことは、あなたも気付いてたんじゃない？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Didn't you notice that the number of victims is always even...?<br>\\r\\n ……それとも、まだそこまでには至ってなかったかしら？」<br>\\r\\n Haven't you realized that yet...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 犠牲者が常に偶数人…？？<br>\\r\\n The number of victims is always even...??<br><br>\\r\\n 私は混乱する頭を整理しながら、これまでの事件を思い返した。<br>\\r\\n I was confused, but I tried to figure out what that meant.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n １年目は現場監督が死んだ。<br>\\r\\n The dam construction site manager died in the first year.<br><br>\\r\\n １人のはず。<br>\\r\\n There was only one victim.<br><br>\\r\\n ２年目は悟史くんの両親だから…２人。<br>\\r\\n In the second year, the victims were the parents of Satoshi-kun, so it was two people.<br><br>\\r\\n ３年目は…神主さん１人。<br>\\r\\n In the third year, it was the priest...<br>\\r\\n …いや、妻の自殺も陰謀なら、２人と言えなくもない…。<br>\\r\\n and if her death was also planned, his wife... two again...<br><br>\\r\\n そして４年目は、叔母が死に、…悟史くんが失踪した。<br>\\r\\n And in this year, the fourth year, Satoshi-kun's aunt died and Satoshi-kun went missing...<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの失踪も陰謀なのだとしたら、…確かに犠牲は２人。<br>\\r\\n If Satoshi-kun's disappearance was planned... the number of the victims was two.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …本当だ。<br>\\r\\n ...It's true.<br>\\r\\n １年目の事件を除けば犠牲者は常に偶数人数、つまり２人だ。<br>\\r\\n Except for the first one, the victims always came in an even number--two.<br><br>\\r\\n いや待てよ。<br>\\r\\n Wait.<br><br>\\r\\n …１年目の事件は４年目の悟史くんの事件に酷似するとさっき自分で結論付けたじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n ...I had just concluded myself that the first case resembled the fourth one.<br><br>\\r\\n 主犯格が未だ行方不明であることは、悟史くんと同様に、『鬼隠し』で消された可能性も否定できないと。<br>\\r\\n The main culprit was still missing. He might have been demoned away, just like Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ね？<br>\\r\\n \\\"See?<br>\\r\\n そうでしょ？」<br>\\r\\n Doesn't it make sense now?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n まるで、難解な数学の問題を、黒板の前で解き明かしていくように、鷹野さんは私を諭した。<br>\\r\\n Takano-san sounded like a teacher who had showed me how to solve a difficult math problem...<br>\\r\\n ………私は頷けなかったが、かといって否定の言葉も口にできなかった。<br>\\r\\n I wasn't quite convinced, but I couldn't deny what she'd said, either.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ヒントはこのくらいでいいかしら…？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Did I give you enough hints...?<br>\\r\\n 二人で存分に語り明かしたかったんだけど、あなたが孤独を好むなら仕方がないしね。<br>\\r\\n I really would have enjoyed a conversation with you, but I think you prefer being alone.<br><br>\\r\\n …くすくすくす。」<br>\\r\\n ...Hee hee hee.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……失礼な口の利き方をしてすみませんでした、三四さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I'm sorry that I wasn't respectful, Miyo-san.<br>\\r\\n 私のことは詩音と呼んでください。」<br>\\r\\n Please call me Shion.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…ぷ、……くすくすくすくす…！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Pff...... Hee hee hee...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私があっさりと口の利き方を翻したのが、彼女には小気味良く感じたのか、しばらくの間、満足そうに笑っていた。<br>\\r\\n She seemed content that I changed my attitude. She kept giggling for a while.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n どことなく、胡散臭い雰囲気を醸し出す女性、鷹野三四。<br>\\r\\n She didn't seem that reliable.<br>\\r\\n 本当なら、こんな怪しい人間とは関わりたくはない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't want to be acquainted with her for too long.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、…人との出会いが著しく限定されている私には、数少ない貴重な出会いではあったし、<br>\\r\\n But... I don't get to talk to people very much...<br>\\r\\n …彼女がしようとしている話に興味は隠せなかった。<br>\\r\\n and what she said interested me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「改めて自己紹介するわね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Let me introduce myself again.<br>\\r\\n 鷹野三四よ。<br>\\r\\n I'm <NAME>.<br>\\r\\n 三四って呼んでくれると嬉しいわ。」<br>\\r\\n Call me Miyo.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「よろしくです三四さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Pleased to meet you, Miyo-san.<br>\\r\\n 私は園崎詩音。<br>\\r\\n I'm <NAME>.<br>\\r\\n 魅音の双子の妹にあたります。<br>\\r\\n Mion's twin sister.<br>\\r\\n 詩音と呼んでください。」<br>\\r\\n Please call me Shion.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 三四さんが握手の真似事を求めて来たので、私はそれに応えて、ささやかな仲直りとした。<br>\\r\\n I took the hand that Miyo-san held out as a sign of reconciliation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「さっきの話を聞かせて下さい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Please tell me more.<br>\\r\\n ２人犠牲者が出るといいましたね？<br>\\r\\n You said that there are always two victims?<br>\\r\\n １人が祟りで、もう１人が…えっと、生贄とか言いましたか？」<br>\\r\\n One dies due to the curse and the other one is... a sacrifice?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………ねぇ詩音ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Shion-chan.<br>\\r\\n このお話で盛り上がる前に、どうしてこの話に興味があるか聞かせてもらってもいいかしら？」<br>\\r\\n Before we get into that, could you tell me why you became interested in this?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 彼女は、少し背を屈めて私の目を覗き込んだ。<br>\\r\\n She leaned over and looked into my eyes...<br>\\r\\n …あまり気持ちよくはない。<br>\\r\\n It was kind of uncomfortable.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………三四さんこそ、私のことをどこまでご存知です？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Miyo-san, how much do you know about me?<br>\\r\\n ご存知なら、おおよその見当はつくんじゃないかと。」<br>\\r\\n I guess you have an idea if you know my name...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「さぁ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't know much...<br>\\r\\n 何年か遠くの全寮制の学校にいて、最近、興宮に戻ってきたとしか知らないわよ…？」<br>\\r\\n Just that you recently returned from a boarding school...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そうですか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I see.<br>\\r\\n じゃあ想像つきますよね。<br>\\r\\n So, I think you can imagine<br>\\r\\n 私がいない間に起こった連続怪死事件。<br>\\r\\n that I want to know about the series of mysterious deaths<br>\\r\\n 私はよくわからないので調べてるんです。<br>\\r\\n that happened while I was away.<br>\\r\\n ちょっとした興味本位で。」<br>\\r\\n I'm just curious.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………なるほどね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I see.<br>\\r\\n 興味本位で、ね。」<br>\\r\\n You're curious, eh?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私のことを、魅音だと思わず、詩音だと即答したこの人だからこそ。<br>\\r\\n I got the impression that she knew about what happened to Satoshi-kun and me,<br>\\r\\n …何となく、悟史くんと私のことも知っているような気がした。<br>\\r\\n because she instantly recognized me as Shion, not Mion.<br><br>\\r\\n ……大石のような強力な情報網があるならいざ知れず、どうして彼女がそこまでのことを知っていると思えるのか、自分でもわからない。<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't know why I thought that way, as she shouldn't have access the sources that, for instance, Ooishi does.<br><br>\\r\\n ただその、……彼女の瞳に浮かぶ、全てお見通しのような色合いがそう思わせるのだ…。<br>\\r\\n It was just the look in her eyes that made me think that way...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「三四さんにも聞きます。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Let me ask you a question this time.<br>\\r\\n さっき私のことを、オヤシロさまの祟りについて調べる同志と言いましたね。<br>\\r\\n You called me a fellow researcher of Oyashiro-sama's curse, didn't you?<br>\\r\\n なぜ祟りなんか研究してるんですか？<br>\\r\\n So why are you researching the curse?<br>\\r\\n そして、連続怪死事件の犠牲者は偶数人であるとも言い切りましたね。<br>\\r\\n You also stated that there's always an even number of victims in the mysterious deaths.<br>\\r\\n 雛見沢村連続怪死事件は、確かに通称でオヤシロさまの祟りと呼ばれています。<br>\\r\\n It's true that Hinamizawa's mysterious deaths are often called Oyashiro-sama's curse,<br>\\r\\n なぜ、祟りを研究すると、連続怪死事件にまで踏み込むことになるのですか？」<br>\\r\\n but why would you delve into the mysterious deaths if you're researching the curse itself?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音ちゃん、質問が一度に多過ぎるわね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion-chan, you're asking too many questions at once.<br>\\r\\n それに何が聞きたいのか、ややこしくて分かりにくいわ。」<br>\\r\\n I can't tell what you really want to know.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n う…。<br>\\r\\n Ooh...<br>\\r\\n 思わず黙り込んでしまう。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't say anything in return.<br><br>\\r\\n 聞きたいことが多過ぎてこんがらかったかも知れない。<br>\\r\\n Maybe I'd been too inquisitive.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「順に答えるわね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'll answer your questions one by one......<br>\\r\\n ……私が研究しているのは祟りじゃなく、もっと広義。<br>\\r\\n I'm not just researching the curse, as my subject is much broader than that.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼ヶ淵村の風俗史よ。<br>\\r\\n I'm researching the history of Onigafuchi Village.<br>\\r\\n 平たく言えば、古代雛見沢村の知られざる歴史、暗黒史について研究しているの。」<br>\\r\\n In plain terms, I'm researching the dark and ancient history of Hinamizawa.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「おにがふち村？？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Onigafuchi Village??<br>\\r\\n 鬼ヶ淵って、あの鬼の国につながってるって言う、村の奥にある底無し沼のことですか？<br>\\r\\n Isn't Onigafuchi the bottomless swamp some people believe is connected to Hell?<br>\\r\\n あと知られざる歴史、暗黒史って…何です？」<br>\\r\\n And what dark history...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は疑問に思ったことを矢継ぎ早に聞き返していく。<br>\\r\\n I kept asking questions.<br><br>\\r\\n その内容は三四さんにとって、どれも聞かれたい内容らしく、とても嬉しそうに笑っていた。<br>\\r\\n Miyo-san, however, looked pleased to hear them.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「鬼ヶ淵村というのは雛見沢村の明治以前の名前よ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Onigafuchi Village is the old name for Hinamizawa, as it was known back before the Meiji Era.<br>\\r\\n 暗黒史というのは、……薄々は知っているでしょう？<br>\\r\\n About the dark history...<br>\\r\\n 人食い鬼の歴史は。」<br>\\r\\n you know a little bit about the man-eating demons, I assume?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ………あぁ……、<br>\\r\\n ...Ah...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 人食い鬼の話か。<br>\\r\\n the man-eating demons, huh?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢村に伝わるおとぎ話だ。<br>\\r\\n That was a fairytale told in Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n 大昔、沼の底の鬼の国から鬼たちがやって来て、村人と戦ったけど、<br>\\r\\n A long time ago, demons came out of the swamp, and while the villagers battled with them,<br>\\r\\n 結局、仲良く住むことになって。<br>\\r\\n they ended up living peacefully together.<br>\\r\\n それで、村人は人と鬼の血を半分ずつ受け継ぐ、半人半鬼の仙人になった…というヤツ。<br>\\r\\n The villagers transcended and became a sacred people, having demon blood in their veins.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の頭の中に、昔どこかで聞かされたおとぎ話が、どんどんと蘇ってくる。<br>\\r\\n That long-forgotten fairy tale came back to my mind vividly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「雛見沢に縁のある人なら、誰もが知ってる当り前の昔話よね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You know this story because you're a villager, of course.<br>\\r\\n では、その半人半鬼の仙人たちが、…時に山を下り、人をさらって食らった宴の話は知っている？」<br>\\r\\n But what about the story of the cannibal banquet?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Eh...?<br>\\r\\n ……な、何の話ですか？」<br>\\r\\n What's that?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「村人たちの体に半分流れる鬼の血は、…鬼は鬼でも人食い鬼の血だったって話は、聞いたことない？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"You know that the villagers have the blood of man-eating demons in their veins, don't you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………あぁ、……………まぁ、そんな話もありますねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Yeah... I think I've heard of it...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は曖昧に笑ってはぐらかした。<br>\\r\\n I dodged the question.<br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢は元々は閉鎖的な寒村だったが、戦後にじわじわと勢力を伸ばし、今や興宮の町を含め、広域にその勢力を広げている。<br>\\r\\n Hinamizawa used to be a desolate village, but it grew in prominence after the Second World War, and expanded its influence to Okinomiya and other areas.<br><br>\\r\\n そんな雛見沢出身者を快く思わない人たちや、差別して毛嫌いする人たちが少しいて、そんな人たちが私たちを罵るとき、よく「人食い鬼」と呼ぶのは何となく知っていた。<br>\\r\\n The people who disliked and discriminated against the villagers called us 'man-eating demons'. I remember that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私たち若者は、そんなに気にしない中傷なのだが、…年寄り連中はこの手のものに、過剰に反応して目くじらを立てるのだ。<br>\\r\\n The young villagers don't take it seriously, but the older people can get seriously upset about it.<br>\\r\\n 笑い事では到底済まないくらいに。<br>\\r\\n They certainly can't take it as a joke.<br><br>\\r\\n だから私たちは、人食い鬼という言葉は禁句として、気安く口にしない。<br>\\r\\n So the term 'man-eating demons' is forbidden. We normally never use it.<br><br>\\r\\n 反抗期真っ盛りの私であってもだ。<br>\\r\\n Even during my rebellious phase, I never spoke those words.<br><br>\\r\\n そんな私でさえ避ける禁句をあっさりと口にする三四さんは、そんなことはまるで気にしない風だった。<br>\\r\\n Miyo-san, however, seemed to have no qualms with saying it out loud.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…気に障った？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Are you upset?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「何がですか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"About what?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……人食い鬼って単語を忌み嫌う村人は多いからね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I know people hate that phrase in Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n 気に障ったなら謝るけれど。」<br>\\r\\n I apologize if I made you feel uncomfortable.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「年寄り連中は気にするらしいですけど、まぁ、私はそんなには気にしてませんので。<br>\\r\\n \\\"The old people wouldn't like it, but I'm fine...<br>\\r\\n …それより続けて下さい。」<br>\\r\\n Would you continue?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ありがとう。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Thanks.<br>\\r\\n じゃ、続けるわね。<br>\\r\\n Okay, so...<br>\\r\\n ……古代の村人たちにはね、人を食らう食人の習慣があったらしいの。<br>\\r\\n The ancient villagers had a custom of cannibalism.<br>\\r\\n そして、その食人の儀式を様式化し、様々なセレモニーや文化、風習を生み出したと言われている。<br>\\r\\n They ritualized this custom and held various ceremonies based around it.<br>\\r\\n 私たちが６月のお祭りだと思っている綿流しだって、本来はちょっと早い夏祭りなんかでは断じてない。<br>\\r\\n The festival we hold in June isn't just an early summer festival.<br>\\r\\n 本来は犠牲者をさらい、食べるために行なう食人の宴だった。<br>\\r\\n It used to be a banquet in which the villagers chased after a sacrifice and ate them...<br>\\r\\n …彼らはね、犠牲者を拘束台に縛りつけ、お魚をおろす時みたいに、ハラワタを引きずり出してそれを川に投げ捨てたとされている。<br>\\r\\n They bound the sacrifice to a table, gutted them, and dumped the organs into a river.<br>\\r\\n ほら、魚のハラワタって、ワタって言うじゃない？<br>\\r\\n 'Wata' can mean 'cotton', but it also means 'organs'.<br>\\r\\n それが語源よ、綿流しの。」<br>\\r\\n That's the root of the word 'Watanagashi'.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ワタ、流し…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Organ drifting... Watanagashi...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Indeed.<br>\\r\\n お布団の綿なんかで誤魔化すようになったのは、私の研究では明治の頃からじゃないかと思うわね。<br>\\r\\n I believe they started using futon mats to cover it all up around the Meiji Era, according to my research.<br>\\r\\n まさかこの昭和の時代に、そんな恐ろしいことが堂々とできるわけもないのだし。」<br>\\r\\n They wouldn't be able to do that openly nowadays.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …三四さんの話は……あまりに突拍子もなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...Everything Miyo-san was talking about sounded... startling.<br><br>\\r\\n 苦笑いの域を超え、唖然とさえなる。<br>\\r\\n I was just taken aback.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が、にわかには信じられないと思っていることは、その表情で一目瞭然なようだった。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't wholly believe it right away. She sensed that from my expression.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「もちろん、思いつきなでっち上げなんかでは断じてない。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's not a hoax. I didn't make any of this up.<br>\\r\\n 誰にも見せないって誓うなら、綿流しの辺りの研究ノートを見せてあげてもいいけれど…？」<br>\\r\\n If you promise not to tell anyone, I can show you my notes on Watanagashi...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 三四さんは足元に置いていたペーパーバッグから、かなり使いこまれたスクラップ帳を取り出すと、バラバラっとめくって見せた。<br>\\r\\n Miyo-san took out a notebook from her bag and flipped through it.<br><br>\\r\\n ちらっと見ただけでも、かなり真面目に研究されたものであることがうかがえた。<br>\\r\\n She appeared to be doing her research thoroughly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……あ、ありがとうございます。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Thank you.<br>\\r\\n お借りできるものなら、後でゆっくり読んでみたいと思います。」<br>\\r\\n I'd love to read it.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「えぇ、いいわよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sure.<br>\\r\\n 本当は閲覧厳禁の秘密ノートだけれどね。<br>\\r\\n I'd like to keep it confidential...<br><br>\\r\\n ……くすくす、研究の同志になら、特別に見せてあげてもいいわね。」<br>\\r\\n ......Hee hee, but I guess I should share it with my fellow researcher.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 三四さんはもったいぶりながらも、私にスクラップ帳を預けてくれた。<br>\\r\\n Miyo-san handed me the notebook a bit hesitantly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n これを読むだけでも、今夜まるまるとかかりそうだ。<br>\\r\\n It looked like it'd take a whole night to finish reading.<br><br>\\r\\n 軽く見ただけでも、中身の濃さはうかがえる。<br>\\r\\n It was densely packed with information.<br><br>\\r\\n 様々な文献のコピーや引用が書かれてあって、単なる妄想ノートの域を超えていることは明白だ。<br>\\r\\n I saw copies of various documents and quotes in there too. It wasn't just some delusion of hers.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………一番最初に三四さんは言いましたよね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...You told me<br>\\r\\n 毎年の事件で１人が祟りで死に、１人が生贄にされて失踪すると。」<br>\\r\\n that one person dies because of the curse and another person is sacrified and disappears, right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 生贄にされて、失踪する。<br>\\r\\n A person is sacrificed and disappears.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんは、失踪している。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoshi-kun had gone missing.<br><br>\\r\\n ……生贄にされて…？<br>\\r\\n ......Did he become a sacrifice...?<br>\\r\\n 生贄って……何……？<br>\\r\\n What is a sacrifice anyway...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 三四さんはその問いもまた嬉しいものらしく、また別のスクラップ帳を取り出すと、私の胸に押し付けた。<br>\\r\\n Miyo-san looked pleased to hear my questions again. She took out another notebook and handed it to me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「読めば分かるけど、掻い摘んで話すわね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I think you'll understand once you read it, but I'll give you a digest version...<br>\\r\\n …オヤシロさまの祟りとは、簡単に言えばオヤシロさまの怒りのこと。<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama's curse is simply Oyashiro-sama's anger.<br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまが怒ったから、バチとして祟りが起こる。<br>\\r\\n In other words, the curse is caused by Oyashiro-sama's anger,<br>\\r\\n それはわかるわよね？」<br>\\r\\n do you follow?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「一応わかります。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes......<br>\\r\\n ……ダム戦争で、村に敵対した人間たちにオヤシロさまが怒り、祟りが起こったと、そう言いたいわけですよね。」<br>\\r\\n You're saying that Oyashiro-sama was mad at the people who opposed the village during the dam conflict, and that's why the curse occurred.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right.<br><br>\\r\\n でね、オヤシロさまの祟りというのは、放置してはいけないの。<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama's anger has to be pacified.<br>\\r\\n “もっともっと大きな祟りを招く”からね。<br>\\r\\n If not, something even worse will occur.<br>\\r\\n だから、神職である古手家の歴代頭首たちは、オヤシロさまの祟りがある度に、そのお怒りを鎮めるために、生贄を捧げる必要があったの。<br>\\r\\n So, all the successive priests at the Furude Shrine had to perform a sacrifice every time the curse struck, in order to pacify Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n それを生贄の儀と呼ぶみたいなんだけどね…。」<br>\\r\\n It's called a sacrificial ritual.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃあつまり………、毎年、綿流しの日にオヤシロさまの祟りで１人死んで。<br>\\r\\n \\\"So...... each year on the day of Watanagashi, one person dies because of the curse,<br>\\r\\n その祟りを鎮めるために、さらにもう１人を生贄にして殺してると、そう言うんですか？！<br>\\r\\n and another one is sacrificed to pacify Oyashiro-sama's anger?!<br>\\r\\n でも、１人しか死んでませんよ現実に。<br>\\r\\n But only one person is actually murdered each time.<br>\\r\\n 生贄に捧げられたなんて聞いたこともない…！」<br>\\r\\n I've never heard of human sacrifices being made!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「死体が出ないのは当然よ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Naturally, there's no body.<br>\\r\\n だって、生贄の儀式は、犠牲者を鬼ヶ淵の沼に沈めることなんだもの。<br>\\r\\n The ritual of sacrifice requires the offering be sunk into Onigafuchi Swamp.<br>\\r\\n あの沼は、一度沈めば二度と浮き上がることはないと言われる底無しの沼。<br>\\r\\n That swamp is bottomless, and no one would ever surface once they were thrown in there.<br>\\r\\n ……死体なんて、出ようはずもない。」<br>\\r\\n ...No body would never be found, of course.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃあ…毎年のもう１人の犠牲者は、みんな沼の底に沈んでると…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"So... one of the victims is always thrown into the swamp every year...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんも、あの暗緑色の沼の底に…沈められていると…？<br>\\r\\n Does that mean Satoshi-kun is also at the bottom of that dark green swamp...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「さぁ……。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't know...<br>\\r\\n 本当に沼の底に沈められているかはわからないわ。<br>\\r\\n I'm not sure that they really throw them into the swamp.<br>\\r\\n でも、連続事件を起こしている人たちが、それを意識して１人を消していることは間違いないと思うわね。」<br>\\r\\n But those who make these incidents happen must be eliminating one person based on that legend.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ダム戦争に加担した村の敵たちが、毎年の綿流しの日に、オヤシロさまの祟りによって１人ずつ死んで行く。<br>\\r\\n Each year a traitor to the village dies on the day of Watanagashi because of Oyashiro-sama's curse.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、そのオヤシロさまの祟りを鎮めるために、毎年１人ずつ、生贄に捧げられて行く。<br>\\r\\n And another person is sacrificed in order to pacify Oyashiro-sama's anger.<br><br>\\r\\n ……二度と浮かばぬ沼の底に沈めてることになっているから、死体は絶対に出ない。<br>\\r\\n ...That person's body will never be found, because he or she is supposedly thrown into the bottomless swamp.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そう、つまり。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes, you get it...<br>\\r\\n ……雛見沢村連続怪事件というのは、祟りとそれを鎮めるための生贄の２つでセットになったもの。<br>\\r\\n The series of mysterious deaths always involves both the curse and the sacrifice.<br>\\r\\n そして、それを毎年繰り返すことによって、ダム戦争時の仇敵を、毎年２人ずつ殺していけるシステムのことを指しているの。」<br>\\r\\n It's a system that allows two traitors to die every year.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私の話は省略し過ぎてるからね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"What I'm telling you now probably isn't sufficient,<br>\\r\\n 多分、ちょっと信じ難いとは思う。<br>\\r\\n so it might be hard to grasp.<br>\\r\\n だからこそ、あなたに預けた研究ノートをね、時間をかけてゆっくり読んで欲しいの。<br>\\r\\n Instead, I want you to take the time to read my notes.<br>\\r\\n 内容を理解できたなら、私の話がそういい加減なものでもないことが分かるはず…。」<br>\\r\\n You'll see that what I'm telling you isn't far from the truth at all...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 突然、そこで男の人の声が聞こえた。<br>\\r\\n I heard a man's voice just then.<br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さ〜んと、向こうの入口のところで、帽子を被った中年の男性が手を振って呼んでいる。<br>\\r\\n A middle-aged man with a hat was waving at Miyo-san from the entrance.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…ごめんなさい、待ち人が来たみたい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Sorry, I think I have to go.<br>\\r\\n もっとゆっくり話がしたかったのに残念。<br>\\r\\n I wanted to talk to you more,<br>\\r\\n …でも機会はまだこれからもあるでしょうしね。<br>\\r\\n but... I guess we'll have another chance to chat.<br>\\r\\n そのノートはそれまで預けておくわね。<br>\\r\\n I'll leave those notes to you.<br><br>\\r\\n 中身をよく読んで理解できたなら、私のいい話し相手になってくれるのを楽しみにしているわね。」<br>\\r\\n I'm looking forward to hearing your opinions.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 三四さんは一方的に話を切り上げると、足早に中年男性のところへ向かって行った。<br>\\r\\n Miyo-san wrapped up the conversation and headed to where the man was waiting for her.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の手元には、彼女に押し付けられた、年季の入った２冊のスクラップ帳が残っている。<br>\\r\\n She left her old notebooks in my hands.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 男性と合流した三四さんは、こちらに手を振ると、そのまま図書館を出て行った。<br>\\r\\n Miyo-san waved at me as she left the library with her companion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …私は、再び着席し、三四さんの秘蔵の研究ノートをぱらりと開く。<br>\\r\\n ...I took a seat again and opened what she'd given me...<br><br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢村連続怪死事件。<br>\\r\\n What bugged me was the series of mysterious deaths,<br>\\r\\n …通称、オヤシロさまの祟り。<br>\\r\\n also known as the curse of Oyashiro-sama.<br><br>\\r\\n このノートを深く知ることで、何かの真相に近づけるかもしれない…。<br>\\r\\n Maybe I'd be able to get closer to the truth by reading these notebooks...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 事件の根底や意味を知れば、…やがて、村の何者がどこまで関わっているかを知る、強力な手掛りになるかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n If I studied them carefully, I might be able to find out who was really behind the incidents. <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは…何に巻き込まれ、どのような顛末を経て、……消えたのか。<br>\\r\\n Why did Satoshi-kun have to disappear...? What was he involved in? How did that happen...?<br><br>\\r\\n それを知るための答えが、この２冊のノートのどちらかに書かれているに違いない。<br>\\r\\n Maybe Takano's notes would bring me the answer.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………考察ノート、鷹野三四。<br>\\r\\n ......Research notes - Miyo Takano<br><br>\\r\\n 私は今度こそ、誰にも覗きこまれないようにしながら、慎重にノートのページをめくり始めるのだった…………。<br>\\r\\n I started flipping the pages, this time making sure that no one was watching over my shoulder......<br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 図書館が閉館の時間になったので、私は閉め出された。<br>\\r\\n It was time for the library to close. I had to leave.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 途中、お惣菜屋さんでご飯とおかずを簡単に買い、我が家に戻ってきた。<br>\\r\\n I bought some food on my way home.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 扉をバタンと閉め、防犯のためにすぐに鍵をする。<br>\\r\\n I shut my door and locked it right away.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n すると、隣の家の扉が開く音が聞こえた。<br>\\r\\n Then, I heard the door of the neighboring apartment open.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 隣の家は葛西だ。<br>\\r\\n Kasai lived next door.<br><br>\\r\\n …というか、元々このマンションはがらがらで、この階に限れば他に誰も住んでいないのだが。<br>\\r\\n ...Nobody else lived on this floor of the nearly empty apartment building anyway.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 扉の開け閉めの音は結構聞こえる。<br>\\r\\n I clearly heard the door open and close.<br><br>\\r\\n ということは葛西が、私が帰ってきたことに気付き、何か用があってやって来るということだ。<br>\\r\\n Kasai must've noticed that I came home, and was coming over because he wanted to talk to me.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は一度閉めた鍵を開け、扉越しに大声で言った。<br>\\r\\n I unlocked the door and shouted out to him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「葛西なの？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Is that you, Kasai?<br>\\r\\n 鍵は開いてますよー。」<br>\\r\\n I'll leave the door unlocked for you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「葛西さんじゃないよ、詩音。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm not Kasai-san, Shion.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n この声は。<br>\\r\\n That voice...<br>\\r\\n 私の背筋がびくっと跳ねる。<br>\\r\\n I twitched.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「入るよ…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Can I come in...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………どうぞ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Sure,<br>\\r\\n お姉。」<br>\\r\\n Sis.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 扉がゆっくりと開き。<br>\\r\\n The door slowly opened.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私の双子のもう一人、園崎魅音が姿を現した。<br>\\r\\n ......My alter ego Mion Sonozaki appeared.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 手には、どこかのお菓子屋で買ってきたようなケーキの箱。<br>\\r\\n She was holding a box of cake...<br><br>\\r\\n 顔には、おずおずとした愛想笑いが浮かんでいた。<br>\\r\\n While smiling timidly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……どうぞ上がってって言うまで玄関に突っ立ってるつもりですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Are you going to keep standing there until I escort you?<br>\\r\\n どうぞ上がって。<br>\\r\\n Come in.<br>\\r\\n 全然可愛くない部屋で申し訳ないけどね。」<br>\\r\\n Sorry this room doesn't look very cute.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…落ち着いた雰囲気のとこだね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...It looks comfortable.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n お姉は初めて上がる私の部屋に、ほんの少し緊張をしているようだった。<br>\\r\\n Sis looked a bit tense when entering my room. It was her first time here.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「生活は……どう？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"How's life...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「新しいガッコはやっぱりつまらないです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"My new school is as boring as I thought it would be.<br>\\r\\n 一応通ってはいますけど、気分が乗らない時はサボらせてもらってます。<br>\\r\\n I usually go, but I skip classes when I don't feel up to it.<br>\\r\\n 全寮制だとなかなかそうは行かないですからね。」<br>\\r\\n I couldn't do that when I was going to St. Lucia's.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あはははははは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahahaha.<br>\\r\\n 聖ルチはやっぱり辛かったか。」<br>\\r\\n So St. Lucia's was really tough, huh?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ちぇー、お姉も一度閉じ込められてみろってんです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hah, you should go there sometime.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あはは、ごめんごめん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahaha, sorry.<br>\\r\\n ケーキ買ってきたからさ、食べよ？」<br>\\r\\n I brought cake. Let's eat.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音がケーキの箱を開けると、チーズケーキが２つ覗く。<br>\\r\\n Mion opened the box. I saw two cheesecakes there.<br><br>\\r\\n 私たちは食べ物の好みは異ならない。<br>\\r\\n We have the same taste in food,<br>\\r\\n だから同じものを揃えるのが一番だ。<br>\\r\\n so we don't have to fight if we get two of the same thing.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私とお姉はチーズケーキを食べながら、しばらくの間、歓談した。<br>\\r\\n I chatted with her over the cheesecake.<br><br>\\r\\n 学園での生活とか、そういうことを色々と。<br>\\r\\n I talked to her about school and whatnot.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「必要な家具とかがあったら言ってね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"If you need furniture, tell me.<br>\\r\\n 融通できるかもしれないから。」<br>\\r\\n I might be able to get some for you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「んーー。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmm.<br>\\r\\n この部屋にもようやく馴染んできたとこだけど、近い内に引き払うかもしれないから家具はノーサンキューです。<br>\\r\\n I finally got used to this room, but I might move out soon. So furniture won't be necessary. Thanks, though.<br>\\r\\n うちのお父さんが興宮に住むつもりなら戻って来いってうるさいんですよ。<br>\\r\\n Dad wants me to come back home...<br>\\r\\n …お父さんにゃ会いたくないんだけど、かと言って逆らうのも怖いしなーー。」<br>\\r\\n I don't want to live with him, but he sounds desperate.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あははははは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahaha.<br>\\r\\n お父さんも、詩音がいなくなって寂しそうだったから、何だかんだ言っても、帰って来たら喜ぶと思うよ。」<br>\\r\\n He'd be pleased if you came home. He looked lonely while you were gone.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ちぇー、他人事だと思ってー。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hah, you can only say that because you don't have to live with him.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あははははははは。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahahaha.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 思えば、園崎詩音として生活することを許されてから、お姉とこうして落ち着いて話をするのは初めてだった。<br>\\r\\n Come to think of it, this was the first time I'd talked to Sis since I was allowed to live as Shion Sonozaki.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n こうして魅音と話していると、……あの園崎本家での冷酷な次期頭首の顔は重ならない。<br>\\r\\n She didn't look like how she was at the Sonozaki house that day.<br><br>\\r\\n 次期頭首の魅音と、私の双子の魅音は別物だ。<br>\\r\\n The successor of the Sonozaki family and my twin sister are two different people.<br><br>\\r\\n 人の身に鬼を宿すのが園崎家の頭首。<br>\\r\\n The demon lives inside the leader of the Sonozakis.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 今でもまったく変わらない私たちの体は、背中に鬼の刺青があるかないかにおいてだけ、致命的な違いを持つ。<br>\\r\\n Our bodies are exactly the same, except for the tattoo of a demon on her back.<br><br>\\r\\n 背中に鬼の刺青を入れられた時、魅音には次期頭首としての運命が与えられたのだ。<br>\\r\\n Mion's destiny as the successor was set in stone when she got that tattoo.<br><br>\\r\\n …………そう。<br>\\r\\n .........It's pretty simple.<br>\\r\\n だからあの魅音は、…この魅音とは違う魅音なのだ。<br>\\r\\n The Mion from that night was different from the Mion before me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 爪を剥がされた時、…魅音を呪いもした。<br>\\r\\n When I was forced to tear off my fingernails, I'd momentarily despised her.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、もし私が次期頭首で、目の前の魅音が爪を剥がされる立場にいたならば。<br>\\r\\n But if I were the next leader of the family...<br>\\r\\n ………やはり同じになったに違いない。<br>\\r\\n I'd have done the same.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 「……………詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Shion...<br>\\r\\n ……爪は、……治った？」<br>\\r\\n how are... your fingernails?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「もうすっかり傷口は塞がったからね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"The wounds have closed.<br>\\r\\n 最近は目立つのがかえって嫌なんで、包帯みたいなのもしてないです。<br>\\r\\n I don't bandage them anymore because it looks too conspicuous...<br>\\r\\n でも、まだだいぶ歪でね、あまり人には見せられないかな。」<br>\\r\\n but my nails still look ugly, so I don't really like showing them to people...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は意地悪に笑いながら、爪が生えかかっている三本の指を見せる。<br>\\r\\n I sneered at her, displaying my incomplete fingernails.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音が言葉を失い、少し俯く。<br>\\r\\n Mion grew quiet and looked down.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………謝らなくていいよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......You don't have to apologize.<br>\\r\\n 魅音だってあそこは仕方なかったんだからさ。<br>\\r\\n You did what you had to do.<br>\\r\\n 次期頭首の役割を演じただけ。<br>\\r\\n You just played the role of the successor.<br>\\r\\n 恨んじゃいないから。」<br>\\r\\n I'm not holding any grudges.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………ごめんね……。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........I'm sorry...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ＯＫ！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay!<br>\\r\\n その謝罪で私は全部チャラにした。<br>\\r\\n Apology accepted.<br>\\r\\n でも！<br>\\r\\n But!<br>\\r\\n もう一度謝ったらそれは取り消し！<br>\\r\\n If you apologize one more time, that'll be canceled!<br>\\r\\n 一生許さないよ！」<br>\\r\\n I won't forgive you for the rest of my life!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え！？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh?!<br>\\r\\n 何それ…？！」<br>\\r\\n What do you mean...?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「お姉は一度謝りモードに入るとなかなか抜けられない悪い癖がありますからね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Once you start apologizing, you never stop,<br>\\r\\n 私の方で区切らないときりがないんです。」<br>\\r\\n so I'm cutting you off.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……本当に…許してくれるの…？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Will you really forgive me...?<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんとのことも……？」<br>\\r\\n About Satoshi-kun, as well...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの名前を魅音の口から出されると、…胸が疼く。<br>\\r\\n My heart ached when she mentioned his name.<br><br>\\r\\n …まるでずいぶん昔の傷痕が疼くみたいに。<br>\\r\\n ...It felt just like the ache of an old wound.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………詩音が悟史くんのこと、好きなのは…もちろん知ってたんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I figured you loved him.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あれだけの大勢の前で熱愛宣言しちゃいましたからねー。<br>\\r\\n \\\"No wonder. I shouted it out loud in front of all of you.<br>\\r\\n 何だか今さら恥ずかしくもなんともないや。<br>\\r\\n I'm not embarrassed anymore.<br>\\r\\n あはははは。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahaha.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「でも、…婆っちゃはあれで本当にけじめがついたと思ってるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Granny truly believes you've atoned.<br>\\r\\n 詩音がちゃんと自分でけじめをつけて見せたから。<br>\\r\\n She thinks you've done all you needed to do,<br>\\r\\n それで全部終わり、って。」<br>\\r\\n so the matter is finished.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……そうでなきゃ困ります。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......That's good.<br>\\r\\n あれだけ痛い思いしたんですから。」<br>\\r\\n My pain won't go to waste, then.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くん、………どこに行ったんだろうね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I wonder where... Satoshi-kun disappeared to, though...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n その一言で、私の心臓がぐっと押し付けられ、…喉元が苦しくなる。<br>\\r\\n I started choking when I heard her say that.<br><br>\\r\\n つい先ほど、私は自分の口で言った。<br>\\r\\n I'd just said it to her myself...<br><br>\\r\\n 全部許す、チャラにする、と。<br>\\r\\n I said that I'd forgiven her completely...<br>\\r\\n その舌の根も乾かないのに、……その口約束が歪んでいく。<br>\\r\\n but that promise instantly evaporated...<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音のその一言で、まるで私が私でなくなったみたいに。<br>\\r\\n Just because of what she said, I felt like I'd turned into a completely different person...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……魅音、あんた今、なんて言った…？<br>\\r\\n ...What did you just say, Mion...?<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くん、どこに行ったんだろうね、……だって…？<br>\\r\\n Did you say 'I wonder where Satoshi-kun disappeared to'...?<br><br>\\r\\n 他でもない、…あんたが知っているんだろうが。<br>\\r\\n Who else could know other than you and your folks?<br><br>\\r\\n それを何だって…？<br>\\r\\n What did you say...?<br>\\r\\n どこに行ったんだろうね、…だって………？<br>\\r\\n Where did he go......?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 自分の眼球が飛び出るかと思うほどに両の目がキリキリと痛み出す。<br>\\r\\n I felt my eyeballs reddening in anger. It felt as though they were about to pop.<br><br>\\r\\n 喉の奥がヒリヒリと絞り上げるように苦しくなる。<br>\\r\\n I choked on a burning sensation in my throat.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………………！」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音の顔色がさっと変わる。<br>\\r\\n Mion's expression rapidly changed.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の般若のような形相に、気付いたらしかった。<br>\\r\\n It looked like she noticed the devil's mask on my face.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私たちは同じ人間だ。<br>\\r\\n We were one and the same.<br><br>\\r\\n …相手の考えてることは、口に出さなくても分かる。<br>\\r\\n ...We could understand each other's thoughts without voicing them.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、表情までも見せるなら、胸の内を全て吐き出していることにすら等しい。<br>\\r\\n So showing our expressions was like unveiling everything in our hearts to the other.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………ぁ、…………ご、………ごめん………、」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Uh...... s-sorry......\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n もう謝らなくていいと釘を刺したはずなのに、魅音は再び謝罪を口にした。<br>\\r\\n Even though I'd told her not to apologize anymore, Mion apologized.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……こいつの首根っこを締め上げてやる…。<br>\\r\\n ...I felt like strangling her...<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんをどうしたのか、どこへ隠してしまったのか、白状させてやる…。<br>\\r\\n I was going to make her confess where she'd hid Satoshi-kun...<br><br>\\r\\n もしも…生贄にして鬼ヶ淵の底に沈めたなんて言いやがるなら……今この場で絞め殺してやる………ッ！！！<br>\\r\\n If she told me she threw him into the Onigafuchi Swamp, I'd strangle her to death right then and there......!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんのことは…………本当に知らないの……。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I really don't know... what happened to Satoshi-kun...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 嘘だ。<br>\\r\\n That's a lie.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…本当……。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...It's true...<br>\\r\\n 婆っちゃだって何も知らない。<br>\\r\\n Granny doesn't know anything either...<br>\\r\\n …本当なの…！」<br>\\r\\n Please believe me...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「嘘だ嘘だ嘘だ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's a lie...<br>\\r\\n ……じゃあ本当にオヤシロさまの祟りで『鬼隠し』にあったとでも言うつもりなのか。<br>\\r\\n Are you saying that Oyashiro-sama's curse demoned him away?<br>\\r\\n 祟りなんてあるもんか、祟りなんてあるもんか。」<br>\\r\\n There can't be a curse... There can't be...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 呪いの言葉が次々と喉の奥から吐き出される。<br>\\r\\n Words kept coming out of my mouth, like I was chanting a spell.<br><br>\\r\\n …だが、それはもはや私の意思で吐き出されているものではなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...I wasn't speaking by my own will anymore.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう、………鬼だ。<br>\\r\\n It was the demon...... who was controlling me.<br><br>\\r\\n 半人半鬼の私の中に眠る鬼が、………目覚めて、私の喉を通して、呪いの言葉を吐き出しているのだ。<br>\\r\\n The demon that'd been sleeping deep inside me woke up and was speaking through my mouth.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、私の腕が、…いや、鬼の両腕が、…魅音の喉に掛かる。<br>\\r\\n My hands... I mean, the demon's hands grabbed Mion by the neck.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「お前たちが悟史くんを『鬼隠し』にしたんだ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You guys demoned Satoshi-kun away...!<br>\\r\\n お前たち園崎本家が、お前たちがお前たちが！！<br>\\r\\n You and the Sonozaki family!!<br>\\r\\n 返して、私の悟史くんを返して！！<br>\\r\\n Give him back to me!!<br>\\r\\n 返してええッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Give him back!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私の両腕がゆっくりとだけど、万力のように容赦なく、魅音のか細い首を絞り上げていく………。<br>\\r\\n My hands slowly but surely squeezed Mion's neck...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時、魅音の手が私の手に添えられた。<br>\\r\\n Mion put her hands onto mine.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …その魅音の手の指。<br>\\r\\n ...I looked at her fingers.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 私と同じように、左手の小指から中指の三本の爪が、私と同じように歪な形をしていた。<br>\\r\\n Three of the fingernails on her left hand looked as ugly as mine.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………魅音？<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Mion?<br>\\r\\n これは………どうしたの……。」<br>\\r\\n What's this...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音の両目から、涙が零れ落ちた。<br>\\r\\n Tears rolled down her cheeks.<br><br>\\r\\n 聞かなくてもわかる。<br>\\r\\n She didn't have to answer...<br>\\r\\n 私と同じ傷。<br>\\r\\n She had the same scars as I did...<br>\\r\\n …私と同じ、けじめ。<br>\\r\\n She atoned as well.<br><br>\\r\\n 傷の治り方も、私とそっくりだった。<br>\\r\\n The way those wounds were healing looked the same as mine.<br><br>\\r\\n ……じゃあ、私と同じ頃に、同じ傷を…？<br>\\r\\n ...So, did she get these wounds around the same time as I did...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………詩音だけが…爪を剥がされるなんて……っく、……可哀想過ぎるんだもん……、……えっく…！」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........It was unfair that only you had to go through that... hic... I felt so bad... hic...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音が嗚咽を漏らす。<br>\\r\\n Mion started sobbing......<br>\\r\\n ……私は魅音の首を締めたまま、立ちすくんでいた。<br>\\r\\n ...I stood there, petrified, still wringing Mion's neck.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……詩音がね、悟史くんのこと好きだってわかって。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Since I found out you loved Satoshi-kun...<br>\\r\\n ……私、詩音と悟史くんに幸せになって欲しかったんだよ……。<br>\\r\\n I really wanted you to be happy...<br>\\r\\n ……っく…だって、…だって…。<br>\\r\\n hic... because...<br>\\r\\n 詩音ばっかり…いつも可哀想で……、私たちは同じ双子なのに、…なんで詩音ばっかり…いつも差別されて………ひっく…！」<br>\\r\\n it's always only you who has to suffer, even though we're twins... hic...!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が悟史くんを好きになったように、…魅音が悟史くんを好きだったとしても、何の不思議もない。<br>\\r\\n It didn't come as a surprise to me that Mion might also have loved Satoshi-kun as I did.<br><br>\\r\\n …私たちは同じものを好み、同じものを愛すのだから。<br>\\r\\n ...We've always liked the same stuff, and even the same people.<br><br>\\r\\n それを、…この馬鹿魅音は、…私に下らない義理立てをして。<br>\\r\\n She was stupid enough to feel obligated...<br>\\r\\n ……本当に馬鹿。<br>\\r\\n toward someone like me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私ね、……私ね…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I...<br>\\r\\n 婆っちゃにね、怒鳴って言ったんだよ…。<br>\\r\\n I told Granny to leave you and Satoshi-kun alone...<br>\\r\\n 詩音と悟史くんをそっとしてあげて欲しいって！！<br>\\r\\n I shouted at her...!!<br>\\r\\n ひっく！<br>\\r\\n Hic...!<br>\\r\\n ……そしたら…けじめをつけたら見逃そうという話になって……ぅっく！<br>\\r\\n Then she said she'd let you be if you atoned with sincerity... hic!<br>\\r\\n だからね、だからね！<br>\\r\\n And you did!<br>\\r\\n ちゃんと詩音ががんばったから……、もうね、二人は普通に過しても良かったんだよ…。<br>\\r\\n So... you were supposed to live happily with him...<br>\\r\\n なのに、…なのに…、悟史くんいなくなっちゃった……。<br>\\r\\n but... Satoshi-kun has gone away......<br>\\r\\n こんなのひどいよね……ひど過ぎるよね…？<br>\\r\\n That's terrible...<br>\\r\\n うっく……ひっく…！」<br>\\r\\n That's... hic...!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この馬鹿は、…人を騙すために自在に涙腺を緩められるほど器用じゃない。<br>\\r\\n Mion isn't smart enough to shed crocodile tears.<br><br>\\r\\n そんな、不器用な涙だから。<br>\\r\\n Those tears were real.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私の中に宿った乱暴な感情は、まるで水に溶けるように…消えていく。<br>\\r\\n ......Her tears dissolved my demon's anger like how the sun melts ice...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……信じて、…詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Believe me, Shion......<br>\\r\\n ………本当に悟史くんがどうしていなくなってしまったのか……わからないの。<br>\\r\\n I really don't know why Satoshi-kun disappeared......<br>\\r\\n ……園崎家とか婆っちゃとか、本当にそういうのは何も関わってないの！<br>\\r\\n Neither Granny nor the Sonozaki family have anything to do with it!<br>\\r\\n 婆っちゃは詩音のけじめで全てを許した。<br>\\r\\n Granny forgave you,<br>\\r\\n だから…悟史くんに何かするなんて絶対にないの…………！」<br>\\r\\n so she would never do anything to him......!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………魅音、…ごめん。<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................Mion, I'm so sorry...<br>\\r\\n ……苦しかった…？」<br>\\r\\n did I hurt you...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は首に掛けた手を解き、……そのまま魅音を抱きしめる。<br>\\r\\n I took my hands off her neck and held her instead.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…ひっく…………、……苦しくなんかないよ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hic... I'm not hurt...<br>\\r\\n 詩音はもっともっと、…苦しかったんだよね…？<br>\\r\\n You've been hurt a lot more than me, haven't you...?<br>\\r\\n ひっく……。」<br>\\r\\n Hic...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………私は、私の中に潜む鬼の形相を持ったもうひとりに怒鳴りつける。<br>\\r\\n ......I shouted at the demon in my mind.<br><br>\\r\\n この魅音の涙を私は信じる、と。<br>\\r\\n I believed in Mion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 確かについさっきまで、私は悟史くんを失踪させたのは園崎本家だと信じてきた。<br>\\r\\n I had been convinced it was the Sonozaki family that made Satoshi-kun disappear.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、魅音は絶対に違うと言った。<br>\\r\\n But Mion denied it<br>\\r\\n 涙を流しながら。<br>\\r\\n while shedding tears.<br><br>\\r\\n その涙は、私たち姉妹にとっては、これより上のない絶対の信頼の置ける言葉。<br>\\r\\n Between her and me, her tears are more convincing than any words.<br><br>\\r\\n だから信じる。<br>\\r\\n So, I'd believe in her.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんを園崎本家が失踪させたなんてことは絶対にない。<br>\\r\\n It absolutely wasn't the Sonozaki family that made him disappear.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ジャア、…悟史クンハ、オヤシロサマノ祟リデ消エタト、本気デ思ウノカイ？<br>\\r\\n <i>So... do you really think that Satoshi-kun disappeared because of Oyashiro-sama's curse?</i><br><br>\\r\\n ……祟りなんて信じない！！<br>\\r\\n ...I don't believe in curses!!<br>\\r\\n でも、魅音は違う、やってない！<br>\\r\\n And Mion didn't do it!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 祟リデモナク、園崎本家デモナイナラ、ジャア誰ガ悟史クンヲ『鬼隠シ』ニシタッテ言ウンダイ？<br>\\r\\n <i>If it wasn't the curse or the Sonozaki family, who demoned him away...?</i><br><br>\\r\\n 知らないよそんなことは！<br>\\r\\n I don't know!<br>\\r\\n とにかく魅音じゃない！<br>\\r\\n I just know it's not Mion!<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音が違うと言っているんだから、園崎家じゃない！！<br>\\r\\n It's not the Sonozaki family because Mion says so!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 馬鹿詩音。<br>\\r\\n <i>That's stupid, Shion......</i><br>\\r\\n ……悟史クンノ無念ノ声ヲ、聞コエナイフリヲスルト言ウンダネ…？<br>\\r\\n <i>Are you going to ignore Satoshi-kun's voice...?</i><br><br>\\r\\n わかってるよわかってる！！<br>\\r\\n I know, I know!!<br>\\r\\n 鬼のあんたに言われなくたってわかってるよ、聞こえてるよ！！<br>\\r\\n You don't have to remind me, demon! I can hear his voice!!<br><br>\\r\\n 笑ったような困ったような顔をしながら……誰の助けもないことを知ってるのに……「むぅ…」なんて、曖昧な声を出しながら…困ってるのが聞こえてくるよ……！！<br>\\r\\n I know he's mumbling with an ambivalent expression, like he always used to do...... even though he knows help won't come...!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんはきっと私が何とかする！！<br>\\r\\n I'll help him no matter what!!<br><br>\\r\\n 生きているなら助け出す！！<br>\\r\\n I'll save him if he's alive!!<br><br>\\r\\n 殺されているなら復讐する！！！<br>\\r\\n I'll avenge him if he's dead!!<br><br>\\r\\n だけど、それは魅音じゃない！<br>\\r\\n But Mion didn't do it!<br><br>\\r\\n あんたがしたいのは復讐じゃない、ただ誰かのせいにして腹いせがしたいだけ！！<br>\\r\\n You just want to take it out on somebody. It doesn't matter who!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は私だ、鬼じゃない！<br>\\r\\n But I'm Shion, not a demon!<br>\\r\\n お前なんか、私の中の一部でしかないくせに！！<br>\\r\\n You're only a part of me!!<br>\\r\\n 私を乗っ取ろうなんておこがましい！！<br>\\r\\n Don't try to take control!!<br>\\r\\n 消えろ、鬼め！！<br>\\r\\n Fuck off!!<br>\\r\\n そして二度と現われるな…！！<br>\\r\\n Don't ever show up again...!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の奥底の、鬼の感情が薄れて消えていく………。<br>\\r\\n The demon faded away...<br><br>\\r\\n 全身の力が抜け、…私は魅音を抱いたまま、床にへたり込んだ。<br>\\r\\n My body went limp... and I fell to the floor while holding Mion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………詩音………大丈夫………？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Shion... are you all right...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…もう、………大丈夫だよ、……魅音。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I'm all right now... Mion.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………私たちは、…どうして魅音と詩音なんだろうね…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Why are we two different individuals...?<br>\\r\\n どうして、同じひとりであってはいけないんだろうね…。」<br>\\r\\n Why can't we just be one...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「やめなよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Stop it...<br>\\r\\n …私たちはもう何度もそれを自問してきたよ。<br>\\r\\n we've asked ourselves that so many times...<br>\\r\\n …でも、答えなんか出ない。<br>\\r\\n but there's no answer...<br>\\r\\n …現実に私とあなたは魅音と詩音。<br>\\r\\n I'm Shion and you're Mion...<br>\\r\\n …それが現実。」<br>\\r\\n that's just how it is.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私ね…自分が魅音でも詩音でも…どっちでもいいんだよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't care if I'm Mion or Shion...<br>\\r\\n 私たちは私たち、公平な関係でいたいのに…。」<br>\\r\\n I just want to be one and equal with you...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………仕方がないよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......There's nothing we can do...<br>\\r\\n …魅音の背中には鬼が宿ってる。<br>\\r\\n You have the demon on your back...<br>\\r\\n …頭首を継ぐ定めが宿ってる。<br>\\r\\n You're destined to become the successor...<br>\\r\\n ……それは仕方がない。」<br>\\r\\n and we can't change that.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「私、いやだ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't want that...<br>\\r\\n ……鬼なんかいらない、鬼なんかいらない……。<br>\\r\\n I don't need a demon. I don't want it......<br>\\r\\n 私は鬼じゃない、鬼じゃない…。<br>\\r\\n I'm not a demon, I'm not...<br>\\r\\n 同じ人間なのがいい……。」<br>\\r\\n I want to be a human like you......\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は鬼で、…詩音は人間。<br>\\r\\n Mion is a demon, and Shion is a human.<br><br>\\r\\n ……同じ双子のはずなのに、…私たちは隔てられている。<br>\\r\\n ...Even though we're twins, there's a difference between us.<br><br>\\r\\n 人と鬼が一緒に暮らすことなんて、…やっぱりできないのだろうか。<br>\\r\\n Was it impossible for humans to live with demons after all...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……できたはずだ。<br>\\r\\n ......It should be possible...<br>\\r\\n 人と鬼は、…仲良く暮らしたんだ。<br>\\r\\n because they did it before.<br><br>\\r\\n それこそが、雛見沢村の伝説じゃないか。<br>\\r\\n That's the legend of Hinamizawa...<br>\\r\\n ……人と鬼は仲良く暮らしたって。<br>\\r\\n Humans and demons lived in harmony together,<br>\\r\\n それを末永く、オヤシロさまが見守ったって。<br>\\r\\n as Oyashiro-sama watched over them.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………魅音。<br>\\r\\n ......Mion.<br>\\r\\n 詩音。<br>\\r\\n Shion...<br>\\r\\n …悟史くん。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun...<br>\\r\\n ……鬼とか、…人間とか。<br>\\r\\n Demons... Humans...<br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りとか、…雛見沢村連続怪死事件とか。<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama's curse... The series of mysterious deaths...<br>\\r\\n …悟史くんの失踪とか。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun's disappearance...<br><br>\\r\\n 私たちは互いを抱きしめたまま……、まどろみに落ちていく。<br>\\r\\n We fell asleep while holding each other...<br><br>\\r\\n 全てを、抱きしめたまま。<br>\\r\\n While holding everything...\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 途中編入で馴染めなかった興宮の学校にも、まぁそこそこに友人も出来た。<br>\\r\\n I hadn't been able to get used to my new school in Okinomiya, but I had some friends there now.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n たまに親類の誰かのお店でバイトをさせてもらえるので、小遣いにも困らなかった。<br>\\r\\n Since I got a part-time job at my relative's store, I had some extra pocket money too.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 今の私は、興宮の実家で暮らしていたので、生活費はかからない。<br>\\r\\n I ended up living with my parents after all, so I didn't have to pay for living expenses.<br><br>\\r\\n バイト代が全て小遣いになるというのは非常に気楽だった。<br>\\r\\n It felt great to get to freely spend the money I earned from working.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あの時、葛西に用意してもらった部屋は、私の隠れ家として今もたまに使っている。<br>\\r\\n I still used the room Kasai set up for me from time to time.<br><br>\\r\\n 親の顔を見たくない時には実に便利だ。<br>\\r\\n It was a convenient hideout for when I didn't want to see my parents.<br><br>\\r\\n かくいう今日も、私は隠れ家で過すつもりでいた。<br>\\r\\n In fact, I was planning to spend a day there today.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…畜生〜、先公めー！<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Damn that teacher!<br>\\r\\n サボリのことを家に連絡しやがってー！」<br>\\r\\n She told my parents that I was skipping classes!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n それでお父さんがカンカンで家にいられなくなったのは、まぁ自業自得と言えばそれまでなのだが。<br>\\r\\n My dad got upset, and that was why I didn't want to stay at home. I had been asking for it, though.<br><br>\\r\\n 先生もうちの親父がヤクザな人で、怒るとこの世の終わりみたいに恐ろしいことになるのを少しは理解して、加減してほしいものだ。<br>\\r\\n My teacher should know that my dad is a yakuza, and that he gets really scary when he's mad.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんな生活も、…ま、ひどくノーマルではあったけど、悪いものじゃなかった。<br>\\r\\n On the whole, my life had been going well so far... except that it was boring.<br><br>\\r\\n こんな当り前な生活を楽しいと感じるのは、きっと隠れ住まったあの経験のせいなのだろう。<br>\\r\\n The reason I could enjoy this lifestyle is probably because I had to live in secret before.<br><br>\\r\\n 自分の名前を堂々と名乗って生活できることの気楽さは、何物にも代えがたい。<br>\\r\\n It was a great relief to be able to live without having to fake my identity.<br><br>\\r\\n ……ま、あれも貴重な経験だったと割り切れる。<br>\\r\\n ...Well, that might've been a valuable experience.<br>\\r\\n それだけの時間が経過していた。<br>\\r\\n I think I learned from it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は今夜のおかずだけでなく、１週間くらい隠れ家で過すつもりで買出しをしていた。<br>\\r\\n I was going grocery shopping, and thought I'd get enough food for a week or so.<br><br>\\r\\n 少しくらい私の顔を見れなくなった方が、親も私の有り難味を感じるだろうという、親孝行な配慮からだ。<br>\\r\\n My parents would appreciate my presence more after missing me for a week. I was doing this for their sakes.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あれ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh? Oh, wait!<br>\\r\\n 今日って、確か１００円セールのお店ってなかったっけ？<br>\\r\\n Isn't there a 100-yen sale today?<br>\\r\\n そうだそうだ間違いない！」<br>\\r\\n Yeah, there is!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 小遣いを節約するくらいの経済観念は私にもある。<br>\\r\\n I knew how to save my pocket money.<br><br>\\r\\n 上機嫌な私は両腕を振り回すように、ぐるっと踵を返す。<br>\\r\\n I was in a good mood. I spun around with my arms spread out.<br>\\r\\n さながら小さなつむじ風。<br>\\r\\n I felt like I was inside a little whirlwind.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n そのつむじ風は、歩道を塞ぐように、実に邪魔っけに停めてあったバイクに腕をバシンとぶつけてしまう。<br>\\r\\n My arm hit a motorcycle parked on the sidewalk. It obviously wasn't where it was supposed to be.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…痛って！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Ow!!<br>\\r\\n な、……もぅ！！<br>\\r\\n What the...?<br>\\r\\n 何、こんなとこに停めてるの誰ー？！」<br>\\r\\n Who parked this motorcycle here?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 上機嫌な私はノーウェイトで、その邪魔っけなバイクに蹴りをくれてやった。<br>\\r\\n I gave the motorcycle a kick with no hesitation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n バイクは３台。<br>\\r\\n There were three motorcycles lined up in a row.<br><br>\\r\\n それらはドミノ倒しのように、バタバタンと倒れていった。<br>\\r\\n They all fell like dominoes.<br><br>\\r\\n あまりに綺麗に決まったので、自分でも少し面白かった。<br>\\r\\n It was beautiful, and so much fun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……………あれれれ…？<br>\\r\\n .........Oh...?<br><br>\\r\\n 不思議な既視感。<br>\\r\\n This was odd.<br>\\r\\n …前にもこんなことがあったような…？<br>\\r\\n I felt like I'd gone through the exact same experience before. <br><br>\\r\\n 目をぱちくりさせながらその光景を思い出そうとする私の襟首が引っ張られ、私は薄暗い路地裏に引きずり込まれた。<br>\\r\\n While blinking my eyes in an effort to recall when that was, some people grabbed me by the neck and dragged me into a dark alley.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n バイクの所有者らしいガラの悪い３人組にまくし立てられる。<br>\\r\\n It looked like these punks were the owners of those motorcycles. They started shouting at me.<br><br>\\r\\n ……やっぱり、とても不思議な既視感を感じる。<br>\\r\\n ...This really was strange... I was having deja vu.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「んだてめンなろぉおおぉおおおッ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Dafuq're ye, bitch?!!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n すったるぁ、おるぁあッ！！」<br>\\r\\n Whatcha think yer doin'?! Huhh?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「をるぉんったら、ぅッってん場合じゃえぇんあぞぉぉお！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Fookin' bash yer head in, bitch!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ごらあッ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Grrraaaah!!<br>\\r\\n んまってンら、なしツくとぉッんじゃねえぞおおぉおおッ！！」<br>\\r\\n Gonna pay fer whatcha did!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そうだ。<br>\\r\\n That's right...<br>\\r\\n ………悟史くんと、初めて出会った時だ。<br>\\r\\n It was when I met Satoshi-kun for the first time.<br><br>\\r\\n あの時、…悟史くんが、助けに飛び出して来てくれた。<br>\\r\\n He came to save me...<br><br>\\r\\n …私が再びここで、泣いたふりをしていたなら。<br>\\r\\n ...If I pretended to cry again now...<br><br>\\r\\n ……また悟史くんは助けに来てくれるだろうか……？<br>\\r\\n ...Would he come to save me again...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、…ちょっとしたおまじないの感覚で。<br>\\r\\n I made a wish.<br><br>\\r\\n …泣いたふりを臆面もなくしながら、許しを請う言葉を並べてみた。<br>\\r\\n ...And I started pretending to cry and beg for mercy.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時。<br>\\r\\n At that time.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、……耳を疑った。<br>\\r\\n I doubted my ears.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……いい加減にしやがれ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Cut it out.<br>\\r\\n もう泣いてるじゃねえかよ…！！」<br>\\r\\n Can't you see she's crying...?!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私と同い年くらいの、男の子だった。<br>\\r\\n It was a boy about my age.<br><br>\\r\\n 明るい路地からの逆光で、その顔が見えにくい。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't quite see his face because of the light illuminating him from behind.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………悟史………くん…………？」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Satoshi... kun...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もちろんそれは……悟史くんのわけはないのだ。<br>\\r\\n Of course... it couldn't be him.<br><br>\\r\\n …そんな都合のいい夢が、あるわけがない………。<br>\\r\\n ...It couldn't be...<br><br>\\r\\n そして、私が自分で夢から覚めた時、悟史くんに似た人影は、…やはり違う人の姿であることを知った。<br>\\r\\n When I snapped out of my daydream, I realized that it wasn't Satoshi-kun after all...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんと比べると、…どちらかというと上品でなさそうな雰囲気。<br>\\r\\n He looked... less gracious than Satoshi-kun, so to speak.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが無菌状態の人だと例えるなら、擦り傷だらけの打たれ強そうな雰囲気。<br>\\r\\n If Satoshi-kun was pristine and untouched, then this guy would have scratches all over him.<br><br>\\r\\n 全然違うのに、………でもなぜか、……悟史くんと同じものを感じた。<br>\\r\\n But although they were completely different... I got a similar impression from him somehow.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「んじゃごらぁあッ！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"What da hell...?!<br>\\r\\n イイとこ見ったつぉんかぁんあああッ？！」<br>\\r\\n What dafuq are ye?!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「っこつけんとぉ痛い目見さらっそおおぉお！！？？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ye wanna get hurt're what?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「んとか言ってみぃいいぃ！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Fookin' say sumtin'!!<br>\\r\\n シャアらんすったかんぞおらああぁ！！」<br>\\r\\n Son of a bitchh!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ３人組にまくし立てられてその男の子は、………少しは押されているようだった。<br>\\r\\n The boy looked a bit taken aback.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁ…いやその、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah... well...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …もう泣いてるんだから、それくらいで勘弁してあげてもいいんじゃないかなぁあぁ…なんて…。」<br>\\r\\n I just thought you might want to let her go because she's crying... so...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ああぁああ？！？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"HuuUUUh?!<br>\\r\\n んなこと、おんめえにッしズされんとおんじゃあかぁあ！！」<br>\\r\\n Dafuq ye think ye, tellin' us whatcha do?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「おわわわわわ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Whoa, whoa!!<br>\\r\\n タンマタンマ！<br>\\r\\n Hold on!<br>\\r\\n 暴力はよくないぜ…！！<br>\\r\\n I'm against violence...!!<br>\\r\\n あはは…！」<br>\\r\\n Ahaha...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ……何こいつ…。<br>\\r\\n ...What was up with this guy...?<br>\\r\\n …一瞬でも悟史くんと見間違えたのが恥ずかしい。<br>\\r\\n I felt ashamed that I mistook him for Satoshi-kun even for a second.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 最初の登場こそ、ちょっとかっこいいかもとは思ったが、…悟史くんに比べると、全然冴えなかった。<br>\\r\\n He seemed cool at first... but he wasn't as cool as Satoshi-kun after all.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「いや、だから……、バイクが倒れたのはお気の毒と思いますよ…？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, I mean... I'm sorry that your motorcycles were knocked down,<br>\\r\\n でもですね、どうか機嫌を直されてですね…。<br>\\r\\n but I hope you don't feel too bad about it...<br>\\r\\n どうしたら機嫌を直してくださるんですかねぇ…？<br>\\r\\n How could I make you feel better...?<br>\\r\\n いやその、もちろん私たちはお金なんか持ってないんですがね？<br>\\r\\n Of course, we don't have any money on us, you know?<br>\\r\\n あはは…。」<br>\\r\\n Ahaha...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「おぉお…そうじゃのお、金がなかったら、…なぁ？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Humph... if ye don't got da money, den...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「金がのぉんならしゃあんなぁ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"If ye gotchno money,<br>\\r\\n 体で払ってもらう他ないっしゃあなぁあ！？」<br>\\r\\n ye gotta pay wid yer body!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「こんの女、いいドテしてまんもおなぁ…！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Dis chick's got sum real nice boobies...!<br>\\r\\n 脱がしたらさぞや…むげへへへへへへ！！」<br>\\r\\n Let's stripper down'n see...! Yee hee hee hee!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……おいおい、マジかよこいつら。<br>\\r\\n ...Hey,<br>\\r\\n 冗談でしょ。<br>\\r\\n are you kidding me?<br><br>\\r\\n 私は護身用に忍ばせているスタンガンを、いつでも抜けるように身構える。<br>\\r\\n I tightened my grip on the stun gun in my pocket.<br><br>\\r\\n 出力最大、感電死しても恨むなよスケベども…。<br>\\r\\n Then I turned it up to the maximum intensity. Don't hold a grudge against me if you die, pervs...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「おお、俺んさ、ＡＶなんかでよぉやっとる脱がッシーンが好きでさ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"I luvvit when girls get stripped in dose porn videos!!<br>\\r\\n はぁはぁ！」<br>\\r\\n Huff, huff!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁあぁやっぱりＨシーンそのもんよりゃあその前座の脱がすシーンも興奮すっさなぁあぁ…！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, da strippins is better than da actual sex...!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …こいつら、自分で言いながら陶酔してる、というか興奮しているぞ。<br>\\r\\n ...They indulged in their imaginations, which aroused their spirits.<br><br>\\r\\n ……おいおい、こいつら、なぜ私の方を振り返る？<br>\\r\\n ...Hey now, why are you perverts closing in on me...?<br><br>\\r\\n そのワキワキした手がいやらしいったらありゃしない…。<br>\\r\\n Your gross hands are groping the air...<br>\\r\\n …私の貞操の危機なのだろうか？<br>\\r\\n ...Are you gonna try and violate me?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「むはあぁああぁ脱がすあんもええぇんのおおぉおぉ！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mhaaaaaaa, strippins's awesum!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「剥き剥き、脱ぎ脱ぎ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Strip her, strip her!!<br>\\r\\n はああぁあええのんしゃああ〜〜！！！」<br>\\r\\n Haahh, yeahhh!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「上から下までぜ〜〜んぶ脱がっしゃあよぉおおー！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Les' stripper from da top to da bottom!<br>\\r\\n 靴下までぜえんぶひん剥いてぇえ、生まれたまんまあの姿にしちゃあるんけん〜〜〜！！！！！」<br>\\r\\n Socks off! She'll be as naked as da jaybird!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ちょ、あんたら冗談でしょ？！？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, are you out of your mind?!<br>\\r\\n そのスケベ丸出しな手で私に触れるなー！！！」<br>\\r\\n Don't touch me with those filthy hands!!!\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n その時、閃光が瞬く…。<br>\\r\\n Then, a flash of light cut through the air...<br>\\r\\n あの男の子が、…一体？！<br>\\r\\n Was that the boy...?!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「このボケナスどもがああああぁああぁあ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"You stupid fuuucks!!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 稲妻のような閃光が光り、３人組が次々と殴り倒される！！<br>\\r\\n Blows like thunderbolts knocked the punks down!!<br><br>\\r\\n おぉお、こいつ、意外に強い？！<br>\\r\\n Wow, so he was actually strong after all?!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「なぁあ、何しさらすんじゃあああぁあぁあ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"What da hell...?!!<br>\\r\\n いてこまされたいンかあぁあ！！！<br>\\r\\n Ye want sum?!!!<br><br>\\r\\n ぐほあッ？！」<br>\\r\\n Huuuhh?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「お前らはわかっていない！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"You don't have a clue,<br>\\r\\n わかっていない！！！！」<br>\\r\\n idiots!!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「なな、何がじゃああああ！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wh-What dafuq are ye on about?!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「全裸には萌えがない！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"There's nothing arousing about stark nakedness!!!<br>\\r\\n 服は脱がしても靴下は脱がすな！！<br>\\r\\n Leave her socks on at least!!<br>\\r\\n たとえお天道様が西から昇ることがあろうとも！！<br>\\r\\n No matter what!!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 絶対絶対これは萌え業界の鉄則だあああぁあああ！！！<br>\\r\\n That is the ironclad rule!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n いいかよく聞けモンキーども。<br>\\r\\n Listen up, monkeys.<br>\\r\\n ホモサピエンスと動物の違いは何か。<br>\\r\\n What's the difference between homo sapiens and other animals?<br><br>\\r\\n そう、衣服の着用だ。<br>\\r\\n That's right, humans wear clothes!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n つまりヒトは衣服があって初めてヒトなのだ！！！<br>\\r\\n Human beings without clothes are just animals!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それを全部脱がすことでしか欲情できない貴様らはヒト以下！！<br>\\r\\n If you get aroused only when the girl is completely naked, you are less than human!!<br>\\r\\n 動物と同じだあああぁ！！<br>\\r\\n You might as well be animals!!<br>\\r\\n 貴様全員を矯正するッ！！<br>\\r\\n I'm going to knock some sense into you!!<br>\\r\\n 歯を食いしばれええぇええぇえ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Clench those teeth!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ぷげッ！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wuff!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「おげ！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Orgh!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ぐはあ！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ghaaa!!!\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n 「先ほどＡＶの脱衣シーンを引き合いに出したな。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You mentioned a porn movie, didn't you?<br><br>\\r\\n 例えばここに『コスプレＨビデオ』があったとする。<br>\\r\\n Let's say there's a 'cosplay sex video'.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n コスプレと一言に言ってもその裾野は広すぎる。<br>\\r\\n The definition of 'cosplay' is too broad.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n それについて貴様らに講義することは、Ｂ−２９から落下傘で降りてきたヤンキーどもに大和魂を一から説明するより困難この上極まりない！！<br>\\r\\n To lecture on that subject is as difficult as explaining the spirit of Yamato to yankees parachuting down from B-29s!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だからここでは最も普及していると思われる制服系で説明することとする！！<br>\\r\\n So, I'll limit the scope to the most popular one, school uniforms!!<br><br>\\r\\n 制服系の御三家と言えば何か！！！<br>\\r\\n What are the three most prominent divisions in the larger category of school uniforms?!!!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 答えてみろ！！<br>\\r\\n Answer me!!!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n そうだな、制服、体操服、スクール水着だろう。<br>\\r\\n That's right, regular uniforms, gym uniforms, and school swimsuits.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n なおセーラーかブレザーかの好みの違いは制服にカテゴライズするものとする。<br>\\r\\n Both the sailor style and blazer style are included under regular uniforms, by the way.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 勿論、ブルマーかスパッツかの違いも同様！！<br>\\r\\n Gym shorts and bloomers are likewise!!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n スク水も紺か白かの違いはあれどカテゴリーは同じ扱いだ！！！<br>\\r\\n And the color preference between white and navy school swimsuits is the same!!!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n どうだ、これだけでも甘美な響きがするであろう？！！<br>\\r\\n Well, doesn't this sound exciting already?!!<br><br>\\r\\n ではお前ら３人がこれらの内の一つずつが好みであったと仮定しよう！！<br>\\r\\n Let's say each of you has a preference in one of these three divisions!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n おいノッポ！！お前は制服だ！<br>\\r\\n Hey you, tall one!! You take the regular uniform!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n デブ！お前は体操服、<br>\\r\\n Fat one! You take the gym uniform.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そしてチビはスク水だ！！！<br>\\r\\n And, you, the short one, you take the school swimsuit!!!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 頭に思い描け、時間は３秒！！！<br>\\r\\n Picture the image in your head within three seconds!!!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 描けたか？<br>\\r\\n Are you done?!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 妄想くらい自在に出来ろ、気合が足りんやり直せッ！！！<br>\\r\\n That's not good enough, do it again!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ではお前らの望む衣装が登場するＨビデオがここにあるぞ、<br>\\r\\n Let's say there's a porn video of your favorite cosplay.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n あると思え、<br>\\r\\n Use your imagination.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n あると信じろ気合を入れろ！！<br>\\r\\n Come on!!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 返事は押忍かサーイエッサーだ！！！<br>\\r\\n Say 'yessir' when you got it!!!<br><br>\\r\\n 馬鹿者それでも軍人かッ！！！！<br>\\r\\n Are you really military men, you maggots?!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n よおし描けたようだな次に進むぞ。<br>\\r\\n Good, you all seem to have an image in your heads now. Let's move on.<br><br>\\r\\n それらの萌え衣装が、貴様らの馬鹿げた欲情に従い一糸纏わぬ姿にひん剥かれたと思うがいい、<br>\\r\\n Imagine that your favorite cosplay is stripped entirely naked because of your stupid desire.<br><br>\\r\\n だがおいお前らよく考えろ！！！<br>\\r\\n Now, think!!!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 全部脱いだらもうそりゃコスプレＨじゃないぞッ？！？！<br>\\r\\n If you take all of their clothes off, that's not cosplay anymore, is it?!<br><br>\\r\\n 最近そういう詐欺紛いなＡＶが増えているが実に嘆かわしい！！<br>\\r\\n That sort of video is rampant lately!! It's just lamentable!<br><br>\\r\\n 服を全部剥いだらもうそれは文明人ではない、動物だ！！<br>\\r\\n Humans without clothes aren't civilized, they're animals!!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 全裸にしか欲情できない貴様らは犬、<br>\\r\\n If only naked girls excited you, you'd be a pack of dogs.<br><br>\\r\\n 猿、<br>\\r\\n Monkeys.<br><br>\\r\\n 雉だ！！<br>\\r\\n Or pheasants!<br><br>\\r\\n キビダンゴでももらって鬼ヶ島へでも失せろ！！！<br>\\r\\n Pack your bags and get out!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ゲットバックヒアー！！<br>\\r\\n Wait, get back here!!<br><br>\\r\\n ちなみに最近の東西雪解けに従いロシア系ＡＶが大量に上陸しているな。<br>\\r\\n As you know, a huge amount of Russian porn vids are going around lately thanks to the end of the Cold War.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n そんなことも知らんのか愚か者！！<br>\\r\\n You don't know that? Get out of here!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 制服系とロシア系を組み合わせたロシア美少女女子高生などという、ゲッター２が抜けて三神合体できないような水と油な組み合わせが出ているようだが、本官は断じて認めたりはしないぞッ！！！<br>\\r\\n I heard that a style called 'beautiful Russian school girl' (which is a combination of the Japanese uniform fetish and some Russian thing) is emerging, but I'll never accept that!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 制服は日本の文化だ芸術だ！！！<br>\\r\\n School uniforms are part of Japanese culture and art!!!<br><br>\\r\\n 毛唐に日本の和の心など分かりはしない！！！<br>\\r\\n Those stupid barbarians will never understand the Japanese spirit!!!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 貴様ら聞いているのか、<br>\\r\\n Are you listening?!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 軟弱スルメどもがああぁ！！！<br>\\r\\n You pathetic squid!!!<br><br>\\r\\n 歯を食いしばれ、今日は徹底的にしごく！！！<br>\\r\\n Clench your teeth, I'll train you 'til you drop!!!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 貴様らが自分の妄想でご飯三杯行けるまで今日は寝られないと思ええ！！！<br>\\r\\n I won't let you sleep until you are capable of perfecting your imagination skills!!!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n はいいぃいい指導指導指導ぉおおッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n Here comes my whip!!!\\\" <br><br><br><br>\\r\\n その時、どたどたと何人もが走ってくる音が聞こえた。<br>\\r\\n At that point, I heard a bustle of people running this way.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「前原さぁあん！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Maebara-san!!<br>\\r\\n みんな呼んで来ましたー！！！」<br>\\r\\n I gathered some people!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 見れば、子どもたちが何人も腕まくりをして駆けて来る。<br>\\r\\n I saw several kids running toward us.<br>\\r\\n どうやら騎兵隊が到着したらしい。<br>\\r\\n Seemed like our backup had arrived.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ち、…くそ！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Aw shit!<br>\\r\\n ヤバイぞ、ずらかれ…！」<br>\\r\\n Les' get oudda here...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 今までずっと目を点にしていた三人組は、状況が不利になったことを悟り、逃げ去って行った………。<br>\\r\\n The three punks had just been standing there agape, but they started running away when they saw that many people...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「さすが前原さんですね…！<br>\\r\\n \\\"You're awesome, Maebara-san...!<br>\\r\\n たったひとりであんな怖そうな三人組を釘付けにしちゃうなんて…！」<br>\\r\\n You had those punks transfixed, all by yourself...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「三人の１人、鼻血出してましたね…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"One of them even had a nosebleed...<br>\\r\\n 前原さん喧嘩も強いなんてすごいです、尊敬します！」<br>\\r\\n You're so strong, Maebara-san!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ふーーーー…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Whew...<br>\\r\\n 俺の固有結界もますます磨きがかかったようだな。<br>\\r\\n It seems my personal aura has grown more powerful.<br>\\r\\n 今に監督の固有結界『メイドインヘヴン』に太刀打ちできるくらいに磨きをかけてやるぜ！<br>\\r\\n If this keeps up, I'll soon surpass even Coach's 'Maid in Heaven' Reality Marble!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………と、そんなことはいいや。<br>\\r\\n ...Anyway,<br>\\r\\n …大丈夫かよ魅音？」<br>\\r\\n are you all right, Mion?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 前原と呼ばれた怪しさ全開の男の子が、私に振り返る。<br>\\r\\n The boy was apparently called Maebara. He turned around to face me.<br><br>\\r\\n …私のことを魅音と間違えるところまで悟史くんにそっくりだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Even the way he mistook me for Mion sounded like Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n …だが悟史くんはこんな大変態では断じてないぞ、絶対に。<br>\\r\\n ...But Satoshi-kun isn't a pervert like him!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「天下御免の魅音が、どんな情け容赦のない必殺技で撃退してみせるか、ちょっと楽しみにして見てたんだぜー？<br>\\r\\n \\\"I was anxious to see how you'd fight back, but...<br>\\r\\n ……まあその、…さすがに男が三人がかりじゃきつかったってことか？<br>\\r\\n I guess three guys were too many, huh?<br>\\r\\n そんなわけないよな、あはははははは！」<br>\\r\\n I don't believe it! Aha ha ha ha ha!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私の頭がまだよく回転しなくて…、脳内のデータベースにアクセスできない。<br>\\r\\n I was still confused... I couldn't yet grasp the situation.<br><br>\\r\\n …こいつ一体何者？！<br>\\r\\n ...Who was this guy?!<br>\\r\\n 魅音の知り合いにこんなのがいるんだ？！<br>\\r\\n Mion has friends like him?!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はぽーっとしたまま、目が点のままだ。<br>\\r\\n I was still spacing out in shock.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、…そいつがぬーっと手を伸ばして。<br>\\r\\n So... I forgot to move<br>\\r\\n ……私の頭に触れてるまで、身動きすらできずにいた。<br>\\r\\n until his hand touched my head...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「まぁ…その、なんだ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, you know...<br>\\r\\n 半べそかいてたのは見なかったことにするからさ…。<br>\\r\\n I'll forget that I saw you cry,<br>\\r\\n その、まぁ元気出せよ、な。」<br>\\r\\n so... cheer up, okay?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n わしわしわし。<br>\\r\\n Rub, rub.<br><br>\\r\\n …前原と呼ばれた男の子は、馴れ馴れしく荒々しく、私の頭を撫でる。<br>\\r\\n ...The boy called Maebara stroked my head roughly.<br><br>\\r\\n 気持ちよくない。<br>\\r\\n It didn't feel good.<br>\\r\\n ごわごわして痛い。<br>\\r\\n It hurt, actually.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、…………同じ温かさがした。<br>\\r\\n But still... his hand had the same warmth.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その後、魅音に聞き、彼のことがようやくわかった。<br>\\r\\n Later on, Mion told me about him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 彼の名は、前原圭一。<br>\\r\\n He was called <NAME>.<br><br>\\r\\n あだ名は圭ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan for short.<br>\\r\\n 学年は私たちの一個下。<br>\\r\\n He's one grade below us.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢につい最近引越してきたばかりだと言う。<br>\\r\\n Not only that, but he just moved to Hinamizawa...<br><br>\\r\\n 持ち前のデリカシーのなさと遠慮のなさで、早くもクラスの人気者（？）なのだとか。<br>\\r\\n Thanks to his attitude and lack of manners, he'd already become an idol in their class.<br><br>\\r\\n そんな風に彼のことを説明する魅音は、とても楽しい話をするかのように上機嫌だった。<br>\\r\\n Mion joyously explained all of this.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……確かに、面白い子かも知れない。<br>\\r\\n ...Sure, he sounded like a fun kid.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音が気に入るのも何となくわかる。<br>\\r\\n I knew why Mion was into him.<br><br>\\r\\n ………でも、うん。<br>\\r\\n ...But...<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの方がずっと素敵かな。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun is way cooler.<br><br>\\r\\n お姉から奪い取るほどの男の子でもないさ……？<br>\\r\\n He wasn't worth stealing from Sis...... Or was he?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 胸がどきどきする。<br>\\r\\n My heart throbbed.<br>\\r\\n いや、うきうきすると言うべきか。<br>\\r\\n I was excited.<br><br>\\r\\n まるで、新しいおもちゃを与えられた子どものような気分。<br>\\r\\n It felt like I'd gotten a new toy.<br><br>\\r\\n あの奥手な魅音が、この面白い子とどういう風に付き合っていくのか、興味は尽きない。<br>\\r\\n I was curious as to what kind of relationship Mion intended to build with him...<br>\\r\\n …それをからかってやりたい小悪魔的な感情も湧き上がる。<br>\\r\\n I'd love to tease her about it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ありがと圭ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Thanks, Kei-chan.<br>\\r\\n 良かったらお礼に、お茶でもおごるよ。<br>\\r\\n Let me buy you a drink.<br>\\r\\n すぐ近くに叔父さんの店があるし、どう？」<br>\\r\\n My uncle's restaurant is just nearby, so why don't we go there?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんなら遠慮する。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun would refuse out of modesty.<br><br>\\r\\n だけど、前原圭一は二つ返事でＯＫと返した。<br>\\r\\n But Keiichi Maebara said 'okay' within two seconds.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n さぁて…。<br>\\r\\n Well then...<br>\\r\\n こいつと魅音をどうおちょくってやろうかな……！<br>\\r\\n I couldn't wait to tease the two of them...!<br><br>\\r\\n 私の今日までの退屈な日々が急に彩を取り戻していくのだった。<br>\\r\\n My boring life suddenly became bright again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「うわ、…お、おい、腕なんかにしがみ付くなよ…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Whoa... H-Hey, don't cling to my arm...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あれー、こういうの嫌いですか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, don't you like it?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「い、いや、…その、嫌いじゃないけどその、胸が当たってそのその……、」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh, well... I don't hate it, but... it's just your breasts that are touching me, and...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「胸が当たって何ですって？<br>\\r\\n \\\"My breasts bother you?<br>\\r\\n くすくすくすくす！」<br>\\r\\n Hee hee hee hee!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 前原圭一は本当に面白い人だった。<br>\\r\\n <NAME>ara was fun.<br><br>\\r\\n 私がそう思うように、魅音もそう思っている。<br>\\r\\n Mion thought the same way I did.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音が楽しそうに話す普段話には、いつも圭ちゃんという言葉でいっぱいだった。<br>\\r\\n She would always talk about him.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はそんな魅音を見て、ちょっとした保護者的な気分を感じて微笑み返すのだった。<br>\\r\\n I was happy for her. It made me smile.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「お姉は圭ちゃんのこと、本当に気に入ってますねー。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I guess Kei-chan is really your favorite,<br>\\r\\n ズバリ！<br>\\r\\n huh, Sis?<br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃんの魅力を一言で示すと何です？」<br>\\r\\n What's the most interesting thing about him?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あはははははは…、そうだねー！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahaha... Let's see...<br><br>\\r\\n もしも一言でしか言っちゃいけないなら…やっぱり面白いトコかなぁ。<br>\\r\\n To put it plainly, he's just funny.<br>\\r\\n そうそう、この間の部活の時にさ！」<br>\\r\\n For example, just a couple of days ago in the club...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 大好きなんだけど恋愛感情とまでは認識していない、青い恋といった感じだろうか。<br>\\r\\n Mion really liked him, but didn't seem to think it was love yet.<br><br>\\r\\n まぁその辺りが奥手っぽい魅音にはぴったりな関係だなと思った。<br>\\r\\n She's reserved in that area, so that was really like her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私も圭ちゃんのことは嫌いじゃない。<br>\\r\\n As for me, well,<br>\\r\\n 気に入っている。<br>\\r\\n I didn't hate him.<br><br>\\r\\n だけど、多分、今、魅音が感じているような感情は持っていない。<br>\\r\\n But my feelings weren't the same as Mion's.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんと比べたら、圭ちゃんはガキンチョでお子様で、包容力がまるでない。<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan was just too childish compared to Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………………悟史くん、……今はどこでどうしてるんだろう。<br>\\r\\n .........I wondered how Satoshi-kun was doing...<br><br>\\r\\n 異郷の地で、ほとぼりが冷めるまで待っているんだろうか…。<br>\\r\\n Was he waiting for things to cool down somewhere far away...?<br><br>\\r\\n でも、叔母殺しはヤク中の異常者がやったことですでに決着している。<br>\\r\\n The case had already been solved, though. That dopehead was the murderer.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんがほとぼりを冷まさなきゃならない理由は何もないはず……。<br>\\r\\n There was no reason for him to wait anymore...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は軽く頭を振る。<br>\\r\\n I shook my head...<br>\\r\\n …その先を考えちゃいけない。<br>\\r\\n I shouldn't think about it too much.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あ、そうか、わかった。<br>\\r\\n Oh, wait. I know.<br><br>\\r\\n 今回の事件はほら、秘匿捜査指定とやらだから、犯人が捕まったことすら報道されていない。<br>\\r\\n The case was confidential, so the arrest of the culprit hadn't been made public.<br><br>\\r\\n だから雛見沢を離れた悟史くんは、自分がもう帰って来ても大丈夫なことに気付いていないんだ。<br>\\r\\n So, Satoshi-kun hadn't realized that he could come back.<br><br>\\r\\n ………悟史くん、鈍感な人だからな。<br>\\r\\n ...I know he's a little thickheaded.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 念には念で、ずーーーっとほとぼりを冷ましてるかもしれないな。<br>\\r\\n Maybe he'd be waiting for things to calm down until the end of time.<br><br>\\r\\n …でも、ならせめて、妹の沙都子にこっそりと電話くらいはできないだろうか。<br>\\r\\n ...But if so... couldn't he give a call to Satoko at least?<br><br>\\r\\n 自分は異郷の地で何とか暮らしている。<br>\\r\\n He should tell her he's living in a faraway place,<br>\\r\\n そのうち帰るから待っててくれ、みたいに。<br>\\r\\n but that he'd be coming home soon...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………あ、……沙都子の馬鹿。<br>\\r\\n ...Ahh... That stupid Satoko.<br><br>\\r\\n あいつ、悟史くんがいなくなってから、古手梨花と一緒に暮らすようになってるんだ。<br>\\r\\n She'd been living with Rika Furude since Satoshi-kun went away.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、悟史くんが自宅に電話しても、誰も出ないんだ。<br>\\r\\n So nobody would pick up the phone even if he called...<br>\\r\\n …ばかばか！<br>\\r\\n Stupid girl!<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの帰りを待つくらいもできないのか、妹のくせに。<br>\\r\\n Don't you want your big brother to come home?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは…ああいう人だからな。<br>\\r\\n Given Satoshi-kun's personality...<br><br>\\r\\n 自宅以外の電話番号なんか覚えちゃいないだろうなぁ…。<br>\\r\\n He wouldn't remember any phone numbers other than his home number...<br>\\r\\n だから雛見沢の誰とも連絡が取れないに違いない…。<br>\\r\\n So, he wouldn't be able to contact anybody in Hinamizawa...<br><br>\\r\\n ひょっとすると、電話に出てくれるかもしれないと思って、…夜な夜なひっそりと電話して、…いつまでもコール音のままで。<br>\\r\\n Maybe he's been calling Satoko every night. He keeps ringing, but nobody picks up...<br>\\r\\n ……その度に、沙都子はたまたまお風呂に違いない、たまたまお手洗いに違いないと、自分に言い聞かせるような言い訳を呟いて。<br>\\r\\n Then he'd assume Satoko might be taking a bath, or be in the restroom......<br>\\r\\n …困ったような笑うような、曖昧な顔で、…むぅ…って言って。<br>\\r\\n He'd put on a puzzled smile while mumbling \\\"mmph...\\\" like always...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………むぅ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mmph...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私の口から、悟史くんの困った時の口癖がひとりでにこぼれる。<br>\\r\\n I imitated his voice without realizing it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「それでそれで、………………え？<br>\\r\\n \\\"After that...... Eh?<br>\\r\\n 何？」<br>\\r\\n What?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ん？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmm?<br>\\r\\n 何、どうしたの？」<br>\\r\\n What's up?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……今、詩音、何か言わなかった？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Didn't you say something, Shion?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は気のせいでしょと笑って、魅音に話の先を促した。<br>\\r\\n I laughed it off and urged Mion to continue.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時、いつの間にか、魅音の雰囲気が変わっていることにやっと気付いた。<br>\\r\\n I realized then that her tone had changed.<br><br>\\r\\n ずっと悟史くんのことを考えていたから、魅音が何の話をしていたか、全然聞いていなかったためだ。<br>\\r\\n I hadn't been listening to her because I was thinking about Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はてっきり、魅音が上機嫌で圭ちゃんの失敗談を喋り続けていると思っていた。<br>\\r\\n I'd thought she was still happily talking about Kei-chan.<br><br>\\r\\n ……だが、魅音の表情はいつの間にか陰っていて。<br>\\r\\n ......But Mion sounded grim now.<br><br>\\r\\n 薄い笑顔がひどく儚く見えた。<br>\\r\\n Her faint smile looked pitiful.<br><br>\\r\\n 今さら、どうしたの？<br>\\r\\n It was too late to ask what was going on.<br>\\r\\n とも聞けず、私は魅音が何の話をしているのか、今頃になって集中した。<br>\\r\\n So instead, I concentrated on her story instead.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………でね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...After all that,<br>\\r\\n …叔父さんが今日は盛り上げてくれてありがとうって言って、売り物のお人形をみんなに一個ずつ配ったの。<br>\\r\\n Uncle gave everybody a doll as a thank-you gift.<br>\\r\\n 私以外の全員に。」<br>\\r\\n Everybody except for me.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay,<br>\\r\\n お姉以外の全員にね。」<br>\\r\\n except for you.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「その、……そりゃ私も欲しかったけどさ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh... I wanted one, too,<br>\\r\\n …みんなの手前、私にもちょうだいとは言い出せなかったし……。」<br>\\r\\n but... I couldn't say it in front of everybody......\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「相変わらずお姉は、自分の欲しい物を欲しいと言えない人ですね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You still can't express your needs, huh...?<br>\\r\\n ……それで？」<br>\\r\\n And then?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音はそこで一度鼻をすすった。<br>\\r\\n Mion sniffled.<br><br>\\r\\n ……見ると、いつの間にか涙ぐんでいる。<br>\\r\\n ...I realized that she was on the verge of tears.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………圭ちゃんの袋にはね、一番かわいいお人形が入ってて。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......The cutest doll was in Kei-chan's bag.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そのお人形が一番欲しかったってわけ？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"And you wanted that doll?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……別に何のお人形だってよかったんだよ！<br>\\r\\n \\\"...It didn't matter which one!<br>\\r\\n ……圭ちゃんは…私だけもらってないって知ってたのに、……私にくれなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...But although Kei-chan knew only I didn't get one, he didn't give it to me...<br>\\r\\n ………っく…、……私に、…くれなかった。<br>\\r\\n hic... he didn't give it to me...<br>\\r\\n ………魅音には似合わないよなって言って……くれなかった……ッ…。<br>\\r\\n He said the doll wouldn't fit me and...<br>\\r\\n …次に生まれて……くる時は…ひっく、男に生まれて来い……って……そぅ…言われたんだよ……。<br>\\r\\n that I should be born as a boy in my next life...<br>\\r\\n …言われたんだよ…………うっく……。」<br>\\r\\n That's what he said... hic...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …こういうところが、……圭一の全然駄目なところ。<br>\\r\\n ...That was Keiichi's weak point.<br><br>\\r\\n そりゃあの子はちょいと派手で面白い目立つ子かもしれない。<br>\\r\\n He might be fun and popular.<br><br>\\r\\n …でも、男としちゃ全然頼りない半人前以下。<br>\\r\\n ...But he wasn't mature......<br>\\r\\n ………悟史くんなんかとは全然、人の成熟が違う。<br>\\r\\n not like Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………やり直したい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I want to start all over...<br>\\r\\n ………圭ちゃんに出会った最初の頃からやり直して……、今度はちゃんと女の子だと思ってもらえるように、………やり直したい……。」<br>\\r\\n I want to go back to when I just met him and start all over... I want him to treat me like a girl from the beginning...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「お姉、深刻過ぎですって。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't take it too seriously.<br>\\r\\n お姉がやり直したいと思って、しかも向こうが何もトラブってない状態なら全然セーフじゃないですか。<br>\\r\\n It'll be okay, because it's just you who wants to start over while he didn't even notice anything wrong.<br>\\r\\n 互いに傷つきあって爛れちゃうと、まぁやり直しも面倒でしょうが。」<br>\\r\\n It'd be harder if you guys fought over it or something.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……やり直せる…かな。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Can I start over...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「圭ちゃんの前で涙を流してないなら、そもそも何も手遅れじゃないんです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"If you didn't cry in front of him, it's not too late.<br>\\r\\n お姉がこの場で適当に涙して、明日から心を入れ替えていけば、修正可能ですって。」<br>\\r\\n You can cry as much as you want now, and if you show him a different side of you from tomorrow on, you can still fix it.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………うん。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Okay.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そりゃ圭ちゃんのデリカシーのなさには呆れますけど、その結果は結局、今日までのお姉の積み重ねてきた結果なわけですから。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm amazed how insensitive he is, but part of that is just the impression you've been giving him so far.<br>\\r\\n 今日からの生活を少しずつ改めて、ポイントを稼ぎなおせばいいだけのことです。」<br>\\r\\n If you change your attitude from tomorrow on, you can still change his mind.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「生活を改めるって………どうやって……？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"How do I change my attitude...? How...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……お姉に可愛らしくしろって言うと、明日からフリフリの格好で登校しかねませんからねぇ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...If I tell you to act cute, you'd start going to school in frilly clothes...<br>\\r\\n 変に構えないで、普段通りに行きましょう。<br>\\r\\n So don't think, and just be natural.<br>\\r\\n でも、細かい部分でこれまでの違いを見せていく。<br>\\r\\n But, without overdoing it, pay attention to how you behave around him.<br>\\r\\n そこがさりげないポイント。<br>\\r\\n Ah, and don't forget to be cautious of Rena!<br>\\r\\n あー、あと、人形をもらったレナという子には釘を刺して置くことー！<br>\\r\\n She's a bit ahead of you so far.<br>\\r\\n 現在の圭ちゃんの中では、お姉よりもレナの方が高ポイントの可能性が高いです。」<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan might prefer Rena at this point.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………うぅ…、確かに…レナは女の子っぽいしなぁ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Ooh... it's true... Rena's really girly...<br>\\r\\n 可愛いし、甲斐甲斐しいし…。」<br>\\r\\n She's cute, and caring...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ライバルがいるならうかうかできませんよお姉。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That just means you can't slack off for even a moment, Sis, because you've got a rival.<br>\\r\\n 涙は男を引き寄せる力がありますけど、繋ぎ止めて置く力はありません。<br>\\r\\n Tears can attract men, but they don't anchor them.<br>\\r\\n 普段は笑ってて、ポイントで泣く！<br>\\r\\n You should always be smiling, but cry when it really counts!<br>\\r\\n ん〜、萌えの典型パターンのひとつかもです。<br>\\r\\n Hmm, that's how you typically do it...<br>\\r\\n …私も圭ちゃんに実践してみるかな。」<br>\\r\\n Maybe I should try that on Kei-chan myself......\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え、あ、だだ、駄目だよ…駄目……！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Eh, n-no, don't...!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あはははははははははは…！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahahahaha...!<br>\\r\\n お姉が気に入る男の子ですからねー。<br>\\r\\n He's the boy you like,<br>\\r\\n 私が気に入らない道理はありませんから。<br>\\r\\n so I guess it's natural that I like him too.<br>\\r\\n さぁて圭ちゃんをどう引き込んで見せようかなぁ〜。<br>\\r\\n Hmm, how can I attract him...?<br>\\r\\n 何ならお姉、どっちが圭ちゃんの気を惹けるか、競争しましょか。」<br>\\r\\n Hey, Sis, why don't we have a competition over him?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「やだやだ！<br>\\r\\n \\\"No, no!<br>\\r\\n 絶対やだー！！<br>\\r\\n Never!!<br>\\r\\n 詩音、雛見沢に来たら追い返す！！」<br>\\r\\n I'll kick you into orbit if you come near Hinamizawa!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あっはっはっはっは、あっはっはっは！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Aha ha ha ha, aha ha ha ha!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 良かったじゃんお姉。<br>\\r\\n I'm happy for you, Sis.<br>\\r\\n 全然手遅れじゃないって。<br>\\r\\n It's not too late at all.<br><br>\\r\\n たまには自分と好きな男の子の距離を認識して、アピールを変えるのも思春期相応の悩みでかわいいじゃない。<br>\\r\\n It's important to know the distance between the boy you love and yourself, and shift the way you appeal to him to compensate.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私なんか、<br>\\r\\n ......The boy I love is......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……いないんだよ？<br>\\r\\n missing, you know?<br><br>\\r\\n どこに行ってしまったかもわからない。<br>\\r\\n I don't even know where he is,<br>\\r\\n いつ帰って来るかもわからないんだよ。<br>\\r\\n or when he's coming back.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それに比べたら、魅音たちの関係なんてどれほど恵まれているか。<br>\\r\\n Compared to that, you're very lucky.<br><br>\\r\\n 泣き腫らした真っ赤な目元で、無理に笑いながら、明日からがんばるよと小さく意気込んで見せる魅音に、………久しく感じなかった負の感情が芽生えるのを感じた。<br>\\r\\n Mion was saying she'd do her best from tomorrow on with red tearful eyes... but I sensed a deeply negative feeling emerging inside me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音と圭一が楽しく過していても、<br>\\r\\n Nobody was blaming Mion for\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …誰も咎めない。<br>\\r\\n being happy with Keiichi.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n うらやましいなんて思わない。<br>\\r\\n I wasn't envious.<br><br>\\r\\n 妬んだりなんかしない。<br>\\r\\n I wasn't jealous.<br><br>\\r\\n …私が咎められたから、同じ様に咎められて欲しいなんて、思わない。<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't want her to be blamed the same way I was blamed.<br><br>\\r\\n …もう魅音の頭は圭ちゃんや、圭ちゃんを含めた友人たちのことでいっぱいで。<br>\\r\\n ...It was just that there was no space for Satoshi-kun in Mion's mind anymore,<br>\\r\\n ………そこには悟史くんの居場所はない。<br>\\r\\n filled as it was with Kei-chan and her other friends now.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 今の魅音にとって、…悟史くんがいる、いない。<br>\\r\\n It didn't matter to her if Satoshi-kun came back<br>\\r\\n 帰ってくる、帰ってこないは、<br>\\r\\n or not,<br>\\r\\n …明日の天気が晴れか雨かなんてこと以上に、…どうでもいいことなのだ。<br>\\r\\n just like how she didn't care if it was sunny or rainy tomorrow.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n じゃあ私は？<br>\\r\\n What about me, then?<br><br>\\r\\n 私は……今日まで１年間ずっと…悟史くんのことを思い続けて来た…？<br>\\r\\n Had I been thinking about Satoshi-kun all the time for the past year...?<br><br>\\r\\n ………自らの問いに、胸を張って頷けない。<br>\\r\\n ...I wasn't proud of my own answer.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …私は、……悟史くんのいないこの生活に慣れ始めていて…。<br>\\r\\n ...I'd become used to life without Satoshi-kun...<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんがいない対人関係に疑問を抱かなくなり始めていて。<br>\\r\\n His absence didn't hurt me anymore...<br><br>\\r\\n ………前原圭一のいる、新しい対人関係に、慣れ始めている…。<br>\\r\\n ...I was getting used to life with Keiichi Maebara...<br><br>\\r\\n しかも、………気を許せば、…私の頭の中で、悟史くんのために空けてあるはずの席に、<br>\\r\\n And if I let my guard down...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……ずうずうしく、あいつが座り込んできそうなくらいに。<br>\\r\\n he might just fill up the space I'd been saving for Satoshi-kun...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 園崎詩音が、もっと強く帰ってくることを念じてくれたなら、…悟史くんは帰ってくることができたかもしれないんだよ………。<br>\\r\\n If Shion Sonozaki had prayed harder for Satoshi-kun to return, he might've come home already......<br><br>\\r\\n …………悟史くんはどこへ消えたの…？<br>\\r\\n ......Where did Satoshi-kun go...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 去年、悟史くんが失踪してしばらくの頃は、…私は園崎本家や裏の界隈での情報にアンテナを伸ばし、<br>\\r\\n Last year, right after his disappearance, I'd paid close attention to the information circulating in the Sonozaki family and its underground connections,<br>\\r\\n まめに大石の所へ足を運んでは警察が新しい情報を掴んでないか聞いたものだ。<br>\\r\\n and I frequently went to the police station to check with Ooishi for for new information.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして、悟史くん本人の行方がまったく掴めないから。<br>\\r\\n Even with all that, I couldn't get any new leads on his whereabouts.<br><br>\\r\\n ……やがて、悟史くんの事件を「オヤシロさまの祟り」と呼ぶことに関心を持ち出し。<br>\\r\\n ......I eventually became interested in Oyashiro-sama's curse, which surrounded Satoshi-kun's disappearance...<br>\\r\\n …村の暗黒史について調べるようになって。<br>\\r\\n I researched the dark history of the village...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………調べれば調べるほどに、……悟史くんが生きている気がしなくなるのが怖くて。<br>\\r\\n ......The more I looked into it, the less likely his survival seemed.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私は三四さんに借りたスクラップ帳を返した。<br>\\r\\n ...I'd returned Miyo-san's scrapbooks to her.<br><br>\\r\\n …それ以来、図書館には行っていない。<br>\\r\\n ...And then, I hadn't gone to the library since.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 新しい興宮の学校での生活とか。<br>\\r\\n I started a new life in a new school.<br><br>\\r\\n …新しい友人とか。<br>\\r\\n ...I'd made new friends.<br><br>\\r\\n ……………いろいろ。<br>\\r\\n .........And in the same way...<br>\\r\\n いろいろ。<br>\\r\\n as falling leaves cover the ground...<br>\\r\\n …落ち葉がはらはらと落ちて、地面を覆ってしまうように、……私が本当に大切に思っていたものが…埋もれて見えなくなってしまって。<br>\\r\\n I felt like I was losing sight of what was really important to me...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 気付けば、……いつの間にか季節は春を終えようとしている。<br>\\r\\n It was already almost the end of spring.<br><br>\\r\\n 今年は暑い夏になるらしく、夏の訪れは相当早いらしかった。<br>\\r\\n They said that summer was coming early, and it'd be very hot this year.<br><br>\\r\\n 本来なら今頃は梅雨だが、…今年は梅雨なしでいきなり暑くなるらしい。<br>\\r\\n Normally it'd be the rainy season now, but we'd had no rain at all.<br><br>\\r\\n そうこうしている内に、………今年の綿流しの祭りがやってくる。<br>\\r\\n The Watanagashi festival was right around the corner.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんがいなくなってから、……………一年が経ってしまう。<br>\\r\\n It'd been almost a year... since Satoshi-kun went missing.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢では、オヤシロさまの祟りと呼ばれる一連の連続怪死事件は禁句となっていて、公では迂闊に喋るなということになっている。<br>\\r\\n In Hinamizawa, they don't allow you to talk openly about Oyashiro-sama's curse, or the series of mysterious deaths.<br><br>\\r\\n ……だから、…去年の叔母殺しの事件は、……まるでそんなもの起こりもしなかったかのように、みんな知らん振りをしている。<br>\\r\\n ......So, everybody acts like the murder of Satoshi-kun's aunt never happened.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 北条悟史くんは、村の仇敵である北条家の人間だから。<br>\\r\\n That's because <NAME> was a member of the family of traitors.<br><br>\\r\\n ……オヤシロさまの怒りを免れず４年目の犠牲になり、『鬼隠し』にあった。<br>\\r\\n ...He fell victim to Oyashiro-sama's curse on the fourth year running. He was demoned away.<br><br>\\r\\n ………そういうことにして、悟史くんの存在も、記憶も、思い出も、…みんなで忘れ去ろうとしている。<br>\\r\\n ...Everybody was trying to forget about his existence, and erase their memories of him...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの存在を…祟りなんてあやふやな理由で消さないで。<br>\\r\\n Don't make him disappear because of the curse.<br><br>\\r\\n …いなかったことになんかしないで。<br>\\r\\n Don't erase his existence.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんはたった一年前まで雛見沢にいた。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun was living in Hinamizawa just a year ago.<br><br>\\r\\n 学校に通ってた。<br>\\r\\n He went to school.<br><br>\\r\\n 優等生だった。<br>\\r\\n He was an A student.<br><br>\\r\\n 野球もやってて雛見沢ファイターズの本番に弱いスラッガーだった。<br>\\r\\n He was a member of the Hinamizawa Fighters. He could never hit the ball when it really mattered.<br><br>\\r\\n どこか放っとけない危うさがあって、だけどとても純粋で。<br>\\r\\n He was unreliable, but pure.<br>\\r\\n そしてとっても温かだった！<br>\\r\\n He was warm!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんな悟史くんの存在が、<br>\\r\\n Because of the curse,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………祟りで消され、<br>\\r\\n people made him disappear.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 名前を口にすることすらなくなって、<br>\\r\\n ......They stopped mentioning his name\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …まるで初めからいなかったかのようにされていって。<br>\\r\\n and acted like he never existed.<br><br>\\r\\n ……………前原圭一のような新しい人間にとっては、<br>\\r\\n .........A new resident like <NAME>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………存在すら満足に知らなくて。<br>\\r\\n wouldn't even know him...<br><br>\\r\\n ……………どこかへ転校したとか、………本気で思ってて……………。<br>\\r\\n ...He seriously believed that Satoshi-kun had transferred out...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 会いたいよ…悟史くん……。<br>\\r\\n I miss you, Satoshi-kun......<br><br>\\r\\n また、…一緒にお買い物に行きたい。<br>\\r\\n I want to go shopping with you again.<br><br>\\r\\n ……野球の試合も一緒にしたいし、…練習の後にジュースを飲みに行きたい。<br>\\r\\n ......I want to be in a baseball game with you again... and get a cold drink afterwards.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんを困らせてみたいし、……また、頭を撫でてもらいたい。<br>\\r\\n ......I want to tease you, and... I want you to stroke my head again.<br><br>\\r\\n ……温かで、やさしくて。<br>\\r\\n ......Your hand was so warm......<br>\\r\\n ……撫でるだけなのに、……私の全身を包んでくれるような包容力があって。<br>\\r\\n I felt as if my whole body was being caressed.<br><br>\\r\\n ……………悟史くん………。<br>\\r\\n ............Satoshi-kun......\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 「まったく、圭一さんのどスケベぶりには呆れましてよー！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Humph! I'm quite amazed by your dirty deeds, Keiichi-san!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……男の子なら仕方がないのですよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......He is a boy, after all.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「魅ぃちゃんも詩ぃちゃんも…圭一くん、困ってるよ………はぅ…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mii-chan, Shii-chan... Keiichi-kun looks confused...... hau...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ですってよーーお姉。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Did you hear that, Sis?<br>\\r\\n 大岡越前じゃあるまいしー、このまま圭ちゃんが引き千切れるまで引っ張りっこしますー？！」<br>\\r\\n We're not playing tug of war here. Are you trying to tear Kei-chan apart?!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「引っ張りっこなんかしてないよ、詩音が引っ張らなければ済むことでしょー？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm not playing tug of war! You're the one who's stretching him.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 詩音は興宮に帰れーーーー！」<br>\\r\\n Go back to Okinomiya, Shion!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ハイ了解。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay,<br>\\r\\n そうしますね。<br>\\r\\n I will.<br>\\r\\n ぱっ、と。」<br>\\r\\n Oops.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私がぱっと手を放したので、お姉と圭一はゴムが弾けるように勢いよくすっ飛んでいく。<br>\\r\\n I let go of Keiichi suddenly, so he and Sis flew off like a rubber band.<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は地面の上をごろごろと転がり、お姉に至っては向こうの茂みに頭から突っ込んでいる。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi rolled on the ground while Sis was stuck in a bush head-first...<br>\\r\\n …やれやれ、熱くなりやすいやつめ。<br>\\r\\n What lively people.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃ圭ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"See you, Kei-chan.<br>\\r\\n これ以上からかうとお姉に噛みつかれかねないので、今日はこれで帰りますね。」<br>\\r\\n Sis might assault me if I stick around any longer, so I'll get going.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, Shion...<br>\\r\\n そのさ、…今日はありがとな。」<br>\\r\\n uh... thanks for today.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あーー、あんなのお安い御用です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, forget it.<br>\\r\\n あの程度で恩が着せられるならいくらでもって位に。」<br>\\r\\n I didn't do much.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃ、またな、詩音。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"See you, Shion.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ぼすっと。<br>\\r\\n His hand landed<br>\\r\\n ……圭一の手が、私の頭を鷲掴んだ。<br>\\r\\n on my head......<br><br>\\r\\n わしわしわしわし。<br>\\r\\n Rub, rub, rub.<br><br>\\r\\n ……すっごく乱暴に頭を撫でる。<br>\\r\\n ...He stroked my head pretty roughly.<br>\\r\\n でも、ちょっとだけ温かいのが、……懐かしくて、<br>\\r\\n But the warmth reminded me......\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、あははははははは…！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, ahahahahaha...!!<br>\\r\\n じゃあすみませんね、今日は失礼します。<br>\\r\\n Excuse me, I'm going.<br>\\r\\n またねーお姉！」<br>\\r\\n See you, Sis!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「二度と来るなーーーーーー！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't ever come here again!!!<br>\\r\\n レナは哨戒！<br>\\r\\n Rena, keep your eyes on her!<br>\\r\\n 沙都子はトラップ！<br>\\r\\n Satoko, set traps!<br>\\r\\n 梨花ちゃんは塩まいてーーー！！」<br>\\r\\n Rika-chan, purify this area with salt!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 頭の天辺が、……温かくて、…むず痒くて、……ジンジンと痛んだ。<br>\\r\\n The warmth remained on the top of my head...... It felt ticklish and... sore.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は耐え切れなくなり…単車を止め、路肩の電柱に痛む場所を押し付ける。<br>\\r\\n I had to stop... I got off my moped and pushed that aching spot against a telephone pole.<br><br>\\r\\n ごめん悟史くん、ごめん悟史くん！！<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry, Satoshi-kun. I'm sorry!!<br>\\r\\n ごめん…ごめんごめん！！！<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!!!<br><br>\\r\\n 私は…悟史くんのことを忘れてないんだよ…、ちゃんと覚えてるんだよ…。<br>\\r\\n I never forgot about you... I still remember you...<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが帰って来ないと私は駄目なんだよ……、悟史くんのいない生活なんて……灰色で…寒々しくて…つまんないだけなんだよ……、<br>\\r\\n I'm worthless without you... I can't stand life without you because it's gray and cold and boring...<br>\\r\\n 本当なの…、本当だよ…。<br>\\r\\n It's true... it's true...<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんがいないから、楽しく笑うなんてこと……全然……、<br>\\r\\n I can never smile because you aren't here... I can't...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n “じゃ、またな、詩音。”<br>\\r\\n 'See you, Shion.'\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n まぶたの裏に、さっきの圭一の笑い顔が浮かぶ。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi's face appeared in my mind.<br><br>\\r\\n …私の頭をわしわしと撫でたときの感触が蘇る…。<br>\\r\\n ...I recalled the touch of his hand stroking my head...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 全然、温かくなんかなかったよ！！<br>\\r\\n It wasn't warm!!<br><br>\\r\\n うれしくなんかなかった！<br>\\r\\n I wasn't happy!<br><br>\\r\\n 乱暴で痛いだけだった！<br>\\r\\n It was rough and painful!<br><br>\\r\\n あんなデリカシーのないヤツ大嫌い！<br>\\r\\n I hate that insensitive guy!<br><br>\\r\\n あいつなんて、お子様でガキンチョで思慮が足りなくて温かみがない、ただの野良犬！！<br>\\r\\n He's too childish, rude, and cold! He's like a stray dog!!<br><br>\\r\\n うれしくなんかなかった、温かくなんかなかった！！！<br>\\r\\n I wasn't happy! It wasn't warm!!!<br>\\r\\n 私は全然うれしくも楽しくも<br>\\r\\n I wasn't happy or overjoyed at all...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「嘘だああああぁあああぁッ！！！！………ぅうぅぅ、……悟……ト、シ……くん…………。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Noooooo!!!! ...Oohhh... Satoshi... kun...<br>\\r\\n ……ぅわあぁあぁぁ…ぁ……、……うわぁあぁぁぁ…ん…、」<br>\\r\\n Ooohhh... wahhhhhh...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …………………むぅ…。<br>\\r\\n ...............Mmph...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが…困った声を出した。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun mumbled.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんは、気の利いた言葉をよく知らないから…、こういう時、どういう言葉をかければいいのか、わからないのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...He didn't know what to say in a situation like this.<br><br>\\r\\n ……でも、声をかけなければいけないことだけはわかっていて、<br>\\r\\n ......But he knew that he had better say something.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……何か声が掛けたくて…、<br>\\r\\n ...He wanted to say something...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …それでも何を言えばいいのか分からなくて……。<br>\\r\\n ...but he didn't know what to say...<br>\\r\\n ………むぅ、と、……呟く。<br>\\r\\n so, he just mumbled...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ごめんね…………詩音。<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry...... Shion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n なんで悟史くんが謝るの……？<br>\\r\\n Why are you apologizing, Satoshi-kun...?<br><br>\\r\\n 謝るのはね……私の方なんだよ…？<br>\\r\\n I'm the one who should apologize.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私、……悟史くんのこと、ずっと待ってるって言ったのに、……その気持ちは揺るがないって信じてるのに…。<br>\\r\\n Even though I said I'd wait for you...... even though I believed my heart wouldn't change......<br><br>\\r\\n ………こんなにも、いつの間にか隙間だらけ。<br>\\r\\n ......My heart is full of holes.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私の胸の中の悟史くんが、………体中のひびから…少しずつね……漏れて行くんだよ…。<br>\\r\\n ......You're leaking out from the small cracks in my heart, little by little......<br><br>\\r\\n ……滲んで…漏れて……私の中から……どんどん君がいなくなる……！<br>\\r\\n ......You're leaking out... from me......!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………僕がいるから、……辛い……？<br>\\r\\n ......Are you suffering because I'm here...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n な、なんで…？！<br>\\r\\n Wh-Why...?!<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは私の大切な人だよ…。<br>\\r\\n You're so precious to me...<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんがいるから辛いなんて言わないで…！！<br>\\r\\n So, don't say that...!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………僕はずっと…詩音と一緒にいたよ？<br>\\r\\n ...I've been here with you all this time.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………<br>\\r\\n .........\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n でも、<br>\\r\\n But...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……僕がいつまでも一緒だと、<br>\\r\\n I think I'm hurting you\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………結局、…僕の存在が詩音を苦しめてるね…。<br>\\r\\n by continuing to exist...<br>\\r\\n ……そんなの、……僕は嫌だよ。<br>\\r\\n I don't want that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 嘘だ………嘘だ嘘だ嘘だッ！！！！<br>\\r\\n That's not true...... No, no, no!!!!<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんはどこにいたの？！<br>\\r\\n Where have you been, Satoshi-kun?!<br>\\r\\n 私と一緒になんかいないじゃない！！<br>\\r\\n You weren't with me!!<br>\\r\\n いるなら教えてよどこにいるのか教えてよ！<br>\\r\\n Tell me where you are!<br>\\r\\n 住所は郵便番号は町名は番地は！！<br>\\r\\n What's the address? What's the postal code? What's the name of the city? What's the street number?!<br>\\r\\n 私に教えてよ…！！！<br>\\r\\n Tell me...!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………………………住所は、<br>\\r\\n .....................There isn't\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………ないよ………。<br>\\r\\n an address...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……………あははははははは。<br>\\r\\n ............Ahahahahahaha.<br><br>\\r\\n ……やっぱり、………そういうことですか。<br>\\r\\n ......I knew it......<br><br>\\r\\n …ずっと一緒にいたとか、いつも近くにいるよとか、……そういうやつですか。<br>\\r\\n ...Telling me you've always been with me, always by my side... That's such a cliche.........<br>\\r\\n ………あははははははは…………。<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahaha.........\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 詩音は、……どっちがいいかな。<br>\\r\\n Which do you prefer, Shion...?<br><br>\\r\\n ……僕がいて詩音が少しでも元気になれるなら、僕はずっと側にいるから。<br>\\r\\n ...If I can give you strength, I'll stay by your side forever......<br>\\r\\n ………僕がいて詩音が少しでも辛い思いをするなら、僕はすぐにでもどこかへ行くから。<br>\\r\\n but if you're suffering because of me, I'll disappear right away.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……そんなこと…言わないでよ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Don't say that......<br>\\r\\n 一緒がいい……、一緒がいいよ…。<br>\\r\\n I want to be with you... always...<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんと……いつまでも一緒がいい……。」<br>\\r\\n I want to be with you... forever...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n うん。<br>\\r\\n Okay...<br>\\r\\n ……一緒に、いるからね。<br>\\r\\n I'll stay with you then.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 車が私の脇を通り抜けていく。<br>\\r\\n A car passed by.<br><br>\\r\\n その音で私は我に返った。<br>\\r\\n The noise snapped me out of my reverie.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………はぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Huff...<br>\\r\\n ………はぁ、………………。」<br>\\r\\n huff.........\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …………空が黄昏色に染まっていく。<br>\\r\\n ...The sky was turning orange.<br><br>\\r\\n 早く帰らないと、肌寒くなっちゃう。<br>\\r\\n I should get home before it gets cold......<br>\\r\\n ……帰ろう、…興宮へ。<br>\\r\\n I should go home, to Okinomiya.<br><br>\\r\\n ……一緒なんだよね…。<br>\\r\\n ......You're with me, right...?<br>\\r\\n ……今も一緒にいてくれるんだよね……悟史くん…？<br>\\r\\n Are you with me right now... Satoshi-kun...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は単車の元へ戻る。<br>\\r\\n I walked back to my moped.<br><br>\\r\\n ……雑草の茂みを踏み分けながら。<br>\\r\\n ...My feet sank into the grass...<br>\\r\\n ……ざくざくざく。<br>\\r\\n Crunch crunch crunch...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 単車の前まで来て足を止めた時。<br>\\r\\n I stopped when I reached my bike.<br><br>\\r\\n …私の足音とひとつずれて。<br>\\r\\n ...But then I heard<br>\\r\\n 足音がひとつ余計に聞こえた。<br>\\r\\n an extra footstep.<br><br>\\r\\n 私ははっとする。<br>\\r\\n I gasped...<br>\\r\\n ……私だけじゃない、人の気配。<br>\\r\\n I could feel somebody else's presence.<br><br>\\r\\n 私も馬鹿じゃない。<br>\\r\\n I'm not stupid.<br><br>\\r\\n 周りに誰もいないのはわかってる。<br>\\r\\n Nobody else was around here.<br><br>\\r\\n それなのに背後に突然気配など現われるわけがない。<br>\\r\\n Nobody had suddenly appeared behind me.<br><br>\\r\\n …………だから、<br>\\r\\n .........So I wasn't surprised to find nobody\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …振り返ってもそこに誰もいないのを見たとしても、驚かなかった。<br>\\r\\n when I turned around.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも、<br>\\r\\n But...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……間違いなく、<br>\\r\\n he was definitely\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …そこには、いてくれているのがわかった。<br>\\r\\n still there.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……悟史くん……………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Satoshi-kun.........\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 見えないけど、……いた。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't see him...... but he was there......<br>\\r\\n ……いてくれた。<br>\\r\\n He was there for me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは…嘘なんか絶対につかないんだから。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun never lies.<br><br>\\r\\n ……その悟史くんが、いつも一緒にいるよって言ったんだから…。<br>\\r\\n ......He said he'd be with me all the time......<br><br>\\r\\n ……だから…今まで気付かなかったのは、私が鈍感だっただけなんだよ。<br>\\r\\n ...I'd just been too insensitive to feel his existence until now.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くん……………、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Satoshi-kun.........\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……悟史くん…………。」<br>\\r\\n ...Satoshi-kun...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 風が私の髪をくすぐる。<br>\\r\\n A breeze tickled my hair.<br><br>\\r\\n …冷たい風だけど、<br>\\r\\n ...It felt cold\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……でも、<br>\\r\\n ...but...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …それは紛れもなく…悟史くんの手の平の温かさで…。<br>\\r\\n to me, it was nothing but the warmth of his hand...<br><br>\\r\\n 私は………熱い涙で顔を濡らしていることにもしばらく気付けないでいた……。<br>\\r\\n It took me a while to notice that my cheeks were wet with tears...<br><br><br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n …寝るのが怖かった。<br>\\r\\n ...I was too scared to sleep.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 眠って……朝になったら、悟史くんがいなくなってしまっているような気がして。<br>\\r\\n If I went to sleep, I might not find Satoshi-kun there in the morning.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、私は睡魔に負けるまでずっとずっと…悟史くんに話しかけていた。<br>\\r\\n So I kept talking to him until I passed out...<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんがいなくなってからの一年間にあったことを、…全て教えてあげるために。<br>\\r\\n I told him about what happened while he was missing...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんがいなくなって……、本当に素直な意味で悟史くんが好きだとわかったこと。<br>\\r\\n I told him that I realized how much I loved him after he went away.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、悟史くんの行方を捜して、いろいろなことを調べたこと。<br>\\r\\n I'd searched for him, looking into various different things.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 葛西を通じて裏の世界で情報を集めたり、大石と駆け引きをして警察の捜査状況を聞きだしたり。<br>\\r\\n I'd gathered underground information through Kasai, and bargained for police information with Ooishi.<br><br>\\r\\n でも何もわからないまま、とても長い時間が経ってしまったけど、自分だけはずっと悟史くんのことを忘れなかったとか。<br>\\r\\n But I couldn't find any leads. A long time passed, but I kept thinking about him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 他にも他にも。<br>\\r\\n Et cetera, et cetera...<br>\\r\\n …日常的な小さな喜びとか、驚き。<br>\\r\\n I told him all the small details from my daily life.<br><br>\\r\\n …もしも悟史くんが帰ってきてくれたなら、<br>\\r\\n ...The places I wanted to go with him,<br>\\r\\n 一緒に行きたかった所、<br>\\r\\n the things I wanted to do with him,<br>\\r\\n 一緒にしたかったこと、<br>\\r\\n the food I wanted to share with him...<br>\\r\\n 一緒に食べたかった物、<br>\\r\\n and, and......<br>\\r\\n …それからそれから…………たくさん。<br>\\r\\n I told him a lot of things.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 初めは座りながら。<br>\\r\\n I was sitting up at first.<br><br>\\r\\n だけど、だんだん体を起こしているのも辛くなって、横になりながらになって。<br>\\r\\n But I got tired, so I lay down.<br><br>\\r\\n ………口を開いて伝えるのも億劫になり、心の中で話すようになり。<br>\\r\\n ...I got tired of moving my mouth too, so I started talking to him in my mind......<br>\\r\\n …………こんなに幸せな夜はきっと初めてだった。<br>\\r\\n It was the happiest night I'd ever had.<br><br>\\r\\n 目が覚めた時。<br>\\r\\n When I woke up...<br><br>\\r\\n ……………枕元に、…悟史くんはいなかった。<br>\\r\\n .........I didn't find Satoshi-kun by my side.<br><br>\\r\\n どこかでわかっていた。<br>\\r\\n I knew it somehow...<br>\\r\\n ……それが怖かった。<br>\\r\\n I was afraid of it.<br>\\r\\n だから寝たくなかった。<br>\\r\\n That was why I didn't want to go to sleep.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …でも一夜だけでも会えたから。<br>\\r\\n ...But at least I got to see him for one night.<br><br>\\r\\n ……そう諦めかけた時。<br>\\r\\n ...Just when I'd resigned myself to that...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんがまた居てくれているのを感じ、……私は悟史くんとの再会が夢でなかったことを神様に感謝した。<br>\\r\\n ...I felt Satoshi-kun's presence again... It wasn't a dream after all. I thanked God.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それから、私と悟史くんの不思議な共同生活が始まった。<br>\\r\\n And so I began my strange life with Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは約束通り、側に居てくれるだけ。<br>\\r\\n As promised, Satoshi-kun was always by my side.<br><br>\\r\\n ……笑ったり、むぅと言ったり、私の頭を撫でてくれることはできなかったけど。<br>\\r\\n ...He couldn't laugh, mumble, or stroke my head.<br><br>\\r\\n ……でも、ちゃんと居てくれた。<br>\\r\\n ...But he was always with me,<br>\\r\\n いつも側にいてくれた。<br>\\r\\n always right by my side.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n たまにいなくなってしまうけど、私が捜すとすぐに側に戻ってきてくれた。<br>\\r\\n He disappeared sometimes, but he'd come back when I looked for him.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの足音は、私にしか聞こえないようだった。<br>\\r\\n It seemed that all I could hear was his footsteps.<br><br>\\r\\n …………そういう、ものだもんね。<br>\\r\\n ...That's just the way it was.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私にしか聞こえない現実が少し寂しかったけど、……それ以上の贅沢なんか言う気はなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...It was a bit sad, but I was still satisfied.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんはとても希薄な存在なので、……雑踏の中やにぎやかな場所では、いてくれるのを感じにくい。<br>\\r\\n His presence was really faint, so it was hard to sense him in a crowd.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、どんな人ごみの中でも、私からはぐれたりはしない。<br>\\r\\n But he never left me.<br><br>\\r\\n …生身の悟史くんだったらきっと、手でもつないでないと、迷子になっちゃうに違いないな。<br>\\r\\n ...If he were tangible, I'd be taking his hand all the time so that he wouldn't be lost.<br><br>\\r\\n だから逆に、とても静かな場所では、悟史くんが居てくれることを、とても強く感じることができた。<br>\\r\\n In contrast, I could feel him very strongly in a quiet environment.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あと、これは当然のことだけど。<br>\\r\\n Of course,<br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんは居てくれるだけだから、…表情とか仕草とか、そういうものがわからない。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't tell what his expressions were, because he was just a presence.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …でも、……本当に慣れと言うのは不思議なもので、そんな存在の悟史くんでも、私は日にちを重ねるごとに、感情を読み取れるようになって行った。<br>\\r\\n ...But... after I got used to it, I could tell what he was thinking.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 最初は、きっとこういう時は悟史くんは笑ってくれるだろうな…という憶測。<br>\\r\\n At first, I could only tell if he was laughing or not.<br><br>\\r\\n …それがやがて、本当に悟史くんが笑ってくれているのを感じられるようになった。<br>\\r\\n ...Eventually, I started to feel his emotions more strongly.<br><br>\\r\\n ………そんなやりとりがどんどん出来るようになるにつれて。<br>\\r\\n ...I could communicate with him normally.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私は悟史くんを強く感じることができる孤独を愛するようになっていった。<br>\\r\\n ...I was usually alone with him, though.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 学校にも行きたくなくなったし、友人たちの誘いにも興味がなくなっていった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't want to go to school or hang out with my friends anymore.<br><br>\\r\\n でも…これはさすがに悟史くんにちょっぴり怒られた。<br>\\r\\n But... Satoshi-kun got upset about that.<br><br>\\r\\n 怒られたというか、…むぅ、と言われたというか。<br>\\r\\n He'd keep mumbling unhappily.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n いつも一緒なのはもうわかっていたから。<br>\\r\\n Now that I knew he'd always be with me,<br>\\r\\n ……私は悟史くんが言うように、引き篭もらないように気をつけた。<br>\\r\\n I shouldn't just stay home all the time.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんとの二人の時間に固執したのは、悟史くんが突然いなくなってしまうかもしれない、だからいられる時間を大事にしたい…との思いからだった。<br>\\r\\n I was sticking to my time alone with him, however, because I was scared that he might suddenly disappear again, and I wanted to make the most of the time I was sharing with him right now.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でもそんなのは私の杞憂だった。<br>\\r\\n I must've been worrying too excessively.<br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんは必ず私の側に居てくれた。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoshi-kun will always be by my side.<br><br>\\r\\n そう。<br>\\r\\n Yeah.<br><br>\\r\\n …私と一緒にいると約束してくれたから。<br>\\r\\n ...That was his promise.<br><br>\\r\\n …約束を破ったりなんか絶対にしないのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...He never breaks his promises.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんと一緒だから、…私は平気だよ。<br>\\r\\n I was fine, because he was there.<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、お姉にも話せないし、学校のみんなにも話せない。<br>\\r\\n Of course, I couldn't tell anybody about him, not even Sis.<br><br>\\r\\n ちゃんといるんだよっていくら説明したって、理解できはしないのだから。<br>\\r\\n I could try to explain it to them, but they'd never understand.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも、私にだけはわかる。<br>\\r\\n But I was certain.<br><br>\\r\\n ずっと側にいてくれるのが、わかる。<br>\\r\\n Certain that he was with me.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、<br>\\r\\n So...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………もう大丈夫…………。<br>\\r\\n I'd be all right...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音さんはどうなさいますか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion-san, what are you going to do<br>\\r\\n 今夜の綿流しのお祭りは。」<br>\\r\\n on Watanagashi this year?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hm.<br>\\r\\n 行って適当に遊ぶつもりです。<br>\\r\\n I guess I'll have some fun at the festival.<br>\\r\\n お姉とその愉快な仲間たちでもからかうかなー。<br>\\r\\n Maybe I'll tease Sis and her friends...<br>\\r\\n あははははは。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahaha.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんと一緒に、お祭りを回りたいし。<br>\\r\\n I wanted to go to the festival with Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n それに、悟史くんは私がみんなとはしゃぐのを見るのがとても好きなんだから。<br>\\r\\n I knew he liked to see me having fun with everybody.<br><br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃんをおちょくってると嫉妬するかな…なんて思ったけど、そんなのは思い過しだった。<br>\\r\\n He might get jealous if I play with Kei-chan...<br><br>\\r\\n その辺に鈍感なのも、何とも悟史くんらしい。<br>\\r\\n But Satoshi-kun isn't very sensitive in that way.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは私たちが大はしゃぎしてるのを見るのが大好きなんだから。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun loved to see me and my friends have fun...<br>\\r\\n ……だから、大はしゃぎしに行こう。<br>\\r\\n so, I should have a lot of fun for his sake.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、全部終わったら、今日は楽しかったねって悟史くんに言おう。<br>\\r\\n Then I'd talk about the day with him later.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「何で雛見沢に行きますか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"How are you going to Hinamizawa?<br>\\r\\n 車で行くならお送りしますよ。」<br>\\r\\n I can give you a ride if you want.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「バイクで行くからいいや。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm taking my moped, so you don't have to.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「それはいけません。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That won't do.<br>\\r\\n 帰りに本家に寄られて親類の宴会に加わられるんでしょう？<br>\\r\\n Aren't you going to the family party afterwards?<br>\\r\\n 酔っ払い運転などさせられません。」<br>\\r\\n I can't let you drive under the influence.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 酔っ払い運転はダメでも、飲酒まではお目こぼしらしい。<br>\\r\\n He won't let me drive,<br>\\r\\n ま、いいか。<br>\\r\\n but he's kind enough to let me drink.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃお世話になりますかね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"All right, take me then.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「わかりました。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Good.<br>\\r\\n では夕方に出発しましょう。<br>\\r\\n Let's leave before nightfall.<br>\\r\\n そのくらいの頃にお迎えに参ります。」<br>\\r\\n I'll come pick you up around that time.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 葛西が出て行くと、…悟史くんが今夜のお祭りが楽しくて楽しくて仕方がない、と言う風に表情をほころばせるのがわかった。<br>\\r\\n After Kasai left... I sensed that Satoshi-kun was excited about going to the festival.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………綿流しか。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Watanagashi, huh...?<br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんがいなくなっちゃってから、……もうすぐ一年になるんだね。」<br>\\r\\n So... it's been almost a year since you went away...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんはどう答えていいかわからず、困っているようだった。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun seemed confused.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「むぅ、……でしょ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"I bet you're going all 'mmph...' right now, aren't you?<br>\\r\\n あはははははははは。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahaha.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私たちは小気味よく笑い合った…。<br>\\r\\n We laughed together...\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 「ヘイらっしゃい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Welcome!<br>\\r\\n はいよ、網とお椀。」<br>\\r\\n Here's your net and a bowl.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「よし、やるぞ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Great!<br>\\r\\n ……うーん、金魚はみんな活きがいいねぇ！！<br>\\r\\n Wow... these fish are so active!!<br><br>\\r\\n 実に美味しそう！<br>\\r\\n They look delicious!<br><br>\\r\\n この小さいのなんか、そのままボリボリと生で行けちゃうよね〜！！！」<br>\\r\\n I could eat this little one raw right here!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ざわ…ッ？！<br>\\r\\n Huh...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…み、…魅音さんは…なな、何を言ってるんでございますの…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"What are you saying, Mion-san...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……魅ぃちゃん……食べてたの？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mii-chan... you eat goldfish...?<br>\\r\\n 去年、レナからもらったのも…食べちゃったの？」<br>\\r\\n Did you eat the one I gave you last year too...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ち、ちが……わ、私そんなこと言ってない…！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"No...! I didn't say that...!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n お姉が真っ赤になりながら、ぶんぶんと首を振って否定する。<br>\\r\\n Sis shook her head hard. She'd turned all red.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「いや、でも……今、魅音、お前自分で言ったぞ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"But you just said it...<br>\\r\\n 実に美味しそうだ、って。」<br>\\r\\n You said they look delicious...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「えぇ、確かに言いました。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I heard it too.<br>\\r\\n お姉って雑食ですから、口に入れば何でも食べちゃうんです。」<br>\\r\\n Sis eats everything, as long as it fits inside her mouth.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……おいしいなら、今度ボクも試してみるのです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......If it's really good, I'll try it once.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「だだだだだだ、だめだよ梨花ちゃん、お腹壊しちゃうよ…！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"No, you can't, Rika-chan! You're going to get sick!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ちょっと待て。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wait a minute...<br>\\r\\n おいコラ。<br>\\r\\n Hey, you...<br>\\r\\n お前、いつの間にいるんだよ、…詩音ッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n How long have you been here... Shion?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ハ〜イ、圭ちゃんにお姉にみんな！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hi, Kei-chan, Sis, and everyone else!<br>\\r\\n こんばんは。」<br>\\r\\n Good evening!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、……あ゛ぁああぁああぁーー！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Aaaaaaah!!<br>\\r\\n アンタどこから湧いてきたの詩音んんーー！！！！」<br>\\r\\n When did you get here, Shion?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「焼きそば屋さんの時からずっとです。お姉たちは騒がしいからすぐに見つけられました。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I've been here since you were at the chow mein booth. I found you guys quickly since you were making so much noise.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「もー！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey!!<br>\\r\\n アンタは関係ないでしょー？！？！<br>\\r\\n You're not in our club!<br>\\r\\n 早くどっかへ消えなさいよー！！」<br>\\r\\n Get lost!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「も〜、お姉もあまり私を邪険にしないで下さい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't be mean, Sis.<br>\\r\\n …ね？<br>\\r\\n Right,<br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃん？<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan?<br>\\r\\n 私が一緒でもいいですよね？」<br>\\r\\n You're fine if I come with you guys, right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n そう言いながら、圭ちゃんの腕を取り、わざとらしく胸の谷間に沈めてなんかみちゃったり。<br>\\r\\n I took Kei-chan's arm and held it between my breasts.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ふにふに。<br>\\r\\n Puff, puff.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n で、結局、そのまま大騒ぎ。<br>\\r\\n We were going to have a ball.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n お姉と愉快な仲間たちで祭り中の模擬店を冷やかしてまわった。<br>\\r\\n I went around the booths with Sis and her friends.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悪ふざけしたり、大騒ぎしたり。<br>\\r\\n I joked around and laughed out loud.<br><br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃんをおちょくって、お姉にちょっかいを掛けてみたり。<br>\\r\\n I teased Kei-chan and Sis too.<br><br>\\r\\n というか、圭ちゃんはやはりみんなの中心にいるようで、圭ちゃんに構えば、自然とみんなを巻き込んだ。<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan was at the center of the group, so if I did something to him, it naturally involved everybody else.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n これほどにぎやかな中だから、悟史くんに居場所がなかなかなかったけれど。<br>\\r\\n It looked like Satoshi-kun was having a hard time finding his own spot in the crowd.<br><br>\\r\\n ちょっと静まったときに様子を見たら、僕なんかに遠慮しないでたくさん遊んでよって、笑ってた。<br>\\r\\n When I glanced at him in a quiet moment, he smiled and told me to have fun without worrying about him.<br><br>\\r\\n ……もし本当にそこに居てくれたなら、腕を引っ張って悟史くんもこの大騒ぎに引き込んであげるのに。<br>\\r\\n ...If he were tangible, I'd pull his arm to join the crowd...<br>\\r\\n …それができなくて、ちょっぴり寂しかった。<br>\\r\\n It made me sad that I couldn't do that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 誰かに思いっきり肩をぶつけた。<br>\\r\\n I bumped into somebody's shoulder.<br><br>\\r\\n さすがに私の方が悪そうだったので、即座に謝る。<br>\\r\\n It was obviously my fault, so I apologized right away.<br><br>\\r\\n そしたら相手は見知った顔だった。<br>\\r\\n As it turned out, it was somebody I knew.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あら。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh,<br>\\r\\n 楽しんでるみたいね。<br>\\r\\n looks like you're having fun.<br>\\r\\n こんばんは、詩音ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n Good evening, Shion-chan.<br>\\r\\n 月の綺麗な晩ね。」<br>\\r\\n The moon looks beautiful tonight, doesn't it?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……あれ、すごいお久しぶりですね鷹野さん！<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Oh, it's been forever, Takano-san!<br>\\r\\n えっとそれから……、」<br>\\r\\n And you were......\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そうだね、挨拶をするのはこれが初めてだね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Nice to meet you.<br>\\r\\n 僕は富竹。<br>\\r\\n I'm Tomitake.<br>\\r\\n 魅音ちゃんの双子の妹さんだって話は聞いてるよ。」<br>\\r\\n I heard you were Mion-chan's twin sister.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「よろしくです富竹さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Nice to meet you too, Tomitake-san.<br>\\r\\n 凄腕のカメラマンとのお噂だとか。<br>\\r\\n I heard you were a great cameraman.<br>\\r\\n ぜひ今度、私も写してくださいね。」<br>\\r\\n Please take a picture of me someday.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あはははははは…、デビューを夢見て投稿を繰り返す素人だけどね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahahaha... I'm just an amateur dreaming of going professional.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そんなことないわよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, you're actually great,<br>\\r\\n ジロウさんは上手よ？<br>\\r\\n Jirou-san.<br>\\r\\n いろいろとね。<br>\\r\\n You're good at many things...<br>\\r\\n くすくすくす…。」<br>\\r\\n Hee hee hee...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「いやいや…、まだまだ勉強が足りないよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"No, I need to study more.<br>\\r\\n 才能に恵まれない分を、努力で補わないとね。」<br>\\r\\n I have no talent, so I have to put out a lot of effort to compensate.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n そんなやり取りを見る限り、鷹野さんと富竹さんはまんざらでもない仲のように見えた。<br>\\r\\n They must've been in a relationship.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「鷹野さんと富竹さん、仲がよろしいようで。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You two look so happy together.<br>\\r\\n 私ゃお邪魔ですかね？」<br>\\r\\n Am I interrupting you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あらあら。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, no.<br>\\r\\n ご賢察痛み入るけどお気遣いは結構よ。<br>\\r\\n I appreciate your consideration, but you're not interrupting us at all.<br>\\r\\n …それに、鷹野なんて何だか他人行儀みたいな呼び方ね。<br>\\r\\n And... you can call me Miyo like before,<br>\\r\\n 昔みたいに三四って呼んでくれていいのに。」<br>\\r\\n not Takano-san.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あはははは…、やっぱり目上の人にファーストネーム呼びつけはちょっと気になるものでして。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Aha ha ha ha... It's a bit hard for me to call someone older than me by her first name...<br>\\r\\n まぁその、気にしないで下さい。」<br>\\r\\n Well, never mind.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 照れ笑いすると、鷹野さんも上品に笑って応えてくれた。<br>\\r\\n I smiled bashfully, and Takano-san smiled back elegantly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あれから図書館には来ないのね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I haven't seen you in the library since.<br>\\r\\n 研究の同志として、もっともっといろいろお話ししたかったのに。」<br>\\r\\n I wanted to talk to you more, as a fellow researcher.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あははは…、まぁ気が向いたらその内ってことで。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahaha... well, when I feel like it.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「研究の同志って、……まさか詩音ちゃんも興味があるのかい？<br>\\r\\n \\\"A fellow researcher...? Are you interested in it, too, Shion-chan?<br><br>\\r\\n その、……この村の昔話とかに。」<br>\\r\\n I mean... in the legend of this village?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 富竹さんが眉をしかめながら苦笑いして聞いてくる。<br>\\r\\n Tomitake-san raised his eyebrows.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はしばらく鷹野さんと縁があったので知っているが、彼女の趣味はちょっとまともじゃない。<br>\\r\\n As far as I knew, Takano-san's hobby wasn't exactly normal.<br><br>\\r\\n 表向きは古代雛見沢村の風俗史の研究だが、結局のところ興味の中心は、古代雛見沢村の奇祭『綿流し』だ。<br>\\r\\n On the surface, her research dealt with the cultural history of ancient Hinamizawa, but its main focus was the 'Watanagashi' festival from ancient times.<br><br>\\r\\n 犠牲者を捕らえ、内臓を抜き出して食い殺したと言われる人食いの宴。<br>\\r\\n The cannibal banquet in which they captured and gutted a living sacrifice.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そしてそれにまつわるエピソードやら、残酷話やら、…とにかくスプラッターなことばかり。<br>\\r\\n Her research covered various stories surrounding that, and other legends of cruelty... It was nothing if not gory.<br><br>\\r\\n そんなことが興味の中心にあるという人だ。<br>\\r\\n That was where her main interests lay.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n まぁ、ここだけの話、同志と呼ばれるのは対外的に不本意だ。<br>\\r\\n So, I didn't feel comfortable being called a fellow researcher, to be honest.<br><br>\\r\\n だが個人的な野次馬根性としては、彼女の研究ノートは読んでいて面白い。<br>\\r\\n But objectively speaking, her research notes were fun to read.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時、ドーーーン、ドーーーン！！<br>\\r\\n It was then that I heard the loud booms<br>\\r\\n という大太鼓の音が聞こえてきた。<br>\\r\\n of the taiko drums.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 綿流しのメインの奉納演舞が始まるのだ。<br>\\r\\n The main event of the Watanagashi festival, the dedicationl dance, was about to start.<br><br>\\r\\n 彼女の説によるなら、巫女が布団を鍬で裂いて、中身のワタを引き出すその演舞は、犠牲者のハラワタを引きずり出す行為を模したものらしい。<br>\\r\\n According to Takano-san's hypothesis, the part of the dance where the shrine maiden tears open a futon mat represents gutting a living victim.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「いよいよ始まりますね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's starting.<br>\\r\\n そろそろ私も行くかな。<br>\\r\\n I should head over.<br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんたちも見に行くんですよね、梨花ちゃまの儀式。」<br>\\r\\n Aren't you guys coming to see Rika-chama's performance?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ん？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmm?<br>\\r\\n ………んん、……あはははは。」<br>\\r\\n ......Hmm.... Ahahahaha.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 富竹さんが曖昧に苦笑いする。<br>\\r\\n Tomitake-san looked bewildered......<br>\\r\\n ……見に行かないという意味だろうか。<br>\\r\\n Did that mean he wasn't coming?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんがいたずらっぽく笑いながら、私の耳元で囁いた。<br>\\r\\n Takano-san giggled, then whispered in my ear.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「実はね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"To tell you the truth...<br><br>\\r\\n ……………これから祭具殿の中に入ってみようと思うの。」<br>\\r\\n ...We're thinking of sneaking into the ritual storehouse.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………え、」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Eh?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 彼女はとても楽しそうなことでもあるかのように言ったが、………それは祭具殿のことを知る人間にとってはとても笑えないことだった。<br>\\r\\n She made it sound like she was going to do something fun...... but it wouldn't be amusing to anyone who knew what the ritual storehouse was.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 祭具殿は古手神社の、一種の宝物殿と言っていい。<br>\\r\\n The ritual storehouse, or the storehouse for ritual implements, is sort of a treasure house belonging to the Furude Shrine.<br><br>\\r\\n 中には祭具と呼ばれる、オヤシロさまを祀る神聖な宝物が納められているという。<br>\\r\\n I'd heard that Oyashiro-sama's sacred treasures were stored in there.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、古手神社の境内の中で一二を争うほどの神聖な場所で、中に入れる人間は古手本家の人間と、御三家のごく限られた一部の人間だけに限定されている。<br>\\r\\n Only people from the Furude family and selected members of the other two Three Families are allowed to enter.<br><br>\\r\\n …それ以外の人間がみだりに立ち入ると、穢れを持ち込んでしまうと言われるためだ。<br>\\r\\n ...They believe that if other people enter, the place will be desecrated.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 中に何が入っているのか、雛見沢に縁のある子どもたちなら誰もが一度は持つ好奇心だ。<br>\\r\\n Everybody in Hinamizawa must've been curious about what was in there when they were kids.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、中を覗くことはできないし、大扉は厳重な鍵で閉ざされている。<br>\\r\\n But the storehouse was always tightly locked. You couldn't just peek into it either.<br><br>\\r\\n 子どもたちは祭具殿の周りで遊んでいるだけでも怒られるし、子どもたちも、祟りがあったら嫌だから、わざわざ好んで近寄ったりしない。<br>\\r\\n Kids would get chided if they played around it, so they'd learn to stay away.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私も、雛見沢に縁のある人間として、祭具殿に対し近寄りがたいイメージを持っている。<br>\\r\\n I didn't like being around it myself, since I was familiar with all that.<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、祟りなんか全然信じていないとしても、わざわざ近寄りたいと思わない。<br>\\r\\n Even though I didn't believe in curses, I still didn't want to be near it.<br><br>\\r\\n 禁を犯す得がないなら、わざわざ祟られるようなことをしたくないのは自然な感情だ。<br>\\r\\n Nothing good can come from breaking the rules.<br><br>\\r\\n その祭具殿に…入るって…？<br>\\r\\n Were they still going to enter the ritual storehouse despite all that?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…でも、…確かものすごい厳重な鍵が掛かってたと思いましたよ…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I'm pretty sure it's tightly locked...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「去年まではね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It was, until last year...<br>\\r\\n ……前のカンヌキじゃ重すぎて大変だと梨花ちゃんが言ったらしいの。<br>\\r\\n Rika-chan had the heavy bolt changed to a cheap padlock<br>\\r\\n それで今年から、ものすごく安っぽい南京錠に替わったの。<br>\\r\\n because the bolt was too heavy for her to lift.<br>\\r\\n 知ってた？」<br>\\r\\n Did you know that?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「い、いえ、知りません。<br>\\r\\n \\\"N-No...<br>\\r\\n ……でも、安っぽいと言ったって、錠前が掛かってますよ…？」<br>\\r\\n but even if it's cheap, it's still locked, isn't it...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ジロウさんね、とても器用なの。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Jirou-san is very skilled.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……え、……ピッキング、…ですか。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Oh, are you... good at lock-picking...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「綿流しの儀式が始まれば、全員が儀式に集まるでしょ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Once the Watanagashi ritual starts, everybody will gather around the stage, right?<br>\\r\\n 祭具殿の周りには人影はまったくなくなる。<br>\\r\\n Then the area around this storehouse will be completely devoid of people.<br>\\r\\n ……今夜が一番の死角なの。<br>\\r\\n Tonight, this place will be a blind spot.<br>\\r\\n 灯台下暗しとでも言うのかしらね。」<br>\\r\\n Can't see the forest for the trees, I suppose.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 彼女の説によるならば、…祭具殿の中身は、古代の綿流しで使った人間用の調理道具や解体道具、拷問道具の類だと言う。<br>\\r\\n According to her hypothesis, the ancient tools used for human dissection and torture would be found in the ritual storehouse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「よかったら、後でこっそりいらっしゃいな。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Why don't you join us in a bit?<br>\\r\\n 二度とないチャンスよ？<br>\\r\\n It's now or never.<br>\\r\\n くすくすくすくす。<br>\\r\\n Hee hee hee hee.<br>\\r\\n じゃ、よかったら後でね。」<br>\\r\\n So, maybe I'll see you then.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「鷹野さん、何の内緒話だい？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Takano-san, what are you telling her?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「女同士の内緒話よ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Just girl talk.<br>\\r\\n 行きましょ、暗くてひと気のないところへ逢引に。<br>\\r\\n Let's go to some dark place for a quick date.<br>\\r\\n くすくす…。」<br>\\r\\n Hee hee hee...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ん？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh?<br>\\r\\n あ、あははははははは………。」<br>\\r\\n Ah, ahahahahahaha...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんは富竹さんを連れて、儀式に向かう人たちの人の波と逆行しながら去っていった。<br>\\r\\n Takano-san walked against the flow of the crowd alongside Tomitake-san.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………祭具殿か。<br>\\r\\n ...The ritual storehouse, huh?<br>\\r\\n …拷問道具がいっぱい…。<br>\\r\\n It was supposedly filled with torture tools...<br><br>\\r\\n 園崎本家の地下拷問室を思えば、…それはありえることだった。<br>\\r\\n Considering what they had in the underground torture room at the Sonozaki house... that's quite possible.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんは、４年目の祟りの犠牲になった。<br>\\r\\n ......Satoshi-kun fell victim to the curse in the fourth year.<br><br>\\r\\n 死体の出た叔母はオヤシロさまの祟り。<br>\\r\\n His aunt's death was the sign of Oyashiro-sama's curse.<br><br>\\r\\n …死体の出ない悟史くんは、オヤシロさまの怒りを鎮めるための生贄。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoshi-kun was the sacrifice to pacify Oyashiro-sama's anger.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………そういう仮説を、去年考えていた。<br>\\r\\n .........That was what Takano-san said last year.<br><br>\\r\\n でも所詮は仮説。<br>\\r\\n It was just her hypothesis.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんが生きていると考えたい私は、鷹野さんの研究を否定したくなっていたのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...At present, I wanted to deny her hypothesis because I wanted to believe that Satoshi-kun was still alive.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんの説が正しいなら、鬼ヶ淵村の古い風習を蘇らせようとする、<br>\\r\\n If her hypothesis was correct,<br>\\r\\n 御三家筋の人間か、狂信的な何者かがオヤシロさまの祟りを再現して繰り返している事件だ。<br>\\r\\n either some religious fanatic or somebody from the Three Families must be imitating the curse in order to revive the ancient custom of Onigafuchi.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんも、…そいつらの手に掛かって殺されたことになってしまう。<br>\\r\\n That would mean that it was them who killed Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……ならもしも。<br>\\r\\n ......So what if...<br><br>\\r\\n 祭具殿の中身が鷹野さんの説と違って、くだらないものでいっぱいだったらどうだろう？<br>\\r\\n What if the ritual storehouse was filled with garbage instead of torture implements?<br><br>\\r\\n 壊れかかってて埃の積もった古いお神輿とか、いっぱいに広げた新聞紙の上に、塗装中の祭り看板が横たえてあるとか。<br>\\r\\n Maybe it was filled with broken palanquins, or freshly painted signboards for the festival.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんなくだらない中身だとしたら。<br>\\r\\n What then...?<br><br>\\r\\n 塗料のむせ返るようなシンナーの臭いでいっぱいだった<br>\\r\\n It wasn't really hard for me to believe\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……<br>\\r\\n ......<br>\\r\\n なんて、できない想像じゃない。<br>\\r\\n that it was filled with the chemical smell of paint.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんの説が正しくないことを証明することで、………悟史くんが生贄に捧げられて殺されたなんて説を否定できるのではないか。<br>\\r\\n Maybe I'll get to deny the hypothesis that Satoshi-kun was sacrificed by seeing the inside of the ritual storehouse for myself.<br><br>\\r\\n ………別に祭具殿の中に何があったって、……悟史くんが帰ってくるわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n ...Whatever was in there... it didn't mean that Satoshi-kun would come back.<br>\\r\\n ……………………。<br>\\r\\n .........\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………悟史くん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...What should I do,<br>\\r\\n …………どうしよう……？」<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ほとんどの人々が梨花ちゃまの奉納演舞に行ってしまったため、さっきまであんなに賑わっていた祭り会場は、…私だけを除け者にしたかのような静けさだった。<br>\\r\\n Since most people went to see Rika-chama's ritual dance, the festival grounds were deadly quiet.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そしてこんなにも静かなのに、……悟史くんが居るのが感じられなかった。<br>\\r\\n Even so... I couldn't sense Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n たまたまいないのか、希薄で私が気付けないのか。<br>\\r\\n Did he go somewhere? Or was I not paying enough attention? <br>\\r\\n ……それとも、無感情なのか。<br>\\r\\n ...Or maybe he wasn't feeling any emotions in particular?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 少し迷った末、……私は見に行くことに決めた。<br>\\r\\n After thinking for a while, I decided to go in with them.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 厳密にはあと数日あるが、……悟史くんが失踪してから一周年。<br>\\r\\n It had been almost a year since Satoshi-kun's disappearance.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私は、すでに殺されているかもしれないという真実から逃げたくて、わざと目を背けて来た。<br>\\r\\n ...I'd been avoiding the truth because I was afraid he might be dead.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも、…その一年後のこの夜に。<br>\\r\\n But... now I had a chance.<br><br>\\r\\n ……祭具殿の中を見る機会に恵まれるなんて。<br>\\r\\n ...I had a chance to see the inside of the ritual storehouse.<br><br>\\r\\n その運命の引き合わせに、何か神懸り的なものを感じずにはいられなかった。<br>\\r\\n I felt as though something divine had arranged that coincidence.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 途中、奉納演舞を取り囲む群衆に入り損ねて、ぴょんぴょんと飛び跳ねながら、人垣の肩越しに演舞を覗き見る圭一を捕獲する。<br>\\r\\n On my way to the storehouse, I noticed Keiichi. He was jumping up and down, trying to see Rika-chama's dedication dance over people's shoulders.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ちょっとしたいたずら気分と、共犯者を作ることによる後ろめたさの誤魔化しのために。<br>\\r\\n If I took him along, we could split the guilt.<br><br>\\r\\n …祭具殿に入ろうなんて考えてるんだから、オヤシロさまに祟られるかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n ...Oyashiro-sama might put a curse on me for entering his divine storehouse.<br><br>\\r\\n その時の共犯ということで。<br>\\r\\n I wanted a partner in crime.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………………………………私の悟史くんが去年の祟りで消えたんだから。<br>\\r\\n .....................Since the boy I love disappeared last year because of the curse...<br><br>\\r\\n …魅音の圭ちゃんも今年の祟りで消えてしまえ。<br>\\r\\n ...Maybe Mion's love should disappear this year.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……わ、…………な、何考えてんだ私……。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Whoa...... What am I thinking...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は突然芽吹いた鬼の声を、慌てて首を振って耳に入れまいとする…。<br>\\r\\n That must've been the demon inside me. I shook the thought out of my head...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「どうしたんだよ詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"What's going on, Shion?<br>\\r\\n それより、奉納演舞がよく見えるとこって、まだ遠いのか？」<br>\\r\\n Where's the best place to see Rika-chan's dance from? Is it far?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh?<br>\\r\\n 奉納演舞がよく見えるなんて誰が言いました？」<br>\\r\\n I never said I was going to show you that.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一ととぼけた話をしている内に、私たちは祭具殿にたどり着いた。<br>\\r\\n We made it to the ritual storehouse. Keiichi was baffled by the whole situation.<br><br>\\r\\n タイミング的にはまさにビンゴ。<br>\\r\\n Our timing had been perfect.<br><br>\\r\\n ……富竹さんが今まさに、南京錠を取り外すところだった………。<br>\\r\\n ...I could see Tomitake-san picking the lock...\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は好奇心ではちきれんばかりのくせに、建前ばっかりで、なかなか祭具殿には入ろうとしなかった。<br>\\r\\n Even though Keiichi must have been curious, he insisted that we shouldn't go in.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、適当に言いくるめ、富竹さんが見ておいで見ておいでと後押しすると、あっさりと転ぶのだった。<br>\\r\\n But I talked him into it anyway. He was quick to change his mind when Tomitake-san joined in.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 中は真っ暗だったが、鷹野さんが用意していた電池式のランタンを灯すと、かなり狭い前室であることがわかった。<br>\\r\\n It was completely dark inside, so Takano-san lit a battery-powered lantern. A small entry space appeared before us.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「真っ暗だねぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's so dark in here.<br>\\r\\n みんな転ばないように気をつけるんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n Take care not to trip over anything.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ご心配ありがとう。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I appreciate the concern.<br>\\r\\n …じゃあ門番をよろしくね。<br>\\r\\n ...Okay, doorman, keep a good watch.<br>\\r\\n ここ、閉めるわよ。」<br>\\r\\n We're shutting the door now.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 楽しいことから富竹さんだけを閉め出すように、鷹野さんが意地悪に笑いながら、扉を閉めていく。<br>\\r\\n Takano-san closed the door with a smile, as if leaving Tomitake-san out on purpose.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「やれやれ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Man...<br>\\r\\n …じゃあみんな、ゆっくり楽しんでおいで。」<br>\\r\\n ...All right, everyone, have fun.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 低く重い、よく響く音を立て、…外界と完全に遮断されると…シンシンとした闇が蝕んできた。<br>\\r\\n As soon as the heavy door was closed, we were surrounded by a quiet darkness.<br><br>\\r\\n …鷹野さんのランタンだけが頼りだ。<br>\\r\\n ...All we could rely on was Takano-san's lantern.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「大丈夫よ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It'll be fine.<br>\\r\\n 予備電池も入ってるアウトドア仕様なんだから。<br>\\r\\n It's an outdoor lantern with backup batteries inside.<br>\\r\\n 消えたりなんかしないわよ。」<br>\\r\\n It won't go out or anything.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんが圭一に嫌味っぽく言う。<br>\\r\\n Takano-san teased Keiichi a little.<br><br>\\r\\n 彼の顔は緊張感で少し青くなっているようにも見えた。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi, in turn, looked a little pale.<br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢に縁のない彼でも、…やはりこの祭具殿が聖域であることはわかるらしい。<br>\\r\\n He seemed to be able to recognize the sanctity of the building even though he wasn't from Hinamizawa.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「さ、入りましょう。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Let's go in.<br>\\r\\n …よいしょ、っと。」<br>\\r\\n ...Here we go... There.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n さらに重い扉が開かれ…ほこりだけじゃない、嫌な臭いの空気があふれ出して来る。<br>\\r\\n After Takano-san opened the heavy inner door, a dusty foul smell flowed out.<br><br>\\r\\n ……台所の奥の、埃にまみれた何年も開けてない戸棚を開けたような臭いと、魚屋の生臭いにおいが混ぜこぜになったような…説明の難しい、嫌な臭いだった。<br>\\r\\n It was like the smell of a pantry that hadn't been opened in years and the smell of a fish market mixed together... I didn't know exactly how to describe it, but it was a bad smell.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 音の響き具合から、前室とは比べ物にならない広さを感じる。<br>\\r\\n From listening to the echo of our footsteps, I could tell that this room was much bigger than the one we were just in.<br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんがランタンをかざすと、その広々とした内部が鮮明にわかった。<br>\\r\\n When Takano-san raised her lantern, I could clearly see just how big it was.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…ぅわ…！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wow...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 祭具殿の正面一番奥には…仏像のようなご神体が立ち、侵入者である私たちを見下ろしていた。<br>\\r\\n At the far side of the wall, there was a statue of some kind of god staring down at us intruders.<br><br>\\r\\n ランタンのか細い明かりに照らされたその迫力に思わず驚いてしまう。<br>\\r\\n The way it was lit by the lantern gave it a powerful appearance, and it scared me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あれが雛見沢の守り神、…オヤシロさまよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's the guardian god of Hinamizawa... Oyashiro-sama.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ………私は、宗教芸術みたいな装飾の施されたそのご神体を見上げる。<br>\\r\\n ...I looked up at the statue, which was holding its religious ornaments.<br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんの失踪が、本当の本当に、………祟りなら。<br>\\r\\n ...If Satoshi-kun's disappearance really was a curse...<br><br>\\r\\n ……私は、こいつを許してはいけないのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...I couldn't forgive this god.<br><br>\\r\\n ご神体は、私を見下ろせる優位にあることを誇るようで、…ただそれだけのことなのに、私を苛立たせた。<br>\\r\\n I found myself irritated by the way the statue looked down at me.<br><br>\\r\\n ……オヤシロさまめ。<br>\\r\\n ...Damn you, Oyashiro-sama.<br><br>\\r\\n ……もしもお前が悟史くんを消した張本人なら。<br>\\r\\n ...If you really made Satoshi-kun disappear...<br>\\r\\n …………許さない許さない、絶対に許さない。<br>\\r\\n I'll never forgive you. Never.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は、ここにあるものにどういう意味があるかよくわかっていないようで、少し拍子抜けした退屈そうな顔をしていた。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi didn't seem to understand the significance of the storehouse. He looked bored.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんもそれに気付くと、あの自慢のスクラップ帳を取り出し、さも楽しそうに古代雛見沢村の残酷な伝説を語り始めるのだった。<br>\\r\\n Takano-san noticed that and took out her scrapbooks to show him the brutal history of ancient Hinamizawa.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はすでに知っている話なので、…二人を放っておいて、灯りで照らされている範囲内を歩いてみた。<br>\\r\\n I'd heard that story already... So I decided to walk around by myself.<br><br>\\r\\n …………意味がわかるからこそ、吐き気すら催しそうになる残忍な祭具たち。<br>\\r\\n ...Since I knew the significance of all these tools, I felt a little nauseated.<br><br>\\r\\n それらが、別にわめくわけでもなければ襲い掛かってくるわけでもないのに、<br>\\r\\n Though they certainly wouldn't jump out to me, I still found them intimidating.<br>\\r\\n …私を威圧し、あわよくば数百年ぶりの血肉にありつこうと大口を開けている気配がひしひしと感じられた。<br>\\r\\n They looked as if they were craving for fresh blood after not having been used in hundreds of years.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ここにあるのは何れも雰囲気が、園崎本家の地下で見たあの拷問道具たちと同じだった。<br>\\r\\n All the tools looked similar to the ones I saw in the underground torture room at the Sonozaki main house.<br><br>\\r\\n ……園崎本家の拷問道具たちが末裔なら、…ここにあるものはまさに先祖と呼べるものなのだろう。<br>\\r\\n ......If those tools were the progenies of torture implements, these would be their ancestors.<br><br>\\r\\n 祭具はどれも年代物で、実際の使用に耐えられるかは少し疑わしいものもあった。<br>\\r\\n All the implements here looked old. I doubted they could really be used.<br><br>\\r\\n 園崎本家の地下の物に比べるとメンテは行き届いていない。<br>\\r\\n They weren't kept maintained like the ones at the Sonozaki house...<br>\\r\\n ……だから、怖くない…？<br>\\r\\n So, did that mean they shouldn't scare me...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n いや、だからこそ。<br>\\r\\n No, on the contrary...<br><br>\\r\\n …………………こんなにも大昔から、…この村には本当に残酷な風習がずっとずっと息づいていたのだとわかるからこそ。<br>\\r\\n .........They told me that cruel rituals were indeed performed in this village at one point.<br><br>\\r\\n ………恐ろしい。<br>\\r\\n ...Now <i>that</i> I found scary.<br><br>\\r\\n ………鷹野さんの言っていたことは、全て正しかった。<br>\\r\\n ...What Takano-san told me was the truth.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が立ち止まると、悟史くんも一歩遅れて立ち止まる。<br>\\r\\n When I stopped, Satoshi-kun also stopped behind me, one step later.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんは…何の感情も見せなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...I felt no emotional change in Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n 何も感じてないのか、…無表情なのか。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't tell if he was feeling something or not.<br><br>\\r\\n ………居るのはわかってるけど、ぜんぜん様子がわからなくて。<br>\\r\\n ...I knew he was there, but I had no idea how he was feeling.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんと一緒になってから、初めて彼を怖く感じた。<br>\\r\\n ...I felt scared of him for the first time.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もし悟史くんに返事ができるなら。<br>\\r\\n If he could answer me...<br><br>\\r\\n ……私は聞きたい。<br>\\r\\n ...I'd want to ask him.<br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんを『鬼隠し』にしたのは何者なの、って。<br>\\r\\n ...Who demoned you away...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………ね、…悟史くん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Are you listening...?<br>\\r\\n …………聞いてる…？」<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが聞いてくれたのかどうか。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't tell if he heard me or not.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんは私の言葉など聞こえないかのように、<br>\\r\\n ...He left\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …ふぃっといなくなってしまう。<br>\\r\\n as if he didn't hear anything.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はここに入ってから、…明らかに悟史くんが不機嫌になっているのを感じていた。<br>\\r\\n I could tell that he'd been sulky ever since we got here.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの居なくなったのが急に心細くなり、……私は姿のない悟史くんがどこへ行ったのか、…うろうろと捜した。<br>\\r\\n I suddenly felt lonely, so I looked for him while walking around.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ご神体の足元に、祭壇が設けられているのに気付いた。<br>\\r\\n I realized then that there was an altar in front of the statue.<br><br>\\r\\n ………そこに悟史くんが居る気がして。<br>\\r\\n ...He might be there.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 小奇麗な祭壇だった。<br>\\r\\n It was a clean altar.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 祭壇の上には、宗教的な意味合いのありそうな小物類が、ひな壇みたいに飾られていた。<br>\\r\\n An altar ornamented with religious artifacts.<br><br>\\r\\n ここだけはよく手入れがされていて、指でなぞっても埃はつかない。<br>\\r\\n It was kept well-maintained. I saw no dust.<br><br>\\r\\n つまりこれは、……………えっと……。<br>\\r\\n That would mean... well...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 花瓶に供えられた花はしおれていない。<br>\\r\\n The flowers in the vase weren't wilting.<br><br>\\r\\n ……その花瓶の下には、この祭壇には似つかわしくない可愛らしいハンカチが敷かれていた。<br>\\r\\n ...I saw a pretty handkerchief under the vase. It looked out of place amongst everything else.<br><br>\\r\\n ……雰囲気的に、古手梨花が普段使うハンカチの内のひとつだと感じる。<br>\\r\\n ...I was fairly certain it was Rika Furude's handkerchief.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ということはつまり…。<br>\\r\\n That would mean...<br><br>\\r\\n ………この祭具殿は、今日でも維持されている。<br>\\r\\n ...That this storehouse is maintained daily.<br><br>\\r\\n 忘れ去られた古代の遺物では断じてないのだ。<br>\\r\\n It wasn't a forgotten ruin buried in dust.<br><br>\\r\\n …即ち、この祭具殿に宿る残酷な悪意は、<br>\\r\\n ...So, the brutality that dwelled in this ritual storehouse...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………今日も雛見沢に根付いているという証拠に他ならない。<br>\\r\\n is still alive and well in Hinamizawa.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう。<br>\\r\\n That's right.<br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りなんて曖昧なものは、妄信する村人たちの生み出した単なる妄想に過ぎないのだ。<br>\\r\\n Something as ambiguous as Oyashiro-sama's curse is nothing more than a simple delusion of the villagers.<br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんが好んで使う言葉を借りるとつまりはこういうこと。<br>\\r\\n As Takano-san said...<br><br>\\r\\n “人の世で起こることは、全て人が起こしていることだ。”<br>\\r\\n \\\"'Everything that happens in this world is done by humans.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n さっき私はオヤシロさまのご神体を睨みつけ、悟史くんを『鬼隠し』にしたのは貴様かと言った。<br>\\r\\n I'd accused Oyashiro-sama of demoning away Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、オヤシロさまなんてのは、銅か木材で作られた単なる偶像。<br>\\r\\n But Oyashiro-sama is just a statue made of bronze or wood.<br><br>\\r\\n それ以上の何者でもない。<br>\\r\\n It's nothing but an icon.<br><br>\\r\\n …その偶像を、それ以上の存在であるようにしようとしている「人間」がいるだけなのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...There are, however, human beings who would try to make that icon seem real.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢村連続怪死事件は人の起こした事件であって。<br>\\r\\n The series of mysterious deaths in Hinamizawa is the result of human action...<br>\\r\\n ……オヤシロさまの祟りなんて呼ばれるべきものでは絶対にない。<br>\\r\\n It shouldn't be called 'Oyashiro-sama's curse'.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんがオヤシロさまの祟りの４年目の犠牲者だと言うなら。<br>\\r\\n If Satoshi-kun was the fourth year's victim...<br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りをなぞろうとする、「人間」の犠牲者なのだ。<br>\\r\\n Then he was victimized by a human being who just was acting the part of a curse.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、悟史くんを『鬼隠し』にした人間は、……そう遠くにはいない。<br>\\r\\n The person who demoned away Satoshi-kun must not be very far from me.<br><br>\\r\\n …………悟史くんの真実が、………ここからそう遠くないところに潜んでいる……。<br>\\r\\n ...The truth behind Satoshi-kun's disappearance was...... not so far from my grasp...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ダン。<br>\\r\\n Thump.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 何かが床に落ちるような音にちょっと驚き、私は鷹野さんたちの方を見た。<br>\\r\\n I was startled by the sound. It sounded like somebody had dropped something. I looked over at Takano-san and Keiichi.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんは相変わらずのご満悦な様子で、圭一に講釈をしているところだった。<br>\\r\\n Takano-san was still lecturing him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………スクラップ帳でも床に落としたのかな…？<br>\\r\\n ...Did she drop her scrapbook or something...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ダン、<br>\\r\\n Thump.<br><br>\\r\\n ダン、<br>\\r\\n Thump.<br><br>\\r\\n ダン。<br>\\r\\n Thump.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n ……それは鷹野さんたちのところではなく、…私のすぐ後ろでだった。<br>\\r\\n ......The sound came from right behind me, not from them.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが今日までに、ぺたぺたという慎ましい足音以外を聞かせたことは一度たりともない。<br>\\r\\n I'd never heard Satoshi-kun do that.<br><br>\\r\\n …地団太を踏んでいるような、そんな音だった。<br>\\r\\n ...It sounded like somebody was stomping on the floor in frustration.<br><br>\\r\\n な、……なに…？<br>\\r\\n Wh-What is it...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ダン、<br>\\r\\n Thump.<br><br>\\r\\n ダン、<br>\\r\\n Thump.<br><br>\\r\\n ダン。<br>\\r\\n Thump.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n その音は、私の問い掛けなど気にせず、ただ音だけを繰り返した。<br>\\r\\n The sound continued, ignoring my question.<br><br>\\r\\n それは自分のすぐ目の前で生まれている音なのに、……どこか遠くの板の間で子どもが飛び跳ねるような、そんな音。<br>\\r\\n Though I heard it right nearby...... it sounded as though a child was hopping on a wooden floor somewhere distant.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………どうしたの……悟史くん………。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......What's wrong, Satoshi-kun......?<br>\\r\\n …何か、……怒ってるの……？」<br>\\r\\n Are you angry about something......?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの表情がわからない。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't read his expressions.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は怒っているように思って、怒っている？と聞いたのだが、……実際は、何の感情も表情も感じ取れなかった。<br>\\r\\n I thought he was mad, but I didn't sense any emotion from him at all.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんは、私が祭壇に指で触れたことを怒っているのだろうか……？<br>\\r\\n ...Was he mad that I touched the altar...?<br><br>\\r\\n 神聖な祭壇を触ったら、そりゃ怒るよね………？<br>\\r\\n Maybe you weren't supposed to do that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ダン、<br>\\r\\n Thump.<br><br>\\r\\n ダン、<br>\\r\\n Thump.<br><br>\\r\\n ダン。<br>\\r\\n Thump.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n ………別に、今日までだって悟史くんと意志の疎通が具体的にできてたわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n ...It's not that I'd been able to communicate with Satoshi-kun in a concrete way.<br><br>\\r\\n 居てくれるだけの悟史くんに、私が一方的に話しかけるだけ。<br>\\r\\n I just talked to him.<br><br>\\r\\n …私だって、悟史くんに何か反応を求めてたわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n ...I was never expecting him to react like that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それでも、……この気味の悪い音には、何の意思の疎通も感じられなかった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't sense a willingness to communicate from this creepy sound.<br><br><br>\\r\\n その時、……背中をぞわっとしたものが広がった。<br>\\r\\n Then a chill ran up my spine...<br>\\r\\n …全身の毛穴が開いてくのが分かる。<br>\\r\\n I felt as if all my pores were opening.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はずっとその音を、……悟史くんが地団太を踏んでいる音だと思っていたけれど。<br>\\r\\n I'd been thinking that it was Satoshi-kun stomping on the floor.<br><br>\\r\\n …………………ね、<br>\\r\\n .........Hey......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………あなた、<br>\\r\\n you.<br><br>\\r\\n …………悟史くん、<br>\\r\\n .........You're Satoshi-kun.........\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………………………だよね……？<br>\\r\\n aren't you...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …そう問い掛けた時。<br>\\r\\n ...The sound stopped<br>\\r\\n …音が止まった。<br>\\r\\n when I asked that.<br><br>\\r\\n それは否定でも肯定でもなく、沈黙。<br>\\r\\n It wasn't a yes or a no. Just silence.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんなら、こんな気味の悪い答え方はしない。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoshi-kun wouldn't scare me like that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その地団太が、……悟史くんじゃないと分かった時。<br>\\r\\n I realized suddenly that the sound hadn't come from Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は足元から冷たい電気が駆け上るのを感じ、弾かれるように後退った。<br>\\r\\n A cold shiver shot through my feet, and I sprung a step backward.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 音はすぐ目の前の、そこでしていた。<br>\\r\\n The sound had come from right there.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私が後退ったって、…ほんの数メートルと離れちゃいない。<br>\\r\\n ...Even though I'd jumped back, it was still just a few meters away.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんなら歩くとき、ぺたぺたとした足音を聞かせてくれることもある。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun would sometimes let me hear his footsteps when I walked.<br><br>\\r\\n …………だけど、…悟史くんじゃないなら、…足音が聞こえる保証なんかない。<br>\\r\\n ...But ...if that wasn't Satoshi-kun, then... there was no guarantee I'd hear its footsteps.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、……目に見えぬ存在が、ひょっとして私の目と鼻の先にもう迫っていて。<br>\\r\\n So... that invisible being could already be right in front of my eyes...<br>\\r\\n 単に私が見えていないだけなんじゃないかッて…！！<br>\\r\\n ...and I just wouldn't see it?!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はなりふり構わず走り出す。<br>\\r\\n I forgot everything and ran.<br><br>\\r\\n 最大限に耳を澄ましながら。<br>\\r\\n Straining my ears as much as possible for any sound.<br>\\r\\n 私を追ってくる足音がないかを聞きながら。<br>\\r\\n Listening for any footsteps pursuing me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一にぶつかるようにしがみ付き、恐る恐る後を振り返る。<br>\\r\\n I ran right into Keichi and clung to him, timidly turning back to look.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……薄暗がりの祭壇前は、何事もなかったように静まり返っていた。<br>\\r\\n ...The dimly lit area before the altar was quiet, like nothing was happening.<br><br>\\r\\n だけどその、ぞっとするような暗さと静けさに、……私はついさっきまであんな所にいたのかと気付き、今さらのように怖くなった…。<br>\\r\\n But seeing that chilling dark stillness... realizing I was just in that space, made me even more frightened now...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「どうしたよ、詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"What's up, Shion...?<br>\\r\\n …ひょっとして怖くなった？」<br>\\r\\n Did you get scared?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一が小意地の悪そうな顔で笑いかける。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi made fun of me.<br><br>\\r\\n ついさっきまで自分も怖がっていたくせに、目の前の女の子が自分より怖がっていることに気付いて、ちょっと精神的優位に立ったような顔だった。<br>\\r\\n Even though he'd looked horrified just a little while ago, he now looked satisfied to see me scared too.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あはははは、お化け屋敷で女の子がしがみ付いてくるのはデフォじゃないですかー。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahaha. I know girls tend to get freaked out by haunted houses.<br>\\r\\n まんざらでもないくせに。<br>\\r\\n Well, I don't mind it.<br>\\r\\n ほらほら、行きましょう。<br>\\r\\n Anyway, let's go.<br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんに置いてかれます。」<br>\\r\\n Before Takano-san leaves us behind.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 上辺は気丈を装ったが、体の芯の凍えまで隠せているかは不安だった。<br>\\r\\n I pretended to be fine, but I wasn't sure if I was able to hide my fear entirely.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 足音は、…ずっと付いて来た。<br>\\r\\n The footsteps were chasing me...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n このランタンの灯りの中には入れないのか、あるいはそれ以上は近づけないのか。<br>\\r\\n They were outside the illumination of the lantern as if they couldn't go into the light.<br><br>\\r\\n ……でも、離れることはない。<br>\\r\\n ...The presence never left us, however.<br><br>\\r\\n …まるで祭具殿の４人目の見学者みたいに、……私たちに付いて来るのだった。<br>\\r\\n ...It followed us like a fourth member of the party.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして、……時折、自らの存在を知らせたいみたいに、地団太を踏んだり、飛び跳ねるような音を立てる。<br>\\r\\n Sometimes it made a stomping sound as if wanting some recognition.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、鷹野さんや圭一は、<br>\\r\\n But neither Takano-san nor Keiichi...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………気付いていない。<br>\\r\\n seemed to notice it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんほどの人なら、聞こえてて無視もできるかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n It was possible for Takano-san to be ignoring it.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、圭一は違う。<br>\\r\\n But Keiichi would never ignore it.<br><br>\\r\\n こんなところで不審な音が聞こえたら、絶対に騒ぐはずだ。<br>\\r\\n If he could hear it, he would have said something.<br><br>\\r\\n ということは、………悟史くんと同じ…。<br>\\r\\n So... just like with Satoshi-kun...<br><br>\\r\\n ……私にしか聞こえていない……。<br>\\r\\n ...Only I could hear it...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私にとって怖いことは何なのか。<br>\\r\\n What was this thing that was making me so scared?<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんがなぜか不機嫌で、表情も変えずに怒っていることなのか。<br>\\r\\n Was it Satoshi-kun in a bad mood?<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんだと思っていた人が、………全然知らない、素性もわからない何者かかもしれないからか。<br>\\r\\n Or was it possible that the presence I believed to be Satoshi-kun might not have been him at all?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ダン、<br>\\r\\n Thump.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ダン。<br>\\r\\n Thump.<br><br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くん、……何を怒ってるの……？<br>\\r\\n ...What are you upset about... Satoshi-kun...?<br>\\r\\n 何が悪いのか教えてよ、…謝るから…。<br>\\r\\n Tell me if I did something wrong... I'll apologize...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ダンダン、!<br>\\r\\n Thump thump!<br><br><br>\\r\\n ダン！<br>\\r\\n Thump!<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんじゃないなら、……悟史くんはどこへ行ったの…？<br>\\r\\n ...If you aren't Satoshi-kun... then where did he go...?<br><br>\\r\\n いつからお前は悟史くんじゃなくなってるの…？<br>\\r\\n When did you take his place...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ダン、<br>\\r\\n Thump.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ダン、<br>\\r\\n Thump.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ダン！！<br>\\r\\n Thump!!<br><br><br>\\r\\n 「………詩音、…大丈夫か？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Shion, are you all right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「はい？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh?<br>\\r\\n 全然平気ですよ？<br>\\r\\n I'm fine.<br>\\r\\n それより圭ちゃんこそ、顔面蒼白でかなりヤバげかと。」<br>\\r\\n You look pale, though.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「んなら、あんまり俺の服を引っ張り過ぎないでくれると嬉しいんだけどな…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Then I'd appreciate it if you didn't stretch my clothes too much...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、こりゃ失礼です……。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, sorry......\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あらあら。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh.<br>\\r\\n 私はお邪魔かしら？<br>\\r\\n Am I interrupting you two?<br>\\r\\n くすくす…。」<br>\\r\\n Hee hee hee...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は鷹野さんと圭一の会話に入り込むことで、後の音を無視することにする。<br>\\r\\n I decided to engage in the conversation to help myself ignore the sound from behind.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n さっきほど頻繁に音が聞こえなくなり、…音も少し遠のいた気がした。<br>\\r\\n I didn't hear the sound as much... and it became a bit more distant.<br><br>\\r\\n そうさ、気にしなければいい。<br>\\r\\n Yeah, I shouldn't pay attention to it.<br><br>\\r\\n 気にしなければ聞こえない。<br>\\r\\n It wouldn't bother me if I didn't hear it.<br><br>\\r\\n …無視しろ、…無視。<br>\\r\\n ...I should just ignore the noise...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「で、鷹野さんはその風習が、実は現代にも残っているんじゃないかと思って、研究をしてるんです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Takano-san, you're researching whether those customs survived into the present.<br>\\r\\n …そうでしたよね？」<br>\\r\\n ...You are, right?\\\" <br><br><br>\\r\\n ダン、<br>\\r\\n Thump.<br><br>\\r\\n ダン。<br>\\r\\n Thump.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「……これ、本当に内緒なんだからね？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...What I'm about to tell you is a secret, all right?<br>\\r\\n 詩音ちゃんは理解のある人だから話したけど、他の村人には聞かれたくないの。<br>\\r\\n I told you, Shion-chan, because you're an understanding person, but the other villagers don't want to hear it.<br>\\r\\n …下手をしたら罰当たり者ってことで、袋叩きにされかねないんだから。」<br>\\r\\n ...If things go awry, I could be ganged up on and punished.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n そう言って、背徳感を面白がる魔性の笑みで笑って見せた。<br>\\r\\n She smiled at me like a witch.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ダン、<br>\\r\\n Thump.<br><br>\\r\\n ダン。<br>\\r\\n Thump.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「前原くんも内緒にしてね？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Maebara-kun, you keep it a secret too, okay?<br>\\r\\n 知られたら私、オヤシロさまの祟りにあうか、生贄にされちゃうかするかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n If this gets out, I could suffer Oyashiro-sama's curse, or be made into a sacrifice.<br><br>\\r\\n 祟りなら、今年はどんな死に方をさせられちゃうのかしら。<br>\\r\\n If it's the curse, then I wonder what kind of death it'll be this year?<br>\\r\\n 生贄なら…鬼ヶ淵の沼に生きたまま沈められちゃうのかしら？<br>\\r\\n If it's the sacrifice... then will I be thrown into the Onigafuchi Swamp while still alive?<br>\\r\\n ……そう言えば今夜よね。<br>\\r\\n ...And it is tonight, you know.<br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りがある夜は。」<br>\\r\\n The night of Oyashiro-sama's curse.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………そう。<br>\\r\\n ...It certainly is....<br>\\r\\n …もしも５年目にも起こるなら、それは今夜起こる。<br>\\r\\n If the curse strikes for a fifth time, it'll happen tonight.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ダン、<br>\\r\\n Thump.<br><br>\\r\\n ダン、<br>\\r\\n Thump.<br><br>\\r\\n ダン！<br>\\r\\n Thump!\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんはペーパーバッグから、かなり使い込まれたスクラップ帳を取り出すと、バラバラとページをめくり始める…。<br>\\r\\n Takano-san pulled out an old scrapbook from her paper bag, and started turning the pages.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 開かれたページは、………あぁ、あれだ。<br>\\r\\n She opened it to the page with that one article.<br><br>\\r\\n 明治の頃にあったらしい、綿流しの犠牲者の惨殺死体が見つかったという記事。<br>\\r\\n It was the article about the brutal murder of a Watanagashi victim. It happened in the Meiji Era.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「これは実際にあったお話よ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"This is a story that actually happened.<br>\\r\\n 明治の終わり頃にね。<br>\\r\\n It was around the end of the Meiji Era.<br>\\r\\n …鬼ヶ淵村で身元不明の惨殺死体が発見されたんですって。」<br>\\r\\n ...They discovered an unknown, mangled corpse, the victim of a murder, in Onigafuchi Village.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ダン、<br>\\r\\n Thump.<br><br>\\r\\n ダンダンダンダン！！<br>\\r\\n Thump-thump-thump-thump!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…カクモ無惨且ツ残虐非道ヲ………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Never before has there been a corpse treated with such cruelty and inhumanity...\\\"\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ダンダンダン！<br>\\r\\n Thump-thump-thump!\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n ……ねぇあんたたち。<br>\\r\\n ......Hey,<br>\\r\\n …本当にこれが聞こえてないの…？<br>\\r\\n you guys seriously don't hear that...?<br><br>\\r\\n これだけドタンバタンと音を立ててるのに、……本当に聞こえてないの？<br>\\r\\n It's freaking loud...... How can you not hear it?<br><br>\\r\\n あぁ…くそ……うるさいよ……さっきからドタンバタン…。<br>\\r\\n Ah... hell... it's freaking noisy... Cut it out already...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時、ギィイィイィという怪音！！！<br>\\r\\n And the next moment, we all heard a squeaking noise!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n はっとして全員が振り返った。<br>\\r\\n We turned around in surprise.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …扉が細く開き、富竹さんが顔をのぞかせていた。<br>\\r\\n It was just Tomitake-san opening the door...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あっはっはっは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Aha ha ha ha.<br>\\r\\n 驚かせちゃったかな？」<br>\\r\\n Did I startle you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あら、ジロウさんも見たくて我慢できなくなったかしら？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, Jirou-san, could you not resist seeing inside?<br>\\r\\n ……ここ、素敵な拷問道具の宝庫よ。」<br>\\r\\n ...This is a splendid treasure trove of torture devices.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「僕は遠慮させてもらうよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'll pass on that.<br>\\r\\n …あははは…、<br>\\r\\n Ahahaha...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 生来ね、こういうのは苦手なんだ。」<br>\\r\\n I'm bad with this sort of thing by nature.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 男のクセに、とでも言いたいのだろうか、鷹野さんは押し殺した声で、お腹を抱えながら笑った。<br>\\r\\n Takano-san laughed as if making fun of Tomitake-san for being such a scaredy-cat.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「それより。<br>\\r\\n \\\"In any case.<br>\\r\\n 演舞とセレモニーが終わって、みんな沢の方に下りて行ったよ。<br>\\r\\n The dance and ceremony are over, and everyone's going down to the river.<br>\\r\\n あと何分もしない内にお祭りは終わっちゃう。」<br>\\r\\n The festival as a whole will be over within minutes.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 時間切れだ。<br>\\r\\n Time was up.<br><br>\\r\\n ………私はこの悪い夢の中のような世界から、富竹さんによって救い出されるとは夢にも思わず、その飄々とした笑顔に感謝すらした。<br>\\r\\n ...I'd never expected that Tomitake-san would save me from this nightmare. His face suddenly looked heroic.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ん？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh?<br>\\r\\n 圭一くんも出るかい？」<br>\\r\\n Keiichi-kun, are you leaving too?\\\"\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……もう充分に見ましたので。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I've seen enough.<br>\\r\\n …詩音、もういいだろ？<br>\\r\\n ...Shion, you're good too, right?<br>\\r\\n 出ようぜ。<br>\\r\\n Let's get out of here.<br>\\r\\n …きれいな空気が吸いたいよ。」<br>\\r\\n ...I want some fresh air.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「同感です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I agree.<br>\\r\\n 出ましょう。」<br>\\r\\n Let's leave.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 前室に出て、後ろを振り返る。<br>\\r\\n I went into the entry room and turned around.<br><br>\\r\\n もう時間切れだと言うのに、鷹野さんが未練がましく、カメラで大慌てで色々と撮影しているのが見えた。<br>\\r\\n Takano-san was taking photos in a mad rush, though our time was up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………もう、あの音は聞こえない。<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't hear that sound anymore.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そしてあの気配もついて来ない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't feel that presence.<br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんの気配もついて来ない。<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't feel Satoshi-kun either...<br>\\r\\n …でも、寂しいとは思わなかった。<br>\\r\\n but somehow I wasn't too sad about that.<br><br>\\r\\n だって、……今、悟史くんが来てくれたとしても。<br>\\r\\n Even if he followed me out here...<br><br>\\r\\n …………本当に悟史くんなのか、………それ以外の何者なのか、……見分けなんかつかなかったに違いないから…………。<br>\\r\\n ......I wouldn't be able to tell if it was really him... or somebody else......\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 綿流しの祭りが終わった後、園崎家の親戚たちは皆、本家に集まり、一部の親戚たちと簡単な酒盛りをした。<br>\\r\\n My relatives gathered at the Sonozaki house after the festival to have a little party.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は親しい叔父さんたちと隅の方で勝手に盛り上がっていた。<br>\\r\\n I mingled with my uncles and had fun.<br><br>\\r\\n ………祭具殿の中での、気味の悪い記憶を少しでも薄めるために。<br>\\r\\n ...I was trying to get rid of my eerie memories of the ritual storehouse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は終始、次期頭首さまだったので、私は近寄らずにいた。<br>\\r\\n Mion was acting as the successor, so I tried to stay away from her.<br><br>\\r\\n 血を分けた姉妹に、他人行儀に喋られるほど、気持ちの悪いことはないのだから。<br>\\r\\n I'm sure she would feel weird if I talked to her in a formal way.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆に気を遣い、酒盛りは午後の１１時くらいでお開きになった。<br>\\r\\n In consideration of the hag's old age, we ended the party around 11 PM.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n みんなで片付けをし、仕切るのが大好きな叔母さま連中は、台所を占領してガンガン食器類を洗っていた。<br>\\r\\n We all helped to clean up, with the women washing the dishes in the kitchen...<br><br>\\r\\n 男性陣も、広間いっぱいに出された机をどんどん畳んで、奥の納戸に片付けている。<br>\\r\\n And the men folding the tables and putting them away in a storeroom.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ３０分くらいで全部片付き、親戚たちはどんどんと散って行った。<br>\\r\\n It only took about thirty minutes. Then everyone left, one after another.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この頃になると、魅音も頭首モードは終わっていて、私のよく知る魅音に戻っていた。<br>\\r\\n By then Mion was no longer acting as the Sonozaki successor and was back to being being her normal self.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は少し急いで飲みすぎたせいか、畳の上でぐったりとしていた。<br>\\r\\n Maybe I drank too much. I was lying on the tatami floor.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 葛西が、車に乗れますか？<br>\\r\\n Kasai asked me if I could get in the car,<br>\\r\\n と聞いてきたので、乗ったら吐くと言い返してやった。<br>\\r\\n so I told him I'd barf if I got in now.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…お姉、今日、泊まってってもいい？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sis, can I spend the night here?<br>\\r\\n ここで寝ちゃいたいー…。」<br>\\r\\n I just want to sleep...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「婆っちゃに見つかると怒られるよ…？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Granny will get mad if she finds you...<br><br>\\r\\n って、それより詩音、明日は学校じゃないの？」<br>\\r\\n By the way, don't you have school tomorrow, Shion?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……明日は開校記念日だからいいの……。<br>\\r\\n \\\"No, tomorrow is our school's anniversary, so there's no class...<br>\\r\\n ……んーー…。」<br>\\r\\n ...Mmm...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あんたの学校、開校記念日って年に何回あるわけ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"How many times a year does your school have its anniversary?<br><br>\\r\\n ……まぁ、いいっかぁ。<br>\\r\\n Oh well...<br>\\r\\n じゃ、葛西さん。<br>\\r\\n Okay, Kasai-san.<br>\\r\\n 詩音は今夜はうちで預かります。」<br>\\r\\n She can stay here tonight.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「わかりました。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Understood.<br>\\r\\n ではよろしくお願いいたします。」<br>\\r\\n Good night.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほら詩音、起きてー。ここで寝てると婆っちゃに怒られるって。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Come on, Shion, wake up. Granny will get really mad if you fall asleep here.<br>\\r\\n ほら、肩を貸すから奥に行こう。<br>\\r\\n Here, hold on to me.<br>\\r\\n 私の布団、貸してあげるから。」<br>\\r\\n You can sleep in my room.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ありり〜〜お姉〜〜……ぅ〜〜ん……。」<br>\\r\\n I was left alone all of a sudden... in this late night.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n だいぶ寝惚けていたから、はっきりとは覚えていない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't remember much after that.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、確か私は魅音の部屋に連れてこられて、布団に潜り込んだんだ。<br>\\r\\n I was probably brought to Mion's room and immediately crawled into the futon.<br><br>\\r\\n それで、少し後片付けした後、魅音もその脇に布団を敷いて、部屋の灯りを消して横になったはず…。<br>\\r\\n After a while, Mion got her futon ready next to me, turned the lights off, and went to sleep... At least, that's what I'd thought...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は起き上がって、灯りを付けた。<br>\\r\\n I got up and turned the lights on.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音の布団は空っぽだった。<br>\\r\\n Mion's futon was empty.<br><br>\\r\\n ……布団に温かみはない。<br>\\r\\n The futon felt cold.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音が布団を抜け出したのはずいぶん前だ。<br>\\r\\n Mion must have left it a while ago.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………お手洗い…？<br>\\r\\n Did she go to the bathroom?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n いや、一番近くのお手洗いは、廊下のすぐそこだ。<br>\\r\\n No, the closest bathroom was right there down the hallway.<br><br>\\r\\n …でも、そこに灯りはついていない。<br>\\r\\n The light in the bathroom was off.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n どこへ行ったんだろう………？<br>\\r\\n Where did she go?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 静寂の中、いやにうるさく聞こえる時計の針の音。<br>\\r\\n The ticking of the clock was loud and annoying in this quiet.<br><br>\\r\\n 見ればその針は……午前３時の少し前を指していた。<br>\\r\\n The hands pointed... to a little before 3 AM.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n こんな深夜に、……突然、ひとり残されて。<br>\\r\\n I was left alone all of a sudden... in this late night.<br><br>\\r\\n せっかくアルコールで誤魔化した、あの祭具殿での薄気味悪さが…再び戻ってくるのを感じた。<br>\\r\\n I felt the eerieness of the ritual storehouse coming back to me... despite drinking it away with alcohol earlier.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………気味の悪い気配も、<br>\\r\\n I tried to sense my surroundings; in this house, there shouldn't be an eerie atmosphere,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …不審な物音も、<br>\\r\\n strange noises,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …足音もない。<br>\\r\\n or footsteps.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は魅音の姿を求めて、凍てつくように冷えた廊下に歩み出した……。<br>\\r\\n I stepped out into the freezing cold hallway to look for Mion...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 灯りの漏れている部屋をすぐに見つけられた。<br>\\r\\n When I did, I immediately noticed light coming from one of the nearby rooms. <br><br>\\r\\n …………そこは、鬼婆の寝室だった。<br>\\r\\n That room belonged to the hag.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆は割と早く寝る代わりに朝が早い。<br>\\r\\n The hag went to sleep early and woke up early.<br><br>\\r\\n しかも就寝時間に厳格だ。<br>\\r\\n She was very strict about her bedtime.<br>\\r\\n …だから、こんな時間に灯りがついていることは考えられなかった。<br>\\r\\n So it was strange to see her light on in the middle of the night.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その部屋から、灯りだけじゃなく、声も漏れてくる。<br>\\r\\n I could hear voices too.<br>\\r\\n ……魅音と鬼婆の声。<br>\\r\\n Those voices belonged to the hag... and Mion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はぎりぎりのところまで部屋に近付いて、耳を澄ませて会話をうかがった。<br>\\r\\n I creeped up to the room and listened to their conversation.<br><br>\\r\\n ……草木も眠る時間だけあり、二人の会話は少し離れていてもよく聞こえた。<br>\\r\\n Since it was the middle of the night, I could hear their words very clearly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「しゃもねえやんなぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"But you know...<br>\\r\\n あんの若いんのも、ちょい出張り過ぎゃったんやぁん。」<br>\\r\\n those young ones went too far.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「まぁね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You're right.<br>\\r\\n ………………オヤシロさまのお怒りに触れたんだから、仕方ないね。」<br>\\r\\n They made Oyashiro-sama angry, so I guess they got what they deserved.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音の声が、あの地下拷問室で聞いた時と同じ、ぞっとするような冷たさを伴っていることに気付き、私は一層、息を殺した…。<br>\\r\\n Mion's voice sounded as cold as the one I'd heard down in the torture room. I held my breath.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「警察は調べんとっちゅとろんが、すったらん、間違いなかんね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"The police say they are investigating, but are you sure?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………多分ね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I guess.<br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんだろうね。」<br>\\r\\n It's probably Takano-san.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 心臓が止まりそうになる。<br>\\r\\n My heart almost stopped.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りに触れた。<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama got angry.<br><br>\\r\\n 警察が調べてる。<br>\\r\\n The police are investigating.<br><br>\\r\\n 多分、鷹野さん。<br>\\r\\n It's probably Takano-san.<br>\\r\\n ……そして、今日という日の意味。<br>\\r\\n And what day was it today.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n わずかこれだけの単語でも、……何が起こりつつあるかが分かる。<br>\\r\\n Those words told me that something was happening.<br><br>\\r\\n 奥歯がガチガチ鳴りそうなのを必死に堪える。<br>\\r\\n My teeth started to chatter. I desperately tried to stop them.<br><br>\\r\\n …全身がぶわっと膨張したみたいに感じて、耳が遠くなったような錯覚が起こる。<br>\\r\\n I felt like my body was swelling up suddenly. I could no longer hear as well.<br><br>\\r\\n ………落ち着け、深呼吸。<br>\\r\\n Calm Down. breathe.<br>\\r\\n …耳をもっと澄ますんだ…………。<br>\\r\\n Listen more carefully...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音と鬼婆の会話から、確実に言えるのは、５年目の事件もやはり起こったということ。<br>\\r\\n According to Mion and the hag's conversation, another incident definitely took place.<br><br>\\r\\n そしてその犠牲者はおそらく……鷹野さんと富竹さん…。<br>\\r\\n The victims were... Takano-san and Tomitake-san...<br><br>\\r\\n しかも、……鬼婆たちは、この二人が犠牲になった理由について、納得している節があるのだ。<br>\\r\\n From what I could tell, both Mion and the hag thought it made sense that whatever it was happened to them.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n いやいやいやいや…もっと落ち着いて考えるんだ…。<br>\\r\\n No, no, no, no... I needed to think more calmly...<br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの怒りに触れたから仕方ないとか言った。<br>\\r\\n They did say they deserved it for making Oyashiro-sama angry.<br><br>\\r\\n ……鷹野さんと富竹さんがオヤシロさまの怒りに触れたって？<br>\\r\\n Did they say Takano-san and Tomitake-san made Oyashiro-sama angry?<br><br>\\r\\n どうしてオヤシロさまの祟りに触れたんだ…？<br>\\r\\n How did they make Oyashiro-sama angry?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………………ばれてるんだ。<br>\\r\\n ............They knew.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 全身の関節ががくがくと震え始める。<br>\\r\\n My body started to shake.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……祭具殿に忍び込んだことが、ばれてるんだ……。<br>\\r\\n They knew we snuck into the ritual storehouse...<br><br>\\r\\n なら、…一緒に忍び込んだ圭一と、<br>\\r\\n Then would that mean... Keiichi and I\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……………私もオヤシロさまの祟りの対象じゃないか……。<br>\\r\\n were also subject to Oyashiro-sama's curse?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時、突然、電話のベルが鳴り響いた。<br>\\r\\n Suddenly a phone rang.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 電話は、玄関の方にある。<br>\\r\\n The phone was by the front door.<br><br>\\r\\n 玄関は鬼婆たちの部屋の反対側のずっと奥。<br>\\r\\n The front door was opposite the hag's room, farther down the hall.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 長い廊下の途中で、たくさんの壁にぶつかって残響しながら響く電話の音は、この世からの電話とは思えない不気味さがあった……。<br>\\r\\n The ringing echoed throughout the long hallway. It sounded so eerie, almost like it was coming from Hell...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時、<br>\\r\\n That was when<br>\\r\\n ………………<br>\\r\\n ......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 私の後ろに、<br>\\r\\n I felt\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……居た。<br>\\r\\n someone behind me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、振り返ったって誰の姿もない。<br>\\r\\n Of course, there was nobody there when I turned around.<br>\\r\\n ……でも、居た。<br>\\r\\n But there was someone there a moment ago.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんかどうかはわからない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't know if it was Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n …感情が感じられないから、…判断が付かない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't sense any emotions, so I couldn't tell.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n いつからそこに居たのかわからない。<br>\\r\\n I also didn't know how long it had been there.<br><br>\\r\\n ………まるで、盗み聞きする私を監視するような、<br>\\r\\n It was as if that somebody was watching me listen in on their conversation.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……そんな気配と視線。<br>\\r\\n That was the feeling I got.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんのわけない。<br>\\r\\n It couldn't be Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんがこんな威圧的な恐ろしさを滲ませるわけがない。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun would never be that intimidating or scary.<br><br>\\r\\n 頭の中が真っ赤な血の色でいっぱいに染まってしまう。<br>\\r\\n My mind turned all red, like it was suffused with blood.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「魅ぃちゃんにはない？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Have you experienced anything like that?<br>\\r\\n ひたひたと。<br>\\r\\n Those footsteps always followed me......<br>\\r\\n ずぅっと足音がついて来て。<br>\\r\\n They even came to my bedside<br>\\r\\n ……夜は枕元にまで立たれて、見下ろされる経験。」<br>\\r\\n and looked down at me.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 脳裏に蘇るのは、……あの雨の日に竜宮レナに言われたあの言葉。<br>\\r\\n I remembered what <NAME> had said on that rainy day.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうならば魅ぃちゃんは大丈夫。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You'll be okay, if that's true......<br>\\r\\n ……オヤシロさまには怒られない。」<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama won't get mad at you.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……オヤシロさまに怒られないなら、<br>\\r\\n If Oyashiro-sama wasn't angry,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……誰かが私の後ろをひたひた付いてきたりすることなんて、ない。<br>\\r\\n nobody would follow me.<br><br>\\r\\n じゃあ…何。<br>\\r\\n So what did this mean?<br>\\r\\n ……祭具殿に忍び込んだ時から、<br>\\r\\n Ever since we snuck into the shrine storage\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …私の後ろをぺたぺたと付きまとってるのは、<br>\\r\\n something has been following me?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………何だって言うの…。<br>\\r\\n What is it?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 落ち着け落ち着け……。<br>\\r\\n Calm down, calm down...<br><br>\\r\\n そう、レナの話した話は私の話じゃない。<br>\\r\\n That's right. Rena wasn't talking about me.<br><br>\\r\\n そう、悟史くんの話！ 悟史くんの身に起こった話…！<br>\\r\\n She was talking about Satoshi-kun! That's what happened to Satoshi-kun!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんが体験していることは全て、…オヤシロさまの祟りの前触れなの。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Everything he's going through... is a sign of Oyashiro-sama's curse.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n そうだね、だから悟史くんはオヤシロさまの祟りに遭ってしまったんだね…。<br>\\r\\n That's right. That's why he encountered the curse of Oyashiro-sama...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………誰かが遠くからじっとうかがっている。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......You feel someone is watching from a distance...<br>\\r\\n …誰かがずっとつけて来る。」<br>\\r\\n and it follows you...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ぞおっとしたものが……腰から湧き上がり、背中全体に広がっていく。<br>\\r\\n A creepy feeling crawled up and spread across my back.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……誰かがいつも、自分のすぐ後ろから見ている。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Then it watches from right behind you...<br>\\r\\n ……やがて足音は常に、自分とずれてひとつ余計に聞こえるようになるの。」<br>\\r\\n ...After that, you start hearing an extra footstep.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 固唾を音がするくらいに呑み込む。<br>\\r\\n I swallowed loudly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………まるで、あの時の竜宮レナが、……今の私を予言してるみたいじゃあないか…。<br>\\r\\n It's almost as though Rena Ryuugu was predicting what would happen to me...<br><br>\\r\\n レナはあの時、悟史くんの話をしたのか？<br>\\r\\n Had Rena been talking about Satoshi-kun back then?<br>\\r\\n 私のこれからの話をしたのか…？！<br>\\r\\n Or had she actually been talking about me...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………やがて後ろのそれは自分の家の中にまで付いて来るようになる。<br>\\r\\n \\\"But you start hearing it even inside your house after a while.<br>\\r\\n そして、……お布団に入って灯りを消しても、…ずっと枕元から見下ろしてるの。<br>\\r\\n Then... Oyashiro-sama keeps watching you even when you're sleeping in the dark...<br>\\r\\n ………ただただ黙って。<br>\\r\\n right by your side,<br>\\r\\n じぃっと…。」<br>\\r\\n waiting silently...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もう間違いない、もう間違いない…。<br>\\r\\n I knew by now that there was no mistake...<br><br>\\r\\n どんなに都合よく楽天的に考えようとしても無理。<br>\\r\\n No matter how I looked at it,<br>\\r\\n …………これは私。<br>\\r\\n she had been talking about me.<br>\\r\\n …私。<br>\\r\\n Yes, me.<br>\\r\\n …私のこと！<br>\\r\\n It had been about me!<br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りって……オヤシロさまの祟りって……！！<br>\\r\\n The curse of Oyashiro-sama... What is the curse of Oyashiro-sama?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時、気配でも音でもなく本当に。<br>\\r\\n That was when I actually felt something for real.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の襟首が掴まれた。<br>\\r\\n Someone grabbed my collar.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ぁ……………ッッ！？！？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah.........!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悲鳴なんか出ない。<br>\\r\\n No voice came out.<br><br>\\r\\n 出したかったけど、喉の奥が詰まったようになって、口をぱくぱくさせるのがやっと……。<br>\\r\\n I wanted to scream, but all I could do was to open and close my mouth, as if something was stuck in my throat...\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n それは……魅音だった。<br>\\r\\n It was Mion...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 地下の拷問室で見せたあの冷たい表情とだって、比べようがないくらいの……信じられないくらいに冷たい表情で。<br>\\r\\n She looked even colder than how she'd looked in the underground torture room.<br><br>\\r\\n ……当然だ。<br>\\r\\n It only made sense<br>\\r\\n 電話が鳴ってるんだから、電話を取りに魅音が廊下へ出たのは当り前。<br>\\r\\n that she'd come out into the hallway to answer the phone.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n たまたま夜中に目が覚めちゃって…偶然、ばったり……なんて言う言い逃れを頭の中に用意する。<br>\\r\\n I tried to come up with an excuse...<br><br>\\r\\n ………でも、魅音の瞳は信じられないくらいに冷え込んでいて。<br>\\r\\n However, the way Mion looked at me was so cold.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が本当に偶然ばったりだったとしても、……何の反論も許さないような恐ろしい気配に満ちていた。<br>\\r\\n Even if I really had run into her by accident, I could tell by the look in her eyes that she wouldn't believe me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は全身に脂汗を噴き出しながら…、指一本動かすことができない。<br>\\r\\n I felt cold sweat all over my body. I couldn't even move my fingers.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………ご、…………ごめ、……、」<br>\\r\\n \\\"S...Sorry...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 無意識の内に謝罪の言葉が口を突く。<br>\\r\\n I apologized.<br><br>\\r\\n 言い逃れの余地があったかも知れないのに、真っ先に非を認める最低の言葉だ。<br>\\r\\n I could have said something to get myself out of the situation, but the apology came out first.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だがそんなのは魅音の耳には入らないようだった。<br>\\r\\n But Mion didn't appear to hear me.<br><br>\\r\\n ただ黙って連行するかのように、私の襟首を掴んだまま、玄関へ向かった。<br>\\r\\n She walked to the front door, still holding my collar.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 電話はまだ鳴り続けている。<br>\\r\\n The phone was still ringing.<br><br>\\r\\n ……普通の人だったら、こんな深夜にこんなに電話を鳴らし続けたりなんかしない。<br>\\r\\n A normal person doesn't usually let a phone ring so long at this time of night.<br>\\r\\n ……その時点でも、もう現実離れしていた。<br>\\r\\n The phone call itself didn't seem real to me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の襟首を掴んだまま、魅音は受話器を取った。<br>\\r\\n Mion picked up the phone.<br><br>\\r\\n 「………魅音です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"This is Mion.<br>\\r\\n …………………………………………。<br>\\r\\n ............<br>\\r\\n ………そうですか。<br>\\r\\n ...I see.<br>\\r\\n わかりました。<br>\\r\\n I understand.<br>\\r\\n ………そちらの対応はよろしくお願いします。<br>\\r\\n Please take care of things at your end.<br>\\r\\n それから、一切の口封じをよろしくお願いします。<br>\\r\\n Also, please make sure that nobody talks about this.<br>\\r\\n ……………………えぇ。<br>\\r\\n ...Yes.<br>\\r\\n では。」<br>\\r\\n Goodbye.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 短いやり取りだけすると、魅音は受話器を置いた。<br>\\r\\n Mion put down the phone after a short conversation.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 口封じって何？！<br>\\r\\n What did she mean, make sure nobody talks about this?<br><br>\\r\\n 今の電話の相手は……誰？！…………………ッ！！！<br>\\r\\n Who called any...way?! ............!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は襟首を掴んだまま、私に額を寄せて……言った。<br>\\r\\n Mion put her forehead to mine and spoke to me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………聞いてた…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Did you hear?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 何に対して聞いてたと言ってるのか…！！<br>\\r\\n Which conversation was she asking me about?!<br><br>\\r\\n そんなのすぐ分かる、鬼婆との会話を聞いてしまったかどうかだ。<br>\\r\\n Well, she had to be talking about the one with the hag.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、聞いたと答えればどういうことになるか、想像もつかない。<br>\\r\\n If I said yes, what would happen to me?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………し、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …知ら…………、<br>\\r\\n don't...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……あはは、<br>\\r\\n ahaha...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …何のことか、<br>\\r\\n I don't know\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n わかんない……。<br>\\r\\n what you're talking about...<br>\\r\\n ………ぁぅ…！」<br>\\r\\n Ahhhh...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は襟首をぐっと引き絞ると、私に鼻をぶつけながら言った。<br>\\r\\n Mion pulled my collar, pressed her nose on mine, and continued to speak.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………聞こえた通りです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Just what you heard.<br>\\r\\n ……富竹さんと鷹野さんが、オヤシロさまの祟りに遭われました。<br>\\r\\n The curse of Oyashiro-sama fell upon Tomitake-san and Takano-san.<br>\\r\\n ……………本当にお気の毒なことです。」<br>\\r\\n It's really very unfortunate...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それはまるで、鏡の中の私が囁きかけるよう。<br>\\r\\n It was like I was talking to myself in a mirror.<br><br>\\r\\n だが口にするそれは、凍てつく冬に触れる鏡のような、冷え切ったもの…。<br>\\r\\n But what I was saying in the mirror was ever so cold.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………お姉…、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Sis...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n あはは、<br>\\r\\n Ahaha...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………オヤシロさまの祟りって、<br>\\r\\n what is\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …何です……？」<br>\\r\\n the curse of Oyashiro-sama?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「富竹さんは、自らの手で喉を掻き毟ってお亡くなりになりました。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Tomitake-san killed himself by clawing out his throat.<br>\\r\\n ……鷹野さんは遠くの山奥で、ドラム缶に詰められて焼き殺されたそうで。<br>\\r\\n Takano-san was burned to death in an oil drum.<br>\\r\\n …実にお気の毒です。」<br>\\r\\n ...Terrible, isn't it.\\\"\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …富竹さんが自分の手で喉を掻き毟って死んだって？！<br>\\r\\n Tomitake-san clawed at his own throat until he died?<br>\\r\\n 何それ！<br>\\r\\n What?<br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんがドラム缶に詰められて焼き殺されたって？！<br>\\r\\n Takano-san was burned to death in an oil drum?<br>\\r\\n 何それ…何それ！！<br>\\r\\n What? What??<br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 背筋を毛むくじゃらの毛虫が這い上がってくるような悪寒。<br>\\r\\n I felt something furry crawl up my spine.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、胃がデングリ返って痙攣しそうになる圧迫感。<br>\\r\\n I also felt like my stomach was turning upside down.<br><br>\\r\\n 腰から下がぼーっとして…魅音に襟首を放されたら、そのまま崩れ落ちてしまいそうだった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't feel any strength in my legs. If Mion let go of my collar, I'd probably collapse on the spot.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………な……なんで、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wh, Why\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……そんな死に方……、<br>\\r\\n did they die\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n したのかなぁ……。」<br>\\r\\n that way?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「わかりませんか、…詩音……？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't you know, Shion?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …わからないから…聞いてるんだって……。<br>\\r\\n I'm asking you because I don't know...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「わか、わかんないよ……あはははは………、」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I, I don't know... Ahahaha...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「理由なんて、ひとつしかないじゃないですか。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't you see there can be only one reason?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n その、まるで自分の胸に聞いてみろみたいな言い方は勘弁…。<br>\\r\\n Please don't talk as if I already know the answer...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…何の…り、理由かなぁ…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"What do you mean?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 心臓がばくばくする。<br>\\r\\n My heart was pounding.<br>\\r\\n …血の混じった熱い排気が喉の奥から込み上げて窒息しそうになる…。<br>\\r\\n I felt that my next breath would be so bloody and hot that I'd choke on it...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そんなこともわかんないのですか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't you know?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 『オヤシロさまのお怒りに、触れたから。』<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's because they made Oyashiro-sama angry.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n １年目はダム工事の現場監督。<br>\\r\\n The first year, it was the manager of the dam construction site.<br><br>\\r\\n ２年目は村の裏切り者。<br>\\r\\n The second year it was the traitors to the village.<br><br>\\r\\n ３年目は村の日和見者。<br>\\r\\n The third year it was the pacifist.<br><br>\\r\\n ４年目は村の裏切り者の縁者。<br>\\r\\n The fourth year it was the relatives of the traitors.<br><br>\\r\\n ダム戦争に縁がある人間だけが犠牲になると、心のどこかで決め付けていた。<br>\\r\\n I'd always thought the victims were people who had something to do with the dam conflict.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 自分はダム戦争の時、何も嫌われることをしていないからセーフティー。<br>\\r\\n Since I didn't do anything against the village during the dam conflict,<br>\\r\\n 勝手にそう決め付けていた。<br>\\r\\n I assumed I was safe.<br><br>\\r\\n 自分だってわかってたじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n I should have known.<br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りってことになってるって。<br>\\r\\n I should have known everything would be the curse of Oyashiro-sama.<br><br>\\r\\n そう、オヤシロさまの祟りってのはオヤシロさまのお怒りってことも知ってた。<br>\\r\\n I knew Oyashiro-sama's anger was the curse of Oyashiro-sama.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そりゃ、祭具殿に勝手に侵入すれば…オヤシロさまに怒られるだろうなぁくらいには思ってた。<br>\\r\\n I knew Oyashiro-sama would get angry if I snuck into the ritual storehouse.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、それでも、自分はダム戦争の戦犯じゃないから、犠牲者になるなんてことは絶対にないと思ってた。<br>\\r\\n But since I wasn't held responsible in any way for the dam conflict, I never thought I would be a victim of the curse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そもそも私は５年目も事件が起こるなんて思ってた…？<br>\\r\\n Did I ever think there would be an incident in the fifth year?<br><br>\\r\\n いや、そもそも、自分が５年目の犠牲者に選ばれるなんて、思ってた…？！<br>\\r\\n Did I ever think that I'd be the victim of that fifth-year incident?!<br><br>\\r\\n 祭具殿に忍び込んだ富竹さんは自分で喉を引き裂いた？！<br>\\r\\n Tomitake-san snuck into the storehouse, and he clawed at his own throat until he died!<br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんはドラム缶に詰められて焼き殺されたって？！<br>\\r\\n Takano-san was burned to death in an oil drum!<br>\\r\\n ……嘘、馬鹿、信じらんない、いくら禁断の祭具殿ったって、単なる拷問道具の倉庫でしょ？！<br>\\r\\n It must be a lie, it couldn't be true.<br><br>\\r\\n そこにちょいと空き巣の真似事をした位で…やる？！<br>\\r\\n Even if it was forbidden, it was just a space for storing some old torture implements!<br>\\r\\n 殺る？！<br>\\r\\n How could they be killed for just sneaking in there?!<br>\\r\\n ここまで酷い殺し方ができちゃうのッ？！<br>\\r\\n Especially in such gruesome ways?!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……………………できるだろうな、と。<br>\\r\\n But I thought about it again and realized<br>\\r\\n 思った。<br>\\r\\n that those people were absolutely capable of doing things like that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私に爪を剥がさせた、あの園崎本家なら、できるだろうな、と。<br>\\r\\n The main Sonozaki family was capable of it.<br><br>\\r\\n 毎年の連続怪死事件を裏で操る園崎本家なら、できるだろうな、と。<br>\\r\\n The Sonozaki family had been pulling the strings behind the series of mysterious deaths. They could do it.<br><br>\\r\\n ダム戦争時にあれだけ暗躍し、大臣の孫すら誘拐してのけた園崎本家なら、できるだろうな、と。<br>\\r\\n The Sonozaki family even kidnapped the grandson of the Minister of Construction during the dam conflict. They could do it.<br><br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんを、いなかったことにしてしまえる園崎本家なら、できるだろうな、<br>\\r\\n The Sonozaki family made Satoshi-kun disappear completely.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n と。<br>\\r\\n They could do it.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は私にしな垂れかかって、<br>\\r\\n Mion leaned against me\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……そして、ずるずると滑り落ち、冷たい廊下にバタンと。<br>\\r\\n before falling onto the cold hallway floor.<br><br>\\r\\n …割と乱暴に倒れた。<br>\\r\\n She collapsed rather violently.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 本来ならスタンガンなんて重くて邪魔なものを、身に付けたまま寝たりはしない。<br>\\r\\n I usually didn't go to sleep with my stun gun.<br><br>\\r\\n …だが、酔っ払っていて、寝る身支度なんてしないで布団に潜り込んだから。<br>\\r\\n But since I was too drunk to get ready for bed, I still had it on me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …私はスタンガンを持っていた。<br>\\r\\n I had my stun gun on me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は今こそ、…理解する。<br>\\r\\n I finally understood.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 手を直接に下したのが誰なのかはわからなくても。<br>\\r\\n I didn't know who killed them exactly.<br><br>\\r\\n 誰が、何の思惑で誰に指示をしたにしても。<br>\\r\\n Whose idea it was or who ordered it.<br><br>\\r\\n 誰が誰に気を利かせたにしても。<br>\\r\\n I didn't even know who was actually involved.<br><br>\\r\\n ……それを魅音や鬼婆は知っている。<br>\\r\\n But Mion and the hag knew everything.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くん。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun.<br>\\r\\n ………私、やっとわかったよ。<br>\\r\\n Now I finally know.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が、やらなくちゃならないことが、やっとわかった。<br>\\r\\n Now I know what I need to do.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くん、君の無念はきっと私が晴らすから。<br>\\r\\n I will settle the score for you, Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くん、君の仇はきっと私が討つから。<br>\\r\\n I will avenge you, Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くん、私は君みたいに、……殺されないから。<br>\\r\\n I won't be killed like you, Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が鬼婆の部屋に入った時。<br>\\r\\n I walked into the hag's room.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆は何かの薬を飲む為に布団から体を起こし、私に背を向けるようにしていた。<br>\\r\\n She was sitting up to take some medicine. Her back was turned to me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私たちは双子。<br>\\r\\n Mion and I are twins.<br><br>\\r\\n まったく同じように踏み入れば、気配も何も変わらない。<br>\\r\\n If I acted like her, the hag wouldn't notice the difference.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆は多分、私のことを魅音だと最後まで信じきっていたと思う。<br>\\r\\n I didn't think she ever suspected me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 首筋に禍々しい器具を押し付ける。<br>\\r\\n I put my stun gun to her neck,<br>\\r\\n 躊躇なくスイッチを入れる。<br>\\r\\n and pulled the trigger.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …電気の爆ぜる、形容のしにくい音がして、まるでスタンガンのスイッチが、鬼婆自身のスイッチでもあったみたいに。<br>\\r\\n I heard an indescribable electrical sound, and the hag's lights went out.<br><br>\\r\\n …ストンと、ねじれた格好で鬼婆は倒れた。<br>\\r\\n She fell in a twisted position.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n スタンガンで気絶させた相手がどのくらいで自由を取り戻すか、よくわからない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't know how long it would take a person to regain their freedom of movement after getting knocked out with a stun gun.<br><br>\\r\\n 二人が意識を取り戻す前に自由を奪わなくては。<br>\\r\\n So I had to restrain them before they woke back up.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は信じられないくらい冷静だった。<br>\\r\\n I was unbelievably calm.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 地下の拷問室の鍵束は、<br>\\r\\n The key to the underground torture room<br>\\r\\n …以前、魅音が教えてくれた“頭首しか触れてはならない隠し引き出し”にしまわれていることを知っていた。<br>\\r\\n was in the forbidden drawer that only the head of the family can access. Mion had told me about this once.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 初めて探す引き出しだが、かつて魅音が教えてくれたイメージ通りの場所にあった。<br>\\r\\n I'd never looked for the drawer before, but I found it exactly where I thought it would be.<br><br>\\r\\n 鍵束には、殊勝にも全ての鍵に、使う場所が記されたプレートが付けられていた。<br>\\r\\n The key was on a keychain with several of its sisters. Each key had a little plaque on it that said what it was used for.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音の字だった。<br>\\r\\n They were all in Mion's handwriting.<br><br>\\r\\n ……あの馬鹿の律儀さが役に立つ。<br>\\r\\n She was an idiot for being so conscientious, but it sure helped me out.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はそれをポケットにしまうと、外の納戸へ向かい、一輪の台車を探し出した。<br>\\r\\n I put the keychain in my pocket and headed to the outdoor storeroom to find a cart.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大型の懐中電灯もあった。<br>\\r\\n I found a large flashlight there as well.<br><br>\\r\\n それには紐がついていたので肩に掛けてぶら下げる。<br>\\r\\n There was a strap on the flashlight so I could put it on my shoulder.<br><br>\\r\\n ……魅音と鬼婆の二人を運ぶためには、両手が自由になっているのは都合がよかった。<br>\\r\\n That way, I'd have both hands free to carry Mion and the hag.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それから魅音、鬼婆の順に台車で地下拷問室前へ運び込む。<br>\\r\\n I loaded Mion and then our grandmother onto the cart and carried them to the underground torture room.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 途中で目を覚ましそうになったら、もう一度スタンガンを食らわせてやろうと思ったが、<br>\\r\\n I was prepared to use the stun gun again if they woke up while I was working...<br>\\r\\n …その威力は想像してたより遥かに強力で、鬼婆はまるで目を覚ます様子がなかった。<br>\\r\\n but it was more powerful than I imagined, and the hag showed no signs of waking.<br><br>\\r\\n ずいぶん前に、葛西になるべく強力なやつを用意してほしいと言って取り寄せさせたものだった。<br>\\r\\n This was the stun gun Kasai specially ordered for me when I told him I wanted a powerful one.<br><br>\\r\\n 改造品で、護身の域を超えた出力が出せるから、悪戯には決して使わないように釘を刺されたっけ。<br>\\r\\n I remembered him telling me that it was an illegally modified stun gun and that I should never use it just for fun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 懐中電灯で照らしながら、灯りのスイッチを探す。<br>\\r\\n I used my flashlight to find the light switch.<br><br>\\r\\n …簡単に見つかった。<br>\\r\\n I found it easily<br>\\r\\n そのスイッチを入れる。<br>\\r\\n and turned it on.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 地下の全ての灯りが灯ったようだった。<br>\\r\\n All the lights went on in the basement.<br><br>\\r\\n …もっとも足元が分かる程度のぼんやりした灯りにしかならなかったが。<br>\\r\\n Although there was now illumination, it was very dim.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、二人が目を醒ますより早く終わらせようと、躊躇なく無駄なく、二人の体をてきぱきと運び込んだ。<br>\\r\\n I moved quickly so as to finish what I needed to do before they woke up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n まず魅音を、拷問室の奥にある牢屋に閉じ込めることにする。<br>\\r\\n I decided to put Mion in a cell beyond the torture room.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 拷問室だけは灯りがふんだんで、真昼のように明るくなっていた。<br>\\r\\n The lights in the torture room were so bright that it was like daylight.<br><br>\\r\\n その奥に扉があり、…確か、その向こうには牢屋があると言っていたっけ。<br>\\r\\n There was a door there. I was fairly certain the cells were on the other side of that door.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 扉の鍵は…………これか。<br>\\r\\n The proper key was... here.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鍵を開けるがちゃがちゃという音が、残響する。<br>\\r\\n The keys made a tinkling sound.<br><br>\\r\\n ……扉の隙間から冷え切った空気が漏れてくるのもわかった。<br>\\r\\n I felt cold air coming in through the gap in the door.<br><br>\\r\\n 扉の向こうは、相当広い空間であることがうかがえた。<br>\\r\\n There must be a huge opening on the other side.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 扉を開けると、……何も見えない漆黒が広がっていた。<br>\\r\\n I opened the door and I saw nothing but darkness.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 灯りのスイッチがすぐ脇にないかと手探りで探すと、案の定、それらしきものに触れた。<br>\\r\\n I felt along the wall to find a light switch.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n スイッチを入れると……いくつかの裸電球に明かりが灯り、むき出しの岩肌の大空洞が広がった。<br>\\r\\n I turned the switch on... and the light bulbs lit up, revealing a huge rocky cave.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 自然の洞窟というよりは、まるで防空壕の跡か何かのように見えた。<br>\\r\\n It didn't look like a natural cave. It looked more like an air-raid shelter.<br><br>\\r\\n それらのあちこちに鉄格子のはめられた岩窟がある。<br>\\r\\n There were several hollow openings with bars across them.<br>\\r\\n ……岩牢だった。<br>\\r\\n Those were the cells.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 一番近い岩牢に近付き、監禁に足るかを調べる。<br>\\r\\n I walked up to the closest cell, and checked to see if it was strong enough to confine her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鉄格子を押したり、引いたり。<br>\\r\\n I pushed and pulled on the bars.<br><br>\\r\\n 最後には体当たりもしてみるが、華奢な感じはまったくない。<br>\\r\\n I rammed against them with all my weight, and decided they were perfectly sturdy.<br><br>\\r\\n 牢の名に恥じぬ冷酷な頑丈さがあった。<br>\\r\\n This was secure enough to be called a cell.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は鍵を開け、魅音を運び込んだ。<br>\\r\\n I opened the lock and carried Mion in.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …私の筋力はごくごく平均的。<br>\\r\\n I wasn't particularly strong. Just average.<br><br>\\r\\n 人の体を軽々と持ち運べるような力があるとは思わなかった。<br>\\r\\n I'd never thought I was strong enough to carry a whole person.<br><br>\\r\\n ……だが、非力なふりをする必要がないことを知った今の私は、何の苦もなく彼女らの体を担ぎ上げたり、引き摺ったりすることができた。<br>\\r\\n But now I didn't need to pretend to be weak. I could easily lift and drag their bodies.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音を岩牢の奥へ放り込む。<br>\\r\\n I put Mion in the cell.<br><br>\\r\\n ………魅音が少し呻いた気がした。<br>\\r\\n She seemed to moan a little.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 注意深く観察するまでもない、スタンガンの効果が切れ始めているのがわかった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't need to check to make sure. The effect of my stun gun was wearing off.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は鉄格子を閉め鍵をすると、同じく目を醒ましかけているに違いない鬼婆のもとへ走った。<br>\\r\\n I closed the bars and turned the key in the lock. Then I ran to the hag, who must've been starting to wake up too.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが幸いなことに、鬼婆の方はまだぐったりしていて身動きひとつできなかった。<br>\\r\\n Fortunately, there was so sign of her regaining consciousness.<br><br>\\r\\n …やはり若さなどで個体差があるらしい。<br>\\r\\n Maybe the difference in age had something to do with it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は鬼婆の体を縛り付けるための拘束台を探した。<br>\\r\\n I looked for a table to restrain her on.<br><br>\\r\\n …両手両足を拘束する車椅子を見つけ、それに鬼婆を座らせる。<br>\\r\\n I found a wheelchair with restraints for the hands and feet. I put the hag in it.<br><br>\\r\\n 何の抵抗もしないけれど、重くてだらんとした鬼婆の体は、まるで肉で出来た大きなフランス人形みたいなものだった。<br>\\r\\n Of course she didn't resist, but her dead weight made it seem like she was a huge French doll, but one made of flesh.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 肘掛の部分に両手を置き、手首の部分に鉄環を締めて蝶番で固定した。<br>\\r\\n I put her hands on the armrests, and restrained them at the wrists with the metal rings and hinges.<br><br>\\r\\n 足も同じで、足首の部分で鉄環を締めて蝶番で固定する。<br>\\r\\n I did the same with her feet.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そもそも、車椅子を改造した拘束道具らしく、こうしてしまえば、あとは普通の車椅子と特別な違いはなかった。<br>\\r\\n This must've been a wheelchair specially remodeled to restrain a person. Other than the restraints, it was a regular wheelchair.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は鬼婆が目を醒ますのを待った。<br>\\r\\n I waited for the hag to wake up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆が目を醒ましたら聞きたいことは山ほどある。<br>\\r\\n I had so many things I wanted to ask her.<br><br>\\r\\n 素直に答えてくれるとは思わないが、ここにはそれを引き出すためのあらゆる道具があるのだ。<br>\\r\\n I didn't think she'd answer honestly, but I had plenty of tools to make her talk.<br>\\r\\n …私は焦るつもりはなかった。<br>\\r\\n I was in no rush.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆が憂慮すると、親族の誰かが気を利かせる。<br>\\r\\n When the hag had a concern, relatives took care of the problem.<br><br>\\r\\n それが園崎本家の指示の仕方だ。<br>\\r\\n That was how it worked in the Sonozaki family.<br><br>\\r\\n とは言え、全ての情報は本家の頭首に集まる。<br>\\r\\n She was the leader of the family, so all the information they gathered would make its way to her.<br><br>\\r\\n ……この雛見沢で起こることで、鬼婆が知らぬことなどあろうはずがない。<br>\\r\\n She must know everything that happened in Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n たとえそれがオヤシロさまの祟りでもだ。<br>\\r\\n Including the curse of Oyashiro-sama.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 牢屋の方から、鉄格子を鳴らす音が聞こえてくる。<br>\\r\\n I heard a noise from the cell.<br><br>\\r\\n ……鬼婆が目を醒ますより早く、魅音が目を醒ましたようだった。<br>\\r\\n Mion must have woken up before the hag did.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆はまだ当分、目を醒ましそうにないが、たとえ醒ましても椅子に拘束された今、何も恐れることはない。<br>\\r\\n Speaking of the hag, she didn't seem like she was about to wake up anytime soon, but she was restrained even if she did, so I had no need to fear.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は鬼婆をそのままにすると、目を醒ました双子のもとへ向かった。<br>\\r\\n I left the hag there and headed for the cell.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………詩音…、…これは……何の真似ですか……？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Shion, what do you think you're doing?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は次期頭首のような喋り方だったが、その声色には怯えが混じり、自分の置かれた状況について、すでに理解しているようだった。<br>\\r\\n She talked like the successor, but she also sounded frightened. She obviously understood the situation she was in right now.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「おはよ、魅音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Good morning, Mion.<br>\\r\\n まさか自分が閉じ込められることになるとは思わなかった？<br>\\r\\n You never thought you'd be in there, huh?<br>\\r\\n あははは。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahaha.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………園崎家頭首代行として命じます。<br>\\r\\n \\\"As the acting head, I order you.<br>\\r\\n …ここを…開けなさい…。」<br>\\r\\n Open this up.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あははははは、声色にひとつ凄みが欠けますね。頭首さまはもっと傲慢な言い方をしなきゃあね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahaha, you don't sound so scary in there. You need to talk more like a leader, don't you think?<br>\\r\\n もっとも、そういう言い方ができたとしても、今のあんたは滑稽なだけなんだけどさ。<br>\\r\\n Though, talking that way will only make you look like a fool.<br>\\r\\n あははははははは！」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahaha!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 別に可笑しいことはなかったが、魅音を威圧する意味で無理に笑った。<br>\\r\\n There was nothing funny about it, but I wanted to intimidate Mion.<br><br>\\r\\n その声が大空洞にこだまして私の耳にも入る。<br>\\r\\n My laughter echoed throughout the cave.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……無理な作った無機質な笑い声。<br>\\r\\n It was artificial and meaningless laughter.<br><br>\\r\\n それらが反響して、幾重にもなって聞こえる。<br>\\r\\n I heard it over and over as it echoed.<br><br>\\r\\n まるで、私だけが笑ってるんじゃないみたいに。<br>\\r\\n It sounded as if I wasn't the only one laughing.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 自分の笑い声に自分でも嫌になり、私は無機質な笑いをやめる。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't stand it, so I stopped.<br><br>\\r\\n すぐに静寂が押し寄せた。<br>\\r\\n Silence filled the air.<br>\\r\\n それが耳に痛かったので、私は静寂を破るため、何かを口にする。<br>\\r\\n That silence almost hurt my ears, so I started to speak.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「富竹さんと鷹野さんが今年の犠牲になるとはね…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I never thought...<br>\\r\\n …思わなかった。」<br>\\r\\n Tomitake-san and Takano-san would be the victims.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「鷹野さんのドラム缶に詰めて焼き殺したってのもなかなかやるね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"What an idea to burn Takano-san to death.<br>\\r\\n まぁ、あの人はそういう死に方を自分で希望してたっぽいからね。<br>\\r\\n But actually, she would be the kind of person who'd prefer to die that way.<br>\\r\\n 結構満足してるかもよ？<br>\\r\\n Maybe she's satisfied, huh?<br>\\r\\n くすくすくす。」<br>\\r\\n Hee hee hee.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は余計な口を挟まず、私の出方をうかがうような眼差しで見ていた。<br>\\r\\n Mion didn't say anything. She just stared at me to see how I'd proceed.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「富竹さんの、自分で自分の喉を引き裂いたってのは何？<br>\\r\\n \\\"What about the way Tomitake-san died? He clawed out his own throat, right?<br>\\r\\n 狂気に駆り立てるような怪しいお薬でも注射したの？<br>\\r\\n Did you give him a shot of some kind?<br>\\r\\n それとも、そういう死に方に見せるような拷問道具でもあるわけ？」<br>\\r\\n Or is there a torture device that did that to him?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は答えなかった。<br>\\r\\n Mion didn't reply.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……私は余裕ぶって不敵な笑みを浮かべていたが、すぐに痺れを切らし、いらついて鉄格子を蹴飛ばした。<br>\\r\\n I was smiling boldly, but I became impatient and finally kicked the bars.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その乱暴な音が、残響して何度も何度もこだまする。<br>\\r\\n It made a violent noise.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音はまるで自分が蹴られたみたいに、びくっと体を震わせた。<br>\\r\\n Mion jumped as if she was kicked directly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……返事がないと退屈です。私を怒らせるとどんな得が？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's boring not to get any answers. Do you have any idea what will happen if I get angry?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……わ…………私が……知るわけないでしょ…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"H-How... How would I know...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音はやっとそれだけを言い返した。<br>\\r\\n Mion finally replied.<br><br>\\r\\n 憎々しげではあったが、やはりどこか頼りなく、哀れな声色だった。<br>\\r\\n She was odious, but at the same time, sounded pitiful.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ねぇ、魅音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, Mion.<br>\\r\\n 次期頭首さま。<br>\\r\\n As the successor,<br>\\r\\n ここまで来ちゃったんだから教えて下さいな。<br>\\r\\n why don't you tell me?<br>\\r\\n ………………えっと、………。」<br>\\r\\n ...Let's see...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 今の私にとって、聞きたい問いはあまりに多すぎた。<br>\\r\\n I had just too many things I wanted to ask her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 自分のこと、<br>\\r\\n I wanted to ask her about me,<br>\\r\\n 事件のこと、<br>\\r\\n about the incident,<br>\\r\\n 祟りのこと、<br>\\r\\n about the curse,<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんのこと。<br>\\r\\n about Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n …どれから聞けばいいか、順位なんて付けられなかった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't even know where to start.<br><br>\\r\\n それらを聞く前に、まず聞く。<br>\\r\\n Before I asked her about those, I asked her one other thing.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………私に対して、反抗的な態度を取っても何の得にもならないこと、理解してますよね？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"You know there's no point in trying to resist, don't you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"............\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は無言で睨み返してくる。<br>\\r\\n Mion glared at me silently.<br><br>\\r\\n …だが、双子だからこそ、それが空威張りの虚勢に過ぎないことがわかっていた。<br>\\r\\n Because we were twins, I knew that was just a bluff.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………もうここまでやっちゃった以上、私も引っ込みがつかないんで。<br>\\r\\n \\\"We've come this far, so there's no point in me hesitating anymore.<br>\\r\\n ……お姉も、私に容赦とか躊躇とか、そういうものをあまり期待しない方がいいかもです。」<br>\\r\\n You shouldn't expect hesitation or even mercy from me, Sis.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音の頬を、きっと冷たい汗が伝っているに違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n Mion must've been feeling the cold sweat on her face.<br><br>\\r\\n 表情が凍り付いているのがこの暗がりでもよくわかる。<br>\\r\\n Although the light was dim, I could tell she was frightened.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃ、聞くよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay, here I go.<br>\\r\\n ………………雛見沢村連続怪死事件。<br>\\r\\n First, about the series of the mysterious deaths in Hinamizawa<br>\\r\\n 通称オヤシロさまの祟り。<br>\\r\\n also known as the curse of Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n …これってどういう意味があるの？<br>\\r\\n What's the meaning of it?<br>\\r\\n …やっぱりダム戦争のけじめってやつ？」<br>\\r\\n Is it to signify the end of the dam conflict?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………、<br>\\r\\n \\\"......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …私は、<br>\\r\\n I...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………ん、<br>\\r\\n hmmm...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……多分そうだと思ってる。」<br>\\r\\n I think so......\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は私の問いかけに、少し戸惑いはあったけど、拒まずに答えた。<br>\\r\\n Mion sounded a little confused, but she answered.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はコミュニケーションが成立していることに笑みを浮かべ、先を続けた。<br>\\r\\n I felt satisfaction now that we were communicating. I continued with a smile.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「思ってるって言い方が少し頼りないね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You think, huh?<br>\\r\\n …その辺りの事情は詳しくないの？」<br>\\r\\n Don't you know the details?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………詩音だって分かってるでしょ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"You know yourself<br>\\r\\n 次期頭首なんて、婆っちゃの取り次ぎに過ぎないよ…。」<br>\\r\\n that the successor is simply a messenger for Granny...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ……もっともらしいことを言う。<br>\\r\\n Yeah, right.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「その頭首さまと意思を疎通させて、以心伝心なのが次期頭首さまの役目でしょ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"But the successor must know everything the current head is thinking, right?<br>\\r\\n 取り次ぎに過ぎないなんて信じると思う？」<br>\\r\\n Do you really think I believe you're just a messenger?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………いつも身近にいる私だって、…たまに婆っちゃが何を考えてるのか分からない時があるもん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Although I'm always around Granny, I don't always know what she's thinking.<br>\\r\\n ……何でもかんでも私が理解してるわけじゃない。」<br>\\r\\n It's not like I can understand her all the time.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃあ、オヤシロさまの祟りってのは、鬼婆が全部、独断で決めてるわけなんだ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay, so you're saying that everything about the curse of Oyashiro-sama is decided by the hag herself, right?<br>\\r\\n 次期頭首さまと相談して決めてるのかと思ったよ。」<br>\\r\\n I assumed she'd talk to the successor about it.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………ヤバい話は全部婆っちゃが独りで決めてる。<br>\\r\\n \\\"When it's something dangerous, Granny decides it on her own.<br>\\r\\n 私なんか与り知る余地もない。」<br>\\r\\n I don't have anything to do with it.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「でも、鬼婆の独断だとしたって。<br>\\r\\n \\\"But even if she decides by herself,<br>\\r\\n 鬼婆はあんたを介してやり取りしてるわけでしょ？<br>\\r\\n the hag uses you to take care of various things, doesn't she?<br>\\r\\n そのあんたが何も知らないなんてあるはず、」<br>\\r\\n And you're telling me you don't know anything?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「違うよ…！<br>\\r\\n \\\"No...!<br>\\r\\n ………私なんかを介していない。<br>\\r\\n ...She doesn't use me for that.<br>\\r\\n ……………私にだってよくわからないんだけど…、<br>\\r\\n ......I really don't understand it myself,<br>\\r\\n 私が『陽』の部分を取り次いでるとしたら、………『陰』の部分を取り次いでいる誰かがいると思う。」<br>\\r\\n but it's like I take care of problems on the surface and someone else takes care of problems on the underside.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…誰。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Who?<br>\\r\\n その『陰』の部分の取り次ぎって。」<br>\\r\\n Who is the one that takes care of these 'underside problems'?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「知らない…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't know...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「誰かを招いて話してるとことか、電話をしているとことか見たことない？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Haven't you seen anyone? Haven't you overheard a phone conversation?<br>\\r\\n ……強いて言えば、毎年、オヤシロさまの祟りの時期になると連絡量がどっと増える相手ね。」<br>\\r\\n It must be someone who gets in touch with the hag at the same time every year, around the time the curse happens.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………わかんない。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't know.<br>\\r\\n …心当たりなんかないよ…。」<br>\\r\\n I really don't...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音はこれ以上を聞かれても、何も答えようがないと、小さく首を振った。<br>\\r\\n Mion shook her head.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ま、いいや。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay,<br>\\r\\n ……じゃ、質問を変えるね。<br>\\r\\n let me change the question.<br>\\r\\n 今年の祟りの、富竹さんと鷹野さんはダム戦争に直接関係してないのに、なぜ犠牲に選ばれたの？<br>\\r\\n Why were Tomitake-san and Takano-san chosen as victims, even though they had nothing to do with the dam conflict?<br>\\r\\n ……やっぱり、祭具殿に忍び込んだから？」<br>\\r\\n Was it because they snuck into the ritual storehouse?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 祭具殿という言葉を耳にした途端、魅音の顔色が変わった。<br>\\r\\n As soon as Mion heard the words \\\"ritual storehouse\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「祭具殿に？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"The ritual storehouse?<br>\\r\\n 古手神社の祭具殿を侵したの…ッ？！」<br>\\r\\n Did they intrude on the storehouse at the Furude Shrine?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………ありゃ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Didn't you know?<br>\\r\\n 知ってるとばかり。」<br>\\r\\n I thought you already knew.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………そんなことをしたら………、<br>\\r\\n \\\"If they really did that\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …馬鹿……当然だよ……………！」<br>\\r\\n then it was truly stupid of them... Of course something would happen to them!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は苦々しく言いながら俯き、首を何度も振る…。<br>\\r\\n Mion muttered bitterly while shaking her head repeatedly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …私はその魅音の反応を見て、今さらながら祭具殿の禁を破ることの意味を感じていた。<br>\\r\\n Mion's reaction made me realize the true meaning of the forbidden storehouse for ritual implements.<br><br>\\r\\n 祭具殿は神聖な建物だから入ってはいけない、入ると祟りがある。<br>\\r\\n The ritual storehouse is a sacred building, so nobody can go inside. The curse will fall upon any who disobey.<br><br>\\r\\n …そんなのは雛見沢に縁のある子どもなら誰でも知っている常識だ。<br>\\r\\n Any child would know that rule.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、知ってるからと言って、信じているとは限らない。<br>\\r\\n However, just because they knew about it didn't mean that they all believed in it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 祟りがあると脅されてはいても、子どものほとんどはそこそこに面白怖がりながらも、まさか本当に祟りがあるなんて信じちゃいない。<br>\\r\\n Although they were told they would be cursed, most of the kids actually enjoyed hearing the stories.<br>\\r\\n …その程度だ。<br>\\r\\n They simply didn't believe it was true.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、魅音の反応はそんな甘えた認識とはかけ離れていた。<br>\\r\\n However, Mion's reaction told me it absolutely was.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんなことしたら当然だよ。<br>\\r\\n If they actually did that... of course something would happen to them.<br><br>\\r\\n 祭具殿に忍び込んだら、…殺されても当然だよ。<br>\\r\\n She was saying that if someone snuck into the ritual storehouse,<br>\\r\\n …そう言っているのだ。<br>\\r\\n that person should be killed.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私がこっちに帰って来て以降、たまに魅音とは認識が食い違いますね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"What you know and what I know aren't matching up anymore.<br><br>\\r\\n ……そりゃ私だって、祭具殿が迂闊に入っちゃヤバいとこだってのは知ってますけど、<br>\\r\\n Of course I'm aware I shouldn't just waltz into the storehouse.<br>\\r\\n …あんな死に方しても当然だ、ってほどヤバいとは思わないんだけど…？<br>\\r\\n But to be killed in such a gruesome way for doing it?<br>\\r\\n 私たちだって、その程度の認識じゃなかったでしたっけ？」<br>\\r\\n I never knew that. Did you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……それは、詩音がよく知らないだけだよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's just because you're ignorant about it, Shion.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「すみませんね、…よく知らなくて。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, sorry for being ignorant...<br>\\r\\n 説明をいただいてもよろしいですか？」<br>\\r\\n Could you please explain it to me?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そりゃ詩音の言うとおり、子供の世界では…ヤバいとか祟りがあるとか言ったって、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Just like you said, the kids don't really believe in the curse.<br>\\r\\n どうせ迷信に過ぎないだろう、でも大人にバレたらかなり怒られるんだろうな…って程度の認識だと思う。<br>\\r\\n They assume it's just superstition. But they also know that if an adult found out, they'd be in big trouble.<br><br>\\r\\n ………でもね、……雛見沢の古老たちにとってはそんな甘いものじゃないの…！」<br>\\r\\n But... to the elderly people of Hinamizawa, it's something more serious...!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は、村の老人たちがいかにオヤシロさまを妄信し、祭り事をどれだけ神聖視しているかを話した。<br>\\r\\n Mion explained to me how the elderly people blindly believe in Oyashiro-sama, and how sacred the festivals are to them.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私たち若い世代にはわからない、根強く偏執的なくらいのオヤシロさま崇拝。<br>\\r\\n It's probably something the younger generations would never understand, but they're possessed by a very strong, deeply rooted devotion toward Oyashiro-sama.<br><br>\\r\\n ……その中において、祭具殿の禁を犯すことがどれほどの禁忌なのか、を。<br>\\r\\n Mion then went on to tell me about how sinful it was to violate the rule of the ritual storehouse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …私は、そんな馬鹿な、とか、昭和の世の中に馬鹿馬鹿しい、とか。<br>\\r\\n I just couldn't believe things like that were still going on even in the modern day.<br><br>\\r\\n ……そんな相槌を打つのが精一杯だった。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't even reply appropriately.<br><br>\\r\\n でも。<br>\\r\\n But...<br>\\r\\n …この信じ難い内容も、もうひとりの私の口から紡がれる以上、聞き捨てるのは容易ではない…。<br>\\r\\n even if it was unbelievable, I couldn't ignore what I was hearing from my twin sister...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………なるほどね…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I see...<br>\\r\\n でもさ魅音。<br>\\r\\n But Mion...<br><br>\\r\\n 祟りで１人が死んだら、それを相殺する意味で１人を生贄にするのがルールじゃなかったっけ？<br>\\r\\n Doesn't the rule say that one victim gets killed by the curse and another has to become a sacrifice?<br>\\r\\n 生贄の死体は出ない。<br>\\r\\n The body of the sacrifice is never to be found.<br>\\r\\n …なのに今回は二人とも死体が出ちゃってるんだけど。<br>\\r\\n But there are two dead bodies this time.<br>\\r\\n その辺りはどう見る…？」<br>\\r\\n What do you think of that?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は鷹野さん、富竹さん、そして私と圭一が祭具殿に忍び込んだことを知らない。<br>\\r\\n Mion doesn't know that besides Takano-san and Tomitake-san, Keiichi and I also snuck into the ritual storehouse.<br>\\r\\n …だから敢えてカマをかける。<br>\\r\\n So I tried to lead her a little.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………確かに、<br>\\r\\n \\\"I know...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……おかしいね。」<br>\\r\\n that doesn't make sense.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「鷹野さんの焼死体は、見つかっちゃいけなかったってことなのかな。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Maybe Takano-san's burned body wasn't supposed to be found.<br>\\r\\n ……本当は鷹野さんは失踪ってことになるのがパーフェクトだったのかなぁ？」<br>\\r\\n Maybe the intention was for her to vanish.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…あるいは……………、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Or...<br>\\r\\n ………ん、<br>\\r\\n ...hmmm,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……自信はないけど……。」<br>\\r\\n I'm not too sure, but...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「何？<br>\\r\\n \\\"What?<br>\\r\\n 根拠なんかいらないから言ってみてよ。怒らないから。」<br>\\r\\n Just say what you're thinking. I won't get mad.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は口ごもっては飲み込みを二度ほど繰り返してから、おずおずとそれを口にした。<br>\\r\\n Mion hesitated a little first and then started to speak.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……祭具殿に忍び込んだのは実は４人、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Actually, four people snuck into the shrine storage...<br><br>\\r\\n ……とか。」<br>\\r\\n so maybe...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………ふぅん？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmm......?<br>\\r\\n それで？」<br>\\r\\n Maybe what?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………で、…もう２人は生贄ってことで『鬼隠し』になってるんじゃないかな…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Maybe the other two will become the sacrifices and get demoned away...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 魅音の言葉が、頭の中にずっと残っていた。<br>\\r\\n Mion's words were stuck in my head.<br><br>\\r\\n 死体の見つかった二人がオヤシロさまの祟りなら。<br>\\r\\n If those two dead bodies were the result of the curse...<br><br>\\r\\n …それを鎮めるための生贄もまた二人。<br>\\r\\n Then there should be two sacrifices to calm Oyashiro-sama's anger.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 確かに、祭具殿に忍び込んだのは私たち４人。<br>\\r\\n The four of us snuck into the shrine storage together.<br>\\r\\n 計算は合う。<br>\\r\\n It was a simple equation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だとすれば、………私や圭一の身にも危険が迫っていたのだろうか…？<br>\\r\\n Did that mean that Keiichi and I were in danger?<br><br>\\r\\n …私は気持ちよく酔っ払ってしまって、……ここに泊まってしまったが、<br>\\r\\n I got drunk, fell asleep, and decided to stay overnight.<br>\\r\\n それが本当にお酒によるものなのか、<br>\\r\\n Was that because of the alcohol,<br>\\r\\n ……何か睡眠薬が混入されていたのか分からない。<br>\\r\\n or did someone put a drug in my drink?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………確かに、私ともあろうものが、酔い潰れて、よりにもよって鬼婆の家に泊まり込むなどちょっと考え難い。<br>\\r\\n It's not like me to get drunk and spend a night at the hag's house.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 祭具殿で気味の悪いことがあって、…それを忘れるために馬鹿騒ぎしてお酒を飲んで。<br>\\r\\n I wanted to forget about what happened in that eerie storehouse, so I drank too much.<br><br>\\r\\n ………それにしたって、悪酔いし過ぎだった。<br>\\r\\n But it really was strange for me to get that drunk.<br><br>\\r\\n そう思うと。<br>\\r\\n Maybe<br>\\r\\n …あの時、ふと目が覚めたことは本当に…運が良かったことのように思う。<br>\\r\\n it was a good thing I woke up in the middle of the night.<br><br>\\r\\n 下手をしたら、岩牢の中で目覚めたのは私の方だったのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n I could have been the one to wake up in a cell.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …偶然に回避していた危機というのは、…認識し難いものだった。<br>\\r\\n Sometimes it's hard to recognize danger when you avoid it accidentally.<br><br>\\r\\n …私はそんな馬鹿なと笑い飛ばしたい気持ちと、紙一重だった恐ろしい想像に震えたい気持ちでぐちゃぐちゃになっていた。<br>\\r\\n A part of me wanted to just laugh at the idea but another part felt frightened that I was so close to being in Mion's position.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だとするなら。<br>\\r\\n If my thinking was correct,<br>\\r\\n …もう１人の共犯者、前原圭一は今頃どうしているだろう。<br>\\r\\n I wonder how Keiichi Maebara was doing right now.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n さっきの岩牢の中にはいなかった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't see him in any of the cells.<br><br>\\r\\n ……だからといって、今この瞬間にも無事な保証はない。<br>\\r\\n But that didn't guarantee his safety.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんたちが「執行」されたのだから。<br>\\r\\n Takano-san and Tomitake-san had been executed.<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一も「執行」されている可能性はある。<br>\\r\\n There was a possibility that Keiichi could already be dead.<br><br>\\r\\n ………でも、悟史くんのように、数日後ということもあるのだから、絶対ではない。<br>\\r\\n But just like what happened to Satoshi-kun, it might only happen after a few days.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 夜が明けたら。<br>\\r\\n When the sun rose,<br>\\r\\n ……魅音になり、登校してみるか。<br>\\r\\n I was going to pretend to be Mion and head to her school.<br><br>\\r\\n 前原圭一の無事を確認してみよう。<br>\\r\\n I was going to check if Keiichi Maebara was safe.<br><br>\\r\\n ……もしすでに失踪しているなら、敵は必ず最後の侵入者である私を狙ってくる。<br>\\r\\n If he had already disappeared, the enemy would come after me next.<br><br>\\r\\n 自らを囮にするしかない。<br>\\r\\n I'd have to be a decoy for myself.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もし、まだ失踪していないなら。<br>\\r\\n But if he was still safe...<br><br>\\r\\n ……前原圭一を注意深く監視する必要がある。<br>\\r\\n I'd need to keep my eyes on him.<br><br>\\r\\n 敵はあの間抜けなお調子者をきっと狙うからだ。<br>\\r\\n I was sure the enemy would come after that scatterbrain.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …私が魅音になってしまえば、詩音は消える。<br>\\r\\n If I became Mion, Shion would disappear.<br><br>\\r\\n 敵は、詩音はもう誰かの手によって『鬼隠し』にあったのだろうと思い、圭一に狙いを絞るに違いない。<br>\\r\\n The enemy would think Shion had already been demoned away, and they'd concentrate on Keiichi.<br><br>\\r\\n もしも圭一に何の魔手も迫らないなら。<br>\\r\\n If nothing happened to Keiichi...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………それも結構だろう。<br>\\r\\n That would also be fine.<br><br>\\r\\n とりあえず、私に危害が及ばないことを確かめられる。<br>\\r\\n It'd prove that nothing would happen to me either.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の目の前には拘束椅子に縛り付けられた鬼婆が、未だ眠り続けている。<br>\\r\\n The hag was still sleeping in the wheelchair.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 起きたら問い詰めるつもりだが、<br>\\r\\n I was going to interrogate her...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………実のところ、あまり期待はしていない。<br>\\r\\n but actually, I wasn't expecting to learn that much.<br><br>\\r\\n 園崎天皇とまで呼ばれる鬼婆だ。<br>\\r\\n The woman who was also known as Empress Sonozaki...<br><br>\\r\\n …爪どころか、指の数本をちょん切られたって、口を割ったりするものか。<br>\\r\\n Probably wouldn't say a thing even if her fingers were cut off.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …次期頭首の魅音は逆で、口はあっさり割ったが、何も重要なことは知らなかった。<br>\\r\\n Mion, her successor, was the complete opposite. She spoke readily but didn't know too much about anything.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は自分など取り次ぎに過ぎず、<br>\\r\\n Mion had said she was only a messenger<br>\\r\\n しかも、ヤバい話は自分以外の誰かを介しているかもしれない、…なんて話をした。<br>\\r\\n and that someone else was taking care of problems on the underside...<br><br>\\r\\n ……………魅音が私の知らない内に、とんでもない嘘つきに成長していて、私を真顔で騙した可能性は捨てきれない。<br>\\r\\n It was possible Mion had grown to be a good liar, and that she tried to deceive me with a straight face.<br><br>\\r\\n …だが、鬼婆が、ダークサイドを魅音を介さなかったというのは何となく納得できる話でもあった。<br>\\r\\n But at the same time, I could see the hag not letting Mion get involved in the underside of the village.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が鬼婆だったら。<br>\\r\\n If I were her...<br><br>\\r\\n 私だってあいつは通さないだろうと思ったからだ。<br>\\r\\n I wouldn't have used Mion for that either.<br><br>\\r\\n ……あいつは、私と違って甘い。<br>\\r\\n Unlike me, Mion was a nice person.<br><br>\\r\\n 世の中には１と０しかないはずなのに、小数点のついた０．５とか０．７とか、そんな曖昧なことを考えている。<br>\\r\\n While there were only ones and zeroes in the world, she believed there were numbers with decimal points.<br><br>\\r\\n ……平たく言うと、残酷になれないってことだ。<br>\\r\\n In other words, she could never be cruel.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もし鬼婆が私と同じかそれ以上に、１と０な考えをできるなら。<br>\\r\\n If the hag thought the same way as I do...<br><br>\\r\\n ……………それはありえる話だった。<br>\\r\\n It was very possible.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その陰の面を取り次ぐ人物、Ｘが、…オヤシロさまの祟りを真の意味で司る人物なのだろうか。<br>\\r\\n The one who took care of problems on the underside, X, was the one who actually governed the curse of Oyashiro-sama.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆が憂慮すると、Ｘが気を利かせて、…直接か、あるいは間接的に働きかけ、執行する。<br>\\r\\n If the hag became concerned about something, X would deal with it, either directly or indirectly.<br><br>\\r\\n あるいは鬼婆とＸが合議の上、決めているのか。<br>\\r\\n Or maybe the hag and X would discuss the details first.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n しかし、………Ｘなんて…存在するのだろうか？<br>\\r\\n But... did X really exist?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 存在するとすれば、その人物は次期頭首よりもよほど村の深奥に位置する人物だ。<br>\\r\\n If he did, his place in the village hierarchy was a lot more important than that of the successor.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音のような若造の甘ちゃんと違い、<br>\\r\\n Unlike Mion, who was too nice,<br>\\r\\n …口が堅く、<br>\\r\\n he was discreet,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 残酷で、<br>\\r\\n cruel\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 老獪で。<br>\\r\\n and cunning.<br>\\r\\n ……さらに言うなら、鬼婆と接触の深い人物。<br>\\r\\n Furthermore, he was extremely close to the hag.<br><br>\\r\\n ……祟りの前になると、接触の多くなる人物。<br>\\r\\n Someone who would have a lot of contact with her just before it was time for the curse...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 富竹さんの怪しい死に方から、奇怪なクスリ、そして医療機関の関係者も連想された。<br>\\r\\n Because of the way Tomitake-san died, it could be someone who regularly dealt with unusual drugs. He could be a member of a medical institution.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n …………入江診療所の所長。<br>\\r\\n The director of the Irie Clinic...<br>\\r\\n ………監督？<br>\\r\\n Irie?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 確かに、この過疎の村にあって、あれだけ立派な診療所を奉仕的な精神で開業してくれている監督は村の名士だった。<br>\\r\\n In this isolated village, Irie was famous for opening such a beautiful clinic, and for working so hard for the villagers' sake.<br><br>\\r\\n 成熟した性格も、村の老人たちから高く評価され、また一目置かれている。<br>\\r\\n The villagers liked his mature personality, and really respected him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 何しろ、医者の殺人鬼ほど怖いものはない。<br>\\r\\n There's nothing scarier than a doctor who's also a murderer.<br><br>\\r\\n ………監督が祟りの実行者だったなら、過去の不審な、奇怪な死に方のほとんどが説明できるかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n If Irie was the person behind the curse, all the mysterious deaths could be explained.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、監督がＸである可能性は、多分ほとんどないだろうと思った。<br>\\r\\n However, there was only a slim chance of Irie being X.<br><br>\\r\\n その致命的理由は、鬼婆が監督を信頼してなかったからだ。<br>\\r\\n The main reason being that the hag wouldn't trust him.<br><br>\\r\\n …鬼婆は年齢特有の若者嫌いがあって、若すぎる監督には心を開いてはいなかったことを、私は知っている。<br>\\r\\n Like many of the elderly, the hag doesn't like young people. I knew she'd never trust him, because of his age.<br><br>\\r\\n 彼の公の場での挙動を、身内の前で堂々と非難、中傷していたことを私は知っている。<br>\\r\\n Furthermore, she had openly criticized his behaviour among the relatives once.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 監督はいくら名士とは言っても所詮は余所者。<br>\\r\\n Although Irie was famous, he was an outsider, after all.<br><br>\\r\\n この土地に生まれた者ではない。<br>\\r\\n He wasn't born here.<br><br>\\r\\n 村の大恩ある診療所長として、良好な関係を築きつつもそれは上辺だけ。<br>\\r\\n He tried to maintain a good relationship with the villagers as the director of the clinic, but that was just on the surface.<br><br>\\r\\n ……本当の悩みや、暗部を鬼婆が打ち明けたとはとても思えないのだ。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't even imagine the hag telling him about her worries, or about the village's underside.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆が、私並かそれ以上に疑い深い人間なら。<br>\\r\\n If she was as suspicious of others as I was...<br><br>\\r\\n ……ダークサイドに関わる人間は、信頼のできる人間だけで固める。<br>\\r\\n Then she'd only gather trustworthy people to deal with that underside.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …真っ先に思いつくのは、その他の御三家の頭首たちだった。<br>\\r\\n The first people that came to my mind were the leaders of the Three Families.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 古手家頭首の梨花ちゃまはさて置き、公由家頭首の村長は確かに考えられる。<br>\\r\\n Leaving Rika-chama out, the head of the Kimiyoshi family was a strong possibility.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 園崎天皇に意見できる唯一の存在だ。<br>\\r\\n He was the only one who could advise Empress Sonozaki.<br><br>\\r\\n 歳が近いこともあり、御三家の会議などのきな臭い席を除けば、二人が気心の知れた親しい仲であることは誰もが知っている。<br>\\r\\n They were of a similar age, and everyone knew that they were very close outside the family councils.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n しかも村長は、綿流しの時期が近付けば、運営のための打ち合わせと称して頻繁に園崎本家を訪れるようになる。<br>\\r\\n Furthermore, as the mayor, he often went to the Sonozaki house just before Watanagashi to discuss festival preparations.<br><br>\\r\\n 二人が内密な話をしているところなど、自然に考えられる…。<br>\\r\\n I could easily picture them talking privately.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りの執行者。<br>\\r\\n The one who executed the curse of Oyashiro-sama.<br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんたちを惨殺した執行者。<br>\\r\\n The one who murdered Takano-san and Tomitake-san.<br><br>\\r\\n ５年にも及ぶ雛見沢村連続怪死事件の暗躍者。<br>\\r\\n The mastermind behind the series of the mysterious deaths that had been going for the past five years.<br><br>\\r\\n その魔手は、…私にも伸びているのか。<br>\\r\\n Was he coming after me?<br><br>\\r\\n そして、……その魔手は悟史くんにも伸びたのか。<br>\\r\\n Did he get to Satoshi-kun?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんのことを思った時。<br>\\r\\n When I thought about Satoshi-kun...<br><br>\\r\\n ………私は不思議な高揚を感じた。<br>\\r\\n I felt elevated.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n さっきまで私は、自らが今年の犠牲者に含まれていることを恐れていた。<br>\\r\\n I was fearful of possibly being this year's victim until just a moment ago.<br><br>\\r\\n その自分に迫る魔手を怖がっていた。<br>\\r\\n I was scared that X was after me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、思い返してみれば。<br>\\r\\n But when I thought about it, I realized.<br><br>\\r\\n …その私に迫る魔手は、悟史くんの仇でもあるのだ。<br>\\r\\n Whoever it was, this person had gotten Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n 捜せども捜せども見つからず、<br>\\r\\n I'd looked so hard, but I couldn't find him.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……忘れかけてさえいた、仇の存在。<br>\\r\\n I'd almost forgotten about this enemy.<br><br>\\r\\n それが、幸か不幸か、私の前に再び現れようとしている。<br>\\r\\n For better or for worse, he was going to appear before me again.<br><br>\\r\\n 求めども求めども見つからなかった、仇が。<br>\\r\\n No matter how hard I'd tried, I couldn't find that enemy,<br>\\r\\n 向こうから私の前に現れようとしているのだ。<br>\\r\\n but now, he was trying to find me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう。<br>\\r\\n That was it.<br>\\r\\n ……私は追われるだけの立場ではないのだ。<br>\\r\\n I wasn't only being chased.<br>\\r\\n 追う者でもあったのだ。<br>\\r\\n I was chasing too.<br><br>\\r\\n それを思い出した時。<br>\\r\\n When I realized all this...<br><br>\\r\\n ………５年目の祟りは、死の恐怖ではなく、…互いにとって互角な条件のゲームとなった。<br>\\r\\n I was no longer afraid of dying to the fifth year's curse... It had become a game.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は脅かされるだけの立場ではない。<br>\\r\\n I wasn't only being threatened.<br><br>\\r\\n …同時に脅かす立場でもあったのだ。<br>\\r\\n I was threatening too.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう、今こそ悟史くんの無念を晴らす時。<br>\\r\\n Now was the time to settle the score for Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n 長い時間の間に、ぼやけてしまった感情を今こそ蘇らす時なのだ。<br>\\r\\n Now was the time to awaken passions that had grown weak over the past year.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 自分の中に義憤と勇気が込み上げてくるのが分かる。<br>\\r\\n I could feel righteous indignation and courage flare up within me.<br><br>\\r\\n …恐怖に打ち勝つ唯一の感情、それが怒りなのだから。<br>\\r\\n The only emotion that can defeat fear is anger.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その感情が完全に恐怖を塗りつぶした時。<br>\\r\\n When my anger completely overtook my fear...<br><br>\\r\\n ……私の精神は、ぬめった薄皮を内側から破って脱皮したような感じだった。<br>\\r\\n I felt as if I were reborn.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「鬼婆さま、そろそろ目を覚まして下さいません？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Why don't you wake up, Empress of Hags?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は少し乱暴に車椅子を蹴った。<br>\\r\\n I kicked her wheelchair rather violently.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、そんなやさしい起こし方では鬼婆の眠りを覚ますことはできなかった。<br>\\r\\n But that didn't wake her up either.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ひょっとして、眠ったふりをしてやり過ごそうとか考えてません？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Are you just pretending to be asleep?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆の髪をぐっと鷲掴みにし、ぐいっと引いて上を向かせる。<br>\\r\\n I grabbed her hair and pulled her head up.<br><br>\\r\\n それでも鬼婆は無反応を装い、表情を歪めもしなかった。<br>\\r\\n But even then, the hag still stayed silent with a straight face.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………電気的な直感が過ぎる。<br>\\r\\n Then I noticed something.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は適当な拷問道具を探した。<br>\\r\\n I looked for an appropriate torture device.<br><br>\\r\\n ………どれも大掛かりな、大仰そうなもので、手軽ではない。<br>\\r\\n They were all large-scale, none of them being particularly handy.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時、座敷の座布団に、ジッポライターが置いてあるのを見つけた。<br>\\r\\n That's when I saw a cigarette lighter on a cushion in the tatami room.<br><br>\\r\\n ……親類の誰かがここに忘れていったに違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n One of the relatives must have left it there.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n カチン、ジャコ。<br>\\r\\n I lit the lighter.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………煙草に火をつけるには大袈裟過ぎる長い炎が灯った。<br>\\r\\n A huge flame appeared.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は火を消すと、そのジッポを持って鬼婆の元へ戻る。<br>\\r\\n I turned the lighter off and went back to the hag with it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「見えてます？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Can you see it?<br>\\r\\n 見えてない？<br>\\r\\n Can't you see it?<br>\\r\\n これ、誰の忘れ物かわかりませんけどね、ジッポです。」<br>\\r\\n This is a cigarette lighter somebody left behind.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は目蓋を薄く閉じたままの鬼婆の前で、それに火を灯して見せた。<br>\\r\\n I lit it in front of her eyes.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「今からこれであなたの鼻を焼きます。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm going to burn your nose now.<br>\\r\\n 嫌でしょ？<br>\\r\\n You don't want that, do you?<br>\\r\\n 私も嫌です。<br>\\r\\n I wouldn't want it.<br>\\r\\n ですから寝たふりをやめてください。」<br>\\r\\n So why don't you quit pretending to be asleep?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……反応はない。<br>\\r\\n ...There was still no response.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は躊躇なく、火の点いたジッポを鬼婆の鼻先に突き出した。<br>\\r\\n I put the flame right under her nose without hesitation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……炎の先端が鼻を炙る。<br>\\r\\n ...The tip of the flame touched the tip of her nose.<br><br>\\r\\n 鼻毛を焦がしたらしく、髪が焦げる時の異臭がした。<br>\\r\\n The flame must have burned her nose hair. It smelled terrible.<br><br>\\r\\n もうこれだけでも確信していたが、<br>\\r\\n I was already certain...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …私はさらに試す。<br>\\r\\n but I continued anyway.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ジッポの炎を今度は閉じた目蓋の前にかざした。<br>\\r\\n I brought the flame closer to her eye.<br><br>\\r\\n …………やはり目蓋はぴくりとも動かない。<br>\\r\\n ...Her eyelid didn't move one bit.<br><br>\\r\\n 今度はまつ毛を焦がし、また異臭が立ち上った。<br>\\r\\n The flame burned her eyelashes, making it smell awful again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はジッポの火を消すと、喉元と手首をまさぐる。<br>\\r\\n I turned the lighter off and then felt her throat and wrist.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……………温さがない。<br>\\r\\n ......I didn't feel any warmth.<br><br>\\r\\n 鼓動も脈動も感じない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't feel a pulse either.<br><br>\\r\\n 「こいつ…………、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Did she......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………スタンガンで、…死んだ…？」<br>\\r\\n ......die from the stun gun?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 並みの我慢でここまで無反応が装えるわけない。<br>\\r\\n There was no way she could pretend to be asleep while being burned.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……痛みを仮に無視できたとしても。<br>\\r\\n Even if she could endure the pain...<br><br>\\r\\n ライターの炎のような光源を、こんなにも目の前に突き出されたら、条件反射で目蓋を震わせてしまうはずだ。<br>\\r\\n Anyone would reflexively move their eyelids if a flame came close to their eyes.<br>\\r\\n それすらなかった。<br>\\r\\n But she didn't.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は拷問部屋の壁にある流しの蛇口をひねり、蛇口につながれたホースの先を鬼婆の顔に向けた。<br>\\r\\n I turned the sink water on and aimed the end of a hose at the hag's face.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 勢いのない水流を、先端を細くすることで勢いを付けさせる。<br>\\r\\n The water pressure wasn't too high, but by squeezing the tip of the hose, I could make it squirt out.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆の顔面を細く鋭い水流が叩くが、やはり何の反応も示さなかった。<br>\\r\\n The water hit the hag in the face, but there was still no reaction.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………ち…。<br>\\r\\n Shit...<br>\\r\\n ………マジかよ…。<br>\\r\\n You've got to be kidding me...<br><br>\\r\\n ……本当に死んでるのかよ……。<br>\\r\\n She's dead...<br><br>\\r\\n 一番の核心にいる鬼婆が、……死んで口を閉ざすとは……！<br>\\r\\n The one who was at the center of everything... is dead now...!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n どうせ何も口を割るまいとは思っていた。<br>\\r\\n I knew she wouldn't talk.<br><br>\\r\\n ……でも、死は想定しなかった。<br>\\r\\n But I didn't expect her to end up dead.<br><br>\\r\\n ここまで取り返しのつかない暴走をしながらも、命を奪うことまでは考えなかった。<br>\\r\\n I'd never even thought of killing her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …私は落ち着きなく、うろうろと歩き回る。<br>\\r\\n I walked around the room restlessly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 罪の意識はまったくなかったが、取り返しのつかないことをした焦りだけは感じていた。<br>\\r\\n I didn't feel guilty, but instead felt frustrated with what I'd done.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 落ち着け私、<br>\\r\\n Come on,<br>\\r\\n 落ち着け私。<br>\\r\\n I need to calm down.<br><br>\\r\\n ……何を恐れることがある？<br>\\r\\n What do I need to be afraid of?<br><br>\\r\\n そうさ落ち着け、<br>\\r\\n Calm down<br>\\r\\n 冷静になれ。<br>\\r\\n and stay cool.<br>\\r\\n そうさ落ち着け、<br>\\r\\n Calm down.<br>\\r\\n クールになれ。<br>\\r\\n Stay cool.<br><br>\\r\\n 脳内を沈静化する分泌物が回っていく。<br>\\r\\n I could feel my brain starting to calm down,<br><br>\\r\\n ……無駄に昂った感情が冷めていくのがわかった。<br>\\r\\n and my emotions cooling down with it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……結局、こいつが一番の仇だった。<br>\\r\\n She was my true enemy.<br><br>\\r\\n それを思い知らせることなく殺してしまったのが心残りではあるけれど。<br>\\r\\n It was just that I killed her before confronting her about it.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、遅かれ早かれ、いつか鬼婆は殺した。<br>\\r\\n Sooner or later, I would have killed her anyway.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n どうせ口を割らないやつだったんだから、生かしておくリスクを負う必要は何もなかった。<br>\\r\\n She wouldn't have said anything in the first place, so there wasn't really a reason why I should've let her live.<br><br>\\r\\n ………単に、自分にその自覚がなかったから焦っただけで、…何も焦ることなんかなかった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't realize that until now, and that was why I got frustrated.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"............\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの仇に対する最初の復讐は、<br>\\r\\n My revenge for Satoshi-kun started<br>\\r\\n …信じられないくらいに呆気ない死で幕を開けたのだった。<br>\\r\\n with the unexpected death of my grandmother.<br><br>\\r\\n まるで、自分の着衣を濡らされたまま放置されたような、肌触りの悪い気持ち。<br>\\r\\n It was such a strange feeling, like I was wearing sopping wet clothes.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんな感情を払拭するのもまた、怒りの感情だった。<br>\\r\\n I replaced that feeling with anger.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう、私は許せなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't forgive her.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんの北条家を苛め抜き、悟史くんを何年にもわたって、精神的肉体的に追い詰めた鬼婆を。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't forgive the hag for abusing the Houjou family, including Satoshi-kun, for so many years. She cornered him psychologically as well as physically.<br><br>\\r\\n スタンガンの不意打ちで、綺麗さっぱりに永眠なんて許せなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\n She didn't deserve an easy death from a stun gun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は壁に掛かっていた短い鞭を取る。<br>\\r\\n I picked up a whip that was hanging on the wall.<br><br>\\r\\n …その鞭には明らかに、対象を叩く以上に傷つけようとする悪意ある工夫が施されていた。<br>\\r\\n The whip was designed to make sure the person on the receiving end got seriously injured.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それを振り上げ、……振り下ろす。<br>\\r\\n I swung it up... and then down.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 小さい頃、ビニール製の縄跳びを鞭に見立てて壁を叩いた時に聞いた、あの小気味良い音が響き渡った。<br>\\r\\n The sound reminded me of when I was a child hitting things with a jump rope I pretended was a whip.<br><br><br>\\r\\n だが、縄跳びで叩いた壁と違い、鬼婆の顔面には一文字の紫色の傷が浮かび上がり、ぷつぷつとどす黒い血が滲み出していた。<br>\\r\\n But unlike then, I'd made a purple mark on the hag's face, and reddish-black blood started oozing out.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はもう一度振り上げると、同じ様に力任せに振り下ろす。<br>\\r\\n I swung it up and then down again.<br><br>\\r\\n 今度は頭部を一文字に掻いたらしく、鬼婆の汚らしい髪の毛が舞った。<br>\\r\\n This time, the whip hits her in the head. Her hair flew in the air.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鞭の先端を見ると、馬の尻尾のような一束の髪の毛が絡まっている。<br>\\r\\n I saw a bunch of her hair on the tip of the whip.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その髪の束の先端には薄汚い皮が張り付いていた。<br>\\r\\n At the end of the bunch of hair, there was a piece of her skin.<br><br>\\r\\n …頭部の表皮ごと、鞭で掻き千切ったのだ。<br>\\r\\n Seemed the whip had ripped part of her scalp off.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はそれを鞭の先端にぶら下げたまま、無心で鞭を叩き下ろし続けた。<br>\\r\\n I continued to hit her with the whip. I didn't bother removing the hair beforehand.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鞭の先端は幾重にも割れ、その先端にはそれぞれ鉤状の釣り針が付いていた。<br>\\r\\n The tip of the whip was divided into many points, with each point having a fish hook on the end.<br><br>\\r\\n その鍵が、鞭の凄まじい速度と力を得て、無慈悲に犠牲者の患部を皮ごと剥ぎ取っていくのだ。<br>\\r\\n Those hooks, added to the speed of the whip, not only scratched the victim, but tore their skin as well.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆の髪は無茶苦茶に乱れ、そして顔面にはどす黒い血を滲ませながら。<br>\\r\\n The hag's hair was all messed up and her face was getting bloody.<br><br>\\r\\n それは文字通り、鬼婆と呼ぶに相応しい形相だった。<br>\\r\\n She'd started to look like a real demon.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が鞭を叩く手を休めたのは、<br>\\r\\n I stopped the whipping.<br>\\r\\n 腕が疲れたことよりも、鞭の先端に絡まった鬼婆の髪の毛が、振る度に私の体にまとわり付いてくすぐる感触に耐え切れなかったからだ。<br>\\r\\n Not because my arm was tired but because I couldn't stand the feeling of her hair on the tip touching me every time I swung the whip.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はその汚らわしい鞭を思い切り鬼婆に投げつけた。<br>\\r\\n I threw the whip at the hag.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……肩で息をしながら自分の体を見てみると、散った鬼婆の髪の毛が何本も体に絡み付いていた。<br>\\r\\n Breathing heavily, I realized I was covered in her hair.<br><br>\\r\\n それは千匹のウジに群がられるのに勝るとも劣らない不快感だった。<br>\\r\\n It almost felt like thousands of maggots crawling all over me.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私はそれらの髪の毛は乱暴に毟り取って払う。<br>\\r\\n I brushed it off violently.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……はぁ………はぁ……。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hah, hah... hah...<br>\\r\\n ………………思い知ったか、<br>\\r\\n ......You deserve this,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………鬼婆…。」<br>\\r\\n you fucking demon-hag...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は両手を膝に付きながら、ぜいぜいと荒い息を漏らす。<br>\\r\\n I put my hands on my knees and exhaled roughly.<br><br>\\r\\n その時。<br>\\r\\n It was then that I noticed it.<br>\\r\\n ……………ぎょっとして、私は振り返った。<br>\\r\\n ...I perked up and turned around.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………………<br>\\r\\n ............\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 居た。<br>\\r\\n There it is.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 祭具殿に忍び込んで以来。<br>\\r\\n The person who had been watching me<br>\\r\\n …………私を不気味に監視する、誰か。<br>\\r\\n since I snuck into the shrine storage.<br><br>\\r\\n そいつは、…まるで私の拷問劇を、鑑賞するのが当然とでも言うように、お座敷に座って見ているような気がした。<br>\\r\\n I sensed this person sitting in the tatami room. It enjoyed watching me torture my grandmother.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の背中に、否応を言わせない今日の感情が込み上げる。<br>\\r\\n An overwhelming emotion started to swallow me up.<br><br>\\r\\n …だが、わずかに残った脳内麻薬でその感情を、必死で気付かないようにした。<br>\\r\\n I tried desperately not to feel it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………いつからそこに居たんだか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"How long have you been there?<br>\\r\\n ……言ってくれればよかったのに。」<br>\\r\\n ...You should have said something.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n そいつは、居るだけ。<br>\\r\\n It was just there.<br><br>\\r\\n …そう、悟史くんがそうだったように、そいつは居るだけだ。<br>\\r\\n Just like Satoshi-kun, it was just there.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、居るだけがどんなに不快なことか……。<br>\\r\\n It was extremely uncomfortable to have it just be there...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………そっか、……レナが言ってたもんね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I see... Rena told me.<br>\\r\\n ……………あんた？<br>\\r\\n Are you...<br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまってのは。」<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は悪意のある笑みを浮かべ、不敵に笑いを漏らした。<br>\\r\\n I smiled boldly.<br><br>\\r\\n …でも、背中まで登った震えは消せなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...And yet, I could feel my body shivering.<br><br>\\r\\n 「冗談じゃない。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You can't fool me.<br>\\r\\n …あんたがオヤシロさまで、…祟りは本当にオヤシロさまの祟りってわけなの…？<br>\\r\\n Are you saying that you're Oyashiro-sama, and that the curse of Oyashiro-sama really does exist?<br>\\r\\n ………ばぁかッ！！！<br>\\r\\n ...Come on!!!<br>\\r\\n 誰が信じるかよ？！<br>\\r\\n Who would believe something like that?!<br>\\r\\n ええぇ？！」<br>\\r\\n Huh?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n こんな、私の気のせいの域を出ないような空気野郎が、オヤシロさまの祟りでなんてあるものか。<br>\\r\\n It was just my imagination. It couldn't be the curse of Oyashiro-sama.<br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りなんてあるわけない。<br>\\r\\n The curse couldn't be real.<br><br>\\r\\n 全てはオヤシロさまの祟りを模した、ニンゲンの事件なのだから。<br>\\r\\n Everything was done by humans. They made everything look like it was was a curse!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…ま、………あんたが見たいってんなら勝手だけどさ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, I don't care if you saw what I did.<br>\\r\\n 私ゃ見物料を取るつもりもない。<br>\\r\\n I won't charge you for it.<br>\\r\\n でも、私の邪魔をしようってんなら、あんただって容赦しないよッ？！！」<br>\\r\\n But if you're thinking about interfering, I won't hold back, you know?!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ……これほどまでの気迫をぶつけても、…たじろがないし、…感情の揺らめきも起こらなかった。<br>\\r\\n No matter what I said, nothing happened.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …それはまるで、感情を持たない昆虫と睨みあうようなもの。<br>\\r\\n It was like trying to communicate with an insect.<br><br>\\r\\n ……蜘蛛の巣の真ん中に居座った大蜘蛛と睨めっこをするような…独り相撲の不気味さ。<br>\\r\\n I felt like I was staring at a spider in the middle of its web, and the spider was staring back.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………ふん…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Hmm...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は鬼婆の車椅子に向き返った。<br>\\r\\n I turned to the hag in the wheelchair.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……死体をいつまでもここには置いておけない。<br>\\r\\n ...I couldn't leave her body here forever.<br><br>\\r\\n …死をアピールする必要がないなら、死は速やかでかつ、死体は存在しない方が好ましい。<br>\\r\\n ...If I don't need to make her death known, then it should be quick, and it's best if a body doesn't exist.<br><br>\\r\\n たとえこんな秘密の地下拷問室であってもだ。<br>\\r\\n Not even in this secret, underground torture room.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ふーーーーー……………。<br>\\r\\n Whew...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 深く息を吐き、自分の冷静さを引き出そうと、精神を整えた。<br>\\r\\n I exhaled to try to calm myself down.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …そうだ。<br>\\r\\n Oh,<br>\\r\\n 思い出した。<br>\\r\\n I remember now.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 昔、私が小生意気なガキンチョだった頃。<br>\\r\\n When I was a little girl...<br><br>\\r\\n …葛西は私を怖がらすのが好きで、いろいろと怖い話やグロな話を聞かせたものだ。<br>\\r\\n Kasai used to love making me feel scared. He often told me scary stories about various horrible things.<br><br>\\r\\n その時の話のひとつに、園崎本家の秘密の拷問室の話もあった。<br>\\r\\n I recalled his story about the secret torture room of the Sonozaki family.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………確か、<br>\\r\\n ......According to\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……その話によれば。<br>\\r\\n the story...<br><br>\\r\\n 拷問室には、死体を捨てる井戸があることになっていた。<br>\\r\\n There was a well in the torture room for dumping bodies in.<br><br>\\r\\n その井戸には、残虐な拷問で虐め殺された死体が幾重にも重ねて捨てられていて、…井戸の中から怨嗟の声が聞こえてくるとか何とか…。<br>\\r\\n There was a pile of tortured corpses at the bottom of the well, and resentful moans could be heard echoing from there.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n で、その井戸は降りていくと途中で別のトンネルがあり、遠くの山中に抜け出る秘密の通路にもなっているのだと言う。<br>\\r\\n And about halfway down the well, there was a different tunnel, which was a secret passage leading into the distant mountains.<br><br>\\r\\n この辺は、魅音の話も混じっている。<br>\\r\\n That bit was from Mion's telling of the story.<br><br>\\r\\n 親戚の誰かから聞いた複数の話を統合したものなのだろう。<br>\\r\\n It was probably an amalgamation of tellings from different relatives.<br><br>\\r\\n ………とんでもない秘密の話だが、幼い次期頭首が怖がるのが面白くて、口が軽くなってしまっていたに違いない。<br>\\r\\n ......The room was supposed to be a huge secret, but everyone got loose lips at the chance to have fun scaring the young successor.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「魅音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mion...<br>\\r\\n ………昔、親戚の誰かが言ってたじゃん？<br>\\r\\n do you remember one of our relatives talking about a hidden well a long time ago?<br>\\r\\n この地下拷問室のどこかに隠し井戸があって、外へ出られる秘密の通路があるって話。」<br>\\r\\n There's supposed to be a hidden well somewhere in this underground torture room, and it's connected to a secret passage...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...............\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「さっきの音は聞こえてなかった？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Did you hear some noise earlier?<br>\\r\\n 鬼婆を鞭で叩く音。」<br>\\r\\n That was me whipping the hag.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"............\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は答えないが、唇をぎゅっと噛むのが分かった。<br>\\r\\n Mion didn't reply, but I saw her bite her lip.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「大丈夫。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't worry,<br>\\r\\n あんたは叩かない。<br>\\r\\n I won't whip you.<br>\\r\\n でもね、あんたが不愉快だと、鬼婆をもっと叩くかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n But if you don't cooperate, I might punish her some more.<br>\\r\\n 今度は鞭なんかじゃなくて、」<br>\\r\\n Next time I won't use a whip.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そ、……そこの奥。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Down at the end...<br>\\r\\n …暗がりにも牢屋があるでしょ。<br>\\r\\n do you see a cell in the darkness?<br>\\r\\n ………その中。」<br>\\r\\n It's in there.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音が力なく指差す。<br>\\r\\n Mion pointed weakly.<br>\\r\\n 私はその指の先の暗がりにある岩牢へ向かった。<br>\\r\\n I walked down to where her finger indicated.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 裸電球の弱々しい灯りが照らすその岩牢は、魅音を閉じ込めているものよりもはるかに狭いものだった。<br>\\r\\n A light bulb lit up the cell. It was a lot smaller than the one Mion was in.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 奥行きは浅く、鉄格子を開けて入るまでもなく、ひと目見て何もない退屈な穴倉だと分かる。<br>\\r\\n It was very shallow, and I didn't even need to open the door to see how tiny it was.<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、井戸などありはしなかった。<br>\\r\\n Of course there's no well in there.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 騙されたと思い、少しの怒りが込み上げたが、この期に及んでこんなすぐにバレる嘘を吐くとも思えない。<br>\\r\\n I became angry, assuming that she lied to me. But after considering it, I didn't actually think she would at this point.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は鉄格子の鍵を開けると、中へ踏み込んだ。<br>\\r\\n I opened the door and walked in.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 中へ入ってすぐに気付く。<br>\\r\\n I noticed something immediately.<br><br>\\r\\n 何と………岩牢の中には堂々と巨大な穴が口を開けていたからだ。<br>\\r\\n There was an opening right in the middle of the cell.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n これは…絶妙な自然偽装だった。<br>\\r\\n This opening was naturally disguised.<br><br>\\r\\n ちょっとした起伏と、微妙な光源、影、雰囲気。<br>\\r\\n The way the rocks and the shadows were positioned perfectly hid the well.<br><br>\\r\\n 岩牢の奥にちょっと見える岩の頭が、井戸の口だなんて、中に実際に踏み込まなかったら気付けない。<br>\\r\\n The tip of a rock inside of the cell concealed the entrance. Unless you went in, you'd never notice.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n いや、こんなにも浅い岩牢だから、普通ならわざわざ踏み入ろうとも考えないだろう。<br>\\r\\n But it was such a shallow cell that nobody would even think of going in.<br><br>\\r\\n 第一、鉄格子越しなので、中は丸見え。<br>\\r\\n Besides, the bars allow you to see the inside well enough.<br><br>\\r\\n しかも奥行きはほんの数メートルもなく、一見して何もなく見える。<br>\\r\\n The cell is not even a few meters deep, so it would only take a glance to see everything.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、わざわざ鍵を開けて中へ入ろうなんて思わない。<br>\\r\\n Nobody would think of unlocking the door and walking in.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、中に入らなくちゃ気付けない、絶妙の隠れ方。<br>\\r\\n But walking in was the only way anyone could find the well.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n しかもこの大空洞だけでも、こんな程度の岩牢はいくつも点在している。<br>\\r\\n Furthermore, there were many cells in this huge cave.<br><br>\\r\\n …その中のひとつに秘密の井戸が隠れているなんて、誰も思わないに違いない。<br>\\r\\n Who'd think that one of them was hiding a secret well?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 井戸の底は、光すら飲み込む闇で満たされていて、何も見えなかった。<br>\\r\\n The inside of the well was dark. I couldn't see anything.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、私が立てる些細な音が信じられなく深く反響する様子から、決して浅くない深さを感じ取ることが出来た。<br>\\r\\n But every little noise I made produced echoes. I could tell this was a very deep well.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は拷問室から懐中電灯を持って来ると、その中を照らした。<br>\\r\\n I brought a flashlight from the torture room and shone it down the well.<br><br>\\r\\n それは井戸とは名ばかりの、垂直なトンネルのようだった。<br>\\r\\n It almost looked more like a vertical tunnel.<br><br>\\r\\n だがそのトンネルは明らかに人の手で掘られたものに違いない。<br>\\r\\n Obviously a man-made one, at that.<br><br>\\r\\n ……梯子状に楔が打たれていて、まるで降りておいでと言わんばかりに闇の中へ誘っていた。<br>\\r\\n There were wedges on the wall, like a ladder, and they looked as if they were inviting me to descend.<br><br>\\r\\n 地下拷問室という地獄から抜け出す秘密の脱出通路が、さらに地の底へ誘うような井戸とは皮肉なものだ。<br>\\r\\n It's kind of ironic that the secret escape route from an underground torture room ended up being a well that takes you even further down.<br><br>\\r\\n …行き着く先が自由か、それとも自ら地獄の底へ向かおうとしているのか、分かろうはずもない。<br>\\r\\n You had no way of knowing whether it would take you to freedom or to Hell.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n しかも、この井戸の底には、過去にこの拷問室で殺されてきた犠牲者たちの死体が放り込まれている。<br>\\r\\n Furthermore, there were the tortured bodies of past victims at the bottom.<br><br>\\r\\n ……こんなところを躊躇いもなく降りていけるやつがいるのだろうか？<br>\\r\\n Who would be able to go down this well without hesitation?<br><br>\\r\\n 犠牲者たちの怨念の声を聞きながら、この闇のどこかから枝分かれする秘密のトンネルを探すなど、…正気の沙汰じゃない。<br>\\r\\n Nobody in their right mind could go down this well to look for a secret tunnel, hearing the voices of the dead all the while.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……魅音はあの井戸、降りたことあるの？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Have you ever gone down that well, Mion?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「降りたくもない…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I never even want to...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あはは、それに関しては著しく同感。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahaha, I feel the same way.<br>\\r\\n この拷問室の犠牲者たちが放り込まれた井戸になんか、好きこのんで降りたくはないもんね。」<br>\\r\\n Why would I go down the well where they tossed the victims of this torture room?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は拷問室に戻り、鬼婆の車椅子を押しながら大空洞に戻る。<br>\\r\\n I went back to the torture room and then returned to the cave, pushing the wheelchair containing the hag.<br><br>\\r\\n その様子を見て、魅音が叫んだ。<br>\\r\\n Mion screamed.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「し、…詩音、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sh-Shion...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……婆っちゃを落す気ッ？！」<br>\\r\\n are you going to push Granny down the well?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「落すんじゃないよ、捨てるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"No, I'm not. I'm just dumping her body.<br>\\r\\n もう死んでるしね。」<br>\\r\\n She's dead.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………ッ！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"............!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「さっきの拷問で死んだんじゃないよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Rest assured, I didn't torture her to death.<br>\\r\\n 多分、鬼婆はスタンガンで死んだんだよ。<br>\\r\\n It was probably the stun gun.<br>\\r\\n 心臓マヒとかで。<br>\\r\\n Maybe her heart failed.<br>\\r\\n …放置してもいいけど、虫が湧くと嫌でしょ？」<br>\\r\\n I could just leave her body here, but I don't want it to rot, you know?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………酷い…………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"How could you...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「何なら、死後の鬼婆の世話もする？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, do you want to take care of her even now that she's dead?<br>\\r\\n 湧いてくるウジを箸で摘んで捨てるとかやってみる？<br>\\r\\n Maybe you can use chopsticks to pick maggots off her body.<br>\\r\\n ん？！」<br>\\r\\n Huh?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は両耳を覆うと、聞きたくないとでも言うように、首をぶるぶると振った。<br>\\r\\n Mion covered her ears and shook her head.<br><br>\\r\\n 私のちょっとした憎まれ口も、閉じ込められ、命の保証も怪しい魅音にとっては、この上なく恐ろしく聞こえているに違いなかった…。<br>\\r\\n Everything I said seemed to bother Mion. Her own life wasn't guaranteed at this point.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………詩音……、……………どうして…こんなことを………？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Shion... why... did you do this?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………さぁて。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Let's see...<br>\\r\\n …どうしてだと思います？」<br>\\r\\n Why do you think?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …詩音はしばらくの沈黙の後、言った。<br>\\r\\n Nobody said anything for a while, but the silence was soon broken.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………悟史………？」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Satoshi...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...............\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……仇討ち……ってこと…………？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Is this...... revenge...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「仇討ちになったかも分からないけどね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't know if it was really revenge<br>\\r\\n いきなり後ろからバチン！だったから、何が何やらわかんない内にご臨終だったろうし。」<br>\\r\\n since it happened so quickly. I'm sure she died without even feeling a thing.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"........................\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ねぇ魅音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, Mion...<br>\\r\\n ………今こうして思い返すと、私はやっぱり鬼婆を殺すだけの理由があったように思うの。<br>\\r\\n Now that I think about it...... I did have a reason to kill the hag.<br>\\r\\n なぜか分かる？<br>\\r\\n Do you know what it was?<br>\\r\\n ……単に悟史くんを殺した張本人だからってだけじゃないよ。<br>\\r\\n ...It wasn't just because she killed Satoshi-kun.<br>\\r\\n それは嘘を吐いたから！！」<br>\\r\\n It's because she lied!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆のぼさぼさ頭を私は平手で叩いた。<br>\\r\\n I slapped the hag's head.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あんたも言ったよね？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"You said it too.<br>\\r\\n 私が爪を剥がせば全て許すって！！<br>\\r\\n You told me that if I ripped out my nails, she would forgive everyone!!<br>\\r\\n だから私は爪を剥がしたんだよ、３枚も！！！<br>\\r\\n That's why I ripped out three of my nails!!!<br>\\r\\n それでけじめが付いたってことになったんだよね？！<br>\\r\\n I did what you told me to, right?<br>\\r\\n でも、約束は守られなかった。<br>\\r\\n But she didn't keep her promise.<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんはやっぱり消されてしまった！！<br>\\r\\n She made Satoshi-kun disappear!!<br>\\r\\n どうして？！<br>\\r\\n Why?!<br>\\r\\n どういうことなの？！？！」<br>\\r\\n What was that for!?!?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はなおも鬼婆の頭をたたき続けた。<br>\\r\\n I continued to slap the hag's head.<br><br>\\r\\n 手の平にはいつの間にか、べったり血糊が付き、気持ち悪いことこの上ない。<br>\\r\\n Her blood was all over my hand by then, and it felt gross.<br><br>\\r\\n …それを鬼婆の服で拭おうとしたら、今度は髪の毛まで手の平に張り付いたのだった。<br>\\r\\n I tried to wipe it off on her clothes, but then her hair got on my hand.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は拷問室の流しへ駆けて行き、生ぬるい流水とたわしで手の平を乱暴に洗った。<br>\\r\\n I ran to the sink in the torture room and washed my hands with a brush.<br><br>\\r\\n 全てを洗い流した後、改めて魅音の岩牢の前に戻る。<br>\\r\\n When I was done, I went back to Mion's cell.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あの時、…………悟史くんがいなくなってしまった後。<br>\\r\\n \\\"After Satoshi-kun disappeared,<br>\\r\\n ……あんたが来て言ったよね？<br>\\r\\n you came over and told me.<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんと私の関係は、けじめがもう付いてたって。<br>\\r\\n You said the relationship between me and Satoshi-kun was forgiven.<br>\\r\\n そしてこうも言ったよね？！<br>\\r\\n You also said<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの失踪の理由は、園崎本家は何も知らないとも。」<br>\\r\\n that the Sonozaki main house had nothing to do with Satoshi-kun's disappearance.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……うん…………言っ、」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Yeah... I...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「嘘だッッ！！！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"YOU LIED!!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 嘘だ！！<br>\\r\\n Lied!!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 嘘だ！！<br>\\r\\n Lied!!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 嘘だ！！<br>\\r\\n Lied!!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 嘘だ！<br>\\r\\n Lied!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 嘘だ！<br>\\r\\n Lied!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 嘘だ…<br>\\r\\n Lied...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 嘘だ…<br>\\r\\n Lied...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 嘘………。<br>\\r\\n Lied...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の咆哮が大空洞にこだまする。<br>\\r\\n My shouts echoed throughout the cave.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 肩で息をする。<br>\\r\\n I was breathing heavily.<br><br>\\r\\n 嘘だ、のたった一言に、私は肺の中の空気を全て使いきってしまったかのようだった。<br>\\r\\n I felt like I used up all of the air in my lungs.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……あんたが何も知らないのは本当だと思う。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I believe you don't know anything.<br>\\r\\n あんた自身、鬼婆に真の意味で信頼を得ていたかは怪しいからね。<br>\\r\\n You aren't even sure if the hag actually trusted you.<br>\\r\\n ………でも、鬼婆が本当に私のけじめで悟史くんを許したかは分からないよ。<br>\\r\\n But... I don't know if she forgave Satoshi-kun because of what I did.<br>\\r\\n 甘ちゃんなあんたに、本当のところを打ち明けるわけもない。」<br>\\r\\n She wouldn't have told you the truth.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆は守らなかった。<br>\\r\\n The hag didn't keep her promise.<br><br>\\r\\n 私のけじめで許すと言いながら、嘘を吐いた。<br>\\r\\n She said she'd forgive everyone, but she lied.<br>\\r\\n 許さなかった。<br>\\r\\n She didn't forgive...<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんを許してあげなかった！！<br>\\r\\n She didn't forgive Satoshi-kun!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「嘘つき、嘘つき、嘘つき、嘘つき、嘘つき、嘘つき！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar!<br>\\r\\n この！<br>\\r\\n Damn it!<br>\\r\\n このこの！！<br>\\r\\n Damn it!!<br>\\r\\n 返して悟史くん！！！<br>\\r\\n Give me back Satoshi-kun!!!<br>\\r\\n 返してよ悟史くん！！<br>\\r\\n I want him back!!<br>\\r\\n 返して返して返して返してッ！！」<br>\\r\\n I want him, I want him, I want him, I want him!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆の足のすねを何度も何度も蹴る。<br>\\r\\n I kicked the hag's leg repeatedly.<br><br>\\r\\n その度に、車椅子がきぃきぃと、鬼婆の代わりに泣き声を上げてくれた。<br>\\r\\n Each time I kicked, the wheelchair made a squeaky noise.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……はぁ、……はぁ……はぁ…。<br>\\r\\n Hah, hah, hah, hah...<br>\\r\\n 再び息が切れ、私は膝を付いた。<br>\\r\\n I ran out of breath and kneeled down.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音は両耳を塞ぎ、震えながら涙を溜めている…。<br>\\r\\n Mion was still covering her ears, and was now shaking. There were tears in her eyes.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…怖がらせちゃったね？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sorry to scare you.<br>\\r\\n ごめんごめん。<br>\\r\\n Sorry about that.<br>\\r\\n ……魅音が魅音の言うように、何も知らなかったなら、魅音は虐めないからね。<br>\\r\\n ...If you really don't know, I won't torment you.<br>\\r\\n 安心して。<br>\\r\\n Don't worry.<br>\\r\\n ……でも、……もし、魅音も嘘を吐いていたなら仕方ない。<br>\\r\\n But... if... you were ever lying to me...<br>\\r\\n …………その時はどういう目に遭わされても、…仕方ない。<br>\\r\\n Well, you'll have to accept whatever comes your way.<br>\\r\\n …………仕方ないよね……？<br>\\r\\n ...You know what I mean?<br>\\r\\n …くすくすくすくすくす………、<br>\\r\\n Hee hee hee hee...<br>\\r\\n あははははは、<br>\\r\\n Ahahahaha...<br>\\r\\n あっ<br>\\r\\n A\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n はっ<br>\\r\\n ha\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n はっ<br>\\r\\n ha\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n はっ<br>\\r\\n ha<br>\\r\\n ははははははっはっはっはッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n hahaha ha ha ha!!!\\\"<br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n …それはとても楽しい夢。<br>\\r\\n I was having such a happy dream.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが、…何事もなかったように日々の生活に戻っている夢。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun was in the dream. He was leading his normal everyday life.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 何事もなかったように、野球チームに彼は戻ってきた。<br>\\r\\n He was back on the baseball team.<br><br>\\r\\n 私と監督は、何事もなかったように接するのが大人の対応だとばかりに、これまでの空白時間を全て忘れて、彼を迎えてあげるのだ。<br>\\r\\n Irie and I acted normally around him because we knew that's how mature people should act. We welcomed him back, as if he had been here with us the whole time.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 練習では悪くない打率なのに、…なぜか試合では全然だめ。<br>\\r\\n Although he hits well in practice sessions, he still doesn't do well in a real game.<br><br>\\r\\n もー悟史くんたらー！！<br>\\r\\n Come on, Satoshi-kun!!<br>\\r\\n 何でここ一番で凡退なんですかー！<br>\\r\\n Three strikes already?<br><br>\\r\\n 応援してるこっちの身にもなって下さい。<br>\\r\\n I'm cheering for you.<br><br>\\r\\n そうすると、悟史くんは困っているようなむくれているような顔をして呟くのだ。<br>\\r\\n Then Satoshi-kun pouted as he mumbled:<br><br>\\r\\n 「………むぅ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mmph......\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の目から熱いものがぼろりと零れる。<br>\\r\\n I felt tears pouring down my face.<br><br>\\r\\n ……ぅ、<br>\\r\\n ......Ooh...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………うっく<br>\\r\\n ...sniffle\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………えっく…。<br>\\r\\n sniffle...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……悟史くん、…………悟史くん………。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Satoshi-kun... Satoshi-kun......<br>\\r\\n ぁぅ………、……ううぅうぅ……！」<br>\\r\\n Aaah... Oooh......\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 夢と知りながら浸っていた夢は、……私の嗚咽と共に、ぼんやりと霞んでいく…。<br>\\r\\n The happy dream faded out with my sobs.<br><br>\\r\\n 焦点を合わせようと瞬きすればするほどに霞んで。<br>\\r\\n The harder I tried to focus on it, the faster it faded.<br>\\r\\n ……全部、消えてしまった。<br>\\r\\n Soon it was all gone.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 朝日がカーテンの隙間から零れてくる。<br>\\r\\n I could see the bright morning sun through a crack in the curtains.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ここは…園崎本家の、魅音の部屋だった。<br>\\r\\n I was in Mion's room at the Sonozaki house.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n いつの間にここに戻ってきたのか。<br>\\r\\n When did I come back?<br><br>\\r\\n ………………私は部屋の隅にうずくまるようにしゃがみ込んで、泣いていた。<br>\\r\\n I was crouching in the corner of the room and crying.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……夢は、夢。<br>\\r\\n ......A dream is a dream.<br><br>\\r\\n 目が覚めたことを恨みたかった。<br>\\r\\n I wished I hadn't woken up.<br><br>\\r\\n ……でも、夢は覚める。<br>\\r\\n But one must wake up from a dream.<br>\\r\\n 自分が夢のない世界の住人だからこそ、覚める。<br>\\r\\n We live in a world where there are no dreams, and that's why we always wake up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …でも、その夢は、本当に私ひとりの夢だったのかはわからない。<br>\\r\\n But I wasn't sure if I was the only one dreaming that dream.<br><br>\\r\\n なぜなら、………ずっと悟史くんが側に居てくれた気がしたから。<br>\\r\\n Because I felt like Satoshi-kun was right beside me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………悟史くん…？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Satoshi-kun?<br>\\r\\n …………か、…帰って来てくれたんだ……？」<br>\\r\\n Did... you... come back...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 居る気配は応えない。<br>\\r\\n There was no reply.<br><br>\\r\\n それがルール。<br>\\r\\n That was the rule.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも、…本当に悟史くんなら、せめてはにかむとか……表情をほころばせて見せてほしかった。<br>\\r\\n If it was Satoshi-kun, I wish it'd smile at me just once.<br><br>\\r\\n そんなことに期待する内に、悟史くんが居るのがどこか、<br>\\r\\n But Satoshi-kun's presence\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ぼやけてしまい……、<br>\\r\\n faded away\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n まるで最初からいなかったかのような、空しさが押し寄せてくるのだった………。<br>\\r\\n as if he were never there to begin with......\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 玄関の電話が鳴り出すのが聞こえた。<br>\\r\\n I heard the phone ring by the front door.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………そうだ。<br>\\r\\n Ah, that's right.<br><br>\\r\\n 今、この家には私しかいない。<br>\\r\\n I was the only one in the house now.<br>\\r\\n …出なくちゃ。<br>\\r\\n I had to answer it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は玄関へ向かおうと立ち上がった。<br>\\r\\n I got up to walk to the front door.<br><br>\\r\\n ……体がよろりと揺らめき、私は慌てて壁に手を突いて体を支える。<br>\\r\\n I felt unsteady, so I put my hand on the wall to support myself.<br><br>\\r\\n 充分寝てないんだから無理もない。<br>\\r\\n I hardly got any sleep.<br><br>\\r\\n まるで、風邪をこじらせたような感じだった。<br>\\r\\n It was like I had a bad cold.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 電話はまだ鳴り続けている。<br>\\r\\n The phone continued to ring.<br><br>\\r\\n ……出ないという選択肢もあったのに。<br>\\r\\n ...I probably didn't have to answer it, actually.<br><br>\\r\\n この時の、頭が目覚めていない私は、正直に受話器を取ること以外、思いつかなかった。<br>\\r\\n But I was still half-asleep and all I could think of was answering the phone.<br><br>\\r\\n 「………はい、園崎です。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Hello, Sonozaki residence.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「朝早くにすみませんなぁ、公由でございます。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sorry to call you so early. It's Kimiyoshi.<br>\\r\\n お婆ちゃんはまだお休みですかな。」<br>\\r\\n Is your grandma still sleeping?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 公由のおじいちゃんだった。<br>\\r\\n It was Uncle Kimiyoshi.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「はい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"She is, yes.<br>\\r\\n 昨日のが堪えたみたいです。<br>\\r\\n I guess she's still tired from yesterday.<br>\\r\\n しばらく寝かせておこうと思います。」<br>\\r\\n I think I'll let her sleep in.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……そうだね、無理に起こしちゃ悪いなぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, you probably should.<br>\\r\\n 魅音ちゃんもこれから学校だよね？<br>\\r\\n Mion-chan, you're going to school, right?<br>\\r\\n ……じゃあ枕元に伝言を置いといてもらってもいいかなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n Can I leave a message with you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「わかりました。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sure.<br>\\r\\n なんと伝言しましょう？」<br>\\r\\n What is it?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「えっとね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Let's see...<br>\\r\\n …昨日の件で、緊急に役員会を開くことになったんだけど、それをね、今日の夕方の５時から神社の集会所でって伝えてもらえる？」<br>\\r\\n There will be an emergency meeting regarding the incident from yesterday. It'll be at the shrine's assembly hall, starting at 5 PM. Did you get that?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………わかりました。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n 伝えておきます。」<br>\\r\\n I'll give her the message.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 受話器を置くと、すぐにまたベルが鳴った。<br>\\r\\n As soon as I put the phone down, it rang again.<br><br>\\r\\n 「はい、園崎です。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hello, Sonozaki residence.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「早朝から申し訳ありません。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Good morning. Sorry to call you so early.<br>\\r\\n 葛西と申しますが、……魅音さんですか？<br>\\r\\n This is Kasai... Is this Mion-san?<br>\\r\\n おはようございます。」<br>\\r\\n Good morning.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ん、……葛西…さんですか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mmm... Kasai-san...<br>\\r\\n おはようございます。」<br>\\r\\n Good morning.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音さんはまだそちらにいらっしゃいますか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Is Shion-san still there?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……大して慌てなかったが、少し迷った。<br>\\r\\n I wasn't panicked, but I hesitated.<br><br>\\r\\n いないことにも出来る。<br>\\r\\n I could tell him no.<br>\\r\\n あるいは一人二役を演じてもいい。<br>\\r\\n Or I could play both Mion and Shion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……詩音はさっき顔を洗ってました。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion was washing her face just now.<br>\\r\\n 呼んできますね。」<br>\\r\\n I'll get her for you.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は詩音を演じることに決め、わざと廊下を行き来して足音と間を演出した後、受話器を再び取った。<br>\\r\\n I decided to play two parts. I went back and forth down the hallway and picked up the phone again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「葛西？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Kasai?<br>\\r\\n おはよーです。」<br>\\r\\n Morning!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「おはようございます、詩音さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Good morning, Shion-san.<br>\\r\\n 今日は登校されますか？」<br>\\r\\n Are you going to school today?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「するわけないです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Of course not.<br>\\r\\n たるぃし。」<br>\\r\\n I feel miserable.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「まぁそんなとこだとは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I kind of expected that.<br>\\r\\n それで詩音さん、興宮へ帰る足はありますか？<br>\\r\\n By the way, how are you getting back to Okinomiya?<br>\\r\\n 若いのに迎えに行かせますが。」<br>\\r\\n I can have someone come pick you up...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「んーー、…公由のおじいちゃんとか、その辺りに送ってもらおうかなと思ってます。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mmm, I think I can get a ride from Uncle Kimiyoshi or somebody else.<br>\\r\\n 私のことは放っておいてくれてＯＫです。」<br>\\r\\n Don't worry, I'll figure something out.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「親父さんから、出席日数だけは守らせるように厳命を受けていますので。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Your father told me to make sure you go to school often enough.<br>\\r\\n 私の小指のためにもご協力をいただきたいもんです。」<br>\\r\\n I'd appreciate your cooperation.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「くすくす、まぁ気が向いたら努力します。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hee hee hee, I'll go when I feel like it.<br>\\r\\n …………………それより葛西。<br>\\r\\n ......By the way, Kasai...<br>\\r\\n ……聞いてる？」<br>\\r\\n Did you hear?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「聞いてるとは？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"What about?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………昨夜の、アレ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"You know, the incident from last night.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「一応は。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes, I have.<br>\\r\\n …恐ろしい話です。」<br>\\r\\n How truly horrifying.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「これまでの祟りの犠牲者はさ、みんなダム戦争の時の戦犯だったわけじゃない？<br>\\r\\n \\\"All the past victims were war criminals from the dam conflict, right?<br>\\r\\n それが今年はちょいと路線が違う感じですよね。<br>\\r\\n But it's different this year.<br>\\r\\n …どう思う？」<br>\\r\\n What do you think about that?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「さぁ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmm...<br>\\r\\n ……私の与り知るところの話ではありません。」<br>\\r\\n I don't really know.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は、余計なことを喋るタイプではない。<br>\\r\\n Kasai wasn't the type to talk too much.<br><br>\\r\\n そういう角度の話が来ると、とても素っ気無く返すことを私は知っていた。<br>\\r\\n If it was about something complicated, he usually responded like that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……昨夜の犠牲者の二人が、どうしてオヤシロさまの祟りを受けたか、知ってる？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Do you know why those two fell under the curse of Oyashiro-sama?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「いいえ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"No.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「実は昨夜、ちょっと聞いた話だと…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I heard this last night...<br>\\r\\n ………なんか、綿流しの最中に、祭具殿にこっそり忍び込んだらしいよ？<br>\\r\\n Supposedly...... they snuck into the ritual storehouse during the festival.<br>\\r\\n 鍵を針金か何かで開けて。」<br>\\r\\n They used a metal wire or something to unlock the door.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 電話先の葛西は少しの間、沈黙した。<br>\\r\\n Kasai went silent for a while.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は息を殺し、葛西がどういう反応を示すかうかがう…。<br>\\r\\n I held my breath while waiting to see how he responded.<br><br>\\r\\n 祭具殿に忍び込んだくらいで、今年の犠牲者に選ばれてしまうんですか？<br>\\r\\n I expected him to say that he couldn't believe those people were chosen as victims just for sneaking into a storehouse.<br><br>\\r\\n それは少し無理のある話ですね。<br>\\r\\n I expected him to say<br>\\r\\n ……この辺りが私の期待する返事だ…。<br>\\r\\n that it was just too unrealistic.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………そうですか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I see.<br>\\r\\n …馬鹿なことを。」<br>\\r\\n That was stupid of them.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ん？……あはははは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmm? ...Ahahaha.<br>\\r\\n ま、富竹さんもその辺りには疎い余所者だったってことだねー。」<br>\\r\\n Since Tomitake-san was an outsider, I bet he didn't know.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は葛西に調子を合わせたが、内心はかなり動揺していた。<br>\\r\\n I went along with Kasai, but I felt disturbed on the inside.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 葛西は、祭具殿の禁を犯す＝５年目の犠牲者という等式を、あっさり頷いて見せたからだ。<br>\\r\\n Kasai didn't wonder why breaking into the ritual storehouse would justify their deaths.<br><br>\\r\\n …葛西との付き合いの長い私だからこそ、この淡白な一言が、あまりに重い意味を含むことを知っているのだ…。<br>\\r\\n I'd known Kasai for a long time, which is why I knew there was a heavy meaning to what he said.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「でさーーー、葛西。<br>\\r\\n \\\"By the way, Kasai.<br>\\r\\n ………実は、さ。<br>\\r\\n Actually...<br>\\r\\n ……えへへ、……私もなんだけど。」<br>\\r\\n ehehe, I did it too.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………入ったんですか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Did you go in?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……んーー、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mm...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……うん。<br>\\r\\n ...yeah.<br>\\r\\n あははは…。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahaha...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…祭具殿に？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...You went into the ritual storehouse,<br>\\r\\n 詩音さんが？」<br>\\r\\n Shion-san?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah.<br>\\r\\n …その、鷹野さんに一緒にどう？って誘われてさ。<br>\\r\\n ...Takano-san invited me.<br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんと富竹さん、そして私と、ほら前原屋敷に引越してきた圭一って男の子と一緒に、４人で。」<br>\\r\\n Takano-san, Tomitake-san and... remember Keiichi who just moved here recently? Him and me, to make four of us.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n はぁ……、っと、落胆する重いため息が聞こえた。<br>\\r\\n I heard Kasai sighing heavily.<br><br>\\r\\n 何も言葉を発さずとも、葛西が呆れていることがわかった。<br>\\r\\n Even though he didn't say a word, I could tell he was shocked.<br><br>\\r\\n …葛西がここまで不快な態度を取るところを、私は初めて見る。<br>\\r\\n I'd never known him to act this way before.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音さん…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion-san.<br>\\r\\n 去年、ああいう一件があったばっかりなんですよ？<br>\\r\\n Don't you remember what happened last year?<br>\\r\\n …今度はどうけじめをつけられるおつもりですか。」<br>\\r\\n How do you think you can take care of this?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…ん、……んん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mm... ...hmm.<br>\\r\\n 去年が爪３枚だったから、……奮発して５枚くらい行っとく？」<br>\\r\\n Last year, it was three nails... so maybe five this year?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...............\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、…ごめん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah... sorry.<br>\\r\\n …でも、ふざけてるわけじゃないんだよ…！<br>\\r\\n I wasn't trying to make light of the situation!<br>\\r\\n そりゃ私だって、ヤバいとこだって認識はあったよ？<br>\\r\\n I knew I shouldn't have done it.<br>\\r\\n 少しは。でもさ、…そこまでヤバいことなわけ？！」<br>\\r\\n I regret it at least a little. But is it really that terrible a thing to do?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………詩音さんは仮にも園崎本家に縁ある方です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You are related to the Sonozaki main family.<br>\\r\\n 今さらそんなこと言って、まかり通ると思いますか？」<br>\\r\\n Do you really think people would understand?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「って言うか……、だって私、ずっと興宮！<br>\\r\\n \\\"But... I've been living in Okinomiya all my life!<br>\\r\\n 鬼婆に嫌われて以降、雛見沢にはほとんど近付いてもいない！<br>\\r\\n Since the hag hated me, I've barely been to Hinamizawa!<br>\\r\\n その上、学園に閉じ込められて過してたんですよ？！<br>\\r\\n Besides, I was stuck at school.<br>\\r\\n そんなの私が知るはずないじゃない……！！」<br>\\r\\n How would I know about any of that?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n もう一度受話器の向こうで深いため息。<br>\\r\\n I heard another sigh from Kasai.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私の言い訳が、通用しないものであることをこれほど雄弁に語る返事もないものだった。<br>\\r\\n That sigh told me my excuses would be useless.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion-san.<br>\\r\\n 私はあなたの味方のつもりです。<br>\\r\\n I am your ally.<br>\\r\\n 極力、詩音さんを信じてあげたいと思っています。<br>\\r\\n I want to support you as much as I can.<br>\\r\\n ……ですが、いくら私でも庇いきれないことがあります。<br>\\r\\n But there are dangers even I can't protect you from.<br>\\r\\n 第一、詩、」<br>\\r\\n Besides, Shi-\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、あははは！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, ahahaha!<br>\\r\\n ごめん！<br>\\r\\n Sorry!<br>\\r\\n お姉が来たから切ります。<br>\\r\\n Sis is here, I've got to go.<br>\\r\\n じゃね！」<br>\\r\\n See ya!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ガチャン！<br>\\r\\n Click!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 葛西の言葉を一方的に断ち切り、受話器を置いた。<br>\\r\\n I interrupted Kasai and hung up.<br><br>\\r\\n …聞きたくなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\n I didn't want to hear it.<br><br>\\r\\n 昔から、どんな時にも常に私の味方になってくれた葛西の、私を拒絶する言葉を最後まで聞くことに耐えられなかった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't want to hear Kasai reject me. He, who had been my ally all my life.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「たはははははははははは………。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hahahahahaha...<br>\\r\\n …ちぇ……、<br>\\r\\n Shit...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …まいった、<br>\\r\\n ...damn\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …なぁ。」<br>\\r\\n it...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n セミのじりじりとした鳴き声が、<br>\\r\\n I could hear the sound of the cicadas.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n まるで私を巨大なフライパンに乗せて、<br>\\r\\n The sound made it feel\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ジリジリと炙って音を立てているように聞こえた。<br>\\r\\n like I was being cooked on a huge frying pan, making a sizzling noise.<br><br>\\r\\n …………今頃になって、…後悔の念が湧く。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't help feeling remorseful.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 本当の本当に、…祭具殿に忍び込んだことは笑えない話らしい。<br>\\r\\n Now I knew that sneaking into the ritual storehouse wasn't a laughing matter.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、あの時点ではそこまでヤバいとは認識してなかった。<br>\\r\\n But I really didn't know it at the time.<br><br>\\r\\n …そりゃ、錠前で閉じてあるんだから、中に入るなっていう意思表示はあったと思う。<br>\\r\\n Sure, the door was locked, so they didn't want anyone to go in.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でもそれならこれまでの厳重な鍵のままにしとけばよかったんだ！<br>\\r\\n Then why did they change the lock?<br><br>\\r\\n それを何だっけ？<br>\\r\\n What did they say?<br><br>\\r\\n 梨花ちゃまが重いとか何とか言って、軽くて安っぽい錠前に替えちゃったんだっけ？<br>\\r\\n I think it was that Rika-chama said that the previous lock was too heavy for her, so she had it changed to that cheap one.<br><br>\\r\\n そんなことするから鷹野さんに狙われちゃったんだよ…。<br>\\r\\n That was how Takano-san broke in.<br><br>\\r\\n これまでの厳重なのだったなら、こんなことにはならなかったのに…！！<br>\\r\\n If the heavy lock was still there, this wouldn't have happened!!<br><br>\\r\\n ぴしゃっと自分の額を平手で叩く。<br>\\r\\n I slapped my own forehead.<br><br>\\r\\n ………はぁ。<br>\\r\\n ......Hahh.<br>\\r\\n 一度だけ大きく深呼吸。<br>\\r\\n Then I took a deep breath.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 落ち着け、私。<br>\\r\\n I had to calm down.<br><br>\\r\\n 何を今さら慌てることがあるのか。<br>\\r\\n What was the point of fussing now?<br><br>\\r\\n 私は昨夜からもう、…後戻りの出来ない道に踏み込んでいるではないか。<br>\\r\\n I'd already passed the point of no return.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 踏み出してしまったのだから、もう迷うな。<br>\\r\\n There was no use thinking otherwise.<br><br>\\r\\n だって、鬼婆はもう殺しちゃったんだぞ。<br>\\r\\n The hag was already dead.<br><br>\\r\\n 仮にあれが電気ショックによる仮死状態だったとしても、あれだけの深さのある井戸に落としたんだぞ。絶対に死んでる。<br>\\r\\n Even if she wasn't, she was now at the bottom of the well.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、指を五、六本詰めて、ごめんなさいね、テヘ☆って段階は、とうに過ぎてるのだ。<br>\\r\\n Therefore, it was already past the point where I could just cut my fingers off in apology.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 両足が地に着かないような不安定感。<br>\\r\\n I felt so unstable.<br><br>\\r\\n 公園のブランコの周りを囲む柵の上を、綱渡り気分で渡って遊んだことはある。<br>\\r\\n I'd walked on the fence around the swings at the park before, as if I was walking on a tightrope.<br><br>\\r\\n あれが楽しいのは、落ちても高さ数十センチ程度だからだ。<br>\\r\\n It was fun because even if I fell, it was only a very short distance.<br><br>\\r\\n ……その高さが、底すら見えないほどあると分かったなら、誰も楽しいなんて思うものか。<br>\\r\\n But it wouldn't have been fun if I were up really high.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n しかし私はその高さのある柵の上に、もう踏み出してしまっているのだ。<br>\\r\\n At that very moment, I was in fact already on a tightrope that was a lot higher than the fence at the park.<br><br>\\r\\n 踏み出すと同時に後ろは消えた。<br>\\r\\n As soon as I took a step, the rope behind me would vanish.<br><br>\\r\\n 一歩、後退れば大地があるわけではない。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't step back, because there was nothing behind me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 今私が立っている場所は、そういう場所。<br>\\r\\n That was, in short, the current situation I found myself in.<br><br>\\r\\n ただ立っているだけでも精一杯。<br>\\r\\n Just standing in one spot was all I could do.<br><br>\\r\\n ……たとえ歩かなくとも、気を許せば奈落に転落しかねない不安定な足場。<br>\\r\\n ...Even if I never took another step, I'd fall if I wasn't careful.<br><br>\\r\\n それを無理に歩けば、さらに転落の危険は増すだろう。<br>\\r\\n If I forced myself to walk, the danger would only increase.<br>\\r\\n …だが、ここに立ちすくんだとていずれは落ちる運命。<br>\\r\\n But if I didn't move, I would fall eventually.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 先行きも見えない。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't see what was ahead of me.<br><br>\\r\\n この道の先に、再び両足で踏みしめられる大地がある保証などない。<br>\\r\\n There was no guarantee that I'd ever find firm ground.<br><br>\\r\\n ……でも、ここに立ちすくめば待ち受ける運命はひとつしかないのだ。<br>\\r\\n But if I stopped... there was only one fate waiting for me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n なら、……歩むしかない！<br>\\r\\n I have to... move onward!<br><br>\\r\\n 座して死ぬことが確実なら、…歩いて死ぬ。<br>\\r\\n If staying here guaranteed death, then I'd rather try to walk, even if I'd die as a result.<br><br>\\r\\n その先に待ち受けるのが行き止まりという絶望だったとしても、努力せずに死ぬよりは納得できようというもの。<br>\\r\\n Even if there was a dead end ahead of me, at least I tried my hardest.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……それすらも楽観的な考えで。<br>\\r\\n In general, I try to be optimistic.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の命運が、そう長くないならば、…それも受け容れよう。<br>\\r\\n I could accept my life not lasting particularly long.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、………ならば簡単に死ぬものか。<br>\\r\\n But... I wouldn't go easily.<br><br>\\r\\n 足掻いて足掻いて、足掻きまくってやる…。<br>\\r\\n I'd struggle as much as possible...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆を殺してしまったのだ。<br>\\r\\n I'd already killed the hag.<br>\\r\\n 死以外のどんな制裁もあり得ない！<br>\\r\\n For that, there could be no other punishment than death!<br><br>\\r\\n そう、私の命運はそう遠くない内に尽きるのだ。<br>\\r\\n I knew my life would end soon.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n つまり、<br>\\r\\n In other words......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………私はもう、<br>\\r\\n I was actually...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …死んでいる、のだ。<br>\\r\\n already dead.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………死人がなおも足掻こうとしたら、<br>\\r\\n \\\"......A dead person has nothing to lose.<br>\\r\\n ………そりゃ特攻あるのみでしょ。」<br>\\r\\n That means... I can only go on the offensive.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 口にして、両の拳をぐっと握り締める。<br>\\r\\n I clenched my fists tightly as I muttered.<br><br>\\r\\n どうせ死ぬにしても。<br>\\r\\n Even if I had to die<br>\\r\\n …ただじゃ死ねない。<br>\\r\\n ...I couldn't die easily.<br><br>\\r\\n 今こそ、……悟史くんの無念を晴らす時なのだ。<br>\\r\\n This was my chance to avenge Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 誰が、何のために、どうして。<br>\\r\\n Who did it, for what purpose, and why?<br><br>\\r\\n 調べる。<br>\\r\\n I was going to investigate.<br><br>\\r\\n 聞き出す。<br>\\r\\n I was going to question.<br><br>\\r\\n 暴き出す。<br>\\r\\n I was going to expose.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、そうさ「けじめ」をつけてやる……………。<br>\\r\\n Yes, I was going to settle the score.<br><br>\\r\\n ……昨日、漠然と考えた方針にとりあえず従おう。<br>\\r\\n I'd carry out the plan I came up with yesterday.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆の死はしばらく誤魔化せる。<br>\\r\\n I could hide the hag's death somehow.<br><br>\\r\\n 綿流しの後、体調を崩して寝込んでいるとか言えば充分だ。<br>\\r\\n All I'd have to say is that she hadn't been feeling well since Watanagashi.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音の不在は、私が魅音になることで誤魔化せる。<br>\\r\\n I could do it all while pretending to be Mion.<br><br>\\r\\n …学校の仲間たちが違和感に気付いてもいいように、体調不良を訴えておくといいだろう。<br>\\r\\n Just in case her friends at school became suspicious, maybe I'd start telling them I hadn't been feeling well either.<br><br>\\r\\n …実際、私は寝不足気味でぼーっとしていた。<br>\\r\\n In fact, I did feel groggy from my lack of sleep.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が魅音になれば、自動的に詩音は消える。<br>\\r\\n When I became Mion, Shion would automatically disappear.<br><br>\\r\\n ……葛西にさっき、詩音が祭具殿に入ったと伝えておいたから、葛西の筋から、詩音がオヤシロさまの祟りで「鬼隠し」にあったことになるだろう。<br>\\r\\n I'd already told Kasai that I snuck into the shrine storage, so he'd probably end up telling people that I was demoned away, due to the curse of Oyashiro-sama.<br><br>\\r\\n そうなれば、……残るのは祭具殿に忍び込んだ４人組最後の１人、前原圭一のみ。<br>\\r\\n The last person I'd have to think about was the fourth one who snuck into the ritual storehouse, Keiichi Maebara.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その前原圭一をエサに、私はわずかのリスクで敵を引っ張り上げられるかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n Maybe I can use him as bait to lure out the enemy.<br><br>\\r\\n …圭ちゃん、悪いけど、エサにさせてもらうね。<br>\\r\\n Sorry, Kei-chan, you're going to be my bait.<br><br>\\r\\n ちょっと面白いやつかなって思いかけてたところで胸は痛むけどね。<br>\\r\\n I felt a little bad, since I was starting to like him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n よし、……登校しよう。<br>\\r\\n With all that figured out, let's go to school.<br><br>\\r\\n 前に魅音で登校してるから、勝手はわかってる。<br>\\r\\n I'd gone to school as Mion before, so I knew how things worked.<br><br>\\r\\n 時計を見ると、登校時間はもうすぐだった。<br>\\r\\n It was almost time to leave the house.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「魅ぃちゃ〜〜ん！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mii-chaaaaan!!<br>\\r\\n 遅い遅い〜！！」<br>\\r\\n You're laaaate!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「はー！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hah!<br>\\r\\n はー！<br>\\r\\n Hah!<br>\\r\\n …待っててくれたわけ？<br>\\r\\n ...You waited?<br>\\r\\n さ、先に行っちゃっても良かったのに…。」<br>\\r\\n Y-You should have just gone on ahead...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あれ、魅音？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, Mion?<br>\\r\\n ……お前、顔が赤くないかー？<br>\\r\\n Your face is red.<br>\\r\\n 息も妙に荒いし。」<br>\\r\\n You're breathing heavily, too.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……魅ぃちゃん、…ひょっとして、具合悪くない？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mii-chan... Are you not feeling well?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n レナが無遠慮に私の前髪を掻き分けて、額に手を当てる。<br>\\r\\n Rena put her hand on my forehead.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…レナの手、冷たいな。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Rena, your hand is pretty cold.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「魅ぃちゃん…ちょとだけど熱あるよ？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mii-chan... You're a little bit warm.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そんな大したことないよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's no big deal.<br>\\r\\n …半日もすればケロッと治っちゃうって。」<br>\\r\\n ...Give it half a day and I'll be fit as a fiddle.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「本当に大丈夫かよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Are you really okay?<br>\\r\\n …あんまり無理するなよ？」<br>\\r\\n ...You don't have to push yourself, you know.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あれ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"What's this?<br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃん、気遣ってくれるの？<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan, are you worried about me?<br>\\r\\n あはは…うれしいなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n Ahaha... That's nice of you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 面白おかしく普段はふざけているだけだと思ってた圭一に、気を遣われるとは思わなかった。<br>\\r\\n I'd always thought he was a goofball, so I was a little surprised.<br><br>\\r\\n 茶化されると思っていたので、少し拍子抜けする。<br>\\r\\n I'd thought they would tease me, but they didn't.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「む、無理しない方がいいと思うな。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I-I just think you shouldn't push yourself so hard.<br>\\r\\n 先生にはお休みだって伝えとくよ？」<br>\\r\\n We can tell the teacher you had to take the day off.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「大丈夫大丈夫！<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm fine, I'm fine!<br>\\r\\n 風邪薬も飲んだし。<br>\\r\\n I took some medicine.<br>\\r\\n すぐに効いてくると思うから。」<br>\\r\\n I think it's already working.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃあ…行こうか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay... then let's go.<br>\\r\\n くれぐれも無理するなよ、って言いながら。<br>\\r\\n Don't overdo it... but, of course, there's...<br>\\r\\n …時間！」<br>\\r\\n ...the time.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「わ？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wah?!<br>\\r\\n は、走らないと、ま、間に合わない〜！！」<br>\\r\\n W-We need to run or we won't m-make it~!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あっははははは！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahh ha ha ha!<br>\\r\\n スリリングな朝になっちゃったねぇ。<br>\\r\\n This morning got pretty thrilling.<br>\\r\\n 鈍った体にはちょうどいい喝かもね！<br>\\r\\n Maybe it's just what I need to shake off this sluggishness!<br>\\r\\n 走ろ！」<br>\\r\\n Let's run!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 「それでは委員長、号令。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"President, if you would.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………あ、…！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah......!<br>\\r\\n …きりーーーーーつ！！<br>\\r\\n ...Everybody stand up!!<br>\\r\\n きょーつけー！！」<br>\\r\\n At attention!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 前回も号令でとちったんだっけ。<br>\\r\\n I'd made the same mistake before.<br><br>\\r\\n くそ、私も学ばない奴だな…。<br>\\r\\n I never learn, do I?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「魅ぃちゃん本当に大丈夫かな…？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Do you think Mii-chan is doing okay?<br>\\r\\n 今日は具合悪そう…。」<br>\\r\\n She doesn't look good...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…あら、…そうなんですの？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, really?<br>\\r\\n それはよくありませんわねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n How unfortunate.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 体調不良をアピールしたのは正解だ。<br>\\r\\n It was a good idea to make them believe I was sick.<br><br>\\r\\n 挙動が普段と多少違っても言い訳になる。<br>\\r\\n Even if I did things differently from Mion, I had an excuse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「まぁ、そのアレだ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, you know.<br>\\r\\n 女の子には体調が悪くなる日もある、ってことだなー。」<br>\\r\\n Girls have those days when they just don't feel well...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……ボクにはそんな日はないのですよ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I don't have those days.<br>\\r\\n にぱー☆」<br>\\r\\n Nipah☆.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音の仲間たちは適当にジャレ合いながら、私を気遣って放っておいてくれるのだった。<br>\\r\\n Mion's friends kept each other occupied and left me alone.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………前原圭一、か。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi Maebara...<br><br>\\r\\n 彼がある日、突然いなくなった…では失敗なのだ。<br>\\r\\n He might suddenly disappear one day... I couldn't let that happen.<br><br>\\r\\n それは釣竿を垂れたまま居眠りし、エサだけ食い逃げされてしまったのと同じこと。<br>\\r\\n That would be like letting a fish take the bait and swim away while I was fast asleep with a fishing pole in my hands.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、敵が圭一というエサに食いつく瞬間を逃さないよう、注意深く見守っていなくてはならない。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't miss the moment the enemy took a bite out of Keiichi. I had to be very careful.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、彼の生活を２４時間監視することは実際には不可能だ。<br>\\r\\n But it was impossible to keep my eyes on him 24 hours a day.<br><br>\\r\\n こうして様子を盗み見る程度では、監視している内には入らない。<br>\\r\\n Spying on him at school like this wasn't good enough.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……詩音として接触し、圭一にも危機意識を持たせるか？<br>\\r\\n Should I have him meet with Shion and let her explain that he's in danger?<br><br>\\r\\n その上で、共同戦線を張ることを提案してみるのはどうか。<br>\\r\\n Maybe we could set up a strategy together.<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一も私と同様、祭具殿に踏み入るのが悪いことであるとは思っていても、命で贖わされるほどヤバいとは思っていないに違いない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't think Keiichi realized how serious a crime it was to step into the ritual storehouse. I hadn't, after all.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それに、去年から祟り関係の事件は秘匿捜査指定とか言うのになるんだっけ。<br>\\r\\n Since last year, all the incidents that related to the curse had probably been investigated in secret.<br><br>\\r\\n …御三家筋は昨夜の内に事件のことを知っているけど、<br>\\r\\n People involved with the Three Families would know about the incident from last night,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …圭一は多分、何も知らない。<br>\\r\\n but Keiichi shouldn't know anything.<br><br>\\r\\n 自分の置かれている状況を教えてやれば、彼も自分の動きを慎重にするだろう。<br>\\r\\n If he knew where he stood now, he'd be more cautious too.<br><br>\\r\\n ………そうすれば、彼に近付く魔手も察知しやすいのではないか……。<br>\\r\\n That should make him aware of his surroundings... and maybe he would notice if anything odd took place.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 前原圭一は居眠りがバレて、先生に顔を洗ってくるよう命令されて廊下に出るところだった。<br>\\r\\n The teacher caught him sleeping, so she ordered him to go wash his face. He walked out into the hallway.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………眠いと言えば、…私も眠い。<br>\\r\\n I was sleepy too.<br><br>\\r\\n 慎重さが求められるのに、睡眠不足で思考力が鈍るのはいただけない。<br>\\r\\n I had to be alert, but I couldn't clear my mind due to my lack of sleep.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は体調不良を理由に早退を求めた。<br>\\r\\n I decided to go home early.<br><br>\\r\\n 朝からの装いのおかげで、それはすんなりと認められたのだった…。<br>\\r\\n Since I'd been pretending to be sick since morning, my request was approved.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 昇降口から出ると、圭一は表の流しでザブザブと、律儀に顔を洗っていた。<br>\\r\\n As I exited the building, I saw Keiichi washing his face.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「やっぱ、圭ちゃんはこっちの流しを選んだか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I thought you'd be out here.<br>\\r\\n 表の方が気分いいもんね。」<br>\\r\\n It feels better outside, huh?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ん、…魅音か。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hm... Mion?<br>\\r\\n …ふぁ〜ぁ。<br>\\r\\n ...Yaaawn.<br>\\r\\n 授業、さぼるなよな〜。」<br>\\r\\n No cutting class now~.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 冷たそうな水を乱暴に顔に叩きつけるその行為が、とても気持ち良さそうに見える。<br>\\r\\n It looked like it felt refreshing for him to wash his face with cold water.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一に続き、私も同じように冷水を顔に叩きつけた。<br>\\r\\n I washed my face too.<br><br>\\r\\n ……でも、想像していたほど気持ちよくなかった。<br>\\r\\n But it didn't feel as good as it looked.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…魅音、風邪の方はいいのかよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mion, how is your cold doing?<br>\\r\\n 眠いのは寝不足じゃなくて、風邪薬の副作用なんだろ？」<br>\\r\\n You're sleepy because of the medicine, not from lack of sleep, yeah?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ん？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hm?<br>\\r\\n …あはははは、実は内緒なんだけど…、昨日はお祭りのあとで親族の宴会に巻き込まれちゃってさ。<br>\\r\\n ...Ahahahaha. Actually, this is a secret, but... after the festival yesterday, I got wrapped up in the party my relatives were having.<br>\\r\\n それで…チョイっと。」<br>\\r\\n And, well... I had a bit.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n チョイっと。<br>\\r\\n Gulp.<br>\\r\\n コップを傾けるようなジェスチャーをしてやる。<br>\\r\\n I pretended to drink with an invisible glass.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ふ、二日酔いかよー？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"A-Are you hung over?!<br>\\r\\n お前、歳はいくつだー！！」<br>\\r\\n How old are you?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は大仰に驚いてみせると、悪態を吐きながらも、私の体調を気遣ってくれた。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi exaggerated his reaction, but he still seemed worried.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃあな。俺は教室に戻るぜ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay, later. I'm going back.<br>\\r\\n 帰りは気をつけろよ。<br>\\r\\n Be careful on your way home.<br>\\r\\n ふらふらして、側溝や用水路に落ちるなよ。」<br>\\r\\n Don't wobble into a sewer or a brook, got it?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一はそれだけを告げ、教室に戻ろうと身をひるがえした。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi turned around to go back to the classroom.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、…そうそう、圭ちゃん。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh... One more thing, Kei-chan.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一を呼び止める。<br>\\r\\n I stopped Keiichi.<br>\\r\\n 彼は首だけ振り返って答えた。<br>\\r\\n He, in response, turned around.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「なんだー？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"What's up?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「変なこと聞くけど、深く考えないで答えてね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"This may sound weird, but don't think too hard about it.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そりゃ、内容によりけりだな。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, depends on what it is.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「昨日の綿流しの晩さ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Last night, near the end of the festival.<br>\\r\\n …富竹さんと鷹野さんに会わなかった？」<br>\\r\\n ...Did you see Tomitake-san or Takano-san anywhere?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……圭一の体が一瞬、強張ったのを見逃さない。<br>\\r\\n I noticed Keiichi's body tense up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この反応から、昨夜の祭具殿侵入を少しは後ろめたく思っていることが確認できた。<br>\\r\\n His reaction proved that he felt guilty about sneaking into the ritual storehouse.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、知られていないと思っていたことを、園崎魅音に知られていた、という恐怖も感じられた。<br>\\r\\n He was frightened that Mion Sonozaki might know about it.<br><br>\\r\\n ………園崎魅音に対する印象付けは、とりあえずこんな感じからでいい……。<br>\\r\\n ...I guess this was enough to give him a certain impression of Mion Sonozaki...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「富竹さんと鷹野さんはわかるよね？<br>\\r\\n \\\"You know Tomitake-san and Takano-san, don't you?<br>\\r\\n ほら、圭ちゃん、お祭りの前日準備の時、詩音と一緒に４人でお話ししてたでしょ？」<br>\\r\\n You remember, Kei-chan, when the four of you were talking during setup the day before?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n こういう立場だと、圭一の狼狽は手に取るようにわかった。<br>\\r\\n I could clearly see how dismayed Keiichi felt.<br><br>\\r\\n ……圭一が何とか言い逃れようと、必死に思案しているのがよくわかる。<br>\\r\\n He was trying to come up with an excuse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……さ、…さぁ…どうかな。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I can't remember...<br>\\r\\n …会ったような会わなかったような…。」<br>\\r\\n I might have seen them... or not...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 嘘も演技も最低レベル。<br>\\r\\n He was both a bad liar and a bad actor.<br><br>\\r\\n …あまり頭は良くなさそうだと思った。<br>\\r\\n He wasn't really that intelligent at all.<br><br>\\r\\n ま、魅音の愉快な仲間にはこの程度でもいいのか。<br>\\r\\n Well, that would make him a suitable friend for Mion.<br><br>\\r\\n …………悟史くんなんかとは比べようもないくらいに小者。<br>\\r\\n He was just a brat, unlike Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …でも、嘘や演技という意味では、悟史くんも同じようなものだったか。<br>\\r\\n Although, when it came to lying and acting, Satoshi-kun was at about the same level.<br><br>\\r\\n 下手でも嘘を吐こうとがんばる圭一の方が少しはマシかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n Maybe Keiichi should be credited for at least trying to tell a lie.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんなんか、困ると、むぅ…の一言で黙り込んじゃうからな…。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun wouldn't have even said a thing...<br><br>\\r\\n …………………、…今は思い出さなくてもいいことだ…。<br>\\r\\n .........I didn't need to be thinking about him right now...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………そう。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........I see.<br>\\r\\n じゃあもうひとつ質問ね。<br>\\r\\n Then, one more question.<br>\\r\\n 同じく昨夜。<br>\\r\\n On the same night,<br>\\r\\n 詩音に会わなかった？」<br>\\r\\n did you see Shion?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n これはダメ押しの意地悪な質問だったか。<br>\\r\\n This was a very mean question.<br>\\r\\n 圭一は想像通り、うろたえて見せた。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi was perplexed, as I'd expected.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…それ、…昨日も聞いたよな？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...That... didn't you ask me that yesterday?<br>\\r\\n …俺、会ったかどうかわからない、って答えたと思ったぜ…。」<br>\\r\\n ...I think I told you that I wasn't sure if I had or not...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n え？<br>\\r\\n Eh?<br>\\r\\n ……昨日も聞いた…？<br>\\r\\n I'd asked him that yesterday?<br><br>\\r\\n 前後の文脈から考えて、園崎魅音に聞かれた、という意味だと思われる。<br>\\r\\n He must have meant that <NAME> asked him that question.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 昨日聞かれた、ということは、…祭具殿から出て、奉納演舞を見物してた仲間と合流した後に聞かれた、ということだ。<br>\\r\\n In other words, she asked him that after he left the storehouse and got back together with his friends.<br><br>\\r\\n …………………………魅音め…。<br>\\r\\n Damn you, Mion...<br><br>\\r\\n 私が問い詰めた時は、…祭具殿に入ったことなんて知らなかった…なんて言ったくせに…。<br>\\r\\n When I asked her, she said she'd had no idea we went into the ritual storehouse...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………………………………………………………………くそ………。<br>\\r\\n .....................Shit...............\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ん、そうだっけ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hm, did you?<br>\\r\\n …また改めて聞いたら、違う答えが返ってくるかなって思ってさ。」<br>\\r\\n ...I guess I just thought I'd get a different answer if I asked you again.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ど、どうして会ったかどうかを、そんなに気にするんだよ？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wh-Why are you so intent on knowing if I did or not?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n まるで逆ギレだ。<br>\\r\\n He was getting defensive.<br><br>\\r\\n 狼狽を隠しきれず、圭一は私に食って掛かった。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi couldn't hide his panic as he flared up at me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「大したことじゃないの。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's not important.<br>\\r\\n …富竹さんと鷹野さんと、詩音と圭ちゃんをね。<br>\\r\\n ...It's just that there are some people...<br>\\r\\n …悪く言ってる人たちがいるの。<br>\\r\\n ...who are speaking poorly of Tomitake-san, Takano-san, Shion, and you, Kei-chan.<br>\\r\\n ……何が悪いんだかはよく聞いてないんだけどね。」<br>\\r\\n ......I didn't really hear what they were saying, though.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ギクリという擬音が聞こえてもおかしくない、圭一のうろたえ方。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi was really perplexed now.<br><br>\\r\\n 全然面白くも何ともないけれど、<br>\\r\\n This wasn't fun at all\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……これはまぁ、つまらなくもないゲームだな、<br>\\r\\n but it could still be\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n と思った。<br>\\r\\n an interesting game.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私、圭ちゃんが悪いことをするなんて信じてないから。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't believe that you were doing something bad.<br>\\r\\n …でも、ちょっとだけ聞いてみたかったから、聞いてみたの。<br>\\r\\n ...I just wanted to ask a bit about it, so I did.<br>\\r\\n …不愉快な思いをさせて、ごめんね？」<br>\\r\\n ...Sorry for making you uncomfortable, okay?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一に充分な不信感と危機感を植え付けたことを確認して、私は別れの挨拶を告げた。<br>\\r\\n I made sure Keiichi felt a sense of crisis, then left.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 園崎本家に帰って来ると、門の前に割烹着姿のおばさんが立っていた。<br>\\r\\n When I returned to the Sonozaki house, I saw a woman with an apron on.<br><br>\\r\\n ……沁子さんとか言うお手伝いさんだ。<br>\\r\\n It was a housekeeper. Her name was Shimiko-san.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆はほんの何人かのお手伝いさんを雇っていて、身の回りの家事を任せていた。<br>\\r\\n The hag had a few housekeepers who took care of the chores around the house.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁ、魅音ちゃん、本当に良かった…困ってたんですよ…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, Mion-chan, I'm glad you're here...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ありゃ、沁子さん、何か御用で？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, Shimiko-san. Can I help you?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 今日は彼女が手伝いに来る日だったのだ。<br>\\r\\n Today was her turn to come help out at the house.<br><br>\\r\\n いつも通りにやって来たら、門が閉ざされ鍵が掛かっていて入れない。<br>\\r\\n She'd arrived, but the gate was locked and she couldn't get in.<br><br>\\r\\n 電話をしても通じないので、どうしたものかと途方に暮れていたらしい。<br>\\r\\n She'd called, but there was no answer, so she had been just standing there, not knowing what to do.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「婆っちゃですね、綿流しの祭りで面白くないことがあったみたいで、…昨夜から凄く機嫌が悪いんです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Something must have happened to Granny at the festival... She's been in an evil mood ever since last night.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……ぁ…あぁ………、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah.........\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……そうですか……。」<br>\\r\\n I see......\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 沁子さんは、自分に何か非がないか、それで嫌われたのではないかと、あれこれ思い出しているようだった。<br>\\r\\n Shimiko-san tried to remember if she had done something wrong.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「別に無視してるんじゃなくて、寝込んでるだけなんです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"She isn't ignoring you. She's just sleeping.<br>\\r\\n 昨夜、だいぶ遅くまでカリカリしてたから、多分、まだ起きられないんじゃないでしょうか。<br>\\r\\n She was up until very late, so I bet she can't wake up yet.<br>\\r\\n 知ってるでしょ？<br>\\r\\n You know how she is, right?<br>\\r\\n 一度機嫌を損ねた婆っちゃが、どれだけの期間、機嫌が悪いかを。」<br>\\r\\n Once she gets into this mood, it'll take a long time for her to be happy again.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………そうですね………困りましたね…………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes... that's too bad...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「しばらく顔を見せない方がいいと思います。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I think it might be better that you don't show up for a while.<br>\\r\\n 沁子さんに悪気がなくても、婆っちゃは何かと咎めてくるに違いありませんから。<br>\\r\\n Even if you don't mean to upset her, Granny might take it the wrong way.<br>\\r\\n こういう時は私に任せといてください。」<br>\\r\\n Just let me take care of it.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そ、……そうですか…………？<br>\\r\\n \\\"I... I see. Are you sure?<br>\\r\\n ……それは助かりますけど……。」<br>\\r\\n I'm very grateful though...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「沁子さん、申し訳ないんですけど、外のお手伝いさんにも、しばらく来なくていいと伝えてもらっていいですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sorry to make you do this, but could you let the other housekeepers know that they don't need to come for a while either?<br>\\r\\n 婆っちゃの機嫌が直ったらこっそり電話しますから。<br>\\r\\n When Granny feels better, I'll give you a call.<br>\\r\\n しばらくそっとしてあげてください…。」<br>\\r\\n So let's just leave her alone for now...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 沁子さんは、恩に着るというようなことを何度も言うと、頭を下げながら自転車で去って行った…。<br>\\r\\n Shimiko-san bowed, then left on her bicycle...<br><br>\\r\\n 婆っちゃの逆鱗に一度でも触れた経験があるなら、無理もないことだ。<br>\\r\\n Anyone who had ever experienced Granny's wrath would understand.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は魅音の部屋へ帰ると、魅音愛用の目覚まし時計を２時くらいにセットし、布団に潜り込んだ。<br>\\r\\n I headed into Mion's room, set her alarm clock for 2 PM, and crawled into her bed.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 英気を少しでも回復しなければならない。<br>\\r\\n I needed to recover quickly.<br>\\r\\n 鋭利に、冷静に、クールに…。<br>\\r\\n I had to be sharp, calm, and cool-headed...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ２時過ぎには学校も終わるだろう。<br>\\r\\n School should be out by 2 PM.<br><br>\\r\\n そうしたら改めて圭一と接触しよう。<br>\\r\\n Maybe I'd get in touch with Keiichi.<br>\\r\\n 電話でいいか。<br>\\r\\n I'd have to call him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 夕方からは古手神社の境内の集会所で、町会の役員会が開かれる。<br>\\r\\n There would also be a staff meeting at the Furude Shrine assembly hall in the evening.<br><br>\\r\\n 役員会というのは、雛見沢にいくつかある町会を束ねた連合町会の役員会のことで、御三家の筋と連合町会の重鎮が集まる。<br>\\r\\n All the leaders of the Three Families, their relatives, and the town council members would gather at this meeting.<br><br>\\r\\n 文字通り、雛見沢の深奥部の重鎮たちだ。<br>\\r\\n They were all authority figures in Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n 体調を崩した鬼婆の代理ということで出席しよう。<br>\\r\\n I'd be attending in place of the hag, who was 'sick'.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 後のことは…とりあえず、出たとこ勝負だ。<br>\\r\\n I'd worry about the rest when I got there.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆や魅音の失踪は、当分は明るみに出ないはずだ。<br>\\r\\n People shouldn't notice that Mion and the hag were missing for a long time.<br><br>\\r\\n ……焦るな、余裕はまだまだあるのだから……。<br>\\r\\n I didn't need to worry, as I had plenty of time...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は目覚まし時計の針をもう一度確認すると、<br>\\r\\n I checked the alarm once more...<br><br>\\r\\n 頭の中のスイッチをぶっつり切り、電気が切れたように睡眠に入るのだった。<br>\\r\\n Then fell asleep as if someone switched me off.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「もしもし。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hello?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、…園崎の妹の方です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah... This is Sonozaki. Well, the younger one.<br>\\r\\n こんにちは。<br>\\r\\n Hello.<br>\\r\\n 今はお時間、大丈夫ですか？」<br>\\r\\n Do you have time to talk right now?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音か。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion?<br>\\r\\n 魅音と同じで、今日は二日酔いで寝込んでるんじゃないかと思ったぜ。」<br>\\r\\n I thought you'd be sleeping in today with a hangover, same as Mion.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え？<br>\\r\\n \\\"What?<br>\\r\\n お姉、二日酔いなんですか？<br>\\r\\n My sis had a hangover?<br>\\r\\n あっはははははは！<br>\\r\\n Ah hahahaha!<br>\\r\\n お姉らし〜〜！」<br>\\r\\n That's so like her~~!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は相変わらず、私を彼のよく知る魅音だと信じ込んでいるようだった。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi had no idea that the Mion he saw earlier was actually me.<br><br>\\r\\n 直接話をしても見抜けなかった圭一が、電話で見抜けるはずもない。<br>\\r\\n He didn't notice when we talked in person, so there's no way he would notice on the phone.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 一人二役というゲームがこんなに面白いとは思わなかった。<br>\\r\\n I never knew that playing two roles would be so much fun.<br><br>\\r\\n ……こんな命懸けのゲームに愉悦を感じるようになったなら、…私も少しはこの状況になれてきたということなのか。<br>\\r\\n To feel such enjoyment in this game of life or death, maybe I was getting used to this situation.<br><br>\\r\\n …あるいは感覚が麻痺してきただけなのか。<br>\\r\\n Or maybe my senses had gone numb.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……とと、…ごめんな。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Whoops... sorry.<br>\\r\\n ちょっと親が電話待ちをしてるんで、そんなに長話はできないんだ。<br>\\r\\n My parents are waiting for an important call, so I can't talk for too long.<br>\\r\\n …何の用だ？」<br>\\r\\n ...What do you need?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…お話したいことがあったんですけど…長電話が無理じゃ仕方ないですね…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...There's something I wanted to talk about... but if we can't talk long, I guess that's that...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃあさ、会って話をしないか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Then how about we meet in person?<br>\\r\\n ついでに図書館にも案内してもらえるとありがたい。」<br>\\r\\n If you could show me where the library is too, that would be great.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「図書館って、駅前の市立図書館ですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"You mean the public library near the station?<br>\\r\\n 別にいいですよ。<br>\\r\\n Yes, that's fine.<br>\\r\\n バイトのついでってことで。」<br>\\r\\n I go past there on my way to work anyway.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 話の展開の関係で、私たちは興宮で落ち合うことになった。<br>\\r\\n We decided to meet in Okinomiya.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……雛見沢から興宮へ行くのはとても面倒くさい。<br>\\r\\n It wasn't easy to get there from Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、急がなくては。<br>\\r\\n But I had to hurry.<br>\\r\\n 興宮へ向かう圭一と鉢合せになるのだけはまずい。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't run into Keiichi as he was heading there himself.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆の単車の鍵が、頭首の秘密引き出しに入っていたのを思い出した。<br>\\r\\n I recalled that the key to the hag's motorcycle was in her secret drawer.<br><br>\\r\\n 公共の行事には送迎も来る鬼婆だが、普段、お稽古事などに外出する時は単車で出掛けている。<br>\\r\\n The hag usually got driven around for public events, but when she had her own errands, she rode her motorcycle.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は自転車で向かうだろう圭一よりも先に興宮駅に着くべく、アクセルを思い切り吹かすのだった。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi, I assumed, was going to ride his bicycle. I'd try to get to Okinomiya before he did.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は、私が待ち合わせ場所に着いてから、かなり遅れて現われた。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi arrived quite a bit later than me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n やはり単車は速い。<br>\\r\\n Motorcycles are faster, after all.<br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢からここまではほとんど信号がないから、飛ばし放題というのもある。<br>\\r\\n There were hardly any traffic lights to worry about on the way here, either.\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 「魅音と違って、詩音は待ち合わせ時間を守るなぁ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wow, Mion never keeps her appointments...<br>\\r\\n しみじみ。」<br>\\r\\n I mean, honestly.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あはははは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahaha.<br>\\r\\n お姉を標準にされるといろいろと困ります。」<br>\\r\\n Making my sister the standard for everything will get you in trouble.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ん？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mm?<br>\\r\\n 少しふらふらしてないか？<br>\\r\\n You're a little unsteady.<br>\\r\\n お前も昨夜は飲んだだろ。<br>\\r\\n You were drinking last night too, weren't you?<br>\\r\\n 隠しても無駄だぞー。<br>\\r\\n Don't try to hide it!<br>\\r\\n で、学校を早退したに違いない。」<br>\\r\\n You definitely went home from school early.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「残念でした。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ooh, too bad!<br>\\r\\n 私はそもそも、今日はズル休みしてますので。<br>\\r\\n I've been at home all day from the beginning.<br>\\r\\n 私、お姉より要領いいですから。」<br>\\r\\n I'm smarter than my sis, after all.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「おいおい…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey now...<br>\\r\\n 学校をズル休みするのを要領いいとは言わないと思うぞ。」<br>\\r\\n I don't think you can call playing hooky 'smarter'...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃ、先に用事を片付けます？<br>\\r\\n \\\"You should finish your errand first.<br>\\r\\n 時間もそんなにないですから。<br>\\r\\n We don't have that much time.<br>\\r\\n …図書館へ行くんですよね。」<br>\\r\\n ...We're going to the library, right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁ、頼むよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, thanks.<br>\\r\\n お袋の借りてる本の返却期限が今日までらしいんで。<br>\\r\\n My mom had to return some books by today.<br>\\r\\n …図書館は遠いのか？」<br>\\r\\n ...Is the library far?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「すぐ近くですよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"No, it's right nearby.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 時間がそんなにないというのは本音で。<br>\\r\\n I meant it when I said we didn't have much time.<br>\\r\\n 私は少し焦っていた。<br>\\r\\n I had to hurry a little.<br><br>\\r\\n 電話で話すつもりだったのが、興宮まで来てしまった。<br>\\r\\n I was just going to talk to him on the phone, but I ended up coming all the way to Okinomiya.<br><br>\\r\\n しかも話が終われば圭一は、とろとろと自転車で雛見沢へ帰る。<br>\\r\\n After our talk, Keiichi would slowly head back to Hinamizawa on his bicycle.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は圭一と鉢合せにならないように気をつけながら雛見沢に急いで戻らなければならないのだ。<br>\\r\\n I'd have to rush back there while making sure I didn't run into him.<br><br>\\r\\n でないと、夕方からの会合に間に合わない。<br>\\r\\n Otherwise, I couldn't make it on time for the meeting.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 会合に少し遅刻しても問題はないのかもしれないが、そこで話し合われる全てを知りたいと思う私には、遅刻は許されないものだった。<br>\\r\\n Maybe I could be a little late, but since I needed to hear everything they were going to discuss, I didn't want to be.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鹿骨市立図書館。<br>\\r\\n This was the Shishibone Public Library.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 規模ばかり大きく、かび臭い蔵書ばかりの退屈な図書館だ。<br>\\r\\n It was sizeable, filled with a collection of moldy, smelly books.<br><br>\\r\\n でも空調が効いているし、静かな環境なので、ひとりになりたい時にはちょうどいい。<br>\\r\\n But they did have air conditioning, and it was quiet. It was the perfect place for when you wanted to be alone.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 去年、悟史くんが失踪した直後の一時期、私もここに篭って色々と考え事をしていたっけ。<br>\\r\\n After Satoshi-kun disappeared last year, I came here a lot to think about various things.<br><br>\\r\\n …そう言えば、ここで出会ったんだ。<br>\\r\\n This was where<br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんには。<br>\\r\\n I first met Takano-san.<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一と一緒にいるところを出くわしたくないな、と思ってから。<br>\\r\\n I didn't want to run into her with Keiichi in tow...<br><br>\\r\\n ……もう死んでいることを思い出すのだった。<br>\\r\\n But then I remembered that she was already dead.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n １階はお役所の窓口になっていて、申請だの申告だのを行なう。<br>\\r\\n The first floor of the building was occupied by government offices.<br><br>\\r\\n 図書館は２階なので、私たちは大階段を上がっていった。<br>\\r\\n The library itself was on the second floor, so we had to walk up a huge staircase to get there.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 自動ドアをくぐるとエアカーテンの涼しさが迎える。<br>\\r\\n I tasted cool air on my skin as soon as I walked through the automated door.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n セミの声で充満した外より静かな館内。<br>\\r\\n Unlike outside, it was very quiet in here.<br><br>\\r\\n 本にとって理想的なコンディションに保たれた空調。<br>\\r\\n The room temperature was both comfortable and suitable for books.<br><br>\\r\\n あと、古書独特のカビに似た匂い…。<br>\\r\\n I could smell the scent of old pages...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…どこの図書館も似たようなもんだな。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"All libraries smell the same...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一はそれだけ言うと、本の返却のためにカウンターへ向かっていった。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi walked up to the return table after he said so.<br><br>\\r\\n ……平日ということもあってか、人はほとんどいない。<br>\\r\\n Because it was a weekday, there was hardly anyone around.<br>\\r\\n 実に静かなものだった。<br>\\r\\n It really was very quiet.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 適当に世間話でもしてから、<br>\\r\\n I was going to chat about some ordinary things,<br>\\r\\n ………例の話を切り出そう。<br>\\r\\n and then move on to the main subject.<br><br>\\r\\n 本の返却を終えた圭一を、私はさりげなく奥へ誘った。<br>\\r\\n After Keiichi returned the books, I invited him into the inner section of the library.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音についはよく知っていても、詩音についてはまるで知らない彼は、<br>\\r\\n Keiichi knew Mion well, but he didn't know me at all.<br>\\r\\n 私たち姉妹の身の上話には強い関心を示し、あっさりと話に食いついてくれた。<br>\\r\\n He showed an interest in our life story.<br><br>\\r\\n 一年前、私が鷹野さんに雛見沢の歴史の真実を教えられたのとまったく同じ場所で、今度は私が同じようなことを圭一に話そうとしている。<br>\\r\\n This was exactly where Takano-san told me about the true history of Hinamizawa a year ago. I was about to tell Keiichi about things that were very similar to that.<br>\\r\\n ……神さまの皮肉のつもりだろうか。<br>\\r\\n Did God have a sense of irony?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…言われて見れば…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Now that you mention it...<br>\\r\\n 例のおもちゃ屋も、親類の人が経営してるみたいだったなぁ。<br>\\r\\n That toy store looked like it was managed by relatives as well.<br>\\r\\n そう言えば、エンジェルモートも親類の人が経営してるんじゃないのか？」<br>\\r\\n Does that mean they operate Angel Mort too?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は園崎家が、如何にこの地域で強い影響力を持つかを説明した。<br>\\r\\n I told him the reason why the Sonozaki family was so powerful in this area.<br><br>\\r\\n 都会出身の圭一には、旧家が地域を牛耳っているなんてことが理解できない可能性があったからだ。<br>\\r\\n I assumed that since Keiichi came from the city, there was a good chance he couldn't even begin to understand how one old family could literally control an entire area.<br><br>\\r\\n ……園崎家の意思がどれほど強く働くか、それを理解させないことには、自身に迫る危機感を充分に説明できないだろう。<br>\\r\\n Unless I explained to him how powerful the Sonozaki family was, he wouldn't understand what kind of danger was barreling toward him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「特に金融・不動産関係は強いですね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"The family is particularly strong in finance and real estate.<br>\\r\\n あと、商工会議所の役員も何割かは園崎姓か、その親類が就いてます。<br>\\r\\n Even a lot of members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry either have the last name Sonozaki, or are their relatives. <br>\\r\\n 興宮一帯を票田に、市議会議員と県議会議員にも園崎がいますし。」<br>\\r\\n There are Sonozakis in the city council and the prefectural assembly too, since they have the Okinomiya area giving them strong electoral support.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……ちょっと待て。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Wait a minute.<br>\\r\\n …なんだか…すごい話になって来たぞ。<br>\\r\\n ...This is all... escalating pretty quickly.<br>\\r\\n 興宮の町中に親類が経営する店があって、特に金融・不動産に強い…？<br>\\r\\n Your relatives operate shops in downtown Okinomiya, and they're especially strong in finance and real estate...?<br>\\r\\n しかもその上、商工会議所の役員の何割かが親類で、しかも地元選出の議員までいて…。」<br>\\r\\n On top of that, a lot of people in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry are relatives, and there are even some elected to local offices...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は大袈裟なジェスチャーを交えながら指を折って、園崎家の重みに驚いていた。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi counted with his fingers. He was clearly surprised to hear all that about the Sonozaki family.<br><br>\\r\\n …突拍子のない話にも耳を傾けられる程度の柔軟さはあるらしい。<br>\\r\\n It seemed he was flexible enough to accept even something that sounded outrageous to him.<br><br>\\r\\n そして理解も少しずつできてきたようで、「園崎」詩音を見る目も、少しずつ変わってきているのを感じた。<br>\\r\\n He was starting to understand things, although slowly. The way he viewed Shion Sonozaki was changing little by little too.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n このくらい説明すれば、園崎魅音という次期頭首がどういう存在か、そろそろ説明してもいい頃だろう。<br>\\r\\n That should be enough background information. Now I could go on to explain about Mion Sonozaki, the successor.<br><br>\\r\\n ……それから、鷹野さんと同じ方向に持っていく。<br>\\r\\n Then I'd change the subject, like Takano-san did with me.<br><br>\\r\\n そしてオヤシロさまの祟り、雛見沢村連続怪死事件への話を繋ぎ………。<br>\\r\\n I'd go on to talk about the curse of Oyashiro-sama and then the series of mysterious deaths...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…ひょっとして、<br>\\r\\n \\\"So then...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……園崎家って、この辺り一帯じゃ…すごいんじゃ…？」<br>\\r\\n ...The Sonozaki family, it's... it's pretty famous in this area...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「えぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yep.<br>\\r\\n 凄いんです。<br>\\r\\n Crazy, isn't it?<br>\\r\\n んっふっふっふ！」<br>\\r\\n Nfu fu fu fu!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 突然、タバコをくわえた太ったおっさんが話に割り込んできた。<br>\\r\\n A fat man with a cigarette suddenly cut into our conversation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………大石？！<br>\\r\\n Ooishi?<br><br>\\r\\n どうしてここに…。<br>\\r\\n Why was he here?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「どうも！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hello!<br>\\r\\n こんにちは。<br>\\r\\n Good afternoon.<br>\\r\\n 今日はデートですかな？<br>\\r\\n Are you on a date today?<br>\\r\\n 羨ましいですねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n Ah, what I would give to be young again.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そうだと思ったら邪魔しないでほしかったですね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"If you thought we were on a date, then why are you bothering us,<br>\\r\\n 大石さん。」<br>\\r\\n Ooishi-san?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 嫌なタイミングだった。<br>\\r\\n What timing.<br>\\r\\n 偶然のわけはない。<br>\\r\\n It couldn't be coincidence.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この男のことは私もよく知っている。<br>\\r\\n I knew this man too well.<br><br>\\r\\n 老獪にして狡猾でずる賢い。<br>\\r\\n He was crafty, sly, and clever.<br><br>\\r\\n ……この男の登場に限って、偶然などあり得なかった。<br>\\r\\n His presence here just can't be a coincidence.<br><br>\\r\\n …ということは、私たちの姿を町中で見つけ、後をつけていたか？<br>\\r\\n Did he see us somewhere in town and follow us?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ならどうして。<br>\\r\\n But why?<br><br>\\r\\n 私か圭一のどちらか、あるいは両方に用事があるということか。<br>\\r\\n Did he need something from me, Keiichi, or perhaps the both of us?<br><br>\\r\\n 大石の視線と振る舞いから見て、……関心があるのは私に対してじゃないように思われる。<br>\\r\\n From what I could guess, I didn't think it was me that he wanted something from.<br><br>\\r\\n いやむしろ、圭一を私から切り離そうとしているように思えた。<br>\\r\\n It was almost like he was trying to keep Keiichi away from me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大石は去年、私が悟史くんを庇って嘘証言をさらさらとこなしたことを知っている。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi was aware I gave false testimony to protect Satoshi-kun last year.<br><br>\\r\\n 私という存在と一緒だと、圭一が落しにくいと考えるのは当然だ。<br>\\r\\n Maybe he didn't think he could talk to Keiichi if I was around.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n では大石はどうして圭一に接触を？<br>\\r\\n Why did Ooishi need to talk to Keiichi?<br><br>\\r\\n ……昨日の事件に関してしかありえないだろう。<br>\\r\\n It must be about the incident from yesterday.<br><br>\\r\\n 祭りの会場には私服警官も大勢いただろうから、犠牲者の鷹野さんたちと、一番遅い時間まで一緒にいたのは誰か、目撃しているに違いない。<br>\\r\\n I'm sure there were plenty of plainclothes officers at the festival, so they had to have seen who was last with the victims.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n つまり、私と圭一だ。<br>\\r\\n In other words, Keiichi and me.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、私が一筋縄で行かないことは大石も知っている。<br>\\r\\n But Ooishi knew I was hard to deal with.<br><br>\\r\\n ……そこで圭一ひとりにターゲットを絞ってきたわけか。<br>\\r\\n That was why he was focusing on Keiichi at present.<br>\\r\\n ………面倒な男が面倒な時に。<br>\\r\\n Why did he have to show up at a time like this?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「前原さん、でしたよね？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Maebara-san, right?<br>\\r\\n あなたもタフな人ですねぇ。<br>\\r\\n You're one tough guy.<br>\\r\\n 園崎姉妹を二股かけるなんて。」<br>\\r\\n Two-timing the Sonozaki sisters, are you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「いや…そんな…、二股だなんて…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"No, I... I'm not two-timing anyone...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一が同意を求めるように、あわあわしながら私に助け舟を求めて振り返る。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi looked at me, hoping for assistance.<br><br>\\r\\n ちょっと赤面した慌て方が、どこか悟史くんに似てて可愛かった。<br>\\r\\n He blushed. The way he panicked reminded me of Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも、話題の方向性はよくない。<br>\\r\\n That aside, this wasn't going well.<br><br>\\r\\n 大石のこの流れだと、悟史くんと私の関係にまで言及しかねない。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi might even start talking about my relationship with Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n それは私にとってはすごく不愉快なことだし、圭一に妙な先入観を持たれてしまうことにもなる。<br>\\r\\n I didn't want him to, nor did I want Keiichi to have any preconceptions.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大石がすごく嫌らしい目をしながら、私の方をちらりとうかがう。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi took a quick glance at me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……その一瞬見せた目つきで私は悟った。<br>\\r\\n His eyes told me something.<br><br>\\r\\n こいつ、私にとって居心地の悪い話をわざとしている。<br>\\r\\n He was purposefully talking about the things I'd rather not talk about.<br><br>\\r\\n しかも、それを露骨に私に訴えかけてきていて、この場を去ってくれないともっと嫌な話を暴露しますよ？<br>\\r\\n He was basically telling me to leave or he'd continue on to something that was worse than what they were currently talking about.<br>\\r\\n と、無言だけれどこれ以上ないくらいにはっきりと、私に強要しているのだ。<br>\\r\\n He didn't use words, but his eyes clearly communicated that anyway.<br><br>\\r\\n …………くそ、古狸め…。<br>\\r\\n Damn that big fat weasel...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、ごめんなさい圭ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, I'm sorry, Kei-chan.<br>\\r\\n …私、もうバイトの時間なんです。」<br>\\r\\n ...I really do need to get to my job.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh?<br>\\r\\n あ、…そうなのか？」<br>\\r\\n Oh... you do?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …これ以上、この場に無理に留まってもリスクが増す一方だと判断し、私はバイトの時間だと適当なことを言って席を立った。<br>\\r\\n I realized that I wouldn't achieve anything like this, even if I stayed longer, so I used my part-time job as an excuse to leave.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 大石は私のその判断に、にやっと笑って応える。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi looked at me and grinned.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n くそ…。<br>\\r\\n Damn it...<br>\\r\\n ……今日は一本取られたが、今度はこうは行かないから。<br>\\r\\n He won today, but I'll win next time.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そう言えば…、今日は詩音、何か話があるんじゃなかったのか…？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wait... Didn't you have something to talk about today,<br>\\r\\n なんなら、」<br>\\r\\n Shion?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うん、また今度…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yep. I'll see you later...<br>\\r\\n あ、バイトが終わったら電話します。<br>\\r\\n Oh, I'll give you a call after I'm done.<br>\\r\\n 夜なら電話、大丈夫ですよね？」<br>\\r\\n It'll be okay to call at night, right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah.<br>\\r\\n 大丈夫だと思う。」<br>\\r\\n Probably okay.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃあ、今夜電話しますので、その時に。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Then I'll talk to you later tonight.<br>\\r\\n じゃ！」<br>\\r\\n Bye!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆の単車はもはや私の足だった。<br>\\r\\n The hag's motorcycle had become my primary means of transportation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 次は、夕方からある古手神社内の集会所での役員会だ。<br>\\r\\n My next stop was the staff meeting at the Furude Shrine's assembly hall.<br><br>\\r\\n 綿流しのお祭りを打ち合わせる程度の、普段の役員会ならどういう光景か想像するのは簡単だった。<br>\\r\\n It was easy to imagine how a normal meeting would play out if it were just celebrating the end of Watanagashi.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……しかし、…今日の役員会はおそらく、園崎本家の親族会議並に張り詰めたものになるだろう。<br>\\r\\n ...But today's staff meeting was likely going to be as strained as the Sonozaki family councils.<br><br>\\r\\n …そう、この役員会こそは、雛見沢の深奥部。<br>\\r\\n ...Yes, this staff meeting was going to deal with the heart of Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n わずかの気の弛みも許されない…。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't let my guard down, even for a moment...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は本家で少し休んで時間を調整した後、家を出た。<br>\\r\\n I rested for a while at the house, then left for the meeting.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 古手神社へと続く長い階段を上り、境内に入る。<br>\\r\\n I walked up the long stairs to the Furude Shrine.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 集会所の前には村の古老たちが何人か集まって煙草を吸っていた。<br>\\r\\n At the top, I saw some elderly men smoking in front of the hall.<br><br>\\r\\n …集会所の中で昔、ボヤがあったのでそれ以来、中は禁煙なのだとか。<br>\\r\\n Since they had a minor fire a long time ago, it had been made into a non-smoking area.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あれ、魅音ちゃんかい？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Is that Mion-chan?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 公由家頭首でもある公由のおじいちゃんが私に気付き、手を振ってくれた。<br>\\r\\n The head of the Kimiyoshi family, Uncle Kimiyoshi, noticed me and waved.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 次期頭首の魅音がひとりで来ることは考えていなかったらしい。<br>\\r\\n He must not have expected Mion to come alone.<br><br>\\r\\n 来るなら鬼婆ひとりか、介添えで鬼婆と二人で来るかのどっちかだと思っていたからだ。<br>\\r\\n Normally it would have been either the hag by herself, or Mion tagging along as an assistant.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…婆っちゃは昨夜のあれ以来、機嫌を相当悪くしちゃいまして。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Granny's been in a terrible mood since the incident last night.<br>\\r\\n ……誰も近づけず、布団に篭りきりです。」<br>\\r\\n She's been staying in bed and won't even let me get near her.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 老人たちは、一度機嫌を悪くした鬼婆がどれだけ扱いにくいかよく理解しているようで、<br>\\r\\n They all understood how troublesome she was when in a bad mood.<br>\\r\\n 苦笑いしながら私を同情するかのように微笑みかけてくれた。<br>\\r\\n They smiled bitterly in sympathy.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃあ、今日は魅音ちゃんが園崎家頭首代行ということでいいね？<br>\\r\\n \\\"So you're here as the Sonozaki family representative then?<br>\\r\\n お魎さんから話とかは聞いてる…？」<br>\\r\\n Has Oryou-san told you anything?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………一応。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sort of...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n お魎さんから話は聞いてる？<br>\\r\\n What did he mean, \\\"has Oryou-san told you anything\\\"?<br><br>\\r\\n というのがどういう意味なのか、…その一言だけでは読み取れない。<br>\\r\\n That line by itself didn't really explain much.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 役員会の座長は本来、村長である公由家頭首だ。<br>\\r\\n The staff meeting was usually led by the mayor, the head of the Kimiyoshi family.<br><br>\\r\\n その公由家頭首が、園崎家の頭首代行に対し、頭首から今日の話はちゃんと聞いているね？<br>\\r\\n And he'd asked me, as the substitute for the Sonozaki family head, if I'd heard anything from her...<br>\\r\\n と念を押すのだから、……今日の会合の本来の座長が誰なのかは、火を見るより明らかだった。<br>\\r\\n I then realized who was supposed to lead today's staff meeting.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……おじい、……じゃなくって、公由さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uncl... no, Kimiyoshi-san.<br>\\r\\n 今日の会合だけど……司会、…私じゃないと……？」<br>\\r\\n Do I really have to lead the meeting today?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 園崎本家の親族会議の序列に従うなら、園崎家頭首代行は、公由家頭首より序列が上だ。<br>\\r\\n According to the ranking order at the family councils, any substitute for the Sonozaki family head is above the Kimiyoshi family head.<br><br>\\r\\n つまり、今日の座長ということ。<br>\\r\\n In other words, I'd have to lead today's meeting.<br>\\r\\n …そんなの私にはできない。<br>\\r\\n There was no way I could do that...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁあぁ、大丈夫大丈夫、おじいちゃんがやるから。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, don't worry, I'll do it.<br>\\r\\n 魅音ちゃんは座ってればいいよ。<br>\\r\\n You can just take a seat, Mion-chan.<br>\\r\\n お魎さんから聞いてる話があったら、話してくれればいいからね。」<br>\\r\\n If there's something you've heard from Oryou-san, just let us know, okay?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「村長、そんろそろ始めますかいねー、全員揃いましたんね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Kimiyoshi-san, why don't we get started? Everyone's here now.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 煙草組は、それを靴の裏でねじり潰すと、慌てて集会所に戻っていった。<br>\\r\\n The smokers put out their cigarettes and went back into the hall.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 馬蹄状に座机が並べられ、私は上座の隣の座布団に座るように勧められる。<br>\\r\\n The tables were set in a horseshoe shape, and I was told to sit next to the chair reserved for the chief.<br><br>\\r\\n 私と対になる上座の反対の座布団は空席だった。<br>\\r\\n The seat opposite mine was empty.<br><br>\\r\\n …ポジションから考えて古手家頭首、古手梨花の席だろう。<br>\\r\\n Considering its location, it was probably for the Furude family head, Rika Furude.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、全員揃ったとさっき誰かが言った。<br>\\r\\n But somebody had said earlier that everybody was already here.<br><br>\\r\\n すでに梨花ちゃまが欠席を連絡してあるのか、…さもなければその空席は形式的なものに過ぎないかのどちらかだ。<br>\\r\\n Either Rika-chama had called in absent, or the empty seat was just a formality.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 役員会の内容を考えれば、たとえ古手家の現頭首であっても、臨席を望まないのは当然だろう。<br>\\r\\n Knowing the subject of this meeting, I don't think that the Furude family head would even want to attend.<br><br>\\r\\n ……実際、梨花ちゃまがこの場に出席したとて、何の発言もできようはずがない。<br>\\r\\n Even if Rika-chama actually attended, she wouldn't be able to say anything.<br><br>\\r\\n 園崎本家の親族会議では、いつも落書き帳にお絵描きをして過しているのを私も知っている。<br>\\r\\n All she'd usually do at the Sonozaki family councils was draw pictures on a notepad.<br><br>\\r\\n この席に出席したとしても、お絵描きをしてるだけに違いない。<br>\\r\\n She would probably end up drawing pictures in this meeting too.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それに……老人たちは陽の象徴である梨花ちゃまに、陰の面の話は聞かせたがらないだろう。<br>\\r\\n Besides, they probably didn't want her to hear anything unpleasant.<br><br>\\r\\n そう思えば、古手家の席が空席なのは理解に容易だった。<br>\\r\\n In this way, the empty Furude family seat was easily explained.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 全員が腰を下ろすと、婦人部長がお茶を配ってくれた。<br>\\r\\n When everyone was seated, the head of the women's association served tea.<br><br>\\r\\n …女なら手伝え、というような姑的な意地悪目線を感じ、私は自発的？に手伝った。<br>\\r\\n She gave me an evil look, trying to tell me to help out. I got up and did so.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その後、みんな座ってシンとしたのを確認すると、一番末席の役員会書記が立ちあがった。<br>\\r\\n After that, everyone fell quiet, and the secretary stood up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そんれでは皆さん、本日は大変お忙しい中、緊急にお集まりいただきまして誠にお疲れ様です…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Everyone, thank you for coming today on such a short notice, despite your busy schedules...<br>\\r\\n それでは始めに、村長さんからご挨拶をいただきます。<br>\\r\\n Let's start with a few words from the mayor.<br>\\r\\n 村長、どんぞ。」<br>\\r\\n Go ahead, please...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あーー、座ったままで失礼します。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, please excuse me for staying seated.<br>\\r\\n 健ちゃんも座ったままでいいよ。<br>\\r\\n Ken-chan, you stay seated, too.<br>\\r\\n …今日は平日の夕方にお集まりいただきまして、誠にありがとうございます。<br>\\r\\n Thank you all for coming today.<br>\\r\\n また、昨日は綿流しを本当にお疲れ様でございました。<br>\\r\\n Also, you all did a great job at Watanagashi yesterday.<br>\\r\\n お陰様で本年も事故もなく、大変な盛況の内に終了させることができました。<br>\\r\\n The festival was a great success, as usual. There weren't any mishaps.<br>\\r\\n 祭りにも村中から大勢がいらっしゃり、本当に素晴らしい祭りになったものと思っとります。<br>\\r\\n Lots of villagers came, and I believe it went great, on the whole.<br>\\r\\n あー、来たの何人だっけ？<br>\\r\\n Let me see, how many people was it?<br>\\r\\n 大本営発表だと五千人だそうです。」<br>\\r\\n According to the Imperial General Headquarters' report, approximately five thousand people showed up.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n わっはっはっはっは。<br>\\r\\n Wa ha ha ha ha ha.<br><br>\\r\\n どうも笑うところだったらしく、私だけは笑い損ねた。<br>\\r\\n Everyone laughed except me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「今後もますますの文化の向上のために、一丸となって頑張って参りたいと思います。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I hope we'll continue to work together to carry on this tradition.<br>\\r\\n …よろしくお願いいたします。」<br>\\r\\n I appreciate your cooperation.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n パチパチパチパチパチ…。<br>\\r\\n Clap, clap, clap...<br><br>\\r\\n ８人程度の拍手では景気が悪いだけだった。<br>\\r\\n An applause with only eight people doesn't sound so great.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そんれでは引き続き、議事の方に入ってまいりたいと思います。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay, let's move on to today's proceedings.<br>\\r\\n 本日の議事を、公由村長さんにお願いすようと思います。<br>\\r\\n Kimiyoshi-san will lead the meeting today.<br>\\r\\n 承認していただける方は、拍手でご承認願います。」<br>\\r\\n Please applaud if you approve.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n パチパチパチパチ！<br>\\r\\n Clap, clap, clap!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ありがとうございます。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Thank you.<br>\\r\\n そんれでは只今、満座でのご承認をいただきましたんで、公由村長さんに司会を譲りたいと思います。<br>\\r\\n Then, with your approval, Mayor Kimiyoshi will take over.<br>\\r\\n よろしくお願いします。」<br>\\r\\n Please go ahead.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「どうも、健ちゃんお疲れ様。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Thank you, Ken-chan.<br>\\r\\n では司会を引き継ぎましたので、本日の議事に入りたいと思います…。<br>\\r\\n Let's start now.<br>\\r\\n あー、申し訳ない、カーテン閉めましょうかね。」<br>\\r\\n Ah, sorry, could you close the curtains?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n みんながそれぞれ、自分の背中側の窓のカーテンを閉めた。<br>\\r\\n Everyone closed the curtains nearest to them.<br><br>\\r\\n まだ夕方だと言うのに、日の光をカーテンで遮られたここはもう深夜のようだった…。<br>\\r\\n The sun was still up, but with all the curtains closed, the room became very dark.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n まず、座長が昨夜の事件についての詳細と、警察とのやり取りを説明した。<br>\\r\\n The village chief explained the details of the incident, as well as what went on with the police.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …昨夜の深夜、興宮へ戻る警察車両が富竹さんの遺体を発見した。<br>\\r\\n A police vehicle discovered Tomitake-san's body on its way back to Okinomiya last night.<br><br>\\r\\n 大石たちの、オヤシロさまの祟り特捜班？は、５年目の事件はあるものと想定してスタンバイしていたため、初動は極めて早かった。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi's special \\\"curse unit\\\" was standing by, expecting something to happen for the fifth time, so they responded quickly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 富竹さんと常に一緒に行動していた鷹野さんの消息を掴むため、大石たちは県内に限らず周辺の県警にまで確認を取った。<br>\\r\\n Since Tomitake-san and Takano-san were rarely apart, Ooishi got in touch with the neighboring prefectural police departments and asked them to look for her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その結果、お隣の岐阜の山中で、女性の死体がドラム缶で焼かれているとの通報が入っていたことを突き止め、ただちに死体を確認。<br>\\r\\n As a result, they found a burned body of a woman in the mountains of the Gifu Prefecture,<br>\\r\\n 鷹野三四であると断定したという。<br>\\r\\n and the body was then identified as Miyo Takano.<br><br>\\r\\n 状況その他から、警察は５年目の雛見沢村連続怪死事件と断定して、現在、捜査中であるという。<br>\\r\\n Considering the circumstances, the police ended up labeling the incident as the fifth of the ongoing series of mysterious deaths.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……事実の説明が終わると、みんな、シンと黙り込んだ。<br>\\r\\n When he finished, there was dead silence.<br><br>\\r\\n 私も、次に誰が口を開くのか、注意深く見守っていた…。<br>\\r\\n I watched to see who would speak first.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 誰も口を開かない。<br>\\r\\n Nobody said a thing.<br><br>\\r\\n ……ふと見ると、公由さんは私を見ていた。<br>\\r\\n Then, I noticed Kimiyoshi-san looking at me.<br><br>\\r\\n そう。<br>\\r\\n Ah.<br>\\r\\n …ここで先に口を開くのは園崎家頭首、鬼婆の役目だったのだ。<br>\\r\\n This was where the head of the Sonozaki family would speak.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「魅音ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mion-chan,<br>\\r\\n ……お魎さんは何か言ってたかい？」<br>\\r\\n has Oryou-san said anything about this whole thing?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n みんなの目が私に向く。<br>\\r\\n Everyone looked in my direction.<br><br>\\r\\n ……おそらくみんな、私の肩越しに鬼婆の姿を見ているに違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...I was sure they could see the hag in me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………園崎家頭首代行、園崎魅音です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm <NAME>, acting head of the Sonozaki family.<br>\\r\\n 本日は頭首お魎に代わりまして出席させていただきました。<br>\\r\\n I'm here in place of Oryou, the current head.<br>\\r\\n よろしくお願いいたします…。」<br>\\r\\n Thank you for having me.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …頭の中を魅音で満たす。<br>\\r\\n I became Mion.<br><br>\\r\\n …一年前、私も冷え切った目で見つめ、恐ろしいことを平気で強いたあの恐ろしさを。<br>\\r\\n I tried to become as cold and unfeeling as the Mion I witnessed a year ago.<br><br>\\r\\n ………そう、あの魅音だって、私の中にある。<br>\\r\\n That cold version of Mion was inside of me.<br><br>\\r\\n あれは私。<br>\\r\\n That was me.<br>\\r\\n 私だって、あれ。<br>\\r\\n I was her.<br>\\r\\n ………………………………。<br>\\r\\n .....................\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……不幸にして、オヤシロさまのお怒りは５年目にも下されることになりました。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Unfortunately, the curse of Oyashiro-sama has come to pass for the fifth time.<br>\\r\\n ……大変悲しいことです。」<br>\\r\\n This is deeply regretful.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 皆、静まり返ったまま、私の言葉に耳を傾けていた。<br>\\r\\n Everyone was held captive by my words.<br><br>\\r\\n ……そう、今の私は小娘ではない。<br>\\r\\n I wasn't a little girl anymore.<br><br>\\r\\n 小娘の口を借りて…鬼婆が語っているのだ。<br>\\r\\n The hag was speaking through my mouth.<br><br>\\r\\n その重みに畏怖しながら、皆、ただただ静かに耳を傾けていた…。<br>\\r\\n They all heard me and trembled in fear...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……どうして今年も祟りがあったか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Does anyone know<br>\\r\\n わかる方はいますか…？」<br>\\r\\n why the curse happened again this year?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私の問いかけに、皆、表情を険しくしながらひそひそと囁きあう。<br>\\r\\n After my question, everyone whispered to each other.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そう。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I will tell you.<br>\\r\\n …祭具殿の禁を犯し、土足で聖域を踏み荒らして穢れを持ち込んだからです。」<br>\\r\\n It was because they broke the rule of the ritual storehouse and desecrated the sacred ground within.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「なんちゅーーーことをッ！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"How dare they!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 何人かの老人が吠えて腰を上げた。<br>\\r\\n A few elderly men got up and yelled.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あほんたれが…！<br>\\r\\n \\\"The fools!<br>\\r\\n 信じられん小僧どもだ！！」<br>\\r\\n I can't believe this!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ハラワタ引き裂いても飽きたりんガキどもしゃあん！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"They deserved to be killed!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「オヤシロさま、お怒りをお鎮めください…、なむなむなむなむ……。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oyashiro-sama, please calm your anger...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「何てことを何てことを…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh my, oh my... how did that happen?<br>\\r\\n …オヤシロさまオヤシロさま……。」<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「これだから余所者は好っきゃあん！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"This is why we hate outsiders!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「なあんもかんがんね！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"They just don't think!!<br>\\r\\n がくがくもないんよ、しゃらんと！！」<br>\\r\\n They're just too stupid!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁらすったらんこったんなるんね！！ バチ当りどもがんッ！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"They got what they deserved!! It was their own fault!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 憤る老人たちと、畏れ多さに慄く老人たちが口々にわめき合う。<br>\\r\\n The angry old men yelled even as they trembled in fear.<br><br>\\r\\n そのあまりの変わり様に私は少なからずの怖さを感じずにはいられなかった。<br>\\r\\n Their sudden change scared me more than a little.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、何よりも私を怖がらせたのは、小さい頃からやさしくしてくれて、<br>\\r\\n Even Uncle Kimiyoshi, who was usually so gentle and sweet,<br>\\r\\n いつも温和だった公由のおじいちゃんまでもが、阿修羅のような形相で、祭具殿の禁を破った狼藉者たちを呪っていたからだ。<br>\\r\\n became like a demon of war, cursing those who broke the rule of the ritual storehouse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 場は今や荒れ狂う海のようだった。<br>\\r\\n It had become like a raging ocean inside the assembly hall.<br><br>\\r\\n ごうごうと渦巻き、ぶつかりあい飛沫を飛ばしながら。<br>\\r\\n Their yells spun about like a whirlpool.<br>\\r\\n 砕け、<br>\\r\\n They roared,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 吠え、<br>\\r\\n crashed,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 唸った。<br>\\r\\n and howled.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はひとり、顔面を蒼白にしながらそのやり取りを見ていた…。<br>\\r\\n Even while doing nothing but watch, I could feel myself turning pale.<br><br>\\r\\n 昨日、魅音に脅され、今朝、葛西に呆れられ。<br>\\r\\n Mion threatened me yesterday, and Kasai had been shocked this morning.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、今、私の目の前にも同じ様な現実がある。<br>\\r\\n What I saw before me was similar to that.<br><br>\\r\\n やさしいはずの公由のおじいちゃんまでもが、声高に鷹野さんたちを非難し、死んで当然だ、死に方すらも生ぬるいと叫ぶのだ。<br>\\r\\n Even the sweet and gentle Uncle Kimiyoshi was saying they deserved to die.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は老人たちの豹変が怖かったし、<br>\\r\\n I was fearful of the sudden change in those elderly men.<br>\\r\\n 彼らの、オヤシロさまの祭具殿を侵すような奴らは死んで当然という考えがまかり通る信仰心も、逸脱していて恐ろしかった。<br>\\r\\n More than anything, the fact that they all believed that those people deserved to die for trespassing is what terrified me.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、……そんなのは些細なこと。<br>\\r\\n It wasn't just that, of course.<br>\\r\\n 本当に怖いのは、そういうことじゃない。<br>\\r\\n The real thing I was scared of...<br><br>\\r\\n 彼らが死ね死ね、呪われて死んでしまえと合唱する狼藉者には、…私が含まれるからだ。<br>\\r\\n Was that I was one of the people they wanted dead.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n つまり、……彼らは、私に向かって呪われろ、祟り殺されよと罵声を浴びせているのと何ら変わらない……。<br>\\r\\n In other words, it was almost like they were telling me to die of the curse...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が今この場で、……彼らに祭具殿に忍び込んだことを知られたなら。<br>\\r\\n If they were to find out I snuck into the ritual storehouse...<br><br>\\r\\n ……今すぐこの場で、首でも絞められて殺されるかもしれないという想像は、決して突飛でもなんでもない。<br>\\r\\n It was very possible that they would strangle me on the spot.<br><br>\\r\\n …むしろ、あっさりと殺してくれるかどうかの方が気になるような剣幕だった。<br>\\r\\n Actually, they might not kill me that easily.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は……確信する。<br>\\r\\n By then, I was certain...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ここにいるこいつらは、鬼婆と同じ価値観を持つオヤシロさま信仰の妄信者たちだ。<br>\\r\\n The people in this room were true believers in Oyashiro-sama, just like the hag.<br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの怒りを買った人間を、オヤシロさまに代わって誅することくらいは多分、躊躇しない。<br>\\r\\n They wouldn't hesitate to murder whoever made Oyashiro-sama angry on his behalf.<br><br>\\r\\n 仮に直接手を下さないとしても、見て見ぬふりくらいは絶対にする。<br>\\r\\n Even if they didn't carry out the killing themselves, they would pretend they didn't see anything.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう、この場で私が首を捻られて死んだとしても。<br>\\r\\n Yes, not even if my head was cut off right in front of them.<br><br>\\r\\n この場にいる全員が結託して、私は今日出席しなかった……待っていたけど来なかったと証言すれば……、『鬼隠し』の出来上がりだ。<br>\\r\\n Everyone here would act in collusion and say I never attended today... If they all testified that they waited and I didn't show... I'd be 'demoned away'.<br><br>\\r\\n それはあまりに簡単な抹殺、失踪。<br>\\r\\n It would be far too easy for them to erase someone and have them disappear.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 間違いない。<br>\\r\\n There was no mistake.<br><br>\\r\\n …………鬼婆と祟りを繋ぐ人間が、間違いなく今この場にいる…。<br>\\r\\n ......The people linking the hag and the curse were definitely here at this meeting.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私はさらに仕掛ける。<br>\\r\\n I continued speaking.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう、私は園崎魅音。<br>\\r\\n I was <NAME>.<br><br>\\r\\n 祟りを起こす側の存在だ。<br>\\r\\n I was on the side responsible for the curse.<br><br>\\r\\n だから今の私は何も心配することはない。<br>\\r\\n Therefore, at that moment, I didn't need to worry about anything.<br><br>\\r\\n …私たち姉妹を見分けられる者など、存在しないのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Nobody could tell the difference between Mion and me.<br>\\r\\n だから、安全…。<br>\\r\\n That's what would keep me safe...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………お静かにお願いします。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Please... ...be silent.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「おおぅら！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey!!<br>\\r\\n 静かに静かにッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Quiet down!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私の静粛の求めに対し、公由のおじいちゃんも口添えしてくれたが、その口調は信じられないくらいに暴力的な乱暴さがあり、…頼もしさより恐ろしさの方が強かった。<br>\\r\\n Uncle Kimiyoshi helped me to quiet everyone, but his tone was violent. He really scared me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n とりあえず皆、口を噤んでくれた。<br>\\r\\n Everyone gradually became silent.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……祭具殿に忍び込んだ賊は４人。<br>\\r\\n \\\"In fact, it was four people who snuck into the storehouse.<br>\\r\\n あと２人います。」<br>\\r\\n Two more remain.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 再びざわめくが、すぐに公由のおじいちゃんが怒鳴って場を静めてくれた。<br>\\r\\n People once more became restless upon hearing that, but Uncle Kimiyoshi yelled at them again and they settled down.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「富竹さんと鷹野さんは、分別の付くお歳だったはずですからね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Tomitake-san and Takano-san were old enough to be made responsible for their own poor judgment.<br>\\r\\n ……オヤシロさまの祟りが直ちに下りましたが、もう２人は子どもです。<br>\\r\\n As a result, the curse of Oyashiro-sama fell upon them immediately, but the other two were simply children.<br>\\r\\n まだ祟りは免れていますが、<br>\\r\\n The curse has yet to fall upon them...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………何のけじめもなく、許されることはありません。」<br>\\r\\n but there will be some kind of punishment.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 今度は誰も騒がなかった。<br>\\r\\n Everyone stayed quiet that time.<br><br>\\r\\n ……むしろみんな蒼白で、私の言葉を一言一句、聞き漏らすまいと必死なようだった。<br>\\r\\n They had all turned genuinely pale, trying not to miss a word I said.<br><br>\\r\\n そう、彼らはその２人の子どもが、<br>\\r\\n After all, they were all thinking\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……よもや自分の親戚では、<br>\\r\\n that the kids I mentioned could be their own relatives\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …孫では…と恐れていたからだ。<br>\\r\\n or even grandchildren.<br><br>\\r\\n …だからその２人が早く知って、安心したかったのに違いない。<br>\\r\\n ...They wanted to know who they were, to put their minds at ease.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………その２人の狼藉者は、…園崎詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......The other two who snuck into the ritual storehouse were Shion Sonozaki,<br>\\r\\n …そして前原圭一。」<br>\\r\\n and Keiichi Maebara.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 場の空気が乾ききっていくのがわかる。<br>\\r\\n I could feel the air getting drier.<br><br>\\r\\n ……今にも、空気が音を立ててひび割れするのではないかと思うほどに…。<br>\\r\\n It was so dry it almost felt like it was going to start making a crackling noise...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………園崎詩音は。<br>\\r\\n \\\"<NAME> has...<br>\\r\\n …………すでに。」<br>\\r\\n already...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 静まり返った老人たちからは、吐息が漏れる音すら聞こえない。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't even hear the old people breathe.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はこっそり、隣に座る公由のおじいちゃんの表情をうかがった。<br>\\r\\n I took a peek at Uncle Kimiyoshi, who was sitting next to me.<br><br>\\r\\n …実の孫娘のように可愛がってくれた詩音が、もう『鬼隠し』になっている。<br>\\r\\n He'd adored Shion as if she were his own granddaughter, but she had been demoned away.<br><br>\\r\\n それに対して、どんな悲しみ、あるいは憐れみの表情を浮かべてくれるか、知りたかったから。<br>\\r\\n I wanted to see how distressed and sad he'd look.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして公由のおじいちゃんの表情を見たとき。<br>\\r\\n And when I saw his face...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……乾ききった空気に耐えかねて、私の背中の皮がバリバリとひび割れを起こしていくのを感じた。<br>\\r\\n I felt a sensation on my back, as if my skin itself was making a cracking noise.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………………………………その表情はあまりに無機質。<br>\\r\\n ............He didn't even have...<br>\\r\\n …無感情だった。<br>\\r\\n ...an expression on his face...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 公由のおじいちゃんは、…あんなにも私を可愛がってくれた。<br>\\r\\n Uncle Kimiyoshi adored me.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はおじいちゃんが大好きだったし、おじいちゃんも同じように私が好きだと思っていた。<br>\\r\\n I loved him and I thought he loved me too.<br><br>\\r\\n だから……この残酷な現実に、心をわずかでも痛めてくれることに期待していた。<br>\\r\\n That was why I expected him to be saddened after learning that I met with such a cruel fate.<br><br>\\r\\n いや、甘えていた。<br>\\r\\n What was I thinking?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の中にあった、温かいおじいちゃんの笑顔が歪んでいく。<br>\\r\\n The memory of his warm smile shattered inside of me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……甘えたかった人が、…恐ろしい豹変をした時の恐怖が、せいぜい数千、数万程度しかない文字で、どう表現すれば伝わるというのか…？<br>\\r\\n There was no way of describing the fear I experienced in that moment<br>\\r\\n 無理だ。<br>\\r\\n in mere words.<br>\\r\\n 文字でこの恐怖が伝わるはずもない………。<br>\\r\\n He had suddenly changed into someone I didn't even recognize.<br><br>\\r\\n 公由のおじいちゃんは私の目線に気付き、口を開いた。<br>\\r\\n Uncle Kimiyoshi noticed me looking at him and spoke.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………もうひとりの、前原圭一は…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"What about Keiichi Maebara?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………、<br>\\r\\n \\\"......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………………まだです。」<br>\\r\\n .........Not yet.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は冷静さを装うために、一度呼吸を整えねばならなかった。<br>\\r\\n I had to take a deep breath to regain my composure.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……祭具殿を侵した４人、全てにオヤシロさまは祟りを下されるでしょう。<br>\\r\\n \\\"All four who snuck into the ritual storehouse will suffer the curse of Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n ……前原圭一も、例外ではありませんよ…。」<br>\\r\\n ...Keiichi Maebara is no exception...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 冷ややかな目。<br>\\r\\n Chilling looks.<br>\\r\\n 残酷な目。<br>\\r\\n Cruel looks.<br>\\r\\n 無感情な目。<br>\\r\\n Emotionless looks.<br>\\r\\n 呪うような目。<br>\\r\\n Shrewd looks.<br>\\r\\n そして噛みつくような目。<br>\\r\\n And the looks of people who were about to snap.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼たちが、鋭い眼光を向け、私の言葉をくっちゃくっちゃと、スルメでも噛み締めるようにしているのがわかる。<br>\\r\\n I could feel the demons chewing my words while they stared at me with their sharp eyes.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ある者は蛇のように細い舌をちろちろと覗かせ。<br>\\r\\n I could see some of them sticking their snake-like tongues in and out.<br><br>\\r\\n ある者は眼光から炎が噴き出しながら。<br>\\r\\n I could see flames in some of their eyes.<br><br>\\r\\n …未だ祟りが下されない狼藉者の名前を脳裏に刻み込んでいるようだった。<br>\\r\\n They were memorizing the names of the intruder the curse had yet to fall upon.<br><br>\\r\\n やがて。<br>\\r\\n And so, the meeting went on.<br><br>\\r\\n ………警察には聞かれた以上の余計なことはしゃべるな。<br>\\r\\n We were told not to tell the police too much...<br><br>\\r\\n 何を聞かれたかあとで報告すること。<br>\\r\\n To report what they asked us...<br><br>\\r\\n また、今後何か起こったらすぐに連絡して役員会で協議すること。<br>\\r\\n And to hold another meeting whenever something of significance happened.<br><br>\\r\\n 予期せぬ緊急の判断が求められた際には公由家か園崎家の頭首の判断を仰ぐこと、<br>\\r\\n If something unexpected took place, we were to get in touch with either the head of the Kimiyoshi family or the head of the Sonozaki family for instructions on what to do.<br>\\r\\n を確認し、会合は閉会となった…。<br>\\r\\n With those closing remarks, the meeting was over.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 表はもう暗くなっていた。<br>\\r\\n It was already getting dark outside.<br><br>\\r\\n 山間の村である雛見沢は、夕方は日が傾き出すと暗くなるのが早い。<br>\\r\\n Being in a valley surrounded by mountains, once the sun went down in Hinamizawa, it got dark quickly.<br><br>\\r\\n 日中には暑さを感じても、暗くなれば急に涼しくなってくる。<br>\\r\\n Even if it was hot during the day, it'd cool down quickly at night.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 老人たちは互いに簡単に挨拶を済ますと、自転車やバイク、または車で、自分の家へそれぞれ引き上げて行った…。<br>\\r\\n The elderly people said goodbye to each other and left on their bicycles, on their motorcycles, or in their cars...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 公由のおじいちゃんも、他の老人たちに手を振ると、自らも家路に就こうとしていた。<br>\\r\\n Uncle Kimiyoshi waved them goodbye and started to head home himself.<br><br>\\r\\n …それに私は声をかける。<br>\\r\\n I called out to him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「公由さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Kimiyoshi-san.<br>\\r\\n ………この後、ご予定はありますか？」<br>\\r\\n Do you have plans after this?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私が、公由のおじいちゃんと呼ばず、公由さんと呼んだので。<br>\\r\\n I called him 'Kimiyoshi-san', instead of '<NAME>'.<br>\\r\\n …おじいちゃんは足を止めた。<br>\\r\\n He stopped.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………いや、何もないよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"No, I don't have anything planned.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うちへ寄ってもらえませんか。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Can you stop by my house?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………お魎さんが、呼んでるのかい…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Does Oryou-san want to see me?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「はい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n …………直接会って話したいことがあるんだとか。」<br>\\r\\n She wants to talk to you about something in person.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………じゃあ寄るかな。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Okay, I'll stop by.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それだけの会話で、公由のおじいちゃんは園崎本家に来てくれた。<br>\\r\\n <NAME> arrived at the Sonozaki house.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆に呼ばれ、二人だけで密談をすることも多いからこそ、これだけの会話でうちに呼ぶことができるのだ……。<br>\\r\\n He often came to the house to have secret meetings with the hag, so he wasn't suspicious at all...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 公由のおじいちゃんを応接の間に招きいれると、<br>\\r\\n I invited <NAME> into the living room.<br>\\r\\n 私はお茶の用意をしてから、鬼婆を呼んでくると称して、しばらく席を外して、廊下の曲がり角の向こうで適当に時間をつぶした。<br>\\r\\n I served him a cup of tea and told him I was going to fetch the hag. I left the room and killed some time down the hallway.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……婆っちゃ、着替えてから来るそうです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Granny will be here after she gets dressed.<br>\\r\\n …ちょっと時間掛かるかもです。」<br>\\r\\n She might take a little while...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁん、いいよいいよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, that's okay.<br>\\r\\n ゆっくり待ってるから。」<br>\\r\\n I'll just wait.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 公由のおじいちゃんはお茶をすすりながら、足を崩して寛いでいた。<br>\\r\\n Uncle Kimiyoshi relaxed as he sipped his cup of tea.<br><br>\\r\\n …私も、その脇にさり気なく座った。<br>\\r\\n I sat next to him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………多分、…詩音の話じゃないかな、と思います。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I think... she wants to talk to you about Shion.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 詩音という名だけ出して、しばらく様子をうかがって見た。<br>\\r\\n I mentioned my name and watched for his reaction.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 公由のおじいちゃんは、…ずっと険しい顔。<br>\\r\\n Uncle Kimiyoshi looked so grim.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の言葉が聞こえたかどうかも怪しかった。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't even tell if he heard me.<br><br>\\r\\n …反応を見せるまで、私は喋り続けることにする。<br>\\r\\n I decided to continue speaking until he reacted in some way.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………詩音は、去年がありますからね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You remember the incident from last year with Shion, yes?<br>\\r\\n 北条家の人間なんかと…………懇意になるなんて。」<br>\\r\\n She became... friendly with people of the Houjou family...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「去年は………………、……………爪を剥いで許してもらったんだったね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"She was forgiven............ after ripping out her nails... wasn't she?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……えぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n ３枚剥いで。」<br>\\r\\n Three nails.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 公由のおじいちゃんは腕組をし、……しばらくの間、黙り込んでいた。<br>\\r\\n <NAME> folded his arms and thought for a while.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………詩音ちゃんは、……今は？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Where... is Shion-chan now?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「地下にいます。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"In the basement.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………様子はどうなんだい？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"How is she doing?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n おじいちゃんの声は、……心配するような声だった。<br>\\r\\n Uncle Kimiyoshi sounded worried.<br><br><br>\\r\\n それを聞いて、…私は、やっぱり公由のおじいちゃんは味方だったんだとわかり安心する。<br>\\r\\n When I heard that, I felt relieved that Uncle Kimiyoshi was on my side.<br><br>\\r\\n さっきの集会所での激しい形相は、対外的なものだったのだ…。<br>\\r\\n His anger in the assembly hall was just an act.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ずっと泣いていますよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"She has been crying.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………魅音ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mion-chan...<br>\\r\\n 率直なところ、お魎さんは詩音ちゃんのこと、どうするって言ってるんだい？」<br>\\r\\n Tell me, what is Oryou-san going to do with Shion-chan?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「具体的なことは聞いてません。<br>\\r\\n \\\"She hasn't told me any details.<br>\\r\\n ご存知と思いますけど、婆っちゃは怒りが度を超えると、逆に無口になりますからね。」<br>\\r\\n As you know, Granny becomes awfully quiet when she is truly furious.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………祭具殿に入ったんだもんなぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Going into the ritual storehouse, huh?<br>\\r\\n ……しかも、自分とこの身内がなぁ。<br>\\r\\n ...Furthermore, it's her own granddaughter.<br>\\r\\n …そりゃそうだろうなぁ……。」<br>\\r\\n That's a tough decision to make...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n おじいちゃんは、鬼婆もさぞ苦悩しているだろう…的な表情を浮かべて俯くのだった。<br>\\r\\n Uncle Kimiyoshi thought that the hag must be unsure of what to do with Shion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「おじいちゃんは、………詩音の処遇、…どうなると思います？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"What do you think? What do you think will happen... to Shion?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………そりゃ、…………爪３枚より、もっと酷いことになるだろうなぁ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well... I'm sure it'll be far more... than just three nails this time.<br>\\r\\n お魎さんのことだから、…身内に甘くするってことはないと思う。<br>\\r\\n Knowing how Oryou-san is, she won't hold back just because it's her granddaughter.<br>\\r\\n むしろ、身内だからこそ、……厳しく当たるだろうからな…。」<br>\\r\\n Actually, she might be even more harsh, especially because they're related.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………何しろ、…祭具殿に入ったんですものね…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes... she did go into the ritual storehouse.<br>\\r\\n …それは許されないことでしょうね…。」<br>\\r\\n That's not something that can be forgiven so easily...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………さすがになぁ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Indeed.<br>\\r\\n …祭具殿はなぁ……。」<br>\\r\\n It's sacred, after all...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「でも、詩音も可哀想かもしれません。<br>\\r\\n \\\"But in a way, maybe it's not fair to Shion.<br>\\r\\n ………だって、…ずっと雛見沢から遠ざけられてきたんです。<br>\\r\\n She has been away from Hinamizawa, as you know.<br>\\r\\n ……祭具殿の不可侵性は知ってはいたでしょうが、…そこまでいけないことだという認識は、…多分なかったんでしょうから。」<br>\\r\\n I'm sure she knew she wasn't supposed to trespass in the ritual storehouse, but maybe she didn't know how forbidden it was.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………確かに、…詩音ちゃんは不憫だよな。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Yeah, that's true. Poor Shion-chan...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私か、詩音か。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Other than the tattoo on my back...<br>\\r\\n 背中の刺青を見る以外に、私たちをどんな方法で区別できるというのですか？<br>\\r\\n How would you tell the difference between Shion and me?<br>\\r\\n …何もない。<br>\\r\\n ...There isn't one.<br>\\r\\n 魅音と詩音なんて区別自体が、何の意味もないのに。」<br>\\r\\n There's no point in distinguishing between Mion and Shion in the first place.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 双子は不吉の証。<br>\\r\\n Twins are proof of bad luck.<br><br>\\r\\n 生まれたらすぐに間引くべし。<br>\\r\\n One should be eliminated as soon as they are born.<br><br>\\r\\n そういう古い家訓に倣い、生まれたばかりの詩音の首に、鬼婆は実際、手を添えた。<br>\\r\\n Such is the family precept. The hag actually put her hands around my neck right after I came out of the womb.<br>\\r\\n という話を聞いたことすらある。<br>\\r\\n That's how the story went, at least.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆は結局、詩音を殺さなかったが、……その存在を、まるでいないかのように扱った。<br>\\r\\n In the end, the hag didn't kill me... but instead pretended I didn't exist.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私たちの片方を、無理に魅音、詩音と呼び、魅音だけを甘やかし、詩音に冷たくした。<br>\\r\\n She forced herself to call one of us Mion and the other Shion. She adored Mion and hated Shion.<br><br>\\r\\n 私たち姉妹は、どうしてそういうことをされるのか、ずっとわからなかった。<br>\\r\\n My sister and I never understood why we had to go through that.<br><br>\\r\\n なぜなら、私たち姉妹には、どちらが魅音でも詩音でも、どうでもよかったからだ。<br>\\r\\n We didn't care who was Mion or Shion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だから、……いつしかどちらからともなく言い出したのだ。<br>\\r\\n So one day, we came up with an idea.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音が受ける喜びも、詩音として受ける寂しさも、私たちは共に分かち合おうと。<br>\\r\\n We decided to share the joy Mion experienced and the sadness Shion experienced.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、私たちはことあるごとに入れ替わった。<br>\\r\\n We often switched places.<br><br>\\r\\n 姉妹は同時に魅音であり、同時に詩音であったのだ。<br>\\r\\n We were both Mion, and at the same time, we were both Shion.<br><br>\\r\\n 大人は違う服を着せたり、違う髪形に結ったりして、とにかく私たちを見分けられるよう苦心した。<br>\\r\\n Adults around us tried to put different clothes on us or style our hair differently so they could tell us apart.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でもそんなのはナンセンスだった。<br>\\r\\n That was nonsense.<br><br>\\r\\n そんな区別のための記号すら、私たちは入れ替えてしまえば、誰にも見抜けないのだから。<br>\\r\\n No matter what they did to us, all we had to do was switch places, and nobody could tell us apart.<br><br>\\r\\n 最終的には、…一緒にいるから入れ替わるのだ、ということになったのだろう。<br>\\r\\n Finally, they decided that we switched places because we were always together.<br><br>\\r\\n 詩音だけ遊園地に遊びに行けるという、珍しいことがあって。<br>\\r\\n On that day, Shion got to go to an amusement park.<br><br>\\r\\n ……………………その日を境に、私たちは引き裂かれたのだ。<br>\\r\\n ............Since then, we've been separated.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……魅音ちゃん。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mion-chan...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「私には、……………詩音がどういう処遇になるか、想像もつきません。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I can't even imagine... what will happen to Shion.<br>\\r\\n そして、どんなことに決まっても、……意見できる立場にありません。<br>\\r\\n Whatever it is Granny decides to do... I'm not in a position to say anything about it.<br>\\r\\n 婆っちゃは、身内であればむしろ意見を聞かない人ですし。」<br>\\r\\n She doesn't listen to her relatives.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………そうだなぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......You're right.<br>\\r\\n …お魎さんの悪いところだよ……。」<br>\\r\\n That's something Oryou-san needs to work on...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………詩音は、…園崎詩音でなければ、とっくに殺されていたことでしょう。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"If... Shion wasn't Shion Sonozaki... she would have been dead a long time ago.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"........................\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………死に準ずる罰が、果たしてどのようなものか、…私には想像もつきません。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........I can't even begin to imagine... what kind of punishment might be equal to death.<br>\\r\\n …殺されなかったにしたって、………多分、一生、日の光を見ることはできないでしょう。<br>\\r\\n ...Even if she isn't killed... ...She'll probably never see the light of day again.<br>\\r\\n ………つまりは、……『鬼隠し』ということかと…。」<br>\\r\\n In other words... she'll be... demoned away...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「魅音ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mion-chan...<br>\\r\\n …………詩音ちゃんは、…反省してるんだろ？」<br>\\r\\n ...Does Shion-chan regret what she has done?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………えぇ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes......\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n するとおじいちゃんは、私の肩をポンと叩いて、それから自分の胸をドンと叩いて見せた。<br>\\r\\n In response, Uncle Kimiyoshi tapped my shoulder and then slapped his own chest.<br><br>\\r\\n 頼もしそうな笑顔だった。<br>\\r\\n He smiled reliably.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「大丈夫。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't worry.<br>\\r\\n 詩音ちゃんがちゃんと反省してるなら、鬼隠しになんかなるもんか。<br>\\r\\n If Shion-chan feels bad about what she has done, she won't be demoned away.<br>\\r\\n 公由のおじいちゃんに任せなさい。」<br>\\r\\n Leave it to me.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ほ、…本当に大丈夫なんですか…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"R-Really?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そりゃお魎さんは、私に意見されたら怒りはするだろうけどさ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm sure Oryou-san will be furious to hear me say anything.<br>\\r\\n でもおじいちゃんは引かないよ。<br>\\r\\n But I won't give up.<br>\\r\\n 詩音ちゃんがしっかり反省してるんだから、許してあげてほしいって、ちゃんと頼んでみせるから。」<br>\\r\\n I'll explain to her that Shion-chan regrets what she has done, and I'll beg for her forgiveness.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …ぼろっと、…涙がこぼれた。<br>\\r\\n Tears... began to fall from my eyes.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n やっぱり…公由のおじいちゃんだけは味方だったんだ。<br>\\r\\n I knew it... Uncle Kimiyoshi was my ally after all.<br><br>\\r\\n 公由のおじいちゃんだけは、詩音を許すと言ってくれた。<br>\\r\\n He said he would forgive Shion.<br>\\r\\n 味方だった…。<br>\\r\\n He was my ally.<br>\\r\\n 嬉しかった……。<br>\\r\\n I was so very happy...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「本当に…大丈夫でしょうか…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Are you sure?<br>\\r\\n 去年の、…北条悟史くんみたいに、鬼隠しになっちゃったりしないでしょうか……。」<br>\\r\\n Are you sure she won't be demoned away, like <NAME> was last year?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 公由のおじいちゃんは、本当に頼もしい笑顔で、言った。<br>\\r\\n Uncle Kimiyoshi smiled reliably again and told me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「バチ当たりの北条家の坊主ならいざ知れず、園崎家の詩音ちゃんならきっと許してもらえるって。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"He was a brat of the Houjou family. This is Shion-chan of the Sonozaki family we're talking about here. Of course she'll be forgiven.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「…北条家の坊主って、……悟史くんのことですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"A brat of the Houjou family... Are you talking about Satoshi-kun?<br>\\r\\n 去年の犠牲者の…？」<br>\\r\\n Last year's victim?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「北条の連中は仕方ないさな。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Those Houjou people...<br>\\r\\n 村を丸ごと売ろうとした売国奴同然のやつらだ。<br>\\r\\n They were traitors who tried to sell out the whole village.<br>\\r\\n そういうやつらなら鬼隠しだってあり得るだろうけど、そりゃ北条家だからの話だよ。」<br>\\r\\n Of course he got demoned away. He was a Houjou, after all.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「北条家の連中は、一族郎党みんな呪われて当然だ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"The Houjou people should all be cursed.<br>\\r\\n 鬼隠しに遭うのはそういう連中なんだから。<br>\\r\\n Only people like them get demoned away.<br>\\r\\n だから詩音ちゃんは大丈夫。<br>\\r\\n Shion-chan will be okay.<br>\\r\\n 大丈夫なんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n It won't happen to someone like her.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………おじいちゃん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Uncle.<br>\\r\\n でも、……悟史くんは去年、詩音がけじめをつけたから、……見逃してもらえることになったんじゃないの……？」<br>\\r\\n Didn't... Didn't Shion take care of that for Satoshi-kun last year? ...Wasn't he supposed to be forgiven?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「けじめ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"'Take care of that'?<br>\\r\\n 何の？」<br>\\r\\n What do you mean?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほら、……爪を３枚、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Remember? Three nails.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …剥いだじゃないですか…。<br>\\r\\n She removed three of her nails.<br>\\r\\n 葛西さん、<br>\\r\\n Kasai-san,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 義郎叔父さん、<br>\\r\\n Uncle Yoshiroh,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …それから、悟史くんで、<br>\\r\\n and then Satoshi-kun\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……３人分、<br>\\r\\n ...three people.<br>\\r\\n …３枚。」<br>\\r\\n She removed three nails for three people.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Eh?<br>\\r\\n ３枚って、そういう意味だったのかい？」<br>\\r\\n So that was why it was three nails, huh?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「あの、３枚は……そういう意味じゃなかったんですか…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wasn't that the significance of those three nails?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「いや…合ってるよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, you're right.<br>\\r\\n …関わった人間が３人だから、３枚の爪でけじめとしたんだよ。<br>\\r\\n There were three people involved, hence the three nails.<br>\\r\\n そう私も聞いてるよ。<br>\\r\\n I heard that too.<br>\\r\\n ……でも、」<br>\\r\\n But...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「でも？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"But... what?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………葛西さん、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Kasai-san,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 義郎さん、<br>\\r\\n Yoshiroh-san...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………それから詩音ちゃんで３枚だと聞いてたよ。」<br>\\r\\n ...and Shion-chan, that makes three.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n え…？<br>\\r\\n Eh...?<br>\\r\\n ………あれ？<br>\\r\\n ...What?<br>\\r\\n ………………え？<br>\\r\\n .........Huh?<br><br>\\r\\n えっと、……あれ？<br>\\r\\n Eh... What?<br><br>\\r\\n 私、………すっごい痛いの、……我慢したよ……？<br>\\r\\n I endured... excruciating pain...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 最初に左手の小指。<br>\\r\\n The first one was my left pinky.<br>\\r\\n それから薬指、<br>\\r\\n Then the ring finger<br>\\r\\n …中指。<br>\\r\\n and then the middle finger.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 確かに暴れないように押さえつけられはしたけど。<br>\\r\\n People held me down so I couldn't move.<br>\\r\\n …でも、私は歯を食いしばって耐えてたよ…？<br>\\r\\n But... I endured...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だって、３枚の爪を剥がすまで耐えなければならなかったから。<br>\\r\\n I had to endure three nails.<br><br>\\r\\n だって、どの指の爪が悟史くんになるのか分からなかったから。<br>\\r\\n I didn't know which nail was for Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n だって、もし悟史くんを救う指が中指ということになってたら。<br>\\r\\n If my middle finger was for Satoshi-kun...<br><br>\\r\\n 私が中指を剥がすまで耐えなかったら…悟史くんが許してもらえないから。<br>\\r\\n I'd have to endure until the middle finger was done so that Satoshi-kun would be forgiven.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、…歯を食いしばって耐えたんだよ……？<br>\\r\\n That was why I endured...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも、だってほら、…その後に、魅音が来て言ったよ？<br>\\r\\n Even Mion said afterwards.<br><br>\\r\\n あれで全部許してもらえたって。<br>\\r\\n Everything was forgiven.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……………あれ…？<br>\\r\\n ...Huh?<br><br>\\r\\n ………あれ、…あれ…？<br>\\r\\n ...Huh... huh?<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音、悟史くんを許すって、…言ってるよね？<br>\\r\\n Mion, didn't you say Satoshi-kun was forgiven?<br>\\r\\n ………言ってるんじゃなかったっけ？<br>\\r\\n ...Didn't you?<br><br>\\r\\n 私、…聞いたよ？<br>\\r\\n That's what I heard.<br>\\r\\n 聞いたような気がする。<br>\\r\\n I think that's what I heard.<br><br>\\r\\n ……聞いてない？<br>\\r\\n Or did I?<br>\\r\\n ぇ？<br>\\r\\n Eh?<br>\\r\\n ……え？<br>\\r\\n ...Eh?<br>\\r\\n …あれ？<br>\\r\\n Huh?<br><br>\\r\\n ………すぅっと。<br>\\r\\n I felt the air move.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……空気の流れないはずの部屋なのに、…一陣の冷風が流れた気がした。<br>\\r\\n There shouldn't have been a breeze in that room... but I felt it anyway.<br><br>\\r\\n その冷たさが、…………私のうなじを撫でた気がした。<br>\\r\\n The cool air stroked the back of my neck.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時。<br>\\r\\n That was when...<br>\\r\\n ……本当の私が、…私のすぐ後ろに立ち、頷いた。<br>\\r\\n my true self stood right behind me... and nodded.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の髪が、……風もないのに揺らめき、…瞳の奥の魔性が、本当の瞳を開く。<br>\\r\\n Although there was no wind... my hair billowed. The burning wickedness buried deep inside my eyes became visible.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……どうして、北条悟史くんは鬼隠しにあったのでしょう。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Why do you think <NAME> got demoned away?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Eh?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんのご両親は、確かに村を売ろうとしました。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Satoshi-kun's parents did in fact try to sell out the village.<br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りがあったのは当然です。<br>\\r\\n They deserved the curse of Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n でも、悟史くんはその両親の子どもであっただけ。<br>\\r\\n But Satoshi-kun was simply their son.<br>\\r\\n …その悟史くんにどんな罪が？」<br>\\r\\n What has he done?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………え、……魅音ちゃん？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Eh... Mion-chan?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんにどんな罪があったのかと尋ねています。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm asking you what kind of crime Satoshi-kun committed.<br>\\r\\n あなたはさっき、バチ当たりな北条家の坊主なら、鬼隠しに遭っても当然と言いました。<br>\\r\\n You said earlier that he deserved to be demoned away because he was born of the Houjou family.<br>\\r\\n 鬼隠しに遭っても当然な、どんな罪があったのかと聞いているのです。」<br>\\r\\n What has he done to deserve being demoned away?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 公由は突然の問い詰めに、どう答えていいかわからず狼狽していた。<br>\\r\\n Kimiyoshi didn't know what to say to the sudden question. He seemed dismayed.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「聞かずともわかります。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I didn't hear her say it, but I know.<br>\\r\\n 園崎お魎が、決めたのです。<br>\\r\\n It was Oryou Sonozaki's decision.<br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りが及ぶのは、北条の姓を持つ全ての人間と、決めたから。」<br>\\r\\n She decided that the curse of Oyashiro-sama would fall upon all the Houjous.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ま、…………待って、魅音ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"W...Wait, Mion-chan.<br>\\r\\n …別に、…そういうことが決まってるわけじゃない。」<br>\\r\\n ...That's not true.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「決めたわけではないのですか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Didn't she decide that?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうだよ、そんなこと決めたことなんかない…！<br>\\r\\n \\\"No, she didn't!<br>\\r\\n 北条家にはオヤシロさまの祟りがいずれ下る。<br>\\r\\n The curse of Oyashiro-sama falling upon the Houjou family...<br>\\r\\n そういう話をおぼろげにしたことはあっても、…そんなはっきりとしたことを言及したことは一度もないし、誰もしていないよ…。」<br>\\r\\n I do remember talking about something like that, but we never decided that, nobody did...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ではさっきあなたが口にした、北条の坊主ならいざ知れず、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Then, why did you say<br>\\r\\n という言葉は何を根拠に出たものなのですか？」<br>\\r\\n 'because he was one of the Houjous' earlier?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、……ぁ、……ごめんよ魅音ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah...... ah... sorry, Mion-chan.<br>\\r\\n あれは…その、言い過ぎたよ、謝る！」<br>\\r\\n That was...... You know, I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そういうことです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's just it.<br>\\r\\n …北条家なら何があっても祟り。<br>\\r\\n Anything that happens to the Houjou family is the curse.<br><br>\\r\\n 北条の名を冠していれば、どうなろうが知ったことではないという、そういう考えが蔓延していることが問題なのです。<br>\\r\\n As long as someone has the Houjou name, nobody cares about what happens to that person. That idea has spread like a virus amongst all the villagers.<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんに罪があろうがなかろうが、北条という姓があればそれで汚らわしい。<br>\\r\\n It didn't matter if Satoshi-kun did anything or not. Because he was a Houjou, he was filthy.<br>\\r\\n そういう考えが蔓延していることが問題なのです。<br>\\r\\n That infection of an idea is the entire problem.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そ<br>\\r\\n And\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n し<br>\\r\\n you\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n て<br>\\r\\n all\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n あ<br>\\r\\n be\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n な<br>\\r\\n lieved\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n た<br>\\r\\n in\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n は<br>\\r\\n that\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n そ<br>\\r\\n idea.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n の<br>\\r\\n You\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 蔓<br>\\r\\n couldn't\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 延<br>\\r\\n even\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n で<br>\\r\\n think\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 燻<br>\\r\\n straight\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n さ<br>\\r\\n any\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n れ<br>\\r\\n more.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n た<br>\\r\\n I\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 穢<br>\\r\\n can't\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n れ<br>\\r\\n for\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n た<br>\\r\\n give\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 思<br>\\r\\n you.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 考に<br>\\r\\n I\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 汚<br>\\r\\n can't\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 染<br>\\r\\n let\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n さ<br>\\r\\n some\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n れ<br>\\r\\n one\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 迷<br>\\r\\n like\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 信<br>\\r\\n you\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 妄<br>\\r\\n exist.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 信<br>\\r\\n Peo\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 許<br>\\r\\n ple\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n せ<br>\\r\\n like\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n な<br>\\r\\n you\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n い<br>\\r\\n cor\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n お<br>\\r\\n nered\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 前<br>\\r\\n Satoshi\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n の<br>\\r\\n -kun\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n よ<br>\\r\\n and\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n う<br>\\r\\n his\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n な<br>\\r\\n family.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 存<br>\\r\\n Poor\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 在<br>\\r\\n Satoshi\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n が<br>\\r\\n -kun!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 許<br>\\r\\n What\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n せ<br>\\r\\n has\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n な<br>\\r\\n he\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n い<br>\\r\\n done?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n お<br>\\r\\n He\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 前<br>\\r\\n hasn't\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n の<br>\\r\\n done\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n よ<br>\\r\\n any\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n う<br>\\r\\n thing!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n な<br>\\r\\n He\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n や<br>\\r\\n was\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n つ<br>\\r\\n a\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n が<br>\\r\\n Hou\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 悟<br>\\r\\n jou,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 史<br>\\r\\n that's\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n く<br>\\r\\n all!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ん<br>\\r\\n What\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n た<br>\\r\\n kind\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ち<br>\\r\\n of\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 一<br>\\r\\n a<br><br>\\r\\n 家<br>\\r\\n crime\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n を<br>\\r\\n is\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 追<br>\\r\\n that?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n い<br>\\r\\n Why\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 詰<br>\\r\\n did\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n め<br>\\r\\n the\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n て<br>\\r\\n curse\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 追<br>\\r\\n fall\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n い<br>\\r\\n upon\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 詰<br>\\r\\n him?<br><br>\\r\\n め<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n て<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n あ<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ん<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n な<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n に<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n も<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n す<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n り<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 減<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ら<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n し<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n て<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 悟<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 史<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n く<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ん<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n が<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 可<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 哀<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 想<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 本<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 当<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n に<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 可<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 哀<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 想<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 彼<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n が<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 何<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n を<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n し<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n た<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n の<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ？<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 何<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n も<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n し<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n て<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n な<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n い<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 何<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n も<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n や<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n っ<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n て<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n な<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n い<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n た<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n だ<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 北<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 条<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n で<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n あ<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n っ<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n た<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n だ<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n そ<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n れ<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n に<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ど<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ん<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n な<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 罪<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n が<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 罰<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n が<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 祟<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n り<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n が<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 呪<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n い<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n が<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ど<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n う<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n し<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n て<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 降<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n り<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n か<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n か<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ら<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ね<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ば<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n な<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ら<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n な<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n か<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n っ<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n た<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n の<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n か<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 、<br>\\r\\n Why?\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 一体悟史くんに何の罪があったというのかッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n What kind of crime has he committed?!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n うをああああわああぁああああああぁああぁあッ！！！<br>\\r\\n Whaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 公由は弾かれたように上半身を後に反らし、そのままコテンと横になった。<br>\\r\\n Kimiyoshi's upper body bent backward and fell onto the floor.<br><br>\\r\\n それでおしまい。<br>\\r\\n That was that.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はスタンガンをポケットにしまった。<br>\\r\\n I put my stun gun back in my pocket.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「……ごめん、詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Sorry, Shion.<br>\\r\\n …今、何て言った？」<br>\\r\\n ...What was that you just said?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「昨夜、鷹野さんと富竹さんが死んだんだそうです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Apparently, Takano-san and Tomitake-san died last night.<br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんは焼死体で。<br>\\r\\n Takano-san was found burned to death.<br>\\r\\n 富竹さんは…自殺みたいな感じで。<br>\\r\\n Tomitake-san was... well, it looked like a suicide.<br>\\r\\n …今朝知ったんです。<br>\\r\\n ...I found out this morning.<br>\\r\\n …お父さんが親類の人からの電話で話してるのを聞いて…。」<br>\\r\\n ...I heard my father talking to a relative on the phone about it...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n やはり圭一は綿流しの夜の事件のことは何も知らなかった。<br>\\r\\n As I thought, Keiichi didn't know anything about what happened after the festival last night.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「マスコミに報道されないのは当然なんです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Of course it's not getting reported by the media.<br>\\r\\n …過去にそうだったから。」<br>\\r\\n ...That's how it was in the past, too.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は、鷹野さんたちの死が報道されてない以上、信用できないの一点張りで拒否を貫こうとした。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi insisted that unless he heard about it on the news, it couldn't be real.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、今や連続怪死事件の捜査には秘匿捜査指定がかかっている。<br>\\r\\n But the investigations into the series of mysterious deaths are done in secret now.<br><br>\\r\\n 報道されないのは当り前のことなのだ。<br>\\r\\n Of course he didn't hear about it on the news.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「村長とか、あと園崎家出身の金バッヂが警察に思いっきり圧力をかけたんだって聞いてます。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I hear the mayor and several important politicians from the Sonozaki family put all the pressure they could on the police.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃあつまり…２人の死は、…秘密裏に処理されてしまったということか？！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Then you mean... their deaths... are going to be dealt with in total secrecy?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そういうことです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's how it is.<br>\\r\\n …もちろん、警察は捜査をしてますよ？<br>\\r\\n ...Of course, the police are still investigating.<br>\\r\\n でも、秘匿捜査ということなので、捜査活動にはかなりの制限が加えられているそうです。<br>\\r\\n That's being performed in secret too, though, so I hear the investigation itself is very restricted in what it can and can't do.<br>\\r\\n これは、事実上の捜査妨害と言えるでしょうね。」<br>\\r\\n You could essentially say they're interfering with a police investigation.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……信じられない。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I can't believe this...<br>\\r\\n …人が死んだのに、…それが公にされず、密やかに処理されるなんて…。」<br>\\r\\n ...People died... and yet they're dealing with everything in secret...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「もっと噛み砕いて言うと。<br>\\r\\n \\\"If we break it down further...<br>\\r\\n …綿流しの夜に誰が死んでも、公にはならない、ということです。」<br>\\r\\n it means that no matter who dies on the night of Watanagashi, it won't go public.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……そ、そんな馬鹿な話があってたまるか…！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Th-That's the biggest pile of bullshit I've ever heard...!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「圭ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Kei-chan.<br>\\r\\n …私、以前に、オヤシロさまの祟りは村人が起こしてるかもしれないって言いましたよね。<br>\\r\\n ...Remember how I said before that the villagers could be the ones carrying out Oyashiro-sama's curse?<br>\\r\\n ……つまりそういうことなんです。<br>\\r\\n ...That's what I mean.<br>\\r\\n …この雛見沢では、毎年、綿流しの夜に、オヤシロさまの祟りということにして誰かを殺してもいい土壌が、<br>\\r\\n ...At some point, a tradition was created here in Hinamizawa...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……いつの間にか作り上げられているんです。」<br>\\r\\n where every year, you're allowed to kill someone on the night of Watanagashi.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう。<br>\\r\\n Yes.<br>\\r\\n これこそが、雛見沢村連続怪死事件、通称オヤシロさまの祟りの、真実。<br>\\r\\n That's the truth about the series of mysterious deaths in Hinamizawa, also known as Oyashiro-sama's curse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この日にはオヤシロさまの祟りを口実に、２人を犠牲にしてもいいという時間的なものと。<br>\\r\\n On the day of Watanagashi, two people will be killed.<br><br>\\r\\n こいつらはオヤシロさまの祟りを口実に、１人を殺して１人を失踪させてもいいという人物的なものと。<br>\\r\\n The perpetrators are using the curse of Oyashiro-sama as an excuse to kill one victim and make another disappear.<br><br>\\r\\n この両軸が噛み合った時、オヤシロさまの祟りが起こるのだ。<br>\\r\\n That's why the curse of Oyashiro-sama takes place.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、この土壌こそが雛見沢であり、…祟りたる所以なのだ。<br>\\r\\n That's what happens in Hinamizawa, and that's what happens with the curse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 公由が語ったこと、あれは全て真実。<br>\\r\\n What Kimiyoshi said is all true.<br><br>\\r\\n ダム戦争の時の仇敵は、死んで当り前という空気の蔓延こそが、姿なき殺人者を生み出す母体なのだ。<br>\\r\\n Infecting everyone with the idea that the enemy from the dam conflict deserved to die was the root of all of this.<br><br>\\r\\n そう、それはお魎が作り出した園崎本家の、磨ぎ汁のような霧で隠した命令システムそのもの。<br>\\r\\n That was the system of vague commands used in the Sonozaki family, created by its head, Oryou.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 園崎本家における命令系統の特筆すべき点は、命令者と執行者の両点が、線で結ばれていないところにある。<br>\\r\\n One thing that must be mentioned about that command system is that the person giving the orders and the one executing them didn't need to interact in any way.<br><br>\\r\\n 命令者であるお魎は、具体的に命令しない。<br>\\r\\n Though Oryou was the commander, she never gave actual orders.<br><br>\\r\\n 期待するだけでいいのだ。<br>\\r\\n She only had to expect something to happen.<br><br>\\r\\n それを取り囲む親族会議の人間たちは、皆が皆、チャンスさえあれば期待に応えようと、そう思うのだ。<br>\\r\\n Every single one of the family council members around her would want to satisfy that expectation if given the chance.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 積極的に期待に応えようとしなくていい。<br>\\r\\n They didn't have to be proactive about satisfying it.<br>\\r\\n 消極的でいい。<br>\\r\\n They could be passive too.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、お魎の意思を汲んだ者は、……チャンスを得た時、<br>\\r\\n But when the chance arose... anyone who knew Oryou's intentions...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n それぞれが執行者になる可能性を秘めているのだ。<br>\\r\\n could potentially become the one to execute her orders.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だから、お魎は実際に手を下したのは誰か知らないし、親族たちも誰が手を下したのかわからない。<br>\\r\\n Therefore, Oryou would never know who actually executed her order, and none of the relatives knew it either.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、結果的にお魎の思い通りの結果になったことはわかるし、そのために尽力した人間が身内の誰かだということはおぼろげに分かっている。<br>\\r\\n But they all knew things would conclude just as Oryou wanted, and they could assume it was one of their own who did it for her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この消極的な協力システムは綿密で、村ぐるみと呼べるほど広大で、そしてその結束はダム戦争で鍛錬され、この上なく強固だ。<br>\\r\\n This passive support system was thoroughly effective, and it spread all over the village. Its ties became even tighter after the dam conflict.<br><br>\\r\\n 誰もが執行者になりうる。<br>\\r\\n Anyone could be the one to execute Oryou's orders.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、誰もが協力者になり、その幇助者になる。<br>\\r\\n Therefore, everyone supported each other.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 誰かが事件を起こしたなら、他の人間は他のことでお魎の期待に応えようとする。<br>\\r\\n If someone did something, then the others would try to satisfy Oryou's expectation in different ways.<br><br>\\r\\n 例えば、犯人のアリバイ偽証であるとか、捜査を消極的に妨害するとか。<br>\\r\\n For example, they'd come up with false evidence or otherwise passively interfere with an investigation.<br><br>\\r\\n …実行犯が誰かわからなくても、彼らはその身内の誰かを庇うため、連帯する。<br>\\r\\n Even if they didn't know exactly who they were protecting, they'd still work together to protect whoever it was.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう。<br>\\r\\n Yes,<br>\\r\\n ……今こそ、私は雛見沢村連続怪死事件、通称、オヤシロさまの祟りの仕組みを解明したと言っていい。<br>\\r\\n I had finally figured out how it all worked.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もう一度整理しよう。<br>\\r\\n Phrased in a more organized matter, it would go as follows:<br><br>\\r\\n この、村にとって好ましくない人間を年に２人単位で抹殺していくシステムは、３つの要素を組み合わせてなりたっている。<br>\\r\\n The system of killing two people who are unwanted by the village each year required three elements.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n まず最初の要素は『連帯した地域性』<br>\\r\\n The first element was a 'region of solidarity'.<br><br>\\r\\n それは長い排他的な歴史を持つ雛見沢では自然に生まれた。<br>\\r\\n It was created during the long and unique history of Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、ダム戦争を経て精練され、綿密と表現できるほどに強固になった。<br>\\r\\n The villagers' bonds became even tighter during the dam conflict.<br><br>\\r\\n これは祟りが発生する土地の条件と言ってもいいだろう。<br>\\r\\n That was one of the conditions for this place to have a curse.<br><br>\\r\\n 作れる要素ではなく、この要素がある土地に祟りが湧く、と考えた方がいい。<br>\\r\\n It was an element that was already in the region, not one that could be created.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 次に『価値観の共有』<br>\\r\\n The next element was 'having the same moral standards'.<br><br>\\r\\n この要素は重要で、これがなければ祟りは発生しない。<br>\\r\\n This was a very important element, as the curse wouldn't have happened without it.<br><br>\\r\\n また、この要素を園崎お魎が自ら生み出したからこそ、お魎はこのシステムを自らの意思で確立したと断言できるのだ。<br>\\r\\n Also, this element was created by <NAME> herself, and that was why she could claim that this system was established by her own will.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 価値観の共有とはつまり、敵をはっきりとマーキングし、それを地域全体に共通認識させることを言う。<br>\\r\\n Having the same moral standards means that everyone everywhere acknowledges the same enemy.<br><br>\\r\\n いくら村が連帯していても、村全体が敵の存在を共通で認識していなくては、何の意味もない。<br>\\r\\n Even when everyone in the village joined together, it would be meaningless if they all didn't know exactly who the enemy was.<br><br>\\r\\n 園崎お魎はダム戦争中、結束を容易にするため、常に敵をわかりやすく設定した。<br>\\r\\n During the dam conflict, <NAME> made the identity of the enemy very clear to everyone.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ダム建設反対、政府は敵だ。<br>\\r\\n They couldn't just say that they were against the dam construction and that the government was their enemy.<br>\\r\\n …だが、これでは曖昧。<br>\\r\\n That wasn't clear enough.<br><br>\\r\\n 政府なんて言葉では誰を敵にして気勢を上げればいいかわからない。<br>\\r\\n 'The government' didn't really pinpoint who the enemy was.<br><br>\\r\\n だがお魎は単純明快に、ダム現場が悪い、そのリーダーである現場監督が悪いと、目に見える対象を選んだのだ。<br>\\r\\n But Oryou made enemies out of the construction site itself, and therefore its manager. She chose targets that the villagers could see with their own eyes.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n これならわかりやすい。<br>\\r\\n They were clear and easy to understand.<br><br>\\r\\n 村人たちはダム現場の人間全てを敵とし、そのリーダーである現場監督を敵将であると捉えることができたのだ。<br>\\r\\n The villagers acknowledged that everyone at the dam construction site was their enemy, and that construction site manager was the enemy commander.<br><br>\\r\\n 同じ要領で、村の敵を次々に選定してレッテルを貼り、村の敵一覧を、まるでリスト的に村人たち全ての心に刷り込んでいった。<br>\\r\\n Using the same method, she labeled one after another as an enemy of the village, practically cataloging a list of enemies to print into the villagers' minds.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はさっき、これを蔓延と呼んだ。<br>\\r\\n Earlier, I had used the term 'infecting' for this phenomenon.<br><br>\\r\\n これに侵され、さらに村に蔓延させるやつらこそ、自覚のない殺人命令者たちなのだ。<br>\\r\\n Those infected by this idea were the people unconsciously giving the orders to commit murder.<br><br>\\r\\n 村中にそれが蔓延し、雛見沢の人間全員が、敵を共通認識した時。<br>\\r\\n When the infection spread across the village, when all of Hinamizawa's residents acknowledged the same enemy...<br><br>\\r\\n 初めて雛見沢はまるごとでひとつの意思を持った「殺人執行者」となる。<br>\\r\\n That's when Hinamizawa itself became a murderer.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n お魎はこれら２つの要素、すなわち「連帯した地域性」と「価値観（敵）の共有」を組み合わせ、<br>\\r\\n Oryou combined those two elements - 'a solidary region' and 'having the same moral standards' -,<br>\\r\\n 敵を選定しては、それを村全体の敵として刷り込み、蔓延させていった。<br>\\r\\n then selected the enemy and spread that notion throughout the village.<br><br>\\r\\n 法律は、直接手を下した者と、命令を下した者を裁く。<br>\\r\\n The law would normally have punished both the one who committed the crime and the one who gave the order.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、お魎の狡猾なこのシステムは、命令すら必要ない。<br>\\r\\n But Oryou's system didn't require an order at all.<br><br>\\r\\n お魎が予め指定した敵を「不快に思って憂慮するだけで」いいのだ。<br>\\r\\n Oryou just had to 'become concerned' about the enemy she had pre-selected.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、これだけではまだ祟りは起こらない。<br>\\r\\n But that alone wouldn't cause the curse to take place.<br><br>\\r\\n お魎の憂慮は言わば、安全装置のようなもので、安全装置を外しても、引き金を引く力がなければ祟りにはまだまだ至らない。<br>\\r\\n Oryou's 'concern' was like a safety device, and even when the safety device was off, the curse wouldn't occur unless there was a finger to pull the trigger.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そこで必要な最後の要素が『執行日の指定』。<br>\\r\\n The last necessary element was 'to set a date for execution'.<br><br>\\r\\n これこそが、綿流しの夜なのだ。<br>\\r\\n The night of Watanagashi.<br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢の守り神であるオヤシロさまを祀る綿流しの祭りの夜。<br>\\r\\n The night to venerate Oyashiro-sama, the guardian deity of Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n この夜にはオヤシロさまの祟りが起こって、村の仇敵が２人単位で消える。<br>\\r\\n On that night, the curse of Oyashiro-sama falls upon two enemies of the village, and they disappear.<br><br>\\r\\n そういうことになっているという共通認識。<br>\\r\\n Everyone in the village acknowledged that as fact.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n つまり、一年のうちのこの夜を除く３６４夜に事件が起これば、それはただの殺人事件だが、<br>\\r\\n In other words, if the same incident took place on any of the other 364 nights of the year, it would be nothing other than a murder case.<br><br>\\r\\n ……この夜に起きる殺人だけは『オヤシロさまの祟り』に昇華される。<br>\\r\\n ...But if it happened on the night of Watanagashi, then it would transform into the curse of Oyashiro-sama.<br><br>\\r\\n もっと平たく言うなら、綿流しの夜になら、村の仇敵を抹殺してもいいという、異常な価値観を蔓延させたのだ。<br>\\r\\n The idea that villagers are allowed to kill their enemies on the night of Watanagashi had infected them.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 村人たち全てが雛見沢という巨大生物の細胞となり、それらひとつひとつが誰が敵であるかを教え込まれている。<br>\\r\\n The villagers were the cells of this huge creature called Hinamizawa, and each cell would be taught who the enemy was.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、予め決められた日付という名の執行命令により、その夜に巨大生物の細胞の中で、もっとも殺しやすいポジションにいた誰かが執行する。<br>\\r\\n The set date was basically a green light for whoever was in the best position to kill the enemy.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n これこそが、オヤシロさまの祟りの正体。<br>\\r\\n That was the truth of the curse of Oyashiro-sama.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、……悟史くんを殺した誰かが本当の仇ではない。<br>\\r\\n Therefore... ...the one who actually killed Satoshi-kun isn't my enemy.<br><br>\\r\\n この殺人システムを組み上げ、悟史くん一家を敵だと指定したやつらこそが悟史くんの仇…！<br>\\r\\n The one who set up this murderous system and the one who named Satoshi-kun's family as the enemy is my enemy.<br><br>\\r\\n …もっと広義な意味では、オヤシロさまの祟りのシステムそのものである雛見沢そのものが仇と言えるのだろうが。<br>\\r\\n ...To use a broader definition, Hinamizawa itself and the very system of Oyashiro-sama's curse is my enemy.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n システム設計者であり首魁でもある鬼婆はすでに葬った。<br>\\r\\n I already killed the hag, the one who designed the system.<br><br>\\r\\n そのシステムを蔓延させる筆頭である公由はすでに私の手の内にある。<br>\\r\\n Kimiyoshi, the one whose job it was to infect the villagers with the system, was already in my hands.<br><br>\\r\\n あとは、何者がどこまで関わっているか。<br>\\r\\n I just had to find out who else was involved, and how much.<br><br>\\r\\n ……雑草の根を、途中で千切れないように、深く深く丹念に執念深く掘り起こすようなものだった。<br>\\r\\n It was like pulling a weed while being very careful not to break its roots.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 役員会の席上で私は、前原圭一も祭具殿を侵したひとりと発言した。<br>\\r\\n I announced that Keiichi Maebara was one of the people who snuck into the shrine storage.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もう村の裏側では周知の事実になっているだろう。<br>\\r\\n I was certain that fact had already spread throughout the underside of the village.<br><br>\\r\\n それは前原圭一が、オヤシロさまの祟りの対象になったことを示す。<br>\\r\\n In other words, Keiichi Maebara was an object of the curse of Oyashiro-sama now.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんたち２人は無惨な死体で発見された。<br>\\r\\n Takano-san and Tomitake-san were found dead, having been killed in gruesome ways.<br>\\r\\n これはオヤシロさまの祟りだ。<br>\\r\\n That was the curse of Oyashiro-sama.<br><br>\\r\\n なら、その祟りを鎮めるという名目で、さらに２人を『鬼隠し』で生贄、という形で失踪させることができる。<br>\\r\\n In that case, they could 'demon away' two more people as sacrifices to calm the anger of Oyashiro-sama.<br><br>\\r\\n 祟りの執行日である綿流しの夜はすでに越えてしまったが、<br>\\r\\n The set date for the curse was already over...<br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんがそうだったように、『鬼隠し』に限っては多少の時間的猶予が認められている。<br>\\r\\n But just like what happened to Satoshi-kun, demoning away was allowed a little extra time.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 今後数日以内に、前原圭一の周辺には何らかの魔手がきっと迫る。<br>\\r\\n Something would happen to Keiichi Maebara within a few days.<br><br>\\r\\n 前原圭一という餌を食い千切られないように慎重に、<br>\\r\\n I'd wait patiently,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……私は彼を吊るした釣り糸を、もっともっと深くに、沈めていくのだ………。<br>\\r\\n careful to not let my enemy simply take Keiichi Maebara--my bait.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は電話の向こうで、さっきからずっと怒鳴りたてていた。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi had been yelling on the other end of the phone for some time.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 祭具殿には入りたくて入ったわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n He kept yelling that he didn't want to go into the ritual storehouse to begin with.<br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんに誘われたから、私に誘われたから渋々入っただけ。<br>\\r\\n He claimed he was simply invited by Takano-san and me.<br>\\r\\n それなのに命を狙われるなんて冗談じゃない、と女々しい泣き言を怒鳴りたてている。<br>\\r\\n He shouldn't be in danger because of that, he said.<br><br>\\r\\n 危機感と緊張感で膨れ上がりながら、威勢良く足掻いてくれた方が、きっと私の魚釣りはうまく行く。<br>\\r\\n He was feeling a sense of crisis and tension. This was going to work.<br><br>\\r\\n …生餌の方が食いつきがいいって言うしね。<br>\\r\\n The livelier the bait, the easier it is to spot.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「どうしてくれるんだよ？！？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Why the hell did you do that?!?!<br>\\r\\n 俺は全然関係ないんだぞ？！？！<br>\\r\\n I didn't have anything to do with this!!!<br>\\r\\n どうすんだよ！<br>\\r\\n What will you do?<br>\\r\\n どうすんだよ？！<br>\\r\\n What are you going to do, damn it?!<br>\\r\\n どうやって責任を取ってくれるんだよッ？！？！<br>\\r\\n How are you going to take responsibility for this?!?!<br>\\r\\n えぇ？！<br>\\r\\n Huh?!<br>\\r\\n おいッ、聞いて、」<br>\\r\\n Hey, are you listeni-\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n うざい。<br>\\r\\n Shut up. I've heard enough of your pitiful tears.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は受話器を置いて、圭一との電話を一方的に終わらせた。<br>\\r\\n I hung up the phone.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 冷静を欠いた圭一に、今夜はこれ以上なにを話しても無駄だ。<br>\\r\\n There was no point in talking to him when he got like that.<br><br>\\r\\n それに、圭一に危機意識を持たせる、周囲を警戒させる、という目的は充分達成できている。<br>\\r\\n Besides, I'd already achieved my goal, which was to make him realize the danger awaiting him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は一呼吸置いた後に、今度は村長宅への電話番号をダイヤルし始めた。<br>\\r\\n I took a deep breath, then called the house of the village chief.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「はい！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hello!<br>\\r\\n 公由です。」<br>\\r\\n Kimiyoshi residence.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「園崎です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"This is Sonozaki.<br>\\r\\n どうです？<br>\\r\\n So?<br>\\r\\n 村長さんは見つかりましたか？」<br>\\r\\n Did you find the mayor?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁ、魅音ちゃんか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, it's you, Mion-chan.<br>\\r\\n …片っ端から電話をかけてみたけど、だめだよ。<br>\\r\\n We've been calling everyone, but no luck.<br>\\r\\n 見つからないんだ…。<br>\\r\\n We can't find him.<br>\\r\\n 参ったなぁ…！<br>\\r\\n I don't know who else to call!<br>\\r\\n どこで油を売ってるのかなぁ…！」<br>\\r\\n I wonder where he is.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「こっちでも心当たりにいろいろと問い合わせましたけど、<br>\\r\\n \\\"We've called a few places too, but\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …全然。」<br>\\r\\n nothing.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...........................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「婆っちゃにも相談したんですが、青年団を召集して捜し回った方がいいだろうということです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I talked to Granny, and she says we should have the youth group look for him.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「こ、こんな時間にかい…？<br>\\r\\n \\\"At this time of day?<br>\\r\\n それに、別に行方不明になったと決まったわけでもないし…、」<br>\\r\\n Besides, we aren't even sure if he's really missing.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「綿流しの直後ですから。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's right after Watanagashi.<br>\\r\\n 少し慎重に扱った方がいいとのことです。<br>\\r\\n She just thinks we should be cautious.<br>\\r\\n それでも見つからないなら、明朝、警察に通報しましょう。<br>\\r\\n If the youth group can't find him, then we should call the police first thing in the morning.<br>\\r\\n 見つかる見つからないは別にして、痛くない腹を探られない方がいいでしょうから。」<br>\\r\\n We'd rather not get the police involved unless we really have to, though.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…お魎さんがそう言ったのかい？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Did Oryou-san say that?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「はい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n 直接、声を聞かないと信用できないなら、電話先に出させますよ？」<br>\\r\\n If you don't believe me, I'll have her get on the phone.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「い、いえ…！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh no...!<br>\\r\\n わかりました。<br>\\r\\n I understand.<br>\\r\\n 青年団を集めて捜しましょう。<br>\\r\\n Okay, we'll gather the youth group and look for him.<br>\\r\\n それで見つからなければ…翌朝に警察に通報します。」<br>\\r\\n If they can't find him, we'll call the police in the morning.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「青年団の連絡網、よろしくお願いしますね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Please call the leader of the youth group, then.<br>\\r\\n 私も婆っちゃの代行ということでそちらに参ります。」<br>\\r\\n I'll be right over in Granny's place.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、ありがとう。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Th-Thank you.<br>\\r\\n すぐにみんなを集めます…。」<br>\\r\\n I'll get everyone together right away.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「えぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay,<br>\\r\\n では。」<br>\\r\\n see you later.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 失踪した村長を捜すため、青年団が古手神社に集合することになった。<br>\\r\\n The youth group had gathered at the Furude Shrine. They were going to try to find the mayor.<br><br>\\r\\n 私も鬼婆の代理ということで、顔を出さなければならない。<br>\\r\\n I also had to go, in the absence of the hag.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 村長の捜索にこれから出る、という嫌味を言おうと思い、私は出掛ける前に地下拷問室に立ち寄った。<br>\\r\\n Just to be mean, I stopped by the underground torture room to let the mayor know that I was headed to the Furude Shrine to search for him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ちなみに、…この地下拷問室は、魅音の付けた鍵束のプレートによると、地下祭具殿と呼ぶらしい。<br>\\r\\n Incidentally, according to the tab on the keychain, this underground torture room was actually called the underground storehouse for ritual implements.<br><br>\\r\\n 祭具殿を侵した者には死を、と声高に言っていた連中が、地下とは言え、祭具殿に閉じ込められて、償いをするはめになるとは。<br>\\r\\n This was the man who was yelling that whoever trespasses on the ritual storehouse should be killed. Although it was an underground ritual storehouse, he was there now, atoning for what he had done.<br><br>\\r\\n …これを皮肉と思って笑えるのは、多分、私だけだろうと思った。<br>\\r\\n It was pretty ironic. Maybe I was the only one who felt that way, though.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「公由のおじいちゃん、お具合はいかがですか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"How are you doing, Uncle Kimiyoshi?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n じゃらり…。<br>\\r\\n Clink...<br><br>\\r\\n 公由は言葉は発せられなかったが、私に気付いたことを、鎖を鳴らして知らせることはできた。<br>\\r\\n Kimiyoshi didn't say a word, but he made a noise with the chain.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………今ね、村中でおじいちゃんの姿が見えなくなったって大騒ぎしてますよ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Everyone is making such a fuss because they can't find you.<br>\\r\\n おじいちゃんの家から相談が来たので、青年団を召集して捜索を行なうことにしました。<br>\\r\\n Your family called me, so I suggested they gather the youth group to look for you.<br>\\r\\n これから行って来るところです。」<br>\\r\\n I'm heading over there now.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、これ以上ないくらいの嫌味だ。<br>\\r\\n Was this mean, or what?<br><br>\\r\\n だが公由は、鎖を鳴らすだけで、苦悶の表情以上の感情を示すことは難しそうだった。<br>\\r\\n Kimiyoshi could only make noise with the chain. He couldn't even express any emotion other than anguish.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「鎖、少し長くしてあげましょうか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Is the chain too short?<br>\\r\\n 私の質問にちゃんと答えてくれる度に、そうですね、鎖の輪っか、１個分長くしてあげます。<br>\\r\\n Why don't I make it longer every time you give me an answer to a question?<br>\\r\\n …あと３個も長くなれば、だいぶ楽になると思うんですけどね？」<br>\\r\\n If it's even a little longer, you'll feel better.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………ぅうぅ…………ぅ…………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Oooh... oooh...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 公由は、両手を後に回され、針金でぎっちりと締め付けられていた。<br>\\r\\n Kimiyoshi's hands were tied behind his back with a tight wire.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、鎖付きの革製首輪もまた、かなりきつく締め付けられていた。<br>\\r\\n He was wearing a leather collar with a chain, which was strapped tightly around his neck too.<br><br>\\r\\n その首輪の鎖は天井の滑車に伝い、ピンと公由を締め上げていた。<br>\\r\\n The collar's chain was on a pulley attached to the ceiling, with the chain pulling him up toward it.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、鎖はかなりきつく短く締め上げている。<br>\\r\\n That chain was very short and pulled very tight.<br><br>\\r\\n …公由は、背伸びをし続けていなければ、呼吸することもままならないのだ。<br>\\r\\n Kimiyoshi had to stand on tiptoes to be able to breathe.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 背伸びを強要してから、もう小一時間にはなる。<br>\\r\\n He had been like that for almost an hour already.<br><br>\\r\\n それでこんなに疲労しているのだから、今夜一晩も放置したら、勝手に自分で首を吊る形になって死んでしまうかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n He was already exhausted. If I left him overnight, he'd probably end up hanging himself.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「さっきは知らない、と言われましたけど。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You told me earlier that you didn't know,<br>\\r\\n もう一回尋ねます。<br>\\r\\n but I'll ask you one more time.<br>\\r\\n ……北条悟史くんについて知っていることを教えてください。」<br>\\r\\n Please tell me anything you know about Satoshi Houjou-kun.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………ぅ……………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Oooh......\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……あぁ、ごめんなさい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Oh, sorry.<br>\\r\\n 喋りたくても喋れません？<br>\\r\\n You can't even talk, can you?<br>\\r\\n じゃあ、私とお喋りの間だけ、ちょっと緩めましょう。」<br>\\r\\n I'll loosen the chain a little while we chat, then.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は壁際の鎖を巻き取る滑車をほんの少しだけ回して、公由の首を締め上げる鎖をちょっと延ばしてやった。<br>\\r\\n I turned the pulley just a little to loosen the chain that was pulling on Kimiyoshi's neck.<br><br>\\r\\n 公由は踵を地に付け、かちこちになったふくらはぎの肉を弛緩させているようだった。<br>\\r\\n Kimiyoshi's heels finally touched the ground, relieving the pressure on his muscles.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………知らないんだよ、詩音ちゃん…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I really don't know, Shion-chan...<br>\\r\\n 本当に知らないんだ…。」<br>\\r\\n I really don't...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「悟史くんが生きてるのか死んでるのか、それすらも？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't you even know if he's dead or alive?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………おじいちゃんは本当に何も知らないんだよ……。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I really don't know anything...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ま、…雛見沢の祟りのシステムはそういう部分で機密性を保持していますからね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, I guess that's how the curse system of Hinamizawa works...<br>\\r\\n おじいちゃんが知らない、というのもありえなくはないことです。<br>\\r\\n It's possible you really don't know anything.<br>\\r\\n なら、聞き方を変えます。<br>\\r\\n Okay, then I'll change the question.<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんがどうなってるのか、公由家頭首の立場でご意見を伺いたいです。」<br>\\r\\n As the head of the Kimiyoshi family, I would like you to tell me what you think has happened to Satoshi-kun.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...............\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……悟史くんは、…生きてる？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Is Satoshi-kun dead<br>\\r\\n 死んでる？」<br>\\r\\n or alive?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 公由は、明らかに答えを迷っていた。<br>\\r\\n Kimiyoshi didn't know what to say.<br><br>\\r\\n 知らないと一言で済ませれば、私は鎖を締め上げここを出て行くだろう。<br>\\r\\n If he said he didn't know, I'd tighten the chain and leave the room.<br><br>\\r\\n それは公由にとって、死刑と変わらない。<br>\\r\\n That would be like a death sentence for him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも私は、公由家頭首として意見を聞かせろ、としか言ってない。<br>\\r\\n But all I said was that I wanted him to speak as the head of the Kimiyoshi family.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 意見なら、事実を知らなくても何とか喋れる。<br>\\r\\n I didn't ask him to tell the truth.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、何と喋れば、私の機嫌を損ねず、鎖を延ばしてもらえるのか……<br>\\r\\n But he didn't know what to say to avoid souring my mood and to get me to loosen the chains around him...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ということを思案している様子がありありと読み取れた。<br>\\r\\n He was obviously trying to figure out how to make me extend the chain.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………生きてるんじゃないかって噂を、聞いたことがある…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...............I've heard a rumor that he may be alive...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、新幹線で東京に、ってやつですね？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, about him going to Tokyo on a bullet train, right?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………警察が、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...The police...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………東京で姿を見た、<br>\\r\\n have seen him in Tokyo...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……というようなのを聞いた覚えが…。」<br>\\r\\n or something like that...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 名古屋駅で東京行きの新幹線に乗るのを見た…、までは大石に聞いている。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi had told me that Satoshi-kun had been witnessed getting on a bullet train heading to Tokyo at Nagoya Station.<br><br>\\r\\n でもその情報の真偽も含め、その後悟史くんの消息は警察では何も掴んでいない。<br>\\r\\n But the police didn't know if that really happened, or what became of Satoshi-kun after that.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、公由のこれは口からの出任せだ。<br>\\r\\n Therefore, this was simply a random assertion of Kimiyoshi's.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………ねぇ、公由家の頭首さま？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hey, head of the Kimiyoshi family...<br>\\r\\n 呪われた一族、北条家の人間を、わざわざ失踪なんていう凝った消し方をしていて、<br>\\r\\n What would be the point in letting one of the cursed family members live\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n わざわざ生かしておくのにどんな理由があるんです？<br>\\r\\n after going through the trouble of making him disappear?<br>\\r\\n ないんじゃないですか？」<br>\\r\\n I don't think there's any reason for that.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"..................\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「それに、その東京で警察が見た、という情報ソースを教えてください。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Besides, who gave you this information?<br>\\r\\n 私は大石と一時期、連絡を密にしていましたが、そんなのは聞いたことないです。<br>\\r\\n I was in close contact with Ooishi for a while, but he never mentioned it to me.<br>\\r\\n ………おじいちゃん？<br>\\r\\n ...Uncle?<br>\\r\\n 私の機嫌を取ろうとしていい加減なことを言ったなら、<br>\\r\\n If you're just saying that to make me happy,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………かえって怒っちゃいますよ？」<br>\\r\\n it's not going to work...... you know that, don't you?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が鎖を巻き取る滑車に再び手をかけると、公由は再び締め上げられると思ったらしく、その仕草だけで相当に慌てた。<br>\\r\\n I reached for the pulley controlling the chains around Kimiyoshi, and that act alone sent him panicking as he feared them tightening once more.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………ご、ごめんよ…！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"...S-Sorry!!<br>\\r\\n 別に詩音ちゃんを怒らせようなんてつもりはないんだよ…謝るよ…！」<br>\\r\\n I'm not trying to make you angry, Shion-chan, I'm sorry...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「私、ご機嫌取りの話なら聞きたくないんで。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't have time for this.<br>\\r\\n 公由のおじいちゃんに、悟史くんのことを調べる協力をお願いしてるだけなんです。」<br>\\r\\n I'm simply asking you to help me look for Satoshi-kun, that's all.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「わ、<br>\\r\\n \\\"I-\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……わかってる、<br>\\r\\n I know... I know that.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …ちゃんと真面目に考えるから…！」<br>\\r\\n I'll answer you...!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は滑車にかけている手を下ろす。<br>\\r\\n I took my hand off the pulley.<br><br>\\r\\n ……公由はそれを確認すると、考えていますとでも言うように、無理に唸り声をあげながら色々と思案していた。<br>\\r\\n ...Seeing that, Kimiyoshi began making load groaning noises to try and show he was thinking hard.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ずばり。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Be frank with me.<br>\\r\\n ……生きていると思いますか？<br>\\r\\n Do you think he is alive<br>\\r\\n 死んでいると思いますか？」<br>\\r\\n or dead?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………生きてると考えるのは<br>\\r\\n \\\"I... think...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …<br>\\r\\n ...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …<br>\\r\\n ...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 難しいんじゃないかと思う…。」<br>\\r\\n you shouldn't think he is alive...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......<br>\\r\\n …ですよね。<br>\\r\\n That figures.<br>\\r\\n 生かしておくことで伴う膨大なリスクを負う意味、ないですもんね。<br>\\r\\n There was no point in letting him live, right?<br>\\r\\n 私だって同感ですし。」<br>\\r\\n I agree with you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 深い意味で言ったわけではないのだが、私のその言葉は公由を一層震え上がらせたようだった。<br>\\r\\n I really didn't mean anything too deep by it, but what I said truly scared Kimiyoshi.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「警察は、叔母殺しの犯人が悟史くんで、沙都子の誕生日プレゼントを買うために貯めてた貯金で逃亡したと、そう考えてました。<br>\\r\\n \\\"The police think he ran, using the money he saved to buy Satoko's birthday present, because he was the main suspect of his aunt's murder.<br>\\r\\n ……この辺、どう思います？」<br>\\r\\n What do you think about that?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………でも、…それの犯人は確か、麻薬中毒の危ない奴だと聞いたよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Well... I heard that the culprit was some kind of drug addict.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あれ、どう思います？<br>\\r\\n \\\"What do you think about that?<br>\\r\\n ……私は、…あはは、私がこういうのも変だけど、悟史くんが叔母殺しの犯人だって信じてるですよ。<br>\\r\\n I... ahahaha, maybe I shouldn't say this, but I believe Satoshi-kun is the culprit.<br>\\r\\n あいつは、例えば鬼婆辺りに買収されて仕立て上げられた身代わりじゃないかと思うんですけど。」<br>\\r\\n The drug addict was probably a decoy the hag arranged.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………それは、おじいちゃんも思ってたよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I've......... suspected as much.<br>\\r\\n …突然ひょっこりと真犯人でしたなんて言われて、<br>\\r\\n That guy appeared out of nowhere.<br>\\r\\n ……腑に落ちなかった。」<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't understand it at the time.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…やっぱり身代わり？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"So he was a decoy...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………多分、そうじゃないかと思うよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I'm pretty sure...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「何のためにだと思います？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Why do you think that, though?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………警察は……悟史くんが犯人だと思って捜査を進めてたんだよね…？<br>\\r\\n \\\"The police were investigating the case, and Satoshi-kun was their primary suspect, wasn't he?<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんを…『鬼隠し』ということで失踪させておきたいと思うなら、<br>\\r\\n If he was going to be demoned away,<br>\\r\\n …警察の捜査がいつまでも続くのは、面白くなかったんじゃないかな……。」<br>\\r\\n she didn't want the police to continue the investigation, I guess...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 公由の意見は興味深い。<br>\\r\\n What Kimiyoshi just said is very interesting.<br><br>\\r\\n …確かに言う通りだ。<br>\\r\\n ...He's perfectly correct.<br><br>\\r\\n 警察が悟史くんだと思って捜査を続けると、悟史くんを『鬼隠し』にした犯人にとっても都合が悪い。<br>\\r\\n If the police continued their investigation, it would complicate things for whoever demoned away Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、捜査を終わらせるために身代わりをでっち上げたという考えは、かなり信憑性がある。<br>\\r\\n Therefore, the hag came up with a decoy in order to bring an end to the investigation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「でも、そんな犯人のでっち上げなんて、そうそう簡単にできることじゃないですよ？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"But fabricating a suspect can't be that easy, don't you agree?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………お魎さん以外にはできないよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........The only person who can do things like that...<br>\\r\\n …そんなことは。」<br>\\r\\n is Oryou-san.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…鬼婆が裏の世界で相当の力を持ってる、というのは私も知ってはいますけど…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I knew the hag was very powerful in the underside of Hinamizawa,<br>\\r\\n そんなにもあったんですね。」<br>\\r\\n but I never knew she was that powerful...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………詩音ちゃんだって、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I'm sure you've heard quite a few rumors\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …色々とダム戦争の頃から噂は聞いてるだろうし、<br>\\r\\n during the dam conflict.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 中には実際に、直接聞いたものもあるんじゃないかい…？」<br>\\r\\n Didn't you also hear things directly?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ダム戦争の頃、建設重機を壊してやれとか、<br>\\r\\n During the dam protests, I actually saw them issuing orders to my relatives.<br>\\r\\n 工事車両を妨害するために検問を設けられないかとか、<br>\\r\\n Like, \\\"destroy their heavy machinery\\\".<br>\\r\\n そんな謀略を親類たちに指示してるところは、私も実際に見ている。<br>\\r\\n or, \\\"can we set up a checkpoint to blockade their construction vehicles?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして、その結果、警察に捕まった仲間たちを釈放したり、あるいはアリバイを作ったり、証拠を崩したり捏造したり。<br>\\r\\n They set free their comrades from the police by coming up with alibis, destroying or forging evidence...<br><br>\\r\\n 確かにそういうことを実際に側近たちに指示しているのを見たことがあるし、<br>\\r\\n I had seen relatives do those things<br>\\r\\n 議員を呼びつけて指示したり、抗議したりしているのを見たことがある。<br>\\r\\n as well as the hag calling in councillors to the house to protest.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……子供心に、鬼婆はすごいなぁくらいに思っていたが。<br>\\r\\n As a child I was pretty impressed.<br><br>\\r\\n 今こうして思い返すと、それはすごいなぁどころのことではない。<br>\\r\\n But when I thought back, it was more than that.<br><br>\\r\\n …文字通り、裏世界を牛耳る黒幕だ。<br>\\r\\n She was truly the mastermind who controlled the underside of the world.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音ちゃんだって、建設省の幹部の息子…、<br>\\r\\n \\\"You've heard about<br>\\r\\n というか建設大臣の孫だな…。<br>\\r\\n the kidnapping case of\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n あれの誘拐事件の話は知ってるだろ…？」<br>\\r\\n the grandson of the Minister of construction, right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あれってやっぱ誘拐だったんですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"So it was really a kidnapping, huh?<br>\\r\\n 孫が『鬼隠し』になって、高津戸だか谷河内だかの山奥で見つかったって話は知ってたんですけどね。」<br>\\r\\n I heard the grandson was demoned away and then found in the middle of the mountains in Takatsudo or Yagouchi.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………あれは、<br>\\r\\n \\\"That was\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …お魎さんの指図によるものだよ…。<br>\\r\\n at Oryou-san's command...<br>\\r\\n ……ダム工事の中止の約束が取り付けられたんで、孫を釈放したっていうのは、<br>\\r\\n The Minister promised to stop the dam construction, and the grandson was released.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………おじいちゃんたち、旧同盟の幹部ならみんな知ってる。」<br>\\r\\n ......All the top people in the ex-Guardians know that.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……ふぅん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hmmm.<br>\\r\\n ……身近に居すぎて私がよくわかってなかっただけで。<br>\\r\\n I guess I was right in the middle of it when it was happening, but I didn't notice.<br>\\r\\n ………やっぱり鬼婆や御三家や、旧同盟って大したもんだったんですね。<br>\\r\\n The hag, the Three Families, and the ex-Guardians are truly magnificent, huh?<br>\\r\\n …怖い怖い。」<br>\\r\\n How terrifying...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …私は公由が、自分の置かれた状況を理解して、私の質問にちゃんと答えてくれてることに、ほんの少し機嫌を良くもしたが。<br>\\r\\n Kimiyoshi finally realized the situation he was in, and he was answering my questions. That made me happy, but...<br><br>\\r\\n …………公由が言ってることに信憑性が増す度に、<br>\\r\\n The more Kimiyoshi told me the truth\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …悟史くんがもう生きていないことが、動かしがたい事実になっていくのが、悲しかった。<br>\\r\\n the more I realized Satoshi-kun really was dead... That made me very sad.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………悟史くんを、…『鬼隠し』にした実行犯は誰だと思います？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Who actually demoned away Satoshi-kun?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………わからないよ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't know.<br>\\r\\n それに、誰が実際にやったかは問わないのが、不文律だったから…。」<br>\\r\\n We were never to ask who actually executed Oryou-san's orders...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n そりゃそうだ。<br>\\r\\n He was right.<br><br>\\r\\n そういうシステムだから。<br>\\r\\n That was how the system worked.<br>\\r\\n ……私の質問が悪い。<br>\\r\\n And so, that was a bad question.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「誰がやったにせよ、……大したものですよね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Whoever it was did a great job,<br>\\r\\n だって、人を殺して、死体も出てこないなんて、結構簡単なことじゃないんじゃないですか？」<br>\\r\\n because his body hasn't been found. That's not easy.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………誰が殺したかは別にして。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Putting aside who actually killed him...<br>\\r\\n ………例えば、死体の処理をお魎さんが手伝ったという可能性は、考えられるよ。<br>\\r\\n It is possible Oryou-san has helped to get rid of the body.<br>\\r\\n ………今いるここの、奥に死体を捨てるための井戸があることは知ってるだろ…？」<br>\\r\\n ...You know about the well farther down from here, the one used to dump bodies, don't you?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁ……確かに。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, I do.<br>\\r\\n どこかの山中に埋めるくらいなら、ここの井戸に捨てる方が絶対に安全ですもんね。」<br>\\r\\n It's a lot safer to dump a body in the well than to bury it somewhere in the mountains.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 失踪者は、オヤシロさまの怒りを鎮めるための生贄にされた…という風にして処理される。<br>\\r\\n Whoever disappears becomes a sacrifice to calm the anger of Oyashiro-sama.<br><br>\\r\\n そういうルールのゲームだからだ。<br>\\r\\n That was the rule of this game.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だから、死体が見つかると祟りというゲーム上、好ましくない。<br>\\r\\n Therefore, the bodies must never be discovered.<br><br>\\r\\n だからこそ、失踪者の死体は絶対に見つからないところに廃棄する。<br>\\r\\n That's why the bodies had to be dumped somewhere nobody could find them.<br>\\r\\n 理解できる話だった。<br>\\r\\n It's very possible that the well was used for that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n じゃあ、<br>\\r\\n Then\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………悟史くんは、<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun is\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……あの、<br>\\r\\n at the\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 井戸の、<br>\\r\\n bottom of that\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 底に？<br>\\r\\n well?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は懐中電灯を掴むと、岩牢のある大空洞へ向かった。<br>\\r\\n I grabbed a flashlight and headed to the huge cave with all the cells.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大空洞の灯りを付けたので、岩牢の中の魅音が私が来たのに気付いたようで、不安そうな目線を向けていた。<br>\\r\\n As I turned on the lights in the cave, Mion noticed me and gave me a worried look.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はそれには構わず、隠し井戸のある岩牢へ向かう。<br>\\r\\n I ignored her and headed to the cell in the back.<br><br>\\r\\n ………よくもこう自然そうにカモフラージュしたものだと、その隠し方に芸術性すら覚えた。<br>\\r\\n ...I was still very impressed by how the well was hidden. It was almost artistic.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 井戸の底に懐中電灯の灯りを向ける。<br>\\r\\n I shone the flashlight at the bottom of the well.<br><br>\\r\\n 底の深さは計り知れない。弱々しい灯りでは、どろどろと滞留する闇に打ち勝てないのだ。<br>\\r\\n I had no way of knowing how deep the well was. The light of the flashlight wasn't strong enough to reach the bottom.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は…すぅっと息を吸い込む。<br>\\r\\n I inhaled.<br>\\r\\n ……そして、井戸の底へ叫んだ。<br>\\r\\n Then screamed into the well.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……悟史くん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Satoshi-kun!<br>\\r\\n ……………悟史くーーーん…ッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n ......Satoshi-kuuuun!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの名前が深く深く深く、何度も残響していく。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun's name echoed again and again.<br>\\r\\n ……相当な深さがあるのは疑いようもなかった。<br>\\r\\n It was obviously a very deep well.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 壁の梯子状の楔を伝って底に降りてみようかとも思った。<br>\\r\\n I thought of climbing down using the wedges on the wall.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、懐中電灯を首にぶら下げた状態では、充分に手元を確認できないし、<br>\\r\\n But with the flashlight hanging from my neck, I couldn't light my footing properly.<br>\\r\\n たとえ充分な明るさがあったとしても、楔が本当に頑丈に打ち込まれているかは怪しい。<br>\\r\\n And even if there was enough lighting, I didn't even know if the wedges were sturdy enough.<br><br>\\r\\n この井戸の中を降りていくのは自殺行為にしか思えなかった。<br>\\r\\n It would be like committing suicide.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………この底に、<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun was\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …悟史くんがいる……？<br>\\r\\n at the bottom of this well...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時。<br>\\r\\n That's when I felt it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……私の頭を、<br>\\r\\n A warm hand\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …確かに、<br>\\r\\n rubbed\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n あの温かい手が、<br>\\r\\n my head\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 撫でてくれた。<br>\\r\\n for sure.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 詩音。…<br>\\r\\n Shion.<br>\\r\\n ……やっと、<br>\\r\\n You\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……僕を、<br>\\r\\n finally\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……見つけてくれたんだね……。<br>\\r\\n found me...<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くん、<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……悟史くん……、<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……悟史くん………！！<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun...!!<br><br>\\r\\n 私ね、…私ね？！<br>\\r\\n I-I...<br>\\r\\n ずっと…ずっと、悟史くんを捜してたんだよ…。<br>\\r\\n I've been looking for you for so long...<br>\\r\\n でも、…生きてる内に捜し出せなかった……。<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry I couldn't find you while you were still alive...<br>\\r\\n ごめんね……ごめんね……。<br>\\r\\n Sorry... I'm sorry...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …詩音は何も悪くないよ。<br>\\r\\n It's not your fault, Shion.<br>\\r\\n ……詩音には、僕が殺されるまでの間に、何もできることがなかったんだもの。<br>\\r\\n There was nothing you could've done before I was killed.<br>\\r\\n だけど、………僕が死んでしまった後に、詩音は精一杯のことをしてくれたよ……？<br>\\r\\n But... you did everything you could do after I was dead...<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くん、<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun,<br>\\r\\n …私も、悟史くんのところに行く。<br>\\r\\n I want to join you.<br>\\r\\n 今から行く。<br>\\r\\n I'm coming right now.<br>\\r\\n 飛び降りるから、…受け止めてほしい。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to jump, so please catch me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …むぅ。<br>\\r\\n Mmph.<br><br>\\r\\n ………悟史くんは苦笑するように言った。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun smiled bitterly.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は拒絶の意味だとすぐに気付き、悲しくなった。<br>\\r\\n I was saddened to see him reject me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 詩音が、僕を捜し出してくれただけで、とても嬉しい。<br>\\r\\n Shion, I'm happy that you found me.<br><br>\\r\\n …でも詩音は生きてる。<br>\\r\\n But you are alive, Shion.<br>\\r\\n 生きてるのはとても大事なことで、…無駄にしていいことじゃないんだよ。<br>\\r\\n It's so important to be alive. You can't waste it.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんがいないなら、生きてるなんて大したことじゃない…！<br>\\r\\n If you aren't here, I don't want to live...!<br><br>\\r\\n 私は、悟史くんと一緒がいい…。<br>\\r\\n I want to be with you, Satoshi-kun.<br>\\r\\n 一緒がいいよ……。<br>\\r\\n I want to be close to you...<br>\\r\\n …また頭を撫でてもらいたい、<br>\\r\\n I want you to rub my head again.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …一緒に過したい…、<br>\\r\\n I want to spend time with you...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 今度はね、<br>\\r\\n I'll be\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …私も素直な可愛い女の子になるから………、<br>\\r\\n a good girl...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 一緒に、…ずっと……いたい…………。<br>\\r\\n I... want to be... with you...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 生きて。<br>\\r\\n Live.<br><br>\\r\\n 生きるの…？<br>\\r\\n Do I have to?<br><br>\\r\\n 生きて、いっぱい楽しい思いをしよう？<br>\\r\\n Live and enjoy your life, okay?<br><br>\\r\\n ひとりで生きて、…何が楽しいの…？<br>\\r\\n What's so fun about living alone?<br><br>\\r\\n 見つけられるよ、<br>\\r\\n You'll find out\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 生きていれば……………。<br>\\r\\n so long as you're alive...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………生きる。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...To live.<br>\\r\\n …………生きるよ…………、<br>\\r\\n I will... live.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …生きる。」<br>\\r\\n I will live.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n さっきまで気味が悪いと思っていた井戸は、…いつの間にか温かに見えていた。<br>\\r\\n The eerie well now felt warm.<br><br>\\r\\n この底に降りることは許してもらえなかったけど。<br>\\r\\n I wasn't allowed to go down to the bottom.<br><br>\\r\\n ……でも、<br>\\r\\n But\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …この井戸の縁は、<br>\\r\\n the edge of this well\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………私と悟史くんの、一番近い場所なんだね……。<br>\\r\\n was the place where you and I could meet...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………魅音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mion.<br>\\r\\n ……悟史くん、<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………見つけた…。<br>\\r\\n I found him...<br>\\r\\n 井戸の、……底なんだね。」<br>\\r\\n He's at the bottom of the well, isn't he?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………そうだと…思う。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I think so...<br>\\r\\n …………そこしか、<br>\\r\\n I can't think of\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……ないもん。」<br>\\r\\n anywhere else he'd be.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音はそれだけ言うと、…涙ぐみ、嗚咽を漏らし始める。<br>\\r\\n Mion started to sob.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……魅音は、…悟史くんが殺されるところには、居合わせなかったんだよね？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"You weren't there... when Satoshi-kun was killed, were you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………うん。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........No.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「もし居合わせたら。<br>\\r\\n \\\"If you were there...<br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんを許してもらえるよう、鬼婆に意見してくれたかな………。」<br>\\r\\n Would you have begged the hag to forgive him?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「絶対にする…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes.<br>\\r\\n せめて命だけはって、…絶対に言うよ……。」<br>\\r\\n I would have begged her to let him live...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「嘘だ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Liar.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………え、…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Eh?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「嘘だあああぁああぁああッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"YOU LIAAAaAAaAAR!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 一年前のあの日。<br>\\r\\n On that day, a year ago.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私に対して、爪を剥がすけじめを強要した時の、あの冷酷な次期頭首としての魅音がありありと蘇る。<br>\\r\\n ...I had just recalled how cruel Mion was then, when she forced me to rip out my nails, acting in her role as the successor.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n こいつは悟史くんが殺されるところに居合わせたとしても、絶対にあの冷たい次期頭首の仮面を外さない。<br>\\r\\n Even if she was there when Satoshi-kun was killed, she wouldn't have stopped being the successor.<br><br>\\r\\n 恐ろしい拷問室に連れて来られて…、<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun was brought to the torture room...<br>\\r\\n 生きた心地もしなかっただろう悟史くんは、<br>\\r\\n When he saw Mion,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 見知った魅音の顔を見て、どんなに救いを期待したことか。<br>\\r\\n I'm sure he thought she would save him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 処刑を宣告するような頭首の恐ろしい呪いの言葉を聞きながらも、<br>\\r\\n Even as he heard the family head read out his death sentence,<br>\\r\\n …困ったような、苦笑いしたような顔で………魅音を見て、<br>\\r\\n I'm sure he looked at Mion\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …きっと助けてくれると信じて…、<br>\\r\\n and believed that\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …むぅって…言うの。<br>\\r\\n she would save him.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音が冷たそうな顔をしているのは、親類の手前上、仕方ないことで…。<br>\\r\\n He believed Mion was acting that way only because she was with her relatives.<br><br>\\r\\n きっと今に助けてくれる、助けてくれるって…信じて…、<br>\\r\\n He believed she would help him\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …でも、<br>\\r\\n but\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …いつまでも助けてくれないで……、<br>\\r\\n she didn't do anything.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n どんどん恐ろしい拘束具に締め上げられていって……、<br>\\r\\n He was strapped to a restraining device,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……でも、まだ助けてくれない。<br>\\r\\n yet she still wouldn't do anything.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……魅音はまだ冷酷そう。<br>\\r\\n Mion was cruel.<br><br>\\r\\n ……魅音？<br>\\r\\n Mion?<br>\\r\\n そろそろ……助けてくれない…？<br>\\r\\n Isn't it about time to help me?<br><br>\\r\\n ……あははは……、<br>\\r\\n Ahahahaha...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……はは、<br>\\r\\n haha,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……そっか、<br>\\r\\n I see.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …そうだよね。<br>\\r\\n I get it.<br>\\r\\n …他の怖い親類の前だもんね…私情なんか……出せないよね…？<br>\\r\\n You're with the rest of the family members so you can't show even a hint of compassion.<br>\\r\\n あはは、…ははは、…困ったな………。<br>\\r\\n Ahahaha... hahaha... that sucks......<br>\\r\\n ………むぅ…。<br>\\r\\n Mmph...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「うわああああああぁああぁあぁああぁあ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Whaaaahhhhhhh!!<br><br>\\r\\n 助けろ！！<br>\\r\\n Help him!!<br>\\r\\n 助けろ！！<br>\\r\\n Help him!!<br>\\r\\n 何で？！<br>\\r\\n Why?!<br>\\r\\n 何で助けないのッ！！？<br>\\r\\n Why didn't you help him?!!<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの、あの助けを懇願する眼差しを見て、…どうして心を動かされなかったのッ？！<br>\\r\\n You saw him looking at you, begging to help him... didn't you? Why didn't you help him?!<br>\\r\\n あんたは悟史くんが意地悪叔母のせいで追い詰められていた時から何も救いを差し伸べなかった！！<br>\\r\\n Even when he was going through a rough time because of his awful aunt, you didn't help him!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あんたは同情する素振りを見せるだけで、助けなかった！！<br>\\r\\n You pretended to sympathize, but you didn't help him!!<br>\\r\\n 見殺した！！！<br>\\r\\n You ignored him!!!<br>\\r\\n あんたが悟史くんを助けなかったから、追い詰められたんだ！！<br>\\r\\n He was cornered because you didn't help him!!<br>\\r\\n 私は救おうとがんばったよ？！<br>\\r\\n I tried!<br>\\r\\n 彼の心の支えになろうとがんばった！！<br>\\r\\n I tried to support him!!<br>\\r\\n あんたらが悟史くんの叔母殺しを庇わなくても！<br>\\r\\n Even when you didn't protect him from killing his aunt, I did!<br>\\r\\n 私は彼のアリバイのために自らを投げ打って戦った！！<br>\\r\\n I sacrificed myself to fight for him!!<br>\\r\\n その結果が爪３枚なんて安いもんでしょ！！<br>\\r\\n Three nails were nothing!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でもね、それだけの努力じゃ、悟史くんを救うには……全然足りなかった…。<br>\\r\\n But it wasn't enough to rescue Satoshi-kun...<br>\\r\\n 届かなかった……。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't help him...<br>\\r\\n どうしてか？<br>\\r\\n Do you know why?<br>\\r\\n ……だって、私は詩音だったんだもん。<br>\\r\\n Because I was Shion then.<br>\\r\\n …詩音は、雛見沢から遠ざけられていて、何からも外様で、何も教えられなくて、知れなくて。<br>\\r\\n As Shion, I was kept away from Hinamizawa and nobody told me anything. I <i>couldn't</i> know anything.<br>\\r\\n …でもあんたは違う。<br>\\r\\n But you were different.<br>\\r\\n あんたは魅音だった。<br>\\r\\n You were Mion.<br>\\r\\n あんたは雛見沢の内にいて、全ての中心で、全てを教えられて、全てを知ることが出来た。<br>\\r\\n You were right in the middle of everything and you knew everything and everyone told you everything.<br>\\r\\n 私があんただったらきっと悟史くんを救えた！！<br>\\r\\n If I were you, I could have helped Satoshi-kun!!<br>\\r\\n 私なら救ってあげられた！！！<br>\\r\\n I would have!!!<br>\\r\\n あんたが魅音になったからだ！！！<br>\\r\\n But <i>you</i> were Mion!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 返して魅音！！！<br>\\r\\n Give it back, Mion!!!<br>\\r\\n 元々魅音はあんただけのもんじゃない！<br>\\r\\n That name isn't just yours!<br>\\r\\n 私のものでもあったはず！！！<br>\\r\\n It's mine too!!<br>\\r\\n それに元々魅音は私のじゃない？！<br>\\r\\n Besides, it was mine to begin with, remember?<br>\\r\\n 私があんたに貸してあげるようになっただけで、本当は私のだったじゃないッ！！<br>\\r\\n I just let you be Mion, remember? It was mine!!<br>\\r\\n 返せ！！<br>\\r\\n Give it back to me!!<br>\\r\\n 私の魅音を返せッ！！！<br>\\r\\n Give me my name back!!!<br>\\r\\n お前が魅音の外見をしているだけでも虫唾が走る！！！<br>\\r\\n I can't stand that you even look like Mion!!!<br>\\r\\n お前じゃなく私が魅音だったら！<br>\\r\\n If I were Mion then!!<br>\\r\\n だったらぁあぁあああぁあッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Ahhhhhh!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鉄格子を蹴る、<br>\\r\\n I kicked the bars.<br><br>\\r\\n 蹴る、<br>\\r\\n I kicked them again,<br><br>\\r\\n 蹴る。<br>\\r\\n and again.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 魅音はまるで、鉄格子が蹴り倒されてその下敷になるのを避けるかのように、<br>\\r\\n Mion curled up fearfully in the back of the cell,<br>\\r\\n …奥で、鉄格子を蹴る音に怯えて縮こまるだけだった。<br>\\r\\n as if she were trying to prevent the bars from crashing down onto her.<br><br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 「あれれ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Whaaat?<br>\\r\\n 魅ぃちゃんも何だか寝不足な感じだよ？<br>\\r\\n Mii-chan, you didn't get much sleep either, did you?<br>\\r\\n だよ？」<br>\\r\\n Did you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Yeah.<br>\\r\\n 寝たの３時くらいだからね。<br>\\r\\n I went to bed at like, three.<br>\\r\\n ……眠い。」<br>\\r\\n ...I'm a little tired.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「さ、３時ぃ？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Th-Three?!<br>\\r\\n おいおい、…夜更かしにも限度ってもんがあるぞ？！<br>\\r\\n Hey, now... You can't keep staying up late!<br><br>\\r\\n 大方、漫画の単行本が面白くなっちゃって、１巻から読破してしまったんだろう。<br>\\r\\n You probably read the first volume of a manga, thought it was interesting, then read the entire series, didn't you?<br>\\r\\n うんうん、俺にも経験があるぞ。」<br>\\r\\n I understand, I've done that before.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………あれ、……ひょっとして、…村長さんのこと？<br>\\r\\n \\\"......What? ...Wait... is it about the mayor?<br>\\r\\n まだ見つかってないの？」<br>\\r\\n He still hasn't been found?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………うん。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Nope.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 昨日はあの後、古手神社で青年団と合流し、手分けしてあちこちを捜し回った。<br>\\r\\n I went to the Furude Shrine to join the youth group in their search for the mayor.<br><br>\\r\\n 何しろ絶対に見つからないわけだから、それを唯一知る私には眠いことこの上ない。<br>\\r\\n Since I knew there was no way he would be found, it was really boring for me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n まぁ、眠さなんて大した辛さじゃない。<br>\\r\\n Well, just enduring sleepiness wasn't that bad.<br><br>\\r\\n 昨夜からずっと吊るされて、眠るどころか座ることもできず、爪先立ちのままの公由を思えばね…。<br>\\r\\n Not if you considered what Kimiyoshi had to go through since last night. He had been hanging from the ceiling and couldn't even fall asleep or sit down, since he had to stay on tiptoes the whole time.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 学校では先生から、村長が行方不明である旨の説明があり、何か知っている人はいないかと挙手を求めた。<br>\\r\\n The teacher explained to us that the mayor had gone missing, and asked us if we knew anything.<br><br>\\r\\n ひとりふたりが挙手して答えたが、全然的外れな内容だったので笑えた。<br>\\r\\n A couple of people said some things, but they were irrelevant.<br><br>\\r\\n 私にとっては、背中が痒くなるだけでしかない村長失踪の話は、お昼になってもずっとクラスメートたちの間で花を咲かせているのだった…。<br>\\r\\n To me, this issue meant nothing, but it was all my classmates were talking about.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n とりあえず、前原圭一の様子を見る。<br>\\r\\n I observed Keiichi Maebara.<br><br>\\r\\n こうして見るだけでは、彼の周りに何か危機が迫ってるのかどうか、分かりようもなかった。<br>\\r\\n I had no idea if any type of danger was drawing closer to him.<br><br>\\r\\n ………今夜、詩音からの電話という形で、もう一度話をしよう。<br>\\r\\n Maybe I'd call him again tonight, pretending to be Shion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 昨日は刺激の強い話を一気に聞かせたので、かなりパニックを起こしていた。<br>\\r\\n I told him some outrageous stuff last night, so he panicked.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、さすがに一夜も経てば冷静さを取り戻している。<br>\\r\\n But I was sure he'd calmed down after a day.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時、クラスメートとの悪ふざけなのか、少女の笑い声が耳に入った。<br>\\r\\n At that time, I heard a little girl's laughter.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 古手梨花だ。<br>\\r\\n It was Rika Furude.<br>\\r\\n …………古手家最後の生き残りで、古手家の現頭首。<br>\\r\\n ...The last survivor of the Furude family, and their current head.<br><br>\\r\\n とはいっても、その現頭首の扱いは微々たるもの。<br>\\r\\n However, she wasn't really treated as one.<br><br>\\r\\n 親族会議では鬼婆の布団に潜って昼寝したり、落書きをしたり。<br>\\r\\n During the family councils, she'd often draw pictures or take a nap in the hag's bed.<br><br>\\r\\n …昨日の役員会に至っては呼ばれてもいないようだった。<br>\\r\\n She wasn't even invited to last night's meeting.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あんな小娘頭首が、御三家の一角として祟りのシステムの一部を担っているとは思い難い…。<br>\\r\\n It was hard to believe such a little girl was responsible for part of the curse system.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、彼女に頭首としての威厳が求められていなくても。<br>\\r\\n However, even though she wasn't in a respected position as the head of the Furude family...<br><br>\\r\\n …古手梨花をオヤシロさまの生まれ変わりとして妄信する老人たちはあまりに多い。<br>\\r\\n There were plenty of old people who worshiped her as the reincarnation of Oyashiro-sama.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……古手梨花自身、どこか変わっていて、…自身もまたオヤシロさまの生まれ変わりであることを自覚して振舞う節もある……というような話はどこで聞いたっけ。<br>\\r\\n I'd heard from someone that <NAME> was rather odd ...and seemed to behave as if she knew she was that reincarnation.<br><br>\\r\\n …在りし日の鷹野さんに図書館で聞かされたのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n Maybe Takano-san had told me that at the library when she was alive.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 古手梨花が憂慮すると、妄信する老人たちが気を利かす。<br>\\r\\n When <NAME> became worried about something, the elderly people who worshiped her would make arrangements.<br><br>\\r\\n ………その図式は園崎本家の命令系統と変わらないし、雛見沢の祟りのシステムとも変わらなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...It was very similar to the Sonozaki family, and it was also the same system as used for the curse.<br><br>\\r\\n ……………古手梨花は、鷹野さんたちの死について知っているのだろうか？<br>\\r\\n I wonder, does <NAME> knew anything about the deaths of Takano-san and Tomitake-san?<br><br>\\r\\n 祭具殿への侵入については？<br>\\r\\n What does she think of people sneaking into the ritual storehouse?<br>\\r\\n 誰が入ったか、どういうことになったか、そういうことは知らされているのだろうか…？<br>\\r\\n Does she know who snuck in and what happened to those people?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……祭具殿を管理する古手家の人間として、祭具殿侵入を一番最初に察知していた可能性は高い。<br>\\r\\n As the one managing the storehouse, it was possible that she noticed the intruders first.<br><br>\\r\\n むしろ、祭具殿侵入は彼女にしか察知できず、よって彼女が報告したから祟りが執行されたのではないのか…？<br>\\r\\n In fact, she was the only one who could have noticed it. She must have passed on that information, which was why the curse was executed.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 祭具殿に入ったとき、圭一の馬鹿が電気のスイッチを入れたじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n That foolish Keiichi turned the light on when we went into the ritual storehouse.<br><br>\\r\\n あれが何かの仕掛けに連動していて、侵入警報のようなものを鳴らしていた…というのはあながち考えられない話じゃない。<br>\\r\\n That light switch could have been connected to some kind of an alarm.<br><br>\\r\\n …………古手家頭首、古手梨花。<br>\\r\\n <NAME>, the leader of the Furude family...<br>\\r\\n 接触してみる価値は充分だった。<br>\\r\\n Maybe getting to know her would be a good idea.\\r\\n <br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 「…………古手家頭首として、今回の件はどこまで知ってるの？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"As the leader of the Furude family, how much do you know about the incident?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の問いかけは単刀直入。<br>\\r\\n I asked her rather directly.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が園崎魅音でなく、園崎家の頭首代行として話していることを、<br>\\r\\n It was hard to tell if she understood I was asking her in place of the Sonozaki family head<br>\\r\\n 梨花は理解してくれたかどうかは、表情の読みにくい彼女からは掴みにくい。<br>\\r\\n instead of as Mion Sonozaki.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……富竹たちのことですか？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Are you talking about Tomitake and Takano?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n だが梨花は、変にとぼけたりせずに富竹さんの名前を口にして見せた。<br>\\r\\n Rika answered.<br><br>\\r\\n 一般には知られていないはずのあの夜の事件をちゃんと知っているのだから、<br>\\r\\n The news hadn't been made public, yet she knew about it.<br>\\r\\n 外見は幼くとも、古手家頭首の肩書きは伊達ではなさそうだった。<br>\\r\\n Although she looked immature, perhaps she truly was the head of the Furude family.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……オヤシロさまの祟りなのですよ、としか言えないのです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......That's the curse of Oyashiro-sama.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そんなのはわかってるよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I already know that.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ならまだ終わってないよね？<br>\\r\\n \\\"But it's not over yet, is it?<br>\\r\\n あと２人残っている。<br>\\r\\n There should still be two more.<br>\\r\\n その２人はどうなるか、聞いてる？」<br>\\r\\n Have you heard about what will happen to them?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n この辺りはわざと曖昧に振って、古手梨花がどういう食いつき方をしてくるのかを見守ることにした。<br>\\r\\n I tried to be vague, to see how Rika Furude would react.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 子ども扱いされていて、雛見沢の暗部には関わっていない…というのは外見による思い込みかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n I had been thinking that she had nothing to do with the underside of Hinamizawa, since she was always treated like a child.<br><br>\\r\\n 第一、梨花は、普通の人なら知るはずもないあの夜の事件についてあっさりと口にしているのだ。<br>\\r\\n However, Rika had just said things about the incident which normal people shouldn't know anything about.<br><br>\\r\\n ……暗部の連絡網に彼女が含まれている証拠に他ならない。<br>\\r\\n That proved she belonged to the underside's network.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………別にどうでもいいと思いますですよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........I don't think that matters anymore.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 富竹さんたちの名前を躊躇なく出したにしては、梨花のこの返答はいやに間があった。<br>\\r\\n She answered the question about Tomitake-san and Takano-san fairly quickly, but took a little longer to answer this time.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 返答を少し考えた、ということなのか。<br>\\r\\n Did she have to think about it?<br><br>\\r\\n ………くそ、無表情なやつ。<br>\\r\\n Shit... the look on her face never changes.<br>\\r\\n 考えが読み取れない。<br>\\r\\n It's impossible to figure out what she's thinking.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「どうでもいい、ってことはないでしょ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"What do you mean?<br>\\r\\n それじゃあけじめにならないのは分かってる？」<br>\\r\\n How can they get away with what they've done?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………ボクは、…ちゃんと反省したならそれでいいと思いますです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I think, if they feel bad about what they've done, that should be fine.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 昨日の役員会の席上での、老人たちの憤怒の様子を目の当たりにしている私には、それはとても意外な反応だった。<br>\\r\\n Her response was unexpected, especially after seeing all the old people get so furious last night.<br><br>\\r\\n 祭具殿を侵す行為はオヤシロさまへの冒涜行為。<br>\\r\\n To trespass in the ritual storehouse was blasphemy against Oyashiro-sama.<br><br>\\r\\n そんな奴らは死んで当り前だと憤る老人たちに対し、<br>\\r\\n The village elders had said those intruders deserved to die.<br>\\r\\n その神聖な祭具殿を預かる古手家の頭首が、反省すればそれでいい、ととてつもなく寛大なことを言っているのだ。<br>\\r\\n Yet the leader of the Furude family, who protected the sacred storehouse for ritual implements, said that if they felt remorse for it, then that was fine.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……私は、古手梨花の父親である神主が、ダム戦争の時に受けていた評価を思い出していた。<br>\\r\\n ...I recalled how people thought of Rika Furude's father during the dam conflict.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そうだ。<br>\\r\\n Yes.<br><br>\\r\\n ……確かこいつの父親はダム戦争時に日和見主義者と呼ばれていたんだっけ。<br>\\r\\n Her father was called an opportunist back then.<br><br>\\r\\n ダム戦争に対して、過激な運動で抵抗しようとする死守同盟に対し、異論を唱えていたんだった。<br>\\r\\n He didn't agree with the Onigafuchi Guardians, who had resisted violently during the conflict.<br><br>\\r\\n …なるほど、あの父親にしてこの娘ありということか。<br>\\r\\n Like father, like daughter...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は古手梨花の胸倉を攻撃的に掴み上げる。<br>\\r\\n I aggressively grabbed <NAME> by the collar.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁん？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh?<br>\\r\\n 何を日和ったことを言ってんだかぁ。<br>\\r\\n What the heck are you talking about?<br>\\r\\n 古手家は先代もあんたも、つくづく甘ったるいねぇ？」<br>\\r\\n You're pretty stupid. Just like your predecessor, aren't you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"............\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あんたたち古手家が、祭具殿がいかに神聖で不可侵な聖域が一番理解してなくちゃならないんだよ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"The Furude family must understand better than anybody how sacred the ritual storehouse is.<br>\\r\\n その古手家の仮にも頭首が、何を甘ったるいことを言ってるわけ？」<br>\\r\\n How could the head of that family say such a thing?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 自分で自分に笑う。<br>\\r\\n I laughed at myself.<br><br>\\r\\n それを他人に言われ、自分の罪に慄いていた自分が、同じことを他人に言い返して逆に脅すとは。<br>\\r\\n I was told the same thing by someone else and was now saying it to Rika.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「祭具殿を侵した罪が、どれほどの大罪か。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't you know<br>\\r\\n 理解してないわけじゃないんでしょ？！」<br>\\r\\n how serious a crime trespassing in the ritual storehouse is?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……祭具殿はオヤシロさまの大切な場所なのです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......It's a very important place for Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n …勝手に入ったりとかしちゃ駄目なとこなのです。」<br>\\r\\n So nobody can go in without permission.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「わかってるじゃない。<br>\\r\\n \\\"See, you know that.<br>\\r\\n そこに穢れを持ち込んだんだよ、あの４人は。」<br>\\r\\n But those four people brought their filth in there.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……悪い猫さんなのです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......What bad kitty cats.<br>\\r\\n ……にゃー。」<br>\\r\\n ...Meow.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうだね悪い猫だ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right, bad cats.<br>\\r\\n ２匹は捕まえてお仕置きした。<br>\\r\\n Two cats have been caught and punished.<br>\\r\\n あと２匹いる。」<br>\\r\\n There are two more.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……にゃー。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Meow.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「どうけじめをつけるべきだろうねぇ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"How do you think they should be punished?<br>\\r\\n 古手家頭首のご意見を聞かせてよ。」<br>\\r\\n Tell me your opinion, as the head of the Furude family.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 梨花はつくづく表情を変えない、何を考えているか読みにくいタイプだった。<br>\\r\\n Rika really didn't usually wear any expression whatsoever, making it impossible to tell what she was thinking.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、胸倉を掴み上げてじっと睨みつけている内に、少しは表情が読み取れるようになってきていた。<br>\\r\\n But while I grabbed her by the collar and stared at her, I could tell somehow.<br><br>\\r\\n ……梨花には少なからず動揺があり、私の問いかけに対し、むしろ逆に、私の真意を探ろうとするような気配が感じられた。<br>\\r\\n Rika was a little disturbed. I sensed she was trying to see what I was thinking in turn.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ボクは２匹の猫さんは、<br>\\r\\n \\\"I want to forgive...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……許してあげたいです。」<br>\\r\\n those two kitty cats.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「それでけじめになると思ってんの？！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Why should they get away with what they've done?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……魅ぃ、…けじめって言葉がボクにはよくわからないです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mii... What are you trying to say...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁいい質問だね、じゃあお勉強しよう。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's a good question, so let me explain.<br>\\r\\n けじめってのはね、罪を贖うってことなの。<br>\\r\\n Those two must offer compensation for what they've done.<br>\\r\\n 罪は残せない。<br>\\r\\n They have to clear away their sins.<br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまのお怒りを放置することになるんだからね。<br>\\r\\n Otherwise Oyashiro-sama won't stop being angry.<br>\\r\\n だから罪の大きさに比例したけじめで、罪を清めなければならないの。<br>\\r\\n Every crime must be punished appropriately.<br>\\r\\n わかるよね？」<br>\\r\\n Do you understand?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……オヤシロさまは、別に祭具殿を見られても怒らないのですよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Oyashiro-sama doesn't get angry even if someone enters the storehouse.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「はぁ？ あんた何言ってんの？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh? What are you saying?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……あの中を見ちゃダメなのは、あの中に怖い道具がいっぱいあるからなのです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"The reason why nobody is allowed to see the ritual storehouse is because there are too many scary tools in there.<br>\\r\\n 見るときっと怖がる人もいると思いますのです。<br>\\r\\n I'm sure people would get scared if they saw them.<br>\\r\\n だから誰にも見せないようにしてあるのですよ…？<br>\\r\\n That's why we don't let people in there.<br>\\r\\n 見た人もきっと怖かったと思います。<br>\\r\\n I'm sure those intruders were scared, too.<br>\\r\\n だから反省してると思いますのです。」<br>\\r\\n And I'm sure they feel bad about what they've done.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「反省してるから許されるって？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"They're forgiven once they feel bad about what they've done?<br>\\r\\n あんたが決めることじゃないでしょ、そりゃオヤシロさまが決めること！！」<br>\\r\\n That's not for you to decide! That's what Oyashiro-sama decides!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ボクは、オヤシロさまの巫女ですよ？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm the shrine maiden of Oyashiro-sama, don't you know?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そんなことは知ってるよ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Of course I do!!<br>\\r\\n じゃあ何さ、あんたはオヤシロさまに怒ってませんよって直接声を聞いて確認したとでも言うわけ？！」<br>\\r\\n You aren't telling me that Oyashiro-sama told you he isn't angry, are you?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 梨花は全然恐れる風もなく、ウンと頷いた。<br>\\r\\n Rika nodded yes without hesitation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はそれを見て、なんていけしゃあしゃあと口から出任せが言える奴だろうと驚く。<br>\\r\\n I can't believe the lies she's coming up with.<br><br>\\r\\n いや、驚きを超えて呆れるしかなかった。<br>\\r\\n I'm not surprised. I'm shocked.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「は！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh!!<br>\\r\\n あんたら古手家がそんなザマだから、あんたの両親は一昨年の祟りで死んじゃったんだよ。<br>\\r\\n That's why your parents died of the curse two years ago.<br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまに、仕える資格がないとお怒りを受けてね！！<br>\\r\\n Oyashiro-sama was angry because they didn't deserve to serve him!!<br>\\r\\n それであんたの父親を祟り殺したんだよ！！」<br>\\r\\n That's why he cursed your father!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……オヤシロさまはそんなことしないのです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oyashiro-sama would never do that.<br>\\r\\n …お父様は…オヤシロさまの祟りで死んだんじゃないのです……。」<br>\\r\\n My father didn't die because of the curse of Oyashiro-sama...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「かーー！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Bah!!<br>\\r\\n こんなのが最後の古手家の巫女だとはね！<br>\\r\\n Am I really talking to the last shrine maiden of the Furude family?<br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまが心を安らかにできないのがよくわかるよ！！<br>\\r\\n Obviously, Oyashiro-sama can't be at peace!!<br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまをお祀りする古手家の人間でありながら！<br>\\r\\n You are supposed to worship Oyashiro-sama!<br>\\r\\n 嘆かわしい。」<br>\\r\\n How pathetic...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……魅ぃが何を怒っているのか、ボクにはよくわからないのですよ…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't know why you're so angry, Mii...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 確信する。<br>\\r\\n I realized.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n こいつは発言力はさて置き、他の御三家頭首と同等の暗部は知りうる立場にあるのだ。<br>\\r\\n She was in a position to know as much as the other two family heads.<br><br>\\r\\n その証拠に、これほどあっけらかんと、今年の事件のことを話してみせる。<br>\\r\\n As proof, she talked about this year's incident as though it was nothing.<br><br>\\r\\n ……にもかかわらず、こうして真顔ですっとぼけられる奴なのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Yet she could feign ignorance with a serious face.<br><br>\\r\\n …ったく、末恐ろしい奴だよ！<br>\\r\\n She sure is something!<br>\\r\\n その意味においてはこいつ、私より数段上手だね！<br>\\r\\n She's even better than me!<br><br>\\r\\n 二度三度平手打ちを食らわせ、胸倉を乱暴に押してやった。<br>\\r\\n I slapped her a few times and pushed her to the floor.<br><br>\\r\\n 梨花の軽い体は、それだけでごろごろと転がり、涙をいっぱいに溜めた目で私を見上げた。<br>\\r\\n Rika, having tumbled downward, looked up at me with tears in her eyes.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そもそも、あんたが祭具殿の鍵が重いから簡単なものに付け替えたい、って言い出したのが事の発端なんだよね？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"This all happened because you wanted to change the storehouse's lock to something that was easier for you, right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……そうですよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...That's true.<br>\\r\\n ……固くてボクでは大変だったので、…公由に相談して、簡単な鍵に付け替えてもらったのです。」<br>\\r\\n The old one was too heavy... so I talked to Kimiyoshi and he changed it to a cheaper, lighter one.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あんたがその程度の手間を惜しまず、頑丈な施錠をそのまま残していたなら、祭具殿への侵入を許さなかったかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n \\\"If you left the heavy lock on, maybe that would have prevented them from trespassing.<br>\\r\\n ……今回の一件はあんたにも責任の一端があるんだからね？<br>\\r\\n This is your fault too.<br>\\r\\n それを忘れない方がいいよ。<br>\\r\\n Don't you forget that.<br>\\r\\n もちろん、あんたと一緒に鍵を付け替えた公由家頭首にも、責任があるんだけどね…。」<br>\\r\\n Of course, the Kimiyoshi family who actually changed the lock is responsible for this too.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 最後の一言は、ちょっとした出任せだった。<br>\\r\\n That last part was something I added on a whim.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 梨花が公由に相談して鍵を付け替えた…という話を取り込んで、公由失踪を関連付けただけだ。<br>\\r\\n I added it to connect Rika's story to the disappearance of Kimiyoshi.<br><br>\\r\\n そうすることで、梨花に心理的なプレッシャーを与えようと思った。<br>\\r\\n I wanted to pressure her psychologically by doing so.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「公由家頭首は、…けじめをつけてもらうことになった。<br>\\r\\n \\\"The head of the Kimiyoshi family had to pay for his crime.<br>\\r\\n だから消えた。」<br>\\r\\n That's why he disappeared.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「古手家頭首にも、けじめをつけてもらうことになるよ……。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"The head of the Furude family has to pay for her crime too, you know...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 梨花は突然私にぶつけられた悪意に、潤んだ目から涙を零すことしかできず、転がされたままの格好で、地面に這いつくばっていた。<br>\\r\\n Rika was still on the floor, tears pouring down her cheeks.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あと残ってるのは前原圭一だけ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Keiichi Maebara is the last one left.<br>\\r\\n ……こいつは古手家の方で頼むことにする。」<br>\\r\\n I suppose the Furude family will take care of him.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……ボクは、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………何もわかんないのですよ…。」<br>\\r\\n don't know anything...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「別にあんたはわかんなくてもいいでしょ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"You don't need to know anything, do you?<br>\\r\\n 憂慮したり、困った顔をするだけでいいんだから。<br>\\r\\n You just have to look worried. That's all it takes.<br>\\r\\n それはうちも同じ。<br>\\r\\n That's how it is at our house too.<br>\\r\\n …とにかく、頼んどくよ。」<br>\\r\\n Anyway, good luck!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………そんなの…………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I don't...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 梨花は俯いていた。<br>\\r\\n Rika hung her head.<br><br>\\r\\n 何か言い返したがっている顔だったが、言い返すときっとまた乱暴されると思って口にできない様子だった。<br>\\r\\n She seemed to want to say something, but she was afraid that I might be rough with her again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………古手梨花が、本当に鬼婆のように、祟りシステムの司令塔の位置にいるのかは少し疑わしい。<br>\\r\\n I doubted Rika Furude was actually at the top of the curse system, like the hag was.<br><br>\\r\\n だけれども、御三家の一角を担い、私よりもずっと暗部に近い位置にいるのは紛れもない事実だ。<br>\\r\\n However, as one of the three family heads, she was a lot closer to the underside of Hinamizawa than I was.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……だからこれで、前原圭一という餌撒きは、雛見沢の裏側に充分に浸透したはず。<br>\\r\\n By now, that underside was well aware of Keiichi Maebara.<br><br>\\r\\n 昨日の役員会でも、村の重鎮である老人たちの前で、あとは前原圭一だとアピールした。<br>\\r\\n I told the elderly leaders of the village yesterday in the meeting that Keiichi Maebara was the last one remaining.<br><br>\\r\\n そして古手家の頭首にもアピールした。<br>\\r\\n I just told the head of the Furude family the same thing,<br>\\r\\n 脅迫的なくらいに。<br>\\r\\n if threateningly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この脅しが有効なら、前原圭一はだいぶ近い内に「オヤシロさまの祟り」に見舞われるだろう。<br>\\r\\n If my threat was effective, the curse of Oyashiro-sama should very soon fall upon Keiichi Maebara.<br><br>\\r\\n そこをうまく釣り上げ、……敵を引きずり出してやるのだ。<br>\\r\\n And at just the right time, I would grab my enemy right as he took my bait.<br><br>\\r\\n もし、古手梨花の系統から刺客が訪れたなら、<br>\\r\\n If the assassin came from the Furude family,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……こいつも鬼婆と同じ罪。<br>\\r\\n this girl would have committed the same sin as the hag.<br><br>\\r\\n …その時は、ガキだとて容赦しない。<br>\\r\\n When that time came, I wouldn't hold back.<br><br>\\r\\n 無惨な目に遭わせてから殺してやる……。<br>\\r\\n I was going to make sure she suffered, and then kill her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …そうだ、釘を何十本も指に打ちつけるという拷問があるって聞いたな。<br>\\r\\n I've heard of a torture technique where you pound dozens of nails into a victim's fingers.<br><br>\\r\\n それに使うらしい拘束台と道具一式も昨夜、見つけてる。<br>\\r\\n I already found a restraining table and the tools for it.<br><br>\\r\\n ……その時が訪れたら、…お前の無垢な指にびっしりと釘をお見舞いしてやるからな…………。<br>\\r\\n When the time comes, I'll pound nails into your fingers...<br><br>\\r\\n 私のその残酷な期待は、目から悪意となってほとばしり、さらに梨花を畏縮させるのだった。<br>\\r\\n That gruesome anticipation radiated from my eyes and scared Rika even further.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n そうだ、昨日から吊るしっぱなしの公由はどうしてるだろう。<br>\\r\\n I wonder how Kimiyoshi is doing.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ただ爪先で一晩立ってるだけで死ぬとは思わないが、時に人の命ってのはやたらと儚い時もあるものだ。<br>\\r\\n I doubt he died from tiptoeing all night, but sometimes a human can go very easily.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、公由に聞きたいことは昨夜ほとんど聞いたし、それ以上のことを公由が知らないこともわかった。<br>\\r\\n He already told me everything I wanted to hear, and he doesn't know anything else anyway.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それに、オヤシロさまの祟りというシステムを構築して蔓延させた責任の一端もわかっている。<br>\\r\\n On top of that, he was responsible for spreading the infection that was the curse system of Oyashiro-sama.<br><br>\\r\\n その罪の重さは一級だ。<br>\\r\\n His sins are very heavy.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……公由のおじいちゃん、<br>\\r\\n I really liked\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………大好きだったのにな。<br>\\r\\n Uncle Kimiyoshi.<br><br>\\r\\n 昔からやさしくしてくれたっけ。<br>\\r\\n He had always been kind.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆が身内にかえって厳しい人だったから、<br>\\r\\n The hag was so tough on her relatives<br>\\r\\n …その分をやさしくしてくれるみたいに、甘やかしてくれたっけ。<br>\\r\\n and that's why he was extra nice to me.<br><br>\\r\\n 昨日、話をした時。<br>\\r\\n When we talked yesterday...<br><br>\\r\\n ……詩音を許そうと言ってくれた時は嬉しかった。<br>\\r\\n I was so happy to hear him say he would forgive Shion.<br><br>\\r\\n 詩音を救うために鬼婆と戦おうと言ってくれた時、本当に嬉しかった。<br>\\r\\n He even said he would fight the hag to save her. That made me very happy.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大丈夫。<br>\\r\\n Don't worry.<br>\\r\\n 詩音ちゃんがちゃんと反省してるなら、鬼隠しになんかなるもんか。<br>\\r\\n If Shion-chan feels bad about what she has done, she won't be demoned away.<br>\\r\\n 公由のおじいちゃんに任せなさい……。<br>\\r\\n Leave it to me......<br><br>\\r\\n 胸が熱くなった。<br>\\r\\n I felt such warmth inside of me.<br>\\r\\n …じんと…震えて。<br>\\r\\n I almost... shivered.<br>\\r\\n …嬉しくて、……悲しかった。<br>\\r\\n I was so happy...... yet so very sad.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんな、震えるくらいに嬉しいおじいちゃんの言葉が、<br>\\r\\n For he continued to say<br>\\r\\n ………そのまま悟史くんが死んで当然なんて信じられない話につながるなんて夢にも思わなかった。<br>\\r\\n that Satoshi-kun... deserved to die.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 文脈から読み取るなら、あそこの会話は、詩音の処遇を心配する魅音を元気付ける内容であったはずだ。<br>\\r\\n He said those nice things because he wanted to make Mion happy, since she was worried about Shion.<br><br>\\r\\n 呪われた北条家なら殺されて当然だけど、園崎家の詩音ちゃんなら殺されまではしないよ。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun deserved to die because he was a member of the cursed Houjou family, but Shion-chan of the Sonozaki family did not.<br>\\r\\n ……そういう対比？で言ったはずだ。<br>\\r\\n That's what he meant.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n つまり、公由たち村の重鎮にとっては、北条家は人間以下の虫けら。<br>\\r\\n In other words, to the leaders of the village, including Kimiyoshi, members of the Houjou family are more contemptible than insects.<br><br>\\r\\n 生きてようが死んでようが、…感情の揺らめきも起こらない程度の存在。<br>\\r\\n They didn't care if they lived or died.<br><br>\\r\\n 公由たちの罪は、そういう北条家蔑視の感情を明け透けにして村中に蔓延させたこと。<br>\\r\\n Their sin was not only that they despised the Houjou family so, but also that they let that hatred infect the rest of the village.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それによって、村中の誰もが、オヤシロさまの祟りで犠牲になって当然。<br>\\r\\n Therefore, everyone in the village deserves to be a victim of the curse of Oyashiro-sama.<br><br>\\r\\n ……オヤシロさまの祟りの名を借りて…殺してしまっても何の問題もない、と。<br>\\r\\n Kimiyoshi and the others created an environment<br>\\r\\n ……そういう土壌を作り上げたこと。<br>\\r\\n that excused murder in that name.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だとしたら。<br>\\r\\n If that was so...<br><br><br>\\r\\n …………今年の犠牲者である鷹野さんたちが、祭具殿侵犯という最大級の罪を犯さなかったら、<br>\\r\\n If Takano-san and Tomitake-san hadn't committed the serious crime of trespassing in the ritual storehouse,<br>\\r\\n …今年の祟りは、北条家の最後の生き残り、北条沙都子と、興宮に姿を晦ましてるらしい北条鉄平の２人だったのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n then Satoko Houjou, the last survivor of the Houjou family, and Teppei Houjou, who has been hiding in Okinomiya, might have been the victims.<br><br>\\r\\n ……北条沙都子。<br>\\r\\n Satoko Houjou.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんにべったりと甘えて寄りかかって。<br>\\r\\n She was always around Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n 泣いてしがみ付けば、何でも悟史くんが助けてくれると思っていて。<br>\\r\\n She expected Satoshi-kun to help her every time she cried.<br>\\r\\n …………笑顔を浮かべることしか知らない悟史くんを、追い詰めていった元凶のひとり。<br>\\r\\n ......She was one of the people who cornered him.<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子が悟史くんのあれほどの負担にならなかったなら、<br>\\r\\n If Satoko wasn't that much of a burden,<br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんは叔母殺しにまで駆り立てることはなかった。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun wouldn't have killed his aunt.<br><br><br>\\r\\n ………悟史くんに何者かが叔母殺しをそそのかし、<br>\\r\\n Somebody told Satoshi-kun to commit that murder.<br>\\r\\n そそのかした黒幕との接触を隠すために悟史くん自体も『鬼隠し』にしてしまった…、<br>\\r\\n And to hide the evidence of his connection to the mastermind, Satoshi-kun was demoned away.<br>\\r\\n というのは確か大石の仮説だったか。<br>\\r\\n That's what Ooishi thought.<br><br>\\r\\n だとしたら、悟史くんが叔母殺しなんてヤバい橋を渡らなければ、<br>\\r\\n If Satoshi-kun hadn't killed his aunt,<br>\\r\\n 少なくとも去年の犠牲者に選ばれることもなかったんじゃないだろうか……？<br>\\r\\n maybe he wouldn't have been chosen as last year's victim.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だって、北条家はオヤシロさまの祟りに遭う…くらいまでの曖昧な命令しか下りていなかっただろうからだ。<br>\\r\\n Because the commands were vague, after all, the curse of Oyashiro-sama fell upon the Houjou family as a whole.<br><br>\\r\\n そう、北条家の人間なら、誰が犠牲になってもよかったんだ。<br>\\r\\n It didn't matter which member of the family died.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 意地悪叔母は近所でもとにかく評判が悪かったそうだ。<br>\\r\\n His aunt had a terrible reputation in the neighborhood.<br><br>\\r\\n 近所付き合いも最低、尊敬できるところなんてひとつもない、ヒステリー婆だった。<br>\\r\\n She didn't communicate with her neighbors, she was always throwing fits, and there was nothing nice about her in any way.<br><br>\\r\\n ……そう、悟史くんが無理に殺さなくても、他の何者かの手で祟りが執行されたに違いないのだ。<br>\\r\\n Even if Satoshi-kun didn't kill her, the curse would have fallen upon her sooner or later.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n なら叔母が祟りで死んで、まず１人。<br>\\r\\n Their aunt was the first victim.<br><br>\\r\\n それから、その祟りを鎮めるために北条をもう１人。<br>\\r\\n There needed to be another Houjou to calm the curse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 叔父の方は興宮のどこかで愛人と暮らしているという噂だ。<br>\\r\\n According to a rumor, their uncle was living somewhere in Okinomiya with his lover.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、興宮という土地は雛見沢に比べると若干、支配力は劣る。<br>\\r\\n However, Okinomiya was a little different from Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん園崎本家の力が強く及ぶ土地であるのは間違いないのだが、<br>\\r\\n The Sonozaki family was powerful there as well, of course,<br>\\r\\n …往来の真ん中で堂々と『鬼隠し』をしても大丈夫…というほど影響力のある土地じゃない。<br>\\r\\n but it would have been more difficult in Okinomiya to demon someone away.<br><br><br>\\r\\n だったら、腹中に住んでいると言ってもいい悟史くんと沙都子が標的に選ばれる。<br>\\r\\n So naturally, Satoshi-kun and Satoko, who were still in Hinamizawa, became the targets.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんと沙都子だったら、…どっちが祟りに遭うか？<br>\\r\\n Which one should be cursed?<br><br>\\r\\n そんなのは決まってる。<br>\\r\\n That was simple.<br><br>\\r\\n 生意気で礼儀知らずの糞餓鬼の沙都子の方に決まっている。<br>\\r\\n Satoko, of course. She was snobby and lacking in manners.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは落ち着いていて、近所の評判だって良かった。<br>\\r\\n Everyone in the neighborhood liked Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n …たとえダム戦争最大の裏切り者である北条家の生き残りだとしても、<br>\\r\\n Even if he was the son of the Houjou couple who betrayed the village during the dam conflict,<br>\\r\\n ……少なくとも沙都子よりずっと、殺すに値する人間じゃなかった。<br>\\r\\n compared to Satoko, he didn't deserve to die.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だったら、…本当の意味での去年の祟りの犠牲者は、<br>\\r\\n Therefore, the actual victims of last year's curse should have been\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …叔母と沙都子なんだ。<br>\\r\\n his aunt and Satoko.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは一夜にして、ひとりぼっち。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun was suddenly all alone.<br><br>\\r\\n だけど、……もう意地悪な叔母もいないし、意地悪な叔父もいない。<br>\\r\\n His mean aunt and mean uncle were gone.<br><br>\\r\\n …妹に生まれたというだけの理由で、悟史くんに寄生しているも同然だった重荷の沙都子ももういない。<br>\\r\\n His sister, who was a burden to him all his life, was gone too.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんはいい人だから、自分が自由の身になったことを知りつつも、心を痛めるに違いない。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun was such a nice person. He would be sad, although he'd realize he was finally free.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、……痛みは時間が癒してくれるし、<br>\\r\\n But time would heal him.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……私が癒してあげられる。<br>\\r\\n I'd even help...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そうしたら、もう悟史くんは、雛見沢の家になんか無理に住まなくていい。<br>\\r\\n He didn't have to live in his house in Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の隠れ家のマンションは、他にも空き部屋だらけだし。<br>\\r\\n There were plenty of empty rooms in the apartment block where I lived.<br><br>\\r\\n 生活のためのバイトだって、バイト先は私と親しい親類たちに頼ることができる。<br>\\r\\n I could find him a part-time job, too.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢の学校まで遥々通う必要なんてもうない。<br>\\r\\n He didn't need to go to school in Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n 私と一緒に興宮の学校に通えばいい。<br>\\r\\n He could go to school with me in Okinomiya instead.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは興宮の学校なんか通ったことないだろうし、その辺りの土地勘もそんなに馴染みはないだろう。<br>\\r\\n He wouldn't know his way around, or really anything about the school there.<br><br>\\r\\n だから私はいつも悟史くんと一緒に連れ添って。<br>\\r\\n So I'd be with Satoshi-kun all the time.<br>\\r\\n …学校への近道とか、裏道とか、隠れたちょっといいお店とか、…そういうのを色々と教えてあげられる。<br>\\r\\n I'd show him a shortcut to school, we'd go shopping, and I'd teach him many different things.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それは、……信じられないくらいのハッピーエンド。<br>\\r\\n What an unbelievably happy ending.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ずっと辛い生活を強いられてきた悟史くんと、…ずっと日陰者だった私との、<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun had been suffering so much, and I had been pushed away all my life,<br>\\r\\n …こんなにも陰鬱な物語の中に、用意されていたかもしれない…本当にささやかだけど、あったかいハッピーエンド。<br>\\r\\n but we would finally be happy.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n おぼろげな幻の中でしか許されない幸せの幻想すら、私はのんびりしていられない。<br>\\r\\n I enjoyed these sweet delusions, but I didn't have any more time to waste.<br><br>\\r\\n 日中にいくら電話をかけてもお魎が出ないので、私が学校から帰って来る時間になってから電話しようと思っている老人たちが多いらしく。<br>\\r\\n I was sure there were plenty of old people who had been trying to get hold of Oryou all morning, and who were going to try to catch me after I got home from school.<br><br>\\r\\n …さっきから忘れた頃になると電話が鳴り、私は幻の中でさえ悟史くんと戯れることができなかった。<br>\\r\\n Actually, the phone had been ringing constantly while I enjoyed my happy thoughts.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は老人たちからもたらされる情報や相談を、相槌を打ったり、いい加減にあしらったりで適当に返事する。<br>\\r\\n When I answered the phone, I casually listened and replied.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の思惑通り、雛見沢の裏側ではもう、次の祟りは前原圭一だと知れ渡っていた。<br>\\r\\n As I planned, Keiichi Maebara is now known as the next curse victim within the underside of Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n さらにそれに絡めて、村長の失踪は祭具殿を破られる発端となった、鍵の付け替えのけじめを付けるため…、<br>\\r\\n I also tried to let them know that the disappearance of the village chief...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n と怪情報も漏らしていく。<br>\\r\\n had something to do with the fact that he changed the lock on the ritual storehouse's door.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 暗部の重鎮たちは、祭具殿を暴くことの罪深さと、その罪を裁く対象が御三家の頭首にまで及んだ事態の重さに慄いた。<br>\\r\\n All the authorities in the underside came to realize the seriousness of trespassing in the storehouse. After all, one of the heads of the Three Families got punished.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 掛かって来る電話の中には大石からのものもあった。<br>\\r\\n One of the phone calls was from Ooishi.<br><br>\\r\\n 大石も早々と、鍵の付け替えに伴って公由が責任を取らされたという噂を聞きつけていた。<br>\\r\\n He had also heard about Kimiyoshi's disappearance, and he knew it had something to do with the changing of the lock.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……大したもんだ。<br>\\r\\n ...I;, impressed.<br><br>\\r\\n この男の情報網は本物だ。<br>\\r\\n He had some pretty good sources.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、所詮この男は漏れ出してきた情報を、両手のお椀で受け止めることしかできない。<br>\\r\\n But all he can do is catch whatever information he can get.<br>\\r\\n その漏れ出してくる情報の源流や、…さらにその奥に潜んで渦巻くものにまでは至れない。<br>\\r\\n There's no way for him to find the source of it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 今夜の遅くになったら、また前原圭一に電話をしよう。<br>\\r\\n I'd call Keiichi Maebara again later tonight.<br><br>\\r\\n 積極的な連中が、圭一の周辺を跋扈し始めた頃に違いない。<br>\\r\\n Some of the more aggressive villagers may have already started to take action around him.<br><br>\\r\\n さしもの圭一も、自身に迫っている危機を、実際に肌で感じ始めているだろう。<br>\\r\\n I'm sure that by now, Keiichi is feeling the danger that's coming toward him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、圭一が簡単に殺されないように注意しなくてはならない。<br>\\r\\n I'd have to be careful that he doesn't get killed easily.<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一に食いつかれる前に釣り上げられれば、同じ餌でもう一度釣りができるのだから。<br>\\r\\n If I can catch the enemy before they bit Keiichi, I can use him again as bait.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …前原圭一か。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi Maebara...<br><br>\\r\\n 彼と縁があったのはつい最近のほんの短い間だけだ。<br>\\r\\n I haven't known him for that long.<br><br>\\r\\n 頭は悪いけど、色々と笑える面白いやつで。<br>\\r\\n He's funny, if not intelligent.<br><br>\\r\\n …もちろん悟史くんの代わりなんかにはとても至らないのだけど、<br>\\r\\n He'll never replace Satoshi-kun,<br>\\r\\n …身近にひとりいたら楽しいだろうな、と思わせる程度には愉快なやつだった。<br>\\r\\n but I do think he's fun to be around.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 彼が私を不快にするのはたったひとつ。<br>\\r\\n There's just one thing I don't like about him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……私の頭を、気安く撫でること。<br>\\r\\n He rubs my head far too often.<br><br>\\r\\n しかもその手が、…悟史くんの手と、まったく同じ温かさがするのが許せなかった。<br>\\r\\n His hand is as warm as Satoshi-kun's hand, which is why I can't stand it.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、それだけのこと。<br>\\r\\n But that's about it.<br><br>\\r\\n …前原圭一は別に悟史くんの仇でもないし、恨みもない。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi Maebara isn't Satoshi-kun's enemy. I don't hate him.<br><br>\\r\\n 一緒に居て楽しいとは思うけど、祟りの犠牲になったとて大して心も痛まない。<br>\\r\\n He's fun to be around,<br>\\r\\n その程度だ。<br>\\r\\n but I wouldn't shed a tear for him if he became a victim of the curse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …私は前原圭一を見殺しにはするだろうが、積極的に殺すわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n I won't prevent Keiichi Maebara from being killed, but I won't kill him myself either.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 前原圭一に祟りがあるように積極的に立ち回ったが、殺せと口にしたわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n I'd made arrangements for the curse to fall upon him, but I never told anyone to kill him.<br><br>\\r\\n ……でも今日、古手梨花に、前原圭一のことは古手家で始末しろとはっきり言ったかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n Well... I suppose I did tell Rika Furude to take care of Keiichi Maebara...<br><br>\\r\\n …………なんだこりゃ。<br>\\r\\n Wait a minute...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は悟史くんの無念を晴らすために、<br>\\r\\n To avenge Satoshi-kun<br>\\r\\n …もっとも忌み嫌った鬼婆と同じことをし、<br>\\r\\n I'm doing exactly the same thing as the hag did.<br>\\r\\n …悟史くんの仇そのものである祟りのシステムを自ら使っている。<br>\\r\\n I'm using the exact same system that killed Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……前原圭一か。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi Maebara...<br><br>\\r\\n 利用するだけだ。<br>\\r\\n I'm just using him.<br><br>\\r\\n …祟れとけしかけはしたけど、…圭一が自分の身を守れる程度には助言はする。<br>\\r\\n I told people to let the curse fall upon Keiichi, but I've been giving him appropriate warnings.<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一が足掻き、生き延びようとする努力は応援する。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to help him if he tries to live.<br><br>\\r\\n もし、<br>\\r\\n If\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………圭一を餌に、仇敵たちを皆、釣り上げたなら。<br>\\r\\n I catch all of my enemies...<br>\\r\\n …その時は、………放流してやってもいいか。<br>\\r\\n Maybe I'll let him loose...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 叔母を殺せとそそのかし、その後、黒幕との接触の痕跡を消すため、消された悟史くんとは違う。<br>\\r\\n He's different from Satoshi-kun. Satoshi-kun was tricked into killing his aunt, and was killed himself afterwards so there wouldn't be any evidence remaining.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は、前原圭一を消さない。<br>\\r\\n I won't kill Keiichi Maebara.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、その一点だけにおいて、鬼婆たちとは違っているつもりなのだ…。<br>\\r\\n That's how I'm different from the hag.<br><br>\\r\\n 外は夕方の空から夜の空に変わろうとしていた。<br>\\r\\n Evening was turning to night.<br><br>\\r\\n 夕飯の支度をしなくちゃ。<br>\\r\\n I had to get dinner ready.<br>\\r\\n ……食べて体力をつけなくちゃ、復讐劇なんて遂行できないのだから<br>\\r\\n I had to eat so I'd have enough strength to take revenge.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n この辺は町が遠い田舎だし、冬は豪雪に閉じ込められることもある。<br>\\r\\n This place was far from the town. It would even get isolated during winter because of the snow.<br><br>\\r\\n だから大きな冷蔵庫が２つ３つあるなんてのは当り前のことだった。<br>\\r\\n It's not unusual for a household like this to have two or three refrigerators.<br><br>\\r\\n 中には当分食っていけるだけの充分な備えがある。<br>\\r\\n There were plenty of groceries left in them.<br>\\r\\n …買い物に行かなくて済むのはとても助かった。<br>\\r\\n I was glad I didn't have to go grocery shopping.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 窓の外からは、ひぐらしの声が忍び込んでくる。<br>\\r\\n I could hear the chorus of the higurashi.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ひぐらしの声に、懐かしさのようなものを感じるという人は多い。<br>\\r\\n People often say that the sound of the higurashi brings back memories.<br>\\r\\n ……でも私は逆だった。<br>\\r\\n But for me, it's the exact opposite...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ひぐらしの声なんて、雛見沢でしか聞いたことがない。<br>\\r\\n I've only ever heard the sound of the higurashi in Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n だからひぐらしの声は、私にとって雛見沢を意味する音色であり、<br>\\r\\n Therefore, the sound of the higurashi, to me, is Hinamizawa.<br>\\r\\n ……私の居場所がここにない、ここに私は居てはいけないという、…寂しさを感じさせるだけなのだ。<br>\\r\\n The sound reminded me that I wasn't supposed be here... That I couldn't be here...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時、…呼び鈴がなった。<br>\\r\\n That was when I heard the doorbell.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 園崎本家は門が遠いから、門前に呼び鈴とインターフォンが設けてあるのだ。<br>\\r\\n Because there was a good distance between the house and the gate, there was both a doorbell and an intercom by the latter.<br><br>\\r\\n しかも監視カメラまで付けられている。<br>\\r\\n It had a security camera too.<br><br>\\r\\n 古き良き田舎の台所に、その監視モニターが置いてあるのは、とても異様だった。<br>\\r\\n Something as modern as a security camera monitor in this old-fashioned kitchen looked rather strange.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n モニターのスイッチを入れても画面がつかない。<br>\\r\\n I turned the switch, but nothing appeared on the monitor.<br><br>\\r\\n ……コンセントとかが抜けてるのかと思い、裏の配線を見ようとするが、ぐちゃぐちゃの束になって冷蔵庫の裏に続いており、さっぱり分からなかった。<br>\\r\\n I tried to check the plug, but there were a bunch of cords going behind the refrigerator, so I couldn't even do that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 壊れているのか、私の操作が悪いのか分からないでいる間にも、呼び鈴は何度か鳴らされた。<br>\\r\\n The doorbell continued to ring while I tried to figure out if the monitor was broken or if I just didn't know how to turn it on.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………できれば、相手を見てから、応えるか居留守を使うか決めたかった。<br>\\r\\n I only felt like answering the door depending on who it was.<br><br>\\r\\n 居留守を使うのが一番楽と言えば楽なのだが、<br>\\r\\n It'd normally be easiest to pretend to be out...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……それでは意味がない。<br>\\r\\n but that wouldn't help me.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は敵を求めて牙を剥いている最中なのだ。<br>\\r\\n I was waiting for my enemies to show up.<br><br>\\r\\n 物陰から虎視眈々と敵をうかがいはするが、それは引き篭もって隠れているのとはわけが違う。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't just hide myself, in that case.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆は体調不良と極度の不機嫌で伏せっていることになっている。<br>\\r\\n The hag was supposed to be sick and in an extremely bad mood.<br><br>\\r\\n 来ても面会はできないとすでにあちこちで話してある。<br>\\r\\n I'd already sent word out that she didn't want to see anyone.<br><br>\\r\\n …それでもなお、訪ねてこようというのは何者なのか。<br>\\r\\n So who could it be?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …私は意を決して、インターフォンのスイッチを入れた。<br>\\r\\n I made up my mind and turned the intercom on.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 厄介な相手なら門前払いにすればいい。<br>\\r\\n If it was someone unwanted, I could just turn whoever it was away.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、可能な限り自然に接しないと、思わぬところで不信感を抱かれるかもしれない…。<br>\\r\\n But I had to act normally so I wouldn't arouse suspicion.<br>\\r\\n 自然に自然に…。<br>\\r\\n I had to act normally...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……はい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes?<br>\\r\\n どちら様でしょう。」<br>\\r\\n Who is it?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 『こんにちはなのです。』<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hello.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 相手は名乗らなかったが、その独特の喋り方ですぐにわかった。<br>\\r\\n She didn't tell me her name, but I recognized her voice.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ん、梨花ちゃんか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Rika-chan...<br>\\r\\n ……どうしたの？<br>\\r\\n What are you doing here<br>\\r\\n こんな時間に。」<br>\\r\\n at this time of day?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 『……実は、お醤油を分けてもらいに来たのですよ。』<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I ran out of soy sauce, so could you share some with me?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 醤油？？<br>\\r\\n Soy sauce??<br>\\r\\n 素っ頓狂な声を上げそうになるのを堪えて、状況を思案する。<br>\\r\\n I almost screamed, but I controlled myself. I took a moment to think about the situation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 町が遠く、買いだめして生活することが多い雛見沢では、時に調味料などを切らし、隣家に分けてもらいに行くことはないことじゃない。<br>\\r\\n Hinamizawa was far from most stores, so sometimes neighbors would share seasoning and stuff with each other.<br><br>\\r\\n 冬場には豪雪で村が埋まり、町へ行けなくなることもあるのだから。<br>\\r\\n The village sometimes got snowed in during winter.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n しかし、古手神社から園崎本家は近くない。<br>\\r\\n But the Furude Shrine was quite far from this house.<br><br>\\r\\n 醤油を分けてもらいに、遥々自転車でやってきたというのは、ほんの少し不自然だった。<br>\\r\\n It was rather odd for her to come all the way here on her bicycle just to get some soy sauce.<br><br>\\r\\n 醤油を分けてもらいに来た<br>\\r\\n Maybe she was using it as an excuse\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …<br>\\r\\n ...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …というのは何かの口実で、…内々に話をしたい、ということなのだろうか。<br>\\r\\n maybe there was something she wanted to talk to me about.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時、私はインターフォンの脇にある冷蔵庫の扉に、マグネットで貼り付けられているわら半紙を見つけた。<br>\\r\\n That was when I noticed a piece of paper that was on the refrigerator door next to the intercom.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n “本場仕込みのお醤油、まだまだたくさんあります。お気軽に園崎までどうぞ”<br>\\r\\n \\\"We still have plenty of homemade soy sauce in stock. Feel free to come to the Sonozaki house if you want some.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それは鬼婆が町会経由で回覧したもののようだった。<br>\\r\\n The hag must have given that flyer to everyone.<br><br>\\r\\n 遠方の親類が醤油を樽で送ってきたので余っている。<br>\\r\\n One of our relatives sent her a barrel of soy sauce.<br>\\r\\n 容器を持ってくればお裾分けするのでどうぞお気軽に…という文面。<br>\\r\\n If you want some, bring a container... That's what the flyer said.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n なるほど、遥々醤油をもらいに来ても、不審ということもないわけか。<br>\\r\\n I see, this would explain it.<br><br>\\r\\n わら半紙の下には、お手伝いさんのものらしい書き込みがしてあった。<br>\\r\\n There was a handwritten note on the bottom of the flyer.<br><br>\\r\\n “ショウユは乾物棚の床下。<br>\\r\\n \\\"The soy sauce is in the storage area under the floor.<br>\\r\\n ほしい分だけあげてＯＫ”<br>\\r\\n Give them as much as they want.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 棚の前の床は、床下収納になっていた。<br>\\r\\n There was a storage area beneath the floor.<br><br>\\r\\n 開けて見ると、確かに醤油の小太りした樽が置いてあり、中には漏斗と柄杓も一緒になっていた。<br>\\r\\n When I opened it, I saw a barrel of soy sauce, alongside a funnel and a ladle.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……園崎本家で異常があると、まだ今の時点では思われたくない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't want Rika to notice anything suspicious at this point.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は梨花に醤油を分けてやることにした。<br>\\r\\n I decided to share the soy sauce with her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「うん、いいよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sure.<br>\\r\\n 入れるものは持ってきてるの？」<br>\\r\\n Did you bring a container?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 『お醤油の瓶を持ってきましたのです。』<br>\\r\\n \\\"I brought a soy sauce bottle.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ＯＫ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay.<br>\\r\\n 勝手に入ってきていいよ。<br>\\r\\n Come on in.<br>\\r\\n 玄関で待ってる。」<br>\\r\\n I'll be at the front door.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 玄関へ向かおうとすると、もう一度チャイムが鳴った。<br>\\r\\n As I headed there, I heard the doorbell ring again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 『……魅ぃ、内側から閉まってて、門が入れないのですよ。』<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mii, the gate is locked from the inside. I can't open it.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁ、そうだった。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, that's right.<br>\\r\\n ごめんごめん。<br>\\r\\n Sorry.<br>\\r\\n 今開けに行くよ、待ってて。」<br>\\r\\n I'll be right there, just hang on.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢は防犯概念の薄い田舎だけあり、各家庭は戸締りに割といい加減であることが多い。<br>\\r\\n People didn't pay much attention to safety around here in Hinamizawa. People didn't think too much about locking the doors.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私はもうちょっと物騒な町育ちなので、自宅に施錠は習慣付いている。<br>\\r\\n But as someone who's lived in a town, I've always locked everything.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は古手梨花を迎えるため、わざわざサンダルを履いて、外へ出なければならなかった。<br>\\r\\n To let Rika Furude in, I'd have to go outside.\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 「……こんばんはなのですよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Good evening.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………こんばんは。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Good evening.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 梨花は一升瓶を抱きながら、にぱーっと言いながら笑った。<br>\\r\\n Rika smiled at me. She was holding a huge soy sauce bottle.<br><br>\\r\\n 今日の日中、私に怒鳴りつけられて乱暴され、涙を零していたのが、まるでなかったかのようだった。<br>\\r\\n She acted like I never yelled at her, got violent with her, or made her cry at all today.<br><br>\\r\\n あるいは機嫌を損ねたと思って、私のご機嫌伺いにでも来たと言うのだろうか。<br>\\r\\n Or perhaps she came to curry favor, thinking that she angered me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は梨花を玄関まで誘うと、そこで座って待っててくれと告げ、一升瓶を預かろうとした。<br>\\r\\n I invited Rika to the front door. I told her to wait for a moment, and tried to take the bottle.<br><br>\\r\\n だが梨花は一升瓶を譲らず、靴を脱いで上がってきた。<br>\\r\\n But Rika took her shoes off and walked into the house with the bottle in her hands.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「いいよいいよ、私が入れてくるから待ってなよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't worry, I'll get it for you. Why don't you wait there?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……ボクも漏斗でお醤油入れるのは上手になったのですよ…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I'm pretty good at pouring soy sauce into a funnel, you know...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 何だか甘えるような、懇願するような目で見上げてくる。<br>\\r\\n She looked at me as if begging.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 自分で瓶に醤油を入れたいということなのか。<br>\\r\\n I guess she wanted to pour the soy sauce into the bottle herself.<br><br>\\r\\n ……あまり家に上げたくはなかったが、<br>\\r\\n I didn't want her to come in the house,<br>\\r\\n よくよく考えてみれば、私が台所に行っている間に、梨花をここでひとりで待たせるのも、何だか薄気味悪かった。<br>\\r\\n but I suppose I didn't want her to wait there alone either.<br><br>\\r\\n それならいっそ一緒に台所に行って、妙なことをしでかさないかどうか、監視している方が安心できる。<br>\\r\\n If she came to the kitchen with me, I could keep my eyes on her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、なら自分でやってごらんと言い、梨花を連れて台所へ向かった。<br>\\r\\n And so, I brought Rika to the kitchen.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 廊下をひたひたと歩く。<br>\\r\\n We walked down the hallway.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……二人で歩いてるはずなのに、私の足音しか聞こえなかった。<br>\\r\\n I only heard my footsteps.<br><br>\\r\\n 本当に梨花が付いてきているのか不安になり、私は不意に足を止める。<br>\\r\\n I stopped suddenly and turned around to make sure Rika was following me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n すると急に私が止まって驚いたのか、梨花は、ぺたっと一歩余計に歩き、私の背中にぶつかった。<br>\\r\\n Rika bumped into me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……みー。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Meep.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ん、…あぁ、ごめんごめん。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mmm, ah, sorry.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私はちゃんとぴったり付いて来ていることが分かり、再び先頭を歩く。<br>\\r\\n I made sure she was right behind me and started to walk again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……ひたひたひた。<br>\\r\\n Tap, tap, tap.<br><br>\\r\\n ぺたぺたぺた。<br>\\r\\n Tip, tip, tip.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …ひた、<br>\\r\\n Tap,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …ひた。<br>\\r\\n tap...<br>\\r\\n …ぺた、<br>\\r\\n Tip,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …ぺた。<br>\\r\\n tip.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n こいつ、私の足音にぴったり合わせて歩いて遊んでいるらしかった。<br>\\r\\n Rika must have been having fun matching her footsteps to mine.<br><br>\\r\\n その証拠に、私が不意に乱れた歩き方をしても、決して足音はばらばらにならず、すぐに二人の足音は重なった。<br>\\r\\n Even when I quickly sped up, our footsteps matched perfectly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ひたひた、<br>\\r\\n Tap, Tap,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ひたひた。<br>\\r\\n tap, tap.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ぺたぺた、<br>\\r\\n Tip, tip\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ぺたぺた。<br>\\r\\n tip, tip.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ひたひたひた。<br>\\r\\n Tap, tap, tap.<br>\\r\\n …急に止まる。<br>\\r\\n I stopped suddenly.<br><br>\\r\\n ぺたぺたぺた。<br>\\r\\n Tip, tip, tip.<br>\\r\\n ぺた。<br>\\r\\n Tip.<br>\\r\\n 一歩遅れて梨花も急停止。<br>\\r\\n Rika stopped suddenly too, after taking an extra step.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 振り返ると、梨花もそういう遊びをしているのがバレたと気付いたらしく、にぱーっと悪戯っぽく笑った。<br>\\r\\n When I turned around, Rika smiled at me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 常に足音が一緒で、…不意に止まるとひとつ余計に聞こえる足音。<br>\\r\\n Our footsteps matched perfectly, and when I stopped suddenly, I heard her extra step.<br><br>\\r\\n ……そんな足音を、私はすでに身近に経験していて、……何となく、心穏やかになれなかった。<br>\\r\\n I've experienced such footsteps before... it was making me feel uncomfortable.<br><br>\\r\\n ただ、この少女の足音の場合は、足音は同じでも、振り返ればちゃんとそこに居る。<br>\\r\\n But now, although her footsteps sounded the same as the other ones I'd experienced, I saw her when I turned around.<br><br>\\r\\n その点だけにおいて、私の知っている足音とは違っていた…。<br>\\r\\n That was the difference between them.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 台所のさっきの床下収納は開きっぱなしになっていて、醤油樽が顔を覗かせていた。<br>\\r\\n I left the storage door open, so we could see the soy sauce barrel.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n メモには好きなだけ持って行かせてＯＫとあったが、残量は充分かな。<br>\\r\\n The memo said she can take as much as she wants, but I wasn't sure there was enough left.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……私はしゃがみこみ、醤油樽の蓋を開けようとした。<br>\\r\\n I crouched down and tried to open the lid of the soy sauce barrel.<br><br>\\r\\n そんなしゃがむ時の仕草でさえ、ぺた、っと、私の背後ではひとつ余計に足音がするのだった。<br>\\r\\n Even when I crouched down, I could hear Rika's extra step.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「うん、まだまだいっぱいあるよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Good, there's plenty left.<br>\\r\\n ほら、好きなだけ持ってくといい。」<br>\\r\\n Take as much as you want.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が後を振り返った時、梨花は信じられないくらいに私の目の前にいた。<br>\\r\\n When I turned around, Rika was very close to me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも、……え？<br>\\r\\n But... eh?<br>\\r\\n ………誰？<br>\\r\\n ...Who was this?<br>\\r\\n そこには梨花がいたけど、…よく似た知らない梨花が。<br>\\r\\n I saw Rika... but it wasn't Rika at all...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私たち姉妹が入れ替わって、違和感を見せたときのような感じ。<br>\\r\\n It was like when I switched with my sister.<br><br>\\r\\n …外見はそっくりだけど、違う個性を見せた時のような違和感。<br>\\r\\n The outside was the same, but the inside was different.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 梨花にも双子、いたんだ…？<br>\\r\\n Did Rika have a twin sister?<br><br>\\r\\n そんな困惑の感情は一瞬。<br>\\r\\n I was confused for a moment.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 梨花が手にしていた小さな化粧品みたいなスプレーが、私の目に噴き付けられた。<br>\\r\\n That was when Rika sprayed something from a small bottle into my eyes.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ッ？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh?!<br>\\r\\n ふんんんんんッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Hhnnnnn!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 両目に凄まじい激痛が走り、この痛みを洗い流そうと、涙と鼻水が滝のように零れ出す。<br>\\r\\n I felt a terrible pain in my eyes, and suddenly tears poured out and my nose started to run.<br><br>\\r\\n 刺すような刺激がして、くしゃみが止まらない。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't stop sneezing either.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は自分が、悪意を持った攻撃を受けたことを認識するまで数秒間、無防備に顔を覆って転げまわっていた。<br>\\r\\n As I stumbled around, covering my face, I then realized I was attacked.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 思い切り強く目蓋を閉じ、涙を絞りつくすようにして目を開いた時、<br>\\r\\n I shut my eyes tightly for a moment, then opened them again.<br>\\r\\n 梨花は私の髪を鷲掴みにして地面に引きずり倒そうとしていた。<br>\\r\\n Rika was about to grab my hair to drag me down onto the floor.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 梨花は私と目が合い、視力を回復したと悟ると、再び容赦なく催涙スプレーを噴射した。<br>\\r\\n When Rika saw me open my eyes, she sprayed at me again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それを察知して固く目をつぶったが、鼻の粘膜から入ってくるらしく、<br>\\r\\n I shut my eyes to avoid the spray, but my nose still breathed in the substance.<br>\\r\\n 直接的な激痛を回避できただけで、ひどい涙と鼻水、くしゃみと痛みで私は再び目を奪われる。<br>\\r\\n I avoided the pain in my eyes, but the tears, the runny nose, and the sneezing continued.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …くぉおおぉ…、いたいたたた……！！<br>\\r\\n Shiiit, aaaah!!<br><br>\\r\\n 混乱した脳がこんなにも回転が遅いなんて…！<br>\\r\\n My brain isn't working quickly enough!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はここまでされてやっと、自分は古手梨花に襲われたんだと理解した。<br>\\r\\n However, when I finally understood that I had been attacked by <NAME>...<br><br>\\r\\n それに気付けば、脳の回転は普段以上に回転し出す…！！<br>\\r\\n My brain started to grind into motion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 古手梨花は私を仰向けに地面に転がすと、馬乗りになってきた。<br>\\r\\n <NAME> knocked me on my back and got on top of me.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 私は逃れようと、台所中をごろごろと転げ回り、<br>\\r\\n I tried to escape from her by rolling on the kitchen floor.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n かまどにぶつかったり、<br>\\r\\n As I rolled, I hit an oven,<br><br><br>\\r\\n 置いてある壷かカメかにぶつかったり、<br>\\r\\n a huge jar,<br><br>\\r\\n 何かの山を崩したりしながら暴れ狂った。<br>\\r\\n and destroyed a pile of something on the floor as I fought back.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n だが梨花は私を逃そうとはせず、しつこく絡みつき、<br>\\r\\n But Rika didn't let go of me.<br>\\r\\n ついには私の上に馬乗りになって、<br>\\r\\n She stayed on top<br>\\r\\n 身動きを奪った。<br>\\r\\n and restrained me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 容赦なく腹の上に圧し掛かってきて私は痛みと圧迫感に呻く。<br>\\r\\n She was sitting on my stomach, and I felt intense pain and pressure.<br><br>\\r\\n 見掛けによらず喧嘩慣れした真似を…！<br>\\r\\n She sure could fight well...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 目の痛みで、私は視界を奪われたまま。<br>\\r\\n I still couldn't see anything.<br><br>\\r\\n そんな無抵抗状態で馬乗りにされている私は、まさに絶体絶命だった。<br>\\r\\n Rika had the upper hand, my eyes were shut, and I was in real danger.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 瞬きの隙間から私に圧し掛かっている梨花の顔を見た。<br>\\r\\n As I tried to blink, I saw Rika's expression.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そりゃ、私は古手梨花をよく知っているわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't know <NAME> all that well.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音に成り代わって学校へ行った数えるほどの機会の接触と、事前に知らされていた情報だけだ。<br>\\r\\n I only knew her from the few times we met when I went to school as Mion, and from the things I've heard from other people.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも…そのわずかな接触の中から、古手梨花のこんな一面を想像するのは不可能だった。<br>\\r\\n But as far as I knew, there was no way <NAME> would ever do something like this.<br><br>\\r\\n 不可能、不可能、不可能！<br>\\r\\n This is just impossible. Impossible, impossible!<br><br>\\r\\n ……あぁまずい、不可能なんて言葉で頭を満たすな！<br>\\r\\n No, I can't fill my head with that word!<br><br>\\r\\n 目の前の事態に冷静に対処できると信じろ、混乱に頭を明け渡すな、クールになれ、クールになれ！！<br>\\r\\n I have to calm down and figure out what to do next...<br><br>\\r\\n くそくそ！そんな滅茶苦茶な思考こそが混乱だろうが！！<br>\\r\\n Shit, I'm too much of a mess to even think!<br><br>\\r\\n もう一度わずかの瞬きから梨花をうかがい見る。<br>\\r\\n I tried to peek at her face again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 片手には催涙スプレー。<br>\\r\\n She still had the spray bottle in one hand.<br>\\r\\n だがもう片手が異様だった。<br>\\r\\n What I didn't expect was the thing in her other hand.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 目を疑ったが、他の何に見間違えようというのか！<br>\\r\\n How could I mistake it for anything else?<br><br>\\r\\n それは見紛うことなどありえない特徴的な形をしていた。<br>\\r\\n It was definitely<br>\\r\\n そう、それは…注射器だった。<br>\\r\\n a syringe.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 梨花は私が視力を回復したことに気付くと、<br>\\r\\n When Rika realized I'd regained my eyesight,<br>\\r\\n 私の鼻先に催涙スプレーを突き出し、容赦なく噴き付けてきた。<br>\\r\\n she pointed the spray bottle right at me and let loose with it.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 固く目蓋を閉じ、痛みから少しでも逃れようと足掻く！<br>\\r\\n I shut my eyes tightly and tried to ignore the pain.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はその時、目をぐっと閉じていたのだから見えていなかったわけだが。<br>\\r\\n But that was when, even though I was blinded,<br>\\r\\n 梨花にとって思わぬ誤算が訪れていた。<br>\\r\\n Rika made a miscalculation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …こんな組み合った状態で催涙スプレーなど使うものだから、その飛沫が自分にまで及んだのだ。<br>\\r\\n She had sprayed at me from such a close distance that she inhaled the substance as well.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 梨花の咽込むようなくしゃみが何度も繰り返されるのを耳にして、私は最大のチャンスが訪れたことを知る！<br>\\r\\n I heard Rika sneeze, and realized that it was my chance.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 見えなくてもそこに居ることはわかるから問題ない。<br>\\r\\n Even if I couldn't see, I knew she was right there.<br><br>\\r\\n 梨花の顔面を私は何度か殴りつけ、<br>\\r\\n I hit Rika's face a few times.<br><br>\\r\\n 梨花の重みがぐら付いた瞬間を逃さず、その戒めから逃れた。<br>\\r\\n When I felt Rika's weight shift, I escaped.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 素早く間合いを取り、私はスタンガンを構える。<br>\\r\\n I then got my stun gun ready.<br><br>\\r\\n 梨花が吸ったスプレーは微量だったようで、もうくしゃみは治り、私に悪意ある眼差しを見せることができるようになっていた。<br>\\r\\n Rika must have inhaled just a little of the spray. She wasn't sneezing anymore, and was glaring at me instead.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……おうおぅおぅ…上等切ってくれんじゃないの。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hey, hey, hey... Are you pickin' a fight with me?<br>\\r\\n ぶちまけられてえかああぁああぁッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n You want me to wreck you?!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 梨花は不敵な表情を崩さなかったが、最初の奇襲で目的を達せられなかったことに相当の痛手を感じているのは間違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n Rika's expression didn't change, but I was sure she was disappointed that her surprise attack was a failure.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の咆哮にわずかなたじろぎを見せる梨花は、<br>\\r\\n Rika flinched just a little<br>\\r\\n それでもなお催涙スプレーを構え、私の目を狙っていた。<br>\\r\\n but she was still holding the spray bottle and aiming it at my eyes.<br><br>\\r\\n 向こうの目的は私をあのスプレーで無抵抗状態に陥らせ、<br>\\r\\n She was trying to use the spray first<br>\\r\\n その隙に、…あのもう片手の注射をする気らしい。<br>\\r\\n and then give me the shot.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 中に何のクスリが満たされているのか、一見透明なその液体からは窺い知ることもできない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't know what was in that syringe, but it was a clear liquid.<br><br>\\r\\n だがどんな薬物にせよ、その効果は恐ろしいものに違いなかった。<br>\\r\\n It had to be something bad.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の目を奪い、馬乗りになり、体のどこでもいいから無理やりに薬物を注入。<br>\\r\\n She wanted to take my eyesight, get on top of me, and then give me the shot.<br><br>\\r\\n …効果の出るのが遅いクスリだったら、<br>\\r\\n If whatever was in the syringe took a while to take effect<br>\\r\\n 私はその後も抵抗を続け、<br>\\r\\n I might have the chance to fight back<br>\\r\\n 結果、古手梨花に致命的な反撃を加えることは充分にあり得る。<br>\\r\\n and seriously injure Rika.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、梨花のこの奇襲は、注射に成功すればそれで充分という考えが見え隠れするのだ。<br>\\r\\n But Rika's surprise attack told me that just being injected was more than enough.<br><br>\\r\\n ………つまり、どういう効果にせよ、<br>\\r\\n In other words, whatever the effect,<br>\\r\\n そのクスリは即効性で、注射して即効果の出るものらしく、<br>\\r\\n it would start to work immediately.<br>\\r\\n しかもその効果で梨花への反撃も出来なくなるような効果だ。<br>\\r\\n Therefore, I wouldn't be able to fight back against her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だったらそれは、昏倒か死か、その二つのどちらかしかあり得ない…！<br>\\r\\n It'd probably either knock me out or kill me.<br><br>\\r\\n なら、条件はこっちだって互角。<br>\\r\\n In any case, what I had was equally deadly.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の持つスタンガンは強力な武器だ。<br>\\r\\n My stun gun was very powerful.<br>\\r\\n 一撃で相手を倒してしまう必殺の武器だ。<br>\\r\\n Just one shot would be all it took.<br><br>\\r\\n しかもその安定した強力な威力は今日までの数度の使用全てで証明されている。<br>\\r\\n What happened before was proof of its power.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 梨花も、私の持つスタンガンが催涙スプレーなんかよりよっぽど強力な武器であることを理解しているらしく、迂闊な身動きさえできない様子だった。<br>\\r\\n Rika knew my stun gun was a lot more powerful than her spray. She was being extremely cautious.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……おらおら、いつまで人ん家に上がりこんでぼさーっとしてくれてるわけさ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, what do you think you're doing in my house, huh?<br>\\r\\n そっちから来ないんならこっちから行くぞこらあッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n If you aren't moving, then I'll come to you!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 足元にあった新聞紙の束を抱え、思い切り投げつけた。<br>\\r\\n I threw a pile of newspapers at her.<br><br>\\r\\n その束は重ねてあるだけで縛っていなかったので、梨花の眼前でぶわっと広がり、その全身を覆った。<br>\\r\\n The pile wasn't tied together, so the newspapers flew all over Rika.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が突撃したのは新聞紙の束を投げつけるのとまったく同時。<br>\\r\\n I jumped at her immediately after.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 梨花に隙を作った一瞬で飛び込んだ。<br>\\r\\n I shoved my stun gun into her,<br>\\r\\n スタンガン！！！<br>\\r\\n and pulled the trigger!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n バチンと梨花の体が跳ねて転がった。<br>\\r\\n Rika spasmed and fell to the floor.<br><br>\\r\\n …この大馬鹿がぁ！！<br>\\r\\n ...You fool!<br>\\r\\n 両者一撃必殺の状況で躊躇しやがって！！<br>\\r\\n Hesitating in a fight where a single blow wins!<br>\\r\\n 素人に限って睨み合うんだよ。<br>\\r\\n Only amateurs just glare at each other.<br>\\r\\n 一撃必殺において先手がどれだけ有利か何もわかっちゃあいないんだからッ！！！<br>\\r\\n You don't have a single clue about how advantageous the first strike is when a single blow can decide everything!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ころころと転がるのはスプレーだ。<br>\\r\\n The spray bottle rolled on the ground,<br>\\r\\n でも注射器はまだ握っている！<br>\\r\\n but she still had the syringe.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n スタンガンを決めはしたが、油断はしない。<br>\\r\\n Rika was down, but I couldn't let my guard down either.<br><br>\\r\\n そのまま転がる梨花の脇腹に蹴りをくれてやり、今度は逆に馬乗りになってやる。<br>\\r\\n I kicked her in the side and clambered on top of her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 注射器は容易に奪い取れた。<br>\\r\\n I took the syringe.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は梨花のその腕を踏みつけると、奪った注射器をその腕にぶち込んでやる。<br>\\r\\n I held Rika's arm down and gave her the shot.<br><br>\\r\\n 予防接種でやってくれるようなデリケートさはない。<br>\\r\\n My actions could hardly be called gentle.<br><br>\\r\\n 注射針で腕を砕いてやろうというくらいの乱暴さでぶち込んでやる。<br>\\r\\n I injected her violently.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n シリンダーを押し込み、全てのクスリを乱暴に注入してやった。<br>\\r\\n I injected everything that was in the syringe.<br><br>\\r\\n それに反応してか、梨花の体がびくんびくんと痙攣するように跳ねた。<br>\\r\\n Rika began to convulse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は梨花から遠のき、梨花の体にどういう変化が訪れるかを見守った。<br>\\r\\n I stood back and watched for what would happen to her body.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もちろん油断はしない。<br>\\r\\n Of course, I still had my guard up.<br><br>\\r\\n 即効性でしかもただちに抵抗を奪う薬物…と想像はついていても、どんな反応を示すかわからない以上、間合いがいる。<br>\\r\\n While I assumed that the drug would incapacitate her immediately, I didn't know exactly what kind of reaction she would have.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……は、…は！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ha, ha!<br>\\r\\n ざまぁないね！！<br>\\r\\n Look at you!!<br>\\r\\n 私に勝てるとか夢にでも思った？<br>\\r\\n Did you really think you could defeat me?<br>\\r\\n 舐めんじゃねえやあッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Think again!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 梨花はしばらく痙攣するように震えた後、壁に手を付きながらふらふらと立ち上がる。<br>\\r\\n After a few more convulsions, Rika unsteadily got to her feet.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …こいつ、華奢そうな体のくせにスタンガンの直撃を食らって立ち上がって見せたぞ…。<br>\\r\\n ...That's ridiculous. How can she even stand?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……手元のスタンガンの出力メモリを見る。<br>\\r\\n I looked at my stun gun.<br><br>\\r\\n あ、くそ！<br>\\r\\n Damn it!<br>\\r\\n 出力が最小になってる！<br>\\r\\n The power was on the lowest setting!<br><br>\\r\\n さっき取っ組み合いをした時にでもメモリがずれたのか…。<br>\\r\\n Maybe it had been readjusted when we were rolling around on the floor...<br><br>\\r\\n ジャキジャキっとメモリを出力最大まで上げる。<br>\\r\\n I changed the setting to maximum.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 梨花は真っ青になり、全身に脂汗を浮かせていた。<br>\\r\\n Rika turned pale and started sweating all over.<br><br>\\r\\n ……どんな薬効だか知らないが、もしさっきの奇襲で、梨花の思い通りにことが運んでいたなら、あの症状は私に訪れていたものだ。<br>\\r\\n ...I didn't know its exact effects, but if Rika had given me the shot, I'd be the one experiencing her symptoms.<br><br>\\r\\n 見た目だけでこれだけ具合が悪そうなのだから、当の本人にどれだけの自覚症状が出ているのか、想像に難しくない。<br>\\r\\n She looked really sick, so obviously she must've been feeling awful too.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 焦点の定まらない目、ふらつく体、壁に添えた手。<br>\\r\\n She couldn't even focus. She was very wobbly, and had her hand on the wall.<br><br>\\r\\n ……平衡感覚がなくなって、立っているだけでも辛いに違いない。<br>\\r\\n She'd lost her balance, and it must've been hard for her to even stand.<br><br>\\r\\n 表情にはもはや、さっきまで見せていた不敵さはなくなっていた。<br>\\r\\n She didn't look so brave anymore.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ただふらふらとしながら、…吐き気でもするのか、嘔吐でもしかけるような奇声をたまに吐いて唸る。<br>\\r\\n Rika wobbled some more and moaned as if she was about to throw up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………ぅうぅ、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ooh\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………っは、はぁ<br>\\r\\n hah, hah...<br>\\r\\n …………<br>\\r\\n .........\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n あぅうぅ……、<br>\\r\\n Ahoo, ahooo...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……はにゅぅー…<br>\\r\\n Hanyuuu...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n はにゅーー…………ッ、<br>\\r\\n Hanyuuu...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……がふ、<br>\\r\\n cough\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………げほ！<br>\\r\\n cough!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n げほ！！」<br>\\r\\n Cough!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 奇声を吐き続けてふらつく梨花の姿は、奇怪で恐ろしくもあったが、同時に滑稽でもあった。<br>\\r\\n Rika looked scary as she moaned and wobbled, but at the same time, she looked kind of funny too.<br><br>\\r\\n ……相手に食らわせてやろうと思ったクスリを、自らが食らうことになるなんて、思いもしなかったに違いない。<br>\\r\\n ...Certainly, she hadn't even dreamed she'd be getting the shot herself.<br>\\r\\n 因果応報ってやつだ。<br>\\r\\n As the man sows, so shall he reap.<br>\\r\\n ざまぁないったらありゃしない。<br>\\r\\n That's what you get.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あっはっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Aha ha ha ha ha!<br>\\r\\n 実に滑稽だね、笑えるよ。<br>\\r\\n This is funny, so funny.<br>\\r\\n でも吐く時は勘弁ね、お手洗いで吐いてちょうだいよ。<br>\\r\\n But please don't throw up here, go to the bathroom, okay?<br>\\r\\n くっくっく！<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh!<br>\\r\\n あんたがあとどの位でくたばるのか見物するのも楽しいよ。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to enjoy how long it'll take for you to die.<br>\\r\\n あぁ、でもそれじゃあ拷問する楽しみがなくなるねぇ<br>\\r\\n Oh, but that means I can't torture you later, huh?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私さ、あんたにはあの釘台を使ってやろうとずっと心に決めてたんだよね。<br>\\r\\n I've been planning to use the nail table on you.<br>\\r\\n あんたが自分のクスリでゲロを吐きながらそれで窒息して死ぬのが早いか、両手十指に釘をたらふく食らって、痛みで逝くのが早いか、ぜひ見てみたいもんだねぇ。<br>\\r\\n So either you choke on your own vomit and die, or I pound nails into all ten of your fingers. Hmm, I wonder which it will be...<br>\\r\\n ……よし決めた、そうしようかね。<br>\\r\\n Okay, I know.<br>\\r\\n んじゃ会場を移そうか、楽しい楽しい地下祭具殿にねぇ。<br>\\r\\n Let's move to the underground shrine storage.<br>\\r\\n 場所を移すためにちょいと眠っててもらうよ？<br>\\r\\n I'll put you to sleep so I can move you there, okay?<br>\\r\\n くっくっく！！」<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n スタンガンをバチバチ言わせながら、私は、かつて梨花が浮かべたのに負けないくらいの悪意と不敵の眼差しを浮かべ、近付く。<br>\\r\\n I walked up to Rika, my stun gun making popping sounds.<br><br>\\r\\n スタンガンの飛ばす青白い火花が見えた時、<br>\\r\\n When Rika saw the sparks from the stun gun,<br>\\r\\n 梨花は弾かれたように動き、流しのまな板の上に置かれていた肉厚の、凶器染みた包丁を手にとって構えた。<br>\\r\\n she moved to grab a huge kitchen knife.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…おや、まだその程度の元気はあるわけだ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, are you still trying to fight?<br>\\r\\n くっくっく！<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh!<br>\\r\\n そうでなくっちゃ面白くないよ。<br>\\r\\n That makes things more fun.<br>\\r\\n あんたには色々聞きたいことがあるしね。<br>\\r\\n I have so much I want to ask you.<br>\\r\\n 無駄に抵抗しない方が色々と辛くないよ？<br>\\r\\n I would suggest you back down.<br>\\r\\n もっとも抵抗しなくても辛い目に遭うだろうけど、くっくっく！」<br>\\r\\n Well, actually, even if you do, you'll go through the same misery anyway, heh heh heh!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……残念だけどあんたの誘いは断るわ、この拷問狂が。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Sorry, but I'll refuse that invitation, you torture maniac.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 死の際に臨む少女の口からこぼれる言葉は、普段の姿からは想像もつかなかった。<br>\\r\\n What she said wasn't anything I'd expect to hear from the Rika I knew.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、私は何も怯まない。<br>\\r\\n But I didn't hesitate.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の絶対有利は揺るがないのだから、何も焦ることはない。<br>\\r\\n I had the advantage, so I didn't need to worry.<br><br>\\r\\n それに、仮にも御三家のひとつ、古手家の最後の生き残りなのだ。<br>\\r\\n Besides, this was coming from the last survivor of the Furude family, one of the Three Families.<br><br>\\r\\n その豹変はむしろ…どういうわけか…自然で、かえって違和感がないものだった。<br>\\r\\n That sudden change somehow felt natural.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あんたらの御三家の血塗られた歴史に比べたら、私なんてとてもとても。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Compared to what the Three Families have done, this is nothing.<br>\\r\\n それを古手家頭首さまに褒めてもらえるなんてね。<br>\\r\\n Thank you for that high praise, though.<br>\\r\\n ちょっと光栄だね…。<br>\\r\\n I should be proud of myself, huh?<br>\\r\\n んで？<br>\\r\\n So?<br>\\r\\n そのふらふらな体で、包丁一本で抵抗して見せる？<br>\\r\\n Are you seriously thinking about fighting me with a knife in that condition?<br>\\r\\n 立っているだけでも限界なくせに……。」<br>\\r\\n You can't even stand straight...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……そうね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......You're right.<br>\\r\\n あんたの言うとおり、これがどうも私の限界。<br>\\r\\n Like you said, I'm at my limit.<br>\\r\\n …お前なんかに召し捕られて拷問で殺されるくらいなら、悪いけどお先に退場させてもらうわ。」<br>\\r\\n ...But if that means getting captured and tortured to death by you, then sorry, I'm taking my leave.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「退場？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Taking your leave?<br>\\r\\n ぷ、できるならしてごらんよ！！」<br>\\r\\n Pfft, try it if you can!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 絶対的な有利不利はもうはっきりしている。<br>\\r\\n It was clear who held the advantage here.<br><br>\\r\\n にもかかわらず、私たちはある種の異様な高揚感に包まれていた。<br>\\r\\n But despite that, an odd thrill filled both of us.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n たがが外れた、…という言い方は雛見沢の私たちには似つかわしくない。<br>\\r\\n 'We lost our minds' wasn't a fitting phrase for the people of Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n …現代の鬼たちが、人間のふりをする必要がなくなった解放感とでも言うのか。<br>\\r\\n It was a feeling of release, when modern demons could stop pretending to be human.<br><br>\\r\\n そう、それは…血を嗜み肉を食む、鬼たちの狂宴。<br>\\r\\n Yes, this... was a mad banquet of demons, with the savoring of blood and devouring of flesh.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼たちの血をもっとも色濃く残す旧家の、古手家頭首と園崎家頭首の狂い合い。<br>\\r\\n Attended by the head of the Furude family and the head of the Sonozaki family, the old families whose blood is closest to the madness of the demons.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は廊下を背にし、退路を塞ぐ。<br>\\r\\n I stood in front of the hallway so as to block her escape route.<br><br>\\r\\n 窓には格子が入っているし、勝手口にはチェーンが掛かっている。私に無様に背中を向ければ、その瞬間にスタンガンを食らわせてやれるのだ。<br>\\r\\n The windows had grates and the door had a safety chain on it. If she turned around, I'd hit her with my stun gun.<br><br>\\r\\n 古手梨花の言う退場のための退路は、私を越えて廊下に逃れる他はない…！<br>\\r\\n In this situation, what did Rika Furude mean by 'taking her leave'?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 梨花は構えていた包丁を、スイっと構える。<br>\\r\\n Rika got her knife ready.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私は、腹部を狙って突撃してくるに違いないと読み、半身に構えてスタンガンをバチンと鳴らした…。<br>\\r\\n I expected her to aim at my stomach when she attacked, so I took a stance with my stun gun ready in my hand.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時、梨花は突然背中を向ける。<br>\\r\\n Rika, however, suddenly turned around.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は突然走りこんでくるものと思い、梨花の怪しい挙動を、慎重に見守っていた。<br>\\r\\n I carefully watched to see what her next move would be.<br><br>\\r\\n 梨花は包丁を握ったまま、その柄を壁に押し付けて、包丁の刃を立てた。<br>\\r\\n Rika put the handle of the knife to the wall and held it in place.<br>\\r\\n ……何の真似か理解できない。<br>\\r\\n ...What was she doing?\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「……じゃあね、さよなら拷問狂。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Goodbye, torture maniac.<br>\\r\\n お前なんかに殺されてたまるか。」<br>\\r\\n I won't give you the satisfaction of killing me.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 梨花は頭を大きく後ろに振りかぶると、壁に立てた包丁に刃に、喉を……ッ！！<br>\\r\\n Rika reared her head back and slammed her throat against the knife on the wall...!!\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「…ッ！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"...!!!<br>\\r\\n …………！！！」<br>\\r\\n .........!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 鮮血の飛沫が、パッパ、と辺りに細かく散っていく。<br>\\r\\n Her blood splattered all over.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 梨花は頭を振りかぶっては…首を包丁の刃の切っ先で……。<br>\\r\\n Rika bent backwards repeatedly and let the knife slash at her throat.<br>\\r\\n 何度も、…何度も。<br>\\r\\n Again, and again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 首と胸元は真っ赤に染まる。血ってのはもっとどす黒いものだと思ってた。<br>\\r\\n Her neck and chest were dyed red.<br>\\r\\n でも、その血は黒くなんかない。<br>\\r\\n I'd always thought blood was darker.<br><br>\\r\\n なんて言うか…気味が悪いくらいに鮮やかで……そう、私はきっと混乱しているんだ………とても綺麗に見えた。<br>\\r\\n But her blood wasn't dark. It was so bright... I must have been confused, but... it looked pretty...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 何度も刃を首に打ち込み、<br>\\r\\n After doing this several times\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …そして梨花は私に振り返った。<br>\\r\\n Rika turned around.<br><br>\\r\\n 見開いた目、この世の物と思えない表情。<br>\\r\\n Her eyes were wide open. She didn't look like she was from this world.<br><br>\\r\\n …それは、生きた人間の持つ有機的なものと、死者と人形が持つ無機的なものを同時に兼ね備えた、<br>\\r\\n Her face looked like something both living and dead, both real and artificial.<br>\\r\\n ……例えようもなく恐ろしくて気味が悪くて、<br>\\r\\n ...It was very scary, eerie...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……真っ白な顔だった。<br>\\r\\n and above all else, pale.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも、そのこの世ならざる顔は…私たち鬼にはこれ以上なく相応しい面。<br>\\r\\n Although her face looked unearthly, it was a very appropriate face for a demon.<br><br>\\r\\n 鏡がないから、梨花の顔だけがそう見えるだけで。<br>\\r\\n I didn't have a mirror so I couldn't tell,<br>\\r\\n もし自分の顔も見れたなら、同じ顔をしていたはずだ。<br>\\r\\n but I was sure I looked exactly like her.\\r\\n <br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 梨花は、……包丁を短く持つとガツガツと、自分の喉を激しく何度も突き続けた。<br>\\r\\n Rika continued to violently slash her throat.<br><br>\\r\\n ……ほら、夏祭りでかき氷屋さんが、真四角な氷塊をアイスピックでガツガツとやって、ちょっと砕いたりすることがあるじゃない？<br>\\r\\n It reminded me of someone trying to break a huge piece of ice with an ice pick.<br><br>\\r\\n あんな感じ。<br>\\r\\n That was exactly what Rika looked like.<br><br>\\r\\n 白い氷の粉が飛び散って、とても涼やかでとても綺麗で。<br>\\r\\n The white chips of ice coolly flying through the air.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それに勝るとも劣らない美しさ。<br>\\r\\n What I saw before me was a beautiful sight.<br><br>\\r\\n 梨花が首を突く度に、ものすごくきめ細やかな美しい赤が周りの退屈な白を鮮やかに飾っていく。<br>\\r\\n Every time Rika struck her throat, tiny drops of red blood splattered the boring white world around her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう、それは舞い。<br>\\r\\n It was like a dance.<br><br>\\r\\n ……最後の古手家頭首による奉納の舞い。<br>\\r\\n A dedication dance by the final head of the Furude family.<br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまに捧げる鬼たちの最後の奉納演舞。<br>\\r\\n The demon's last dance of dedication to Oyashiro-sama.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 文字通り鬼気迫るその舞いに、私は吼え猛る。<br>\\r\\n Upon seeing that literally bloodcurdling dance, I let out a fierce roar.<br><br>\\r\\n 意味なんかない、動物的な咆哮。<br>\\r\\n I had no reason to do so. I was howling like an animal.<br><br>\\r\\n それは例えるなら獣同士が血塗れになって噛み殺し合い、<br>\\r\\n We were like animals trying to kill each other, both getting covered in blood,<br>\\r\\n 相手が血の海で痙攣するのを見ながらあげるに違いない咆哮と何も変わりはない。<br>\\r\\n and, inevitably, as one convulsed in a pool of that blood, the other threw back its head and howled.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の全身がびりびりと震え、<br>\\r\\n My body shivered with the joy I felt inside of me.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n この世でもっとも公平で、<br>\\r\\n This was death,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n どんな審判よりも絶対的なジャッジである決着、<br>\\r\\n the most final of judgments,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 「死」を前に、歓喜の感情を爆発させた。<br>\\r\\n and it was right before me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼の、咆哮。<br>\\r\\n The demons howled,<br>\\r\\n 叫び、<br>\\r\\n screamed,<br>\\r\\n 雄叫び。<br>\\r\\n and roared.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それは徐々に薄れ、鬼の声から人間でもある私の声に変わっていく。<br>\\r\\n The roars faded, and my voice started to change from the voice of a demon back to that of a human.<br><br>\\r\\n ……鬼は咆哮だったが、<br>\\r\\n As a demon, I roared,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 人間である私のは、嘲笑。<br>\\r\\n but as a human, I sneered.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 梨花の首から下は足元、足跡に至るまで、…鮮血一色に塗り潰されていた。<br>\\r\\n Rika was covered in blood from her neck down.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 首からはごぷ、<br>\\r\\n Her blood was\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ごぷ…と音を立てながら、<br>\\r\\n pouring out,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 泡と血が入り混じった…どろどろとしたものが溢れ続けている。<br>\\r\\n making a little noise.<br><br>\\r\\n 梨花は、それでもなお私の目を見た。<br>\\r\\n Rika was still staring into my eyes.<br><br>\\r\\n 私も梨花の目を見た。<br>\\r\\n I stared back at her.<br><br>\\r\\n ……もっとも私が見たものは目だったかは怪しい。<br>\\r\\n I wasn't sure they were still eyes, though...<br><br>\\r\\n …もうそれは人の目ではなく、…死んだ人間の、あり得ない眼差し。<br>\\r\\n They were no longer human eyes... but the eyes of the dead.<br><br>\\r\\n 梨花は、<br>\\r\\n Rika,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………いや、…梨花だった死体は、口や鼻から血をべったりと吐き出しながら、<br>\\r\\n no, Rika's corpse vomited blood from her mouth and nose\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……笑ったように見えた。<br>\\r\\n and smiled.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして、包丁を落す。<br>\\r\\n Then, she dropped the knife.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして、…両手を突き出し……手の平を上に向ける。<br>\\r\\n She stuck her hands out and turned her palms upward.<br><br>\\r\\n …蠢く指先は、まるでひっくり返って断末魔にもがく昆虫の足のよう。<br>\\r\\n Her wiggling fingers reminded me of an insect's legs.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんな指が、がっと爪を立てて自らの首に這い寄った。<br>\\r\\n Those fingers reached for her own throat.<br><br><br>\\r\\n それは、生まれて初めて見る奇行。<br>\\r\\n I'd never seen anything like it.<br><br>\\r\\n こんな動きは初めて見た。<br>\\r\\n I'd never seen anybody do this before.<br><br>\\r\\n ………だって、自分で自分の首を、……掻き毟っているなんて…。<br>\\r\\n Because... Rika was scratching her own throat... she was ripping her own throat apart.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それは掻き毟るという言い方は正しくない。<br>\\r\\n Maybe that wasn't a good description.<br><br>\\r\\n …まるで、包丁で作った裂け目から、自分の喉の内側をめくり出そうとしているかのようだった。<br>\\r\\n She was trying to rip out the inside of her throat through the opening she'd made with the knife.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 一番大きな裂け目に、両手の指の爪が何本かかかる。<br>\\r\\n Her fingers found the biggest tear.<br><br>\\r\\n ………梨花は笑ったと思う。<br>\\r\\n Rika smiled.<br><br>\\r\\n …生きている人間に対してなら、笑ったと言ってもいい表情をした。<br>\\r\\n At least that's what I would have called it if she were alive.<br><br>\\r\\n …そして、裂け目を両手で、思い切り、………がぱあ、と。<br>\\r\\n She ripped open the tear in one tug.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 「……ぅぉ…………おおわあああぁあああぁあぁあああッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wha... whaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の絶叫を浴びて、<br>\\r\\n Upon hearing my scream,<br>\\r\\n …ついに梨花の表情は生者と死者の中間ではない、<br>\\r\\n Rika died and fell on her face<br>\\r\\n 本当に死者のそれとなり、……びしゃっと、自らの血溜まりにうつ伏せになって倒れた。<br>\\r\\n into the pool of blood.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それっきりだった。<br>\\r\\n That was it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 再び起き上がって、私に見せ付けるように喉の裂け目をめくり返してなど見せなかった。<br>\\r\\n She didn't get up again to show me her throat.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は死体となった古手梨花から後退り、廊下の壁に背をぶつける…。<br>\\r\\n I stepped back from Rika Furude's body and bumped into the wall in the hallway.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n をおおおおわああおああぁあああぁあぁああぁッ！！<br>\\r\\n Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 再び吠えて…古手家頭首の断末魔の奉納演舞を賞賛する。<br>\\r\\n I roared again in admiration of the ritual dance of dedication of the head of the Furude family.<br><br>\\r\\n 全身を駆け上る歓喜の感情。血液が沸騰しそうなくらいに暴れて、全身の血管が踊りくねって体中がくすぐったい。<br>\\r\\n Joy ran through my body, and my blood rushed through my veins.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「勝った、…勝ったぞ…！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"I won, I won!!!<br>\\r\\n 私は勝った、打ち勝った！！<br>\\r\\n I defeated her!!<br>\\r\\n わおおおああぁあぁあああッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Raaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は殺し合いを制したなんていう、原始的な喜びから、オヤシロさまの祟りの核である御三家の全ての頭首を葬ったことを知る。<br>\\r\\n I then realized I'd disposed of the heads of the Three Families, the core of the curse of Oyashiro-sama.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう、今こそ全ては白日の下に晒された。<br>\\r\\n Everything was finally exposed.<br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りは、その仕掛けも黒幕たちも全てが晒されたのだ。<br>\\r\\n The curse of Oyashiro-sama and its masterminds were all exposed.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんを死の運命に飲み込んだ祟りの具現者たち、御三家の頭首たちは全て私の手に落ちた。<br>\\r\\n I disposed of the leaders of the Three Families, who all killed Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 園崎家頭首はショック死した。<br>\\r\\n The head of the Sonozaki family died of a heart attack.<br><br>\\r\\n 死体は車椅子ごと井戸に投げ捨ててやった。<br>\\r\\n She was at the bottom of the well, along with a wheelchair.<br><br>\\r\\n 公由家頭首は召し捕った。<br>\\r\\n I apprehended the head of the Kimiyoshi family.<br><br>\\r\\n 残りの生涯を死ぬまでずっと背伸びして過すだろう。<br>\\r\\n He'd continue to tiptoe until he died.<br><br>\\r\\n 古手家頭首は自らの毒牙にて返り討ちに遭い、<br>\\r\\n The head of the Furude family died<br>\\r\\n 鬼ヶ淵村御三家頭首の最後の一人にこれ以上なく相応しい死に方を迎えた。<br>\\r\\n in a way that was perfect for the final head of the Three Families of Onigafuchi.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう、私は成した。<br>\\r\\n I did it.<br>\\r\\n 至ったのだ。<br>\\r\\n I accomplished my mission.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんを祟りに取り込んだ連中を、首魁を、黒幕を！<br>\\r\\n I defeated all the masterminds<br>\\r\\n 全て葬った。<br>\\r\\n who killed Satoshi-kun with the curse!<br>\\r\\n 全て、全て！！<br>\\r\\n Every one!!<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんはあんなにも無力だった。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun, you were powerless.<br>\\r\\n 運命に抗う何の力も持たなかった。<br>\\r\\n You didn't have the means to fight back.<br><br>\\r\\n そんなか弱い悟史くんを、呪われた北条家の一員だからと烙印し、<br>\\r\\n Those evil people simply sneered while they let you die<br>\\r\\n 死の渦に放り込んだ奴ら、そしてその渦に飲み込まれていくのを嘲笑っていた奴ら！！<br>\\r\\n after marking you as a member of the cursed Houjou family.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 許せない許せない許せない…！！！<br>\\r\\n I will never, ever forgive them!!!<br><br>\\r\\n 北条家だから祟り殺されても当然、死んでも当然、当り前。<br>\\r\\n They believed you deserved to die because you were one of the Houjous.<br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りという名の下に、いつどんな殺され方をしようと構わない！！<br>\\r\\n As long as it was done by the curse of Oyashiro-sama, they didn't care how you were killed!!<br><br>\\r\\n そんな世界を構築した奴らの全てを許さないッ！！！<br>\\r\\n I will never forgive those people for creating this world!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n どうやれば悟史くんを救えたんだろう？<br>\\r\\n What could I have done to save you, Satoshi-kun?<br><br>\\r\\n 私には救えなかった。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't save you.<br><br>\\r\\n 園崎詩音にはあれ以上の助けは差し伸べられなかった…！！<br>\\r\\n Shion Sonozaki couldn't do anything else at the time!!<br><br>\\r\\n 私が詩音でなくて魅音だったなら！！<br>\\r\\n If I was Mion, not Shion!!<br><br>\\r\\n 私がちゃんと今日でも魅音であったなら！！！<br>\\r\\n If I was Mion that day!!!<br><br>\\r\\n 私なら救えた、私が魅音なら悟史くんを救ってあげられた！！<br>\\r\\n I could have saved you. Mion could have saved you!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そうだ、あいつが！！<br>\\r\\n That's right, I remember now!!<br>\\r\\n 詩音がッ！！<br>\\r\\n Shion!!<br>\\r\\n 鯛のお刺身を食べてみたいってわがままを言い出したのが悪いんだ！！<br>\\r\\n She said she wanted to eat red snapper sashimi that day!!<br>\\r\\n 私が食べさせてもらえることになっていた！！<br>\\r\\n I was supposed to eat that!!<br>\\r\\n でも詩音があんまりにもずるいずるいと泣いて喚くから…、<br>\\r\\n But Shion pouted and cried...<br>\\r\\n 私がちょっとした姉気分で、姉気分で、妹のわがままに応えてあげようと思って！！！<br>\\r\\n That was why I let her switch, just for that night!!!<br>\\r\\n 一夜だけ替わってあげたはずなのにッ！！！<br>\\r\\n I did it to make her happy, like a big sister would!!!<br>\\r\\n いっつも魅音ばかりいい目を見てて…詩音が可哀想だからって思って！<br>\\r\\n Shion was never treated well, so I felt bad!<br>\\r\\n それだけのことだったのに！！！<br>\\r\\n That was it!!!<br>\\r\\n 私がいい姉だったから、妹のわがままを聞いてあげただけなのにッ！！<br>\\r\\n I was being a good sister, that was it!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 夜が明けた時。<br>\\r\\n When morning came...<br><br>\\r\\n 世界が真っ逆さまになり、そしてそのまま今日まで、ひっくり返ったままになった。<br>\\r\\n The world had been turned upside down, and it had remained so until today.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もう私たちは同じ双子じゃない。<br>\\r\\n We weren't twins anymore.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼が入った方が魅音で、入っていない方が詩音。<br>\\r\\n The one with the demon was Mion and the one without the demon was Shion.<br>\\r\\n 何それ……？！<br>\\r\\n What was that supposed to mean?<br><br>\\r\\n 待ってよ待ってよ…お母さん聞いてお母さん聞いて！！<br>\\r\\n Wait, wait, Mom, listen!!<br>\\r\\n 私が魅音なの、私が魅音なのッ！！！ <br>\\r\\n I'm Mion, not her!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n お母さんは私たちが見分けられるよね？！<br>\\r\\n You can tell us apart, right, Mom?<br>\\r\\n ならほら、私が魅音だって分かるでしょ？！<br>\\r\\n Look, can't you tell I'm Mion?<br>\\r\\n だからみんなに私が魅音だって言って…！！<br>\\r\\n Come on, everyone, tell me I'm Mion!!<br>\\r\\n 私が魅音なの、私が魅音なの！！<br>\\r\\n I'm Mion!!<br>\\r\\n 私を詩音と呼ばないで！！<br>\\r\\n Don't call me Shion!!<br>\\r\\n 私が魅音なの、私が魅音なのおおぉおぉ！！！<br>\\r\\n I'm Mion, I am!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「その時、私ははっきり悟ったよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Then I realized.<br>\\r\\n …あんたは知っていたんだ。<br>\\r\\n You knew, didn't you?<br>\\r\\n あの夜、親類たちが集まって何をするのか、ただの宴会じゃないって知っていたんだ。」<br>\\r\\n That the relatives weren't gathering for a simple party that night. You knew!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「し、知らない知らない！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"No, I didn't!!<br>\\r\\n 本当に知らなかったの！！」<br>\\r\\n I really didn't know!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁッ？！ んなわけないでしょ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh? How can you say that?<br>\\r\\n あんた、あの日だけ嫌にしつこく絡んできたじゃない！！！<br>\\r\\n You were so persistent that day!!!<br>\\r\\n 鯛の刺身なんて食べたことない、食べてみたい、いつも魅音ばかりずるい、私にもって！！<br>\\r\\n You said you'd never eaten red snapper before, so you really wanted to try it!!<br>\\r\\n 普段なら大人しく納得するくせにあの日だけ執拗に！！！」<br>\\r\\n You never gave up asking me!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「知らないの、本当に知らなかったの！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"I really didn't know!!<br>\\r\\n あんな恐ろしいことになるなんて…思ってたら絶対に言わなかった…！！」<br>\\r\\n I didn't know... If I had known, I wouldn't have said that!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「はッどうだかぁ？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, sure!!<br><br>\\r\\n あんたはいつも妬んでたじゃない、魅音ばかりいい目にあってずるいって！！<br>\\r\\n You were always jealous of me!!<br><br>\\r\\n だから私が気を利かせてたまに入れ替わってあげてたんじゃない！！<br>\\r\\n That was why I switched with you every once in a while!!<br><br>\\r\\n あんたはそれに満足していなかった、より一層妬んでいったんだ。<br>\\r\\n But you weren't satisfied with just that. You became even more jealous.<br><br>\\r\\n そしてあの夜の意味を自分だけ知り、私から奪ったんだ、<br>\\r\\n And that night, you knew what was going on, and took Mion from me.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音を奪ったんだ！！！<br>\\r\\n You took Mion from me!!!<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音を返せッ！！<br>\\r\\n Give Mion back!!<br><br>\\r\\n 私が魅音なんだ、<br>\\r\\n I'm the one who's Mion.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が園崎魅音！！<br>\\r\\n I am <NAME>!!<br><br>\\r\\n お前は詩音なんだよ詩音！！<br>\\r\\n You were Shion this whole time!!<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音を騙るな偽者がああぁ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Don't call yourself Mion, you impostor!!!\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n 吠え猛りながら、岩牢の鉄格子を何度も何度も蹴る！！<br>\\r\\n I kicked the bars of the cell repeatedly while I roared!!<br><br>\\r\\n その度に鉄格子が立てる暴力的な金属音さえも、私の咆哮に比べたら子犬が怯えて鳴いているようなもの。<br>\\r\\n Compared to my roar, the metallic noise of the bars sounded like the cry of a little puppy.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そうだ私は本当に下らないことに囚われていた。<br>\\r\\n I had been convinced by something so stupid.<br><br>\\r\\n 私に鬼が入っていないから詩音なんじゃない、そんなのは他人が姉妹を見分けるたけにつけた記号でしかないんだ。<br>\\r\\n The tattoo of the demon was just a way of telling us apart.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼なんかなくたって、私は魅音だ、私は魅音でいいんだ、私は園崎魅音なんだ…ッ！！！<br>\\r\\n Even without that tattoo, I am Mion. That's right, I am <NAME>!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は髪をがばっとまとめると、ポケットから、魅音の髪形の時に使う黄色いゴムバンドで髪を纏め上げる。<br>\\r\\n I gathered my hair and put it in a ponytail with the yellow band that Mion used all the time.<br><br>\\r\\n うなじに髪がかかる感触がなくなり、<br>\\r\\n Since I didn't feel my hair on my neck,<br>\\r\\n …うなじだけでなく、頭の中の思考さえもすっきりした気がした。<br>\\r\\n I felt like I could think more clearly now.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鉄格子を挟んで、…二人の魅音が顔を合わせる。<br>\\r\\n Two Mions looked at each other through the iron bars.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それは私たち姉妹のルールでは、絶対にあってはいけないことだった。<br>\\r\\n According to our sibling rules, that was never to happen.<br><br>\\r\\n そう、魅音と詩音はひとりずつ！<br>\\r\\n Yes, there was only one Mion and one Shion!<br><br>\\r\\n 二人が同時に存在しているなんてこと、絶対にあってはならない！<br>\\r\\n There could never be two of either at the same time!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「髪を解け詩音ッ！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion, let your hair down!!<br>\\r\\n 魅音は私だ、魅音はここにいる！<br>\\r\\n I am Mion, and Mion is here!<br>\\r\\n お前が魅音じゃない！！<br>\\r\\n You were never Mion!!<br>\\r\\n だから騙るな二度と私を騙るな、聞いているのか詩音ッ！！<br>\\r\\n So don't pretend to be me ever again, do you hear?<br>\\r\\n 聞こえているのか、聞こえているなら返事をしろ、私に返事を届かせろ、詩音んんんんんんんんッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n I said, do you hear? If you do, answer me! ANSWER ME, Shion!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その日。<br>\\r\\n I took myself back on this day.<br>\\r\\n 私は本当の自分を取り戻し、詩音は自分が詩音であったことを認めた。<br>\\r\\n Shion admitted she was Shion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「はあぁあぁぁぁ…魅音であることがこんなにも素晴らしいなんて！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Haaahhh... how wonderful it is to be Mion!<br>\\r\\n すごいよ体全体が言うことを聞く、<br>\\r\\n I feel great.<br>\\r\\n 頭の回転が優れた気がする、<br>\\r\\n I can think clearly now,<br>\\r\\n そうだよ魅音は万能なんだ、<br>\\r\\n because after all, Mion is capable of anything,<br>\\r\\n 味噌っかすの詩音とは違う。<br>\\r\\n unlike you, Shion.<br>\\r\\n 落ちこぼれのくせに下手な魅音のふりなんかしやがって、それが私にとってどれだけむず痒かったことかッ！<br>\\r\\n How dare you pretend to be Mion!<br>\\r\\n わかるでしょあんたになら！！<br>\\r\\n Do you have any idea?!<br>\\r\\n 詩音？！」<br>\\r\\n Huh, Shion?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………はい、…お姉…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Yes, Sis...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 詩音が、私を姉と認める言葉を口にする。<br>\\r\\n Shion called me \\\"Sis\\\".<br><br>\\r\\n そう、私は魅音だ！！！<br>\\r\\n And so, I was Mion!!!<br>\\r\\n をあああぁああぁああおああ！！！<br>\\r\\n Ahhhhhhhhh!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 体の奥底の、本当の園崎魅音の底に眠る鬼が、ようやく目を覚ますことを許される。<br>\\r\\n The demon who had been asleep deep inside of me was finally allowed to wake up.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼は解放の歓喜に喜び震え、全身をびりびりと震わせながら咆哮した。<br>\\r\\n The demon roared, and my whole body shivered to express its joy.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音、あんたには罪がある。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion, you committed a great sin.<br>\\r\\n あんたは今まで魅音だった。<br>\\r\\n You were Mion until now.<br>\\r\\n 園崎家の鬼を継ぐ魅音という強い立場がありながら、悟史くんを救わなかった救おうとしなかった！<br>\\r\\n You were in a powerful position as Mion of the Sonozaki family, yet you didn't even try to rescue Satoshi-kun!<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんを救うための百億の瞬間があったはずなのに、あんたはその全てを見殺しにすることを選んだんだ。<br>\\r\\n You had millions of chances to save him, but you chose not to do anything.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は許さない、お前を許さない、お前が私だったら悟史くんを救えていたのに！！<br>\\r\\n I won't forgive you, I'll never forgive you. I could have saved Satoshi-kun!!<br>\\r\\n お前が私を奪い悟史くんを殺したことを、私は絶対に許さない！！！」<br>\\r\\n You took him from me and you killed him. I'll never forgive you for that!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私の目から噴き出す憎悪の炎に、詩音は怯え、鉄格子の向こうでガタガタと震えていた…。<br>\\r\\n Shion was shaking on the other side of the bars.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私はお前を殺すだろう、絶対に殺す、悟史くんの無念に見合う殺し方をしてやる！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"I will kill you. I'll kill you in the best possible way!!!<br>\\r\\n お前を一番残酷に殺す方法が何なのか、今日から毎日考えて過してやる！！<br>\\r\\n Starting today, I'm going to think of the best, most gruesome way to kill you!!<br>\\r\\n 詩音は私がそれを思いつくまでのわずかな日々を、<br>\\r\\n Shion, you better spend every minute\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n いつ殺されるのか、<br>\\r\\n fearing\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n どう殺されるのかに怯えながら過すがいい！！！<br>\\r\\n what's coming to you!!!<br>\\r\\n 簡単には殺さない、惨たらしく殺す！！！<br>\\r\\n I won't just kill youi. I'll make sure your death is long and miserable!!!<br>\\r\\n 殺した後は悟史くんと同じ井戸に放り投げてやる。<br>\\r\\n And after you're dead, I'll throw you into the well.<br>\\r\\n そして悟史くんにあの世で謝って来い！！！<br>\\r\\n You better apologize to Satoshi-kun when you get there!!!<br>\\r\\n それが私を騙り続けてきたことへの報いだ！！<br>\\r\\n This is what you get for pretending to be me!!<br>\\r\\n 報い報い！！<br>\\r\\n Do you hear me?<br>\\r\\n お前の罪！！<br>\\r\\n That's your sin!!<br>\\r\\n ああああああぁああぁああぁああッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 台所を、せめて使える程度には片付けないといけないと思い、<br>\\r\\n I needed to at least clean up the kitchen.<br><br>\\r\\n 血を吸い取るために古新聞を台所の床いっぱいに敷き詰めている時、電話が鳴った。<br>\\r\\n While I was putting old newspapers on the floor to absorb the blood, the phone rang.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …出るのがちょっと億劫だったが、不在だと思われると面倒かもしれない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't want to answer, but maybe I should.<br><br>\\r\\n 出てちゃんと応対した方がいい。<br>\\r\\n I should answer it and talk to whoever it was.<br><br>\\r\\n 「はい、園崎です。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hello, this is the Sonozaki residence.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「いつもお世話になってるでございます、北条と申しますですわ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Thank you for answering. This is Houjou calling.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 北条の姓を名乗る電話に、一瞬驚いたが、<br>\\r\\n I was surprised to hear the Houjou name,<br>\\r\\n …すぐに憎たらしい沙都子からの電話だと気付くのだった。<br>\\r\\n but I realized right away that it was Satoko.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「んー？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh...<br>\\r\\n 沙都子？<br>\\r\\n What's the matter,<br>\\r\\n どうしたの。」<br>\\r\\n Satoko?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「夜分遅くに申し訳ありませんわねぇ…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sorry to call so late...<br>\\r\\n ウチの梨花がお邪魔してませんこと？」<br>\\r\\n Is Rika not there with you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n そうだ。<br>\\r\\n Ah, yes.<br>\\r\\n 北条沙都子はひとりになって以来、古手梨花と生活を共にしている。<br>\\r\\n Ever since Satoko Houjou was abandoned, she had been living with Rika Furude.<br><br>\\r\\n 梨花が帰ってこないのを不審に思ってもおかしくない。<br>\\r\\n Of course she'd get suspicious that Rika hadn't returned yet.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁ、来てるよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, yeah, she's here.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あら、まだお邪魔してますの？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, she's still there?<br>\\r\\n もうお夕飯の時間ですのに！」<br>\\r\\n It's long past dinner time!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …………………………………………。<br>\\r\\n ..................\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………ねぇ沙都子。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Hey, Satoko.<br>\\r\\n 実はね。<br>\\r\\n I......<br>\\r\\n ……………………今日さ、ちょいとおかずを作り過ぎちゃってね。<br>\\r\\n I made too much dinner tonight<br>\\r\\n 梨花ちゃんにも夕食を振舞ってるんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n so I told Rika-chan to eat here with me...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「えぇ？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Eh?<br>\\r\\n そ、そうなんでございますの？！<br>\\r\\n I-Is that so?<br>\\r\\n ……うー。」<br>\\r\\n Ooh...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「沙都子も来なよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Why don't you come over too?<br>\\r\\n 沙都子の分もあるからさ。<br>\\r\\n I have plenty of food left.<br>\\r\\n 梨花ちゃんはもう食べてるよ。」<br>\\r\\n Rika-chan has already started eating.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「も、もう梨花ったらぁ！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, Rika!<br>\\r\\n わ、わかりましたわ、ちょっと片付けをしてから参りますわね。<br>\\r\\n A-Alright, I'll clean up a little and then head out.<br>\\r\\n ではごめんあそばせ。」<br>\\r\\n See you shortly.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay.<br>\\r\\n …待ってるからね。<br>\\r\\n I'll be here.<br>\\r\\n じゃ。」<br>\\r\\n See ya.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n チン。<br>\\r\\n Click.<br><br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 「圭一！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Keiichi!<br>\\r\\n さっきから呼んでるぞ！<br>\\r\\n I've been calling your name for a while!<br>\\r\\n 電話だ。<br>\\r\\n You have a phone call.<br>\\r\\n ……園崎さんから。」<br>\\r\\n ...It's from Sonozaki-san.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そ、園崎さんって……どっち？<br>\\r\\n \\\"S-Sonozaki-san...... which one?<br>\\r\\n 姉？<br>\\r\\n The older sister, or<br>\\r\\n 妹…？」<br>\\r\\n the younger one...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…そんなのは知らん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I don't know.<br>\\r\\n 自分で出て聞きなさい。」<br>\\r\\n Ask her yourself.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………も、<br>\\r\\n \\\"H-\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……もしもし。<br>\\r\\n Hello...?<br>\\r\\n ……魅音か？<br>\\r\\n ......Mion?<br>\\r\\n …詩音か？」<br>\\r\\n ...Or is it Shion?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's me.<br>\\r\\n …詩音です。<br>\\r\\n ...Shion.<br>\\r\\n こんばんは。」<br>\\r\\n Good evening.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion!<br>\\r\\n ……その、<br>\\r\\n Umm...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……昨夜は……すまなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...Sorry about... last night.<br>\\r\\n …つい興奮して……。」<br>\\r\\n ...I got all riled up...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 昨日、圭一の愚痴の途中で電話を断ち切ったのが、いい影響を及ぼしているようだった。<br>\\r\\n He must have been worried about how I hung up the phone so suddenly last night.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私たちは運命共同体なんです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"We're tied to the same fate.<br>\\r\\n 互いの無事の確認が、自分たちの安全の唯一の保証なんです。」<br>\\r\\n Making sure the other is alright is the only way to guarantee our own safety.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…あぁ、…それについては同感だ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Yeah... I agree.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……だから、私たちは互いの知っている情報を共有する必要があります。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...We absolutely need to share whatever information we have.<br>\\r\\n ……鷹野さんたちみたいな死に方をしないために。」<br>\\r\\n ...So that we don't die, like Takano-san and Tomitake-san did.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …ごくり。<br>\\r\\n Gulp...<br>\\r\\n 受話器の向こうで圭一が唾を飲む音が聞こえた気がした。<br>\\r\\n I heard Keiichi swallow loudly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「では……昨日の続きを話します。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Then... let's continue from where we left off.<br>\\r\\n ……もう怒らないで聞いてくれますよね？」<br>\\r\\n ...You'll listen without getting angry this time, right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……あぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Yeah.<br>\\r\\n …大丈夫だ。」<br>\\r\\n ...I'll be fine.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 今日の圭一は大人しく私の話に耳を傾けてくれた。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi agreed to be quiet and listen.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は昨日の電話と同様に、圭一に、いかに危機的な状況であるかを説明した。<br>\\r\\n I explained the dangerous situation Keiichi was in once again.<br><br>\\r\\n 悪意ある村の何者かが、鷹野さんたちを襲ったように、自分たちにも襲い掛かるかもしれない、と。<br>\\r\\n Just like how some evil people in the village attacked Takano-san and Tomitake-san, they might attack us any day.<br><br>\\r\\n 皮肉なのは、注意を喚起している私自身が、村の祟りのシステムに彼を目標として認識させた点なのだが。<br>\\r\\n It was ironic, of course, that while I was warning him, I was also the one who made sure the curse would fall upon him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……互いに、何か気になることがあったら報告し合いましょう。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Let's report anything we noticed that seemed strange.<br>\\r\\n …互いの持つ小さな断片を合わせていけば、…ひょっとすると、鷹野さんたちを殺した、<br>\\r\\n ...If we connect all the tiny pieces that we have...<br>\\r\\n …いえ、今年の事件に限らない。<br>\\r\\n then just maybe we'll find out who killed them...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 過去の連続事件を解決するカギが見つかるかもしれません。」<br>\\r\\n or maybe even the truth behind the incidents of the past few years.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……ん、……そうだな。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mm... you're right.<br>\\r\\n …確かにそうだ。」<br>\\r\\n ...You're right about that.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……では、まずは言い出した私から行きます。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Then I'll start, since I suggested it.<br>\\r\\n …最近、誰かに監視されているような気がします。」<br>\\r\\n ...I feel like somebody has been watching me lately.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「えぇ…ッ？！？！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"What...?!?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n これははったりだった。<br>\\r\\n I was making this up.<br>\\r\\n こう言うことで、圭一により一層の緊迫感を与えたかっただけだ。<br>\\r\\n I just wanted him to realize how urgent the situation was.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……と言っても、気のせいかもしれません。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......It might be my imagination, but...<br>\\r\\n …でも一応、報告します。<br>\\r\\n I'll tell you anyway.<br>\\r\\n ……今は気のせいだと思っていますけど、…もしも圭ちゃんも同じように、誰かに監視されているように感じるなら……。<br>\\r\\n ...I think it's just me, but... if you feel like you're being watched too, Kei-chan, then...<br>\\r\\n ……これは気のせいじゃないのかもしれませんから…。」<br>\\r\\n ...Maybe it's not just in my head...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そ、…そういうことなら安心しろ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"W-Well... Don't worry.<br>\\r\\n ……少なくとも…俺の方は大丈夫だ。」<br>\\r\\n ...At the very least... Everything's fine with me.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 少なくとも今日一日については、圭一は身辺に何も不審なことは起こらなかった、ということか。<br>\\r\\n It seemed like nothing had happened to Keiichi today, at least.<br><br>\\r\\n 御三家の頭首が消えた今、祟りのシステムはもう崩壊している可能性もある。<br>\\r\\n Now that the heads of all the Three Families were gone, it was possible the curse system had been destroyed entirely.<br><br>\\r\\n …そうだとしたら、圭一が誰にも襲われないのはありえることだ。<br>\\r\\n If that was the case, then Keiichi might not be attacked after all.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、圭一を狙う何者かがいるなら、まだシステムの一部が生き残っていることになる。<br>\\r\\n But if there was someone who did want to attack him, that meant part of the system was still alive.<br><br>\\r\\n それは、私が仇討ちを達成できていないことを示す。<br>\\r\\n In other words, my mission wouldn't be accomplished just yet.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう、圭一はリトマス試験紙みたいなものなのだ。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi is like a litmus test in this situation.<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一という餌に敵が食いつくか否かで、私は敵を一掃できたかどうかを知ることができる。<br>\\r\\n I'd know whether or not all my enemies were gone depending on if Keiichi got bitten.<br><br>\\r\\n ……つくづく使い勝手のいい便利な男だと思った。<br>\\r\\n He sure is a very useful man.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その後は、圭一の話に合わせる形で、話を進めた。<br>\\r\\n After that, I went along with what Keiichi said.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音の存在を怖がらせ、園崎家を含む御三家への恐怖心を煽った。<br>\\r\\n I made sure he was fearful of Mion, as well as all of the Three Families.<br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢という土地が村ぐるみで陰謀に関わる可能性を説明し、オヤシロさまの祟りというシステムの要素のいくつかを説明した。<br>\\r\\n I explained to him the possibility that the whole village was involved, and that the curse of Oyashiro-sama might be some sort of system.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それから、詩音は公由の失踪のことを、よくは知っていないはずという設定を思い出し、それを口にしてみた。<br>\\r\\n Then I remembered Shion wouldn't know too much about the disappearance of the mayor, so I continued.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私もついさっき聞いたんですが………、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I just heard this myself...<br>\\r\\n 公由のお爺ちゃんが行方不明になったって…本当ですか？」<br>\\r\\n Is it true... that Uncle Kimiyoshi went missing?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「村長さんのことか…？<br>\\r\\n \\\"You mean the mayor...?<br>\\r\\n …何だ、詩音、<br>\\r\\n Wait, Shion...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …聞いてないのか？」<br>\\r\\n you haven't heard?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「何も知らないです！<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't know anything!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……お父さんが電話でそう話してるのを、また盗み聞いただけですから。」<br>\\r\\n ...I just overheard my father talking about it on the phone again.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…あぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Yeah.<br>\\r\\n 実はな、…昨夜、会合のあと、家に帰ってこないとかで雛見沢中で大騒ぎになったんだ。<br>\\r\\n Actually... last night, after the meeting, he didn't come home, so the whole village was in a panic.<br>\\r\\n 村中で捜したみたいだけど、まだ見つかったって話は聞かないな…。<br>\\r\\n They searched all over Hinamizawa, but if they've found him, then I haven't heard...<br>\\r\\n 警察も捜してるはずなんだけど………。」<br>\\r\\n The police should be searching for him as well...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「な、なんでそんな大事な話を先にしてくれなかったんですかッ！！！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wh-Why didn't you tell me something that important right away???!!\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n 「わ、悪ぃ…、<br>\\r\\n \\\"S-Sorry...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …もう知ってると思ってたんだよ…。<br>\\r\\n I thought you already knew...<br>\\r\\n 隠す気なんかなかった…！」<br>\\r\\n I didn't want to hide it or anything...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………………圭ちゃん、<br>\\r\\n \\\"............Kei-chan...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……私、<br>\\r\\n ...What...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……………どうしよう……。」<br>\\r\\n ......What should I do...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…どうした。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...What's wrong?<br>\\r\\n ……話せよ。<br>\\r\\n ...Tell me.<br>\\r\\n 俺たちの間で隠し事はなしだろ…？」<br>\\r\\n We're not keeping secrets from each other, right...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ごめん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I'm sorry.<br>\\r\\n …あの、……隠すつもりはなかったんです。<br>\\r\\n ...I... well, I didn't mean to hide it.<br>\\r\\n …ちょっとその、言うのが前後したって言うか、………。」<br>\\r\\n ...It was just that, well, the conversation got turned around and...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…俺たちは仲間だろ？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"...We're on the same side, right?!<br>\\r\\n 怒ったりしないから正直に話せよ…。」<br>\\r\\n I won't get mad, so just tell me...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私、<br>\\r\\n \\\"I...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………<br>\\r\\n ......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 公由のお爺ちゃんに<br>\\r\\n Uncle Kimiyoshi, I...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……打ち明けたんです。」<br>\\r\\n ...I told him everything.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……公由の爺さんってのは、…詩音にとって、相談できる心安い人なんだろ…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Old man Kimiyoshi... He's someone you feel comfortable confiding in, Shion...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………はい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Yes.<br>\\r\\n ……私のこと、………小さい頃から本当に可愛がってくれて…。<br>\\r\\n ...He would... When I was little, he was really nice to me...<br>\\r\\n ……私、いっつも意地悪なことをしてたのに……いつもにこにこと笑って…。<br>\\r\\n ...All I did was play tricks on him... but he would always just smile...<br>\\r\\n ……私の言うことは何でも聞いてくれて……。<br>\\r\\n ...He listened to anything I had to say...<br>\\r\\n ……本当にやさしい人だったのに………。」<br>\\r\\n ...He was such a kind person...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…お、落ち着けよ詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...C-Calm down, Shion.<br>\\r\\n …別に死んでしまったわけじゃないだろ？<br>\\r\\n ...It's not like he's dead, right?<br>\\r\\n そんな簡単に諦めるなよ…。」<br>\\r\\n Don't lose heart so easily...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は落ち込んだ風な声の私を勇気付けようと、言葉をかけてくれているのがわかった。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi tried to make me feel better.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、圭一の言葉には何の裏付けもない。<br>\\r\\n But he had no idea what was actually going on.<br><br>\\r\\n それがわかっていると、こんなにも滑稽なものなのか。<br>\\r\\n It really made me laugh.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……村長さんに、<br>\\r\\n \\\"......That night...<br>\\r\\n ……私、あの晩、<br>\\r\\n ...I told the mayor...<br>\\r\\n 祭具殿に忍び込んだこと……打ち明けたんです。<br>\\r\\n that we snuck into the ritual storehouse.<br>\\r\\n …誰かにそれを見られてて、……私たちを狙っている人がいるって。」<br>\\r\\n ...Also that someone saw us... and was out to get us.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…村長さんは、鷹野さんたちがまともじゃない死に方をしたのを知ってるのか…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Does the mayor know how absurdly Takano-san and Tomitake-san died...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………はい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Yes.<br>\\r\\n …知っていました。<br>\\r\\n ...He knew about it.<br>\\r\\n ……あの２人がオヤシロさまの祟りで死んだから、…私はその怒りを鎮める生贄にされるんじゃないか、って。<br>\\r\\n ...I told him that they died by Oyashiro-sama's curse... and that I could be made a sacrifice to calm his anger.<br>\\r\\n …本当に率直に言いました。」<br>\\r\\n ...I just said it straight out.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………あぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Right.<br>\\r\\n …それで？」<br>\\r\\n ...What then?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……公由のお爺ちゃん、…怒らなかった。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Uncle Kimiyoshi... didn't get angry.<br>\\r\\n ……そして、にっこり笑って、詩音ちゃんがちゃんと反省してるなら、鬼隠しになんかなるものか、…って。<br>\\r\\n ...He smiled, then told me that if I was remorseful about it, there was no way I'd be demoned away...<br>\\r\\n …本当に<br>\\r\\n ...He was really...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……笑いながら……任せなさい…って………。<br>\\r\\n ...smiling... ...and he told me to leave it to... him...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……ぅぅ…ッ！！」<br>\\r\\n ...ngh...!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 自分で口にしていて、少し悲しくなった。<br>\\r\\n I actually got a little sad while saying that.<br><br>\\r\\n あんなにも頼もしいと思っていた公由のおじいちゃん。<br>\\r\\n Uncle Kimiyoshi had been so reliable.<br><br>\\r\\n …そのおじいちゃんが、詩音を庇うと言ってくれた時、心の底から嬉しかった。<br>\\r\\n I was happy when he said that he would protect Shion.<br>\\r\\n …嬉しかった…。<br>\\r\\n I truly was happy.<br><br>\\r\\n ……あの後に、……悟史くんを穢すようなことさえ言わなかったなら…！！<br>\\r\\n If only he hadn't said anything to insult Satoshi-kun...!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………私のせいです。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........It's my fault.<br>\\r\\n …私が、…打ち明けてしまったから……。」<br>\\r\\n ...Because I... I confessed everything...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…よせよ詩音…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Stop it, Shion...<br>\\r\\n …詩音のせいじゃないよ。」<br>\\r\\n ...It's not your fault.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「いいえッ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"No!<br>\\r\\n 私のせいなんです！！<br>\\r\\n It is my fault!<br>\\r\\n 私が…打ち明けてしまったから…！<br>\\r\\n I... I told him our secret...!<br>\\r\\n 公由のお爺ちゃんが…知ってしまったから…！<br>\\r\\n Uncle Kimiyoshi found out about everything...!<br>\\r\\n だから……殺されてしまったに違いないんです！！<br>\\r\\n So... he had to have been killed!!<br>\\r\\n だって、…打ち明けてすぐなんですよ？！<br>\\r\\n ...It was right after I confessed to him, after all!!<br>\\r\\n 打ち明けて、…大丈夫って言ってくれたその晩に消えてしまった！！！」<br>\\r\\n He disappeared the same night... and he told me everything was going to be all right!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それは不思議な感覚だった。<br>\\r\\n It was such a strange feeling.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は混乱などしていない。<br>\\r\\n I wasn't upset at all.<br><br>\\r\\n だけれども、混乱を装い、公由の無事を祈るような言葉を口にする内に、そんな感情が同時に芽生えてくるのだ。<br>\\r\\n But as I pretended to be upset and mutter words of prayer for Kimiyoshi's safety, I started to feel that emotion growing inside me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一を騙すために、激情を装っているだけなのに、<br>\\r\\n I was only pretending to be distressed to fool Keiichi,<br>\\r\\n その装いの感情が逆に溢れ返してきて、…むしろその感情に飲み込まれてしまうような感覚。<br>\\r\\n yet the emotion I feigned began welling up inside me... ...It felt like I was being consumed by that emotion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だから、自分の口から出る言葉は…私が意図して言っている言葉じゃない。<br>\\r\\n So the words coming from my mouth... weren't words I intentionally said.<br><br>\\r\\n …私を飲み込んでしまった感情が言わせている言葉。<br>\\r\\n ...They were words that consuming emotion forced me to say.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は何も口にしていないのに、私じゃない誰かが勝手に喋ってしまっている感じ。<br>\\r\\n It was like someone else inside of me was doing the talking instead...<br><br>\\r\\n ………私はそれを、少し離れた暗闇の中から、ただ見守っているだけだった…。<br>\\r\\n And I was just watching that someone talk from a short distance away...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「話すんじゃなかったッ！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"I should never have told him!!!<br><br>\\r\\n これは全部、…私たち４人の咎だったはず！！<br>\\r\\n All of this... should have only been our fault! Only the four of us!!<br>\\r\\n 他人に話してはいけないことだったんです！！<br>\\r\\n It wasn't something I should have told someone else!!<br>\\r\\n 話したから殺されてしまった！<br>\\r\\n He got killed because I told him!<br>\\r\\n 知ったから殺されてしまった！<br>\\r\\n He got killed because he knew!<br><br>\\r\\n 打ち明けたから<br>\\r\\n He got killed...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……<br>\\r\\n ...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 殺されてしまったッ！<br>\\r\\n because I confessed to him!!!!<br><br>\\r\\n 」<br>\\r\\n \\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「おい待てよ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, stop!!<br>\\r\\n そんなヤツなら、…打ち明けた村長を殺す前に、お前からさきに殺すに決まってるじゃないか！<br>\\r\\n If they were doing that... then they would obviously have killed you before killing the mayor!<br>\\r\\n 順番が違うよ！！<br>\\r\\n It doesn't make sense!<br>\\r\\n 殺されるなら俺か詩音が先！！<br>\\r\\n You or I should have been killed first!!<br>\\r\\n 他のヤツらが先に死んだりするものか！！！」<br>\\r\\n Why would other people die before us?!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「順番はあります！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"It does make sense!<br>\\r\\n 私たちを、一番最後に殺すつもりに違いないんです！！」<br>\\r\\n They must be planning to kill us last of all!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…は…？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hah...?<br>\\r\\n な、…なんだって？！」<br>\\r\\n Wha... What!?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…ひと思いに殺さないで…、親しい人たちから順々に殺していって…、散々悲しい思いをさせた後に殺す、……そういう狙いに違いないんです！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...'They' start by killing those we're close to... and after they've caused us so much pain, then they'll kill us... That must be what they're doing!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ……………自分で口にして、はっとするような、恐ろしいこと。<br>\\r\\n What I just said scared even me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 親しい人から順々に殺していって、悲しい思いをさせた後に殺す。<br>\\r\\n Killing our loved ones first to harm us emotionally, and only then kill us at the height of our suffering.<br><br>\\r\\n ……うをおおをぉおぉおおぉ…、<br>\\r\\n Whoaaaaaa,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ぞくぞくする感覚が背中を登る。<br>\\r\\n I felt something crawling up my spine.<br><br>\\r\\n ……すごいすごい、すげえよそれ…。<br>\\r\\n That's awesome! It's an awesome idea!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n やっぱり私はもう人間じゃないんだ鬼なんだ。<br>\\r\\n I must not be human anymore. I really am a demon.<br><br>\\r\\n そんな残酷なこと、人間の身には思いつかないって…！！<br>\\r\\n A human could never think of such cruel things!!<br><br>\\r\\n これはすごいよ、この世の地獄だよ…、<br>\\r\\n That would be one incredible Hell...<br>\\r\\n だって目の前で親しい人たちが次々と、それぞれが筆舌に尽くしがたい拷問で虐め殺されて。<br>\\r\\n Your close friends dying one at a time after being tortured.<br>\\r\\n その挙句の果てに殺されちゃうんだよ…？<br>\\r\\n And after all that, you yourself get killed...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 一個しかない命を虐め尽くすのに、これほどの方法があったなんて…！<br>\\r\\n What a great way to destroy someone's life...!<br><br>\\r\\n しかもさ、この方法が何でゾクゾクするかってぇと、<br>\\r\\n Why was I getting so excited about this?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …私ニハ、スグニ実行可能ナンダヨ、コレ！！<br>\\r\\n ...Because I could get going with that plan right away!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n くっくくくくくくく、くっくっくっく！！！<br>\\r\\n Heh hehehehehehe heh heh heh!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…り、………梨花ちゃんッ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Ri...... Rika-chan!!<br>\\r\\n 梨花ちゃんだッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n It's Rika-chan!!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………え？<br>\\r\\n \\\"......What?<br>\\r\\n ……今、何て言ったんですか…？！」<br>\\r\\n ...What did you say just now...?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「お、…俺も<br>\\r\\n \\\"I... I, well...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……実は…、<br>\\r\\n ...The truth is...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …う、<br>\\r\\n ...I...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …打ち明けたんだ。<br>\\r\\n ...I told her about it.<br>\\r\\n …梨花ちゃんに、<br>\\r\\n ...I told Rika-chan...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……今日ッ！！」<br>\\r\\n ...today!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「梨花ちゃんって、…梨花ちゃまのことですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Rika-chan... You mean Rika-chama?<br>\\r\\n 古手神社の梨花ちゃま？」<br>\\r\\n The one from the Furude Shrine?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そうだよ、梨花ちゃんだよ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes, Rika-chan!<br>\\r\\n ……俺も、…どうしようもなく不安で……打ち明けたんだ。<br>\\r\\n ...I felt... I felt so scared and uneasy... that I did it.<br>\\r\\n …梨花ちゃんに。」<br>\\r\\n ...I told Rika-chan.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………そうしたら、………梨花ちゃまはなんて…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...When you did... what did she say...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……猫さんの心配し過ぎなのです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...The cat is worrying too much.<br>\\r\\n ボクがきっと、何とかしてあげますですよ。<br>\\r\\n I'll do something about it for sure.<br><br>\\r\\n って梨花ちゃんはそう言って…！！<br>\\r\\n That's what Rika-chan said...!!<br>\\r\\n ……ご、ごめん詩音！<br>\\r\\n ...I-I'm sorry, Shion!<br>\\r\\n お、俺…俺、…ちょっと…梨花ちゃんのことが心配になっちゃって…！！」<br>\\r\\n I-I-I... I'm a bit... I'm worried about Rika-chan...!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、はい！ …そんなに心配でしたら、ぜひ電話を。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, right! ...If you're that concerned, then don't worry about me.<br>\\r\\n 安否を確認してみて下さい。」<br>\\r\\n Please, go find out whether she's safe.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…あ、あぁ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Y-Yeah...!<br>\\r\\n そうさせてもらう！」<br>\\r\\n I'll do that!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「また明日も、このくらいの時間に連絡します。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'll call you again tomorrow at the same time.<br>\\r\\n それを以て、私の安否確認として下さい。」<br>\\r\\n When I do, you'll know I'm still alright.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…わかった。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I got it.<br>\\r\\n 待ってる。<br>\\r\\n I'll be waiting.<br>\\r\\n じゃあな！<br>\\r\\n Okay, bye!<br>\\r\\n すまん！ <br>\\r\\n Sorry!<br>\\r\\n 切るぞ！！」<br>\\r\\n I'm hanging up!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は乱暴に受話器を置いた。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi hung up roughly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………ぷ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......<br>\\r\\n …あっはっはっはっはっはっは！！！」<br>\\r\\n Ah ha ha ha ha!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一との電話は面白い。<br>\\r\\n What a hilarious conversation with Keiichi.<br><br>\\r\\n 何から何まで笑える、実に愉快。<br>\\r\\n Everything was just too damn funny.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 前原圭一。<br>\\r\\n <NAME>,<br>\\r\\n お前は心の赴くままに好きに足掻けばいい。<br>\\r\\n go ahead and struggle helplessly.<br><br>\\r\\n …村のあちこちを好きに駆け回り、祟りが起こらないかどうか試して回ってくれ。<br>\\r\\n Run all over the village and see if the curse is still alive.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の仇がまだいないかどうか、私に代わって調べておくれ！<br>\\r\\n Go ahead and see if my enemies are still around!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 一通りケタケタ笑った後、思考を冷却化させる。<br>\\r\\n I laughed for a while and then calmed down.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n うちに乗り付けてきた梨花と沙都子の自転車や履物などはもう始末してある。<br>\\r\\n I'd already got rid of the bicycles and shoes belonging to Rika and Satoko.<br><br>\\r\\n とりあえずうちは大丈夫。<br>\\r\\n My house was, for the moment, taken care of.<br><br>\\r\\n …今後の考えられる展開は…、<br>\\r\\n I could expect Keiichi\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 圭一が騒ぐ、<br>\\r\\n to run around in a panic,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 誰かに相談する、<br>\\r\\n to ask for help from someone,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …その辺りのどこかで魅音に相談が来るだろう。<br>\\r\\n and then ultimately come to Mion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それで昨夜同様、青年団で村中を捜すということになるだろうな。<br>\\r\\n More than likely, the youth group would end up looking for Rika like they did with the mayor.<br><br>\\r\\n ………また今夜も深夜までか、見つからないと分かってる捜し物ほど堪えるものはないと知る。<br>\\r\\n ...I'd probably have to endure another long night again, knowing nobody would find her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n なら、そう長い時間も経たない内に、連絡が来よう。<br>\\r\\n I decided to wait until the phone rang.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はテレビでも見ながらのんびりと電話が来るまで時間をつぶしていた。<br>\\r\\n I killed time by watching TV until it did.\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 「……圭ちゃん、本気で言ってんの？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Kei-chan, are you serious?<br>\\r\\n もし冗談だったら、かなり怒るよ？」<br>\\r\\n I'm going to get really mad if this is a joke.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 梨花失踪を疑う圭一に、私は不謹慎なことをたとえ思いつきでも喋るなと怒った。<br>\\r\\n I scolded Keiichi for suspecting that Rika had disappeared.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「魅ぃちゃん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mii-chan.<br>\\r\\n 本当に冗談だったなら、怒るんじゃなく、笑おうよ。<br>\\r\\n If it really is a joke, don't get mad, smile.<br>\\r\\n だって冗談なんだから。<br>\\r\\n It would be a joke, after all.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私たちはそれが冗談であることを確かめなくちゃいけない。」<br>\\r\\n ...We need to go make sure whether it's a joke or not.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………そうだね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......You're right.<br>\\r\\n …機嫌の悪そうなことを言ってごめん。」<br>\\r\\n ...Sorry for getting upset.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n レナにたしなめられた。<br>\\r\\n Rena rebuked me.<br><br>\\r\\n …こいつは、一見穏やかそうな顔をしているくせに、…その薄皮の一枚下には、とてつもなく恐ろしいものを潜ませている。<br>\\r\\n While she looked quiet, I felt that she could be very terrifying under her skin.<br>\\r\\n …根拠なんかないけど、そう思う。<br>\\r\\n I had no basis for that impression, but I still felt that way...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n どうもこいつには、あの雨の日の停留所以来、苦手意識があった。<br>\\r\\n I just didn't like her. I had disliked her ever since that rainy day at the bus stop.<br><br>\\r\\n 嫌いとか馬が合わないとか、そういうのじゃない。<br>\\r\\n It wasn't that we didn't get along, though.<br><br>\\r\\n ………なんて言うのか、<br>\\r\\n How should I put it?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……妥当な言葉が思いつかない。<br>\\r\\n ...I was at a loss for how to explain.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……あぁ、<br>\\r\\n Ah...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …そうだ。<br>\\r\\n that was it.<br>\\r\\n この感覚はあれだ、思い出した。<br>\\r\\n I found a good example.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 昔、小さい頃、テニスに憧れてた。<br>\\r\\n When I was little, I always wanted to play tennis.<br><br>\\r\\n それで、親戚にテニスコートに連れて行ってもらって、真似事をして、うまいうまい才能があると煽てられていい気分になった。<br>\\r\\n I had my relatives take me to a tennis court, and they all praised my skill.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 実際にはうまいも何も、ラケットで戯れただけで、子供のボール遊びと何も変わらないのだが、<br>\\r\\n I was doing nothing more than hitting a ball with a racket.<br>\\r\\n それでも私は才能があると褒められたのがすごい嬉しかったんだ。<br>\\r\\n But they told me I was talented, and that made me happy.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それで、連休明けに登校して、自分はテニスができる、才能があると褒められたといい気になって自慢した。<br>\\r\\n When I went to school, I told my classmates I played tennis, and they told me that I was talented too.<br><br>\\r\\n ………そしたらだ。<br>\\r\\n Then...<br>\\r\\n 普段取り立てて目立たない、何の特徴もなく、居ても居なくても大差のない子が、私もやってるよ…と名乗り出たのだ。<br>\\r\\n one of my classmates, who was usually very quiet, said she also played tennis.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n しかも、やってるよどころか、その子はちゃんとコーチがついて練習している本格派で、<br>\\r\\n Not only did she play, but she took lessons.<br>\\r\\n サーブはほとんど決まるようになったなんて威張ってる私なんかとは比べ物にならなかった。<br>\\r\\n Although I'd bragged about my serve, I was no match for her.<br><br>\\r\\n その時の、周りの興味を瞬時に他人に奪われた寂しさと、自分の権威が辱められたあの気持ちに、……そっくりなのだ。<br>\\r\\n I felt lonely and insulted that everyone was paying attention to her and not me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 普段、存在の価値がないくせに、<br>\\r\\n She was usually very quiet<br>\\r\\n ……実は、自分よりもよっぽど経験豊富な先輩だったと分かった時の居心地の悪さ。<br>\\r\\n but suddenly, I realized that she knew more and had a lot more experience than me.<br><br>\\r\\n そう、あの停留所のレナにはそれを感じるのだ。<br>\\r\\n Rena at the bus stop was just like that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 今、私は自分を鬼だと思っている。<br>\\r\\n I thought of myself as a demon now.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼ヶ淵村に住まった、半人半鬼の仙人たちの血を呼び覚ましたと信じている。<br>\\r\\n I'd awakened a part of me that was half human and half demon, the part that lived in Onigafuchi Village.<br><br>\\r\\n 実際、真っ当な人間が踏み込めない世界に足を踏み入れている。<br>\\r\\n In fact, I'd already stepped into a world where normal humans couldn't go.<br><br>\\r\\n そして人間に考えられる限界の枠をすでに超えていることを知っている。<br>\\r\\n I'd already surpassed my human limits.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんな自分を、一種の超越者だと思い、ある種の優越感を持っていたのは否めない。<br>\\r\\n I genuinely thought of myself as a superior being, having transcended the realm of mortals.<br><br><br>\\r\\n なのに、…この竜宮レナという娘と目が合うと、<br>\\r\\n But... when my eyes met with Rena Ryuugu's,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………あのテニスの時のような感情を味わうのだ。<br>\\r\\n I felt what I did long ago, with tennis.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n どうして……？<br>\\r\\n ...Why?<br><br>\\r\\n なんでこんな小娘に、私は屈服しそうになるのか…？<br>\\r\\n Why did I feel that way with Rena?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …そう言えば、動物の喧嘩って、睨み合ったり強さを誇示したりで決着することが多いって聞いたことがある。<br>\\r\\n I'd heard that in the animal world, during battle, animals glare at each other to display their strength.<br><br>\\r\\n 優劣を殴り合わなくちゃ確かめられないのは人間ばかりで、<br>\\r\\n Only humans have to punch or kick each other to feel superiority or inferiority.<br>\\r\\n ほとんどの動物は、睨み合うだけで互いの優劣を知るのだと言う。<br>\\r\\n Most animals can tell just by glaring at each other.<br><br>\\r\\n じゃあつまり、<br>\\r\\n In that case...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………そういうことなのかッ……？！<br>\\r\\n Could it be the same with Rena...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…魅ぃちゃん、大丈夫？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mii-chan, are you okay?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ん？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmm?<br>\\r\\n あぁあぁ、ごめん…！<br>\\r\\n Ah, ah, yeah, sorry!<br>\\r\\n ほらさ、昨日から寝不足で…、ごめん…。」<br>\\r\\n I haven't slept since yesterday, y'know... Sorry...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一はハシゴを立てかけ、あの二人の住居でもある倉庫小屋の二階の窓をうかがっていた。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi climbed up a ladder and tried to peek into the window on the second floor where Rika and Satoko lived.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はそのハシゴを押さえている役。<br>\\r\\n It was my job to hold down the ladder.<br>\\r\\n …ぼーっとしていたことをレナに注意され、はっと我に返った。<br>\\r\\n Rena cautioned me to hold onto it tightly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「魅ぃちゃん、私、念のため、本宅の方も見てくるね！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mii-chan, I'm going to go check the main house just to be sure, okay?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n すぐ戻るから！」<br>\\r\\n I'll be right back!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ぁ、…あぁ、ごめん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"A-Ah, okay.<br>\\r\\n よろしく！」<br>\\r\\n Be careful!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n レナは駆け出して行った。<br>\\r\\n Rena ran off after that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 見上げると、ハシゴの上で窓が開かないか試していた圭一は、どの窓にも施錠がされていることを確認し、途方に暮れているのが見えた。<br>\\r\\n When I looked up, I saw Keiichi trying to open a window, but all of them were locked.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……本宅って何だ？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...What did Rena mean by 'main house'?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一がハシゴの上から尋ねてくる。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi asked me from the top of the ladder.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「古手家の本当の家だよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's the Furude family's actual house.<br>\\r\\n 両親が亡くなって以来、ずっと放置してあるそうだけど。」<br>\\r\\n After her parents passed away, I think it's been left like that.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………あ、…そうか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"....Ah... right.<br>\\r\\n ……梨花ちゃんのご両親って、…亡くなってるんだよな。」<br>\\r\\n ...Rika-chan's parents... they passed away, huh?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「沙都子も親なしだよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Satoko's also an orphan.<br>\\r\\n ………オヤシロさまの祟りってことで、両親が崖から落っこちてね。<br>\\r\\n ...Her parents fell from a cliff because of Oyashiro-sama's curse.<br>\\r\\n ……お兄さんだった悟史くんも……いなくなっちゃって…。」<br>\\r\\n ...Then her older brother, Satoshi-kun... he disappeared...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…悟史って、……前に聞いた名前だな。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Satoshi... I've heard that name before.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 聞いた名前、だと…？<br>\\r\\n He'd heard the name before?<br>\\r\\n 憤怒の感情が込み上げそうになる。<br>\\r\\n I felt anger growing inside of me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n お前が学校で、好き放題に使い、<br>\\r\\n Don't you know whose desk you're using every day? You act as if it belongs to you.<br>\\r\\n 弁当を食べ散らかして汚し、<br>\\r\\n You drop food on it while eating lunch.<br>\\r\\n 昼寝をしてよだれをこぼしているあの机が、本当は誰の席か知らないのか…？！<br>\\r\\n You drool on it while taking a nap... Don't you know who it really belongs to?<br><br>\\r\\n ……何を熱くなるのか魅音。<br>\\r\\n ....Why am I acting this way? I'm Mion.<br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんは、その存在すらも消されてるじゃないか。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun doesn't even exist anymore.<br><br>\\r\\n …祟りの連中のせいで。圭一が知らないのは無理もないこと。<br>\\r\\n ...He was demoned away. It's hardly Keiichi's fault that he didn't know.<br>\\r\\n …別に圭一が悪いわけじゃない…。<br>\\r\\n It really isn't his fault...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「沙都子は梨花ちゃんと一緒にこの小屋で暮らしてるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Satoko and Rika-chan have been living in this shack ever since.<br>\\r\\n 互いに身寄りのないひとりぼっち同士。<br>\\r\\n Neither of them has any family, but at least they're together.<br>\\r\\n …助け合ってね。」<br>\\r\\n ...They help each other out.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……本宅って言ったか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Didn't Rena say there was a main house?<br>\\r\\n そっちで暮らした方が楽だろうに…。」<br>\\r\\n Wouldn't it be easier to live there...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「初めはそうしてたみたい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I think she tried that at first.<br>\\r\\n ……でも、両親を思い出すから辛いって言って。」<br>\\r\\n ...She said it was hard, though, because it reminded her of her parents.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子はひとり残された後、…親友である梨花と暮らしている。<br>\\r\\n After everyone in Satoko's family died, she started living with Rika.<br><br>\\r\\n そうだ。<br>\\r\\n It only made sense.<br>\\r\\n …沙都子と梨花は親友同士なのだ。<br>\\r\\n Satoko and Rika were best friends.<br><br>\\r\\n 北条家とか古手家とか関係なしに、もっと幼い頃から、ダム戦争の前からの親友だったという。<br>\\r\\n They didn't care about the Houjou family or the Furude family. They had been best friends since before the dam conflict.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子だけが祟りに遭わない理由。<br>\\r\\n The reason why the curse never fell upon Satoko...<br><br>\\r\\n それは、…古手梨花の力があったせいではないのか。<br>\\r\\n Rika Furude probably had a lot to do with it.<br><br>\\r\\n そうだ、そう考えるのが一番自然だ。<br>\\r\\n That made more sense than anything else, at least.<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子だけは、呪われた北条家の中で唯一免罪された存在だったのだ。<br>\\r\\n Satoko was pardoned from the curse of the Houjou family.<br>\\r\\n 古手梨花の取り計らいによって！<br>\\r\\n All thanks to Rika Furude's arrangements!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 実際、沙都子は綿流しの夜に犠牲になっていない。<br>\\r\\n Satoko had never been a victim on the night of Watanagashi.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が解明した祟りのシステムで考えると、<br>\\r\\n According to the curse system I'd uncovered,<br>\\r\\n 北条家の最後の生き残りで、しかも御三家の腹中である雛見沢に住む沙都子は、今年の祟りのターゲットとしてこれ以上ない存在のはず。<br>\\r\\n the last survivor of the Houjou family still living in Hinamizawa would be the perfect target for this year's curse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だから、御三家に気を利かす人間たち「祟りの執行者たち」は、今年の綿流しの夜にその命を狙ったに違いないのだ。<br>\\r\\n Therefore, whoever was responsible for executing the curse must have tried to take her life.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、現に沙都子には何の祟りも訪れなかった。<br>\\r\\n However, nothing happened to her...<br><br>\\r\\n これは、沙都子だけが祟りの手から逃れていることを示唆するものに他ならない。<br>\\r\\n Proving that Satoko had escaped from the curse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………本当に悔しかった。<br>\\r\\n ......That was really and truly infuriating.<br><br>\\r\\n 古手家頭首とは言え、あんな小娘に過ぎない梨花に、親友を庇うだけの力があったのだ。<br>\\r\\n She might have been the head of the Furude family, but I still couldn't accept that such a little girl had enough power to protect her best friend.<br><br>\\r\\n ……代行とは言え、魅音…いや詩音か、詩音にだって、同じだけの力があったはずなんだ！！<br>\\r\\n Mion, no, actually Shion... Shion must have had the same power, then!!<br><br>\\r\\n 梨花が沙都子を庇えたように、悟史だって庇えたはずなんだ！！<br>\\r\\n Just like Rika protected Satoko, Shion could have protected Satoshi!!<br>\\r\\n ……くそくそくそ…………。<br>\\r\\n Damn it, damn it...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…梨花ちゃんも<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Rika-chan\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………<br>\\r\\n ......\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子も、<br>\\r\\n and Satoko-chan...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……大変なんだな。」<br>\\r\\n they have it hard, huh.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「呪われてるんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"She's cursed.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……え？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Huh?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…魅音、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mion...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …お前、<br>\\r\\n what...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 今、<br>\\r\\n did you\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …何て言った？」<br>\\r\\n just say?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「呪われてるって言ったの。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I said, she's cursed.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……み、…魅音、お前………何てカオしてんだよ…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mi... Mion, you... Why are you making that face...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「北条沙都子はね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Satoko Houjou...<br>\\r\\n ……オヤシロさまの祟りを一身に受けた、呪われた子なの。」<br>\\r\\n ...She's been cursed by Oyashiro-sama.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 死の運命に飲み込まれた北条家の一人なのに、沙都子だけが免れていたなんて許せない…。<br>\\r\\n I can't accept that Satoko was pardoned from the curse although she was a member of the cursed Houjou family.<br><br>\\r\\n 呪われた北条家の一員のくせに…！！<br>\\r\\n She was one of the cursed Houjous!!<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは許してもらえなかったのに、…沙都子だけ許してもらえたなんて！！<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun wasn't pardoned, but Satoko was!!<br><br>\\r\\n 呪われた身のくせに！！<br>\\r\\n She was cursed, but she got away!!<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんを差し置いてなんて…許せない許せない許せない…！！<br>\\r\\n She escaped the curse, but Satoshi-kun didn't... I can't accept that!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そうだ、一番呪われるべきは沙都子なんだ！！<br>\\r\\n In fact, Satoko should have been the one to be cursed the most!!<br><br>\\r\\n あいつが悟史くんを心身ともに追い詰めた！<br>\\r\\n She cornered Satoshi-kun physically and emotionally!<br><br>\\r\\n 追い詰めたからどんどん話がおかしくなって、それで全部が狂ってしまったんだ。<br>\\r\\n That was why things got weirder and weirder, and in the end, everything went crazy.<br><br>\\r\\n そう、全ての因果関係を辿れば、沙都子が一番許せないんだ！！<br>\\r\\n When I think back on it, it was Satoko who I hated most of all!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あいつが悟史くんを追い詰めたから、<br>\\r\\n She cornered Satoshi-kun,<br>\\r\\n ＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊<br>\\r\\n *********************************************************************************\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 、その結果、<br>\\r\\n and as a result,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが消えてしまったんだ…！！<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun disappeared!!<br>\\r\\n あいつが発端、<br>\\r\\n She started it.<br>\\r\\n あいつが元凶！！<br>\\r\\n She caused it!!<br>\\r\\n あいつさえいなかったなら！！<br>\\r\\n If only she hadn't been there!!<br>\\r\\n 古手梨花と沙都子が二人で仲良く住んでいたように、……あり得なかった私の幸福な未来があったかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n Just as <NAME> and Satoko had lived happily... maybe there had been a happy future for me too.<br>\\r\\n 私と悟史くんが、興宮でつつましやかに生活を再スタートさせる未来があったかもしれない！！<br>\\r\\n Maybe Satoshi-kun and I could have started our lives together in Okinomiya!!<br>\\r\\n そうさ、始まりと終わりを結びつければ火を見るより明らか！<br>\\r\\n Yes, if I look at both the beginning and the end, it's so obvious!<br>\\r\\n あいつの存在がいけないんだ。<br>\\r\\n Satoko's existence caused everything.<br>\\r\\n あいつがいたから、悟史くんは叔母を殺さなくてはならなくなって、それで、そこを御三家にうまく利用されて、祟りの片棒を担がされた挙句、消されてしまった…ッ！！！<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun had to kill his aunt because of Satoko, the Three Families used that need to create the curse, and then they killed him!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 警察は家出したんだって決め付けたけど、悟史くんは逃げ出すような人じゃなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...The police were convinced he just ran away, but he'd never do that.<br><br>\\r\\n いつも一生懸命。<br>\\r\\n He was the type of person who always did his best at everything...<br><br>\\r\\n 誰の力も借りずにこつこつと、一人懸命に努力する人だった。<br>\\r\\n All by himself.<br><br>\\r\\n たった１人の妹のために身を粉にして頑張ってたのに、消されてしまった。<br>\\r\\n He was doing the very best he could for his only sister, yet he was forced to vanish.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子のために、あんなにもがんばってたのに！<br>\\r\\n He worked so hard for Satoko!<br><br>\\r\\n あの子のためにだけに生きていたのに消されてしまった。<br>\\r\\n And though he was living just for her, he was erased.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 可哀想な悟史くん。<br>\\r\\n Poor Satoshi-kun.<br>\\r\\n なんて報われない悟史くん。<br>\\r\\n He was so underappreciated.<br><br>\\r\\n なんて恩知らずなあの子なの。<br>\\r\\n That girl knew no gratitude.<br>\\r\\n ……あの子は呪われた子。<br>\\r\\n ...She was cursed.<br><br>\\r\\n あの子に近付けば、それが誰でも末路は同じ。<br>\\r\\n If you got near her, you'd meet the same fate.<br><br>\\r\\n 祟りで死ぬか、<br>\\r\\n You'd be cursed to die<br>\\r\\n 祟りで消えるか。<br>\\r\\n or disappear.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そうさ、あいつこそが運命の元凶。<br>\\r\\n That really was it: she was the main cause behind it all.<br>\\r\\n あいつが古手梨花に取り入ったから、悟史くんに祟りが及んだんだ。<br>\\r\\n She wormed her way into Rika Furude's good graces, and that was why the curse fell upon Satoshi-kun.<br>\\r\\n あいつが先に祟りで死ねばよかったんだ。<br>\\r\\n She should have died first.<br>\\r\\n そうすれば悟史くんはまだ生きてた。<br>\\r\\n Then Satoshi-kun would be still alive.<br>\\r\\n 生きててさえくれれば、私はどんな助けでもできたのに！！<br>\\r\\n If he was alive, I could have done something for him!!<br><br>\\r\\n 許せない許せない、<br>\\r\\n I can't forgive her.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 沙都子が許せない、<br>\\r\\n I can't forgive Satoko.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n あの子が許せない、<br>\\r\\n I can't forgive that girl.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n あの子に安らぎなんてあるものか、<br>\\r\\n There can be no peace with her,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n あの子に安らぎなんてあるものか……。<br>\\r\\n there can be no peace...<br><br>\\r\\n アイツコソ、コノ昭和５８年ノ祟リニ、一番相応シインジャナイカ。<br>\\r\\n <i>She</i> was the perfect target for the curse of 1983.<br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟り。<br>\\r\\n The curse of Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n …オヤシロさまの生まれ変わり、古手梨花。<br>\\r\\n ...Rika Furude, the reincarnation of Oyashiro-sama.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう、梨花は死んだ。<br>\\r\\n Rika was dead.<br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの生まれ変わりは死んだのだ。<br>\\r\\n The reincarnation of Oyashiro-sama had died.<br><br>\\r\\n この雛見沢には今や、祟りを下す神はいないのだ。<br>\\r\\n There was no more god in Hinamizawa to deliver the curse.<br><br>\\r\\n それを決める資格は、……今や私にある！<br>\\r\\n I'm the one who has to deliver it now!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 我こそは鬼ヶ淵村御三家のひとつ、園崎家の頭首、園崎魅音！！<br>\\r\\n I am <NAME>, the head of the Sonozaki family, one of the Three Families of Onigafuchi!!<br><br>\\r\\n 旧き御三家頭首たちが全て消えた今、私を超える正統な後継者はひとりもいない。<br>\\r\\n Now that all the heads of the three families are gone, there is nobody to surpass me.<br><br>\\r\\n そう、オヤシロさまの祟りを下す資格は、今や私を差し置いて誰にもないのだッ！<br>\\r\\n I will deliver the curse of Oyashiro-sama, and nobody else!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が祟りを下す。<br>\\r\\n I'll deliver it.<br>\\r\\n 私が祟りになる。<br>\\r\\n I am the curse.<br><br>\\r\\n 私こそが、今やオヤシロさまそのものなのだ！！<br>\\r\\n I have become Oyashiro-sama!!<br><br>\\r\\n 体の奥底から、ごぼごぼと熱い泡がたぎって来る。<br>\\r\\n I felt hot bubbles boiling over deep inside of me.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の中の鬼が吠えたがっているのがわかった。<br>\\r\\n I could tell the demon inside of me wanted to roar.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……気付けば圭一が、私を見下ろしていた。<br>\\r\\n ...I noticed Keiichi was looking down at me.<br><br>\\r\\n 落ち着け魅音。<br>\\r\\n Calm down, Mion.<br>\\r\\n …私の胸中など、あんな鈍感男にわかるものか。<br>\\r\\n He can't tell what you're thinking.<br>\\r\\n …落ち着け落ち着け。<br>\\r\\n Calm down, calm down.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時、大勢の足音が近付いてくるのが聞こえる。<br>\\r\\n At that point, I heard footsteps coming closer.<br><br>\\r\\n レナを先頭に、４〜５人の大人たちが懐中電灯を手に駆けつけてくるのだった…。<br>\\r\\n I saw four or five adults, accompanied by Rena, running toward us with flashlights in their hands.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その後、倉庫小屋の鍵が開けられ、みんなで中に踏み込む。<br>\\r\\n One of them opened the lock on the cabin door, and we all went inside.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、何の気配もあろうはずがない。<br>\\r\\n Of course, there was nobody there.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子と梨花は二人で住んでいた。<br>\\r\\n Satoko and Rika lived alone.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、梨花を訪ねる沙都子が、園崎家へ行ってきますなんてメモを残すとは思えない。<br>\\r\\n I doubted Satoko would have left a note saying she was going over to the Sonozaki house when Rika was there already.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、そういう痕跡があったら面白くない。<br>\\r\\n But it wouldn't be fun if she had.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は先に飛び込んだレナを押しのけ、室内にそういう痕跡がないか探した。<br>\\r\\n Because of that, I hurried into the room ahead of Rena to make sure there was nothing left behind.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 梨花たちが失踪した噂が近隣を飛び交っているらしく、村人たちがどんどん神社に集まってきているようだった。<br>\\r\\n The rumor of Rika and Satoko's disappearance spread around the village quickly. More and more villagers gathered at the Furude Shrine.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は園崎家頭首代行として振る舞い、手分けして行方を捜すように指示を出した。<br>\\r\\n Acting in place of the head of the Sonozaki family, I commanded them to search the village.<br><br>\\r\\n 村人たちは私のてきぱきした指示にそれぞれ頷き、散っていく。<br>\\r\\n The villagers nodded and scattered.<br><br>\\r\\n …久々に取り戻した魅音の感覚。<br>\\r\\n How long had it been since the last time I was truly Mion?<br><br>\\r\\n …私はじんわりと痺れるような愉悦を味わっていた……。<br>\\r\\n I felt so pleased that my body almost went numb...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 神社の境内には今や大勢の村人たちが慌しく出入りし、<br>\\r\\n Lots of villagers went in and out of the shrine.<br>\\r\\n どこそこを捜したがいなかった、<br>\\r\\n They yelled at each other that she was nowhere to be found.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 残るはどこそこだ、<br>\\r\\n Some suggested other places to look\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n あそこは捜してないか、<br>\\r\\n and they all left.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 行こう行こうと、騒がしくしていた。<br>\\r\\n They made a lot of noise with their comings and goings.<br><br>\\r\\n 婦人部のご婦人方は、集会所の裏倉庫から大鍋やガスコンロ、ガスボンベなどを引っ張り出して炊出しの用意をしている。<br>\\r\\n Members of the women's association brought out huge pots and gas cookers from the storage and got ready to cook for the men.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんな中、事態の重さに眩暈でも起こしたのか、圭一がふらふらと松林の暗がりの方へ行ってしまうのを、私は見ていた。<br>\\r\\n That was when I noticed Keiichi unsteadily walking toward a copse of dark pine trees.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n こんな夜に、ひとりになろうとするとは無用心なやつ。<br>\\r\\n What was he thinking? How stupid of him to be alone on a night like this.<br><br>\\r\\n ……もしお前を狙う「祟りの執行者」が身近にいるなら、きっとただでは済まないぞ……。<br>\\r\\n If a person responsible for executing the curse was nearby, he wouldn't come back safely...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「魅音ちゃん、御蛇ヶ池の方もぐるっと捜したけど全然だめだね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mion-chan, we went all around Ojaga Lake, but didn't find anything.<br>\\r\\n 池の中も照らしたけど、明るくなんないとわかんないよ。」<br>\\r\\n We tried to light up the pond, but we're going to have to wait until the sun is up.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うん、ありがとうございます。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay, thanks for your hard work.<br>\\r\\n 婦人部の皆さんがお味噌汁を作ってくれてますので、召し上がって休んでください。」<br>\\r\\n The women are making some miso soup, so please rest up and have some.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…魅音ちゃん、あの二人って自転車はどこに停めてたんか知ってるかい？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Mion-chan, do you know where they usually park their bicycles?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「さぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"No...<br>\\r\\n 多分、境内の階段の下じゃないかな。<br>\\r\\n They probably parked them at the bottom of the stairs leading up here.<br>\\r\\n まさかあの階段を担いで上がったりはしないでしょ。」<br>\\r\\n I don't think they'd come up while carrying them.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ないんだよね二人の自転車がさ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"We can't find their bicycles.<br>\\r\\n どこかに行っちゃったんだろうかねぇ…。」<br>\\r\\n Where did they go...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「自転車で遊びに行ったなら、<br>\\r\\n \\\"If they left on their bikes,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …遠くかも知れんなぁ…。<br>\\r\\n they could have gone pretty far...<br>\\r\\n 町か…？」<br>\\r\\n Maybe even as far as the town...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「だとすると、雛見沢の中にはいないんかも知れんなぁ…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"In that case, we'll have to look outside of Hinamizawa...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そう言えば、梨花ちゃまがいなくなったってのは、誰が最初に気付いたんだ？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"By the way, who first noticed that Rika-chama was gone?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ん？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmm?<br>\\r\\n あー、圭ちゃんだけど？<br>\\r\\n Ah, it was Kei-chan.<br>\\r\\n 急に虫が報せたんだとか。」<br>\\r\\n He suddenly had a hunch....\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……前原屋敷のせがれさんか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, that Maebara kid, huh?<br>\\r\\n んんん、なんやん怪しいなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n Mmmm, he's a little suspicious.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そう言えば、前原家は来てないのか、この一大事の時に。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Speaking of which, why hasn't the Maebara family shown up when we're in a crisis like this?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「前原家は町会未加入だから、青年団の連絡網に入ってないんよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"The Maebaras still haven't joined the town council, so they're not in the youth group's phone directory.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「んなーー、すったらんしょおがなぁー。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Really? Well, ain't no helping it then.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あれ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh?<br>\\r\\n 入ったろ町会。<br>\\r\\n They joined, didn't they?<br>\\r\\n あー、あれさね、連絡網に名前が載ってないだけんと違う？<br>\\r\\n I think it's just that their name isn't in the directory yet...<br>\\r\\n 連絡網、新年に作ったきりやんね。<br>\\r\\n The last time we updated it was at the beginning of the year.<br>\\r\\n 途中から越して来たから載ってないん。」<br>\\r\\n They just moved here, so that's why they aren't on it.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「前原のせがれさんの、虫の報せってのがどうもなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"That Maebara kid's hunch is still suspicious.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「第一発見者が一等怪しい言うやんね。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"They do they say the first on the scene is the most suspicious.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そのせがれはどこ行ったんかいね？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Where did he go?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「さっき松林の方にふらふら行くのを見たよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I saw him walking toward the pine trees.<br>\\r\\n 誰か呼んでくる？」<br>\\r\\n Can someone go get him?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんなやり取りをしていると、松林の方から圭一とレナが戻ってくるのが見えた。<br>\\r\\n Conveniently, I saw Keiichi and Rena walking back toward us.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…圭ちゃん、どこ行ってたんだよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Kei-chan, where did you go?<br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃんまでいなくなったのかと心配したよ？」<br>\\r\\n I was worried you'd disappeared too!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………すまん…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Sorry...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一の身には、何も無しか。<br>\\r\\n It looked like nothing had happened to Keiichi.<br><br>\\r\\n 無事ならそれでいい。<br>\\r\\n If so, that's fine.<br><br>\\r\\n …私の復讐が全ての敵に下された証なのだから。<br>\\r\\n That means I took care of all of my enemies.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…おんやおやおや…！<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Oh, my, my, my...!<br>\\r\\n おいしい匂いが漂ってくると思ったら。<br>\\r\\n I knew I smelled something good coming from over here.<br>\\r\\n これはぜひご相伴に与かりたいですねぇ。」<br>\\r\\n I'd be much obliged if you'd allow me to have some.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 野太い親父の、いやらしい声が聞こえてきた。<br>\\r\\n I heard the loud, sticky voice of a middle-aged man.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大石か。<br>\\r\\n It was Ooishi.<br><br>\\r\\n …大石め、さすがに今年の事件は困惑しているに違いない。<br>\\r\\n He must be confused about this year's incident.<br><br>\\r\\n これまでの慎ましやかな祟りとは格段に規模が違うのだから。<br>\\r\\n The scale of the curse this time is nothing like the previous ones.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大石の情報網は、役員会の老人たちに準ずるくらいはある。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi's information network is about equal to or better than that of the elders on the town council.<br><br>\\r\\n つまり、この村の暗部でまかり通ってる噂くらいならすでに耳にしているということだ。<br>\\r\\n In other words, he could easily uncover a rumor that was circulating through the underside of the village.<br><br>\\r\\n だとしたら、公由失踪と梨花失踪を、祭具殿の鍵付け替えに伴うけじめ絡み…と読んできている頃だ。<br>\\r\\n He must've came here to see if the disappearances of Kimiyoshi and Rika had something to do with the changing of the lock on the ritual storehouse's door.<br><br>\\r\\n ……警察が私に至るのはそう遠くないだろう。<br>\\r\\n The police will come for me sooner or later.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は園崎魅音。<br>\\r\\n I am <NAME>.<br><br>\\r\\n 仇である御三家頭首たちを葬ることによって、奇しくも自らが頭首となってしまった。<br>\\r\\n By removing all of the heads of the Three Families, my enemies, I have become the head in their place.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、園崎魅音という存在を許してはいけない。<br>\\r\\n I can't allow <NAME> to continue existing.<br><br>\\r\\n 園崎家頭首などという存在を破壊しなくてはならない。<br>\\r\\n I'll have to destroy the existence of the head of the Sonozaki family.<br><br>\\r\\n …自らの立場を破壊して初めて、私の復讐は全て終わる。<br>\\r\\n When I destroy my own position, that is when my revenge will come to an end.<br><br>\\r\\n 大石には、その最期を看取る大任を与えることになるだろう…。<br>\\r\\n More than likely, I'll have Ooishi witness my final moments.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大石と目が合う。<br>\\r\\n My eyes and Ooishi's met.<br><br>\\r\\n …大石め、とっくに私がホシだと当たりを付けているらしいな。<br>\\r\\n ...Damn it, he thinks I'm suspicious already.<br><br>\\r\\n そうさ大正解。<br>\\r\\n You're right, Ooishi.<br>\\r\\n 私が犯人だ。<br>\\r\\n I did it.<br>\\r\\n 園崎家頭首、園崎魅音が犯人だ。<br>\\r\\n <NAME>, the head of the Sonozaki family, is the culprit.<br>\\r\\n ……くっくっく！！<br>\\r\\n ...Heh, heh, heh!!\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 「よ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, everyone,<br>\\r\\n 皆さん、まだ生きてる？」<br>\\r\\n are you all still alive?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 公由は首輪に首を吊られ、天井を見上げたままぴくりとも動かない。<br>\\r\\n Kimiyoshi was hanging from the collar, with his head turned up to the ceiling.<br>\\r\\n 死んだのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n He didn't even move when I walked in... maybe he's already dead.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は十字架形の拘束台に縛り付けられ、泣き腫らして真っ赤に腫れた顔で私を睨みつけていた。<br>\\r\\n Satoko was lying on a cross-shaped restraining table. She glared at me with red and swollen eyes, which must have been that way from crying.<br><br>\\r\\n 本当は両手に釘を打ち付ける拷問専用の拘束台に縛り付けたかったのだが、このチビにはサイズが合わなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\n I'd wanted to put her on that special restraining table to pound nails into her hands, but Satoko was too small for that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は公由に近付き、つま先で体を蹴って見る。<br>\\r\\n I walked up to Kimiyoshi and poked his body with my toe.<br>\\r\\n ……反応はなかった。<br>\\r\\n There was no response.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「公由のおじいちゃん、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uncle Kimiyoshi,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 死んだ？」<br>\\r\\n are you dead?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………人殺し………人殺し…………！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Murderer... murderer...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子の様子から見るに、公由が痙攣して悶え死ぬ断末魔でも見届けたのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n Maybe Satoko had witnessed Kimiyoshi's last moments.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は肉厚のナイフを壁から取ると、それで公由の腹部を突いてみた。<br>\\r\\n I took a thick knife from the wall and stabbed Kimiyoshi with it.<br>\\r\\n まったく反応はない。<br>\\r\\n There was no response.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「公由のおじいちゃん？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uncle Kimiyoshi?<br>\\r\\n 生きてるなら正直に生きてるって言って下さいよ？<br>\\r\\n If you're alive, you better tell me, okay?<br>\\r\\n 死体のふりして逃げ出そうなんて通用しないから。」<br>\\r\\n You can't fool me.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は公由を釣り上げている滑車のところへ行く。<br>\\r\\n I walked over to the pulley that was suspending Kimiyoshi.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「最終通告。<br>\\r\\n \\\"This is your last chance.<br>\\r\\n 生きてる？<br>\\r\\n Are you alive?<br>\\r\\n 生きてるなら返事してねー。」<br>\\r\\n Let me know if you are...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は大して返事を待たず、ガリガリと重い滑車を全身の力を込めて巻き上げた。<br>\\r\\n I paused just for a moment, then turned the pulley.<br><br>\\r\\n やがて公由の体は宙に浮き、ゆらゆらと奇怪に揺れて。<br>\\r\\n Kimiyoshi's body swayed strangely in the air.<br>\\r\\n 本当に死体らしくなった。<br>\\r\\n It looked much more like a corpse like that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「どうしてこんなことをするんですの……詩音さん…！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion-san... why are you doing this?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ん？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmm?<br>\\r\\n ………あぁ、なるほど。」<br>\\r\\n ...Ah, I get it.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 岩牢のある大空洞の扉は開けっ放しになっていた。<br>\\r\\n The door to the huge cave was still open.<br><br>\\r\\n 私がいなくなった後、岩牢のあいつと会話していたに違いない。<br>\\r\\n I bet Satoko had talked to the one in the cell while I was gone.<br><br>\\r\\n それで私の名を知ったか。<br>\\r\\n That's how she knows my name.<br>\\r\\n 今となってはその名も間違っているが。<br>\\r\\n Although, that's actually not my name at all.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音じゃなくて、私が本当の魅音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"No, I'm not Shion. I'm the real Mion.<br>\\r\\n あんたたちが魅音だと思ってた方が詩音。<br>\\r\\n The one you all thought was Mion is Shion.<br>\\r\\n まぁややこしいだろうから理解しなくて結構。<br>\\r\\n It's kind of confusing, huh? If you don't get it, that's okay.<br>\\r\\n …くっくっく…。」<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………よくも……みんなを<br>\\r\\n \\\"How dare you...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……梨花を………！！」<br>\\r\\n how dare you kill Rika...!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 梨花の死体は、こいつらの見ている前で処分した。<br>\\r\\n I had allowed Satoko to watch me take care of Rika's body.<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、喉のばっくり裂けたところも、ちゃんと内側まで見せてやったさ。<br>\\r\\n Of course, I let her see Rika's neck, too.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「古手梨花は自業自得。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Rika Furude deserved it.<br>\\r\\n あいつは私を殺しに来たんだよ。<br>\\r\\n She came over to kill me.<br>\\r\\n 返り討ちにしたのさ。」<br>\\r\\n I just fought back, that's all.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そんなことあるわけありませんわ！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's not possible!!!<br>\\r\\n 梨花がそんなことするわけない！！」<br>\\r\\n Rika would never do a thing like that!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「信じないならそれでもいいよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"If you don't believe me, that's fine.<br>\\r\\n あんたにゃどうでもいいことだし。」<br>\\r\\n It's none of your business anyway.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……私を、…どうするつもりなんですの………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"What... are you going to do with me?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「殺す。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm going to kill you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子の目が開く、薄々は分かっていたくせに、驚愕の表情を浮かべるのだった。<br>\\r\\n Satoko's eyes went wide. She was expecting my answer, I'm sure, but she still looked shocked.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n まさか沙都子も、ここまで単刀直入に言われるとは思わなかったに違いない。<br>\\r\\n I bet she didn't expect me to state it so openly.<br><br>\\r\\n 岩牢の方から、鉄格子をガシャガシャ言わせる音が聞こえてきた。<br>\\r\\n I heard the noise of something hitting iron bars echoing in the huge cave.<br><br>\\r\\n 大空洞で残響しながらも、詩音の声がはっきりと聞こえてくる。<br>\\r\\n Shion's voice echoed there as well.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「やめてええぇえぇお姉！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sis, nooooo!!<br>\\r\\n 沙都子を殺さないでぇえぇぇ！！」<br>\\r\\n Don't kill Satokoooo!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私はその場で大声で言い返す。<br>\\r\\n I answered her clearly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あっはっはっはっはっは！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Aha ha ha ha ha!!!<br>\\r\\n 今頃、罪が分かったかい？！<br>\\r\\n Did you finally realize what you've done?<br>\\r\\n あんたはそれを悟史くんの時にしなかった！！<br>\\r\\n Did you finally realize you didn't do anything to save Satoshi-kun, although you had the power to?<br>\\r\\n だから悟史くんは虫けらのように殺されてしまったんだ！！<br>\\r\\n That was why he was killed!!<br>\\r\\n あんたは悟史くんを救える百億の瞬間を見捨てた、見殺した！！<br>\\r\\n You ignored millions of chances to rescue Satoshi-kun!!<br>\\r\\n そうさ、それがあんたの罪なのさッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Yes, that is your sin!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ッぎゃああッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Gyaaaaahhhhh!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 言い終わらない内に、私は手にしたナイフを沙都子の右腕の内側に力いっぱい刺し込んだ。<br>\\r\\n Before even finishing my sentence, I stabbed Satoko's right arm.\\r\\n <br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 一心拍遅れてから、ぶくぶくと鮮血が溢れ出す。<br>\\r\\n Her blood started to flow out.<br><br>\\r\\n ……古手梨花のあのざまに比べたら地味なもんだった。<br>\\r\\n ...This was nothing compared to what happened to Rika Furude.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ぐりぐりと刃を捻じ込んでやると、沙都子が歯が欠けそうになるくらいに食いしばりながら、涙を零していた。<br>\\r\\n I twisted the knife into Satoko's arm. She bit down hard, crying.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「やめてええぇえやめてええぇ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Stoooop!!<br>\\r\\n 沙都子を殺さないで！！<br>\\r\\n Don't kill Satoko!!<br>\\r\\n 許してあげて！！<br>\\r\\n Let her go!!<br>\\r\\n 私はどうなってもいいから…沙都子を許してあげて！！」<br>\\r\\n I don't care what you do to me... but please, let Satoko go!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n そいつをどうして悟史くんの時に言えなかったんだ！！<br>\\r\\n Why couldn't you say that for Satoshi-kun?<br>\\r\\n もう遅い、遅すぎるんだよ！！！<br>\\r\\n It's too late now!!!<br>\\r\\n そうさ、今叫んでいるお前はあの時の私。<br>\\r\\n I was the one screaming like you back then.<br>\\r\\n どんなに叫んだって、届かない、救えない、助けられない！！<br>\\r\\n But no matter how loudly I screamed, it never reached them, spared him, or saved him!!<br><br>\\r\\n お前はそこで救えない苦しみを味わうがいい！！！<br>\\r\\n I want you to go through the same thing I did!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…ぐうう！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ooo!!<br><br><br>\\r\\n ふぎゃッ！！<br>\\r\\n Gyahh!!<br><br><br>\\r\\n …ッが！！」<br>\\r\\n Guhhh!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ざくざくと力任せに何度も何度も、沙都子の右腕の肉を刺す。<br>\\r\\n I stabbed Satoko's arm repeatedly.<br><br>\\r\\n 骨に当たるばかりで、肉を刺すという手応えはあまり感じられなかった。<br>\\r\\n But the knife kept hitting her bone. It didn't feel like I was cutting any of her flesh.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「やめて魅音、やめて姉さん…、やめてやめてやめて…！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Stop, Mion, stop, Sis... stop, stop, stop!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「よぉし詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay, Shion.<br>\\r\\n じゃあこうしよう、沙都子の助け方を教えてあげよう。<br>\\r\\n How about this? I'll tell you how you can save Satoko.<br>\\r\\n あんたはこれから１０００回、ごめんなさいって言うんだよ。<br>\\r\\n Apologize to me one thousand times.<br>\\r\\n 言い終わったら沙都子を解放する。<br>\\r\\n I'll let her go when you're done.<br>\\r\\n どう？！<br>\\r\\n How about that?<br>\\r\\n 私は嘘をつかないよ、あんたが１０００数えたら絶対に約束を守る。<br>\\r\\n I don't tell lies.<br>\\r\\n あんたがけじめをつけたってことをちゃんと理解してね。<br>\\r\\n If you really apologize one thousand times, I'll keep my promise.<br>\\r\\n さぁ！！<br>\\r\\n Well?<br>\\r\\n どうするの？！」<br>\\r\\n How about that?!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ごめんなさい、<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm sorry,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ごめんなさい、<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ごめんなさい、<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ごめんなさい、<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ごめんなさい、<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ごめんなさい、<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ごめんなさい、<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ごめんなさい、<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ごめんなさ…、」<br>\\r\\n I'm...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 詩音はごめんなさいを壊れたカセットテープのように繰り返し始める。<br>\\r\\n Shion started to apologize like a broken record.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n こういう時のあいつは馬鹿で律儀だ。<br>\\r\\n She's so stupid and honest.<br><br>\\r\\n 数字を誤魔化すなんて考えにはならない。<br>\\r\\n She's not even thinking of cheating.<br><br>\\r\\n 本気で丁寧に１０００数えるに違いない。<br>\\r\\n I bet Shion really will count to one thousand.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は沙都子の手首の辺りに渾身の力で思い切りナイフをぶち込んだ。<br>\\r\\n I stabbed Satoko in the wrist.<br><br>\\r\\n ごりりという手応えがして、骨を砕いたか削ったかしたのだろう。<br>\\r\\n There, I felt something hard. I guess I either crushed her bone or scraped it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それは相当に痛かったらしい。<br>\\r\\n It must have been extremely painful for her.<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は絶叫した…。<br>\\r\\n Satoko screamed...<br><br>\\r\\n その絶叫を掻き消そうと、詩音のごめんなさいごめんなさいの声が大きくなる…。<br>\\r\\n Shion's voice got louder as if trying to overpower that scream.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ふわあああぁああぁああ、わあああぁああぁあああ！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Whaaaahhhh, wahhhhhhhh!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n わあああああああん！！！！」<br>\\r\\n Whaaaaaahhhhh!!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あっはっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Aha ha ha ha ha!<br>\\r\\n 泣くのはあんたの専売特許だね。<br>\\r\\n All you ever do is cry to get what you want.<br>\\r\\n 泣けばにーにーが来てくれる？<br>\\r\\n You think your Nii-nii is going to appear out of nowhere, knock me aside, and rescue you, huh?<br>\\r\\n にーにーが駆けて来て私を跳ね飛ばしてあんたを助けてくれるのかな？！」<br>\\r\\n Yeah, right!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ぶち込んだ刃を、肘の方に向かって<br>\\r\\n The knife was still in Satoko's wrist...<br><br>\\r\\n ……ぐぐぐぐぐぐぐっ！！！<br>\\r\\n I slid it toward her elbow!!!\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「ぎぃああやああああおああぉおああがああが…、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Gyaahhhhhhh...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …ぎゃああああ！！！」<br>\\r\\n gyahhhhh!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「沙都子、私の声が聞こえる？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Satoko, can you hear me?<br>\\r\\n 聞いてる？<br>\\r\\n Hey!<br>\\r\\n 聞けよこらああッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Listen to me!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 顔面に平手を何発もくれて、私の目を見させる。<br>\\r\\n I slapped her face several times and made her look at me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あんたは自分の罪が、わかってる？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Do you know what you've done?<br>\\r\\n ……あんたの存在がどれほどに悟史くんを追い詰めていたか、知っている？」<br>\\r\\n Do you know how your very existence is what cornered Satoshi-kun?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…にーにー……にーにー………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Nii-nii... Nii-nii...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そう、あんたはにーにーって泣けば良かった。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right. That's all you did to him.<br>\\r\\n 泣きさえすればいつも悟史くんが庇ってくれた。<br>\\r\\n Every time you cried, Satoshi-kun protected you.<br>\\r\\n でもね、悟史くんの負担ってものを考えたことがある？<br>\\r\\n But have you ever even considered what kind of a burden you were to him?<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんはね、あんたのヒーローでなければ、不死身でもない。<br>\\r\\n He wasn't some superhero.<br>\\r\\n あんたと同じにッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n He was just like you!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ぐぎゃあああぁあ……ッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Gyaahhhhh!!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「傷つけば血も流れ、痛めば呻く、まったく同じ人間なの！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"He was just a normal human being!!<br><br>\\r\\n あんたの代わりに矢面に立ってくれた悟史くんの痛みを、あんたは理解していたの？！<br>\\r\\n Have you ever even thought of what he had to go through because of you?!<br><br>\\r\\n してない！！<br>\\r\\n No, you didn't!!<br><br>\\r\\n しようとさえしなかった！！！<br>\\r\\n You never even tried!!!<br><br>\\r\\n あんたは悟史くんに甘えてた！！<br>\\r\\n You just let Satoshi-kun take care of you!!<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんに寄生していた！！<br>\\r\\n You just leeched off of him!!<br>\\r\\n そうさ、悟史くんが傷ついて流すその血を舐めてお前は生きてきたのさッ！！<br>\\r\\n And as he got injured for your sake, you lived by sucking his blood!!<br>\\r\\n そんな呪われた身でありながら、この期に及んでまだ悟史くんの名を呼ぶのかッ！！<br>\\r\\n You are cursed. How can you still call for him?!!<br>\\r\\n おああぁあぁ？！？！」<br>\\r\\n Huh?!?!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n はぁ！<br>\\r\\n Hah!<br>\\r\\n はぁ！<br>\\r\\n Hah!<br>\\r\\n はあ！！<br>\\r\\n Hah!!<br><br>\\r\\n 一息に腹の底の全てをぶちまけ、私は荒い息を漏らした。<br>\\r\\n After telling her all I'd been wanting to, I exhaled roughly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…はあ、…はぁ、はは、は！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Haa... haa, haha, ha!<br>\\r\\n あんたはその罪を今から償うのさ。<br>\\r\\n With my help,<br>\\r\\n 私の手によってね。<br>\\r\\n you are now going to pay for your sin.<br>\\r\\n 好きなだけ泣き叫べばいい。<br>\\r\\n Cry as much as you want. Scream as much as you want.<br>\\r\\n そしていくら泣いても悟史くんが助けに来てくれないことを知るがいい。<br>\\r\\n And realize Satoshi-kun will never come for you.<br>\\r\\n そう、お前が追い詰めた、<br>\\r\\n You cornered him,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n お前がいなくした、<br>\\r\\n you made him disappear,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n お前が悟史くんを殺してしまったんだッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n you killed him!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………ッ、<br>\\r\\n \\\"......!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……………ふぐ…！！<br>\\r\\n Gouhhh<br>\\r\\n …………………………。」<br>\\r\\n ...............!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……どうしたよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"What's this?<br>\\r\\n 右腕はもう感覚がない？<br>\\r\\n You don't feel anything in your right arm anymore?<br>\\r\\n じゃあ左腕にするか。」<br>\\r\\n Okay, then let's use your left.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………ぎゅ、<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Gyah!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………………かッ！！<br>\\r\\n ......Ahhh<br>\\r\\n ……………。」<br>\\r\\n ...............!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 左腕にもいくつもナイフでばっくりと口が開けられ、ごぷごぷと鮮血が溢れ出ていた。<br>\\r\\n I stabbed her left arm repeatedly, and her blood flowed out.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、沙都子の反応が面白くない。<br>\\r\\n But Satoko's reactions weren't fun anymore.<br><br>\\r\\n さっきまでの泣き声や叫び声が急に減った。<br>\\r\\n She didn't cry or scream like she did before.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n なんだか急に不愉快になり、左の拳の甲に思いきり突き刺し、ぐりぐりとねじった。<br>\\r\\n That put me in a bad mood, so I stabbed the back of her left hand and twisted the knife again.<br><br>\\r\\n にもかかわらず、<br>\\r\\n But\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………沙都子は呻くだけ。<br>\\r\\n Satoko still just moaned.<br>\\r\\n …叫ばなかった。<br>\\r\\n She didn't scream anymore.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……どうしたの？<br>\\r\\n \\\"......What's the matter?<br>\\r\\n 叫ぶと私を喜ばすと思って、せめて悲鳴を絞って抵抗ってわけ？<br>\\r\\n Are you stifling your screams in protest, thinking that I was enjoying your cries?<br>\\r\\n くっくっくっく！！<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh!!<br>\\r\\n そりゃいいや、あっはっはっはっは！！！」<br>\\r\\n That's great, ha ha ha ha!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私の狂笑にも沙都子は動じず、……歯を食いしばった、覚悟の眼差しで私を見た。<br>\\r\\n Satoko was unfazed by my mad laughter... She looked at me with gritted teeth and resignation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「えぇ、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……………私も、<br>\\r\\n ...I think...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …そう思ってましたのよ。」<br>\\r\\n ...that's the truth.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…あん…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Huh...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私がにーにーを追い詰めたから、<br>\\r\\n \\\"I cornered Nii-nii.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………いなくなってしまった。<br>\\r\\n ...That is why he disappeared.<br>\\r\\n ……にーにーがいなくなったその日に、<br>\\r\\n I've known that\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……もう気付いてましたのよ……。」<br>\\r\\n ever since the day he vanished.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...............\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……私が、…甘えていた。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I wasn't... strong enough.<br>\\r\\n ……にーにーのすねをかじり続けてしまった。<br>\\r\\n I depended on... Nii-nii.<br>\\r\\n ………にーにーも辛かったはずなのに、…私はにーにーにすがることをやめられなかった。<br>\\r\\n I'm sure... it was hard on him too, but I couldn't stop.<br>\\r\\n ……その点につきましては、……あなたの言うとおりですわ。<br>\\r\\n ...You are... absolutely right about that.<br>\\r\\n 弁解の余地なんて、……ありませんでしてよ。」<br>\\r\\n I have... no excuse.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子の言い方は、嫌味めいてもいなければ、私の機嫌を取るような言い方でもない。<br>\\r\\n Satoko didn't sound as if she was mocking me or trying to please me.<br>\\r\\n ……そんな、自然な言い方だった。<br>\\r\\n She spoke so naturally.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………ちょっと、意外だね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmm... that's interesting.<br>\\r\\n あんたが自分の罪に、自覚があったとはね。」<br>\\r\\n I never realized you were aware of what you'd done.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「にーにーは、きっと帰って来てくれる。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Nii-nii is coming back.<br>\\r\\n いつかきっと帰って来るんですの……。<br>\\r\\n He will come back someday...<br><br>\\r\\n でもね、…帰って来たら、私、もう一人前になっているところを見せるんですのよ…。<br>\\r\\n And when he does... I'm going to show him how independent I have become.<br>\\r\\n 私、もうにーにーに甘えない。<br>\\r\\n I don't need him anymore.<br>\\r\\n 背中に隠れたりしない。<br>\\r\\n I won't hide behind him anymore.<br>\\r\\n ……しっかりした一人前になったことを、……教えてあげるんですの…。」<br>\\r\\n I'm going to show him... That I really can live on my own...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ははは、…はははは！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hahaha... hahaha!!<br>\\r\\n 帰って来たらいいね、帰って来たら！！！」<br>\\r\\n When he comes back, huh?!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は狂乱しながら沙都子の腕を滅多刺しにする。<br>\\r\\n I stabbed Satoko's arm in a mad frenzy.<br><br>\\r\\n だが沙都子は悲鳴を無様にあげたりしなかった。<br>\\r\\n But she still didn't even scream.<br><br>\\r\\n 歯を食いしばり、飲み込んで見せた。<br>\\r\\n She bit down tightly and swallowed her pain instead.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「にーにーは…きっと帰って来てくれますの。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Nii-nii is coming back.<br>\\r\\n 絶対に絶対に、帰って来てくれますの…！！<br>\\r\\n I know he is!!<br>\\r\\n それまで待ってるんですのよ！！<br>\\r\\n I'm waiting for him!!<br>\\r\\n そしてにーにーに、今まで甘えてきて本当にごめんなさいって謝るんですの…。<br>\\r\\n And when he comes back, I will apologize for depending on him so much.<br>\\r\\n それまで、…負けるものか……負けるものか…！！<br>\\r\\n So I won't give up until that day comes!!<br>\\r\\n もう私は絶対ににーにーに甘えたりしないの！！<br>\\r\\n I'll never depend on him again, ever!!<br>\\r\\n どんな苦難にもにーにーの助けを呼ばない！！<br>\\r\\n No matter what kind of hardships I have to endure, I won't ask him to help me!!<br>\\r\\n 呼ばない、泣かない、叫ばない！！<br>\\r\\n I won't call for help! I won't cry! I won't scream!!<br>\\r\\n 泣いたらにーにーが来てしまう。<br>\\r\\n If I cry, Nii-nii will come for me.<br>\\r\\n だから私はひとりで耐えてみせるんですのよ！！！」<br>\\r\\n So I'm going to endure this by myself!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「じょ、……上等抜かすな小娘がああぁあ！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Damn you.... what do you think you're saying?!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私を刺して楽しいならいくらでもお楽しみあそばせッ！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"If it is fun for you, go ahead, stab me as much as you please!!!<br>\\r\\n でもね、それで私がにーにーに助けを求めたりするのを期待しているんでしたら、お気の毒ですわね。<br>\\r\\n But if you think I'm going to cry for Nii-nii, well, too bad.<br>\\r\\n 私は泣かないんだから、絶対、絶対、絶対にッ！！！<br>\\r\\n I will not cry. EVER!!!<br>\\r\\n 疑うなら好きなだけ試してみろ！！！<br>\\r\\n If you refuse to believe me, then try it!!!<br>\\r\\n にーにーは見ててくれる、私が本当に我慢強くなって一人前になったことを見ててくれる。<br>\\r\\n Nii-nii is watching me. He is watching me endure this.<br>\\r\\n 私が泣き虫じゃなくなったことを見ていてくれる！！！ <br>\\r\\n He will see that I'm not like I was before!!!<br>\\r\\n それをにーにーが見届けてくれた時、きっとにーにーは帰って来てくれるんですのよッ！！！<br>\\r\\n And when he sees that, he is going to come back!!!<br>\\r\\n さぁいくらでも試してみろ！！<br>\\r\\n Come on, try it!!<br>\\r\\n 私は泣かない、涙も見せない！！！<br>\\r\\n I will not cry!!!<br>\\r\\n 北条沙都子がどれほどの強さを持つか、試してみろおおぉおおぉお！！！」<br>\\r\\n Try to see how strong Satoko Houjou is!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n くそ、くそ、くそ…！！！<br>\\r\\n Shit, shit, shit!!!<br><br>\\r\\n こいつの減らず口を痛みと呻きで塗り潰してやる！！<br>\\r\\n I'll show her!!<br><br>\\r\\n これでもか、これでもか、これでもか！！<br>\\r\\n Take that, and that, and that!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「にーにー見てますわよね、見ててくれますわよね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Nii-nii, you're watching me, right?<br>\\r\\n …沙都子はこんなにも我慢強くなったんですのよ…。<br>\\r\\n I've become so strong...<br>\\r\\n もう何が起こってもへこたれませんの……。<br>\\r\\n This won't bring me down...<br>\\r\\n こんなこと、<br>\\r\\n This is<br>\\r\\n この程度で、<br>\\r\\n nothing.<br>\\r\\n こんなくらいで、<br>\\r\\n This won't<br>\\r\\n …私は泣かない、<br>\\r\\n make me cry.<br>\\r\\n 助けを呼ばない。<br>\\r\\n I won't cry for your help.<br>\\r\\n 堪えられる、<br>\\r\\n I can endure this.<br>\\r\\n 堪えてみせる。<br>\\r\\n I am going to endure this.<br>\\r\\n にーにーが私に代わって傷ついてくれた痛みには、こんなの遥かに及ばないんだからッ！！」<br>\\r\\n This is nothing compared to what you had to go through for me!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n くそくそくそくそッ！！！<br>\\r\\n Shit, shit, shit!!!<br><br>\\r\\n こいつ、どうして痛みを感じないんだ、それともこんなんじゃ痛みなんてないのか？！<br>\\r\\n Why doesn't she feel the pain? Doesn't it hurt?<br><br>\\r\\n 嘘だ嘘嘘！！<br>\\r\\n There's no way it doesn't!!<br>\\r\\n こんなにぐりぐり押し込んでるんだぞ？！<br>\\r\\n I've been stabbing her so much, and the knife went in so deep!<br><br>\\r\\n 血がぶくぶく出て、肉を裂いて中身を外側にめくり返してやって！！<br>\\r\\n Her blood has poured to the ground, and I've been turning her flesh inside out!!<br><br>\\r\\n それでもどうして減らず口が叩けるんだ、どうしてこいつは泣いたり叫んだりしないんだッ！！！<br>\\r\\n How can she still talk that way? Why doesn't she cry and scream?!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は言いたいことを全て言い尽くすと、ぐっと口を食いしばり、あとはもう何も言わなかった。<br>\\r\\n After Satoko said what she wanted to say, she shut her mouth. She didn't say a word after that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私がどんなに刃を突き立て、捻り込み、裂き、引きずり出そうと、もはや歯軋りすら聞かそうとはしなかった。<br>\\r\\n No matter how much I stabbed her, twisted the knife, tore at her, and ripped out her flesh, she didn't even make a sound.<br><br>\\r\\n こいつは一体何なんだ、<br>\\r\\n What in the world is this?<br>\\r\\n 私の知っている沙都子じゃない、<br>\\r\\n This isn't the Satoko I know.<br>\\r\\n こんな強いヤツは知らない。<br>\\r\\n Satoko was never as strong as this.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……こんなにも強い沙都子だったなら、悟史くんの負担にはならなかった。<br>\\r\\n If Satoko was this strong, she wouldn't have been a burden to Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n どうしてこの強さがかつてなかったのか。<br>\\r\\n Why wasn't she as strong before?<br><br>\\r\\n 遅い遅い、全てが遅すぎる、<br>\\r\\n It's too late. Everything is too late.<br><br>\\r\\n この馬鹿の達観が、あまりに遅すぎる…ッ！！<br>\\r\\n This idiot's maturity came far too late...!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 血糊で手が滑り、私は突き刺した拍子にナイフを落としてしまった。<br>\\r\\n Her blood made my hand slippery, and I dropped the knife.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「はあ、はあ！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hah, hah!<br>\\r\\n はぁ！<br>\\r\\n Hah!<br>\\r\\n はあ！<br>\\r\\n Hah!<br>\\r\\n …はあ！<br>\\r\\n ...Hah!<br>\\r\\n はあ！！<br>\\r\\n Hah!!<br>\\r\\n …………はあ！」<br>\\r\\n ......Hah!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私の全身は、張り付くような返り血とべたつく汗で穢れきっていた。<br>\\r\\n I was covered in blood from head to toe.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子はなおも苦痛を噛み殺してみせていた。<br>\\r\\n Satoko was still enduring the pain.<br><br>\\r\\n 見ているこっちが狂いそうになるくらいの、酷い仕打ちを受けてなお、自らの強靭さを誇示するように…。<br>\\r\\n She was enduring this cruelty so she could display her strength.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、沙都子に勝てなかった。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't defeat Satoko.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n こいつの強さを、挫けなかった。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't crush her strength.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は…成ったのだ。<br>\\r\\n Satoko had achieved her goal.<br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんに甘えない一人前というものに。<br>\\r\\n She had become independent, so she didn't need Satoshi-kun anymore.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが帰って来てくれる日をずっと信じて待っていた。<br>\\r\\n She still believes Satoshi-kun will come back one day.<br><br>\\r\\n いつの日か帰る兄に、逞しくなった自分の姿を見せようと、今日まで自らを、心を、鍛えてきた。<br>\\r\\n She looks forward to a day when she can show her brother how strong she had become.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それを確かめたのは、悟史くんではなく、<br>\\r\\n But Satoshi-kun hasn't seen any of that.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………悟史くんが帰って来るなんて欠片ほども思わず、<br>\\r\\n Instead I, who never even thought that Satoshi-kun would come back,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……その帰りを待とうなんて全然思わない、私だった。<br>\\r\\n was the one who witnessed her strength.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、なんだったんだろう。<br>\\r\\n What was I thinking?<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが死んだんだと思った。<br>\\r\\n I thought Satoshi-kun was dead.<br>\\r\\n 死んだんだと、決め付けた。<br>\\r\\n No, I assumed he was.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n どうして決め付けたのか…？<br>\\r\\n ...Why did I?<br><br>\\r\\n ……待つ気が、<br>\\r\\n I never even thought...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n なかったから。<br>\\r\\n of waiting for him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの帰りを信じなかった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't believe he would come back.<br><br>\\r\\n 待たなかった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't wait.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんの仇討ちなんて真似をして、……それは結局、悟史くんを忘れようとする行為みたいなもの。<br>\\r\\n ...I tried to avenge him, but I guess what I really did was forget about him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …でも沙都子は違った。<br>\\r\\n ...Satoko is different.<br><br>\\r\\n 死んでいるなんて思わなかった。<br>\\r\\n She never even thought he was dead.<br><br>\\r\\n いや、少しは思ったかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n No, maybe she did a little.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、待っていた。<br>\\r\\n But even so, she waited.<br><br>\\r\\n いつか帰って来る悟史くんに、生まれ変わった自分を見せたいと思って、ずっとずっと、…待っていた。<br>\\r\\n She waited for a day when she could show him how much she'd grown. She waited patiently...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は？！<br>\\r\\n What about me?<br><br>\\r\\n 何もしなかった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't do anything.<br><br>\\r\\n 悲しみを紛らわすために敵が欲しかっただけ。<br>\\r\\n I wanted to forget about my sadness, so I tried to find my enemy.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの仇討ちという大義名分で鬼となり、人としての心を忘れたかっただけ。<br>\\r\\n I became a demon, using revenge as an excuse, so that I didn't have to think like a human.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、負けた。<br>\\r\\n I lost.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんを待つ痛みに耐え切れず、負けて、人としての心を捨てる道を選んだ。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't endure the pain of waiting for Satoshi-kun, so I chose to become a demon.<br><br>\\r\\n それはつまり、悟史くんが好きだった心をも捨てたのと同じことなわけで。<br>\\r\\n In other words, I got rid of my soul, the soul that loved Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n …そう、悟史くんを捨てたのと何も変わらない。<br>\\r\\n ...In other words, I got rid of Satoshi-kun himself.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は、勝った。<br>\\r\\n Satoko won.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ずっと食いしばっていただろう口は、力を抜き、楽そうにしていた。<br>\\r\\n While she had been gritting her teeth before, her mouth had gone slack.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 半分閉じた目蓋から、薄く目が覗いている。<br>\\r\\n Her eyelids were half shut, but I could see her eyes a little.<br><br>\\r\\n その目はまるで、楽しい夢を見ながらまどろむかのよう。<br>\\r\\n They looked like she was dreaming about something happy.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その瞳の中には、<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……確かに悟史くんがいた。<br>\\r\\n was there, in her eyes.<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は、<br>\\r\\n Satoko\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………悟史くんの迎えまで、<br>\\r\\n endured......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………がんばったんだ。<br>\\r\\n until Satoshi-kun came for her......\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんのところへ、沙都子が駆け寄る。<br>\\r\\n Satoko ran up to Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、悟史くんの胸に、飛びついた。<br>\\r\\n She jumped onto him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは…それをぐっと抱きしめて。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun hugged her<br>\\r\\n …くるくると回っていた。<br>\\r\\n and they spun around.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もう泣いてもいいんだよ。<br>\\r\\n You can cry now.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんがそっと言うと、沙都子は顔をくしゃくしゃにして…号泣した。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun told Satoko that, and she cried very hard.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、泣きじゃくってしがみ付く沙都子の頭を、やさしく…やさしく、撫でていて。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun rubbed her head so gently.<br><br>\\r\\n ……これからは、いつまでも一緒だよって。<br>\\r\\n We'll be together forever...<br>\\r\\n …やさしく、…やさしく。<br>\\r\\n He said, and continued to rub her head so gently... so gently...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くん………、<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 私も……待ってたんだよ……。<br>\\r\\n I was waiting for you too...<br><br>\\r\\n 何て上滑りな言葉…。<br>\\r\\n What meaningless words...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の心の中の悟史くんはとっくに自ら殺していて。<br>\\r\\n He was already dead inside of me.<br><br>\\r\\n …再会なんて、一欠片も信じていなかったくせに。<br>\\r\\n I never believed in our reunion.<br><br>\\r\\n ……沙都子だけが、悟史くんに再会できたのを見て、<br>\\r\\n ...How pitiful of me to say that<br>\\r\\n ……今頃そんなむしのいいことを言うなんて………！<br>\\r\\n just because I saw Satoko and Satoshi-kun together again...!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子を抱き続ける悟史くんと、目が合った。<br>\\r\\n As Satoshi-kun hugged Satoko, his eyes met mine.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 詩音。<br>\\r\\n Shion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが言った。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun said.<br><br>\\r\\n ………僕は、君にお願いしたことがあったはずだよ。<br>\\r\\n I asked you a favor.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n え、…お願い……？<br>\\r\\n What... favor?<br><br>\\r\\n 私は必死に思い返す。<br>\\r\\n I tried to remember.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が悟史くんに頼まれたことなんてあったろうか……。<br>\\r\\n What kind of favor did Satoshi-kun ask me?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、私がその大切な約束を忘れてしまっていることを、<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun looked at me so sadly,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …とても悲しそうに見守っていた…。<br>\\r\\n because I couldn't remember...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……その悟史くんの寂しい笑顔は、どんな刃よりも鋭く私の胸を裂いていく。<br>\\r\\n ...That sad look tore my heart to shreds.<br><br>\\r\\n そこから流れ出る血は、…沙都子が見せたような綺麗な色ではなく、<br>\\r\\n The blood flowing out from me wasn't as pretty as Satoko's blood.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n まるで嘔吐物のように汚らしい食べ残しのカスのようなものが混じった…どろどろの液体。<br>\\r\\n My blood was a slimy liquid, like vomit with filthy chunks of food in it.<br><br>\\r\\n …これが私の内を満たすものの正体だった。<br>\\r\\n That was what filled my body.<br><br>\\r\\n 「…祟りだろうと、この村の何者かの陰謀だろうと。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Whether it's a real curse or somebody's conspiracy...<br>\\r\\n …僕は絶対に消えない、消されない。」<br>\\r\\n I won't disappear, and I won't fall victim to it.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「き、消えないよ、悟史くんは…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Y-You won't disappear...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「消えないよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"No...<br>\\r\\n ……沙都子にあのぬいぐるみを買ってやるまではね。<br>\\r\\n not until I buy that teddy bear.<br>\\r\\n もうすぐお給料がもらえることになってる。<br>\\r\\n I'll get the money pretty soon.<br>\\r\\n その日までは絶対に消えない。」<br>\\r\\n I won't go anywhere until then.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……あれ？<br>\\r\\n Huh?<br><br>\\r\\n これは…いつの思い出……？<br>\\r\\n A memory of the past... But when?<br><br>\\r\\n …そうだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Ah, of.<br>\\r\\n これは、去年の綿流しの前の日に、悟史くんからもらった電話。<br>\\r\\n This is a memory of the day before last year's Watanagashi. Satoshi-kun called me on the phone then.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………あ、……叔母さんが帰ってきたら、もう切るよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Uh... my aunt is home. I have to go.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、……ぅん…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh... okay.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……魅音。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mion.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…何？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Huh?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 叔母が帰ってきて、一刻も早く受話器を置きたいだろうに。<br>\\r\\n His aunt was home, so I'm sure he wanted to hang up as quickly as possible.<br><br>\\r\\n …悟史くんは一呼吸置いて、一番大事な一言を告げるように言った。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun paused and spoke.<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子のこと、<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'll leave......<br>\\r\\n …………頼むからね。<br>\\r\\n Satoko to you.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 膝や肘が、がくがくとする。<br>\\r\\n My knees and elbows started to shake.<br><br>\\r\\n 奥歯ががちがちとぶつかり合い、指先はぶるぶると震えた。<br>\\r\\n My teeth chattered and my fingers were shivering.<br><br>\\r\\n 私、…………悟史くんに、……頼まれてるじゃないか……。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun...... asked me to......<br>\\r\\n わ、……わああぁああぁぁぁ……、ああぁあぁ、……わああぁあぁぁぁぁぁぁぁ………<br>\\r\\n Whaaahhhh... ahhhhh... ahhhhh...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は……何なの……。<br>\\r\\n What... have I done...?<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの帰りを待てず、<br>\\r\\n I couldn't wait for Satoshi-kun to come back<br>\\r\\n 心の中を鬼で満たして好き放題にした。<br>\\r\\n so I filled myself with evil thoughts, and acted as I pleased.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの帰りを信じず、<br>\\r\\n I didn't believe he'd ever return.<br>\\r\\n …私を頼ってくれた悟史くんの、<br>\\r\\n I even forgot about...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……最期の、たったひとつの頼みさえ、……忘れてる。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun's last request...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんな私が、どうして悟史くんを愛してるなんて言えるんだろう…？<br>\\r\\n How can I say I love him?<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんを失った悲しみを癒すために、返り血に塗れた私が、こんな姿でどうやって彼を、お帰りって…迎えられるんだろう？<br>\\r\\n I just wanted to forget about my feelings of loss, so I made myself all bloody. How can I welcome him back now?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが帰って来ると信じなかった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't believe Satoshi-kun would come back.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが生きていると信じなかった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't believe Satoshi-kun was alive.<br><br>\\r\\n 生きていると思わないから、死んでいると思った。<br>\\r\\n I didn't think he was alive, so I thought he was dead.<br><br>\\r\\n そう、悟史くんの死を、信じた。<br>\\r\\n I believed in his death.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんを、胸の中で、殺した。<br>\\r\\n I killed him in myself.<br><br>\\r\\n 他の誰でもない、…私が殺した。<br>\\r\\n Nobody else did... I did that.<br><br>\\r\\n でも沙都子は、最期まで信じていた。<br>\\r\\n But Satoko believed until the very end.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、……その心は最期の瞬間に報われた。<br>\\r\\n And she was rewarded in her final moments.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は、もうここにはいない。<br>\\r\\n Satoko wasn't here anymore.<br><br>\\r\\n 痛むだけの血塗れの骸なんて、もう必要なかったから。<br>\\r\\n She had no more need for her bloody, painful shell.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は、まだここにいる。<br>\\r\\n But I'm still here.<br><br>\\r\\n 穢れきった血塗れの肉に閉じ込められて。<br>\\r\\n Trapped in my bloody, tainted flesh.<br>\\r\\n この肉の牢の中で、朽ちていく。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to rot inside of it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは、…沙都子も待っていてくれたし、私も待っていてくれた。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun was waiting for both Satoko and me.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、悟史くんに再会するには、私たちは約束を守って見せなければならなかった。<br>\\r\\n But to be reunited with Satoshi-kun, we had to keep our promises.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は、…強くなること。<br>\\r\\n Satoko's promise was to be strong.<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は約束を最期まで果たした。<br>\\r\\n Satoko kept that promise until the bitter end.<br><br>\\r\\n …そして悟史くんは、その胸で沙都子を抱きしめてくれた。<br>\\r\\n And Satoshi-kun embraced her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、…悟史くんに代わって、沙都子の面倒を見ること。<br>\\r\\n My promise was to take care of Satoko for Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は、最初から約束をまるで果たさなかった。<br>\\r\\n I never kept the promise from the beginning.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、<br>\\r\\n Therefore\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …悟史くんは…私を迎えてはくれない。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun will never embrace me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 今さら、こうやって沙都子の傷を撫でて、……痛くない…？<br>\\r\\n Even if I were to rub Satoko's wounds and ask her if they hurt,<br>\\r\\n なんて声をかけたって、何の意味もない。<br>\\r\\n that wouldn't mean anything.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時。<br>\\r\\n That was when<br>\\r\\n …………私は自分の後ろに、居るのを感じた。<br>\\r\\n I felt something behind me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 無表情に立ち尽くすそれは、悟史くんでもなければ、時に私を怖がらせた薄気味悪い存在でもなかった。<br>\\r\\n It wasn't Satoshi-kun or the thing that scared me before.<br><br>\\r\\n 何者かは知らないけれど。<br>\\r\\n I didn't know who it was.<br><br>\\r\\n ………ただただ黙って、…私の過ちを無言で責めていた。<br>\\r\\n But it was right there, criticizing me for my mistakes.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …そう。<br>\\r\\n Then.<br>\\r\\n …やっと気付く。<br>\\r\\n ...I finally realized it.<br>\\r\\n それは、<br>\\r\\n That thing...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……<br>\\r\\n ......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 私。<br>\\r\\n is me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、私のずっと後ろで、自らの手で約束を破るのをずっと見ていた。<br>\\r\\n I had always been there, standing behind myself and watching me break that promise.<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子を頼むと、…悟史くんに託されたのに、<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun asked me to take care of Satoko,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n その約束を自ら破り捨てるところを、ずっと見守っていた。<br>\\r\\n yet I didn't keep that promise. I had been watching that happen.<br><br>\\r\\n ………その私は、涙し、<br>\\r\\n I cried\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……この私さえも、見限った…。<br>\\r\\n and gave up on myself...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 待ってよ、<br>\\r\\n Wait.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんに見限られ、<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun gave up on me...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………自分自身にまで見限られたら、<br>\\r\\n and I gave up on myself.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………私はどうなるの…？<br>\\r\\n ...What will happen to me now?<br><br>\\r\\n こんな暗いところは嫌…、こんな血塗れの汚らわしいところは嫌…。<br>\\r\\n I don't want to be in this darkness. I don't want to be all bloody...<br><br>\\r\\n 私だけを置いて行かないで……。<br>\\r\\n Please don't leave me.<br><br>\\r\\n 私自身に捨てられたなら、私の肉体は、…どうなるの……？<br>\\r\\n If I give up on myself, what will happen to my body?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もう何も、<br>\\r\\n There will be...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……残らない……！！！<br>\\r\\n ....nothing left!!!<br><br>\\r\\n 残ってるのは、心の底に満ちたどろどろの鬼だけ！<br>\\r\\n The only thing I'll have left in me is an evil demon!<br><br>\\r\\n あぁ……なんだ、私。<br>\\r\\n Ah... I get it.<br><br>\\r\\n ……自分でも知ってたじゃないかよ。<br>\\r\\n I've known it for a long time now.<br>\\r\\n …もう、<br>\\r\\n I am...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …鬼だ、って。<br>\\r\\n nothing but a demon.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「わはは、はははははははははははは…<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wahaha, hahahahahahaha...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n はっ<br>\\r\\n Ha\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n はっ<br>\\r\\n ha\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n はっ<br>\\r\\n ha\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n はっ<br>\\r\\n ha\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n はっ<br>\\r\\n ha\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n はっ<br>\\r\\n ha\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n は！！！」<br>\\r\\n ha!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼なら悲しいなんて心はない。<br>\\r\\n A demon doesn't feel sad.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼の心は痛まない。<br>\\r\\n A demon's heart can never be in pain.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼は、涙なんか流さなくていいんだ……！<br>\\r\\n A demon doesn't cry...!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 詩音のまぬけはなおも律儀に、ごめんなさいごめんなさいを繰り返していた。<br>\\r\\n Shion was still apologizing.<br><br>\\r\\n …沙都子を救うことができる、自分にとっての唯一の方法だと信じて。黙々と。<br>\\r\\n She believed that was the only way for her to save Satoko.<br><br>\\r\\n 声はすっかり嗄れかけ、声は小さくなっていた。<br>\\r\\n Her voice was growing hoarse and weak.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音んんん！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion!!!<br>\\r\\n もう数えなくていいよ、ご苦労さん。」<br>\\r\\n You don't need to count anymore. Good job.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………ぅわあぁぁぁぁぁぁぁぁぁ………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Whaaahhhhhh...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n それが沙都子の死を意味するものだと悟ったのだろう。<br>\\r\\n I guess she realized what happened to Satoko.<br>\\r\\n 岩牢から詩音が泣く声が聞こえた。<br>\\r\\n Shion cried in her cell.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あっはっはっはっはっはっは！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Aha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!<br>\\r\\n 鬼ってのも悪くないねぇ！！<br>\\r\\n Being a demon isn't that bad, huh?<br>\\r\\n 人が泣いたり、叫んだりするのを見るのがこんなにも楽しいものだなんて知らなかったよ。<br>\\r\\n I never knew how fun it would be to see other people cry and scream.<br>\\r\\n 私も人の世ってやつを充分に楽しませてもらったからね。<br>\\r\\n I've already had plenty of fun in this human world.<br>\\r\\n ……その内、自らの命を絶って、鬼の国へ帰らせてもらうよ。<br>\\r\\n Maybe soon I'll kill myself and go back to Hell.<br>\\r\\n でも安心しな。<br>\\r\\n But don't worry.<br>\\r\\n その前にちゃんとあんたは殺して行く。<br>\\r\\n I'll make sure I kill you first.<br>\\r\\n あんたを殺すために今があるんだもの、私はそのためにいる。<br>\\r\\n That's why I'm here, after all.<br>\\r\\n 人を嘆かせて泣き声をすするのが私の、鬼の愉悦だもんね！<br>\\r\\n Demons are pleased when they see people cry and grieve, see?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………そうだ、あんたは圭ちゃんが好きだったね。<br>\\r\\n ...Wait, you like Kei-chan, don't you?<br>\\r\\n よし、あんたの前で圭ちゃんを引き裂いてあげるよ！！<br>\\r\\n Okay, I'll rip Kei-chan apart before your eyes!!<br>\\r\\n これは極め付けだね！！<br>\\r\\n What a great idea!!<br>\\r\\n その後にあんたを殺し、私も殺そう。<br>\\r\\n I'll kill you, and then myself after that.<br>\\r\\n そうさ、鬼ヶ淵村は鬼の村！！<br>\\r\\n Onigafuchi Village is a village of demons!!<br>\\r\\n かつて鬼ヶ淵より湧き出した鬼が村を襲った伝承のある村！！<br>\\r\\n Demons came out from the swamp and attacked the village.<br>\\r\\n 私もまた伝承の鬼たちのように猛威を振るい、そしてオヤシロさまの裁きを待とう。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to act like those legendary demons and wait for Oyashiro-sama to judge me.<br>\\r\\n それでこそ、雛見沢村に相応しい災禍と言えるだろうね！！！<br>\\r\\n That will be a suitable disaster for Hinamizawa, don't you think?<br>\\r\\n あははははあっはははははははははははははは！！！」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahaaaaa hahahahahahahahaha!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、圭ちゃんですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, Kei-chan?<br>\\r\\n 私です。<br>\\r\\n It's me.<br>\\r\\n 詩音です。」<br>\\r\\n It's Shion.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「電話、なかなか出なかったんで、お留守かと思って切ろうとしてたんですよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"You took a long time to pick up. I thought you weren't home, and I was about to hang up.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …あぁ、ごめん…。<br>\\r\\n ah, sorry...<br>\\r\\n ちょっとその…お風呂に入っててさ。」<br>\\r\\n I was just... in the bath.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…それでもご家族の方が電話を取りませんか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Wouldn't your family pick up for you?<br>\\r\\n ひょっとして……圭ちゃんの家、今、ご両親はお留守なんですか？」<br>\\r\\n Could... your parents be out right now, Kei-chan?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「いや別に…留守ってわけじゃ……、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, no... They're not really...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n そ、そそ、そんな事より！！<br>\\r\\n A-A-A-Anyway!!<br>\\r\\n 聞いたか？！<br>\\r\\n Have you heard?!<br>\\r\\n 梨花ちゃんと沙都子の件。」<br>\\r\\n About Rika-chan and Satoko?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「いえ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"No.<br>\\r\\n …結局、あの後、どうなったんですか？<br>\\r\\n ...What happened after that?<br>\\r\\n 見つかったんですか？」<br>\\r\\n Were they found?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………あぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"............Nah.<br>\\r\\n …見つからなかった。」<br>\\r\\n ...They haven't found them yet.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……圭ちゃん、どうか気を落とさないで…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Kei-chan, please don't lose hope...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………梨花ちゃんと沙都子は、<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Rika-chan and Satoko...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………さらわれたんだよな…。」<br>\\r\\n ...They were kidnapped, weren't they...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……はい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Yes.<br>\\r\\n それは間違いないでしょうね…。」<br>\\r\\n I don't think there's much doubt...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………梨花ちゃんと、沙都子は、<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Rika-chan and Satoko were...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……あ、いや…ッ、<br>\\r\\n Ah, no... I mean...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n えぇと……、あ、ごめん。<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry.<br>\\r\\n …その………村長さんは、<br>\\r\\n ...Umm...... About the mayor...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …さらわれて…どうなったと思う…？<br>\\r\\n ...What do you think happened... after he was kidnapped...?<br>\\r\\n まだ……生きてるんだろうか…？」<br>\\r\\n Do you think... he's still alive...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一の言い方には迷いがあった。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi sounded confused.<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子と梨花が生きていると信じたくて、遠回しに聞いているのがわかった。<br>\\r\\n He wanted to believe Satoko and Rika were still alive, which was why he was asking.<br><br>\\r\\n ………圭一も、沙都子と同じだ。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi was just like Satoko.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n さらわれたら身代金でも取るんじゃい限りすぐに殺すのが当り前。<br>\\r\\n Unless the culprit was after money, the abductee would usually get killed right away.<br><br>\\r\\n 私だったら生きてるなんて夢にも思わない。<br>\\r\\n I'd never assume they'd still be alive.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …だけど圭一は、その恐ろしい想像をぐっとこらえ、わずかでも生きている望みに賭けようとしていた。<br>\\r\\n But Keiichi was trying to hold on to a little hope.<br><br>\\r\\n そんな目立たない心の強さが、今の私には痛いくらいによくわかる。<br>\\r\\n I could feel his strength.<br><br>\\r\\n …そして、その強さが、私より遥かに強いことも。<br>\\r\\n ...It was much greater than mine.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …もう私は、鬼だから。<br>\\r\\n I'm a demon,<br>\\r\\n ……言い訳なんか、しない。<br>\\r\\n so I didn't come up with an excuse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「殺されちゃったんだと思います。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I think he was killed.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………お、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...He...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………おいおい、<br>\\r\\n ......Hey, wait...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………そんなにあっさり……。」<br>\\r\\n ...That was abrupt...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…人間をさらって、その状態を維持するのってとても大変なことだと思います。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I think it must be really hard to kidnap someone and keep them like they are.<br>\\r\\n …人質にするんでもない限り、用が済んだら殺しちゃうのが一番合理的じゃないかと。」<br>\\r\\n ...As long as they're not hostages, it would be most practical to kill them once you were done with them.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「こ、ここ、殺しちゃうって、…そんなにあっさり…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"K-K-K-Kill them... So readily...<br>\\r\\n ひ、人の命を何だと思ってやがるんだ…ッ？！？！」<br>\\r\\n I-I mean, what's a human life or two, anyway...?!?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………恐ろしいことだとは思いますが。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......It's a horrible thing, but...<br>\\r\\n …多分、そうではないかと。」<br>\\r\\n That's probably what happened.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「村長が殺されたということは…、<br>\\r\\n \\\"If the mayor was killed...<br>\\r\\n 梨花ちゃんや沙都子も<br>\\r\\n then did that mean\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……<br>\\r\\n the same had happened...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 同じ様に殺されたかもしれないということなのか…？！？！<br>\\r\\n to Rika-chan and Satoko...?!?!<br>\\r\\n …い、…いや、…そんなはずは……、<br>\\r\\n ...N-No...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n どっかのジジイとはわけが違うぞ？！<br>\\r\\n That couldn't... They weren't some random old man!!<br>\\r\\n 梨花ちゃんだぞ？！<br>\\r\\n It was Rika-chan!<br>\\r\\n 沙都子だぞ？！<br>\\r\\n It was Satoko!!<br>\\r\\n そ…そんなにあっさりと……殺すはずは………！」<br>\\r\\n Th-They couldn't... They couldn't kill them so easily......!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の口から、殺したという直接的な言葉を聞かされても、なお圭一は抗った。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi was still refusing to believe what I said.<br><br>\\r\\n 胸の内の友人たちを殺すまいと、必死に戦った。<br>\\r\\n He fought so hard because he didn't want to kill his friends within him.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私は戦わなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...I wasn't like that.<br><br>\\r\\n あっさりと殺した。<br>\\r\\n I killed Satoshi-kun within me so easily.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんを庇わなかったと詩音を責めたくせに、<br>\\r\\n I blamed Shion for not protecting Satoshi-kun,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …私自身、悟史くんをあっさり殺していたのだ。<br>\\r\\n but I killed him so easily.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「梨花ちゃんと沙都子ちゃんも、<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's probably better to think that Rika-chan and Satoko-chan\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …同じだと思ったほうがいいでしょうね。」<br>\\r\\n ended up the same way.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「うわああぁああぁああぁあぁぁああぁああぁあぁああぁああああぁあああぁああぁああぁああぁあああぁああぁああぁあぁああぁぁああぁああぁああぁあぁああぁあああぁああぁあぁああぁああ…ッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Whooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh...!!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は、<br>\\r\\n Keiichi\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……吠えた。<br>\\r\\n roared<br>\\r\\n …泣いた。<br>\\r\\n and cried.<br><br>\\r\\n それは、圭一の胸の内の、沙都子と梨花の断末魔と同じだった。<br>\\r\\n It was like their deaths were physically agonizing to him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「どうしてだよ？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Why?!<br>\\r\\n どうして……人をさらったり、殺したりするんだよッ？！？！<br>\\r\\n Why... Why kidnap someone and then kill them...?!?!<br>\\r\\n 祟りだか何だか知らないが、人の命ってのはそんなに安いのかよ？！<br>\\r\\n Screw curses! Are people's lives really that cheap?!<br>\\r\\n あっさり消したり殺したり！！」<br>\\r\\n Erasing them and killing them without a second thought like this!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………えぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...You're right.<br>\\r\\n …まったくです。<br>\\r\\n ...You're absolutely right.<br>\\r\\n …悪魔ですよね…。」<br>\\r\\n ...It would take a demon...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ははははは…。<br>\\r\\n Hahahaha...<br><br>\\r\\n 自嘲する。<br>\\r\\n I laughed at myself.<br>\\r\\n 受話器の向こうには、届くまい。<br>\\r\\n I was sure Keiichi didn't notice.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「なぁ詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, Shion.<br>\\r\\n …教えてくれ。<br>\\r\\n ...Please, tell me.<br>\\r\\n …どうしてこの雛見沢では、綿流しの夜に人が死ななければならないことになってしまったんだ？」<br>\\r\\n ...Why did Hinamizawa start needing someone to die on the night of Watanagashi?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………それは私が知りたいです。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......That's what I'd like to know.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「もうダム計画との戦いは終わったんだぞ？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"The fighting over the dam project is already over and done with!!<br>\\r\\n なのに…どうしてまだ祟り足りないんだ？！<br>\\r\\n ...Haven't enough people been cursed already?!<br>\\r\\n どうしてだよ、どうしてッ！！！<br>\\r\\n Why is it? Why?!?<br>\\r\\n 理由があるなら言ってみろよ！！！」<br>\\r\\n If there's a reason, then say it, now!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……圭ちゃんの気持ち、私もよくわかります。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I understand how you feel, Kei-chan, I really do.<br>\\r\\n …ダム闘争はとっくの昔に終わったんです。<br>\\r\\n ...The dam conflict ended a long time ago.<br><br>\\r\\n なのに毎年、オヤシロさまの祟りと言う名の殺人と失踪が繰り返されている。<br>\\r\\n Yet, murders and disappearances keep happening every year under the guise of Oyashiro-sama's curse.<br>\\r\\n ……なぜ？！<br>\\r\\n ...Why?!<br>\\r\\n どうしてなんですか？！<br>\\r\\n Why is it happening?!<br>\\r\\n 全然関係ない人もいた、祟られるのに不相応な人だっていたのに、どうして？<br>\\r\\n Some of them had nothing to do with it, and some of them didn't deserve to be cursed, so why?<br>\\r\\n …どうしてッ？！？！」<br>\\r\\n ...Why?!?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「それを俺が聞いてるんだぁあああぁーーッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's what I'm asking yooouuuuu!!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「それを私だって知りたいんですよぉおおぉおおぉッ！！！！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I want to know that as much as anyone!!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう。<br>\\r\\n Of course...<br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りなんて最初からない。<br>\\r\\n The curse of Oyashiro-sama never existed.<br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りという大義名分で、殺人をしても許されるという奇怪な土壌があっただけ。<br>\\r\\n It was just a bizarre environment that allowed people to kill in the name of Oyashiro-sama.<br><br>\\r\\n でもそんなのは土壌に過ぎない。<br>\\r\\n The environment, and nothing more.<br><br>\\r\\n その上で踊ろうとする鬼がいない限り、何の意味もないのだ。<br>\\r\\n Nothing would have happened unless there were demons who danced within it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「いいですか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Listen.<br>\\r\\n …オヤシロさまの祟りなんて非現実的なものは初めから存在しません。<br>\\r\\n ...Oyashiro-sama's curse never existed. It's too unrealistic.<br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃんの言うとおり、村の何者かが、オヤシロさまの祟りというもっともらしい大義名分を利用して、<br>\\r\\n Just like you said, someone in the village is using the guise of Oyashiro-sama's curse<br>\\r\\n 綿流しの度に殺しと失踪を繰り返しているんです！！！<br>\\r\\n as a justification for continuing these murders and disappearances every Watanagashi!!!<br>\\r\\n …ヤツらは狡猾でした。<br>\\r\\n ...They were cunning.<br>\\r\\n 祟りを都合よく利用して、村の仇敵を毎年２人ずつ消し去るシステムを構築していったんです。<br>\\r\\n They've been using the curse as a convenient tool, and made a system where they would get rid of two enemies in the village every year...<br>\\r\\n …そしてこのシステムで、今年は鷹野さんたちが殺された！！」<br>\\r\\n and this year, that system killed Takano-san and Tomitake-san!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃあ２人で充分じゃねぇかよ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Then why wasn't that enough?!<br>\\r\\n どうして村長や梨花ちゃんや沙都子まで殺されなくちゃならないんだよッ！！<br>\\r\\n Why did the mayor and Rika-chan and Satoko have to get killed too?!<br>\\r\\n それに俺は過去のことは今さらどうでもいいんだ！！<br>\\r\\n I don't give a shit about the past!!<br>\\r\\n 梨花ちゃんと沙都子がなぜ殺されなくちゃならなかったのか、その一点にしか興味はないんだ！！<br>\\r\\n The only thing I care about is why Rika-chan and Satoko needed to be killed!!<br>\\r\\n どうしてなんだ？！<br>\\r\\n Why is that?!<br>\\r\\n 沙都子には打ち明けてすらないんだぞ？！？！<br>\\r\\n I didn't say a word to Satoko, you know!!!<br>\\r\\n どうして沙都子まで……。<br>\\r\\n Why even her...<br>\\r\\n どうしてなんだぁああぁあぁあぁあ？！？！」<br>\\r\\n Whyyyyyyyyyyyyy?!?!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それは、圭一の口を借りた、悟史くんの叫びだった。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun was speaking through Keiichi's mouth.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は何を言い返せばいい……？<br>\\r\\n How could I respond?<br><br>\\r\\n 何も言い返せない。<br>\\r\\n I didn't know what to say.<br><br>\\r\\n ただ黙って、その言葉の刃を胸で受けるのみだ。<br>\\r\\n I could only feel myself being stabbed by the sharpness of those words.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………圭ちゃん、<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Kei-chan...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………もう……いじめないで下さい……。<br>\\r\\n ...please... ...stop being mean... <br>\\r\\n ……ぅっく…。<br>\\r\\n ...hic...<br>\\r\\n ……………私だって何が何だかわからないんです…。<br>\\r\\n .........I don't have any idea what's going on either...<br>\\r\\n 祭具殿に忍び込んだあの晩から……全てが変わってしまった……。」<br>\\r\\n Everything changed... when we went into the ritual storehouse that night......\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………あの晩、<br>\\r\\n \\\".....When I heard...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …鷹野さんたちが死んだと聞き、耳を疑いました。<br>\\r\\n that Takano-san and Tomitake-san had been killed that night, I doubted my ears.<br>\\r\\n ……そして……すぐに気付いたんです。<br>\\r\\n ...Then... I realized it instantly.<br>\\r\\n ……今度は、……自分が狙われる立場になったんだ、って……。<br>\\r\\n ...I realized... what sort of a position I was in now...<br><br>\\r\\n 忍び込んだのは私たち４人。<br>\\r\\n The four of us snuck in there.<br>\\r\\n …私と圭ちゃんだけが都合よく許してもらえるわけがない…。<br>\\r\\n ...Kei-chan, you and I won't be so conveniently forgiven...<br>\\r\\n …そう思った時、それがどれだけ心細くて……恐ろしいことだったか、<br>\\r\\n ...When I thought about that, it made my chest so tight... It was so terrifying...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …圭ちゃんにはわかりますよね……？<br>\\r\\n You know that feeling, Kei-chan, don't you...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………だから私、<br>\\r\\n ...That's why I...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……公由のお爺ちゃんに打ち明けたんです…。<br>\\r\\n confessed everything to Uncle Kimiyoshi...<br>\\r\\n ……公由のお爺ちゃん、…怒らなかった。…<br>\\r\\n ...He wasn't mad...<br>\\r\\n …そして、にっこり笑って、詩音ちゃんがちゃんと反省してるなら、鬼隠しになんかなるものか、…って。<br>\\r\\n ...He smiled, and told me if I was really sorry, I'd never be demoned away...<br>\\r\\n …本当に……笑いながら……任せなさい…って………。<br>\\r\\n ...He really did... smile at me... and told me... to leave it to him...<br>\\r\\n ……ぅぅ…ッ！！」<br>\\r\\n ......ooh...!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 公由のおじいちゃんの、あの悟史くんを貶す言葉が蘇る…。<br>\\r\\n I remembered Uncle Kimiyoshi speaking ill of Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n 私も殺したけど、雛見沢も殺した、みんなで寄ってたかって、悟史くんを殺したんだ。<br>\\r\\n I killed him, but everyone in Hinamizawa did that.<br><br>\\r\\n 私だけが悪いわけじゃない、私だけが悪いわけじゃない…！<br>\\r\\n I wasn't the only one at fault...!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………<br>\\r\\n \\\".........\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n いつ、<br>\\r\\n ...When...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……村長に打ち明けたんだよ…。」<br>\\r\\n did you let the mayor know...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ぅっく……、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hic...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……え……？」<br>\\r\\n ...Huh...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………ごめんな、…詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........I'm sorry... Shion.<br>\\r\\n ……悲しい気持ちのところに追い討ちをかけるようで。<br>\\r\\n ......It must seem like I'm kicking you while you're down, but...<br>\\r\\n ……詩音は、…打ち明けたんだよな。<br>\\r\\n ...Shion, you... told him, right?<br>\\r\\n 公由のお爺ちゃん、つまり村長に。」<br>\\r\\n You told old man Kimiyoshi... the mayor?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……はい……。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Yes...<br>\\r\\n …………ひっく……………。」<br>\\r\\n .........hic.........\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………いつ、<br>\\r\\n \\\"............When...<br>\\r\\n …打ち明けたんだよ。」<br>\\r\\n did you let him know?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………え…、」<br>\\r\\n \\\"............Eh...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一の口調が、いつの間にか鋭利になっていた。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi's tone was becoming sharper.<br><br>\\r\\n それは残酷な鋭さだけど、断罪に相応しい鋭さだった。<br>\\r\\n That edge was cruel, but it was a sharp conviction.<br><br>\\r\\n 切れ味が悪くて無駄な痛みを与える鈍らじゃない。<br>\\r\\n It wasn't a dull edge that caused excessive pain.<br>\\r\\n …すっぱりと心地よい、そんな鋭さ。<br>\\r\\n ...It had a clean, pleasant sharpness to it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…村長さんは重い痔を患ってて、病院にかかっていたという話は知ってるか…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Did you know that the mayor had a severe case of hemorrhoids and had gone to the hospital for treatment...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………あの、<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Umm......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………圭ちゃん…？<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan...?<br>\\r\\n ……それが…何か…？」<br>\\r\\n ...What does that... have to...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……答えてくれ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Please, answer me.<br>\\r\\n 知らないなら知らないと答えればいい。」<br>\\r\\n If you didn't know, then just say so.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………痔だったのは、<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I knew that...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …知ってます…。<br>\\r\\n he had hemorrhoids...<br>\\r\\n ……座る時とか、辛そうでしたから…。」<br>\\r\\n ...It looked like sitting down was really hard for him...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「病院に通ってたんだ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"He was going to the hospital.<br>\\r\\n …どこの病院かは知ってるよな？」<br>\\r\\n ...You know which hospital, right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………………………<br>\\r\\n \\\"............\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ごめんなさい、<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n それはちょっと知りませんけど…。<br>\\r\\n I don't know that much, but...<br>\\r\\n ……でも、圭ちゃん、<br>\\r\\n ......Kei-chan...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……それが一体、何の……、」<br>\\r\\n What does that have to do with...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………単刀直入に聞きたいんだ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I want to ask you straight.<br>\\r\\n …詩音は、……いつ、<br>\\r\\n ...Shion...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 村長に打ち明けたんだ。<br>\\r\\n when did you tell the mayor about everything?<br>\\r\\n どこで、いつ。<br>\\r\\n When and where?<br>\\r\\n ……大雑把でいいから、…教えて欲しいんだ。」<br>\\r\\n ...You can give me a rough answer... but please, give me one.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………………圭ちゃん…、<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Kei-chan...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …何でそんなことを……。<br>\\r\\n Why are you asking that...<br>\\r\\n ……ぅっく…。」<br>\\r\\n ...hic...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …見事だよ、前原圭一。<br>\\r\\n Very good, Maebara Keiichi.<br>\\r\\n …見抜いたか、私を。<br>\\r\\n You know who I am, don't you?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…ありえないんだよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...It was impossible.<br>\\r\\n …村長が失踪した日。<br>\\r\\n ...The day the mayor disappeared.<br>\\r\\n 朝から消えるまで。<br>\\r\\n From dawn until he vanished.<br>\\r\\n ……詩音には接触できる機会はありえないんだ。」<br>\\r\\n ...There was no opportunity for you to contact him.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………ぇ、<br>\\r\\n \\\"............Eh...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……そ…、<br>\\r\\n Th......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………そんな……、」<br>\\r\\n That's...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「村長は朝一で、誰にも内緒の大学病院へひとりで診察に出掛けた。<br>\\r\\n \\\"The mayor left first thing in the morning for his examination at the university hospital all by himself, without telling anyone.<br>\\r\\n …詩音は今、この病院を知らないと言った。<br>\\r\\n ...Shion, you just said you don't know what hospital he went to.<br>\\r\\n …だから帰ってくるまで、村長と接触することはできないはずだ。<br>\\r\\n ...So you couldn't have contacted the mayor until he got back.<br>\\r\\n ……そうだろ…。」<br>\\r\\n ...Isn't that right...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………ぅっく……、」<br>\\r\\n \\\"............Hic...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「帰りの電車が事故で遅れたので、自宅に帰ってきたのは会合の始まる直前だった。<br>\\r\\n \\\"His train back was delayed by an accident, and he didn't return to his house until the meeting was about to start.<br><br>\\r\\n …つまり、会合が始まるまでの時間にも打ち明ける時間的余裕はないんだ。<br>\\r\\n ...So there was no time for you to have told him before the meeting started, either.<br>\\r\\n …詩音も一緒に会合に出たのか……？<br>\\r\\n Shion, did you go to the meeting too...?<br><br>\\r\\n そして会合の席上で、…打ち明けたのか…？<br>\\r\\n Did you attend it... and tell him there?<br>\\r\\n ここで打ち明けなきゃ……もう時間がないもんな。<br>\\r\\n If you didn't... then there wouldn't have been any time left.<br>\\r\\n ……会合が終わった後、村長は帰宅途中で失踪するんだから。」<br>\\r\\n ...After the meeting was over, the mayor disappeared on his way home.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………えっと、………実は会合に出…、」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Umm...... Actually, with the meeting, I...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あの日、詩音が行くと言ったバイトすら、君は欠勤してるんだ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You didn't even go to the part-time job you said you went to that day.<br>\\r\\n ……もっと端的に言おう。<br>\\r\\n ...I'll cut to the chase.<br>\\r\\n ……君は、…俺と一緒に行った図書館以降、誰にも目撃されていない。」<br>\\r\\n ...You haven't... been seen since we were at the library together.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………圭ちゃん、<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Kei-chan...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………あの、………、」<br>\\r\\n I, well...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……園崎詩音は……。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Shion Sonozaki...<br>\\r\\n ……綿流しの翌日に、<br>\\r\\n disappeared...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 失踪したんだ。」<br>\\r\\n the day after Watanagashi.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n あははははは……、<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahaha...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ビンゴだよ、圭ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n Bingo, Kei-chan.<br>\\r\\n …少し、見直したよ。<br>\\r\\n I'm impressed.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…大石さんは君がすでに失踪していると言っているんだ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Ooishi-san says you've been missing.<br>\\r\\n …でも、…詩音はこうして毎晩、俺に電話をかけてきてくれただろ…？<br>\\r\\n ...Despite that... you've been calling me every night like this, haven't you...?<br>\\r\\n ………頼む詩音。<br>\\r\\n ......Please, Shion.<br>\\r\\n ……俺が言ったことが間違ってるなら、…そうだと言ってくれ。<br>\\r\\n ...If something I said was wrong... please say so.<br>\\r\\n 詩音、頼むから……。」<br>\\r\\n Shion, I'm begging you...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n もっと、…私を追い詰めて。<br>\\r\\n Corner me even further...<br><br>\\r\\n 私の中の鬼が、どんなにみすぼらしく言い訳しようと、逃れられないくらいに、追い詰めて。<br>\\r\\n Corner me so the demon inside can't come up with excuses, so that it can't escape.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………ぅっく、<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Hic......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……っく<br>\\r\\n hic......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……っく<br>\\r\\n hic......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……、」<br>\\r\\n ...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音、お前は村長に会ってなんかないんだ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion, there's no way you could have seen the mayor, but...<br>\\r\\n …もし会ったとしたなら……、」<br>\\r\\n if you did see him......\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ……もし、詩音に村長と会う機会が、<br>\\r\\n ...The only time...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …あの日、あるとしたらそれは…、<br>\\r\\n I could possibly have seen him on that day was...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「村長が会合を終えた後。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Then you saw him after the meeting.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …すなわち！<br>\\r\\n ...In other words!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …失踪する直前、<br>\\r\\n ...It could have only been right before he disappeared\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n もしくは…失踪してからしかありえないんだッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n or else... afterward!!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……っく、……っく、……。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Hic...... hic......<br>\\r\\n …<br>\\r\\n ...<br><br>\\r\\n く<br>\\r\\n Hu\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n け<br>\\r\\n hee\\\"<br>\\r\\n 」ガシャン！！<br>\\r\\n Click!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は奇声をあげて笑いながら、受話器を叩きつけていた。<br>\\r\\n I screeched and screeched with laughter, then slammed down the phone.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 上出来だよ圭ちゃん！！<br>\\r\\n Very good, Kei-chan!!<br><br>\\r\\n そうさ私さ、私が全ての犯人さ！<br>\\r\\n That's right, it's me. I'm the one!<br><br>\\r\\n 早く、私を追い詰めて。<br>\\r\\n Hurry and corner me.<br>\\r\\n 早く、私を、<br>\\r\\n Hurry, let me be...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………解放して。<br>\\r\\n free.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あははははは、あっはっはっはっはっは…！<br>\\r\\n Ahahahaha, ah ha ha ha ha ha...!<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は、警察に言うかな、自分で来るかな。<br>\\r\\n Was he going to tell the police, or was he going to come here by himself?<br>\\r\\n どっちだろうね…。<br>\\r\\n I wondered which it would be...<br><br>\\r\\n 警察だったら、…まぁ足掻けるとこまで足掻いてみるさ。<br>\\r\\n If the police came, I'd struggle as much as I was able.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼一匹の捕物をどの程度でやってみせるか、大石の腕前を拝見だね。<br>\\r\\n I'd see how good Ooishi would be at catching a demon.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もし圭ちゃんが単身で来たら。<br>\\r\\n If Kei-chan came here alone...<br><br>\\r\\n ……そりゃあ無用心だよなぁ。<br>\\r\\n That wouldn't be smart of him.<br>\\r\\n 食い殺されたって文句は言えない。<br>\\r\\n He couldn't complain about being eaten by a demon, then.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はむしろ食い殺すつもり。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to kill him.<br>\\r\\n 詩音の前に引きずり出して、酷い殺し方をしてやるつもり。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to kill him gruesomely while Shion watches.<br><br>\\r\\n だから圭ちゃんも、……私に容赦なんかしないでね。<br>\\r\\n Therefore, Kei-chan, you shouldn't hold back.<br><br>\\r\\n ちょっと面白いやつ程度にしか思ってなかった君に、ここまでの期待をすることになるなんて、<br>\\r\\n I only ever thought you were just a funny guy. I never thought I could expect\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……思わなかったな…。<br>\\r\\n so much from you...\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 迎えは、遅かった。<br>\\r\\n It took them a long time to come for me.<br><br>\\r\\n 結局、次の朝まで待たなければならなかった。<br>\\r\\n I had to wait until the following morning.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は呼び出しのブザーの相手を、カメラで確かめもせず、門を開けた。<br>\\r\\n I opened the gate without checking who was ringing the doorbell.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 別に相手が誰でもいいと思ったから。<br>\\r\\n I didn't even care who it was.<br><br>\\r\\n 警察なら、どうぞご勝手に。<br>\\r\\n If it was the police, that'd be fine with me.<br><br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃんなら、あはは…私と戦えるかな？<br>\\r\\n If it was Kei-chan... Ahaha... could he defeat me?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そこにいたのは、圭一と、レナの二人だった。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi and Rena were there.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…こんな時間に珍しいね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Well, this is unusual.<br>\\r\\n …２人とも学校は？」<br>\\r\\n ...Aren't you two going to school?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……学校は、…休んだよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...We... stayed home today.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…ふぅん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hmm.<br>\\r\\n ……圭ちゃんはともかく、レナも？<br>\\r\\n ...Kei-chan is one thing, but you too, Rena?<br>\\r\\n …二人とも不良なんだからなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n ...You two are such troublemakers.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は軽く笑って答える。<br>\\r\\n I laughed.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………立ち話もなんでしょ。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Well, let's not just stand here.<br>\\r\\n 入りなよ。」<br>\\r\\n Come on in.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n レナのオマケが付くとは思わなかった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't think Rena would come.<br><br>\\r\\n ……ま、警察か圭ちゃんかという二つしかない予想を楽しい意味で裏切ってくれてよかったかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n I thought it would be either the police or Kei-chan alone.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は言葉巧みに、圭ちゃんを地下祭具殿に誘おうとする。<br>\\r\\n I'll try tricking Kei-chan into coming with me to the underground storehouse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……レナ、あんたはそれを見抜いて阻止してごらん。<br>\\r\\n Rena, why don't you try to figure out what I'm attempting to do and stop me?<br><br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃんもね。<br>\\r\\n You too, Kei-chan.<br>\\r\\n 私が詩音だと見抜いたなら、さらにその先も見抜いてごらん。<br>\\r\\n If you figured out I was Shion, why don't you try to figure out the rest?<br><br>\\r\\n 私は鬼らしく、鬼の役を全うするよ。<br>\\r\\n I will act like a demon.<br><br>\\r\\n 最後まで見っとも無く、足掻いて足掻いて見せる。<br>\\r\\n I will struggle until the very last moment.<br><br>\\r\\n だからあんたたちもどうか、手加減しないで。<br>\\r\\n So don't hold back.<br><br>\\r\\n 私みたいな汚らわしい鬼を殺すのに、どうか躊躇をしないで。<br>\\r\\n Please don't hesitate to kill a filthy demon like me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………魅音。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Mion.<br>\\r\\n ……まず、<br>\\r\\n ...First\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……………<br>\\r\\n ......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 謝ることがある。」<br>\\r\\n I have something to apologize for.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………圭ちゃんが？<br>\\r\\n \\\".........You do?<br>\\r\\n …何を。」<br>\\r\\n ...What for?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……あの、綿流しの晩。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Well, on the night of Watanagashi.<br>\\r\\n ………俺は、神社の…祭具殿に、<br>\\r\\n ...The... ritual storehouse behind the shrine...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …入ったんだ。」<br>\\r\\n I went in there.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"............\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 出だしはいきなり、謝罪からだった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't expect this to start with an apology.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 祭具殿に入った罪を、自ら認めたか。<br>\\r\\n Okay, so he admitted his sin of entering the ritual storehouse.<br><br>\\r\\n ……潔いことにしてやるか。<br>\\r\\n I guess that was manly of him.<br><br>\\r\\n 今の私には別に、祭具殿の不可侵性なんてどうでもいい。<br>\\r\\n I don't even care if the storehouse is forbidden anymore. Whatever.<br><br>\\r\\n あそこを聖域だなんて思ってるやつらのたわ言だ。<br>\\r\\n That rule came from those who believed it was even a sacred place at all.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……魅音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Mion.<br>\\r\\n …一昨日、梨花ちゃんと沙都子を呼んだろ。」<br>\\r\\n ...You called Rika-chan and Satoko the day before last, didn't you?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………………………覚えはないけど。<br>\\r\\n \\\"............I don't remember doing so.<br>\\r\\n そう思うに足る根拠があるなら聞かせてもらえる…？」<br>\\r\\n If you have a reason to think so, could you let me hear it...?\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n 「夕方過ぎのお夕食前の時間。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It was evening, before dinnertime.<br>\\r\\n …梨花ちゃんが来たはずだよ。<br>\\r\\n ...Rika-chan should have come here.<br>\\r\\n お醤油の大瓶を持って。<br>\\r\\n Bringing a big bottle of soy sauce.<br>\\r\\n お裾分けしてもらいに。」<br>\\r\\n To have you share some with her.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n レナの言い方には淀みはまったくなかった。<br>\\r\\n Rena spoke with confidence.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の出方を窺うような様子もない。<br>\\r\\n She wasn't even trying to gauge my reaction.<br>\\r\\n ただ真実だけを伝えるような強さがあるだけ。<br>\\r\\n She was simply telling me the truth.<br><br>\\r\\n …その鋭利さはとても心地よかった。<br>\\r\\n ...That cleverness was very pleasant to see.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………どうしてそう思う？」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Why do you think that?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…そんなに難しい話じゃない。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...It's not hard to understand.<br>\\r\\n 魅ぃちゃんも見たでしょ。<br>\\r\\n Mii-chan, you saw it too, didn't you?<br>\\r\\n 梨花ちゃんの部屋。」<br>\\r\\n Rika-chan's room.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うん？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmm?<br>\\r\\n ………んんん。」<br>\\r\\n ...Mmm.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……冷やっこがあるのにお醤油がなかった。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......There was chilled tofu, but no soy sauce.<br>\\r\\n そして流しの下にあるはずの醤油の大瓶も、瓶ごとなかった。」<br>\\r\\n Plus, the big bottle of soy sauce that should have been under the sink was nowhere to be found.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………あははははは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Ahahahahaha.<br>\\r\\n 何それ。<br>\\r\\n What?<br>\\r\\n それが私のとこへ来る理由になるわけ？」<br>\\r\\n Is that why she would have come here?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n レナはなかなかどうして頭の回るヤツだった。<br>\\r\\n Rena sure is sharp.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が何とかボロを出そうと重箱の隅を突っ突くのだが、彼女の自信にはわずかの揺るぎもなかった。<br>\\r\\n I tried to beat around the bush, but she was confident in her conclusions.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はみるみる追い詰められていく。<br>\\r\\n She was cornering me.<br><br>\\r\\n …気持ちがいいくらいに。<br>\\r\\n She was doing such a great job, too. It really put me at ease.<br><br>\\r\\n どうだ、鬼め。<br>\\r\\n Okay, demon.<br>\\r\\n ここまで完璧に推理されちゃあ、言い逃れなんかできないぞ。<br>\\r\\n Rena knows what she's talking about... What kind of excuse are you going to come up with now?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………長くなるから説明は省くけど、……冷蔵庫の中身が、…魅ぃちゃんの呼び出した話の内容まで、如実に物語っちゃってるの。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......It's a long explanation, so I'll get to the point. ...The contents of that refrigerator... provided a vivid account of what you said over the phone when you lured her out.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 決まった。<br>\\r\\n There it is.<br>\\r\\n 勝負ありだ。<br>\\r\\n This game is over.<br><br>\\r\\n レナ。<br>\\r\\n Rena...<br>\\r\\n やっぱり、あんたに持ってた苦手意識は的中したね。<br>\\r\\n I was right about you. I don't like you.<br><br>\\r\\n …あんたは大したキレ者だよ。<br>\\r\\n You really are just too sharp.<br><br>\\r\\n …詩音は鈍感だから、レナのこんな一面は想像も付かないんだろうけど。<br>\\r\\n Shion is so obtuse that she never even recognized this side of you.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………………これは、……あははははは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"............That's... ahahahahaha.<br>\\r\\n …とんだ名探偵が身近にいたもんだよ。<br>\\r\\n ...I had no idea I had such an incredible detective right next to me the whole time.<br>\\r\\n …まさか、冷蔵庫の中身だけで……電話の内容まで見破るとは…。<br>\\r\\n ...I can't believe you'd figure out everything, down to the phone conversation... just from what was inside the fridge...<br>\\r\\n ………あははははははは。<br>\\r\\n ......Ahahahahahahaha.<br>\\r\\n …参ったな。<br>\\r\\n ...You've got me there.<br>\\r\\n ……参った参った、あっははははははははははははは！！！」<br>\\r\\n You've got me, you've got me, ah-hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …堰が切れたように、…私は笑い転げた。<br>\\r\\n I laughed like crazy.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それはとても楽しくて愉快な笑いだった。<br>\\r\\n I laughed because I was having so much fun.<br><br>\\r\\n 腹の底にたまった毒気が抜けていくような解放感、爽快感だった。<br>\\r\\n I sensed the poison inside of my stomach dissipating, and felt free and refreshed.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……魅音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mion.<br>\\r\\n ………警察はもうとっくにお前を疑ってるんだ。<br>\\r\\n ......The police have suspected you for a long time now.<br>\\r\\n …この家も、大石さんの部下が踏み込もうと今も様子を窺ってる。」<br>\\r\\n ...Ooishi-san's officers have had the house under observation so that they could break in at any time.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃんが凄む。<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan was threatening me.<br>\\r\\n 抵抗も逃走も無駄、だから諦めて降伏しろってわけだ。<br>\\r\\n He was telling me I couldn't run or resist, so I should just surrender and accept my fate.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ちょいと迫力不足だなぁ圭ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n You aren't doing that intensely enough, Kei-chan.<br><br>\\r\\n そこでは私の胸倉を掴みあげて、張り倒すくらいやってもよかったと思うよ？<br>\\r\\n Shouldn't you grab my collar and knock me to the ground?<br><br>\\r\\n 私は今日は、締め殺されるくらいの覚悟はあるんだから…。<br>\\r\\n Today is the day I'm prepared to die...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その後の彼らはぬるかった。<br>\\r\\n After that, they went easy.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音がどうして凶行に及んだのか、その理由を知りたがったからだ。<br>\\r\\n Because they just wanted to know the reason why Mion committed such crimes.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……あんたたちはこの期に及んでなんて生ぬるい。<br>\\r\\n ...You all are being too lenient about this.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は鬼なんだよ？<br>\\r\\n I'm a demon.<br>\\r\\n 人殺しだよ？<br>\\r\\n I'm a murderer.<br><br>\\r\\n 動機が納得できるなら、人殺しが容認できるとでも言うのかい？<br>\\r\\n Are you saying that if you can understand the reasoning, murder is okay?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼は鬼。<br>\\r\\n A demon is a demon.<br><br>\\r\\n 人殺しは人殺し。<br>\\r\\n A murderer is a murderer.<br><br>\\r\\n 殺す動機が快楽であろうと、生きるためであろうと、復讐のためであろうと、…なぁんにも変わらないの。<br>\\r\\n Whether their motive is to have fun, to live, or to take revenge, that makes no difference.<br><br>\\r\\n そんな下らない話なんか聞かないで、さっさと私を組み伏せて、警察へ突き出したらいいのに。<br>\\r\\n Why do you even want to know that? Why don't you just tackle me and take me to the police?<br><br>\\r\\n だからほら。<br>\\r\\n Look, there.<br>\\r\\n …あんたらを煙に巻いて誤魔化そうと、鬼が首をもたげてきた…。<br>\\r\\n The demon is trying to to deceive you...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……初めてご挨拶申し上げます。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......It's a pleasure to meet you both...<br>\\r\\n …園崎本家頭首後継ぎ。<br>\\r\\n I am the successor of the Sonozaki family...<br>\\r\\n …魅音でございます。<br>\\r\\n Mion.<br>\\r\\n …本日はようこそ園崎本家においで下さいました。<br>\\r\\n ...Welcome to the Sonozaki family's house today.<br>\\r\\n 頭首、お魎に代わりまして、皆さまにご挨拶申し上げます…。<br>\\r\\n I'd like to greet you on behalf of our leader, Oryou...<br>\\r\\n …皆さまに於かれましては、いろいろお尋ねになりたいことがおありの様子…。<br>\\r\\n ...You seem to want to ask various questions...<br>\\r\\n 私にお話しできることでしたら、包み隠さずお話ししたいと存じます…。」<br>\\r\\n I'd like to answer everything as clearly as possible...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、かつて鷹野さんから教えてもらった鬼ヶ淵村から雛見沢村に至る数奇な歴史を、鷹野さんがしてくれたように、面白おかしく話して聞かせた。<br>\\r\\n I then told them about the strange events that led to Onigafuchi Village becoming Hinamizawa, which Takano-san had told me about before.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 真実５のでたらめ３、嘘２くらいの滅茶苦茶な配合で、とにかく適当な話をでっち上げた。<br>\\r\\n About half of it was the truth, but the other half was completely made up.<br><br>\\r\\n 彼らの望むだろう、親友が凶行に走るのもやむを得ない理由というやつをでっち上げてやった。<br>\\r\\n I just made it sound like it was only natural that their best friend committed such a gruesome crime.<br><br>\\r\\n 陰鬱な宿命に飲み込まれた鬼ヶ淵村の歴史の話に、圭一たちはすっかり飲み込まれているようだった。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi and Rena were both overwhelmed by the history of Onigafuchi Village, which was swallowed by this gloomy fate.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………やれやれ。<br>\\r\\n Oh, well...<br>\\r\\n …まぁ無理もないか。<br>\\r\\n I guess I made it sound interesting enough.<br><br>\\r\\n 面白い話だから、聞いていて退屈はしまい。<br>\\r\\n I'm sure they enjoyed hearing me tell the story.<br><br>\\r\\n でもね、二人とも。<br>\\r\\n But you know...<br><br>\\r\\n 事件は現代に起こって、今の時代に私と言う個人が犯したんだよ？<br>\\r\\n I'm the one who committed the incidents that happened in the present time.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 昔話なんか聞いて何になるの？<br>\\r\\n What was the point in listening to those old folktales?<br><br>\\r\\n そんな下らない話で親友の罪を丸めて、飲み込みやすくしようとしているわけ？<br>\\r\\n Are you thinking it will make your best friend's crime easier to swallow?<br><br>\\r\\n そんなのはあんたたちの自己満足なんだよ。<br>\\r\\n You're just trying to satisfy yourselves.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は鬼。<br>\\r\\n I'm a demon.<br>\\r\\n 人殺し。<br>\\r\\n I'm a murderer.<br>\\r\\n 犯罪者。<br>\\r\\n I have sinned.<br><br>\\r\\n 昔話なんて、なぁんにも関係ないんだから。<br>\\r\\n These old folktales have nothing to do with the crimes I've committed.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それでも懸命に耳を傾ける二人が可笑しくて、私は人肉缶詰の話から戦時中の残酷な研究の話……、<br>\\r\\n The way those two listened to me so intensely almost made it fun. I told them that people used to make canned human meat and conducted gruesome research during the war...<br>\\r\\n 要するに鷹野さんが好きで、私に特に熱っぽく聞かせてくれた辺りをねっちりと聞かせてやった。<br>\\r\\n Those were things Takano-san told me.<br><br>\\r\\n …おいおい二人とも。<br>\\r\\n Hey, you two...<br><br>\\r\\n さすがにそろそろ気付けよ。<br>\\r\\n Haven't you realized yet?<br><br>\\r\\n 私、とっくに全然関係ない話をしてるって。<br>\\r\\n Haven't you realized that what I'm talking about has nothing to do with what we're dealing with right now?<br><br>\\r\\n …そんな神妙そうな顔をしちゃって。<br>\\r\\n ...You both look so serious.<br>\\r\\n …………ばぁか。<br>\\r\\n You two are such fools!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……雛見沢村を、再び鬼ヶ淵村のように。崇められるに足る神聖な存在に。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...So that Hinamizawa Village might once more be like Onigafuchi Village. So that we may again be a sacred existence, worthy of worship.<br>\\r\\n …それが我ら鬼ヶ淵村の末裔の悲願であり、…園崎本家の「鬼」を継ぐ者の宿命なのです。」<br>\\r\\n That's the mission of those who inherit the 'demon' of the Sonozaki main family.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………「鬼」を、<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Those who inherit...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …継ぐ者？」<br>\\r\\n the demon?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……我が園崎本家は代々、当主の名に「鬼」の一字を加える習慣があるのです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......For generations, the Sonozaki family has had a custom of including the character for 'demon' in the names of its successors.<br>\\r\\n ……私の名前を手のひらにでも書いていただければ、一目瞭然かと…。」<br>\\r\\n ...If you write out my name on your hand, it should appear plain as day...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は手の平に「魅音」となぞる。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi tried to write 'Mion' on his palm.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…あ、…本当だ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Oh... She's right.<br>\\r\\n 鬼という文字が含まれてる…。」<br>\\r\\n The character for 'demon' is in there...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……名前だけではありませんよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Not only in my name, either.<br>\\r\\n …この体にも、鬼が刻まれているのです。」<br>\\r\\n ...The demon is engraved on my body as well.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は腰を上げ、背中を見せるように着衣に手をかける仕草をした。<br>\\r\\n I stood up and made to show my bare back.<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん私の背中に刺青などない。<br>\\r\\n Of course, I don't actually have a tattoo there.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「いいよ魅ぃちゃん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's okay, Mii-chan.<br>\\r\\n ………見せる必要なんて全然ない。」<br>\\r\\n ......You don't need to show us, okay?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………ありがとう。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Thank you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n はは、言うと思った。<br>\\r\\n I laughed a little.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …こいつらは本気で私を、親友の魅音だとまだ信じてるようだ。<br>\\r\\n ...They must really believe that I'm their best friend, Mion.<br><br>\\r\\n …こりゃあだめだね。<br>\\r\\n My goodness.<br><br>\\r\\n このゲームは多分、鬼の勝ちだよ。<br>\\r\\n The demon has won already.<br><br>\\r\\n 最初の追い詰める辺りまでは上出来だったんだけどねぇ。<br>\\r\\n They were doing so well at the beginning, too.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n やがて私はお涙頂戴を意識したでたらめ話を終え、座り込んだ。<br>\\r\\n I eventually sat back down after I finished telling my made-up tearjerker stories.<br><br>\\r\\n これで涙でも流すようじゃ、あんたらの負けだ。<br>\\r\\n It's your loss if you all shed any tears now.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 圭一を見る。<br>\\r\\n I looked at Keiichi.<br>\\r\\n 涙こそ浮かべてないが、感情が今にも爆発しそうだった。<br>\\r\\n He wasn't crying, but he was overcome by emotion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n レナを見る。<br>\\r\\n I looked at Rena.<br>\\r\\n ………意外にも、攻撃的な表情を緩めず、戦う意思を見せていた。<br>\\r\\n ...Surprisingly, she still maintained an aggressive look, showing me her will to fight.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「でも、…魅ぃちゃんは梨花ちゃんと沙都子ちゃんを、<br>\\r\\n \\\"But... Rika-chan and Satoko-chan\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………………………………<br>\\r\\n ....................................\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 殺したんだよね。」<br>\\r\\n You killed them, didn't you, Mii-chan?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n さすがだねレナ。<br>\\r\\n You're good, Rena.<br><br>\\r\\n …私の与太話なんか、親友殺しの理由にならないの、見抜いてきたか。<br>\\r\\n You know what I just told you isn't an excuse for murder.<br><br>\\r\\n ……普段のあんたはふざけてるそうで、詩音の印象もそうらしいけど、とんでもない。<br>\\r\\n You usually act like such a goofball, but that's not how you really are.<br><br>\\r\\n …あんたは大したタマだよ。<br>\\r\\n You sure are something.<br>\\r\\n 詩音なんかより数枚上手だね。<br>\\r\\n You're far sharper than Shion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「他の人のことは殺してもいいとも言わないよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm not saying that it's okay if you killed other people.<br>\\r\\n ……でも、とにかく魅ぃちゃんは。<br>\\r\\n ...Regardless, Mii-chan...<br>\\r\\n ……梨花ちゃんと沙都子ちゃんを、殺した。」<br>\\r\\n You killed Rika-chan and Satoko-chan.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………………………………弁解はしないよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........I'm not trying to justify what I've done.<br>\\r\\n 私には鬼が宿ってる。<br>\\r\\n I have a demon inside of me.<br>\\r\\n …名前にも体にも。<br>\\r\\n The demon is in my name, in my body<br>\\r\\n 心にも。<br>\\r\\n and also in my soul.<br>\\r\\n ……でも手を下したのは鬼じゃない。<br>\\r\\n ......But the demon wasn't the one who killed them.<br>\\r\\n …園崎魅音。私本人。<br>\\r\\n I did. Sonozaki Mion did.<br>\\r\\n …魅音が望んだから梨花ちゃんと沙都子が死んだ。<br>\\r\\n Rika-chan and Satoko died because Mion wanted them dead.<br>\\r\\n …それは変わらない。<br>\\r\\n ...That will never change.<br>\\r\\n ……ははは。レナの言うとおりだよ。」<br>\\r\\n ...Hahaha. You're right, Rena.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n さぁレナ、どう？<br>\\r\\n Come on, Rena...<br>\\r\\n 私の正体を見破って見せられる？<br>\\r\\n Try to figure out who I really am.<br><br>\\r\\n あんたたちは私の犠牲者に過ぎない詩音を、犯人だと思いこんでいるんだよ？<br>\\r\\n You still believe Shion, my victim, is the real culprit.<br><br>\\r\\n このまま私の言葉に踊らされたんじゃ、詩音が浮かばれないよ？<br>\\r\\n Poor Shion, I'm making Rena believe that you're responsible.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、……レナはそこまでだった。<br>\\r\\n That was it for Rena, though.<br><br>\\r\\n 私を魅音とは、看破できなかった。<br>\\r\\n She couldn't figure out I was Mion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「自首、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Please,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …しよ。」<br>\\r\\n turn yourself in.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n レナは「魅音」に言った。<br>\\r\\n Rena spoke to 'Mion'.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私たちも一緒に行くよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"We'll go with you.<br>\\r\\n …親友をひとりきりになんか、絶対にしない。」<br>\\r\\n ...We'll never leave a friend by herself.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………泣く子とレナにゃ勝てないわー。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Crying children and Rena are the only things I can't beat!<br>\\r\\n あはははは…。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahahaha...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ……残念だね、レナ。<br>\\r\\n Too bad, Rena.<br>\\r\\n 勝負有りだよ。<br>\\r\\n I've won.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「自分で自分の罪、…どのくらいになるかよくわかってる。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm well aware... of how serious my own crimes are.<br>\\r\\n ……たとえ自首が認められても、……多分、もうここに帰ってくることもないと思う。」<br>\\r\\n ...Even if they accept me turning myself in... I'll probably never be able to come back here.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"............\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「だから、最後にわがままを聞いて欲しいな。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"So, I'd like you to hear one last selfish request.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「何かな？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"What is it?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「３０分でいいから。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Thirty minutes is fine...<br>\\r\\n ……圭ちゃんと二人きりにしてほしい。」<br>\\r\\n Just let me have some time alone with Kei-chan.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………え、」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Eh?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は自分の名前がここで出るとは思わず、ぽかんとした顔をした。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi looked startled to suddenly hear his name.<br><br>\\r\\n …鈍感野郎め。<br>\\r\\n You're so insensitive, Keiichi.<br>\\r\\n ………お前のそのデリカシーのなさが妹を泣かせたんだぞ。<br>\\r\\n ...That's what made my sister cry.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……圭一くん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Keiichi-kun...<br>\\r\\n …どうかな。<br>\\r\\n is that okay with you?<br>\\r\\n ……圭一くんが嫌なら、無理にとは言えない。」<br>\\r\\n ......If you don't want to, then I won't make you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………そうだね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"............She's right.<br>\\r\\n 嫌なら、それでもいいよ。<br>\\r\\n It's okay if you don't want to.<br>\\r\\n ……私は、鬼だもの。<br>\\r\\n ...After all, I'm a demon...<br>\\r\\n …圭ちゃんはよそから引っ越してきた、正真正銘の人間。<br>\\r\\n and Kei-chan is a bona fide human who moved here from somewhere else.<br>\\r\\n ……相容れることなんて、…オヤシロさまが実在して、仲介してくれない限り、…絶対にない。」<br>\\r\\n ...For us to be compatible... as long as Oyashiro-sama doesn't exist to mediate... it simply isn't possible.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一はほんの少しの躊躇を見せた。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi hesitated a little.<br><br>\\r\\n …さぁ圭ちゃん、私を罵倒してくれ。<br>\\r\\n Come on, Kei-chan, condemn me.<br><br>\\r\\n この人殺し野郎、誰がお前などと行くものか、と私を罵り倒してくれ。<br>\\r\\n Condemn me, and tell me you'd never go.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sure.<br>\\r\\n ……いいぜ。」<br>\\r\\n ...It's fine.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………ありがとう。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Thank you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ……ばか。<br>\\r\\n ...Fool!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……私からもありがとうを言うよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I'd like to thank you too,<br>\\r\\n 圭一くん。」<br>\\r\\n Keiichi-kun.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n レナが立ち上がる。<br>\\r\\n Rena stood up.<br><br>\\r\\n …私との約束どおり、この場を去るつもりらしい。<br>\\r\\n As promised, she made to leave.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、いいよレナ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, it's fine, Rena.<br>\\r\\n ここで待っててくれれば。<br>\\r\\n You can wait right here.<br>\\r\\n ……圭ちゃんとは、庭をぐるりとまわりたいだけだから。<br>\\r\\n ...I just want to go around the garden with Kei-chan.<br>\\r\\n …退屈だったら私の部屋へ行けばいい。漫画とか好きに読んでていいよ。<br>\\r\\n ...If you're bored, you can go to my room. You can read any manga you like.<br>\\r\\n …………あぁ、何だったらお気に入りの単行本、丸ごと持ってってもいい。」<br>\\r\\n ......Ah, and if there are any volumes you want, you might as well take them.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「いやだよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't want to.<br>\\r\\n 魅ぃちゃんの本は魅ぃちゃんのものだもの。<br>\\r\\n Mii-chan's books belong to Mii-chan.<br>\\r\\n 勝手にレナの家に持って帰れない。」<br>\\r\\n Rena couldn't bring them back home with her so freely.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………あんたは、こんな時に限っていい子なんだから。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........You're such a good kid, only at times like this.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私はレナの頭を掴んで、まるで悟史くんがするみたいにやさしく撫でた。<br>\\r\\n I took Rena's head and rubbed it like Satoshi-kun used to do to me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃ、…行こう。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay... let's go,<br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃん。」<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …ゲームセットだ。<br>\\r\\n The game was over.<br><br>\\r\\n レナ、惜しかったね。<br>\\r\\n Too bad, Rena.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、圭ちゃんが単身で来るよりは面白かったか。<br>\\r\\n At least this was more fun than if Kei-chan came alone.<br><br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃん一人だったら、私の与太話に煙に巻かれて、今頃は一緒に逃げようなんて言い出してたかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n If he did, he could have asked me to run away with him after hearing my stories.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n レナの目には、裁判官のような眼差しがある。<br>\\r\\n Rena's eyes were like those of a judge.<br>\\r\\n 宿るのは、慈愛と遵守。<br>\\r\\n In those eyes, I sensed both affection and observance.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が３０分と言ったから、待つのはかっきり３０分。<br>\\r\\n I said thirty minutes, so she would probably only wait for thirty minutes.<br><br>\\r\\n …それを１秒でも過ぎたら、容赦なく大石たちに通報すると、目が語っていた。<br>\\r\\n If I took even a second longer, she'd call Ooishi.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それでも私は失望だ。<br>\\r\\n I'm a little disappointed.<br><br>\\r\\n それは彼らの親友の「魅音」に向けるべきもの。<br>\\r\\n Rena still think I' 'Mion'.<br><br>\\r\\n レナは最後まで私を見抜けなかった。<br>\\r\\n She didn't manage to see through me.<br><br>\\r\\n …………あんたほどの人間なら、私の鬼を暴いてくれると信じたんだけどね。<br>\\r\\n I thought someone like her would see the demon in me.<br>\\r\\n …見込み違いだったか。<br>\\r\\n I guess I was wrong...<br>\\r\\n …残念。<br>\\r\\n Too bad...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 少し遅れて、圭一も靴を履いて出てきた。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi followed me after putting his shoes on.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「腕、……組んでもいいかな。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Can I... hold your arm?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ……………それはあまりに慎ましやかな要求だった。<br>\\r\\n ......Such a humble request.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…別に構わないぞ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I don't mind.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は悪ふざけするように圭一の腕を取る。<br>\\r\\n I took Keiichi's arm.<br><br>\\r\\n ……それは悟史くんと同じ温かさがして、…私を困惑させる。<br>\\r\\n It was as warm as Satoshi-kun's... I felt a little bewildered...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……私に腕を組まれたら、…何だか緊張しちゃわない？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Do you get kind of nervous... with your arm through mine?<br>\\r\\n 例えば、急に関節技を極められちゃんじゃないかな…なんて思ったりとか…。」<br>\\r\\n You're not thinking for example... that I'd suddenly put you in a world-class joint lock, or anything...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…姉妹そろって同じことを言うんだな。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...You two say the same things.<br>\\r\\n 思わないよ。<br>\\r\\n I don't think that.<br>\\r\\n 全然。」<br>\\r\\n At all.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 前に、私が町で彼の腕を取った時のことを、覚えていてくれた。<br>\\r\\n He was remembering the time when I'd held his arm in town.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………詩音も圭ちゃんのことが好きだったみたい。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........I think Shion liked you, Kei-chan.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……そうなんだ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I see.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は詩音の想いを伝えてやった。<br>\\r\\n I told him how my sister felt.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 詩音は、悟史くんとずっと一緒にいたから、悟史くんとは友情の関係がずっと続いていて、私のような恋愛感情には至らなかった。<br>\\r\\n Shion was with Satoshi-kun for a long time, but what they had was friendship. They never had anything more than that.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、圭一に恋をした。<br>\\r\\n That was why she fell in love with Keiichi.<br><br>\\r\\n きっと条件が同じなら、私も圭一に恋をする。<br>\\r\\n If I were in her position, I would also have fallen in love with him.<br><br>\\r\\n 詩音が恋をしたということは、<br>\\r\\n If Shion was able to fall in love with him\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …私もまた、彼を好きになれるということなのだ。<br>\\r\\n then I could fall in love with him too.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は、私に腕を預けて、静かに微笑んでくれていた。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi smiled gently.<br><br>\\r\\n その知的な微笑みに、…私は在りし日の悟史くんの面影を重ねる。<br>\\r\\n I almost saw Satoshi-kun in that smile.<br><br>\\r\\n …私の知る圭一はもっと軽薄で、下らない。<br>\\r\\n The Keiichi I knew was worthless and superficial.<br><br>\\r\\n ……こんな、悟史くんみたいな笑い方ができるなんて、…知らなかった。<br>\\r\\n I never realized he could smile like Satoshi-kun...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……魅音と詩音は、…仲はよかったんだろ…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mion and Shion... you got along well, didn't you...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「さぁ、…………どうかな。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well......... I wonder.<br>\\r\\n …圭ちゃんは、自分の右手と左手は仲が良いと思う？」<br>\\r\\n ...Kei-chan, do you think your right hand and left hand get along?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「え？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh?<br>\\r\\n 右手と左手？<br>\\r\\n My right hand and left hand?<br>\\r\\n …それは仲がいいとか悪いとか、そういう言い方で例えるものじゃないなぁ…。」<br>\\r\\n ...I don't think you could describe them as getting along or not...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そういう関係だから。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's how our relationship is.<br>\\r\\n 仲が良いとか悪いとか、そういう尺度では測れない関係。」<br>\\r\\n You can't measure it by how well we get along.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 生まれた時から一緒にいる。<br>\\r\\n We'd been together since we were born.<br><br>\\r\\n 二人が対になっている世界に初めからいた。<br>\\r\\n We'd been living in this world as a pair.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、私は魅音で、あいつは詩音だった。<br>\\r\\n But I was Mion and she was Shion.<br><br>\\r\\n ……魅音は特別に扱われ、…私は心のどこかで、魅音であることに固執した。<br>\\r\\n Mion was treated specially... and I insisted on being her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もちろんそれは詩音には不愉快なことで。<br>\\r\\n Of course, that was unpleasant for Shion.<br><br>\\r\\n …私たちは公平にしようということになり、ことあるごとに入れ替わって生活するようになったんだっけ。<br>\\r\\n Deciding to be fair, we switched places all the time.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私たちは、おそらく他の一卵性双生児とは違っていた。<br>\\r\\n We were probably different from other identical twins.<br><br>\\r\\n 同じ好み、同じ考えをするだけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n We didn't only like the same things or do things the same way.<br>\\r\\n ……互いの状況や知識すらも共有できた。<br>\\r\\n We even managed to share our knowledge and experiences.<br><br>\\r\\n 互いに、自分が得てきた経験を話し合えば、私たちはそれを共有できた。<br>\\r\\n When we talked about our experiences, we could share them.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音としても詩音としても存在できる完璧な記憶を共有できた。<br>\\r\\n As Mion and Shion, we shared everything.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だから私たちは魅音であり、同時に詩音でもあれたのだ。<br>\\r\\n That was why each of us was both Mion and Shion at the same time.<br><br>\\r\\n ……いや、そう思ってくれていたのは詩音だけかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n No... maybe Shion was the only one who thought that way.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は…少し違った。<br>\\r\\n I was a little different than that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 魅音をたまに詩音に貸してやってるだけ。<br>\\r\\n I was simply letting Shion be Mion once in a while.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は魅音で園崎家の次期頭首。<br>\\r\\n I was Mion, the successor to the Sonozaki family.<br><br>\\r\\n だからちやほやしてもらえて当り前。<br>\\r\\n I was supposed to be treated specially.<br>\\r\\n それは私だけの特権だと、…そう思っていた。<br>\\r\\n I always thought that was my privilege.<br><br>\\r\\n 周りが魅音と詩音を区別しようとしたように、<br>\\r\\n Just like everyone tried to distinguish between Mion and Shion......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………他でもない私自身が、区別しようとしていたのだ。<br>\\r\\n I also tried to distinguish between us.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「例えば利き腕というものがあるように、右手と左手には間違いなく優劣の違いがある。<br>\\r\\n \\\"For example, one of your hands is dominant, so there will always be a better hand.<br>\\r\\n ……もしも鍋掴みが片方しかなかったら、迷うことなく利き腕にするでしょ？<br>\\r\\n ...If you only had one oven mitt, you would put it on your dominant hand without thinking, right?<br>\\r\\n そういう差はあったんじゃないかと思う。」<br>\\r\\n I think maybe it was like that for us.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"............\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「だからと言って、左手がなくなったっていいなんて思う人は誰もいないはず。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That doesn't mean, though, that anyone would be okay with losing their left hand.<br>\\r\\n ……そんな、よくわからない関係だね。」<br>\\r\\n ...It's that kind of unexplainable relationship.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………多分、…それは近くに居過ぎるから見えなくなっているだけで…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I think that maybe... you lived too close together, and just stopped being able to see it, but...<br>\\r\\n …きっととても仲のいいことなんだと思う。<br>\\r\\n I think that means you get along really well.<br><br>\\r\\n ……俺は一人っ子だから、…祭りの前日。<br>\\r\\n ...I'm an only child, so... the day before the festival...<br>\\r\\n 魅音と詩音が二人してじゃれ合っているのを、すごく羨ましいと思った。」<br>\\r\\n I was really jealous of when you and Shion were messing around with each other.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………ないものねだりじゃないの？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I think you're jealous of something that doesn't exist.<br>\\r\\n 双子なんて、昔は人をからかったりしてそこそこに面白かったけど。<br>\\r\\n Yes, we twins used to have a lot of fun trading places with each other...<br>\\r\\n …こうして互いがはっきりと異なる個性を持った今では、かえって邪魔なだけ。」<br>\\r\\n But now that we have such distinctly different personalities, our resemblance only gets in the way.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんな意地悪な姉だから、………私は罰が当たって、詩音になってしまったんだ。<br>\\r\\n As an older sister, I felt I was mean for thinking that way... so as punishment, I became Shion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………私は、誰だろう。<br>\\r\\n ......Who am I?<br><br>\\r\\n …誰なんて、最初からない。<br>\\r\\n I never had a solid identity in the first place.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音だった。<br>\\r\\n I was Mion.<br>\\r\\n 詩音だった。<br>\\r\\n Then I was Shion.<br><br>\\r\\n それを受け容れればよかった。<br>\\r\\n I should have just accepted that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でももう、今は違う。<br>\\r\\n But something has changed.<br>\\r\\n ……もう、自分が魅音なのか詩音なのかも分からなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...I don't even know if I'm Mion or Shion anymore.<br><br>\\r\\n それをレナに看破してほしいとねだったのは、……甘えだったか。<br>\\r\\n Had I really been stupid enough to hope that Rena would figure that out for me?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………詩音は、まだ生きてる。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Shion is... still alive.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……本当か。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Really?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は私の目をじっと見た。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi looked into my eyes.<br>\\r\\n …私はそれに静かに頷き返す。<br>\\r\\n I nodded quietly.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………うん。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Yeah.<br>\\r\\n ……誰よりも惨たらしい死に方をさせてやろうと、ずっと考えて閉じ込めておいたけど。<br>\\r\\n ...I'd been thinking to give her the most horrible death of all, so I kept her locked up.<br>\\r\\n ………今日まで、その方法はとうとう思いつかなかった。」<br>\\r\\n ......I never did think of a good way to do it, though.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n これだけは嘘。<br>\\r\\n This was a lie.<br><br>\\r\\n とっくに残酷な方法は思いついてた。<br>\\r\\n I've already come up with ideas.<br>\\r\\n そしてそれを実行もした。<br>\\r\\n And I've already begun to execute them.<br><br>\\r\\n 詩音の目の前で、鬼婆を井戸に捨てた。<br>\\r\\n I dumped the hag into the well in front of Shion.<br>\\r\\n 公由も捨てたし、梨花も捨てた。<br>\\r\\n I dumped Kimiyoshi and Rika in there.<br>\\r\\n 沙都子に至っては殺すところまでも。<br>\\r\\n I even killed Satoko, too.<br><br>\\r\\n そして今や私は、詩音が恋した圭一すらも殺して見せようとしている。<br>\\r\\n And right now, I'm plotting to kill Keiichi, who Shion fell in love with.<br><br>\\r\\n ……そう、私は鬼だから。<br>\\r\\n I am a demon.<br>\\r\\n …これ以上、どんな残酷な行為も、私には愉悦にしか感じない…。<br>\\r\\n Any such gruesome act is simply pleasure to me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その時、………温かい手が、私の頭を撫でてくれた。<br>\\r\\n That's when I felt a warm hand rubbing my head.<br><br>\\r\\n それは悟史くんの手ではなく、紛れもない圭一の手。<br>\\r\\n It wasn't Satoshi's hand, but Keiichi's.<br><br>\\r\\n ……圭一と悟史くんじゃ、全然違うはずなのに。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi and Satoshi-kun are totally different.<br>\\r\\n …詩音はこいつのどこに惹かれたんだろう。<br>\\r\\n Why did Shion fall in love with him?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……こいつのごつごつした手に撫でられたって、うれしくなんかない。<br>\\r\\n His rough hand didn't make me happy.<br><br>\\r\\n …私を理解してくれたように感じるのはただの錯覚だ。<br>\\r\\n That he understood my feelings was just my imagination.<br><br>\\r\\n …うれしくなんかない、気持ちよくなんか、ない…。<br>\\r\\n I wasn't happy, and it didn't feel good, it didn't...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………来て。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Come with me.<br>\\r\\n …私の罪の全てを、見て欲しいから。<br>\\r\\n ...I want you to see all of my sins.<br>\\r\\n ……でもそれは圭ちゃんにとって、…この上なく辛い光景かもしれない。」<br>\\r\\n ...Although, Kei-chan... it might be the worst thing you've ever seen.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はこれから、最後の罪を犯す。<br>\\r\\n I am going to commit my final crime.<br><br>\\r\\n その罪を、あんたにも見せる。<br>\\r\\n I am going to let you see it.<br><br>\\r\\n 詩音にも見せる。<br>\\r\\n I am going to let Shion see it.<br><br>\\r\\n あんたは殺される間際になっても、自分が親友に殺されると思うのかね。<br>\\r\\n When I do, are you still going to think I'm your best friend?<br><br>\\r\\n …可哀想だね、詩音。<br>\\r\\n Poor Shion...<br><br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃんはあんたに殺されたと思いながら死んでいくんだよ…。<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan is going to die thinking it's you who's killing him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………引き返すなら今だよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........If you want to turn back, now's your chance.<br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃんの中の園崎魅音がどんな人かは知らないけれど。<br>\\r\\n I don't know what impression you have of Mion Sonozaki, but...<br>\\r\\n ……中に入れば、……その魅音はきっと………、<br>\\r\\n it will surely change... once you go inside......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n ..................\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「変わらない。<br>\\r\\n \\\"It'll never change.<br>\\r\\n 何度だって言う。<br>\\r\\n I'll say it as many times as I need to.<br>\\r\\n …園崎魅音は、俺の最高の親友だ。」<br>\\r\\n ...Mion Sonozaki is the best friend I could ever have.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …ばあか。<br>\\r\\n You are such a fool.<br>\\r\\n …カッコよくなんか、ないぞ………。<br>\\r\\n You don't sound cool at all...<br><br>\\r\\n 私はただの鬼だから、…もう人間の気持ちはわからないけれど。<br>\\r\\n I don't understand human feelings because I'm now a demon,<br>\\r\\n …あの子があんたを好きになったの、…よくわかる気がする。<br>\\r\\n but... I think I can understand why she loves you.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 地下祭具殿の鉄扉を開け放ち、圭一を中に誘う。<br>\\r\\n I opened the iron door to the underground storehouse and beckoned Keiichi inside.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …ほら、圭一。<br>\\r\\n Come on, Keiichi.<br>\\r\\n どう考えたって罠だよ？<br>\\r\\n This is obviously a trap, don't you see?<br><br>\\r\\n どう見たってこの地下はヤバいって。<br>\\r\\n This basement is transparently suspicious.<br>\\r\\n 今から駆け戻って警察を呼んだ方がいいんじゃない？<br>\\r\\n Don't you think you should run to the police?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だが、圭一は蛮勇だった。<br>\\r\\n But Keiichi was reckless.<br>\\r\\n ……ぐっと唾を飲み込んでから、踏み入る。<br>\\r\\n ...He swallowed, then stepped inside.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……………はぁ。<br>\\r\\n .........Hah.<br>\\r\\n ……本当に、ばか。<br>\\r\\n You really are... a fool.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 地下への階段を下り、拷問室に招き入れた。<br>\\r\\n We went down the stairs to the basement, and I let him into the torture room.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ここに初めて訪れれば誰だって面食らう。<br>\\r\\n Everyone is shocked their first time visiting this room.<br>\\r\\n …かつて私だってそうだった。<br>\\r\\n ...I used to be that way.<br><br>\\r\\n …もちろん圭一も驚いてはいるようだった。<br>\\r\\n ...Of course, Keiichi looked surprised too.<br><br>\\r\\n …だが、…圭一が努力していたのは、それが表情に出ないようにしていたことだった。<br>\\r\\n ...But he was trying not to show it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n こんな恐ろしい部屋を目の当たりにしたら驚きたいに決まってる。<br>\\r\\n Obviously he wanted to express his shock at seeing this horrifying room.<br>\\r\\n でも、…口に出して驚けば、それが罪を告白しようとする親友を拒絶することになりかねないと知っていて、<br>\\r\\n But... he also knew that if he voiced that shock, that he would be rejecting his best friend, who was trying to confess her sins to him...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……圭一は驚きを噛み殺そうとがんばっているのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...So he did everything he could to stifle his surprise.<br>\\r\\n 「…大昔の頭首の書き物によるとね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...According to something a family head from a long time ago wrote...<br>\\r\\n …血の飛沫ってのは、犠牲者に負担をかけない割にはインパクトがあるんだってさ。<br>\\r\\n Blood splatter has impact, despite the fact that it doesn't tax the sacrifice.<br>\\r\\n ……綿流しは見せしめのショーだったから。<br>\\r\\n ...Watanagashi was meant as a deterrent, after all.<br>\\r\\n 私のご先祖さまたちは様々なショーを考案してたんだよ。<br>\\r\\n My ancestors thought up all different kinds of showy torture.<br>\\r\\n ……ほら、そこが観賞席なんだよ。<br>\\r\\n ......That's a space for the audience.<br>\\r\\n 綿流しは見せしめのショーだから。<br>\\r\\n ...Watanagashi is a deterrent, after all.<br><br>\\r\\n 客がいなきゃ意味がない。」<br>\\r\\n It wouldn't make sense if there were no guests.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"..................\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は、……静かに笑って、私の話を聞いていた。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi smiled quietly as he listened to me.<br>\\r\\n 私がどんな残酷なことを口にしたって。<br>\\r\\n No matter what cruelty came out of my mouth...<br><br>\\r\\n ……駄々っ子が胸を叩くのを抱きしめるような、…そういう包容力を見せながら。<br>\\r\\n He would embrace me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………これが、あのばかで軽薄な前原圭一なの…？<br>\\r\\n Was this really the superficial Keiichi Maebara I knew?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 「みんなここで、………………私が殺した。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Right here... .........is where I killed everyone.<br>\\r\\n …見てくれている観客はいなかったけど、…私は綿流しを上手にやって見せた。<br>\\r\\n ...There were no spectators to watch me... but I held a Watanagashi of my own.<br>\\r\\n ……いや、観客はひとりだけいたかな。」<br>\\r\\n ...Well, perhaps there was one spectator.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…え？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Huh?<br>\\r\\n 観客…？」<br>\\r\\n A spectator...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……私。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Me.<br>\\r\\n 私という鬼が、魅音の執り行う綿流しをずっと見てたから。」<br>\\r\\n I, the demon, was watching the entire time Mion held the ceremony.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ケタケタと私は笑った。<br>\\r\\n I started to laugh.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一、…あんたはいくつヒントを出されれば私が、あんたの親友じゃないって気が付くの？<br>\\r\\n How many hints do you need, Keiichi? When are you going to figure out I'm not really your best friend?<br><br>\\r\\n ほらほら、早くしないと…早くしないと、…ゲームオーバーになるよ。<br>\\r\\n Come on, hurry up... you're running out of time. The game is... almost over.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう、これはゲーム。<br>\\r\\n This was a game.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼が、悟史くんの復讐の名を借りて惨劇を繰り返す、殺人のゲーム。<br>\\r\\n This was a game of murder. I had killed people, using my revenge for Satoshi-kun as an excuse.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼は圭一を召し捕って魅音の前で殺そうとしている。<br>\\r\\n The demon was trying to capture Keiichi and kill him before Mion's eyes.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも圭一にはチャンスがある。<br>\\r\\n But Keiichi had a chance.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が、お前たちの親友である魅音でないと見抜ければ、合格。<br>\\r\\n If he figured out I wasn't his best friend, then he'd win.<br><br>\\r\\n それができないなら、ダメ。<br>\\r\\n If not, he was out.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……そんなルール、…いつ作ったんだっけ。<br>\\r\\n When did I come up with that rule?<br><br>\\r\\n …多分、今日だ。<br>\\r\\n I guess it was sometime today.<br>\\r\\n ついさっきかな？<br>\\r\\n Or did I come up with it just a minute ago?<br><br>\\r\\n こいつらがあまりに不甲斐ないんで、…もう少しこのゲームの条件をやさしくして、こいつらに有利にしてやったんだ。<br>\\r\\n Since the two of them aren't too bright, I decided to be easy on them, I guess.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n お前らは魅音の親友だろ？<br>\\r\\n You are Mion's best friends, right?<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音を信じていないのか？<br>\\r\\n Don't you believe in her?<br><br>\\r\\n お前たちの胸の中の魅音は、…あっさりと殺人鬼にされてしまったのか？<br>\\r\\n Have you already made Mion into a murderer within yourselves?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …お前たちも守ってみろ、胸の中の魅音を。<br>\\r\\n Why don't you try to protect the Mion within you?<br><br>\\r\\n 親友が殺人鬼のはずなんかないと、固く信じてみろ…。<br>\\r\\n Why don't you try to believe your friend can't be a murderer?<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子みたいに、純粋に、最期まで、信じられたなら。<br>\\r\\n If you could believe until the very end, like Satoko did...<br><br>\\r\\n ……お前たちは私が、親友の魅音じゃない、良く似た別の人間だと気付けたはず…。<br>\\r\\n You would have realized I wasn't Mion, your best friend, but just someone who looks like her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それが出来ず、…私を魅音だとまだ思いこんでるなら。<br>\\r\\n But if you can't, if you still believe that I'm Mion...<br><br>\\r\\n お前たちは私と同じ。<br>\\r\\n Then you're just like me.<br><br>\\r\\n 胸の中の悟史くんをあっさりと殺してしまった私と同じ程度の、生きているに値しない人間。<br>\\r\\n I killed the Satoshi-kun within me so easily, and you will do the same. You don't deserve to live.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「向こうが牢屋。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Back there is the prison.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……詩音はそこにいるのか…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Is Shion there...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …………だめだね。<br>\\r\\n You're not going to make it.<br><br>\\r\\n 詩音の牢屋にたどり着いたら、タイムオーバー。<br>\\r\\n Once we reach Shion's cell, your time is up.<br>\\r\\n ゲームは鬼の勝ちだ。<br>\\r\\n The demon will win.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………詩音？！<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Shion?!<br>\\r\\n ……………詩音かッ？！？！」<br>\\r\\n .........Is that Shion?!?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「け、……圭ちゃん？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ke... Kei-chan?!<br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃんなの？！」<br>\\r\\n Is that you, Kei-chan?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一が岩牢に駆け寄る。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi ran to the cell.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「大丈夫か、詩音！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Are you all right, Shion?!<br>\\r\\n 怪我はしていないのか…？！」<br>\\r\\n Are you hurt...?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…ぃ………ぃや………いや、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...N...... no...... no.........\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………ぁああぁああぁあぁああぁあッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n nooooooooooooooooo!!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 詩音が顔をくしゃくしゃにして絶叫する。<br>\\r\\n Shion screamed.<br><br>\\r\\n ……彼のすぐ後ろに、私の姿が現れたからだ。<br>\\r\\n I was standing right behind Keiichi.<br><br>\\r\\n ……そう。<br>\\r\\n ...It was time.<br>\\r\\n …恋した人を目の前で殺す、最悪の拷問の準備が調ったのだから。<br>\\r\\n My preparations to kill the boy she loved were complete. For her, this was going to be the worst possible torture.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「落ち着け詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Calm down, Shion.<br>\\r\\n …もう全部、終わったんだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Everything is over now.<br>\\r\\n …全部。」<br>\\r\\n Everything.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 興奮した詩音を静めようと、圭一は落ち着いた声で語りかけていた。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi tried to quell Shion's distress by talking to her in a calm voice.<br><br>\\r\\n …それはとても滑稽な光景。<br>\\r\\n It was such a funny sight.<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一だけが、状況をまったくわかっていない。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi was the only one who had no idea what was going on.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion.<br>\\r\\n …ご機嫌はいかがだった…？」<br>\\r\\n ...How have you been...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「もう嫌…、嫌…！<br>\\r\\n \\\"No more... please...!<br>\\r\\n 嫌ぁ！！<br>\\r\\n No more!!<br>\\r\\n もう誰の死を見るのも嫌！！！<br>\\r\\n I don't want to see anyone else die!!!<br>\\r\\n 私が憎いなら……早く私を殺してよッ！！！<br>\\r\\n If you hate me... then just kill me already!!!<br>\\r\\n 憎いのは私なんでしょう！？<br>\\r\\n I'm the one you hate most, right?!<br>\\r\\n 早く殺して、殺して！！<br>\\r\\n Kill me, kill me right now!!<br>\\r\\n お姉ぇえぇッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n Siiiiiiiiiiiiis!!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「お、…落ち着けって詩音！<br>\\r\\n \\\"C... Calm down, Shion!<br>\\r\\n もう終わったんだよ。<br>\\r\\n It's all over now.<br>\\r\\n …大丈夫なんだ。<br>\\r\\n ...It's going to be alright.<br>\\r\\n だから落ち着け…。」<br>\\r\\n So calm down...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「安心しなよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Relax.<br>\\r\\n あんたは殺さない。<br>\\r\\n I won't kill you.<br>\\r\\n …まだまだ殺さないんだから。<br>\\r\\n ...No, I won't kill you just yet.<br>\\r\\n ……くっくっくっくっくっくっくっくっくっくっくっく…！！」<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh...!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ゲームオーバー！！！<br>\\r\\n It's game over!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は充分にチャンスを与えた。<br>\\r\\n I gave you enough chances.<br><br>\\r\\n 一時期はあんたらもうまく私を追い詰めたじゃない。<br>\\r\\n You cornered me quite well, once.<br><br>\\r\\n でもあんたらはそこまでだった。<br>\\r\\n But that was it.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が親友の魅音じゃないことを見抜けなかった。<br>\\r\\n You couldn't figure out that I'm not your best friend, Mion.<br><br>\\r\\n 親友の魅音が殺人鬼でないと、信じてあげることができなかった。<br>\\r\\n You couldn't believe that Mion isn't a murderer.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「もうやめてぇえぇえぇえッ！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Please stoooooop!!!<br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃんを殺さないでぇええぇえ！！<br>\\r\\n Don't kill Kei-chaaaaan!!<br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃんは何の関係もないでしょ？！<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan has nothing to do with this, does he?!<br>\\r\\n 殺すなら早く私を…、私を殺してよ！！！<br>\\r\\n If you're going to kill someone... then kill me right now!!!<br>\\r\\n もう誰が死ぬのも…嫌ぁああぁあぁぁああああぁッ！！！！」<br>\\r\\n I don't want anyone else... to dieeeeeeeee!!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あっはははははははははははははははははははははッ！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah-hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!<br>\\r\\n そんなに死にたければ、この男を殺した後に、ゆっくりとひき肉にしてやるよ。<br>\\r\\n If you want to die that badly, then after I've killed this man, I'll take my time making mincemeat out of you.<br>\\r\\n …古式に則り、四肢の先端から少しずつ。<br>\\r\\n ...In accordance with the ancient rites, I'll do it slowly, starting with your extremities.<br>\\r\\n ガリゴリと削ってミンチにしてやる。<br>\\r\\n I'll shave you down and mince you to bits.<br>\\r\\n …あの肉挽き器はあんたのためにとっておいてあるんだからね。<br>\\r\\n I had that mincing machine set up specifically for you, after all.<br>\\r\\n …それとも、それで圭ちゃんをミンチにして見せた方が、あんたには面白いかなぁ？」<br>\\r\\n ...Or would it be funnier if I were to mince up Kei-chan in front of you?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…お、おい、いい加減にしろ！<br>\\r\\n \\\"...H-Hey, quit it already!<br>\\r\\n 今さら怖がらせてどうするんだよ…ッ？！」<br>\\r\\n What do you have to gain by scaring her at this point...?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「だめぇえぇえッ！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Nooooo!<br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃん、逃げてええぇぇえぇええええッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan, run awaaaaayyyyyy!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n どうぞ、鬼さん。<br>\\r\\n Here you are, demon.<br><br>\\r\\n 心を、私は鬼に明け渡す。<br>\\r\\n Go ahead and take my soul.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんを殺した奴らに復讐すること。<br>\\r\\n I'd been living my life to avenge Satoshi-kun...<br><br>\\r\\n それは悟史くんがまったく望んでいないこと。<br>\\r\\n But that wasn't what he wanted from me.<br>\\r\\n 私だけの自己満足。<br>\\r\\n That was just for my own satisfaction.<br><br>\\r\\n もう私は、悟史くんに何も顔向けできない。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't even face Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n ならせめて、…私の納得するように幕を引かせてもらう。<br>\\r\\n So, I'll bring this to an end in the way I want.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もうこんな世界はめちゃくちゃ。<br>\\r\\n The world became a total mess.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんにも嫌われて、私自身にも愛想を尽かされて。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun hates me and I hate myself too.<br><br>\\r\\n さぁ私の復讐劇を完遂しよう。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to complete my revenge.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 誰かの同情なんか求めない。<br>\\r\\n I don't want anyone to sympathize with me.<br><br>\\r\\n 悲劇のお姫様のふりなんかしない。<br>\\r\\n I won't pretend to be some tragic heroine either.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は徹頭徹尾、どこから見ても同情の余地のない殺人鬼になる。<br>\\r\\n I'm going to become a murderer that nobody could sympathize with.<br><br>\\r\\n だからどうか、<br>\\r\\n So please...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …そんな私に相応しい最期を用意してください。<br>\\r\\n Grant a suitable final moment to me...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 青白い閃光が大空洞を満たした。<br>\\r\\n A bluish-white flash filled the huge cave.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は人形のように、コテンと可愛らしく倒れる。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi fell down like a doll.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …詩音が鉄格子から、伸ばしたって届くはずもないのに、必死に圭一に手を伸ばしていた。<br>\\r\\n Shion reached out to him from the other side of the bars.<br><br>\\r\\n そして私に、圭一を殺すなと泣き叫ぶ。<br>\\r\\n She screamed at me not to kill Keiichi.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 泣け、非難しろ。<br>\\r\\n Go ahead, cry and blame me.<br><br>\\r\\n 私を許そうなんて思うな。<br>\\r\\n Don't even think of offering your forgiveness.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はこの世で最低の罪悪人。<br>\\r\\n I am the most rotten existence in this world.<br><br>\\r\\n だからこそどうか、この世で最低最悪の最期を用意していて。<br>\\r\\n So please, grant me the worst possible ending.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 必死に圭一のために許しを請う詩音を、私は罵倒し、<br>\\r\\n Shion begged me desperately to let Keiichi go. I simply abused her,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 貶し、<br>\\r\\n slandered her,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 辱める。<br>\\r\\n and disgraced her.<br><br>\\r\\n その詩音の姿が痛々しければ痛々しいほどに、…私の落ちる地獄が深くなる。<br>\\r\\n The more Shion suffered, the deeper I'd fall into Hell.<br><br>\\r\\n まだ、浅い。<br>\\r\\n It wasn't enough.<br>\\r\\n まだまだ足りない。<br>\\r\\n It wasn't even close to deep enough.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の罪を贖うには、地獄の深さがまるで足らない。<br>\\r\\n It wasn't deep enough to compensate for my sins.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は圭一を引きずると、沙都子を縛りつけようとした時にそのまま放置した、あの釘台に縛り付けた。<br>\\r\\n I dragged Keiichi to the table that I tried to put Satoko on, and restrained him there.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一の動きは緩慢だけど戻りつつあった。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi began to move sluggishly.<br><br>\\r\\n ……スタンガンの効きが甘かったのか。<br>\\r\\n The stun gun must have not worked too well on him.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「聞こえるかい詩音！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Can you hear it, Shion!?<br>\\r\\n これから始めるよぉ！！<br>\\r\\n I'm going to get started now!!<br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃんの若い悲鳴をたっぷりと楽しみなぁ！！」<br>\\r\\n Savor Kei-chan's fresh screams to your heart's content!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………………いい加減にしろ……。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"............Give it a fucking rest...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一が腹の底から唸る。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi squeezed out those words.<br><br>\\r\\n ……いい声。<br>\\r\\n He sounded good.<br>\\r\\n 噛み殺されそうな気迫。<br>\\r\\n Like he was about to bite me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ようやくお目覚め？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Awake at last, are we?<br>\\r\\n 私、さっき嘘をついたね。<br>\\r\\n I lied before, you know.<br>\\r\\n …詩音を、一番惨たらしく殺してやろうと思って閉じ込めておいたけど、まだ思いつかないって言ったヤツ。<br>\\r\\n ...About having wanted to give Shion the most miserable death of all, but locking her up because I hadn't thought of a good way yet.<br>\\r\\n あれが嘘。」<br>\\r\\n That was a lie.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私はこの拷問専用に作られたと思われる、物騒な形をした釘と大金槌を並べながら、不敵に笑った。<br>\\r\\n I smiled as I laid out the huge nails and hammer specially made for the nail table.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あの子に、自分のせいで死ぬ大勢の人の悲鳴をたっぷりと聞かせて、体の芯まで染み透らせてから殺すの。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'll let her hear the screams of all those people that died because of her, and after they've soaked in to her very soul, then I'll kill her...<br>\\r\\n ……なかなかセンスいいでしょ。<br>\\r\\n ...I've got pretty good taste, huh?<br>\\r\\n くっくっくっく！！」<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh heh!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………お前は<br>\\r\\n \\\"............Who......\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……誰だ。」<br>\\r\\n are you?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「はぁ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hah?<br>\\r\\n 魅音でしょ。<br>\\r\\n I'm Mion.<br>\\r\\n 園崎魅音。<br>\\r\\n Mion Sonozaki.<br>\\r\\n …恐怖で頭が変になっちゃった？<br>\\r\\n Have you lost your mind from fear?<br>\\r\\n くっくっく！」<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………違うな。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........No, you're not.<br>\\r\\n …お前が、……園崎魅音であるはずがない…！」<br>\\r\\n ...There's... no way you can be Mion Sonozaki...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私の手が一瞬止まる。<br>\\r\\n I stopped moving.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………………圭ちゃん…？<br>\\r\\n .........Kei-chan...?<br><br>\\r\\n …どうしよう。<br>\\r\\n Shit.<br>\\r\\n 詩音の岩牢まで行ったらゲームオーバーってさっき決めた。<br>\\r\\n I'd decided the naming game would be over once we reached Shion's cell.<br><br>\\r\\n だからもう名前当てゲームは終了している。<br>\\r\\n Therefore, even if he guessed this time, it would be too late.<br><br>\\r\\n ………いや、うん。<br>\\r\\n Oh well...<br>\\r\\n ……いいよ。<br>\\r\\n Sure,<br>\\r\\n …聞いてあげる。<br>\\r\\n I'll listen to you.<br>\\r\\n ラストチャンス。<br>\\r\\n This is your last chance.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………へぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I see.<br>\\r\\n じゃあ私が魅音じゃなかったら、私ゃ誰なわけぇ？」<br>\\r\\n Then if I'm not Mion, who am I?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n さぁ圭ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n Come on, Kei-chan.<br>\\r\\n ……当ててごらん。<br>\\r\\n ...Guess who I am.<br>\\r\\n 君に恋した魅音を、救ってごらん。<br>\\r\\n Why don't you try and save Mion, the girl who fell in love with you?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………<br>\\r\\n \\\".........<br>\\r\\n 鬼だ。」<br>\\r\\n A demon.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「へ？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………お前は魅音じゃない。<br>\\r\\n \\\"............You're not Mion.<br>\\r\\n ……さっきまで一緒だった魅音を返せ。」<br>\\r\\n ...Mion was just here. Give her back.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……圭ちゃん、本当に頭は大丈夫？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Kei-chan, is your brain really doing okay?<br>\\r\\n 恐怖で頭がどうかなっちゃった？」<br>\\r\\n You're not going crazy with fear?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「触るなッ！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't touch me!!!<br>\\r\\n …この鬼め……！！！<br>\\r\\n ...You damn demon...!!!<br>\\r\\n 返せッ！！<br>\\r\\n Give her back!!<br>\\r\\n 魅音を返せよ！！！<br>\\r\\n Give Mion back!!!<br>\\r\\n 俺の最高の友人だった…魅音を返せぇえぇえええッ！！！」<br>\\r\\n My best friend... Give Mion baaaaaaack!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ……私は何を言い出すのかと、しばらくの間、ぽかんとして聞いていた。<br>\\r\\n I listened to him with a blank expression.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「魅音を目の前にして、魅音を返せなどと…世迷言であることはわかってる。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I know it's nonsense... to demand Mion's return when she's right in front of me.<br>\\r\\n でも……でも…！<br>\\r\\n But... but...!<br>\\r\\n 目の前の今のこいつは…断じて魅音ではありえないッ！！！<br>\\r\\n This person in front of me... can't possibly be Mion!!!<br>\\r\\n 認めるわけには…いかないんだ…！！」<br>\\r\\n I can't accept that...!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あは、あはははははははははは…。<br>\\r\\n Aha, ahahahahahahaha...<br><br>\\r\\n そりゃいいや、あはははははははは！<br>\\r\\n That's great, ahahahahahaha!<br><br>\\r\\n 私は、……魅音でもなければ、……詩音でもないってわけだ。<br>\\r\\n So I'm not Mion or Shion...<br><br>\\r\\n …詩音だとも、思ってもらえなかったわけだ。<br>\\r\\n He doesn't even see me as my sister...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 違う、そうじゃない。<br>\\r\\n No, wait, that's not it.<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は、胸の中の魅音を守りきった。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi protected the Mion in his heart until the end.<br><br>\\r\\n 殺人鬼であるなどと認めなかった。<br>\\r\\n He didn't accept the fact Mion was a murderer.<br>\\r\\n でも、それだけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n And not just that, either.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 胸の中の、詩音も守りきった。<br>\\r\\n He protected the Shion in his heart as well.<br><br>\\r\\n 魅音が殺人鬼でないなら、消去法で詩音が殺人鬼なんてことからも、詩音を守りきったのだ。<br>\\r\\n He didn't conclude that if Mion wasn't a murderer, then it must have been Shion.<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一にとっての詩音は、…魅音と一緒にふざけていて、明るくて面白いやつ。<br>\\r\\n To Keiichi, Shion was someone who always made fun of Mion.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、それだけ。<br>\\r\\n But that was it.<br>\\r\\n 長い付き合いがあるわけでもない。<br>\\r\\n It wasn't like they'd known each other for a long time.<br><br>\\r\\n …だけど、圭一は守った。<br>\\r\\n But Keiichi protected her.<br>\\r\\n 詩音を殺人鬼から守ってくれた。<br>\\r\\n He protected Shion from being a murderer.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あははははははは、…それで、魅音でもなければ詩音でもない、鬼だ！ってわけか。<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahaha... that's why I'm a demon, and not Mion or Shion, huh?<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼だってよ？<br>\\r\\n A demon, huh?<br>\\r\\n 鬼、あははははははははは、ばっかじゃない？<br>\\r\\n A demon... ahahahahaha, that's stupid!<br><br>\\r\\n はははははははははは。<br>\\r\\n Hahahahaha.<br>\\r\\n だってそれって、大正解じゃん？<br>\\r\\n But isn't that just right on the money?<br><br>\\r\\n あはははははは、あはははははははははははは！！<br>\\r\\n Ahahahahaha, ahahahahahahaha!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「わーっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっは！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wahh ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!<br>\\r\\n …圭ちゃん、…私を笑い涙で溺れ殺すつもり…？<br>\\r\\n ...Kei-chan... Are you trying to drown me in my own tears...?<br>\\r\\n わーっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっは！！！」<br>\\r\\n Wahhh ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n だが…圭一はそんな笑い声に負けたりしない。<br>\\r\\n However, Keiichi didn't back off.<br><br>\\r\\n 大声で叫ぶ。<br>\\r\\n He kept screaming.<br>\\r\\n …目の前の鬼の内側に閉じ込められてしまった…本当の私に聞こえるように、…心の底から。<br>\\r\\n He screamed loudly, so that I could hear his voice even when I was stuck inside of a demon.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「がんばれ魅音…！<br>\\r\\n \\\"You can do it, Mion...!<br>\\r\\n こんな…鬼畜生に負けるな…！！！<br>\\r\\n Don't... lose to this piece of shit demon...!!!<br>\\r\\n 本当に強い…お前の力を見せてくれぇえぇえ！！！」<br>\\r\\n You're strong... Show me how strong you aaaareee!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「わっはっはっはっはっはっはっは！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!<br>\\r\\n わーっはっはっはっはっはっはっはっは！！！」<br>\\r\\n Wa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n こいつ、私が本当の魅音だってわかってて言ってるわけじゃないだろ？<br>\\r\\n Surely he isn't talking to me knowing that I'm the real Mion, right?<br><br>\\r\\n 勘違いしてるだけだって。<br>\\r\\n He's just confusing us again.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、圭一が叫ぶ魅音への言葉に、心なんか乱される必要なんか何もないんだって…！<br>\\r\\n So there's no reason to let my heart be disturbed by Keiichi's screams toward Mion!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「頼むよ……魅音…！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Come on... Mion...!!!<br>\\r\\n 魅音！！<br>\\r\\n Mion!!<br>\\r\\n どこで…お前はこんな鬼に負けちまったんだ？！<br>\\r\\n Why... did you lose to a demon like this?!<br>\\r\\n お前はこんな弱いヤツじゃないだろ？！<br>\\r\\n You're not that weak, are you?!<br>\\r\\n 負けるな…、<br>\\r\\n Don't give up...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 戦え、<br>\\r\\n Fight...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …戦えぇえぇえ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Fight!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そうさ、私は戦わなかった、何で知ってんの？<br>\\r\\n He's right, I didn't fight back... How did he know?<br><br>\\r\\n どうして私が戦わなかったって知ってんの？！<br>\\r\\n How did he know I didn't fight back?<br><br>\\r\\n そうさ、私は鬼に負けた。<br>\\r\\n I lost to the demon.<br><br>\\r\\n でもね、私は弱いんだよ、打ち勝てるほどの強さなんてないんだよ！！<br>\\r\\n After all, I'm weak. I'm not strong enough to defeat the demon!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それでも、圭一は魅音への呼びかけを止めなかった。<br>\\r\\n Even so, Keiichi continued to talk to Mion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もう最後は…喉を嗄らして、嗚咽を漏らしながら。<br>\\r\\n His voice had become hoarse, and he had begun sobbing.<br>\\r\\n …魅音、<br>\\r\\n He kept mumbling,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …魅音、<br>\\r\\n Mion,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n と、ずっと呟き続けていた。<br>\\r\\n Mion...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………圭ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Kei-chan.<br>\\r\\n …冥土の土産、…なんて気の利いたものじゃないけれど。<br>\\r\\n ...This may not be... something pleasant to take to the grave with you.<br>\\r\\n …………どうしても知りたがっているようだから、ひとつだけ教えてあげるよ。<br>\\r\\n .........But you really seem to want to know, so I'll tell you just one thing.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………私の中に鬼が宿ったのはずいぶん前。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......A long time ago, the demon came to live inside me.<br>\\r\\n …その鬼は私を蝕み凶行に駆り立てようとした。<br>\\r\\n ...It was gnawing at my heart, trying to spur me to violence, but...<br>\\r\\n ……だけれど、私はそれを理性で抑えつけた。<br>\\r\\n I suppressed it with my reason.<br>\\r\\n ……鬼はそれで治まり、…私は、その鬼はどこかへ行ってしまったんだと思い込んでいた。<br>\\r\\n ...The demon had become quiet... and I got to thinking it had gone away somewhere.<br>\\r\\n ……でも、本当は違った。<br>\\r\\n ...As it turned out, I was wrong.<br>\\r\\n …………私の中から出て行ったんじゃなく、…私の中で眠っていただけだったの。」<br>\\r\\n ......It hadn't left... it was just sleeping inside me.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう。<br>\\r\\n That was the truth.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが失踪したのを知った時、私の弱い心は悲しみに耐えるために、怒りで満たされたのだ。<br>\\r\\n When I learned about Satoshi-kun's disappearance, my weak soul couldn't take the sadness, and anger filled me to the brim.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、その狂気はそこまでで、噴出までには至らなかった。<br>\\r\\n But the insanity had stopped there.<br><br>\\r\\n 時間が私を癒し、………悟史くんの思い出を、やわらかく包んで、胸の内にそっと、しまってくれたんだ。<br>\\r\\n Time had healed me... and embraced me with memories of Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……その鬼は、…ある小さなことをきっかけにまた目覚めてしまった。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...The demon... woke up again due to a certain, small opportunity.<br>\\r\\n ………それは…何に原因があったと思う…？」<br>\\r\\n ......What do you think... that opportunity was...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n それは本当に小さな小さなこと。<br>\\r\\n It was such a little thing.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………………。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........<br>\\r\\n 鬼の私が教えるのも変だけれど。<br>\\r\\n This might be strange for me, a demon, to say, but...<br>\\r\\n ……あんたが全てを狂わせてしまった元凶。」<br>\\r\\n ...You're the reason that everything got so messed up.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ……私の目元に溜まった涙がすーっと、…こぼれる。<br>\\r\\n A tear rolled down my cheek.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………あの時、<br>\\r\\n \\\"............At the time...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …あんたがもらった人形を、躊躇なく私に渡していたなら、<br>\\r\\n if you had given me that doll you got, without hesitation.........\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………全ては狂いださなかったかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n maybe everything wouldn't have gotten so twisted.<br>\\r\\n ………圭ちゃんには理解できないだろうね。<br>\\r\\n ...You probably can't understand.<br>\\r\\n 理解できなくて当然。<br>\\r\\n I wouldn't expect you to.<br>\\r\\n ………だけどね、そこからドミノ倒しみたいにパタパタパタといろんなものが倒れ始めて、…収拾がつかなくなってしまった。<br>\\r\\n ...But, you see, all sorts of things started falling over like dominoes after that... and soon it was too much for me to control.<br>\\r\\n ……初めの小さなひとつを倒したあなたに自覚がないのは当然だろうけど、<br>\\r\\n ...It only makes sense that you wouldn't be aware of knocking over the first one, since it was so small......<br>\\r\\n ………あなたが元凶なの。」<br>\\r\\n but you're the one who set them up.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あの時、圭ちゃんが心無いことをしなかったなら、…詩音は泣かなかった。<br>\\r\\n If Kei-chan hadn't done something so insensitive, Shion wouldn't have cried.<br><br>\\r\\n 詩音は泣いたから、<br>\\r\\n Shion cried\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …私に胸の内を打ち明けたんだ。<br>\\r\\n and talked to me about it.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はそれを聞いている内に、悟史くんのことを思い出して。<br>\\r\\n That had reminded me of Satoshi-kun.<br><br>\\r\\n …恋をした人が、生きてすぐ近くにいてくれることへの妬ましさを抱いた。<br>\\r\\n I became jealous of her for having someone she loved so close to her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n これは小さな嫉妬心。<br>\\r\\n It was a very small jealousy.<br><br>\\r\\n ……でも、この小さな邪心が、私の心の奥で眠っていた鬼を、呼び起こしてしまった。<br>\\r\\n But that little feeling woke up the demon who was sleeping deep inside of me.<br><br>\\r\\n あとはもう、鬼に心を許すままだった。<br>\\r\\n After that, I just let the demon take over.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の胸にいっぱいあった悟史くんの悲しみを、鬼は全部食べ尽くし、<br>\\r\\n The demon ate up all of the sadness from my loss of Satoshi-kun,<br>\\r\\n 替わりに悟史くんの名を借りて復讐をするという、悟史くんが喜ぶはずもない恐ろしい提案で満たしていったのだ。<br>\\r\\n and filled my heart with the notion of revenge, even though I knew that wouldn't make Satoshi-kun happy.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、……その後に続いたいくつかの恐ろしい出来事が、私を後戻りできない鬼の世界へ誘っていくのだ。<br>\\r\\n Then, the scary incidents that followed dragged me to Hell, from whence there was no escape.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……そんな、……うそ…だろ……？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...That... that can't... be, can it...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………自覚がないのは当然。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........It only makes sense that you wouldn't be aware of it.<br>\\r\\n でも、紛れもなく元凶なのは圭ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n Even so, Kei-chan, you are without a doubt the cause.<br>\\r\\n …………あの時、あんたがさりげなく人形を私にあげていたら、<br>\\r\\n .........If you had nonchalantly given me the doll that day......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………多分こんなことにはならなかったと思う。」<br>\\r\\n then I don't think this would have happened.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 発端を、圭一のささいな事に求めるのは責任転嫁の極み、か。<br>\\r\\n Was I simply transferring the blame to Keiichi?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …あの程度のことで、私の中の鬼が目を覚ますんだ。<br>\\r\\n Such a tiny thing woke up the demon inside of me...<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一が発端にならなくても、いつか目覚めた。<br>\\r\\n The demon would have woken up eventually.<br><br>\\r\\n ……結局、私が悪い。<br>\\r\\n I was at fault.<br><br>\\r\\n 鬼と戦わなかった。<br>\\r\\n I didn't fight back.<br>\\r\\n 鬼を心に住まわせた。<br>\\r\\n I let the demon live in my soul,<br>\\r\\n そしてあっさりと心を譲り渡した。<br>\\r\\n and I let the demon possess me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………ぅぅぅ…………ぅぅ……！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Ooh...... ooh...!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は涙を隠さなかった。ぼろぼろとこぼした。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi didn't hide his tears. They were pouring down his cheeks.<br><br>\\r\\n …それは、鬼になり、自分の意思では自由に泣けなくなった、私の代わりにだったのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n Maybe he was crying in my place, since I'd become a demon and couldn't cry of my own will.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……じゃあそろそろいい？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Can I start now, then?<br>\\r\\n この拷問はね、とてもシンプル。<br>\\r\\n This method of torture is very simple.<br>\\r\\n 左手の小指の先端の節に釘を打つ。<br>\\r\\n I'll nail one of these into the first joint of your left pinky finger.<br>\\r\\n 順に親指まで打ったらまた小指に戻って、今度は真ん中の節に釘を打つ。<br>\\r\\n Then, I'll nail each one in order until I get to your thumb, and then I'll go back to your pinky and nail one into the joint in the middle.<br>\\r\\n …この調子で１５本の釘で左手を打ちつける。<br>\\r\\n ...So on and so on, until I hammer fifteen nails into your left hand.<br>\\r\\n それがおわったら次は右手。<br>\\r\\n When that's over with, I'll do your right hand next.<br>\\r\\n ……それが終わったら次は、…………まだ意識があったら教えるね。<br>\\r\\n ...After that...... if you're still conscious, I'll tell you.<br>\\r\\n 指先って、たくさんの神経が集まってるから、圭ちゃんが想像するよりもはるかに痛いよ。<br>\\r\\n There are a lot of nerves bundled in your fingertips, so it hurts far more than you could imagine.<br>\\r\\n …両手３０本を打ち終える前に、失神しちゃう人もいるそうだから…。」<br>\\r\\n ...Some people apparently pass out before you finish hammering thirty nails into their hands, so...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 釘を圭一の、左手の小指に当てる。<br>\\r\\n I put a nail to Keiichi's left pinky.<br><br>\\r\\n ……そこへ大金槌を叩きつければ、<br>\\r\\n Once I hit it with the huge hammer,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …始まる。<br>\\r\\n it would start<br>\\r\\n 終わる。<br>\\r\\n and it would be over.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………他の人を拷問する時には何のためらいもなかったけど。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........I didn't hesitate at all when I was torturing the others,<br>\\r\\n ……なぜかあんたにはためらいがあるよ。」<br>\\r\\n but somehow I do when it's you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………………それで魅音の鬼が治まるなら、<br>\\r\\n \\\".........If this will satisfy your demon, Mion...<br>\\r\\n 気の済むようにやってくれ…。」<br>\\r\\n If it will sate the demon, then do to me what you will...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一が何を口にしたのか、一瞬分からず、頭の中で反芻する。<br>\\r\\n I didn't understand what he just said, so I tried to repeat his words in my head.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………あんた、……本気で言ってるの…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Are... you serious...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……俺が傷つけた魅音の痛みに比べれば…こんなの大したことないんだろ？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Compared to how much I hurt Mion... this is nothing, right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"............\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……気の済むようにするといい。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Do as much as you want.<br>\\r\\n ……そのかわり、…二つ約束しろ。<br>\\r\\n ...In exchange... promise me two things.<br>\\r\\n …………俺を気が済むまで痛めつけたら、……詩音は許してやれ。<br>\\r\\n .........After you're satisfied with causing me pain... forgive Shion.<br>\\r\\n ……祭具殿に忍び込んだ罪には、それで充分見合う仕打ちをしたはずだ。」<br>\\r\\n ...She's been punished enough to make up for her crime of sneaking into the storehouse, hasn't she?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あんた、………この期に及んで…自分より詩音の心配ができるわけ…？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"You... After all this... you still care about Shion more than yourself...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ……私は魅音だろ、園崎魅音。<br>\\r\\n I am Mion. <NAME>.<br><br>\\r\\n ……圭一が詩音の心配をしてくれて、何で私の目頭がこんなに熱くなるんだ…。<br>\\r\\n ...So why are my eyes growing so damp when hearing Keiichi show concern for Shion...?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…もう一つは、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...The other thing...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……気が済んだら、…もうお前は消えろ。<br>\\r\\n is that when you've had your fill... you disappear.<br>\\r\\n ………その体を、<br>\\r\\n ......Give that body...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……魅音に返してやってくれ。<br>\\r\\n back to Mion.<br>\\r\\n ………<br>\\r\\n ......<br>\\r\\n …………それだけだ。」<br>\\r\\n ......That's all.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........You know, you're...<br>\\r\\n ……………あんたって人には、……命乞いをするとか、そういう考えは思い浮かばないの？」<br>\\r\\n Are you not even considering possibly begging for your life or anything?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………約束、二つじゃなくて三つにしていいか。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Can I ask you to promise three things instead of two?<br>\\r\\n …三つ目は、俺を殺すなにしてくれ。」<br>\\r\\n ...The third is to leave me alive.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…あははははは。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Ahahahahaha.<br>\\r\\n 最初に二つって言ったでしょ。<br>\\r\\n You said two in the beginning, didn't you?<br>\\r\\n …だからもう駄目。」<br>\\r\\n ...So you can't have any more.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………そいつぁ残念……。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........That's a shame...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n こんな…最低の状況下で、<br>\\r\\n Even in this situation...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …私と圭一は二人して、<br>\\r\\n Keiichi and I\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …つまらない冗談を笑い合うように…穏やかに笑い合った…。<br>\\r\\n joked around and laughed...<br><br>\\r\\n あぁ、…今なら分かるよ。<br>\\r\\n Ah... then, I knew.<br>\\r\\n …詩音が彼に恋したのがよく分かるよ。<br>\\r\\n I knew why Shion fell in love with him.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんとはもちろん違うけど、<br>\\r\\n He's different from Satoshi-kun\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …こいつ、<br>\\r\\n but\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……悪いやつじゃないよ…。<br>\\r\\n he's a good guy...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……多分、私は約束を守らないよ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I probably won't keep these promises, understand?<br>\\r\\n 鬼だから。」<br>\\r\\n I'm a demon, after all.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「その時は仕方がないさ…。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I guess there's nothing I can do, then...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は、悪態をつくように笑うと、…覚悟を決め、目をぐっと閉じた。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi smiled and then closed his eyes.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……圭ちゃん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Kei-chan.<br>\\r\\n 今の、……三つ目の願いだけは、聞いてもいいよ。」<br>\\r\\n I'll... agree to just the third thing, okay?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………え。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Huh?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「一つ目の願い。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Your first wish.<br>\\r\\n 詩音を救うこと。<br>\\r\\n To save Shion.<br>\\r\\n …これはもう無理。<br>\\r\\n ...That's not possible<br>\\r\\n ……詩音は鬼が殺してしまう。<br>\\r\\n ...The demon will kill her.<br>\\r\\n …それはもう決められたことだから止められない。<br>\\r\\n ...It's already been decided, so I can't stop it.<br>\\r\\n だから諦めて。」<br>\\r\\n So please give up on that.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は、詩音が恋したこの少年の顎を、…なぞる。<br>\\r\\n I stroked Keiichi's chin.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そして二つ目の願い。<br>\\r\\n \\\"As for your second wish.<br>\\r\\n この体を魅音に返すこと。<br>\\r\\n To give this body back to Mion.<br>\\r\\n …これももう無理。<br>\\r\\n ...That won't happen either.<br>\\r\\n ……今日を境に魅音が戻ってくることはもうない。<br>\\r\\n ...After today, Mion will never come back.<br>\\r\\n ……今日以降、もし私の姿があったとしても、それは姿だけ。<br>\\r\\n ......From today on, even if my body remains, it will be just a shell...<br>\\r\\n …私の姿をした鬼だから。」<br>\\r\\n ...because the demon has taken it over.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………そんなことはない。<br>\\r\\n \\\".........That isn't true.<br>\\r\\n ……魅音は…魅音だ…！<br>\\r\\n ...Mion is... Mion...!<br>\\r\\n もう戻ってこないなんて…悲しいことを言うな…！」<br>\\r\\n Don't say such sad things... like that she won't ever come back...!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………………………………………<br>\\r\\n \\\"............\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 聞こえる？<br>\\r\\n Can you hear it?<br>\\r\\n あの音。」<br>\\r\\n That sound.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n その音はさっきから聞こえていた。<br>\\r\\n I'd been hearing a noise.<br>\\r\\n 何の音かはわかってる。<br>\\r\\n I knew what it had to be.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……ドォォ…ン…。<br>\\r\\n ......Baang.........<br>\\r\\n ………………ドォォン…。<br>\\r\\n Baang...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 一定の間隔で繰り返される鈍い音。<br>\\r\\n A dull sound was repeating in a regular rhythm.<br>\\r\\n ……振動を伴う重い音。<br>\\r\\n It was accompanied by a light tremor.<br><br>\\r\\n この地下祭具殿の鉄扉に大勢が体当たりをしているのだ…。<br>\\r\\n People were trying to force open the iron door to the underground storehouse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「帰りが遅いから、レナが大石を呼んだんでしょ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You're late, so Rena probably called Ooishi.<br>\\r\\n ………あのぼやーっとした感じの子が、こんなに頭が回るのだけは計算外だったな。」<br>\\r\\n ...That spaced-out girl being so quick-thinking was the one thing I didn't anticipate.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………それについては同感だよ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........I'll agree with you there.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …どうだか。<br>\\r\\n Really?<br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃんにはあの子のことがどこまで分かってるんだかね。<br>\\r\\n I wonder how much Kei-chan really knows about Rena.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 竜宮レナ、か。<br>\\r\\n Rena Ryuugu...<br><br>\\r\\n ………今回は私の勝ちだね。<br>\\r\\n I won this time.<br>\\r\\n あんたは最後まで見抜けなかったね。<br>\\r\\n Rena couldn't figure out who I was until the end.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …………………………………。<br>\\r\\n ........................\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …わかってた、かなぁ。<br>\\r\\n Or maybe she did.<br><br>\\r\\n ……私が魅音か詩音か、迷うような目つきじゃなかったもんなぁ。<br>\\r\\n Rena didn't seem confused about whether I was Mion or Shion.<br><br>\\r\\n …………レナは嗅覚的に、私と詩音を見分けてるような気がするよ。<br>\\r\\n Perhaps Rena could tell Mion and Shion apart through her sense of smell.<br>\\r\\n 普段においてもね。<br>\\r\\n She was good at that kind of thing.<br><br>\\r\\n まさか。<br>\\r\\n No way...<br>\\r\\n ……買いかぶり過ぎでしょ。<br>\\r\\n ...I'm overestimating her.<br>\\r\\n ………………………。<br>\\r\\n ...........\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はスタンガンを出すと、圭一に見えるようにして火花を散らして見せた。<br>\\r\\n I brought out my stun gun so Keiichi could see the sparks.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………見たことないでしょ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......You've probably never seen one before, right?<br>\\r\\n 本物のスタンガンだよ。<br>\\r\\n It's a real stun gun.<br>\\r\\n …違法品なんでかなり出力が上げられるようになってるけどね。」<br>\\r\\n ...It's illegally modified, and its power has been increased quite a bit.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…さっき、俺に喰らわせたのはそれか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Was that what you hit me with before?<br>\\r\\n ……子供の玩具には向かねぇぞ。」<br>\\r\\n ...That's not a toy children should be playing with, you know.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「くっくっく。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Heh heh heh.<br>\\r\\n …そうだね。」<br>\\r\\n ...You're right.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ドォォ…ン！<br>\\r\\n Baang!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 最初の大扉を破ったらしい轟音が聞こえてくる。<br>\\r\\n They must have broken the first door.<br><br>\\r\\n 通路は多少入り組んでいるけど、…この拷問室の扉以外に、もう遮るものはない。<br>\\r\\n The path was complicated, but there was no other door except for the one to this torture room.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……殺さないけど、しばらく圭ちゃんにはお休みしててもらうね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I won't kill you, but I will have you go to sleep for a bit, Kei-chan.<br>\\r\\n すぐに大石が来てくれるから。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi will be here soon.<br>\\r\\n ちょっとの我慢。」<br>\\r\\n This will only hurt a bit.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は苦笑しながら、歯を食いしばった。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi bit down and smiled bitterly.<br><br>\\r\\n …私が少し躊躇したため、間が空く。<br>\\r\\n I paused, hesitating a little.<br><br>\\r\\n ……圭一はおかしく思って、目を開いた。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi opened his eyes to see what was wrong.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………………ごめんね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"............I'm sorry...<br>\\r\\n ……魅音を汚して。」<br>\\r\\n for disgracing Mion.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………ここに入る前に約束した。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I made a promise before coming in here.<br>\\r\\n 何があっても、俺の中の魅音は変わらない。」<br>\\r\\n Whatever happens, the Mion inside my heart won't change.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………でも忘れて。<br>\\r\\n \\\"............Look, forget about that.<br>\\r\\n 今日以降、もしも私を見かけても、<br>\\r\\n If you ever see me after today...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …近寄らないでね。<br>\\r\\n don't come near me.<br>\\r\\n ……それは私の屍に取り憑いた…鬼なんだから。」<br>\\r\\n ...By then, it will be the demon... that inherited my corpse.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n バチン！！<br>\\r\\n Bzzz!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一はその一撃で意識を失った。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi fell unconscious.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は拷問室の扉にも鍵を掛ける。<br>\\r\\n I locked the door to the torture room.<br><br>\\r\\n さらに大空洞へ向かいそこの扉も閉めた。<br>\\r\\n I locked the door to the huge cave, too.<br><br>\\r\\n これでそこそこの時間が稼げるはずだ。<br>\\r\\n That should give me some time.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shion,<br>\\r\\n さぁ出ておいで。」<br>\\r\\n come on out.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は鉄格子を開けると、詩音を誘う。<br>\\r\\n I opened the cell and told Shion to leave it.<br><br>\\r\\n 詩音は泣きじゃくっていた。<br>\\r\\n She was crying.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あんたが圭ちゃんを見逃してほしいと祈ったから。…お姉はちゃんと約束を守ったよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You asked me to let Kei-chan go... so I did.<br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃんはスタンガンでのびてるだけ。<br>\\r\\n He's out cold, because of the stun gun.<br>\\r\\n もうすぐ警官隊が来るから解放されるよ。」<br>\\r\\n The police should be here soon, so they'll set him free.<br><br>\\r\\n 「ありがとぉ…<br>\\r\\n \\\"Thank you...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ありがとぉ……<br>\\r\\n Thank you...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ぅうぅ………。」<br>\\r\\n Oooh...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「でも詩音にはまだ用がある。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You still have something more to do.<br>\\r\\n ここから脱出するの。」<br>\\r\\n Shion has to escape from here.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私は詩音を促し、隠し井戸の岩牢へ向かう。<br>\\r\\n I took Shion to the cell with the hidden passage.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「その前に、詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Before that,<br>\\r\\n あんたに魅音を返すわ。」<br>\\r\\n I'll give Mion back to you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……え？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Eh?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「脱げ、その服。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Take those clothes off.<br>\\r\\n 交換だよまた。<br>\\r\\n We're switching again.<br>\\r\\n ほら、髪のゴムバンド。」<br>\\r\\n Here, the rubber band for your hair.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 詩音は何が何やら分からず、私の指示に従い服を着替えた。<br>\\r\\n Shion had no idea what was going on, but she changed her clothes as I ordered her to.<br><br>\\r\\n そして懐中電灯を渡し、首から掛けさせた。<br>\\r\\n I gave her the flashlight, and she hung it around her neck.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あんたから先にどうぞ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You go first.<br>\\r\\n 井戸の底にあるとか言う、隠し通路を探すの。」<br>\\r\\n Find the hidden escape route at the bottom of the well.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 懐中電灯の灯りでは底をうかがうこともできない、深い闇。<br>\\r\\n The light from the flashlight wasn't enough to entirely illuminate the way down.<br><br>\\r\\n こんなところ、頼まれたって降りたくはない。<br>\\r\\n Nobody in their right mind would want to descend that well.<br><br>\\r\\n …だが、詩音は私に逆らわず、ハシゴをおっかなびっくり足で探りながら、降りていこうとする。<br>\\r\\n But Shion obeyed and timidly climbed down the ladder.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、詩音が頭がちょうど引っ込むくらいまで降りかけたところで、スタンガンを抜くと魅音の頭上に突き出した。<br>\\r\\n When she had passed entirely below the rim of the well, I brought out my stun gun and put it to Shion's head.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 詩音はその意味に気付く。<br>\\r\\n Shion understood the meaning of that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………お姉……ちゃん……………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".........Sis......\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あんたの望み通り、圭ちゃんは救った。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I didn't kill Kei-chan, just as you wanted.<br>\\r\\n 代わりにあんたを殺してもいいってことだったもんね？<br>\\r\\n You told me I could kill you instead, didn't you?<br>\\r\\n くっくっく、お姉はちゃんと約束は守るよ。」<br>\\r\\n Heh heh heh, I'm going to keep our promise.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 両手両足を不安定なハシゴに身を預ける詩音は、身を守るいかなる手段も持たなかった。<br>\\r\\n Shion's hands and feet were clinging to a very unstable ladder, so there was no way she could protect herself.<br><br>\\r\\n …そう、絶体絶命であることを、理解していた。<br>\\r\\n She was in a critical situation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「魅音の格好をしたあんたはここから落ちてお陀仏。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You, who looks like Mion, need to fall into the bottom of the well and die.<br>\\r\\n 私は詩音の格好だからね。<br>\\r\\n I look like Shion.<br>\\r\\n 圭ちゃんが被害者だと立証してくれるよ。<br>\\r\\n Kei-chan will testify that I'm the victim.<br>\\r\\n 私は岩牢の中で警官隊の助けを待つ。<br>\\r\\n I'll wait in the cell for the police to get here.<br>\\r\\n …まぁ指紋なんかでバレるだろうけどさ。<br>\\r\\n I'm sure they'll eventually find out the truth from our fingerprints,<br>\\r\\n その頃にはどこかへ身を隠してるってわけ。<br>\\r\\n but by the time they get that far, I'll be hiding somewhere else.<br>\\r\\n …お姉もなかなかやるでしょ？<br>\\r\\n Pretty good, huh?<br>\\r\\n くすくすくす。」<br>\\r\\n Hee hee hee.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………私を殺すと、<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Are you killing me\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………悟史の、<br>\\r\\n out of revenge\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……復讐になる……？」<br>\\r\\n for Satoshi?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「そこまで分かってるなら、覚悟はいいよね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"If you know that much, you should have been prepared.<br>\\r\\n 底まで落ちて悟史くんに謝っといで。」<br>\\r\\n Go apologize to Satoshi-kun at the bottom of the well.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……お姉、………この底にはね、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sis... Satoshi isn't\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………悟史は、いないよ…。」<br>\\r\\n at the bottom of the well...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…あん？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh?<br>\\r\\n あんたら言わなかったっけ？<br>\\r\\n Didn't you say<br>\\r\\n ここに捨てられてるって。」<br>\\r\\n the bodies get dumped down here?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「園崎家で殺されてれば、<br>\\r\\n \\\"All I said\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …ここに捨てられてると思う。<br>\\r\\n was that if he was killed at the Sonozaki house<br>\\r\\n …そうは言った。」<br>\\r\\n this is where his body would be...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………この期に及んでややこしいことを言うね？<br>\\r\\n \\\"What are you telling me now?<br>\\r\\n もうちょっとわかりやすくお姉に言ってごらん？」<br>\\r\\n Can't you be a little clearer?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「私もね、<br>\\r\\n \\\"I...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……さ、……悟史のこと、<br>\\r\\n also... ...liked\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……好きだったんだよ……。」<br>\\r\\n Satoshi...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………そりゃそうだろうね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Yeah, I'm sure.<br>\\r\\n 私が好きになるくらいだもん。」<br>\\r\\n I liked him, after all.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「だから、………悟史くんが消えた時、私も悲しくて悔しくて、<br>\\r\\n \\\"I was very sad... ...when Satoshi-kun disappeared\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……色々とね、<br>\\r\\n so I\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 調べたんだよ…。」<br>\\r\\n looked into things...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………それで？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"..................And?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「婆っちゃにね、…詰め寄ったんだよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I interrogated Granny.<br>\\r\\n 絞め殺してやろうってくらいに。<br>\\r\\n I even thought about throttling her.<br>\\r\\n ………そしたら婆っちゃが、……教えてくれた。<br>\\r\\n Then she told me...<br>\\r\\n …次期頭首にしか話さないよ、絶対に内緒だよって。」<br>\\r\\n She said she was only telling me as the successor, so I had to keep it a secret.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それは、にわかには信じ難いことだった。<br>\\r\\n What she said was something hard to believe.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆は詩音に言った。<br>\\r\\n The hag said to Shion:<br><br>\\r\\n 園崎家は、何も手を下してなどいない、と。<br>\\r\\n The Sonozaki family had nothing to do with the disappearance of Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 詩音は何のことやら分からず、聞き返した。<br>\\r\\n Shion couldn't understand, so she asked again.<br><br>\\r\\n 園崎家は、確かにお父さんの絡みで、裏の世界に大きな影響力を持つし、実際、ダム戦争中には不法行為で抵抗していた。<br>\\r\\n The Sonozaki family held a lot of influence in the underworld because of our dad's connections. In fact, they used such illegal measures during the dam conflict.<br><br>\\r\\n だからこそ、ダム現場の事件が起こったとき、誰もが園崎家が糸を引いたんだと信じた。<br>\\r\\n Therefore, people just assumed the Sonozaki family had pulled the strings when the dam construction incident took place.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆も意味深に笑ったり、怪しげなことを口にしてみたりして、誰からも黒幕に違いないと信じられていた。<br>\\r\\n Even the hag laughed meaningfully and said suspicious things, so everyone believed she was the mastermind.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、…それは、園崎家では代々伝わる頭首の、<br>\\r\\n But... it was all a performance.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……演技。<br>\\r\\n It was a hoax by the Sonozaki family head...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 園崎家にとって都合のいい偶然が起こると、あたかも自分の差し金で事態が好転したように振舞う、ブラフ。<br>\\r\\n It was just a bluff. The family took credit for the incidents to make it look like they were pulling the strings.<br><br>\\r\\n 元々の影響力と相まって、そのブラフはあまりに信憑性が高かった。<br>\\r\\n With the influence they already had, this bluff was very believable.<br><br>\\r\\n だからこそ、園崎家は裏の裏に精通し、できない陰謀などないと囁かれ一目置かれるまでになったのだ。<br>\\r\\n Therefore, people thought of the Sonozaki family as one that had deep connections in the underworld, and that they were capable of producing any sort of conspiracy.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ダム戦争中からそうだった。<br>\\r\\n People have believed that since the dam conflict.<br><br>\\r\\n お魎が糸を引いたことも、引かなかったことも、<br>\\r\\n Oryou just smiled at things she had nothing to do with,<br>\\r\\n 皆、自分の差し金であるかのように、にやりと笑って見せた。<br>\\r\\n as if she was pulling the strings.<br><br>\\r\\n それを見た親類たちは、お魎の力のなんと深く広大なことかと恐れ入るのだ。<br>\\r\\n When the relatives saw that, they became fearful of Oryou's power.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ダム現場の監督のバラバラ殺人が見つかったとき。<br>\\r\\n When the dam construction site manger was killed...<br><br>\\r\\n お魎は意味深に笑って見せた。<br>\\r\\n Oryou smiled meaningfully.<br><br>\\r\\n …それを見た親類たちは、きっとお魎の差し金に違いないと信じた。<br>\\r\\n When the relatives saw that, they assumed Oryou was behind it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 北条夫妻が転落死したとき。<br>\\r\\n When the Houjou couple fell off the cliff...<br><br>\\r\\n 古手夫妻が変死したとき。<br>\\r\\n When the Furude couple died violently...<br><br>\\r\\n そして悟史くんの叔母が死に、悟史くんが失踪したときにもやはり意味深に笑って見せた。<br>\\r\\n When Satoshi-kun's aunt died and Satoshi-kun disappeared... the hag just smiled meaningfully.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 誰もが、園崎家が事件を起こしているのだと信じていた。<br>\\r\\n Everyone believed the Sonozaki family was behind all those incidents.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…う、……嘘だ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"That... That's a lie!!<br>\\r\\n あの事件が、園崎家が関わってないってわけ？！<br>\\r\\n Are you trying to tell me the Sonozaki family had nothing to do with any of it?!<br>\\r\\n そんなの信じると思う？」<br>\\r\\n How can I believe that?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………私は、…婆っちゃがね、嘘を言うとは思わないの…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't think... Granny would lie...<br>\\r\\n ……特に悟史くんの失踪については、本当に知らないって言ったの。<br>\\r\\n Especially about Satoshi-kun's disappearance, since she said she knew nothing about it.<br>\\r\\n だって、悟史くんとお姉の交際、……婆っちゃは許したんだよ？<br>\\r\\n Because, Granny approved of the relationship between Satoshi-kun and you, remember?<br>\\r\\n 爪を見事剥いで見せたから、全部忘れるって言って。」<br>\\r\\n You ripped your nails off so she would forgive everything.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「嘘だ、嘘だ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"No, that's a lie!!<br>\\r\\n 出任せを言うな！！<br>\\r\\n Don't try to fool me!!<br>\\r\\n じゃあ誰が悟史くんを消したの！！<br>\\r\\n Then who made Satoshi-kun disappear?!<br>\\r\\n 誰が！！」<br>\\r\\n Who?!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「………それだけはわからない。<br>\\r\\n \\\"That...... I don't know.<br>\\r\\n でもね、園崎家じゃない。<br>\\r\\n But it wasn't the Sonozaki family.<br>\\r\\n 婆っちゃじゃない。」<br>\\r\\n It wasn't Granny...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あんただって祟りのシステムは知ってるでしょ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"You know the curse system, right?<br>\\r\\n 別に悟史くんを襲えとわざわざ鬼婆が指示しなくても、気を利かす誰かが襲う。<br>\\r\\n The hag didn't need to give the command for Satoshi-kun to be attacked. All she had to do was look concerned... and then someone else would take care of it.<br>\\r\\n そういう仕掛けでしょうが！！」<br>\\r\\n That was the system!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\".....................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 詩音は言い返せなかった。<br>\\r\\n Shion couldn't say anything in response.<br><br>\\r\\n たとえ鬼婆が個人的に許したって、祟りの対象であり続ける限り、「祟りの執行者」が狙い続ける。<br>\\r\\n Even if the hag had forgiven him personally, as long as he was the object of the curse, the executioner would follow him forever.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………婆っちゃはね、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Granny told me that\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …オヤシロさまの祟り、<br>\\r\\n she had tried to find out\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……誰が起こしてるのかなって、…長いこと調べたんだって。<br>\\r\\n who was actually behind this curse of Oyashiro-sama for a long time.<br>\\r\\n …………だけど、見つけられなかった。<br>\\r\\n ...But she couldn't.<br>\\r\\n ……誰もが、村の中の誰かって信じてるのに、村の中にそんな人は存在しないの。」<br>\\r\\n Everyone believed it was someone in the village, but she couldn't find out who it was.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「存在しない？<br>\\r\\n \\\"She couldn't find out?<br>\\r\\n しないならなんで毎年祟りが起きるわけ！」<br>\\r\\n Then why did the curse take place every year?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「おかしいよね？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Isn't it weird?!<br>\\r\\n でも、…いないの！<br>\\r\\n But... there wasn't anyone!<br>\\r\\n いないんだって！」<br>\\r\\n There really wasn't!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……古手梨花が私に、首を掻き毟る注射で襲い掛かってきたってのは話したよね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I told you that <NAME> tried to attack me earlier with a syringe, didn't I?<br>\\r\\n それはどう説明するの。<br>\\r\\n How do you explain that?<br>\\r\\n ……窮鼠猫を噛む、って状況じゃない。<br>\\r\\n She wasn't just acting out of desperation, like a cornered rat.<br>\\r\\n 向こうから訪ねてきて、催涙スプレーと注射器で襲い掛かってきた。<br>\\r\\n She came over to my house and attacked me with a bottle of pepper spray and a syringe.<br>\\r\\n …おそらく同じ注射で富竹さんが殺されてるんだと思う。」<br>\\r\\n I bet Tomitake-san was killed with that same stuff.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………それは……わからない。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......That... I don't know.<br>\\r\\n ……梨花ちゃんが、…そんなことするなんて、<br>\\r\\n I can't believe Rika-chan would do\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …信じられないよ……。」<br>\\r\\n something like that...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「実際に見た私でも信じられないよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm the one who saw how she died, and I still can't believe it.<br>\\r\\n あの死に方を見りゃあね。」<br>\\r\\n What a completely abnormal way to go.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………私は多分、詩音も鬼婆も、嘘をついてないと思う。<br>\\r\\n I don't think Shion and the hag are lying.<br><br>\\r\\n ということはつまり、……私たちが思っているほど、鬼婆は雛見沢の全てを掌握していない。<br>\\r\\n That would mean the hag wasn't in as much control as we thought she was, though.<br><br>\\r\\n あんな恐ろしいクスリのことなど知らなかったし、<br>\\r\\n She didn't know anything about that scary drug<br>\\r\\n …古手家が祟りを実際に執行していたことも知らなかった。<br>\\r\\n or if the Furude family was the one executing the curse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 園崎家が不関与とするなら、あの連続怪死事件を誰に起こせたと言うのか。<br>\\r\\n If the Sonozaki family had nothing to do with it, then who made the series of mysterious deaths possible?<br><br>\\r\\n 偶然が５年も続けて綿流しの日に？<br>\\r\\n Was it just a coincidence that something happened five years in a row on the night of Watanagashi?<br><br>\\r\\n それだけはありえない。<br>\\r\\n That's impossible.<br><br>\\r\\n 人の意思が働いているのだ、必ず！<br>\\r\\n A human must have made it happen!<br><br>\\r\\n しかもそれは園崎家の与り知れぬところで、だ。<br>\\r\\n And it was all decided somewhere the Sonozaki family wasn't aware of.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 公由家は何も知らない。<br>\\r\\n The Kimiyoshi family didn't know anything.<br><br>\\r\\n 公由は園崎家主導だと信じきっていた。<br>\\r\\n Kimiyoshi believed the Sonozaki family was behind it.<br><br>\\r\\n 古手家か？<br>\\r\\n Was it the Furude family?<br><br>\\r\\n 梨花の行動、妄信する老人たち。<br>\\r\\n With Rika's behavior, and the elderly people who believed in her so blindly...<br>\\r\\n ……古手家を中心とする勢力が存在して暗躍していた？<br>\\r\\n Did some kind of power exist around the Furude family that created the curse?<br><br>\\r\\n まさか…そんな馬鹿な。<br>\\r\\n No way.<br><br>\\r\\n 神主さんたち古手夫妻は祟りで葬られてるんだぞ。<br>\\r\\n The Furude couple themselves were victims of it.<br><br>\\r\\n その後に生き残った、あんな小娘が、園崎家よりもさらにさらに暗部で君臨していたなんてことがありえるだろうか？<br>\\r\\n How could a little girl like Rika possess a power stronger than that of the Sonozaki family?<br><br>\\r\\n ありえない、考えられない、いくらなんでも無茶苦茶だ。<br>\\r\\n No way, it's just impossible.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n つまり、…私は御三家の頭首を皆殺しにしてしまった今、雛見沢村の暗部の秘密を、誤解したまま幕を下ろそうとしている、ということ。<br>\\r\\n In other words, I had killed the heads of all the Three Families and was trying to bring an end to the whole thing, all as a result of a misunderstanding about the dark secret of Hinamizawa.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n じゃあ、……私の復讐劇は？<br>\\r\\n Then what about my revenge?<br><br>\\r\\n 全然関係のない人たちを、たくさん殺してしまったということ？<br>\\r\\n Did I kill all the wrong people, people who had nothing to do with Satoshi-kun's disappearance at all?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………ははは、やるね詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ha ha ha, that's good, Shion.<br>\\r\\n ……最後の最後で、私の復讐劇をひっくり返そうってわけ？」<br>\\r\\n You're still trying to turn the tables on me, huh?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「……お姉ちゃん、……信じて……。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sis, please... believe me...<br>\\r\\n ……私は、……仇なんかじゃ、<br>\\r\\n I'm not... your enemy.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …ない。<br>\\r\\n I really am not.<br>\\r\\n …信じて…よ……お姉ちゃん…。」<br>\\r\\n Please... believe me, Sis...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 詩音は両目いっぱいに涙を浮かべて、懇願した。<br>\\r\\n Shion begged with tears in her eyes.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その哀れな様子は、私がまだ詩音の姉でいたなら、心を揺らされたのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n That would have affected me if I was still Shion's sister...<br><br>\\r\\n でも私は、何も感じない。<br>\\r\\n But I don't feel anything anymore<br>\\r\\n 鬼だから。<br>\\r\\n because I'm a demon.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あと詩音を殺したら出来上がり。<br>\\r\\n I'll be done once I kill Shion.<br><br>\\r\\n そういう風に決めたんだ。<br>\\r\\n I've already decided that.<br>\\r\\n それをやり遂げなかったら、私の存在は何？<br>\\r\\n If I don't finish it up, what would my existence be for?<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの復讐のために全てを投げ出した私の生涯は、何？<br>\\r\\n What about the life I devoted to revenge for Satoshi-kun?<br><br>\\r\\n それを、最後の最後でめちゃくちゃにするようなことを言って…。<br>\\r\\n How dare she tell me all this nonsense to confuse me at the very end...<br><br>\\r\\n それじゃ私がしたのは復讐でも何でもなくなっちゃう。<br>\\r\\n If what she said was the truth, then what I'd done wasn't revenge.<br><br>\\r\\n ただ、ただ、…５年目の祟りに取り憑かれただけってことじゃない…。<br>\\r\\n It was just the curse of the fifth year...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…詩音。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Shion.<br>\\r\\n あんたが本当に無実なら、あんたは天国へ行けるね。<br>\\r\\n If you are truly innocent, you can go to Heaven.<br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんに、謝っておいて。」<br>\\r\\n Apologize to Satoshi-kun for me...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「お姉………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Si-.........\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 青白い無情の火花が散り、……詩音は涙の雫を散らしながら、闇の底へ消えていった。<br>\\r\\n A bluish-white spark lit up the darkness, and Shion disappeared into the well.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「天国で、悟史くんに謝って。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Please apologize to Satoshi-kun in Heaven.<br>\\r\\n ……私は天国には行けないから謝れない。」<br>\\r\\n I can't, since I won't be going there...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n その代り、…思い切り下の下の、最下層の地獄へ行くから。<br>\\r\\n Instead, I'm going deep into Hell.<br><br>\\r\\n ここから飛び降りるなんて楽な死に方じゃ、償えないのだ。<br>\\r\\n Jumping into this well would be too simple an atonement for what I've done.<br><br>\\r\\n 相応しい死に方を得るまで、生き延びる。<br>\\r\\n Until I find a perfect way to end my life, I'm going to live<br>\\r\\n 無様に。<br>\\r\\n as best I can...\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 昭和５８年６月。<br>\\r\\n June, 1983...<br><br>\\r\\n ＸＸ県鹿骨市雛見沢村で、連続失踪事件が発生した。<br>\\r\\n There has been a series of disappearances in Hinamizawa Village, Shishibone City, XX Prefecture.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 容疑者は、園崎魅音（１Ｘ歳）<br>\\r\\n The suspect is <NAME> (1X years old).<br><br>\\r\\n 容疑者は６月１９日から２１日までの間に雛見沢村住民５人（園崎お魎・園崎詩音・公由喜一郎・古手梨花・北条沙都子）を拉致、監禁して殺害した疑い。<br>\\r\\n Allegedly, she abducted five Hinamizawan residents (<NAME>, <NAME>, <NAME>, <NAME>, and <NAME>) and imprisoned them from June 19th through the 21st...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 事件は当初、情報不足のため初動捜査で遅れをとったが、偶然的、電撃的に解決した。<br>\\r\\n Preliminary investigations on the incident were delayed at the time due to insufficient evidence, but by chance, the case was solved rather abruptly.<br><br><br>\\r\\n ２２日午前中、園崎邸前を巡回していた警邏車両は邸内よりの悲鳴を聞き、緊急措置として邸内へ突入。<br>\\r\\n On the morning of the 22nd, a vehicle patrolling the Sonozaki property heard screams from inside and rushed in as an emergency measure.<br><br>\\r\\n 失踪中の容疑者の妹（園崎詩音）とクラスメート２名（前原圭一・竜宮礼奈）を保護した。<br>\\r\\n They secured the suspect's missing younger sister (<NAME>) and her two missing classmates (<NAME> and <NAME>ugu).<br><br><br>\\r\\n 容疑者は現場より逃走する。<br>\\r\\n The suspect fled the scene.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 失踪者たちを殺害したと思われる園崎邸内の離れ地下奥、拷問室からは、失踪者４人（園崎お魎・公由喜一郎・古手梨花・北条沙都子）の毛髪、皮膚片、血液などを発見。<br>\\r\\n We found hair, pieces of skin, and blood of the four missing people (<NAME>, <NAME>, <NAME>, and <NAME>) in the torture room that was discovered in the basement of the outbuilding on the Sonazaki family property. Supposedly that's where they were killed.<br><br>\\r\\n 拷問室内で失踪者たちが拷問を受けたものと断定した。<br>\\r\\n We concluded that the victims were tortured in that torture room.<br><br><br>\\r\\n ただし、その遺体は依然、発見されていない。<br>\\r\\n However, their remains have still not been found.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 監禁されていたクラスメートの証言から、監禁現場となった、園崎邸内の離れ地下にあるものと見て捜索を続けているが、容疑者の逃亡ルート共々、発見には未だ至っていない。<br>\\r\\n According to one of her imprisoned classmates' advice, the bodies should be somewhere in the basement of the outbuilding where the torture took place. However, nothing has been uncovered as of yet, including the escape route the suspect took.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n また、ほのめかしたとされる近年の連続怪死事件への関与も捜査が続けられているが、<br>\\r\\n In addition, investigations continue regarding any possible connection to the series of mysterious deaths in recent years...<br><br><br>\\r\\n 園崎魅音が直接、または間接的に関わったという証拠は発見されていない。<br>\\r\\n ...But no evidence that <NAME> was involved, either directly or indirectly, has been found.<br><br>\\r\\n 事件の動機には今もなお不明な点が多く、また、園崎家、雛見沢村住民の極度の非協力もあり、その解明には膨大な時間を要することが予想される。<br>\\r\\n There are still many unclear points as to the motive behind the incident, and as those of the Sonozaki family and the residents of Hinamizawa have been extremely uncooperative in assisting us, we expect to require a long time to clarify them.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 地域に詳しい地元警察の見解では、雛見沢村内の信仰に対する冒涜行為を巡る、内部懲罰、リンチ事件ではないかと見ている。<br>\\r\\n The opinion of a local officer knowledgeable about the region is that this may have been a lynching—an internal form of punishing sacrilegious acts carried out against the beliefs of Hinamizawa Village.<br><br>\\r\\n 地域性に根ざした特殊な事件であることは間違いなく、県警本部は慎重な捜査を命じた。<br>\\r\\n It is clear that these incidents are particularly rooted in this region, and the prefectural police department has ordered a cautious investigation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 容疑者の妹で、もっとも監禁期間の長いと思われる失踪者（園崎詩音）から重要な手掛かりを得られるのではないかと期待したが、<br>\\r\\n We anticipated gaining valuable clues from the missing person believed to have been imprisoned for the longest time, <NAME>—the suspect's younger sister...<br><br>\\r\\n 事件後、精神に重度の後遺症を患い、今日まで正常な事情聴取に応じられる精神状態にない。<br>\\r\\n However, the incident has left such serious mental aftereffects that she has not been in a state of mind to properly answer any questions about what she knows.<br><br>\\r\\n 精神科医は、ショックによる一過性のものと診断したが、その回復の目処は今日でも立っていない。<br>\\r\\n The psychiatrist concluded that she is in a temporary state of shock, but as of today, she has yet to show any improvement.\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 初めは、演技だった。<br>\\r\\n I was acting at first.<br><br>\\r\\n 警察の尋問を逃れて逃げ出すための、フリに過ぎなかった。<br>\\r\\n It was just an act to avoid being interrogated by the police.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n でも、狂気は演じていても、侵される。<br>\\r\\n As it turns out, though, fake insanity can become real.<br><br>\\r\\n もう私は、駄目だった。<br>\\r\\n You see, I couldn't bear it any longer.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n かつて竜宮レナに警告された「あいつ」は、今や背中に張り付くくらいにぴったりと、私に取り憑いていた。<br>\\r\\n I continued to be haunted by the presence <NAME> had talked about. It was so close that it could almost touch my back.<br><br>\\r\\n こいつは悟史くんでもなければ私の幻でもなく、<br>\\r\\n It wasn't Satoshi-kun, and it wasn't a hallucination.<br>\\r\\n そう、こいつはいつの間にか、詩音の亡霊になっていたのだ。<br>\\r\\n It had become Shion's ghost.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 詩音は天国になんか行かなかった。<br>\\r\\n Shion didn't go to Heaven after all.<br><br>\\r\\n いつも私と一緒にいた。<br>\\r\\n She was always by my side instead.<br><br>\\r\\n 詩音だけを殺しておいて、私がのうのうと生き延びてしまうのが許せなくて、<br>\\r\\n Shion didn't like the fact that I was still alive when she wasn't.<br>\\r\\n 私がちゃんと死んでみせるまで、そこにずっと取り憑いているつもりなのだ。<br>\\r\\n So, she had decided to haunt me until she witnessed my death.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n しかもご丁寧に、早く死ねと毎夜毎夜、私が忘れないように囁いてくれるのだ。<br>\\r\\n Every night, she whispered to me, telling me to die.<br><br>\\r\\n …わかってるって、<br>\\r\\n ...I get it...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …大丈夫だって、<br>\\r\\n ...I get it!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …はあぁあぁ…。<br>\\r\\n ...Hah, hah, hah...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は背中の詩音に向かって吠えたり、怒鳴ったりした。<br>\\r\\n I shouted at the Shion at my back.<br><br>\\r\\n 詩音もまた、私の口を使って言い返したり、叫び返したりした。<br>\\r\\n Through my mouth, she shouted back at me.<br><br>\\r\\n それははたから見たら、とてつもなく奇妙で滑稽な、ひとり喧嘩に見えたに違いない。<br>\\r\\n It must look odd to other people. They'd think I was arguing with myself.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n お姉だけずるい、いつまで生きてるの。<br>\\r\\n It's not fair. Why are you still living, Sis?<br><br>\\r\\n 死ね、死ね、早く死ね！<br>\\r\\n Die, die, die already!<br><br>\\r\\n お姉はすぐに自分も死ぬって言ったよ。<br>\\r\\n You said you'd die right after you killed me.<br><br>\\r\\n 待ってるんだから、私待ってるよ…。<br>\\r\\n I'm waiting. I'm waiting...<br><br>\\r\\n 井戸の底は暗くて、<br>\\r\\n It's so dark and cold in this well.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 寒くて、<br>\\r\\n It's cold...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …痛い、<br>\\r\\n It hurts...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …痛い、<br>\\r\\n It hurts...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …痛い…。<br>\\r\\n ...It hurts...<br><br>\\r\\n あぁわかってるよわかってる！！！<br>\\r\\n Ah, I get it, I get it!!!<br><br>\\r\\n うるさいなうるさいなああぁ！！<br>\\r\\n Shut up!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 何がわかってるのお姉、あんたに相応しい死なんか待ってたって訪れるものか。<br>\\r\\n What exactly do you get, Sis? You won't die in the way you want to.<br><br>\\r\\n お姉は死から逃げてる、あれだけのことをして生き延びるつもりだ。<br>\\r\\n You're just running away. You're trying to survive, even after you did all those horrible things.<br><br>\\r\\n 罪なんか消えるものか、呪われてるんだよ。<br>\\r\\n You'll never be forgiven. You're cursed.<br><br>\\r\\n お姉は呪われろ、祟り殺されてしまええぇええぇえ！！！<br>\\r\\n You're cursed! You're destined to die!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「やかましいよ詩音！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Shut up, Shion!!<br><br><br>\\r\\n 亡霊のくせに…やかましい、<br>\\r\\n You're just a ghost... so shut up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n やかましいぃい！！！」<br>\\r\\n Shut uuuuuuuup!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「お姉ぇお姉えええぇえ！！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sis.... Siiissss!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「くそったれがぁあぁ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"You lousy shit!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 消え失せやがれえぇ！！！」<br>\\r\\n Fuck off!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「魅音はずるい、魅音だけずるい、姉妹はいつも一緒、死んでも一緒…！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"It's not fair, it's not fair! You and I should always be together, even after death...!!!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n だから魅音ほら、迎えに来たんだよ…魅音んんんんん！！！！」<br>\\r\\n So, Mion, I've come to take you with me... Miooonn!!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n ドンダンガンダンガン！！！！<br>\\r\\n Bang, bang, bang, bang!!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 詩音がドアを乱暴に叩く。<br>\\r\\n Shion banged on the door.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ダンダンガンダンッ！！！<br>\\r\\n Bam, bam, bam, bam!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そのうるさいことと言ったら！！<br>\\r\\n That noise is too loud!!<br>\\r\\n 頭が割れる、鼓膜が破れる！！<br>\\r\\n It's cracking my ears and my head open!!<br>\\r\\n 詩音め、この部屋の扉を破る気だ、ああぁあぁくそ、わかったよ詩音。<br>\\r\\n Shion's trying to break in! Ahh, shit! All right, Shion, I get it!<br>\\r\\n 私の罪に似合う死に方ってのはつまり、お前に祟り殺されることだったわけだ。<br>\\r\\n The perfect way for me to die is to be cursed to death by you, isn't it?!<br>\\r\\n …でもね、あんたの思い通りには簡単にはならないよ…。<br>\\r\\n But I won't be going so easily...<br>\\r\\n はぁはあ！！<br>\\r\\n Hah, haaah...!!<br>\\r\\n ただじゃ消えない、あんただけ恋した人が生き残ってるなんてフェアじゃない！！<br>\\r\\n I won't simply disappear. It wouldn't be fair if your beloved was left alive, after all!!<br>\\r\\n あはははっはははあっひゃへへひゃきゃ！！！<br>\\r\\n Ahahaha, hahahaa, heeheeheekyee!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はドアの向こうにいる詩音を避けるため、ベランダへ出た。<br>\\r\\n I went out onto the balcony to avoid Shion, who was on the other side of the door.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 柵ごしに、隣へ移れば、非常階段に降りられる。<br>\\r\\n If I jump over the railing to the neighboring apartment, I could reach the fire escape.<br><br>\\r\\n ひゃひひゃあききゃきゃ！！<br>\\r\\n Heeheehyaakyakyaa!!<br>\\r\\n 詩音めざまみろざまぁみろ！！！<br>\\r\\n Eat shit, Shion!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は柵から身を乗り出し、軽々と隣へ飛び移る。<br>\\r\\n I leaned over the railing and jumped to the balcony next door.<br><br>\\r\\n それから、猫のように足音もなく素早く、地階へ駆け下りた。<br>\\r\\n Then I rushed down the stairs, noiseless as a cat.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 詩音の馬鹿は裏をかかれたなんて思うまいなぁ思うまい、くけけきゃけげけけ！！<br>\\r\\n Shion was too stupid to realize that I escaped! Heekeekyaheeheegeehee!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 単車を使えば、圭一の家なんてすぐだ。<br>\\r\\n It wouldn't take too long to get to Keiichi's house on a motorcycle.<br><br>\\r\\n 馬鹿な詩音は騙されてる、私がまだ部屋の中にいると信じているに違いない。<br>\\r\\n Shion must believe that I'm still in that room. She's so stupid!<br>\\r\\n ぐげげげげげげげげげげ！！<br>\\r\\n Gheeheeheeheeheehee!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ほぅら見えたぞ、あれが前原屋敷だ。<br>\\r\\n Soon enough, I could see the Maebara mansion.<br><br>\\r\\n 詩音に話を充分に聞いてあるから初めて見るけどよく知ってる、くっけっけっけ！！！<br>\\r\\n I'd never seen it before, but I'd heard a great deal about it from Shion. Kee hee hee hee!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一の部屋は二階だと言ってた二階だ二階！！！<br>\\r\\n She told me that Keiichi's room is on the second floor!!!<br><br>\\r\\n 起こしてやれ、石をぶつけろぐぎゃぎゃぎゃぎゃ！！！<br>\\r\\n I should wake him up. Throw a stone! Gwa ha ha ha ha!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 何度か石をぶつけたところで、部屋に灯りが灯り、窓が開いた。<br>\\r\\n I threw a couple of stones at the window, and shortly thereafter the light turned on and the window opened.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 圭一だった。<br>\\r\\n I saw Keiichi there.<br><br>\\r\\n その姿を見た途端。<br>\\r\\n The moment I saw him...<br>\\r\\n ………私の中の狂気が一瞬だけ醒めた。<br>\\r\\n my madness cooled off for a while.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一がどたどたと階段を下りてくるのがここにいてもわかる。<br>\\r\\n Even from here, I could tell that Keiichi was running down the stairs.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そしてすぐに圭一は現われた。<br>\\r\\n He showed up quickly...<br>\\r\\n 手には、人形を持って。<br>\\r\\n with a doll in his hand.<br><br>\\r\\n …………その人形を見て、私は失望する。<br>\\r\\n ...I felt depressed to see it.<br><br>\\r\\n その人形は確か、詩音に渡し損ねたとかいう人形だ。<br>\\r\\n It was the doll he failed to give to Shion.<br><br>\\r\\n ……やはり、詩音ばっかりずるい。<br>\\r\\n ...It isn't fair after all, Shion.<br><br>\\r\\n いいな圭ちゃん、いいないいな…。<br>\\r\\n I'm so jealous, Kei-chan...<br>\\r\\n 私だって悟史くんに人形がもらいたいよ…！！！<br>\\r\\n I want to receive a doll from Satoshi-kun, too...!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……はぁ、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hah...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……はぁ、<br>\\r\\n Hah...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……魅音…！」<br>\\r\\n ...Mion!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「あはははは、お久しぶり〜。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahaha, it's been a while~<br>\\r\\n …どう？<br>\\r\\n ...How are you?<br>\\r\\n 元気にしてた？」<br>\\r\\n Been doing all right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 私の心の中でぐつぐつと煮えくり返る狂気とは裏腹に、私の口からはさも平然とした言葉が漏れる。<br>\\r\\n Despite the burning insanity within me, I spoke to him calmly.<br><br>\\r\\n …………あぁそうだ。<br>\\r\\n ...Ah, it's true.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の体はもう鬼に支配されているのだ…。<br>\\r\\n My body is controlled by the demon now...<br>\\r\\n でなきゃこんな深夜にげげげぐ、<br>\\r\\n Otherwise, I wouldn't be here this late...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n きゃきけけ…！！<br>\\r\\n Kee heehee...!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……お前、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Are you...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……こんなところをうろついてて……大丈夫なのか…？！」<br>\\r\\n all right... hanging around this place...?!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…………本当はいけないよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I really shouldn't be.<br>\\r\\n …えへへへ。」<br>\\r\\n ...Ehehehe.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「それより……どうしたんだよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Anyway... what's wrong?<br>\\r\\n こんな時間に。」<br>\\r\\n What do you need at this hour?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…最後にお話ししたかったから。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I wanted to talk to you one last time.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ものすごく、眠い。<br>\\r\\n I feel horribly sleepy.<br><br>\\r\\n それは睡眠の眠さというより、貧血などで意識が薄れるときのような感覚。<br>\\r\\n Maybe it's more like fainting due to loss of blood.<br><br>\\r\\n ぎゃげげ、私の心が狂気で塗り潰されてしまう、最期の感覚…。<br>\\r\\n Ghee heehee, that sensation is proof that the insanity is swallowing me...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………私ね、<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Well, I...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……えへへへ、<br>\\r\\n ehehehe...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……もう、<br>\\r\\n I can't...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……ここにはいられない…。」<br>\\r\\n stay for any longer...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「だ、大丈夫か…。<br>\\r\\n \\\"A-Are you all right...?<br>\\r\\n どこか具合でも…、」<br>\\r\\n Are you not feeling well...?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…今日まで……がが、……がんばってきたけど…、<br>\\r\\n \\\"...I tried... s-s... so hard until now...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n あははは、<br>\\r\\n Ahahaha...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …自分でわかるの。<br>\\r\\n but I can tell.<br>\\r\\n ……もうだめ…もう限界…。<br>\\r\\n ...I'm done... This is my limit...<br>\\r\\n 私のお迎えは<br>\\r\\n They're...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……<br>\\r\\n ......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n もう、すぐ後ろまで来てる…。<br>\\r\\n about to come up behind me to take me away...<br>\\r\\n あははは………。」<br>\\r\\n Ahahaha......\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 死に方を選ぶ余地もなかった。<br>\\r\\n I won't get to decide how I die.<br><br>\\r\\n 詩音はそんな贅沢など許さなかったのだ。<br>\\r\\n Shion won't allow me to.<br><br>\\r\\n そりゃそうだ、詩音自身、私に井戸に突き落とされて死んでいる。<br>\\r\\n No wonder. I dropped her down the well.<br><br>\\r\\n 詩音だけじゃない、私に殺されたみんながみんな、誰一人として死に方など選んでいない。<br>\\r\\n It wasn't only her. None of the people I killed chose to die how they did.<br><br>\\r\\n それを思えば…死に方を迷うなど亡者から見ればなんと贅沢な悩みなのか！<br>\\r\\n Considering that... debating how I'll die must seem a luxurious concern to the dead!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ…はははは、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah... hahaha...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …はは……は、<br>\\r\\n haha... ha...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……はぁ<br>\\r\\n hah......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………はぁ<br>\\r\\n hah......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………はぁ…！」<br>\\r\\n hah...!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ほぐげぎゃぎゃ…、<br>\\r\\n Feegheeghagya...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n はぁ、<br>\\r\\n hah...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……がぎゃ…、<br>\\r\\n ghaa...<br><br>\\r\\n 「大丈夫かよ…！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Are you okay...?!<br>\\r\\n もう無理するな…。<br>\\r\\n Don't force yourself...<br><br>\\r\\n あ、…そうだ。<br>\\r\\n Oh... that's right.<br>\\r\\n …俺、魅音に、」<br>\\r\\n ...I had something—\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …殺してやる殺してやる、<br>\\r\\n ...I'll kill him, kill him, kill him...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの仇悟史くんの仇、<br>\\r\\n I'll avenge Satoshi-kun's death, I'll avenge his death!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …こいつは詩音の好きな人、詩音なんか大嫌い、こいつを殺して詩音に思い知らせてやるんだ、<br>\\r\\n ...This guy is Shion's beloved. I hate her! I'll kill him and teach her a lesson!<br>\\r\\n ざまみろざまざざざざ、<br>\\r\\n Eat this, Shi......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……ぐ…ッ、<br>\\r\\n ............ghh!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……………………！<br>\\r\\n ............!!<br><br>\\r\\n 重力がぐるぐる回る中。<br>\\r\\n While gravity's pull spun around me,<br><br>\\r\\n 私は圭一の腹部をナイフで思い切り突き刺していた。<br>\\r\\n I realized that I had stabbed him with a knife.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「け、<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hee......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……けけけ…<br>\\r\\n heeheehee...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n けけけけけけけけけけけけけけけけけ<br>\\r\\n heeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …！<br>\\r\\n ...!<br>\\r\\n 間に合った…。<br>\\r\\n I made it...<br>\\r\\n …間に合った…！<br>\\r\\n I made it in time...!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …くけけけけけけけけけけけけけけけけけけ！！！」<br>\\r\\n ...Huheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee!!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n げげっげげげげ！！<br>\\r\\n Gheh gheh gheh gheh gheh!!<br>\\r\\n 間に合った間に合った、詩音に祟り殺される前に、私は詩音に一矢を報いたぞ、げげげげげげげ！！<br>\\r\\n I made it, I made it, I made it before Shion killed me! I got back at her! Gheh gheh gheh gheh!!<br>\\r\\n 思い知ったか詩音、げげげげげげげげげげ！！<br>\\r\\n Take that, Shion, gheh gheh gheh gheh gheh gheh!!<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一は腹部を押さえながら、ダンゴ虫のように縮こまり、地面の上で震えた。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi rolled on the ground, clutching his stomach.<br><br>\\r\\n 「げげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Geegeegeegeegeegeegeegeegeegeegeegeegeegeegeegeegeegeegee!!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 出来た、全部出来た！<br>\\r\\n I've done it! I've done it all!<br>\\r\\n 私が殺したいヤツは…これで全員…！！！<br>\\r\\n That's everyone... I wanted to kill...!!!\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n げげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげげ！！」<br>\\r\\n Geegeegeegeegeegeegeegeegeegeegeegeegeegeegeegeegeegee!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n やった、やったよふげげぎゃぎゃ、私は成し遂げた！！！<br>\\r\\n Yeah! I did it!! Hyahyagyagya, I did it!!!<br>\\r\\n ぎゃぎ悟史くんの仇を全て討ったよぉおおぎょごごがぎゃ！！！<br>\\r\\n Gheh gheh, I avenged your death, Satoshi-kun, gheh gheh!!!<br>\\r\\n 褒めてよ悟史くん、私を撫でて？！<br>\\r\\n Don't you love me for it?! Will you stroke my head?!<br>\\r\\n げぎゃぎゃぎゃ、ぎげぇえぇ！！！<br>\\r\\n Gheh gheh gheh gyeeehhh!!!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう。<br>\\r\\n Yes.<br>\\r\\n これは全部悪い夢。<br>\\r\\n This was all a bad dream.<br><br>\\r\\n だって私は、いつものように自分の部屋で詩音の悪夢に苛まされてるだけだもの。<br>\\r\\n After all, I was just in my room like always, suffering from nightmares of Shion.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だったら、<br>\\r\\n But...<br>\\r\\n ………<br>\\r\\n ......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ここはどこなの。<br>\\r\\n where was I now?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は、マンションの非常階段にぽつんと、たたずんでいた。<br>\\r\\n I had been standing on my apartment's fire escape, alone.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……夢の記憶は残ってる。<br>\\r\\n ...I could still recall that dream.<br><br>\\r\\n そうだ、私はベランダから出たんだ。<br>\\r\\n Yes, I had stepped out onto the veranda.<br><br>\\r\\n …扉の鍵は閉まってるから、……またベランダから入らなきゃ。<br>\\r\\n ...My front door was still locked, so... I had to climb through the veranda again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n はぁ、<br>\\r\\n Hah...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………ん、<br>\\r\\n ...hmm...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …………。<br>\\r\\n ...<br>\\r\\n …………わ、<br>\\r\\n ...Whoa!\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 足がずるっと滑って、浮遊感。<br>\\r\\n My foot had slipped, and then I felt a floating sensation.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして、頭部に言いようの知れない激痛が走った。<br>\\r\\n After that, a sharp, indescribable pain ran through my head.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そのあまりの痛みに、私は悪夢の霧が晴れる………。<br>\\r\\n That incredible pain finally cleared the fog away from my nightmare...<br><br>\\r\\n …私は非常階段から自分の部屋のベランダに戻ろうとして足を滑らせて、<br>\\r\\n I just slipped from the fire escape as I tried to return to my balcony...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …２〜３階下のエレベーターフロアの出っ張った屋根の上に落ちたのだ。<br>\\r\\n ...and fell onto the roof jutting out from the elevator hall two or three floors down.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私のフロアは８階。<br>\\r\\n My room is on the eighth floor.<br><br>\\r\\n こんなところで受け止められるなんて、思わなかった。<br>\\r\\n I wasn't expecting to be caught up here.<br><br>\\r\\n 落ちたとき、ちょうどコンクリートの角で頭を打ったらしく、ものすごい激痛と、熱い血が零れているのがわかった。<br>\\r\\n When I fell, my head landed right on the concrete corner, and I could feel both enormous pain and the warm blood dripping out.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ………………不思議な安堵感。<br>\\r\\n ...............I felt strangely calm.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼も詩音の亡霊も、悟史くんの恨みも何もない。<br>\\r\\n I couldn't sense the demon. Shion's ghost, or my grudge.<br><br>\\r\\n …生まれたままの赤ん坊のような、<br>\\r\\n ...I felt just like a baby...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……何もないがゆえの、安堵感。<br>\\r\\n The nothingness brought me peace.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 生まれてから、魅音の名を受け、…今日までの記憶が次々蘇る。<br>\\r\\n All my memories from when I was born and named Mion, up until today, came to my mind.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんとの出会いが蘇り、私は目から涙を零す。<br>\\r\\n I recalled memories of the time I'd spent with Satoshi-kun. Tears rolled down my cheeks.<br><br>\\r\\n どこで、間違っちゃったんだろう……？<br>\\r\\n Where did I go wrong...?<br><br>\\r\\n 私の人生は、どこで選択肢を間違えたんだろう？<br>\\r\\n When in my life did I make the wrong choice?<br><br>\\r\\n そう、私はもう知ってるよ、悟史くんが思いださせてくれた………。<br>\\r\\n Ah, I do know just where and when that was... because Satoshi-kun reminded me...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子のこと、<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'll leave<br>\\r\\n …………<br>\\r\\n ......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 頼むからね。<br>\\r\\n Satoko to you.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n うん。<br>\\r\\n Sure.<br><br>\\r\\n 私ね、悟史くんがきっと帰って来るって信じて、<br>\\r\\n I believe you'll return.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……ずっと待ってるよ。<br>\\r\\n ......I'll be waiting for you.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子はちゃんと私が面倒を見て、待っててあげるから。<br>\\r\\n I'll take care of Satoko.<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子と二人でね、大人しく悟史くんが帰って来るのを、待っている。<br>\\r\\n I'll wait for you with her. We'll be good girls.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの大事な妹を、他の誰でもない、私に預けてくれた。<br>\\r\\n You left your precious sister to me, and nobody else.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私、……そんな意味だって、わかってなかったんだね。<br>\\r\\n I guess... I didn't get the significance of what you said...<br><br>\\r\\n 大丈夫、今度は大丈夫だよ…。<br>\\r\\n But I'll be fine this time.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くん、<br>\\r\\n I love you...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …大好き。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子、<br>\\r\\n Satoko.........\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………ごめん。<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry.<br><br>\\r\\n みんな…、ごめん。<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry... everybody.<br><br>\\r\\n 詩音には、特にごめん。<br>\\r\\n Shion... I'm really sorry.<br><br>\\r\\n …………こんな死に方で責任、取れるかな。<br>\\r\\n ......Could I repay everything with my death?<br><br>\\r\\n 全然だめだよね、なっちゃいない。<br>\\r\\n No way, right? That's not how it should be done.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんにもう一度頭を撫でて欲しい。<br>\\r\\n I wanted Satoshi-kun to stroke my head one more time.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの、むぅ、がもう一度、聞きたい。<br>\\r\\n I wanted to hear him mumble one more time.<br><br>\\r\\n ごめん、贅沢だよね。<br>\\r\\n I knew it was too much to ask.<br><br>\\r\\n …もう未練ないよ。<br>\\r\\n ...And so, I had no other regrets.<br><br>\\r\\n あとは口で謝ってもしょうがない。<br>\\r\\n That brought an end to my apologies.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は横に転がり、さらに地上を目指す。<br>\\r\\n I rolled over, sending myself falling to the ground...<br><br>\\r\\n 頭から。<br>\\r\\n ...Head first.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n さあ思い切り私の頭を砕いて。<br>\\r\\n I hoped my head would crack open.<br><br>\\r\\n そして私を見合う地獄に連れて行って。<br>\\r\\n To take me to the Hell I deserved.<br><br>\\r\\n 私はただの鬼だった。<br>\\r\\n I was just a demon.<br><br>\\r\\n 地の底の地獄がお似合いなんだ。<br>\\r\\n I belonged in Hell.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n どうして生まれてきたんだろう、<br>\\r\\n Why was I born?\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n どうして生を受けたんだろう。<br>\\r\\n Why did this world give birth to me?<br><br>\\r\\n 生まれなければ良かった。<br>\\r\\n I shouldn't have been born.<br><br>\\r\\n 生まれなかったらこんな思いをしなかった。<br>\\r\\n I wouldn't have had to suffer if I hadn't been.<br><br>\\r\\n こんな意味のない生に、誰がどんな意味を求めたんだろう。<br>\\r\\n What was the meaning of my meaningless life?<br><br>\\r\\n 私が生まれなければ、誰も不幸にならなかった。<br>\\r\\n If I wasn't born, nobody would have had to suffer.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n こんな私にやさしくしてくれて、<br>\\r\\n Thank you for treating me kindly\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ありがとう。<br>\\r\\n even though I was like this.<br><br>\\r\\n こんな私に恋を教えてくれて、<br>\\r\\n Thank you for teaching me love\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ありがとう。<br>\\r\\n even though I was like this.<br><br>\\r\\n こんな私に、<br>\\r\\n Even though I was like this......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n こんな私に、<br>\\r\\n even though<br>\\r\\n ……。<br>\\r\\n ...<br><br>\\r\\n みんなにごめん。<br>\\r\\n I'm really sorry, everybody.<br><br>\\r\\n 本当にごめん。<br>\\r\\n I really am.<br><br>\\r\\n ごめんね。<br>\\r\\n I'm sorry.<br><br>\\r\\n もしもね、私、悟史くんにもう一度同じチャンスがもらえるなら。<br>\\r\\n If Satoshi-kun could give me another chance...<br><br>\\r\\n もう絶対に選択を、間違えないから。<br>\\r\\n ...I wouldn't make the same mistake again.<br><br>\\r\\n …本当だよ。<br>\\r\\n ...Never again.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あ、<br>\\r\\n Ah...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …地面だ。<br>\\r\\n here comes the ground.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n じゃあね。<br>\\r\\n Bye.<br><br>\\r\\n 大好き。<br>\\r\\n I love you.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …むぅ。<br>\\r\\n ...Mmph.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n え？<br>\\r\\n Eh?\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 「よっしゃーお昼だお昼！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"All right, it's lunchtime!!<br>\\r\\n そらレナ、机をくっ付けろ！」<br>\\r\\n Hey, Rena, put our desks together!\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n 「あははは、今日はレナのお弁当はミートボールなんだよー！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahahaha. My lunch has meat balls today!\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n 「おおーそりゃいいねぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Sounds good!<br>\\r\\n おじさんもぜひいただくよ。<br>\\r\\n This ol' man will have some, then.<br>\\r\\n ほら梨花ちゃん、机、机。」<br>\\r\\n Rika-chan, bring your desk over.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……くっ付けるのですよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......I'm coming.<br>\\r\\n ぺたー☆」<br>\\r\\n Whoosh☆.\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n 「ほっほっほ！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ho ho ho!<br>\\r\\n 残念なことにミートボールは私も大好物でございましてよ！<br>\\r\\n Unfortunately, meat balls are my favorite too!<br>\\r\\n 皆さんに一口でも口に入ると思わないことでしてよー！！」<br>\\r\\n I won't allow you to have any!!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ざぁんねん、そうは行かないです沙都子。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Unfortunately, I won't let you do that either, Satoko.<br><br>\\r\\n 明らかに野菜不足の沙都子には特別にカボチャ弁当を用意させてもらいました。」<br>\\r\\n You have to have some veggies, so I cooked some squash for you.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「うっわ、そりゃイジメだぞ詩音〜。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Whoa, that's harsh, Shion.\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n 「ふわぁあぁ………カボチャは嫌ですのーー！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Whaaah...... I hate squash!!<br>\\r\\n わああぁん！」<br>\\r\\n Whaah!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほら、そのカボチャ嫌いは駄目です！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't be so picky about your food!<br><br>\\r\\n カボチャはですね栄養価にとても優れているんです。<br>\\r\\n Squash is very nutritious.<br>\\r\\n 育ち盛りの沙都子は特に栄養に気を遣わないといけないんですよ？<br>\\r\\n You're still growing, so you need to think about things like that.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の目の黒い内は偏食は認めないのでその覚悟でお願いします。<br>\\r\\n As long as I live, I won't let you have an unbalanced diet.<br><br>\\r\\n ほらほらみんなもどうぞどうぞ、ホコホコのカボチャって甘くて美味しいんですよー？」<br>\\r\\n Here guys, have some. Steamed squash is delicious.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「……もにゅもにゅ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Munch, munch.<br>\\r\\n 沙都子、これなら甘くておいしいのですよ？」<br>\\r\\n Satoko, it's really sweet.\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n 「お、確かにこりゃいけるなぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, it's super good!<br>\\r\\n カボチャの甘味がいやみなくそれでいて絶妙で！<br>\\r\\n The balance of flavors is perfect!<br>\\r\\n 沙都子、お前は食うなもったいない！！」<br>\\r\\n Satoko, don't eat this. It's too good for you!!\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n 「な、なんですってええぇえ！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"E-Excuse me?!!<br>\\r\\n カボチャは嫌いですけど言い方が気に入りませんわぁあ！！」<br>\\r\\n I don't like your tone!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そら行った行った！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Just try one!<br>\\r\\n 一口にがばっと行ってみなよ！」<br>\\r\\n Take a bite!\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n 「ほらね？<br>\\r\\n \\\"See?<br>\\r\\n おいしいでしょ？」<br>\\r\\n Isn't it good?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「…………んんんん、<br>\\r\\n \\\"......Hmm......\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ………まぁその、食べれなくもないですわね…。」<br>\\r\\n well, it isn't so bad...\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n 「当り前です。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Of course it isn't.<br>\\r\\n 沙都子がカボチャ嫌いを克服できるように日夜研究してますので。<br>\\r\\n I've been working hard every day to get you to overcome your dislike of squash.<br><br>\\r\\n さて、この調子で今年中に、ナス、<br>\\r\\n Okay, now that that's done with, why don't you overcome your fear of eggplants,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ピーマン、<br>\\r\\n green peppers,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n アスパラガスと制覇して行きましょう。」<br>\\r\\n and asparagus within the year?\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n 「冗談はごめんですわーーー！！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Stop joking!!!<br>\\r\\n 私が興宮の学校に転校しましてよー！！！」<br>\\r\\n At this rate, I'll transfer to a school in Okinomiya!!!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「だぁめです。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Come on!<br>\\r\\n 悟史くんから頼まれている以上、健康管理は私の担当です。<br>\\r\\n I'm in charge of your health, since Satoshi-kun asked me to take care of you.<br>\\r\\n 不摂生も許しませんからそのつもりで！」<br>\\r\\n I won't let you eat junk food, either!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 「ふわああん、詩音さん嫌いーー！！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Whaaaah, I hate you, Shion-san!!<br>\\r\\n カボチャ嫌ーー！！！」<br>\\r\\n I hate squash!!!\\\"<br><br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n //\\tDrawSceneWithMask( \\\"Omake_Haikei<br>\\r\\n //\\tPlaySE( 0, \\\"s_jikuu<br>\\r\\n //\\tDrawSceneWithMask( \\\"Omake_Jamp<br>\\r\\n //\\tWait( 10000 );\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n //\\tDrawSceneWithMask( \\\"Omake_Haikei<br>\\r\\n //\\tPlaySE( 0, \\\"s_jikuu<br>\\r\\n //\\tDrawSceneWithMask( \\\"Omake_Tip<br>\\r\\n //\\tWait( 10000 );\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n //\\tDrawSceneWithMask( \\\"Omake_Haikei<br>\\r\\n //\\tPlaySE( 0, \\\"s_boyoon<br>\\r\\n //\\tDrawSceneWithMask( \\\"Omake_staff<br>\\r\\n //\\tWait( 10000 );\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n //\\tDrawScene( \\\"black\\r\\n <br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 昭和５７年６月の某日。<br>\\r\\n June, 1982.<br><br>\\r\\n 綿流しの祭りの数日後に北条悟史は失踪する。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi Houjou disappeared several days after the Watanagashi festival.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが失踪する理由は常識的に考えて３つある。<br>\\r\\n There were three possible reasons for his disappearance.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n １つは事故等によるもの。<br>\\r\\n One possibility is that it was an accident.<br><br>\\r\\n 車にはねられ、用水路等に落ちて、遺体が発見されたのが数ヵ月後なんて言う話も時にある。<br>\\r\\n Dead bodies sometimes end up in irrigation channels a few months after hit-and-run incidents.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、悟史くんの行動半径を中心に警察が十分に捜査した上で、未だ見つからないのだから、これは違うように思う。<br>\\r\\n But since the police did a thorough search of the area and hadn't found his body, this possibility seems small.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もう１つは自発的失踪。<br>\\r\\n The second possibility is a self-motivated disappearance.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの生活は、精神的に非常に追い詰められたものだった。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun has been living in dire circumstances.<br><br>\\r\\n 実際、彼は周囲に蒸発したいようなグチを漏らしたこともあるらしい。<br>\\r\\n His close friends actually heard him imply he might run away.<br><br>\\r\\n 警察は、叔母殺しは悟史くんが犯人で、逃亡したからではないかと見ていた。<br>\\r\\n The police thought he skipped town after killing his aunt.<br><br>\\r\\n それらを加味して考えると一番現実味がある。<br>\\r\\n That seemed plausible, considering that aspect.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だがその後、犯人は別にいることがわかったため、この説は否定された。<br>\\r\\n But the police arrested another person for the murder, so this hypothesis must also be considered false.\\r\\n <br><br><br>\\r\\n 最後の１つは、雛見沢村連続怪死事件、<br>\\r\\n The last possibility is that he was involved in the series of mysterious deaths in Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n 通称オヤシロさまの祟りの犠牲者となり、失踪したという考え方。<br>\\r\\n It's also called the curse of Oyashiro-sama.nHe fell victim to it, and disappeared.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまというオカルト的な存在の立証ができない限り、この事件は間違いなく人の手で起こされている。<br>\\r\\n Unless Oyashiro-sama's occult power is actually verified, this curse must be the act of humans.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんは何者かの手によって、消されたと考えるのが一番妥当だ。<br>\\r\\n It's only natural to assume that Satoshi-kun was made to disappear by someone's will.<br><br>\\r\\n ならば一番の問題は、手を下したのは何者か、ということになる。<br>\\r\\n So, the question is, whose?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 結論から言うと。<br>\\r\\n The possibilities are quite limited.<br><br>\\r\\n 園崎本家か、その意向を汲んだ御三家筋、親戚筋の何者かが犯人であることはほぼ間違いない。<br>\\r\\n The culprit is either a member of the Sonozaki family, a member of the Three Families, or one of their many relatives.<br><br>\\r\\n ……いや、この程度までなら警察だってわかる。<br>\\r\\n ......The police can assume that easily.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 本当に考えるべきはここからなのだ。<br>\\r\\n I need to think beyond that.<br><br>\\r\\n 実際に、誰が、どのようにして、何のために？<br>\\r\\n Who did it? How did it happen? And why did it have to be done?<br><br>\\r\\n なぜ悟史くんは犠牲にならなくてはならなかったのか。<br>\\r\\n Why did Satoshi-kun fall victim?<br><br>\\r\\n 動機は何なのか。<br>\\r\\n What was the motive?<br><br>\\r\\n 命令を下したのは誰なのか。<br>\\r\\n Who gave out that order?<br><br>\\r\\n 実行したのは誰なのか。<br>\\r\\n Who actually did it?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 黒幕も、犯人も、そして真実も。<br>\\r\\n The mastermind, the culprit, and the truth...<br><br>\\r\\n 全ては私のすぐ近くにある。<br>\\r\\n All are in reach of my grasp.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ひょっとすると、それはすぐ背中辺りにあるのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n Maybe I'll find them right behind my back.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、たとえ自分の背中であっても、満遍なく手が届くわけじゃない。<br>\\r\\n But even so, I can't reach everywhere.<br><br>\\r\\n 手が届きにくい場所、手で触れるには肩の関節を痛めて歯を食いしばって、やっと指先が触れる程度の場所もある。<br>\\r\\n There are parts of my back I have to make an effort to reach, clenching my teeth and cracking my joints so that the tips of my fingers can barely touch them.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の求めるものは、そういう場所に隠されているのだ。<br>\\r\\n The truth is hidden in places like those.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n これより記す記録は。<br>\\r\\n I'm writing this because......<br><br>\\r\\n 私の考察を整理するためのメモであると同時に、私の悔悟を書き記したものでもある。<br>\\r\\n ...I need to organize my thoughts and memories.<br><br>\\r\\n このメモが私以外の目に触れることはないだろうとは思う。<br>\\r\\n Nobody will read it other than myself.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もしも私以外がこのメモを読むようなことがあるとすれば。<br>\\r\\n But if somebody does...<br><br>\\r\\n …私は真相を解き明かしこのメモが不要となったので廃棄したか、<br>\\r\\n ...That means that either I threw these notes away because I no longer needed them,<br>\\r\\n 私が志半ばで「オヤシロさまの祟り」に遭い失踪してこのメモだけが残ったかのどちらかだ。<br>\\r\\n or I fell victim to the curse of Oyashiro-sama in the middle of my attempt to solve the mystery.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 前者ならいい。<br>\\r\\n If it was the former, that's okay.<br><br>\\r\\n ……だがもしも後者だったのなら。<br>\\r\\n ...But if it was the latter...<br><br>\\r\\n どうかあなた。<br>\\r\\n Please.<br><br>\\r\\n 私の力になって欲しい。<br>\\r\\n I want you to help me.<br><br>\\r\\n 無力で、ただの小娘に過ぎない私のために。<br>\\r\\n Please help this powerless young girl.<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は、僕の背中に隠れて泣いていた。<br>\\r\\n Satoko was crying while hiding behind my back.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n しがみ付いて泣いていたので、涙と鼻水で僕の背中はすっかり濡れてしまっていた。<br>\\r\\n She's been crying while clinging onto me, so my back was wet with her tears and snot.<br><br>\\r\\n ヒステリックに叫び続ける叔母も、さすがにもう体力が続かないようだった。<br>\\r\\n My aunt had been screaming hysterically, but she looked tired now.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……やがて、時計が深夜の午前１時を指していることに気付き、<br>\\r\\n ...I suddenly realized that it was already past one in the morning.<br>\\r\\n それでもなお、暴言にも等しい捨て台詞を吐き続け、…ようやく矛を収めてくれた。<br>\\r\\n She vomited out a series of screams one last time, then finally called it quits.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子はずいぶん前から泣き疲れ、朦朧とした表情で俯いていた。<br>\\r\\n Satoko seemed exhausted. She was looking down in a state of shock.<br><br>\\r\\n 叔母がいなくなっても、まだ自分が解放されたことに気がつけていないようだった。<br>\\r\\n Even after my aunt walked away, she didn't realize she had been freed.<br><br>\\r\\n だから僕は、そっと沙都子の頭を撫でながら、言ってやった。<br>\\r\\n So, I stroked her head and told her...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「………終わったよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"......It's over,<br>\\r\\n …沙都子。」<br>\\r\\n Satoko.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n ぴくんと、…沙都子のうなじが震える。<br>\\r\\n Satoko twitched.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子の瞳に、生気と涙が蘇る。<br>\\r\\n Her eyes grew bright again, and tears rolled down her cheeks.<br><br>\\r\\n ……そして、僕の顔を見上げた。<br>\\r\\n ...She looked up at my face.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"..................\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 何が終わったのか、わかっている。<br>\\r\\n She knew it was over...<br>\\r\\n …でも、それをはっきりと僕の口から聞きたいと、沙都子の目が訴えていた。<br>\\r\\n but wanted to hear it directly from me. She begged me with a look.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……本音を言えば、…僕も精根尽き果てていた。<br>\\r\\n ...To be honest, I was really exhausted, too.<br><br>\\r\\n その程度のことを、わざわざ口に出させようとする妹に、ほんのわずかな煩わしさを感じた。<br>\\r\\n So I felt a bit annoyed when she tried to make me say it.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、僕は涙ぐむ妹を少しでも労ってやりたくて…。<br>\\r\\n But I needed to pacify her...<br>\\r\\n やさしく、沙都子の期待している言葉を口にしてやった。<br>\\r\\n so I gently told her what she wanted to hear.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……もう、叔母さんの小言は終わったよ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"......She's done with her scolding...<br>\\r\\n ……だから、ね。<br>\\r\\n So let's go to sleep,<br>\\r\\n …寝よう？」<br>\\r\\n all right?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は…瞳からまた涙をぽろぽろと零しながら、僕にしがみ付く。<br>\\r\\n Satoko clung to me while her tears continued to fall.<br><br>\\r\\n そして声を殺しながら、再び泣いた……。<br>\\r\\n She was crying again silently...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n かすかに震えるその背中が痛ましい。<br>\\r\\n Satoko was shivering pitifully.<br><br>\\r\\n ……そんな背中を見る度に、…沙都子は僕が守らなければならない、僕以外に誰も守ってくれないということを思い出す…。<br>\\r\\n ...Her small back reminded me that there was nobody else to protect her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「さぁ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Here...<br>\\r\\n …歯を磨いて、それから布団を敷こ。<br>\\r\\n Go brush your teeth, make your bed...<br>\\r\\n …そしてぐっすり休も…。」<br>\\r\\n and go to sleep...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は弱々しいながらも、笑顔を見せて頷き返してくれた。<br>\\r\\n Satoko smiled faintly and nodded.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 頭がくらくらする。<br>\\r\\n I felt dizzy.<br><br>\\r\\n …全身の緊張が解けるに従い、深夜の１時に相応しい暴力的な睡魔が襲い掛かる。<br>\\r\\n ...As I was released from the strain, a harsh drowsiness fell upon me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子が洗面台を使っている間、僕は用を足すために便所にいた。<br>\\r\\n While Satoko was washing her face, I went to the toilet.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n じょぼじょぼじょぼ…と、…自分の小便が便器に注ぎ込まれるのを見て、…僕は放心していた。<br>\\r\\n I zoned out while watching my pee.<br><br>\\r\\n 気を許すと、小便が便器から外れそうになる。<br>\\r\\n In my dizziness, I almost missed the shot.<br><br>\\r\\n …いや、自分自身が便器に吸い込まれるような錯覚さえ感じた。<br>\\r\\n ...I felt like I was being sucked into the toilet.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……もう思いだすこともできない。<br>\\r\\n ...I couldn't even remember what caused it...<br><br>\\r\\n 今日の叔母は、何がきっかけで怒鳴り出したんだっけ……？<br>\\r\\n Why did my aunt start screaming today......?<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n ようやく叔母のヒステリックな小言が終わった。<br>\\r\\n My aunt finally stopped her hysterical screaming.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 今日のそれもいつもと同じ。<br>\\r\\n Today was just like any other day.<br><br>\\r\\n きっかけがなんだったかは思い出せないし、どんなきっかけだったにせよ、内容は途中で二転三転する。どうだっていい。<br>\\r\\n I can't remember what set her off. Whatever it was, she changed subjects constantly anyway. It didn't matter.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n またしても、２４時を過ぎていた。<br>\\r\\n She went on past midnight again.<br><br>\\r\\n 後頭部を殴りつけるような睡魔が襲い掛かる。<br>\\r\\n The urge to sleep was pounding the back of my head.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子は緊張の糸が途切れると、……ストンと崩れ落ち、僕の裾をつかんだまま、眠りに落ちてしまったようだった。<br>\\r\\n Once Satoko had been able to relax... she fell down on the spot and started sleeping, still clinging to my sleeve.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 僕は沙都子を背負って寝室に行き、…布団を敷く。<br>\\r\\n I carried Satoko to the bedroom and laid out our futons.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほら、沙都子。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Here, Satoko.<br>\\r\\n …布団が敷けたよ？<br>\\r\\n Your futon is ready,<br>\\r\\n 布団に入りな。」<br>\\r\\n so get in, okay?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子はもごもごと、芋虫みたいに這って布団に潜り込むと、そのまま動かなくなった。<br>\\r\\n Satoko crawled in like a worm. She stopped moving once she was inside.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それを見て、僕も同じように布団に潜り込みたい欲求に駆られる。<br>\\r\\n I wished I could go to bed, too.<br><br>\\r\\n でも、…まだ寝るわけには行かない。<br>\\r\\n But... I couldn't.<br><br>\\r\\n 叔母さんにさっき頼まれた買い物。<br>\\r\\n My aunt asked me to do some chores.<br><br>\\r\\n 歯磨き粉のチューブを、明日の帰りに忘れないように買って来ないと。<br>\\r\\n I had to get toothpaste after school tomorrow.<br>\\r\\n 多分、メモして置いておかないと忘れてしまう…。<br>\\r\\n I had to write it down somewhere...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それから、電気釜に明日のお弁当用のお米をセットする。<br>\\r\\n I had to make rice for lunch tomorrow...<br>\\r\\n …タイマーも忘れずに。<br>\\r\\n I set the timer.<br><br>\\r\\n そうだ、あと小言のきっかけになった洗濯場のタオルの山をちゃんと積み直しておかないと…。<br>\\r\\n Right, I also had to repile the towels in the bathroom. That was the reason for today's scolding...<br><br>\\r\\n 叔母は指摘事項がすぐに直っていないととても怒る。<br>\\r\\n My aunt will get mad if everything isn't done the way she wants.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n あぁ、あと何だっけ。<br>\\r\\n Oh, and there was something else.<br><br>\\r\\n …そうだ、明日は八百屋さんの手伝いのバイトを入れてもらったんだっけ。<br>\\r\\n ...I was working at the grocery store the next day.<br><br>\\r\\n そうだ、エプロン持参って言われてる。<br>\\r\\n They wanted me to bring an apron.<br><br>\\r\\n ……うちにエプロンなんて…あったっけ……。<br>\\r\\n ...Did we even have an apron in this house...?<br>\\r\\n 見たことないや…。<br>\\r\\n I'd never seen one...\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 叔母さんは登校の時間には寝ているから、もう聞く間がない。<br>\\r\\n My aunt will be sleeping when I go to school, so I won't have time to ask her.<br><br>\\r\\n どうしようどうしよう、せっかく魅音に紹介してもらったバイトなんだから先方を怒らせちゃいけないや。<br>\\r\\n What should I do? Since Mion helped me get that job, I don't want to screw it up.<br><br>\\r\\n エプロンはそうだ、明日登校したら魅音辺りに相談してみよう。<br>\\r\\n In that case, why don't I ask Mion about it at school?<br>\\r\\n きっと貸してくれる。<br>\\r\\n She might lend me one.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n まだ他にもあったっけ…？<br>\\r\\n Was there anything else...?<br>\\r\\n んんんんんん…………。<br>\\r\\n Hmmmmm......<br><br>\\r\\n 寝床の沙都子が、…羨ましい。<br>\\r\\n I was envious of Satoko, because she got to go to bed.<br><br>\\r\\n そう思う自分が、悲しい。<br>\\r\\n It was pathetic that I felt that way.<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n ここで、あの奇怪な少女との雨の中の会話を考察してみよう。<br>\\r\\n Why don't I relate my encounter with that creepy girl in the rain?<br><br><br>\\r\\n 竜宮レナ。<br>\\r\\n Her name is <NAME>.<br><br>\\r\\n 本名は竜宮礼奈（れいな）<br>\\r\\n Her real first name is Reina.<br><br>\\r\\n この不思議な子の正体はよくわからない。<br>\\r\\n I have no idea what kind of girl she really is.<br><br>\\r\\n ひとつ確かなのは、園崎本家とは何のつながりもない人間、ということだ。<br>\\r\\n One thing is certain. She has no relation to the Sonozaki family.<br><br>\\r\\n もちろん御三家の何れとも縁を持たない。<br>\\r\\n She has no relation to the Three Families as a whole, either.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 竜宮家は確かに昔、雛見沢に住んでいた。<br>\\r\\n The Ryuugu family used to live in Hinamizawa,<br><br>\\r\\n その後、茨城へ引越したことについては、本人が言った通りだ。<br>\\r\\n but then they moved to Ibaraki.<br><br>\\r\\n 小学校に上がる前に茨城へ引越し、<br>\\r\\n That was before she went to elementary school.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……その後、雛見沢に戻ってきた。<br>\\r\\n ...They returned to Hinamizawa some years later.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 竜宮レナ本人は、オヤシロさまの警告（祟り？）を受けて雛見沢へ帰ってきたと言っている。<br>\\r\\n <NAME> said she came back because Oyashiro-sama told her to.<br><br>\\r\\n これが何を指すかは不明。<br>\\r\\n I don't know what that means.<br><br>\\r\\n 本人は「オヤシロさまの祟り」を受けたことがあると自称している。<br>\\r\\n She said it was the curse of Oyashiro-sama.<br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまが、常に自分を見張り、ヒタヒタと後をつけてくる、というのだ。<br>\\r\\n That Oyashiro-sama had stalked her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私は被害妄想か何かではないかと思っているのだが、…奇しくもその体験は、悟史くんの興味を大きく引くことになる。<br>\\r\\n I think that was probably a hallucination, but Satoshi-kun had been interested in that experience.<br><br>\\r\\n 彼女が言うには、悟史くんもこの時点で、オヤシロさまの祟りを受けつつある、というのだ。<br>\\r\\n She said that Satoshi-kun was also experiencing Oyashiro-sama's curse.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんはこの子に、自分もまた得体の知れない存在に後を付けられていると告白したらしい。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun told her that he was being followed by some unknown existence.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、この子の「経験談」が自分と一致することに大いに驚いたらしい。<br>\\r\\n He was surprised to learn that Rena had the same experience before.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りとは…？<br>\\r\\n What is Oyashiro-sama's curse...?<br><br>\\r\\n なぜレナと悟史くんは共通の体験を？<br>\\r\\n Why did Rena and Satoshi-kun have a similar experience?<br><br>\\r\\n これは多分、村の何者かによる監視のことではないかと見ている。<br>\\r\\n I believe that means that somebody put them under surveillance.<br><br>\\r\\n その年の祟りの犠牲者の動向を監視しているに違いないのだ。<br>\\r\\n Somebody must be spying on the next victim of the curse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……オヤシロさまの祟りを妄信してしまった悟史くんたちには、それがオヤシロさまの気配に感じられるに違いない。<br>\\r\\n ......Since Rena and Satoshi-kun both blindly believed in Oyashiro-sama's curse, they interpreted it as Oyashiro-sama's presence.<br><br>\\r\\n あとは被害妄想が重なれば、異常な体験をしているように感じてしまうのも無理ないはずだ。<br>\\r\\n If paranoia kicked in, they'd feel as if they were experiencing paranormal phenomena.<br><br>\\r\\n つまりレナがもたらしてくれた情報から、悟史くんは綿流しのずっと前から監視下に置かれていたらしいことが窺えるのだ。<br>\\r\\n Judging from what Rena said, it seems that Satoshi-kun had been put on surveillance since long before Watanagashi.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だとすると。<br>\\r\\n So,<br>\\r\\n ここでひとつの疑問が浮かぶ。<br>\\r\\n one question comes to mind.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それはレナが受けた「監視」の意味だ。<br>\\r\\n Why were they watching Rena?<br><br>\\r\\n 私はこの監視は、その年の犠牲者に対して行なわれると仮定した。<br>\\r\\n I'm assuming that this survelliance was placed on a victim-to-be of that year.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、だとするならレナに対する監視の意味がわからない。<br>\\r\\n If so, I don't understand why Rena went through it.<br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢と違い、遠い異郷の地に住まう彼女を、どういう意味があって監視したのか。<br>\\r\\n Why did they watch her, even though she was living so far away?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 故郷を捨てた村人、という位置付けでなら、なるほど、彼女が祟りに遭うのもわからなくない。<br>\\r\\n If she was considered somebody who abandoned the village, I could understand.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、…彼女は結局、犠牲にならずに済んだ。<br>\\r\\n But she didn't fall victim in the end.<br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢へ引越しが決まったから免罪になったのかもしれない。<br>\\r\\n Maybe she was forgiven because she came back to Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n …彼女は、私の知らないことを、まだ何か知っているような気がする…。<br>\\r\\n ...I guess she still knows something I don't...<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n この時点での悟史くんの様子は本当に気の毒なものだった。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun looked terrible.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 家に帰れば叔母と沙都子の喧嘩・苛めに割って入って精神をすり切らせ。<br>\\r\\n When he went home, he had to mediate a fight between Satoko and their aunt. He became mentally exhausted.<br><br>\\r\\n にもかかわらず、毎日バイトに出掛け、肉体までもすり切らせ…。<br>\\r\\n He went to work every day. He became physically exhausted.<br><br>\\r\\n 仲間との接触はほとんどなくなり、学校でも休み時間には、机の上に突っ伏して寝ているか、<br>\\r\\n He no longer communicated with his classmates. He's either slept on his desk,<br>\\r\\n どこかに姿をくらましているかのどっちかだったらしい。<br>\\r\\n or was gone somewhere during lunch break.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n おっとりとしていた、在りし日の悟史くんを思うと、あまりに痛々しい。<br>\\r\\n He used to be really gentle. It was painful to see him suffering like that.<br><br>\\r\\n そこにさらに「オヤシロさまの祟り」が降りかかってきたのだから、その心労は並大抵ではなかったろう。<br>\\r\\n On top of all that, he was dealing with the curse of Oyashiro-sama. He must have been completely, totally, and absolutely exhausted.<br><br>\\r\\n オヤシロさまの祟りとは、つまり、悟史くんを今年の犠牲者にしようという連中の「監視」のことに他ならない。<br>\\r\\n That curse was a form of surveillance by those planning to victimize Satoshi-kun that year.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ならば。<br>\\r\\n That means<br>\\r\\n この年の犠牲者となるもうひとり。<br>\\r\\n that the other victim was in the same situation.<br><br>\\r\\n つまり北条の叔母についても監視があったということになる。<br>\\r\\n Satoshi-kun's aunt had also been watched.<br><br>\\r\\n 叔母もまた、監視の気配を感じていたのだろうか？<br>\\r\\n Did she notice any presence?<br><br>\\r\\n いや、叔母に限らない。<br>\\r\\n What about the others?<br><br>\\r\\n 過去の犠牲者たちは皆、そういう監視の目があったのだろうか？<br>\\r\\n Did the victims of the previous incidents also experience it?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの「祟り」が「監視」であったことを立証するためにも、調べた方がいい。<br>\\r\\n I need to investigate the facts in order to prove the curse on Satoshi-kun was actually just surveillance.<br><br>\\r\\n 「監視」か、<br>\\r\\n Is it surveillance,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 「被害妄想」か、<br>\\r\\n paranoia...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……本当に「祟り」<br>\\r\\n or really the curse\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n なのか。<br>\\r\\n ...?<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 僕は、背中の人に囁かれる。<br>\\r\\n Somebody whispered to me from behind.<br><br>\\r\\n 僕が今年の祟りの犠牲になること。<br>\\r\\n They told me that I was going to be the victim of the curse this year.<br><br>\\r\\n だからもうすぐ、ここからいなくなってしまうこと。<br>\\r\\n So I'm going to disappear soon.<br><br>\\r\\n そしたら、沙都子を誰も守ってくれなくなることに。<br>\\r\\n There'll be nobody left to take care of Satoko.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 僕は、背中の人に囁かれる。<br>\\r\\n Somebody whispered to me from behind.<br><br>\\r\\n もうすぐ時間がなくなること。<br>\\r\\n They told me that I don't have much time.<br><br>\\r\\n 僕が僕でいられなくなること。<br>\\r\\n That I won't stay as myself for much longer.<br><br>\\r\\n だから、残された時間を大切にしなくてはならないことに。<br>\\r\\n So I had to make the best of the days I had left.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 沙都子のために僕が残せるもの。<br>\\r\\n What could I leave for Satoko?<br><br>\\r\\n 欲しがってた、あの大きなぬいぐるみ。<br>\\r\\n She wanted that huge teddy bear.<br><br>\\r\\n 誰にも虐められない平穏な生活。<br>\\r\\n She wanted a peaceful life in which nobody would bully her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 僕は、背中の人に囁きかける。<br>\\r\\n I whispered to the person at my back.<br><br>\\r\\n あなたの乱暴さと、恐ろしさ、そして強靭さをどうか僕に。<br>\\r\\n Bestow your violent nature and formidable strength upon me.<br><br>\\r\\n あなたの、憎しみ以外考えなくていい、心の平穏を、<br>\\r\\n I want your peaceful mind\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 僕に。<br>\\r\\n filled with hatred.<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんがよほど狡猾だったか、幸運に恵まれたか、<br>\\r\\n Either Satoshi-kun was smart, or very lucky.<br>\\r\\n …それとも本当に悟史くんではないのか、犯行現場には悟史くんが犯人であることを示す痕跡は残されていなかった。<br>\\r\\n Or maybe it wasn't him... The police found nothing at the crime scene to indicate his involvement in the murder.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n それでも、この時点では、悟史くんが犯人ということでほぼ確定だった。<br>\\r\\n Yet Satoshi-kun was still the prime suspect.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんの家庭の状況を見れば殺意は充分。<br>\\r\\n Considering his home environment, he had a strong enough motive.<br><br>\\r\\n アリバイもない。<br>\\r\\n He had no alibi.<br><br>\\r\\n 物証以外の外堀は全て埋まっていた。<br>\\r\\n The police had everything other than physical evidence.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大石があそこで勝負に出てきたのは至極当然だ。<br>\\r\\n It wasn't surprising that Ooishi took a chance.<br><br>\\r\\n 私と言うジョーカーの登場までは予想できなかったろうが、それでも悟史くんの圧倒的に不利な状況を覆すほどではない。<br>\\r\\n He probably didn't expect me to step in. But what I did was too little to avert his suspicion of Satoshi-kun.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大石は動物的嗅覚で、悟史くんに違いないともう当たりをつけている。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi believed that Satoshi-kun did it.<br><br>\\r\\n あとは悟史くんが揺れて、勝手に折れてくれるのを待つだけ……。<br>\\r\\n He was waiting for Satoshi-kun to fall apart and confess...<br><br>\\r\\n そう思っていた。<br>\\r\\n That's what<br>\\r\\n 私も。<br>\\r\\n both Ooishi<br>\\r\\n 大石も。<br>\\r\\n and I were thinking.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 後日、そのちゃぶ台がひっくり返されることになる。<br>\\r\\n But that hypothesis was destroyed later on.<br><br>\\r\\n それについてはここでは割愛するが、<br>\\r\\n I'll not talk about it now,<br>\\r\\n とにかく、大石の目論見は完全に崩れ、警察はノックアウトされることになるのだ。<br>\\r\\n but Ooishi's theory will be disproven, and the police will be thrown into shock.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そうすると、私が抱く疑問はひとつしかない。<br>\\r\\n A question comes to mind.<br><br>\\r\\n 誰が悟史くんを救ってくれたの？<br>\\r\\n That is....<br>\\r\\n ということ。<br>\\r\\n who saved Satoshi-kun?<br><br>\\r\\n この時点での私は、園崎本家が暗躍して犯人をでっちあげてくれた他に、何も思いつくことはできなかった。<br>\\r\\n I can only think of the possibility that the Sonozaki family invented the culprit.<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんが東京へ行った、という怪情報の裏付けは全く取れない。<br>\\r\\n The information that Satoshi-kun might've headed to Tokyo hasn't been verified.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そもそも情報の発端はこうだ。<br>\\r\\n It started as follows.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 名古屋駅の遺失物窓口に若者が訪れて、自分の財布が届けられてないかと騒いだのだ。<br>\\r\\n A young man came to the lost and found window, looking for his wallet.<br><br>\\r\\n それで駅の職員が、届け出がないか調べてきますからその間にこちらにお名前を書いてください、と用紙を渡した。<br>\\r\\n The station employee asked him to write down his name on the form.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そうしたらその若者は、北条と書きかけてからその用紙をくしゃくしゃにして捨て、もう１枚の用紙に全然違う名前を書いた、というのだ。<br>\\r\\n Then the young man started writing Houjou as his name, but he stopped in the middle, crumpled the form, and wrote a totally different name on another form.<br><br>\\r\\n 別の職員は、その遺失物窓口を訪れた若者と、服装が酷似した若者が東京行きの新幹線に駆け込むのを見ていた。<br>\\r\\n Another station employee witnessed a similar-looking young man rushing into the train heading to Tokyo.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 更衣室で遺失物窓口にいた職員が、不審な人物が来たと特徴を話したら、<br>\\r\\n The employee from the lost and found<br>\\r\\n ホームにいた職員が、あぁ見た見た、東京行きの新幹線に飛び乗ったぜ、と。<br>\\r\\n and the employee who was on the platform<br>\\r\\n そう言い合ったらしい。<br>\\r\\n talked about the suspicious young man in the locker room.<br><br>\\r\\n ……それだけのこと。<br>\\r\\n ...That was all.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その北条を名乗った男の申告する特徴の財布は、遺失物窓口には届いていなかった。<br>\\r\\n The wallet of the man named Houjou was never reported as found to the lost and found office.<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 大石の言う、沙都子の面倒を見るからと園崎家が言い含め、悟史くんを雛見沢から放逐した……というのは、<br>\\r\\n At first I thought Ooishi's theory that the Sonozaki family banished Satoshi-kun from Hinamizawa and looked after Satoko in return...<br>\\r\\n 最初、こじつけた話だなと思って聞いていた。<br>\\r\\n was bogus.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、後になって考え直して見ると、それは私が馬鹿にするほどズレた話でもない。<br>\\r\\n But thinking about it now, it doesn't seem too far-fetched.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だって、北条沙都子は、ひとりになったあと、古手梨花と生活を共にしているのだ。<br>\\r\\n After all, Satoko Houjou started living with Rika Furude after Satoshi-kun's disappearance.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 古手梨花はただの小娘じゃない。<br>\\r\\n Rika Furude isn't just a regular girl.<br><br>\\r\\n 御三家の一角、古手家の頭首でもあるのだ。<br>\\r\\n She was the head of the Furude family, one of the Three Families.<br><br>\\r\\n その古手梨花は、公由家頭首が保護者になっている。<br>\\r\\n The head of the Kimiyoshi family is Rika Furude's guardian.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n さすがに北条家と対立してきた園崎家は表に出ることはできなかったんだろうが、<br>\\r\\n The Sonozaki family probably couldn't step in, due to having been officially opposed to the Houjou family,<br>\\r\\n 事実上、北条沙都子は御三家の保護下に入っていた。<br>\\r\\n but Satoko Houjou is in the custody of the Three Families now.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ダム戦争中、鬼ヶ淵死守同盟からあれほどまでに攻撃をされた北条家の生き残りが、御三家に保護されているなんて。<br>\\r\\n Even though the Houjou family was severely ostracized during the dam conflict, Satoko Houjou was now under protection.<br><br>\\r\\n それはまるで北条家の罪から、沙都子だけが許されたような、そんな感じ。<br>\\r\\n It seems as though only Satoko was exempted from blame.<br><br>\\r\\n どうして悟史くんは許してもらえなかったのに、沙都子だけ？<br>\\r\\n Why was she spared, even though Satoshi-kun wasn't?<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野三四とは、その後しばらく交流があった。<br>\\r\\n I saw <NAME> a few times after that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 彼女の本質は、猟奇趣味と、それに負けないくらいの偏執的な好奇心だった。<br>\\r\\n At her core, she was fascinated with the bizzare, and she had an insatiable curiosity that was just as strong.<br><br>\\r\\n だから彼女の話は、常に話半分くらいに聞くよう心掛けなければならない。<br>\\r\\n I have to remind myself not to take her story too seriously.<br><br>\\r\\n ……でないと、<br>\\r\\n ...Otherwise...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …悟史くんが本当に、祟りで消えてしまったと信じてしまいそうになるから。<br>\\r\\n I might start believing that Satoshi-kun disappeared because of the curse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 彼女の話す雛見沢村の暗部の話は、興味深い話ばかりだった。<br>\\r\\n She talks about the dark history of Hinamizawa a lot. It's all very interesting.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 彼女にとっては推測や憶測でしかないはずの中には、<br>\\r\\n Her theories are based on nothing but conjecture,<br>\\r\\n 園崎家に籍を置く自分だからこそ真実だと分かるものも時に含まれ、その考察の鋭さには舌を巻いた。<br>\\r\\n but some of her intuition covers facts that only members of the Sonozaki family would know.<br><br>\\r\\n 彼女はオヤシロさまの祟りを、古代の宗教的な儀式の延長と捉えていた。<br>\\r\\n She thinks that Oyashiro-sama's curse is the continuation of these ancient rituals.<br><br>\\r\\n つまり、オヤシロさま崇拝の狂信者による犯行だ。<br>\\r\\n In other words, she believes that the curse is performed by religious fanatics.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 彼女の独自の説によるならば、雛見沢村には信仰を中心とした一派があり、<br>\\r\\n According to her theory, a religious cult once existed in Hinamizawa,<br>\\r\\n それを中心に御三家が組み上げられているという。<br>\\r\\n and the Three Families stemmed from it.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、明治以降に失われたという、鬼ヶ淵村の仙人たちの誇りを取り戻すために暗躍をしている、というのだ。<br>\\r\\n She believes that they are operating behind the scenes in order to revive the dignity of the Onigafuchi people, which was lost during the Meiji Era.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 三四さんの話はスケールが大きく、全体で見ると、なるほどなと思う面もある。<br>\\r\\n Miyo-san's theories are far-reaching, and looking at them on a larger scale, they end up making a lot of sense.<br><br>\\r\\n だけど、悟史くんの失踪した理由に局所的にスポットを当てると、何の説明にもならない。<br>\\r\\n But they can't offer any explanation for Satoshi-kun's disappearance when using them on a smaller one.<br><br>\\r\\n 目の粗い説でしかなかった。<br>\\r\\n Her theories are just too broad.<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 大石との情報交換は、たまに思い出した頃に行なわれた。<br>\\r\\n I exchanged information with Ooishi every now and then.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私も大石も、互いの新情報に期待したが、どちらにも新情報はなく、いつも茶飲み話に終わった。<br>\\r\\n We'd each expect new leads from each other, but neither of us had any luck.<br><br>\\r\\n もはや、新幹線で東京へなどという話は心の拠り所にさえならない。<br>\\r\\n I no longer believe the tip that Satoshi-kun might've headed to Tokyo.<br><br>\\r\\n デマであることは明白だった。<br>\\r\\n It was clearly bogus, anyway.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 大石は心を許せないやつではあったけど、…公平な取引という意味での誠意はある男で。<br>\\r\\n Although I can't befriend Ooishi, he's been fair about the deal.<br>\\r\\n 単身、根気強く調べてくれたと思う。<br>\\r\\n He alone has been serious about uncovering any new information.<br><br>\\r\\n 私も大石なら真偽を確かめてくれるに違いない怪情報やデマを仕入れてきては伝えた。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi's sources are quite reliable, so whenever I found some dubious tip, I'd check with him to see if it was valid.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n いつしか、そんな会合もだんだん、大石の新しい仕事に圧迫されるようになって。<br>\\r\\n My meetings with him have diminished in frequency, since he's been assigned to new cases.<br><br>\\r\\n ……何かあったらいつでもお電話ください、と言う風になって、潰えた。<br>\\r\\n ......Eventually, we stopped meeting entirely.<br><br>\\r\\n 大石が調べなくなり、私の調べに限界が来し。<br>\\r\\n Ooishi stopped investigating, and I reached the limits of my sources of information.<br><br>\\r\\n ……悟史くんの失踪は『鬼隠し』という超常現象によるもの…<br>\\r\\n ...People now think that Satoshi-kun's disappearance was\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n という、とんでもない意見がまかり通るようになってくる。<br>\\r\\n a supernatural phenomenon called 'demoning away'.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢では、悟史くんの失踪は「転校」と称され、口にすることがはばかられるようになっていた。<br>\\r\\n In Hinamizawa, they refer to his disappearance as him having 'transferred', and nobody will talk about it otherwise.<br><br>\\r\\n …「転校」<br>\\r\\n ...I don't like the way that phrase...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n なんて言う言葉で、…悟史くんを消してしまうな…。<br>\\r\\n is used to erase him.<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 昭和５７年のオヤシロさまの祟りの渦中にある時は、私は新しい情報に一喜一憂し、その度に自分の頭の中の仮説をひっくり返した。<br>\\r\\n During the upheaval surrounding Oyashiro-sama's curse in 1982, I was pulled this way and that by new leads on Satoshi-kun's disappearance. Every time I found information that looked promising, I kept changing my theories.<br><br>\\r\\n でもそれはものすごく自分に負担になることで。<br>\\r\\n But that also became an incredible burden on me.<br>\\r\\n ……それだけのことでも私を十分に疲弊させていった。<br>\\r\\n ...It wore me down plenty on its own.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 疲労というのは残酷だけど、とてもやさしい包容力があって。<br>\\r\\n The fatigue was harsh, but it also provided a very kind acceptance.<br><br>\\r\\n 怒りや悲しみ、疑いなどの、抱くだけでも私を衰えさせていく感情を、少しずつ少しずつ、眠らせていく。<br>\\r\\n Bit by bit it soothed away the anger, sadness, and doubt that wore me down.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんのことを絶対に忘れない。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'll never forget Satoshi-kun.\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n 忘れて生きていこうなんて思わない。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I'll never try to forget him and move on.\\\"<br><br><br>\\r\\n そう常に心の中で念じ続けている。<br>\\r\\n I constantly repeated those to myself in my head.<br><br><br>\\r\\n 念じ続けることで、…悟史くんの思い出を眠らせないように、<br>\\r\\n I repeated them... to keep my memories of Satoshi-kun from fading too.\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ずっと、<br>\\r\\n Over,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ずっと。<br>\\r\\n and over.<br><br>\\r\\n 悟史くんとの楽しい思い出と一緒に、<br>\\r\\n For the sake of my fun memories of Satoshi-kun...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……恐ろしい感情も、<br>\\r\\n ...together with my fear,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 悲しい感情も、<br>\\r\\n and my sadness,\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ずっと、ずっと。<br>\\r\\n I repeated them forever and ever.<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 私が地下拷問室と呼んでいたあの場所は、正しくは地下祭具殿と呼ばれているらしい。<br>\\r\\n That underground torture room is officially called the underground ritual storehouse.<br><br>\\r\\n ということは、拷問室と祭具殿は同義語だということなのか。<br>\\r\\n So, do \\\"torture room\\\" and \\\"ritual storehouse\\\" mean the same thing?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんの説では、明治以降も綿流しを始めとする血生臭い風習は、御三家に密かに引き継がれているという。<br>\\r\\n According to Takano-san's theory, bloody rituals, including Watanagashi, have been passed down among the Three Families even after the Meiji Era.<br><br>\\r\\n そして、許されるならばいつでもその儀式を執り行える準備があるのだとか。<br>\\r\\n The rituals are always ready to be performed.<br><br>\\r\\n 祭具、つまり祭る（祀る）という言葉の対に拷問がある以上、<br>\\r\\n Their form of worship always revolved around torture,<br>\\r\\n 雛見沢の源流に、人間を虐め殺す文化があることは否定できない。<br>\\r\\n so Hinamizawa's history involved a great deal of human slaughter.<br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんの説は正しい。<br>\\r\\n Takano-san's theory is correct.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そして象徴的な祭具殿と違い、園崎本家の地下祭具殿は確かに常時使用可能な状態で維持されていた。<br>\\r\\n The underground storehouse at the Sonozaki house looked well maintained.<br><br>\\r\\n ここにおいても鷹野さんの説は正しい。<br>\\r\\n Takano-san is right about that, too.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 公由家の倉は知らないが、園崎家、古手家がこうして「祭具」を祀るのだから、近い規模の物を秘蔵しているに違いない。<br>\\r\\n Since the Sonozaki family and the Furude family both have ritual storehouses, the Kimiyoshi family must have one, too.<br><br>\\r\\n そう、現代の御三家にも脈々と、残酷な風習が受け継がれているのだ。<br>\\r\\n After all, these ancient and brutal customs are still handed down through the generations.<br><br>\\r\\n この呪われた村で、村ぐるみで今も奇怪な何かが行なわれている事実に備えろ…。<br>\\r\\n I should remain armed with the knowledge that occult events are still secretly being performed in this cursed village...<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 祭具殿の不可侵性は、オヤシロさま崇拝の中でも群を抜く。<br>\\r\\n The sanctity of the ritual storehouse is one of the most prominent elements in the worship of Oyashiro-sama.<br><br>\\r\\n もちろんそれは私も、雛見沢に縁のある人間として知ってはいた。<br>\\r\\n Of course, I knew that, since I'm originally from Hinamizawa.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、実際は私が知る以上に、もっともっと偏執的なくらいの不可侵性があったのだ。<br>\\r\\n But violating that sanctity is actually a more serious problem than I thought.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんの研究によるなら、祭具殿の不可侵性の歴史は相当古いという。<br>\\r\\n Takano-san's research shows that the history of the ritual storehouse goes way back.<br><br>\\r\\n それだけ祭具を使った奇祭「綿流し」が神聖視されていたことの証だろう。<br>\\r\\n The ritual implements within have long been viewed as inviolable objects, which is why it was strictly forbidden to enter.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、鷹野さんの研究では綿流しは純粋な宗教儀式でなく、御三家の支配体制をより磐石にするための、公開処刑的な意味があったという。<br>\\r\\n Takano-san's theory says that Watanagashi was once a public execution, performed to stabilize the reign of the Three Families, rather than a purely religious ritual.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n だとするなら、そもそも神聖視という呼び方が間違っている。<br>\\r\\n If so, the ritual should hardly be called sacred.<br><br>\\r\\n そんな状況下でなら、憎悪と恐怖の対象として疎まれた存在のはず。<br>\\r\\n Under those circumstances, the implements should have been despised as symbols of hatred and fear.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 恐怖は露見し過ぎればただの恐怖支配に過ぎない。<br>\\r\\n When instruments of fear are too visible, it only creates a reign of terror.<br>\\r\\n だが、極力隠せば神聖さが宿る。<br>\\r\\n But keep them as hidden as possible, and they gain divinity.<br><br>\\r\\n 俗人が触れると穢れがつくとよく言う。<br>\\r\\n Many said they would become tainted if the laymen touched them.<br><br>\\r\\n それは衆人環視に晒されたら威厳がなくなるので、もったいぶって隠した方が、箔がつく…という意味でしかないのだ。<br>\\r\\n The only reason for that was to preserve their false prestige through secrecy, since they would lose their sanctity if revealed before the common folk.<br><br>\\r\\n つまり、祭具殿の不可侵性の正体は、…恐怖。<br>\\r\\n In other words, the true identity of the ritual storehouse's sacredness... was fear.<br>\\r\\n この村を支配する真の感情の正体なのだ……。<br>\\r\\n That was the true emotion ruling over this village...<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n この時の祭具殿侵入が、結局、鷹野さんたちの祟られる理由となった。<br>\\r\\n The reason why Takano-san and Tomitake-san were cursed is because they broke into the ritual storehouse.<br><br>\\r\\n 祭具殿侵入がどういう形で発覚したのかは分からない。<br>\\r\\n I don't know how the villagers found out about it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 最初に思いつくのは、何者かに目撃されていたこと。<br>\\r\\n Maybe somebody was watching.<br><br>\\r\\n 次に思いつくのは、侵入警報のようなものがあったこと。<br>\\r\\n Maybe there was an anti-theft alarm.<br><br>\\r\\n 何れにせよ、この祭具殿侵入はおそらくリアルタイムで祟りのシステムの上位者に通報されていた。<br>\\r\\n Either way, our intrustion must've been reported to the highest level of the curse system.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n なぜなら、もっとも遠い地で遺体が見つかることになる鷹野さんの殺された時間などを考えると、<br>\\r\\n That's because, considering the distance between the village and the site where Takano-san's body was found,<br>\\r\\n 祭具殿を出て私たちが分かれてすぐくらいに殺されてなければならないからだ。<br>\\r\\n she must've been killed right after we came out of the ritual storehouse.<br><br>\\r\\n この手際の良さは特筆に値する。<br>\\r\\n It was done very quickly.<br><br>\\r\\n 相当高度な暗殺部隊が組織されているのか、さもなければ「５年目の祟りの準備」がすでにされていたからなのか。<br>\\r\\n It's possible that a special assassination team exists for this purpose, or that the plan had been set up a long time ago.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 園崎家の暗部を担当する秘密の集団の存在も否定できないが、後者の説の方が信憑性がある。<br>\\r\\n They might've been secret agents of the Sonozaki family, but the latter sounds more valid.<br><br>\\r\\n しかし、だとすると、５年目の祟りは、祭具殿侵入がなかったら「本来」誰に下されていたのか、という疑問にぶつかる。<br>\\r\\n But if so, who would have been the victim if nobody broke into the ritual storehouse?<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆が即死していたのは、本当に計算外だった。<br>\\r\\n I wasn't planning to kill the hag so quickly.<br><br>\\r\\n この時点での私は、いつか殺す相手だった問題ないと負け惜しみを言っているが、明らかに痛手だった。<br>\\r\\n I was going to kill her anyway, but it was too soon.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 園崎天皇とも呼ばれる園崎本家の命令中枢は、一般にはピラミッド型だと思われているが、実際はそうではない。<br>\\r\\n People would normally assume that the Sonozaki family operates as a hierarchy, but that's not true.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 厳密には、省庁のような縦割り型で、それぞれの部門が小ピラミッドを形成してる。<br>\\r\\n It's actually more like a system of government. Several ministries stem from the main family, and each forms a hierarchy of its own.<br><br>\\r\\n 縦割りゆえに横の連絡がない。<br>\\r\\n These ministries don't communicate with one another.<br><br>\\r\\n いや、それどころか自分のピラミッド以外がわからない秘密主義だと言えるだろう。<br>\\r\\n The people who belong to a given ministry don't know what other ministries are doing. That way, the Sonozaki family's dealings are kept perfectly secret.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n もちろん園崎家の重鎮たちは、いくつもあるピラミッドの頂点に位置する。<br>\\r\\n Of course, the most important people in the family govern several ministries.<br><br>\\r\\n 自分の下位のピラミッドについては精通している。<br>\\r\\n They know, of course, about their own ministries...<br><br>\\r\\n 他の親類たちが管理しているピラミッドについても、多少の情報交換は出来ている。<br>\\r\\n And they know a little bit about the ministries their relatives run.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、それでも全部のピラミッドについてはわかっていない。<br>\\r\\n But none of them know everything.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 陽のピラミッド、<br>\\r\\n There are ministries that work in the open,<br>\\r\\n 陰のピラミッド。<br>\\r\\n there are ministries that work unseen,<br>\\r\\n その他にお魎直轄の秘密の小ピラミッドがいくつか。<br>\\r\\n and there are some smaller ones that Oryou runs herself.<br><br>\\r\\n そのほとんどを頭首代行である魅音は知っているようだが、だからと言って、全部知っているとは限らない。<br>\\r\\n Mion seems to know about most of them, but she doesn't necessarily know them all.<br><br>\\r\\n 現に、最高機密である「オヤシロさまの祟り」については知らなかった。<br>\\r\\n In fact, she didn't know about 'the curse'.<br><br>\\r\\n それを思うと、鬼婆が死して永遠に口を閉ざしたのは、暗部を暴く上で致命的な痛手と言えた……。<br>\\r\\n Considering that, the fact that the hag died before I could interrogate her is a huge loss...<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n ５年目の祟り以降、もっとも電話が多かったのは、やはり側近の公由家頭首だった。<br>\\r\\n The head of the Kimiyoshi family was the one who called the main house most often after the fifth year's curse.<br><br>\\r\\n 次いで多かったのがうちの父親だった。<br>\\r\\n My father called the second most.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n うちの両親の序列は高いには高いが、うちの母親の昔の勘当騒ぎが尾を引いていて、表舞台にそうそう顔を出せない、やや日陰者っぽい扱いなのだと言う。<br>\\r\\n My parents were still high in the hierarchy, but the stir caused by my mother's disownment still hung over us, so we got treated as outcasts.<br><br>\\r\\n その父親からの電話が多いのは、対外的には距離を置いていても、実際には重用していた鬼婆の陽と陰の二面性の証拠でもある。<br>\\r\\n So the fact that my father recieved so many calls proved how much the hag valued us despite the distance at which we were kept, demonstrating her own two-faced respect for both sides of the coin.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 父親は、どうも情報面での操作が主な役割のようだった。<br>\\r\\n My father seems to be in charge of the intelligence bureau.<br><br>\\r\\n 警察情報や裏情報、噂、そういったアンダーグランドな情報を収集しては的確に報告していた。<br>\\r\\n He reported police information, gossip, and rumors going around in the yakuza business to the hag.<br><br>\\r\\n そして鬼婆の要請があれば、それらを黙らせたり、煽り立てたり、捻じ曲げたりできるようだった。<br>\\r\\n He silences, stirs, and distorts that information at her request.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ちなみに私の忠臣、葛西は父親と旧知の間柄。<br>\\r\\n By the way, my servant Kasai is an old friend of my father's.<br><br>\\r\\n ……なるほど、色々と情報に精通しているのも頷けた。<br>\\r\\n ...That must be why Kasai knows many things.<br><br>\\r\\n だが「情報」までのようだ。<br>\\r\\n But I don't know<br>\\r\\n 「執行」にまで至っていたかは掴みきれない。<br>\\r\\n if my father is involved in the curse's execution.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 父親は、今回の事件に対する、警察の捜査状況やその他の情報を貪欲に集め報告するばかりで、<br>\\r\\n My assumption is that although he gathered information on the police investigation about the case,<br>\\r\\n 少なくとも今年の祟りについては、自身が関与したわけではなさそうだった。<br>\\r\\n he wasn't involved in the execution itself.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n …一般的には、父親と鬼婆がこんなにも密接なホットラインを持っていることは知られていない。<br>\\r\\n ...The fact that my father and the hag have this close connection isn't widely known.<br><br>\\r\\n そのネットワークを利用はするが、やはり外様ということでそれほど近しくしていない…と思われているのが一般的だ。<br>\\r\\n People know that she uses his information network, but they don't look very far beyond that.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ならこの例のように、一般に知られていない、鬼婆直轄の何か。<br>\\r\\n In the same way...<br><br>\\r\\n …祟りのシステムを管轄する暗黒部門の存在は、充分に疑える……。<br>\\r\\n It's possible that a 'curse execution team' exists under the hag's direct control. People just aren't aware of it...<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n その後、私は公由村長の行方を捜す青年団に合流した。<br>\\r\\n After that, I joined the youth group in the search for Kimiyoshi.<br><br>\\r\\n 町会の連絡網にそって、訪ねていないか電話し、回覧板区分ごとに手分けして捜した。<br>\\r\\n I went down the town council's phone directory and called to see if he had visited, then had the group split according to the circular notice divisions and sent them to search the town.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 誰もが、いくら捜しても見つからないだろうと、薄々気付いているようだった。<br>\\r\\n Everybody seemed to be assuming they wouldn't find him.<br><br>\\r\\n だが、薄々どころか、絶対見つからないと知っている私にはとにかく辛いものだった。<br>\\r\\n But since I knew they definitely never would, it was just bothersome to me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 午前０時を回っても、まだあそこは見てない、一応あそこも行ってみようと皆、精力的だ。<br>\\r\\n Even after midnight, they were all still enthusiastically looking for him.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は大あくびをしながら耐えるしかなかった。<br>\\r\\n I bore the sleepiness while yawning.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その内、誰かが噂した。<br>\\r\\n Then I heard somebody whisper.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 去年、……北条悟史くんがいなくなった時も、こんな風に青年団で捜したな、と。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Last year...... we did the same thing when Satoshi Houjou-kun went missing.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n …青年団での捜索なんて、今年が茶番であるように、<br>\\r\\n ...The youth group was looking for someone who would never be found...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n …去年だって茶番。<br>\\r\\n just like last year.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が、絶対に見つかることのない公由を知っていて、こうして欠伸交じりにせせら笑っているように。<br>\\r\\n I was yawning because I knew this.<br><br>\\r\\n 去年の何者かも、絶対に見つかることのない悟史くんを知っていて、私のように欠伸交じりにせせら笑っていたのだ。<br>\\r\\n Last year, there must also have been some people who were yawning... and grinning on the inside.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……去年の捜索って、何時に終わりにしましたっけ？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"......When did we stop searching last year, do you remember?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ん？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmm?<br>\\r\\n 北条んとこの悟史ん時かい？<br>\\r\\n When Satoshi Houjou-kun was missing?<br>\\r\\n ありゃあ何時だったっけ？」<br>\\r\\n Oh, what time was it?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「午前の０時過ぎくらいには解散したような気がするなぁ。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I guess that was around midnight.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 時計は、もう午前の２時を回ろうとしていた。<br>\\r\\n It was already two in the morning.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 公由を捜すためにはこれだけの時間を割くのに、…悟史くんにはまったく割かない。<br>\\r\\n Although they spent this much time searching for Kimiyoshi... they didn't do the same when Satoshi-kun went missing.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そう、絶対見つからないと知っているやつらが、居たからだ。<br>\\r\\n After all, some people knew they wouldn't find him.<br><br>\\r\\n そいつらはきっと眠かった。<br>\\r\\n They must've been sleepy.<br><br>\\r\\n だからもう諦めて警察に任せよう、なんて言い出したに違いないのだ。<br>\\r\\n They must've said they should leave it to the police.<br><br>\\r\\n くそ…くそ…、その言ったやつを殺してやりたい……。<br>\\r\\n Shit... shit... I want to kill the people who said that...<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 古手梨花。<br>\\r\\n <NAME>.<br><br>\\r\\n 古手家頭首だが、重要な会合に席を持ちながらも、多くの場合、出席していない。<br>\\r\\n She was the head of the Furude family, but she never even appeared at the most important meetings.<br><br>\\r\\n 出席しても、とくに発言が問われるわけでもないので、事実上、空席扱いを受けているポストだ。<br>\\r\\n Even if she did show up, nobody would ask for her opinion, so it never really mattered if she was there or not.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 古手家には、八代続けて第一子が女児ならば、その子はオヤシロさまの生まれ変わりであるとする言い伝えがあるらしく、<br>\\r\\n A legend in the Furude family says that if their firstborn child is a girl for eight generations in a row, that eighth girl would be the reincarnation of Oyashiro-sama.<br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんの研究では、彼女がそれに当たる可能性が極めて高いという。<br>\\r\\n According to Takano-san's research, <NAME> is very likely to be the one.<br><br>\\r\\n 確かに宗教的なシンボルとしての彼女の求心力は異常なほど高く、オヤシロさま崇拝の妄信者であるほど彼女を神聖視している。<br>\\r\\n Surely, she must be an important icon in the cult of Oyashiro-sama. The true believers are devoted to her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんな宗教的象徴で、アイドル的な古手梨花が刺客だった事実は、あまりに衝撃的だ。<br>\\r\\n So, it's quite surprising to me that <NAME> herself was the assassin.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ありえない。<br>\\r\\n It's unbelievable.<br><br>\\r\\n 不自然すぎる。<br>\\r\\n It's just too abnormal.<br><br>\\r\\n 刺客なんて真似事は下っ端がやることで、古手梨花のようなＶＩＰがやることじゃない。<br>\\r\\n Usually, a VIP like her wouldn't be the one to assassinate someone.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 一番自然な想像は、…あれは古手梨花でなく、瓜二つな別の存在だったというもの。<br>\\r\\n It's possible that... it was a Rika Furude lookalike.<br><br>\\r\\n あの刺客である彼女の動きは、相当の喧嘩慣れを感じた。<br>\\r\\n From the way she moved, she seemed experienced in fighting.<br><br>\\r\\n ずっと年上で体躯も全然違う私に、何の怯みもなく立ち向かうなんてこと自体、普通じゃ考えられない。<br>\\r\\n It's not normal that a small girl like her would jump me without faltering.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私がスタンガンを携帯していたから返り討ちにしただけであって。<br>\\r\\n I just got lucky because I had a stun gun.<br><br>\\r\\n もしスタンガンがなかったら、あの台所の立ち回りはどうなっていたかわからない。<br>\\r\\n Without it, I don't know what would have happened.<br><br>\\r\\n そう。<br>\\r\\n She was far more skilled<br>\\r\\n 刺客は、見掛けよりずっと優秀だった。<br>\\r\\n than she looked.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 古手梨花は、刺客としての訓練を受けていた？？<br>\\r\\n Was she trained as an assassin??<br><br>\\r\\n それとも古手梨花の影武者がいて、それが刺客としてやってきた？？<br>\\r\\n Or was it a body double?<br><br>\\r\\n あの奇怪な注射器も含めて、謎だらけの存在。<br>\\r\\n Everything is a mystery, including that creepy syringe.<br>\\r\\n 正体不明。<br>\\r\\n What's going on?<br>\\r\\n 理解不能。<br>\\r\\n I can't understand.<br><br>\\r\\n 存在自体が説明できない。<br>\\r\\n She was like<br>\\r\\n …まるで、妖怪か何かのよう。<br>\\r\\n an apparition, or something.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 園崎お魎はこいつの「存在」を把握していたのか…？<br>\\r\\n Did <NAME> know of her existence...?<br><br>\\r\\n この雛見沢という村には何が潜んでいるんだ。<br>\\r\\n What is hiding on the underside of this village?<br><br>\\r\\n 私が底だと信じる雛見沢の暗部は、<br>\\r\\n That underside...\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……私の想像を超えて深すぎる。<br>\\r\\n might run much deeper than I thought.<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 私の復讐劇は、この時点では、祟りシステムの破壊で成立すると考えられていた。<br>\\r\\n At this point, I believe that I can complete my revenge by destroying the curse system entirely.<br><br>\\r\\n すなわち、システムの最上位者である御三家頭首３人と、<br>\\r\\n That means that I have to eliminate the heads of all the Three Families,<br>\\r\\n 頭首代行の詩音、<br>\\r\\n the successor Shion,<br>\\r\\n この４人と、圭一に食いついてくる「執行者」の抹殺。<br>\\r\\n and the assassins who are after Keiichi.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一はあれだけ無防備な生活を続けているにもかかわらず、今日まで何の攻撃も受けていない。<br>\\r\\n Although Keiichi is completely unguarded, he hasn't been attacked so far.<br><br>\\r\\n 私があれほど祭具殿侵入者の１人と喧伝したにもかかわらずだ。<br>\\r\\n Even though I told everybody that he was one of the trespassers.<br><br>\\r\\n むしろ、古手梨花の襲撃を受けた私の方が攻撃を受けているくらい。<br>\\r\\n In fact, it's me who's being attacked. <NAME> attacked me.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私が暴いたとおりなら、圭一という名の祭具殿侵犯者は非常に魅力的なエサのはず。<br>\\r\\n According to my theory, Keiichi should make for very attractive bait.<br><br>\\r\\n だがそのエサに誰も食いつかず、<br>\\r\\n But nobody has done anything to harm him.<br>\\r\\n 古手梨花とトラブルを起こした私の方が攻撃されている以上、<br>\\r\\n Since <NAME> attacked me,<br>\\r\\n “祭具殿を侵すことよりも、古手家と対立する方がタブー”という式が書けてしまう。<br>\\r\\n it might be that opposing the Furude family is a greater taboo than trespassing in the ritual storehouse.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 古手梨花は、祭具殿侵犯を大した罪だと思っていなかった。<br>\\r\\n <NAME> had said that intrusion wasn't a big deal.<br><br>\\r\\n 圭一を見逃すつもりのようだった。<br>\\r\\n She sounded like she was going to let Keiichi walk.<br><br>\\r\\n それを私が咎めたら、その日の夕方には「古手梨花」という刺客が襲ってきた。<br>\\r\\n And after I accused her of that, '<NAME>' attacked me that very night.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 勢力は、別系統で２派あるということ？<br>\\r\\n Are there two different factions?<br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんたち、祭具殿侵犯者を祟る「祟りシステム」と、<br>\\r\\n Does one handle trespassers in the ritual storehouse,<br>\\r\\n 古手家の教義による別系統での「祟りシステム」があるということ？<br>\\r\\n while the other protects the religious doctrines of the Furude family?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 矛盾がある。<br>\\r\\n No, that doesn't make sense.<br><br>\\r\\n 富竹さんの死に方は間違いなく古手家のあの注射によるもの。<br>\\r\\n Tomitake-san's death must have been caused by the Furude family's injections.<br><br>\\r\\n 梨花が自らその効能を示して見せた、「自ら首を掻き破る」注射によるもの。<br>\\r\\n Rika showed me the effect of it herself, clawing out her own throat and dying like that.<br><br>\\r\\n でも古手家のシステムでは富竹さんは祟りの対象にはなっていない。<br>\\r\\n But Tomitake-san shouldn't have been subject to the curse, at least according to the system of the Furude family.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 圭一がどうして襲われないのかもわからない。<br>\\r\\n I don't understand why Keiichi hasn't been attacked.<br><br>\\r\\n 鷹野さんと違って免罪される要因があるのか？<br>\\r\\n Did he have something exempting him from the curse, unlike Takano-san?<br><br>\\r\\n 例えば北条沙都子だけが北条家の祟りから免罪されていたように？<br>\\r\\n Just like how only Satoko Houjou was spared?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 確かに圭一も古手梨花の友人だ。<br>\\r\\n Keiichi is a friend of <NAME>.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ということはつまり、…古手梨花の親しい人間は祟りの対象にならない？<br>\\r\\n So... does that mean that if you were close to her, you wouldn't be cursed?<br><br>\\r\\n 古手梨花は「祟りシステム」より遥かに優先する上位者ということ？？<br>\\r\\n Was she more important than the whole system?<br><br>\\r\\n そんなはずはない。<br>\\r\\n That's impossible.<br><br>\\r\\n 最上位者は鬼婆だ。<br>\\r\\n The hag was at the top of the curse system.<br>\\r\\n その上に梨花がいたわけがない。<br>\\r\\n Rika couldn't have been higher up than her.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ぐしゃぐしゃぐしゃ<br>\\r\\n Scribble scribble.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 祟りの対象の定義が複数あるのか。<br>\\r\\n Are there multiple ways to determine the subject of the curse?<br><br>\\r\\n 定義の数だけ祟りの執行機構があって、それぞれ独自に祟りを下しているのか。<br>\\r\\n Are there as many curse execution groups as there are subjects, and do they all work separately?<br><br>\\r\\n ああもうめちゃくちゃだ。<br>\\r\\n Ah, it's a mess.<br>\\r\\n 私の推理が噛み合わない。<br>\\r\\n None of my theories add up.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の推理がめちゃめちゃなら、私の復讐劇のターゲットにズレが生じる。<br>\\r\\n If I mess up my reasoning, I might make the wrong person the target of my revenge.<br><br>\\r\\n もはや、誰が仇なのか、どういう経緯で悟史くんが消されたのか、理解できない。<br>\\r\\n I don't understand who the enemy is, or how Satoshi-kun was made to disappear.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼婆は雛見沢の闇をどこまで知っていたのか。<br>\\r\\n How much did the hag know?<br><br>\\r\\n 初手のミスが痛すぎる。<br>\\r\\n That really was a huge loss.<br><br>\\r\\n あいつに今聞きたいことが山ほどある。<br>\\r\\n I have so many things I wanted to ask her.<br><br>\\r\\n …それをショック死させてしまうとは…。<br>\\r\\n ...I killed her by accident...<br>\\r\\n 痛恨の痛手だ。<br>\\r\\n Shit.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私はどこかですでに、復讐劇に失敗している。<br>\\r\\n In that respect, I've already failed in my revenge.<br><br>\\r\\n ………<br>\\r\\n ............\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 雛見沢の闇は、<br>\\r\\n The underside of Hinamizawa\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 深過ぎる。<br>\\r\\n really does run too deep.<br><br>\\r\\n ぐしゃぐしゃぐしゃ<br>\\r\\n Scribble scribble.<br><br>\\r\\n （このページ全体がぐしゃぐしゃの斜線で消されている）<br>\\r\\n (The whole page is blacked out with scribbles.)<br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 園崎詩音の、死の間際の告白の信憑性は不明。<br>\\r\\n Shion Sonozaki's last confession is dubious.<br><br>\\r\\n 園崎本家は何もやっていないと、鬼婆があっさり詩音を騙したのか。<br>\\r\\n Did the hag convince her that the Sonozaki family had nothing to do with it?<br><br>\\r\\n 本当に園崎本家は何もやっていないのか。<br>\\r\\n Or is that the truth?\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私自身が今日までの調査で、園崎本家の存在だけで祟りを説明できないことを証明してしまっている。<br>\\r\\n In my own investigations so far, I've proven there are aspects of the curse which can't be explained by the Sonozaki family alone.<br><br>\\r\\n そう、だからこの私のノートは、１ページ目の冒頭から全部でたらめ。<br>\\r\\n So, my notes were all bogus from the beginning.<br><br>\\r\\n 私が２００ページ近くも書き溜めてきたこのノートは、ただの狂人の世迷言。<br>\\r\\n These two hundred pages are full of bullshit.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ノートを破り捨てて焚き火に放り込もうかとも思った。<br>\\r\\n I thought of burning this notebook.<br><br>\\r\\n でもやめた。<br>\\r\\n But I won't do it.<br><br>\\r\\n このノートは私の罪の証。<br>\\r\\n This notebook proves my guilt.<br><br>\\r\\n 私は罪を誤魔化さない。<br>\\r\\n I won't distort the facts.<br><br>\\r\\n だから灰にして消してしまったりなどしない。<br>\\r\\n I won't burn it.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 私の人生は結局、ノート１冊で表せる程度だった。<br>\\r\\n After all, my life was only a notebook long.<br><br>\\r\\n このノートを誰かが読むことがあるだろうか。<br>\\r\\n I wonder if anybody will read this.<br><br>\\r\\n 読むことがあったならどうか、私の愚かしさから何かの教訓を。<br>\\r\\n If somebody does, please let them learn something from my stupidity.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 雛見沢村連続怪死事件。<br>\\r\\n The series of mysterious deaths in Hinamizawa...<br><br>\\r\\n 通称、オヤシロさまの祟り。<br>\\r\\n Dubbed 'Oyashiro-sama's curse'.<br><br>\\r\\n これを読んでいる私以外のあなた。<br>\\r\\n If you're reading this...<br><br>\\r\\n どうか真相を。<br>\\r\\n ...Please find the truth.<br><br>\\r\\n それだけが、<br>\\r\\n That's\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 私の<br>\\r\\n my only\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n 望みです。<br>\\r\\n wish.\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 昭和５８年６月※※日<br>\\r\\n 1983-06-01T11:00:00.000Z<br>\\r\\n 園崎魅音<br>\\r\\n <NAME>\\r\\n <br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 「えぇ、葛西氏が踏み込んだ時には室内は無人でベランダへの窓が開きっぱなし。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes. When Mr. Kasai broke in, the room was empty, and the window leading to the balcony was open.<br>\\r\\n その時が飛び降り時刻です。<br>\\r\\n That was when she fell.<br>\\r\\n それでその真下の５階エレベーターフロアの屋根に一度落ちて脳震盪。<br>\\r\\n She hit the elevator housing right beneath, which gave her a concussion.<br>\\r\\n そのしばらく後に横に転がって再落下、死亡。<br>\\r\\n Then she rolled off the roof and hit the ground, killing her.<br><br>\\r\\n 葛西氏が飛び降りを疑って、地上を調べたときに遺体が見つからなかったのは、この時点ではエレベーターフロアの屋根の上で昏倒中だったからです。」<br>\\r\\n The reason Mr. Kasai didn't find her even though he suspected her suicide is that she was on the elevator housing at that time, unconscious.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「前原圭一が刺されたのは、ほぼ同じ頃。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Keiichi Maebara was stabbed at about the same time.<br>\\r\\n その頃には園崎詩音はすでに飛び降りていて、屋根の上で脳震盪中…？<br>\\r\\n Was <NAME> unconscoius on the roof then...?<br>\\r\\n …違いますねぇ。<br>\\r\\n I doubt it.<br>\\r\\n ベランダから抜け出して圭一を刺して。<br>\\r\\n She must've snuck out of the building, stabbed Keiichi,<br>\\r\\n ベランダへまた戻る時に誤って落下…、じゃないかなぁ？<br>\\r\\n then accidentally fell when she came back...... Doesn't that sound right?<br>\\r\\n 悪いけど、周辺の部屋のベランダとかも調べ直してください。」<br>\\r\\n Ah, would you look at the neighboring balcony again?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「大石さーーん、３番にお電話です。」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ooishi-san, you've got a call on line three.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ハイハイ、どちら様から？」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, who is it from?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「佐藤と伝えれば分かるとか。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Satou, apparently.<br>\\r\\n 合言葉はロンと言えと。」<br>\\r\\n He says the password is 'ron'.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「なっはっは！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Na ha ha!<br>\\r\\n もしもし！<br>\\r\\n Hello!<br>\\r\\n あーサトさんですか。<br>\\r\\n Ah, Satou-san.<br>\\r\\n こっちへ電話ということは、いい知らせでしょうね？」<br>\\r\\n You must have some good news.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 『もしもし…。例の件は旦那の読み通り。』<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hello... You were right after all.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ありがとうございます！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Thank you!<br>\\r\\n 今度フラワーロードで一杯おごりますよ。」<br>\\r\\n I'll buy you a drink on Flower Road!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「何です、今の電話。<br>\\r\\n \\\"What was that call about?<br>\\r\\n 麻雀の誘いですか？」<br>\\r\\n A mahjong invitation?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ビンゴ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Bingo.<br>\\r\\n 園崎姉妹は逆なんです。<br>\\r\\n The Sonozaki sisters switched places.<br>\\r\\n 魅音が詩音で、詩音が魅音。<br>\\r\\n Mion is Shion, and Shion is Mion.<br>\\r\\n 刺青入れる時に間違って逆にやっちゃって、取り返しがつかなくなったらしい。<br>\\r\\n They made a mistake when they were supposed to tattoo the successor.<br>\\r\\n だからこのノートの魅音と詩音は逆に読むんです。<br>\\r\\n So, Mion and Shion are swapped around in this notebook.<br>\\r\\n それでなら、悟史くんと詩音さん、…いや魅音さん？<br>\\r\\n So then Satoshi-kun and Shion-san... No, Mion-san?<br>\\r\\n ややこしいなぁ！<br>\\r\\n This is confusing!<br>\\r\\n …の関係が理解できる。」<br>\\r\\n Anyway, with that, you gain a clearer understanding of their relationship.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「ノートって、先日のあの、大石さん宛てと書かれて郵便ポストに投函されてたって言う怪ノートのことですか？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Are you talking about the mysterious notebook you received the other day?<br>\\r\\n 中身はめちゃくちゃで捜査撹乱の恐れありって言いませんでしたっけ？」<br>\\r\\n Didn't you say it was all mumbo jumbo that could possibly confuse the case?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「もちろん、名前の入れ替えがわかったところで、撹乱の域を出ませんがねぇ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Even after switching the names, it's still confusing......<br>\\r\\n ……このノート、どこまで信じていいのやら。<br>\\r\\n I don't know how much of the content I can trust...<br>\\r\\n …もし本当なら、古手梨花の死の辺りが怪し過ぎるからなぁ…。」<br>\\r\\n Even if this is true, Rika Furude's death seems very suspicious...\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…狂人の日記ですよ。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...It's the diary of a lunatic.<br>\\r\\n 読んでるとこっちまで狂いそうになります。<br>\\r\\n It drove me nuts when I read it.<br>\\r\\n 最後のページの、生まれてきてごめんなさいなんて、…読んでるとこっちまで飛び降りたくなりますよ…。」<br>\\r\\n You know this line on the last page, about how she's sorry for being born...? That makes me want to jump out the window!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………でも。<br>\\r\\n \\\"...Even so...<br>\\r\\n 幸せな日記じゃあないですか。」<br>\\r\\n this is a happy diary.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「しあわせ、<br>\\r\\n \\\"A happy diary\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……ですか？」<br>\\r\\n ......?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「この日記だけで、悟史くんって名前、何回くらい出てくると思います？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Do you know how many times Satoshi-kun's name appears in this notebook......?<br>\\r\\n ………詩音さんは本当に悟史くんのことが好きだったんだなぁって。<br>\\r\\n Shion-san really loved him.<br>\\r\\n その好きというのがね、若さゆえの勘違いで、ずれちゃって。」<br>\\r\\n But because she was so young, a few mistakes caused that love to be misdirected.\\\"\\r\\n <br><br><br><br><br>\\r\\n 「ねぇ、教えてよ母さん。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, mom. Tell me.<br>\\r\\n 鬼婆とどういう喧嘩をしたわけ？<br>\\r\\n Why did you have a fight with the hag?<br>\\r\\n 勘当されるなんてよっぽどだったわけでしょ？」<br>\\r\\n It was bad enough that she disowned you, right?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「お前も下らないことに興味が尽きないね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"You're so nosy about everything...<br>\\r\\n ……ま、そろそろ話してもわからない歳じゃないか。<br>\\r\\n Well, I guess you're old enough to know.<br>\\r\\n 実はね、父さんと結婚したいって言ったらね、駄目だって言われちゃったのよ。」<br>\\r\\n She objected when I told her I wanted to marry your father.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「へ？ 何それぇ？！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"Eh? What?!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「私も当時はだいぶ斜な生き方してて呆れられててね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I was living a very unseemly life back then.<br>\\r\\n その挙句、連れて来た男が任侠者だったわけでしょ。<br>\\r\\n Then the man I brought home was a yakuza,<br>\\r\\n そりゃ大喧嘩よ。<br>\\r\\n so of course she got terribly upset.<br>\\r\\n 許婚は頭首が決める、なんて言われて、<br>\\r\\n She said, 'the head of the family will choose your fiance,'<br>\\r\\n そんなの知ったこっかいこんの糞婆ァ！<br>\\r\\n and I said, 'screw your decisions, you fucking virago!'<br>\\r\\n この場で斬り伏せたらあッて大立ち回りよ。<br>\\r\\n So then we both tried to cut each other down on the spot.<br>\\r\\n 互いに板の間の日本刀抜いて、チャンチャンバラバラ。<br>\\r\\n We unsheathed our katanas in the living room and clashed and slashed and sliced.<br>\\r\\n あっはっはっは。」<br>\\r\\n Aha ha ha ha!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ひぇー…！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Eeek...!<br>\\r\\n 鬼婆と殺陣を演じたわけ？！<br>\\r\\n You fought that hag with a sword?!<br>\\r\\n 母さんやるねぇ…。」<br>\\r\\n Way to go, Mom...\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「まぁねー。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Well,<br>\\r\\n 母さん、こう見えても若い頃は武闘派だしー。<br>\\r\\n I was into martial arts when I was young.<br>\\r\\n 互いに剣道有段だからそりゃードハデだったわよ。<br>\\r\\n Both she and I held high ranks in kendo, so yes, it was quite the show.<br>\\r\\n 周りはオロオロ、あー面白かった。」<br>\\r\\n Everyone nearby was terrified. Ah, that was fun.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「なるほどねぇ……。<br>\\r\\n \\\"I see......<br>\\r\\n その騒ぎのせいで勘当されたわけ？」<br>\\r\\n so is that why you were disowned?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうよ、勘当上等！<br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right. I was happy for it!<br>\\r\\n 遠慮なく勘当もらって父さんと籍を入れたわよ。<br>\\r\\n I married your father right away.<br>\\r\\n まぁけじめってことで爪を剥がされたけどねー。<br>\\r\\n Well, I was forced to remove my fingernails in atonement, though.<br>\\r\\n ほら、左手の爪だけ歪でしょ。」<br>\\r\\n See how the fingernails of my left hand look ugly?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うわぁ……。<br>\\r\\n \\\"Wow...<br>\\r\\n それで鬼婆と母さんはずーっと仲が悪いわけだね…。」<br>\\r\\n So, that's why you and the hag have a bad relationship, huh...?\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「あははは、詩音、本当はね？<br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahaha, you know what, Shion?<br>\\r\\n そんなことないの。<br>\\r\\n That's not actually true.<br>\\r\\n 私と鬼婆さまはちゃんと仲がいいんだよ？」<br>\\r\\n Our relationship is actually pretty good.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「…えーーー！？<br>\\r\\n \\\"...What?!<br>\\r\\n うっそだぁ！」<br>\\r\\n That can't be right!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「鬼婆さまには面倒な世間体があるからね。<br>\\r\\n \\\"She has to maintain the family's reputation,<br>\\r\\n 一度でも勘当した以上、甘くすると示しがつかないし。<br>\\r\\n so she can't treat me normally,<br>\\r\\n だから私も親類会議とかでは大人しく引っ込んでるけど。<br>\\r\\n and accordingly, I lay low at the family councils.<br>\\r\\n たまーに遊びに行ってのんびりお茶とか飲んでるよ。」<br>\\r\\n But I visit her every now and then, and we have tea together.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「うそだーーーー、信じらんないねぇ…！」<br>\\r\\n \\\"I can't believe it...!\\\"\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「実はね、内緒よ？<br>\\r\\n \\\"This is just between you and me, okay?<br>\\r\\n 鬼婆さまもね、その昔、けじめで爪を剥いだことあるんだってよー？<br>\\r\\n She removed her fingernails in atonement a long time ago herself.<br>\\r\\n 今度、会ったら左手の爪をよく見てごらん。」<br>\\r\\n Look carefully at her hand the next time you see her.\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「ひぇー……！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Whaaat...?!<br>\\r\\n 鬼婆は何をやったわけ？」<br>\\r\\n What did she do?\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「さーーーーねーーーーー！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Beats me!<br>\\r\\n 母さんは知ぃらない☆」<br>\\r\\n I don't have a clue☆!\\\"<br><br>\\r\\n 「わ、その顔は知ってるなぁ？！<br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, you do so have one! It's all over your face!<br>\\r\\n 教えてよー！」<br>\\r\\n Tell meee!\\\"<br><br>\\n</body>\\n</html>\",\n \"size_bytes\": 1963154,\n \"file_path\": \"html/ja/tatari.html\",\n \"file_timestamp\": 1753279312,\n \"language\": \"HTML\",\n \"is_vendor\": false,\n \"license_type\": \"no_license\",\n \"detected_licenses\": []\n },\n {\n \"content_id\": \"8290aaa315e37c1985875f116c135329310824e9\",\n \"content\": \"/* DESKTOP */\\r\\n@font-face {font-family: \\\"Noto\\\"; src: url(font/NotoSansCJKjp-DemiLight.otf);}\\r\\n@font-face {font-family: \\\"Noto Black\\\"; src: url(font/NotoSansCJKjp-Black.otf);}\\r\\n@font-face {font-family: \\\"Source\\\"; src: url(font/SourceSans3-Regular.ttf);}\\r\\n@font-face {font-family: \\\"Source Black\\\"; src: url(font/SourceSans3-Black.ttf);}\\r\\n@font-face {font-family: \\\"Source Italic\\\"; src: url(font/SourceSans3-Italic.ttf);}\\r\\n@font-face {font-family: \\\"Source Black Italic\\\"; src: url(font/SourceSans3-BlackItalic.ttf);}\\r\\n\\r\\n/* GLOBAL 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!important;\\r\\n}\\r\\n.s0, .s3, .s4 {\\r\\n\\tfont-family: 'Source', sans-serif !important;\\r\\n}\\r\\n.s3 span, .s4 span {\\r\\n\\tfont-family: 'Source Black', sans-serif !important;\\r\\n\\tfont-weight: normal !important;\\r\\n}\\r\\n\",\n \"size_bytes\": 9205,\n \"file_path\": \"style.css\",\n \"file_timestamp\": 1753279312,\n \"language\": \"CSS\",\n \"is_vendor\": false,\n \"license_type\": \"no_license\",\n \"detected_licenses\": []\n },\n {\n \"content_id\": \"8e7697f8ae2be1a8388f8ce278dbcf160b4b2f2c\",\n \"content\": \"<!DOCTYPE html>\\r\\n<html>\\r\\n<head>\\r\\n</head>\\n<body>\\r\\n <a href=\\\"umineko2.html\\\">part 2 ></a><br>\\r\\n\\r\\n 「…………また。…お酒を嗜まれましたな？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"............Again. ...So, you still haven't overcome your love of alcohol?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 聴診器を外しながら、年輩の医師は溜め息を漏らす。 <br>\\r\\n The old physician let out a sigh as he removed the stethoscope. <br><br>\\r\\n 埃と甘ったるい異臭の入り混じった薄暗い書斎に、年輩の男たちの姿はあった。 <br>\\r\\n Two elderly men could be seen in the dimly-lit study, which was filled with dust and a sickly-sweet stench. <br><br>\\r\\n 書斎と呼ぶにはとても広い部屋の一角には高級そうなベッドがあり、診察を受ける男と、それを診察する医師。そしてそれを見守る使用人のように見えた。 <br>\\r\\n In the corner of this room, which was much larger than what most people would call a study, was an expensive-looking bed, a man undergoing a medical examination, and the physician conducting it. There was also what appeared to be a servant watching over the whole scene. <br><br>\\r\\n 「酒は我が友だ。お前に負けぬ友人であり、そしてお前よりも付き合いが長い。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"The bottle is my friend. It is no less of a friend than you, and it has stood by my side even longer than you have.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 聴診器のために胸をはだけさせていた男は、着衣の乱れを直しながら、悪びれる様子もなくそう言う。 <br>\\r\\n As the man baring his chest for the stethoscope rearranged his clothes, he spoke unapologetically. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………金蔵さん。…あんたの体が一見調子がいいのは薬が効いてるからだ。だが、そんな強い酒を飲み続けては薬の意味もなくなってしまう。…悪いことは言わん。酒は控えなさい。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"............Kinzo-san, ...your body only appears to be well thanks to the effects of the medicine. However, if you continue to drink such strong spirits, the treatment will become meaningless. ...Trust my judgement. Refrain from drinking.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「忠告の気持ちだけはありがたくいただいておく。我が友よ。………源次。もう一杯頼む。心持ち薄めでな。南條の顔も立ててやれ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I thank you, though only for the sentiment, my friend. .........Genji, another glass. Water it down slightly. That way Nanjo can save face.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………よろしいのですか。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Are you quite sure?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 源次と呼ばれた老齢の執事は、酒を求める主と、それを止める主治医の双方を見比べた後、無言で小さく頷き、己の主の命令に忠実に従うのだった。 <br>\\r\\n After eyeing both the master who demanded the alcohol and the family doctor who forbade it, Genji, the old butler, silently gave a slight nod and carried out his master's orders faithfully. <br><br>\\r\\n 彼が酒棚で準備をするのを眺めながら、主治医の南條は再び深い溜め息を漏らす…。 <br>\\r\\n The family doctor, Nanjo, let out a deep sigh once again as he watched the butler busy himself alongside the liquor cabinet... <br><br>\\r\\n 室内を満たしているその匂い。 <br>\\r\\n There was a smell filling up the room. <br><br>\\r\\n …心も、そして魂も溶かしてしまうような、毒のある甘い匂いは、主人の愛して止まないその毒々しい緑色の酒の匂いだったのだ。 <br>\\r\\n ...This sweet, poisonous aroma felt as though it melted the heart, if not the soul itself. It was the smell of that venomous green drink that the man couldn't bear to part with. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……南條。お前は私の長きに渡る親友だ。今日まで私を永らえさせてくれたことを、深く感謝する。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Nanjo, you are my close friend, and we have known each other for quite a long time. I am deeply grateful for all that you have done to keep me alive this long.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「私は何も。……医者としての忠告など、金蔵さんはまったく聞いてくれませんからな。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I have done nothing. ......After all, you never listen to my advice as your physician.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「はっはっはっは…。お前とて、指し間違えた手を待てと言っても聞かぬではないか。ならば相子というものだろう。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hahahaha... And you never listen when I warn you about a mistaken chess move you're about to make. It seems only fair, does it not?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……お館様。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Master.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「すまぬ。……薬は切れても死にはせんが、こいつが切れては死んでしまうでな。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Thank you. ......I wouldn't die if I ran out of your medicine, but I would if I ran out of this.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 諦めの表情を浮かべる南條を尻目に、金蔵は源次に差し出されたグラスを受け取る。 <br>\\r\\n Disregarding Nanjo, who had his face set in a resigned expression, Kinzo took the glass that Genji was holding out to him. <br><br>\\r\\n …いっぱいに満たされたその毒々しい色を見て酒だと連想できる者は少ないだろう。 <br>\\r\\n ...Very few people would associate that venomous color with an alcoholic beverage. <br><br>\\r\\n 「………南條。正直に話せ。私の命はあとどの程度持つ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Nanjo, be honest with me. How much time do I have left?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「さぁて…。どのくらいと申し上げれば、そのお酒を控えてくれますやら。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well now... How short must I make it to convince you to set the bottle aside?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 南條はもう一度、諦めの溜め息を漏らす。 <br>\\r\\n Nanjo once again let out a sigh of resignation. <br><br>\\r\\n そして、結局はグラスを煽る金蔵を見ながら言う。 <br>\\r\\n Then, he finally spoke to Kinzo as the latter swirled his glass. <br><br>\\r\\n 「………長くはありませんな。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......You don't have long.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…どの程度に長くないというのだ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...What precisely do you mean by that?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……このチェスで例えましょう。金蔵さんの詰めもなかなかですが、私のキングを追い詰めるには至りますまい。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Let us illustrate it with the chess game here. You have very nearly achieved checkmate, ...but you have not yet cornered my king.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 南條の目線の先には、サイドテーブルがありそこには重厚なチェスセットが置かれていた。 <br>\\r\\n Nanjo's gaze was directed at a side table with a massive chess set placed on top of it. <br><br>\\r\\n 駒を見る限り、ゲームはだいぶ終盤に入っている。 <br>\\r\\n Judging by the positioning of the pieces, the game seemed to be entering its final stage. <br><br>\\r\\n 黒のルークやビショップが敵陣深く食い込んでいた。 <br>\\r\\n Black's rook and bishop were cutting deeply into enemy lines. <br><br>\\r\\n 白のキングはすでにキャスリングして追い詰められており、素人目に見てもそう長い時間を掛けずに決着がつきそうに見える。 <br>\\r\\n White's king had already been castled and cornered, so that even an amateur could see that the match would reach its conclusion before too long. <br><br>\\r\\n このチェスは、南條が診察に訪れる度に数手ずつを進め合ってきたものだ。 <br>\\r\\n Every time Nanjo came to give a medical examination, both of them would make a few moves. <br><br>\\r\\n それを指して、決着に至るより金蔵が永眠する方が早いだろうと断言する。 <br>\\r\\n Nanjo was hinting that Kinzo would most likely fall into his eternal sleep before this game could be concluded. <br><br>\\r\\n …それは医者としてというより、長年の友人としての言葉だった。 <br>\\r\\n ...These were less the words of a physician than they were the words of an old friend. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………普通の患者になら、 <br>\\r\\n \\\"............Were you a normal patient, <br><br>\\r\\n 遺言を書くよう勧める頃です。」 <br>\\r\\n I would recommend that you write a will at this point.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……遺言とは何だ、南條。私の屍をどのように食い散らせとハゲタカ共に指南する書置きなのか。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......And what is a will, Nanjo? Handwritten instructions to the vultures on how to devour and scatter my corpse?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「いいや違いますぞ。……遺言は、意思を残すことだ。遺産分配のことだけを書くものじゃない。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"No, not at all. ......As the word suggests, it is a way for you to record your will for later generations. It is far more than just a means to divide up your inheritance.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほう。……遺産分配以外に書くこととは何なのか。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hoh. ......And apart from the division of the inheritance, what might I write of?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………心残りや、 <br>\\r\\n \\\"............You might write of your regrets... <br><br>\\r\\n 遣り残し。受け継いで欲しいことや、 <br>\\r\\n or matters you have left unfinished. Things you want to pass down to others... <br><br>\\r\\n ……伝えたいこと。……何でもいいんです。」 <br>\\r\\n ...or merely matters you wish to communicate. ......Anything you want.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ふ。………受け継いでほしいことや、伝えたいことだと？ 馬鹿馬鹿しい。この右代宮金蔵、後に残したいことも伝えたいこともただのひとつもないわッ！！ 裸一貫で生まれた。そして裸一貫で死ぬ！ 馬鹿息子どもに残したいものなど何一つないわッ！！ もしも訪れる最期が今日だとしても、今だとしても！ 私は何も恐れることなくその死の運命を受け容れようではないか！！ 全てを築き上げた。富も！ 名誉も！ 全てだ！！ それらは私とともに築き上げられ、私とともに失われよう。後に残してやるものなど何もないわッ！！ 何もないッ！！ あとは野となれ山となれ！ 墓も棺も何も望まぬわ！！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hmph. .........Things I want to pass down to others or matters I wish to communicate? Ridiculous. I, <NAME>, have not one thing I want to tell or leave behind!! I was born with nothing. I will die with nothing! There is nothing I wish to leave to my foolish children!! Even if the end were to come today, even if it were to come right now! I would accept that fate of death without a trace of fear!! I created everything. My fortune! My prestige! Everything!! Those were built up by me, and they will be lost along with me. There is nothing I wish to leave behind!! Nothing!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n それが魔女と私の契約だ！ 私が死ぬ時に全てを失う！ 初めからその約束だからこそ、何も残らぬのだ。何も残せぬのだ！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"After I'm gone, I care not if it all goes to waste! I desire no tomb, no coffin!! Those were the terms of the contract I made with the witch! When I die, everything will be lost! That has been part of the promise since the beginning, and that's why nothing will be left behind. There is nothing I can leave behind!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n そこまでを一気に捲くし立てると、金蔵は急にがっくりと肩を落とした。 <br>\\r\\n After reaching a furious crescendo, Kinzo suddenly slumped over. <br><br>\\r\\n …その表情は、まるで憑き物が落ちたように弱々しいものだった。 <br>\\r\\n ...His expression was limp and feeble, as though an evil spirit had possessed him and then left. <br><br>\\r\\n 「 <br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n ……………… <br>\\r\\n \\\"!s150............ <br><br>\\r\\n だが未練はある。残すものは何一つないが、残したまま逝けぬものが、ひとつだけある…。」 <br>\\r\\n However, I do have one regret. I have nothing to leave behind, but there is one thing I cannot leave undone...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………それを書き記せばいい。もちろん、生きている内にこなせればそれでいい。だが万一の時、残された者がそれを引き継いでくれる。自分に万一があっても、必ずその心残りが解決できるように残していく。 ……それが遺言というものです。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........You would do well to write it down. Of course, it would be best if you could finish it before your time comes. However, even if the worst happens, those who come after you will carry it to completion. You must leave behind your regrets so that they can be resolved even if you are unable to do so yourself. ......That is the purpose of a will.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 南條がやさしく肩を叩こうとすると、急に激昂した金蔵が南條のその手を払いのける。 <br>\\r\\n When Nanjo tried to gently pat Kinzo's shoulder, the dying man flew into a sudden rage and batted away Nanjo's hand. <br><br>\\r\\n 「駄目だ駄目だ駄目だ！！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"It's useless, useless, useless!! <br><br>\\r\\n 私が生きている内でなくてはならぬ、私は死ねば魂はすぐに契約の悪魔に食らわれて消え去ってしまう！ 死後の世界も安らぎも私にはないのだ！ だから全ては私が生きている内でなければならぬ！！ だから遺言状など私には必要ないッ！！ そのようなものを書く暇があったなら……、 <br>\\r\\n It must be done while I still live! At the moment of my death, my soul will be devoured by the demons of the contract and wiped out of existence! For me, there will be no peace or another world after death! That's why everything must be completed before I go!! That's why a will has no meaning for me!! And even if I had a chance to write such a thing, <br><br>\\r\\n あったならッ！！ …私は見たい。もう一度見たい！ ベアトリーチェの微笑む顔がもう一度見たい！！ あぁ、ベアトリーチェ、なぜに私をこれほどまでに拒むのか！！ 今こそお前に与えられた全てを返そう、全てを失おう！！ だから最後にもう一度だけお前の微笑を見せてくれ…。 <br>\\r\\n ......if I did have such a chance!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n \\\"...I'd want to see it. I want to see it one more time! I want to see Beatrice's smiling face one last time!! Oh, Beatrice, why have you resisted me for so long?! I'll return everything you have given me! I am prepared to lose everything!! So please, show me your smile just one more time...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n ベアトリーチェ、頼む後生だ、聞こえているはずだ、お前はそういう女だ！ 頼む、姿を見せてくれ！！ いるんだろう？！ 聞こえていながら姿を消し、今もこの部屋のどこかで私を嘲笑っているのだろう？！ 私の前にもう一度現れてくれ、そして微笑んでくれ！！ なじってくれてもいい、望むならお前の手で私の命を奪ってくれてもいい！！ このままひとりで死にたくないッ！！ お前の微笑みを再び一目見るまでは絶対に死ねないのだ！！ あぁ、ベアトリーチェ、ベアトリーチェ！！ この命はくれてやる、お前にくれてやる！！ 後生だ、ベアトリーチェぇぇえぇえぇッ！！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Beatrice, I beg of you! You must be able to hear my plea, ...that's the kind of woman you are! I beg of you, show yourself to me!! You're here, aren't you?! You're standing there, invisible, listening to every word I say, and even now you're mocking me from somewhere in this room, aren't you?! Please, appear before me once more and smile!! Feel free to scold me, even snatch away my life by your own hands if you so desire!! I don't want to die alone like this!! I cannot let myself die until I've seen your smile just one more time!! Aah, Beatrice, Beatrice!! I offer up this life of mine, I offer it up to you!! I'm begging you, Beatriiiiiiiiiiiice!!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「へー。時代ってやつは進歩してんなぁ…。たったの２０分で着いちまうってんだから驚いちまうぜ…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Whoa... Things sure move with the times... I can't believe we'll be able to make the trip in just twenty minutes...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 頭を掻きながら時代の進歩を驚く他ない。 <br>\\r\\n I couldn't help but scratch my head and marvel at how far things have come in recent years. <br><br>\\r\\n かつては船だった。 <br>\\r\\n We used to go by boat. <br><br>\\r\\n 新島に着くまでで半日もたっぷりは揺られなきゃならなかったんだからな。 <br>\\r\\n 便利な時代になったもんだぜ。 <br>\\r\\n Back then, we were all forced to endure nearly half a day of swaying back and forth over the sea before we reached Niijima. <br><br>\\r\\n Things have gotten so much more convenient these days. <br><br>\\r\\n しかし、あんな小さな飛行機には乗ったことがない。 <br>\\r\\n でっかいジャンボジェット機ならあるんだが、こんなスモールサイズは初体験だ。 <br>\\r\\n Still, I've never been on a plane this small. <br><br>\\r\\n I've flown in a huge jumbo jet before, but this'll be my first experience in such a tiny one. <br><br>\\r\\n …やっぱ揺れるんかなぁ。 <br>\\r\\n ...It's gonna shake, isn't it... <br><br>\\r\\n 船なんかも小さい方が揺れは大きいって言うし、やっぱ飛行機もそうなんだろか。 <br>\\r\\n …はー、勘弁願いたいぜ。 <br>\\r\\n They say smaller boats shake more than big ones, so I guess the same rule probably applies to planes. <br><br>\\r\\n ...Aaah, just spare me. <br><br>\\r\\n 「はっははは、大丈夫だよ、戦人くん。船に比べたら全然揺れは少ないよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Haahahaha, don't worry, Battler-kun. It shakes much less than that boat did.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「おわぁッ、じょ、譲治の兄貴かよ！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"Gyah?! ...I-Is that you, George-aniki?! <br><br>\\r\\n へっへー、急に勘弁してくれよ、今ので寿命が３年縮んじまったぜ。つーか、揺れって何すか？ <br>\\r\\n Heheh, don't scare me like that... You just shaved three years off my life. Anyway, what's shaking got to do with anything? <br><br>\\r\\n いっひっひっひ、別に俺ぁ飛行機も揺れんのかな、まさか墜ちたりしねぇかなぁ〜なんて、夢にも思っちゃいないぜ〜？」 <br>\\r\\n Ihihihi, you don't think I'm actually scared of the plane shaking or maybe falling out of the sky or something, right?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ごめんごめん。もう小さい頃とは違うよね。あれから６年も経ってるんだし。もう戦人くんも子供じゃないか。はっはははは。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, of course not, my mistake. I see you've changed a lot since we last saw you. After all, it's been six years since then. You're not a kid anymore. Hahahahaha.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ちぇー、兄貴はタバコも酒もＯＫってかよ。タバコは興味ねぇけど、酒は飲んでみたいよなぁ、ひっひっひ！ 兄貴なんか、叔父さんの遺伝子あんなら、相当飲めちゃいそうだけど？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Sheesh, and here you are, old enough to smoke and drink. I've got no interest in smoking, but I've always wanted to try some booze, heheheh! Well, if you've got your dad's genes, I'll bet you can hold your own when it comes to drinking, right?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「僕の場合は、好きで飲むというよりは仕事で飲む方が多いからね。日本のビジネスは酒抜きでは難しいよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, I usually drink for business rather than pleasure. It's pretty hard to do business in Japan without it.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「いっひっひー！ そ〜っすよねぇ？！ だから俺も日頃から予習復習を欠かさないんすよ〜！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ihihihi! That's exactly right! That's why I never miss a chance to get in some practice!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「だ、駄目だよ、戦人くんはまだ未成年じゃないか！ 未成年の飲酒は発育に悪影響を及ぼす可能性が…、 <br>\\r\\n って、う〜ん。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Th-That's no good, Battler-kun! You're still a minor! Don't you know alcohol can stunt the growth of... <br><br>\\r\\n ...um, never mind.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「こんだけ立っ端がありゃー俺の発育は充分っすから〜！ むしろちょいと身長縮めた方が服が探しやすいくらい！」 <br>\\r\\n 俺は得意げに胸を張ってみせる。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Come on, I'm tall enough already! In fact, it'd be easier to find clothes if I shrunk a little!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n I puffed my chest out proudly. <br><br>\\r\\n 成長期を迎えるまでは、俺の身長はクラスじゃ真ん中よりは前の方だった。 <br>\\r\\n それが、あれよあれよという間にでかくなり、今じゃ１８０ｃｍは超えてる。 <br>\\r\\n Until I hit my growth spurt, my height was below average in my class. <br><br>\\r\\n But then, I grew and grew, and before I knew it, I'd passed 180cm (5ft 11in). <br><br>\\r\\n これも、弛みない筋トレと怪しげな通販の筋力増強剤のお陰だろうなぁ。 <br>\\r\\n 早々に身長が伸びきった譲治兄貴を１０ｃｍも超えて見下ろせる日が来ようとは、夢にも思わなかったぜ。 <br>\\r\\n I guess I have all that muscle training and those shady mail-order performance-enhancing drugs to thank for that. <br><br>\\r\\n Before then, I never dreamed that I'd shoot 10 cm above George-aniki, who'd reached his peak height early on. <br><br>\\r\\n ……あぁ親戚連中に、戦人ちゃん大きくなったわね〜って言われるんだろうなぁ。 <br>\\r\\n …アレ、恥ずかしくてたまんねぇから、勘弁願いたいんだけどなぁ。 <br>\\r\\n ......Damn, I'll bet my relatives all say `Look how big you've grown, Battler-chan!' or something. <br><br>\\r\\n ...It's all so embarrassing... I wish they'd just give me a break. <br><br>\\r\\n しかし、俺の名前の戦人って、…なんつーか、すげぇ名前だよな。 <br>\\r\\n Anyway, my name, `Battler'......well, it's pretty damn weird, don't you think? <br><br>\\r\\n 付けた親のセンスを疑うぜ。 <br>\\r\\n 初対面でちゃんと読めるヤツはまずいないな。 <br>\\r\\n I've gotta wonder what my parents were thinking when they named me that. <br><br>\\r\\n I've never met anyone who could read it right the first time. <br><br>\\r\\n 一番多いのはセントくん。 <br>\\r\\n 残念、そいつぁハズレだぜ。 <br>\\r\\n I usually get called `#fefefeSento-kun#ffffff'. <br><br>\\r\\n Sorry, but that's not even close. <br><br>\\r\\n 俺の名は、右代宮戦人。 <br>\\r\\n My name is written 右代宮 戦人. <br><br>\\r\\n 読めるか？ 苗字は“うしろみや”。こりゃまだマシだよな。 <br>\\r\\n Can you read it? The first part is my family name, `Ushiromiya'. That's a fairly plausible Japanese pronunciation so far. <br><br>\\r\\n 問題は名前だ。 <br>\\r\\n The problem is my given name. <br><br>\\r\\n ………戦人で“バトラ”って読む。 <br>\\r\\n .........戦人 is made up of the characters for `fight' and `person', and it's pronounced `Battler'. <br><br>\\r\\n 右代宮戦人（うしろみやばとら）。 <br>\\r\\n Put it all together, and you've got Ushiromiya Battler. <br><br>\\r\\n すげぇぜ。名付けた親もすげぇが、受理したお役所の窓口もすげぇぜ。…そのどっちも、俺の必ず殺すリストの筆頭さ。 <br>\\r\\n Pretty crazy, right? It's crazy enough that my parents decided to call me that, but it's even more crazy that some government worker let them make it official. ...Both groups are at the top of my must-kill list. <br><br>\\r\\n んで、彼は俺の従兄にあたるお人だ。 <br>\\r\\n Anyway, this is one of my cousins. <br><br>\\r\\n 名前は右代宮譲治（うしろみやじょうじ）。 <br>\\r\\n His name is 右代宮 譲治, pronounced Ushiromiya George. <br><br>\\r\\n 俺より５つ上だから、今年で多分２３のはずだ。 <br>\\r\\n 右代宮のいとこは男２人、女２人なので、兄貴とはいっつも一緒に遊んでた。 <br>\\r\\n He's five years older than me, so he must be turning 23 this year. <br><br>\\r\\n Since the Ushiromiya cousins consist of two boys and two girls, I ended up playing with George all the time. <br><br>\\r\\n その名残で今も兄貴と呼んでるわけさ。 <br>\\r\\n And because I've always thought of him as a big brother, I still call him `Aniki' today. <br><br>\\r\\n 「しっかし、戦人くんは大きゅうなったなぁ。男子三日会わざれば刮目して待つべしとは、よう言うたもんや。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Whoo, Battler-kun, look how big you've gotten. You know what they say, leave a boy for three days and you'll hardly recognize 'im!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「やっぱり血かしらねぇ。留弗夫も高校くらいまでは身長、そんなになかったのよ？ 成長期が遅いほうが最終的には伸びるのかもねぇ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It must be in his blood. Rudolf wasn't that tall either until his high school years. Perhaps people end up taller if their growth spurt comes late.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「んなことないっすよ。男は中身も伴わなくっちゃぁ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Nah, it's nothing special. A real man needs to be tough on the inside too!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうや！ 戦人くんはわかっとる！ 男は中身で勝負なんや！ 常に己の鍛錬を忘れたらあかん。そして虎視眈々とチャンスを待ってドカンと開花させるんや！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"Exactly! Battler-kun here knows how it works! Real men win or lose based on what they've got on the inside! Can't ever forget to keep up your trainin' and discipline. You gotta do that, wait veeery alertly for the perfect moment...and strike! <br><br>\\r\\n わしも、まさか今日、会社社長なんて一国一城の主になれるとは思わんかった…。そうや、あの無一文の焼け野原がわしの原点なんや…！」 <br>\\r\\n Now, I never even imagined that I'd become the company president I am today, master of my own domain... Yep, to think I've come this far after starting out penniless and ruined...!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n この恰幅の良さそうな小太りのオヤジは、 <br>\\r\\n This stout, plump, old guy is <br><br>\\r\\n 譲治兄貴の父親の、秀吉（ひでよし）伯父さん。 <br>\\r\\n George-aniki's dad, <NAME> (秀吉). <br><br>\\r\\n 俺の親父の姉の旦那に当たる。 <br>\\r\\n つまり血の繋がってない伯父ってわけだ。 <br>\\r\\n He's the husband of Dad's older sister. <br><br>\\r\\n In other words, we're not blood-related. <br><br>\\r\\n とても気さくで子供にやさしく、しかもついでに小遣いのはずみもいい、最高の伯父さんってわけさ。 <br>\\r\\n He's nice to children, sociable all the time, and even quick to give out some spending money to us kids. Simply put, he's an awesome uncle. <br><br>\\r\\n 印象的な怪しい関西弁風の方言はオリジナル？のもので、本人は生粋の関東人だ。 <br>\\r\\n He speaks in an odd and very noticeable Kansai dialect, but he's actually a natural-born Kanto man. <br><br>\\r\\n 何でも、ビジネスの世界では印象付けが大事とかで、他の人とは毛色の違う言葉を狙って話すことで自分をより印象付けようという演出らしいんだが。 <br>\\r\\n ……もっとも、本場の関西人の前では恥ずかしいので、標準語に戻すんだとか。 <br>\\r\\n Apparently, impressions are everything in the business world, so speaking in a different style than other people is an act that makes him stick out more. <br><br>\\r\\n ......However, I hear he gets embarrassed when talking within earshot of a real Kansai person, so he switches back to standard Japanese. <br><br>\\r\\n …よくわからんが面白い人なのは間違いない。 <br>\\r\\n ...I don't really get it, but he's definitely an interesting person. <br><br>\\r\\n 「すーぐ自分の自慢話に入っちゃうのが玉に瑕なのよねぇ。およしなさいな。戦人くん、耳にタコが出来ちゃってるんだから。ねー？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"If only you weren't so quick to brag about your life story. That's enough for now, I think. I'm sure Battler's getting tired of it. Aren't you?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そんなことねぇっすよ、ひっひっひ！ でも、いいじゃないすか。語れる武勇伝があるってのは男としてかっこいいことだと思いますよ。俺なんか、語るような話は何もないっすからねぇ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Nope, not at all, hihihi! Nothing wrong with that. I think it's pretty cool for a man to have some stories he can brag about. I don't have anything like that at all.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あら、そーぉ？ 戦人くんなんか、そのルックスでいっぱい女の子を泣かせてそうだから、さぞかし武勇伝が多そうだと思ったんだけどぉ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, really? I'd imagine a man with your looks would leave girls crying left and right. I can't believe you have nothing at all to brag about.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「わたたたッ、 <br>\\r\\n じょじょ、 <br>\\r\\n 冗談じゃないっすよ！ <br>\\r\\n そんな妙な武勇伝、あるわけないじゃない〜！ むしろ紹介してほしいくらいっす〜！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Wh-What? <br><br>\\r\\n Y-Y- <br><br>\\r\\n You're joking, right?! <br><br>\\r\\n Of course nothing weird like that's ever happened to me! Heck, I wish it would!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あらぁ、あるんでしょ武勇伝。…くすくす、伯母さんにも後で教えてね。譲治ったらそういう浮ついた話がぜぇんぜんないんだから。うふふふ…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Come on, you aren't fooling anyone. ...*giggle* You must tell your aunt all about it later. After all, nothing of the sort ever happens to George. Heheheh...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n この叔母さんは、譲治兄貴の母親の、絵羽（えば）伯母さんだ。 <br>\\r\\n This is George-aniki's mother, Aunt Eva (絵羽). <br><br>\\r\\n 俺の親父の姉に当たる。 <br>\\r\\n 秀吉伯父さんともども、ひょうきんなお人で、昔っからよく俺をからかってくれたもんだぜ。 <br>\\r\\n She's my Dad's older sister. <br><br>\\r\\n She and Uncle Hideyoshi are a pair of jokers, and they've always teased me, back as far as I can remember. <br><br>\\r\\n そのせいで、小さい頃、少々苦手だったこともある。 <br>\\r\\n This sometimes made them a bit hard to get along with when I was small. <br><br>\\r\\n …いや、今でも苦手であることを現在進行形で確認中だがなぁ。 <br>\\r\\n ...Well, I guess the events of the last 30 seconds prove that they can still be hard to get along with. <br><br>\\r\\n まぁでも、譲治兄貴の家族は、何だかんだで面白くてみんな仲は良さそうだよな。 <br>\\r\\n Even so, George-aniki's family is interesting and fun, and they seem to get along just fine. <br><br>\\r\\n ……やれやれ、ウチの家族とは大違いだぜ。 <br>\\r\\n ......Sheesh, that's pretty much the total opposite of my family. <br><br>\\r\\n 「戦人くん。留弗夫さんを見なかった？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Battler-kun, have you seen Rudolf-san?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「え？ さっきお手洗いに行くのを見ましたけど？ まぁだ出てこないんすか？ こりゃあ、ぽっくり逝っちまったかなぁ、ナムナムナム。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh? He headed off to the bathroom a while ago. Is he not back yet? Heh, maybe the poor geezer dropped dead, #fefefenamunamunamu#ffffff.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「自分のお父さんにそんな言い方はないでしょ。まぁ、あの人のお手洗いが長いのは今に始まったことじゃないしね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's no way to talk about your own father. Still, this isn't the first time he's taken so long in the bathroom.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ〜、あんにゃろは昔っからそうです。雑誌持ってトイレに入るのやめてほしいんすよね。何の雑誌持ち込んでな〜にをしてんだか！ いっひっひ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, the guy's always been that way. Does he really have to take a magazine with him every time he needs to take a dump? And what on earth's he doing in there with those particular magazines?! Ihihi!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あら、そんな心配は全然不要よ？ 私と一緒にいる以上、そんなことひとりでさせやしないもの。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, you don't need to worry about that at all. Since we've been together, I haven't let him do that on his own.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ひっひっひ！ なぁんの話か、後でじっくり聞きたいっすねぇ〜！ 親父め、タマまで握られてグゥの音も出ないわけだ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hihihi! Oooh, I'll have to get the juicy details later! Sounds like Dad's got his balls in an iron grip.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「握っとかないとどういうことになるか、よーくわかってるでしょ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"You know exactly what would happen with that man if I didn't keep a tight grip, don't you?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「いやいやまったく。あのクソ親父の手綱は霧江さんにしか無理っすよ。実の息子の俺も、喜んで譲っちゃいますわ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"No kidding. You're the only one capable of reining in that old bastard. As his son, I'm more than happy to let you take over.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「えぇ、任せてちょうだい。そういうの、得意なのよ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes, leave it all to me. After all, that's my specialty.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n この人は、俺の親父の奥さんに当たる人。 <br>\\r\\n This woman is my father's wife. <br><br>\\r\\n 名は、右代宮霧江（きりえ）。 <br>\\r\\n Her name is <NAME> (霧江). <br><br>\\r\\n 会話を少し聞けばわかるだろうが、俺の実の母親じゃない。 <br>\\r\\n いわゆる継母ってヤツさ。 <br>\\r\\n As you can probably tell from our conversation, she's not my real mother. <br><br>\\r\\n She's basically my stepmother. <br><br>\\r\\n 俺の本当のお袋は６年前に死んだ。 <br>\\r\\n その後に親父が再婚したのがこの霧江さんってわけだ。 <br>\\r\\n My real mom died six years ago, and Kyrie-san is the woman Dad married afterwards. <br><br>\\r\\n 俺もさすがにこの歳だ。 <br>\\r\\n 今さら再婚の相手をお袋とは呼べない。 <br>\\r\\n It's understandable for someone my age. <br><br>\\r\\n I could never bring myself to call his new wife `Mom'. <br><br>\\r\\n 向こうだって、こんなデカくて血も繋がってない連れ子を息子とは呼びたくないだろう。 <br>\\r\\n And I doubt she feels like using the word `son' on this massive kid who's no relation to her at all. <br><br>\\r\\n お互いガキじゃない。 <br>\\r\\n 喧嘩したって得はないさ。 <br>\\r\\n We aren't little kids. <br><br>\\r\\n We know there's nothing to be gained by fighting. <br><br>\\r\\n そんなわけで、無理に家族ごっこはしないってことにした。 <br>\\r\\n So, we decided that we wouldn't force ourselves to pretend that we were family. <br><br>\\r\\n 家族でなく、近所のお姉さんというような感じで、比較的フランクに接しあうことにしている。 <br>\\r\\n I've decided to act a bit more frank with her, acting as though she's a friendly neighbor instead. <br><br>\\r\\n 無理して互いに気持ち悪い思いをするよりは、他人と割り切った方がよっぽど気楽ってもんだ。 <br>\\r\\n It's much easier if we just keep a little distance, instead of forcing ourselves to act all close and making each other uncomfortable. <br><br>\\r\\n 霧江さんもその辺りは非常にさばさばした人だったので、お陰で俺たちは何とかうまくやれてるわけだ。 <br>\\r\\n Kyrie-san has always been very open about all this, and thanks to that, we've been able to get along pretty well. <br><br>\\r\\n そうして、トイレでいない親父の悪口で盛り上がっていると、当の本人がハンカチで手を拭きながら帰ってきた。 <br>\\r\\n Then, just when we were badmouthing Dad about being in the bathroom, the man himself came back, wiping his hands with a handkerchief. <br><br>\\r\\n 「んん〜？ 戦人ぁ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmm? Battler.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「何だよ親父ぃ。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, what's up, Dad? <br><br>\\r\\n …いててて！ 耳つねんな、耳ぃ！」 <br>\\r\\n ...Owowowowww! Don't pinch my ear, gaah!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「まぁた、母さんと俺の悪口を言ってたろぉ。なぁんでお前には父親に対する尊敬の念ってやつが沸かねぇんだ〜？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"So, you've been talking trash about me with Mom again, haven't you? What makes it so hard to show a little respect for your father, hmm?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「いてててていてててて！ 痛ぇよクソ親父！ 俺の耳、伸ばしたって空は飛べねぇぞ、痛ぇ〜〜！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Owowow, owowowowow! Dammit, that hurts! You can stretch my ear all you want, but I'm not gonna be able to fly. That hurts!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほれほれ。上 <br>\\r\\n \\\"C'mon now. Up, <br><br>\\r\\n 上 <br>\\r\\n up, <br><br>\\r\\n 下 <br>\\r\\n down, <br><br>\\r\\n 下 <br>\\r\\n down, <br><br>\\r\\n 左 <br>\\r\\n left, <br><br>\\r\\n 右 <br>\\r\\n right, <br><br>\\r\\n 左 <br>\\r\\n left, <br><br>\\r\\n 右。 <br>\\r\\n right. <br><br>\\r\\n お父様、失礼なこといってごめんなさいって言ってみろぅ。」 <br>\\r\\n Now say `Father, please forgive me for being so rude'.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「冗談じゃねぇぜ、そういうのは会員制のお店でやりやがれってんだ。痛ててて、だからは〜なぁせーって！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Like hell I will! Go find yourself some members-only store if you want it that much! Gyaah, let goooo!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ……このクソ親父が俺の親父だ。 <br>\\r\\n 俺の身長もなかなかのもんだと思うが、親父も同じくらいの立っ端がある。 <br>\\r\\n ......This old bastard is my Dad. <br><br>\\r\\n I think I'm pretty tall myself, but Dad's just about as tall as I am. <br><br>\\r\\n 絵羽伯母さんが、俺の身長を見て、親父の血だなと言うのも納得できるだろう。 <br>\\r\\n It's no surprise Aunt Eva started talking about Dad's blood when she saw my height. <br><br>\\r\\n ちなみに、親父譲りなのは身長だけじゃない。名前の酷さもさ。 <br>\\r\\n By the way, my height isn't the only thing I got from him. It seems having weird names runs in the family. <br><br>\\r\\n 親父の名前は右代宮留弗夫。 <br>\\r\\n Dad's full name is written 右代宮 留弗夫. <br><br>\\r\\n ……読めるか？ <br>\\r\\n 留弗夫だぞ留弗夫。 <br>\\r\\n これで“ルドルフ”って読むんだぜ。 <br>\\r\\n ......You can't read it, can you? <br><br>\\r\\n Come on, it's just 留弗夫. <br><br>\\r\\n Anyway, this guy's name is pronounced `Rudolf'. <br><br>\\r\\n たはは…、さぞや、この名前を付けた祖父さまを恨んだだろうよ。 <br>\\r\\n Haha... He must hate Grandfather for giving him that name. <br><br>\\r\\n だからって俺にまでその妙なネーミングセンスの伝統を受け継ぐんじゃねぇってんだ。 <br>\\r\\n Still, that's no reason to pass that weird naming tradition onto me. <br><br>\\r\\n クソ親父が俺の耳をつねり上げて遊んでいると、さらにその後から、親父の耳を絵羽伯母さんがつねり上げる。 <br>\\r\\n As the old bastard twisted my ear all over the place, <NAME> snuck up behind him and grabbed his ear. <br><br>\\r\\n 「こらこら留弗夫ぅ？ 息子を虐待してるんじゃないのぉ。」 <br>\\r\\n 「いててて、痛ぇよ姉貴…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, Rudolf. You should know better than to physically abuse your son.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n \\\"Gyaah, that hurts, Aneki...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n その構図は、例え図体が大きくても、いたずらっこな弟にお仕置きする姉という関係そのものだ。 <br>\\r\\n This scene perfectly illustrated the relationship between the prankster younger brother...and the older sister who could deal out punishment to him despite his size. <br><br>\\r\\n 「絵羽姉さん、そのくらいにしてあげてください。同じ分、後で反対の耳を私が引っ張って伸ばしておきますので。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I think that's good enough for now, Eva nee-san. I'll make sure to stretch out his other ear later on.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あら、ごめんなさいね。霧江さんの引っ張る分も残しておかなくっちゃぁ。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, my apologies. I must leave some pulling for you to do, Kyrie-san. <br><br>\\r\\n 留弗夫ぅ？ 後でたっぷり霧江さんにお仕置きしてもらいなさいねぇ？」 <br>\\r\\n Rudolf? Make sure Kyrie-san gives you lots and lots of punishment later on, okay?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ったく姉貴こそ弟虐待もいいとこだぜ。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"You're one to talk, Aneki, abusing your little brother like that. <br><br>\\r\\n 秀吉兄さんもこんな姉貴を拾ってくれて本当にありがとうございます。兄さんの寛大さがなかったら、今でもまだ売れ残ってますよ。弟として申し訳ないです。」 <br>\\r\\n Hideyoshi nii-san, I'd like to thank you very much for picking her up. If you hadn't been so generous, she'd still be unsold in the store. You have my gratitude and apologies.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…ん〜？！ だぁれが売れ残るってぇ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...What?! Who are you calling `unsold'?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 絵羽伯母さんが２、３歩、ステップで間合いを取ると、 <br>\\r\\n After taking 2...3 steps back, <br><br>\\r\\n 相変わらず惚れ惚れしちまう上段後回し蹴りを、親父の鼻先ビッタリ１ｃｍのところで止めてみせる。 <br>\\r\\n Aunt Eva unleashed one of her beautiful high reverse roundhouse kicks, which stopped just a centimeter away from the tip of Dad's nose. <br><br>\\r\\n 美容だか何だかで太極拳を始めて、そこから中国拳法に興味を持って、それで空手だテコンドーだカポエィラだと渡り歩き、…最近は何を習ってんだっけ？ <br>\\r\\n After starting out with Tai-chi-chuan for her figure, Aunt Eva then developed an interest in the Chinese martial arts. After that, she went through karate, tae kwon do, capoeira, ...and what is it she's learning now, again? <br><br>\\r\\n …まぁとにかく、絵羽伯母さんが、女の武器は下半身とかいう時は、言葉通りの意味を持つってわけさ。 <br>\\r\\n ...Well anyway, they say a woman's weapons are in her lower body, and that's literally true for Eva. <br><br>\\r\\n 「留ぅ弗〜夫ぅ〜？ 側頭部直撃だと一発で昏倒するわよぅ？ この間、演武でミスって相方、泡吹いちゃったんだからねぇ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Rudooolf? Did you know that a single direct blow to the side of the head like that would knock you unconscious? Not so long ago, I accidently connected in a practice match and my opponent was out cold.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…はー、いやいや。足癖の悪い姉貴で本当に申し訳ないです。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Sheesh, what a pain. I'm so sorry she can't help walking like a freak.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 親父は、まったく動じない風で、肩をすくめて秀吉伯父さんに苦笑いを送る。 <br>\\r\\n Dad, completely unfazed, shrugged and smiled ironically at Uncle Hideyoshi. <br><br>\\r\\n 「わっはっはっは、わしには兄弟がおらん。だから絵羽と留弗夫くんのじゃれ合いを見とると、胸がぽかぽかしてくるんや。兄弟や家族はホンマにええもんやなぁ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Wahahaha, never had a brother or sister myself. So, when I see you two bickerin' with each other, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It sure is nice to have a big family.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あら、譲治くんに弟を作ってあげるという話はないんですか？ もう譲治くんも立派な大人になって手も離れたでしょうから、次の子がいてもいいでしょうに。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, then why not consider making a little brother for George-kun? He's already a fine adult who's about to go off on his own, so it might be a good time to have another child.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「おいおい、霧江ぇ、生まれてくる子の苦労も考えてやれよ。よくこの性悪姉貴から生まれて、譲治くんはあんなにも真っ直ぐ育ってくれたもんさ。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, have a little sympathy for the new kid, and all the pain and suffering he'd have to live through. I'm surprised even George-kun turned out as well as he did after being born from this sinister sister of mine. <br><br>\\r\\n 本当に譲治くんは偉いな。ウチのボンクラに今度、爪の垢をわけてやってくれよ。」 <br>\\r\\n And what an awesome kid he is. Please share some of that with our blockhead of a son someday, will you?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そんなことないわよ。絵羽姉さんの教育が間違ってなかったから、譲治くんはあんなに素直ないい子になったんだから。ですよねぇ、姉さん。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's not at all how it happened. It's thanks to Eva nee-san's proper rearing that George-kun became the kind, gentle kid he is now. Isn't that right, Nee-san?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あらあら、そんなぁ、うふふふ、どうかしら…！ うちの譲治もまだまだ頼りなくって。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, come now. Heheh, you think so...? Our George still has a long way to go. <br><br>\\r\\n そうそう、それよりお宅の縁寿ちゃんはどんな具合なの？ 吐いちゃったって聞いたけど？」 <br>\\r\\n Ah, by the way, how's your little Ange-chan doing? I heard she was vomiting?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうやそうや！ 久しぶりに顔が見れると思って期待してたんやで。大丈夫なんか！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, that's right! And I was hopin' to finally see her face after such a long time. Is she okay?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「いつも季節の変わり目に風邪を引くんです。どうも弱くって…。本当は連れてきたかったんですけど、今回は私の実家に面倒見てもらってます。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"She often catches a cold when the seasons change. She's very frail... I did want to bring her along, but we decided to have my family look after her this time.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「それが賢明よぅ？ 本家の毒気に当てない方が治りは早いもの。大人の都合より子供の病気の方が大事よ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I think that's a wise move. She'll heal a lot better if she stays away from that venomous Head Family household. A child's health is always more important than an adult's convenience, don't you think?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「わしな、吐く風邪によーぅ効く薬、知っとんや！ 帰ったらすぐ送るさかい、使ぅてくれや！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I know of some great medicine for vomitin' colds like that! When we get back home, I'll send some to you right away, so please let her try some!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ありがとうございます、秀吉兄さん。いつもお世話になりっぱなしで…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Thank you very much, <NAME>. I'm always in your debt...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n …なぁんて話にいつの間にか発展しちまうと、俺ら子供の出番なんてありゃしないわけさ。 <br>\\r\\n ...And once the conversation suddenly veered off in that direction, we kids didn't have any chance of butting in. <br><br>\\r\\n 親父につねられた耳の分は絵羽伯母さんがきっちり仕返ししてくれたんで、とりあえず納得することにするか。 <br>\\r\\n For now, I'm just happy Aunt Eva gave Dad his just deserts for tugging on my ear. <br><br>\\r\\n 「まだ、天候調査中がなくならないね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Are we still waiting for the weather report?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 譲治兄貴がカウンターを指差す。 <br>\\r\\n 俺たちが乗る予定の便の、出発予定時刻の脇には相変わらず「天候調査中」の札が付いたままだった。 <br>\\r\\n George-aniki pointed at the counter. <br><br>\\r\\n The `checking weather' sign was still stuck next to the departure times for the flight we were scheduled to board. <br><br>\\r\\n 兄貴が言うには、小型機というものは、風などの天候の影響を強く受けるらしく、天候次第で便の発着時間に大きく影響があることはザラにあるらしい。 <br>\\r\\n According to Aniki, smaller planes are more subject to winds and other effects of the weather, and it's not at all uncommon for flights to be delayed because of that. <br><br>\\r\\n ……おいおい、本当に揺れないんだろうなぁ…？ <br>\\r\\n ...Wait a sec, we ~ib~are~ib~ totally sure it's not gonna shake, ...right...? <br><br>\\r\\n こうして地上にいる分には、ただの曇天で風があるようには感じられない。 <br>\\r\\n …まぁ、飛行機が飛ぶ上空は話が違うのかもしれねぇな。 <br>\\r\\n From down here on the ground, it just looks cloudy, not windy. <br><br>\\r\\n ...Well, I guess it's different up where the planes fly. <br><br>\\r\\n 「ちょっと天気が怪しいものねぇ。」 <br>\\r\\n 絵羽伯母さんが待合ロビーのテレビを見ている。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"The weather's a bit uncertain today.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n Aunt Eva looked at a TV in the lounge. <br><br>\\r\\n そこには天気予報が映し出されていて、関東地方に台風が近付きつつあることを教えてくれていた。 <br>\\r\\n The weather forecast was being broadcasted, informing us that a typhoon was approaching the Kanto region. <br><br>\\r\\n 「また台風か。……親族会議が毎年１０月ってんじゃ、これは宿命だぜ。もうちょい時期を選んでくれりゃあいいのによ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"A typhoon again? ......Guess there's no helping it, with the annual family conference being held in October. Couldn't he have chosen a better season?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「同感ねぇ。私もお盆の時期にやってくれればっていっつも思うわよ。なら留弗夫、それ、今回の会議でお父様と兄さんに提案してみればいいじゃない。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I agree. I've always hoped we could have it sometime around the Obon festival in mid-August. In that case, why don't you suggest that to Father and Nii-san during the conference?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…冗談。姉貴が言えよ。俺が何を言っても兄貴は聞かねぇよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Very funny. Why don't you do it yourself? Our brother would never listen to anything I suggested.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「嫌ぁよ。私は別に１０月でも困らないもの。留弗夫が、台風が嫌だからって言うから、提案したら？って言っただけよぅ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"No way. It doesn't really bother me that much to have it in October. I was just saying you might want to propose it, since you said you hate typhoons so much.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「俺は台風が来るのはいつものことだなって言っただけだろ。お盆の時期がいいって言い出したのは姉貴だぜぇ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I only said that typhoons always come around this time of year. You're the one who said you wanted to move it to the Obon festival, right?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あらぁ、去年留弗夫も言ったわよぅ？ お盆の時期なら仕事のスケジュールとも合わせ易いのにぃって！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, you said it too last year! Didn't you say that it would be easier to fit into your schedule if we had it during the Obon festival?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「言ってねぇだろ、そんなことよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I never said anything like that.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「言ったわよぅ。私、そういうのは絶対忘れないもん！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh yes, you did. I certainly wouldn't forget something like that!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「いいや言ってねぇよ、言ってんのはいつも姉貴だよ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"No, I didn't... You're the one saying that all the time!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「知ってるぅ？ 寸止めって高等技術なのよぅ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Didn't you know? Stopping a kick just a hair's breadth away from impact is a very high-level technique.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ちぇ、いい歳した女がはしたなく股ばっか開いてんじゃねぇぜ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Sheesh, women your age shouldn't spread their legs like that!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 親父と絵羽伯母さんのやり取りを見ていると、まったくのガキの喧嘩にしか見えないな…。 <br>\\r\\n Dad and Aunt Eva's argument looked no different from a couple of brats quarreling... <br><br>\\r\\n 「普段は父親や母親として振舞っていても、こうして親族会議で、元の兄弟に出会うと、子供の頃の自分に戻っちゃうからだろうね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Even though they usually behave like normal parents, they turn right back into kids again when they meet their siblings at these family conferences.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「と、冷静に分析できる譲治兄貴の方がずっと大人に見えるぜ。……俺は将来、あんなクソ親父みたいにはなりたくないねぇ。なるなら、兄貴みてぇな知的な大人になりたいもんだぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"You're the one who looks like an real adult, analyzing it all calmly. ......I hope I never turn out like that old bastard. I'd much rather end up as an intellectual adult like you, Aniki.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「僕かい？ 僕なんかまだまださ。社会経験が全然足りないし社交性も度胸も足りない。…戦人くんには、それらのいくつかがすでにあるように思うよ。だからきっと、成人したら僕なんかすぐに追い抜いちゃうさ。」 <br>\\r\\n 譲治兄貴は照れ隠しのように頭を掻きながら笑う。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Like me? Oh, I still have a long way to go. I still have very little experience out there in the real world, and I need to work on becoming more confident and sociable. ...I think you've far surpassed me on all of those counts, Battler-kun. I'm sure you'll outstrip me fast enough when you become an adult.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n George-aniki scratched his head and laughed, as though trying to hide his embarrassment. <br><br>\\r\\n だがもちろん、それは謙遜だ。 <br>\\r\\n Of course, he was just being humble. <br><br>\\r\\n 兄貴は、大学に入ると同時に秀吉伯父さんの会社に見習いとして入り、学業とビジネスの帝王学を平行して学んだ。 <br>\\r\\n Aniki entered a university and became an apprentice at Uncle Hideyoshi's company at the same time, studying both academics and how to become a business emperor in parallel. <br><br>\\r\\n そして大学を出てすぐに伯父さんの側近として会社に入り、さらにバリバリと勉強に励みながら、様々な社会経験を重ねている。 <br>\\r\\n やがては独立して自分の城を持ちたいという、立派な夢も持っている。 <br>\\r\\n Then, right after graduating, he got into Uncle Hideyoshi's company as his father's aide, piling up a lot of real-life experience as he devoted himself zealously to his work. <br><br>\\r\\n His great dream is to one day stand on his own and build up his own kingdom. <br><br>\\r\\n それに向かって努力を怠らない兄貴は、まさに男の鑑だ。掛け値なしで尊敬できるぜ。 <br>\\r\\n Aniki is a real paragon of a man, sparing no effort as he strives towards his goal. It's no exaggeration to say that I really respect him. <br><br>\\r\\n そこへ俺と来たら。兄貴とは雲泥の差さ。 <br>\\r\\n And then there's me. I'm nothing at all like Aniki. <br><br>\\r\\n のんびりぼんやりとモラトリアム高校生活を満喫中ってザマだ。 <br>\\r\\n I'm living my happy-go-lucky, idle high school life to the max. <br><br>\\r\\n 将来の夢なんか全然ナシ！ <br>\\r\\n 楽してカッコよく荒稼ぎしてウハウハしたいが、そんなうまい話、あるわけもねぇさな。 <br>\\r\\n I've got no dreams for the future! <br><br>\\r\\n I'd like to just sit back, stay cool, and let the money flow in, but of course that could never happen. <br><br>\\r\\n …兄貴は同じ歳の頃、すでに立派な目標を掲げ勉強中だったんだから、俺なんか足下にも及ばねぇわけさ。 <br>\\r\\n ...When Aniki was my age, he had already formed an impressive objective and had started devoting himself towards studying for that goal, so I guess I can't compare at all. <br><br>\\r\\n クソ親父は、お前も俺の会社で修行するか、まずは便所掃除からだけどなーとか言いやがる。 <br>\\r\\n 畜生、絶対にあのクソ親父の世話にはならねぇぞ。 <br>\\r\\n My dad just says `Sure you can study at my company, if you like cleaning toilets'. <br><br>\\r\\n Dammit, I'm not gonna be in the debt of that old bastard. <br><br>\\r\\n 俺は俺の人生を切り開いてやる！ <br>\\r\\n I'll find my way myself! <br><br>\\r\\n ………って、威勢だけは一人前なんだが。 <br>\\r\\n .........If only willpower was all it took to become an adult. <br><br>\\r\\n 巷で流行の自分探しの旅ってヤツでもやってみるかぁ？ <br>\\r\\n ……そんなゼニ、かじれるスネもねぇけどな。 <br>\\r\\n Should I go on one of those self-searching journeys that are all the rage these days? <br><br>\\r\\n ......Well, it's not like I could mooch off my parents for that kind of money... <br><br>\\r\\n その時、秀吉伯父さんが大きな声を上げた。 <br>\\r\\n Right then, <NAME> shouted out loudly. <br><br>\\r\\n 伯父さんは基本的にいい人なんだが、声のボリュームってやつをコントロールできないところだけが玉に瑕だ。 <br>\\r\\n He's a really nice person on the whole, but he does have a problem controlling the volume of his voice. <br><br>\\r\\n 見れば、遅れてやってきた楼座叔母さんたちを出迎えているところだった。 <br>\\r\\n When I looked over, I saw that he was greeting <NAME>, who had come late. <br><br>\\r\\n 「おーおーおー！！ 楼座さんやないか！ 真里亞ちゃん、久しぶりやのー！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ohoooooooooh!!! If it isn't Rosa-san! Maria-chan, long time no see!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「久しぶりー！ うー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Long time no see! Uu-!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「真里亞！ お久しぶりです、でしょ？ 言ってごらん？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Maria! Shouldn't that be `It's good to see you again'? Greet your uncle properly.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー。お久しぶり、です…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-. It's...good to see you again...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうや！ よく言えたなぁ！ ご褒美に飴玉あげよなぁ！ ……っとと、あれ？ どこにしまったんや…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"There ya go! Well said! How about some candy as a reward?! ......Oh, huh? Where'd I put it...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「楼座さん、お久しぶりです。真里亞ちゃんもお久しぶり。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Rosa-san, it's good to see you again. It's good to see you too, Maria-chan.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ご無沙汰してます、霧江姉さん、秀吉兄さん。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It's been too long, Kyrie nee-san, Hideyoshi nii-san. <br><br>\\r\\n …と、 <br>\\r\\n ……あら、戦人くん？！ 大きくなったわね…！」 <br>\\r\\n ...And, <br><br>\\r\\n ......oh my, Battler-kun?! Look how big you've gotten...!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「いやぁ〜、はっはっはぁ…。今日は会う度に言われてて恥ずかしいっすよ…！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, come on, hahaha... It's embarrassing hearing that from every person I meet...!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「おう、楼座。遅かったな。飛行機がダイヤ通りだったらギリギリってとこだったぜ…？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, Rosa. You're late. If the plane was on time, you'd barely have made it...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ごめんなさい。列車の接続がうまく行かなくて。何、また天候調査中なの？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm sorry. We had some trouble making our train connection. So, are we waiting on the weather again?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ボヤかないボヤかない。船で６時間も揺られるくらいなら、飛行機でほんの３０分の方がずっとマシよぅ。例え、１時間余計に待たされたって、全然早いんだからぁ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, don't complain. I much prefer the 30-minute plane trip to spending six hours bouncing about on a boat. Even if we're kept waiting here for an hour, it's still much faster overall.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「真里亞ちゃんも大きくなったでー！！ 今、身長いくつあるんや！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Maria-chan's gotten huge too!! So, how tall are you now?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 身長いくつあるんやー！」 <br>\\r\\n 秀吉伯父さんの質問をオウム返しにして、真里亞は母親に聞く。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! So, how tall am I now?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n Maria-chan parroted Uncle Hideyoshi's question, looking up at her mother. <br><br>\\r\\n 自分でも今の身長がいくつかよく覚えてないらしいな。 <br>\\r\\n 育ち盛りの真っ只中だろうから、身長なんて毎月変わってるだろう。 <br>\\r\\n もう数年もすりゃ、一気に女らしくなるんだろうよ。 <br>\\r\\n I guess she doesn't remember her own height. <br><br>\\r\\n She's probably right in the middle of a growth spurt, so her height must change every month. <br><br>\\r\\n Give it a few more years, and she'll suddenly start looking feminine. <br><br>\\r\\n 「えっと…、この間の身体測定でいくつって出たっけ。これでも少しずつは伸びてるんですよ。ねー？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Umm, ...just how tall were you the last time you got measured...? You keep getting bigger and bigger, don't you? Right?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「去年よりもずっと成長したと思いますよ。えっと、今年で９歳でしたっけ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I think she's grown a lot since last year. Let's see, she turned nine years old this year, didn't she?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「９歳。うー。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Nine years old. Uu-.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうだね、９歳だね。真里亞ちゃんも元気そうでよかった！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right, you're nine years old now. Glad to see you're doing well too, Maria-chan! <br><br>\\r\\n よいしょ、 <br>\\r\\n …んん、 <br>\\r\\n もう高い高いをするにはちょっと重くなってきたかなぁ…。」 <br>\\r\\n Up you go- <br><br>\\r\\n nnngg... <br><br>\\r\\n I guess you've gotten a bit too heavy to play airplane with...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うわ、譲治兄貴、そりゃあレディに失礼だろ。ほれ、俺がやってやるぜ、高い高い〜。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"George-aniki, what a rude thing to say to a lady. Here, I'll do it...up ya go-...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……うー。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Uu-.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 兄貴に代わって彼女を抱き上げてやろうとすると、真里亞はそれを拒絶するように身を固くし、俺の顔をしげしげと見て訝しがる。 <br>\\r\\n When I went to lift her up in Aniki's place, Maria stiffened defensively, staring suspiciously at my face. <br><br>\\r\\n …あーそうだよな。何しろ６年ぶりってことは、前に会ったのは真里亞が３歳の時だ。 <br>\\r\\n 俺の顔を覚えてるわけもねぇな。 <br>\\r\\n ...Ah, that's right. The last time I met Maria, it was six years ago, and she was only three years old. <br><br>\\r\\n Of course she doesn't remember my face. <br><br>\\r\\n 「真里亞ちゃん、覚えてる？ 戦人くんよ。一緒に遊んでもらったの忘れちゃった？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Maria-chan, don't you remember? It's Battler-kun. You used to play together, remember?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………うー。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Uu-.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「無理だろ。最後に戦人と会ったのは３つの時だぜ。３つの時の記憶なんか残ってねぇよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"No surprise, I guess. The last time she met Battler, she was only three. You don't keep memories at that age.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 俺以外とは毎年会ってるから面識もあるだろうが、俺は６年ほど右代宮の家とは縁がなかった。 <br>\\r\\n だから、９歳の彼女の記憶に残ってないのも無理はない。 <br>\\r\\n She must know everyone's face apart from mine because she meets them every year, but I haven't had contact with the Ushiromiya family for about six years now. <br><br>\\r\\n So, it's no surprise that this nine-year-old girl doesn't have any memories of me. <br><br>\\r\\n 俺だって、３つの頃の泣き虫な彼女の記憶がおぼろげに残ってるだけだしな。 <br>\\r\\n Even I can only just barely remember her being a three-year-old crybaby. <br><br>\\r\\n 「真里亞。戦人お兄ちゃんよ。留弗夫兄さんの息子さん。…わかる？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Maria, this is Battler onii-chan. Rudolf nii-san's son. ...Understand?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………兄さんの息子さんが。兄さんが息子さん。…………？？ ……うーーー！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"............The brother's son is... The brother is the son... ............?? ......Uuuu---!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n そのうーという声は多分、ややこしい説明が理解できなくてパンクした音なんだろう。 <br>\\r\\n ちょっと説明がややこしかったもんな。 <br>\\r\\n That `uu-' sound was probably her brain going into overload at that complicated explanation. <br><br>\\r\\n I guess the phrasing of that was a bit confusing. Nii or Onii, the title you'd use to refer to an actual older brother, can also be a friendly honorific for a boy who's only a bit older than you. <br><br>\\r\\n 「真里亞ちゃん。彼は戦人くん。僕と同じ従兄だよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Maria-chan, this is Battler-kun. He's your cousin, like me.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……譲治お兄ちゃんと同じ？ <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Like George onii-chan? <br><br>\\r\\n … <br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n … <br>\\r\\n ... <br><br>\\r\\n ... <br><br>\\r\\n … <br>\\r\\n … <br>\\r\\n … <br>\\r\\n … <br>\\r\\n … <br>\\r\\n … <br>\\r\\n … <br>\\r\\n ... <br><br>\\r\\n ... <br><br>\\r\\n ... <br><br>\\r\\n ... <br><br>\\r\\n ... <br><br>\\r\\n ... <br><br>\\r\\n ... <br><br>\\r\\n 戦人？ <br>\\r\\n 従兄？ ……うー。」 <br>\\r\\n Battler? <br><br>\\r\\n Cousin? ......Uu-.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そう。よくできたね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right. You got it.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n こういう辺り、兄貴は本当にうまいなぁというか、大人だなぁと思う。 <br>\\r\\n 未婚のくせに子供のあやし方が完璧過ぎる。さぞや将来、子煩悩な父親になるだろうな。 <br>\\r\\n This part of Aniki is what makes me really look up to him. <br><br>\\r\\n For someone who isn't married, he's just great at dealing with kids. I'm sure he'll be an indulgent father in the future. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…戦人お兄ちゃん？」 <br>\\r\\n その呼び名でよいのかという風な目つきで、真里亞が俺をじっと見ている。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Battler onii-chan?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n Maria looked straight at me with a questioning expression, as though asking whether it was okay to call me that. <br><br>\\r\\n 「おうよ、俺が戦人だ。よろしくな、真里亞！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Yep, that's me, Battler. Nice to meet you, Maria!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 戦人！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! Battler!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「こら、真里亞！ 呼びつけじゃ駄目でしょ、戦人お兄ちゃんと呼びなさい…！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Maria! You mustn't talk to him like that! Call him Battler onii-chan...!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「いいっすよ楼座叔母さん。細かいことは気にしないっすから。なー、真里亞ぁ！ 俺とお前は名前を呼びつけ合う仲だもんなぁ？！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's all right, <NAME>. I don't sweat the small stuff. Hey, Maria! We're close enough that we don't need honorifics, right?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「戦人戦人ばとらー！ うーうー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Battler, Battler, Battleeerrr! Uu-uu-!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「おうよ、真里亞真里亞まりあー！ うーうー！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right, Maria, Maria, Mariaaa! Uu-uu-!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n ６年のブランクを埋め合うように、しばらくの間、俺たちはくるくるとじゃれ合った。 <br>\\r\\n We horsed around for a while to make up for the six year gap in our friendship. <br><br>\\r\\n 彼女にとっては、未だ初対面のデカい兄ちゃんという域を出ないだろうが、その辺はゆっくり交流していけばいいさ。 <br>\\r\\n She probably still thinks of me as nothing more than a big new friend, but things'll probably work out as we get to know each other again. <br><br>\\r\\n いやしかし驚いたな。俺の中に残っていた６年前の彼女の記憶とまんま変わらない。 <br>\\r\\n やっぱり人間はそうそう変わるもんじゃないんだな。イメージ通りのままの無垢な彼女でいてくれて少し嬉しい。 <br>\\r\\n But I'm surprised. She's just the way I remembered her being six years ago. <br><br>\\r\\n Seems that people just don't change that much after all. I'm a bit happy that she's still the pure, innocent girl I remember. <br><br>\\r\\n 彼女の名前は、右代宮真里亞。 <br>\\r\\n …真里亞は読めるよな？ “マリア”と読む。 <br>\\r\\n 亞の字が十字架っぽいのがちょいとオシャレな感じだ。 <br>\\r\\n Her name is written 真里亞. <br><br>\\r\\n ...Of course, 真里亞 is pronounced `Maria'. <br><br>\\r\\n The third character looks like a cross, which is pretty cool. <br><br>\\r\\n 感情をあまり顔に出さないので、何を考えてるのかわかりにくいが、それはあくまでも表情だけの問題だ。 <br>\\r\\n 内面は人懐っこい普通の女の子と変わりない。 <br>\\r\\n Her feelings don't usually show up on her face, so it can be difficult to know just what she's thinking, but that's just how she looks on the outside. <br><br>\\r\\n On the inside, she's just a sweet, normal girl. <br><br>\\r\\n そして、真里亞の母親の、楼座叔母さん。ウチの親父の妹に当たる。 <br>\\r\\n Then there's Maria's mother, <NAME>. She's my dad's younger sister. <br><br>\\r\\n 楼座でローザと読む。…これじゃ丸っきり外人だぜ。 <br>\\r\\n 失礼だが、ウチの親父の留弗夫と双璧を成すとんでもないネーミングさ…。にも関わらず、親父と違って捻くれなかった叔母さんは偉い。 <br>\\r\\n Rosa is written 楼座. ...Here's a name that's totally not Japanese. <br><br>\\r\\n Sorry to say it, but her name's almost as ridiculous as Dad's... I've got to respect her for not ending up as screwed up as he is. <br><br>\\r\\n …思えば、親兄弟の名前はみんな外人めいたものだ。 <br>\\r\\n 祖父さまの趣味なんだろうか。 <br>\\r\\n ...When I think about it, all the names in my family sound foreign. <br><br>\\r\\n Just why is Grandfather so obsessed with that? <br><br>\\r\\n そのお陰で孫の俺らまで迷惑してるんだけどな。 <br>\\r\\n その癖、祖父さまの名前は普通に日本人っぽかったりするから腹立たしいぜ？ <br>\\r\\n Because of him, even we grandchildren have to put up with this weird naming sense. <br><br>\\r\\n It's even more annoying since Grandfather's own name is perfectly normal. <br><br>\\r\\n しかし、楼座叔母さんは他の親類と比べ、ほっとするところがある。 <br>\\r\\n Anyway, there's one thing about Aunt Rosa that's a relief compared to the other family members. <br><br>\\r\\n クソ親父や絵羽伯母さんには、人をからかったりおちょくったりしようとする、妙な性分があるが、同じ血を引くにも関わらず楼座叔母さんにはそういうところはない。 <br>\\r\\n The old bastard and Aunt Eva have this annoying urge to tease and mock people all the time, but even though she shares their blood, Aunt Rosa isn't like that at all. <br><br>\\r\\n 親兄弟の中では一番の常識人なのだ。 <br>\\r\\n She has the most common sense among all the siblings. <br><br>\\r\\n 秀吉伯父さんと同じで、いつも子供の味方でいてくれるやさしい叔母さんだ。 <br>\\r\\n Like Uncle Hideyoshi, she's a kind aunt who'll always be on the kids' side. <br><br>\\r\\n ……ただ、教育的には厳しいのか、秀吉伯父さんのように小遣いの気前が良かったりはしないのだけが残念だぜ。 <br>\\r\\n ......However, possibly because she's more strict as a parent, she's not liberal with handing out spending money like Uncle Hideyoshi. <br><br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n さて。これで飛行機に乗る親族は全員揃った。 <br>\\r\\n Okay. Now we have the entire group of family members who are going to board the plane. <br><br>\\r\\n まるでそれを見届けたかのようなタイミングで、ロビーに放送があった。 <br>\\r\\n At that moment, as though it had waited for us all to arrive, an announcement rang out through the lobby. <br><br>\\r\\n 「お待たせしました。新島行き２０１便の搭乗をこれより開始いたします。ご搭乗のお客様はカウンター前の、白線前に２列でお並び下さい。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Our apologies for the delay. Boarding will now commence for Flight 201 to Niijima. We ask that the passengers please form two lines in front of the counter, behind the white line.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「楼座、搭乗手続きまだだろ、急げ急げ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Rosa, you still haven't gone through boarding procedures, right? Hurry up.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「いけない…！ 真里亞、いらっしゃい！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh no...! Maria, come on!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 滑走路に出る前に金属検査を受ける。 <br>\\r\\n We had to go through a metal detector before going out on the runway. <br><br>\\r\\n 国際線のような物々しさはなかったが、小型機とはいえ一応は飛行機だ。 <br>\\r\\n 金属探知機を持った職員にボディチェックを受ける。 <br>\\r\\n Our small plane wasn't as massive as an international flight, but it was still a plane. <br><br>\\r\\n A staff member holding a metal detector checked us all. <br><br>\\r\\n 並んだ全員がチェックをクリアすると、職員の先導で滑走路に出た。 <br>\\r\\n Once all of us cleared the check, we followed the staff member out onto the runway. <br><br>\\r\\n その行列を見てみると、何だ何だ、右代宮一族しかいないぜ。 <br>\\r\\n これじゃまるで、貸切のチャーター機みたいじゃないか。 <br>\\r\\n Come to think of it, everyone here is in the Ushiromiya family. <br><br>\\r\\n It's like this is a reserved charter flight or something. <br><br>\\r\\n 飛行機の搭乗口前で行列は停まる。 <br>\\r\\n 先導の職員は振り返り、名簿を見ながら言った。 <br>\\r\\n Our group stopped in front of the entrance to the airplane. <br><br>\\r\\n Then, our guide turned around and spoke, looking down at the passenger list as he did. <br><br>\\r\\n 「それではこれよりご搭乗となります。名簿をお読み上げいたしますので、前方の座席右側から順に、右、左、次の列の右、左と詰めてお座りになってください。それではお読み上げいたします。右代宮秀吉さま！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Boarding will now commence. As I call out the names on the passenger list, please take your seats in order, starting from the front row on the right side and going right to left, then onto the next row. I will now begin reading the passenger list. Ushiromiya Hideyoshi-sama!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「わしからか！ はい！ …そうだ絵羽、飴玉あるか？ さっきから探してるんだが見付からないんや。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, I'm first! Right here! ...By the way, do you have some candy, Eva? I've been lookin' all over for some, but I can't find any.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「右代宮絵羽さま。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ushiromiya Eva-sama.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ハンドバッグの中よ。機内に入ったら出すわ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"They're in my handbag. I'll get one once we're inside the plane.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 離着陸の時の気圧の変化で耳が痛むのの予防に、飴玉がいいとかいう噂を聞いたな。 <br>\\r\\n それのことだろう。 <br>\\r\\n I've heard that candies are a good way to protect your ears from hurting because of variations in atmospheric pressure when landing or taking off. <br><br>\\r\\n That's probably what they're talking about. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…俺の席、窓際だといいなぁ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hope I get a window seat!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ははは、大丈夫だよ。窓際席しかないもん。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hahaha, don't worry. There aren't any other kinds of seats.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 譲治の兄貴が言うには、座席が２列しかないらしい。 <br>\\r\\n As George-aniki said, there were apparently only two lines of seats. <br><br>\\r\\n さっすが小型機…。………本当に揺れねぇだろうなぁ…？ <br>\\r\\n So, this is what a small plane is like... ......We ~ib~are~ib~ totally sure it's not gonna shake, right...? <br><br>\\r\\n 「右代宮譲治さま。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ushiromiya George-sama.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「はい。大丈夫だよ戦人くん。あんまり揺れないから。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Right here. Don't worry, Battler-kun. It won't shake too much.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「右代宮戦人さま。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ushiromiya Battler-sama.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、兄貴、あんまりってどのくらいだよぉ？！ 船から落ちても泳げるからいいが、飛行機は墜ちたらそれでおしまいなんだぜー？！ もちろん客席にはパラシュートがあるんだろ？ え、ねぇのッ？！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"A-Aniki, what do you mean `not too much'?! You can just swim if you fall from a boat, but if a plane crashes you're screwed, right?! We all get our own parachutes in our seats, don't we? Wait, we don't?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「右代宮留弗夫さま。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ushiromiya Rudolf-sama.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「おら、戦人、感動してねぇでとっとと奥行け。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Come on, Battler, stop standing there slack-jawed and get in.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「痛ぇよ親父！ 押すなって！ パラシュートがねぇんだよ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ow! Dad! Don't push me! We don't get parachutes!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「右代宮霧江さま。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ushiromiya Kyrie-sama.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほら、仲良くジャレてないの。進む進む。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay, you two, stop fooling around. Let's move on in.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「痛ぇよ霧江！ 押すなって！ ボンクラが進まねぇんだよ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ow! Kyrie! Don't push me! This blockhead isn't moving!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「右代宮真里亞さま。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ushiromiya Maria-sama.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 進む進む！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! Let's move on in!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「右代宮楼座さま。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ushiromiya Rosa-sama.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「こら、真里亞！ 静かにしなさい…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Maria! Be quiet...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「こちらは機長の川畑です。本日は新東京航空２０１便をご利用いただき、誠にありがとうございます。新島空港までは約２０分のフライトの予定です。上空の気流が乱れているとの報告が入っています。多少の揺れがあるかもしれませんので、離陸後もシートベルトは外さないようにお願いいたします。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"This is your pilot, Kawabata. We'd like to thank you for taking New Tokyo Aviation's Flight 201 today. We estimate that the flight to Niijima airport will take about 20 minutes. We are receiving reports of atmospheric turbulence. There may be some shaking of the aircraft, so we ask that you do not unfasten your seat belts after takeoff.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、兄貴ぃ、シートベルト外しちゃいけない揺れって何だよ？！ ジャンボ機なら、離陸後はシートベルト外せるぜぇ？！ それが外しちゃいけないってどんな揺れだよ〜お？！ くそー、騙されたぁ、何が揺れないだぁ！ パラシュートはどこだよ？！ やっぱり俺は船がよかったああぁあぁー！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"A-Aniki, did that guy just say we needed to wear seatbelts?! In a jumbo jet, they let you undo them after takeoff, right?! So it's gonna shake so much we can't take them off?! Dammit, you tricked me! It is going to shake after all! Where are the parachutes?! I knew I should've taken the boooooaaaaat!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………やっぱ船だよな…、 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Should've taken the boat... <br><br>\\r\\n ……船……。」 <br>\\r\\n ......the boat......\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「墜ちるー！ 墜ちるー！ うーうーうーうー！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Faaalll! Faaalll! Uu-uu-uu-uu-!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「真里亞、もういい加減になさい！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"Maria, that's enough! <br><br>\\r\\n ……でも意外ねぇ。戦人くん、てっきり怖い物なしだと思ってたら。」 <br>\\r\\n ......But what a surprise. I thought there was nothing that could scare Battler-kun.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「こいつ、昔から乗り物がなぜかダメでさぁ。二言目には、墜ちるだの沈むだの。なっさけない男だなぁ、お前ぇは。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"This guy can't handle vehicles for some reason. Always yells about falling and sinking and stuff. You're a disgrace of a man, you are.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……うるへー。ありゃぁさすがに揺れすぎだろ…。小型機乗るのは初めてだったからちょいと堪えちまっただけだぜ…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Ah, shut up. That thing was seriously shaking way too much... I just got a little stressed, since it was my first time on a small plane like that...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あの大騒ぎでちょいとなのぉ？ うふふふ、戦人くんとは海外旅行を一緒に行くと賑やかそうねぇ。伯母さんとエジプトとか行かない？ １４時間も飛行機に乗れるわよぅ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"You call that `a little stressed'? Heheheh, sounds like it'd be fun to take an overseas vacation with you, Battler-kun. Would you like to go to Egypt with your aunt? You'd get to ride a plane for a full 14 hours.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あっははは！ いい提案ね。戦人くん、絵羽姉さんに少し鍛えてもらいなさいよ。それにしてもおっかしい！ あっはははは！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahhahaha! There's a good plan. Battler-kun, you should go let Eva nee-san toughen you up some. Still, it's so hilarious! Ahhahahaha!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「わっははは、こらこら、人間誰しも得手不得手はあるもんや。そない笑ぅたら悪いで。わっはははは…！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Wahhahaha, now, now. Everyone's got their own strong and weak points. It's bad to laugh at 'em. Wahhahaha...!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「と、父さんも笑うのは悪いよ。ほら、真里亞ちゃんももう笑っちゃダメ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"D-Dad, you're laughing too. Hey, Maria-chan, you shouldn't laugh anymore.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「もう笑っちゃダメ？ うー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Shouldn't laugh anymore? Uu-!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 畜生畜生！ 飛行機が苦手なのがそんなに悪いかよ。 <br>\\r\\n Gyah, dammit! Is being scared of planes really such a big deal? <br><br>\\r\\n みんなが俺のことをウドの大木とか思ってるのが丸わかりだぜ…。ちぇ！ <br>\\r\\n Everyone obviously thinks I'm a big oaf now... Tch! <br><br>\\r\\n 空港からタクシーに分乗し、俺たちは港にやって来た。 <br>\\r\\n We split up and took separate taxis from the airport to the harbor. <br><br>\\r\\n ここから船で島まで向かうのだ。 <br>\\r\\n From there on, we would be taking a boat to the island. <br><br>\\r\\n すぐ隣の島だから大した距離じゃない。 <br>\\r\\n The islands are right next to each other, so the distance of the trip wasn't that great. <br><br>\\r\\n 船でのんびり３０分くらいってとこだ。 <br>\\r\\n By boat, it was a leisurely 30 minutes to the island. <br><br>\\r\\n 島へ向かう船が停泊している埠頭へ行くと、手を振っている人影が見えた。 <br>\\r\\n When we reached the pier where the boat to the island was anchored, we saw a figure waving at us. <br><br>\\r\\n 「譲治兄さんー！ お久しぶりだぜー！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"George nii-saaan! It's been so frickin' long!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「やぁ、朱志香ちゃん、１年ぶりだね！ 背、また伸びたんじゃないかい？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, Jessica-chan, it's been a year since I saw you! You've gotten taller again, haven't you?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「きゃっはは、よしてくれよー、毎年言われんのは恥ずかしいぜ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Kyah-haha, don't gimme that, it's embarrassing when you say it every year!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……お、おいおい兄貴、ウソだろ。こいつが本当に朱志香なのかよ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......H-Hey, Aniki, you've gotta be kidding me. Is that really Jessica?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ってことは譲治兄さん…。このデカブツ、 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Wait a sec, George... Is this big guy... <br><br>\\r\\n …戦人なのかよ？！」 <br>\\r\\n Battler?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n お互い、まじまじと相手を観察し合う。 <br>\\r\\n We both stared at each other. <br><br>\\r\\n …俺の記憶の中にこんな姉ちゃんの姿はないが、このひでぇ言葉遣いははっきり残っていた。 <br>\\r\\n ...She definitely didn't look like that in my memories, but I do remember her #fefefecrazy way of talking#ffffff. <br><br>\\r\\n 「いよぉ朱志香ぁ！ 何だよお前！ ウソだろ、なぁに女みたいな格好してんだよッ！ 何だよこれ、乳かよ、お前にも胸なんか出来たのかよ！ いっひっひ、揉ませろ揉ませろ〜ぃ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Yo, Jessica! What's this now?! You're kidding me, you look like a woman now! What're these, boobs? Even you managed to get a chest! Ihihi, let me rub 'em, let me-!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ふざけやがれ、私ゃ花も恥らう１８だぜ！ 髪だって伸びりゃあ出るとこだって出るぜぃ！ てめぇに揉ませる乳なんざあるもんかぃ！ 戦人こそ何だよ、バカみてーに図体だけデカくなりやがって！！ ちったぁ腕力付いたのかぁ？！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't screw around with me, I'm a blushing flower of 18! Of course my hair grew longer and I got these! What, you think I got boobs just to get fondled by you, loser?! And speaking of you, sure, you got all ridiculously huge, but did ya get a bit stronger too?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ざけんじゃねぇ、あれからどれだけ鍛錬積んだか思い知らせてやんぜ！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't screw with me, I'll show you how much training I've done since back then!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うぜーぜ！！ 返り討ちだー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"You're pissing me off!! I'll beat you at your own game!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n この上等なヤツは、右代宮朱志香。 <br>\\r\\n This headstrong girl's name is 朱志香. <br><br>\\r\\n ……俺と同じく不幸な星の下に生まれ、妙なネーミングを付けられた不憫な仲間だ。 <br>\\r\\n ......She was born under the same unlucky star as me, sharing the same kind of weird name. <br><br>\\r\\n 何しろ、朱志香で“ジェシカ”と読む。 <br>\\r\\n Anyway, 朱志香 is pronounced `Jessica'. <br><br>\\r\\n 彼女は俺の親父の兄の娘に当たる。 <br>\\r\\n She's Dad's older brother's daughter. <br><br>\\r\\n その兄が右代宮家の長男坊になるので、一応、朱志香は右代宮家直系の跡取り娘ってことにもなるわけだな。 <br>\\r\\n That older brother happens to be the oldest son of the Ushiromiya family, so for now, it means Jessica is the direct family heir. <br><br>\\r\\n 朱志香とは歳が同じということもあって、あと異性同士のいがみ合いみたいなのもあって、昔っから親類で集まる度に喧嘩し合いながらじゃれ合う仲だった。 <br>\\r\\n Since Jessica and I are the same age and sometimes had little boy-girl squabbles with each other, we've always been used to fighting and joking around together whenever the relatives gather. <br><br>\\r\\n 朱志香の方が成長が早かったこともあり、体格や腕力はいつも負けていたっけな。 <br>\\r\\n Jessica grew more quickly, so she always had me beat in terms of size and physical strength. <br><br>\\r\\n だから、こうやって取っ組み合いの力比べになったら、大抵は朱志香のペースだったもんだ。 <br>\\r\\n When we scuffled in a contest of strength, it usually went Jessica's way. <br><br>\\r\\n だから、こうして俺の方が大柄になったことがはっきりわかっていても、未だ腕力では朱志香に勝てないような錯覚がしちまう。 <br>\\r\\n So even though I realized I'd grown bigger, part of my mind was still convinced that I couldn't beat Jessica. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………ぅお…お…！ 何だよ、何、マジになってんだよ…！ 痛ててて…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Woh...ah...! What the...what're you getting all serious for...?! Owowow...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「おいおいおい、全然力入れてねぇぜぇ？ 朱志香お前、貧弱になっただろ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, this is nothing! Jessica, you've gotten weak.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「う、うるせーぜ。こちとら女やってんだ。いつまでも腕力で男に勝てるわけねーだろ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Sh-Shut up. I'm a girl, so of course I couldn't beat a guy with physical strength forever, right?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ま〜そりゃあそうだよなぁ！ 俺が腕に付けた分の肉をお前は胸に付けたんだもんなぁ〜。俺の腕とお前の乳ならちょうどいい力比べになりそうじゃねぇのか〜？！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Weeelll, you've got a point there! The meat I put on my arms all went to your chest. It looks like it'd be a pretty even test of strength between my arms and your boobs, don't you think?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「だからお前ぇに揉ませる乳はねー！！ それよりお前こそどうなんだよ、身長同様、可愛いゾウさんもちったぁ大きくなったのかぁ〜？！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I told you, my boobs aren't for you to feel up!! Besides, how 'bout you? Did your cute lil' elephant-san get a bit bigger to go with the rest of you?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「バカやめろイヤン、痴女ぉお嫁に行けなくなるぅうぅ、股間触んないでぇ〜！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Stop it, idiot! Nooo, you perv! I'll be ruined for marriage... Don't touch my cro-tch!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ひ、人様が聞いて誤解すること言うんじゃねぇえーッ！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"D-Don't say stuff people are gonna misinterpret!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 正直なところ、こうして馬鹿騒ぎをして誤魔化さなきゃならないほど、女らしく成長した朱志香に驚いていた。 <br>\\r\\n Honestly, I was so surprised at how feminine Jessica had become that I had to joke around like an idiot to hide it. <br><br>\\r\\n ……そりゃそうさ、６年前のガキ大将っぷりを思い出しゃあ、誰だって驚くはずさ。 <br>\\r\\n ......Well, considering what a bossy brat she was six years ago, anyone would be surprised. <br><br>\\r\\n もっとも、それは朱志香もだろうよ。 <br>\\r\\n And I guess she's just as surprised. <br><br>\\r\\n 腕力じゃ未だ負ける気がしなかったんだろう。 <br>\\r\\n She probably wasn't expecting to lose to me in a test of strength. <br><br>\\r\\n それがあっさりと負けちまったもんだから、向こうも俺がこの６年であまりに成長したことに驚いてるはずだ。 <br>\\r\\n After losing that easily, she must be shocked at how much I've grown in the past six years. <br><br>\\r\\n ………６年か。改めて俺は、短くない年月の空白を思い知る。 <br>\\r\\n ......Six years. Once again, I'm being shown just what a huge gap of time that was. <br><br>\\r\\n 「やれやれ…、完敗だぜ。こりゃーもう、私じゃ敵わねぇなー。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Crap, ...total defeat. It's like I'm no match for you anymore.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そんなことないよ。戦人くんにもきっと弱点はあるよ。ね、真里亞ちゃん。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's not true. Even Battler-kun must have his weaknesses. Right, Maria-chan?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 墜ちるー墜ちるー！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! Faaall, faaall!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ちょッ、バカよせ、真里亞ぁ〜、それはナイショにしようなぁ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Shh, cut it out, Maria, let's keep that a secret, okay?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「おちるー？ 何だそりゃ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Faaall? The hell are you talking about?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「へっへー！ 生憎だが、この弱点は朱志香にゃもう晒さないぜぇ？ 何しろ、悪夢の空路はもう終わっちまったんだからな！ あとはのんびりチャポチャポとお船の旅さぁ。あのオンボロ漁船がこれほど恋しくなるとは思わなかったぜ。いっひっひ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Heheh! Sorry, but there's no chance you'll see that weakness of mine now! After all, the nightmare plane trip is already over and done with! Only thing left is the nice, quiet splashing of the boat ride. I never thought I'd start loving that piece-a-junk boat this much. Ihihi!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あーん？？？ 譲治兄さん、こいつ、頭どうかしたのか？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh???? <NAME>-san, is there something wrong with his head?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「すぐにわかるよ。すぐにね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"You'll understand soon. Very soon.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 兄貴のにやにや笑う意味を、俺はこの時点では理解できずにいるのだった…。 <br>\\r\\n At the time, I didn't get what Aniki meant by that big smile... <br><br>\\r\\n 「これはこれは……、はぁー！ 戦人さんも大きくなりまして…！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"What have we here...oooh! Battler-san, how big you've grown...!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 今度は誰だ。割烹着姿の婆さんだった。 <br>\\r\\n Who's it this time? It's an old lady with an apron. <br><br>\\r\\n ………お、おうおう、懐かしいぜ、思い出した！ <br>\\r\\n .........O-Oh yeah, that takes me back... I remember now! <br><br>\\r\\n 「戦人くん、覚えてるかい？ ほら、お手伝いの熊沢さんだよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"You remember her, right? It's Kumasawa-san, the servant.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「熊沢の婆ちゃんは忘れねぇぜ！ 何しろ、この６年、ちっとも老けちゃいねぇぜ〜。むしろ若返ったんじゃねぇの〜？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I could never forget you, Kumasawa baa-chan! After all, you haven't aged a bit in these past six years. If anything, I'd say you're looking younger than ever.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほっほっほ！ 最近はお肌がぴちぴちしてきちゃってぇ〜！ ほぅら胸もますますに大きくなっちゃいましたんですよ？ …揉んでみますぅ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hohohoh! Lately, my skin's been getting quite smooth and silky! And look, hasn't my chest gotten bigger as well? ...How'd you like a little feel?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ご、ご冗談んん！ 俺が揉みたいのはピチピチした姉ちゃんの胸限定だぜ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Y-You're kidding, right?! My breast fondling is strictly limited to bouncy girls!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「私とて、若い日にはそれはピチピチしておりましたよ〜？ ほらほら、ぜひどうぞお揉みくださいませぇ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, I was quite bouncy in my youth. Don't be shy, fondle to your heart's content!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ひょお、勘弁してくれよー！ 若い姉ちゃんだ若い姉ちゃん！ 熊沢の婆ちゃんじゃねぇよー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Gyah, gimme a break! It's girls I'm looking for! Not grannies!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 朱志香との悪ふざけをすっかりなぞり返されてしまった。そういや、昔っからよくからかう人だったっけなぁ！ <br>\\r\\n The jokes I'd cracked about Jessica were being turned against me. Come to think of it, Kumasawa has always been the type to tease people. <br><br>\\r\\n 「おいおい、よせよ熊沢さん。棺桶に半分足突っ込んだ人がはしゃいじゃいけねぇぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Kumasawa-san, stop that now. People with one foot in the coffin shouldn't jump around.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「若い方とじゃれるのが、何よりの若返りの薬ですよ。ほっほっほ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"To sport with the young is the most rejuvenating medicine. Hohohoh!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「熊沢さんが迎えに来るなんて珍しいじゃない。どういう風の吹き回しかしらぁ？ 用事を頼まれるといつも腰痛になるあなたが。くすくす。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It's rare for you to come pick us up, Kumasawa-san. I wonder what's gotten into you. Usually, your lumbago kicks in whenever someone gives you a job to do. *giggle*.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほっほっほ、絵羽さまは相変わらず手厳しゅうございます。急なお買い物がありましたもので、そのついでに皆様のお迎えをしようと思いまして。もっともお迎え待ちの老いぼれのお迎えでは景気もお悪いでしょうが。ほっほっほ…！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hohohoh, Eva-sama, you're as harsh as ever. I found myself with some urgent purchases to make, and while I was at it, I thought I would come welcome you all. Although, it does give a bad impression if the one waiting to greet you is a decrepit old woman. Hohohoh...!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n さらりと嫌味を言う絵羽伯母さんだが、熊沢の婆ちゃんはさすがに年季が入ってる。 <br>\\r\\n <NAME> spoke sarcastically, but Kumasawa baa-chan's years of experience were nothing to sneeze at. <br><br>\\r\\n さらりと涼しげに受け流して見せるぜ。 <br>\\r\\n She was more than capable of smoothly and coolly deflecting that comment. <br><br>\\r\\n まぁ、こう言っちゃ何だが、熊沢の婆ちゃんは使用人としてはもう旬を過ぎているかもしれない。 <br>\\r\\n Well, it feels bad to say it, but old Kumasawa baa-chan may be past her prime as a servant. <br><br>\\r\\n 元気そうには振舞ってるが、頭痛だの腰痛だのと体はボロボロ。正直なところ、まだ勤めてるってだけでも大したもんなくらいさ。 <br>\\r\\n She might act as though she's in good health, but between the headaches and her lumbago, her body is wearing out. To tell the truth, the very fact that she's still working is impressive. <br><br>\\r\\n …今年でいくつだったっけ？ <br>\\r\\n ...How old is she this year again? <br><br>\\r\\n 下手すりゃ８０にも届くはず。 <br>\\r\\n She must be pushing eighty at least. <br><br>\\r\\n それでこれだけ元気に振舞えるんだから恐れ入るぜ。 <br>\\r\\n It's incredible that she's still able to act so cheerily. <br><br>\\r\\n 「ますますにお元気なようで。そうだ、これ。前に話してたお茶です。ほら、買ってきました。後で飲んでみてください。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"You just seem to get more and more lively. Oh, that's right, here you are. It's the tea I told you about before. Look, I bought you some. Please do try it later on.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 楼座叔母さんは荷物からお土産の入った袋を出して見せる。 <br>\\r\\n Aunt Rosa took a souvenir bag out from her suitcase. <br><br>\\r\\n 昨年に会った時にしたらしい約束をちゃんと覚えていて律儀にそれを買ってくるとは。…こういう辺りの律儀さは楼座叔母さんらしい。 <br>\\r\\n To think that she remembered a promise that she'd apparently made last year and faithfully bought it. ...This sort of thoughtfulness was just like Aunt Rosa. <br><br>\\r\\n 約束は忘れず、そして破らない人だ。 <br>\\r\\n She wasn't the kind of person who would forget or break a promise. <br><br>\\r\\n 熊沢の婆ちゃんは一年前の約束を覚えていたばかりか、使用人である自分にまで土産を持ってきてくれたことにとても感激しているようだった。 <br>\\r\\n Kumasawa baa-chan seemed deeply touched, not only that Aunt Rosa had remembered this year-old promise, but that she would bring a gift to a simple servant like her. <br><br>\\r\\n 彼女は、熊沢チヨさん。 <br>\\r\\n This woman is Kumasawa Chiyo-san (熊沢 チヨ). <br><br>\\r\\n 右代宮本家にもう何年も勤めてる古参の使用人だ。 <br>\\r\\n She's a senior servant who's been working at the Ushiromiya Head Family household for many years. <br><br>\\r\\n さすがに高齢なので力仕事は得意じゃないが、台所仕事から掃除、洗濯と何でもこなすスーパー使用人らしい。 <br>\\r\\n As you'd expect from someone her age, manual labor isn't her strong point, but she's a kind of super servant who can handle just about anything else, from kitchen work to cleaning and laundry. <br><br>\\r\\n 玉に瑕なのはサボリ癖があるらしいということか。 <br>\\r\\n It seems like her only flaw is a tendency to slack off. <br><br>\\r\\n 力仕事や面倒な仕事は、持病がどうのこうのと屁理屈を言ってよく逃げようとするらしい。 <br>\\r\\n I hear she tries to get away from heavy or troublesome work by playing up her chronic diseases. <br><br>\\r\\n ……サボリ癖というよりは、熊沢の婆ちゃんの場合、のらりくらりと要領がいいというべきなのかもしれない。 <br>\\r\\n ......In Kumasawa baa-chan's case, this was probably a sign of craftiness rather than laziness. <br><br>\\r\\n …給金を払ってる側からはたまったもんじゃないだろうが。 <br>\\r\\n ...Though it probably doesn't impress those paying her salary. <br><br>\\r\\n まぁ、それをひょうひょうとやってのけても、なぜか憎めない。 <br>\\r\\n Ah well, even if she's pretty flaky when it comes to work, I could never dislike her. <br><br>\\r\\n きっといつも笑顔を絶やさないその明るさのせいだろう。 <br>\\r\\n I guess that's probably because of her cheerfulness and her constant smile. <br><br>\\r\\n 「やー、相変わらずお元気そうで何よりでんな！ あれから背中の具合はどないでっか。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, glad to see you're still in fine spirits! How's your back doin' then?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「薬を飲んでも、ちーっともよくなりませんで。こればかりはお医者さまではどうにもなりません。不治の病ちゅーもんですわ、ほっほっほ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Even with the medicine, it's not getting one whit better. According to the doctor, nothing can be done for this one. It's what you might call an incurable disease, hohohoh!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「それにしても、朱志香ちゃんはますます美人になったなぁ。夏妃姉さんに似て良かったぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Anyway, Jessica-chan just keeps getting prettier. Good thing she takes after Natsuhi nee-san.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そ、そうですか…？ 私的には全然似てないつもりなんですけど…。つーか、親には似たくないです。尊敬してないんで。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"R-Really...? Personally, I don't think we look alike at all... I mean, I don't even wanna be like my parents. 'Cause I got zero respect for 'em.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「こら、そんなこと言っちゃダメよ。くす、それにしても、親に似たくないって言ってる人が多いわね、うちの一族は。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Now, you shouldn't say such things. *giggle* Though there are quite a few people who don't want to be like their parents in our family.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、それ俺ー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, that's me!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「馬鹿言え、お前こそ俺に似るんじゃねぇ。お前の鼻が似ててムカつくんだよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"You sure as hell better not take after me. Your nose looking like mine already pisses me off.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「何言ってんのよ。呆れるくらいそっくりよ、あなたもお父様もね？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"What are you talking about? You're surprisingly alike, you and Father.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「おいおい、そりゃねぇだろ…。俺のどこが親父に似てるってんだぁ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Come on, you can't be serious... Just how am I like Dad?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「傲慢で偉そうなところとかそっくりよ。あんたと兄さんは特にお父様の血が強いわねぇ。ねぇ楼座？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"You're a lot like him, especially in how arrogant and prideful you are. Father's blood is especially strong in you and Nii-san. Wouldn't you say, Rosa?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「えぇまったく。蔵臼兄さんも留弗夫兄さんも、信じられないくらいお父様にそっくり。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, absolutely. Krauss nii-san and Rudolf nii-san are almost unbelievably like Dad.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「おいおい、参ったな、何で俺だけ女どもに集中砲火なんだ。秀吉兄さん、助けてくださいよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"All right, all right already, why am I the only one under fire from the girls? Hideyoshi nii-san, gimme a hand, please.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「いやいやぁ、留弗夫くんはいっつも女性にモテてるなぁ。羨ましいでぇ！ わっはっはっは！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"My my, Rudolf-kun, you're always so popular with the ladies. I'm jealous! Wahahahaha!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほっほっほ！ 相変わらずモテモテでお羨ましいことです。それでは皆様、お船の方へお乗り下さいませ。ささ、真里亞さん、一緒にお船に乗りましょうねぇ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hohohoh! As usual, you're popular enough to make me jealous. Well then, everyone, shall we head over to the boat? Come now, Maria-san, let's get on the boat together, okay?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「一緒にお船に乗る。うー！ みんなも一緒に乗る。うー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Get on the boat together. Uu-! Everyone gets on together. Uu-!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「おうよ、もう今度は怖くないぜ。波で揺れるのは慣れてるしなぁ。あのオンボロ漁船の場合、揺れて怖いってより、エンジンがぶっ壊れて漂流するんじゃねぇかって方が怖いぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hell yeah, this time around I'm not gonna be scared. I'm used to being shaken by the waves. With that piece-a-junk fishing boat, I'm less afraid of the shaking than the engine breaking down and the boat drifting off.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうだ、戦人くん、言うのを忘れてた。…あの漁船はだいぶ老朽化してたんで数年前に引退したんだよ。今は他の船が島まで運んでくれるんだ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh yes, Battler-kun, I forgot to tell you. ...That fishing boat was completely worn out, so it was taken out of commission a few years back. Now we get taken to the island in a different boat.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あー、そうか。戦人は新しい船が初めてなんだなー！ 快適だぜ？ すっげえ速いんだ！ 何しろ、とんでもないスピードが出るんだからさ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ohhh, right. It's Battler's first time in the new boat! It's super comfy! And frickin' fast! It can go at crazy high speeds!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほー…。ってことは船旅の時間がさらに短縮されたわけか。そりゃあ素晴らしい！ 何しろ、飛行機よりマシとは言え、沈没の危険に晒される時間が少しでも短くなるってんだから、こりゃあ極めて素晴らしいぜ〜。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ohhh... That means less travel time, right? That sounds great! Having to worry about sinking is less scary than being on a plane, but it'd still be awesome to get it over with as quick as possible!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…うー。戦人はまた、墜ちるー墜ちるー？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Uu-. Is Battler going to go `faaall, faaall' again?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そりゃあ飛行機の時だけさ。もう大丈夫だぜぇ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's only on airplanes. Everything's fine now!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「何しろ、船長自慢の改造高速艇らしいぜ？ だいぶいじってるらしく、プロペラは高性能のが４基も付いてて最高速度は４０ノットを超えるとか何とか自慢してたなー。いつも自慢されるんで覚えちまったぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Anyway, it's the captain's pride and joy, a kind of modded high-speed boat. Seems he's got it pretty souped up. He was bragging about how he attached four-base high efficiency propellers to make it break 40 knots, or something like that. He talks about it all the time, so I've sorta memorized the spiel.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「僕も毎年聞かされるんで覚えちゃったよ。船長は昔、外国の漁船と速度比べをして負けて以来、スピード改造に取り憑かれちゃったんだってさ。その時の相手は漁船なのに３０ノット以上も出せたんだってね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, I've got it memorized too, since we hear about it every year. The captain says he's been obsessed with modding ever since he lost a speed contest with a foreign boat ages ago. According to him, that opponent managed to break 30 knots with just a fishing boat.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「その雪辱の念が結実して、スカっと爽快な超高速改造艇の誕生となったわけさ。戦人もきっと気に入るぜー。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"And his thirst for a revenge match got him to build an awesome, all-new, super high-speed modded boat. I'm sure you'll just love it, Battler.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n …ちょ、超高速改造艇ぇ…？ <br>\\r\\n ...S-Super high-speed modded boat...? <br><br>\\r\\n ……最初はいつ沈没するかもわからねぇボロ船よりはマシだろうと歓迎してたんだが……、 <br>\\r\\n ...My first thought was that this would be much better than some beat-up boat that might sink at any moment...... <br><br>\\r\\n 何だか嫌な予感がしてくるぜ…。……まさか。 <br>\\r\\n ...but for some reason, I got this feeling of foreboding... ......Probably just overthinking it. <br><br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「おい戦人ぁ、島までは泳いで行った方がいいんじゃねぇかぁ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, Battler, maybe you should just swim to the island.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「戦人くん、柵からあんまり身を乗り出しちゃダメだよ。落ちちゃうから。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Battler-kun, you shouldn't lean over the railing too much. You might fall.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うーうー！！ 落ちるー落ちるー！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-uu-!! Faaall, faaall!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ちっくしょおおぉおぉ…、さっきからみんながニヤニヤ笑ってたのはこれだったのかぁ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Daaaaammiiiiit, ...so this is why you were all grinning back there!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 船長が個人的趣味で改造しまくったという超高速艇は、なるほど、あの６年前のオンボロ漁船とは比べ物にならなかった。 <br>\\r\\n So this is the super high-speed boat that the captain started modding... Oh, yes, that piece of junk fishing boat from six years ago doesn't hold a candle to this guy... <br><br>\\r\\n 「うおおおおおおおお、揺れる揺れる揺れるー！！ 落ちる落ちる落ちるー！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Whooooooooa, it's shaking it's shaking it's shaking!! Gonna fall fall faaall!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うーうーうー！！ 落ちる落ちる落ちるー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-uu-uu-!! Gonna fall fall faaall!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「落ちたら海じゃねぇかよ、溺れちまうぞ、パラシュートだ、じゃねぇぜ、浮き輪はどこだー！！ ライフジャケットをくれぇええぇ！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"If I fall, I'll land in the ocean and drown...! Where's the parachute...?! I mean, where's the buoy?! Gimme a life jackeeeet!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「わーっはっはっはっは！ 何だよ戦人、おめー、それ何の真似だよ、わーっはっはっはっは！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Waah-hah-hah-hah-ha! Battler, what the heck're you doing that for, waah-hah-hah-hah-ha!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「朱志香ちゃんも真里亞ちゃんもいじめちゃ悪いって。戦人くんも怖いなら甲板に出なきゃいいのに。船内ならもう少し怖くないと思うけどなぁ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Jessica-chan, Maria-chan, it's not nice to tease. Battler-kun, if you're scared, then just don't come out on the deck. I think you'll be able to calm down a bit if you go inside the boat.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「へっへー、そいつぁノーサンキューだぜ兄貴！ 海難事故の犠牲者はいつも船内なんだ。生存者は大抵、事故時は甲板なんだぜ。だから俺はここにいる！！ でも揺れるーー！！ 落ちるー！！ うおおおおおおぉおぉぉ！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Heheh, that's a no thank you, Aniki! Shipwreck victims are always the ones inside the boat. The survivors are usually those on the deck during the accident. So I'm staying right here!! But it's shaking!! I'm gonna faaall!! Whooooaaaaaahhh!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「揺れる落ちるー！！ うーうーうー！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Shake, gonna faaall!! Uu-uu-uu-!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「真里亞、よしなさいったら！ ……でも戦人くん、本当に苦手なのね…。船長さんに速度を落とすように言ってきてあげるわ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Maria, I told you to behave yourself! ......But Battler-kun, it looks like you really can't handle it... I'll go tell the captain to slow down for you.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うおおおお、楼座叔母さんありがとおおおおぉ！ 海の上でも安全運転、徐行運転指差し確認んんんんん！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Whooooa, Aunt Rosa, thank yooooouuuuu! I can tell you now that safe, slow driving is definitely the way to go, even on the seaaaaa!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「くっくっく！ ダメよ楼座。青年には試練も必要なんだから。ね、戦人くん？ これくらいへっちゃらで克服できちゃうわよねぇ？ じゃないと伯母さんとエジプトに行けないわよぅ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Heheheh! Don't do that, Rosa. Trials and tribulations are important for young men. Isn't that right, Battler-kun? You'd better be able to overcome a little scare like this. Otherwise, you'll never be able to go to Egypt with your aunt!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うおおおお、絵羽伯母さんの意地悪ぅうううぅ！ あぁダメ落ちるぅううぅ！！ ライフジャケットぉおおぉ、パラシュートぉおおぉ！！ ふおおおおおおおぉおおぉおおおおおおおぉおぉぉ……！！！ い、いや、ひっくり返して考えるんだ！ 敵の狙いは何だ？！ 俺をこうして怖がらせることか？！ そいつが狙いなら甘いぜ、びびってなんかやるもんかぁああぁぁああぁ！！ でもらめぇえぇ、落ちるゥウウゥゥウゥ！！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Whooooa, Aunt Eva, you're so meeeeeeeeaaaan! Ooh noooo, I'm gonna faaaaaall!! Life jackeeeet, parachuuuute!! Whoooooooaaaaaaahh......!!! W-Wait, gotta spin it around and think that way!! What's the enemy aiming for?! Is he doing this to scare me?! If that's what he's aiming for, too bad, like hell I'll be scaaaaaaaared!! But noooooo, I'm gonna faaaaaaall!!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n …なぁんて大騒ぎをした挙句、楼座叔母さんが船長に言ってくれたお陰で、何とかマシな速度にまで落としてもらえたのだった…。 <br>\\r\\n ...So, after I made a huge fool of myself for a while, <NAME> had a talk with the boat captain, and he slowed down to a more manageable speed for me... <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………はぁ…。これくらいなら何とか…。………さっきのは生きた心地がしなかったぜぃ……。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Haa... That's a bit better... ...Thought I was gonna die earlier...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 俺にとって許容できるこの速度は、どうもかなりの鈍足らしい。 <br>\\r\\n Apparently, the max speed I can tolerate is extremely slow. <br><br>\\r\\n …でもさっきのは異常だったぜ…。 <br>\\r\\n ...But that just now was completely insane... <br><br>\\r\\n もう船がばっかんばっかん揺れて！ 海の上を滑るというか跳ねるというか！ <br>\\r\\n The whole boat was shaking! Sliding and leaping on the ocean's surface! <br><br>\\r\\n 船ってより、トビウオに乗ってるような気分だったぜ…。 <br>\\r\\n It felt like I was riding on the back of a flying fish... <br><br>\\r\\n 疲れきり、げっそりと柵に持たれかかる俺を、朱志香は飽きもせずゲラゲラ笑っていた。 <br>\\r\\n Jessica was still guffawing at me as I leaned against the railing, tired and disheartened. <br><br>\\r\\n 「さっきは力比べで負けたけどよー、もっと重要な部分で負けてなかったことがわかって、私ゃ嬉しいぜ。いやしかし、ぷーくっくっくっく！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I lost in that strength contest earlier, but I'm glad to know I'm no worse off where it really counts. But seriously, hahahahahah!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「くそー…、好きなだけ笑えよ。いつか弱点を見つけ返して、てめーの乳、揉み潰してやるぜー……。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Dammit, ...go ahead and laugh. One of these days, I'm gonna find your weakness and get back at you...and then your boobs will be mine to squish......\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あっはっはっは、見付られたら考えてやるぜー？！ わーっはっはっは！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahahaha! Yeah, sure, good luck with that! Waah-hah-hah-ha!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー。戦人、へろへろ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-. Battler, all weak.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁ、戦人、へろへろだ…。海も空もごめんだぜ、俺は陸の上で死にたいさ…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, Battler, all weak... I wanna die on land, not in the ocean or the sky...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞が俺の背中をさするような仕草をしてくれたので、お返しに頭をぽんぽんと叩いてやった。 <br>\\r\\n Maria was patting my back, so I patted her head in return. <br><br>\\r\\n …表情は相変わらずの無表情だか、気遣いたい気持ちが伝わってくる。 <br>\\r\\n ...Her expression was blank, as usual, but I realized that she wanted to console me. <br><br>\\r\\n 「戦人くん、船長が罪滅ぼしにって、ドリンクをサービスしてくれたよ。飲んで一服しないかい。落ち着くよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Battler-kun, the captain's throwing in drinks to make up for this. Would you like one to calm yourself down?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 譲治の兄貴と熊沢の婆ちゃんが、よく冷えた雫の浮く缶ジュースを人数分、持ってきてくれた。 <br>\\r\\n George-aniki and Kumasawa baa-chan brought us all ice-cold cans of soft drinks covered with beads of water. <br><br>\\r\\n 熊沢さんのニヤニヤ笑いを見る限り、船内では親たちが俺の大騒ぎをゲラゲラ笑い合っている真っ最中なんだろう。 <br>\\r\\n Judging from Kumasawa-san's big grin, our parents inside the boat were probably all rolling around laughing at my moment of pure terror. <br><br>\\r\\n くそ、恥ずかしくて親の誰とも顔を合わせたくねぇ…。 <br>\\r\\n Dammit, I'm so embarrassed, I can't bear to face any of them... <br><br>\\r\\n 何か話題を切り返さないと、いつまでも俺がネタにされそうな気がしたので、何か無難な話題を切り出すことにする。 <br>\\r\\n If I didn't change the subject somehow, I had the feeling I'd be the butt of everyone's jokes for the whole trip, so I tried to think of something harmless to talk about. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…おう朱志香。蔵臼伯父さんと夏妃伯母さんは元気なのかよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hey, Jessica. How are Uncle Krauss and Aunt Natsuhi doing?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「親父とお袋ぉ？ 残念ながら元気だぜー。二言目には勉強しろ勉強しろってうるせーけどよ。秀吉叔父さんとか留弗夫叔父さんとか、そういうこと言わなそうだから羨ましいぜー？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"My old man and Mom? Unfortunately, they're fine. Though every other word out of their mouths is `study, study', which pisses me off. I'm so jealous, since it doesn't look like Uncle Hideyoshi or Uncle Rudolf would say stuff like that.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「はっはは、とんでもない。僕も受験を控えてた頃はいっつも受験受験って言われてたよ。うるさくも思ったけど、今は感謝してるよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hahaha, oh no. Before I had my exams, my parents kept pressing me about it over and over. I thought it was annoying then, but now I'm grateful.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「はー、やっぱり譲治兄貴は人間が出来てるなぁ…。ちなみにウチは絶賛放任中だからな。なぁんにも言われないぜぇ？ まー言われたって聞かねぇけどなー、ひっひっひ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hah, I knew it. You really are awesome, Aniki... Anyway, I have to look after myself. No one tells me what to do! Well, it's not like I'd listen if they did, hihihi!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「戦人さんは、まだご実家には戻られておられないのですか？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Battler-san, have you still not returned to your parents' home?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…まー、ちょくちょく戻るようには。まだ服とかだいぶ前の家に残してるんで。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Well, I kinda go back now and then. I've got lots of clothes and stuff left at the house I was living in until recently.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……うー？ 戦人、お家が２つある？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Uu-? Battler has two houses?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ん、 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uh, <br><br>\\r\\n ………んー。……まぁな。」 <br>\\r\\n .........hmmm. ......Something like that.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「どうして？ どうしてお家が２つ？ うー？ うー？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Why? Why do you have two houses? Uu-? Uu-?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞だけがよく事情が飲み込めず、素朴な疑問を口にする。 <br>\\r\\n Only Maria, who couldn't really grasp the situation, voiced this naive question. <br><br>\\r\\n だが、みんな俺をちらちらと見て、知りながらも答えはしなかった。 <br>\\r\\n However, the others just shot nervous glances at me, choosing not to respond even though they knew the answer. <br><br>\\r\\n 「真里亞ぁ！ ほら、船着場が見えてきたぜ…！ ほら、あれ！ 見えるか？！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Maria! Look, you can see the harbor now...! Look, over there! Can you see it?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 船着場見えた、船着場見えた！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! Saw the harbor, saw the harbor!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 朱志香が気を利かせてくれたつもりらしい。 <br>\\r\\n Apparently, Jessica was trying to be nice by changing the subject. <br><br>\\r\\n ……やれやれ。好んで語りたいことじゃないが、変にタブー扱いされるのも気持ち悪いな。 <br>\\r\\n ......Ah, well. I'd rather not talk about it if I can help it, but it's uncomfortable to have it treated like some kind of weird taboo. <br><br>\\r\\n ……俺はもうそんなに気にしちゃいねぇんだが。 <br>\\r\\n ......I don't mind it that much myself anymore. <br><br>\\r\\n 俺は右代宮の人間だが、実はこの６年ほど、死んだ母方の祖父母宅に身を寄せ、母方の姓を名乗っていた。 <br>\\r\\n I may be a member of the Ushiromiya family, but the truth is that, for these last six years, I've been living with my grandparents on my late mother's side, and I've even been using her family name. <br><br>\\r\\n その祖父母が相次いで亡くなったため、仕方なくクソ親父のところへ戻らざるを得なくなったわけだ。 <br>\\r\\n When those grandparents passed away one after the other, I basically had no choice but to go back and live with the old bastard. <br><br>\\r\\n 言っとくが家出とかじゃないぜ。 <br>\\r\\n Don't get me wrong. I didn't just run away from home or anything like that. <br><br>\\r\\n 一方的に非があるのは親父の方さ。 <br>\\r\\n The only one at fault here is my dad. <br><br>\\r\\n ……霧江さんのことはそんなに気にしてない。 <br>\\r\\n ......I don't really blame Kyrie-san. <br><br>\\r\\n あのクソ親父の手綱を握ってうまく乗りこなせるなんて大したもんさ。 <br>\\r\\n Being able to hold that old bastard's reins and ride him out is no mean feat. <br><br>\\r\\n …だが、あのクソ親父が母さんに働いた裏切りだけは、……悪ぃが、未だ心の整理がつかない。 <br>\\r\\n ...Still, the way that old bastard betrayed my mom... ......Well, unfortunately, I still haven't fully gotten over that. <br><br>\\r\\n 「こほん。もうすぐ着くねぇ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"*Ahem*. We'll be getting there soon.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 譲治兄貴が話題を逸らそうと咳払いをする。 <br>\\r\\n George-aniki cleared his throat, trying to change the subject. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……失礼しました。年寄りが余計なことを言ってしまったようで。お気に触りましたら、」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Please forgive my indiscretion. It seems this old woman has said too much already. If I have hurt your feelings-\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「へっへー！ 気にもしてないし触ってもないぜ。気にすんなよ、熊沢の婆ちゃん。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Heheh! I don't mind it, and no one's feelings are hurt. Don't worry, Kumasawa baa-chan.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 熊沢さんも迂闊なことを言ってしまったと後悔しているようだったが、これ以上、変に気;を遣われたくないので、俺は茶化すようにして立ち上がる。 <br>\\r\\n Kumasawa-san seemed to regret speaking out of turn, but I was more concerned about being worried over for something like that, so I stood up and passed it off lightly. <br><br>\\r\\n それから缶ジュースに口を付け、島影を眺めている朱志香と真里亞のところへ行った。 <br>\\r\\n After that, I had a sip of my drink and headed over to Maria and Jessica, who were gazing at the silhouette of the island. <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 戦人、島が見えた、島が見えた！ あれあれあれ！ うーうーうー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! Battler, I saw the island, saw the island! There, there, there! Uu-uu-uu-!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「どれどれ、おぉ、見えてきたな。６年ぶりでも記憶と寸分変わらない島影だぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Where is it...oh, I see it now. Even after six years, the island hasn't changed a bit.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 前方には小さな島影がだいぶ近付いてきていた。 <br>\\r\\n The small island's silhouette in front of us had gotten pretty close. <br><br>\\r\\n 島の名前は六軒島。 <br>\\r\\n This island's name is Rokkenjima. <br><br>\\r\\n 伊豆諸島の中に含まれる、全周が１０ｋｍ程度の小さな島だ。 <br>\\r\\n It's a small island about 10km around, located in the Izu Archipelago. <br><br>\\r\\n 伊豆七島ってくらいだから島は７つだろうと誤解してる連中がいるが、そんなことはない。 <br>\\r\\n Since they call this archipelago `the Izu Seven', lots of people think there are only seven islands, but that's not true. <br><br>\\r\\n 実際は７つ以上ある。 <br>\\r\\n この六軒島も、そんな７つにすら入れてもらえないささやかな島のひとつだ。 <br>\\r\\n There's actually several more, and Rokkenjima is one of the minor islands that don't get counted. <br><br>\\r\\n それでなくとも、この島のことを知る人間はほとんどいないだろう。 <br>\\r\\n Even if that weren't the case, I doubt you'd find many people who knew about this island. <br><br>\\r\\n なぜなら、この島へは右代宮家の人間以外は立ち入らない。 <br>\\r\\n Only people connected to the Ushiromiya family ever go there. <br><br>\\r\\n つまり、余所者や観光客にはまったく無縁なのだ。 <br>\\r\\n In other words, outsiders and tourists never have any reason to care about it. <br><br>\\r\\n だから旅行用パンフレットに島の名前が載ることはまったくない。 <br>\\r\\n So, you'll never find this island's name in a travel brochure. <br><br>\\r\\n なぜなら、六軒島は丸ごと、右代宮本家が領有している私有地だからだ。 <br>\\r\\n After all, all of Rokkenjima is an estate possessed by the Ushiromiya Head Family. <br><br>\\r\\n だから右代宮家だけが住んでいて、右代宮家の関係者しか出入りしない。 <br>\\r\\n Only the Ushiromiya family lives there, and only people connected to the Ushiromiya family come and go to and from there. <br><br>\\r\\n 船着場とお屋敷があるだけ。 <br>\\r\\n There's nothing there except a harbor and a mansion. <br><br>\\r\\n 島のほとんどは未開の森林のまま残されている。 <br>\\r\\n The vast majority of the island is still just uncultivated forest. <br><br>\\r\\n ゴルフコースでも作ればいいものを、勿体無い話さ。 <br>\\r\\n Such a waste, when it could be made into a nice golf course or something. <br><br>\\r\\n でも、浜辺は全てプライベートビーチだと考えれば、何とも豪勢な話かもしれない。 <br>\\r\\n However, when you realize that the entire coastline is a private beach, it starts to sound pretty magnificent. <br><br>\\r\\n 今さらだが、はっきり言っちまうと、 <br>\\r\\n You've probably guessed by now, but to put it simply... <br><br>\\r\\n ……まぁその、右代宮家は大富豪なわけさ。 <br>\\r\\n ...well, the Ushiromiya family is just rolling in dough. <br><br>\\r\\n 本家は莫大な財産を持ってるそうだし、親父たち分家もずいぶんな資産を蓄えていて、それぞれが事業で成功している。 <br>\\r\\n The Head Family apparently possesses a vast fortune, and Dad and the others who make up the branch families have built up plenty of wealth for themselves, finding success in their respective businesses. <br><br>\\r\\n 俺は６年間、祖父母の家で庶民の暮らしをしてたからすっかり忘れちまったが、…クソ親父の家は確かに立派だし、何から何まで嫌味な金持ち趣味剥き出しだったように思うぜ。 <br>\\r\\n I've been living a commoner's life at my grandparents' home these six years, so I'd completely forgotten, ...but the old bastard's house really is elegant, and everything about it is tuned to match the snobbish tastes of the annoyingly rich. <br><br>\\r\\n それを言えば、譲治の兄貴も、朱志香も真里亞も、もちろん俺も、資産家のボンボンやお嬢様ってことになるわけだ。 <br>\\r\\n Come to think of it, I guess that makes George-aniki, Jessica, Maria, and me wealthy, high-class gentlemen and ladies. <br><br>\\r\\n もちろん俺らにはそんなつもりはない。 <br>\\r\\n Needless to say, none of us think of ourselves that way at all. <br><br>\\r\\n 俺には金持ちなんて自覚はねぇし、自己に厳しい譲治兄貴にもそんな甘えはない。 <br>\\r\\n I don't see myself as being rich, and George-aniki, who takes self-discipline very seriously, doesn't let himself get too comfortable. <br><br>\\r\\n 朱志香は、金はいらないから都会に引っ越したいといつもぼやいてたし、真里亞はまだ子供でお金に全然興味がない。 <br>\\r\\n Jessica is always complaining that she'd rather move to the city than be rich, and Maria is still a kid who isn't even interested in money at all. <br><br>\\r\\n …それも嫌味か。 <br>\\r\\n ...Does that attitude really make us any less snobbish? <br><br>\\r\\n 火の車で首が回らねぇ連中から見れば、何とも恵まれた話だ。 <br>\\r\\n From the perspective of people in poverty who can't pay the bills, we really have been blessed with a lot. <br><br>\\r\\n これ以上は過ぎた説明なんで控えるとしよう。 <br>\\r\\n This isn't the place to explain any further, so I won't. <br><br>\\r\\n まぁ、生まれる親を選べないのと同じさ。 <br>\\r\\n Anyway, it's the same as not being able to choose the parents you're born from. <br><br>\\r\\n 狙って金持ちに生まれたわけじゃねぇ。 <br>\\r\\n I didn't ask to be born into a rich family. <br><br>\\r\\n それを妬まれるのもお門違いってもんだろ。 <br>\\r\\n And I don't think it's really something to be envied. <br><br>\\r\\n 何をやっても正当に評価されず、二言目にはお金持ちだからと僻まれるのも、結構堪えるもんさ…。 <br>\\r\\n It can be pretty trying when people are prejudiced against you just because you're rich and refuse to judge you by your merits... <br><br>\\r\\n そんな感傷に浸っていると、真里亞が柵から身を乗り出しながら騒ぎ出した。 <br>\\r\\n As I pondered these sentimental thoughts, Maria started shouting and leaned over the railing. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………うー。……ない。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"............Uu-. ......Gone.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「どうしたんだよ、真里亞。何か落としちゃったのか？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"What's wrong, Maria? Did you drop something?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うーうー！ ないない！ うーうーうーうー！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-uu-! Gone, gone! Uu-uu-uu-uu-!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞がないないと騒ぎ出す。 <br>\\r\\n Maria kept yelling `gone, gone'. <br><br>\\r\\n 言葉だけを聞けば、何か落し物かと思うのだが、彼女はないないと連呼しながら洋上を指差すのだった。 <br>\\r\\n At first, it sounded as though she had dropped something, but while she shouted, she also pointed out over the ocean. <br><br>\\r\\n 「どうしたの？ 何がないんだい？ 僕も探してあげるよ。何？ <br>\\r\\n \\\"What's wrong? What's gone? I'll look for it too, if you want. What is it? <br><br>\\r\\n ……………？」 <br>\\r\\n ............?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 落し物なら床を見るだろうが、真里亞は洋上を指差している。 <br>\\r\\n If she'd dropped something, she would probably have looked down at the floor, but Maria was pointing out over the ocean. <br><br>\\r\\n 洋上を指差すからには、そこに何かがあると思うべきなのだが、真里亞はないないという。………はて。 <br>\\r\\n One would assume by that gesture that she had spotted something, but she kept saying that something wasn't there... ......Strange. <br><br>\\r\\n だが、６年前の風景を最後の記憶に持つからこそ、毎年ここに来ている兄貴より俺が先に気付くことができた。 <br>\\r\\n However, since my last memories of this place came from six years ago, I was able to spot it before Aniki, who comes here every year. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………あれ…。……確かさ、この辺に小さい岩の上に鳥居みたいなのがなかったっけ。…そうだ、確かにあったぜ。島に近付いてくると最初に迎えてくれる目印みたいなもんだったからよく覚えてるぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"............Huh...? ......If I remember correctly, wasn't there a Torii or something on top of a small crag around here? ...That's right, it was definitely there. I remember it well, since as we get closer to the island, it's the first thing to greet us, like a landmark.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「へー、戦人すごいじゃねぇか。６年ぶりなのに、よく覚えてるもんだぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Wow, you're amazing, Battler. Even though it's been six years, you remembered.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あったね…！ 僕も思いだしたよ。鎮守の社と鳥居みたいなものが、岩の上にぽつんと建ててあったよ。……そう言えばないね。去年は確かにあったと思う。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It was here, wasn't it...! I remember too. The #fefefetutelary god#ffffff's shrine and that #fefefeTorii#ffffff-like thing were standing all alone on that crag. <br><br>\\r\\n ......And now that you mention it, they are gone, aren't they? I'm pretty sure they were still there last year.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ない。ない。うーうーうー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Gone. Gone. Uu-uu-uu-!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「大方、波か何かでさらわれちまったんだろー？ 小さい岩だったしな、だいぶ風化で脆くなってたんだろさ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Maybe they were washed away by the waves or something. It was a small crag, so it probably got worn away over time.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「私もそうだと思ってるんだけどよ。なくなっちゃったのはこの夏のことなんだよ。何でもよぅ、」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, that's my theory too. It was last summer that it disappeared. But they say-\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ある晩に大きな稲妻が落ちて、御社を砕いてしまったんだとか…。……鎮守様に落雷があるなど、これは不吉の徴に違いないと、漁民たちは囁いておりますねぇ。…くわばらくわばら…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"They say an enormous lightning bolt came crashing down one evening and smashed the shrine... ...The fishermen whisper that having a thunderbolt fall upon our honored tutelary god must be a portent of approaching misfortune. ...Kuwabara, kuwabara...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 熊沢さんはからかうように悪戯っぽく笑いながら、両手を揉み合せるような仕草をする。 <br>\\r\\n Kumasawa-san smiled impishly as if teasing us, rubbing her hands together while entoning a Japanese phrase meant to ward off lightning. <br><br>\\r\\n でも、真里亞は真に受けているようで、真剣な顔をしながら、鎮守様が祀られていた岩があったと思われる洋上をじっと凝視しているのだった。 <br>\\r\\n However, Maria apparently took this seriously...and stared fixedly over the ocean to where the crag housing the shrine god was supposed to be. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………不吉の、徴。…………うー。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........A portent...of misfortune. .........Uu-.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「よせよ熊沢さん。真里亞はそういう冗談の通じない年頃なんだからさぁ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Enough, Kumasawa-san. Maria isn't old enough to get that kind of joke.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「大丈夫だよ真里亞ちゃん。偶然だよ。何も怖いことなんか起きないよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It's okay, Maria-chan. It's just a coincidence. Nothing scary's gonna happen.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 譲治の兄貴が、真里亞を安心させるように肩に手を置くが、真里亞の険しい表情は解れなかった。 <br>\\r\\n George-aniki put a hand on Maria's shoulder to calm her down, but Maria's sharp-eyed expression didn't waver. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………不吉。…………不吉。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"............Misfortune. ............Misfortune.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞はうわ言のようにその言葉を繰り返す。 <br>\\r\\n Maria muttered that word over and over. <br><br>\\r\\n ひとつの単語を連呼するのは真里亞の昔からの癖らしい。 <br>\\r\\n Apparently, repeating a single word over and over is a habit that Maria's had for a long time. <br><br>\\r\\n だが、口にする単語が、文字通り不吉なので少しだけ気味が悪い。 <br>\\r\\n However, since the word she was saying was literally an ill omen, it was a bit creepy. <br><br>\\r\\n 「おいおい、真里亞。そんなに何度も繰り返してたら、本当に不吉がやって来ちまうぜ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey now, Maria. If you say it over and over like that, misfortune will really end up happening, you know?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞のもう片方の肩を叩く。 <br>\\r\\n I tapped Maria's other shoulder. <br><br>\\r\\n すると真里亞はびくりとして振り返り、俺の顔をまじまじと見ながら言った。 <br>\\r\\n Maria whipped her head around, stared into my face, and spoke unblinkingly. <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー。………不吉、来る。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-. .........Misfortune...is coming.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「へぇ？ 来るって、どこからさ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh? And just where is it coming from?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 緊張を解してやろうと思って、俺は茶化したように応える。 <br>\\r\\n I answered light-heartedly, trying to break the tension in the air. <br><br>\\r\\n …すると真里亞はすっと指を立て腕を高々と突き上げると、…天を指した。 <br>\\r\\n ...At that moment, Maria held up a finger, raised her arm high, ...and pointed up to the heavens. <br><br>\\r\\n 見れば、空は相変わらずの曇天だったが、朝よりだいぶ鉛色になっていた。 <br>\\r\\n When I looked up, I saw that the sky was still just as cloudy, but it had grown a great deal more leaden than it had been that morning. <br><br>\\r\\n そうだ、台風が近付いてるって言ってたな。 <br>\\r\\n That's right, they were saying that a typhoon was approaching. <br><br>\\r\\n …島には一泊することになってるが、その間にうまく通り過ぎてくれないと月曜に登校できなくなっちまう。まぁ休める口実としては最高だが。 <br>\\r\\n ...We had planned to spend one night on the island, but if this storm doesn't pass quickly, I won't be able to make it to school on Monday. Well, I guess it makes for a pretty good excuse to be absent. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………うー…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".....................Uu-...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n …この曇り空に不吉な何かを感じているらしい。 <br>\\r\\n ...She apparently sensed some kind of misfortune in this cloudy sky. <br><br>\\r\\n さっきからずっと唸っている。 <br>\\r\\n She's been muttering that non-stop for a while now. <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞だって多感な年頃の女の子だ。 <br>\\r\\n Girls at Maria's age tend to be very impressionable. <br><br>\\r\\n よく女の子が、霊感が強いとか霊媒体質だとか騒ぎ出すのはちょうど真里亞くらいの年頃からのはず。 <br>\\r\\n She's just about the age that many girls start to get excited about sixth senses and whether they have any psychic potential and stuff. <br><br>\\r\\n …子供らしい感受性と言えないこともなかった。 <br>\\r\\n ...For all we know, this might be due to her childish, sensitive nature. <br><br>\\r\\n 「大丈夫だよ真里亞ちゃん。天気は今夜くらいには崩れるかもしれないけど、明日にはよくなって綺麗な青空になってるよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It's okay, Maria-chan. The weather might get worse tonight, but tomorrow it'll clear up and become a pretty blue sky.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー。綺麗な青空………。………うー…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-. Pretty blue sky......... .........Uu-...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そう、明日になれば綺麗な青空になるよ。止まない雨はないし、晴れない雲だってない。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right, by tomorrow it'll be a pretty blue sky. There's no rain that doesn't end, and no clouds that never clear.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー…。………止まない雨。…晴れない雲。………………うー………。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-... .........Rain that doesn't end. ...Clouds that never clear. ..................Uu-.........\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「確かに台風が近付いてるけどよ、すぐに過ぎちまうってぇ！ 大丈夫さ真里亞。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I know the typhoon's coming, but soon it'll go away! It'll be okay, Maria.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………うー。…うー！！ うーうーうー！！ うーうーうー！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...............Uu-. ...Uu-!! Uu-uu-uu-!! Uu-uu-uu-!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞がうーうーと騒ぎ出す。 <br>\\r\\n Maria started yelling `uu-uu-'. <br><br>\\r\\n …それはまるで、自分が伝えたいことがまったく伝わらないので癇癪を起こしているようにも見えた。 <br>\\r\\n ...It looked as though she was having a tantrum because no one could understand what she was trying to say. <br><br>\\r\\n 一体、真里亞は必死になって何を警告しようとしているのか。 <br>\\r\\n What in the world is Maria trying so desperately to warn us about? <br><br>\\r\\n それが理解できなくて、俺たちも漠然とした不吉さを感じるしかない…。 <br>\\r\\n Unable to understand her, we couldn't help but feel a vague sense of misfortune... <br><br>\\r\\n ……人には誰しも霊感があるというが、それは加齢に伴って弱くなっていくものらしい。 <br>\\r\\n ......I've heard that everyone can feel the supernatural, but that it weakens as you age. <br><br>\\r\\n だとすれば、真里亞は俺たちの中で一番幼く、俺たちが加齢によって失ってしまった何かの感覚を未だ持ち続けていることになる。 <br>\\r\\n That might mean that Maria, the youngest one of us all, still possessed some kind of sense that the rest of us had lost. <br><br>\\r\\n …その何かが、彼女に警告を与えているというのだろうか。 <br>\\r\\n ...I wonder if that sense is sending her a warning. <br><br>\\r\\n その時、熊沢さんが静かに口を開いた。 <br>\\r\\n At that moment, Kumasawa-san quietly opened her mouth. <br><br>\\r\\n 「………何でも、 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Rumor has it... <br><br>\\r\\n …六軒島はその昔、」 <br>\\r\\n ...that long ago, Rokkenjima was-\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「熊沢さん。その話はなしにしようぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Kumasawa-san. Let's not talk about that now.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 熊沢さんが何かの話をしようとした矢先、朱志香がそれをぴしゃりと遮った。 <br>\\r\\n Just as Kumasawa-san was about to tell some kind of story, Jessica sharply interrupted her. <br><br>\\r\\n 朱志香にしてはずいぶんバッサリだった。 <br>\\r\\n Jessica's tone was extremely firm, for her. <br><br>\\r\\n 単純な好奇心からその先を促したくなるが、話を遮った朱志香の様子から見て、一層、真里亞の不安感を煽り立てるような内容であることは想像に難しくない。 <br>\\r\\n I wanted to push her further, just out of simple curiosity, but judging by the look on Jessica's face, whatever Kumasawa baa-chan was likely to say would probably make Maria even more uneasy. <br><br>\\r\\n …無理に聞いても、心が晴れ晴れするような話では断じてあるまい。 <br>\\r\\n ...If I did try to press her for the story, the odds were pretty good that it wouldn't be anything bright and cheery. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ほっほっほ、それは申し訳ございませんね…。…ここの風は年寄りには堪えますんで、ちょっと失礼させていただきます…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Hoh hoh hoh, I do apologize about that... ...The wind here is hard to bear for the elderly, so if you would excuse me for now...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n おしゃべり好きにとって、しゃべるなと言われればその場にいる価値はない。 <br>\\r\\n Gossipers have no reason to hang around after they've been told to stop chatting. <br><br>\\r\\n 熊沢さんは、自分が出しゃばり過ぎたことにようやく気付くと、船内に戻っていくのだった。 <br>\\r\\n When Kumasawa-san finally realized that she'd overstepped her bounds, she went back inside the boat. <br><br>\\r\\n 入れ替わりで秀吉伯父さんがやって来る。 <br>\\r\\n After she left, <NAME> showed up in her place. <br><br>\\r\\n 途中から来た伯父さんは、この場の複雑な空気など理解できないので、爽やかに無神経に、場の空気を掻き乱してくれるのだった。 <br>\\r\\n Since he'd arrived mid-conversation, he completely failed to notice the complicated atmosphere that hung about the scene, so he refreshingly and unwittingly swept that atmosphere aside. <br><br>\\r\\n 結果的には、その無神経さのお陰で場が和むことになる。 <br>\\r\\n So, in the end, it was his lack of tact that brightened the mood. <br><br>\\r\\n 「もう到着だそうやないか！ おおぅ、もうちょいやのう！ 今日はのんびりスピードだから時間が掛かってもーたわ。誰のせいやねん！ わっはっはっはっは！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Looks like we're almost there! Oookay, just a bit more! Took forever at the speed we went today, didn't it? Wonder whose fault that was! Wahhahahahaha!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うっわ、秀吉伯父さん、もう勘弁してくださいよ〜…たはは〜！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Aww, Uncle Hideyoshi, gimme a break already... Tahaha!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あはは、もっと言ってやってくださいー。ったく、戦人のせいで時間掛かりすぎだぜ〜！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahaha, come on, don't stop there. Seriously, thanks to Battler here, it's takin' forever!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………うー。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Uu-.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞は、誰も自分の話を聞いてくれないと思ったのかもしれない。 <br>\\r\\n Maria probably thought that everyone was refusing to listen to her. <br><br>\\r\\n むずかるような顔をして俯く。 <br>\\r\\n She hung her head, wearing a fretful expression. <br><br>\\r\\n そんな彼女に、譲治兄貴は目線を合わせるようにしゃがみながらやさしく言った。 <br>\\r\\n As she did, George-aniki crouched down to meet her eyes and spoke to her kindly. <br><br>\\r\\n 「真里亞ちゃん。何も怖くないよ。だって、僕たちが一緒だもの。一緒だと何も怖くないんだよ。言ってごらん。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Maria-chan. There's nothing to be afraid of. Because we're all together. There's nothing to be afraid of if we're together. Go ahead and say it.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………うー。…一緒だと、何も怖くない…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"............Uu-. ...There's nothing to be afraid of...if we're together...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うん。一緒だと、何も怖くない。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes. There's nothing to be afraid of if we're with each other.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………うー。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"............Uu-.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうさ、譲治の兄貴の言う通りだぜ〜？ 俺たちが一緒にいると、いつだって何だって絶対に怖くねぇんだ。なぁ朱志香！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right, exactly what George-aniki said. If we stick together, there'll never be anything at all to be afraid of. Right, Jessica?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ああ、間違いないぜ。譲治兄さんの言うことはいつも本当だよ、真里亞。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, no doubt about that. What George nii-san says is always true, Maria.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……うー。譲治お兄ちゃんはいつも本当。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Uu-. George onii-chan always true.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うん。僕は嘘をつかないよ。だから信じて。みんなと一緒にいれば何も怖くないんだよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes. I don't lie. So trust me. There's nothing to be afraid of if we're all together.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー。……譲治お兄ちゃんは嘘をつかない。信じる。みんなと一緒にいれば怖くない。………うー、怖くない！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-. ......George onii-chan doesn't lie. I trust you. There's nothing to be afraid of if we're all together. .........Uu-, not afraid!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞が譲治兄貴の胸に飛び込んで、ぎゅーっとしがみ付く。 <br>\\r\\n Maria jumped into George-aniki's arms and hugged him tightly. <br><br>\\r\\n それを兄貴が撫でてやると、ばっと離れた。 <br>\\r\\n After Aniki patted her head, she jumped away again. <br><br>\\r\\n その表情は見違えるくらいに元通り。 <br>\\r\\n Her facial expression had undergone a 180 degree change, turning back to normal. <br><br>\\r\\n 元の真里亞に戻っていた。 <br>\\r\\n She was once again the ordinary Maria. <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー。みんなと一緒だからもう怖くない。…うーうー。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-. There's nothing to be afraid of anymore, because we're together. ...Uu-uu-.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁ、そうだぜ。…もう平気みたいだな。真里亞は強いな、偉いぜ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, that's it. ...You look all better now. You're strong, and that's awesome!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……うー！ 真里亞、偉い！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Uu-! I'm awesome!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「なんや、どうしたんや。真里亞ちゃん、船酔いだったんか？ん？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey now, what's goin' on here? Maria-chan didn't get seasick, did she? Hmm?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ははは、まぁそんなとこです。もうじき着きますねー。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hahaha, well, something like that. We'll be arriving soon.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 船着場はもう、すぐそこまで迫っていた。 <br>\\r\\n The harbor was already drawing near. <br><br>\\r\\n 船が大きくガクンと揺れる。 <br>\\r\\n The boat gave a big shudder. <br><br>\\r\\n 船着場に接岸したようだった。 <br>\\r\\n 船の人が出てきて、舫い綱を持ちながら埠頭に飛び移る。 <br>\\r\\n Seems we've docked at the harbor. <br><br>\\r\\n The boat driver came out and jumped to the pier with the mooring rope. <br><br>\\r\\n そこにはタキシード姿の大柄な男がいて、俺たちをにこやかな笑顔で迎えていた。 <br>\\r\\n A large man in a tuxedo was waiting there for us with a warm smile. <br><br>\\r\\n ……面識はないが、服装から右代宮本家の使用人だろうと察する。 <br>\\r\\n ......I didn't recognize his face, but judging by his clothes, I guessed he was a servant of the Ushiromiya Head Household. <br><br>\\r\\n 「お嬢様、お帰りなさいませ。だいぶ遅かったので心配いたしておりました。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Welcome home, Milady. You were so late in returning that I began to worry.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うん、心配ありがと！ ウドの大木が怖がっちゃってよー。それで徐行運転だったってわけ。マジでうぜーぜ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, thanks for caring! This moron got so scared, we had to slow down. It was seriously annoying!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「う、うるせー…、いつか逆の立場になったら覚えてろー、…ぅぅ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Sh-Shut up... Someday, when the shoe's on the other foot, you'll remember this...ugghh.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n この調子じゃ、親族中に言いふらされて、今日の晩餐は俺の話題で持ちきりだな。 <br>\\r\\n At this rate, word'll spread to the whole family, and I'll be the big conversation piece during dinner. <br><br>\\r\\n ただでさえ６年ぶりってことで話題にされやすいってのに、さらに美味しい話題まで提供しちまうとは…！ <br>\\r\\n Even without this, everyone'd be talking about me because of that six year gap, ...but now I've given them an even juicier topic...! <br><br>\\r\\n 畜生、何で右代宮本家は離島なんかに住んでんだー！ <br>\\r\\n Dammit, why does the Ushiromiya Head Family have to live on this isolated island?! <br><br>\\r\\n そうこうしている内に、船の接岸は終了した。 <br>\\r\\n 下船用の小さな橋板が掛けられる。 <br>\\r\\n In the meantime, the boat had finished its mooring. <br><br>\\r\\n A small plank was lowered so that we could get down. <br><br>\\r\\n 船内からぞろぞろと親たちも上がってきた。 <br>\\r\\n One by one, our parents came up from inside the boat. <br><br>\\r\\n 「皆様、長旅お疲れさまでした。奥様、お手をどうぞ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"You must all be quite tired from your long trip. Madam, please allow me to assist you.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ありがと。お久しぶりねぇ、郷田さんもお元気？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Thank you. It's been a while, Gohda-san. How are you?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ありがとうございます。お陰様で毎日元気にお勤めをさせていただいております。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I thank you for your concern. It is always my pleasure to serve.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「戦人くんは郷田さんとは初対面じゃない？ 確か６年前はお勤めじゃなかったですよね？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Battler-kun, isn't this your first time meeting Gohda-san? If I'm not mistaken, you weren't working here six years ago, right?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「はい。ですので、戦人さまとは初めてご挨拶させていただきます。初めまして、戦人さま。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Indeed. So please, allow me greet him for the first time. It is an honor to meet you, Battler-sama.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……俺も立っ端にゃ多少の自信があったんだが、でっけぇ人だなぁ。…紛れもなく初対面だぜ。こんな大男、会ったら絶対忘れないさ…！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"......I'm pretty confident about my height, but you're huge. ...This is definitely our first meeting. I'd never forget meeting a big guy like you...! <br><br>\\r\\n どうも初めまして。戦人っす。」 <br>\\r\\n It's a pleasure. I'm Battler.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「お待ち申し上げておりました。一昨年から右代宮本家にお仕えさせていただいております、使用人の郷田と申します。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I was looking forward to meeting you. I am Gohda (郷田), your servant, and I have been working for the Ushiromiya Head Family since the year before last. <br><br>\\r\\n どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。何かご用命がございましたら、いつでもお申し付けください。」 <br>\\r\\n It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. If there is anything you need, please feel free to rely on me at any time.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「郷田さん、お久しぶりです。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Gohda-san, it's been some time.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「譲治さま、ご無沙汰をいたしております。お手をどうぞ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It has been too long, George-sama. Please, allow me to assist you.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あんた、相変わらず大した接客のプロや…。もし職に困ったらいつでもわしに声を掛けんやでぇ。いつでも雇ったる！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"As usual, you're a pro at welcoming guests... If you ever need a job, just let me know, okay? I'd hire you anytime!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「これは身に余る光栄です。どうぞお手を、秀吉さま。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"You do me too much honor. Please allow me to assist you, Hideyoshi-sama.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 郷田さんは、その後も全員の下船を補助して挨拶をしていた。 <br>\\r\\n Gohda-san then lent a hand to everyone as they disembarked, greeting them as they passed. <br><br>\\r\\n 挨拶や仕草が洗練されていて、何と言うか、プロの身のこなしだ。 <br>\\r\\n 見かけのゴツさの割りにとても優雅だった。 <br>\\r\\n His speech and mannerisms had the refined polish of a professional. <br><br>\\r\\n He was very graceful, in contrast with his initially tough-looking appearance. <br><br>\\r\\n 大男特有の威圧感があるので怖い人かと思っていたが、想像するよりずっと礼儀正しい人だ。 <br>\\r\\n 勤めて２年と言ってるが、その前にもどこかで同じような職だったに違いない。 <br>\\r\\n His large size made him seem a bit scary at first, but he was much more polite than my first impression had led me to believe. <br><br>\\r\\n He claimed to have served on the island for two years, but he had doubtless worked at a similar job somewhere before. <br><br>\\r\\n 全員が下船すると、舫い綱は解かれ、船は船着場を離れ始める。 <br>\\r\\n 新島の母港へ引き上げるのだろう。 <br>\\r\\n After everybody disembarked, the mooring rope was untied and the boat started to steer away from the harbor. <br><br>\\r\\n It was probably returning to its home port on Niijima. <br><br>\\r\\n 船長がお別れの手を振ってくれる。 <br>\\r\\n 真里亞も律儀に手を振り返していた。 <br>\\r\\n The captain waved his hand in farewell. <br><br>\\r\\n Maria conscientiously waved her hand back. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………ん〜、何だかさっきから違和感があると思ったら、あれだな。うみねこの声を聞いてないぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"............Hmmm, now that I think about it, that must be why I've felt something out of place for a while now. I can't hear the cries of the seagulls.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うみねこぉ？ 鳥のか？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Seagulls? The birds?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n この島に来るといつも、うみねこがにゃあにゃあと賑やかな声で迎えてくれたんだっけ。 <br>\\r\\n If I remember correctly, whenever we came to this island in the past, the seagulls always greeted us with their lively `nyaa nyaa' cries. <br><br>\\r\\n そのせいで、ここ以外でうみねこの声を聞いても、親族会議に来ているような気分になる。 <br>\\r\\n Because of that, whenever I hear the cries of seagulls anywhere else, I get the feeling that I'm coming to a family conference. <br><br>\\r\\n 六軒島は、右代宮本家が住んでいる極めて一部分以外は、手付かずで放置されているため、野鳥の天国になっているらしい。 <br>\\r\\n Except for the small part of the island where those of the Ushiromiya Head Family live, Rokkenjima has been left uncultivated, which apparently makes it a paradise for wild birds. <br><br>\\r\\n どっかの岸壁がうみねこの巨大コロニーになってるらしく、この島はいつもはうみねこだらけなのだ。 <br>\\r\\n Supposedly, there was a cliff somewhere that housed a huge seagull colony, so this island was always full of seagulls. <br><br>\\r\\n そのうみねこの歓迎がなかったので、どこか少しだけ寂しかった。 <br>\\r\\n Not having those seagulls here to greet us made me feel a bit lonely. <br><br>\\r\\n 「どうしたの、戦人くん。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"What's wrong, Battler-kun?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁ、楼座叔母さん。…いやぁ別にぃ、うみねこの声が聞こえないんで、何か寂しいなぁ〜って。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, Aunt Rosa. ...Nah, it's nothing really, I was just thinking it's a bit lonely without the cries of the seagulls.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あら、そう言えばそうね。いっつも賑やかなのに、今日はさっぱりいないわね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"My, that's true, now that you mention it. Even though they're always so noisy, today there isn't one to be seen.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……うー？ どうしてうみねこいない？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Uu-? Why no seagulls?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うーん、うみねこたちも今日は他所で集まりがあるからかな？ 真里亞もうみねこ見たかったの？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmmm, maybe it's because the seagulls are having a get-together somewhere too? Maria, did you want to see the seagulls?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー、見たかった。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-, wanted to see them.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「何だってこうも丸っきりいねぇんだー？ 朱志香がみぃんな焼き鳥にして食っちまったんかなぁ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Still, it's a bit strange there isn't even a single one around. Maybe Jessica grilled 'em all and ate 'em!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……うー？！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Uu-?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ぶ、物騒なこと言うんじゃねぇー！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"The hell, don't say disturbing stuff like that! <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞が勘違いするだろー！！」 <br>\\r\\n You'll get Maria believing it!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うーうーうー！ 朱志香お姉ちゃんが焼き鳥にした、焼き鳥にしたー！ うー！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-uu-uu-! Jessica onee-chan grilled 'em, Jessica onee-chan grilled 'em! Uu-!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「してないしていない！ そんなの私がするわけねえだろ？！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I did not, I did not! Why the hell would I do something like that?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうだそうだぁ〜、朱志香が焼き鳥にしたんだー！ 皮につくねにレバーにねぎまぁ〜ん！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right, that's riiight, Jessica grilled 'em! Skin 'n meatballs, liver 'n oniooon!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ワワに靴練り！ レバーにねぎまぁーん！！ うーうーうー！ あははあはは！ きゃっきゃ、きゃっきゃ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Swim in meat dolls! Liver 'n oniooon!! Uu-uu-uu-! Ahaha, ahaha! Hahahaha!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 朱志香を囃し立てると、真里亞も面白そうに俺に追従してくれる。 <br>\\r\\n As I made fun of Jessica, Maria tagged along, looking like she was having fun. <br><br>\\r\\n おぉ、こんなにもノリのいいやつだったのか！ <br>\\r\\n よしよし、今日から俺の子分１号に加えてやるぜ！ <br>\\r\\n Ooh, I never guessed she was such a good sport! <br><br>\\r\\n Alrighty then, from today on I'll make you my number one follower! <br><br>\\r\\n 笑いかけてやると、ささやかな連帯感が嬉しいのか、とても嬉しそうに笑った。 <br>\\r\\n As I smiled at her, she beamed, looking overjoyed, possibly because she was happy about this little connection we'd made with each other. <br><br>\\r\\n 「違うよ、真里亞ちゃん。野鳥って天気や気圧の変化に敏感なんだそうだよ。今夜辺り、天気が崩れそうだしね。巣へ早めに引き上げてるのかもしれないね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's not it, Maria-chan. I've heard wild birds are attuned to changes in the weather and atmospheric pressure. The weather will probably get worse tonight. The seagulls might've returned to their nests early.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………うー。焼き鳥じゃない？ 朱志香お姉ちゃんが焼き鳥にしたんじゃない？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Uu-. Not grilled? Jessica onee-chan didn't grill 'em?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「違う違う！！ わ、私はそんなことしないって！ ほら戦人もウソだったって認めろよ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"No, no!! I-I wouldn't do something like that! Battler, you admit right now that you lied!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「戦人くん。真里亞ちゃんは素直な子だから、そういう冗談でも真に受けちゃうんだよ。冗談も少し選んだ方がいいよ。」 <br>\\r\\n …譲治の兄貴にしっとりやんわりとお説教される。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Battler-kun, Maria-chan is a naive girl, so she takes even jokes seriously. You should choose your jokes more carefully.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n ...George-aniki gently scolded me. <br><br>\\r\\n …図体のでかさだけは兄貴を上回っても、やっぱり兄貴は兄貴だ。素直に謝るしかねぇ。 <br>\\r\\n ...Even though I outstripped Aniki in height, Aniki was Aniki, of course. There was no choice but to obediently apologize. <br><br>\\r\\n 「お、おう、 <br>\\r\\n 悪ぃ悪ぃ…。 真里亞、今のは冗談だ。うみねこたちは今日は巣で大人しくしてるってさ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"S-Sure, <br><br>\\r\\n my bad, my bad... Maria, that was a joke. The seagulls are all taking it easy in their nests today, that's all.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……戦人はウソ？ 譲治お兄ちゃんは本当？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Battler lied? George onii-chan told the truth?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n せっかく楽しかったのに、実は騙されていた…？ <br>\\r\\n 無垢な瞳が俺を責めるようだ。 <br>\\r\\n ……ちょいとさすがに悪ノリし過ぎたかもなぁ。 <br>\\r\\n Had she actually been tricked, despite all that fun she was having...? <br><br>\\r\\n Her pure eyes made me feel guilty. <br><br>\\r\\n ......Maybe I went a little overboard with her after all. <br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁ、そうだそうだ。譲治兄貴が言ったのが本当だ。天気が悪いんで今日は引き上げたんだろうよ。いなくなったわけじゃないんだぜ？ ねぇ叔母さん！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeeaah, that's right, that's right. What George-aniki said is true. The weather's bad, so they probably went home for the day. It doesn't mean they're gone. Right, Aunt Rosa?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうよ。明日以降、天気が良くなったらきっと戻ってきて、みゃーみゃーと声を聞かせてくれるわ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right. Tomorrow, when the weather gets better, I'm sure they'll come back so we can hear them cry `myaa myaa' like they always do.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー。天気良くなって戻ってくるの待つ。明日まで待つ。天気良くなるまで待つ。うーうー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-. I'll wait until the weather gets better and they come back. Gonna wait until tomorrow. Gonna wait until the weather's better. Uu-uu-!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞は機嫌を直し、うみねこが空いっぱいに帰ってくる明日を楽しみにするのだった。 <br>\\r\\n Maria was in a lighter mood and was looking forward to tomorrow, when the seagulls would come back and fill the skies. <br><br>\\r\\n それにしても譲治の兄貴は小さい子の面倒を見るのがうまいぜ。 <br>\\r\\n Still, George-aniki really was amazing at taking care of kids. <br><br>\\r\\n …６年前のガキンチョだった俺も、兄貴にいい感じで面倒を見られてた気がするし。 <br>\\r\\n ……兄貴、ちょっとした才能なのかもしれないなぁ。 <br>\\r\\n ...I think I remember Aniki taking good care of me as well when I was a brat six years ago. <br><br>\\r\\n ......Aniki, that's probably your gift. <br><br>\\r\\n 「譲治くんは小さい子の面倒を見るのがうまいわね。保育士さんでも勤められるんじゃない？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"George-kun is amazing at taking care of young kids. If you wanted to, I'll bet you'd do great with a job in childcare, don't you think?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あー、譲治兄さんの天職っぽいぜ。私的には社長室でビジネスってより、そっちの方が兄さんのイメージだぜ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, it's almost like George nii-san was born to do something like that. Personally, I think that'd suit you better than doing business in some company president's office.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「まさか。保育士さんは立派なお仕事だよ。単なる子供好き程度に務まる仕事じゃないね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, no. Childcare is a fine career path, but it's not a job where merely liking children is enough.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「本当に譲治くんは謙虚ね。でも、戦人くんも子供のあやし方が上手よ？ さっきはほんの少しの間だけど、真里亞、とっても楽しそうだった。これからも今みたいに遊んであげてね。冗談は選んで、だけどね？ くす。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"You really are modest, George-kun. But Battler-kun is quite good with children too! Just a second ago, even though it didn't last long, Maria seemed to be having a lot of fun. Please, keep on playing with her like you did just now. Just choose your jokes more carefully, okay? *giggle*.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 楼座叔母さんがくすりと笑いながら、ウィンクするような仕草をしてくれた。 <br>\\r\\n 真里亞の楽しそうな仕草が嬉しかったという辺りは、なるほど母だなぁと思った。 <br>\\r\\n Aunt Rosa winked at me, giggling a little. <br><br>\\r\\n She's a real mother, I thought to myself, who's happy to see Maria having fun. <br><br>\\r\\n 「おおい、楼座ぁ。それにガキ共も何やってんだ、行くぞー。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Come ON, Rosa. And you brats too, what the hell're you doing? Let's get going.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「はいはい、今行きます。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay, okay, we're coming.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n クソ親父が早く来いと手を振っている。 <br>\\r\\n そろそろ行かないとな。 <br>\\r\\n 同じ立ち話をするんでも、手荷物を部屋に置いてからでも遅くないはずだしな。 <br>\\r\\n The old bastard was waving for us to hurry up. <br><br>\\r\\n Yeah, we needed to get moving. <br><br>\\r\\n We might as well have this conversation after setting our luggage down in our rooms. <br><br>\\r\\n 「それでは皆様、お泊りのゲストハウスの方へご案内させていただきます。どうぞこちらへ。」 <br>\\r\\n 郷田さんが全員に呼びかけ、先導を始める。 <br>\\r\\n 熊沢さんはしんがりだった。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Now then, everyone, allow me to lead you to the guesthouse, where you will be spending the night. Please, this way.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n Gohda-san called to everyone and led the way. <br><br>\\r\\n Kumasawa-san brought up the rear. <br><br>\\r\\n 薄暗い森の中を、蛇腹になった捻くれた道が続く。わずかに登りになっていた。 <br>\\r\\n A serpentine, twisting path led through a dim forest. It ran a bit uphill. <br><br>\\r\\n 傾斜を少しでも感じさせないために道を捻ってあるんだろうが、俺的には潔く直線の階段か何かにしてもらった方が嬉しい。 <br>\\r\\n I'd guess the path was made all twisty so the slope wouldn't seem too steep, but personally, I'd have been happier if they'd had the guts to make some stairs in a straight line. <br><br>\\r\\n ……絶対これ、勿体ぶって距離感を出すためにわざと道を捻ってあるぞ…。 <br>\\r\\n ......No doubt they made the path twist on purpose, to put on airs of distance and importance... <br><br>\\r\\n やがて石造りの庭園風の階段が見えてきた。 <br>\\r\\n Before long, we saw garden-style stone steps. <br><br>\\r\\n …あぁ、この辺からは記憶がある。 <br>\\r\\n こいつを上がると確か…。 <br>\\r\\n ...Aaah, from here on, I do have some memories. <br><br>\\r\\n Go up these, and... <br><br>\\r\\n 石段の向こうに、美しいゲストハウスが見えてくる。 <br>\\r\\n At the top of the stone steps, we saw a beautiful guesthouse. <br><br>\\r\\n その佇まいももちろん素晴らしいものだが、それ以上に、 <br>\\r\\n ……その前に広がる美しい薔薇の庭園の美しさに心を奪われずにはいられなかった。 <br>\\r\\n Its facade was lovely, of course, but more importantly, <br><br>\\r\\n ......we couldn't enter its doors without having our hearts stolen away by the splendor of the beautiful rose garden spreading before it. <br><br>\\r\\n 「はぁ〜！ 今年も相変わらず、大したもんや…。目の保養とはこのことやで…。」 <br>\\r\\n 石段を登りきり、薔薇の庭園に迎えられた人たちは次々の感動を口にする。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Aaah! It's as beautiful as ever this year... A real delight for the eyes...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n After climbing the stone steps, the people greeted by this rose garden gave voice to their impressions one by one. <br><br>\\r\\n 「今年は少し花に元気がないんじゃない？ やっぱり夏があまり暑くなかったせいかしら。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Is it just me, or are the flowers a little less lively this year? It's probably because it wasn't that hot this summer.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そのせいもあるかと思います。去年の咲きに比べると、今年は少々見劣るのが残念です。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I also believe that was a factor. Sadly, this year's blooming is a tad inferior when compared to last year's.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n とはいっても、それでも立派な薔薇庭園だった。 <br>\\r\\n ６年前にも毎年、たくさんの薔薇が出迎えてくれたのを覚えている。 <br>\\r\\n Even so, it was a delightful rose garden. <br><br>\\r\\n I remembered that even six years ago, huge numbers of roses had greeted us every year. <br><br>\\r\\n …六軒島を訪れた人間を最初に歓迎するこの薔薇庭園は、毎年訪れている親族であっても、感嘆を漏らさずにはいられないのだ。 <br>\\r\\n ...This rose garden was the first thing that greeted the people who came to Rokkenjima. Even our parents, who came every year, couldn't help but give voice to their admiration. <br><br>\\r\\n その上、俺の記憶にある、６年前の庭園よりパワーアップしているように見えた。 <br>\\r\\n In fact, it seemed to have undergone a power-up from the garden in my memories of six years ago. <br><br>\\r\\n 「いつ見てもすごいわね。自宅にこれだけの薔薇園があったら、さぞや素敵でしょうに。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"This place is always so amazing. It would be wonderful to have a rose garden like this at home.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「よせよ、誰が手入れすんだよ。薔薇は虫とか病気とか大変なんだぜ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Give it up. Who do you think would take care of it? Roses are a real pain, with bugs and diseases to worry about.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうね。霧江姉さんは毎日、薔薇の手入れをしてて、虫が付かないようにしてるそうよ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, from what I've heard, Kyrie nee-san takes care of her rose every day and makes sure no bugs get anywhere near it, right?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「え？ そうなのかよ、そんな話は知らないぜ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh? What are you talking about?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうなんです。この人の場合は、薔薇の方から虫を求めて行っちゃうから、どっちかというと性質の悪い食虫植物ってところね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right. Though in this person's case, the rose goes after the insects like some nasty carnivorous plant.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…あー、そういう話かよ。ったく、楼座、今日はそういう話は勘弁してくれよ。もうそういうのはすっかり足を洗ったんだぜ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Oh, so that's what you mean. C'mon, Rosa, can't you give that a rest just for today? I've put that sort of thing completely behind me.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「どうかしら。留弗夫兄さんは遺伝子的レベルでだらしないですし…！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I wonder. After all, you're a womanizer on an almost genetic level...!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「大丈夫よ楼座さん。あんまりおイタする薔薇なら、根元からチョンって切っちゃうから。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"No need to worry, Rosa-san. When a rose gives you too much trouble, it's always best to snip it at the root.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほっほっほっほ…、物騒なお話ですねぇ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hohohohoh, such frightening talk this is.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「モテる男はいつもリスクと隣り合わせなんや。わしも来世じゃもうちょい美形に生まれたいもんやで〜！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Guys who're popular with the ladies are always forced to live dangerously. I sure hope I turn out a bit prettier in my next life!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「だから秀吉兄さん、モテてなんかないって。…霧江も物騒な話なんかやめろぃ。俺の薔薇が萎れちまったじゃねぇか。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hideyoshi nii-san, like I keep saying, it isn't like that at all. ...And Kyrie...stop it, you're freaking me out. You've made my rose wilt.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほら、真里亞ちゃん来てごらん。こっちの薔薇は特に立派だよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, Maria-chan, look over here. These roses are especially magnificent.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…薔薇が立派。…うー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Magnificent roses. ...Uu-!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ん〜〜、芳しい匂いだぜ。俺のエレガントさにぴったりだなぁ〜。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmmm, smells pretty sweet. Look, this suits my elegance perfectly.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「おいよせよ！ 真里亞が真似してトゲで怪我するだろー！」 <br>\\r\\n キザったらしく薔薇の匂いを嗅ぐような仕草をして見せたら怒られた。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, cut it out! Maria's gonna imitate you and get hurt by the thorns!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n She yelled at me as I leaned in to smell the rose's scent with an exaggerated gesture. <br><br>\\r\\n …まさかなと思って振り返ると、真里亞が俺そっくりの真似をして、譲治の兄貴を大層笑わせていた。 <br>\\r\\n ...I thought she was overreacting, but when I turned around, I saw Maria imitating my every gesture and George-aniki smiling broadly at us. <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほら、真里亞ちゃん、気をつけて。薔薇のトゲは痛いよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey now, Maria-chan, be careful. Rose thorns can hurt.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……うー？ …………譲治お兄ちゃん。この薔薇だけヘン。うー。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Uu-? ......George onii-chan, only this rose is strange. Uu-.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ヘン？ どうしたんだよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Strange? What's wrong?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞が一本の薔薇を指差す。 <br>\\r\\n すぐにその違和感はわかった。 <br>\\r\\n Maria pointed at a single rose. <br><br>\\r\\n I immediately understood why she found it odd. <br><br>\\r\\n 立派な薔薇たちの中で、その一本だけが萎れかけていたのだ。 <br>\\r\\n In the midst of all these magnificent roses, one single rose was just starting to wilt. <br><br>\\r\\n 特別な理由があるわけじゃない。 <br>\\r\\n 元気な薔薇もあれば萎れる薔薇もある。 <br>\\r\\n There wasn't any particular reason. <br><br>\\r\\n Some roses flourish, and others wilt. <br><br>\\r\\n それだけのことなのだが、みんな元気なのに一本だけ元気がないというのが、真里亞にはとても気になるようだった。 <br>\\r\\n That's all there was to it, but Maria seemed very concerned about the only unhealthy one in the group. <br><br>\\r\\n …多分、ある種の仲間はずれ的な感情を感じているに違いない。 <br>\\r\\n ...It must have made her feel lonely. <br><br>\\r\\n 「この薔薇だけ元気がなくて、可哀想…？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"So, you feel sad for this rose because it's the only one that isn't healthy...?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……うー。他はみんな元気なのに、これだけ可哀想。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Uu-. The others are all healthy, but this one's sad.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「まぁ、咲いたり枯れたりはそれぞれだからなぁ。一足先に萎れる代わりに、その薔薇は他のどの薔薇よりも早く開花できたんだと思うぜ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, they all bloom and wither at their own paces. I'll bet this one's just starting to wilt early 'cause it got to bloom before any of the others.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうだよな。いっぱい咲いて、その役目を終えてお休みに入ったってだけのことだと思うぜ。そんなに気に病むことはねぇさ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, that's right. It probably just bloomed like crazy, fulfilled its duty and went to sleep. You shouldn't get so worked up about it.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………うー。」 <br>\\r\\n 真里亞の無垢な感受性は、このぽつりと萎れる薔薇に何かの感傷を感じさせるらしい。 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Uu-.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n It seemed that Maria's pure, sensitive nature was making her feel some emotional pain for the rose that wilted alone. <br><br>\\r\\n 理屈ではわかっていても、寂しさが拭えないようだった。 <br>\\r\\n Even though she understood the logic of it, it still felt lonely to her. <br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃあ真里亞ちゃん。帰るまでの間、この薔薇をお世話してあげるといいよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Then, Maria-chan, why don't you look after this rose until we leave?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 譲治の兄貴は一度腰を上げると、ポケットをまさぐる。 <br>\\r\\n 取り出したのは、機内で舐めていた飴玉の包み紙だった。 <br>\\r\\n George-aniki straightened up and felt around in his pocket. <br><br>\\r\\n He then took out the wrapper from the candy he had been sucking on the plane. <br><br>\\r\\n それをこよりのように細くすると、目印をつけるようにその薔薇にやさしく縛り付けた。 <br>\\r\\n He twisted it into a thin string, then gently tied it to the rose as a sort of marker. <br><br>\\r\\n 「へー、なんだか可愛くなったね！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Heeey, that's pretty cute!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「これが、この薔薇の目印だよ。あとでお水とかをあげに来てごらん。薔薇さんもきっと喜ぶと思うよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Let's mark it with this. Later on, you can come and give it some water. I'm sure Mr. Rose will be happy.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……うー！ お水とかをあげに来る！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Uu-! Come to give it water!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「せっかくだから、この薔薇さんに何か名前を付けてあげるといいよ。そうすると、薔薇さんも喜ぶと思うし、真里亞ちゃんと心もきっと通い合うと思うよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I think you should give Mr. Rose here a name. I'm sure that'll make it happy, and you'll get to know it a little better.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「名前…？ 名前…。……うー…うー…。」 <br>\\r\\n 真里亞は腕組をしながら、相変わらずの仏頂面だけれども、真剣に悩み始める。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"A name...? A name... ......Uu-uu-...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n Though she still wore her usual sullen face, Maria crossed her arms and began to consider this intently. <br><br>\\r\\n 少なくとも、傷心からはすっかり立ち直ったように見えた。さすがは兄貴だ。 <br>\\r\\n At the very least, she appeared to have been completely pulled out of her slump. Nice going, Aniki. <br><br>\\r\\n 「譲治兄さんって、昔っから包容力があるよな。尊敬するぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"George nii-san has always been really understanding. Can't help but respect him.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「だな。人徳ってヤツだろ。後でツメの垢をもらってきてやるから一緒に飲もうぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah. I guess he was just born that way. We've gotta start picking up tips!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「この庭園は、お前が子供の頃にもこんなに立派だったんか？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Was this garden just as magnificent when you all were kids?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「私が出てってからよ、こんなに立派になったのは。前の庭園の方が素朴で愛着があったんだけどねぇ。兄さんがちょっと悪趣味にいじり過ぎたのよ。前の方がずっとよかったんだから。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It was only after I stopped living here that it grew so big. Before that, the garden was simpler, though I'm still attached to that one. Nii-san fiddled with it too much, with that vaguely bad taste of his. I liked it much better before.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「絵羽、ポジティブシンキングやで！ 昔は置いといて、今のこの美しさを愛でなあかん。その方が心が安らかになるでぇ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Eva, you've gotta think positive! Settin' aside how it used to look, its beauty now is somethin' to be admired. You'll be able to relax a lot better if you look at it that way.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「別にそんな意味じゃぁ。ただ私は、昔の方が素敵だった庭園をあなたにも見て欲しかったなぁってだけよぅ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I didn't mean it like that... I was just saying that I wanted you to see this garden the way it was before too.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「それでは皆様、よろしいでしょうか。そろそろお部屋の方にご案内いたします。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Everyone, if you please, I shall guide you to your rooms now.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 郷田さんがそろそろ良いかとみんなに声を掛けるが、一年ぶりの薔薇庭園にすっかり心を奪われてしまって、なかなか耳を貸そうとはしなかった。 <br>\\r\\n Gohda-san called to everyone to ask if we were ready, but our hearts had been completely stolen away by the rose garden that none of us had seen for a year, so we didn't pay much attention to him. <br><br>\\r\\n 団体旅行じゃないから、厳しいスケジュールがあるわけじゃない。 <br>\\r\\n それに、親兄弟たちにとっては懐かしき実家の敷地内なので、誰かに促される義理もないのだろう。 <br>\\r\\n Since we weren't a travel group, it wasn't like we had a strict schedule to follow. <br><br>\\r\\n Besides, since our parents were visiting their old home, full of nostalgia, it wasn't like they had to let themselves be urged on by anyone or anything. <br><br>\\r\\n その辺りの事情を理解し、郷田さんは親たちが薔薇に飽きて部屋に案内してくれと言い出すまで、にこやかなまま待ち続けるのだった…。 <br>\\r\\n Understanding the situation, Gohda-san continued to wait, smiling widely, until our parents got tired of the roses and told him to guide us to our rooms... <br><br>\\r\\n 「おや…！ おおい！ 嘉音くんやないか！ 久しぶりやな、元気かぁ！」 <br>\\r\\n 秀吉伯父さんが唐突に大声を上げた。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh...?! Heeey! If it isn't Kanon-kun! It's been so long! How are ya doin'?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n Uncle Hideyoshi suddenly shouted. <br><br>\\r\\n 手を振っている方を見ると、 <br>\\r\\n In the direction he was waving... <br><br>\\r\\n ………小柄な少年がいた。 <br>\\r\\n ...was a slender boy. <br><br>\\r\\n 郷田さんのような大柄の男を見た直後だと、その小柄さが一層際立って見えたかもしれない。 <br>\\r\\n Meeting him right after a huge man like Gohda probably emphasized his small stature. <br><br>\\r\\n 少年は、手押しの猫車に園芸の道具などを積んで運んでいるところだった。 <br>\\r\\n 自分が呼び止められたことを知ると、猫車を置いて帽子を取り、頭を下げた。 <br>\\r\\n The boy was in the middle of transporting piled-up gardening tools and the like in a wheelbarrow. <br><br>\\r\\n When he realized he was being called to stop, he set down the wheelbarrow, took his hat off and bowed his head. <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………。………こんにちは。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...............Good afternoon.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n …多分、俺より年下だと思う。 <br>\\r\\n 雰囲気から彼も使用人であることがわかった。 <br>\\r\\n ...I figured he was probably younger than me. <br><br>\\r\\n And I realized by the general atmosphere surrounding him that he was another servant. <br><br>\\r\\n 秀吉伯父さんの挨拶に応える形で挨拶を返してくれたが、本来は無愛想なのかもしれない。 <br>\\r\\n ちょっと感情の篭らない挨拶だった。 <br>\\r\\n He greeted us in response to Uncle Hideyoshi's call, but he seemed like he might be pretty unsociable most of the time. <br><br>\\r\\n It was a greeting that lacked feeling. <br><br>\\r\\n 俺らの関心が彼に移ったのに気付くと、郷田さんは少年の脇に行き紹介してくれた。 <br>\\r\\n When Gohda-san noticed that our interest had shifted towards him, he went to the boy's side and introduced him to us. <br><br>\\r\\n 「戦人さま、ご紹介いたします。右代宮本家にお仕えしております使用人のひとりです。…嘉音さん、お客様にご挨拶を。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Battler-sama, allow me to introduce you. This is one of the servants of the Ushiromiya Head Household. ...Kanon-san, greet our guest.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………初めまして。使用人の…………、 <br>\\r\\n \\\"............I'm pleased to meet you. I am the servant......... <br><br>\\r\\n 嘉音（かのん）です。」 <br>\\r\\n Kanon (嘉音).\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n やはり第一印象に違わず、無愛想というか、口下手だなと感じた。 <br>\\r\\n Yep, my first impression wasn't wrong. He seemed to be unsociable, or at least not so good at talking. <br><br>\\r\\n 郷田さんが使用人として非常に洗練されていることと比べると、どうしても年齢相応の未熟さを感じてしまうのだった。 <br>\\r\\n Compared to Gohda-san, who was extraordinarily polished as a servant, you couldn't help but feel an inexperience typical of his age. <br><br>\\r\\n 郷田さんが、もう少し自己紹介はできませんかと小声で促しているが、嘉音という少年は俯くだけだ。 <br>\\r\\n When Gohda-san urged him in a whisper to give a bit more of an introduction, the boy named Kanon only cast his eyes downwards. <br><br>\\r\\n 「嘉音さん。もう少し何か挨拶することはできませんか…？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Kanon-san, could you perhaps give them a little more of a greeting...?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………いえ。…………僕たちは、 <br>\\r\\n ……家具ですから。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........No. .........Because we... <br><br>\\r\\n are furniture.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 俺らに悪意があってそれ以上の挨拶を拒んでいる、というよりは、これ以上何を挨拶すればいいかわからず黙っているしかない、という風に見えた。 <br>\\r\\n He didn't seem to be refusing to greet us out of spite. Rather, he seemed to have fallen silent because he didn't know what else to say to us in greeting. <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、あー、嘉音くんは寡黙でさ、余計なおしゃべりはしない性分なんだよ。愛想は少し悪いけど根はいい人なんだぜ。誤解しないで…！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"W-Well, Kanon-kun's shy and doesn't tend to talk much. He might not be that sociable, but deep down he's really a good person! Don't get him wrong...! <br><br>\\r\\n ここに勤めて３年になるっけ？ 確か郷田さんより１年長いんだよな、嘉音くん？」 <br>\\r\\n You've been working here for three years, haven't you? Pretty sure you started a year before Gohda-san, right?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 別に悪い印象を持ったわけじゃないのに、朱志香が慌ててフォローしてくれる。 <br>\\r\\n Even though he wasn't exactly giving a terrible first impression, Jessica hurriedly backed him up. <br><br>\\r\\n …なるほど、普段から無愛想で損をしているらしい。 <br>\\r\\n ...I see, apparently his unsociable nature causes him trouble a lot. <br><br>\\r\\n 「そっか、よろしくな。俺は戦人！ １８だけど、君はいくつだい？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay then, nice to meet you. I'm Battler! I'm 18. How old are you?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………。」 <br>\\r\\n 答えるべき質問かどうか、値踏みするような沈黙。…これまた先に朱志香が教えてくれた。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...........................\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n He fell silent, as though wondering whether or not it was a question he'd have to answer. ...But here again, Jessica plowed ahead. <br><br>\\r\\n 「えっとえっと…！ 確か、私たちの２つ下だから、…１６だったよなー？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Um, uhh...! If I remember correctly, Kanon's two years younger than us, so...sixteen, right?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………はい、…そうです。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Yes, ...that is correct.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n できることなら年齢を打ち明けたくなかったという風に見えた。 <br>\\r\\n It looked like he would've preferred not to tell us his age if given the choice. <br><br>\\r\\n 年齢を話したくないのは、それを理由に見下されるかもしれないからだ。 <br>\\r\\n …俺も同じくらいの歳の時、大人に歳を聞かれるのが嫌いだった気がする。 <br>\\r\\n That was probably because he thought we'd look down on him for it. <br><br>\\r\\n ...I remember that when I was around his age, I hated being asked how old I was by adults. <br><br>\\r\\n …なるほど、１６か。 <br>\\r\\n ...I see, sixteen huh? <br><br>\\r\\n その辺が微妙な年頃かもしれねぇな。 <br>\\r\\n …だとしたら悪いことを聞いちまったぜ。 <br>\\r\\n That's gotta be a delicate time. <br><br>\\r\\n ...Which means I probably asked something I shouldn't have. <br><br>\\r\\n 「へっへ〜、近い歳で嬉しいぜ！ 気さくに戦人って呼んでくれよな！ 俺も君のことは嘉音って呼ぶぜ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Heh heh, I'm glad you're about our age! Just be cool and call me Battler! And I'll call you Kanon!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………ありがとうございます。お気持ちだけで結構です、…戦人さま。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Thank you very much. But the sentiment alone is sufficient, ...Battler-sama.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 朱志香が勝手にあわあわしてる。 <br>\\r\\n 嘉音くんの拒絶的な返事に俺が印象を悪くしているものと思っているらしい。 <br>\\r\\n Jessica looked panicky for some reason. <br><br>\\r\\n She seemed to think my impression of Kanon was getting worse because of his refusal. <br><br>\\r\\n まぁ女の朱志香には、この辺のむずかる男心はわかるまいよ。 <br>\\r\\n 俺はほんの２年だが青年時代をリードしている先輩として、そこら辺を理解してやることにする。 <br>\\r\\n Well, as a girl, Jessica probably couldn't understand the fretful male heart at this age. <br><br>\\r\\n As his elder, even by just two years, I took it upon myself to be understanding of that. <br><br>\\r\\n 「嘉音さん、もう少し愛想よくはできませんか？ 笑顔も使用人の義務ですよ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Kanon-san, could you perhaps be a little more courteous? A smiling face is also part of a servant's duty.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………申し訳ありません。…努力します。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...............My apologies. ...I shall make an effort.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほっほっほ…。郷田さん、嘉音くんもいろいろ頑張ってるんですよ、ねぇ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hohohoh... Gohda-san, Kanon-kun is trying his best, yes?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 無愛想な点はよく注意されることらしい。 <br>\\r\\n そして一向に改まらないことでもあるようだ。 <br>\\r\\n It looked like he was often warned about being unsociable. <br><br>\\r\\n And apparently he hadn't improved one bit. <br><br>\\r\\n 郷田さんは営業スマイルのままだったが、諦めの小さな溜め息を漏らす。 <br>\\r\\n Gohda-san kept his business smile but let a small sigh of resignation escape. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……それでは、まだ仕事がありますので。………失礼します。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Well then, I still have work to do. ......If you'll excuse me.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n これ以上、この場で沈黙を守ることは嘉音くん自身にとっても居心地の悪いものらしい。 <br>\\r\\n もう一度ぺこりと頭を下げると踵を返し、猫車を押し始めるのだった。 <br>\\r\\n It looked like Kanon himself was uncomfortable with remaining silent here any longer. <br><br>\\r\\n After another perfunctory bow, he turned around and started pushing the wheelbarrow again. <br><br>\\r\\n すると突然、猫車がぐらりと転んで積荷を散らしてしまった。 <br>\\r\\n 猫車のひとつしかない車輪が小石でも噛んだのでバランスを崩してしまったのだろう。 <br>\\r\\n Just then, the wheelbarrow suddenly wobbled and fell, scattering the load. <br><br>\\r\\n I guess the wheelbarrow's single wheel got caught on a pebble and lost its balance. <br><br>\\r\\n 「何をしてるんですか…、ささ、早く片付けて…！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"What do you think you're doing...? Now, now, clean it up quickly...!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n お客様の前で無様な姿を見せるのは使用人の恥だとでも言わんばかりに、郷田さんが小声で急き立てる。 <br>\\r\\n 嘉音くんも、言われなくてもわかってるとばかりに、無言で落ちた荷を猫車に積み直す。 <br>\\r\\n Gohda-san urged him to hurry in a quiet voice, as though hinting that it was shameful for a servant to appear clumsy in front of guests. <br><br>\\r\\n Kanon-kun wordlessly reloaded the wheelbarrow with the fallen objects, as if to say that he understood quite well without being told. <br><br>\\r\\n シャベルなんかの園芸道具は軽そうだからいいが、一抱えもあるような肥料の袋を持ち上げるのには苦労しているようだった。 <br>\\r\\n He seemed to be fine with the light-looking gardening tools, shovels and such, but he looked like he was having trouble getting his arms around and lifting up some sacks of fertilizer. <br><br>\\r\\n 「大丈夫かよ、そそっかしいな。ほら。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Are you okay? You're so careless. Here.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「お嬢様、お召し物が汚れます。ここはお任せ下さい。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Milady, you will dirty your garments. Please, leave this to us.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 朱志香が拾ったシャベルを、郷田さんは優雅な仕草で取り上げる。 <br>\\r\\n With a smooth motion, Gohda-san took the shovel that Jessica had picked up. <br><br>\\r\\n その背中では、肥料の袋に難儀している嘉音くんの姿があった。 <br>\\r\\n Behind him, Kanon-kun was having trouble with the sacks of fertilizer. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……うー。お召し物が汚れる？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Uu-. You'll dirty your garments?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「安心しろよ、俺が着てるのはそんなお上品なものじゃねぇぜ。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't worry, the ones I'm wearing aren't that expensive. <br><br>\\r\\n それによ、俺はレストランで、落ちたフォークをウェイトレスに拾わせるってやつが大嫌いなんだ。」 <br>\\r\\n 俺は他にも転がる肥料を抱え上げる。 <br>\\r\\n Besides, I hate guys who just sit there and make the waitress pick up the fork they dropped at a restaurant.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n I lifted up the other bags that had fallen. <br><br>\\r\\n 決して軽くはなかったが、俺にとっちゃ朝飯前だ。 <br>\\r\\n Of course, they weren't light, but for me it was a piece of cake. <br><br>\\r\\n 嘉音くんは驚いた目を向ける。 <br>\\r\\n まさか客人に手伝ってもらえるとは思わなかったって顔だ。 <br>\\r\\n Kanon-kun looked at me, surprised. <br><br>\\r\\n It was the face of someone who never would've expected to receive help from a guest. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………ば、戦人さま…。結構です…、僕が全てやりますので…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"............B-Battler-sama, don't worry about it... I will take care of everything, so...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「気にすんなぁ！ こう見えても鍛え方が違うぜ！ へへん！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Don't you worry! I may not look it, but I've got it where it counts! Heheh!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 嘉音くんはまだ成長期前って感じで、少々ひ弱そうな体つきだ。 <br>\\r\\n ちょいとこの重さは堪えるのかもしれない。 <br>\\r\\n Since Kanon-kun looked like he hadn't yet gone through his growth spurt, he was stuck with a sorta weak body. <br><br>\\r\\n This kind of weight might've been too much for him. <br><br>\\r\\n 「結構重いね。嘉音くんが苦労するのも無理はないよ。嘉音くん、気にしないで。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It's quite heavy. It's natural that it would be difficult for you. Don't worry about it, Kanon-kun.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「これぞ俺の見せ場さぁ。これでさっきの船の分はチャラだよなぁ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Okay, my time to shine. This makes up for the boat stuff from before, right?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「は！ この程度のことじゃ、さっきの大騒ぎが帳消しになるもんかよ！ あっはっはっは！ 嘉音くんにも後で教えてやるよ、戦人ったら面白ぇんだぜ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ha! As if this could make up for freaking out like that! Ahahaha! Later, I'll tell you about it too, Kanon-kun! Battler was totally hilarious!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「落ちるー落ちるー！！ うーうーうー！！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Gonna faaall, faaall!! Uu-uu-uu-!!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n そんな風にしている内に、積荷は全て元通り猫車に積みあがる。 <br>\\r\\n As they did this, I piled all the stuff back into the wheelbarrow. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………お見苦しいところをお見せして、申し訳ございませんでした。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"............I beg your forgiveness...for letting you witness such unsightliness.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ささ、もう結構ですよ。行ってください。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Come now, that's quite enough. Please, go.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n もてなすべきお客にみっともないところを見せてしまったのは使用人としては恥ずべきことなのだろう。 <br>\\r\\n 退場を急かす郷田に促され、嘉音くんは去っていった。 <br>\\r\\n Letting the guests, who were supposed to feel welcome, see such a disgraceful thing...must have been hideously embarrassing for a servant. <br><br>\\r\\n Pressed by Gohda to hurry up and go, Kanon-kun left. <br><br>\\r\\n 「郷田さんもいじめ過ぎよぅ。意地悪言わないであなたも手伝えばよかったんじゃない？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"You're too harsh on him, Gohda-san. Shouldn't you have helped him, instead of being a bully?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…これは至りませんで。誠に申し訳ございませんでした。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...That was wrong of me. I deeply implore your forgiveness.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 郷田さんは笑顔を寸分歪ませることもなく、優雅に謝罪の言葉を口にするのだった。 <br>\\r\\n Without even a twitch in his smile, Gohda-san apologized elegantly. <br><br>\\r\\n 「嘉音くんもえぇところはぎょうさんあるんやで。ただ、若いんかのぅ、色々と損をしとる。勿体無いわ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Kanon-kun has a ton a things he's good at too. It's just that bein' young works against him all the time. It's a cryin' shame.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「気難しい年頃さぁ。そっとしといてやれよ。使用人は寡黙なくらいが丁度いいさ。なぁ熊沢さん。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, it's a prickly age. Let's just leave him be. After all, closed-mouthed servants are the best kind. Isn't that right, Kumasawa-san?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほっほっほっほ、留弗夫さまは手厳しゅうございますこと！ 私ほど使用人で寡黙な者はおりませんとも、えぇ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hohohohoh, Rudolf-sama, you truly are harsh! There is no servant as silent as me, of course!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n その白々しい言葉にみんなは思わず苦笑いを漏らす。 <br>\\r\\n 本人だって夢にもそう思ってなんかいない。 <br>\\r\\n だから、場を和ますために言ってくれたのだ。 <br>\\r\\n Everyone smiled wryly at that obvious lie. <br><br>\\r\\n Even she herself didn't believe that, not in her wildest dreams. <br><br>\\r\\n So, she must've said it to lighten the mood. <br><br>\\r\\n なるほど、熊沢の婆ちゃんってこういうキャラだったんだな。 <br>\\r\\n Yeah, that's the kind of character Kumasawa baa-chan used to be. <br><br>\\r\\n ちょっと硬くなっていた雰囲気は、熊沢さんのカラカラとした笑いでみるみる晴らされていった。 <br>\\r\\n The once stiff atmosphere had cleared up at once thanks to her cheerful smile. <br><br>\\r\\n 「そろそろ荷物を置きたいわね。郷田さん、部屋割りはどうなってるのかしら？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I'd like to set down our luggage soon. Gohda-san, what rooms are we all going to take?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「昨年と同じになっております。さ、ご案内いたします。どうぞこちらへ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It shall be the same as the previous year. Allow me to guide you. Please, this way.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 俺たちは瀟洒で小綺麗なゲストハウスへ向かう。 <br>\\r\\n ここが、一泊の間の俺たちの仮の宿になるのだ。 <br>\\r\\n We headed towards a trim, elegantly simple guesthouse. <br><br>\\r\\n This was gonna be our temporary quarters for the night. <br><br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………………。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"..........................................\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 客人一行がゲストハウスに入っていくのを、嘉音は垣根越しに見送っていた。 <br>\\r\\n それから、猫車に積まれた、あの重い肥料の袋に目を落とす。 <br>\\r\\n Kanon watched over a hedge as the guests all entered the guesthouse. <br><br>\\r\\n Then, he let his eyes fall on those heavy sacks of fertilizer, piled up in the wheelbarrow. <br><br>\\r\\n 脳裏に過ぎるのは、さっきのミスの時。 <br>\\r\\n In his mind, he kept going over his previous mistake. <br><br>\\r\\n 体躯の大きい戦人が、自分が満足に持ち上げられない袋を、さも軽そうに持ち上げて見せていた。 <br>\\r\\n Battler, big and strong, had picked up the sacks in front of him, the sacks Kanon couldn't lift himself, as if they were feathers. <br><br>\\r\\n その好意が、嘉音に何の感傷を与えているのか、傍目に理解することはとても難しかっただろう。 <br>\\r\\n でも、そのうな垂れた後姿を見る限り、そっとせずにはいられない何かを感じさせるのだった。 <br>\\r\\n It would be extremely difficult for an outside observer to guess what emotions that favor had stirred up in Kanon. <br><br>\\r\\n But as far as you could tell by watching him hang his head, there was something that he just couldn't let go of. <br><br>\\r\\n …ぽつりと独り言が零れる。 <br>\\r\\n ...Muttered words escaped his lips. <br><br>\\r\\n でもそれは、呟いた自分の耳にすら届かないほどの小さなもの。 <br>\\r\\n But those words he murmured were so soft that they didn't reach even his own ears. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………僕だって、 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Even I, <br><br>\\r\\n ………………………。」 <br>\\r\\n ..................\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 嘉音はうな垂れ、下唇を小さく噛むのだった…。 <br>\\r\\n Kanon hung his head, slightly biting his lower lip... <br><br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「薔薇の庭園は記憶にあったんだけどよぅ…。このゲストハウスっつーのは記憶にねぇなぁ。これ建てたのは最近か？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I remember the rose garden, ...but I don't remember this guesthouse at all. Was it built recently?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 門柱らしきものに「渡来庵」と記されているが、みんなはゲストハウスと呼んでいたので俺もそれに習った。 <br>\\r\\n `Toraian' (Visitor's Retreat) was written on a gatepost-like thing, but since everyone called it the guesthouse, I followed their lead. <br><br>\\r\\n 薔薇の庭園を見下ろすように立つ真新しい洋館は、庭園との調和を大切にした見事なデザインだった。 <br>\\r\\n The brand-new Western-style guesthouse, which stood overlooking the roses, had a magnificent design carefully done in harmony with the garden. <br><br>\\r\\n 「正解だよ。建ったのはつい一昨年さ。それ以降は、僕たちはこっちに泊めさせてもらってるんだよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Correct! It was built the year before last. Ever since then, they've had us sleep over here.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「へへ、年季の入ったボロ屋敷よりこっちの方が好評みてぇだしな。私も自分の部屋をこっちに持ちたいぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Heheh, this place is more fun than that junky old mansion you knew. I wish my room was over here!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 真里亞も持ちたい！ 持ちたいー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! I want a room here too! I want one!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n …俺の家も裕福な部類に入るだろうが、本家に比べたらまったくの庶民だなぁと思う。 <br>\\r\\n ...I guess you could say my own house was upper-class, but to me, it felt completely ordinary compared to the Head Family. <br><br>\\r\\n 年に何度も訪れない客人のために、こんな立派なゲストハウスを建てちまうってんだから、その富豪っぷりには驚かされるさ。 <br>\\r\\n The display of wealth was shocking, as was the fact that they'd build this kind of awesome guesthouse for guests who came over only a few times a year. <br><br>\\r\\n 「絵羽さま、秀吉さま。こちらのお部屋をお使い下さいませ。留弗夫さま、霧江さまはこちらのお部屋をお使い下さいませ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Eva-sama, Hideyoshi-sama, please, do make use of this room. Rudolf-sama, Kyrie-sama, please take this room here.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「やっぱりここは綺麗で上品でいいわね。洋風って本当に素敵だわぁ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I really do love how beautiful and elegant this place is. Western-style architecture truly is wonderful.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほんの２〜３日なら洋風もええやろが、ずっといて落ち着くのは断固和風やで！ 日本人は畳みの上が一番くつろげるんや。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I can handle Western design for a few days, but any longer than that and you need the good old Japanese look! Japanese people just relax best on tatami mats.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…はは、新しい家を和風にするか洋風にするかで喧嘩してね。お父さんが和風で着工させたのを母さん、まだ根に持って、よく言い合いをするんだよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Haha, they've been fighting over whether to make our new house Japanese-style or Western-style. Mom still holds a grudge about Dad having the construction started with a Japanese layout, and they bicker all the time about it.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「譲治兄さんのところは両親仲が良くて羨ましいぜ？ うちなんか冷め切ったもんさ。そのくせ、私の成績の話だけは連帯しやがる。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm really jealous, George nii-san. Your parents get along well, don't they? Mine are so frosty. Then again, they're always in sync when it comes to my grades.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 部屋はみんなツインらしい。 <br>\\r\\n お陰で、家族とかいう理由でクソ親父と同じ部屋を強制されずに済むのはありがたいことさ。 <br>\\r\\n All the rooms seemed to be for two people. <br><br>\\r\\n I was grateful, since I wasn't gonna be forced to share the same room with the old bastard, under the pretext that we were family. <br><br>\\r\\n 親父たちだって、俺なんかがいたら、よろしくできないだろうしなー、いっひっひ。 <br>\\r\\n And anyway, I figure those two wouldn't be able to enjoy themselves with someone like me around, ihihi. <br><br>\\r\\n 「何、気持ち悪い顔で笑ってんのよ。どうせ下世話なこと考えてるんでしょ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"What's with that creepy smile? You're thinking about something dirty, aren't you?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「いっひっひっひ〜！ 下世話なぁんてと〜んでもないぃ！ どうぞごゆっくりお過ごし下さいませぇ〜！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ihihihi! Something diiirrrty? Of cooouuurse not! Please enjoy your staaay! <br><br>\\r\\n あいててててッ！ 痛ぇよクソ親父！」 <br>\\r\\n Ow, owowowow! That hurts, you old bastard!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n またしても後から親父に耳をつねり上げられる。 <br>\\r\\n Once again, Dad pulled my ears from behind. <br><br>\\r\\n 「馬鹿なこと言ってんじゃねぇ。俺ぁ、胃がキリキリ痛み始めててとてもそんな元気は湧かねぇぜ。今回はお前が主賓だろうが。せいぜい、親父や兄貴たちに可愛がられろよ。 ……親父の前では言葉遣いにだけ気をつけろ？ あの人、本ッ当にシャレが通じねぇからなぁ。……朱志香ちゃん、我らが当主さまのご機嫌は最近どうなんだ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Cut the crap. I'm getting a stomachache, and I'm not in the mood for this. You're the guest of honor this time around, so play as nice as possible with Dad and Aniki and the rest. ......At the very least, be careful of what you say in front of Dad, got it? Because wisecracks don't go too well with him. ......Jessica-chan, what's the Head's mood been like lately?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…んー……、 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hmm...... <br><br>\\r\\n 去年から相変わらず、かな。……余命３ヶ月、余命３ヶ月って割には相変わらずピンピン、 <br>\\r\\n カリカリ、 <br>\\r\\n イライラしてるって話です。」 <br>\\r\\n Same as last year, I guess. ......Considering they say he's got three months left to live, he's as lively, <br><br>\\r\\n grumpy, <br><br>\\r\\n and irritable as ever.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「今年も相変わらず不機嫌、ってわけね。……お守りができるのは相変わらず、源次さんだけなの？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Meaning, this year he's in his usual bad mood. ......And as usual, the only one who's able to look after him is Genji-san?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「お館様も、源次さんにだけは心を許しておいでのようです。私たち下々では、近頃はお目通りすらなかなか叶わず…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It seems the Master will open his heart to no one else. Lately, us small people have not even been granted an audience with him...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「また書斎に閉じこもって、怪しげな黒魔術三昧じゃねえのかな。何をやろうとてめぇの趣味だから構わねぇけど、臭いが立ち込める系は勘弁してほしいもんだぜ。…ついでにそのまま書斎から永久に出てくんなってんだ。へへへ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"He's shut himself up in his study again, probably doing nothing but that weird black magic of his. What he does for a hobby is his own damn business, but when he starts stinking up the house, it really gets on my nerves. ...I wish he'd never come out of that study again. Heheheh!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「年長の人にそんな言い方をするもんじゃないよ。右代宮家を復興させてくれた大恩人なんだから、もっと感謝しないと。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"You shouldn't talk like that about the elderly. We're all indebted to him, since he rebuilt the Ushiromiya Family. We should be more grateful.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ん、…まぁ…。……ごめん。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hm, ...well... ......Sorry.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 譲治兄貴にたしなめられては、朱志香も暴言を撤回するしかない。 <br>\\r\\n After being rebuked by George-aniki, Jessica had no choice but to take back her thoughtless remark. <br><br>\\r\\n 右代宮家は大富豪だが、ってことはやはり世間とは完全にズレてる曲者ぞろいだ。 <br>\\r\\n The Ushiromiya family was wealthy beyond belief, but of course, that meant all its members were a bit strange...and completely out of touch with the world at large. <br><br>\\r\\n その頂点に立つ右代宮家当主、つまり俺たちの祖父さまは、その中でも特に曲者で恐ろしいお人らしい。 <br>\\r\\n And at the top of the chain, the Family Head--our Grandfather--seemed especially strange and terrifying, even for our family. <br><br>\\r\\n さっき親父が、胃がキリキリして…と言ったが、それは今日ここに来ている大人たちの率直な気持ちだろう。 <br>\\r\\n Dad said he was getting a stomachache earlier, ...and I imagine that reflected the honest feelings of all the adults here today. <br><br>\\r\\n 孫である俺たちがきゃっきゃと遊んでいるのが、さぞや羨ましいに違いない。 <br>\\r\\n No doubt they were jealous of us grandchildren, who could just play around and laugh without a care. <br><br>\\r\\n 親父に聞かされた話じゃ、何でもかんでも鉄拳制裁で、娘であろうと木刀で容赦なく打ち据える暴力当主だったそうだ。 <br>\\r\\n From the stories Dad told me, the Family Head was a violent man who ruled with his fists, beating his children, even his daughters, mercilessly with a wooden sword. <br><br>\\r\\n そんだけの硬派さがあったら、息子たちの名前ももう少し硬派にしたらどうだよ。 <br>\\r\\n お陰で孫まで迷惑してるぜ。 <br>\\r\\n If he was so strict and uptight about that, why couldn't he have been a little more conservative with his kids' names? <br><br>\\r\\n Because of that, even us grandkids have had to suffer. <br><br>\\r\\n ……まぁそのおっそろしいイメージには違和感は寸分もない。 <br>\\r\\n ...Anyway, I can't say I have any trouble believing those terrifying stories about him. <br><br>\\r\\n 俺も何度も会った記憶はないが、非常に気難しそうな顔をした祖父さんで、いっつも鋭い眼光で周りを萎縮させていたっけ。 <br>\\r\\n I don't remember meeting him very often, but I think I recall him looking extremely grumpy all the time, always making people cower with that sharp gaze of his. <br><br>\\r\\n 祖父さんがいる時の張り詰めた空気は、窒息しかねない辛いものだったことも思い出す。 <br>\\r\\n I remember that the room's atmosphere got so tense whenever he was around, you couldn't even breathe. <br><br>\\r\\n 今頃になって親父の、今回はお前が主賓という言葉が重みを持って蘇る。 <br>\\r\\n What my dad said about me being the guest of honor now carries a little more oomph for me. <br><br>\\r\\n 「………６年前は俺も小学生だったが、さすがに今は高校生だ。失礼のある態度なんか取ったら、大変なことになるかもしれねぇなぁ。…怖ぇ怖ぇ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Six years ago I was in elementary school, but I'm a high-schooler now. If I act up, things could get serious. ...Oooh, scary.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「確かに強面だけど、そんなに硬くなるほど怖い人じゃないよ。決して理不尽なことは言ってないもん。口下手なだけでちゃんと筋は通す人だよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"He does look frightening, but he's not so terrifying that you need to tense up like that. Nothing of what he says is truly unreasonable. He may be clumsy at talking, but he's a very logical person.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「譲治兄さんは昔から成績優秀で一族の鑑じゃねぇかよ。私たちとじゃ祖父さまの待遇が全然違うぜ！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"But George nii-san, you've been the family darling since like forever because of your awesome grades, right? Grandfather treats us completely different! <br><br>\\r\\n 私なんか木刀で引っ叩かれたことあるしよー。尻だぜ尻！ それも乙女の生尻をよー！」 <br>\\r\\n I've even gotten slapped with a wooden sword. On my ass, my ass! On my maidenly, innocent ass!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「朱志香ちゃんは本家の跡取り娘だもん。お祖父さまも特に目をかけてくれてるんだよ。その厳しさは期待の気持ちの裏返しだと思わなくちゃ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, you're the heiress of the Head Family, Jessica-chan. Grandfather is giving you special attention. You've got to realize that his strictness reflects his high hopes for you.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「冗談じゃねぇぜ。…その跡取りってヤツは譲治兄さんに譲るよ。私が担ぐにはちょいとしんどいぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, come on. ...Seriously, I could just turn the succession over to you, George nii-san. It's a bit of a heavy burden for me to carry.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n すでに紹介したと思うが、朱志香は本家の跡取り娘だ。 <br>\\r\\n 俺たち分家筋のいとことじゃ、肩に圧し掛かるプレッシャーも違うだろう。 <br>\\r\\n I think I already said it before, but Jessica's the girl heir to the Head Family. <br><br>\\r\\n We're only cousins in branch families, so she probably feels a totally different sort of pressure than we do. <br><br>\\r\\n 「………うー？ 朱志香お姉ちゃんが重い？ 真里亞が持ったら軽くなる？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Uu-? Jessica onee-chan, is that heavy? If I help hold it, will it get lighter?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「んー？ あっはははは、サンキューな。大丈夫、真里亞ちゃんには押し付けねぇよ。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmm? Ahahahaha, thanks. It's okay, I'm not gonna push it on you, Maria. <br><br>\\r\\n ……この十字架は、私が墓まで背負ってくよ。…安心しなって。」 <br>\\r\\n ......I'm gonna bear this cross until my grave. ...Don't worry.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞の無邪気な気遣いに感謝するが、朱志香の表情には容易には晴らせぬ将来への不安が残っているようだった。 <br>\\r\\n She was grateful for Maria's innocent concern, but Jessica's face still seemed to contain some of the uneasiness she felt towards the future. <br><br>\\r\\n …お互い様か。受験を控えた高校生なら、誰だって将来への不安は隠せねぇさ。 <br>\\r\\n ...Maybe we were in the same boat. Any high-schooler with exams approaching would have trouble hiding their anxiety for the future. <br><br>\\r\\n 「真里亞、いらっしゃい。お母さんと真里亞はこの部屋よ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Maria, come here. You and I will be in this room.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「戦人くんは僕と一緒にこっちの部屋だってさ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Battler-kun, I heard you're gonna be with me in this room here.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「おー？ 何々、こりゃあ驚いたぁ〜！ 親たちの部屋より広めじゃないのよ、わ〜オ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh? Now there's a surprise! It's bigger than our parents' rooms, dang!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「どうせ、いとこ同士で集まるだろうと思ってよ。大きめの部屋にするように言っておいたんだ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, I figured we cousins would all want to hang out together, so I told them to get a bigger room ready.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 真里亞もこっちがいい！ お母さんと一緒よりこっちがいい！ うーうー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! I like it here more too! I'd rather be here than with Mama! Uu-uu-!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうか、真里亞もこっちがいいか！ よし、ここは俺と譲治兄貴の部屋だが、特別に出入りを許可してやろう！ お母さんにはナイショだぞ〜？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, you like it better here too, Maria?! Okay, this room is George's and mine, but we'll give you special permission to come in! Better keep it a secret from your mom, okay?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ ナイショ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! It's a secret!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n その母親の楼座叔母さんがすぐ後にいるわけだが、真里亞は元気よく握り拳で天を突き、返事をするのだった。 <br>\\r\\n Aunt Rosa was right behind us, but Maria still answered, striking the air with her fists clenched tight. <br><br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 親たちは部屋に荷物を入れると、また廊下に集まっていた。 <br>\\r\\n After setting down their luggage in their rooms, our parents had gathered again in the corridor. <br><br>\\r\\n 「おいガキども、お前らはどうする。ここでいとこ同士、おしゃべりでもしてるか？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, what are you brats planning to do? Are you cousins just gonna stay here and chat?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 到着の挨拶をしに屋敷の方へ行くらしい。 <br>\\r\\n It seemed they were heading to the mansion to announce their arrival. <br><br>\\r\\n …筋なら、付いていって一緒に挨拶するべきなんだが、そうなら親父はお前らも来いと一言、言って終わりだ。 <br>\\r\\n ...Normally, they would make us follow them and greet everyone together, but if that had been the case, Dad would've just told us to come, and that'd be the end of it. <br><br>\\r\\n 来ないのも勝手だぞと言ってくれてるし、どうしよう？ <br>\\r\\n He's saying it's okay if we don't come, so what'll we do? <br><br>\\r\\n 「どうせもうすぐお昼や。子供はそこでくつろいでたらええ。それに表で遊べるのは下手をすると今の内だけかもしれんしの。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, it's gonna be lunchtime before long anyway. Better let the kids unwind here. Besides, if worst comes to worst, this might be their last chance to play outdoors.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 真里亞も行くー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! I'll go too!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「真里亞はここでお留守番してなさい。いたずらをしないで大人しく待ってるのよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Maria, you house-sit for Mama, okay? Behave yourself and wait here.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……うー。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Uu-.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞が留守番することになった以上、置いてきぼりってわけには行かない。 <br>\\r\\n 譲治の兄貴はそれをすぐに察し、いとこ代表として明快に返事をした。 <br>\\r\\n Since Maria was being told to house-sit here, we certainly couldn't leave her on her own. <br><br>\\r\\n George-aniki noticed this immediately and gave a clear reply for all of us cousins. <br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃあ、僕たちはお言葉に甘えて、留守番してようか。１年ぶりに積もる話もあるしね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well then, we'll accept your offer and house-sit. We've got lots of stories to tell each other, after being away for a year.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「それがいいわ。戦人くんなんか６年分積もってるんだしね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That sounds wonderful. And Battler-kun has six years' worth of stories to tell, doesn't he?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「へいへい。お子ちゃまな俺は大人しくお留守番してるぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, yeah. I'll take care of the house like a good boy.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「熊沢さん、私もこっちに残るからよ！ 後は大人に任せて若者は退散してるぜ、へへへ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Kumasawa-san, I'm gonna stay here too! We'll break rank and leave the rest to the adults, heheheh!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「それがおよろしいでしょう、ほっほっほ。奥様にはそのようにお伝えいたします…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Perhaps that would be best, hohohoh. I'll report it to Madam...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「それでは皆様、お屋敷の方へご案内させていただきます。どうぞこちらへ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Then allow me to guide you all to the mansion. This way, please.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…他の子はともかく、譲治は成人してるんだから連れて行った方がいいんじゃない？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...The other children are one thing, but George is getting to be an adult. Wouldn't it be better if he came with us?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そんなんで譲治だけ仲間外れは可哀想やで。いとこ同士の交流も大事や。ほな、行ってくるでー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"If we make him come, then poor George will be the only one out of place. Interactin' with his cousins is also important. Okay, see ya'll later!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 大人たちはぞろぞろと表へ出て行く。 <br>\\r\\n The adults left one after the other. <br><br>\\r\\n 船着場からの先導と同じで、先頭は郷田さん、しんがりは熊沢さんだ。 <br>\\r\\n They left in the same formation as our trip from the harbor, with Gohda-san leading and Kumasawa-san taking up the rear. <br><br>\\r\\n 俺たち用に割り当てられたいとこ部屋に集まろうとすると、譲治の兄貴がちょっとごめんと言い、ぞろぞろと出て行く大人たちの後を付いていく熊沢さんに駆け寄って、何か尋ね事をしているようだった。 <br>\\r\\n As we gathered in the room assigned to us cousins, George-aniki asked us to excuse him for a second. He rushed over to Kumasawa-san, who was following behind the disappearing adults, and seemed to ask her something. <br><br>\\r\\n 用事はすぐ済み、戻ってきた。 <br>\\r\\n He soon finished his business and came back. <br><br>\\r\\n 「どうしたんだよ、兄貴。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"What's up, Aniki?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あー、何でもないよ。ちょっと聞きたいことがあっただけさ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, nothing. I just wanted to ask her something.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 真里亞にも聞いて！ 真里亞にも聞いてー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! Tell me too! Tell me too!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ん〜？ んふふふふー。何かなぁ、譲治兄さんが、私に聞かなくて熊沢さんには聞くことって何かなぁ〜？ あー、全然検討がつかねぇぜー？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Hmm? Heheheheh. What could George nii-san be asking Kumasawa-san and not me, I wonder? Ah, I don't have a clue!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「いや、誤解だよ…！ 朱志香ちゃんが何を誤解してるのか知らないけど…！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"No, it's a misunderstanding...! ...Not that I know what you're misunderstanding...!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 兄貴が何だかおたおたしている。 <br>\\r\\n Aniki was getting pretty tongue-tied. <br><br>\\r\\n 何かやましいことでもあって、それを朱志香に握られてるとでも言う感じだな。 <br>\\r\\n …何であれ、朱志香だけが知ってて俺は知らないなんて面白くないぜ！ <br>\\r\\n It was almost as though he felt guilty about something, and Jessica knew exactly what he was worried about. <br><br>\\r\\n At any rate, it's no fun if Jessica gets to know about it and not me! <br><br>\\r\\n 「なぁ真里亞、俺たちだけ除け者なんてねぇよなぁ〜？ 何の話か聞きてぇよな〜？！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, Maria, it looks like we're the only two out of the loop, right? Don't you wanna know what they're talking about?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 戦人と真里亞も聞きたいー！ 戦人と真里亞も聞きたいー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! We wanna know too! We wanna know too!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「「うーうーうーうー！！！」」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"\\\"Uu-uu-uu-uu-!!!\\\"\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞と二人でうーうー唸りながら囃し立てる。 <br>\\r\\n I fooled around while `uu'-ing together with Maria. <br><br>\\r\\n 「いや、だから…大したことじゃ、あははは…、」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"No, I'm telling you... It's no big deal, ahahaha...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「嘘吐けぇ〜！ 兄貴にしちゃ嘘がヘタだぜ、白状しやがれぃ！ 真里亞、お前は右脇をくすぐれ、俺は左脇だ！」 <br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 真里亞は右脇で、戦人は左脇だー！ うー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Liar! I'm surprised you'd tell such a terrible lie, Aniki. Confess! Maria, you tickle his right side, I'll tickle his left!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! I've got his right side, Battler's got his left! Uu-!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ちょっと！！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"Wait a second!! <br><br>\\r\\n 二人ともやめて…！！ あははは、 <br>\\r\\n Wait, you two...!! Ahahaha, <br><br>\\r\\n やめッ、 <br>\\r\\n stop, <br><br>\\r\\n あっはははははは！！」 <br>\\r\\n ahahahahahaha!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n ベッドの上を転げ回るように逃げる譲治の兄貴を俺と真里亞で追っ掛けてじゃれ合う。 <br>\\r\\n Maria and I played around, chasing George-aniki as he tried to escape, rolling on the bed. <br><br>\\r\\n 高校生にもなって猫の子じゃあるまいしとは思うが、やっぱりこういうじゃれ合いは懐かしい。 <br>\\r\\n I realize high-schoolers aren't supposed to bounce around like kittens, but I still missed this kind of fun. <br><br>\\r\\n 温かみのある楽しさだった。 <br>\\r\\n A warm, cozy kind of fun. <br><br>\\r\\n 「はっはははは、譲治兄さんが熊沢さんに聞いたのはねー？ ん〜？ まぁほらアレだぜ。兄さんも本家は一年ぶりだからよ。その間に辞めた使用人とか入った使用人とか、そういうのがいたら挨拶したいーって、そういうことらしいぜぇ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Haahahahaha, George nii-san, what were you asking Kumasawa-san? Hmm? Well, I've got a good guess. It's been a year since the last time he visited the Head Family. Who knows what servants might've come and gone during that time? Either way, it looks like he'd like to go and say hi.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……うー？ 挨拶する、真里亞も挨拶する！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Uu-? Say hi, I wanna to say hi too!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「何だよそれぇ、全然やましくねぇじゃねぇかよ兄貴。……う〜〜ん？ 違うなぁ？？ 真里亞、騙されるな、兄貴は何か隠してるぞ〜ん？ 拷問再開だー！！ うをりゃああ〜！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"What the hell, that's nothing to feel guilty about, Aniki. ......Hmmmm? I'm not buying it. Maria, don't be fooled, Aniki's still hiding something! More torture!! Uworyaaa!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「や、やめてよ本当に！ あっははははは！ 真里亞ちゃんももうやめてー！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"S-Stop it, seriously! Aahahahahaha! Maria-chan, you too, stop already!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あっははははは、あっははははは！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"Aahahahahaha, aahahahahaha! <br><br>\\r\\n きゃっきゃ、きゃっきゃ！！」 <br>\\r\\n Hahahaha!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「多分、掃除とか昼飯の準備とかで忙しいんだよ。大丈夫、後でちゃんと挨拶に来るぜ。郷田の出しゃばりの出迎えより、紗音の出迎えの方が良かったーってんだろ？ へっへへ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"She's probably busy cleaning or getting lunch ready. Don't worry, she'll drop by to say hi sooner or later. Heh, I'll bet you'd rather've been welcomed in by Shannon instead of that nosy Gohda. Heheheh!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「紗音？ ……しゃのん。……あぁぁあああぁ…。思い出したぜ、そんな子もいたな！ 今も使用人やってんのか？ 元気かよ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Shannon? ......Shannon. ...Aaaaahh... Yeah, I remember a girl with that name! Is she still a servant? How's she doing?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そういや、夏妃姉さん。最近は頭痛の方はどうなんや。一時、だいぶしんどそうにしとったろ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"By the way, Natsuhi nee-san, how's your headache been lately? It seemed pretty serious before.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…お陰で、最近はだいぶ調子がいいです。心配をしてくれてありがとう。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...I have been much better lately. Thank you for your concern.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうだ、これ。夏妃姉さんにお土産。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, right. Here. A present for you, Natsuhi nee-san.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……いつもありがとう。貴方には何かをもらってばかりね。…これは、紅茶？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Thank you very much. I'm always receiving gifts from you. ...Is this black tea?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ペパーミントとレモンバームのハーブティー。頭痛によく効くって有名なお店のブレンドなの。姉さんにも効くかなって思って。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It's herb tea with peppermint and lemon balm. It's a blend from a well-known store, and it's supposed to be good for headaches. I thought it might help you too.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 楼座は昔から気が効く女性だった。 <br>\\r\\n Rosa was always a conscientious woman. <br><br>\\r\\n …４兄弟の末っ子であり、上の３人と歳が大きく離れていることもあって、兄や姉たちの毒気を宿さずに成長できたお陰かもしれない。 <br>\\r\\n ...Probably because she was the youngest of four and much younger than the other three, she managed to grow up without gaining the venomous nature of her siblings. <br><br>\\r\\n その気遣いに夏妃は一瞬だけ表情を和ませるが、長年の気苦労によって凝り固まってしまったその淡白な表情を解すほどには至らなかった…。 <br>\\r\\n Her kind words got Natsuhi to soften her expression for just a moment, but it wasn't enough to melt her stony gaze, hardened as it was by long years of mental stress. <br><br>\\r\\n 「そう言えばあなた、いっつも頭痛だって言ってたわねぇ。しっかりなさいな？ 朱志香ちゃん、今年は受験でしょう？ 人生の節目じゃない。母親のあなたがそんなじゃ頼りないわよぅ？ それに夏妃姉さん、私より３つも若いんだからぁ。もうちょっとしっかりなさい？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Come to think of it, you're always complaining about those headaches. Pull yourself together. Jessica-chan has her exams this year, right? That's going to be a turning point in her life. Will she really be able to rely on you as a mother if you're like that? Besides, Natsuhi nee-san, you're three years younger than me. You should get your act together.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………。………ごめんなさい。生まれつきの頭痛持ちなもので。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".....................I apologize. I've had a tendency for headaches all my life.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 絵羽は時折、言葉を選ばないが、夏妃に向けた言葉には微笑みで誤魔化しつつも、ちょっぴりの明白な悪意が含まれていたようだった。 <br>\\r\\n Even under normal circumstances, Eva sometimes failed to choose her words carefully, but her comments aimed at Natsuhi contained shards of obvious malice, though she hid it with a smile. <br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、それは夏妃にも届く。 <br>\\r\\n Of course, that fact didn't escape Natsuhi. <br><br>\\r\\n 夏妃は苦々しく表情を歪めたい衝動を必死に抑えながら、軽く聞き流しているように振舞うのだった。 <br>\\r\\n She frantically contained her urge to grimace and pretended to ignore Eva. <br><br>\\r\\n 「うちの戦人くんも今年は受験でしょ？ 留弗夫さんも少しは関心を持ったら？ 自分の息子のために、夏妃姉さんみたいに頭痛になるくらい真剣になりなさいよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Our Battler-kun will have his exams this year too. Rudolf-san, shouldn't you be a little concerned as well? For the sake of your own son, you'd better get serious to the point of having headaches like Natsuhi nee-san.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「俺が何か言えば必ず反抗するヤツだぜ？ じゃあ何て言うんだ、むしろ逆で遊んでていいぞって言うのか？ あいつそういうのだけは素直に聞きやがるぜ。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"If I say anything, he automatically rebels. So what should I say? Should I say the opposite, that it's okay for him to mess around? That's probably the only way I could get him to listen to me. <br><br>\\r\\n 秀吉兄さんのところは受験、本当にうまく行ったじゃないですか。ぜひ子供操縦術の秘訣を教えてくださいよ。」 <br>\\r\\n Hideyoshi nii-san, George did really well on his exams, right? Please, you've gotta teach me the trick to handling children.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うーむ、そうやなぁ…。何のために勉強するのかっちゅうことを説いたかもしれんなぁ！ 個々の勉強に意味があるわけやないんや。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmm, well... It's probably because I got him to understand why he should study! Study isn't worth anything on its own. <br><br>\\r\\n そう、勉強っちゅうのは、わからんことを自分で調べて身につけるという行為の練習なんや！ これが出来んヤツは社会に出ても使い物にならん！ 国語算数が出来ろと言ってるんやない。勉強し身につけることを学べっちゅうことやな！」 <br>\\r\\n That's right, the real point of studyin' is to practice researchin' stuff on your own whenever you bump into something ya don't know! If ya can't do that, ya can't be useful to society! I'm not talkin' about math or writin'. Ya gotta learn how to learn!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…ご立派ですわ。うちの朱志香にもそれが理解できればいいんだけど。今のままでは、とてもじゃないけど、右代宮家の跡取りとしては、」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...That's splendid. I wish our Jessica could understand that as well. If she is to be the heiress of the Ushiromiya family, then at this rate-\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「いいじゃないの、無理に跡取りにしなくても。女には女の幸せというものもあるんだしぃ。それを親が押し付けちゃ悪いわよぅ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Do you really have to force her into becoming the successor? After all, a woman has to find a woman's happiness. Parents shouldn't force such things on their children, don't you think?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「よさんか、絵羽。子供の育て方は家それぞれや。押し付けがましいのはあかんで。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hold your horses, Eva. Each family has its own way of raising their kids. You shouldn't be pushy.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ごめんなさい。夏妃姉さんも気を悪くしないでね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm sorry. Natsuhi nee-san, don't take it the wrong way.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………………。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...........................\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 窓から射す明かりは、曇天と言えどこんなにも温かなのに、室内の空気は澱んでいて、…夏妃ならずとも鈍い頭痛を感じさせるような気がした。 <br>\\r\\n Though the light shining in through the window was quite warm despite the cloudy weather, there was a dark mood about the room, ...which was probably causing headaches for more than just Natsuhi. <br><br>\\r\\n その空気を打ち払うかのように、霧江が明るく一同に提案する。 <br>\\r\\n As if to sweep away that mood, Kyrie brightly made a suggestion to all present. <br><br>\\r\\n 「でも、本当に素敵な香りの紅茶ね。さっそく頂いてみましょうよ。レオポルドの紅茶なんて、日本じゃ確か銀座でしか買えなかったはずよ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Still, this black tea has a really lovely aroma. Let's drink it right away. In Japan, surely you couldn't find something like Leopold's black tea anywhere but Ginza, right?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「霧江姉さんはお詳しいですね。買って来た甲斐がありました。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I see you know a lot about it, Kyrie nee-san. I guess it was worth going to the trouble of buying it.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 霧江と楼座が席を立ち、紅茶を入れてこようとする。それを夏妃が制した。 <br>\\r\\n Kyrie and Rosa stood up from their seats and made as if to prepare the black tea, but Natsuhi forestalled them. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……お二人ともありがとう。それは後で頂きましょう。うちの者がすぐお茶を持ってきますので、どうぞおくつろぎください。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......I thank you both, but we can try that later. One of our people will soon be coming to bring some tea, so please relax.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「二人とも後にしろよ。ウェルカムドリンクくらいご馳走になろうぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Leave it for later, you two. Let's enjoy our `welcome drink'.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 留弗夫が席に戻れと、さりげなく目で合図をする。 <br>\\r\\n …霧江と楼座はすぐに理解し、大人しく無言で席に戻った。 <br>\\r\\n Rudolf gave a subtle signal with his eyes for them to sit down again. <br><br>\\r\\n ...Kyrie and Rosa understood instantly and obediently returned to their seats. <br><br>\\r\\n 客人たちが挨拶に見えたのだから、すぐにお茶が振舞われるべきなのだ。 <br>\\r\\n The initial greeting of the guests was complete, so it was time for them to be served some tea. <br><br>\\r\\n …そのお茶のタイミングが遅れて、客人たちが自分たちでお茶を入れようなどと言い出しては、ホストの顔は丸潰れだ。 <br>\\r\\n ...It was embarrassing for the host that the tea was late, especially now that the guests were talking about making tea themselves. <br><br>\\r\\n 夏妃は、お茶の準備が遅れている使用人たちの不手際に下唇を噛む。 <br>\\r\\n Natsuhi bit her lower lip, frustrated by the ineptitude of the servants who were late bringing in the tea. <br><br>\\r\\n …絵羽はその表情を見ながら、はばかることなく、くすくすと笑うのだった。 <br>\\r\\n ...Seeing her face, Eva immediately started to giggle. <br><br>\\r\\n ……もちろん、客間のそんな経緯など、紗音が知ろうはずもない。 <br>\\r\\n ......Of course, Shannon had no way of knowing what was taking place in the parlor. <br><br>\\r\\n ティーカップを積んだ配膳ワゴンを押してやって来た、という、ただそれだけで夏妃に痛みを伴う眼差しを向けられて、意味もわからず萎縮するしかなかった。 <br>\\r\\n She came pushing a serving cart piled with tea cups. For no apparent reason, Natsuhi gave her a pained look, and Shannon couldn't help but flinch without knowing what she had done wrong. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……し、失礼いたします。お茶のご用意をさせていただきます。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......E-Excuse me. Your tea is ready.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「おう、紗音ちゃん、久しぶりやのぅ！ ますますべっぴんさんになりよったなぁ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, Shannon-chan, it's been a while! You keep getting prettier every time I see you!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………いえ、 <br>\\r\\n …あの、 <br>\\r\\n ………どうも…、」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Oh, <br><br>\\r\\n ...um, <br><br>\\r\\n .........thanks...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「おしゃべりは配膳を済ませてからになさい。お茶が冷めます。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Save the chatting for after you've set the table. The tea will get cold.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……もっ、…申し訳ございません、奥様。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......I-I apologize, Madam.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 怯える小動物のように謝る仕草が、配膳ワゴンに触れ、ティースプーンを数本落として、耳障りな音を立ててしまう。 <br>\\r\\n She apologized like a small frightened animal, bumped against the serving cart, and made a jarring racket as she dropped several teaspoons. <br><br>\\r\\n その無様に夏妃がますます表情を険しくし、それがますます紗音を萎縮させていた。 <br>\\r\\n Her clumsiness made Natsuhi's expression turn even darker, which made Shannon quail even more. <br><br>\\r\\n 「いいのよ夏妃姉さん。挨拶のひとつくらいしたって、どうってことないわよ。もう充分待たされてる分、充分、お茶も冷めてるもの。うふふふぅ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Come on, Natsuhi nee-san. There's nothing wrong with her exchanging a few words in greeting. The tea must be plenty cold already, considering how long we've been kept waiting. Heheheh.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そ、…それは大丈夫です…。冷めてはおりませんので…、」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Th-There's no need to worry... It's not cold yet...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………紗音、早く配膳を済ませなさい。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Shannon, finish setting the table, quickly.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「しっ、失礼しました奥様……。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I-I'm sorry, Madam......\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 夏妃がイラついていることは明白だった。 <br>\\r\\n Natsuhi's irritation was obvious by now. <br><br>\\r\\n …お茶が遅れた不手際も、使用人の無様も全ては夏妃の日頃の指導の至らなさということに結びつき、自分の顔を潰してしまう。 <br>\\r\\n ...The ineptitude that delayed the tea, the clumsiness of the servant... Everything pointed to the incompetence of Natsuhi's everyday leadership, making her lose face. <br><br>\\r\\n 年に一度しかない日に、その無様を晒すことは、右代宮本家の台所を預かる身としては屈辱でしかなかったに違いない。 <br>\\r\\n As the person in charge of the Ushiromiya Head Family's kitchen, allowing that clumsiness to be exposed--today of all days--was surely nothing less than total humiliation. <br><br>\\r\\n 「よせよ夏妃姉さん。紗音ちゃんだって頑張ってるのにいじめちゃ可哀想だぜ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Lay off, Natsuhi nee-san. Don't you think it's a little harsh to bully Shannon-chan when she's trying her best?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「いじめてなんかいません…！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm not bullying anyone...!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「いい香りね。お茶の銘柄を聞いてもいいかしら？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"What a nice aroma. May I ask what brand this is?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………ぇっと…、 <br>\\r\\n \\\"............Umm, <br><br>\\r\\n ……も、 <br>\\r\\n ...I- <br><br>\\r\\n …申し訳ございません…。後ほど調べてまいります…。」 <br>\\r\\n I'm terribly sorry... I'll find out for you later...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 霧江は、険しくなった空気を切り替えたくて気を遣ったつもりだった。 <br>\\r\\n Kyrie was trying to be nice, hoping to cut through the tense mood. <br><br>\\r\\n …だが、かえって紗音は醜態を晒すことになってしまい、ますますに夏妃の表情と部屋の空気を険しくさせてしまう。 <br>\\r\\n ...However, Shannon had embarrassed herself instead, darkening Natsuhi's face and the room's mood. <br><br>\\r\\n もうこの頃には、絵羽は、誰の耳にも届く声でくすくすと笑っていた。 <br>\\r\\n By this point, Eva was audibly giggling. <br><br>\\r\\n 「なぁにぃ？ 紗音ちゃん、自分で淹れてるものが何かもわからないのぅ？ ダメよぅ、そんな怪しげなものを来客に振舞っちゃぁ。こんなお茶じゃ銀のスプーンでもないと飲めないわよぅ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Whaat's this? Shannon-chan, don't you even know what you're pouring us? Come now, you mustn't serve something so suspicious to guests. We'll need a silver spoon at the very least before we can drink this.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………す、 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...I- <br><br>\\r\\n …すみません……。すぐに用意を…、」 <br>\\r\\n I'm sorry... I'll go get one immediately...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ねぇ紗音ちゃん。銀のスプーンって何に使うか知ってるぅ？ 銀じゃないとダメなのよ？ なぜかわかるぅ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Shannon-chan, do you know what silver spoons are used for? They have to be silver. Do you know why?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………ぃぇ…、 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......No, <br><br>\\r\\n ………ぁの……。」 <br>\\r\\n ...umm...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 絵羽がいたずらっぽく微笑みながら、配膳をする紗音を覗き上げる。 <br>\\r\\n A teasing smile rose to Eva's face as she stared at Shannon setting the table. <br><br>\\r\\n …絵羽のその表情は、それだけを見たなら小悪魔的な愛くるしいものなのかもしれない。 <br>\\r\\n By itself, Eva's expression was sweet in an impish sort of way. <br><br>\\r\\n しかし、口から紡がれる言葉には、カミソリのような鋭利さが確かに含まれていた。 <br>\\r\\n However, the words being spun from her lips held the keenness of a razor within them. <br><br>\\r\\n じっとその瞳を覗きつづける絵羽に、紗音は何とか目を合わせまいとするのが精一杯だ。 <br>\\r\\n Shannon tried with all her might to avoid Eva's continuing gaze. <br><br>\\r\\n 紗音が答えに窮したのを見て取り、すぐに楼座が助け舟を出す。 <br>\\r\\n Realizing that Shannon was hard-pressed for an answer, Rosa gave some timely help. <br><br>\\r\\n 「銀は毒に触れると曇るって言われてるの。…くす、紗音ちゃんもひとつお勉強ができたわね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"They say that if silver is touched by poison, it darkens. ...*giggle* Guess you've learned something today, Shannon-chan.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 毒見をしなければ飲めないお茶扱い。 <br>\\r\\n They were acting as though this tea needed to be tested for poison before it could be drunk. <br><br>\\r\\n 夏妃にとってそれは、お茶とそれを振舞った自分を貶されたのとまったく同じことだ。 <br>\\r\\n In Natsuhi's eyes, this was an insult both to the tea...and to herself for serving it. <br><br>\\r\\n 留弗夫は軽薄そうに笑いながら絵羽の肩を叩く。 <br>\\r\\n Rudolf laughed flippantly and patted Eva's shoulder. <br><br>\\r\\n 「はは、姉貴に銀食器なんていらねぇだろ。毒舌の姉貴がひと舐めしたら、銀の皿だって真っ黒に曇っちまうぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Haha, silver cutlery wouldn't do any good for you, Aneki. Just one lick of your poisonous tongue, and even a silver plate would turn pitch black.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「わっはっはっは！ わしゃあその毒舌を毎日聞かされとるから、もう毒に耐性がついてしもぅたわ！ 絵羽も、わし相手には構わんが耐性のない相手にはちぃと加減せんとな！ わっはっはっは！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Wahahahaha! Since I get to hear that poison tongue every day, I must be poison-proof myself by now! Eva, I don't mind when you use it on me, but you'd better hold back when talking to people who haven't built up a resistance! Wahahahaha!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あらあら、ひどぅい。紗音ちゃんにお茶の知識を教えてあげただけじゃない。くすくす。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"My, how cruel. All I did was teach Shannon-chan a bit about tea, didn't I? *giggle*\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 秀吉の馬鹿笑いに合わせるように、みんなも苦しげではありながらも笑いを重ねる。 <br>\\r\\n Everyone followed the lead set by Hideyoshi's horselaugh and chuckled, though not easily. <br><br>\\r\\n 夏妃だけは笑いに加わらなかったが、それでもとりあえず、客間内は談笑で盛り上がっていると誤解できる程度にはなった。;確認誤字 <br>\\r\\n Only Natsuhi didn't join in, but for the time being, the conversation inside the parlor could now be mistaken for a lively and friendly chat. <br><br>\\r\\n ようやくお茶の配膳を終えて戻ろうとする紗音に、霧江は助け舟にならなくてゴメンと小さく謝る。 <br>\\r\\n As Shannon finally finished setting the tea table and tried to leave, Kyrie apologized to her in a low voice for not being able to help. <br><br>\\r\\n …紗音は小さく頷き返し、そそくさと出て行くのだった……。 <br>\\r\\n ...Shannon gave a light bow and made a hasty retreat...... <br><br>\\r\\n 俯きながら、配膳ワゴンを押して廊下を歩む紗音…。 <br>\\r\\n Shannon cast her eyes downwards as she pushed the cart down the corridor... <br><br>\\r\\n その痛々しい様子に、彼女が何かのいじめを受けたことは容易に想像することができた。 <br>\\r\\n Anyone seeing the pitiful way she looked might easily conclude that she'd been bullied in some way. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……気を落とさないで。姉さんは何も悪くない。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Don't be sad. You didn't do anything wrong, Nee-san.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………見てたのね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......You were watching.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そういうお役目だから。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That is my role.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"..................\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「奥様も絵羽さまも地獄へ堕ちろ。……でも、それより卑劣なのはあいつだ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Madam and Eva-sama can go to hell. ......But the worst coward is that guy.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 嘉音が憎々しげに眼差しを向ける先は、客間とは逆の方向だった。 <br>\\r\\n Kanon glared hatefully in the opposite direction of the parlor. <br><br>\\r\\n お茶の準備が遅れたのは、厨房でちょっとしたトラブルがあったからだ。 <br>\\r\\n The preparations for the tea had been delayed by some trifling problems in the kitchen. <br><br>\\r\\n そのトラブルは紗音のせいではない。 <br>\\r\\n These problems were not Shannon's fault. <br><br>\\r\\n 実は郷田のちょっとしたミスだった。 <br>\\r\\n In fact, it had been Gohda's mistake. <br><br>\\r\\n そもそも、賓客が集まっているところへお茶を運ぶという派手な仕事を、あの見栄っ張りの郷田が譲るわけがない。 <br>\\r\\n After all, there was no way a showoff like Gohda would give up a flashy job like bringing in tea when the guests arrived. <br><br>\\r\\n お茶をもう一度準備するのに無駄な時間を掛けてしまった。 <br>\\r\\n He had ended up wasting time preparing the tea once again. <br><br>\\r\\n だからポイントが稼げないことがわかり、たまたまその場を通りかかった紗音に配膳を押し付けたのだ。 <br>\\r\\n So, when he realized he wouldn't be able to score any points for this job, he pushed the task of setting the table on Shannon, who happened to be passing by. <br><br>\\r\\n ……要領がいいと言えばいいし、卑怯だと言えば紛れもなく卑怯だった。 <br>\\r\\n ...You might call it a clever move on his part, but there could be no doubt that it was a cowardly one. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……いいの、ありがとう嘉音くん。…私、全然気にしていないし…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......It's okay, Kanon-kun. Thanks. I'm not bothered by it at all...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………。」 <br>\\r\\n 嘉音のその沈黙は、紗音の言葉が心にもないことであるのを如実に語る。 <br>\\r\\n \\\".................................\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n Kanon's silence vividly expressed the distance between Shannon's words and how she actually felt. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………ありがとう。嘉音くんだけでもわかってくれたんで、ちょっと心が楽になったかな。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Thank you. Even if you're the only one who understands, I feel a bit better.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……姉さんは心に色々溜め込みすぎる。……たまには自分にやさしくしてあげて。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......You keep your feelings too bottled up, Nee-san. ......You should be less hard on yourself for once.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うん。……ありがとうね。」 <br>\\r\\n その時、不意に人の気配がしたので、二人は慌てて振り返った。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah. ......Thanks.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n Suddenly, they both felt someone's presence and whirled around. <br><br>\\r\\n そこには、初老の男の姿があった。 <br>\\r\\n 使用人の長である源次である。 <br>\\r\\n A middle-aged man stood there. <br><br>\\r\\n It was Genji, the head servant. <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………そこで何をしている。…紗音、早く厨房に戻りなさい。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........What are you doing there? ...Shannon, hurry back to the kitchen.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「は、はい。……失礼いたしました……。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Y-Yes. ......If you'll excuse me......\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………………。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".................................\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 紗音は畏まり、すぐに配膳ワゴンを押して立ち去ろうとする。 <br>\\r\\n だが、嘉音は言葉にできない何かを瞳に宿して、無言でそれを源次に訴えている。 <br>\\r\\n Shannon humbly obeyed and promptly made to push the cart and leave. <br><br>\\r\\n However, Kanon appealed to Genji in silence, bearing something in his eyes that he could not express in words. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………どうした。何かあったか…？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......What is it? Did something happen...?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…しゃ、 <br>\\r\\n ……紗音は何も悪くないのに、 <br>\\r\\n あいつら…、」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Sh- <br><br>\\r\\n Shannon didn't do anything wrong. <br><br>\\r\\n But even so, they...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「やめて嘉音くん…。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Stop it, Kanon-kun... <br><br>\\r\\n ……失礼しました。すぐに仕事に戻ります。嘉音くんも自分の持ち場に戻って。……お願い。」 <br>\\r\\n ...Please excuse me. I'll return to work immediately. Kanon-kun, you should go back to your post too. ......Please.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………姉さんがそういうなら。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......If you say so, Nee-san.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………。…何事もないなら、そうしなさい。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...............If that is all, then go.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……はい。……失礼します。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Yes. ...If you'll excuse me.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n その姿を廊下の影から見守る割烹着姿の老婆は熊沢であった…。 <br>\\r\\n From the shadows in the hallway, an old woman wearing an apron watched over them. It was Kumasawa... <br><br>\\r\\n ……おいたわしや、紗音さん、嘉音さん…。 <br>\\r\\n あの二人がいじめられる理由は何もないのです。 <br>\\r\\n ......Poor Shannon-san, Kanon-san... <br><br>\\r\\n There's no reason for those two to be picked on. <br><br>\\r\\n …しかし、郷田さんに嫌われているのは紛れもない事実…。 <br>\\r\\n ...Still, Gohda-san's dislike for them is an undeniable fact... <br><br>\\r\\n 郷田さんは、右代宮本家へいらっしゃられるまで、どこかの立派なホテルにお勤めだったそうです。 <br>\\r\\n Until Gohda-san was taken in by the Ushiromiya Head Family, I hear he worked for a fabulous hotel somewhere. <br><br>\\r\\n そこで身につけられたというお仕事ぶりは、そりゃあ大したものだとは思います。 <br>\\r\\n The manner of work he learned there was quite impressive, I believe. <br><br>\\r\\n ただ、郷田さんはここではもっとも年季の短い使用人。 <br>\\r\\n …ご自身のそれまでの積み重ねによるプライドもあられたのでしょう。 <br>\\r\\n It's just that...Gohda-san is the newest servant here. <br><br>\\r\\n ...He must have a lot of pride accumulated from his previous positions. <br><br>\\r\\n 彼は、自分より長い年季を持ちながらも未熟で、人生経験も及ばない紗音さんと嘉音くんを、ことある毎にいびられるのです…。 <br>\\r\\n Because Shannon-san and Kanon-kun are his seniors here at the mansion, and yet are inexperienced and have gone through much less in life than he has, he picks on them at every chance he gets... <br><br>\\r\\n また、…気の毒なことに、夏妃奥様にも嫌われております…。 <br>\\r\\n And also, ...sad as it may be, they are disliked by <NAME> too... <br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、年季という意味では奥様の方が長くこの家におられます。 <br>\\r\\n ただ、………こればかりは奥様にも同情しなくてはなりません。 <br>\\r\\n Of course, if we're talking about experience, the Madam has been in this family much longer. <br><br>\\r\\n And yet...this is one point where I cannot help but sympathize with the Madam as well. <br><br>\\r\\n …本当にお館様も罪作りな方でございます…。 <br>\\r\\n ...Truly, the Master is a man with many sins on his conscience... <br><br>\\r\\n ご自身の、ちょっとした気まぐれが、奥様にこれほどまでの劣等感をお与えになるとは、どうして思い至らなかったのでしょう…。 <br>\\r\\n Why didn't he realize that such a trifling whim of his would give the Madam such an inferiority complex...? <br><br>\\r\\n ……もちろん奥様とて内心は、あの二人に辛く当たる謂れは何もないことを重々承知してはおります…。 <br>\\r\\n ...Of course, on the inside, even the Madam is fully aware that those two don't deserve to be treated so harshly... <br><br>\\r\\n …しかし、それが理屈でわかっているからといって、どうにもならないのが人の心…。 <br>\\r\\n ...However, the heart has reasons that reason knows not... <br><br>\\r\\n あぁ、おいたわしや…。 <br>\\r\\n Aah, I feel so sorry for them... <br><br>\\r\\n 私には何もできず、こうして物陰から見守ることしかできないのです……。 <br>\\r\\n I can't do anything but watch over them from the shadows...... <br><br>\\r\\n 俺たちはいとこ同士４人で、色々な話に花を咲かせていた。 <br>\\r\\n The four of us cousins were enjoying our stories, just shooting the breeze. <br><br>\\r\\n 何しろ、男女の両方が揃い、その上、成人、高校生、小学生と世代も揃ってる。 <br>\\r\\n Anyway, there were both girls and guys here. Plus, we had people over a wide spread of ages: adult, high school, and elementary school. <br><br>\\r\\n それぞれが身の上話をするだけで、他の３人にとっては大いに興味深いことだった。 <br>\\r\\n Even if we just talked about our own lives, the other three kept listening attentively. <br><br>\\r\\n 「なんかやっと馴染んできたぜ。朱志香も真里亞も６年前からは想像もつかないくらい成長しちまったからよ。正直なところ、少しだけ違和感を持ってたんだが、こうして話をしている内に、中身はあの頃から何も変わってないことがわかったぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I think I'm finally getting used to all this. Jessica and Maria have grown more than I could've imagined in the past six years. To be honest, I was feeling a bit uncomfortable, but talking like this, I guess that on the inside, nothing's really changed since back then.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「同じ言葉を返してやるよ。戦人だって、６年ぶりだってのに全然変わってねぇぜ。図体がいくらでかくなっても、中身は相変わらずお子様だってことだな。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I agree. You haven't changed a bit, even after six years. Even though your body's gotten gigantic, you're still a kid inside.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 真里亞もお子様！ 真里亞もお子様ー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! I'm a kid too! I'm a kid too!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「真里亞だっていつまでもお子様じゃねぇぞぅ？ お子様から可愛いお姫様に成長してくんだからなぁ〜？ そうしたらまな板みてぇな胸も、すぅぐ朱志香並みになるぞ〜？ そしたら揉ませてくれよー約束だぞぉぅ！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, even you aren't gonna be a kid forever, are you, Maria? I mean, you're gonna transform from a kid into a cute young lady, aren'tcha? And when that happens, that flat-as-a-board chest'll reach Jessica's level, huh? When that happens, you gotta let me touch 'em, okay? It's a promise!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 揉ませる！ 約束する！ うー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! Let you touch 'em! Promise! Uu-!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「だ、駄目だよ真里亞ちゃん！ そんな約束しちゃ、ダメダメダメ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"N-No, Maria-chan! You can't make that kind of promise, that's bad, bad, bad!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー？ 約束したから揉ませる！ 真里亞、約束は守る！ 絶対守る、うー！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-? I promised, so I'll let him touch 'em! I keep my promises! Always keep them, uu-!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…真里亞ぁ、お前、本当に素直ないい子だなぁ…。お前と結婚する未来の旦那さんはきっと幸せ者だぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Mariaa, you really are an earnest, good girl... The guy you marry's gonna be really lucky.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「って、いい話に摩り替えつつ、約束を保持してんじゃねぇぜ！ 真里亞ちゃん、その約束はナシ！ ナシ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, stop trying to change the subject by making it sound pretty! Maria, that promise never happened! Never!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー。約束取り消し？ うー……。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-. The promise is cancelled? Uu-......\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「やっぱり、戦人くんも揃って４人で集まらないと、いとこが集合した気がしなかったね。この６年は、やっぱり寂しかったよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"As I thought, without Battler-kun in our little quartet, this group of cousins just didn't feel complete. These six years have been kind of lonely.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…そうだなー。こういうふざけた話にはならなかったな。でも建設的な話はできてたと思ったぜ？ 将来に対する心構えとか、受験とか就職とかよー。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...That's true. We didn't really goof off like this. Still, we did have have some pretty constructive conversations, right? Stuff about preparing for our future, exam-taking, finding jobs.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「へへーん、悪ぅござーましたね〜！ 俺が来たらおマヌケなドタバタばっかりでよ〜！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, I'm so, so sorry! Now that I'm here, we just talk about stupid stuff and mess around!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「でも真里亞は今年のが楽しい。うーうー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"But I'm having more fun this year. Uu-uu-!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうだね。僕も同感、今年が一番楽しいよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's true. I agree, this year's the most fun yet.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞の率直な一言が、多分、この場にいる全員の代弁に違いなかった。 <br>\\r\\n Maria's sincere words probably spoke for everyone present. <br><br>\\r\\n 譲治兄貴が真里亞の頭を撫でてやると、真里亞は上機嫌の猫の子のようにころころと笑うのだった…。 <br>\\r\\n George-aniki stroked Maria's head, and she giggled like a happy kitten... <br><br>\\r\\n 「……失礼いたします。お食事のご用意ができました。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Pardon me. Your meal is ready.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 慎ましやかなノックの音と、同じくらい慎ましやかな若い女性の声が聞こえた。 <br>\\r\\n A timid knocking sound and the equally timid voice of a young woman came through the door. <br><br>\\r\\n 朱志香がそれに元気よく応える。 <br>\\r\\n Jessica answered brightly. <br><br>\\r\\n 「紗音、入れよー！ 戦人は覚えてるだろー？！」 <br>\\r\\n 朱志香がベッドから立ち上がり、扉を開ける。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Shannon, come in! You remember Battler, right?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n Jessica stood up from the bed and opened the door. <br><br>\\r\\n そこには、俺らと近い歳に違いない使用人の女の子がいた。 <br>\\r\\n There stood a servant girl who must've been about our age. <br><br>\\r\\n 「ご、ご無沙汰いたしております、戦人さま。６年ぶりでございます、紗音です。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I-It's been quite some time since we last met, Battler-sama. It's nice to see you after six years. It's me, Shannon.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n おずおずとした仕草で俺の姿を認めると、深々と会釈をした。 <br>\\r\\n Trembling a little as she noticed me, she bowed deeply. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…はーー…！ 朱志香にも驚かされたが、紗音ちゃんにも驚かされたぜ…。あんたもすっかり美人になったじゃねぇのよ〜！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Ah...! Jessica had me surprised, but look at you, Shannon-chan! You've turned into a total beauty too, haven't you?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「も、……勿体無いお言葉、恐悦に存じます……。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Y-You are too kind...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「しかしよ〜、この島じゃよっぽど食事の栄養価が高いんじゃねぇのか〜ん？ 何を食ってどこを鍛えたらそんなにでかいお乳になるんだか〜！！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"Still, the food on this island must be reeeally nutritional, huh? What are you eating and how are you training to get boobs that big?!! <br><br>\\r\\n 朱志香とどっちがでけぇか、ちょいと触って確かめさせてもらうぜぇえぇ〜？！」 <br>\\r\\n Guess I'll have to feel 'em a bit and see whether yours or Jessica's are bigger, okaaay?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 両手をわきわきさせてヨダレを垂らしながら迫る俺！ <br>\\r\\n With both hands poised and saliva dribbling from my mouth, I closed in! <br><br>\\r\\n ……俺の名誉と正義のために補足しておくが、これは別に、おっぱいを揉まないと首のリンパ腺が異様に痒くなって掻き破ってしまうような奇病に冒されたからじゃないぞ？ <br>\\r\\n 俺的なお約束のコミュニケーションなのだ。 <br>\\r\\n ......For the sake of justice and my personal honor, I'd like to point out that I don't suffer from some strange disease that makes my lymph nodes itch until I scratch my neck open and which can only be prevented by fondling breasts. <br><br>\\r\\n This is just a Battler-style method of communication. <br><br>\\r\\n こんな風に迫るシーンがあれば、十中八九、引っ叩かれたりどつかれたりするだろ？ <br>\\r\\n If I slowly close in on her like this, odds are eight or nine out of ten that I get slapped or clobbered, right? <br><br>\\r\\n そういうお茶目な展開を狙う戦人さまオリジナルのコミュニケーション術なわけさ！ <br>\\r\\n So, I can use this Battler-sama original technique to spark a gag like that and break the ice! <br><br>\\r\\n ………ま、まぁその何だ、十中八九の残り一くらいの確率で、本当にタッチできたらラッキーだけどな…？ <br>\\r\\n .........W-Well, it also means I really do get to touch them on that one-in-ten chance though, right? <br><br>\\r\\n いひひゃひゃひゃっ、そこまではさすがに期待してねぇってぇえぇ〜！！ <br>\\r\\n Ihihyahyahya, like that'd ever happen!! <br><br>\\r\\n と、俺の手は今や紗音ちゃんのお乳に接触するまで１ｃｍくらいのところまで来たんだが、……未だ反撃が来ない。 <br>\\r\\n At that point, my hands were less than a centimeter away from Shannon-chan's boobs, ......but the counterstrike had yet to come. <br><br>\\r\\n 何をされるのかは理解していて真っ赤になって俯いているのだが、両手は前でお行儀よく組まれたままで、拒絶してどつくとか、胸を庇おうとか、そういう行動を取ろうとはしないのだ。 <br>\\r\\n She blushed and lowered her head in embarrassment when she realized what was going on, but she just stood there with both hands politely joined in front of her, not even trying to resist or cover her breasts. <br><br>\\r\\n …うををおおい、それは想定外だろッ！！ <br>\\r\\n ...Hey, I wasn't planning on this!! <br><br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n たた、頼むよどついてくれよ、このままじゃマジでお触りしちまうぞぉおおぉ？！ <br>\\r\\n P-P-Please, hit me right now, or I'm seriously gonna...! <br><br>\\r\\n って、タイミングだったので、朱志香が俺の後頭部に肘鉄を叩き込んでくれて本当に嬉しかったぜ…。 <br>\\r\\n ...Which is why I was glad that Jessica chose that time to drive her elbow into the back of my head. <br><br>\\r\\n 「ふぐぉおおおぉおぉぉ、あいたたたたたぁ、朱志香ぁあぁッ、ありがとよっぉおぉ〜！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Guaaaah, ooooowww! Thank you so much, Jessicaaaaaaa!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「なな、何で私が感謝されんだぁ？！ ？？？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"W-W-Why the hell are you thanking me?! ???\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「いやいや済まんぜ紗音ちゃん。魅力的な胸に思わず吸着されそうになっちまった…。つーか、さすがにあの間合いまで来たら痴漢確定だろ。駄目だぜ、抵抗しなきゃよぅ〜！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Seriously, my bad, Shannon-chan. I almost got overwhelmed by your hypnotic chest... More importantly, anyone who gets that close has gotta be a molester. You've gotta fight back when people do that!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………で、ですけど、 <br>\\r\\n ………戦人さまは、…大切なお客様ですし……。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...B-But you are... <br><br>\\r\\n ...an important guest, Battler-sama......\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あのなぁ、お客様でも痴漢は痴漢！ 女の子の胸は大体、１０ｃｍくらいからが防空識別圏だなぁ。２ｃｍ圏まで侵入してきたらこれはもう領空侵犯だぜ、スクランブル発進で即ビンタを食らわせてやれぃ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Now look here, a pervert's a pervert whether he's a guest or not! A girl's chest has got an Air Defense Identification Range of about 10cm or so. Once someone trespasses within two centimeters, that's already an invasion of airspace, so you'd better scramble the jets immediately and give 'em an instant slap!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………そっ、そんなことできません…！ 私たちは……、…その、家具ですし…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...I-I couldn't do such a thing...! Because we are......umm, furniture...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n もちろん触られたくはないのだが…、客人がそれを望むなら何とか応えようという自己犠牲精神。 <br>\\r\\n Of course she didn't want her breasts touched, ...but if a guest so desired, she was prepared to sacrifice herself to suit their wants. <br><br>\\r\\n …こんな子、トキより先に保護すべきだぞ…。 <br>\\r\\n ...A girl like this needs some urgent protection... <br><br>\\r\\n 「…い、今時、こんな献身美徳な子がいるとは…。軽い眩暈すら覚えるぜ。……でも駄目だ！ ダメなんだぁああぁ！！ 俺がエロい顔で迫る！ 張ッ倒す！！ イヤ〜ン、エッチ！ そういうお約束じゃないとオチがつかねぇんだよぉ、頼むよお願いだよ、俺を引っ叩いてくれよ！ こう、バチンっと！ バチンっとぉおぉ〜！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...T-To think such devoted girls still existed in this era... It's enough to make a man dizzy. ......But, no! NooOoo!! I'm coming at you with a perverted face again! Knock me down!! Look out, pervert on the loose! This gag can't end until you deliver the punch line, so slap me! Please! Hit meeee!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「お、…………お願いは聞けません。家具ですから。……でも、 <br>\\r\\n …………命令ならお聞きします。…それが勤めですから。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I............I cannot fulfill your request, because I'm furniture. ......But, <br><br>\\r\\n ............if it were an order, I'd obey you. ...Because that is my duty.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あはは、じゃあ命令させてもらうことにするよ。次から戦人くんが胸に触ろうとしてきたら、平手打ちで反撃すること。いいね？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahaha, then I'll make it an order. The next time Battler-kun tries to touch your breasts, counterattack with a slap. Got it?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……は、はい。仰せつかりました。以後、そのようにさせていただきます。戦人さま、ご承知おきくださいませ…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Y-Yes. As you wish. From now on, that's what I'll do. Please understand, Battler-sama...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 紗音ちゃんは優雅な仕草で俺にお辞儀しながらそう宣言する。 <br>\\r\\n Shannon-chan announced this while bowing elegantly to me. <br><br>\\r\\n 表情は晴れやかだった。 <br>\\r\\n 俺は、それでＯＫと親指を立てて応えてやる。 <br>\\r\\n Her expression was radiant. <br><br>\\r\\n I gave her a thumbs-up to show her I was fine with that. <br><br>\\r\\n 「６年前はお手伝いさんの連れ子がついでにお手伝いみたいな印象だったんだけど、……すっかり一人前の使用人さんだなぁ。今年で何年になるんだぁ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Six years ago, you might've been mistaken for a servant's daughter who lent a hand at your parent's work, ......but now you're a full-fledged adult servant. How long have you been working here?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「はい。お陰様で１０年ほどお仕えさせていただいております。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, I've had the pleasure of serving this household for about ten years.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 彼女は紗音。……“シャノン”と読む。 <br>\\r\\n これまた日本人離れしたすげぇ名前だ。 <br>\\r\\n She's 紗音. ......The kanji for her name are read as \\\"Shannon\\\". <br><br>\\r\\n Now here's another name that's far from typical for a Japanese person. <br><br>\\r\\n 昔は俺もガキだったので大して気にせずこの名前を鵜呑みにしていたのだが、右代宮家の人間でないにも関わらず、このネーミングセンスは珍しい。 <br>\\r\\n Back in the day, I was a kid myself, so I accepted her name without paying it much attention. Thinking about it now though, her name's pretty unusual, even though she's not a member of the Ushiromiya family. <br><br>\\r\\n …恐らく、使用人の源氏名みたいなもんだろう。 <br>\\r\\n ...Maybe it's like a servant's `professional name' or something. <br><br>\\r\\n …だとすると、さっき薔薇庭園で出会った嘉音くんのネーミングセンスも納得できる。 <br>\\r\\n ...If so, that might explain why her name's so similar to Kanon-kun, that kid I met earlier in the rose garden. <br><br>\\r\\n 彼女は６つの時からここに勤めているという古参の使用人だ。 <br>\\r\\n 容姿がすっかり変わってしまったので記憶は繋がらないが、６年前の彼女にはお互い面識がある。 <br>\\r\\n She's a long-term servant who's served here since she was six years old. <br><br>\\r\\n Her appearance had changed so much that I couldn't match her to the person of my memories, but we both knew each other six years ago. <br><br>\\r\\n 内気な感じの性格は今も昔も変わらないようだが、やはり歳相応の女の子らしい魅力が宿ったような気がする。 <br>\\r\\n That shy part of her had always been there, but she did seem to have developed the allure you'd expect of a girl her age. <br><br>\\r\\n 特に胸だな、胸。 <br>\\r\\n Especially in her breasts. Yes. <br><br>\\r\\n 「さっき会った嘉音くんは彼女の弟なんだよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That kid we met earlier, Kanon-kun, is her little brother.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…弟というわけでは…。でも、私のことを姉と慕ってくれます。…何か失礼なことはしませんでしたか？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...He's not exactly my little brother... Still, he loves me like a big sister. ...He didn't cause you any trouble, did he?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「はは！ 相変わらずいつも通りだぜ。もうちょっと愛想よくすればいいのによ、勿体無いやつー。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Haha! He's the same as always. If only he were just a bit more sociable.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…嘉音くんがご迷惑をお掛けしたようで、…申し訳ございません……。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...I...apologize if he's caused you any trouble......\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「別に迷惑なんか何も！ 同じ男としてわかるさ、ありゃあ気難しい年頃だ。愛想が悪いのは当り前だぜ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Nah, he didn't cause any trouble at all! As a fellow man, I understand how moody you can get at that age. It's no surprise he's unsociable!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 真里亞もよく言われる！ 愛想悪いって言われるー！ 嘉音と一緒！ うー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! I get called that all the time too! I get called unsociable! Just like Kanon! Uu-!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「くす、……真里亞さまは愛想悪くなんかありません。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"*giggle* ......You aren't unsociable at all, Maria-sama.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー？ 一緒が良かった…。うー。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-? Wanted to be like him... Uu-.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「えっと、食事の準備が出来たんだっけ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Umm, you said the meal was ready, right?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、……はい！ 失礼いたしました！ …お食事のご用意が整いましたので、皆様をお屋敷へご案内いたします。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, ......yes! I'm sorry! ...Your meal has been fully prepared, so please allow me to guide you all to the mansion.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 紗音は形式的なお辞儀をし直して勤務モードに復帰する。 <br>\\r\\n Shannon bowed again formally and returned to her `duty mode'. <br><br>\\r\\n これ以上、下らない話に付き合わせれば、それはかえって彼女の仕事に迷惑をかけてしまうことを察した俺たちは、それ以上の脱線はせず腰を上げることにした。 <br>\\r\\n We realized that if we made her stick around for any more light conversation, it would actually make it harder for her to do her job. We got up off our butts to avoid interfering with her work any further. <br><br>\\r\\n 「じゃ、お屋敷に行こうか。みんなもお腹が空いてたところでしょ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"So, shall we go to the mansion? Everyone's probably hungry, right?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「だなー。郷田さんがいる時のメシは楽しみなんだよ。あの人、どこぞの有名ホテルでシェフをやってたらしくて、かなり料理の腕があるんだぜ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah. I'm really looking forward to Gohda-san's food. That guy was apparently a chef at this famous hotel, so he's super good at cooking!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほぅほぅ！ そ〜りゃ楽しみぃ！！ 行こうぜ真里亞！ ガツガツ犬みたいに食い散らかすぞ！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ooooh! I can't wait!! Let's go, Maria! We're gonna stuff ourselves like pigs!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 犬みたいに食い散らかす！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! Stuff ourselves like pigs!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ダメダメ！ 戦人くんの言うことはいちいち真に受けちゃダメだよ？ 全部冗談なんだから。さ、行こ行こ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"No, no! You can't take everything Battler-kun says seriously, okay? Because he's always just joking around. Okay, let's go.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 俺たちは紗音ちゃんに先導され、お屋敷へ向かうのだった。 <br>\\r\\n Under Shannon-chan's guidance, we headed towards the mansion. <br><br>\\r\\n 再び立派な薔薇庭園に迎えられ、さらに進むと見えてくるのが、………迫力ある、右代宮本家のお屋敷である。 <br>\\r\\n Met once again by the magnificent rose garden, we continued onward...as the intimidating mansion of the Ushiromiya Head Family came into view. <br><br>\\r\\n 戦後すぐに建てられたらしいから、すでに半世紀近くを経た貫禄を漂わせている。 <br>\\r\\n It had apparently been built shortly after the war, so you could feel the dignity of almost a half-century hanging about it. <br><br>\\r\\n 見てくれは確かにゴージャスだが、古い建物だけあり、空調などの設備が今ひとつ弱いらしい。 <br>\\r\\n 朱志香の話によれば、特に真冬は隙間風に悩まされるそうだ。 <br>\\r\\n The building was gorgeous on the surface, but old as it was, equipment such as its AC and heating were apparently quite frail. <br><br>\\r\\n According to Jessica, midwinter was especially tough, what with all the drafts. <br><br>\\r\\n …コタツでも出しゃあいいのにな。 <br>\\r\\n ...Haven't these people ever heard of a kotatsu? <br><br>\\r\\n 玄関を入ると、老いた使用人が迎えてくれた。 <br>\\r\\n 彼はさすがに俺の記憶にも残ってる。 <br>\\r\\n As we entered the entrance hall, an aged servant greeted us. <br><br>\\r\\n Now him, I remembered. <br><br>\\r\\n 最古参で、使用人の長を勤める源次さんだ。 <br>\\r\\n Genji-san (源次), who had been working here longer than anyone, filled the role of head servant. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………戦人さま、お久しゅうございます。」 <br>\\r\\n 俺と目が合うと、落ち着きある声で挨拶してくれた。 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Battler-sama, it has been quite some time since last we met.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n As our eyes met, he greeted me with a calm, composed voice. <br><br>\\r\\n 郷田さんのお辞儀を優雅だと例えるなら、そこまで洗練されていないが、無骨だけれども気持ちが伝わるお辞儀だった。 <br>\\r\\n His bow wasn't as graceful or refined as Gohda's, but despite its simplicity, it communicated his feelings very well. <br><br>\\r\\n 「源次さん、本当にお久しぶりっす！ お元気そうですね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Genji-san, it really has been a while! You look well.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「お陰様で健やかに過ごさせていただいております…。……戦人さまこそ、ご立派になられました。………お館様の若き日に、少し似てこられましたな。」 <br>\\r\\n 「俺が祖父さまに？ ってことは、さぞや祖父さまは若い頃モテたろうなぁ、いっひっひ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Thank you. I have been quite well... ...And Battler-sama, you have become a splendid young man. .........You are beginning to resemble the Master in his youth.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n \\\"I look like Grandfather? Guess that means Grandfather was pretty popular with the ladies when he was young, ihihi!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………ここからは紗音に代わって私がご案内申し上げます。どうぞこちらへ。」 <br>\\r\\n 紗音ちゃんは深々とお辞儀をして俺たちを見送る。 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........From here on, I shall take Shannon's place and accompany you. Please, come this way.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n Shannon-chan bowed deeply and watched us leave. <br><br>\\r\\n ここからは源次さんの案内で食堂へ向かっていった。 <br>\\r\\n After that, we headed towards the dining room under Genji-san's guidance. <br><br>\\r\\n 若者勢がこの６年で見違えるほど成長したのに比べれば、源次さんは熊沢さんと同じでまったく逆。 <br>\\r\\n Genji-san, just like Kumasawa-san, stood in stark contrast to us young people who had grown beyond recognition over the last six years. <br><br>\\r\\n ６年前の記憶とまったく姿が変わらない。 <br>\\r\\n 時間を止めたまま再会したかのようだった。 <br>\\r\\n His appearance was exactly the same as in my memories from six years ago. <br><br>\\r\\n It was as though time had stopped since the last time we met. <br><br>\\r\\n 源次さんは非常に寡黙で真面目な人だ。 <br>\\r\\n Genji-san was an extremely quiet and diligent person. <br><br>\\r\\n 祖父さまの側近というか、介護者というか、……考えようによっては女房役とまで言えたかもしれない。 <br>\\r\\n He was basically Grandfather's close aide or caregiver, ...and you might even call him Grandfather's companion of many years. <br><br>\\r\\n 実際、死んだ祖母さまよりも常に側に控えさせていたらしい。 <br>\\r\\n In fact, it seems he was by Grandfather's side even more often than my late Grandmother was. <br><br>\\r\\n 朱志香に言わせると、祖父さまはどんな肉親たちよりも信頼しているという。 <br>\\r\\n According to Jessica, Grandfather trusted him more than any of his blood relatives. <br><br>\\r\\n しかし勤めてどのくらいになるんだろう。 <br>\\r\\n But I wonder how long he's served. <br><br>\\r\\n 詳しく聞いたことはないが、この屋敷が建てられた当初からいる、みたいな話を聞いたこともある。 <br>\\r\\n I never got the details, but I heard something about him being here since the very beginning, when this mansion was first constructed. <br><br>\\r\\n …ということは、半生を奉公に捧げてるってことになる。…そりゃあ、信頼も厚いわけだぜ。 <br>\\r\\n ...Which would mean that he's dedicated half of his life to serving here. ...It's easy to see why he's so trusted. <br><br>\\r\\n 食堂に向かうため、源次さんの先導で吹き抜けのホールを通り抜ける時。 <br>\\r\\n As we passed through a massive hall that extended up into the second story of the mansion with no separating floor... <br><br>\\r\\n ……俺は６年前の記憶にないものを見つける。 <br>\\r\\n ...I spotted something that hadn't existed in my memory of six years ago. <br><br>\\r\\n それは、２階に上がる階段の真正面に飾られた、とても大きな肖像画だった。 <br>\\r\\n It was an awfully big portrait hanging right in front of the stairs that rose to the second floor. <br><br>\\r\\n その迫力に、思わず足を止めてしまう…。 <br>\\r\\n Without thinking, I stopped walking, captivated by it... <br><br>\\r\\n 急に俺が立ち止まったので、後に続く真里亞が俺の背中に激突する。 <br>\\r\\n Since I'd stopped so fast, Maria, who was following behind me, ran into my back. <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……あぁ悪ぃ。…なぁ朱志香ぁ。あんな絵、前はあったっけ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Aah, sorry. ...Hey, Jessica. Has that picture always been there?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 俺はホールに掲げられた目立つ大きな肖像画を指差す。みんなも足を止めた。 <br>\\r\\n I pointed at the big, prominently-displayed portrait in the hall. Everyone else stopped too. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…あぁ、…そっか。戦人が来てた頃にはアレは掛けられてなかったっけ。いつからだったかな…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Oh, ...right. When you last came here, that hadn't been hung yet, had it? When was it again...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「確か、 <br>\\r\\n ……僕の記憶が正しければ、一昨年辺りだったと思うよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, <br><br>\\r\\n ......if my memory doesn't fail me, it was put on display sometime around the year before last.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………左様でございます。一昨年の４月に、お館様が兼ねてより画家に命じて描かせていたものをあそこに展示なされたのでございます。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........You are correct, sir. In April of the year before last, the Master put it on display there, having previously ordered a painter to create it.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あの祖父さまがねぇ。わざわざ描かせてか…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Grandfather did that? So, he paid to have it painted just for him, huh...?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 肖像画には、この洋風屋敷に相応しい、優雅なドレスを着た気品を感じさせる女性が描かれていた。 <br>\\r\\n The portrait suited this Western mansion, and that woman in the elegant dress gave off a sense of refinement. <br><br>\\r\\n ………歳はわからないが、目つきにやや鋭さと意志の強さを感じさせるため、若そうな印象を受けた。 <br>\\r\\n ......I couldn't have guessed her age, but her sharp eyes and the strong will she seemed to possess made her look youthful. <br><br>\\r\\n よく名画にあるような中年女性の余裕ある雰囲気とは違う気がする。 <br>\\r\\n She seemed somehow different from the composed, middle-aged women you often see in famous pictures. <br><br>\\r\\n この女性が普通に黒い髪だったなら、すでに亡くなって久しい祖母さまの若き日の肖像画かもしれないと思っただろう。 <br>\\r\\n If she'd had normal black hair, I might've assumed it was a portrait of my long-deceased Grandmother in her prime. <br><br>\\r\\n だが、肖像画の女性は美しい黄金の髪で、日本人的でない容姿を感じさせた。 <br>\\r\\n However, she had beautiful blonde hair and didn't look Japanese at all. <br><br>\\r\\n 「で。……誰だい、このご婦人はよぅ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"So, ...just who is this lady?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n その素朴な質問に、真里亞が、自分は知っていると言わんばかりに威勢よく答えてくれた。 <br>\\r\\n Maria answered that simple question enthusiastically, as though proud she knew the answer. <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 真里亞知ってる。ベアトリーチェ！」 <br>\\r\\n 「ベア、……何だって？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! I know. She's Beatrice!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n \\\"Bay-uh...what?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ベアトリーチェ。魔女だよ。戦人くんは昔、聞かされたことない？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Beatrice. She's a witch. Didn't you ever hear stories about her, long ago?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「魔女ぉ。…って、 <br>\\r\\n …………この島の？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"A witch? ...You mean, <br><br>\\r\\n ...the witch of this island?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n …すでに話したと思うが、この六軒島は全周が１０ｋｍ程度の小さい島だ。 <br>\\r\\n だが右代宮家だけが住むにしては広大だ。 <br>\\r\\n ...I think I already said this, but Rokkenjima is a small island, only ten kilometers in circumference. <br><br>\\r\\n However, that's actually pretty massive, considering that only the Ushiromiya family lives here. <br><br>\\r\\n だから住めるよう整地されているのは、船着場と屋敷の周りの敷地だけで、後はこの島が無人島だった時代から手付かずのままになっている。 <br>\\r\\n So, only the harbor and the area around the mansion were set up to be lived in. Beyond that, the island remained as untouched as when it was uninhabited. <br><br>\\r\\n 一切の明かりもなく電話もなく通行人もいない無人の広大な森が、どれほど危険なものかを理解するには、都会的な常識を少し外す必要がある。 <br>\\r\\n The vast and empty forest had absolutely no lights, phones, or people passing through. To understand how dangerous that is, you need to forget your common sense as a city dweller. <br><br>\\r\\n 何しろ、万が一、森の奥深くで穴にでも落ちて捻挫したら、泣こうが喚こうが誰も助けに来てくれないのだ。 <br>\\r\\n After all, if you happened to fall down a hole in the depths of the forest and sprain your ankle, no one would come save you, no matter how much you cried or screamed. <br><br>\\r\\n そのまま暗くなれば電柱の一本もない森は真の暗黒に包まれる。 <br>\\r\\n Then, once the sun went down, the forest would be wrapped in complete darkness, since there were no streetlights. <br><br>\\r\\n また、道標があるわけでもないから迷いやすく、暗い森の中は方向感覚も見失いやすいのだ。 <br>\\r\\n And, since there were no signs, it'd be easy to get lost and confused, losing your sense of direction inside that dark forest. <br><br>\\r\\n 現在でこそ、森というと憩いのイメージを感じるが、文明の光が夜を駆逐するまでの前時代の人類にとって、森は海同様に文化を地理的に隔離する、地上の海同然だったのである。 <br>\\r\\n Nowadays, most people see a forest as a peaceful place, but to the people of bygone eras, before the light of civilization drove out the night, forests were as geographically separated from civilization as the sea. They were oceans above the ground. <br><br>\\r\\n 海に出る漁師たちが、専門的な知識を有してなお命を脅かされることもあるように。 <br>\\r\\n Fishermen who go out into the ocean are putting their lives at risk, despite their technical knowledge... <br><br>\\r\\n 森に出る猟師たちにも専門的な知識が求められ、同じく命を脅かされることもあったのだ。 <br>\\r\\n In the same way, hunters who go out to the forest are in danger, despite having specialized knowledge of their own. <br><br>\\r\\n …そんな危険な森に、子供が遊びに行ったら大変なことになるかもしれない。 <br>\\r\\n ...If children were to go play in such a dangerous forest, something terrible might happen. <br><br>\\r\\n そう思った親の誰か。…祖母さまか、あるいは他でもない、祖父さまが言い出したのかもしれない。 <br>\\r\\n Someone's parents must have thought so. ...Maybe Grandmother first said it, or maybe it was Grandfather himself. <br><br>\\r\\n さもなくば、はるか大昔からこの島に語り継がれているのか。 <br>\\r\\n Or perhaps the story's been passed down on this island since ancient times. <br><br>\\r\\n ………森には恐ろしい魔女がいるから立ち入ってはならない。 <br>\\r\\n .........There's a terrible witch in the forest, so you must not go in. <br><br>\\r\\n そんな六軒島の怪談が生まれたのである。 <br>\\r\\n それが、六軒島の魔女伝説である。 <br>\\r\\n At some point, this ghost story of Rokkenjima was born. <br><br>\\r\\n This is the legend of Rokkenjima's witch. <br><br>\\r\\n だから、この島で魔女と言ったら、それは広大な未開の森の主を指す。 <br>\\r\\n That's why, when we talk about a witch on this island, we're referring to the master of that vast and savage forest. <br><br>\\r\\n そういえば小さかった頃、この屋敷に泊まり、風雨が窓を叩く不気味な夜には、森の魔女が生贄を求めて彷徨っているというような話にだいぶ怯えたもんさ…。 <br>\\r\\n Come to think of it, when I stayed at this mansion as a little kid, during those eerie nights when the wind and rain pounded on the windows, I remember being terrified by a story of the forest witch, who roamed around searching for human sacrifices... <br><br>\\r\\n ベアトリーチェ、 <br>\\r\\n …か。 <br>\\r\\n So, <br><br>\\r\\n ...Beatrice, huh? <br><br>\\r\\n ………兄貴に言われて記憶を探ると、確かにそんな名前だとだいぶ小さい頃に教えられた気もする。 <br>\\r\\n .........When Aniki mentioned it, I searched my memory and was sure I recalled hearing a name like that when I was little. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…なるほどなぁ。しかし、あの魔女伝説の魔女に、ベアトリーチェなんてオシャレな名前が付いてたとは、とんと忘れてたぜ。……祖父さまめ、孫たちが信じないもんだから、わざわざ絵に描きやがったかぁ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...I see. Still, I totally forgot that the witch in that legend had an elegant name like Beatrice. ......So, did Grandfather go out of his way to have a portrait made, just because we grandchildren didn't believe the story?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……祖父さまの妄想の中の魔女だよ。…この絵を掲げた頃から現実と幻想の区別が付かなくなり始めた。……私たちにとっては想像の中の魔女に過ぎないけど、…祖父さまにとっては、彼女はこの島に“い”る存在。……“い”る。だから、それを理解することができない私たちにもわかるよう、あの絵を描かせたって言うんだけど。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...She's the witch from Grandfather's delusions. ...Ever since he had this picture hanged, he's been having a harder and harder time telling the difference between truth and fantasy. ...To us, she's just a witch that exists in Grandfather's mind, ...but to him, she's a being that `exists' on this island. ...`Exists'. He says he had that painting made because the rest of us would be incapable of understanding otherwise. <br><br>\\r\\n ………はんッ、気持ち悪いったらありゃしないぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n ......Hmph, the whole thing's creepy as hell.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………お嬢様。…お館様にとっては大切な肖像画です。……お館様の前でそのように仰られることがございませんよう、固くお願い申し上げます。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Milady, ...this portrait is precious to the Master. ......I beg of you, do not say such things in front of him.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………わかってるぜ。頼まれても言わねぇよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......I know. Even if you didn't tell me, I'd never do something like that.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 朱志香は忌々しいような目つきで肖像画を一瞥すると、そっぽを向く。 <br>\\r\\n Jessica glanced at the portrait with an irritated gaze before turning away. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…行こうよ。食堂にみんなを待たせてるよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Let's go. We're making everyone wait in the dining room.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ お腹空いたー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! I'm hungry!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n ……この島で、右代宮家が支配している部分などほんのわずかだ。 <br>\\r\\n ......Only a small portion of this island was controlled by the Ushiromiya family. <br><br>\\r\\n 残りの未開な部分を全て彼女、…魔女ベアトリーチェが支配しているというのなら。 <br>\\r\\n All of the lawless remainder...was the domain of the witch, Beatrice. <br><br>\\r\\n ……彼女こそがこの六軒島を真に支配する存在なのだと言える。 <br>\\r\\n ......You might even call her the true ruler of Rokkenjima. <br><br>\\r\\n 船で来る途中、洋上の鎮守の社が落雷で失われたということを知った時に感じたある種の違和感と不吉さが少しだけ蘇る。 <br>\\r\\n I felt a faint revival of that unsettling sense of misfortune...which I'd felt when I learned of the tutelary god's shrine being struck by lightning. <br><br>\\r\\n そしてあの時、熊沢さんは六軒島について何か不吉な話をしようとして、それを朱志香に止められたことも。 <br>\\r\\n And I remembered that Kumasawa-san tried to tell an ominous story about Rokkenjima...before Jessica stopped her. <br><br>\\r\\n ………この島の何を話そうとしたのかはわからない。 <br>\\r\\n ...I don't know what she was planning to tell us about this island. <br><br>\\r\\n でも、ひとつわかることがある。 <br>\\r\\n …六軒島の支配者は、右代宮家じゃない。 <br>\\r\\n But I do know one thing. <br><br>\\r\\n ...It isn't the Ushiromiya family that rules Rokkenjima. <br><br>\\r\\n 魔女、ベアトリーチェなんだ。 <br>\\r\\n It's the witch, Beatrice. <br><br>\\r\\n そう。……ここは、魔女の島なのだから。 <br>\\r\\n That's right. ......After all, this is the witch's island. <br><br>\\r\\n 「戦人ー！ うー、遅いー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Battler! Uu-, you're slooow!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 見ればみんなはもう食堂へ向かっていた。 <br>\\r\\n 俺は慌ててその後を追うのだった…。 <br>\\r\\n When I looked around, everyone was already heading towards the dining room. <br><br>\\r\\n I hurriedly chased after them... <br><br>\\r\\n 食堂の大きな観音扉の前までやって来る。 <br>\\r\\n We walked up to the huge double doors that led to the dining room. <br><br>\\r\\n 源次さんがノックする。 <br>\\r\\n Genji-san knocked. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……お子様方をお連れいたしました。失礼いたします…。」 <br>\\r\\n 扉が開けられ、中へ招かれる。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...I have brought the children. Please pardon the intrusion...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n The doors were opened, and we were invited inside. <br><br>\\r\\n 如何にも大金持ちーって感じの食堂には、来客に序列を思い知らせるのが目的としか思えない超長いテーブルが置かれ、その序列に従い、もう親たちが着席していた。 <br>\\r\\n The dining room, which looked exactly like you'd imagine a rich person's dining room to be, had a super-long table that was obviously positioned with no purpose other than to make the guests conscious of their rank. Our parents were already sitting in accordance with that ordering. <br><br>\\r\\n 「遅ぇぞ、ガキども。早く席につけよ。」 <br>\\r\\n クソ親父が着席を促す。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"You're late, brats. Hurry up and take a seat.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n The old bastard pressed us to sit. <br><br>\\r\\n 長いテーブルの、自分たちが座る場所だけがぽっかりと空いていて、一層、遅刻した感を煽った。 <br>\\r\\n The only gaps in that group of people were the spots we were supposed to sit, which only made us feel our tardiness all the more. <br><br>\\r\\n 一番奥正面のいわゆるお誕生席が最上位の席、祖父さまの指定席だ。 <br>\\r\\n The seat at the head of the table, called the Incipient's Chair, was for the most highly ranked, reserved for Grandfather. <br><br>\\r\\n そこはまだ空席だった。 <br>\\r\\n …もったいぶって最後に来るつもりなんだろう。 <br>\\r\\n It was still empty. <br><br>\\r\\n ...He probably wanted to show up last for dramatic effect. <br><br>\\r\\n 席順の序列は、お誕生席を正面奥に見ながら、左・右と序列が続き、序列の順位が低いほどお誕生席から遠のいていく。 <br>\\r\\n From the perspective of someone facing the Incipient's Chair head on, the seating order went from left to right, with the lower ranking seats progressing in rows of two further away from it. <br><br>\\r\\n つまり、お誕生席に一番近い第１列目の左席、序列第２位の席は親兄弟の長兄の蔵臼伯父さんの席。 <br>\\r\\n So, the left-hand side of the first row, closest to the Incipient's Chair, was where Uncle Krauss should have sat, since he was the second highest in rank. <br><br>\\r\\n ………伯父さんもまだ来てないようで空席だった。 <br>\\r\\n .........It looked like he hadn't arrived yet, so that seat was empty. <br><br>\\r\\n そしてその向かいの、第１列目の右席には、序列第３位で親兄弟の長女の絵羽伯母さんが座る。 <br>\\r\\n Across from his chair, on the right side of the first row, sat the eldest daughter of the family, <NAME>, who was the third highest in rank. <br><br>\\r\\n 第２列目の左席は序列第４位。 <br>\\r\\n 親兄弟の３人目ということでうちのクソ親父、留弗夫が座る。 <br>\\r\\n The left-hand side of the second row was for the fourth highest in rank. <br><br>\\r\\n There sat my damned dad, Rudolf, the third of the siblings. <br><br>\\r\\n その向かいの第２列目右席、序列第５位は、親兄弟の末っ子の楼座叔母さんの席。 <br>\\r\\n Across from him, on the right side of the second row, sat <NAME>, the youngest sibling. <br><br>\\r\\n こう来れば、次は親たちの配偶者が来るだろうと思うかもしれないが、 <br>\\r\\n At this point, you might expect their husbands and wives to come next, <br><br>\\r\\n ところがどっこい、次の第３列目左席、つまり序列第６位は朱志香の席だったりする。 <br>\\r\\n but nope, the left-hand seat in the third row, rank number six, belonged to Jessica. <br><br>\\r\\n その向かい席は譲治兄貴。 <br>\\r\\n Opposite her was George-aniki. <br><br>\\r\\n そして朱志香の隣の席は俺で、 <br>\\r\\n I sat next to Jessica, <br><br>\\r\\n その向かいは真里亞となる。 <br>\\r\\n ...and Maria sat across from me. <br><br>\\r\\n そして俺の隣、つまり第５列目左席の序列第１０位まで来てようやく夏妃叔母さんなのである。 <br>\\r\\n Then, finally, next to me on the left-hand side of the fifth row, sat Aunt Natsuhi, the tenth highest in rank. <br><br>\\r\\n …その向かいが秀吉伯父さんで、 <br>\\r\\n ...Opposite her was <NAME>. <br><br>\\r\\n 夏妃叔母さんの隣の第６列目、一番手前の左席が霧江さんである。 <br>\\r\\n Next to Aunt Natsuhi, in the sixth row and the final seat on the left-hand side, sat Kyrie-san. <br><br>\\r\\n 霧江さんの向かいの席にも食事の支度がされていたが空席だった。 <br>\\r\\n 序列的に言うなら、そこは楼座叔母さんの旦那さんが座るべき席だ。 <br>\\r\\n The seat opposite to Kyrie-san was empty, even though silverware had been set there and everything. <br><br>\\r\\n According to this ranking system, that spot was where Aunt Rosa's husband should be sitting. <br><br>\\r\\n ……来ていないはずなのに、その席にも準備がされていた。 <br>\\r\\n ......Even though he wasn't supposed to be coming, his place was made up. <br><br>\\r\\n 普通、序列は配偶者にも準ずる格を認めるものだが、右代宮家は独自の序列を持っていた。 <br>\\r\\n Normally, ranking systems of this sort give spouses equal positions as their partners, but the Ushiromiya family's system was unique. <br><br>\\r\\n ……多分、男尊女卑の名残だろう。 <br>\\r\\n 女の腹は借り物だとする考えに基づくと、直系の子供がもっとも序列が高く、孫が次。 <br>\\r\\n ......Maybe it's a remnant of male chauvinism. <br><br>\\r\\n If you start with the assumption that a woman's womb is just something to be borrowed, then the children of direct descent would come first, directly followed by the grandchildren. <br><br>\\r\\n 血の繋がらない配偶者たちは一番ビリって考えになるわけだ。 <br>\\r\\n In other words, spouses have no blood ties and are therefore placed at the end of the line. <br><br>\\r\\n ……気の毒な話だが、その序列によるならば祖母さまが生きていたとして、その序列は俺よりも下だということになる。 <br>\\r\\n ......It's terrible, but by this system, my Grandmother would be ranked even lower than me, if she were still alive. <br><br>\\r\\n 若い日には父に従い、嫁いでからは夫に従い、老いてからは子に従え。 <br>\\r\\n In their youth, they obey their father; after they get married, their husband; after aging, their children. <br><br>\\r\\n 「女、三界に家なし」なんて言われた昔の名残だ。 <br>\\r\\n There's the old saying: `Women have no home in any realm'. <br><br>\\r\\n そんなことに思い至らない昔は、親兄弟は親兄弟同士、いとこはいとこ同士とそれぞれのグループごとに座れて話が弾んでいいなんて思っていたが、この歳になって再び着席順を見直してみると、何とも複雑な気持ちにさせられる…。 <br>\\r\\n Long ago, when I was still incapable of figuring all this out, I'd thought it was so great that we could all chat in our little groups, adult siblings with adult siblings and cousins with cousins. However, now that I can reexamine the seating order after growing up a bit, it stirs up some very complicated feelings in me... <br><br>\\r\\n 本家の長男に嫁ぎ、家を切り盛りする実質上のナンバー２の夏妃伯母さんが俺の右側の席、…つまり俺より２つも序列が下だというのだから。 <br>\\r\\n <NAME>, who was married to the eldest son and was the de-facto number two in managing this family, sat to my right, ...which meant that she was two steps lower than me in the ranking order. <br><br>\\r\\n …伯母さんの胸中を察することは難しかった。 <br>\\r\\n ...It was hard to imagine what might be going on inside her heart. <br><br>\\r\\n なので俺は、伯母さんに謝るような仕草をしてから着席するのだった。 <br>\\r\\n That's why I made a small apologetic gesture towards her before sitting down. <br><br>\\r\\n 「お久しぶりですね、戦人くん。ずいぶん背が伸びましたね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"How nice to see you, Battler-kun. You've grown quite tall, haven't you?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「え、ぁ、はい！ 食ったり食べたり食事したりしてたらいつの間にかこんな身長に。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, uh, yep! Six long years of eating well, sampling various cuisines, and deriving sustenance from Mother Earth's bountiful gifts. Hard work, but I pulled through.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「さすが男の子ね。身長はいくつくらいあるの？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Growing just like a boy, I see. How tall are you now?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「１８０かな？ つーか伯母さん、そこは、食べてばっかりじゃねぇかーって突っ込んでくださいよ〜ん！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I guess about 180 cm? But Aunt Natsuhi, that's where you're supposed to say `Heck, sounds like all you did was eat'!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「え？ <br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh? <br><br>\\r\\n ……あぁ、くす、ごめんなさいね。」 <br>\\r\\n ...Oh, *giggle*, I'm sorry.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 伯母さんは遅れて笑いに付き合ってくれたが、どこが笑うべきツボか理解できてないようだった。 <br>\\r\\n After a short pause, she did laugh with me, but it seemed she couldn't quite figure out what she was supposed to be laughing at. <br><br>\\r\\n この人は夏妃（なつひ）伯母さん。 <br>\\r\\n This woman is Aunt Natsuhi (夏妃). <br><br>\\r\\n 親兄弟の長男の妻、つまり、うちの親父の兄の奥さんに当たる人だ。 <br>\\r\\n 朱志香の母親と言った方がわかりやすいか。 <br>\\r\\n She's the wife of the eldest son of the family, meaning she's my father's older brother's wife. <br><br>\\r\\n Is it simpler if I just call her Jessica's mother? <br><br>\\r\\n …こう言っちゃ悪いが、嫌いってわけでもないが、特別好きでもない伯母さんだ。 <br>\\r\\n ...It feels bad to say it like this, but while I didn't exactly dislike her, I didn't particularly like her either. <br><br>\\r\\n あまり子供の輪に入ってこないし、いつも気難しそうな顔をして、親たちと難しい話をしているという印象しかない。 <br>\\r\\n She hardly ever spoke with us kids, and all my memories of her involve her talking to the adults about complicated things, with a scary look on her face. <br><br>\\r\\n …実際、あまり言葉を交わしたことがなく、今もどう掴みを取ろうかだいぶ迷ったのだ。 <br>\\r\\n …甲斐なく外してしまったがなー。 <br>\\r\\n ...In fact, since we hardly ever exchange words, I spent a long time trying to figure out how I should approach her. <br><br>\\r\\n ...Though my efforts seem to have ended in failure. <br><br>\\r\\n テーブルの上には整然と食器が並べられていたが、まだ食事の配膳は始まっていなかった。 <br>\\r\\n The silverware sat neatly on the table, but the meal itself hadn't been brought in yet. <br><br>\\r\\n 基本的に、上席者が着席するまでは食事は始まらない。 <br>\\r\\n As a general rule, you couldn't start a meal until the person sitting at the head of the table arrived. <br><br>\\r\\n つまり、最上位の祖父さまが来ない限り、いつまでもお昼は始まらない。 <br>\\r\\n 前菜すら来ないわけだ。 <br>\\r\\n So, as long as Grandfather didn't come, lunch would be put on hold indefinitely. <br><br>\\r\\n Not even the appetizers would arrive. <br><br>\\r\\n つまりこの食堂の沈黙は、親たちが空腹を堪えながら祖父さまが来るのはまだかと待つものだったのである。 <br>\\r\\n Simply put, the silence in this room was caused by our parents enduring their hunger while they waited for Grandfather to arrive. <br><br>\\r\\n ただ、俺の記憶の中の祖父さまは、こうして会食などがある時には必ず時間通りに現れたものだ。 <br>\\r\\n However, the Grandfather from my memories would always show up on time to meals like this. <br><br>\\r\\n …全員が揃ってなお待たせるほど遅刻するなどということはありえない人だったはず。 <br>\\r\\n ...He was the kind of person who would never be so late that it kept everyone waiting, especially after the entire group had arrived. <br><br>\\r\\n 「遅ぇな、祖父さま。……俺の記憶じゃ、時間に厳格な人だったと思うんだけどな。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Grandfather's pretty late. ......As far as I can remember, he was always strict about time.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あー、６年前はそうだったかもなぁ。…最近はそうでもねぇよ。というか、もう自分の世界オンリーって感じで会食にも顔を出さねぇぜ。さすがに今日くらいは足並みを揃えてくれるって思ってたんだけどな。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, that might've been true six years ago, ...but it hasn't been that way lately. In fact, he's off in his own little world so often that he doesn't even show up at family meals. ...Still, I figured he'd at least come down today. <br><br>\\r\\n …まー、私ゃ来ない方が気楽で嬉しいけどよー。」 <br>\\r\\n ...Then again, I feel a lot more relaxed and happy without him.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…朱志香！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Jessica!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 母親の夏妃伯母さんに叱られ、朱志香は舌を出しながらそっぽを向く。 <br>\\r\\n When her mother scolded her, Jessica stuck her tongue out and looked away. <br><br>\\r\\n ……仕方ねぇぜ。 <br>\\r\\n ホストさまがいらっしゃるのを待つとするか。 <br>\\r\\n ......No way around it. <br><br>\\r\\n Might as well wait until our host arrives. <br><br>\\r\\n 時計を見ると、もうじき１２時の２０分を指そうとしていた…。 <br>\\r\\n When I glanced at the clock, I saw that it was almost 12:20... <br><br>\\r\\n 右代宮本家の老いた当主、右代宮金蔵（きんぞう）。 <br>\\r\\n Ushiromiya Kinzo (金蔵), the aged Family Head of the Ushiromiya Head Family. <br><br>\\r\\n その姿は、彼の書斎にあった。 <br>\\r\\n This man...could be seen in his study. <br><br>\\r\\n 時計は昼を指していたが彼は席を立とうとはしない。 <br>\\r\\n The clock had already passed noon, but he didn't even attempt to rise from his seat. <br><br>\\r\\n 老眼鏡を掛けながら、凝った意匠の装丁がされた古めかしい本を次々に積み上げ、それらを読みふけることに没頭している。 <br>\\r\\n With his spectacles on, he built up a growing pile of books with elaborate bindings, which he then read intently. <br><br>\\r\\n それは楽しくて仕方がない、というよりは、一分一秒が惜しいような焦燥感、あるいは危機感のようなものすら感じられた。 <br>\\r\\n You couldn't really say that he was having too much fun to stop. Rather, he filled the room with a sense of impatience, or perhaps a sense of impending danger, as though every second wasted was a tragedy. <br><br>\\r\\n 締め切られた室内は、濃厚な埃が舞い、胡散臭い異臭を放つ薬品の臭いを混ぜこぜにした空気で澱んでいる。 <br>\\r\\n In this sealed room, a dense dust danced through the air, which was thick with the stench of chemicals that exuded a mix of suspicious odors. <br><br>\\r\\n しかもそれはどことなく甘く、重く。 <br>\\r\\n ...Those odors were somehow sweet...and heavy. <br><br>\\r\\n まともな鼻を持つ人間なら、入って最初にやることは間違いなく窓を開けて換気することだろう。 <br>\\r\\n If anyone with a normal nose came in here, the first thing they'd do would be to open a window and ventilate this room. <br><br>\\r\\n その書斎の扉を、さっきから叩き続ける音が繰り返されている。 <br>\\r\\n その音には時折、「お父さん」という声が混じっていた。 <br>\\r\\n The knocking against the study door had been going on for a while. <br><br>\\r\\n A voice calling `Father' sometimes mingled with the knocks. <br><br>\\r\\n 金蔵は大きく溜め息をつくと、手にしている古書を乱暴に閉じて卓上に叩き付ける。 <br>\\r\\n それから大声で、扉を叩き続けている蔵臼に怒鳴った。 <br>\\r\\n As Kinzo heaved a deep sigh, he snapped shut the old book in his hands and slammed it on the table. <br><br>\\r\\n Then, he yelled at Krauss, who was still knocking on the door. <br><br>\\r\\n 「やかましいッ！！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"Silence!! <br><br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n その音を止めぬか、愚か者ッ！！！ <br>\\r\\n Enough with that racket, you fool!!! <br><br>\\r\\n 叩けば扉は開かれると誰が教えた！ その馬鹿者は磔にしたぞッ！！ お前もそうされたいのかッ！！」 <br>\\r\\n Who told you the door would be opened if you but knocked?! I'll crucify the imbecile!! Do you wish to suffer the same fate?!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……お父さん。年に一度の親族会議の日ではありませんか。皆、下に集まっています。どうかお出で下さい。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Father, this is the day of the family conference, which happens only once a year, is it not? Everyone's gathered down below. Please come out.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 蔵臼は扉越しに父に呼びかける。 <br>\\r\\n …金蔵はいつも書斎に篭りきりで、家人すらも部屋に入れることを嫌った。 <br>\\r\\n Krauss called out to his father through the door. <br><br>\\r\\n ...Kinzo always shut himself up in the study, hating it when nearly anyone, even his family, entered the room. <br><br>\\r\\n そのため、こうして廊下から言葉をかけるしかないのである…。 <br>\\r\\n For that reason, Krauss had no choice but to call to him from the corridor like this... <br><br>\\r\\n 「私に構うでないッ！！ 皆とは何か、私をここから引き摺り出そうとする者どもなのかッ！！ ならば殺してしまえ！ バラバラにし薪にして魔女の炉にくべてしまえッ！！ その炉には鍋を掛けてニガヨモギを煮るがいい！ 黙示録の煮汁はそれでも私をここから連れ出そうとする馬鹿者どもに飲ませてやれッ！ 残りは酒に漬けるのだ！ あぁ、源次はどこだ！ 源次を呼べい！！ 苦艾の魔酒を用意させろ！ 緑の妖精の囁きが届かぬ！！ あぁ、源次はどこだッ、源次を呼べぇえぇいッ！！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Molest me not!! Just who is this `everyone' of which you speak? Do you mean the fools trying to drag me out of here?!! Then kill them all! Tear them apart, use their bodies for firewood, and feed them into the witch's hearth!! Put a pot in that hearth to boil the wormwood! Force the imbeciles who dare try to lure me out of here to drink the broth of the Apocalypse! I will soak their dregs in liquor! Aah, where is Genji?! Call for Genji!! Have my demonic absinthe prepared! The whispering of the green fairy reaches me no longer!! Aah, where is Genji?! Bring him heeeeeere!!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n …扉の前では、蔵臼と南條、そして源次が、出てこようとしない主を待ち続けている。 <br>\\r\\n ...On the other side of the door, Krauss, Nanjo and Genji kept waiting for the master of the house, who stubbornly refused to come out. <br><br>\\r\\n 「ふ…。……すっかり嫌われてしまったようだ。もう私の声では何も届かんよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmph... ...Looks like he hates me to the core. My voice doesn't reach him anymore.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 蔵臼は、やれやれという風に肩をすくめて苦笑いをしてみせる。 <br>\\r\\n Krauss shrugged as though saying `It's no use' and smiled bitterly. <br><br>\\r\\n …自分の呼びかけに父が応じるとは鼻から思ってはいない。 <br>\\r\\n しかし長男の務めとして、形式的に声を掛けただけだ。 <br>\\r\\n ...From the beginning, he hadn't really expected his Father to respond to his calls. <br><br>\\r\\n However, since it was the duty of the eldest son, he had tried as a formality. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……金蔵さん。あんたの顔を見に、息子や娘や孫たちが来てるんじゃないか…。ちょっと顔を見せてやったらどうだね…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Kinzo-san, your sons, daughters and grandchildren have come to see you, have they not...? Could you just let them see your face, if only for a short while...?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うるさい黙れッ！！！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"Shut up, be silent!!! <br><br>\\r\\n 私に意見するというか南條ッ！！ <br>\\r\\n You dare to admonish me, Nanjo?!! <br><br>\\r\\n 貴様など呼んではおらぬ、私は源次を呼べと言ったのだ！！ さぁ急げ、すぐに呼べ！ <br>\\r\\n I never told anyone to get you, I told them to get Genji!! Now call for him immediately! <br><br>\\r\\n 時間は常に有限だ、使徒たちはすでにラッパを構えているぞ、なぜにそれがわからぬか愚かな羊どもめッ！！」 <br>\\r\\n Time is short, and the apostles are already readying their trumpets, so why can't you foolish sheep understand?!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 金蔵が重い古書を何度も何度も卓上に叩きつける。 <br>\\r\\n その騒々しい音が、最上級の不快を示していることは明白だった。 <br>\\r\\n Kinzo slammed an old, heavy book against the table over and over. <br><br>\\r\\n That racket clearly expressed his great displeasure. <br><br>\\r\\n 金蔵は老眼鏡を置くと乱暴に席を立つ。 <br>\\r\\n Kinzo put his spectacles down and flew up from his chair. <br><br>\\r\\n そして、満場のオペラ座で歌うように、訴えるように両腕を大きく広げて怒鳴った。 <br>\\r\\n He spread his arms wide open, as if to sing to a packed opera house, as if appealing to someone, and yelled. <br><br>\\r\\n 「なぜだッ？！ なぜにいつも私には邪魔が入るのかッ？！ 全てを捨てよう、全てを捧げよう、その見返りに私はひとつしか求めないというのにッ！！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"Why?! Why is there always something in my way?! I would throw it all away, I would offer up everything, and there is only one thing I ask in repayment!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n おぉベアトリーチェ、お前の微笑みをもう一度見られるならば、私は世界中から微笑を奪い取り全てをお前に捧げようッ！！ おおぉ、蝗の軍団長たちよ、世界中から微笑を刈り取り収穫せッ、げほげほッ、ゲーホゲホゲホッ！！！ あぁ全てが汚らわしい、全てが煩わしい！！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ooh, Beatrice, if I could see your smile but one more time, I would plunder the smiles of the Earth and offer them all up to you!! Oooh, commanders of the legions of locusts, reap the smiles of the Earth, *cough*cough*, *cough*cough*!!! Aah, everything is filthy, everything is irksome!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n なぜこの貴重な一日に私は邪魔を受けねばならぬのかッ！！ ゲーホゲホゲホゲホ！！ゴホッゴホゴホッ！！！ 源次を呼べぇえぇぃ！！！ ゲーホゲホゲホ！！」;確認（蝗） <br>\\r\\n \\\"Why must I suffer this impediment on this most precious of days?!?! *cough*cough*cough*cough*!! *cough*cough*!!! Call for Genjiiiii!!! *cough*cough*cough*!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……何を怒鳴ってるのかもさっぱりだな。もう頭がどうにかなっているのだろう。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......I have no idea what he's yelling about. He's probably lost his mind by now.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「蔵臼さん…。実のお父さんに、そりゃああんまりじゃないかね…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Krauss-san, ...isn't it a bit harsh to say such a thing of your own father...?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「親父はすでに死んでいる。……ここにいるのは、親父だったものの幻さ。いずれにせよ、本人にここを出る意思がない以上、どうにもならんね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"My father is already dead. ......There's nothing here but a phantom of what Father once was. At any rate, as long as he has no intention of coming out, there's nothing we can do.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………金蔵さん。」 <br>\\r\\n 書斎からはまだ咽るセキの声が繰り返されている…。 <br>\\r\\n \\\".....................Kinzo-san.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n Choking coughs continued to pour from the study... <br><br>\\r\\n 「私は下に戻る。……郷田の自慢のランチをこれ以上、無駄に冷ましてしまうことはない。親類たちにとって、当家での数少ない楽しみだろうからな。…ふ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm going back downstairs. ......It would be a waste to let the fruits of Gohda's prized cooking talent get any colder. It's one of the few things our relatives can look forward to when they come to this house. ...Hmph.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 蔵臼は踵を返す。 <br>\\r\\n Krauss spun around. <br><br>\\r\\n 腕時計を見て、わかりきっていたことに無駄な時間を費やしたという悪態を態度で示して見せた。 <br>\\r\\n He looked at his watch, mumbling and acting as though he had wasted time doing something he knew would be in vain. <br><br>\\r\\n 「源次さん。……親父殿がお呼びだ。相手を頼む。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Genji-san, ......Father is calling for you. Keep him company.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………畏まりました。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Certainly.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「南條先生。食事に行きましょう。……いつまでもここにいると、この甘い臭いで味覚までおかしくなってしまう。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Doctor Nanjo, let's go eat. ......If we stay here any longer, this sweet stench will ruin our sense of taste.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 蔵臼は南條を待たず、階段を下りていった。 <br>\\r\\n Without waiting for Nanjo, Krauss went downstairs. <br><br>\\r\\n 源次は、南條にも食事へ行くよう促す。 <br>\\r\\n Genji urged Nanjo to go and eat. <br><br>\\r\\n …南條は階下へ消える蔵臼の背中と書斎の扉を見比べると、深い溜め息をひとつ漏らすのだった。 <br>\\r\\n ...Nanjo glanced between the study door and Krauss's back as the latter disappeared down the stairs, then let out a deep sigh. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……すまんが源次さん。頼みます。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Sorry, Genji-san, but please allow me to leave this in your hands.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「はい、……お任せ下さい。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Yes, ......please leave it to me.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「お酒はなるべく与えないように。……あれは常習性が強すぎる。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Do what you can to avoid giving him alcohol. ......That's a habit that's far too difficult to break.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「源次はまだかッ！！！ 何者が源次を阻んでいるというのか！！ あぁ、源次はどこだッ、源次を呼べいッ！！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Is Genji not here yet?!!! Who dares keep Genji from coming?!! Aah, where's Genji, call for Genji!!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「さぁ、 <br>\\r\\n ……ここはお任せ下さい。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Please, <br><br>\\r\\n ......allow me to handle the situation here.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…うむ。………すみませんな。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Very well. .........Forgive me.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 南條は小さく頭を下げると、階段を下りていった…。 <br>\\r\\n Nanjo bowed slightly and descended the stairs... <br><br>\\r\\n 源次はそれを見送ると、書斎の扉をノックする。 <br>\\r\\n Genji watched him leave, then knocked on the study door. <br><br>\\r\\n 「………お館様。源次でございます。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Master, it is Genji.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「源次かッ！！ 何ゆえ私をこれほどに待たすのかッ！！ そこには誰もおるまいな？！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Genji?!! Why have you kept me waiting so long?!! You're alone, I trust?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「はい。私だけでございます。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Correct. I am alone.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 書斎の金蔵は席に戻ると、卓上の古風なスイッチを押す。 <br>\\r\\n Kinzo returned to his seat in the study and pressed an old-fashioned switch on the table. <br><br>\\r\\n …すると少しだけ遅れて、扉の施錠が開く重い音が聞こえた。 <br>\\r\\n ...After a small delay, the heavy sound of the door unlocking could be heard. <br><br>\\r\\n 金蔵は自分の書斎を家人が荒らそうとしていると信じていた。 <br>\\r\\n Kinzo was convinced that his family wanted to make a mess of his study. <br><br>\\r\\n あるいは、換気しようと誰かが窓を開けた際に彼にとっての重要な資料などが飛び散り、それがひどく彼を不愉快にさせたのか。 <br>\\r\\n Or perhaps someone had once opened the window for some air and ended up scattering things that, to him, were important research materials, leaving him in a terrible mood. <br><br>\\r\\n …今では金蔵は、自分の部屋に厳重な施錠を施し、自分の許可がなければ誰も入室できないようにして、自ら作った座敷牢に自らを閉じ込めているのだった。 <br>\\r\\n ...Kinzo had outfitted his room with a formidable lock, preventing anyone from entering without his permission and thereby sealing himself in a jail of his own making. <br><br>\\r\\n もっとも信頼されている源次は比較的入室を許されているが、それも絶対ではない。 <br>\\r\\n 金蔵の機嫌が悪ければ入ることはできない。 <br>\\r\\n Genji, whom he trusted the most, was relatively free to enter the room, but even that didn't always hold. <br><br>\\r\\n If Kinzo was in a bad mood, even Genji wouldn't be able to enter. <br><br>\\r\\n ………それ以外の人間には、顔すら合わせようとせず、扉越しに会話をするのがせいぜい。 <br>\\r\\n .........Anyone else would be limited to holding a conversation through the door, unable even to see Kinzo's face. <br><br>\\r\\n しかも多くの場合、それは会話として成り立たなかった。 <br>\\r\\n And most of the time, what they got could hardly be called a conversation. <br><br>\\r\\n だが、それらは家人にとってさしたる問題にはならなかった。 <br>\\r\\n However, this didn't trouble the rest of the family much. <br><br>\\r\\n 気難しくなり、自らの怪しげな研究に没頭し引き篭もってくれる老いた当主の隠居に、わざわざ口を挟む理由もなかったからである。 <br>\\r\\n After all, it just wasn't worth the effort to disturb this aging Family Head, who was impossible to please and always stayed shut away, immersed in his research. <br><br>\\r\\n ……書斎から出てこないのを幸いに、使用人たちに世話を任せきりにして、自分たちもまた、隔離しているつもりなのだったから。 <br>\\r\\n Taking advantage of his refusal to leave his room, they supported his isolation, putting his care entirely into the hands of the servants. <br><br>\\r\\n 「源次、いつものやつを頼む。私は忙しい。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Genji, my usual. I'm busy.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……はい。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Yes sir.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 源次は、書斎の一角に向かう。 <br>\\r\\n Genji headed to a corner of the study. <br><br>\\r\\n そこには怪しげなボトルが毒々しい色を自慢しあいながら陳列されていた。 <br>\\r\\n There, suspicious-looking bottles boasting venomous colors were on display. <br><br>\\r\\n …それは実際には酒なのだが、この怪しげな室内にあっては不気味な毒物だと疑ってしまいそうになる。 <br>\\r\\n ...They were actually liquor, but considering the shady atmosphere of this room, one might easily suspect them of being some ghastly poison. <br><br>\\r\\n 書斎の中は、金蔵が集めてきた奇怪なる蔵書が山を成していた。 <br>\\r\\n Inside the study, the mysterious collection of books gathered by Kinzo had grown into a mountain. <br><br>\\r\\n それらはいずれも禁じられた、あるいは呪われた、あるいは封印された奇怪なる古書や禁書たちである。 <br>\\r\\n They were bizarre ancient or banned books, all of them either forbidden, cursed, or sealed. <br><br>\\r\\n もっともそれを古書と呼べば金蔵は猛り狂いこう言うだろう。 <br>\\r\\n But if you tried to call them `old books', Kinzo would fly into a rage and say... <br><br>\\r\\n グリモワール（呪文書）と呼べ！ と。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Call them Grimoires!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 怪しげに溶けて奇妙な造形となった蝋燭や、黒魔術において何かの意味を持つのだろう、奇怪なオブジェクトの数々。 <br>\\r\\n There were also many mysterious objects that presumably held some meaning with regards to black magic, like candles suspiciously melted and molded into strange shapes. <br><br>\\r\\n 天球儀に記された星座は、今日の夜空をよく知る者が見たなら首を傾げるようなものばかりが記されている。 <br>\\r\\n The constellations drawn on a certain celestial globe contained quite a few shapes that would draw puzzled looks from anyone familiar with today's night sky. <br><br>\\r\\n 無造作に開かれたまま置かれた古書に記されているイラストは、いずれも宗教的な神秘的なもの、あるいは悪魔的なグロテスクなもの、そして様々な魔法陣の奇怪な図形。 <br>\\r\\n The carelessly strewn-about books contained many illustrations, all of them of a religious or mysterious nature...including some depicting demonically grotesque subjects or bizarre diagrams of various magic circles. <br><br>\\r\\n そして何より、この部屋に充満する甘い毒の臭いは、この部屋に初めて訪れる者を、視覚的にも嗅覚的にも、そして感覚的にも深く冒し、現実感を喪失させるに違いない…。 <br>\\r\\n And above all, a sweet, poisonous smell filled the room, profoundly assaulting the eyes and noses of those who entered for the first time. Eventually, it must surely make a person go numb and lose their grip on reality. <br><br>\\r\\n そんな書斎の中で、源次はいつもの慣れた手つきで、金蔵の愛飲する酒を準備する。 <br>\\r\\n Inside that study, Genji prepared Kinzo's usual drink with a well-trained hand. <br><br>\\r\\n 複雑な意匠のボトルに満たされた暗緑色の不気味な液体は、酒だと教えられなければとても口に含む気にはなるまい。 <br>\\r\\n No one would even think of drinking such an ominous dark green liquid in that complex and ornate glass, unless someone first told them it was alcohol. <br><br>\\r\\n ……それをグラスに少々注ぎ、奇妙な形をしたスプーンに角砂糖を乗せてその上からピッチャーの水を注ぎ込む。 <br>\\r\\n ......He poured a little into the glass. Then, he placed a cube of sugar in a strangely shaped spoon and poured water from a pitcher over it. <br><br>\\r\\n 不思議なことに、暗緑色の液体は透明な水が注ぎ込まれると白く白濁する。 <br>\\r\\n Strangely, when the transparent water was poured, the dark green liquid turned a cloudy white. <br><br>\\r\\n …それはまるで水と化学反応を起こしたかのような奇妙な錯覚を与え、ますますに酒だという認識を遠のかせた。 <br>\\r\\n ...It was a strange optical illusion, as though the water had caused a chemical reaction and made the drink become even more unrecognizable as liquor. <br><br>\\r\\n それに、金蔵が好む独自のフレーバーを加え、味を調える。 <br>\\r\\n Then, Genji added original flavors Kinzo loved, fine-tuning its taste. <br><br>\\r\\n …レシピはない。 <br>\\r\\n 飲んだ金蔵の一喜一憂によってだけ出来具合を計り、数十年かけて身につけたものである。 <br>\\r\\n ...There was no recipe. <br><br>\\r\\n Its success was measured only by Kinzo's mood swings when he drank it, and it had taken Genji many decades to learn how to do it right. <br><br>\\r\\n 源次はそのグラスを盆に載せ、金蔵の元に向かう。 <br>\\r\\n 金蔵はいつの間にか、窓の外を眺めていた。 <br>\\r\\n Genji placed the glass on a tray and walked over to Kinzo. <br><br>\\r\\n By this time, Kinzo was gazing out the window. <br><br>\\r\\n 「………どうぞ、お館様。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Here, Master.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「すまん…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Thank you...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n ついさっきまで怒鳴り、叫び、絶叫していたのと同じ人物とは思えないくらい、金蔵は落ち着きを取り戻していた。 <br>\\r\\n Kinzo had regained his composure and was now unrecognizable as the shouting, screaming, yelling man from a few moments ago. <br><br>\\r\\n その男の背中には、ただグラスを傾けて窓から景色を見下ろすだけで示せる貫禄と知性が宿っていた。 <br>\\r\\n Looking at this man from behind as he tilted his glass and gazed down at the scenery beyond the window, ...he projected a sense of dignity and intelligence. <br><br>\\r\\n 源次は、金蔵がいつでもグラスを置けるよう、自らが生きたサイドボードであるかのように、じっとその左後方に控えていた。 <br>\\r\\n To allow Kinzo to set his glass down at any time, Genji motionlessly waited behind Kinzo and to his left, as though he were a living sideboard. <br><br>\\r\\n すると金蔵は窓の外を見たまま、グラスだけを突き出した。 <br>\\r\\n Then, without averting his eyes from the window, Kinzo held out his glass. <br><br>\\r\\n 中身はほんの一口分ほど残っている。 <br>\\r\\n There was only a mouthful remaining. <br><br>\\r\\n それは源次の持つ盆に載せようという仕草ではなく、源次にグラスを譲ろうとするような仕草だった。 <br>\\r\\n It was not a gesture intended to set it upon the tray, but a motion to hand the glass over to Genji. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……飲め。…我が友よ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Drink, ...my friend.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………勿体無いお言葉です。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...............Your words are too kind for me.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「私とお前の仲に儀礼はいらぬ。……飲め。友よ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"No need for ceremony between us. ......Drink, my friend.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………いただきます。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Thank you.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 源次はうやうやしくグラスを受け取ると、舐めるようにグラスをわずかに傾ける。 <br>\\r\\n それから、くっと呷った。 <br>\\r\\n Genji respectfully received the glass and inclined it a little to taste its contents. <br><br>\\r\\n After that, he gulped it down. <br><br>\\r\\n 「お前が作るのを真似ているのだが、どうにも同じ味が出ぬ。……お前が作る方が美味い。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I attempted to imitate your concoction, but no matter how I try, I cannot replicate the taste. ......The way you make it is pure relish.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………ありがとうございます。お館様のご指導の賜物です。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Thank you very much. It is the fruit of your guidance, Master.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ふ…。」 <br>\\r\\n 金蔵は、無礼講にせよと言っても決してそうしない忠臣を鼻で笑う。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmph...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n Kinzo smiled at his loyal subject, who refused to put aside rank even when asked to. <br><br>\\r\\n しかしそれは小馬鹿にしたものではなく、親しい友人の治らぬ癖に笑うような軽やかなものだった。 <br>\\r\\n However, he was not making fun of him. His smile was relaxed, as though chuckling at a close friend's old, unshakable habit. <br><br>\\r\\n 「………互いに老いたな。歳を数えることも忘れてすでに久しい。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........We have grown old together. I stopped counting the years long ago.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「今日まで過ごすことをお許しいただけたのも、全てお館様のお陰でございます。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It is entirely thanks to you, Master, that I have been able to live like this until today.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 金蔵は、世辞はいらぬとでも言うように薄っすらと笑う。 <br>\\r\\n Kinzo gave a faint smile, as if to say he didn't need any flattery. <br><br>\\r\\n 「………今日まで、本当によく私に仕えてくれた。……息子たちは誰もが私を変人呼ばわりした。大勢いた使用人も皆、私を恐れて辞めていった。……お前だけが、今でも私に仕えてくれる。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Until now, you have served me exceedingly well. ......My sons call me eccentric. The servants that were once many have all quit in fear of me. ......Only you serve me even now.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…勿体無いお言葉です。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Your words are more than I deserve.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………私の余命もそう長くはあるまい。……息子たちは私の遺産がいつ転がり込んでくるかをうろうろ待つ禿鷹ばかりだ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........My life will not last much longer. ......My sons are vultures, lazily waiting for my inheritance to fall into their hands.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"........................\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「蔵臼の愚か者は金を湯水のように使い、１枚の金貨を得るのに２枚の金貨を捨てておる。それで金を稼げたなどと妄言をッ！！ 絵羽は金の亡者だ、あやつは私を鶏か何かだと思っておる！！ 死んだらガラにしてダシまで取る気だ！！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"Krauss is a fool who squanders money like water, who throws away two gold coins to obtain one. And then he has the gall to claim that he's earned money!! Eva is a slave to money, who thinks of me as a mere chicken!! When I die, she plans to use my bones to make a broth!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 留弗夫の間抜けは女遊びばかりッ！！ 楼座はどこの馬の骨ともわからん男の赤ん坊など生みおって！！ 朱志香は無能で無学だ！！ 譲治には男としての器がない！ 戦人は右代宮家の栄誉を自ら捨ておった愚か者だッ！！ 真里亞など見るのも汚らわしいッ！！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"That dunce Rudolf just wants to fool around with women!! Rosa bore the baby of a man who came from nowhere and about whom we know nothing!! Jessica is incompetent and uneducated!! George has none of what it takes to be a man! Battler is a fool who threw away the honor of the Ushiromiya family!! And Maria is obscene to the eye!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n なぜだ、なぜに右代宮の血はこうも無能なのかッ！！ 私の築き上げた栄光をッ受け継ぐに相応しい者はおらんのかッ？！ あぁわかっておるとも、これがベアトリーチェの呪いであることもわかっておる！！ …はッ、黄金の魔女め、それが私への復讐のつもりか。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Why is the Ushiromiya blood so incompetent?!?! Is there no one worthy to inherit the glory I built?! Aah, of course, I know, this is part of Beatrice's curse, I know it!! ...Hah, you Golden Witch, are you trying to take revenge against me in this way?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 憎みたくば憎むがよい！ 逃げたければ逃げるがよい！！ 逃がさぬ、逃がさぬ逃がさぬ逃がさぬわッ！！ お前は私の物だッ！！ 常に私の腕の中でなくてはならん！ 私の生涯の全てなのだ！！ 我が鳥篭にて永遠に私に、私だけに囁き続けるのだ！！ ベアトリーチェ……。なぜに、…微笑み返してはくれぬ…。おおおおおぉ、おおぉおおぉぉ…！！ ベアトリーチェぇえぇええぇぇえぇぇ！！ おおおぉおおぉおぉおぉぉ……。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"If you want to hate me, then do so! If you want to run away, then run!! I won't let you go, I won't let you go won't let you go won't let you go!! You belong to me!! You must always be in my arms! For all my life! You must stay in my birdcage for all eternity, whispering only to me!! Beatrice...... Why...won't you smile back at me...? OOOoooooh, OOOooOOOoooh...!! BeatriceeeEEEeeee!! OOOoooOOOOoohh......\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n それを咆哮すると、金蔵は再び咽る。 <br>\\r\\n 源次は盆とグラスを置くと、主人の背中をさする…。 <br>\\r\\n After howling, Kinzo choked once again. <br><br>\\r\\n Genji set the tray and glass down and rubbed his master's back... <br><br>\\r\\n 源次の表情には何の変化もない。 <br>\\r\\n ………いつものことなのだ。 <br>\\r\\n Genji's facial expression did not change. <br><br>\\r\\n .........It was always like this. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………ゲホン…。ンン。…………すまぬ、我が友よ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......*cough*... Nnggg. ......Thank you, my friend.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"........................\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n さっきまでの錯乱のような発作が収まると、再び金蔵は落ち着きを取り戻していた。 <br>\\r\\n When his seemingly deranged fit subsided, Kinzo regained his composure once again. <br><br>\\r\\n …その変わり身は、まるでひとつの体に荒ぶる金蔵と落ち着きある金蔵の異なる二人が同居しているようにすら見えた。 <br>\\r\\n ...It was like seeing two different people, a wild Kinzo and a composed Kinzo, living together inside one body. <br><br>\\r\\n 「ゆえに。……私は決心した。…………………このままぼやけ切った余生を怠慢に過ごすことなど、もはや耐えられはせん。この身に、最後に賭するコインがあるならば、それを悪魔たちのルーレットに託してみたい。……魔法の力はいつも賭けるリスクで決まる。日本古来の呪術である丑の刻参りがそうであろう。七日間、儀式を目撃されてはならないというリスクを支払うからこそ魔力が宿る。困難なリスクが生じれば生じるほどに魔力は強く生じるのだ。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"And so, ......I have decided. ............I cannot bear to spend my dimmed, remaining years procrastinating like this. If I have one final coin to bet, then I choose to abandon it to the whims of the Demons' Roulette. ......The power of magic is always determined by the risk of the gamble. Like visiting a shrine at the Hour of the Ox in ancient Japanese sorcery, to nail a curse doll to a tree. Magical power is produced specifically because of the risk that it will be seen within the seven days the curse takes. The greater the risk, the stronger the magic power will be.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 神話に登場する数々の奇跡は天文学的リスクに奇跡的な低確率を得て成就した驚愕すべき魔力の結晶なのだと言える！ モーゼが海を割ったのは神の奇跡ではない、虐殺の秤に載せられ軍勢によって紅海に追い詰められた絶体絶命のリスクが奇跡の魔力を生んだのだ！ 同じことが同じ規模で繰り返されようとも、再び海が割れることはないだろう。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Many miracles that happened in myth might be called the crystallization of shocking magic power, with a low probability of occurance and astronomical risk! That Moses parted the waters of the sea was not a miracle of God--the risk of that desperate situation, cornered by soldiers on the Red Sea's shores, weighed upon the scales of slaughter and gave birth to that miraculous magic power. If the same thing occurred again on the same scale, the sea would surely fail to part.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n なぜならモーゼは、力ある者たちのルーレットの、阿僧祇、那由他を掛けたよりも多く存在する目の中にひとつだけ刻まれた奇跡を見事引き寄せることができたからだ。その天文学的確率に勝利できる力！！ そう、奇跡を掴み取る運気は即ち魔力なのだ！！ 強大な魔力を得るためには絶望的なリスクを背負わねばならぬ！！ 魔力持たぬ者はそれを賭けでなく自暴自棄と呼ぼう！ しかし真に魔力ある者はその奇跡を掴み取り、神秘を成就させるのだッ！！ もしも私にその魔力があるならば！ 私はその奇跡を掴み取るだろう、生涯を費やした願いを実現できるだろうッ！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"After all, Moses was able to magnificently summon a miracle engraved on but one of the countless, enumerable results on the roulette of those with power. This is the force that can triumph over astronomical odds!! Indeed, good fortune that can grasp miracles is magical power itself!! To obtain this mighty power, one must face the risk of despair!! Those who possess no magical power may call that desperation rather than a bet!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n \\\"However, people who truly do possess magic power can grasp hold of that miracle and make the enigma come into being!! And if that power exists within me, I'll seize that miracle! I'll have a chance at making the wish I devoted my life towards come true!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 金蔵は窓の外の天を仰ぐ。 <br>\\r\\n そして天上の何者かに訴えるように両腕を広げる。 <br>\\r\\n Kinzo looked up to the sky outside the window. <br><br>\\r\\n He spread his arms as if appealing to someone up in the skies. <br><br>\\r\\n 「もしッ！！！ 私にその奇跡を手にする資格があったなら！！ ………おぉぉ…、 <br>\\r\\n ベアトリーチェ…、 <br>\\r\\n ベアトリーチェ…。お前の愛くるしい笑顔をもう一度だけ見せてくれ…。どれほどの月日を経ようとも、お前の面影が消えることはない…。ただお前の微笑が見たい…、それだけだ…！ お前から授かったものを全て返そう！ あの日からの栄光を全てお前に返そうッ！ 富も名誉も黄金もいらぬ！！ お前に授かった全てを返そうッ！！ 私はただ、お前の微笑が見たいだけなのだッ！！ 後生だ、ベアトリーチェ！！ おおおぉぉぉおぉ…ぉおぉおお…ぉぉ…！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"If only!!! If only I were capable of grasping that miracle!! .........Oooh, <br><br>\\r\\n ...Beatrice, <br><br>\\r\\n ...Beatrice... Show me your lovely smile once more... No matter how much time passes, your face does not vanish... I just want to see your smile, that is all...! I'll return everything you granted me! I'll return all the glory I've gained since that day! I don't need fortune, prestige, or gold!! I'll return everything you gave me!! I just want to see your smile!! I beg you, Beatrice!! OOOoooooOooh...oOoOOoh...ooh...!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n ……世迷言の如き怒鳴り声は、いつしか絶叫になり、…そして慟哭になっていた。 <br>\\r\\n ......His nonsensical yells became a scream...and then a wail. <br><br>\\r\\n 金蔵はいつしか床の上に伏し、両手で床を掻き毟っていた。 <br>\\r\\n Kinzo slumped to the floor, tearing at it with both hands. <br><br>\\r\\n 源次は掛ける言葉もなく、慟哭する主を見下ろしているしかなかった…。 <br>\\r\\n Genji had no choice but to wordlessly watch over his master's lamentations... <br><br>\\r\\n 「やぁ、諸君。……当主様は具合が優れられないとのことだ。せっかくこうして一年ぶりの会合に集まってくれた諸君と、昼食を共にできないことを非常に残念にしておられた。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, ladies and gentlemen, ......the Family Head's health is not at its best. He seemed extremely sad not to be able to share lunch with you all, now that you have gathered for this event that occurs but once a year. <br><br>\\r\\n ……郷田、ランチを始めてくれ。」 <br>\\r\\n ......Gohda, let the lunch begin.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「かしこまりました、それでは本日の昼食を始めさせていただきます。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Certainly. I shall begin today's luncheon.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……南條先生、そんなにお父様のお具合は悪いの？ せめて顔くらい見せてくれてもいいわよねぇ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Doctor Nanjo, is Father's condition really that bad? Couldn't he have at least let us see his face?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「体調というよりは、機嫌ですな…。こればかりは、付ける薬がありませんので。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It's more a problem of mood than of physical condition... And for that, there is no medicine I can prescribe.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「おいおい、機嫌って、またかよ、そりゃないぜ。こちとら、秋のクソ忙しい時期にスケジュール都合してご機嫌伺いに来てるんだ。それをよぅ、」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, are we talking about his `mood' again? You've gotta be kidding me. We took time out of our schedules during this damn busy autumn season just to come and find out how he's doing. And now he's-\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ふ…、良かったじゃないか、留弗夫。ご機嫌は伺えたんだ。……それとも、不機嫌な親父殿を私に代わり、お前が説得して連れてきてくれるのかね？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmph, ...then you should be happy, Rudolf. You now know how he's doing. ......Or what, would you rather take my place and try to persuade our ill-humored Father to come join us?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………まっさかぁ。」 <br>\\r\\n 留弗夫は肩をすくめる。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"............Are you kidding?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n Rudolf shrugged. <br><br>\\r\\n 自分勝手な親父だと憤りもするが、顔を見ずに済むならそれはそれで…というように見えた。 <br>\\r\\n Apparently, though Rudolf was willing to be indignant at how self-centered his father was, he wasn't particularly disappointed to be spared a face-to-face meeting. <br><br>\\r\\n 「夕食までにはその機嫌、直りそうなの？ 蔵臼兄さん。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Does it seem like his mood will improve before dinner, Krauss nii-san?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そんなことは知らんよ。親父殿に直接聞いてみるといい。…もっとも、声を掛けない方が機嫌の直りは早いと思うがね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I have no idea. If you want to know that, you should ask him directly. ...Although, I think his mood will improve faster if we don't bother him.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「源次さんだけだよ、祖父さまの機嫌を直せるのは。情けないぜ、自分の親の機嫌を使用人に直させるんだからよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Genji-san's the only one who can get Grandfather out of a funk. It's pretty pathetic though, making the servants deal with your own parent's bad mood.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「朱志香。余計なことは言わなくていい。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Jessica. Don't speak out of turn.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n いとこたちだけに聞こえるようぼやいたつもりだったが、しっかり蔵臼の耳にも届いてた。 <br>\\r\\n She'd planned for her complaint to be heard only by her cousins, but it had reached even Krauss's ears. <br><br>\\r\\n 叱られた朱志香はヘソを曲げた顔をしてソッポを向く。 <br>\\r\\n Scolded, Jessica scowled and turned away, sulking. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……機嫌が云々ってことは、病状はそんな悪くないんじゃねぇの？ 元気がないってんならともかく、機嫌が悪いってのは、少なくとも気はしっかりしてる証拠だぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...If he's as cranky as they make him sound, he can't be that terribly sick, right? I mean, they're saying he's in a bad mood, not that he's got no energy, which at least proves he's got his wits about him.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「お祖父さまは特に強い気力をお持ちだからね。…でも、体が必ずしもそれに伴えるとは限らないよ。去年からずっと、余命３ヶ月って言われ続けてる。…最初の診断が正しいなら、お祖父さまは気力だけで永らえてるってことになる。……気遣ってあげないといけないよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It's because Grandfather has especially strong willpower. ...However, that doesn't necessarily mean his body will be able to keep up. Since last year, they keep saying that he has three months left. ...If the initial diagnosis was correct, Grandfather has been prolonging his life by willpower alone. ......It's right for us to worry about him.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 当主の席を空席のまま始まる昼食。 <br>\\r\\n Lunch started with the Family Head's seat still empty. <br><br>\\r\\n …そこに座るべき人物はすでに老い、右代宮家を一代にして復興させた輝かしき栄光は忘れ去られつつある。 <br>\\r\\n ...The man who should be sitting there had already grown old, and the brilliant glory which had rebuilt the Ushiromiya family in the span of a single lifetime was being forgotten. <br><br>\\r\\n その席が空白のまま食事が始まることに、もう誰も違和感を感じないように…。 <br>\\r\\n Even though they were beginning the meal with that seat still empty, no one felt it was that odd anymore... <br><br>\\r\\n 右代宮家の親族会議は年に一度。 <br>\\r\\n １０月の最初の土日に行なわれる。 <br>\\r\\n The Ushiromiya family conference was held once every year, on the first weekend of October. <br><br>\\r\\n 世間一般的な家だったら、親族会議なんてもったいぶった名前で呼んだところで、久しぶりに親類が顔を合わせて寿司桶でも囲みながら挨拶する程度だろう。 <br>\\r\\n If a normal family were to hold a so-called `family conference', you'd expect it to be nothing more than a reunion of rarely seen relatives who greet each other around buckets of sushi or something. <br><br>\\r\\n しかし、莫大な資産の一部を息子兄弟に貸し出し、事業的な成功を以って一人前と見なそうという右代宮家では、それは文字通り会議であったという。 <br>\\r\\n However, part of the family's great fortune had been lent out to Grandfather's children, and no one in this family was considered an adult until they had met with success in business, so this meeting literally was a conference. <br><br>\\r\\n どれほどの資産を投じて、どのような事業を行い、どれほどの収益を上げたのか。 <br>\\r\\n その結果、本家より借りた資産をどれだけ返済できるのか。 <br>\\r\\n あるいは、さらなる事業のためにどれだけを借りるのか。 <br>\\r\\n どのようなことが教訓となり、どのようなことから失敗が学べるのか。 <br>\\r\\n How much of the fortune was invested? What sort of business was conducted? How much profit was earned? <br><br>\\r\\n As a result, how much of the fortune borrowed from the main family could be repaid? <br><br>\\r\\n Or, possibly, how much more would be borrowed for future business ventures? <br><br>\\r\\n What lessons had they learned, and what could they learn from their mistakes? <br><br>\\r\\n そういうことをかつては大真面目に会議をしていたらしい。 <br>\\r\\n It seems that topics like these were discussed very seriously in the past. <br><br>\\r\\n それを指して親父は、針のむしろと呼んでいた。 <br>\\r\\n My dad said it was like lying on a bed of nails. <br><br>\\r\\n 相当厳しい親族会議だったらしく、罵声や怒声が次々と浴びせられ、いい年にもなって平手打ちをもらうこともざらだったらしい。 <br>\\r\\n Apparently, it used to be a very serious family meeting, where people were bathed in scornful and angry voices, and some people even got slapped despite their age. <br><br>\\r\\n ただ、それも今では昔のこと。 <br>\\r\\n However, that had become a thing of the past. <br><br>\\r\\n 皆がそれぞれに事業家として成功を収めた今では、世間一般的な、年に一度の挨拶的な会合になりつつあった。 <br>\\r\\n Now, with everyone pursuing their own business ventures and achieving success, it was becoming more of a normal yearly get-together. <br><br>\\r\\n それでも、祖父さまに近況を聞かれるのは非常にストレスになることで、俺たち孫にとっては単なる会合に過ぎなくても、親たち息子にとっては今でも胃が痛む会合らしい。 <br>\\r\\n Even so, telling Grandfather about recent events was extremely stressful, so while it was nothing more than a simple get-together for us grandchildren, it was still a real stomachache for our parents. <br><br>\\r\\n その張本人が、理由はどうあれこうして欠席してくれているのだから、さぞかし今日のランチは美味だったことだろう。 <br>\\r\\n The absence of the man who was the source of all this trouble, regardless of the reason, probably made today's lunch taste much more delicious. <br><br>\\r\\n 鬼の居ぬ間にとはよく言ったものだ。 <br>\\r\\n The phrase `While the demon is not around, everyone can relax' comes to mind. <br><br>\\r\\n さて、６年ぶりに顔を見る、朱志香の父親についても紹介しておこう。 <br>\\r\\n Anyway, let's introduce Jessica's father, whose face I haven't seen for six years. <br><br>\\r\\n うちの親父の左に座っているのが、親父の兄貴に当たり、朱志香の父親でもある <br>\\r\\n The man sitting to my father's left is his older brother and Jessica's father, <br><br>\\r\\n 蔵臼伯父さん。 <br>\\r\\n Uncle 蔵臼. <br><br>\\r\\n ……これは読みやすいな。 <br>\\r\\n ......This name sure is easy to read. <br><br>\\r\\n 蔵臼で“クラウス”と読む。 <br>\\r\\n Krauss (蔵臼). <br><br>\\r\\n …ここまで妙な名前が続くと、もうセンスが捻れてきて、クラウスいいじゃん、カッコイイなんて思うようになっちまうぜ…。 <br>\\r\\n ...Now that we've gotten used to this string of weird names, our perspective is totally skewed, so Krauss doesn't actually seem that bad. It even starts to sound kinda cool... <br><br>\\r\\n 夏妃伯母さん同様、蔵臼伯父さんともあまりおしゃべりをした記憶はない。 <br>\\r\\n Just like with Aunt Natsuhi, I didn't have many memories of speaking with Uncle Krauss. <br><br>\\r\\n あまり子供と話さない人で、いっつも大人たちと話している印象しかないという点では、夏妃伯母さんとまったく同じだ。 <br>\\r\\n He had never been one to chat to children, and I felt like he was always talking with the adults, just like Aunt Natsuhi. <br><br>\\r\\n うちの親父の陰口によると、ずいぶんと陰湿で乱暴な人だったらしい。 <br>\\r\\n According to my father's gossip, he was a spiteful and violent man. <br><br>\\r\\n 親父の言い分が真実なら、昔は長兄として威張り散らしていたそうで、絵羽伯母さんにも楼座叔母さんにも嫌われているという親兄弟みんなの嫌われ者だそうだ。 <br>\\r\\n If what he said is true, Uncle Krauss used to be very domineering from his position as the oldest sibling...and was despised by all the other siblings. <br><br>\\r\\n ……って割には、親兄弟、みんなで楽しく談笑してるじゃねぇか。 <br>\\r\\n ...Though, despite that, those siblings all seem to be chatting happily together. <br><br>\\r\\n まぁ、子供の頃には仲が悪くても、大人になって互いが別々に生活をするようになると、関係が変わることもあるという。 <br>\\r\\n Oh, well. Even if their relationship was bad when they were children, sometimes when people grow up and live apart from each other, their relationships change. <br><br>\\r\\n そういうことなんだろう。 <br>\\r\\n That's probably what this was. <br><br>\\r\\n 何しろ、それぞれが近い歳の子供を持っている。 <br>\\r\\n After all, they all had children of about the same age. <br><br>\\r\\n 近い境遇を持つ立場として、意見交換は互いにとって有益なんだろう。 <br>\\r\\n By sharing the same family environment, they probably profited by exchanging opinions. <br><br>\\r\\n そのせいか、さっきから親父たちの輪は俺と朱志香の受験の話ばっかりだ。 <br>\\r\\n Maybe because of that, a short while ago the circle of parents began to discuss the exams Jessica and I would be taking. <br><br>\\r\\n 朱志香は左隣のうちのクソ親父に受験の話を振られないように、意識して逆の右方向を向きながら矢継ぎ早に話題を続けて隙を見せないようにしている。 <br>\\r\\n Jessica, in order to escape questions about exams from my father on her left, purposefully faced right while firing off a rapid series of comments, not giving him any chance to get a word in. <br><br>\\r\\n あとは、蔵臼伯父さんたちとは逆側。 <br>\\r\\n Moving on, let's look at the end opposite from Krauss and the others. <br><br>\\r\\n テーブル末席の霧江さんの向かいに座っている恰幅のいい老紳士だ。この人は初対面だった。 <br>\\r\\n In the very last seat at the table, an old gentleman with a sturdy physique sat facing Kyrie-san. This was my first time meeting him. <br><br>\\r\\n さっき紹介を受けたが、南條というお医者の先生で、祖父さまの主治医らしい。 <br>\\r\\n I had only just been introduced to him, but it seems he's Grandfather's personal doctor, a man called Nanjo (南條). <br><br>\\r\\n 隣の新島にでっかい診療所をお持ちだそうだが、息子にそれを譲り、今は悠々自適の老後だという。 <br>\\r\\n I heard he used to own a huge clinic on the nearby island of Niijima, but he turned it over to his son and began living a life of leisure in his old age. <br><br>\\r\\n 祖父さまがこの島に屋敷を立てた当初からの付き合いだそうで、数十年の交流があるという。 <br>\\r\\n He had known Grandfather since the very beginning, when the mansion was first constructed on this island, and had built up a relationship over several decades. <br><br>\\r\\n まさか祖父さまの怪しげな趣味のご縁かと思ったら、意外にもチェス仲間なのだそうだ。 <br>\\r\\n I thought at first that the two of them might've gotten to know each other through Grandfather's suspicious hobbies, but it seems he was actually Grandfather's chess partner. <br><br>\\r\\n ……なるほど、洋物被れの祖父さまらしい趣味だぜ。 <br>\\r\\n ......I see. That kind of hobby seems very like our Grandfather, what with his love of all things Western. <br><br>\\r\\n 親族と使用人を除いて、ただひとり六軒島に出入りできる存在とも言えるだろう。 <br>\\r\\n Nanjo's probably the only person who could enter Rokkenjima despite being neither a family member nor a servant. <br><br>\\r\\n 席の近い霧江さんたち女性陣との会話を聞いている限り、落ち着きのある老紳士という感じだ。 <br>\\r\\n He looked like a calm old gentleman as he listened to the discussion between Kyrie and the other women, who sat near to him. <br><br>\\r\\n ……短気な祖父さまとこれだけ長く付き合えたのだから、その大らかさはただものではないだろう。 <br>\\r\\n ...Considering how long he stayed by the side of our short-tempered Grandfather, his generous heart was probably nothing to laugh at. <br><br>\\r\\n …ただ、今日という親族会議の日に、主治医とは言え右代宮家以外の人間が同席しているというのも、少し妙な話だった。 <br>\\r\\n ...Still, even if he was a family doctor, having anyone outside the Ushiromiya family attend the family conference was a little odd. <br><br>\\r\\n そのことから何となく、祖父さまの容態がだいぶ悪く、それが親族会議の議題のひとつとなっているのではないかと想像する…。 <br>\\r\\n It made me think that Grandfather's condition might've worsened so much, it'd be a major topic of discussion at today's conference... <br><br>\\r\\n さっき譲治の兄貴も言ってる。 <br>\\r\\n After all, George said something like that just a second ago. <br><br>\\r\\n 祖父さまは去年辺りから余命が短いというような宣告をずっと受け続けてると。 <br>\\r\\n Something about how we've been getting continuous reports since around last year that Grandfather didn't have long to live. <br><br>\\r\\n …汚ぇ話だが、これだけ大富豪の祖父さまだ。 <br>\\r\\n ...It's nasty to think about it, but consider how rich Grandfather is. <br><br>\\r\\n 死ねば遺産がどっと出て、親父たちの胃酸も同じくらいどっと出て、さぞや胃潰瘍になるだろうよ。 <br>\\r\\n At the time of his death, his wealth will suddenly be released, probably along with a fair share of our parents' stomach acid, and it'll lead to ulcers for everyone. <br><br>\\r\\n こういうのの分け合いは多ければ多いほどトラブルになるそうだからな。 <br>\\r\\n After all, this sort of thing just gets messier when there's more wealth to be divided. <br><br>\\r\\n …そういう話も、親族会議には含まれるのかもしれない。…まぁ、俺たち子供にゃ関係ないことだが。 <br>\\r\\n There's a good chance they'll be talking about stuff like that at the family conference. ...Still, it's not like it's got anything to do with us kids. <br><br>\\r\\n ……最後に、空席ではあるが、祖父さまの紹介をしよう。 <br>\\r\\n ......Finally, even though he hasn't shown up, let me introduce our Grandfather. <br><br>\\r\\n あのお誕生日席に座るべき人物は、右代宮金蔵。 <br>\\r\\n The person who should be sitting in that `Incipient's Chair' is <NAME>. <br><br>\\r\\n …ひでぇ話さ。一族にみんな妙な名前をつけやがった分際で、自分は金蔵（きんぞう）なんてえれー無難な名前を名乗ってやがる。 <br>\\r\\n ...It really sucks. Everyone else in the family has these weird names, but he's got this perfectly normal one himself. <br><br>\\r\\n そこで金蔵と書いてゴールドスミスとでも呼ばせたら、素敵ー！って絶叫しちまうんだけどな！ <br>\\r\\n If only his name were written Kinzo (金蔵), but he let us call him `Goldsmith' or something, <br><br>\\r\\n I'd totally freak out. <br><br>\\r\\n さっきから何度か話題に上ってるので大体わかるだろうが、非常に短気でおっかないお人だ。 <br>\\r\\n As you can probably guess by now, he's a frightening person with an extremely short temper. <br><br>\\r\\n …俺は孫だし、最後に会ったのは６年前の小学生の時だったので、叩かれたりした覚えはないんだが、親兄弟たちはずっと鉄拳で教育されてきたらしい。 <br>\\r\\n I'm one of his grandchildren, not a son, and I haven't seen him since elementary school. Thanks to that, I have no memory of being beaten myself, but our parents were apparently raised with an iron fist. <br><br>\\r\\n さっきの、不機嫌な祖父さまをお前が説得に行くのかという、蔵臼伯父さんとウチの親父のやり取りを、そういう裏を知った上で聞いてみると非常に微笑ましくなっちまうわけさ。 <br>\\r\\n That earlier conversation between my dad and Uncle Krauss, about who should go convince Grandfather to come down, seems pretty darn funny once you know their background. <br><br>\\r\\n その祖父さまを語る上での重要なエピソードは、それこそ昭和以前にまで遡って右代宮家を語らなければならない。 <br>\\r\\n You can't really tell Grandfather's story without covering that pivotal event back before the Showa era (1926-1989). <br><br>\\r\\n 右代宮家は、明治・大正の頃までは隆盛を極めたそりゃあ立派な家柄だったそうだ。 <br>\\r\\n Until the Meiji (1868-1912) and Taishou (1912-1926) eras, the Ushiromiya family was great and prosperous. <br><br>\\r\\n 紡績工場をいくつも持ち、毎日笑い転げてるだけで金が転がり込んでくる富豪っぷりだったらしい。 <br>\\r\\n They owned several spinning mills, making them rich enough to just double over laughing every day as the money kept rolling in. <br><br>\\r\\n ちなみに祖父さまは分家筋で、本来なら右代宮本家とは何の関係もない人だった。 <br>\\r\\n Incidentally, Grandfather was a member of a branch family and had pretty much nothing to do with the main family. <br><br>\\r\\n 当主継承権からも遠く、煌びやかな本家とは縁も遠かったらしい。 <br>\\r\\n Not only was he way down the list of people who could inherit the Headship, but he had hardly any contact with the glamorous main family. <br><br>\\r\\n ところが大正１２年の関東大震災で、当時、小田原に屋敷を持っていた右代宮本家はペッタンコ。 <br>\\r\\n However, during the Great Kanto Earthquake in the year Taisho 12 (1923), the mansion owned by the Ushiromiya family in Odawara was flattened. <br><br>\\r\\n 東京下町に持っていた紡績工場は大火事で全焼し、右代宮家は一瞬にして主だった親族と財産を丸ごと失ったんだそうだ。 <br>\\r\\n The spinning mills in Tokyo were all burned down in a huge fire, and the Ushiromiya family lost most of its wealth and family members in an instant. <br><br>\\r\\n それで右代宮本家の跡継ぎは誰だってことになったら、分家筋も分家筋の金蔵祖父さましか残ってなかったらしい。 <br>\\r\\n So, once they started trying to figure out who the successor to the Ushiromiya family should be, they apparently found no one remaining except Kinzo in his branch family. <br><br>\\r\\n 本人は後にこのことを、運命がひっくり返るほどの強運だったと述懐してる。 <br>\\r\\n In Kinzo's later reminiscences, he referred to this as good fortune so great that it overturned fate. <br><br>\\r\\n それで、平凡だった祖父さまの生活は一転。 <br>\\r\\n 財産のほとんどを失った瀕死の右代宮家の再興を託されることになった。 <br>\\r\\n With that, Grandfather's boring, everyday life did a 180. <br><br>\\r\\n He was entrusted with reviving the dying Ushiromiya family, which had lost nearly all of its wealth. <br><br>\\r\\n もっとも、いきなり託されたって何ができるわけでもない。 <br>\\r\\n 周りの人間たちもそう多くを期待はしなかったろう。 <br>\\r\\n However, just because he had been entrusted with this task didn't mean he could accomplish it. <br><br>\\r\\n Apparently, those around him weren't really expecting much. <br><br>\\r\\n だが、祖父さまが非凡な才能と強運を発揮し始めたのはここからだ。 <br>\\r\\n However, this is when Grandfather began displaying his extraordinary talent and good luck. <br><br>\\r\\n 祖父さまは右代宮家に残された全財産と自分の頭髪から足の爪まで丸ごと担保に入れるような状態で巨額の借金をし、莫大な資本金を築くと、すぐに事業を興した。 <br>\\r\\n Grandfather used all of the family's remaining wealth, as well as everything from the hair on his head to his toenails, as collateral in order to borrow a massive amount of money. Once he'd built up a gigantic war chest, he immediately invested in businesses. <br><br>\\r\\n こんなのブレーキのない自転車で坂道を転がり落ちるような状態だ。 <br>\\r\\n It was like someone tumbling down a hill on a bike without any brakes... <br><br>\\r\\n その状態のまま、隣の自転車へ飛び乗り、さらに隣の自転車へ！ ってな大道芸もいいところ。誰だって祖父さまには商才がないと思っただろう。 <br>\\r\\n ...And then jumping onto a neighboring bike, and then another one! Just like some crazy street performance. I'll bet everyone thought Grandfather had no business ability whatsoever. <br><br>\\r\\n だが、信じられないような強運や奇跡、偶然をいくつも積み重ねて次々にチャンスを物にし、いつの間にか進駐軍に強力なコネクションを持つようになっていた。 <br>\\r\\n However, after several miracles and turns of good luck, with coincidences piling up and every chance taken advantage of, he was suddenly in control of powerful connections with the occupying forces. <br><br>\\r\\n 当時の日本は、マッカーサーとＧＨＱは天上の存在ってな時代だ。 <br>\\r\\n At that time, McArthur and the GHQ were the ultimate authority in Japan. <br><br>\\r\\n 祖父さまは瞬く間に進駐軍の庇護下で大事業を成功させて成り上がっていくことになる。 <br>\\r\\n Grandfather, in a twinkle of an eye, began succeeding in business under the protection of the occupying forces, quickly becoming very rich. <br><br>\\r\\n そして、ここまで至ればもう運じゃなく情報勝ちだったんだろう。 <br>\\r\\n By this point, it's probably safe to say that information, not luck, saved the day. <br><br>\\r\\n よっぽどぶっといコネクションを進駐軍に作ったに違いない。 <br>\\r\\n ……祖父さまは朝鮮特需が起こるのを、その前から知っていた。 <br>\\r\\n He must have made some seriously deep connections with the occupying forces. <br><br>\\r\\n ......Grandfather knew beforehand about emergency demands that would be made for the Korean War. <br><br>\\r\\n いや、それどころか、朝鮮特需が起こることを最初から見越していて事業を食い込ませていたのだ。 <br>\\r\\n No, it was more than that. He must have predicted those emergency demands from the very beginning, when he started investing his money. <br><br>\\r\\n 歴史の教科書じゃ、朝鮮特需で日本中が大儲けしたような感じで記されているが、現実にはそうじゃない。 <br>\\r\\n The history books make it sound like all of Japan made a large profit off of the emergency demands during the Korean War, but that isn't actually true. <br><br>\\r\\n ごく限られた大金持ちがマネーゲームに勝って濡れ手に粟だっただけだ。 <br>\\r\\n Only a very limited number of the super rich played the money game and made an easy profit. <br><br>\\r\\n ほとんどの国民は貧しいままだった。 <br>\\r\\n Most of the citizens remained poor. <br><br>\\r\\n ……だからつまり、祖父さまは極めてラッキーな勝ち組の１人だったわけだ。 <br>\\r\\n ...In other words, Grandfather was a member of this extremely lucky group of winners. <br><br>\\r\\n 朝鮮特需が確か、昭和２５年頃だっけ？ <br>\\r\\n んで、関東大震災が大正１３年ってことは。 <br>\\r\\n I'm pretty sure this all happened during the year Showa 25 (1950) or so. <br><br>\\r\\n The Great Kanto Earthquake happened in Taisho 13 (1924), so... <br><br>\\r\\n ……祖父さまは瀕死の右代宮家を、わずか２０数年でかつて以上に復興させちまったわけだ。 <br>\\r\\n ......That means Grandfather was able to revive the near-dead Ushiromiya family in only about 20 years to a level even higher than it had ever been before. <br><br>\\r\\n それで、縁ある小田原に本家を復興すると思ったら、何と、伊豆諸島の小島を丸ごと購入するというとんでもないことをしちまった。 <br>\\r\\n With that, you'd think he'd revive the main family in Odawara, but for some reason, he went and did something as crazy as buying an entire small island in the Izu archipelago. <br><br>\\r\\n 島を丸ごと買うなんて、今じゃ並大抵のことじゃできない。 <br>\\r\\n Buying an entire island is not something that you can ordinarily do today. <br><br>\\r\\n だが、祖父さまはうまかった。 <br>\\r\\n ＧＨＱを通じて、水産資源基地を建設したいと申請。 <br>\\r\\n However, Grandfather was clever. <br><br>\\r\\n He contacted the GHQ and applied for the establishment of a marine resource base. <br><br>\\r\\n この島を事業地として取得し、その後、そいつを反故にして自分の土地にしちまったわけだ。 <br>\\r\\n He acquired this island as a business property, then tossed that project aside and claimed it as his own plot of land. <br><br>\\r\\n 戦後の食糧難対策ってことで、しかもＧＨＱの肝煎りじゃ誰も逆らえない。 <br>\\r\\n 当時の東京都はほとんどタダ同然のカネでこの土地を提供したそうだ。 <br>\\r\\n 後に東京都は返せとゴネたらしいが、強引とは言えＧＨＱが絡んでる。 <br>\\r\\n After the war, there were prevention measures against food shortages, and having the sponsorship of the GHQ meant that nobody could oppose him. <br><br>\\r\\n From what I've heard, the Tokyo Metropolis of that day offered this land to him practically for free. <br><br>\\r\\n Later, Tokyo made difficulties by telling Kinzo to return the land, but the pushy GHQ intervened. <br><br>\\r\\n どうせ袖の下もばっちりだったんだろうぜ。 <br>\\r\\n 結局、都は泣き寝入りすることになった。 <br>\\r\\n Anyway, it seems under-the-table bribes did their work well. <br><br>\\r\\n In the end, the city gave up in frustration. <br><br>\\r\\n 祖父さまは本当にうまく、そして強運に恵まれて時代の荒波を泳ぎ切り、莫大な財産と自分だけの島までをも手に入れたのだ。 <br>\\r\\n Grandfather, with considerable skill and good luck, managed to weather the stormy seas of that period, obtaining a vast fortune and his own island. <br><br>\\r\\n もちろん、運だけでもないかもしれない。 <br>\\r\\n 西洋かぶれで培われた英語力。 <br>\\r\\n それを武器にＧＨＱに食い込むことができたのだから。 <br>\\r\\n Of course, it probably wasn't all luck. <br><br>\\r\\n He was obsessed with all things Western, which helped him cultivate his English skills. <br><br>\\r\\n He was able to use this to his advantage and sink his teeth into the GHQ. <br><br>\\r\\n 島にはすぐに屋敷が建てられた。つまりこの屋敷だ。 <br>\\r\\n A mansion was built on the island soon after. This mansion, in fact. <br><br>\\r\\n 昔っから西洋被れだった祖父さまは、この無人島だった六軒島を、思う存分自分の夢を実現できるキャンバスにしたんだろう。 <br>\\r\\n Grandfather, with his love of the Western style, made this once uninhabited island a canvas upon which he could realize his dreams to his heart's content. <br><br>\\r\\n ずっと思い描いてきた情緒溢れる西洋屋敷に、様々な薔薇の植えられた美しい庭園。 <br>\\r\\n ...He now had the Western mansion of his dreams, overflowing with emotion and atmosphere, and a beautiful garden featuring all sorts of roses. <br><br>\\r\\n そして自分以外は誰も足跡を残すことが許されぬプライベートビーチ。 <br>\\r\\n And, he had a private beach where nobody other than himself would ever be permitted to leave a footprint. <br><br>\\r\\n ……男子、ここまでできりゃあ本懐だよな。 <br>\\r\\n ......This would be a dream come true for any boy. <br><br>\\r\\n その後は莫大な資産をうまく運用し、超安定の鉄鋼業界の大株主となり、その配当金だけで悠々自適というわけだ。 <br>\\r\\n After that, he made good use of his huge fortune, becoming a large stockholder in the extremely stable iron and steel industry, and was able to live an easy and comfortable life just using the dividends. <br><br>\\r\\n ま、そんなすげぇお人なわけさ。 <br>\\r\\n Well, he's just that incredible. <br><br>\\r\\n こういう人物には大抵、時代を見通す先見の明があったとか、そういう評価が後付で付くもんなんだが、祖父さまはそれらを全て否定し、自分は単に並外れた運気に恵まれていただけであると言い続けたそうだ…。 <br>\\r\\n This kind of person usually has the ability to foresee and predict the future, or at least that is how they're portrayed after the fact. But Grandfather denies all of that, repeatedly saying that he was simply blessed with extraordinary luck... <br><br>\\r\\n ……まぁ、そんな名君も、自分の夢を全て実現してこんな島に引き篭もっちゃ、だんだんおかしくもなるのも仕方ないってもんさ。 <br>\\r\\n ......Anyway, even a lord like that can't help but grow increasingly eccentric when locked up alone on an island, where all his dreams are made real. <br><br>\\r\\n 昔っから西洋かぶれだったってのは誰でも知ってるが、…怪しげな黒魔術趣味は一体いつ頃からなのか、親兄弟たちもよくは知らない。 <br>\\r\\n Everyone knows that he's had a Western obsession from the start, but none of our parents really know when his bizarre black magic hobby began. <br><br>\\r\\n 大昔からの西洋かぶれが黒魔術趣味も含んでいたのか、それとも、戦後の奇跡的お家再興の強運に、自身が神秘的な何かを感じたのかもしれない。 <br>\\r\\n Did his love of black magic begin way back when he became fascinated with everything Western, or did his miraculous stretch of good luck while reviving his family cause him to feel a mysterious power in himself? <br><br>\\r\\n …いつの頃からか祖父さまは黒魔術研究をライフワークにし始め、自分の書斎を怪しげな書物や薬品薬草、マジックアイテムで埋め尽くし始め、どんどんおかしくなっていったそうだ。 <br>\\r\\n At some point, Grandfather began to make the research of black magic his life's work. He filled his study up with suspicious books, chemicals, and magical items as he became increasingly bizarre. <br><br>\\r\\n 人生の成功者の余生なんだから、どう過ごそうと勝手だと、周りは温かく？見守ったそうだが…。 <br>\\r\\n From what I've heard, those around him warmly (?) watched over him, figuring that someone who had achieved success in life had a right to do as he pleased, but... <br><br>\\r\\n ………絶対ぇウソだな。 <br>\\r\\n 気持ち悪ぃから関わりたくねぇとドン引きしてただけだろうぜ。 <br>\\r\\n ...There's no way that's true. <br><br>\\r\\n They were probably just creeped out, thinking `That's disgusting, I don't want to get involved.' <br><br>\\r\\n ま、…動乱の時代はチャンスとリスクの大博打時代だったわけさ。 <br>\\r\\n Anyway, ...that agitated period was an age of big gambles, with both opportunities and risks. <br><br>\\r\\n 祖父さまだって今の世に生まれてみろ。 <br>\\r\\n Let's say Grandfather was born in this time period. <br><br>\\r\\n 何のチャンスもなく、のんびりまったりと義務教育から大学までコマを進めて、きっと平凡なサラリーマンをやってただろうぜ。 <br>\\r\\n He would've had no opportunities and would probably have advanced like a chess piece from mandatory education to college at a leisurely pace, never becoming more than an average salaryman. <br><br>\\r\\n そうしたならあそこに座って、職場の上司の悪口に花でも咲かせてたかもな。 <br>\\r\\n いやいや、こんなお屋敷の食堂じゃなくて、飲み屋の掘りごたつだったかもしれねぇぜ。 <br>\\r\\n If that happened, he'd probably have sat somewhere, happily talking behind his boss's back. <br><br>\\r\\n No, no. Not in a fancy dining hall like this. More like at a table in some bar. <br><br>\\r\\n そうだったなら、さぞや気楽な親族会議だったろうによ。 <br>\\r\\n Then again, I'll bet this family conference would be a whole lot more relaxing if that were the case. <br><br>\\r\\n さて、死に損ない祖父さまの話なんかもういいだろ。 <br>\\r\\n それより、この素ン晴らしいランチの話をしようぜ〜ん？！ <br>\\r\\n Okay, that's enough about the old geezer. <br><br>\\r\\n More importantly, let's talk about this incredible lunch!! <br><br>\\r\\n 「前菜の、刺身のサラダで俺はすでに確信してたね！ 郷田さんは大したシェフだぜ！ しかも魚は近海で取れたやつだろ？！ スーパーの刺身とはわけが違ったぜ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm already convinced by that sashimi salad appetizer! Gohda-san's an excellent chef! Plus, these fish were caught in the adjacent seas, weren't they?! They're totally different from the sashimi you get at the supermarket!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「おいおいよせよ戦人ぁ。育ちがバレちまうだろうが。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, quit it, Battler. Your upbringing will be exposed.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n みんなが大笑いする。 <br>\\r\\n Everyone let out a big laugh. <br><br>\\r\\n ちぇ、てめぇだって貧乏臭い一杯飲み屋が好きなくせに。 <br>\\r\\n Damn it, you say that even though you love those cheap pubs. <br><br>\\r\\n 「はははは。僕も仕事の都合で珍しいところで食事をすることもあるけど、それらと比べても、これはかなりのものだよ。郷田さんは多分、その道じゃ少しは知られた人だったんじゃないかな。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hahahaha. I've eaten at many unusual places because of work, but this stands right up there with the best of them. I'd be willing to bet Gohda-san used to be pretty well known in those circles.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「よくは知らねぇんだけどよ。老舗ホテルで暖簾分けだか派閥の分裂だかややこしいことがあってよ。そのトラブルで辞めざるを得なくなっちまったんだってさ。それでその時、偶然、お袋が使用人の求人を出してたわけなんだよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, I don't know the details, but stuff got complicated at the long-standing hotel he used to work at, what with them opening a new establishment with the same name and breaking into factions or whatever it was. In the middle of all that, he was apparently forced to retire. At that time, Mom just happened to be sending out job offers for a servant.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 空いた皿を下げる郷田さんが笑顔は崩さないままに、決して平坦ではなかった自分の過去を振り返っていた。 <br>\\r\\n As Gohda removed the empty plates, he began to recount his own bumpy past without losing his smile. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……世の中というのは難しいものです。しかし、そのお陰でこうして今日、右代宮家で再び料理人として腕を振るう機会を賜ることができました。大勢の方の笑顔も嬉しいですが、お仕えすると決めた限られた方々にだけ喜んでいただくために、繊細なお仕事ができるのも、とても楽しいことでございます。これも全て、機会を下さった奥様のお陰です。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"The world is a difficult place. However, thanks to the Madam, I was given a chance to display my skills as a chef once again, this time for the Ushiromiya family. Although I enjoy experiencing the smiles of a larger number of people, I also find it quite entertaining to perform more delicate work that can please the limited number of those who have employed me. All this is thanks to the opportunity given to me by the Madam.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 郷田さんはうやうやしく夏妃伯母さんに頭を下げる。 <br>\\r\\n Gohda-san respectfully bowed his head towards Aunt Natsuhi. <br><br>\\r\\n 「応募のあった中で、郷田が一番腕がよかったからです。客観的判断に基づくもので私情はありませんので感謝には及びません。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's because you were the most talented of the applicants. The decision was purely objective, not based on personal feelings, so there is no need to thank me.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n …やれやれ。夏妃伯母さんってどうしていつもこう、淡白な言い方なのねぇ。 <br>\\r\\n もうちっとこう、やさしい言い方ができたなら、与える印象も違うだろうに。 <br>\\r\\n ...Dang, why does Aunt Natsuhi always have to sound so indifferent? <br><br>\\r\\n If only she spoke with a bit more kindness, she might leave a different impression. <br><br>\\r\\n 廊下から配膳ワゴンと一緒に紗音ちゃんと熊沢さんがやって来た。 <br>\\r\\n Shannon-chan and Kumasawa-san entered from the hallway with a serving cart. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……失礼いたします。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Please excuse us.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「それでは本日のデザートに移らせていただきます。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Now then, let us move on to today's dessert.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 郷田さんたちが、美しく飾られたデザートをみんなの前に並べてくれた。 <br>\\r\\n Gohda-san and the others laid the beautifully adorned dessert out in front of us all. <br><br>\\r\\n デザートは別腹って言うけど本当だな…。 <br>\\r\\n I guess it's true when they say you have another stomach for dessert... <br><br>\\r\\n あれだけの美味いものをこれだけ食わせられて、もう充分なんて思ってたら、このデザートを見た途端に、まだまだイケルぜなんて主張しだしてやがる。 <br>\\r\\n I'd thought I'd already filled up on delicious food, but as soon as I laid eyes on that dessert, my stomach started yelling `More!' <br><br>\\r\\n 俺はデザートには詳しくないんだが、とにかく美味そうだった。 <br>\\r\\n I don't know much about desserts, but this looked really good. <br><br>\\r\\n 白いプリンみたいなものに、真っ赤な２色のソースが添えられ、上品に薔薇の花びらまで飾られている。 <br>\\r\\n A white pudding-like substance was garnished with two shades of red sauce, and elegant rose petals adorned the dish. <br><br>\\r\\n こういう上品なお食事だと、全員の前に配られ、それからシェフによる料理の能書きが語られる。それが終わるまでは基本的にお預け状態だ。 <br>\\r\\n Normally, during a high-class meal like this, you're supposed to wait for the chef to extol the virtues of this particular meal before eating. <br><br>\\r\\n だが、そういう堅苦しいルールとは無縁の真里亞は、綺麗でおいしそうなデザートに興奮し、目の前に置かれた途端にすぐにむしゃぶりつくのだった。 <br>\\r\\n However, Maria was completely indifferent to strict rules like that, so she got excited by this beautiful and delicious-looking dessert, jumping into the fray as soon as it was placed before her. <br><br>\\r\\n 楼座叔母さんが、行儀が悪いと叱るが、譲治の兄貴がまぁまぁいいじゃないですかとフォローする。 <br>\\r\\n Aunt Rosa scolded her, calling it bad manners, but George responded by saying 'Now, now, it's okay.' <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー？！ こっちの酸っぱい！ こっちの酸っぱい！ 戦人、こっちのはハズレー！ うー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-?! This part's sour! This part's sour! Battler, this one's no good! Uu-!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞が２色のソースを味見して、大声をあげる。 <br>\\r\\n Maria exclaimed as she sampled the two colored sauces. <br><br>\\r\\n 「何だと、アタリとハズレがあるのかよ、よし俺も味見をしてやるぜ〜！ むむぅ？！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"What, some are good and some bad? Okay, I'll give it a go! Mmmmm?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n ２色のソースは甘味と酸味の２つの味になってるらしい。 <br>\\r\\n 俺も行儀は悪いが小指に付けて舐めてみる。 <br>\\r\\n Apparently, one sauce was sweet and the other sour. <br><br>\\r\\n Despite it being bad manners, I also stuck my little finger in and licked it. <br><br>\\r\\n おう、片方はなかなかキュっとくる酸っぱさだぜ。 <br>\\r\\n 黄色いソースならレモンかなとも思うが、赤い色だと何の酸っぱさか見当もつかない。 <br>\\r\\n Whoa, one of the sauces was sour enough to make you pucker up. <br><br>\\r\\n If it were yellow, I'd have suspected lemon, but I couldn't guess what kind of sourness would be red. <br><br>\\r\\n 俺たちの後で配膳ワゴンを片付けている紗音ちゃんに聞いてみることにする。 <br>\\r\\n I decided to ask Shannon, who was putting away the serving cart behind us. <br><br>\\r\\n 「紗音ちゃん、この酸っぱいのは何のソースだい？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Shannon-chan, what kind of sauce is this sour stuff?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ぇっと……、 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Umm, <br><br>\\r\\n …………あの…、 <br>\\r\\n ............uhh, <br><br>\\r\\n ……ぅ…、」 <br>\\r\\n ......aaah...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 紗音ちゃんが言いよどむ。 <br>\\r\\n Shannon-chan hesitated. <br><br>\\r\\n 配膳はしてるがよくは知らないということなんだろう。 <br>\\r\\n にしちゃ、やたらと窮している。……悪いこと聞いちゃったかな？ <br>\\r\\n それとも、聞いてはならない材料でも使ってるんだろうか。 <br>\\r\\n Maybe her job was just to set the table, so she doesn't really know. <br><br>\\r\\n Still, even considering that, she seems pretty stressed. ......Maybe I shouldn't have asked. <br><br>\\r\\n Or did they use some ingredient that we'd be better off not knowing about? <br><br>\\r\\n 夏妃伯母さんが頭痛でもするような仕草を見せると、向かいの席で配膳していた熊沢さんが、ほっほっほと笑い出す。 <br>\\r\\n While Aunt Natsuhi made a gesture that seemed to indicate an oncoming headache, Kumasawa-san, who was setting the table at the opposite seat, began to chuckle. <br><br>\\r\\n 「何の材料を使っていると思いますか？ ほっほっほ、驚きますよ…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"What do you think we made it out of? Hohohoh, it'll shock you...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「え、…ぜ、全然わかんねぇぜ。というか、熊沢の婆さんがそういう笑い方すると不気味でならねぇぜ。んで、何なんだよ正体は！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh? I-I don't have a clue. Wait a sec, Kumasawa baa-san, that laugh's pretty creepy. So, what is it?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ナイショですよ？ お耳を拝借。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Don't tell anyone, okay? Listen very carefully.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 向かいから熊沢さんが乗り出してくる。 <br>\\r\\n 耳を貸せというので俺も乗り出す。 <br>\\r\\n 興味を持ち、朱志香も譲治兄貴も、もちろん真里亞も熊沢さんに耳を寄せる。 <br>\\r\\n Kumasawa-san leaned across from the other side of the table. <br><br>\\r\\n I leaned forward myself when she asked. <br><br>\\r\\n Their interest caught, Jessica, George-aniki, and, of course, Maria also put their ears closer. <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー。何？ 何ー？ 早くー！ 早くー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-. What? Whaaat? Quickly! Quickly!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「この酸っぱいのはですねぇ。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"You see, the sour part is made from... <br><br>\\r\\n ……実は、お魚の鯖の絞り汁ですよぅ、ほっほっほ！」 <br>\\r\\n juice squeezed from a mackerel, hohohoh!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「「「ええぇーーッ、サバぁッ？！？！」」」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"\\\"\\\"Whaaaaaat, mackerel?!?!\\\"\\\"\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n そんな馬鹿なと仰天する俺たち。 <br>\\r\\n 納得した顔でウンウンと頷くのは真里亞だけだ。 <br>\\r\\n `That's crazy,' we all thought, horrified. <br><br>\\r\\n Only Maria accepted it, nodding sagely. <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー？ 鯖は酸っぱいよ？ 絞ったらこうなる！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-? Mackerels are sour. This is what comes out when you squeeze them!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「「…ぷ、わっはっはっはっは…！」」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"\\\"...Pfft, wahahahahaha...!\\\"\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞が鯖は酸っぱいと騒ぎ出すと大人たちは笑いを堪え切れなくなった。 <br>\\r\\n When Maria started clamoring that mackerel were sour, the adults were unable to contain their laughter. <br><br>\\r\\n 楼座叔母さんだけが赤面して真里亞に、違うわよ、酸っぱいのはしめ鯖でしょ！ と小声で言う。 <br>\\r\\n Only Aunt Rosa, her face red, whispered to Maria that mackerel is sour only once prepared as shimesaba. <br><br>\\r\\n あーー、もう完ッ璧に思い出したぜ。熊沢さんってこういうキャラなんだよなぁ！ <br>\\r\\n 俺も小さかった頃、熊沢の婆ちゃんに色々と騙されてた気がするぜ！ <br>\\r\\n Aaahh, now I totally remember. Kumasawa-san was always like this, wasn't she? <br><br>\\r\\n I think I remember her tricking me too in all sorts of ways when I was young! <br><br>\\r\\n 中でも致命的なのはアレだ！ 中華料理に入ってる黒いヘロヘロ！ キクラゲだよ！ あれのこと、ペンギンの肉って吹き込まれて、俺、得意げに学校で言いふらしてたんだぜー？！ <br>\\r\\n The most lethal has gotta be that one! Those flimsy black things in Chinese dishes! They're kikurage mushrooms! <br><br>\\r\\n She told me they were penguin meat and I went all around school like a smartass telling everyone, didn't I?! <br><br>\\r\\n 「熊沢の婆ちゃん、相変わらずだなぁ…！ 真里亞が信じちゃうだろー？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Kumasawa baa-chan, you sure haven't changed...! You know Maria's gonna believe it now, right?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほっほっほ、冗談ですよ？ 今から郷田さんがソースの正体を教えてくれますからねぇ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hohohoh, it's just a joke. Now Gohda-san's going to tell us what the sauce really is, won't he?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 郷田さんは自分の自信作を怪しげに笑われてちょっとだけ不満そうだったが、咳払いをひとつしてからデザートの紹介をしてくれた。 <br>\\r\\n Gohda looked a little put off about his masterpiece being laughed at for such a bizarre reason, but after clearing his throat once, he introduced the dessert to us. <br><br>\\r\\n 「それでは、デザートのご説明をさせていただきます。本日は、ご来賓の皆様が大層お気に入りでございました薔薇の庭園にちなみまして、パンナコッタをローズガーデン風に仕上げてみました。散らしてございます薔薇の花びらは当家の庭園より先ほど採取してきたものでございます。ソースはストロベリーとローズヒップの２色の赤をご用意しました。ストロベリーの甘味とローズヒップの酸味を交互にお楽しみになって下さい。なお花びらは観賞用となっておりますので避けてからお召し上がり下さいませ。それではどうぞお楽しみ下さい。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well then, allow me to introduce our dessert. After seeing how much you all enjoyed the rose garden earlier today, I finished this panna cotta in a rose garden style. The rose petals scattered across were selected just now from that very rose garden. The sauce is a combination of two reds, strawberry and rose hips. Please enjoy this mixture of the strawberry's sweetness and the rose hip's sourness. Furthermore, the rose petals are merely decorative, so please avoid them while you eat. With that said, please, enjoy.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n ……はーー…。…なんつーか、食う前から拍手したくなるよなぁ。 <br>\\r\\n 薬だってそうだろ、ただ飲むより、説明書のウンチクを読んだほうがより効く気がするしな。 <br>\\r\\n ......Whoa...... Man, I almost want to applaud before eating. <br><br>\\r\\n Just like with medicine, reading the detailed description first seems to make it work a whole lot better. <br><br>\\r\\n 郷田さんの能書きで、さらにデザートがパワーアップした気がするぜ。 <br>\\r\\n As Gohda-san elaborated on the details of this dessert, it started to feel even more appetizing. <br><br>\\r\\n しかし、芸が細かいというかうまいというか。このデザートはもともと予定されていたものだろうが、俺たちが事前に薔薇庭園で足を止めていたことからヒントを得て、表の庭園の花びらをちょいと添えるだけで、ものすごいタイムリーな季節感を演出している。 <br>\\r\\n Seriously, should you call him subtle or just talented? The dessert was probably planned from the beginning, but taking the hint when we all stopped in front of the rose garden earlier today, he displayed an incredible and timely awareness by just adding a few rose petals from that garden. <br><br>\\r\\n 甘いのと酸っぱいのの２種類の取り合わせも絶妙だ。 <br>\\r\\n ただ甘いだけだったら途中で慣れて飽きてしまう。 <br>\\r\\n This combination of sweet and sour was also exquisite. <br><br>\\r\\n If it was just sweet, you'd just get used to it and bored halfway through. <br><br>\\r\\n そんな時に酸っぱい方のソースを絡めると、とても鮮烈な味がするし、もう一度甘いソースに戻ると、口の中が酸っぱくなっているので再び甘味を楽しめるのだ。 <br>\\r\\n But if you reached the sour sauce at that point, you'd get a really vivid taste. And then, once you returned to the sweet sauce, all of the sourness in your mouth would be replaced with an enjoyable sweetness. <br><br>\\r\\n それはみんなも同じだろう。 <br>\\r\\n I'm sure everyone else felt the same way. <br><br>\\r\\n 郷田さんが席の近くを通りかかる度に、味とその工夫を褒め称えるのだった。 <br>\\r\\n Every time Gohda-san passed by one of our seats, someone praised the taste and his presentation. <br><br>\\r\\n 「いかがですか、奥様。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"How is it, Madam?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「相変わらず見事です。お客様を御持て成しするに値します。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Splendid, as always. It is worthy of entertaining our guests.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「恐れ入ります。……奥様、ご存知ですか？ ローズヒップには頭痛に効く効果もあるそうですよ。奥様に特にお気に入りいただけるかと思い、特別にご用意させていただきました。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I am most grateful for your words. ......Madam, did you know? I have heard that rose hip has the ability to cure headaches. I thought that you in particular would appreciate it, so I had it specially prepared.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…そう。ありがとう。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Is that so? Thank you.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほら、言ったでしょ夏妃姉さん。ローズヒップは頭痛に効くって。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"See, didn't I tell you, Natsuhi nee-san? Rose hip is great for headaches.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「みたいね。…効くといいんだけど。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"So it seems. ...I do hope it actually helps.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「はぁー！ 郷田さん、あんたにゃ惚れるで！ なぁ、後であんたの待遇、聞かせてや！ 無理ならあんたの欲しい年収、指立ててくれるだけでもええんやで！ あんたの腕がこの島だけで独占されとるのは人類の食文化に対する冒涜や！ その腕、わしの会社で振るって、お客の皆さんを喜ばせてみる気はないかのぅ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Haa-! Gohda-san, I love ya! Hey, later on, why don't you tell me how they're treatin' ya?! Or if ya can't, just let me know what sort of salary you'd like! Havin' your talent confined to this small island is sacrilege to humanity's cookin' culture! What d'ya think about working your craft for my company and delightin' all our customers?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「はっはっは、秀吉さん。うちの郷田を引き抜かれるのですか？ これは困った。郷田の待遇をもっとよくしないと引き抜かれてしまいそうだ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hahaha, Hideyoshi-san, are you trying to steal away our Gohda? Now that won't do at all. We'd better start treating Gohda better, or he'll get snatched up.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「くすくす、そうした方がいいわねぇ。じゃないと引き抜かれて、三食が熊沢さんの鯖料理にされちゃうわよぅ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"*giggle* Yes, you really should. If you don't, someone's gonna grab him, and you'll be stuck with three meals of Kumasawa-style mackerel cooking a day, won't you?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほっほっほ、これはこれは手厳しゅうございます。すっかり根に持たれてしまいまして。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hohohoh, that's harsh. It seems someone's holding a grudge against me.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「「「わっはっはっはっはっは！！！」」」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"\\\"\\\"Wahahahahaha!!!\\\"\\\"\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n みんなが大笑いする。 <br>\\r\\n Everyone let out a huge laugh. <br><br>\\r\\n 朱志香によると、熊沢さんの「鯖ネタ」はある種の繰り返しギャグであるらしく、親族たちにとってはもうとっくにお馴染みのネタなのだそうだ。 <br>\\r\\n According to Jessica, Kumasawa-san's mackerel jokes were a running gag that our parents had long since gotten used to. <br><br>\\r\\n 熊沢さんは、鯖には貴重な栄養が含まれていて、老化防止にいいとか頭が良くなるとかいろいろ効能を説いてくれていた。 <br>\\r\\n Kumasawa-san often claimed that mackerels had precious nutritional value, which could slow aging, make people smarter and more. <br><br>\\r\\n …外見の老化は防止できてないようだが、中身の老化は防いでいるようだ。 <br>\\r\\n あの歳でこんな冗談が未だ言える元気があるなら、その効能は本物だ。 <br>\\r\\n ...Supposedly, while it couldn't stop the outward signs of aging, it helped prevent it on the inside. <br><br>\\r\\n Since she was still spirited enough to tell these kinds of jokes at her age, there must be something to that theory. <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほっほっほ…。それでは失礼いたします。夕食には奮って！ たくさんの鯖料理をお召し上がりいただきますので、どうぞご期待くださいませね？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hohohoh... In that case, if you'll excuse me... Prepare yourself for tonight's dinner! I'll be cooking plenty of mackerel dishes for you all, so you'd better look forward to it!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「わっはっはっは、期待してるよ。今晩はしめ鯖でキュっとしゃれ込みたいぜ。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Wahahaha, we sure will. Can't wait to get all puckered up from tonight's shimesaba!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「それは素敵ね。ついでに日本酒のおいしいのも出てこないかしら。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That sounds wonderful. I wonder if they'll be serving any good Japanese sake.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「えぇ、ございますよぅ？ 六軒島名物の鯖焼酎なるものがございまして…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, we certainly will. Haven't you heard of Rokkenjima's famous mackerel shochu...?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「「「わっはっはっはっはっは！！！」」」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"\\\"\\\"Wahahahahahaha!!!\\\"\\\"\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 熊沢さんは紗音ちゃんと一緒にお辞儀すると、配膳ワゴンを押しながら退出していった。 <br>\\r\\n Kumasawa-san, together with Shannon-chan, bowed and pushed the serving cart away. <br><br>\\r\\n すっかりお株を奪われてしまった郷田さんが、今晩は仔牛のステーキですのでと大真面目に弁明しているのも可笑しかった。 <br>\\r\\n It was pretty funny to watch Gohda-san, who looked like his show had totally been stolen, explain in a serious voice that we would be having calf steak for dinner. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……あの…、 <br>\\r\\n ………熊沢さん、…さっきはありがとうございました…。」 <br>\\r\\n 配膳ワゴンを押しながら、紗音は深々と頭を下げた。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Umm, <br><br>\\r\\n ......Kumasawa-san, ...thanks for doing that back there...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n As she pushed the serving cart, Shannon bowed her head very deeply. <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほっほっほ、なぁんもお礼を言われることなんてありません。」 <br>\\r\\n 熊沢は惚けるが、もちろんわかってて出した助け舟だった。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hohohoh, I haven't done anything that requires thanks.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n Kumasawa may have played dumb, but she had obviously understood and saved Shannon in the nick of time. <br><br>\\r\\n さっき、戦人にデザートの詳細を聞かれた時、紗音は言いよどんでしまった。 <br>\\r\\n Back when Battler had asked about dessert, Shannon had unfortunately hesitated. <br><br>\\r\\n かわし方はいくつかあるかもしれないが、いずれもスマートであるべきだ。 <br>\\r\\n There may have been several ways to dodge the question, but all of them would have required some quick wits. <br><br>\\r\\n 答えに窮するとすぐに言いよどんでしまう紗音は、ただそれだけの短所のためにいつも損をしていた。 <br>\\r\\n Shannon, who hesitated when hard-pressed for a response, was always suffering because of this small weakness. <br><br>\\r\\n 郷田のように、ミスがあってもうまく立ち回れる狡猾さがわずかにでも紗音にあったなら、もう少し気楽に日々を送れたろうに。 <br>\\r\\n If only Shannon had a little of the craftiness needed to cleverly shake off a mistake, like Gohda, her life would've been a bit easier. <br><br>\\r\\n …そつなく仕事をこなせる分、その短所は非常に気の毒だった。 <br>\\r\\n The fact that she could perform other tasks flawlessly made this weakness even more unfortunate. <br><br>\\r\\n もっとも、ミスを言い繕って誤魔化すことを思いつかない紗音の素直さは、わかる人間にはわかる。 <br>\\r\\n However, there were some who understood Shannon's honest nature, her inability to gloss over a mistake and draw attention away from it. <br><br>\\r\\n …だからこそ、熊沢もさらりと助け舟を出してくれるのだ。 <br>\\r\\n ...That was why Kumasawa had smoothly come to her rescue. <br><br>\\r\\n 「さっき源次さんが、午後のシフトに変更があると仰ってましたよ。確か紗音さんは、夕方までお休みがもらえたと思いました。ほっほっほ、うらやましい。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I just heard from Genji-san that there will be a change in the afternoon shifts. I believe you were given a break until this evening. Hohohoh, I'm jealous.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「え、…ぁ、すみません、シフト表を確認していませんでした。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Huh? ...Oh, sorry, I haven't checked the shift chart yet.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうそう。オーブンでこれからちょっと鯖を焼こうと思ってるんですよ。できたら、お休みの前にちょっと手伝ってくれると嬉しいですねぇ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, yes. I was thinking I might start cooking some mackerel in the oven. If you don't mind, I would be happy if you would help out a bit before your break.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、はい…！ 喜んでお手伝いさせていただきます。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, yes...! I would be delighted to help.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 紗音にとって熊沢は、使用人としての母親のようなものだった。 <br>\\r\\n To Shannon, Kumasawa was like a mother among the servants. <br><br>\\r\\n 食堂は片付けがあるので追い出された。 <br>\\r\\n その代わり、客間でお茶が振舞われることになる。 <br>\\r\\n The dining hall needed to be cleaned up, so we were chased out. <br><br>\\r\\n Instead, tea was being served in the parlor. <br><br>\\r\\n 楼座叔母さんが夏妃伯母さんに買って来た紅茶を淹れてくれるらしい。 <br>\\r\\n Apparently, they'd prepared the black tea that Aunt Rosa had bought for Aunt Natsuhi. <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞もその紅茶を飲みたいと主張したが、子供は表で遊んでこいとうちのクソ親父に言われて却下された。 <br>\\r\\n Maria said she also wanted to have some black tea, but my old bastard said she couldn't and told us children to go play outside. <br><br>\\r\\n 「戦人くん、みんなで表に散歩に行かないかい？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Battler-kun, why don't we all go for a walk outside?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「薔薇でも見に行ったらえぇ。でも天気には充分注意するんやで。空はまだ明るいが、天気予報は降る降ると繰り返しちょる。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Go ahead and take a look at the roses or somethin'. But keep a close eye on the weather. The sky's still clear, but the weather report kept on talkin' about rain.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 真里亞は海がいい、海がいい！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! I wanna go to the beach, the beach!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あら、素敵じゃない。砂浜で遊ぶなんて、普段はなかなかできないものねぇ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, that sounds wonderful. Playing on a sandy beach isn't something you get to do often, is it?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そっか。よし、じゃあみんなで浜辺でも行こうぜ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, good point. Okay, let's all go to the beach then!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 行こう行こう！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! Let's go, let's go!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「真里亞、服を濡らさないようにするのよ。靴もよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Maria, be careful not to get your clothes wet. Or your shoes.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 濡らさない！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! Won't get wet!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「くす、素直で可愛いぃ。戦人くん、真里亞ちゃんの面倒、ちゃんと見てあげてね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"*giggle* That obedience is so cuuute. Battler-kun, make sure you keep an eye out for Maria-chan, okay?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「おうよ、任せろ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Sure, leave it to me!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ほ〜ぅ、お前も霧江に頼まれると素直で可愛いじゃねぇかぁ。…たまには俺の言うことも素直に聞いてみろよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, you're pretty obedient and cute yourself, listening to Kyrie like that. ...Why don't you also listen to me obediently for a change?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ヘッ！ まっぴらゴメンだぜぃ！ 行こうぜみんな、ほらほら！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hah! Hell no! Let's go everyone, c'mon!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 子供たちは客間を飛び出していった。 <br>\\r\\n The children flew out of the parlor. <br><br>\\r\\n 入れ替わりに配膳ワゴンを押した源次がやって来て、紅茶を準備してくれた。 <br>\\r\\n They were replaced by Genji, who pushed a serving cart in and prepared to serve the tea. <br><br>\\r\\n 客間は気高い香りに満たされ、喉を潤す前からとても楽しませてくれた…。 <br>\\r\\n The parlor was filled with a sublime aroma which delighted everyone while they waited to sate their thirst... <br><br>\\r\\n 「はっはっはっはっ は…。留弗夫のところは家族仲がいいじゃないか。良いことだ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hahahahah, ha... Rudolf's family certainly seems close. It's a wonderful thing.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「よせよ、兄貴のところにゃ負けるぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Quit it. We're no match for your family, Aniki.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうよぉ。朱志香ちゃん、本当に可愛らしく育ったじゃない。これも夏妃姉さんの教育の賜物ねぇ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's true. You've raised Jessica-chan to be so adorable. I imagine that's yet another fruit of your talents at education and training, Natsuhi nee-san.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………どうも。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Thank you.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 夏妃は素っ気無く答える。 <br>\\r\\n Natsuhi answered coldly. <br><br>\\r\\n …そこで会話が途切れたので、客間は沈黙してしまった。 <br>\\r\\n ...The conversation broke off then, and the parlor fell silent. <br><br>\\r\\n それに耐えられないのか、秀吉が大袈裟に身振りしながら話題を再び切り出す。 <br>\\r\\n Maybe Hideyoshi couldn't bear the silence, because he broke it himself with an exaggerated gesture. <br><br>\\r\\n 「しっかし、成長は早いもんやで。…いつまでも子供だと思っとったが、図体は見る見るでかくなり、いつの間にか大人の仲間入りや。戦人くんなんか見違えたで！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Still, they sure do grow fast. ...I thought they'd be kids forever, but they start gettin' huge all of a sudden, and then they're adults like us. Battler-kun looks like a completely different person now!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「体は大きくなりましたけど、まだ子供です。うちの主人も未だに子供ですけれど。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"His body has grown much bigger, but he's still just a kid. Though you could say the same about my husband.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…子供と大人の境ってどこなのかしらね。私、未だに大人になったって自覚が持てない。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...I wonder where the border between child and adult is. I still don't feel as though I've grown up.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ふ、情けないじゃないか。一児の母の言うことではない。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmph, isn't that pitiful. That's not something the mother of a child should say.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうね。私たちももう子供じゃない。大人同士よ。だから感情的にならず、知的な会話をしたいわねぇ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right. We're not children anymore. We're all adults now. So I wish we could talk together on an intellectual level, rather than an emotional one.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 絵羽がちくりとする嫌味を込めて微笑むと、場の空気が少しだけ硬くなる。 <br>\\r\\n …せっかくの紅茶の香りが飛んでしまった気がした。 <br>\\r\\n When Eva smiled with sharp sarcasm, everyone seemed to get more tense. <br><br>\\r\\n ...It felt as though that pleasant tea aroma had been tossed out the window. <br><br>\\r\\n 「知的な会話なら昔からいつも心掛けているじゃないか。……お前の嫌味は、時に的を外している。昔から変わらない。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Since long ago, we've always endeavored to engage in intellectual conversations. ......It seems your sarcasm occasionally misses its mark. Just as it always has.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…昔からいつも、ですって？ あらあら。その言葉を綺麗に包装して、何十年か前のこの部屋に届けてあげたいわね。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Oh, what is it you've `always endeavored' to do? My, my. I wish I could wrap those words up and send them to this room a few decades ago. <br><br>\\r\\n ねぇ楼座ぁ？」 <br>\\r\\n Right, Rosa?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...............\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 楼座は曖昧な顔で笑う。 <br>\\r\\n Rosa gave a vague smile. <br><br>\\r\\n …肯定しても否定しても兄か姉の不快を買う。 <br>\\r\\n She knew that, whether she agreed or disagreed, she'd earn the displeasure of one of her siblings. <br><br>\\r\\n 末っ子ゆえに養わざるを得なかった処世術だった。 <br>\\r\\n It was a bit of worldly wisdom that had been essential for someone growing up as the youngest sibling. <br><br>\\r\\n 「よせよ姉貴。ガキどもがいない間に本題に入ろうじゃねぇか。それこそ知的な話を。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Quit it, Aneki. We'd better get started on our main topic while the brats aren't around. Let us make that our intellectual discussion.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 留弗夫が一同の顔を見渡すと、ある者は小さく溜め息を吐き、ある者は小さな観念を浮かべる。 <br>\\r\\n As Rudolf glanced over the faces of all present, some let out a slight sigh and some let a small look of resignation cross their face. <br><br>\\r\\n ……避けずにはいられない、 <br>\\r\\n 本当の議題だった。 <br>\\r\\n ......They were approaching their unavoidable... <br><br>\\r\\n true agenda. <br><br>\\r\\n 「去年の時点で余命３ヶ月だったんだ。ってことはすでにマイナス９ヶ月ってことじゃねぇか。いつお迎えが慌ててすっ飛んで来るかもわからねぇ状態ってことだぜ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Last year, his life expectancy was estimated at about three months. Which I guess means he's got negative 9 months left now. Should we take that to mean it might suddenly happen at any time?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………当主様は今でも健在でおられます。このような不穏当な話を日も明るい内からなさろうとするなど、留弗夫さんの正気を疑わざるを得ません。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...The Family Head is still alive and well. The fact that you'd bring up such an inappropriate topic under the light of day...makes me doubt your sanity, Rudolf-san.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「だがな夏妃さん。…こういうしょっぱい話は、いざことがあってからじゃあ遅いんや。今が元気だからこそ、余裕ある内にしとくもんなんやで。これも財産のエチケットみたいなもんや。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Still, Natsuhi-san, this is the sort of thing you can't put off until after somethin' happens. He's still healthy now, which makes this the perfect time to talk about this, while we've still got time to plan. It's just a bit of financial etiquette, you might say.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「諸君の関心は親父殿のようじゃないか。…南條先生。あなたから説明して下さいませんか。彼らもそれをお望みらしい。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It seems Father is the focus of everyone's concern. ...Doctor Nanjo, could we hear the details from you? That appears to be what everyone else is waiting for, after all.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………コホン。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".....................*cough*.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 窓辺で薔薇庭園を眺めていた南條は、自分が呼ばれたことに気付くと咳払いをひとつした。 <br>\\r\\n Nanjo, who had been standing by the window and staring out at the rose garden, let out a single cough when he realized that he was being called. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……南條先生。…お父様の具合はどんな感じなんですか？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Doctor Nanjo, ...how is Father's condition?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「まず初めに…。私が去年申し上げました余命３ヶ月という言葉が独り歩きをしているようですので、その訂正からいたします。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, to begin, ...allow me to start with a revision, since my estimate last year that he had only three months left was not borne out.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「言われずともわかるわ。余命というのはあくまでも見込みであって約束ではない、と仰られるのよねぇ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"No need to explain. You're saying that measuring remaining life is only a prediction, not a promise, right?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…左様です。ですから、皆さんから度々お尋ねを受けますが、いつ亡くなるのか、ということは決して断言できないことなのです。人の命は体と心に支えられております。…体が弱れば危うくもなりますが、それを補う心の強さがあれば、小康状態を維持することもあるのです。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...That is correct. Because of that, while I will accept everyone's repeated questions, I can by no means confirm when he will pass away. A human's life is supported by their body and their mind. ...If the body is weak, the situation becomes more dangerous, but if the mind is strong enough to compensate for that weakness, the effects of one's condition can sometimes remain in a subdued state.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「体はともかく、お心はまだしっかりしていて意気軒昂でいらっしゃられる、ということですね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"So you're saying that even if his body is weak, his mind is still firm and spirited.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………霧江、すまんがしばらく黙っててくれ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Kyrie, sorry, but please stay quiet for a bit.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ごめんなさい。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......I'm sorry.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「左様です。金蔵さんの体はすっかり病魔に蝕まれております。増してや、あのような強いお酒を嗜まれ続けてはとてもとても…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That is correct. Kinzo-san's body is being overwhelmed by the demon of ill health. This will hold especially true as long as he continues to partake of such strong alcohol...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「崖っぷちなのも酒のせい。永らえてるのも酒のせいか。酒豪の親父らしいな。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"So, he's in a crisis now because he drinks. And maybe he's lived this long because he drinks. There's Dad for you, the heavy drinker.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「それで先生、もちろん見込みで結構なんですけども…。……お父様、来年の今日まではさすがにどうかしら…？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well then, Doctor, I know you can't give anything more than a prediction, ...but what do you think about Father's chances of living until this day next year...?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「当主様に対してあまりに無礼な質問です。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's quite a rude question to ask about the Family Head.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 夏妃が憮然とした表情を隠すこともなく絵羽に突きつける。 <br>\\r\\n Natsuhi jumped on Eva, not even bothering to hide her astonished expression. <br><br>\\r\\n それに対し絵羽は不敵な表情を返すが、それに気付いた秀吉がすぐに取り繕うように苦笑いする。 <br>\\r\\n Eva stared back daringly, but Hideyoshi realized what was going on and tried to smooth things over with a forced smile. <br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁ、夏妃さん、堪忍な！ 絵羽、お前も少し言葉を選ばんか。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, Natsuhi-san, forgive her! Eva, choose your words a bit more carefully, okay?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ごめんなさい。お父様の容態が気になって仕方なかったもので。くす。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm sorry. I was just so concerned about Father's condition. *giggle*.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………そうですか。それは気付きませんでした。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Is that so? I hadn't realized.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「南條先生、聞かせてやってください。父親の寿命を気遣う娘の麗しい家族愛じゃないですか。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Doctor Nanjo, please tell us. For the sake of the beautiful love of a daughter worried about her father's lifespan.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 蔵臼が嫌味をこめた笑いを向けると、絵羽もにっこりと、まったく同質の笑いを返す。 <br>\\r\\n Krauss laughed sarcastically, and Eva, smiling sweetly, returned an identical chuckle. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…来年までお元気か、という質問ですが。……医者の私としてはとても難しい。この小康状態がまだしばらくは続くようにも思いますし、 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...You ask whether he will still be healthy next year, ......but as a doctor, it is very hard to say. Because while I do think this lull in his condition will continue for a while, <br><br>\\r\\n 何らかの発作が来ればその時にはどうしようもないかもしれません。……何しろ、六軒島は孤島です。すぐに救急車が飛んで来れるわけではありません。本来ならば、本土の然るべき大病院に入院していただきたいところなのですが…。」 <br>\\r\\n if he suffers some kind of fit, there may be nothing we can do. ......After all, Rokkenjima is a solitary island. It is not as though an ambulance could quickly jump in to save him. Normally, I would want to have him placed in a large hospital on the mainland, but...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「親父殿は高尚な研究を中断されたくないと仰せだ。……去年、無理に連れ出そうとしたのが仇になったらしい。外へ出れば病院に閉じ込められてしまうのではないかとひどくお疑いになられていてな。すっかりこのザマなのだよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Father stated that he does not want his noble research interrupted. ......It seems he holds a grudge over the way we tried to force him out last year. Apparently, he strongly suspects that he'll be shut away in some hospital if he goes outside. And that's how things are now.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「南條先生の診察は受けておられるの？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Has <NAME> been examining him?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「親父殿は南條先生には心を許しておられる。…機嫌が良ければ診察も受けられるようだがね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Father trusts Doctor Nanjo. ...It seems he can be examined when in one of his better moods...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……容態を見はするが、薬を勧めようとも入院を勧めようとも、聞き入れてくれん。……本当に見るだけですがな。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I can examine his condition, but if I try to recommend medicine or hospitalization, he refuses to listen. ......I've really only been able to look.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「お医者嫌いの方もおるもんや…。しかし困ったもんだのお！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It's true some people hate doctors... Still, what a hassle!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 南條が大きく溜め息をつく。 <br>\\r\\n 医者の診察はその後の治療の指針とするためのものだ。 <br>\\r\\n Nanjo sighed deeply. <br><br>\\r\\n The purpose of an examination is to determine what medical treatment would be appropriate. <br><br>\\r\\n 診察は受けても、その後に従わなければ何の意味もない…。 <br>\\r\\n Receiving an examination and then not following the advice given makes the whole thing pointless... <br><br>\\r\\n 「つまりおさらいすると。相変わらず余命は３ヶ月。瀕死のまま後どれだけ永らえるか見当も付かねぇってことだ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"So, to sum it up, he's still expected to live three months. There's no way to guess how long he'll continue to live while still on the verge of death.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………留弗夫さん。言葉を少し慎まれてはいかがですか？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Rudolf-san, couldn't you be a little more discreet with your words?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁ、すまんね。昔からこういう口の聞き方なんだ。勘弁してくれ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, sorry. I've always talked this way. Give me a break.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「南條先生のご意見はわかった。……蔵臼兄さんから見てどうなの？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I understand how Doctor Nanjo sees it. ...What about you, Krauss nii-san?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ふ。実を言うと、南條先生とは異なる意見でね。とても余命３ヶ月の重病人とは思えないというのが本心だ。怒鳴り声は相変わらず健在で、いつぶん殴られるかと冷や冷やしっぱなしだよ。……長男にだけ親父の世話を押し付けるのは実にフェアではないね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Hmph. To be perfectly honest, I have to disagree with Doctor Nanjo. I find it truly difficult to think of Father as a person so sick that he has only three months to live. His yell is as healthy as ever, and I still get chills at the thought of his fists raining down on me. ......Pushing the care of your father solely on the shoulders of the eldest sibling is far from fair.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「はっはは。来世では俺より後に生まれろよ。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hahhaha. In the next world, get born after me. <br><br>\\r\\n ………さて、話を戻そうぜ。そんなわけで、公正中立なお医者の先生の見解じゃ、いつお隠れになっちまってもおかしくない状態だ。兄貴にゃ悪いが、ここは専門家の意見を採用させてもらうぜ？ となりゃ、決して親父の財産を話し合うことは時期尚早ではないってことさ。」 <br>\\r\\n .........Okay, let's get back on track. So, in the opinion of our impartial and neutral doctor, it wouldn't be odd for him to go any time. No offense to you, Aniki, but I'd rather trust the opinion of an expert in his field. Which means it's definitely not too early to start talking about Dad's assets.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「お父様の個人資産は恐らく数百億にも届くでしょうねぇ？ でもそれは、綺麗な現金で揃ってるわけじゃないわ。お誕生会のケーキみたいに、綺麗にナイフが入ってカットできるほど単純じゃないでしょぉ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Father's personal funds probably reach as high as several ten billion yen, right? But it's not as though that's all neatly gathered as ready cash. It's not as simple as simply cutting a birthday cake with a knife.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…姉貴の例えは面白ぇな。そうさ、ケーキの上には苺やらチョコの家やらが載ってて、綺麗に等分するのが難しいことだってあるだろ。それを加味して、どういう風にナイフを入れるのか、先に相談しておくのは大切なことだと思うぜ…？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...That's an interesting way to put it. That's right, you sometimes get strawberries or chocolates on top of the cake, making it hard to cleanly cut it into equal parts. Given that, don't you think it's important to discuss beforehand how best to stick the knife in...?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「それを、当主様が存命の内から、さも他界なされたかのように声高に議論される皆さんの気がしれません。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I cannot understand how you all can openly discuss this as though the Family Head is dead, even though he's still alive.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あらぁ、必要な話よぅ？ だって遺産相続は、その時点で直ちに行なわれなきゃならないものよ？ 増してや栄光ある右代宮家の財産は莫大。事前に入念な相談が必要なことはおわかりでしょうが。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Come now, don't you see how important this is? After all, when the time comes, the inheritance of his fortune must be carried out immediately, right? Moreover, the glorious Ushiromiya house's wealth is vast. Don't you understand that careful discussion is necessary beforehand? <br><br>\\r\\n 当家の資産は、あなたのご実家とは大違いなんだからぁ。」 <br>\\r\\n There's a huge difference between this family's resources and your family's wealth.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……失礼なっ。私の実家は関係ありません。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......How rude! My birth family has nothing to do with this.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 夏妃が憤慨しながらも低い声で言い返すと、沈み込んでいた場の空気はさらに険悪さを増していく…。 <br>\\r\\n Natsuhi responded indignantly, though in a low voice, and the already dark atmosphere grew even more hostile... <br><br>\\r\\n 「よさんか絵羽…。夏妃さん、堪忍な！ 口が悪いのは許したってな。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Give it a rest, Eva... Natsuhi-san, forgive us! Pardon her rudeness.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 秀吉が取り繕うように、両者に愛想笑いを向けるが、それはかえって絵羽と夏妃の険悪さを引き立たせるだけだった…。 <br>\\r\\n Hideyoshi tried to smooth things over by glancing at both with a forced smile, but it only resulted in making the hostility between Eva and Natsuhi even more intense... <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………これ以上は、お邪魔なようですな。失礼させていただきましょう。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"............It seems I'll just get in the way if I stay any longer. Please excuse me.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 南條は席を立ち、客間を出て行く。 <br>\\r\\n Nanjo rose from his seat and exited the parlor. <br><br>\\r\\n ……部外者ならば当然の気遣いだろうが、この場を退出できることを羨む眼差しがその背中を見送っていた。 <br>\\r\\n ...To an outsider, it may have seemed like a normal act of courtesy, but his back was watched by several glances envious of his ability to escape. <br><br>\\r\\n 退出し、その足音が遠ざかって消えた頃、蔵臼は足を組み直した。 <br>\\r\\n After the doctor had exited and his footsteps had disappeared into the distance, Krauss recrossed his legs. <br><br>\\r\\n 「つまり、お前たちの言い分はこうかね。……親父殿の余命は短い。遺産分配について早急かつ具体的な協議に入りたい。……何を焦っているのかね。確かにお前たちの言う通り、右代宮家の財産を算定し分配するのは簡単なことではないだろう。なればじっくりと算定すべきじゃないのかね？ お前たちは今晩の内にもケーキを切り分けたいと焦っているように見える。そうだろう、楼座。何を焦ることがあるのかね？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"In other words, this is what you all would like to say... Father's remaining life is short. You want to quickly enter into a practical conference concerning the distribution of the inheritance. ......Why are you so eager, I wonder? Certainly, as you say, estimating and distributing the Ushiromiya family's wealth is no simple task. In that case, shouldn't we make careful and deliberate calculations? It seems to me that you are all impatient to split up the cake tonight. Isn't that true, Rosa? What reason is there to be hasty?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………焦ってるわけじゃない。…でも、兄弟の間での取り決めは必要。それはいつでもいいことだけれども、お父様の具合が悪くなっていて、その日が近付いているというなら、先に話だけしておいても…、それは性急とは言わないと思うし…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........We aren't being hasty. ...However, we need to have an agreement between the siblings. It doesn't matter when we do that, but if the day Father's condition worsens is approaching, discussing the matter beforehand hardly seems hasty to me...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 楼座は絵羽と留弗夫の方をちらりと見る。 <br>\\r\\n …歳がもっとも開いた末妹の彼女にとっては、長兄の詰問は辛いものだった。 <br>\\r\\n Rosa shot a glance at Eva and Rudolf. <br><br>\\r\\n ...As the youngest sibling in the family, it was hard for her to be cross-examined by the eldest. <br><br>\\r\\n 「………ほぅ。それはお前の本心かね？ 兄弟で一番素直で綺麗な心を持っていたお前がそんなことを言い出すとは思えんね。そこの２人に吹き込まれたんじゃないのかね…？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Oh? Is that your true opinion? I didn't expect that the most honest and pure-hearted of the siblings would say something like that. I wonder if those two told you to say it...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………………。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"........................\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「よせよ兄貴。楼座だって兄弟だぜ。親父の遺産に公平な権利がある。関心を持つのは当然じゃねぇか。…親父だっていつかは必ず死ぬし、それは遠い未来の話でもない。……むしろ兄貴が悠長すぎるくらいさ。まるで遺産分配から話を逸らしたくて仕方がないように見えるぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Quit it, Aniki. Rosa's one of Dad's kids too. She's got as much right to his inheritance as the rest of us. It's only natural that she'd be interested. ...After all, Dad'll definitely die, and that's not something that'll happen in the distant future. ......On the contrary, Aniki, you're way too relaxed. It almost seems like you'd like nothing better than to turn the discussion away from the inheritance issue.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………それはどういう意味ですか。主人にやましいところがあると仰いたいのですか。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........What do you mean by that? Are you trying to accuse my husband of something?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ま、まぁまぁ夏妃さん。話は聞いておくんなはれ…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"C-Calm down, Natsuhi-san. Listen to what we have to say...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「兄さん、今は大変強気だそうじゃない？ そうよねぇ、去年以降、空前の好景気で円は上がる一方。＄が１００円に至るのだって夢物語じゃなさそうよぅ？ それに、与党は来年頃に保養地整備法を成立させようって言うじゃない。今や日本中のリゾート開発会社が、どれだけ軍資金を集められるかって奔走しているところよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Nii-san, I hear the times have been extremely good lately. Yes, since last year, we've been in an unprecedented boom, and the yen keeps on rising. It seems that it's no longer a dream that the dollar will reach 100 yen. Also, the ruling party says that it'll establish health resort maintenance law by next year. At this moment, resort development companies across Japan are running about, trying to gather as much funding as they can.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……詳しいじゃないか。これから日本には空前の好景気が訪れる。親父殿が右代宮家を再興した時と同じ、朝鮮特需の再来さ。……日本国民は死に物狂いで働き高度経済成長を実現して世界で一番豊かな国民となり、我が世の春を謳歌するようになった。国民の消費は増大し、それを回収できる施設が泡銭を手にする時代になったのだよ。今や国民のニーズは三種の電化製品ではない。スキー場、ゴルフ場、総合プール。リゾートホテルにテーマパーク！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"...You certainly seem to know a lot about it. Japan is about to experience an unprecedented boom. It'll be a repeat of the Korean War Demands, the time during which Father revived the Ushiromiya family. ...The people of Japan have been working like mad, achieving vast economic growth and becoming the most well-off people in the world, reaching the height of our prosperity. We've reached an era where private spending is vast, which means easy money for institutions that can capitalize on that fact.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n \\\"The three kinds of electrical appliances no longer represent the people's needs. The people need ski resorts, golf courses, public pools. Resort hotels and theme parks!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 数年前に開業したデルゼニーランドには行ったかね？ 素晴らしい遊園地じゃないか！ あそこでは大人も童心に返り家族で楽しむことができるんだ。かつて家族を顧みずに滅私奉公することだけが美徳だった時代はもはや終わろうとしている。我々は、世界で一番豊かな国民として、ようやくそれを享受できるようになったのだよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Have you gone to Delzney Land, which opened just a few years ago? What an excellent theme park! It's a place where even an adult can be a kid and have fun with his family. No longer do we count our sole virtue to be selfless devotion while failing to care for our families. We have become the most prosperous people in the world, and now we can finally enjoy the benefits.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「蔵臼兄さんの読みは大したもんや。…わしも数年前に聞いた時はそんなアホなと思ったわ。……でもな、Ｇ５のプラザ合意聞いてから変わったんや。円は見る見る強くなり、地価はこれから天上知らずに上がるやろ。日本が世界経済の中心になる日も遠くはない。……兄さんは時代を見る目のあるお人や。それだけは間違いないで。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Krauss-san, your foresight's nothing to sneeze at. ...When I heard that sort of thing several years ago, I thought it was crazy. ...But when I heard about the G5 nations' Plaza Accord, that all changed. The yen shot up, and I'll bet the price of land skyrockets soon too. It won't be long before Japan becomes the economic center of the world. ......You've got a great sense of the direction the world's movin', Krauss-san. At least there can be no debate about that.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「秀吉兄さんに同じだ。兄貴は１０年越しで時代を読めてるよ。その嗅覚は親父譲りだろうな。大したもんだぜ。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I feel the same as Hideyoshi-san. Aniki, you can read into the next decade of history. I'll bet you got that keen sense from Dad, and it's incredible. <br><br>\\r\\n ……だが、親父と違って、ちょいと見通しのタイミングを読み違っちまったところはあるよな？」 <br>\\r\\n ......However, unlike Dad, the timing of your predictions has been a bit off sometimes, right?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「兄さんは、必ず日本が好景気を迎えると信じて、あちこちにリゾート計画を起こし、そのほとんどで失敗し続けたわ。…兄さんの読みどおりの時代は確かに訪れつつあるけど、その時期を読むことには失敗したわねぇ。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Nii-san, you've been starting resort projects everywhere, convinced that Japan will soon see a boom, but almost all of them continue to fail. ...While I'm sure that the era you predicted will soon arrive, it seems you misread the timing of that boom.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n ……早過ぎたのよ。そして焦って清算して、結局は傷口を広げたわぁ。…本当に嗅覚がアテになって、好景気が訪れることを読めていたなら清算するわけない。これって、兄さんが自分で自分の才能を信じてない証拠じゃないのぅ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...You were too early. You then panicked and tried to sell everything off, which only opened the wound even further. ...If your nose was really so reliable, then there should be no reason for you to sell off your property. Is this proof that you mistrust your own ability?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……失礼な！ 主人を侮辱するつもりですか。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......How rude! Are you trying to insult my husband?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 夏妃が眉間にシワを寄せてソファーを立ち上がる。 <br>\\r\\n Natsuhi's forehead creased as she rose from the sofa. <br><br>\\r\\n 絵羽はまったく気にせず、余裕ある微笑みで蔵臼を凝視していた。 <br>\\r\\n …蔵臼もまた余裕を崩さず、夏妃に座れと告げる。 <br>\\r\\n Eva, paying this no heed, stared at Krauss with a confident smile. <br><br>\\r\\n ...Krauss, who also maintained his confident appearance, told Natsuhi to sit down. <br><br>\\r\\n 「よさないか夏妃。昔からこういう言い方しかできないやつだ。…少し落ち着きなさい。また頭痛に障る。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Please stop, Natsuhi. Eva's always been incapable of talking any other way. ...Calm down a little, or your headache will get worse.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「兄さんに才能がない証拠は、私たちのすぐ近くにもあるわよ。…………だって兄さん、この島をリゾート化するって張り切ってたじゃなぁい？ 素敵なリゾートホテルも建てて、庭園も綺麗に整備してぇ。私は素人だからわかりかねるけど、相当のお金を使ったんでしょ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"There's proof of your lack of talent right next to us. ......After all, Nii-san, weren't you all excited about turning this island into a resort? You built a wonderful resort hotel and beautifully maintained the garden... I'm just an amateur and don't pretend to understand, but you must have used a significant amount of money for that, right?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「だから何だと言うのですか！ 主人の事業はあなたとは関係ありません！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"And what is that to you?! My husband's business is none of yours!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「いいや、そいつは違うぜ夏妃さん。六軒島は兄貴の物じゃない。親父の物だ。もちろん建てたホテルは兄貴の物だぜ？ 何なら俺たちは今夜の宿泊料を払ってやってもいいさ。なぁ楼座。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Actually, that's not true, Natsuhi-san. Rokkenjima doesn't belong to Aniki. It belongs to Dad. Of course, the hotel does belong to Aniki, right? In fact, we'd be more than willing to pay lodging fees for tonight. What do you think, Rosa?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……………それは、まぁ。…持ち合わせで足りるなら。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Well, hmm. ...If what I have on hand will suffice.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「リゾート化できればこの島の資産価値は上がる。支出がかさんだことは事実だが、未来に大きな収穫を期待できる。そうなれば、結果的にお前たちにとっても有益なはずじゃないか。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"If I can make it into a resort, this island's financial worth will rise. It is true that expenses have piled up, but we can expect a large harvest in the future. When that happens, all of you stand to profit as well, do you not?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「それはわかるわよ。この島の価値が上がれば、それを遺産分配する時の私たちの獲り分も増えるもの。もちろん、島や屋敷を四分の一ずつ切り取れとは言わないわ。それを算定したお金で解決してくれればいいだけの話よ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I understand that. If the value of this island rises, that'll increase our portions when we distribute the inheritance. Of course, I won't ask you to divide the island and the mansion into four equal parts. We can just resolve the matter with money equal to the value of the property.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そこまでわかっているなら、私の事業に何の不満があるんだね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"If you understand that much, what about my business makes you so dissatisfied?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「不満じゃねぇさ、不安なのさ。第一、兄貴。あのホテル、いつになったら開業するんだ？ このままじゃ俺たちの手垢だらけになっちまうぜ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"We aren't dissatisfied, we're uneasy. In the first place, Aniki, when do you plan to open that hotel? Left this way, you won't get anything out of it except our grubby hand prints, right?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうよぉ。大切な商売道具でしょう？ 確かに開業するまでずっと鍵を掛けておくわけにもいかないわよね？ 少しは使って風通しをよくしないと建物は傷んじゃうもの。でも、私たちが年に一度泊まるだけのゲストハウスっていうんじゃ、ちょっと豪勢過ぎやしないかしらぁ。ねぇ、楼座ぁ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right. It's an important tool for your business, isn't it? Surely you can't keep it locked up until the moment you open it. Buildings go bad if you don't use them and air them out every once in a while. Even so, it's a bit extravagant for a guesthouse that we only use once a year. Right, Rosa?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………そうね。あんなに素敵なら、オープンしたらさぞや人気が出るでしょうね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........That's right. Considering how wonderful it is, I'm sure it will become quite popular once you open it.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ぁぁ…、 <br>\\r\\n ………あなたが前に言ってたホテルって、ゲストハウスのことだったのね…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Oh, <br><br>\\r\\n ......so the hotel you keep talking about is the guesthouse...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「立派なもんだろ。楼座の言う通り、オープンできたら人気が出るだろうよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It's splendid. Just as Rosa said, if you were to open it, I'm sure it would become popular.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 彼らが案内された宿泊所であるゲストハウスは、そのために建てられたものではない。 <br>\\r\\n The lodging they had been guided to wasn't originally intended to serve as a guesthouse. <br><br>\\r\\n …本来はリゾートホテルとして建てられたものなのだ。 <br>\\r\\n だが、２年前に完成しているが、その後、開業の目処はまったく立っていなかった…。 <br>\\r\\n ...It was originally constructed as a resort hotel. <br><br>\\r\\n However, even though it was built two years previously, there was still absolutely no prospect of it opening. <br><br>\\r\\n 「兄さんのいつもの事業と同じよ。着目や企画はご立派。そしていつも途中で立ち行かなくなって、何も回収できずに終わる。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Nii-san, it's just like all of your enterprises. Your attention and planning are both fabulous. Then, it always becomes unmaintainable partway through...and ends before you have a chance to earn any profit.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「この島を、ただ住むだけにしか使わないのは勿体無いってぇ兄貴の着眼は立派さ。そしてリゾート化して、マリンスポーツやらフィッシングやらハネムーンやらを誘致して盛り上げようってのはなかなかいい絵だったと思うぜ。俺だって長男だったなら、この島を何かに有効利用できないかと頭をひねったに違いないさ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"You were brilliant when you saw that using this island only as a place to live was a waste. I think it was a pretty good plan to turn it into a resort that could use the prospect of marine sports, fishing, honeymoons and the like to attract customers. If I were the oldest son, I'm sure I'd have strained my brain looking for a way to make a profit off this island.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「でも、もう出来上がってから２年も経つのよ？ ２年経って未だに開業の目処はつかないの？ 任せてる管理会社はどこぉ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"But two full years have passed since you finished building, right? After two years, you still haven't had the opportunity to open it. Where's the managing company you entrusted it to?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……失敬な！ それは主人の手落ちではありません！ 主人の仕事を請け負う会社間でトラブルが生じているだけで、うちはあくまでも被害者です！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Impertinence! That is not my husband's fault! There has just been some trouble with the company that my husband contracted with. No matter how you look at it, we are victims here!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「しかしなぁ…。蔵臼兄さんが任せてる例のトコ…、 <br>\\r\\n あまりえぇ噂は聞かんでぇ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"And yet, the rumors we've heard about this company you hired... <br><br>\\r\\n ...haven't been good at all.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「はっきり言ってあげなさいよ。……不払い、横領、トラブルで計画が空中分解しちゃったって話、私たちの耳に届かないとでも思ってるぅ？ 裏も取れてるんだから。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Let's be clear about this, dear. ...Did you really think we wouldn't hear about how lack of payment, embezzlement, and other issues led to the project disintegrating mid-flight? We even have evidence.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「何の裏だか存じませんが事実無根です！ 観光業への新規参入には方々への根回しが必要になります。相手が信用に足りるかを諮ることも大事です。それに手間取っているだけに過ぎません！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I don't know what kind of evidence you think you found, but it's all baseless! As new members in the tourism industry, it is necessary for us to lay the groundwork with various people. It is also important to investigate the trustworthiness of our partners. It's merely taken us some time to meet that goal!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……ホテルの完成が早すぎて勇み足になったことは認めよう。だが維持費がかかってるわけじゃない。やがて大きな意味を持つ布石だ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......I'll admit that, in my rashness, the hotel was completed too early. However, it's not as though we're paying maintenance costs. It's a foundation that will eventually become immensely significant.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「嘘吐けよ。清算したくても売れないだけだろ。観光ルートの確立してない何もない離島に、やたら豪華なホテルなんて、買い手がつくわけもねぇさ。それに、事業に集めた融資はどうなってんだよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Liar. I'll bet you want to liquidate it but can't. After all, there's no reason for anyone to buy such an extravagant hotel on an isolated, empty island without any established sightseeing routes. And anyway, what about all the loans you made for this project?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「維持費はかからんでも、返せん借金は膨らむ一方や。……すまんが蔵臼兄さん。この島の開発計画の話、ちょいと調べさせてもろぅたんや。…正直、こっちもえぇ話は聞かへんのや。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Even if you aren't incurring maintenance costs, the borrowed money that you can't return just keeps growing. ...Sorry, Krauss nii-san, but I've investigated the development plan for this island a bit. ...To be honest, I haven't heard anything good either.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「秀吉さん。確かに今の財政状況だけを見たらそういう印象を持たれるかもしれない。だが、これは先行投資なのだよ。その読みを誤り、これまでに多くの負債を生んでしまったことは認めざるを得ない。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hideyoshi-san, I can see how you might be left with that impression by looking only at the current financial situation. However, this is a forward-looking investment. I have no choice but to admit that my prediction was mistaken, and that up until now, several liabilities have been created.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n だが、ようやく時代が私に追いついた。これまでに失った分はすぐに取り戻せる。いや、それどころかこれまでの投資だってやがては私の元に戻ってくる。そう、例えるなら放った稚魚が鮭となり、肥えて返ってくるようにね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"However, the times have finally caught up with me. I will soon regain everything that I have lost up to this point. No, actually, all of the investments I have made until now will finally return to my possession. That's right, just like throwing away a small fry to catch a salmon, they will come back even bigger than before.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「それは認めるで。これからリゾート業界は空前の好景気を迎えるやろ…。これまでの負債を埋められるほどかはわからんが…。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I'll accept that. The resort business will probably see an unprecedented boom before long, though I don't know if it'll be enough to cover all your debt...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n ………だがな、蔵臼兄さん。これまで、さんざん負け続けた兄さんが、どこから軍資金を調達したって言うんや。それも半端ない軍資金や。あれだけの穴を埋められる軍資金やで？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........However, Krauss nii-san, after all your failures in the past, who exactly do you expect to provide you with funding? And this isn't some small amount we're talkin's about. You'll need enough funding to fill the massive hole you've dug.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……秀吉さんは何を仰いたいのですか。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......What are you trying to say, Hideyoshi-san?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁ、夏妃さん、ホンマ怒らんといてな！ わしらも調べたんや。…これまで負け戦続きの蔵臼兄さんに、最近の強気な莫大投資を支えられるほどの融資を誰ができたんか、調べたんや。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ahh, Natsuhi-san, please don't get angry! We looked into this, too. We checked to see who might've provided Krauss nii-san with enough financing to support his recent large-scale projects, despite his string of failures.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…結果。いねぇんだよ、そんな後ろ盾は。弱り目と逆に張るのがマネールーレットの鉄則だ。兄貴はこの界隈じゃ、ちょいと知られた弱り目さ。確かに時代は好景気を迎えようとしているが、これまでの兄貴の失敗とを天秤に掛けて、その上で融資に値すると思う連中がいるのか、って言ったら、 <br>\\r\\n 誰もいなかったのさ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...And we discovered...that no such backer exists. The iron rule of the money roulette is that you bet against the loser. Aniki, you're a fairly well-known loser in this field. It's true that prosperous times are about to come, but when we looked for people who considered that enough to overlook your string of failures...and also had enough for the investment, <br><br>\\r\\n we found no candidates.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ならねぇ…？ そのお金をぉ、どこから調達したの？ ってことになるのよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"So, the big question now...is where you got that money from.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………ほぅ。興味深い話じゃないか。それで？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Hoh. Now isn't this intriguing. And?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あ、あなたッ！ このような暴言をいつまで放置されるつもりですか！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"D-Dear! How long do you plan to let these ridiculous remarks stand?!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「座れよ夏妃さん。………短刀直入に言おう。兄貴は親父の個人資産を自分の事業に流用してる。これはほぼ間違いねぇ。これが俺たちの誤解だってんなら、どうかぜひそれを解いてもらいたいもんさ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Sit down, Natsuhi-san. Let's cut to the point. Aniki, you've been diverting Dad's private funds for your own businesses. There's pretty much no room for doubt. If you think we've made some kind of mistake, please, feel free to explain.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「留弗夫、流用なんてもんじゃないわよぅ。これは横領よ？ 刑事告発できる立派な犯罪なんだから。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Rudolf, don't call it diverting funds. This is embezzlement, plain and simple. A huge crime that can be criminally prosecuted.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ぶ、無礼極まりないッ！！ 仮にも右代宮本家跡継ぎの右代宮蔵臼に向かって信じられない暴言ですッ！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Th-This sort of rudeness cannot be tolerated!! How can you face the Successor to the Ushiromiya Head Family and level these absurd accusations?!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「暴言じゃないわよ、図星でしょう？ 何とか事業を成功させてこれまでの損失を埋めたいんだけど、その穴は広がっていく一方！ 博打の穴をさらに大きく張った博打で埋めたいだけよ。その軍資金がすぐ近くにあったなら手をつけるのは道理！ はっきり言うわ、兄さんがしているのは横領よ。お父様に対する裏切りよ？ 然るべき決着が付いた後には司法に委ねることになるでしょうねぇ？ そんな輩に右代宮本家跡継ぎを名乗らせるとお思い？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"They aren't absurd, they're right on the mark. I'm sure he'd like to somehow make his business succeed and recover his losses, but his debt keeps getting bigger! He's just trying to cover up the failure of one gamble by making an even bigger one. It's only natural that he'd try to grab any source of funding close at hand! Let me be frank. Nii-san, what you're doing is embezzlement. You're betraying Father. You know that we'll have the courts settle this after it's all over, right? Do you think that kind of person has any right to call themselves the Successor to the Ushiromiya Head Family?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「い、言うに事欠いて…、と、当主様への裏切りとは聞き捨て難いッ！！ この栄光ある右代宮家の敷居を跨ぐ資格は、もはや貴女にはありませんッ！！ 即刻、ここを出て行きなさいッ！！ さぁ！！ ほらッ！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"O-Of all the... Y-You dare to claim that he has betrayed the Family Head?!! You no longer have the right to straddle the threshold of the glorious Ushiromiya family!! Leave this place at once!! Now!! Get out!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n すでに怒りの限界に達していた夏妃は、激高しながら絵羽を怒鳴りつける。 <br>\\r\\n そして絵羽と廊下を交互に指差しながら出て行けと示した。 <br>\\r\\n Natsuhi, who had already reached the limits of her anger, shouted at Eva in a rage. <br><br>\\r\\n She then pointed alternately at Eva and the hallway, demanding that she leave. <br><br>\\r\\n 絵羽は扇子を取り出すと、それで扇ぐような仕草をしながら、悪意を持った眼差しで静かに聞き直す。 <br>\\r\\n Eva took out a folding fan and fanned herself with it, glaring maliciously at Natsuhi as though silently daring her to repeat what she'd said. <br><br>\\r\\n なのに、口元は三日月のように弧を描いて笑みを浮かべたままだった。 <br>\\r\\n …その不気味な沈黙に、楼座はごくりと唾を飲む。 <br>\\r\\n However, her mouth was still smiling, curved in the shape of a crescent moon. <br><br>\\r\\n ...In that unpleasant silence, Rosa gulped. <br><br>\\r\\n 「ねぇ、…夏妃姉さん？ 誰に向かってそんな口をお聞きなの？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hey, ...Natsuhi nee-san? To whom do you think you are speaking in such a tone?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「無礼極まりない主人の妹に対してですッ！！ これ以上は私も本家の台所を預かる者として聞き捨てなりませんッ！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I'm speaking to the exceedingly rude sister of my husband!! As the person in charge of the main family's kitchen, I cannot overlook any more of this!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「台所を預かるぅ？ <br>\\r\\n ふふふ、 <br>\\r\\n はははは、 <br>\\r\\n あっはっはっはっはっは！！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"In charge of the kitchen? <br><br>\\r\\n Heheheh, <br><br>\\r\\n hahahaha, <br><br>\\r\\n ahhahahahaha!! <br><br>\\r\\n 黙るがいい、 <br>\\r\\n Be silent, <br><br>\\r\\n この下女がッ！」 <br>\\r\\n lowly maidservant!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 絵羽は扇子をバチンと畳むと威勢よく立ち上がる。 <br>\\r\\n Eva folded the fan with a snap and rose to her feet energetically. <br><br>\\r\\n その直前までの優雅かつ小馬鹿にしたような振る舞いからは想像もできないくらいに攻撃的だった。 <br>\\r\\n Compared to the elegance and playfulness she'd shown until a second ago, she was now unimaginably aggressive. <br><br>\\r\\n 「馬鹿馬鹿しい、お前が下がりなさいッ！！ この右代宮絵羽に！ 当主様の左肩を許されている右代宮家序列第３位のこの絵羽に下がれとッ？！ 身の程を知りなさいッ！！ そしてお前のそのみすぼらしい姿を鏡に映してみるがいい！！ お前の服のどこに翼が？ どこに片翼の鷲が許されているのか？ 貴様など右代宮家の跡継ぎを残すためだけの借り腹じゃないの！！ 身の程を弁えるがいい、この端女があッ！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"How foolish. You stand down!! Before Eva of the Ushiromiya family!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n \\\"You tell me to stand down? Me, Ushiromiya Eva, the third ranked in the Ushiromiya family hierarchy and the one allowed to sit at the left shoulder of the Head?!! Know your place!! And then look at your shabby self in a mirror!! Where is the symbol of the wing on your clothes? Where are you permitted to wear the One-Winged Eagle? Aren't you nothing more than a borrowed womb to house the next Successor to the Ushiromiya family?!! Understand your place, you common housemaid!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 絵羽は醜く顔を歪めながら、夏妃の心に言葉で爪を突きたてて、ぎゅぅっと、捻りこむ。 <br>\\r\\n Eva's face twisted hideously as her words gouged into Natsuhi's heart like talons, wrenching at it. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………………………ッッ！！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"........................!!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n ……夏妃には言い返したい言葉が百はあった。 <br>\\r\\n でも、怒りと悲しみで喉を潰され、それらのひとつも口に辿り着かせることができなかった。 <br>\\r\\n There were a hundred ways Natsuhi wanted to respond. <br><br>\\r\\n However, her anger and sorrow crushed her throat...and none of those words managed to make it to her mouth. <br><br>\\r\\n …行き場を失った怒りは、一粒の熱い涙となってぼろりと零れ落ちる…。 <br>\\r\\n ...Her anger had nowhere to go...and became a single hot tear that slowly dripped down... <br><br>\\r\\n 「なぁにぃ？ 何か言い返したいなら、どうぞ言い返しなさいよ。ほぅら。」 <br>\\r\\n 絵羽は挑発の眼差しを向ける。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"What's wrong? If you have something to say, please do so. Come on.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n Eva faced her with a provocative gaze. <br><br>\\r\\n ……だが、夏妃は握り拳を震わせたままわなわなと震えることしかできない…。 <br>\\r\\n ......However, Natsuhi could do nothing but tremble, her clenched fists quivering... <br><br>\\r\\n その火薬の臭いすらする緊迫を、蔵臼は静かに破った。 <br>\\r\\n Krauss quietly broke that powder-keg tension. <br><br>\\r\\n 「夏妃。席を外しなさい。頭を冷やすといい。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Natsuhi, leave your seat. You should go cool your head.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「なッ、…！！」 <br>\\r\\n 夫が自分の肩を持たなかったことを夏妃は憤慨し、その矛先を向け直す。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Wha...!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n Natsuhi, resenting the fact that her husband had not come to her aid, shifted the focus of her attack. <br><br>\\r\\n 「あッ、…あなたはさっきから何を言われているのかわかってるんですか？！ この人たちは、言うに事欠いて、あなたのことを、お父様への裏切り者呼ばわりしているんです！！ 私たちが右代宮家の栄光を守り、お父様からそれを受け継ぐため日々高潔であろうとする全ての努力を蔑ろにして踏み躙る、何という聞き難い暴言ッ！！ あなたもあなたです、どうして言い返さないんですか！ あなたが言い返さないから私が言い返しているのに、さっきからあなたは私に任せっきりで…ッ！！ その私に頭を冷やして来いなんて言うんですか？！ いっつも私ばかり！！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"D-Dear, don't you understand what they're saying about you?! These people are baselessly calling you a traitor to Father!! They are making light of the fact that we protect the glory of the Ushiromiya family, even though we are constantly expending every effort to earn that glory from Father. They trample all of that underfoot with their hateful rambling!!! And you don't even try to fight back! Why?! I'm only standing up for us because you won't, but you've been putting the entire burden on me for some time now!! And now you tell me to go cool my head?! It's always me!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 私はいつも真剣にこの家のことを考えているのにッ、それをあなたは…ッ！！ うううぅううぅ、うううううううううう！！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Even though I have always considered this family's affairs so seriously, you've...!! Aaaaaaaahhh, gaaaaaaaaahhhh!!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 夏妃はもはや涙も隠せない。 <br>\\r\\n そのまま客間を飛び出していった。 <br>\\r\\n Natsuhi was already unable to hide her tears. <br><br>\\r\\n She flew from the room in that state. <br><br>\\r\\n 後には痛々しい空気だけが残り、客間を満たしていた…。 <br>\\r\\n After that, all that remained was a somewhat embarrassed mood about the parlor... <br><br>\\r\\n 足音が遠ざかり静寂が戻ると、蔵臼は小さく肩をすくめるような仕草をして見せた。 <br>\\r\\n When the sound of footsteps grew distant and silence returned, Krauss shrugged his shoulders slightly. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……妻が失礼した。昔から感情を抑えるのが下手でね。私も苦労している。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...I apologize for my wife. She has always been bad at controlling her emotions. It's even been rough for me.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あんなのに切り盛りされてたんじゃ、兄さんも気苦労が絶えないわねぇ？ くすくすくす…！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"If that's what's been managing your household, you must suffer to no end, Nii-san. *giggle*giggle*...!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ぅうううぅ。うううううぅううぅううぅうッ！！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Aaaaaaahhh. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……お、……奥様……、」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...M-Madam......\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「何でもありません…！ 下がりなさい…！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It's nothing...! Leave me be...!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 夏妃は自分の寝室に飛び込むと、…ベッドに伏して号泣した。 <br>\\r\\n その胸を掻き毟るような泣き声は廊下の熊沢の耳にも届くのだった…。 <br>\\r\\n Natsuhi flew into her room and threw herself onto her bed, lamenting... <br><br>\\r\\n Those heartwrenching sobs reached Kumasawa in the hallway... <br><br>\\r\\n ……おいたわしや奥様…。 <br>\\r\\n ......Poor Madam Natsuhi... <br><br>\\r\\n 奥様と絵羽さまは犬猿の仲。 <br>\\r\\n There is a deep enmity between her and Eva-sama. <br><br>\\r\\n …このお二人の関係を説明するのは、女の私にはとてもしんどくございます…。 <br>\\r\\n Explaining their relationship would be very trying for me, as a woman... <br><br>\\r\\n 右代宮家は血を特に重んじられますが、嫁いで家を出れば、本来は序列から除籍されます。 <br>\\r\\n The Ushiromiya family holds blood in high regard, but if a woman marries and leaves the family, they are normally removed from the family register. <br><br>\\r\\n ……ですから絵羽さまも本来は、秀吉さまとのご成婚の際に除籍されるはずだったのです。 <br>\\r\\n ...Thus, under normal circumstances, Eva-sama should have been removed when she married Hideyoshi-sama. <br><br>\\r\\n ところが、 <br>\\r\\n …これは誰のせいでもありません。 <br>\\r\\n 増してや奥様のせいであろうはずもありません。 <br>\\r\\n 神さまの気まぐれとしか言いようがありません。 <br>\\r\\n However, <br><br>\\r\\n ...there is no one deserving of blame in this matter. <br><br>\\r\\n The Madam certainly bears no guilt. <br><br>\\r\\n There nothing to call it other than a whim of God. <br><br>\\r\\n …蔵臼さまと夏妃さまにはなかなか子宝が授からなかったのです。 <br>\\r\\n ...Krauss-sama and Natsuhi-sama were not blessed with children for some time. <br><br>\\r\\n 何しろ男尊女卑の右代宮家でございます。 <br>\\r\\n 妻は跡継ぎを残すための道具。 <br>\\r\\n After all, this is the male-dominant Ushiromiya family. <br><br>\\r\\n A wife is merely a tool to create a heir. <br><br>\\r\\n ……その妻が唯一の役割を果たせないのなら、もはや人間扱いなどされません。 <br>\\r\\n ...If such a wife cannot fulfill her only duty, she will not even be treated as a human. <br><br>\\r\\n 当時の奥様が、お館様からどれほど責め苛まれていたか、思い出すのも苦しゅうございます…。 <br>\\r\\n It pains me to remember how the Master tortured Madam during that time... <br><br>\\r\\n そんな中、絵羽さまに秀吉さまとのご結婚の話が持ち上がりました。 <br>\\r\\n Back then, a wedding between Eva-sama and Hideyoshi-sama was being discussed. <br><br>\\r\\n ……絵羽さまは狡猾でした。 <br>\\r\\n …奥様がいつまでも身篭られないことに付け入ってお館様に取り入ったのです。 <br>\\r\\n Eva-sama was sly. <br><br>\\r\\n ...Taking advantage of Madam's inability to become pregnant, she gained the favor of the Master. <br><br>\\r\\n 入り婿を取って自分が跡継ぎを産むと吹き込み、ご自分の籍を右代宮家に留まらせるよう認めさせたのでございます。 <br>\\r\\n She inspired him to allow her to marry and give birth to a Successor herself, making sure to avoid transferring her name out of the Ushiromiya register. <br><br>\\r\\n 右代宮家に嫁ぎ外様扱いの奥様と、入り婿を取る形で血族として残った絵羽さまは、右代宮家の序列の中では雲泥の差。 <br>\\r\\n There was a vast difference in the Ushiromiya hierarchy between Madam, who married into the Ushiromiya family and was treated like an outsider, and Eva-sama, who was related to the family by blood and whose husband took on the Ushiromiya name. <br><br>\\r\\n しかも絵羽さまは先に、それも男児をご出産されております…。 <br>\\r\\n Furthermore, Eva-sama actually gave birth first, and to a boy... <br><br>\\r\\n どれほど奥様の立場が絵羽さまの前で弱いものであったか、お察しいただけますでしょうか…。 <br>\\r\\n As for how much weaker Madam's position was than Eva-sama's...well, I believe you could see for yourself... <br><br>\\r\\n …奥様にとっては、もし自分がすぐに懐妊することができれば、絵羽さまの入り婿などお館様に認めさせずに済み、今日の絵羽さまの増長を許さずに済んだだろうという悔しい気持ちがあるに違いありません…。 <br>\\r\\n ...I'm sure Madam is tormented by the thought that, if only she had gotten pregnant earlier, the Master wouldn't have accepted Eva-sama's request to keep her last name after marriage, and Eva-sama wouldn't have been permitted to act as arrogantly as she did today... <br><br>\\r\\n しかし…、それは奥様のせいであろうはずもない……。 <br>\\r\\n However, ...that was not Madam's fault...... <br><br>\\r\\n 全ては気まぐれな神さまと、朱志香さんをお届けすることが遅れたコウノトリのせいなのでございます……。 <br>\\r\\n All of the blame lies with God's whims and the stork that delivered Jessica late...... <br><br>\\r\\n だからといって、奥様にはそうと割り切れるはずもない…。 <br>\\r\\n Even so, Madam won't allow herself to see things this way... <br><br>\\r\\n ……ただただ、妻としての責務を全うできなかったことに、女として悔し涙を零すしかできないでしょう…。 <br>\\r\\n ......She probably can't help but cry bitter tears as a woman...at her inability to carry out the duties expected of a wife... <br><br>\\r\\n あぁ、おいたわしや…。 <br>\\r\\n 私には何もできず、こうして物陰から見守ることしかできないのです……。 <br>\\r\\n Ahh, how sad... <br><br>\\r\\n I cannot do anything except watch over her from the shadows...... <br><br>\\r\\n 玄関を出る前に再びホールを横切る。 <br>\\r\\n We crossed the hall again on our way to the entrance. <br><br>\\r\\n すると再び、あの魔女の肖像画が目に入った。 <br>\\r\\n As we did, we once again spotted that witch's portrait. <br><br>\\r\\n だが、目に入ったという言葉は妥当ではないかもしれない。 <br>\\r\\n ……むしろ、目が吸い込まれた、という方が相応しいだろう。 <br>\\r\\n However, `spotted' is probably not the best word to describe that experience. <br><br>\\r\\n ......It was more like our eyes were inexorably drawn to it. <br><br>\\r\\n 怜悧な魅力を持つその女性の瞳には、見る者を釘付けにする魔力が確かに宿っていた。 <br>\\r\\n That woman's eyes, with their sage-like glamor, definitely had the power to make those who viewed it stand rooted to the spot. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…………魔女、ベアトリーチェか。……本当かねぇ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"............So this is the witch, Beatrice. ......Wonder if that story's true.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー？ 戦人信じてない…？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-? Battler doesn't believe...?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n さっき、この絵は何かと聞き、最初にベアトリーチェであると答えたのは真里亞だった。 <br>\\r\\n Back when he had asked what this picture was, the first person to tell him had been Maria. <br><br>\\r\\n だから、戦人がそれを疑うのは、真里亞にとって自分を信じてないように感じられたのだろう。 <br>\\r\\n Therefore, when Battler showed signs of doubt, Maria must have felt that Battler didn't have faith in her. <br><br>\\r\\n …もちろん、戦人はそんな意味で言ったのではないのだが。 <br>\\r\\n ...Of course, that wasn't what Battler meant. <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞は肖像画に駆け寄ると、その下にあるプレートをパシパシと叩く。 <br>\\r\\n そこに肖像画のタイトルが記されているのだろう。 <br>\\r\\n Maria ran up to the portrait and began banging on a plate hanging below it. <br><br>\\r\\n Maybe the title of the portrait was written there. <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞は自分は嘘をついていないということを証明したくて、意固地になってそこを叩き続けていた。 <br>\\r\\n Maria, trying to prove that she wasn't lying, obstinately continued to hit the plate. <br><br>\\r\\n 「あー、悪ぃ悪ぃ、 <br>\\r\\n 別に真里亞が言ったのを疑ったわけじゃないぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Ah, sorry about that, <br><br>\\r\\n it's not like I doubt anything you said, Maria.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 戦人納得！ うー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! Battler believes! Uu-!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞の頭を撫でながら謝ってやると、彼女は納得してくれたようで、胸を張る仕草をしながら、誇らしげにうーうーと唸っていた。 <br>\\r\\n When he patted Maria's head and apologized, she seemed to accept it, sticking out her chest and proudly uu-uu-ing. <br><br>\\r\\n 「………………何々。『我が最愛の魔女ベアトリーチェ』。………懐かしき故郷を貫く、 <br>\\r\\n …って、………何だこの怪しげな長い碑文はよ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......What's this? `My Beloved Witch Beatrice'. ......`Behold the sweetfish river-', <br><br>\\r\\n ...what's with this weird, huge epitaph?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n プレートには肖像画のタイトルが記されていたが、それだけを刻むにはあまりに大きい。 <br>\\r\\n The plate did have the title of the portrait written on it, but it was much too big to contain only that. <br><br>\\r\\n そしてタイトルの下には、碑文のようなものが長々と記されていた。 <br>\\r\\n Beneath the title was what appeared to be a long epitaph. <br><br>\\r\\n その文言を斜め読みした時、物騒な単語がいくつも並び出してぎょっとする。 <br>\\r\\n If you just skimmed over it, several unnerving words would jump out at you. <br><br>\\r\\n 「すげーだろ、ソレ。祖父さまが書かせたものだよ。…意味深だろ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Incredible, isn't it? Grandfather had that made. ...Pretty deep, huh?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 真里亞知ってる！ 黄金の隠し場所ー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! I know! It's the place where the gold's hidden!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……おいおい、右代宮家の隠し黄金の話か？ そりゃまた懐かしい話だな…。……ってゆーか兄貴、…これマジなのか？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Wait, is it that story about the Ushiromiya family's hidden gold? ...Now there's another thing I remember from long ago... ...Hold on, Aniki, ...is this for real?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「これを書かせたお祖父さまは、この絵とこの碑文に関しては何も語ってくれないんだ。………でも親類たちの間では、お祖父さまの黄金の隠し場所を記したもので、この謎を解いた者に家督と黄金の全てを譲るという意味ではないかと、もっぱら囁かれてるよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Grandfather had this made, but he never said anything about this picture or the epitaph. ......Even so, amongst the family, it is often whispered that it indicates the location of Grandfather's hidden gold......and that he will relinquish the inheritance and the gold to the person who solves the riddle.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ 真里亞聞いた真里亞聞いた！ 黄金いっぱいいっぱい！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! I heard that too, I heard that too! Lots and lots of gold!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…さてなぁ。１０ｔの金塊なんてねぇ。私ゃちょいと眉唾だけどな。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Well, something like that. Something like 10 metric tons of gold bars. I think it's fake, though.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「しかしよ、こんな碑文を読んじまうと、マジかなって気になっちまぅなぁ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Still, when you read about it in an epitaph like this, it almost seems real.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n ………さっき、祖父さまの生い立ちについては説明したと思うが、右代宮家の黄金伝説についても説明しておこう。 <br>\\r\\n ......I think I already explained Grandfather's upbringing, but let me also mention the Ushiromiya family's `Legend of the Gold'. <br><br>\\r\\n 祖父さまは関東大震災で潰れかかった右代宮家を継ぎ、戦後の荒波をうまく乗り切り莫大な富を手にした。 <br>\\r\\n Grandfather succeeded the Ushiromiya family after it was destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake, and by successfully riding the stormy seas after the war, he managed to accumulate great wealth. <br><br>\\r\\n …そこまでは誰もが知る一般的な話だ。 <br>\\r\\n ...That much of the story everyone knows. <br><br>\\r\\n だが、ここから妙な話が始まる。 <br>\\r\\n However, this is where the strange part begins. <br><br>\\r\\n …一部に、祖父さまの黒魔術趣味が絡んでくるせいで信憑性は極めて低いのだが、……。 <br>\\r\\n ……まぁ疑ったり馬鹿にしたりするのは全ての説明を終えてからでもいいだろう。 <br>\\r\\n ...Part of it involves Grandfather's black magic obsession, so its credibility is extremely low, but...... <br><br>\\r\\n ......Well, wait until the end before you doubt or make fun of it. <br><br>\\r\\n 戦後、祖父さまは時代を先読みした大博打に勝ち、莫大な富を築くのだが、……その祖父さまが、最初の資本金をどう築いたか、ということである奇妙な伝説があるのだ。 <br>\\r\\n After the war, Grandfather correctly predicted what the future would hold and won in a huge gamble, accumulating a vast store of wealth, ......but there's a mysterious legend about how he gained his initial funding. <br><br>\\r\\n 祖父さまは分家筋から来た人間で、政界にも財界にもコネクションはなく、後に進駐軍に太いコネクションを築くにしても、一番の最初は誰の信頼も得ていない無名の人物だったはずだ。 <br>\\r\\n Grandfather came from a branch family and had no connections in the business world or the financial world. Even though he later built connections with the occupying forces, he supposedly started as a nameless person who hadn't yet gained anyone's trust. <br><br>\\r\\n カネは信用で集めるものでもある。 <br>\\r\\n 信用のできない人物にカネを貸す者はありえない。 <br>\\r\\n It takes trust to gather money. <br><br>\\r\\n There's no way anyone would lend money to someone they didn't trust. <br><br>\\r\\n ……その信用がゼロの祖父さまは、如何にして最初の莫大な資金を手に入れたのか。 <br>\\r\\n ......How did Grandfather, who had no reputation at all, manage to obtain his first vast chunk of funds? <br><br>\\r\\n ……このことを尋ねられた祖父さまはこう答えたという。 <br>\\r\\n When asked that question, Grandfather supposedly answered like this... <br><br>\\r\\n 私はある日、黄金の魔女ベアトリーチェに出会ったのだ、と。 <br>\\r\\n `On a certain day, I encountered the Golden Witch Beatrice.' <br><br>\\r\\n 祖父さまは偉大なる魔術師で、錬金術、悪魔召喚の術を研究し続けていて云々かんぬん。 <br>\\r\\n Grandfather then went on and on about his continuing research into alchemy and techniques for summoning demons in order to become a great magician. <br><br>\\r\\n …そして、悪魔を呼び出す儀式の果てに召喚したのが、黄金の魔女ベアトリーチェなのだという。 <br>\\r\\n ...And the entity summoned as the result of the demon-calling ceremony...was the Golden Witch Beatrice. <br><br>\\r\\n そして祖父さまは己の魂と引き換えに、ベアトリーチェに富と名誉を授けるよう契約したというのだ。 <br>\\r\\n He then apparently made a contract by which he would receive fortune and honor in exchange for his own soul. <br><br>\\r\\n 魔女は、祖父さまに１０ｔの黄金を与えたという。 <br>\\r\\n The witch then granted Grandfather 10 tons of gold. <br><br>\\r\\n 祖父さまはその黄金を担保に莫大な資金を用意し、さらにそれを元手に何倍にも増やし、右代宮家を復興させたというのだ…。 <br>\\r\\n Grandfather used this gold as collateral to prepare a vast quantity of funds, which he then used to multiply his wealth many times over and revive the Ushiromiya family... <br><br>\\r\\n この辺の話は、親たちが子供の頃からすでに聞かされている相当古い話らしい。 <br>\\r\\n It seems this story's so old that even our parents were told it when they were still children. <br><br>\\r\\n だから、親たちも小さい頃には、祖父さまが魔女より得たという黄金がこの島のどこかに隠してあるのではないかと信じて、色々と探検をしたりしたらしい。 <br>\\r\\n So, back when our parents were young, they explored this island in all sorts of ways, believing that the gold Grandfather had received from the witch might be hidden somewhere. <br><br>\\r\\n だが、無人の森に入って迷子になったりして危なかったため、祖母さま辺りが、森には魔女が住んでいるから危ない、近寄ってはいけない、というような話を吹き込んだんだとか…。 <br>\\r\\n However, since there was the danger of them getting lost in the abandoned forest, Grandmother began to spread the story that the witch lived in the forest and approaching it was forbidden. <br><br>\\r\\n 「……そんな話があったなぁ。俺たちも小さい頃、親からその話を聞かされて、宝探しと称して島中あちこちうろうろして、………森で迷ってわんわん泣いて、使用人さんに見つけてもらって親に滅茶苦茶怒られたんじゃなかったっけ。…なーつかしぃぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...I remember that old story. When we were little, we also went all over the island searching for treasure after our parents told us about it. ......Didn't we get lost in the forest once, then start crying until some of the servants found us? Our parents got so mad. ...Dang, that takes me back.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「バカだったよなぁ。だってよぅ、祖父さまはその資本金で儲けた挙句でこの島を買うんだぜ？ この島に来る前から黄金を持ってたってことになるじゃねぇか。この島にあるわけがないぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"We sure were idiots, weren't we? After all, Grandfather only bought this island after using those funds to get rich, right? That means he must've had the gold before coming here. There's no way the gold's on this island.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……そうとも限らないよ。その黄金が、元からこの島に隠されていて、それを確実に自分のものにするために、この島を丸々買い取ったとかね。何しろ１０ｔもあるんだもん。安全な場所に移すより、隠し場所そのものを確保する方が現実的だよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's not necessarily so. Maybe the gold was hidden on the island from the beginning...and he bought the whole island just to ensure that it'd be his and his alone. There was a whole 10 metric tons of it, right? It seems more realistic that he'd try to secure the place where it was hidden, rather than try to move it all.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「この碑文を書かせたのは２年前。それも祖父さま自身ってなると、 <br>\\r\\n ……なるほど、黄金伝説も信憑性が増してくるじゃねぇか。祖父さまが右代宮家復興の資本金にしたという魔女に授けられた黄金が１０ｔ。……そいつがどこかに今も眠っていて、祖父さまはこの謎を解けたヤツに全部を譲ろうって、そういうつもりなのかもしれねぇ。………はぁ、祖父さまらしいセンスというか、何と言うか……。いっひっひ！ マジなら何とも景気のいい話だぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"This epitaph was made two years ago. And since Grandfather wrote it himself... <br><br>\\r\\n ...yeah, it does make the Legend of the Gold seem more believable. The so-called witch's gold that revived the Ushiromiya family weighed 10 tons. ......Maybe that's sleeping somewhere, ready to be turned over to whoever can solve Grandfather's riddle. Maybe that's why he did it. ......Haa, I guess that sounds like Grandfather's style or something...... Ihihi! If it's true, that's pretty incredible.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n プレートに刻まれた碑文には謎めいた、詩のような唄のようなものが記されている。 <br>\\r\\n The epitaph carved into the plate was very mysterious, with something like a poem or a song written on it. <br><br>\\r\\n その文章は祖父さまの黒魔術趣味全開で非常に物騒な、実に悪趣味な内容だが、確かにこの謎を解けば黄金の隠し場所に至れるような、そんな風にも読み取れる内容だ。 <br>\\r\\n That text was incredibly disturbing, filled with the signs of Grandfather's black magic hobby, and its contents were in truly bad taste, but it could definitely be viewed as a puzzle which, if solved, might lead to the hidden gold. <br><br>\\r\\n 「そういうつもりなのかどうか、お祖父さまの胸中は想像もつかないけどね。……ひとつ言えるのは、この胡散臭い碑文を、お祖父さまは一族全員に告示するかのようにここに掲示したこと。そして、黄金の存在はほのめかしながらも、未だにその隠し場所について一切触れないこと。………そこから、親たちが想像を膨らませて、お祖父さまの知恵比べに違いないって言い出した…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Whether that's what he intended or not, I can't even imagine what his true motive might've been. ......All we know for sure is that Grandfather put this shady epitaph here so that everyone in the family could see it. We also know that he's hinted at the existence of the gold without ever talking about where it might be hidden, at least so far. ......These facts then were embellished by the imaginations of our parents, who were convinced that Grandfather was challenging us to a battle of wits...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「…欲の皮が突っ張ってる、うちの親父辺りだろうぜ、こんな世迷言を真に受けてるなんてよ。祖父さまの黒魔術趣味は馬鹿にしてるくせに、この隠し黄金の話だけは信じてやがる。調子のいい話さ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Sounds just like my dad, so greedy that he'd take something like this so seriously. He may laugh at Grandfather's black magic obsession, but he'd still believe this story about the hidden gold. It just sounds so good.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……確かに現実的な話じゃないよね。当時、無名で何のコネクションもなかったお祖父さまに、無償で莫大な金塊を融資する人物なんているわけがない。……それがいたからこそ、お祖父さまはそのスポンサーを魔女と呼んだ、というのなら考えられない話じゃないけど。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Well, it's certainly not a realistic story. At that time, when Grandfather was still nameless and had no connections, there was no way anyone would just lend him a massive quantity of gold bars for free. ......If such a person actually did exist, it's not unthinkable that Grandfather would call such a sponsor a witch.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「でもよぅ、１０ｔだぜ、１０ｔ。一体、現金に直したらいくらくらいになるんだ？ っていうか、とんでもない量になるはずだぜ？！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Yeah, but it's 10 tons. 10 tons! If you cashed that in, how much would it come to? I mean, it'd have to be a ridiculous amount, right?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………とんでもない量だよ。人類が有史以来、採掘した黄金はせいぜい１０万ｔって言われてる。人類の歴史が手にした黄金の、１万分の１を個人が手にしているっていうのは、とてつもないことだよ。…それが一箇所にあり、しかもそれをお祖父さまにポンと貸し出せるような『魔女』。……只者じゃないね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......It certainly would be a ridiculous amount. They say that the total amount of gold mined by humankind since the dawn of history is 100,000 metric tons, at most. That 110,000 of all of the gold humankind has obtained throughout history should belong to just one person is just insane. ...On top of that, this `witch' supposedly had all that gold collected in one place and was able to lend it to Grandfather just like that. We're not talking about any ordinary person.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「私はよぅ、その１０ｔって数字ももはや嘘くさいと思ってるぜ？ 第一よ、祖父さま以外に見たヤツはいないんだろ？ 仮に気前のいい魔女が実在して黄金を貸したとしても、それは１０は１０でも１０ｋｇぐらいの間違いじゃねぇのか？ １０ｋｇでも相当いい金額になるはずだぜ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well, to me, that `10 tons' number seems pretty fishy. After all, no one's actually seen it except Grandfather, right? Even if we assume that some generous witch existed and lent him some gold, maybe it was closer to 10 kilograms than 10 tons. Even 10 kilograms would be a pretty incredible sum, right?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー。…１０ｋｇの黄金っていくら？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-. ...10 kilograms of gold is how much?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 話についていけず、すっかり煙に巻かれていた真里亞が、ようやく質問できる場所を得て俺たちに問い掛ける。 <br>\\r\\n Maria, who wasn't following the story and felt like she was being spoken to in riddles, finally found a place where she could ask us a question. <br><br>\\r\\n その質問は俺もしたいと思ってたところだ。 <br>\\r\\n It was a question I also wanted answered right then. <br><br>\\r\\n 黄金が１０ｋｇだの１０ｔだのと言われても、すげぇ量だとは思うが、どのくらいすごいのか価値がわからない。 <br>\\r\\n Whether it was 10 kilograms or 10 tons, it still felt like a huge amount, but I had no idea exactly how huge. <br><br>\\r\\n 譲治の兄貴が腕組をしながら金相場を思い出している。 <br>\\r\\n George-aniki folded his arms and tried to remember the market price of gold. <br><br>\\r\\n 「………さぁ。金も相場の影響を受けるから何とも言えないし、純度や鋳造先の信用によっても変わってくる。換金に手数料も掛かるし。ただ、希少金属であることは間違いなくて、このまま採掘が進めば人類はあと半世紀ほどで全てを掘り尽くしてしまうんじゃないかって憶測もある。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......Well, even the value of gold is affected by the market, and the value of physical gold can change depending on its purity and the trustworthiness of the foundry. You'd also need to pay handling fees to cash it in. However, that doesn't change the fact that it's a precious metal, and some people estimate that humanity will mine all the world's gold within half a century if gold mining continues at its current rate. <br><br>\\r\\n …………でたらめに言って、 <br>\\r\\n ……１ｋｇ当たり、２００万円程度の価値はあるんじゃないかと思うね。」 <br>\\r\\n ............Just guessing haphazardly, <br><br>\\r\\n ......I think you could expect a price of about 2 million yen per kilogram.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ひゅうッ…。………私よ、１０ｋｇってのは今、適当に言った控えめな数字なんだけどよ…。…それでも、２千万円の価値があるってことになるじゃねぇかよ！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Whoa...! ......Just now, I randomly said 10 kilograms since it sounded smaller, ...but even that would be worth 20 million yen, wouldn't it?!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー？ 真里亞、体重２８ｋｇ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-? I weigh 28 kilograms.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「………ということは、真里亞ちゃんと同じ重さの黄金なら、その価値は５０００万円を超えるって計算になるね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\".........Which means that if we had Maria-chan's weight in gold, we could estimate its worth at over 50 million yen.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そりゃたまげるなぁ…。 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's just unbelievable... <br><br>\\r\\n １０ｔならいくらだ？ １０ｋｇで２０００万が１０００倍だから、……えっと。………はー！ ２００億円か？！ こりゃあたまらねぇや！」 <br>\\r\\n How much would 10 tons be then? 10 kilograms is 20,000,000 yen, which you multiply by 1000, so......umm. .........Huh?! 20 billion yen?! What the hell!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n ２００億円がどれほどの価値を持つか、 <br>\\r\\n ……俺たちはそれぞれが持つ金銭感覚で測るしかない。 <br>\\r\\n How much is 20 billion yen actually worth? <br><br>\\r\\n ......We can only measure it relative to our own pocketbooks. <br><br>\\r\\n 何しろ、生涯賃金が２億円なんて言うくらいだ。 <br>\\r\\n Anyway, let's say that a person's wages over a lifetime are about 200 million yen. <br><br>\\r\\n …社会人になって死に物狂いで働いて会社のために人生を捧げきって、老境に差し掛かってようやく解放され。その退職金までを全て含めて２億円だ。 <br>\\r\\n ...You grow up and work like crazy, sacrificing your life for your company, and you're finally freed as you approach old age. Everything including retirement money might add up to about 200 million yen. <br><br>\\r\\n …つまり、この額は人間の人生の金額、いや、命の値段と言い切っていい。 <br>\\r\\n ...In other words, that's the amount of money that'll be made throughout a human's life. No, you could even call it the value of a life. <br><br>\\r\\n そんな、命が１００必要な莫大な金額。 <br>\\r\\n ...So 100 times that sum is an unbelievable amount of money. <br><br>\\r\\n ……２０歳から就労して６０歳まで４０年働くとして、 <br>\\r\\n ……４０００年分の労働賃金に匹敵。 <br>\\r\\n ......If you work from age 20 to age 60, that's 40 years of work, <br><br>\\r\\n ......so it's equal to 4000 years of work wages. <br><br>\\r\\n 縄文時代からずっと毎日働き続けてようやく得られる額ってことじゃねぇか。 <br>\\r\\n If you worked every day starting from the Jomon period, you'd only reach that number about now. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…うー。２００億円って、すごい…？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"...Uu-. Is 20 billion yen a lot...?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「あぁ、すげえよ。真里亞の大好きなショートケーキだったら、多分、一生懸っても食いきれないくらい買えるぜ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Heck yeah, it's a lot. Maria, you love shortcake, right? You could buy more shortcake than you could possibly eat for the rest of your life.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「……でも、２００億円という現金ならいざ知れず、それと同等の金塊が一所にあるなんて、とても現実的とは思えないね。さっきも言った通り、黄金は非常に重くて、財産をまとめておくにはちょっと便利とは思えないよ。ものすごい額面の有価証券とかものすごく価値のある宝石とか、そういうものなら考えられなくもないけれど。…戦時中の混乱期に、自分の資産を持ち運べるよう、全て宝石などに変えた人たちがいたのは有名な話だからね。……でも、黄金で資産を備蓄したというのはなかなか聞かない。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"......However, while that might be possible with 20 billion yen in cash, I don't think it would be very realistic to have that much in gold bars all in one place. Just as I said, gold is extremely heavy, so it isn't exactly convenient as a method of storing wealth. Sure, you could imagine someone gathering their fortune together as incredibly high-value stocks or precious gems. ...You often hear of people who traded their wealth for precious gems so that they could carry it around with them during the chaotic times of the war. ......But you don't usually hear stories of people exchanging their wealth for gold.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「確かに重いけどよ、国際的に一番信用されてて価値も安定してるし、意味はあるんじゃないのかなぁ。証券とかだったら、国が滅びちまったら紙切れになっちまうわけだし。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It may be heavy, but it's the most trusted and stable form of wealth internationally, so maybe that was important? For example, bonds are just scraps of paper if the whole country goes under.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そういう考え方もあるね。…でも、１０ｋｇのインゴット１つでも体感重量は相当のものだよ。聞いたことない？ ５０ｋｇの人間は背負えても、５０ｋｇの俵は担げないって。それだけの莫大な重量の金塊を、個人が所有するリスクと手間は計り知れないね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"You can also look at it that way, ...but even one 10 kilogram ingot is pretty heavy to carry around. Haven't you heard? A 50 kilogram person can't carry a 50 kilogram bag over their shoulder. With that many gold bars, the amount of labor and risk for one person would be hard to calculate.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ってことはつまり、２００億円の札束が唸ってるって話ならともかく、２００億円分の黄金が山積みになってるってのは、ちょいと現実味がないわけだな。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"So what you're saying is, while it'd be one thing if you had a stack of banknotes worth 20 billion yen, 20 billion yen in gold would be such a big mountain that practically it'd be kinda pointless.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そういうことになるね。…黄金伝説なんて響きはとても面白いんだけど、そもそも１０ｔの黄金という時点で少々無理があるねぇ…。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"That's right. ...Although the Legend of the Gold does have a pretty interesting ring to it, just the part about the 10 tons of gold makes it pretty much impossible...\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「そうやって理詰めで考えると、見る見る嘘くさくなっていくぜ。はは、夢のない話さ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"If you think about it logically like that, it sounds obviously fake. Haha, kind of brings you back down to reality.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「でも、そこは何しろあのお祖父さまだからね。親切な大金持ちからの融資を大袈裟に吹聴して、魔女から授かった１０ｔの黄金、何て例え方をしたのかもしれないよ。１０ｔという数字も象徴的な感じがするしね。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Anyway, that's Grandfather for you. Maybe he exaggerated the story of how some kind, wealthy person gave him a loan by saying he got 10 tons of gold from a witch. Even the number `10 tons' feels pretty symbolic.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「つまり、借りたカネのありがたさは１０ｔの黄金に匹敵する価値があった、ってなことだな。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"You mean like his gratitude for the money he borrowed was worth 10 tons of gold, or something?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「へへへ、祖父さまに、大金持ちの有閑マダムが気前よく恵んでくれて。そのご婦人を魔女と呼んだ、ってことじゃねぇのかー？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hehehe, maybe some rich man's leisured wife generously granted it to Grandfather. And maybe he started calling this person a witch.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n なるほど、朱志香の例えは悪くない。 <br>\\r\\n I see. Jessica's example isn't bad. <br><br>\\r\\n …社会信用がゼロだった祖父さまに、気前よく莫大なカネを貸し付けてくれたら、それは魔女と呼んでもいいほどのお人だ。 <br>\\r\\n ...Someone who'd generously lend a huge sum of money to Grandfather when he still had no reputation might as well be called a witch. <br><br>\\r\\n ……しかも後に祖父さまはそのカネを元に莫大な富を築き上げる。 <br>\\r\\n ......Furthermore, Grandfather actually did use that money to build a vast amount of wealth later on. <br><br>\\r\\n …人を見る目も並外れて優れてるとすれば、これも魔女と呼んで差し支えないだろう。 <br>\\r\\n ...The fact that this person was so great at judging people might also justify calling her a witch. <br><br>\\r\\n それに、それだけの莫大な融資をしたのだから、その使い方には熱心な指導もしただろう。 <br>\\r\\n Also, since she went to the trouble of lending all that money, she might've enthusiastically overseen how it was spent. <br><br>\\r\\n 案外、進駐軍に食い込んで朝鮮特需で稼げ…なんていうこともその魔女が祖父さまに吹き込んだのかも。 <br>\\r\\n The decision to unexpectedly get involved with the occupying forces and profit from the Korean War Demands might've been inspired by the witch herself. <br><br>\\r\\n その部分も含めて、魔女に富と名誉を授けられた、という言い方をするなら、そういうこともありなのかもしれない。 <br>\\r\\n That might explain why he claimed to have received both wealth and honor from her. <br><br>\\r\\n 「なるほどな。…………ってことはつまり、この魔女さまは、右代宮家復興のための資金を恵んでくださった、復興の大恩人ってわけだ。…となりゃ、祖父さまが感謝の気持ちを込めて、こんだけデカイ絵を描かせて掲げさせたってのも、なるほど、おかしい話じゃないのかもな。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I see. ......So, in other words, this witch lent Grandfather the funds necessary to revive the Ushiromiya family, and he owed her big time. ...And then, he felt so grateful that he had that huge painting drawn and displayed... Yeah, it's not that crazy a story.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「ひょっとするとよ、当の本人は見るからに魔女っぽい婆さんだったかもしれないぜ？ それを祖父さまが美化して、こんな美人に描いてくれたってのは考えられる話さ。はっはははは、案外、当の本人に会ってみたら、こんなに美人じゃないかもしれねぇな！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It's even possible this person was an old granny who looked like a witch. Maybe Grandfather idolized her, and that's why he had her drawn to look so beautiful. Hahahahaha, I'll bet if we ever did meet this person, she wouldn't be nearly this pretty!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「はっはっはっは、ありえるね。ベアトリーチェって名前は如何にも洋風だけど、僕たち一族の名前がみんな洋風であることを考えると、このベアトリーチェって名前も、日本人名を無理やり洋風にアレンジしたものなのかもしれないよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hahahaha, that's possible. The name Beatrice sounds pretty Western, and if you think about how everyone in our family has Western names, maybe even the name Beatrice is the result of Grandfather trying to rearrange some Japanese person's name to make it sound Western.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「なるほどなるほど。この美人は絵の中にしかいないってわけだな。それじゃあの立派そうな乳は揉めそうにないぜ〜、いっひっひ！ ハナっから魔女なんておかしいんだよな。そんなのが地球上のどこにいるってんだ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"I get it, I get it. That means this pretty girl doesn't exist outside the picture. Guess that means I won't be able to rub those elegant breasts, ihihi! In the first place, isn't having a witch pretty bizarre by itself? Like you could find something like that anywhere on Earth.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 魔女の森に怯えた６年前の自分と決別したくて、俺が小馬鹿にしたようにへらへら笑うと、真里亞が俺の袖を引っ張った。 <br>\\r\\n I laughed and made fun of the witch, trying to distinguish myself from the kid I was six years ago, who feared the witch of the forest, ...when Maria tugged on my sleeve. <br><br>\\r\\n …その力加減はちょっぴりの不快さを込めていた。 <br>\\r\\n ...I could tell by how hard she pulled that she was a bit upset. <br><br>\\r\\n 「ん？ 何だよ真里亞。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Hmm? What is it, Maria?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「うー！ うーッ！！ ベアトリーチェはいーるー！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Uu-! Uu-!! Beatrice eeexiiists!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞はじっと俺を睨む。 <br>\\r\\n Maria stared up at me. <br><br>\\r\\n …いつも仏頂面だが、彼女なりに怒っているのが瞳の色でわかった。 <br>\\r\\n She had on her usual sour look, but I could tell she was angry by the color of her eyes. <br><br>\\r\\n 「魔女いる！ 魔女はいる！ うーうーうー！！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Witches exist! Witches exist! Uu-uu-uu-!!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「何だよ、そりゃいるだろうよ、テレビをつけりゃアニメとかによぅ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Well sure, they do exist...if you turn the TV on and watch anime or something.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「いるー！！ 魔女はいるー！！ うーうーうー！！！」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Exist!! Witches exist!! Uu-uu-uu-!!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞が何でこんなにも突っかかってくるのかわからなくて焦る。 <br>\\r\\n I started getting impatient, not knowing why Maria was jumping on me like this. <br><br>\\r\\n すると朱志香が俺の肩を叩いて小声で教えてくれた。 <br>\\r\\n Then, Jessica tapped me on the shoulder and whispered. <br><br>\\r\\n 「…バカだな、子供の夢、打ち砕いてんじゃねぇぜ。真里亞は魔女とかベアトリーチェとかが確かに存在するって信じてんだよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Dumbass, you're smashing a kid's dream. Maria really believes things like witches and Beatrice exist.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 「確か真里亞ちゃんは学校の文集に、将来なりたいものは『魔女』って書いたんだっけ？」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"Come to think of it, Maria-chan, in social studies at your school, when you were asked to write what you wanted to be when you grew up, you wrote `a witch', didn't you?\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 真里亞は真剣に頷く。 <br>\\r\\n 目の端に涙がちょっぴり滲んでいた。 <br>\\r\\n Maria nodded seriously. <br><br>\\r\\n Tears started to run from the corners of her eyes. <br><br>\\r\\n ………なるほど、将来、魔女になりたいと願う少女にとっては、ベアトリーチェという存在は、確かに魔女がこの世に存在するという証でもあり、そして憧れる崇拝の対象でもあるに違いない。 <br>\\r\\n .........I see. To a girl who wants to become a witch in the future, the existence of Beatrice was proof that witches do exist in this world, and was therefore an image that she yearned after and admired. <br><br>\\r\\n 「いるー！ <br>\\r\\n \\\"Exist! <br><br>\\r\\n いるー！ <br>\\r\\n Exist! <br><br>\\r\\n 魔女はいるー！！ <br>\\r\\n Witches exist!! <br><br>\\r\\n なのに戦人が信じない！ うーうーうー！！！」 <br>\\r\\n But Battler still doesn't believe! Uu-uu-uu-!!!\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n <br>\\r\\n <br><br>\\r\\n 「うん、いるよ、魔女は。お兄ちゃんは信じるよ。」 <br>\\r\\n \\\"It's okay, witches do exist. I believe it.\\\" <br><br>\\r\\n 譲治の兄貴が跪いて真里亞の頭を抱く。 <br>\\r\\n …その様子を見ながら朱志香が俺の脇を小突く。 <br>\\r\\n George-aniki kneeled down and hugged Maria's head. <br><